, 1864-04-02


A little leap Of my heart, and a slight
tremor Of my lips, followed the Snnouhce-
menf Of this ill-omened name.
! may say" continued the general, in
his curt sentcntious way, "since COM
monty take my aides into my confidence,
that this paper contains the details of an
order for an immediate advance. You are
70 ride direct to the quarters Of General
H., 70 deliver the envelope, and return to-
night with his receipt and reply"
bowed silently, and turned to 20.
"stop" said he again. ut is eight
o'clock: you must deliver the message BY
eleven. shall not retire tonight. You
will be back at three"
at Is long and stony way" said hesi.
tatingly, sand forty miles can scarcely he
made in seven hours"
at must be done," said he, shaking his
beard "the troops must be under way be-
fore midnight. Return upon fresh horse.
Goodnight"
returned his salutation, but had scarcely
got a yard from his quarters, when beard
the sharp call to return. As stood before
him again, he stared piercingly intos my
eyes, half impeachingly, half inquiringly,
"Am / to lose another aide?' he said
slowly and sarcastically.
The blood rose to my temples, and l felt
my hands closing. "Not unless you insult
him twice." l returned.
II ask your pardon" said he, in his old
dry manner; "you arc not Virginian !"
bit my lips at the reflection upon my
late comrade, but concluded to remain 81
lent. .
"Will you have an orderly to accompany
your"
"Not after the doubt you have expressed"
Forget it, he said, with irresistible
frankness, as the weakness of suspicious
old soldier. Give me your hand. God
bless you Be prompt. Goodnight"
l repaired to the mess-tent, hastily ex-
amined my pistols, and bucklcd on my
sword belt and spurs Joining my COM
rades ina parting health, l leaped into my
saddle, and, at seven minutes past eight
o'clock, started at sharp cantcr for Rap
pahannock.
There was nothing Of peril involved in
NV journey; but the times were irregular,
the country expansive, and thousands OF
reckless men were abroad with arms in their
hands. How had Brock Edmunds disap-
peared? His route to RappahannOck had
not differed from mine. The night was not
less fair. As horscmen, we we're well
matched and that he had been faithful, l
would pledge my life. How, whence, and
wherefore ..ad the stiffness and mystery Of
the grave fallen upon him! l could not
surmise; only know that, as l remem-
bered his goodness, pleasantness, and use
tulness, l resolved, If chance should give
me a clue whereby to follow or revenge
him, would do il at all risks.
When, at eleven o'clock, / answered the
challenge Of patrol, and found that l had
almost reached my journeys end, l drew a
sigh Of relief, and refining my horse into u
quiet pace, soon dismounted before the quar-
tiers Of General II.
lie had not anticipated my message, and
was about retiring to his bed. But after
swearing roundly once or twice, he re-
sumed his garments, summoned his aides,
c.,.. -. i;..h.e 80 ,-;rLl;nc horo
q isw minutes, nsn'S weiY wv S" .I;. W nv,e
anS 'nele' a' scas "ssUu ,""h..;a n ~ .o.nss esns
aup ~ usa le,u'u.cpsl's se5' ~" s I'as ss ss'
in battalion. The multitudinons camps
had folded themselves no;selessly, and were
of.
lesol.eu - ~, ,e.%.I sa,,t ",d wi 10y ~ P" I
lot ne seemed w iresn auu y. un"eu, :nu
oD.''nlns ssa'ee ~. .sPy g. ~ 49, of hranJ,,
'o1' aceoP'eu sne onua - ~, - r.. ny,
auu y's"i, a,;ts anu ~. .s"'Ous ~ nnna "a.
geue.a' aT cal'eu oas '.,L; " ~ % - Co.. IA ~
nase ~ sSu ''N "eA'u '' a''' '"'"s " NP'" AN
lnu"Ss ,., e.a
No'nlng -, a, ,.....,
ne wa une s,T iG"Uw, . IGa h;n, az az o ro,,n,
'urn,ng away n1 n ..I PIUPv' r,
co1n.eislen yuss ~ .a.s nO.. ~ h"o my ns'
ane NC ,ooA solhe sPii's' 40 'ou nav eO"s'
peioTe oepalung .. ......,,
"a, siIoa ,iI ne : .oen a.,S on.;as;,,, Iii
Pheu, pu' a. = maacr - Su 81. ~ W."
you ,eii me the eOuh'ers's" 'e i'' '"1' s'e"
ing: p
"Ticonderoga, he answered shortly;
Goodnight AS RUE give no regard
to eo'pclde;nces' 90 not pehSve IN Signs J
desplse dreams ana omens put mere ,e arc
moments when reason, IN sPl,e Vi 'sen'