The National tribune., 1910-05-05

the messengers was captured and the
other came back after several fruitless
attempts to get far beyond Centerville.
Secretary Stanton sent for me, and
asked if / had a man on my force dar-
ing and sagacious enough to carry the
dispatches to Banks. 1 assured him 1
would see that the messages were de-
livered, or that a desperate attempt
would be made to deliver them.
got ready at once for the uncertain
excursion, and reported to Mr.. Stanton
] intended to try il myself. He gave
me the dispatches and word of ad-
vice The messages 1 concealed under
my clothes next to my body, and,
mounting my horse, Patchen, / gal
1oped away from the Capital at o'clock
that evening. Reaching Centerville at
10 O'Clock, / reported to Gen. Mcdowell
and requested a fresh horse.
/ was delayed an hour at Centerville.
Black clouds had been gathering all
evening, and soon after there began
steady downpour of rain. The air grew
chilly 1t was dismal travelling. The
darkness was almost impenetrabie. An
other mount could not be found at that
hour of the night in the disorder of the
army Patchen had already carried me
35 miles to McDowelrs headquarters,
and didn't care TO use up his strength.
But Banks's army must be saved, and
time was precious. As the only alter
hdllRt, dhu
plunged into the darkness. 1t was eight
miles from Manassas by the direct
route, but ] took the Gainesville road,
which increased the distance.
At daybreak, without mishap, came
upon the army for which 1 was search
ing. I passed the pickets, and was con-
Quoted TO Gen. Banks. My messages
conveyed 20 him the first intelligence
d. of Pope's defeat He was ordered to
march to Alexandria as rapidly as pos
sible.
Having accomplished the object of
my mission, to the great relief of
{, Banks, who was intensely anxious to
hear from Washington, within an hour
I was on my way back with dispatches
to the Secretary of War. l determined
without delay to risk daylight jour-
ney back, and retraced my way to Bris-
toe Station, from which place, to avoid
a circuitous course, ] started toward
our lines. After riding two miles
caught a glimpse of the rebel army
marching rapidly eastward toward the
old Bull Run battle-ground. There were
. infantry, cavalry and artillery in de-
tached squads occupying the entire
country ahead, with occasionally an
opening between them.
Prudence would have dictated a
speedy retreat and as wide a circuit as
would be necessary for safety, but
= was probably unduly anxious to save
time. / rode cautiously to within 800
yards of the line to discover an oppor-
tunity for slipping thru. 1 loitered in
the rear for nearly an hour, and finally
observed an opening. i determined to
make the effort TO pass at that point.
| took my six-shooter in my right
hand, grasped the reins firmly with my
left and started at first slowly and eau
tiously thru the fields and woods. Be
fore / had gone far / was discovered
and QhailanUHd
but, nerving myself for a quick and
desperate venture, / gave my horse the
spurs and lay down upon the neck of
Patchen, who shot ahead like an ar
row.
AS ] passed a squad of rebels they
fired, and the bullets flew thicl5ly about
me, but fortunately neither the horse
nor ] were hurt. A detached cavalry
force who had heard the firing now ap-
peared in the distance, and began 10
discharge their carbines at me. At first
they numbered about 40. They con-
tinued the pursuit for mile or more
when one by one they began to lag be-
hind. 1t was not long until only six OF
eight who had remarkably good horses
followed me, and they were too far be-
hind to fire with any accuracy.
Sometimes / became entangled in
brush. and was impeded by mud and
streams. My horse was covered with
foam and mud, and began to show
signs OF falling strength. the necessary
result OF SO severe a strain. j had rid
den almost continuously over rough
roads, thru mud and rain and darkness.
and this closing excitement called up
the latent powers which every man
possesses, but which only lend their
aid in the direst emergency.
i saw little hill ahead, and spurred
on tc get over it before the rebels