A Sharp-Shooter Sharply Shot

A gentleman informs us of the death of one of McClellan's sharp-shooters on the peninsula under circumstances which possess interest sufficient to give them to the public. Several of our men, it seems, while going to a spring near by, were frequently and very mysteriously shot, but by whom no one could imagine. It was at last determined to stop this inhuman game, if possible, even at the cost of killing the hireling himself, who was thus, in cold blood, butchering our men. So a sharp look out was kept for this sharp-shooter, and the next time he fired, the smoke of his rifle revealed the locality of his pit. That night a pit was dug by the Confederate soldiers, commanding the position of the Yankee sharp-shooter, and arrangements made to get rid of the annoying creature. For this purpose a young Kentuckian was placed in our pit, with a trusty rifle, and provisions enough to last him until the next night. Next morning very early, a man was despatched (sic) as usual, with two buckets, to go to the spring.

He had proceeded about one or two hundred yards, when the Yankee marksman elevated himself, and placing the rifle to his shoulder, was about to pull trigger, but the Kentuckian was too quick for him, for he pulled his trigger first, and simultaneously therewith the Yankee fell. Upon repairing to the spot, which the Kentuckian did immediately, he discovered a rifle pit and a sturdy Yankee in it, in the last agonies of expiring nature. The pit was provided with a cushioned chair, pipes and tobacco, liquor and provisions. But the rifle which had been used was really a beautiful prize. It was of most superb manufacture, and supplied with the latest invention, an improved telescopic sight upon its end. The pit had been dug at night, and its occupant had been provisioned at night, so but for a sharp look out for the smoke of his gun, there is no saying how long this Yankee vandal would have enjoyed the luxury of killing Southern men, without even a chance of losing his own worthless life. We are gratified to know that he at last met with so righteous a fate.

The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, NC) 20 May 1862