University of Virginia Library

41. The Quaker's Escape
(1863)

THE next day a negro rode into Murfreesboro', and passed on to General Rosecrans' headquarters, and presenting a pass, was admitted to his private apartments, and handed the General a paper which read: "2 overcoats and 6 hats, 37 shirts, 3200 tracts, 2000 for the unconverted at Spring Hill."

General Rosecrans was eagerly looking over the document when General Thomas was announced. The latter was cordially met by General Rosecrans, who immediately handed him the paper he had just received. "This is all cipher to me, General,"said General Thomas.

"I suppose so,"said the former, who had been writing." Well, here is something more intelligible: 'Two forts of six guns each ; thirty-seven additional guns; 3200 troops, 2000 of which are cavalry, at Spring Hill.'"

"Humph! Some of Captain Carter's ingenuity,"said General Thomas.

"Yes, he is doing his work nobly, so far. I only hope no harm may come to him."

"Well, General,"said Thomas, "Colonel Blake of the 5th Indiana, was asking me to-day why the Captain was relieved of his command; of course I knew nothing about it."

"That was right,"said Rosecrans; "the effectiveness of the 'secret service' would be greatly impaired by having the names of those engaged in it made known. I enjoined the utmost secrecy upon the

Captain, and kept him here that night that he might not be questioned too closely by his comrades. We will hear from him by ten o'clock to-morrow."

Just then a gentleman, evidently a Southerner, was shown in.

"Where do you reside? "asked General Bragg.

"I live near Brandyville, General, and came down to see if something can't be done to keep these infernal Yankees from our section. They were down there yesterday, and took off over two thousand bushels of corn, and nearly all the wheat in the country."

The speaker was a middle aged man of rather good features, but his countenance betokened the too free use of Confederate whiskey.

"What did you say your name was, Colonel?"

"Ashcroft, sir."

"Yes, yes, I have heard of your family. You have done nobly for our cause, from report."

"We have tried to do our duty, General, and what little I have left you are welcome to, but I don't want the Yankees to get it. I sent down by General Wheeler's command, the other day, a hundred bushels of meal as a gift."

"I wish we had more like you,"said Bragg. "Let me fill your glass again, Colonel. I wish I had something better to offer you."

"Permit me, General, to send to my portmanteau for a bottle of wine."

"Yes, sah."

"Rare vintage, this, General. It's one of a lot I got North before the war."

"Excellent,"says Bragg. "I would like to have a

supply. By the way, Colonel, did you see anything of a Quaker-like personage on the road this morning? "

"Riding a bay horse, with a nigger following?"

"The same."

"Why, yes. He came to my plantation last night. I insisted on his staying all night, but he was in a hurry, and could not stop."

"He was a Yankee spy,"said Bragg.

"The devil! and to think I gave the rascal his supper! "

"Well, well, never mind, Colonel; we'll pick him up yet. I'm looking for some Georgia and Alabama troops up shortly, and if the cowardly Dutchman doesn't run, I'll make another Stone River for him."

"Good for you, General. Don't leave even one of them on our soil. But it's getting late, and I must try and get some supplies before I go back. Will you accommodate me with a pass ?"

"Certainly, and here is a bill of protection for your person and property. No thanks ; good day to you."

"Golly, Massa Cap'n, you's bin talkin' to de ole debbil hissef."

"Hush ! not so loud, Tom. I've got one more to visit, and then we'll be off, and take a straight shoot up Hoover's Gap."

"Cap'n, Cap'n! dey's a regiment ob dese dirty rebels just started up de Manchester road, dat's going up from Hoober's Gap, for I heard de Kernel say so."

"All right, Tom; we'll take the Shelbyville road, and run the risk of meeting Van Dorn. Go out

through the 'abatis,' the same way we came in with the horses, and I'll meet you in half an hour by that old house."

"Missus, dey's a gentleman dat got a frow off his hoss out here, and would like to stop awhile wid ye, if ye please, Missus."

"Very well; I'll send a boy out to help him in. Are you much hurt, sir ? "

"No, madam, I think not; my horse got frightened at some object in the road, and threw me heavily on my right shoulder. A night's rest, madam, will enable me to pursue my journey, I think."

Our hero found, upon examination, that there were no bones broken, and yet the bruise was severe enough to make him covet a night's rest, in preference to passing it on the saddle. So without more ado, he submitted to his hostess's desire to bathe the bruised shoulder, and prepare him a comfortable bed by the fire.

During the night he was awakened by the loud clatter of horses' hoofs, followed immediately by a loud "hilloa."

During the conversation which occurred outside, he heard the name of Van Dorn mentioned, and the thought that they might meet was anything but comfortable to him just at that time ; but he resolved to trust to luck, and if that failed, he would try what virtue there was in "right angles, horizontals,"etc. Presently the door opened, and an officer entered, dressed in the height of Confederate style,— gilt buttons, gold lace, and all,— a glance at which showed that he bore the rank of Lieutenant-General. The conversation that ensued informed our hero that he had the honor of

occupying the same room with General Hardee. He had as yet feigned sleep. He heard the General ask the lady if she knew who he was, and her reply was that she did not. Then followed the story of his getting thrown, and so on. He was anxious to establish his reputation with the General as a sound secesh, and a little ruse occurred to him, which he resolved to practice and suddenly bawled out as if asleep,—

"Run, Tom; the infernal Yankees are coming; put all the horses in the back pasture; take away every nigger with you."

"Ha, ha! "laughed the General he's all right. I'll bet on him. But you see, madam, there is a spy in our lines that we are anxious to catch, and he has, so far, eluded us, and if we meet a stranger, we are anxious to find out his standing. I'm satisfied with this one, for a man will tell the truth when he's asleep."

"Your supper's ready, sah."

And I'm ready for it,"replied the General, and left the room.

Our hero moved, grunted, and finally turned over, found his hostess still in the room, and behind her he saw Tom making motions for him to come out.

The lady asked if he felt comfortable, had he slept well, to all of which he replied in the affirmative; upon which she left the room, and he followed soon after, and found Tom waiting for him.

"Massa, dese debbils has 'sprised' us, and we'd better be a leabin'. I'se got a 'nigh shoot' from de niggahs, dat we can cut across to Manchester and up fru de gap from heah."

"All right, Tom; where's the horses?"

"I'se got um, Massa, out below here."

"Here's for them, then, Tom; come on quickly."

They reached our lines the following evening, and reported to General Rosecrans.

The following order explains itself:—

SPECIAL FIELD ORDER.

Capt. Carter (5th Ind. Vols.) is hereby ordered to return to his command, and is recommended for promotion. By order