The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-12

sence. He had been detailed from his
company, and his return to it as jack
son ordered an advance and everybody
knew that a battle would be raging
within u couple Of hours proved his
metal in the eyes OF all. Ald yet not
over a dozen men in the company had
nod or a word for him. Ike Baxter, I'M
der the tutorship Of his master, was car
rying out a plan to drive him out in dis
grace.
He un's yere fur no good, and yo'
kin lay to thatl' Ike had whispered
from man to man. 'Jist yo' fellers
keep yo'r eyes open! I'm gwine to do
it, and if he un tries to play the traitor
I'll put a bullet straight into his car
cass! Mebbe he III kin fule GinGral
Jackson, but he un CANT play no Yam
kee tricks on mel
AS they marched forward on the high
way Steve Brayton found opportunity
10 say:
Look yere, Kenton. Ike's goin to
play 30 some emery trick if the chance
comes, and yo'd better be ready fur him.
He un hates yo' like pizen, and he un's
.ryin to make all the rest do the same"
II am aware of that" replied Ken
ton, but can you tell me the reason
for it,"
Reckon thar ar several. In the
fust place, yo' didn't happen to be bon
down yere, while Ike Baxter and the
rest of us critters did. In the second,
yo' took the shine out O. the officers at
Bull Run. In the third, az nigh as l kin
make out, thar's a gal in the case.
Looks TO me like Ike had been hired TO
talk agin yo'. At any rate, he's got the
boys all stirred mp, and yo'd better be
keerful not to git too fur ahead Of the
crowdin case we hev a font down yere!"
How does it happen that you are
mot down on me with the rest?" asked
kenton.
Reckon thar ar several reasons in
hat too. Fustly, yo' could hev got
away to the Yankee army if yo' had
wanted to. Yo' didn't, and that's a
purity good sign yo' IN ar all right.
Nextly, yo'ye got pluck, and | like a
plucky man. Mo- nextly, the mo- men
we hey the less chance of my bein hit
myself. Lastly, I've seen Captain Wyle
and Ike Baxter with their heads together
about yo', and I've heard that both
yo' and the captain was sweet on
the same gal, and I've sorter put two
and three together and made seven. I'm
goin to be right alongside O. yo' in this
fout, cause l like yo'r way o. fightin,
but yo' jist mind what l tell vol The
bullet which hits yo' today is liable to
come from our side!'
Jackson's command. numbering not
quite 5000 men, made Il rapid march
of 40 miles down the valley 10 strike a
blow at General Shields command of
5000. They were waiting for the Con-
federates. jackson attacked at once.
Even while the rear Of his marching
column was still two miles away he at
tackled. 1t was a fierce and bitter fight.
As daylight began to give way to twi-
light on that dismal March afternoon
the guards were ordered to charge a
battery which was making a portion Of
the Confederate line untenable. They
dashed forward to be met by a volley
which killed or wounded a dozen men,
and a swift move on the part of a Fed
eral regiment resulted in the capture of
nearly one-half Of the others. An hour
later Jackson was retreating. He had
been defeated.
Ike Baxter was among the wounded.
With others he was taken to the field
hospital to be cared for, while the I'M
wounded were marched to the rear and
placed under guard. Ike had been hit
in the shoulder. While his hurt was
being dressed he said to the surgeon:
IF a Yankee deserts to our side and
fights agin yo' uns, what happens to he
I'm if yo' captur' him."
He'd be shot" was the blunt reply.
but s'posin he un also played spy
fur our side:"
He'd be hung instead of shot! Dc
you know of such a casei"
Reckon l do, and l feel it my doOty
to tell yo' about him. Jist tell vol
gineral to inQuar among the prisoners
fur a man named Kenton-Royal Ken
ton. He un's a Yankee deserter and q
spy fur Gineral Jackson!"
but why do you tell CT it," queried
the surgeon.
Cause it amt a fair deal"
Half an hour later Kenton was taker
before General Shields under the charge
made by Baxter. The latter had over.
reached himself. Had only the two
been captured it would have been a diff
ferent matter, but there were 90 of thC
guards who gave testimony in favor Of
Kenton, though it came from NEST Of
them gr%udgingly. A search of his per,
son brought to light a pass from Gen
eral Jackson in which he was mentioned
as a scout.
While you are cleared Of thu
charge, said the general after a lont
examination, chow does it come abou'
that you, a northern man. are found il
the Confederate ranks?"
II enlisted il the cause Of Virginia
my adopted state" was the reply.
But the cause of Virginia was ant
is unjust. She is guilty of treason
Every one of you under arms isa traito.
to the government. The principle is 81
plain that no one need doubt"