The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-24

| nAlANo 0CADW Ano Wv ~ Va
where the Confederate pickets had re.
ported an unusual movement on the part
of the Federal forces Reaching rising
piece Of ground Gen. Stuart carefully
surveyed the country Oh the Stafford
side Of the Rappshannook river and
seemed much disturbed at not under
standing just what the enemy were
doing.
Wagon trains were moving and the
rumble Of artillery could be distinctly
heard. The General showed his i'm.
patience by saying: Il would give
one of:my hands to know what those
YANKEES are doing Charley Hume
happened TO be near the General, and
promptly responded by offering to
get the information before morning,
which offer was Immediately accepted,
1t being then about twilight Securing
a plank Hume waited until ten o'clock,
when, undressing, he placed his cloth
ing on the plank and quietly swan the
river, pushing the plank ahead Of him.
Cautiously taking In his surroundings
he dressed himself and soon learned
that the unusual movement which had
bothered General Stuart was a simple
changing Of camp ground Hume
returned without accident to the south
side, and as promised reported to his
chief before aylight
This feat greatly pleased the General
and resulted in all kinds Of commissions
being iutrusted to him. Regardless Of
the danger involved, after innumerabie
escapes his good fortune forsook him
aud incautiously he walked into the
enemy's hands as narrated in the Off
cial report
A Washington newspaper of May %,
1863, said:
A Rebel Recruiting Officer Killed.
Charles Hume. rebel soldier, was
shot q day or two ago by some Of Gen.
Schenk's command, near Port Tobacco,
Nd The circumstances as we haVe
been able 10 gather them are as follows
1.-The object Of Hume's presence on
this side Of the river being known to
bs for the purpose Of recruiting for the
rebel army he was closely watched and
finally traced to a house in the neigh.
borhood. where three Of the guard de-
manded his surrendered. Hume i'm.
mediately drew his revolver and fred,
the ball striking one Of the guard near
the elbow, inficting painful, and per-
haps a serious, wound. The remaining
two Of the guard then Ieveled their
muskets and fred at Hume, one Of the
balls entering his head, the other his
heart, causing his death instantly. One
of Humes companions. q young man
named Watt Bowie, escaped, the others,
two 10 number, were captured, brought
to this city and confined in the Old
Capitol, one Of them. Daniel by name,
is said to be q relative Of Roger A.
Pryor.
Watt Bowie escaped and worked his
way around Washington city into Mont.
gomery county. Md. where he was kill.
ed a short while afterwards by farmer
with shot gun, on Bowie insisting
on taking his horse.
For his splendid service Hume was
promoted to the rank Of major. He had
the confidence and esteem Of his com.
manding general, j. E. B. Stuart. as
we'll as the commander-in.c n.chief. Gen.
r. E. Lee.
It may not be out of places to publish
a letter from Dol. r E. Frayser, com.
mandlng signal corps, TO Mr. Frank
Hume, brother Of Charles, in reply to
an invitation TO visit him.
Richmond, Va, April II, 1896.
Mr.. Frank Hume;
NV Dear Sir II have your kind let
ter Of the 10th inst. inviting me TO your
hospitable home. l can assure you
that 1t would give me very great pleas
ure to visit you. But my engagementI
are of such nature at this time that
fear I will be unable TO do 80.
It certainly would give me great
Measure to see you and talk over the
mast. Your brother Charles and myself
we're the best Of friends. Charles wal
a brave. dashing boy, and never knew
what fear was. He was ever ready Il
perform any duty assigned him, nevel
counting the cost or peril OF 1t. l re-
member we'll while on the Rappahan
mock when intelligence reached my
camp OF his sad fate. The boys all ioyec
him, and the grief they expressed at hi
untimely departure will never be Tor
gotten by me. We held q meeting anC
passed resolutions expressing our deeI
sorrow and eulogizing his gallant bear
ing AS I have already said, the boy
loved him although boy. be messuret
M 30 the full standard OF man. III
was gallant and m-hearted, and eyel
ready TO do q good service for bis com
rades I had q good friend In Jharle
and l felt deeply grieved when be wa
cut down by the enemy. His brigh
and cheerful face Is indelibly impressed
upon my memory and will ever be o.
long rs live, although 1t has been al
average life time since saw him.
Please preserve my letter to him. 10
I NAV have the pleasure Of reading \
some day, for hope may have th'
Measure Of visiting you later on. Ml
head is now wkite from age, but it wa
as black as the ravens wing whei
Charles aud myself slept by the sam'
camp are. With best wishes ] am sin
cerely your friend.
Richard e Frayser,
Oom'd'g. Stuart Signal Corps.