Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-03-15
WAR "REMINISCENCES
FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH.
A Union Soldiers Dari ,g saves Him From
the Fate of a spy.

court-martlal to die; to leave the DrlRn
and beautiful world around him, ant
TO be ushered alone into the valley O
the shadow of DEATH" A noble-lookinl
man he was, as he stood there, unmoveC
amid enemies that surrounded him, ms
a naughty. half-sad, half-defant ex
preston rested upon his handsome, dar
ing face.
He was a union spy, captured in the
confederate lines and bearing upon his
person reasonable papers sufficient tc
have condemned a regiment. He had
made a good fight, but he was at last
overpowered, the papers found upon
him, and, after a speedy trial, was con-
demned to die.
had formed one of the court-martial,
and though ! knew that the crime OF
being a spy was punishable with death,
yet had | sought to have him spared.
was young then, for it was the first few
months of our civil war, and l was not
as used t o deeds of blood as ] became in
after years; and, besides, the spy was
young and handsome, by his deport-
ment evidently a gentleman, and his
reckless bravery had won my admira-
ton
Nightfall came upon our camp, and
the following morning the spy was to
be called out and shot had been APP
pointed to take charge of the execution,
and, seated in my tent. l was thinking
Of the unpleasant duty ! was TO perform
on the morrow.
Lieutenant, a note for you, sir"
l started as the orderly's voice broke
the stiffness of the night, and, taking
the outstretched note, read:
Pardon me for disturbing your slumbers,
but as you omman the detachment that will
would see you, If your duties as an oficer do
not urge TO tie contrary. Hoping you will grant
this favor, / remain, with respect
WILBUR HAYES"
l carefully read the note oyer twice,
and then said to the orderly:
Say that / will come"
A few moments later, and | stood
in the presence Of the condemned man.
'Mr. Hayes, you sent for me"
II did, lieutenant, and it was be-
cause of your kindness to me during the
trial, and also hat l saw in your eyes
pity for my fate"
Il do feel for you, from my heart
/ do; and sincerely wish / had moi
the unpleasant duty devolving upon
me of ordering your execution to-mor-
Il have a favor to ask of you, sir; to
please order the guard TO remove some
distance from the tent, as it is a comics
sion ] wish to make"
/ gave a command to the guard to re.
tire a few PAGES, and returning to the
tent Hayes at once began:
II an no spy, sir, but am condemned
upon circumstantial evidence. / came
into the confederate lines to visit my
mother, who lives in the south, although
she is union in her feelings After 8
visit to her of a few days | started to
and by the roadside came upon
a dying man clad as a confederate
Imagine my surprise to recog-
nize in him a noted spy of our
army. aad recognizing me, he in
me that he had been wounded
The night before by being fired upon by
4 party of confederate cavalry, and had
ridden on until he could go no further.
He knew he was TO die and intrusted
10 my care the papers he had about
him. / watched over the poor fellow
lntil he died, and then following out a
grave,
LEFT him alone in his glory
md proceeded on my way.
II have little more to add, except
hat / am a major Of cavalry in the
United States army, and wish that you
will take my private papers from me
lfter j am dead and send them to an
address, will give you. Now this is all
ask, except that you will send me
zen and ink by the orderly when you
Thus we parted. and finding a scout
waiting me al my tent upon my re-
urn, ! gave him my pen, ink and paper.
md ordered him to ride over to the
ent where the doomed man was with
hem, and to tell the guard to release
lis hands of the shackles while he
wrote, but to keep a close watch upon
i'm.
A few minutes after, / was startled
" a loud shout, one, two, three shots
n rapid succession, and then the rapid
ush of hoofs by my quarters was
nst in time to see the scouts horse
ash swiftly ~ and recognize, by the
Moonlight, the commanding form of
Wilbur Hayes, the union spy, in the
addle.
Men mounted in hot haste. and a
base commenced, but the daring SOL
Ter escaped. and thus saved himself
the death of a spy.
Upon inquiry, | learned that when
he manacles had been removed from
is wrist Hayes, watching his oppor-
with two rapid blows struck the
uard and The scout to the ground, and
bringing lightly on the back of the
,outs horse. rode rapidly away. fol-
WED by the shots from the sentinels
! the immediate vicinity. IN. Y
edger.
THE BOYS FELL BACK.
nd In Our Hearts We're Thoughts Too