The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-05
CHAPTER XIV.
4 Night Ride Of the Wounded.


II Was wild. rude scene without,
yet In It's way typical of little un.
derstood chapter of Civil War. More.
over 1t was one with which was not
entirely unacQuainted. Years of cav.
airy scouting, bearing me beyond the
patrol lines Of the two great armies.
had frequently brought me into con.
tact with those various independent,
irregular forces which, cooperating
with us, often rendered most efficient
service by prey,ng Oh the scattered
Federal camps and piercing their lines
OF communication. Seldom risking an
engagement In the open. their policy
was rather to dash down upon some
outpost or poorly guarded wagon
train, and retreat with rapidity rem
dering pursuit hopeless. 1t was parti.
san warfare, and appealed to. many
illadapted to abide the stricter dis
cipline OF regular service. These Dor.
der rangers would rendezvous under
some chosen leader, strike an unex.
pected blow where weakness had been
discovered, then disappear as quickly
az they came, oftentimes scattering
widely until the call went forth for
som, fresh assault. It 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 q
day to the contest of the Confederacy.
Among these wild, rough riders be.
tween the lines no leader 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 1t was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back. Pos
sessing regular rank In the Confed-
crate Army. making report of his op-
erations to the commander.in-chief, his
peculiar talent as O 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 hardearned Federal VIC
tory.
An empty army wagon, the "U. 8.
A." yet conspicuous upon it's canvas
cover, had been overturned and fred
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 fel-
lows the most OF them, their clothing
an odd mixture Of uniforms, but ev-
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
pianned had been already accom-
plished. 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. 40 that weakness alone held
me to the blanket upon which had
been left The night was decidely
chilly. yet I had scarcely begun TO
feel It's discomfort. when a man strode
forward from out OF tho nearer group
and stood looking down upon me. he