Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-31

Your conjecture is partly correct, al
though have more reason to believe thai
the head of his column has reached Beal
Fork, or will by tomorrow morning. Kindly
step this way, Captain Wayne, and make
note of the blue lines / have traced across
this map. Here, you will observe, Is
Minersvile, directly beyond the high ridge
You will notice that the federal lines ex-
tend north and south directly between us
with their heavier bodies of infantry along
the Wharton pike, and so disposed as to
shut off all communication between us and
our left wing. Now, the message must
get into Longstreet's hands is imperative
indeed. will say to you, the very safety OF
this army depends upon it's reaching him
before his advance passes Bear Fork. There
remains, therefore, no time for any long
detour; the messenger who bears it must
take his life in his hands and ride straight
westward through the very lines of the
enemy"
He spoke these words rapidly. earnestly
then suddenly he lifted his eyes to mine
and said firmly: II am perfectly frank with
you. Are you the man?''
I felt the hot blood leap into my face, but
I met his stern gaze without f1inching.
IF l live, General Lee, shall meet his
advance at Bear Fork by daybreak."
"God guide you; / believe you will"
His words seemed uttered unconsciously
He turned slightly, and glanced toward the
door. Major Holmes, will you kindly hand
me the draft of that dispateh?"
He took the paper from the outstretched
hand of the aid. read it over slowly and
with great care, wrote a word of explana-
ton upon the margin, and then extended II
to me-
Commit that. word by word, to your
memory; we must run no possible risk of its
ever falling into the enemys hands.
/ can see it now, that coarse yellow
paper-the clear, upright penmanship, the
words here and there misused and cor
fected the sentence scratched out, the
heavy UNDERLYING of a command, and his
own strangely delicate signature at the DOT
tom.
"Headouarters, Army Northern Virginia,
IN the field, near Custer House,
Sept. %. pm.
Lieut. Gen'l Longstreet, commanding left
wing:
"sir: You will advance your entire force
by the Connection and Sheffield pixies. SO as
to reach Castle Rock with your full in
fantry command by daybreak. september
20. Let this supersede all other orders. !
propose to attack in force in the ne1ghbor-
hood of Sailors Ford, and shall expect
you to advance promptly at the first sound
of our artillery. 1t is absolutely essential
that we form prompt connection of forces,
and to accomplish this result will require a
quick persistent attack upon your part
You are hereby ordered to throw your
troops forward without reserve, permitting
them to be halted by no obstacle. until
they come into actual touch with my col
umns. The success or failure of my plans
will depend utterly upon your strict oD-
servance of these orders
''R E. LEE,
General Commanding.
1 handed back the paper, and lifted my
hand in salute.
''You have memoriZed it?''
"Word for word, SIR
Repeat it to me-"
He held the paper before him as I did
so, and at the close lifted his eyes again
to my face.
Very good he said quietly. Now let
there be no mistake; repeat it over to your