The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-03-06
THE FORTUNES OF WAR.
by s. i. YOUNG.

armed neutrality which the state had declared
as its policy, and which it had striven to MAIN
tain, had proved a failure. The confederates
entered the state, hoping and expecting TO find
her ready to come at their call.
But she was not ready, and every inch of the
ground was fought over, till step by step the
confederates were driven back from the blue
grass region, through the dense wilderness of
the Cumberland mountains, on to the Great
Gap. through which the broken and routed
army passed into the valley of East Tennessee.
The silence of the forest was broken by the
tramp, tramp of thousands OF feet the hills
swarmed with the blue and the gray the divide
of the Cumberland river, in its deep, rocky bed,
rolling between. Giant trees, the growth of
centuries, were felled to make room for bat
terieS and rifle pits. The scanty crops of corn
and potatoes were soon exhausted, and forage
for man and beast became every day more
scarce.
Supplies were brought up the river on steam
boats, then transferred to wagon-trains, and
when the roads became impossible, were car
ried on pack-mules.
So the advancing federal army under Burn
side had no lack But for General Bragg's men,
whoWere retreating, weary, discouraged, foot
sore, and ragged, there was no recourse but to
ravage the surrounding country, and this they
did with such effect that the natives, who are
always abjectly poor, were reduced to extremi-
TICS particularly when the "bread-gitter," as
they called the head of the family, was serv-
ing in the army.
Communication with home was cut off and
mails were irregular and infrequent. Yet it
was question whether to be glad or to be sor-
ny when a mail did come, SO piteous were the
tales of destitution and need that it brought.
The early twilight was settling down, a light
fol of o1 lnIf tn
the wind whstled drearily through tho pine
trees Shiverins, the men drew closer to the
roaring campfire, which with
Rude humor painted
The ruddy tints of health
On haggGrd form and face,
That dropped and tainted
In the fierce race
Suddenly one of the group started up, and
dashing a letter he had been reading to the
ground, exclaimed, Boys, I'm bound ter git a
leave an go home fur a week.
"Git a leave in the face NV the blue Jackets!
Why, John Rowsey, air we crazy?"
81 tell you, fellers, I'm bound ter go-my
wife an tn young uns they's starvin', amt
got nuthin' ter eat at all!'
He groaned, as he walked away to present
his petiton'so General breckenridge, his brig
AIDE commander.
With orderies and adjutants on guard it is
by no means easy for private to approach his
chief, but a motive such as impelled RowSey
would have overcome even greater obstacles
than these, and he was in short time stand
ing i'll the generals tent
beg pardon, general said the aid, ST tried
to keep the man out, but nothing would do
bat he must see you himself"
The young officers who filled the tent smiled
audlbly at the appearance of the ragged, I'M
kempt, shoelesS man, who presented himself
among them. But III General Breckenridge's
veins flowed the blood of the Signers OF the
Declaration of Independence, and he remem-
bered that the battles of the Revolution had
been fought by Just such men, and he was too
polite to find matter for merment in genuine
distress however humble With q glance of
stern rebuke to the TESTERS he turned, and with
the same gracious, sweet courtesy that marked
his manners to every one, he said "Well, my
man, what can do for you?"
II would like weeks leave, general, if you
please
why, my good fellow, don't you know that
in the face of the enemy no one can have
leave?'
"Read that, general, if you pleas"
1t was torn and soled half-sheet of coarse
paper The general took it and these were the
penciled words he deciphered
"DEAR JOHN.-Can't you come home and helpus?
We amt had nothin' ter eat sense day before yes
terdGy, cept some dry crusts NV corn bread. The
soldiers hey took everything They've kilt the COW,
an the meals oil gone; if you can't come soon weli
all be starved Good-by an God bless You if don't
see you no more. MARY"
No petition from high official had ever
moved General Breckr nridge as did that sim
pie little letter.
"My poor fellow" said he, laying his hand
on the soldiers shoulder, 81 will indorse your
petition and send it up to headquarters. You
know that when we are so near battle as now
no one but a commanding general can grant
leave, but you shall have it if L can get it for
YOU"
Good bless you. general" sobbed the poor
fellow, as he sank on his knees. "God bless
you, and thank you kindly"
There were few dry eyes in the tent as Brock
enridge read the letter to the officers who sur
rounded him, after Rowsey had gone, and lac
lost no time in sending it with his own indorse-
ment to Bragg.
John Rowsey slept with troubled dreams of
love and Mary, and awoke, stretching out his
arms and crying, "I'm a-comin, Mary, I'm
a-comin'! ~
"Poor feller!" said his comrades, "he's all
dazed wi his trouble
"a message for private John Rowsev, Com
pany f, -th, X. V. NJ, called out gay look
ing officer, gallopng down the line.
Flushed with hope, he came forward re-
ceved the packet, and tore it open egerly; but
when he saw his wife's letter inclosed with
General Breckenridge's Endorsement, while
across the paper was written the fatal words,
Request disailowed, he dropped heavily to
the ground.
II tell yer, boys, must CO." he said an hour
or two later to group Of friends
But yer'l DO caught"
"Ef am they can't do rothin' but shoot me,
an l. fuIiler De ueau IMAM stay mere. GOOd
Lord, you dun no what It's ter feel as them as
yer love better'n yerself's staryin' ter death,
an you can't 40 nothin' ter help EN-"
After that no one said anything to hinder
him, but all gave him money to help him.
Give my respects 10 General Breckenridge,
Jim, hesaid 70 a COlnrade. as he started, Fan
thank him fur what he tried to do fur me, an
tell him had ter 60" Then he turned and
walked quietly down the line, into the thick
woods patrolied by the logs in gray
Past the first and second sentry he went un-
challenged, no ono taking notice Of the man
who walked along 50 coolly, and seemed to be
mindng his own business. Only one more
picket, and then--frcedom and Mary, when
"WhO goes therc?' called out a steutorian
voice
"A friend"
"Adyance and give the countcs,sn"
A dash through the woods was the only an
river What odds, however, had one against
half a dozen? The sentry's gun gave the
alarm, and John Rowsey was surrounded and
lodged in the guard house.
Tie tldings soon penetrated 70 the little
group who were so anXioasly aN waiting the
result
"Saryes him right" said hurley Tonnes
seean, "fur desartin his country's flag"
'5hot up, Jake Larkiusl Country's well