The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-09-03
CHAPTER XIII,

jackson retreated no farther than
Strasburg. Shields advanced no farther
than Winchester. Prisoners captured
during the first year of the war were
not held long. Within 30 days from
the battle of Kernstown those members
of Captain Wyle's company who had
been taken prisoners were exchanged.
Ike Baxter was among them.
Two days after the battle Kenton had
reported to his company at Strasburg.
It was known that he was captured
with the others, and his truthful story
of his escape found no believers except
Steve Brayton. While the others de-
clared that his escape was all arranged
for by his Yankee friends, Steve gave
him his hand and said:
Its gettin purity hot fur yo' around
yere, Kenton, 'cordin to what see and
hear. If yo' could surround and cap
tur' a hull Yankee army and turn it
over to us, the boys would think yo' un
had some game to play. Reckon yo'
know whar it all starts from2"
''I think do"
''Can't no two fellers love the same
gal without sunthin Dustin sooner or
later. kin jest shet my eyes and see
what the captain is layin fur. He un's
achin powerful bad to hev yo' killed off
or driv out or used up in some way. He
wouldn't hev minded if half of us had
bin wiped out down thar if yo'd bin
one of the dead.
Two or three days after jackson
reached Strasbu1g Captain Wyle had an
interview with him. None of his own
company knew it, and what passed
could only be inferred from circum-
stances which developed later on. It
was announced that it had been decided
to reorganize the guards as cavalry
company, and in the course of week
this change was effected, much to the
satisfaction of the men. just as it was
finished Royal Kenton was ordered to
report to jackson again. He found the
same stern, low spoken, plain looking
man and received the same quiet greet
ing. The general adverted to the brav-
cry of the guards at Kernstown, and
then to Kenton's capture and escape
and asked for the details. The latter at
once realized that some one who pro-
fessed to know all about it and who was
seeking his injury had reported to the
general. He, however, proceeded to
give the particulars not only of his es-
cape and his efforts to rejoin his COM
mand, but of the charges brought
against him by Ike Baxter and the in
terview with General Shields. This por-
lion of his adventure he had not spoken
of to any one on rejoining his company.
jackson seemed to be thinking very Sc
riously as Kenton talked. The facts
just related no doubt surprised him and
perhaps gave a different turn to affairs.
After awhile he said:
General Banks is pushing up the
valley with large force. wish you
to scout along his front and secure all
possible information of value. Can you
set out at once?"
within half an hour, SIR" was
Kenton's reply.
"And do you wish companion?"
~ think can do better alone, but
il you think two might do better than
one I shall"--
''Do as you think best, but report to
the captain of your company that you
have been detailed"
AS Kenton left headquarters he felt
that something was wrong just what
it was he could not determine, but it
seemed as if there were mistrust and
suspicion. He had been thoroughly
loyal in making his previous observa-
tions and reports, but an enemy was at
work to discredit him. He was fully
satisfied of this as he left camp on his
scout After reporting to Captain Wyle,
who treated him with strict military
etiquette, he went to his tent to make
a few preparations. He had left it and
was making his way out of camp when
he was oyerhauled by Steve Brayton,
who said:
..Thc gineral is sendin 20 off on an
other scout? Yo' think yo' ar goin
alone, but yo' hain't. I've follered
along to tell yo' that the captain has
put Reube Parker on yo'r track. Yo'
know Reube? He hain't bin abusin yo'
with his mouth as much as some others,
but he's down on yo' and playin into
the hands of the captain, tell yo' to
hook ont fur himi''