The National tribune., 1902-04-24

must We come up during the night. WAS
sure | heard our bugle among en-
"A couple brigades? echoed Shad.
The whole country to the rear is alive
with men. Baird's Division is in the
town, and Carlin's to the left and rear.
Morgan's Division is coming up by the
Boiling Springs road. Kilpatrlck's cav
airy is over further toward the Savannah
River, and is making for Aiken, which Is
only IL miles from Augusta. The TWEEN
tieth Corps is coming on the right, by the
Fiddle Point road. and everybody is aim
ing for the railroad, which lies out that
way about 10 miles. Everybody's being
rushed forward, and we're getting so
close that something's liable to happen
any minute. We can't go on this way
very much longer without a big head-on
collision somewhere. The railroad is the
vital point, and the burning question is
whether we or Beauregard will get the
most men there first. He is certainly not
going to give up the main artery of the
Confederacy without a hard fight"
Shad's whole being was alive with the
momentousness of the day, and his
earneStnesS communicated itself to 81 and
Shorty.
We must be working up pretty near
Augusty, Shad," suggested 81. Are we
aiming for Augusty! How far is it
there!"
Something over 40 miles. We may be
aiming for Augusta, and we may be max
ing sharp turn on Charleston. Some
times L think one thing, and then the
other"
It's always the best bet to copper the
play Old Billy's pretending to make" sug-
as if Augusty was our meat"
1T certainly looks that way" agreed
81. But then we'd hardly come across
the river if we were going to take Augusty.
We could have got there easier from the
highlands of Georgy, than by wading
through all these swamps."
''Levcl-headed, as usual ST." answered
Shad. Il think of that when I'm debat-
ing between Charleston and Augusta, and
decide in favor of Charleston, in spite of
all the bluff we're making at Augusta.
It'll be a big thing to take Augusta, with
all her arsenals, powder-mills, cloth-mills,
gun-cap factories, etc, but it seems to me
that if Sherman meant that he would have
brought us up on the other side of the
river. If we cut this railroad Wen cut
off the rebels from everything that's in
Augusta, and the city might as well be
destroyed, SO far as they that are north Of
here are concerned"
A man of medium height, sharp, pierre
ing eyes, a dark mustache hanging over
a frm-set mouth, rode up. He wore n
SLOUGH hat, much weather-beaten, as was
his heavy cavalry overcoat, and his boots
and pantalOons showed the results of
much wading in mud and water The only
sign Of rank was u frayed star on his tat
tered saddle-cloth. showing him to be a
BrigadicrGeneraI. His manner was quick
and decided, without being nervous or
rasplng, and his expression firm and de-
cided without harshness. He had an
anxious look on his face, and turned his
glance n0rthward with serious eagerness.
Hello, there's Gen. Carlin. Attention."
said 81, laying down his food and
springing up into the position of a SOL
der in honor of the gallant young COM
mander of the First Division.
Don't mind me, men. No time for
ceremony. We've got more important
things to do today" said Gen. CarIin
quietly and distinctly, without any ap-
parent effort to be either gracious or other
wise. Finish your breakfast That is
the first duty of soldier, especially when
he has the prospect of such a days work
before him as this. That coffee smells
good. L believe I'd like a cup myself, if
you have it to spare. | rode forward to
take look at the country, while my cook
was getting breakfast"
Certainly, General; glad to have you
join us" answered 81, as Otterbein
Kramer handed the General a cup, with a
cracker and some meat.
What have You found ont in front.
menu asked the General, with his mouth
full.
There was nothing last night, as far
as we could see from that ridge there"
answered ST. 1T looked as if the woods
about mile beyond might be full of
rebels, but none Of them showed up be-
fore dark, when We fell back to this
place"
AS soon as you can finish your break
fast mount and push on out into the
WOODS, answered the General. go as
fast and as far as you can, but keep your
eyes peeled, for you're likely to run up
against a solid crowd any minute. I'll ad-
vance skirmish line to support you and
nave it backed up by a line of battle.
Look out sharp for the enemy in force,
prepared to make a stand; the moment
yOu see any strong signs Of that. gallon
back and let me know. L shall be expect
ing such report from you every min
ute"
Another similarly travel-wOrn, somewhat
smaller, but alert and notwithstanding man.
with Brigadier-GeneraI's star on his
saddlc-cloth, and sweeping black
musiach, rode up. and was recognized as
Gen. AbSalom Baird, commander OF the
Third Division, and leader of the decisive
charge of .IOncsbOro. He waved his hand
10 stop the respectful forming up of tue
boys, and mentioned Il similar request for
Il Oh tD!ttt.
"Iou were too anxious. too. to see the
front. to wait for your breakfast, Baird,
said Gen. Carlin. famiiarly.
Yes" responded Gen. Baird. 'I'ye
been waiting for daylight very impatiently
10 get look at the country, and endeavor
to form some idea as to what sort of en-
tertainment Mr.. Bcaurcgard was prepar-
ing for us. | cannot but believe that he
has something quite unusual and I'm
anxious 10 get some inEling Of IT, The
eyes of the Southern Confederacy are on
Beaurcgard, and he's under obligations to
do something in this emergency to sustain
the reputation he made at Fort Sumter.
which lie has not done since"
a tall, slender man, with a full beard.
4 face tinged blue from the use of nitrate
of silver rs Il mcdicament, and severe but
melancholy eyes, rode up. and was recog-
nized as Gen. Jeff. G.. Davis. the Com
mander of the Fourteenth Corps. His
clothing showed as many signs of hard
campaigning as that of his chief lieuten-
ants.
He too dismounted, accepted n cup Of
coffee, and questioned 81 as to what there
was out in front.
After finishing his coffee and while the
boys were saddling and mounting he step-
ped up on the porch drew out his glasses.
and anxiously scanned the distant eoun-
try.