Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-02-07

A pIapateh for Lonnntrsnt.

70 autIclpale MS slightest neeu.
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
terry 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
talned his equal, and while live
shall love and revere him as ! can love
aud revere no other man.
General Lee" said one OF the aides.
as I passed tho single sentry and
drew aside the flap 10 step within.
this Ia Captain Wayne"
lie deliberately pushed away the
mas of papers which had been en-
gaglng him. and for an embarrassing
moment fixed upon me a glance that
seemed 10 read me through and
through. Then. with simple dignity.
far more impressive than | can pic
ture II In words. be arose slowly and
extended his hand.
Captain Wayne" he said gravely.
yet retaining his grasp, aud with his
eyes fun 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 inq@rlng its nature"
said. hastily, Il freely offer myself a
volunteer for any service which may
lie required either by the army or
yourself"
The kindly face frightened Instant
y. almost into a smile. and new
look Of confidence swept into the keen
gay eyes.
Il felt, even as | spoke" he said,
with dignihed 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
riflco. From our first day of battle
until now the south has never once
called upon them In vain. You are
from the ranks. believer
u was, a corporal at Manassas"
"Ah! then you have won your grade
BY 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
thea, leaning over. traced lightly with
colored pencil a line across an out
spread map.
You speak of his knowing the coun-
try well; 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. It is camp gossip that
hts present base of supplies is al
Minersville."
Your conjecture is partly correct
although | have more reason TO be
lieve 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
nersvllle, directly beyond the high
ridge. You will notice that the Fed
eral lines, extend north and south di
rectly between us, with their heavier
bodies OF infantry along the Wharton
pike, and so disposed as to shut of
ali communication between US and oul
left wing. Now. the message mus
get into Longstreet's hands is impera
tive; indeed, will say to you, the
very safety of this army depends up
on It's reaching him before his ad
vance passes Bear Fork. There re
mains, therefore, no time for-any Ions
detour; the messenger who bears 4
must take his life In his hands anC
ride straight westward through tbs
very lines Of the enemy"
He spoke these words rapidly
earnestly; then suddenly he lifted nj
eyes Ia mine. aud said firmly; II an
perfectly frank with you. Are yo1
the man3"
felt the hot blood leap into IN.
face, but | met bis stern gaze withou
iinching
III live. General Lee. shall NEE
mis- advance at Bear Fork by day
break"
God guide you; believe you will.
His words seemed uttered uncoI
sciously. He turned slightly, an
glanced toward the door. "Majo
Holmes, will you kindly hand me tn
draft OF that dispatcher"
He took the paper from the GU
stretched hand OF the aide. read
over slowly and with great scare
wrote q word of explanation upon tn
margin. and then extended it to me.
Commit that to memory, word b
w5rd{ - your memory; we must ri
no possible risk of its ever falling int
the enemy's hands"
! can see 1t now. that coarse yello
paper-the clear. upright penmanshi
the words here and there misused an
corrected. the sentence scratched on
the heavy undermining of a comman
and his own strangely delicate sign