Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-23

ec1tion. Meanwhile can give you an op-
portunity to perform a signal service, |
which, il successful, will bear witness
TO your loyalty"
Gen. Heath stood restlessly attentive,
while his chief proceeded: "You pos
sess the faculties requisite for a cav
airy lender 10 a marked degree-dar-
ing, ingenuity, rapidly; features es-
pecialiy needed in an expedition have
in view"
'Why do you propose, general, to
trust me with command, handicapped
as 1 am, when there are SO many others
who have never been smirched?"
Because they have not the ability to
do work for which you are conspicu-
ously fitted"
There was brief silence, which was
broken by the general in chief.
cit has been reported to me this
morning that Longstreet's corps is
about TO be detached from Bragg's
army on Missionary Ridge, and moved
by the East Tennessee q Georgia rail-
road to Knoxville. with view to crush
ing Burnside. 1t is extremely impor-
tant that 1 should know definitely If
this move be made. Burnside must be
warned and supported, while Bragg,
weakened by the loss'of one of his most
efficient corps, may be attacked and de-
feated."
Gen. Heath's eye lighted.
The means by which you propose TO
| gain this infornation?"
"a corps Of observation posted near
the railroad to watch the passage of
trains"
~ ~Csssiryf sssst.lss:
How large force?"
"What is the effective strength of
your brigade7"
Five hundred men, mere remnant
of the force led at Chickamauga."
'Just the number would desig-
nate" -...4,,-.-.---.s--~.i
bragg will carefully protect the
line from our observation"
You are right; he will keep bodies
of cavalry moving along the railroad,
in order not only to protect his bridges
and telegraph wires, but to preserve his
secret. My plan is for you to take your
brigade to some point midway between
here and Loudon, from which to make
forays, in the hope of encountering the
trains on which his troops are trans
ported. You may be'able to slip be-
tween patrolling forces, or cut your
way through them by hard fighting
There was & long silence, during
which the commander smoked on. while
his subordinate pondered.
Surprising the move be not made o.
said Gen. Heath, presently.
II believe it will be made"
: Then why not act accordingiy?"
: First, it is not certainty; second.
". L do not care TO weaken my army
by sending troops to support Burnside
: / wish the government TO do that, anC
l the government would pay no atten
ton TO n mera rumor."
) lin! You would be lucky if yol
, could move the war department on per
feet evidence"
1 To this the commander made no re
$ ply,
why not send spy, instead Of thu
r force you propOse?" asked the subor
1 dinate.
: First, because 1 could not trust
a spy who works for pay; secondly, be
: cause the government would not b
= likely to pay attention 70 spy's re
!, port, shirdly. spy might be 6etecte
: by the enemy and never heard from
:, foarthly, in case you discover larg
:, force moving by train. you may pos
@ sfbly, by burning a bridge, delay ito
o cut it in two. However, when near-th
: railroad you can exercise your own dis
: erection as to sending a spy, though
It should recommend you rather to use
Y small reconnoitering party, so tina
{ from among number, one may ge
d back to you with the information
i Lastly, you are to use all diligence i
v communicating what you may learn I
n Gen-~Burnside at Knoxville"
, There was another silence, at the en-
" OF which Gen. Heath, in q more softene
tone than he had yet used, said: :
It will perform the service, general"
" waited for his commander to spea
a. again, but there were only silent puff
ID of tobacco smoke, while an occasion,
&. gun doomed on Lookout mountain
Sc where the confederatcs had posted a
in tillery and werssending shells into ii
II town Presently Gen. Heath asked
re shall forage on the country?"
a. Certainly. We need all the ration
+ we can haul, here"
IN 'Have you any further orders?"
$ NO"
lp ,.:. 10y
m IL