Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-04-17

rassment between these two men, which
under the circumstances was quite nat
ural, but which was heightened by the
habitual dignity with which Fitz Hugh
bore himself. There was much to force
them apart and much to draw them to-
gether, 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 were few
moments of silence, which were broken
by Maynard referring to bis mission.
Colonel, he said, II am the bearer
Of letter for Corporal Ratigan, though
the superscription gives different title
than corporal-the man who assisted
me on the mission which you doubtless
we'll remember. Isaw Ratigan fall from
his horse and suppose that he is dead
Am I right?"
"No, sir. Corporal Ratigan lives. BE
was severely wounded by shot from
your men. He managed to keep his sad
die till his work was accomplished,
when he tainted through loss of blood.
For time his life hung in the balance.
We now hope for his recovery"
II am rejoiced to hear it. Perhaps
this letter is for him. Will you attend
to it's delivery?''
"If you will ride with me to Ringold,
where he lies, you can deliver it in per.
son.
"That would indeed be a pleasure.
Can you get permission to take me SO
far within your lines?"
II can try"
''In that case I may look, by the way,
for the home of this little girl. I res
cued her from the battlefield, where she
was lost.
A request was sent up to headquar-
ters for permission to take Colonel May
nard and two children to Ringold and
to visit the recent field of battle by the
way. While the party were waiting for
a reply Maynard was introduced to
number of Confederate officers, and the
story getting round that he had saved
the life of Confederate emissary, the
sister of Colonel Fitz Hugh, he soon
found himself an object Of interest
There was little disposition to inquire
into the right or wrong Of his act. The
service was quite sufficient, and the de-
posed colonel was as highly honored
among the Confederates as he had been
condemned by his comrades.
Permission came for Colonel Fltz
Hugh to take the party forward, leaving
the escort at Rossville and taking Colo
mel Maynard S parole not to divulge any
thing he might see to the Union COM
manders, a useless provision, for there
was nothing of Importance by the way
for him to see.
1t was singular party that crisp o.
tober morning, cantering down the
Chattanooga and Lafayette road, the
recent bone 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
minds. Fitz Hugh several times at
tempted to guide the conversation upon
Maynard's s service to his sister in order
that he might make proper acknowl-
edgment, but Maynard, foreseeing his
intention, always made some remark by
way of thwarting him.
"There are the heights from which
you shelled the reserve marching to our
relief" said Maynard, glancing to the
left.
"And here our men found themselves
near this coveted road, over which we
are passing, when the fog lifted on Sum-
day morning." replied the other.
'Now we come to the horseshoe
ridge Let us ride around its base. From
what the little girl has told me I fancy
she lives on the road leading to Reeds
bridge"
"My pop lives down thar, " said the
child, pointing to cabin mile below
them.
Leaving the Chattanooga road, they
followed another leading around the
ridge, soor striking a third leading to
Reeds bridge. When they came to the
house pointed out by Jennie, man was
sitting on the fence, or one section of
it which happened not to have been
taken for firewood like the rest, whit
thing stick. Catching sight Of the child
as the party rode up, he went to her,
and taking her in his arms covered her
with kisses. The mother, hearing the
exclamations, rushed out and repeated
the fathers caresses.
The parents expressed as we'll as they
were able and in their humble way their
thanks to the rescuer of their child, and
the party proceeded on their way.
"Goodby, Jennie" said her friend
Jakey as he rode off.
"Goodby.''
"Ef yell write me letter, I'll make
y doll outen a corncob. know how
ter make 'em."
81 can't write"
"Waal, I'll do it anyhow. Yer a
purity nice young un ely air only gal"
Riding over Reeds bridge, the party
passed through the gap in the ridge be-