The National tribune., 1897-12-09

| letter IN II. ana placed II I'D iler D'SOm- Inc
skies seemed to clear up UNNECESSARILY. Hope
blossomed with fragrance that filed her
entire being. She could bear everything now,
for the hour of deliverance and happiness
was in sight Every day. when she could
gain an opportunitv. she would 90 up the
hillside knitting AS she walked, to the rock
from which she had taken her farewell look
of Pollock and his companions, and STRAIN her
ewes for their temperance over the distant
hill Her eager expectation became so intent
that she would mistake the flaming red leaves
OF a black gum for the crimson of the Ma
tiona Flag. and her heart leapat the sight
Capt. sam Griggs kept his promise only
too well He was soon back again, with
wagons into which his men loaded all the
grain and provisions he could find.
"Will yo' starye us?" asked Mrs. lnrule
plaintively.
THAT GERS purity nigh my intention" he
replied 1--WE need this grub t. feed the
men who air foutin' the battles o their
country agin yo Lincolntes. They I'll
starve if they don't git hit Youuns kin
either starve or leave the country. We
want t git shet o. yo', one way or anuther,
fur youns air curse t. wc'uns an the
country"
Disappointed at not finding more grain,
Griggs ordered the stables and cribs to be set
on fire. And again Robert Inrule and sons
were compelled to endure the modification
of seeing the results of innumerable days OF
hard work destroyed.
Presently they learned that they would be
for awhile free from their tOrmentors, for Col.
Rhea's regiment had been hurried forward to
join Zolicofler's force for a grand expedition
into the very heart of Kentucky, which
would inialllbly overthrow the Union forces
there and secure the State 10 the Southern
Coniederacy. Robert Inrule's heart sank a
great deal when he saw from the summit Of
the mountain endless streams Of rebels pour
forward day after day toward Kentucky,
and tales of their boastful confidence reached
his ears. but the Elder comfcrted him.
1t is indeed mighty host. brother. "
said he. But mighty as are the hosts the
devil has been able to rally for his work, the
Lord has always sent against them mightier
ones. and their pride goeth before destruction
and their naughty spirit before fall |
tell you, brother, that as sure as the Lord
liveth. the day is near at hand when we shall
see these vain boosters rushing in dismay for
the rocks and the hills TO save their lives. y
Though Henry Clay Poilock's mind de-
velopcd rapidly in the exciting school of
actual war, it seemed to him that every day
he was getting less capable of understanding
the plans and purposes of the mighty force OF
which he was part. he saw, without the
fantest comprehension of the reason why,
the rebel force under Zollicoffer abandon its
impregnable stronghold at Cumberland Ford,
and retreat to Cumberland Cap His heart
was made buOyant by the advance Of the
Union troops toward Cumberland Ford, and
was then depressed by the sight of their fall
ing back again, because it was impossible to
supply them with food over the wretched
roads.
When he went back to the Union camps he
saw Gov. Andrew Johnson, Horace Maynard
the Carriers and other East Tennesseeans
whose names were towers of strength. They
talked Familiarity with him, explained to him
the necessities and perplexities of the mighty
struggle which was going on for hundreds Of
miles on either side Of him. and encouraged
him with their recitals of their earnestness in
urging an advance for the relief of their
oppressed people and the promises that the
President had made them.
Then came the news that ZOllicoffer was
entering Kentucky with a stronger force than
ever, and by an easier route than his first ad-
vance.
OFF TO the Cumberland River. 100 miles
distant, at point lar from the first crossing,
over unknown roads, but over the same kind
of rugged mountains and across the same
kind of rushing, turbulent streams, through
freezing rains and cheerless cold the indie
iatigable Tennesseeans pushed their way to
place themselves in Zolicofer's front and re-
port his movements. But the people were
friendly. Every mountaineer was a Union
man and willing to shelter, feed and aid them
TO the utmost of his ability.
/ Al
invasion. 1t was made with numbers and
confidence To the west Albert Sidney John
ston had advanced far toward Louisville, and
established his headquarters at Bowling
Green, within easy striking distance of that
, great commercial metropolis Zollicoffer IS
J errand was to carry the right flank of the
; rebel army equally far f0rward-to capture
: the Capital of Kentucky, and Lexington,
and even to threaten Cincinnati, if possible.
All the days Of November, Pollock watched
the rebels pour into Kentucky from Tennes-
see b. all the roads leading from Knoxville
TO the west They filled the little valleys
with their camps they swarmed in the in
frequent and scattered settlements called
towns, they devoured the poor peoples
meager stores Of food, burned their fences and
farm-buildings for campiires and carried of
their cooking utensils and bedding.
by Dec. tDcy began 10 line up along the
Cumberland River from Mill Springs to
! Burkesyille, to throw up intrenchments al
: various points, and build boats to cross the
: rapid stream
Gen. Thomas, uncertain where they really
? meant 10 cross disposed his force 80 as Ia
e cover the most likely points
These were busy, exciting DAYS for Henry
: Clay Pollock and his companions. They
kept themselves constantly in front of the
main body of the enemy; they seemed TO have
G an instinct as to where Zollicofiisr was goino
or could be found. and their reports were in
| valuable TO Gen. Thomas.
t Under strict instructions from him. thew
= restrained themselves from firing a shot into
t the rebels until they reached the Cumberland
e River.
Then there was daily skirmishing acros.
the river, whenever man showed hmsel
e in musket range on either side, and in thi.
they took their share.
e But Pollock was rapidly coming to under.
7 stand that in this war the Misunderstanding
e tactics OF his grandfather had comparatively
little place Individual killings are o.
/. small moment when great masses of mer
Z crash together. Rising above the desire 10
e kill the common grade Of rebels just because
{ they were rebels, he became the more anxious
a TO STAY Zollicoiier and Col. Rhea, whom he
: held responsible as the instigators OF ali the
5 yilaiDles the others committed. All the wa,
Il u