The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-07

| on his knee and coddled him a little and then
asked him sportively when these awful things
were going to happen. The little fellow quickly
answered that the Yankees were to be killed
the next morning at daybreak.
The lads story was now taking shape, and
| the General, being man of shrewdness and OF
quick perception. had begun to divine its pos
sible meaning. The thought flashed across his
| mind, he told me, "Can there be a plot to de-
stroy me that this child and his mother know
about2 Can this be warning?"
Thoroughly aroused, and a little alarmed, he
now proceeded to draw more information from
the boy about the direful event. With kindly
and playful manner he set the youth at ease,
and then came the whole story, chartered out
| innocently and brightly, and without restraint.
Gen. Kelley now saw its Importance and
without moments delay he dispatched
squadron Of cavalry under Capt Hart gallant
and trusted officer. to scout the Back creek
country as far as Bakers Gap. This was at
in the afternoon. Between and the
CAVALRY CAME BACK AT sToRMrNG GAIT,
with report that Early'sltroops, in great force.
had gone into camp at Tomahawk Springs.
short distance above, at o'clock
The warning was thus fully confirmed, and
Gen. Kelley concluded the best thing to do was
to break camp and get away as soon AZ possible
He 6rds ed his men to gather as many fence
rails and dry limbs as possible aud make
line of campfres which should satisfy the
enemy that he was lying in bivouac, camiy
unconscious of his impending fate. At P. IN.
an order was given to withdraw down Back
Creek TO the Potomac, and the retreat was ex-
ecuted in perfect military order. The artillery
moved first, than the infantry, and the cavalry
guarded the rear. At midnight the little army
was all at the river, and the first streak OF
dawn broke upon the last man to wade to the
Maryland shore.
With as neat precision as in action of the
drama, large force of Confederate cavalry
came dashing down the creek, with mighty
laundering of hoofs and the
WILD BLARE OF MANY BUGLEs,
Just in time to find its game beyond reach and
draw up in line of battle on the other shore
reaC 20 receive early callers. But the cavalry
had no mind to make such call. With loud
yelis and few stray shots, it headed back up
the creek at slow trot
Thus a smart Virginia woman foiled three
great, if not the greatest, Confederate leaders
in one of the best pieces of strategy the history
of the war affords
Gen. Kelley did not forget his little savior.
He had carefully noted his name, and as the
years passed by, after peace was restored, he
watched the youngsters growth until he be-
came OF suitable age for a Cadetship. Then
Gen. Kelley made special trip to Washington
to see President Grant, and told him OF his
providential escape, through the agency of the
boy and his mother. 1t was the first time the
secret had passed his lips. Then he said:
Now. Mr.. President, have never asked q
favor from the Government and shall never
ask another. want you to help me pay this
DEBT OF GRATITUDE AND OF LOYALTY
want this lad appointed as Cadet at the
Academy, and l want it done to-day,
sir"
The old General told me the President sat
and smoked two minutes at least without speak
ng though it seemed 10. Finally he said:
1T shall be done to-day, Gen. Kelley. 1t is
Tery appropriate, and 1 will do it with pleas |
ire
Within two hours the appointment was |
brought to the hotel by one of the Executive |
clerks and placed in Gen. Kelley's hands to be |
delivered to Master Nathaniel Pendleton.
The young man went to the Academy, but |
I'D not get in. Like most Southern youngsters |
If quality at his age, he was good Latin and
creek scholar, bat was short in the English |
elements. He is new the publisher Of pros-