Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-08-19
He extended hi. hand ana lcft /,

He EXTENDED mis- hand and left q
slight pressure on her cold fingers. But
they slipped quickly from his grasp,
and she turned away with o heightened
color.
He stepped to the door. One or two
aids-de-camp. withheld by his order
against intrusion. were waiting cage .ly
with reports The horse of n mounted
field officer was paving the garden
turf. The officers stared ut the Young
girl.
Take Miss Faulkner with n flag 10
some safe point of the enemy's line.
She is non-combatant of their own,
and will receive their protection
He had scarcely exchanged n dozen
words with the aids-de-camp before
the field officer hurriedly entered.
Taking Brant aside he said Quickly.
Pardon me, general, but there Is a
strong feeling among the men that this
attack is the result of some informa-
ton obtained by the enemy. The wom-
an you have just given n safeguard 10
is suspected, and the men are indip-
nant."
The more reason why she should be
conveyed beyond any consequences of
their folly. major" said Brant. frigidly.
and look 10 you for her safe CONVOY.
There is nothing in this attack to- show
that the enemy has received any in
formation regarding us. But I would
suggest that it would he better To sec
that my orders are carried out regard
ing the slaves and men combatants who
are passing our lines from division
headquarters, where valuable informa-
ton may be obtained. than i'm the sur
veillance of testy and outspoken girl"
An angry flush covered the majors
cheek Us he saluted and fell back, and
lirant turned to the aid-de-camp. The
news was grave. \ column of the enc.
my had moved against the ridge; IL was
no longer possible 10 hold il: and the
brigade was cut OFF from it's communi.
cation with the division headquarters,
although as yet no combined movement
was made against il. Brant's secret
Tears that II was an intended impact
| against the center were confirmed
Would his communications to the di.
vision commander pass through the at
lacking column in time?
pic tninR puzzled nm. AS vet the
enemy, after facing his line, had shown
no disposition, even with their over.
whelming force, To turn aside to cover
him. He could easily have fallen bacl,
when IL was possible TO hold the ridge
no longer, without pursuit. His flank
and rear were not threatened. as they
might have been by division of 50
large an attacking column. and his re-
treat was still secure! 1t was this fact
that seemed to show n failure or inner.
lection in the enemy's plan. TWAS pos
siblc that his precipitation of the attack
by the changed signal had been the
cause of 1t. Doubtless some provision
had been made TO attack him in flanl,
and rear, but in the unexpected hurry
of the outset il had 70 be abandoned. lie
could still save himself, as his officers
knew, but his conviction, that he might
yet be able TO support his division com
mander by holding his position logged
ly, but coolly awaiting his opportunity,
was strong. More than that, il was his
temperament and instinct.
Narrowing them in flank and rear
contesting the ground inch by inch. and
holding his own against the artillery
sent to dislodge him, or the cavalry
that curied around to ride through his
open ranks, he saw his files melt away
before this steady current without
fiinching.