The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1898-02-17

J of the Army of the Cumberland,
..,..amucd on the Nashville turnpike
'"' within hearing of the church beils
..--,r,,rrap.boro. Directly in front and
O.. .,,.f lax he dense cedar thickets rest
81 amy of the Confederate General
81 ' The rebel defense described
-.r..,,ar line between Rosecrans and
s sem, Rive, in country admirably
s.-. IN q running fight toward Muir
"''i .ro the rebel base. Simultaneous
commanders of the opposing forces
.'arg:ua attack. Rosecrans desired
.,.n possession of Murfreesboro.
u. Man was defensive and night
i..,..i.- he made weak demonstrations
H.. Union front, which were recog-
" nv Eosecrans at their true value.
~. Rrarc disl0dged the Federal
-. n1s.ing in front on his right
IN c.rus must be Withdrawn behind
- ,;r.r and NurfreesbOrO abandoned.
War ,r1ulered in the air. The soldiers,
,..:.,,l Lv continuous campaigning,
'-.....bed about the camp in resting
~ ,..r1s nor did the crack Of the out
.,. rifles nor the volieys OF cavalry car
;,es cause 50 much as the blink of an
a-.Ga Nor the raising of head in the
familiarity had bred contempt
H.. luus1,ct shot and the roar of the
1901, I'm The distance may have caused
.n. If the Tp-uo more. The powder
"...,.I E.rIps felt the breath of coming
lsr.re Int II gave them no concern, and
,tey lnadIed snu2ly together IN their
blankets. for they feared the shlvering
tl,s.. ..f December more than the puny
brurs Of the enemy.
Ta.. IN tfp cedars in a house whose
r.r.f,o raised lis head above the SILVER
.,- hare branches, General Kosecrahs
r.r,d over his plans of campaign against
Rr..,,. Ii was essential to drive the
ran General beyond the river and gain
n,..os,taD Gr Murfreesboro and the I'm
Inn commander knit his brows and pom
5,rad over his contemplated plans of at
tax.
THE laar opened and a young and intel
Tccet looking officer stepped inside. His
shrr,I.r ,f.auS showed the rank Of first
-4;7n,s.aut r., For an instant he paused at
. ,La. entrance. He StesaGl TO know his
snaer..r was worried and he hesifated te
advance. The general was unmindful of
HI, presence. For an instant longer the
,.,r,..,.... .;.ar v-ai+eI. then as n determine
.,......s;.r arnparpd on his face he
s.,,,..l rs.arutc,y forward.
General" he said.
Ea.prlauS looked up and smile broke
tbror-h .hp clouds on his face.
Nh. Lieutenant" he said with sigh,
pu>hr- aside his troublesome maps,
"s,ad To- see you Sit down. What's Oh
v7rr r,.rdt'
~. ,.[.'.l his hood on his hand and
locked dreamiIy from the window. He
was more interested in his own thoughts
than in what The young officer was say
ing.
"Fh. WHAT he exclaimed, suddenly
arausiny Ike one from a dream, what
is that YOU are sayiug:"
The lieutenant looked him in the eye
and rr..a5. u vas asking nermission.
general TO absent myself from camp for
perhaps forty-ciaht hours"
c,"c.,1 Hosa.r.rs s+arod ~ him IN
amazemcar.
u caaqot comprehend the meaning Of
such Il request" lie said, finally. in less
than f'uy-ej-ht hours | expect to engage
General Bragg | haven't doubt in the
word rc i ,',nnino . sfn,:Ior ,+taoI. 80,
ny forces. \ fierce conflict is inevitable.
And yet You have the temerity On the
Threshold Of battle 10 ask for leave of
absence | repeat | cannot understand
it, and, moreover, am doubIy surprised
that such a rooucst shoujd como from, =
trusted officer like you
\ flush mounted to the temple of the
lieutenant. lie felt the sting of the gem
erals rep'y.
Pardon mo oeror,t- bo s,;5 -,
lust ton,b If rnsantrao,t " ", " l'l
picions do me rninstirp Won haro ~, rus
known me 70 finch fran, d,,+l. ~. ( .ieN e
be in the face Of tho onomr,, III
The general measured him closo,r ana
worried look passed over his faco
Il have spoken of no snsnic;ons, h.
said. testify.
But your manner sir" so;a
Pardon me. vonr m, nnor 1'.al oile o'leI'
Yincing." was q'i'e con-
iut Such a request at such a time
amazing. Why do you. an officer Of nv
army, desire leave of absence whom ,ro
may be hand to hand with the enonr az
any hoar: a.
lie looked sl,rn1, a -.
and his question was freicb+od u,ith 49,,
niheance The Young officer yros NJ IS
mindful Of il and flushed AGAIN
You are hard on me- oanoraI,
codly. But let me evnlain We ne saiu'
its possible. nav, more th9n nrn JH an" Az
struction. MurfrepShoro ba,5a am - u:.-
near aud dear to me- '''1e ''-' 'na' Is
The general r rG i,l5 -;
ed inoniry rb %iS SEA; MS mead in interest
In one Of ,b he i hsaIe went on:
young Wife. Who has irs+ ~ ie' my
given birth TO orr frst ob;,s u"s
Why. how" tbo go,