Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-09-13
Private
BanCrOft'S
Foray
A STORY FOR MEMORIAL
DAY
BY Captain F. A. mitchell

eco
One morning in 1868 Jim Bancroft,
private In the -th New York volun-
teer infantry, was one OF q long line
Of pickets In Virginia. 1t was the
month Of April, but in that climate the
spring was well advanced. The pick
cts stood 100 yards apart, the ground
sloplng before them, the sun shining
on fields Of grain of variegated green,
just starting from the soil. Here and
there was farmhouse. smoke curling
from the chimney. Through the land
scape white turnpike ran southwark,
but there was no travel on 1t except
here and there a darby driving a
mule cart. No enemy was In sight,
but beyond the slope on ridge edged
with timber doubtless men In gray,
which, being realistically interpreted,
means butternut, were looking to the
northward.
Nevertheless the balmy air, the birds
twlttering in the trees, the patches Of
rising grain and the warm sunshine
gave peaceful hue to the landscape
and seemed to invite the picket for
stroll. Moreover, Jim, having had
nothing to eat for some time except
salt pork and bareback, an occasional
crow or cackles from barnyard be-
low suggested fried chicken and fresh
eggs.
"Hl, you man on my right" called
Jim, '1f you'll cover some Of the dis
lance between you and the man on
my left so that 1 won't be missed I'll
make raid on that barnyard down
there and divide the plumber with you
and him"
"All right" replied the man address
ed, or rather the boy, for most Of
those who went out In 1861 were boys.
"Tm with you, but II you're caught Off
post you'll get shot for desertlon."
Jim hesltated at this, but he was
young, and the young are reckless.
Besides, n cackle of a hen that had
just laid an egg decided him in favor
of fresh food against q shooting for
desertlon. He made the proposition
to the man on his left. Ills two flank
ing plckets moved nearer together, and
Jim. putting his rife in the hollow Of
his arm, started through the long grass
and stubble down the decllvity.
The house seemed to be very quiet.
But for the smoke emerging from the
chimney Jim might have considered
that its occupants had left It, He was
10 NH hu 10 might
circle around under cover and make an
assault on the chicken house when a
human being appeared on the scene.
A girl about seventeen years old came
out Of a back door and threw the ref
use OF the mornings meal to the chick
ems She was not dark complexioned,
like most southern girls, but fair, with
a rose In each cheek. Her hair was
cut square just about her shoulders,
and her dress extended no farther than
the tops of her boots.
There was one thing during wartime
that had more powerful effect on n
soldier boy than food delicacies. Aft
err he marched away from home In
sight OF 1uttering handkerchlefs no
struck very different scene. The
ceremonies Of military life remained,
but there was none to admire. He saw
men, men. nothing but men, and they
were all soldiers. If there were WON
en- In the country through which he
campaigned they we're hostile to him
and kept out Of his way. As to look
ing on at his dress parades and guard
mOuntings. they scorned to do 30
Therefore the most welcome sight TO
soldier boy Of the civil war was pref
~ girl.
jim had no occasion to be afraid OF
any one about the place, for there were
likely 10 be only citizens there, and he
was armed At any rate, throwing
caution 70 the winds. he suddenly ap'
peared TO the girl with one leg over the
top rail- OF fence inclOslng the yard.
She saw him and started.
Morning" said Jim in as soft a
voice as he could command.
The girl bit her lip and put her hand
to her breast. signs that she was en-
deavorlng TO control her fright
MAY ] come DOWN. I'd like 10 buy
a chicken aud some eggs" Jim added.
The request, though 1t came from a
terrible Yankee with rife, was reas-
surfing. She plucked up courage.
II don't mind" was her shrinking
reply.
Jim swung the other leg over the
fence and went down into the barn
yard. The girl tried hard to keep her
eyes on him and 10 keep them on him,
the first because she didn't wish TO
show an interest In him, the second
because she had not entirely recovered
from her fear Of him. Jim never for
a moment took his eyes away from
her, and they were brlmful OF admi-
rntion. by the time he stood before
her and dropped tho butt OF his rife
On the ground she realized that 1t was
she aud not the young soldier who
was all powerful.
And what was the predominant
thought that occupied Jim's bralni
Not that he might be taken In by Con
federntes. not that II caught Off his
post he might be shot by his own
comrades. Neither OF these consldera
lions was a feathers weight against
what possessed him. Ho looked on
that innocent feminine face, those del
icately curved lips, and craved kiss
There was no more impurlty In his
4. a.