The Red Cloud chief., 1895-04-05

any principle. When as a brigade COM
mander I was obliged to choose ON high.
or ground. / failed in the choice. / have
proved myself unworthy Of your conf.
dence. I have sunk to the level from
which I started"
The general did not reply. He was
watching the newly arrived division
getting into position.
You connived at the escape Of a
spy, | Think" he said presently.
Worse. / assisted in that escape. "
"a woman, was she not?"
"She was, general"
HIM 1t isn't a pleasant task to
shoot a woman. Yet a soldier must do
his duty"
Maynard did not reply.
Colonel, there is going to be a weak
spot there. would like you to go and
see that that gap is closed My staff are
all away. ~ yOu see, on some duty. Ali
Never mind. They are marching by the
flank, ] see. Now it's all right.
He was so intent upon the forming Of
the line that for q moment Maynard
thought he had forgotten his presence.
WHO was this woman the general
asked presently.
You remember when / went to Chat.
tanooga to bring you information Of
Bragg's movements to Kentucky / met
a Confederate Oficcr-a Captain Fitz
Hugh-who twice gave me my life?'
Eyes, yes, Remember. They're stand.
ing well down there in the center and
with so little ammunition. They'll get
their new cartridges presently from
those brought by the reserve division.
The ammunition comes as oppUrtunely
as the men,"
They're making a good fight every.
where, observed Maynard.
Let me see. You say you were call.
ed upon to shoot a woman. She was
some relative to this Captain
Now, Colonel Fitz Hugh. A sister"
That made it pretty hard for you.
colonel. But a soldier must do his du.
ty."
"Havo the Confederatcs possession CT
that ridge, general:'
They have also been approved by the
president, and you have been dismissed
from the service of the United States,
with forfeiture Of all pay and emolu-
ments."
Maynard tried to speak. He wished
to say that he could not complain of the
sentence-that, considering the ~offense,
it was merciful--but his tongue would
not obey him.
$50 much for your punishment, " the
general went OH after q slight pause.
There are other matters, however, to
be considered. These are your youth,
the circumstances under which you were
placed, the voluntary sacrifice Of your
self made to saw another and in obedi-
ence to your W Interpretation Of your
duty in repaying q sacred obligation.
While these considerations do not de.
stroy the act or its pernicious effect as
an example, they show conclusively that
it did not spring from base motives, but
rather in obedience to q strong sense Of
honor, which a soldier should hold in
highest esteem"
When the general began to speak Of
these palliating circumstances, Maynard
did not hear him. AS he proceeded,
however, his attention was arrested.
Furthermore, there are your bril-
liant services, both az a scout and yet
more recently in the battle through
which we have just passed. Ihave taken
pains to learn Of your services in the
ranks on the 10th of September and was
myself a witness to your gallantry on
the ridge on the Goth. l cannot find it
in my heart to fail in my acknowledge.
ments to any man, however he may have
erred, who engaged in that desperate
struggle, which was q turning point in
our fortune and may be said to have
saved us all from rout or capture.
Besides for more than q year / have
watched your career with interest. !
am sure that you are possessed of un-
doubted military talents, perhaps Of q
high order. l believe it to be true wis.
dom on the part Of tho government to
retain those talents for the country.
Therefore, in the interest Of the United
States and for gallant and meritorious
conduct at tine battle Of Chickamauga,
have suggested your name to the presi-
dent for the appointment of ~brigadier
general Of volunteers. A batch of such
eye had caught Z, aew point of danger
and was absorbed in it. Mounting
Madge, he rode away with the staff ON
Ger.
There was wonder on the faces Of the
men who saw a new commander in the
uniform Of a private Of cavalry put TEN
porarily in place TO lead them. For {
moment a murmur ran along the line,
but some ono recognized him-one who
knew his mettle-aud word was passed,
ITS the cavalryman, Colonel May
nard."
None cared at that critical moment
for his recent trial so long as there wa.
Il at their head who could lead then
in what they all saw must be a desperate
effort.
Amid the incessant thunders tina
burst everywhere around the line O
that horseshoe curve Of battle is on,
place where there is no firing, 1t is a
tho riAoa urbara man acn fnrpnion NJ ;t