The National tribune., 1901-12-26
WHO GOES THERE?
Continued from first page,


in 10 minutes, you must return to the
pickets and report that there has already
been a considerable movement on the road,
and that no enemy is here. 1 feel GER
tain that there are no rebels in these
woods. They were here, but they have
gone. | want to get to the open ground
| and see what is there; it will not take
long
your way back to this SPOT" said he. ~.
Il may be compelled to whistle for you,"
said |: IF there is nobody in these woods,
| there is no danger in my whistling."
Better take NE with you," said Allen;
''two pairs of eyes are better than one"
That is true" 1 replied; but some ac-
cident might happen to both of us out
there, and neither of us be able to report
| to Gen. Grover. Stay where you are"
l tried to 20 forward in straight line
so that | should be able TO turn square
about and make my way back to Allen.
The woods became more open as | went.
The rain had ceased, and | could see much
better. | reached the edge of the woods
| and looked ont. A few stars were shin
ing between broken clouds near the hori-
| zon in front of newest, j thought. To-
ward the north and northwest the clouds
| reflected some distant light, and had n
| reddish glow. l could distinctly hear the
sounds of great movements, the rumblings
of wagon trains or artillery. The ground
| seemed open before Inc for long dis
| tance.
went rapidly back toward Allen,
whistling. He came to meet me.
Now, Allen" said /, your part OF this
business is about over. Go back to Capt.
| Brown and ask him to report at once to
Gen. Grover that the road shows clearly
that the rebels have already moved along
it to their left, our right; and that there
is nobody here, all gone; gone to cur
right, their left, and that I have been en-
| tireiy through the woods, and have found
nothing; but that to the northwest there
are the sounds of great movements, and
! that | am going TO see if | cannot find out
more"
Then what am L to do after that?' he
asked.
Nothing; remain with your company.
shall not need you, for | doubt if | get
back before day, and there is nothing for
me to fear in this place"
Allen started one way and l another.
1t was now about o'clock. thought; the
sky was almost clear, and / could see
| about me. | passed rapidly through the
woods again and into the open ground,
climbing 4 rail fence, and went up very
gentle slope that rose before me. an ''Old
field or abandoned farm, which was
of stunted growth. Once | paused in ter
rOr. \ bush had taken. to my fancy, the
form of a man. The illusion lasted but
for q moment.
When / had reached the highest part
Of this undulatiOn, | could see many lights
some of them in motion, but most of
them stationary. The sounds of n moving
army were distinct; [ could hear shouts,
lilo those of teamsters, and once thought
| could catch the command to close up.
| went on down a gentle descent and
into Il rayine which was difficult to cross.
and up the rise beyond. Between me and
the red glare | could distinguish objects,
and / knew that if there were rebels in
line before me [ should be able to see
them before they could see me, 50 went
on without great fear, and crept to the
top of this second swell of the ground
Here there cUuld be no doubt that the
rebels were rctreating. The road was full
of them not 400 yards from me. Fires
were burning on both sides of the road;
men and wagons were hurrying westward.
Almost in front of me was a cluster of
houses. which took to DC Williamsburg:
fires were burning in the streets; Il greic
throng was passing on west between the
fires and between the houses. / had lit
tie doubt that | could mingle, without
great danger. with the rebels, seeing that
my gum-blanket would hide my uniform,
and was tempted to do so; the thought
was rejected, however; time was lacking:
it would soon be day; knew enough al
ready; | could not hope to learn from the
rebels much more than l now knew, and
every step farther away from our lines
would dOuhy delay my report. So
turned my back upon Williamsburg and
hurried toward our pickets.
When L reached the road again day was
breaking. A videt had been advanced to
thn branch hV Cant Rrpu-n I -;aJ
on and made my report to Gen. Grover
He at once called Il courier, who mounted
and rode off in haste.
On the morning Of the 9th the happiest
man in the line was Willis. Everybody
was glad that the enemy had retired; but
Willis was bubbling over with the ioy of
foresight fulfilled. He rode Il high horse:
the rebels would make no further stand
until they reached Richmond; he doubted
il they would defend Richmond. even His
spirits were contagious; he did good, al
though he was ludicrOus. What would
DIR. khaymc have said of Willis's infu-
encc! | supposed that the Doctor would
have used the Sergeant as an illustration
of his doctrine that there is nothing I'M
necessary or false; certainly Willis en-
cUuragrd us.
The weather was better and the days
work not hard. We moved but short
distance and bivouacked.
About noon | was aroused from sleep
by an order to report to Col. BlaisdelI. |
had no notion of what was wanted of me.
L had never before been individually in his
presence. | wondered what it meant, and
FASTENED to his headquarters
L salutcd; the Colonel returned the sa-
lutc.
You are Private Berwick" he said.
YES, Colonel
''What have yOn been doincI"