Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-04-26

To climb this tree was the next enterprise,
IN order to see the country around and decide
on the movements of the enemy A small
tree trunk was dragged up from the ground
and supported against the trunk of the pine;
and it was Mr.. Stringfellow himself-the dig
nitied and earnest minister of today-who
made the ascent He climbed to the top of
the slanting trunk, and then began the heavier
and more dangerous work of making his pain
full way up along the smooth and branches
trunk Of the pine. While he was still ten or
fifteen feet below the lowest limb his strength
gave out, and he relates reverently that he
hung there and prayed. After a little he raj
lied and went on, dragging himself inch by
inch nearer to that limb; and at last reached
it, and threw his arm over 1t, and finally
climbed little higher and sat upon it.
From that lofty perch he saw what he had
climbed so far to see. About quarter Of
mile away came the slow column Of about five
hundred wagons, moving toward the battle
field Of Cold Harbor With drivers and escort.
this force amounted to about fifteen hundred
men. and the fifteen men at the foot of the
pine tree were expected to keep them back.
Il went down that tree good deal faster
than went up" says the old scout At the
foot he gathered his men around him and for
mulated his plans. They would approach the
head Of the wagon line from the woods along
side of the road; his men were to do as he
did, He would seize the lead horses of the
first team and turn them at right angles with
the road; the next team was to be turned to
the left. the next to the right. and so on, in
order to block the road; and they were to
uncouple teams fast as possible, so that
all the men and all the prisoners they might
take would be mounted
The scheme worked well, but not in the
way agreed upon. The negro driver Of the
first team was about to shoot Mr. Stringfellow
in the back. when one of the scouts killed him
He fell under the feet of the mules This
frightened them, and in moment the whole
train had stampeded. Horses and mules ran
up the main road, and men took to the woods
for safety and kept running
Il enjoyed the panic greatly" says the old
time scout, "and contributed my mite to keep
it going. was alone, but between shouts and
firing Of my pistol, and the scattering shots of
the enemy, they seemed to think we had at
tackled them in force Having gone as much
as quarter of mile from my men, whom
instructed to rally and wait for me at the pine
on the hill, met captain who was running
wildly in my direction, with loaded musket
in his hand. He was calling in a very excited
tone, II want to surrender! | want to sur
render." With smile | suggested that he
would have no difficulty in that. and he asked.
To whom? AS / was the only man in sight,
said. You can surrender to me- The comedy
of the situation helped him to recover his wits,
though he too was evidently badly stampeded
There was big oak tree within yard OF him,
and he sDrang behind It and put his head and
gun around the side. Now you can surrender
he said. felt that didn't have one chance
in ten thousand for my life am afraid that
at that moment did not really love my neigh
Dor myself. prayed hard for some plan by
which might not on6 get even with him. but
get the advantage of him.
Il decided that would have to play the
same game he had played with me. Looking
him steadily in the eyes. | said: This isn't
being soldierly; it isn't even being gentle
man. You wished to surrender to me. so
gave you the opportunity when could have
killed you Now you have the advantage of the
tree and demand my surrender And / began
to unbuckle my pistol belt in order to deliver
up the pistols AS I did so 7 put my hand
behind me to hand him the pistols and took
advantage Of this opportunity to draw one OF
them which was not buckled down y the hol