Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-28

cred n dozen horsemen trotting leis-
urely. The light of the moon fell upon
them, and we could distinguish that
they were in uniform
"Guerrillas?" 1 asked the corporal.
"More like East Tennessee unionists
goin' to take revenge on some rebel
neighbor; but, not bein' sure, it would
not do TO make ourselves known"
We kept still till they were out of
hearing. then took tc the road again.
AS the pale face of Private Mello-
dew emerged from shadow to moon
light noticed tint he was grinning.
What's The matter with you?" !
asked. sharply.
He made no reply, his grin subsid-
ing as II his lips worked automatically
by some mechanical continuance.
consulted with PUNK as to the pro-
priety of sending the man back, but
PUNK agreed with me that we must
have one man to carry the mess-lit,
and determined to keep Mellodew for
the purpose
was fully impressed with the cor
poral's value as a skirmisber, and sent
him once more TO the front. We rode
along the base of a chain of hills till
we came to n rise in the road which re-
vealed by the moons light to the north
the Salley of the Tennessee, and to the
east the Hiwassee, the two rivers
joining their peaceful waters not far
from where we looked. Who would
imagine so peaceful n scene to be the
theater of war? Where was the smoke,
the red breath of artillery, the flash
ing of sabers, the roar Of battle? In
stead, here and there was crest of
mist hanging on n mountain-top, the
scarlet yellow leaves of autumn, a
sparkle of flowing water, while the
only sound was that of some belated
bird calling to its mate.
We passed on down the hill into the
valley, every moment getting nearer ter
ritory that might hold bodies of the en-
eny's cavalry patrolling the railroad.
1t was necessary to proceed cautiously.
| directed two of the men to ride few
1 PAGES in advance, the one to keep q
! sharp lookout on the right flank, the
other on our left Riding in this open
+, order, PUNK as advance skirn1iske-
next the two onlookers, then Margaret
and myself followed by Mellodew, the
remaining man hundred PAGES TO the
rear, we were well protected against
surprise.
Reaching a country road marked
only by wagon-tracks in the turf, Mar
| garet directed that we turn into it;
having done so, we found ourselves in
dense thicket. Following this en-
bryo road, we'll screened by woods, W.
soon reached Doughty's ford, where we
crossed the Tennessee, and, slirting the
base of hill, diverged into another by
road to brentwood. There was not {
light in the town, and as we rode
through the sleeping inhabitants knew
no more of our passage than if we haC
been a troop of phantoms. Then it wa,
up and down hill, over creek beds
! through ravines, till about three o'clocl
in the morning, when we struck tn
railroad. To reach our destination w,
must cross it. We held a consultation
and under Margaret's guidance move'
n short distance to a point midway be
tween two stations and protected OIL
either side by woods. l sent Plunl
ahead to make sure that all was clear
directing one of our men to take posi-
tion few hundred yards up the road
another the same distance below. Whel
sure the road was clear PUNK was I
give whippoorwills call as a signal.
Suddenly we heard the tramp Q
horses hoofs. and squadron OF cor
! federate cavalry rode between us an
the railroad. following the track NORTH
ward. Fortunately we were in tho
woods. ana they passed withour di'
; covering us. Then came the meianch 0l
sound OF whippoorwin, and Ne crOsse
the rails. Once on the other side "
were joined by PUNK, who drew
the fankers. and we proceeded as b
fore.
There WAS now faint light in II
east. and. having still dozen mile
&c to go. besides crossing the E.wasse
which flows between twol.ittle town
/ Charleston and Calhoun, we hnsfent