The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-14
A YANKEE IN GRAY
By CHARLES B. LEWIS (M. QUAD.
Copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
tion.l
[CoNTINEED.1


Two or three days after Jackson
reached Strasburg Captain Wyle had an
interview with him. None of his own
company knew 1t, and what passed
could only be inferred from circun-
stances which developed later on. 1t
was announced that it had been decided
to reorganize tho guards as "A cavalry
company, and in the course Of week
this change was effected, much to the
satisfaction of the men. Just as 1t was
finished Royal Kenton was ordered to
report to jackson again. He found the
same stern, low spoken, plain looking
man and received the same quiet greet
ing. Tho general adverted TO the brav
cry of the guards at Kernstown, and
then to kenton's capture and escape
and asked for the details. The latter at
once realized that some one who pro-
fessed to know all about it and whowas
seeking his injury had reported to the
general. He, however, proceeded to
give the particulars not only of his es-
cape and his efforts to rejoin his COM
mand, but of the charges brought
against him by Ike Baxter and the in
terview with General Shields. This por-
tion of his adventure he had not spoken
of to any one on rejoining his company.
jackson seemed to be thinking very se-
riously as Kenton talked. The facts
just related no doubt surprised him and
perhaps gavo different turn to affairs.
After awhile he said:
General Banks is pushing up the
valley with large force. l wish you
to scout along his front and secure all
possible information of value. Can you
set out at once?"
within half an hour, SIR" was
Henton's reply.
"And do You wish companion?'
~ think can do better alone, but
IL you think two might do better than
one shall"--
do as you think best but report to
the captain of your company that you
have been detailed"
AS Kenton left headquarters he felt
that something was wrong. just what
it was he could not determine, but it
seemed as if there were mistrust and
suspicion. He had been thoroughly
loyal in making his previous observa-
tions and reports, but an enemy was at
work to discredit him. He was fully
satisfied of this as he left camp on his
scout, After reporting to Captain Wyle,
who treated him with strict military
etiquette, he went to his tent to make
few preparations. He had left it and
was making his way out of camp when
he was overhauled by Steve Brayton,
who said:
1.-THE gineral is sendin yo off on an
other scout? Yo' think yo' ar goin
alone, but yo' hain't. I've follered
along to tell yo' that the captain has
put Reube Parker on yo'r track. Yo'
l. low Reube? He hain't bin abusin yo
with his mouth as much as some others,
but lfe's down on yo' and playin into
the hands of the captain. tell yo' to
look out fur hint
Kenton turned white with anger and
started to rctrace his steps.
mo. yo' DON'T" said Steve as he
barred the way, 81 fust took to yo' on
account of yo'r sense, and hope you
won't lose it now. Thar's n game bein
played, and yo wanter come out on
topr'
as il possible that after what has
passed they still continue to look upon
me as tiaitorf" demanded Kenton in
voice broken with emotion.
"T'hey do, but it's fur au object, yo'
see, replied Steve Its all on ac-
count of tho gal If thar was no gal,
yo'd he the first lieutenant or mehbs
captain of the company today. If thar
was a gal and no war, yo' and Wyle
would hev fit a duel over her befo' this.
Ono would hev challenged t'other.
"But, but stammered kenton,
boiling over to say something and yet
not wishing to drag Marian Percy's
name into the case.
"It's jest this way" interrupted
Steve: "Yo' uns got the inside track,
and thar's but one way to keep it-play
to win. Beat tho captain at his own
game Go right along about yo'r biz
ness, but keep an eye out fur Reube.
He's put on yo'r track to sell yo' out,
and he'll do his purtiest to please the
captain" F"
1t was true that Banks was moving
up the valley. He had an army five
times as strong as Jackson's, and he
meant tC annihilato the latter before
re-enforcemerts could reach him. Ken
ton had set oEt in good time. 1t takes
an hour to move regiment of men as
signed to a certain place on march.
1t takes three hours for n brigade to
march and countermarch and file out of
its camp onto the highway. Divisions
ordered to move at : o'clock a. nj. are
halting and lingering at noon, An army
of go GN' % * artillery. bag.
: