The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-14

You have asked me again for my
story of the 3urgoyne affair. Yes, I
ought TO know about it: for it was in
deed the most important affair of my
life. Now in that camD-rn confess
was girl I once had made love to; be-
fore the dissension divided US, before
her brother was killed in the battle
where !, too, was engaged. Kate Essex
ever held this against me, as you viii
see il you follow me. Well, she was
with Lady Harriet Ackland the major
wife, in General Burgoyne's camp. i
had been taken prisoner the day be-
fore the great battle. l have, as you
know, some experience as surgeon,
which enabled me TO be Of small ser
vice in looking after General Bur
goyne'e wounded. And in all that fight
l was busted, prisoner as L was, but
enrolled as British surgeons assistant
l forgot that we We're fighting them, as
my friend Colonel Kenneth, forgot H.
when a prisoner at Yorktown. | hardly
noticed that General Burgoyne was pre-
pairing for a retreat.
But first the general was resolved TO
give General Fraser, who had died IN
the night of his wounds, fitting pur-
;al. The regiments We're mustered INTO
a melancholy procession at sundoWn,
and the sound of mufiied drums min
gled with the musketry and artillery
along the outD0sts.
A friendly sergeant put me where L
could see it all. The chaplain led, with
head uncovered, the prayer book of the
Church of England in mis- left hand. and
] saw then the girl I've mentioned, kale
Essex. supporting 4 lady scarcely older
than herself whom l surInised to be
Lady AclSland. | was startled at sight
OF her in that dismal surrounding
The scene, grim enough against the
irregular outline Of wooded hills, mad
sadder coloring from the soldiers. show
ing in all their appearances the hard,
discoura ging service Of the yesterday;
the officers with pale. serious, yet de-
termined faces; many limplng or pan
daged.
The chaplain paused by the opening.
Drums gave their muffled refrain and
al was ready for the service never
more eXpressiVely simple
Suddenly out of the comparative still
ness was the deafening rear OF artll-
lery. a bah tore the upturned earth
at the chaplain's feet, casting dirt over
his vestments. yet he keeps on impas-
siveiy. as if he were in a church. Sew
er6l persons fell.
The sergeant who was still at my
SIDE. CllEQ lJdlilH tlil- ! NY - '4CN -
us bury our general. Damn EN-!
But suddenly the firing stopped. to be
followed by the low booming of gun
at minute intervals, adding to the SOL
emnity of the occasion.
DO YOU see. Sergeant White, you are
mistaken! General Gates has found
that. after all, it's not movement OF
your troops!" I said eNultantly.
The minute guns continued as the en-
Nor I think COnlQ any
thing be finer from those who hao
known this brave man opposed to them
and who appreciated his qualities a.
commander and gentleman and the sor-
row of the soldierv and officers WHO
had served and fought and messed VIII
him.
for ii seemed sacrilege to s9eak toC
loudly at that place in the silent mo-
nents between guns when was hearo
only the chaplain's voice-"Win yol
damn us!'
I was wrong said he, they're
men"
cred it already was dark, and in the re
treat to the works l lost sight OF hau'
Essex and Lady Aekland. had trem
MED for them in that rapid firing; for
though the girl was prejudiced agains
me. / felt [ could wish her no hurt
The meantime, many fires Were
lighted-rather more, 1 thought,
once than the camp required; but wa
not long in seeing that these wer'
foiuts to cover retreat to Saratoga. Hal
the army were supperless-wearln
and dasnair Law on nearly every face
and Vet ] was amused to see two youn'
officers offG ) $ apparently oblivious. at card
bv the fire light. The enemy's line ha'
ceased firing, as if they were apollo
getic for the unseemly shots the re
Guiem of minute guns had followed.
The ensign, who had taken me
brought an order for me to report t
found him in a spot rather apar
frorls the preparations with Nh. Brude
nen. the chaplain, who had Just sale
the service. Miss Essex and Lady Ack
land. who was speaking earnestly AZ