Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/143

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anchor, when a ladv from e in the secret twice of the Confederate State-, under order- from the War De- partment .( Richmond ti proceed to NVu York with important di- patches. m.ide her appearance and re.|iiested to be allowed to cro the river under our escort. On beiny examined hv Lieutenant Bowie for proof of her lovaltv to the South and the truth of her statement concerning her mission, our little heroine pronounced the shibboleth so clearly that she wa- permitted to pass under the suspended ear of corn with us. Oars were now dipped and we were soon well out in the stream. The night was clear and cold, necessitating our keeping a close watch on the enemy's gunboats, which were much in evidence and on the alert: being watchful ourselves, however, we were enabled to make the run without being detected by the lynx- eyed Yankees, effecting a landing at the "Big Walnut," Charles county, Md., eight miles below Port Tobacco. After concealing his boat in the bushes, Long guided us to the house of a Southern sym- pathizer, who received us kindly and otherwise conduced to our comfort by giving us quarters for the night and a good hot break- fast in the morning. Here we parted with the heroine of our story, whom, I regret to say, I have not since heard from.

Having said good-bye to the lady and gentleman of the house, we took up a position in a quiet spot in the woods overlooking the river, where we could see without being seen by the enemy. It was an ideal morning and full of beauty. I shall never forget the impres- sion it made upon me. A poet could draw a beautiful word-picture from what was presented to our eyes. The sun was just peeping through the boughs of the trees that fringed the shore, his pencils of light leaped over, flirted with and painted in gorgeous colors the waves wherever they touched. In contrast with what we left in Vir- ginia, all was quiet along the Potomac; not a sound was to be heard save the swish of the waves against the pebbled beach. The bosom of the river was dotted with white-winged vessels going to and from the various marts of the country. About a cable's length from shore rode at anchor the sloop upon which we had an evil eye, her crew little dreaming of our designs upon her.

It was the Lieutenant's purpose to board this boat at a given hour that night, but shortly before the appointed time to carry his purpose into execution, he decided that he could conduct his expe dition more successfully with a smaller force than the one he start en with from Virginia; therefore he would not need a larger boat than Long's for his purpose. Five more men were needed to complete