The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-01-15

yious TO his move against Lee in what is
known as the Wilderness campaign. He
had settled his plans in a general way, but
wanted more details and particulars, and
of the 36 scouts and spies ordered to report
at headquarters was one. Each in turn
a. he arrived was taken to the general s
tent for Instructions. These were more Of
ten given by our chief of scouts after he
had thoroughly posted himself, but now
and then General Grant insisted on talking
with each man in person.
On this occasion he briefly but plainly
instructed each man. Ten Of the SO were
to go as spies, the remainder as scouts. |
had been put down among the latter, to
my great satisfaction. Not that | would
have hesitated to disguise myself and at
tempt to penetrate the enemy's camp and
taken the chances, but soldiers did not
take to spy work. No army could get
along without them, anu al a rule they
are the bravest men, but spy work has al
ways been and always will be considered
degrading. AS scout one wears his own
uniform and is provided with pass and in
case OF capture is treated as prisoner Of
war.
"You will leave camp as soon as it is
dark and take this road began the gen.
eral as he pointed to the map on the table
before him. "When you reach this cross
road. turn to the left At this road turn
10 the right Get as close to their pickets
and camp as possible and hear and see all
you can. Note which way any force may
be moving, and if endorsements are COM
ng up try to ascertain their strength.
Scout the country thoroughly along the
roads and try to be back within four days.
You are pretty young for this business.
81 have been at it year, general.
''Well, you ought to know something
about it by this time, then. Carry out my
instructions as faithfully as you can and as
soon as possible"
was not going to detail all the incl
uGDlS vi Vic HGAU UNo OIL "OiS
interesting and some of them full of peril.
So far as could make out, Lee was not be-
ing REINFORCED, though he was changing
the position OF some Of his troops, throwing
up field works and evidently on the alert
for any movement on the part OF Grants
army. had secured all the information l
could hope for under the circumstances and
had set out on my return when had
close shave from capture or DEATH An
hour after daylight, as ! was crossing a
highway in the thick woods, was observed
by detachment of cavalry whose approach
l had not heard. As left cover and step
ped into the open road the head Of the
column was not a pistol shot away. A
dozen voices called HALT" and as bolted
acoss the road and ran into the thicket
score of carbines and revolvers were turned
loose on me. l ran as fast as ] could, but
believe that hundred bullets were sent
after me before the firing ceased. Three OF
them cut my Clothes while third went
through my cap and others cut off twigs
and limbs all around me. Some Of the
men dismounted and pursued me, and,
though they did not again get sight of me,
l knew that general alarm would be
raised the roads patrolled and | must go
into hiding for the day. After a run OF a
mile CT more through the woods | came
upon clearing and a farmhouse. | found
hiding place in bed of weeds, and dur
ing the next two hours ! peered out at in
about. Everything went to show that the
place was deserted, and at length decided
to make d move which turned out to be a
very foolish one. had passed the previous
night in the woods and with scarcely a
wink Of sleep and was also thirsty and
hungry. ! should find water at the we'll,
something to eat perhaps, and the floor
would DO me for bed while caught a few
hours sleep. When | had made up my
mind about it, l left my hiding place and
boldly advanced to the house. The front
door stood partly open, and that was one
OF my reasons for believing the place de
serted. As | reached the door | looked in
and sawlurniture and realized that the peo-
pie must be there still | was hesitating
what to do when the door was pulled wide
open and girl about II years old stood
before me. She was poorly clad, and hands
and face were not overclean, but her eyes
shone with intelligence, and her face was
pleasing,
81 want something to cat and will paw
for it," l replied.
Father is away, and Pm all alone, and
you are Yankee"
"Weii, what of it?'
She looked me over again from head tn
foot and no doubt wondered how got
there and what my GRAND was. | leaned
against the door and smiled at her, but the
pleasant look left her face and her Inns
frightened as if she had come to some de-
cided conclusion about something. |
thought she was going to turn me away,
but after awhile she slowly said:
you will find guard at the we'll, and
l will get you something to eat.'
7 ,pant IN tba nall and ce4;sf al r,, tb;..