Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-01
CHICKAMAUGA.
By Captain F. A. MITCHELL.
[Copyrisht. 1894, by American Pres Asso:ia'
 tion.l
CHAPTER NXVIII.
\ SINGULAR CEREMONY.

CHAPTER NNN!H.
 \ SINGULAR CEREMONY.
 Laura Msynard. after a lcng period of solicitudr a> tu her hushHu'l-detam- ed at home by temporary iilnv>n ut her Child-had at last found il possible to go and seek him. Sine had arrived on the morning of the news of his appoint ment and at once sought General Thomas headquarters. There she had been informed of the status and mes senger was at once sent for her husband
 Leaving the tent where Maynard had first been plunged i'll despair only to be elevated to a condition of mind border ing on ecstasy, the two sought hotel, where Laura could be made comfortable till the next day, and there passed the time in going over the period since they had parted and rejoicing at the outcome of the singular complications which fate had been pleased ,o bring down upon the husband.
 But all meetings must have an end, and at last the husband, departing, rode to his tent There hc found messenger waiting for him.
 Flag of truce wants to see you on the picket line, sir.
 Without diSmounting, the newly created general rode in the direction of Mission ridge and met the flag" at its base. There stood mounted party of Confederatss. one oi them bearing a white flag. headed by an officer, a son of the south who spoke every word as though it were of momeutous impor- tance, never emitting the word ''sir. " Are you Colonel Maynard. sir:'' II am, or at least I was. I hardly know what am just now. 1 should not be surprised 10 be informed that I was tocommand all the armies of the United l States
 The officer looked puzzled. II am tho bearer, sir. of a message from Corporal Sir Hugh Ratigan. He is to be married at o'clock this evening at General Bragg headquarters on Mis- sion ridge.
 The devil he is!''
 That is his intention, sir. He desires 1 your presence. "
 Whom does he marry" Miss Caroline Fitz Hugh" Il havc been more surprised at other announcements, confess. don't won der he invites me to his wedding. since I helped him to wife.
 Shall transmit your acceptance of the invitation, sir:'
 ''On one condition,
 Please name it, sir. ."
 II fear it will be unacceptable tc Colonel Fitz Hugh, who will doubtless be the host CT one of tho hosts. He will not likely yield i'll matter of etiquette which 1 must insist on. :"
 "Colonrl Fitz Hugh cannot be present. sir. He is now i'll your rear with oul cavalry completing the starvation ot your army i'll Chattanooga by destroying your lines of supply"
 Him. Twas not aware of any hunger in our ranks. Indeed my request is knowing that your own larder in tn, 1 Confcderacv is not exactly abundant that the hc~n of plenty is not buryin! you like H. s,.ulancum under the ashet of Vcsuvius; that the blockade -
 The blockade is not effective. sir, . interrupted tho officer stif1ly.
 Has somewhat reduced yuur win, cellars, my condition Is, I say, that may be permitted to bring half dozcl cases of champagne for tho weddin: feast.
 T assure yoE. s!r, that it Is not plc essary. We arc getting Cargoes of win from E2vIo by 3 regular line Of steam CTS. II is yaur own mess tables at Chat tanooga that are doubtless bereft of bev cragc>. owing to the fact that our Gen cral Wheel,r iS circus riding in Ten l to you.
 Do you consent that shall brin the wiuv:''
 Il do sir, but shall claim for tn host, q general officer related to tn bride. the privilege of supplying a equal number of cases.
 Agreed. will meet you here at o'clock this evening. when you can COT duct me and my party to the place wher the ceremony is tn take place. You ma say, if you please, that shall conside the iuvitatjuu extended to my wife whom I will bring with mo. Q We shall feel highly honored, sil at Mrs. Naynard's presence. Am 5 infer, sir. that your wife has been abl to reach yuu over the burned bridge and trostlev ork i'll your rear:" "Sho has found no difficulty wha 0 ever in joining me, Maynard failed to add that Laura ha only come few miles to meet him. !. Good day. sir. " said the officer, raj ), ing his hat. II shall expect you at G. Good day. will be on time"
 And each rode away in the directic of their respective camps.
 Maynard offer of the wine had con
 about in this wise: Jakey, during u previous week. had been investigati1 such empty houses as he could find
 Chattanooga and had loaded himse
 down with knickknacks, such as chiI
 ornaments, pictures, Crockery, cutler
 including even daguerreotypes On ol
 occasion he thought he had discovered
 box of mu>kets. This he reported
 Colonel Maynard, whom he persuad \ to go with him to n cellar near by al
 make a search for concealed arms. IT = muskcts were found, besides half dc
 en ca>cs of champagne, which had dout
 less been there since the beginning
 the war.
 . Upon leaving the picket line Ma nard rode to the house where he h seen the wine and secured it for { evening, placing guard over it. Tn
 he went to the hotel and bade Laura z
 ready 10 attend a wedding ~ There was ConSternation i'll the Go - fs5e-ata car,n xr hon fhn OffiCpr rafurn