Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-17

end Of July they bore him through the Sc
Quatchie valley and across the Tennessee.
Before the end OF August the yankee shells
were bursting over the devoted town and
another move was needed, but this time
Norman could travel in saddle. His arm
was slung and strapped to the body. No
| need to ask him for parole not to escape.
But during the three weeks in Chattanooga
the aged father and the two gallant sons
had long, sad, solemn conferences-yet al
most happy hours together, for though en-
emies still In the sight OF the laws OF war,
there had been perfect understanding re-
conciliation and mutual forgiveness. Each
had acted according to his information and
conviction. The fire and fury of the faith
ers rage against the north had burned
itself out. He saw the ruin that had come
upon the land he loved. They must fight
now to the bitter end, but there was no
longer feud at heart between himself and
his little Benjamin" his big beloved boy.
now grown a man. The staunch old south
erner grieved bitterly that the son had
chosen with the union cause yet gloried
in the rally OF the Buckeyes at Stone River
all Norman's doing, as he proudly told
himself. and this deed was only one OF
many. Had not Wheeler's young gallants
described the magnificent dash and daring
OF Norman's attempt TO save the abandoned
dispatches? Had not prisoners from Sher-
idan's division dilated on his heroism
that bloody day-the last of 80? Had
not the father sought. found and skill
fully attended the captive squadron leader.
Wing, and learned from him all about the
night ride TO Belleview-how it was Malloy
who gave Norman's name as guide TO the
commanding ofncer-how Norman had
pleaded for relief when the Gap was fairly
passed, even when he believed Bellevew to
be unoccupled by any of his l.ith and kin?
Through Wing the father had gone further
still, found other soldiers whose fate was
intrlcately connected with that of his be-
loved, his misguided boy. II was great
| day when. away back at Rome. he found
and questioned Connell. still feeble from
his injuries and from prison fever. but
clear headed and emphatic. II was a strange
day when, late in August, in the streets OF
Chattanooga, as they took the road for
Rossville Gap enroute TO Dalton, Norman
and his father came face to face with Theo-
dore Lane, dressed in confederate uniform.
Unable TO bear the privation OF prison life.
with its squalor and semi starvation, the
wcakllng had offered his services on any
terms. had declared himself a voluntary
deserter from the army OF the union, and
they put him on duty in the dspensary OF
the hospital, where so long as their scaut
supply OF wines and liquor was kept under
lock and key, he could do no great harm.
There was scene at which guards, team
sters, drivers and frowsy darkies gaXed
open mouthed when the gray haired old
doctor sprang from his vehicle and begged
for a horsewhip with which TO chastise that
lying. low-lived two-faced cur. II was Nor
man who dragged his father back and sought
to pacify him, while Theodore miserably
shook and almost wept. They left the
wretched lad whining in the streets and
when the doctor had sufficiently cooled
down, entered the hospital where still lin
6ered certain helDess wounded, too badly
crippled to be worth anything to either side.
and therefore left by the nstute leader of
the southern host to be cared for by the
oorth, and here, for the first time since the
dawn OF that black morning at Belleview,
met the captain Of the assaulting squadron
who would never charge again. for two
clumsy crutches took the place OF the left
leg, lost above the knee-and his sad faced
guide now an offcer OF distinguished rec
ord, even though for the time At least, like
himself, a prisoner.
That conference was one that speedily
bore fruit II was soon after Chicka-
mauga. bloodiest battle OF the western war.
4 when from the SUBMITS Of both Lookout
mountain and Mission Ridge the victorious
southerners looked down upon their almost