( GENERAL BUNKER ) 
 
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 THE 
 
 GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 GOUT AND PY, 
 
 BUNKER: 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 A. TRUTHFUL AND THRILLING NARRATIVE OF ADVEN- 
 TURES AND NARROW ESCAPES IN THE ENEMY'S 
 COUNTRY, UNDER ORDERS FROM GENERALS 
 GRANT, LOGAN, McPHERSON, AND OTHER 
 LEADING COMMANDERS. 
 
 hinl (Hilton, 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY OLMSTED 
 1870. 
 
 & CO.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1568, by 
 OLMSTED & COMPANY, 
 
 In tb> monk's Office of the United States District Court, for the Southern District 
 of New York. 
 
 Printed by JOHN J. RKUD, 
 43 Centre St., N. Y.
 
 TO 
 
 GEN, ULYSSES S, GRANT, 
 
 WHOSE UNDAUNTED ENERGY, HEROIC VALOR, SUPERIOR 
 
 GENERALSHIP, AND DEVOTION TO HIS COUNTRY, 
 
 HAVE PROVED HIM 
 
 "The Right Man in the Right Place, 
 
 AND WON FOR HIM 
 
 A WORLD-WIDE FAME; 
 
 THE pALLANT pFFICERS AND 
 
 TTHO HAVE NOBLY ASSISTED IN SUSTAINING OCR GLORIOUS NATIONAUTT 
 BY CRUSHING THE GREAT REBELLION, 
 
 is
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 IT was with much difficulty that I was prevailed upon 
 to give to the public a narrative of my experience as 
 a scout and spy. It was the intense interest with 
 which the commanding generals and others have lis- 
 tened to my narratives, whenever I have related 
 them, and their earnest entreaties to have them pub- 
 lished, that induced me to do so. 
 
 I entered the army with purely patriotic motives, 
 with a desire to sustain and perpetuate the noble in- 
 stitutions that had been purchased by the blood of 
 our fathers. I valued the cause of liberty as well 
 worth all the sacrifice that it might cost to save it. 
 I saw at once that the conflict was to be one involv- 
 ing great principles, and that in the end Truth and 
 Justice must prevail. 
 
 The part that I have borne in putting down the 
 great rebellion is the one that naturally fell to me by 
 the force of circumstances, and entirely unsolicited. 
 My relation in the affairs of life seems to have been 
 such as to have just adapted me to that part that fell
 
 6 PREFACE. 
 
 to my lot to act. I have been a cabin-boy on the 
 canal, from which I graduated to the position of canal- 
 driver. I have been a Frontier Ranger, a Rocky 
 Mountain Trapper and gold-hunter on the eastern 
 slope. I have been a cattle-trader at the North, a 
 raft-pilot at the South, and an Arkansas school- 
 master. 
 
 The incidents that I have narrated are all of them 
 facts that have occurred in my experience, and, 
 without further apology, I submit them to an indul- 
 gent and candid public, and claim that every scene 
 narrated here is the unvarnished truth. 
 
 C. L. RUGGLES.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Parentage Childhood incidents Subsequent occupations Driven from 
 Mississippi Works on rebel fortifications Escape to Illinois Enlists 
 as a soldier Supposed to have deserted How he got his name Ex- 
 amination by the surgeon 11-17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Moves to Cincinnati Detailed to guard the forts Meets a secesh lady- 
 First scout Unexpected visit of the colonel The drill Bad report- 
 The mischief investigated Attempts to discover the rogues Innocent 
 man accused The accusers skedaddle Who got the chickens. . . .18-35 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " Marching orders First battle Arrives at Fort Donelson The sur- 
 render Goes North with prisoners Meets an old friend as a rebel 
 captain The captain attempts to bribe him Expedition up the Ten- 
 nessee River Touching incident Battle of Shiloh Captures an En- 
 field Recommended as a scout 26-34 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Rumored attack upon Grand Junction " General Bunker" sent out as 
 spy Passes himself as a rebel soldier Falls in with rebel cavalry 
 Visits a rebel carnp Attempts to deprive him of his revolver Dis- 
 covers a Yankee forage party Undertakes to return captured by 
 Yankees, and robbed of his revolver and money Passes as a rebel spy 
 Sent to the provost-marshal Sent to General Hurlbut Returned to 
 Grand Junction 85-50 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Fired at by a citi/en The sick overseer How he was cured Pickets 
 fired on Trip to White Church Visits General Van Dorn Meets a 
 rebel spy Reports to General Leggett Grand Junction evacuated 
 Again sees the rebel spy Attempt to arrest him Drinks wine with the 
 rebel General Jackson Discovers a hole in the fence 51-68 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The value of the oath Attempt to take " Bunker's" life Sent to Grand 
 Junction The hazardous ride The countersign The chase Unfor- 
 tunate occurrence The chase abandoned Meets with guerrillas They 
 invite him to drink Renewed vigilance The battle ofMiddlcburg. 67-7i> 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Attempts to visit the enemy's camp Learns the strength and position of 
 the enemy Return intercepted Perilous situation Loses his mule 
 Frightened by men of his own regiment The plan to capture the 
 enemy The negro's report The forces discovered Disposes of a 
 rebel picket Reports his discovery 74-82
 
 8 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Bent to find the enemy's pickets Suspicious circumstance Sick child 
 Captures three citizens standing picket Releases them Falls asleep- 
 Perilous situation Fortunate turn of affairs Attack on the pickets A 
 very pious man He proves a rebel spy 83-90 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Bent to Somerville Finds himself a prisoner Taken to Cold Water- 
 Meets with old acquaintances Is paroled Runs with the 3d Arkansas 
 Cavalry Goes to Lnnipkin's Mills Interview with General Price 
 Stays all night with his brother, the rebel general Return to Bolivar 
 Reports to General Ross Obtains the colonel's horse, and returns to 
 the enemy Runs away from the enemy 91-100 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Sent to Grand Junction to capture guerrillas Suspicious incident Strat- 
 egy Orders disobeyed The rebel flag The very kind secesh lady- 
 Out of the frying-pan into the fire Guerrillas watching for them 
 The attack The prisoner Result of the trip 101-112 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Sent to Lagrange Observes two cavalrymen Arrival Waits for the 
 cavalry Accompanies them out Takes his departure Is pursued 
 Evades the pursuit Finds himself cornered Crosses the Cypress 
 Swamp Robbed by outlaws The fate of the robbers 113-134 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Starts to find General Bragg's forces " Woods" the secesh farmer 
 Guerrillas washing stockings Finds Bragg's advance Recognized as 
 a Yankee spy Ordered off his mule to 'be shot The clamor of the 
 crowd Recognized as a Confederate spy Rebel surgeon vouches for 
 him Is released- Gray-headed rebel brought to justice The sutler of 
 the 2d Arkansas Cavalry a prisoner What became of the guerrillas 
 that were washing stockings 123-136 
 
 CHAPTEll XIII. 
 
 Reconnoiters Hickory Flats with a squad of seven men Shoots at 
 the mark Orders to march with two days' rations Cause of the 
 alarm Rcconnoiter beyond Whitesville Major Mudcl's trap " Bunk- 
 er" entices the rebs into it Rides into the trap behind a rebel captain 
 Sent out beyond Pocahontas Passes as a rebel artillerist Secesh cit- 
 izen stands guard for him The very kind secesh lady The anxious 
 wife Discovers guerrillas burning a human being 137-155 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Starts on a trip for General Lauman His instructions A Confederate 
 widow Discovers a squad of rebel soldiers Captures part of their 
 arms Learns the whereabouts of guerrillas Attempt to capture them 
 Guerrillas escape Captures a prisoner Cause of guerrillas' escape 
 The " General" and squad are arrested Unfortunate state of affairs- 
 Informality of charge and specifications 156-16(5 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Assistance of friends Fails to get a trial Gloomy prospects Evidence 
 accumulates Guard-house incident The " General" concludes to help
 
 CONTENTS. 9 
 
 himself Narrow escape from .guerrillas The capture Reaches hla 
 regiment Himself and squad released 107-177 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Starte for Grenada Instructions Is captured Returns to Water Valley 
 Starts again Arrives at Grenada Condition of Price's army He 
 returns Again sent to Grenada Proposes some fun Plan of strategy 
 Plan unnecessary Returns with rebel cavalry Bivouac at Big 
 Springs The attack More fun than bargained for The result. 178-187 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The forage party Runaways Daring scout Narrow escape The line 
 of battle Safe relum Scout reports Assumes the character of a rebel 
 prisoner Finds a friend How he introduced himself Where he be- 
 longs The burning of Holly Springs The heroine What she captured 
 Shows partiality Oilers assistance Rebel doctor executed. . .18&-199 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Arrival in Memphis Daring robbery Detailed by the provost-marshal 
 general Assumes the character of a rebel major Secesh acquaintances 
 Captures a rebel mail A jollification A rebel trader Plan to run 
 the pickets The escape of the outlaAVS 200-212 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Reports to Major-General McPherson Instructions Disguise Starts for 
 Vicksburg Changes his route Reports to General Denver Acquaint- 
 ance with a cotton-buyer Plan to make money Visit to guerrilla Sol. 
 Street The arrangement consummated Visit to General Price Arri- 
 val at Jackson Robbed of his field-glasses Introduction to President 
 Davis Visit to Vicksburg Visit to Edwards' Station Meets his bear- 
 hunting comrades Visits Black River Bridge Robbed of his horse 
 The return Reports to General McPherson Reports to General 
 Grant 213-227 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Return to Mississippi Instructions Visit to Troy Movement of cavalry 
 Reports to General Denver Is arrested Federal cavalry driven back 
 Is released Visits Greenwood Journey to the Mississippi River 
 The perilous crossing Again arrested Interview with General Prentisa 
 Takes the oath of allegiance Meets a friend Makes his escape Re- 
 ports to General Grant 23S-240 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Return to the regiment The Henry rifle The march from Milliken's 
 Bend The tug of war The army crosses the Mississippi Capture of 
 Port Gibson Battle of Raymond Amusing capture The charge on 
 Jackson Battle of Champion Hills The rebel courier Sharp-shoot- 
 ing The gallant charge The march to Vicksburg The place be- 
 sieged 241-254 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 First sharp-shooting at Vicksburg Silences two guns The rifle-pit 
 Shoots a Carolinian The Carolinian's comrade Outshoots a squad of 
 sixteen The defiant rebel Shoots for Generals McPherson and Logan 
 Beats the Parrot rifles Joke on the Adjutant-General Visit to Ad- 
 miral Porter The French spy The disclosures Capture of a rebel 
 dispatch The fate of the spy 2o5-2S
 
 10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Sent for by General Grant Instructions Crosses Black River Is cap- 
 tured by rebel cavalry Sent to General DeVieu The interview 
 Passes as Johnston's spy The attempt to escape The pursuit Fired 
 at by Federal 'pickets Again fired at by the enemy The pursuers 
 driven back Again tired at by Federal pickets The alarm Reports 
 to General Osterhaus Reports to General Grant 270-380 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Visit to Chickasaw Landing Surrender of Vicksburg Visit to the city 
 The paroled Major The Yankee trick Returns to Vicksburg Made de- 
 tective Is sent to Yazoo City Attends a guerrilla organization Makes 
 them a speech Returns to Vicksburg 281-289 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Taken sick with the ague Encounters his Satanic Majesty The Devil 
 afraid of General Grant Expedition to Bogue Chitto Creek Captures 
 a rebel Colonel Enlists as a veteran Makes a speech to the soldiers. 
 
 290-299 
 CHAPTER XXVL 
 
 Frightened by a dead Colonel -Burns Confederate corn in face of the 
 enemy Gets into a tight place A frightened Major Captures infor- 
 mation A headstrong Captain gobbled up Captures a rebel Provost- 
 marshal General Encounter with General Ross' s cavalry A strange 
 adventure Races with a rebel Colonel A hard-hearted woman . 300-325 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 fitarte home on veteran furlough Suspected of being a rebel spy Com- 
 missioned officer serves him at the table Kind attentions at home Si- 
 lences an old maid Returns to the front Shot at twenty-one times 
 The remedy A Union lady The dwarf weaver The weaver be- 
 headed Goes into Marietta as a spy Confederate side of the lines Es- 
 cape from the rebs General McPherson's death Hard fighting.. . .326 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Goes to Ohio to recruit Raises twenty-one men Difficulty with the Gov- 
 ernor Visits Lieutenant-Gencral Grant Order from the War Depart- 
 ment Again in difficulty Runs away from the Governor Reports to 
 General Sherman Georgia raid An amusing coincident Reports to 
 General Granger, at Mobile Reports to General Grierson, in Texas 
 Makes a trip to the Upper Colorado Incident at General Grant's head- 
 quartersThe war over 851-381 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Ludicrous effect of fear A Corporal outflanks a Captain A good Union 
 man A touching appeal A scene among the wounded An old Se- 
 cesh discovers his mistake Suggestions from experience Concluding 
 thoughts Certificates and endorsements 382-400
 
 THE 
 
 GEEAT AMERICAN SCOUT AND SPY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Parentage Childhood incidents Subsequent occupations Driven from 
 Mississippi Works on rebel fortifications Escape to Illinois Enlists 
 as a soldier Supposed to have deserted How he got his name 
 Examination by the Surgeon. 
 
 I WAS Lorn in the town of Copley, Summit County, 
 Ohio, on the I7th day of June, 1823, and at the time 
 I entered the army was thirty nine years of age. My 
 father's name was Alfred Ruggles. At the time of 
 his death he was living with his second wife. His 
 family numhered twelve sons and seven daughters. 
 I am the youngest of seven children by my father's 
 second wife. 
 
 My father was a blacksmith by trade, and all of 
 his sons, except myself, were taught this trade, un- 
 der his personal instruction. Lorenzo Ruggles, my 
 father's second son by his first wife, after having 
 finished his trade, was sent to college and educated. 
 He is the General Ruggles of the Confederate army. 
 
 When I was ten years of age my father died, leav- 
 ing a large farm to be disposed of by a will. The 
 (Hi
 
 12 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 children went to law, and spent the entire property 
 in breaking the will and settling the estate. In con- 
 sequence of that I was thrown upon my own labor 
 for my support at a very early age. 
 
 The next summer, after my father's death, I hired 
 out as cabin-boy on board of one of the packet-boats 
 running on the Ohio Canal. I continued for three 
 summers to follow the canal in that capacity, and 
 for four summers following I was a canal driver. 
 The last three seasons I drove the same team, and 
 at the end of the third season I received from the 
 Transportation Company a prize of ten dollars for 
 having kept my team in the best order. 
 
 The winter following, my seventh season on the 
 canal, I went down the Mississippi River to Arkan- 
 sas, and spent the season chopping steamboat wood. 
 While thus employed on Island Twenty-eight, I had 
 the fortune to kill a very large black bear, which I 
 sold to a steamboat captain for what seemed to me 
 at that time a great price. The incident turned my 
 attention to trapping and bear hunting. I -spent se- 
 veral successive winters in hunting and trapping in 
 the wilds of Arkansas. In the winter of 1851 and 
 1852 I was employed in hunting wild hogs in the 
 Yazoo bottoms, for Peter Nash, of Vicksburg, Miss. 
 I was thus engaged at the time that the fourteen 
 French hunters \vere killed by wild hogs in the Yazoo 
 bottoms. I spent one year as an overseer for Mr. 
 James Ford, of Memphis, Tenn., on the French pal- 
 ace plantation, near the fort of Island No. GO. My 
 summers were usually spent on the Mississippi an#
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 13 
 
 its tributaries. In the summer of 1859 I went to 
 Pike's Peak, and thence to Salt Lake. The winter 
 of 18 GO and 1861 I was at work on White River, 
 Ark., and had several hands at work with me, filling 
 a contract for shingles for a man by the name of 
 Hanner, in Bolivar County, Mississippi. 
 
 In the spring I commenced to deliver the shingles, 
 but Mr. Hanner refused to receive them, on the ground 
 that the country was engaged in war. His refusal 
 to receive them provoked me, and I said to him, "All 
 you need is a good thrashing, and then you'll behave 
 yourself and not talk so." That enraged him, and he 
 turned and left me, muttering vengeance as he went. 
 An hour later he returned with a party of men, threa- 
 tening to hang me if he should catch me, but I was 
 not to be found. Mr. Hanner did not accuse me of 
 being an abolitionist or a Northern man. He was 
 soon after made Colonel of the 17th Mississippi 
 Zouaves. Knowing that my life was in danger there, 
 I made my way to Memphis, Tenn. 
 
 At Memphis, I found the secession element deci- 
 dedly too hot for me. I saw no other way for me to 
 do but "aid and comfort" the secession movement or 
 leave the country. 
 
 Lying at the levee was a steamboat just getting 
 up steam, destined, it was said for St. Louis, Mo. 
 She had on board a cargo of picks, spades, wheelbar- 
 rows, and whisky. I took passage in her and went 
 to Columbus, Ky., and there she stopped and com- 
 menced to discharge her cargo. I soon learned that 
 she was going no further.
 
 14 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 At that place I came across Mr. James Ford, for 
 whom I had heen an overseer on the French palace 
 plantation. He gave me a warm greeting, and said 
 that he was glad that I had come. He was at that 
 time in command of the post, and engaged in forti- 
 fying the place. He persuaded me to take charge 
 of a gang of negroes and work on the forts, which 
 I did, to kill all suspicion until an opportunity oc- 
 curred for ine to escape. When I had heen there 
 engaged for five days, Ihe steainhoat Amelia came 
 up the river and landed, en her way to Cairo, 111. 
 I happened to know the pilot, and told him that I 
 was in a tight place, and hy his assistance I secreted 
 myself on hoard the heat and went to Cairo. It was 
 the last steamer that was allowed to pass by Colum- 
 bus, Ky., until the place was captured by the Federal 
 army. 
 
 From Cairo I went to Toledo, 0. Recruiting for 
 the Federal army was going on rapidly all over the 
 North. In August, 1SG1, 1 visited the principal cities 
 in Ohio, in search of a company of sharpshooters, in 
 which to enlist. I found several such organizations, 
 but none of them were officered by men that suited 
 me. In the month cf December, while at Columbus, 
 Ohio, I met Lieutenant Downs, of the 20th Ohio Vo- 
 lunteer Infantry, with a squad of ten men, on his way 
 to Trumbull County to recruit. Liking the appear- 
 ance cf his men, I enlisted, on condition that he 
 would furnish me with an Enfield rifle. 
 . From Columbus we took the first train of cars to 
 Cleveland ; it was late in the evening when we
 
 SCOUT AND SPY Tf> 
 
 arrived. Passing a boot and shoe store that was yet, 
 open, I obtained leave of the Lieutenant to remain 
 long enough to purchase a pair of boots before going 
 to our lodgings. The Lieutenant and party did not 
 stop, but continued on to the hotel. After purchasing 
 my boots, I got into an interesting conversation with 
 the shopkeeper, and remained somewhat longer than 
 was necessary. I had been intrusted to the care of 
 Corporal Grinnell, by the Lieutenant, and my long 
 absence had created a suspicion in the mind of the 
 Corporal that I had deserted. He had also heard 
 Lieutenant Bostwick, while in Columbus, advise 
 Lieutenant Downs not to enlist me, for fear I would 
 run away. At last he started out with three men 
 in search of me, and found me still at the shop. I 
 have since had many a joke with Lieutenant Bost- 
 wick and Corporal Grinnell about their suspecting 
 that I would desert. They have been among my 
 warmest friends in the army. The next morning, at 
 eleven o'clock, we reached Warren. At that place 
 the party dispersed to their homes, and I was fur- 
 nished boarding at the Eagle House, where I remained 
 for ten days. 
 
 On Monday, January 8, 18G2, we met to go to the 
 regiment, then at Camp King, near Covington, Ky. 
 The squad had increased by accession of recruits to 
 twenty men. Our journey passed off pleasantly, and 
 in two days' time we reached our regiment. The 
 party that went home with the Lieutenant had car- 
 ried their knapsacks with them ; not knowing at that 
 time the name for them. I asked the Lieutenant if
 
 1C THE GREA1 AMERICAN 
 
 he had a "Bunker Hill" for me to wear on my "back. 
 From that expression I received the name of "Bunker," 
 and have been more generally known by that name 
 in the army than any other. 
 
 The next morning after our arrival in camp, we were 
 marched over to the Surgeon's quarters for examina- 
 tion. From a list of names that the Lieutenant had 
 handed him, the Surgeon called " Lorain Ruggles ! " 
 
 " Here I am, Doctor," I answered, what do you 
 want of me ? " 
 
 "I want to examine you, and see if you are sound." 
 
 "Oh, that's it, is it. You need not be to that trouble, 
 I'm sound enough." 
 
 " Well, but I must see whether you are sound or 
 not ; hold out your hands ; work your fingers ; touch 
 your hands over your head." 
 
 Going through the motions, I >lded, "OA, / teli 
 you that I am all right." 
 
 "Are you ruptured ? " he continued. 
 
 "Ruptured! what is that?" 
 
 "Are you bursted ? " 
 
 "No, I ain't quite busted yet; I've a couple of 
 dollars left." 
 
 " You don't understand me, Mr. Ruggles," con- 
 tinued the Surgeon, placing his hands on my abdo- 
 men. "Are your bowels all right ? " 
 
 " Oh, I understand you now ! They are a little thin; 
 the rations don't relish tvell yet." 
 
 The doctor secceeded at last in making me under- 
 stand, and having finished his examination, we were 
 accepted as soldiers in the United States army.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY, 17 
 
 Like all other recruits, as soon as mustered in I 
 was placed under drill. To me the "steps" and 
 "facings," "times" and "motions," were perfectly in- 
 comprehensible. I formed a dislika to them that I 
 could never get over. I was expert in the forest at 
 handling my piece, and I did not see why the same 
 times and motions that would kill a bear would not 
 kill a "reb."
 
 18 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER, II. 
 
 Moves to Cincinnati Detailed to guard the forts Meets a secesh lady- 
 First scout Unexpected visit of tho Colonel The drill Bad report 
 The mischief investigated Attempts to discover the rogues Innocent 
 man accused Tho accusers skedaddle Who got the chickens. 
 
 SHORTLY after I joined the regiment it moved to 
 the city barracks in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the 
 duty of the regiment at that time to guard the forti- 
 fications that had been built to protect the cities of 
 Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Not long after 
 we arrived at the barracks, company "H," to which 
 I belonged, was detailed for a three days' tour at 
 guarding the line of defenses. Lieutenant Downs, 
 with a squad consisting of three sergeants and twen- 
 ty-seven men, was sent to guard that part of the de- 
 fenses known as the Three-mile Batteries. I was one 
 of the squad. 
 
 These batteries formed a chain of defenses running 
 eastward from the Licking River at a distance of 
 two miles and a half south of the city of Newport. 
 Beginning near the Licking River, was situated Fort 
 Shaler ; a mile and a half east was Fort Stuart, and a 
 mile and a half east of that was Beechwoods Battery. 
 
 The detail was divided into three squads, of a 
 sergeant and nine men each, for each of the three
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 19 
 
 forts. I was one of the squad that went to Fort Stuart. 
 That fort being between the other two, was made 
 head-quarters of the officer commanding the detail. 
 
 "We crossed the Ohio River on a ferry-boat to New- 
 port, and then marched out. When we had gone about 
 half-way to the forts, we were met by a lady in a 
 carriage, who as we passed, called out, " Hurrah for 
 Jeff. Davis!" We took it as a down-right insult, but 
 passed along without making any disturbance. We 
 soon overtook a young man, who told us where tho 
 lady lived, who she was, and also that she was a 
 secesh, and that her sentiments were well known in 
 the neighborhood. She was a widow. 
 
 The next, morning I asked Lieutenant Downs for 
 the privilege of taking -three men with me to scout 
 the neighborhood for information concerning its dis- 
 loyalty. He granted the request, on condition that 
 we report back promptly by 2 o'clock in the after- 
 noon. We were allowed to take our arms with us. 
 
 We visited all the neighbors living in the imme- 
 diate vicinity of the lady's residence, and they all 
 confirmed what we had heard of her disloyalty. We 
 then went to her house, but found that she was ab- 
 sent. The members of her family said that she was 
 not disloyal, but very strongly sympathized with the 
 secession movement. Her negroes said she was se- 
 cesh. We were treated courteously by the family, 
 and urged to stay to dinner, which we did. While 
 the dinner was being prepared, we enlivened the 
 time by narrating our carnp stories, very much to 
 their amusement. When we were about to take oi?r
 
 20 THE GKKAT AMKKICAN 
 
 departure, we were invited to come the next day and 
 bring our Lieutenant. The invitation was pressed so 
 hard that we promised to come. 
 
 At the hour specified, we reported to our Lieuten- 
 ant, and gave him all the information that we had 
 gathered concerning the woman's disloyalty and the 
 feeling that existed against her among her neighbors. 
 It was determined, in consequence of the insult that 
 we had received, and her known sympathy with the 
 enemy, to lay the matter before the Colonel on our 
 return to the regiment. 
 
 The next day was very rainy, so we did not repeat 
 our visit as we" had promised to do. About the middle 
 of the afternoon we were very much surprised by the 
 appearance of Colonel Force at the fort. Had he come 
 in the night it would not have surprised us, because 
 he had become proverbial for " making the rounds," 
 especially in bad weather. At the time of his arrival 
 the Lieutenant was absent, inspecting the other forts. 
 
 The manner of the Colonel seemed strange. He 
 was very inquisitive about our rations whether they 
 held out and whether we had had any other than 
 Government rations ; he also inquired whether any 
 of us had been absent from the fort at any time. I 
 then told him of our trip the day before. He then 
 inquired if we had any of us been there since, and 
 we answered in the negative. He then inspected 
 our ration-boxes, and the ground all about the fort, 
 examining carefully the wood-pile, fence-corners, and 
 bushes, evidently looking for somethingon the ground. 
 After haying finished his search he did not seem sa-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 2i 
 
 tisfied, but acted as if he was disappointed in some- 
 thing. We were all sure that "something was up." 
 
 Having finished his inspection, he told me to get 
 my gun and he would drill me in the manual while 
 he was waiting for the return of the Lieutenant. I 
 got along finely in all the movements until he gave 
 the command, "Charge bayonet." 
 
 It being the most natural for me, I brought ray 
 piece down to my left side, with a half-face to the left 
 instead of to the right, as I ought to have done. 
 
 " Not so, not so the other way; there fix it so," 
 said the Colonel, fixing it in its proper position. 
 
 " I can never charge bayonet that way." 
 
 " Hold it fast ; let me try it," said he, putting his 
 hand against the muzzle of the piece. 
 
 " I will if I can." He pushed, and over I went to 
 the ground. Springing up and resuming my old po- 
 sition of half- face to the left. " You can't do that 
 again ; now try." 
 
 The Colonel did try, but could not budge me. He 
 then told me to put up my gun. I had become ex- 
 tremely anxious to know what had brought him over, 
 and I resolved to give him a hint to that effect ; so 
 I said to him, "Colonel, you must like the military 
 profession pretty well!" 
 
 "Why so? what makes you think that?" 
 
 " Because you came all the way over here from 
 Cincinnati just to drill me." 
 
 The Colonel smiled, but he said nothing. By this 
 time the Lieutenant made his appearance. The Col- 
 onel took him on side and had some private conver-
 
 22 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 sation, and then left. We learned from the Lieute- 
 nant that complaint had been made at the head- 
 quarters that a squad of men from the forts had been 
 to Mrs. 's house the night before and taken pos- 
 session with fixed bayonets, and demanded meat, 
 butter, chickens, and potatoes, and threatened if the 
 articles demanded were not given them, they would 
 help themselves. The lady remonstrated, and finally 
 begged of them not to disturb her property, but all to 
 no purpose. They then helped themselves to such 
 articles as they wanted, including about thirty 
 chickens. 
 
 The Lieutenant seemed surprised to hear such re- 
 ports about his men. He questioned us closely, as 
 the Colonel had done, but all to no purpose ; every 
 man denied knowing any thing about the outrage. 
 He searched the premises for any traces of chickens, 
 such as offal, bones, or feathers, but none could be 
 found. 
 
 The lady had represented to the Colonel that the 
 soldiers that committed the outrage wore dark blue 
 blouses, and carried muskets with bayonets. The 
 soldiers of no other regiment about there wore that 
 kind of uniform or carried that kind of arms. When 
 the Colonel left Fort Stuart, he went over to the 
 Beechwoods Battery, and there the same investigation 
 was made, but with no better result. Five of the men 
 that accompanied me to the lady's house were taken 
 over to see if they would be identified as having been 
 there in the night, but the members of the family 
 said they were not among the number. It was then
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 23 
 
 arranged that the members of the family should go 
 over to the barracks the day that we would return, 
 and see if they could identify the men on dress pa- 
 rade, that did the mischief. 
 
 During the balance of our stay at the forts, the 
 Lieutenant was very strict with us, and watched 
 narrowly every movement that we made, but dis- 
 covered no evidence of guilt. On our way back to 
 the barracks, as we passed through the streets of New- 
 port and Cincinnati, we seemed to be observed with 
 more than usual interest, on account of the notoriety 
 given us by the report. Dress parade came, and with 
 it two members of the family, one a son of the lady, 
 to point out the guilty soldiers. When the parade was 
 over the companies were all dismissed but company 
 li II." The two persons then passed along the line, 
 and succeeded in pointing out one man. He was a 
 man of unexceptionable character, and the very last 
 man in the company that would have been guilty of 
 such a thing ; and besides he had been on duty at 
 the fort next to the river, which was more than three 
 miles distant from the lady's house. 
 
 Whatever suspicions the officers of the company 
 might have had of their men, they were then 
 well convinced that an innocent man had been 
 wrongfully accused. The Colonel still believed that 
 some of the men in the company had done it. It was 
 then arranged that the son should return the next 
 day and bring another member of the family a 
 young man that was teaching there and see if he 
 would have any better success.
 
 24 
 
 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Passes were prohibited us for ten days. Each one 
 of the men on detail at the forts were examined se- 
 parately, and I was called in for examination several 
 times. After he had questioned me over and over 
 again, I said to him, "Look here Colonel, that would 
 he a smart trick for new recruits, wouldn't it? 
 Besides, they tell me, Colonel, that you are like a 
 comet ; that you come when no man knoweth it. 
 Supposing that you had "made the rounds" that night, 
 and found the men gone. By and by the guard would 
 call out, 'Halt! who comes there?' What would have 
 been the reply? I tell you, Colonel, United States 
 soldiers don't get disgraced that way !" 
 
 The Colonel then walked his room back and forth, 
 as if in a deep study, then facing me, said : "Is this 
 the first time you were ever caught in a scrape of 
 this kind ?" 
 
 "You have'nt caught me in this yet" I replied. 
 
 "That will do," said he, "you are either innocent 
 or very well drilled! You can go to your quarters." 
 
 The next afternoon the two. young men came over. 
 When they arrived, the battalion was on drill except 
 the new recruits. While watching the drill, the son 
 of the lady undertook to point out to the man that 
 accompanied him the person that ho had previously 
 pointed out. That, I thought, was not fair. I told 
 the new recruits what was being done and they ali 
 began to gather around the 'two young men to 
 frighten them off. Some would cackle like hens; 
 some crow like roosters ; some pinned paper on their 
 coat-tails; others would slip pork rinds into their coat
 
 SCOUT AM SL'l'. 25 
 
 pockets, and then accuse them of stealing soap 
 grease from the poor soldiers! 
 
 . It was a rougher reception than they had bargained 
 for, and as soon as the crowd opened they broke for 
 the street and never came back again. 
 
 The "chicken scrape" is among the incidents of the 
 past. Several of tho men of the detachment that 
 were in the forts at that time have nobly sacrificed 
 their lives, and others their health, in the cause of 
 their country; and, however well they loved chickens, 
 they have all since proved themselves brave, heroic 
 soldiers. In a future reckoning, the depredations 
 committed that night will vanish when weighed by 
 the " hurrahs for Jeff. Davis" by the lady in the 
 carriage. 
 
 I leave the reader to draw his own conclusions, 
 "but I am inclined to think that somebody got the, 
 chickens.
 
 26 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 "Marching orders" First battle Arrives at Fort Donelson The sni- 
 rendcr Goes North \vith prisoners Meets an old friend as a rebel 
 Captain The Captain attempts to bride him Expedition up the 
 Tennessee River Touching incident Battle of Shiloh Captures an 
 Enfield Eecommeuded as a scout. 
 
 ON the 9th day of February, 18G2, the regiment 
 received "marching orders." It was a day of hurry 
 and excitement. The order was received with de- 
 light by the men, for they had become tired of the 
 dull monotony of guard duty, and were eager for a 
 change. 
 
 It was a wet day, and the streets were filled with 
 mud and slush from the rain and melting snow, and 
 our feet dragged heavily as we marched to the levee, 
 but nevertheless, our hearts were light and cheerful. 
 Little did we realize the hardship, the privations, and 
 the sufferings that were in store for us, or think of 
 the change that would take place ere we returned to 
 the soil of our own loved State. 
 
 Two transports the Emma Duncan and the Dr. 
 Kane were ready for us at the levee, and we em- 
 barked on board of them, and were soon under way. 
 At Warsaw, Ky., we took on board two companies 
 that had been doing duty there, and then proceeded 
 on our way. We had an abundance of room which
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 27 
 
 added much to our comfort and a pleasant trip all 
 the way to Paducah, Ky., where we reported for orders 
 on the 13th of February. 
 
 We were immediately ordered to report to Gen- 
 eral U. S. Grant, near Fort Donelson, without delay, 
 and in a few hours, we were under way. We readi- 
 ed our destination Friday afternoon, February 14th. 
 The fighting had commenced, and at the time of our 
 arrival our gun-boats were engaged with the rebel 
 batteries in sight of where we landed. 
 
 The regiment was ordered to report to Colonel 
 since Brigadier-General Me Arthur, commanding a 
 brigade on the extreme right of the Federal lines. 
 To reach our position we had to make a march of ten 
 miles. The weather was cold, and the ground cov- 
 ered with several inches of snow. We started very 
 early on the morning of the 15th to take our position. 
 Being unused to inarching with heavy knapsacks, the 
 march was fatiguing to us in the extreme. We suc- 
 ceeded, however, in getting our position in line of 
 battle by 10 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 At the time we took our position the battle was 
 raging with intense fury. The roar of musketry, the 
 crash of artillery, the scream of shells, the whiz of 
 bullets, and the sight of the dead and wounded were 
 not calculated to fill the minds of inexperienced sol- 
 diers with very pleasant sensations; nevertheless, 
 every man of the regiment exhibited a coolness and 
 firmness that won hi do honor to veterans in battle. 
 
 The Colonel ordered "by companies, right wheel, 
 unsling knapsacks. Battalion 4 ranks, right face.
 
 28 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Anns port, forward and double quick." We went about 
 80 rods toward the front, when the command came, 
 "Halt," and "side steps to the left front." The road 
 we went down on was all covered with blood, dead 
 and wounded on either side, a horrible sight, indeed, 
 for raw recruits. 
 
 Down went the Chicago Battery, drawn by six 
 horses. When the horses began to smell the powder 
 and saw the blood, their eyes flashed fire, their ears 
 were laid back, their mouths wide open, and they 
 seemed inspired with anew intelligence, and dashed 
 on like a thunder bolt into the midst of the enemy's 
 ranks. The Colonel then gave commend, "Right lace, 
 forward !" We moved down in front of the enemy 
 and formed the line of battle, and stood in the posi- 
 tion of order arms ! 
 
 Soon we saw the rebel Cavalry, 1500 strong, move 
 up on the top of a hill, and drawing their sabres, 
 with a shout, at full speed, they charged upon us. 
 My nerves began to twitch and my hair stood up, 
 and I said to my comrades, "Yonder they come, boys, 
 now let us give it to them !" On they came ! The 
 Colonel ordered us to fire, and we went at it in earnest. 
 The enemy were repulsed with great slaughter and 
 driven into their works. We were in the fight about 
 one hour, and our guns were so hot that we could 
 scarcely hold them. This was about 10 A.M. At 
 20 minutes before 4 o'clock we engaged their infantry 
 for one hour and 40 minutes, in which time we had 
 160 men killed, besides the Avounded. 
 
 Toward night the enemy withdrew within his for-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 29 
 
 tifications. That night we slept on our arms, in line 
 of battle, on the snow covered ground, expecting to 
 renew the battle in the morning. The next morn- 
 ing Sunday about nine o'clock, the news came 
 that Fort Donelson had surrendered. 
 
 Such shouts as went up from that army had never 
 been heard before. From one end of the line to the 
 other, cheer after cheer went up, until it seemed as 
 if the trees of the forest were repeating the shouts. 
 It was a glorious victory! It exceeded by far any vic- 
 tory previously achieved since the commencement of 
 the rebellion. Over 15,000 prisoners were captured, 
 besides an immense amount of artillery and small 
 arms. 
 
 The 20th Ohio was one of the regiments that was 
 detailed to guard the prisoners to the North. Com- 
 panies A and II were assigned to the steamer Em- 
 press, and were intrusted with the guarding of 2,300 
 prisoners. Soon after daylight on Monday morning 
 we were on our way down the Cumberland River. 
 
 Nothing of unusal interest occurred until we ar- 
 rived at Bloody Island, opposite St.Louis, Mo., where 
 we were to land the prisoners and embark them on 
 board the cars for Chicago, 111. It was in the even 
 ing when we arrived there, and the prisoners remained 
 on board until the next day. 
 
 I was on guard that night, and my post was at 
 the gangway, with instructions to prevent, at all haz- 
 ards, any attempt of prisoners to go ashore. About 
 1 o'clock at night a rebel Captain stepped up to me, 
 and addressing me by name, said, " I low are you? "
 
 30 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I recognized him as an old friend by the name 
 of Captain Brown, with whom I had formed an ac- 
 quaintance at Island No. Twenty-eight, in the sum- 
 mer of 1852. At that time he was the owner and 
 captain of the Memphis and Nashville packet steamer 
 Sligo, When the rebellion broke out he raised a 
 company at Nashville, and was made a captain in 
 the th Tennessee Infantry. At one time, while in 
 difficulty in Memphis, Captain Brown had rendered 
 me valuable assistance. 
 
 " How are yon? "said I, as soon as I discovered who 
 it was. " AVhat are you doing here? " 
 
 "I'm a prisoner, and my old friend is guarding me. 7 ' 
 
 " Yes, I see! Quite a change since you and I last 
 met. " 
 
 ' ; Yes, something of a change! I hardly expected 
 to meet you in arms against me! You have lived a 
 long time in the South. Do you think that you are 
 doing exactly right to take up arms against us? " 
 
 " The old government and the old flag are good 
 enough for me, " I replied, "and I mean to stick by 
 them so long as I live. " 
 
 " Do you expect to pin the States together again 
 with bayonets? " he asked. 
 
 " I don't know whether we shall pin the States to- 
 gether again or not; but I do know one thing, well 
 have the soil back again, whether we have the peo- 
 ple or not. " 
 
 " See here! " said he. " Do you remember of my 
 assisting you one time in Memphis, when you was in 
 trouble? "
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 31 
 
 "Certainly I do! And you had my gratitude for it." 
 
 " Well, I am in trouble. Can you render me any 
 assistance?" 
 
 "I will, if I can." 
 
 "Well, you can." 
 
 "How?" 
 
 " By letting me cross your beat and go ashore." 
 
 i; / can't do that." 
 
 " Why not? I helped you ; why not help me?" 
 
 " Because I am no traitor to my country! I never 
 asked you to raise- your hand against your country 
 to assist me." 
 
 " Here take this watch ; perhaps I can buy you," 
 said he, offering me a splendid gold watch. 
 
 " Not much, you can't buy me ! I think too much 
 of the stars and stripes for that." 
 
 " Take it," said he, ' and let me cross your beat, 
 and I'll give you a hundred dollars in gold besides." 
 
 "/ carit do it" said I: "dont you ask me again" 
 
 Captain Brown went away quite disappointed, sat- 
 isfied, I presume, that gold was not at par with 
 genuine patriotism. 
 
 We guarded the prisoners to Camp Douglas, near 
 Chicago, 111., where we remained nine days, and then 
 returned to Bloody Island, were we arrived on the 
 Gth clay of March. That night the regiment embarked 
 on board the steamer Continental, for Paducah, Ky., 
 which place we reached in time to join in the grand 
 expedition up the Tennessee River. 
 
 At Paducah, General Sherman and staff came on 
 board the Continental, and made it his head-quarters;
 
 32 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 and that boat, preceded by the gun-boats, led the fleet. 
 
 When under way. that vast fleet of steamers, load- 
 ed down with troops, as they moved along, one after 
 another, at nearly equal distances apart, presented a 
 grand and imposing appearance. The weather was 
 mild and pleasant, which added much to the interest 
 of the trip. The banks of the river often presented 
 crowds of people that had gathered to witness 
 the grand display of force that was penetrating the 
 territory of the rebellion. Sometimes we were cheered 
 by the crowds that lined the banks, indicating their 
 loyalty, and at other times a sullen silence told 
 plainly that we were not welcome. 
 
 One little incident occurred that I shall never forget, 
 We had on board a citizen of Tennessee, who owned 
 a large plantation on the left bank of the Tennessee 
 River, about eight miles below Savannah. He was an 
 exile from home on account of his devotion to the 
 Union. An attempt was made by his neighbors to 
 capture and hang him, but he succeeded in making 
 his escape, and in getting through to Paducah, Ivy., 
 after having suffered a great deal from hunger and 
 exposure, incident to traveling by night, through 
 forests and swamps, to evade discovery. The last that 
 his family had heard from him was that his disloyal 
 neighbors were in pursuit of him, determined to 
 hang him, and they did not know whether he was 
 still living. 
 
 As we neared his plantation, a group of persons 
 was observed standing on the bank of the river not far 
 from his residence. He requested the captain of the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. S3 
 
 boat, as we passed, to run the boat near the shore, 
 so that he might recognize his wife and children, if 
 they were there. The crowd on the deck of the 
 steamer moved back,to give him a large clear space, 
 that his family might more readily recognize him. 
 As the boat neared the shore the group proved to be 
 his wife, children and servants, gazing with intense 
 interest at the passing fleet. It was a touching scene, 
 when that exile from home recognized his loved ones. 
 
 "I am alive ! It is me!" he shouted, swinging his 
 hat. " I am coming home! Glory to God ! The Union 
 forever! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory!" etc. lie jum- 
 ped and shouted as if in ecstasies of delight. 
 
 Such manifestations of Jove for home and country 
 are unmistakable evidences of patriotism and loyalty. 
 The incident is but one of thousands that have been 
 witnessed in the prosecution of the war. 
 
 From that time on, nothing of special interest oc- 
 cured in my experience until the battle of Shiloh, or 
 Pittsburg Landing. The battle was fought on the 
 Gth and 7th of April. 1SG2. I acted my part in that 
 bloody conflict, but the details of the battle I must 
 leave to the pen of tho historian. At that battle I 
 succeeded in capturing an Enfield rifle. My "hand- 
 spike" was turned over, and with it dissipated tho 
 disgust with which I had carried it. 
 
 The next day after the battle of Shiloh, a circular 
 was sent to the company commanders, from brigade 
 head-quarters, requesting them to send in the names 
 of such men as were trustworthy and suitable for 
 scouts. Tho Captain sent in my name as one, which
 
 34 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 opened the way for the experiences that I shall nar- 
 rate in the following chapters. 
 
 Early in June, soon after the evacuation of Corinth, 
 the 20th Ohio Regiment moved to Bolivar, and soon 
 after to Grand Junction, Tenn.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 35 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Rumored attack upon Grand Junction "General Bunker" sent out as spy 
 Passes himself as a rebel soldier Falls in with rebel cavalry Visits 
 a rebel camp Attempts to deprive him of his revolver Discovers a 
 Yankee forage party Undertakes to return Captured by Yankees, 
 and robbed of his revolver and money Passes as a rebel spy Sent to 
 the Provost Marshal Sent to General Hurlbut Returned to Grand 
 Junction. 
 
 SOON after the evacuation of Corinth hy the forces 
 under General Beauregard, a part of General Grant's 
 army was distributed along the Ohio and Mississippi 
 and the Mississippi Central, and also the Memphis 
 and Charleston Railroads, to garrison the principal 
 towns and open up communication for supplies by 
 railroad instead of by the Tennessee River, which 
 was becoming so low as to be an uncertain route for 
 supplies. 
 
 At the time I speak of, frrand Junction was gar- 
 isoned by a small brigade of infantry and a battery 
 of artillery, under command of Brigadier-General 
 M.'D. Leggett. Grand Junction is situated on the 
 Mississippi Central Railroad at its junction with the 
 Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and was an ex- 
 posed outpost. 
 
 A rumor had become current among the citizens 
 that a large force of the enemy's cavalry was in the
 
 3G THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 vicinity, preparing- to capture the brigade garrisoning 
 the post. General Grant, who was still at Jackson, 
 Tenn., informed General Leggett by telegraph that 
 his command was in danger ; that an attempt would 
 be made to capture his force ; that he would be at- 
 tacked on his right by cavalry and on his left by in- 
 fantry, and advised him to vacate the place and fall 
 back to Bolivar, twenty miles north of Grand Junc- 
 tion, where the Mississippi Central Railroad crosses 
 the Hatchee River. The enemy's force was represen- 
 ted to be 9000 cavalry at Davis' Mills, and three bri- 
 gades of cavalry at what is known as the White 
 Church, on Wolf River, the former nine and the latter 
 twelve miles from Grand Junction, in a south-west 
 direction. An additional force of a division of infantry 
 were said to be at Salem, seventeen miles south-east 
 of Grand Junction. 
 
 General Leggett had some doubts about the rebels 
 having very much force near the place, and the largo 
 quantities of cotton that were being brought in, and 
 the abundance of com for forage, made it an object 
 to hold the place as long as prudence would admit, 
 land he resolved to ascertain whether there was any 
 cause for alarm before vacating it. 
 
 General Leggett sent for me and told me what he 
 wanted, and asked me if I was willing to undertake 
 the job. It was the first opportunity that I had ever 
 had of working as a spy, and I had for a long time 
 been anxious to try my hand at it, and I felt certain 
 that I could do the Government more good in that 
 way than in any other. It was my time to strike and
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 37 
 
 I determined to improve it. I told General Leggett 
 that I was willing 1 to try, and would do the best 
 that I could, and if I got back safe, "all right;" if 
 not, my fate would be no worse than that of others 
 before me. 
 
 I returned to my quarters and made the necessary 
 arrangements, and the next morning, at daylight, I 
 started out on the road to Salem, disguised as a Con- 
 federate soldier belonging to infantry. 
 
 A confederate commissioned officer, disguised in ci- 
 tizen's dress, was standing by and heart Gen. Leggett 
 give the order, and watched carefully the instructions. 
 He went then to the Provost Marshal to obtain a 
 pass to go out on the same road and at the same time 
 of my instruction. 
 
 James E. Bader, Corporal of the Provost Guard, 
 was standing by and saw him paying particular at- 
 tention to my instructions and the road I was to take. 
 After he had received his pass, Bader said to Captain 
 Jacobs, the Provost Marshal, " That fellow was 
 watching Bunker's instructions, when Gen. Leggett 
 gave them." " I don't like the looks of him," said 
 the Captain, " he will be obliged to call here in the 
 morning to get his pass dated, and I will give him an 
 examination." 
 
 At sunrise next morning, about an hour after I had 
 started, he appeared with two ladies, in a 'buggy, 
 from which he sprang, and went into the office of the 
 Provost Marshal for the date of his pass. The ex- 
 amination resulted in the capture of an officer in 
 the rebel army, two navy revolvers and a sword
 
 38 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 under the buggy seat, where the two ladies were 
 sitting, which saved me from difficulty, and another 
 prisoner was sent North for violation of the oath of 
 aiiegiance. 
 
 Thanks to James E. Bader, for had this man re- 
 ceived his pass, it would probably have been the last 
 of Bunker, and this book had never been written. 
 
 The day was clear and pleasant, and a recent 
 shower had laid the dust and cooled the air, and 
 made it much pleasanter traveling than is apt to bo 
 the case in that country in the month of July. I was 
 on foot, and the coolness of the atmosphere very much 
 facilitated my progress. I was not interrupted until 
 I had gone about eight miles, when I observed, as I 
 approached a planter's house, a negro woman in the 
 yard, engaged in churning Being somewhat fond 
 of buttermilk, I resolved to pay the inmates a visit. 
 As I drew near the house, a lady came to the door, 
 and, observing iny Confederate uniform, seemed 
 pleased to see me, and asked me to walk in and bo 
 seated, to which I complied. 
 
 "Where have you been?" she inquired. 
 
 " I have been out to the Yankee pickets, and had 
 a fight with them last night and killed three of the 
 Yankee scamps. They killed my horse for me in the 
 fight, and I am going back to Salem to get another 
 that I -left there. I have walked until I am tired. 
 Seeing a woman churning in the yard, I thought I 
 would stop and rest myself, and see if you would 
 have the kindness to give mo a drink of buttermilk." 
 
 " I am glad you did. You shall have all the butter-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 39 
 
 milk you want. You are not a-gwine to walk to 
 Salem, are you?" 
 
 " Yes. I've got another horse there, and I don't 
 like to trouble any body for the use of one." 
 
 "Well, now, you are not a-gwine to walk down 
 thai; we've got heaps o' horses and mules, and you 
 shall have one to ride. Bob! Bob! " calling to a dar- 
 key in the yard, " you run right quick to the cotton- 
 gin and fetch your master." 
 
 While Bob went on a double-quick for his master, 
 the lady ordered me some buttermilk and wheat bis- 
 cuit. While I was eating, the planter came in. 
 
 "Lord bless you, John!" exclaimed the lady, as 
 her husband entered, " here is one ofow soldiers, and 
 he has had a light with the Yankee pickets and has 
 killed three of them! lie says he's gwine to walk 
 to Salem after another horse. I tell him that he's 
 not a-gwine to walk when we've got heaps o' mules! 
 I think any of our soldiers that has killed three 
 Yankees is entitled to a mule to ride!" 
 
 " You can have a mule in welcome; there's no oc- 
 casion for you to walk," said the planter, 
 
 " Thank you!" said I, " I am under very great ob- 
 ligations to you for your kindness, but it may not bo 
 possible for me to return this way. I will not take 
 a mule, but I am a thousand times obliged to you." 
 
 With many blessings from them, and an urgent 
 invitation to call if I returned, I took my departure. 
 When about twelve miles from Grand Junction, I was 
 overtaken by a squad of thirteen rebel cavalry, includ- 
 ing one Sergeant, under command of a Lieutenant.
 
 40 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " How are you, boys?" said I, as they came up. 
 
 "Fine! 'said the Lieutenant. "How do you do?" 
 
 " I'm getting pretty near well, I thank you." 
 
 "Where do you belong?" he inquired. 
 
 " To the 13th Tennessee Infantry, Col. Vaughn's 
 regiment." 
 
 " Ah yes, yes; he's all right. I remember of see- 
 ing him in Corinth last spring," said the Sergeant; 
 " I have a cousin in the same regiment." 
 
 " Where do you belong?" I inquired. 
 
 "To Jackson's First Battalion of Cavalry," an- 
 swered the Lieutenant. "Where are you gwine?" 
 
 " I am gwine down to my regiment," said I. "I 
 have been sick, and have been home in Osceola, 
 Mississippi County, Arkansas, and I am gwine 
 down to Salein to report myself to the nearest 
 head-quarters. I. have heard that there is some of 
 our forces there, and I want to find out where my 
 regiment is." 
 
 " You are mistaken," said the Lieutenant ; "there 
 is none of our forces there. And besides, it is not 
 necessary for you to report at any head-quarters. Your 
 regiment is at Tupelo, where you will have no diffi- 
 culty in getting to it. We have some spare horses 
 here ; got on one of them and ride." 
 
 I mounted one of the horses and rode along with 
 them. I learned, from conversation with them, that 
 their regiment was stationed at Tupelo, Miss., and 
 that they were detailed to traverse the country and 
 visit all the planters, and tell them to haul their cotton, 
 corn, and bacon to a place known as the Double
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 41 
 
 Block-house, where it would be guarded to prevent 
 the Yankees from stealing it. 
 
 We only went about a mile after I mounted the 
 horse before we turned to the right, and half a 
 mile more brought us to the double log-house. At 
 that place three regiments of infantry were camped 
 and their principal object appeared to be to guard 
 the stuff that the planters were hauling in for pro- 
 tection Several thousand bushels of corn and large 
 quantities of bacon had already been hauled there. 
 
 We dismounted and remained in the camp about 
 an hour. While there the Lieutenant told me that 
 I had better not be in a hurry about going to Tupelo ; 
 " for," said he, " the times are rather tough for a 
 man just recovering from sickness, and the rations 
 are not such as a sick man can relish." He told 
 ine that he was going round on the lower Tupelo 
 road in a day or two, and that I had better run with 
 them till that time, and he would put me on a 
 road where I would find clever people and plenty to 
 eat. It all seemed very good advice, and favorable 
 to rny purpose, and so I accepted it. 
 
 The balance of the day was spent in visiting every 
 plantation on the roads to the west and north of the 
 block- house, and when we halted for the night we 
 were within three miles of Davis' Mills. 
 
 There I was like to have a little difficulty with 
 the Sergeant. I had with me a very nice navy re- 
 volver that I had borrowed of Colonel Force pre- 
 paratory to starting out. The Sergeant discovered 
 that I had it, and was going to take it away from me.
 
 42 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 i 
 
 " What business has an infantry soldier with such 
 a revolver as that ? " said the Sergeant. " Infantry 
 soldiers do n't need them, and cavalry soldiers do. 
 It will never do you any good if you keep it ; so 
 give it to me." 
 
 "Sergeant," said I, "you are superior to me in 
 rank, and if you insist I shall have to obey ; but if 
 you take that revolver away from me I'll report you 
 to Billy Jackson ! I will indeed ! " 
 
 " Sergeant," said the Lieutenant, who heard our 
 words, " if Colonel Vaughn is willing that his men 
 should carry such things, it is none of our business. 
 Let the soldier keep his revolver ! " 
 
 " Thank you, Lieutenant," said I. " I prize that 
 revolver very highly. I bought it in Memphis, about 
 the time the war commenced, to kill the infernal 
 Yanks with, and when I enlisted Colonel Vaughn 
 told me that I might carry it, and I mean to do it." 
 
 " That's right ! " said the Lieutenant, " Turn up 
 as many of the Yankee moccasins with it as you can ! 
 Soldier, what road did you come in on this morning ? " 
 
 " I came down on the Somerville road, across the 
 Hickory flats, by the old man Pruett's, and then 
 over on to the Salem and Grand Junction road." 
 
 " You came a very good route, indeed." 
 
 " I am aware of that, I replied. " I know this 
 here country all through in her3. Lieutenant, where 
 did you boys stay last ni^ht ? " 
 
 "At Davis' Mills." 
 
 " Have n't we got a cavalry force there ? " 
 
 " No. There was only us fourteen there last night."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 43 
 
 " The old man Pruett told me yesterday that there 
 was, that we had three brigades of cavalry at the 
 White Church on Wolf River." 
 
 " The old man was mistaken. There is none of 
 our forces nearer than Tupelo, except the three regi- 
 ments that you saw to-day, and a few of the same 
 company that I belong to, that are scattered about 
 the country on the same business that we are on." 
 
 In the morning our operations of notifying the plan- 
 ters was renewed, and our route lay along the bottoms 
 of Davis Creek, toward its headwaters. About noon 
 we very unexpectedly found a Yankee forage party. 
 
 "There is some of the Yanks now!" said the Lieu- 
 tenant. 
 
 " Where ?" said I. 
 
 " There, up on the top of the hill to the left," said 
 he, pointing toward them. 
 
 I looked, and sure enough there they were. There 
 was about thirty of the Yankees, and eight teams. 
 They had halted to feed, and had stacked arms. They 
 did not see us. We moved along a little further to a 
 cow-path that led to the right up a ridge of ground 
 parallel to the one occupied by the Yankees. The 
 hollow that intervened was filled with a growth of 
 bushes extending to the path which we were in, 
 which screened us from view and enabled us to ap- 
 proach within one hundred yards of the Yankees 
 without being seen. 
 
 I now recognized the detachment as belonging to 
 my own regiment, and one of the men was my own 
 bunk-mate f
 
 44 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 The Lieutenant told us to be quiet and not to speak 
 a word, and if the Yankees ventured away from their 
 arms, we would make a dash upon them and capture 
 their arms and mules, and bum the wagons. Little 
 did they mistrust the relation that I bore to these 
 Yankees. I determined, if a dash was attempted, to 
 do what execution I could upon my butternut com- 
 panions with my revolver, hoping to dispose of four 
 or five of them before my true relation was discovered. 
 It was a moment of fearful suspense as we watched 
 those Federal soldiers; but my butternut companions 
 were too deeply interested in the watch to observe 
 any feelings that my actions might have betrayed. 
 
 For about twenty minutes we watched them, but 
 they did not move away from their arms. The Lieu- 
 tenant, fearing his own safety might be endangered 
 by too long a stay, silently withdrew his men, and 
 made his way back toward Davis' Mills by another 
 route. That night we stayed at a planter's house, 
 ten miles from Grand Junction. 
 
 At three o'clock the next morning we were again 
 on the move, and a two hours ride brought us to four 
 corners in the road somewhere south- west of Lagrange, 
 and three or four miles distant from that place. There 
 we halted, and the Lieutenant told me that one of 
 the roads was the one that I needed to take to go to 
 Tupelo. He gave me the names of several planters 
 that lived on the road, and advised me to stop two 
 or three days at a place and recruit my health all I 
 could on the way to my regiment, and assured me 
 that the planters he had named were clever people,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 45 
 
 and that I would be welcome with any of them. I 
 thanked him and bade him a good morning, and 
 started on the road that he had pointed out, not car- 
 ing whether it led to Tupelo or not, if I could get 
 away from him and his squad. 
 
 As soon as the cavalry was out of sight, I made a 
 detour through a large cotton-field to my left, and 
 continued on until I came into a road that I supposed 
 led direct to Grand Junction ; while in company with 
 the cavalry, we had zigzagged through the country 
 so much that I had become somewhat confused, and 
 I was not sure where the road did lead to. I took it, 
 however, and moved along as fast as possible, that I 
 might escape the squad if by chance they should be 
 scattered by a dash of our cavalry, and some of them 
 should find me going toward Grand Junction instead 
 of Tupelo. I kept a sharp look-out as I moved 
 along, and had gone, as near as I could judge, three 
 miles, when I was very unexpectedly interrupted in 
 my course by a challenge of " Halt ! halt !" 
 
 I was considerably alarmed, for I supposed that I 
 must have encountered a rebel picket. On looking 
 to see where the challenge came from, I found that it 
 emanated from a Federal picket. A clump of bushes 
 had prevented me from seeing him until I was close 
 on to him. My position was clear enough now. I had 
 taken a road to Lagrange, instead of Grand Junction, 
 and had encountered General Hurlbut's pickets. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! my butternut soldier ! " exclaimed the 
 guard, as I halted ; " you got caught rather unex- 
 pectedly."
 
 46 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " I reckon I did," I replied. , 
 
 " Where do you belong ?" 
 
 " To the 13th Tennessee." 
 
 "You've got tired soldiering on short rations, ^ 
 suppose ? " 
 
 " I reckon I a'n't starved yet." 
 
 One of the pickets then took me to the Captain in 
 command, at the reserve. There I was subjected to 
 a rigid questioning and search, but I was determined 
 to carry out my disguise until I could report to some 
 commanding officer. My revolver and money, and 
 other articles, were taken from me by the Captain, 
 and then I was ordered to stand up by a tree until 
 further orders. I remonstrated with the Captain 
 about depriving me of my revolver and private prop- 
 erty, and told him that " we always respected a pris- 
 oner's right to his side arms and personal effects. 
 The Captain replied that I might be glad to get off 
 so, and if he had his way about it, he would shoot 
 every rebel in the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 AVhile standing at the tree, I observed a plantation 
 house that stood within less than a hundred yards from 
 me, and that it was occupied. My early start and the 
 distance I had traveled gave me a ravenous appetite, 
 so I asked the Captain if he would be so kind as to 
 allow me to go to the house and get some breakfast. 
 
 "Yes," said he, "you may go; but if you under- 
 take to get away, I'll have you shot !" 
 
 "I won't run away," I replied; "I did n't come in 
 here to run away. I'll come right back as soon as 
 I get my breakfast."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 47 
 
 When I got to the house, I met the man of the 
 house at the door. lie had evidently seen ine coming, 
 and my uniform attracted his attention. 
 
 " Good morning !" said I, as he came out. 
 
 " Good morning ; won't you come in ?" 
 
 "Yes, I don't care if I do; and I should like right 
 well to get some breakfast here, if you please, for I 
 am mighty hungry." 
 
 "Walk in; you shall have all the breakfast you 
 want. Where do you belong?" 
 
 "To Col. Vaughn's regiment, the 13th Tennessee." 
 
 "You do?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, I belong to Colonel Strawl's regiment, the 
 4th Tennessee. I am a Brigade surgeon of the 2nd 
 Brigade, which includes your regiment; my name is 
 Biggs. What is your name ? " 
 
 "My name is Rugglcs. I am a brother to General 
 Ruggles-." 
 
 "Is it possible ! I know the General very well. 
 What are you doing up here ? " 
 
 " I am going through the Yankee lines to-day, if 
 I can." 
 
 " You are ? A'n't you afraid they 'ii get you?" 
 
 "No; I expect they 11 get me into the guard-house, 
 but I '11 soon manage to get out." 
 
 " Well, do the best that you can. If they do get 
 you into the guard-house, you sh'an't want for any- 
 thing to eat. I'll see to that myself." 
 
 Breakfast was announced as ready for me, and I 
 sat up to the table. They had got me fried ham,
 
 48 THE GEEAT AMERICAN 
 
 baked sweet potatoes, warm biscuit with butter and 
 honey, and coffee with sugar and cream. I think the 
 condition of my appetite enabled me to do that meal 
 ample justice. When I had finished, I asked the 
 doctor how much I should pay him. 
 
 "Oh, Lord ! not a cent ! Do you think I 'd charge 
 one of our soldiers for a meal of victuals ! I feel 
 thankful that I have it to give you!" Then turning, 
 and pointing toward the pickets, he said, "But them 
 Yankee thieves down there I make pay me fifty cents 
 for a meal of nothing but bread and meat !" 
 
 "You 've got them rightly named, doctor," said I; 
 "for they took my revolver and my money, and every 
 thing else I had, away from me this morning." 
 
 " You needn't be surprised at such treatment as 
 that/' said he; "for there are officers down there that 
 would steal the Lord's supper, and men that Avould 
 confiscate the table-cloths ! " 
 
 " You are about right, doctor ; but I see they are 
 looking as if uneasy about me, and I must go back." 
 
 "Well," said he, "if you get into trouble, I '11 do 
 all I can for you. I have got things fixed pret ty 
 smooth between me and the pickets, and I think I 
 can help you carry out your plans." 
 
 " Havn't you taken the oath, doctor ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes ! I had to do that in order to get along 
 smoothly." 
 
 " Well, you be careful and not get yourself into 
 any scrape by it. I would a.dvise you to say nothing, 
 and if I get into the guard-house, you see that I get 
 plenty to_eat, and I '11 wriggle out some way."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 49 
 
 I then bid him good-bye, and returned to my posi- 
 tion by the tree. When the new pickets came out to 
 relieve the old ones, two of the old guards took me 
 in to the Provost-marshal. As I entered his office, 
 I was saluted by, "Well, old hoss, who are you?" 
 
 " I am an Arkansas school-master," I replied. 
 
 " What do you want ?" 
 
 " I want to see General Hurlbut." 
 
 " What do you want of General Hurlbut ? " 
 
 " I want to see him. I 've heard that he 's a very 
 red-faced man, and I want to see for myself how he 
 looks!" 
 
 "Yes, you want to see him! You'll go to the 
 guard-house ! " 
 
 "No, I won't!" 
 
 "Who are you?" 
 
 " You give me those two guards and send me to 
 General Hurlbut, and find out who I am ! " 
 
 "Guards," said he, "take him off; take him down 
 to General Hurlbut's. 
 
 The guards took me to the General's quarters, and 
 one of them went in and told the General that they 
 had got a fellow that they had captured at the picket- 
 line, and that he was dressed like a rebel soldier, and 
 that the Provost-marshal could not find out who he 
 was, and had sent him there. The General came out 
 of the tent, and seeing who it was, said : 
 
 "Ah, yes ! I know him ! Guards you can go to 
 your quarters." 
 
 "Hold on, General, " said I; "the Captain that had 
 command of those guards took a revolver away from 
 4
 
 50 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 me that belongs to General Force, and took my pocket- 
 book, and every thing else I had in my pockets." 
 
 "What kind of thieving and robbing will take 
 place next! Guards, go and tell that Captain to 
 inarch his men up here ! " 
 
 In a few minutes, the Captain marched his men 
 into the yard and formed them in a line; when that 
 was done, " Captain," said the General, " Give that 
 man the things that you robbed him of ! " 
 
 The Captain handed out the articles, one after an- 
 other, and last of all he handed me an old fine-tooth 
 comb! That was too much for the equanimity of the 
 officers and men that were looking on, and they burst 
 into a roar of laughter. The poor Captain looked as 
 if he would sink into the earth. "That will do," 
 said the General, when he had handed me all; "you 
 can dismiss your men." 
 
 I told General Hurlbut the result of my trip, and 
 he complimented me very highly upon my success, 
 and then gave me a pass to Grand Junction. 
 
 The pass saved me any further annoyance by the 
 Federal pickets, and Dr. Biggs from the trouble of 
 visiting the guard-house with "commissary supplies." 
 
 I reported my trip to General Leggett, and, for 
 some reason, the brigade did not vacate the place for 
 more than two weeks after.
 
 rt
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 51 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Fired at by a citizen The sick overseer How lie was cured Pickets 
 fired on Trip to a White Church Visits General Van Dorn Meets 
 a rebel spy Keports to General Leggett Grand Junction evacuated 
 Again sees the rebel spy Attempts to arrest him Drinks wine with 
 the rebel General Jackson Discovert hole in the fence. 
 
 IT was my duty, while the brigade remained at 
 Grand Junction, to watch for any demonstrations of 
 General Van Dorn's, Wheeler's, or Jackson's cavalry. 
 For that purpose I used to ride out on the road run- 
 ning east and west, that lay three miles to the south 
 of Grand Junction. I used to scout that road for 
 ab'out ten miles regularly every day. One morning, 
 before going out, I called upon Captain Jacobs, Pro- 
 vost-marshal of the post, on business. While I was 
 there, an overseer that I had frequently seen in my 
 scouts came in, and requested a renewal of his pass, 
 and a permit to carry out certain articles that he 
 wished to purchase. He had with him the oath of 
 allegiance. As soon as my business was completed, I 
 started out on my scout, as usual, leaving the overseer 
 there. I made the trip out, and had returned to within 
 a few yards of the overseer's house, when he stepped 
 out from a fence-corner, with a squirrel-rifle in his 
 hands, and said to me, "Are you a Yankee soldier ? "
 
 52 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "No, sir, I 'm not a Yankee soldier, I'm a Federal 
 soldier." 
 
 " What are you doing out here ? " 
 
 " I 'm watching for rebel cavalry." 
 
 "I'll soon stop your watching Confederate cavalry." 
 
