The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-05-14
A MIDNIGHT RIDE.
The Good Bay steed's Gallop Through the
Darkness.

MIDNIGHT RIDE.
The Good Bay steed's Gallop Through tn.
Darkness.
As the incident in the life of President
Davis that am going to write about
was known to but few, writes a CORES
pendent of tho Louisville Courier-Jour.
nal, perhaps less than half dozen,
will first tell how came to be in posi-
ton to witness it. / went to Virginia az
a private soldier in company B, 42d
Mississippi regiment, Gen. j. r. Davis
brigade. Gen. Davis was nephew O,
President Davis. Maj. j. S. Reid was
Gen. Davis quartermaster. He was q
man advanced in years for soldier, a
wealthy planter, a neighbor and lifelong
friend of the Davis family. After the
Gettysburg campaign, being in dilapi.
dated condition, was appointed secre-
tary for Maj. Reid. Late in the fall OF
1864 our command was near Petersburg.
The day had been boisterous one.
The morning opened with rapid picket
firing by the federals. with all the big
guns in the forts putting in full work
Early in. the day field artillery was
massed near our front and sent shower
Fof shot and shells across the line. This
latter performance did not last long.
The guns were moved away and the
same thing repeated at other points, in
some places the infantry making strong
demonstrations. Late IN the day an
order came to prepare the transporta-
ton for moving. AS to the cause OF
this preparation we could only conject-
ure. Teams were hitched to wagons
and ambulances, and all were driven in
line alongside the public road. Drivers
had orders not to leave their seats. AS
the night wore on firing continued, but
there was nothing to break the mo not
ony, except occasionally a teamster
would slip from his seat, stamp the
ground, and beat his breast to keep up
circulation. The major and 1 sat by
the fire, holding our horses by the
brides.
The Petersburg bells had Just rung
IL o'clock when horseman was heard
approaching in quiet fox-trot. He
turned from the road and came near
our fire, about thirty steps, when he
halted and said he wished to get direct
ions to Gen. Davis quarters, Maj. Reid
said: II will send you to Gen. Davis.
Get down and warm" Then, turning
to me, he said in whisper; "That is
Mr.. Davis. No names will be called"
l remained long enough to take q
freight view of our fearless chief. and
then, to be out of ear-shot, led my horse
to another fire a little way off. In
about half an hour negro was called
and sent with him to the front, half a
mile distant. After he was gone I saw
from where stood that the major was
much disturbed. He got up and turned
his back to the fire, and then turned
around and sat down again. This was
repeated several times. When l went
back he said: ..Mac. l don't like this.
He has no right to do this way and
told him so. 1t Is risking too much.
Besides he can't stand such a strain.
He is making ride of forty miles to-
night with a hard days work before him
tomorrow. After waiting for him to
become quiet, asked why Mr.. Davis
friends permitted him to make such a
trip alone. He said Mr.. Davis told
him that no one in Richmond knew of
his absence. He then told me the
cause of the unusual proceedings.
1t was Gen. Grants plan to break our
line that night or early next morning.
The day had been spent in feeling for
weak point. Everything on our side
had been prepared to retreat at q
moments warning. The night passed
and the morrow, but no further effort
was made. Weak as we were, we were
thought so be too strong to tackle. Had
someone been over there a little akin to
Stonewall Jackson many brave soldier
might have been sent home who never
got to see his family. One division
could have accomplished it at any time
during that long and bitter winter.
Mr.. Davis was gone about an hour
when he returned, and again took his
seat by the fire.
He had not been there long when a
horseman was heard approaching at
rapid speed. When he got opposite
our camp Mr.. Davis commanded, halt!
with the question::
"Wherc arc You goingP"
''To Richmond" was the answer.
81 will go with you
AS this short colloquy passed an I'M.
easy feeling came over me, as LOOKED
at the quiet bay standing behind his
master. with his head down and appar
emily fast asleep. He was good one,
but he looked as if he was suited to
draw a vehicle loaded with women and
children, but not the horse for speed
Then looking at the rider, l thought he
had passed too many years and was too
frail to stand such strain.
He mounted, gathered the reins care
fully, arranged his oyercoat and settled
himself well in the saddle. By this
time saw the horse had been misjudg.
ed, his mettle was up and he was eager
to be gone. After making few steps a
touch of the spur carried him out into
the road at speed that might have been
expected of q cavalry leader. The
horseman joined him and as they pass.
ed over the dry, rocky road the sound
of their horses hoofs rang loud ant
clear in the still night. listened unit
they were three, or perhaps four, miles
away, when the sound ceased.
had been making q comparison
suppose Mr.. Lincoln was twenty miles
from Washington tonight, had ridder
that distance alone, and was then return
ing with stranger, not knowing
whether he was a friend or foe, ant
that, too along road where the enemy
heavy shells were being constant,
thrown, what commotion there would
be about IL