_The Journey Resumed.--A Midnight Pursuit.--A Brave Woman.--A Deadly
Encounter.--Scobell Defends Himself.--Death of a Rebel Spy._
While these events were occurring, General McClellan was advancing up
the Peninsula towards Richmond. Yorktown had surrendered, the battle of
Williamsburg had been fought, and the army was advancing to the
Chickahominy.
Mrs. Lawton and John Scobell had been for some weeks in Richmond, during
which time they had obtained much important information, Mrs. Lawton
taking the role of a Southern lady from Corinth, Mississippi, and
Scobell acting as her servant. Having determined to leave Richmond, they
were on their way to join the Union forces, which, under General
McClellan, had their headquarters on the Chickahominy at a point about
ten miles from Wilson's Landing. Here, according to previous
arrangement, they were to meet Mr. Lawton, who was also one of my
operatives, and from that point were to proceed to the Union camp.
The landlady of the Glen House was a staunch friend to the Federals, and
had on more than one occasion rendered valuable service to my
operatives, especially to Hugh Lawton. It was therefore at his
suggestion that his wife and Scobell adopted the plan they did to leave
Richmond and to reach our lines. As Uncle Gallus had stated, a man had
stopped at the tavern the night before and had informed Mrs. Braxton,
the landlady, that these parties would take that route from
Richmond--and had left a note to be delivered to Mrs. Lawton, which
contained instructions of her future line of travel.
The trip from Glendale was one attended with great risk, as the country,
on that side of the river, was filled with the scouts of both armies,
and if captured by the rebel scouts or pickets, the chances were that
detection would be followed by serious consequences. Among my female
operatives, however, none were clearer-headed or more resolute than Mrs.
Lawton, who prior to this time had been a most efficient worker and had
been remarkably successful on her trips into the lines of the enemy. In
each case she had escaped with rare good fortune.
When Scobell entered the structure which the stranger had left, he found
that it comprised but a single room, and immediately proceeded to make a
thorough examination of its interior. A small fire-place on one side,
which showed no signs of having been recently used, and a number of
benches, were scattered about. In the corner of the room he saw the pack
and several articles that had been worn by the peddler, which left no
further room for doubt in his mind as to the character of the
individual he had been watching for so long a time.
He accordingly set out for Glendale, where he arrived just as the sun
was sinking behind the western horizon. He narrated the particulars of
his chase to Mrs. Lawton, who was convinced that the peddler was a rebel
spy; but the question was--Was he upon their track? Did he suspect them?
and if so, by what means had he discovered who they were and what their
destination was?
Without attempting to settle these questions, however, they concluded to
set out at once for the landing. The horses were brought to the door by
Uncle Gallus, who was closely questioned as to whether a horseman
answering the description given by Scobell had passed through the
village that afternoon, did not remember having seen such a person.
Believing that possibly the man might really have gone on to Richmond
they concluded to start that night and hazard the consequences.
Both of them were well armed and were therefore fully prepared to defend
themselves, unless attacked by numbers. They rode swiftly along at the
free and sweeping gallop for which the southern saddle-horses are so
famous, and feeling quite secure, they conversed pleasantly together on
their way.
"I guess we will get through all right, notwithstanding our fears to the
contrary," said Mrs. Lawton.
"I dunno about that," replied Scobell; "we're not through with our
journey yet, and there's plenty of time for trouble yet. Perhaps we had
better walk the horses a spell."
"That is a good suggestion," assented Mrs. Lawton, "we will walk them a
mile or two, and then we will be enabled to go the faster."
"I tell you, missus," said Scobell, "I wish we was at the landin';
somehow I feel that there is yet danger ahead."
"What makes you think so?" inquired Mrs. Lawton.
"Well, I am afraid that confounded peddler will turn up before we get
through."
"Why, I can manage him myself," laughed Mrs. Lawton, "and if that is all
you fear, we are perfectly safe."
"Now you're pokin' fun at me, missus; but you'll find that I can fight
if I get the chance, and I was thinking more of you than of myself."
"Well, there's an old saying, John, don't cross a bridge until you reach
it; so we won't borrow trouble until it comes."
Their journey now lay through a richly cultivated district; on either
side were fine farms, whose growing crops had not yet been touched by
the ravages of war, and the country, under the soft light of the moon
presented a scene of rare beauty. Away to the left ran the river, now
bathed in a flood of silvery light, which, emerging from a belt of
woods, pursued its winding way until again lost to view in the woods
that were sharply outlined at a distance. To their right the country was
broken and hilly, and the landscape presented a rugged and picturesque
appearance in marked contrast to the evidences of cultivation upon the
other side. The night was soft and balmy, and the silence was only
broken by the sound of the horses' hoofs as they slowly trotted along.
