Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-11
How the Chicken Was Matched.
[Original.1


 main army, and we were in such a position between the Confederate forces that if they could have acted in concert they might have captured us. But neither one knew of the others | proxinity-that is, we inferred they did not for they made no move against us. But even if both knew of the oth. CTS presence they could not commuli cate with view to making concert ed attack without sending messenger through our lines.
 One morning when, was in charge of picket post young girl came into the lines with basket of butter on one arm and a basket of eggs on the other. She said she had come from small plantation just without our lines and would like to sell us her produce. Since our rations had for some time been largely composed of salt pork and hard tack my mouth watered for her wares. I tasted the butter and found it delicious. AS to the eggs, they looked tempting enough; but yielding to an old habit when buying eggs, I held a number of them up to the light to make sure they were fresh. All transmitted a portion of the light except one, which transmitted none. It seemed to be of exactly the same weight, size and shape as the others; but, looking through it, could not see ray of light.
 There's a chicken in that one," remarked to the girl.
 If there is, I don't see how it got in. I'll take it out. I think the rest are all right"
 She took the egg out of my hands. I selected half dozen of the others and a pound package of the butter-all I could take care of while on duty-in- tending them for our company mess. The girl went on in toward the camp, and I saw no more of her. We did not refuse citizens admittance within our lines. We reserved our refusal till they asked to go out. And we eSpe- cially objected to their going out on the opposite side from which they came in. 1t was passed down among us from headquarters that we were between two fires and no person what ever should be permitted to pass through our lines.
 We enjoyed our fresh eggs and but ter immensely and wished all the dairy. men in Virginia would come in with their produce. Several officers asked where we got them, and when told them that country girl had come into camp to sell them one of them went off to find her. This was in the even- ing after supper The inclosure with in the picket circle was not very large, and he might easily have come upon her if she had been in camp. Either she was not in camp or she was hid ing. Some one suggested that she had gone through the lines. As our safety depended upon no one in the Confed- crate interest getting through the lines, this excited attention. I set out with several others on still hunt, but we all came back with the report that no girl of the description given was in camp. I felt it my duty to report the matter to the general, only mentioning the girl and my having bought some of her butter and eggs. The general swore a good deal when he heard 1t, since he had given strict orders as to the departure of any citizen from our lines. Every officer of the picket was questioned, and all avowed that no one had gone out during the day. The only way could account for the girls ] disappearance was that she had stolen out between two pickets after dusk.
 The next morning flag of truce was seen coming, and when it arrived the officer in command presented a de- mand for the surrender of the brigade, stating that they had us surrounded. The general sent them back with proposition which delayed matters till after nightfali. Then he ordered the four regiments composing the brigade to cut their way out in four different directions, each fighting on it's own hook.
 That was a terrible night. I shall never forget 1t. Our regiment took to a wood. where we came upon several regiments. and in the fight one half were captured, the other half getting through and away. I was with those who were captured. Two of the other regiments were taken entire. and a third had the good fortune to strike an unguarded opening and marched through it.
 The next morning I with the other prisoners was undergoing m inspec- ton by the general who had captured lis when one of the officers with him. a beardless boy. rode up to me and put out his hand.
 How are you. captaln?" he said. 'T owe my life to your stupidity. If you'd been smart would have swung within a few hours after you passed me into your lines.
 a.who are yOuy' I asked. puzzled by a resemblance I could not explain
 "Tm the country girl who sold you butter and eggs. My neck being in a halter. got nervous and left the wrong egg in tile basket That egg you couldn't see through was filled with sand and a message from my general to General E. here. arranging for a concerted plan to capture you Tanks Of course you couldn't see through if. There was a chicken in it. as you said. and the chicken has been