Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-12
CHAPTER XIV.
a Nlaht RId. Of III, wounded.

VI CHAPTER XIV.
a Night Ride Of the Wounded.
Il was . wild. rude scene without.
yet In it, way typical Of little-un-
derstood chapter Of Civil War. More.
over It was one with which l was not
entirely unacquainted. Years Of cav.
airy scouting. bearing me beyond the
patrol lines Of the two great armies,
had frequently brought mo into con.
tact with those various Independent,
irregular forces which, cooperating
with ~, often rendered most efficient
service by preying on the scattered
Federal camps and piercing their lines
of communication. Seldom risking an
engagement in the open. their policy
was rather to dash down upon some
outpost or poorly guarded wagon
train. and retreat with a rapidly rem
dering pursuit hopeless. 1t was parti-
san warfare. and appealed to many
ill-adapted to abide the stricter dis
cipliue Of regular service. These Dor
der rangers would rendezvous under
some chosen leader. strike an unex.
pected blow where weakness had been
discovered. then disappear as quickly
as they came, oftentimes scattering
widely until the call went forth for
some fresh assault It was service
not dissimilar to that performed dur
ing the Revolutionary struggle by
Sumter and Marion in the Carolinas.
and added in the aggregate many q
day to the contest Of the Confederacy.
Among these wild, rough riders be-
tween the lines no leader was more
favorably known Of our army, nor
more dreaded by the enemy. than
Mosby. Daring to the point Of reck-
lessness, yet wary as q fox, counting
opposing numbers nothing when
weighed against the advantage Of sur.
prise. tireless in saddle, audacious in
resource, quick to plan and equally
quick to execute. he was always
where least expected. and 1t was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back. Pos.
sessing regular rank in the Confed.
crate Army, making report Of his op-
erations to the commander-in-chief.h his
peculiar talent a. . partisan leader
had won him what vas practically an
independent command. Knowing him
rs l did, was not surprised that he
should now have swept suddenly out
of the black night upon the very verge
Of the battle to drive his Irritating
sting into the hard-earned Federal VIC
tory.
An empty army wagon. the ~. 8.
A." yet conspicuous upon its canvas
cover, had been overturned and fired
In front Of the hospital tent. to give
light to the raiders. Grouped about
beneath the trees, and within the glow
OF the flames. was . picturesque squad
Of horsemen. hardy, tough-looking fell
lows the most Of them, their clothing
an odd mixture of uniforms, but ev.
cry man heavily armed and admirably
equipped for service. Some remained
mounted, lounging carelessly in their
saddles. but far the larger number
were on foot, their bridle-reins wound
about their wrists. All alike appeared
alert and ready Tor any emergency.
How many composed the party was
unable to Judge with accuracy. as they
constantly came and went from out
the shadows beyond the circumference
Of the IRE. As all sounds of firing
had ceased, ! concluded that the work
Planned had been already accom-
plished. Undoubtedly, surprised as
they were, the small Federal force
left to guard this point had been quick.
~ overwhelmed and scattered.
The excitement attendant upon my
release had left me for the time being
utterly forgetful as to the pain or my
wounds, 90 that weakness alone held
mo to the blanket upon which had
been left. The night was decidely
chilly, yet had scarcely begun to
feel its discomfort, when q man strobe
forward from out OF the nearer group
and stood looking down upon me. He
was q young fellow, wearing gray
artillery jacket, with high cavalry
boots coming above the knees. no.
ticed his firmly set jaw, and pearl.
handled revolver stuck carelessly In
his belt, but observed NO symbol Of
rank about him.
''ls this Captain Wayne?" he asked,
uOS uuplcooAuIAy.
I answered BY an inclination Of the
head, and he turned at once toward
the others.
"Cass, bring three men over here,
and carry this officer to the same
wagon you did the Others" he com.
manded briefly. Fix him comfort
Rbly, but be In hurry about It,
They lifted me in tho blanket, ono
holding tightly at either corner, and
bore me tenderly out into the night.
Once one Of them tripped over = pro-
5ecting root, and the sudden jar Of his
stumble shot spasm Of pain through
me, which caused me to cry out even
through my clinched teeth.
Pardon me, lads" painted,
ashamed OF the weakness, "but It
slipped out before could help IT.
Don't be after mentionin' av it,
yer honor" returned . rich brogue.
'.Sure an me feet got so mixed CUP
that wondher I didn't drap We en-
tn.rely"
II ye had, Cheney" said the man
named Cass. grimly, II reckon as how
the Colonel would have drapped you."
AT the foot of narrow ravine, lead
ing forth into the broader valley. we
came to . covered army wagon, to
-hirh %<,,v ,,,uloo hod 1>oop o1r dy, af