The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-09

looping by ard tod him TO form his lien.
'Fall ID ~ cried Captain Mason.
"Oh, thunderl more mud tramping,"
grOwled Corporal Max.
The regiment was soon in limo, and head
ed By the iron gray-hair Colonel, who
went on foot leading his horse, they moved
of to the right until they came TO &cCler-
nand's division, which they had been or
dered to support.
Two or three regiments joined the divis-
ion, and all prepared to pass the night mis-
erably enough
Tho sun went down on the night of the
18th of February, 1852, leaving the army
confronting Fort Donelson in any thing but
a comfortable condition The weather had
turned intensely cold the men were with
out tents ana could not keep fires.
An occasional firing had bcea kept up all
along the line Of works, and Berges' sharp
g., shooters had during the day kept a line OF
batteries silent.
The ground froao hard that night, and
the soldiers, without fire or blankets, suf-
fered severely. Not being able tolie upon the
ground, most preferred standing or stamp
ing or dancing to keep their feet from freez-
ing.
y
tain Mason, who, with his overcoat buttoned
up to his chin, still shivered.
"Slcep' no." erowled Max, his teeth chat
tering. "Im frcezn'."
"Bettcr hal kept yer blanlctr' said Ar
kansaw Tom, who, with his blanket wrapped
about him, sat at the root Of tree.
"Shet up, ye old salamander," growled
Max "Capn, why cant we make iire~
ats against orders"
"What n thunder d they issue such or
ders fur?n
"a fire would make us an excellent mark
for the rebel gunncrs"
ard about as soon be shot as to be freez-
in to death here" growlcd Max.
Night set in bleak and cheerless The
shrill north wind Whistlcd through the de-
nuded branches Of the trees, and the shiv-
ering soldiers bent their wretched bodies
nearer to the earth. At midnight it was
showing and soon carpet Of white was
spread over the earth. Tho wrctched men,
shivcring and crouching before the blast,
scarce could move to shake of the flakes
that werc covering them like a mantle Of
white.
cap, don't We hear some one commit"
old Arkansaw Tom asked.
Luke listened, and could hear the faint
tread OF footsteps coming over tho frozen
ground He Immediately dispatched his OF
iderly to the Colonel, asking permission to
capture the bold adverturers, who had evil
IDENTITY como out to rcconnOiter.
Without consulting any higher authority,
Colonel Smart told him TO Ego ahead"
"Tom, Max, Ned, Bill" sad the Captain,
calling over the names of those whom ho
knew could be trusted. Silent as shadows
they rose to their feet, glidcd to his side,
and the five stole out upon the cleared space
between them and the fort. 1t was now so
dark that no object could he seen a dozen
PAGES away. Tho shrill north wind seemed
to pierce them to the bone.
Suddenly they stopped. Whispers were
heard ahead. Tho snow was falling fast,
and the scouts crept through it near
enough to discover half dozen men, evil
IDENTITY Confederate officers, grouped to-
gethcr engaged in conversation.
Luke determined TO cut them off and make
captiyes OF them, but, whilo moving in be,
tween them and the fort, tho unlucky
Max stumbled and fell, making as much
noise as if an OK had dropped from the
moon Three of the rebels fired at them
and took to their heels.
"Como quick, we'vo no time to lose, if we
want 20 take them" whispered Captain Ma
sen, ruuuing at full speed, hoping to cut
them of.
Max and Snow blazcd away, but missed.
Cotton and Tom then fired their muskets,
and man fell. The frozen ground was
rough and stumpy Luke, being swift of
foot, diBtanced his companions and was
gaining on the hindmost man, who flew for
life toward the fort
Suddenly the pursued, without checking
his speed, drew revolver and emptied half
dozen chambers in almost as many sec
onds at Luke. Though the bullets flew I'M
comfortably near the young officers head,
he was unframed, and with drawn sword
did not halt for single moment. The fugi-
tive had partially turned his head when he
fred, and did not see the stump before him
until he had stumbled and fallen over it.
Before he could rise Luke was upon him
with uplifted sword.
'SurrenderlH he cried, in voice hoarse
with passion. Tho answer came from the
ground in voice firm and defiant:
"Ncver to Yankee. Strike if you will"
At sound of the voice Luke's arm fell
powerlgss at his side, and he turned away,
All his hearts tendcrest feelings had been
reused by the sound Of that voice
"Thcy have escaped us, ho said to his
companions whom he met coming toward
him. "Get back to your ranks, for we are
too close now.n
On their way back they picked up the
man that had fallen, who proved to be a
rebu Lieutenant. The bali had pierced his
heart, killing him instantly
Luke said nothing about his adventure
with the Confederate who had emptied his
revolver at him. The remainder OF the night
was quietly but miserably passed, At day
break the entire line of shivenng, quaking
half frozen soldiers were reused by the cry;
"Here they comeW
Eyes, by jimmy, thar they come, bag
and baggageW said Arkansaw Tom, Selling
his gun aud starting to his feet.
Luke,who had been sitting at the root of a
tree in slight doze, was up in moment
A long line of grey coats could be seen
coming over the euemys works, forming
and advancing upon them. The rebels had
on their haversacks, canteens, blankets
and knapsacks, as ii they were going on q
march
They've come ter stay, N brought grut
IN Blankets sand old Tom.
The long roll sounded, calling every man
to battle In three minutes the whole line
was formed. On with tremendous yells
they came, and the work of death began.
First few dropping shots, like the pattel
of a rain shower, and then came a storm OF
fire aud lcaden hail 1t was kept up
Nearer and nearer the contendng lines APP
preached. and iiercer and tierccr grew the
cnrF-.t Inl,n rrlnncnh rlnr O fhnir line hal-