The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-26
CHAPTER XXvI.
AN IMPORTANT LETTER.

The Army Of the Cumberland has with
drawn to Chattanooga, safe for the
present at least behind breastworks.
Their enemies arc looking down upon
them from the heights that encircle the
town, awaiting for them to fall an easy
prey through starvation. Colonel May
nard is awaiting the result of army red
tape In the matter of his court martial
The papers in the case were lost i'm the
rout Of the right and were forgotten in
his efforts TO save the left. At any rate,
no one seemed to care anything about
them. Jakey and Jennie had ridden
from the battlefield, each behind q
cayalryman.
One morning an orderly came to
Colonel Maynard's tent and showed
him a letter postmarked County 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 Maynard to
doubt if it was not for some other Rati-
gan.
Maynard determined to 60 in quest
of Ratigan's body, or Ratigan himself,
if he were not dead, taking the letter
with him. He made request for q
flag of truce" which was granted.
and the next morning. after an early
breakfast, Colonel Maynard, accom-
panied by Jakey and the little girl,
whom Maynard hoped TO restore to her
parents, each mounted and all attend
ed by lieutenant and 90 men, set
out from Chattanooga toward Mission
Ridge. They met the enemy's pickets
ut the base OF tho ridge and were con-
ducted TO Rossville. Colonel Maynard
at once requested that he might be ac-
corded 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 house, where they awaited the
officers arrival Every attention was
shown them, and they were made az
comfortable as possible. Two hours aft
er the departure of the courier Colonel
Fitz Hugh rode up TO the door.
There was always certain embar-
rassment between these two men, which
under the circumstances was quite nat
ural, but which was heightened by the
babitual dignity with which Fitz Hugh
bore himself There was mrsa to force
them apart and much to draw them to-
gother, 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 We're few
moments Of silence. which were broken
by Maynard referring 10 his mission.
Colonel, he said, Il am the bearer
of letter for Corporal Ratigan, though
the superscription gives different title
than corporal--the man who assisted
mo on the mission which you doubtless
well remember. l saw Ratigan fall from
his horse and suppose that he is dead
Am right?'
No, sir. Corporal Ratigan lives. He
was severely wounded by shot from
your men. lie managed to keep his sad
die till his work was accomplished,
when he faiptel through loss of blood
For time bis .lifo hung in the balance.
We now hope for his recovery.
81 am reJoiced to hear it. Perhaps
this letter is for him. Will you attend
10 its deliveryr'
IF you VIII ride with me to Ringold,
where he lies, you can deliver it in per-
son.
''That wonld indeed be a pleasure.
Can you get permission to take me so
far within your lines!'
II can try"
I'm that case may look. by the way,
for the home Of this little girl l res
cued her from the battlefield, where she
was lost. !"
Colonel Maynard was required to
give his parole not TO use any informa.
tion he might acquire OH the way and
was permitted to go forward.
1t was singular party that crisp Oc
tober morning, cantering down the
Chattapooga and Lafayette road, the
recent bono of contention, toward the
now deserted battlefield Maynard and
Fitz Hugh rode together at the front.
Then came Jakey and Jennie. both
mounted like the rest, while troop OF
Confederate cavalry formed the escort.
The two colonels talked ON everything
except what was uppermost in their
iNN tiuSh otftiai tiiicS dt
tempted to guide the conversation upon
Maynard's service TO his sister order
that he might mako proper acknowl
edgment, but Maynard, foreseeing his
intention, always made some remark by
way of thwmtipg him.
my pop lives down thar, said Jen-
ME, pointing 10 cabin mile below
them.
They were approaching the "horse
shoe. ."
Leaving tho Chattanooga road, they
followed another leading arounl the
ridge, soon striking a third leading &c
Reeds bridge When they came 20 the
house pointed out by Jennie, man was
sitting ON the fence, or ono section Of
II which happened not 90 have been
taken for firvwood like the rest, whit.
Ting stick. Catching sight of the child
a. tho marty rode mn bp won't IN bpr