 "Are you going to shoot me ? " 
 
 He said nothing, but the click of his gun, as he 
 cocked it, said " Yes." As he was bringing it to his 
 face, I put the spurs to my horse, and as I passed, 
 he fired, but missed me. I went in and reported to 
 General Leggett, who replied, " You had better look 
 out, or some of those good Union men will kill you" 
 He issued no order to have the man arrested ; and 
 perhaps it would have done no good if he had, for 
 such characters, with their oily tongues, areas slippery 
 as eels. As a general thing, they manage to evade 
 justice, and get released from the Federal authorities. 
 I well knew that if the overseer was allowed to live 
 undisturbed, my own life was in jeopardy, so I tele- 
 graphed to General Grant, then at Jackson, Tennessee, 
 to know what to do with such a man. His reply was, 
 " If you are a scout for the Government, you ought 
 to know yourself" 
 
 That night I went to the 20th Ohio Infantry and 
 got two Sergeants to assist me in bringing the over- 
 seer to j ustice, whose real names I shall not give, but 
 designate them as the "big Sergeant" and the "little 
 Sergeant." Knowing that if we accomplished our 
 purpose there would be complaints entered at head- 
 quarters the next day, I resolved to proceed as noise- 
 lessly about it as possible. Instead of getting the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 53 
 
 countersign, and thus letting it "be known that we 
 were going out, we stole through the picket line, and 
 nohody knew that we had left camp. 
 
 It was ahout four miles to the overseer's house ; 
 thither we proceeded. When w r e came to his yard, 
 myself and the little Sergeant went at once to the 
 house, and the big Sergeant went to the negro quar- 
 ters. The overseer and his family had retired for 
 the night. Our rap for admittance was answered 
 by "Who is there? " My reply was, "Federal soldiers; 
 get up and open the door^ The summons was 
 obeyed by the overseer's wife. As we entered we 
 heard the groans of a man as if in distress, proceeding 
 from an adjoining room. On going into the room, I 
 found the overseer in bed, and feigning to be labor- 
 ing under severe pain. Approaching the bed-side, 
 I said to him : " You. are sick, are you, old hoss ?" 
 
 With great difficulty, seemingly, he answered, 
 "Yes I'm very sick." 
 
 "How long have you been sick?" 
 
 "It's going on two weeks now." 
 
 "You lying whelp," said the little Sergeant, unable 
 to contain himself; "I saw you in Grand Junction 
 this morning." 
 
 " Get up, old fellow," said I, " you need a little 
 exercise ; it will do you good to move about." 
 
 " I can't gentlemen, I tell you I'm sick," (still 
 groaning, and letting on to be in great distress.) 
 
 " Yes, that wolfish-looking face of yours looks sick! 
 Get out of that !" He commenced to rise, trembling 
 p.ll over as if with nervous fear. " Your nerves a'n't
 
 54 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 so steady as they were this morning," I added. 
 
 " Indeed I am sick gentlemen." 
 
 " I should think your conscience would make you 
 tremble." 
 
 Are you gwine to kill me ? " he asked, getting 
 more and more agitated with alarm. 
 
 " No, we won't kill you, but we'll give you a fur- 
 lough to a warmer climate. I think it will improve 
 your health?" 
 
 " You will give a body time to pray won't 
 you?" ^ 
 
 " Praying won't do you any good ; you will go to 
 the warm climate, anyhow, so, hurry on them clothes 
 and come along with us." We then walked him out 
 of the house ; we found that he could travel as strong 
 as we could. 
 
 As we passed out into the yard, we met the big 
 Sergeant, accompanied by a negro who had an iron 
 collar on his neck, with a chain fastened to it, with 
 the other end fastened around his waist. 
 
 "Here, Bunker," said the Sergeant, " see what I 
 have found." 
 
 " That chain is just exactly what I want. Bring 
 your negro around here," said I, as I led my pris- 
 oner around to the rear of the house, and out to the 
 stable. There we found two crotches standing up- 
 right, and a pole laid from one to the other. A large 
 box was rolled out from the stable and placed under 
 the pole, and the overseer made to get on the box. 
 The negro had been sent to the rebel fortifications to 
 work, and had run away. The overseer had captured
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 55 
 
 him, and had punishsd him by putting him in irons, 
 as described. In. the morning he would chain him 
 to the plow, and at night release him and make the 
 chain fast around his body. On searching the pockets 
 of the overseer, I found the key that unlocked the 
 chain. I then unlocked the chain from the negro, 
 and placed it upon the overseer's neck, and made the 
 other end fast to the pole overhead ; and having 
 fastened the overseer's hands behind him, I said to 
 the negro, "This man has been your overseer for a 
 long time you may chanAabout now, and be his 
 overseer awhile." 
 
 " Lor' bress you, massa ! " he exclaimed. " Thank 
 de Lord furdat; he's dun druv dis nigga long enuf." 
 
 " Well, you drive him now." 
 
 " Shall I drive him thar ? " 
 
 " Yes, drive him where you please." 
 
 " I reckon he won't do dat box no good standin' 
 there," and suiting the action to the word, he jerked 
 the box from uwder him, leaving him suspended by 
 the neck; adding, "Now, I specs he'll drive hisself. 
 I 'se more important business to 'tend to." 
 
 The overseer being in a fair way to have his "fur- 
 lough approved," we returned to camp by the samo 
 way that we went OUT. The next morning, early, 
 the wife came in with a complaint to the Provost- 
 marshal that a party of Federal soldiers had been to 
 her house the night before, and had taken her sick 
 husband out of bed and had hung him, and begged 
 for protection from further outrage. 
 
 The Provost-marshal said to her, " I do n't believe
 
 5G THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 a word of it ; for no soldiers have been permitted to 
 go through our lines during the night. Perhaps you 
 had a husband and perhaps not. I advise you to go 
 back about your business and not be in here blaming 
 Federal soldiers with that which they have never 
 done." 
 
 During the day a forage party, on its return to 
 camp, visited the plantation and brought away sixty 
 contrabands, and among them was the one that we 
 had liberated from his chains. The overseer was 
 dead, but had been taMfci down and carried into the 
 house. On his arrival rn camp, the negro reported 
 that the Yankees had made him hang his master. 
 Outside of the lines it was generally believed that 
 the Yankees had done it, but the soldiers generally 
 believed that the negroes on the plantation had done 
 it. It was never suspected that I had had a hand in it, 
 " My personal safety as a scout demanded that he 
 should be disposed of," is all the excuse that I have 
 to offer. I continued to scout the road for several 
 days after, but met with no further interruption. 
 
 Early in the month of July, the first train of cars 
 that was to run through 'from Memphis to Grand 
 Junction started out, and, when only a short distance 
 from Memphis, was captured, and the railroad badly 
 destroyed. Sergeant Wilson and the Colonel of the 
 oCth Ohio escaped, but were pursued by blood-hounds 
 and recaptured. 
 
 Owing to the difficulty of protecting the road from 
 the raids of the enemy, the opening of it was aban- 
 doned for a time, and the roads from Columbus, Ky.,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 57' 
 
 to Grand Junction and Corinth were relied upon for 
 the transportation of supplies. When the opening 
 of the road was abandoned, the forces at Lagrange, 
 under command of General Hurlbut, moved to Mem- 
 phis, which left the small brigade at Grand Junction 
 without any troops for support nearer than Bolivar, 
 a distance of twenty miles. The exposed position 
 of so small a force undoubtedly emboldened the 
 enemy in their plans for capturing the post. As I 
 have explained in the proceeding chapter, the abun- 
 dance of cotton and forage ^^s an object to hold the 
 place as long as the safety of the force would admit. 
 
 After General Hurlbut' s forces left Lagrange, our 
 pickets were frequently fired upon, and small squads 
 of cavalry were seen,. indicating a boldness on the 
 part of the enemy indicative of a strong force not 
 far off. 
 
 It was under that state of affairs that General 
 Leggett requested me to go out as a spy, and learn 
 the position and force of the enemy. 
 
 On this occasion I rode out on a mule, disguised as 
 a rebel soldier, taking the road that led to the White 
 Church. Soon after passing our own pickets, I saw 
 several squads of rebel cavalry, but at some distance 
 from me, but none of them interrupted me. Just 
 after I had crossed Wolf River, I discovered the 
 rebel pickets; how I was to pass them was more 
 than I knew.. I resolved, however, to go on and try 
 the effect of a bold front. With as much unconcern 
 and freedom as though I was one of their number, 
 and perfectly at home, I rode up, and without halt-
 
 58 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ing or showing that I expected to be halted, I said, 
 "Good morning, boys ! have our forces all got up yet? " 
 
 " Yes," said one ; " where have you been ?" 
 
 " Out to the Yankee lines by the old cotton- 
 gin near Grand Junction," I replied, still riding 
 along. 
 
 By this time I had got clear by, without any at- 
 tempt being made to stop me. At the White Church 
 I came to the rebel camp ; there I dismounted and 
 inquired of a soldier for head-quarters. 
 
 " Whose " Genera^^ T an Dorn's ? " was asked. 
 
 " Yes," I replied. 
 
 He then showed me to General Van Dorn's tent. I 
 had supposed that if I found much of a force it would 
 be that of General Van Dorn. I proceeded to the 
 tent that had been pointed out. In front of it was 
 the usual head-quarters guard. Saluting him, I in- 
 quired if General Van Dorn was in, and was an- 
 swered in the affirmative. The moment I enteied, 
 I saw two Generals. One I instantly recognized as 
 the Confederate General Wheeler ; I had known him 
 in Memphis before the war. Without speaking to 
 him, I turned to the other and addressed him ; I 
 said, " General, I wish to get a pass, if you please, 
 to go outside of the lines." 
 
 " Who are you ? " the General inquired. 
 
 " My name is Ruggles." 
 
 " General Van Dorn," said General Wheeler, "dont 
 you know him ? He is a brother of General Rug- 
 gles, and belongs to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry." 
 
 "Ah! Indeed!"
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 59 
 
 " Yes, and I want to go out to the Yankee lines 
 and see what they are doing out there." 
 
 " I wish you would, Ruggles," said Van Dorn, 
 " and see if the Yankees have obstructed the Grand 
 Junction and Salem road with timber. That's the 
 road that I want to take a part of my forces on in 
 the morning." 
 
 General Van Dorn instructed his Adjutant to write 
 me a pass, which I received, and then went out and 
 mounted my mule. "That's the road I want to take 
 a part of my forces on in thmnorning! " was some- 
 thing that needed my immediate attention. I rode 
 leisurely through the camp. Every thing was bustle 
 and activity preparatory to a move, and confirmed 
 what I had heard at head-quarters. As near as I could 
 judge, the camp contained 9,000 or 10,000 men. 
 
 Having satisfied myself of the probable force of 
 the enemy, I started back on the road I came in on. 
 I stopped at the pickets and showed my pass, and 
 then went on. After I had crossed Wolf River, I 
 made a detour across the country to the right, in order 
 to p;et on to the Grand Junction and Salem road, as 
 General Van Dorn had directed me, so that if by any 
 mishap I should be captured and sent to head-quar- 
 ters, I could show that I was captured right were I 
 had been sent. 
 
 About five miles from the White Church, I dis- 
 mounted at a large beautiful spring of water, to 
 drink and rest myself. While there, a cavalryman 
 rode up and halted for the same purpose; I immedi- 
 ately recognized him as having been one of the squad
 
 60 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I had fallen in with and accompanied so far in my 
 former trip. He rode a Texan pony, with a peculiarly 
 constructed saddle, that I could not mistake as hav- 
 ing seen hefore. 
 
 "Where have you been ? " I inquired, as he stopped. 
 
 " I 've been up to the Yankee lines." 
 
 " You must be a scout, then." 
 
 " Yes, I am a spy ; where do you belong ? " 
 
 " I belong to the Yankees! " I replied, placing my 
 hand on my revolver, as if to draw it. 
 
 My movements agit^ed him. Raising his hands 
 in a supplicating attidude, as if he thought I meant 
 to kill him, he said, "D do'nt shoot! hold hold 
 on ! do n't lets you and I quarrel ; let us help each 
 other, since we are both in the same business." 
 
 " Very well ! just as you say about that." 
 
 " You played off the spy pretty well the other day 
 when you was with us," he continued, somewhat 
 composed. 
 
 " Yes, I did well enough for that time ; but I am 
 in a hurry this time, so you and I must make short 
 visits." 
 
 At that, we both mounted and started in opposite 
 directions, eyeing each other, with revolvers drawn, 
 until out of sight. I might have shot him at the time 
 ne thought I intended to do it, but I did not think my 
 own safety would admit of it. 
 
 At 5 o'clock that afternoon I arrived at General 
 Leggatt's head-quarters, and reported what I had 
 learned, and before daylight the next morning the 
 brigade was on its way to Bolovar, and it had not
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 61 
 
 been gone an hour until General Van Dorivs forces 
 were in possession of the place. 
 
 Shortly after our arrival at Bolivar, I was in town, 
 accompanied by Sergeant Wonders, of the 20th Ohio. 
 Hitched in front of one of the stores was the same 
 little Texan pony and peculiar saddle that I had seen 
 twice before. I knew that I could not be mistaken 
 in them. I did not like the idea of his running at 
 large. An encounter with him in the enemy's camp 
 would prove fatal, so I resolved to find him and have 
 him arrested. After searching for some time, without 
 success, I returned to where I had seen the pony, and 
 found that it was gone. From a soldier I learned 
 that somebody had ridden the pony out toward the 
 depot. I followed after, and when about half way 
 to the depot, I saw the pony coming. I sent the Ser- 
 geant back and told him to see where the man went, 
 and I would join him after awhile. Just before we 
 met, he halted and commenced to fasten his pony. 
 Stepping up to him and speaking very low, I said, 
 " Hallo, old fellow ! are you in here ? ' 
 
 " Yes," he said, trembling from head to foot. 
 
 " Never mind, you need n't be afraid. It 's all 
 right," I added in a confidential way, "you need not 
 be afraid of me; I am in a great hurry this morning, 
 so you must excuse me." Without further word.-j I 
 walked on rapidly, as though I cared nothing about 
 him. As soon as oat of sight, I made my way around 
 to the office of the Provost-marshal. There I was joined 
 by the Sergeant, who remained outside to watch. 
 
 On entering his office, I found him asleep on a cot.
 
 62 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I woke him up and told him the circumstances aoout 
 the spy, and that I wanted some guards to capture 
 him. By the time I had finished telling him, he was 
 fast asleep. I again woke him up, and commenced 
 to tell what I wanted, when he said : 
 
 DO you know the man? " 
 
 "Yes! I know the man!" 
 
 " Do you know the ho.*s ? " 
 
 'Yes! I know the horse and I know the saddle." 
 
 " W-a-1 a-1-1 r-i-g-h-t ! " 
 
 By this time he w*; again fast asleep. I tried 
 again to wake him, hut with no better success. I do 
 not say that he was drunk, but I do say that he acted 
 just as our Orderly Sergeant does when he is drunk. 
 The result was, the spy escaped, and I have never 
 seen him since. 
 
 As we were passing along by Adams & Brother's 
 store, a few hours after, the door chanced to be open, 
 and we observed that the room was occupied by many 
 citizens, engaged in a spirited conversation, and so 
 we dropped in to see what was going on. One of 
 the persons present I knew to be Brigadier-General 
 Neely, of the Confederate army, who had been cap- 
 tured by the Federal troops when they first took pos- 
 session of the place, and he was on parole of honor 
 within the limits of the town. 
 
 When we first entered, the conversation stopped, 
 but it was soon gradually resumed. A great deal 
 
 was said about the Yankees stealing corn, cotton, 
 
 
 
 and niggers, and they complained that it was ruin- 
 ing many of the planters. I listened a few minutes,
 
 SCOUT A.XI) SPY. G3 
 
 and then addressing my sell' to General Neely, said : 
 " Gentlemen, so far as I am concerned, I have never 
 yet stolen a cent's worth of property since I have 
 been in the Federal army, and if I had known that 
 a United States soldier had got to steal corn, cotton, 
 and niggers from the citizens of the South, I would 
 never have enlisted." 
 
 " Nor I either/' said the Sergeant, " I did'nt 
 think when I enlisted that this was going to he 
 made a nigger war ! " 
 
 ' For my part," I continued, " I'm getting tired 
 of fighting for niggers, and if I wasn't afraid they 
 would hang me for a spy, I'd go and join Billy 
 Jackson's cavalry." 
 
 " And so would I," said the Sergeant ; " I think 
 I'd like the Southern people very much. I have 
 often heard " Bunker " talk about them ; he used 
 to live in the South." 
 
 " Yes, I did, indeed ! and I'm almost ashamed 
 to be fighting against them. I used to live in Miss- 
 issippi, and I have spent several years in Arkansas 
 and Tennessee. I am well acquainted in Memphis. 
 General, do you know Jim Ford and Charlie Ford, of 
 Memphis ? " 
 
 " Yes, I know them very well ; they are whole- 
 sale dealers in produce. I get my supply of pork 
 from them every year." 
 
 He then motioned to me and the Sergeant and 
 one of the citizens in the room, wh'o had been listen- 
 ing with a good deal of interest to our conversation, 
 to accompany him into a back room, which we did.
 
 64 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 He then called for two bottles of wine, and asked 
 us to drink with him, which we were not in the 
 least backward about doing. 
 
 The citizen then said that he had not time to stay 
 longer, and, shaking hands with us, bade us good-by 
 and Avent out. 
 
 "General," said I, when the citizen had gone 
 ' do you know where Billy Jackson is ? " 
 
 " Yes ! He's not far off; if you want to join his 
 cavalry you would have no trouble in getting to him." 
 
 " If I wa'n't afraid General Jackson would get me 
 and hang me for a spy, I'd run away, and so would 
 this Sergeant, and we'd join his cavalry." 
 
 "There is no danger of that," said the General, 
 for that was GencralJackson that drank the wine ivitli 
 w.s, and has just left. He heard all you said about 
 joining his cavalry. If you want to go, boys, you 
 will have no trouble in doing so." 
 
 " Well, General," said I, " since you are acquainted 
 with General Jackson, can't you give us a pass that 
 will make us all safe after we get out of the Yankee 
 lines?" 
 
 ' : I'm on parole of honor," he replied, " and I have 
 no right to do that." 
 
 " There would be no harm in it ; the Y T ankee,s 
 would never find it out." Pulling out my wallet, I 
 said, "General, how much did you pay for that 
 wine ? We must have another bottle not at your 
 expense, but mine. It's my treat this time. 
 
 "Oh, no! no, no!" said the General, "I'll par 
 for the wins ! Mr. Adams, bring us another bottle.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 05 
 
 Boys, you come over to-morrow and I '11 have your 
 passes fixed out for you ! " 
 
 I assured him that we would, and, having drank 
 the wine, we left and returned to camp, considerably 
 elated with our adventure. 
 
 Unfortunately, Billy Jackson and the spy both got 
 away. The only good that I could then do was to 
 find the "hole in the fence" where they had gone out, 
 and prevent a repetition of it. 
 
 I knew that Mrs. Dr. Coleman was a daughter of 
 General Neely, and I thought that she, probably, 
 knew where Jackson and his spy went out through 
 our lines. I had been there a number of times, and 
 had become considerably acquainted, and Mrs. Cole- 
 man had not yet found out, that I belonged to the 
 Federal army. Doctor Coleman was a practising 
 physician, and was absent from home the most of 
 the time, visiting his patients. 
 
 The next morning I went over to see her. After 
 we had conversed awhile, I said to her, " Melia, did 
 you see Billy Jackson in town yesterday? " 
 
 "Yes, did you?" 
 
 "Yes, I saw him, but I was wondering how in the 
 world he managed to get out; the Yankees are getting 
 mighty particular who they pass out." 
 
 " Why, I can tell you ; he went right through our 
 corn-field, and out at the water-gulch underthe fence." 
 
 " Yes, yes; I do remember that place now; that 's 
 a good place to go out. By the way, how does the 
 doctor like the Yankees being so strict? " 
 
 "He don't like it at all; he had to go and take
 
 66 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the oath before they would give him a pass to visit 
 his patients." 
 
 "Did he?" 
 
 " Yes; and I never felt so bad about any thing in 
 my life as I did about that. The nasty, dirty thieves! 
 I perfectly hate the sight of them. I assure you tho 
 Doctor don't consider himself bound byit; no, indeed!" 
 
 She was very indignant to think that her husband 
 had been compelled to ta-ke the oath. From there 
 I went to see her father, General Neely, who gave 
 me the pass that he had promised me the day before. 
 Thus prepared, I went to head-quarters and reported. 
 
 That day Doctor Coleman's corn was all cut down, 
 so that the pickets had a fair view of the ground, 
 without changing the line, and General Neely was 
 sent North for a violation of his parole.
 
 I 
 fix 
 
 ll
 
 SCOUT AND SPY, 67 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The value of the Oath Attempt to take "Bunker's" life Sent to 
 Grand Junction The hazardous ride The Countersign The Chase 
 Unfortunate occurrence The chase abandoned Meets with guerril- 
 las They invite him to drink Renewed vigilance The battle of 
 Middleburg. 
 
 The troops stationed at Bolivar, Tennessee, at the 
 time of the evacuation of Grand Junction, were 
 under the command of Brigadier-General L. F. Ross, 
 and my next labors in the secret service of the 
 United States was under his orders and instructions. 
 I made frequent expeditions from Bolivar, but many 
 of them were so similar in their events that I shall 
 not undertake to give a narrative of all of them. 
 Those expeditions elicited the fact, however, that 
 nearly all of the citizens of that part of Tennessee, 
 in the face of the military occupation of the country, 
 professed loyalty to the Federal Government, and to 
 give their pretensions the color of reality, and secure 
 the privileges to be obtained from the military au- 
 thorities, had taken the oath of allegiance. 
 
 Every trip that I made in the disguise of a Con- 
 federate soldier, revealed to me Confederate wolves 
 clad in Union garments On one occasion, I had 
 been sent for, and was in the act of receiving my
 
 68 TEE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 instructions from the Adjutant in regard to a trip 
 that I was required to make, where an old gray- 
 headed citizen was sitting, who had called in to pro- 
 cure some military favor. The Adjutant, not suppos- 
 ing what he had to communicate to me would give 
 the citizen any clue to the plans I was about to carry 
 out, gave his instructions in his presence. I observed 
 that he paid more than usual attention to what was 
 said, 'and, from the expression of his countenance, I 
 suspected that he comprehended the move that I was 
 about to make. I became so impressed with the idea 
 that the old man meant me evil, that after I had left 
 and he had taken his departure, I went back and ob- 
 tained permission to take a squad of men with me. 
 
 I made the trip in the night. My route was on a 
 road that passed the old man's house. I came upon 
 two men by the roadside, evidently watching for 
 somebody to pass. As soon as they discovered that 
 a squad of men, instead of a single man, was ap- 
 proaching, they fled without waiting for me to come 
 up. Had the old man succeeded, it would have 
 been my last scout. I ascertained from the colored 
 people on the place that the two men were the old 
 man and his son, and that they were watching to 
 kill a Yankee spy that they expected would pass that 
 night. 
 
 When General Van Dorn gave up the pursuit after 
 General Leggett's brigade, ho fell back with his 
 command to Coldwater and Holly Springs, Missis- 
 sippi, and for a few weeks every thing remained 
 quiet.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 69 
 
 Toward the latter part of August rumor became 
 prevalent that an attack was intended against the 
 forces garrisoning Bolivar, which rendered it neces- 
 sary to watch closely. On the night of August 27th, 
 General Hoss told me that he had heard that a force 
 of the enemy had again got as far north as Grand 
 Junction, and wished me to ride down that night 
 and find the enemy's pickets if they were north of 
 the Junction ; if not, to go on to the Junction and 
 then return. 
 
 I started at 9 o'clock. The weather was warm, 
 hut the night was extremely dark, which rendered 
 the undertaking unpleasant and hazardous. It was 
 impossible to distinguish objects at a distance, and 
 needed the utmost precaution to prevent running 
 into the pickets before I was aware of their presence. 
 
 After having arrived within three miles of Grand 
 Junction, the ride became more dangerous than be- 
 fore. Knowing that my safety required increased 
 vigilance, I slackened my pace to a very slow walk, 
 peering forward into the dark distance with all the 
 powers of iny vision, hoping if there were any pickets 
 I might be able to see them in time to escape. 
 
 In that manner I felt my way along in suspense, 
 until within three-quarters of a mile of Grand Junc- 
 tion. Here a single sentry stepped out in the mid- 
 night darkness, not more than 20 feet ahead of my 
 mule, and challenged : 
 
 " Halt ! who comes there ? " 
 
 I had got too close to venture an escape by running, 
 and I resolved to make the best use of my position
 
 70 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 that the circumstances would permit, and take my 
 chance for the result. 
 
 "A friend, with a countersign," I replied, at the 
 same time drawing my revolver and hanging it down 
 by iny side. 
 
 'Advance one, with the countersign ! " said the 
 sentry 
 
 " There a'n't but one yere," said I ; " my mule is 
 so ugly that I don't like to dismount, and so skittish 
 that I don't know as I can advance ; " and at the 
 same time I pretended to urge my mule forward to 
 the sentry, who stood with his piece at "arms port," 
 "Bring your piece to an 'order,' said I, "if you please, 
 so that I can get my mule up without dismounting.'' 
 He brought his piece to an order, and as the mule 
 moved onward, he stepped one foot forward and 
 leaned toward me to receive the countersign. I leaned 
 forward, and, thrusting my revolver to his breast, gave 
 him my countersign. I presume the countersign was 
 correct. 
 
 I did not wait to observe the effect of the report 
 of my revolver upon his sleeping comrades but, put- 
 ting spurs to my mule, I dashed back toward Bolivar. 
 On did I press my mule at the top of his speed, fairly 
 flying over the ground until I reached Van Buren. 
 As I was passing old Billy Moore's house, his dogs 
 sprang at my mule, from the side of the road, with 
 an infernal yelp, and the next instant I lay sprawling 
 in the road stunned from the shock of the fall. I 
 sprang up, alarmed for my safety. My mule had 
 stopped when I fell, and stood facing me, only a few
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 71 
 
 feet from where I lay. I managed, however, to mount 
 my mule and go on. 
 
 A .short distance from Van Buren, I came to a 
 cross-road that led to Snow's Mills. There I halted, 
 thinking that, perhaps, 1he same dogs that had done 
 me an evil turn, by barking at me, would do me a good 
 one by barking at my pursuers, if any there were. 
 I had waited but a few minutes when they com- 
 menced to bark, and in an instant more I could hear 
 the tramp of horses approaching. 
 
 I again dashed ahead towards Bolivar, about 
 three-quarters of a mile to Spring Creek. I crossed 
 to the opposite side and there halted, and listened 
 for the splash of the water as my pursuers came up, 
 but none came. At the cross-road, not knowing 
 which road I had taken, they abandoned the pursuit. 
 Feeling satisfied of this, I moved on leisurely toward 
 Bolivar. 
 
 At daylight I reached Mr. Dicken's plantation, 
 which is within five miles of Bolivar. I had called 
 there several times, and had become considerably 
 acquainted with the family. Being sore from my 
 bruises, and much fatigued and hungry from my 
 night's ride, I concluded to give them a call. As I 
 rode up I observed three strange horses feeding in 
 one of the out-sheds. My rap at the door was re- 
 sponded to by Mrs. Dickens, who received me with 
 a hearty welcome ". and Mr. Dickens was equally 
 glad to see me. I had, on a former occasion, intro- 
 duced myself as a citizen of Tennessee, living in 
 Memphis. My mule was cared for by one of the
 
 72 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 servants, and in a few minutes we were engaged in 
 a free and easy conversation about the news from 
 our army ; and likewise we congratulated each other 
 upon the future success of the Confederate cause. 
 The Lincoln tyranny also came in for its share ol 
 discussion. While thus engaged, three strangers 
 entered, without rapping, to whom I was introduced 
 as one of " our folks" from Memphis. I soon learned 
 that they had been there all night. 
 . Shortly after the three men entered, one of them 
 said that he had something to drink in another room, 
 and proposed that we retire by ourselves and " take 
 a smile." So we men folks all repaired to the other 
 room, where we indulged pretty freely. It was not 
 long until the conversation of my new acquaintances 
 flowed as freely as their liquor had done, and I learned 
 from it that they were guerrillas, who had stopped 
 to spend the night on their way to Middleburg, to 
 attend a jollification to come off that day. By this 
 time breakfast was announced, and we repaired to 
 the table. I have rarely eaten a meal that relished 
 better, though it was only a plain one. 
 
 When breakfast was over, my guerrilla acquaint- 
 ances invited, and even urged me to accompany 
 them ; but I declined, stating as a reason that I had 
 business of great importance, the nature of which I 
 was not at liberty to divulge, and that several 01 
 our most reliable friends were waiting in anticipation 
 of my arrival at the house of Dr. Coleman, in Boli- 
 var. My mule was got ready, and, having bid them 
 farewell, I resumed my ride back to camp.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 73 
 
 Two days after, I accompanied an expedition to 
 Middieburg to capture the guerrillas, but without 
 success. My report at head-quarters caused an in- 
 * crease in vigilance on the part of scouts and pickets. 
 On the 31st of August, the enemy, 6,000 strong, was 
 found to be advancing in the vicinity of Middieburg. 
 General Leggett, with less than one thousand men, 
 mostly from the 20th and 78th Ohio regiments of 
 infantry, met them there, and a desperate fight en- 
 sued, in which our loss was trifling and that of the 
 enemy severe. He was so badly punished, that he 
 withdrew his forces.
 
 74 THE GREAT AXIi:r.ICAN 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Attempts to visit the enemy's camp Learns the strength and position 
 of the enemy Return intercepted Peril ious situation Loses his 
 mulo Frightened by men of his own regiment The plan to capture 
 the enemy The negro's report The forces discovered Disposes of a 
 rebel picket Reports his discovery. 
 
 the fight in the vicinity of Middleburg, a 
 part of the enemy went into camp between the battle- 
 ground and Van Buren. Soon after, General Leggett 
 requested me to visit the enemy's camp and learn 
 his force, and whether he had any artillery. He gave 
 me a pass to go out, in the presence of the field-officer 
 of the day, who said that no passes were being 
 issued at division head-quarters, and objected to 
 my going. General Leggett told the officer that I 
 was a privileged character, and that he would take 
 the responsibility of passing me out, but that he would 
 give passes to no others. 
 
 Dressed like a citizen, and mounted on a mule, I 
 went out and made my way to the rebel picket line, 
 where I tried to pass in, but was informed by the 
 pickets that they had orders forbidding them to pass 
 citizens in or out. I passed along the line to other 
 posts, but found that they all had the same orders. 
 I made myself quite familiar with the pickets, and
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 75 
 
 those not on duty did not hesitate to enter into con- 
 versation with me, by means of which I learned that 
 the forces consisted of three regiments of cavalry, and 
 that there was no artillery. 
 
 Having gathered up what information I could, I 
 went to visit the battle-field, and while there I came 
 across a young man who was on his way from Sauls- 
 bury to Soinerville, and had met with the same diffi- 
 culty I had encountered in getting through the lines, 
 and, in order to continue his journey, he had made 
 a detour round the lines. My own observations with 
 his gave me a correct knowledge of the rebel lines 
 on three sides, and also the position of the rebel camp. 
 
 After completing my visit to the battle-ground, I 
 returned toward Bolivar. On my way out to the 
 rebel lines, I had seen and conversed with an old man, 
 a Mr. Knight, who lived about three miles from 
 Bolivar. As I approached his house, on my return, 
 and when within one hundred yards of it, I saw in 
 his front yard two persons dressed like rebel soldiers, 
 who had squirrel rifles. The moment they saw me, 
 they brought their pieces to a ready, as if preparing 
 to fire. I remembered distinctly that General Leggett 
 had said that he would pass nobody else out; besides, 
 I was a little suspicious of the old man Knight's 
 loyalty ; so I very naturally concluded that he, 
 knowing that I had gone out, had procured two sol- 
 diers to watch for me as I returned. 
 
 I immediately wheeled my mule about and re- 
 treated behind a rise of ground, and then turned to my 
 left into a corn-field. I dashed ahead about three
 
 76 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 hundred yards, when I discovered a company of 
 rebel cavalry coming in a line toward me. I turned 
 to my left again, and was dashing ahead toward 
 Bolivar, when I unexpectedly encountered a deep 
 water-gulch that was impassable to my mule. In 
 my flight through the corn, I had already lost my hat. 
 There I was, surrounded, with the enemy to my right, 
 left, and rear, and a frightful ditch in front of me; it 
 was no time for hesitation. I jumped off from my 
 mule and left it, and clambering down into the ditch 
 and out on the other side, ran to Bolivar as fast as I 
 could go, bare-headed. 
 
 I made my way into camp, and procured a detach- 
 ment of men and returned, hoping to find my mule, 
 but did not succeed. I learned however, that the two 
 men that had caused my fright were Daniel Harris 
 and Columbus Johnson, of my own regiment They 
 had been permitted to visitthe battle-ground, although 
 Gen. Leggett had pledged to the officer of the day that 
 he would pass no one out but me. 
 
 On my return, I reported the force and position of 
 the enemy, and also a plan for its capture. So well 
 pleased was General Leggett with my plan, that he 
 sent me with it to General Crocker, who was then 
 commanding the post, during a temporary absence 
 of General Ross. The position of the enemy was as 
 follows : 
 
 Five miles from Bolivar, on the road leading south 
 to Van Buren, the road forks ; the right-hand road 
 leads to Middleburg, a distance of two miles. On 
 the left-hand road, at a distance of two miles from
 
 SCCU1 AND SPY. 77 
 
 the ftik, is a cross-road, called " Wash. Newbern's 
 road," leading into the right-hand road at Middle- 
 burg. The tbrco roads- inclose a section of country 
 in shape like a regular triangle. We will call the 
 Wash Newbern road the base, and the right and left- 
 hand loads the sides of the triangle; Wash. New- 
 lun's house stands on the south side of the road 
 constituting the base, and about three hundred yards 
 from the left hand road. On a line parallel with the 
 base, and thiee hundred yards south of it, was* the 
 rebel camp. Two of the regiments were on the west 
 side of the left-hand load, and one on the east side ; 
 the regiment occupying the left of the enemy's line 
 was directly south of Newbern's house. In front of 
 this house, north of the road, is a pasture-field ex- 
 tending north to the road leading from the fork to 
 Middleburg; the fence along the road in front of 
 Newbern's was thrown down. The pasture field is 
 narrow at each end, but in the center it is much 
 ttider, making the space inthe center diamond-shaped. 
 At the corner of the cross-road, near the rebel-camp, 
 was the reserve pickets, and about one hundred yards 
 north of the reserve was the advance post. On the 
 west srde of the pasture-he! t! was a large corn-field, 
 and on the east side a piece of woods. 
 
 My plan to capture the enemy was to take four 
 regiments of infantry, and place two regiments on 
 each side of the triangle space in the field, in the 
 morning before daylight, and have them lay down 
 in the coin-field and* woods, so as to be out of siirht. 
 Then, at daylight, with what was known as the
 
 78 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " mule cavalry." (infantry mounted on mules.) num. 
 bemig one hundred men, make a dash on the reserve 
 pickets and drive them in ; then turn down the Wash. 
 Newbern road, and, when in front of Newbern's 
 house, break into confusion and disorder, and with 
 whoops and shouts of defiance, start leismely down 
 through the pasture. The enemy 'would naturally 
 mount their horses and give chase, and, when once 
 within the lines of the infantry, they would suddenly 
 rise up. raise a shout, and close in each flank, and 
 have them bagged. 
 
 General Crocker thought my plan would work, but 
 being only temporarily in command, did not like to 
 assume the lesponsibility of executing it, and. so it 
 was abandoned. 
 
 The " mule cavalry " above alluded to was organ- 
 ized to facilitate scouting, and watch more closely 
 the movements of the enemy, and to check the de- 
 predations of the guerillas that infested the country. 
 It was composed of men from the infantry, selected 
 for their daring and gallantry. On account of the 
 thorough knowledge that I had obtained of the 
 country, I was generally sent, out with them, to guide 
 them in their scouts. 
 
 Not a great while after the Ibregoinjr adventure, 
 as the ' mule cavalry Jl 'was going out on the road 
 leading south from Bolivar, I accompanied them on 
 n,y own responsibility. After we had got] outside 
 of the lines a short distance. I left the muje cavalry 
 and took across the^fields to the left, to Mr., Bill's 
 plantation.. I had got into a cotton- neldjpjijiis pian-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. ' 79 
 
 tation, and was riding leisurely along, when one of 
 the negroes, who was picking cotton a short distance 
 to my right, caired out, 
 
 "Hallo, dar, Mr. Bimker! yon come dis way." 
 
 I obeyed, and rode out to see what the darkey 
 wanted. 
 
 " Mr. Bunker, hab we got forces down dar in de 
 bottom ? " 
 
 " No, we have n't got any forces there." 
 
 " Wai, dar's forces down in dar : for de horns souns 
 down in dar reg'lar ebery inornin', ebery noon, an* 
 ebery night, an' dar mils' be forces down dar." 
 
 "It must be rebel forces, then; probably rebel 
 cavalry." 
 
 " Oh, Lord ! Mr. Bunker, do n't talk dat ar way, 
 for <Jey, will he up here for sure some night, an' dey 
 will kill all dc niggers Massa Bill hab got! " 
 
 " Well, I must go and see who is down there. Can 
 you tell me of any path that leads there ? " 
 
 /l Thar's heaps o' hog-paths dat leads down in dat 
 ar way as yer go through de gate in de fur en' de 
 field. " said he, pointing to the fence. 
 
 I rode on through the field in the direction pointed 
 out, and following one of the hog-paths, I descended 
 a hill, and was just rising to the top of another, 
 when I discovered, on a ridge in advance of me, four- 
 teen mounted rebels. They evidently had not seen 
 me. I immediately backed my mule down the hill 
 so far as to be out of sight, and then turned to the 
 left and went down into a hollow, and then up a 
 narrow ridge, or l( hog back " leading in the direction
 
 80 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 of Bolivar. When I had rode along about four hun- 
 dred yards through the scattering timber, I saw a 
 fellow dressed like a rebel soldier, about fifty yards 
 ahead, approaching me, with a double-barreled shot- 
 gun, which he carried, lying across the back of his 
 neck, resting on both shoulders, with both his arms 
 up over the gun. As he came along he was whist- 
 ling a very lively tune, apparently perfectly uncon- 
 cerned at my approach. 
 
 The moment I saw him, and before he discovered 
 my movements, I drew my revolver, and held it down 
 by the side of my leg, out of sight, and when within 
 about six feet of him, I presented my revolver and 
 ordered him to halt. He did so, looking perfectly 
 astonished. Lay that gun right down on the ground, 
 I continued. He did so, by raising it right up over 
 his head with both hands and laying it down in front 
 of him; then, straightening himself up in the position 
 of a soldier, said: 
 
 " Well sir; what will you have? " 
 
 " Step right lack, away from that gun! " He did 
 so. "That will do," said I, when about ten feet away, 
 I at the same time riding up to the gun. 
 
 " What are you doing here ? " 
 
 ''I've just been relieved from the look-outpost, 
 out thar." 
 
 " Look-out post ! What 's that ? " 
 
 " Don't you belong to that ar mule cavalry ? " 
 
 " No, I do n't belong to it, but I sometimes go with 
 it What command do you belong to ? " 
 
 "Armstrong's 2d Battalion of Cavalry."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. SI 
 
 " How many are there of you here ? " 
 " There are one hundred and sixty of us." 
 " What are you doing here ? " 
 " We are sent out here to watch the mule cavalry." 
 " Where is your look-out post? " 
 " Well, sir, are you acquainted about here? " 
 " I am acquainted with all roads, but not with 
 your look-out post." 
 
 " Well, sir, our look-out post is in old 'Squire 
 Knight's wheat-field. There is a big black stump 
 there, with a plank across the top of it ; we stand on 
 that. From there we can see your mule cavalry at 
 Joe Knight's, and we can see you at John Ursury's 
 blacksmith-shop, and tell whether you take the Mid- 
 dleburg or Van Buren road ; and tlie next place that 
 we can see you is at Wash. Newbern's lane, and we 
 can tell whether you go to Van Buren or to Wash. 
 Newbern's. If ever you get down past Beaver's 
 lane, going to Van Buren, it will be the last of you 
 and your mule cavalry" 
 
 I then dismounted and picked up the shot-gun. 
 What to do with the soldier was hard for me to de- 
 cide. If I undertook to take him to Bolivar, it was 
 quite probable that I would lose my prisoner, and 
 perhaps my life. To let him go would endanger my 
 life and that of others ; particularly my own, in case 
 he should ever recognize me with in their lines. So 
 I paroled him, shouldered the gun and started for 
 Bolivar. I did not feel safe in carrying the gun, 
 lest it should betray me in case I should be captured 
 by a squad of rebel cavalry ; so, at the first stump I 
 G
 
 82 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 came to, I dismounted and broke it, and then went 
 on. If I had had a gun of long range, I should 
 have tried a pull at the man on the look-out post, 
 hut as it was, I did not think it advisable to molest 
 him. 
 
 On reaching camp, I concluded that it was my 
 duty to report to somebody ; but not having been 
 officially sent out, I reported to Colonel Force. He 
 listened to my report, and when I had finished, told 
 me to report to General Ross. I did so, and he told 
 me to have myself in readiness the next morning to 
 guide a force of cavalry around to the rear of the 
 rebel force, and that he would send a regiment of 
 infantry in front, and try to capture the whole of 
 them. Morning came, and I was ready to go, but 
 received no orders. I have since learned that the 
 plan fell through because the Colonel wanted his 
 regiment to go, and the General wanted his old regi- 
 ment to go, and finally did not send any.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 83 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Sent to find the enemy's pickets Suspicious circumstance Sick child 
 Captures three citizens standing picket Releases them Falls asleep 
 Perilous situation Fortunate turn of affairs Attack on the pickets 
 A very pious man He proves a rebel spy. 
 
 ABOUT a week after my attempts to get into the 
 rebel camp near Wash. Newbern's, General Ross sent 
 me down to the corners, at Newbern's lane, to ascer- 
 tain whether the enemy had any pickets there. I was 
 ordered to take three men with me, and to be very 
 cautious in my movements, and, if I found any 
 pickets near the place designated, not to fire into 
 them, but to come immediately back and report. The 
 place I was to visit, was seven miles from Bolivar; 
 we started out after 9 o'clock in the evening ; I was 
 mounted on a mule but the three men that accom- 
 panied me were on foot. It was a starlight night 
 not so dark but that we could discern objects at a 
 considerable distance, and yet dark enough to facili- 
 tate our movements. 
 
 Five miles from Bolivar, we came to a house oc- 
 cupied by Mr. John Ursury, and as we approached 
 it, we observed in it a light. We had moved along 
 very slowly, and it was then past 11 o'clock. Think-
 
 84 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ing it was rather strange that a light should be burn- 
 ing there at that hour of the night, I resolved to as- 
 certain the cause. 
 
 Taking one man with me, and sending the other 
 two to the rear of the house to capture any persons 
 that might undertake to escape, I rode up to the front 
 door, with my revolver drawn, and, without dis- 
 mounting, lifted the latch and shoved the door wide 
 open. The persons present were Mrs. Ursury and 
 children, one of them a small child, and a brother of 
 John Ursury, about fifteen years old. 
 
 " What are you doing hero with a light at this 
 time of night ? " I inquired. 
 
 " Wo have got a sick child," replied Mrs. Ursury, 
 "and we are doctoring it." 
 
 " It's best to see whether the child is sick or not," 
 said the man that accompanied me. He then went 
 in and found it awake in the cradle, and, stranger as 
 he was, soon had the child in a frolic, laughing and 
 playing. 
 
 "It's a curious sickness that that child has got," 
 said the man, coming out. 
 
 I then called the brother out, and, pointing my 
 revolver at hirn, said: "There is something going on 
 here besides doctoring a sick child, you young scamp, 
 you! and if you don't tell me in a minute what it is, 
 I'll blow the heart right out of you ! " 
 
 "Mr. Bunker," said he, " is there any forces com- 
 ing along here ? " 
 
 " Yes, there is a large force coining." 
 
 " Well, my brother is standing watch up by the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 85 
 
 railroad. Hadn't I better go up and toll him to come 
 down ? " 
 
 " No ; you go into the house and stay there. I'll 
 go after him myself." 
 
 I then called my men and went into the road, 
 where I ordered them to remain until I could call. 
 I then rode forward to see what was going on. 
 When I came in sight of the railroad crossing, I saw 
 five men ; three of the men were mounted and two 
 Avere not; they did not seem to have any arms. I 
 called to my men to come on, and then dashed up 
 to them with revolver drawn, and demanded of them 
 to surrender. As I was dashing up, the two th-at 
 were not mounted fled, and the other three stood 
 their ground. 
 
 "Don't shoot us, Mr. Bunker! called out ' Mr. Ur- 
 sury, who at once recognized me." 
 
 " March down into the road, then, if you don't 
 want to he shot ! Fine business, this ! Good loyal 
 men standing picket for rebel soldiers ! March down 
 there ! I'll see about this." 
 
 I then marched them over to where I had left my 
 men, who failing to hear me call, had remained 
 where I left them. One of the prisoners was an old, 
 gray-headed preacher, by the name of Parson Ha- 
 mer ; I have forgotten the name of the other. The 
 two that I have named I had seen several times be- 
 fore. 
 
 " What were you doing there at this time of night?" 
 I inquired. 
 
 " We were watching for some niggers to come
 
 8G THE GKEAT AMERICAN 
 
 along that ran away from my brother-in-law," said 
 Ursury." 
 
 "Who were those two men with you that ran 
 
 " I don't know," replied Ursury. 
 
 I asked the other two, and they denied knowing 
 who they were. 
 
 "Well, I can tell who they were," I continued. 
 " There are rebel forces over in Mr. Dickens' woods, 
 and those men belong 1 to them, and you men were 
 standing picket for them." This they stoutly denied, 
 and said that if they were any rebel forces there 
 they did not know it. 
 
 Addressing Parson Hamer, I said ; " You are an 
 old,, gray-headed man a preacher of the Gospel ; 
 you ought to be ashamed of yourself. An old man 
 like you, with one foot in the grave and the other 
 just ready to slip in, out at this time of night watch- 
 ing for niggers! That's a fine excuse! It don't 
 look reasonable. You are a contemptible old rebel } 
 with the oath in your pocket, and you deserve to be 
 shot!" 
 
 I did not know what to do with them ; I had two 
 miles further to go, and it was necessary for me to 
 take all my men with me, and to be encumbered 
 with prisoners, in case we should run into a force, 
 would be hazardous. I finally took down their 
 names and released them, and then went on. 
 
 Finding no pickets at Newbern lane, we returned. 
 On arriving at the railroad crossing where I had 
 captured the prisoners, I sent my men to camp by
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 87 
 
 way of the railroad, which was a much shorter route 
 than the wagon-road, and kept on myself the way I 
 had come out. 
 
 Having slept hut very little for several nights, hy 
 reason of being out on scouts, after parting company 
 with my men I hecame very sleepy, and experienced 
 considerable difficulty in keeping awake, and at last 
 fell asleep. 
 
 All at once my mule came to a sudden halt, throw- 
 ing up its head as if something was wrong. The 
 movement woke me up, and there, stretched across 
 the road, was a line cf soldiers bringing their pieces 
 to a ready. I could plainly hear the click-ick-ick as 
 they cocked them, for they were not more than fifteen 
 yards from me. I cannot describe the horror and 
 alarm that I felt at my situation; it was of no use to 
 run, so I resolved to put on a bold front and sell my 
 life as dear as possible. Surrender ! no, never ! 
 thought I, if I die the next instant. 
 
 " Who comes there ? " said I, drawing my re- 
 volver. 
 
 " Advance and give the countersign ! " said the 
 officer in command of the soldiers. 
 
 " Who are you ? " said I. 
 
 "No matter!" said he: "advance and give the 
 countersign." 
 
 " I shan't advance a step until I know who you 
 are!" 
 
 "Well, you advance one," said he, "and I'll ad- 
 vance one." 
 
 " Very well ; come on ! "
 
 88 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 As we met, each with a revolver cocked, the officer 
 exclaimed, " Why, Banker ! Is that you ? I am 
 frightened to think of it ! Why didn't you stop ? 
 In an instant more my whole company would have 
 fired into you ! " 
 
 "I was asleep, Captain! It was a narrow es- 
 cape, was n't it ?" 
 
 " Indeed, it was ! " 
 
 It was no other than Captain Ayres ana com- 
 pany A, of the 20th Ohio, sent out as a support for 
 me to fall hack on if I was discovered by the enemy 
 and pursued. They had been sent out after I left, 
 and I had no knowledge that they were coming. 
 The result of it was, I came very near falling back 
 without any support ! 
 
 My suspicions of a rebel force being in Dickens' 
 woods was confirmed in the morning by an attack 
 on our pickets, by a force of five hundred men, by 
 which two men of the 23d Indiana were wounded. 
 After firing into the pickets, the enemy made a de- 
 tour to the north-west of Bolivar, and there encoun- 
 tered a large Federal foraging party, that fired into 
 them and killed seven, which made them skedaddle. 
 
 The next day I obtained leave of Gen. Ross to 
 take a squad of 9 men, and go out 6 miles and get 
 15 Ibs. of nice sweet butter which had just been 
 churned and worked up for a company of Arm- 
 strong's cavalry. I told the General that I thought 
 it would taste as good to Federal soldiers as to the 
 Confederates. Having found the butter and also a 
 fine lot of honey, and a quantity of chickens, we
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 89 
 
 loaded* them into an open buggy, confiscated a mule 
 to draw it, and then bent our way back to camp. We 
 had proceeded but a little way, when I discovered a 
 man a short distance ahead. As soon as he saw us, 
 he sat down in the shade of a tree in a bend of the 
 road, pulled out a Bible, and commenced to read. 
 Coming up to him, I said, " Daddy, how do you do ? " 
 
 " By the grace of God, I am well, and I hope you 
 enjoy the same blessing," was his answer. 
 
 " You are mighty good, a'n't you ? You are a sol- 
 dier, I suppose." 
 
 "No, gentlemen, I am not a soldier. By the 
 providence of God, I am a preacher of the Gospel, 
 pure." 
 
 "Look here, daddy; don't you know that this 
 country is invaded? Over there lies the Federal army, 
 and yonder the Confederate army. What business 
 have you to be prowling about between the lines of 
 the two contending armies ? " 
 
 "I have got a Federal pass," said he, handing me 
 one signed by General Ross, " and I have taken the 
 oath. I have no connection with the Confederate 
 army." 
 
 "Well, daddy, you don't look like a man with a 
 clear conscience ; we must search you." We pro- 
 ceeded to search him, which resulted in finding, in a 
 leg of his pantaloons, between the outside and lining 
 a map eighteen inches by twenty two, representing 
 exactly our fortifications, intrenchments, camp, and 
 picket 'line at Bolivar. It was skillfully executed, 
 and was as accurate as it could well be made. Our
 
 90 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 discovery of the map took away the old man's sanc- 
 timonious dignity. " This is one of your sermons, 
 I suppose ! " I remarked, as I drew out the map. 
 "A fine subject for a minister of the Gospel ! " He 
 dropped his head and made no reply. 
 
 " Now, daddy, you look tired ; you get into the 
 buggy and ride." So the old man got in. ''Boys," 
 said I, " is'nt there some way to get that mule to 
 Bolivar without that rope?" The boys took the hint, 
 and fastened the rope to a limb of a tree which ex- 
 tended over the buggy, where the old man was 
 sitting, that he might hold on to it." Now, daddy," 
 said I, "you are in a hurry to get to Canaan, and we 
 are in a hurry to get to camp, so good day, sir." Our 
 mule than gave a desperate plunge, leaving him to 
 travel his journey alone tot hat place where, "by the 
 grace of God," he'll have no use for maps of Federal 
 fortifications. 
 
 I carried the map to General Ross, and related to 
 him the circumstances ol its capture. 
 
 "Did you bring the man in?" he inquired. 
 
 "No, sir; we have brought in several disloyal 
 characters, and they have all managed to get released ; 
 for that reason we thought it not worth while." 
 
 Gen. Ross sent the map to Gen. Grant, then at 
 Jackson, Tenn., accompanied with the particulars of 
 its capture.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 91 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Sent to Somervillo Finds himself a prisoner Taken to Cold Water 
 Meets with old acquaintances Is paroled Runs with thoSd Arkansas 
 Cavalry Goes to Lumpkins' Mills Interview with General Price 
 Stays sill niglit with his brother, the rebel General Return to Bolivar 
 Reports to General Ross Obtains the Colonel's horse, and returns 
 to the enemy Runs away from the enemy. 
 
 ABOUT the middle of September, the enemy having 
 disappeared from our immediate front, General Ross 
 sent me to Somerville, with instructions to reconnoiter 
 the country all about, and find out, if possible, where 
 the enemy had gone to, and such other information 
 as I could obtain. 
 
 I started out quite early in the morning, mounted 
 on a mule, dressed like a citizen in easy circum- 
 stances. Whenever I met a planter, I would stop 
 and converse with him about the " news from our 
 army," and the prospects of the war, and the "thiev- 
 ing Yankees that were robbing us of our cotton and 
 niggers.'' In the course of such conversation, I learned 
 there were no rebel forces in that immediate vicinity. 
 About noon, I reached Somerville. There I found 
 every thing quiet as a Sabbath morning. Passing 
 through the town, I took the road to Moscow. Com- 
 ing to a large, fine brick house that stands near the
 
 92 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 railroad depot, I drew up and alighted from my mule, 
 and went in, i n pursuit of some dinner. 
 
 " Stranger," said I, addressing an elderly gentleman 
 that I found on entering, can I get some dinnerhere ?" 
 
 " I reckon so," he said, handing me a chair; "din- 
 ner will he ready in a few minutes. Sit down." 
 
 I complied. 
 
 " Where do you belong? " he inquired. 
 
 " My home is in Memphis, Tennessee, hut " 
 
 Just then I was interrupted hy the entrance of two 
 men, who carne in from an adjoining room, one of 
 whom asked me where I belonged. 
 
 "I was just saying to this gentleman," I replied, 
 that my home is in Memphis, Tennessee, hut I came 
 from Bolivar here." 
 
 " Do you belong to the Federal army ? " 
 
 "No, sir; I am a citizen of this State, and my home, 
 as I said before, is in Memphis." 
 
 " How came you to be in Bolivar ? " 
 
 " I went out there to see General Neely and Doctor 
 Coleman, and the Adamses, and several others that 
 I am acquainted with, and when I got in there the 
 Yankees would not let me out when I wanted them 
 to, and I had to remain there several days." 
 
 " Did you get a pass from the Yank's to get out 
 with ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; but it only passed me out, and was re- 
 tained by the pickets." 
 
 "Have you got any fire-arms or papers with you?'' 
 
 " No, sir ; I had a nice navy revolver that I car- 
 ried to Bolivar, but I was obliged to leave it with an
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 93 
 
 acquaintance when I left, to keep the Yankees from 
 taking it away from me." 
 
 " Well, sir, you may consider yourself my pris- 
 oner, and after dinner we'll go down to Cold Water 
 and see what they can do for you there." 
 
 " Gentlemen," said I, " I am no Yankee soldier. 
 I am a citizen, and I can't see what object you can 
 have in taking me there." 
 
 " It don't matter whether you do or not. I think 
 that they will have some use for you." 
 
 Dinner was then announced as ready, and we all 
 sat up. " / think they will have some use for you ! " 
 reverberated through my brain, and set me into a 
 train of thought anything but agreeable. Fm to be 
 a conscript then ! thought I. I tried to suppress rny 
 feelings, and feigned to be cheerful, as if nothing 
 had occurred to disturb my equanimity. In fact, my 
 only hope was in appearing cheerful. 
 
 When dinner was over, the two men had their 
 horses brought out, and we all three mounted and 
 started for Cold Water, forty miles distant. On the 
 way I kept up a cheerful conversation, and on sev- 
 eral occasions I had my butternut friends convulsed 
 with laughter. I found out that the man who had 
 made me a prisoner was Captain Daniels, a noted 
 guerrilla, and the other person was a Quartermaster. 
 
 At 2 o'clock, A. M., we reached the outpost near 
 Cold Water, where we halted until daylight, and 
 then went in. As we were going in, we met a sol- 
 dier, who, when he saw me, called out, " Hallo, Rug- 
 gles, is that you ? Where have you been ? I hav'n't
 
 94 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 seen you since we made shingles together on White 
 River ! " 
 
 " I'm a prisoner," said I. 
 
 " A prisoner ? are you ! " 
 
 " Yes, Captain Daniels, here, captured in6 at 
 Somerville, yesterday." 
 
 " Ha, ha ! captured you ? Why, Captain, I have 
 known that man for years, and made shingles for 
 him on White River, in Arkansas, and he is as loyal 
 to the Confederate cause as you are ! There are five 
 or six other hoys here that know him as well as I do ! " 
 
 Captain Daniels then took me to the head-quarters 
 of the regiment, and there I found, in the Colonel, 
 another man that I was well acquainted with. His 
 name was Slemmens ; he used to be prosecuting at- 
 torney at Napoleon, Arkansas. When I entered his 
 quarters 
 
 " Lord hless me ! " he said, " if here a'n't Ruggles ! 
 How are you ? " 
 
 " Pretty well, I thank you. I am glad to meet 
 you. I didn't know that you was in the service. 
 The last time we met was at Napoleon, I believe." 
 
 " Yes ; but pray what fetched you here ?" 
 
 " Captain Daniels captured me and fetched me 
 here." 
 
 " Captured you ? " 
 
 " Yes ; I told him I was a citizen of the South, 
 but he did not believe me." 
 
 " I have known Ruggles these six years, Captain ; 
 he's all right. But, then, never mind I see ! we'll 
 make him count one in exchange. I'll parole him.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 95 
 
 " But " said he " if you can't bring in better 
 prisoners than this, you need not capture any more." 
 Where did you find him ? " 
 
 Daniels told him the particulars of my capture, 
 and that I had been in Bolivar several weeks. 
 
 "Well," said the Colonel, "I'll parole him." 
 
 Captain Daniels and Quartermaster then left me 
 with Colonel Slemmens, and returned toward Somer- 
 ville. My old acquaintances all got together at the 
 Colonel's quarters, and we had a right lively visit. 
 They were all urgent to have me join the regiment, 
 and I finally consented to run with them awhile, 
 and promised to join if I liked the regiment. I had 
 found out, by this time, that it was the 2d Arkansas 
 Cavalry, and was there on outpost duty. It had 
 been raised in a part of Arkansas where I was well 
 acquainted. There was no other Regiment there at 
 that time. The principal part of the rebel forces in 
 Northern Mississippi were then camped at Luinpkins' 
 Mills, seven miles south of Holly Springs. 
 
 Among the acquaintances that I made during my 
 stay in the regiment, was the Lieutenant-Colonel 
 and the regimental sutler. The former was a Method- 
 ist clergymen, by the name of Rosebrook. He was 
 very urgent in his endeavors to have me join the 
 regiment. 
 
 Two days after my arrival the regiment received 
 orders from General Villipigue to move to Gun Town, 
 on the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, seventy miles dis- 
 tant. I went with it. There it received orders from 
 General Van Dorn to go to Ripley. We remained at
 
 96 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Ripley a few days, during which time we made two 
 or three cotton-burning trips. We then received orders 
 to go back to Cold Water. 
 
 From Cold Water I accompanied Colonel Slemmens 
 on a visit to Lumpkins' Mills. While there we called 
 on General Price, and I was introduced as a brother 
 of General Ruggles. In the conversation that was 
 had with Colonel Slemmens and myself, General 
 Price learned that I did not belong to any organized 
 regiment, but that I had temporarily attached my- 
 self to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry. He told me that I 
 would have to be assigned to some regiment as a 
 conscript. I objected to that. He said that it would 
 have to be done, and without this I could not draw 
 any pay or subsistence from the Confederate 
 Government. 
 
 " General," said I, " the Southern Confederacy is 
 of more consequence to me than pay. I did not come 
 into the army for pay. I have got twenty three 
 hundred dollars in iny pocket, and I intend to fight 
 on that until it is gone. I have got a rich sister in 
 Memphis, and when that is gone, I will go to her and 
 get more. Besides, I can do more good as I am, be- 
 cause when there is a fight coming off any where, I 
 can go into it, but if I am fast, I can only go where 
 the regiment goes to which I belong." 
 
 " Well," said the General, "perhaps you can do the 
 most good as you are ; you may remain so." 
 
 In the afternoon of the day before we were to re. 
 turn, General Price sent me word that my brother, 
 General Ruggles, had arrived. I immediately went
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 97 
 
 to head-quarters to see him. He expressed great 
 delight at meeting me, and called me " Bub," as he 
 used to do when at home, though I was forty years 
 old. The Adjutant-General assigned us a tent by 
 ourselves, and I remained with my brother all night. 
 He had not been to Ohio for a great many years, and 
 he was very much interested in learning the changes 
 that had taken place in the neighborhood where he 
 was raised. All I learned of him about the army 
 was, that his command was near Baton Rouge, La., 
 and that he had come there on business pertaining 
 to his command. He did not ask me where I lived, 
 nor allude to the subject of the rebellion. ' He knew 
 that I had spent a great portion of my life in the 
 South, and, naturally enough, supposed that I was 
 identified with her interests. 
 
 In the morning I returned with Colonel Slemmens 
 to Cold Water. I had learned, by this time, a great 
 deal of information, and had been absent a much 
 greater length of time than I had calculated on when 
 I left Bolivar, and I began to feel anxious to get 
 back and report. I had become quite a favorite with 
 Colonel Slemmens, and I could generally get from 
 him any favor that I asked for. 
 
 " Colonel," said I to him, the next morning after 
 we returned, "all the rest of the boys have got horses 
 of their own, and I have got nothing but that little 
 mule of mine to ride, and I want something else. 
 Can't you make a cotton-burning trip up into tho 
 vicinity of Bolivar ? While I was there I found one 
 regiment of Yankees camped out a little distance 
 7
 
 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 from the other regiments, and the Colonel of it has 
 got a splendid horse ; if you will go, I can get in 
 there and capture it." 
 
 " Pshaw ! You could not get into the lines if you 
 were there ! " 
 
 " Tes I can ; I know right where to get in, and if 
 I don't get that horse I'll get some other. I'm hound 
 to have a horse." 
 
 "Well, I can't go now, but I'll see about it." 
 
 I waited two days, and then tried him again. 
 
 "Colonel," said I, "what do you think about that 
 cotton trip to Bolivar now? I'm getting very anxious 
 for that horse." 
 
 " If I thought you would succeed, I'd go." 
 
 " I Imow I'll succeed." 
 
 "'How close can we get without getting into the 
 Yankee pickets ? " 
 
 "We can get as far as Jonathan Hcrse's place, and 
 there you can halt until I go in and return." 
 
 " Well, then, I'll take five companies and we'll go 
 up there to-day, and we'll have everything ready to 
 start at 10 o'clock A. M." 
 
 At the appointed time wo started, and moved 
 along rapidly until wo reached Horse's plantation, 
 it was in the night when we reached there. The 
 Colonel retained three companies, and sent two, under 
 command of a Captain, with me with instructions to 
 stop at such a place as I should designate, and wait 
 three hours for me to return, unless I returned sooner, 
 and if I did not coino back at the end of that time, 
 to return without me.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 99 
 
 We went on until we came within about two 
 hundred yards of the pickets, where I had the Cap- 
 tain halt his men, and, leaving my mule, I went on. 
 I found the advanced picket right where I expected 
 to. He was on the alert, and challenged me as I 
 came up. There I cautioned the officer in command 
 of the pickets to be on the alert, for two companies 
 of rebel cavalry were within rifle-shot of him. The 
 pickets were all called up, and I was sent, under 
 guard, to General Ross. I had him called up, and 
 reported to him what I had learned, and told him 
 that, in order to carry out my plans, I wanted an 
 order on the Quartermaster for a number one horse. 
 I also told him that I would leave my mule on Mr. 
 Herse's plantation, and requested him to send a 
 forage party out the next day and bring the mule 
 in. He gave me the order, and I went immediately 
 to C. C. Williams, Assistant Quartermaster, and woke 
 him up, and told him I was in a great hurry and 
 wanted the horse then. 
 
 However strangely he may have thought of my 
 movements then, I am sure that when he reads these 
 pages he will know why I disturbed him at that un- 
 usual hour of the night. He furnished me with a 
 beautiful nag. With an old gun-sling and canteen 
 strap I rigged up a sort of bridle, mounted the horse, 
 and returned to my rebel escort. 
 
 On my return, I was in ecstacies of delight over 
 " my captured " nag. I told the Captain that I had 
 got it from a Colonel, and that I found it not twenty 
 yards from his quarters, and that I tried to obtain
 
 100 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 his saddle, bridle, and holsters, hut his negro was 
 sleeping with his head on the saddle and I could 
 not get them without waking him up. 
 
 The men were all highly interested with the nar- 
 ration of my exploit, and not only conceded that I 
 " was a hrave fellow," hut " that I had got a splendid 
 horse." We then returned to Herse's plantation, and 
 I awoke the Colonel to show him my prize. He was 
 as much delighted as the rest had heen. 
 
 It was by this time daylight, and we started for 
 Cold Water ; I left the mule, as I had agreed to do, 
 on Mr. Herse's plantation. On our way back we 
 burned considerable cotton. I remained a few days 
 longer at Cold Water, and then accompanied a de- 
 tachment to Saulsbury to burn cotton ; from there I 
 ran away and returned to Bolivar. My mule had 
 been brought in as requested, and so I exchanged my 
 horse for it. I had been gone in all thirty-five days.
 
 SCOUT AND E?T. 101 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Sent to Grand Junction to capture guerrillas Suspicious incident- 
 Strategy to get out the guerrillas Orders disobeyed Tlio rebel flag 
 Tho very kind socesh lady The mistake Out of the frying-pan into 
 the fire Guerrillas -watching for them The attack The prisoner 
 Tho result of the trip. 
 
 A TART of the duties assigned me, in the many 
 trips I made from Bolivar, was to hunt up guerrilla 
 organizations, learn their intended movements, and 
 make arrangements for their capture. During my 
 scouts, I had learned that there was an organized 
 band of guerrillas at Grand Junction. On reporting 
 the fact to General Hoss, he requested me to go down 
 and ca'pture them, and gave me for that purpose a 
 force of one hundred infantry, under command of a 
 Captain, and forty cavalry, under command of a Lieu- 
 tenant, with instructions to the officers that they 
 should obey my orders in whatever plans I should 
 choose to adopt. I was also furnished with a train 
 of ten four-horse teams and wagons, and was in- 
 structed to let the infantry ride out, and, on my re- 
 turn, to load the wagons with forage. 
 
 It was about sundown when the detachment moved 
 out from Bolivar. I rode about one hundred yards 
 in advance, then came the cavalry, and in the rear
 
 102 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the train bearing the infantry. My dress on this 
 occasion was that of a citizen. 
 
 When the last lingering rays of daylight had dis- 
 appeared, the night became extremely dark so dark 
 that it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe 
 by the powers of vision. While crossing a piece 
 of bottom land, with a forest of trees on each side of 
 the road that seemed to make the darkness still 
 more impenetrable, I met three persons. I saluted 
 them with a " Good-evening," and inquired of them 
 where they were going, and was told that they were 
 going after some horses that had strayed away, and 
 that they wanted to go on to Mr. Dickens' and stay 
 all night, and resume the search for the horses in 
 the morning. By this time the Lieutenant of the 
 cavalry came up, and, on further inquiry, found that 
 they had passes. He took their passes to examine, 
 but could not find a match with which to make a 
 light. lie then concluded, from the feeling of the 
 paper, that they were our passes, and allowed them 
 to go on. When they passed the train, the infantry 
 soldiers were sitting down in the bottom of the 
 wagon-beds, and the most of them were asleep, and 
 the men, in passing, probably did not discover any 
 force but the cavalry. 
 
