Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
he beaded sweat starting on face and for :

There II no need. general The officer
who has just spoken knows that gave my
mothers name, and that am Major Holt"
There were gentlemen In the group who
were quick to note the significant pause
before, and the deliberate choice of, the
word officer" There were men high and
low In regimental rank who thought it in
appropriate, to say the least, that Lieuten-
ant Malloy should be selected to conduct
the prisoners to corps headquarters, full
five miles away. There were rough fellows
who clustered about Corporal Connellys
little tent when the Emtrets broke ranks
and talked alphabetically and in low
tones to him and Brennan, who stood guard
at the closed flaps that Norman might
hide and think-alone. Poor lad! He lay
there, head buried In his arms, and God
alone knew the depth Of his trouble. 1t
was good and great to be loyal to the old
nag in those stern days 1t called for the
best and bravest of every state in the wide
northiand. 1t involved leaving home and
loved ones to take up arms and pledge ones
life to the cause. But home and loved ones
were left In safe hands. Prayers and bless
ings followed the soldier on his way Honor
and favor rewarded his deeds of valor and
devotion. or tears and laurels sprinked and
decked his grave. But it was all different
In the borderland. 1t might we'll be that
he who stood fast by the stars and stripes
must needs abandon all else, for here lay
a soldier Scorned. of his kith and kin and
SHUT s! out from hearth and home forever.
The night raid on Belleview had rent the
last vest1ge of a tie, stricken his name from
the family Bible and the fathers will. Not
once, but twice now, had he been called
upon to guide the column that aimed at the
life or liberty of his very own.
1t was Gods mercy that brought old Calf
ney Hmping back to the front about this
time, or the boys heart might have broken.
he mad begged permission to see his brother
before the latter was sent north 1t was
the brother himself who refused He had
written letter. which his colonel read and
forwarded. asking only tidings of his faith
n uyho hnr,
cold reply was that that father would never
forgive him should he hold communication
with his traitor son. Gaffney, in his crude
but hearty way, went sturdily to work to
bring comfort to the lad. The brave Irish
man had won the praise Of a fighting divls-
ion commander at Shiloh and their
dandy colonel. who had hitherto seen
little to like in the Enmets' leader warmed
to the fellow who could SO splendidly ham
die his company in battle, even II he
couldn't on battalion drill In plain words
Gaffney said 1t was time bye that had
lost so much through his loyalty should
gain something by way of reward. "Twicet
now" said Gaffney, "Holt's had to do
dewty the divil himself might dodge. with
divil thanks, but kicks from both sides.
Ye-wouldn't even make him a sergeant,
bedad!
II couldn't" said the colonel, against
the recommendation of the company COM
mander.'
His name was furrst on the list" said
Gaffney, IAN that-slick wan, Malloy cut
1t off and sticks in Thrott. Is it me or
Malloy commands the Emmets sorr?"
You, when you're here. captain an
swered the chief, with all patience and toll
GRAFTON, for he respected the mans bravery,
and despite all inuendoes and warnings was
beginning to believe his protege an injured,
a deeply injured man. Still it wouldn't do
to fly in the face of Providence and the
governor and adjutant general-and Sena-
tor Malloy, all of whom would have it, APP
parently, that young Holt was little bet
ter than a spy. There was no vacancy now
among the non-commiss-oned officers of
Company &C. and even Gaffney couldn't
expect him to revoke the warrants given
in his absence.
Remember" said the colonel, I'VE feared
it might be months before you could rejoin
and meantime the law made Mr.. Maloy the
commander. I'm sorry, but l don't see
what be done. Colonel Sheridan is the
man to help him now"
Full. of worldly wisdom was the colonel.
Well he knew that any recognition he
might offer the lad would injure his own
prospects with the powers behind the
throne, bur not a whit did he object to
some one else's burning his fingers in the
attempt, especially Sheridan. Sheridan was
a buckeye boy himself. Sheridan had beg
ged for an Ohio regiment and couldn't get
one. The young regular had no influence
whatever in his own state. Ohio's regl-
ments were given as a rule to Ohios famous
names, and there were scores of them. 1t
was Michigan that saw the soldier stuff in
master and set him in saddle at the head
of her new cavalry regiment. where within
q week he was carrying dismay not only To
the enemy, but to comrade colonies on the
lookout for stars. Now If Sheridan saw fit
to take up the cudgels for Holt, and there
by rub wrong way the fur of Ohios po-
litico-military clique, SO much the worse
for Sheridans chances and the better for
his own. Small wonder the colonel so sug-
gested to Gaffney, and Cap full of his
subject and half full of poteen the honest
Irish1nan had brought cruiskeen-a "kag,
as he called it, back to the 'front.'. with
the aid of a brother Celt on the commits
stoned list, now composed letter to the
smart little cavalry colonel and sent 1t just
as the regiment got the route for the Ten
nessee and the colonel got the news that his
plans were all in vain. Cornth was aban-
doned by Beauregard. The Michigan troopers
got back from dashing raid to the enemy's
sheridan's shoulder. and away he would go
to the head of a brigade. Ohio's neglect
had proved a blessing In disguise.
The night they got to Pittsburg Landing
was dark, wet and dreary. The colonel was
grabbed; the captain was sore. Even the
Emmets were still Tied UP alongshore We're
a number of sterE-whee!ed packets. some
laden with sick and wounded some with
convalescents, some with stores, some with
troops. bound like themselves they knew
not whittier. Pine knot torches glowed at
the gang plank of each transport. and staff
officers were busting about. Got one or
some papers, Gaffney"" shouted an over
worked cop1missary from the guards of the
River Queen.
Faith, we're all clarks in company"
said honest Terence Go you, Holt and
Brennan. Eli get you out of the wet, any
how And the two soldiers were shown
where to stow their belongings aboard the
packet and quickly set to work in the i'm
proyised office. Presently the measured
tramp of the men was heard. as the fore
most company came filing aboard, and soon
the brightly lighted cabin began to fill with
officers-some of the Ohos, several Of the
s, aft, among these latter the young aid-de-
camp SO well known to the regiment during
the dreary weeks they held down the left
of the line. He was talking excitedly, had
been reading from Louisville paper and
every now and then, strive though he might
to confine his attention to the columns OF
candles, soap, salt and pepper, dancing be-
tore his tired eyes, Norman Holt could no.
but catch an occasional word Lord, yes.
Whisked off the whole carload! Paroled
dozen at lebanon! Yes, both c~ronels
wounded, Wolford and Green Clay Smith,
Norman's heart sank. How familiar sound
ed the old Kentucky names! Then came
something more startling. "Hullo, Malloy!
Amt you glad your prisoners were taken
off your hands at the front?"
ssyVhvp, proWled Malloy for he wasn't