Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-11-11


then gone on to Fairfax N hopes or
obtaining from Gen Mcclellan permits
sion TO take his son home on parole
BY slow stages. 10 Charlottesville, and
Miss Chiffon meanwhile remained there
under what vas LEFT OF a roof. and what
he Mr. Henry. could OFFER BY way of
care and protection Brief conference
with the guard without did much to
confirm Benton in his faith in the truth
OF the statement They assured him
that If anybody else vas harbOred or
hidden there he could not escape. for
they were ordered 70 prevent the oc-
cupants from leaving as well as TO pro
tect the premises from harm
At five O'Clock. therefore. the young
aide-de-camp went his way. not fully
satisfied by any means brt content TO
seek explanation al corps headquarters
and TO investigate further on his re-
turn In point Of fact he was doubt
full as 10 his duties and pre-ogatives
IN the matter and needed his generals
advice He meant TO tell him just what
he feared or Uspectsd-that Paul
Ladue himself, in some unaecountable
manner had become separated from his
regiment, possibly through illness o.
wounds, and was concealed within the
shattered walls of the old Virginia
farmhouse But. just al the time when
he most needed the instructions of his
own division chief. he was destined to
be cut OF from him-and for many
day.
1t was after sundc IN, and long after,
when at last, riding some miles at
swift trot, he overlook the corps COM
mander with his staff on the road
beyond Centreville- All said that
soldierly leader. the general is prompt
What time die he start?"
Start, sir:'' said Benton, his heart
beating quick and hard again L don't
know. l was instructed TO deliver this
letter and to ask to have these others
sent on 10 Washington by your courier
tonight, but l thought TO find you west
Of Centreville, not on the march, sir"
Then my orders had not arrived
when you left? Why, what hour did
you leave, sir?" and McDowelI's face
Redeemed as it would when he was an
noyed.
About four o'clock, general, but"
-Four o'clock, sir Then where on
earth have you been all this time?"
Il came by way of the Henry house
to look at the old battlefield, general.
We had no idea of your moving, and
there was plenty of time before dark
answered poor Fred, noting with much
concern the ominous silence Of tn
listening staff and orderlies-
You must have stayed an uncon-I
scionable time there" grumbled the
general, who had not yet ceased to feel
touchy at any mention of Bull Run the
First. ("Longer than he did last July
laughed O'Kane, of the Montgomery
when told of it, ''Ah. 1 remember.
That pretty daughter of old ChiIton'S
is there. You saw her, I suppose?"
I suppose l did, general, was the
rueful answer, though she in no wise
sought to detain me. Quite the con-
trary.'
Well, Mr.. Benton, your division IS
doubtless following Us by this time,
and should be across the Run Ny
compliments to the general and say 1
viii have his letters forwarded Now.
don't get lost in the woods on your
way back"
And thus summarily was the brief
interview ended, and the corps COM
mander with his staff rode on
Now here was plight for an aide
de-camp: His tent and all his belong
ings. were with those Of division head
quarters and would doubtless be taken
care OF by the staff quartermaster, but
where was he to frd his general-and
how Well he knew The division in
marching 70 follow or overtaFe the
oS
Jersey brigade was just Str;6ing by
him at the monent-would probably
take the shortest road from the camps
about Manassas, would follow the
winding wood roads and cross Bull
Run at Bfackbura's or MitcheII's Ford
taking the hypothenuse Of the triangle
instead Of the long way aro1nd-the
two adjacent sides formed By the Sud
ley Springs and Warrenton roads Yet
he had fully intended TO be back al
| the Henry house before this hour thai
| found him still in saddle and crowded
OF the highway-he and his orderly
both beginning to get hungry and theil
horses showing signs of hard riding
1t ended in his picking q way pas
the flank of the marching column
every now and then narrowly Shawn:
some straggler along the dIlapidatet
stone wall that skirted the pike an
| after half an hours grorins. fndin;
himself once more al CentreviIIe as tn
rear Of FCanklin's fDe division wa
clearing IL
On the westward rise o. TIE road
way, Just beyond the old stone churcl
in CEnUrViIIe. Burns his orderly. Sc
10 WORK 10 rub down the horses in tn
feaeeles yard Of the first big housl
1 to the right on the road and Bentoi
banged II the door IN quest OF supper