 When within three miles of Grand Junction, we 
 halted and waited until nearly daylight, and then 
 moved on to within a mile of the place. There I 
 had the teams turned about, facing toward Bolivar, 
 and gave the teamsters instructions to remain by 
 their teams, and if we were driven back, to pr.sh
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 103 
 
 forward to Bolivar. I then moved the cavalry and 
 infantry forward as noiseless as possible into the lane, 
 within half a mile of town, and instructed the officers 
 to remain there just half an hour, and, if I did not 
 return, to make a dash into the town, fcr they might 
 know by my absence that I was captured. 
 
 My plan was to leave my men there, and ride into 
 town myself and find the guerrillas, and, if they were 
 not concentrated, to find their leader and have him 
 get out his men, to capture a small squad of Lincoln 
 cavalry that I would report as feeding their horses 
 near town, and while he would be getting out his 
 men, I would reconnoiter to see if they were still 
 there, tell the Federal officers where to place their men, 
 and then go back and act as guide to the guerrillas- 
 
 Having given all the instructions that I thought 
 were necessary, I rode on into town. As I drew up 
 in front of the Percy House, the doors of the house 
 were being opened, and "mine host" came out. 
 
 " Good morning, sir," said I, as he made his ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 " Good morning, sir," said he, eyeing me closely. 
 
 " Have we got any any cavalry here ? " 
 - " No, there is none nigher than Davis Creek, three 
 miles from here." 
 
 " Have we got guerrillas here ? " 
 
 " Yes, some. Why, what do you want ? " 
 
 " Thar's a squad of Lincoln cavalry right up thar," 
 said I, pointing toward my own men. 
 
 " Where are you from ? " he inquired, as if uncer- 
 tain whether I was right or not.
 
 104 THE CHEAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Oh, Jam all right. I am just from Memphis, and, 
 as I was coining in this morning, I saw a squad of 
 Lincoln cavalry feeding their horses, and I would 
 like to get out a squad of our men and go and cap- 
 ture them." 
 
 " Well I don't know how many guerillas there is 
 here ; but there is Captain Robison, who keeps the 
 corner grocery, and lives across the street as you go 
 round the corner; he is Captain of the band, and ho 
 can tell you all about it." 
 
 " Thank you ; " and I started off to find him. 
 
 When I got round the corner, I saw a negro com- 
 ing from a house that I took to be the Captain's ; so 
 I waited till he came out to me. I learned from him 
 that it was the Captain's house, and that he was at 
 home. Just then I was startled by the tramp of 
 horses: Knowing that it was not time for my men 
 to come in, I very naturally supposed that it was 
 rebel cavalry. I went back to the corner to sec what 
 it was, and there came my own men, the cavalry on 
 a gallop and the infantry on a double-quick. Instead 
 of waiting thirty minutes, Ihcy had only waited eight! 
 I was vexed to have my plans, through disobedience 
 cf orders, spoiled; and more so, because I had learned 
 from experience that all attempts to convict a guer- 
 rilla after he was captured would be futile, unless he 
 was caught with arms in his hands fighting against 
 us. Wit lithe oath of allegiance in their pockets, and 
 the use of their oily tongues, they invariably managed 
 to get released. 
 
 Wo then arrested Captain Robison, and such other
 
 SCOUT AND SPV. 105 
 
 persons as, from their actions, we had reason to be- 
 lieve belonged to the band. 
 
 Captain Robison kept, in addition to the grocery, 
 a billiard saloon, which had been a favorite resort 
 in the summer for the Federal officers, while the 
 place was being garrisoned by the brigade under 
 command of General Leggett. One day, while en- 
 gaged in playing a game of billards, Lieut. P. M. 
 Hitchcock, regimental Quartermaster of the 20th 
 Ohio, having occasion to look under the table for 
 something, discovered, fastened up underneath the 
 table, a large rebel flag, which he captured and 
 carried to camp. -, The flag had been secreted there 
 when the Federal troops first took possession of the 
 place, and the officers had played on that table every 
 day for weeks without having discovered it. 
 ' Having secured our prisoners, we proceeded to 
 make the citizens of the place furnish breakfast for 
 the detachment. This they were reluctant to do, but 
 finally submitted. "When, all had been supplied, we 
 returned to the teams. The teamsters had not fared 
 so well, and, as soon as I returned, they requested me 
 to make arrangements for their breakfast. I told 
 them to drive on and I would do so. I then rode on 
 to find a house that looked as if its occupants had a 
 supply sufficient to furnish the breakfast, and forage 
 for the hoises and mules. 
 
 About four miles from Grand Junction, I came to 
 a large brick house on the right-hand side, a short 
 distance f.om the road. I opened the gate, entered 
 the yaid, and lode up toward the house, and, as I
 
 106 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 drew near the door, an elderly lady came out, whom 
 I addressed, and inquired if I could get breakfast there 
 for sixteen men, and feed for a hundred and fifty 
 horses. 
 
 Supposing me to he a secesh Colonel, she replied 
 " Well, yes, so far as breakfast for the men is con- 
 cerned ; but really Colonel, about the corn, I don't 
 know as I have got enough here to feed so many ; 
 but if you are a mind to be to the trouble to send 
 over to my nigger quarters, about three-quarters of 
 a mile from here, you can get all the corn you want." 
 
 "Thank you, madam. I will ride down and halt 
 the train, and send the men up for their break- 
 fast." 
 
 As I rode away, I heard her order the negroes to 
 get the breakfast. I halted the train, and set the 
 negroes (who were returning with us fro in Grand Junc- 
 tion) to cutting up corn from a field on the opposite 
 side of the road for the teams. The infantry soldiers 
 immediately began to scatter about the plantation, in 
 search of horses and mules, to increase the number 
 of those we had already taken at Grand Junction. 
 
 The thought now occurred to me that I had been 
 supposed by the lady to be a secesh Colonel, and that 
 as soon as she saw the blue trousers, the getting of 
 breakfast would be stopped ; so I went back to the 
 house to see about it. As soon as I came up, she 
 met me at the door and commenced to complain, 
 
 " I thought that it was our cavalry coming ; I was 
 mistaken. Instead, I find it is nothing but a par- 
 cel of confounded Lincoln jayhaivkers /"
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 107 
 
 " We are all liable to mistakes, madam." 
 
 VNo\y, could you," she continued, "demand of a 
 poor lone widow, like I am, breakfast for sixteen men 
 and feed for a hundred and fifty horses ?" 
 
 " The subject has changed appearances consid- 
 erably since I was here before. I'll see about break- 
 fast myself. 
 
 I dismounted and fastened my mule, and then 
 went to a wood-pile and procured a big club, and 
 repaired to the cook-house. The negroes had evi- 
 dently commenced to get things ready for the break- 
 fast, but had been stopped. 
 
 " What are you about, you black, woolly scoun- 
 drels ! Why a' n't you cooking breakfast?" said I, 
 addressing the negroes. 
 
 " Missus dun tole us not to get de breckfust ! " 
 
 ' Well, you go right to work and get the breakfast, 
 or I'll thrash your black hides for you ! Start right 
 away! " At that I made for them with my club. 
 
 " Hole en ! hole on, massa ! we'll dun an' get the 
 breckfust ! " 
 
 They all sprang to work in good earnest. One of 
 the negroes told me that the woman had locked up 
 the meat. I started for the smoke-house door, with 
 my club, to break it in, but the woman, who had 
 been watching me, followed with the keys, and, when 
 she saw, that I was* about to force my way, entreated 
 me to let her unlock the door. On inquiry of the 
 negroes, I found that she had butter locked up in a 
 cupboard. I told her to get out some butter, and she 
 declared she hadn't got a bit in the house. I walked
 
 108 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 toward the cupboard, with my club raised, without 
 saying any thing further, when she came running to 
 the cupboard, with the keys in her hand, saying: 
 " Don't break it ! don't break it ! I'll get it out ! I'll 
 fret it out for you ! Do give a body time ! " 
 
 By dint of perseverance, using a good many threats 
 and some motions, I succeeded in having the break- 
 fast made ready ; which, having been accomplished, 
 the teamsters were called in to enjoy it. While the 
 teamsters were eating, a squad of soldiers came 
 through the yard, with about thirty geese that they 
 had confiscated. The lady saw them, and came to 
 me to plead for them. 
 
 " Now, don't let the men take those geese; dorit! 
 they are great favorites of mine and, I hate to part 
 with them ! " 
 
 I had noticed, a few minutes before, a large, close 
 pen in one corner of the yard, filled with nice, fat 
 turkeys, which one of the darkeys had told me were 
 being fatted to send to the rebel officers. The boys 
 liad not yet discovered them. 
 
 " Boys, put down those geese ; do'nt be packing 
 geese from here to Bolivar ! Throw them down ! " 
 
 " Why, Bunker ! " they exclaimed, " you said we 
 might get any thing that we wanted ! " 
 
 " Throw them down ! " 
 
 Down they went. 
 
 "Now, if you want any thing of the feathered tribe, 
 pitch into those turkeys in that pen yonder," said I, 
 pointing to it. 
 
 Away the boys went, a-flying.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 100 
 
 " Good Lord! Now don't! don't get those turkeys! 
 I'd rather you had took every goose on the place!" 
 
 " You are in a had fix now, a' n't you ? " said I. 
 " Right out of the frying pan into the fire ! " 
 
 Just then a little colored girl came running in, 
 and said : 
 
 " Missis, de Yankees dim got Lucy!" 
 
 "Where?" inquired the lady. 
 
 " Ptight out dat ar way," said the girl, pointing 
 in the direction. 
 
 " Well now I declare ! Do n't take that riding nag 
 away from me, a poor lone widow, as I am ; don't ! 
 Have a little mercy on me ; do /" 
 
 "Yes!" said I, "you are a mighty poor ividow ! 
 worth two hundred thousand dollars, and paying an 
 overseer a thousand dollars a year ; and your hus- 
 hand a Colonel in the Confederate army you are a 
 mighty poor widow ! Soldiers, fetch that mare back 
 and let the widow keep her, she is not worth riding 
 to Bolivar 
 
 As soon as breakfast was over, we again moved 
 on. When within two miles of Van Buren, near 
 where the road branches cff to Whitesville, a little 
 incident occurred to attract our attention. As I was 
 riding along, in advance of the detachment, I saw a 
 negro coming up the road toward me, with his hat in 
 his hand, and running as fast as he could, and appear- 
 ing to be wonderfully excited about something. 
 
 "What's up?" said I, as I met him. 
 
 " Thar's a heap ob de secesh cavalry down by 
 Massa's house, and dey gwine to git you all !"
 
 HO THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Here, then, was something to do. I was well ac- 
 quainted with the features of the country all about 
 there, and I knew where they would most likely be 
 posted, and which way they would retreat if we were 
 too much for them. I was also well satisfied that 
 the enemy consisted of Hall's guerrillas, from Sauls- 
 bury, and that the men that we had met on our way 
 down belonged to them, and, instead of going to Mr. 
 Dickens' to stay all night, had gone down to Sauls- 
 bury and got out the band to capture our train, 
 not knowing that we had any infantry force along. 
 
 I sent the Captain with fifty men, to the right, 
 to get to their flank in a piece of woods, where I 
 was sure they would attempt to escape if we over- 
 powered them. The Captain had a corn-field to 
 cross, in reaching the weeds, that would cover his 
 men from view. I was to watch from the top of the 
 fence, and see the Captain deploy his men in the 
 woods, before ordering an attack in front. 
 
 I watched until I knew thai the Captain had time 
 to reach the woods ; but, for some reason, he did not 
 make his appearance. I waited as long as I thought 
 it would do, and then, leaving ten men to guard the 
 prisoners, I ordered the cavalry to charge, supported 
 by the balance of the infantry. 
 
 As we dashed over the hill toward the house, a 
 man which proved to bo Captain Richardson, was 
 seen on the top of a large gate-post, watching our ap- 
 proach About thirty feet from him in 'the yard 
 Btood a splendid mule with a new saddle. He gave 
 a look at the mule and then at us, and then broke
 
 SCOUT AND SPY 111 
 
 for the corn-field on foot, leaving his mule and equip- 
 ments. The three men whom we met in the dark, 
 and whose passes had been approved by the sense of 
 feeling, had reported to Hall's guerrillas at Saulsbury, 
 and Captain Richardson had volunteered to join the 
 expedition to capture us. Evidently the full amount 
 of our force had not been represented to them and 
 they had not looked for a charge. As soon as the 
 guerrillas discovered that we were charging on them, 
 they fled to the woods where I had ordered the Cap- 
 tain to deploy his men, and they all escaped but 
 one. The Captain had halted his men in the corn- 
 field, and did not take them into the woods ; had he 
 done so, we might have captured the whole band, 
 numbering, in all, thirty men. 
 
 The prisoner that we captured declared that he 
 was no guerrilla, but a citizen ; he told me that he 
 lived in Memphis. At Van Buren, Mrs. Moore told 
 me that she knew him, and that he was one of their 
 nearest neighbors, and one of the finest men living in 
 the county. At Mr. Marshall's we found a collection of 
 neighbors, engaged in burying a child near the road- 
 side. Mrs. Marshall, whom I saw there, told me. that 
 she knew him, and that he lived in Tupelo, Mississippi, 
 and that he and his wife were out there on a visit, and 
 that his wife was present somewhere in the gathering. 
 
 Just then the wife saw her husband, a prisoner, 
 and begged of the 'Lieutenant to let him go ; " for," 
 said she, " I know that he will never take the oath, 
 and they will hang him, sure, and I shall never, never 
 see him again in this world ! "
 
 112 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 The Lieutenant passed on with his prisoner, and I 
 remained behind until after the detachment had all 
 passed, when I moved on. Before overtaking them, 
 I met the prisoner, coining back, with a written state- 
 ment, signed by the Lieutenant, that he had been 
 released. Before reaching Bolivar, the wagons were 
 loaded with forage. Aside from the forage, mules, 
 and contrabands that we gathered, the expedition 
 was a failure. 
 
 The men we arrested at Grand Junction all man- 
 aged to get released. I felt mortified at the result, 
 because I felt sure that, if my plans had been carried 
 out, we might have made a brilliant little affair of it. 
 General Ross reprimanded the officers severely for 
 not having obeyed my instructions. 
 
 The reader can see by the foregoing what might 
 have been done on that expedition ; yet it was a 
 failure, because the parties concerned neglected to 
 obey orders. It is a parallel case, on a small scale, 
 to numerous others of greater magnitude, in the pro- 
 secution of the war. 
 
 Captain Richardson, who made his escape in the 
 corn-field, has since been made a Colonel of a rebel 
 regiment, raised near Lafayette, Tenn. During the 
 winter following we again met Col. Richardson in a 
 skirmish near Lafayette, Tenn., and captured him 
 and the most of his command.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 113 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Sent to Lagrangc Observes two cavalrymen Arrival at Lagrango 
 Waits for the cavalry Accompanies them out Takes his departure 
 Is pursued Evades the pursuit Finds himself cornered Crosses 
 the Cypress Swamp Eobbed by outlaws Disloyal citizen The- fate 
 of the robbers. 
 
 NOT long after my return from running with the 
 2d Arkansas Cavalry, General Ross requested mo to 
 make a general reconnoisance of the country along 
 the railroad as far as Lagrange, and to examine care- 
 fully the trestle-work and brides of the railroad, and 
 to watch for any movement that might he intended 
 as an attack on the post or a raid upon the railroad. 
 
 I went out, disguised as a citizen, mounted on a 
 mule. Ten miles from Bolivar I stopped at Mr. Mar- 
 shall's, were I spent an hour or more in conversation 
 with the members of the family. Mr. Marshall was 
 absent in. the hospital, he having been wounded in 
 the battle of Shiloh, and had not yet sufficiently re- 
 covered to enable him to get home. 
 
 While there, Miss Juliet Armstrong came in, u 
 sister of the Confederate General Armstrong. Mrs. 
 Marshal introduced me to her, not knowing that we 
 were acquainted. She appeared very hopeful of the 
 Southern cause. She did not evade the fact of the 
 8
 
 114 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 gloom and darkness that seemed to envelope the 
 South, but spoke cheerful and hopeful of the result. 
 She inquired if I had any late news from "owr " forces, 
 and I, in turn, gained as much general information 
 of Southern matters as I could. 
 
 When passing myself as a citizen of the South, I 
 have always found the people affahle in their man- 
 ners, sociable and extremely liberal in their hospita- 
 lity. Whenever an occasion was offered them of ren- 
 dering any assistance which they supposed was fur- 
 thering the cause they had espoused, their kindness 
 and generosity knew no bound. 
 
 Two miles further on is the residence of Captain 
 Rose, to whom I paid a visit. Captain Rose had 
 served in the United States army eleven years, and 
 is one of your genuine Union men, and has always 
 been loyal to the Government. I have visited him 
 frequently since, and was always made welcome. I 
 did not disguise the fact that I belonged to the Fe- 
 deral army, and have several times received from him 
 valuable information. It was of rare occurrence that 
 I found among the citizens of that locality such 
 genuine sentiments of loyalty and devotion to the 
 Federal Government as I found in Captain Rose. 
 
 I moved on leisurely, examining the railroad as I 
 went, but saw nothing worthy of attention after I left 
 Captain Rose until two miles West of VanBuren, where 
 the road from Whitesville comes in. As I came near 
 that place, I saw two rebel cavalrymen, who had 
 been coming up the Grand Junction road, turn ofj 
 toward Whitesville.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 115 
 
 " Halloo, boys ! " said I, hailing- them, " stop a 
 minute; I want to see you." 
 
 " We havn't time to stop," answered one ; " our 
 company has gone on to Whites ville, and we want 
 to overtake it." 
 
 They dashed ahead without stopping. Their re- 
 ply, however, answered my purpose. " A company 
 of cavalry had gone to Whitesville," and it remained 
 for mo to find out what it had gone for. The two 
 men were without luggage, from which I concluded 
 they would return the next day ; and, knowing that 
 the rebel forces were principally at Lumpkins' Mills' 
 it seemed probable that when the company returned 
 it would pass through Lagrange, so I resolved to go 
 on to Lagrange that night. It was then nearly 
 dark. 
 
 I arrived at Lagrange about 11 o'clock at night, 
 and halted at the depot. It was very dark, and 
 every body had retired for the night, and, not liking 
 to blunder about the place for lodging, lest I might 
 encounter some rebel cavalry, I lay down upon the 
 depot platform, with my bridle over my arm, ready 
 to spring up at the slightest alarm, and went to 
 sleep. 
 
 In the morning I repaired to a house of entertain- 
 ment, kept by a Mr. Lee, and procured some break- 
 fast for myself and feed for my mule. There I 
 waited for the return of the cavalry. About 1 o'clock, 
 P. M., they came in and halted to feed. 
 
 I did not think that it was prudent to mingle with 
 the cavalry while they remained in town, so I had
 
 110 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 my mule got ready, and remained at the public 
 house until the cavalry commenced to move out, 
 when I mounted and moved out on the same road 
 in their rear, and, at a short distance from town, I 
 came up with them. I rode along in company with 
 them, as if I were a citizen returning to my home 
 from town. 
 
 I asked the boys how they liked soldiering, and 
 whether they had ever been in any lights, and what 
 regiment they belonged to, and various other ques- 
 tions, such as I supposed a citizen would naturally 
 ask ; and, finally, I inquired where they had been, 
 and was told that they had been to Whitesville, on 
 a scout, to see whether the Yankees had been com- 
 mitting any depredations on the property of the citi- 
 zens. In that manner I kept up my conversation 
 until we were within three miles of the Cold Water, 
 without having excited any suspicion but what I 
 was all right. 
 
 I had gone as far as I cared about, and began to 
 think up some plan by which I could make my exit 
 from their company without exciting suspicion. To 
 accomplish my objeqt, I gradually fell back to the 
 rear, and the first rise of ground that the cavalry 
 went over, that was large euough to hide me, from 
 view until I could get a good start on my way back, 
 I turned about and left them. 
 
 I moved along on a good fast trot, occasionally 
 looking back to see if I was pursued. I had made 
 about four miles, when on looking back, I saw a 
 squad of about fifteen cavalry in full chase after
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 117 
 
 me. My sudden departure had excited their suspi- 
 cions. I put the spurs to my mule and dashed ahead 
 at the top of its speed. My pursuers gained on me. 
 I urged my mule still harder, and still they con- 
 tinued to gain. My situation seemed a hopeless one. 
 I could not outstrip them in the chase, and they were 
 rapidly gaining on me. If captured, my flight under 
 the circumstances would be conclusive evidence 
 against me. Still, on I pressed, the distance between 
 myself and pursuers growing rapidly less. My mule, 
 too, was becoming exhausted, and my pursuers wero 
 within five hundred yards of me. I had come full 
 three miles since I saw them giving chase. Passing 
 a bend in the road, with a growth of small trees and 
 brush along the fence that hid me from view, I came 
 to a gap in the fence, through which I passed into a 
 field. The field was covered with stubble and tall 
 weeds. I dashed ahead at right angles with the road 
 for about two hundred yards, when I came to where 
 an old house once stood. I found here an old cistern 
 which had caved in, and tall weeds were growing 
 round it. I dismounted and led my mule down into 
 this hole and we were completely hid from view. In 
 a few moments I heard the tramp of horses as my 
 pursuers passed on. 
 
 I had despaired of making my escape, but as my 
 pursuers passed by, hope began to revive. It was 
 then about sundown. I waited there until dark, and 
 then mounted my mule and started on. I knew that 
 they would soon return, and I must manage so as 
 not to be seen. When I arrived at the place where
 
 118 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the road turns off to the right, that goes to Davis' 
 Mills, I turned to the left into the edge of a piece 
 of woods where I could see without being seen, and 
 halted. 
 
 In a few minutes I heard my pursuers approach- 
 ing, who, when they came to the corners, took the 
 road to Davis' Mills. I remained under cover of 
 the woods until I thought all stragglers of the party, 
 if there should be any, had passed, and then went 
 on, watching carefully as I went. 
 
 As I was riding along, the thought occurred to me 
 that perhaps, my pursuers might have mistrusted 
 that I had turned out into the field to evade them, 
 and had placed a picket on the bridge across Wolf 
 River, near Lagrange, to capture me if I attempted 
 to cross. I rode on to within two hundred yards 
 of the bridge, and there I left my mule and went 
 forward to reconnoiter. When within a few paces 
 of the bridge I stopped and listened, but did not 
 hear any thing. I moved a few feet further, and then 
 I thought I heard a footstep. I crept up still closer, 
 and peered forward in the black distance, and there 
 I could see, on the bridge, the form of a man. I 
 watched and he moved. There was no mistake 
 about it ! My fears were realized ! The picket was 
 there ! 
 
 The glimmerings of hope that had lightened me 
 up as my pursuers passed me now vanished. I was 
 completely cornered. The only bridge besides that 
 one was on the Davis Mills road, and my pursuers 
 were on that road. Between the two bridges was
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 119 
 
 an extensive cypress swamp, and below the bridge 
 that I was at was another swamp still worse. 
 The only possible way that I could see to evade 
 my pursuers was to cross the swamp between 
 the two bridges. To think of the undertaking 
 was horrible ! 
 
 I crept cautiously back to my mule, mounted, and 
 rode through a dense growth of brush to my left 
 until I reached the edge of the swamp, where I 
 halted. To undertake to cross in daylight would be 
 hazardous, and in the dark utterly impossible ; so I 
 concluded to wait until morning before making the 
 attempt. I laid down upon the ground, with my 
 bridle over my arm, with the venomous insects and 
 serpents as my companions, and the intervening brush 
 over my head and the broad canopy of heaven, cur- 
 tained with black clouds, my only covering. Such 
 surroundings are not very conducive to sleep, but 
 exhausted nature soon yielded, and I slept, and slept 
 soundly so soundly that when I awoke in the morn- 
 ing the sun was two hours high. 
 
 The mule, to satisfy its hunger, had eaten the 
 leaves from the bushes, around where I lay, as far as 
 it could reach, and yet it had neither pulled away 
 from me nor disturbed my slumbers, but had been 
 as careful of me and manifested as much attachment 
 for me as a faithful dog would for his master. 
 
 The mule had been presented to me by General 
 Ross and had been a common sharer with me in the 
 exposures and dangers that I had experienced, and 
 had borne mo safely thus far, and was, perhaps, to
 
 120 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 be the only friendly companion to witness the end that 
 would befall me. 
 
 I had not tasted a mouthful of food since I had 
 eaten my breakfast, at the public house, the morning 
 before, and I was not in a very fit state of body or 
 mind to accomplish such an undertaking as was then 
 before me. The tug- of war had conic, however, and 
 the Rubicon had to be crossed. 
 
 Leading my mule by the bridle, I started in, some- 
 times at midsides in mire and water, and then on 
 top of a bog or root, and then splash into the water 
 again, stopping occasionally to drive away the pois- 
 onous water-snakes which infest these swamps. On 
 I went, clambering, wallowing, splashing, and 
 plunging! As all things earthly have an end, so 
 had that swamp ; and, in spite of venomous mocca- 
 sins, tangled brush, cypress trees, mire and water, I 
 reached the river, which we forded. 
 
 Myself and mule were frightful looking objects, 
 from the mire we had wallowed through, and, before 
 going any further, it became necessary for me to clean 
 off the mule to prevent suspicion. Several hours 
 were spent in cleaning and drying before I felt safe 
 to venture out. 
 
 As soon as I thought prudent, I mounted my mule 
 and rode on across the country. I passed to the east 
 of Lagrange,in sight of town, keeping a sharp look-out 
 for cavalry. When I reached the Memphis and Co- 
 rinth stage road, I took my course toward Bolivar. 
 
 When about two miles from Grand Junction, I 
 saw approaching me from the east, and a long way
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 121 
 
 anead, three persons on horseback. I resolved to 
 face the music this time, let come what would. My 
 recent experience at running had satisfied me. As 
 they came nearer, I saw that they were dressed like 
 citizens, which very much relieved my anxiety. 
 
 One of them was a very large man, of roughly 
 defined outline, with light hair and a red face ; the 
 second was a medium-sized man, of fair appearance, 
 and the third was a little man, with small, round 
 face, black hair, and sharp, black eyes. Their cloth- 
 ing was made of homespun cloth. As they met me, 
 two came up on one side and one on the other, and 
 halted ; so I halted. 
 
 " Good afternoon, stranger ! " said the big man, as 
 we halted. 
 
 " Good afternoon, gentlemen ! " I replied. 
 
 " That's a fine mule you are riding," continued 
 the big man. 
 
 " Yes, it is a tolerably good one." 
 
 " Well, mister, we want that mule, and we are 
 going to have it. Get off from that mule said the 
 big man. Each of them, at the same time, drew out 
 a derringer and pointed it at me. 
 
 " You are the strongest party," said I, " and I 
 suppose that you must have it." 
 
 I dismounted, and, at the same time, two of them 
 dismounted, and the big man took possession of the 
 mule. It was like parting with a last friend to give 
 up my favorite. 
 
 " Have you got any money ? " said the little man, 
 coining up and thrusting his hands into my pockets.
 
 122 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 He took out every thing that I had in them, and 
 then, casting his eyes toward my feet, said: " You 
 have got a good pair of hoots there ; we want them." 
 
 " Strangers," said, I, " that's going a little too far. 
 You have got my mule and got my money, and now 
 to take my hoots and leave me to walk twenty miles 
 to my home harefooted is too much. You can't have 
 them, unless you take them off from my dead bod?/. 
 
 "That is a little too hard,'' said the hig man; 
 "you may keep your hoots.'' 
 
 They then mounted and rode away, leading my 
 mule with them, in the direction from which they 
 came, and I followed behind them, on foot. It is not 
 often that I pray, but then I prayed. My prayer 
 was, "that the llth Illinois Cavalry ivould come 
 clashing down on the road from Bolivar, and capture 
 the lawless villains that had robbed me of my mule 
 and my money.'' 
 
 Hungry and fatigued, with twenty miles to travel 
 on foot, and that, too, upon the top of my misfor- 
 tunes of the night before, made me anything but 
 good-natured, and I muttered vengeance to the rob- 
 bers that had taken my favorite, if ever an opportu- 
 nity occurred. 
 
 When I reached the house of old Mr. Pruett, hunger 
 impelled me to stop. I found the people absent, 
 except a daughter and a young lady from a neigh- 
 boring family, that had called in. I found them 
 obliging and sociable, and in a lew minutes tll'eir 
 fair hands, secesh as they were, had spread for me 
 a bountiful repast, much to the delight of my raven-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 123 
 
 ous appetite. I told the ladies that I had been 
 robbed of my mule and money, and described to 
 them the villains that had done it. The lady that 
 had called in said that they answered the description 
 of three outlaws that had robbed her uncle, a few 
 days before, of $3,000 in ' gold, that he had just 
 received for his cotton, and then beat him on the 
 head with their derringers, until they supposed ho 
 was dead, for having sold his cotton to the Yankees. 
 She also said that they were supposed to live near 
 Riplcy, Miss. 
 
 Having satisfied my hunger, I resumed my walk 
 toward Bolivar. When I came to the railroad crossing, 
 I followed the railroad. I was too tired to make ra- 
 pid progress, and made frequent stops to rest myself. 
 When I arrived at Middlcburg it was between 9 and 
 10 o'clock at night. As I was about passing a well 
 near the depot platform, I saw a person drawing a, 
 bucket of water. Being thirsty, I stopped and asked 
 for a drink. I recognized the man as the merchant 
 that kept the brick store near by ; he, however, did 
 not know me. He handed me a drink, and when I 
 returned him the cup, he inquired if I had any news. 
 I told him there was no news. 
 
 " Have you got a Southern paper ? " 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 " I would give ten dollars for a Southern paper, I 
 feel anxious to hear from Baton Rouge." 
 
 "I have no paper and no news from Baton Rouge." 
 
 " Where are you from ? " 
 
 " Holly Springs."
 
 124 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "You from Holly Springs, and ha' n't got any 
 news ! " 
 
 "Look 'e here, mister, you are a stranger to me; 
 I do'nt know who you are." 
 
 " Oh ! I am all right ! " 
 
 " Well, I do'nt know you. I am sent up here on 
 special "business," said I, in a confidential way. 
 
 11 Oh! that's it, is it? I didn't know that!" Then, 
 patting me on the shoulder, he said, " Go on ! that's 
 right! I hope you will have good luck and get 
 through." 
 
 Before daylight next morning I was once more in 
 camp at Bolivar. 
 
 The next January, as the army was on its way 
 hack from its campaign in Mississippi, while riding 
 along in advance of the infantry, I came across my 
 favorite mule. It was in company K, of the 7th 
 Kansas Cavalry. I went to Captain Bostwick, who 
 was in command of the company, and told him that 
 he had my mule, and how I came by it and how I 
 lost it, and also described the men that took it away 
 from me. The Captain returned me the mule, and 
 told rne that, while making a raid near Ripley, Mis- 
 sissippi, during the fall, he had captured three men 
 of the description I had given, and with tKcrn eigh- 
 teen mules, including mine, and that the men had 
 been sent to Alton, 111., as guerrillas; so I never had 
 an opportunity of retaliating on them for their outrage 
 to me. I am fully convinced that they were profes- 
 sional robbers, and belonged to neither army.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Starts to find General Bragg's forces "Wools" the secesh farmer Re- 
 ceives a bottle of ram Guerrillas washing stockings Finds Bragg's 
 advance Recognized as a Yankee spy Ordered off his mule to be 
 shot The clamor of the crowd Recognized as a Confederate spy 
 Rebel surgeon vouches for him Is released Gray-headed'rebel brought 
 to justice The Sutler of the 2d Arkansas Cavalry a prisoner What 
 became of the guerrillas that were washing stockings. 
 
 ON one occasion Gen. Ptoss instructed me to go out 
 on the Somerville road and see if I could find any of 
 Daniels' guerrillas. 
 
 " Every time," said he, " that I send out a forage 
 party they will bushwhack them. Now go out twelve 
 miles, and if you find them don't bring on an en- 
 gagement, but come back and report, and I will send 
 out the 2d Illinois Cavalry and try and capture the 
 lawless villians." 
 
 I took with me twenty men armed with Spencer 
 rifles. We went out 12 miles and had returned within 
 four miles of camp without seeing a guerrilla. 
 
 Said the boys, "let us go down and get some sup- 
 per at old man Woods'." 
 
 " Well," said I, " let us go respectfully," so we 
 marched down in two ranks, right face, at a right 
 shoulder shift arms, and halting in front of the house, 
 I said, "good evening Mr. Woods."
 
 126 THE GBEAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Good evening! " said he. 
 
 " Now said I, Mr. Woods, I know you are a good 
 Union man, wouldn't you like to bestow a little hos- 
 pitality on a few Federal soldiers ? " 
 
 " Oh ! if you insist upon it. I know if you say 
 supper, it must come ! I'm pretty well drilled." 
 
 We ate supper and I offered to pay in Confederate 
 money. "No! I don't want it! I don't want any Con- 
 federate money!" "Good evening," said I, "we must 
 be going." 
 
 When we were about twenity rods from the house 
 I saw a little negro boy on a run, hat in hand. I 
 halted my men and says to the darkey, " My littlo 
 man, what's the matter? Where have you been?" 
 
 " Ole massa Woods tole me to go out into cotton 
 patch and tell the overseer to tell young Massa Woods 
 there was a whole lot of Lincoln scouts at his house." 
 
 "Now, boys," said I, "we'll find them directly." 
 We started on quick time, when the boys says, "Gen- 
 eral, what's your hurry ? " 
 
 " My instruction from General Ross is not to bring 
 on any engagement. They will be on us in a few 
 minutes." , 
 
 " Let them come," said the boys, "we're ready for 
 them ! " 
 
 "Well," said I, "boys! If you want to fight and will 
 stand up to the work, I'll stay out with you." 
 
 "Well, General, let's have a brush with them! " 
 
 " Come on," says I, " let us get into that square 
 
 patch of woods, and wait till they come." There 
 
 were about five acres with cleared fields all around it.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 
 
 127 
 
 I sent out two men as decoys on the North and South 
 West. In about 20 minutes we saw them coming. 
 I called in my decoys and we all hid in the woods. 
 
 Daniels with his sixty guerrillas formed a triangle, 
 twenty men on each side, between us and camp, 
 lie then sent a man with a flag of truce. It consisted 
 of a handkerchief tied to a stick. I stepped out of 
 the woods, and asked what he wanted. He said, 
 Lieut. D. demanded a surrender of the woods without 
 firing a shot, and if we did not, he would murder 
 every one of us. I told him to tell Daniels, if he 
 wanted the woods to come up and get them. 
 
 In a few minutes we heard him give the command 
 forward ! 
 
 The boys were now eager for a shot. Said I, "Keep 
 cool, keep cool, boys, and don't shoot tilt I have, and 
 pick out your man, but don't all shoot at Daniels ! n 
 When within twenty feet of the woods, I fired my 
 revolver at their leader, and in an instant a volley 
 from the boys emptied fourteen saddles. 
 
 Such a panic among a squad of guerrillas has sel- 
 dom been seen. We followed them with our seven 
 shooters till they were out of sight. 
 
 " Now, boys, let us go into camp. But if you want 
 another brush, we can have it." "Agreed," said the 
 boys, " let 's try 'em again." 
 
 "Arms port," said I, "forward, and double quick!" 
 On we went, and the guerrillas saw us running and 
 thought it was their time to retaliate, and under fall 
 spur they charged upon us. We formed a skirmish 
 line across the road and met them.
 
 128 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 After firing some twenty rounds, the enemy gave 
 back, reformed the line, and charged again, and we 
 met them as before, and our firing brought out the 2nd 
 111. cavalry to our support, when the rebels broke and 
 run in every direction. We then returned to camp, and 
 I went with my report to Gen. Ross. He said, "I in- 
 structed you not to bring on an engagement, what 
 did you do it for ? " I said, " the guerrillas got be- 
 tween us and camp, and we had to shoot ahole through 
 to get back." He said, " I know better, and you 
 ought to be Court-martialed for disobeying orders, 
 and you may consider yourself under arrest." 
 
 I wrote to General Grant, then at Jackson, Tenn., 
 gave him the particulars and he instructed General 
 Ross to release me, saying, when he sent out scouts, 
 and the enemy got between them and camp, if ho 
 did not allow them to use their guns, he had better 
 arm them with broom-handles, as they would be 
 lighter to carry. 
 
 The next trip that I made was under the following 
 instructions from General Ross : 
 
 " I understand," said he, " by report from citizens, 
 that General Bragg is coming this way with his forces, 
 and I want to know whether he really is coining or 
 not, and on what road and with how much force. I 
 want you to go to Somerville, and if you find noth, 
 ing there, go to Lagrange, and thence to Grand June- 
 tion, Saulsbury, Middleton, and Pocahontas, and then 
 back. If you find a force at any place in your route, 
 you will come immediately back and report. You 
 will make the trip with as little delay as possible.
 
 SCOUT AND SPV. 129 
 
 I received my instructions in the evening, and 
 early the next morning, in the disguise of a well- 
 dressed citizen, mounted on a mule, I was on my 
 way. During the cool of the morning I traveled 
 along at a smart trot, and by sunrise I had made 
 about eight miles. When about twelve miles out, I 
 was about passing a plantation house, when an old 
 planter, who was feeding some hogs near the road, 
 motioned me to stop. 
 
 " Good morning, stranger," said he, as I reined up. 
 
 "trood morning, sir." 
 
 " Where have you been ? " 
 
 " Oh, ho, ho, ho ; I have been to Bolivar," said I, 
 laughing. " I have been there a week, and I know 
 all about the Yankee forces in there, and now, if I 
 can only find General Bragg, then I am all right ! " 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! I am delighted to hear it. Won't 
 you alight and come in ? " 
 
 " Well, yes, I don't care if I do ; for I have been 
 riding since before daylight ? " 
 
 I dismounted and went in, and, as soon as I was 
 seated, the old man inquired who I was. 
 
 " I have been acting the Yankee, and I belong to 
 General Bragg' s command." 
 " You do ? " 
 "Yes, sir!" 
 
 II How did you manage to get into Bolivar ? " 
 
 " Oh, I told them that I was a Union man, and 
 wanted to go in and take the oath. 
 
 "Well, there is right smart of them gets in that way, 
 but there a' n't many of them that 'thinks it binding." 

 
 130 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " You have taken the oath, I suppose." 
 
 "Yes, we all do that. But, come, breakfast is ready 
 sit up and eat some breakfast." 
 
 "Thank you; my ride this morning makes me 
 quite hungry." 
 
 The breakfast and feed for my mule was just 
 what I wanted, and his invitation saved me the 
 trouble of asking for it. 
 
 With a profusion of thanks and good wishes to 
 them, I bade them adieu, and resumed my journey. 
 Somewhere near three miles east of Somervill^is a 
 beautiful spring, that makes its exit from the ground 
 beneath a group of shady elm trees. There I saw 
 three men, engaged in washing their stockings! It 
 is not usual for men to wash their own stockings in 
 the ordinary peaceful avocations of life, and the fact 
 of their being so engaged, and also dressed like citi- 
 zens, was conclusive evidence to me that they were 
 guerrillas. Riding down to the spring and dismount- 
 ing, I said, "Look'e here boys; can I have a drink?" 
 To which they assented, and having drank I mounted 
 my mule and rode on. 
 
 Finding no troops at Somerville, on my arrival, I 
 continued on, taking the road that leads south to 
 La grange, which place I reached late in the afternoon. 
 There I found four regiments of infantry and two re- 
 giments of cavalry. They had just arrived, and had 
 not yet thrown out any pickets. The advance cavalry 
 had but just entered the town, and the other troops 
 were coming in the distance. 
 
 I rode along into town among the soldiers, as fa-
 
 * I
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 131 
 
 miliarly as if I belonged to the place, and stopped 
 near the drug store. Standing within a few feet of 
 the drug store, was a large, corpulent, red-faced old 
 man, with hair almost white, leaning upon a walk- 
 ing-staff: near by was a Colonel, dismounted, and 
 leaning with his left hand upon his saddle; all about 
 were cavalry. As I reined up, the old man painted 
 to me and said, " Colonel, there is a Yankee spy ; he 
 ought to be shot. I know him, Colonel, arid know 
 that he is a Yankee spy." 
 
 " If he is a Yankee spy he shall be shot." 
 
 " I have seen him before. I know that he is a 
 Yankee spy." 
 
 " A Yankee spy ! " ''A Yankee spy ! " Shoot 
 him ! " " Hang him ! " cried out the soldiers, rush- 
 ing up to get a sight of me. 
 
 " Where do you belong ? " inquired the Colonel. 
 
 " My home is in Osceola, Mississippi County, Ar- 
 kansas ; but I am from Memphis now." 
 
 " What are you doing here ? " 
 
 " I have been out to Somerville, and beyond to- 
 ward Bolivar, to see some friends." 
 
 " Yes, Bolivar ! " cried the old man ; " the rascal 
 has just come from Bolivar, and there is where he 
 belongs. I tell you Colonel, I know him ; I know 
 that he is a Yankee spy." 
 
 " Well, if you know him to be a Yankee spy, I'll 
 shoot him. (Addressing me, and drawing his re- 
 volver and cocking it:) "Get off from your mule." 
 
 I dismounted, and one of the soldiers led my mule 
 to one side, and the crowd opened behind me. The
 
 132 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 excitement was intense, and the crowd dense, and, in 
 its excitement, it swayed to and fro like an angry mob, 
 and cries went up from every direction, " Hang him!" 
 " shoot him ! " " shoot the rascal ! " I cannot picture 
 the horror that filled me. In all that vast multitude, 
 there was not a friendly eye to witness my doom! 
 To escape was utterly impossible ! Die I must by 
 the hands cf traitors, and my fate be wrapped in 
 oblivion to my comrades and relatives ! A cold tre- 
 mor crept over me, and such indescribable sensations 
 filled me as makes me shudder when I think of it. 
 
 Just then Dr. Biggs, surgeon of the 4th Tennes- 
 see Infantry, stepped out of the drug store to learn 
 the cause of the excitement. As he came out, he 
 saw me and recognized me as the Confederate spy 
 that had been captured by the Federal pickets near 
 his house, and who had eaten breakfast with him. 
 
 " Colonel, you are gwine to shoot the wrong man 
 thar," said the doctor. " I know that ar man, and 
 I know who he is and whar he belongs. He is no 
 Yankee spy." 
 
 "I know that he is a Yankee spy," said the old man. 
 
 " I know better" said the doctor ; " and if you 
 kill him, you kill the wrong man. You ar not a 
 gwine to find out his business : and if you kill him, 
 he'll not tell you. I know that he is all right. I have 
 seen him in a tighter place than he is in now." Then 
 stepping to the soldier that held my mule, he snatch- 
 ed the bridle out of his hand, and, turning to me, he 
 said : " Here, take your mule ; they are not a gwine 
 to shoot you." Then turning to the Colonel, and
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 133 
 
 stamping his foot on the ground, he said : " You are 
 not a gwine to shoot that man, for I KNOW that he is 
 all right ! " 
 
 " Well, doctor, if you know that he is all right, 
 and are willing to vouch for him, I'll let him go." 
 " I will vouch for him, for I know who he is." 
 Then turning to me, he said : " Get on your mule 
 and go about your business ; they are not a gwine 
 to hurt you." 
 
 I mounted my mule and the soldiers opened the 
 way for me, and I went a sailing out of town ; and 
 I don't think I was very long in getting hack to 
 Bolivar. 
 
 I tell you, reader, in that Doctor Biggs I fully 
 realized that "a friend in need was a friend indeed.''' 
 His appearance at that critical moment was as un- 
 expected as would have been a visit from an angel 
 in heaven. When I reported to General Ross, I 
 narrated to him my adventure. 
 
 "Bunker," said he, "don't you know that when a 
 man goes out as a spy, he goes, as it were, with a 
 rope round his neck,- ready for any body to draw it 
 tight?" 
 
 " Yes, I think I had a slight hint of that fact on 
 this trip." 
 
 I resolved that if ever an opportunity offered, the 
 old, gray-headed rebel at Lagrange should be brought 
 to account for his treatment ; so I went to the Pro- 
 vost-marshal and gave him a narrative of the adven- 
 ture, and a description of the rebel, so that in case 
 he should ever visit the place, he might be captured.
 
 134 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 About two months after the foregoing adventure, 
 Lagrange was occupied "by Federal troops, and Col. 
 Norton, the same officer that was Provost-marshal in 
 Bolivar, now commanded the post. As I was passing 
 along the streets, one day, I saw, not four feet from 
 the place where I first met him, the old, grey-headed 
 rebel, with his staff in his hand. His appearance 
 was permanently stereotyped in my mind, and I 
 could not be mistaken in the man who had so nearly 
 deprived me of my life. 
 
 Drawing my revolver, I walked up to him, saying, 
 " You old, gray-headed rebel ! do you remember the 
 'Yankee spy?' Do you 'know him' now? Have 
 you 'seen him before ? ' ' 
 
 " What do you mean ? " said he ; " I don't under- 
 stand you ! " 
 
 "l"o?/ dont know what I mean! You don't re- 
 member telling the rebel Colonel, standing in the 
 tracks where you now stand, '/ know him ; I have 
 seen him before ; I know that he is a Yankee spij ! ' 
 Don't tell me, you old, gray-headed villain, that you 
 dont know what I mean! You start with mo to the 
 commender of the post, or I '11 blow your brains out 
 here!" 
 
 The old fellow led the way and I followed, with 
 my revolver cocked. 
 
 . " Colonel," said I, as wo entered his office, " here 
 is the old, gray-headed devil that said to the rebel 
 Colonel, 'Kill the Yankee spy' ; and I have brought 
 him in for you to dispose of." 
 
 "Bunker," said the Colonel, "a' n't you mistaken?"
 
 SCOUT AND SPi'. 135 
 
 "No, I a'n't! I know him, and I found him stand- 
 ing in the very place where ho tried to have me 
 shot!" Then turningtothe old man, I said: "Didn't 
 you toll the rebel Colonel, that I was a Yankee spy, 
 and try to have him shoot me ? tell me the truth, or 
 I 'II kill you right here!" 
 
 " Ye-yes, I believe I d-do recollect it now-" 
 
 "You old whelp! You deserve to be shot! " said the 
 Colonel. " Here I have been guarding your house, 
 and guarding your mules, and boarding with you ; 
 and you representing yourself to have always been a 
 Union man, and the oath in your pocket that you took 
 last summer! " Then turning to me, he said : "Bunker, 
 I '11 dispose of him as he ought to be." 
 
 *' Thank you, Colonel, I wish you would." 
 
 The next morning the guards were removed from 
 the old man's premises,' and ho was put aboard the 
 cars, in irons, destined to go North. 
 
 A day or two afterward I happened to be passing 
 by where a number of rebel prisoners were_connned, 
 and there I saw the sutler of the 2d Arkansas Cav- 
 alry (the regiment that I run with so long). The 
 sutler knew me, and motioned to rne to come in ; so 
 I got pcsrnission of the officer in charge to go in and 
 see him. lie still supposed that I was secesh. 
 
 ''Rnggles," said he, " I am here under arrest as a 
 guerrilla. Now, you know that I am no guerrilla, 
 but a regularly authorized sutler in the 2d Arkansas 
 Cavalry. I wish you would see the commander of the 
 post and explain that fact to him, so that I may be 
 treated as a prisoner of war, and not as an outlaw."
 
 130 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "Well, I will tell him what I know about .it. 
 Perhaps ho will recognize you as a prisoner of war." 
 
 " Thank you ! Do what you can for me. But, 
 between you and I, (speaking confidentially,) I quit 
 sutlering and joined a band of guerrillas, because I 
 thought that I could make more money at it. It 
 was all bad management that we got captured." 
 
 Just then another prisoner came up, and, taking 
 me by the hand, said, " Don't you know me ? " 
 
 " No, I don't remember you, as I know of." 
 
 " Do you remember of seeing three men at the 
 spring, three miles east of Somervillc, last summer, 
 when you were riding by; when you stopped to 
 drink?" 
 
 " Oh, yes ! I do recollect it now." 
 
 " Well, we are the men." 
 
 " Are you ? " 
 
 " Yes. Now, you know that we are only citizens, 
 and that we don't belong to any guerrilla band." 
 
 " Of course I do ! You are no guerrillas ! " 
 
 " If you please, I want to have you go and see 
 the commanding officer, and tell him that we are not 
 guerrillas, but peaceable, quiet citizens." 
 
 " Certainly, boys ! I'll help you out of this, if I 
 can ? " 
 
 I went to the commander of the post and told him 
 what " / knew about them" and did all I could to 
 " get them out of that" and a few days after they 
 were all sent North in irons.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 137 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Reconnoitcrs Hickory Flats \vit!i a squad of seven men Shoots at the 
 mark Orders to march with two days' rations Cause of the alarm 
 IJcconnoiter beyond Whitesville Major Mudd's trap " Bunker" en- 
 tices the rebs into it Rides into the trap behind a rebel Captain 
 Sent out beyond Pocahontas Passes as a rebel artillerist Sccesh 
 citizens stands guard for him The very kind secesh lady The anxious 
 wife Discovers guerrillas burning a human being. 
 
 NEAR the close of September, General Ilurlbut 
 arrived at Bolivar, with his division, from Memphis, 
 and assumed command of the post. General Ross 
 recommended me to him as a reliable and successful 
 spy. I knew the General, but never had worked for 
 him. I will here acknowledge that I am indebted 
 to General Hurl but for some of the best lessons that 
 I have ever received in regard to my duties as a spy. 
 
 The first time that I went out for General Hurlbut, 
 he told me that he wanted I should go out to the 
 Hickory Flats, and scout all over the flats and see if 
 I could find any rebel cavr.lry. I asked the privilege 
 of taking seven men with me, which was granted, 
 and I was told to select such men as I preferred. 
 At that time detachments of the enemy, mostly ca. 
 valry, were scattered about the country, watching 
 for opportunities to annoy us, by attacking our forage 
 parties, and making raids upon the railroad that we
 
 138 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 depended upon. to transport our supplies. It had been 
 extremely difficult to find such detachments, "becausr 
 they usually stayed but a short time in a place, and 
 generally encamped in some back, out-of-the-way 
 place, concealed by swamps, woods, and cane-brakes, 
 reached by unfrequented roads or paths. The object 
 of my trip was to examine thoroughly the Ilickoey 
 Flats and its vicinity for any such detachments. 
 
 I selected my men, and proceeded to the place and 
 examine it, so far as I could, on the day that I went 
 out. I remained there over night, and in the morn- 
 ing resumed my work, and by noon had thoroughly 
 rcconnoitcrcd the locality, without having discovered 
 any detachments of the enemy. We then eat dinner, 
 and prepared to return. 
 
 As we were about to leave, Sergeant Quackcnbush, 
 one of my squad, proposed that, inasmuch as we were 
 fifteen miles away from camp, I allow the men to 
 shoot a few rounds at a mark, for practice. Not 
 thinking that there could be any serious consequences 
 resulting from it, I consented. "We all engaged in 
 shooting, following one after the other in quick suc- 
 cession, until we had fired, in all, forty-seven shots. 
 1 was not aware that any other scouting party had 
 been sent out. Having finished our shooting, we re- 
 turned to camp. It was late when we arrived, and, 
 being very tired, I deferred reporting to General Hurl- 
 but until the next morning. 
 
 About 2 o'clock in the morning the troops were 
 wakened up, and given orders to put two days' cooked 
 rations in their haversacks, and be ready to inarch
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 139 
 
 at a moments notice. It seemed a strange move for 
 me, for I thought that I was as well posted as any 
 body of the whereabouts of the enemy. I could not 
 comprehend what the move meant. 
 
 My curiosity became so excited about it, tliat I 
 started for head-quarters to report much earlier than 
 I otherwise would have done. As I passed the differ- 
 ent camps, every thing was bustle and hurry, with 
 preparations for a march. The cavalry horses were 
 saddled and the artillery horses harnessed, in prepara- 
 tions for a move. Something was up, sure, and I 
 wondered what it could be. 
 
 " What's up ? What do you think is the matter?" 
 said I, calling to an artilleryman, as I passed. 
 
 " The cavalry that went out yesterday reported a 
 large force of rebel cavalry on the Hickory Flats, 
 and I expect that we are going out there," was the 
 reply. 
 
 It was all clear enough then ! I had done the 
 mischief! I felt badly worked up about it. I knew 
 that I had no business to fire a gun ; but I was so 
 far away that I did- not suppose any of our forces 
 would hear it. It was my first scout for General 
 Ilurlbut, and I expected that it would destroy his 
 confidence in me. I expected a severe rebuke, at 
 least, and I dreaded to report. I determined, how- 
 ever, to face thej^ music, let come what would ; so I 
 went in. 
 
 " Good morning, General," said I, saluting him as 
 I went in. " I have got back." 
 
 " Good morningf, Bunker. What's the news ? "
 
 140 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Nothing ; I haven't got any news this morn- 
 ing." 
 
 " Where did you go ?" 
 
 "I went right where you told me to go out to 
 Hickory Flats, and back, by way of Middleburg, to 
 camp." 
 
 " Have you been out to the Hickory Flats ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Did you see any rebel cavalry there ?" 
 
 "No, sir, I did riot." 
 
 " Well, Bunker, your report and that of the caval- 
 ry don't agree at all." 
 
 " I can't help it, General ; I have been right where 
 you told me to go, and I did not see any rebel cav- 
 alry." 
 
 "Bunker!" said the General with emphasis, "do 
 you come here and tell me that you have been down 
 on Hickory Flats, and that there is no rebel cavalry 
 there ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir, I do. I know what the trouble is. I 
 expect that I'll catch ' Hail Columbia' now ! I caused 
 the mischief." 
 
 "How so?" 
 
 "After I finished my reconnoissance yesterday, 
 before starting back, I allowed the men to fire at the 
 mark, and they kept up a pretty brisk fire until they 
 had fired forty-seven shots. I suspect that the cavalry 
 has been out there and heard it. . I knew that we 
 were fifteen miles away from camp, and I did not 
 think that we might cause an alarm by it." 
 
 "That's a fact, is it?"
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 141 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "Very well; that will do. Be careful the next 
 time." 
 
 An hour later all was quiet in camp ; the horses 
 were unharnessed, and everything moved off as usual. 
 
 A little incident took place during a reconnoissance 
 to a small town on the right bank of the Hatchie 
 River, West of Whitesville, some time in September, 
 1862, that I will here narrate. 
 
 A brigade of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, a 
 battery of artillery, and the detachment known as the 
 "mule cavalry" constituted the force. The cavalry 
 was the 2d Illinois, under the command of Major 
 Mudd. When within four miles of the town, the in- 
 fantry and artillery halted, and the 2d Illinois and 
 mule cavalry went on to the river. 
 
 On several occasions, scouting parties of cavalry 
 had dashed into the town, and they had always found 
 some rebel cavalry, who, on the approach of the 
 Federal cavalry, would break, taking a path that led 
 to a ford across the river, and hide themselves among 
 the canes that grew upon the bottoms along the river. 
 To prevent their escape, on this occasion, Major Mudd 
 sent two companies and the "mule cavalry" by the 
 road into town, and took the balance of his command 
 down the river to the ford that I have mentioned, and 
 disposed his men among the canes in such a way as 
 not to be seen from the side of the river next to the 
 town, and, at the same time, be able to capture all 
 that crossed at the ford.
 
 142 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I accompanied the Major, and, after he had got 
 his men satisfactorily arranged, I undressed and 
 waded the river, which was about four feet deep and 
 about forty feet wide, to see how things looked on the 
 other side. Having dressed myself, I proceeded to 
 examine the locality. I found that, at a few paces 
 from the river, there was a path that turned down the 
 stream and crossed at a ford below where the Major 
 had set his trap. It was then too late to change the 
 disposal of the men, so I resolved to act as a " stool- 
 pigeon" to the Major's trap. I stationed myself where 
 I would be in plain view of any person that might 
 take the wrong path, and whenever a man would in- 
 cline to turn down the river I would motion him to 
 come toward me, as if I mistrusted there was some- 
 thing wrong down below, and as he came up, I would 
 say to him, as if by way of caution, " There is Lin- 
 coln cavalry down there ; you had better cross here." 
 
 Some rode across the ford without any enticing, 
 and others inclined to take the wrong path ; such I 
 would entice to take the right path. In this I was 
 successful at every attempt. My dress being like 
 that of a citizen, they did not mistrust my character. 
 I had succeeded in enticing five men into the trap, 
 when a rebel captain made his appearance, with a 
 pair of beautiful mouse-colored mules, as sleek as 
 moles, and manifested a disposition to take the wrong 
 path. He was riding one of the mules himself, and 
 a colored boy was riding the other. I motioned to 
 the captain to come toward me. As he came up 
 
 " There is Lincoln cavalry down that way," said I ;
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 143 
 
 " you had better cross here. What's the matter up 
 in town ?" 
 
 " The town is full of Lincolnites !" 
 
 " They'll be down here directly, then : I reckon we 
 had better get out of this. Won't you let me get on 
 behind you and ride across ?" 
 
 "Yes, come this way." He rode alongside of a 
 bank of earth, and I sprang on behind him. We 
 crossed the stream, and had ascended the bank on the 
 opposite side, when, discovering the Lincolnites, with 
 their carbines levelled at us, he exclaimed, "Whoa, 
 mule ! Captured ! Both of us ! Wall, that's too 
 bad ! Here I am, within five miles of my command, 
 -and captured !" 
 
 "That's a fact, Captain, but we can't help it now. 
 I expect we had better ride on up ; it's no place to 
 trade jackknives here !" So we went on. 
 
 " Whew !" said the Major, " that's the way I like 
 to see you come ; when you come, come double !" 
 
 We rode up to the Major, who ordered us to dis- 
 mount, and, taking possession of the mules, he said, 
 pointing to the group he had already captured : 
 "There, you had better go right down there, out of 
 sight ; that's the best place for you. How do you like 
 my trap, Captain ?" 
 
 " I think it's a very good one ; it caught me mighty 
 nice !" 
 
 He felt sold over his capture, and doubly so when 
 he learned that /had enticed him into the trap. The 
 Major having succeeded in entrapping eighteen " very 
 fine" rcbs, we returned with the brigade to Bolivar.
 
 144 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 On the 3d day of October, General Price attacked 
 General Rosecrans at Corinth, Miss., and, after a se- 
 vere engagement, was defeated and compelled to re- 
 treat. General Hurlbut immediately marched the 
 troops under his command to General Rosecrans' as- 
 sistance. On his way, he met the rebel army on its 
 retreat, while it was crossing the Hatchie River, and 
 completely routed it. 
 
 A few days after the return of General Hurlbut's 
 command to Bolivar, he sent me out to find where 
 the scattered fragments of General Price's army were 
 concentrating. I was allowed to take a man with 
 me, and was requested to make the trip as quickly as" 
 possible. As I was about leaving the General's 
 quarters, he called tome, "Here, come back!" I 
 went back, and he continued: "I want you to un- 
 derstand that you are to work for me now. I don't 
 want you to tattle on the picket-line. I have been 
 told that you have sometimes reported to your 
 colonel ; you might as well report to a corporal as to, 
 a colonel, unless he sends you out. I want you to 
 report to me." 
 
 "General, explain to me, if you please, what that 
 means. I have never reported to a colonel but once." 
 
 "Well that's once too much. That's the reason 
 the detachment of Armstrong's cavalry was not cap- 
 tured, that you reported to General Ross, the other 
 day." 
 
 I begged the General's pardon, and promised to 
 do better. I have been very careful since not to re- 
 port to anybody but the officer that sent me out.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 145 
 
 I selected Sergeant E. W. Quackenbush, of the 
 20th Ohio, to accompany me. He had been with me 
 on previous scouts. We were on foot, disguised like 
 rebel soldiers belonging to artillery. 
 
 Owing to the lateness of the hour of our departure, 
 when night came on we had made but about seven 
 miles. Stopping at the gate in front of a farmhouse, 
 just before dark, and, addressing the man of the 
 house, who was standing on the porch, I said : 
 " Halloo, mister, can we get a little supper here, and, 
 stay all night ?" 
 
 ' ' Well, no, sir ; the Yankees have done taken all 
 that I had ; you can't get any supper here." 
 
 "Partner," said I to the Sergeant, "let us go on. 
 Blast that man's picture ! he'll hear from me some da)' 
 to pay for treating his own soldiers in that way !" 
 
 "Hold on, soldiers!" said the man; "where do 
 you belong ?" 
 
 "I am Orderly Sergeant of Price's 1st Battery of 
 Artillery/' I replied, " and this man with me belongs 
 to the same battery. We were captured by the 
 Yankees, and have succeeded in getting away from 
 them ; we have been without anything to eat for 
 twenty-four hours." 
 
 "Yes, yes!" said the man's wife, who had heard 
 what had been said; "you can have something to 
 eat, and you can have - the best bed in the house ! 
 Come in, bo} 7 s, come in." 
 
 We went in and sat down. "You were in the 
 fight on the Hatchie, the other day, were you ?" said 
 the man. 
 
 7
 
 146 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Yes, till we g % ot captured." 
 
 " Well, how did the fight come off?" 
 
 "I can't tell you very much about it. When we 
 had fired only three rounds, some Lincoln cavalry 
 charged right up to us, and captured us and our bat- 
 tery, and immediately sent us to the rear ; conse- 
 quently, I don't know much about it." 
 
 " I declare !" said he ; "I would like to hear from 
 the fight!" 
 
 ' ' Have you lived in these parts long ?" 
 
 " Yes, I was raised in this county." 
 
 " You have taken the oath to the Lincoln Govern- 
 ment, I suppose ?" 
 
 " Yes, we all do that. I was obliged to do it, but 
 I don't consider it binding at all. I have been in 
 the Confederate army fifteen months ! You didn't 
 know that, did you, boys ?" 
 
 "No; you had better keep that thing to your- 
 self, for if the Yankees find it out they'll hang 
 you." 
 
 "Pshaw! lam not afraid of their finding it out. 
 But come, boys, I see that supper is ready ; sit up 
 and eat some supper." 
 
 The lady of the house had prepared us a meal 
 worthy of veterans in a nobler cause than we feigned 
 to represent. The table was bountifully supplied. 
 In times of peace a better table would rarely have 
 been set. It had been a long time since our eyes 
 had rested upon such a meal. I think, however, that 
 we did the subject justice. 
 
 Having finished our supper and shoved back, the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 147 
 
 Sergeant began to show signs of drowsiness, and in 
 a few minutes was asleep in the chair. "That's a 
 brave, gallant soldier," said I. "Very few men have 
 the daring and the courage that he possesses ; but I 
 see that the poor fellow is tired out with his hardships, 
 and has gone to sleep." 
 
 " Poor soldier !" exclaimed the lady. "How the poor 
 soldiers have to suffer !" 
 
 " Yes, and there are very few persons, outside of 
 the army, that realize the hardships and sufferings 
 that the soldiers have to endure." 
 
 " God bless their brave hearts!" she exclaimed ; "how 
 I do pity them!" 
 
 The " poor soldier" was wakened up and shown to 
 bed. Before retiring, I took off my belt and revolver, 
 and, handing it to the man, I said : " JSTow, mister, I 
 would like to ask another favor of you. Can't you 
 take this revolver and keep watch for us to-night, 
 while we sleep, so that we can both get one good 
 night's rest ? Can't you afford to do that much for 
 us ? We have got away from the Yankees, and we 
 don't want to be captured again." 
 
 " Yes, I'll stand guard for you. How did you keep 
 the Yankees from taking your revolver ?" 
 
 " I had it rolled up in my coat, and I carried my 
 coat under my arm ; they did not suspect that I had 
 one." 
 
 "Well, that was lucky, wasn't it?" 
 
 " Yes, it was lucky for me, but my partner lost 
 his." 
 
 I then retired to bed. Before I had gone to sleep,
 
 148 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the man visited my room, and said: " If the Yan- 
 kees come, yon must unhook the window-blind, shove 
 it open, and jump out, and run down into a gulley be- 
 hind the stable and hide, and when the Yankees are 
 all dun gone, I'll come down and tell you." For some 
 time before closing my eyes in sleep, I could hear the 
 man pacing back and forth across the floor, like a 
 sentry pacing his beat. The night passed away and 
 we enjoyed a most refreshing sleep, under the "guard- 
 ing influence" of our secesh friend. We arose carty 
 in the morning to renew our journey, and found our 
 guard still on duty. We were about to leave, when 
 the man said, " You'll stop with us to breakfast, won't 
 you ?" " No, I thank you ; we should be glad to, but 
 we must go, for I am afraid that the Yankees will be 
 after us by-and-by, and we do not want to get cap- 
 tured again. We are under very great obligations to 
 you for our excellent supper and the refreshing sleep 
 that we have had. You have been a soldier, and you 
 know, by experience, how very grateful a soldier feels 
 for such kindness." We then shook hands with him 
 and his wife, bade them a good-bye, and went on. 
 
 When we had travelled about six miles, we came 
 to a large, fine, white house, with every thing about 
 it that indicated wealth and refinement. Our walk 
 had created an appetite for breakfast, and we con- 
 cluded to give the people of the house a call. I no- 
 ticed, as we entered, that breakfast was about ready. 
 Addressing myself to the lady of the house, said I, 
 " Can we get some breakfast here this morning ? We 
 are in rather a tight place. We" were captured by
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 149 
 
 the Yankees in the fight on the Hatchie, and we 
 have run away from them ; they have robbed us of 
 all our money, and we have got nothing to pay you 
 with. 77 
 
 "Why, certainly you can have some breakfast. 
 How you poor soldiers do have to suffer ! Sit down 
 and rest yourselves. 77 
 
 We sat down, and but a few minutes elapsed be- 
 fore breakfast was ready, when we were invited to sit 
 up with the family. The Sergeant was seated next 
 to the lady, and I next to him. I had finished my 
 breakfast, and was about shoving back, when the 
 lady of the house said : " Don't be in a hurry, my dear 
 soldiers ; eat all you want ; we have got plenty. You 
 don 7 t know when you will get anything to eat again. 77 
 
 I thanked her, and moved back. When the Ser- 
 geant had finished, she said : " Now, dear soldiers, fill 
 your pockets with those nice wheat biscuit. The 
 Lord only knows when you will get any thing more. 
 How I do pity you !" 
 
 The Sergeant declined, but she insisted. " You 
 must take some. As likely as not you won 7 t get any 
 thing again for several days ; do take some. Here, 
 take these, 77 and she began to stuff them into his 
 pockets, which she continued until she had filled them 
 full. ' ' There ; how nicely they will relish ! 
 
 " Partner, 77 said I, "we had better be getting back 
 to the woods again, for the Yankees might come along 
 and find us. 77 
 
 "Yes, 77 said the lady, "do be very careful. Don't 
 let them take you if you can help it, for you don't
 
 150 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 know how much you might have to suffer. How glad 
 I am to help you ! 
 
 Thanking her for her good wishes and kindness, we 
 proceeded on our way. 
 
 That lady was a noble, generous-hearted woman, and 
 her eyes sparkled with crystals of sympathy while 
 she was bestowing upon us those little acts of kind- 
 ness. So full had she filled the Sergeant's pockets 
 with cakes, that they rendered him uncomfortable 
 while walking, and he was obliged to throw part of 
 them away. 
 
