The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-09-27
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF
THE WAR.
The Veterans of the Rebellion Tell OF
whi.tIing Bullets, Bright BayOnets,
Bursting Bombs, Bloody Battles.
Camp Fire, Festive Bugs, Etc, Etc.

In 1SG:; John Smith. Southern spec
ulator. who was better known by an
other name, which it is not necessary
To give here, thought it best to wind up
his business and get out of the Confed-
eracy. He quietly converted his prop
crty into Confederate money, with
which he purchased diamonds and
greenbacks. The money and gems
amounted in value to about 100000.
The speculator had made arrange
ments to take passage for Nassau on
a blockade runner from Wilmington.
He had exemption papers and Con-
federate passport, and the only thing
he dreaded was his possible capture by
a Federal war vessel To guard against
this he spent two or three months in
Wilmington before sailing, and he
made 1t his business to cultivate the
most experienced blockade runners and
get pointers from them about mis- pro-
po~,d trip.
1t was dark, rainy night in October
wl.en Smith boarded blockade runner
AID went to his staterOOm. He was
plainly dressed in a suit made to stand
the wear and tear of travel, and 1t was
his intention not to take of his clothes
until he reached place OF safety on
dry land. Under his sack coat, sus-
pended by a strap around his shoulder,
he wore a strong leather pouch, secure
ly locked. and in this receptacle he car
| ried his money and diamonds. He in
tended when he reached Nassau to take
passage on British steamer for Liver
pool and remain in Europe until the
war was over.
Just before the ship weighed anchor
that night Il messenger from Richmond
came on board and asked for Mr..
| Smith. He was conducted to the pas
senger's stateroom and there intro
duced himself. He brought with him
a package of dispatches from the Con-
federate State Department to its repre-
sentatives in London and Paris, and a
letter requesting Mr.. Smith to see that
the documents were placed in safe
hands, so that they would reach their
| destination.
This was an unpleasant surprise to
the speculator. If he was captured
with these papers on his person it
would go hard with him. He was not
so much concerned about his valuable
personal property. because he had in
| fiuential kinsmen in high Federal posi-
tions who would look after his inter-
ests.
He could not refuse, however, to take
! the dispatches. If he carried them safe
ly they would introduce him to some
very prominent men, and if he found
himself in danger of being captured he
could at the last moment throw them
overheard. So he took the package, un-
locked his leather pouch and slowed
the little bundle snugly away side by
side with his own precious parcel. The
man from Richmond departed and
Smith proceeded to the deck, where he
watched his surroundings with lively
curiosity.
| After taking several pulls at a flask
Smith swelled with pride as he thought
of his important mission. Perhaps the
hands. He would deliver the dispatches
in person. and he would make the high
est officials of the English and French
governments understand that he was
their eQual-an envoy extraordinary in
disguise on secret business. He would
become familiar with court life and
perhaps get 4 glimpse of royalty a.
home.
He took another drink and was franz
ing some srandiloquent sentences to be
used when he met the head of the Brit
ish Foreign Office-he was in the midst
of this pleasant occupation when an
unusual hustle around him attracted
his attention. 1t was good daylight and
the ship was on the broad ocean, with
no land in sight
The gently lifting fog made the out
lines of three Federal cruisers distinct
ly visible a short distance of. Smith
did not know what to do and he took
another bracer. This last drink mud
died his head. He ran in every direc-
ton. looking for his friend, the captain,
but that worthy was too busy to attend
to him. Then he questioned the other
| officers and the sailors, but could learn
nothing definite. He was told that
they were in devil of a fix and would
probably be captured. The Federal
cruisers came nearer. and one Of them
fired Il shot. which narrowly missed the
blockade runner.
What is the matter with our ship:'
yelled Smith to passing sailor.
| Machinery disabled" was the an.
swer I'VE must get back to port or be
captured
Escape was out of the question, and
the frightened passenger opened his
pouch. slipped his hand into it and
threw package into the sea.
THAT won't trouble me any more,
he said. land il am taken prisoner ]
will swear that l am a Union mar
leaving the Confederacy TO avoid mill
| tary service. That will save my prop
erty."
L OIlt wv " IuOLC SuOtS WClC ukCu ait
the vessel surrendered. In few min
utes she was in the possession Of 8
Federal lieutenant and a squad Of ma
! rines. The captain answered the
questions put to him frankly, and was
told that, while the vessel and cargo
would be confiscat-l. he would prob
! ably lie released after short deten
ton. Mr. Smith then lOomed up as the
chief object of interest. He was ques
toned closely and his valise was
searched.
You will have to submit to a per
sOnal Search" said the officer in com
mand.
"All right" replied Smith. II am
as told you, a Union man, and l wa:
not willing to fight the old flag.
turned my property into money ant
| diamonds and they are here in thi: