Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-05
The Secret Service.

AhO pCS4Cb DCANASSs
by CARLOS
GENERAL 0EblEs No - Captain Carter -it ia.
diana Volunteers, is hereby relieved from bis command
Indefinitely, and viii report at these heaequafers m-
medatelY.
B order otMaj. Gen. Ro.ccrans,
Lieut.. Coll GODDARD, a. A. G..
lCurent series
The above order was read upon dress parade
to the gallant old -th in January, 1853 The
cotton fields and cedar thickets Of "Stone River"
wer5 as yet scarcely dry from the loyal blood
which bad there been given up 70 freedom :
cause The regiment was struck dumb, s0 to
speak, and the Captain most Of all. What
could such an order mean Surely rome de-
served ceaslge less than Capt Carter. he was
the idol oil the regiment--a perfect specimen Oh
manly strength, bold and fearless in battle, por-
feet master Of the "sword and gloves Kind
and gentle hearted, always iouLd upon the eide
Of tho weak lie had been frequently spoken
OF by his -uperI0fs Tor hs gallantry. These
thoughts passed. through tho minds OF some
after this order was read. bu, none could give a
sufficient reason why lac should be thus relieved,
for, said they, does not the order IMPLY as
grace But these mutteTlngs were not heard at
headquarters, aud were Of 10 avail. The Cap
tain retired to his tent, relieved himself ol Ms
accoutremeuts, called his servant Tom, and set
out for headquarters, with none but bis sable
companion.
Gen. R0sacfans was quartered in Judge
Ready house, and had q private suit ol rooms
on the second floor, with windows opCnin, upon
yerandah. lie was sitting before bright fire
on tie evening our story opens, in undres5 uui-
form, with nothing tut the buttons 10 tetoEen
rank An orderly entered and announced Cap
tain Carter The General arose quickly, and
advanced to meet him, with that easy, smiling
look, lhat put the Captains fears at rest Tho
General took him by he hand while bis e9uu-
tenan,o assumed more thoughtful look or
rather settled in repOsc, and said
"Ths is Captain Carter OF the - Indiana r.
It is, sir, replied the Captain.
You received poremptory ordor this eve
ming to report forthwith.
St" did sir, aud have done o.
Yes, yes tlko a seat, Captain. | al IN
want Of man OF some experience, Captain
who has not only hand to do and heart to
dare, but also has judgment to guide and d.
rect both. General Thomas, after quietly look
ing through his command, has picked ou, you ,
and | have such confidence IN she 'grizzIed old
hero that have summoned you here for secret
service Are you willing to undertake it with
all It's risks
Anything, General, for our country good
Very well, SIR you will remain here to-
night Any of your effects you may need,
send lOr by til. orderly at th5 door During
the night | will inform you what your duties
will be ~
Gen Bragg's headquarters were at Tulla.
homa. The tSo armies were lying in semi
circle, the rebel right resting on tho Cumbev-
land at lIartsyille, above Nashville their lett
resting at the "shoas' below.
Gen. Van Dorm commanded the left with
headquarters at Spring Hill. oar right rested
at Franklin, which is nearly on direct line
between Spriug Hill and Nashville. This much
by way Of explanation.
One morning ~ February, 1868, two persons
were making their way on horseback from She.-
byville to Spring Hill. TIE first Of these was
dressed in Quaker gSrb, and bestrode light
built dapple bay stallion, whose small, sinewy
limbs, broad chest and open nostrl bctokened
both speed and bottom, Horse and rider were
Unmatched, but seemed to have perfect under
standing
Tho other person was negro, drossed like
his master, broad brim, whito neoktie aud all,
mounted on stout roadster. They were fast
approaching a yidette post were shortly halted
BY cavalYman Tuey drew rem and dis
mounted.
Il thee a man Of war " asked the Quaker
" Don't know reckon tho might be But
what's your business, Quaker
" Does thee know Mr.. Van Dorm about
hero?"
"wel | reckon does but ho'l misier SO
If you call him that
"Woll, have business with him, AMI desire
admitianoe INTO thy camps"
"Al right, old fellow, wait till | call the cor
poral,"
Gen. Van Dorm was examining some maps
and charts when an orderly entered and an
nouncrd that Quaker deeired to see hun.
" Admit hin, said the General.
"ls thee Mr. Van Dorm, whom carnal men
call General.
"What is your business with me, sir? -
asked the General, without answering the ques-
liou.
am sent, friend Van Dorm, by my society 10
minister comfort and consolation to these men
Of war, and would ask permission to bring in
such things as they may need or my means sup
ply
lave you any recommendations
Yea verify and tie Quaker produced a
bundle Of papers and commenced asserting th.m
out Hero is one from friend Br0aibgnt,
and here Is one from friend Qiakorbush, aud
here
Never mind, said the General, while tn,
corners Of his mouth commenced u jerk, "hero
Mr. -,"
"lhurson," suggested the Quaker
." MIR. Thursion is a pass through the lines at
will for such articles as you may soc proper u
bring. This is all, sir. i"
"May ask, friend, how far it is to lhoso
ungodiy men, who are prosecuting our people
with Ere and sword, whom caroal men call the
Yankees
"Yes, sir. About fourteen miles. See that
Oh give thom a wide BERTH Tor they have a