The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-16

But the surgeon OF tue oou hnu nv" oec"
for many days, entirely eliminated. An
Unprecedented, inexplicable care TO me then
AZ ever since, Arriving at this deserted
place, more than ever before, | felt myself
Ishmaelited-a castaway, As state of
fact, since abandoned by my regiment and
division, all things had been done on my
individual responsibility, extra officially
Transactions with officials In chief at Cor
inth were iutrinsically independent, rs II
bearing secret orders for special service.
II was at my request rather than rs In obe'
dience 20 orders, that facilities were
promptly and courteously extended to me
by them for getting out of the wilderness.
Amid all this perplexity, ] could not
dismiss the reflection that ! was In some
unaccountsble way at fault and delinquent,
though but apassive victim,-that must
ultimately account 10 somebody, for every
act and every failure to act all through
the trials had passed, must fully ac'
count for every case of sickness, Its history
and termination; commissary expendi'
lures; condition Of arms and accoutre-
ments; the band and their horns and
drums; for their women for all appertain-
ings, AS If the Captain Of the company
they composed. SO did this reflection oc-
cupy and harrass my mind that II had
come to haunt me like night mare and a
horror!
Cogtating in this humor and planning
for the possibilities of to- morrow, footsteps
approached my tent. A rap on the pole, and
throwing aside fold of the opening, sp.
peared gentleman wearing a staff cap
tains uniform, and q smiling, intelligent
countenance. Imagined him. chance
visitor; but welcomed him cordially TO my
quarters, unquestioned. Enough that he
had been found worthy to be invested with
our glorious insignia and the emblems OF
goodly rank. Guess called him my an
gel"-which, etymologicslly, he duly
proved to be-"one sent"-to me. Direc.
lions were given TO prepare supper for my
guest with such coffee as only our cook
could provide, of all which the Captain
partook with indications of quiet satisfac'
ton, while poured into his not inattentive
ears my sorrowful bewailments and tale Of
woes, to which he gave minute heed and
evident interest," though much detailed all
the time imagining his interest was but
that of friendly sympathy and compassion
for one 30 forlorn. breathed more easily
when the Captain replied in language
and tone as II ON we'll authorized mis-
sion:
But we have been watching you all
through this peculiar experience. Major.
When you thought yourself fOrsaken, as
you mention, we have kept our eyes on
you, at all times and in all situations. As
you were doing well enough, and were
perfectly safe, 1t was decided to try you!
see what you were made of and how you
would cOntrive to get through with 1t. We
want TO know what kind of men We have
among us, and how far we can trust them.
As your men were unfit for duty. the O.
men to be taken care of till they could be
sent home, and that useless band could be
mustered out, and you were managing all
we'll enough, 1t was decided to let you
move along, In the independent manner,
you we're going on. All which was accord
Ing 10 current plans.
"But, while this case OF yours las been
so we'll conducted as to meet appreciation
of all In authority, we have been watching
that Colonel of yours, and young man
with small straps, too. The Col. has done
nothing, as yet, to demand special action
but, as 70 him and the others referred TO-
they need 10 take heed of their ways, or
they will be notified that their designations
will be accepted-if promptly offered.
at Is fair TO say directly to you, Sir, that
the General commanding, and all in au
/ thority under him, are highly pleased with
your conduct In this unique situation. Ev
; erything Is ordered for the transfer of your
hospital TO the regiment tomorrow. A
J Gordon Of pickets has already been placed
around your camp here, and you can pos.
8 sess yourself in all patience and assurance
8 Of being we'll and faithfully guarded
r Glad! One Is never more contenteG
than when, being In difficulty and doubt
/ he finds that doubt resolved like the disso
0 luton of troublous dream.
q The business settled, the night little
] advanced, 1t followed that my welcome
!, guest must pass the rest of 1t under my
l. personal canvas; for which special pro
9 vision had been early made.
!. Needless to add, the Steward had beer
!, duly enjoined as to breakfast, kindly ant
+ properly to speed our parting guest, as W,
Q had welcomed his coming.
q; Avoiding the incivility of interrogatinl
/ our "angel visitant" as to his identity, 8,
r well certified was he In bearing the insig
9 MIA of honor and rank, before sleeping al
o opportunity offered me to intimate desir,
=