New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1895-01-23
CHAPTER ".
A GUERRILLA'S HOME.

"A dlspatch for you, general
An aid-de-c camp entered, followed by
q tall, bronzed Confederate cavalryman
with very muddy boots and southern
sombrero on his head. In his hand he
carried a sealed envelope, on the left
hand corner Of which was printed,
"Ofacial business -
why not bring it yourself?'' asked
the general, evidently put out at being
interrupted at dinner.
'The messenger says that he was in
structed to deliver it to no one but your
self. 1t Is from general headquarters. !"
The man stalked in, his accouter-
ments rafting as he did so, and remov-
ing his hat handed the general the CON-
munication. He opened it, and seeing
that it was in cipher handed it to q
member Of his staff who possessed the
key and directed him to unravel it. It
read as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY 9p TH =, Hsss'
To General -, Commanding Cavalry on Ex7
IRENE Right:
Mir rrwec lrddrx mexrr LII krxn m nbpy
mfsfhse ut tixwrax dari SIN mirwc gb igjq win
61tVQ BS 1JSSSa m1kk1nSmfy &c lVQZVkWVgC.
Egzi jwpxy tx bagw.
BRAxToN BRAGG, Com'd'g.
Scarcely had the general given the
dispatch over for Interpretation when
another from the same source. which
had come by telegraph, was handed
him also, evidently an inextricable
tumble of letters This, too was taken
up by the cipher officer. In the course
OF half an hour he handed interpreta-
lions Of both to his chief. The first read
as follows:
The enemy having taken the gaps, will
abandon my present line. Be ready to form
rear guard to troops retreating by University.
Move south at once.
Here is the second
Enemy's telegram in cipher received Cam
not Miss Baggs secure information of the en-
emy's intentions as to following this army
across the Tennessee? Such information would
enable us to be prepared if he attacks in con-
centrated form Or cut him up in detail if he
divides.
The general gave the two messages a
few minutes consideration, and then.
dismissing the aid who had interpreted
them, directed him to inform Miss Baggs
that he would like to see her.
When she entered, the general handed
her the interpreted copies Of the two
dispatches.
"Here is more important work for
you than any you have yet attempted, -
he said.
She read both the dispatches and then
thought a few minutes.
Il am ready to undertake it, gen.
eral,' she said, "but without much
hope OF success. I must first succeed in
taking off message in which the plan
OF the Yankees is given or limited at sc
clearly as to be inferred, and then il
must be interpreted, for it will surely
be in CIPHER
IF you could succeed in both, yor
would insure us victory in the west
and that would be half the battle to tho
cause
II will undertake it,
"You will be exposed to frightfu
DANGER
'You know, general, that I have de-
voted my life to this work. I consider
that as already sacrifced.''
eve move from here at once, as Vol
see by the order just received
II will 60 with you a part of the way
and watch an opportunity to slip bacl
behind the Union lines"
With that Miss Baggs went out, ant
the general began his preparations t,
cover the retreat Of the right of th,
Confederate army.
No further attention was paid t,
Farmer Slack and his family Evident
ly there was business of greater impor
lance on hand. They went out on to tn
doorstep, where they stood wondering
what was going on about them. Ever,
one was stirring. An orderly dashed u
to the door leading an officers hors
saddled and bridled. An aid ran out O
the house, and mounting in hot hast
rode away. A man from an upper win
dow called out to him:
..What's up?''