The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-27
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 irregulars 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 to push forward at
gallon, and so minutes later he fol-
lowed them with tho First and Fifth
regiments and 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 o.
cupied by Kenton and Brayt ton and was
left behind to wait for the main column.
Perhaps the hesieging 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
decd. Tho girl had defied them, and
her lover had killed two or 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 bend in the highway and was
upon them. They turned to fee, but
hali u ttoSOh NboNANuI am thNj
were dead men as the last set OF fours
jumped over their bodies lying on the
highway. Not trooper slackenod his
rein or horse broke his gallop.
HALT Dismount! Fourth men hold
horsosl Deploy to the leftl Forward
and fire at will" -s.-....
1t was a complete surprise TO the Con-
federates, WHO had collected in body
to hear what answer might be made 70
the message sent in. They made show
of defense, but after fight of five min
utes, during which they lost 10 or IL
men, they threw down their arms and
surrendered. This event was known in
the camp almost as soon as outside of it,
and the cheers which Sieve 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 ? top
limb now, )" chuckled Steve as he aped
down and shook kenton's hand. "Bein
as I've got sorter used to the sight Of
Yankee uniforms, reckon Il drop over
thar and tell 'em about yo' and see
what's goin to be done.
"Bnt 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 a guard,
and then the senior captain accompanied
Brsyton 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 wgs soon constructed, and
Kenton was placed thereon and borne
away.