Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-15


 surprise, or even take advantage of the partial surprise, they had deemed 1t best to retreat.
 Sleep was a stranger to the eyes of the new soldiers the remainder of that night. When morning came not 8 sign of an enemy could be found. It was the general belief that the opposing force would renew the battle at daylight, but when it came they were many miles away, and only the bullet shattered oaks and fences remained to tell that conflict had ragged there but 8 few hours before.
 The recruits, elated at their victory, seemed to have suddenly developed into veterans. In their enthusiasm they wanted to be led at once against Lexington, which Price was supposed to be investing with force variously estimated at from twenty to ono hundred thousand men.
 The recruits were again in turmoil for the lack of a leader. Two days were spent ill trying to devise some general mode of action. Luke, disgusted with a military organization which seemed no stronger than rope of sand, was half inclined to desert and seek the service of his country elsewhere.
 They were constantly threatening to break up and go of in different directions, each company to itself. Nothing but the knowledge that proving bands of Confed- crates swarmed everywhere held them to- gether at Sagget. On the evening of the third day man mounted on jaded horse rode into camp with the startling intelli- gence that Lexington had fallen on the 2Oth of September, the day before.
 All hope of reaching Lexington was abandoned, and without any leader the army was in 8 deplorable condition Sur rounded by the enemy, cut of from friends on NyvSth Sntn nl condition was somewhat precarious.
 Some wanted to go to St. Louis, others to Springfield, and another day was spent at Sagget arguing which course they should take, when messenger came with orders from somewhere for them to move to Cairo.
 That, of course, settled their destination, but there were many minor details to be consulted in regard to the march. Captain Smart still had nominal command of the forces, but his authority was liable to be usurped at any time.
 By pressing into service such teams as could be found, they managed to organize a small baggage train and prepared for the march. Luke's voluntary suggestions to Q great extent helped to pour oil on the troubled waters, and brought him into the favorable notice of his superiors.
 At last the march was begun, and to Luke's astonishment, as well as delight, he found that their course took them down the road which led past MT. Neff's farmhouse. The whole country was wild with alarm, and they frequently found farm houses de- serted. Those descrted homes were plum dered by the recruits, who seemed to have no ideas of war above that of pillage Cap tain Smart and many others did all they sad lack of military discipline rendered them powerless.
 Captain Smart" Luke said, as they were marching down the great turnpike which led past the farm of Mr. Neff, twill you not let me have a small detail. and go forward to guard a farmhouse about five miles in our advancem
 "Why dye want to do thatp' the Captain asked.
 "Those people are my friends"
 "Are they rebcls!"
 "Some may be-some are not; but have sworn that the young girl and that helpless old man shall not suffer insults which I have seen heaped upon the inoffensive and weak by these soldiers"
 Captain Smart, remembering tho ad- vantage Luke's suggestions had been to him, said:
 "Pn give ye any four men in my compa- ny ye want, If ye think they'n Il be enough to protect the people. I've tried t stop the,r stealin', but it don't seem in my power. Ii you kin do it, yer welcome t the detail"
 Having the privilege of making his own selection, Luke chose his mess-Arkansaw Tom, Ned Cotton, Bill Swain and Corporal Max. Bills wound was trifing, and did not disable him.
 What ye want us t dol" asked Arkan- saw Tom, as they hurried down the road past the advance guard.
 "You are to protect house."
 "Whose?"
 "Mr. Jordan Neff's."
 "Union or secesh4"
 "The family are divided. The only son is in the Confederate army"
 "They'u burn the house.'
 "You must not let them. Tho house and inmates must be shielded from insult"
 "If ye say t, we'll perfect lem, of it costs IS our lives"
 "That is what want you to do."
 "It's settled," said old Arkansaw Tom. "We'n perfect 'em, UT bite the dust tryin'"
 The old familiar farmhouse was at last in sight, and Luke felt bis heart beating high with hope and expectation as he neared it.
 !. "I will see her once more," he thought. She will know that have done this for her sake, and that next to my country she is the dearest object of life"
 How peaceful and quiet seemed tho pleas ant old country home. The tall poplars and stately elms lowered above the broad lawn, and their leaves rustled in the breeze. The 1ocks were bleating on the hills, and distant tinkling of cow-bells came to his ears. Pigs wero grunting in the fence corners, and busy bees hummed from flow CT to flower. The strange silence about the house caused an uneasy feeling to come over him. When they reached the gate they saw that the house was closed, and had the appearance of being deserted.
 Followed by his comrades, Luke has tened toward the front door, hoping by his sudden return to give his betrothed pleas ant surprise.
 Only hollow echoes answered his knocks, and at last, growing impatient, he turned the knob and opened the door. The room