Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-02-04

NTH Hung her beams In the brOau road
along which the artillery officer had beer
directed to make reconnaissance. A littl,
later and the tall trees growing on eacl
side, would throw their shadows over it
making the passage safer.
Observing this, the young officer haltet
his little troop at q corner; and was think
ing whether he should not stay till th,
moon was little lower, when a SOUND
comiag from the opposite side, broke ab'
ruptly on his reflections. 1t was the tramp
of horses hoofs, as of troop going at I
trot; and that they were armed men, coulG
be told by the clash of steel scabbards stri
king the stirrups.
a patrolling party of Confederate cav.
airy
About this there could be no doubt. The
direction from which they were coming
made the thing certain.
Halted upon higher ground. the artillery
officer commanded view ofthe approach
ing horsemen. AS near as lie could tell
they numbered about fifty. Though with
only twenty men at his back, he did moi
think of retreating. Instead of being sur
prised by picket, lie was himselfthe par
ty in ambush; and this advantage encour'
aged him to keep his ground
The Confederates came on without fear
Knowing themselves nearly three miles
from the Federal lines, they did not expect
an enemy.
Theywere only made aware Of it when
horse 'whighered loudly in front, which
was followed by a volley frsm each side,
continued in struggling shots.
Several. Confederate saddles were emp
tied, and the cavaliers in gray, were in
cllned to retreat, when one who appeared
to be their leader, drawing his sabre, cried
out:
'Cowards, would you dare to GO back?
I'll cut down the first man that turns tail
on me. Don't you know by their shots
there's rot more than dozeL Of thema AZ
ter me; and let your cry be Death to all
Abolitionists.'
The same to traitors and rebels shouts
ed Devereux, as with sabre sloped and
shining in the moonlight, he spurred bold>
ly out into the road, followed by his artil>
lerists.
In ten seconds the opposing parties were
face 10 face; and after rapid exchange of
pistol shots came the clashing of their sa>
bres.
1t would have been an unequal contest
twenty against twice their number, both
equally brave. But the first volley from
the artillerists, aimed with the advantage
of an ambush, had thinned the ranks of
the Confederates, and otherwise dIscon>
certed them. When the strife came hand
to-hand they fought feebly and under q
foreboding of defeat.
To this there was an exception-their
chief who had shouted the defiant speech,
and led them on to the encounter. Upon
powerful horse, he had shot far in front
of his followers. and looked for the leader
of the opposing pa-ty--as if he alone were
worthy of his steel.
He had no difficulty In finding him, for
at the moment Devereux, stirred by the
same instinct was searching for him.
Their horses, spurred to the charge,
dashed against Dne another; recoiled from
the shock; then, at the second meeting the
sabres commenced their deadly play. And
while sparks flew from both blades, their
supporters closed alongside in strife equal
ly engrossing.
Between the leaders it was In truth a
duel only OF a somewhat original kind;
with sabres, and on horseback. And with
deathlikc earnes.ness was it for some min>
utes kept up; each SO striving to kill the
other that not word was spoken between
them.
All at once came pause in the combat.
Captain Devereux, hitherto fighting with
his face to the moon, and under a dis,
advantage, had spurred past his antagonist
obtaining the superior position. With his
sabre drawn back for a stroke, he was
about lounging down on the neck of the
Confederate, when bis blow was suddenly
stayed, as if his arm had been stricken by
palsy.
The moonlight shining full upon his adj
versary's face, told terrible tale. He
was fighting with his own brother.
MY God! he gasped. Waller, Brother
is it you?'
'No.' cried the confederate 1T is Walter
Devereux. but not your brother, nor the
brother of any man who wears the accurst
blue! Dismount, and take it of, or I'll
rip it from you with my swoi1 L.
%, Walter, dear Walter do not talk so;
cannot do as you say OiU not. Send
your blade through my breast--I cannot
kill yom.'
Cannot, cur. you could not if you tried.
Walter Devereux was not born to be kills
ed by a renegade to his country-least Of
all by Yankee Abolitionist.'
I'm that sdn,e!' shouted q man on
horseback, who had suddenly spurred out
from among the trees; and simultaneously
with his shout came the report of pistol:
For moment the combatants, with the
horses, were shrouded in smoke. When
it drifted away the Confederate captain
was seen lying lifeless in the road. his ani>
NAL going in scared gsllop through the
trees-along with score of others that had
riders.
The fall oftheir leader had completed
the panic Of the Confederates, and those
still in the saddle went off in a hasty re-
treat. Besides dozen killed ten Of their
number remained prisoners to the scouting
party.
Henry Devereux looked as If he had re
ceived the shot. Dropping from his sad,
die, be staggered to the spot where the
hodv lav. ne bent over II with n heart full