Year: 1874

JlJy, Juey gave me lnlOIIndIlOn on every
point brought up. By close questioning,
and by taking the gloss off of each one's
statement, made up my mind that the
entire Confederate force within a days
march of the Bluff, did not number over
twenty thousand and that the Confeder-
ate strength, within four hours march,
vast about half this number At last,
when was thinking of going, one of the
soldiers stated that he had pass to 60 to
Leesburg, and that he would keep me
company, having stated that was going
to town for further supply Of stationery.
His company would naturally prevent me
from mourning suspicion, and was glad to
have it. AS we walked along up the range,
Dan, as he called himself, gave me the
names of the different regiments and COM
manders, told me all about the hopes of the
Confederates in that vicinity, and broadly
limited that move would soon be made
which would astonish the whole Yankee
nation. The move was made few days
after, and the nation was more than as
tonished at the reckless spirit of the Union
leaders.


fattered myself that / had shaken off
the man whose goods was carrying, and
had in fact ceased to think of him, when
an evil chance threw him across my path.
We had struck the road leading into Lees
burg, and were about two miles distant
from the town, when, as we plodded along,
who should rise up from a rock at the
roadside but the very man l had robbed !!
did not notice him, the road being full Of
soldiers, until he had seized the haversack
with one hand and my coat collar with the
other.


"Ha you sneaking thiefp' he exclaim-
ed, highly indignant and considerably ex-
cited. $50 you are the rascal who stole
my goods, are you9"


"See here, you old vagabond !" shout
cd, twisting loose his hands; IF you call
me sneak thief, I'll lather your head for
you p


He had taken me entirely by surprise, but
was not an instant in making up my mind
that must brass it out" To own up and
deliver over the goods would be to create
suspicion, and the soldier might take it
into his mind to inquire what had brought
me into camp. The man was clawing to
get new hold of me, and drew back and
gave him blow on the mouth, which sent
him reeling to the ground. AS might have
been expected, the soldiers stopped and
crowded around, anxious to see fight.
The man who was apowerful fellow and full
of pluck, got up and made for me, and for
five minutes we had lively time. was a
pretty fair boxer, while he knew nothing
of the art, but he gave me all could take
care Of At length, after had given him
heavy blow on the nose, he refused to
come to "time" again, but told his story
to the soldiers, and asked their aid to re.
cover his property. Some Of them display
ed interest," others laughed and encouraged
him to attack me again.


"The man is liar, and probably thiei
himselfp' exclaimed my companion Dan,
supposing me to be entirely innocent and
anxious to get me out of the scrape.


We then started forward, but the mar
kept at our heels, demanding his property,
and threatening to have me arrested or
reaching the town. could probably have
soon shaken him off but for another Incl
dent, which ended in my arrest. We were
within mile of the town, when we met q
captain of cavalry riding at gallop. My
man was about twenty rods behind, and az
soon as the captain reached him, the horsC
came to halt, and turned and saw the
two in conversation. A moment after, the
captain came riding after us at fast gal
lop, and was soon at our heels


"Hold on, sir p' he shouted, pointing di
reotly at me as looked around. "Thil
matter must be investigated"


81 don't know of nything which need
investigating" I replied, moving along.


"But dop retorted the captain, in
creasing his voice and slipping down from
the saddle. "I know this man, Mr.. Grand
and l want to know you. Have you go
his propertys"


81 don't know anything about Mr.
Grand" Ireplied, coming to stop, anc
feeling that was to be done for. 18th,
man is drunk, and evidently takes me TO
some one else"


The captain came closer took a lonl
look at my face, and then gave whistle 0
surprise. I did not whistle, butI wa
none the less surprised. AS he came near