Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-10-31

| SlI0hc away III AOA ahONhNi f'''s
of his camp, he shouted: "Silence, and
| Zeb, discipline, disciplined Dash it, dis
cipline or death, say" and he was gone.
They gathered about the wild-eyed, rosy
faced orphan with its little flag and red
apple, and many black and white and
not over clean hand reached out 10 toy
with and stroke the hair of gold that hung
! heavy rs corn silk in summer time over
the lads shoulders.
az found it in the fence corner" said
Zeb, call shivcrin', and its daddy and
its nanny dead, shot down by stray bull
lets when we stormed the place"
Eyes, and dar war rabbit right aside
! ub him." said black face back in the
dark, over another mans shoulder.
can, golly, we kotched and eat der
rabbit" chuckled another black man.
oval, we'll keep the kid; keep i'm till
| the cows come home" And with grunt
of universal approval from all as they
gradually melted away, old Zeb hoisted
the little one high up on his colossal
shoulders, and turned suddenly to look
and to listen, for there was shout down
the hill and sudden sharp yolley of shots
above, beyond the hay stacks. 1t began
TO look as if this little squad of raiders
had got into bite. Shouts OF the enemy
down the hill; shots OF the enemy up the
hill beyond the hay stacks. Which way
should the surprised and panic-stritken
soldiers ny? The colossal old Virginia
sergeant, with the child on his massive
shoulders, was the only officer in charge.
The blacks were hiding about behind
trees, behind each other, under saddles,
blankets, anywhere. The shouts OF the
advancing enemy came loud and clear
from below and very near. The campfire,
! the song of the soldiers, had done the mis-
chief. This little squad of ragged, panic
stricken night raiders was doomed. The
leaves began to fall like autumn time over
old Zeb, the tall and angular old sergeant.
What plight for soldier. A battle
| on hand and n babe in his arms. The old
sergeant came near throwing it away with
the heap Of negroes, hiding away under
the saddles. Where was Stuart? The
sergeant put his hand to his ear and leah
ed to listen as best he could between the
sharp voleys below that were running the
prospects of the next years acorn crop in
the trees ovei head. lie could hear tile
fsrl, ,rtl lorsaf In
| the west. The moon was setting large
and round and low. Over the bare crest
of this hill and against the moon he could
see the Confederate cavalry pouring in
impetuous flight. STUART, the cautious and
wary leader, had escaped.
Come, mem We must follow onr gen
eral on foot-any way to get out Of this.
Come. Up by the hay stacks and over
the ridge"
The strong man started up the stony
hill to pass the hay stacks. The child, as
if it was afraid it might fall, wound its
left arm afiectionatcly about the great
gray shock of hair. And that little act
saved it; that accidental show Of affection
won the old fellows heart entirely. Why,
he would not now have pitched it aside
with the terrified negroes for gold. Up
the hill he led swiftly, the men following
in groups, knots, singly armed, unarmed,
limping, leaning, erect, in all manners Of
ways, only so as to escape the Federals,
charging M the hill from below. They
could see the points Of shining bayonets
entering their camp, by the light of the
burning fence rails, as they fed out OF 1t,
and the black color had nearly all faded
from the flying Confederates as they near
ed the hay stacks.
Here the gray-headed OLE sergeant,
with the child on his shoulder, paused for
a moment right under the hay stacks TO
get lis bearings. The moon had fallen
down behind the crest Of the Hill. 1t was
nearly dark now. The Federal bayonets
were only few steps in the rear. The
ragged Confederates huddled close and
helpless up and after the tall and grizzled
old giant, who stood there looking out
which way to lead them, with the child
on his shoulder, its little left arm hugging
the great shaggy head, its right one hold
ing the flag.
The tall, gray soldier threw mp his
great heavy hand to his brow and looked
ont under his broad palm to try and see
which way to lead. Suddenly the hay
stacks blazed out before him, and the
whole scene was bright as day. The Fed
erals had been waiting for the COnfeder-
ates to come. And now as they stood
there, huddled together and helpless as
sheep, they found the hay stacks In their
path of retreat, and stood there behind
them, before them, around them, TO shoot
them down In the light they had kindled.
1t was 4 matchless and magnificent
sight, No scene so bright, no sunlight
brighter Ii pleased the child, excited
and delighted it. What could il care for
the long line Of cleaning guns lcvelcd
few rods away IN The rear? What did il
know of the death hiding down in every
cleaning gun-barreI Of that compact mass
of uniformed men just before? Nothing
ut ALL Its little heart leapt with wonder
ing delight at the beautiful uniforms, the
discipline, the quick action in which every
gun was brought instantly TO the sboul-
der. The bayonets were beautiful-the
cleaning bayonets all in the bright light.
The child seemed TO think this part Of
the celebration, and in the fullness OF It's
delight, just as the Federal officer drew