Year: 1862

An Incident of the War.


Night had settled down upon the army Of
the Potomac, and, except in the tent of Gen
eral, quiet reigned in the camp. The river
forces lined its banks, and Washington look red
peaceful as if no devil were trying to pluck
some stars from the fag which fosted over
the Capitol. But the measured tramp Of the
sentinel, and the quick, low-toned challenge
to the straggler hurrying to quarters, told the
story Of the struggle that was going on.


In the tent Of the General, grouped round q
small table on which were spread maps of the
country, sat several officers, eagerly discuss
ing point upon which opinions differed. It
was an informal council Of war, and the officer
in command, while he listened carefully, re-
Trained from giving his judgment in the mat
ter-fattering first this one with symptoms Of
agreement with him, or complimenting that
one on the clearness Of his views, while he
drew from some of the more bashful of the
party what they thought.


To none was he more polite than to q young
man Of fine address, whose shoulder straps
claimed for him the rank of colonel. No
greater contrast could be found than between
the faces Of the General and his subordinate
Both had keen eyes, and would be called
handsome men anywhere; but the features of
the elder wore an open, manly look, while
those of the younger bore a sinister cast, that
did much to destroy his otherwise good looks
The colonel was evidently i'll at ease, and
though he returned the polite attentions of
the General as q gentleman would, he did not
venture to meet the steady gaze that accom-
panied the honeyed words.


Just at the moment the discussion was at
the hottest, the sentry announced a messep-
ger. "Show him in, )" said the General, and
the man entered with q respectful salute
We will resume this tomorrow, gentlemen, {"
he said, boHing to the party, who, taking the
hint, Immediately dispersed to their several
quarters.


"Well, Hardy, what SUGGEST" said the
General, turning to the scout, who steod lean
ing on his rife. He was well worth studying
"a tall, lean man, with STOPPING shoulders, a
face thin and ssllow, with rambling legs but
his eyes glisteesd as if on fire. His body, un-
calmly as 1t was, gave promise Of great strength
and the long sweep of his arm, joined to the
grasp Of his immense hand, as he caressingly
held his weapon to his breast, would have
warned his foes that it was unsafe to try con-
illusions with him at too close quarters On
every line Of his countenance marked as it
was with inexpressible sadness, was written
honesty and frmness, so that you felt what he
ssid could be trusted.


" A leetle, Gineral, 7" he said, looking eau
tiOusly about. " Be we alone ?'' he added in
AD under tone.


The General stepped to the door of tho tent
hut nothing could Do seen except the sentry
pacing his usual beat The scout, however,
vas not satisfied, and walking briskly out he
approached the rear Of the tent when hasty
foOtstep was heard retreating. He listened
carefully, at the same time keeping his trusty
rifle ready for use, but the footsteps died
aSay in the distance and he returned to the
tent.


81 Some drunken soldier, Hardy said the
General, q little annoyed at the occurrence.
1t shall be looked to tomorrow


"May be So" said the scout, leaning on his
rife and refusing to be seated. "Yit bis pace
war mighty stiddy for q man in liquor"


We'll, ne is gone now, so let us to business, /"
said the General, little testify


MWateh DIArblsy, Gineral, said the scout
Hes in high favor where I've been to-day,
and that amt no great praise for Union
man"


"Did you reach the village, then" asked
the General, his eyes fixed upon Hardy's face


was there afore twelve O'Clock, and by
luck fell in with an Alabamy regiment So
as was real Virginny''-and mOcking smile
lit up the sallow face mixed in with the
boys"


81 You are venturesome, Hardy" said the
other. 4" If they catch you they will show no
mercy. Already your name is known the
country round, and a reward offered for you -
They can't hurt me no worse than they
heV, Gineral. / went by the homestead to-
day, and the ashes are there yet. The FIRE
that burned the old place went to my heart,
and | amt sfeard Of icing ketched till my
works done"


"DO they know how strong we are in this
place ?" asked the General.


"To q man, GineraI And they're chuck
ling nightly over it. 'Taint no secret at all,
and they don't make no bones of saying they
heV good friends in your camp. Did I tell
you to watch D'Arblay, Gineral ?'' and the
scout fingered the lock Of his rife, looking out
upon the white city that lay before him.


Suddenly he started and threw himself in
the shadow Of the curtain which hung at the
door Of the tent. A moment he stood 30, and
then, swiftly bringing his rife to his shoulder,
quick report was heard, and Hardy turned
10 the tent.


The startled sentry FASTENED to inquire the
cause, but the imperturbable old man care
lessly explained that he had only fred of his
load, and, as his eccentricity was well known,
that ended it. But he bent low and whis
pered to the General" Keep watch on OAR.
blsy-a close watch, Gineral," and gave vent
to cnuekle that shook his body till his bones
ratified.


An hour later and the little camp that Law
as an outpost Of the great army was stirring
with new life. No rapid beat TO arms rouse5
the sleeping soldiers, but swift messengers
moved among the white tents, and at their
summons the men shook slumber from their
eyends and eagerly took their positions in the


A secret expedition, and at night-of all
things the greatest delight Of the true SOL
dier-so much was clear; but in what direc-
ton, or against what force, none knew, vet
the ignorance did not check the undisguised
pleasure OF the men, as they promptly sbeyed
the fall in Of the orderly. 1t was enough
that they were in the enemy's country, on soil
once sacred, but now desecrated by the foot
steps OF rebellion, and 90 the blow was efrsc
tual, they cared not where it fell.


With the oficers IL might be little different,
and come fastening to the Generals tent for
instrueti0na Uara mat nv an al -hn
hasty information for the marshalling of the
forces. No one was trusted with the secret of
the movement, od they who persistently
sought the commanding officer found at the en-
trance Of his tent only an old man leaning on
his rifle. Those who had been at the council
readily connected the singular individual with
the present movement; while they who for the
first time looked upon his tall form, appear
emily bent with age and infrmity, did not
dream that this was the scout whose deeds were
The theme Of conversation about the camp fires,
and whose escapes puszlsd at once both friend