Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-03-25

his loyalty and integrity. Stanton So
hated the REBELLION that he seemed Il
hold no officer above suspicion who did
not hate everything connected with it.
and Benton could net be made 10 hate
the Chiltons-any of them-or to look
with anything less than love on the
memory of Paul Ladue
So he came back from Washington
in time for the Mine Run affair. boiling
over with wrath at the way he had
been badgered. Stanton as much as
intimated that Benton knew Jennings
to be false to his obligations, and was
shielding him as he had striven TO de-
fend the Chiltons aud Ladue. NO man
can serve two masters young SIR" said
the stern secretary, land you can't
properly serve your country and shield
those in rebellion against it, I've seen
too much of this disposition on your
part, and if | see any more Of it-I'n
break you,"
Words were these to be well remem-
bered in the light of later events.
No wonder Benton was afame with
indignation, and narrowly did he es-
cape court-martial for the hot wrath
OF his reply. He demanded court of
inquiry but to no purpose. There was
little evidence but his own. He con-
unued to serve with Wadsworth, who
from having been more than half in
cIlned at one time to share Stanton's
views, had now reasons OF his own for
differing radically with that tremen-
douS power, ana TOOK UP the cudgels
Tor Fred in his vehement fashion, and
might have gotten into serious trouble
Oh his own had it not been for the shot
that ended it all that bitter day in
The wilderness. Then Benton was
transferred for time to the headquar-
tiers of the cavalry corps. and rode
with Sheridan to Yellow Tavern.
where the plumes CT Stuart went down
at last, and the brilliant leader of the
southern horse was borne away to
die within the walls of the weeping
city, and here it was, after Yellow Tav-
ern, Fred Benton had one CO the odd
est, yet most opportune, meetings of
the war
1t was soft, moCnlit night in May,
Three confederate officers, endorsed
and captured. had been brought to
Sheridan'S camp fire near the Rich
mond road, and in one of these Ben
ton instantly recognized young Win
ston, wearing now the braid OF major
of cavalry. The recognition was mu-
tual, and Benton's well-flled flask was
brought into requisition at the instant.
Benton saw the Virginian was in deep
chagrin. A question as to Louns.
berry's whereabouts was all that was
needed, and Winston launched at once
into TRADE. There never was such
Internal luck, he said. FOR months
three men had been bounding that fell
low TO get an accounting from him on
matter that-that-wcl, Pelham's
sister had been engaged-at least be-
lieved herself engaged--to Lounsb berry
ever since early in the war vet in
January came the announcement of his
approaching marriage to a widow of
wealth and social position in Charles
ton. He had tricked Maud most damn
ably, said Winston. and Lloyd Pelham.
the very young fellow who was so near
ly killed trying to save Lounsberry out
there near Gainesville. captain now
and only 20, had been trying to get a
tight out OF him, and so had Jack Chill
ton. but Floyd had the best claim. and
now Lounsberry had actually been
nailed. He had come to Stuart with
dispatches and Pelham had slashed
him in the face with his gauntlet A
meeting had been arranged for to-mor-
row morning. He, Winston. was Pei
hams second. and would almost give
his parole, were such a thing possible
TO an officer of Stuart's cavalry. to get
back to the confederate lines and bring
that fellow to book.
you owe him a erudge as well as
Maud Pelham's kinsmen," said he
Sooner or later he's got to fight or
funk. | can't be there to second Pei
ham, and now there's no telling when
any of us can get at him.
why not Chilton?" asked Fred.
Chiffon" and Winston flushed with
embarrassment. Chiffon has just
been sent away on-other duty"
with his wounded leader and kins-
man-to Richmond" hazarded Fred.
MO-" was the hating reply. In
fact Winston could not say whittier he
had gone
1t seemed long indeed before any
OF those who owed Lounsberry a
srudge were enabled to "gct at him."
But there came time. and not to those
that wore the gray, but to Benton, still
serving with Sheridan.
Grant had crossed the James and in
vested Petersburg, when to shake him
loose, if possible, by the old device of
soaring Washington, Early was sent
down the Shenandoah valley with l2,-
geo men and orders TO stir up Mary
End. Stir accordingly he did, until
the arrival of the Sixth corps from the
James and the approach of the Nine
teenth. Then Early harked back,
leaving just a few of his men cut off
by a sudden rush of union cavalry,
one of these a young captain of his
own staff. an almost invaluable Off
Ger. So, this warm August even
ing, as Benton came riding down
from a scout among the beautiful
L. L