The National tribune., 1902-04-17
Moving On to the Southern. Confederacy s
Vttals-Cutting Jeffdavisdom in Two Again.
The Boys Reach Barnwell, S. C.

1t was wonderful, the swift, certain Ell
fectiyeness into which his men had been
trained by his untiring assiduity and their
long experience. Every man knew just
what ought to be done, and how to do it,
and was eager for the work.
:, Shad's methods had been n lesson to
Shorty, too much accustomed to the Mis-
Sissippi steamboat manner of working men
where a brawny and lOud-mouthed mate,
with Il carefully-acQured cataract of Oatns
and vile language, yells his orders, and
bOmbards every worker with profane in
suits aud imprecations upon his laZiness.
Shad's way was that which has made
the American army and navy the models
of the whole world. He would only have
willing men about him, to whom it was
merely necessary to show what was re-
CURED to be done.
lie gave as few orders rs possible, and
these were mostly to start the work, OF
give needed concert of action mt some i'm
pOrtant moment, and always spoke calmly,
clearly and distinctly. Having clearly i'll
his mind what was needed to be done, he
had no difficulty in making his men under
stand.
As soon as he saw the rebel artillery
men begin to fall about their piece he com
manded:
You aXmen, clear road about 200 feet
along the edge of the water there. For
ward, the wagons. Lanch the boats.
Balkmen and chessmen, stand by. Lively,
everybody"
Instantly the transfers rushed their
| wagons out from the shelters and ranged
in regular order. Everybody knew his
place and work, and took it without the
| slightest hitch. The wagons followed up
the aXmen, as the latter cleared the way.
Swiftly, certainly, without n single false
step or motion, the men fitted the boats
from the wagons, and wading into the
water, launched them and held them in
place, while others placed the stringers,
and dashed them firmly together. The
|chessmen followed with the flooring for
the bridge, and in an incredibly short time
the bridge had reached the length which
Shad's practiced eye had told him was
sufficient.
STEADY" he commanded. Its long
enough. Make all tight and snug"
''All tight and snug, sir" reported n mo-
ment later the various foremen, as they
gave last glance and touch along the
| line.
''All right. Stand clear to let her
swing" .H
The men on the outside of the line
scrambled up on 10 the bridge.
The men at the upper end prepared to
spring ashore when the other side was
reached, and lash the end fast. The men
in the center arranged their midstream an
chors to throw ont and steady the bridge.
.'All ready, sir" each reported
Attention. Let go" commanded Shad.
The bridge swung out and across the
stream, the men threw out their stream
anchors. and took bitches in the ropes to
hold the bridge steady. The men at the
end Sprang ashore ana dashed the last boat
to stumI3 and trees.
Shad crossed the bridge at once, with
three negroes, whom he had thoughtfully
set to work cooking dinner for the boys.
One carried camp kettle with hot coffee;
the other two carried fried ham, boiled
sweet potatoes, cOllard and turnip stew,
bread and other yictuals.
.'As had some time to spare and you
hadn't" he said after the brief greetings,
Il set these cOntrabands to work getting
dinner for you. You must be awfully
hungry, and you have no time to spare,
for you ought TO be into Barnwell and be
yond before night. The times call for
lively movement. and every minutes pre-
cious. have sent to find your horses and
bring them up, and they'll likely be here
by the time you're through eating. You
want to push out boldly, but cautiously.
We're playing great game for the rebels
last railroad, and must call every one of
their bluffs. but look out not to get called
Lee has sent down Wade Hampton TO help
Joe Wheeler, and Bure. Igard is going to
make things as nasty for us as he can.
IL lHty lDSt lUt lilb OOHltutTutI
is cut in two again. They are rushing
men up from every direction, and our play
must be to get ahead and prevent cOncen-
tFatiOn. The sooner we get there the more
mems lives we'll save, for the fewer rebels
We'll have to fight. But we must be care
full not to get caught between their forces"
The thrill OF the great, MORALLY dam
gerOus game for mighty stakes suffHsed
Shad with an unwOnted excitement, which |
rn communicated itcnlf IN 81 Shnpty and tho !
rest. 1t .Tns game which appealed to his
highest instincts, for it was not the crush |
ing force of a great battle-at least, for
the immediate mOment-but hot contest |
for place, position, and time, which called |
for swift, uncrring Judgment and unhesi- |
tating courage mingled with due caution. |
The rebels were Fastening by all roads to |
seize crossings, cut off and Overpowcr de |
tachmentS. and dispute the Union advance
until sufficient concentration could be had
to defend their vital line of cOmmunica- |
tiOns. 1t was the Union play to thrust in |
between the rebel columns, seize the cross
ings first, scatter their enemies, and bring |
the whole army forward to where it could
throw itself with irresistible force across
the railroad.
1t was magnificent game of war, with
Yankee brains and courage pitted against
the best that the South could produce,
with the advantages on the side of the
rebels, since they knew the country, while
the Yankees had to guess it out as they
advanced.
Shad stood more erect than usual. his
movements and words were quicker and
more decided. His face was flushed, his
eyes shone, and his cough had disappeared
"Lieutenant," said Pete between mouth
fuls, and pointing to the trees on the
island, where some rebels still appeared
among the bare branches, see them fell
lers? We cut off about % or 80 rebels on
that island, and have 'em hived up there,
where they can't get off. Hadn't some
body better 90 down there and bring 'em
in?'
Don't bother about them answered
Shad indifferently, as he turned to watch
intently the bridge and the other side of
the river. IF they're cut off and hived up
that's the best thing for them"
Them added Shorty. wish we had the
whole rebel army in the same fix
''If any regiment comes along that's got
nothing else to do. and is hungry for pris-
oncrs. let it take them ill.," said ST.
There come your horses at last" said
Shad in a tone of relief as he saw a string
of horses come over the brow of the hill.
with Otterhein Kramer bringing up the
rear with his led mule carrying the cook
ing utensils You'll see by this map that
Barnwell lies about three miles north of
here, and about 10 miles farther is the
with Blackville as the station
for Barnwel. The road is good from here
TO Barnwell, and from there on to Black
vile. That is, it's good if the rebels