Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-09-07
toned challenge of sentry: but ctnsr

AO1I Olls u l0n plNhtlc 1EulOn "a
planned that he wished to crawl W. fas
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 spa ees, less than
half an hour before dawn he had &c
ceeded in gaining fully 400 yards out
toward the northeast, and there low
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.
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, a cavalry trumpet began
10 sound the martial reveille, stirring
some nearby watcher to remonstrance.
Damn that Internal d~ash-dashed
IDIOT" stormed a low. half-choked
voice. He'll tell the whole DASH
dashed Yankee army IL r fellows nave
come! Go back there, sergeant, and
tell our trumpter if he dares to foot a
horn I'll murder him."
Then somebody rustled off through
the bushes, and somebody else spoke.
Some of Hampton's crowd, | reckon.
How long'd the general want us to stay
out hyuh?"
"Till Ewell attacks at dawn. Then
we'll mount and look out for Gregg.
His people are u here to the east of
us. Stuart'll get after them, you bet,
as soon as it's light"
we haven't got a horse that can
more'n stagger. All worn out, l tell
you," protested t.1e second voice.
mo more'n th.irs are. Jennings met
us back there en- the Hanover pike.
and I heard Kim tell Fitz Lee Gregg's
horses were all played out
Jennings be damned" broke in a
third voice, smpetuously, and Benton
started at the sound. 1t was Chilton's
beyond shadow of a doubt. Chiffon
again with his old regiment, and these
with him were doubtless officers OF
Fitz Lees brigade, scouting, probably,
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 warm
ing, but getting back was slow and
tedious-even perilous work. The
dawn was breaking when, in bedrag-
sled garb, Benton found his gray-head-
ed general in the circle about the CON-
mander. Before Benton had time to
whisper half his explanation, Wads-
worth's tired eyes ilamed 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-
IRENE in battle.
Il heard voices. sir-one that | we'll
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 at
dawn" But even as he spoke came
confirmation of his words. In 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 sprans
for his horse. But the commander sig
nailed Benton to remain. you have
done a gallant deed, captain, and have
brought nj most valuable informa-
tion,'' were his words a moment later;
at shall not be forgotten"
Yet Benton was surprised late that
afternoon when, after the din of tho
most terrific cannonade ever heard on
this continent, and, after daring and
determined attack, Pickett, Ewell and
Stuart all had been repulsed-Pickett
with dreadful loss-there came a mes
sage summoning the aide-de-camp to
Meade's headquarters. An orderly led
him toward a rude wagon-shed beneath
which knelt four officers, surrounding
a PROSTATE figure. HE asked for you,'
said a surgeon, briefly, and one glance
at the face of the stricken soldier was
enough. Benton threw himself on his
knees, and clasped the cold, ~nerveless
hand, feebly lifted to greet him. The
failing eyes lighted up n moment in
love then closed in agony, as a spasm
of torment seized the fragile form
"Paul-Paul-my GOd!" was all that
Benton could murmur, and a surgeon
hurriedly brushed before him and held
a little silver cup to the twitchiDg lips
Of his patient. Mortal, yes" was his
whisper, as the poor lad. exhausted
lay for a moment in a deathlike swoon
Then the stimulant seemed to revive
him a bit. The dark eyes slowly opened
and fixed on Benton's quivering face
Bless you, old boy!"-and every
whisper seemed to come with a gasI
81 heard-I knew--you'd never give
up her letters. Observation-Disclosures?
And here the poor lad seemed drifting
away again. Benton thrust his lefI
a.:n under the fallen head and strovs
10 raise it, while once more the surgeon
placed the cup to the parted lips; and
noting the name, a staff officer turned
quickly and said a word to a waiting
soldier. 1t was another minute before
the swooning lad reopened his eyes
Two other forms had Joined the silen'
group. Benton say nothing but tn,
loved face. Then some one, we'll mean
ing, bent and questioned: you aske,
for Maj. McKinnon. Did you wish t,
speak"
"McKinnon!" whispered Paul
"McKinnon?" and now a shudder seem
ed to seize the wasting form. "Tel