"
Without any promises I was sent to the rear, and presently I noticed
General Smith, who, however, failed to recognize me.
I managed, however, to draw near to him and ask him if I might speak to
him for a moment.
Believing me to be a Confederate prisoner, he assented, and when I had
saluted I said:
"General, I am Billy Cody, the man you sent out to the Confederate
lines."
"Report back to your charge," said the general to the officer who had
me in custody. "I will take care of this man."
My commander was much pleased with my report, which proved to be
extremely accurate and valuable. The disguise he had failed to
penetrate did not deceive my comrades of the Ninth Kansas, and when I
passed them they all called me by name and asked me where I had been.
But my news was for my superior officers, and I did not need the
warning Colonel Herrick gave me to keep my mouth shut while among the
soldiers.
General Smith, to whom I later made a full detailed report, had spoken
highly of my work to Colonel Herrick, who was gratified to know that
his choice of a scout had been justified by results.
It was not long before the whole command knew of my return, but beyond
the fact that I had been on a scouting expedition, and had brought back
information much desired by the commander, they knew nothing of my
journey. The next morning, still riding the same mare and still wearing
my Tennessee clothes, I rode out with the entire command in the
direction of Forrest's army.
Pages:
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80