Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-17

eral Hood, impatiently; for the genera
was baff1ed and still uncertain. All his
life had been passed in active service
yet this was new experience to him.
The search revealed strange things
In the guides haversack were little
packages of prepared coffee and block;
of condensed soup and good store Of
hardtack, which facts the guide pleas.
antly dismissed with the remark thai
tits a poor sort Of Reb that can''
forage on the enemy"
The next discovery had a deeper
meaning. In the lining of his vest
were found the insignia Of a Confed-
crate captain-the three gold bars be-
ing secured to base which had thin
strip of flexible steel running length
wise through it and slightly projecting
at the ends. Further search revealed
minute openings in the collar Of mis-
jacket, and into these openings the de-
vice was readily slipped and firmly
held.
What Is the meaning Of that?" ask
ed General Hood, sternly.
There was an air of boyish diff
dence and a touch Of reproach in the
young mans reply. It's demure humor
was half playful, yet modest and ma
tural, and its effect on the spectators
was mainly ingratiating.
Really, General Hood" he said,
you ask me such embarrassing ques-
tions. But 1 will tell you. 1t was just
this way. Our girls, God bless them,
are as devoted and patriotic as can be,
but you couldn't imagine the difference
they make between a commissioned
officer and a private soldier. In short,
soon saw it was all up with me un-
less could get promotion. Well. what
was / to do? The war department
seemed blind, stone blind, to my mer-
its, and as for my family influence II
was altogether unavailing. So there
was, bandoned-heartlessly abandon
ed-and all for the want Of little gold
lace! Well, as my country would not
promote me, I determined to promote
myself. And tell you the thought was
an inspiration! Yes, indeed; those lit
tie golden bars had magic in tnem'
In a word, or rather three words, i
came, saw, and overcame,' and the
marriage takes place the moment this
cruel war is over I'm sorry you're
not attending to me, General Hood, for
I'm sure that If you would but deign
to grace that occasion with your dis
tinguished presence our cup Of happi-
ness would, indeed, be full"
While General Hood was taking
measures to verify or discredit the
guides story, his staff officers kept
up the questioning. They were soon
confronted by the fact that the guides
linen bore the stamp Of the Federal
supply department.
Suppose you tell us about this?''
suggested Leigh Terrell, Of General
Laws staff.
WELL" replied the guide, that takes
me back to the affair at Cedar Noun
tain. The Yankees shot my horse
there and captured me. Intending to
escape, I slammed sick, and they sent
me to the hospital at Alexandria. OF
course, the first thing was a warm
bath and the next was these clothes,
both of which, assure you, were a
comfort to me-"
Yes, yes" said Major Terrell, but
how did you escape?"
WELL" replied the guide, there
wasn't much discipline about the hos
pital, nor in the town, but the camp
was awfully strict l hobbled around
bit, leaning on stick and taking a
look at things. The night relief,
found, sent in the remoter outposts
with orders to report at evening roll
CALL This gave them the liberty Of the
town for an hour or two, and some OF
them generally took a turn at the sa-
looms before going to camp.
Il had swapped a hospital blanket
for a blue overcoat, and 1 pottere6
around with the boys and joined ir
their choruses and things. was sup
posed to be Yankee convalescent
Their muskets and belts would be
carelessly slowed in the corners of the
barroom, and as a fresh delegation
came in hot and thirsty, all calling fol
drinks at once-I hadn't the least diff.
fculty in picking up a musket and
sauntering off with it. OF course,
waited a moment outside, and listened
so that could make joke Of the mat
ter If any one happened to notice me
But it was all right.
well, l lay low until tattoo ant
| then went in the direction Of the guard.
house. You see there wasn't the ghost
Of chance for escape unless l coulG
get the countersign, so concluded tC
play sentinel and get it that way
open and above board, you know
Presently l slipped into a dark alley
and adjusted my accoutrements, ant
then stalked forth, fully armed, anG
took my post"
Pretty cool, eh?" commented Cap.
/ tain Christian.
Yes, rather So" said the guide; but
you see, had my Yankee overcoat on
After a while there was the meas.
ured tread of troops, marching as if or
| duty
| Halt, Who comes there?' l yell.
ed, bracing myself and bringing m!
| musket to the ready
"'Grand rounds!' was the impressiv,
reply.
| Advance, grand rounds, and Civ,
the countersign!' said l.
1T was drizzling at the time, and 6
portly officer in gum boots and a mack.
intosh reached forward until his CHR
almost touched my bayonet, and said
in stage whisper Lexington
The countersign is correct!'" sale
1: and the procession moved on.
When they were out of sight
moved, too!-but in the other direc'
ton, holding my course for King
street. and intending to take the
mountain road"
What did you do with your mus
| a;ob