The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-10-19
Sept. 23, Q P. M.
Lieutenant General Longstreet,
ss(Nn1,1 m . n dincr off Ming

commanding Lett wing.
Sir: You will advance your entire
force by the Connection and Sheffield
pixies. SO as to reach Castle Rock with
your full infantry command by day.
break, September goth. Let this SUI
persede all other orders. propose to
attack in force in the neighborhood OF
Sailors ford. and shall expect you TO
advance promptly at the first sound
of our artillery. 1t is absolutely essen
tial that we form prompt connection
of forces, and to accomplish this re-
suit will require quick, persistent at
tack upon your part. You are hereby
ordered to throw your troops forward
without reserve, permitting them to
be halted by no obstacle, until they
come into actual touch with my col
umns The success or failure of my
plans will depend utterly upon your
strict observance of these orders,
"R. E. LEE,
General Commanding"
handed back the paper, and lifted
my hand in salute.
You have memorized it,"
Word for word. sir"
Repeat it to me-"
He held the paper before him as
did so, and at the close lifted his eyes
again to my face.
Very good" he said, quietly. Nov
let there be no mistake; repeat 1t over
to your companion as you proceed I'M
til he has memorized it, and one OF
you must live long enough to reach
! Longstreet. advise you to take the
Langley road-it is the most pro
tected, and not try to pass beyond
the old Coulter plantation until after
dark, or you will run the risk CT pc
ing observed by the enemy's pickets
Beyond this | must leave all to you'll
own discretion"
He paused, and still fingered
thinking he might have something
| more to add.
Are you one of the Waynes o.
| Charlottesville? he asked gravely.
Colonel Richard Wayne was m,
father. sir"
"Ah, indeed! remember hin
well;:" and his face lit up with mos
tender smile. 1--WE were together IL
| Mexico. A Virginia gentleman of the
old school. He is dead. believer"
HE was killed. sir. the first yeal
| of the war;
Il remember; it was at Antietam
And your mother? If my memory Is
not at fault she was Pierpont?'
"She is now in Richmond, sir, and
the old plantation is but ruin"
WAR is indeed sad" he said slow
ly; land often feel that our southern
women are compelled to bear the
brunt of it. What heroines they have
proven! History records no equal
to the daily sacrifices have witnessed
in the past three years. God grant Il
may be soon ended"
Then, as if suddenly moved by the
| impulse of the moment. he again ex
| tended his hand.
well, lad" be said kindly, the same
grave, smile lighting his face, ''oul
country needs us. We must not
waste time here in conversation. am
very glad to have been permitted tc
meet the son of my old friend. and
trust you will remember me to your
mother But now goodby, captain. and
may he in whose hand we all are
guide and guard you. | know that q
Wayne of Virginia will always do his
duty"
Bareheaded and with proudly swell
ing heart backed out of the tent as
| might have left the throne room oil
an emperor, but as | grasped the reins
and swung up into the saddle, be
came conscious that he had followed
me- Craig flung up his hand in quick
soldierly salute, and then, with a sin
gle rapid stride. the general stood al
his horses head.
Sergeant" he said-and was
| struck by the incisive military tone
of his voice, so different from the gen
tleness shown within--"I am informed
that you are intimately acquainted
with the roads to the westward"
Every bridle-path. sir. either b
night or day"
4
Then possibly you can inform me
whether the Big Hickory is fordable
at Deer Gap"
mot for infantry at high water
sir but there is another ford two
miles north where it is never ovel
waist deep.
THAT would be at Brixton's mill? 2
mo, sir; The other way"
Lee smiled, and rested his hand al
most caressingly on the troopers
knee.
"You are a valuable man for us tx
risk on such ride" he said kindly
But desire you to understand. ser
geant, how deeply value the service
you are about to render. and that
shall never permit 1t to be forgotten
or go unrewarded. And now good
night. sergeant: goodnight. Captain
Wayne"
AS we turned into the main road
riding slowly. glanced backward
The general was yet standing there
in front of his tent. gazing after us
the rays of the westering sun CLEAN
ing on his gray hair.