The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-14
A NARROW ESCAPE

One OF the most daring and useful or
the spies of the Army of the Cumberland
was Harry Newcomer, who before the war
had drifted into detective work as depu-
ty sheriff in an Ohio county and had also
been connected with the secret service Of
the United States courts. He entered the
army with the Eleventh Indiana battery.
and worked quietly on his own account,
without even the knowledge of the officers
Of his regiment, until he was ready 10 re-
port what lac had done and gave informa-
tion which was found 20 be true and valu-
able. He was man 20 whom fear was
unknown and whose detective experience
i'm private life had given him absolute
self possession in danger. In time he be-
came connected with Captain Truesdaips
department and entered upon q career full
OF adventure and excitement.
Once he felt the rope around his neck
and thought that the last had come. lie
had been in Shelbyville, Tenn, then oc-
cupied by the rebels, and had escaped from
there by some sharp maneuvering. Pro-
ceeding through Frankin with impor-
tant information toward Nashville, be was
met on the stairway by a squad OF four
men under Captain John Harris OF Nor
gan's command, all OF whom wero drunk,
IIewas hailed at the point OF n pistol with
the words;
"Who arc you and where do you liver"
any nome is Newcomer, and live six
miles from Nashville. near Brent
Spence's," was the reply.
Spence was known TO all and Newcomer
Thought he use Of his name would as
sure him safety. But the captain was too
drunk 60 be subject to reason and would
not be satisfied. He asked, with IA swag-
ger:
"Where have you been and what in the
- are you doing heref"
"I have been to Shelbyville 10 SEQ
Spences son, and took some contraband
goods TO SELL"
"You can go back 20 Franklin with me,
sir, !" was the menacing answer. 81 know
all about you. You are "A - Yankee
spy. You have been going backward and
forward here so much that the citizens of
Franklin have suspected yos for long
time and have reported you. i am salts
fled that you are n spy, and am going TO
hang you, - you. Bragg has ordered
mo never TO bring in spies, but to shoot or
hang them like dogs on the spot"
"lf you do that, said the spy, in n cool
tone, "you win take the life of a good and
true man. i can show by j. W. RatclifIe
that j am a true southerner, and that
have done much good for the cause-very
likely more than you have-and that am
doing good every day live"
One of the men with the captain here
suggested that perhaps the prisoners
story was true, and that, Ratcliffe's house
not being over half mile distant, it
would be best TO take him there for identi-
fcation. This was agreed to, but on the
way the party stopped to take another
drink, and under the influence of the
liquor the captain grew bloodthirsty
again and said, between hiccoughs:
"Boys. it's no use foolin. This fellows
A Yankee- uere,s just ns good
place as we can find TO hang him. Take
that halter of that horse and bring it
here"
The place was lonely and fitting for the
tragedy. IL was now night, and the shade
of the forest along the road made the
darkness all the thicker. Harris jumped
off his horse, put the halter strap around
Newcomer 's neck and with an oath drew
il tight Newcomer had just breath
enough left TO say:
Captain. it is wrong to take mans
life on so slight "a suspicion. IL IL a vast
responsibility TO take upon yourself"
81 know my business" came the an
swer, "and don't want any advice from
a - Yankee spy. Come alongl" shouted
he to- his men, dragging the victim 90 a
tree. Lets swing up this - rascally
spy
The men hesitated and urged that
chance be given the prisoner Mt Ratclffe's.
But they were commanded TO help pull up
nd nh fa IL on ban
Newcomer held them long enough to exact
a promise from each of the private sol
dicrs that if their captain did not, they
would report his death TO General Bragg.
This set the captain to thinking, and he
changed his purpose. The journey to
Ratcliffe's was resumed, and when they
reached the house and Ratcliffe learned
the facts he exclaimed aside TO Newcomer,
by whom he had been completely deceived
in former meeting, "Great God, Harry,
how fortunate that i returned home just
I'm time to prevent this drunken captain
from carrying out his threatP'
The interview between Captain Harris
and Ratclilfe convinced the former that
Newcomer was all that he pretended TO
be, md the captain said
81 release you and restore you your arms
on the word of Quartermaster Ratcliffe.
He assures me you are one of tho impOr-
tant men in the south and secret agent OF
the Confederacy. ] am very sorry this
thing has occurred and will make all
Amends in my polyer. ~
Newcomer refused all proffers Of help
and said that his business required him
20 continue on his journey. Before he left
Ratcliffe supplied him with an envelope on
which was written, "All right, j. w.
Radcliffe" with the remark:
"lf anybody stops you again, Just show
them this and you viii be passed at once"
indianapolis News.
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