Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-10-23
CHAPTER |.
On Special Service.

+ 4 Stanton Battery Oh t1OISe dFIi-
\ returned YEARLY to camp after
i -, of hard field drill, the men ever
..,,ious that no evolution, however
! rsl was being overlooked by
! sorevaT Jackson. sitting astride
sorrel on little eminence TO the
his stern face unrelieved by even
. II ! emblance of a smile.
III The winter quarters of the Staunton
#,.llery were slightly off the main
I'D and l remained for some time
#,rseeing the care Of the horses be-
m approaching the nut where the
commissioned officers had mess.
n we're all of US still at the table,
Fnssing the incidents of the drill,
hen lieutenant appeared suddenly
II the doorway.
Sergeant Wyatt?" he inquired
hefy
81 arose to my feet.
Here, sir" l answered in some sur
be.
You are requested to report to
#Ss1eral Jackson at once; his head
matters for tonight are at Coulter's
In, on the dirt pike. You will ride
#ur own horse"
a Five minutes later I was guiding
Ia own horse down the dark road,
#ading low in the saddle, obsessed
#hh a feeling that this mission,
Whatever it might turn out to be,
#romised a change in my fortunes.
L was an ugly path, rutted deep by
rtlery wheels, and dangerous for
4 be horse ! was an hour reaching
q he Coulter house, a double log cabin,
Ene fifty feet or more back from the
nad 1t was with some difficulty that
made my way through the obstruct-
Il Big guard to the steps, where an officer
4 pO5 my name at the closed door, dis
q Rpeared in a sudden blaze of light
md ] stood there silently in the
4 Shadows waiting.
i Ten minutes must have elapsed be-
tre the door opened again and |
hard my named called. 1t was
I rugh appearing, commonplace in
4 leror sturdy fire burned in the
Replace, and three lamps illumined
Tie scene, revealing the presence of
fEe men, among whom | instantly
recognized Ewell, Ashby. together
With Jackson and his chief of staff.
TIE NTH occupant of the room sat
lone in one corner. his face partially
concealed revealing little other than
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
lited in salute The generals stern
que eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt. Staunton artil-
ky?"
Yes, sir"
do" long, mar ask. have you
seen in the service2"
Since May. 81, sir"
All indeed And your age?"
I"entyfour sir"
he made some remark aside to the
zoe. who nodded back, and pointed to
map before them.
lou are younger man in appear
sace than ! had expected to see, ser
ssaAl Jackson said slowly. yet |
nave learned within the last year to
nave confidence in young men. War
u swift developer of manhood. Your
.Uonel speaks Of you in the highest
,sil's ana informs me that you are
. laaVe Of Green Briar county"
olT home was at Lewisburg. sir"
Iueh you are doubtless intimately
''.1s'hled with that section?"
very well, indeed, general"
'a'Hson sat motionless and in ST.
X lot what seemed a long while.
- grave eyes on my face, but his
. -'lu evidently elsewhere, one hand
consciously crumpling a folded pa
-, . Asnoy moved his chair. causing
, " crunch noisily on the floor. and
y commander aroused at the un-
s1ai sound.
, ~ any possibility are you related |
-. .1age Joel Wyatt?" he questioned
-. ne was my father. sir. He has
' T., dead two years.
. regret to hear it. Your mother. |
:. ..ss ] am mistaken. was a Farqu- |
- ~. Q, North Carolina?" !
d home" - ~ " W
IT, me best Of southern blood, gentle
=, - az said smilingly. glancing to- /
,a1 'ae others. but with watchful
H. instantly returning to scan me.
: she driven out of Green Briar
=, ~, .. state OF unrest in that sec
-, q measure-yes." replied !
-sIy' 1t was hardly safe for her
80 s~a'n there alone. The county Is
WIN Union sympathiEers, and
~, over by bands OF guerrillas.
!. ing allegiance with both sides,
ss.1 p1''ns no one. At present, I
!. . sand Federal troops have been
re from Charleston and are
r. '1lormation is partially cor
wy ir order tn parfsr+ aims