Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-10-05
CHAPTER I.
a Dispatch for Lonastreet.


board, his seat a box, made softer by
= 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 although we
We're destined to meet often after
wards-that old gray hero, whose mas.
terly strategy held at bay for SO long
1nose 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 l
shall love and revere him as can love
and 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-
,geging him, and for an embarrassing
moment fixed upon me a glance that
seemed to read me through and
through. Then, with simple dignity,
Tar more impressive than / can pic
lture 1t In words, he arose slowly and
attended his hand.
Captain Wayne" he said gravely,
yet retaining his grasp. and with his
ayes full upon mine. you are a much
younger man than expected to see,
yet 1 have selected you upon the spe-
cial recommendation of your brigade
commander for services of the utmost
Importance. I certainly do not hold
your youth to be against your sue
oess, but | feel unwilling to order you
TO the performance Of this duty.
which, besides being beyond the regu-
liar requirements of the service, In
wolves unusual risks
Without inquiring its nature" l
said, hastily. Il freely offer myself a
volunteer for any service which may
be required either by the army or
yourself"
The kindly face frightened Instant
~, almost into smile, and a new
look Of confidence swept into the keen
gray eyes.
1 felt. even as l spoke" he said,
with dignif1ed 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
lrifice. From our first day of battle
until now the. south has never once
called upon them in vain. You are
from the ranks, believer"
Il was corporal at Manassas"
"Ah! then you have won your grade
iby hard service. You take with you
one MANI"
Sergeant Craig of my troop, sir, a
good soldier, who knows the country
we'll"
He lowered his eyes to the numer-
GUS papers littering the table, and
then, leaning over, traced lightly with
p colored pencil line across an out
spread map.
You speak of his knowing the coun-
try well; are you aware. then, of your
destinations"
Il merely inferred from what Col
onel Carter said that it was your de-
sire to reestablish communication
with General Longstreet."
THAT is true; but do you know
where Longstreet is?"
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 at
IMinersville
sYour conjecture is partly correct.
although have more reason to be-
Eieve 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
Enersyille, directly beyond the high
ridge. You will notice that the Fed
seral lines extend north and south d.
rectly between us, with their heavier
bodies of infantry along the Wharton
pike, and so disposed as to shut Off
all communication between us and our
left wing. Now, the message must
get into Longstreet's hands is impera-
tive; indeed, will say to you, the
very safety of this army depends up
ION It's reaching him before his adj
vance passes Bear Fork There re-
mains. therefore, no time for any long
Idetour; the messenger who bears 1t
must take his life in his hands and
ride straight westward through the
very lines Of the enemy
He spoke these words rapidly,
Earnestly; then suddenly he lifted his
eyes to mine, and said firmly: Il am
perfectly frank with you. Are you
the MANI"
4 / felt the hot blood leap into my
face, but met his stern gaze without
tlinching,
"If l live, General Lee, shall meet
his advance at Bear Fork by day.
break"
God guide you; believe you will"
!, His words seemed uttered uncon-
isciously He turned slightly. and
glanced toward the door. Major
Holmes, will you kindly hand me the
draft of that dispatch?"