The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-06-05
CHAPTER VI.
ON TO BELMONT.

CHAPTER VI.
ON TO BELMONT.
Captain Mason knew that If he refused to
either make the half dozen Confederates
prisoners or shoot them down in their
tracks he would be censured. But with
his warm, sympathetic heart appealing for
the brother of the girl dearer than life, he
determined to set military authority at de-
hance.
"You once had me in your power and
spared me, said the young Captain, after
an awkward silence Of few seconds. II
would be more than a monster to refuse
you your liberty"
''Thank you, Luke. 1 don't ask this for
myself"
The friends advanced and met half way
between their forces Leaning from his
horse he grasped the hand of his friend, who
was standing on the ground Captain Mason
said:
"Albert, IL will be all can do TO call
hose men of, as their blood is up and they
are desperate. 1 shall do my best, though"
"Thank you, it is all you can do"
"Thls will be the last time we can meet
as friends on the field Of carnage. Though
shall not raise my hand against you my
self, the conflict is too desperate for one TO
screen the other"
AZ know it, Luke. God bless you, my
friend, farewell"
"One moment before you go-where is
Lillien asked Luke.
"At home, 1 suppose"
"She was not when we came BY, and
wanted so much to see her. If you meet
her, tell her that for her sake her
brothers. life shall ever be safe But longer
delay is dangerous, go-fy while you can"
1--WE can not travel with him."
Leave HIM, then"
"No, would die before did that"
"Who is he"
"Captain Jasper Morgan"
"The son of Colonel MorganW
eyes"
"was it Colonel Morgan whom we
foughtp
1t was"
Farewell"
Again those friends, one standing in the
ranks Of one army and one in another,
clasped hands, gazed for moment into each
others faces and parted.
Have they surrendered" one Of the
cavalry officers asked, as Luke came back
20 his mounted men.
"No, it's only a detail TO care for the
wounded; let them go"
"And not make prisoners OF themP
ayes, it is best. will be responsible IL
the order IS wrong To arms, right about"
The cavalrymen wheeled their horses
about and, with the Captain at their head,
went laundering from the wood, down the
hill to the valley below. Shots could be
heard a mile or so down the valley, and
there being a probability Of the enemy cut
ting them off, he had them hasten with all
speed to the main force.
As Luke dismounted from his horse near
where the fight had been hottest, he could
Tot but shudder 1t was the first glimpse
# carnage ne had ever had. The fence
,ver which the conflict had been was badly
shattered with bullets and buck-shot, and
in places was completely thrown down.
Lying on his back upon the lately mown
meadow was middle aged man in his shirt
sleeves, looking like a farmer in peaceful
'lumber. A bullet had pierced his heart
and his features were not distorted or
unnatural But few rods away, at the
brink of the horse-pond, lay red headed
10Y Of about seventeen summers, shot in
he head.
An old, white haired man had fallen on
MS face with his gun under him. Three
lead Confederates lay piled against the
fence. The Union dead, twelve in number,
lay scattered about in the corn-held and
peach orchard beyond.
"Glad yer back" said the Colonel, coming
lp to where Luke stood gazing on the
scene. 1--WE can't wait here long. We're
having the dead and wounded gathered up
md cared for, and we must be goln' or We'll
ave twenty thousand Johnny rebs all
.round u.s."
BY the middle Of the afternoon the little
army was again on the road to Cairo. In
he hurry and confusion Captain Mason's
Indulgence TO his Confederate friend was
lot reported.
lnce they had met, became more OPP
pressive TO the people whose country
hey were passing through. Houses
we're pillaged and burned, aud the man OF
civilization became barbarian and rob-
,er. They were greatly aggravated by the
aunts Of the Confederate women, who
waved rebel flags in their faces and cheered
''Jeff Davis ana the Southern Confeder-
ICY" At such times some forgot they were
gentlemen and gave insult for insult, usual
y leaving the smoking ruins Of once
iappy home as a terrible example of foolish
lnsolence.
Hundreds Of frightened and oppressed
Union men were constantly tiocking To them
or protection, and next day after the fight
;olonel Smart had over u thousand unarmed
men, who had TO be fed. Having no pro-
vision train foraging became an absolute
necessity. Being in the enemy's country
some OF these foraging expeditions were at
tended with great danger and many were
the ridiculous adventures.
On the morning after the conflict in the
valley Luke, at the head of dozen mount.
"a men, went up 10 farmhouse and de-
nnnhad ahmiffnncn Thnu ,unra 1rrnntnl Ia,