The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-08-08

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had neglected to remove his family till |
the last minute. Caught in the midst of |
a fight, all became panic stricken, and |
the child was separated from the rest.
While he was gaining this informa-
ton an orderly came to his tent and
showed him letter postmarked Coun-
ty Cavan, Ireland, and addressed to the
man who had assisted in the escape Of
Caroline Fitz Hugh. But there were
features of the address which led May
nard to doubt if it was not for some
other Ratigan.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
1t came in with the mail. It's been
lying unclaimed for several days, as no
one knows who it is for. There was
Ratigan in the til cavalry, but he is
among the missing. The letter was TAX
en- to the headquarters of that regiment,
and Colonel Burke suggested that you
might know something about the man."
'Ah, yes!" said Maynard sadly. "You
can tell Colonel Burke that saw Rati
gan killed. But this reminds me, ;" he
added. II must see if I can regain his
body" Then to the orderly: II wish
you would say to Major Burke that if
he will give me an escort I'll go out
under flag of truce and see if can find
out anything about Corporal Ratigan,
whom I saw fall from his horse in the
enemy's lines. Ask him to make out a
request for permission to send out the
flag, forward it and let me know the re-
suit"
The result was permission to send
out 1.-THE flag," and the next morning,
after an early breakfast, Colonel May.
nard, accompanied by Jakey and the
little girl, whom Maynard hoped to re-
store to her parents, each mounted and
all attended by a lieutenant and 20
men, set out from Chattanooga toward
Mission Ridge. They met the enemy's
pickets at the base of the ridge and were
conducted to Rossville. Colonel May
nard at once requested that he might be
accorded an interview with Colonel Fitz
Hugh, if that officer survived the bat
tie A messenger was sent to summon
him. and as he had some miles to go
"the flag" party dismounted, were tax
en- into a house, where they awaited the
officers arrival Every attention was
shown them, and they were made as
comfortable as possible. Two hours aft
er the departure Of the courier Colonel
Fitz Hugh rode up to the door,
There was always q certain embar-
rassment between these two men, which
under the circumstances was quite nat
ural, but which was heightened by the
habitual dignity with which Fitz Hugh
bore himself There was much to force
them apart and much to draw them to-
gether, but it all resulted in constraint
Fitz Hugh lifted his hat to Maynard,
then advanced and put out his hand
Neither seemed to think Of appropriate
words of greeting, and there were few
moments of silence, which were broken
by Maynard referring to his mission.
Colonel, he said, Il am the bearer
Of letter for Corporal Ratigan, though
the superscripsion gives different title
than cOrporal-the man who assisted
me on the mission which you doubtless
well remember. Isaw Ratigan fall from
his horse and suppose that he is dead.
Am right?''
mo, sir. Corporal Ratigan lives He
was severely wounded by shot from
your men. He managed to keep his sad
die till his work was accomplished,
when he tainted through loss of blood.
For time his life hung in the balance.
We now hope for his recovery"
II am rejoiced to hear it. Perhaps
this letter is for him. Will you attend
to its delivery?'
"H you will ride with me to Ringold,
where he lies, you can deliver it in per-
son.
''That would indeed be pleasure.
Can yon get permission to take me SO
far within your lines?''
II can try"
In that case may look, by the way,
for the home Of this little girl. res
cued her from the battlefield, where she
was lost
A request was sent up to headquar-
tiers for permission to take Colonel May
nard and two children to Ringold and
to visit the recent field Of battle by the
way. While the party were waiting for