Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-07-24

fetched him in. Everybody at McPher-
sons side could see that the rebs were
firing high, when once the daring sur
vivors of the six who Stated reached
their PROSTATE colonel, but the bull
lets sounded just as deadly to the four
who rot back alive, and Mcpherson sent
for Close and wrung his hard brown
hand and looked admiringly into the
scmber, impressive face with its deep
brown, almost dog-like eyes. Some OF
;he Thirteenth regulars were the next
to report on Close. And these fellows,
being at Sherman's headquarters, had
influence. In the midst Of so rough q
campaign. Close looked but little worse
Tor wear than did his associates, and
when he brought in ten prisoners with
only two men at his back, turned them
over TO the Thirteenth, and went in for
more before anybody could thank him,
"Uncle Billy" swore that man was one
Of the right sort, and asked him what
lie could do for him that very night.
And then-so the story ran-Close said
he guessed he'd like TO he either SUIT
Ter or 1uartermaster-hc didn't know
which-and for once in his life the pop
ular general looked bewildered.
After Mission Ridge, where he got an
other bullet through him, and one that
would have killed an OK, they simply
had to put Close on quartcrmaster duty,
nc wanted II so much and had done such
splendid fighting and so little talking
for it. That was the end Of him until
near the end of the war. Ills train was
captured by n dash of Forests cav
airy. and, though most Of the guards
got away. Close went with his wagons
Andersonvillc was then his abiding
place for n time, but in rome way he
turned up again during the march to
the sea, which he made on muleback.
and when congress authorized the or
ganizntion OF 10 regiments Of infantry
rs n part of the regular army in &c the
great generals ut the head Of military
affairs were reminded OF Close. He
wrote from somewhere far out west,
saying modestly that they had told him
TO let them know II they could ever be
of any use to him, and the time had
come. He had concluded to continue
soldering. and wanted to be quarter
master. He was offered first lieu
tenantcy in the infantry and accepted.
though the examining board shook their
heads over his ill-written papers; was
applied for by the colonel whose lif.
he had saved at Vicksburg, and WIN
was now on bureau duty" in the south (;
and on that work Close remained, de-
spite some rumors Of his unfitness,
until the fever cut its wide swath n,
his regiment. The adjutnnt and quar-
termaster were both down when Close
arrived and reported for duty. In his
calm, stolid, impassive way he proved
vastly useful. Indeed, at time when
men were dying or deserving by scores
when even sentry duty had to be aban-
doned, and when government property
was being loaded up and carried away
and sold in the city, II is difficult to say
NHut lOoSCo ihiEht NV ha'c 1Nth SNp7
tanned but for his tireless vigilance. lie
exposed himself fearlessly among the
dying. He said he had had light at
tack of the fever Mt New Iberia earlier
in the season and couldn't take II again.
At all events. he did not. He was prob
ably the only officer who remained
longer than week ut the stricken post
and escaped.
At last came the welcome frost, Vel
low Jacks conqueror. followed BY new
officers and recruits in plenty. and
Closes occupation was gone. lie had
helred TO bury the adjutant, but the
quarterinaster proved tough. nnd-tn
Closes Eecn disappointment, ns the
boys began TO say with returning
health. appetite. and rynic!sm -recov.
cred from his desperate illness and re
sumed his duties. When December AMI
the new colonel came. drills and dress
uniforms were ordered, ind Close got
leave Of absence and tried 70 get baektc