Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-01-31

was rather to dash down upon some
outpost or poorly guarded wagon
train, and retreat with rapidity rem
san warfare, and appealed to many
iIl-adapted to abide tie stricter dis
cipline of regular service These Dor
dc rangers would rendezvous under
some chosen leader, strike an unex
pected blow where weakness had been
discovered, then disappear as quickly
a. they came, oftentimes scattering
widely until the call went forth for
some fresh assault. 1t was service
not dissimilar to that performed dur
ing the Revolutionary struggle by
Sumter and Marion in the Carolinas,
and added in the aggregate many a
day to the contest of til Confederacy.
Among these wild, rough riders be-
tween the lines no leauer was more
favorably known of our army, nor
more dreaded by the enemy, than
Mosby. Daring to the point of reck-
lessness, yet wary as a fox, counting
opposing numbers nothing when
weighed against the advantage of sur
prise, tireless in saddle, audacious in
resource, quick to plan and equally
quick to execute. he was always
where least expected, and it was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back Pos.
sessing regular rank ia the Cohfed.
crate Army, making report of his op
erations to the commander-in-chief,h his
peculiar talent as a partisan leader
had won him what was practically an
independent command. Knowing him
as | 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 ~. S
A" yet conspicuous upon it's 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, tough-looking fell
lows the most of them, their clothing
an odd mixture of uniforms, but eY-
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, concluded that the work
Planned had been already accom-
pIlshed. 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 or my
wounds, so that weakness alone held
me to the blanket upon which | had
been left. The night was Gec1dely
chilly, yet had scarcely begun to
feel its discomfort, when a man strobe
forward from out of the nearer group
and stood looking down upon me. He
was young fellow, wearing gray
artillery jacket, with high cavalry
boots coming above the knees. l no
ticed his firmly set jaw. and pearl
handled revolver stuck carelessly in
his belt, but observed no symbol of
rank about him.
rs this Captain Wagner" he asked.
not unpleasantly
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. Fix him comfort
ably, but be in 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 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 1t
slipped out before I 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 l wondher l didn't drap We en-
| toirely.'
"f ye had, Cheney" said the man
named Cass, grimly, Il reckon as how
the Colonel would have drapped you"
At the foot of narrow revine 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 was lifted up and carefully de-
posted in the hay that thickly covered
| the bottom 1t was so intensely dark
within | could see nothing of my i'm
mediate surroundings. but low moan
| told me there must bG 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 care as possible. Take