“‘Just returned, sir. General G with his command will be here immediately.’
“It was too good to keep to himself, so he turned to his men and shouted at the top of his voice:
“‘Reënforcements! Reënforcements!’
“Then, swinging his hat in the air, he perfectly electrified the whole line as far as his voice could reach and the glorious word ‘Reënforcements,’ was passed along until that almost exhausted line was re-animated and inspired with new hopes, which led it to ultimate victory.”
XVI
THE AMAZING ADVENTURE OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL LAFAYETTE C. BAKER
In the early part of April, 1861, a tall, well-built man, with the love of adventure in his heart, called upon the General commanding the Union forces and offered to penetrate the Confederate lines for the purpose of discovering the military secrets of the Southern army.
The volunteer was Lafayette C. Baker, who was to play a most conspicuous part in the Civil War, and the soldier to whom he made his proposal was General Winfield Scott, one of the most distinguished military men in the United States. The interview was epoch-making in its character, and out of it came one of the most amazing adventures in the history of the war.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL LAFAYETTE C. BAKER