Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-17
WHO KNELT BESIDE pEIIRIoUs AND wEPT

"Old Rosy" There were sore hearts all
about the intrenched camps of Chattanooga.
There were sore heads on the southern side,
for though Bragg had driven the union
right in disorder from the field of Chick
amauga, even with overwhelming numbers
he could not bulge Thomas at the left and
the fearful loss OF 10000 killed and
wounded in the confederate host attested
the desperate nature of the conflict.
They were talking OF the situation at
Sheridan's headquarters one crisp October
evening, but the little chief himself was
fitful and preoccupied. He was evidently
thinking of other matters, while certain
brigade and regimental commanders were
seated about the camp fire and the talk
was brisk and at times pointed Sheridan
seemed consumed with impatience. Every
now and then he arose and moved rest
lessly about gazing OFF into the darkness
where lay the road to town. Tattoo was
sounding In many regimental camp about
him before the sound of horses feet squash
ing in the mud announced the coming OF
visitors and an aide de camp in low tone
said: Here they are, general"
Just outside the circle of freight there
dismounted three officers. who leaving their
horses with the orderly. came slowly for
ward and saluted the chief, who led them
within a big hospital tent, and briefly say
ing, "the other" would be here in q minute,
bade them be seated Some camp lanterns
stood on pine table. Two others hung
from the ridge pole and q third was dimly
glowing I'm a smaller tent AZ the rear, its
opening abutting against the back Of
larger one The flap was down, but there
was murmured conversation going on which
seemed to cease abruptly as two officers
joined the party in the Office tent, There
was cordial exchange of greeting on the
part of most of those present but manifest
and sudden nervousness and embarrassment
in the manner OF az least one-Maior NAL
10y OF the ---;h Ohio Colonel Pride with
n slight limp still perceptible in his walk,
crossed over and shook hands cordially with
Major Lane Of the Judge advocate's depart
ment who had ridden out from town ac-
companied by Colonel Bob Enyart. How COM
manding the -th Kentucky and one of
Sheridan's aides. Malloy shook hands
eflusiyely with Lane who looked bit be-
wildercd, but when the young major turned
as though to offer his hand to the Kentucky
colonel, that gentleman was engrossed in
lively exchange Of banter with his comrado
eagle bearer from the Buckeye state. Nal
loy's portly colonel looked oddly from one
to another 1t was apparent to him at
once that something unusual was in the
wind. AS for Enyart and Pride, they now
commanded rival regiments. Bob" had his
hearts desire--one, nj least-at last
Then Sheridan, who had stepped an in
stant into the little tent in the rear, re-
turned, dropping the flap behind him, and
the party settled into seats.
Colonel Enyart," said the chief, will
state the object Il the meeting
"Concisely, general IL IL this" said Bob.
Lieutenant Holt of my regiment IL
wounded and n prisoner in the hands of
tho enemy. We Of Kentucky regard him
as most gallant officer and thoroughbred
gentleman. We have been striving for his
exchange, but there Is hitch because Of
stories vastly 10 his dscredit that have
been brought to corps and army headqupr-
ters, as Major Lane here can tell us Mr.,
Holt IS defenseless IN his absence and his
friends have taken this matter up, The
stories have been traced, without cHccp-
tion, TO an oficer now present--Major Nal
10y OF your division, A court being out
OF the question We have asked you to hear
both sides and adjudicatc, | now ask
Major Malloy TO repeat in this presence
the story he has told Major Lane and a
dozen other officers rejecting on the char
acter OF Lieutenant Holt"
There was an awkward silence. Lane
perceptibly winched at Enyart's almost
abrupt announcement, Malloy turned al
most gray, This was something different