Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-12-23


q common foe. there was possibility
OF keeping them out OF mischief
Centreville had been passed. Bull
Run recFossed, and Bristoe reached
a point beyond their previous explo-
rations. Then back had they to go
TO meet a threatened raid on their
railway communications, and, that
matter settled, again they were trudg-
ing through the well-remembered
wood roads when, as a turn of tbs
way brought their foremost company
in full view of the fine sweep of
bearded colonel, for the time COM
handing the brigade, refined out to
the right for a look at his men, and
his tai, born-soldier of an adjutant
rode alongside the black bearded, dark
featured, stocky little leader Of the
Black Hats, pointed with his gaunt-
letted hand TO the blue curtain of the
Bull Run range and remarked: I'D
give a good deal to know just what
that fellow Jackson's doing behind
that screen to-day"
- why SOP" asked O'Connor, shortly.
Shields licked him we'll at Kerns-
town. Banks has turned his whole
force back there. Blenker's big divi-
sion has gone to reinforce them. Why.
we've got enough men there to eat 'em
alive-Jackson and ALL
First catch your rabbit" said the
adjutant, musingly. "Old Stonewan
knows every footpath in the valley
every path through the mountains.
He'll trick Banks and Fremont, sure's
your born, colonel Then we'll have a
shy at him.
May the Lord grant it." was the
pious answer, as the colonel looked
wistfully away toward the little rift
in the dark ridge where, ten miles dis
tant, lay Thoroughfare Gap, the best
and shortest route to the Shenandoah
the gap through which four months
later this same much-discussed and as
yet 1ittle-known Jackson was with such
fatal effect to pour his columns on the
union flank and rear.
1t was a moist afternoon. The men
in the marching column, heavily bur-
dened with bullying knapsack and
double blanket and the long Springfield
over their burly shoulders, whipped
off their hats and swept the coat
sleeve over their dripping brows, peer
ing curiously at the old colonel sitting
sturdily in saddle and watching their
array. A grim smile stole over his
grizzled face as his own battalion cams
striding forth In the wake OF the
''Scofng Second" Then the kindly
eyes clouded with something like dis
pleasure at sight of a tall, lanky civil-
ian on decrepit gray, riding with the
heutenant-colonel commanding He
boz ~ v-aiI IL
from the spot and more than a week
away. How came you here?" he
asked, as the civilian ambled out of the
column and touched his worn hat
brim
my place is just over yahnduh,
colonel. P'haps you doan' remember
my comm to you with a pass, back
O. Fairfax" and the tall stranger
looked confidently into the grizzled,
sun-burned face. ''Been in to Alexan-
dria, yo' know, for supplies. Wagon
went sho'ht cut by stone bridge
Keen1y studying the veterans face,
he suddenly added: "Ain't Col. Bay
ards cavalry out there?"
ASK me no questions, my friend.
and I'll tell you no 1ies,'' was the wary
answer. Gen. McDowell's pass COM
pels me to let you ride along with the
column, but doesn't require me to post
you as to our movements. You know
too much now to be travelling toward
Jackson's people, and-have you shown
that pass to the division commander"
why, it was he who got it for me"
answered the Virginian, placidly. ct
was I that took him Lieut.. Benton's
pistol and told him of his capture.
What's more, I'm 'specting to get fur
Their news of the lieutenant. Why,
hyuh comes the general now, and f
you don't mind, colonel, 1 reckon I'll
ride with him a piece"
Graybeard glanced half angrily over
his shoulder. A few yards north of
the road there was a barren little emf
nence, on the crest Of which there had
suddenly appeared the division COM
mander with two of his staff. I'm
singing their f1eldglasses, they seemed
for a moment studying the westward
lowlands, then came trotting swiftly
toward the column.
Colonel, there are scattered parties
of cavalry out there coming swift this
way, too-out north of Bristoe-be
tween that and Gainesville. They
don't seem to be watching the column,
either. Send one regiment out along
the Gainesville road as far as Bethle-
hem church and let them throw out
skirmishers. Halt the rest of the
brigade here. Good afternoon, Mr..
jennings" he continued. in civil ac-
acknowledgement of the Virginian's sa-
lutation. 81 thought you were home
by this time"
*General," said he, coming along
side, 81 want to say one thing, sub,
and it's this-that young gentleman of