Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-14
Sept. %. 2 P. NJ.
Lieutenant General Longstreet.
Commanding Left 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 26th. Let this su-
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 a quick, persistent at
tack upon your part. You r 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 1t 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. Now
let there be no mistake; repeat 1t over
to your companion as you proceed I'M
til he has memorized 1t, 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 Of be-
ing observed by the enemy's pickets.
Beyond this | must leave all to your
own discretion"
He paused, and | still fingered,
thinking he might have something
more'to add.
Are you n of the Waynes oil
Charlottesville?" be asked gravely.
Colonel Richard Wayne was my
father, sir"
"Ah, indeed! remember him
WE'LL" and his face lit up with a most
tender smile. I'VE were together in
Mexico. A Virginia gentleman of the
old school. He is dead, l believer"
He was killed. sir, the first year
of the war"
81 remember; it was at Antietam
And your mother? II my memory Is
not at fault she was a Pierpont?"
"She is now in Richmond, sir, ant
the old plantation is but a ruin"
"War is indeed sad" he said slow
ly; and l often feel that our southern
women are compelled to bear thu
brunt of 1t. What heroines they hav'
proven! History records no equa
to the daily sacrifices have witnessed
in the past three years. God grant II
may be soon ended"
Then, as If suddenly moved by the
impulse of the moment, he again ex
tended his hand.
well, lad" he said kindly, the same
grave smile lighting his face, 'our
country needs us. We must not
waste time here in conversation. | am
very glad to have been permitted to
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 a
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 Of
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 a
his horses head.
Sergeant" he said-and | wal
struck by the incisive military tom
of his voice, SO different from the gen
tleness shown w%ithin-"I am informed
that you are intimately acquainted
with the roads to the westward"
Every bridle-path, sir. either b.
night or day"
Then possibly you can inform m
whether the Big Hickory is fordabl
! at Deer Gap"
mot for infantry at high watel
, sir; but there Is another ford tw
miles north where it is W. owe
: waist Deep"
: That would be at Brixton's mill?
mo, sir; the other way"
Lee smiled, and rested his hand a
most ~caressingly on the trooper
. knee.
You are a valuable man for us I
risk on such a ride" he said kindl,
s But | desire you to understand, Sc
geant, how deeply | value the servic
Il you are about to render. and that
shall never permit 1t to be torgotte
' or go unrewarded, And now, goo
night, sergeant; goodnight, Capital
Wayne"
AS we turned into the main roa
riding slowly, | glanced backwar
The general was yet standing the
(" In front Of his tent, gazing after u
the rays Of the westering sun CLEAR
d ing on his gray hair.
10 CHAPTER n.