St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-03-10
ST. CIOUD MINNESOTA. THURSDAY MARCH TO- 1864

insly into ny eyes, half imp. aching,y, h.,fl
T.. .ass:.as /
"Am to lose aroeler aide - lie said
slowly and sarcaStically. r.. 1
The blood rose to my temples, and felt
my hands closing. ':Not unless you insult
him twice )" Ireturned. .#~.. i J."
flask your pardon" said. be, in his old
dry manner you are not TrJfias;as :" i
l bit my lips at the reflection upon MY
late oomrade, but concluded to remain 81
lent. ss:l 8 = =, I:'-t - -.
''will you have an orderly to accompany
your" - HI - ,-. - - /
Not after; the dese.: you s'72s express
cd" ."
"Forget it," he said, with irresistible
.hFdkanisss, Gas the weakness Of suspic.
ious old soldier. Give me your hand
God bless you! Be prompt. Good night"
1repsired to the mess-tent, hastily ex-
amined my pistols, and buckled on my
swerd7best 'and spurs, Joining my com
rades IN parting health, leaped into
my saddle, and st seven minutes past
eight o'clock. started at sharp >canter for
Rsppahaunock. -.- ~" :.
The riidas sos6vs Of six miles Of tis; WY
Was enlivened by belated teams, couriers,
and occasional squads. Of officers returning
to their regiments: Camp fr-s lii. up the
whole horizon, till it seensd great belt
of fame mystic sereaaaSs doated dream
lily from invisible Hslddi; 1d fsird esSs1s; con-
fused voices Of shouting and singing were
waited from tented hillsides, and grouped
batteries, ambulances, and army cattle
came dimly in view At intervals. The moon
shons full and brightly; but l saw with
some solicitude that it was sinking slowly
behind the woods; and at nine o'clock, -
l heard the tattoo beat from dozen quar-
ters, I turned obliqusay ,tS The 'let, and
was soon involved in complete darkness.
For nine miles met no human being, and
heard no sounds but the ring OF my horses
hoofs, tie rattle of his curb. chain, and the
clink of my sword in its scabbard.
There was nothing of peril involved in
my journey but the times were irregular,
the country expansive, and thousands Of
reckless men were abroad with arms in
Iaheir hands. How had Brock Edmunds
disappeared: His route to Rappahannock
had not differed from mine. The night va.
cot less fair. As Ror,emen, w.~ereS 1ssa,l ~
matched; and that he had been fa,thrs1:
would pledge lily life. How, whence, and
wherefore had the stiffness and mystery ol
the grave fallen upon him! could no,
surmise; / only know that, asI remem.
bered his goodness, pleasantness, and use.
fulness, I resolved, if chance should give
ME clew whereby to follow or revenge
him, I would do it at all risks. Ny; way
led mainly through scrub timber the road
was little more than . COW path, so sinuous
that l was compelled to trust entirely to
the instinct Of my steed, and SO dark tia,
l was not without fear of pitfalls and pros.
ktrate xses: ~: ;!f1or.aha ately.. the route had
seeh''seldom t:a4sled;;'and tkett1ssy roadway
WIS hard; level, and uueacuii;ibered by If II,
slush ana ;d.d1.' thSt nasNn;sslly mark the route
of an army. There was much of romance
and pleasant feverish excitement in tht
ride. The hoofs of my Aerss struck spxlkis
from stony places, and the whistle Of night
birds, the scream of owls, the whine o,
wild pigs, and the long shrill chirp o,
crickets and lizards made strange and eer,
music. Weird likenesses of beings collos
sal, hideous eyes that shons from thicket.
and glimpses Of spectral sky breaking
through boughs and leaves; starlight re
aected in Shiny pools; deserted homestead.
staring black and ghostly from hill.tops
clumps Of negro cabins, that looked hal
human through their great windowy eyes
clearings across which the night. wind
blew dismally; and quaint old stacks ant
hay barracks these were some of the spec
tacles that greeted me on the way Ant
when, st eleven o'clock, I answered tb,
challenge Of . patrol, and found that hat
almost reached my journeys end. drew .
sigh Of relief, and refining my horse iuto =,
quiet pace, soon d.smounted before tn,
quarters Of General H.
III. sla hot s,.ifStipat.a my message, all al!
was about retiring to his bed. But afte,
swearing raundly once or twice, he resum
ed his garments, summoned his aides, and
ordered his brigade under arms. In few
minutes, lights were twinkling here ani
there, great wagons laden with tents .nd
field utensils !fnt esieb tatfis4l; across th,
fields, and mounted I; h;saaa l6smea sxit%.y ii ii
battalion. The multitudinous camps hal
folded themselves noiselsssly, and were of
resolved to return with my ewn pony
for he seemed yet fresh and unweasttd
AID obtaining sealed reply to my comhu
nication, accepted the offer Of drop q
brandy and cigar, and remoASdsd ''imny
horse The general called out to me as
moved of: .'Have you heard anything o.
Captain Edpunls s" - .>-. 3. ...,,...
.'Nothins.'' I'd 80 IL: s t,sss. .,.. ri.
"He WAS 6ne fellow said the general
turning avay:: Il gave him tho prope,
countersign inst 81 this hour Of the night