Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER !.
A Dispatch for Lonastrees.

OOdIu, us seat q DOA, mdu5 bOlleI W
a folded blanket. His only compan-
ions were two aides. standing silent
beside the closed entrance, anxious
to anticipate his slightest need.
He will abide in my memory for
ever as | saw him then-although we
were destined to meet often after
wards-that old gray hero, whose mas
terly strategy held at bay for SO long
those mighty forces hurled on our con-
stantly thinning lines of defense. To
me the history of war has never con-
tanned his equal, and while | live
shall love and revere him as | can love
sind revere no other man.
General Lee" said one of the aides,
as | passed the single sentry and
drew aside the flap to step within,
this is Captain Wayne"
He deliberately pushed away the
mass of papers which had been en-
gaging him. and for an embarrassing
moment fixed upon me a glance that
seemed to read me through and
through. Then, with simple dignity.
far more impressive than | a pic
ture it in words, he arose slowly and
extended his hand. -.
Captain Wayne" he said gravely,
yet retaining his grasp, and with his
eyes full upon mine. you are a much
younger man than | expected to see,
yet | have selected you upon the spe-
cial recommendation of your brigade
commander for services of the utmost
importance. certainly do not hold
your youth to be against your sue
cess, but | feel unwilling to order you
to the performance Of this duty,
which. besides being beyond the regu-
lar requirements of the service. in
wolves unusual risks"
Without inquiring its nature" l
said, hastily, II freely offer myself a
volunteer for any service which may
be required either by the army or
yourself"
The kindly face frightened instant
ly, almost into a smile, and a new
look of confidence swept into the keen
gray eyes,
IL felt, even as | spoke" he said,
with a dignified courtesy | have never
marked in any one else, that | must
be doing wrong to question the will
ingness of an officer of your regiment,
Captain Wayne, to make personal sac
Eifice. From u first day of battle
until now the south has never once
called upon them in vain. You are
from the ranks, believer"
81 was a corporal at Manassas"
"Ah! then you Fave won your grade
by hard service. You take with you
one MANI" a ..s...
Sergeant Craig Of my troop, sir, a
good soldier, who knows the country
well"
He lowered his eyes to the numer-
GUS papers littering the table, and
then, leaning over, traced lightly with
a colored pencil a line across an out.
spread map.
"You speak of his knowing the coun-
try we'll; are you aware, then, of your
destinations"
81 merely inferred from what Col
onel Carter said that 1t was your de-
sire to reestablish communication
with General Longstreet."
THAT is true; but do you know
where Longstreet ISL"
only that we of the line suppose
him to be somewhere west of the
mountains, sir. 1t is camp gossip that
his present base of supplies is al
Minersville."
Your conjecture is partly correct
although | have more reason to be-
Iieve that the head Of his column has
reached Bear Fork, or will by tomor
row morning. Kindly step this way
Captain Wayne, and make note Of the
blue lines | have traced across this
map. Here, you will observe, is Mi
nersville, directly beyond the high
ridge. You will notice that the Fed
eral lines extend north and south di
rectly between us, with their heavier
bodies Of infantry along the Wharton
pike, and SO disposed as to shut of
all communication between us and gu
left wing. Now, the message | mus
get into Longstreet's hands Is impera
tive; indeed. | will say to you, tn
very safety of this army depends VI
on Its reaching him before his ad
vance passes Bear Fork. There re
mains, therefore, no time for any Ion
detour; the messenger who bears
must take his life in his hands an
ride straight westward through tn
very lines of the enemy"
He spoke these words rapidly
earnestly; then suddenly ne lifted hi
eyes to mine, and said firmly: "a al
perfectly frank with you. Are 20
the MANI"
| felt the lot blood leap into m
face. but ! met his stern gaze withor
ninchlng.
IF | live, General Lee, | shaIl NEE
his advance at Bear Fork by da,
break"
God guide you: | believe you will
His words seemed uttered uncoi
sciously. He turned slightly. ar
glanced toward the door. "Majt
Holmes, will you kindly hand me Il
draft Of that d%ispatch?"
He took the paper from the on
stretched hand Of the aide. read
over slowly and with great car
wrote a word Of explanation upon Il
margin, and then extended 1t to me.
Commit that to memory. word
word, to your memory; we must n
no possible risk Of Its ever falling In
the enemy's hands"
can sce 1t now, that coarse yelic
papeT-the clear, upright penmanshi
the words hero and there misused a.
corrected, the sentence scratched o.
the heavy undermining OF q commar
FrN axA MA ~we~ A~A~ar A-1w Aa1tn~x. - 49,.