Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-14

adapted to Memorial day, for it is sad.
and Memorial day. you know, is sad
in itself. 1t recalls those who perish
ed in that gigantic struggle.
MY story is laid in the very begin
ming of the war. Fighting of a desul-
tory kind was going on in western
Virginia, then a part Of the Old Do
minion, but now a state which in that
period of secession seeded from a
state. The Allegheny mountains di-
vide Virginia from West Virginia, and
1t was in these mountains that we
were fighting. l was in the cavalry
and did good deal of scouting among
these heights, from which l enjoyed
| some very beautiful views.
The general who opposed us was
very active man. Indeed, he subss-
Quently became one of the great lead
ers of the war, and many military men
consider him to have been the one gen.
eral of both sides who had in him the
Napoleonic genius for war. If quick
movement indicates such genius he
certainly was in a smaller field the
equal of Napoleon, for even the little
Corsican could not have moved more
rapidly, more Unexpectedly or been in
more places at the same time than
Stonewall Jackson.
well, one day our general sent for
bme and told me he wanted me to find
out where General Jackson was. He
was reported to be at Romney, at
Springfield and at Pawpaw. He
couldn't very well be at all of them at
the same time. aid the general want
ed to know where he was and If pos
sible where he would be next.
There was a mountain ridge run
ming north and south directly to the
west of these places, and. ascending
it, ! rode northeastward, with Rompey
and the other two places mentioned
below me in the valley. OF course !
couldn't see everywhere down there,
and troops might be concealed by the
trees and intervening heights. Near
Springfield | concluded to descend
with a view to getting a little closer
, to what might be going on. The noun
tain side was not to be passed over,
especially on horseback, without go
ing by a trail; but, having had good
deal of experience in mountaineering.
. / knew a trail when l saw it and, find
. ing one, followed it.
Reaching the valley, ! struck q
road. l knew it wasn't safe for me to
remain on it for any length of time,
so chose an eminence near and lit
tie above it where | could see and not
be seen. There I dismounted behind
a clump OF low trees, tied my horse to
one Of them and waited.
There was but one house in view,
and that was a few hundred feet from
the road and approached by lane.
watched this house for evidence OF
something alive, for the place was
c1neIy and 1 craved the sight OF hui
man being. 1t was midsummer and
everything was green. There were
flower beds about the house. and pres
emily | saw a young girl come out
and begin picking some of the flowers
A girl 10 a flower garden has always
been a pretty sight to me, and
watched this young woman with verJ
pleasant sensations. 4 was tempted d
go down and make her acquaintance
but this might interfere with 10y oh
ject, so l contented myself with look
ing at her, admiring her graceful car
rage and the comfort her flowers ar
peared to give her. They seemed t
be talking to her and she to be lister
ing at what they said.
While enjoying the sight / heard
clatter of horses hoofs coming up tn
t valley, and presently a horseman
|. gray uniform appeared. As soon a
j. he reached the lane that led down
the house he turned into 1t. Catchin
II sight of the girl. he took Off his hs
r and waved il, and she threw kisses
j. him. DismOunting beside her,
clasped her in his arms