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 An Independent Scout. 241

of the law throughout the Union, or only in the individual State,
 * * * we do not learn from the Exposition." (See page 80.)

Now, the very essence of the doctrine of State sovereignty con- fines the jurisdiction of each State to its own territorial limits. It is therefore impossible that Dr. von Hoist could be ignorant that this last statement is untrue. How any man could dare write and pub- lish such a von Munchausenism in what he claims to be "serious history," we of the South find it difficult to comprehend. But it is perhaps not surprising that one who could do so would see no of- fence, but rather a compliment, in calling a great statesman, thirty years after his death "a liar." — Ben. E. Green.

An Independent Scout.

BY ROBERT W. NORTH, CO. B, I2TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY.

What I am going to relate happened nearly twenty years ago, and as none of the participants, as far as I know, kept any diary or even a memorandum, it is probable that memory may be at fault, and that some things are omitted and others are stated not exactly as they occurred.

In the summer of 1863, Jones's brigade, formerly Ashby's, with others of Steuart's command, was guarding the left flank of Lee's army, being stationed in front of Culpeper Courthouse doing picket duty on the plains around Brandy Station. The young men of Com- pany B, Twelfth Virginia, mostly from Jefferson county, were very anxious to see their relatives and friends, and despairing of getting a furlough, determined on " taking a flank"; in other words, resolved that they would go home, and after having a good time for a few days, return to their duty and their command. After many plans were discussed, it was at last decided to combine business with pleas- ure, to canvass the three Jefferson companies of the regiment, and see how many men could be induced to go on a raid in the lower part of the Valley. I was not present at their first meetings, but in a few days they had about thirty men enrolled, of whom more than twenty belonged to Company B. They even persuaded a lieutenant to go with them, a man of undoubted courage, of good practical common sense, and fitted in every way, except in education and re- finement, to be the leader of such an expedition. As he differed