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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Raiding with Morgan by Byron A. Dunn
+
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no
+restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under
+the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or
+online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license
+
+
+
+Title: Raiding with Morgan
+
+Author: Byron A. Dunn
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2009 [Ebook #29786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+
+
+                           Raiding with Morgan
+
+  [Illustration: AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.]
+
+
+
+
+
+                      The Young Kentuckians Series
+
+
+                          Raiding with Morgan
+
+                                   BY
+                             Byron A. Dunn
+
+     Author of “General Nelson’s Scout,” “On General Thomas’s Staff,”
+            “Battling for Atlanta,” “From Atlanta to the Sea”
+
+
+Chicago
+A. C. McClurg & Co.
+1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                COPYRIGHT
+                          BY A. C. MCCLURG & CO
+                                A. D. 1903
+
+                                 -------
+
+                         PUBLISHED SEPT. 30, 1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 PREFACE.
+
+
+General John H. Morgan was one of the most picturesque figures in the
+Civil War, an officer without a peer in his chosen line. During the two
+years of his brilliant career he captured and paroled at least ten
+thousand Federal soldiers, and kept three times that number in the rear of
+the Federal army guarding communications. When we consider the millions of
+dollars’ worth of property he destroyed, and how he paralyzed the
+movements of Buell, we do not wonder that he was considered the scourge of
+the Army of the Cumberland.
+
+General Morgan was a true Kentucky gentleman, and possessed one of the
+kindest of hearts. The thousands of persons captured by him almost
+invariably speak of the good treatment accorded them. The following
+incident reveals more clearly than words his generous spirit. In reporting
+a scout, he says:
+
+“Stopped at a house where there was a sick Lincoln soldier, who died that
+night. No men being in the neighborhood, his wife having no person to make
+a coffin or bury him, I detailed some men, who made a coffin.”
+
+The adventures of Calhoun as a secret agent of the “Knights of the Golden
+Circle” opens up a portion of the history of the Civil War which may be
+almost unknown to our younger readers. During the war the whole North was
+honeycombed with secret societies, whose members denounced Lincoln as a
+usurper and a bloody monster, and maintained that the government had no
+right to coerce the South. They resisted the draft, encouraged desertions,
+and embarrassed the Federal Government in every way possible. In secret
+many of the leaders plotted armed rebellion, the liberation of Confederate
+prisoners, and the burning of Northern cities. They held out inducements
+to the South to invade the North, and there is but little doubt that
+Morgan was lured to his destruction by their representations.
+
+Shortly after the close of the war the author met a gentleman who had
+served on the staff of General Breckinridge. This officer affirmed that he
+carried a message from Breckinridge to Morgan, saying that the former had
+positive information that forty thousand armed “Knights” stood ready to
+assist Morgan if he would invade Indiana. Everything goes to show that
+Morgan relied on these reports, and it was this belief that induced him to
+disobey the orders of General Bragg.
+
+It is an interesting question whether General Breckinridge was really
+privy to the plans of the “Knights,” and whether he secretly encouraged
+Morgan to disobey orders, hoping that the appearance of a Confederate
+force in the North would lead to the overthrow of the Lincoln Government
+and the independence of the South. The author has taken the ground that
+Breckinridge was fully cognizant of Morgan’s intended move.
+
+This volume mentions only the greatest of the General’s raids, and the
+author has tried to narrate them with historical accuracy as regards time,
+place, and circumstances. In stating the number of his men, his losses,
+and the damage he inflicted on the Federals, the General’s own reports
+have been followed; these, as was to be expected, differ widely in many
+cases from those of the Federal officers.
+
+The tale of the exploits of Calhoun is substantially true, though the hero
+himself is fictitious, for every one of his most notable feats was
+accomplished by one or other of Morgan’s men. It was Lieutenant Eastin, of
+Morgan’s command, who killed Colonel Halisy in single combat. Calhoun’s
+achievements in the escape from the Ohio Penitentiary were actually
+performed by two different persons: a sharp dining-room boy furnished the
+knives with which the prisoners dug their way to liberty; Captain Thomas
+H. Hines planned and carried to a successful termination the daring and
+ingenious escape. Captain Hines fled with General Morgan; and every
+adventure which befell Calhoun in “The Flight to the South” actually
+befell Captain Hines. The Captain’s marvellous story was published in the
+January number of “The Century,” 1891, and to this narrative the author is
+indebted for the leading facts.
+
+                                                             B. A. DUNN.
+  August 1, 1903.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                                    PAGE
+      I.   AFTER SHILOH                                       15
+     II.   THROUGH THE LINES                                  28
+    III.   RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY                             49
+     IV.   MORGAN’S FIRST RAID                                69
+      V.   MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID                          82
+     VI.   CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS                            94
+    VII.   CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER                       108
+   VIII.   THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN                           113
+     IX.   THE DUEL                                          126
+      X.   HARTSVILLE                                        142
+     XI.   MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID                        151
+    XII.   A SPY! A SPY!                                     161
+   XIII.   UNDER ARREST                                      181
+    XIV.   THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE                  196
+     XV.   OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!                           214
+    XVI.   CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT                          226
+   XVII.   THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON                        234
+  XVIII.   THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED                       246
+    XIX.   AN ANGEL OF MERCY                                 253
+     XX.   CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE                            269
+    XXI.   THE ESCAPE                                        281
+   XXII.   PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED                           292
+  XXIII.   THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH                           303
+   XXIV.   CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE                       310
+    XXV.   THE LONE RAIDER                                   318
+   XXVI.   “COME”                                            328
+
+
+
+
+
+                              ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+                                                                       PAGE
+    As he sat upon his horse and looked out upon the river   _Frontispiece_
+    He easily distanced all his pursuers                                 31
+    Sauntering into the depot they gazed curiously around                76
+    They silently crept down the gorge                                  101
+    He fired at Conway                                                  120
+    The force of the blow threw the Colonel forward on                  157
+      his saddle
+    He cautiously crept up on the Sergeant                              183
+    Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide               223
+    Escape of Morgan from prison                                        302
+    She held her breath and listened to catch the sound                 319
+      of battle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           RAIDING WITH MORGAN.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER I.
+
+
+                              AFTER SHILOH.
+
+
+The great battle of Shiloh had been fought, and victory had been snatched
+from the hands of the Confederates by the opportune arrival of Buell’s
+army.
+
+The Southerners had lost their beloved commander, slain; a third of their
+number had fallen. Although defeated they had not been conquered. They had
+set forth from Corinth in the highest hopes, fully expecting to drive
+Grant’s army into the Tennessee River. This hope was almost realized, when
+it suddenly perished: twenty thousand fresh troops had arrived upon the
+field, and the Confederates were forced to retreat. But they had fallen
+back unmolested, for the Federal army had been too severely punished to
+think of pursuing. Both armies were willing to rest and have their
+decimated ranks filled with fresh troops.
+
+Of all the Southern troops engaged at Shiloh none felt their defeat more
+keenly than the Kentucky brigade under the command of Colonel Trabue. They
+had fought as only brave men can fight; they left one-third of their
+number on the field, killed and wounded. Defeat could not demoralize them,
+and it fell to their lot to cover the retreat of Beauregard. They had
+stood like a wall of adamant between their fleeing army and the victorious
+Federals. No charge could pierce that line of heroes. With faces to the
+foe, they slowly fell back, contesting every inch of ground.
+
+Fondly had they hoped that Grant would first be crushed, then Buell
+annihilated, and their march to Nashville would be unopposed. From
+Nashville it would be an easy matter to redeem their beloved Kentucky from
+the ruthless Northern invaders.
+
+It was but a few days after the battle that there was a social gathering
+of Kentucky officers at the headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
+Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one whose insignia of office
+showed him to be only a captain. But he was already a marked man. He had
+greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and Tennessee as a daring raider
+and scout, and at the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable service
+at the head of a squadron of independent cavalry.
+
+It was but natural that in such a gathering the situation would be freely
+discussed. “It looks to me,” said Breckinridge, with a sigh, “that if we
+are forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West will be lost. I am in
+favor of holding Corinth to the last man.”
+
+“What is your opinion, Morgan?” asked one of the officers, turning to the
+captain of whom we have spoken.
+
+Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly answered: “The General will pardon
+me if I differ with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should be held,
+as long as that can be done with safety to the army. But Corinth itself is
+of little value to us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
+is in the hands of the enemy. It is not worth the sacrifice of a hundred
+men.”
+
+“What! would you give up Corinth without a struggle?” asked the officer,
+in surprise.
+
+“Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of victory,” replied Morgan.
+“What I mean is, that the place should not be held so long as to endanger
+the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the army is everything.”
+
+“Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could be lost, and our cause not
+greatly suffer?”
+
+“Certainly. The further the enemy advances into the South, the more
+vulnerable he becomes. Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can keep
+forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting their lines of communication.”
+
+“Morgan, you are joking!” exclaimed several of the officers.
+
+“No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky before many days; and if I
+do, there will be consternation in the ranks of the Yankees.”
+
+“Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a thousand men?” asked
+Breckinridge, in a tone which showed his doubt.
+
+“I shall make the attempt with less than half of that number,” replied
+Morgan, coolly.
+
+A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue asked: “Will Beauregard let
+you make the hazardous attempt?”
+
+“Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk no more men in the venture.”
+
+“Well, good-bye, John, if you try it,” said one of the officers, laughing.
+
+“Why good-bye, Colonel?”
+
+“Because the Yankees will get you sure.”
+
+“Perhaps!” answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose to go.
+
+“The whole South will ring with the praises of that man one of these
+days,” remarked Breckinridge, after Morgan had made his exit.
+
+“A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian,” remarked Trabue.
+
+Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him, Morgan wended his way to
+his headquarters, where he was informed by the orderly who took his horse
+that a young Confederate officer had been waiting for some time to see
+him.
+
+“He said he must see you,” continued the orderly, “and if necessary he
+would wait all night.”
+
+“All right, I will see what he wants,” replied Morgan, as he turned and
+entered his headquarters. There he was greeted by a young man, not much
+more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate lieutenant.
+
+Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed: “Bless my heart! if
+this isn’t Calhoun Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington! I am
+more than glad to see you. I have heard of some of your exploits, and
+often wondered why you did not seek to take service with me. Let’s see!
+You were on the staff of the late lamented Governor Johnson, were you
+not?”
+
+“Yes,” replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled, and tears came into his
+eyes in spite of himself, as he thought of the death of his beloved chief.
+
+“A grand man, a brave man,” said Morgan, gently. “Now that he has gone,
+what do you propose doing?”
+
+“That is what I have come to see you about. General Beauregard has offered
+me a position on his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted.”
+
+“What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard! That is a rare honor
+for one so young as you are. Of course you are going to accept?”
+
+“I do not know yet; I am to give him an answer in the morning, as I said I
+wanted to see you first. Great as the honor is which has been offered me,
+I feel it is a service which would not be agreeable to me. I much prefer
+the freer life of a scout and ranger. Perhaps you may know, I have done
+much of this kind of work. I have even performed more dangerous tasks than
+that of scouting, and I confess I rather like it.”
+
+Morgan mused for a moment, and then suddenly asked: “Are you not a cousin
+of Frederic Shackelford, son of the late Colonel Richard Shackelford of
+our army?”
+
+Calhoun’s brow clouded. “Yes,” he answered; “but why do you say the late
+Colonel Shackelford? Uncle Dick is not dead.”
+
+“Is that so? I am rejoiced to hear it. It was reported he was among the
+slain.”
+
+“He was desperately wounded,” answered Calhoun, “but he did not die, and
+he is now a prisoner in the hands of the Yankees. Uncle Dick is a hero;
+but as for that traitor cousin of mine, I hate him!” and again Calhoun’s
+brow grew dark.
+
+“I have no reason to love him,” laughed Morgan, “but I cannot help
+admiring him. He it was who discovered our well-laid plans, and forced me
+to flee from Lexington, as a thief in the night.”
+
+“Aye!” answered Calhoun, “but for him and that brute Nelson, Kentucky
+would now have been out of the Union. But that is not all. Had it not been
+for the same two traitors there would have been a different story to tell
+of Shiloh. Grant’s army would now have been prisoners, Buell’s in full
+flight, and our own pressing northward to redeem Kentucky. Had there been
+no Nelson, Buell’s army would not have reached Grant in time to save him
+from destruction. If there had been no Fred Shackelford I should have
+borne the news to General Johnston that Buell would join Grant by the
+fifth, and Johnston would have made his attack a couple of days earlier. I
+was bearing the news to Johnston that Nelson would reach Savannah by the
+fifth when I was captured.”
+
+“Captured?” echoed Morgan, in surprise.
+
+“Yes, captured, and by no less a personage than my cousin Fred
+Shackelford. But for this I would have reached Johnston by the second; as
+it was, I did not reach Shiloh until the morning of the last day of the
+battle.”
+
+“Then you escaped?” queried Morgan.
+
+“No; my cousin let me go, after he had held me until he knew my
+information would be of no value. I was dressed in citizen’s clothes. He
+could have had me hanged as a spy. I suppose I ought to be thankful to
+him, but I am not.” And Calhoun shuddered when he thought how near he had
+been to death.(1)
+
+“That was kind of him,” said Morgan; “and you ought to be thankful to him,
+whether you are or not. To tell the truth, I took a great fancy to young
+Shackelford, and tried hard to get him to cast his lot with me. But as I
+failed to get him, I believe you would make a splendid substitute. You
+still think you had rather go with me than be on Beauregard’s staff?”
+
+“A thousand times, yes. I had rather go with you as a private than be a
+lieutenant on the General’s staff,” answered Calhoun, with vehemence.
+
+Morgan’s eyes sparkled. “That is the finest compliment I ever had paid
+me,” he said, “but I cannot allow the son of my old friend Judge
+Pennington to serve in the ranks as a private soldier. Yet my companies
+are fully officered now. Let’s see! How would you like to go back to
+Kentucky?”
+
+“Go back to Kentucky?” asked Calhoun in surprise.
+
+“Yes, to recruit for my command. Do you think you could dodge the
+Yankees?”
+
+“I believe I could. I could at least try,” answered Calhoun, his face
+aglow with the idea.
+
+“The case is this,” said Morgan: “I am going to make a raid in a few days,
+and am going to try to reach Kentucky. My present force is small—not much
+over four hundred. I do not look for much help from the Confederate
+Government. Those in authority do not regard with much favor independent
+organizations. To augment my force, I must in a great measure rely on my
+own efforts. I know there are hundreds of the flower of Kentucky youths
+eager to join me if they had the opportunity. You are just the person to
+send back to organize them. When can you start?”
+
+“In the morning,” answered Calhoun.
+
+Morgan smiled. “Good!” he said. “You are made of the right material. We
+will make full arrangements to-morrow. Good night, now, for it is getting
+late.”
+
+Thus dismissed Calhoun went away with a light heart. He was to be one of
+Morgan’s men. It was all he wished.
+
+The next morning Calhoun informed General Beauregard that while sensible
+of the great honor which he would bestow on him by appointing him a member
+of his staff, yet he believed he could be of more service to the South by
+casting his fortune with Morgan, and he had concluded to do so.
+
+“While I greatly regret to lose you,” replied the General, “I believe you
+have chosen well. To one of your temperament service with Morgan will be
+much more congenial than the duties of a staff officer. In fact,”
+continued the General, with a smile, “I think you resemble Morgan in being
+restive under orders, and prefer to have your own way and go where you
+please. A command or two of partisan rangers may do, but too many would be
+fatal to the discipline of an army. Morgan may do the enemy a great deal
+of mischief, but after all, the fate of the South must be decided by her
+great armies.”
+
+“True, General,” replied Calhoun, “but if Morgan can keep thousands of the
+enemy in the rear guarding their communications, the great armies of the
+North will be depleted by that number.”
+
+“That is true also,” answered Beauregard; “and for that reason Morgan will
+be given more or less of a free rein. I have recommended him for a
+colonelcy. Convey to him my regards, and tell him I heartily congratulate
+him upon his last recruit.”
+
+General Beauregard’s kind words touched Calhoun deeply. “Thank you,
+General,” he replied, with feeling. “I trust I shall never prove myself
+unworthy of your good opinion. May God bless you, and crown your efforts
+with victory!”
+
+After parting with Beauregard, Calhoun lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan. He found his chief in command of about four hundred men, rough,
+daring fellows who would follow their leader wherever he went. A more
+superb body of rough-riders was never formed.
+
+Calhoun was introduced to the officers of the squadron, and when it became
+known that he was going back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command—although many of the officers wondered why their chief had
+selected one so young—they gave him a hearty welcome. But when it became
+known that he was the son of Judge Pennington, of Danville, that he had
+already won renown as a daring scout, and had been offered a position on
+the staff of General Beauregard, their welcome was doubly enthusiastic.
+
+To this welcome there was one exception. One of Morgan’s officers, Captain
+P. C. Conway, had applied to Morgan for permission to go back to Kentucky
+on this same duty, and had been refused. He was a short, thickset,
+red-faced man with a very pompous air. His weakness was liquor; yet he was
+a brave, efficient officer. What he considered an affront was never
+forgiven, for he was of a revengeful disposition. It was consistent with
+his character that he should become a mortal enemy of Calhoun.
+
+When he was introduced to Calhoun he merely bowed, and did not offer to
+give his hand.
+
+“I believe I have heard of Captain Conway,” said Calhoun, with a smile. “I
+have heard a cousin of mine speak of him.”
+
+“Why, yes,” spoke up Morgan, with a twinkle in his eye, “Captain,
+Lieutenant Pennington is a cousin of your particular friend, Captain Fred
+Shackelford, of the Yankee army.”
+
+Conway fairly turned purple with rage. “Lieutenant Pennington has no
+reason to be proud of his relationship to that sneak and spy,” he snorted.
+
+“I have no more reason to love my cousin than you,” replied Calhoun, with
+some warmth. “He may have played the spy; so have I; but sneak he is not,
+and I would thank you not to use the term again, traitor though he is to
+the South and his native state.”
+
+Conway glared at him for a moment, but there was something in Calhoun’s
+eye which told him that if he repeated the term it might cause trouble, so
+he snapped: “Well, spy and traitor, if those terms suit you better; but it
+may be of interest to you to know that I have sworn to see that precious
+cousin of yours hanged, and”—with a fearful oath—“I will see that he is.”
+
+With these words he turned on his heel and stalked away.
+
+“Shackelford’s name has the same effect on Conway that a red rag has on a
+mad bull,” laughed Morgan. “He can never forget that trick your cousin
+played on him.”
+
+“Ah! I remember,” said Calhoun; “Fred told me all about it. Conway may
+take a dislike to me simply because I am Fred’s cousin. I noticed that he
+greeted me rather coldly.”
+
+“I reckon he will not carry his hatred so far as that,” replied Morgan,
+“yet it may be best not to mention Shackelford’s name to him.”
+
+But Morgan might have changed his mind if he had heard Conway talking to a
+brother officer.
+
+“Just to think,” he fumed, “that the Captain picked on that young upstart
+to go back to Kentucky to recruit instead of one of us. I volunteered to
+go yesterday, and he put me down. To my mind, Pennington is no better than
+that sneak of a cousin of his, and Morgan will find it out some day.”
+
+“Better keep a still tongue in your head, Conway,” dryly replied the
+officer, a Captain Matthews, to whom Conway was complaining. “Morgan will
+give you hell if he finds you are trying to create dissatisfaction.”
+
+“I am not afraid of Morgan,” muttered Conway, but he said no more.
+
+In the mean time Calhoun was hurriedly making preparations for his
+journey. Many of the officers and men were engaged in writing letters to
+send back by him to the dear ones in Kentucky. Morgan intrusted to him
+several important communications to prominent Southern sympathizers.
+
+Just as Calhoun was ready to start, Morgan gave him his secret
+instructions.
+
+“What I now tell you,” he said, “is too important to commit to writing.
+You may be captured. For hundreds of miles you must ride through a country
+swarming with Yankees. You will need discretion, as much or more than you
+will need courage. Much depends on your success. I intend to make a raid
+north about the first week in May. If possible (and I think it is), I
+shall try to reach Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach five
+hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand when I reach Kentucky, I
+believe I could sweep clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time at
+your disposal that will be impossible. But join me at Glasgow with all you
+can. I expect to be in Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest.”
+
+“All right,” replied Calhoun, “I will try to meet you there at that time,
+with at least one or two good companies.”
+
+Little did Morgan think at the time how badly he would need those
+companies.
+
+At last all was ready, and amid shouts of “Good-bye” and “Success to you,”
+Calhoun vaulted into the saddle and rode away eastward.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II.
+
+
+                            THROUGH THE LINES.
+
+
+At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky, General Halleck was
+concentrating his immense army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to an
+attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled the Tennessee River as far
+up as Eastport. General Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
+between Decatur and Stevenson, but between Corinth and Decatur there was
+no large body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions of
+Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee every important place was held by
+detachments of Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the lines was an
+exceedingly dangerous undertaking, but that is what Calhoun had to do to
+reach Kentucky. He expected to meet with little danger until he attempted
+to cross the lines of General Mitchell, which extended along the railroads
+that ran from Nashville southward. The country through which he had to
+pass was intensely Southern, and the Yankee cavalry did not venture far
+from the railroads.
+
+When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight eastward, until he reached
+Tuscumbia, Alabama. Here he found little trouble in finding means to cross
+the Tennessee River. Once across the river he took a northeast course,
+which would take him through Rogersville. Now and then he met small squads
+of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting through the country, and did
+not seem to be under very strict military discipline, doing much as they
+pleased.
+
+Now and then he came across a party of recruits making their way to the
+Confederate army at Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
+uncouth, and with little or no education. They knew or cared little of the
+causes which had led up to the war; but they knew that the Southland had
+been invaded, that their homes were in danger, and they made soldiers
+whose bravery and devotion excited the admiration of the world.
+
+In order to find out what General Mitchell was doing, and as nearly as he
+could, to ascertain the number of his forces, Calhoun resolved to ride as
+near the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad as was prudent. As he
+approached Rogersville, he learned that the place had just been raided by
+a regiment of Yankee cavalry, and the country was in a panic.
+
+Approaching the place cautiously, he was pleased to ascertain that the
+cavalry, after committing numerous depredations, had retreated to Athens.
+He now learned for the first time of the atrocities which had been
+committed on the defenceless inhabitants of Athens, and his blood boiled
+as he listened to the recital. No wonder the citizens of Rogersville were
+in a panic, fearing that their fate might be the same.
+
+“The whelps and robbers!” he exclaimed; “how I should like to get at them!
+But their time will come. Never will the South lay down her arms until
+every Northern soldier is driven in or across the Ohio.”
+
+In Rogersville Calhoun met with a Doctor Jenkins, who was especially well
+informed as to the strength and positions of the Federal army, and as to
+the feelings of the citizens.
+
+“At first,” said he, “the result of the battle of Shiloh greatly
+discouraged us, and the slaughter was horrifying. But we are getting over
+that now, and every true son of the South is more determined than ever to
+fight the war to the bitter end, even if we see our homes in flames and
+the country laid waste. How is it that Kentucky does not join hands with
+her sister states?”
+
+“She will, she must,” cried Calhoun. “Already thousands of her sons are
+flocking to the Southern standard. It needs but a victory—a Confederate
+army to enter her territory, and the people will rise _en masse_. There
+are not enough traitors or Yankees in the state to keep them down.”
+
+“Do you think Beauregard can hold Corinth?” asked the Doctor.
+
+“He can if any one can. He is a great general,” answered Calhoun. “But
+Morgan thinks the loss of Corinth would not be fatal if the army were
+saved. ‘Under no consideration,’ says Morgan, ‘should Beauregard allow
+himself to be cooped up in Corinth.’ ”
+
+“I reckon he is right,” sighed the Doctor; “but may the time never come
+when he will have to give it up.”
+
+“Amen to that!” answered Calhoun.
+
+From Rogersville Calhoun made his way north. He ascertained that the
+railroad which Mitchell was engaged in repairing was not strongly guarded,
+and he believed that with five hundred men Morgan could break it almost
+anywhere between Athens and Columbia.
+
+Near Mount Pleasant he met a Confederate officer with a party of recruits
+which he was taking south. He sent back by him a statement to Morgan of
+all he had learned, and added: “Taking everything into consideration, I
+believe that Pulaski will be the best place for you to strike. I have no
+fears but that you can capture it, even with your small force.”
+
+Calhoun met with his first serious adventure shortly after he had crossed
+the railroad, which he did a few miles south of Columbia. Thinking to make
+better time, he took the main road leading to Shelbyville. He was
+discovered by a squad of Federal cavalry, which immediately gave chase.
+But he was mounted on a splendid horse, one that he had brought with him
+from Kentucky. He easily distanced all his pursuers with the exception of
+three or four, and he was gradually drawing away from all of them, except
+a lieutenant in command of the squad, who seemed to be as well mounted as
+himself.
+
+  [Illustration: HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.]
+
+“Only one,” muttered Calhoun, looking back, as a pistol-ball whistled by
+his head; “I can settle him,” and he reached for a revolver in his
+holster. As he did so, his horse stepped into a hole and plunged heavily
+forward, throwing Calhoun over his head. For a moment he lay bruised and
+stunned, and then staggered to his feet, only to find the Federal officer
+upon him.
+
+“Surrender, you Rebel!” cried the officer, but quick as a flash, Calhoun
+snatched a small revolver which he carried in his belt, and fired.
+
+Instead of hitting the officer, the ball struck the horse fairly in the
+head, and the animal fell dead. Leaving the officer struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse, Calhoun scrambled over a fence,
+and scurried across a small field, beyond which was a wood. A scattering
+volley was fired by the foremost of the pursuers, but it did no harm, and
+Calhoun was soon across the field. Mounting the fence on the other side,
+he stood on the top rail, and turning around, he uttered a shout of
+defiance, then jumping down, disappeared in the wood.
+
+The foremost of the Federals, a tall, lanky sergeant named Latham,
+galloped to the side of his commander, who was still struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse. Springing from his saddle, he
+helped him to his feet, and anxiously inquired, “Are you hurt,
+Lieutenant?”
+
+“The Rebel, the Rebel, where is he? Did you get him?” asked the
+Lieutenant.
+
+“Get him!” drawled the Sergeant, “I think not. He got across that field as
+if Old Nick was after him. But once across he had the cheek to stand on
+the fence and crow like a young rooster. I took a crack at him, but
+missed.”
+
+“Why didn’t you pursue him?” demanded the officer, fiercely.
+
+“What! in those woods? Might as well look for a needle in a haymow. But
+are you hurt, Lieutenant?”
+
+“My leg is sprained,” he groaned; “but the worst of it is, Jupiter is
+dead. Curse that Rebel! how I wish I had him! I would make him pay dearly
+for that horse.”
+
+“Here is the Rebel’s horse. I caught him!” exclaimed one of the men,
+leading up Calhoun’s horse, which he had captured. “He looks like a mighty
+fine horse, only he seems a little lame from his fall.”
+
+“That is a fine horse,” said Latham, looking him over, “but he has been
+rode mighty hard. Wonder who that feller can be. I see no signs of any
+other Reb. He must have been alone. Say, he was a Jim-dandy whoever he
+was. I thought you had him sure, Lieutenant.”
+
+“So did I,” answered the Lieutenant, with an oath. “When his horse threw
+him I had no idea he would try to get away, and ordered him to surrender.
+But quick as a flash he jerked a revolver from his belt, and fired.”
+
+“Better be thankful he hit the horse instead of you,” said the Sergeant.
+
+For answer the Lieutenant limped to a stone, and sitting down, said:
+“Examine that roll behind the saddle of the horse. Perhaps we can find out
+who the fellow was.”
+
+Sergeant Latham took the roll, which was securely strapped behind
+Calhoun’s saddle, and began to unroll it as carefully as if he suspected
+it might be loaded.
+
+“A fine rubber and a good woollen blanket,” remarked the Sergeant. “Looks
+mighty like those goods once belonged to our good Uncle Samuel. Bet your
+life, they are a part of the plunder from Shiloh. Ah! here is a bundle of
+letters.”
+
+“Give them to me,” said the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant handed them over, and the officer hastily glanced over them,
+reading the superscriptions.
+
+“Why,” he exclaimed, in surprise, “these letters are all addressed to
+persons in Kentucky. What could that fellow be doing with letters going to
+Kentucky? We will see.” He tore open one of the letters.
+
+He had read but a few lines when he exclaimed, with a strong expletive,
+“Boys, I would give a month’s pay if we had captured that fellow!”
+
+“Who was he? Who was he?” cried several soldiers in unison.
+
+“He was—let me see—” and the Lieutenant tore open several more of the
+letters, and rapidly scanned them—“yes, these letters make it plain. He
+was a Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington, and he was from the Rebel army at
+Corinth. I take it he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command of a Captain John H. Morgan. Morgan—Morgan, I have heard of that
+fellow before. He played the deuce with us in Kentucky last winter: burned
+the railroad bridge over Bacon Creek, captured trains, tore up the
+railroad, and played smash generally. These letters all seem to be private
+ones written by the soldiers in Morgan’s command to their relatives and
+friends back in Kentucky. But he may have carried important dispatches on
+his person. We let a rare prize slip through our fingers.”
+
+“Can’t be helped now,” dryly remarked Sergeant Latham. “If you had
+captured him it might have put one bar, if not two, on your
+shoulder-strap.”
+
+The Lieutenant scowled, but did not reply. All the letters were read and
+passed around. Three or four of them occasioned much merriment, for they
+were written by love-lorn swains whom the cruel hand of war had torn from
+their sweethearts.
+
+“Golly! it’s a wonder them letters hadn’t melted from the sweetness they
+contained,” remarked Sergeant Latham.
+
+“Or took fire from their warmth,” put in a boyish looking soldier.
+
+“Not half as warm as the letter I caught you writing to Polly Jones the
+other day,” laughed a comrade. “Boys, I looked over his shoulder and read
+some of it. I tell you it was hot stuff. ‘My dearest Polly!’ it commenced,
+‘I——’ ”
+
+But he never finished the sentence, for the young soldier sprang and
+struck him a blow which rolled him in the dust.
+
+“A fight! a fight!” shouted the men, and crowded around to see the fun.
+
+“Stop that!” roared the Lieutenant, “or I will have you both bucked and
+gagged when we get to camp. Sergeant Latham, see that both of those men
+are put on extra duty to-night.”
+
+When things had quieted down, others of the letters were read; but some of
+them occasioned no merriment. Instead, one could see a rough blouse sleeve
+drawn across the eyes, and a gulping down as if something choked the
+wearer. These were letters written to the wives and mothers who were
+watching and waiting for their loved ones to return. These letters
+reminded them of their own wives and mothers in the Northland, waiting and
+praying for them.
+
+Suddenly the Lieutenant spoke up: “Boys, we have been wasting time over
+those letters. That fellow was making his way back to Kentucky. He has no
+horse. What more natural than that he would try and obtain one at the
+first opportunity? That old Rebel Osborne lives not more than a mile
+ahead. You remember we visited him last week, and threatened to arrest him
+if the railroad was tampered with any more. It was thought he sheltered
+these wandering bands of Confederates who make it dangerous to step
+outside the camp. If we push on, we may catch our bird at Osborne’s.”
+
+“If not, it will at least give you a chance to see the pretty daughter,”
+remarked the Sergeant.
+
+“Shut up, or I will have you reduced to the ranks,” growled the
+Lieutenant.
+
+The subject was rather a painful one to the Lieutenant, for during his
+visit to the Osbornes the week before, when he tried to make himself
+agreeable to the daughter, the lady told him in very plain words what she
+thought of Yankees.
+
+“It’s nearly noon, too,” continued the Lieutenant, after the interruption,
+“and that spring near the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and
+eat our dinners; so fall in.” The Lieutenant slowly mounted Calhoun’s
+horse, for his fall had made him sore, and in none the best of humor, he
+gave the command, “Forward!”
+
+The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached. It was a beautiful place.
+The country had not yet been devastated by the cruel hand of war, and the
+landscape, rich with the growing crops, lay glowing under the bright April
+sky. The mansion house stood back from the road in a grove of noble native
+trees, and the whole surroundings betokened a home of wealth and
+refinement.
+
+From underneath a rock near the house gushed forth a spring, whose waters,
+clear as crystal, ran away in a rippling stream. It was near this spring
+that Lieutenant Haines, for that was the officer’s name, halted his
+troops.
+
+“Better throw a guard around the house,” he said to Sergeant Latham, “for
+if that Rebel has found his way here, he may make a sneak out the back
+way. After you get the guard posted, we will search the house.”
+
+As the Sergeant was executing his orders, Mr. Osborne came out of the
+house, and approaching the troop, to Lieutenant Haines’s surprise, gave
+him a cordial greeting.
+
+“I cannot say I am rejoiced to see you again,” he exclaimed, with a smile,
+“except you come in peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
+cut, or the railroad torn up again.”
+
+“Nothing of the kind has happened,” answered the Lieutenant.
+
+“Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and I trust you will take
+dinner with us. It is nearly ready.”
+
+The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant’s breath, but he accepted
+it gladly. As they were going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
+carelessly, “I see you have thrown a guard around the house. Are you
+afraid of an attack? I know of no body of Confederates in the vicinity.”
+
+“The truth is,” replied Haines, “we ran into a lone Confederate about a
+mile from here. We captured his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
+woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but he might have found
+refuge here; and, excuse me, Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity
+of searching your house.”
+
+“Do as you please,” replied Mr. Osborne, coldly; “I have seen no such
+Confederate; but if I had, I should have concealed him if I could. But do
+not let this circumstance spoil our good nature, or our dinner.”
+
+Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning from posting the guard.
+“Sergeant, you may withdraw the guard,” said the Lieutenant; “Mr. Osborne
+informs me he has not seen our runaway Confederate.”
+
+The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order, muttering, “Confederate!
+Confederate! The Lieutenant is getting mighty nice; he generally says
+‘Rebel.’ ”
+
+If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial greeting he had received
+from Mr. Osborne, he was more than surprised at the reception he met from
+Mrs. Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.
+
+Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about twenty years of age. No
+wonder Lieutenant Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked upon
+her. When he met her the week before, she treated him with the utmost
+disdain; now she greeted him with a smile, and said, “I trust you have not
+come to carry papa away in captivity. If not, you are welcome.”
+
+“Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to say,” exclaimed the
+Lieutenant, with a bow, “and I hope I shall never be called upon to
+perform that disagreeable duty.”
+
+“Thank you,” she answered, with a smile. “Now, you must stay and take
+dinner with us while your men rest.”
+
+“The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a little adventure, about a
+mile below here,” said Mr. Osborne.
+
+Miss Osborne looked up inquiringly. Before more could be said Mrs. Osborne
+announced that dinner was ready, and the Lieutenant sat down to a most
+sumptuous repast.
+
+“What was Lieutenant Haines’s adventure you spoke of?” at length asked
+Miss Osborne of her father.
+
+“Better let the Lieutenant tell the story, for I know nothing of it,”
+answered Mr. Osborne; “but he spoke of searching the house for a supposed
+concealed Confederate.”
+
+As Mr. Osborne said this, Miss Osborne gave a little gasp and turned pale,
+but quickly recovering herself, she turned a pair of inquiring eyes on the
+Lieutenant—eyes that emitted flames of angry light and seemed to look him
+through and through.
+
+Lieutenant Haines turned very red. “Forgive me if I thought of such a
+thing,” he replied, humbly. “Your father has assured me he has neither
+seen nor concealed any Confederate officer, and his word is good with me.
+Make yourself easy. I shall not insult you by searching the house.”
+
+A look as of relief came over the face of Miss Osborne as she answered: “I
+thank you very much. I shall never say again there are no gentlemen among
+the Yankees. But tell us of your adventure. I thought I heard firing about
+an hour ago. Was there any one hurt?”
+
+“Only my poor horse; he was killed,” answered Haines.
+
+“Ah! in the days of knighthood to be unhorsed was to be defeated,”
+exclaimed Miss Osborne, gayly. “You must admit yourself vanquished!”
+
+Haines laughingly replied: “I am sorry to disappoint you; but as I
+captured my enemy’s horse and he fled on foot, I cannot admit defeat.”
+
+“Then your enemy was a solitary knight?” queried Miss Osborne.
+
+“Yes, but to all appearances a most gallant one.”
+
+“Strange,” she mused, “who he could be, and what he could be doing in this
+section. The place for true knights, at this time, is at Corinth.”
+
+“From letters captured with his horse, I take it he was from Corinth,”
+said Haines. “From those letters we learned that his name was Calhoun
+Pennington, that he was a lieutenant in the command of Captain John H.
+Morgan, a gentleman who has given us considerable trouble, and may give us
+more, and that he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for Morgan’s
+command.”
+
+“You say you captured letters?” queried the girl.
+
+“Yes, a whole package of them. They were from members of Morgan’s command
+to their friends back in Kentucky. The boys are having rare fun reading
+them.”
+
+“I suppose it is according to military usages to read all communications
+captured from the enemy,” remarked Miss Osborne with a slight tinge of
+sarcasm in her tone, “but it seems sacrilege that these private letters
+should fall into profane hands.”
+
+“Some of them were rich,” laughed Haines; “they were written by loving
+swains to their girls. There were others written to wives and mothers,
+which almost brought tears to our eyes, they were so full of yearnings for
+home.”
+
+“Lieutenant, there was nothing in those letters of value to you from a
+military standpoint, was there?” suddenly asked Miss Osborne.
+
+“Nothing.”
+
+“Then I have a great boon to ask. Will you not give them to me?”
+
+“Why, Miss Osborne, what can you do with them?” asked Haines, in surprise.
+
+“I can at least keep them sacred. Perhaps I can find means of getting them
+to those for whom they are intended. Think of those wives and mothers
+watching, waiting for letters which will never come. Oh! give them to me,
+Lieutenant Haines, and you will sleep the sweeter to-night.”
+
+“Your request is a strange one,” said the Lieutenant; “yet I can see no
+harm in granting it. You can have the letters, but the boys may have
+destroyed some of them by this time.”
+
+“Thank you! Oh, thank you! You will never regret your kindness. I shall
+remember it.”
+
+“I only ask you to think better of Yankees, Miss Osborne; we are not all
+monsters.”
+
+Dinner was now over, and Sergeant Latham came to report that the hour for
+the halt was up, and to ask what were the Lieutenant’s orders.
+
+“Have the troop ready, and we will return to camp. I see nothing more we
+can accomplish here,” answered the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant saluted and turned to go, when the officer stopped him with,
+“Say, Sergeant, you can gather up all those letters we captured and send
+them up here with my horse.”
+
+“Very well,” said the Sergeant, but he muttered to himself, as he
+returned, “Now, I would like to know what the Lieutenant wants of those
+letters. I bet he has let that girl pull the wool over his eyes.”
+
+In a few moments a soldier appeared leading the Lieutenant’s horse.
+
+The family had accompanied Lieutenant Haines to the porch. Stepping down
+to where his horse was, he said to the soldier, “You may return and tell
+Sergeant Latham to move the troop. I will catch up with you in a few
+moments. Did you bring the letters?”
+
+“Yes, sir,” answered the soldier, saluting, and handing the package to his
+commander.
+
+“Very well, you may go now.”
+
+Lieutenant Haines stood and watched the soldiers while his order was being
+obeyed, for he did not wish to have any of his men see him give the
+package to Miss Osborne.
+
+After his troop had moved off, Haines placed the bridle of his horse in
+the hands of a waiting colored boy, and returning to the porch where Mr.
+Osborne and the ladies still stood, said: “That is the horse I captured
+from my foe. He is a beauty, isn’t he? Jupiter was a splendid horse, but I
+do not think I lost anything by the exchange. Here are the letters, Miss
+Osborne; you see I have kept my promise,” and he reached out the package
+to her.
+
+But before she could take them they were snatched from Haines’s hand, and
+a stern voice said, “I will take the letters, please.”
+
+Had a bombshell exploded at Lieutenant Haines’s feet he would not have
+been more surprised, and his surprise changed to consternation when he
+found himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. Lieutenant Haines was
+no coward, but he was unarmed save his sword, and there was no mistaking
+the look in Calhoun’s eye. It meant death if he attempted to draw his
+sword.
+
+As for Mr. Osborne, he seemed as much surprised as Lieutenant Haines. Miss
+Osborne gave a little shriek, and then cried. “Oh, how could you betray
+us!” and stood with clasped hands, and with face as pale as death.
+
+Mr. Osborne was the first to recover from his surprise. “I know not who
+you are,” he said, “but Lieutenant Haines is my guest, and I will have no
+violence. Lower that weapon!”
+
+Without doing so, Calhoun answered, “If I have done anything contrary to
+the wishes of those who have so kindly befriended me, I am sorry; but I
+could not withstand the temptation to claim my own. As it is, I will bid
+you good day.”
+
+Thus saying, he dashed past them, and snatching the bridle of his horse
+from the negro boy, he vaulted into the saddle and was away at full speed.
+
+For a moment not a word was spoken, and then Lieutenant Haines turned on
+Mr. Osborne and said, bitterly, “I congratulate you on the success of your
+plot. I will not be fool enough again to take the word of a Southern
+gentleman.”
+
+Mr. Osborne flushed deeply, but before he could reply, his daughter sprang
+in front of him, and faced Lieutenant Haines with flashing eye.
+
+“I will not have my father accused of deception and falsehood,” she cried.
+“He knew nothing of that Confederate being concealed in the house. I alone
+am to blame, and I told you nothing. I strove to entertain you and keep
+you from searching the house, and I accomplished my purpose.”
+
+“And you got those letters from me to give to him?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+Lieutenant Haines groaned. “It may be some satisfaction to you,” he said,
+“to know that this may mean my undoing, disgrace, a dishonorable dismissal
+from the service.”
+
+“I shall take no pleasure in your dishonor,” she exclaimed, the color
+slowly mounting to her cheeks. “I did not intend that Lieutenant
+Pennington should show himself. It was his rashness that has brought all
+this trouble.”
+
+“How can I return to camp without arms, without a horse? It would have
+been a kindness to me if your friend Lieutenant Pennington had put a
+bullet through my brain.”
+
+Mr. Osborne now spoke. “Lieutenant Haines,” he said, “my daughter speaks
+the truth when she says I knew nothing of the Confederate officer being in
+my house. Had I known it, I should have tried to conceal him, to protect
+him; but I should not have invited you to be my guest. As my guest, you
+are entitled to my protection, and I shall make what reparation is in my
+power.” Then turning to the colored boy who had stood by with mouth and
+eyes wide open, he said, “Tom, go and saddle and bridle Starlight, and
+bring him around for this gentleman.”
