Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-03-15
The BOOMING CANNON
HIClTALS OF CAMP AND RAT
TIE INCIDENTS.
survivors of the Rebellion Re1.+.
"any Amnsing and Startling Incl
dents of Marches, Camp Life. Forap.
ing Experiences and Battle sceuea.

ing Experiences and Battle scenea.
"hen Bragg had Rosecrans shut mn
IN Chattanooga there were four of MS
scouts from headquarters who pene-
lrated the Federal lines almost daily.
writes ''Ex-Rebel' to the Detroit Free
Ffess Every move made was discoy-
ereo and reported and most of them
checkmated
ABOUT a month before Grants ar
rival, when things were at their worst
WIN RosecranS, a scout named VIII
RossmOre, who was rather new in the
business, having been detailed only a
1e" weeks, was sent in to try and as
certain certain things. The Federals
We're Keeping sharper lookout than
Formerly, and the young man was in
structed to exercise all possible caution
ana take no extra risks. He rode bold
~ into the city on an old horse, claim
ing to have been commissioned by GER
tain refugees to look after their prop
erty. He was, Of course, placed under
arrest and taken before the officer of
the day. He was ready for the ordeal
he had the names of three citizens who
mad fed the place; he pretended a
larneness which incapacitated him for
military service he had the talk and
actions Of a country lout. He was
questioned in the closest manner, and
when nothing could be made of him he
was allowed to go his way. It is likely
that he would have secured his infor-
nation and passed out In safety, but
before he had been in the town three
hours an unfortunate thing occurred.
He was seen and recognized by a de-
serter from our lines-a man who had
formerly messed with him, and, Of
course, knew him well.
The deserter saw ROssmore without
being seen himself, and at once went
to headquarters and gave him away.
When brought face to face at head
quarters the scout must have realized
that his doom was sealed, but ne did
not yield his life without an effort. He
denied his identity. He offered to send
for people to prove he was what he
claimed to be, and he challenged the
officer Il think it was Rosecrans him
self to send for a surgeon to inspect
his lameness and pronounce on it.
While his bold speech staggered the
deserter, the man could not doubt his
own eyes, and he persisted that Ross
more was a spy from Bragg's headquar-
ters.
WAS Rossmore Iame?' asked the
officer.
"No, sir"
But this man Is a cripple for life
well. don't know how that comes.
1 am certain, however, that he is the
man"
"If the surgeon says l have been
lame for years will you admit that you
are mistaken" coolly asked the scout.
why, I'll have to. Will Rossmore
was as sound as | am"
every well, General, send for the
surgeon quietly remarked the scout.
He must have realized that the fraud
would be detected. but it seemed to be
his only hope of bluffing the deserter
down, IF he had thought the surgeon
would not be sent for it was quickly
dispelled. The General felt that it was
a serious case and he wanted bottom
facts. A surgeon came, Rossmore
stripped off, and after a brief eXamina-
ton the medical man announced his
opinion that the scout was shamming.
The little toe on his right foot had
been cut off at the joint in boyhood.
The deserter had seen the foot several
times. and now he suddenly remember
ed the stump.
When ROssmore saw that he was
doomed he owned up to his identity,
and. pointing his finger at the man who
had betrayed him, he said:
Lew Warner, listen to me! Through
YOU I shall hang, but sooner or later
nv death shall be avenged upon you !!
General, am ready
He was led away to be hanged at
sunrise next morning.
Warner was from Tennessee, in the
neighborhood Of Knoxville. In August,
1854. he returned there to settle down,
and one evening, before he had been
home two weeks. some one killed him.