Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-26
CHAPTER XIV.
A Night Ride of the Wounded.

IL was Wild, rude scene Without yet III
it's way typical of a little understood chap
ter of civil war Moreover, 1t was one
with which was not entirely unacquaint-
ed. Years of cavalry scouting, bearing me
beyond the patrol lines of the two great
armies, had frequently brought me into
contact with those various Independent,
irregular forces which, cooperating with
us. often rendered most efficient service
by preying on the scattered federal camps
and piercing their lines of communica-
ton. Seldom risking an engagement in
the open their policy was rather to dash
down upon some outpost or poorly guarded
wagon train and retreat with a rapidity
rendering pursuit hopeless. 1t was parti-
san warfare, and appealed to many i'll
adapted to abide the strcter discipline of
regular service. These border rangers
would rendezvous under some chosen leader,
| strike an unexpected blow where weakness
| had been discovered, then disappear as
| quickly as they came, oftentimes scatter
| ing widely until the call went forth for
| some fresh assault. 1t service not
| dissimilar to that performed during the
| revolutionary struggle by Sumter and
Marion in the Carolinas, and added in the
aggregate many day to the contest of
| the confederacy.
Among these wild, rough riders between
the lines no leader was more favorably
known of our army, nor more dreaded by
the enemy, than Mosby. Daring to The
point of recklessness, yet wary as a fox,
counting opposing numbers nothing when
weighed against the advantage of sur
prise, tireless in saddle, audacous In re-
source quick to plan and equally quick
to execute, he was always where least eX
pected and 1t was seldom he failed to win
reward for those who rode at his back
Possessing regular rank in the confederate
army, making reports of his operations to
the commander-in-chi his peculiar talent
partisan leader had won him what was
practically an Independent command
Knowing him as l did, was not surprised
that he should have swept suddenly
out of the black night upon the very verge
Of that battle to drive his irritating sting
into the hard-earned federal victory.
An empty army wagon, the ~. S. A"
yet conspicuous upon its canvas cover, had
been overturned and fired in front of the
hospital tent to give light to the raiders.
Grouped about beneath the trees. and with
In the glow of the flames, was picturesque
squad of horsemen, hardy. tough-looking
fellows the most of them. their clothing an
odd mixture of uniforms, but every man
heavily armed and admirably equipped for
service Some remained mounted, lounging
carelessly in their saddles, but far the
larger number were on foot, their bride
reinS wound about their wrists. All alike
appeared alert and ready for any emer-
gency. How many composed the party
was unable to judge with accuracy, as
they constantly came and went from ouI
the shadows beyond the circumference Oh
the fire AS all sounds of firing had ceased
| / concluded that the work planned had been
already accomplished. Undoubtedly, sur
prised as they were, the small federal iorce
left to guard this point had been qulchIy
overwhelmed and scattered.
The excitement attendant upon my re-
lease had left me for the time being utter
| ly forgetful as to the pain of my wounds
so that weakness alone held me 10 T rhe
night was decidedly chilly, yet had scarce
ly begun to feel its discomfort, When
man strobe forward from out the nearer
eroup and stood looking down upon me-
He was a young fellow, wearing gray
artillery jacket, with high cavalry poots
coming above the knees l noticed MS Irn-
set jaw, and a pearl-handled revolver STUCK
carelessly in his belt but observed 10
symbol of rank about him.
rs this Captain Wayne?" he asked not
unpleasantly.
and he turned at once toward the others.
"Cass bring three men over here, and
carry this officer to the same wagon you
did the Others he commanded prleny.
Elk him comfortably, but be in a hurry
about it "
They lifted me in the blanket, one hold
ing tightly at either corner, and bore me
tenderly out into the night. once one OF
them tripped over a projecting root, and
the sudden jar of his stumble shot spasm
of pain through me, which caused me TO
cry out even through my clinched teeth
pardon me, lauS, pdiIeuJ ".
the weakness, but II snppeo out oelole
could help it, ;.
honor" returned a rich brogue. sure an
me feet got SO mixed CUP that Wonoher
I didn't drap we entolrely.
eff We had Clancy said the man named
Cass, grimly, Il reckon as how the colonel
would have drapped you.
forth into the broader valley, we came 10
a covered army wagon, to which four
mules had been already attached the can
vas was drawn aside, ana 1 was nl.eu up
and carefully deposited in the hay that
thickly covered the bottom. 1t was SO
intensely dark within could see nothing
Of my Immediate surroundings, but a low
| moan told me there must be at least one
other wounded man present. Outside l
heard the tread of horses hoofs, and then
the sound of Mosby's voice.
Jake" he said. drive rapidly, but win
as much care as possible. Take the lower
road after you cross the bridge, and you
will meet with no patrols. We Will ride
beside you for couple of miles.
Then a hand thrust aside the canvas,
and a face peered in. I caught faint
glimmer of stars, but could distinguish 1T
tie else. -
Boys" said the leader, kindly, 81 wish
I might give you better transportation, but
this is the only form Of vehicle we can find;
1 reckon you'll get pretty badly pumped
over the road you are going, but I'm 1ur-
nishing you all the chance to get away
In my power"
"For one 1 am grateful enough" I an
swered, after waiting for some one else
to speak. "a little pain is preferable to
Imprisonment"
AFTER you pass the bridge you will be
perfectIy safe on that score" he said
heartily Anything more 1 can do for
any of your
"How many of us are there?" asked some
one family from out the darkness.
'tOh. yes," returned Mosby, with laugh,
tI forgot; you will want to know each
other. There are three of you-Colone!
Colby of North Carolina, Major Wilkins of
Thomes Battery and Captain Wayne, -th
Virginia. Let that answer for an intro
duction, gentlemen, and now good night.
We shall guard you as long as necessary,
and then must leave you to the kindly
ministrations of the driver"
He reached in, leaning down from his
saddle to do So drew the blanket some-
what closer about me, and was gone.
caught the words of sharp short order.
and the heavy wagon lurched forward,
its wheels humping over the irregulari-
ties in the road each jolt sending fresh
spasm Of pain through my tortured body.
May the merciful God ever protect me
from such ride again! 1t seemed in
terminable, while each long mile we trav-
eled brought with 1t new and greater
agony of mind and body. That I did not
nl.~ 49,