The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-31
Two Fighting ParSons
(Chicago Times-H erald.)

Myro w. Reed. the brilliant out err
ratio Denver dominic, who is just now
much in evidence in connection with
Eugene v. Oeb's colonization or soci-
alistic scheme" said a Wisconsin man
who has been acquainted with Reed for
thirty years.
"Myron Reed went into the army a
private, but was a captain within two
years. and in 1864 was offered a COM
mission as colonel of an East Tennes-
see regiment. He was a daredevil. as
fearless in battle as he is brilliant In the
pulpit-the sort Of officer certain to be
called upon when there was important
scouting TO be done. Captain Reed did
a great deal in that line during his ser
vice in Tennessee.
Before daylight one October morn
ing in 1864 an order was received d.
recting Reed to select twenty Of the
most trusty men in the regiment for
scout duty, and report at division
headquarters with the least possible
delay.
Captain Reed said the general,
you seemed to seek hazardous under
takings. i have work of that character
for you
You have mistaken my meaning
sir. I do not our danger. 1 am sim
ply ready at all times 10 run risks If
the service demands it,
VERY we'll, have it as you will. 1t
is reported on what I regard as good
authority hat a large confederate
force is coming into this part OF Ten
nessee from Arkansas. l wan you to
take these men and push in their re-
ported direction as rapidly as your ami
mails can carry you. When you meet
the enemy return without delay and
report, and, if possible, without allow
ing him to discover YOU
The captain and his twenty follow
ers, all of whom resembled their COM
mander in one respect-every one OF
them being a dare-devil-rode through
the Union picket line soon after sun
rise. Soon after sunset, when the
shades oil night appeared and the Ten
nessee mountains whose base they were
nearing looked gloomy and f~orbidding,
they heard something that greatly ad-
ded to their gloom, fearless though
they were. 1t was the one word:
HALT
The speaker was on the side Of the
mountain, out of sight, and not more
than a quarter Of a mile away. 1t had
been a perfect day and was a perfect
evening. The voice ang out as clear
as a bell. Reed satisfied himself quick
ly that the command had not been in
tended for his force. His opinion was
confirmed WueH the SAME VOICE was
heard giving these directions:
Lieutenant, tell Colonel Jones, of
the Tenth Arkansas, to g into camp
on that side of the road. lave Colonel
Bailey take his regiment just beyond
the 10th. Let the other three regi-
ments of the brigade camp on this side
of the road
The union scouts, upon hearing the
generals directions for the disposal of
the brigade for the night, moved a few
rods from the road, ~dismounted, fed
their horses and tried to get a little rest
before starting on the thirty mile ride
to the union lines.
IAN hour later they heard the same
voice, a little further VI the mountains,
a. follows:
First Arkansas Brigade. if you will
give me your attention I will comply
with the very general request Of the
command to sing
Then for half an hour, in a voice
that was as clear and sweet as hat
October atmosphere, he sang hymn af-
ter hymn. old-fashioned ones, such as
the Yankee boys had often heard in
their Northern homes. When the sing
ing ceased the vocalists brigade COM
mander told his men to go to sleep and
get a good rest, as they would be called
upon on the morrow to make a forced
VI Alduy lllIlCS, Az pOSSlOly SuO
it with a hard battle.
mot long after that, Captain Reeds
scouting 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 a coming battle, but
1t did not occur. The first Arkansas
Brigade did not keep it's engagement.
1.-THE following winter Captain Reed
fnyYnd hfVarf 10 1o~~0 --1
number of confederate prisoners.
Anon g them was one who was much
given to singing hymns. Reed thought
he had heard the voice. Approaching
the singer he engaged him in CONVEX
sation with the following result:
"Have we met before?'
"Not that I know of sah.'
"Your voice has a familiar sound
Then he thought of the hymns he
had heard on the side Of that Tennes-
see mountain.
"Do you belong to an Arkansas bril-
gade?' asked Reed.
mo sab; I am a Tennessee soldier
Were you with an Arkansas bril-
gade when it went into camp on a
Tennessee mountain last OCTOBER
naming the locality.
IT was on the mountain you speak
of, but not with an Arkansas brigade
Diu you SluS hymns ana then tell
the men Of your brigade to sleep and
rest, for the next day they would have
a long hard march and mayfair a
f1ght?'
II sang that night, sab, and made
the remark, but not to brigade, sah.'
ga regiment?'
INC, sab, to six men who were with
me on a scout. We saw a force of
twenty-five or thirty horsemen nearing
our p position. and not caring to leave
just then, and knowing that we could
cot fight so large a party, we resorted
, that harmless trick to halt he
Yankees and give us a chance for a
short rest, after which we rode back to
camp faster thar we lef. it,
What Is your name please?'
Berry, Captain Berry. Of the -
Tennessee cavalry, sah.'
Captain Berry, I'm glad to meet
you. I had command OF the party you
mention. You ruse worked. I march