The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-02-06

run, his hand dung up in an urgent
warning 70 halt.
What is it, Stcele?" Brennan ques-
toned, squirting forward to meet him.
Come, speak up, mani"
"a squad Of cavalry has just swung
onto the pike. sir. from the dirt road
that leads toward the White Briar,"
was the soldiers ranting reply. And
! could get q gli1pse through, the
trees down the valley, and there's
heavy infantry column just behind
them. They're Rebs, sir. or I don't
know them"
"Rebs?' with an incredulous laugh.
why. man, we've got the only Reb
here who is east Of the Driar"
Well returned the scout. sullen-
ly, they're coming from the west,
and l know they amt our fellows
He was too old soldier to have
his judgment doubted, and he was
evidently convinced. Brennan glanced
quickly about. However he may
have eneered at the report, he was
not rash enough to chance so grave a
mistake.
&C. back into those rocks there on
the right" he commanded sharply.
Hustle your prisoner along lively,
m5n. and one of you stand ever him
with q cooked gun. If he So much az
OPENS his mouth, let him have it."
Rapidly IS we moved, we were
scarcely all under cover before the adj
vance cavalry guard came in sight. the
light fringe Of troopers. dust-begrlmed
and weary, resting heavily in their
saddles, and apparently thoughtless rs
To any possibility Of meeting with the
enemy. There We're not more than a
troop of them all told, yet their short
gray jackets and wide-brimlled light
hats instantly told the story of their
service. Their rear rank was yet in
sight when VIC heard the heavy tread
OF the approaching column, together
with tie duh tirkle OF steel which al
ways accompanies marching troops.
Poering forth IS much as 1 dared
from behind tho thick brush where
had been roughly thrown face down
ward, ] saw the head OF that solid,
sturdy column swing around the sharp
bend in the road, and in double front,
spreading from rock 20 rock, come
sweeping down toward us.
File uroD file, company after COM
pany, regiment following regiment,
they swung st1rnly by. Scarcely so
much as a word reached us, excepting
now and then some briefly muttered
commend 10 close up, or half in
audible curse as shutting foot
stumbled. 1 could distinguish no
badge, no insignia Of either corps or
| divisions the circlmg dust enveloped
them in 3 choking, disfiguring cloud.
But they were Confederatesl (
| marked them WE'LL here and there
along the toiling ranks l even noted
u familiar face, and there could be
no mistaking the gaunt North Caro-
lima mountaineer, the sallow Georgian,
or the jaunty Louisiana creole. They
were COME derates-Packers Division
of Hills corps, / could have almost
sworn--eastbound on forced march,
end doubted not that each crossroad
TO left and right of us would likewise
show its hurrying gray column, sturd-
lily pressing forward. The veteran
fighting men of the left wing of the
Army of Northern Virginia were bold
ly pushing eastward to keep their
tryst with Lee. The despatch in
trusted to my care had been borne
safely TO Longstrect.
The keen joy of it lighted up my
face, and Brennan turning toward me
as the last limpirg straggler disap-
peared oTer the ridge saw it, and
grew white with anger
You Rebel curl" he cried fiercely,
in his sudden outburst of passion,
what does all this mean? Where Is
that division bound?"
Some change in Longstreets front,
should judge l answered coolly, too
happy even to note his slur
You know better" he retorted hot.
ly. The way those fellows march
tells plainly enough that they have
covered all of fifteen miles since day,
break. II is a general movement
and, by Heaven! you shall answer
Sheridan, even If you won't me-"