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

at was only a striking likeness"
"Wall, that's what Colonel Morgan said,
but I'd bet hundred dollars it war that ar
same Pete"
"The Morgans are very strong Southern
ers, are they not9'
"Reg'lar ire-eaters. From the old man
down all war Confederate. r. tell We the
truth, Captain, l war kinder on TIL fence my
self long time. Didn't like shootin' at the
old flag, but they turned we IN hundreds o.
others"
"Colonel Morgan has daughterw
eyes, Elsie Morgan, an the pizenest lit
tie rebel We ever seed"
81 met her once and saved her from ar
rest and her house from being burned"
"Her mother died ten Vars ago, an she
wouldn't stay up in Missouri when her
father N brother come South
"Was she in Fort Donelsonw
"Yes, tillwe larnt you'ns war comm an
then she went to Nashville"
"She will soon have to move from there,
for General Grant will not stop at Fort Don
elson."
at do seem IS 4 you'ns hev way o.
goin' just wherever ye want to. But if
Buckner ID had command at fust instead
o. Floyd an Pillow wouldn't got in here
so easy"
"Were there any other ladies' here from
Missouri in the Sanitary Corpse
Eyes, a hull passed."
"Did you know others than the Nov
gans'"
"No, except the Jennings women, tho
Ryans and Oldhams."
Luke thanked the wounded man for the
information he had given him, hoped that
he might soon recover, learned that his
name was Dick Sneed, and promised to see
that he was well cared for.
On leaving the hospital an orderly in
formed him that he was wanted at brigade
headquarters. On reaching General Nc
Clernand's tent he found him surrounded
by his staff and 80 busily engaged that it
was some time before he was recognized.
At last the General saw him and said
"Captain Mason, your regiment is in a
bad condition, and will have to reorganize
and be filled with recruits, but this can not
be done now, and for the present you will be
placed in command of it. Muster your men
as soon as you can and report to me how
many answer to roll call"
"Hev they made We Kernel2" asked
Arkansaw Tom, on learning that Luke had
been placed in command of the regiment.
"No, have charge Of the regiment but
am only Captain"
SCOT tn work without tn pay. 'Tain't
fair. faint fair" growled old Tom.
Luke had each company call its roll, and
made out his reports, which he forwarded
promptly to headquarters.
One evening he was again summoned to
brigade Headquarters Generals Grant,
Smith, Wallace and McClernand were there
awaiting him. He was informed that on
the 21st OF the present month (February,
1862 they designed moving on Clarkville,
and seven days later to Nashville, unless
orders to the contrary were received.
"What we want, Captain Mason,is for you
to make reconnaissance along the roads
leading to these two Cities" said General
McClcrnand. "The country is said to be
overrun with bands of Confederates, and
we want you with a sufficient force t0 start
tonight and go out at least dozen miles
and report to us tomorrow, or just as early
as you can. viii you do itn
81 will try" he unhestatingly answered.
''That's all any man could ask" said the
conqueror Of Donelson. SLOW many men
do you wantl"
"Fifty light horse will be amply sufii-
Gent"
"Take your pick from the army"
After selecting the cavalrymen suited TO
his service he chose in addition his four
tried and trusty friends--Arkansaw Tom,
Max, Snow and Cotton-and securing the
best horses to be found, with negro guide,
started at once upon their perilous expedi-
ton.
The pickets were passed. and they were
in dark road surrounded by forest The
dull splash, splash, splashing of horses feet
in the muddy water was the only sound
which broke the silence. The feet and legs
of the soldiers were covered with creamy
ooze which penetrated to the skin and
chilled them.
The night was too dark for any object tc
be seen, and as Luke rode at the side OF
the guide he held a cooked pistol in his
right hand.
"Is it woods all the way to Clarkvillel"
he asked the guide.
Yes, boss, bout all de way, | reckin', y
the negro answered. "Dar am some
felds.n
"Are the people about here loyal9"
mo, boss; dey's all secesh."
"Then we can expect no favors from
them"
"Dey'd cut our heads off # dey could"
az heah bosses feet comm down tn road
Cap'n," said old Arkansaw Tom, who was
just behind Luke.
"How many do you think they area
asked Luke, checking his horse.
"A hull passed."
"Dey am not friens," said the guide.
Luke determined to give them wide
berth, and ordered the guide to take then
to some safe spot at the roadside, where
they halted and waited for the horsemen Il
go by. The heavy splashng of horses fee
could be heard by the Union cavalry.
From the length of time it took the horse
men to pass Luke knew there must be a
least twenty-five of them. His strange
guido declared there were thirty. Thi,
guides voice seemed strangely familiar Il
Luke He had not seen his features, as h
had never met him by daylight, or even b.
the light of torch, or he would have recog
nizcd him, 1t was not until he said
"Come on, now, Massa Lukel" that h,
recognized him.
Blackhawkl" he gasped.
, Eyes, massa"
"Why are you here! Where have vol
beenl"
"Tryin ter help save dis Union, Mass;
Luke, n sot my chillun free. knows cher,
, foot O. dis country, kase useter live heah
but deys gone now, raassa, an we kin g
, ON
, They had not gone more than tire,
miles when they came to large, oldfash