The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1889-01-24
CHAPTER XII.
THE AMnusCADE.

II once he could get upon his track
CHAPTER XII.
THE AMBUscApE.
Our ancestors used To chucklc hugely
over the joke Mrs. Glass perpe trated in her
famous "Book Of Cookery when she an
nounced that you must catch your hare be-
fore you proceed 10 cook him, and Harry
found himself in much the same position rs
the worthy matron's readers He must
first catch his hare And the hare in qucs-
ton proved to be OF such shadowy char
acter, that after two days hunting he was
compelled for the present TO give up the
pursuit.
or course he at once left Mrs. Platt's
house. He felt like discordant element
in the home-circlo, for 1t is not very pleas
ant thing for man To sit at the same table
with ladies' whose son and brother he is de-
termined TO bring TO the gallows.
But, though he learned many particulars
concerning the widows son, who was de-
clared by several who knew him to be no
torious scoundrel, who had been drummed
out OF the regiment In which he had on
listed, and was now supposed to have
drifted utterly TO the bad, he could CLEAN no
tidings OF his present whereabouts. No one
had seen him. No one wanted TO see him.
SO Harry went back to his regiment at
Harper's Ferry without bringing the
seoundrel to justice.
Then the cry was 'Sheridann Brave,
gallant, dashing Phil was 10 lead the troops
TO victory. SO under this renowned Gen.
eral they turned their faces once more
westward along the Shenandoah Valley. 1t
was hot work for the cavalry Little Phil
kept them well in advance, exploiting aud
developing the enemy; but for time not
closing with him-a delay which caused
Grant some anxiety, for he came in person
TO see how matters stood, but was so salts
fed with his Lieutenant's perfect prepare
tons, that he went back 10 his post ut
Petersburg,
But one day the crisis came. They were
near the quaint old city OF Winchester and
struck the Confederate army at the ford Of
the river
"Threes about, men, charge r'cried Colonel
Brewer, who commanded Harry's regiment,
and the gallant squadron dashed headlong
ON the foe, driving them back TO the very
verge Of the city. The infantry met the
Confederate cavalry, and their long line
never wavercd. But suddenly from behind
u low wall uprose the enemy four deep, and
literal sheet Of fame eashed on the strug-
Cling horsemen, who fell back as best they
could, only to give place TO the solid masses
Of Federal infantry, which moved steadily
on, driving all before them. But in the
very flush Of victory the gallant Brewer,
generous Us he was brave, poured out his
life upon the battlefield Harry stood by
his side when the death-b blow was dealt him,
1t happened thus: A man threw up his arms
10 surrender-a appeal that was never
made in vain TO Brewer-and, even as he
lowered his sword, shot him through the
heart.
This gave the command of the regimen,
TO Harry.
In the days that followed they had many
brush with Mosebys guerillas, who how
cred round them, ever ready 10 harrass them
and impede their movements. In fact, be
tween Clusters brigade and these Virginian
irregulars bitter vendetta existed, which
entailed deeds of relentless cruelty on
either side that the pen Of the historian
would fain pass by in silence, 1t was moth
ing strange TO find q comrade dead on the
ground with o ticket marked Blood for
Blood pinned on his coat; though it is
said that Moseoy did acknowledge the sign
Of Freemasonry, and many man owed his
/ life To the fact that he belonged 10 the
brotherhood.
The Union forces tried to make their way
/ TO Charlottesville, but found the gaps SO
full of the enemy that the attempt failed.
One day man crossed the river, and
seeking audience with Custer, told him that
| he was Union refugee, and that at the
back Of a neighboring hill was rebol sup
ply-train almost unprotected
/ Harry was ordered TO take his regiment
and capture it. He crossed the fort anC
rode mile along the river bank.
Suddenly he pressed forward TO speak L
the guide, who was riding beside the al
| vance guard As he did 50, the mar
dropped from his horse and made y sue
cessful dash into tho wood, but not 81
quickly that he could not recognize in TIL
fleeing peasant tho figure OF the PREACHER
Gus Canadian, Alphonse Lecroix. Instinct
lively he halted his men TO retire, hut
| whole brigade Of the enemy was pourinl
down the hillside TO cut him on from tn
ford.
Custer saw his dilemma and advanced 4
the rescue just then eolored man il
/ rags and tatters ran to Harry and cried;
'.Dere's ford up de riber, boss, not tw
miles away. Clar TO goodness, boss, IL
true-l'1e no lyin'."
Is Forward. Trot ~ was the command
And surely il was AS the negro had toll
him. They reached the spot in safety, go
back to their own lines again, and move
towards the east.
oh, the stern necessity Of warl To pre-
tect the city Of Washington, all the fai
valley Of the Shenandoah must be strippe'
and laid desolate. houses and barns burned
crops and stores destroyed; till.as Sheridai
himself said. if crow wants to fly dow
the valley he must carry his own provision
with him" Harry Winthrop's heart ache
as he saw the ruin around him.
So,with Early at its heels, the Union arm
fell back TO Fishers Hill, where Sherida
turned at bay. The village was in flames
ana half the time the men were fighting fir
50 that the position was untenable. The
withdrew to Woodstock, and there Sher
, dan, like u lion tracked to has lair, rushe
upon his foes. With q roar Of rage n
Union army dashed forward where II
, ranks were thickest, the enemy resistir
with the stubborn courage Of men ightin
. for the last spot Of ground. So impetuot
was the charge Of the Federal squadron
] that theystopped not till. piercing the den.
, mass 81 retrcating columns, they reachs
: the open ground beyond, and Early's no
was "sent yvhirliog up the valley Of u
; Shenandoah
> Que piece Of the eneny's artillery aloE
remained TO rain death on the victors. Hs
J nv Winthrop heard Sheridan's cry; = II
man who captures that shall have $
. mouths lcave and years payl' Al
rushed with bis gallant troopers to q
, charge, sabernig the heroic gunners ~ th'
stood TO Tie last ~ their post