The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-03-28
CHICK kAMAUGA.
By Captain F. A. mitchell.
[Copyright, 1894, by American Press Associat
tion.)

tion.l
once past tho creek he relU JnaJ one.
half his danger was ended. He had
uou6eiess 5os Seyond che range OF MS
own comrades, and now oame O great
danger Of meeting the Confederate
piokets Leaving tho creek, he ascended
slight eminence and made survey Of
tho surrounding country. All was ST.
lent, except that he could hear IN ooca-
stonal sound like q distant burst OF
laughter, or shout from tho direction
of Ringold, in his front. Presently he
heard the unmistakablo rumble Of q
train coming from tho south.
cit will pass right down there be-
hind that olump Of trees and go through
the out" said the corporal. "Oi wonder
wouldn't it be good plan to take adj
slip through tho outposts. They'll be
lthinkin Of the train, and Oh can follow
in it's wake.''
He advanced cautiously to tho trees
beside tho track and waited for tho
train. Presently tho headlight of loco
motive shot out from around a curve.
Tho corporal had forgotten that its light
would reveal him to the engineer. Ho
.crouohed down out Of sight with a high
beating heart, and mono too soon, for
had he staid where he was the light
would have shone directly Oh him. He
waited while the engine puffed slowly
by. 1t was drawing a long train Of mix
cd passenger, cattle and platform cars,
every car crowded with troops.
"Thoy're preparin to give us brush
in earnest. Like enough these are re-en-
forcements," muttered the corporal.
Ratigan determined to follow the rail-
road north to Ringold, which he judged
to be only mile distant. Tho train
loaded with Confederate troops having
just passed, the guards he might meet
would probably not be very suspicious
Of All enomy. Ho walked Oh the track
for n short distance, expecting q ohal-
longo with every stop.
Ho received one suddenly, just before
entering wood. A man on horseback
aimed carbine at him and gayo the
customary:
"Who comes thar?''
Ratigan at onco threw up his hands,
which his challenger could distinctly
see, and cried out, II want ye to take
me to Colonel Fitz Hugh"
"What do you want with him?"
"Do 20 know him?''
"He commands regiment in our bri-
gade."
Seeing that tho corporal held his
hands above his head, tho man permitted
him to draw near. Once hero, Ratigan
informed him Of tho nature Of his mis-
sion and begged him for Colonel Fitz
Hugh's sake to send him to Ringold at
,onco The vedetto was convinced from
Ratigan's earnestnoss that he bore a
message of Importance, and calling his
comrades ordered one Of them to dis
mount. Then, taking the preoaution to
,blindfold the straJ ger, he mounted him,
and placing a horseman OH either side
Of him sent the three clattoring toward
Ringold. 1t was not long distance to
tho town, but all distances, all periods
of waiting, seemed long to tho corporal.
Was not the terriblo event to take place
at sunrise? And now it must be near
midnight.
"What is the timer he asked of his
conductors
| "Twenty minutes to ILL.,
Lets 90 faster. Colonel Fitz Hugh
would be as anxious for me to got on as
sO1 am moself If he knew me GRAND" "
"All right. Let's light out, Pete. !"
And Ratigan felt the motion Of gallop
in the horse he rode. And now came
q "Halt" from guard and an answer,
followed by advance and give the
countersign. " Ono of the men goes for.
ward for the purpose. Thon the party
goes on again, but what they pass or
where they arc going Rati' 4 knows
nothing about. Ho only SHOWS that
they aro moving, and that they arc not
moving fast enough to suit him. Pres
emily they stop, and tho corporal can
hoar ono of the mon dismount. There is
stroke OF clock evidently from a
ohurch spiro. Ho counted, "One, two,
threo," and Oh to olovon.
"Dismount
Ho lost no time in throwing himself
from his horse and was led forward.
Tho air became warmer. Ho must bo
i'll an inclosuro. The bandage was taken
from his eyes.
Ho was standing in q tent lighted by
Il candle fixed to tho ond Of stake
AiifSi iiiVo ulio BIOlHu. IHofo WAS DuC
ono other person present, a Confederate
officer. He was a tall slender young
man, with long black hair, a mustache
and goatoo, and an eye honest, respect
inspiring, and with all tho gentleness
Of woman's.
Arc yo Colonel Fitz Hugh?" asked
tho corporal, making salute as if in
presence of an officer Of his own side.
II am."
VI nave message fro) rer sistor. :"
=, oolohoi ritz Hugh turneu ashy palo.
no ono could como to him from her
, %ienous striking terror into him, for no
fhe" tho work in whisb she was ongag-
6 y. :.Ea;a.. 9
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