The National tribune., 1902-05-08

Chase, Notwithstanding. Do you
know him?'
Il saw him. think
"Tell me about il. No-you needn't
Eat on. How far did you walk
"Oh, about 20 miles, | suppose"
Hard country over there-isn't it"
Worst 1 ever saw"
"WeII, if there's any secret about it
don't speak; but | hope you found out
what was wanted"
YES. There was only one thing l was
sent to see, and l saw it."
by God, I'll bet my hat Meade's going
to cross
Il don't know, Lieutenant"
Berwick, do you know it's a good thing
you ran all the way from the river? II
you hadn't you'd have frozen stiff
Il stripped when | went across. and
could hardly find strength to put my
clothes on"
"Of course. If we'd only thought OF
it, it would have been best for you to have
two suits, one to cross in, and the other
to put on afterward."
but l didn't bring it, and it would
have been difficult to hide the wet cloth.
ing"
True, yet it might have been done
To send n man into that river on such
Il night is like sending him to death"
The country is sending many of us 10
death. Is my horse all right?'
Yes; | have had him looked after. But
You are not thinking of trying to ride?'
Yes; | must go, if | can"
| was soon mounted, and on the road
and although | was giddy yet, and weak
ard sore, the work l was now doing
seemed delightful 1t was about l.
o'clock. The sun was shining on my back,
and no cold wind was blowing. The ter,
rible Wilderness was behind me. and the
more terrible river. | began to rejoice
that my sufferincs had ended, and that
could make satisfactory report to Gen
Warren.
Now that the fearful experience was
past. it seemed small; | had been south
of the river for only one day and night
Any man can endure hunger and fatigue
for 81 hours. What are "a hours? How
easily they may be counted. Why had
been so discouraged ut the loss of one
days food? Why did 1 weaken at the
discovery that for Il moment | was lost:
Anybody ought to know that by taking
Il straight course he would reach some
side Of that small triangle in a few hours
at most. The thing | had done was moth
ing-the trials endured were mostly
imaginary. If | had it to do again.
could do vastly bet No, before God
would not do it again for all the money
in the United States Treasury You may
talk Of times being mere abstraction
and You may believe it when trials arc
over and there is no anxiety, but L would
not repeat that one days experience for
all the money in the United States Treas,
uryi
At 3 o'clock I reached Gen. Warrens
headquarters near Paoli Mills; he was in
his tent, | was told. Word was sent in
that | had arrived, and | was ordered 10
come in.
The General looked at me, and his
cOuntcnance fell.
You did not Succeedt"
81 succeeded, General"
His expression changed at once.
You don't look like success he said,
smiling.
True, General I have suffered"
'Tell me the result. Berwick"
"There is a passable road, sir, that cuts
off the angle"
You saw il with your own eyes? No
mere hearSayT"
II saw the whole length of it, going and
coming"
'Passable for artillery
Easily, General"
Where does it leave the Germanna
road?'
Just beyond the Spotswood place;
about a mile on the other side of Flat
Run"
81 cannot say how far from Wilder
ness Tavern, General. When / came in
sight of the turnpike | began TO return.
All | desired then was to get back to you
as quickly as possible"
Right Here, take this map, and
mark the road ON it. You are sure you
saw the pike|
q. saw a wide road running straigh,
almost due wcst-little south of west"
I oil CT niOht p
ing the Germanna road and the Orange
and Fredericksburg turnpike.
The General seemed greatly pleased.
AT least two hours saved" he said.
l computed. Ny work of As hours would
save two hours to each of 1900 men
IS hours against $4,000; I was con-
tent Even if there should be no other
result, the success was great.
Tell me the nature of the country,
Berwick"
1T is The Wilderness, General"
"As bad as it is reported?'
"Impassable for troops, sir, except upon
the roads"
do you know how far it extends west
ward?'
mo, sir"
The General seemed to mediate.
You saw 10 enemyT
"Only few men. sir"
Cavalry only?'
yes. sir"
Nothing to indicate movement
'No. SIR
"You have ruined your clothing. Give
me your hight and weight; I'll replace it.
Infantry could not march through The
WildernessT'
at would be always disorganized, sir.
Even skirmishers would frequently lose
their ranks"
Berwick, I wish yOm had seen whether
that road crosses the turnpike"
81 had no orders to do so, General"
Eyes, ! know; and you did right to
return at once How is the fOrd?"
AT Germanna. sir?'
Yes
81 do not know, General. I crossed
above Germanna"
above Germanna? At Jacobs?
'No, sir; in the woods between the
two"
And you found forbade placer"
Eyes. sir"
Gould troops be thrown over where
you crossed?'
Not easily, sir; roads are lacking"
"What do you know about fording Ger
mama? Can it be done?'
81 think it would he hazardous, sir"
"On what account?"
Because of the depth of the water, sir,
and its temperature"
Every cold"
ayes, sir; a weak man could not stand
it"