General Sheridan's Fox Hunt.

Te Aroha News, Volume 1, Issue 47, 26 April 1884, Page 4

General Sheridan's Fox Hunt.

Diirino the winter he remained near Winchester, but as soon as the roads and rains allowed, Grant directed him to push once more up the Valley — this time not to return, lie was to advance in the direction of Richmond, destroying the railroads in every direction, as well as all the stores that could possibly be of use to the enemy. In order to conceal his purpose, Sheridan resorted to one of those ingenious devices in which lie was unrivalled since the days of Hannibal. He learned that the people in the neighbourhood were fond of hunting, and encouraged his staff to make their acquaintance and talk ot foxes and hounds. A pack of hounds was found, and a day set for the chase. The hounds were brought into Winchester, the horses were shod, and all the talk of the country around was of Sheridan's hunt. On the appointed day the whole neighbourhood came to the meet, the geneial and his staff conspicuous. The start was made and the run was good, but the general was his staff went further than the Virginians, and the army followed. They rode after the enemy, and never returned. The stratagem had kept all news ef Sheridan's intentions secret, as all preparations were attributed to the hunt, and he was far on his way before the wile was discovered. — General Badean, in the Century.