+
+“Surely you do not intend to give me a horse, Mr. Osborne,” said Haines.
+
+“As my guest, I can do no less,” replied Mr. Osborne. “If Lieutenant
+Pennington had not taken his, I should have let him have one to continue
+on his way to Kentucky. So you see, after all, I am out nothing.”
+
+Just then they were aroused by the sound of horses’ feet, and looking up
+they saw Sergeant Latham accompanied by two soldiers coming on a gallop.
+Riding up, the Sergeant saluted, and casting his sharp eyes around, said,
+“Lieutenant, excuse me, but you were so long in joining us that I feared
+something—an accident—had befallen you, so I came back to see. Where in
+the world is your horse, Lieutenant?”
+
+“Coming,” answered his superior, briskly, for he had no notion of
+explaining just then what had happened.
+
+When the colored boy came leading an entirely strange horse with citizen
+saddle and bridle on, the Sergeant exchanged meaning glances with his
+companions, but said nothing.
+
+Mounting, Lieutenant Haines bade the family good day, and rode moodily
+away. No sooner were they out of hearing than the Sergeant, forgetting
+military discipline, exclaimed, “What in blazes is up, Lieutenant? I
+suspected something was wrong all the time.”
+
+“That is what made you come back, is it?” asked the Lieutenant.
+
+“Yes; I did not march the command far before I halted and waited for you.
+Pretty soon we heard the sound of a galloping horse, and thought you were
+coming. But when you didn’t appear, I became alarmed and concluded to ride
+back and see what was the matter.”
+
+“Thank you, Sergeant, for your watchfulness. I shall remember it.”
+
+Then as they rode along, the Lieutenant told Latham his story.
+
+“And that pesky Reb was concealed in the house all the time, was he?”
+asked Latham.
+
+“Yes; the girl worked it fine.”
+
+The Sergeant laughed long and loud. “And she coaxed the letters from you
+too. Oh, my! Oh, my!” And he nearly bent double.
+
+“Shut up, you fool you!” growled Haines. “Say, you must help me out of
+this scrape.”
+
+“Trust me, Lieutenant; I will tell how brave you were, and how you run the
+Rebel down, and how you would have captured him if he hadn’t shot your
+horse. But look out after this how you let Southern girls fool you.”
+
+The Lieutenant sighed. “She is the most beautiful creature I ever saw,” he
+murmured. “Gods! I shall never forget how she looked when she sprang in
+between me and that Pennington when he had his revolver levelled at my
+head.”
+
+“Forget her,” was the sage advice of the Sergeant; but the Lieutenant did
+not take it.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER III.
+
+
+                         RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.
+
+
+It did not take Calhoun long after he had plunged into the wood to
+ascertain that he was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong pace, then
+stopped that he might catch his breath.
+
+“Whew!” he panted, “here is a go. Horse gone—arms, except this small
+revolver, gone—baggage gone—letters gone. Thank God the dispatches are
+safe,” and he tapped his breast, where they lay hidden. “That is about as
+tight a place as I care to be in,” he continued, as he began to work his
+way through the woods. “I call this blamed tough luck. Here I am nearly
+three hundred miles from my destination. A horse I must and will have, and
+that quickly. Surely the planters in this section are too loyal to the
+South not to let me have a horse when they know the predicament I am in. I
+will try my luck at the very first opportunity. If worse come to worst, I
+will steal one; that is, I will confiscate one.”
+
+With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after going a half mile or
+more, he came out of the woods, and beyond lay a fine plantation. “I
+wonder if those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to make that
+house,” he thought. “I will risk it anyway, for if I can reach it, it
+means a horse.”
+
+Making his way cautiously he soon reached the road in safety. He listened
+intently, but could hear nothing of the enemy; but from the opposite
+direction there came the measured beat of a horse’s hoofs. Looking up he
+saw, not a Yankee, but a lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun’s
+heart gave a great bound, for he knew that no Southern woman would betray
+him, and he stepped out from his place of concealment and stood in plain
+view by the side of the road.
+
+When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise, and then reined in
+her horse with such ease and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance she
+was young and exceedingly beautiful.
+
+“Pardon me,” he exclaimed, reaching for his hat, and then he remembered he
+had none, having lost it when his horse fell. “Excuse my appearance,” he
+laughed. “I find I have no hat to take off. Probably some Yankee has it as
+a trophy by this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress, and as a
+daughter of the South, I know I can appeal to you, and not in vain.”
+
+“You can,” she replied, quickly. “I thought I heard firing and I rode down
+to see what it meant, as I knew of no party of Confederates in the
+vicinity.”
+
+“A company of Federal cavalry were firing at me,” answered Calhoun. “My
+horse fell, and I had to run, or be captured.”
+
+“Were you all alone?” she queried.
+
+“Yes, all alone.”
+
+“Then I forgive you for running,” she answered, with a ringing laugh,
+“otherwise I should not. But how came you here, and all alone?”
+
+In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and his business.
+
+“Come with me,” she cried, quickly. “Let us gain the house before the
+Yankees come, as no doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse. If
+no other be forthcoming, I will give you my Firefly here, although it
+would almost break my heart to part with him,” and she lovingly patted the
+neck of her gallant steed.
+
+“I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be called for,” replied
+Calhoun.
+
+“No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved cause,” she answered; “but
+come, we are losing time, the Yankees may be here any moment.”
+
+If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read the captured letters, Calhoun
+and his fair guide would not have reached the house undiscovered. As it
+was, they had hardly entered it when the Federals hove in sight.
+
+“There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!” exclaimed Calhoun. “How I
+should like to meet him alone.”
+
+“They are going to stop,” gasped the girl. “They may search the house, but
+they will not if I can outwit them. Mother,” she said, to an elderly lady
+who had just entered and was gazing at Calhoun in surprise, “take this
+officer upstairs and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.
+The Yankees are in the yard.”
+
+The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun to follow her, and led him
+upstairs. Hardly had they disappeared when her father entered.
+
+“There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company visiting us again,” he
+said, with some anxiety. “I wonder what they want.”
+
+“Father,” said the girl, “go and meet Lieutenant Haines, use him nicely.
+Invite him to dinner.”
+
+Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise. “I never expected to see
+the time you would want me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner,” he said.
+
+“Never mind now, I will explain afterwards. Go quick, for I see he is
+throwing a guard around the house,” was her answer.
+
+Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come over his daughter, and was
+entirely successful in carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown to
+him. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came downstairs, her face denoting
+her anxiety.
+
+“Mother,” said the girl, “do not let father know we have any one
+concealed. It will enable him to say truly he knows of no Confederate
+around. And, mother, I have told him to invite the Federal commander—it’s
+that odious Lieutenant Haines—to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him like a
+welcome, honored guest. We must disarm all suspicion, and keep them from
+searching the house, if possible.”
+
+We have seen how well her plan worked, and how completely Lieutenant
+Haines was thrown off his guard. Little did he think that while he was
+enjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate officer who had escaped
+him was feasting like a king upstairs.
+
+It soon became evident to Calhoun that there was no danger of the house
+being searched, and from a window he observed all that was passing
+without. When he saw the troop ride away, and his own horse led up to the
+house for the Federal commander, that spirit of recklessness for which he
+was noted came over him, and without thinking of what the effect might be
+on those who had, at great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved to
+try to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw the last Yankee depart,
+leaving the commander behind.
+
+“Now is my time!” he exclaimed, exultingly, and looking to see that his
+revolver was in perfect condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as has
+been noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden was his appearance, so
+swift were his movements, that the little company could only gaze after
+him in astonishment until he had disappeared.
+
+For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over the success of his bold dash;
+then came to him the thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes in
+what he had done. He suddenly checked his horse, and then turned as if he
+would ride back, hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his way,
+but more slowly.
+
+“It is too late now,” he sighed, to himself, “to undo the wrong I may have
+done. To think I may have brought trouble on the head of that glorious
+girl, who even would give me her own horse! It’s the meanest trick you
+ever did, Calhoun Pennington, and it would serve you right if the Yankees
+captured you.”
+
+It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun continued his journey. It
+was not long before he noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that he
+had had, had evidently strained his shoulder. Calhoun more bitterly than
+ever regretted that he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might now
+have been riding a good fresh horse, given him by Mr. Osborne.
+
+“Serves me right,” he groaned. “Oh, what a fool, and not only a fool, but
+a brute, I have been. That girl! I can’t help thinking that I may have got
+her into serious trouble.”
+
+A few miles more and his horse became so lame that Calhoun had to come
+down to a walk. He dismounted with a ruthful face.
+
+“It’s no use,” he said; “I shall have to leave him. Where can I get
+another horse?”
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. He had dismounted in a wood,
+a thick growth of cedars screening him from the observation of any one
+passing along the road. Hearing the sound of an approaching horseman, he
+crept to the side of the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officer
+approaching unattended. He was riding leisurely along unsuspicious of
+danger, and whistling merrily. With Calhoun to think was to act.
+
+“Halt! Surrender!” were the words which saluted the startled officer, as
+Calhoun sprang into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at his
+breast.
+
+The officer was a brave man, and he reached for his revolver.
+
+“Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man,” said Calhoun, in a low, firm
+voice. “Fool, don’t you see I have the drop on you?”
+
+The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even smiled as he replied: “I
+guess you are right. No use kicking. What is your pleasure?”
+
+“Dismount. No, on this side.”
+
+The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took hold of the horse’s bridle,
+still keeping the man covered with his revolver.
+
+“Now,” continued Calhoun, “your name, rank, and regiment.”
+
+“Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, —th Ohio Cavalry,” was the answer.
+
+“Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have met you. As it may be a little
+inconvenient for you and me to travel together, I ask you to give me your
+parole of honor that you will not bear arms against the Southern
+Confederacy until regularly exchanged.”
+
+“May I be permitted to ask,” replied the Captain, with a peculiar smile,
+“who it is that makes this demand?”
+
+“Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s cavalry.”
+
+“Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s cavalry, you may go to
+the devil, before I will give you my parole.”
+
+Calhoun was astounded at the reply. “I am afraid I shall have to shoot
+you,” he said.
+
+“Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will,” was the fearless reply; “it would
+be an act worthy of a Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am well
+aware you are alone, that you cannot take me with you. It would be an act
+of cowardice in me to give you my parole.”
+
+As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his arms across his breast and
+looked Calhoun in the face without the quiver of a muscle.
+
+Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery of the man. “Captain,
+you are too brave a man to die a dog’s death, neither would I think of
+shooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go, but shall be under the
+necessity of borrowing your horse. You will find mine in the bushes there
+badly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again.” Thus saying, Calhoun sprang
+on the Captain’s horse, and dashed away.
+
+Captain Crawford stood looking after him until he was out of sight. “May
+you have your wish, my fine fellow!” he exclaimed; “I would ask nothing
+better than that we should meet again.”
+
+Both had their wish; they met again, not once, but several times.
+
+“A brave fellow, that,” said Calhoun to himself, as he galloped away. “I
+would as soon have thought of shooting my brother. He didn’t bluff worth a
+cent.”
+
+The horse which Calhoun had captured was a good one, and he rode him for
+many a day. We will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in his
+journey toward his destination in Kentucky. Suffice it to say, he met with
+numerous perils and made some narrow escapes, but at last found himself
+near Danville. There resided a few miles from Danville a rich planter
+named Ormsby. Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South, one well
+versed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky out of the Union, and one
+who kept well posted in everything which pertained to the welfare of the
+Confederacy; and at Ormsby’s he resolved to stop and lay his plans for the
+future.
+
+He was received with open arms. “So you are from John Morgan,” said Mr.
+Ormsby, “and wish to recruit for his command. You have come at an
+opportune time. To-morrow there is a secret meeting of prominent
+Confederates near Harrodsburg. I am to attend. You will meet a number
+there for whom you have letters. Of course you will go with me?”
+
+Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with Mr. Ormsby to be present at
+the meeting. If he was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first days of
+May, his time was short, very short, and what he should do had to be done
+quickly.
+
+When he was introduced to those present as from Morgan, and just from
+Corinth, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story of
+Shiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson, of the retreat, but how
+the spirit of the Southern army was unbroken, and that the South would
+not, and could not, be conquered.
+
+To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies of cavalry were nearly
+ready to take the field, and it was unanimously agreed that they should
+cast their fortune with Morgan.
+
+“I believe that Morgan with a thousand men can ride clear to the Ohio
+River,” declared Calhoun. “It only remains for Kentuckians to rally to his
+standard, and give him the support that he desires.”
+
+It was agreed that the companies should be filled as soon as possible, and
+should go whenever Calhoun said the word.
+
+Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished to enter Danville to visit
+his parents. Disguised as a country boy with produce to sell, he had no
+trouble in passing the pickets into town. With a basket of eggs on his
+arm, he knocked at the back door of his father’s residence. It was opened
+by Chloe, the cook.
+
+“Want eny good fresh eggs?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“No; go way wid ye, yo’ po’ white trash,” snapped the old negro woman, as
+she attempted to shut the door in his face.
+
+“Chloe!”
+
+The dish which she held in her hand went clattering to the floor. “Fo’ de
+land’s sake!” she cried, “if it isn’t Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress yo’,
+chile! De Lawd bress you!” And she seized him and fairly dragged him into
+the house.
+
+“Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don’t tell father I am here yet. And, Chloe,
+don’t whisper I am here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was here,
+they might hang me.”
+
+“Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn’ Massa?” she cried. “Ole Chloe tell no
+one.”
+
+“That’s right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those biscuits I see you are making,
+in a hurry. And make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more meal of your
+cooking. No one can cook like Aunt Chloe.”
+
+“Yo’ shell hev a meal fit fo’ de king!” cried the old negress, her face
+all aglow.
+
+“You must hurry, Chloe, for I can’t stay long. Now I will go and surprise
+father.” And surprise him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe the
+seeming country boy was his son.
+
+“Where in the world did you come from?” he asked.
+
+“From Corinth,” answered Calhoun. “I am now back to recruit for Morgan.”
+
+“So you have joined Morgan, have you?”
+
+“Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I know of no service I would
+like as well as to ride with Morgan.”
+
+“You could have come home, my son.”
+
+“Father! what do you mean? Come home while the South is bleeding at every
+pore? Come home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?”
+
+“I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you, my only child, to be in
+the army. Oh! that dreadful battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleepless
+nights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet safe.”
+
+“Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a kind Providence will still
+protect me. But here is a letter from Morgan.”
+
+The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the letter with much interest.
+“My son,” he said, after he had finished it, “it is well you were not
+captured with such letters on your person. It might have cost you your
+life. Even now I tremble for your safety. Does any one know you are in
+Danville?”
+
+“Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel.”
+
+“Yet there is danger. I know the house is under the closest surveillance.
+The Federal authorities know I am an ardent friend of the South, and they
+watch me continually. Morgan says in his letter that he hopes it will not
+be long before he will be in Kentucky.”
+
+“And mark my word,” cried Calhoun, “it will not be! Before many weeks the
+name of Morgan will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge of the
+Yankee army. But, father, what of Uncle Dick and Fred?”
+
+“Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg. The Federal authorities have
+paroled him. Fred is at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishable
+honors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he has such a son as Fred!”
+
+Calhoun’s face clouded. The remembrance of his last meeting with Fred
+still rankled in his breast. “I never want to see him again,” he said.
+
+The Judge sighed, “Oh, this war! this war!” he exclaimed; “how it disrupts
+families! You and Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought nothing
+could come in between you and him. Calhoun, he is a noble boy,
+notwithstanding he is a traitor to his state and the South. They say he is
+going to resign from the army for the sake of his father. Won’t you go and
+see him?”
+
+“No,” brusquely answered Calhoun, yet he felt in his heart he was wronging
+his cousin by his action.
+
+Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and it did her honest old heart
+good to see the way that Calhoun ate.
+
+“I jes’ believe dat air chile hab had nuthin’ to eat fo’ a week,” she
+declared.
+
+“I reckon I shall have to go now,” said Calhoun, rising reluctantly from
+the table. “I have already made too long a visit for a country boy with
+eggs to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I should kill myself
+eating if I stayed any longer.”
+
+“No danger of dat, chile,” replied Aunt Chloe, grinning.
+
+The words of parting were few. “Do be careful, my son,” said Judge
+Pennington, his voice trembling with emotion. “God only knows whether I
+shall ever see you again or not.”
+
+As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp eyes was watching him. Those
+eyes belonged to a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans were
+Judge Pennington’s nearest neighbors, but Mr. Freeman was as strong a
+Union man as the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of friends, a
+coldness had sprung up between them since the opening of the war.
+
+Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but they had been playmates from
+babyhood, and were great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.
+More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes in fighting her battles
+when some of the larger boys had teased her.
+
+Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter the kitchen of Judge
+Pennington, and there was something in his walk and manner which attracted
+her attention. “If that isn’t Cal Pennington I am a sinner!” she exclaimed
+to herself.
+
+She was on the watch for him, and when he remained so long she became more
+than ever convinced that her suspicions were correct. At length the boy
+came out with his basket on his arm.
+
+“Hi, there, boy! come here,” she called. “What have you to sell?”
+
+Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried on the faster.
+
+“I tell you, boy, you had better come here if you know when you are well
+off!” she called, in a threatening voice, “Oh, I know you!”
+
+Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that his best way was to try to
+make peace with her. “What do yer want?” he growled, as he walked toward
+her. “I hev nuthin’ to sell; all sold out.”
+
+“Well, I never!” said the girl as Calhoun came up. “Do you think I don’t
+know you, Cal Pennington? A pretty figure you cut in those old clothes,
+and with that basket. What in the world are you doing here?”
+
+“Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I might be hanged,” said
+Calhoun, in a low voice.
+
+“Yankees don’t hang traitors; they ought to,” replied the girl, with a
+toss of her head.
+
+“But don’t you see I am in disguise? I might be taken as a spy.”
+
+“What are you but one? I ought to inform on you at once.”
+
+“Jennie, you wouldn’t do that. I am only here to see father and mother. I
+had to come in disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the Yankees.”
+
+“And you are not here to spy? You know there are many rumors afloat?”
+asked the girl.
+
+“Just here to visit father and mother. Can you blame me, Jennie?” As
+Calhoun said this his heart smote him, for while it was true he was in
+Danville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his mission to Kentucky
+was for an entirely different object.
+
+“Now, Jennie, you won’t tell on me, will you?” he continued, in a coaxing
+tone.
+
+“No, if you behave yourself; but don’t let me hear of any of your capers,”
+answered the girl.
+
+“You won’t, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be able to do you a good turn one of
+these days.”
+
+Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared, then shaking her
+head, she went into the house, saying: “I couldn’t inform on him, if he is
+a Rebel.”
+
+The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun. He visited Nicholasville,
+Lexington, Harrodsburg; had interviews with a large number of prominent
+Secessionists; found out, as near as possible, the number of Federal
+troops garrisoning the different towns; in fact, gathered information of
+the utmost value to Morgan if he should ever raid Kentucky.
+
+But all these things could not be done without rumors reaching the Federal
+authorities. It was known that the Southern element was extremely active;
+that recruiting for the Confederate army was going on; and at last, the
+name of Calhoun Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew him well
+declared that he had seen him, and it was common report he was back
+recruiting for Morgan’s command. The Federal commander at Danville was
+ordered to keep a close watch on the house of Judge Pennington to see if
+it was not visited by his son.
+
+It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun was in Lexington when he was
+startled by hearing the news-boys crying, “Pulaski, Tennessee, captured by
+John Morgan!” “He is headed north, closely pursued by the Federal forces!”
+
+Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There was no time to be lost. That
+night, the next day, and the next night horsemen could be seen galloping
+furiously along unfrequented roads, throughout central Kentucky. The word
+was, “Meet at the rendezvous near Harrodsburg.” Three days afterwards, two
+hundred of the best, the bravest, and the noblest youths of Kentucky were
+ready to march to join Morgan. Each one of them had provided his own
+outfit. They asked no pay to fight for their beloved South.
+
+Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his father one more visit,
+although he knew it was dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in a
+thicket outside the limits of the city, he waited until dark, then stole
+across fields, and through alleys home.
+
+No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried, “Calhoun! Calhoun! what
+have you done! Do you know they are on the watch for you?”
+
+“I had to see you once more before I went,” answered Calhoun. “I was
+careful, and I do not think any one saw me come. I have some things of
+importance to tell you.”
+
+Father and son talked together for some five minutes in low, confidential
+tones, when they were interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting unannounced
+into the room and crying, “Run, Cal, run! the soldiers are coming! They
+are most here!” And before either could say a word, she was out again like
+a flash.
+
+“Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist Freeman’s daughter,”
+gasped the Judge. “Fly, my boy, fly! and may God protect you.”
+
+Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty revolver, he cried,
+“Good-bye, all,” and ran through the house to pass out by the back way.
+Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he fairly rushed into the
+arms of a soldier who was entering. So surprised were both that they could
+only stare at each other for a brief second; but Calhoun recovered himself
+first, and dealt the soldier a terrific blow over the head with the butt
+of his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan, and Calhoun sprang out
+over his prostrate body, only to meet and overturn another soldier who was
+just ascending the steps. The force of the collision threw him headlong,
+but he was up again in a twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness,
+followed by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled Federals.
+
+Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned, “My son, oh, my son!”
+
+The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and there were many pale faces,
+for the people knew not what it meant.
+
+A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested Judge Pennington, and
+he was dragged off to jail. But he did not think of himself. “My son,” he
+asked, “was he captured? was he hurt?”
+
+“I think the devil protected his own,” roughly replied the officer, “but
+we will attend to you for harboring Rebels.”
+
+Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals, not only that night, but for
+nearly a week. There was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as a
+dangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of his arrest and his probable
+fate, and came in and had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.
+He showed that Judge Pennington had committed no overt act; that his son,
+who was a Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him, and had
+resisted capture, as any soldier had a right to do. As Fred threatened to
+report the case to the commander of the Department, the Judge was
+released.
+
+Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience over what she had done. But
+Judge Pennington kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when he
+congratulated Jennie over her act, she felt relieved; for young
+Shackelford was not only known as a favorite of General Nelson, but as one
+of the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
+
+Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had no trouble in finding his way
+to his horse, and he lost no time in joining his comrades.
+
+“Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at Glasgow,” he cried, and two
+hundred voices answered with a loud “Hurrah! we will do it!”
+
+Little did Calhoun or they think that at that very time John Morgan, his
+forces defeated and scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But like
+them, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+                           MORGAN’S FIRST RAID.
+
+
+All through the month of April General Halleck had been concentrating the
+mighty armies of almost the entire West for the purpose of crushing
+Beauregard at Corinth. For a month the two armies lay but a few miles
+apart, almost daily skirmishes taking place between the outposts.
+
+During the month General O. M. Mitchell had overrun Middle Tennessee, and
+was holding the Memphis and Charleston railroad from Decatur to
+Bridgeport, Alabama. Two railroads led south from Nashville, Tennessee,
+both connecting with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, one at Decatur,
+and the other at Stevenson, Alabama. Both of these roads were of vital
+importance to General Mitchell, for on them he depended for transportation
+for the sustenance of his army.
+
+These roads had been badly damaged by the Confederate army when it
+retreated from Nashville, and General Mitchell was busily engaged in
+repairing them. If repaired and held, it meant that Chattanooga must fall,
+and the Confederate army be driven still farther south.
+
+John H. Morgan, now promoted to a colonelcy, believed that with a small
+force the rear of the Federal army could be raided, the railroads cut,
+bridges burned, and their communications so destroyed that they would be
+forced to fall back. General Beauregard was not so sanguine. While great
+damage might be done, and the Federal army subjected to much
+inconvenience, the contest, after all, would have to be decided by the
+great armies. Then he needed every man, as Halleck was about to move.
+
+At last he gave Morgan permission to make his raid, but with a force not
+to exceed five hundred.
+
+It was in the last days of April that Morgan started with his little
+force, on what seemed to many certain destruction. But every man in the
+command was full of enthusiasm. They had unlimited faith in their leader,
+and where he went they would follow.
+
+Following almost the exact route taken by Calhoun, Morgan’s first blow
+fell on Pulaski, Tennessee. So swift and unexpected had been his movements
+that the Federals were taken completely by surprise. The place was
+surrendered without a struggle.
+
+Moving rapidly north, the command attacked and, without any loss, captured
+a wagon-train en route from Columbia to Athens. Thus at the very
+commencement of his raid, Morgan captured Pulaski, with all its military
+stores, a wagon-train, and some two hundred and seventy prisoners, and
+this without the loss of a man. Among the prisoners captured were a son of
+General O. M. Mitchell, and our old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+The prisoners were all paroled, and were astonished at the kind treatment
+they received. Both Captain Jumper, who was in charge of the wagon-train,
+and the son of General Mitchell were loud in their praise of the way they
+were used by Morgan.
+
+After destroying all the Federal property captured, and damaging the
+railroad as much as possible, the command continued on their raid, their
+route taking them by the plantation of Mr. Osborne. The welcome they
+received there was a royal one. Colonel Morgan stopped and took dinner
+with the family.
+
+Here he heard of the adventure of Calhoun, and he laughed long and
+heartily over the way Calhoun had recovered his horse.
+
+“Tell him,” said Miss Osborne, “that I forgive him his abrupt leaving, as
+no harm came to father. By the way, Lieutenant Haines has become quite
+friendly, coming out to see us two or three times.”
+
+“No one can blame him, even if you give him but a moment of your company,”
+replied Morgan, gallantly. “But Miss Osborne, I am sorry to say we took
+your friend prisoner. He was paroled, and no doubt is now on his way
+North.”
+
+Miss Osborne blushed, and then said, “A good riddance; I trust I shall
+never see him again. But he was kind to papa. He even returned the horse;
+would not keep him.”
+
+“That is lucky,” responded Morgan, “for if he hadn’t been returned, one of
+my men would be riding him now, and your chance of getting him would be
+small.”
+
+From Pulaski Morgan pushed northeast, avoiding Shelbyville and
+Murfreesboro, both of these places being too strongly garrisoned for him
+to attack with his small force. He crossed the Nashville and Chattanooga
+railroad ten miles north of Murfreesboro, burned the depot, and destroyed
+as much of the track as his limited time would admit. From there he rode
+straight for Lebanon, Tennessee, which place he reached just at nightfall.
+The inhabitants received him with the wildest demonstration of joy. But
+trouble was in store for him. His men, wearied with their long ride, and
+elated over their continued success, became careless. They knew they were
+among friends, and thought that no harm could come to them, so they slept
+without fear.
+
+The Federal authorities had become thoroughly alarmed over his progress.
+Strong bodies of troops were in swift pursuit, from Shelbyville, from
+Murfreesboro, and from Nashville.
+
+Just before daylight the Federals charged into the little city with whoop
+and hurrah. Taken entirely by surprise, Morgan’s men thought only of
+flight. Two companies under the command of Colonel Robert C. Wood being
+cut off from their horses, threw themselves into a college building in the
+outskirts of the city, and for three hours defended themselves with
+desperation. At last being out of ammunition they were forced to
+surrender.
+
+In this unfortunate affair Morgan lost nearly two hundred of his best
+troops. The rest were more or less scattered. He himself was chased for
+eighteen miles, and the pursuit ceased only when he, with the remnant of
+his troops, had crossed the Cumberland.
+
+The Federals thought they had thoroughly whipped Morgan, and he would give
+them no more trouble. But they did not know the man. He had started for
+Kentucky, and to Kentucky he would go. After crossing the Cumberland, he
+halted, gathered his scattered command together, and then with less than
+three hundred men, started for Glasgow.
+
+“Lieutenant Pennington will meet us at Glasgow with reinforcements,” he
+told his men.
+
+But there were some of his officers who had misgivings. Chief among these
+was Captain Conway. Speaking to another officer, a Captain Mathews, Conway
+said: “It’s strange that the Colonel has such confidence in that young
+upstart. As for me, I look for no reinforcements. The best thing we can do
+is to get back as soon as possible.”
+
+“Captain, what is the matter?” asked Mathews. “What has that young fellow
+done that you have taken such a dislike to him?”
+
+“Nothing; but the idea of sending a mere boy on such an important mission!
+Why did he not send some one back with influence?”
+
+“Pennington is well connected; you know his father is Judge Pennington of
+Danville.”
+
+“That makes little difference. His mission will be a failure; see if it
+isn’t. We shall see no reinforcements at Glasgow.”
+
+Just then Morgan came riding along, and seeing Conway said, “Captain, I
+want to thank you for the gallant manner in which you held back the enemy
+while the command crossed the Cumberland. You did nobly.”
+
+This praise so pleased Conway that for a time he forgot his supposed
+grievance.
+
+Without further trouble from the Federals, the little command reached
+Glasgow, where they were received with open arms by the inhabitants.
+Houses were thrown open to them and food provided in abundance. But
+nothing had been heard of any reinforcements.
+
+“What did I tell you?” said Conway to Mathews.
+
+“Wait,” was the answer.
+
+The night was an anxious one. Morning came, but still nothing was heard of
+any reinforcements.
+
+“We will wait another day,” said Morgan.
+
+About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan’s men nearly went wild with
+enthusiasm, as nearly two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
+into camp.
+
+When the captain in command reported, Morgan thanked him in the warmest
+terms, and then looking eagerly around, said: “Where is Lieutenant
+Pennington? I do not see him.”
+
+“Lieutenant Pennington,” answered the Captain, “asked leave to take twenty
+men and scout toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do so. He has an
+idea that the railroad might be reached and broken at that point.”
+
+“Ah! I have thought so myself,” replied Morgan. “I shall wait for his
+report with interest.”
+
+The arrival of the two fresh companies had raised the command to as large,
+or larger, than it was when it started from Corinth, and every man was
+eager to go on. It was nearly night when Calhoun reported with his little
+company. He was jubilant over what he had discovered.
+
+“Colonel,” he said, “we can easily capture Cave City, and thus sever the
+connection between Louisville and Nashville. The place is lightly
+guarded.”
+
+“Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture the train on which my
+gallant men taken prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I should be
+supremely happy,” said Morgan, with much feeling.
+
+“Perhaps we can,” replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.
+
+“How about going farther north than Cave City?” asked Morgan.
+
+Calhoun shook his head. “It will not do,” he replied; “all the towns are
+too strongly held for your small force to cope with.”
+
+“At least we can try Cave City,” answered Morgan, and orders were given
+for the command to be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of Cave City
+was reached about two o’clock in the morning. The column was halted and
+the men were ordered to rest until daylight.
+
+As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier named Emory, was sent in
+advance to the place. They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
+linger around the depot, and when the charge came they were to prevent the
+telegraph operator from sending warning of the raid.
+
+Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry steeds, Calhoun and Emory
+played their part to perfection. Their entrance into the little place
+caused no comment, and excited no suspicion. Sauntering into the depot,
+they gazed curiously around.
+
+  [Illustration: SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.]
+
+“What’s that?” asked Calhoun, pointing at the clicking telegraph
+instrument.
+
+“That, my boy,” said the operator, patronizingly, “is a telegraphic
+instrument. Did you never see one before?”
+
+“No. What makes it tick?”
+
+“Lightning, my son, lightning; that’s a lightning-catcher.”
+
+Calhoun opened his eyes in wonder. “Jes’ heah that,” he said to Emory.
+“What is it fer?” he continued, turning his attention to the operator once
+more.
+
+“To send messages,” replied the operator, amused at the ignorance
+displayed. “With this little instrument, I can talk with any one at
+Louisville or Nashville.”
+
+“What’s yo-uns givin’ we-uns,” drawled Calhoun. “Do yo’ take we-uns fo’ a
+fule?”
+
+A guard who stood idly by laughed long and loud. “A fine specimen of
+Southern chivalry,” he chuckled.
+
+Just then there came the sound of cheering, pistol shots, and the clatter
+of horses’ hoofs, mingled with affrighted cries.
+
+“By heavens! the town is being raided,” shouted the operator, as he sprang
+to his instrument.
+
+“Stop!” thundered Calhoun. “Touch that instrument and you are a dead man.”
+
+The operator looked up amazed, only to find himself covered with a
+revolver.
+
+The guard at the same time was looking into the muzzle of a weapon held by
+Emory.
+
+“Drop that gun,” said Emory to the trembling man.
+
+The gun went clanging to the floor.
+
+“You two stand there in the corner with your hands above your heads,”
+commanded Calhoun.
+
+The operator and the guard obeyed with alacrity. “Keep them covered with
+your revolver, Emory,” continued Calhoun, “while I see what I can find.
+Think I will pocket these dispatches first; they may be of use.”
+
+Just then he glanced out of the window and saw four or five soldiers
+running toward the depot. There might be more following. Giving the
+telegraphic instrument a kick which sent it flying, he started to leave in
+a hurry. Then noticing the blanched faces of the soldiers, as they came
+rushing into the depot, he called out, “No use running, Emory, we can take
+the whole crowd prisoners, green as we look.”
+
+And they did. There was no fight in the frightened men.
+
+When the excitement was over Calhoun looked over the dispatches which he
+had captured, and found that a passenger train was due from the south in
+half an hour, and that it had orders to wait at Cave City for a freight
+train to pass, coming from the north. This was good news, and Morgan’s men
+waited, in glee, for the approaching trains.
+
+At the appointed time the passenger train came rolling in. The reception
+it received astonished every one on board. To Colonel Morgan’s great
+disappointment his men captured at Lebanon were not on the train; but
+there were a great many Federal soldiers, principally officers, aboard on
+their way North. A few of these at first made some show of resistance; but
+when they saw how hopeless their case was, they sullenly submitted to
+their fate.
+
+It was not long before the freight train came slowly puffing in. It was an
+immense train of forty-five cars, heavily loaded with rations, clothing,
+and munitions of war for Buell’s army. Morgan’s men freely helped
+themselves from the rich stores to everything that they needed and could
+carry, and then the work of destruction began.
+
+The torch was applied, and soon the two trains were wrapped in flames. The
+prisoners, who had gloomily watched the work of destruction, were now
+lined up, and told that they would be released upon their giving their
+parole. This they gladly consented to do.
+
+It fell to Calhoun to take a list of their names, with rank and regiment.
+
+“Don’t see why I should be asked to give another parole,” growled a
+lieutenant. “I gave you fellows one at Pulaski, a short time since, and
+was on my way home now, to stay until I am exchanged. How often do you
+want to take a fellow prisoner, anyway?”
+
+Calhoun glanced up much amused. The officer started, stared at him a
+moment, and then abruptly asked, “Is your name Pennington?”
+
+“It is, Lieutenant Pennington, if you please.”
+
+“You and I have met before.”
+
+“Ah! I know you now. I wish to thank you, for I am told you did not visit
+your wrath on the Osbornes on account of my abrupt leave-taking.”
+
+“No, the girl had concealed you in the house unbeknown to the old
+gentleman, and as he had assured me there were no Confederates about, he
+felt real cut up about it. He actually proffered me another horse in the
+place of the one you took. Said I was his guest, and should not suffer.”
+
+“Just like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman, the very personification
+of honesty,” replied Calhoun. “It may interest you, Lieutenant, to know
+that recovering my horse did me little good, for he went so lame I had to
+leave him.”
+
+“And took mine in his place,” spoke up a fine-looking Federal officer who
+stood near, and whose name Calhoun had not yet taken.
+
+“Captain Crawford, as I live,” exclaimed Calhoun, extending his hand.
+“Captain, I want to give you my sincere thanks. That was a fine horse you
+loaned me. Must have Kentucky blood in him. I am riding him yet. How about
+your parole, Captain? You know you absolutely refused to give it to me.”
+
+“I have changed my mind.”
+
+“Ah! that is good. If you refused this time we might be obliged to take
+you along with us, and that might not be agreeable to you.”
+
+As the Captain gave his parole, he said, “This is the second time we have
+met. There may be a third meeting, and it may be my time.”
+
+“_Au revoir_,” gayly replied Calhoun.
+
+Little did he think then of their next meeting, and what it would mean to
+him.
+
+The prisoners all being paroled, and the work of destruction complete,
+Morgan’s command returned to Glasgow, loaded with booty.
+
+The capture of the trains and the breaking of the railroad at Cave City
+caused the greatest excitement throughout the Federal army. It showed the
+Federal authorities how weak their line of communication was. Although so
+much depended on Morgan’s capture, he was left for some days almost
+unmolested. He made a demonstration toward Lebanon, captured a number of
+prisoners, and then, when the combination against him grew too strong to
+be resisted, he withdrew at his leisure and at length found rest for his
+command at Chattanooga.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER V.
+
+
+                        MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID.
+
+
+The struggle for the possession of Corinth was ended. General Halleck,
+with his immense army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand men, had
+thought to reduce the place by regular siege, and force General Beauregard
+to capitulate, surrendering himself with his whole army.
+
+But Beauregard was too able a general to be caught in a trap. For a month
+he held the Federal army at bay, and then, when Halleck was about to
+spring his trap, Beauregard silently withdrew, leaving to him but a barren
+victory.
+
+The Confederate army was saved, and to the Federal forces the occupation
+of Corinth proved as demoralizing as a defeat. The result showed that John
+Morgan was right when he said that the hope of the South rested, not on
+the occupancy of any single place, but on the safety of its armies.
+
+The fall of Corinth at once changed the theatre of war. The Federal army
+was divided, the Army of the Tennessee, under Grant, remaining in
+Mississippi and Western Tennessee, and the Army of the Ohio, under Buell,
+being ordered to march east and capture Chattanooga.
+
+If Buell had acted promptly and swiftly, he might have been successful,
+and the death-blow would have been given to the Confederacy long before it
+was. But he moved slowly and haltingly, and the golden opportunity was
+lost. It gave the Confederacy time to transfer to Chattanooga the larger
+part of the army which had been at Corinth. The command of this army was
+given to General Braxton Bragg, a brave man, and by many thought to be one
+of the ablest generals of the South.
+
+It at once became the dream of General Bragg to gather as large an army as
+possible, then march northward clear to the Ohio River, sweeping
+everything before him. This dream came near being realized. It was made
+possible by the efforts and deeds of two men, General John H. Morgan and
+General N. B. Forrest. These two great raiders and leaders of cavalry
+nearly turned the scale in favor of the Confederacy. They raided the rear
+of the Federal army, tore up railroads, destroyed millions of dollars’
+worth of property, and captured thousands of prisoners. They ran General
+Buell nearly distracted, and caused him not to know which way to turn.
+They made it possible for General Bragg to reach Kentucky unopposed; and
+if, after reaching Kentucky, General Bragg had proved as able a leader of
+infantry as Morgan was of cavalry, Buell’s army would have been destroyed.
+While Bragg was organizing his army at Chattanooga, another Confederate
+army was being organized at Knoxville under General E. Kirby Smith; this
+army was to invade Kentucky by way of East Tennessee, while General Bragg
+was to invade by way of Middle Tennessee. Once in Kentucky, the two armies
+were to unite.
+
+This programme was successfully carried out, and yet the whole movement
+was a failure, as far as the occupancy of Kentucky was concerned.
+
+After the fall of Corinth, Colonel Morgan rendezvoused his little force at
+Chattanooga. From Chattanooga he proceeded to Knoxville, where he at once
+began the preparations for another raid. As Cumberland Gap was held by the
+Federals, Colonel Morgan decided to cross over into Middle Tennessee
+before invading Kentucky. His command consisted of about nine hundred men,
+made up of two regiments and two independent companies. His own regiment
+was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Duke. All through Morgan’s
+career Colonel Duke was his chief adviser, so much so that many claim that
+Morgan’s success was mainly due to Colonel Duke.
+
+“Why don’t some one shoot Basil Duke through the head, and blow out John
+Morgan’s brains?” exclaimed a disgusted Federal officer, after a fruitless
+effort to catch Morgan.
+
+But the officer was mistaken; both had brains. Like Grant and Sherman they
+worked hand in hand, and one needed the other. Together they were
+invincible.
+
+Before leaving Knoxville Morgan picked out twenty-five men, mounted on the
+best and fleetest horses, and placed them in the command of Calhoun
+Pennington. They were to be the scouts of the command, and well did they
+do their duty. More than once did they save Morgan from heavy loss by
+ascertaining the movements of the enemy.
+
+Morgan left Knoxville July 4th. His route lay directly west over the
+Cumberland Mountains to Sparta, a distance of one hundred and four miles.
+This, in spite of the rough roads, he made in three days. Many of the
+mountaineers of East Tennessee clung to the Union, and much of the way he
+had to ride through almost as hostile a country as if raiding through the
+North. The utmost vigilance had to be used, and Calhoun, with his scouts,
+was kept well in front to see that the road was clear.
+
+On the second day’s march there was the crack of a rifle from a
+mountainside, and one of the scouts tumbled from his horse dead. A little
+cloud of smoke up the mountain showed from where the shot was fired. With
+a cry of rage the scouts sent a volley where the little cloud was seen,
+then springing from their horses, clambered up the mountain to hunt down
+the murderer; but their search was fruitless.
+
+About a mile beyond where the shooting took place they came to a rough log
+cabin, surrounded by a few acres of comparatively smooth ground. A small
+patch of corn and potatoes was growing near the cabin, and an old man with
+tangled gray hair and beard was hoeing in the field. An old woman sat in
+the door calmly smoking a corn-cob pipe. Neither seemed to notice the
+soldiers as they came riding up.
+
+“You, man, come here!” sternly called Calhoun.
+
+The mountaineer deliberately laid down his hoe, and slowly came to where
+Calhoun was. He seemed to be in no hurry, nor did he appear to be
+disturbed.
+
+“What is your name?” demanded Calhoun.
+
+“Nichols—Jim Nichols,” drawled the man.
+
+“Are you well acquainted around here?” demanded Calhoun.
+
+“Hev lived heah goin’ on twenty years,” was the answer.
+
+“We have just had a man shot, by one of you skulking mountaineers. Do you
+know of any one likely to do such a deed? Tell the truth, or it will be
+the worse for you.”
+
+The old man shook his head. “The men be all gone in one army or de other,”
+he answered.
+
+“Are you Union or Confederate?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“The wah is nuthin’ to we-uns,” he drawled; “we-uns own no niggers.”
+
+“That’s no answer,” fiercely replied Calhoun, “I have a mind to hang you
+up like a dog. A little stretching of the neck might loosen your tongue.”
+
+At the word “hang” a strange look came into the old man’s eyes, a look as
+of mortal hatred, but it was gone in a moment, and the drawling answer
+came, “We-uns knows nuthin’; thar may be strange men hidin’ in the
+mountin. We-uns don’t know.”