 The next house that we stopped at was occupied 
 by an. elderly lady, who, when we entered, was en- 
 gaged in churning. She invited us to be seated, and 
 then said : " Have you been in the fight ?" 
 
 " Yes, we were in the fight and were captured, and 
 have made our escape." 
 
 " Dear me ! how anxious I do feel about my hus- 
 band !" 
 
 " Was he in the fight ?" 
 
 "Yes, he took his gun and went down to help whip 
 the Yankees ; I am so afraid that he is killed that I 
 don't know what to do ! What a dreadful thing it 
 would be if he should get killed." 
 
 We listened to the lady's expressions of anxiety 
 about her husband until the churning was finished, 
 when she gave us some buttermilk to drink, which, 
 with some of our nice wheat cakes, made us an excel- 
 lent lunch. 
 
 From there we went on, without seeing anything of 
 interest until we came to the vicinity of Middleton.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 151 
 
 As we approached that place we saw a dense smoke 
 arise, with a peculiar odor, which was so strong as to 
 attract our attention and lead us to suspect that all 
 was not right. We moved along cautiously, keeping 
 a sharp lookout for soldiers or guerrillas. As we 
 rose to the top of the hill to the west of the town, we 
 could sec a large fire, and about thirty men standing 
 around it, with long poles in their hands. The odor 
 that arose was almost intolerable. This was about 
 three o'clock in the afternoon. We crept up as near 
 as we could without exposing ourselves to full view, 
 and then oh, horrible to tell ! we could see the men 
 move about excitedly, and push with their poles some- 
 thing into the fire. Then sparks would fill the air, 
 and we could hear screams like those of human beings. 
 Amid the screams would arise horrid oaths, and cries 
 of ' ' Bring on another !" 
 
 I did not see a human form in the fire ; but that 
 odor, those screams, intermingled with such horrid blas- 
 phemy, was unmistakable evidence that some poor mor- 
 tal was suffering the hellish torture of a band of guer- 
 rillas ! Perhaps some brave soldier, unable to keep 
 up with his command on its return from the late bat- 
 tle ; or some citizen, whose loyalty made him dare to 
 breathe his sentiments ; or, some poor mortal so unfor- 
 tunate as to possess a sable complexion, was there, 
 immolated upon the altar of fiendish revenge. As 
 familiar as I have been with scenes of suffering, 
 bloodshed, and slaughter, the recollection of that scene 
 is most revolting. In the face of the cruelties that 
 our men have suffered at the hands of the rebels, con-
 
 152 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 trary to all the rules of war, it is a wonder to me that 
 they have committed so few acts of retaliation. 
 
 We did not dare to remain there long, lest it might 
 be our turn next to gratify their barbarism. We went 
 back down the hill, and took another direction. We 
 soon found the country full of guerrillas and squads 
 of soldiers that had become routed during the light. 
 They were gathering together in small squads where- 
 ever they could, some with arms and some without. 
 The victory to the Federal troops had been a com- 
 plete route of Price's army. 
 
 I did not go as far as I had intended to go, because 
 the state of the country was such that I deemed it 
 imprudent to venture further ; so we returned to camp 
 the next day, without a knowledge of where the scat- 
 tered troops were concentrating. 
 
 ANOTHER STORY. 
 
 While the troops were laying along the road from 
 Jackson to Grand Junction, General McPherson asked 
 me to make a trip to the Tallahatchie, where General 
 Price was fortifying, and find out the number of his 
 men and the number of his artillery, and the best 
 mode of attack. I told him I would if he would give 
 me just such an outfit as I wanted. He said I am acting 
 now as Chief Engineer, but if the Government of the 
 . United States has got what you want, if you will go 
 you shall have it. Said I, I'll go. Well, said he, 
 what do you want ? Said I, I want a first-class suit 
 of citizen's clothes, a gold watch, finger rings, and 
 $1 00 in gold and $50 in specie, a first-class horse,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 153 
 
 silver-plated harness, and covered carriage. Said he 
 is that all you want ? I said yes. Said he you must 
 be going to put on style this time ; you are going to 
 take a lady with jon I presume ? Yes, said I. Who 
 is it ? says he. General Armstrong's sister. 
 
 I will have all ready this evening, so you can start 
 in the morning. 
 
 Early next morning I was on my way from Jack- 
 son to Yan Buren. I went to Joe Lake's where Miss 
 Armstrong was residing, and asked if she would like 
 to take a ride with me. 
 
 She said yes. Where are you going ? I said I am 
 not particular. 
 
 Will you take me down to the Tallahatchie ? I 
 want to go there so bad. 
 
 Yes, said I. I'll take as fine a girl as you are al- 
 most anywhere. You be ready by daylight to-mor- 
 row, and we will make the route before sundown, it 
 being sixty miles. 
 
 At four P. M. the next day we met the rebel pick- 
 ets at the Tallahatchie, who demanded a pass. Said 
 the lady, that is none of your business to demand a 
 pass when people are going in, it is your duty to ask 
 a pass when they go out, I am General Armstrong's 
 sister, and know as much about soldiering as 
 you do. 
 
 Said the picket, pass on. 
 
 We went to General Price's headquarters and re- 
 ported ourselves, and she requested the General to 
 give me a patrol pass for two days. We separated 
 and I saw the lady no more till the afternoon of the 
 7*
 
 154 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 next day, when we met at the same place, and she 
 said she would be ready to go home the next morn- 
 ing. 
 
 During the interval I made the most of my patrol 
 pass. I saw all the works, measured the depth and 
 width of the trenches, counted the guns, paced the 
 width of the swamp in front, and estimated the number 
 of the enemy. Next morning we met at headquarters, 
 and obtained a pass reading as follows: "Pickets, 
 patrols, cavalry, and guerrilla squads will pass the 
 bearer, C. L. Ruggles, with his horse and carriage, to 
 Van Buren, Tennessee, by command of Major-Gen- 
 eral Sterling Price." 
 
 I moved on with my female friend, and returned 
 her safe to the depot where I found her, and reported 
 to General McPherson at Jackson, to whom I turned 
 over my equipments. 
 
 I then gave him my plan of attack, which I said 
 was the only possible means to get Price out of his 
 position. 
 
 My plan was as follows : Take a good force of the 
 army and plenty of artillery, as if to besiege the 
 place in front. Then take the balance of the army 
 and make a right flank movement, crossing the river 
 at Zupelo, and get in the rear of the fort, and as soon 
 as Price finds out what is going on he will get out of 
 the fortifications. 
 
 When the troops moved down there the attack was 
 made in the very same manner I had proposed. 
 
 Grant moved on the front. Sherman, with forty 
 thousand troops, made the flank movement, and as
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 155 
 
 soon as Price heard of Sherman's marching he evacu- 
 ated the place. 
 
 To get away from Sherman's onward march, it was 
 necessary to lighten their burdens. There was strewed 
 along in his pathway solid shot and shell, guns, can- 
 teens, haversacks, old hats and shoes, broken wagons, 
 ambulances, &c., &c. 
 
 That this trip was any benefit to the Government, 
 I leave the reader to judge.
 
 156 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Starts on a trip for General Lauman His instructions A Confederate 
 widow Discovers a squad of rebel soldiers Captures part of their 
 arms Learns the whereabouts of guerrillas Attempt to capture them 
 Guerrillas escape Captures a prisoner Cause of guerrillas' escape 
 The " General" and squad get arrested. 
 
 WHEN General Hurlbut took command of the Dis- 
 trict of Jackson, with his headquarters at Jackson, 
 Tenn., Brigadier-General Lauman took command of 
 the post at Bolivar. 
 
 On the 13th day of October, 1862, General Lau- 
 rnan sent for me to report to him for orders. I re- 
 ceived instructions to take with me a squad of ten 
 men, and reconnoitre thoroughly a strip of country 
 that lay south of Bolivar, between the road to Grand 
 Junction, which would be 'on my right, and the road 
 to Pocahontas, which would be on my left. I was 
 ordered to kill all the guerrillas that I could find, 
 bring in all that I had strong suspicions were guerril- 
 las, and capture all the straggling rebel soldiers and 
 arms. The General also told me that he would send 
 out cavalry on my right, on the. Grand Junction road, 
 and, on my left, on -the Pocahontas road. He did 
 not limit me in time, or the distance to go, nor in- 
 struct me to take rations. I have usually, when out 
 as a scout or spy, got my subsistence wherever I 
 went.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 157 
 
 The men that I selected to accompany me were 
 Sergeants W. Gr. Downs and Thomas Watson, and 
 eight privates, all of them from the 20th Ohio Infan- 
 try. It was nearly noon of the day I received my in- 
 structions before we were ready to march. The day 
 was extremely warm, and we made but slow progress. 
 We did not follow any road, but took our way across 
 the fields and woods, and examined all the valleys 
 that lay along our route for any signs that might ex- 
 ist of cavalry or guerrillas. 
 
 At five o'clock in the afternoon we called at a 
 house about eight miles from Bolivar, which we found 
 to be owned and occupied by a widow lady by the 
 name of Cheshire, who, by the way, is what might be 
 called a Confederate widow. Her husband had be- 
 longed to the Confederate army, but had deserted. 
 He came home and took the oath of allegiance, but, 
 unfortunately for him, was captured by the Confeder- 
 ate authorities, and the oath found in his pocket. He 
 was carried back to the rebel army and hung. 
 
 At Mrs. Cheshire's we procured our supper, which 
 was provided and served up by her with a cheerful- 
 ness and willingness not characteristic of an enmity 
 to the Federal Government. I offered to pay her, 
 but she positively refused to receive any compen- 
 sation. 
 
 After we had finished our supper, we moved a 
 mile and a half, to Mr. Campbell's, where we halted 
 for the night. Mr. Campbell was absent from home, 
 but his wife extended to us every assistance that she 
 could to make us comfortable. She gave us a room
 
 158 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 in the house to occupy during the night, and in the 
 morning a bountiful breakfast was prepared for us, 
 of which sweet potatoes and chickens formed no in- 
 considerable part. I offered to pay her, but she re- 
 fused to accept any remuneration, and expressed 
 astonishment at the gentlemanly behavior of the 
 whole party. She said that it was the first time that 
 Federal soldiers had ever visited her house, and she 
 had heard that they were nothing but a set of thieves 
 and robbers, and, for that reason, she had been hap- 
 pily disappointed in our behavior. 
 
 Thanking her for her compliments and hospitality, 
 we bade her good-morning, and resumed our march. 
 We had proceeded only about two miles, when we 
 discovered a small squad of rebel soldiers, in a large 
 cotton-field, at some distance in advance of us and 
 to our right. As soon as they saw us, they broke 
 for the woods ; the distance that they had in advance 
 of us made it useless for us to pursue. 
 
 Near the road, and between where we saw them 
 and ourselves, stood a dwelling-house. Having ob- 
 served that but one of the rebs had arms, the thought 
 occurred to me that the others might have left theirs 
 at the house, and that our approach had been dis- 
 covered too late to allow of a return for them ; so I 
 determined to institute a search. On entering, I 
 inquired of an elderly man present if there were 
 any arms about the house. He said there was not. 
 I told him that I had reason to believe that there 
 was. He insisted that there was not. A search
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 159 
 
 was made, and three guns were found, which we de- 
 stroyed. 
 
 At night we halted fourteen miles from Bolivar. 
 On former trips I had learned that a squad of 
 guerrillas were stopping somewhere in that vicinity ; 
 during the day we had obtained a partial list of 
 their names, and had learned that they were har- 
 bored by a Mr. W. S. Perry, who was also supposed 
 to be one. This information we gathered from the 
 people that we saw in our route. 
 
 At 3 o'clock the next morning we were again 
 under way, on a road leading direct to Mr. Perry's. 
 When we had gone about a mile, we came to a farm- 
 house, where I halted my men, and aroused the 
 inmates by rapping upon their door, which was an- 
 swered by, "Who is there?" 
 
 "A friend," I replied. 
 
 "What do you want?" 
 
 "I want you to get up and come to the door." 
 Hearing some one come to the door, I inquired where 
 Mr. W. S. Perry lived, and was asked : 
 
 "Who are you?" 
 
 "I sha'n't tell you," was my reply. 
 
 "Then I sha'n't tell where Mr. Perry lives," was 
 the response. 
 
 Fearing to make any disturbance that might spoil 
 my plans, I proceeded on my way, without obtaining 
 the desired information. At the next house I in- 
 quired again for Mr. Perry, but the occupant refused 
 to inform me. These refusals increased my suspicions
 
 160 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 that he was not all right. Xot knowing certainly 
 but that I was already at his house, I distributed 
 my men along the negro-quarters in the yard, to 
 capture any persons that might attempt to escape. 
 It was time for daylight to make its appearance, but 
 a dense fog had arisen, which made it difficult to 
 see. 
 
 Having arranged my men to my satisfaction, I 
 returned to the door of the house, which I found 
 open, and was met by an aged woman, who told me 
 that her name was Tabitha Perr}^ and that she was 
 grandmother of W. S. Perry, and that W. S. Perry 
 lived in the next house. 
 
 While I was engaged in conversation with the old 
 lady, two men were seen to run out of one of the 
 outbuildings that stood in the yard ; the density of 
 the fog prevented shooting them, or observing whither 
 they went ; so they made their escape. On exam- 
 ining the building they were seen to emerge from, it 
 was found to have the appearance of being nearly 
 filled with cotton-seed, but in the centre of the build- 
 ing there was a large vacant space, and in it was a bed 
 that was yet warm from the animal heat of the per- 
 sons that had occupied it. 
 
 We then searched carefully all the buildings in 
 the yard, but without success. From there we went 
 to the residence of W. S. Perry, only a short dis- 
 tance from the residence of the old lady. We found 
 Mr. Perry at home, and arrested him. In searching 
 his house, we found considerable quantities of goods, 
 that looked as if they might have been remnants
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 161 
 
 from some dry-goods store ; or, what is more prob- 
 able, the booty of some band of outlaws. 
 
 We captured at W. S. Perry's one horse and two 
 mules, and at the old lady's house one horse and one 
 mule. The bed that we found in the cotton-seed at 
 the old lady's we gave to the negroes on the place, 
 except two quilts that we used to put on the mules' 
 backs, to ride on. 
 
 Very much against Mr. Perry's wishes, I com- 
 pelled him to furnish myself and my men with break- 
 fast, which was no more, perhaps, than he would 
 have done willingly to as many guerrillas, if we had 
 not been seen in the neighborhood. 
 
 When breakfast was over, we commenced our re- 
 turn to camp, taking with us our prisoner and cap- 
 tured property. The men were much in need of 
 saddles and bridles, with which to ride the captured 
 mules and horses, and requested the privilege of 
 taking them if they could be found; to which I 
 consented, providing they could be fouud on the 
 premises of the man who refused to give me infor- 
 mation about Perry. The man's name, I had learned, 
 was Dougherty. 
 
 When we arrived at Dougherty's place, we halted, 
 and the men commenced to search for saddles and 
 bridles, and, in a, few minutes, reported to me that 
 they had found twelve United States army saddles and 
 as many bridles. I told them to take five of them. 
 Dougherty remonstrated, but the men told him that 
 he had no business with that kind of property in his 
 possession, and took them along.
 
 162 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 On our way back to Bolivar, I learned the reason 
 why we did not find any more guerrillas at Perry's. 
 A colored boy, belonging to Mr. William Moore, of 
 Yan Buren, had been sent to mill, and, while on his 
 way, he happened to see us. On his return, he told 
 his master that he had seen some Yankee soldiers 
 in the woods, and that they were going south. Dr. 
 Tansey Russel, a man of disloyal proclivities, hap- 
 pened to be present, and heard what the colored 
 boy said. The doctor had some Enfield and Whit- 
 ney rifles in his possession, that he had managed to 
 get of unprincipled Federal soldiers, which he had 
 collected for the benefit of the guerrillas. As soon 
 as he heard of the Yankee soldiers being in the 
 woods, he concluded, readily enough, what their 
 business was ; so he took his guns, eight in all, and 
 carried them over to Perry's, and gave them to the 
 guerrillas, and warned them that there were Yan- 
 kee scouts in the vicinity. There was eleven of 
 them, besides W. S. Perry. On hearing about the 
 scouts, they all left and went to Saulsbury, except 
 W. S. Perry, John Shaw, and Gid. Galloway. The 
 two latter were the persons that escaped from the 
 outbuilding in the old lady's yard. 
 
 When we arrived within six miles of Bolivar, I 
 sent the five men that were not mounted across the 
 country, by the shortest route, to camp, and the rest 
 of us went on by way of the road. At Mr. Law- 
 horn's, near Dunlap's Springs, we halted a short 
 time, and three of us went into the house. Mr. 
 Lawhorn was absent from home. One of the men
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 163 
 
 asked Mrs. Lawliorn for some milk, which she re- 
 fused, saying that she had none. From the colored 
 people about the house the man learned that she 
 had milk in abundance, and where it was, of which 
 he helped himself, and then passed some to the rest 
 of the squad. None was wasted and nothing else was 
 disturbed. 
 
 Having rested ourselves, we went on to Bolivar. 
 I immediately turned over my prisoner to the Pro- 
 vost-martial, Lieutenant W. S. Dewey. I also 
 gave him a list of the names of those that I had 
 been informed were guerrillas. It was afternoon 
 when we arrived, and we had eaten nothing since 
 breakfast, and, being very hungry, I took my men 
 into camp to get my dinner, before reporting to Gen- 
 eral Lauman. On my arrival in camp, I told Col- 
 onel Force what property I had brought in, and 
 asked him what I had better do with it, and was 
 told to turn it over to the post Quartermaster. I 
 told him that I would, as soon as I had eaten some 
 dinner. 
 
 I had taken my dinner, and was on my way to 
 see about turning over the captured property, when 
 I was met by some guards, with an order from Lieu- 
 tenant W. S. Dewey, Provost-martial, to arrest me. 
 I accompanied them to the Provost-martial's office, 
 where I found Lieutenant Dewey, in a dreadful rage. 
 
 "What do you want of me ?" I asked. 
 
 " I want to hang you, and all the rest of the rob- 
 bers that were with you !" was his reply. 
 
 "What is that for ?"
 
 164 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " For going through the country and deceiving the 
 people, and representing yourself as a citizen of Ten- 
 nessee." 
 
 "I have never been through the country, except 
 as I have been sent on scouts by my commanding 
 officer." 
 
 " I'll scout you ! I'll scalp you ! What's the name 
 of the men that belong to your band ?" 
 
 " I haven't got any band." 
 
 " What's the names of the men that were out with 
 you ?" 
 
 I then gave him a list of the men that accompa- 
 nied me, and was then ordered to be put in the guard- 
 house. The court-room of the court-house was used 
 as a guard-house. The Provost-marshal's office was 
 in one of the lower rooms of the court-house. 
 
 The Provost-marshal had all the men that had been 
 with me arrested, and when he had got us all together 
 in the guard-house, we were marched, under guard, 
 into his office. Addressing us, he said : 
 
 " There has been a great deal of stealing and rob- 
 bing going on in the country about here, lately, and I 
 believe that you are the men that have done it, and I 
 mean to make an example of you, and I shall use my 
 utmost endeavors to have every man of you shot," 
 
 "What have we done," I inquired, "that you 
 should have such an awful antipathy against us ?" 
 
 1 ' You will see when I make out my charges and 
 specifications. Guards, take them back to the guard- 
 house." 
 
 When back in the guard-house, and left to reflec-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 165 
 
 tion, the words, " I shall use my utmost endeavors to 
 have you shot," seemed to force themselves upon my 
 mind with vivid impression. What could it mean, 
 that an officer in the United States army should ex- 
 press himself so emphatically, against us, when jus- 
 tice everywhere holds a man to be innocent until he 
 is proved to be guilty. 
 
 While I had been in camp getting my dinner, the 
 Provost-marshal had released Mr. Perry, and had 
 administered to him the oath of allegiance, and re- 
 turned to him the property that we had taken. On 
 being released, Mr. Perry found Doctor Kussel, Par- 
 son Hamers, and Mr. Lawhorn who happened to be 
 in town at the time and, in company with them, 
 went to the Provost-marshal, (who tolerated their 
 complaints), and fabricated such statements as they 
 chose to make against us, and upon those statements 
 the Provost-marshal based his charges and caused our 
 arrest. 
 
 It was humiliating in the extreme, for us, after 
 having served our country with devoted patriotism, 
 and imperilled our lives for its preservation, to be thus 
 made the victims of revenge by those who we knew 
 were at enmity with the G overnment. 
 
 The reader will remember that I once arrested 
 Parson Hamers, while standing picket for the enemy, 
 and released him. Doctor Russel, I had learned from 
 reliable sources, had been engaged in contraband 
 trade between Federal soldiers and guerrillas. Mr. 
 Lawhorn had tried to induce one of the men under 
 arrest with me to desert, and, to prevent suspicion
 
 166 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 of desertion, offered to carry him in his own carriage 
 to a rebel paroling officer, and get him paroled and 
 bring him back. Perry had been captured on suspi- 
 cion of being a guerrilla. Such were the men that 
 were allowed to make statements against me. 
 
 It is easy to conceive how such men would connive 
 together for the injury of Federal soldiers, if they 
 could only get the military authorities to tolerate, 
 their complaints and give them a hearing. Under 
 such a state of affairs, it would be an easy matter for 
 any disloyal citizen to cause the imprisonment of any 
 soldier, however spotless his record. 
 
 When men are mean enough to attempt the de- 
 struction of the fairest and the best Government that 
 ever existed, and to insult that national emblem which 
 has called forth the honor and respect of the world, 
 it is no wonder that they should resort to falsehood, 
 or any other vile means, to wreak their vengeance 
 upon those that love their country. 
 
 It was extremely unfortunate for us that we were 
 thus imprisoned during the command of a temporary 
 post-commander, to whom I was an entire stranger, 
 and that, too, at a time when a new and extensive 
 campaign was about to commence. 
 
 The charge and specifications, as preferred against 
 us, were very informal, and it is doubtful whether any 
 court-martial would have attempted a trial based on 
 such informalities. But, nevertheless, contrary to all 
 rules and regulations of war, this Provost-marshal 
 claimed that there were grounds for charges, and we 
 were arrested and placed in confinement.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 167 
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 Assistance of friends Fails to get a trial Gloomy prospects Evidence 
 accumulates Guard-house incident The " General" concludes to help 
 himself Narrow escape from guerrillas The capture Reaches his 
 regiment Himself and squad released. 
 
 ON the 28th day of November, the Army of the 
 Tennessee commenced to move from Lagrange, on its 
 campaign into the State of Mississippi, and with it 
 was crushed all hope of our immediate trial. With 
 the movement of the army, the court-martial had been 
 dismissed, and our witnesses, friends, and counsel 
 scattered beyond a probability of rendering us any 
 assistance for a long time ; and, to make the matter 
 still more unpleasant, we were confined in a dirty, 
 filthy building, extremely loathsome and unhealthy, 
 and too small for the number of men confined. 
 
 During our confinement, up to the time the army 
 moved, evidence continued to accumulate in our favor. 
 The list of guerrillas that I had given to the Provost- 
 marshal, he had destroyed the same day that it was 
 handed to him. During our confinement, W. S. Per- 
 ry, and all the persons named in the list that I gave 
 him, were captured by a detachment of the 7th Kan- 
 sas Cavalry and sent North as guerrillas, showing 
 conclusively that I had not been mistaken in suppos-
 
 
 1G8 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ing them such. In taking their property, under the cir- 
 cumstances that I found it, I did no more than any 
 detachment of troops would have done under the same 
 instructions. 
 
 The property found at W. S. Perry's was evidently 
 plunder that had been seized by himself and band. 
 The specifications against us were grossly false. What 
 property we did take, I was making arrangements to 
 turn over to the Quartermaster when I was arrested, 
 showing conclusively that I did not take it for my 
 personal benefit. 
 
 The lady that we were charged with having fright- 
 ened, not one of us had ever seen ; neither had we 
 ever been nearer than three-quarters of a mile of Mr. 
 Hendrick's house. Mrs. Cheshire visited us twice 
 while we were confined at Bolivar, and spoke very 
 complimentary of our behavior while at her house, 
 and assured us that we need not feel at all uneasy 
 about the charge of frightening Mrs. Goforth, because 
 that it could easily be proven that " her husband was 
 in the rebel army, and had not been home for' more 
 than a year!" Doctor Eussel was the man that 
 trumped up the charges about Mrs. Goforth. A sol- 
 dier by the name of William Goodheart, of the 20th 
 Ohio Regiment, visited Dr. Russel, one day, and, in 
 the course of conversation, remarked, " Doctor, you 
 have got some of the Yankee soldiers in .rather a 
 tight place, haven't you?" 
 
 " Yes, I have had some of them shut up awhile." 
 
 " Well, it will be apt to go pretty hard with them, 
 won't it ?"
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 169 
 
 "No, I think not. I don't expect to prove any- 
 thing against them. They will probably get clear in 
 the end ; but it will keep Ruggles from running all 
 over the country and representing himself as a citi- 
 zen of the State of Tennessee." 
 
 Parson Hamers, in specification seventh, accuses me 
 of stealing his watch, but neglects to fix the date of 
 the theft. He afterward fixed the date as the 30th of 
 September. My company commander was able to 
 show that I was in camp on the 29th and 30th of Sep- 
 tember and on the 1st of October. In a conversation 
 with Parson Hamers, had in the presence of Sergeant 
 E. W. Quackenbush, of the 20th Ohio Regiment, a 
 few days before I was arrested, he spoke of having 
 had his watch stolen, and said that he was so sick at 
 the time that he did not know who took it. 
 
 During our confinement we were under the custody 
 of four different Provost-marshals. As a general 
 thing, we met with kind treatment from those that 
 were guarding us, and oftentimes, through the kind- 
 ness of officers and men, we received favors not usu- 
 ally given to soldiers under arrest. There were a few 
 exceptions to our kind treatment, and I w r ill narrate 
 an incident illustrative of it : 
 
 The whole number of prisoners confined in the 
 guard-house at the time I allude to, including my own 
 squad, \vas forty-three, and we all occupied the same 
 room. Among the prisoners confined with us was a 
 very young soldier a mere boy by the name of 
 George Stevenson, of the 78th Ohio. He had been 
 in confinement much longer than myself and squad, 
 8 
 

 
 170 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 and was noted for being decidedly a " hard case." 
 His recklessness sometimes caused restrictions to be 
 placed upon all confined, thereby causing the inno- 
 cent to suffer for the guilty. 
 
 One night, George took a rail from off the banis- 
 ters that surrounded the stairway, and placed it from 
 the portico in front of the court-house into a tree that 
 stood close by, and, by that means, got out of the 
 guard-house unobserved by the guard, and spent the 
 evening in town. On his return, he neglected to take 
 the rail away. In the morning the officer of the guard 
 discovered it, and concluded correctly what it had 
 been placed there for. He commenced an inquiry of 
 the prisoners to find out who put it there. None of 
 the boys would acknowledge having done it. Several 
 told him that they supposed George had done it. 
 George denied it, and nobody had seen him do 
 it. 
 
 The officer would not take suppositions as to who 
 did it, but told us that he should hold us all responsi- 
 ble for a correct report of who did it, and would give 
 us till roll-call at night to find out ; and at that time, 
 if we did not report, we should all live on nothing but 
 bread and water until we did. 
 
 We told him that we had already said all that we 
 knew about it, and that we did not feel like submit- 
 ting to punishment as a body for the acts of an indi- 
 vidual. Roll-call came, but nobody was able to re- 
 port. We were then told by the officer that we should 
 have nothing but bread and water until we reported 
 who did it, 
 
 f
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 171 
 
 During the night, the boys took several pocket- 
 handkerchiefs and made a black flag, about three feet 
 square, and fastened it to a long strip of moulding, 
 which they tore off from the woodwork of the room, 
 and hoisted it upon the top of the court-house cupola. 
 In the morning it attracted everybody's attention by 
 its disgusting appearance, as it floated from the most 
 conspicuous place in town. It created universal in- 
 dignation throughout the town. 
 
 The officer of the guard came up and ordered us to 
 take it down. We replied that as long as we had to 
 subsist upon bread and water, it was the flag that we 
 rallied under. He then ordered the guards to make 
 us remove it. As they were attempting to come up 
 the stairs, George, who had armed himself with an 
 armful of bricks from the fireplace in the room, 
 opened fire upon them from the head of the stairs, 
 which made them beat a hasty retreat, and the officer 
 could not induce them to renew the attempt. In about 
 half an hour, a detail came, armed, not with guns and 
 bayonets, but with messpans and kettles, filled with 
 soft bread, beefsteak, and coffee. It is needless to 
 add, the " additional re-enforcements" compelled us to 
 " surrender" and take down the flag. As long as we 
 remained in charge of that officer, we continued to re- 
 ceive an abundance of good, wholesome rations. 
 
 During our confinement in the guard-house at Bol- 
 ivar, quite a number of rebel soldiers, that had been 
 captured by the Federal cavalry, were temporarily- 
 confined with us. Several of them were men that 
 belonged to the 2d Arkansas Cavalry, and I had be-
 
 172 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 come acquainted with them during the time that I was 
 with that regiment. 
 
 On the 3d day of December, 1862, five days after 
 the army had advanced from Lagrange, I came to 
 the conclusion that I had been confined long enough, 
 and that my only way of getting myself and men re- 
 leased, without delay, would be to visit in person my 
 commanding officers, and lay the case before them. 
 One inducement that I had was, I had learned that 
 there were no papers in the hands of the Provost- 
 marshal with charges against us. They had either 
 become lost, or, what is more probable, were returned 
 to the officer that preferred them, on account of in- 
 formalities. In the absence of such papers, I felt 
 convinced that I could get an order for the release 
 of myself and men. It was an unmilitary way of 
 doing business, but, nevertheless, I resolved to leave 
 the guard-house, without authority, to obtain authority 
 for my release and that of my men. 
 
 We had been in confinement fifty days, and before 
 I could reach the army it would be more than a 
 hundred miles from Lagrange. It was a great under* 
 taking to leave the guard-house without authority, 
 and, without rations, to run a gauntlet of that dis- 
 tance through Federal pickets and railroad guards, 
 stationed at frequent intervals along the whole route, 
 every one of whom would halt me to examine my pass, 
 or would turn me back if without one. 
 
 Sergeant T. J. Watson volunteered to go with me. 
 How we got out of the guard-house it is not necessary 
 for me to mention. From Lagrange we took a south-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 1*73 
 
 east course, across the country toward Davis 7 Mills ; 
 we struck the railroad where the wagon road crosses 
 it. There we found some pickets, belonging to a de- 
 tachment of five companies stationed at Davis' Mills, 
 under command of a Major, and charged with guard- 
 ing a portion of the railroad. At the time we ap- 
 proached them, they were all, except the sentry, en- 
 gaged in cooking a part of a fat porker that they had 
 confiscated during the night. We halted and entered 
 into conversation with the boys, as though we had no 
 intention of going on. Having finished their cooking, 
 they asked us to eat with them, which we were no 
 way backward about doing. We finished our break- 
 fast, and were about starting on, when the sentry, 
 who had been more attentive to duty than we had 
 hoped, asked us if we had passes. I told him we had 
 not, and that we were on our way to the front, and 
 had not been asked for passes before, and did not 
 know as it was necessary to have them. With that 
 explanation, the sergeant of the guard let us pass, 
 but told us that it would not do to let the Captain in 
 command see us. 
 
 Not liking to run our chances with him, we crossed 
 the railroad and left it to our right, and crossed 
 Davis' Creek on a log, and, a short distance from the 
 creek, turned to our right, so as to reach the bridge 
 across Wolf River, near Davis' Mills. As we were 
 passing through the cleared fields, I discovered to 
 my left, on a rise in the ground, a squad of guerrillas, 
 mounted on horses. We were within easy shot 
 of them. We were then within half a mile of the
 
 174 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 detachment camped at Davis' Mills ; they probably 
 did not wish to alarm the Federal pickets. They 
 had evidently discovered us first, and were watching 
 for an opportunity to " gobble us up.' 7 
 
 "Tom," said I to the sergeant, "what kind of sol- 
 diers do you call them ?" 
 
 "What kind are they, Bunker?" 
 
 " They are a band of guerrillas, and they will have 
 us in less than a minute, if we don't get away from 
 here." 
 
 Just then the guerrillas started for us. 
 
 "Come on, Bunker; for God's sake, let us run!" 
 said Tom. " They are coming now !" 
 
 Turning square to the right, away we went, as 
 hard as we could run, toward Davis' Creek. A hun- 
 dred and fifty yards brought us to a dense growth 
 of brush and briars, so thick as to seem impene- 
 trable. There was no getting around it, for our pur- 
 suers were close upon us. With all the strength we 
 could muster, we sprang into that briar patch and 
 scrambled through. It was no time to mind scratches, 
 and so we dashed on to the creek. Our pursuers 
 could not get their horses through the briars, and 
 before they could get round them, we were across 
 the creek. We made our way to Davis' cotton- 
 gin, where we found a picket post. A few paces 
 from the post, the guerrillas were in sight, I showed 
 them to the pickets, and told them I would go and re- 
 port the guerrillas to the Major in command. 
 
 Having found the Major, I said :" Major, there 
 are about thirty guerrillas just across Davis' Creek,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 175 
 
 not half a mile from here, and if you will get out 
 your men, you can surround them and capture them." 
 
 " Who are you?" he inquired. 
 
 "I am a scout for the Government." 
 
 " Where are you from?" 
 
 " Why I am right from the guerrillas," said I, 
 getting out of patience ; "they have just chased me 
 through a briar patch. Look at my hands and face, 
 if you want any evidence of it. You can see the 
 guerrillas from the cotton-gin." 
 
 " Who is that man with you?" 
 
 " Which is of the most importance, Major, for me to 
 sit down and tell you my history, or for you to get 
 out your men and capture those guerrillas ?" 
 
 By this time the pickets had become alarmed, and 
 sent in for support. The long roll began to beat, and 
 everything was excitement. Then was my time to 
 get away. 
 
 "Come on, Tom," said I to the Sergeant; "we 
 must pass the pickets at Wolf River Bridge during 
 the confusion incident to this alarm, or we will not 
 get away from here without trouble." 
 
 As I had expected, the confusion enabled us to get 
 by the pickets at the bridge. We continued on until 
 about seven o'clock in the evening, when we were 
 halted by a railroad guard. The guard allowed us 
 to come up, and we stayed at the post all night. 
 Before we went to sleep, a messenger came along on 
 a hand-car, with orders to double the guards during 
 the night, for an attack on the railroad was intended, 
 and that thirty guerrillas had already been captured
 
 176 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 at Davis' Mills, and that more were supposed to be in 
 the vicinity. 
 
 At daylight I tried my persuasive influence upon 
 the guards, and succeeded in getting leave to pass. 
 From that on we had very little difficulty in passing 
 the guards. When we had gone about half a mile, 
 we met six rebel soldiers, of the 8th Kentucky Regi- 
 ment, on their way to give themselves up. They had 
 become tired of the rebellion, and were anxious to 
 return to their homes. From them I learned that a 
 raid upon Holly Springs was in contemplation by the 
 forces of Generals Van Dorn and Tighlman. The 
 rebel deserters were so candid in their statements 
 that I deemed them reliable ; and when we reached 
 Waterford, where General Ross' division was en- 
 camped, I called at his headquarters, to report what 
 I had learned. General Ross was absent, so I re- 
 ported to the Adjutant-General. We then resumed 
 our journey, and in five days from the time we left 
 Lagrange, we reached our regiment, then at Oxford, 
 Miss. 
 
 I immediately reported to Colonel Force, who in- 
 quired if I had been released from the guard-house. 
 
 I said, " No, sir ; we ran away." 
 
 " Well, Bunker, I am sorry to say it : I can't har- 
 bor you in my regiment." 
 
 " I suppose, then, Colonel, that the best thing that 
 we can do is to get away from here ; ain't it ?" 
 
 " Well, I don't know but it is." 
 
 I then left him and went to General Leggett, com- 
 manding the brigade, and. told him the situation of af-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 177 
 
 fairs. He told me that we need not go back to the 
 guard-house, and that we might stay with the regi- 
 ment. I told him that I did not wish to stay, unless 
 the men of my squad were released. He assured me 
 that they should be, and immediately went in person 
 to Major-General McPherson and explained the situa- 
 tion of affairs to him. He issued an order releasing 
 the whole of us. When the order reached the men 
 in the guard-house, they had been in confinement 
 fifty-eight days. They reached the regiment when it 
 was encamped about three miles south of the Yacona 
 River. 
 
 During our confinement, very much interest and 
 sympathy was manifested for us by both officers and 
 men, and many of them rendered us valuable assist- 
 ance. To General M. D. Leggett and Colonel M. F. 
 Force, and to Captains F. M. Shaklee, E. C. Downs, 
 and B. A. F. Greer, of the 20th Ohio, we are under 
 very great obligations ; and to the officers and men 
 of the 78th Ohio and the 17th Illinois Regiments, 
 who guarded us during the greater part of our con- 
 finement, I will here take the opportunity to express, 
 in behalf of myself and squad, sincere and heartfelt 
 thanks for their kindness and assistance.
 
 178 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Starts for Grenada Instructions Is captured Returns to Water Valley 
 Starts again Arrives at Grenada Condition of Price's army He 
 returns Again sent to Grenada Proposes some fun Plan of strategy 
 Plan unnecessary Returns with rebel cavalry Bivouac at Big 
 Springs The attack More fun than bargained for The result. 
 
 SOON after I joined my regiment, the army ad- 
 vanced to the Yacona River, and the brigade to which 
 I belonged was made the advanced post of infantry, 
 and was stationed three miles south of the river. I 
 had been with the brigade but a few days, when Gen- 
 eral Leggett requested me to make a trip to Grenada, 
 a distance of thirty-two miles. 
 
 As General Grant's army had advanced, General 
 Price's army had been forced back, and the move- 
 ments of the Federal forces had been so skillfully 
 managed as to cause Price, after evacuating his strong 
 position at the Tallahatchie River, to make a hasty 
 and rapid retreat to Grenada, which place he then 
 occupied. 
 
 General Leggett wanted me to find out the strength 
 and condition of Price's army ; of what his force con- 
 sisted, and if possible, what were his intended move- 
 ments. 
 
 I started out on foot, disguised like a rebel soldier, 
 with a pass to Major-General Lee, formerly Colonel 
 of the 7th Kansas Cavalry, who was stationed five 
 miles in advance of the infantry, at a railroad station
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 179 
 
 called Water Valley. I carried with me a request 
 to General Lee that he would pass me through his 
 lines, if it would not interfere with his arrangements. 
 The General detained me over night, and then passed 
 me through. 
 
 I went on through Cofferville, and to within a mile 
 of Grenada, without being molested. Not liking to 
 venture in on the direct road from Water Yalley, I 
 turned to my left when within a mile of the place, 
 calculating to enter the town on some other road. I 
 had proceeded but a short distance, when I met three 
 soldiers, dressed exactly like rebel soldiers, who cap- 
 tured me and made me turn back. 
 
 When we came back to the Water Yalley road, I 
 was surprised to find that I was being taken toward 
 Water Yalley instead of Grenada. I then found that 
 I had been captured by soldiers belonging to the Tth 
 Kansas Cavalry. I tried to make them believe that 
 I was a Federal soldier, and was scouting for the 
 Government, but it was of no avail ; they were not to 
 be persuaded out of their prisoner. 
 
 We had travelled but a few hundred yards after 
 taking the Water Yalley road, when we met a negro, 
 who was riding a splendid mule, with a nice saddle, 
 bridle, and spurs, and was carrying on the mule, in 
 front of him, a sack of corn meal. 
 
 "Halt, you smoked Yankee," said one of the sol- 
 diers. "Get off from that mule and let white folks 
 ride !" 
 
 The negro dismounted and turned over his estab- 
 lishment to me, and then, shouldering his meal, he
 
 180 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 resumed his way. I mounted the mule with a light 
 heart, hoping that General Lee would permit me to 
 retain it. 
 
 When we arrived at Water Yalley, I was taken to 
 General Lee, who, on inquiring of the soldiers where 
 they caught me, elicited the fact that they had ran 
 away from camp and gone to Grenada without leave. 
 
 "Go to your quarters, men," said the General; 
 " I'll take care of your prisoner now, and take care 
 of you in the morning." 
 
 The next morning I started again for Grenada, 
 mounted on the mule taken from the negro the night 
 before, with a letter to Captain Townsend, who had 
 been sent to the vicinity of Cofferville, during the 
 night, with a detachment of cavalry, requesting him, 
 if admissible, to pass me on. On reporting to the 
 Captain, he informed me that he had men deployed 
 all through the country about Cofferville, watching for 
 rebel scouts and stragglers, and that it would be haz- 
 ardous for me to undertake to get through, and advised 
 me to remain with him until his men came in before 
 attempting to go on. 
 
 It was so late in the afternoon when the cavalry 
 came in that I concluded to remain with the Captain 
 all night. In the morning I resumed my journey, and 
 at one o'clock P. M., without having experienced any 
 difficulty in passing the rebel pickets, I entered Gre- 
 nada. 
 
 The first thing that attracted my attention was the 
 suffering and destitute condition of the infantry and 
 artillery soldiers. Very many of them were lame
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 181 
 
 and foot-sore. Hundreds of them were bare-footed, 
 and very many of them were bare-headed, and all of 
 them more or less ragged and destitute of blankets. 
 Sickness prevailed to a great extent. The soldiers 
 were loud in pronouncing curses upon General Sher- 
 man, whom they represented as having brought on 
 much of their suffering by attempting to execute a 
 flank movement upon them while in their intrench- 
 ments at the Tallahatchie River, which caused them to 
 make a precipitate retreat to Grenada. 
 
 A sergeant, in describing to me the retreat, said : 
 "So closely were we pressed, that while camping at 
 Water Valley for the night, after a hard day's march, 
 we undertook to get some breakfast before resuming 
 our march in the morning, and had hardly commenced 
 when the Yankees commenced shelling us, and we 
 had to leave. We then marched to the vicinity of 
 Grenada, and there worked several hours at cutting 
 down timber and forming abattis, to protect us from 
 the Yankee cavalry, before resting long enough to 
 get any thing to eat." 
 
 From such hardships and exposures, and the pre- 
 vailing destitution of clothing at the worst season of 
 the year, the men had become sick and disheartened. 
 Artillery horses were in as bad a condition as the 
 men, having been worked and short-fed until nearly 
 starved. Large numbers of sick, lame, and foot-sore 
 men were being sent on the cars to Jackson, Miss. 
 The heavy artillery and commissary stores were also 
 being sent there. Every thing indicated to me that 
 General Price did not expect to hold the place.
 
 182 THE GREAT AMERICAN / 
 
 As near as I could learn, General Price's army at 
 the Tallahatchie was about eighteen thousand ; but 
 the force then in Grenada did not exceed twelve 
 thousand. What cavalry troops there were in the 
 place seemed to be much better clad and in better 
 spirits than the infantry or artillery. 
 
 I remained in Grenada two nights, and then started 
 back. I took the road that leads to Pontotoc. I 
 came out, and had proceeded but a short distance, 
 when I was overtaken by three regiments of rebel 
 cavalry. As they came up, I fell in with them and 
 accompanied them. In conversation with one of the 
 captains, he told me that " they were on their way to 
 assist General Yan Dorn to make a raid upon Holly 
 Springs and the railroad, to cut off the Yankee sup- 
 plies." He expressed himself as very confident of 
 success, and remarked that "if we can't whip the 
 Yankees by force of arms, we can by starvation." 
 
 About twelve miles from Grenada, we came 'to a 
 large plantation, owned by a wealthy planter by the 
 name of Leggett. Mr. Leggett had evidently ex- 
 pected the cavalry along, and had caused to be pre- 
 pared a large wagon-box of corn-cakes, of about a 
 pound and a half weight each, and a large quantity 
 of fresh beef, cooked and cut up into pieces of about 
 a pound each. As we passed, two large negroes 
 handed each man a cake and a piece of meat. I re- 
 ceived a share the same as the cavalry. 
 
 I continued on in company with the cavalry until 
 about the middle of the afternoon, when I concluded 
 I had gone far enough on that road. I then dashed
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 183 
 
 on ahead of the cavalry to a piece of woodland, 
 where 1 dismounted and sat down, as if to rest my- 
 self, and remained there until the cavalry had all 
 passed on out of sight. I then mounted, and started 
 across the country toward Water Valley. A few 
 minutes, travel brought me into a road that led direct 
 to the place. 
 
 When I arrived at the picket lines, the guards ar- 
 rested me and took me to the colonel of the 3d 
 Michigan Cavalry, who sent me to General Lee. I 
 reported to him the three regiments of cavalry that 
 I had accompanied out, and he immediately started 
 in pursuit of them. I learned afterward that the 
 chase was kept up to the Eocky Ford, on the Talla- 
 hatchie Eiver. On reporting to General Leggett, 
 he expressed himself well pleased with the result of 
 my trip, and requested me to make another to the 
 same place, which I accordingly undertook to do. 
 
 Early the next morning I was again on my way 
 to Grenada, mounted on a mule, and disguised as 
 before. At Water Yalley I found the 3d Michigan 
 Cavalry still encamped, and called upon the Col- 
 onel. I told him that I was going into Grenada, and 
 that if he wanted a little fun, I would decoy out a 
 regiment of rebel cavalry to a place within twelve 
 miles of him, on the Pontotoc road, known as the Big 
 Spring. The spring, from its distance from Grenada 
 and the abundance of water that it afforded, and the 
 excellent ground about it for camping purposes, made 
 a fine natural place for troops passing out from Gre- 
 nada to halt for the night.
 
 184 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I told the Colonel that I would go into Grenada 
 and see what cavalry was in there, and select the 
 regiment that I wanted ; and then I would go to 
 General Price and tell him that I knew of three 
 companies of Lincoln cavalry, camped near the Pon- 
 totoc road, a long distance from support, watching to 
 pick up " our" couriers and small parties that hap- 
 pened to pass that way, and if he would let that regi- 
 ment go, I would guide it so that it could surround 
 the Lincolnites and capture the last one of them. I 
 also told the Colonel that he could take his regiment 
 over to the place the next night, and then, early next 
 morning, crawl close up to the rebels, and sud- 
 denly rise up and pour in five volleys into them, in 
 quick succession, from their five-shooting carbines 
 (the regiment was armed with five-shooters), which 
 would so surprise and terrify them that they would 
 break and run without stopping for guns, horses, or 
 anything else, and that he would be able to capture 
 the most of their arms and horses, and very many of 
 the men. 
 
 The Colonel seemed pleased with my proposals, 
 and promised to have his regiment there in time. I 
 had no doubts whatever about my ability to decoy a 
 regiment out there, but I was not so sure that the 
 Colonel had confidence enough in me to keep his 
 promise. With the understanding, however, that I 
 was to return the next day with a regiment of cavalry, 
 T resumed my journey. 
 
 I halted for the night a short distance out from 
 Grenada, and early the next morning I started in.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 185 
 
 At the bridge across the Yallabusha Eiver, about 
 half a mile from town, I came to the rebel pickets. 
 They manifested some hesitation about passing me, 
 and asked me various questions about where I lived 
 and what I wanted to go in for, etc. While they were 
 questioning me, a regiment of cavalry made its ap- 
 pearance, coming out. I did not press the pickets 
 to pass me, but remained in conversation with them 
 until the cavalry came out, and then fell in and went 
 along with them. 
 
 My prospects now seemed bright. The regiment 
 coming out would answer my purpose, provided it 
 went far enough, and had saved me the trouble of 
 carrying out my strategy. I soon found out that it 
 was a Texas regiment, and, like the three regiments 
 I had accompanied on a former trip, they were on 
 their way to report to General Van Dorn. Having 
 found that out, I felt almost sure that they would halt 
 for the night at the desired place. 
 
 The sun was about an hour high when we arrived 
 at the Big Spring, and my anxiety was considerably 
 relieved by the regiment coming to a halt. Prepara- 
 tions were made for the night horses fed, supper 
 prepared, and a picket thrown out on the road to 
 Water Valley, but on no other. 
 
 Long before daylight in the morning, the men were 
 up feeding their horses and preparing breakfast for 
 an early start. . At the approach of daylight, the 
 pickets were drawn in. My anxiety for the appear- 
 ance of the Federal cavalry now became intense. 
 Not a movement could I see that indicated their ap-
 
 186 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 proach. Not a suspicion had yet been excited among 
 my grayback companions. How I longed to hear the 
 crack of those revolving carbines ! 
 
 Breakfast was now ready, and all fell to work at it 
 with a hearty relish. I took some in my hands, and 
 seated myself near a large oak-tree, and began to 
 eat, wondering whether the Colonel really would 
 come. The moments seemed unusually long, and as 
 I occasionally glanced my eyes toward the place where 
 I had hoped the cavalry would make its appearance, 
 all was quiet. I had come to the conclusion that the 
 Colonel had failed to fulfil his promise, when, Bang ! 
 bang ! crash ! crash ! went the carbines in a perfect 
 roar of musketry, and the air was filled with whiz- 
 zing bullets. I instantly sprang behind the oak tree 
 and stood there. So sudden had been the attack, 
 that, although I had been looking for it, a volley was 
 fired before I was aware of the approach of the regi- 
 ment. The leaden messengers came in much greater 
 profusion and closer proximity to my person than I 
 ever want them again. But such a panic, such con- 
 fusion, such running, such scrambling was never seen 
 before ! It was beyond description. Some fled with- 
 out horses or arms; some cut the halters of their 
 horses and mounted without arms or saddles all 
 were terribly frightened. 
 
 Myself and sixty others were captured, and as 
 many horses and twice as many saddles and arms, 
 with their accoutrements. Eight men were killed, and 
 several horses and quite a number of men were
 
 SCOUT AXD SPY. 187 
 
 wounded. The rcbs fired but a very few scattering 
 shots, and not a man of the Federals was injured. 
 
 It was a brilliant success, but for a few minutes 
 rather serious fun. The Colonel played his part with 
 admirable ability. After the stores were gathered 
 up, I was released, and we returned to camp. Dur- 
 ing my absence, the brigade to which I belonged had 
 advanced to Water Valley, at which place I found it.
 
 188 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XYII. 
 
 The forage party Runaways Daring scout Narrow escape The line 
 of battle Safe return Scout reports Assumes the character of a rebel 
 prisoner Finds a friend How he introduced himself Where he be- 
 longsThe burning of Holly Springs The heroine What she cap- 
 tured Shows partiality Offers assistance Rebel doctor executed. 
 
 WHEN the army fell back behind the Tallahatchie 
 River, General Leggett's brigade remained at Abbe- 
 ville, as an advanced outpost of the army. It was while 
 we were there on outpost duty, that the troops ex- 
 perienced the inconvenience of short rations, caused 
 by General Yan Dora's cavalry raid into Holly 
 Springs. While the scarcity of rations prevailed, the 
 troops were under the necessity of frequently send- 
 ing out foraging expeditions to obtain assistance for 
 both men and animals. 
 
 On one occasion, an expedition was sent out to the 
 east of Abbeville after forage. After it had been 
 gone a short time, I took a notion that I would go ; 
 so I mounted my mule and started out. Soon after 
 passing the pickets, I overtook two men, who, I found, 
 had run away from camp, and, by representing to the 
 pickets that they belonged to the detail guarding the 
 train, had succeeded in passing. They were going 
 out on their " own hooks 7 ?; to forage a fat sheep. 
 
 About a mile from the pickets, the road forked ; 
 the left-hand road, or main road, led straight ahead
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 189 
 
 to the east, and the right-hand road led to the south- 
 east. The forage party had taken the left-hand road ; 
 the runaways took the right-hand road, and I fol- 
 lowed them out a piece to see what was going on. 
 About a mile from the forks, both roads pass through 
 a belt of timber-land, several hundred yards in 
 width, and then emerge into an open space of coun- 
 try, inclosed in fields. After passing through the 
 timber, we halted and mounted the fence to look for 
 the forage party on the other road. They had halted 
 at a plantation-house, and were engaged in loading 
 the train. While on the fence, the two runaways 
 espied some fat sheep in the field near by us. They 
 immediately gave chase, and I remained on the fence 
 to watch for the rebels. We had been discovered 
 by the forage party while on the fence, and directly 
 a man was seen dashing across the fields toward us, 
 on horseback, to reconnoitre. In the brigade was 
 a chaplain, not very brave, who sometimes under- 
 took to perform the duties of a scout. As the man 
 on horseback approached, it proved to be the chap- 
 lain scout. The field, on the side where we were, 
 was covered with tall weeds, as high as a man's head, 
 and for that reason the runaways did not see the 
 chaplain until he was within two hundred yards of 
 them. The boys had not yet captured a sheep, but 
 were trying to corner one, when they discovered 
 him. 
 
 "There comes our chaplain, as sure as guns!" said 
 one. " We must frighten him back, or we'll both be 
 arrested for running away."
 
 190 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " I'll stop him," said the other, aiming his piece. 
 
 11 Snap!" went the cap, but the gun did not go. 
 
 "Are you going to shoot him?" said the first. 
 
 "Yes," said the other. 
 
 'Then I'll shoot," said the first. Bang went his 
 gun. 
 
 That was too much for the chaplain ; he wheeled 
 his horse about, and went flying back. The chaplain 
 did not see the boys, but saw me on the fence, 
 dressed in rebel uniform, and my mule hitched to 
 the fence. As soon as he got back and reported, 
 the men not engaged in loading the train were 
 formed in line of battle, ready to repel an expected 
 attack. 
 
 The runaways succeeded in capturing a fine, nice 
 sheep, and carried it on their shoulders back to the 
 forks in the road, to wait for the train. There I 
 left them, and joined the forage party, which I found 
 drawn up in line of battle. 
 
 When the train was loaded and ready to return, 
 flankers were thrown out on either side of the road, 
 and in that way succeeded in reaching camp without 
 the loss of a man. The runaways got into camp with 
 their forage without being detected. 
 
 I felt curious to know what sort of report the 
 chaplain would make ; so, on my return to camp, I 
 immediately repaired to headquarters and awaited 
 his arrival. When he made his appearance, it was 
 with a countenance indicating that something serious 
 and impressive weighed upon his mind.
 
 SCOUT AXD SPY. 191 
 
 "Has the forage party come in, chaplain?" said 
 General Leggett, as he entered. 
 
 " Yes, we made out to get back." 
 
 " Well, what luck did you have ?" 
 
 " We had a very narrow escape, indeed." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 "Well, I'll tell you; we halted about four miles 
 out, to load the train, and, while thus engaged, some 
 rebels were seen about a mile distant, across the 
 field, on the fence, watching our movements. I was 
 sent to reconnoitre and find out about them, and 
 when I -had got within a short distance of them, I 
 saw a long line of them dismounted, behind the 
 fence. Several of them snapped their pieces at me, 
 and one went off, and the ball came whizzing by my 
 head. I wheeled my horse and ran back as fast as I 
 could go. I tell you, General, it was a providential 
 escape for me ! We then formed a line of battle, to 
 repel any attack until the train was ready to start; 
 then we threw out flankers on either side of the road, 
 and in that way we marched in, without being at- 
 tacked." 
 
 The joke was a serious one, but, inasmuch as no- 
 body was hurt, I concluded not to expose the 
 roguery of the runaways, or the bravery of the 
 chaplain. 
 
 While the troops remained at Abbeville, being on 
 short rations caused by the burning of Holly Springs, 
 it became necessary for every soldier to be on the 
 lookout everywhere for supplies, in which I felt a dis- 
 position to act my part. For this purpose I left
 
 192 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ' 
 
 Abbeville on a road leading to the southwest. About 
 nine miles out I came to a mill, where I entered and 
 bought a peck of meal, and in conversation with the 
 miller I learned that a company of guerrillas was in 
 the habit of getting meal there, and were prowling 
 about the neighborhood. Having but little respect 
 for that class of citizens, I at once determined to 
 capture them if possible. 
 
 About eighty rods north of the mill was a hill, 
 with a thick growth of small pines at the base and 
 tall oaks on the top, and a road running through this 
 grove over the hill. From reading the Life of Wash- 
 ington and Marion, I at once proposed a plan of 
 strategy to capture the guerrillas. 
 
 I went to General Logan and procured an order 
 for sixty men, and laid them in ambush in a circle in 
 this grove, on either side of the road, leaving the road 
 clear. We built three big fires on the top of the hill, 
 got logs and laid them promiscuously near the fires, 
 and laid overcoats over them here and there, and 
 hung up hats, and here and there a canteen on the 
 bushes near by, that might be seen when any one ap- 
 proached. 
 
 I instructed my men not to fire unless there was an 
 attempt made by the guerrillas to escape. Every- 
 thing ready, I stationed myself and a captain at the 
 grand entrance, out of sight of the enemy, and on 
 either side of the road. 
 
 In a few minutes I heard the sound of footsteps 
 coming up the hill, and soon I beheld the guerrillas 
 with double-barrelled shot-guns cocked, and moving
 
 9COUT AND SPY. 193 
 
 as silent and stealthily as possible, peering in the dis- 
 tance at the fires and their surroundings, evidently 
 surmising that they had found a company of sleeping 
 Federals. 
 
 But we were not exactly asleep. I counted four- 
 teen enter the circle in close proximity, and as I saw 
 no more coming in the rear, I concluded this was the 
 whole squad. I arose and stepped out, and demanded 
 a surrender of the whole band. When I uttered this 
 demand they all stretched up and look around. All 
 was still as death around, save the ominous click of 
 the cocking of about sixty rifles. When they heard 
 this they said, Hold on, boys ! hold on ! w T e'll surren- 
 der ! Well, said I, lay down your guns then on the 
 ground and walk away. They did so, and the boys 
 moved from their ambush to the centre, and enclosed 
 our prisoners. Said I, Boys, how do you like the trap ? 
 Have you men got horses ? They said no. Now, 
 said I, you lie. You have got horses down around 
 the mill, and you would like to have me go after them 
 to get me in the same fix as you are in. Now, boys, 
 said I, let us light out for camp. 
 
 We returned to camp by the way we came, and 
 turned over the prisoners to the Provost-marshal. 
 They were nothing more nor less than a band of guer- 
 rillas, nevertheless they were paroled and treated as 
 regular soldiers, as they represented themselves to the 
 Provost-marshal that they were regularly enlisted 
 
 cavalrymen. 
 
 # # * * # * * 
 
 While the army was on its march from the" Talla- 
 
 i U" T
 
 194 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 hatchie to Lagrange, I had an amusing little adven- 
 ture with a secesh lady. It was on the day that 
 General Leggett's brigade left Holly Springs. I was 
 riding along behind my regiment, in company with 
 Levi Hood, of the 20th Ohio, when I observed, to the 
 left of the road, and about half a mile back, a large, 
 fine white house. I told Levi that, from the fine ap- 
 pearance of things about the house, I presumed we 
 could get feed there for our mules ; sb we rode out to 
 see. 
 
 The house was built with a porch extending across 
 its entire front. As we approached, we saw a Fed- 
 eral guard standing on the porch, near the main en- 
 trance to the house, and two Federal officers, one of 
 them a captain and the other a major. The officers 
 were engaged in conversation with a. lady belong- 
 ing to the house. We halted in front of the steps 
 leading on to the porch, when Levi, addressing the 
 lady, said : " Madam, have you got any corn or fod- 
 der here ?" 
 
 " Yes, I expect there is some out there," she re- 
 plied, pointing to an outhouse : (i go out and get it. 
 Take it all, if you can ; don't leave any. I shall be 
 glad when it is gone ; then you won't bother me." 
 
 We rode to the outhouse and procured what fod- 
 der we wanted, and, having fed our mules in a yard 
 in front of the house, we repaired to the porch, 
 where the officers and lady were still engaged in con- 
 versation. They were talking about the burning of 
 Holly Springs, and as I came near, I heard the lady 
 say:
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 195 
 
 " If General -Van Dorn and General Price can't 
 thrash you out of Mississippi, they can starve you 
 out, or get you out in some way ; you are going out, 
 anyhow." 
 
 " Yes,'" said I, " that's one of General Yan Dorivs 
 .capers ; lie is just the man to do such tricks as 
 that," 
 
 The officers left soon after I came up, and the lady 
 turned her conversation to me. 
 
 " Do you know General Yan Dorn ?" 
 
 " Yes, I know all of our Generals ; ami I know 
 you, too." 
 
 " Where did you ever see me ?" 
 
 " Ain't you the lady who sent Colonel Slemmcns 
 the bouquet last summer, when he was on-outpost duty, 
 with his regiment, at Cold Water?" 
 
 ' ' Why, yes, I believe I was ; where was you ?" 
 
 " I was sent from Lunipkins' Mills, by General 
 Yillipiquc to Colonel Slemmens, with orders." 
 
 " Where do you belong ?" 
 
 " I belong to the 17th Mississippi Zouaves, the 
 pride of the Confederacy." 
 
 "Who is the Colonel?" 
 
 " Colonel Hanner." 
 
 "Yes, yes! that's a fact! I thought that you 
 was fooling me, at first, but I don't think you are 
 now. How in the world did you come to be up 
 here ?" 
 
 " I was captured near Grenada." 
 
 " You was ? That's too bad ! Oh, tell me, have 
 you received your new guns yet ?"
 
 196 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Yes ; we received them on the 18th day of last 
 August." 
 
 " They were so long coming, that I was afraid they 
 never would get through the Federal lines. How do 
 you like them ?" 
 
 " Very much, indeed. They are Colt's six-shoot- 
 ers, and are a most excellent gun." 
 
 " Well, I am glad of it ; they ought to be a good 
 gun, for they cost the Confederacy $60 apiece. You 
 are really a prisoner, then, are you ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, come into the house." 
 
 " I would if I could ; but that man is my guard, 
 and I don't think he'll let me." 
 
 "Oh, no!" said Levi, "I can't; I am instructed 
 not to let him go into any houses nor out of my 
 sight." 
 
 " Well, you can see him at the end of the porch ; 
 let him go there. He won't run away. Come this 
 way, soldier." She led the way and I followed. 
 
 "Now," said she, speaking low, " do tell me how 
 the Yankees like the burning of Holly Springs ? ? ' 
 
 " Well, as near as I can find out, they hate it like 
 blazes, and it makes some of them real heartsick." 
 
 " Good ! I am glad of it ! I am getting back pay 
 for my trouble now !" 
 
 " Did you help take the place ?" 
 
 " No, I did not help to take it, but I was chief of 
 the signal corps, and signalled the town all night. I 
 had nearly all the ladies of the town out, and had 
 ihein watching the movements of the Yankees. We
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 197 
 
 sent up rockets every hour all night. I tell you, I 
 felt so much relieved at the approach of General Yan 
 Dorn, and when he captured the Yankees I was per- 
 fectly delighted ! Then I just went for things ! I had 
 four mules and a yoke of steers and a cart in there, 
 and I just loaded them down with stuff! I got a hun- 
 dred overcoats, and lots of pants and blankets, and 
 nice canvased hams and other things, until I had the 
 garret of my house stowed full." 
 
 " Did you do all that alone ?" 
 
 "Oh, no! my husband, Captain McKisic, was 
 there he is captain of company A, of Bragg's 1st 
 Battalion and my servants were there, and they 
 all helped. Oh, I really do wish that you could 
 corne into the house !" 
 
 " There is no use talking about that, for the guard 
 won't let me." 
 
 "Well, I'll tell you," said she (casting her eyes 
 at the man who was guarding her house, and speak- 
 ing still lower); "I was suspicious that some of the 
 Yankee soldiers might ransack my house and find 
 out what stuff I had got, and so I went over to the 
 colonel of the 23d Illinois Eegimcnt and sung him a 
 few songs of love, and he sent me over a guard, to 
 keep the soldiers from going into my house." 
 
 "You are all right, then, if you keep things to 
 yourself." 
 
 " I can do that, I assure you ; I have run with the 
 army almost two years, and I have learned how to 
 do that." 
 
 " Come, prisoner," said Levi, manifesting impa-
 
 198 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 tience , "a'n't you getting about through with your 
 conversation?" 
 
 "Wait ! wait a minute, if you please, guard," said 
 the lady, and away she went into the house. She 
 soon returned with a lot of apples, and commenced 
 to stuff them into my pockets. "There, you eat 
 them yourself. Give the guard these three little 
 ones ; don't give him any more ; eat those nice ones 
 yourself. But, pray tell me, what is your situation 
 for money ?" 
 
 " I have got about five dollars." 
 
 " Is that all ? Eeally, that a'n't enough ! Sha'n't 
 I help you to some ? I am sure that you can't get 
 along with that ?" 
 
 " No, I thank you ; I can get along in some way." 
 
 " Do let me help you ; I have got three thousand 
 dollars in the house, and I'd just as leave help you 
 as not. Do take some." 
 
 "No; I won't take any. I might never return 
 this way to repay it." 
 
 ' ' I should think that you might get away. Why 
 don't you get paroled, or run away from that 
 guard ?" 
 
 ' ' I might, but, on account of a plan that I have 
 got, I don't want to get away yet." 
 
 "Why, what is it ?" 
 
 "Well, I'll tell you. I want to go with Grant's 
 army to Lagrange, and see which way it goes from 
 there, and then I'll come back and report it." 
 
 "That's a good idea, certainly; get all the infor- 
 mation that you can."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 199 
 
 "Prisoner!"' called Levi, getting* more impatient, 
 " the mules are done eating and we must go !" 
 
 I then bade Mrs. McKisic good-bye, and we re- 
 sumed our march. On my return to the regiment, 
 I related the incident to the Colonel, and he replied : 
 ' ' If the women are a mind to take advantage of the 
 disgraceful surrender of Holly Springs, I don't know 
 as I have any objection."
 
 200 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Arrival in Memphis Daring robbery Detailed by the Provost-marshal 
 General Assumes the character of a rebel major Secesh acquaintances 
 Captures a rebel mail A jollification A rebel trader Plan to run 
 the pickets Escape of the outlaws. 
 
 ON the 22d day of January, 1863, General Logan's 
 division arrived in Memphis, Tenn., preparatory to 
 moving down the Missisippi, to join in the campaign 
 against Yicksburg. While there, as I was passing 
 through the city, accompanied by William Goodhart, 
 of the 20th Ohio, I saw a splendid carriage approach- 
 ing, drawn by a 'fine pair of black horses, with silver- 
 plated harness. In it were Captain Daniels and the 
 quartermaster that had captured me and taken me 
 to Cold Water to be paroled. 
 
 As the carriage came up, we sprang into the street 
 toward it, to capture the inmates. Recognizing me, 
 they sprang out at the opposite side, and ran in dif- 
 ferent directions, and as we were unarmed they made 
 their escape. Supposing that the carriage and horses 
 belonged to them, we unfastened them, mounted 
 them, and started for camp, leaving the carriage 
 standing in the street. I feared, as we were without 
 passes, that some officer of some other command might 
 take the whole rig from us. I cared nothing about 
 the carriage, but wished to secure the horses for the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 201 
 
 Government. We reported, with the horses, to 
 division headquarters, and thence was ordered to 
 brigade headquarters. At brigade headquarters we 
 were ordered to turn them over to the quartermaster 
 of our own regiment, which we did. 
 
 After this, with nothing to do about Memphis but idle 
 my time away in camp, I began to get restless and un- 
 easy, and was about contriving some way to get out- 
 side of the lines to work, when I received word that 
 General Logan wanted to see me. I immediately 
 reported to him, and was handed a sealed envelope 
 and ordered to report with it to Colonel Hillyer, 
 Provost-marshal General on General Grant's staff'. 
 I carried the communication to the colonel, as di- 
 rected, and, when he read it, he immediately sat 
 down and wrote me an order, of which the following 
 is a copy : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE TENNESSEE, 
 " OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL GENERAL, 
 " MEMPHIS, TENN., February 6, 1863. 
 " The bearer, Loraine Ruggles, is in scout service of the Government. 
 He -will be passed through all lines, at all hours. He will be furnished 
 with whatever assistance he may require. 
 
