The National tribune., 1898-10-13

vancing or reueating until they got t.
Washington or in sight of the enemy
guns, excepting two or three of the lead
ing Generals.
Having a little spare time, visited my
sable friends and carried some water fo
them.
TURNING WHITE AGAIN.
After taking a draft of the cool bever-
age, one young darky looked up at me in
a puzzled sort OF manner, and turning
round TO one of his companions. said
"Jim,- I'll be darned if that teller ain'i
turnin' white; if he amt, I'm no niger"
felt greatly alarmed at the remark, but
said, very carelessly. "Well, gem'in, Use
alters 'spected to come white some time
my mudder's a white woman"
e This had the desired effect, for they al
laughed at my simplicity, and made nc
further remarks upon the subject. AS
soon as ] could conveniently get out o!
sight / took a look at my complexion by
means of a small pocket looking glass
which / carried for that very purpose
and, sure enough, as the negro had said,
! was really turning white. was only a
dark mufatto color now, whereas two
days previous was as black as Chloe.
However, had a small vial of nitrate OF
silver in weak solution, which applied TO
prevent the remaining color from coming
on.
Upon returning to my post with fresh
supply OF water, ] saw a group OF soldiers
gathered around some Individual who was
haranguing them in real Southern style.
] went up quietly, put down my cans. OF
water, and OF course had to fill the mems s
canteens, which required considerable
time, especially as was not in any par
ticiIlar hurry Just then. / thought the
voice sounded familiar, and upon taking
sly look at the speaker / recognized
him at once as a peddler who used to
,Is.rf
every week with newspapers and sta
tionery, and especially at Headquarters.
He would hang round there, under some
pretext or other, for hall a day at time.
REBEL spy
There he was, giving the rebels full
description Of cur camp and forces, and
also brought out a map OF the entire
works Of McClellan's position. He
wound up his discourse by saying
"They lost a splendid officer through
my means since | have been gone this
time. II was a pity, though, 10 Kill such a
man, If he was a Yankee" Then he went
on 10 tell how he had been at Head
quarters, and heard Lieut.. v say that
he was going 10 visit the picket-.ine al
such a time, and he had hastened away
and informed the rebel sharpshooters that
one OF the Headquarters officers would be
there at certain time, and II they would
charge on that portion OF the line they
might aptuTe him and obtain some yalu-
able information. Instead Of this, how
ever, they watched for his approach, and
shot him as soon as ne made his appear
ance.
| thanked God for that information.
would willingly have wrought with those
negroes on that parapet for two months,
and have worn the skin of my hands
half a dozen times, 10 have gained that
single item. lie was a fated man from
that moment; his life was not worth three
cents in Confederate scrip. Eortunately
he did not know the feelings that agitated
the heart Of that little black urchin who
+. sat there SO quietly filling those canteens
and il was well that he did not
on PICKET DUTY.
On the evening of the third day from
the time ] entered the camp Of the enemy
] was sent. in company with the colored
men, 10 carry supper 10 the outer picket
posts on the right wing. This was lust
what ] wished for, and had been making
preparations during the day, in view oi
the possibility Of such an event, provid
ing, among other things, canteen full OF
whisky.
Some Of the men on picket duty were
black and some were white. had a
great partialIty for those of my own color
so calling out several darkies ! spread
before them some corncake, and gave
them a little whisky for dessert. While
balls were whistling round our heads. for
the picket-lnes of.the contending parties
were not half mile distant from each
other. The rebel pickets did not remain
: together in groups Of three or four as our
men Go, but were strung along, one in
each place, from three TO four rods apart.
j proposed 10 remain a while with the
pickets, and the darkies returned 10 camp
without me.
Not long after night an officer came
riding along the lines, and seeing me he
inquired what | was doing there One of
the darkies replied that j had helped TO
carry out their supper, and was waiting
until the Yankees stopped firing before ]
started 10 go back Turning 10 me he
said "You come along with me-
j did as ] was ordered, and he turned
and went back the same way he came
until We had gone about so rods, then
halting in front OF a petty officer he said
'Put this fellow on the post where that
man was shot, until | return"
Twas conducted few rods farther, and
then rife was put into my hands, which