The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-10

was ready for any service; to go any
where, or do anything he might desire in
the line of my duty.
TO RECoNNOITER BRIDGEPORT.
After had made my report, the General
turned to me and said:
How many rebels are there at Bridge
port"
told him did not know, but would &c
and see for him.
THAT is just what want you to do, .
he remarked; ego and see. But do you
want any money or disguiseW
mo, sir; / will go in uniform"
"Then," he continued, 81 want you TO
use all diligence, and report as soon as
possible; you will find our troops at
Bellefonte, and then you will have II or
Is miles to scout alone; do this for me
now, and when you return you shall have
a long rest"
/ mounted my wild horse again, and
was off at once. ] had time to get to
Maysville, a town IL miles out, before
morning, and there / stopped for break
fast. While i was staying there l was
overtaken by Lieut.. Crisis, OF the 4th Ohio
Cav, with about 30 men, who were going
TO Bellefonte, which is about so miles
from Huntsville.
We had no adventure on the route, but
when we reached the place we were sur
prised to find that it had been evacuated
by our troops. Lieut.. Crisis said that he
must go back, as he had already gone
| further than he was ordered, and he
turned toward Huntsville Immediately. ]
dismounted, and as my horse could be of
no further service sent him back to
camp by one Of the men. | was now
alone and nearly 100 miles from our lines,
and the little party which came with me
was rapidly disappearing from view.
When they were out OF sight, | walked
into little grocery to see what was in it
and TO hear the news. The room was
| literally packed with men-some dressed
as citizens, but by far the greater number
| sporting the tawdTy trappings OF the rebel
| soldier. | scanned the crowd closely for
arms, but could detect none. What the
men were there for / could not tell, nor
did stay TO inquire.
| My eye fell upon the landlord of the
hotel, and | "saddled" him for a dinner.
but he refused TO get it, telling me it was
after the usual time. replied that
must have meal, and that Immediately,
and he again began to make an excuse in
return, and in an undertone muttered.
| al don't keep tavern to feed Yankee SOL
diers at" when drew my pistol and told
him to get out of that grocery and order
my dinner at once, or he would be dead
man, and ! was about to suit the action to
the word when he darted out
i then began TO question the crowd TO
| know how SO many men could collect
together in so short time after the
Yankees had left, but no one answered
me. / knew that they were furloughed
rebels and professional bushwhackers
I by their appearance, and that they had
| Just come down from the mountains
when they saw our men leave, in order to
see what it meant.
What they had done with their arms. or
why they were unarmed, was a mystery TO
me. Their frightened appearance showed
| that they had just huddled into the little
grocery when they saw our squad ap-
preaching; and nothing prevented their
capture, in body, but the fact that Lieut..
Crisis had failed 10 search the town before
he turned back.
AN UNsPOnED APPETITE.
Pretty soon the tavern keeper appeared
at the door and invited me to dinner.
which ] found TO be a very good reDast.
though IL was cold. Some people would
scarcely have relished meal given under
such circumstances by an unwilling
host, and prepared behind their backs
but never feared "pizen," and ate with a
relish. While | was eating, train
whistled I'm the distance, and in minute
| il dashed into town.
The crowd rushed out and off into the
mountains at the first sound of the
whistle, and ! was happy TO be thus
| suddenly relieved of my Unlocking neigh
bors. The train was loaded with troops
under command of the Lieutenant
Colonel of the SD Ohio, and Mai. Dries
bach, of the 4th Ohio Cav
The Major did not like to see me start