Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-06-01
CHAPTER XVIII. sr. .rnnrrnar n Hnl n n.r


 The battle of giants had begun. John had been attached to the generals staff, and during the first days fighting had seen much hard service. About ten o'clock that night, after seeing to his faithful horse, he was standing by 8 camp fire indulgidg in tin cup of hot coffee, made of the genuine article, that day captured from the retiring feder- als, when an orderly rode up, and re- ported that a Texas brigade, had lost its way, and needed guide. The general looked around at his weary staff and said: Capt. Hewson, you seem the least fatigued, please guide Gen. Wheatley's brigade round to the right, and have them report to Gen. Smith," John moved off promptly, but with much re- luctance in his heart.
 He found the Texans quarter of a mile away, resting and waiting for a guide. He reported to the general that he was detailed to guide them to the right, some five miles away, whereat the general swore a mighty oath in his intense disgust, but finally found voice to say: "Lead on, young man; presume that the intention is to walk us down to a state of humility that will make us fit subjects for killing to- morrow"
 As the general was splendidly mount ed this struck John as a pretty strong figure of speech, but he said nothing except to ride ahead at steady gait As he rode forward the colonel of the leading regiment addressed him as to how the day had gone in that quarter.
 Before he had finished speaking, John recognized Col. Gregory's voice, but con trolled his feelings and answered quietly and in a natural tone of voice.
 The colonel started violently at the sound of the young mans voice, and said, hastily: Your voice sounds strange ly familiar to me, and yet you must be 8 stranger to me-"
 ''Not a stranger to you, Col. Gregory, as long as have memory. am John Hewson."
 The colonel reached out his hand in the darkness and grasped the young mans as he spoke in voice shaken with feeling:~
 My lad, my lad, am glad to see you. feared I should never again see you. And you have turned soldier, too. I told the folks at home that you were solid metal. With what command are you serving?''
 'I am at present attached to the corps commanders staff."
 ''Then you are commissioned off, cer9"
 Captain
 Jerusalem! but you are climbing. knew it was in you, lad, but did not know it could so soon get out. We'll, am glad did not think this terrible war would ever let me feel glad again, but know now that have some natural feeling left. But Henry and my son-in- law are both in my regiment, and you must see them before you go back to headquarters"
 John noticed that the kindly man spoke rather constrainedly of 'tmy son. in-law," and felt in a moment that the colonel was disappointed in his son-in- law.
 Impossible, colonel. must report at once, as soon as the duty Is done"
 As they rode along the colonel got by dint of hard questioning a pretty ac- curate record of Johns adventures after leaving Texas, and in return gave John a succinct account of everything that had transpired and exacted a promise from him to visit his wife and daughter in Richmond after the campaign was over.
 As John rode back to headquarters his mind was in 8 maze of thought, out which he evolved only one definite idea, and that was that he hated Lanvale and hoped he would be killed. At two o'clock he reported at headquarters, threw himself down on the ground and slept as only thoroughly tired man can.