Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-14

more men than these already thrown in, he might hammer the lines in vain Now, if only Stuart and his pet bri- gades would but stay lost, so that no fear need be felt for the far right flank. all would indeed be we'll! But would Stuart stay lost? Could he have got so far away as not to be found and by this time returned to the army; and when he came would it not be from the north, and thus | bring him in on the very flank they were now defending? Tired as he was Benton could not sleep for thinking of the disclosures made through Has, kell.
 Alone and afoot, after a word with his gray-haired chief, he slipped out and away to the Baltimore pike. This he followed southeasterly nearly half mile, greeted occasionally by low toned challenge of sentry; but other , officers were hurrying swiftly to and fro, and there was little detention. As early as three o'clock he found himself following patrol down a rocky path way toward the creek, and, learning from outlying sentry there that no force seemed to be in his immediate front-only few pickets-Benton ex- plained that he wished to crawl out far enough to be beyond the sound of trampling hoof and rumbling wheel at the pike, that he might listen the bet ter. And, creeping from bush to bush to avoid the moonlit spaces, less than half an hour before dawn he had suc- ! ceeded in gaining fully 400 yards out *rxu rd Ct y1d 1Nxxy l voices warned him to lie still and listen. He was either on or within the confederate picket line. and had much to learn and little time.
 i And then, as he crouched close to the trunk of a spreading tree, faint and sweet, soft yet stirring, so far out to the north that the performer doubt less thought it beyond the range of inimical ears, cavalry trumpet began to sound the martial reveille, stirring some nearby watcher to remonstrance. Damn that internal dash-dash ed tdiot,' stormed a low, half-choked voice. Hell tell the whole dash dashed Yankee army our fellows have come! Go back there, sergeant, and tell our trumpter if he dares to toot "a i horn I'll murder him."
 Then somebody rustled off through 1 the bushes, and somebody else spoke. Some of Hampton's crowd, reckon. How long'd the general want us to stay l out hyuh?"
 "Till Ewell attacks at dawn. Then 1 we'll mount and look out for Gregg. 1 His people are out here to the east of l us. Stuart'll get after them, you bet, as soon as it's light.''
 we haven't got 8 horse that can l more'n stagger. All worn out, tell 1 you," protested the second voice. I rNo more'n theirs are. Jennings met l us back there on the Hanover pike.
 and heard him tell Fitz Lee Gregg s
 horses were all played out"
 Jennings be damned!" broke in a
 third voice, impetuously, and Benton l started at the sound. It was Chilton's
 beyond shadow of doubt. Chiffon
 again with his old regiment, and these with him were doubtless officers of Fitz Lees brigade. scouting, probably. 4 well in front of the cavalry lines. yet
 proving that Stuart was there at last,
 and could be counted on to make \ things lively in the morning. 1t was
 high time to slip back and give warn
 ing, but getting back was slow and
 tedious-even perilous work. The
 dawn was breaking when, in bedrag- gled garb, Benton found his gray-head- ed general in the circle about the com
 mander. Before Benton had time to
 whisper half his explanation, Wads-
 worth's tired eyes famed with eager
 light.
 Here's the very news to prove it.
 general" he cried. Capt Benton, of
 my staff, is just in from that front
 Stuart is there and Ewell means to at
 tack-'
 How do you know Stuart is there?'
 demanded Meade, whirling sharply on
 the young officer. The most courteous
 and polished of gentlemen at other
 times, Meade was irascible in the ex-
 treme in battle.
 s'I heard voices, sir-one that I well
 knew, an officer of the First Virginia
 heard them say that Fitz Lee was
 there, and that Stuart would settle
 Gregg, and that Ewell would attack al
 dawn" But even as he spoke came
 confirmation of his words. Tn the dim
 light of the dawn, the guns of Greene
 and Geary had suddenly opened on
 shadowy gray lines, issuing from the
 opposite woods, and Wadsworth sprang
 for his horse. But the commander sig
 nailed Benton to remain. You have
 done gallant deed, captain, and have
 brought me most valuable informa-
 tion,'' were his words moment later:
 "It shall not be forgotten"
 Yet Benton was surprised late thai
 afternoon when, after the din of the
 most terrific cannonade ever heard or
 this continent, and, after daring an6
 determined attack, Pickett, Ewell and
 Stuart all had been repLlsed Pickett
 zYIK, sal