Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-09-30
CHAPTE Err |.
On Special Service.

NnV otauulou bdttery VI TioTSe dTtIi-
iery returned YEARLY to camp after
hours OF hard field drill the men ever
conscious that no evolution. however
SrtVtal. was being overlooked by
"Stonewall" Jackson, sitting astride
his sorrel on a little eminence to the
left, his stern face unrelieved by even
the sem6lance OF smile.
The winter quarters Of the Staunton
artillery were slightly off the main
s-osa and remained for some time
overseeing the care OF the horses be-
Gore approaching the hut where the
snoncommissioned officers had mess.
sWe were all OF us still at the table,
discussing the incidents OF the drill
when a lieutenant appeared suddenly
In the doorway.
Sergeant WyattG" he inquired
briefly.
l arose to my feet.
Here. SIR" answered In some sur
prise
You are requested TO report to
General Jackson at once: his head,
quarters for tonight are at Coulter's
:farn.. on the dirt pike. You will ride
your own horse"
Five minutes later | was guiding
my own horse down the dark road.
bending low in the saddle, obsessed
with a feeling that this mission.
rwhateyer 1t might turn out to be,
.Yyr,1FvlIsl1 q cbo In
1t was an ugly path. rutted deep by
A2ruilery wheels. and dangerous for
She horse. | was an hour reaching
che Coulter house, double log cabin
some fifty feet or more back from the
road, 1t was with some difficulty that
] made my way through the obstruct.
Ing guard to the steps, where an officer
took my name at the closed door, dis
appeared in a sudden blaze OF light
and I stood there silently in the
shadows waiting.
Ten minutes must have elapsed be-
lore the door opened again and |
heard my named called 1t was
rough appearing. commonplace in.
terror. A sturdy fire burned in the
fireplace, and three lamps illumined
the Scene. revealing the presence of
I've men, among whom l instantly
recognized Ewell. Ashby. together
with Jackson, and his chief of STAFF.
The fifth occupant OF the room sat
alone In one corner. his face partially
concealed. revealing little other than !
q fringe OF gray whiskers. Jackson |
seated behind a table Uttered with !
papers and maps, glanced up at the |
announcement OF the orderly. and
came Instantly to attention. my hand
Iiifted in salute. The generals stern /
blue eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt staunton artil.
sery9"
Yes, sir"
How long, may I ask. have you
been In the service?" /
Since May, 81, sir"
All. indeed And your age7"
Twenty four, sir"
He made soma remark aside to the .
aide. who nodded back. and pointed to .
n map before them.
You are younger man in appear
ancs than had expected TO see. ser
Seant." Jackson said slowly. Yet
have learned within the last year to
save confidence In young men War
80 a swift developer Of manhood Your
Snlone speaks OF you in the highest
terms and informs me that you are
a native OF Green Briar county"
."Our home was at Lewisburg. sir"
Then you are doubtless intimately
acquainted with that secton?"
Very well. indeed. general"
jackson sat motionless and In 81.
sance for what seemed a long while,
his grave eyes on my face. but his
mind evidently elsewhere. one hand
crumpling a folded pa
per. Ashby moved his chair, causing
Il to crunch noisily on the floor, and
the commander aroused at the IN
usual sound.
by any possibility are you related
TO Judge Joel Wyatt?" he questioned
slowly.
"He was my father sir. He has
been dead two years"
u regret to hear 1t. Your mother,
unless I am mistaken. was a FarQu-
bar. OF North Csrolina!"
Yes, sir--she has returned to her
old home"
The best Of southern blood. gentle
men," he said smilingly. glancing to
ward the others, but with watchful
eyes instantly returning to scan me.
WAS she driven out OF Green Briar
by the state Of unrest In that sec
tions"
In measure-yes.- replied
1T was hardly safe for her
10 remain there alone. The county Is
Allied with Union sympathizers. and
roamed over by bands OF guerrillas.
allegiance with both sides.
but sparipg no one. At present.
Federal troops have been
sent there from Charleston and are
In control"
Your Information is partially cor.
rect. but In order to perfect plans
nov contemplated ! require q still
A~arft. - .wfsftru