Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-04-28
life, qualified him for the responsible

life, qualified him for the responsible
duties of a practical life.
When the tocsin OF war was sound
ed, in 1861. one Of the first to respond
was Thomas o. Harter. Injured to
the perils and responsibilities OF the
position OF a railroad engineer, he was
disposed to enter that branch OF the
service which afforded him the great
est amount OF change and daring ad.
venture. Accordingly, he became q
mem Der of Co. /, LIST Ind. Cav, and in
short time was at the front, where
! danger and duty were most abundant.
| The summer of 1852 was one OF
great military activity, in both the
East and the West. McClelan's fail
ure to capture Richmond during the
| penisular campaign, rendered it neces-
sary that the movement against the
rebe! army from the direction OF Wash.
ington should be conducted with great
discretion. Pope's right was, at this
time, commanded by Major General
Franz slgel, at whose headquarters
Harter's company was employed az a
bodyguard. Approaching the gravity
OF the situation, sigel determined to
secure such information concerning
the enemy's position, numbers and
| plans, as would enable him to move
inteligently. Accordingly on July 81,
be asked Harter to enter the enemy's
lines on secret service, and report at
the earliest possible moment. For
this purpose, the general supplied
| Harter with an unbranded horse, a
bride and saddle. On the following
day, as Harter was vending his way
along toward the capital OF the Con-
federacy, he was captured near Honey.
vile by three OF Ashley's cavalry. He
was carefully searched and relieved
at once OF S447.5O in gold which he
| had securely bound about his BODY
in belt. In addition TO this sum be
| had some five Or SIX five-doliar gold
pieces secreted in the bottoms OF his
pants legs, which the Johnnies did not
get. He was tinally taken to Rich
mond and turned oyer to the tender
mercies OF Gen. Winder, in charge OF
the prisoners OF the city. When inter-
rogated as to his occupation and
standing, he gave his name as William
Provost, and represented h,m:elf to
be Hooser railroad engineer, seeking
employment in the Southern Conteder.
acy in,thatcapacity He was subjected
to q rigid examination as to the
Terre Haute & st. Louis railroad, in
whose employ he had been. So salts
| tactor!ly did he answer every question
propounded to him that he was given
the liberty OF the city with pass, the
only restriction imposed being that
OF q daily report in person at
Winder's headquarters. After nine
| days he sought employment on
the Virginia Central railroad and
Tor that purpose was provided
| with q pass over the road by
the War department. The train which
| took MIN to Gordonsville, also carried
Generals Lee, Longstreet, Jackson,
Ewell, Early, the Hills, and other
| prominent confederate officers. Lee
was commencing his campaign against
Pope. His army had concentrateda at
Gordonsvllle, and be was going out to
! lead it in the aggressive campaign
just lnaugurased. From Gordonsville
! the army was moved to the south
bank OF the Rapidan. On the opposite
SIDE, at the distance OF but few miles,
lay Pope's army, not in the least sus.
pecting the near presence OF the enemy.
On Sunday, ratlons having been issu-
ed by Lee for IS hours active cam
palgn, his men were assured that their
next supplies would be given them
within the confines OF Washington. On
the same day, at Gen. A. 2. Hills
headquarters, to which Sergt. barter
l1lxl
OF Lees generals, during which the
plans OF the campaign were fully dis
cussed. These details were overheard
by sergr. Harter. The plan was to
move up the river, force crossing,
and with g heavy column attack
Popes right, under Sigel, and with the
main column cross the rapids below,
at Raccoon ford, and get between Pope
and Washington.
Sergt. Harter now deemed the
momentous hour for dong his duty
to be at hand. The next morning,
taking advantage OF a furry in camp,
he stole his way down to the river,
and swimming across, was soon
ascending the hill on the opposite
SIDE. Passing through brush and ra-
vine, he made his way rapidly toward
Union headquarters. He was assist.
ed, as soon as he reached the lines OF
the "boys in blue" and within So
, minutes from the time he left Hills
headquarters, he outstanding breath
less in the tent OF Gen. Reno, where
Pope and Mcdowell were assembled!
He delivered his message, and showed
them a copy OF a Richmond paper he
had just secured, all OF which con-
WINGED Pope and his associates that
! no time was to belost. Atonce orders
were issued to have the large
field pieces spiked and cut down,
and the supply trans burned.
A retreat for the Rappahannock
was ordered. The retrograde move
ment began at once; nor was it too
soon. A few hours delay lwoud have
found Lees army in his rear. and Pope
would have been destroyed or captur.
ed, and Washington would have fallen
an easy prey to the Confederatearmy.