The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-06
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CONTINUED.
''Curse MIN, put wnaI business mao
he to assume command of the com
pany?' replied Wyle. II was just
about TO halt and reform when you fools
all rushed off after him!"
"Yes-I see!" remarked Steve, "but
l wouldn't find any fault if l was yo'.
We uns is the only company in the regi-
ment which captured cannon, and the
boys feel as peart as game chickens
in agin the Yankee eitherl 1t won't
look exactly right, you see!"
"You and the Yankee have suddenly
become bosom friendsl" sneered the of
fcer. ..
mot exactly, lootenant, but hain't
got nuthin agin him no mo-. If he un 8
Yankee spy, we orter hev about 10,-
600 mo- of EN- on our side!'
Late that evening after the stragglers
had rejoinsd their commands and order
had Leen brought out OF confusion Lieu
tenant Wyle received an order TO report
at brigade headquarters. On his arrival
he was admitted TO the presence of Gen
eral jackson, who had that day won
his famous sobriquet of "Stonewall."
Lieutenant Wyle, said the general
as he received him, II am sorry to learn
that your captain IS SO severely wound
ed that it will be months before he will
be able to take the field again. saw
him in the field hospital two hours ago
and congratulated him on the heroism
displayed by his company. | wish
also to congratulate you, and through
you each and every man. That was a
grand rally made in the face of disas-
ter. One Of your men acted like hero
of old. If you will give me his name,
will see that he is promoted to the po-
sition be deserves. He is private, is
he notf'
"Y-yes, SIR" stammered the lieute-
nant, confused and chagrined that his
rival should be thus honored. His
name, sir, is Ike
1t was on his tongue to rob Royal
Kenton of his laurels and transfer them
to Ike Baxter, but he could not do it.
1T was private named Kenton,
believe" ho said as he lifted his eyes tc
those of the general again.
Thanks. He is brave man, and
you ought to be proud of him. You
must not feel put out about it, lieute-
nant. All of US are new to war yet.
Goodness will come with experience. /
have no fault to find with any of the
officers or men. That's all, sir. u
The officer saluted and retired and
made his way back to his company.
But for one thing he would have sent
for Royal Kenton and offered him his
hand and his congratulations. Both
loved the same maiden. Even If both
had stood on the same footing in her es-
timation when the company left the val
ley events had occurred that day which
would give his rival the lead.
The first thing Lieutenant Wyle did
after reaching his lines was to send for
Ike Baxter. He was much Of tue same
mold ms steve Bray ton-a small farmer,
shiftless and uneducated and having a
decided distaste for anything like hard
work, but far more biEoted in his sec
tional feelings. He as not ono of the
handful Kenton had rallied and led
back, but was forced up with others lat
ter on and had his musket been exam
ined after the battle was over it would
have been discovered that it had not
been once discharged.
All, am glad 10 see you, my brave
boyr' said the lieutenant as Ike came
acufiing into his tent. Il want to com
plimcnt and congratulate You on the
pluck and bravery you displayed in that
battle. | had my eye on you most of
the time, and never saw cooler man
in the face of danger,
"Yo'-yo' doan' mean 1t, lootenant!"
gaspcd Ike, who fully realized that his
conduct was open TO censure instead Of
praise.
Mean it2 OF course l dol am
roud to have such brave man in the