Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-27
CONFEDERATE SCOUT
A STORY or DARING AND ADVENT
URE TOLD ny Ex-Gov. CAMERON.
How Very Important Information
Desired by General Robert II. Lee
WINS Obtnincd--Narrow Escapes
aud Exciting Experiences.

Special )-f,x-GoVernor William IL. came
ron delivered an address before
the A. p Iill Camp OF Confederate Vete-
rams tonight. and there was large as
scmblaRc TO hear him. Governor Came
ron Is an exceedingly graceful speaker,
and he never fails 10 interest an audi
ence upon any topic he may discuss.
lie was a gallant soldier Of the Confede-
rate army, and his reminiscenccs Of the
events during the days OF Is5l'Cj, whether
told in public or in private. are always Of
great interest.
Governor Camerons subject was, "a
Confederate Scout" He opened bis adj
dress by stating that early In July 1864.
the Confederate army OF the Valley adj
vanced into Maryland. threatening Wash
lngton and Baltimore. ard causing the
detachment by General Grant Of troops
from his own command at petersburg for
the relief Of the Federal capital. In
letter from General Meade 10 General
Grant said the Governor. dated midnight,
July lG;R. IL was stated on tie authority
Of "A negro woman who lives near the
Weldon railroad that the rebels say that
General Ice would grant a thirty-days
fuI,Ough to any Of his men VINO would
capture q Yankee soldier" II Is true,
said the Governor. that several days pre-
viOus to This date General Lee. antici-
pating that Eariy's movements would call
achievements from Grant, issued IL cir
cular Offering the inducements Of hOnora-
BILE mention or n furlOugh TO the officer
or soldier who should obtain the first
accurate information on this point.
WELCOMED THE CHANCE.
at was on the 9Th Of july" said Gov
crnor Cameron. that ] received notice of
General Lees anxiety TO obtain inteii-
gence on this point. The brigade TO which
/ was then attached as Inspector general
was situated in the trenches east OF Pc
tersburg. and the monOtOny and discom-
fort OF life IN the lines, the dust and
heat. and the petty annoyance OF the
cncmy's pickets were so irksome tina, L
welcomed the opportunity TO gain tenn
porary release from it for few days.
Besides. there YVES the certainty Of eS-
citing adventure and the possibility OF
rendering important service In few
minutes the speaker had applied for ana
received permission TO 80 on mig scout
with four Of the most daring and noted
members of his brigade-all OF the four
Misslsspplans. but one, and this one
Span!ard with a cross Of Indian blood.
The latter was the hero of more desperate
adventures than any man l met during
the war. His daring was reckless. but
only cqualled his skill and good fortune
as O scout He literally hved Withln the
enemy's lines. and knew the organization
az the enemy's army more Intimately
than / did Of my own. But he had tne
cruelty o. his race, and delighted In Kill
ing. lie carried sporting-rille. in the
stock of which was an old-fashioned
recentecle for "bulet-patches." and in
this he preserved lock of hair of every
man he despatched. as his ancestors ma"
made trophies Of the scaips OF their VIC
tins. He also made notches upon the
woodwork Of hts gun for each OF the
lives he took, end re number was more
than thirty, af
USE Ges HEELS.
Colonel Cameroi. and his four friends
were clothed inh|onfedeTate uniforms
| c,ybich vas not HE habit OF the scouts
uhen hound or such eNpeGitions), but
| thev wore light niIe ca valry cloaks which
| MIGHT be deceprhe. e. ceyt at close quar-
| ters The partynMere well mounted, ana.
unless forced ~ surprised into a fight.
| were exnected ~ make more use of their
| horses heels drring their trip than or
their weapons. 1.-THE journey Of the scouts
| throuph Prince ,aeorge Sussex, and Surry
counties. avoidifg the Federal pickets and
straeglers. was Iaasantly told. At Naver-
| " the party weIrp joined by Sidney Carey,
a brave lad Of lfaer - wears. who accom-
panied them, stee much valuable infor-
nation. and rendered much valuable ser
vice. At Surry Courthouse the party III
vided into two expeditions, one to strike
the river at the nearest point. the other
10 strike the military telegraph line run
ming from Fort Powhatan to Swann's
Point. Both expeditions were very ha-
zardous. About midnight, said the speak
er. we heard the tramp Of hoofs and the
| sound Of voices Of the patrol-a company
| Of about forty negro cavalrymcn-joggins
| lelsurely along and talking a'o ID in angry
| tones We followed I'm their tracks nearly
| to Calvin Point but captured no prisoners.
= We cut the telegraph line at short inter
! walls for over three miles. and at day
| break joined the party who had been sent
10 the river.
ORDERED NORTH.
| This latter party had secured satlsfac-
| tory evidence that Picketts Division had
| been ordered North. which Information
was Immediately sent to Petersburg Du-
| ring this day the party moved rapidly
| eastward, where we captured thirty-two
| prisoners, whom we paroled to report AT
| the nearest Confederate port. Tn adven-
| lures, the narrow escapes. the exciting as
| well as pleasant episodes of the scouting
| party, were DELIGHTFULLY."- told by the
| speaker and heartily enjoyed by the camp
| veterans. The expedition WAS success
| In that thu information sought for was
| obtained and communicated TO General
Lee. Colone. Cameron was taken III on
| the trip back, and was for some time pa
Uent IN the house Of hospitable family.
| He finally made his escdp- through the
| Fedcrals lines. disguised as a teamster
| driving one young lady, while another Toda
| his horse. At Broater Ferry he took five
| Federal soldiers prisoners. who were try
| ing to desert from their army, and pa
| rolled them