It seemed difficult to believe that war was abroad in the land, and that
even now, while in the enjoyment of apparent safety, danger was lurking
on every hand.
Their horses being now sufficiently rested, they again pressed forward
at a rapid pace until they were about five miles from the landing which
was their point of destination. There Mrs. Lawton's husband was to meet
her and the balance of the journey, to the Union camp would be free from
danger, as the Federal pickets were posted across the river.
They were now approaching a patch of timber, through which they would be
compelled to pass, and an instinctive feeling of dread came over both of
them as they drew near to it. The trees grew close together, shutting
out the light of the moon, and rendering the road extremely dark and
gloomy.
"Just the place for an ambuscade," said Mrs. Lawton shiveringly; "draw
your pistols, John, and be ready in case of attack."
Scobell silently did as he was directed, and riding close together,
they entered the wood. The darkness was so great, that they could
distinguish objects but a short distance ahead of them. They passed
safely through the wood, however, and as they emerged from the darkness,
they congratulated themselves upon their good fortune, and began to
think that they were unduly alarming themselves.
Their comforting reflections were of short duration, however, for
scarcely had they left the wood, than they perceived four horsemen
approaching them at a swift gallop. What to do now was a question to be
decided promptly. To turn and retreat would certainly insure their
capture, as the woods were just behind, and they were afraid to travel
through them on a run--so they resolved to bravely continue their way,
and trust to chance for their safe deliverance, should the new-comers
prove to be foes.
A few hurried words were exchanged between them, as they arranged that
each should select a man and fire on the instant they were challenged,
and then they were to dash ahead, hoping by this bold and unexpected
move to disconcert their assailants by killing or disabling two of their
number, and thus effect their escape.
As the advancing party came closer, they divided, two going on each side
of the road, leaving a space between them for our travelers to pass
through. They were now close enough for my operatives to discover that
two of them wore the uniform of Confederate gray, with heavy sabres at
their sides, while the others were apparently in citizens' clothes.
Scobell, who had been intently regarding them, now exclaimed:
"'Fore God, missus, that one on your side is the peddler!"
He had scarcely uttered these words, when one of the men called out:
"Halt, and throw up your hands!"
They were now nearly face to face with each other, and in a flash two
sharp reports rang out on the still night air, and two of the men reeled
and fell from their saddles.
"At 'em!" hissed Scobell, through his clenched teeth, as he plunged the
spurs into his steed. The two animals sprang forward, like arrows from
the string, and in a moment they had dashed past the others, who seemed
dazed at the suddenness of their actions, and before they recovered
themselves, my operatives were speeding like the wind some distance
away.
"Lay low to your saddle!" cried Scobell to his companion, "and turn your
horse as far to the side of the road as you can," at the same time
turning his own animal close to the fence that ran along the roadside.
His directions were immediately followed by Mrs. Lawton, who retained a
wonderful control over herself and the beast she rode.
It was evident that their enemies had not been expecting such a result
to their demand, and they sat for a time like statues; then, as if
suddenly recollecting themselves, they wheeled their horses, and,
discharging their revolvers in rapid succession, started in swift
pursuit.
"They'll never get us now," said Scobell, "unless their horses are made
of better stuff than I think they are."
The race now became an exciting one; the pursuers having emptied their
weapons, without doing any harm to the escaping pair, did not take time
to reload, but urged their horses to their utmost speed. They soon
discovered that their horses were no match for those of the fugitives,
and their curses were loud enough to be heard by both Scobell and his
companion, as in spite of all their efforts they found themselves unable
to lessen the distance between them.
Scobell several times ventured a look over his shoulder, to note the
progress of their pursuers, and on each occasion, finding them still
lagging behind, he uttered some encouraging remark to Mrs. Lawton, who
was straining every nerve in the attempt to escape.
While indulging in one of these hasty observations, and forgetting for a
moment the management of his horse, the animal suddenly swerved from the
road, as if frightened at some object in advance of them, and,
stumbling, fell heavily to the ground, throwing Scobell over his head
and into the ditch.
[Illustration: "_With a scream of anguish, the one nearest to him threw
up his hands and fell heavily to the ground._" P. 380.]
Scrambling quickly to his feet, the negro shouted to his companion:
"Go ahead, don't mind me; save yourself!"
