The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

Yanks hev showed up at last!''
CHAPTER XVIII.
The courier dispatched by the captain
of the FEDERAL troop reached the lines
in due time and handed the message to
General Custer, whose brigade was in
winter quarters. but scouting and recon-
noitering almost daily An order had
been issued by the general in command
of the army in the valley outlawing all
Confederate i1regulars and directing
special attention to Mosby's band.
Within half an hour after receiving
the courier Custer dispatched two COM
panies of the Sixth Michigan cavalry,
with instructions . push forward at a
gallop, and 80 minutes later he fol-
lowed them with the First and Fifth
regiments and a battery Of artillery.
The flying column found old Uncle Ben
patiently waiting by the roadside and
stopped long enough to hear his story.
He gave them the lay Of the camp oc-
cupied by Kenton and Brayton and was
left behind to wait for the main column.
Perhaps the besieging force was in
earnest in making the statement which
fell from the lips Of the flag of truce
man as an alternative. They had suf-
fered too severely to try another charge
up the narrow way, and the fusillade
maintained for hours had been lead
thrown away. Ike Baxter had indeed
been sent away for re-enforcements and
a piece of artillery, and the guerrilla
portion OF the force was thirsting for re-
venge and rife for the most desperate
deed. TIE girl had defed them, and
her lover had killed two OF three Of
their number, and somebody must be
made to suffer.
The sergeant in command Of the squad
Of Confederate cavalry had no control
over the guerrillas, but when, as they
waited to hear from the men behind
the rocks, he heard them planning
to wreak their vengeance on Rest Ha-
ven, he did all in his power to dissuade
them. They seemed to abandon the
idea, but under pretense of 'having
talk four or FIVE of them slipped away
and started for the house. They were
within 20 rods Of it and had already di-
vided up the wicked work to be swiftly
accomplished when the flying squadron
turned a bend in the highway and was
upon them. They turned to flee, but
half dozen revclve1s cracked, and they
were dead men as the last set Of fours
jumped over their bodies lying on the
highway. Not a trooper slackened his
rein or horse broke his gallop.
"Halt! Dismount! Fourth men hold
horses! Deploy to the left! Forward
and fire at will!''
Itwas complete surprise to the Con-
federates, who had collected in body
to hear what answer might be made to
the message sent in. They made show
of defense, but after fight of five min
utes, during which they lost 10 or ~
men, they threw down their arms and
surrendered. This event was known IN
the camp almost as soon as outside OF 1t,
and the cheers which Steve Brayton ut
tered as he perched himself on the rocks
were plainly heard as far as Rest Haven.
"Yank, old boy, we uns is on the top
limb now," chuckled Steve as he leaped
down and shook Kenton's hand. "Bein
as I've got sorter used to the sight OF
Yankee uniforms, / reckon I II drop over
thar and tell 'em about yo' and see
what's goin to be done.
But tell them of Miss Percy first, !"
replied Kenton, whose anxiety was far
greater than he had dared betray to his
comrade.
The prisoners were conducted to the
highway and surrounded by guard,
and then the senior captain accompanied
Brayton back to the camp. They were
not long in deciding what should be
done with Kenton. They would remove
him to Rest Haven, temporarily at
least, and the prisoners would be held
there until the main column came up.
A rude litter was soon constructed, and
Kenton was placed thereon and borne
away.
A feeling of dumb despair crept over
Marian Percy as she entered the house
after Uncle Ben's departure and looked
upon her dead. The event was not en-
tirely unexpected, and yet it was great
shock to her, surrounded as it was by
such trying circumstances. The mother
dead, Mrs. Baxter gone, her lover
wounded and besieged by bloodthirsty