 " He has authority to make arrests, reporting the same to the nearest 
 military commander or Provost-marshal. 
 
 " All officers and soldiers of this command will, in every way, facilitate 
 his operations. 
 
 " By command of Major-General U. S. Grant 
 
 " WILLIAM HILLYER, 
 
 " Provost-marsJial General." 
 
 Handing me the order and some money, the Gen- 
 eral told me to procure a place to board, and then 
 commence operations. He requested me to report 
 
 9*
 
 202 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 every two or three days the result of my labors, and 
 to do my reporting, when practicable, at night. 
 
 I selected a boarding-house on Adams-street, kept 
 by a Mrs. Williams. There I represented myself as 
 a major in the rebel army. My former residence in 
 the city, at intervals of time, gave me an acquaint- 
 ance that enabled me readily to carry out the char- 
 acter of a rebel officer, without exciting any suspicion 
 to the contrary. 
 
 Having established myself in my boarding-house, 
 I proceeded to drum up the acquaintance of such 
 persons as I had reason to believe were of suspicious 
 loyalty. 
 
 My first acquaintance of that sort was a Captain 
 Wells, who formerly commanded an independent 
 company in Yicksburg, Miss., but who had resigned 
 his commission in the Confederate army and estab- 
 lished himself in business in Memphis. He was at 
 that time a " Union man," with the oath of alle- 
 giance in his pocket, but engaged in buying horses of 
 Federal soldiers, and smuggling them through the 
 Federal lines. 
 
 My acquaintance with him soon led to an acquaint- 
 ance with others, variously engaged some as guer- 
 rillas, some horse-stealers, some smugglers, some as 
 mail-carriers, and others in various disloyal capaci- 
 ties. They all knew me by my assumed rank, and 
 always addressed me as Major lluggles. 
 
 On one occasion, while looking about the city, one 
 of my disloyal acquaintances informed me that there 
 was a large mail in town from Missouri, to go to Gen-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 203 
 
 eral Price's army ; and, said he, "Major, I thought 
 that, perhaps, you would be going down that way 
 soon, and if you are, why not take it with you ? I 
 presume it is a mail of considerable importance, and 
 undoubtedly General Price would compensate you 
 well for it." 
 
 11 Perhaps I will take it down," I replied. " But I 
 must make some arrangements with my affairs at 
 home before I go, and I will let you know in the 
 morning." 
 
 " Very well. Come up in the morning." 
 
 I then went and told the Provost-marshal General 
 what I had learned. He told me to keep watch, and 
 when it started out to capture it. 
 
 The next day I went to see about carrying it out 
 myself, and was told that a man had already made 
 arrangements to carry it, and that it was packed up, 
 ready to go. While talking about the mail, another 
 of my new acquaintances came up, and I invited the 
 two to walk over to the Italian saloon with, me and 
 take something to drink. 
 
 " You go with me," said the new-comer, " over to 
 the saloon where I get my drinks." 
 
 "Very well," said I, and we all went over. 
 
 In front of the saloon was hitched a horse and 
 buggy. In the saloon, besides the proprietor, was a 
 very gentlemanly-looking man, who, soon after we 
 entered, asked the proprietor if he had any word that 
 he wanted to send to Hernando. The man said he 
 was going down that way, and if he had anything to 
 send he would take it. 
 
 8
 
 204 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 As he had nothing to send, the gentleman, without 
 making any further business, went out. The thought 
 now occurred to me that the mail was in the buggy 
 at the door, and the man that went out was the mail- 
 carrier. I excused myself from my companions, as 
 soon as I could, and started out to watch the suspected 
 gentleman. When I went out he had unhitched and 
 started down the street. I followed along, through 
 one street after another, until the buggy stopped at a 
 provision-store. There the gentleman purchased a 
 demijohn of something, and a side of bacon. I saw 
 him place them in the buggy, and then return to the 
 provision-store. 
 
 I then went to Captain Taylor, who had charge of 
 the government horses in the city, whom I found sit- 
 ting on his horse at his stables. I told him that a 
 rebel mail was going out through the lines, and that I 
 wanted his horse long enough to ride out to the pick- 
 et line, on the Hernando road, and stop it. He lent 
 me his horse, and I soon found myself at the picket 
 line. 
 
 I found a lieutenant in command of the pickets. I 
 told him that there would be a rebel mail attempt to 
 pass his lines, and that it would be in a one-horse bug- 
 gy, driven by a very gentlemanly-looking man, and that 
 the buggy that contained the mail would contain a 
 demijohn and a side of bacon. I told him to be 
 thorough, and search the man's person and his buggy, 
 and the cushions, and everything else about the 
 buggy, and to do it in such a way as not to lead the 
 man to suspect that any information had been given
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 205 
 
 him. I then took another road and returned to the 
 city. 
 
 I had not been gone more than an hour, when the 
 man described drove up to the pickets, halted, and 
 handed out his pass for examination. The lieutenant 
 having examined it, told him that he presumed he was 
 all right, but attempts had been made to carry contra- 
 band articles through the lines, and his instructions 
 were such that he was under the necessity of making 
 a thorough search before passing him. The man as- 
 sured the lieutenant that he had no objections to 
 being searched, and that nothing could be found 
 about himself or buggy not mentioned in the pass* 
 
 The man's person was searched, and then the bug- 
 gy, and finally the cushions of the buggy were exam- 
 ined, and in them, neatly quilted in, was found the 
 mail. It is needless to add that the gentlemanly per- 
 sonage was furnished accommodations in the Irving 
 Block, and the mail was turned over to the Provost- 
 marshal General. I never learned what became of 
 the man or his mail. 
 
 A few days after the arrest of the rebel mail-car- 
 rier, I invited several of my new acquaintances down 
 to my boarding-house, to have a little jollification. 
 They all accepted the invitation, and, at the ap- 
 pointed time, made their appearance. 
 
 Among these was a man engaged in furnishing 
 contraband goods for the rebel army, such as medi- 
 cines, surgical instruments, silk thread for sewing 
 wounds, ladies' silk hose, &c., &c. 
 
 He came into the Provost-marshal General's office,
 
 206 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 and got a permit to buy a barrel of molasses. He 
 procured a molasses barrel and inserted a tin tube 
 nicely into the bung, down to the other side of the 
 barrel, and packed every other part of the barrel full 
 of goods to the amount of $2,000, and filling the tube 
 with molasses, brought it to the Provost-marshal's of- 
 fice for inspection. I had watched his movements, 
 and was in the office of the Provost-marshal General 
 when he came up to the Provost-marshal's office, 
 which was directly opposite. I told the Provost- 
 marshal General to watch the movements. Said he, 
 " I gave that man a permit to buy a barrel of molas- 
 ses, and he has brought it for inspection." Said I, 
 "That ain't molasses." He said it was. Said I, 
 " You are a commanding officer, and I have no right 
 to dispute you ; but if you let that barrel go out with- 
 out inspection, I will report you to General Grant." 
 " "Well," said he, " to please you I will let the guards 
 stop him, and will examine it myself," and he found 
 as I had reported, but little molasses and a large 
 amount of other goods, which were turned over to 
 the Government, and the man turned over to the Ir- 
 ving Block for safe-keeping. 
 
 When I went to Mrs. Williams' to board, I took 
 with me a yellow boy that had been in my employ 
 nearly a year. I had trained him so that he under- 
 stood me perfectly, and, being naturally of a smart, 
 ready turn of mind, and quick to comprehend my 
 meaning, was of great assistance, when I was visited 
 by rebel friends, in helping me to carry out my as- 
 sumed character.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 207 
 
 On this occasion, he represented to perfection the 
 character of a negro waiter. I called him " Spence." 
 Whenever his name was called, he would promptly 
 enter the room, with his hat under his arm, and ap- 
 proach me with as much manifestation of profound 
 respect as if I had been a king, receive my orders 
 with marked attention, and execute them with won- 
 derful agility, and then immediately retire from the 
 room. 
 
 From my rank, my companions seemed to regard 
 me as possessing peculiar advantages over them, and 
 all seemed desirous to secure my advice and my per- 
 sonal assistance in their individual projects. By 
 that means I was enabled to find out very much 
 that was going on, that I otherwise would not have 
 done. 
 
 Among my guests of that evening was a man that 
 had been in the Confederate army, and had been se- 
 verely wounded in the shoulder in the battle at Fort 
 Donelson. On account of his wound he had been dis- 
 charged. As a sort of compensation to enable him to 
 make a living, for which his disability had seriously 
 disqualified him, General Price had given him a paper 
 authorizing him to trade and sell goods in the Con- 
 federate army. 
 
 After showing me his paper, signed by General 
 Price, "Now," said he, "major, you can render me 
 some assistance, if you feel disposed, that will be of 
 great help to me in my circumstances." 
 
 " Indeed! I should be very happy to do so ; but 
 you must remember that I am under bonds to the
 
 208 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Federal authorities, and I have to be very careful 
 what I do ; if I am caught in any scrape, they will 
 surely hang me." 
 
 ' ' I am well aware of that, Major, but I think you 
 can do it without subjecting yourself to any great 
 danger." 
 
 ' ' Well, what is it that you want I should do ?" 
 
 "I'll tell you. I have been engaged, for some 
 time, in purchasing, in small quantities at a time, 
 various articles of goods, to take through the Federal 
 lines to sell, and I have now got about four hundred 
 dollars' worth. The military authorities are begin- 
 ning to suspicion me, and I have got to move the 
 goods to some place for safe-keeping. Your board- 
 ing-rooms are not very public, and you could keep 
 the goods here without exciting suspicion." 
 
 "I expect that I might. I have done more 
 hazardous jobs than that since I have been in the 
 Confederate service. I think I can manage it. You 
 may get the goods ready, and then let me know it, 
 and I will send my servant after them." 
 
 ' ' Thank you, Major ! You are just the man to do 
 it. I will get them ready in the morning." 
 
 My friend Captain Wells also had a little scheme 
 in view, which he related to me, as follows : 
 
 " I have got six fine horses, that I have purchased 
 of Federal cavalrymen, and I want to manage some 
 way to get them through the Yankee lines. Now, 
 Major, what plan do you propose to get them 
 through?" 
 
 " Well, really, Captain, I hardly know what course
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 209 
 
 would be advisable. The ' Yankees' are getting to 
 be mighty strict in their picket duties. A sudden 
 dash upon the pickets, some dark night, by as many 
 plucky riders as you have horses, might take them 
 through.' 7 
 
 "That's my mind exactly, Major! and I was 
 thinking if I could get some military man of expe- 
 rience, like yourself, to lead us, the plan might be 
 executed to a charm ! What do you say ? will you 
 lead us?" 
 
 "Well, Captain, the undertaking is a bold one, 
 but I think I am good for it ; at any rate, I will try." 
 
 "Good! good! Major, here's your health!" and 
 they all drank heartily. 
 
 Late at night, the festival broke up, with an agree- 
 ment to meet at frequent intervals, as opportunity 
 offered. 
 
 The next day the contraband goods were brought 
 over to my rooms and secreted. 
 
 I will here relate a little incident concerning my 
 servant Spcnce, to show how well I succeeded in 
 making my secesh acquaintances believe that I was 
 a Southerner and a slave-owner. I was in the habit 
 of finding fault with him, and would reprimand him 
 severely for the slightest neglect, and sometimes 
 imaginary ones, were sufficient to call forth from me 
 the severest rebuke. 
 
 A few mornings after the night of our festival, 
 several of my secesh friends called on me to ride out 
 in the city. I ordered Spence to bring out my horse. 
 When he made his appearance at the front of the
 
 210 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 house, I went out to see that everything was in 
 proper order, and at once flew into a terrible pas- 
 sion with him, on the pretence that the horse was 
 not properly cleaned. Spence, as if mistrusting 
 something was up, was about to leave. 
 
 "Here, you black rascal!" said I; "why didn't 
 you clean that horse's legs ? Ha'n't I taught you 
 better than that? Come here, you black lazy calf, 
 till I thrash you ! What ! lived with me all your 
 life, and don't know how to clean a horse ! Ha'n't I 
 thrashed you time and again for that? Come here, 
 I say! Ill fix you!" 
 
 Spence, as if apprehending a booting, manifested a 
 wonderful fear of me, and no inclination to approach 
 nearer, and, as I approached him, he involuntarily 
 drew back. I attempted to catch him, and he ran 
 away from me into the back yard, and I after him. 
 "Stop ! stop ! you black scoundrel you ! Stop ! or I'll 
 shoot you !" I shouted. 
 
 Mrs. Williams and my companions ran to the back 
 door to see what I was doing. As they came out, I 
 fired my revolver. Spence stopped, and, facing me, 
 implored, "Oh, Lord! Massa Ruggles, don't shoot 
 dis nigger ! don't shoot again, for do Lord's sake ! 
 don't shoot ! I'll done clean de hoss all off clean de 
 nex' time ! I will, I will, for sure, Massa Ruggles !" 
 
 "Don't shoot him, Major!" implored Mrs. Wil- 
 liams. 
 
 "Don't shoot him, Major ! for God's sake, don't. 
 For you will get into trouble with the Yankees if 
 you do."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 211 
 
 "Well, I won't shoot him this time, but the next 
 time he won't get off so easy. Do you understand 
 that, you black rascal ?" 
 
 "Yes, Massa Euggles ! I 'spects dat I was care- 
 less. I'll dun clean him good now !" and away he 
 went to clean the horse. 
 
 A few nights after the above occurrence, another 
 jollification was held at my rooms. Before sepa- 
 rating, it was agreed that eight of us, including myself 
 and Spence, should take the contraband horses and 
 goods, and, on a night agreed upon, if everything was 
 favorable, make a dash through the lines. 
 
 The time agreed upon came, and with it my rebel 
 acquaintances, prepared for the dash. I was not 
 ready, and apologized by saying that the weather 
 had been so bad for a day or two that J didn't 
 think they would be along that night. I told them 
 that I had left my saddle at a harness-shop to be 
 repaired, but if they would wait until I could go and 
 get it I would accompany them. To this they agreed. 
 Taking Spence with me, I started for the saddle. 
 
 I procured one, to prevent suspicion, and, carry- 
 ing it with me, I went to the officer of the provost- 
 guards. I told him what was going on, and then 
 showed him my order from Colonel Hillyer, and told 
 him that I wanted six men. My plan was to place 
 them where they could throw themselves suddenly 
 across a street that we would have to pass, as we 
 came up, and halt us, and to fire into every man 
 that did not halt. Spence and myself would, of 
 course, halt and be captured. The Captain would
 
 212 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 not give me any men unless I would take a whole 
 company. * I remonstrated. I knew that six men 
 would not be suspected of anything more than an 
 ordinary patrol guard, if seen on their way to the 
 place designated, and it would be impossible to get 
 so many men into position without their being seen. 
 The Captain would not yield, and I started with a 
 full company, under command of a Lieutenant. 
 After we had started, the Captain halted us, and 
 charged the Lieutenant not to divide the company 
 into squads, but to keep his men compact in a body. 
 That completely spoiled my plans, but I had no other 
 alternative. 
 
 Before we got within three hundred yards of the 
 outlaws, they discovered the force coming and mis- 
 trusted their object. They raised a yell of defiance, 
 and, swinging their hats with whoops and hurrahs, 
 dashed out of sight before the company could be got 
 into line. They succeeded in dashing through the 
 lines, and I have never heard of them since. 
 
 The contraband goods, however, remained in my 
 possession, and I turned them over to the Provost- 
 marshal. 
 
 I was heartily vexed with the failure, and dis- 
 gusted with the detective service, and resolved that 
 I would never have anything more to do with it. 
 How well I kept my resolution the sequel will 
 show.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 213 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Reports to Major-General McPherson Instructions Disguise Starts for 
 Vicksburg Changes his route Reports to General Denver Acquaint- 
 ance with a cotton-buyer Plan to make money Visit to guerrilla Sol. 
 Street The arrangement consummated Visit to General Price Arri- 
 val at Jackson Robbed of his field-glasses Introduction to President 
 Davis Visit to Vicksburg Visit to Edwards' Station Meets his bear- 
 hunting comrades Visits Black River Bridge Robbed of his horse 
 The return Reports to General McPherson Reports to General Grant 
 
 HAVING fully determined to do no more detective 
 service, I went to Colonel Hillyer, of General Grant's 
 staff, and told him that I was desirous of making a 
 trip to Jackson, Mississippi, and also to Yicksburg, 
 and that General Ross had frequently promised me 
 an opportunity of doing so. The Colonel said that 
 he was not Only willing but desirous that I should 
 do so. He accordingly released me from the detec- 
 tive service, and I reported to General McPherson. 
 On reporting back to the Colonel, he gave me a writ- 
 ten order, and on that authority General McPherson 
 at once gave me his instructions, and furnished me 
 with funds to supply myself with an outfit. I also re- 
 ceived from Colonel Hillyer a large roll of Confed- 
 erate money, with which to bear my expenses. 
 
 My instructions were to go down on the Hernando 
 road from Memphis to Grenada, and see how many 
 troops were there, and whether the enemy was forti- 
 fying at that place, and whether appearances indicated
 
 214 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 a determination to remain there long. I was then 
 to go on to Jackson, Miss., and see how many troops 
 were there, and ascertain, if I could, from a reliable 
 source, whether the rebs were still operating the Con- 
 federate States armory at Columbus, Miss., or had re- 
 moved it, as had been reported, to the State of Ala- 
 bama. Then I was to go on to Clinton, Miss., and 
 see how many troops were there ; and then to Ed- 
 wards' Station, and see what number were there ; and 
 then to Black Eiver Bridge, and see its defences, and 
 gather all the information that I could concerning 
 them, and find out, if possible, how many forces were 
 at Haines' and Snydcr's Bluffs ; and then return to 
 Memphis, and if General McPherson was not there, 
 to follow down the Mississippi Eiver until I found 
 him. 
 
 When he had finished his instructions, I said to 
 him, " General, I am confident that I can get to Jack- 
 son, Miss., easy enough; but what excuse can I make 
 or business can I pretend to have that will call me to 
 Black River Bridge ? "Why not instruct me to go on 
 to Yicksburg, and then there can be no suspicion on 
 my visit to the bridge." 
 
 He replied, "Ruggles, the Government has sent 
 six men into Yicksburg already, and none of them 
 have returned ; it's of no use to send out men unless 
 they return. Act your pleasure about it, but go no 
 further than you can go and get back." 
 
 I felt uneasy about trying to go to Black Eiver 
 Bridge without going to Yicksburg, and I did not like 
 to assume the responsibility without saying something
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 215 
 
 about it, for fear that I might fail to get back. I de- 
 cided to go in only on condition that circumstances 
 favored a certainty of return. 
 
 The disguise that I chose was that of a well-to-do 
 Southern planter, accompanied by a servant myself 
 on horseback and my servant mounted upon a mule. 
 Spence went with me as servant. We were both of 
 us richly dressed. I carried on my shoulders a pair 
 of field-glasses, and had in my possession a splendid 
 gold watch, which was furnished me as a part of my 
 outfit, and afterward given to me by General Grant. 
 My hair, at that time, was very long, hanging down 
 upon my shoulders. I wore a very broad-brimmed 
 black hat. 
 
 Everything being read} r , I started out on the road 
 leading to Hernando on the morning of the 24th day 
 of February, 1863. Passing a farm-house, a little 
 boy, of about two and a half years, came out of the 
 gate and says, "Mister, thar's Yankees clown thar, 
 and you'd better look out or they'll get you." Bather 
 a young counsellor thought I, but we moved on. 
 
 When we were fairly outside of the Federal lines, 
 Spence began to reflect on what the consequences 
 would be if I were found out to be a spy. After 
 riding several miles without saying a word, and ap- 
 pearing to be more than usually serious, he said : 
 " Mr. Bunker, a'n't you gwine right down in among 
 de rebils ?" 
 
 "Yes; why?" 
 
 "If de secesh dun git us, won't dey hang us 
 both ?"
 
 216 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " You keep that to yourself; if you don't they will 
 certainly hang us both. Remember what I say ; all 
 you have to do is to obey me promptly at all times. 
 You must be my nigger raised with me, and just a 
 day and a half older than I am. Do you understand 
 me?" 
 
 " I spects dat I do." 
 
 " No matter," I continued, " how much I scold or 
 boot you, you must carry out the character of a tip- 
 top genteel nigger waiter ; and you must make every- 
 body think that you have got the best master in the 
 world. Can you do it ?" 
 
 " I spects dat I can." 
 
 Spence was too deeply impressed with the reality 
 of the situation to say much ; but, however much he 
 feared the consequences of a discovery, he acted well 
 the part assigned him, and that, too, knowing the 
 certain fate awaiting him if my real character should 
 be found out. 
 
 At the time that I started, the weather had been 
 rainy for some time, and the ground had become 
 completely saturated with water, the roads muddy, 
 and the streams very high. I had gone but about 
 twenty miles, when I found that the bridges across the 
 streams had all been destroyed, either by the enemy 
 or swept off by the water, and that they were too 
 high for me to ford them. 
 
 I then turned to go back to Memphis, but I found 
 that a squad of guerrillas had got between me and 
 the city. Not wishing to encounter them, I made my 
 way across to Lafayette, a town on the Memphis and
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 217 
 
 Charleston Railroad. At that place I found General 
 Lee. I called on him, and requested him to inform 
 General McPherson that on account of the high 
 water, I was unable to get through on the Hernando 
 road. From Lafayette I went to Lagrange, at which 
 place I found General Denver. I requested of him 
 a pass to go through his lines. He inquired who I 
 was. I told him, and to convince him, showed him 
 the order Colonel Hilly er gave me to scout in Mem- 
 phis ; but, for some reason best known to himself, he 
 took the order away from me. It was raining at the 
 time I asked for the pass, and I requested to have it 
 dated for the next day. The Adjutant remarked that 
 if I had it dated a day ahead it would afford me a 
 fine opportunity to see how many forces they had be- 
 fore I went out. A pass was granted me, however, 
 to go out, but not to return, and I remained at La- 
 grange until the next clay! I think that General 
 Denver doubted my being a Federal scout. Not ex- 
 pecting to pass any Federal lines, except when I left 
 Memphis, I had no pass proper for the occasion, and 
 showed the order tliat I had, for want of something 
 better. 
 
 I put up at a house of entertainment kept by a 
 Mr. Lee, where I met with a cotton buyer by the 
 name of Hall, who was boarding at the same place. 
 In the course of our conversation something was said 
 about a noted guerrilla by the name of Solomon G. 
 Street. I remarked, "I don't see how it comes that 
 Sol. Street has managed to make himself so noted ; he 
 is a man that very little was said about before the war."
 
 218 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "Do you know Sol. Street?" said the cotton- 
 buyer. 
 
 " Yes, I have known him for ten or twelve years. 
 I knew him when he lived in Memphis, and then 
 afterward when he lived on Island 40, and then again 
 when he moved up to the foot of Island 37." 
 
 " Now, see here," said Hall ; " you want to make 
 money and I want to make money, and now is the 
 time to do it. If you are acquainted with Sol. Street 
 you can arrange the matter so as to make a hand- 
 some thing of it for both of us." 
 
 "How so?" 
 
 " Well, I will tell you. Sol. Street has got about 
 eighty guerrillas stationed back in the country a few 
 miles, and in their rear there is a large amount of 
 cotton. I have seen it, and it is worth eighty cents a 
 pound. He likes money as well as either of us. 
 Now, if you will see him, and get him to give you 
 a writing that he will withdraw his men for ten days, 
 and let Government teams in there, without molest- 
 ing them, to haul the cotton away, I will give Sol. 
 one-half the proceeds of the cotton at eighty cents a 
 pound, and I will give you $5,000 of my share, and 
 you shall see the cotton weighed and carry Sol.'s 
 money to him." 
 
 ' ' That would really be a nice little spec, wouldn't 
 it?" 
 
 " Yes ; and now is the time to strike." 
 
 " Well, I am going down into the Confederacy to 
 be gone several days, perhaps two weeks, and I will
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 219 
 
 try and see Sol. Street and find out what he will do 
 about it, and will let you know on my return." 
 
 "Well, do. I am sure that you can't make five 
 thousand dollars easier." 
 
 In the morning I resumed my journey, and had 
 proceeded as far as Waterford, when I accidentally 
 come across Sol. Street. He immediately recog- 
 nized me as an old acquaintance. After convers- 
 ing a while, I said to him, "Sol., you like to make 
 money and so do I, and it don't matter much how 
 we make it, either. I know of a chance for both of 
 us to make something." 
 
 "Well, what is it?" 
 
 "There is a large lot of cotton in your rear, and 
 there is a Yankee cotton-buyer, that has seen the 
 cotton, who says it is worth eighty cents a pound, 
 and that if you will agree to withdraw your men for 
 ten days, and allow him, unmolested, to haul the cot- 
 ton out with Federal teams, he will sell the cotton 
 and pay over to me one-half of the proceeds of the 
 cotton for you, and will give me five thousand dol- 
 lars. What do you think of that, Sol ?" 
 
 " Will you be responsible to me for my share ?" 
 
 I said I would be responsible for what I had to do 
 myself, but not for what others are to do. But if the 
 man does not pay the one-half for the cotton, I will 
 decoy him out and we will dispatch him, and take 
 the whole of it. 
 
 " I am bound to make money out of this war, and 
 I don't care how I do it."
 
 220 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "That's the understanding then, is it?" 
 
 " Yes, and when you get ready to have the cotton 
 out, let me know it, and I'll withdraw the men." 
 
 However well I had completed the arrangements, 
 I had no intention of participating in a traffic of that 
 kind on my own responsibility. I relate it merely 
 that the reader may see one of the internal phases 
 of this monstrous rebellion. Others have made 
 money in that way. 
 
 The journey from Waterford to Grenada was a 
 painfully lonesome one. Not a human being, save a 
 few citizens at Oxford, were seen to enliven the 
 solitude that prevailed. Scarcely a living being was 
 to be seen, save perhaps, now and then, a poor, old 
 blind and crippled mule or horse, in the last stages 
 of starvation. Even the feathered songsters of the 
 forest seemed to realize the utter desolation that 
 prevailed., and lent, by their silence and seclusion, to 
 that inexpressible gloom. Scarcely a fence or plan- 
 tation-house remained to mark the place where peace 
 and prosperity had once existed. Huge chimney- 
 stacks pointed out where the consuming elements had 
 been, and stood as monuments of retribution that was 
 being meted out to those whose folly had led them to 
 participate in their own fearful destruction. I invol- 
 untarily exclaimed, "Surely, the way of the trans- 
 gressor is hard!" 
 
 On my arrival at the rebel lines, near Grenada, 
 I experienced no difficulty in passing, and, with- 
 out having met with any obstacles after leaving the 
 Federal lines, I was once more a sojourner in Grenada.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 221 
 
 There I found the place garrisoned by a small body of 
 troops, composed of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, 
 and considerably improved in appearance since my 
 last visit to the place. 
 
 I repaired at once to General Price's headquarters, 
 and there I found General Wheeler, whom I have 
 mentioned as having met me before in the rebel army, 
 at General Van Corn's headquarters. I asked Gen- 
 eral Price for a pass to visit Jackson, and for the 
 privilege of leaving my horse and mule with his 
 headquarter horses until my return, which was 
 granted, While there, I found out that General 
 Wheeler had just received a permit to visit Jack- 
 son, so I proposed to accompany him, to which he 
 assented, and we both took the cars together. 
 
 At the depot I met with on old acquaintance from 
 Arkansas, from whom I learned that three of my 
 old bear-hunting comrades, by the names of Samuel 
 Teel, Henry Thomas, and Lemuel Mclntosh, were in 
 the 10th Arkansas Infantry, and that the regiment was 
 at Edwards' Station, four miles from Black River. I 
 knew that Teel had been a regular canebrake ranger, 
 and I concluded that, if I could find him, I could con- 
 trive some way to get safely to Black River bridge. 
 
 On our way down, General Wheeler told me 
 that President Davis was to be at Jackson, and that 
 his business down there was to see the President. 
 The idea of seeing Jeff. Davis pleased me. I told 
 the general that I was glad to hear that the presi- 
 dent was to be there, for I had never been so fortu- 
 nate as to have naet him, and that I should be very
 
 222 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 happy to make his acquaintance. He promised that 
 if an opportunity occurred, he would give me an in- 
 troduction. 
 
 On our arrival at Jackson, we repaired at once to 
 the Confederate House, registered our names, and 
 procured rooms. Before I had been shown to my 
 room, a general (I had learned afterward) from South 
 Carolina, stepped up to me, and, taking my field- 
 glasses from my shoulders and placing them upon 
 his own, said : " Citizens have no use for such things, 
 and generals have." 
 
 "Take them, general ; take them along, sir! I am 
 willing to do anything for our Government. 
 
 I knew that it would do no good to object, but I 
 should have been better pleased if he had as much 
 as thanked me for them, but, instead, he walked off 
 with as much dignity as if "Monarch of all he sur- 
 veyed." 
 
 Shortly after our arrival, I entered the sitting- 
 room, in company with General Wheeler, where we 
 found President Davis and his attendants, and Lieu- 
 tenant-General Joseph Johnston. Among the attend- 
 ants were several generals, whose names I did not 
 learn ; one of them, however, had my field-glasses. 
 General Wheeler approached the President and in- 
 troduced himself, and then introduced me as a brother 
 of General Ruggles. He also introduced me, in the 
 same way, to General Johnston. 
 
 I remained at the Confederate House four days, at 
 an expense of thirteen dollars per day for myself 
 and servant. During our stay, Spence came in for
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 223 
 
 his share of notoriety. He was remarkably attentive 
 to my wants and scrupulously exact in all his ar- 
 rangements of my toilet. His own clothing was 
 richer than that of any body-servant at the hotel, 
 and he kept it perfectly clean. His superior dress 
 helped him wonderfully in carrying out the character 
 he had assumed. It was really amusing to observe 
 his lofty and dignified bearing among those of his 
 own color. 
 
 After having seen what I could to advantage in 
 Jackson, I went to General Johnston and showed 
 him my pass from G-eneral Price, and told him that 
 I wanted him, if agreeable to his good-will and 
 pleasure, to give me a permit to visit Yicksburg and 
 return. I told him that I had some friends in there, 
 and, as we did not always know what might be the 
 fortunes of war, I was extremely anxious to see them. 
 He made no hesitation about it, but immediately 
 ordered the required pass for a period of ten days, 
 subject to the approval of the Provost-marshal in 
 Vicksburg, whenever I wished to return. 
 
 I took the cars the same day, and went into Vicks- 
 burg, where I remained two days. I found a force 
 of ten regiments of infantry there, and, as near as I 
 could judge, 200 heavy artillery. From what I 
 could learn, there was at Haines' Bluff about 12,000 
 troops. The batteries along the river were very 
 formidable, and seemed to me sufficient, if well 
 served, to annihilate any water craft that might un- 
 dertake to pass. 
 
 At the expiration of two days, I went to the Pro-
 
 224 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 vost-marshal and got my pass approved, and re- 
 turned as far as Edwards' Station, where I had the 
 good fortune to find my old friends, whose names I 
 have mentioned. They were very much delighted to 
 see me. Sam. Teel still carried his old favorite rifle, 
 which he called " Old Bill." This rifle I sold to him 
 twelve years before. It was manufactured by Mr. 
 Andrews, of Cleveland, Ohio. Many a bear had I 
 seen succumb to its unerring aim. The next day 
 after my arrival, Sam. Teel procured a pass for him- 
 self and three others (mentioning our names) to visit 
 Black River and fish. We went directly to the 
 bridge, and then rambled up and down the stream 
 as much as we pleased. Teel showed me how they 
 had blockaded the river below the bridge by sinking 
 two small steamboats, one a little above the other, 
 to keep our gunboats from coming up to the bridge. 
 The bridge and its approaches was guarded by a 
 force of 1,000 men. It was nearly night when we 
 returned to camp. At Edwards' Station, I found a 
 force of 40,000 men. I remained there five days, 
 and then returned to Jackson on foot. 
 
 At Clinton, a smart little place, ten miles west of 
 Jackson, I saw one regiment of infantry. At Jack- 
 son there was but one regiment of infantry ; that 
 was the 17th Mississippi Zouaves, called the "Pride 
 of the Confederacy," and armed with Colt's revolv- 
 ing rifles. I was informed in Jackson that the ar- 
 mory at Columbus, Miss., had been removed into the 
 State of Alabama.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 225 
 
 Having found out all that had been required of 
 me in my instructions, I thought it was best to re- 
 turn. Accordingly, I again visited General John- 
 ston, and requested a pass to Grenada, which was 
 granted. 
 
 On arriving at General Price's headquarters, I 
 found that during my absence my horse had been 
 taken. I made no complaint about it, but contin- 
 ued my journey with my mule and servant. Just 
 before night, on the first day out from Grenada, I 
 passed a stable that contained a very good-looking 
 horse. I proceeded on about two miles, and halted 
 until after dark, when, leaving my servant and mule 
 until my return, I procured a horse, and we rode all 
 night, and the next day without halting, exceptfor 
 refreshments ; we returned to the Federal lines with- 
 out difficulty. 
 
 On our arrival at Memphis, being unable to pro- 
 cure transportation down the river for my horse and 
 mule, I turned the former over to the post Quarter- 
 master, and left the latter at my old boarding-place, 
 on Adams-street. It was the same mule that had 
 been given to me by General Eoss, and taken from 
 me by the outlaws. I then took a steamboat passage 
 to Lake Providence, La., where I found General 
 McPherson. 
 
 Having heard my report, the general expressed a 
 doubt about the two steamboats that I have spoken 
 of being sunk in Black Kiver, below the bridge. In 
 order to test my reliability, he questioned me about
 
 226 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 what kind of a man General Wheeler was, his stat- 
 ure, weight, complexion, etc., and intimated that he 
 was a very large man. I told him that he was mis- 
 taken, or else the General Wheeler that he knew and 
 the one that I knew were two different persons. He 
 then told me that he and General Wheeler both at- 
 tended the Military School at West Point at the 
 same time, and that he knew him well, and that I 
 described him exactly. I afterward had an oppor- 
 tunity of proving to him that I was correct about 
 the sunken steamboats, by taking him in person to 
 the place and showing him the remains of them. 
 
 After I had finished my report to General Mc- 
 Pherson, he sent me to General Grant, who was then 
 at Milliken's Bend, La. I reported to him all the 
 particulars of my trip, even to the conversation that 
 I had held with Hall, the cotton-buyer, and Sol. 
 Street, the guerrilla. I also asked the general if 
 there would be any harm in such outside transactions. 
 I told him that if I was alldwed to do it, I could pay 
 my own expenses in the secret service, and thereby 
 save that much expense to the Government. 
 
 Said he, "Ruggles, don't you have any business 
 transactions with outlaws ; if you do, I shall certainly 
 disgrace you. Do a straightforward, honest business 
 for the Government, and then, if you should ever 
 need any assistance, come to me about it, and I will 
 see that you have all the help that you need. A 
 good name, well earned, is worth more to you than 
 all you can make by unlawful traffic." 
 
 I think the General's advice was excellent. At
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 227 
 
 all events, I have followed it, and saved myself the 
 disgrace that has since fallen upon many, far my su- 
 periors in rank. I have never seen the cotton-buyer 
 nor the guerrilla since.
 
 228 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Return to Mississippi Instructions Visit to Troy Movement of cavalry 
 Reports to General Denver Is arrested Federal Cavalry driven 
 back Is released Visits Greenwood Journey to the Mississippi River 
 The perilous crossing Again arrested Interview with General Pren- 
 tiss Takes the oath of allegiance Meets a friend Makes his escape 
 Reports to General Grant. 
 
 WHEN General Grant had heard my report of 
 my Mississippi trip, he supplied me with funds, and 
 requested me to return into the Confederacy, to what- 
 ever place I thought proper, and remain until I saw 
 a movement which I considered worthy of his notice, 
 and then immediately return. 
 
 With these instructions, I started for Memphis, 
 leaving my servant Spence to report himself to the 
 company commander. 
 
 At the time I undertook to make the trip, a part 
 of the army operating for the capture of Yicksburg 
 was engaged in trying to get through the Yazoo Pass 
 into the Yazoo Elver. A part w r as at Lake Provi- 
 dence, a part at Milliken's Bend, and the rest at 
 Young's Point ; the three latter places are in Louisi- 
 ana, and the former in Mississippi. 
 
 I made up my mind to visit that part of Missis- 
 sippi through which any force designing to operate 
 against General Grant's movements might be seen, in 
 time to communicate the fact to General Grant.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 229 
 
 Supposing that I might have swamps and rivers 
 to cross, which would have to be accomplished in 
 canoes or on rafts, I determined to make the trip on 
 foot. 
 
 I left Memphis some time in the latter part of 
 March, in the same dress that I had worn on the 
 previous trip, and directed my course to Grenada, 
 on the Hernando road. I met with nothing of inter- 
 est on the entire road to Grenada, a distance of one 
 hundred miles. 
 
 On my arrival at Grenada, I found the forces that 
 were there on my last visit to the place, under com- 
 mand of General Price, gone, except the conva- 
 lescents. 
 
 General Price, as I learned, had gone to Missouri. 
 At that time, however, I supposed his forces were at 
 Fort Pcmberton, near Greenwood, Miss., resisting 
 the advance of the Federal force through the Yazoo 
 Pass. 
 
 From Grenada I intended to visit Yazoo City, and 
 left for that purpose the next morning after my ar- 
 rival, on the road to Troy, which place I reached 
 about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. There I remained 
 until the next morning, and was about resuming my 
 journey, when a force of five regiments of cavalry 
 made its appearance, coming in on the same road that 
 I intended to take out. They passed through Troy, 
 and took the direct road to Coffeeville. I followed 
 them on foot, and on my arrival at Cofifeeville, I 
 found them halted for the night. I had been there 
 only a few minutes, when another cavalry force of five
 
 230 THE GEE AT AMERICAN 
 
 regiments came in on the road from Grenada, and 
 halted for the night. 
 
 The next morning a council was held by the com- 
 manding officers, but I was unable to learn the sub- 
 ject of discussion. The opinion prevailed among the 
 troops that they were a part of the force designed to 
 take Memphis. 
 
 I was of a different opinion. I did not think that 
 they could bring to bear a sufficient force to take the 
 place, and from what I had heard from the line of- 
 ficers, I concluded they intended an attempt to cap- 
 ture Fort Randolph, above Memphis, and intercept 
 the supplies being sent below for General Grant's 
 army. I felt convinced that the movement was of 
 such importance as to warrant me in reporting it, 
 and, not knowing how rapid the movement might be, 
 I determined to report to the nearest Federal com- 
 mander. 
 
 Soon after the council of officers was held, the 
 force started the first five regiments on the road to 
 Holly Springs, and the other five on the road to Her- 
 nando. I accompanied the first. 
 
 One of the soldiers had an extra horse, which I 
 persuaded him to let me ride. The march was con- 
 tinued to Lumpkins' Mills, where the regiments halted. 
 There I turned my horse over to its owner, and be- 
 fore any pickets were thrown out I was on my way 
 to Lagrange, which place I succeeded in reaching 
 without any interruption. 
 
 At the Yacona River a little incident occurred
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 231 
 
 which amused me considerably. Previous to evacu- 
 ating that position, the Federal troops destroyed the 
 bridge across the river. The water in the stream at 
 that place was quite shallow, but the mud was ex- 
 ceedingly soft and very deep, and the banks at the 
 immediate edge of the water very steep and high for 
 a horse to step from. The general in command of 
 the force attempted to cross in advance of his com- 
 mand, and his horse, in stepping from the edge of the 
 bank into the water with its fore feet, plunged in so 
 unexpectedly deep that he precipitated the general 
 over his head into the water. By the time he had 
 established himself on terra jirma, he was, from his 
 sousing in the mud and water, a ludicrous looking 
 personage. 
 
 On my arrival at Lagrange, I immediately re- 
 ported the movements of the enemy to General 
 Denver. For some reason, best known to himself, 
 he did not credit my report, and detained me under 
 arrest until he could ascertain the truth of the 
 matter. 
 
 I told the general my instructions, and assured 
 him that I thought the movement of the enemy was 
 one worthy of notice. A regiment of cavalry was 
 then sent out to reconnoitre, and when near Holly 
 Springs they encountered the enemy, and a sharp 
 engagement took place, in which the superior num- 
 bers of the enemy enabled them to drive the Fed- 
 erals back, with a loss of eighteen killed and wounded. 
 At the end of three days the regiment returned, and
 
 232 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the general was convinced that a part of my report, 
 at least, was true. He then told me that I had 
 better report the movement to General Grant. 
 
 I replied, "I have been of that opinion for three 
 days." 
 
 I then determined to penetrate the country be- 
 tween Hernando and Coffeeville to Greenwood, and 
 find out the locality of the other five regiments of 
 cavalry, and see the position and force of the enemy 
 at Greenwood, and, if possible, communicate with 
 General Ross, and then make my way across to the 
 Mississippi Eiver, and then to General Grant's head- 
 quarters at Milliken's Bend, La. 
 
 In crossing the country, I left Hernando to my 
 right, but learned, by citizens, that the cavalry 
 stopped at that place, and that General Hurlbut had 
 sent a small force of cavalry to reconnoitre, which, 
 like the one General Denver sent out, was driven 
 back with considerable loss. 
 
 On arriving at Greenwood, I found that the prin- 
 cipal part of the rebel force was twenty miles below ; 
 to which place I went. The force there at that time 
 was a division of fourteen regiments of infantry, un- 
 der General Tighlman, and one other division of in- 
 fantry, under whose command I did not learn, and 
 some artillery. 
 
 At the time of my arrival, the rebs had erected a 
 battery on a flat near the river, which they flattered 
 themselves would do immense execution upon the Yan- 
 kee fleet. The Yankees, during its erection, cut 
 the levee above, and in the morning the rebs were
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 233 
 
 chagrined to find the flat overflowed with three feet 
 of water. 
 
 I was exceedingly anxious to communicate with 
 General Ross, and the cutting of the levee had very 
 much increased the difficulty of so doing. I made a 
 great many inquiries concerning the Yankee fleet and 
 the danger of crossing to the opposite side of the 
 river. The soldiers assured me that every person 
 that had attempted to cross had been fired into by 
 Federal gunboats. The overflow of water made it 
 impossible to reach General Ross from the side I was 
 on. My anxiety to do so caused me to make several 
 indiscreet inquiries of the rebel soldiers, which, I was 
 convinced, made them somewhat suspicious of me, 
 and I thought it not advisable to remain there longer 
 than was absolutely necessary. 
 
 On reflecting upon what course to pursue, I de- 
 cided that the safest way would be for me to make 
 my way to the Mississippi River, opposite Helena. 
 With that determination, I left the rebel force in the 
 afternoon of the next day after my arrival, and re- 
 traced my way twelve miles toward Greenwood, 
 and there I took to the left on the bluff road that 
 leads to the river, opposite Helena. 
 
 So strong had my fears been excited for my safety, 
 by the suspicions caused by my indiscreet inquiries, 
 that I did not feel safe to stop at any plantation- 
 house overnight, but stayed by myself in the woods. 
 
 Fortunately, the enemy did not suspicion me 
 strong enough to induce them to follow. After seven 
 days' hard walking, I arrived at Crowder's plan-
 
 234 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 tation, on the Mississippi Eiver, near the foot of 
 Island No. 60, without any molestation. 
 
 I was then three miles from Helena, with the 
 Father of Waters between, and no means of trans- 
 portation across. I immediately commenced a search 
 for some means of crossing. After spending several 
 hours in search of a boat, I found a Dutchman, who 
 owned an old leaky dug-out, which was very small 
 and extremely unsafe for even one person to cross 
 in. I concluded, however, that if I could buy it, I 
 would make an attempt. The Dutchman asked me 
 ten dollars for it, and could not be induced to take 
 anything less. I took it, at last, and paid him ten 
 dollars in Confederate money. 
 
 I embarked in it and undertook to cross. The 
 water came in on me rapidly, and by the time I had 
 reached the sand-bar at the foot of Island 60, my 
 frail bark was so full of water that I was in imminent 
 danger of going down. 
 
 I landed on the bar, and drew my dug-out upon 
 the sand and emptied out the water. I had still all 
 of two miles further to go, without any intervening 
 place on which to land, and before re-embarking it 
 was necessary to contrive some way to stop the 
 leaks. 
 
 Several years previous to that time I had been en- 
 gaged in chopping steamboat-wood on that very 
 island. Two winters I had chopped wood there ; 
 consequently, I was no stranger to the locality. 
 
 About a quarter of a mile from where I landed, 
 near an old wood-chopper's shanty, I found an old
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 235 
 
 shirt ; with that I stopped some of the worst leaks, 
 which having accomplished, I re-embarked on my 
 perilous voyage. I kept my bark to the north of 
 the middle bar, and ran into the Sterling chute, and 
 then landed at Helena, near the foot of Main-street. 
 
 The moment my dug-out touched the shore, two 
 guards stood ready to capture me, and accosted me 
 with : 
 
 " Hallo, old fellow! what's the news on the other 
 side of the river ?" 
 
 "The news is favorable," I replied. 
 
 "Well, I reckon we'll have to take you to the 
 Provost-marshal," said one of the guards. 
 
 " Boys, I am a soldier, and I want you to take me 
 to the general in command of the post." 
 
 " Our instructions are to take all such customers 
 as you are to the Provost-marshal." 
 
 "I can't help that, I am a Federal soldier, and I 
 want you to take me to the general." 
 
 They then called the corporal of the guard. I 
 knew him ; he belonged to the 25th Indiana Infantry. 
 I had frequently seen him in Memphis, during my 
 stay there in the winter ; but he knew me as my 
 secesh acquaintances had known me as a rebel 
 major. I prevailed on him, however, to send me to 
 the general, whom I learned from him was General 
 Prentiss. 
 
 As soon as we arrived at the general's quarters, 
 the guards explained how they had captured me, 
 and then returned to their post, leaving me with the 
 general.
 
 I 
 
 236 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 When ready to attend to me, he said : " Well, 
 where do you belong ?" 
 
 "To General Grant's army." 
 
 " What are you doing here?" 
 
 " I came in from the other side of the river." 
 
 " What do you want here ?" 
 
 " I want to take a steamboat down the river and 
 report myself to General Grant." 
 
 " Yes, to General Grant ! That would be a nice 
 way to get off? I guess the best place for you to re- 
 port is to the Provost-marshal !" 
 
 " General, I am a Mississippian, and a soldier 
 sworn into the service of the United States ; and I 
 belong to the Army of the Tennessee, under General 
 Grant ; the 17th Army Corps, General McPherson ; 
 the 3d Division, General Logan ; the 2d Brigade, 
 General Leggett ; the 20th Ohio Eegiment, Colonel 
 M. F. Force, and to Company H, Captain E. C. 
 Downs ; and I am detached as a scout for Gen. Grant." 
 
 "Yes, a Mississippian ! There are a great many 
 Mississippians coming into our lines nowadays. Have 
 you any papers to show that?" 
 
 " No, sir, I have not; but I can tell you all the 
 principal movements of the Federal army on the 
 Bast side of the Mississippi River, since the capture 
 of Fort Donelson, up to the present time." 
 
 "Well, what are they?" 
 
 I then told him what they were, and where Gener- 
 .al Grant's forces then were ; and then I added : "I 
 can tdll you all about your surrendering at Shiloh, 
 and what Confederate regiments captured you."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 237 
 
 " Well, that's quite likely ; I suspected you could 
 do as much. Now tell me about the movements of 
 the army in Missouri and Arkansas." 
 
 " I can't do that, General." 
 
 " No, I don't expect that you can. I will now give 
 you the following limits : You can go from my quar- 
 ters to the Commercial House, and from there to the 
 Provost-marshal's office and back ; and if you under- 
 take to get away I'll have you shot." 
 
 " General, I left papers in General Denver's pos- 
 session at Lagrange, Tenn., that will show who I am 
 and what my business is." 
 
 "Well, you can have the limits that I have given 
 you, and if you have got papers to show who you are, 
 the Provost-marshal will write for you and get 
 them." 
 
 From the general's quarters I went to the Pro- 
 vost-marshal, and requested him to write to General 
 Denver for the order he took from me, when on my 
 way to Yicksburg and Jackson, Miss. I learned from 
 him that there was an order from the commander of 
 the post requiring all citizens within the lines to take 
 the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government by 
 9 o'clock of the next day, or be sent outside of the 
 lines toward Little Eock. 
 
 I went to General Prentiss the next morning, and 
 again assured him that I was a Federal soldier, and 
 asked him if he required me to take the oath of alle- 
 giance. 
 
 He replied, " Yes ; and unless you do, you will have 
 to leave the lines before 9 o'clock this morning."
 
 238 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 I then went to the Provost-marshal and took the 
 oath. 
 
 I had hoped that in doing so I would be released, 
 and allowed the full privilege of a citizen ; but, for 
 some reason not known to me, I was not released 
 from the limits assigned to me. I could not make 
 General Prentiss nor the Provost-marshal believe that 
 L was a soldier. Several of the soldiers in the 25th 
 Indiana Regiment, on provost duty, had known me 
 in Memphis, in my assumed character ; but I could 
 not make them believe I was a Federal soldier. I had 
 very little hopes of getting the order that General 
 Denver had taken ftom me ; but I felt almost sure 
 that among the great number of officers that I knew 
 in General Grant's army, some of them would stop at 
 Helena, either going up or down the river, and. with 
 their assistance, I thought I could get released. It 
 seemed to me as if every steamer would have on 
 board some one of my numerous acquaintances ; but 
 one came, and then another, and still another, and in 
 that way day after day passed by, and no familiar face 
 was seen. In that way I spent nine days in anxious 
 suspense. 
 
 At the levee, within- the limits allowed me, lay the 
 steamer Imperial. She was used for stationary pur- 
 poses, and on board was kept a saloon and various 
 refreshments. I was allowed to go on board of her 
 whenever I desired. 
 
 On the ninth day after my arrest, I happened to 
 be on board of her, when the steamer Continental 
 came down the river, and, stopping, made fast along-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 239 
 
 side of her. Before the guards made their appear- 
 ance, I jumped aboard the Continental and ran up 
 into the cabin in search of some person that I 
 knew. 
 
 There I found Colonel Marsh, of the 20th Illinois 
 Regiment. He knew me. I told him how I came to be 
 there, and that I wanted to get away and report my- 
 self to General Grant. He was going on shore at 
 the time : he handed me the key to his state-room, 
 and told me to make myself at home, and when the 
 boat started he would join me. In the course of an 
 hour we were under way, and without any molestation 
 from the provost-guards. Whether the Provost-mar- 
 shal ever received my order from General Denver, or 
 whether General Prentiss ever found out what be- 
 came of me, is more than I know. 
 
 I reported to General Grant the result of my trip, 
 and why I had been so long getting to him. He said 
 that I had done right in coming back when I did, but 
 that I should have reported the cavalry movement to 
 General Hurlbut, at Memphis. He then relieved me 
 from duty for thirty days, and allowed me for that 
 time to go where I pleased. 
 
 I will here say, that I have no doubt that Generals 
 Denver and Prentiss acted in good faith on, their part, 
 and had what seemed to them good and sufficient rea- 
 sons for detaining me as they did. 
 
 All the conversation that I had with General Pren- 
 tiss was no more than a Confederate spy might have 
 had under the same circumstances. 
 
 Papers I very seldom carried about me when in-
 
 240 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 side of the enemy's lines ; and in the absence of such 
 evidence, it was sometimes very hard to convince 
 one's own friends of his loyalty, and equally as hard 
 for the enemy to make him out a spy.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 241 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Return to the regiment The Henry rifle The march from Milliken'a 
 Bend The tug of war The army crosses the Mississippi Capture of 
 Port Gibson Battle of Raymond Amusing capture The charge on 
 Jackson Battle of Champion Hills The rebel courier Sharp shoot- 
 ingThe gallant charge The march to Vicksburg The place be- 
 sieged. 
 
 IT was about the middle of the month of April that 
 I returned to my regiment, which I found encamped 
 at Berry's Landing, five miles above Lake Providence, 
 La. It was while there that I had an opportunity of 
 examining one of Henry's volcanic or repeating 
 rifles, which are capable of discharging sixteen 
 shots without reloading. The one that I saw was in 
 the possession of the captain of the steamboat Supe- 
 rior. 
 
 From my first enlistment I had possessed a strong 
 desire to have a first-class rifle of the most modern 
 improvement. The promise of such a gun was the 
 principal condition on which I enlisted. It was several 
 months after I enlisted before I received in exchange 
 for my "handspike" (musket) the Enfield that was 
 promised to me. 
 
 My long experience as a bear-hunter in the Western 
 wilderness had made me expert with the rifle, and 
 my desire to have a piece with which I could excel 
 at sharp-shooting, if ever an opportunity offered, had
 
 242 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 become intense, and the organizing campaign against 
 Vicksburg seemed to promise the desired opportu- 
 nity. 
 
 I went to General Grant and told him about the 
 gun, and that I wished to purchase it and carry it. 
 He asked me if I thought I could carry so valuable 
 a piece without losing it. "I think I can" was my 
 reply. 
 
 ' Very well ; tell General McPherson to get you 
 the rifle." 
 
 I saw General McPherson about it, and he gave 
 me permission to purchase and carry it. 
 
 It was a most beautiful piece, with steel barrel and 
 chamber. The captain who owned it was so much 
 attached to it that he hated to part with it, but at last 
 he yielded to my importunities, and sold me the rifle 
 for sixty-five dollars, including what cartridges he had. 
 
 My release from duty afforded me a splendid op- 
 portunity of practising with it. I was perfectly de- 
 lighted with its execution. Its accuracy and long- 
 range was a marvel compared with the best feats of 
 marksmanship that I had seen among experienced 
 hunters. 
 
 A few days after I purchased the rifle the grand 
 move of the army against Vicksburg commenced. 
 Several gunboats and transports had already run the 
 blockade of the formidable batteries that commanded 
 the river. It was on the 25th day of April, 1863, 
 at six o'clock A. M., that the 2d Brigade of General 
 Logan's Division, to which I belonged, moved from 
 Milliken's Bend. That night the division bivouacked
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 243 
 
 at Richmond, and the following night at Smith's plan- 
 tation. 
 
 A heavy rain set in at the commencement of the 
 march, which filled the ground and water-courses full 
 of water, which made the roads across those rich allu- 
 vial bottoms extremely soft, and easily cut up by the 
 artillery and supply wagons. From Smith's planta- 
 tion to Perkins' plantation, eight miles below New 
 Carthage, was only fifteen miles, but it took us two 
 days to make the march. That march was really a 
 " tug of war." The horses and mules floundered in 
 the mud. At times it was with the greatest difficulty, 
 after doubling the teams, that the artillery and wag- 
 ons w^ere extricated from those miry depths. The 
 men, however, kept up an indomitable good-will and 
 courage, which carried us through. It was nine 
 o'clock P. M. when we halted for the night, and at 
 twelve o'clock the same night we started for Hard- 
 Times Landing, situated a short distance above Grand 
 Gulf, on the opposite side of the river. The march 
 was made by way of Lake St. Joseph, and it was four 
 o'clock P. M., of the 29th, when we reached Hard- 
 Times Landing. 
 
 On the 1st of May we crossed the river to Bru- 
 insburg. It was on that day that General Oster- 
 haus' division and two brigades of General Logan's 
 division captured Port Gibson. From that time un- 
 til the 12th of May, the troops were engaged in fol- 
 lowing up the enemy and harassing him. Our gen- 
 eral course of march was to the northeast, toward 
 Jackson.
 
 244 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 On the 12th, General Logan's division being in the 
 advance, when within ten miles of Raymond, the 
 enemy, about five thousand strong, including two bat- 
 teries of artillery, under command of General 
 Gregg, was found advantageously posted, with the ar- 
 tillery so arranged as to sweep the road and a bridge 
 that it was necessary to pass. 
 
 The division was formed in line preparatory to an 
 attack, with the 2d Brigade, commanded by Brigadier- 
 General Dennis, on the left, occupying both sides of 
 the road ; the 1st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier- 
 General John E. Smith, in the centre, on the right of 
 the 2d Brigade ; and the 3d Brigade, commanded by 
 Brigadier-General J. D. Stephenson, on the right, 
 and the 8th Michigan Battery, commanded by Cap- 
 tain De Golyer, in the road near the bridge. 
 
 As soon as the troops were in position, an advance 
 was commenced, and the battle opened with great 
 energy. The roar of musketry was tremendous. On 
 the left of the 1st Brigade and the right of the 2d 
 Brigade the contest was dreadful. The line had ad- 
 vanced to the ditch in which ran a little stream 
 crossed by the bridge. On the side of the ditch next 
 to the enemy was a dense growth of underbrush 
 behind that brush, not fifty yards distant, were the 
 enemy. So heavily did the enemy press the left of 
 the 1st Brigade, composed of the 23d Indiana and 
 the 20th Illinois, that they were compelled to give 
 back, but immediately rallied, supported by the 81st 
 Illinois. The giving back of the left of the 1st Brig- 
 ade enabled the enemy to occupy a portion of the ditch,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 245 
 
 and exposed the 20th Ohio, occupying the right of 
 the 2d Brigade, to a most galling fire in its flank. 
 At one time the regiment was nearly surrounded, but 
 it gallantly held its ground, in spite of the terrible 
 fire to which it was exposed, and not a man of the 
 regiment fell back. 
 
 The 23d Indiana and 20th Illinois now made a 
 dashing charge, and drove the enemy from the ground 
 that they had lost. It was while gallantly leading 
 his men on to victory that the brave Lieutenant- Col- 
 onel Richards, of the 20th Illinois, was killed. An 
 attempt was made by the enemy to charge and cap- 
 ture the battery, but they were met by such a terri- 
 ble fire of grape and cannister, that they broke and 
 fled from the field. Our troops immediately com- 
 menced a pursuit, and by five o'clock P. M. were in 
 possession of Raymond. 
 
 The determined obstinacy with which the 20th 
 Ohio, under the gallant Colonel Force, held its 
 ground, added much to the brilliany of the victory. 
 Our loss was 69 killed, 341 wounded, and 30 miss- 
 ing. The enemy's was 103 killed, and 720 wounded 
 and prisoners, 2 cannon disabled, besides the loss of 
 a quantity of small-arms. 
 
 In the morning of the 12th, after the column had 
 commenced its line of march, General Logan sent 
 me out to the right of the column, to ascertain 
 whether a rebel force was coming up from below to 
 intercept our line of march. 
 
 After riding out about three miles, I saw, in the 
 distance, a single horseman approaching. As I
 
 246 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 neared him, it proved to be a Mississippi planter, 
 well advanced in years, armed with a Mississippi 
 Yager, or rifle. 
 
 "Whar be you gwine?" he asked, as we met. 
 
 "I'm gwine out to jine our forces and fight the 
 Yankees to-day," I replied. 
 
 " So am I. I'm jist gwine to turn up sixteen Yan- 
 kee moccasins with this yer piece o' mine." 
 
 " If I can kill six o' them thar Lincoln hirelings, 
 I'll be satisfied." 
 
 " Well, I'm gwine to kill sixteen, now sure." 
 
 " Well, take care that they don't git you. Is any of 
 our forces out on this yer road ?" 
 
 " No. I've jist come eight miles without seeing 
 any. They left for Raymond last night, an' they are 
 jist a gwine to kill the whole Lincoln army." 
 
 "We had better go this way, then," said I, turning 
 back the way I had come. 
 
 " I reckon we had," said the Mississippian. 
 
 As we rode along, he kept up his boasting of how 
 many Yanks he was gwine to turn up, little dream- 
 ing whom he was addressing. Fortunately for me, 
 the road on which the column was moving passed 
 through a piece of woodland, so as to hide all move- 
 ments of troops. When we came to it, the rear- 
 guard of the 17th Corps had passed along out of 
 sight, and the advance of the corps next in line of 
 inarch had not come up. ' As we turned into the 
 right, where our troops had been passing, I caught 
 sight of two Federal soldiers, sitting by the roadside, 
 who had fallen back from their commands. Drop-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 247 
 
 ping a little ,to the rear, I drew my revolver, and 
 motioned to the soldiers to help me. I was a little 
 afraid the old fellow would give me battle as soon as 
 he discovered his mistake, and I wanted to make 
 sure of him. The soldiers comprehended my mean- 
 ing, and instantly levelled their pieces at him, which, 
 discovering, he halted, and inquired, "Is them thar 
 our forces ?" 
 
 "Never mind whose forces they are," said I, pre- 
 senting my revolver : " you go right along." 
 
 "I thought it was our forces," said the old man, 
 quite crestfallen at his discovery." 
 
 " Come in there, old fellow! come in!" shouted the 
 two soldiers. 
 
 "Kide along, daddy, or those Yanks will bore you 
 in a minute," said I. 
 
 He took my advice and rode up to the soldiers, 
 where I made him turn his horse over to one of them 
 and his rifle to the other, and then marched him on, 
 at a rapid pace, to overtake the command. 
 
 We came in sight of our lines just as the first fire- 
 ing commenced in action at Eaymond. As the mus- 
 ket reports became frequent, the old man's courage 
 failed him, and he began to quiver and grow pale ; 
 and when the action became general, and the messen- 
 gers of death came thick around us, his limbs could 
 scarce support him, and he exclaimed : 
 
 "My God! is that a fight? Won't we all be 
 killed ?" 
 
 ' Oh no," says I, "we haven't begun to fight yet ; 
 when we get to fighting you'll see something."
 
 248 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "0, if I can only get out of this ycr scrape, I'll go 
 home and behave myself ! My God ! I will." 
 
 I turned the old man in with the first squad of 
 prisoners that came back to the rear. I presume he 
 often thinks of his attempt to turn up sixteen Yankee 
 moccasins ! 
 
 On the 13th we resumed our march for Jackson, 
 by way of Clinton. On the 14th, about five miles 
 from Jackson, the enemy's pickets were encountered, 
 and driven back to within two and a half miles of 
 the city. The enemy was under command of Gen- 
 eral W. H. T. Walker, and occupied the top of a 
 gradually ascending rise of ground, with a large 
 open space in his front. Many of General Walker's 
 troops were South Carolina and Georgia regiments, 
 and had only arrived there from the east the night 
 before. 
 
 Preparations were now made to give the enemy 
 battle. General Sherman's corps had arrived at the 
 same time, on another road, to the right. General 
 Logan's division was placed in reserve. The 7th Di- 
 vision of McPherson's corps, commanded by Briga- 
 dier-General Crocker, and part of General Sherman's 
 corps, were formed in close column, by division, to 
 charge upon the enemy. In our having to cross the 
 open field, in full view, the enemy had a decided ad- 
 vantage over us. When everything was ready, the 
 command was given to charge on a double-quick, and 
 the columns moved forward. 
 
 It was a sight that I shall never forget, when 
 those thousands of brave boys, in perfect order, swept
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 249 
 
 across that field ! The rustle of garments, and the 
 flapping of scabbards, cartridge-boxes, and canteens, 
 to the tread of double-quick from that large body of 
 soldiers, moving in close column, was like the roar 
 of the tornado when it sweeps across the plain. 
 
 Opposed to them was a long line of rebellion's 
 choicest troops, pouring into them volley after volley 
 of leaden hail. Still, on they went, without a waver. 
 It was a terrible spectacle, and awfully grand. Min- 
 gled with the roar of the enemy's musketry was the 
 crash of artillery from both sides. 
 
 The charge swept on. Still the enemy held his 
 ground, as if determined to withstand the charge, and 
 a dreadful encounter seemed imminent. A line of 
 fence in front of the enemy was reached, and it van- 
 ished like chaff in the wind before those solid columns 
 of Western braves. With the crash of that fence 
 went the enemy's lines, and the pride of South Caro- 
 lina fled in dismay, followed by the veterans from 
 Georgia, that had been stationed as reserves. Then 
 went up such shouts of victory as can only be pro- 
 duced from Western lungs. Volley after volley was 
 fired at their retreating ranks, and pursuit kept up 
 until they were driven beyond the cit} r . In five hours 
 from the time the action commenced, the stars and 
 stripes were proudly floating over the capitol of the 
 State of Mississippi. 
 
 Our loss was very light compared with that of the 
 enemy much lighter than it would have been, if the 
 enemy had not overshot us while crossing the open 
 field. For the casualties of the battle, the reader is
 
 250 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 referred to the official reports of the commanding 
 generals. 
 
 As the troops were going into Jackson, I asked 
 General Grant if he had any objection to my taking 
 a look through Jackson for my field-glasses. 
 
 "lean only instruct you," said the general, "to 
 take such things as are warranted by the rules of 
 war." 
 
 The city had been so completely ransacked by the 
 soldiers before I got in, that I failed to get pay for 
 my glasses. 
 
 On the 15th of May we marched west, toward 
 Yicksburg, and on the 16th the enemy was found 
 in large force at Champion Hills, under command of 
 Lieutenant-General Pemberton. He had moved his 
 army out from Yicksburg to attack us. The position 
 selected by the enemy was a strong one, on the sum- 
 mit of an elevation, or ridge of ground, with a line 
 something like a crescent, the right and left of the 
 line further advanced than the centre. The face of 
 the hill, in front of the enemy, was an open field, 
 thereby exposing our lines to view as we advanced to 
 the attack. The enemy's lines were in the skirts of a 
 piece of woods that extended to his rear. 
 
 Early in the day the battle commenced, opening 
 on our left, and extending gradually along to our 
 right, until the whole line was engaged, when it raged 
 Avith intense fury. General Hovey's division on our 
 left, from the much stronger position occupied by the 
 enemy in its front, suffered terribly ; but timely sup- 
 port arrived, and the enemy was driven back. An
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 251 
 
 attempt was then made to crush our centre, but in 
 vain. Support having arrived to the assistance of the 
 centre, a dashing charge was made and the cnernv 
 routed. 
 
 It was a desperate and hard-fought battle, with u 
 heavy loss on both sides, but that of the enemy was 
 much the heaviest. Here, again, I. must refer the 
 reader to the official reports for the casualties. It will 
 not be amiss, perhaps, to give the reader some of my 
 personal experience in that battle. 
 
 When the action commenced, I was instructed by 
 General Logan to keep to the right of each brigade- 
 of his division, as they successively arrived in posr- 
 tion and became engaged, and to watch closely for 
 any attempt at flank movement on the part of the 
 enemy. My first position was with the line of skir- 
 mishers of the 2d Brigade. About the time our 
 skirmishing commenced, a rebel courier was seen, 
 dashing along in a line nearly parallel to the line of. 
 skirmishers from the right, and about one hundred 
 yards in advance of the line. When up with and iir 
 front of the line, he discovered us and wheeled to the 
 right, and was dashing away at right angles with our 
 line, when six of us brought our pieces to bear on 
 him and fired. He fell from his horse, with one foot 
 fastened in the stirrup. At that instant, the horse 
 gave a leap over a log, and the dangling body struck 
 the log and bounded into the air higher than the 
 horse's back, and then struck the ground with a 
 "thug" sufficient, to all appearances, to have crushed 
 every bone in his body.
 
 252 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 A few minutes later, I saw a rebel major leading 
 his regiment forward to charge upon one of our bat- 
 teries. He was not more than fifty yards distant. 
 In an instant I brought my "repeater" to my face, 
 and while I was looking at the prominent point of 
 his right cheek-bone, a ball took him in the exact 
 spot that I was looking at, and he tumbled from his 
 horse. 
 