+
+“Have you a family?”
+
+“A gal.”
+
+“Where is she?”
+
+“Done gone over the mountin to see the Jimson gals.”
+
+“You have no son?”
+
+At the word “son,” again that deadly glint came in the old man’s eye.
+Again it was gone in a moment, and the answer came, “No.”
+
+The cabin was searched—the mountaineer and his wife apparently perfectly
+unconcerned as to what was going on—but nothing suspicious was found, and
+Calhoun had to confess himself baffled. But after Morgan’s column had
+passed, a tall, lank girl with unkempt hair might have been seen coming
+down the mountainside, carrying a long rifle in her hand. Swiftly and
+surely as a deer she leaped from rock to rock, and soon neared the cabin.
+Carefully concealing her rifle beneath a huge rock, she came slowly up to
+the door of the cabin, where the old man sat smoking. He looked up at her,
+inquiringly, but did not say a word.
+
+“We-uns got one, dad,” she said, as she passed in. Not another word was
+spoken, but the old man sat and smoked and watched the sun as it slowly
+sunk to rest behind the mountain.
+
+If Calhoun had known that Nichol’s only son had been hanged the winter
+before by the Confederate authorities for bridge-burning, and that his
+sister had sworn revenge, he would not have been at a loss as to who had
+fired the deadly shot, for every mountain girl can use a rifle.
+
+From Sparta Morgan made a rapid march to Selina, where he forded the
+Cumberland River. At Selina he learned that there was a Federal force at
+Tompkinsville, which is just over the line in Kentucky. By a swift advance
+he hoped to surprise and capture this force. As the command crossed the
+line from Tennessee into Kentucky, the enthusiasm of the men knew no
+bounds. They sang “My Old Kentucky Home,” and cheered again and again.
+
+Tompkinsville was reached at five o’clock on the morning of the 9th of
+July. The Federals, under the command of Major Thomas J. Jordan, of the
+Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, though surprised, made a stand, and the battle
+at once opened. But a few shots from Morgan’s mountain howitzers utterly
+demoralized the Federals, and they fled in confusion.
+
+Major Jordan, after retreating about a mile, succeeded in rallying about
+seventy-five of his men, and made a stand to cover the retreat of his
+force. Calhoun, with some fifteen of his scouts far in advance of the main
+column, charged down on them without hesitating a moment. The Federals,
+although they outnumbered the scouts five to one, were ridden down, and
+throwing down their arms they cried for mercy.
+
+In this fight the gallant Colonel Hunt was mortally wounded. He was one of
+Morgan’s best officers, and his loss was deeply mourned.
+
+From Tompkinsville Morgan moved to Glasgow, arriving there at one o’clock
+in the morning.
+
+The Federal garrison had heard of his approach, and had fled, leaving
+everything behind them. A large quantity of military stores fell into
+Morgan’s hands, and was destroyed.
+
+Although it was in the middle of the night, the glad news spread through
+the town, and the citizens were hailing each other with the glad shout,
+“Morgan has come again! Morgan has come again!” Soon from every house
+lights were flashing, and every woman was engaged in cooking. When morning
+came, not only a steaming hot breakfast of the best that the place
+afforded was set before the men, but three days’ cooked rations were given
+each man.
+
+At Glasgow Morgan gave out that he was again to raid the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad. In order to carry out the deception, when he left
+Glasgow he followed the road which would lead him to strike the railroad
+in between Woodsonville and Mumfordsville; but when he was within a few
+miles of the road, he halted his command, and taking only Calhoun and his
+scouts, he struck the road at a lonely place a short distance from Horse
+Cove. Here he had his telegraph operator, a sharp young fellow named
+Ellsworth, attach his private instrument to the telegraph wire, and for
+two hours Ellsworth, in the midst of a driving storm and standing in water
+up to his knees, took every message that passed over the wire. It was rare
+fun to hear the Federal officers telling all their secrets, and revealing
+the terror they were in over Morgan’s raid. After listening to their plans
+of how they would try to capture him, Morgan had Ellsworth send the
+following dispatch to the provost marshal at Louisville:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                        Nashville, Tenn., July 10, 1862.
+
+General Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro, routing our
+forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan is reported to be between
+Scottsville and Gallatin, and will act in concert with Forrest, it is
+believed. Inform general commanding.
+
+                                                      STANLEY MATHEWS,
+                                                        Provost Marshal.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal authorities to believe that
+he was returning from Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrest
+did on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro, and of this fact
+Morgan was entirely ignorant.
+
+Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as to have the Federals
+remain in ignorance of what he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoined
+his command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of over forty miles. The place
+fell, almost without struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,
+Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office. This was at three o’clock
+in the morning. Unsuspicious of danger the regular telegraph operator was
+at home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more installed at the instrument.
+
+It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson, commanding the place, had
+telegraphed for reinforcements, saying he feared an attack. The first
+dispatch that Ellsworth received was:
+
+“What news? Any more skirmishing?”
+
+To which Ellsworth answered: “No, we drove what few cavalry there were
+away.”
+
+The next was: “Has the train arrived yet?”
+
+“No. How many troops on train?” asked Ellsworth.
+
+“About five hundred,” was the answer.
+
+This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he at once dispatched a column to
+intercept the train. But the train scented danger, and backed with all
+speed toward Louisville.
+
+At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan’s hands. Two large warehouses
+filled to overflowing with clothing, rations, and the munitions of war
+were given to the flames. Five thousand stand of arms were among the
+trophies; Morgan picked out the best of these to arm his men.
+
+The destruction of Federal property being complete, Morgan started north,
+going through Springfield and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met with a
+most enthusiastic reception. Nothing was too good for Morgan’s men.
+
+While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished that Morgan would make a
+detour and visit Danville, but this Morgan refused to do, as it would take
+him too far out of his route and give the Federals time to concentrate
+against him. Thus Calhoun was prevented from entering his native town in
+triumph.
+
+Morgan had caused the report to be circulated far and near that he had a
+force of five thousand and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
+From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the line of the Louisville and
+Lexington Railroad. The place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
+Lexington, and from it either place could be equally threatened.
+
+Here he once more took possession of the telegraph office, and Ellsworth
+was once more busy in sending telegrams. In the names of the different
+Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left, ordering the Federal
+troops here and there, everywhere but to the right place, and causing the
+utmost confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits’ end; they knew not
+what to do, or which way to turn. The whole state was in terror. The name
+of Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified fivefold. General
+Boyle, in command of the Department of Kentucky, was deluged with
+telegrams imploring assistance. He in turn deluged General Halleck,
+General Buell, and even President Lincoln. “Send me troops, or Kentucky is
+lost. John Morgan will have it,” he said.
+
+Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth: “They are having a stampede in
+Kentucky. Please look to it.”
+
+Buell telegraphed: “I can do nothing. Have no men I can send.” Thus
+Kentucky was left to her fears. Never did a thousand men create a greater
+panic.
+
+From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong demonstration toward Frankfort,
+strengthening the belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
+object was the capture of Lexington.
+
+Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the outskirts of the place,
+driving in the Federal outposts; but he learned that the city was
+garrisoned by at least five times the number of Morgan’s men. This fact he
+reported to his chief, who saw that it would be madness to attempt to
+capture it. Morgan therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
+thoroughly breaking the railroad which led from that place to Cincinnati,
+so he gave orders to start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed for
+a day at Midway by an unfortunate incident, the capture of Calhoun and one
+of his men by the Home Guards.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+                         CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS.
+
+
+All through Kentucky during the war there were companies of troops known
+as Home Guards. They were in reality the militia of the state. They in
+many instances rendered valuable services, and did much to keep Kentucky
+in the Union. If it had not been for them, the Federal government would
+have been obliged to keep twice as many troops in the state as it did. Not
+being under as strict discipline as the United States troops, they were
+more dreaded by the Southern element than the regular army.
+
+These Home Guards were very bitter, and lost no opportunity of harassing
+those who clung to the cause of the South. Now and then there were bands
+of these Guards that were nothing but bands of guerrillas who lived by
+plundering, and they were frequently guilty of the most cold-blooded
+murders. It was by such a band that Calhoun was captured. He had been
+scouting toward Frankfort to see if the Federals were moving any
+considerable body of troops from that place to attack Morgan. He found
+them so frightened that they were not thinking of attacking Morgan; they
+were bending every nerve to defend the city from an expected attack by
+him. He was on his way back with the news that there was no danger from
+the direction of Frankfort, when he was told that a band of Home Guards,
+that were in fact a set of robbers, had their haunts in the rough, hilly
+country to the south of him, and he determined to try to effect their
+capture. After riding several miles, and hearing nothing of them, he
+ordered a return to Midway.
+
+The day was very hot, and coming to a cross-road, where several trees cast
+their grateful shade and a little brook ran babbling by, he ordered his
+men to halt and rest. The shade and the water were very acceptable to both
+man and beast; dismounting, the men lay sprawling around in the shade.
+Seeing a house standing on an eminence up the cross-road, Calhoun decided
+to take one of his soldiers named Nevels, and ride up to it to see if he
+could learn anything.
+
+“Better let us all go, there is no telling what one may run into in this
+country,” said a sergeant named Graham, who in the absence of Calhoun
+would be in command of the little company.
+
+“No, Graham,” answered Calhoun, “both men and horses are tired, and need
+the little rest they are getting. I do not think there is any danger. If I
+see anything suspicious, I will signal to you.” With these words Calhoun
+with his companion rode away.
+
+“There he goes as careless as if there was not an enemy within forty
+miles,” said Graham, looking after them, and shaking his head. “I tell you
+the Lieutenant will get into trouble some of these days. He is altogether
+too rash; never thinks of danger.”
+
+“Don’t worry about the Lieutenant,” lazily replied one of the men; “he
+never gets into a scrape without getting out of it. He is a good one, he
+is.”
+
+The Sergeant did not answer, but stood earnestly gazing after his chief,
+who by this time was about a quarter of a mile away. Here Calhoun and
+Nevels descended into a depression, which for a moment would hide them
+from the watchful eyes of the Sergeant.
+
+As Calhoun entered this depression, he noticed that a thick growth of
+underbrush came up close to the side of the road, affording a splendid
+place for concealment. For a moment a feeling as of unseen danger came
+over him, but nothing suspicious could be seen or heard, and dismissing
+the thought, he rode forward. Suddenly Calhoun’s horse stopped and pricked
+up his ears.
+
+“What’s the matter, Selim? What do you see?” exclaimed Calhoun, as he
+gently touched him with the spur.
+
+The horse sprang forward, but had gone but a few yards, when as suddenly
+as if they had arisen out of the ground, a dozen men, with levelled guns,
+arose by the side of the road, and demanded their surrender. Desperate as
+the chance was, Calhoun wheeled his horse to flee, when before him stood a
+dozen more men; his retreat was cut off.
+
+“Surrender, or you are dead men,” cried the leader. Calhoun saw they were
+surrounded by at least twenty-five men, and a most villainous-looking set
+they were. There was no help for it. To refuse to surrender meant instant
+death, and Calhoun and Nevels yielded as gracefully as possible.
+
+The Sergeant stood still looking up the road waiting for them to appear,
+when he caught sight of the head of a man, then of another, and another.
+
+“Boys,” he shouted, excitedly, “something is wrong; the Lieutenant is in
+trouble.”
+
+The little squad sprang to their horses, and without thinking of danger,
+or what force they would meet, rode to the rescue, the Sergeant in the
+lead. But when they neared the place, they were met with a volley which
+brought three of the horses down and seriously wounded two of the men.
+
+“Forward!” shouted the Sergeant, staggering to his feet, and holding his
+wounded arm, from which the blood was streaming.
+
+But another volley brought down two more of the horses, and the Sergeant
+seeing they were outnumbered more than two to one, ordered a halt, and
+made preparations to resist a charge, which he thought would surely come.
+No charge came, and all was silent in front. The Sergeant ordered an
+advance, but no enemy was found. They had silently decamped and left no
+trace behind, and had taken Calhoun and Nevels with them.
+
+Crippled as they were, and the Sergeant suffering terribly from his wound,
+it was decided it would be madness to pursue with their small force. So
+one of the men on a swift horse was sent to carry the news to Morgan,
+while the others followed more leisurely.
+
+When the news reached camp, the greatest excitement prevailed, and every
+man in the command clamored to be sent to the rescue. Colonel Morgan chose
+Captain Huffman, who, with thirty of his famous Texan rangers, was soon
+galloping to the scene of the encounter, under the guidance of the courier
+who had brought the news. On the way they met Calhoun’s little squad
+sorrowfully returning. Not a man but begged to be allowed to go with the
+rescuing party, but this, on account of the tired condition of their
+horses, and on account of the two wounded men, had to be refused.
+
+It was well along in the afternoon when the theatre of the encounter was
+reached. Captain Huffman had with him three or four men who for years had
+been accustomed to Indian fighting in Texas; these men took up the trail
+and followed it like bloodhounds. After going three or four miles, the
+advance ran into two men, who sought safety by running into the woods; but
+a shot in the leg brought one of them down, and he was captured. At first
+he denied knowing anything of the affair, saying he had heard nothing of a
+fight. But when Captain Huffman ordered a rope to be brought and it was
+placed around his neck, he begged piteously, saying that if they would
+spare his life he would tell them all he knew. And this is what he told
+them:
+
+He belonged to a band led by a man known as “Red Bill” from his florid
+complexion. It was this band that had captured Calhoun and Nevels. It
+seemed that the officer whom they had captured had known Red Bill in
+Danville, and taunted him with being a chicken-thief. This so angered Red
+Bill that he determined to hang the officer. This resulted in a quarrel
+among the members of the band, many of whom had become tired of the
+leadership of Red Bill, being fearful that his crimes would bring
+retribution on their heads. At last it was agreed that the band would
+disperse, Red Bill, on the promise that he might have the two horses
+captured, agreeing to deliver the two prisoners to the Federal commander
+at Frankfort.
+
+“But,” added the prisoner, whose name was Evans, “I doubt if they ever
+reach Frankfort. I reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid of
+them before he gets there.”
+
+Captain Huffman listened to this story with horror. “If this miscreant
+makes way with Lieutenant Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to his
+death, if it takes ten years,” he declared. Then turning to Evans, he
+asked: “Did any of the gang side with Red Bill?”
+
+“Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him,” was the answer.
+
+“And you men, at least twenty of you, by your own story, coolly left our
+men to be foully murdered?” furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
+
+The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
+
+“Answer!” thundered Huffman.
+
+“Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort,” he at length managed to
+say.
+
+“And you have just admitted that his promise was worth nothing. Where did
+this thing occur? Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?”
+demanded Huffman.
+
+“About three miles from here,” answered Evans.
+
+“Lead us to the place at once.”
+
+“I dare not,” he whimpered; “Red Bill will kill me if I give away the
+place of rendezvous. We are under a terrible oath not to reveal it.”
+
+“You need not fear Red Bill,” answered Captain Huffman, in ominous tones,
+“for I am going to hang you. Boys, bring the rope.”
+
+“Mercy! Mercy!” gasped the shivering wretch.
+
+“Then lead us to the place where you left Red Bill, and that quickly.”
+
+“My wound,” he whined, pointing to his leg.
+
+“Bind up his leg,” said Huffman to one of his men.
+
+The wound was rudely dressed, and then Evans was placed on a horse in
+front of a sturdy trooper.
+
+“Now take us to the place where you left Red Bill, by the shortest and
+quickest route; you say it is three miles. If we don’t reach it in half an
+hour, I will hang you like a dog. And,” continued Huffman, to the trooper
+in front of whom Evans was riding, “blow out his brains at the first sign
+of treachery.”
+
+For answer the trooper touched his revolver significantly.
+
+After riding swiftly for about two miles, Evans bade them turn into a path
+which led into the woods. The way became rough and rocky, and their
+progress was necessarily slower. Evans was in mortal terror lest the
+half-hour would be up before they could reach the place.
+
+“It is right down thar,” he at length said, pointing down a ravine which
+led to a stream.
+
+The place was admirably adapted for concealment. On a small level place
+surrounded by high cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in from
+view from every point except the single one on which they stood.
+
+“Leave the horses here,” whispered Huffman, “I think I caught sight of
+some one down there. We will creep up on them unawares.”
+
+Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain Huffman, with the rest of
+his force, silently crept down the gorge.
+
+  [Illustration: THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.]
+
+We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was captured and heard his men
+cheering as they made the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected
+they would all be killed. He was, therefore, greatly surprised when the
+firing ceased, and his captors came running back, and hurried him through
+the woods at a break-neck speed. The rapid pace was kept up for about
+three miles, when finding they were not pursued, they adopted a more
+leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for he was entirely out of
+breath. The leader of the gang, and another, probably the second in
+command, had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun and Nevels had been
+forced to walk, or rather run.
+
+Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the fight, and was told that
+all of his men had been killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors
+would not have retreated so hastily if they had achieved so sweeping a
+victory. He asked another question, but was roughly told to shut up.
+
+When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for the first time noticed his
+prisoners closely. He started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to his
+gang, said, “I reckon we had better string these fellows up, and get them
+out of the way.”
+
+“String us up,” boldly answered Calhoun, “and I would not give a cent for
+your worthless lives; Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you
+encumbered the earth.”
+
+“Who is afraid of Morgan!” exclaimed Red Bill, with an oath. “He and the
+rest of you are nuthin’ but hoss-thieves an’ yo’ will all hang one of
+these days. I know yo’, my young rooster, you air the son of that ole
+Rebil, Judge Pennington of Danville. I hev it in fur him.”
+
+“And I know you now,” hotly replied Calhoun, forgetting the danger he was
+in. “You used to live in Danville, and went by the name of Red Bill. Your
+popularity consisted in the fact that you were known as an adept
+chicken-thief. My father once sent you to jail for petit larceny.”
+
+Bill’s face grew still redder. “Yo’ lie, yo’ dog!” he hissed. “Yo’ father
+did send me to jail, but I war innocent, an’ he knowed it. But he thought
+I war only po’ white trash, while he is an aristocrat. I swore to hev my
+revenge, an’ I will hev it. Boys, what do we-uns do with hoss-thieves in
+ole Kentuck?”
+
+“Hang ’em,” exclaimed four or five voices.
+
+“An’ we-uns will hang this crowin’ bantam. I will learn him to call me a
+chicken-thief, classin’ me with niggers!” exclaimed Red Bill, with fury.
+
+“What will we-uns do with the other feller?” asked one of the men.
+
+“Hang him too. Dead men don’t talk.”
+
+But some of the gang began to demur over this summary proceeding, saying
+that the Federal authorities would deal severely with them if it became
+known they murdered prisoners in cold blood. Not only this, but Morgan had
+captured hundreds of Home Guards and paroled them. But if they should
+execute one of his prominent officers, he would show no mercy.
+
+The discussion became so hot, they came nearly fighting among themselves.
+At last one of them said, “I am tired of the hull business. I am goin’
+home.”
+
+“An’ I!” “An’ I!” cried a dozen voices.
+
+It was finally agreed that the gang should disband, only five agreeing to
+remain with Red Bill. Being allowed to keep the plunder and horses they
+had captured, these men, with Red Bill, promised to deliver Calhoun and
+Nevels to the Federal authorities at Frankfort, unharmed.
+
+Calhoun and Nevels had watched this quarrel among their captors with the
+utmost anxiety, knowing that upon the result depended their lives. It was
+with the deepest concern that they beheld the members of the party depart,
+leaving them with Red Bill and his five boon companions.
+
+No sooner were they alone than the six, with oaths and jeers, tied their
+prisoners securely to trees, drawing the cords so closely that they cut
+into the flesh. Although the pain was terrible, neither Calhoun nor Nevels
+uttered a moan. After the prisoners were thus securely tied, Red Bill
+produced a bottle of whisky, and the six commenced drinking, apparently
+taking no notice of their captives. The whole six were soon fiendishly
+drunk.
+
+Staggering up to Calhoun, Red Bill growled: “Think we-uns goin’ to take
+you to Frankfort, I reckin’.”
+
+“That is what you promised,” replied Calhoun, calmly.
+
+“Well, we-uns ain’t. We-uns goin’ to hang ye!”
+
+Calhoun turned pale, then controlling himself by a powerful effort, he
+replied: “Do the Home Guards of Kentucky violate every principle of
+honorable warfare?”
+
+“Damn honorable warfare! Yo-uns called me a chicken-thief; I call you a
+hoss-thief. Hoss-thieves air hanged. Ha! ha! the son of Judge Pennington
+strung up fo’ stealin’ hosses! Won’t that sound nice?” and he burst into a
+devilish laugh, in which he was joined by the others.
+
+Calhoun saw there was no hope. It was hard to die such an ignominious
+death. “Oh!” he thought, “if I had only been permitted to die amid the
+flame and smoke of battle. Such a death is glorious; but this——” A great
+lump arose in his throat, and came near choking him.
+
+Gulping it back, he whispered to Nevels: “Don’t show the white feather.
+Let them see how Morgan’s men can die.”
+
+The brave fellow nodded; he could not speak. He had a wife and child at
+home.
+
+They were unbound from the tree, but their arms and limbs were kept
+tightly pinioned. Ropes were brought and tied around their necks, and the
+free ends thrown over a limb of the tree.
+
+“Can ye tie a true hangman’s knot, Jack?” asked Red of the villain who was
+adjusting the rope around Calhoun’s neck.
+
+“That I can, Red,” he answered, with a chuckling laugh. “It’s as neat a
+job as eny sheriff can do.”
+
+The sun had just sunk to rest; the gloom of night was settling over the
+forest. Calhoun saw the shadows thicken among the trees. The darkness of
+death would soon be upon him.
+
+“String ’em up!” shouted Red.
+
+Just then the solemn hoot of a distant owl was heard. One of the men
+holding the rope dropped it, and shivered from head to foot.
+
+“Boys,” he whispered, “let’s don’t do it. That’s a note of warning. I
+never knew it to fail.”
+
+“Cuss ye fo’ a white-livered coward!” yelled Red Bill. “String them up, I
+tell ye!”
+
+For answer there came the sharp crack of rifles, the rush of armed men,
+and the infuriated Texans were on them. No mercy was shown; in a moment it
+was all over.
+
+Quickly the cords which bound Calhoun and Nevels were cut, and the
+terrible nooses removed from their necks. “Thank God, we were in time!”
+cried Captain Huffman, wringing Calhoun’s hand.
+
+But Calhoun stood as one in a trance. So sudden had been his deliverance,
+he could not realize it. He had nerved himself to die, and now that he was
+safe, he felt sick and faint, and would have fallen if he had not been
+supported. Both he and Nevels soon rallied, and poured out their thanks to
+the brave men who had come to their rescue.
+
+“We would never have found you,” said Huffman, “if we had not run on one
+of the gang who under the threat of death piloted us here.”
+
+“Where is he?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“With the boys up with the horses.”
+
+“Let him go,” pleaded Calhoun; “but for him I would now have been food for
+the buzzards.”
+
+“To which we will leave these carrion,” answered Huffman, pointing to the
+dead Home Guards. “But we must be going; Morgan is impatient to be on the
+road.”
+
+Great was the rejoicing in Morgan’s command when Captain Huffman returned
+bringing Calhoun and Nevels safe; and much satisfaction was expressed over
+the fate of their captors. In half an hour after the return of Captain
+Huffman’s command, Morgan’s men were en route for Paris.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+                       CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.
+
+
+After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march directly to Paris, but halted
+at Georgetown, a little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The citizens
+of Georgetown gave Morgan’s command the same joyous welcome which they had
+received at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to them not as an
+enemy, but as a liberator.
+
+From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack Cynthiana, which lies north of
+Paris, having heard there was a considerable body of Federal troops
+stationed there. Sending a small force toward Lexington to keep up the
+fiction of an attack upon that place, Morgan moved with the main body of
+his force upon Cynthiana.
+
+Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan was engaged in during his
+raid. Cynthiana was held by Colonel John J. Landram of the Eighteenth
+Kentucky. He had under him about four hundred men, mostly Home Guards and
+raw recruits. Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the battle raged
+for an hour and a half with the greatest fury. It was at last decided by a
+furious charge made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas rangers. The
+entire force of Colonel Landram was killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
+Colonel Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his bravest men. Calhoun
+was not in this fight, having been sent with his scouts toward Lexington
+to watch the movements of the enemy.
+
+From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and the place surrendered without a
+shot being fired. Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexington
+railroad was now in Morgan’s possession, and he proceeded to destroy it as
+thoroughly as his limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed by
+his enemies. A large force was moving on him from Frankfort; another from
+Lexington. Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully informed of
+these movements.
+
+Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith’s forces from Lexington, he
+marched for Winchester. His next move was to Richmond. This left all the
+pursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan’s movements, the
+marvellous endurance of his men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
+
+At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand and give battle to his
+pursuers; but Calhoun brought word that at least five thousand Federals
+were closing in on him. To give battle to such a number would have been
+madness, so he marched for Crab Orchard. On the march Calhoun made a
+detour toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his uncle, Colonel
+Richard Shackelford. He was also in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. He
+had heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping him from being
+sent to a Northern prison, and he wished to thank him. He was ashamed of
+the hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to make amends for it.
+
+His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his consternation Fred
+presented himself in the uniform of a captain of the Federal army. His men
+clamored to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had succeeded in
+quieting them, to his dismay Captain Conway came galloping upon the scene
+at the head of his company. He had obtained permission from Morgan to
+scout toward Danville. His real object was to capture Fred, who he knew
+was at home. Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy. His plan
+was frustrated by the bold stand taken by Colonel Shackelford, who
+delivered Fred as a prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him to
+Morgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once paroled him, although Conway
+tried his best to have him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,
+but let him return with the horse he had ridden, although many of the men
+looked on the splendid animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not hear
+of their taking a horse which belonged to his old friend, Colonel
+Shackelford.
+
+“Why didn’t you ride that horse of yours?” asked Captain Mathews of Fred,
+alluding to Fred’s famous horse, Prince.
+
+“Afraid you might keep him,” laughed Fred; “you are a good judge of a
+horse, Captain.”
+
+“Right you are,” responded Mathews; “I am sorry I didn’t think of that
+horse when we were at Richmond. I would have visited you with my friend
+Conway, and taken the horse. Think I will have to return for him yet.”
+
+Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but that very night Mathews
+dispatched two of his men back in disguise to steal Fred’s horse.
+
+From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset, surprising the place, and
+capturing a large wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies, all
+of which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he again took possession of the
+telegraph office, and enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
+
+At Somerset Morgan’s raid was practically at an end. There were no Federal
+troops in front of him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he had
+completed the destruction of all the United States property in the place,
+and was ready to leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GEORGE D. PRENTICE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete destruction of
+all of Uncle Sam’s property in this little burg. I regret exceedingly that
+this is the last that comes under my supervision on this route. I expect
+in a short time to pay you a visit, and wish to know if you will be at
+home. All well in Dixie.
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GENERAL J. T. BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution. You should
+destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend Ellsworth has all of
+your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you wish copies?
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+HON. GEORGE DUNLAP, Washington, D. C.
+
+Just completed my tour through Kentucky. Captured sixteen cities,
+destroyed millions of dollars of United States property. Passed through
+your county, but regret not seeing you. We paroled fifteen hundred Federal
+prisoners. Your old friend,
+
+                                                    JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The feelings of the above gentlemen as they received these telegrams can
+better be imagined than described. The one to General Boyle must have cut
+him to the quick as he read it. To know how completely Morgan had
+outwitted him was like gall and wormwood to him.
+
+From Somerset Morgan halted his command at Livingston, Tennessee, to take
+a much-needed rest. Never did men need it more. They had accomplished one
+of the most astonishing feats in the annals of American warfare. No wonder
+the name of Morgan struck terror to the hearts of the Federals. Morgan in
+his report of his raid sums it up as follows:
+
+“I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month with about nine hundred
+men, and returned to Livingston on the 28th instant with nearly twelve
+hundred, having been absent just twenty-four days, during which time I
+travelled over one thousand miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed all
+the government property and arms in them, dispersed about fifteen hundred
+Home Guards, and paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I lost in
+killed, wounded, and missing of the number I carried into Kentucky, about
+ninety.”
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+                         THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.
+
+
+Morgan’s command had not been encamped at Livingston more than two or
+three days when, to every one’s astonishment, a couple of soldiers
+belonging to Captain Mathews’s company came riding into camp, one on Fred
+Shackelford’s famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known horse of
+Colonel Shackelford’s, called Blenheim.
+
+Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter which greeted the soldiers as
+they galloped in waving their hats and shouting, ran out of his quarters
+to see what was occasioning the excitement. He could hardly believe his
+eyes when he saw the well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a great
+jump, for the thought came to him that his cousin had been waylaid and
+killed. But if so, how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too? To his
+relief he soon learned the truth of the story, how from Crab Orchard
+Captain Mathews had sent back two of his company to capture Prince, and
+they had returned not only with Prince, but with Blenheim. Mathews was in
+high spirits as he appropriated Prince. Jumping on his back he galloped
+him through camp, showing off his fine points, and declaring he could
+outrun any horse in the brigade. A match was soon arranged, but Prince so
+easily outstripped every competitor that soon no officer was found who had
+the hardihood to enter his horse in the lists against him.
+
+Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his satisfaction. He could not
+forego the opportunity of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be vexed
+over the capture of his cousin’s horse.
+
+“Why do you come blowing around me?” asked Calhoun, nettled by his manner,
+“I am neither the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his horse.”
+
+“Oh, you were so careful of his precious person when I took him prisoner,
+I did not know but your carefulness might extend to his horse,” replied
+Conway, with a sneer.
+
+Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself, he replied: “You did
+not take Captain Shackelford, and I am surprised that you should make such
+a statement. You forget that I was there before you.”
+
+“You would have let the fellow go,” snapped Conway.
+
+“Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“It was your fault that he slipped through my fingers,” exclaimed Conway,
+angrily, “but my time will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
+this war is over, and I shall.”
+
+“Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain,” replied Calhoun, with
+provoking coolness; and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away with a
+muttered oath.
+
+Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun ever since their first
+meeting, partly because he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
+himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on account of his being Fred’s
+cousin. But after the affair at Colonel Shackelford’s house, he took
+little pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers of the brigade
+noticed this, and predicted that sooner or later there would be trouble
+between the two.
+
+But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture of
+Prince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: “Ah!
+Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think of
+him?” Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in
+the command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answered
+pleasantly: “He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
+beaten by him in a race. But,” continued Calhoun, with a laugh, “my advice
+is to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back,
+sure. That horse has more tricks than you dream of.”
+
+“I am not worrying,” replied Mathews. “One of your scouts has just had to
+fork over five dollars to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab
+Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps you would like to bet I
+can’t keep him?”
+
+“Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain Shackelford will have his
+horse back in less than two months,” answered Calhoun, dryly.
+
+“Done!” exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and the stakes were placed in
+the hands of Captain Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to the
+officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very foolish bet on the part
+of Calhoun.
+
+“That twenty-five is gone,” said Huffman to Calhoun, as he pocketed the
+stakes, “but I am sure of having fifty dollars for at least two months.”
+
+“I reckon I shall lose,” said Calhoun, “but Mathews had better not let
+Shackelford get sight of his horse.”
+
+“Why?” asked a dozen voices in concert.
+
+“Because that horse is up to more antics than a trick horse in a circus.
+You will see, if we ever run across my cousin in our raids.”
+
+“I don’t know what you mean,” said one of the officers, “but your cousin
+will have a fine time getting that horse away from Jim Mathews.”
+
+“Wait and see,” was Calhoun’s answer.
+
+It was not many days before they knew what Calhoun meant. A few days
+sufficed to rest Morgan’s command, and it was not the nature of Morgan to
+remain long idle. He had to be doing something. It was known that the
+Confederate armies were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward
+movement into Kentucky. In fact, General Kirby Smith had already set out
+from Knoxville to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg was nearly
+ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.
+
+The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered, and owing to the raids of
+Morgan and Forrest, the men were on short rations. General Buell was at
+his wits’ end. He knew that General Bragg was preparing to advance, but
+thought he would not attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking
+him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere in Middle Tennessee,
+and concentrated his forces for that event.
+
+Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike another blow at the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and this time right under the noses of
+the Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles from Nashville, and
+Morgan decided to attempt its capture. In order to spy out the land,
+Calhoun entered the place as a country lad. He found that it was
+garrisoned by a Federal force of about four hundred, under the command of
+Colonel Boone. The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets were out,
+and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering the place. He made himself
+known to a few of the citizens, and they gave him all the information
+possible. To them the coming of Morgan meant deliverance from a hateful
+foe.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to find out the station of every picket at
+night. The camp of the Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile from
+the city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep at a hotel in the city; in
+fact, his wife was sick at the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan was
+near, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed both to Nashville and
+to General Buell at MacMinnville for reinforcements, but no attention was
+paid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to send nearly half of his
+force away to intercept a drove of beef cattle which it was reported the
+Confederates were driving down from Kentucky.
+
+That the citizens might not know that his numbers were depleted, Colonel
+Boone did not send this force away until midnight, thinking no one would
+see them depart. But sharp eyes were watching. Nothing was going on in
+Gallatin without Calhoun’s knowledge. He lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan, and the attack came swiftly.
+
+Knowing the location of every picket post, Calhoun was able to effect
+their capture without the firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatin
+without the knowledge of the Federal force, which was only half a mile
+away. Colonel Boone was captured at the hotel. The first intimation he had
+that Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded by Calhoun to
+surrender. A demand was now made on the camp that it should surrender,
+which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin, with the entire Federal
+garrison and all the military stores which it contained, was captured.
+
+Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies of Captain Mathews and
+Captain Conway, together with Calhoun’s scouts, to take the stockade which
+guarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The attack was successful, the
+stockade surrendering after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in the
+possession of the Confederates.
+
+A long train of cars which had been captured was piled with wood, rails,
+and other combustibles, set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sides
+and roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork, and the whole
+tunnel was soon a roaring mass of flame. The wood being burned away the
+tunnel caved in, and it was months before a train ran through from
+Louisville to Nashville. Morgan had effectually blocked the road. Highly
+elated with their success, the command returned to Gallatin, Mathews and
+Conway riding at the head of the column. To Calhoun was committed the care
+of the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.
+
+When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard the report of a single
+pistol shot in front, then a rapid succession of rifle shots. The head of
+the column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and the whole command came
+to a halt.
+
+Fearful that an attack had been made by a Federal force coming from
+Nashville, Calhoun gave orders to shoot down the first prisoner who
+attempted to escape, and prepared to resist any attack that might come.
+But no more firing was heard, and the column began to move again. Soon an
+officer came riding back and told Calhoun a story that interested him
+greatly.
+
+Mathews and Conway were riding at the head of the column, when, as it
+reached a cross-road, a peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
+Mathews’s horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated his rider, and dashed up
+the cross-road. Conway’s horse bolted, and in spite of Conway’s efforts,
+followed.
+
+A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road, and Mathews’s horse stopped
+by his side. He fired at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To save
+himself from being shot again, Conway flung himself from his horse. The
+boy sprang onto Mathews’s horse and rode away at full speed, followed by
+the other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired at the boy. Captain
+Mathews’s arm was broken by the fall.
+
+  [Illustration: HE FIRED AT CONWAY.]
+
+“So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?” asked Calhoun, with a faint
+smile.
+
+“Yes, he will quit blowing now.”
+
+“And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am sorry Mathews had his arm
+broken.”
+
+When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway had had his wound dressed,
+and Mathews’s arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering passion. He
+blamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying if it had not been for him, Fred
+Shackelford would have been hanged as a spy. From this time he did not try
+to conceal his hatred of Calhoun.
+
+Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically. “It was a blamed
+sharp trick on the part of young Shackelford!” he exclaimed. Then turning
+to Captain Huffman, he said: “Give that money to Lieutenant Pennington; he
+has won it. But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss back. My
+reputation depends upon it. Then to think that I, who prided myself on
+being one of the best hossmen in Morgan’s troop, should be thrown. Bah! it
+makes me sick,” and his face took on a look of disgust.
+
+“I warned you,” said Calhoun, “that that horse was up to tricks. When Fred
+gives that whistle he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I have
+seen Fred try it time and time again with his father’s nigger boys as
+riders, and Prince never failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave that
+whistle his horse would have gone to him, or died in the attempt.”
+
+“I am sorry you didn’t let Conway hang him,” replied Mathews, gently
+rubbing his broken arm, “but I will get even with him, see if I don’t. I
+want that hoss worse than ever.”
+
+A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a Federal force moved up from
+Nashville, reoccupied the city, committed many depredations, and began
+arresting the citizens right and left, accusing them of complicity with
+Morgan. When Morgan heard of this he at once moved to the relief of the
+distressed city. Attacking the rear guard of the enemy as it was leaving
+the place, he not only defeated them, but drove them to within seven miles
+of Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot Knob, and burning the high
+railroad trestle at that place. He also captured a train of cars and
+liberated forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being taken to
+Nashville as prisoners. They had been used with the greatest cruelty by
+their captors.
+
+In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding
+the provocation was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatin
+had been used, Morgan treated his prisoners kindly and paroled them.
+
+The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly alarmed, resolved to crush
+Morgan. To this end a brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,
+placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson, and sent against him.
+Johnson thought that Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against that
+place. But when he reached Hartsville and learned that Morgan was at
+Gallatin, he at once marched to attack him there, confident of easy
+victory.
+
+Up to this time the Federals had boasted that Morgan would not fight
+anything like an equal force; that he always attacked isolated posts with
+overwhelming numbers. They were now to learn something different. Morgan
+had been kept well posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to every
+movement of Johnson. Although he knew that he was greatly outnumbered,
+Morgan resolved to give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
+
+Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun came galloping into Gallatin
+with the information that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting a
+battle in the city Morgan moved out on the Hartsville pike, meeting the
+enemy about two miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at once with
+fury. Up to that time it was the greatest engagement fought in the West in
+which cavalry only was engaged.
+
+For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for an hour the issue of the
+battle was doubtful; then a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal
+forces. Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns, accoutrements,
+everything that impeded their progress, thinking only of safety in flight.
+Plunging into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did not stop
+running until they reached Nashville.
+
+The remaining Federal force under General Johnson retreated about two
+miles, and then made a brave stand. But nothing could withstand the fury
+of Colonel Basil Duke’s attack, whose command had the advance. General
+Johnson and many of his men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
+scattered.
+
+In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred men, killed, wounded, and
+missing. Their general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their cost, they
+found that when the occasion demanded it Morgan would fight. Morgan’s loss
+in the battle was only five killed and twenty wounded; but among the
+latter was the brave Captain Huffman, who had an arm shattered.
+
+Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest praise from Morgan for
+the masterly manner in which he handled his regiment. It was greatly owing
+to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory was won.
+
+In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part. Single-handed he engaged a
+Federal officer who was trying to rally his men, and forced him to
+surrender. When he delivered up his sword Calhoun saw to his surprise that
+it was his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+“Ah, Lieutenant,” said Calhoun, “I am glad to have met you again. When the
+battle is over I will come and see you.”
+
+“Pennington again, as I am alive!” gasped the astonished Lieutenant.
+
+After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejected
+and crestfallen among the prisoners.
+
+“Cheer up, Lieutenant,” said Calhoun, pleasantly; “we are going to parole
+you. You will soon be at liberty.”
+
+“How often do you want to parole a fellow? This will be the third time,”
+growled Haines. “Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you off the face
+of the earth sure this time. We would, too, if it hadn’t been for that
+cowardly regiment which broke.”
+
+“An ‘if’ has stood in between many a man and success,” answered Calhoun.
+“How long ago were you exchanged?”
+
+“About two months,” replied Haines, “and here I am in for it again. I
+expected to win a captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall
+die a lieutenant.”
+
+“Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet, who knows? To change the
+subject, have you met the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the
+army?”
+
+A change came over the face of Haines—one that transformed his rather
+handsome features into those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and
+wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself, and answered:
+
+“Yes, but trouble has come upon the family. Mr. Osborne refused to take
+the oath of allegiance, and as he was looked upon as a dangerous
+character, he has been sent North as a prisoner.”
+
+“To wear his life away in some Northern bastile!” exclaimed Calhoun, in a
+fury. “Monstrous!”
+
+“That is not all,” returned Haines. “By some means the house took fire and
+burned with all its contents. I did all I could for them—tried to save Mr.
+Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax my efforts to have him
+released. I have some powerful friends in the North.”
+
+Calhoun thanked him, and went his way. But that look which came over
+Haines’s face, what did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+                                THE DUEL.
+
+
+IN August, 1862, Cumberland Gap, the gateway between Eastern Kentucky and
+East Tennessee, was held by a Federal force of over ten thousand,
+commanded by General George W. Morgan. It was this force which confronted
+General Kirby Smith as he set out to invade Kentucky.
+
+The place being too strong to carry by assault, General Smith left a force
+in front of the Gap to menace it, made a flank movement with the rest of
+his army, passed through Roger’s Gap unopposed, and without paying any
+attention to the force at Cumberland Gap, pushed on with all speed for
+Central Kentucky.
+
+At the same time General Bragg made his long-expected advance from
+Chattanooga, completely deceiving Buell, who first concentrated his army
+at Altamont and then at MacMinnville. Bragg marched unopposed up the
+Sequatchie Valley to Sparta. General George H. Thomas had advised Buell to
+occupy Sparta, but the advice was rejected. Buell could not, or would not,
+see that Kentucky was Bragg’s objective point. He now believed that
+Nashville or Murfreesboro was the point of danger, and he concentrated his
+army at the latter place.
+
+From Sparta General Bragg had marched to Carthage, crossed the Cumberland
+River, and was well on his way to Kentucky before Buell waked up. Bragg
+was then three days ahead of him. If Bragg had marched straight for
+Louisville, there would have been no troops to oppose him until he reached
+that place, and Louisville would have fallen. But he stopped to take
+Mumfordsville, and the delay was fatal. It gave Buell the opportunity to
+overtake him.
+
+When the forward movement began, Colonel John H. Morgan was ordered to
+Eastern Kentucky to watch the force at Cumberland Gap and prevent it from
+falling on the rear of the army of General Smith. Smith moved rapidly, and
+on August 29 fought the battle of Richmond, where a Federal force of seven
+thousand was almost annihilated, only about eight hundred escaping.
+
+By the movements of Smith and Bragg the Federal force at Cumberland Gap
+was cut off. For that army the situation was a grave one. In their front
+was General Stevenson with a force too small to attack, but large enough
+to keep them from advancing. In their rear were the Confederate armies.
