The National tribune., 1904-01-07

THE FIVE HUNDRED.
sWhere lies the land to which the ship
would go?
Far, far ahead, is all the seamen know"
-Clough.
The manuvers of the cavalry in the
Bristoe campaign, though interesting, were
marked by no incident seriously affecting
Squire's history after he returned to his
master. Lees army settled back beyond
1.-The Rapidan, and Meade resumed his
! former position in Culpeper County. At
the close of November the Federal army
advanced into Orange County and was
. halted by Lees intrenched position along
Mine Run; there was much skirmishing,
but no general battle. BY the I'd Of De-
eember Meade was back in his camps, and
everything seemed settled for the Winter,
Lees infantry in huts near Orange Court
House, his cavalry scattered over three
Counties, scarcity of provender demand
ing small camps widely separated. Old
Squire foraged near and far.
In February Lieut.. Morgan returned to
his duty with Pleasonton. He had inter
csted some influential people in the story
of-West and Hawley, and he now had
great hope OF seeing one exchanged for
the other, Gen. Pleasonton himself hay
ing recommended it; as for the Confeder-
ates, they were always willing to ex-
change. Yet though Junior held desul-
tory correspondence with Jennie, he had
not written her concerning his efforts for
Usher's release, fearing to excite undue
hope.
More than four months had gone by
since any of our friends on either side had
learned aught of the doings of those on
the opposite side; neither Serg,t Morgan
nor Armstrong, in any skirmish-and not
even Squire with all his foraging-had
met with one small incident relating to
Junior, to Lacy, to Freeman, or any of
Freeman's company. Yet but few miles
divided these parties, and the existing
The day ON which Lieut.. Morgan re-
turned to duty marked also the return of
an old friend. Dahlgren, promoted for
gallantry three grades at stride, had
been disabled by wounds since July, and
indeed was still disabled, wearing false
leg and even carrying crutches at his sad
die. his chiyalrous courage supplying all
physical lack.
In whose brains was evolved the won
derful but imperfect scheme which Col.
Dahlgren was first to unfold to Morgan,
Junior did not know, but he at once eager
LIZ sought to become an actor in 1t, re-
spending to Dahlgren's enthusiasm with
ardor.
On the morning of Feb. %, 1864, Nor
gan was alone in Dahlgren's tent, busy
with preparation, the Colonel having been
called outside by some messenger sent
from the Provost-Marshal. Morgan was
hoping that guide had been sent to lead
Dahlgren's 500 who were to take the ad-
vance.
"Do you know the country below p The
voice was Dahlgren's, easily heard by
no, Colonel; was to bring you this
negro, and return to Mr. Babcock. That
is all / know"
.sThe negro is sent to me?"
Dahlgren again.
s'Yes, sir."
'sDismount, sir, and come in here"
Soon Dahlgren came in, followed by
negro, young man, brown skinned, slen-
der, seemingly at ease with army peo-
pie. The negro looked fxedly at Morgan
for an instant-then turned his eyes away.
Dahlgren handed sheet of paper to
Morgan, who read as follows:
"Dear Colonel: AT the last moment /
have found the man you want, well ac-
quainted with the James River from Rich
Z mond up. | send him to you mounted on
my own private horse. You will have to
j. furnish him horse. Question him for
five minutes, and you will find him the
very man you want.
Respectfully and truly yours,
John G. BABcoCK."
"He crossed at Rapidan last night, and
has late information.s
Meanwhile, Dahlgren was questioning
the negro.
where do you come FROM
Il ben down to Goochlan', sab, an l
fest got back" was the reply, the mans
eyes shifting uneasily in his head.
You have been with us beforef"
"Oh, yes, sab. / ben with the cavalry,
an | jest went back to see my nanny
What is your name"
,h;..;,n. b ad s sab sab; . Inc negro n
fore, and Morgan also; he had no wish to
be recognized; he knew, however, that
Freeman had been wounded and was now
S absent from his command, and he tried
to take courage. Possibly he had thought
OF eoncealing his name, but had thought
too late, for he had given it even before
seeing Babcock at the Provost Marshals.
s'Who can youch for your
"De gentleman dat / waited avn is
done got huht, sab, an he amt got back,
an / don't know who to say, sah."
"Who is hep
"Cap'm Bob Freeman, sah'
"And no one else knows your
The negro would not say that he had
ever seen Morgan; he drew a crumpled
note from his pocket, and handed it to
Dahlgren, who read that the bearer had
successfully guided the writer, after es-
enemy's country and safely into the Union
lines.s
The testimony seemed very favorable
Dahlgren dismissed the soldier, who rode
away. leading Babcock's horse.
Now, Barney, I've got thousand dol
lars, and / know where there are trees,
and ropes are handy. Are you willing
to risk itT' Dahlgren's voice was stern,
his tones seriously uniform.
Il don't know what shu want me to do,
sah," said Barney.
This paper says you know the James
River all the way from Richmond up.
Tell me what you know about it,
Il knows de Jim Riyeh, sab, in Gooch-
Ian; l ben a-fishin' all along dab even
sence | knowed how to bait hook, sah,"
replied the negro with assurance.
We'll, what / want you to do is to
ride with me and a few more men, and
show me the way to get across the James.
Can you do thatf'
Jest few men, Co'nel? In ferry
boatY'
mo. we'll be too big a crowd to risk
q ferry. We must have ford"
Yes, sab. we can find a fohd." said
Barney, and then added, IF de riyeh amt
up"
s1Where youjd you find ford y,