The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-08-10
WAR EXPERIENCES.
by WIN. w. WEIGH.

ANOTHER .RECoNoIssANcE
AS heretofore repeatedly intlmated, TIT
country at large, and that part of the arm.
which might be said to centre In Hurl
butts division, would not longer endure
with show of content the protracted, vast
full and wasting inaction imposed upon |
by the efllgles occupying places of leader
ship. Further repose must be crest II
notion" must be demonstration of doing
something; at least within the limits d
authority of "the Old Fourth
A few days after the exploits( y related ir
last chapter, Gen. Hurlbut ordered still an
other reconnaissance In force, under Gen
Jacob G. Lauman, commanding the Is
brigade of his division this time witt
the addition of the ID Ill. Cavaly, under
Col Silas Noble "a prominent lawyer OF
Dixon); his front well extended; to pro
coed considerably In advance, to devel.
Cd whatever OF the enemy1 forces might
be occupying the region explored, and es-
innate their strength; lest otherwise the
main body be caught In a trap and find It.
self too greatly outnumbered; Gen. Lau'
man being peremptorlly enjolned not to
engage superior force. Surgeons we're
ordered to have hospital wagons, and the
complement of two ambulances regularly
assigned to each regiment, together with
all necessary appliances required In pos
sible battle.
AS before stated, repeatedly, the Illusion
prevailed that Tennessee twas at heart
loyal, though under duress' and emphat.
ic orders were imposed on the entire com.
mand to refrain from all fOraglng or tres.
passing upon private property further than
filling canteens at wells, when opportunity
was duly afforded
We proceeded northerly. in the dlrec-
tion of Bolivar, none knowing whereunto
our destination, or If to any SPECIAL object.
i've point though 1t had TRANSFERRED to some
of us that "a superior force was not to be
engaged
THE SPINNER
When a few miles proceeded, "reb-
el signs" In the immediate advance
having been already occasionally reported,
halt was called. 1t brought my position
close to the roadside, and OF a log house,
9ush with It, and setting little higher
than the road bed; so was close to the
door. A loom occupied corner, at a
window beside the door, at which maid
en- Gas she appeared) was weaving osna-
burgs. ALREADY had the southern people
began TO experience the necessity of resort
ing to home productions for fabrics for
wearing apparel) Within the door, pre-
sided at spinning wheel an ancient
Clotho, preparing the wool for the web
the girl was weaving. II had been already
discovered that that class, and indeed any
class of southern women, were not over.
burdened with diffidence indeed were
mostly we'll stocked with On engaging
frankness" The Formally of an introduce
ton was superfluous.
Shortly the spinner, bringing splint
bottomed chair, seated herself at the door,
which put her ON level with myself on
the horse. She had left the roll at the
spindle, and after brief exhordium be-
gan spinning from another and figurative
roll the thread of the destiny awaiting us.
MY sakes! thes heap o. you'uns 60
in by yer this good while, all lookin' nice
and poOty In your blue Cloze and Inherent
ais. Where be you uns all goin', der yer
spoze?"
"Out working the country, my good
woman. Looks as If II needed stirring up"
"Spect TO get good ways, don't yer q"
Expect to go about where we lay out
TO-"
wont git fur!'
Been spinning the thread Of our desti.
ny and weaving the web OF our fate, l sup
pose.'
Dunno what them things all is; but
ger woH1 git fur"
"To me you appear as weird mother
and daughter, essaying TO weave NEGRO
mantle spells upon us, hoping to draw us
to our ruin. Tell me wherein you expect TO
succeed with your conjuratlon."
This little euphuism proved beyond her
comprehension, but she "lowed" wanted
to know the ground of faith In her belief,
and said:
"The's a heap noah o. we'uns than
you'uns. The woods is full, all beyant
yer; and If yer keeps on yen be all huss.
lin, back tomorrow bitterly patterty."
Been out exploring and know how il
Is then"
81 jes know fightin' Sterl Price n Van.
Dcrn's thar, n yen find 1t out # you'uns
keep on
The command Ferward!n sounding
along the line broke the spinner's thread,
and l never again met that enchantress.
We advanced deliberately, with frequent
halts; Col. Noble sending back orders
from time TO time with reports, Indicating
that the nests were stirred But from all
/ could discover, the country was de-
populated; nor voice nor sound disturbed
the air.
At mid afternoon quiet halt was made,
where was level sandy ground, Ia the
midst of a young growth of timber and