The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-03


from ,our ainereut counties IN virginia,
and send us help Tor thls labor OF love.
All the nor.cmcu OF General Lee s
army followed Stuart banner. and We
love TO do him honor.
The loag-dc.aytl opportunity has at last
come TO give substantial form TO the SEN
timcnts Of affection and admiration. which
have so long inspired us.
TENT OF THE LLcTURE.
The Army or Northern Virginia, under
command OF Ger.ral Is. T.. lee. occupied
the south side of the hapdan uFer'
which had been called by President Davis
the backbone of the Coniodcracy,' be-
cause the shortest. strongest and most
important liuc OF defence between Wash
.ngton city and Richmond, the capital
OF the Southern States, was aions It's
banks.
From commanding position on
Ciarke's Mountain oar signal corps Aad
discovered moN cmcut in the Federal
lines which called for am explanation.
Whether the infantry force, which had
been thrown forward. meant general adj
vance. or was a scppOrt FOR a great cav
airy raid upon cur railroad, 20 the rear
Of Ger army. or whether 10 was only
movement intended for the better Sc
curitv OF the forces under General Meade,
as they were preparing TO 80 INTO WIN
ter quarters, these were questions de-
handing an answer.
In order TO ascertain the object OF the
movement. without loss OF life TO our
men, General Lee decided 10 send scout
into the lines OF the enemy.
1t fell to the lot OF ;he speaker TO be
sent to solve rIe problem. After receiving
instructions from General Lee the first
step 10 be taken was 10 penetrate the
uicket-lines at some weak point. 10 was
decided best TO 20 about twenty miles
down the Rapidan river 20 the rear OF
General Moades army. and 10 cross at
some less-guarded point.
II vas. In my Judgment, best for me 10
20 alone. but Robert Parrish, one of
General Stuarts cOuriers persuaded the
General TO make request that he should
De permitted 10 60 as the part OF the
army whose movements We're the OBJ
ject OF inquiry, was encamped on or near
his farm. Being first-class soldier and
"a man fitted 10 be of service as a guide
the General thought 1t best for him TO
80.
lie was taken in opposition 20 my iudg-
ment as experience t-Cght NE dict j
could better accomplish the object alC.-f
We reached the Rapidan at the pom
which We considered most suitable FOR
MIR Undertaking. A heavy rain had been
falling for several days, and the river
was TOO much swollen to admit or an
attempt 10 cross. That night was spent
AZ me house OF Miss Bottle Jones. Here
80 mot with two other Confederate
scouts. who were also anxious 10 get
within the lines of the enemy one, a
cousin OF Mr.. Robert I'arish, had been
on a few scouts had some experience,
and a good deal OF courage; the other
man was brave. but De lacked expert
cnce. They made application through Mr..
Parish TO let them 90 with MS. This SEEM
Cd so unwise step that my consent was
withheld but after much pleading II
was agreed mat We would all 30 to-
rothcr until far within the Union lines,
and then each party should operate alone.
IN TIE LINES or THE ENEMY.
The second night had come. The river
had fallen considerably and 80 was deem
ca practicable 20 make our way 10 the OPP
positc bank.
we believed that along this hank, al
Intervals OF perhaps one hundred yards.
stood the Union cavalry pickets
Nothing but solemn sense or duty
could have Inspired ms with the courage
20 take such risks as we ran from the
swollen river. and from an armed foe in
our front.
The outer clothing was removed 20
enable us 20 swim. our pistols were
bundled zap in our coats. 10 De kept dry,
and ready Tor any emergency.
should We escape the dangers from a
swollen stream. undertaken under cover
Of night we might Fan I'm the hands OF
am armed force ready 10 capture MS as
we came up out of The river, and before
We could arm ourselves for a hcht.
II separated go the struggle with the
stream. the men who landed highest ul
the river were 90 drift down u0isciessly
10 the lowest man. then. Ina body
we were 20 crawl up the hank get our
p,stols. dress ourselves. and begin our
efforts 20 enter the lines OF the enemy.
Discovery meant death, We could neither
hone 10 overcome our foes. nor 20 retreat.
10 plunge again INTO The rivcr with our
heavy clothing upon us. ana armed
meant certain ruin. Each man fclt the
awful stiffness OF that hour. as we stood
for a moment in silent prayer Before We
took tho final step. There IS no man
on earth who would not have prayed as
he stood IN our place. Commcnding our
Solves 20 God we slldod down INTO The
water. and landed safely ON the Ce'pepe
s,fs.
In silence We dressed and armed our
.eivcg. The slow. cautious movements a'
we advanced upon our hands and knees
On revealed the fact that the enemy