Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-03-07

more to march down the SHENANDOAH
valley and threaten Washington.
Sheridans orders from Grant we're
to press Early and cut Lees c0:umuni-
cations by which he got supplies from
the rich valley for his dwindling army.
This was large contract for the
young commander Of the Army of the
Shenandoah. If be could fulfill It,
Richmond was doomed and the days
Of the Confederacy were numbered
Moreover. this was the region where
the prestige Of the Federal arms most
sorely needed rehabilitation.
Hence the deSlrablity. as Grant said.
of Sheridans driving the enemy out OF
the valley and Of leaving nothing there
to invite their return. With some idea
of the magnitude OF the task before
him, but confident in the strong back
Ing and broad discretion given him by
the lieutenant general. Sheridan made
his plans to sweep the valley so clean
that a crow flying over 1t would have
to carry its rations."
uC uClSAuClo hiCl hiofS WIN 81
relatively small force, but including as
many troops as possible who had pre-
viously tramped the Winchester pike
with "Stonewall' JackSon's foot cav
airy" Among these youthful veterans
now led By .Iubal Early was Colonel
Robert Elingham-still Bob to his Vir-
ginia comrades. as once again he faced
homeward.
Homeward indeed he marched, yet
with strange feelings of anxiety and
depression. What if the i'll turn for,
tune had taken of hate pursued them
now even beyond the Blue Ridge
mountain walls? Far south. in Geor-
gia. Sherman's army was marching vic
toriouSly to the sea. The Confederacy
had been cut In twain by the fall of
Yicksburg and again by the loss of At
ianta. Now Sheridan proposed to es-
tablish a line of communication with
his base Of supplies at Washington
that would subdivide Virginia and iSo-
late Richmond. The hardships as we'll
as the horrors of war were now COM
ing home to the people of the valley as
never before.
But ripened summer was all around,
and outward peace and plenty abound
ed that late August afternoon when
Ellingham galloped up the sunlit linden
avenue to Belle Bosquet. Gertrude
rushed out from the veranda to meet
him. She was REINFORCED by buxom
and animated young person wearing
blue dress of military cut and SOL
dier's cap.
"Why, Miss Buckthorn" exclaimed
Bob, f1inging himself from the saddle
and throwing the bride Of his horse to
Josephus Orangeblossom. the negro
hostler, who grinned an effusive dental
welcome. at Is a delightful surprise
10 see you here-makes~ me think the
war Is over
THANK you. Lieutenant-oh. pardon
me! I mean Colonel Ellingham. Of
course" responded Jenny. Hearts
ease has come over to the valley. and
80 has papa-with General Sheridan
/ hope there won't be any serious mis-
understanding. Meanwhile ] am a
prisoner of hospitality. and I'm in no
hurry to be exchanged"
"And now. Robert" Gertrude went
on eagerly, prepare yourself for more
news. Some one else whom you know
Is coming
"Madeline-but no.
"But yes. How did yon think Of It.
She was IN Washington visiting Mrs
Haverill. and | urged her to come over
here and see us-that before | knew Of
General Sheridan's Intentions: the,
keep their plans so secret. you know
But Madeline accepted the Invitation
and she's coming anyway"
"Hurrahw cried Bob. fustered out of
all self control well, Sis. that's big
surprise you've sprung-and now. let's
see what I can do In the same line.
You have announced Madeline, maybe
I can give you some information about
her brother Kerchival."
Gertrude uttered little cry and her
hand trembled as she laid it impulsiVe-
" upon her brothers shoulder.
"Yes," be continued, with. sudden
seriousness, you know Sheridan is
bringing over a lot of people. He has
the whole Sixth corps of the Army of
the Potomac. under Major General
Wright. | understand, besides divi-
sion Of the Nineteenth corps, and l
don't know how much Of the Army Of
Western Virginia, with General Crook.
Besides. they say he is especially strong
In cavalry, under Torbert. with such
brigadier troopers as Wilson and Mer-
rift and Custer. Our General Early has
got some reinforcement from Long
streets corps and will try to make 1t
interesting for Sheridan when he
comes down Winchester way. Yes.
girls. as I was saying. we expect to
have rather busy time"
Poor Bob said this in an offhand.
fllppant tone, but he was in an agony
Of apprehension lest he should be far
away from Belle BoSquet when Made
line West arrived-lf, indeed, she did
safely reach that destination.
His fears in regard to the first part.
Of the proposition were quickly real
lied. The very next day he was or
dered to join his regiment at Shop
herdstown, on the Potomac, where the
Federal army was starting its vigorous
offensive campaign.
Madeline West, as gentle and loving