Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-09-22

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and each time the General neared it he
was ready with some pretty speech or
droll jest, often winning bright replies,
and once or twice merry laugh. His
useful eyes now spied chess-table; and
as his watch was concluded, with easy
audacity he proposed to try the game
The lady consented and they commenc-
ed.
At length the game deepened in inter-
est. The lady's queen was in danger -
there was just one possible chance of
safety for her, but somehow the General
had begun to regard the game as signiti-
cant of the real contest in progress, and
he watched with intense interest to see
what the next move would be. The lady
was in earnest too. With her finger she
traced out possible chances for escape,
and found them worthless. Suddenly she
laughed merrily ,answeringto to his thought
and incautiously said:
"You needn't be exultant yet, sir II
you are almost sure of winning, Doubt.
less you think you have me trapped, Just
as your General Grant fancies our Lee is
securely netted. But | see my way out
and so does Lee I'm not check-mated
yet, and your army plans will prove as
futile as your hopes of winning this
game! See, can move so, and then TAX
ing your pawn, Tm-why :! | thought |
could escape this way Fairly beaten,
sir; it's no use But you won't find our
old warrior so easy to check-mate if |
am conquered; and since it can do no
harm now I'll tell what a nice little
blunder your Sheridan has made. He
feels very sure that Lee is Ietreating to-
ward Danville; but tomorrow morning
will see our forces safe beyond Appomat-
tox, and you will find you must play an
other game before you win. But Lee
and his staff were our welcome guests
last night.
The General was startled and amazed,
but wisely kept from betraying his sur
prise, and answered as if very weary:
"Oh, please let US forget the army
Just now If Grant has made mistake
it's not my business, and you can't imag-
inc what delight this evening has been
to me. | shall never forget it; and
when this conflict shall end, | shall hope
to renew our acquaintance. We leave at
such an early hour that | shall not see
you again, and so | must say my good
bye with my thanks"
I'm sure am equally your debtor, y
graciously replied the lady. It's not
often that | meet gentlemen now, and for
your sake / shall think less bitterly of
our conquerers. Good nightl'
Little cared the General just then for
military rule. Always a favorite with
Grant he risked little in the rude wax
ening which he now gave the sleeping
chieftain, and his information was whis-
pered in low hurried tones.
Grant thought moment. His plans
had been carefully matured; he had
thought his information certain; but If
Lee had really passed the previous night
at that very farmhouse, he could not be
aiming for Danville, and the lady's story
must be true.
Meanwhile General Babcock stole
quietly out, silently reused messengers,
saddled horses and carefully marked the
appearance of things about the enclos.
ures. Itwas evident that a larger party
than theirs had stayed there recently
for the soft earth was dented and torn
with the tread of horses feet everywhere
and the refuse of their feeding was scat.
tered on all sides.
Returning to the house he found Grant
with dispatches ready, and then mount
ing with but two companions, he rode
to find Sheridan. l fancy that was a
ride worth taking; under the stars, with
the silence of midnight around him; in
an enemy's country, bearing the orders
(which would, he devoutly hoped, turn
and stay the storm of battle that had SC
sorely smitten the land; and watching
with straining eyes for the first outpost OF
Sheridan's forces.
Challenge and counters sign were rap.
idly given and exchanged as they pass
ed the pickets, and Sheridan was reach
ed in time.
Greeley in his history briefly says ol
the preceding days pursuit =" This wa:
miscalculation; and then adds, "Pur
suit was resumed by all hands en- the
morning of the Sth-the second and 9th
corps under Meade, moving north of the
Appomattox or directly in the trail Of
the enemy, while Sheridan, undeceived
as to Lees making for Danville, led his
cavalry to head him off from Lynchburg
his only remaining refuge.
He does not tell us how Sheridan was
undeceived, but these are the facts in