Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-16
CHAPTER VI.
ON TO RRI.MONT.

but If you say battle to the DEATH so shall
it be.n
CHAPTER VI.
ON TO BRLMOET.
Captain Mason knew that if he refused 70
either make the half dozen Confederates
prisoners or shoot them down in their
tracks he would be censured. But with
his warm, sympathetic heart appealing for
the brother OF the girl dearer than life, he
determined to set military authority at de-
fRnce.
"You once had me in your power and
| spared me" sad the young Captain after
an awkward silence of few seconds. IL
would be more than monster TO refuse
you your liberty"
THANK you, Luke. don't ask this for
myself"
| The friends advanced and met half way
between their forces. Leaning from his
horse he grasped the hand of his friend, who
was standing on the ground. Captain Mason
said
"Albert, it will be all can do TO call
| those men of, as their blood Is up and they
are desperate. shall do my best, though"
"Thank you, it is all you can don
"Thls will be the last time we can meet
as friends on the field Of carnage Though
self, the conflict is too desperate for one to
| screen the other"
| ~ know it, Luke. God bless you, my
| friend, farewell
zone moment before you go-where is
| LillieW asked Luke.
"At home, suppose"
"She was not when we came by, and
wanted so much to see her. IL you meet
| her, tell her that for her sake her
brother life shall ever be safe But longer
delay is dangerous, go-f1y while you can"
1--WE can not travel with him."
Leave HIM, then"
"No, would die before did that"
| "Who is hei'
captain Jasper Morgan"
1.-THE son of Colonel Morganf'
Eyes"
"Was it Colonel Morgan whom we
fought!n
"It was"
Farewell
Again those friends, one standing in the
ranks Of one army and one in another,
clRsped hands, gazed for moment into each
others faces and parteo.
"Have they surrendered" one of the
| cavalry officers asked, as Luke came back
70 his mounted men.
"No, it's only detail TO care for the
wounded; let them go"
"And not make prisoners of themF
"Yes, it is best will be responsible II
the order Is wrong. To arms, right about"
The cavalrymen wheeled their horses
| about and, with the Captain at their head,
went laundering from the wood, down the
hill 10 the valley below Shots could be
heard a mile or so down the valley, and
there being probability Of the enemy cut
| in than off No had them hasten with all
| speed TO the main force.
| As Luke dismounted from his horse near
where the fight had been hottest, he could
| not but shudder Ii was the first glimpse
| of carnage he had ever had. The fence
| over which the conflict had been was badly
shattered with bullets and buck-shot, and
in places was completely thrown down.
| Lying on his back upon the lately mown
meadow was middle aged man in his shirt
sleeves, looking like farmer in peaceful
slumber bullet had pierced his heart,
| and his features were not distorted or
unnatural. But few rods away, at the
brink of the horse-pond, lay red headed
boy Of about seventeen summers, shot in
the head
An old, white haired man had fallen on
his face with his gun under him. Three
dead Confederates lay piled against the
1
lay scattered about in the corn-feld and
peach orchard beyond.
"Glad yer back" said the Colonel, coming
up TO where Luke stood gazing on the
scene. 1--WE can't wait here long. We're
having the dead and wounded gathered up
and cared for, and we must be goln' or we'll
nave twenty thousand Johnny rebs all
around u.s.
By the middle of the afternoon the little
army was again on the road to Cairo In
the hurry and confusion Captain Mason's
indulgence to his Confederate friend was
not reported.
The soldiers, angered at the resist
Rnce they had met, became more OPP
pressive to the people whose country
they were passing through. Houses
were pillaged and burned, and the man of
civilization became barbarian and a rob
ber They were greatly aggravated by the
taunts of the Confederate women, who
waved rebel flags in their faces and eheered
"Jeff Davis and the Southern COnfeder-
! acvn At such times some forgot they were
gentlemen and gave insult for insult usual
lly leaving the smoking ruins of once
happy home as terrible example of foolish
insolence.
Hundreds of frightened and oppressed
Union men were constantly tocking tothem
for protection, and next day after the fight
Colonel Smart had over thousand unarmed
men, who had TO be fed. Having no pro-
vision train foraging became an absolute
neces sity. Being in the enemys country
some of these foraging expeditions were at
tended with great danger and many were
the ridiculous adventures.
On the morning after the conflict in the
valley Luke at the head of a dozen mount
ed men, went up to farm house and de-
manded admittance. They were greeted by
half q dozen loud mouthed dogs, but, after
repeated pounding, the door was opened
and a n-yisaged, sallow-complexiOned
woman glared at them IRON pair of green
ish, dark eyes.
aWhat yer wants" she asked.
breakfast" Luke answered.
Eyer aberliton Yankees; an wush't
ma die if We git it here. =
"Oh, yes, we WILL" Luke answered, push
ing the door open and forcing his way in.
1.Git out my house ur i II scald yer eyes
outp'
s4Saye your hot water to make coffee, he
retorted, with smile, and, turning to his
men, who had crowded in after him, he
added: Nov, boys, make yourself useful
and help this lady get our breakfast.
Kindle fire, wiring the necks Of the chick
ems and do whatever is required; but do no
damage to the property unless she is stub
born and refuses to prepare our breakfast"
The woman threw herself in q chair in
q corner of the room and began 10 sulk and
snivei, while the soldiers busted themselves.
One made fire in the cook-stoye, another
brought water and others were useful in
other ways. She did not move until she
heard her chickens squalling, and, spring
ing to her feet, she seized q broom and
ieaped out into the yard 10 defend her fa-
vorites. She had raised her weapon 70
strike when Luke seized her arm, and said !:
"You will save chickens and other prep
erty. too, by devotiug your time 70 prePsr-
. ing our breakfast
She was frantic with rage and swore she
would 'spizen EN- Z" Some Of the soldiers
threatened 10 burn the house if she didn'I
go TO work