The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-01-05
The Secret Service.
BY CARLOS.

! Carter, It'll Indiana volunteers. Is hereby
relieved from his command indefinitely,
and will report at these headquarters i'm
mediately.
BY order Maj. Gen Rosecrans
Lt.-Col. GODDARD, A. A. G..
Current Series.
The above order was read to the gal
liant old -th, in January, 1868. The
cotton fields and cedar thickets of '' Stone
River" were as vet scarcely dry from tue
loyal blood which had there been given up
to freedoms cause. The regiment was
struck dumb, So to speak, and the captain
most of all What could such an order
mean! Surely, none deserved censure
less than Capt. Carter. He was the idol
-of the regiment-a perfect specimen of
manly strength, bold and fearless in battle.
perfect master of the ''Sword' and
gloves" kind and gentle-hearted. al
ways found upon the side of the weak,
He had been frequently spoken of by his
SupcriorS for his gallantry. These thoughts
passed through the minds of some after
the order was read, but none could give 4
sufficient reason why he should he thus
relieved. for, said they. does not the order
imply di$grsce2 But these mutterings We're
not heard at headquarters. and We're OF no
avail. The captain retired to his tent.
relieved himself of his accoutrcmcntS.
called his servant Tom. and set ont for
HEADQUARTERS. with none but his sable COM
panion.
Gen. RoSccranS was quartcred at Judge
Readv's house. and had Il private suit of
rooms on the second floor. with windows
opening upon verandah. He was SIT
ting before a brig ght fire on the evening our
story opens, in mdreSS uniform, with
nothing but the buttons to betokcn rank.
An orderly entered and announced Cap
tain Carter. The general arose quickly.
and advanced TO meet him with that easy.
smiling look. that put the captains fears
at rest. The general took him by the
hand. while his countcnancc assumed Il
more thoughtful look. or rather settled in
rcpo-e. and said:
This Is Captain Carter of the til
Mdiana'"
1T is sir" replied the captain.
You received pcremptory order this
cvcnin" TO report forthwith
:" | did, sir. and have done So
:" Yes. ye>-t;,kc Il seat. captain |
am in want OF 4 man of some experience.
captain. who hI- not only a = hand 10 do
and heart to dare but also has iud"
ment TO guide and direct both General
Thomas. after quietly looking through hi>
command, has picked on YOU; and have
such confidence in the grizzlcd Old her"
that have summoned YOU here ior secret
service Aye YOU willing 10 undertake it
with all It's risks.
"Anythin@, General, f,r our country =
good
"Nery well, sir: you will remain here
tonight. Any of your effects You may
need, send for by the orderly at the door.
During the night | will inform You what
your duties will be-
Gen. Bragg headquarters were at Tul-
lahoma. The two armies were lying in Il
>cmicircle. the rebel right resting OH the
/ Cumberland 1T iIartSvilic, above Na>h-
vile, their left resting 1T the ">hpalS =
below.
Gen. Van Dorm commanded the left
with headquarters at Spring Hill. Our
right rested at franklin, which Is nearly
on direct line between Spring Hill an,!
Nashville. This much by way of eNpla-
nation.
One morning in February, 1868, two
persons were making their way on horse
back from ShcIby,iIlc to Spring Hill
The first of these was dressed III Quaker
garb, and be~trode Il light built dlpplc
hay stallion. whose small. >incwy limbs.
broad chest and open nostril bctokcncd
both speed and bottom. Horse and rider
We're Unmatched. but seemed TO have !
perfect understanding
The other person was a negro. dressed
like his mlStcr-broad rim. white ncckti,
and all, mounted on Il stout roadster
They were fast approaching a viIettc pos
were shortly halted by Il cavalryman
They drew rein and di>mounted.
{" Is thee MIN of war;" asked tn,
Quaker.
Don't know: reckon tho ! mough
be. But What's your business, Quaker ;
Does thee know a Mr. Van Dorl
about here ~
"WeI. reckon does; but he'll mis-
ter We if you call him that
"Wcll, | have business with him. an,
[ desire ;ldmittance into thy camps"
"All right, old fellow: wait till cal
the corporal
Gen. Van Dorm was examining som,
maps and charts when an orderly cntere,
? and announced that Quaker desired t,
see him.
"Admit him." said the general.
''Is thee Mr.. Van Dorm, whom carna
, men call general" }"
"What is your business with me, sir ,
l asked the general without answering tn
t question.
e 81 am sent, friend Van Dorm, by IN
r society to minister comforts and consola
ton to these men of war, and would as
permission to bring in such things as the
e may need or my means may supply"
J "Have you any recommendations? ?"
n " Yea, verily;" and the Quaker pre-
q duccd bundle of papers and commence
u asserting them out. ''IIere is one trol