Capturing a Locomotive

led down to the clear and quiet stream of Stone River, in Tennessee. Not being at that time "on duty," I had strolled away from the tents which whitened the level fields above, and was passin

mmand, he wished to signalize himself by some great blow struck at the most vulnerable point in the enemy's line. He could, therefore, scarcely endure the necessary delay caused by burnt bridges, and worked like a beaver, and chafed and fretted, and caused the men of his command to perform more hard labor than was agreeable. As I saw him running from place to place, urging on the idlers, and taking hold of any piece of work that presented itself as if he had been a common laborer, shouting and scolding, but always knowing just what ought to be done, and making surprising progress, I could not help admiring the man, even while I laughed at some exhibitions of superfluous zeal. Mitchel's scientific education, his practical experience, and his inventive genius stood him in good stead, as was proved by the rapid growt

O. M.

rper's M

ge

reatly, and the work went forward more promptly than ever. But in a few moments the tables were turned. Large framed masses of timber were first floated near the position they were to occupy in the bridge, at the end of the trestle-work, and then, with ropes and pulleys, were slowly and painfully hoisted into place. One of these was approaching the perpendicular, and the general, in his eagerness, ran to the end of a log, which extended over the water, and began to encourage the laborers by loud cries of, "Heave, O! heave, O!" as they pulled at the ropes. Another party of workmen passed by the shore end of the log on which Mitchel stood, carrying a load of timber. Just as they reached the log,-the lazy man among them, now lifting as much as any other,-I could not see just how it was done, but prob

nversation on the prospects of the war. These we regarded as eminently favorable. McClellan was about to move towards Richmond with an overwhelming force, and we expected him to easily capture the rebel capital. Buell, who had been with us in our march through Kentucky, had gone Southwest to join Grant. That they would, when united, be able to drive the enemy far down the Mississippi, even if they did not open that river to the Gulf, seemed equally sure. But where were we going, that we, with only ten thousand men and an adventurous general, were being hurried Southeast? There was no enemy in our front now, but

Mitchel; "but there are wa

or I knew that he was usually we

d that "I might fi

from Mitchel's company. They had been seen in close and apparently confidential conversation with the regimental officers, and then, without any leave-taking, were gone! No one of the private soldiers could tell anything about their destination. In a moment the hints of Mitchel connected themselves, in my mind, with the absen

s and those other men have been sent into the enemy's lines to perform s

as right. Mitchel was silent for a moment

turned. "You can trust me fu

myself, and want to talk the matter over with some fri

a seat on a large rock, I listened to Captain Mitchel's story. This conversation is one of the most important epochs of my life

a Mr. Andrews, a Kentuckian, wh

the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. He held carelessly on his arm a beautiful Winchester rifle, which I, in common with many others, had examined with great ad

zen, and possibly a spy, who was only pretending

that I had afterwards learned that though he was a spy and secret agent, it was on the Union side, and that he was high in the con

of great service to us. But I sometimes fear that we may have tr

ts-that the missing men had turned spies, but I had scouted the idea. I thought that at most they might have been sent on ahead of us a short distance, to seize some important

ishment, and exclaimed, "What on

aged a Southern man, who is an engineer on the same railroad, to run their locomotive, and when they get their train they will start for ou

hostile country, past the towns and camps of the enemy, but rendered secure by the two elements of surprise and speed; the great bridges (like those at Green and Stone Rivers and other places, which had cost us weary delays and hard work in repairing),-all these bursting into flames as they were passed, and possibly other damage done before the daring adventurers returned in triumph to our own lines. I knew enough of war to understand, at a glance, the great military importance of thus severing railroad co

of it?" said Mitchel, a

ing the confidence of one party or the other, and if he should be false to us, he has the lives of our boys in his hands. I have heard that he has been over the lines sever

that they will be treated as spies and hung up. I wish they were back in camp again. But if they get through all right and burn the bridges, we will make for Chattanooga as fast as our legs can carry us. This is one of the reasons that makes the general so anxious to have that bridge done. If we should hear to-morrow, as we may at any moment, that those Southern

y be put out. Now, if by a little additional risk a few men can do the work of thousands,-the work that if done in the ordinary mode would certainly cost a score times as many lives as are imperilled,-the risk is worth ta

en-was all. This force seemed totally inadequate to the greatness of the work, but I understood that the risk of detection would multiply wi

