Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-08-30
Gen. Lees Story.


phia Times. So far as he knows the fol-
lowing brief, and, perhaps, not very
amusing war story is the only war story
he ever told. 1t is certainly the only
one the recounter, who heard him tell it,,
ever did hear fall from his lips.
Lee was never a great talker except
under one condition, and that was when
he had young ladies to entertain, for then
his natural gallantry got the better OF
him and he was charming companion,
but not what might be called loquacious
and he did not care to talk of the war,
preferring to choose other topics. 1t
was in camp, however, that he so far
Welded to the desires of a couple Of fair
visitors as to spin a yarn. He had IN
vited two young ladies, cousins of his, TO
dine with him, and it was to them and
at their persuasion that he told the story
of the two Confederate Scouts"
Carefully arranging his napkin on the
table in front of him and sitting perfect
" erect in his chair, as was his custom,
Gen. Lee said: "When this war is over
you will hear a great deal of praise given
the leaders of the armies, and in the at
tempt to do them honor the private SOL
dier to certain extent, will be over.
looked. This is unfortunate, since some
of the noblest and most daring deeds OF
the war were done by privates on both
sides.
az was once in absolute need of posi-
tive information as to the movements OF
the enemy. My regular scouts were out
so | had to select from regiment OF
men who we're familiar with the section
of the country, if not with their mission.
Two able bodied and intelligent men were
sent to me, to whom | entrusted the dan
gerous task of crossing the river and
going into the neighboring village to as
certain from stragglers the coveted infor-
nation. They made the trip successfully
and returned the next noon not only with
the facts, but with the traps and effects
of four Union soldiers, which they had
obtained in a manner creditable to the
coolest and bravest men of either army.
"After ferreting out the secret OF the
enemy they started on the return trip
but were detained by terrific rainstorm
of several hours duration, which forced
them 10 shelter until night. When they
reached the river they found TO their cha
grin that it was too much swollen to be
crossed in canoe, and the only thing
left was to make bed Of pine tags on
the ground and sleep until morning,
when they would proceed unmolested,
but they had reckoned without their host.
The enemy's pickets who had also been
driven to shelter, by the rain were out
early next morning investigating, and
seeing fresh tracks suspected something
wrong. Five of them started on the
trail, plain in the soft earth, and soon
came upon the sleeping scouts. Feeling
confident Of having their prisoners secure,
they thought to have some innocent fun
with them, and proceeded to jab their
backs with the point of their bayonets
and requested them to come in out Of the
rain.
"Hello Johnny, what are you doing
sleeping out here in the wet like this ?
You will take cold. Come on with us
out of the damp"
But the sleeping Confederates could
not be aroused and the sentinel had a
big laugh over it, particularly so when
one of them would turn partially over
and groan, oh, stop that What are you
poking me for?' 1T isn't time for reveille
yet as if he thought he was in his own
camp safe and sound. Just in the midst
of their greatest outbreaks the scouts,
with the agility of wild animals sprang
from their couches and with their pistols
shot down the two front men, then as
quickly dropped the other two as the
fifth man hastily retreated, leaving his
gun behind him.
"When the scouts heard the federal
SQUAD advancing on them they were too
close TO admit of retreat, so they resorted
10 strategy, and feigned sleep, arranging
between them that at given signal both
should rise and fire on different men,
taking them so by surprise that the 9TH
ers could be shot also before they could
get their guns up. The trick worked
perfectly, and to it those men moi only
owe their necks, but the valuable infor.
nation for headquarters and four good
Snider rifles and warm overcoats.
81 do not believe that any deed of war
surpassed this in GOODNESS and bravery.
>
Certain hard words, made into pills,
eimnlv 10 swell the doctor bills,