The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1898-02-05


shielded by the dense cedar thickets rest
ed the army of the Confederate General
Bragg The rebel defense described a
semicircular line between Rosecrans and
Stone River In a country admirably
adapted TO n running fight toward Muir
freesboro, the rebel base. Simultaneous
ly the commanders Of the opposing forces
were planning attack. Rosecrans desired
to gain possession Of Murfreesboro
Bragg's plan was defensive and night
after night he made weak demonstrations
5n the Union front, which were reeog
nized by Rosecrans at their true value
Unless Bragg dsodRed the Federal
troops massng in front on his right
Folks corps must be withdrawn behind
the river aud MurfreesborO abandoned
War slumbered in the air. The soldiers
fatigued by continuous campaigning
lay stretched about the camp in resting
thousands. nor did the crack Of the out
posts rifles nor the volleys Of cavalry car
hines cause 50 much as the blink Of al
eyelid nor the raising Of head in the
camp. Familiarity had bred contempt
for the muskct shot aud the roar of the
cannon in the distance may have caused
stained hOrdcs felt the breath of coming
battle, but it gave them no concern, and
they huddlcd snugly together in then
blankets, for they feared the shiyering
blasts Of December more than the pnny
bullets Of the enemy.
Back ia the cedars in house whose
portico raised its head above the shiyer-
Ing bare branches, General Rosecrans
porcd over his plans Of campaign against
Bragg. 1t was essential to drive. the
rebel general beyond the river aud gain
possession Of Murfreesboro and the Tn
ion commander knit his brows and pom.
dered over his contemplated plans Of at
tack.
The door opened and a young and intel
ligent looking officer stepped inside. His
shoulder straps showed the rank Of first
lieutenant For an instant he paused at
the entrance. He seemed 10 know his
superior was worried and he hesitated IL
Tdyancc. The general was unmindful OF
his presence. For an instant longer the
young officer waited, then as a determin.
ed expression appeared ON his face he
stepped resolutely forward.
"Gencral,' he said
Rosceraus looked up and u smile broke
through the clouds on his face.
"Ah. lieutenant" hc said with sigh
pushing aside his troublesome maps
glad TO see you, Sit down What's on
your miudT'
lie leaned his head on his hand and
looked dreamily from the window. He
was more interested in his own thought,
than iu what the young officer was say.
ing.
"Eh. WHAT" ne exclaimed. suddenly
arousius Ike one from dream, what
Is that YOU are saying
The lieutenant looked him in the eye
aud replied II was asking permission
general to absent myself from camp fol
perhaps forty-eight hours"
General Rosecruns stared at him in
amazement.
u cannot comprehend the meaning Of
such n request he said. finally. In less
than forty eight hours | expect 10 engag,
General Bragg. | haven't doubt in the
world he is planning similar attack on
my forces. A fierce conflict is inevitable.
And yet you have the temerty on the
threshold OF battle 10 ask for leave of
absence. ! repeat ! cannot understand
u. and. moreover. | am doubly surprised
that such request should come from II
trusted officer like you"
a flush mounted to the temple Of the
lieutenant. lie felt the sting of the gen
erals reply.
Pardon me. general" he said. with
Just touch Of resentment Your sus-
picons 10 me injustice. You have never
known me To finch from duty or to trem.
Bile in the face Of the enemy"
The general measured him closely and
worried look passed over his face.
II have spoken of no suspicious" he
said, testify.
But your manner. sir said the other
Pardon me, your manner was quite con
vincing"
but such request at such time
said his chief, 1T is peculiar. not TO say
amazing Why do You, an officer of my
army. desire leave OF absence when we
may be hand to hand with the enemy at
any hourY'
lie looked sharply at his subordinate
aud his question was freighted with sig
nihcance. The young officer was not nm.
mindful OF ii aud flushed again.
You are hard on me, general" he said
template an attack on Mnrfreesboro and
It's possible nay, more than proba BILE. de-
structiun. Murfreesboro holds all that is
near and dear to me"
The general raised his mead in interest.
ed inquiry. The Lieutenant went on:
''ln one Of the hospitals there lies nv
young wife, who has just this very day
given birth 10 our first child"
why. how" the general began.
Here, in this paper" cried the lieuten.
ant cxcitedly. 1T is published in Muir
frceSboro and contains the story of the
birth OF Northern child and gives its
mothers name and mine. 1t is my wife
and my child, General Rosecrans. and it
is to save them that ! ask leave of alb
sence'
The general took the paper from the ex-
cited man aud read the account with in
terest. When he laid the paper down
there was look of grave concern on his
war-bronzed face.
Lieutenant Henry" he said sternly,
you are deserving of the severest cen
sure for bringing your wife to this part
of the country at such n time. | am sur
prsed that Il man Of your sound sense
would do it,
II could not help it," was the impulsive
reply. 81 wanted her where she would be
near me. She wanted TO be here. ] could
not withstand her appeals and so let her
come with my faithful old negro servant.
Can't you see. General Rosecrans, want
to move her from Murfreesboro? 1t means
death to her to remain. The roar of the
guns. the shrek OF the shells, the crash Of
the walls and the whole awful roar Of
war would kill her. | only want time to
remove her to a place of safety. | will
ride like III gpnernl nnh-nnd-still il