The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-30
A Little Mound In Georgia Which Covers
the Remains Of a Brave, Noble Lad.
AN INNOCENT BOY AND WHAT He DID
He Performed Deeds of Daring and
ChivRIry which Would Make the
StOutest Heart Quail-He Is Shot
Down While PoiutinG Out u Path
of Safety-KouEh Nature Sonencd.
BY Captain +. A. Mitchell
(Copyright. 1886, by Captain F. "A
Mitchell) g.,

NIitchell.) ,
There is q Grand Army post in one
OF the Southern States which on Me-
mortal Day includes in its flower strew-
ing a grave too short to indicate the
resting place of man. Beneath the
little heap of earth is the dust of u boy
q boy who performed as splendid a
service as any man who shouldered a
musket or welded a sword. The story
Is told in different ways, but none of
them are exactly correct. / can tell 1t
as 1t happened, for saw 1t all with my
own eyes.
1t was on the Atlanta campaign. Sher-
man having more men than Johnston,
could always overlap him. Johnston
would make stand and entrench. Sher-
man would throw his cavalry around his
enemy's tanks. get in his rear. and force
him to retreat At one of these periodi-
cal manoeuvres an officer commanding
q brigade of cavalry on the extreme
Union right-a cracker to the whip
with which Sherman drove his enemy
was pushing forward to flank them.
He was one of the toughest Generals
in the army. a swearing, snarling, ir-
ritable man, with a square mouth, an
eagles eye, and beetling brows. But
he was as good fighter as cursor. and
in an emergency was sure to be called
on for some perilouS service. His men,
though in constant dread of him, would
have followed him to the crater of a
volcano. On this particular occasion he
had more of the devil In him than usual
for his efforts to flank the enemy were
thwarted by a river which protected the
Confederate left. He had been hunting
for a ford by which to cross, then ride
forward on the opposite bank recross,
and get In the enemy's rear. But he
was not posted as TO the crossings, and
had been disappointed in finding any
one TO enlixhten him.
At last he pulled up before cabin.
on the doorstep of which stood a boy
about IL years of age. He was planted
suuarely on both legs. which were COW
cred with Georgia mud, his hands in his
pockets, lock of light curly hair pro-
truding through a rent in his hat and
overhanging his forehead looking at
childish interest and admiration.
Boy" said the General, how can
cross the river?'
Ford t." was the quick reply.
Il know that, but where Is the ford? ?"
Down thar" pointing.
How can get 'thar?'"
go long the road bout five minutes,
n take the cross road hathaway. Cross
lots behind the hill, m yll git mother
road wot'-
Orderly" cried the general impa tent
ly, "dismount and give him your horse.
Come. show us the way. And mind. If
you don't take us to 81 ford, I'll cut off
your ears"
The hoy came running up. the orderly
lifted him Into the saddle thrust his lit
tie Feet between the stirrup straps. rails
Ing the leather bands to serve for sup
ports, and the child rode off beside the
c h,nt p.tf.
rups dangling
Are you a Union or q Confederate
boy?" asked the general. :
II dunno"
Don't know? We'll, 1t doesn't matter
II you guide us wrong you'll wish you d
never been born. Do you know the roa ds
on the other side of the river?"
Reckon"
The boy did not seem to be at all
afraid OF the general: on tine contrary, he
rode close beside him. looking up into
his rugged face admiringly He led the
way to the ford, across IL. and on the
other side put the command on q road
leading eastward not far from the river
bank.
"That'll do" said the General, now
you may go back"
'Whar you uns goen'?"
1--WE? We're going where there will
likely be shooting"
Don't y want me no MOP"
fYou don't mean to say you want to
go along?"
"Yas do"
"Wel. you can't"
"Why not?"
why not? Because you're too little. ("
The child's face fell. Then an idea
struck him. :
When y git thar air y goen' ter 81.