Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-03-07


resource, quick to plan and equally
quick to execute, he was always
where least expected, and 1t was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back. Pos
sessing regular rank in the Confed-
crate Army, making report of his op-
erations to the commandments, his
peculiar talent as a partisan leader
had won him what was practically an
independent command, Knowing him
as l did, l was not surprised that he
should now have swept suddenly out
of the black night upon the very verge
of the battle to drive his irritating
sting into the hard-earned Federal vic
tory.
An empty army wagon, the "U. s.
A." yet conspicuous upon its canvas
cover, had been overturned and fired
in front of the hospital tent to give
light to the raiders, Grouped about
beneath the trees. and within the glow
of the flames, was a picturesque squad
Of horsemen, hardy, toughlooking fell
lows the most of them, their clothing
an odd mixture of uniforms, but ev-
cry man heavily armed and admirably
equipped for service. Some remained
mounted, lounging ~carelessly In their
saddles, but far the larger number
were on foot, their bridle-reins wound
about their wrists. All alike appeared
alert and ready for any emergency.
How many composed the party | was
unable to Judge with accuracy, as they
constantly came and went from out
the shadows beyond the circumference
of the fire. AS all sounds of firing
had ceased, l concluded that the work
Planned had been already accom-
pl1shed. Undoubtedly, surprised as
they were, the small Federal force
left to guard this point had been quick.
ly overwhelmed and scattered,
The excitement attendant upon my
release had left me for the time being
utterly forgetful as to the pain OF my
wounds, so that weakness alone held
me to the blanket upon which | had
been left. The night was decidedly
chilly, yet | had scarcely begun to
feel its discomfort, when a man strobe
forward from out of tho nearer group
and stood looking down upon me. He
was a young fellow, wearing a gray
artillery jacket, with high cavalry
boots coming above the knees. | no.
ticed his firmly set jaw, and a pearl
handled revolver stuck carelessly In
his belt. but observed no symbol OF
rank about him.
rs this Captain Wagner" he asked,
not unp~leasantly.
| answered by an inclination Of the
head, and he turned at once toward
the others.
"Cass, bring three men over here,
and carry this officer to the same
wagon you did the Others" he COM
manded briefly. Elk him comfort
ably, but be in a hurry about It"
They lifted me in the blanket, one
holding tightly at either corner. and
bore me tenderly out into the night.
Once one Of them tripped over a pro-
jecting root, and the sudden Jar of his
stumble shot a spasm of pain through
me, which caused me to cry out even
through my clinched teeth.
Pardon me. lads" painted,
ashamed Of the weakness, but it
slipped out before / could help it."
Don't be after a mentionin' av It,
yer honor" returned a rich brogue.
Sure an me feet got SO mixed CUP
that I wondher I didn't drap We en-
toirely."
IF ye had, Cheney" said the man
named Cass, grimly. II reckon as how
the Colonel would have drapped you"
At the foot Of a narrow %ravine, lead.
ing forth into the broader valley, we
came to a covered army wagon. to
which four mules had been already at
tached. The canvas was drawn aside.
and I was lifted up and carefully de.
posted in the hay that thickly covered
the bottom. 1t was SO intensely dark
within l could see nothing Of my i'm.
mediate surroundings, but a low moan
told me there must be at least one
other wounded man present. Outside
| heard the tread Of horses hoofs. and
then the sound Of Mosby's voice.
Jake" he said. drive rapidly, but
with as much car as possible. Take
the lower road after you cross the
bridge, and you will meet with no pa
trolls. We will ride beside you for .
couple Of miles,"
(TO BE CONTINUED)