The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-20

from the QeplOylnS Dfue cOdtS on the NtSt-
ward flank. All on a sudden. scrambling
through the bushes. they had tumbled over
a little squad of troopers in gray. making
heroic effort TO carry off helpless COM
rade. The general and his aids had
spurred in with the skirmishers. and were
| just in time TO see two riderless horses
tearing away among the trees across an
| open glade. while half dozen daring. de-
| voted fellows in saddle were stoutly inter-
posing between the forward rush of the
excited Badgers and three of their number
surrounding and supporting a tall officer
who had been lifted sideways TO the back
of plunging. snorting. frightened steed.
but who seemed fainting and powerless 10
help himself-or them Haiti HALT
"Dismount!" Surrender rang the hoarse
shouts of the dozen blue coats dashing in
pursuit. Bang, Bang. came the defiant re-
Spouse of the few defenders. Bang! Bang!
beloved brace of Springhelds in reply.
i'll aimed. God be praised. in the thrilling
! excitement of the moment. 1t seemed cruel
-savage-to shoot down such gallant fell
lows in their hopeless deed of devotion
Don't shoot! Hold your fire." yelled the
general. Don't shootr' Don't shoot"
echoed the staff, for the luckless cavalier
Keeling in his seat, went sliding into the
arms OF his loyal followers, while the devil
of horse whirled round. Juggling. straining
at the reins and striving to break away.
"Dsmount;" Down with you.' "Off with
| your cried the pursuers. officer and man,
as another terrified horse tore, wildly neigh
| ing. in chase of the foremost. IL was
| desperate effort on part of the grays. Their
| comrade troopers were too far off to help
l. them, even could they drive through the
| stout skirmish line already far flung across
the field beyond With last wave of his
| white hand the officer seemed ordering his
! defenders TO save themselves, and those in
saddle. with parting shots and defiant yells
-one of them even hurting in rage his emp
tied revolver at the tall adjutant, the fore
most man in the rush-darted away, bend
ing low over the streaming Names with the
bullets of half score of Springfields whiz-
| zing past their ears, and only sad-faced,
| silent li;tle trio knelt about the fallen SOL
| der as painting and triumphant, the boys
| in blue came thronging round them.
The adjutant was off his big, raw-boned
| bay in an instant and, bending 'over the
| fainting man. unscrewed the cap of his
! flask and held it to the pale lips beneath
| the sweeping mustache. "A major, hey?'
| he said, as he noted the brilliant braids of
| gold lace on the handsome uniform frock.
| What is a major doing out here with only
| a squad of you boys?" and something like
| pity shone In his kindling eyes as he looked
| up at the beardless, clear-cut young face of
the captured trooper nearest him. Two OF
| the three could not have been more than
seventeen, but never a word of complaint
did they utter-not a syllable did either
| speak in reply.
What have you, Haskell?' inquired the
| black-bearded general. riding in through
the group of eager, almost sympathetic SOL
der faces.
Don't know yet, general" was the
swer as a faint CULVER ran through the
| PROSTATE form. He can't speak for him
self, and these young-veterans won't"
lis ne wounded?" asked the chief. Sure
| ly you can tell us that" he added, present
Iy, as he glanced at the two silent strip
| lings in gray. Then at last one of them
faced the commander.
| Horse fell, suh-rolled on him-broke his
| leg" said he, with a salute that told un-
erringly of soldier teaching; so, too, did the
speakers pose. Instinctively he was stand
! ing at attention. He knew the rank be-
| trayed by that yellow sash.
Give this young gentleman sip from
your flask. Haskell; / fear hes-why, my
| lad, you're wounded, Look to him. some of
your cried the general, for the boy had
| grown ashen pale and was Keeling when
strong arms caught and lowered him.
Sure. general. He's shot through the
| breast" said a bearded soldier, tearing
aside the troopers jacket and displaying a
| blood-wet shirt beneath.
| And wouldn't show it." answered the
general. That's the way with them. Send
for a surgeon, captain And then the gen.
| eraI, too, was off his horse and bending
| over the stricken lad. do you know his
| name-and homer he asked of the pale
| faced young Virginian standing, trembling
bit with excitement, beside him. The lad
| flushed looked distressed, embarrassed. but
seemed to believe 1t his soldier duty to
| give no information whatever to the enc
my. 1t was Jennings who spoke, his voice
breaking harshly, somehow. on the silence
of the surrounding group. as he elbowed a
way through the curious circle and caught
sight of the swooning boy.
81 know him, general. He's one of our
best suh" end now Jennings. too, had
thrown himself upon his knees. Its Floyd
Pelham, sub, of Charlottesville. It'll break
his mothers heart, sub. If he's done for
The wall in the Virginian's voice seemed
to catch the ear and rouse the faculties of
the reviving officer.
who's that-done for?" he family asked.
Not Floyd Pelham" Ard. bracing his
hands upon the turf, he struggled to a sit
ting posture while Jennings sprang to his
feet and stared.
Major Lounsberry! Good God, sub, you
wounded too? Why, I'd no idea
'No idea, 1 suppose" interposed the ma
ior. with cutting. sarcastic emphasis, that
your friends, the Chiltons, had turned that
Yankee lieutenant loose. Well, you needn't
rejoice, gentleman, we've got him again.
and right in the teeth of his own brigade!"