The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-22
A FRIEND WITH THE
COUNTERSIGN.
CONTINUE ed from first pnse.)

heard. The first man had whistled when
he knew l was near believing that l was
| his comrade.
How did he know | was near? Only
! by happening to see black object OBJ
struct his vision. If that were true he
was fronting me; he was down the hill
and looking up the hill.
These reasons appeared to me so con
yincing that | was ready for parley.
There was one fact, however. sufficient
ly important to make me hecdful. l fan
cied that the smell of whisky had come
| from the act of these men in drinking.
Would they have paused to drink if the
first man had seen me? | thought not.
At any rate, the whisky ought to be
Federal whisky. The Confederate who
had whisky in his canteen at this time, af-
ter having for two days faced the enemy
in such cold weather, was rare bird, in
deed. | had made mp my mind to make
the men talk; l should know them by their
voices. | was not afraid that they would
rush forward; they would fear they should
be rushing into a trap. / was not afraid
that they would fire; everything about
them indicated desire for secrecy.
There was no response to my whistle.
There was no sound whatever. Perhaps
after all they were Confederates. Why
also? When they should take me to a
light, they would see one of their own
men before them. But | must not be de-
layed; all this would require much time,
and | might afterwHrd be watched.
In tone that | intended should reach
them and 90 no farther, | said, You men
get back into the line"
! heard the men whispering.
Then one replied, I'VE are in orr places,
now. sir" and l knew the man was n
Yankee, and walked forward They could
not see the color of my uniform, but one
Of them saw the gun. and knew at once
that / was not an officer. He said in n
low tone, but sternly:
What were you doing out there"
81 have been in the enemy's lines" said
|. What regiment is on picket here?'
"Sixty-ninth.
"SiXty-nnth New York 90
yes. Say, I'm not going to answer any
more Of your questions. You come along
with me-"
with great pleasure. Take me at once
to your officers
The man ordered me to get before him.
| did so.
Throw down that gum" said he.
Here" said |, IN lean it against this
tree. Bring it along, or I'll have you sent
back for it,
He took up the gun, and 1 suppose he
saw that it was an Enfield.
III be damned if | don't believe you
are rebel" he said
Very WELL" said /; you'll find out
shortly"
We were at the bottom of the hill. We
heard a challenge.
It's me-PeteTs-with prisoner" said
my man.
There were no picket fires. and I learn
ed that the Confedcrates had none; how
the men stood the duty that night is a
wonder. 1t was current next day that
men had frozen at their posts.
We reached the picket-line, and Ser
geant was called.
''Who are YOU"
Take me to the officer in command
here" said /.
Pass word down the line to Lieut..
O'Neil he's wanted" said the Sergeant
The Lieutenant came; the Sergeant told
him | had been found in front, and that
had acted suspiciously; the man Peters
added that / was trying to get into their
lines.
! asked the Lieutenant to let me speak
to him privately for a moment, and he
stepped n little TO the rear of his line.
Then l told him that l was sent to the
front by order of Gen. Warren, whom l
had served as guide in the march to this
point.
IF that is true" said he, you will be
set right at once"
Have you a match, Lieutenant"
"Yes"
Light it, if you please"
He led the way again until we were
behind II large tree. Then he struck u
match, and | showed him the blue coat.
He seemed surprised, but was not will
ing TO let me go on except under guard.
Lieutenant" said /, '.of course, | don't
expect you to let me go; all | ask is to be
sent to Gen. Warren. | know that he is
anxious to hear my report; it is impor
tant."
He saw that what / asked was reason
able, but said. Il cant do that; all | can
do is to send you back to the brigade.
What are the rebels doing? What is their
force! Are they expecting an attack:
What corps is IN our front ?"-and would
have kept on, l suppose, but / interrupted
him by saying that / was sorry that my
report must he made to Gen. Warren.
He chose two men, and sent me back
to the brigade-Kelly's Brigade. The com
mander asked me many questions before
he would consent to let me go on, but l
satisfied him at length, and he furnished
me a guide to corps headquarters, which
succeeded in reaching just before sun
left orders to be walked in case l should
return.
We'll, Berwick, you are Confeder-
ate?"
II was for a while, General
you've done good work. Wen smash
Lees flank at S o'clock"
/ said nothing in reply. l was standing
at the fire, leaning on my rifle. Officers
were near; did not wish to say anything
before them.
you have a private report?'
"Yes, General" The officers moved to
another fire.
What is it, Berwick? You look seri-
GUS"
General, the position of the enemy is
His countenance fell. I never saw a
man more disappointed in appearance, yet
he had nerve enough to make no eXclama-
ton.
Il have been in their lines, General.
They have two good ranks behind log
works with head-pieces. The ground in
front is steep and it is obstructed with
felled timber; the line cannot be carried"
What troops are theyE"
Hills. ! went along the line from the
salient to the end of it; it curves back to
a swamp which l had difficulty in getting
through. They had orders to begin work
again at daylight, to further strengthen
their position
Gould you tell the spirit of the trOops?"
They seemed to care nothing for any
thing except the cold weather. They are
wishing for us to attack"
Berwick, say no more. Don't speak of
II. =.