The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-09-26

lorlnlnnL.l

ioriglnail
Among tho generals OF the civil war
there were those who had received
military education and those who won
their promotion from n natural fitness
for command and politicians. General
Hunklns belonged 10 tho latter class.
From bls point Of view tho war was q
sort OF preliminary political contest
among certain men ~ to which should
eventually return TO their homes with
sufficient eclat to be nominated for
some fat office. Having during the
early formation OF the army been as
signed the command OF division, he
nrst turned his attention to keeping In
due bubjection all interiors who might
dim his own luster by distinguishing
themselves. Tho man he most dreaded
was young Colonel Reckling, who had
entered the army from civil life, but q
restless, pushing, dashlng fellow and q
born soldier.
Two armies were confronting each
other. Hunkins' division was on tho
right. Colonel Iieckllng's brigade on tho
extreme tip. The enemy resolved to
turn the Union right flank and hurled a
whole division against Recklings bri-
gade. Iieckling held his position long
enough for Hunkins to send him re-en.
forcements, but Hnnkins did nothing
OF tho kind He watched the lighting
from an eminence and saw the rem
nant Of Reckling's brigade driven like
dust before q hurricane, The Union
army fell back to n stronger position.
When quiet was restored Hunkins rode
up to Reckling and reprimanded him
for not holding his position, implying
cowardIce.
There ID little or no redress In the ar
my against such an Itnputation by a
superior officer. certainly not In face
Of nm enemy. One morning shortly
after daylight Colonel Reckling rode
up TO his commanders headquarters
and, rousing the general, said:
4 think the enepy Is meditatipg an
Important move. II you will ride out
with me to the picket line I'll show you
what I mean"
Hunkins proposed to send his chief
OF stan. bat Reckling insisted that he
should zoe for himself So the gen.
eral called his escort. and the two off
GERS rode to the picket line.
eve must go farther" said Reckllng.
I'll would suggest that the escort re.
main here 30 as not to draw the fire."
But said the general. showing ex-
tremc reluctance to go on.
"Goneralr' exclaimed Reckling In
feIgned surprise.
The general dare not refuse with
twenty cavalrymen looking on. He
rode with his inferior few hundred
yards to low fence. over which Reck-
ling jumped his horse. Hunkins, know
ing the eyes OF the escort were upon
him. dare not refuse to follow. He
was about TO protest against this ap-
proach to the enemy's rides as unnec-
essary exposure when be noticed curl
on Reckling's lip. He saw the latter's
design, but he must either follow or
lose that respect OF his men which was
necessary 10 command. Trembling.
he rode on.
A mimic bullet sang between the
two men. The general ducked. An
other and another. The colonel push
ed on, the general few PAGES behind
him. More struggling shots.
II see no change In the situation"
said the general. LET us 60 back"
'Not here" said Reckling; mot here.
Farther to their left. think they are
massing a force on our right, Just as
they did the other day. They can't get
at us on our left for the river and the
hill where we have thrown up the
earthworks
But we are not going to our right.
We're going straight toward their right
center"
wen turn presently.
''How much farther have we to goi"
asked the general In few moments.
I'VE must ride along In front Of their
line till we reach that wood on our
left, ,,,,.,,. . ,,.-.,x,..,.,
"Come on" said the colonel.
Putting spurs to his horse, Reckling
started straight toward the enemy's
lines. At the same moment storm of
bullets whIstled by the two men. Hun
klns could not stand the test. He
turned and rode back as fast as his
horse could carry him.
Bravery wins respect even from an
enemy, The Confedcrates, wondering,
watched Rcckling coming, Presently
he turned and rode slowly along the
front of their line, Not a shot was
fred. 1t was an eighth Of mile to
cover, and as the soldier passed over
the distance and entered the wood
cheer went up from the Union soldiers
and the Confederates, who We're too
admlrlng to shoot so gallant man.
When the general Joined his escort
he knew that his military career had
ended, But his aptitude for different
field saved him In that field He sent
home one Of his henchmen, who was