Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29

of five mud-stained weather-beaten. sal
low, silent fellows in dirty gray, TO whom
little attention was paid, because, just be-
hind them, mounted. but with his left arm
slunS and bleeding STILL escorted by lieu
tenant of cavalry and guarded by a ser
geant, came a tall, dark-eyed, distinguished
looking young officer. bareheaded. pallid.
dignitied, dressed in the full uniform of a
major of the confederate army.
The general and his staff had ridden for
ward to the adside. Many of the field and
company officers of the regiment had clus-
tered near them. Other few had accom-
panied the aid-de-camp to Malloy's tent,
barely a dozen rods further up the field,
and there presumably some libation was
going on. Whatever spirit of chaff or mis-
chief might have prompted the rank and
file to audible comment on the appearance
OF the party was checked by the upifted
hands of the nearest officers, and. in the
midst Of almost impressive silence, the
column passed along the rank, and the
lieutenant commanding, pressing forward,
saluted the brigade commander.
Col Sheridan sends in these prisoners,
general. To whom shall / deliver them"
Let them rest here moment, sir. That
officer looks faint. Then, urging his horse
toward the group, the commander person.
ally addressed the wounded man.
II see you are hit. sir. / trust not SER
iously." A faint flush rose just an instant
in the officers pale cheeks 1T is-of little
consequence, sir he briefly said.
But the general and a surgeon We're eye
ing him closely. Up the slope behind them
came another little mounted party. Ger
tain officers and men of the Michigan regi-
ment that had FASTENED out to the support
of their chief. With them rode the young
kentuckian who had gone forward with
Col Sheridan as guide. Nearing the ton of
the hill he slipped from saddle and re-
stored his mount to the waiting trooper
II was the general who again spoke. "Who
has some whisky?' and young officer
darted on the run to Malloy's tent return
ing presently with a trimming flask. and
followed by the rest Of the party some Of
them wiping their lips The general took
the flask and returned at once to the Off
GERS side.
Pardon me, major. but you have bled
heavily and must be very weak. Take a
good pull at this
1t was none too soon, for the stricken
man was Visfbly dropping, swaying In sad
die Yet he strove to put aside the flask
until strong arms lowered him to the
ground and seated him on the grassy bank.
In respectful silence, even In sympathy a
little party gathered about him Revived
by the draught, the wounded officer bowed
his thanks. while surgeon began to make
hurried examination of the arm.
Your name and station, sir?" said the
general, presently. II see you are a major
OF the staff"
The prisoner bowed. 81 am yes. sir
The name, 1 presume. doesn't natter
And yet Is always demanded" replied
the general. smiling gravely.
Then put it down as-McIntyre,' was the
hesitant reply, the adjutant general
opened his note book. whereat Lieut.. NAL
10y, who was on the outskirts of the party,
and who plainly started at sound Of the
voice. turned swiftly and signaled to a
young soldier, unarmed and uneouipped-
the guide. in fact, who, having Just dis
mounted, was standing talking In low tone
with the first sergeant OF Company c. In
stantly he stepped forward and stood at the
salute.
Then the silence in and about the little
knot of officers surrounding the seated pris-
oner was broken and Lieut.. Malloy's voice,
clear and distinct, was heard:
General. this man will tell you the pris-
oners name is not Mcintyre"
And. as the general turned In surprise,
and the little group opened out to right and
left, the wounded soldier in the handsome
garb of gray. looked up into the quivering
white face of the private soldier, in the
coarse, ill-fitting suit of blue-his own
brother.
CHAPTER XII.
June had come. after a rainy spring. The
air was heavy with heat and moisture, the
roads with mud. and every man Of the gal
liant til Ohio bore away a pound at least
OF the sacred soil of Mississippi on each
broad-soled brogan when the regiment
marched back to Pittsburg Landing, there
to take the steamer for parts unknown
Nobody. from the colonel down knew what
was in the wind. There had been a shaking
up In certain brigades, q redistribution, as
1t were, for the happiest results had not
followed from the Ohltt praff0ys nf he Hn 90