The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-12
BAYARD'S COURIER.

'
BAYARD'S COURIER.
tCo.tinusd from nrst pags.l
Joe Lewis and the man from New York
State; and it was full sunrise when, af.
ter many drawbacks, he got his eyes wide
open and saw before him dwelling which
he recognized as the house where he had
rested after his ride for Jackson to Hay
market and back on the night of the 18th
of August. Morgan was hungry, and he
was very tired and very sleepy, and he
thought that by getting a breakfast he
would be doing a good thing for himself
all round. Time was not pressing; half an
hours sharp riding would end his journey;
so he trOtted up to the house little way
from the road, and dismounted. Smoke was
coming from every chimney; horses were
in the yard, horses with cavalry saddles;
party of scouts. had stopped here, no
doubt, for the reason that had caused Nor
gan to stop. Morgan walked into the
house. The door was open to the room
on the right; there he saw men dressed in
Confederate uniform. They were sitting
by the fire. One of them rose and came
to the door, looking alarmed.
The dress of cavalry scouts in the civil
war was frequently that of their enemies.
Morgan was partly dressed as a Federal;
these men, il they were scouts-and it
was not easy to suppose them anything
else-might be Confederates, or might be
Fedcrals: there was no telling. The man
who met Morgan at the door was clad in
Federal Overcoat, but it was not tightly
buttoned, and underneath could be seen
gray coat, with a Lieutenant's two bars
on the collar. The Lieutenant was facing
Morgan; the thought Of one was the
thought of both: "Is this man disguised? ?"
Morgan was sure that IL he could see all
the men in good light he could tell what
they were, but the interior Of the room
was dark; and the one man before him
had composite face that betrayed
nothing.
"Good morning; have you ordered
breakfastY' asked Morgan.
"Yes; want your name in, too?"
''Be very much obliged" Morgan had
it on his tongue to add, 'I've been here
BEFORE" but thought better of it. He was
very suspicious of this officer who was
treating him so condescendingly.
xviii you come into the kitchen with
me?" asked the Lieutenant.
"No-no use; I'll stretch my legs a lit
tie. Been riding"
Dan feared to 60 into the kitchen; the
farmer or his wife might recognize him;
they had seen him before. The Lieutenant
went into the kitchen, and returned almost
at once; he found Morgan striding up and
down the yard.
"What regiment?" asked Morgan,
quickly.
First Massachusetts"
The answer proved nothing.
rs Col. Sargent now in command?
This question ought to have convinced
the officer that the man before him was
Federal; it would be a rare thing for
Confederate to be able to make such a
reply. The Lieutenant answered Eyes"
and said no more.
Breakfast was called, and seven hungry
men took their places around the kitchen
table. Morgan at once knew that the
faces were Northern, and that the speech
was Northern, except in the case of one
man, who, like Morgan himself, might be
from some border section. The eating
was rapid and conclusive; Morgan knew
that the officer was watching him, and
ate without speech. They rose from the
table. Each man paid. They went out of
the house and approached the horses.
Guess you will have to go with u.s."
''Where?"
$40 our lines. You're no Union man.
Come, now, Johnny, don't put ON any airs;
we've got ycu-it's no use to kick"
"All right" said Morgan.
At sign from the Lieutenant two men
had stepped forward-a man on either
side Of the captive.
Hand over your arms" said the Off
GER.
Morgan. had not even his pistols; he
debated whether he ought Mt this moment
to show Gen. Bayard's dispatch. He pre-
ferred company for a while-he would be
protected from others; besides, the Lieu
tenant said that he was .-sturning to the
Federal lines; if Morgan should claim to
be Federal courier, why should he OBJ
iect to going toward the Federal lines?
Then, there was another thing: why
should Federal dispatch bearer be loiter-
ing here instead of Fastening to complete
his work? On the whole, Morgan thought
It better to make no protest now; protest
now would call for volley Of questions
which he could not answer.
you are going to take me TO Gen. Aver
ell?" he asked.
That's just where we are going to take
you; hand over your arms"
81 have no arms about me-"
The Lieutenant examined the holsters at
Morgan's saddle.
snow mount"
Morgan mounted, and, in the midst of
he squad, rode southwest; they reached
,Ork; here the party turned their horses
reads toward the northwest.
At that moment the fire of cannon broke
tut directly westward. Morgan saw his
opportunity.
"Halt" he cried.
"What do you mean % shouted the Lieu
enant in anger.
"LoOk at this, sir, and then tell me
whether you will detain me any longer"
The Federal took the envelope, turned
over and read the address.
= "WhO's this frOm?"
"Gen. Bayard; can't you see his name?'
"Why'n't you say so before?"
'YOu didn't give me chance"
'Well, this looks all right, but what do |
'ou mean by this passing yourself as a |
II never told you was Confederate:
'ou assumed it, and I was willing to have |
our protection on the road"
The officer said nothing to this; his men
we're laughing.
81 must hurry" said Morgan; eff you
re going my way, come on; if not, I'll go
t alone"
The Federals struck q gallop north |
for Markham. Morgan was
lone again.
Gen. Pleasonton had begun his attack |
pon Stuart's position at Barbee's Cross
Dads. Two regiments under Col. Gregg |
we're moved to the left In order to get |
n the flank of the enemy. Pennington's |
artery, in the center, was supported by
he 9th N. Y. The two other regiments
nder Col. FarnswOrth moved straight up
he road. Gregg succeeded in outflanking