Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-01-24

heat of my distress. Forget ever spoke
of Kate. 1t is Dissertation to have used
her name to invoke your mercy. am your
prisoner, sir; do with me what you will'
"In Gods name, go!' Harry Winthrop
cried, lowering his pistol. 50 Her brother
shall not plead with me in vain.'
He did not return the warm pressure of
the Southerner's hand, nor heed the vows
of gratitude which dropped from his lips as
he rode away, but stood with heaving chest,
overawed with the sense of neglected duty.
Then for the first time he noticed a long,
blue envelope lying on the turf at his feet,
addressed to General Jackson.
"a dispatch from Lee'' he muttered, as
he picked 1t up "This may make amends
for my disgrace. I will carry it to my
Colonel and tell him all"
But, though Harry spoke cheerfully, his
heart sank when he stood before his COM
handing officer and in shame-faced man.
ner poured forth the story of his transgres-
sion, for Colonel Lichfield was not man to
condone breach of discipline. But, while
perusing the contents of the dispatch and
doubtless never heard tlthe of his subal-
terms confession.
"Oh, yes, I SEGA woman in the case, of
course" he said, hurriedly. 81 have hard
ly heard a word of your chapter of pecca-
dillos, but if it is any thing short of treason,
Winthrop, you have brought your ransom
in this sheet of paper. This is prize worth
capturing, no matter how you came by it."
"a prize, Sir!"
Eyes, of priceless value-Lee's whole line
of march-and, by heaven, he's sent Jack
son with twenty-five thousand men to crush
Miles at Harper's Ferry. If we strike him
now the day is ours. You shall take it
yourself to General Mcclellan and tell
him.
mot how came by it, sir?"
"No-devil bit he'll care how you got
hold of it. Simply say you found it, and
that hope he will not forget the service
done to the State by one of my smartest Of
ficers.'
The effect of Harry's luck was soon made
manifest.
In hot haste the Union troops poured into
the valley at South Mountain, and Lee fell
suddenly back across Antietam creek.
But all the next day Mcclellan lay inact-
i've. In vain Lichfield awaited the order to
attack, chatting under the fatal dilatorlness.
And well he might, for by the dawn of the
day after, when the Union troops advanced,
Lee had summoned Jackson to his aid, and
though Burnside and Hooker hurled their
troops against his lines, he held his own
till darkness ended the bloody fight, and
then retired across the Potomac.
Flushed with success, he crossed the river
and entered Maryland, and Mcclellan, at
the head of the Army of the Potomac, started
in pursuit.
Good news reached the camp shortly
after this, that Gordon Grey had been
gaZetted as Lieutenant and Harry Win
throp as Captain. The former bore his new
honors with commendable modesty, simply
remarking that he was only surprised that
the home Government had not long before
shown their appreciation of his valuable
services.
"Eh, but your mother, Grey" Winthrop
said, chidingly, "she'll be proud woman
the day she hears of your promotion"
"God bless her, she willr' was the soft
response, as he strove in vain to hide the
tear which glistened in his eye.