Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-12-02
~ ECEMBER, 1862. Rosccrans,
recently assigned to the command
IL of the 4 rmV of the Gum rlanu

- OF the Army or the Cumberland,
lay encamped on the Nashville turnpike
almost within hearing of the church bells
of Murfreesboro. Directly in front and
shielded by the dense cedar thickets rest
cd the army of the Confederate General
Bragg. The rebel defense described IL
semicircular line between Rosecrans and
Stone River in n country admirably
adapted to Il running fight toward Muir
frecsboro, the rebel base. Simultaneous
ly the commanders of the opposing forces
were planning attack. Rosccrans desired
to gain possession of Murfreesboro.
Bragg's plan was defensive and night
after night he made weak demonstrations
on the Union front, which were recog
nzed by Eosccrans at their true value.
Unless Bragg dislodgcd the Federal
troops massing in front on his right
Folks corps must he withdrawn behind
the river and Murfrccsboro abandoned.
War slumbered in the air. The soldiers,
fatieued by continuous campaigning,
lay stretched about the camp in resting
thousands nor did the crack OF the out
posts rifles nor the volcys of cavalry car
bnes cause So much as the blink of an
eyelid nor the raising OF Il head in the
camp. Familiarity had bred contempt
for the musket shot and the roar of the
cannon i'll the distance may have caused
curl Of the lip-no more. The powder
stained hordes felt the breath of coming
battle. but it gave them no concern, and
they huddled snugly together in their
blankets for they feared the shivering
blasts Of December more than the puny
bullets of the enemy.
Back in the ccdars in house whose
portico Iased its head above the SILVER
ing bare branches, General Kosccrans
rored over his plans of campaign against
Bragg 1t was essential to drive the
rebel general beyond the river and gain
possession of Murfrccsboro and the I'm
ion commander knit his brows and pom
drrcd over his contemplated plans of at
tack.
The door opened and young and intel
ligent looking officer stepped inside. His
shoulder straps showed the rank of first
lieutenant For an instant he paused at
the entrance. He seemed to know his
superior WAS worried and he hesitated to
advance. The general was unmndful Of
his presence. For an instant longer the
young officer waited, then as a determine
ed expression appeared on his face he
stepped rcsolutcly forward.
"Gcncral,' he said.
Rosccrans looked up and smile broke
through the clouds on his face.
"Ah, lieutenant" he said with sigh.
pushing aside his troublesome maps,
glad to see you, Sit down. What's on
your mind:'
He leaned his head on his hand and
looked dreamly from the window. He
was more interested in his own thoughts
than in what the young officer was say
ing.
"Eh. WHAT he exclaimed, suddenly
arousing like one from IA dream, what
il that you are sayingT'
The lieutenant looked him in the eye
and replied: II was asking permission,
general to absent myself from camp for
perhaps forty-cight hours"
General RCsccrans stared at him in
amazemcnt.
Il cannot comprehend the meaning of
such a request" he said. finally. an les
/ than forty-ei4ht houIs expect to engage
General Bragg. | haven't a doubt in the
word he is planning n similar attack on
my forces. fierce conflict is inevitable
And yet you have the temcrity on the
threshold of battle to ask for leave of
absence. | repeat | cannot understand
it, and, moreover. ! am doubly surprised
that such Il request should come from Il
trusted officer like YOU
y flush mounted to the temple of the
lieutenant He felt TIE sting of the gen
erals reply.
/ Pardon me, general" he said with
/ just touch of resentment. Your sus-
picions do me injustice. You have never
known me to finch from duty or to trem
bic in the face of the enemy
The general measured him closely and
worried look passed over his face.
II have spoken of no suspicious" he
said, testify.
But your manner. sir" said the other
"Pardon me- your manner was quite CON
vncing'
but such request at such time"
said his chief ut is peculiar. not to say
amazing. Why do you. an officer of my
army. desire leave of absence when we
may be hand to hand with the enemy al
any hour?'
lie looked sharply at his subordinate
and his question was flcighted with sig
niiicancc. The young officer was not I'M
mindful of it and flushed again.
''Iou are hard on me, general" he said.
coldly. but let me explain. You con-
template an attack on Murfreesboro and
its possible nay, more than probable. de
struction. Murfrcesboro holds all that is
near and dear to me-
The general raised his mead in interest
ed inquiry. The lieutenant went on:
'1n one of the hospitals there lies my
young wife, who has just this very day
given birth to our first child"
'Why, how" the general began.
"1iere, in this paper" cried the licutcn-
ant eXcitedy. at is published in Muir
freesboro and contains the story of the
birth of Northern child and gives its
mothers name and mine. 1t is my wife
and my child, General Rosecrans, and it
is to save them that | ask leave of alb
scnce."
The general took the paper from the ex-
cited man and read the account with in
terest. When he laid the paper down
warbronzed face.
"Lieutenant Henry" he said sternly,
"you are deserving of the severest CEN
sure for bringing your wife to this part
of the country at such time. | am sur
prsed that a man of your sound sense
would do it,
Il could not help it," was the impulsive
reply. Il wanted her where she would be
near me. She wanted to be here. | could
not withstand her appeals and so let her
come with my faithful old negro servant.
Can't you see, General Rosecrans. want
to move her from Murfrccsboro? 1t means
death to her to remain. The roar of the
guns, the shrek of the shells. the crash of
the walls and the whole awful roar of
war would kill her. | only want time to
remove her to place of safety. | will
ride like HI, general, and-and-still if