The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-05-29
Only Yarn of War
| Ever Told by Lee
Confederate Leaders Idea
Of Brave and Cool Deed
by Two Scouts.

cent under one condition, and
that was when he had young
ladies to entertain. for then his natural
gailantry got the better of him, and
he was a charming companion, though
not what might be called loquacious,
and he did not care to talk Of the war,
preferring to choose other topics. 1t
was In camp. however. that he so far
yielded to the desires of couple Of
xRir visitors as to spin yarn. He
had invited two young ladies, cousins
@f his, to dine with him, and 1t was
to them and at their persuasion that
he told the story of the 1.-Two Confed-
Ferate Scouts" which writer In the
Philadelphia Times who knew the
great Confederate intimately declares
90 be the only war story ever told by
him.
Carefully arranging his napkin on
the table In front Of him and sitting
perfectly erect In his chair. as was his
custom, General Lee said: when this
war Is over you will hear great deal
Of praise given the leaders Of the
armies, and In the attempt to do them
honor the private soldier will to GER
eain extent be overlooked. This is I'M
fortunate, since some Of the noblest
and most daring deeds Of the war
were done by priyates on both sides.
I was once In absolute need of posi-
Give information as to the movements
of the enemy. My regular scouts were
out, 80 I had to select from regf-
ment Of men who were familiar with
! the section of the country, IL not with
gheir mission.
~After ferrettng out the secrets Of
the enemy they started on the return
trip, but were detained by terrific
eainstorm Of several hours duration,
which forced them to shelter until
ntght When they reached the river
they found to their chagrin that II
was too much swollen to be crossed In
q canoe, and the only thing left was
90 make a bed Of the pine tags on the
ground and sleep until morning. when
they would proceed unmolested. But
they had reckoned without their host.
The enemy's pickets. who had also
bean driven to shelter by the rain,
were out early next morning investi-
eating, and seeing fresh tracks sus-
pected something wrong. Five Of them
started on the trail, plain In the soft
earth, and soon came upon the sleep
faR scouts. Feeling confident Of hav-
tag their prisoners secure, they
thought TO have some innocent fun
with them and proceeded to jab them
tn the back with the point Of their
bAyonets and request them to come
In out Of the rain.
Hello Johnny, what are you doing
sleeping out here In the wet like thisf
Yeu will take cold. Come on with us
nat Of the damp
'sBut the sleeping Confederates
eould not be aroused. and the sem
ttnels had a big laugh over 1t. par
&euiariy so when one Of them would
partially turn over and groan out, Oh.
a4sp that What are you poking me
4or7 1t isn't time for reveille yet, as
x be thought he was In his own camp
safe and sound. Just In the midst of
their greatest outbreak the scouts,
with the agility Of wild animals,
gprang from their touches and with
their pistols shot down the two front
Msn, then as quickly dropped the
ether two as the fifth man hastily re
treated leaving his gun behind him,
"When the scouts heard the federal
squad advancing on them they were
toe close to admit Of retreat, so they
RasOrted to strategy and feigned sleep,
arranging between them that at given
signal both should rise and fire on
different men, taking them so by sur
prise that the others could be shot
also before they could get their guns
ND. The trick worked perfectly, and
60 II those men not only owe their
lnecks, but the valuable information
for headquarters and four good Snider
rides and warm oyercoats.
II do not believe that any deed OF
me war surpassed this In coolness
and bravery."-Chicago Herald.
- 90. ~ HN ~N