Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-22
The Daily Story
THE MAN IN BUTTERNUT-BY CAPTAIN F. A. mitchell
Associated

information he wanted from the Yam
kee ''sojers" he was given the pass
and promised TO be back in not over
four days
All this was dead easy-indeed. so
easy that Hanc relaxed somewhat from
precautions he should have taken. He
visited every part of the Confederate
army in or about Tullahoma-the de
lenses of the place. the direction of
moving columns. whether army wag-
ons were going south loaded or emp
ty-indeed, all indications such as his
general had impressed upon him by
which TO judge of the intentions OF an
opposing force. He was led TO think
that. although Tullahoma was forti-
fed. the Confederates were preparing
the way for retreat
To learn these facts Hanc Barton.
instead of going to Chattanooga to see
his pore ole mother" remained about
the Confederate camp so long that he
finally aroused suspicion. An officer
took him in charge. and. Hanc produc-
ing his pass. dated several days be-
fore. the general was informed by telc-
graph of his presence An order was
TO headquarters.
But Hanc. who had not been placed
under arrest. vanished before the or
der came. The officer who had re
ported him found himself in an I'M
pleasant position and sent whole
company of cavalry riding. scattered.
over the camp in search of the miss
ing man.
Hanc's horse was not far away. and.
reaching him while the Confederates
were waiting for the reply to the mes
sage to the general. he had been putting
as much distance as possible between
himself and them. They did not find
him that day. since darkness came on
within an hour after he fed: but. the
fact OF his disappearance having been
reported TO headquarters, reply came
that he must be found at all hazards.
The consequence was that separate
bands of cavalry. each bearing de-
scription of Richard Nenables. were
sent all over middle Tennessee. having
instructions to bring him in alive or
dead.
Hanc during the first night of his
fight struck the cabin of a Union fam
fly and, being convinced that he could
trust them. confessed what he was and
asked for the wherewithal to make IL
change of costume He was given an
old pair of wooden trousers instead OF
his butternut suit. and, as for coat
and vest. he didn't need either 4
straw hat, much faded, completed his
costume.
H.. oI,a ,, f@ d-n.
when he saw one of the searching par
ties coming on the road. They rode
by the house, but before passing out
of sight drew rein and sent II man
back. The spy, believing that they
were after him, went through the wood
house, taking up an ak as he did so.
and, going into the yard, where lay
some loose wood. began to split Ii. As
soon as he appeared the troopers all
turned and trotted back to the house.
"Have you seen anything" one said,
"of a man in butternut around here"
"No. l hain't. You uns hain't goin'
to camp yere, air you"
Were not goin' to camp anywhere
till we find the man we're after"
81 don't want no sojers campin' on
my ground. They take all the rails o.
the fences TO- fires. Besides. there
hain't no water handy 'cept in the well.
that's purity nigh dry. Ef you're GOin'
to camp you'll find creek over thar"
"Who's talkin' about campin'? I
came up here to ask you If you've seen
anything of a long, lean man
with sandy ha'r?"
The caYalryman consulted his paper
h. If t,a hn
was after and said the hair was sandy.
Eyes kinder gray?"
Yes; gray eyes"
Lean jaws?"
"Yes."
"Ole wooden hat?'
"Yes."
"You said he had on butternut clos.
lidn't you?'
Eyes; he had"
.'Sairy." called the spy. didn't
nan pass down the road this mornin'
n butternut clos? | thort seen one
,oin' by
Yes; saw him too. He was goin'
mighty fast"
(which way?" cried the Confederate
purring his horse"
'"That away" said the woman, point
ng.
In few moments the men were
iding rapidly in the direction indi.
ated. and the spy breathed freely, as.
indeed. did the others in the house
rho had been given refuge.
Hastily bidding them goodby. Hanc
arted into q wood behind the house
nd made for the north.
The next day he rode up to the Union
ickets and asked TO be taken in. He
ras sent under guard to the general.
Tho recognized him at once. After an
ours interview he was dismissed.
nd. the general calling to the mem
ers of his personal staff, began to
sue orders for a movement which re-
lited in the capture of Tullahoma.