The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-12-24

experience through which he passed early in the
civil war. Soon after the incident hero set
forth Newbury captured deserter from the
Union lines he about join the Con-
fcderates. This man was the first Union soldier
20 suffer death for the crime of desertion in the
great war. For his valuable services Newbury
wns rewarded with commission OF lieutenant
in the Eleventh New Jersey and served until
June, 1868 when he returned to Now Jersey
with the rank OF captain.
copyrrht Al rights rsserveil
Of .; %a. :s' "sS, .o:s a n. a s
VI of that bitter year. lSGl. after the disaster at
Bull Run. when Washington seemed about &c
be cnguIfed in n triumphant Confederate ad
and tho energies of the authorities were bent
to defensive preparation about the capital
Mcclellan was ccntring and reorganizng the new
Army of the Potomac. Just beyond at Richmond. the
forces OF an clatcd Confcderacy were gathering. Be
tween lay debated ground where neither side d.
rected definite measures and which the lines
faced each other
1t was carly in November chat General Kcarny
commanding the First New Jersey brigade then sta
toned in Alexandria, just to the south of Washing
ton, determined employ scouts upon the hazardous
work Of feeling out conditions toward the Confcder
ter of wild conjecture his swift descent feared
and Kenrny felt that total ignorance what be must
expect from that able and determined rebel leader
could longer continue with safety lie cast about
him for volunteers willing to venture themselves into
the danger zone In search of Information.
Scout duty it was called. But that was merely
a euphemlsn for the service of a spy The men
nh. aIa
risk of capture that swift and terrible punish
would fall to them If they taken It was
water service. The courtesies OF war. stern
at the best would bring little comfort TO the Union
man found lowering about the Confederate front at
such a time. Short shrft and unhonored grave
lay ahead of such one, and in The event Of success
nothing better than the DOUBTFUL recognition and
questioned glory accorded any spy
Among those who offered themselves for the dan
gcrous but necessary undertaking was Edward S f.
Newbury Of the Third New Jersey. Newbury
Il native Of North Carolina, where he had lived on
his fathers plantation until the outbreak of the
war. Having made bis way TO the home of
uncle In Morris county, n j. he had enlisted in the
Third just 1t about TO start for the front
The young man was detailed with Corporal Thomas
p Edwards of his company to push into the country
toward Richmond. Their orders were to use their
best toward getting word of tho plans and dis
position Of the Confederate forces For the they
were To be governed by their wit and by circum-
stances With this vague commission and with full
understanding of the pcrils ahead the two left the
Alexandria camp the evening OF November and
hit for the South,
Edwards had picked up directions from fugitive
negro that would lead them to the home of Mr. Fitz-
hugh wealthy planter, who was known to be iniiu-
cntial at Richmond. The plantation lay some ten
miles from the Union lines. and 1t was the suggestion
Of Edwards that they should approach 1t in the hope
of cverbearine some conference conversation that
might prove of value Fitzhugh, he argued. would be
fully Informed OF the Confederate plans, and would
be most unlikely suspect the presence of lurking
scouts 1t was possible then, that they might secreto
themselves OH The premises. might even intercept a
messenger, or in other way place themselves on
the rack Of information.
Close upon ulnc O'Clock they groped into the planta
tIon grounds 1t was a moonIess night with n raw
wind and low hung clouds that gave promise Of rain
Making beir way among the cabins of the negro
dark and apparently deserted. faint light appeared
at the window of one of the cabins and, stealing
cautiously across to H. they looked within
An nrcd neeress was sitting by rude cot on whicl
Law an cmnclatcd young slave tossing in fever The
entered and quietly made inquiries rs 10 the where
abouts OF Fitzhugh The Degress, who, with her
son. represented the remnant Of her master oouy
servants told them that the planter bad removed ni
family TO Richmond n few days before but that
would return in n few hours with some friends oeior
closing the house. The scouts FASTENED to take tne
leave assuring the woman that they would reto'
upon their errand next day.
They entered the house easily by way OF windo'
and after cautiously striking lights looked about Tor
hiding place. But Newbury dlsapproved OF the I"
rungemcnt.
When they left the house again they took wltn tne
the bed, blankets. odds and ends of food ana
tiny tin cup which Edwards for some inscrutsoe re
son, insisted upon appropriaSlng. They had cause