An Exploit near Evansport.
a day's Adventure of a Tennessee Company--capture of Yankees — the compromise resolutions advocated in Congress, &c.[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Camp Dave Cuiren, Near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 9.
Will you allow a volunteer space in your columns to give the day's adventures of Captain Tom White, Company F, 2d Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, (Col. Wm. B. Bate,) accompanied by J. N. McKendree, and L. M. Patterson, Company K, Sumner Greys!
While strolling upon the banks of the Potomac, near Evansport, they discovered a small boat, a mile in the distance, evidently steering in the direction of the Virginia shore, containing three men and two small boys.--They were soon within a half mile of land, when they halted, and could be distinctly heard in loud conversation.
They were very inquisitive in regard to how we were pleased with soldiering, our pay per month, our comfort as regarded clothing, &c. We answered all questions, gaining similar information from them.
They were, or feigned to be, quite tired of the war. When informed by our party that our rations were abundant and our beds of cotton, they replied that their rations were insufficient and their bed the cold ground, and their pay very irregular.--They were charmed by the rebels' manner of speech, or by an occasional health drank to them, and were prevailed on to risk their little bark and valuable cargo still nearer the Virginia bank.
They again halted in one-fourth of a mile of our little party.
Upon being asked for news they replied, that they had learned from papers of the 8th, that Congress advocated a compromise, and they looked forward with pleasure to an early settlement of the existing difficulties; all of which we took for what it was worth, and insisted on them to land and pass a few moments with us. They asked for friends in the regiment whom we knew.
They were apparently delighted to gain information from friends they so highly esteemed, and, either in forgetfulness of their own safety or nerved by a canteen of Dean's Ohio, (which they did ample justice,) they were soon within two hundred yards of the bank.
They again halted and asked for evidence that they would not be harmed, which, of course, was given.
They were soon so near the shore that Capt. White, accompanied by McKendree, waded in to give them a hearty welcome, and assist them ashore.
They soon set Yankee feet on Virginia soil, and were in a hurry to return to occupy their posts as picket guard, upon which we informed them that we would be under the painful necessity of detaining them until Col. Bate should arrive.
He was soon with us, and to their utter astonishment, ordered a guard to attend them to his quarters, where they remained a short time, and were guarded to the quarters of Gen. French, to be disposed of as he may suggest.
The boys are sons of Capt. Wilkinson and Lieut. Smith, 1st New York regiment, and Excelsior Brigade, General Sickles.
The names of the men are not remembered.
They are of the 5th N. Y. Regiment, same brigade; all very intelligent — the boys especially.
The boys are perfectly satisfied; the men would gladly rue their bargain Sumner. 