Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-08-24

IACJ pdSSeO GlOQS, anu Mdrk JuuS0u
at once that there was large force
concentrated there. He was tempted
to turn and retrace his steps. for he
knew already what he was sent to dis
cover. but to get out was more difficult
than to get in, and he was not willing
TO risk an attempt in the daytime, so
he entered the town III which citizen
and soldier were alike asleep, and
till he came to a hotel called the
Crutchteld house. AS he approached
the door opened, and negro boy with
a broom in his hand stood in the open
ing
Can git a room? asked Mark.
mo, sab, not till de proprietor wakes
up"
My little brother is tired; he must
go to sleep at once"
The boys eyes opened wide at dol.
lar bill slipped in his hand. Without
word he took a key from the rack
above desk in the office, and in
few minutes both travellers were safe
~ lodged, with no one but the negro
having seen them enter the town or
the house.
80 far, so good" said Mark. Now
comes the real racket. BY this time to-
morrow morning shall be either safe
across the river again. or | wouldn't
give a Confederate bond for my life"
After a few hours sleep he rose, and
calling Jakey they made toilet and
went down to breakfast. Mark had
purposely neglected to write his name
on the register, and hoped that the
landlord would not notice the omis-
sion. But he did, and the guest entered
his name as Mark Slack, Jasper, Tenn.
After breakfast he took Jakey and
strolled around the town, making pur-
chases. He thought it prudent to get
some of his greenbacks changed for
Confederate bills. He followed the
suggestion Jakey had made at setting
out and bought some calico and tobac-
co and the squirrel gun Jakey had
modestly suggested for himself.
Mark was astonished at the number
of officers and soldiers he saw in the
streets. He found new general in
command, of whom be had not heard
as prominent leader, BraXton Bragg.
He made circuit of the town and an
estimate of the troops, but this was of
little value, for upon the arrival of
trains regiment after regiment marched
into camp. Mark stood on the sidewalk
holding Jakey by the hand, looking at
the Confederates tramping along I'M
der the stars and bars, their bands,
when they had any, which was rare,
playing discordantly Dixie" or 1.-THE
Bonny Blue Flag"
What regiment air tibet 'ar?" asked
Mark of a soldier standing beside him
putting at q rank cigar.
eighth Tennessee"
"Whar they all come from?"
'"Tupelo Come from thar m'self
spell ago"
"Whar y goen?"
only old Bragg knows, and he won't
tell. Reckon we're gOen moth to Knox
vile ter foler tn two brigades ez
went up a spell ago"
"What troops air all these hyar, and
them ez is comen?"
"Waal thar's Cheatham's and With
ers' divisions. and reckon Anderson's.
| saw Gineral Polk today, n they say
Hardee's hyar. I'm in the Twenty
fourth Tennessee m'self. and thets
Cheathams Lays cavalry brigade is
hyar That's all the cavalry | knows
on"
Mark was amazed. A large south
ern force was concentrating at Chatta
nooga, and perhaps they would pour
into Tennessee or Kentucky by one of
the routes pointed out to him by his
general. 1t was Il splendid plan, pro-
vided the general who was to execute
it could keep his enemy from knowing
his intentions long enough to throw
an army on his flank or rear
Then in making circuit of the town
Mark was impressed with the natural
otieuSll VI me pOSllIOu. i1e SdLCO
over the plain eastward, his eyes rest
ing on Missionary ridge. but did not
dream Of the soldiers battle destined
to take place there a year later, when
the men Of the Army of the Cumber
land, disregarding the plans of their
superiors would start from the bottom
of that mountain and defeat an enemy
pouring shot and shell down upon
them from the top
why didn't our generals occupy this
place when they could?" sighed Mark
Now it is too late
While it was evident to Mark that
the enemy were concentrating for a
move against the Union lines. there
was nothing to indicate where they
would strike except the mention of the
two brigades as having gone to Knox
vile. He knew that they might strike
any one of several points from Battle
Creek to Knoxville, and eagerly sought
for some indication where it would be
He strolled about with Jakey all the
afternoon. the two sufficiently resem-
bling country pumpkins to avoid sus-
TaT6 Do SCI n I'M CT n