3. III.
I did not lose an instant. Seizing the light linen overall, I put
it on and buttoned it up to the chin, as though to guard my
uniform from the dust; and throwing my brown felt hat under
the table, placed upon my head the high-crowned blue one, with
its golden cord and tassel. I then opened the outer door; negligently
returned the salute of the sentinel, who came to a “present”
with his musket at sight of my cord and tassel; and
walked out to the gate, which was set in a low hedge, above
which appeared the head of the splendid animal I had determined
to “capture.”
Every instant now counted. My ruse might at any moment
be discovered; for on the Adjutant General's return to his room,
he must observe my absence. It was necessary to act rapidly,
and with decision.
Strolling with a careless air to the spot where the orderly
stood, holding his own and the officer's bridle, I patted the
horse on the neck, and said:
“That is a fine animal.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the orderly, touching his hat to the Adjutant-General's
hat; “the Colonel paid six hundred dollars for him
only last week.”
“Excellent equipments, too,” and I raised up the flap of one
of the holsters, which contained a pair of silver-mounted pistols.
In an instant I had drawn one of the weapons, cocked it, and
placed it at the orderly's head.
“I am a Confederate prisouer, determined to escape or die,”
I said. “If you move I will blow your brains out. Wait until I
get a fair start, and then tell your Colonel I took his horse by
force!”
With one bound I was in the saddle, and turning the horse's
head to the fence on the south of the house, cleared it, and set
out at full speed for a wood near by. As I did so, I saw a sudden
tumult, and crowds running about at the house, among
whom I recognised the Adjutant-General.
“Good-by, Major,” I called out; “I will send your hat and
coat by flag of truce!”
And in a moment I had gained the clump of woods, and was
out of sight.
My captured horse was an animal of superb action, and I soon
found that I must make him show his points. As I looked
over my shoulder, I saw a company of cavalry—evidently the
body-guard of the General, whose horses always remained saddled—leave
the town, and follow furiously upon my track.
Between these and the pickets which would certainly bar my
passage, I seemed to stand little chance; but it was worth the
trial, and I went on at full speed, keeping as much as possible
in the woods. Stopping for nothing in the shape of a fence, I
made straight across the country, and gradually seemed distancing
my pursuers. What words, however, can describe my mortification
when, issuing from a dense covert, I found they had
followed by a parallel road, and were on my very heels! I
heard the tramp of their horses, and the quick shout they gave
as they caught sight of me.
Then commenced on the narrow wood road what is called a
“stern chase” at sea. It was a question of the speed of our
horses; but I found, unfortunately, that my pursuers were as
well mounted as myself. They were steadily gaining on me,
when I ran straight into a regiment of infantry, who had pitched
their small tents de l'arbre, under the trees. The quarter-guard,
however, made no effort to stop me, and I shot past the camp,
but in four hundred yards came in sight of the cavalry
pickets.
It was now “neck or nothing.” I had to ride through or
over every obstacle in my way, or surrender. The picket consisted
of about a company of cavalry, every man standing by his
horse; and as I approached, the officer came out, evidently supposing
that I brought him some important message.
The officer staggered back, nearly knocked down by my
horse; and I passed on, followed by a quick volley which did
not harm me. I knew now that if once I could pass the external
pickets, my escape would be certain; and all at once I came
on them. The picket consisted of four or five mounted men; and
as I approached, the vidette in the middle of the road ordered
me to halt, presenting his carbine. I drew my revolver and
fired, and at the same moment he discharged his carbine, but
missed me.
I do not know whether I struck him or not. I went past
him, and did not look back to see. Suddenly the whole picket
fired, and the bullets hissed close to me; but not one touched me
or my horse, and I was free! In ten minutes I was out of sight,
and in five minutes more saw the Confederate pickets in front
of me.
They received me rather roughly. The vidette fired on me
and then ran, and I followed him. A hundred yards further I
drove in the whole external picket, which retired firing.
The first person I saw near the “Big Spring” was Colonel
Stuart, with his cavalry drawn up in line of battle. As soon as
he recognised me he burst into laughter, and cried: “Ho, ho!
here's Longbow in a Yankee uniform!”
“Exactly, Colonel.”
“Where are you from?”
“Martinsburg—driving in your pickets on the way.”
“No wonder,” laughed Stuart. “Your appearance is enough
to frighten a whole brigade. I hope my pickets fired on you
before they ran.”
“Furiously, Colonel, as the enemy were doing behind.”
“But how did you escape? I was truly sorry to hear from
Jackson that you had ridden to look for me, and never turned
up afterwards.”
I briefly related my adventures, and offered my horse, hat, and
pistols in proof. Stuart listened, laughing heartily, and when I
had finished, said:
“So all that firing was only a Fourth of July salute! I thought
so, but never take anything on trust; so I've been ready all
the morning, and thought when the picket fired that you were
the enemy.”
Soon afterwards I parted from this great soldier; and riding
on, found Jackson at Darkesville, to whom I reported, receiving
his congratulations upon my escape.
But I must hasten on and tell you about my horse.