 I now discovered that, instead of a regiment, a 
 whole brigade was coining, and that our skirmishers 
 had fallen back, and that I was in range between 
 McAllister's battery and the rebs. I started on a run, 
 and fairly flew as I went ; but before I could get out 
 of range, the battery opened on the rebs with double 
 charges of grape and canister, which came howling 
 and tearing the ground all about me. How I escaped 
 instant death is a wonder to me. I succeeded in get- 
 ting out of the way before another round was fired, 
 quite satisfied with my experience there. 
 
 I then moved round much further to the right, and 
 took with me a corporal of the 20th Ohio, by the 
 name of William Grinnell, whom I found engaged in 
 sharp-shooting. After reconnoitring a little, we dis- 
 covered a rebel battery of eight guns, that kept up a 
 harassing fire upon our lines. We succeeded in 
 sheltering ourselves from view, in close rifle-range of 
 the guns, behind a large clump of bushes, and then 
 commenced paying our respects to the gunners. Wo 
 were doing excellent execution, and had fired ten or 
 twelve shots apiece, when the enemy returned our 
 compliments with a double charge of can-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 253 
 
 ister that mowed the bushes all about as. The charge 
 made such a terrible whizzing and howling, and came 
 so suddenly and unexpectedly, that I involuntarily 
 dropped to the ground. 
 
 "Are you hurt, Bunker?" called out the cor- 
 poral. 
 
 ' No ; are you?" 
 
 " No ; but if we had stood anywhere else we should 
 both have been killed." 
 
 The ground was literally ploughed up all about us. 
 
 A few minutes later, the 8th Illinois and 32d 
 Ohio made a charge on the battery to capture it. As 
 the line advanced, there became a strife between the 
 two regiments which should reach it first and take 
 possession. The officers and men of the 32d Ohio 
 had been smarting under the false accusation of 
 "Harper's Ferry cowards," and had longed for an 
 opportunity of retrieving their reputation. 
 
 " Come on, boys ; we are ' Harper's Ferry cow- 
 ards!'" shouted a captain; and the words were in- 
 stantly repeated by the whole regiment, and with a 
 dash they outstripped their Illinois rivals. As they 
 raised the hill near the battery, a round of canister 
 was fired at them, but, fortunately, it was aimed too 
 high to do much injury, The rebs then broke and 
 ran, leaving six of their guns to fall into the hands 
 of the 32d Ohio. Major-General Logan complimented 
 the regiment highly for its gallantry, and allowed 
 Company F to retain the guns and serve them. 
 That company was originally recruited as an artillery 
 company.
 
 254 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 On the ITth of May we resumed our march, and 
 on the 18th we crossed Black Eiver, and on the 19th 
 our lines extended around Vicksburg, from the river 
 above to the river below, occupying a line of about 
 seven miles in length. 
 
 Major-General Sherman's corps occupied the right, 
 Major-General McPherson's the centre, and Major- 
 General M'Clernand's the left. Then began the siege 
 of Y icksburg. 
 
 Up to the commencement of the siege, the troops 
 had marched over two hundred miles and taken 
 part in five distinct battles, and accomplished it in 
 twenty-five days ; and a large portion of that time 
 they had been without rations, except such as they 
 foraged from the country.
 
 SCOUT AND 8PY. 255 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 First sharp-shooting at Vicksburg Silences two guns The rifle-pit 
 Shoots a Carolinian The Carolinian's comrade Outehoots a 
 squad of sixteen The defiant rebel Shoots for General McPherson 
 and General Logan Beats the Parrot rifles Joke on the Adjutant- 
 General Visit to Admiral Porter The French spy The disclosures 
 Capture of a rebel dispatch The fate of the spy. 
 
 I SHALL not attempt to give the reader a detailed 
 history of the siege of Vicksburg, but shall confine 
 myself to incidents in my OAvn experience during 
 the siege. 
 
 The country lying about the city of Vicksburg is 
 of a peculiar formation very hilly and ex- 
 tremely broken. It consists of threads, or narrow 
 ridges, with deep ravines between, running in every 
 direction, with spurs or smaller ridges putting out 
 from them. 
 
 The lines occupied by the two contending armies 
 were a succession of those ridges, with a general 
 course nearly parallel, but at unequal distances 
 apart, forming an irregular circuit about the city 
 from the river above to the river below. 
 
 The next day after the regiment to which I be- 
 long moved into its position at the rear of Vicks- 
 burg, two pieces of the enemy's artillery opened a 
 very annoying fire upon it with shell. The men
 
 256 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 were under the necessity of lying flat on the ground, 
 behind the ridge, for protection, and even then were 
 in great danger from the explosion of the shells. I 
 went to Colonel Force and asked him if I might go and 
 try my hand at silencing the guns with my rifle. 
 
 He said, ' ' Yes ; but you must be very careful, for 
 the shells are coming very low. " 
 
 I started out, and made my way along under 
 cover of the ridge on which we lay, until I came to 
 one of the spurs mentioned, that approached much 
 nearer to the enemy's works than did the ridge oc- 
 cupied by the regiment. From that I succeeded in 
 getting a good view of the guns that were shelling us. 
 In front of me was a dry oak log, and underneath it 
 I dug out a hole that enabled me to shoot under it, 
 and the log prevented the enemy from seeing me. 
 
 As soon as I had become fixed in my position, I 
 commenced to pick off the gunners. I succeeded 
 so well that only two shells were fired after I took 
 my position. Several ineffectual attempts were 
 made to load the guns, but the moment a gunner 
 stepped up to fill the place of his fallen comrade he 
 was picked off, and finally the guns were aban- 
 doned, and the bodies of those that had fallen left 
 where they fell. 
 
 My success seemed incredible. To put it beyond 
 a doubt, I concluded to go back and get some officer 
 to come and see what had been accomplished. I went 
 back to the regiment, where I found Colonel Force. 
 I said to him, "Colonel, I have silenced those two 
 guns that were shelling us."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 257 
 
 " I see they haven't fired much since you left." 
 
 " How many did they fire after I went away?'' 
 
 " Only two or three, I believe." 
 
 ' Well, now, Colonel, for my credit, please to go 
 over with me where I have been at work, and see 
 what I have been doing." 
 
 "Really, I don't know as I ought to leave here a 
 moment, but I want to learn the lay of the ground, 
 and I don't care if I go." 
 
 He followed along behind me to where I had 
 been at work, and then commenced looking with his 
 field-glasses. 
 
 "See there! see see see that man leading that 
 horse yonder ! Do you see him ?" said he. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well, try him a pull." 
 
 "Don't get me excited, Colonel, but watch the 
 man." 
 
 " Crack !" went my rifle. 
 
 "I declare!" said the Colonel, "that's that's a 
 valuable piece ! Excuse me, I must go back." 
 
 Rifle-trenches were immediately dug on the ridges 
 of ground nearest the enemy's works, and in them 
 were stationed sharp-shooters, who kept up a con- 
 stant fire, night and day, which answered as a cover 
 for our fatigue parties engaged in digging approaches 
 to his works, and also prevented him from doing much 
 execution with his artillery. Our artillery was not 
 idle, but kept up a fire from some part of the line at 
 all hours of the day and night. 
 
 A few days after the siege was fairly in operation,
 
 258 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 General Logan asked me to go out, at night, to an 
 elevated spot of ground between our rifle-trenches 
 and the enemy's, on which stood a large stump, and 
 dig myself a pit behind the stump, and see if I could 
 pick off some of the rebel sharp-shooters. 
 
 As soon as it was dark I took a spade and a can- 
 teen of water and went over. The spot was not more 
 than fifty yards from the enemy's trenches. During 
 the night, I dug myself a pit large enough so that I 
 could squat down in it. When daylight came, I 
 found that I had an excellent view of the enemy's 
 trenches, without being seen myself. I worked out a 
 little hole underneath one of the roots of the stump, 
 and through that I did my shooting. Toward the 
 middle of the day the sun shone down excessively 
 hot, and I had nothing to shade me from its burning 
 rays. My pit was not large enough for comfort, and, 
 besides, I had neglected to take any rations with me. 
 My supply of water also gave out, and by noon my 
 position seemed almost unbearable. To leave it in 
 daylight would be certain death. I bore my situation 
 as well as I could, and improved it to the best ad- 
 vantage. During the day I had several fair shots, 
 which I improved, and did good execution. 
 
 About two o'clock in the afternoon, a rebel sharp- 
 shooter (whom, from his dress, I took to be a Caro- 
 linian), undertook to crawl up to the top of their 
 earthworks, behind a stump that hid him from the 
 view of our sharp-shooters, that he might be enabled 
 to get a shot at them. He crawled along, with his 
 gun in his right hand, till near the spot, and then took
 
 GENERAL BUNKER 
 
 ./// hisleyifafcvato
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 259 
 
 off his big-brimmed hat and turned his head up 
 sideways to look around the side of the stump at our 
 sharp-shooters. My position to him was such that I 
 could see every movement that he made. He evi- 
 dently did not know where I was. While his head 
 was turned up my gun cracked, and his feet flew 
 straight behind him. 
 
 A comrade of his then undertook to crawl up and 
 drag him away. When he was about ready to grasp 
 the dead man by the legs, my gun again cracked, and 
 he rolled over on his back near his comrade. Both 
 of them remained there until dark, without any at- 
 tempt being made to remove them. 
 
 As soon as it -was dark I made my way back to 
 my quarters, well satisfied with my experience in an 
 advanced rifle-pit. 
 
 Not many days after the foregoing incident, I was 
 passing along the intrenchments, when I found a 
 squad of sixteen men, part of them of the 23d Indi- 
 ana Regiment, and the rest from the 45th Illinois, 
 engaged in sharp-shooting. They saw me passing 
 with my rifle, and, having heard of its long range and 
 accuracy, called me, and expressed a desire to have 
 me try it on a fellow that they had been shooting at 
 for about two hours, but without success. 
 
 The fellow that they had been shooting at was en- 
 gaged in digging a rifle-pit in advance of the enemy's 
 intrenchments, and while digging he was exposed to 
 view. 
 
 I asked the boys what distance they had been 
 .shooting, and they informed me that they had been
 
 260 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 trying him at a range of nine hundred yards, and had 
 succeeded in hitting the dirt about him. I raised 
 the sight of my rifle to nine hundred yards, and then 
 requested the squad to cease firing for a few minutes, 
 and let the smoke clear away, and then to watcli 
 where my ball struck. As soon as the atmosphere 
 was clear of smoke, and everything quiet, I levelled 
 my piece and fired. 
 
 "You've hit him! you've hit him?" exclaimed 
 several. 
 
 The fellow straightened up, whirled about, as if 
 angry, and then flung his shovel from him as far as 
 he could, and then sat down. In about a minute 
 after he began gradually to throw up his hands, and 
 then fell over backward on the ground, evidently 
 dead, where he remained, as he had fallen, during the 
 rest of the day. The next morning his body had 
 been removed. 
 
 On another occasion, two companies of the 20th 
 Ohio were engaged at digging in the approaches to 
 the rebel Fort Hill, and were subjected to a very an- 
 noying fire from a squad of about fifteen rebel sharp- 
 shooters, stationed in a ditch, not accessible, at that 
 time, to our artillery. 
 
 I was sent for, and requested to bring my rifle and 
 see if I could silence them. A place had been fixed 
 for me near where the companies were at work, con- 
 siderably in advance of any other sharp-shooter. I 
 worked a long time at them, during which time I did 
 good service. After awhile there was but one to be 
 seen ; the rest had either been disabled or so badly
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 261 
 
 frightened as to have laid down in the bottom of the 
 ditch for safety. I kept up a fire at the single indi- 
 vidual for some time. My balls would strike the 
 ground close to him, and then he would swing his hat 
 in defiance or return my shot. Twice he put his 
 balls within an inch of my head ; once a sliver from 
 the timber under which I shot was knocked off and 
 struck me on the head, hurting me considerably. 
 Another ball hit a bayonet that I had placed in the 
 dirt to rest my rifle upon, and, glancing upward, 
 passed through my hat, taking off a portion of my 
 hair, just missing my head. 
 
 A lieutenant came along, and I told him what I 
 had been doing. He got upon the earth- works where 
 I was, and, seeing the defiant rebel, asked me to 
 let him try his hand at him. He fired several shots, 
 but with no better success. 
 
 By that time it was nearly night, and I had fired 
 at the squad forty-eight shots, so I concluded to give 
 up the shooting of the defiant man as a bad job. 
 
 The next day the ditch was unoccupied ; the ex- 
 perience of the day before had evidently satisfied 
 them. 
 
 On another occasion, while I was engaged in sharp- 
 shooting, General McPherson and General Logan 
 came into the fortifications, and were watching a 
 party of ten or twelve rebels engaged in digging 
 a ditch. They called me, and General McPherson 
 said : 
 
 "Bunker, can you shoot into that ditch yonder, 
 where those men are at work? They have been
 
 262 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 shooting at them with the Parrot rifle cannon and 
 haven't thrown a shot in there yet." 
 
 "Yes, I think I can." 
 
 "Well, try it." 
 
 I raised my sight to one thousand yards, and 
 fired at the ditch. 
 
 "There!" said McPherson, looking through his 
 glasses, " you've hit one of them !" 
 
 " They are carrying out one!" said Logan, look- 
 ing with his glasses. 
 
 " Try it again," said McPherson. 
 
 I did try. I fired two more shots into the ditch, 
 and the whole squad ran out and left it. 
 
 A few days afterward, I chanced to meet General 
 McPherson, who asked me how my ammunition 
 held out. I told him that it was nearly all gone. 
 
 "Well, Bunker," said he, "come over to my tent 
 day after to-morrow, and I will try to have some 
 on hand for you. I think that I can keep you sup- 
 plied. " 
 
 In the evening of the day agreed upon, I went 
 over to General McPherson's tent. He was absent ; 
 but Colonel Clark, Assistant Adjutant-General, was 
 there, who, as soon as I entered, inquired of me 
 what I wanted. 
 
 " I want to see General McPherson." 
 
 "What do you want 'of General McPherson ?" 
 
 "I want to see him about some ammunition." 
 
 "What kind of ammunition do you want?" 
 
 " Cartridges for one of Henry's repeating rifles. " 
 
 "Well, this a'n't the place to get ammunition.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 263 
 
 Go to the ordnance officer, and see if you can't get 
 it of him." 
 
 I did as I was directed, but found no cartridges. 
 I returned to the tent, and said to him, "General, 
 that officer did n't have any cartridges." 
 
 I started for my quarters and before I had got out 
 of sight General McPherson entered, and some one 
 told him that there was a man just in to see him, and 
 that he had stepped out. The General came out and 
 called me back. 
 
 "Well, Bunker," said he, "I haven't got those 
 cartridges yet ; but you go over to General Grant's 
 headquarters, and tell his Chief-of-Staff that I sent 
 you over to get some cartridges for your rifle. He 
 has got a rifle of that kind, and I presume that he 
 has got some cartridges." 
 
 In the morning, early, I went over to General 
 Grant's headquarters, and I told him that General 
 McPherson had sent me there to get some ammunition 
 for my rifle from his Chief-of-Staff. He told me that 
 his Chief-of-Staff had gone to St. Louis, and had 
 taken his rifle with him. 
 
 "Do you know of anybody that has got any of 
 that kind of cartridge ?" I inquired. 
 
 "I think," said the General, "that Admiral 
 Porter has got ammunition of that kind, and I will 
 give you a request to carry to him, and you may go 
 and see him about it. 
 
 He wrote a note for me to hand to Admiral Porter, 
 and commenced to write me a pass, but was inter- 
 rupted by some business, so he handed me the note,
 
 264 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 and told me to step over to the Provost-marshal 
 and ask him to write me a pass. 
 
 I did so; but, being a stranger to the Provost- 
 marshal, he did not know that I was a soldier, and 
 the pass that I received read as follows : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, ) 
 " REAR OP VICKSBURG, Miss. , June , 1863. f 
 "Lorain Ruggles, a citizen of the South, has leave to visit 
 Admiral Porter's flag-ship and return with a gun. 
 
 "JAMES WILSON, " Prvcont-martJial" 
 
 I took my rifle and went to Chickasaw Landing, on 
 the Yazoo river, where I succeeded in getting on board 
 the steamer Diligent, a dispatch-boat, as she went 
 down to the gunboats with dispatches. The flag- 
 ship, at that time, lay in the Mississippi River, a 
 short distance above Yicksburg. 
 
 I found the Admiral, and handed him the note 
 from General Grant, which he read ; and then, 
 giving me a searching look from head to foot, he said: 
 
 ""Well, Mr. Scout, you want some ammunition 
 for your rifle ; but I don't keep any such trifling 
 guns about me, and consequently I have got none 
 of that kind of ammunition." 
 
 'Look 'e here, Mr. Admiral," said I; "that gun 
 a'n't so small a trifle as you imagine. I can kill a 
 reb. with it at a distance of nine hundred yards, and 
 I can outshoot the Parrot rifles ! " 
 
 "Ah, you can't commence with my guns! They 
 are better than that. Orderly, go down and bring 
 up one of my favorites."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 265 
 
 The orderly soon returned with a beautiful Spencer 
 rifle. "There," said the Admiral, handing me the 
 gun ; "how do you like the looks of that?" 
 
 I took it and examined it carefully all over. It 
 was a seven-shooter, with a bayonet, and every part of 
 it most beautifully finished. It suited me to a charm. 
 
 "Well, inasmuch as I have got no cartridges for 
 my gun, how w T ill you trade guns with me ? " 
 
 " I can't part with it ; you might as well try to get 
 my ship as that gun ! " 
 
 He then told me that if General Grant wanted 
 me to have one, he would get one like it for me. 
 
 I told him that I could not carry two guns, and that 
 I did not want one unless I could exchange mine. 
 He promised, however, to make an effort to get me 
 some cartridges. By this time the dispatch-boat 
 was ready to return, and I went back to Chickasaw 
 Landing. 
 
 On my arrival at the landing, I met a little 
 Frenchman, whom I had frequently seen in Mem- 
 phis, and at the camps about there, and I had for 
 some time suspected that he was a Confederate spy. 
 
 I first saw him in the camps of the 20th, 78th, 
 and 68th Ohio, and the 23d Indiana regiments, en- 
 gaged in buying Confederate money of the soldiers. 
 At that time he wore very long hair, and was 
 dressed like a citizen ; but on this occasion his hair 
 was cut short, and he was dressed like a clerk about 
 some headquarters. 
 
 I saw him several times at Memphis, while 1 was 
 under the assumed character of a rebel major. He
 
 266 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 had never seen me in any other dress than that of 
 a citizen. 
 
 I expressed delight at meeting him, shook hands 
 with him, and inquired about his health, etc. 
 
 "Who are you to work for now ? " he inquired. 
 'For General Johnston.' 7 
 
 "Are you? So am I!" 
 
 " What news have you got ?" 
 
 " Nothing new. Have you any news ?" 
 
 "No, not at present. Come, let us go over to the 
 steamer Arago and get something to drink before we 
 separate. There is an old friend of ours that is com- 
 missary clerk aboard of her. He used to live in 
 Holly Springs, Miss., and, when we were in Memphis 
 last winter, he was there engaged in buying mules 
 and smuggling them through the Yankee lines to sell. 
 Let us go over and see him. 
 
 The Frenchman accompanied me on board the 
 steamboat, and there we found the clerk I had told 
 him about, who took us to the bar and got us some- 
 thing to drink. He also induced the barkeeper to 
 sell me a canteen of whiskey, as a favor to a special 
 friend. 
 
 Having procured the whiskey, I prevailed upon 
 the Frenchman to accompany me, and we went up 
 the bank of the river to a secluded place, where we 
 sat down to enjoy ourselves. 
 
 My companion seemed to relish the whiskey much 
 better than I did, and its effects soon made him very 
 communicative, so that I was enabled to draw out a 
 great deal of information concerning his business as a
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 267 
 
 spy. He told me that he was engaged in getting dis- 
 patches through the Federal lines at Yicksburg to 
 Generals Johnston and Pemberton. 
 
 During his visits to the Federal camps at Mem- 
 phis, to purchase Confederate money, he had noted 
 down the names of the officers in the different regi- 
 ments, and the companies to which they belonged. 
 
 With that knowledge, whenever he wanted to get 
 from Chickasaw Landing into our lines, he would go 
 to the Provost-marshal and represent himself as be- 
 longing to captain such-a-one's company, in such a 
 regiment, on detached service, and get a pass to 
 visit his regiment, and with it he could pass our 
 lines. 
 
 The dispatches of General Johnston were brought 
 across the country, by cavalry, to a point on the Ya- 
 zoo Eiver about Haines' Bluff. There the spy re- 
 ceived them, and crossed over to the opposite side of 
 the river, and then came down the river opposite to 
 Snyder's Bluff ; there he would manage to cross at 
 night in a canoe, and land inside of our lines without 
 being seen. There he would get on board a dispatch 
 boat and come down to Chickasaw Landing, and 
 would procure a pass, as I have explained. From 
 there he would go to Mr. Smith's, who lived between 
 the picket lines at the landing and the troops at the 
 rear of Yicksburg. 
 
 He would give the dispatches to Mr. Smith's daugh- 
 ter, and she would give them to a servant of hers, a 
 smart, intelligent colored boy, rather small of his age, 
 who would carry them to the river above Yicksburg.
 
 268 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 He described to me the route the colored boy would 
 take to get to the river. 
 
 At the river the colored boy would give them to a 
 fisherman, who staid there, and was engaged in catch- 
 ing fish and selling them to the gunboatmen and the 
 soldiers. The fisherman had lost a hand while in the 
 rebel army, in the battle of Shiloh, and had been dis- 
 charged. 
 
 He had represented to Admiral Porter that he had 
 belonged to the Federal army, and had been wound- 
 ed, as before stated, and discharged, and had suc- 
 ceeded in getting permission from him to fish in the 
 river, and visit his lines at all hours of the night. 
 He had managed to make himself a favorite at the 
 picket-post near the river, and his frequent visits 
 to his lines near the post, at all hours of the day 
 and night, had ceased to excite any suspicion what- 
 ever. 
 
 The fisherman would take the dispatches, and at 
 night, while visiting his lines, pass the pickets, and 
 carry them to the rebel pickets, and then return. 
 
 In the same channel General ^ Pemberton's dis- 
 patches went out. How long communication had 
 been kept up in that way I did not learn. 
 
 After having drank the most of the whiskey, we 
 returned to the landing and separated. I went to the 
 Provost-marshal and told him that there was one of 
 General Johnston's spies there, and requested him to 
 send some guards and arrest him. 
 
 u Are you a soldier?" he inquired. 
 
 "Yes."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 269 
 
 "Where did you come from?" 
 
 "Admiral Porter's flag-ship." 
 
 " Have you got a pass ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Let me see it." 
 
 I handed it to him, and he commenced reading, 
 "Lorain Ruggles, a citizen of the South" he turned 
 around and exclaimed, "What business have you 
 here ? You ain't any better than the rest of them !" 
 
 I went out and found that the Frenchman was just 
 stepping on board the dispatch-boat Diligent, and in 
 a moment more the boat was under way for Snyder's 
 Bluff. 
 
 I reported to General Grant the information that I 
 had received, and then asked him if I might furlough 
 the spy wherever I found him. He told me to do 
 with him just as I thought proper, under the circum- 
 stances, and I should be protected by the military 
 authorities. 
 
 In two days after, the colored boy was captured, 
 and a dispatch from General Johnston found on his 
 person. About the same time the fishing arrange- 
 ment at the river was broken up. I can also assure 
 the reader that the little Frenchman, though never 
 arrested, will never buy any more Confederate money 
 nor carry any more rebel dispatches.
 
 270 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Sent for by General Grant Instructions Crosses Black River Is cap- 
 tured by rebel cavalry Sent to General DeVieu The interview 
 Passes as Johnston's spy The attempt to escape The Pursuit Fired 
 at by Federal pickets Again fired at by the enemy The pursuers 
 driven back Again firecl at by Federal pickets The alarm Reports 
 to General Osterhaus Reports to General Grant. 
 
 WHILE the siege was progressing, General John- 
 ston was engaged in concentrating a large Confederate 
 force to attack General Grant in the rear, and force 
 him to raise the siege of Vicksburg, and thereby re- 
 lieve General Pemberton and his forces. 
 
 General Grant, in the mean time, had been consid- 
 erably re-enforced, and had formed a line of defence 
 from the Black River Bridge northwest along Clear 
 and Bear Creeks, across to the Yazoo River at 
 Haines' Bluff, and a heavy force was stationed along 
 that line to resist any attempt on the part of the 
 enemy to raise the siege. 
 
 The difficulty of rapidly crossing Black River with 
 a large force below the bridge, rendered it necessary 
 to keep a force stationed on the line running from the 
 bridge to the Mississippi River below Yicksburg ; for 
 the enemy, once across, would run a very poor 
 chance of recrossing without destruction. A constant 
 watch was kept up by our scouts, however, to see 
 whether the enemy would attempt to cross there.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 271 
 
 Some time toward the latter part of June, General 
 Grant sent for me, and requested me to make a trip 
 across Black River, and find out whether the enemy 
 was making any attempt or movement indicative of 
 crossing. 
 
 I was instructed to cross at the bridge, through Gen- 
 eral Osterhaus' lines, and take the road to Fifteen- 
 mile Creek, and, if I met with nothing to prevent, to 
 go on to the creek and remain there two days, and at 
 the end of that time return. If I discovered any 
 movement of importance while on my way, I was to 
 report it immediately. 
 
 The general cautioned me not to go inside of the 
 enemy's lines, because it was a critical time, and if I 
 did I would probably lose my life. He told me that 
 several scouts had been sent out for the same purpose, 
 and that none of them agreed in their reports. He 
 told me that he was extremely anxious to know what 
 the enemy was doing there, and what were his inten- 
 tions, and charged me to be very cautious, so that I 
 might return. 
 
 I was handed an order to General Osterhaus, to 
 the effect that I was to be passed out of his lines, and 
 when I returned I was to be immediately sent to 
 General Osterhaus, under guard, and whatever I re- 
 ported to him was to be immediately telegraphed to 
 General Grant. 
 
 I carried the order to General Osterhaus, at Black 
 River, who, when he had read it, sent me, under 
 guard, to the picket line, with instructions to the 
 officer in command of the pickets to pass me
 
 272 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 out. The picket line was on the east side of the 
 river. 
 
 As I left the river, I was very particular to notice 
 minutely the roads and fences, and the features of the 
 ground. About a mile from the bridge, on the road 
 that leads to Edwards' Station, the Fifteen-mile Creek 
 road turns off to the right. At the corners of the 
 road the reserve pickets were stationed. About a 
 quarter of a mile from the reserve, the road turns 
 square to the left, and, at a distance of about one 
 hundred yards further on, it turns back again square 
 to the right. At that point the vedettes were sta- 
 tioned. On the left-hand side of the road, going out 
 from the reserve to the vedettes, was a hedge fence. 
 From the vedettes, in a straight line across to the re- 
 serve, was an open field, and the fence had been torn 
 down or removed to allow the cavalry a chance to 
 charge across it, if necessary. 
 
 Before leaving the pickets, I told the lieutenant in 
 command of the guards that I should not come back 
 that night, unless I was driven back, and that if I 
 came back I should come on the run, and that I would 
 have no gun in my hands, nor anything else that 
 might be taken for one. I also requested him to de- 
 scribe to each man in person, as he took his post as 
 vedette, my dress, so that there could be no mistake 
 about who I was, and no cause for firing into me. 
 The lieutenant instructed his men as I requested him ; 
 and besides, I found that several of them knew me, 
 which very much relieved my fears about being fired 
 at. I was on foot and dressed like a citizen.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 273 
 
 Supposing that I had made all the necessary ar- 
 rangements for my safety in case I was driven back, 
 I started out. About half a mile from the vedettes, 
 the road crossed a low piece of ground, and had been 
 filled in with brush and rails, while wet, to keep 
 wagons from miring, but the dry weather had dried 
 up the mud and left the rails and brush bare, render- 
 ing it extremely difficult to cross without making a 
 great deal of noise. 
 
 I had gone but a short distance after crossing it, 
 when I heard a cracking of brush behind me, and 
 turned to see what it was. The reader can judge my 
 surprise when I saw in the road behind me, fourteen 
 rebel cavalry. I was ordered to halt, which I did, 
 and they, at the same time, dismounted. 
 
 There I was, captured almost within sight of our 
 own pickets. It was no time to show timidity, so I 
 resolved upon a bold expedient. 
 
 " Who are you ?" said one of the cavalrymen. 
 
 " I am a Confederate soldier." 
 
 " Where do you belong?" 
 
 ' ' When I am at my proper command I belong to 
 Price's headquarters." 
 
 "Have you got a pass?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 " What are you doing here?" 
 
 " Gentlemen, you are soldiers I presume?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " What is your duty when you capture a man in 
 my fix?" Another one spoke up and said : " Some- 
 times we take him out and hang him." 
 
 12*
 
 274 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " Shut your mouth," said I, " I wasn't talking to 
 you." 
 
 " Ha," says he, ."you're mighty stiff." 
 
 Says I, " Have you a commissioned officer in this 
 squadron ?" 
 
 " Yes, I'm the lieutenant." 
 
 "Well, then, detail two men out of your ranks, 
 and send me to your headquarters, if you've got any." 
 
 They tried to draw me into conversation. Said I, 
 " What are your instructions ?" 
 
 "Why, to take you to headquarters." 
 
 "Well, then, do it," said I. 
 
 They said no more, but took me to headquarters. 
 
 I watched narrowly every feature of the road and 
 the country as we went, determined, if possible, to 
 make my way back that night. Not a word was ex- 
 changed between us on the way. 
 
 About five miles from where I was captured, and 
 nearly seven miles from Black River bridge, we 
 came to General DeYicu's headquarters. They 
 were situated near the crossing of the roads, where 
 the road from Baldwin's Ferry (below Black River 
 bridge) to Edwards' Station crosses the one that I 
 was on. 
 
 When we arrived at General DeVieu's quarters, 
 one of the guards went in, and I heard him say to 
 the general, " We have got a man out there that we 
 captured close to the Yankee lines, without a pass, 
 and he says that he is a Confederate soldier. We 
 could not find out his business, but he told us to 
 bring him to you, and we have done so."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 275 
 
 "Well, have him come in," said the General. 
 
 The guard came out, and told me to go in. As I 
 entered, I took off my hat, and, saluting him, I 
 looked him in the face with as much composure as 
 though I had been his commanding officer. 
 
 "Where have you been?" he inquired. 
 
 "I have been inside of the Yankee lines about 
 Vicksburg." 
 
 " Where do you belong? " 
 
 " I belong to General Price's army." 
 
 " What were you doing here ? " 
 
 "I am now under orders from General Johnston 
 to reconnoitre thoroughly about the Yankee lines at 
 Vicksburg. I have done so, and I am now on my 
 way to report to General Johnston." 
 
 "Have you got any pass, or any papers to that 
 effect?" 
 
 "No, sir, I haven't got the scratch of a pen 
 about me ; but, General, if you will go with me to 
 General Johnston's adjutant-general I can show you 
 papers in his office that will tell you who I am 
 and what my business is." 
 
 " What is your name ? " 
 
 "Lorain Euggles, sir ; I am a brother to General 
 Ruggles." ' 
 
 " Ah ! A brother of General Euggles ! " 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Well, what is the news about Vicksburg?" 
 
 ' ' General, if you insist upon it, [ shall have to 
 tell you, because you are my superior officer, but my 
 instructions from General Johnston were to recon-
 
 276 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 noitre thoroughly, and get all the information that I 
 could, and then to report to him, and to him only. 
 
 "Ah! I beg your pardon, Mr. Buggies. Excuse 
 me ! I don't want you to violate your instructions. 
 I don't wish to interfere with any of General Johnston's 
 arrangements. Do you wish to go right on to General 
 Johnston's headquarters ? " 
 
 "General, I have been considerably exposed, and 
 a little short of rations for several days, and have 
 travelled about on foot a great deal, and am very 
 much fatigued ; and if it would be agreeable to your 
 good- will and pleasure, I would be happy to remain 
 in your brigade overnight, and then go out to General 
 Johnston's headquarters to-morrow." 
 
 " Yery well, you can stay ; any of those orderlies 
 out there will give you something to eat. I shall send 
 two men out to headquarters in the morning, and, if 
 you like, you can go with them." 
 
 " Thank you, General, I shall be very glad of the 
 company." 
 
 It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when I 
 arrived there. The orderlies gave me some dinner 
 and also some supper. I improved my time in con- 
 versation with the officers and men, in picking up in- 
 formation. 
 
 The force stationed there was a brigade of Texas 
 cavalry, about 1,200 strong. Their business was to 
 watch the Baldwin's Ferry road for any attempt of 
 General Grant's forces to cross and get to the rear of 
 General Johnston. 
 
 The brigade was destitute of tents, except six at
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 277 
 
 headquarters, and the men slept at night without 
 shelter. 
 
 About nine o'clock in the evening, I laid down on 
 a pile of corn in the husk, in company with a lot of 
 soldiers, and feigned to be asleep. I reflected upon 
 my situation, and of the best means of making my 
 escape. I was satisfied that it would be dangerous 
 for me to wait till morning and start with the order- 
 lies for General Johnston's headquarters. No suspi- 
 cion had as yet been excited. The soldiers were all 
 asleep, and the whole camp was quiet. About mid- 
 night I got up, as if to relieve the necessities of na- 
 ture, and went to a piece of woods about a hundred 
 yards distant, and returned. My movements did not 
 seem to have disturbed any one. The moon shone 
 brightly, and the night was very light. The moon 
 had not yet reached its meridian, but made a long 
 shadow on the ground. I again laid down upon the 
 corn-pile, where I lay until two o'clock, when I arose. 
 The moon was then favorable and made but a short 
 shadow, and everything was quiet. I again visited 
 the woods. 
 
 As I entered, I looked back and all was quiet. As 
 the guards brought me in, I had noticed that there 
 was but one picket-post in the direction that I wished 
 to return, and that one was stationed in the road 
 about half a mile from the rebel camp. I resolved to 
 try an escape at all hazards. 
 
 I made a detour large enough to insure safety from 
 the pickets, moving forward as rapidly and noiseless- 
 ly as possible through the brush, until I gained the
 
 278 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 road that I had come out on, and then I sped along 
 as fast as I could run. 
 
 I had on light shoes, and made very little noise as 
 I went, and avoided stepping upon anything that 
 would make any disturbance. 
 
 When I reached the place in the road filled with 
 rails and brush, near where I had been captured, I 
 slackened my pace and walked carefully across it. I 
 had become tired from running so far ; my close prox- 
 imity to our own pickets considerably relieved my 
 fears, and I moved along more leisurely than I had 
 done. 
 
 When about two hundred yards from the bad place 
 in the road, I was startled by the sound of horses 
 crossing it. I looked back, and saw that I was pur- 
 sued by a squad of twelve or fourteen cavalry. 
 
 I dashed ahead at the top of my speed, and when 
 within about one hundred yards of the vedette-post, 
 "Bang!" went the carbines of my pursuers. The 
 vedettes ran for the reserve. I fairly flew along, 
 and the rcbs after me, gaming rapidly. I kept 
 straight after the vedettes till I had entered the field 
 past the hedge fence ; then I turned and followed it 
 a few steps, and then plunged through it and crawled 
 along on my hands and knees some distance in the 
 weeds and grass by the side of it. 
 
 My pursuers dashed on across the field, firing at 
 the vedettes as they went. The reserve was imme- 
 diately in saddle, and returned the fire of the enemy. 
 The chase now turned the other way, and the rebs 
 were pursued by our pickets.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 279 
 
 I kept on making a detour around to the rear of 
 the reserve post before coming up, lest, from the con- 
 fusion and excitement, I should again be fired at. 
 Nearly all the reserve had joined in the chase, and 
 but four men remained on the post. 
 
 As I came up to the rear of them, without any 
 challenge to halt, one of them fired at me. 
 
 " Don't shoot ! It is Bunker!" said the others. By 
 this time they were convinced who it was, and al- 
 lowed me to come up. 
 
 The alarm did not stop with the pickets, but ex- 
 tended across the river. An entire brigade turned 
 out under arms, and orders were dispatched all along 
 the lines to be in readiness to repel an attack from 
 General Johnston. 
 
 I requested to be immediately sent to General Os- 
 terhaus, under guard, agreeable to General Grant's 
 instructions ; but the lieutenant refused to let me go 
 until daylight, and then sent me in without guard. 
 
 I reported to General Osterhaus, and explained to 
 him where the rebel force was camped, and also its 
 strength, and what it was there for. 
 
 "Tare you stshay they are ? On the Baldwin's 
 Ferry road ?" inquired the General. 
 
 "No; they are on the Fifteen-mile Creek road, 
 near the crossing of the Edwards' Station and Bald- 
 win's Ferry road." 
 
 "Yell, dat ish vot I stshay! On the Baldwin's 
 Ferry road !" 
 
 I then marked out the position for him, and ex- 
 plained it, and still he insisted :
 
 280 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "Veil, clat ish vot I stshay! On the Baldwin's 
 Ferry road !" 
 
 He then telegraphed to General Grant as he un- 
 derstood it, and received, in reply, orders for me to 
 return immediately. 
 
 I reported in person to General Grant, and told 
 him the difficulty that I experienced in making 
 General Osterhaus understand me. He replied, " I 
 thought he did not understand you, so I ordered you 
 back." 
 
 After explaining to the General the position, 
 strength, and object of the enemy, he asked me if I 
 was sure of that fact. I told him that I was, and that 
 time would show whether I told him the truth or not. 
 He then said that he would rest satisfied ; so I re- 
 turned to my quarters. The confidence he placed in 
 my reports amply paid me for the danger that I had 
 encountered. General Grant always paid his scouts 
 well whenever they had done anything deserving of 
 special compensation. To pay me for this trip, soon 
 after the Vicksburg campaign ended, General Grant 
 gave me two hundred dollars and a furlough for thirty 
 days.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Visit to Chickasaw Landing Surrender of Vicksburg Visit to the city 
 The paroled Major The Yankee trick Returns to Vicksburg Made de- 
 tectiveIs sent to Yazoo City Attends a guerrilla organization Makes 
 them a speech Returns to Vicksburg. 
 
 Ox the 3d day of July, I again went to General 
 Grant to see if he had found out where I could get 
 some cartridges for my rifle. He told me that the 
 Paymaster-General (I have forgotten his name,) had 
 a rifle of the same kind and some cartridges, and 
 that he made his headquarters on board the steamer 
 J. D. Perry, at Chickasaw Landing. 
 
 The general gave me a line to the paymaster, and 
 I went over to the landing. When I arrived there, 
 the steamers had nearly all gone down to Young's 
 Point, and with them the J. D. Perry. It was near- 
 ly night, and too late to return to camp, so I remained 
 there all night with a sergeant from my own regi- 
 ment, who was on detached duty there, in charge of 
 the camp and garrison equipage belonging to the divi- 
 sion. 
 
 When I arose on the morning of July 4th, I found 
 that all the steamers had left. A few hours later, the 
 dispatch-boat Diligent came up, and brought the news 
 that Yicksburg had surrendered. 
 
 That accounted for the absence of the steamers.
 
 282 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 A flag of truce had been sent into our lines on the 
 afternoon of the 3d, before I left, but I had not heard 
 that it was to arrange for the surrender of the 
 place. 
 
 When the dispatch-boat returned, I went on it to 
 Yicksburg. There the whole fleet of transports and 
 gunboats, including the Marine Brigade, was moored, 
 decorated with all their streamers and colors, and 
 from the court-house dome proudly floated the glorious 
 emblem of our country. It was a grand and sublime 
 spectacle. The levee and streets of the city were 
 thronged with thousands of weather and war worn 
 heroes, that had heroically suffered and fought for the 
 capture of the place. 
 
 It was a proud day for them, and their counte- 
 nances beamed with such expressions of satisfaction 
 and delight as only heroes can wear. 
 
 The magnitude of their victory was proportionate 
 to the day on which it was achieved, and such a cele- 
 bration of our national anniversary was never before 
 had, and probably never will be again. 
 
 The sufferings and privations and hardships of long 
 inarches, and exposures and hard-fought battles and a 
 long-continued siege, were all forgotten in the reali- 
 zation of the most glorious victory that had ever 
 crowned the arms of an American hero. 
 
 Promiscuously mingled with the blue uniforms of 
 the Federal soldiers was the dirty yellow of the Con- 
 federate prisoners, and their filthy appearance and 
 fear-worn faces were in striking contrast with their 
 elated victors.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 283 
 
 The magnitude of the victory may be seen in the 
 official reports of the war. 
 
 Bunker's First Speech, in front of the Court-house in 
 Vichsburg, after the surrender, July Mil, 1864. 
 
 The troops, overwhelmed with joy at the surrender 
 of the place, were wild with enthusiasm, and in the 
 midst of this general jubilee they said : 
 
 "Bunker, can't you give us your ideas of the sur- 
 render in a speech ?'' 
 
 " Yes," said I, and springing upon a box began as 
 follows : 
 
 " Soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee, I congratu- 
 late you upon your overwhelming success. Scarcely 
 had our flag floated to the breeze on the capitol of the- 
 Mississippi, when we sprang to the call of our noble 
 commander, rushed upon the defiant columns of 
 Champion Hills, driving them in dismay across the Big 
 Black, within their stronghold at Yicksburg. There 
 with rifle-pit and battery, there with trench and 
 mine, by night and by day, till almost overcome with 
 fatigue, driven to despair, on this memorable day of 
 our national independence, Vicksburg, with 31,000 
 lighting men, has surrendered to the invincibles of 
 the Army of the Tennessee." 
 
 Here the crowd became so dense, and the shouts 
 drowning the voice of the speaker, the speech was 
 brought to an abrupt close. 
 
 I found the Paymaster-General at Yicksburg, and 
 succeeded in getting from him a box of cartridges.
 
 284 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Not liking to remain in the place while the prisoners 
 were there, lest some of them might, at some future 
 time, recognize me, should I be so unfortunate as to 
 get captured, I told General Grant how I felt about 
 it, and he sent me to my regiment, then at Black 
 Elver, to stay until the prisoners were sent away. 
 
 A few days after the surrender, the prisoners were 
 all paroled, and then marched through our lines at 
 Black River. While they were passing our camp, I 
 kept out of sight, by remaining in my quarters. The 
 second day after the prisoners commenced to pass out 
 on parole, and the brigade had halted to rest, a rebel 
 major came along and dismounted, and sat down appa- 
 rently to rest, holding his horse by the halter. It was 
 soon evident, from his numerous inquiries, that rest 
 was not so much his object as contraband information. 
 His horse was a nice one, and was equipped with a 
 fine saddle and bridle, and across his saddle was a 
 portmanteau. 
 
 A soldier of the 30th Illinois Regiment came to 
 my quarters, and requested me to go out and see the 
 major and converse with him. He also told me that 
 the major was trying to get information from the sol- 
 diers that he had no business with, and that if I would 
 succeed in holding his attention, the boys would play 
 some kind of a caper upon him for his improper in- 
 quisitiveness. 
 
 I went out, and found him engaged in trying to 
 find out the strength of General Grant's army. As 
 I came up I squatted right down in front of him, and 
 commenced to ask him questions about how he liked
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 285 
 
 the siege, etc. ; then, fixing my eyes on his, I gave 
 him a severe rebuke for participating in such an un- 
 just cause, and tried to show him its utter hopeless- 
 ness. I then spoke of the blessings of peace, pros- 
 perity, and happiness, as they had existed under our 
 government before the war, and then contrasted that 
 state of affairs with the existing state of things in the 
 rebellious States, and concluded by telling him that 
 any man who had been guilty of raising his hand 
 against the best government that ever existed, ought 
 to be satisfied with his experience, and be heartily 
 ashamed of himself. 
 
 As I began to talk, the soldiers began to gather in 
 a crowd around us. I suspected that some of them 
 would cut the halter-strap and lead the horse off into 
 the woods, before the crowd would open sufficiently 
 for the major to see which way it went. 
 
 Whenever the major showed any inclination to 
 look behind him, I would become emphatic in my ex- 
 pressions and gesticulations, and look so earnestly at 
 him that I kept his attention riveted upon me. While 
 I was talking the portmanteau was opened, and a 
 beautiful silver-mounted ten-shooting revolver taken 
 out and carried off. 
 
 When I had finished, the crowd dispersed, and the 
 major prepared to leave. In doing so he discovered 
 that his revolver was gone. He told me about it. 
 and described the revolver, and said that it must 
 have been taken while I had been talking with 
 him. 
 
 He went to Brigadier-General Force, commanding
 
 286 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the Brigade, and complained that while he was rest- 
 ing, somebody stole his revolver. 
 
 The General immediately issued an order requiring 
 all the company commanders in the brigade to search 
 the men of their commands at once for the revolver, 
 but it was without' success. 
 
 The Major told the General that one of the men 
 standing by was called by the name of Bunker ; con- 
 sequently, I was sent for. 
 
 " Do you know who got this man's revolver?" in- 
 quired the General of me, as I went in. 
 
 "No, sir. I did not sec his revolver, and did not 
 know that he had one until he told me that some one 
 had stolen it." 
 
 ' Do you know what regiment the man belonged 
 to that took it?" 
 
 'No, sir, I do not! But I did think that the 
 Major was asking very improper questions for a paroled 
 prisoner to ask, and I expected, while I was talking 
 to him, that the boys would take horse and all, and I 
 think he may feel thankful if he hasn't lost anything 
 but his revolver ! " 
 
 " That will do ! " said the General ; "you can go to 
 your quarters, Major, I don't see as I can do any 
 thing for }'ou ! " 
 
 When the prisoners had all crossed Black Eiver, 
 I returned to Vicksburg. On my return I chanced 
 to meet Major-General Logan, who wished me to 
 engage in the detective business, the same as I had 
 done at Memphis. I told him that I did not like the 
 business and did not understand it, and that I did not
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 287 
 
 see anything brave or daring in it, and that it seemed 
 like rather a low business. He, however, insisted 
 upon my taking hold of it, and gave me an order to 
 go on board the steamer Swan to board, so that I 
 might pass as a citizen without being suspicioncd. 
 
 I boarded there three days, at the end of which 
 time I was so completely disgusted with the business 
 that I could not do anything at it, even if I had 
 wanted to. I then went to General Grant, and told 
 him what General Logan had set me at, and that I 
 did not like it, and asked him if he had a trip that 
 he wanted made into the Confederacy. He replied 
 that he had none of much importance, but that I 
 might make a trip to Yazoo City, if I was a mind to, 
 and see if anything was going on there, and gather 
 what information I could. 
 
 The Federal forces had, since the surrender of Vicks- 
 burg, already taken the place, and captured such pub- 
 lic stores as were movable, and destroyed the rest 
 and vacated it. 
 
 I made the trip on horseback, dressed like a citi- 
 zen. The route was rather a lonesome one, and 
 nothing occurred of interest on my way out. On my 
 arrival at Yazoo City, I found everything quiet, and 
 the place unoccupied by troops. 
 
 I then crossed the Yazoo River to the west, and 
 visited the neighborhood of Silver Creek, at a point 
 eighteen miles from Yazoo City. There I learned 
 that a band of guerrillas, known as the Silver Creek 
 Guerrillas, were to have a meeting the next day, at 
 a log church, about six miles distant to the south-
 
 288 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 west, to reorganize their band, so as to make them- 
 selves more efficient. Thinking that I might learn 
 something of them that might be of service, I deter- 
 mined to attend the meeting. 
 
 The next morning I started in the direction of the 
 church alone, but had gone only a short distance 
 when I was joined by six citizens, on horseback, go- 
 ing to the same place. We arrived at the church 
 about ten o'clock A. M., and found the meeting al- 
 ready commenced. I walked in with those that had 
 accompanied me and sat down, a listener to their 
 proceedings. 
 
 Remarks were made by several individuals, and I 
 learned by them that the band had become disorgan- 
 ized and ineffective by the slackness of the members 
 in turning out. Many of them had failed to report 
 for duty when ordered, and some of them had never 
 reported at all. A great deal was said about what 
 valuable services might be rendered by a well-organ- 
 ized band, and appeals were made to the patriotism 
 of each individual present " to stand by the South in 
 the hour of her trial, and let the world at large 
 know that the people of the South were determined 
 in their purpose, and would fight for her liberties until 
 relieved from the thraldom of a Lincoln tyranny." 
 
 Each man present was invited to express his views 
 on the matter, and I, in turn, was called upon. To 
 kill all chances of suspicion that might occur from my 
 presence, I responded to the invitation. I said to 
 them that I was a stranger to all of them. I told 
 them that I belonged to Daniel's guerrillas, at Somer-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 289 
 
 ville, Tennessee, and I knew from experience that a 
 well-organized band could make itself of great ser- 
 vice to the Government, and that I felt it was the 
 duty of every individual in the Confederacy to put 
 forth his best efforts, without regard to cost or sacri- 
 fice, to sustain the Government and establish our lib- 
 erty. Our band, I told them, intended to live on the 
 Lincoln army, and we kept close to it, and frequently 
 got inside of the Yankee lines and got valuable infor- 
 mation ; and sometimes we captured prisoners, and 
 horses, and mules, and we calculated not only to do 
 service to the Government, but to make it pay us, 
 and I hoped that the people of that neighborhood 
 were as patriotic as they were in mine. 
 
 The meeting resulted in the reorganization of the 
 band, with eighty members. 
 
 It has often been reported that citizens of the South 
 who had taken the oath of allegiance to the Federal 
 Government, were subject to abuse and cruel treat- 
 ment by guerrillas and soldiers of the Confederate 
 army ; but in that meeting several of the members 
 said that they had taken the oath, and had done it 
 because compelled to do it, and it was not spoken of 
 as an offence nor regarded as an obligation. 
 
 I had hoped that, in attending the meeting I would 
 be enabled to learn of some intended raid or cam- 
 paign, but none was spoken of, and probably none 
 contemplated by the band at that time. 
 
 About one o'clock P. M. the meeting closed, and I 
 resumed my way back. Two days after I arrived at 
 Vicksburg, and reported to General Grant. 
 13
 
 290 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Taken sick with the ague Encounters his Satanic Majesty The Devil 
 afraid of General Grant Expedition to Bogue Chitto Creek Captures 
 a rebel Colonel Enlists as a veteran Makes a speech to the soldiers. 
 
 FROM the time that I finished my trip to Yazoo City 
 until the next November I had but very little to do, 
 and nothing occurred of interest in my experience as 
 a scout. About this time I was taken with the three- 
 day ague, which troubled me more or less for a whole 
 year, At times, when the " shakes" would leave me 
 and the fever come on, I would have dreams or vis- 
 ions of a delirious character. I usually fancied my- 
 self engaged in some fearful and desperate encounter 
 with the rebels. My fancies were audibly uttered, 
 and to-day are as distinctly visible to my mind as 
 though they were realities of yesterday. Indeed, 
 they seemed like actual experience. In those deli- 
 rious hours, officers and soldiers would visit me, to 
 listen to my utterances of what was passing before me. 
 
 On one occasion, I fancied that I died and went 
 to hell. There I found, in one corner of the infernal 
 regions, an inclosure of several acres, filled with 
 Federal soldiers. They were suffering intensely for 
 want of sufficient water. A small rivulet made its 
 way down a little hollow across the inclosure, but the 
 stream was so small that its supply aggravated rather
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 291 
 
 than diminished the thirst of the soldiers. Having 
 placed me in the inclosure, the devil started back to 
 earth after more soldiers. After a careful examina- 
 tion of the locality, I concluded that I could relieve 
 very much of the suffering by damming up the 
 stream. I set to work at once making a dam, and, 
 by the time the devil made his appearance, I had 
 succeeded in raising the water to a depth of four 
 feet 
 
 'Have you come here to interfere with my ar- 
 rangements ?" inquired the devil, angry at what I had 
 done. 
 
 " No, sir ; but I thought I would build a dam here 
 and have as much water in it as there is in some 
 parts of the Mississippi." 
 
 Whereupon the devil picked up a big cannon and 
 punched a hole through it, which let the water out. 
 Just then a twenty- two inch shell came into the in- 
 closure, and exploded with a tremendous crash, com- 
 pletely enveloping us with the smoke. As it cleared 
 away, two persons were seen coming through the re- 
 gions of space directly toward the inclosure. The 
 quick eye of his Satanic Majesty was the first to 
 catch sight of them. 
 
 "Who are these?" he inquired. "Isn't one of 
 them General Grant?" 
 
 " Yes," I replied ; "that man in citizen's clothes is 
 General Grant, and the man in uniform is General 
 McPherson." 
 
 "I believe that is Grant," he said, after a more 
 careful look.
 
 292 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "Yes, that's Grant." 
 
 "Then I must light out of this !" and away he went 
 as fast as possible. 
 
 I told ray dream to General Grant. He has 
 asked me several times since if I had had any more 
 dreams. 
 
 In the month of November, General McPherson 
 made a demonstration with 14,000 men toward Can- 
 ton, Miss., to draw the attention of the rebs while 
 General Sherman, with his command, was moving 
 from Memphis eastward to Chattanooga. 
 
 At Brownsville we came upon a small force of rebs, 
 who undertook to check our advance, but we drove 
 them from their position. The next day, at Bogue 
 Chitto Creek, they made another stand, but were 
 again driven from their position. General John A. 
 Logan then sent me out to the front of our right to 
 watch the movements of the enemy, and see which 
 way they went. I was accompanied by a scout by 
 the name of James E. Bader. About a mile out we 
 left our horses under cover of the woods, and then, 
 by ourselves, we ascended a rise of ground that en- 
 abled us to see the course the enemy had taken. 
 While we were thus engaged in watching, we saw a 
 man leave the rebel forces and ride toward a house 
 that stood near by. As he neared us, we saw that he 
 had on the uniform of a rebel colonel. He unsad- 
 dled the horse at the house and then led it away to 
 the stable, and then returned to the house. We then 
 went to our horses, mounted, and rode to the house, 
 dismounted and went in. We found but one man in
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 293 
 
 the house, who said, "Good-morning! You gave 
 the Johnnies a good fleecing this morning !" 
 
 "Yes, 7 said I, "we fleeced the Johnnies. But 
 where is your uniform ?" 
 
 - "I ha'n't got a uniform, boys. I am no secesh. I 
 have always been a good Union man." 
 
 We then searched the house for the saddle and 
 uniform, which we found hid under the floor. 
 
 " What uniform is this ?" said I, hauling it up from 
 its hiding-place. 
 
 " It belongs to one of the boarders." 
 
 "It's my opinion that the boarder's clothes will 
 just fit you. Take off the clothes you have on and 
 put on these, and do it quick, too." 
 
 " I declare, gentlemen, that's not my uniform." 
 
 ' ' No matter ; you must put it on and see how it 
 fits." 
 
 " Jimmy-putt!" said Bader, brandishing his revol- 
 ver ; " put this uniform on in a hurry, or we'll help 
 you !" 
 
 "No more excuses," said I. "It a'n't but a few 
 minutes since we saw you have it on." 
 
 The colonel reluctantly changed his former dress 
 for the uniform. "There your military clothes lit 
 well. Now go with us." 
 
 Bader saddled the horse and brought it to the 
 door, when we made him mount and go back with us 
 to General Logan. I told him the course the enemy 
 had taken, and how we had captured the colonel. 
 
 I returned, accompanied by my partner, to the 
 colonel's house, where we found a nice flock of tur-
 
 294 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 keys. Knowing that officers were fond of turkeys, I 
 called a dog that was lying in the yard and set him 
 to work. In a few minutes we captured six nice 
 ones, which we carried to the general. 
 
 " Here, Colonel," said Logan, showing the turkeys 
 to the prisoner, " you shall have a nice supper in the 
 Federal fortress. Boys, have you got any for your- 
 selves ?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 ' Here, take these" (handing me two of them). 
 
 They made the company an excellent supper ; but 
 whether the colonel relished his own turkeys, and 
 himself a prisoner, I am not so sure. The next day 
 I was laid up with the ague, and was not able to scout 
 any more during that expedition. 
 
 In the month of December, 1863, the re-enlisting 
 of soldiers as veterans commenced in my regiment. 
 I at once re-enlisted, and set about using my influ- 
 ence to persuade others to do so. This I did gener- 
 ally by private conversation. Once more Bunker was 
 called upon to make a speech, of which the following 
 is what he had to say : 
 
 li Fellow-soldiers and comrades in arms : It is with 
 feelings of pride that I attempt to address you 
 pride because it is not often that an occasion offers for 
 one to address a body of men whose deeds of valor 
 have called forth such praise and such rejoicings as 
 yours have done. Ay ! I am proud that I have been 
 a comrade in arms with you in such struggles as Don- 
 elson, Shiloh, Champion Hills, and Yicksburg. Such 
 victories attest that you have done your duty well.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 295 
 
 and the glory is yours. Your country appreciates 
 the value of such men, and, because of it, she now 
 asks that you and I stand by that tattered flag for 
 three years more. We know how it came by those 
 shreds, and, as we gaze upon it, our hearts swell big 
 with emotion in the recollection of the scenes through 
 which we have passed. It is our blood that has spat- 
 tered it, and our arms that have borne it and won for 
 it glory. You know, by experience, the lot of the 
 soldier. Your faces arc bronzed in the service, and 
 many of you bear scars from the battles that you've 
 fought, mementoes of which your children and chil- 
 dren's children will be proud to speak when you are 
 (aid away in the hero's grave. 
 
 ' ' Our regiment has already taken part in nine bat- 
 tles and several severe skirmishes. In addition to my 
 services as a scout and spy, I have taken part in all 
 of them but one, and that was missed because I was 
 sick and unable for duty. But, as much privation 
 and hardships as I have experienced, and as much 
 danger as I have been exposed to, I cannot turn a 
 deaf ear to the call of my country. 
 
 " Living and mingling, as I have, with the people 
 of the South, and being with them at the time the 
 war commenced, I was able to discern, with approxi- 
 mate correctness, the gigantic proportions of the re- 
 bellion. I well knew the feelings that had impelled 
 them, and the obstinate and reckless determination 
 with which they would hold out against the attempt of 
 the Federal Government to bring them into subjection. 
 
 " In responding to the call of my country to sus-
 
 296 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 tain her noble prestige and glory, I had well counted 
 the cost of the sacrifice that I was about to make ; 
 and, contrary to the general expectation of a large 
 proportion of those that volunteered, I had no idea 
 that the rebellion w r ould be put down in a few months, 
 but expected that years must elapse before our coun- 
 try would be restored to its former proportions, peace, 
 and prosperity > 
 
 "Two years and a half have already passed since 
 the first shot was fired at that star-spangled banner 
 by the hands of traitors who had been reared under 
 its protecting folds. 
 
 "During that period, thousands of patriotic hearts, 
 that beat with love for their country, have ceased their 
 pulsations in the noble effort to crush the traitorous 
 arm that was raised against the most glorious struc- 
 ture of human liberty. 
 
 "Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives 
 and sweethearts have mourned the loss of the noble 
 fallen. 
 
 " Some of the heroes of this war have dragged out 
 a lingering, distressing existence by disease, breath- 
 ing the hero's prayer as they closed their eyes in 
 death. Others have died amid the clash of arms and 
 the din of battle ; others, smitten down by the hand 
 of the foe, have spent days of horrible agony, with- 
 out food, water, or shelter, and then died, glorious 
 martyrs of liberty, on the field where they fell. 
 
 "Still the war continues, and the distant boom of 
 cannon announces that more martyrs are being sac- 
 rificed, and other hearts are being broken.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 297 
 
 "The page of history will never reveal the anguish 
 and suffering caused by this unholy rebellion. 
 
 "The fond father and mother, who have invoked 
 the blessing of Heaven upon their heroic son, as he 
 was about to leave them to encounter the hardships, 
 privations, and sufferings of the warrior, will never 
 know the sufferings which that loved one has endured ; 
 nor will the loved one know the intense anxiety and 
 the agony of the broken hearts of those aged parents, 
 until they meet in the blissful bowers of a patriot and 
 hero. 
 
 " No pen can ever portray the sighs and anguish of 
 the devoted wife and tender children, whose husband 
 and father, their solace and support, has been smitten 
 down by the hand of the foe. 
 
 "It has been my lot and pleasure to be a comrade 
 and a sharer with those that have thus freely suffered 
 and bled to perpetuate the blessings of liberty ; and 
 I can testify that there has been no hardship so great, 
 no suffering so intense, no death so horrible as to ef- 
 face the calm smiles of satisfaction and love from the 
 face of the war-wrinkled hero, as he closed his eyes 
 in death, with his last lingering look upon the flag of 
 his country. 
 
 "Notwithstanding the many narrow escapes and 
 perilous adventures and sufferings that I have expe- 
 rienced, from long marches and from sickness, and 
 from exposure to the weather by sleeping upon the 
 ground, unsheltered by blanket or cover, during my 
 travels as a scout ; and, notwithstanding the dangers 
 I have experienced upon the field of battle, amid the 
 '3*
 
 298 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 roar of musketry and the crash of artillery, and the 
 groans of my mangled comrades, wounded and dying, 
 as they lay weltering in pools of blood, I prize my 
 country no less than I did two years and a half ago, 
 and my heart beats with the same patriotism that 
 first prompted me to raise my arm in defence of the 
 Union. 
 
 " So long as an armed traitor shall be found in re- 
 bellion against the government, I shall continue my 
 career as a soldier. I cannot leave the field until 
 this rebellion is crushed. 
 
 "The spirits of my fallen comrades are hovering 
 about me, and beckoning me on to avenge their suf- 
 ferings and our insulted flag ; and it seems to me 
 their mouldering bodies would turn over in disgust in 
 the graves that inclose them, were I to leave the lau- 
 rels that we have so gallantly won to the uncertainty 
 of strange hands. Come, then, to the rescue ! 
 
 "Your fathers and mothers, your wives and sweet- 
 hearts, and all your loved ones at home, will cheer 
 you on in the noble course. Their thanksgivings and 
 prayers are already encircling the throne of God in 
 your behalf ; and when you return to your homes, 
 their kind hands will place garlands of flowers upon 
 your heads as crowns of glory that you have won. 
 Cast your eyes upon the sacred emblem of our coun- 
 try to the flag which you have followed to the field 
 of blood, and around which you have rallied in the 
 din of battle, and beneath which your brave comrades 
 have fallen, and remember the glorious victories that 
 you have won, and that a nation's gratitude is yours.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 299 
 
 " March bravely on, as you have already done, 
 winning victory after victory, and but a few months 
 more will elapse till you have planted the stars and 
 stripes in every nook and corner of the rebellious 
 States. 
 
 i; Then will peace, happiness, and prosperity shed 
 their effulgent rays over all the land, and you will re- 
 turn to your homes, enshrouded with glory, to meet 
 the warm embrace of friends, knowing that you have 
 a country, and that a free country/'
 
 300 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXYI. 
 
 Frightened by a dead Colonel Burns Confederate corn in face of the 
 enemy Gets into a tight place A frightened Major Captures infor- 
 mationA headstrong Captain gobbled up Captures a rebel Provost- 
 marshal General Encounter with General Ross' s cavalry A strange 
 adventure Races with a rebel Colonel A hard-hearted woman. 
 
 THE next service that I performed was in the 
 month of February, 1864. It was in that month that 
 General Sherman made what is known as the " Meri- 
 dian raid." I accompanied the expedition. The 
 second day out from Yicksburg, General McPherson 
 sent me to watch the movements of Wirt Adams, who 
 was hovering about our right flank with 1,500 caval- 
 ry. I found a movement in progress to attack the 
 ordnance and supply train, which I reported in 
 time to prevent ; it was handsomely effected by the 
 llth Illinois Cavalry. At night the army halted at 
 Bear Creek. 
 
 There an incident occurred that I can never for- 
 get. I expected to go home with my regiment on 
 veteran furlough as soon as the campaign that we 
 were then on was completed. I had felt desirous of 
 procuring a complete Confederate colonel's uniform 
 to take home with me. I had already secured every- 
 thing except a coat. When I had completed my 
 day's ride, and secured my horse for the night, it was 
 nine o'clock Passing along the line to find Sergeant
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 301 
 
 Downs, I met a soldier, who said, " Bunker, didn't I 
 hear you say that you wanted a rebel colonel's 
 coat ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "There was a rebel colonel killed on the skirmish 
 line in front to-day." 
 
 " Was there ! Where is he ?" 
 
 "Go up to the ditch yonder, to the left, till you 
 come to the end of it ; then take a hollow that leads 
 away to your left. The first body that you come to 
 is a dead private ; the next is that of a colonel." 
 
 The night was very dark, but my desires to obtain 
 the coat were so strong that they overcame all fear, 
 so I started out. I found the hollow described with 
 less difficulty than I had expected. Coming to the 
 dead private, I said, "Good-evening, Johnnie ! you'll 
 get cold there, won't you?" A few steps further 
 brought me to another body. " Good-evening, Colo- 
 nel !" said I. He made no reply. I continued : 
 " You are going down below, where it is warm, and 
 when we get back from this raid I am going up north, 
 where it is cold ; you have got a good coat and I want 
 it. Since it is so warm down where you are going 
 that you don't need it, what objection can you have 
 to my taking it ?" 
 
 The colonel made no reply. 
 
 " Well, colonel, they say silence gives consent, so I 
 guess I'll take it." 
 
 He lay on his back, with his feet crossed, and one 
 arm lying across his breast. His boots were already 
 gone. Taking hold of his arm and raising it up, I
 
 302 THE GRE.AT AMERICAN 
 
 found that it was limber. Said I, " You haven't had 
 your furlough long, have you, Colonel?" He made 
 no reply. I set the body up, and got down upon my 
 knees in front of it, and commenced to take off the 
 coat. A gasp and a convulsive spring forward 
 brought the colonel's open mouth suddenly against 
 my face. Unearthly horror seized me ; with one 
 bound I was on my feet, and the next thing that I 
 knew I was in camp. To say that I was frightened 
 is no description of my feelings. Had a demon from 
 the infernal regions placed his gnashing jaws against 
 my face, I could not have been more horrified. I 
 covered myself in my blankets, and cold tremors 
 crept over me for hours after. Every attempt to 
 court sleep would force through my mind a vivid rec- 
 ollection of every mean thing that I had ever done, 
 followed by all the stories of ghosts and hobgoblins 
 that I had ever heard. I have had no desire since to 
 obtain a rebel colonel's coat. 
 
 The next morning the march was resumed. Noth- 
 ing of particular interest occurred, save the usual 
 skirmishing, foraging, and burning consequent upon 
 such expeditions, for several days. After we had 
 crossed Pearl Eiver, I was kept constantly on the 
 flanks, scouting. I usually had a squad of men with 
 me. At Jonesboro I was sent out on the left flank, 
 with a squad of eight men. A few miles out from 
 Jonesboro, the road leading to Hillsboro forks. The 
 straight and most direct road leads through seven 
 miles of swamp, and is known as the "lower road." 
 The right-hand road leads to the south, around the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 303 
 
 swamp, and is called the "upper road." The latter 
 was the one taken by the army in its route to Hills- 
 boro. When I left the troops in the morning, I did 
 not know that there was more than one road leading 
 to that place. The consequence was, I kept to the 
 left of the lower road, which carried me entirely too 
 far from the main force of the army for safety. 
 
