The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-04
Walr Story
A lSifeieah Anniversary
By RANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY A. C MedURG ss CO

could no longer ride. and, to the best of my Knowledge. there was no one at Fairview who could be trusted to de part westward. with any message of warning. to the Confederate command er- I intended following the east road at least as far as the ford at Coulter's Landing. Once safely beyond the river could soon find my way into the pro- tection of the Federal lines. Her face was constantly before me as leaned forward striving to peer into the shadows ahead. Frank. truth ful. outspoken. warm hearted. she had made an impression upon me not easi- ly forgotten. And this young woman was legally my wife! Somehow the thought sent the hot blood of youth rioting through my veins. Of course the relationship was no more than a mere name. 1t was, as well knew, a: condition achieved by fraud and despicable deceit. yet nevertheless the fact remained that there was now this tie existing between us. And she actually neither hated nor despised ne for what l had done.
 There was nothing whatever at Coulter's to obstruct my progress. Two hours later. still urging the tired steed remorselessly forward. arrived at crossroads and Federal picket.
 So sudden was the unexpected en- counter that barely halted within range of his gun. the startled fellow so convinced the enemy was upon him l expected a shot before could begin explanations. He was soldier of the Forty-second Illinois, Sheridan's di- vision. and after five minutes of con- troversys the boyish looking corporal. who came running forward at the sentry's first call. consented to escort me in person to his regimental head quarters. From the colonel's tent I was very promptly passed beyond to where Sheridan was taking breakfast on the rude porch of log house. sew eral of his staff clustered about him. Here passed through some minutes of rapid questioning and was finally, dispatched westward astride a fresh horse and accompanied by an aid It was slightly after 8 o'clock when we arrived in the presence of Rosecrans. For moment the general scanned the brief note handed him by the aid. Then he looked up. carefully scruti- nizing my face with his quiet gray eyes.
 "What is your nameY"
 "Kiug, sir"
 ~You claim to have been a sergeant m Reynolds battery. understandr'
 '4Yes. sir"
 He turned quickly to an officer at the end of the table
 "Morton. step outside and request Lieutenant McDermott to come here for moment"
 We waited in silence. the general nervously rustling some loose papers about on the tabie before him and whispering short. snappy sentences to a man in majors uniform seated be- side him. Perhaps ten minutes thus elapsed before Morton returned with his man. Rosecrans glanced up inquir- lngly at the latter and then over to- ward me.
 Lieutenant" he said quietly. ''kind- Iy inform us if you have ever seen this man before"
 The officer thus addressed stepped over toward ne. confused by the light as well as the Confederate uniform I wore; then his bronzed face broke into smile. and be extended his hand.
 By heavens. King, but 1 am glad to see you alive and safe again. We had you marked down as killed or miss ing and there are mighty few of us left"
 "He belonged to you. then?" It was the voice of the general breaking in impatiently upon our greeting.
 "This man is Sergeant Ebert King of Reynolds battery. sir" answered McDermott, turning instantly toward him. yet still retaining my hand clasp ed tightly within his own.
 "Very well. Now. Sergeant King. we are prepared to listen to your story"
 told it swiftly, realizing the value of time and inspired by the interest Immediately perceived depicted in the faces clustered about related mere ly what they needed to know from the military viewpoint. leaving out all ref erence to the girl. except to mention that she was the cause of Lieutenant Dunn's night ride.
 You report" said the major. "that the plan. as you understood 1t. was to 1ouble the Confederate right wing to the rear past their center last night: then that during today. and under protection of those bluffs yonder. the center will also be moved to the left. thus massing their entire fighting force just back of Minersville soon after