He then turned his attention to his horse, which had now recovered his
feet, and stood panting and trembling in every nerve both from fright
and excessive exertion. Listening intently, he could hear the clatter of
hoofs of the horse rode by Mrs. Lawton, in the distance, while coming
closer every instant was the noise of the approaching horsemen. They had
discovered his misfortune, and were now shouting and yelling with
triumph at the possibility of capturing at least one of the party. There
was no time for mounting, even if his horse was unhurt, and Scobell
determined to make a bold stand and sell his life dearly, while he would
assuredly prevent the capture of Mrs. Lawton.
Leading his horse to the side of the road, he placed himself behind him,
and resting his trusty weapon across the saddle, he awaited the coming
of the approaching horsemen. He calmly waited until the two men were
within a few yards of him, and then, taking as good aim as the light of
the moon enabled him to do, he fired. The horseman nearest him uttered a
scream of anguish, and, throwing up both hands, toppled from the saddle
and fell upon the ground, while his frightened horse, with a snort of
terror, wheeled around and dashed off in the direction from whence he
had come.
The remaining man stopped his horse with a jerk that drew him back upon
his haunches, and then, turning swiftly around, set off in the opposite
direction, while the bullets from Scobell's weapon whistled in
dangerously close proximity to his ears.
Scobell, seeing that three of the pursuers were either dead or badly
wounded, proceeded to reload his weapon, and was preparing to remount
his horse and follow after Mrs. Lawton, when he heard the tramp of
horses' feet coming from the direction in which she had gone. From the
noise they made, he was convinced that the approaching party numbered at
least a score, and that they were riding at a sweeping gallop. A bend in
the road, however, hid them from his view, and he was unable to
determine whether they were friends or foes. In an instant later they
swept into full sight, and, to his intense relief, he discovered that
they were Union cavalrymen, and that Mrs. Lawton and her husband were at
their head.
"Hello, John!" exclaimed Lawton, as they came up, "are you hurt?"
"No," replied Scobell.
"What has become of your assailants?"
"Two of them we left a mile or two back, one is lying there in the road
and the other, so far as I know, is making tracks for Richmond,"
answered Scobell.
"You are a brave fellow, Scobell," said the Captain of the squad, coming
forward. "You were lucky in escaping their bullets, and still more so
that you didn't break your neck when your horse fell with you, at the
speed you were going."
"He fell on his head, I reckon," ventured one of the soldiers,
waggishly, "which accounts for his not being hurt."
"That's so," replied Scobell, in all seriousness, "I landed right square
on my head in that ditch."
A roar of laughter followed this remark, and Scobell added,
good-naturedly:
"It might have killed one of you fellows, but it didn't even give me the
headache. I am glad, though, it wasn't the missus' horse, or things
might have turned out different."
The Captain now cut short the conversation by ordering four of the party
to pursue the flying rebel, and, if possible, effect his capture, while
the rest proceeded to hunt up those that had been injured. The man whom
Scobell had shot last was soon found; he was dead, the ball having
entered his skull. Riding back to the spot where the first encounter
took place, they discovered the dead body of the peddler, or spy, who
had met his doom from the bullet of Mrs. Lawton, while his companion,
with a shattered arm, was sitting up, and nearly faint from loss of
blood, and suffering intense pain.
Having captured two of the horses ridden by the party, and bandaging the
shattered arm as well as they were able, the wounded man was placed on
one of the animals and under an escort they were conveyed to the Union
lines.
Two shallow graves were hastily dug, and in them were placed the bodies
of the two dead men. The party sent after the escaped soldier soon
returned, reporting that he had obtained too much the start of them to
be overtaken, and they were compelled to give up the chase.
The entire party then returned to the Landing, and in the morning my
operatives were put across the river, where they reported in due time at
headquarters, where they detailed fully the information which they had
gleaned in the rebel capital.
It was subsequently learned that the peddler was a rebel spy, and for
some time past had been visiting the Union camps gathering information,
which he had no doubt conveyed to the rebels. On his person were found
papers which fully confirmed this, and that they failed to reach their
destination on account of his death, was a fortunate occurrence for the
Union cause.
How he had discovered the character of my operatives is a mystery yet
unsolved, as his wounded companion, when examined the next day, stated
that he had met him that night for the first time, and had at his
request accompanied him in the trip which had ended so disastrously. He
further stated that his party belonged to a band of independent scouts,
which had but lately been attached to Lee's Army, and were assigned to
Gen. Stuart's Cavalry. Mr. and Mrs. Lawton and Scobell soon afterwards
returned to Washington, where they were allowed to rest themselves for a
time before being again called upon.
[Illustration: A DEAD SHOT.]