The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-01
TIE MAJORS STORY.
A Crack Troop of Cavalry Scared by
a Drove Of Hogs.
BY FRANK W. HESS.

y uetdCuGu shutter OF uOOE from an ABANDONED
house, but was OF shining mahogany, broad and
substantial, richly laden with the good things
of this world; for cur host, a gallant and daring
sabreuF ia war, had in peace so applied his
qualities OF perseverance and courage that sue
cess had crowned his business ventures, and
fortune had welcomed him as one Of her prime
fayortes. He was charming listener and
knew how 10 encourage others 10 talk, and his
manner conveyed the impression that he keenly
enjoyed tho society Of those present.
Notwithstanding the many "reminiscences
unearthed that evening our host, the Major,
was rather retcent until one Of the party asked !:
Major do you reeolleet little Murphy 2 +"
which brought the following:
"Murphy2 DO / recollect Murphy How
could forget him2 Why he did me the honor
TO take care of my horses when was a sub in
the til volunteer cavalry, and for that reason
alone deserves TO be remembered.
" A rare fellow was Murphy. As you might
suspect from his name, he was born in that island
which has furnished SO many Of our politicians,
priests and soldiers. Now, the frst Of these he
could not have been, as he was not sufficiently
seli-assertiug; nor the second, as he had not
mastered the art Of making pOt-hOoks wild a
pen.'
1.-THE last--a soldier-he was, and good one,
though be never suspected it.
Tho manner in which he came to my relief
on the night of the 29th or Both of June, 1862,
cannot 10 forgotten. McClellan's army was
struggling to shake of the persistent attacks
OF Lees victorious battalious, which, flushed
by their successes north OF the ChiekahOmiuy
aud White Oak swamp remained in daily con-
tact with our rear-guard. The seven days
battles were in progress and our army was in
full retreat for the James River and the shell
tering aid Of our gunbOats.
Each day was full of fighting, and each
night Of hard marching. There was no rest
for man oS beast, In the evening the troop
10 which Murphy and belonged was assigned
the duty Of pIcketing one of the numerous
roads found in that country, but which could
not DO found on any map. 1t left the Quaker
road near Glendale and stretched out south
westerly; where it led to or ended none of us
then knew. A little before sunset the troop,
or rather half.troOp, which l commanded was
pushed out GU this road beyond the infantry,
with instructions to proceed until the enemy
was met, and 70 establish Videts as close to him
az he would permit, and SO remain during the
night.
ave had gone but a short distance when the
sdyance-guard was fired upon, one man being
wounded. After ascertaining that IL was the
enemys infantry which occupied our front,
yidets were posted and the place for the re-
serve selected.
The men had not been on post long when
a detachment Of Regular cavalry, commanded
/ By a Sergeant, attempted to pass on our road.
II was halted, and | explained TO the Sergeant
that hostile infantry held the road Immediately
in front, and that he could not pass through
their line. lie said his orders to find Gen.
Sykes's command were imperative; that be
bad some dispatches and an important message
for the General. Difficulty in getting TO him
had been anticipated and the message had been
memOrized by each Of the men, hoping that
some Of them might get through and deliver it.
De dcp!Oyed his men in small groups, at
wide intervals, on the right Of the road, and
taking brisk gailOp they disappeared in the
woods. In few moments q heavy musketry
FIRE was opened on them, and an hour later one
/ Of them came back badly wounded, having es-
capped IN the darkness from his captOrs. lie
! said that several OF his companions had been
/ killed, aud that he feared none had gotten
through. The night was dark and very still.
/ The road ran through forest of large trees,
whose overarching bOughs interlOcked above it,
and from the OutpOsts could be heard the steady
/ tramp OF marching troops in front Of Us. We
/ learned afterwards that they were on the
River road into which ours led, and were
moving towards Malvern Hill, with the inten-
| ton OF preventing our people from reaching
| tho river.
"TO sit on g horse in the woods during a
| dark night near an enemy whose purpose is
unknown, and whom he can hear moving but
equations that falls to the lot of a cayaryman.
The incidents Of the early EVENING" man
Of our own party shot down on the ground We
now occupied, the apparent humiliation of the
| detachment Of Regulars, the noises from q
/ moving column OF the enemy's infantry, the
TsloleclOus Of the sanguinary struggles which
/ bal been witnessed during the past few days,
10 which must be added the effect OF exhaust
I ion, due 10 OvcrWOrk, loss Of rest and lack OF
all nd I'll IN, Ia hi
! little command somewhat nervous and shaky.
The men who were not on post slept
\ 10 horse that is, laid down in front OF
their horses, fastening the bridle-reius to their
/ wrists or belts. Recognizing the spirit OF
nervousness, plainly apparent on tine Outposts
| was almost afraid 20 dismount; but at length,
overcome by fatigue, did so. / had not been
seated long when heard q great racket going
on up the road toward the outpO5ts. had lust
time to swing into the saddle and call the re-
| serve TO attention when ali tho videts came
charging ia at full speed. Making q suitable
| disposition for defense, set about trying TO
| find out what it was that had led to the
Abandonment of their posts by the yidets.
| was assured by the two men who had been on
the extreme OutpOsts-and had long regarded
them as much above the average for GOODNESS
aud courage - that persons were moving
through the woods on both sides Of the road.
| They bad been unable to see them, but had
| frequently and distinctly heard them walking
on the fallen leaves.
Not caring to send any report to the in
| fantTy commander in rear until it had been
| properly verified, waited little while to see
that no one had followed the pickcts in, and
| then started back to re establish them. This
vas soon done, and although l spent some time
| at the Outposts with the men, failed 20 per-
ceiye any indications Of the Enemy or to note
| anything unusual. / returned to the reserve
post and gave the men permission to lie down
again, and all was quiet for perhaps nearly an
nouri when another stampede occurred. Again
l went TO the front, this time taking Murphy
who was mounted on my spare hOrse-along
! with me. He was more nearly than any man
have ever known absolutely devoid Of fear
and this appeared to DO a time when such q
man was most needed. Carefully approaching
the place near which the outpost had been, il
was again established, /, with Murphy, remain
| ing there.
For long time nothing was heaTd-even
| the s0und of marching troops on the River road
had ceased. At length, however, / heard what
! seemed TO be a football among the leaves very
near me, then another and another farther away
! Murphy was by my side, and as his ear was an
| acute one, and his judgment sometimes good
/ whispered, What do you think it can be?
$500