The Cairo bulletin., 1909-04-26

|
With the death OF the lieutenant
the command devolved upon his first
sergeant, man we'll advanced in
years, who worshiped the very ground
upon which his lieutenant walked. II
seemed only natural, then. when de.
seribing the death of his favorite Off
GER before the members of my STAFF,
That at times his voice would fail him.
and tears dim his eyes.
" 1T was just the day after we left
he said, standing, attentive, that we
came upon their deserted camp. From
signs we knew that they did not have
| much OF the start of us, and by noon
| We had located them. They had
taken position among a lot of rocks.
and evidently intended to fight. The
| lieutenant called the second sergeant
and myself aside, and said: "rhe only
way 10 get those rascas out is to
charge them. | shall lead. Follow me
Continue the pursuit until every one
Is taken-alive, if possible," We
wheeled into line. but before we were
fairly ready, he gave the word. and.
Putting the spurs into his horse.
bounded away far III the lead. We
went after him as fast as possible but
he distanced us, and was far in adj
vance when they opened fire. They
hacd only about six shots in all. and
saw hlm discharge his revolver twice
IN return, and then fall from the sad.
de. When we reached him he was
dead, shot through the heart. stopped
10 make The examination, while the
boys continued the pursuit, as ordered
Fly captured four, wounding one
When the men returned | sent a pri-
Yate to report the engagement and re.
quest the ambulance.
That was a gloomy afternoon. and
rs l sat alone in my Office looking
oIer the official report written by my
clerk and handed me for correction
ana signature, must acknowledge
ihat dwelt uron the death of my Of
lcer with feelings OF the deepest SOY
row. ! forgot his failings of the past
year, and thought only of the bright |
young fellow whose life had promised |
so much. 1t is no wonder that wrote |
after the closing lines of the report, |
An officer who was an honor to the |
service, and died a soldiers death in |
the performance of his duty
Just as | took up my pen prepare
tory TO signing the document. my or
deHly entered and announced that
SerSt, Hooper desired to see me
Hooper was the sergeant who had
made the report of the lierenants
!eath, and thinking that he might have
some favor to ask, | ordered that he
Je shown in. He appeared, carrying
lnGer his arm bundle wrapaed in an
I'D newspaper.
know ! should report to the Off.
FER of the day, he said. but what
ave to say is something about the
leetenaht'a death, and think should |
ell It to you alone
Something you have omitted from
our Eepart? asked, and my voice
must nave sounded rather stern. For
Q Withhold facts in such a case was a
rave ufi6nse.
Yes, sir. But what did not relate
ofore your staff | intended to tell
on and the same tremor was notice
bic In his voice as when he reported
ne death. The facts of, the fight are
Ast as | related them. When | bent {
Fof the lieutenant he was dead. | s
'ok on his coat, and when the bows I
etnrned We wrapped the standard t
bout him, and went into camp TO C
wan the ambulance. The coat have n
ere and he undld. the string of the Il
mdle he carried under his arm. II r
the only evidence | withheld from p
y report e
He untolded the coat. and held It II
without word. As | took II from | a
I'm, turning it this way and that. to Sc
1t the liSht upon ii. something fell | d
ON the inner left-hand pocket to the | la
)or. Very reverently the sergeant | a
ooped and gathered up-what? Sim. al
y delicate gold rim, few scraps Of OF
cou-stained velvet, and what seemed | o'
fragments of the miniature por. Ia
ait OF a woman. painted upon porce. l(
in Yet though shattered beyond bl
cocnition. l think that as we viewed tn
silently. neither of y doubted whose IN
etGre, worn to the last over the &C
ing officers heart, had been de- -
royed by the bullet that took his life.
"icplaCue the remains of the nor.
lt held MP the coat so that could
g The hole through which the bullet
d gone. The blood had long since
!nI, leaving its stain, but that was
I all-the cloth was badly burned
The garment slipped from my
rYeiesG grasp as hundred thoughts
she'd through my mind, and Selling
'opor by the shoulders | cried:
Your report, You PAID no one was
ar him
I told the truth SIR he replied.
4 his head was bowed for the first
re.
My Godn l breathed, you don't
an
There were tears in his eyes as he
WY replied: Yes, sir; the lie1ten.
shot himself
1t must have been some hours later