+They were short of food; starvation stared them in the face. It was either
+surrender or a retreat through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
+
+General George W. Morgan called a council of his officers, and it was
+decided to evacuate the Gap and attempt the retreat. The Gap was evacuated
+on the night of the 17th of September. All government property which could
+not be carried away was given to the flames. The rough mountain road had
+been mined, and the mines were exploded to prevent Stevenson from
+following. But as Stevenson’s force was infantry, it would be of little
+avail in following the retreating Federals.
+
+A toilsome march of two hundred and twenty miles over rough mountainous
+roads lay between the Federals and the Ohio River. To the credit of
+General G. W. Morgan be it said, he conducted the retreat with consummate
+skill. It was expected that a Confederate force in Eastern Kentucky under
+General Humphrey Marshall would try to cut the Federals off; but Marshall
+never appeared, and it was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
+what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry brigade could not stop
+the progress of ten thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day Morgan
+hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking advantage of every opening,
+and making their way a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen days,
+the Federal force, footsore and completely exhausted, reached the Ohio at
+Greenupsburg on the Ohio River, and was safe.
+
+During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost continually in the saddle,
+the foremost to strike, the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
+his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners to their credit.
+
+When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow the retreating army any
+longer, without taking any rest he turned the head of his column toward
+Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed there.
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the change a few weeks
+had effected. All Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the Federals.
+Panic-stricken they had fled back to Louisville and Cincinnati, and were
+cowering in their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony of fear. The
+governors were frantically calling on the people to arise _en masse_ and
+save their states from invasion.
+
+When the command reached Danville, Calhoun was nearly beside himself with
+joy. Over the courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South. It was
+the first time Calhoun had ever seen there the flag he loved so well. With
+a proud hurrah he dashed up to the door of his father’s residence; there
+was no one to molest him or make him afraid. From the house of every
+friend of the South hung a Confederate flag.
+
+“Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!” shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.
+
+But he was disappointed in not finding his father at home. The Judge was
+in Frankfort, helping to form a provisional government for the state. Many
+of the more sanguine of the Southern element of the state already
+considered it safe in the Confederacy.
+
+Although his father was not at home, Calhoun received a most joyful
+welcome. “Bress de chile, if he isn’t bac’ again,” cried Aunt Chloe.
+
+“Yes, Chloe,” said Calhoun, as he shook her honest black hand, “and now be
+sure and get up one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this time.
+And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel Morgan, with his staff, will
+be here to dine.”
+
+But what Morgan’s command learned was anything but satisfactory. Kirby
+Smith had advanced to within six miles of Covington, there halted, and at
+last fallen back. Bragg, instead of marching direct to Louisville, had
+turned aside to Bardstown, allowing Buell’s army to enter the city of
+Louisville unopposed. There Buell had been joined by twenty thousand fresh
+troops. Clothing and refitting his men, he had turned, and was now
+marching on Bardstown. A great battle might be fought any day. In fact, it
+was reported that Bragg had already abandoned Bardstown and was marching
+in the direction of Danville or Harrodsburg.
+
+“I don’t like it at all,” said Morgan. “Our generals have already let the
+golden opportunity pass. But there is still hope. With the armies of Bragg
+and Smith united, they should be strong enough to give battle and crush
+Buell.”
+
+So good was the dinner and so animated the discussion, that it was late in
+the afternoon when they arose from the table. As they came out Morgan
+suddenly stopped and said, “Hark!”
+
+Away in the northwest, in the direction of Perryville, the dull heavy
+booming of cannon was heard. They listened and the dull roar, like distant
+thunder, was continuous.
+
+“A battle is being fought,” they said, in low tones; “May God favor the
+right!”
+
+At Perryville the forces of Buell and Bragg had met, and were engaged in
+deadly strife. Until nightfall the heavy dull roar was heard, and then it
+died away. Which army had been victorious? They could not tell.
+
+After the battle of Perryville, Buell, fully expecting that Bragg would
+fight a decisive battle for the possession of the state, remained inactive
+for three days for the purpose of concentrating his army. It was fatal to
+all his hopes, for Bragg had already decided to leave the state, and he
+utilized the three days in getting away with his immense trains. He had
+been grievously disappointed in the hope that his army would be largely
+recruited, and that at least twenty thousand Kentuckians would flock to
+his standard. But Kentucky had already been well drained of men,
+furnishing troops by thousands for both sides.
+
+From one point of view, the invasion of Kentucky by the Confederates had
+been a magnificent success. A loss of at least twenty thousand had been
+inflicted on the Federal armies, while the loss of the Confederate army
+had not been over one-third of that number. In addition to that, the
+immense stores gathered and taken South were of inestimable value to the
+army. But in the chagrin and disappointment over Bragg’s retreat these
+things were lost sight of and the Confederate general was most bitterly
+denounced.
+
+Calhoun went wild when he heard that the state was to be given up without
+a decisive battle, that all that had been gained was to go for naught; and
+his feelings were shared by all Morgan’s men.
+
+“It won’t prevent us from visiting the state once in a while,” said
+Morgan, with a grim smile.
+
+As for Judge Pennington, he was so disgusted that although his whole heart
+was with the South, he gave up all idea of forming a state government
+loyal to the Confederacy, and remained quiet during the rest of the war.
+“The armies will have to settle it,” he would say; “we can do nothing
+here.”
+
+One of the first things that Calhoun did after he reached Danville was to
+see Jennie Freeman and thank her for her timely warning. “It was kind of
+you, Jennie,” he said, “for I know that you hate the cause for which I am
+fighting.”
+
+“My conscience has hurt me awfully ever since,” replied Jennie, with a
+toss of her head; “and then I believe you told me an awful fib.”
+
+“Why, how is that, Jennie?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“You worked on my sympathy, and said if you were caught you would be
+hanged. The Union forces don’t hang prisoners. They would only have shut
+you up, and that is what you deserve.”
+
+“But, Jennie, I was in disguise; they would have hanged me as a spy.”
+
+“Don’t believe it, but I sometimes think half of you Rebels ought to be
+hanged.”
+
+“Oh, Jennie, Jennie! what a bloodthirsty creature you have grown! But
+where is your father?”
+
+“Thank the Lord, where the old flag yet floats—in Louisville. He will stay
+there until that rag comes down,” and she pointed to the Confederate flag
+floating over the courthouse.
+
+“Poor girl, never to see her father again,” exclaimed Calhoun, in tones of
+compassion.
+
+“What do you mean?” she asked, turning pale. A sudden fear had come over
+her; had anything befallen her father?
+
+Calhoun saw her mistake. Laughing, he said, “I only meant that flag would
+never come down.”
+
+“Is that all?” she replied, saucily; “you all will be scurrying south like
+so many rabbits in less than a week.”
+
+“Give us ten days.”
+
+“No, not an hour more than a week. And mind, if you get caught, you
+needn’t call on me for help.”
+
+“Well, Jennie, don’t let’s quarrel. Perhaps I can return the favor you did
+me, by helping you some day.”
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. The next day Jennie ventured
+out to visit a sick friend. On her return she had to pass a couple of
+Confederate officers, one of whom was intoxicated. The other appeared to
+be reasoning with him, and trying to get him to go to his quarters.
+
+As Jennie was hurrying past them, the one who was intoxicated staggered
+toward her, and leering at her, exclaimed, “How—how do, pretty one? Give
+me a—a kiss!”
+
+Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly by the arm. Just as he
+did so, he was struck a terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling
+in the gutter.
+
+“Take my arm, Jennie,” said Calhoun, for it was he who struck the blow, “I
+will see you safe home.”
+
+The trembling girl took his arm, saying: “Oh, Calhoun, how glad I am you
+came! How can I thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful man?”
+
+“Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan’s command. His name is
+Conway. We left him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able to follow
+Bragg’s army, and he joined us only yesterday. By the way, it was Fred
+Shackelford who shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back. Conway was
+riding Blenheim.”
+
+“Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn’t that just splendid in him,
+getting his horse back!”
+
+“Where is Fred now?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“I don’t know. Did you know General Nelson was shot?”
+
+“Shot? Nelson shot?” cried Calhoun. “Where? How?”
+
+Jennie had to tell him what little she knew about it. All that she had
+heard had come from Confederate sources.
+
+“Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel ashamed. It is the first time
+I ever knew one of Morgan’s men to insult a woman.”
+
+“I hope that miserable Conway will give you no trouble,” said Jennie, as
+they parted.
+
+“No fears on that score,” lightly replied Calhoun, as he bade her
+good-bye.
+
+But Calhoun well knew there would be trouble. No Kentucky officer would
+forgive a blow, no matter what the provocation was under which it was
+given.
+
+The blow which Conway received had the effect of sobering him, but he
+presented a pitiable sight. His face was covered with blood, and one eye
+was nearly closed. When he knew it was Calhoun that had struck him, his
+rage was fearful. Nothing but blood would wipe out the insult. For a
+Kentucky gentleman not to resent a blow meant disgrace and dishonor; he
+would be looked upon as a contemptible coward. But Conway was no coward.
+He knew he was in fault, but that would not wipe out the disgrace of the
+blow. There was but one thing for him to do, and that was to challenge
+Calhoun.
+
+That night Calhoun was waited upon by Captain Mathews, who in the name of
+Conway demanded an abject apology. This, of course, was refused, and a
+formal challenge was delivered. Calhoun at once accepted it, and referred
+Mathews to his friend Lieutenant Matson.
+
+“Look here, Pennington,” said Mathews, “I do not want you to think I
+uphold Conway in what he did. I am no saint, but I never insulted a woman.
+Conway would not have done it if he had not been drunk. I was just going
+to the lady’s rescue when you struck the blow. There was no need of
+knocking Conway down. I understand the girl is a Lincolnite, but that
+makes no difference, Conway is right in demanding satisfaction.”
+
+“And I am willing to give it to him,” answered Calhoun. “The only thing I
+ask is that the affair be arranged quickly. Let it be to-morrow morning at
+sunrise. And, Captain, understand that I bear you no grudge. I consider
+your action perfectly honorable.”
+
+Mathews bowed and withdrew. He and Matson quickly arranged the
+preliminaries. The meeting was to take place at sunrise, in a secluded
+spot near Danville; the weapons were pistols, the distance fifteen paces.
+Only one shot was to be allowed. The affair had to be managed with the
+utmost secrecy; above all things, it had to be kept from the ears of
+Morgan. But it was whispered from one to another until half the officers
+knew of it. None blamed Calhoun, yet none could see how Conway could avoid
+giving the challenge.
+
+“Both are dead men,” said an officer, with a grave shake of the head.
+“Morgan ought to be told; he would stop it.”
+
+“Tell Morgan if you dare!” cried half a dozen voices.
+
+“Oh, I am not going to tell; if they wish to kill each other it’s none of
+my business,” replied the officer, turning away.
+
+Calhoun was known as the best pistol shot in the brigade, and Conway was
+no mean marksman. Everyone thought it would be a bloody affair. Many were
+aware of the enmity which Conway held toward Calhoun, and knew he would
+kill him if he could. Meanwhile Jennie slept unconscious of the danger
+Calhoun was in for her sake.
+
+It was a beautiful autumn morning when they met. The sun was just rising,
+touching woods, and fields, and the spires of the distant town with its
+golden light. The meeting was in a place which Calhoun well knew. How
+often he had played there when a boy! It was an open glade in the midst of
+a grove of mighty forest trees. The trees had taken on the beautiful hues
+of autumn, and they flamed with red and gold and orange.
+
+At least twenty had assembled to witness the duel. A surgeon stood near
+with an open case of instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
+turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.
+
+The principals were placed in position. A hush came over the little group
+of spectators. Even the breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
+the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge, and a shower of
+leaves, red as blood, fell around the contestants.
+
+“Are you ready, gentlemen?” asked Mathews.
+
+“Ready!” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Ready!” said Conway.
+
+“One—two—three—fire!”
+
+Conway’s pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight twinge of pain. The ball
+had grazed his left side, near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
+For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his pistol and fired in the
+air.
+
+The spectators raised a shout of applause; but Conway was white with rage.
+“I demand another shot,” he shouted, “Pennington’s action has made a farce
+of this meeting.”
+
+“It was the condition that but one shot should be allowed,” remonstrated
+Mathews.
+
+“The condition has not been fulfilled,” angrily replied Conway; “I demand
+another shot.”
+
+In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun, and seeing the hole
+through his clothing, exclaimed. “My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?”
+
+“A mere scratch; it’s nothing,” answered Calhoun.
+
+An examination showed it to be so, but blood had been drawn. This should
+have satisfied Conway, but it did not; he still insisted on a second shot.
+This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely, when Calhoun asked to be
+heard.
+
+“Although Captain Conway richly deserved the blow I gave him,” he said,
+“yet as a gentleman and an officer I felt he could do no less than
+challenge me. I have given him the satisfaction he demanded. If he insists
+on continuing the duel, I shall conclude it is his desire to kill me
+through personal malice, not on account of his injured honor, which
+according to the code has been satisfied. This time there will be no
+firing in the air. Give him the second shot, if he desires it.”
+
+“No! No!” cried a dozen voices.
+
+Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a low tone, said: “You fool, do
+you want to be killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if you
+insist on the second shot. Now you are out of it honorably.”
+
+Conway mumbled something, and Mathews turning around, said: “Gentlemen, my
+principal acknowledges himself satisfied. It is with pleasure that I
+compliment both of the principals in this affair. They have conducted
+themselves like true Kentucky gentlemen, and I trust they will part as
+such.”
+
+“Shake hands, gentlemen, shake hands,” cried their friends, crowding
+around them.
+
+Calhoun gave his freely, but Conway extended his coldly. There was a look
+in his eye which foreboded future trouble.
+
+Such a meeting could not be kept secret, and it soon came to the ears of
+Morgan. Both of the principals, as well as the seconds were summoned into
+his presence. He listened to all the details in silence, and then said:
+
+“It is well that this affair resulted as it did. If either one of the
+principals had fallen, the other would have been summarily dealt with.
+Both of you,” looking at Conway and Calhoun, “were to blame. Lieutenant
+Pennington should not have struck the blow: no gentleman will tamely
+submit to the indignity of a blow. As for you, Captain Conway, I am
+surprised that you, one of my officers, should insult a lady. If this
+offence is ever repeated, intoxication will be no plea in its extenuation.
+Heretofore it has been our proud boast that where Morgan’s men are there
+any lady, be she for North or South, is as safe as in her own home. Let us
+see that it will always be so.”
+
+The men who heard burst into a wild cheer. Each of them was a knight to
+uphold the honor of woman.
+
+As Captain Conway listened to the reprimand, his red face became redder.
+His heart was full of anger, but he was diplomat enough to listen with
+becoming humility. To his fellow-officers his plea was intoxication, and
+in the stirring times which followed, his offence was forgotten.
+
+Scouts came dashing into the city with the startling intelligence that a
+large Federal force was advancing on the place. It was not long before a
+battle was being waged through the streets. Before an overwhelming force
+of infantry Morgan had to fall back.
+
+Bragg was in full retreat, and to Morgan fell the lot of guarding the
+rear. As they were falling back from Camp Dick Robinson, Calhoun met a
+Major Hockoday, who to him was the bearer of sad news. The Major said that
+that morning his men pursued a Federal scout who had ventured inside their
+lines. In his effort to escape he had fallen over the cliff of Dick River,
+and been killed. “And I am sorry to say,” added the Major, “that that
+scout was your cousin, Captain Fred Shackelford.”
+
+“Are you sure?” asked Calhoun, in a trembling voice.
+
+“Perfectly sure. I knew him too well to be mistaken. For the sake of his
+father, I sent word to the overseer of the General’s plantation so that
+the body could be found, and given Christian burial.”
+
+“Thank you,” replied Calhoun, as he turned away with swimming eyes. All
+his old love for his cousin had returned. There was little heart in
+Calhoun for battle that day. It was weeks before he learned that Fred was
+not dead.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER X.
+
+
+                               HARTSVILLE.
+
+
+WHEN Bragg evacuated Kentucky his weary army found rest at Murfreesboro.
+This little city is thirty-two miles southeast of Nashville, situated on
+the railroad leading from Nashville to Chattanooga. It had already become
+famous by the capture of a Federal brigade there in August, by General N.
+B. Forrest, and was destined to become the theatre of one of the greatest
+battles of the war.
+
+In the Federal army a great change had taken place. General Buell had been
+relieved from command, and General W. Rosecrans, the hero of the battle of
+Corinth, appointed in his place. This general assembled his army at
+Nashville. Thus the two great armies were only thirty-two miles apart,
+with their outposts almost touching.
+
+Bragg, believing that it would be impossible for Rosecrans to advance
+before spring, established his army in winter quarters, and the soldiers
+looked forward to two or three months of comparative quiet.
+
+Rosecrans’s first duty was to reopen the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad, which had been so thoroughly destroyed by Morgan. An army of men
+did the work—a work which took them weeks to accomplish. But it was not in
+the nature of Morgan to be quiet. Not only he, but his men, fretted in
+camp life. Its daily routine with its drills did not suit them. Their home
+was the saddle, and they wanted no other. Therefore Morgan began to look
+around in search of a weak point in the Federal lines. For this purpose
+Calhoun and his scouts were kept busy. They seemed to be omnipresent, now
+here, now there. They would ride in between the Federal posts, learn of
+the citizens where the enemy were posted, and whether their camps were
+guarded with vigilance or not. Many a prisoner was picked up, and much
+valuable information obtained. In this way Morgan soon knew, as well as
+the Federal commander himself, how his troops were posted, and the number
+at each post.
+
+Taking everything into consideration, Calhoun reported that Hartsville
+offered the best opening for an attack. “It is the extreme eastern outpost
+of the Federals,” he said. “The nearest troops to them are at Castalian
+Springs, nine miles away. The country from here to Hartsville is entirely
+free of Federal troops, and we can approach the place unobserved. The
+Cumberland River is low and can be forded. But if you wish, I will go and
+make a thorough reconnaissance of the place.”
+
+“Go, and be back as soon as possible,” replied Morgan, “but be careful; do
+not take too many risks.”
+
+With a dozen of his trusty scouts, Calhoun had no trouble in reaching the
+bank of the Cumberland River opposite Hartsville. Here, concealed in the
+woods, through his glass he noted the position of every regiment, and drew
+a map of the camp. But he was not satisfied with this. Under the cover of
+darkness he crossed the river, determined to learn more. Above all, he
+wished to learn where the enemy’s pickets were posted at night, their
+exact force, as nearly as possible, and the discipline which they were
+under. He wanted to do all this without alarming them.
+
+After crossing the river he concluded to call at a commodious farm-house,
+situated some three miles from Hartsville. He was almost certain of a
+hearty welcome; there were few disloyal to the South in that section. At
+first he was taken for a Federal soldier in disguise, and admittance was
+refused; but once the inmates were convinced that he was one of Morgan’s
+men, the heartiness of his welcome made up for the coldness of his first
+reception.
+
+The planter was well posted. There was one brigade at Hartsville. Until a
+few days before, the brigade had been commanded by a Colonel Scott, but he
+had been relieved by a Colonel Moore. This Moore was the colonel of one of
+the regiments at Hartsville, and had been in the service but a short time.
+Most of the troops were raw and inexperienced. Calhoun was glad to hear
+all this.
+
+In the morning, dressed as a rough country boy, he made a circuit of the
+entire place. This he did by going on foot, and keeping to the fields and
+woods. The location of every picket post was carefully noted, and the best
+way to approach each one. In two or three instances he did not hesitate to
+approach soldiers who were foraging outside of the lines, and in a whining
+tone, enter into conversation with them, informing them he was looking for
+some of his father’s pigs.
+
+“Mighty ’fraid sum ov yo-uns Yanks got ’em,” he said, with a sigh.
+
+“No doubt, sonny, no doubt,” replied a soldier with a hearty laugh. “You
+see, if a pig comes up and grunts at the flag, we have a right to kill him
+for the insult offered. Probably your pigs were guilty of this heinous
+crime, and were sacrificed for the good of the country.”
+
+“Do yo-uns mean the Yanks hev ’em?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Undoubtedly, sonny. What are you going to do about it?”
+
+“Goin’ to tell dad,” replied Calhoun, as he limped off, for he pretended
+to be lame.
+
+Calhoun found that the post was picketed much more strongly to the east
+than the west, for Castalian Springs lay to the west, and the Federals had
+no idea that an attack would come from that direction. If attacked, the
+Confederates would try to force the ford, or they would come from the
+east. For this reason Calhoun decided that Morgan should cross the river
+in between Hartsville and Castalian Springs, and assault from the west.
+
+There was a ferry two miles below Hartsville where the infantry could
+cross the river, but the cavalry would have to go to a ford seven miles or
+within two miles of Castalian Springs. To his surprise, but great
+gratification, he found neither the ferry nor the ford guarded.
+
+Calhoun recrossed the river in safety, and joining his scouts, whom he had
+left on the southern side of the river, he lost no time in making his way
+back to Murfreesboro. Morgan heard his report with evident satisfaction.
+
+“Our only danger,” said Calhoun, as he finished his report, “is from the
+force at Castalian Springs. From what I could learn there are at least
+five thousand Federals there. To be successful we must surprise the camp
+at Hartsville, capture the place, and re-cross the river before the force
+from the Springs can reach us. A hard thing to do, but I believe it can be
+done.”
+
+“So do I,” said Morgan; “with General Bragg’s consent, I will start at
+once.”
+
+General Bragg not only gave his consent, but owing to the importance of
+the expedition, added to Morgan’s cavalry brigade two regiments of
+infantry and a battery.
+
+The force marched to within five miles of Hartsville, and halted until
+night. The night proved very dark, and the way was rough. There was but
+one small ferry-boat in which to cross the infantry, and it was 5:30 in
+the morning before the infantry were all across, and in position two miles
+from Hartsville.
+
+The cavalry had had even a rougher time than the infantry, and one large
+regiment had not yet reported. But Morgan determined not to wait, for it
+would soon be light, and they would be discovered. So with thirteen
+hundred men Morgan moved to capture a Federal brigade of over two
+thousand, and in a position of their own choosing.
+
+To Calhoun and his scouts was assigned the difficult but important task of
+capturing the outposts without alarming the camp. The success of the whole
+movement might depend upon this.
+
+So adroitly did Calhoun manage it, that the surprised pickets were
+captured without firing a gun. Nor was the Confederate force discovered
+until they were within four hundred yards of the Federal camp, and
+advancing in line of battle. It was now getting light, and a negro
+camp-follower discovered them and gave the alarm.
+
+The Federals having been taken by surprise and most of the officers and
+men being raw and inexperienced, consternation reigned in the camp. But
+they formed their lines, and for a few moments put up a brave fight. Then
+their lines broke. Colonel Moore did not seem to have his brigade well in
+hand, and each regiment fought more or less independently. In a short time
+only the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois regiment was left on the site of
+the camp to continue the battle. Although this regiment had been only
+three months in the service and had never been in an engagement before,
+under the command of their brave Lieutenant Colonel, Douglass Hapeman,
+they did not surrender until they were entirely surrounded and nearly two
+hundred of their number had been shot down.
+
+Morgan warmly complimented this regiment on its bravery, saying if all the
+regiments had been like it, the result of the contest would have been
+doubtful. In one hour and a quarter after the battle opened, all was over.
+A whole brigade had laid down their arms to the prowess of Morgan.
+
+But now a new danger arose. Calhoun had been sent toward Castalian Springs
+to watch the enemy in that direction. One of his scouts came dashing in
+with the intelligence that five thousand Federals were hurrying to the
+relief of Hartsville. They must be stopped, and time given to get the
+prisoners and munitions of war across the Cumberland.
+
+Morgan hurried two regiments to where Calhoun and his little band of
+scouts were resisting the advance of the enemy. The show of strength made
+halted the Federals, and a precious hour and a half was gained. In this
+time, by almost superhuman efforts, Morgan had succeeded in crossing the
+prisoners and his men to the south side of the Cumberland. They were now
+safe from pursuit.
+
+It was during the fight with the approaching reinforcements that an
+incident happened which caused Calhoun many hours of uneasiness. During
+the hottest of the engagement a ball, evidently fired from the rear,
+grazed his cheek. He thought little of it, supposing some one had fired in
+his rear, not seeing him. But in a moment a ball passed through his hat.
+Wheeling suddenly, to his surprise he saw Captain Conway with a smoking
+revolver in his hand.
+
+“You are shooting carelessly, Captain!” exclaimed Calhoun, angrily, riding
+up to him.
+
+For a moment the Captain cowered, then recovering himself, he said: “You
+are mistaken, Lieutenant; it was some one in the rear. The same balls came
+close to me.” Just then the order was given to fall back, and Conway rode
+hastily away. There was no direct proof, but Calhoun was certain Conway
+had tried to kill him. More than one man has been disposed of in time of
+battle by a personal enemy. Many an obnoxious officer has bitten the dust
+in this manner. Calhoun could only bide his time and watch. But he now
+firmly believed his life was in more danger from Conway than it was in
+battle with the Federals.
+
+Hartsville, considering everything, was one of the greatest victories
+Morgan ever won, as he captured a whole brigade with a vastly inferior
+force. The Federals lost in killed, wounded, and captured two thousand one
+hundred men. Of these nearly three hundred were killed and wounded.
+Morgan’s actual force engaged was only thirteen hundred, and of these he
+lost one hundred and forty, a small loss considering he was the assaulting
+party.
+
+The capture of Hartsville caused the utmost chagrin in the Federal army,
+and not only in the army but throughout the North. Even President Lincoln
+telegraphed asking for full particulars. General Halleck ordered the
+dishonorable dismissal of Colonel Moore, but the order was never carried
+into effect. Of his bravery there was no question.
+
+This victory caused the name of Morgan to be more feared than ever.
+“Morgan is coming!” was a cry which caused fear and trembling in many a
+Yankee’s heart.
+
+President Davis of the Confederate States, shortly after the capture of
+Hartsville, visited Murfreesboro, and as a reward for his services,
+presented Morgan with a commission as Brigadier-General in the Confederate
+army. General Hardie asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie knew
+Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for some reason President Davis
+refused the request.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+                       MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID.
+
+
+General Morgan was allowed but ten days’ rest after his return from his
+great victory at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished repairing the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and trains were running again between
+the two cities. Reports had been brought to General Bragg that the Federal
+troops at Nashville were suffering greatly for want of food; that military
+stores of all kinds were short; and he thought if the road were again
+broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall back on account of supplies. Who
+so willing and able to break it as General Morgan?
+
+But there was little use of trying to raid the road south of Bowling
+Green, for it was guarded by thousands of men. To cripple the road
+effectually meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky. To
+this General Morgan was not averse.
+
+When his men heard that another raid was to be made into Kentucky, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
+encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights, and the tremendous
+fatigue they would be called upon to endure? They were to stir up the
+Yankees once more; that was enough.
+
+“Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!” was their cry, and they shouted and sang
+until they could shout and sing no longer for want of breath.
+
+Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the expedition, and was willing
+to give Morgan all the troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon at
+the head of the most formidable force he had ever commanded. It consisted
+of over three thousand cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own light
+battery.
+
+The task which had been assigned him was indeed a perilous one. It was to
+ride almost to the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the immense
+trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This done, the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad would again be effectually crippled for weeks.
+
+He set out from Alexandria, on December 22, and in two days he was in
+Glasgow, Kentucky. The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon Morgan as
+a monthly visitor by this time; therefore they were not surprised at his
+coming. Here he met with the first Federal force, which was quickly
+scattered.
+
+Remaining in Glasgow only long enough to rest his horses, he pushed on for
+Mumfordsville, where the great bridge spans the Green River. But learning
+that the place was held by so strong a force that it would be madness for
+him to attack it, he passed a few miles to the right, and struck the
+railroad at Bacon Creek. Here a stout block-house, defended by ninety
+soldiers, guarded the bridge. They put up a stout defence in hopes of
+being reinforced from Mumfordsville, but at last were compelled to
+surrender, the block-house being knocked to pieces by Morgan’s artillery.
+
+Burning the bridge and destroying four miles of road, the command moved on
+to Nolan, where another block-house was captured and a bridge burned. This
+was the third time that these bridges had been destroyed by Morgan.
+
+Elizabethtown was the next goal to be reached. As they approached the
+place, Calhoun, who was in advance with his scouts, was met by an officer
+bearing a flag of truce, who handed him a dirty envelope, on which was
+scrawled:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                    ELIZABETHTOWN, KY., December 27, 1862.
+To the Commander of the Confederate Force.
+
+Sir: I demand an unconditional surrender of all of your forces. I have you
+surrounded, and will compel you to surrender.
+
+                               I am, sir, your obedient servant,
+                                                          H. S. SMITH,
+                                                   Commanding U. S. Force.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+“Well,” exclaimed Calhoun, as he glanced at it, “I have often been told
+that Yankees have cheek, but this is the greatest exhibition of it I have
+met. Who is H. S. Smith, anyway?”
+
+“One of the numerous Smith family, I reckon,” dryly responded one of his
+men. “He should have signed it John Smith. This would have concealed his
+identity, and prevented us from knowing what a fool he is.”
+
+But the message was taken back to Morgan, and Calhoun never saw him laugh
+more heartily than when he read it.
+
+“Go back and tell Mr. Smith,” replied Morgan, trying to keep his face
+straight, “that he has made a little mistake. It is he who is surrounded,
+and must surrender.”
+
+The message was taken back, but Mr. Smith answered pompously that it was
+the business of United States officer to fight, not to surrender.
+
+“Very good,” replied Calhoun, “get back and let us open the ball.”
+
+It took only a few shells from Morgan’s battery to convince Mr. Smith he
+had made a mistake, and that it was the business of at least one United
+States officer to surrender, and not to fight. Six hundred and fifty-two
+prisoners fell into Morgan’s hands, also a large quantity of military
+stores. The stores were destroyed. At Elizabethtown Morgan was in striking
+distance of the object of his expedition, the great trestles at Muldraugh
+Hill. There were two trestles, known as the upper and lower, both defended
+by stout stockades.
+
+General Morgan divided his forces, Colonel Breckinridge with one brigade
+attacking the lower stockade, while Morgan with Colonel Duke’s brigade
+attacked the upper. A couple of hours of severe shelling convinced the
+commanders of these stockades also that it was the duty of a United States
+officer to surrender, and not to fight. Seven hundred more prisoners and
+an immense store of military goods were added to Morgan’s captures. The
+goods, as usual, were destroyed.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the surrender of the block-houses when the
+trestles were a mass of flames. They were immense structures, each nearly
+fifteen hundred feet long, and from eighty to ninety feet high. Thus the
+object of the expedition had been gained. Again the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad was rendered useless to Rosecrans’s army.
+
+But Morgan’s danger had just commenced. Thus far he had had his own way.
+The enraged Federals were moving heaven and earth to compass his capture.
+A brigade was transported from Gallatin to Mumfordsville by rail, joined
+to the force at that place, and ordered to move east and cut off his
+retreat. The forces in Central Kentucky were ordered to concentrate at
+Lebanon. Thus they hoped to cut off every line of retreat.
+
+“Don’t let Morgan escape,” was the command flashed to every Federal
+officer in Kentucky.
+
+From Muldraugh Hill Morgan marched for Bardstown. This led him across the
+Lebanon Railroad. Before all of his force had crossed the Rolling Fork of
+Salt River, the pursuing force, under Colonel Harlan, came up and engaged
+the rear. The rear guard under Colonel Duke gallantly resisted them until
+all had crossed in safety, but during the action Colonel Duke was severely
+wounded by a piece of shell. General Boyle, the Federal commander at
+Louisville, gave out that he had died of his wounds and there was great
+rejoicing. But the gallant Colonel lived, to the disappointment of his
+enemies.
+
+The Federals, in close pursuit, left Morgan little time to destroy the
+railroad leading to Lebanon, but he captured a stockade, and burned the
+bridge at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he pushed rapidly on to
+Springfield. From that place he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon.
+His rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented them from
+concentrating their forces, for they knew not which way he would go next.
+
+From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving Lebanon a few miles to his
+left, so as to avoid the large force at that place; he reached New Market
+a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid the troops which had been
+concentrating at Hodgensville, he now took the road to Campbellsville.
+
+In going through the Muldraugh range of hills to the south of New Market,
+his rear guard was struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
+Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively fight. There was now more
+or less skirmishing for some miles.
+
+There now happened to Calhoun one of the most thrilling adventures he
+experienced during the whole war. As the post of danger was now in the
+rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant service in holding back
+the Federals. There had been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing had
+been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not thinking of danger, he and a
+Captain Tribble halted their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
+dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard passing on. They lingered
+longer than they thought, and had just remounted their horses when they
+were suddenly surprised by three horsemen, who came galloping up, yelling
+to them to surrender. For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their revolvers
+and fire was the work of a moment. The Federals returned the fire. A
+pistol duel now took place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
+strange to say, no one was hurt.
+
+Throwing down their now useless weapons, all drew their swords and
+furiously spurred their horses on to the combat. It was almost like a
+mediæval contest, where knight met knight with sword only. While one of
+the Federals engaged Captain Tribble, two rode straight for Calhoun, the
+foremost a fine-looking man in the uniform of a Federal colonel. Parrying
+his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his horse, avoided the other. They
+wheeled their horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did Calhoun parry
+the fierce blow aimed at him; at the same time he managed to prick the
+horse of the other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable. This left
+Calhoun free to engage the Colonel alone, who aimed at him a tremendous
+blow. This blow Calhoun avoided, and as it met with no resistance, its
+force threw the Colonel forward on his saddle. As quick as lightning, the
+point of Calhoun’s sword reached his heart, and the combat was over.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS
+  SADDLE.]
+
+During this time Tribble had vanquished his antagonist. The remaining
+Federal, seeing one of his comrades dead and the other a prisoner, threw
+down his sword and surrendered. The dead officer proved to be Colonel D.
+J. Halisy of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry.
+
+This conflict was long remembered as one of the most remarkable ever
+engaged in by any of Morgan’s men, and Calhoun was warmly congratulated by
+the whole command on his prowess.
+
+The death of Colonel Halisy seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of Morgan’s
+pursuers. Although they followed him to Campbellsville, and from
+Campbellsville to Columbia, the pursuit was a feeble one. In fact, so
+timid was Colonel Hoskins that he ordered his advance not to engage Morgan
+if they found him at Columbia, but to wait for the column from
+Hodgensville to come up. From Columbia all pursuit ceased, and Morgan was
+left to return to Tennessee at his leisure.
+
+While at Columbia Morgan reports that his men heard distinctly the sound
+of distant cannonading away to the southwest. To their accustomed ears it
+told of a battle raging. It was the thunder of Rosecrans’s cannon at Stone
+River. Little did Morgan’s men think at that time that that distant
+thunder meant that hundreds of their brave brothers were being slaughtered
+in that fatal charge of Breckinridge. Murfreesboro is, as the crow flies,
+a hundred and eighteen miles from Columbia. In no other battle during the
+war is it reported that cannonading was heard so far.
+
+From Columbia Morgan proceeded by easy stages to Smithville, Tennessee,
+which he reached January 5, just fourteen days after he had started on his
+raid from Alexandria. During this time his command had travelled fully six
+hundred miles. This raid was one of the most remarkable Morgan ever made,
+when we consider what he accomplished, and the number of troops that tried
+in vain to capture him. Riding within a few miles of thousands of men, he
+easily eluded all his pursuers and escaped almost scot free.
+
+General Morgan, in summing up the results of this raid, says: “It meant
+the destruction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from
+Mumfordsville to Shephardsville within eighteen miles of Louisville,
+rendering it impassable for at least two months; the capture of eighteen
+hundred and seventy-seven prisoners, including sixty-two commissioned
+officers; the destruction of over two million dollars’ worth of United
+States property, and a large loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. The
+loss of my entire command was: killed, 2; wounded, 24; missing, 64.”
+
+It seems impossible that so much could be accomplished with so slight a
+loss. The number of his killed and wounded shows that the Federals touched
+him very gingerly; that they did not force the fighting. In the capture of
+the stockades in which he took so many prisoners, Morgan suffered hardly
+any loss, as he forced the surrender with his artillery. But the joy which
+Morgan and his men felt over the success of the raid was clouded when they
+reached Tennessee by the news of the result of the battle of Stone River.
+Murfreesboro no longer belonged to the South. Bragg had retreated to his
+new line along Duck River.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+                              A SPY! A SPY!
+
+
+For nearly six months after the battle of Stone River, the Federal army
+made no general advance. General Rosecrans made his headquarters at
+Murfreesboro, while Bragg’s was at Tullahoma. But these months were not
+months of idleness. Almost daily skirmishes took place between the lines,
+and there were a number of contests which arose to the dignity of battles.
+
+Morgan’s cavalry protected the right of Bragg’s army. His headquarters
+were nominally at MacMinnville, but it could truly be said they were in
+the saddle. Morgan did not stay long in any one place. A number of
+expeditions were made against him, sometimes with a whole division, but he
+managed to elude them with slight loss.
+
+Only twice during all this time did severe reverse overtake him—once at
+Milton, when he failed in his efforts to capture a brigade of infantry,
+and again at Snow Hill, when he was charged by a whole division of cavalry
+under the leadership of General David Stanley.
+
+His captures of scouting and forage parties were numerous during these
+months, and he added a long list of prisoners to those he had already
+captured. But so strongly was every place held, and so numerous had become
+the Federal cavalry, it was impossible to make any large capture. The
+enemy had learned by bitter experience, that eternal vigilance was their
+only safety in guarding against Morgan, and the troops which held the left
+of Rosecrans’s army were always in fear. No Federal soldier was safe half
+a mile outside the lines. Bitterly did many sleepy soldiers curse him, for
+at three o’clock every morning they were forced to get up and stand at
+arms until broad daylight. The Federal officers wanted no more surprises.
+But in spite of all their vigilance, Morgan would swoop down and carry off
+prisoners from under their very noses.
+
+These months were busy ones for Calhoun; he and his scouts were always on
+the go. At the battle of Milton he greatly distinguished himself, and was
+the subject of a complimentary order. But during the battle he received a
+slight flesh wound in the arm and the ball came from the rear. Again was
+Conway behind him. The thought that he might be slain in this treacherous
+manner was distracting, but what could he do? He durst not complain; such
+a monstrous charge against a brother officer would have to be
+substantiated by the best of proof. He could only avoid Conway as much as
+possible during battle, and hope for the best. After the battle at Milton,
+by reason of losses in the regiment, Conway was promoted, being appointed
+major. It was fortunate for Calhoun that he was chief of scouts, and on
+Morgan’s staff, or Conway would have made his life a burden, for he was a
+member of the regiment of which Conway was major.
+
+One day Calhoun, being sent on special duty over to the left of Bragg’s
+army, found himself in Columbia. He now remembered what Captain Haines had
+told him of the misfortunes which had befallen the Osbornes, and he
+determined to visit them. As he approached the place a sigh escaped him,
+for the plantation no longer was blooming like a rose, and the splendid
+mansion house was a charred mass of ruins.
+
+He found the family living in a small house which once had been occupied
+by the overseer. Their story was soon told. After Lieutenant Haines had
+been exchanged, he came back and was stationed at Columbia. He visited
+them frequently, was very attentive to Miss Osborne, and at last asked her
+to become his wife. He was very politely but firmly refused. He now began
+a series of petty persecutions, and was forbidden the house as a guest.
+Then he began to threaten. He reported to the commander that Osborne’s
+house was the headquarters of a gang of guerrillas which gave the Federal
+authorities in Columbia and Pulaski a great deal of trouble.
+
+About this time the murder of General Robert McCook by guerrillas greatly
+angered the Federals. A few days after he was killed a couple of foragers
+from Columbia were found dead. Lieutenant Haines lost no time in reporting
+that the gang of guerrillas sheltered by Osborne had murdered the men. A
+party was sent out, who burned the house, took away everything of value in
+the shape of stock, and arrested Mr. Osborne, who was afterwards sent
+North as a prisoner.
+
+Calhoun listened to the recital with flashing eyes. “The villain!” he
+exclaimed; “if I had only known this he would not have escaped so easily
+when we captured him at Gallatin.”
+
+“That is not all,” continued Mrs. Osborne, in a broken voice. “After all
+this had happened, the scoundrel had the effrontery to renew his suit, and
+say if Emma would marry him he would see that Mr. Osborne was released;
+that he had powerful political friends who could accomplish this. We
+spurned his proposition as it deserved. I knew my husband would rather rot
+in prison than consent to such a monstrous thing.”
+
+“Oh! had I known! had I known!” exclaimed Calhoun, pacing up and down the
+room in his excitement; “but we may meet again.”
+
+Little did Calhoun think that before many days they would meet again, and
+that that meeting would nearly mean for him the ignominious death of a
+spy. A few days after his return from Columbia, he asked the permission of
+Morgan to visit Nashville. “I would like to see,” said he, “what our
+friends, the enemy, are doing in that city.”
+
+Morgan shook his head. “I don’t want to see you hanged,” he replied.
+
+But Calhoun argued so zealously, that at last Morgan’s scruples were
+overcome, and he gave his consent, but added, “If you should be captured
+and executed, I would never forgive myself.”
+
+Calhoun looked upon it as a mere holiday affair; he had passed through too
+many dangers to be terrified. Taking half a dozen of his trusty scouts
+with him, he had no trouble in reaching the Cumberland River a few miles
+above Nashville. The few scouting parties of the enemy they met were
+easily avoided. He ordered his scouts to remain secreted in a thick wood
+near by a friendly house, from which they could obtain food for themselves
+and provender for their horses.
+
+“If I am not back in three days,” said he, “return to Morgan, and tell him
+I have been captured.”
+
+His men pleaded with him to let at least one of them accompany him, but
+this he refused, saying it would but add to his danger.
+
+From the gentleman who resided in the nearby house he secured a skiff
+which had been kept secreted from the lynx-eyed Federals. In this Calhoun
+proposed to float down to Nashville.
+
+Night came dark and cloudy. It was just such a night as Calhoun wished.
+Clad in a suit of citizen’s clothes, and with muffled oars, he bade his
+comrades a cheerful good night, and pushed out into the river, and in a
+moment the darkness had swallowed him up. He floated down as noiselessly
+as a drifting stick.
+
+In an hour’s time the lights of Nashville came in view; the dangers of his
+trip had just commenced. He knew that the banks of the river would not
+only be strongly patrolled, but the lights from the shore and from the
+steamers moored at the wharfs shone across the stream in places, making it
+impossible for an object the size of his boat to pass without being
+noticed.