ting. My head was full of conjectures and plans as I walked back through the twilight to join my messmates in the tent. I could talk to no one of what I had heard, but as I lay awake that night a most important resolution took shape. I was weary of the slow movement of the army, and of the monotony of a private soldier's service. While trying carefully to do all my duty, and winning a fair degree of a

ce lately, and that if any similar details should be made in the future, I wanted the opportunity of being included. Major McCook, while saying some kind things about me, intimated a doubt whether my defective vision-I was very near-sighted-might not be a hindrance on any perilous service. Colonel Harris, however, took a different view of the matter, saying he thought that if I

men out of camp in this manner, but I will give my promis

s, or the degree of success he had met with. I was much disquieted by his return alone, but having no special acquaintance, I did not like to try to get any information directly from him. But I soon learned that he had gone as far as Chattanooga and had turned back,-some of his comrades afterwards thought because he became so sensible of the difficulties of his attempt that he resolved to go no further in it,-a determination which he had a perfect right to make, and which in no way impugned his character as a soldier. His own explanation, afterwards given, which I saw no reason to doubt, was more dramatic. He said that he had gone in disguise as far as Chattanooga, but had there been recogn

epare three days' rations. This was invariably the signal for a decided movement. Our lost comrades were still away, and no word had reached the rank and file of the army of any unusual occurrence southward. The uneasine

rs to report." While standing in my place in the ranks I could give no answer, nor could I ask any question, but my mind was full of surmises. Had the adventurers succeeded, and were we now on our way to do our part in the great plan,-to strike swift and far into the South, while the enemy's communications were broken? That would involve hard fighting and stirring scenes not far ahead. Had they failed?

aid that he and his companions had first of all exchanged their uniforms for citizen's clothes, and made provision for the safety of their arms and personal effects in the camp. Then, under the direction of Andrews, they had scattered in the mountains, to the eastward of our camp, representing themselves as refugees from the oppressions of the Union troops in Kentucky, and had journeyed thus to Chattanooga. That town had been reached in about four days. My friend pictured in lively colors the manner in which he had been compelled to verbally abuse the Union cause, and join in praise of the leaders and principles of Se

hile thus waiting i

st everything that belonged to the Union, and to be obliged to keep perfectly quiet, or to agree with them, was more than I could easily endure. And the

und out, Frank?" I queried. "Did yo

me to put myself in such a position again. I would hav

r, when every one else in the company betrayed some sign of fear. I did not suspect him of exaggerating the perils of

ed to try this thing a

want bridges burned, they can go themselves and burn them! I

among blood-thirsty enemies, feeling that, sleeping or waking, a rope was around one's neck, just rea

ome to help you? Did you fi

engineer had been transferred to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to help in running troops to Corinth" (this was a short time before

drews take this

men. But no one had ever occupied such a position. He hated terribly to give up; but,

e the oth

uth; but we had to make all kind of excuses for 'heading the wrong way,' as they called it. We had to scatter to avoid observation, and

give up the job of burning thos

uld never go again or advise any one else to do so. Why, he said he would stay down several days

of Andrews himself?

am afraid he will venture a little too far, both fo

onversation, which was more interesting to me than any romance, because adventures very simi

e Southern communications would be made, in which I must engage if I did not positively "back out"; con

re all glad to get back, and were unanimous in declaring that they would not again venture disguised into the enemy's country under any circumstances. They spoke

the soldiers luxuriating in one day of rest after the hard march, which had been rendered more fatiguing by the accompaniments of rain and mud, form a very pleasant picture in memory. The next Sabbath came to me under entirely different circumstances. I felt the pressure of a vague melancholy resting upon me,-possibly it was only that pensive feeling often inspi

e Western and Atlantic Railroad, learning the number of trains, their times of running, and everything else likely to be useful. He had then started for camp, and being

that their necks depended upon a lie. Like Schiller's diver, they had plunged once into the abyss an

leaving an ample margin, as it was believed, for the possibility of capture on the way down, or of death by the enemy's bullets in the hour of conflict. It thus became an enterprise completely fitted out in Federal lines, without any reliance on help from the South. The third point of difference was of more importance than a casual glance revealed. The first expedition had an abundance of time. A week's delay, even after the soldiers were in the enemy's country, would have involved no risk, save that of discovery,-would, indeed, have been an ad

d sanctioned the second attempt. He, however, advised caution, saying that Andrews must not strike unless he saw a good prospect of success; but he made no objection to the increase of force, provided volunteers could be obtained. It was easy to secure the f