Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-06-22

( See gin II wis d lue .
fires what kept me back more'n the
pickets. fer thar wasn't place but
what was lit up. Thar was sure some
sorter movement goin- on thar. but
couldn't make head ner tail TO it 'cept
marchin' west"
Then RoSecrans spoke.
This looks decidedly serious TO me.
gentlemen. and I feel sufficient faith
in Sergeant Kings report TO act imme-
diately upon IL If il he true that
Johnston is massing against our right
and has left the ford at Coulter's un
guarded. this offers us an opportunity
for countermarch if we only move
swiftly enough. Hand me the maps,
ma jor.
Il am fully aware of the danger in
volved in dividing our force in the
presence of the enemy. he said at last.
lifting his eyes to the faces anXiously
watching him. hut TO my mind the
peril will be even greater If we per
NIT the enemy 10 carry out their pres
emit plans unchecked If at this juno
ture we can only strike unexpectedly
in their rear we shall win The aid
of surprise will be with US. and it is
worth much to an army just TO feel
that they are on the aggressive. Smiley,
ride To McGirth and Williams; tell
them to mass their brigades opposite
NinerSville and to hold the ford at all
cost: explain the situation TO them
fully. Wyatt. have Colts brigade sta
TONED IN reserve in the hills back of
the town. Now. Parker. Seaman. Just
and Shea. start the remainder of our
troops on forced march 10 Coulter's
ford Let there he no delay. not even
to cook ration< Wilson will move first
with the cavalry. to he immedia tely
followed by Sheridan's brigade These
will proceed by the river road. while
the others will follow the ridge as rap
idly as they can he made ready. Fur
Their orders will reach them at Coul-
ter's- That is all. gentlemen"
Rosecrans, the major. the scout Dan
iels and myself were left alone in the
room. The generals glance fell upon
me.
DO you need rest, sergeant?'
mo. sir
"Glad Of that. as I require your serv-
ices. There is no battery | can assign
you TO at present. but l judge from
your story that you ride well and you
should know the country thoroughly
between the Landing and Salter's
creek. am going TO appoint you
temporarily on my staff with the rank
of lieutenant and place you in COM
mand of the advance scouts. Major.
see that Lieutenant King is furnished
with a suitable uniform and a good
horse and that be and his command
get away at once"
Twenty minutes later l was gallop-
ing down the river road with an odd
following al my heels.
There were twenty all told. exceP-
tionaIIE well mounted, 1 observed at a
glance There was. to be sure. a sem
blance or uniform. but exhibiting
marks of rough service. and represent
alive of every department. so that no
two men appeared similarly attred
They had sturdy and resolute fighting
appearance that pleased me- Perhaps
a dozen were Enthusiastically OF the
mountain white type-Caunt. unShav-
en-. slow of speech. their keen. restless
eyes searching every covert for Il pos
sible enemy in ambush The others
We're mostly young. reckless looking
fellows. picked from the ranks of va
rious organizations because too rest
less for the discipline OF regular COM
retained in command and thus given
opportunity to test their metue.
Daniels" 1 said. drawing back my
horse till 1 rode beside him. this looks
an odd command given me. What are
they-enlisted men?'
Some OF EN- are" he answered
slowly. shifting his eyes over the rab-
bic behind. but Their mountain men
mostly are jus volunteer scouts. pick
ed up yere in Their deeStrlct cause they
know their way round | reckon may
be it's a tough Iookin outfit from so
jerin pint a view. but thar's some
dern good scouts a-ridin' thar benin
yer. That yalIer headed teller thar has
been mostly my partner lately. He's
Irish. name Con O'Brien: deserted
twice from ther Ninth Illinois cavalry
but since they put him scoutin thar
amt no job too blame hard fer him ter
Tickle. ! tell We. ieftanant. scouts is
born. not made"
How long nave you been at it,"
.'Oh. mostly since the war begun
started in with Buell. in Kentucky"
You came from up there?N
He looked ut me almost SuspiciouSly
Then his eyes shifted to the scene in
front.
81 reckon l was born bout ten mile
FROM yere. over yonder on Their east
ridge" His eyes narrowed. a new
light visible within their depths 1T
was jiSf ter git back we're with SIGH
an outfit AZ rhiS yere ahind me tibet
made me a sojer." be acknowledged
slowly II cot some nriv.lta WORT, TOR