+
+But Calhoun was prepared for just such an emergency. He was a capital
+swimmer, and had no fears of the water. He had weighted his skiff with
+stones, bored a hole in the bottom, and filled it with a plug which could
+easily be removed. When he had drifted as far as he dared, he removed the
+plug. The skiff gradually filled and at last sank. If any person had
+looked after it disappeared, all he would have seen would have been the
+small branch of a tree, covered with leaves, floating down with the
+current.
+
+When Calhoun was well down abreast of the city, and coming to a place
+where shadows covered the river, he turned toward the bank. Fortunately he
+landed near a dark alley which led down to the water. Listening intently,
+he heard nothing, and making his way up the alley, he soon came to a
+street. A violent storm came on, which was of advantage to him, for if he
+met any one, it would account for his dripping clothes. It also had the
+effect of driving the patrol guards into shelter.
+
+Calhoun was no stranger in the city. He had visited it frequently when a
+boy, for he had an uncle residing there, now a colonel in the Confederate
+army. But his family still resided in the old home, and he knew that there
+he would find a haven of safety. Carefully making his way, and dodging the
+few guards that he met, he soon reached the house. The yard was inclosed
+with a high iron fence, the pickets provided with sharp points. But
+Calhoun had been in the army too long to be baffled by any such obstacle.
+He mounted the fence with but little trouble and dropped down into the
+yard.
+
+Making his way to the rear of the house, he found refuge in a small shed.
+The night had turned cool and he shivered with the cold. But he durst not
+arouse the household, for the alarm might be heard outside. The hours
+passed wearily by, but at last morning came. He looked eagerly for some of
+the family to appear, but only the colored servants passed in and out. To
+escape being seen he had hidden behind a large box in the shed.
+
+He heard the call for breakfast, and concluded he had never been so hungry
+before in his life. After a while his patience was rewarded. A young lady
+came out of the house, and entering the shed, began looking around, as if
+searching for something. It was his cousin Kate.
+
+“Kate!” he whispered.
+
+The girl started and looked wildly around.
+
+“Kate!”
+
+She uttered a little scream and turned as if to flee.
+
+“Kate, don’t be afraid. It is I, your cousin Calhoun Pennington.”
+
+“Where? Where?” she half-whispered, looking eagerly around and poised as
+if still for flight.
+
+“Here behind the box. Come close. There, don’t ask a question. Get the
+servants out of the way and smuggle me into the house unseen. I am wet,
+cold, and hungry.”
+
+Kate flew to do his bidding. In a few moments she came out and beckoned to
+him, and right gladly he followed her into the house. One risen from the
+dead would hardly have created more surprise than did his appearance. His
+aunt and Kate persisted in embracing him, wet and dirty as he was.
+
+To their eager questions, he said: “Dry clothes first, Auntie, and
+breakfast. I am famished. I will then talk with you to your heart’s
+content.”
+
+Mrs. Shackelford had had a son about the size of Calhoun killed in the
+army, and our hero was soon arrayed in a nice dry suit, and seated before
+a substantial breakfast, upon which he made a furious assault. When his
+hunger was fully appeased, he informed his aunt and Kate he was ready to
+talk. And how they did talk! They had a thousand questions to ask, and he
+had full as many.
+
+To his surprise and joy he learned that his cousin, Fred Shackelford, had
+not been killed by his fall over the cliff, as Major Hockoday reported.
+Instead he was alive and well, was with the army at Murfreesboro, and
+frequently visited them.
+
+“He has been a good friend to us,” said Mrs. Shackelford, “but at one time
+he was nearly the death of Kate.”
+
+“Why, how was that?” asked Calhoun.
+
+Then for the first time he heard of Forrest’s plot to capture Nashville,
+and of Kate’s part in it, of her condemnation, and imprisonment as a spy,
+and how Fred had secured her pardon.(2)
+
+Calhoun listened to the story in wonder. When it was finished, he
+exclaimed: “Why, Kate, you are a heroine! I am proud of you.”
+
+“I am not proud of myself,” answered Kate. “I blush every time I think of
+how—how I lied and deceived.”
+
+“Oh! that is a part of war,” laughed Calhoun. “If Morgan didn’t lie about
+the number of men he had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time. We
+don’t call such things lying; it’s a righteous deceiving of the enemy.”
+
+“But I am ready to sink into the earth with shame every time I think of
+Ainsworth,” sighed Kate.
+
+“That’s rich,” laughed Calhoun; “crying because you broke the heart of a
+Yankee! Kate, I have a mind to send you into the enemy’s lines. If Cupid’s
+darts were only fatal, your bright eyes would create more havoc than a
+battle.”
+
+“No use sending her away,” broke in Mrs. Shackelford; “there are more
+Federal officers buzzing around her now than I wish there were.”
+
+“Mighty useful to worm secrets from,” exclaimed Kate; “but I make no
+promises to any of them.”
+
+“That’s right, Kate, get all the secrets from them you can,” said Calhoun;
+“that is what I am in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city
+without much danger?”
+
+“Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always more or less danger to
+strangers. Business is going on as usual. The city is lively, livelier
+than before the war; but it is soldiers—soldiers everywhere.”
+
+“And you have to have no passes?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“It is best to have one. Most of us have standing permits to come and go
+in the city as we please.”
+
+“Can you get me a permit?” asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+“There is Jim Grantham,” replied Kate, thoughtfully; “his description will
+suit Calhoun close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his.”
+
+Calhoun was now told that the Southern people in Nashville were thoroughly
+organized into a secret society. They had their signs and pass-words, so
+that they could know each other. So far no one had proved a traitor. The
+Federal authorities suspected that such an organization existed, but their
+shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out anything about it.
+
+Kate, who had gone for the permit of James Grantham, soon returned with
+it. The description fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for
+himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville with little fear of
+arrest.
+
+He was given a list of those who could most probably give him the
+information he desired. He marvelled to see how quickly a little sign
+which he gave was answered, and was amazed at the work this secret
+organization was doing. Not a regiment entered or left Nashville but they
+knew its exact strength, and to what point it was ordered.
+
+In two days Calhoun had gathered information which would be of vast value
+to the Confederate cause, and it was now time for him to see by what means
+he could leave the city. He was on his way to see three gentlemen who said
+they could get him outside of the city without trouble or danger, when an
+incident happened which came near sending him to the gallows. He was
+walking unconcernedly along the street, when he suddenly came face to face
+with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun was dressed in citizen’s
+clothes, the captain knew him at a glance.
+
+“A spy! A spy!” he yelled at the top of his voice, and made a grab at
+Calhoun. Calhoun struck him a tremendous blow which sent him rolling in
+the gutter, and fled at the top of his speed.
+
+But a score of voices took up the cry, and a howling mob, mostly of
+soldiers, were at his heels. He hoped to reach the river, where among the
+immense piles of stores heaped along the levee, or among the shipping, he
+might secrete himself, but a patrol guard suddenly appeared a block away,
+and his retreat was cut off. He gave himself up for lost, and reached for
+a small pistol which he carried, with the intention of putting a bullet
+through his own heart; “for,” thought he, “they shall never have the
+pleasure of hanging me before a gaping crowd.”
+
+Just then he saw two young ladies standing in the open door of a house.
+What told him safety lay there he never knew, but hope sprang up within
+his breast. Dashing up the steps, he thrust the ladies back into the
+house, slammed the door to, and locked it. So rude was his entrance, one
+of the ladies fell to the floor.
+
+“Save me! Save me!” he cried, “I am a Confederate spy,” and he gave the
+sign of the secret order.
+
+The young lady who had not fallen was terribly frightened, but she grasped
+the situation in a moment.
+
+“Upstairs,” she gasped, pointing the way; “tell mother, the secret place.”
+
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying her. The girl flew to the back door and
+opened it, then back just as her sister was rising, her face covered with
+blood, for she had hit her nose in falling.
+
+“Quick, Annette, in the parlor,” said her sister; “assent to everything I
+say.”
+
+Annette staggered into the parlor hardly knowing what she did, for she was
+dazed and terribly frightened. The sister, whose name was Inez, was now at
+the door, which was giving way before the blows of Calhoun’s pursuers. All
+this happened in less than a minute.
+
+“Stop!” she cried, “I will unlock the door,” and she did so, and when the
+soldiers rushed in, crying, “Where is he? Where is the spy?” she stood
+wringing her hands and sobbing, “My sister! Oh, my sister! he has murdered
+her.”
+
+The words brought the soldiers to a halt. “Who murdered your sister?”
+asked a sergeant who seemed to be the leader.
+
+“The man! the man who ran in here!”
+
+“Where is he? He is the fellow we want.”
+
+“He rushed out of the back door. Oh! my sister, my sister!”
+
+“After him, boys; don’t let him get away!” yelled the sergeant, and they
+rushed through the house in hot pursuit.
+
+The house was rapidly filling, when a captain appeared, and learning of
+the sobbing Inez what the trouble was, said: “Murdered your sister!
+Horrible! where is she?”
+
+“Here,” said Inez, leading the way into the parlor. Annette was reclining
+on a sofa, her face bloody; she was apparently in a fainting condition.
+
+The captain acted quickly. He ordered the house to be cleared, sent a
+subordinate for a surgeon, and another to have the whole block surrounded.
+In the mean time the mother of the girls had appeared, and was adding her
+sobs to those of her eldest daughter. When the surgeon came and had washed
+the blood from Annette’s face, her only injury was found to be a bruised
+nose.
+
+Both the captain and the surgeon looked inquiringly. “How is this?” they
+asked, “you said your sister was murdered.”
+
+“I—I thought she was,” stammered Inez. “I saw the blood and thought the
+man had stabbed her.”
+
+“Tell us just what happened,” said the captain.
+
+Annette, who had by this time so far recovered from her fright as to
+comprehend what was going on, saw Inez give her the signal of danger. It
+put her on her guard.
+
+“Why, it was this way,” said Inez, in answer to the captain, “sister and I
+were going out, but just as we opened the door, there was a tumult on the
+street. We stopped to see what the trouble was, when a man dashed up the
+steps. We tried to oppose him, but he struck sister a cruel blow, knocking
+her down, flung me backward, and slamming the door to, locked it; then
+running through the house, disappeared through the back door. Seeing
+sister’s face covered with blood, I picked her up and carried her into the
+parlor. By this time the soldiers were breaking down the door, and I went
+and unlocked it.”
+
+Annette only knew that she tried to oppose the entrance of a strange man,
+who knocked her down. She must have been rendered unconscious, for she
+remembered nothing more, until she found herself lying on the sofa in the
+parlor. The mother, Mrs. Lovell, was upstairs, and knew nothing of what
+had happened until alarmed by the screams of her daughters and the noisy
+entrance of the soldiers. These stories so accorded with the known facts
+that the captain did not for a moment doubt them. But when the sergeant
+returned and reported that no trace of the fugitive could be discovered,
+he was puzzled.
+
+Orders were given to search every house in the block. This was done, but
+the search was fruitless. When this fact was reported, the captain bit his
+lip in vexation. Then turning to Inez, he said: “Pardon me, Miss Lovell,
+while I do not doubt your story in the least, are you sure the fellow ran
+out of the house? Was not his opening the back door just a ruse? He opened
+the door and then dodged into some room, thinking this house the safest
+place for him. Every house in the block has been searched except this one,
+and we can find no trace of him. While I regret it, I shall be compelled
+to have this house searched.”
+
+“I am sure he ran out,” answered Inez, “but I confess I was very badly
+frightened. If you think he is in the house, search it. I ask as a favor
+that you search it, for if he is concealed in the house as you think, he
+may murder us all.”
+
+A thorough search was made, but there was found no trace of Calhoun. The
+officers and soldiers retired greatly puzzled. A strong guard was
+maintained around the block for three days; then all hopes of catching
+Calhoun were given up, and the guard was withdrawn.
+
+The Federal authorities had become aware who the fugitive was through
+Captain Haines. “I cannot be mistaken,” he said; “I have met him too many
+times. He is one of the most daring of all of Morgan’s cutthroats”; and
+then he gave an account of his first meeting with Calhoun.
+
+But where was Calhoun all this time? When he rushed upstairs at the
+command of Inez, he was met at the top by Mrs. Lovell, who started in
+affright at the sight of him.
+
+“Your daughter said, ‘The secret place!’ ” he exclaimed, as he gave her
+the sign of danger. “My pursuers are already at the door.”
+
+The lady quickly recovered herself. “Come!” she said, and led Calhoun into
+a room. Here she began working in a corner. Her hands trembled as she did
+so, for the soldiers were thundering at the door downstairs, and she could
+hear it giving way. To Calhoun’s intense surprise, a section of the
+apparently solid wall gave way, leaving an opening large enough for a
+person to enter by crawling on his hands and knees.
+
+“Quick, go in!” said the lady.
+
+Calhoun needed no second bidding, but crawled in, and the wall slowly came
+back to place. Calhoun found himself in a narrow place, between the wall
+of the room and the side of the house. The house had been built with a
+mansard roof on the sides, thus leaving a space. This space was about
+three feet wide at the bottom, coming to a point at the top. Close under
+the eaves, where it would not be noticed, an aperture had been left for
+the admission of air, and through it a ray of light came.
+
+Narrow and contracted as his quarters were, to Calhoun they were more
+welcome than a palace. It was plain that the place had been occupied
+before, for on the floor there were soft blankets, and in feeling around
+Calhoun discovered a jug of water and some provisions. It was evident that
+no one who was put in there hurriedly was to be allowed to suffer from
+thirst or hunger.
+
+Calhoun could hear every word which was said when the soldiers searched
+the room. His heart stood still when he heard them sounding the walls, but
+they gave forth no uncertain sound, and the soldiers departed, much to his
+relief.
+
+It was not until the next day that Calhoun was allowed to leave his
+hiding-place, and then he was told he must not leave the room. He had to
+be ready to seek his refuge at a moment’s notice, if found necessary. For
+three days he was virtually a prisoner, then the guards around the block
+were withdrawn.
+
+Word was taken to his aunt and Kate where he was. They had been in an
+agony of fear over his non-return. But they durst not visit him.
+
+To Mrs. Lovell and her daughters Calhoun felt he could never repay what
+they had done for him. He felt like a brute, when Annette was introduced
+to him, her pretty features disfigured by a swollen nose, and when he was
+making his most abject apologies, she interrupted him with a gay laugh.
+
+“I am proud of that nose!” she exclaimed; “as proud as a gallant soldier
+of his wounds, for does it not show that I have shed my blood for our
+beloved South?”
+
+We are of the opinion that during his enforced imprisonment, Calhoun would
+have lost his heart to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged to a
+gallant officer in Bragg’s army.
+
+What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought that his scouts would
+return to Morgan with the news that he was captured, but there was no help
+for it.
+
+After the guards had been withdrawn, he at once began to make plans for
+his escape from the city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
+vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and it was impossible for
+any one to leave the city without his identity being fully established.
+
+At last Inez clapped her hands. “I have it,” she cried. “Get him out to
+Dr. Caldwell. The doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and on
+the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington can take to the river going
+as he did coming.”
+
+“But he can’t float up stream,” said Annette, “and as for a boat, that
+will be impossible.”
+
+“He can swim,” said Inez, “swim across the river. He will be above the
+pickets around Edgefield.”
+
+“But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not safe for him to appear on
+the street. Not a guard but has a description of him,” said the careful
+Annette.
+
+“Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the Robinsons lived next door);
+it will be easy for the doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
+think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known.”
+
+Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr. Caldwell visited Mrs.
+Robinson during the day, he was seen, and consented to the scheme. “Muffle
+him up,” he said, “he will be taken for one of my patients.” Before
+Calhoun left he wrote a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines — Regt.
+This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well out of the city.
+
+Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun to his home. Here he stayed
+until dark, then bidding the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
+into the river and was soon across, and began to make his way slowly up
+the northern bank. But the night was dark, and after many falls and
+bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having made himself a bed of
+leaves beside a log, he was soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers
+were lurking near.
+
+As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed when Calhoun was not
+caught. But his leave of absence was out, and he had to return to his
+regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two after his return the following
+letter came with his mail:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                         NASHVILLE, TENN., April 25, 1863.
+To Capt. Chas. Haines,
+
+My Dear Captain: When you receive this I shall be well out of Nashville.
+We have already met three times, and I trust we may meet once more. If we
+do, it will be our last, for one or the other of us will die. I know of
+your damnable treatment of the Osbornes. Be assured it will be avenged.
+
+                                                Sincerely yours,
+                                                 CALHOUN PENNINGTON,
+                                           Lieutenant, Morgan’s Command.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Captain Haines was no coward, but his hand trembled like a leaf when he
+laid the letter down.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+                              UNDER ARREST.
+
+
+Calhoun did not wake until the light of the morning sun was sifting
+through the branches of the trees. He arose stiff and somewhat chill, but
+the day promised to be a warm one, and a little exercise put a delightful
+heat through his body. All he lacked was a good breakfast, and he must not
+look for that until he had crossed the river; he was yet too close to
+Nashville to try to cross it. Then he must secure a horse, and where would
+he be so likely to secure one as at the home of Mr. Edmunds, the gentleman
+of whom he had obtained the skiff, and who had given him all possible aid?
+He had no hopes of finding his men, for at the end of three days they
+would return to Morgan, taking his horse with them.
+
+He slowly made his way up the river, dodging two or three scouting
+parties, until he thought he must be nearly opposite to where Mr. Edmunds
+lived. The place seemed favorable, as there were woods on both sides of
+the river, so he determined to cross. But if he had known it, he had
+selected a very dangerous place. A road which led down to the river was
+but a few yards in front of him, and it was one of the places to which the
+Federal cavalry came as they patrolled the bank of the river.
+
+Just as he was about to remove some of his clothing, which he would carry
+over on his head as he swam the stream, he was startled by the sound of
+horses’ hoofs, and he hastily concealed himself in a thicket. Soon a
+Federal sergeant, accompanied by two soldiers, came down the road, and
+riding near the edge of the river, dismounted.
+
+“Here is the place,” said the sergeant.
+
+“What are we to do here?” asked one of the men.
+
+“Keep watch to see if any Johnny attempts to cross the river,” answered
+the sergeant; “but I doubt if we see anything larger than buzzards, and we
+can’t stop them.”
+
+The men made themselves comfortable, and lay in the shade smoking their
+pipes. Calhoun was considering the proposition whether he could not
+quietly withdraw, and flank them without being seen, when one of the men
+said: “Sergeant, let me go to that house we passed and see if I cannot get
+a canteen of milk. It will go good with our hardtack.”
+
+“You can both go,” replied the sergeant; “I guess I can stop any one who
+attempts to cross the river while you are away. But don’t be gone long.”
+
+The men quickly availed themselves of the opportunity, and mounting their
+horses rode away. The sergeant stretched himself on the ground, and lazily
+watched the river. Now was Calhoun’s time. He had secured a good revolver
+when he left Nashville. This he had kept dry when he swam the river by
+wrapping it in his outside clothing, which he had made into a bundle, and
+carried over on his head. Taking the revolver in his hand, ready for
+instant use, he cautiously crept up on the sergeant.
+
+  [Illustration: HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.]
+
+That individual leaped to his feet as if he had springs when he heard the
+stern command, “Surrender!”
+
+He reached for his weapon, but suddenly stopped when he saw he was looking
+into the muzzle of a revolver.
+
+“Hands up! Be quick about it!”
+
+The hands of the sergeant slowly went above his head.
+
+“Pardon me, but I will relieve you of this,” said Calhoun, as he took a
+revolver from the belt of his prisoner, and tossed it into the river.
+
+Up to this time the sergeant had not said a word, but now he exclaimed,
+with the utmost disgust, “How thundering careless of me! Sergeant Latham,
+you are no good; you ought to be reduced to the ranks.”
+
+“Oh! don’t feel too bad about it; better men than you have been caught
+napping,” replied Calhoun, consolingly.
+
+“But no bigger fool. To be gobbled in like this, and by a blamed skulking
+citizen, too. Now, if—”
+
+“Rest your mind there, if it will make you feel any better,” broke in
+Calhoun, “I am no civilian, I am Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+command.”
+
+“You don’t say,” replied the sergeant, apparently much relieved.
+“Lieutenant, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sergeant Silas Latham. We
+have had the pleasure of meeting before.”
+
+“Where?” asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+“Down in Tennessee, when you got away with Lieutenant Haines’s horse so
+slick.”
+
+Calhoun’s face darkened. “Did you have anything to do with the persecution
+of the Osbornes?” he asked, threateningly.
+
+“Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick I ever knew Haines to do.
+But he was dead gone on the girl. I half believe he would have turned Reb
+if he could have got her.”
+
+“I saw Haines the other day,” remarked Calhoun.
+
+“Where?” asked the Sergeant.
+
+“In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking him down.”
+
+The Sergeant chuckled. “Served him right. He threatened to have me reduced
+to the ranks because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, the way
+he persecuted that girl.”
+
+“Are you in his company now?”
+
+“No; he is the captain of another company. Glad of it.”
+
+“Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this conversation, but time
+presses. Give me your parole, and I will be going.”
+
+“By gum, I won’t do it!” exclaimed Latham, with energy. “If you want to
+take me prisoner, take me. But do you think I am going sneaking back to
+camp with the story that I let one Johnny gobble me? No, sir, not by a
+jugful!”
+
+“Latham, you are a character. Can you swim?”
+
+“Never learned when a boy.”
+
+“Will your horse carry double?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“No, he is a poor swimmer, he would drown us both.”
+
+“Latham, I am afraid I shall have to shoot you. I don’t see any other way
+to get rid of you.”
+
+Latham thought a moment, and said: “Let me ride the horse across and you
+swim.”
+
+“A brilliant idea, declined with thanks.”
+
+Latham scratched his head as if for an idea. “Perhaps I can hang on by the
+horse’s tail,” he remarked, hesitatingly.
+
+“That’s better. It’s either a parole, the tail, or death. Which shall it
+be?”
+
+“I will take the tail.”
+
+“All right; but you must give me your word of honor that you will hang
+on.”
+
+“Like grim death,” answered Latham.
+
+“Come, then, I have fooled away too much time already.”
+
+Marching his prisoner up to where his horse was tethered, Calhoun took
+Latham’s sword and carbine which hung to the saddle and pitched them into
+the river after the revolver.
+
+Mounting the horse, Calhoun said, “Now, no fooling. The slightest attempt
+on your part to escape, and I shall shoot you without compunction of
+conscience.”
+
+“I am not fool enough to run when there is a revolver at my head,” growled
+Latham.
+
+“Nevertheless you will bear watching. I am of the opinion you are a
+slippery customer. You just walk by my side here until we reach deep
+water.”
+
+They entered the river. Latham wading quietly by the side of the horse,
+until the water became so deep the horse began to plunge.
+
+“Now, grab his tail,” commanded Calhoun, and he watched Latham until he
+had taken a firm hold of the horse’s tail and was in water beyond his
+depth.
+
+“For the Lord’s sake, keep his head above water,” shouted Latham from
+behind, as the horse made a fearful plunge.
+
+For the next few minutes Calhoun had enough to do without looking to see
+what had become of Latham. The horse, as the Sergeant had said, proved a
+poor swimmer. Twice he came near drowning; but at last managed to struggle
+through. When he got to where the water was shallow enough for the horse
+to wade, Calhoun looked around to see how Latham had fared.
+
+To his surprise he saw that worthy leaning against a tree on the bank from
+which they had started, and apparently he had been watching the struggles
+of the horse in the water with a great deal of satisfaction.
+
+Calhoun hardly knew whether to laugh or get angry. Riding to the edge of
+the water, he turned his horse around, and yelled over, “You are a pretty
+fellow, you are! Like most Yankees, your word of honor is worthless.”
+
+“Did just what I said I would!” yelled back Latham.
+
+“You did not. You told me you would hold on that horse’s tail like grim
+death.”
+
+“And so I did. I am holding on to it yet,” and to Calhoun’s surprise
+Latham shook a large piece of the horse’s tail at him. He had neatly
+severed it.
+
+Calhoun shook with suppressed laughter, but assuming a severe tone, he
+said: “You lied to me like a Turk, anyway, you miserable Yankee; you told
+me you could not swim.”
+
+“I told you no such thing, you skulking Rebel,” yelled back Latham,
+wrathfully. “Come back here and fight me like a man, and I will wallop you
+until you can’t stand, for calling me a liar. I would have you know I am a
+member of the church in good standing.”
+
+“Didn’t you tell me you couldn’t swim?”
+
+“No; I told you I had never learned to swim when a boy.”
+
+“When did you learn to swim?”
+
+“After I became a man.”
+
+Calhoun exploded. “Say, Latham,” he cried, “I forgive you. You are the
+slickest Yankee I ever met. I must be going, for I see your men are
+coming. Ta! ta!”
+
+Calhoun turned and urged his horse up the bank, but not in time to escape
+having two balls sing uncomfortably close to his head.
+
+Sergeant Latham had little trouble in recovering his arms from the river,
+as the water was not deep where Calhoun had thrown them.
+
+The Sergeant made the following report of the affair to his superior
+officer:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Sir: I have the honor to report that a Rebel scout crossed the Cumberland
+to-day near the post where I was stationed. I followed him into the river,
+but my horse being a poor swimmer, I was forced to abandon him in
+mid-stream to save myself.
+
+                                                 SILAS LATHAM, Sergeant.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The capture of Latham’s horse and the ludicrous affair with him put
+Calhoun in the best of humor. He reached the house of Mr. Edmunds without
+further adventure, and met with a hearty welcome from that gentleman, who
+informed him that his men had lingered a day longer than he had ordered,
+in the hope that he would return.
+
+After satisfying his hunger, Calhoun bade his kind host good-bye, and
+without trouble reached Morgan’s camp that night. Here he was received as
+one snatched from the jaws of death, for they had given him up as lost.
+The valuable information which he had collected was forwarded to General
+Bragg, and in due time an acknowledgment was received from that general,
+warmly congratulating him, and saying he had recommended him for a
+captaincy.
+
+It was but a few days after his return that Calhoun was with a regiment
+reconnoitring near Braddyville, when they were suddenly attacked by a
+whole brigade of Federal cavalry. The engagement was a spirited one, but
+owing to the superior numbers of the Federals, the Confederates were
+forced to fall back. During the retreat Calhoun with his scouts was
+holding back the advance of the enemy. They were furiously charged by two
+companies of the Federals, and a hand-to-hand conflict took place. During
+this combat Calhoun became engaged with a Federal captain, and to his
+surprise he saw that his antagonist was Captain Haines. The recognition
+was mutual, and it must have unnerved the hand of the Captain, for
+although but a few feet from Calhoun, he fired and missed him. Before he
+could fire again, Calhoun dashed his empty revolver into his face. The
+force of the blow caused him to reel in his saddle, and before he could
+recover, Calhoun had cut him down.
+
+The bloody repulse of these two companies cooled the ardor of the
+Federals, and the Confederates withdrew without further molestation.
+
+Major Conway noted Calhoun’s growing popularity with the command, and his
+hatred, if possible, grew more bitter. The sting of the blow he had
+received still rankled in his heart, and he swore sooner or later to have
+his revenge. His attempts to assassinate Calhoun in time of battle, so far
+had failed, and Calhoun’s extreme wariness now usually kept them apart
+during an engagement. The crafty Major was busily thinking of some other
+scheme by which he could kill Calhoun without bringing suspicion on
+himself, when an incident happened which he thought would not only cause
+Calhoun to die a most disgraceful death, but redound greatly to his own
+credit.
+
+Calhoun was out with his scouts when he fell in with a small party of the
+enemy. As he outnumbered them, he thought their capture was easy. But he
+was met with such a rapid and accurate fire that his men were forced to
+fall back.
+
+“Them Yankees have repeating rifles,” growled one of his men, “and they
+know how to shoot.”
+
+This was true, and Calhoun was thinking of withdrawing from the fight
+entirely, when he caught sight of the leader of the Federals. The horse
+which he rode he would know among ten thousand. It was Prince, the famous
+horse of his cousin, and the rider must be Fred. Ordering his men to cease
+firing, Calhoun tied a white handkerchief to the point of his sword, and
+rode forward.
+
+Fred, for it was he, rode out to meet him. As soon as he came within
+hearing distance, he asked, “Do you surrender?”
+
+“Surrender nothing!” answered Calhoun, a little disgusted. “If you only
+knew how many men I had back there you would think of surrendering
+yourself. I simply came out to have a little talk with you.”
+
+“Cal, as sure as I live!” exclaimed Fred, and in a moment the two cousins
+had each other by the hand, forgetting they were enemies, remembering only
+their love for each other.
+
+They had much to say to each other, and talked longer than they thought,
+but were about to part, mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they
+were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking up they saw that
+Fred’s men were being charged by a large force of Confederates. They were
+in full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred was alone in the midst
+of his enemies.
+
+The Confederates proved to be a full squadron in command of Major Conway.
+He was accompanied by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they see Fred than
+they shouted in their delight.
+
+“The hoss is mine again!” cried Mathews.
+
+“And this spy and sneak is in my power at last,” exclaimed Conway,
+pointing at Fred; “and what is better I have you, my fine fellow,” said
+Conway, turning to Calhoun. “I have long known that you were holding
+treasonable conferences with the enemy, and have only been waiting for
+indubitable proof. I have it now.
+
+“Lieutenant,” turning to one of his officers, “arrest Lieutenant
+Pennington, and on your life see that he does not escape.”
+
+The enormity of the charge dumbfounded Calhoun. He could scarcely believe
+his ears. He began to protest, but was cut short by Conway, who ordered
+the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten men and to conduct Calhoun
+straightway to General Bragg at Tullahoma.
+
+“Tell the General,” he said, “that I have positive proof of Lieutenant
+Pennington’s treasonable intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
+important I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to him. As soon as
+I see General Morgan I will file formal charges.”
+
+The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders to take Calhoun direct to
+Bragg, but he said nothing, and choosing his escort, was soon on the way
+to Tullahoma with his prisoner.
+
+Major Conway’s real object in sending Calhoun to Tullahoma was to bring
+the case directly to the notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
+to take action. He knew that his charge would not be believed in Morgan’s
+command, but he would see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
+time.
+
+Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most heinous offence of which an
+officer could be guilty, it is no wonder that Calhoun’s heart sank within
+him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.
+
+“Better to have been hanged as a spy by the Federals than to be shot as a
+traitor by my own men,” he muttered to himself. The thought of dying such
+a disgraceful death was maddening.
+
+When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by General Bragg was not
+exactly such as he had expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a great
+stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant who had Calhoun in charge
+reported to him, and told him the verbal message which Major Conway had
+sent, he flew into a furious rage.
+
+“What does Major Conway mean by sending a prisoner to me with such a
+message as that?” he sputtered. “What is General Morgan about that he has
+not attended to this, and presented his charges in due form.
+
+“Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan, and tell Major Conway to
+read up on army discipline.”
+
+If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg would have contended for rigid
+adherence to military law. When Bragg’s order was reported to Calhoun,
+hope began to revive. Surely Morgan would give him a fair hearing. Every
+act he had done in the army would disprove the monstrous charges of Major
+Conway.
+
+It was with a much lighter heart that he set out for MacMinnville. But
+when he reached that place he was surprised by the astonishing news that
+Conway had been shot—killed while in the act of murdering his cousin in
+cold blood.
+
+One of the men who was with Conway at the time was mortally wounded, and
+confessed the whole thing. Conway was to prepare a paper which they were
+to swear was found on Fred’s person, criminating Calhoun. With such
+evidence his conviction would have been certain. He thanked God for the
+death of Conway. It meant a thousand times more to him than life, for it
+kept his name unsullied.
+
+Morgan made a full report of the whole matter to General Bragg. “The plot
+was damnable,” he wrote, “yet it might have been successful if Major
+Conway had not met his just deserts. But one might as well accuse me of
+holding treasonable communications with the enemy as Lieutenant
+Pennington. He is the officer, as you may remember, that entered Nashville
+a short time since, and sent you such a valuable report. Moreover, he is
+the very officer I have chosen to look into that matter which we have
+discussed so much. I expect to send him North next week.”
+
+Thus was Calhoun fully exonerated, and not only that, but he was to be
+chosen for a most important mission. He also had the satisfaction of
+seeing Morgan make Captain Mathews return Fred his horse, much to the
+Captain’s disgust. But what was the important duty upon which Calhoun was
+to be sent North? He had heard nothing of it before.
+
+Some time before the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, a noted Democratic
+politician of Ohio, and an ex-member of Congress, had been arrested at his
+home in Dayton for treason. He was tried by military court-martial, found
+guilty, and banished South. The excitement was intense. Thousands of his
+friends rallied to his defence, and at one time it looked as if the
+streets of Dayton would run red with blood. His friends were in open
+revolt against the government, and opposed the prosecution of the war.
+
+Before this numerous reports had reached the South of the dissatisfaction
+of a large number of the Democratic party with Lincoln, especially with
+his proclamation freeing the slaves. They were sick and tired of the war,
+and were more than willing to give the South her independence. They were
+ready to force Lincoln to do this. A secret society, known as the Knights
+of the Golden Circle, existed throughout the North, and was most numerous
+in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The purpose of this society
+was to resist the draft, encourage desertions from the army, embarrass the
+government in every way possible, and if necessary resort to arms. Already
+numerous small encounters had taken place between the Knights and the
+militia of these states.
+
+It was the boast of the Knights that they had a quarter of a million men
+armed and drilled, ready to take the field. If a Confederate force would
+only invade the North, their ranks would be augmented by these thousands.
+It was to investigate these reports and find out the truth that Calhoun
+was to be sent North.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+                    THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
+
+
+No one was more surprised than Calhoun when told that he had been selected
+to go North on a secret and most important mission.
+
+“General Breckinridge and I have selected you,” said Morgan, “because we
+have confidence in your sagacity, bravery, and discretion. We know no one
+better fitted to intrust this delicate, and perhaps dangerous, mission to
+than yourself.”
+
+“But I am so young,” said Calhoun; “while I gladly accept the honor which
+I feel you have bestowed upon me, would not one older and more experienced
+than I do better?”
+
+“Your youth is one of the main reasons why we have chosen you,” replied
+Morgan. “A youth like you will not excite suspicion half as quickly as a
+man.”
+
+“Then I am more than willing to go,” answered Calhoun, “and trust that the
+confidence you repose in me will not prove to have been misplaced.”
+
+“I have no fears on that score,” answered Morgan; “I know that you will
+succeed, if any one can.”
+
+The General then fully explained what was required of him. Calhoun
+listened in silence.
+
+“I think I fully understand what you want of me, General, but how am I to
+approach these Knights of the Golden Circle? How am I to find out who are
+Knights?”
+
+“That has already been provided for,” answered Morgan. “We are now ready
+to initiate you into a camp of the Golden Circle.”
+
+“Does the order exist down South, too?” asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+“Certainly, to some extent,” was the answer. “If not, how could we know
+the secrets of the order? You are willing, I suppose, to take the oaths
+required?”
+
+“If there is not anything in them to hinder me from being a true son of
+the South,” replied Calhoun.
+
+“I assure you there is not, for I have taken them,” said Morgan; “but you
+must bear in mind this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
+the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone is States’ Rights. The Hon.
+C. L. Vallandigham, who was lately sent into our lines for disloyalty, but
+who has now found a refuge in Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the
+order. No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham. He believes
+in the doctrine of secession. The North is sick and tired of the war, and
+wants to put a stop to it and let the South go in peace. This is the
+purpose of the order.”
+
+“All right,” said Calhoun; “I am ready to join any order that has that for
+its purpose.”
+
+Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his surprise, he met quite a
+number of the officers of the command. There was one stranger present, a
+gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that he was from the North,
+was a high officer in the order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
+ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent he was a full-fledged
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. But he had taken only the
+first degree. The other degrees were to be given to him after he had
+arrived in the North.
+
+After having fully learned the signs, grips, and passwords of the order,
+Calhoun was ready for his journey. He now received his final instructions
+from Morgan and Breckinridge.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to see that while these gentlemen were
+willing to use the order, they had the utmost contempt for it. All nations
+use traitors and despise them at the same time. The Knights of the Golden
+Circle were traitors to their section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the
+men with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help the South to secure
+her independence, it was all he asked. He, like the noble Major André of
+Revolutionary fame, was willing to risk his life for the cause he loved.
+André failed, and suffered an ignominious death; but his fame grows
+brighter with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still abhorred.
+
+“Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars in United States money,”
+said Morgan, handing him a belt. “You will need it; our money don’t go in
+the North.”
+
+“Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln’s strong-box,” said Calhoun,
+as he took the money.
+
+Morgan smiled as he answered: “A Yankee paymaster don’t come amiss once in
+a while.”
+
+Calhoun was next given an official envelope, which he was to hand to
+General Forrest, who was then operating in Northern Mississippi and
+Western Tennessee.
+
+“You will receive full instructions from Forrest,” continued Morgan, “what
+to do, and how to get through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to send
+you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you will not be so apt to meet
+with any Federal officer who might know you. Now go, and may success
+attend you.”
+
+Calhoun took his chief’s hand. His heart was too full to say a word. A
+strong grasp, and he was gone. He had no trouble in finding General
+Forrest, who carefully read the papers that Calhoun handed him. He then
+scanned Calhoun closely from head to feet. “I reckon you understand the
+purport of these papers,” he said, in rather a harsh voice.
+
+“I suppose they relate to sending me through the lines,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Well, I can send you through, young man, but you are going on a fool’s
+errand. I have had a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden
+Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right in giving away
+everything they know; but when it comes to fighting, bah! one of my
+companies would lick ten thousand.”
+
+“Then you haven’t much faith in the fighting qualities of the Knights?”
+said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+“Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere money-grabbers. Ask one of them for
+ten dollars and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they worry the
+Lincoln government, and keep up a fire in the rear; therefore they should
+be encouraged. You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with, though.”
+
+“How soon can I start North?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“To-night,” answered Forrest. “I am the president of an underground
+railroad, took my cue from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in
+running our niggers through to Canada. I have a regular mail North. I will
+send you through with one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your
+credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward if you were captured
+with them. You must leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind that
+your name is W. B. Harrison.”
+
+“Where shall I find my credentials?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus of my railroad at
+present. Inquire for Judge Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all
+right. If all the Knights were like him there would be something doing;
+but he is a Kentuckian, no whining Yankee.”
+
+Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and during his interview with
+him studied him carefully. He put him down as a man of indomitable energy,
+of great courage, and possessing military genius of a high order. On the
+other hand, he was illiterate, rough in his language, and lacked the
+polish of a cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But there was a
+magnetism about him which drew men to him.
+
+“If I were not riding with Morgan, I should surely want to be with
+Forrest,” thought Calhoun.
+
+Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the mail-carrier who was to be
+his guide. He was a thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun put him
+down at about forty. The few days during which Calhoun was with Givens
+gave him a very high opinion of the guide’s bravery and sagacity. Givens
+related many of his hairbreadth escapes during their journey, and seemed
+to treat them as great jokes. During the entire journey through Tennessee
+and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented roads, and in the darkest night
+rode as one entirely familiar with the way.
+
+At every place they stopped, they seemed to be expected. A man would take
+their horses, and in the evening when they started, they would find fresh
+horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun that these stations were a night
+ride apart, and that at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the
+woods.
+
+“I now understand,” said Calhoun, “what an underground railroad means. If
+the Abolitionists had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were so
+successful in getting away with our slaves.”
+
+Givens chuckled as he answered: “They did, I know all about it; was in the
+business myself.”
+
+“You?” asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively recoiled from the
+man.
+
+“A man has to do something for a living,” growled Givens; “I got so much
+for each nigger I ran off.” He then refused to discuss the subject
+further.
+
+One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait, a low, tremulous
+whistle came from the side of the road. Givens reined in his horse so
+quickly that he fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle in the
+same low, tremulous note. A man stepped from the bushes into the road, and
+spoke a few words to Givens in a low tone.
+
+Givens turned to Calhoun and said: “Yanks ahead. We will have to go round
+them.”
+
+Under the guidance of the man they turned into a path through the woods.
+The way was rough, and Givens swore roundly because they were losing time.
+A good-sized stream was reached, which they had to swim. They emerged from
+it wet and out of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his heart’s
+content. He explained that it eased his mind. When the road was reached
+their guide bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly as he had
+appeared.
+
+Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to their utmost speed, in order
+to reach their next stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they
+could, the sun was an hour high before they reached their haven of rest.
+Luckily they met with no one, and they felt safe.
+
+“One more night and we shall reach the Ohio,” said Givens, when they
+dismounted after a long, wearisome night ride. But it was destined that
+they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for they had not ridden
+more than five miles after they had started before they were brought up
+with the sharp command: “Halt! Who comes there?”
+
+“Citizens without the countersign,” answered Givens without a moment’s
+hesitation, and then to Calhoun, “Wheel and run for your life.”
+
+They both turned and clapped spurs to their horses, but not before the
+sentinel had fired. Calhoun heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning
+his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He had carried his last mail.
+There was no time to halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of
+horses in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from his horse and
+struck him a vicious blow which sent him galloping wildly down the road.
+In a moment a squad of Federal cavalry passed in swift pursuit. Calhoun
+breathed freer after the trampling of their horses died away in the
+distance. But he was alone, without a horse, and in a strange country. He
+was now thankful that Forrest had not sent his credentials with Givens.
+
+Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning into a road which led in the
+direction which he wished to go. All through the night he plodded, and
+when morning came he found he was close to a large plantation. He
+determined to make himself known. Placing his revolver in his bosom, where
+he could get it in a moment, he boldly went up to the house. Fortunately
+he met the owner of the plantation, who saluted him with, “Heah, git off
+of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I want no tramps around heah.”
+
+Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder he had been mistaken for a
+disreputable character. His night’s walk had made sad havoc with the looks
+of his clothes. The road was muddy, and he had fallen down several times.
+Rather in desperation than thinking it would do any good, he made the sign
+of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was
+answered.
+
+“Who are you? and why do you come in such a plight?” asked the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun’s story was soon told. “And you are one of Morgan’s men,” said the
+gentleman, whose name was Cressey. “I have a son with Morgan,” and he gave
+his name.
+
+“One of my scouts,” replied Calhoun, delighted. Calhoun had indeed found a
+friend, and a place of refuge. The next night, with a good horse and
+guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short distance from the river.
+The farmer who owned the house was to take a load of produce into Mount
+Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with him without exciting
+suspicion. This was done, and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected,
+was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.
