Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-12-03
CHAPTER L..
On Special Service.


1t was already growing dusk when
the Staunton Battery of Horse artil-
lery returned YEARLY to camp after
hours of hard field drill, the men ever
conscious that no evolution. however
trivial, was being overlooked by
"Stonewall" Jackson, sitting astride
his sorrel on little eminence to the
left, his stern face unrelieved by even
the semblance of a smile.
The winter quarters of the Staunton
artillery were slightly off the main
road and / remained for some time
overseeing the care of the horses be-
fore approaching the hut where the
noncommissioned officers had mess.
We were all of us still at the table,
discussing the incidents of the drill,
when a lieutenant appeared suddenly
in the doorway.
Sergeant Wyatt?" he inquired
briefly.
| 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
farm. 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 feeling that this mission,
whatever it might turn out to be,
promised change in my fortunes.
It was an ugly path, rutted deep by
artillery wheels, and dangerous for
the horse. was an hour reaching
the 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 sudden blaze of light
and l stood there silently in the
shadows waiting.
Ten minutes must have elapsed be-
fore the door opened again and ]
heard my named called. It was q
rough appearing, commonplace in.
terror. A sturdy fire burned in the
fireplace. and three lamps illumined
the scene, revealing the presence OF
five men, among whom ! instantly
recognized Ewell Ashby, together
with Jackson. and his chief of staff
The fifth occupant Of the room sal
alone in one corner, his face partially
concealed, revealing little other thar
a fringe of gray whiskers. Jackson
seated behind a table Uttered witt
papers and maps, glanced up at tbs
announcement of the orderly, and
came instantly to. attention. my hant
lifted in salute. The generals sterI
blue eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt, Staunton artil
lery?"
Yes, sir"
How long. may ask. have 70,
been in the service?"
"Since May. 81. sir"
"Ahi indeed. And your age?"
"Twenty-four, sir"
He made some remark aside to tn,
aide, who nodded back, and pointed t,
map before them.
you are a younger man in appear
ance than | had expected to see, ser
geant," Jackson said slowly yet
have learned within the last year t
have confidence in young men. Wa
10 swift developer of manhood You
colonel speaks of you in the highes
terms and informs me that you ar,
a native of Green Briar county"
Our home was at Lewisburg, sir.
Then you are doubtless intimatel.
acquainted with that secticn?"
Very well. indeed. general"
Jackson sat motionless and in 81
lence for what seemed a long while
his grave eyes on my face. but hi
mind evidently elsewhere. one han,
nnconsciously crumpling a folded pa
per. Ashby moved his chair, causinI
it to crunch noisily on the floor. an,
the commander aroused at the un
usual sound
by any possibility are you relates
20 Judge Joel Wyatt?" he questione.
slowly
HE was my father, sir. He ha
been dead two years"
II regret to hear it, Your mother
unless l am mistaken. was a Farqu
har. of North Carolina?"
Yes, sir-she has returned to be
old home"
THE best of southern blood, gentle
men," he said smilingly, glancing to
ward the others, but with watchfu
eyes instantly returning TO scan me
Was she driven out of Green Briai
by the state Of unrest in that sec
tion?"