The herald. (Big Stone City, Dak. [S.D.]) 1883-1890, 1889-01-04
CHAPTER K.

crolx.
CHAPTER K
THE NAAELEss REGIMENT
MAJOR Winthrop to report ut headquar-
ters."
Tho army was lying before Petersburg,
the advanced post OF Richmond, when Grant
was beleagucring Lee with the bulldog de-
termination to hang on till the Confederate
legion was annihilated.
"You will 20 to City Point" said the Ad-
jutant-General, when Harry presented him
self, .and take charge Of two thousand
dismountcd men who will be conveyed in
transports to Washington via Baltimore
Major Briggs will share the command with
you. You will report to Colonel Gamble at
Remount Camp and await further orders"
When Major Briggs and our hero reached
City Point and mustered their new COM
mand, they found themselves in charge of o
mob Of mon, ragged aud tattered, hatless
and shoeless, nnd what was worse, tainted
with the lawless spirit which always affects
large bodies of men when discipline has
been for . time in abeyanco To
even up the responsibility, each officer
took charge of thousand men, and
they set sail for Baltimore. Tho men
drank in fresh life from the ozone-ladcn
hFeczcs Qf the Atlantic; though many
gallant fellow who had ridden, without
quailing, through the battle field, found his
heart sink when the rolling vessel warned
him that his time was come to pay tribute
TO Father Neptune, for all Of them were
from inland homes and tho ocean bllows
were to them new and painful experience.
So, when they presented themselves before
T01r nn1G Govn hove No
peared in the eyes of that gallant officer as
sorry brigade as the illustrious regiment
Of Bombastcs Furioso, whose men were all
rags and tatters. Moreover, there was al
ways an Inclination on the part Of the regu-
lar army officers to look with certain
superciliousness on the s'citizen soldiers"
90 he may be forgiven if there was slight
tone Of contempt in his voice as he gave
Harry an order on the QuartermaSter for
their mount and equipment.
"And, Major Winthrop" he added, as a
parting injunction, "if you ever do get these
follows in marching order, report at once to
mo-"
Harry salutel and withdrew, smarting
somewhat under the hippant tone Of the
command and resolved to astonish this
hypercritical gentleman before many hours
had passed.
He had all day before him. Luckily for
him, too, he found the quartcrmaster quick
and prompt. On the voyage, moreover, he
had IS far as he could secured the names
and antecedents Of his men, and the conse-
Quencc OF his rushing preparations was
that he was enabled to parade the command
tho next morning at the early hour of three
o'clock. Well mounted, clean in person,
with bright new uniforms, in high spirits,
hn IN
ranks tho mob of castaways OF the prcv-
ous day. Harry drew them up in line be-
fore the Coloncl's quarters.
For time his servant refused to arouse
him, but Winthrop was imperative, and
presently the astonished officer came forth
rubbing his eyes and staring in wonder on
the gallant array before him.
Al ready, sir"' said Harry, saluting
and trying in vain TO conceal the flush Of
csasetOus pride that Inantled his check.
4 have no doubt the Coloncrs conscience
sanot0 him, but he was too good q soldier to
lot : word of surprise escape his lips.
"You will take your mon ut once to Fort
GAcvcns," he said, coldly, but - his eyes
not Harry's there was Q glance. Of admira-
tton in them which, fully compensated tho
young citizen soldier Tor his hours Of TOLL
So out they marched in the gray dawn
nruneh Fourteenth street into the city Of
Nashington. past tho capitol, ont to Fort
Stevens. Already the streots wore alive
with people, for the most intense excite
cent prevailed in tho city. The enomy was
at its gates Even % they trnmpcd past
she halls Of legislature, they could hear the
Eeverbcration Of the rebel musketry. Gen.
ersl Early had beaten w Wallace at Monocacy
river, and new lAy before the almost de-
tenselcss city with twenty thonaand men.
A Harry.s troopers left thu suburbs bc-
hind thom, a smbulance tor the moment
stopped the march, then suddculy drew on
ouS Side 70 lstthcm pass, and tan figure.
stood upon the seat bereheaded - they
rode before him.
~ . glance he wAs recoeuis0d, end )