+
+Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office of Judge Worley, and was
+shown the most pretentious law office in the little city. Entering, he
+inquired for the Judge, and was told that he was in his private office.
+
+“Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him on very important business,”
+said Calhoun.
+
+A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared. He returned in a moment and
+said the Judge would see him at once.
+
+When Calhoun entered the private office he saw seated at a desk a
+dignified-looking gentleman about sixty years of age, who eyed him
+sharply, and Calhoun was sure a look of disappointment came over his face.
+This, then, was the gentleman who wished to see him on very important
+business—hardly more than a boy.
+
+He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but said, in a cold voice:
+“Well, what do you want? Be in a hurry, for I am very busy.”
+
+This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was looking for. Gulping down
+his indignation, he said: “I am just from the South, I was directed to
+come to you, who would prove a friend.”
+
+“Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted liberty with my name.”
+
+While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a pair of steel-gray eyes were
+trying to read his very soul.
+
+“Is that all?” at length continued the Judge. “I have no time to give you;
+as I told you, I am very busy,” and he dismissed his visitor with a wave
+of the hand.
+
+As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition of the Knights of
+the Golden Circle. There was no recognition; instead a testy, “Why don’t
+you go?”
+
+Calhoun’s face flamed with anger, but controlling himself, he replied:
+“When you receive some mail from the South, you may find some dispatches
+from General Forrest which will cause you to treat me differently. If such
+dispatches come, be here in your office at nine o’clock to-night.”
+
+When Calhoun mentioned “mail from the South,” and “General Forrest,” the
+Judge turned pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if to stop him;
+but the young man paid no attention to the signal, and strode indignantly
+from the office.
+
+No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned eagerly to a pile of mail
+which he had just received, and which the coming of Calhoun had
+interrupted him in reading. Hurriedly running over the letters, he picked
+out one, and opened it with nervous fingers. It was written in cipher.
+Opening a secret drawer in his desk, he took out the key to the cipher,
+and began the translation of the dispatch. As he did so, he gave vent to
+his surprise in various exclamations.
+
+“Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s staff ... will go by name of W.
+B. Harrison ... comes North to fully investigate conditions.... If
+favorable will invade North.... Pennington is member of K. G. C.”
+
+The Judge laid down the letter and seemed to be gazing into vacancy. He
+was thinking—thinking hard. At last he picked up the letter and read it
+through to the end. Then he made preparations to go out.
+
+“I shall not be back again this afternoon,” he said to his clerk, as he
+passed out. “You can lock up the office when you leave. I shall not need
+you this evening.”
+
+When Calhoun called that evening, he was met at the door by the Judge, and
+given a reception much different from that he received in the afternoon.
+
+“I am glad to see you, Lieutenant,” said the Judge, and he raised his hand
+as if in military salute, but was careful not to touch his forehead.
+
+“And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance of Judge Worley,” replied
+Calhoun, raising his hand as if to shade his eyes from the light.
+
+They then advanced and grasped each other by the hand, the fore-finger of
+each resting on the pulse of the other.
+
+“Nu,” said Calhoun.
+
+“Oh,” responded the Judge.
+
+“Lac,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Nu-oh-lac,” they then both said together.
+
+Thus were they introduced to each other as members of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle.
+
+The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for his treatment of Calhoun at
+their first meeting.
+
+“The fact is,” said the Judge, “we are surrounded by Lincoln spies on
+every hand. Some of them have gained admittance into the order. One cannot
+be too careful. Then your youth misled me. I am now surprised that one so
+young should be selected for so important a commission.”
+
+“No apology is needed,” said Calhoun. “I confess I was indignant at first,
+but I now see you were right in receiving me as you did. Have you received
+General Forrest’s letter yet?”
+
+“Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see that your name is Calhoun.
+Have you ever noticed our password particularly?”
+
+“No; you must bear in mind I am a new member.”
+
+“Read your name backwards,” said the Judge, with a smile.
+
+Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise: “Nuohlac! Why, it’s my name
+spelled backwards.”
+
+“Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American who ever lived,”
+exclaimed the Judge, with enthusiasm. “I trust that you honor the name.
+Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now. What a glorious day it would be
+for him. But his spirit lives—lives, and thank God there is no Andrew
+Jackson in the presidential chair!”
+
+“Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish he had,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller, a monster. Seward is the
+brains of the administration. Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing.”
+
+Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the Judge, so he changed the
+subject by asking the number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the state.
+
+“That, under my oath, I cannot give,” answered the Judge. “I see by
+General Forrest’s letter that you have taken only the first degree of the
+order. That entitles you to very little information. It is the duty of
+those who take only this degree to obey, not to question. General Forrest
+advises that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible. I have
+already made arrangements to have you initiated into the second and third
+degrees this evening. That is as high as we can go here.”
+
+The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it was time to go.
+
+Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a saloon, the Judge explaining that
+they had selected the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many men
+passing in and out. Calhoun found at least fifty men assembled, and when
+he was introduced as one of Morgan’s men, he received a perfect ovation.
+
+“Hurrah for John Morgan!” shouted one enthusiastic member, and the cheers
+were given with a will.
+
+Three cheers were then given for Jeff Davis, followed by three groans for
+Abe Lincoln.
+
+Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was this the North? He could well
+believe he was in the heart of the South.
+
+The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun was duly initiated into
+the second and third degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of the
+society; its object was the overthrow of the Lincoln government. But
+resistance to the draft was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of even
+the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.
+
+Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials, was told that to obtain
+the information which he sought, he would have to visit the Grand
+Commander of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton, of Springfield. Calhoun
+marvelled that the head officer of such an order should reside under the
+very shadow of the state capitol.
+
+The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It was full of Federal
+soldiers, and from almost every house a United States flag was flying. It
+did not look like a very promising place for opposition to the Federal
+government, but Calhoun afterwards learned that the place was honeycombed
+with members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+
+Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with the greatest caution, and it
+was only after he was fully satisfied that his visitor was what he
+represented himself to be that the Doctor consented to talk.
+
+“Be frank with me,” said Calhoun; “John Morgan is contemplating a raid in
+the North, and he wishes to know whether in that case he can expect any
+aid from this order, and if so to what number.”
+
+The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of Morgan making a raid, but
+said: “If you are to be given the full information you ask for, you must
+be initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That is a degree which
+but very few take, and can be given only with the consent of the Supreme
+Commander. The Grand Commanders of the different states meet the Supreme
+Commander in Canada next Tuesday. This is Friday. You had better attend
+that meeting, as your mission is very important.”
+
+“Why meet in Canada?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Because it is safer, and—and we want to meet the Supreme Commander of the
+order.”
+
+“Ah! I understand,” said Calhoun. “Mr. —”
+
+“Stop; on your life mention no names! Our oaths forbid it.”
+
+“I stand corrected,” answered Calhoun, humbly.
+
+It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but
+the Doctor warned him that on the cars they must be to each other as
+strangers.
+
+“When we reach Detroit,” said the Doctor, “go to the Russell House, and
+register as from Chicago. Write Chicago ‘Chic.’ ”
+
+“I think I will go through to Chicago this evening,” said Calhoun; “I
+should like to make some investigations there; you can meet me there
+Monday.”
+
+So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the names of half a dozen men in
+that city whom it might be well for him to see. “But mind,” said
+Warrenton, “do not tell any one of Morgan’s contemplated raid. That must
+be a secret.”
+
+Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what he saw and learned there
+surprised him more than ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was
+everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded that the war be stopped,
+boastingly proclaimed that there would soon be “a fire in the rear” that
+would bring Lincoln to his senses. Resistance to the draft was openly
+talked on the streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret move on
+foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp Douglas and burn the city.
+
+“This is proving interesting,” thought Calhoun; “the whole North seems to
+be a seething volcano, ready to burst forth into flames, yet something
+seems to smother the flames.”
+
+Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the flames when, representing
+himself as a young Englishman, he asked a Federal officer why the
+government permitted such open talk of treason.
+
+The officer smiled as he answered: “It is better for them to talk than
+act. The government has its eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets
+them alone. The first overt act will be crushed with a heavy hand.”
+
+Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley and Warrenton had told him; that
+government spies were in the order, and that they knew not whom to trust.
+Would the spies of the government find out who he was, and his mission? It
+was not a very comforting thought.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+                         OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!
+
+
+Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton was on the train, but they
+met as strangers. When he reached the city and went to register at the
+Russell House, a gentleman was carelessly leaning against the desk talking
+with the clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but he had caught the
+word “Chic.” after his name.
+
+After a few moments the gentleman approached Calhoun and said: “Pardon me,
+but is not this Mr. Harrison of Kentucky?”
+
+“My name is Harrison,” answered Calhoun, “but if you would examine the
+register you would see I am from Chicago.”
+
+“Ah, yes, I understand,” and he gave the secret sign of the order. “Come,”
+he continued, “and let me introduce you to some friends.”
+
+He led the way to a room where there were several gentlemen seated smoking
+and talking, among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm greeting.
+
+“I have been telling them about you,” said Warrenton, “and they are all
+anxious to meet you.”
+
+The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each member of the party. There was
+Wrightman of New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri, Bullock of
+Kentucky, and others.
+
+“You don’t tell me you are the son of my old friend, Judge Pennington, of
+Danville,” asked Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the hand.
+
+“The very same,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant Pennington,” exclaimed Mr.
+Bullock, addressing those present. “I will vouch for him with my life.
+Let’s see, your name is now—”
+
+“Harrison for the present,” answered Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+The party had no trouble in getting across the river, and that night there
+was a meeting in Windsor which boded ill for the Federal government.
+
+The Supreme Commander of the order was a gentleman in the full vigor of
+manhood. He was polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every action
+showed that he was accustomed to command. Behind it all Calhoun thought
+that he detected the signs of an inordinate ambition—an ambition which
+would stop for nothing.
+
+“Isn’t he grand,” whispered Dr. Warrenton to Calhoun. “A fit
+representative to wear the mantle of your great namesake.”
+
+“Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr,” thought Calhoun, but he wisely did
+not give expression to his thought. The object of Calhoun’s coming was
+fully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous vote, that he should
+receive the fourth degree, and thus be entitled to all the information
+which he wished.
+
+The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun was now certain he was among
+a band of conspirators who would stop at nothing to achieve their ends.
+
+“Is this the highest of the degrees?” asked Calhoun, when he was through.
+
+The party exchanged meaning glances, and then the Supreme Commander said:
+“There is one more degree, but it is given only to the highest officers in
+the order, and would not be of the least advantage to you.”
+
+Calhoun was certain there was something which those present did not wish
+him to know—some object which they wished to keep secret.
+
+The number of members in the order was now given to Calhoun. The figures
+astounded him. In Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in Missouri
+fifty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and twenty thousand, in Indiana
+one hundred thousand, in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East the
+order was not so numerous. This seemed strange to Calhoun, for he thought
+that New York especially would be fertile ground for it.
+
+“How many of these men are armed?” asked Calhoun.
+
+The answer was: “In Missouri nearly all, in Illinois fifty thousand, in
+Indiana forty thousand, in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all.”
+
+“Gentlemen,” exclaimed Calhoun, with considerable warmth, “if these
+figures are correct, why have you not arisen before this, and hurled the
+Lincoln government from power? Pardon me, but it looks like timidity. The
+North is denuded of men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army.”
+
+“That is what I have insisted on,” cried Mr. Bowman, of Indiana, jumping
+to his feet in his excitement. “I say strike, strike now! We of Indiana
+are ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners in Northern prison pens! We
+have arms for them. If necessary, give every Northern city over to the
+flames.”
+
+“Brother Bowman forgets,” answered the Supreme Commander, “that our forces
+are scattered; that if we attempt to concentrate, the government will take
+alarm and crush us. At present we have to work in secret.”
+
+“But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“That would be different,” was the answer.
+
+“What if you should be successful in your plans?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Let the South go free. We firmly believe in the doctrine of States’
+Rights,” was the answer.
+
+“Would your states cast their lot with the South?” asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+Again there were meaning glances among the leaders. “It is yet too early
+to answer that question,” slowly replied the Supreme Commander, “or even
+to discuss it. The overthrow of the present Abolition government and the
+independence of the South is now our object.”
+
+But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun resolved to find out, and he
+did.
+
+The conference at Windsor was over. It was resolved that the order should
+everywhere be strengthened, and that it should strike at the first
+favorable opportunity. That opportunity would come at once, should the
+North be invaded.
+
+From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio, from there to Dayton, the
+home of Vallandigham. He found that that gentleman was the idol of that
+section. They wanted him to come home. They swore they would defend him
+with their lives. The whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federal
+government.
+
+Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of talking with all classes of
+citizens. He especially tried to get at the feelings of the humbler
+members of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they joined the order,
+and what they proposed doing. All the information he gleaned he treasured
+up.
+
+From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis, where he was to meet Mr.
+Bowman. He found Indiana much better organized than any of the other
+states. Bowman was enthusiastic, and he seemed to hate the Lincoln
+government with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to achieve his
+ends. But the especial object of his hatred was Governor Morton.
+
+“I want to live long enough,” he said, “to see that tyrant hanged for
+trampling on the constitution of the state.”
+
+Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great dread of Morton. They
+declared he had a way of finding out every secret of the order. If he had
+not been thoroughly guarded, his life would not have been worth a
+farthing.
+
+Calhoun was taken into the country, where he witnessed the drilling of two
+or three companies of Knights. These meetings always took place at night,
+in some secret place, and sentinels were posted to guard against surprise.
+Calhoun talked with many of the members to get their ideas and to find out
+what they wished to accomplish.
+
+“What do you think?” asked Bowman of Calhoun, after they had returned to
+Indianapolis. “I have forty thousand of those fellows.”
+
+“Will they fight?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Fight? Of course they will fight,” was the answer. “Let Morgan get into
+the state, and you will see.”
+
+At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy farmer named Jones, who lived
+near Corydon. He had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and boasted of
+the number of Knights in his part of the state.
+
+“We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists from the earth,” he
+exclaimed, boastingly, “and hang Old Abe, and Morton too.”
+
+“What would you do if Morgan came?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell until I was hoarse,” was the
+answer.
+
+“What if Morgan should want some of your horses?” asked Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Jones’s countenance fell. At length he mumbled, “Of course he would
+pay me for them?”
+
+“Of course,” replied Calhoun, in a tone which the old gentleman did not
+quite understand.
+
+Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis Bowman told him Morton
+was to hold a reception, and asked him if he would not like to attend and
+see the great War Governor.
+
+Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a desire to see the man of whom
+he had heard so much—a man who had the majority of his legislature against
+him, yet held the state as in the hollow of his hand—a man who borrowed
+hundreds of thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers of his
+state might be thoroughly equipped. He had overcome every difficulty, and
+held his state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands of the citizens
+of the state secretly plotting against him, he moved serenely along the
+path he had marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe measures, he knew
+when, and when not, to make an arrest. He avoided angering his enemies
+except when the public safety demanded it. His very name caused every
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun
+think that when he promised to attend the governor’s reception that
+Morton’s detectives were already looking for him. The renewed activity of
+the Knights had aroused the Governor’s suspicions, and he was not long in
+finding out the cause. To locate and arrest the Southern officer who was
+causing the ferment, was his order to his detectives.
+
+A large crowd attended the reception, and in such a gathering Calhoun felt
+in no danger. He saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive head
+and brain. He looked every inch the intellectual giant that he was.
+
+“The grandest figure,” thought Calhoun, “that I have seen in the North. He
+is a man to beware of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him.”
+
+When Calhoun, passing along in the throng, took the Governor’s hand,
+Morton bent his piercing look upon him, and the question came as if shot
+out of his mouth, “Where from, young man?”
+
+The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun off his guard, and almost
+involuntarily he answered, “From Kentucky.”
+
+“From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down there?”
+
+Calhoun was himself again. “Of course,” he answered, “we are greatly
+divided in that state, but all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it
+from the Union.”
+
+“Good, pass on,” and the Governor turned to the next in line.
+
+But a feeling as of impending danger took possession of Calhoun. Why that
+question to him? He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he was
+suspected? Forcing his way through the throng, he got out of the building
+as soon as possible.
+
+It was well that he did so, for hardly had the Governor let go Calhoun’s
+hand, when he motioned to General Carrington, and whispered to him:
+“Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly as possible, but see he does not
+get away. He is the Southern officer we have been looking for, I am sure.
+I have a full description of him.”
+
+General Carrington in turn whispered to a couple of quiet-looking men,
+dressed in citizen’s clothes who stood near the Governor. They nodded, and
+started after Calhoun, who was now nearly lost to view in the crowd.
+
+Once out of the building Calhoun found that hundreds of spectators had
+gathered out of curiosity. They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton, and
+shouting for the Union, and some were singing, “We’ll hang Jeff Davis on a
+sour-apple tree.”
+
+Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he reached the outer edge of the
+circle. Here groups of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.
+Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it was plain they were not
+enjoying the proceedings. Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy
+hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice said: “You are our
+prisoner; better come quietly and make no disturbance.” And in a trice
+Calhoun felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He was powerless in
+the iron grip by which he was held; if help there was, it must come from
+the outside.
+
+“Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!”
+
+The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife. It fell on the
+astonished ears of hundreds who did not understand it. But to those groups
+of silent, sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet, summoning
+them to duty.
+
+“Oho ne! Oho ne!” they answered, and before the surprised officers could
+draw a weapon, could raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten
+down, and their prisoner snatched from them.
+
+The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers came on the run, with
+fixed bayonets, scattering the crowd right and left. But when they reached
+the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and bleeding officers.
+They could only say they had been set upon, knocked down, and their
+prisoner taken from them. By whom they did not know, for it was dark, and
+the crowd had dispersed.
+
+When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voice
+whispered, “Follow me, quick!”
+
+Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow of
+buildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of
+the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running,
+both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.
+
+  [Illustration: INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]
+
+“We are safe now,” said the guide, “but it was a close shave for you. What
+did they arrest you for?”
+
+“To hang me,” answered Calhoun, with a shudder. “I am a Confederate
+officer.”
+
+“I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn’t have tried to
+arrest you in that crowd; but don’t worry, you are all right now.”
+
+His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which he
+said was his home, “and,” he exclaimed, “none of Abe Lincoln’s minions
+will ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escaped
+Confederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton.
+It should be called Camp Hades.”
+
+Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. “Sleep soundly, and
+without fear,” said Mr. Randall.
+
+Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget to
+return thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respect
+for the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The next
+morning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling of
+his escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with the
+announcement that so important did the government consider his person that
+a reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhoun
+now knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remained
+for him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.
+
+Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the city concealed in a
+farmer’s wagon. He was passed on from the hands of one true Knight to
+another, and at the end of three days he found himself on the banks of the
+Ohio, a few miles above Madison. In the darkness of the night he was rowed
+over, and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native state. In his
+ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground, for was it not the soil of
+Kentucky?
+
+At the house of a true Southerner he found refuge. His measure was taken
+into Carrolton, where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing a horse
+of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he bade him good-bye, and sprang
+into the saddle. The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed with the
+beauty which we ascribe to the Golden City. In the midst of the gold hung
+the new moon like a silver bow.
+
+“See! see!” cried Calhoun, “the new moon, I saw it over my right shoulder.
+It means good luck.”
+
+And while the happy omen still gleamed in the west, he galloped away.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+                        CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.
+
+
+By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the towns, Calhoun had no
+trouble in making his way back into Tennessee. He had been gone nearly a
+month, and was glad to see his old command, who gave him a royal welcome.
+He was showered with questions as to where he had been, but to each and
+every one he would laugh and say, “Be glad to tell you, boys, but can’t.”
+
+“Thought you had deserted us,” said his scouts.
+
+“Not till death,” replied Calhoun. “I was on a secret mission. The General
+knows where I was.”
+
+“It’s all right then, but mark my word, there will be some deviltry going
+on shortly,” one of them remarked, sagely.
+
+As General Breckinridge was greatly interested, Calhoun did not make his
+report until that General could meet with Morgan. Then Calhoun gave a
+detailed account of all he had seen and heard. He was listened to with
+breathless attention.
+
+“His report agrees perfectly with all I have heard,” remarked
+Breckinridge, much pleased. “I have had a dozen different agents in the
+North, and they all agree.”
+
+“But you have not given us your own conclusions, Lieutenant,” said Morgan.
+
+“It might seem presumptuous in me,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“By no means; let us hear it,” replied both generals.
+
+Calhoun, thus entreated, gave the conclusions he had formed, not from what
+had been told him by the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but
+from his own observations. He was listened to with evident interest.
+
+“Your conclusions seem to be at utter variance with all that was told you,
+and every fact given,” said Breckinridge. “You admit that dissatisfaction
+in the Democratic party is almost universal over the way the war is being
+conducted; you say that we have not been deceived regarding the numbers of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, that there are eighty thousand of the
+order in Indiana alone, of whom forty thousand are armed; as you know,
+every member of that order has taken an oath not to take up arms against
+the South; that they believe in states’ rights; that they will resist by
+force the tyranny of the Federal government; and yet you say it is your
+belief that if General Morgan should invade the state, not a hand would be
+raised to help him. I cannot understand it.”
+
+“I will try to make myself plain,” said Calhoun. “The Democratic party is
+sick and tired of the war, and want it stopped. They believe we can never
+be whipped, and in that they are right. But they love the Union, revere
+the old flag. They indulge the vain hope that if the war were stopped, the
+Union might be restored. We know how foolish that hope is. I speak of the
+rank and file. Many of their leaders are notoriously disloyal, but they
+deceive the people with fine words. They make the party believe that if
+the Republican party were only defeated, things would be as they were.
+
+“As to the Knights of the Golden Circle, the great mass who join it are
+told it is only a secret political society. They scarcely comprehend its
+oaths; they are kept in ignorance of the real motives of the order. These
+Knights hate the party in power with a bitter hatred. They are friendly to
+the South, believe we are right; but mark my word, they will not fight for
+us. They are armed, but their idea is to resist the draft. Go among them
+to-day, and not one in a thousand would enlist to fight in the Southern
+army. Fighting is the last thing they want to do for either side. For
+these reasons I conclude that if General Morgan invaded Indiana he would
+receive no direct aid from the Knights of the Golden Circle. I confess
+these conclusions are entirely different from what the leaders told me.
+
+“As for the leaders, they are heart and soul with us. They want us to
+succeed. If they dared they would rise in revolt to-morrow. They are doing
+all they can, without open resort to arms, to have us succeed. But they
+are a band of conspirators. They want us to succeed, because they want
+utterly to destroy the Federal Union. They want to break loose and form a
+Northwest Confederacy. They dare not tell their followers this, but it is
+what they are working for.”
+
+When Calhoun had stated his opinion, both Breckinridge and Morgan asked
+him many questions. He was then dismissed. Unknown to Calhoun there were
+three or four other Southern officers present, who had also been in the
+North. They were called in, and questioned on the points raised by
+Calhoun. Every one differed with him. They believed that if an opportunity
+were presented the Knights would rise almost to a man at the call of their
+leaders.
+
+Breckinridge and Morgan held an earnest consultation. Morgan was greatly
+disappointed over Calhoun’s report, for he had set his heart on making a
+raid into Indiana and Ohio. He believed it would be the greatest triumph
+of his life, and with the Northwest in open revolt, the independence of
+the South would be assured.
+
+“Lieutenant Pennington must be mistaken,” said Breckinridge. “My
+acquaintance in the North is extensive, and I believe my friends there
+will do just as they say they will.”
+
+Before Morgan and Breckinridge parted, it was fully agreed that Morgan
+should make the raid. But when the subject was broached to Bragg, that
+general absolutely refused to sanction it. He gave Morgan permission to
+make a raid into Kentucky and capture Louisville if possible. That was as
+far as he would go, and even with that object in view, he limited Morgan’s
+force to two thousand.
+
+Morgan apparently acquiesced in this decision of his commander; but in his
+heart he resolved to disobey if, when he neared Louisville, he found
+conditions at all favorable for the invasion of Indiana.
+
+Some time had passed since Morgan had made a raid, and the news that they
+were again to ride north, probably clear to Louisville, was welcomed by
+the rough riders. To them a raid was but a holiday. It did not take Morgan
+long to prepare. His men were always ready to move. “To Louisville,” was
+the cry, “we want to call on George D.,” meaning George D. Prentice, the
+editor of the Louisville _Journal_.
+
+In all probability few men in the Confederate army knew that Morgan was on
+another raid, until he was well on his way. This time he entered Kentucky
+farther east than was his custom, and the first intimation the Federals
+had that he was in the state, he was crossing the Cumberland River at
+Burkesville. This was on the second day of July. The alarm was given. The
+frenzied Federals telegraphed right and left for troops to head off
+Morgan. It was thought that he intended to strike the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad again at his favorite place—Bacon Creek. General Judah
+hurried from Tompkinsville with a brigade to head him off, but his advance
+under General Hobson was struck at Marrowbone, and hurled back. This left
+Morgan an open road to Columbia, and that place fell an easy prey on the
+3d.
+
+Leaving General Hobson to pursue Morgan, General Judah hurried back to
+Glasgow to bring up another brigade. But General Judah never overtook
+Morgan until days afterwards, and then he caught him at Buffington Island.
+
+As for Hobson, he stuck to Morgan’s trail as an Indian sticks to the trail
+of his enemy. He followed him all through Kentucky, all through Indiana,
+all through Ohio, never but a few hours behind, yet never in striking
+distance until Buffington Island was reached.
+
+After leaving the forces of Judah and Hobson in the rear, Morgan had
+nearly an open road to Louisville. The 4th found him at the crossing of
+Green River on the road between Columbia and Campbellsville. Here a
+portion of the Twenty-fifth Michigan, under Colonel Moore, was strongly
+fortified, and a charge made by Morgan was bloodily repulsed. As both
+Judah and Hobson were close in his rear, it would take too much time to
+bring these determined men to terms, and so Morgan, much to his regret,
+was forced to leave them, and pass on. The 5th of July found him at
+Lebanon. The garrison under Colonel Hanson fought desperately, but was
+forced to capitulate, and Lebanon with all its stores and three hundred
+and fifty prisoners was again in Morgan’s hands.
+
+The next day found him at Bardstown, where twenty-five men of the Fourth
+Regular Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Sullivan, threw
+themselves into a livery stable, strongly fortified it, and refused to
+surrender. Here Morgan made a mistake. He should have left them and passed
+on; but angered that he should be defied by so few men, he determined to
+capture them and it delayed him twenty-four precious hours. So enraged
+were his men over what they considered the obstinacy of the brave little
+band, that they began to misuse the prisoners, but Morgan stopped them,
+saying: “The damned Yankees ought to be complimented on their pluck.”
+
+Never, in any of his raids, had Morgan met with so fierce resistance as on
+this one. Cut to the quick by the numerous criticisms which had been
+published in Northern papers, that cowardice prompted nearly every one of
+the surrenders to Morgan, these troops fought long after prudence should
+have caused them to surrender.
+
+From Bardstown Morgan moved to Shepherdsville. He was now within striking
+distance of Louisville. Here it was that he fully decided, if he had not
+done so before, upon the invasion of Indiana, instead of attempting the
+capture of Louisville. At Shepherdsville he was on the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad, where a long bridge spans the Salt River. But he did
+not stop to capture the garrison which guarded the bridge, nor did he
+attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead, he rode straight west,
+and on the 9th was in Brandenburg. Before him rolled the Ohio River,
+beyond lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time he had led
+his men clear to the Ohio River. The sight of Yankee land aroused them to
+the utmost enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross if ten thousand
+foes had opposed them.
+
+Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg with instructions to sweep
+through the place, stopping for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
+which might be at the landing. This he did. Far in advance of the main
+body, he galloped into the town, to the astonishment and dismay of its
+citizens.
+
+Two small steamboats were lying at the landing, and before the terrorized
+crews could cut the hawsers and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
+men were on board and the boats were theirs.
+
+The means of crossing the river were now in Morgan’s hands. But a fresh
+danger arose. A gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville and
+opened fire. Morgan brought every piece of his artillery into action, and
+for two hours the battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited, withdrew
+and went back to Louisville, leaving the way open. There was now nothing
+to prevent Morgan from crossing the river.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+                       THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.
+
+
+Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan, as he sat on his horse that
+July day, and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river. Beyond lay the
+fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan of his hopes. Should he go in and
+possess? The waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the means of
+crossing. Before him all was calm, peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite
+bank to oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops. Behind him were
+thousands of angry Federals in swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go
+ahead than to turn back?
+
+As Cæsar stood on the bank of the Rubicon debating what to do, so did
+Morgan stand on the bank of the Ohio. Like Cæsar, if he once took the
+step, he must abide the consequences. But if there was any hesitation in
+the mind of Morgan, he did not hesitate long. “Cross over,” was the order
+which he gave. “We shall soon know,” he said to Calhoun, “whether they are
+friends or foes over there; whether the forty thousand Knights who were so
+anxious for me to come will appear or not.”
+
+Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana and Ohio by Morgan seems like
+sheer madness. He had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
+the states which he invaded had millions of population. But he had reasons
+to believe that thousands of that population were friendly to him, would
+welcome him with gladness. When he so nearly escaped though no hand was
+raised to help him, what would he have accomplished if only a few thousand
+had come to his relief? That there were thousands in the two states who
+would have flocked gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is no
+doubt. But the hand of the government was too strong for them to resist.
+The fires of loyalty burned too fiercely to be quenched by them. With all
+their boasted strength, the Knights of the Golden Circle were powerless
+when the supreme moment came.
+
+The order to cross the river was hailed with enthusiasm by every man in
+Morgan’s command. Where they were going they knew not, cared not; they
+would go where their gallant leader led. He had never failed them, he
+would not fail them now. They knew only that they were to invade the land
+of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to be brought home to the
+North as it had been to the South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused
+the blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his veins. He had been
+full of doubts; he trembled for the results if that river were once
+passed. He had been through the North and noted her resources, how
+terribly in earnest her people were that the Union should be saved. What
+if there were thousands of traitors in their midst? There were enough
+loyal men left to crush them. What if the state of Indiana was honeycombed
+with camps of the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of the Union
+League were fully as numerous. He now forgot all these things. Did not the
+Knights come to his relief in his hour of sore distress? Surely they would
+not forget their oaths, when Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air,
+and shouted, “Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will cross over and
+possess it.”
+
+The order to cross once given, was obeyed with alacrity. In an incredibly
+short time the three thousand men and horses were ferried across the
+river.
+
+“Burn the boats,” was Morgan’s order.
+
+The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped them in their fiery
+embrace, lo! on the other side came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like
+beasts baffled of their prey, they could only stand and gnash their teeth
+in their rage. Between them and Morgan rolled the river, and they had no
+means of crossing.
+
+“Why don’t you come across, Yanks?” Morgan’s men shouted in derision.
+
+“Got any word you want to send to your mammy? We are going to see her,”
+they mockingly cried.
+
+And thus with taunt and laugh and hurrah, Morgan’s men rode away, leaving
+their enemies standing helpless on the farther bank.
+
+“Twenty miles to Corydon,” said Calhoun, as he galloped with his scouts to
+the front to take the advance. “I wonder if I shall meet my friend Jones,
+and whether, when he sees us, he will throw his hat on high, and give us a
+royal welcome? If he spoke the truth, the bells of Corydon will ring a
+joyful peal when the people see us coming, and we shall be greeted with
+waving flags, and find hundreds of sturdy Knights ready to join us.”
+
+But in that twenty miles not a single waving flag did Calhoun see, not a
+single shout of welcome did he hear. Instead, the inhabitants seemed to be
+in an agony of fear. They met only decrepit old men and white-faced women
+and children. Not a single cup of cold water was freely offered them in
+that twenty miles. If Calhoun could only have seen the welcome given
+Hobson’s men the day after as they came over the same road, the flags that
+were waved, the shouts of welcome that greeted them, how women and
+children stood by the roadside with cooling water and dainty food to give
+them, and sent their prayers after them—if Calhoun could have seen all
+these things, his heart would have sunk, and he would have known that
+there was no welcome for Morgan’s men in Indiana.
+
+But he was soon to have a ruder awakening. As he neared Corydon, he and
+his scouts were greeted with a volley, and sixteen of his men went down.
+The raid for them was over.
+
+“Charge!” shouted Calhoun, and like a whirlwind he and his men were on the
+little band of home guards, who thought they could withstand Morgan’s
+whole force.
+
+In a few brief minutes the fight was over, and on the sod lay several
+motionless figures. In spite of himself, Calhoun could not help thinking
+of Lexington and the farmer minute men who met Pitcairn and his red-coats
+on that April morning in 1775. Were not these men of Corydon as brave? Did
+they not deserve a monument as much? He tried to dismiss the thought as
+unworthy, but it stayed with him for a long time.
+
+A short distance beyond Corydon stood a fine house, which, with all its
+surroundings, showed it to be the dwelling of a rich and prosperous
+farmer. When Calhoun came up, the owner, bareheaded and greatly excited,
+was engaged in controversy with one of Calhoun’s scouts who had just
+appropriated a fine ham from the farmer’s smoke-house and was busily
+engaged in tying it to his saddle-bow.
+
+“You have no business to take my property without paying for it!” the
+farmer was saying, angrily. “I am a friend of the South; I have opposed
+the war from the beginning.”
+
+Seeing Calhoun, and noticing he was an officer, the farmer rushed up to
+him, crying, “Stop them! Stop them! they are stealing my property!”
+
+“Well, I declare, if it isn’t my old friend Jones!” exclaimed Calhoun.
+“How do you do, Mr. Jones? Where are those five hundred armed Knights who
+you said would meet us here? Where is your hat, that you are not throwing
+it high in air? Why are you not shouting hallelujahs over our coming?”
+
+Jones had stopped and was staring at Calhoun with open mouth and bulging
+eyes. “Bless my soul,” he at length managed to stammer, “if it isn’t Mr.
+Harrison!”
+
+“Lieutenant Pennington, at your service. But, Jones, where are those
+Knights of the Golden Circle you promised would join us here?”
+
+Jones hung his head. “We—we didn’t expect you to come so soon,” he managed
+to answer; “we didn’t have time to rally.”
+
+“Mr. Jones, you told me this whole country would welcome us as liberators.
+They did welcome us back there in Corydon, but it was with lead. Sixteen
+of our men were killed and wounded. Mr. Jones, there will be several
+funerals for you to attend in Corydon.”
+
+“It must be some of those Union Leaguers,” exclaimed Mr. Jones. “Glad they
+were killed; they threatened to hang me the other day.”
+
+“They were heroes, compared to you!” hotly exclaimed Calhoun. “You and
+your cowardly Knights can plot in secret, stab in the dark, curse your
+government, but when it comes to fighting like men you are a pack of
+cowardly curs.”
+
+But Mr. Jones hardly heard this fierce Phillipic; his eyes were fixed on
+his smoke-house, which was being entered by some more of the soldiers.
+
+“Won’t you stop them,” he cried, wringing his hands; “they will take it
+all! Why, you are a pack of thieves!”
+
+“Boys, don’t enter or disturb anything in the house,” cried Calhoun,
+turning to his men, “but take anything out of doors you can lay your hands
+on; horses, everything.”
+
+The men dispersed with a shout to carry out the order. Calhoun left Mr.
+Jones in the road jumping up and down, tearing his hair and shouting at
+the top of his voice, “I am going to vote for Abe Lincoln. I am—I am, if I
+am damned for it!”
+
+In all probability Morgan’s raid in Indiana and Ohio made more than one
+vote for old Abe. Of all the thousands of Knights of the Golden Circle in
+Indiana and Ohio, not one took his rifle to join Morgan, not one raised
+his hand to help him.
+
+In speaking of this to General Shackelford, who captured him, Morgan said,
+bitterly: “Since I have crossed the Ohio I have not seen a single friendly
+face. Every man, woman, and child I have met has been my enemy; every
+hill-top a telegraph station to herald my coming; every bush an ambush to
+conceal a foe.”
+
+The people who lived along the route pursued by Morgan will never forget
+his raid. What happened has been told and retold a thousand times around
+the fireside, and the story will be handed down not only to their
+children, but to their children’s children. Morgan was everywhere
+proclaimed as a thief and a robber. They forgot that he had to subsist at
+the expense of the country, and that he had to take horses to replace
+those of his own which had broken down. Not only that, but it was life to
+him to sweep the country through which he passed clear of horses, that his
+pursuers might not get them. The Federals in pursuit took horses as
+readily as Morgan’s men.
+
+Those who proclaim Morgan a thief and a robber sing with gusto “Marching
+through Georgia,” and tell how “the sweet potatoes started from the
+ground.” They forget how Sheridan, the greatest cavalry leader of the
+Federal army, boasted he had made the lovely Shenandoah Valley such a
+waste that a crow would starve to death flying over it. The Southern
+people look upon Sherman and Sheridan as the people of Ohio and Indiana
+look upon Morgan. These generals were not inhuman; they simply practised
+war. It is safe to say that less private property was destroyed in
+Morgan’s raid in Indiana and Ohio than in any other raid of equal
+magnitude made by either side during the war.
+
+One can now see by reading the dispatches the panic and terror caused by
+Morgan in this raid. From Cairo, Illinois, to Wheeling, West Virginia, the
+Federals were in a panic, for they knew not which way Morgan would turn,
+or where he would strike. From the entire length of the Ohio, the people
+were wildly calling on the government to send troops to protect them from
+Morgan. There were fears and trembling as far north as Indianapolis.
+Governor Tod, of Ohio, declared martial law through the southern part of
+his state, and called on Morton to do the same for Indiana. But Morton,
+cooler, more careful, and looking farther ahead as to what might be the
+effect of such a measure, wisely refused to do so.
+
+From Corydon Morgan rode north to Salem. The Federals now thought for sure
+that Indianapolis was his objective point, but from Salem he turned
+northeast and swept through the state, touching or passing through in his
+route the counties of Jackson, Scott, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, and
+Dearborn, passing into Ohio, in the northwest corner of Hamilton County,
+almost within sight of the great city of Cincinnati. Turning north, he
+entered Butler County. Here, as in Indiana, he met only the scowling faces
+of enemies.
+
+“And here is where they worship Vallandigham!” exclaimed Calhoun,
+passionately. “Here is where they told me almost every man belonged to the
+Knights of the Golden Circle, and that the whole county would welcome us.
+Here is where even the Democratic party meet in open convention, pass
+resolutions in favor of the South, denounce Lincoln as a monster and
+tyrant, and demand that the war cease at once and the South go free,
+saying they will support no man for office who in the least way favors the
+war. And now not a word of welcome, not a single hand reached out in aid.
+Oh! the cowards! the cowards!”(3)
+
+Morgan made no bitter reply, but said. “You warned us, Lieutenant, how it
+would be. I have expected no aid since the first day we entered Indiana.
+But with God’s help we shall yet escape from our foes. Oh, if my gallant
+men were across the Ohio once more! It is only that river which stands in
+between us and safety. There is now no hope of securing a steamboat. But
+at Buffington Island the river is shoal, and can be forded. If we can
+reach Buffington Island before our enemies, we can laugh at our pursuers.”
+
+And for Buffington Island Morgan headed, threatening each place along the
+way, to keep the Federals guessing where he would attempt to cross. Like a
+whirlwind he swept through the counties of Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
+Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Meigs, brushing aside like so many flies the
+militia which tried to impede his progress.
+
+The goal was nearly reached. Hobson was half a day behind, still trailing,
+still following like a bloodhound. The Confederates knew of no force in
+front except militia. Safety was before them. The river once passed,
+Morgan would have performed the greatest exploit of the war. His men were
+already singing songs of triumph, for the river was in sight. Night came
+on, but they marched through the darkness, to take position. In the gray
+of the morning they would sweep aside the militia and cross over.
+
+In the morning a heavy fog hung over river and land, as if the sun were
+afraid to look down upon the scene to be enacted. In the gloom, Colonel
+Duke and the dashing Huffman formed their commands and moved to the
+attack. They were received with a fire which surprised them, coming as
+they supposed from militia. But with loud cheers they swept forward, and
+the Federals were forced back, leaving a piece of artillery. A little
+farther and the ford would be won; then there came a crashing volley,
+mingled with the thunder of artillery, and they saw before them, not
+militia, but long lines of blue-coated veterans. General Judah’s brigade
+had been transported up the river in steamboats, and landed at Pomeroy.
+They had marched all night, and were now in possession of the ford.
+
+In vain the gallant Duke and Huffman struggled against that force. They
+were driven back. Flight was to be resumed up the river, when couriers
+came dashing in with the news that Hobson was up. They were hemmed in.
+There was one place yet, a path through the woods, by which a few could
+escape, if the Federal force could be held back for a time.
+
+“Go!” cried Duke to Morgan, “and I will hold them until you are gone.”
+
+“Go!” cried Huffman, faint and bleeding from a wound, “and I will stay and
+help Colonel Duke.”
+
+“Go!” cried Calhoun, “if you are saved I care not for myself.”
+
+Then there arose a storm of protests. Who could so well guard and protect
+the chief as Calhoun and his scouts? And so, against Morgan’s will,
+Calhoun went with him.
+
+“Come, then, we will clear the way,” Calhoun cried to his scouts, and
+before the way was closed, six hundred men with Morgan had escaped.
+
+Hemmed in on every side, the Confederates fought as only desperate men can
+fight; but as soon as it was known that Morgan was well away, Duke and
+Huffman, and with them many other gallant officers, saw it would be
+madness to fight longer, and with breaking hearts they surrendered to
+their exultant foes. Then it was that some two or three hundred, in spite
+of shot and shell, in spite of the leaden hail which fell around them,
+plunged down the bank into the river. The bodies of many floated down,
+their life blood reddening the water. The current swept many a steed and
+rider down, and they were seen no more. A few there were who struggled
+through to safety, and these were all that escaped of the thousands that
+crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+                       THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.
+
+
+What Morgan’s thoughts were, what his hopes were, as he rode away from
+that fatal field at Buffington Island, no one knows. With him rode six
+hundred, all that were left of three thousand. He could have had no
+thoughts of attempting to cross the Ohio anywhere near Buffington Island,
+for he rode almost due north. It may have been he thought that he might
+cross near Wheeling or higher up, and escape into the mountains of Western
+Pennsylvania; or as a last resort, he might reach Lake Erie, seize a
+steamboat, and escape to Canada. Whatever he thought, north he rode,
+through the most populous counties of Ohio. And what a ride was that for
+six hundred men! Foes everywhere; Home Guards springing up at every
+corner; no rest day or night.
