Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-01

Would you like an interesting war
storyP We havo Il, and 1t reads like
romance The story begins with
the charge oi Wilson's Western cav
airy on tho Confederates around Co
lumbus. General Howell Cobb's COM
mand occupied Girard, just across tho
Chattahoochee river, and tho news
cahis that Wilson's cavalry was bear
ing rapidly on tho town, and that this
dashing troop would reach Girard by
about seven o'clock IN the evening.
They came on eme and the Conteder-
ate forces, greatly outnumbered, and
taken on such brief notice, we're at
immense disadvantage. The Fed
cral cavalry had como like q cy-
clone, and the face OF tho earth was
literally dotted with them. They held
every point around the town and ad-
yanced from all directions. Before
night they charged the Confederate
forces. and in few minutes the battle
was on. Fierce was the struggle, as,
locked almost in each others lines,
the two contesting forces fought for
supremacy. But IL was soon over; the
Confederates could not hold out against
the heavy odds, and retreat was tho
only escape from capture or annihila-
tion. One after another the lines
broke. and in the darkness OF the night
the Confederates found themselves
abcolut,i.- lfan-wo,f-,d ,,,,,r.,fa.
lost from their commands, soldiers
from their companies. and every man
struggling TO keep out Of the enemy's
hand.
10 the bridget was the cry.
Tho scattered Confederates rushed
10 the bridge to escape to the Georgia
side only to find II in flames! Some
had gotten over In safety and many
went through as best they could, fight
ing fire and picking their way through
the sputtering timbers
Among the last TO pass the bridge was
Second Lieutenant Charley Howell, OF
Company c, First Georgia Regiment
boy, scarce eighteen years OF age.
He was lost from his company and
found himself stranger among
strangers, but the gray uniform he
wore called a kind word from strap
ping Texan who, like him, was a
refugee, but had fortunately escaped
on horseback and had succeeded in
bringing another horse with him,
which he led.
Want TO ride?" said tho Texan,
adding hurriedly; Better git up;
we amt got no time to spareln
No sooner said than done, and over
the road leading from Columbus
toward Greonville, in Meriwether
County, the little Lieutenant and the
sturdy Texan logged along together in
the darkness OF the night
The Texan was on his way 10 Macon,
where he hoped to join friends, and
Lieutenant Howell was on his way
homo 20 Atlanta, and he wanted TO get
there by the most direct route. which
accounted Tor his not accepting the
generous offer of his companion 10
keep your horse and come on with
me 10 Macon" They separated after
q days ride together, one continuing
north toward Atlanta, and the other
leading a riderless horse toward
Macon.
On the second day after the fight at
Girard Lieutenant Howell found him
self near Waverly Hall. in Harris
County.
The sun was sinking over the mount
ANS, which rise in that section as II
by some error OF nature, and the trav-
eler, almost exhausted, was wonder
ing whore he would rest for the night
The road hugged mountain stream,
and bond brought in full view mill
cozily nestled on its banks, while
across the road was one OF those old
time Southern mansions, OF immacu-
late white, with broad piazzas, and
possessing an air OF hospitality which
seemed TO say, ''come in." Several
ladies were about the yard, two in
deep mourning, as soon appeared. for
husbands who had gone 10 the war
never 10 return. The gray coat at the
gate attracted their eyes and opened
their hearts. Come in" they said,
eve will do the best we can for you
You are hungry. We have but little
left, but what We have we will share"
Soon the travellers story was told
The party were seated on the broad
piazza overlooking the mill, and the
chirping Of the crickets, the mo-
notonous hum OF tho water playing
with the mill-wheel, and the noise Of a
gentle wind toying with the limbs of
the towering oaks, lent an air OF
solemnity 20 the occasion.
There are sounds Of the pa tterinR
OF horses hoofsl
In another minute the bend is
rounded and two horsemen, magnlA-
Gently equipped aud ia full uniform
OF Federal cavalry, hastily dismounted
atthe gate OF the mansionl
"Ihe lankeesi The Yankeesr'
screamed tho ladies'. in CONSERVATION.
The criders had promptly covered"
the young officer with their revoiyers.
and. advancing toward the house, one
Of them in Captains uniform. said;
''Have no fear ladies'; we will not
harm you. B." Then, turning TO Lieut.
enent Howell, the speaker continued:
"Iou surrenderP'
~ musti 4 am unarmed."
"lOu are rebelP'
''l'm not called such our way. but II
tho term suits you, all right"
you wear Lieutenant stripes,
see-they take 'em young down here"
''Not too young TO fight"
''Ncll. come on, we win have 10
take you in charge" and the three
le'i The yard, the cayalrymen mount
Ing mud the prisoner following on foot
Ia this way they loft the old man