The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-27
CHAPTER XIV.

The elated Tennesseeans wanted Pollock to
remain with them and carry on war there
for the suppression of their enemies They
offered to raise a regiment for him, with
which. in their simple hearts, they were
sure that he could overthrow the power OF
the rebels in East Tennessee, if not the whole
State But Pollock was wiser. He had
been long enough in the army to see the need
and power of organization.
No" he said to them. ~ couldn't if
/ would; l wouldn't if could Pm a pri-
vate soljer in Jineral Thomas's army, sworn
g. obey orders an T. do my duty. I'm away
from the army on leave an my leaves out
next week, when / must report t. headquar-
tiers. j must go back, an i want t. 90 back.
] kin help do yo' more good with the army
than ! kin here. The armyis headin' this
way an I'll come here as soon the mud lets
hit When hit comes ht'll come T. stay an
T. smash these fellers wuzz N we did at Mill
Springs. Tbey'uns III never dar' show their
heads OF open their mouths agin. We'uns
must all leave yo' tomorrow night SOS u
git back on time
Keep quiet as possible, and stand your
troubles as best yo' kin till Spring, when We
'uns III lie here. Have no fear o this DAYS
work The rebels didn't see nobody but me
an Web. an the rest O. we'uns in uniform.
They think hit wuz 4 passed. o. jinyouwine
Yanks that hit they'uns, an won't suspicion
you'ns, unless you'ns tell On yourselves.
G0od-by, now, till Spring, when i hope T. see
all youns agin an stay with yo'."
But some % or the younger. including
Bildad and Reuben, announced their inficxi-
BILE determination, if Pollock was going
back, 10 go with him.
" Hits got L be a question whether we 90
into the Union army, or air drug into the
rebel army by the cOnscripters, f" they said
"We'uns've alters wanted t fout for the
Union, an nows our chance If we don't
90 with yo', we'uns'll go somehow"
This argument was unanswerable. 1t
appealed most strongly 70 Robert Inrule, TO
induce him TO part with bis sons.
=" / don't want 10 taInt % treason on them"
he said. ! want them T. have a clean.
patriotic record TO hand down T. their chill
dren, as my father handed hit down { me-
don't want nobodyt' ever pint their fingers
at them, as we pinted at them what sided
with the British in their wars"
%, Reuben, my baby-my last-born, 4"
walled Mrs Inrule; chow can let yo' 20? y
- Don't fret, mother, /" said Robert Inrule.
" Hits only for few months. He'll be back
in the Spring"
ACCEPT this as the will OF the Lord, sister,
eounseled the Elder. THE Lord has been
very good TO YOU. He has given you Two
manly SONS and a fair daughter who will be
stall and comfort 10 you in your old age
He has required very little Of you for them
Now give them TO His work for q little space -
Miriam saw their departure with far differ
ent feelings than had desolated her when Pol
lock went away the first time Kentucky
was no longer land Of Cimmerian gloom TO
swallow up her hopes like the grave 1t bad
become very near in the past few months 1t
was more talked of than any other part Of the
country. From it WIS TO come all deliver
aice from the rebels from it mighty hosts of
armed friends, and all good things Pollock
and the boys We're merely going away for
short journey, TO return with the brightness
and the rich promise Of the Springtinle
She took leave of them with cheerful
heart, and went 10 her place on the hilltop
To wave farewell to them as they disappeared
oyer the mountain.
Although they knew that the country side
was ringing with their presence. and the
rebel leaders were rousing themselves to
great efforts to kill or capture them, Pollock
and his companions rode boldly along the
highways, and made no concealment of their
movements. This was not bravado but de-
signed 10 raise the spirits of the Unionis;s and
encourage the desi pairing by showing that
the rebels had not monopoly OF daring
agressiyeneSs. The sight of them, in fall
uniform, well-armed and confident, riding
boldly through the country, terminated many
downcast loyal heart and advanced the
cause Of the Union. The Elder advised this
"fe will be the harbngeIs of hope and
eeliyerance TO many sinking heart, he
Said. Even the strongest in the faith will
be made much stronger by the sightof men of
war armed for battle for the Lord OF Hosts
and the Union"
Pollock did not display his squad of re-
cruits so publicly. Under the pilotage of
the Elder they took shorter cuts ard hidden
paths 3cross the mountains toward the gap
by which they were 10 cross into Kentucky
Occasionally Pollock and his companions
wonld see in the distance small parties of
tsbeis engaged in conscnptipg, but these