Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-16

come Ill rom NnS bulun 1lleS, were waiting outside, desiring permission to 20 on south An order came to send the party all inside.
 The three travellers entered the house to find q tall man with m iron gray beard reclining in a rocking chair with as much apparent unconcern as if war were simply a pastime.
 "You have just come from the ene- my's lines, I hear." he said to the farmer.
 "Yaas, sir.
 "What force did you see in the re- zion through which you passed?'
 The farmer explained that he could not answer the question, inasmuch as he had been permitted to pass after talk ing an oath not to give any information.
 "H'm. You ara quite right not to answer under the circumstances, ob- served the general. "Ddd your daugh- ter take the same oath?"
 "Yaas, general" said Souri.
 ''Surely they didn't administer an oath to a boy of your age?" he said, turning to Jakey.
 Reckon tn thought l war too little to swar," said Jakey. He thrust his hands ill his pockets, a sure sign that he was steadying himself for a conflict of wits and words But the general was not acquainted with the peculiar char acteristics of Jakey Slack and prepared to question him as unconcernel1y as he would pump water from a we'll.
 What route did you come?" he ask ed of the farmer.
 II met the children at Galletin, " re- piled Slack. II driv' 'em from thar through Lebanon and Liberty.
 Sonny" said the general. turning to Jakey, did you pass any troops on the way?"
 Lots
 "Infantry?''
 Whats tlret?"
 "Soldiers who walk and carry guns. !"
 Didn't see none O them kind"
 Did you see any artillery"
 Don't know what them uns air.
 Men with great big guns-cannon. :"
 "No, sir. Didn't see no 'tillery."
 linen what you saw must have been cavalry"
 Didn't see none O them uns ruth er.'s
 The general looked surprised.
 Then what did you. see? That's all the arms of the service ever heard of, and I am an old soldier"
 "Critter companies. '"
 "Oh, I seer' exclaimed the general, remembering the mountain Tennessee ans name for cavalry. S'How many sol diers belonging to the -critter compa- nies. as you call them, did you see?"
 ''Waal, I counted 20, II thet's $ fur as got at countin ill skule.
 SouM was about to remind her broth CT that he had proved himself one of the best boys in the school at mental arithmetic, but desiSted.
 "H'm!'' The general thought mo- ment and beat reveille with his fin gers on the arm of his chair.
 What were they doing within the Federal lines just before you left the outposts?''
 "Waal, only noticed one man, n he war doin somep'n very partickeler. v
 What was it:" He war lookin at the sky through q flat round thing what looked like a big sQuashed apple. Not fieldglasS. was it?' | NO, SIt. htthtdl t"ASA thCt' Was the man of high rank?'
 Reckon he war, He had stripes on his arm.
 Tut, tut he wore Chevrons. He was only noncommlssioned officer. Cant | you describe more nearly the object through which he was looking:" "Waal, think hearn some'un cal 1t a can-can'-
 Not canteen:' | "Yes, thet's it. ."
 Tho general looked sharply at tho boy, who looked stolidly stupid. H. | determined to try another route through which to lead Jakeys infantile mind.
 Were the troops you saw in camp or on the march, or ill biyouac?"
 Don't know what thet ar last air but the trees n brush war so thick couldn' see plain.
 Can't you tell me if you saw any infantry. Soldiers who walk and carry guns, you know:'
 II never looks at them kind O so jers," replied Jakoy contemptuously 'I only notices 'em when th're o1 critters backs"
 That will do" said the general Then, turning to staff officer near him he said:
 Captain, you may pass these peopl south, and added in an undertone "Ride over to division headquarters anl say that nothing has yet been obtained of the enemy's movements in this vicin ity by questioning citizens. Only on party has come through-a farmer with his son and daughter. The farme and his daughter took an oath not t give any information concerning tn dispositions of the enemy. and the bo is profoundly stupid.
 There was a sound of hoofs without mingled with the rattle of wheels Looking through an open window a officer was seen to dismount and han a woman from q mud covered, pain rubbed buggy. All recognized Mis- Elizabeth Bags. The general aros from his chair and went out to mee her at the front door. From there h conducted her into a room where the could confer together alone. , What luck?'
 II struck their wires within thei lines midway between Murfreesboro an MacMinnville at midnight, and no on was near. I threw my wire over th } line and made my connections with m
 instrument. Iwaited till nearly day light before any messages of impol tance came along. though dispatche
 were passing all the while. At last on
 came in cipher took it down. but (
 We haven't the key fear it will ava us nothing" u Let me see it, " said the general. g Miss Bags handed him a piece ( paper on which was written: " MURFREEsBoRo. Tenn. June 2s 1S63. d Volunteers Garfield with circling betwe< l. you possession turn an be cob Rumble at If get that possible by move Benjamin pony chi