The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-17


those little ones in their orphanage? One
such scene we have witnessed in our lives,
and heart and mind yet vibrate with sympa-
thy for the suffering we saw. Years have
passed, but its memory fingers as the faithful
picture of an episode in life, the saddest and
most sorrowful the mind can conceive.
Pushing on, Zera reached bend in the
road, from which long line of white tents
stretched before her. On the summit of a
little eminence rose the marquee of the CON-
mander-in-chief. High above it streamed the
flag Of the Confederacy. Banners and PEN
mons were displayed in front of the pavilions
of the officers, while they themselves sat at
the entrance of their transitory dwellings,
haIf-armed and in negligent costume, gazing
ON the long rows of prisoners that were filing
| past.
Parks of artillery were grouped about the
entrance of the camp and stacks of glittering
musketry met the eye as it roved over the
plain. Soldiers louBged from tent to tent, or
stood in squads discussing the events of the
recent engagement. Officers and men were
hurrying from point to point as duty or pleas
ure might dictate; and the whole scene be-
| tokened an appearance of activity and life
which ever prevails in the presence Of events
startling or momentous in their character.
As Zera was looking around on this striking
but not unusual feature of military life, she
was disturbed by the appearance of an or
| derby at her side, who, touching his cap in
military salute, inquired if the person he ad-
dressed was Master Taylor, of the rangers?
81 am called So" replied Zera, Gin what
can be of service to you?"
.'In that case am directed by the general
to show you the way to his tent; he desires to
| speak with you" replied the man.
"Lead on, then, 1 win follow"
Accordingly, Zera followed her conductor
through the long rows of tents and lines of
soldiery into the pavilion of the commander.
The plainness of the furniture and the coarse
appearance of everything appertaining to his
| toilette, formed O strong contrast with that
magnifcence and prodigality with which many
| of Gen. Prices officers chose to surround
themselves. Nor was this dissimilarity of
taste confined to this particular alone. In
Decd the general, whose character was in that
as in other things far from consistent, exhib-
tied in his own person, during the war, an
| austerity of dress and indifference of Manners
far from what we are led to believe was in
| keeping with his high rank and distinguished
| achievements.
The table which occupied the center of the
pavilion was profusely spread with papers,
maps, charts and other accessories Of q COM
manders apartment. Before this table sat
| two persons in the uniform of Confederate
generals AS Zera entered, the youngest of
these gentlemen arose, and after returning her
salute politely, motioned towards camp stool
which leaned against the canvas wall.
"Welcome, my lad, welcome, Master Tay-
Tor, am glad to see you sound in body and
limb this morning. Many brave man who
had, yesterday, hopes of along life, has gone
to bloody rest. am glad, 1 say, that you
are not of the number, for your brave old
fathers sake as well as your own," said Gen.
| Price to Zera.
| "You knew his father, then?" inquired
Gen. McCulloch.
ooh yes, have known him for years." said
the general, "but my lad have sent for you
this morning to intrust a matter to your care
of vital consequence Something, indeed, in
the nature of your recent exploit in st. Louis.
Can you undertake it?"
elf it is not above my comprehension, gen.
eralt" Zera answered, with an involuntary
blush that testified to the kind old man mod
esty in perfect keeping with the gallantry
which had already, in his estimation, formed
one of her ruling traits.
@There is; no fear of that; but to the point.
1 want some one to visit Seigels camp, pene-
trate his intentions if possible, and learn his
ideas relating to the present situation-tbe
position of his camp and the character of the
country lying around 1.-THE roads by which
he obtains supplies-his present available
force and the esprit de corps he has around
him."
"There is only one objection to my under
taking it, general. l fear there is one man,
recently an aid on the staff of Gen. Lyon, who,
if he saw me, would penetrate any disguise
might assume"
can aid, you say, on the staff of Lyon ?"
eyes, sir"
"What is his name?'
Lieutenant Hayes"
"Of the family of that name in St LOUISE
ga son of Major Hayes-indeed, his only
son."
81 did not expect one of that stock to be
on the side of our enemies. Why, should
as soon expect q son of mine to be there"
"He is the only one-and even his fealty, /
suspect, is actuated by sinister motives. He
and my cousin could never be companions in
| arms"
"Ob, l understand-an enemy; but think
there need be no trouble on that account. The
most of Lyons staff are prisoners, perhaps
this one is. l will send and see."
cit is not worth WHILE" she said, "I will
undertake your mission; but must stipulate
for o companion to take with me. 1t lisa man
who has attended me from infancy, and on
whose fidelity will stake my life"
"Bave it as you will leave the details
| to YOU, but you must set out at once"