The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-30

with me. Being too young to realize the
gravity Of our situation, or understand
| why our people we're SO excited aud ap-
prchensive felt no fear. The confusion,
| hurried coming and going OF the citi-
near approach OF the Confederates were
TO me only strange, new experiences.
Later in tho afternoon we heard tho
h clalter OF hoois. The Confederate cav
(alry were coming through Gettysburg,
over the road left open by the defeat OF
| the Union troops. The advance caught
sight OF a slender boy, hns,iiy leading u
hlndaomc black horse around the cor.
HAr.
lemuel had, after all his planning,
permitted the "Johnnies" to slip up
on him.
| Halt! halt! you boy with tho black
horse" shouted cavalryman.
"Oh, Lemmy, my son, don't run
they're too close. Let EN- have the
horse" pleaded Mrs. Thorne.
But Lem uel was in the saddle-a dar-
ing, graceful ridcr-shou.ing, Clip it,
clip it, lady; we'll risk 'cm catchn' us /;
Well get out o Gettysburg safe and
soundw
cOqIy did "clio it," swiftly, straight
ahead.
Halt! Halt! Boy, haltw shouted a
second cavalryman, following in hot
chase.
Neither commandsnor the shots fred
by the pursucrs frightened LemCel into
obeyiug orders.
Lemmy'h be shot" screamed Mrs.
Thorne.
'Ho won't, mother; Coaly's just fly
in. See, tho soldiers amt ca'chiR'
up" cried JON Thorne, exultantly.
On, on, Coaly ran, easily keeping ut n
sale distance ahead OF the cavalry
horses.
Not a bullet harmed either Lemuol
or our pet, Coaly's running days were
not yet over. Her swift, swallow-Iike
flight out OF Gettysburg had saved her
from being drafted into the army,
Mother and l then went to Cups
farm house. on Cups Hill, where n
large number OF people were cougre-
gated. The battle OF Cemetery Hill had
begun. Wounded men were being
brought to the place, and l was be-
ginning to understand why our people
were apprchensive and excited earlier
in the afternoon.
When mother and l returned at twi-
light to our cottage, sorrowiul and terri
fed, Lemuel Thorne sat upon the door
step holding in his arms little Jem.
You thought, Dicky," said Lemuel,
that I'd deserted mother m Jem, m
father not mt home. I'm not that sort
Of fellow. No Stree, | took Coaly TO
q friend who'll hide her in n safe place,
n then came straight back TO Jem m
mother. You m mo have got to look
after our mothers. You've got your
wish, Yo've seen some southern cayal-
rymen-youll see some more to-m0r-
row. We've got to be brave, Dcky."
A boy Of six will not lie awake all
night. though perils surround him.
While my mother kept guard l slept,
undisturbed by fears OF the coming bat
tie between the two opposing armies.
On the morning of the next day the
battle again began, and IN the days that
followed I quite forgot Cooly.
A few weeks after the battle, again
occupied my favorite post OF observa-
tion-the ilat-top gate-post. had no
desire to see either blue or gray uni
formed cayalrymen ride into Gettys-
burg.
With my mother l was thankful that
the battles were ended.
"Halo. Dicky! Look around, my boy,
m see our lady. She knows you m
wants to make her manners. She's glad
to get home. Slipped up OH you this
time. It's me, Dicky." A joyous whinny
sounded near at hand. 1 turned my
head and saw our lady" haudsomer
and sickcr than when | had last seen
her, prnncinG and mincing, endeavor-
ing to make her manners and attract
my notice. Our "lady" was returning
home. She was evidently glad to again
recognize one OF her loyal subjects. She
drew near to me and kissed mo daintily,
aTectionately. and l Rugged her in my
JOY and delight that she was vet our
pet, our dear, brave, swiit.footed lady"
"Ill share my bread with her N
keep her so long as she lives. She'd ort
to live in clover the rest OF her days
since the Union cavalrymen nearly
killed her, m the Johnnies' bullets
come terribly close TO hittin' her.
She's lived through it, m now she's got
me to take care OF her" said Lemuel
proudly.
Cooly literally lived in clover until
she died, at the age OF thirty-two. A
small granite stone inscribed "Coaly,
AlIectionate. True and Faithful" now
marks our "Iady's grass-srown grave,
not far from the retreat in which she
was safely hidden in war time, when
good horses were valuable additions to
the Confederate and Union armies.