The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-01-07
A WAR CAPTURE.

D6E Oil S6TlOuS COuC6Tu.
Troop Sergeant Anderson of the til
cavalry took account of this state of things
as regarded his own troop, and one after
noon headed party which was to scatter
itself to the four winds and ride promis-
cuously over the earth on the scent of the
needed provender.
They had ridden about a mile when An
derson in his rather independent way jim
gled off on little trail of his own, telling
the men of his squad that he would rejoin
them at the crossroads farther on. He had
an idea that he could do little reconnoi-
tering to advantage and perhaps meet with
an adventure, thing that was bread and
meat to his soul.
So he loosened the heavy revolver in his
holster and swung off into a bride path,
making detour to avoid bit of wood
which had been heavily shelled by Con-
federate battery the week before and gal
loped leisurely across an open, where he
was fully exposed to the fire from the
trenches of the enemy, who however,
seemed inGisposed to take notice of him.
From the open he turned into a narrow
dirt road leading off somewhere into the
Confederate lines. He expected to fall in
with rebel picket here, but as it CHANGED
he fell in with something more.
He had ridden perhaps 100 yards along
this road when on rounding at slow can
ter a clump of scrub pines ho found him
self in the act of riding right through a
group Of half dozen mounted men, who
were walking their horses in exactly the
opposite direction that he was going
There was stare of surprise as well as q
pulling up of horses.
Now, Anderson had red hair q resolute
chin, thoroughly controlled temper, a
cool mind in the presence of danger and a
quick hand. He was slightly startled at
the rencounter, but he did not lose his head
AS he pulled in his horse he had his re-
volver out and leyeled at the central figure
of the group, who, by his trappings, he
took for brigadier general, perhaps even
person of higher rank, who was out with
his staff for an afternoon canter
Glands up!'' called Anderson in the
peremptory manner of western road
agent.
''Who the mischief are your demanded
the general, for such in truth he was
"My names Anderson, sergeant in the
--th United States cavalry, and you're my
prisoner, y replied the turbulent looking
highwayman with the red hair, regarding
his target with steady eye.
Il
ped to parley Perhaps it was natural,
while being stared out of countenance by
the ugly muzzle of a huge revolver, that
he should do so, but we record simply that
he made a mistake If he had ordered
rush-but he didn't.
"Your prisoner! Why, that's very alb
surd, my good fellow. Don't you think
you are ours?'' he inquired, quite at ease.
"Not while I've got the drop on you, "
said Anderson, with a grin. ''If one of
you makes move to draw a gun, I'll
shoot You can suit yourselves I'll shoot
at the first move. OF course you can kill
me afterward, but that's the fortune of
battle You won't kill me first. !"
The staff had remained dumb with
amazement at Anderson's audacity and
the cool way in which he did this thing.
But it found voice at last.
"You We got lot of nerve, ~ said griz-
zled warrior who rode in front. "Get out
of the way there General, if you say we'll
take him..
The general looked in the eye of the man
who had him sighted and saw shoot
there as plainly as if he read it in big let
ters on an open page. He was very wroth,
but ne feared death in this fashion, and
he knew also that he was of value to his
country. He waxed sarcastic.
tColonel, has he got his Internal pistol
pointed at your head or at mine? Without
unreasonable curiosity / wish to be in
formed just what you would do if you sat
in my saddle? I present the case plainly"
The colonel was mute, and Anderson's
horse grew FESTIVE.
Gentlemen he said, falling humor-
ously into the generals measured diction,
st am tolerably impatient man, and I'm
obliged to protest against council of war
in the field. You will save time and in
finite trouble if you will pass in front of
me in your present formation and ride
over there" He pointed with his free hand
in the direction of the Union lines. Take
that road to the left, and we will thus
avoid your men in the pits, who might be
tempted to open fire on us, naturally mis-
taking you for the enemy"
"Well, you have got nerve" said the
general, meeting the level glance of the
sergeant again. Anderson was rather rag
ged and not very clean, but he looked ter
ribiy determined, and the general realized
that he was the prisoner of that unkempt
looking individual who sat like centaur
on a roam colt as clearly as if he were in
the center of square of infantry.
you'll be quick if you please, said
Anderson, knitting his brows 1T don't
want to kill you, general, but you'll have
to go with your staff, and go right away,
or die here. I'll take my chances.
The general smothered a groan of wrath
and ordered his escort forward Six Off
GERS captured by battered rufffan of a
troop sergeant He sighed deeply. 1t was
very grievous to be borne.
"I'll follow you close, /" said Anderson
cheerily as he fell into slow trot. No
tricks, gentlemen. Mind, I'll shoot at the
first sign, and / don't miss. Colonel, I'm
on to your little game there. You'll ride
ahead with your hands up"
It was queer procession that logged
sulkily into the Union lines at the edge of
nightfall, and it created quite wave of
excitement among the idle troops. Ander-
son delivered his capture over to his COM
handing officer with the briefest explana
ton and then rode whistling to his quar-
tiers, a very hungry man.
It was wild, reckless feat but it
brought lieutenant's commission, which
the troop sergeant modestly declined
Whotbar IN hac eyer come t0 tha nublic eve