 After travelling about eight miles, we came to a 
 ^cross-road. Our course, thus .far, had not been con- 
 fined to any road, but lay across the fields. As we 
 came to the cross-road we emerged from a piece of 
 woodland. Half a mile beyond us was a double log- 
 house and several large rail-pens, which we saw was 
 filled with Confederate corn. Three hundred yards 
 to the left of the corn we discovered a camp of two 
 regiments of rebel cavalry. These we tried to clear, 
 by filing to the right and keeping along in the timber 
 to the west of the road. Less than a hundred yards 
 brought us to a small stream of water, whose banks 
 were lined with a dense growth of alders. The 
 stream, after crossing the road, made its way along to 
 within fifty yards of the corn-crib. Taking advan- 
 tage of the cover afforded by the alders, one of my 
 party, James E. Bader, waded down the shallow 
 stream until opposite the cribs, and then, under cover 
 of the cribs, made his way to them and set them on 
 fire, and then retraced his steps. 
 
 Two miles further south, we came to a planter's 
 house, where I found a table spread for eighteen per- 
 sons, and fried sausage figured extensively in the 
 meal, which was then nearly prepared.
 
 304 TOE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "You've got the table set for some Johnnies, I 
 reckon," said I to the planter. 
 
 " No, sir ; for none but our own family." 
 
 "I reckon you have ; I'll go out and stand picket 
 while my men come in and confiscate the meal." As 
 I was about to step behind an ash-house that stood in 
 the yard, the old man, who had followed me out, 
 stepped up to me and begged of me not to go there. 
 Said he, " If you do you will surely get shot." 
 
 " You want to frighten the men away from that 
 sausage," said I, still determined to go there. 
 
 "No," said he, "I have never seen a man shot, 
 and I don't want to see you shot in my own yard ; 
 you will certainly get shot if you go there. If you 
 want to stand picket at all, go up into my garret and 
 watch from the window.". 
 
 The old man turned so pale and looked so much 
 in earnest, that I concluded to take his advice. In- 
 stead of going into the front door I went round to the 
 back door : both doors were open. In the front end 
 of the hall sat the planter's daughter, waving a white 
 handkerchief, and in the field beyond, not more than 
 three hundred yards distant, I saw a line of Johnnies 
 coming, hiding their approach as much as they could 
 by intervening objects. I said to the boys, " Grab 
 the sausage, kick over the table, and be off, for the rebs 
 are on us." We took to the trees, when quite a live- 
 ly skirmish ensued, which lasted for several minutes. 
 The rebs then took to their horses, evidently bent on 
 intercepting our retreat on the cross-road. As soon 
 as they were out of sight, we started across the fields
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 305 
 
 in their roar, and bent our course for the " lower 
 Hillsboro" road, which proved to be about a mile 
 distant. There were eighteen of the rebs, and they 
 had evidently been watching the "lower road" for 
 forage parties. We had been coming up in their 
 rear until we stopped to confiscate the sausage. On 
 reaching the road, I found that the troops had not 
 passed that way, and consequently must have taken 
 some other. The fact now flashed upon my mind 
 that we were much further from our command than 
 we had any idea of. 
 
 There was a brick church at the corner of the 
 road. I got the boys into that as quick as possible, 
 and ordered them to knock out the windows. While 
 they were preparing for defence, I .stood in the road 
 and watched. While the boys were getting ready, a 
 lieutenant and a private of the Federal Signal Corps 
 came up, each armed with revolvers, and soon after 
 several infantry soldiers, that had strayed away from 
 their commands, came in sight. I hurried them up, 
 and had hardly got them into the church when a par- 
 ty of rebs made their appearance. We opened on them 
 lively, and killed two of their number and wounded 
 others, which caused them to clear out and leave us. 
 I knew it would not do to stay there long, so we "lit 
 out" to find the army, taking the cross-road to the 
 south. Being mounted, I rode on ahead, until I came 
 to the upper road. The 16th Corps had just passed, 
 and the 17th was just coming into sight. In a few 
 minutes General McPherson and staff came up, and 
 wanted to know what the firing was about. I re-
 
 30 G THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ported the situation of affairs. Just then two of my 
 squad, who had brought up the rear at a distance of 
 three hundred yards behind the rest, came up on the 
 run, with information that two regiments of rebel 
 cavalry were coming. The General ordered a brig- 
 ade of infantry into position on a double-quick. They 
 were hardly in line before the rebs commenced firing. 
 A lively engagement ensued, which lasted about thirty 
 minutes, and resulted in a handsome defeat of the enemy. 
 
 A march of three days more brought us to Deca- 
 tur, Miss. The 16th Army Corps passed on beyond 
 the place to encamp for the night. As the rear of 
 their supply train was passing out of the place it was 
 attacked, and one man and twenty-six mules were 
 killed. The 17th Corps encamped for the night at 
 Dccatur. The next morning General Leggctt sent 
 me out on a road running south from the place, to as- 
 certain whether there was a rebel force near. I had 
 only gone half a mile before I discovered at a short 
 distance ahead of me, a squad of seven mounted rebels 
 at their picket-post. As soon as they saw me they 
 came into line of attack. 
 
 Wheeling my horse, I motioned with my right hand 
 for them not to shoot, and with my left for them to 
 come on up. About twenty feet brought me out of 
 their sight behind the brush, and putting spurs to my 
 horse I rode to camp. 
 
 I reported the fact to General Leggett, and as I was 
 passing the first line of our troops, Major Fry, of the 
 20th Ohio, said tome, "Bunker, what is out there ?" 
 
 "There are rebs out there."
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 307 
 
 "How far?" 
 
 " Not more than half a mile." 
 
 "Pshaw! Bunker, you must be mistaken; there 
 can't be rebs that near/' 
 
 " Perhaps you had better go and see if you don't 
 believe it." 
 
 The Major mounted his black stallion and went 
 out. The road was crooked, and lined on both sides 
 with a heavy growth of pine underbrush, so that it 
 was impossible to sec far. He hadn't been gone long 
 enough to have rode half a mile, when he was seen 
 coming back, with his horse under full spur, and at its 
 utmost speed, with hat in hand, shouting at the top of 
 his voice, " Fall in ! Fall in !" From the Major's ac- 
 tions, the regiment supposed that a large force of 
 rebels were about to attack us. The troops instantly 
 fell in, when a company was sent out to find the cause- 
 of alarm, and discovered seven men that had given 
 chase to the Major. Officers sometimes get frightened 
 as well as enlisted men. 
 
 General Leggett then gave me a squad of twenty- 
 six men, and sent me out on a road to the southeast 
 of the town. Two miles out I saw a citizen fleeing 
 from his house to the woods, as if alarmed at our ap- 
 proach. I gave chase and soon caught up with him. 
 Brandishing my revolver, I said to him, "Daddy, 
 you have got to tell me one thing, or I will kill you 
 right here ; now tell me the truth." 
 
 "Well, what is it?" 
 
 " Where were you going, and what were you going 
 for?"
 
 308 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 ''There are six hundred State militia down in the 
 woods, about three -quarters of a mile from here. I 
 was afraid of you all, and I was going down there for 
 protection." 
 
 " You belong to them, I suppose ?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 "What are the militia doing there?" 
 
 " They are going to attack your supply train." 
 
 "That's a fact, is it?" 
 
 " Yes, and they are going to do it right quick/' 
 
 " It was the militia that killed the mules last night, 
 I suppose." 
 
 "No, it was the citizens of the town." 
 
 " Did you have a hand in it ?" 
 
 "No, sir, but my brother did. I'll tell you how it 
 was done. Before the Yankee force came up, the 
 citizens of the town met on the public square, and 
 joined hands around the Confederate pole, with the 
 Confederate colors flying, and swore by Almighty 
 (rod that they would resist the march of the Yan- 
 kees through the place, or every man would die in 
 the attempt. As soon as the Yankee advance made 
 its appearance, they all fled to the woods. As the 
 rear of the train came up, they rallied and made the 
 attack ; but as soon as they saw other troops coming, 
 they again fled." 
 
 I returned to General Leggett to report the infor- 
 mation that I had gained. I found him still in Dcca- 
 tur, superintending the departure of troops. The 
 train was already moving out. I told him what was 
 up. Said he, " They dare not attack it ; and if they
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 309 
 
 do, there ain't enough of them to wake up one side 
 of it." 
 
 " I don't say, General, they will capture the train, 
 but they will attack it." 
 
 In about twenty minutes the crack of rifles was 
 heard, which increased in frequency until the firing 
 was quite lively. 
 
 " They are at it, I guess," said the General. " I 
 must see about that." So out we went to the scene 
 of action. The guards were doing bravely, but the 
 presence of the General inspired them with new 
 courage, and they pitched into the militia like so 
 many tigers, and whipped them without any re-en- 
 forcements to assist them. 
 
 Some think it absolutely necessary in a battle to 
 have commissioned officers to give command, but 
 here was a desperate fight, and a glorious victory, 
 and not a commissioned officer within half a mile dur- 
 ing the engagement. 
 
 Shortly after the foregoing event, I met two mem- 
 bers of the 78th Ohio, who had been out on the left 
 flank in search of supplies. They found a house oc- 
 cupied by an old lady and two daughters. They said 
 the}'' had enjoyed themselves finely ; had had a good 
 dinner, and had been invited to dine with them again 
 the next day. 
 
 I says, " Boys, will you accept their invitation?" 
 
 " Certainly," said they. 
 
 "Well, then, that will be the last of you, unless 
 some one goes with you." 
 
 " Will you go with us?" said they.
 
 310 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "I will," said I, " if I can take a squad of men with 
 me." 
 
 Said I, " Boys, now you must face the music." 
 
 "0 yes, we'll do that." 
 
 "All right. We'll start to-morrow morning." 
 
 The next day we started on our trip. 
 
 When we reached the place, I told the boys to go 
 in and see to the dinner. I took twenty-six of my 
 men and formed them in three companies, so that we 
 could see the movements at the house. Soon I saw 
 a girl come to the door of the house and wave her 
 handkerchief toward a piece of woods. Out came 
 six rebel soldiers and rode up to the house, dis- 
 mounted and went in. By a flourish of my revolver 
 I gave the command to my men to come up and 
 surround the house. I dismounted and went into the 
 door. They said, "Come in, Mr. Yank, we'll take 
 you, too." 
 
 " Dismount, boys, and come in, the Johnnies want 
 you in here." 
 
 Twenty-seven of us rushed in, and the rebels in 
 surprise said to the girl, " What does this mean?" 
 
 She said, " I didn't know that there was but two." 
 
 They had already robbed the boys of their money, 
 finger rings, <foc., so we in return took the money and 
 rings, with their horses and other valuables, and 
 marched them into camp, not waiting for dinner. 
 
 At Meridian, General McPherson sent me out alone 
 to hunt up a grist-mill that was suitable to grind corn 
 for the army. It was rendered necessary because of 
 our having advanced into the enemy's country one 
 
 10*
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 311 
 
 hundred and fifty miles from our base of supplies, 
 which compelled us to subsist upon the products of 
 the country. 
 
 Two miles out from Meridian I found a mill, but it 
 needed some repairs. The man who kept it told me 
 that there was another mill six miles further down the 
 stream that was in good running order. I went out 
 to find it, but had gone only about a mile, when I 
 discovered rebel forces, both of infantry and caval- 
 ry. From appearances, I judged them to be quite 
 strong. I then retraced my steps toward camp. On 
 my way I met a captain, with a detail of forty men, 
 going after forage. I advised him to go back. I told 
 him the strength of their forces, and that if he under- 
 took to go on the rebs would gobble him up. He in- 
 sisted upon having his own way, and went on. Two 
 men of Company K, of the 17th Illinois Infantry, 
 who knew me, heard what I said to the captain, and, 
 not liking very well to be captured, fell back a short 
 distance to the rear of the squad, and watched the 
 motion of things. The result was the captain and 
 his men were surprised and all gobbled up without 
 firing a shot or making any resistance, except the 
 two that fell back, and they made a narrow es- 
 cape. 
 
 After leaving the captain, I hurried back and 
 reported to General McPherson, who sent out a 
 force of cavalry as quickly as possible to support 
 the captain, or release him if captured. The 
 assistance, however, was too late. The rebs had 
 departed with their prisoners.
 
 312 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 We staid at Meridian two days, which we spent 
 in gathering supplies and devastating the country. 
 
 The object of the raid was to impoverish the coun- 
 try as much as possible, and it was successfully 
 accomplished. The destruction of property could 
 not have been more complete. At the expiration of 
 two days the army retraced its way eighteen miles, 
 and then made another halt of two days, to rest the 
 teams. 
 
 From that place, Colonel Potts, of the 32d Ohio 
 Infantry (since a Brevet Major-General), in com- 
 mand of the Ohio Brigade, was sent with fifty-six 
 wagons to the north of our line of march after supplies. 
 I went with him. He ordered me to ride on some 
 distance in advance, and see what I could find. 
 
 Twelve miles out, I came to a plantation that looked 
 as if it belonged to a man in wealthy circumstances. 
 
 As I came in sight of the house, I saw two men go 
 in. The house stood in a yard inclosed by a picket- 
 fence ; behind the house was a small oak grove. 
 
 Halting in front of the gate, I shouted, " Halloo the 
 house ! " Two men came out, and one of them inquired 
 what I wanted. 
 
 " I want you to come out to the gate," I replied. 
 
 "You go along to your command," he continued; 
 " you have no business here. Your command has just 
 passed the corner yonder, out of sight. I don't want 
 you straggling back and prowling around my prem- 
 ises. I am Provost-marshal General of this district. 
 and I order you to go on." 
 
 "Oh, come out here. I am no straggler. I have
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 313 
 
 got some news to tell you about the Yankees, and 
 it's good news, too." 
 
 At that they both came out into the road. As the 
 Marshal closed the gate, and stepped away from it, I 
 reined my horse between him and the gate, and 
 quickly presenting my revolver, told them that they 
 were my prisoners, and if they made any attempt to 
 get away I'd kill them both on the spot. I then 
 marched them back till I met Colonel Potts. 
 
 " What have you got here ? " he inquired. 
 
 "The Provost-marshal General." 
 
 "Is that your rank, sir?" he inquired of the 
 prisoner. 
 
 "Yes sir." 
 
 " What is your name ?" 
 
 "Davis, sir; Doctor Davis, they call me." 
 
 " What is your name?" (addressing the other). 
 
 "My name is Davis ; I am a brother of the doctor." 
 
 "What is your rank?" 
 
 " I am a private in the 35th Mississippi Regiment." 
 
 " What are you doing here?" 
 
 " I am on furlough. Here it is," said he, pulling it 
 out and handing it to the Colonel. 
 
 The Colonel ordered me to take them to the rear. 
 I said to the Colonel it is only a few rods to the 
 doctor's house ; so he brought them along to the 
 house, where they were turned over to my care. 
 I now discovered, for the first time, that there were 
 several persons chained to the trees in the little grove 
 behind the house. Leaving my prisoners with a 
 guard, I went to find out who they were. I found that 
 14
 
 314 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 they had iron collars around their necks, to which the 
 chains were made fast. They said they were Union 
 people, and lived in the country about there, and that 
 they had fled from conscription, and Doctor Davis 
 had hunted them down with bloodhounds, and then 
 chained them there. I went to the doctor and asked 
 him who he had got chained up in the grove. He 
 said, "They are Confederate soldiers that have de- 
 serted their regiments. I captured them, and fastened 
 them that way for safe-keeping, until I could return 
 them to their commands." 
 
 I made him give me his keys, and then I unlocked 
 the Union men, and put one of the iron collars on 
 Doctor Davis' neck and locked him to the hind end of 
 one of the wagons. The doctor's brother cried, and 
 said he would rather see him shot than treated that 
 way, and begged of me to let him go. I told him 
 that such treatment was no worse for rebs than it was 
 for good Union men. I had hardly stepped away from 
 the doctor when the Union men pitched into him, and 
 I guess they would have killed him in a very few 
 minutes if I had not interfered. I was very sorry 
 afterward that I didn't let them do him justice. 
 
 We loaded the fifty- six wagons with bacon, oats, and 
 corn, from the doctor's plantation, and then burned 
 every thing that was left. While the wagons were 
 being loaded, some Indians that lived near by came 
 to us, and seeing that I had the doctor chained, said : 
 
 " Bad man ; very bad man. Be glad he's gone." 
 
 As soon as I reached camp, I reported to General 
 McPherson who I had captured. He said, " Doctor
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 315 
 
 Davis is notorious for his cruelty to loyal people. 
 Bring your prisoner in." 
 
 While I was gone for the prisoner, General Sher- 
 man and General Logan came over, and were there 
 when I entered with him. General Sherman asked 
 him a few questions, and then gave him a most severe 
 upbraiding for his barbarous cruelty. When the 
 generals had all given him a piece of their minds, he 
 was turned over to my care. 
 
 The next morning I took him out into the woods 
 alone, to see what I could do toward scaring him. 1 
 chained him to a tree, and then, drawing my revolver, 
 told him that I was going to kill him. He begged of 
 me to spare his life. 
 
 "Yes," said I, "the ox is yours now; why didn't 
 you think of that when loyal men begged of you for 
 mercy ? You have no time to beg : you had better 
 go to praying." 
 
 He plead and cried, and finally prayed. As much 
 as he .deserved death, I hadn't the heart to kill him ; 
 so I returned him to his place behind the wagon. 
 He was made to travel all the way to Yicksburg 
 with the collar and chain fast to his neck. At 
 Yicksburg he was tried by court-martial, and sen- 
 tenced to confinement on Johnson's Island. 
 
 When the army arrived at Jonesboro, on its re- 
 turn, General McPherson sent me, with a squad of 
 nine men, into the country to hunt up forage. We 
 were all mounted. When we had gone about eight 
 miles to the northwest, we came to a small stream 
 that flowed within deep perpendicular banks, and a
 
 316 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 few yards beyond the stream we came to a house, 
 where we dismounted. I went to the stable in search 
 of horses and mules. On returning to the yard, in 
 front of the house, I found my men gathered in a cir- 
 cle around a young lady that had come out of the 
 house. She was dressed extravagantly gay and rich, 
 evidently in expectation of a visit from somebody. 
 Her gay appearance something to do in gathering the 
 men around her. 
 
 "Boys, "said I, " don't you know better than to 
 huddle together in that way for bushwhackers to shoot 
 at? One shot would kill two or three of you." 
 
 "That's so, Bunker," said they scattering out. 
 
 " What are you dressed up so nice for?" said I to 
 the lady. Who's coming to see you ?" 
 
 " I ain't dressed up ; this is my every-day attire." 
 
 " You needn't try to deceive me in that way ; there 
 is somebody coming to see you, and if you don't tell 
 me who it is, I'll burn your house down." 
 
 "Perhaps if you stay here long enough you will 
 find out who it is." 
 
 " Whereabouts is General Ross's command?" 
 
 " He is not far from here." 
 
 "Well, where is he?" 
 
 " Down in the woods yonder." 
 
 " Come on, boys, we'll go down and see." 
 
 We mounted and rode down into the woods ; there 
 we discovered a great many fresh horse-tracks. I 
 ordered the boys to dismount and form a skirmish 
 line. We had hardly got into position when a Confed- 
 erate general made his appearance on a rise of
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 317 
 
 ground in our front, about sixty yards distant, com- 
 ing toward us. When he had ascended fairly to the 
 top of the hill, he halted to look. He was the rich- 
 est dressed general that I ever saw. His uniform was 
 heavily trimmed with gold lace, and his saddle, bri- 
 dle, and holsters were mounted with gold. The gen- 
 eral was straight, and well proportioned, and made a 
 splendid appearance. I presumed that it was Gen- 
 eral Ross, on his way to visit the young lady. 
 
 "Jim," said I to the man nearest to me, whom I 
 knew to be a good shot, ' ' why don't you shoot that 
 general ?" 
 
 Jim fired but missed him. "We gave chase, and 
 fired twelve or fifteen shots at him, but, in the ex- 
 citement of the occasion, we all missed him. We 
 followed about forty rods, then returned to our horses, 
 recrossed the bridge, tore it up, stationed ourselves 
 behind trees, and waited for the approach of the ene- 
 my, who, I felt sure, would give chase. We had not 
 waited long until the expected enemy came. We 
 opened fire on them as they came up, which was 
 kept up by us for several minutes, and returned with 
 equal vigor by them. Finding they made no im- 
 pression on us, they withdrew. Suspecting that they 
 knew of some other place to cross the stream, I told 
 the boys to "light out." We were hardly in saddle 
 till we saw the rebels coming from another direc- 
 tion. They had crossed the creek, intent on our 
 capture. Away we went, and the rebs after us. It 
 was now nip and tuck who had the fastest horses. 
 Fortunately for us, during our absence the 16th
 
 318 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Corps had moved out on the road that we were on, 
 and gone into camp, and we had only about three 
 miles to ride before we ran into our own lines. The 
 rebs kept up the chase until they were fired into by 
 our pickets. I never learned whether we injured 
 any of the rcbs or not ; my own men received no in- 
 jury. 
 
 Two days' further marching brought the army 
 within four miles of Pearl River Swamp, where it 
 halted to lay a pontoon across Pearl River. While 
 the army was waiting, I was ordered by General 
 Leggett to take a detail of eighteen men from the 
 32d Ohio Infantry, in addition to which I had a squad 
 of nine that had been on detail with me for several 
 days. With these I was to go after forage, and be 
 ready to start at daylight the next morning. I got 
 horses for my men, and had them all ready that 
 night. In the morning we started for General Leg- 
 gctt's headquarters for special instructions. On the 
 way I met a lieutenant of the 23d Indiana Infantry, 
 with a detail of ninety men, all mounted. He said to 
 me, "Bunker, what is your detail for?" 
 
 I told him that I was going after forage. He said, 
 " I am ordered to take command of all forage parties 
 to-day. You and your men fall in with me." The 
 men, supposing it was all right, fell in, except one. 
 I knew well enough that he had misrepresented his 
 order to the men. He wore shoulder-straps and I 
 wore none. I was vexed. I sat on my horse and 
 watched his movements. He rode on to the head of 
 his command with more assuming dignity than a Ma-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 319 
 
 jor-G-eneral with a command of a hundred thousand 
 men. He paid no attention to his men, and they 
 strung out behind long enough for a good-sized regi- 
 ment. I told the man that had remained with me to 
 go on, and tell the men of my detail that I wanted 
 them to run with me, and to drop back behind till I 
 came up. This they did, without being missed by the 
 lieutenant. I got them all back but one man. The 
 lieutenant filed to the left at the first left-hand road ; 
 I went on to the second left-hand road, and then filed 
 left. I calculated to let the lieutenant have the out- 
 side track, and I would forage inside his operations. 
 After turning to the left, we went a mile, and then 
 took a track that led to the right, down through a 
 field, and then into a piece of woods, until we came 
 to a creek, with a steep bank on the side that we 
 were on that was four feet down to the water. We 
 could only get our animals down the bank by push- 
 ing them. In this we succeeded. The opposite bank 
 we ascended without difficulty. We were then about 
 five miles from where the lieutenant and I parted. 
 Going on a few yards further, I heard the sound of 
 voices, and motioned to the boys to stop. We lis- 
 tened, and could distinctly hear loud talking, and oc- 
 casionally such expressions as "thar," "you all," 
 and " gwine," which led us to conclude that we were 
 coming upon a party of rebs. I knew that Carson's 
 cavalry was somewhere not far distant, and readily 
 enough suspected that the talking we heard was from 
 his men. To retrace our steps was impossible, owing 
 to the nature of the opposite bank of the stream. To
 
 320 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 remain long where we were was dangerous. " Boys," 
 said I, "we must do one of two things either 
 fight those rebs or go to Andersonville. Which will 
 you do?" 
 
 "Try ? em a whack, Bunker." 
 
 "Well, then, tie your horses, and get into a line 
 of skirmishers, and 111 ride cautiously forward and 
 see what's there. I went so near that I saw two 
 Confederate soldiers and a negro, clad in confederate 
 uniform. This confirmed my suspicions that we had 
 run into Carson's cavalry. I concluded that our only 
 hope lay in the trial of strategy. From the voices 
 that I heard, the party, whoever they were, greatly 
 outnumbered mine. 
 
 Having placed myself at the rear of my command, 
 I shouted at the top of my voice, "ATTENTION 
 BATTALION! COMPANY A, ON THE RIGHT, AND B, 
 
 ON THE LEFT, DEPLOY AS SKIRMISHERS! FORWARD 
 
 DOUBLE-QUICK MARCH!" Away the boys went. 
 Then I shouted, "BATTALION FORWARD DOUBLE- 
 QUICK MARCH!" I was the battalion. I kept on 
 giving commands, as we advanced, as loud as I could 
 yell, as if I was commanding a full regiment of in- 
 fantry. The strategy had its effect. The party did 
 not wait to see who we were, but very unceremo- 
 niously "lit out." We only got sight of three per- 
 sons ; those were the two Confederate soldiers and 
 the negro that I have mentioned, who remained behind 
 for us to capture. We now found out that we had 
 stampeded a party of Federal soldiers. They had 
 left two yoke of oxen and a wagon, loaded with a
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 321 
 
 barrel of sugar, a sack of flour, and nice hams. On 
 top of the load was a roll of carpeting. The fleeing 
 party had left along their line of flight great numbers 
 of nice hams, that they had thrown away in their 
 efforts to escape. The three persons that we had 
 captured had hauled the stuff down into the woods 
 that morning, to hide it from the Yankees. A party 
 of Federal soldiers had discovered the track, and 
 followed it up, and were in the act of appropriating 
 the best of the hams to their own use, when we 
 surprised them. We took possession of the property, 
 and started on, keeping a plantation road that wound 
 its way round to the main road, on which the army 
 was encamped. 
 
 Just before we came out on the main road, I halted 
 my party to give the oxen a chance to rest. While 
 there, the llth Illinois Cavalry and a brigade of 
 infantry were seen coming out on the road that we 
 were on, with battle-flags flying. Coming up to us, 
 they halted. At the head of the command, with 
 the Colonel of the llth Illinois Cavalry, was the 
 Lieutenant of the forage party and a private of the 
 23d Indiana Infantry. Said the private to me : 
 
 " Bunker, was there a carpet on that wagon ?" 
 
 " Yes ; but we threw it away." 
 
 " Is there sugar in that barrel?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Is there flour in that sack?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 Turning to the lieutenant, " Here is your wagon." 
 
 " Do you claim that wagon, Lieutenant?" I inquired.
 
 322 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 " I don't know as it is my wagon." 
 
 "If it is, just say so ; I don't know as one soldier 
 is better than another. These supplies are for this 
 noble army. If they are yours, just say so ; then I'll 
 tell how I came by them." 
 
 "I don't know as I care who has them; only I 
 would like to have had one of those hams for my din- 
 ner." 
 
 "Well, why didn't you save one of the hams that 
 you threw away, if you wanted one so bad ?" 
 
 "I declare," said the Colonel, "if this ahvt a 
 pretty flirt! A brigade of infantry and a battalion 
 of cavalry sent out to attack Bunker and his squad !" 
 
 The colonel then moved with his command back to 
 camp, and I reported with my forage to General 
 Leggett. 
 
 The next day I took out a squad of six men on a 
 road leading to the northwest. Two miles out I came 
 to a cross-road leading down to Pearl Eiver. Near 
 the corners stood a dwelling-house, and in the yard 
 lay a dead horse, which, from appearances, had been 
 killed only a few minutes before. Riding into the 
 yard and reining up to the door of the house, I called 
 the occupants out, who 'proved to be a widow lady 
 and two daughters. I inquired how the horse came 
 to be killed in her yard. At first she refused to tell. 
 By threatening to burn her house, I succeeded in 
 drawing out the information that a Federal soldier 
 had been there but a few minutes, when a Confeder- 
 ate colonel, an adjutant, and a servant rode into the 
 yard ; the servant was mounted on a mule. The
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 323 
 
 Federal soldier, seeing them, rushed out of the house 
 and fired his piece at the adjutant, and then rushed at 
 the colonel with his bayonet. The shot missed the adju- 
 tant and killed his horse. The colonel shot the soldier 
 in the right arm and disabled him. The adjutant left 
 the servant to shift for himself, mounted the mule 
 and rode off with the colonel toward Pearl Eiver. 
 They hurried their prisoner off as fast as he could go, 
 without giving him time to tie up his wound. Hav- 
 ing learned this, I said, " Come on, boys ! we can 
 outrun a mule, and perhaps we can catch them. 
 Away we went, under full spur. A chase of a little 
 over two miles brought us in sight of a dwelling- 
 house, where, by the roadside, was hitched a horse 
 and a mule, and sitting upon the porch was a Federal 
 soldier. 
 
 The colonel and adjutant had entered the house 
 and called for a snack. The man of the house re- 
 plied, " Really, Colonel, I should like to get you 
 something to eat, but I am afraid the Yankees will 
 be upon you before my servants can get it ready." 
 
 "No they won't, they are afraid of me. The cow- 
 ardly rascals dasn't follow me ! I've got one of them 
 now ; if they come I'll get some more." 
 
 The soldier, seeing us coining, and having heard 
 the conversation, said : " The Colonel is a brave man, 
 indeed ; but, by the looks of things out here, he is 
 gone up. Hearing that, they made a rush for their 
 animals, and we fired a volley from our revolvers, 
 which killed the adjutant instantly. We emptied our 
 revolvers at the colonel ; but in the excitement of the
 
 324 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 occasion every shot missed, and he succeeded in 
 mounting his horse and starting off toward the river. 
 By the time he was in his saddle, I was within twen- 
 ty feet of him. The chase was a desperate one. The 
 colonel, at intervals of a few rods, would let drive a 
 back-handed shot toward me, until he had emptied 
 his piece. My horse would lay back his ears and 
 open his mouth, and spring forward with all his force, 
 as if to catch hold of the colonel's horse with his 
 teeth. A mile and a half brought us to the river. I 
 had gained at least ten feet. The colonel's horse 
 splashed into the water, and mine gave a leap and 
 came nearly up, and then outswam his, till I came 
 near enough to strike the colonel on the back of the head 
 with the butt of my revolver, which considerably 
 stunned him, and enabled me to get his horse by the 
 bridle. 
 
 " Surrender," said I, "or I'll kill you !" 
 
 " Don't strike me again, I'm your prisoner," said 
 the colonel. 
 
 "Bring him out," shouted the boys, who, by this 
 time had come up. 
 
 We conducted the prisoner back to the house, 
 where we found the soldier, still bleeding and very 
 weak from the loss of blood. He belonged to the 
 32d Ohio Infantry. He said that he had asked the 
 woman of the house for a rag with which to tie up 
 his wound, which she refused to give him, adding, "I 
 hope you will bleed to death." We dressed the 
 wound as well as we could, and then took care of the 
 woman's rags. We then carried the soldier to his
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 325 
 
 regiment, and the colonel to General McPherson's 
 headquarters. 
 
 After crossing Pearl Biver, very little occurred of 
 interest in my individual experience during the 
 march back to Yicksburg. A great many forage 
 parties and straggling soldiers were gobbled up by 
 the enemy during the raid ; but, though I was out 
 with men under my charge nearly every day, I 
 never lost a man during the entire campaign, which 
 lasted thirty days. On the march from Canton to 
 Yicksburg the troops were not allowed to destroy 
 property. The raid was a demonstration of the fea- 
 sibility of the plan of campaigning which was after- 
 ward inaugurated by General Sherman in the State 
 of Georgia.
 
 326 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Starts home on veteran furlough Suspected of being a rebel spy Com- 
 missioned officer serves him at the table Kind attentions at home Si- 
 lences an old maid Returns to the front Shot at twenty-one times 
 The remedy A Union lady The dwarf weaver The weaver be- 
 headed Goes into Marietta as a spy Confederate side of the lines Es- 
 cape from the rebs General McPherson's death Hard fighting. 
 
 EARLY in March, 1864, we left Vicksburg for home 
 on a veteran furlough. At Memphis we changed 
 from the steamer Continental to a Memphis and Cin- 
 cinnati packet. General Breman took passage with 
 us as far as Cairo, 111., and, being the senior officer in 
 rank on board, was in command of the troops. It is 
 customary, when troops are on board transports, to 
 have a guard and an officer of the day, whose duty it 
 is to preserve order, subject to the instructions of the 
 commanding officer. 
 
 The next morning after we left Memphis, Captain 
 Ayres, of the 20th Ohio Infantry, was the officer of 
 the day. On reporting to General Breman for in- 
 structions, he was informed that there was a " suspi- 
 cious character" on board. He pointed me out to the 
 captain, and told him that I came on board at Mem- 
 phis, and that, in all probability, I was either a rebel 
 spy or an incendiary, watching an opportunity to 
 burn up the boat. He instructed the captain to watch 
 me, and if my actions confirmed his suspicions, to ar-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 327 
 
 rest me and place me under guard. The captain was 
 personally acquainted with me, but kept the fact to 
 himself. As soon as an opportunity offered, the cap- 
 tain told me what the general had said ; so I resolved 
 to see how he would act when he found out who I 
 was. Walking back to the after-cabin, I found Gen- 
 eral Force and General Breman engaged in reading. 
 Said I to the latter, saluting him, " General Breman, 
 you don't know me, do you?" 
 
 "Not that I know of." 
 
 "You don't remember of having me arrested in 
 Tennessee as a rebel spy ?" 
 
 " That's Mr. Buggies, General," said General 
 Force ; " he's a useful man. He's a valuable scout." 
 
 "Ah!" said Breman, remembering his instructions 
 to the officer of the day, and coloring slightly, " I 
 didn't know what to make of you. I did suspect your 
 loyalty." 
 
 "I'm loyal enough, but I am among the rebs so 
 much that I sometimes act like one." The officer of 
 the day was saved the necessity of placing me under 
 arrest. 
 
 Before reaching Cincinnati, the boat supplies be- 
 came so nearly exhausted that it became necessary 
 to issue an order forbidding any but commissioned 
 officers and their attaches being furnished with meals 
 b} r the boat. There were so many to eat that it gen- 
 erally required the table to be set three times before 
 all would be supplied. The first time the table was 
 set after the order was issued, I called at the clerk's 
 office to buy a ticket for dinner for myself and a
 
 328 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 friend, and was refused on the plea that the order for- 
 bid furnishing meals to enlisted men. My friend and 
 I then seated ourselves at the table, but were ordered 
 away by the steward. On our refusing to go, he re- 
 ported us to the clerk, who came and ordered us 
 away. I told him that we were entitled to get our 
 meals there, and if he couldn't furnish us a waiter, 
 I'd get a commissioned officer to wait on us. I then 
 ordered a waiter to serve us, but the clerk counter- 
 manded it. Just then Captain Bostwick, of the 20th 
 Ohio Infantry, was passing by us. 
 
 "Here, Captain," said I, "these men have got 
 above their business. They won't wait on us because 
 we ha'n't got on shoulder-straps. Can't you wait on 
 a poor soldier ? " 
 
 '* Certainly, gentlemen ; what will you have, roast 
 beef, or boiled ham ? " 
 
 "Some of the beef, if you please, Captain." 
 
 Away went the Captain with our plates. General 
 Force, having heard our words, now made his ap- 
 pearance. " General," said I, "this man and I fare 
 rather slim ; they won't give us any thing to eat on 
 this boat unless we have a man with shoulder-straps 
 to wait upon us." 
 
 "Clerk, "said the General, "let these men have 
 what they want to eat. That man there (pointing 
 to my friend) is a commissioned officer, and the 
 other man is a great deal more deserving of his meals 
 than I am." 
 
 "I beg your pardon, gentlemen," said the clerk. 
 
 " Waiter, serve these men."
 
 SCOUT AXD SPY. 329 
 
 "Nevermind the waiter, clerk. We don't want 
 any of your trash around us ; we have commissioned 
 officers to serve us" The Captain served us till we 
 had finished our meal, very much to the amusement 
 of those looking on. 
 
 On my arrival in Ohio, I found that my reputation 
 as a scout and spy had preceded me, and where- 
 ever I went I could scarcely make my appearance on 
 the street without having a crowd gather around me, 
 eager to hear my experience in the scout service. I 
 was pressed with invitations to call upon people whom 
 I had never seen or heard of before. Circumstances, 
 beyond my control, rendered my position an embar- 
 rassing one. We were to have been paid our bounty, 
 back pay, and veteran bounty at Columbus, 0., but, 
 by the carelessness of the commissary of musters that 
 mustered me, my veteran papers were left at Vicks- 
 burg, so that I drew no pay, and, consequently, my 
 clothes were ragged and my pocket empty. Embar- 
 rassing as this was to me, it seemed to have very 
 little influence with others, and ladies in silk would 
 listen with intense interest to the narratives of the 
 ragged soldier. 
 
 I am proud that I live in a country where patri- 
 otism, valor, and services rendered to the Govern- 
 ment, are more highly appreciated than dress or a 
 lavish expenditure of money. My war-worn clothes 
 did not diminish the number of my friends and ad- 
 mirers, otherwise my veteran visit would have been 
 an unhappy one. 
 
 In the course of my visiting, I spent an evening at a
 
 330 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 farm-house, where was boarding the school-mistress 
 of the district. She was a lady aged forty-two years 
 my age exactly and would usually be called an 
 "old maid." Her tongue was as flexible as mine: 
 indeed, I found it hard to get the start of her. At 
 first, we were shy of each other ; she was afraid of 
 soiling her silk, and I was afraid to show my rags. 
 
 Our seats were at opposite sides of the room. 
 Gradually, however, our interest in each other 's 
 stories increased, and our distance apart as gradually 
 diminished, until, finally, we were sitting side by side, 
 and became the centre of attraction for the evening 
 by our narratives, alternately told hers of school- 
 teaching experience and mine of experience in the 
 scout service. At last she said: "Mr. Ruggles, I 
 should like to know how you learned to practise the 
 art of deception, as you did, among the Southern 
 people. They are not all fools, are they?" 
 
 "No, ma'am, they are not all fools," but they 
 acted foolish when they rebelled. 
 
 "Really, then, I should like to know how you 
 learned it." 
 
 " I'll tell you, if you will permit me to do so." 
 
 " I should like to know." 
 
 " I learned it in paying my respects to old maids" 
 
 "There ! there ! that will do /" and away she went to 
 the opposite side of the room, much to the amusement of 
 the company present. For the remainder of the eve- 
 ning I had to keep at a respectable distance from her. 
 
 Our veteran furloughs having expired, we reported 
 to General Leggett, at Cairo, Illinois, who sent me to
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 331 
 
 Clifton, Tennessee, to report to General M. F. Force 
 for duty. He sent me to Pulaski, a distance of sixty- 
 two miles, with dispatches. A squad of twenty men, 
 under command of a lieutenant from a battalion of 
 Tennessee cavalry, was sent with me as an escort. 
 
 The entire battalion of cavalry in all, four hundred 
 men had been in the Confederate service. They 
 were captured at the taking of Fort Donelson, and 
 had been released by the Federal authorities, and had 
 enlisted in the Federal service, They had been run- 
 ning the courier line to Pulaski, but had never got 
 through with their dispatches. The men of the bat- 
 talion lived in the country tying between Clifton and 
 Pulaski. 
 
 Soon after starting out from Clifton, my cavalry 
 escort began to drop off, one at a time, to visit their 
 homes, and when I arrived at Pulaski I had but two 
 of my escort with me one was the lieutenant and 
 the other a sergeant, I went through without being 
 molested.. 
 
 I returned to Clifton with dispatches alone, and 
 without difficulty. Two days after I was sent 
 back again alone. I always passed over the most 
 dangerous part of the route in the night. I went 
 through undisturbed, but on my return I was shot at 
 twenty-one times. At Lawrencburg I was fired at 
 from the dwelling-houses, as I passed through the place, 
 without any challenge to halt. One man was stand- 
 ing on his porch, with his gun in his hand, evidently 
 watching for me to come, and fired at me as I 
 passed. 
 
 Four miles from Lawrence I came to several
 
 332 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 cotton-factories ; the locality bore the reputation of 
 being loyal. There I was fired at both from the 
 factories and dwelling-houses. I went through both 
 of these places under full spur. The last shot that was 
 fired at me was by a man standing in the middle of 
 the road, who challenged me to halt, and at the same 
 time brought his piece to an aim. Instead of halting, 
 I put spurs to my horse and dashed by. I was not 
 more than six feet from him when he fired, but, in the 
 excitement of the moment, his shot missed me, and I 
 passed on unharmed. I can assure the reader, from 
 actual experience, that it is no very pleasant thing to be 
 a mark for people to shoot at. I am full}' convinced 
 that it was citizens that fired at me, and that they 
 had found out, through the cavalry that I have men- 
 tioned, that I was a bearer of dispatches, and were 
 watching for me. 
 
 I delivered my dispatches to General Force, and 
 told him that I was afraid to run the line alone. 
 He gave me an order for twenty-one men, with the 
 privilege of selecting men of my choice. Two days 
 after, I again started to Pulaski, with my escort, who 
 were infantry soldiers, mounted. Previous to start- 
 ing, I told General Sherman my plan of operation, to 
 which he said, "Very well." I called at every house 
 along the entire route. If the people were in bed, I 
 made them get up, and said to them, "/ am running 
 a courier line from Clifton to Pulaski, and you good, 
 loyal people have fired at me twenty -one times. If I am 
 ever fired at again, ivhether lam kitted or not, every man, 
 within four miles of this road, on either side, shall be 
 shot, and your houses burnt."
 
 - 
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 333 
 
 All of them claimed to be innocent, and said they 
 were quiet, peacably-disposed citizens. I went 
 through and back with my escort without being 
 molested, and for three weeks after, I ran the line 
 alone, without being disturbed. 
 
 At the expiration of three weeks, General Leggett 
 arrived at Clifton with the 3d Division of the 17th 
 Army corps, bringing with his command twenty-two 
 hundred head of cattle for beef. The troops now 
 prepared to march across to Georgia, to increase the 
 force operating under General Sherman for the cap- 
 ture of Atlanta. 
 
 Preparatory to the marching of the troops, General 
 Force sent me out on the road to Florence, to ascer- 
 tain the locality of Roddy's cavalry which was 
 known to be hovering around to prevent any at- 
 tempt it might make to stampede the cattle. I 
 found out that the cavalry, 4,000 strong, was at 
 Florence, Ala.j and that Col. Bill Johnson commanded 
 900 of Roddy's choicest men, and that he Roddy 
 had heard of the arrival of the cattle, and had 
 ordered Johnson to be on the alert for an opportu- 
 nity to stampede them. This I learned from citizens 
 who seemed to be well informed of the intended 
 movements of both forces. Having satisfied myself 
 that the information was reliable, I did not go into 
 Florence, but crossed over to the Nashville and 
 Florence military road, which I came to seven miles 
 from the latter place. I then went toward Law- 
 renceburg, on my return to my command. Twelve 
 miles from where I came into the road, I halted at
 
 334 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 a dwelling-house, and said to the man of the house, 
 "Can I get my horse fed, and some supper here?" 
 
 " Where do you belong?" 
 
 " I belong to Bill Johnson's cavalry, and I'm going 
 down to look up the Yankee beef-cattle." 
 
 "Yes, yes; come in. The servant will feed your 
 horse. I hope you'll succeed in finding the cattle." 
 
 The servants were already engaged in preparing 
 supper for the family. Just before supper was an- 
 nounced, a daughter of the planter came in. I should 
 judge that she was about sixteen years old. 
 
 "Mother," said she, "what are you doing with 
 that man here ?" 
 
 " He 's one of Johnson's men, and he 's going 
 down to hunt up the Yankee beef-cattle," was the 
 reply. 
 
 "Well, you had better watch him, or he'll steal 
 something before he leaves." 
 
 "Behave yourself, and not insult the man in that 
 way," said the mother. 
 
 " I do behave. He ought to be insulted. You 
 are going down to hunt up the Yankees, are you?" 
 she continued, addressing me. "You are a pretty 
 object to be engaged in hunting up Yankees. The 
 sight of one pair of blue breeches would make six such 
 monuments of God's sparing mercy as you are get up 
 and leave the ground" 
 
 At the table the impudent thing would watch me, 
 and whenever she could get my eye she would make 
 faces at me, which she carried to such an extreme 
 that her mother slapped her ears.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 335 
 
 Whether the whole family were loyal, or only the 
 daughter, or whether the daughter was secesh, and 
 tried only to draw out my true character, the reader 
 alone must judge ; my duties were such that T dare 
 not trust any of them. 
 
 I reached Clifton without being disturbed. 
 
 On the arrival of the troops to within two miles 
 of Lawrenceburg, I was sent ahead to that place, 
 with instructions to go out on the military road 
 toward Florence, and see if Johnson was coming. I 
 told the adjutant-general that I was afraid to go on 
 that road without an escort, on account of bush- 
 whackers. He gave me an order for the men out 
 of the llth Illinois Cavalry. When we had gone 
 three miles on the military road, we came suddenly 
 upon a dwarfish-looking man, mounted on a horse, 
 who was wonderfully frightened at our unexpected 
 meeting. 
 
 " How far have you come on this road?" I inquired 
 of him. 
 
 " I have come from Florence." 
 
 " Did you see any of Colonel Bill Johnson's cavalry 
 on the road ?" 
 
 ' No, sir ; there is no cavalry on the road. Roddy's 
 cavalry is at Florence ; there is none this side of 
 there." 
 
 "Look here, you are lying to me," I said, eyeing 
 him closely. "A'n't there any cavalry camped at 
 Shoal Creek?" 
 
 " No, sir ; if there is I did not see them." 
 
 " You are lying to me sure. Johnson's cavalry is at
 
 336 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Shoal Creek, not more than three miles from here, 
 and you could not pass without seeing them. You 
 belong to the cavalry, and have been sent out to see 
 if the Yankees are coming with the cattle." 
 
 " No, indeed, I don't belong to them," he persisted ; 
 " I am no soldier, and did not see any soldiers along 
 the road. I am a weaver by trade, and do not belong 
 to the army." 
 
 " Well, go with us ; we'll find out whether you are 
 a soldier or not." His fright now turned into terror. 
 We went about a mile, when we met Johnson's cavalry 
 coming up, and were obliged to turn back. As we 
 turned, one of the llth Illinois cavalry, with a single 
 stroke of his saber, severed the weaver's head from his 
 body, which struck the ground before his body began 
 to fall, and we left him for his comrades to take care 
 of. I have no doubt that he was a scout for Johnson, 
 and that he calculated his being a dwarf would clear 
 all suspicion of his belonging to the army. 
 
 ' I reported the approach of Johnson to General 
 Leggett, who threw out a brigade of infantry in line 
 of battle, to prevent an attack upon the cattle. 
 
 Johnson formed his lines of attack, and moved up 
 till he saw the infantry, then fell back and disap- 
 peared. 
 
 At Huntsville, Alabama, the ague came on me so 
 bad that I was unable for duty. Leaving my horse 
 with a scout that had run with me considerably, I 
 went to the hospital. I did not like the looks of 
 things there, so I was sent to Chattanooga, where I 
 remained four days, at the end of which time I felt a
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 337 
 
 little better, and resolved to go back to the front. 
 Hospital discipline and I could not agree. I went to 
 a member of General MePherson's staff and told him 
 what I wanted, and he gave me a pass to report to 
 General Sherman, wherever I could find him. I came 
 up with him just at the opening of the Buzzard's 
 Boost fight, in which I took a part. From there I 
 was with the advanced guards until we came to 
 Resaca, at which place I assisted, on the right flank, 
 in fighting Wheeler's cavalry. I kept along with the 
 advance of the army until we arrived at Kingston, 
 where General Leggett's command formed a junction 
 with us. There I found my horse. From there I had 
 nothing of particular interest to do until the rebs 
 were driven to the Kenesaw Mountain. 
 
 At that place General McPherson sent for me, and 
 asked me if I thought I could go into Marietta and 
 get back again. I told him I could, if allowed to 
 take my own plans to accomplish it, which he said 
 I might do. He told me to go in and find out 
 whether the battery that commands the approach 
 along the railroad is a masked one, and count the 
 guns ; see whether any State militia were there, and 
 whether any part of the line was held by them, and 
 whether they were mixed in with other troops. I 
 was to examine the enemy's first line of works, and 
 see how far they extended ; and how deep the ditches 
 were, and whether I thought it practicable to carry 
 them by assault. He gave me fifty dollars in green- 
 backs to defray my expenses, and sent me to Major- 
 General Logan for a Confederate uniform and some 
 
 '5
 
 338 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Confederate money. Thus equipped, I started out 
 the next day on horseback. I passed along our lines 
 to the extreme left, to General Garrard's headquar- 
 ters, where I left my papers, and procured a pass 
 through the lines. I passed the videttes about noon, 
 and proceeded on in an easterly direction until I 
 reached Canton, sixteen miles from General McPher- 
 soirs headquarters. There I staid all night. In the 
 morning I resumed my journey, on a road leading 
 south, and halted for the night at a small village on 
 the Chattahoochee Eiver, called Eoswell Factories, 
 twenty-eight miles from Canton. The next morning 
 a division of South Carolina cavalry came along from 
 the east, just as I was ready to start out. I fell in 
 and attached myself to company A, of the 1st South 
 Carolina, and represented myself as belonging to the 
 llth Texas Cavalry which I knew was in our front 
 when I started out going to join my command. The 
 explanation proved satisfactory, and I kept along 
 with them till we reached Marietta, a distance from 
 Roswell Factories of eighteen miles. Then I left 
 them, under pretence of going to my own regiment, 
 and went north along the railroad, until I came to 
 the battery that I was directed to visit. It contained 
 twelve large guns, well masked. I then turned to 
 the right, and rode along the first line of intrench- 
 ments. About eighty rods from the masked battery 
 I found a six-gun battery of small guns, and about 
 eighty rods further on was another six-gun battery 
 of small guns. 
 
 About midway between the two six-gun batteries,
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 339 
 
 I came upon a small squad of militia that had been 
 digging a spur from the main ditch for a rifle-pit. 
 One of the party stepped out of a pit that he had just 
 completed, and for a moment contemplated the result 
 of his labor, and then said : Nary a Yankee is gwine 
 to come, up thar ; thar is whar I'll stay, and thar is 
 whar I'll die/" When we came in possession of the 
 place, however, we found no dead bodies "thar" 
 
 Down under the hill from the six-gun batteries, 
 toward Marietta, I found a large force of state militia, 
 who were holding the right of the rebel lines by 
 themselves. There was nothing military in their 
 appearance. Their camp was without regularity, and 
 filthy in the extreme. Many of them had their 
 families with them, and some of them had cows tied to 
 to their wagons. The dog and cat were not left be- 
 hind. The tongues of their wagons usually pointed 
 outward, and boards laid across from one wagon- 
 tongue to another served them as tables. Decrepit 
 old men and little boys, women and babies, white 
 and black, were there. The various kinds and cal- 
 ibers of small-arms were as numerous and different as 
 the individuals that carried them. 
 
 The ditches of the first line I found to be four feet 
 deep and six wide. A little to the right and front of 
 the militia, I found a brigade of Texas cavalry, 
 composed, in part, of the llth and 3d Texas regiments; 
 two other Texas regiments made up the brigade. I 
 went to the orderly sergeant of company A, of the 
 llth Texas, and told him that I belonged to company 
 A of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry, and that my
 
 340 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 regiment had just coine in that day, and that I had 
 got separated from my command, and I would like to 
 stay with him overnight, and then hunt up my 
 regiment in the morning. He went to the Colonel 
 and asked permission to keep me, which was granted. 
 
 The colonel of the llth Texas was in command of 
 the brigade. 
 
 In the morning the brigade prepared to make a 
 demonstration upon General "Wilder's command ; so I 
 told the orderly that I would go along and see the fun. 
 
 The command moved out a short distance and then 
 halted. Just then an orderly rode up and handed 
 the colonel a dispatch, which, when he had read, he 
 sent the whole command back to camp except the 
 company I was with ; with that he said he would go 
 out and capture a Yankee vedette. We rode until 
 we came to a narrow ridge of ground. As we were 
 rising this, and just as we had reached its summit, we 
 unexpectedly received five shots from Federal 
 vedettes, which killed the colonel and two pri- 
 vates. 
 
 The command immediately broke to the rear and 
 fled toward camp. I broke back with them until we 
 reached the foot of the hill, when I turned to my right, 
 and went up the hollow, I should judge about three 
 hundred yards, and again ascended the ridge, and 
 crossed to a little brook that flowed along the base of 
 the hill, and crossed the road between the vedettes 
 and where the colonel was killed. A little below 
 me, in the brook, was a Federal soldier, engaged in 
 washing his face. His hat and gun were lying upon
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 341 
 
 the bank. He was but a mere boy. Seeing me 
 approach, he seized his gun, cocked it, and raised it 
 to his face, when I called to him, " Hold on, my little 
 man, I am a Federal soldier ; don't shoot me ! " 
 
 "Well, then, come in out of the wet! Don't you 
 try to get away ; if you do I'll lore you ! " 
 
 The little fellow kept his piece levelled at me until 
 I came up, and then marched me away to the reserve. 
 He was so elated with his capture that he forgot his 
 hat, and marched me in without it. 
 
 From the reserve I was taken to General Wilder's 
 headquarters, and then to Colonel Miller's, where my 
 horse was taken from me. From there I was taken 
 to the corral of rebel prisoners, near General 
 Garrard's headquarters, and turned in. I sat down 
 upon a block of wood, near the entrance to the 
 inclosure, and leaned my head upon my hands. I 
 had been there but a moment, when a prisoner, 
 discovering that I was a fresh arrival, stepped up and 
 said, "To what command do you belong?" 
 
 " Clear out, and don't bother me," I replied ; "I'm 
 mad now." 
 
 The prisoners, seeing that I was not in a talking 
 mood, left me to myself. Shortly after, the Adjutant- 
 General came out and discovered me sitting there. 
 I heard him call the sergeant of the guard, who 
 shortly came to the entrance and said, ' ' Halloa, there, 
 you long-haired fellow ! you are wanted here." He 
 took me to headquarters, where I received the 
 papers that I had left there, and an order for my 
 horse and a pass to General McPherson's head- 
 
 '
 
 342 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 quarters, where I arrived after an absence of five 
 days and a half. 
 
 The information that I, gathered showed that the 
 enemy's right was the most advantageous point for 
 us to attack ; so much so, that it was thought by good 
 judges that a single army corps could easily have 
 entered Marietta. General Sherman, however, was 
 not left to choose his place of attack, for the next 
 morning the enemy made a furious assault upon our 
 right, against General Hooker's command. The on- 
 slaught was impetuous and the pressure tremendous, 
 but was heroically resisted. For a time it seemed as 
 if Hooker's entire command would be swept away 
 by the masses that were hurled against it. It was 
 enough, however, that "Fighting Joe" was there to 
 animate his troops by his noble bearing. 
 
 The action was sustained in all its fury, and grad- 
 ually spread from right to left, until the whole line 
 was engaged, and lasted until, overpowered by the 
 boys in blue, the enemy broke and fled, resulting in 
 a complete victory to the Federal arms, with the pos- 
 session of Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta. 
 
 The next day, at my request, General McPherson 
 and staff, accompanied by General Leggett, went with 
 me to see the places that I had described in my re- 
 port. After we had visited them, General McPher- 
 son said that he was convinced that I had reported 
 correctly. I mention this, because it is not uncom- 
 mon for spies to go out, and, on their return, report 
 that which they know nothing about. It was a satis-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 343 
 
 faction for me to know that lie was satisfied that I had 
 visited the places that I had described. 
 
 General Sherman continued to press the enemy 
 toward Atlanta, and his victory at Kenesaw Mountain 
 was followed by an advance of his lines to within 
 two miles of that place, and extending around three 
 sides of it. 
 
 The 20th day of July, General Hood's supersedure 
 of General Johnston in the command of the Confed- 
 erate army was inaugurated by a furious attack upon 
 the 4th and 14th corps, comprising General Sher- 
 man's centre. Very much to our satisfaction, General 
 Johnston's slow-retreating process of campaign was 
 changed to one of rapid evolutions and bold, des- 
 perate dashes. Our greatest difficulty had been to 
 get the enemy to fight. This we now had an oppor- 
 tunity of doing. The hardy veterans of the North- 
 west received the attack with coolness and determina- 
 tion, and, though the enemy came in massed columns, 
 they stood their ground, dealing out death and de- 
 struction, until Hood was glad to withdraw, leaving 
 his dead arid wounded in our hands. 
 
 On the morning of July 22d, General McPherson 
 was informed, by a member of his staff, a picket offi- 
 cer, that he had heard, during the night, a noise like 
 the moving of artillery,' which he surmised to be 
 the enemy evacuating Atlanta. General McPherson 
 thought the officer was mistaken about the evacuation 
 of the place. The noise of moving troops, he thought, 
 was probably a body of rebel cavalry that had moved
 
 344 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 out on our left flank, which lay stretched along on the 
 east side of the place. 
 
 To clear up the matter, General McPherson told 
 me to take my horse and ride out to Decatur, which 
 was four miles distant, and from there out on the 
 Stone Mountain road, and find out whether the enemy 
 was there. He instructed me to go as far as I could, 
 and not get captured. If I found the enemy, I was 
 to drop back toward our lines, and feel along, at in- 
 tervals, for the enemy toward our left. This was on 
 the supposition that the enemy might have a line ex- 
 tending around our left flank and along its rear. 
 
 Three-quarters of a mile out from Decatur, I came 
 upon five rebel soldiers on picket. They challenged 
 me to halt, but I had no intention of halting there ; 
 so I wheeled about and "lit out." The rebs might 
 have shot me as well as not. I returned to our lines, 
 and went out on another road, and had proceeded 
 but about half a mile, when I came upon more rebel 
 pickets. They did not fire at me. I tried to get out, 
 in all, at thirteen different places, and every time 
 encountered pickets, none of whom tried to shoot me 
 I was well satisfied that the noise of moving troops, 
 heard in the night, were infantry and artillery moving 
 round to our rear, intending to surprise us, and for 
 that reason their pickets were forbidden to fire upon 
 individuals or small parties. 
 
 I then hastened back and reported to General 
 McPherson what I had seen. He wanted to know 
 if I was sure the pickets were infantry, and I told 
 him that I was. He seemed to doubt the possibility
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 345 
 
 of their being infantry. He and his staff then rode 
 out to our rear picket-line, on a road that I had not 
 been out on, and, waiting there, he sent me out to 
 see if I could find any pickets. I went about forty 
 rods, when I came to a dwelling-house, standing in 
 a little opening in the wo6ds that lined either side 
 of the road. It was then about eleven o'clock, A. M. 
 I had become very thirsty from constant riding in 
 the hot sun since early in the morning ; so I rode up 
 to the door of the house, and inquired of a lady there 
 if she would have the kindness to give me a drink 
 of water. Said she, " I have just drawn a bucket 
 of fresh water at the well, back there, and you can 
 have some in welcome ; but I reckon you are a Fed- 
 eral soldier, and if you stop to get it, you will get 
 killed, for a colonel and two of our soldiers have just 
 this minute stepped away from the well." Without 
 stopping to drink, I rode back into the road, and 
 there, about seventy-live yards further on, stood the 
 colonel and two soldiers. They did not fire at me, 
 but the colonel, who had his sword in his hand, gave 
 it a defiant flourish, as if to say, "You'll catch it 
 directly." I went back to General McPherson, and 
 reported what I had found, who then rode out with 
 me and saw for himself. He said it was about noon, 
 and he would go back to dinner and send out a recon- 
 noitering party. 
 
 While we were eating our dinner, a firing com- 
 menced on the picket-line to the rear, and in less 
 than five minutes an entire division was engaged. 
 Brigades of troops had been stationed near the rear 
 15*
 
 346 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 pickets as a reserve. It was these troops that were 
 attacked. The troops known as the "Iowa Brigade" 
 of the 17th Army Corps were among the reserves. 
 Against this brigade were massed such overwhelming 
 numbers, that it was compelled to give way and fall 
 back. General McPherson immediately rode to the 
 scene of action, and ordered up a brigade to its sup- 
 port. Anticipating that when the first shock of the 
 onset was over the enemy would ease up, and swing 
 round in mass against the rear of his left, he imme- 
 diately dispatched his staff with orders to the different 
 commanders to counteract such a move. He watched 
 the progress of the action until satisfied that his pres- 
 ence was no longer needed there, and then started 
 for the left. 
 
 The falling back and changing of position of the 
 Iowa brigade had left a gap in our lin,es. Through 
 this a part of the rebel line advanced. As we were 
 making our way along, we met the rebel skirmish- 
 line, whose direction of advance had become changed 
 by the broken character of the country. A volley 
 was fired at us, which instantly killed General Mc- 
 Pherson, the ball passing in at one side and out at 
 the other, piercing his heart and lungs ; another 
 wounding his horse across the breast, and another 
 wounding his horse across the neck, and another 
 passed through the lower part of one of the forefeet 
 of my horse, tearing off a shoe and leaving a groove 
 across the entire foot, Seizing the General's horse 
 by the bridle, I led him away out of danger. 
 
 Two orderlies and a captain of the Signal Corps
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 347 
 
 were the only persons, besides myself, that were near 
 the General when he fell. As soon as it was known 
 that McPherson had fallen, Major-General Logan 
 took command of the Army of the Tennessee. T 
 turned the horse over to the captain of the Signal 
 Corps, to take care of, who dispatched an orderly 
 to Colonel Clark, Assistant Adjutant-General of Mc- 
 Pherson's staff, with the intelligence of his death. 
 My horse was so lamed by his wound that I could 
 not ride him, so I took him to General Leggett's 
 headquarters and left him. took my gun and went to 
 the front. 
 
 By this time the action had become general along 
 the Army of the Tennessee, and raged furiously in 
 front and in rear. Attaching myself to the first regi- 
 ment that I came to, the 18th Missouri Infantry, I 
 fought with my rifle until the action was over. 
 
 The contest was a desperate one, and the slaughter 
 on both sides dreadful. Five times we jumped our 
 works, fighting sometimes to the front and sometimes 
 to the rear. The action did not extend beyond the 
 Army of the Tennessee. When the action had ceased, 
 we were ordered to fall back a short distance and 
 throw up intrenchments. The colonel of the regiment 
 I was with now saw me for the first time, and, from 
 my dress, supposing that I was a reb. trying to evade 
 capture, said to me : " Look'e here, mister, where do 
 you belong ?" 
 
 " I am a member of the 20th Ohio Infantry, but I 
 belong to General McPherson's headquarters." 
 
 " What are you doing here ?"
 
 348 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 "I have been in the fight. I had my horse dis- 
 abled in the beginning of the action, so I took my 
 gun and went to fighting with your regiment, and I 
 have been with it for two hours." I then handed 
 him an order that General McPherson had given me, 
 which said, "Guards, pickets, and patrols will pass 
 Corporal Lorain Buggies, of the 20th Ohio Veteran 
 Volunteer Infantry, who is on special duty, at all 
 places and at all hours, without the countersign." 
 
 When he had read it, he said, "May-be General 
 McPherson gave you that, and may-be you stole it, 
 from the pocket of a dead soldier. You look to mo 
 more like a reb. than anything else." 
 
 I then showed him an order that General Leggett 
 had given me to draw fresh beef for myself and scouts 
 that messed with me. Having read it, he said, "It 
 may all be right," 
 
 \Vc won a victory, but at a fearful cost of life, of 
 both officers and men. Among the fallen heroes of 
 this war, there has been none more amiable in char- 
 acter, none whose services were of more value to the 
 Government, and none whose los was more regretted 
 by the men of his command, than the brave, gallant 
 .M'-IMierson. He was loved and highly esteemed by 
 all that knew him. I can scarcely describe my sorrow 
 at his loss. My attachment had become intimate, and 
 I felt that I had not only lost my commanding officer, 
 but my most valued friend. Such feelings of sorrow 
 and loneliness came over me that I was well-nigh in- 
 capacitated for duty. I had felt lonely when General
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 349 
 
 Grant left the Army of the Tennessee, but now I 
 scarcely knew what to do. 
 
 Shortly after the battle of the 22d of July, General 
 Sherman changed his position by ordering the Army 
 of the Tennessee to take its position on the right of 
 the army, leaving the armies of the Ohio and the 
 Cumberland where they were. This movement en- 
 abled General Sherman to extend his right toward 
 the junction of the railroad to the south of Atlanta. 
 The movement having been effected, General Logan, 
 on the 28th of July, ordered the 16th Army Corps to 
 advance its lines, and the 14th Corps, at the same 
 time, to swing round its left, and the 15th Corps to 
 swing round its right, so that the 14th and 15th 
 Corps formed converging lines toward the intrench- 
 ments from which the 16th Corps had advanced. 
 General Hood ordered an attack on the advancing 
 Corps, which, when it had fairly drawn on the en- 
 gagement, as had been previously arranged, fell back 
 as if beaten, until it reached its place of starting be- 
 hind its intrenchments, closely followed by the enemy. 
 The 16th Corps then poured a tremendous fire into 
 Hood's front, and the 14th and loth Corps an oblique 
 fire into his flanks. He kept pressing his men up in 
 masses to the contest, until it seemed as if the entire 
 Confederate army would be swept away by the ter- 
 rible cross-fire to which it was exposed. The action 
 lasted from nine o'clock, A. M., until five o'clock, p. M., 
 when the enemy withdrew, leaving his dead and 
 wounded in our hands. The loss of the enemy was
 
 350 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 five thousand killed, besides wounded and prisoners. 
 Our loss was very light in comparison to that of the 
 enemy. I had no hand in this fight, but had an ex- 
 cellent opportunity of witnessing it. The next day I 
 went over the battle-ground. The rebel dead lay so 
 thick upon the ground that I could not ride along 
 without stepping on them, and was compelled to 
 leave my horse and proceed on foot. The destruc- 
 tion of life to the enemy, compared with our own 
 loss, was greater than in any other action that I have 
 ever witnessed.
 
 800UT AND 8PY. 351 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Goes to Ohio to recruit Raises twenty-one men Difficulty with the Gov- 
 ernorVisits Lieutenant-General Grant Order from the War Depart- 
 ment Again in difficulty Buns away from the Governor Reports to 
 General Sherman Georgia raid An amusing coincident Reports to 
 General Granger, at Mobile Reports to General Grierson, in Texas- 
 Makes a trip to the Upper Colorado Incident at General Grant's head- 
 quarters The war over. 
 
 WHEN General Grant left the Western Depart- 
 ment to take command of the armies of the United 
 States, I felt very lonely and depressed in spirit, on 
 account of being parted from one to whom I had be- 
 come strongly attached. I might have accompanied 
 the General to the Army of the Potomac, but I had 
 no acquaintance with that part of the country, and 
 I preferred to operate where I had some knowledge 
 of army movements, as well as of the country and 
 people. The death of General McPherson made me 
 feel gloomy and discouraged ; and in the absence 
 from the department of my two most valued friends, 
 I determined to seek relief for my depressed state 
 of mind by attempting to raise an independent com- 
 mand of my own, for secret service purposes. 
 
 I visited Major-General Logan then in command 
 of the 15th Army Corps and told him my state of 
 mind, and that I felt as if I had rendered service 
 valuable enough to the Government to entitle me to
 
 352 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 a command of my own, and if he thought I was 
 worthy of it, I wished him to assist me. He imme- 
 diately drew up and gave me the following letter : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS ISra ARMY CORPS, ) 
 " BEFORE ATLANTA, GA., Aug. 15, 1864. j 
 
 " Captain L. M. Dayton, Aid-de-camp Millitary Division of 
 
 the Mississippi: 
 
 "CAPTAIN The bearer, L. Kuggles, of the 20th Ohio 
 Volunteers, has been for two years in the secret service of the 
 Government, and has, during that time, made it his study 
 to become efficient in all its branches. Now, feeling confi- 
 dent in his ability, he wishes to raise a company of scouts, 
 and desires authority to do so. I respectfully recommend 
 that necessary authority be given him, believing him to be 
 eminently fit to direct the movements of such a body of 
 men. 
 