+
+Close in his rear thundered the legions of General Shackelford, a
+Kentuckian as brave, as fearless, as tireless as Morgan himself. But in
+spite of all opposition, in spite of foes gathering on right and left and
+in front, Morgan rode on, sweeping through the counties of Meigs, Vinton,
+Hocking, Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey, Belmont,
+Harrison, Jefferson, until he reached Columbiana County, where the end
+came.
+
+At almost every hour during this ride the six hundred grew less. Men fell
+from their horses in exhaustion. They slept as they rode, keeping to their
+saddles as by instinct. The terrible strain told on every one. The men
+grew haggard, emaciated. When no danger threatened, they rode as dead men,
+but once let a rifle crack in front, and their sluggish blood would flow
+like fire through their veins, their eyes would kindle with the excitement
+of battle, and they would be Morgan’s fierce raiders once more.
+
+As for Calhoun, it seemed as if he never slept, never tired. It was as if
+his frame were made of iron. Where danger threatened there he was. He was
+foremost in every charge. It looked as if he bore a charmed life. The day
+before the end came he was scouting on a road, parallel to the one on
+which the main body was travelling. Hearing shots, he took a cross-road,
+and galloped at full speed to see what was the trouble. A small party of
+Home Guards were retreating at full speed; one far in advance of the
+others was making frantic efforts to urge his horse to greater speed.
+Calhoun saw that he could cut him off, and he did so, reaching the road
+just as he came abreast of it. So intent was the fellow on getting away he
+did not notice Calhoun until brought to a stand by the stern command,
+“Surrender.”
+
+In his surprise and terror, the man rolled from his horse, the picture of
+the most abject cowardice Calhoun ever saw. He fairly grovelled in the
+dust. “Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!” he cried, raising his hands in
+supplication. “I didn’t want to come; they forced me. I never did anything
+against you.”
+
+Dismounting Calhoun gave him a kick which sent him rolling. “Get up, you
+blubbering calf,” he exclaimed, “and tell us what you know.”
+
+The fellow staggered to his feet, his teeth chattering, and trembling like
+a leaf.
+
+“Now, answer my questions, and see that you tell the truth,” said Calhoun.
+“Are there any forces in front of us?”
+
+“N—not—not as I know,” he managed to say.
+
+“Do you know the shortest road to Salineville?”
+
+“Yes; yes.”
+
+“Will you guide us there if I spare your life?”
+
+“Anything, I will do anything, if you won’t kill me,” he whined.
+
+“Very well, but I will exchange horses with you, as I see you are riding a
+fine one, and he looks fresh,” remarked Calhoun.
+
+The exchange was made, and then Calhoun said, “Now lead on, and at the
+first sign of treachery, I will blow out your brains. Do you understand?”
+
+“Yes, yes, I will take you the shortest road.”
+
+“What’s your name,” asked Calhoun, as they rode along.
+
+“Andrew Harmon.”
+
+“Well, Andrew, I wish all Yankees were like you. If they were, we should
+have no trouble whipping the North. I reckon you are about as big a coward
+as I ever met.”
+
+Harmon, still white and trembling, did not answer; he was too thoroughly
+cowed.
+
+Ride as hard as Morgan’s men could, when they neared Salineville
+Shackelford was pressing on their rear. They had either to fight or
+surrender.
+
+“My brave boys, you have done all that mortals can do. I cannot bear to
+see you slaughtered. I will surrender.”
+
+As Morgan said this his voice trembled. It was a word his men had never
+heard him use before.
+
+“General, it is not all over for you,” cried Calhoun, his voice quivering
+with emotion. “Think of the joy of the Yankees if you should be captured.
+Let me take half the men. You take the other half and escape. I can hold
+the enemy in check until you get well away.”
+
+Morgan demurred. “The sacrifice will be too great,” he said.
+
+“You must, you shall consent. We will force you,” the cry went up from the
+whole command as from one man.
+
+Morgan bowed his head, he could not speak. In silence he took Calhoun’s
+hand, tears gathered in his eyes, the first tears Calhoun ever saw there.
+There was a strong clasp, a clasp which seemed to say “It may be the
+last,” then, wheeling his horse, Morgan galloped swiftly away, followed by
+less than half of his six hundred.
+
+There was not a moment to lose, for the Federals were already charging
+down with triumphant cheers, confident of an easy victory. Calhoun had
+posted his men well, and a withering volley sent the Federals reeling
+back. They charged again, only to recoil before the fierce fire of the
+Confederates. There was now a lull in the fighting. Calhoun saw that they
+were flanking him on the right and left. “Charge!” he shouted, and the
+little band were soon in the midst of their enemies. The Federals closed
+in around them. There was no way to retreat. Calhoun’s men, seeing how
+hopeless the fight was, began to throw down their arms.
+
+“Surrender,” cried a fine-looking officer to Calhoun, who, well in front,
+was fighting like a demon. Even in that hell of battle Calhoun knew the
+officer. It was Mark Crawford, the captain whose horse he had captured in
+Tennessee, and whom he afterwards took prisoner at Cave City. But the
+captain was wearing the shoulder-straps of a major now.
+
+“Never!” shouted Calhoun, in answer to the summons to surrender, and with
+sword in hand, he spurred forward to engage Crawford in single combat. But
+that officer had a revolver in his hand, and he raised it and fired.
+
+Calhoun felt as if he had been struck on the head with a red-hot iron. He
+reeled in his saddle, and then fell forward on his horse’s neck. His sword
+dropped from his nerveless hand. His horse, wild with fear and not feeling
+the restraining hand of a master, broke through the ranks of the Federals,
+and bore him out of the conflict.
+
+Still clinging to the neck of his horse and the horn of his saddle, he
+kept his seat. He straightened himself up, but the blood streaming over
+his face blinded him, and he saw not where he was going. Neither did he
+realize what had happened, for the shock of his wound had rendered him
+half-unconscious. His mind began to wander. He was a soldier no longer,
+but a boy back in Kentucky running a race with his cousin Fred.
+
+“On! on! Salim,” he weakly shouted; “we must win, it is for the Sunny
+South we are racing.”
+
+The horse still ran at full speed, his glossy coat dripping with
+perspiration, his nostrils widely distended and showing red with blood.
+But his pace began to slacken. Darkness gathered before the eyes of
+Calhoun. “Why, it’s getting night,” he murmured; “Fred, where are you?”
+Lower still lower he sank, until he was once more grasping the neck of his
+horse. A deadly faintness seized him, total darkness was around him, and
+he knew no more.
+
+With Calhoun gone, all resistance to the Federals ceased. Of the six
+hundred, who had ridden so far and so well, fully one-half were prisoners.
+
+The Federals were greatly chagrined and disappointed when they found that
+Morgan was not among the prisoners. The man they desired above all others
+was still at liberty. “Forward,” was the command, and the pursuit was
+again taken up.
+
+With the remnant of his command, Morgan was nearing New Lisbon. If there
+were no foes before him there was still hope. From a road to the west of
+the one he was on, a cloud of dust was rising. His guide told him that
+this road intersected the one he was on but a short distance ahead. His
+advance came dashing back, saying there was a large body of Federal troops
+in his front. From the rear came the direful tidings that Shackelford was
+near. Morgan saw, and his lip quivered. “It is no use,” he said, “it is
+all over.”
+
+The ride of the six hundred had ended—a ride that will ever live in song
+and story.
+
+“Morgan has surrendered! Morgan is a prisoner!” was the news borne on
+lightning wings all over the entire North.
+
+What rejoicing there was among the Federals! The great raider, the man
+they feared more than an army with banners, was in their power.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+                            AN ANGEL OF MERCY.
+
+
+In front of one of the most beautiful and stately farm-houses in
+Columbiana County stood a young girl. With clasped hands and straining
+eyes she was gazing intently down a road which led to the west. The sound
+of battle came faintly to her ears. As she listened, a shudder swept
+through her slight frame.
+
+“My brother! My brother!” she moaned, “he may be in it. O God of battles,
+protect him!”
+
+She would have made a picture for an artist as she stood there. The
+weather being warm, she wore a soft, thin garment, which clung in graceful
+folds around her. Her beautifully rounded arm and shapely shoulders were
+bare. Her luxuriant hair, the color of sun-beams, fell in a wavy mass to
+her waist. Her eyes, blue as the sky, were now troubled, and a teardrop
+trembled and then fell from the long lashes.
+
+As she looked, the sound of battle became fainter, and then ceased
+altogether. But down the road, a mile away, a little cloud of dust arose.
+It grew larger and larger, and at last she saw it was caused by a single
+horseman who was coming at a furious pace. Was the rider a bearer of ill
+tidings? No, there was no rider on the horse. He who rode must have been
+killed. It might be her brother’s horse; she grew sick and faint, but
+still she gazed. The horse came nearer; he was slackening his speed. Yes,
+there was some one on the horse—a man—but he had fallen over on the
+saddle, and his arms were around the horse’s neck.
+
+It must be her brother, wounded unto death, coming home to die, and she
+gave a great convulsive sob. Then like a bird she flew to the middle of
+the road. She saw that the horse’s mane and shoulders were dripping with
+blood, that the rider’s hair was clotted with it.
+
+As the horse came to her it stopped, and the rider rolled heavily from the
+saddle. With a cry she sprang forward and received the falling man; but
+the weight of Calhoun, for it was he, bore her to the earth. She arose,
+screaming for help. There was no one in the house except a colored
+servant, who came rushing out, and nearly fainted when she saw her
+mistress. No wonder, for the girl’s dress and arms were dripping with
+blood.
+
+“Oh! Missy Joyce! Missy Joyce!” wailed the colored woman, “what’s de
+mattah? Be yo’ killed?”
+
+“No, no, this soldier—he is dead or dying. Oh, Mary, what can we do?”
+
+But help was near. A couple of neighbors had also heard the sound of
+battle, and were riding nearer that they might learn the result.
+
+“Great heavens! what is this?” exclaimed one, as they rode up. “As I live,
+that is Andrew Harmon’s horse. Well, I never thought Andrew would get near
+enough to a battle to get shot.”
+
+By this time they had dismounted. Going to Calhoun they looked at him, and
+one exclaimed, “This is not Harmon; it’s one of Morgan’s men. Got it good
+and heavy. Served him right.”
+
+“Is he dead?” asked the girl, in a trembling voice.
+
+The man put his hand on Calhoun’s heart. “No, marm,” he answered, “but I
+think he might as well be.”
+
+“Carry him into the house, and send for Doctor Hopkins, quick,” she said.
+
+“What! that dirty, bloody thing! Better let us carry him to the barn. It’s
+a blame sight better place than our boys get down South.”
+
+“The house, I say,” answered the girl, sharply.
+
+“Why, Miss Joyce,” said the other man, as he looked at her, “you are
+covered with blood.”
+
+“Yes, I caught him as he fell from his horse,” she answered. “I am not
+hurt.”
+
+The men were about to pick Calhoun up and carry him in according to the
+directions of the girl, when she exclaimed, “There comes Doctor Hopkins
+now.”
+
+Sure enough, the Doctor had heard of the fight, and was coming at a
+remarkable speed, for him, to see if his professional services were
+needed. He reined in his horse, and jumping from his gig, ejaculated,
+“Why! why! what is this? And Miss Joyce all bloody!”
+
+“I am not hurt. The man, Doctor,” she said.
+
+The Doctor turned his attention to Calhoun. “As I live, one of Morgan’s
+men,” he exclaimed, “and hard hit, too. How did he come here?”
+
+“His horse brought him,” answered one of the men. “He clung to his horse
+as far as here, when he fell off. Miss Joyce caught him as he fell. That
+is what makes her so bloody.”
+
+“Well! well! well!” was all that the old Doctor could say.
+
+“The queer part is,” continued the man, “that the horse belongs to Andrew
+Harmon. I heard that Andrew had gone out with the Home Guards, but I could
+hardly believe it. I guess this fellow must have killed him and
+appropriated the horse.”
+
+“What! Andrew Harmon killed in battle?” cried the Doctor, straightening up
+from his examination of Calhoun. “Don’t believe it. He will turn up safe
+enough.”
+
+Then speaking to the girl, the Doctor said, “Miss Joyce, this man has
+nearly bled to death. I cannot tell yet whether the ball has entered his
+head or not. If not, there may be slight hopes for him, but he must have
+immediate attention. It is fortunate I came along as I did.”
+
+“Miss Joyce wanted us to take him into the house,” said one of the men,
+“but I suggested the barn.”
+
+“The barn first,” said the Doctor; “if I remember rightly, there is a
+large work-bench there. It will make a fine operating-table. And, Joyce,
+warm water, towels, and bandages.”
+
+Joyce Crawford, for that was the girl’s name, flew to do the Doctor’s
+bidding, while the men, to their credit be it said, picked Calhoun up
+tenderly and carried him to the barn, where the work-bench, as the Doctor
+had suggested, made an operating-table. Joyce soon appeared with the
+water, towels, and bandages. The Doctor had already taken off his coat and
+rolled up his sleeves, ready for work. Although he was a country
+practitioner, he was a skilful surgeon. Carefully he washed away the
+blood, then clipped away the matted hair from around the wound. It seemed
+to Joyce a long time that he worked, but at last the wound was dressed and
+bandaged.
+
+“The ball did not penetrate the brain,” he said, as he finished, “nor do I
+think the skull is injured, although the ball plowed along it for some
+distance. Fortunately it was a small bullet, one from a revolver,
+probably, which hit him. It cut a number of small arteries in its course,
+and that is the reason he has bled so much. An hour more and he would have
+been beyond my skill.”
+
+“Will he live now?” asked Joyce.
+
+“The chances are against him. If saved at all, it will only be by the best
+of nursing.”
+
+“He can be taken into the house now, can’t he?” she asked.
+
+“Yes, but you had better first let a tub of water be brought, and clean
+underclothes, and a night shirt. He needs a bath as much as anything.”
+
+Joyce had the men get the water, while she procured some underclothes
+which belonged to her brother. Calhoun’s clothes were now removed, clothes
+which had not been off him for a month.
+
+“Here is a belt,” said one of the men; “it looks as if it might contain
+money,” and he was proceeding to examine it when the Doctor forbade him.
+
+“Give it to Miss Joyce,” he said; “the fellow is her prisoner.”
+
+The belt was handed over rather reluctantly. Calhoun having been bathed,
+Joyce was called, and told that her prisoner was ready for her.
+
+“Bring him in, the chamber is all prepared,” was her answer.
+
+Calhoun was brought in and placed in a large, cool upper chamber.
+
+“This is mighty nice for a Rebel,” said one of the men, looking around.
+“My Jake didn’t get this good care when he was shot at Stone River.”
+
+“Too blame nice for a Morgan thief,” mumbled the other.
+
+“Shut up,” said the Doctor; “remember what Miss Joyce has done for our
+boys. Worked her fingers off for them. This man, or rather boy, for he
+can’t be over twenty, was brought to her door. Would you have him left to
+die?”
+
+The men hung their heads sheepishly, and went out. They were not
+hard-hearted men, but they were bitter against Morgan, and any one who
+rode with him.
+
+“Now I must go,” said the old Doctor kindly, taking Joyce’s hand. “You
+have done to this young man as I would have one do to my son in a like
+extremity.”
+
+The old Doctor’s voice broke, for he had lost a son in the army.
+Recovering himself, he continued, “I must go now, for I may be needed by
+some of our own gallant boys. I will drop in this evening, if possible,
+and see how your patient is getting along. God bless you, Joyce, you have
+a kind heart.”
+
+Joyce looked after the old Doctor with swimming eyes. “One of God’s
+noblemen,” she murmured.
+
+She took the belt which had been taken from Calhoun, and which had been
+handed her by the Doctor, and put it carefully away. She then began her
+vigil beside the bedside of the wounded man. The Doctor had given her
+minute directions, and she followed them faithfully. It was some hours
+before Calhoun began to show signs of consciousness, and when he did come
+to, he was delirious, and in a raging fever.
+
+The Doctor returned as he had promised. He shook his head as he felt
+Calhoun’s pulse, and listened to his incoherent mutterings.
+
+“This is bad,” he said. “It is fortunate he lost so much blood, or this
+fever would consume him. But we must hope for the best. Only the best of
+nursing will bring him through.”
+
+“That he shall have,” said Joyce. “I have sent for Margaret Goodsen. You
+know she is an army nurse, and knows all about wounded men.”
+
+“Yes, Margaret is good, none better,” replied the Doctor.
+
+All through that night Joyce sat by the bedside of Calhoun cooling his
+fevered brow, giving him refreshing drinks. He talked almost continually
+to himself. Now he would be leading his men in battle, cheering them on.
+Then he was a boy, engaged in boyish sports. The name of Fred was uttered
+again and again.
+
+“I wonder who Fred can be?” thought Joyce; “a brother, probably.”
+
+Joyce Crawford was the only daughter of the Hon. Lorenzo Crawford, one of
+the most prominent citizens of Columbiana County. Mr. Crawford had served
+two terms in Congress, and was at the time of the war a member of the
+state senate. He had one child besides Joyce, his son Mark, who we have
+seen was a major in the Federal army.
+
+Mr. Crawford lost his wife when Joyce was three years old; since that time
+his house had been presided over by a maiden sister. This lady was absent
+in Steubenville when Morgan appeared so suddenly in the county; thus at
+the time of Calhoun’s appearance only Joyce and the servants were at home,
+Mr. Crawford being absent in the east on duties connected with the
+Sanitary Commission.
+
+Mr. Crawford was what is known as an original Abolitionist. Before the war
+his house was one of the stations of the underground railroad, and many a
+runaway slave he had helped on the way to Canada. Twice he had been
+arrested by the United States officials for violation of the fugitive
+slave law, and both times fined heavily. He believed there could be no
+virtue in a slave-owner; such a man was accursed of God, and should be
+accursed of men. His daughter had to a degree imbibed his sentiments, and
+the idea of slavery was abhorrent to her; but her heart was so gentle, she
+could hate no one. Calhoun’s helplessness appealed to her sympathies, and
+she forgot he was one of Morgan’s raiders. Although young, only eighteen,
+she had admirers by the score, but her father so far had forbidden her
+receiving company, considering her as yet only a child.
+
+Joyce’s beau ideal of a man was her brother Mark, and he was worthy of her
+adoration. Several years her senior, he had watched over and guided her in
+her childhood, and never was a brother more devoted.
+
+The next morning the news came that Morgan was captured, and the scare in
+Columbiana County was over. The morning also brought Miss Crawford, who
+had come hurrying home on receipt of the news that Morgan was in the
+county. She nearly went into hysterics when she learned that one of the
+dreadful raiders was in the house. “How could you do it, child?” she cried
+to Joyce; and “Doctor, why did you let her?” she added to Doctor Hopkins,
+who had just come in to see his patient.
+
+“Madam, it was a case of life or death,” replied the Doctor. “Joyce did
+right. We are not heathens in Columbiana County.”
+
+“But you will take him right away?” pleaded the lady.
+
+“It would be death to move him.”
+
+“But he might murder us all,” said Miss Crawford.
+
+The Doctor smiled. “If he lives, it will be weeks before he will have the
+strength to kill a fly,” he answered.
+
+Miss Crawford sighed, and gave up the battle. She was not a hard-hearted
+woman, but the idea of having one of Morgan’s dreadful raiders in the
+house was trying on her nerves.
+
+The afternoon brought Major Crawford. The story of Joyce’s capture of a
+raider had travelled far and wide, and the Major had already heard of it.
+“So you captured a prisoner, did you, Puss?” he exclaimed, kissing her, as
+she threw herself in his arms. “Is he a regular brigand, and bearded like
+a pard?”
+
+“No, no, he is young, almost a boy,” she answered. “Margaret Goodsen is
+taking care of him now. Come and see him, but he is out of his head, and
+raves dreadfully.”
+
+She led the way to the chamber where Calhoun was. No sooner did Major
+Crawford see him than he turned pale and staggered back, “Great God!” he
+exclaimed.
+
+What fate was it that had led the man he had shot to the house to be cared
+for by his sister?
+
+“What is it, Mark? What is it?” she cried, seeing his agitation.
+
+Should he tell her? Yes, it would be best. “Joyce, you will not wonder at
+my surprise, when I tell you it was I who shot him.”
+
+“You, brother, you!” she cried, and instinctively she shrank from him.
+
+Mark saw it, and exclaimed, “Great God! Joyce, you don’t blame me, do you?
+I had to do it to save my life. He was about to cut me down with his sword
+when I fired.”
+
+“No, no,” she cried, “I don’t blame you, but it was so sudden; it is so
+dreadful. I never before realized that war was so terrible.”
+
+“Well, Joyce, save the poor fellow’s life if you can; I don’t want his
+death on my hands if I can help it. Do you know who your prisoner is?”
+
+“No, you see the condition he is in.”
+
+“His name is Pennington, Calhoun Pennington. He is one of Morgan’s bravest
+and most daring officers. I ought to know him, he took me prisoner twice.”
+
+“You, Mark, you?”
+
+“Yes, you remember I told you how I lost my horse in Tennessee. He is the
+fellow who took it. He afterwards captured me at Cave City.”
+
+“Mark, what will become of him if he gets well?” she asked.
+
+“The United States officials will take him,” he answered. “His being here
+must be reported.”
+
+“And—and he will be sent to prison?”
+
+“Yes, until he is exchanged.”
+
+“But you were not sent to prison when you were captured,” she protested.
+
+“No, I was paroled; but I hardly believe the government will parole any of
+Morgan’s men.”
+
+“Why?” she asked.
+
+“They have given us too much trouble, Puss. Now we have them, I think we
+will keep them.”
+
+“Mark, Aunt Matilda don’t like my taking this Pennington in. She says
+father will not like it at all.”
+
+“I will see Aunt Matilda, and tell her it is all right. I will also write
+to father. No, Joyce, I don’t want Pennington to die. It is best, even in
+war, to know you have not killed a man. So take good care of him, or
+rather see he has good care. Get a man to nurse him nights.”
+
+“I will look out for that,” said Joyce.
+
+“Well, Puss, good-bye, keep me posted. I had leave of absence only a few
+hours, so I must be going.”
+
+“Oh, Mark, must you go so soon?” And she clung to him as if she would not
+let him go. Gently disengaging her arms, he pressed kiss after kiss on her
+brow and was gone. She sank into a chair weeping, and for a time forgot
+her prisoner.
+
+The next day Joyce had another visitor, in the person of Andrew Harmon. He
+had heard that his horse was at Crawford’s, and that the officer who took
+him was there desperately wounded. He made his visit with pleasure, for of
+all the girls in Columbiana County, she was the one he had selected to
+become Mrs. Harmon. He had no idea he would be refused, for was he not
+considered the greatest catch in the county?
+
+Harmon had two things to recommend him—good looks and money. He was
+accounted a handsome man, and was as far as physical beauty was concerned.
+He had the body and muscle of an athlete, but there was nothing ennobling
+or inspiring in the expression of his countenance. By nature he was
+crafty, mean, cruel, and miserly, and was one of the biggest cowards that
+ever walked.
+
+Like many others, he was a great patriot as far as talk was concerned. He
+had been so unfortunate as to be drafted at the first call, and had
+promptly furnished a substitute. He was fond of boasting he was doing
+double duty for his country, not only was he represented in the army, but
+he was doing a great work at home. This work consisted in contracting for
+the government, and cheating it at every turn. Many a soldier who received
+shoddy clothing, paper-soled shoes, and rotten meat had Mr. Harmon to
+thank for it. But he was piling up money, and was already known as one of
+the richest men in the county. When he went out with the Home Guards, he
+had no idea of getting near Morgan; he would look out for that. But his
+party ran into Morgan’s advance unexpectedly, and as has been related, he
+was captured by Calhoun. It was a most wonderful story he had to tell.
+
+He had been beset by at least six of Morgan’s men. A desperate conflict
+followed, and he had killed, or at least desperately wounded, three of his
+assailants, and it was only after he had not a single shot left in his
+revolver and was surrounded that he had surrendered.
+
+“So enraged were they at my desperate defence,” said he, “that the officer
+in charge pulled me from my horse, brutally kicked and struck me,
+threatened to kill me, and then appropriated my horse. He is a desperate
+fellow, Miss Joyce; I would not keep him in the house a single moment.”
+
+Joyce, who had listened to his account much amused, for she had heard
+another version of it, said, “I do not think, Mr. Harmon, he could have
+beaten you very hard, for I see no marks on you, and you seem to be pretty
+lively. As for sending Lieutenant Pennington away, the Doctor says it
+would be death to move him.”
+
+Mr. Harmon shifted uneasily in his chair as Joyce was saying this, and
+then asked to see Calhoun, as he wished to be sure whether he was the one
+who had captured him. This Joyce consented to, provided he would be
+careful not to disturb him. Harmon promised, and he was taken into the
+room. Calhoun was tossing on his bed, as he entered, and no sooner did his
+wild eyes rest on Harmon than he burst into a loud laugh, “Oh! the coward!
+the coward!” he shouted, “take him away.”
+
+Harmon fled from the room white with rage. “Miss Joyce, that fellow is
+shamming,” he fumed. “I demand he be delivered to the United States
+officials at once.”
+
+“The Doctor thinks differently; he says it will kill him to be moved,” she
+answered.
+
+“Let him die, then. It isn’t your business to nurse wounded Rebels,
+especially one of Morgan’s cutthroats.”
+
+“I do not have to come to you to learn what my business is,” answered
+Joyce, haughtily, and turned to leave the room.
+
+Mr. Harmon saw that he had made a mistake. “Joyce! Joyce! don’t go, hear
+me,” he exclaimed.
+
+“You will find your horse in the stable,” was all she said, as she passed
+out.
+
+He left the house vowing vengeance, and lost no time in informing the
+Federal authorities that the wounded officer at Crawford’s was shamming,
+and would give them the slip if not taken away. Two deputy marshals came
+to investigate, and went away satisfied when Doctor Hopkins promised to
+report as soon as his patient was well enough to be removed.
+
+In due time Joyce received a letter from her father. He had not heard that
+Morgan had come as far north as Columbiana County, until after he was
+captured. As all danger was now over, he would not be home for some time.
+The thousands who had been wounded in the great battle of Gettysburg were
+occupying his attention. He also had to make a visit to Washington and
+Fortress Monroe, and might go as far south as Hilton Head. As for the
+wounded Rebel at his house, Joyce had done right in not letting him die in
+the road, but that he should be turned over to the military authorities at
+the earliest possible moment. Little did Mr. Crawford think what the
+outcome of the affair would be.
+
+Contrary to her aunt’s protest, Joyce insisted on taking most of the care
+of Calhoun during the day. Margaret Goodsen was all the help she needed.
+She had engaged a competent man to care for him nights. Had not Mark told
+her to save the life of the man he had shot, if possible?
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+                         CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE.
+
+
+For two weeks Calhoun hovered between life and death; but at last his
+rugged constitution conquered. During this time Joyce was unremitting in
+her attention. “I must save him for the sake of Mark,” she would say, “I
+cannot bear to have his blood on Mark’s hands.”
+
+In speaking to Joyce’s aunt, Matilda Goodsen said: “The poor child will
+hardly let me do anything; she wants to do it all.”
+
+Miss Crawford fretted and fumed, but it did no good. In this Joyce would
+have her way.
+
+Calhoun’s fever had been growing less day by day, and the time came when
+it left him, and he lay in a quiet and restful slumber. But his breathing
+was so faint, Joyce was almost afraid it was the sleep which precedes
+death.
+
+It was near the close of an August day. The weather had been warm and
+sultry, but a thunder shower had cooled and cleared the atmosphere, and
+the earth was rejoicing in the baptism it had received. The trees seemed
+to ripple with laughter, as the breeze shook the raindrops from their
+leaves. The grass was greener, the flowers brighter on account of that
+same baptism. The birds sang a sweeter song. What is more beautiful than
+nature after a summer shower!
+
+It was at such a time that Calhoun awoke to life and consciousness. A
+delicious lethargy was over him. He felt no pain, and his bed was so soft,
+he seemed to be resting on a fleecy cloud. He tried to raise his hand, and
+found to his surprise he could not move a finger. Even his eyes for a time
+refused to open. Slowly his memory came back to him; how in the fierce
+conflict he tried to break through the line and sought to cut down an
+officer who opposed him. Then there came a flash, a shock—and he
+remembered nothing more. Where was he now? Had he passed through that
+great change called death? By a great effort he opened his eyes, and was
+bewildered. He was in a strange room. By an open window sat a young girl.
+She had been reading, but the book was now lying idly in her lap, and she
+was looking apparently into vacancy. The rays of the setting sun streamed
+in through the windows, and touched hair and face and clothes with its
+golden beams. Calhoun thought he had never seen a being so lovely; her
+beauty was such as he fancied could be found only in the realms above, yet
+she was mortal. He could not take his eyes from her. She turned her head,
+and saw him gazing at her. Uttering a little exclamation of surprise, she
+arose and came swiftly but noiselessly to his side.
+
+“Who are you? Where am I?” Calhoun whispered, faintly.
+
+“Hush! hush!” she said, in low, sweet tones, “you must not talk. You have
+been sick—very sick. You are better now.”
+
+She gave him a cordial. He took it, and with a gentle sigh, closed his
+eyes, and sank to sleep again. Before he was quite gone, it seemed to him
+that soft, tremulous lips touched his forehead, and a tear-drop fell upon
+his cheek. Its memory remained with him as a beautiful dream, and it was
+long years before he knew it was not a dream.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was delighted when he called in the evening and learned
+that his patient had awaked with his fever gone, and in his right mind.
+“All that he needs now,” he said, “is careful nursing, and he will get
+well. But mind, do not let him talk, and tell him nothing of what has
+happened, until he gains a little strength.”
+
+From that time Calhoun gained slowly, but surely. When he became strong
+enough to bear it, Joyce told him all that had happened. He could scarcely
+realize that over a month had passed since he had been wounded.
+
+“Then that stand of mine did not save Morgan,” said Calhoun, sorrowfully.
+
+“No, he was taken a few hours afterwards,” answered Joyce. “He and his
+officers are now in the penitentiary at Columbus.”
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe what he heard. “Then we are to be treated as
+felons, are we?” he asked, bitterly.
+
+“They are afraid he might escape from a military prison,” replied Joyce.
+“But the people are very bitter against him. Some are clamoring that he be
+tried and executed.”
+
+“They will not dare do that,” exclaimed Calhoun, excitedly.
+
+“No, I do not think there is any danger that way,” replied Joyce; “but
+they want to keep him safe.”
+
+“Well they may, but Morgan will yet make them trouble. No prison will hold
+him long.”
+
+“There, there, don’t let us talk about it any more,” said Joyce; “it will
+worry you back into a fever.”
+
+“You have saved my life,” said Calhoun, fervently. “How can I ever repay
+you for what you have done?”
+
+Joyce did not reply.
+
+Calhoun lay silent for some time, and then suddenly said: “I am one of
+Morgan’s hated officers, and yet you are caring for me as for a brother.
+What makes you do it?”
+
+“Why shouldn’t I?” said Joyce; “I have a dear brother in the army. I am
+only doing by you as I would have him done by, if he should fall wounded.
+And then—” Joyce stopped; she could not tell him it was her brother who
+had shot him.
+
+A great light came to Calhoun. “Joyce! Joyce!” he cried, “I now
+understand. It was your brother who shot me.”
+
+“Oh! forgive him! forgive him!” cried Joyce. “He told me it was to save
+his own life that he did it.”
+
+“Why, Joyce, there is nothing to forgive. Your brother is a brave, a
+gallant officer. Then he has been here?”
+
+“Yes, and knew you. He bade me nurse you as I would nurse him in like
+condition.”
+
+“Just like a brave soldier; but are there none who find fault with my
+being here treated like a prince?”
+
+“Yes, one. His name is Andrew Harmon. It was his horse you were riding
+when you came here. He seems to hate you, and is doing all he can to have
+you taken to Columbus. He says you treated him most brutally when he was
+captured.”
+
+“I did kick him,” answered Calhoun, laughing; “he was on the ground
+bellowing like a baby. I never saw a more abject coward. I kicked him and
+told him to get up.”
+
+“He has a different story,” said Joyce, smiling; and then she told the
+wonderful story of Harmon’s capture as related by himself.
+
+“His capacity for lying is equalled only by his cowardice,” said Calhoun,
+indignantly.
+
+“Yet he is a man to be feared,” said Joyce, “for he is rich and has
+influence, although every one knows him to be a coward.”
+
+The days that passed were the happiest Calhoun had ever spent. He told
+Joyce of his Kentucky home, of his cousin Fred, how noble and true he was,
+and of his own adventures in raiding with Morgan. She never tired of
+listening. Is it strange that these two hearts were drawn close to each
+other. They lived in a sweet dream—a dream which did not look to the
+future. But almost unknown to them Cupid had come and shot his shafts, and
+they had gone true.
+
+The day came when Calhoun was able to be placed in an easy-chair and drawn
+to an open window. It was a proud day to him, yet it was the beginning of
+sorrow. The Doctor came and congratulated him on his improvement.
+
+“Doctor Hopkins, how can I thank you for your kindness?” he said; “you
+have done so much for me.”
+
+“You need not thank me, thank that young lady there,” replied the Doctor,
+pointing to Joyce. “She it was who saved your life.”
+
+“I know, no reward I could give would ever repay her,” answered Calhoun.
+“I can only offer to be her slave for life.”
+
+“Your offer is not accepted; you are well aware I do not believe in
+slavery,” replied Joyce, with a merry laugh.
+
+When the Doctor was ready to go, he asked for a private interview with
+Joyce. It was hard work for him to say what he had to say. He choked and
+stammered, but at last Joyce understood what he meant. He had promised the
+government officials to inform them when Calhoun could be moved without
+endangering his life. That time had come. “But,” said he, as he noticed
+the white face of Joyce, “I shall recommend that he be allowed to remain
+two weeks longer, as there is no danger of his running away in his weak
+condition.”
+
+But Joyce hardly heard him. “And—and—this means?” she whispered.
+
+“The penitentiary at Columbus.”
+
+Joyce shuddered. “And—and there is no way to prevent this?”
+
+“None. God knows I would if I could.”
+
+“Thank you, Doctor; I might have known this would have to come, but it is
+so sudden.”
+
+The Doctor went out shaking his head. “I am afraid harm has been done,” he
+said to himself.
+
+Just as he was getting into his gig to drive away Andrew Harmon came
+riding by. He glanced up and saw Calhoun sitting by the window. “So, your
+patient is able to sit up,” he exclaimed, with a sneer. “About time he
+were in the penitentiary, where he belongs, isn’t it?”
+
+“I don’t know how that concerns you,” replied the Doctor, coldly, as he
+drove away.
+
+“Oh ho! my fine fellow. I will show you whether it concerns me or not?”
+muttered Harmon, looking after him.
+
+That night Harmon wrote to the authorities at Columbus, stating it as his
+opinion that there was a scheme on foot to detain Lieutenant Pennington
+until he was well enough to slip away. He was not aware that Doctor
+Hopkins had reported on the condition of his patient every week, and had
+already sent a letter saying he could be moved with safety, but
+recommending he be allowed to remain two weeks longer, on account of his
+weak condition. Harmon not only wrote to Columbus, but also to Mr.
+Crawford, hinting that it was dangerous for his daughter to care for
+Calhoun longer. “You know,” he wrote, “that girls of the age of Joyce are
+inclined to be romantic.”
+
+As for Joyce, when the Doctor left her she sank into a chair weak and
+faint. She saw Andrew Harmon gazing up at the window where Calhoun was,
+and a terror seized her. She now knew that she loved Calhoun, but with
+that knowledge also came the thought that her love was hopeless, that even
+if Calhoun returned her love, her father would never consent to their
+union. He would rather see her dead than married to a Rebel, especially a
+hated Morgan raider. Long did she struggle with her own heart, her sense
+of duty, her ideas of patriotism; and duty conquered. She would give him
+up, but she would save him.
+
+It was evening before she could muster strength to have the desired
+interview with Calhoun. When she did enter the room it was with a step so
+languid, a face so pinched and drawn, that Calhoun stared in amazement.
+
+“Joyce, what is it?” he cried. “Are you sick?”
+
+“Not sick, only a little weary,” she answered, as she sank into a chair
+and motioned for the nurse to leave them. No sooner was she gone than
+Joyce told Calhoun what had happened. Her voice was so passionless that
+Calhoun wondered if she cared, wondered if he had been mistaken in
+thinking she loved him.
+
+“Joyce, do you care if I go to prison?” he asked.
+
+“Care?” she cried. “The thought is terrible. You shall not go, I will save
+you.”
+
+“Joyce! Joyce! tell me that you love me, and it will make my cell in
+prison a heaven. Don’t you see that I love you, that you saved my poor
+life only that I might give it to you? Joyce, say that you love me!”
+
+For answer she sank on her knees by his bedside and laid her head on his
+breast. He put his weak arms around her, and held her close. For a while
+she remained still, then gently disengaging his arms, she arose. There was
+a look on her face that Calhoun did not understand.
+
+“The first embrace, and the last,” she sighed. “Oh, Calhoun, why did we
+ever meet?”
+
+“What do you mean?” he asked, his lips growing white.
+
+“I mean that our love is hopeless. Father will never consent to our
+marriage. I feel it, know it. Without his consent I shall never marry. But
+save you from prison I will.”
+
+“Joyce, you do not love me!” said Calhoun bitterly.
+
+“As my life,” she cried.
+
+“Yet you say you can never marry me!”
+
+“Without my father’s consent I cannot.”
+
+“Joyce, let us not borrow trouble. Even with your father’s consent we
+could not marry now. I am a prisoner. The war is going on, but it cannot
+last forever. When it is over, when peace is declared, I will come to you.
+Then, and not till then, will I ask your father for your hand. Let us hope
+the skies will be brighter by that time—that to be one of Morgan’s men
+will not be a badge of dishonor, even in the North.”
+
+“Oh, Calhoun, if I could only hope! I will hope. Come to me after the war
+is over. Father’s consent may be won. But now the prison, the prison. I
+must save you. I have thought it all out.”
+
+“How can you save me, a poor, weak mortal, who cannot take a step without
+help?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Put you in a carriage to-morrow night and take you where they cannot find
+you.”
+
+“So soon? The Doctor said he would ask for two weeks. Two more weeks with
+you, Joyce—I could afford to go to prison for that.”
+
+“Don’t talk foolishly. I feel if I don’t get you away to-morrow night, I
+cannot at all.”
+
+“But you—will it endanger you, Joyce?”
+
+“Not at all!”
+
+“But how will you explain my disappearance?”
+
+“Suppose you have been shamming, better than we thought you were, and so
+you gave us the slip.”
+
+“A right mean trick,” said Calhoun.
+
+“No, a Yankee trick, a real good one. Now listen, Calhoun, and I will tell
+you all about how I am going to get you away. Some six miles from here a
+colored man lives whom my father has greatly befriended. He will do
+anything for me I ask. I shall tell him you are a sick soldier, and for
+good reasons wish to remain in hiding until you get well.”
+
+“Will he know I am one of Morgan’s men?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“No, he will think you are a Federal soldier. Calhoun, as much as you may
+hate it, you must don the Union Blue.”
+
+“That would make a spy of me. No, it wouldn’t either, if I kept clear of
+any military post.”
+
+“That’s good. I have a Federal uniform in the house, which will about fit
+you. A friendless soldier died here a short time ago. We took him in and
+cared for him during his last sickness. He had been discharged for wounds
+received at Fair Oaks. Here is the discharge. I think it fits you close
+enough, so it may be of use to you.”
+
+She handed him the discharge; he took it and read: “James Brown, age
+nineteen; height five feet nine inches; weight one hundred and sixty
+pounds; complexion dark; hair and eyes black.”
+
+“Why, Joyce, with that in my pocket, and wearing a Federal uniform, I
+could travel anywhere in the North.”
+
+“So I thought. We will cheat that old prison yet. But it is time you were
+asleep.”
+
+“God bless you, Joyce,” replied Calhoun. “Give me a kiss before you go.”
+
+She smiled and threw him one as she went out and he had to be content with
+that. She had not stopped to consider what the result might be if she
+helped Calhoun to escape. Her only thought was to save him from going to
+prison. To do this she would dare anything.
+
+The colored man of whom she spoke was to be at the farm in the morning to
+do some work. A fear had seized her that she might be too late. The fear
+was well grounded. The authorities at Columbus had resolved to move
+Calhoun at once. The request of Doctor Hopkins, that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, although he said he could be removed without
+danger, aroused their suspicion. Not only that, but the letter of Andrew
+Harmon to Mr. Crawford had alarmed that gentleman, and he was already on
+his way home.
+
+Abram Prather, the colored man, was seen by Joyce as soon as he made his
+appearance.
+
+“Missy Joyce, I jes’ do enything fo’ yo.’ Me an’ de ol’ woman will keep
+him all right.”
+
+So everything was arranged. Joyce breathed freer, yet she waited
+impatiently for the night.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+                               THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+The day was a long and weary one to Calhoun. Between the joy of knowing he
+was to be free and his misery over the thought that he must part with
+Joyce, his soul was alternately swept with conflicting emotions. Then he
+had seen so little of her during the day; she seemed more distant than she
+did before she declared her love. How he longed to take her in his arms,
+to have her head rest on his breast once more! But she had said that
+although it was the first it was to be the last time. What did she mean?
+Ah! it must be that he could never embrace her again, never touch her lips
+again, until her father had consented to their marriage. When the war was
+over he would wring that consent from him.
+
+The thought brought contentment. Yes, it was better that they should part.
+Then the news of the terrible battle of Chickamauga had just come, and it
+had fired his very soul. The South had won a great victory. Surely this
+was the beginning of the end. Independence was near, the war would soon be
+at an end, and he longed to be in at the finish. The excitement of war was
+once more running riot through his veins.
+
+He little thought of the sacrifice Joyce was making, of the fierce
+conflicts she was having with her conscience. She knew that she was doing
+wrong, that she was proving a traitor to the flag she loved, that she was
+aiding and abetting the enemy; but it was one, only one man, and she loved
+him so. Surely this one man, sick and wounded, could do no harm. It was
+cruel to shut him up in prison. Thus she reasoned to silence conscience,
+but if her reasons had been ten times as weak, love would have won.
+
+All through the day she was making preparations for Calhoun’s departure.
