The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-01
CHAPTER I.
: NO MANS LAND.

l. AAO&9ANSp
eighteen hundred and sixty-two.
Corinth had been evacuated more
4 than two months before. The ar
my Of the Ohio had moved east
ward into northern Alabama. The
president and eminent Union generals
were anxious as to east Tennessee,
where, it was rumored, the Confeder-
Sates we're preparing for some new
move.
High in the Cumberland mountains a
soldier in the blue and yellow uniform
of a private of cavalry sat on his
horse looking down on the valleys OF
the SeQuatchie and the Tennessee. a
carbine was slung over his shoulder;
a Colts revolver was at his hip. He
was long and 1.-THE and graceful. About
him was an air Of refinement seldom
found under a private's uniform ex-
cept during that war which called out
men from all classes. both in the
north and in the south. His hair was
light, his blue eye was restless and
denoted its possessor- to be man OF
great mental and physical activity.
As the soldier gazed down upon the
Expansive view different expressions
fitted across his face. At one moment
there was a serious look. such as men
wear on the eve Of battle; at another
shrinking expression; then q dreamy
<one. He saw territory that lay beyond
the Union lines. He wondered what
warlike scenes were hidden down there
within the blending Of rocks and rivers
and undulations. lying calm and sweet
before him that summer afternoon.
Were clusters Of white tents there?
Were brigades. divisions. army corps
marching?
Now he thought he could hear dis
tant creaking Of caissons and gun car
riages. But he knew this could not be.
If they were there. they were too far
to be heard. The sounds never became
real. The young mans fancies were
always broken By the actual rustic OF
the leaves or some sound from the
furred or feathered inha bitants of the
mountains.
Then a scene he had passed through
the previous evening came up before
him.
He stood in the presence Of general
of division-the finest specimen Of phys
ical splendor Of all the generals Of the
Union army-one who was year later
to achieve the title of the Rock OF
Chickamauga." The general was speak
ing while his subordinate was listen
4nc respectfully and attentively.
~ apE ordered by the department
commander to find out what is going
on at Chattanooga. Our reconnoiter-
ing parties have thus far brought US
nothing except that there is no enemy
very near. We are liable TO be f1anked
and cut of from east Tennessee. See
herer' He turned to map spread
out on a pine table. Here is Chatta-
nooga; here the Sequatchie valley; up
here to the north is Knoxville, held
by General Kirby Smith for the Con-
federates- Here is Cumberland gap.
Il the emery is concentrating at Chat
tanooga. be may not only hold 1t
against a greatly superior force, but
can march right along here"-he traced
the route with his Enger-'form a
juncture with General Smith at Knox
Vile, and into Kentucky. Louisville
and Cincinnati will be in danger. For
rest and Morgan are hammering at
our communications; we get reports Of
immense forces of the enemy at Knox
vile; everything points to this or some
similar plan Of campaign On the part
of the Confederates. If so. they must
be concentrating at Chattanooga as a
point of rendezvous"
The general paused; then looking the
soldier in the eye said impressively:
You are the only man to whom l
can. intrust so important e mission. |
can't order you. as you know. beyond
our lines, except in uniform. Go as
Far as you dare as soldier: | leave
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