Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-06

could hear the CHATTER Of iron hoofs on the
high ridge to the W st. The moon was
setting large and TO nd and low. Over
the bare crest of this oil and against the
moon he could see the Confederate cavalry
pouring in impetuous flight. Stuart, the
cautious and wary leader. had escaped.
Come, menl We must follow our Gen.
eral on foct-any way to get out OF this.
Comet Up by the haystacks and on over
the ridge"
The strong man started UP the stony
hill to pass the haystacks. The child, as
If it was afraid it might fall, wound its
little left arm affectiOnately about the
great gray shock OF hair. And that little
act saved it; that accidental show OF
affection won the old fellows heart en-
tirely. Why, he would not now have
pitched it aside with the terrified negroes
for gold.
Up the hill be led swiftly, the men fol-
lowing in groups, knots, singly, armed,
unarmed, limping, leaning, erect, in all
manner of ways, only 80 as TO escape the
ferOcious Federals charging up the hi:l
from below. They could see the points OF
shining bayonets entering their camp by
the light Of the burning fence rails as
they fled out OF it, and the black color
had nearly all faded from the flying Con-
federates as they neared the haystacks.
Here the graY-headed old Sergeant, with
the child on his shoulder, paused for a
moment right under the haystacks to get
his bearings. The moon had fallen down
behind the crest of the hill. 1t was nearly
dark now. The Federal bayOnets We're
only few steps in the rear. The ragged
and dem0ralized 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 gray head, its
right one holding the flag.
The tall, gray soldier threw up his great,
heavy hand to his brow and looked out
under his broad palm to try and see which
way to lead.
DEATH IN FRONT AND REAR.
Suddenly the haystacks blazed out be-
IOre MIN, ana the whole scene was bright
as day. The Federals had been waiting
for the COnfederates TO comet And now
as they stood there, huddled together and
helpless as sheep, they find the haystack
In their path of retreat and stood there
behind them, before them, around them, to
shoot them down in the light which they
had kindled.
1t was matchless and a magnificent
sight! No scene so bright, no sunlight
brighter! 1t pleased the child. excited
the long line of cleaning guns leveled
only few rods away in the rear? What
did 1t know Of tie death hiding down in
every cleaning gun barrel OF that COM
pact mass # uniformed men Just before (?
Nothing at all. Its little heart leapt
with wonder and delight at the beautiful
uniforms, the discipline, the quick action
into which every gun was brought in
stantly to the shoulder. 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 its
delight, just as the Federal officer drew
his sword and was giving the word
"FireW the child, holding tight on to the
great griZzled head with it's left hand.
and as if to contribute its part to the cele-
bratiOn, waived its little flag there in the
glare and light. And in that awful still
ness which comes always before any
dreadful catastrophe, piped out in its
shrill little voice, as it raised itself higher
for the occasion:
''Foff of Julyy'
Put it upon record in gold and red that
the Federal officer lowered the point of
his sword. The heavy breeches of the
guns struck the stony ground with "A
thud. The line of blue divided, and the
old gray Confederate with his little charge
on his shoulder still waving the little flag.
passed on through the line, while cheer
after cheer shook the bullet-riddled leaves
Of the oaks overhead.
And this is the story Of the old Con-
fedeTate soldier of the Shenandoah, who
had missed the train on the line of Pro-
gress down in old Virginia.