The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-10

= - vNSSIAS
81 and Shorty Make Brief Visit TO God
0 Country"
/ The shot fred by Nate HEARTBURN was til
only one that interrupted the progress of th
200th Ind. to the banks of the Tennesse
River. Its cautious advance at last brough
it out on the crest of hill, at the foot q
which, 200 feet below, flowed the clear cul
rent of the mountain-fed stream. TIL
rebels were all on the other side. Thei
, pickets could be plainly seen, and they hell
the further pier of the burned railroa'
bridge. To our right rose three strong forts
built the year previous.
AS soon as it was determined that all tn
enemy were beyond the river, the 200th Ind
went into camp for the afternoon and nigh
upon q cleared spot which had been used TO
that purpose before our troops had beef
flanked out of that country by Bragg's rait
into Kentucky just year before.
A dress parade was ordered at O'Clock
and when the Adjutant came to publish
the orders" the regiment was astOnisheC
and ST electrified to hear:
In pursuance of orders from Division
Headquarters to detail squads from each o.
the different regiments to proceed to theil
respective States to bring back recruits and
drafted men for the regiments, First Lieut.
Bowersox, of Co. A, and Corp'l Josiah
Klegg of Co. Q, with six enlisted men Of
that company, to be selected by Capt Nc
Gillicuddy, are hereby detailed for that duty,
and will prepare to leave tomorrow morn
ing"
81 clutched his partner in his excitement
and whispered:
Shorty, did you hear that? Pm to be
sent back to Injianny. Amt that what he
said?"
If my ears didn't mistake their eye
sight, them was about his words" returned
Shorty. You're in luck"
" And you're goin' with me, Shorty"
The Adjutant didn't include that in his
observations. amt so crazy, anyway, to git
back to Injianny. Now, if it waz Wisconsin
it'd be different If you've got any recruits
to bring on from Wisconsin, Pm your man.
I'd go up there at my own expense, though 1
| don't 'spose that Rosecrans could spare me
just now. What'd become o. the army if
he'd git sick, and me away?"
But. Shorty, you are goin'. You must 90.
| won't 90 if You don't
. Done say won't too loud You're de-
tailed, and men that's detailed don't have
much choice in the matter.n
But you must go. l won't go and leave
you"
You'll probably act sensibly and do
whatever you're ordered to do. OF course,
I'd like to 60 il we kin git back in time for
this socablc with Mister Bragg. Don't want
to miss that That'ii be the he-fght O. the
war, and probably the last battle''
Nor do l, answered 81; g but the thing
won't come off till we git back They
wouldn't be sending back for the drafted
men and recruits except that they want 'em
to help out'
They'll be a burned sight more in the
way than help" answered Shorty. "We
don't need 'em. We've handled Bragg so
far very neatly, all by ourselves, and we
don't need anybody to mix into our little
Job. The fewer We have the more credit
there1l be in liclsin' old Bragg and cap
turin Chattanooga"
The Orderly-Sergeant interrupted the dis
cussion by announcing:
Here, Shorty, you're one to 90 with ST.
The detail is made by the COlonels orders
as compliment to the good work you boys
have been doing, and which the Colonel
knows all about"
81 always said that the Colonel had the
finest judgment as to soldiers of any man in
the army said Shorty, after taking a
minutes pause to recover from the compli-
ment.
The boys were Immediately surrounded by
their comrades congratulating them, and re-
questlng that they would take back letters
and money for them. The Paymaster had
recently visited the regiment. and everv-
body had money which he wished to send
home There were also commissions to pur-
ohaSn JfAJnnnarabIa
meerschaum pipes to fine flannel shirts.
. Look here, boys" said Shorty good
humoredly, we want to be obligin', but
we're neither a Adams Express Company
nor in the gents furnishin line. We've
neither an iron safe TO carry money nor a
pedler's wagon to deliver goods. John
Morgans guerrillas may jump Us on the way
home, and comm back We'll have to have
packs to carry the truck in, and half of it ii
be stole before We git to the regiment
But The comrades would not be dissuaded.
and before 81 and Shorty went to sleep they
had between So, 600 and Sc, 600 of their COM
rades' money slowed in various safe places
about their persons.
" Great Jeiosephat, ST, murmured Shorty.
when they sat together in their tent. after
the last comrade had departed, leaving his
''wad of greenbacks," with directions "a to
its disposition. . never felt 50 queer and
skeery in all my life. l wouldn't for the
world lose dollar OF the money these bows
have been earnin' as they have this. Bnt
how under heaven are we goin' to make sure
of q"
''I've thought Of way o. maxim sure of
tonight" said 81. 81 spoke to the Officer
O. the Guard, and he'll put a sentinel over
US tonight, SOS we kin git little sleep ~
wouldn't shet my eyes, ii it wasn't for that
Wen have to let tomorrow take care of
itself"
Shorty lay down and tried to 90 TO sIeen
but the responsibility weighed too heavily on
his mind. Presently 81, who, for the same
reason, only slept lightly, was awakened by
his partner getting up.
NAT are you up tO?" ST asked.
" I've bin thinkin' about pickpockets -
answered Shorty. They're an awful slick
lot, and I've thought of a hiding place
that'll fool EN- 20
He picked up his faithful Springfield and
drawing an envelope with money out of his
Shirt-pocket, rolled il up to fit the muzzle of
his gun, and then rtmmed it down.
That's Jim Meddler's $40" he said.
III know it, because his mothers names
on the envelope. Here goes Pete Twins
$50. I'll know it because it has his wife's
name on it.' >
He continued until he had the barrel of
the gun filed, and then stopped to admire
his cunning. 10 h.