The National tribune., 1897-12-16
CHAPTER XVIII.

q Zollicoffers killed Dead as door
nail said Web Brainard, coming up, ex-
citedly.
''Sure?n said Henry Clay Pollock, who
had been long enough in the army to become
skeptical of sensational reports.
''Sure's yo're a foot high" reiterated
Web. five done talked with the 4th Ky.
boys, who seed thar Kunnel shoot him right
In front O the rigimint. Lots o men who
knowei Zollicoffer when he WIZ alive have
looked at the body and said it wuz surely
him. The rebels say So too. Hits true as
pTeachin'."
Dead, an didn't kill him. said Pol
lock, with sigh. - But whosoever's bullet
done the work deserves the blessing of all
Tennessee. Ole Zolli will have an awful in
dictment T. plead to at the judgment seat,
and a worse lot o. villains never appeared be-
fore hit than has bin sent thar with him this
day.
Tumultuous feelings swelled the Tennes-
scans bosoms as they went forward with the
rest In relentless pursuit of the flying rebels
Chill rain wept from the lowering clouds, but
the sunshine of radiant JOY filled their
hearts. Victory was complete to a degree
that they had never dreamed of Every
where the rebels were flying SO wildly for
their lives that there was no thought of an
swering the shots the Union troops poured
into them at every opportunity Dead and
wounded men, arms, clothing, and personal
effects thrown away to facilitate flight were
encountered at every step.
Three new regiments which had not been
able TO reach the battlefield in time for the
fight, were pushed TO the front to lead the
pursuit. Though wearied by their long
march through the mud and rain, and chagrin
that they had not been given the privilege of
aiding 20 win IT, infused new life in their
veins, and they moved forward rapidly.
During the whole day the Tennesseeans
had looked eagerly for their chosen enemies.
Col Rhea and his regiment. Several times
they had joined in assaults upon port rs of
the line IN the belief that they were en-
countering TIE objects of their special hatred
But when the ground was gained they were
disappointed TO learn from the wounded and
prisoners mat II was some other regiment
which had been defeated
AT length a short distance hevond ,vbera
the last fighting occurred, they came unon a
fine horse lying on the ground part of
one OF his hind legs had been shot away nv
shell
That thar's KunneI Rhea's boss. sure's
I'm alive, said Web Brainard, excitedlv.
p" Hit sartinly is, " said Pollock, after a
careful scrutiny.
They went up and looked the fallen animal
over His saddle. bride and holsters were
still on, with two fine reyolyers in the latter
which Pollock and Brainard instantly an
pIopnated To their own armament, giving
pistols that they had already picked up to
the other boys There was a qu nifty of
blood on the saddle, showing that the rider
had been struck before his horse was. and was
trying 10 escape from the field when she'll
from the battery brought his stecd down.
" lie has made his men carry him off but
he's rot far away" said Pollock :" We'uns',ll
git him VII"
The mangled brute turned his great ewes
on them in fright. lie Seemed to recognize
IN them deadly enemies of his master. He
snorted and tried vanly TO rise, but fell
back on his side.
Let's put the pore brute outen his misery.p
said Pollock, cooking the revolver and taking
deliberate aim at his ear The pistol cracked.
and the horse fell back dead
hope 10 do the same for his rascal
MASTER said Pollock, replacing the smoking
pistol In his belt
lhey pressed on with the rest i'm the pur-
suit but stopped at every log cabin or other
shelter TO look hastily around for Col. Rbea
Al length they came to a rude shelter
which had been constructed for cattle Poles
resting upon forks stuck in the ground sup
ported thick layer Of straw which served
for roof. The ground beneath was covered
with litter of musty eoIn-cobs stalks and
husks. On this igHobie bed lay Col Rhea.
grlevonsly wounded through the thigh. He
had sternly ordered. then pitifullv begged
MS men TO carry him farther, but their own |