American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-12-21
Slam. You sent for me. general p,

81 have. Captain DevereuX? There i
reason to believe that large reconnoiter
: ing party of the enemy is halted not far OF
: in our front and it is necessary for me t.
be sure. 1t is of the utmost Importance t.
ascertain its exact position, as also it
strength. | want you to discover both, /
you can. I've been told that you are wei
acquainted with the country around here
Is that So?
Il was born and brought up in it, gen
eraI.''
THAT is my reason for employing yOu
on this duty rejoined the general
''though some might think it a reason fol
not doing so,'' he added with significant
smile.
The young officer bowed, but without
making other answer. Had the general
known the sacrifices he had already sus.
tanned by fighting on the Northern side-a
complete ostracism from friends, family
and home-hc would have had no scrl-
piles about reposing confidence in him.
Nor had he =: for without asking further
! explanation he proceeded: You will
| fake twenty mounted men with yo,l-your
own artilierists will i,e best-and ride up
the main road. Steal quietly out of camp
and feel your way with caution. Go as
far as you can with safety, and have a care
you don't get captured by picket or pa
trolling party of the enemy"
Captain Devereux smiled assuringly.
''rhere wont be much danger of that,
general he answered. II may get kill
would be preferable to being made pris-
Oner''
Il understand you, captain. No doubt
you will act with due discretion. Get as
near the enemy's lines as possible? and,
after you have finished your reconnais-
sdnce. lose no time in reporting to me.
Good night, and God speed you!''
In twenty minutes after Captain Dew
ereuX had parted from the COMMANDMENT
chief he rode out through the lines of the
Federal encampment, twenty artilleristS,
equipped to act as light cavalry. filing
lin twos'' behind him.
The sun had already sunk be-
yond the dark wall of forest that skirted
heaven. was mirrored on the broad bosom
of the Potomac.
1t was night far from favorable for a
reconnaissance, such as that Harry Deve-
reuX had been commanded to make. The
clear moonlight would be to the advantage
OF a picket in ambush, and against 4 party
making approach. And the moon cOurs-
ing near the zenith flung her beams fair
upon the road, along which the artillery
officer had been directed to make the
scouting excursion. 1t was broad high
way-One of the main routes running
north and south through the State of Vir-
ginia. A little later, and the tall trees
growing on each side would throw their
shadows over it, making the passage more
Safe
After advancing nearly three miles
along it, Captain DevereuX saw the risk
he wa running. Should there prove to
be a party of the enemy in front and at
rest. they could not fail to have warning
of his approach. The trampling of his
tt4Nf hot hi
Thus apprehensive, the young officer
halted his little troop at turning. He
was rejecting whether he should not
stay till the moon sank little lower,
when sound, coming from the opposite
side, interrupted his reflections. 1t was
the tramp of horses hoots, as of a troop
going at trOt; and that they were armed
men. could be told by the clash of steel
scabbards striking against the stirrups.
"A patrol of rebel cavalry - whispered
the sergeant at his side.
About this there could be no doubt.
The direction from which they approached
made the thing not only probable, but
certain.
Halted upon higher ground, the
artillery officer commanded view
of the approaching hOrsemen. AS
near as he could tell they numbered about
fifty sabers.
Though with only twenty men at his
back, Harry Devereux did not think of
Instead of being surprised by
a picket, he was himself the party in am
bush and this advantage encouraged him
to keep his ground.
The Contederates came ON without fear. |
Knowing themselves three miles from the
Federal camp, they had no expectation of
an enemy.
They We're only made aware of one !
when a horse neighed loudly in their
front; the neigh being quickly followed
by some half dozen Others, and responded
to by the horses they were riding. And
then, before the shrill echoes hau died |
away in the woods, they were taken up |
by sounds more indicative of deadly |
strictly a volley from each side contiu-
ued in Struggling shots.
Several Confederate saddles were emp |
tied and the s. cavaliers" in grey were in |
clined to turn round and retreat; when |
one who appeared to be their leader, and |
whose actions proved him to have the |
right, drawing his sabre, and standing up |
in his stirrups, cried in loud voice
''Cowards Would you dare to re-
treat? I'll cut down the first that turns |
back on me. Don'tyou hear by their shots
there's not more than a dozen of them |
After me let your cry be Death to Yam
tse 4botitionists !!''
1.-The same to traitors and rebels - re-
sponded Devereux, as with saber sloped
II
boldly out into the road, followed by his
irtillerists.
In ten seconds time the opposing par
lies were face to face; and, after rapid
of pistOl-shOts, came the clash
ng of sabers.
1t would have been an unequal contest
twenty against more than twice the num-
Der, and the cOmbatants on both sides
aqually brave. But the first vOlley from
he artilleristS, aimed with the advantage
IF an ambush. had thinned the ranks of
,erted them. When the strife came hand
% hand, they fought feebly, and under a
of defeat.
To this there was an eXceptiOn-he who
lad pronounced the defiant speech, and
ed them on to the encounter. Mounted
Upon powerful horse, he had shot far in
rOnt of his followers, and was looking
or the leade. of the opposing troOp-as
f the latter alone were worthy of his
steel.
He had no difficulty in finding him for
Harry DevereuX, as if stirred by a similar
instinct. was searching for him!
Soon their horses, spurred to the
charge, dashed againso one another; re-
oiled from the shock; and then at the
second meeting, the sabers of the riders.
striking together. commenced their dead
v play. And while sparks flew from
both blades, that Knocked the pale shim-
ner of the moon, their followers closed
llongside in strife equally earnest.
The combatants. first grouped together,
'oon spread into wider circle, EXIT nding
,ordered it. Each with his own antago-
hist having enough to do, the leaders were
eft to themselves.
Between these. it was in reality duel