Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1892-12-28

As the soldier gazed down upon tne
expansive view different expressions
fitted across his face. At one moment
there was serious look, such as men
wear on the eve Of battle; at another q
shrinking expression; then u dreamy one.
He saw territory that lay beyond the
Union lines. He wondered what war
like scenes were hidden down there
within the blending Of rocks and rivers
and undulations, lying calm and sweet
before him that summer afternoon.
Were clusters of white tents there?
Were brigades, divisions, army corps
marching?
Now he thought he could hear q dis
tant creaking Of caissons and gun car
riages. But he knew this could not be.
II they were there, they were too far to
be heard. The sounds never became
real. The. young mans fancies were al
ways broken by the actual rustic Of the
leaves or some sound from the furred
or feathered inhabitants Of the noun
tains.
Then q scene he had passed through
the previous evening came up before
him.
He stood in the presence Of general
Of division-the finest specimen Of phys
icsl splendor Of all the generals Of the
Union army-one who was year later
to achieve the title Of "the Rock Of
Chickamauga." The general was speak
ing while his subordinate was listening
respectfully and attentively.
~ am ordered by the department COM
mander to find ont what is going on at
Chattanooga. Our accommodating par
ties have thus far brought us nothing
save tia.t there is no enemy very near.
We are iable to be fanked and cut of
from east Tennessee. See herep he
turned to q map spread out on q pine ta-
bic. "Here Is Chattanooga; here the
Sequatchie valley; up here to the north
Is Knoxville, held by General Kirby
Smith for the Confederates. Here Is
Cumberland gap. IF the enemy is con-
centrating at Chattanooga, he may not
only hold it against greatly superior
force, but can march right along here"
he traced the route with his finger
'form q junction with General Smith at
Knoxville, and into Kentucky. Louis
vile and Cincinnati will De in danger.
Forrest and Morgan are hammering at
our communications; we get reports Of
immense forces Of the enemy at Knox
vile; everything points to this or some
similar plan Of campaign on the part Of
the Confederates. If so, they must be
concentrating at Chattanooga as point
Of rendezvous"
The general paused; then looking the
soldier in the eye said impressively:
"You are the only man to whom I can
intrust so important q mission. can't
order you, as you know, beyond our
lines, except in uniform. Go as far as
you dare as soldier; I leave the rest to
you. Will you undertake to bring me
the information we require".
~ will, general"
"Very we'll. The fate of this army,
the success Of the Union arms in the
west, perhaps the .prolongation of the
war, depend upon you"
The young man bowed, but said moth
ing.
"You will need pass to get beyond
our pickets." The general drew q camp
chair beside a pine table and took up a
pen. "How will you have it written"
"'Pass Private Mark Malone'-that
name will do as we'll as any-'beyond
our lines at will"
The general wrote the pass and hand
ing it to Private Malone, "Go, and God
bless your he said. He took his ennis
sary's hand and pressed it heartily.
As the words, "Go, and God bless
your rang again in memory the soldier
touched the fanks Of his horse lightly
with his great brass spurs and began to
descend the mountain.
An hour later he entered the little
town of Jasper. Riding up to the tavern
he reined in his horse and let him drink
at the rough wooden trough in front.
A number of country people were sit
ting on the veranda, and every one fixed
his eyes on the soldier, who sat on his
horse looking about him with as much
apparent indifference as if he were with
in the Union lines. When the animal
had drunk his fill his rider cast the reins
to q negro and dislnounted. Then, de-
taching his carbine from where he had
hooked it to his saddle, he took it in his
hand and tramped into the house to the
Jingle of his spurs.
Not word was spoken by those watch
ing in admiration the strapping young
fellow with so young face set on 50
stalwart frame. He paid no. attention
to them, but walked into the dining room
and called for supper. After devoting
himself to a plate Of bacon and corn
bread, with cup Of chicory in lieu of
coffee (for the blockade of the southern
ports had stopped the flow Of the coffee
bean from foreign countries), he walked
out on the gallery, and seating himself
on wooden bench took brierwood
pipe and a tobacco pouch out Of his
pocket and began to smoke.
Jasper was mo mans land" The peo-
pie living there and thereabout were
nearly all Confederate sympathizers,
but had learned to look for Union or
Confederate troops with All equal chance
Of either. From the moment Of the SOL
dier's arrival they had discussed his
coming in whispers. Soldiers Of either