The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-12-17
Five of us, Major says West, salut-

Five of us, Major says West, salut-
ing.
Haven't seen you since left the General.
member you very well; you were with us
in Maryland once. And who are these"
Charley Armstrong and Joe Lewis, of
the First, Major" said Morgan, "and We
have old Squire with US. Don't you re-
member his showing us Pope's headquar-
ters last year near Auburn
Il should say do. And l know Lewis
strong now. You are the big man who
attacked the bridge at Cedar Run. Well,
men. make yourselves easy. We can
hardly make a start before midnight. Our
people from above are delayed for some
reason, and I'll give t'em chance; but
want You men Of the First to ride at tho
front. Remember that, now; eight men
will ride half mile in front, and you'll
be four Of them"
One other officer was in the room, Lieut.
Turner. For short while Mosby re
tained West; the others of Morgan's
squad went out. The horses were unsad-
when there would be time for the next
feeding. Old Squire was released, and
| together the party rested. with groups of
men all round them on the hillside, most
Of them very quiet, but here and there one
busy with his weapons.
The numbers were growing; the door Of
the mill frequently showed forms entering
and retiring. Perhaps two hours had gone
by, when confused noise began, and then
scramble for horses. No loud order had
been given; the word was passed from
man 10 man. And now there was no light
in the mill.
Morgan knew that midnight had not yet
x1xaN Al LII
party had succeeded in sending man to
tell that they We're cut off by the enemy
and must disband; the march would be-
gin without them.
Somehow. a struggling column was
| formed, each irregular group recognizing
some familiar leader. West had urged
forward; the column was moving Yet in
motion, West found Mosby at the front.
You four men lead" said the COM
mander, you four in uniform. West, give
them leeway and give them complete in
structions. You ride behind them in
| speaking distance
But old Squire. Major. What shall
L do with him?" asked West.
"Do just what you proposed. I have
| thought over it, and it's the thing"
| The column was moving at trot.
Half a milev' cried Usher, and his
companions followed him at gallop.
On the summit Of high hill whence
they looked eastward West called for
slower speed.
| Far enough ahead, boys. Now, Ser
geant, the Major gives you charge of the
advance. Ii you run into the Yankees be-
fore we get down to the pike, you may
get away If you can: but you must make
a big noise that can be heard behind you.
Ii you should be taken, your uniforms
| will make 'em think Stuart is coming
Tell 'em you belong to Lees Brigade
Squire is TO go first; you four boys behind
Squire hundred yards; l ride behind yon
a hundred yards. Now, Squire. you
mustn't let us run into any trap; you
must go first, you hear?S
"Yassab, de good book hit say de las
gwine to go fust, but / dunno whah you
all is a-gwine to, an l dunno whah to
tuhn off, an l dunno whah not to tuhn
off,
Don't tArn off at all unless we let you
know. wen keep you in sight, and won't
let you go wrong And after while were
going slow. and then I'm going to tell you
more. And if you do this job up brown
you're going to get more horses than you
can take keer of-the Major says you
shall have full share. Now light outr'
Old Squire lit out. 1t is true that be
was nervous enough, but looking back
he saw his master and his masters
friends following in speaking distance, and
he was comforted.