Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-06-20

Islh. see. Sln. raj, II WAS line y
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
that all them troops that saw was
marchin' west"
Then Rosecrans spoke.
'This looks decidedly serious to me.
gentlemen. and | feel sufficient faith
in Sergeant Kings report to act imme-
diately upon it. II it be true that
Johnston Is massing against, our right
and has left the ford at Coulter's un.
guarded, this offers us an opportunity
for a countermarch If we only move
swiftly enough. Hand me the maps
major.
81 am fully aware Of the danger in.
volved In dividing our force in the
presence of the enemy" be said at last,
lifting his eyes to the faces anxiously
watching him. ''but to my mind the
peril will be even greater if we per.
NIT the enemy to carry out their pres.
emit plans unchecked. If at this june.
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 lust to feel
thatthey are on the aggressive. Smiley,
ride to McGirth and Williams; tell
them to mass their brigades opposite
M1nersville 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 to Coulter's
ford. Let there be no delay, not even
to cook rations. Wilson will move first
with the cavalry. to be Immediately
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 be 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.
fees. There is no battery can assign
you to ut present, but 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 star with the rank
Of lieutenant and place you in COM
mand of the advance scouts. Major,
see that Lieutenant King is furnished
with suitable uniform and good
horse and that he and his command
get away at once"
Twenty minutes later was gallop-
ing down the river road with an odd
following at my heels.
There were twenty all told, e1cep-
tionally we'll mounted. l observed at a
glance. There was. to be sure. SEM
biance OF uniform, but exhibiting
marks Of rough service. and represent
alive OF every department, 80 that no
two men appeared similarly attired
They had sturdy and resolute fighting
appearance that pleased me. Perhaps
a dozen were Enthusiastically OF the
mountain white type-gaunt. unshav-
en-. slow of speech. their keen. restless
eyes searching every covert for pos
sible enemy in ambush. The others
were mostly young. reckless looking
fellows. picked from the ranks of va.
rious organizations because too rest
less for the discipline of regular COM
mand. | felt a hope that might be
retained in command and thus given
opportunity to test their mettle.
DANIELS said. drawing back my
horse till rode beside him. this looks
an odd command given me. What are
they-enlisted meny'
"Some OF EN- are he answered
slowly. shifting his eyes over the rab.
BILE behind. but Their mountain men
mostly are JUS volunteer scouts. pick
ed up yere in Their deestrict cause they
know their way round. ! reckon may
be it's a tough lookin, outfit from So
jerin pint o view. but thar's some
dern good scouts a-ridin' thar benin
yer. That yaller headed teller thar has
been mostly my partner lately. He's
Irish, name Con O'Brien; deserted
twice from Their Ninth Illinois cavalry,
but since they put him scoutin thar
amt no job too blame hard fer him ter
tackle. | tell We. ieftanant. scouts is
born. not made"
How long have you been at it?"
''Oh. mostly since the war begun
started in with i;ueii IL kentucky
you came from up thereY"
He looked at me almost suspiciously.
Then his eyes shifted to the scene in
front.
II reckon was born bout ten mile
from yere. over yonder on Their east
ridge" his eyes narrowed. a new
Hgts visible within their depths. ut
was .jist ter git back yere with SIGH
an outfit as this yere ahind me tibet
made me sojer." he acknowledged
slowly. Il got some private work ter
do In this yere kintry."