The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06
CHAPTER XXI.

Bill Hoskins's tale of the overwhelming
disaster 10 the rebel cause at Mill Springs
was repeated thousands of times in the
houses and cabins of East Tennessee by the
@hipped-out fugitives from Zollieofer' S
amy.
Wherever they went they brought hope
and gladDess TO the prosecuted Unionists, and
gloom and dependency TO the rebels.
How beautiful upon the mountains are
fhe feet of him that bringeth good tidings, !"
s2id the El9er with characteristic dry humor.
al never imagined that they could be
made TO apply to the feet of such as Bill
Hoskins, but wonderful are the works of the
Lord"
Gen Thomas showed his usual lucid COM
prebensiOn Of the situation before him when
he reported TO the Government at Washing
ton:
There is no doubt but what the moral
effect produced b7 their complete dispersion
VIII have a more decided effect in re-estab-
fishing Union sentiments than though they
had been captured"
To the East Tennesseeans the triumph
seemed overwhelming in its completeness.
ZoliooiIer, their most execrated enemy, had
been slain Col. Rhea was a prisoner, if not
dead; aud their other enemies Lad been chas-
Used as with rods Of iron.
But still greater news was soon to follow.
In few weeks they heard Of the glorious
victory at Fort DOnelson, the defeat Of the
rebels intTenched In powerful stronghold by
the irresistible proves of the Lincolnite
army, the capture Of tens of thousands of
prisoners. the tumuituous retreat Of Albert
Sidney Johnston's threatening army fir m
Kentucky, the abandonment Of Nashville in
IN panic by another arch enemy-Gov.
Ishsm q. Harris, and all his myrmidons, the
occupation CT the Capital Of the State by the
Union forces, and the march Of Gen. Mitchell
upon Chattanooga.
The Elder was the first TO get this marvel
Gus sbeaf Of good news, and he rode at all
speed across the country 10 set in motion
means Of communicating it az once 10 all his
people.
At the Inrule house he called up Bildad
and Reuben, carefully instructed them in the
tale they were TO tell. and sent them ont IN
different directions 20 spread the glad tidings.
Miriam begged 20 be sent too. Her mare
had fortunately escaped capture by being in
distant pasture at the time the rest of the
stock was carried of, and had since been the
farm 3 dIndge-oEall-wcrk. But Miriam felt
that the occasion justified demanding little
more from TIC faithful brute, and she was
soon on her back, speeding over the hills with
her burden Of joyful intelligence.
The Elder then hurried on TO other houses
where lie was likely to find swift messengers,
and by night he had spread the news over a
thousand square miles Of mountain and
valley.
On her way Miriam turned aside to pass
by the site Of her future home. She had not
been there since Henry Clay Pollock had
left She had rather strongly avoided going
near spot so eloquent of her shattered hopes.
Those around her appreciated her feer Is,
and never spoke 10 or before her of see
which lad at one time been the chief burden
OF the family conversation. So she had heard
nothing of the vengeance which Col. khea
wreaked upon the place.
Now, when every breeze seemed bringing
hopes of a speedy peace, of Polloek's return,
and the consummation of their dearest wishes,
she longed TO look again upon that beloved
spot. and rebuild her day-dreams OF the
future.
She was choked with anger and amaze
ment when with besting beart she rode out
upon the little knoll from which she had
90 often csnght the first sight OF her future
home. and halted there to build up every
Detail in loving imagination. She saw moth