New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-11
TWO FIGHTING PARSONS.
HOW THE REV. MR. BERRY FOOLED THE
REV. MR.. REED WHEN BOTH
WE'RE SCOUTS
WERE SCOUTS

Il can tell you a good story about MyrOn w.
Reed. the brilliant but cratic Denver dominic
who is just now much in evidence in connection
with Eugene V. Debs's colonization or socialistic
scheme" said Wisconsin man who has been
acquainted with Reed for thirty years.
Myron Reed went into the Army a private
but a captain within two years. and in 1854
was offered commission colonel Of an East
Tennessee regiment He was daredevil. as
fearless in battle as he is brilliant in pupt-the
sort OF an officer certain to be called upon wnen
there was important scouting to be done. Cap
tain Reed did great deal in that line during his
service In Tennessee
Before daylight one October morning in lO4
an order was received directing Reed to select
twenty Of the most trusty men in the regiment
for scout duty and report at division headquar-
ters with the least possible delay.
"'Captain Reed said the general. you seem
to seek hazardous undertakings l have work OF
that character for you.
You have mistaken my meaning. sir. ! DO
not court danger. am simply ready at all times
to risks if the service demands it.
Very WELL have it you will. 1t is report
ed on what | regard as good authority that a
large Confederate force is coming into this part
| Of Tennessee from Arkansas. want you 10
take these men and push in their reported direc-
ton as rapidly as your animals can carry you.
| want you to make al least thirty miles to-day
When you meet the enemy return without deiay
and report. and If possible without allowing him
to discover you .
THE captain and his twenty followers. all OF
whom rescmbled their commander in one respect
every one Of them being dare-devil-rooe
/
Soon after sunset, when the shades OF night ap-
peared and the Tennessee mountain whose basc
they were nearing looked gloomy and fofbiddihg'
they heard something that greatly aooeo 10
their gloom. fearless though they were ii was
the word
Halt
The sneaker was on the side of the mountain.
out of sight and not more than a quarter or
mile away. 1t had been a perfect day ana was
perfect evening. The voice rang OUT as ciear
as a bell Reed satisfied himself quickly that the
command had not been intended for his lorce.
His opinion was confirmed when the same voice
was heard giving these directions: .
Lieutenant. tell Colonel Jones. or the Ientn
Arkansas to 70 into camp on that side or the
road Have Colonel Bailey take his regiment
iust beyond the 10th. Let the other three resi-
ments of the brigade camp on this side OF tne
road 90,
The Union scouts. upon hearing the generars
directions for the disp ,sal OF the brigaoe ior
the night, moved 4 few rods from the road, dis-
mounted fed their horses and tried to get ~,
tie rest before starting the thirty -mile ride
to the Union lines.
IAN hour later they heard the same voice.
a little further up the mountain. as follows:
First Arkansas Brigade. If you Will give me
your attention / will comply with the very gen
eral request Of the command to sing.
Then for half an hour. In voice that was
as clear and sweet as that October atmosphere.
he sang hymn after hymn old-fashioncd ones.
such as the Yankee boys had often heard IN
their Northern homes. When the singing ceased
the vocalist brigade commander tod MS men
to go to sleep and get good rest as they would
be called upon On the morrow 10 make Iorceu
march Of many miles. ana possibly emu IL WITH
hard battle.
Not long after that. Captain Reeds scout
ing party started back to camp. reaching there
about 10 O'Clock the next day. His report OF the
discovery of an Arkansas brigade led to active
preparations for coming battle. but 1t did not
occur The First Arkansas Brigade did not Keep
its engagement.
..The Following winter Captain Reed found
himself in charge CT a large number Of Confed
crate prisoners. Among them was one who was
RnnIf hnnph
no had heard the voice. Approaching the singer
he engaged him in conversation win the loi-
Have we met befOre?'
"'Not that know OF. san.
your voice has familiar sound
Then he thought OF the hymns he had heard
on the side Of that Tennessee mountain.
DO you belong to an Arkansas brigade?
asked Reed a.,
We're you with Arkansas brigade when
II wont into camp a Tennessee mountain last
October?" naming the LOCALITY.
81 was on the mountain you speak or but not
With an Arkansas brigade
"'Djd YOU sing hymns and then tell the men
Of YOUR brigade to sleep and rest. for the next
day they would have a long hard i'a:ch ana
mayhap a fight?
~ sang that night. sab. and made the
mark but not to IA brigade. sab
"a regiment?
ecnut We saw II force of twenty-five or thirty
horsem"r nearing our position and not caring
to leave Just then. ard knowing that we could
not fight so large party, We resorted to that
harmless trick to halt the Yankees and give us
q chance for q short rest aii"i which We rode
back to camp faster than ~ ~ ="
What is your name pichsc"
".Rerry Captain Berry, If the 1900 Tennessee
Cavalry sab
Captain Berry. I'm glad to meet YOU. had
comman nd of the Iarty you mention. Your ruse
worked ] marched right back Ia camp. and We
got ready II fight a large body OF Arkansas
troops. You were getting away from me with
"a much zeal as displaying in getting