The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-23

night the sound of heavy artillery, and the
lncessant firing of those in the rhe-pits
especially those in front of the Ninth Corps
In which were many colored troops, were SO
common AS scarcely to attract the attention,
or more than passing notice.
Gradually the lines had been extended
around the left of Petersburg. The fight
for possession of the Weldon Railroad had
made US masters OF that important line OF
communication with the South. The effort
10 capture the Souibside Railroad had failed.
As the Winter months came on, we of the
cavalry forces found ourselves on the ex-
trcme left, busily arranging quarters for the
Winter. Outpost duty was about the only
event Of interest 10 relieve the monotony of
camp life, and at some points on the line
the dangers of such duty became such as to
demand the utmost vigilance.
Night after night we had been surprised
In some manner, and the report of men found
upon post shot by some skulking bush
whacker or worse-on several occasions
found with Threats cut from ear to ear, and
othe mutilated-gave rise to the opin-
ion of those in authority that it was the
work Of persons living outside the lines, who
claimed TO be peaceabls citizens in daytime,
and were organized to go forth at night and
leading through what was known as the
Black Wafer Swamp was considered one OF
the most dangerous posts upon the entire
line, the nature Of the surroundings being
such as to render il almost impossible 10 FOL-
low enemies in the darkness.
i shall never forget the night that found
me upon post between the hours of u and l
a. m, in one of these lonesome places with
two lODp vearv hnure vet hefnrp mo and no
companion save my own busy thoughts. 1t
seemed as if the rustling OF a Leaf or the
creaking of twig gave warning of the APP
proach of an enemy. Involuntary my
thumb would find the hammer of my car
bine. Were it pot for the passing clouds
the darkness at times was not so great as 10
allow me to distinguish objects at some dis
tance In front of IKE, and i seemed TO be PCS
sessed of an intuitiAn that some human be-
ing was near me other than the picket on
my right and left, at least 100 yards away.
Almost breathless / watched and waited.
Not over 100 feet in front of me was growth
OF stunted pines, and in that direction l
looked most intently, knowing it to be
suitable cover for an enemy, keeping my
self well hid from view by the protection of
tree by the side of the shallow rife-pit.
Again slight noise in the direction caused
me 10 feel a thrill Of excitement from head
to foot.
My carbine came to my shoulder with
click, click. / only awaited clearer view
before sending a bullet In that direction.
AS my finger was pressing the trigger there
arose in full view the least and most I'M
looked-for sight imaginable-a woman. Adj
vancing slowly with hnnd up to her eyes,
half crouching In position, she kept straight
toward my post. Half lowering my carbine
waited until she was within a few feet Of
where / stood, when 1 called out in firm
voice, Halt"
Uttering low, suppressed scream, her
hands both extended, she would have fallen
had / not with one arm prevented her. Still
on my guard, lest some ruse was being
planned, and releasing her, she sank at my
feet IN a faint, unable 10 speak. Just at this
moment the Corporal of the Guard came up,
and, seeing the woman. cried out:
Great Heavens, Charlie, what does this
mean? Who is she?n
Taking some water from my canteen in
my hand splsshed into her face, aud almost
instantly she revived.
Who are you?" she inquired. "Where
am I?n
Assuring her that we were Union soldiers,
she told us III whisper that an attack was
planned upon our outposts on the following
night, and that at the risk Of her life she had
come TO apprize us oft.
Thank God" said she, 81 have not been
discovered, and can do something, perhaps,
to save the life Of some Union soldier, for /
have dear brother who was wounded at
and was taken into the home of
kind people and cared for and his life saved
Oh, ] cannot tell you how j prayed that /
light do something in return for that noble
deed by them whom we have ever regarded
as enemies The information / have gained
from our old colored servant, who overheard
the plans while hiding from some of the men
who live in the vicinity. They are too cow
ardly to 90 into the service, and disgrace the
cause by leading the life of guerrilIas. If
Carey knew my mission here tonight i
know he would honor me for it."
At the mention of the name Carey ]
started. The incidents she had before re-
lated only confirmed my belief that / was
looking into the face of Laura Gillem, the
beautiful sister, whose photo at that mo-
ment was in my pocket. Taking it there
from, handed it to her, saying:
" Miss Laura, allow me 10 present this to
You as reminder from your brother. 1t