The Van Buren press., 1870-11-15

place, and before Rufus had obtained
leave 10 visit home, we received an order
to be ready for muster and inspection ut
two o'clork, when General Putnam would
review the brigade
Now is your time, Rufus" | remark
ell a, we were bur hing our accout,e-
ments But Ruiu, was shy, hashful
fellow, although a .ood soldier; and |
anticipated that he would never summon
the courage to address the general on
this or any other subject AS it happen
ed, he was saved the effort
The general rode on the ground very
early, the orderly's call had been sound
ell. and the companies were forming for
oil call 1t was twenty minutes, at least,
before the lime for forming brigade line,
and the general spent the interval in rld-
ing about through the camps, looking at
the men and the quarters. lie passed
around among our tents accompanied b.
1.-THE colonel and two or three other OF
iicers, all mounted. | perfectly remem-
Der now ne appeared as he rode along in
front of our company and looked sharp
~ at us lie was middle>ized, neither
tall nor short, strongly built. with full.
round face, tlorid complexion, and eyes
II, keen as II hawks lie wore his ml
uniform of major general, and alto
gether made an imposing figure no.
tIeed also, the horse that lie rode 1t
was the same that af.crward carried him
safely on his wonderful ride down the de-
cliyity at Horse Neck-a powerful.
strong limbcd arimal. black and hand
some, and with q metllesome eye and ac.
| tion.
just as this horse and his rider reach
ed the front of our company, the order
y sergeant came to the name of Patter
son on his roll, and called it aloud The
attention Of the general was instantly at.
tracted He reined in his horse
| Pattcrs0n--Patierson !" he cxclaim-
ed Is there man of that name in
this company p
Yes, sir, answered the sergeant.
Let him step out here"
Rufus took three PAGES to the front
and the generals eager, animated face
changed its expression to something like
disappointment.
Humph-a young man" said he
did you have any relatives in the
French war -
'1es, general, answered Rufus,
speaking fast between exc temcnt and
anxiety. "My father and grandfather
were both in your company Of rangers
in Colonel Lyman's reg ment. Tney have
told me often about saving you from the
Indians whcn--'
Are they alive2 Where do.they live
How can find them 2" Putnam asked in
u breath, interrupting the story which
none knew better than himself
They are both alive. general. and live
in that little house which you see ,ondcI,
with the roof rising above the top Of the
hill"
Both spurs went together in the sides
Of the black horse. and with snort and
a bound the animal was of at mad gall
lop The distance from the camp to the
home of the Pattersons was, as | have
said, about half mile The land as.
cended gradually toward the house, ter.
minatng in Y hill on the farther side OF
which the dwelling stood. |, was most.
" fresh. h.plowed soil. and three or more
high stone fences crossed it at right an
giles with a line drawn straight from the
camp to the house. The distance by the
road was trillc further; but the general
never stopoed to inquire about thar. He
reached the first fence with his aids ten
rods behind him We heard hlm shout
~, hu oh al l,nt nl
over he went at a ilyiuPleap, which drew
a cheer from every man that saw it The
aids pulled up and went around by the
road. We watched the fearless horse
and rider. and saw them rapidly clear
the heavy ground, taking the intervening
fences ii tho same style, AMI presently
disappear from sight over the brow Of
the hill.
The interview of Gen. Putnam with
the pattcrspns was afterwards related 10
me bv their housekceper, who witnessed
it. She heard quick rap on the door.
and opening it, saw Putnam who was
unknown to her, sitting on his horse
are the Patterson's here he asked
"Tcll them both to come ont here
- llcIt an OIlCtT ~ Tue NObt wants
to see YOU the woman called to the
elder Of the two, who was sitting in the
back room.
"Lct him come in here then" grullly
replied the old man, who rightly regard
ed his years, his inHrmities, and his good
service to his country as entitled To con
sideration If he wants to see him
worse than ! do him, he can come here
where am"
The general plainly heard the reply,
THE devil take your impudence " he
roared.
And you too" sturdly returned the
other
"Do you know who am p the gene.
raj asked, emphasizing the inquiry with
IN oath.
No-and don't care" responded
Patterson, with an expletive equally pro.
fame.
Did YOU ever hear of Israel Putnam,
you oil rascal = the general thunlercd,
fast getting into rage.
The old man bad been sitting where he
could not see the other, but at the men
tiOn Of his name he rose from his chair,
and hobbled on his crutches out to the
door.
Putnam--Capt, Putnam--Gen. Put
nam" he eagerly exclaimed Good
Lord, is he the man I've been treating
Ia ia Qhal l,tF nt ttla .tNfI Al