The National tribune., 1899-08-17

At no time could Loney have been more
than a few rods distant, but did not see
him again until after we reached Corlnth
during the afternoon of the following day
After reaching the town we We're marcheo
back and forth through the streets, ano
finally halted in open ground not far IRON
the depot lust before sunset n few crack
ers were distributed among us, the ma
jority. having been without food for 30
hours and during the whole OF that time
on our feet. AS soon as we were 1alrly
corralled, Sol wade his appearance.
Sergeant said he, there's to be some
crackers gin out bimeby, an L reckon as
how I'll look out for few extras, seein as
how I've got ter help carry 'em inter the
ring Can't Pete go with me?"
There was an unusual light in his little
black ewes that almost startled me, and his
effort to initiate the speech of the Ignorant
men who had thus far guarded us was also
noticeable. ] remembered what the doc
tor had said about his being>a cunning
fellow. and wondered whether he was going
to try to work some plan 10 secure Tor us
extra rations; if he was, and met with sue
cess. | did not doubt that l and others OF
our regiment-but particularly OF our
company-would be the gamers. told
him Pete might go if he chose, but would
not order him to do So.
Come. Pete" said Sol, "you and have
never quarreled, though didn' ike II last
night when you thought l was gong 10
starve. You're pretty strong 1eilow, anu
can tote box of crackers; but II one snoui9'
ever fall from your shoulders 1t would
break sure, if it struck on stump or d
log. Come and help"
PLANS TO SECURE EXTRA FOOD.
McCoy saw that there was some plan.
He was the most intelligent of the two, and
had developed a wonderful knack for get
ting out of scrapeS himself, and for helping
his friends. | was willing to take some
chances myself, for was faint from hunger,
so volunteered to go with them.
"No; Sergeant, you a,:, are y, not ?s+ia strong
carrying, and Pete and can do it easier
without you. You stay here and get all
the boys-our boys-together, and when
the order to fall in comes don't scatter;
that's your part.
Here" he added, handing me two crack
ers, that's the first that got inside the
lines, but there'll be more bimeby: Eat
them now, to take the rough edge of"
In a moment more the two men were
gone. l broke the crackers; they, were
terribly hard, and a mouthful would keep
q man eating for several minutes; SO l
divided them up, as far as they would go,
among the members Of my own company. :.
In another half-hour came the order:
Fall in for grub!"
Never did / see men more anxious to
obey, but never more disorder. Every
man seemed anxious to lead the line; that is,
all but the men of my regiment, and they
fell in place, and remained there, waiting
for the order to march. While everything
was vet in hubbub the Confederate Offi-
Ger of the Day entered the circle, and in
loud voice called:
Prisoners Attention"
In a moment there was reasonable 81
lence.
Fall in in two ranks in squads any
where"
He had noticed our little squad, and
while the others were falling in he came to
it and asked:
Are these men of one company"
"The remnant of regiment" answered.
"And you are in commando" he asked.
Il am only Sergeant; / have not as
sumed or been appointed to command, but
have asked all the members of the regi- |
ment to remain together. think all of
them within your lines are here. When
your order to fall in came repeated it.
While l was making this answer several
Of the men in the ranks said was the
ranking Sergeant and was properly in
command.
The officer, who wore the insignia OF
Major, asked the designation of the regi-
ment and my name, and then said that he
was sure that we were good soldiers, and
he would do all he could for us.
IN COMMAND OF THE SQUAD.
Meanwhile Confederate non-commis-
stoned officers had taken charge of the
pther squads and got them in shape to