 "Under my directions, in the Mississippi campaign, 
 through Holly Springs, Miss., and again in the Yicksburg 
 campaign, he rendered the most signal service in obtaining 
 information. He once entered the city of Vicksburg, dur- 
 ing its investment, and returned with valuable and reliable 
 information. If such authority can, under any circum- 
 stances, be given to any one, I respectfully recommend that 
 it be granted him. Very respectfully, 
 
 " JOHN A. LOGAN, 
 " Major- General Volunteers" 
 
 I carried the letter to General Leggett, who placed 
 on it the following indorsement : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 3o DIVISION, I?TH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 " BEFORE ATLANTA, GA., AUG, 15, 1864. ) 
 " I am well acquainted with said Lorian Buggies, and 
 have been familiar with his career since he entered the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 353 
 
 secret service, and fully subscribe to all that is said for him 
 by Major-General Logan. 
 
 " During the most of his time he has been in the secret 
 service he has been under my direction. He has often had 
 under his command from six to thirty men, as scouts, and 
 has always handled them with great skill, collecting valua- 
 ble information and yet saved his men. 
 
 " M. D. LEGGETT, 
 
 " Brigadier- General" 
 
 From headquarters 17th Army Corps, I received 
 the following indorsement : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS I?TH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 " NEAR ATLANTA, GA., Aug. 15, 1864. j" 
 
 " Bespectfully forwarded. Approved. 
 
 "FRANK P. BLAIR, Major- General" 
 
 At Department of Army of the Tennessee, it was 
 indorsed as follows : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS DEP'T ARMY TENN., 
 August 15, 1864. 
 
 " Kespectfully forwarded. O. O. HOWARD, 
 
 " Major- General" 
 
 The reader will bear in mind that I was a stranger 
 to both Generals Blair and Howard. I then carried 
 it to General Sherman, who disapproved it, as follows : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION, MISSISSIPPI, ) 
 " IN THE FIELD, NEAR ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 1864. j 
 
 "Respectfully returned. There is no general law for 
 such organization as the within. General officers, when 
 they have secret service funds, can employ men for such 
 service. 
 
 10*
 
 354 TIIE ORHAT AMERICAN 
 
 " States have had authority for raising independent com- 
 panies of any kind that might be converted. 
 " By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman. 
 
 " L. M. DAYTON, Aid-de-camp." 
 
 I was disappointed with General Sherman's decis- 
 ion. I felt confident that there was some way by 
 which I could get such a command as I wanted. I 
 went to General Leggett for advice, who, after hav- 
 ing read General Sherman's reasons for disapproval, 
 wrote and handed me the following letter to Governor 
 Brough : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 3o Drv. I?TH ARMY CORPS, > 
 " BEFORE ATLANTA, GA., August 17, 1864. ) 
 
 " To his Eotxellency John Brough, Governor of Ohio : 
 
 "GOVERNOR The bearer of this communication Cor- 
 poral Kuggles, Co. H. 20th O. V. V. I. has been in the 
 secret service in the Army of the Tennessee for more than 
 two years past, and has been eminently successful in that 
 department. He has frequently had charge of considera- 
 ble numbers of men employed as scouts and has always 
 managed them with great discretion and skill. 
 
 " I would respectfully recommend that authority be ob- 
 tained, if possible, for him to recruit in Ohio from among 
 non-veteran soldiers, who have been discharged from ser- 
 vice by reason of expiration of term of enlistment, an inde- 
 pendent company, to be armed with Spencer rifles, and 
 used as sharp-shooters, scouts, secret service men, etc. 
 
 " It is believed that such a company can be raised of men 
 skilled in such service, and that the service will be greatly 
 benefited thereby. 
 
 " Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 
 
 "W. D. LEGGETT, Brigadier- General"
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 355 
 
 The foregoing letter was indorsed as follows : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 15TH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 " BEFORE ATLANTA, August 17, 1864. f 
 
 " Approved and recommended. JOHN A. LOGAN, 
 
 " Major- General Commanding" 
 "By R E. TOWNES, Lieutenant- Colonel and A. A. G" 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 17TH ARMY CORPS, 
 " BEFORE ATLANTA, GA., August 17, 1864. 
 
 " Approved and strongly recommended. This man has 
 proved himself a trusty scout, and has been of great service. 
 " [Signed for Major-General Blair.] 
 
 " A. J. ALEXANDER, A. A. G" 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DEP'T OF TENNESSEE, ) 
 August 17, 1864. f 
 
 " Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 " I could make good use of a good company, skilled as 
 within described. I have no personal knowledge of Cor- 
 poral Ruggles. 
 
 " O. O. HOWARD, Major- General" 
 
 The foregoing letters and indorsements, and Gen- 
 eral Grant's indorsement which is yet to follow 
 were furnished me for these pages, accompanied by 
 the following letter by the War Department : 
 
 " WAR DEP'T, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, 
 " WASHINGTON, August 13, 1866. 
 
 "Mr. Lorain Ruggles, (Care of Major E. C. Downs, late of 
 the 2(Wi Ohio Vols., Henrie House,) Cincinnati, Ohio: 
 " SIR I have respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of 
 
 your letter of the 2d inst., requesting to be furnished with
 
 356 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 copies of letters asking authority for you to raise a com- 
 mand of scouts, etc., with the indorsements thereon recom- 
 mending the same, for publication in a work detailing your 
 experience as a scout. 
 
 " In reply, I have to transmit herewith copies of the let- 
 ters referred to, with the indorsements thereon, as requested. 
 
 " I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 " THOMAS H. VINCENT, 
 " Assistant Adjutant- General" 
 
 With the two letters of recommendation and their 
 indorsements, I proceeded to Ohio, and presented 
 them to Governor Brough, who read them over very 
 carefully, then returned them to me, and ordered 
 that I be furnished with the necessary recruiting 
 papers and set to work immediately. 
 
 Having received the necessary documents, I com- 
 menced at once, and in a very short time had pro- 
 cured twenty-one men. With these I went to Colum- 
 bus, and reported in person to the Adjutant-General. 
 He read over my order from the Governor, and then 
 said : " Did you raise your men under that order as 
 scouts?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "Well, there a'n't such an organization known in 
 the United States Army Eegulations as a company 
 of scouts. I can't do anything with such men." 
 
 " I can't help that," T replied ; " I have acted un- 
 der authority of the Governor of Ohio." 
 
 " Well, let us go and see the Governor." 
 
 We carried the order to the Governor, and the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 357 
 
 Adjutant-General explained to him that there was no 
 such organization in the Army Regulations. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Ruggles," said the Governor, "you go 
 on and raise the men, and assign them to a regiment, 
 and then have them detailed out for scouting pur- 
 poses." 
 
 " That won't do at all, Governor," said I. "I have 
 commanded detailed men long enough ; I want a com- 
 mand of my own." 
 
 " Well, put your men into the 197th Ohio Infantry, 
 and I will extend your time to recruit, and give you 
 a commission as Captain." 
 
 " I don't want such a commission, Governor. I 
 don't want to be in the infantry service." 
 
 "Very well; I have got to fill that regiment up, 
 because it is needed immediately at Nashville, and 
 the men will have to go into it." 
 
 "Then take them and put them there, and I'll go 
 to Washington," said I, and walked out. 
 
 I still held the letters of recommendation, with 
 their indorsements. With these I proceeded to Bal- 
 timore, where I found Major-General Lewis Wallace, 
 and obtained a pass from him to General Grant's 
 headquarters, at City Point, Ya. I showed General 
 Grant my papers, and told him of my difficulty. He 
 took my papers and addressed them to the War De- 
 partment, with the following indorsement : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, { 
 " CITY POINT, VA., October 13, 1864. I 
 
 " I know Private Ruggles well, and the services he ren- 
 dered in Mississippi as a scout. With an independent
 
 358 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 company of such men as himself, he would be worth more 
 in the Shenandoah Valley, and over the district of country 
 over which Mosby roams, than a regiment of cavalry. 
 
 " I would recommend that he be authorized to raise a 
 battalion of men, and be put in the Department of West 
 Virginia. 
 
 " U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General" 
 
 Thus approved, General Grant sent me with them 
 to the Secretary of War ; but, as I was about to leave 
 his quarters, he said, " Perhaps you had better show 
 these papers to the President." Thus prepared, I 
 bent my way toward Washington, with a somewhat 
 lighter heart than I left the Governor's office at Co- 
 lumbus, Ohio. 
 
 Finding several army officers of my acquaintance 
 at Washington, I showed them my papers, and told 
 them that General Grant advised me to show them 
 to the President, and I have since been sorry that I 
 did not take his advice. My friends said that it was 
 not necessary, so I proceeded at once to the War 
 Department, and handed my papers, in person, to 
 Secretary Stanton. I felt happy when I entered the 
 office. Said Mr. Stanton, " What do you want?" 
 
 " I want you to read these papers." 
 
 He read the papers, and then said, " Can you com- 
 mand cavalry ?" 
 
 " I don't know whether I could command horses, 
 but I have done pretty well with mules." 
 
 He then signed the papers, and sent me to the 
 Provost-marshal-general . 
 
 From the Secretary of War I went to the Provost-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 359 
 
 marshal-general's office. There I was told to call in 
 a week, and my papers would be ready. 
 
 At the expiration of seven days, I again called at 
 the office of the Provost-marshal-general, and was 
 handed an order of which the following is a copy : 
 
 " WAR DEP'T PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S OFFICE, ) 
 " WASHINGTON, D. C., October 21, 1863. I 
 " To his Excellency the Governor of Ohio : 
 
 "SiR: Subject to your approval, it is hereby ordered 
 that Corporal Lorain Ruggles, Company H, 20th Ohio Ve- 
 teran Volunteer Infantry, has authority to proceed to Ohio 
 and raise a company of cavalry, for certain special services, 
 whereas ordered by these headquarters. 
 
 " Should the Corporal's success warrant it, authority will 
 be given him to raise three additional companies not 
 more than one company, however, to be under recruitment 
 at one time. 
 
 " As soon as a company is raised, he will report with it 
 at once to these headquarters. The men must be enrolled 
 under the present existing regulations, for the period of 
 one, two, or three years, as the men may choose to enlist. 
 The company must be raised within twenty days from the 
 time the Corporal commences to recruit. 
 
 " By order of the Secretary of War. 
 
 "JAMES B. FRY, Provost-marshal- General" 
 
 With this I again reported to the Governor of 
 Ohio. He opened the order and commenced to read 
 aloud. When he came to the date, which was 1863, 
 when it should have been 1864, he inquired : " Where 
 have you been for a year past ?" 
 
 "You know where I have been, Governor," I re- 
 plied. " You know that that paper is dated wrong."
 
 360 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 14 Well, don't you know that when a military order 
 is dated wrong it is all wrong." 
 
 " Yes ; but what shall I do about it ?" 
 
 " Go back to Washington and get it made right." 
 
 " I don't want to spend so much time running about. 
 I would like to raise a company and get back to the 
 front before the war doses" He then finished reading 
 the order. When he had done, I asked him what he 
 thought of it. 
 
 "Well," said he, "I would advise you not to do 
 anything with it as it is." 
 
 " That's my mind exactly. It dtii what I wanted 
 at all. It looks like making a recruiting officer of 
 me to fill up some fancy regiment. All I wanted was 
 authority to raise a company. I am subject to your 
 orders. What shall I do go to recruiting, or go 
 back to the front?" 
 
 " I don't know, Corporal, what you had better 
 do." 
 
 " Well, if you don't know, I don't ; so, I guess 
 I'll leave." 
 
 At length, being disgusted with making any fur- 
 ther effort to raise a company, I went back to the 
 front without orders, and reported to the command- 
 ing officer of my regiment. Finding that I had no 
 order returning me to duty in the regiment, he re- 
 fused to have me in his command. I then reported 
 to Major-General Howard, who said that I was sub- 
 ject to order from the War Department, and that he 
 had no authority over me. I remarked, " I guess, 
 then, that I must be out of the service altogether.
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 361 
 
 I'll go and sec what General Sherman can do for 
 me." I went to him, and told him what I had done, 
 and he said to me, "You may remain at my head- 
 quarters until further orders. 7 ' 
 
 I must "say that I felt sadly disappointed and dis- 
 heartened at my failure in raising a command of my 
 own. If I had humored the Governor in the first 
 attempt to raise a company, I would, undoubtedly, 
 have been a captain, but I was determined to have 
 such a command as I wanted, or none. The reader 
 must judge for himself whether I have merited it 
 or not. 
 
 In about five days after my arrival at the front, 
 General Sherman started on his grand campaign 
 through Georgia. Not a doubt was entertained by 
 the troops of their ability to march triumphant across 
 to the Atlantic coast. Very few there were but who 
 anticipated correctly the point of destination at the 
 outset of the march, and at the prospect before them 
 were highly elated. Never were men in better spirits 
 than when the march commenced. 
 
 It was the most decisive and glorious campaign of 
 the war, and yet fraught with the least of personal 
 adventure of any campaign that I have taken part in. 
 My duty was one in common with the other scouts, 
 and the soldiers of the entire army were all scouts. 
 My individual experience was not different from that 
 of the great mass of soldiers. 
 
 Our duty was to subsist ourselves and devastate 
 the country as completely as possible, taking good 
 care not to get captured. This we accomplished 
 16
 
 362 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 successfully. The army never lived better and the 
 men never enjoyed better health ; and when we 
 reached the Atlantic coast we were in better condi- 
 tion physically than when we started from Atlanta. 
 The march occupied a period of thirty-two days, 
 every day of which we were on the move. 
 
 During our progress, though we were cut off from 
 all communication with home, we were not altogether 
 ignorant of General Thomas' glorious victory, and 
 route of the Confederate army under Hood. We 
 learned, by way of the Southern people, of "Hood's 
 disaster," and could plainly comprehend the strategy 
 that had drawn him unwittingly to the defences at 
 Nashville, and it added not a little to our courage. 
 We plainly saw that the enemy was utterly power- 
 less to resist our advance. 
 
 On our arrival at the coast, near Savannah, we 
 were visited by the Secretary of War. General 
 Leggett gave me an introduction to him, as "a very 
 efficient and worthy scout and spy," to which he re- 
 plied, "Yes, I know him." 
 
 He asked me if I was acquainted about Mobile 
 and New Orleans. I told him that I was not much 
 acquainted about Mobile, but had been there twice, 
 and that I was pretty well acquainted about New 
 Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. He asked me if I 
 was willing to make a trip across the country and 
 report to General Granger, and I answered, "Yes, 
 anj r where." 
 
 The next morning I received a sealed order from 
 the Secretary of War to proceed across the country
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 363 
 
 on horseback, and report for special service to Gen- 
 eral Granger, at Mobile, Alabama. I was not limited 
 in time to make the trip. 
 
 It was some time in the month of January, 1865, 
 that I set out on my journey. I travelled very leis- 
 nrcly, and visited every place of any importance that 
 lay near my route. I had been instructed by the 
 Secretary of War to gather as much information as I 
 could while passing through the country. To accom- 
 plish this, I made frequent trips to converse with the 
 people, and I frequently rode many miles, to one side 
 or the other of my route, to find people that were 
 influential and leading members of society, so that 1 
 might learn the sentiments of those who wielded a 
 controlling influence. I travelled in the disguise of a 
 citizen, carrying my order from the Secretary with 
 me. It was not often that I ventured to carry such 
 papers, but at this time I considered the war virtually 
 at an end. and apprehended no danger of being 
 searched. 
 
 I found that most of the people were willing to 
 give up to the Federal authorities not because they 
 had been wrong, but because by the force of war they 
 had been overpowered and exhausted. While there 
 was a desire for peace, there was also a hatred of the 
 Federal Government. A few were satisfied with the- 
 old Government as it was, and had reluctantly been 
 drawn into rebellion by the force of the elements 
 around them. Such people hailed the overthrow oi-' 
 the Confederate government with joy. 
 
 "Hood's disaster" and "Sherman's raid" had re-
 
 364 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 vealed to the Southern people their weakness in a 
 more alarming view than they had ever before seen 
 it. It seemed, in their case, that the last straw had 
 been laid upon the camel's back, and the overloaded 
 beast was unable to rise. 
 
 The most of the way I enjoyed my journey finely. 
 Sometimes I would lay over several days, on account 
 of rain and bad roads. Wherever I stopped I found 
 something to interest me. I made it a point to make 
 myself as interesting and agreeable to the people that 
 entertained me as possible. 
 
 I spent three weeks in Florida. There I found the 
 people more disheartened than anywhere else in my 
 route ; in fact, resistance to the Federal army had 
 been given up. During my stay there I spent sev- 
 eral days with a planter by the name of Fanshaw, 
 who lives near the coast, at St. Mark's. He was 
 formerly from the State of New York. I passed my- 
 self while there by my real name, and as a brother 
 of General Ruggles, and represented that I was on 
 my way home to Bolivar County, Mississippi, from 
 Savannah, Georgia, where I had been on business 
 pertaining to the Confederate Government. I gave 
 him such an account of the general state of affairs all 
 over the Confederate States that he did not doubt, in 
 the least, the statements that I made. When I called 
 at his house I had no intention of remaining there 
 long, but his hospitality was so strongly urged upon 
 me that I accepted it to enable my horse to rest. 
 
 During my stay there I was much amused by read-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 365 
 
 ing a story in a Mississippi journal, which was handed 
 to me by Miss Ella F. She remarked that it was one 
 of the curious events of the war. Little did she 
 think, in handing me the paper, she was making it 
 doubly so. This account will serve to show the dif- 
 ference, between truth and fiction, and how much 
 many of the writers of the present day make out 
 of a little fact. How the paper had made its way 
 there I cannot tell. 
 
 The story w r as written by Mr. James D , of the 
 
 14th Illinois Infantry. Sergeant Downs, of the 20th 
 Ohio, had related to Mr. D - several of the inci- 
 dents in my experience as scout ; and from one of 
 these he wrote the romance, in which I figured as 
 the hero, giving, instead of my full name, only the 
 initial letters, together with the name of my com- 
 pany and regiment. It was given as a narrative of 
 facts, with an announcement that an extended history 
 of. my services would be forthcoming from the able 
 pen of Captain Downs. It was first published in 
 1863, as before mentioned. 
 
 Coming to me as it did, under such peculiar cir- 
 cumstances, it was exceedingly amusing. I took good 
 care, however, that my lady friend did not find out 
 that I was the hero of the story. My feelings at the 
 time can be better imagined by perusing it. It ran 
 as follows : 
 
 "On board the magnificent steamer 'Imperial,' 
 on her passage from St. Louis to New Orleans, in the 
 month of October, A. D., 1860, reclining upon one of
 
 366 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 those elegantly-furnished sofas in her sumptuous 
 cabin, might have been seen the hero of our story, 
 wrapped in a 'brown study.' 
 
 " His form was attractive and commanding ; some- 
 thing over a medium size, and well proportioned. 
 His features were pleasant, and his hair brown and 
 wavy, extending in a rich profusion of glossy curls 
 down over his shoulders. His eyes were of a deep 
 blue, and as sharp and piercing as those of an eagle. 
 His forehead was broad and high, imparting a look 
 of more than usual intelligence ; indeed, he was what 
 might be called a handsome fellow, and, though he 
 hud passed the age of iive-and-twenty, he looked as 
 fair and fresh as though but twenty-one. L 
 
 II (the subject of our sketch) was a resident of 
 
 Ohio, but was then on his way to New Orleans on 
 business. 
 
 " It is said that he once loved a beautiful and 
 accomplished young lady of an amiable disposition, 
 and, withal, of no inconsiderable wealth ; but upon 
 the very day on which they were to have been united 
 in marriage, he followed her remains to her long- 
 home. Three years had passed, but he had found no 
 fair one to fill the heart thus made vacant. 
 
 "As he reclines upon the sofa, he is meditating 
 upon the strange vicissitudes of life. Recollections 
 of scenes in his own experience pass vividly before 
 him, and, as if but yesterday, he strolls for the last 
 time in the green meadow. Just as the declining sun 
 is shedding his last lingering rays across the land- 
 scape, accompanied by his own angelic Belinda, and
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 367 
 
 as they are about to pass the gate to her father's 
 house, they pause for a moment, and, with her soft 
 "fingers playfully twirling his glossy curls, she presses 
 her lips to his, and whispers, ' My own dear L /' 
 
 " Since then three summers have passed without 
 obliterating the blank in his heart caused by the 
 transfer of his fair one to the spirit-land, and he won- 
 ders whether, indeed, there was but one heart on 
 earth whose emotions of love can soften his. Again 
 and again he recalls the scenes of love's sunny hours 
 until his eyes are suffused with tears. Dashing them 
 away, he starts from his seat and mingles with the 
 gay crowd that are passengers with him. 
 
 "Among that throng was a young man by the 
 name of Charles Rollins, who had just finished a 
 course of education at one of our northern colleges, 
 and was then on his way home. He was a young 
 man of an ardent temperament, of fine appearance 
 and accomplished manners. His parents resided at 
 Natchez, Mississippi. 
 
 "L - sought relief from the recollections that 
 had passed,, by seeking to make the acquaintance of 
 those around him. The fine manly bearing of Charles 
 attracted his attention, and he at once sought an in- 
 terview, which proved to be agreeable. Frequent 
 interviews were had, and their acquaintance soon 
 ripened into friendship. 
 
 " Charles had a sister an only one by the name 
 of Annie. She was then entering upon her twenty- 
 iburth year ; and though not in the strict sense of 
 the word handsome, she was, nevertheless, good-
 
 368 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 looking, and possessed, of what is of more conse- 
 quence than beauty, all the graces that adorn the 
 life of a devoted, exemplary Christian. She had 
 early embraced the Christian religion ; and her pure 
 devotion, genial nature, and agreeable manners, won 
 for her the love and respect of all who knew her. 
 
 " Annie had received the attentions of several 
 young men of unexceptionable character and reputa- 
 tion, possessed, withal, of that worldly competence 
 and business tact that would have placed her, be- 
 yond doubt, above want; yet, strange to say, she 
 saw reason to decline their offers. Why she had 
 failed to love was known, if at all, only to herself. 
 Her parents would have been pleased had their 
 daughter been united in holy wedlock to a worthy 
 young man that she loved ; nevertheless, they had 
 too much respect for her judgment to question the 
 propriety of her decisions and the reasons for them, 
 and the only reason, perhaps, that they could assign 
 was that old and common one, ' matches arc made in 
 heaven.' 
 
 "The entire passage from St. Louis passed off 
 agreeably to our new-made friends, and, sooner than 
 they could have wished it, the signal was sounded to 
 land at the beautiful town of Natchez. L - was 
 unable to refuse the pressing invitation from Charles 
 to stop and spend a few days, or at least a night, 
 with him at his father's house. 
 
 "It is unnecessary to describe the introduction 
 that followed, or the welcome that was extended. 
 Suffice it to say, the journey was not renewed the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 369 
 
 next day, nor the next, A week rolled around, and 
 then another, and another, until three months had 
 
 passed, and still L was a welcome guest at the 
 
 home of the Rollinses. At the end of that period 
 L K and Annie were engaged to be married. 
 
 "At last business became so urgent that L 
 was obliged to resume his journey to New Orleans. 
 The hour came for departure, and he sought a last 
 interview with Annie, and gave her the parting fare- 
 well. 
 
 "During the winter of 1860 and '61, the country, 
 North and South, had become agitated with political 
 excitement, which ran so high that the two sections 
 seemed in imminent danger of becoming involved in 
 a civil war. The South claimed that the North had 
 encroached upon her rights, and even went so far as 
 to threaten to withdraw from the Federal compact 
 and take up the sword in vindication of her rights. 
 
 "As L was about to leave, Annie still clung 
 
 to him, saying : ' My dear L , before you leave 
 
 me, I want you to make me one promise.' 
 
 " ' Well, Annie, what is it? 7 
 
 "'You know, L , that our nation is being 
 
 shaken to its centre by political excitement, and it is 
 more than probable that before I shall see you again 
 the Southern States will secede from the Union, and 
 the country become involved in war. Promise me 
 that in case the South becomes engaged in war with 
 the North, you will not take up arms against her.' 
 
 " 'My dear Annie, as much as I love you, I can- 
 not make you that promise. The North is my birth- 
 16*
 
 370 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 place and home. I love and respect the flag under 
 which I was cradled, and if the country needs my 
 services to preserve her glorious nationality, I am 
 under sacred obligations to render assistance.' 
 
 "She pressed his hand warmly and drew him 
 closer to her fond embrace ; her eyes filled with tears 
 and her bosom heaved with emotion as she said, 
 1 Make me, then, at least this promise if the country 
 does become involved in war, with you upon one side 
 and Charles upon the other, and you should chance 
 
 to meet him as your enemy, will you, dearest L , 
 
 spare my brother ? ' 
 
 " ' Yes,' he uttered, as he imprinted a farewell kiss 
 upon her lips. 
 
 "Time rolled on, and, as had been anticipated, one 
 after another of the Southern States seceded and took 
 up arms against the North, and involved the country 
 in a civil war. Charles Rollins, as his sister had 
 feared, identified himself with the interest of his own 
 State, and enlisted in a Mississippi regiment of in- 
 fantry. L - R , true to his country and his 
 
 country's flag, rallied at the first call of the President 
 to save it from destruction. 
 
 " His devoted patriotism and his obstinate bravery 
 in the hour of battle, won for him the confidence of 
 his commanding officers, who often sent him on mis- 
 sions of danger. The Commander-in-chief, having 
 learned of his reliability, address, and daring, fre- 
 quently sent him to obtain information of the enemy's 
 movements. 
 
 "In November, 1861, preparatory to moving the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 371 
 
 grand army south into Mississippi, and while the 
 troops were being concentrated in the vicinity of 
 
 Lagrange, Tenn., General G-rant sent Mr. R out, 
 
 on horseback, to find the enemy's advanced pickets. 
 It was in the night, and extremely dark, which render- 
 ed the undertaking a hazardous one. He felt his way 
 along with the utmost caution, and had made a dis- 
 tance of twenty miles, when, in the midnight darkness, 
 not six feet in advance of him, he was confronted by 
 a single sentry, standing in the middle of the road, 
 who challenged him with ' Halt ! who comes there ? ' 
 
 "It was a desperate situation, and Mr. R de- 
 termined to make the most of it. ' Friend, with the 
 countersign,' he answered, drawing his revolver. 
 
 "'Advance and give the countersign,' was the 
 reply. 
 
 He did so, and, thrusting his revolver to the breast 
 of the sentry, fired. The flash of his piece revealed 
 to him the face of Charles Rollins ! I 0h heavens! ' he 
 cried, and sprang from his horse and embraced the 
 fallen form. ' Charles ! Charles ! speak ! if but once ; 
 for God's sake, speak ! ? 
 
 "It was too late; the ball had penetrated his 
 heart, and Charles was dead. The sharp report 
 aroused his sleeping companions, w r ho were lying by 
 the roadside, a little distance from him, and the 
 noise they made as they sprang for their guns warned 
 L - of his danger, who quickly sprang to his sad- 
 dle and dashed away unharmed, but not without being 
 iired at by the remaining pickets. He made a safe 
 return, and reported to General Grant, but since
 
 372 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 that time his acquaintances have noticed that he has 
 become a changed man/' 7 
 
 I arrived at General Granger's headquarters in 
 Mobile, Alabama, April 9, 1865, the next day after 
 the capture of Blakely. I had travelled in all, since 
 leaving Savannah, a distance of nine hundred miles, 
 and that without molestation. 
 
 During my journey, two of the most important 
 events of the war had transpired. General Lee had 
 surrendered his command to General Grant, and 
 General Johnston had surrendered his command to 
 General Sherman. Kirby Smith's command, west of 
 the Mississippi, was the only armed force that had 
 not surrendered. 
 
 The returned Confederate soldiers, wherever I met 
 them in my route, had expressed themselves as satis- 
 fied with their attempt to sustain the Confederacy, 
 -and gave it up as a lost cause. " Experience" is said 
 to be the "best school-master." The Confederate 
 soldiers evidently thought so. 
 
 A few days after my arrival, the intelligence was 
 received that President Lincoln had been murdered. 
 It was too sad intelligence for the soldiers to believe, 
 nor would they believe it until officially confirmed. 
 Then their anger knew no bounds, and it was with 
 the utmost difficulty that commanding officers re- 
 strained their men from committing retaliatory dep- 
 redations. 
 
 In the midst of a nation's rejoicing, she was called 
 to mourn the death of the man who had steered the 
 Ship of State clear of the shoals that threatened
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 373 
 
 her destruction, who was swept from the helm as 
 the ship was just entering the haven of peace, and 
 within sight of her desired moorings. While it was 
 hard to deprive him thus of the sweet anticipations in 
 prospect before him, it was nevertheless permitted, 
 in the wise directions of a beneficent Providence. 
 The murder of Abraham Lincoln was the closing act 
 of the great rebellion. The picture of the scene, re- 
 volting as it had been, seemed incomplete until the 
 dark finishing shades had been added by the hand of 
 an assassin. 
 
 The war was now virtually closed, and during our 
 stay at Mobile General Granger had nothing for me 
 to do. In July he moved to New Orleans, taking 
 most of his troops with him. It was generally sup- 
 posed that we were going there to take transports 
 home to our respective States, to be mustered out ; 
 but in this we were disappointed. At that place 
 General Granger ordered me to report to the Pro- 
 vost-marshal for duty as a detective. Why I was so 
 often selected for such duty is more than I can tell. 
 If I had all other necessary qualifications for that 
 business, my dislike for it was so great as to over- 
 come them. I went to the Provost-marshal with my 
 order, and told him that I was at his disposal for 
 duty, but that I had objections to engaging in that 
 kind of service not that I was unwilling to obey my 
 superior officers, but simply because I had a dislike 
 for the business that it was impossible for me to over- 
 come. I told him that I had twice tried to operate 
 as a detective and had failed, and the more I tried it
 
 374 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 the less I liked it. It was a kind of duty that was 
 not congenial to my nature, and it seemed to me like 
 low business. I was satisfied that there were those 
 who were better adapted to such business than I, but 
 if he insisted upon it I would go to work and do the 
 best that I could. 
 
 He told me that he had but very little detective 
 business to do, and that he did not wish to have me 
 engaged in business that was not agreeable to my 
 feelings. He told me to return to General Granger's 
 headquarters, and that if he found occasion to need 
 my services he would send for me. 
 
 I have since had reason to suspect that setting me 
 to work as a detective was simply a show of some- 
 thing for me to do, on the part of commanding offi- 
 cers, that I might be retained in the service longer, 
 lest, in the future, something might turn up that 
 would give them occasion to need me. At that time 
 there was great clamoring among the soldiers to be 
 mustered out, and orders had been issued to muster 
 out all detached men who were not actively engaged. 
 
 We remained in New Orleans until the latter part 
 of July, when we embarked on board the transports 
 and went to Galveston, Texas. At that place there 
 was as little for me to do as there had been in New 
 Orleans. Having no use for me, General Granger 
 sent me to Columbus, Texas, a distance of one hun- 
 dred and sixty miles inland, to report to General 
 driers* in. 
 
 I made the journey alone and on horseback, dressed 
 as a citizen. For the last year and a half of my ser-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 375 
 
 vice, I very rarely wore anything but a citizen's 
 dress. I occupied five days in making the journey, 
 and got through to General Grierson's headquarters 
 without having experienced a single incident of inter- 
 est. That kind of scouting was dry business to me. 
 It is excitement that makes the life of a scout inter- 
 esting. 
 
 In September General Grierson sent me alone to 
 the Upper Colorado, a distance of four hundred miles, 
 with instructions to see whether the rebs were con- 
 centrating a force or fortifying at any point along the 
 river. I made ' the trip on horseback, in my usual 
 citizen's dress. Very much of the distance was 
 sparsely settled, which rendered my journey at least 
 a lonesome one. A naturalist, no doubt, would have 
 found in that route enough to have made a volume 
 interesting, but to me nothing was of so much interest 
 as the end of my journey. During the entire route it 
 was the same dull monotony day after day. 
 
 On my return, and when within four days' ride of 
 Columbus, I fell in with a party of outlaws number- 
 ing forty men. They wore uniforms exactly like 
 General Grierson's cavalry, and had United States 
 saddles and carbines. At first I supposed that they 
 were a detachment of his command, but fortunately 
 I discovered my mistake before having told who I 
 was. They plundered indiscriminately, but left the 
 impression, wherever they went, that they were n 
 detachment of United States troops, acting under 
 General Grierson's orders. I travelled with them 
 three days.
 
 376 TIIE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 As soon as I found out what they were I proposed 
 to join their organization. This I did for ray own 
 safety. I represented myself as having been a planter 
 in Mississippi, and that I had lost all my property by 
 the war a part of it by the Confederate army and a 
 part of it by the Lincoln army ; and I also told them 
 that I was determined to get my property back in 
 some way, and did not care how I did it, nor who I 
 got it from. My proposition was accepted, and it was 
 arranged that I should go on to Columbus and trans- 
 act some business that I had there, and, if possible, 
 secure by some means, fair or foul, a uniform, saddle. 
 and carbine, and then return to a certain plantation 
 that they would show me in our route. 
 
 The last day that I was with them, we passed the 
 plantation to which I was to return when I had com- 
 pleted my business at Columbus. Toward night they 
 plundered a. rich planter who had never been at heart 
 really disloyal. He had acted with the Confederate 
 Government simply because compelled to, but at his 
 earliest opportunity had taken the required oath. As 
 the outlaws were taking his property he remonstrated, 
 and told them that he was a Union man, and that 
 General Grierson had promised to protect him. They 
 told him that he was no Union man, but a lying sc- 
 cesh. They insulted him shamefully, and then, having 
 secured what plunder they wanted, made their way 
 off, leaving him to suppose that the outrage had been 
 committed by Federal cavalry. 
 
 During my ride with them I became quite familiar 
 with their countenances, and also learned where sev-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 377 
 
 eral of them resided. I also found out that they did 
 expect, when on a plundering expedition, to remain 
 in a body, but separated to their homes, meeting oc- 
 casionally, however, to arrange for new expeditions, 
 but never twice in the same place, lest their haunts 
 might be discovered. Shortly after plundering the 
 planter that I have mentioned, they turned off on 
 another road and left me to pursue my journey 
 alone. 
 
 After reporting to General Grierson the result of 
 my trip, I mentioned the incident about the outlaws, 
 and their having plundered the planter, but did not 
 tell him that I had agreed to return to them. The 
 day following my report, the planter came in with 
 complaint to General Grierson that his cavalry had 
 plundered him of his horses and mules, and other 
 property, and also had shamefully insulted him. 
 
 General Grierson was surprised to hear such com- 
 plaints, and told the man that he must be mistaken ; 
 but he insisted that he knew they were his men ; 
 they had United States uniforms, saddles, and car- 
 bines exactly like his men. The General then called 
 the Adjutant, to know whether he had sent a detach- 
 ment out, but none had been sent. The planter still 
 insisted that it was United States cavalry that com- 
 mitted the outrage. Recalling to mind what I had 
 reported to him the day before, the General mis- 
 trusted who had done it, and sent for me. I at once 
 recognized the planter as the one whom I had seen 
 plundered by the outlaws. 
 
 The next day I accompanied a detachment of cav-
 
 378 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 airy, in disguise, to hunt up the outlaws. We pro- 
 ceeded at once to the residences of those that I had 
 learned, and were so fortunate as to find them at 
 home, all of whom we captured. I took good care to 
 be seen by them as little as possible. I do not think 
 1 was recognized by any of the number that we cap- 
 tured. Every one of them were loud in their declara- 
 tions of good behavior, and expressed astonishment 
 that they should be so treated. The arrest of a part 
 of the band put a damper upon the rest, and they 
 cleared out, or ceased their operations. I heard of 
 no more complaints during the time I remained 
 there. 
 
 From what experience I have had in the secret 
 service, I am of the opinion that the Government 
 has been entirely too lenient with that class of men. 
 Nothing but the severest penalty of the law will ever 
 stop them from their depredations. They will con- 
 tinue to give trouble in the South so long as they are 
 allowed to run at large. They are possessed of none 
 of the finer feelings of humanity that can be reached 
 by moral suasion, and nothing but physical restraint 
 can control them. 
 
 Sympathy for those that have erred is a commend- 
 able element in the human heart, but when carried 
 to extremes is productive of disastrous results. I 
 think the entire secession element of the South has 
 received, and is now receiving, more favor at the 
 hands of the Government than is consistent for the 
 safety of our republican institutions. People who 
 have committed crime should be made to feel that
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 379 
 
 they have done so, by inflicting upon them the proper 
 penalty. Let rebels prove themselves " prodigal 
 sons" before being embraced in the arms of our good 
 Uncle Sam. 
 
 On the 2d day of December, 1865, I received an 
 order from General Grant to proceed to Columbus, 
 Ohio, for discharge. On my arrival there I reported 
 to the Provost-marshal, who refused to discharge me, 
 because I had no copy of the orders under which I 
 had reported from one commanding officer to another. 
 My business had been such that it was not safe for 
 me to carry them, and, for the same reason, my orders 
 were generally given orally. I went to General Leg- 
 gett and told him my difficulty, who at once wrote 
 me a statement to Captain Barber, Provost-marshal, 
 setting forth his knowledge of my services, and why 
 I had not preserved my orders of detail. General 
 Wiles also gave me a similar statement, of which the 
 following are copies : 
 
 " ZANESYILLE, O., February 15, 1866. 
 
 " Captain Barber, Provost-marshal : 
 
 " DEAR SIR : Corporal Lorain Buggies, Co. H, 20th O. 
 V. V. I., reports to me that he has difficulty in obtaining a 
 discharge from the service. Corporal Ruggles was used, 
 during the whole war, as a scout and spy. I first assigned 
 him to that service early in the summer of 1862. His great 
 success made him a favorite with all general officers having 
 charge of secret service. He was, at different times, under 
 the immediate direction of Generals Force, Koss, Logan, 
 McPherson, Blair, Grant, and others, generally remaining,
 
 380 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 when not on active duty, at my headquarters. The nature 
 of his services was such that he could not carry details, 
 passes, or orders, and details could not be waited for by 
 officers when he was needed, and, in fact, were very seldom 
 made in. such cases. 
 
 " Corporal Kuggles was regarded as one of the most suc- 
 cessful and reliable spies in the United States service, and 
 was always called upon for desperate service where others 
 would fail, and was equal to the undertaking. 
 
 " I hope you will secure him such a discharge as will 
 enable him to draw his pay. He has been a most worthy 
 soldier. I doubt whether any man of his rank has done 
 more for his country. 
 
 " Very respectfully, " M. D. LEGGETT, 
 
 "Late Major- General of Volunteers." 
 
 " ZANESVILLE, O., February 17, 1866. 
 " Captain Barber, Provost-marshal, Columbus, Ohio : 
 
 " DEAR Sin I certify that I have long known Corporal 
 Lorain Buggies, of the 20th O. V. Y. I. (Said regiment 
 was one of the regiments comprising the brigade which I 
 had the honor to command.) I further certify that I have 
 known Corporal Buggies as a scout and spy since about the 
 month of June or July, 1862. He was in the secret service, 
 under orders from Generals Grant, Sherman, McPherson, 
 Leggett, Force, Boss, and others. He was regarded as one 
 of the best and most reliable scouts connected with our 
 army, and, in my judgment, has performed as much valua- 
 ble service as any man in it, and I have no doubt but he is 
 entitled to an honorable discharge, although he may be 
 unable to account for his absence from his regiment and 
 company by exhibiting the necessary documents. The 
 most of his details were oral, being ordered by one officer 
 to report to another officer for special duty. I have used 
 him myself for scouting, by permission of the commanding
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 381 
 
 General. It is with pleasure that I add this my testimony 
 in favor of a gallant and trustworthy soldier. 
 
 " I am, Captain, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 " G. R WILES, 
 " Late Colond 78th 0. V. V. L, Brevet Brig.-Gcn" 
 
 Generals Leggett and Wiles have my thanks for 
 the kind interest thus, and upon all other occasions, 
 manifested in my behalf. With these letters, I was 
 enabled to get a discharge from the service that I am 
 proud of, and which I value more than all the gold 
 that I might have made in dishonest traffic with out- 
 laws. I have never been sorry that I followed Gen- 
 eral Grant's advice. 
 
 After having received my discharge, I experienced 
 trouble in getting my pay. I could scarcely get the 
 Paymaster to look at me, let alone paying me. Find- 
 ing that I could prevail nothing upon the Paymaster 
 at Columbus, I reported at once, in person, to Lieu- 
 tenant-General Grant, at Washington, D. C., and 
 told him my troubles. He caused my papers to be 
 fixed so that I not only received all my pay proper, 
 clothing account, etc., but my special service pay. 
 Here I would express to General Grant my gratitude 
 for the pains he has taken to instruct me in the class 
 of duties that I have had to perform, and for his per- 
 sonal interest in my welfare. I am indebted to all 
 the Generals for whom I have served for their kind- 
 ness, and the instructions they have given me, and 
 especially so to Generals Grant, Logan, McPherson, 
 Leggett, Force, Ross, Potts, and Wiles. I always 
 found a welcome at their headquarters.
 
 382 THE GRBAT AMERICAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Ludicrous effect of fear A Corporal outflanks a Captain A good Union 
 man A touching appeal A scene among the wounded An old Se- 
 cesh discovers his mistake Suggestions from experience Concluding 
 thoughts. 
 
 IN looking back over my experience, I can recall 
 to my mind many little incidents not included in the 
 preceding narratives. 
 
 I once came near getting into difficulty by not 
 properly doing my duty while on picket. It was at 
 Shiloh Church, a few weeks after the battle, and 
 while the main part of the army was engaged in 
 besieging Corinth. The entire regiment was more 
 or less troubled with that terrible scourge of the 
 army, camp diarrhea, and the men were constantly 
 contriving some way to get through the picket line 
 in search of chickens and fresh vegetables. 
 
 One morning, soon after I had taken my post on 
 picket duty for the first time in my life I was a 
 corporal of the guard a squad of men from my own 
 company came down to my post, without passes, and 
 said that they wanted to go out and get some vegeta- 
 bles, and, if I would pass them, they would divide 
 with me when they came in, to which I assented. 
 
 Toward night they came back to my post, and left, 
 as my share of the proceeds of the trip, two very fat 
 chickens, and a nice lot of onions, lettuce, and rad-
 
 8COUT AND SPY. 383 
 
 ishes. It so happened that just after the men left 
 the post for camp, Captain Rogers, of my regiment, 
 who was in command of the guard, made his appear- 
 ance to inspect the condition of his men, and, dis- 
 covering the party who had just left, mistrusted that 
 I had passed them in, and, of course, took me to task 
 about it. 
 
 "Did those men come through the lines here?" 
 inquired the Captain. 
 
 "Yes, sir," I answered. 
 
 " Did they have passes ? " 
 
 " I don't know whether they did or not. I did not 
 ask them." 
 
 "Did they go out here this morning?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Did you allow them to go out without passes ? " 
 
 " I didn't ask them for passes. I didn't know they 
 needed them. They said that they were going after 
 vegetables, and I know that they needed them bad 
 enough, so I supposed it was all right." 
 
 ' ' What were you placed here for ? " 
 
 " To watch the enemy, I suppose. I did not know 
 that I had to watch my friends." 
 
 " Well, sir, if you don't know your duty better than 
 that, you arc not fit to be a Corporal. I'll report you 
 to the Colonel, sir, and have you reduced." 
 
 The Captain then went on and left me to my own 
 reflections. I cared very little about being an eighth 
 Corporal, and yet I disliked the idea of becoming dis- 
 graced by being reduced. I dressed my chickens 
 nicely, and laid them away. As soon as the relief
 
 384 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 came out, I started across the woods to camp. Taking 
 my nicest chicken and some of my best vegetables in 
 my hands, I repaired to the Colonel's tent. I knew 
 that he had been quite complaining, and unable to 
 procure what vegetables he needed. On entering, I 
 saluted him as politely as I knew how, and then said : 
 " Colonel, I knew that you was not very well, and I 
 thought you would relish some chicken and fresh veg- 
 etables. Will you accept them ? " 
 
 " Thank you, thank you, Corporal," said he, taking 
 them, and looking very much pleased. "They are 
 just what I wanted exactly. Were you on picket 
 yesterday ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir, and I expect that I have incurred your 
 displeasure. 7 ' 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 "Well, Colonel, I'll tell you. It's the first time 
 that I was ever on picket, and I did not know what 
 the duty of a Corporal was. There were some men 
 from the regiment came down and wanted to go out, 
 and I let them go without passes, and the Captain 
 says that he is going to report me for it. I am very 
 sorry, Colonel, that I did it, and if you will forgive 
 me this time I won't do so again." 
 
 " Picket duty, Corporal, is one of the most respon- 
 sible duties of the soldier. It should always be faith- 
 fully discharged. Since this is the first offence, I'll 
 overlook it, if you will do better in the future." 
 
 "Thank you, Colonel; I will certainly do better 
 the next time." 
 
 Just as I came out the Captain entered ; so I re-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 385 
 
 mained where I could hear the conversation that fol- 
 lowed. After the usual salutation, he said: "I am 
 sorry, Colonel, that I am under the necessity of re- 
 porting to you one of the corporals under my com- 
 mand yesterday for a non-performance of duty.'" 
 
 " Was it Corporal Ruggles?" inquired the Colonel. 
 
 i( Yes, sir; he " 
 
 " Never mind, Captain ; he reported himself this 
 morning and promised to do better, and I forgave 
 him this offence. 7 ' 
 
 When the Captain came out, I noticed that he 
 felt considerably worked up at being outflanked by 
 a corporal. 
 
 It is oftentimes affecting to witness the heroic man- 
 ner in which soldiers endure their sufferings, whether 
 from sickness or wounds. 
 
 There was in my company a man by the name of 
 Frank Kickard, who, for several months, had been 
 careless about writing to his mother, who was a widow. 
 At last the poor widow's heart could stand the sus- 
 pense no longer, and she wrote to a daughter, then 
 living in the State of Indiana, to assist her in her 
 efforts to find out what had become of Frank. The 
 sister immediately wrote to the Captain of the com- 
 pany to learn the fate of her brother. The neglect 
 on the part of Frank to write was not for lack of 
 affection, but simply because of a careless habit. At 
 last Frank was taken sick with a fever, and rapidly 
 grew worse. The regiment was preparing to move 
 from Paducah, Ky., up the Tennessee Eiver, and it 
 became necessary to leave Frank in the hospital. 
 17
 
 386 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 Just a few moments before he was to be carried off 
 from the boat, his Captain received the letter from 
 his sister, inquiring what had become of Frank. The 
 Captain carried the letter to him and read it, and then 
 said, " Frank, what shall I write to your sister?" 
 
 He thought a moment, and then, his eyes filling 
 with tears, he said: "Oh, for God's sake, Captain, 
 don't tell sister how sick I am /" 
 
 It was affecting indeed to see the heroism with 
 which that dear boy suffered, and his affectionate 
 and tender regard for his sister ; was unwilling that 
 she should know the extent of his sufferings, lest she 
 should worry about him. 
 
 " Brave boy ! he has gone at his country's call." 
 
 The first mail after we left him brought the sad in- 
 telligence that Frank was dead. 
 
 Wounded soldiers generally manifest a cheerful 
 resignation to their lot that is astonishing to those who 
 have never witnessed it. Sometimes, however, ex- 
 ceptions occur. I often think of an incident that I 
 witnessed in which two extremes met. 
 
 After the battle of Matamora, where General Hurl- 
 but's command routed General Price's army, on its 
 retreat after having been repulsed in its assault upon 
 Corinth, I assisted in taking care of the wounded as 
 they were brought in. Among the sufferers on that 
 day was a Captain, with a flesh wound in the arm, 
 and a private, with a leg dreadfully shattered below 
 the knee. The Captain though his wound was not 
 of a serious nature gave way to his feelings, and 
 took on dreadfully, and frequently called upon the
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 387 
 
 doctor to come and dress his wound or he should die. 
 The private, then on the table, preparatory to an 
 amputation of his limb, was heroically cool, and 
 scarce a groan escaped his lips. At length his nerves 
 could no longer stand the ridiculous clamor of the 
 Captain, and he called out, "Captain, if you don't 
 hush your gab until the doctor gets my leg off I'll 
 throw it at you." 
 
 The soldier endured the operation manfully, and 
 the Captain took the hint and "dried up" his noise. 
 It is not hard to tell which of the two was the bravest 
 man. 
 
 I was once very much amused by the mistake of a 
 very old man. It happened in this way. I had been 
 sent out on a scout, and was returning to camp, when 
 I called at a plantation-house to get breakfast for 
 myself and squad. Sitting upon the porch in front 
 of the house was a very old man a secesh engaged 
 in twisting up tobacco. He had a large pile of it 
 before him already twisted. He had never seen any 
 soldiers from either army. As we came up to the 
 porch he kept on at his work, without being in the 
 least alarmed at our appearance. We procured what 
 breakfast we wanted, and were about to leave, when, 
 addressing the old man, I said: " How do you do, 
 daddy?" 
 
 "Speak a little louder," said the old man; "I'm 
 hard of hearing." 
 
 " Hoio do you do, daddy?" said I again, louder 
 than before. 
 
 "Oh, I'm pretty well, I thank you. I'm a little
 
 388 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 tired now. I've got ten or twelve little grandsons 
 down in General Yillipigue's army, and I heard that 
 they were out of tobacco, and I thought I'd twist up 
 some and take down to 'em." 
 
 " Boys," said I to the squad, "if you had rather 
 the rebs would have that tobacco than to have it 
 yourselves, let it alone." 
 
 At that the boys made a spring for the tobacco. 
 
 "Hut, tut, tut! 7 ' said the old man, looking won- 
 derfully surprised; "I guess I was mistaken. I 
 thought you were our soldiers; but I guess, from your 
 actions, you are Yankees." 
 
 On leaving a service that has been fraught with as 
 much danger as mine has been, it is not improper, 
 perhaps, for me to leave on record the conclusions 
 suggested by that experience. 
 
 Few, if any, of my contemporaries who started in 
 the business as early as I did are now living. I know 
 of none that are living who operated in the depart- 
 ments where I did, and who commenced at the time 
 and continued as long as I did. Of eighteen (includ- 
 ing myself) that began the service with me, I am the 
 only one that continued through the war. Fifteen of 
 that number were killed in less than two years, and 
 two were disgraced for bad conduct. 
 
 When I look back upon what I have experienced, 
 it seems a wonder to me that my life has been spared. 
 Others, whom I thought were my superiors in all the 
 necessary qualifications, have sacrificed their lives in 
 their line of duty. 
 
 It may be thought by some that a scout is of neces-
 
 SCOUT AND SPY, 389 
 
 sity that hardened, reckless character that is in- 
 sensible to the dangers that surround him ; but that 
 is a mistake. It is true that war is hardening to the 
 finer sensibilities, but, nevertheless, if a man is 
 unconscious of the danger of his undertaking, he is 
 not apt to exercise the necessary precautionary meas- 
 ures to insure his safety, and, consequently, fails in 
 his mission. 
 
 I can now look back and see how I might have 
 done better. I commenced the business without hav- 
 ing had experience, and, consequently, I had all to 
 learn as I went along. At first I only ventured a 
 short distance out. and thought I had done extremely 
 well if I reached camp unharmed. I increased grad- 
 ually the extent of my expeditions, until I succeeded 
 in making trips of several hundred miles in length. 
 
 An adaptation of means to the end to be accom- 
 plished is of as much importance in scouting and spy- 
 ing, as in any other branch of business. The very 
 business itself is an evasion of what you really are, 
 or assuming to be what you are not ; consequently, 
 an evasion of the truth is often necessary to accom- 
 plish the purpose. ' To be successful as a spy, it is 
 absolutely necessary to be able to act an assumed 
 character. 
 
 The disguise of the individual and his plans of 
 operations must be adapted to the particular time and 
 place, and his success must depend greatly upon his 
 address. Generals have frequently told me, before 
 going out, how to address myself to the undertaking ; 
 but, as it is impossible to know beforehand the cir-
 
 390 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 cumstanccs under which one will be placed, it is 
 necessary that a man be of ready address, in order 
 to adapt himself to any unexpected state of affairs 
 that he might find. 
 
 Presence of mind, when suddenly and unexpected- 
 ly confronted, is very essential. When a man in 
 that situation is thrown off his guard, his condition 
 can rarely be retrieved. 
 
 A man should never lose confidence in his own 
 case, nor despair of escape if captured ; if he does, 
 his case becomes hopeless. Never was I in a situa- 
 tion where hope entirely left me. 
 
 A spy should have as little superfluous or unneces- 
 sary conversation as possible. His information should 
 mainly be derived from observation. I once came 
 across a spy that G-eneral Grant had sent out, who 
 was an inveterate talker. I was alarmed for his safety, 
 and, as soon as an opportunity occurred, I said to 
 him, "You talk too much. General Grant requires 
 us not to talk." The fellow made fun of my advice. 
 What became of him I do not know ; he never re- 
 turned to our lines. 
 
 Scouts sometimes get frightened ; I have been. So 
 do commanding officers and enlisted men. I have 
 known a Major-General to dodge at the whiz of a 
 bullet, and a whole regiment to become stampeded 
 by a runaway mule ! The best of men are sometimes 
 the victims of fear. It should, however, be guarded 
 against. 
 
 I made a practice of getting all the information 
 that I could, without exposing myself to the danger of
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 391 
 
 recognition, concerning the different regiments in the 
 Confederate service. It was often of great service to 
 me to know where such regiments were raised, and 
 who commanded them, and also what brigades, divi- 
 sions, and departments they were in. The names 
 and residence of prominent individuals were also of 
 great service to me. A knowledge of the language 
 and habits of the people, wherever a spy travels, is 
 of great advantage. I have no idea that I would 
 have succeeded as I did if I had not lived in the 
 South before the war commenced. 
 
 I have been very successful in managing scouting 
 and forage parties. I attribute it to the fact that I 
 always watched for myself and my men. I have 
 known several officers and their details to get cap- 
 tured because of depending entirely on the men to do 
 the watching. Men become careless in such duties, 
 and a surprise is often the consequence. 
 
 In my travels in the enemy's country as a spy, I 
 was very particular to observe the features of the 
 country through which I passed whether wooded, 
 cultivated, level, or hilly ; the condition of the roads 
 whether hard, sandy, or wet ; the condition of the 
 streams and their location whether fordable or not, 
 and the manner of crossing and the nature of their 
 banks. Also, the location of springs and wells, and 
 the supply of water that they afforded. Such informa- 
 tion is of great value to a commanding officer. 
 
 There is great responsibility resting upon a scout 
 and spy. If his reports are reliable, the commanding 
 officer knows how to execute his movements success-
 
 392 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 fully ; but if his reports are false, and the command- 
 ing officer relies upon them as truth, the probability 
 is that his movements will end in disaster, with 
 a sacrifice of hundreds, and" perhaps thousands, of 
 lives. 
 
 It is far better for a scout, if he fails to accomplish 
 his mission, to report it a failure, for, sooner or later, 
 it will be found out. It is mortifying to fail in one's 
 mission, but that is of little consequence compared 
 with jeopardizing a whole army. I have several 
 times failed to accomplish my mission, but my re- 
 ports of such failures have always tended to increase 
 the confidence of my employers in my reliability. 
 
 Having finished my services for the Government, I 
 am once more a citizen, engaged in the pursuits of 
 civil life. I have " beaten my sword into a plough- 
 share," and my bayonet into a "pruning-hook," and 
 have become a resident of the ' ' Far West ;" and though 
 I "became a changed man," and did not take for a 
 better half "Miss Annie," nevertheless I am married 
 and settled in life, and can look back with proud sat- 
 isfaction upon the result of my labors. 
 
 Now, reader, you have followed me in my humble 
 career from the commencement of the war to its close, 
 and you are able to discern with approximate cor- 
 rectness whether the part I have acted, in sustaining 
 the noble institutions of our great Republic, has been 
 of any benefit, 
 
 The war is now over. The flag of our country 
 again proudly floats over the entire domain. Peace, 
 prosperity, and the pursuit of happiness have taken
 
 SCOUT AND SPY. 393 
 
 the place of deadly strife. In place of teaching the 
 art of war, we are now enlarging our commerce and 
 friendly intercourse. In a few years the blackened 
 trail of contending armies will smile with luxuriant 
 harvests. 
 
 We have the satisfaction of knowing that American 
 liberty still exists ; that the institutions inaugurated 
 by the hardships and sufferings of our forefathers, 
 baptized with their blood, and consecrated by their 
 prayers, are renewed and perpetuated. The prin- 
 ciples that they struggled to maintain still live. 
 
 The fires of patriotism that were kindled in the 
 bosoms and flashed in flames of heroic valor at Lex- 
 ington, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown, still 
 burn in the bosoms of their children's children, and 
 have burst forth in glorious illuminations of valor upon 
 .such fields as Donelson, Yicksburg, Antietam, At- 
 lanta, and Richmond. 
 
 The heroes of this war have proved themselves 
 worthy of their ancestry, and have baptized and con- 
 secrated anew their precious inheritance by giving 
 their best blood for its maintenance. 
 
 Never were prayers more devoutly and fervently 
 uttered, never did blood more freely flow, never was 
 treasure more extensively lavished, or individual 
 sacrifice more cheerfully borne, than in the war from 
 which we have just emerged. 
 
 Our children and children's children will look back 
 upon our deeds of valor and sacrifice with the same 
 feelings of respect that we cherish for the fathers of 
 the Revolution, and the institutions which we have
 
 394 THE GREAT AMERICAN 
 
 perpetuated will be doubly dear to them for that 
 second sacrifice. 
 
 Let me here present my sincere and heartfelt 
 thanks to the generous ladies of this Union, who have 
 so nobly borne their part through the struggles of 
 this great rebellion, and to those who so generously 
 volunteered their services in administering to the 
 wants of the sick and wounded in the hospitals, amid 
 the groans of my bleeding comrades, torn by the shot 
 and shell of the enemy, weltering in pools of blood, 
 with fractured skulls and amputated limbs. May their 
 beneficent labors never be forgotten, and may the 
 emblem of our country ever float proudly over the 
 graves that enclose them. 
 
 Let us then watch carefully the treasures of liberty, 
 and so use them as to invoke the smiles of Heaven 
 upon our sacred trust, Let us acknowledge His di- 
 recting hand, and, by strict integrity and adherence 
 to the principles of truth, justice, and righteousness, 
 prove ourselves worthy of the trust that we have re- 
 ceived. Millions yet unborn, calling to mind the 
 noble deeds of daring, arid the patriotic devotion of 
 these heroes of the Grand Army of this Eepublic. 
 who bore, in triumph, the star-decked emblem of our 
 nation through the proud embattled hosts of the 
 enemy, will rise up to bless the God of battles for such 
 a noble ancestry, and will crown them with perpetual 
 and immortal honors.
 
 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GREAT AMERICAN SCOUT AND SPY, 
 " GENERAL BUNKER" 
 
 THE foregoing narratives here related arc facts that 
 actually occurred in the experience of G. L. Rnggles, 
 and many of these are as well authenticated as any 
 facts in history. There has been no aim at making 
 this a work of general history, but simply a narrative 
 of personal experience, coupled with only so much 
 of the general history of the war as is necessary to 
 explain the cause of the events that transpired in his 
 experience. Many of these are incidents of daring 
 that are without parallel in the scout service, and 
 reveal the interior of war as it is not seen in the gen- 
 eral records of history. The following testimonials 
 of the value of his services and the truthfulness of his 
 reports will be read with interest : 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS IST BRIGADE, 3o DIVISION', ) 
 17TH ARMY CORPS, December 1 1 , 1863. f 
 
 'I have known Mr. Ruggles since December, 18C1. I 
 remember very well his first expedition as a spy, in June,
 
 396 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS. 
 
 1862, when the 20th was at Grand Junction, then an ex- 
 posed outpost, under command of General Leggett. 
 
 " Since that time he has been continually employed on 
 such duty, often on expeditions of extreme hazard. He 
 has shown as much address as daring. Many a camp-fire 
 has been enlivened with stories of his adventures, while 
 commanding officers have set high value upon his reports. 
 
 "I remember Mr. Kuggles as one of our best sharp- 
 shooters in the war. His skill in this department, as well 
 as in the scout service, often obtained him leave to go out 
 from the line on somewhat independent duty. At Cham- 
 pion Hills I gave him liberty to go with Company A, which 
 was sent out as skirmishers to open the way for an advance, 
 on account of his skill. 
 
 " At the siege of Vicksburg, he had a special permanent 
 permission to be among the sharp-shooters on the ad- 
 vanced lines. On the clay of the general but unsuccessful 
 charge in May, 1863, he was mainly instrumental in driving 
 away the artillerists from two of the enemy's guns on the 
 right of the Jackson road. 
 
 "During the siege, his Henry rifle, presented to him by 
 General Grant, was one of the marked pieces among the 
 sharp-shooters of the 17th Corps. 
 
 "M. F. FOKCE, 
 "Brig.-Getil Vols., late Cohnd 20^ Ohio." 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS, SD Dmsiox, I?TH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 VICKSBURG, Miss., December 7, 1863. f 
 
 "Mr. Ruggles (or 'General Bunker,' as he is better 
 known) has acted as scout and spy for me on very many 
 occasions since the early part of June, 1862. In this char- 
 acter he has been remarkably successful, seldom ever fail- 
 ing to satisfactorily accomplish the mission on which he 
 was sent.
 
 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS. 397 
 
 " Many scenes of his life as a spy are intensely interest- 
 ing. 
 
 " At some future time, I shall probably be at liberty to 
 relate a few incidents of considerable interest in his career, 
 of which he himself is as yet ignorant. 
 
 " M. D. LEGGETT, Brigadier- General." 
 
 " MEMPHIS, TESTS., November 28, 18G3. 
 "Captain E. C. Downs: 
 
 " DEAE SIB, You wrote me some time since, inquiring as 
 to the services of Mr. Buggies as a scout and spy for the 
 Union army. In reply I would state that Mr. Buggies was 
 a superior man for the work assigned him, and the infor- 
 mation obtained through him of the movements of the 
 enemy was always reliable. 
 
 " In the discharge of his duties, he was active, energetic, 
 and heroically brave. His gallantry in the service deserves 
 honorable mention in the work of which you speak. 
 
 " I am truly yours, 
 
 "LEONARD F. Boss." 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 17xn ARMY CORPS, \ 
 
 "DEPARTMENT OP THE TENNESSEE, 
 
 " VICKSBURG, Miss., December 15, 1863. ' 
 
 " To wliom it may concern : 
 
 " This is to certify that Mr. Buggies has been employed 
 by me at various times during the past year, and I have 
 always found him brave, adventurous, and truthful. 
 
 " His services as a scout have been very important, and 
 he deserves well of the military authorities. 
 
 "JAMES B. McPHEESON, Major- General."
 
 398 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS. 
 
 " ZANESVILLE, Omo, July 31, I860. 
 
 ' It affords me pleasure to state that I am personally ac- 
 quainted with Mr. Lorain Buggies, known in the army as 
 'General Bunker.' He belonged to my command, and I 
 know he was regarded as one of the most intrepid scouts 
 in the 17th Army Corps. He was in high favor with all our 
 general officers, and I think rendered more efficient service 
 in the capacity of scout and spy than any man with whom 
 I am acquainted. He certainly deserves well of his country. 
 
 " I never knew him to give false intelligence, and in his 
 forthcoming work should recommend it as a truthful nar- 
 rative of his personal adventures, many of which I am 
 knowing to. 
 
 " G. F. WILES, 
 
 "Late Colond 78th 0. V. V. /., and Brevet Brig.-Gen'L" 
 
 " CAUKOLTON, OHIO, June 27, I860. 
 
 " I am glad to add my testimony to the reputation of 
 ' Bunker' as a scout and spy. I believe him to have been 
 the most reliable and successful scout in the Western army. 
 "'Bunker' had the confidence of Lieutenant-General 
 Grant and Major-Generals McPherson and Logan, which 
 he earned by skilful labor during the campaign, and which 
 resulted in the capture of Vicksburg and its garrison. 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 "B. F. POTTS, 
 "Late Brevet Major- General U. S. Fds" 
 
 " CARBOSDALK, ILL., July 1, 18G6. 
 
 " I am well acquainted with Mr. Buggies, or, as we called 
 him in the army, ' General Bunker.' He was certainly a 
 very excellent scout, and performed great service in that 
 branch of duties. He served as scout for me, as well as for 
 many others, and at all times performed his part well ; ran
 
 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS. 399 
 
 great risks ; was not only a good scout, but one of the best 
 sharp-shooters, perhaps, in the army. 
 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 "JOHN A. LOGAN." 
 
 " WASHINGTON, D. C., July 9, 1865. 
 "Major K C. Doivns: 
 
 " DEAR SIR, In the work of which you speak, you are at 
 liberty to refer to me concerning the value of the services 
 rendered by Mr. Ruggles as a scout and spy. His reports 
 were always reliable, and were held in high estimation by 
 me. 
 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 "U. S. GRANT. 
 11 Lieutenant- General U, S. A" 
 
 Such testimonials as the foregoing give the narra- 
 tives contained in the preceding pages a reputation 
 of reliability that cannot be doubted. Whenever a 
 mission of great danger was to be executed, Mr. 
 Ruggles was the man that was usually chosen to per- 
 form it. His quick comprehension and heroic daring 
 enabled him to address himself to the work, which he 
 rarely ever failed to accomplish. Often the boldness 
 of his designs proved to be the reason of his success. 
 Yery few have equalled, while none have excelled, 
 him in that line of duty. Many of the incidents in 
 his experience are so wonderful, that without such 
 endorsements as we have here presented, we might 
 have been led to doubt. But with such an array of 
 testimony every word is established. The paramount 
 value of the book is its truthfulness. It will prove a 
 valuable addition to any library.
 
 400 CERTIFICATES AND ENDORSEMENTS. 
 
 The following certificate was obtained, just as we were going to press, 
 from the son of a well-known and honored citizen of Norwalk, who, while 
 yet in youth, has risen, by energy and heroic bravery, from the rank of a 
 teacher to a Brevet Major-General, and who stands forth to-day as a bold 
 and intelligent defender of those principles for which he fought : 
 
 " NEW YOJIK, October 25, 1868. 
 "Brevet Major- General W. T. Clark: 
 
 " GENERAL, We have been referred to you, by Dr. Asa 
 Hill, of Norwalk, Conn., as one probably familiar with the 
 military career of C. L. Ruggles, whose adventures as a 
 scout and spy we are now publishing. Anything you may 
 choose to furnish us on this subject will be most thankfully 
 received. 
 
 " With great respect, 
 
 " Tour obedient servants, 
 
 "OLMSTED & WELWOOD." 
 
 " NORWALK, CONN., October 27, 1888. 
 "Messrs. Olmsted & Wdicood: 
 
 "GENTLEMEN, I know Mr. Kuggles, or "General Bunker," 
 his army sobriquet ; have known him since the fall of 1862. 
 His reputation as an excellent soldier and reliable scout 
 was well established in the Array of Tennessee. 
 
 " Ho ever had the confidence of his commanding generals 
 in an eminent degree. 
 
 " Yours, 
 
 "W. T. CLARK, 
 " Brevet Major- General, 
 " Late Chief of Staff, Army of Tennessee:'
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
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 Form L9-75w-7,'61(C1437s4)444
 
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