The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-12-17

the picketed horses Of the squadron-two
long rows--side by side, now and then
some raw recruit of horse expressing the
restiyeness not yet subdued by the disci-
pline OF weary marches and short provend-
er.. Between the wagons and the rows of
horses lay group OF officers, their horses,
only four, picketed close i'm their rear
Braying mules had ceased to bray, and
there was little noise in the camp, the
men having long ago settled down to rest
Earlier, small body of cavalry protecting
ambulances loaded with sick had passed
through from Warrenton en- route to Alex
andria. These people had told that they
would encamp beyond Gainesville; the
weather was hot and the sick men could
stand the journey better in @the early
hours of tho day and night.
: The sentinel on the Warrenton Pike,
west OF the camp, thought that the time
for his relief was long in coming. He had
stood here from until 8, then had rested
until 1 the sun would rise but little after
5, and he imagined that he could see signs
of day-a mere fancy Of impatience, for
his relief would not come until 5; but then,
you know, the hours Of sentry duty, after
a hot march in the long days, drag them
selves out beyond all sense or reason, and
1t was only natural for this man to swear,
and wonder ii all the guard had gone to
sleep and left him here to do more than
his duty.
The sound of hoof-beats almost succeed
ed in interrupting a yawn. Comm ut
last" he thought.
He Strengthened up on his horse in or
der to appear vigilant and to receive the
Sergeant with appropriate ceremony.
The sound had died away. "Just now
started, by God!' he muttered, and sank
almost double again, his chin on his breast.
But the chin remained thus low for only
q moment. From the southwest, toward
NJ IAnd dnFo apvyaxy hnI
tineps ear confused sounds-sounds such
as he had heard when. left on post, his
own company had ridden by on a hard
road far at his front, sounds such as lie
had heard in this night, when the cavalry
escort of the ambulances had approached
his post.
Yet these noises also died away. or at
least he heard them no longer mentally
his head now full Of an approaching OBJ
ject, which soon took the form of mount
ed man. "Who comes there?" he cried.
"Yassah. hits me, sab; tain't nobody
but me, sab. Doezh zhu want me to gid.
down off O. dis ole mule, Mahsta %
Corporal" and then he opened his mouth
to cry louder for the Corporal of sthe
guard. But he did not cry.
From his rear low voice had spoken
"Dismount, and hand over your arms!
You are surrounded! Be quiet, or you are
gone.
His head had gone round at the instant,
three men were between him and his
camp-footmen, with pieces levelled. He
hesitated, his eyes, turned to the front
there the one man had grown into the
road-full.
"Dsmount!" came the command again.
nearer, and he saw the three men around
him.
Then, quickly, Morgan with his seven
| uniforms passed the sentinel. In half a
| minute Lieut.. Turner'S section of Mos
by's column halted at the sentinels post,
and remained there stiff in saddle.
| The Sergeant led his men afoot. He
was seeking the headquarters group; at
his right great semicircle Of wagons; !;
| at his left, beyond the roadway, the long
rows Of picketed cavalry horses.
| Now came the challenge from another
| sentinel, the picket on the eastern road.
Morgan could hear it but dimly; at tho
| next instant a shot, and then the mad gal
! loping of Mosby's men from east aud from
west, as in both directions they stormed
forward to meet In the camp.
AT once, everywhere within the bounds
Of that bivoaac, shouts Of anger, OF amaze
ment, of entreaty, Of terror, Of command:
men were running to their horses; the
teapsters were springing from their wag-
Ions. others from their places on the ground;
horses were stamping and piqnGing, break