The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-11-23

commanded, thought he had us, with
out further bloodshed. He did not
calculate on what happened. We were
ready for desperate resistance,
though our general counted on some
thing better-on the tactics which later
won him his renown, and indeed our
independence; the retreat, to repeat, Of
the weaker before the stronger
We watched, and guarded and
mourned. The prisoners put some
sent across to New York-were not so
depressed as prisoners should be. They
rather were gleeful over the result,
for looked up my cousin in the long,
busy night. We had reason to be dis
pirited enough, the wounded without
tent or shelter-the uncertain projects
of the force massed there below our
works, who appeared already to be
devising regular approaches. Nor did
we know what they might be doing
over In New York. For though we
had regular communication with the
town-boats putting to and fro con-
stantly-our news but emphasized the
seriousness of the situation The New
Workers who were left behind in the
town were beside themselves with the
terror of abject fright. The words, in
short, that were brought to us from
there but emphasized the seriousness
of our position.
Now that am writing this, SO long
after, there gathers about the whole
situation the picture of one man. the
chief. l can see him, after the fear
some moments when on the height he
had watched the slaughter of his best
men without any power to stop It'll
can see him, say, as if 'twere yester-
day instead Of now, matter Of sew
eral score of years. That Virginian
gentleman's self contained figure in
the darkness Of that busy, dreadful
night gave me at least confidence. We
had to rely on some one. Our own wit
could devise no means. Who better
than he, the chief? know now that
this was the day Of his lowest fame.
We fairly had been worsted. The
chance of the survival of the self de-
clared United States appeared of the
smallest We could not survive, in
deed. We could not endure against the
splendid discipline of the kings army
we at the best set of sorry farmers
with no knowledge Of warfare at all,
at the best with nothing but our firm
belief in the principle we were main
tanning. 1t was indeed the night of
the merest chance, which was, in fact,
seemingly beyond question or retrieve
against us.
That night, tired out as was, look
ed up my cousin again. The prisoners,
such as they were, were housed in a
little farm building-a courthouse. as
remember-which was about the CEN
ter of our works. l found Jack Man
ners not at all dispirited, though he
confessed that his fare was not Of the
best.
"'Tis all over with you, Jim he
said. "You would better submit"
Eyes, it is dark moment for u.s." /
confessed.
"The darkest" quoth he. eff you
have made me prisoner, Jim, we have
Won"
"You have won," said 1, almost des-
perately.
Poor old Jimv' said he. "Poor old
Jimw
"Oh, WE'LL said at last, "the word
poor is best said by him who says it
last"
The others watched us talking. Did
they understand that we, though on OPP
posite sides, were the stanchest friends?
The whole of the struggle-when l had
caught him-came back to me with
dull forcefulness.
"The general asks for you, Mr.. Man
ners," a voice said over my shoulder.
ooh, we'll. Jack" / was saying to
him, 1--WE are at the best a lot OF
farmers"
"Our kin" said he.
"Goodby," said, giving him my
hand, which he pressed, and I went
out and left him.
Along the line of the defenses,
looked at their line, which was SO near.
A few lights burned there. Perhaps
they were sleeping. But we hardly
dared sleep. Suddenly great weari-
ness, great sadness. clutched my
heart. 1 was thinking Of the men who
had died that day in those fields
beyond that pail Of gloom.
Then came into tent, where the
general sat talking to Colonel Glover.
~ think we can get enough" the
colonel was saying.
"You're tired. dare say" said the
general, turning to me with those
weary blue eyes. In some way they
always We're weary, yet with depths
of lassitude, which suddenly might
fash into resolution.
eve must get more boats" he said.
"The water front should be secured, y
Colonel Glover went on. 'sMy men
can't accomplish everything" he
added.
Hear the colonel, captain. 1 have
dispatched Hamilton and Colonel Gray
son. You must cross the river to New
York.
Why was to cross IN tho to,p, xyos