The state herald., 1916-05-12
CHAPTER I.
On Speclal Service.


lery returned wearily 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 lieutenant appeared suddenly
in the doorway
Sergeant .WyattH" 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 l was guiding
my own horse down the dark road.
bending low in the saddle, obsessed
with feeling that this mission.
whatever 1t might turn out to be.
promised change in my fortunes.
1t 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 Nty 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 stood there silently In the
shadows waiting.
Zen minutes must have elapsed be-
fore the door opened again and I
heard my named called. II was n
rough appearing. commonplace in.
terror 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 stan.
The fifth occupant OF the room sat
alone In one corner. his face partially
concealed, revealing little other than
fringe OF gray whiskers. Jackson,
seated behind a table Uttered Nth
papers and maps, glanced up at the
announcement OF the orderly, and I
came instantly to attention. my hand
lifted in salute. The generals stern
blue eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt. Staunton artil.
lery?"
Yes, sir"
How long, may ask. have you
been In the service?"
Since May. 81. sir"
"Ah! indeed And your agei"
"Twenty.four. sir"
He made some remark aside to the
aide. who nodded back. and pointed TO
map before them.
You are younger man in appear.
ance than | had expected to see. ser.
geant." Jackson said slowly. yet |
have learned within the last year TO
have confidence In young men. War
iF n swift developer OF manhood Your
colonel speaks OF you In the highest
terms and informs me that you ars
native OF Green Briar county"
Our home was at Lewisburg. sir. ''
Then you are doubtless intimately
acquainted with that sectioni"
Very well. indeed. general"
jackson sat motionless and In nj.
lence for what seemed n long while.
his grave eyes on my face. but his
mind evidently elsewhere. one hand
unconsciously crumpling 4 folded pa.
per. Ashby moved his chair. causing
II TO crunch noisily on the floor. and
the commander aroused a, tho un,
usual sound.
by any possibility arc you related
TO Judge Joel WyattH" he questioned
slowly.
He was my father. sir. He has
been dead two years"
u regret to hear II. Your mother
unless ] am mistaken. was farqu
hnr. OF North Carolina1"
"Ycs. sir-shc has returned to her
old home"
THE beat OF southern blood. gentle
men" he said Hmilingiy, gianeing to
ward the others. but with watchful
eyes instantly returning to aean mo
WAS she driven out Of Green Briar
by the state OF unrest In that sec,
toni"
In mcnsurc-yea," replied
promptly. ~, was hardly safe for her
TO remain there alone. Tho county Ia
illlod with Union sympathirera. and
roamcd over by bands OF Euerrillas
claiming allegiance with both sides
but sparing no one AZ present
understand, Federal troops hayp been
sent there from Charleston ana are
In control"
Your information in partially cor
rect. but In order to perfect plans
now contemplated | require n atill