A CONFEDERATE SCOUT.

Evening Post, Issue 50, 6 April 1865, Page 3

A CONFEDERATE SCOUT.

Waterbury has been long known to our authorities as a vigilant, troublesome scout, with bravery enough in his composition. to venture into our camps, aud sagacity sufficient to avoid detection and elude pursuit He has infested the country between the James Kiver and our left, beyond Petersburg, all summer. All attempts to entrap him have hitherto failed. Small parties have been sent in pursuit, but lie could never be overtaken or identified. On one or two occsions, camp rumours declare, the parties who " went out for wool came in shorn." But a few weeks ago he came to the Well House one morning before sunrise and seriously threatened the capture of a " safeguard." This within half range of three Union forts, and said to be within Minie range of General Meade's head-quarters. The circumstances of his capture seem startling and romantic to most persons, but were terribly practical to the two interested parties. On Wednesday evening Wnterbury approached our infantry pickets beyond Bailey's Creek, on the river road, dressed in Union clothing, representing himself to be a Win Fireman, Capt. Thomas's cjmpany, Ist Pennsylvania Cavalry, an>l inquired the way to the regiment. Waterbury probably expected directions instead of an escort. ll i^ situation was becoming critical. Once at the regiment the imposture would be discovered. Possibly he would be recognised. Pretending great thirst, he induced Noble to halt at a spring by the wayside, and while the latter was drinking he snatched his rifle, levelled it at his head and commanded silence on pain of instant death. Noble very sensib'y acquiesced, and was marched through the brush and swamps that skirted the rou<ls, and flanked our picket stations, the entire night. A little rest was taken in the morning, when Waterbury started him again, and the tramp was continued all day with the utmost caution and circumspection, as flying detachments of Gregg's cavalry were kn wn to be scouring the country in every direction. Late on Thursday evening the vigilance of the rebel scout relaxed, aud the two sat down for an hour's rest and lunch in an obscure spot in the woods. The excitement and fatigue of the trip finally induced Waterbury to remain in their place of concealment till morning, and Noble was ordered to go to sleep. This he feigned to do, but kept awake, in the hope of escaping. Waterbu^y sat, rifle in hand, for four houis, but finally grew drowsey, and stretched himself on the ground. Sleep finally overpowered him, and when his heavy breathing gave unmistakeable evidence of insensibility Noble in turn snatched the gun and shot his rebel captor through the.lungs, breaking two ribs, and injuring the spine. Noble subsequently assisted him to reach the house of Dr. Byrant, an<j came into the line". Our cavalry rode out, found him there, and fully corroborate Noble's statement. — New York Herald.

It is as bad to carry (lie spirit of peace into war, as the spirit of war into peace. Doctor Mary E. Walker has received the appointment of acting-surgeon in the Federal aimy, and has assumed duty as surgeon ir the female military prison in Louisville. There are two reasons why we should not trust a man — one because we don't know him, and the other because we do. "I say Mike, what sort of potatoes are those you are planting ? " •' Raw ones, to be sure ; yer honor wouldn't be thinking I would plant boiled ones 1"