Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-08
WAS A FAMOUS SCOUT.
Lawrence lie Brun, Son Of French Noble
man.

Living quietly and cOntentedly on
farm in central Kansas is no less
parsonage than the heir to one of the
oldest titles in France, Lawrence LIE
Brun, the eldest son of Marquis LIE
Brun, and grandson Of the famous
great French Warrior, General LIE
Brun
Lawrence. or. as he prefers to be
called Larry" ran away from his
home when but seven years old, in the
summer of 1852, on account Of the un-
usual severity Of his paternal parent.
He slowed himself away in mer-
chairman bound for Havre to New
York. In the latter city he made a
living backing boots and doing odd
chores until he was IS years old, and
the war of the rebellion bursting
forth, he emulated the spirit of his
grandSire and went to the front, en-
listing as private in a New York
regiment.
On account Of his diScreetneSS and
secretiye nature, which became
known to his colonel, he was made an
orderly, and the care of many an i'm
pOrtant message and paper was en-
trusted to him for delivery, and,
evincing in this work a peculiar
adaptability, he was soon made a
scout.
When Sherman was placed in COM
mand Of the western division of the
Union forces, Larry" was detailed to
this department, and by his unusual
boldneSs and adVentureSOme spirit
became General Sherman'S private
ri a
the confederate lines, where he sue
cessfully entered their territory and,
returning, brought information Of the
greatest Importance to his commander.
At this time he was nearly 8 feet
tall and had black, curly hair which
fell to his shoulders, complexion OF
olive color with pink tint peculiar
to q French creole, and as smooth as
any lady'S. On account of his femi-
nine characteristic of his cOuntenance,
and also possessing a graceful and
1.-the figure. he was won't TO don the
habilimentS of the female gender, and
being native Frenchman, would pass
off as a ''creOle." In this manner he
accomplished many successful ruSe,
where otherwise his mission would
have been frustrated.
On one occasion, when it became
known that young Union officer had
been seized prisoner while dining with
the wife of a Confederate officer, and
his guards numbering but two men
besides the husband and the hostess,
lie Brun dOnned his female garb, and,
going to the house in question, soon
ingratiated himself in the favor of
one of the guards, and at an OppOrtune
time, laid his plans so carefully that
he not only liberated the imprisoned
lieutenant. but effected the capture
of the three guards.
Again he was detailed to reconnoitre
in the enemy'S camp just before the
taking of NickSburg, and make full
report concerning the strength OF the
army and the topography Of the cOun-
try, the lay Of the Notifications and
all other points of Importance to the
attacking forces.
He had completed his investigations.
when he became aware that his pres
ence was known and he was in danger
Of being captured as a spy which SIM
ply meant the loss of his head He
managed to obtain entrance into d
dwelling secured q complete feminine
outfit, ensconed himself in the ''frillS
and laceS," walked among his enemies
and soon was out of the city. He was
captured and taken by two COnfeder-
ate officers, who started with him for
their headquarters. but he was soon
making violent love to the senior Off
GER. and so passionate and real did his
love appear that his captOrS concluded
they had made a mistake and secured
not the spy" but some woman. He
was released after promising to meet
the ''maShing' officer at some future
time. He then managed TO reach his
company and turned over his papers
to his superior officer, and from these
important documents, in a large meas
ure, SO the story goes, the successful
taking of NickSburg was accredited.
After this expedition our willy scout
was sent by General Sherman to OBJ
tain certain information, and this
time he did not fare as luckily as
formerly, but was captured and in due
course of time was landed in Ander-
sonyille prison.
Here he soon became on good terms
with General Werth, the sole arbiter
of that hideOuS place. and by reason
of certain privileges lie Brun made an
attempt to escape six times, but was
recaptured each time before he could
get to any secret retreat. About the
time General Sherman made his mem
orable march to the sea, Larry sue
ceeded in forcing himself among some
prisoners who were to be transferred
to some other prison; and by piece
of strategy, made good his escape.
The prisoners, who were divided
into squads of eight or ten, had a Con-
federate officer in charge of each
bunch. lie Brun was in the last squad,
and young lieutenant was in com
mand. The officer was about the same
height and build as lie Brun, and
when near lonely rayine, just as the
line of prisoners We're approaching a
bend in the road, LIE Brun complained
to his guard that he was sick TO his
stomach and would have to vomit. He
went to the edge of the ravine and be-
gan to ''vOmit' for all there was in it.
He, however, kept an eye on the line
a. it turned the bend in the road,
when like flash he seized his guard,
and with the strength borne of des-
.,n...t ia., he Lllrl.a tla ..n,,,... Atai..n.