The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-10-19
CHAPTER l.
A Dispatch for Lonestreet.


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
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-
gaging him, and for an embarrassing
moment fixed upon me glance that
seemed to read me through and
through. Then, with simple dignity
Tar more impressive than can 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" |
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
ly, almost into smile, and new
look of confidence swept into the keen
gray eyes.
81 felt, even as spoke" he said.
with 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
rifice 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 q corporal at Manassas.
"Ah! then you have won your grade
nv hard service. You take with you
one man?"
Sergeant Craig of my troop, sir, a
good soldier. who knows the country
we'll" s5
He lowered his eyes to the numer-
Gus papers littering the table, and
then. leaning over, traced lightly with
a colored pencil line across an out
spread map.
"You speak of his knowing the coun-
try we'll; are you aware. then. of your
destination"
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
Minersville
Your conjecture is partly correct.
although | have more reason to be-
lieve that the head of his column has
= ri .vry{11 nv, frr,
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 Oh
rectly between u.s. with their heavier
bodies of infantry along thesAWharton
pike. and so disposed as to shut on
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
on its reaching him before his adj
vance passes Bear Fork. There re-
mains, therefore. no time for any long
detour; 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 yoli. Are you
the man?"
felt the hot blood leap into my
face. but met his stern gaze without
finching
IF / live. General Lee, shall meet
his advance at Bear Fork by day
break"
God guide you; believe you will.
His words seemed uttered uncon
sciously. He turned slightly. AMI
glanced toward the door. "Majcs!
Holmes, will you kindly hand me tn.
draft Of that dispatch?"
He took the paper from the out
stretched hand Of the aide, read II
over slowly and with great care
wrote a word of explanation upon the
margin. and then extended it to me.
Commit that to memory. word By
word, to your memory; we must rur
no possible risk of its ever falling into
the enemy's hands.
can see it now, that coarse yellow
paper-the clear. upright penmanship
the words here and there misused anc
corrected. the sentence scratched out
the heavy undermining of a command
and his own strangely delicate sigma