Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-03-10

LfRs drove into the
~ union lines
The clumsy
wagon, with its
load Of hay drawn By the unmatched
half-staryed horses, wes taken unoer
the direction OF an officer Of the picket
to the union headquarters,
The officer Of the day directed the
horses to be embarrassed, taken to
the stables and fed. Now come with
me 10 Gen. Stevenson" said be.
But / haven't got unloaded yet
protested the old man. Il 'spicions
there's some other goods in that load
YOU would like to see. Maybe oue OF
You fellows viii help unload the hay.
The hint OF the old farmer tcA upon
listening ears. Stalwsrt arms, some
with pi,chtorks, others with unaided
hands. made short WORK Of unloading
the wagon. When the hay was re-
moved. there remained exposed a crate
co ering the mattress upon which lay
extended an officer in uniform with q
rifle, revolver and crutches by his side
lie was somewhat exhausted by his
long ride and deprivation Of air. They
tore away the crate and aided him 10
rise. Willing hands handed him his
crutcnes and raised him to an upright
position upon his remaining leg, They
brushed the dust and straw from his
clothing, and scores Of kind soldiers
rendered him their good Offices. lie
was almost destitute OF strength, his
face was very pale, the perspiration
stood in great beads upon hts forehead
Rough men turned away ther faces in
silence as they witnessed his heroic ef-
forts to control his emotions
Almost in a whisper he asked for
water. 1t was given him. He raised
his hand to hi, brow, and his face
frightened as some thought came to
him. After a few minutes he appeared
to summon all his faculties, turned TO
the officer Of the day, saluted him, and
said: Colonel, have a report TO make
to the general
II was about 10 offer to conduct you
to him. said the officer. Il am GER
tain hal he will be as much pleased as
we are to welcome your return among
us.
Officers and priyates from his own
brigade and many other regiments fol.
lowed, all anxious TO testify their wei.
come back TO life OF a comrade long
supposed u have been in his grave.
They moved as slowly as a funeral
co~rtege-they were admitted without
any delay, and filled the quarters OF
the general in command.
Gen. Stevenson would have taken
his hand withouta shadow Of formal
fly. The lieutenant retired a single
step, saluted, and said:
General, | have to report that
have been for some weeks absent from
my regiment, and within the cnemy's
lines, because disabled by wounds ant
unable TO endure transportation.
have been concealed, nursed, savec
from death by the wife Of a confederat,
soldier, q brave, noble woman. ! have
been brought into our lines, secretet
under Il load of forage, by this farmer
who agreed to deliver me in safety a
this post, in exchange for a pair Of hi
mules appropriated to the use of tn,
United States by order of Gen. Sher
idan, now supposed to be in Martins
burg, lie has faithfully performed hi
part of the contract. ! know | had II,
authority to make Il contract to bin,
the government, and yet, if not incon
s%istent with the regulations, | respect
fully ask that the farmer may have hi
mulcs,'
Il confirm your contract" said tn
general, with great cordially. N
may select the best pair of mules in tn
corral, and take them home with him.
This arrangement did not satisfy tn
veteran agriculturist. He hesitated t.
i%nterpose his objection. Standing wit
his battered hat in one hand, with tn
other he swept the few bristIy hair
that stood upright on the top of hi
head, in imitation OF tho lieutenant
salute, and uttered his protest. "uer
eral, 1t was my mules | was to git.
wouldn't swap my mules for no tw
pair Of mules in the valley. ! raise
them mules; ! broke 'em, They'r
brothers; one ten, the other 'leve
years old. They're wanted to ever
inch Of my farm. Them's the mules
want; they're up to Martinsbur,
Missus Van Metres Niger seen Ell
thar"
'If that is the case, you shall ha,
your mules" said the general.
will see that the matter is looked in
soon. Just now other affairs are mo
pressing"
The proprietor OF the mules wait,
patiently a few days until the sick we
convalescent, and he now insisted tn
the contract with him should be ca
ried out by the delivery of his animal
The quartermaster rather mischievou
ly insisted that he did not see why Of
mule was not just as good as anoths
and that If the farmer were permit
to select a pair from the stock at Ha
per's ferry he ought to be Statistic
But that arrangement no amount
Bourbon fluid would induce him to q
cept. He undertook TO satisfy t
quartermaster that he ought to ha
his own animals.
Il s'pose them mules ov mine
pretty much spilled by this time"
sighed; mo mules could stan VIII
they've had to go through. | reckon
There is no possible GROUND I
your fears" said the quartermast,
The mules from Martinsbur0 ha
been well fed and ought to be In bett
condition. than when they were ca
y tured."
II Its their morrils I'm afesrd on. 1
te en- awful resk. Look what compaI
+ them mules has had TO keep. They
70 soshiatcd with them ornary arr
NJ mules. An army mule will un;,o 49,