The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-03-15
The total income of the church of Eng
land is S1,OO0,000 a week.

1t was during the Vicksburg cam
paign. and not long before the termina-
ton Of that memorable siege.
| was then a captain attached to a
heavy detail that was sent down the
Big Black to watch the only spot to
the east whereby spies or scouts might
enter the city with dispatches for the
enemy.
For weeks we had been expecting
a surrender, for deserters had come
through to our lines from the city, and
one and all told us that Pemberton's
garrison were short of percussion caps,
and that if they did not get in sup
ply they could not hold out; so that
our real purpose was to prevent this
kind Of supply getting through to the
enemy.
One evening, it was in midi
and about month after the siege be
gan. some of my men who had been to
the other side Of the river in batteau
came back in hurry, bringing with
them a prisoner.
This prisoner was a bright and ath-
letic young fellow of not more than
five and twenty. The only sign of
military dress about him was blue
blouse, but it needed no close examina-
ton to prove that he was a Southern
man by birth, and the contents of the
knapsack carried so lightly on his
broad shoulders showed the direction
of his sympathies and the reason for
his visit to these parts.
The young man after some hesita-
ton said his name was Singleton. but
beyond that would not talk.
The circumstances of his capture
and the fact that he had good many
thousand percussion caps Ill his pos
session warranted us Ill holding him
as a spy trying to make his way
through to the enemy's lines.
As we were some eight miles from
the headquarters of the Provost Mar
shall Of the army, and we were to be
relieved the next morning, it was de
cided to hold the prisoner under guard
and send or take him on in the morn
ing.
He was in my special keeping, and
when dinner was cooked l ordered
that the man be given all he could
eat, including tin cup of genuine
coffee, which he appeared to relish
very much.
After he had eaten, | went over to
where he sat. near the river, and found
him more communicative. A guard
was detailed to watch him specially.
but it seemed impossible that he could
get away, for the west bank of the Big
Black was alive with our alert pickets.
Yes he said, in response to my
question, there is no use to deny it. |
am Confed, but [ tell you [ am no
spy"
Il think" / said, you will have
trouble in making a court believe
that"
WHAT" he asked in surprise. do
you think they'll try me for a spy?"
Il certainly do"
And you think they'll be apt to
convict 2"
Il do, and [ am sorry for it. for YOU
appear to be decent young fellow" L |
said.
And if they convict, what then?" |
L men you ii ule.
BY hanging?"
Yes"
And no choice on my part?"
Unfortunately, no."
wv ell" he said meditatively, that's
Id hard"
at is the fortune of war. If can
be of any service to you while [ am
here let me know" l said, as turned
to leave
He thanked me, curled himself at
The root of live oak, and with his
soft gray hat pulled over his brown
face appeared to be soon asleep.
As officer of the guard [ passed the
ire several times before Il o'clock
when l was to be relieved and the
appeared to be still asleep.
Down the river [ could hear the
challenges coming nearer. telling me
he DlcketS were BEING relieved