The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-10-07

which, il successful, will bear witness
to your loyalty"
Gen. Heath stood restlcssly attentive, ;
while his chief proceeded: "Iou pos /
sess the faculties requisite for cav.
airy leader TO a marked degree-dar.
ing, ingenuity, rapidly; features es.
pecially needed in an expedition have
in vicw.' |
''Why do you propose, general, to
trust me with command, handicapped
as l. 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 1itted.'
There was brief silence, which was
broken by the general in chief.
sit 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 &, Georgia rail.
road to Knoxville, with a view to crush
ing burnside. 1t is extremely impor
| tant that l should know definitely if
| this move be made. burnside must be
warned aud supported, while Bragg.
weakened by the loss of one of his most
efficient corps, may be attacked and de.
| feated."
Gen. 1Ieath's eye lighted.
"Ihe means by which you propose tc
gain this information?"
"a corps of observation posted near
the railroad to watch the passage OF
! trains
"Cavalry?"
| eyes,
'IIow large force?"
"What is the effective strength OF
your brigadc?"
give hundred men-a mere remnant
of the force led at Chickamauga."
'Just the number I would desig-
nate.''
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 cncountering 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 a long silence, during
which the commander smoked on, while
his subordinate ronlered.
''Supposing the move be not made?"
said Gen. Heath, presently.
Il believe it will DC made"
Then why not act accordingly"
"Tirst, it is not a certainty; second
ly, do not care to weaken my army
by sending troops to support Burnside.
wish the government 10 do that, and
the government would pay no atten-
ton to Il mere rumor."
Him! You would be lucky if you
could move the war department on per-
feet evidence
10 this the commander made no re-
ply.
why not send Il spy. instead of the
force you propose" asked the subcr-
Ginatc.
First, because I could not trust a
spy who works for pay; secondly, he
cause the government would hot be
likely 10 Fay attention 10 a sry's re-
port; thirdly, a SPY might be detected
by the enemy and never heard from:
fou::i,y. in case you discover large
force moving by train. you may pos
sibly. by burning a bridge, delay it, or
cut it in two. However, when near the
railroad you can exercise your own dis
) erection as to sending spy. though
should recommend you rather to use a
small remembering party, so that,
: from among a number, one may get
: back to you with the information.
Lastly. you are to use all diligence in
communicating what you may learn to
Gen. burnside at Knoxville"
There was another silence, at the end
Of which Gen. Heath. in 9 more softened
tone than he had yet used, said: Il
will perform the service. general" lie
waited for his commander to speak
again, but there were only silent puffs
of tobacco smoke, while an occasional
gun doomed on Lookout mountain,
where the confedcratcs had posted ar
tillery and were sending shells into the
town. Presently Gen. Heath asked:
''Shall I forage on the country?"
"CcrtainIy. We need all the rations
we can haul, here
Have you any further orders?"
"No"