The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-17
A SCOUTING EXPERIENCE.
Lively Adventure in Section Full Of EnemesAn Exciting
Chase.
BY HENRY RoMEYN, BREvET MAJOR, o. g A. (RETrREp).

w
of the latter year Wards llater Harrison 81
Brigade. composed of Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois infantry with a squadron of the 18th
XIV. Cav, was at Gallatin, Tenn. the dis
trict comprising the country lying north OF
the Cumberland River, and south of the
Kentucky line, being under the command of
Ma. Gen f. A. Paine, of Illinois. Two
com. anies of cavalry was ridiculousiy
small force to patrol or scout the country
spoken of, especially as the billy section
living near the State line was infested with
bushwnacking gangs, and was daily crossed
bv soldiers coming from or returning to the
rebel army.
About the LIST of January, 1863, feeling
the need of more mounted men, Gen. Pane
issued an order for the detail of one man
from each company for mounted duty; the
selection to be made by the company COM
mander. with especial reference to fitness for
scouting work.
To improve on the quality of the force thus
Organized. after a month of the new service
had served to weld it together, and rid 1t OF
little droSs which at first had entered INTO
its composition, would have been dlilcult
matter: even in that army of hard marchers
and Tough fighters. the Army OF the Cumber-
land. or. for that matter. III any army.
The body did not always act as unit. At
times not more than half dozen were sent
out at others the whole acted as support for
the cavalry At first the men were mounted on
such animals as could be procured from the
stables of the post Quartermaster, but as
Undressing horses for the use OF the cav
alrv farther to the front was part of their
duty. they soon found opportunity for getting
fire mounts Some of them rode FLOODED
animals valued by their late owners at hum
dreds of dollars each.
With such a steed, a Sergeant OF an ILLINOIS,
regiment whom, for good reasons, we VIII cali
Robinson. had provided himself He was IN
Command of the scouts from his regiment, and
had become personally known to the District
Commander by prompt and daring work, and
was at times sent on very hazardous trips. going
inside the lines of the enemy IN search OF III
formation, etc. and never returning unsuc-
cessfal OF one of his adventures we Will let
him tell in his own language:
Zone day in March the General sent for
me to report in person for special duty. AT
his Headquarters were two or three civilian
scouts who were well acquainted with all the
surrounding country. and IN room allotted
to their use, and to which no one else usually
had access were various DISCUSSES, used as oc-
easion demanded
''When | reported l was informed that,
forage having become scarce on the north
or right bank Of the Cumberland River
while it was said to be plentiful on the other
side. which was practically the enemys
country he wished me to cross the river
and TeconRoiter the country lying adjacent,
make an estimate of the amount of forage
obtainable, find out, by the best means in my
power what force, if any, occupied the
town of Lebanon, about ID miles from the
river. and report as soon as possible.
My face must have grown long at the
order, for he said: What is the matter?'
80 General, that is the enemy's country
over there, and there is only one Union man
in it. ] don't know the lay of the land and
not having any friends. you'll have to get
some man in my place if | 90, for I'm sure
to be taken in. A blue coat is q irst-rate
pass to Richmond by that line
Then it came out that was not to 60 in
blue uniform, but in gray; that all the citizen
scouts were too well known for them to be
sent, etc. As further demur would have
savored of fear, asked for definite orders,
and for some arrangement to be made for
assistance at the ferry if should be driven
in
Capt Smell will have orders to have YOU
put across the river and to watch for your re-
turn. You should cross after dark to night
and if not pressed, be at the river on your
return at daybreak day after tomorrow. This
will give you all the time you need over there
That is all
81 went back to the house we occupied in
the outskirts of town. and thought the matter
over. The more thought the less liked it.
] wrote home telling my wife Of the contem-
plated trip, but said nothing of the rebel uni
form. i had the furlough of a member of Co.
Il, 4th KY. Cav, c. S. A.. and as my descrip-
ton tailed well with that of It's owner, /
became for the time Private David johnson
of that command.
My horse, a magnificent thoroughbred,
was well known in the brigade, and particu-
Larry among the scouts, for her speed and
staying powers, as well as for her peculiar
form and appearance.
Soon after nightfall, without giving any
one information of my movements | pro-
ceeded by back streets to the yard in rear OF
Headquarters, changed my horse equipments
FLOR russell saddle and bride, such as were
used by the rebel cavalry, donned gray suit
and long black wig, and by circuitous route
approached the picket-line ON the side OF
town nearest the river. / thought that
knew the location Of every post on the line,
and hoped to get through without being seen
But, just as | was congratulating myself
that ] had done SO, the sharp challenge of a
sentinel and the ominous click, click of a
musket brought me to a sudden halt Or
dered to dismount and advance, confronted
. soidler Of my own regiment, with whom ]
was not acquainted. | tried to convince him
Of my identity, bnt in vain. You're liar
know him when see him, and / know that
hor,e-' And he called loudly for the Corpora
of the Guard. OF course, / had 10 go with hin
70 he post Of the reserve, where ] soon con
yiDced the officer of my personality, and afte
compliment TO my disguise, was allowed
TO pass on giving the countcrsign At tn,
station Of the company guarding the ferry
had repetition Of the experience Just related
but after "a little delay, the flatboat living a
the bank was manned, and / was soon aon
IL tie cnemy's country.
As II was not later than 10 O'Clock. and
thought that not more than IL miles Law bc
tween me and Lebanon, and did not wan
TO risk striking the pickets till after daybreak
had 10 find some way 10 pass the interyenn
time dared not approach any house afte
bad reached the main road, half mile iron
The river but i did raid a barn for forage
which carried some distance before / foun
athicket, which | entered, and removing tn
blt from my mares mouth, allowed her t
feed.
did not dare TO lie down, lest / shoul