The Press., 1888-03-15
A STRAY SHOT.

us who had them rolled up our ragged blankets the bugles sounded ''fall h." and we were on the march.
 We learned presently that the Federals were advancing by Cumberland Gap, where we had about regiment of cavalry and battery of light artillery. It was splendid dty the ground was covered with fresh fall of snow that glistened in the cold sun- shine, and melted away here aud there, moving patches of warm looking brown earth. The sky was a soft pale blue over- head 1: and the crisp little wind that blew ln our faces had lost the biting edge 1t had at dawn. Our spirits rose as we fell into the familiar regular swinging step, and there was no struggling.
 We had tramped steadily forward for some time when we heard, all at ouce, A sharp firing of small arms ahead, and rapid work by the battery. It seemed to be short, hot fight without the usual skIrmlsh- ing, and we were put at once on double quick. But much to our disappointment when we came to the open bit of country where the firing had seemed so brisk, sav- for the trampled snow and one or two wounds d men aud few dead horses, a broken down caisson, sabre dropped here and there, or blue or gray cap caught on bush or tossed on the ground, there WAS no evidence that q regiment of cavalry and battery of artillery had here met an en- emy in hand -to-hand conha ce The Federal troop, which proved to have been single regiment out on 8 scout, had retired be- yond the Gap, and our own force had fol lowed in the direction of it's former position
 Wewere grumbling loudly at thaving comt 70 far for nothing, when 8 woman, mount ed on an old sorrel horse, aud wearing a blue homespun.sunbonnet, came galloplng down the road. She dismounted at a small, double-log cabin near by, and walk ed rapidly over to the spot where we We're making ready to camp.
 Had we seen anything of her two littlr ooys, she asked, turning pale, ngoniz-i face upon us. They had been perched upon the fence when the RebS began form ing in line just across from the cabin, and the older one, 'sa leetle turned O six, had taken his little fonr-year-o brother by thr hand and run out into the road to look our Then, in moment and before anybody could cry ont to them even. the Tanks hal come thundering along and they had been ought bstyeen tue llues and swallowed up instha rush and roar of battle. When the short tussle was over they We're no where to be seen. She had gone on tu where our lines had been re-establlshed. aud had there got ready leave to pass over to the Federal camp but no one had seen or heard anything of the missing chsldfen. WonM We help her hunt them M als
 Wonldn't we Every man
 with whoop. We formed a esAg nhe3S like 6 skIrmish line-and started, searching every foot of ground carefully, and caiiiug out cheerily as we went. We peered un. der the edges of fallen trees. We turnt d Ln,, ,L UJa Ina q Il leaves that had drifted into root-b und hOl- lows. We dragged the little pools of water made by the melting snow.
 We had gone over two or three miles in this way. The short afternoon was wan ing, and the wind was growing sharp and keen with the lengtheulng rays of the sun A halt was called. Some of the offic -r' and older men consulted hastily together and were about d4c,ded to beat around in the opposite direction, when suddenly a shout came
 "Here they are P
 The shout was caught up and turned in- to glad yell as it rolled along the line. had heard the 'rebel yell" before and heard it many time after, when 1t meant victory at the close of life-aud-death struggle, but never heard our boys iu gray sound such a note of triumph as went up from their throats that day, as they dOuble-quicked it to the spot where those two little ruuaways were lying
 It wAs Tn an old fieid, whose long neg Iected furrows were covered with 8 th OK growth of yellow sedge all vet with melted snow and shining Ill the soft red rays oi the setting sun. A bushy squat pine d shot up here and there {; the rottIng raj fence was overrun with blackberry vIues aud almost lost in jungle of brown with cred mullein and pokeberry stalks thai grew in its sheltering corners.
 The children were ln one of these moist tangled fence-c prners. Their little blue homespun frocks-for they both wore dresses-were all torn and draggled. Their chubby faces were bri-r-scratched and dirty Ehelr bare heals were matted with dry leaves and straw. But reckon every ma If us thought that Gods blue sky never looked down upon prettler picture than they made lylng there, fast asleep and clasped closely in each others arms. We held our breath after that first shou for fear of frightening them And when the 1 grizzled old sergeant, whose very look was wont to make the recruits tremhle in then boots, stepped toward them with q soft al most bashful smile on hls lips, and stoope l. we all took of our caps aud leaned eagerly forward. How we all envied big, burlY, ender-hearted Tom J-- wheu the ser geant beckoned him and lad the oldest boy, all rosy and flushed with sleep, int his arms The little fellow opened his blu eyes and stared vaguely around, then clasp ed hls arms about Toms neck and gave 2 long sigh of content.
 The serjeant stopped again with a low chuckle of satisfaction. ''lhe little-nn i' asleep for satre /" he said, as he lifted him gently and turned The next moment he sLaggered under his light burden and al most fell A hoarse groan burst from hif Hips. The little head with its tangled ma 4 of yellow curls rolled heavily to one side the little arms hung inertly down the sergeant's hands where they supported the tiuy neck were all dabbled in blood
 The stray shot had done its cruel worh well. It had ploughed across the smal white throat and the baby head was almns severed from the little body. The ''little un" was indeed 0SIeep for sure'
 I A kind of frozen horror swept over tho group gathered in that old field. No mar dared for awhile to look his neighbor il the face, and when he did he saw there al depression that he has not forgotten yet | he lives .
 Ten minutes before we were all ready tC toss up tor the privilege of carrying those little chaps home. But now every man o us hung back, dumb and unnerved. AnC |