+Fortunately the young man who had been engaged to nurse Calhoun during the
+night had been taken sick a couple of days before, and as Calhoun rested
+well, another had not been engaged. Thus one of the greatest obstacles to
+the carrying out of Joyce’s plans was out of the way. She could easily
+manage Miss Goodsen. Joyce’s only confidant was the faithful Abe, who
+obeyed her without question. In his eyes Missy Joyce could do nothing
+wrong. He had been drilled by Joyce until he knew just what to do. He was
+to go home, but as soon as it was dark, he was to return, being careful
+not to be seen. After he was sure the household was asleep he was to
+harness a span of horses, being careful to make no noise, and have a
+carriage waiting in a grove a short distance back of the house. Here he
+was to wait for further orders from Joyce. Being well acquainted with the
+place, and Joyce promising to see that the barn and the carriage-house
+were left unlocked, he would have no trouble in carrying out his
+instructions.
+
+Night came, and Joyce was in a fever of excitement. Would anything happen
+to prevent her carrying out her plans? If she had known that Andrew Harmon
+had hired a spy to watch the house she would have been in despair. But the
+spy was to watch the window of Calhoun’s room, and was concealed in a
+corn-field opposite the house. If he had watched the back instead of the
+front of the house, he would have seen some strange doings.
+
+Margaret Goodsen was told that as Calhoun was so well, she could lie down
+in an adjoining room. If he needed anything, he could ring a little bell
+which stood on a table by his side. The nurse gladly availed herself of
+the opportunity to sleep. When the nurse retired Joyce came into the room,
+and speaking so that she could hear her, said, “Good night, Lieutenant
+Pennington; I hope you will rest well.” Then she whispered, “Here is the
+Federal uniform. Have you strength to put it on?”
+
+“Yes, but oh, Joyce—”
+
+She made a swift gesture and pointed to the door of the nurse’s room.
+
+“Here is some money,” she continued, in the same low whisper. “Now, don’t
+refuse it; you will need it.”
+
+“I had plenty of money in a belt around me when I was wounded,” whispered
+Calhoun.
+
+“The belt, oh, I forgot! The Doctor gave it to me for safe keeping.”
+Noiselessly she moved to the bureau, opened a drawer, and returned with
+the belt.
+
+“Joyce, I shall not need your money now, but I thank you for the offer.”
+
+“It was nothing. Be sure and be ready,” and she glided from the room.
+
+The minutes were like hours to Calhoun. At one time he had made up his
+mind not to accept his proffered liberty, as it might bring serious
+trouble on Joyce; but he concluded that he must accept.
+
+As for Joyce, she went to her room and threw herself down on a lounge. Her
+heart was beating tumultuously; every little noise startled her like the
+report of a gun. She waited in fear and apprehension. At length the clock
+struck eleven. “They must be all asleep by this time,” she thought. She
+arose and softly went downstairs, carrying blankets and pillows. She
+stopped and listened as she stepped out of doors. There was no moon, it
+was slightly cloudy, and darkness was over everything. Without hesitating
+she made her way through the back yard and the barn lot to the grove,
+where she had told Abe to be in waiting. She found that the faithful
+fellow had everything in readiness.
+
+“Abe, I want you to come with me now and get the sick soldier. Drive
+through the lane until you reach the road; then drive straight to your
+house. The road is not much frequented, and you will not be apt to meet
+any one at this time of night. If you do, say nothing. Leave the soldier
+when you get home, drive straight back the way you came. Turn the horses
+into the pasture, put the harness and carriage where you found them. Be
+careful and make no noise. When you have done this go home again and be
+sure you get there before daylight. It’s a hard night’s work I have put on
+you, Abe, but I will pay you well for it. Now, take off your boots and
+come with me.”
+
+The obedient fellow did as he was bid, and followed Joyce into the house
+and to Calhoun’s room.
+
+“Take him to the carriage,” whispered Joyce.
+
+The stalwart Abe took Calhoun in his arms as if he had been a child, and
+carried him to the carriage.
+
+“Now, Abe, remember and do just as I told you,” said Joyce.
+
+“Yes, Missy, I ’member ebberyting.”
+
+She went to the side of the carriage, arranged the pillows and comforts
+around Calhoun, and then gave him her hand. “Good-bye,” she whispered;
+“may God keep you safe.”
+
+The hand was cold as death, and Calhoun felt that she was trembling
+violently.
+
+“Joyce! Joyce! is this to be our leave-taking?”
+
+“Yes,” she whispered.
+
+“Are you not coming to see me where I am going?”
+
+“No, I dare not; we must not see each other again until—until the war is
+over.”
+
+“Without a kiss, Joyce. Joyce, I—”
+
+“Hush! you have no right to ask for one, I much less right to give it.
+Come when the war is over, and then”—Her voice broke, and she turned and
+fled into the darkness.
+
+How Joyce got back into the house she never knew. She fell on her bed
+half-unconscious. The strain upon her had been terrible, and the effect
+might have been serious if tears had not come to her relief. After a
+violent paroxysm of sobbing, she grew calmer, and tired nature asserted
+itself, and she fell asleep.
+
+It was yet early morning when she was aroused by a cry from Miss Goodsen,
+and that lady came rushing into her room, wringing her hands and crying,
+“He is gone! He is gone!”
+
+“Who is gone?” asked Joyce, springing up as if in amazement.
+
+Miss Goodsen, in her excitement did not notice that Joyce was fully
+dressed. “The wounded Rebel, Lieutenant Pennington,” she fairly shrieked.
+“Oh! what shall I do? What shall I do?” and she wrung her hands in her
+distress.
+
+Joyce ran to Calhoun’s room; sure enough it was empty. “Stop your noise,”
+she said, sharply, to Miss Goodsen. “If any one is to blame, I am. They
+will do nothing with you. It may be he became delirious during the night
+and has wandered off. We must have the house and premises searched.”
+
+The noise had aroused the whole household. The utmost excitement
+prevailed. Miss Crawford was frantic. She was sure they would all be sent
+to prison, and she upbraided Joyce for not getting another male nurse to
+watch him during the night. The house and the premises were thoroughly
+searched, but nothing was found of the missing man. The neighborhood was
+aroused and a thorough search of the surrounding country began.
+
+Joyce took to her room with a raging headache. The afternoon brought a
+couple of deputy marshals from Columbus. They had come to convey Calhoun
+to prison, and were astonished when told that the prisoner had escaped.
+Miss Goodsen was closely questioned. She had looked in once during the
+night. The Lieutenant was awake, but said he was comfortable and wanted
+nothing. She then went to sleep and did not awake until morning. She found
+Joyce in her room, who was overcome when told that her patient was gone.
+She had not heard the slightest sound during the night.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was summoned. The old Doctor was thunderstruck when he
+heard the news. He could scarcely believe it. To add to the mystery,
+Calhoun’s Confederate uniform was found. Apparently he had gone away with
+only his night clothes on. Doctor Hopkins at once gave it as his opinion
+that Calhoun had been seized with a sudden delirium and had stolen out of
+the house and wandered away; no doubt the body would be found somewhere.
+His professional services were needed in the care of Joyce, for she seemed
+to be completely prostrated, and had a high fever.
+
+“Poor girl,” said the Doctor, “the excitement has been too much for her.”
+If he suspected anything he kept his secret well.
+
+The spy employed by Andrew Harmon reported that he had not seen or heard
+anything suspicious during the night, so that gentleman concluded to say
+nothing, as he did not wish it to be known that he had had the house
+secretly watched.
+
+Mr. Crawford returned the day after the escape. He was greatly exercised
+over what had happened, and blamed every one that Calhoun had been kept so
+long as he had. Poor Joyce came in for her share, but she wisely held her
+peace. The country was scoured for miles around, but nothing was seen or
+heard of the escaped prisoner, and at last the excitement died out.
+
+Joyce did not lack news from Calhoun. The faithful Abe kept her fully
+informed. Joyce told him that both of them would go to prison if it was
+known what they had done, and he kept the secret well. He reported that
+Calhoun was gaining rapidly, and would soon be able to go his way. “He
+want to see yo’ awful bad befo’ he goes,” said Abe.
+
+But Joyce resolutely refused. It would not do either of them any good. One
+day the negro brought her a letter. It was from Calhoun, telling her that
+when she received it he would be gone. He thought it cruel that she had
+not come to see him just once. He closed as follows:
+
+“Joyce, I feel that my life is yours, for you saved it. Not only that, but
+to you I now owe my liberty, and I realize the struggle you have had to do
+as you have done. But be of good cheer. When the war is over the thunder
+of the last cannon will hardly have died away before I shall be at your
+side. Till then adieu.”
+
+That letter was very precious to Joyce. Before the war was over it was
+nearly worn out by being read and reread.
+
+Shortly after Mr. Crawford’s return he was asked by Andrew Harmon for
+permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. Harmon hoped that if he
+had her father’s permission to pay his addresses to her, Joyce’s coldness
+might disappear.
+
+Mr. Crawford did not like the man, but he was rich and had a certain
+amount of political influence. Mr. Crawford was thinking of being a
+candidate for Congress at the approaching election, and he did not wish to
+offend Harmon, but he secretly hoped that Joyce would refuse him; in this
+he was not disappointed. She was indignant that her father had listened to
+Harmon, even to the extent that he had. “Why, father, I have heard you
+call him cowardly and dishonest,” she exclaimed, “and to think that you
+told him you would leave it entirely to me.”
+
+“I did not wish to offend him,” meekly replied Mr. Crawford, “and I had
+confidence in your judgment. I was almost certain you would refuse him.”
+
+“Will you always have such confidence in my judgment?” asked Joyce,
+quickly.
+
+“What do you mean?” asked her father.
+
+“Suppose I should wish to marry one of whom you did not approve?”
+
+“That is another proposition,” said Mr. Crawford. “You might have been so
+foolish as to fall in love with that Morgan Rebel and horse-thief you took
+care of so long. If so, I had rather see you dead than married to him.”
+
+Poor Joyce! Did her father suspect anything? She caught her breath, and
+came near falling. Quickly recovering herself, she answered. “At least he
+was a brave man. But everybody says he is dead, and mortals do not wed
+ghosts.”
+
+“It is to be sincerely hoped he is dead,” replied Mr. Crawford, for he had
+noticed his daughter’s confusion, and an uneasiness took possession of
+him. But much to Joyce’s relief he did not question her further.
+
+Andrew Harmon was beside himself with rage when told by Mr. Crawford that,
+while his daughter was sensible of the great honor he would bestow upon
+her, she was still very young, and had no idea of marrying any one at
+present.
+
+Harmon determined to have revenge on Joyce, and began slyly to circulate
+reports that Joyce Crawford, if she chose, could tell a great deal about
+the escape of the Rebel officer. In fact, half of his sickness was
+shammed.
+
+These rumors came to the ears of Mark Crawford. He had been promoted to a
+colonelcy for gallantry at Chickamauga. During the winter, while the army
+lay still around Chattanooga, he had come home on furlough. While at home
+he sought out Harmon and gave him as fine a thrashing as a man ever
+received, warning him if he ever heard of him connecting his sister with
+the escape of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his body. The
+only revenge Harmon durst take was to defeat Mr. Crawford in his
+aspirations for a nomination for Congress.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+                         PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.
+
+
+When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back in the carriage and gave
+himself up to the most gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
+took from him the joy of his escape. During the journey his dusky driver
+did not speak a word. The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he was
+thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up by a log house, surrounded by
+a small clearing.
+
+“Heah we be, Massa,” said Abe, as he alighted from his seat. “Hope Massa
+had a good ride.”
+
+The door of the house was opened by a motherly looking colored woman, and
+Abe, taking Calhoun once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
+Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing Calhoun looking so pale
+and thin, put her fat, black hand on his forehead, and said, “Po’ chile,
+po’ chile, don’t yo’ worry. Aunt Liza take good care ob yo’.”
+
+Calhoun felt that he was among friends—friends that would prove faithful
+and true. He was carried up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
+house was all in one room, rather low, but the rough walls were
+whitewashed, and everything was neat and clean. He was placed on a
+snow-white bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When he awoke the
+sun was shining in at the window and Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast
+good enough to tempt the appetite of one far more particular than Calhoun.
+
+The invalid remained with his kind friends two weeks, treated like an
+honored guest, and protected from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
+rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk out evenings, when
+there was no danger of being seen. Once men who were searching for him
+entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every word that was said. His
+heart beat painfully, for it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
+betray him for the sake of the reward offered. But the thought did
+injustice to these simple-minded people. As for the searchers, the loft of
+the house of a poor negro who had run away from slavery was the last place
+they thought of looking for an escaped Confederate.
+
+Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce. She cheered him with words of
+love and comfort, but absolutely refused to come and see him, saying it
+would be dangerous. In this she was right, for Andrew Harmon was alert. He
+believed that Joyce had had something to do with the disappearance of
+Calhoun, and had her closely watched. Fortunately his suspicions did not
+extend to Abe, so that communication between Joyce and Calhoun was not
+interrupted. At the end of two weeks he felt able to leave his place of
+concealment. But where should he go? He longed to be South, in the midst
+of the strife, but his heart was drawn toward Columbus, where his comrades
+lay languishing in prison. What could he do at Columbus? He did not know,
+but something might transpire that would enlighten him. At least he would
+go and look over the field. Once out of the neighborhood, in his Federal
+uniform and with Brown’s discharge in his pocket, there would be little
+fear of detection. He made his preparations to go, wrote Joyce the letter
+which she prized so highly, and bade his kind protectors farewell, placing
+in their hands a hundred dollars. Their surprise and joy over the gift
+were about equal.
+
+“De Lawd keep yo’!” said Aunt Liza, wiping her eyes.
+
+Calhoun had determined to start early in the evening, travel all night,
+lie concealed during the day, and travel the next night. By that time he
+thought he would be so far away from the place of his escape that he could
+venture to take the cars without danger. Aunt Liza had supplied him with
+ample provisions for the two days. He carried out his programme, and on
+the morning of the second day found himself near a small town where he
+concluded to take the cars, but deemed it safer to wait for the night
+train. The conductor eyed him sharply when he paid his fare instead of
+showing a pass, for soldiers generally travelled on Federal
+transportation. But the conductor took the money and passed on without
+remark.
+
+Opposite Calhoun in the car sat a gentlemanly looking man, and much to
+Calhoun’s surprise, when the conductor passed, he saw the gentleman make
+the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle, and it was
+answered by the conductor. When the conductor next passed Calhoun gave the
+sign. The man stared, but did not answer. But he seemed to be troubled,
+and passed through the cars frequently, and Calhoun saw that he was
+watching him closely. At length, in passing, the conductor bent down and
+whispered to the gentleman opposite. Calhoun now knew another pair of eyes
+were observing him.
+
+Watching his opportunity, Calhoun gave this gentleman the sign of
+recognition. The gentleman shifted uneasily in his seat, but did not
+answer.
+
+“I will give you something stronger,” thought Calhoun, and the next time
+he caught the gentleman’s eye, he gave the sign of distress. This was a
+sign no true knight could afford to ignore. Leaning over, the gentleman
+said, “My boy, you look pale. Have you been sick?”
+
+“Very, and I now need friends,” answered Calhoun.
+
+“Come over here and tell me about it,” said the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man whispered, “Are you a
+deserter, and are they after you?”
+
+“Yes,” said Calhoun.
+
+“Where are you going?”
+
+“To Columbus.”
+
+“That is a poor place to go to keep out of the hands of Lincoln’s
+minions,” answered the man.
+
+“I am not afraid,” said Calhoun. “What I want to know is where I can find
+friends in Columbus whom I can trust—true, firm friends of the South.”
+
+“My name is Pettis,” replied the man. “I reside in Columbus. Once let me
+be satisfied as to who you are and what you are wearing that uniform for
+and I may be able to help you.”
+
+“That is easily answered,” said Calhoun; “but first I must be fully
+satisfied as to you. Let me prove you, my brother.”
+
+Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in the order, and was violent in
+his hatred of the Lincoln government. He could be trusted.
+
+“I am not a Federal soldier,” said Calhoun after he had fully tested him.
+“I am wearing this uniform as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer.”
+
+“What! escaped from Johnson’s Island?” asked Mr. Pettis, in astonishment.
+
+“No, I am one of Morgan’s officers.”
+
+Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise.
+
+“Morgan’s officers are all in the penitentiary,” he gasped.
+
+“One is not and never was,” answered Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said: “It can’t be, but it must
+be. Is your name Pennington?”
+
+“It is,” replied Calhoun.
+
+“Why, the papers have been full of your escape. But the general opinion
+seemed to be that you wandered away in a delirium and died.”
+
+“Which you see is not so,” said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+“How in the world did you get away?”
+
+“That is a secret which I cannot tell even you.”
+
+“Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come home with me. You will find
+friends in Columbus, many of them, who will be delighted to meet you.”
+
+When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit
+of citizen’s clothes, for, said he, “We Knights hate the sight of that
+uniform; it’s the badge of tyranny.”
+
+Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner
+could be more bitter toward the Lincoln government than he. He fairly
+worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he would only return to Ohio, he
+would be defended by a hundred thousand men. He was especially indignant
+over the way Morgan and his officers were treated.
+
+“We have schemed and schemed how to help him,” said he, “but see no way
+except we storm that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed.
+And,” he added, with emphasis, “the day is fast approaching when we will
+do it.”
+
+For three days Calhoun remained at Mr. Pettis’s, wearying his brain as to
+how he might help his general, but every plan proposed was rejected as
+impracticable. On the third morning he happened to pick up a paper, and
+glancing over its columns, saw an advertisement which caused every nerve
+in his body to tingle. It was an advertisement for a boy to work in the
+dining-room and wait on the table at the penitentiary. The advertisement
+stated that the sole duty of the boy was to wait on the table when the
+Confederate officers ate, as they objected to being waited upon by
+convicts. In less than five minutes Calhoun was in his Federal uniform and
+on his way to the penitentiary to apply for the position.
+
+“You do not look very strong,” said the warden, kindly; “do you think you
+could fill the bill?”
+
+“I am sure I can,” said Calhoun. “Only try me and see.”
+
+“Well,” replied the warden, “I had rather hire a boy who has served his
+country, as you have, and I will give you a trial.”
+
+Thus to his great joy Calhoun found himself hired to wait upon his old
+comrades in arms. With what feelings he commenced his duties can be
+imagined. Would they recognize him, and in their surprise give him away?
+No, he thought not. They knew too well how to control themselves for that.
+It was with a beating heart that Calhoun waited for the time of the first
+meal. It came, and the Confederate prisoners came marching in. How
+Calhoun’s heart thrilled at the sight of his old comrades! But if they
+recognized him they did not show it by look or sign.
+
+When the meal was finished and the prisoners marched out, Calhoun managed
+to give Morgan a little slip of paper. On it was written: “I am here to
+help you if I can. Be of good cheer.”
+
+But how could Calhoun help them? Even at meal-time guards stood everywhere
+watching every move. His duties did not take him out of the dining-room.
+Calhoun began by making a careful survey of the building in which the
+prisoners were confined. Fortune favored him. One day he made a remark to
+one of the employees of the prison that the floor of the building seemed
+to be remarkably dry and free from damp.
+
+“It should be,” was the reply; “there is an air chamber under the floor.”
+
+Like a flash there came to Calhoun a plan for escape. If this air chamber
+could be reached a tunnel might be run out. He took careful note of all
+the surroundings, and drew a plan of the buildings and surrounding
+grounds. These he managed to pass to Morgan unobserved. At the next
+meal-time as Morgan passed him, he said, as if to himself, “No tools.”
+
+This was a difficult matter. Nothing of any size could be passed to them
+without discovery. But in the hospital Calhoun found some large and finely
+tempered table-knives. He managed to conceal several of these around his
+person, and one by one they were given to Morgan.
+
+Calhoun now waited in feverish excitement for the success of the plan. He
+had done all he could. The rest depended on the prisoners themselves.
+Through the shrewdness and indomitable energy of Captain Thomas H. Hines
+the work was carried to a successful termination inside the prison wall.
+
+General Morgan occupied a cell in the second tier, and could do nothing.
+Only those who occupied cells on the ground floor had any hopes of
+escaping. Captain Hines, with infinite labor made an opening through the
+floor of his cell into the air chamber. Once in the air chamber they could
+work without being discovered. With only the table-knives to work with,
+these men went through two solid walls, one five feet, and the other six
+feet in thickness. Not only that, but they went through eleven feet of
+grouting. Then, working from under, they went through the floors of six
+cells, leaving only a thin scale of cement, which could be broken through
+by a pressure from the foot. The work was commenced November 4, and
+finished November 24. Thus in twenty days seven men, working one at a
+time, had accomplished what seemed almost impossible.
+
+During these days Calhoun could only wait and hope. As the prisoners
+passed him in the dining-room, all they could say was “Progressing,” “Not
+discovered yet,” “All is well so far.” At last, on the 24th, Calhoun heard
+the welcome words, “Finished. First stormy night.”
+
+Calhoun now examined the time-tables and found that a train left Columbus
+for Cincinnati at 1:15 A. M.; arriving in Cincinnati before the prisoners
+were aroused in the morning. So he wrote on a slip of paper: “Escape as
+soon after midnight as possible.” He believed that train could be taken
+with safety. The afternoon of November 27, the weather became dark and
+stormy. At supper-time Calhoun heard the glad word, “To-night.”
+
+As soon as his duties were done he hurried to the home of Mr. Pettis,
+exchanged his uniform for citizen’s clothes, telling Mr. Pettis his work
+at the penitentiary was done, and he had decided to leave. “Ask no
+questions; it is better that you know nothing,” said Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis took his advice, but he was not surprised in the morning when
+he heard that Morgan had escaped. For General Morgan to escape, it was
+necessary for him to occupy a lower cell. His brother, Captain Dick
+Morgan, occupied the cell next to Captain Hines. The Captain, giving up
+his chance of escaping, effected an exchange of cells with his brother.
+This was easily accomplished, as they were about of a size, and it was
+quite dark in the cells when they were locked in.
+
+The General had been allowed to keep his watch. When a few minutes after
+twelve came, he arose, fixed a dummy in his bed to resemble a man
+sleeping, and breaking through the thin crust over the opening with his
+foot, slipped into the air chamber. He gave the signal, and was quickly
+joined by his companions. Captain Morgan had made a ladder out of strips
+of bed-clothing, and by the aid of this ladder they hoped to scale two
+walls, one twenty feet high, which would stand between them and liberty,
+after they had emerged from the tunnel.
+
+A little before midnight Calhoun made his way as close as he durst to the
+place where he knew the wall must be scaled. Not three hundred feet away
+several guards were gathered around a fire. The night was cold, and the
+guards kept close to the fire. Slowly the minutes passed. The city clocks
+struck half-past twelve. Would they never come? Had their flight been
+detected?
+
+Suddenly a dark spot appeared on top of the wall. Then another, and
+another, until Calhoun counted seven. They were all there. Silently they
+slid down the rope ladder, the talk and laughter of the guards ringing in
+their ears. But noiselessly they glided away, and the darkness hid them.
+
+“This way,” whispered Calhoun. When out of hearing of the guards, they
+stopped for consultation. It would not do to keep together. They decided
+to go two and two. Calhoun handed each a sum of money. There was a strong
+clasping of the hands, a whispered farewell, and they who had dared so
+much separated.
+
+The next morning there was consternation in the penitentiary at Columbus.
+The news of Morgan’s escape was flashed over the country. The Federal
+authorities were astonished, dumbfounded. A reward of five thousand
+dollars was offered for his recapture. Every house in Columbus was
+searched, but to no purpose. John Morgan had flown.
+
+  [Illustration: ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON]
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+                         THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH.
+
+
+The 1:15 train from Columbus to Cincinnati was about to start. “All
+aboard,” shouted the conductor.
+
+Two gentlemen sauntered into one of the cars, to all appearances the most
+unconcerned of individuals. They took different seats, the younger just
+behind the older. General Morgan and Calhoun had reached the train in
+safety; had purchased tickets, and taken their seats without exciting
+suspicion. A moment more and they would be on their way South.
+
+A Federal major came hurrying in and seated himself beside Morgan, and the
+two entered into conversation. On the way out of the city the train had to
+pass close to the penitentiary. The major, pointing to the grim, dark
+pile, and thinking he might be imparting some information, said: “There is
+where they keep the notorious John Morgan.”
+
+“May he always be kept as safe as he is now,” quickly replied the General.
+
+“Oh! they will keep him safe enough,” said the major, complacently
+stroking his chin. The major better understood the Delphic answer of the
+General the next morning.
+
+All went well until Dayton was reached, where by some accident the train
+was held over an hour. It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun. It
+meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati, that before they arrived
+there the Federal authorities of the city might be informed of the escape.
+It would never do for them to ride clear into the city. As the train
+slowed up as it entered the suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped
+off without being noticed.
+
+Morgan being well acquainted with the city, they quickly made their way to
+a ferry, and by the time the escape had been discovered at the
+penitentiary, Morgan’s feet were pressing the soil of Kentucky. Calhoun’s
+heart thrilled as he once more breathed the air of his native state. He
+felt like a new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of miles to
+safety. They must steal through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee like
+hunted beasts, for the enemy was everywhere. But friends there were,
+too—friends as true as steel. And hardly had they set foot in Kentucky
+before they found such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and
+protected them. He gave them horses, and sent them on their way. Slowly
+they made their way through the state, travelling all night, sent from the
+house of one friend to that of another. At last they reached the
+Cumberland River near Burkesville, where they had crossed it at the
+beginning of their raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had passed since
+then, so much had happened.
+
+On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened. They did not know friend
+from foe. On entering a house they did not know whether they would be
+protected or betrayed. The country was swarming with Federal cavalry. It
+was rumored that Morgan was in the country making his way south, and every
+officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing him. In the mountains
+Morgan and Calhoun met a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were
+making their way to the Confederate lines. In the party were a number of
+Morgan’s old men, who hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan
+assumed command of them. But few of the party were mounted, consequently
+their progress was slow and their dangers were augmented.
+
+All went well until the Tennessee River was reached, a few miles below
+Kingston. The river was high and there was no means of crossing. A rude
+raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming, they commenced
+crossing. When about half were across a company of Federal cavalry
+appeared and attacked those who were still on the northern bank. On the
+frail raft, Morgan started to push across to their aid.
+
+“Are you crazy, General,” cried Calhoun; “you can do no good, and will
+only be killed or captured. See, the men have scattered already, and are
+taking to the woods and mountains.”
+
+It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away. He had the satisfaction
+afterwards of learning that most of the men escaped.
+
+The next day was the last day that Calhoun ever rode with Morgan, but
+little did he realize it at the time. Along in the afternoon they became
+aware of the close proximity of a squadron of Federal cavalry. Morgan and
+those with him took shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun
+rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no enemy and was coming back when
+he ran squarely into the Federals. The foremost of them were not ten feet
+from Morgan, he still being screened from view by the cedars. Without
+hesitation, Calhoun cried, “This way, Major. Hurry up, they have gone this
+way,” pointing the way he had come.
+
+The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving the command, “Forward,”
+rode rapidly after Calhoun, and Morgan was saved. For half a mile they
+rode, when a stream was reached, and it was seen no horseman had crossed
+it. The major drew rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.
+
+“You have deceived me, you dog!” he cried.
+
+“Yes, I am one of Morgan’s men,” calmly replied Calhoun.
+
+The anger of the major was terrible. He grew purple in the face. “Yes, and
+you have led me away from Morgan,” he hissed. “You will pay for this.”
+
+Calhoun still remained calm. “That was not Morgan,” he said; “I ought to
+know Morgan, I have ridden with him for two years.”
+
+“I know better,” roared the Major, thoroughly beside himself; “you are a
+lying scoundrel; I will fix you.”
+
+“What are you going to do?” asked Calhoun, with apparent calmness, but a
+great fear coming over him.
+
+“Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is a God in heaven! I would
+not have had Morgan slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It
+would mean a brigadier generalship for me if I had caught him. String him
+up, men.”
+
+One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off his horse, fastened it
+around Calhoun’s neck, threw the other end over the projecting limb of a
+tree, and stood awaiting orders.
+
+Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun in the face, and there was
+no Captain Huffman near to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save
+him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.
+
+“Major, before you commit this great outrage—an outrage against all rules
+of civilized warfare—let me say one word.” Calhoun’s voice did not even
+tremble as he asked this favor.
+
+“Be quick about it, then, but don’t think you can say anything that will
+save your cursed neck!”
+
+“Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say, and I have been one of
+Morgan’s men, as I have confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had
+betrayed him into your hands?”
+
+The fire of anger died out of the major’s eyes. He hesitated, and then
+said: “You are right. If that was General Morgan, and you are one of his
+men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not for saving him.” Then to
+his men he said: “Boys, take off that halter; he is too brave and true a
+man to be hanged.”
+
+Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed to the major’s sense of honor,
+and the appeal had not been made in vain.
+
+The major kept Calhoun for three days, and during that time treated him
+more like a brother than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness. At
+the end of the three days Calhoun was placed under a strong guard with
+orders to be taken to Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville
+was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would he live to be taken North
+in irons, as he would be when it became known that he was one of Morgan’s
+officers.
+
+At the end of the first day’s journey the prisoners, of whom there were
+several, were placed in the tower room of a deserted house. Three guards
+with loaded muskets stood in the room, another was just outside the door.
+Calhoun watched his chance, and when the guards inside the room were not
+looking, he dashed through the door, closing it after him. The guard
+outside raised his musket and fired. So close was he that the fire from
+the muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun’s face, yet he was not touched.
+Another guard but a few feet away saw him running, and fired. The ball
+tore its way through the side of his coat. But he was not yet out of
+danger. He had to pass close to two picket posts, and as he neared them he
+was saluted with a shower of balls. But he ran on unharmed. One of the
+pickets with fixed bayonet took after him. He came so close that Calhoun
+could hear his heavy breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before. A
+turn in the road took him out of sight of his pursuers, and he sprang to
+one side and began to climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed by in
+pursuit; they had missed him. With a thankful heart Calhoun saw them
+disappear.
+
+But darkness came on and he had to feel his way up the mountain on his
+hands and knees. His progress was so slow that when morning came he had
+only reached the top of the mountain. He could hear the shouts of the
+soldiers searching for him. Near him was a growth of high grass. Going
+into this he lay down; and here he remained all day. At one time the
+soldiers in search of him came within twenty feet of where he lay.
+
+It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun ever spent. Hunger
+gnawed him, and he was consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter,
+and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth of his body thawed the
+frozen ground until he sank into it. When night came it froze again, and
+when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast. It was with difficulty
+that he released himself without sacrificing his clothing. For the next
+seven days he hardly remembers how he existed. Travelling by night and
+hiding by day, begging a morsel of food here and there, he at last reached
+the Confederate lines near Dalton.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+                       CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
+
+
+“Is this General Shackelford?” asked Calhoun of a distinguished-looking
+Confederate officer.
+
+“It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You look as if you had been seeing
+hard times.”
+
+“I have,” answered Calhoun; “I have just escaped from the North. I am one
+of Morgan’s men.”
+
+“Are you one of the officers who escaped with Morgan?” asked the General,
+with much interest.
+
+“Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan, but I escaped South with
+him.”
+
+“I had a nephew with Morgan,” continued the General. “We have not heard
+from him since Morgan was captured. The report is that he was killed in
+the last fight that Morgan had before he was captured. Poor Cal!” and the
+General sighed.
+
+“Uncle Dick, do you not know me?” asked Calhoun, in a broken voice.
+
+General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment. “It cannot be, yes,
+it is Cal!” he exclaimed, and the next moment he had Calhoun by the hand,
+and was nearly shaking it off.
+
+“And you have been in a Northern prison, have you?” asked the General.
+
+“No, but I was wounded near unto death. Fortunately I fell into kind
+hands.”
+
+“But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin and bones.”
+
+“No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in the last seven days to keep a
+bird alive. Then I was none too strong when I started on my journey
+south.”
+
+“Tell me about it some other time,” said the General. “What you want now
+is rest and something to eat.”
+
+And rest and food Calhoun got.
+
+When he came to tell his story it was listened to with wonder. He was
+taken to General Joseph E. Johnston, then in command of the Confederate
+forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.
+
+“You know, I presume,” said Johnston, “that Morgan escaped, and is now in
+Richmond.”
+
+“Yes, I long to be with him,” answered Calhoun. “I feel as strong as ever
+now.”
+
+“Do not be in a hurry to report,” said Johnston. “Wait until you hear from
+me.”
+
+In a few days Calhoun received a message from General Johnston saying he
+would like to see him. Calhoun lost no time in obeying the summons. He was
+received most cordially.
+
+“In the first place, Captain,” said the General, “allow me to present you
+this,” and he handed him his commission as captain in the Confederate
+army.
+
+Calhoun choked, he could only stammer his thanks. But what came next
+astonished him still more. “I now offer you the position of Chief of the
+Secret Service of my army,” said the General. “After listening to your
+story, although you are young, I believe there is no officer in the army
+more capable of filling it.”
+
+Calhoun knew not what to say; it was a place of the greatest honor, but he
+hated to leave Morgan. “Will you let me consult my uncle before I give an
+answer?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“Most certainly,” replied the General.
+
+“Accept it, by all means, Cal,” said General Shackelford when Calhoun
+appealed to him. “In the first place, it is your duty to serve your
+country in the place where you can do the most good. There is no question
+but that at the head of the Secret Service you can render the country
+vastly better service than you can riding with Morgan. In the next place,
+I fancy it will not be exactly with Morgan as it was before his
+unfortunate raid. His famous raiders are prisoners, or scattered. It will
+be impossible for him to gather another such force. They understood him,
+he understood them. This will not be the case with a new command. Then,
+this is for your ear alone, Calhoun, the authorities at Richmond are not
+satisfied with Morgan. In invading the North he disobeyed orders; and
+this, those high in authority cannot overlook.”
+
+So, with many regrets, Calhoun decided to accept the offer of General
+Johnston; but for many days his heart was with his old chieftain. The time
+came when he saw the wisdom of his uncle’s remarks. General Morgan never
+regained his old prestige. It is true the Confederate government gave him
+the department of Western Virginia, but they so hampered him with orders
+that any great success was impossible.
+
+In June, 1864, Morgan made his last raid into Kentucky. At first he was
+successful, sweeping everything before him. He had the pleasure of taking
+prisoner General Hobson, the man who had tracked him all through his
+Northern raid. But at Cynthiana he met with overwhelming defeat, his
+prisoners being recaptured, and he escaping with only a small remnant of
+his command.
+
+On the morning of the 4th of September, 1864, the end came. General Morgan
+was slain in battle at Greenville, East Tennessee. Calhoun mourned him as
+a father, when he heard of his death. It was long months afterwards before
+he heard the full particulars, and then they were told him by an officer
+who was with the General on that fatal morning.
+
+“We marched into Greenville,” said the officer, “and took possession of
+the place on the afternoon of the 3d. There was a small company of Yankees
+within four miles of us, but there was no considerable body of Yankees
+nearer than Bull’s Gap, sixteen miles away. The General established his
+headquarters at the house of a Mrs. Williams, the finest house in the
+little city.
+
+“In the evening a furious storm arose and continued most all night. The
+rain fell in torrents. The lightning flashed incessantly, and there was a
+continual crash of thunder. It seemed impossible that troops could move in
+such a storm, and we felt perfectly safe.
+
+“But there were traitors in Greenville, and they carried the news to the
+little company of Yankees four miles away that Morgan was in the city, and
+told at what house he lodged. Two daring young cavalrymen volunteered to
+carry the news to General Gillem at Bull’s Gap. Talk about the ride of
+Paul Revere, compared to the ride of those two Yankees! Buffeted by wind
+and rain, one moment in a glaring light and the next in pitch darkness,
+with the thunder crashing overhead, in spite of wind and rain, those two
+cavalrymen rode the sixteen miles by midnight.
+
+“The command was aroused. What if the rain did pour and the elements
+warred with each other? Morgan was the prize, and by daylight Gillem’s
+soldiers had reached Greenville. So complete was the surprise that the
+house in which the General slept was surrounded before the alarm was
+given. Then thinking only of joining his men, the General leaped out of
+bed, and without waiting to dress, seized his sword and dashed out of the
+house, seeking to escape by the way of the garden. But he was seen by a
+soldier and shot dead. The news that Morgan was killed seemed to go
+through the air. It was known in an incredibly short time by both sides.
+
+“Now,” said the officer, “occurred one of the most singular circumstances
+I know of during the war. There was no flag of truce, no orders to cease
+firing, yet the firing ceased. The Confederates gathered together, and
+marched out of the city; the Federals marched in; the two were close
+together, within easy musket range, but not a shot was fired. It seemed as
+if both sides were conscious that a great man had fallen, a gallant soul
+fled, and that even grim war should stay his hand.”
+
+It is not within the scope of this book to follow Calhoun through the last
+year of the war. Suffice it to say, that in the enlarged sphere of his new
+position, his genius found full scope. He was all through the Atlantic
+campaign, where for four months the thunder of cannon never ceased, and
+where seventy-five thousand men were offered as a sacrifice to the god of
+war. He followed Hood in his raid to the rear of Sherman’s army, and then
+into Tennessee. He was in that hell of fire at Franklin, where fell so
+many of the bravest sons of the South. At Nashville he was among those who
+tried to stem the tide of defeat, and was among the last to leave that
+fatal field. When the remnants of Hood’s army were gathered and marched
+across the states of Alabama and Georgia into North Carolina, hoping to
+stay the victorious progress of Sherman, Calhoun was with them.
+
+Not until the surrender of Lee and Johnston did Calhoun give up every hope
+of the independence of the South. But the end came, and in bitter anguish
+he laid down his arms. He had given his young life to his country when
+only seventeen years of age. For four years he had fought and hoped. When
+the end came it seemed to him the sky was darkened, that every hope had
+perished, that everything worth living for was gone. Oh, the bitterness of
+defeat! Strong men wept like children.
+
+Even the victors stood in silence over the grief of those whom they had
+met so many times in battle. They were brothers now, and they took them by
+the hand and bade them be of good cheer, and divided their rations with
+them. The soldiers who had fought each other on so many bloody fields were
+the first to fraternize, the first to forget.
+
+When Calhoun gave his parole, he met his cousin Fred, who was on General
+Sherman’s staff. The meeting was a happy one for Calhoun, for it served to
+dispel the gloom which depressed his spirits. It seemed to be like old
+times to be with Fred again. Nothing would satisfy Fred, but that Calhoun
+should return home by the way of Washington. He consented, and was in
+Washington at the time of the Grand Review. All day long he watched the
+mighty armies of Grant and Sherman, as with steady tread they marched
+through the streets, showered with flowers, greeted with proud huzzahs.
+And then he thought of the home-coming of the ragged Confederates, and the
+tears ran down his cheeks. But as he looked upon the thousands and
+thousands as they marched along, and remembered the depleted ranks of the
+Southern army, his only wonder was that the South had held out so long as
+it did. Defeated they were, but their deeds are carved deep in the temple
+of fame, never to be erased.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+                             THE LONE RAIDER.
+
+
+It was near the close of a beautiful day in early June that Joyce Crawford
+was once more standing by the gate, looking down the road. It is nearly
+two years since we saw her last. She has grown taller, more womanly, even
+more beautiful, if that were possible. The sound of war had ceased in the
+land. No longer was the fierce raider abroad; yet Joyce Crawford stood
+looking down that road as intently as she did that eventful evening when
+Calhoun Pennington came riding to the door.
+
+She had not heard a word from him since his escape; nor had she expected
+to hear. All that she could do was to scan the papers for his name among
+the killed or captured Confederates. But the Northern papers published few
+names of Confederates known to have been killed, except the highest and
+most distinguished officers.
+
+During these two years Joyce’s heart had been true to her raider lover. He
+had said that he would come when the war was over, that the thunder of the
+last cannon would hardly have ceased to reverberate through the land
+before he would be by her side. It was two months since Lee had
+surrendered yet he had not come. That he had been untrue she would not
+admit; if such a thought came to her, she dismissed it as unworthy. No!
+Like his general, he was lying in a soldier’s grave; or he might be sick,
+wounded, unable to come.
+
+This June evening, as she stood looking down the road, her thoughts were
+in the past. Once more, in imagination, Morgan’s raiders came riding by;
+she beheld the country terror-stricken; men, women, and children fleeing
+from—they hardly knew what. Once more she heard the sound of distant
+battle, then down the road that little cloud of dust which grew larger and
+larger, until the horse with its stricken rider came to view. How vividly
+she remembered it all, how real it seemed to her! She actually held her
+breath and listened to catch the sound of battle; she strained her eyes to
+catch a glimpse of that little cloud of dust.
+
+  [Illustration: SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF
+  BATTLE]
+
+No sound of battle came to her ears, but away down the road, as far as she
+could see, arose a little cloud of dust. Her heart gave a great throb; why
+she could not tell, for she had seen a thousand clouds of dust arise from
+that road, as she watched and waited. The little cloud grew larger. Now
+she could see it was caused by a single horseman, one who rode swiftly,
+and sat his horse with rare grace. She stood with hands pressed to her
+bosom, her eyes dilating, her breath coming in quick, short gasps.
+
+Before she realized it, the rider had thrown himself from his horse, and
+with the cry of “Joyce! Joyce!” had her in his arms, kissing her hair, her
+brow, her lips. For a minute she lay at rest in his arms; then, with
+burning brow and cheek and neck, she disengaged herself from his embrace,
+and stood looking at him with lovelit eyes. Could this be he whom, two
+years before, she had taken in wounded nigh unto death? How manly he had
+grown! How well his citizen suit became him!
+
+“Were you watching for me, Joyce?” asked Calhoun.
+
+“I have watched for you every night since Lee surrendered. I began to
+think you had forgotten—no, not that, I feared you had been slain,” she
+exclaimed, in a trembling voice.
+
+“Death only could have kept me from you, Joyce. In camp and battle your
+image was in my heart. The thought of seeing you has sweetened the
+bitterness of defeat. The war did not end as I thought it would, but it
+has brought me to you—to you. Now that the war is over, there is nothing
+to separate us, is there, Joyce?”
+
+She grew as pale as death. She had not thought of her father before—he
+believed that the South had been treated too leniently, that treason
+should be punished. All that the South had suffered he believed to be a
+just punishment for her manifold sins. If the Rebels’ lives were spared,
+they should be thankful, and ask nothing more. Joyce knew how her father
+felt. Not a word had ever passed between them relative to Calhoun since
+his escape; but the father knew much more than Joyce thought. He had kept
+still, thinking that time would cure his daughter of her infatuation, for
+he considered it nothing else.
+
+Calhoun saw the change in Joyce, how she drew from him, how pale she had
+grown, and he asked, “What is it, Joyce? Why, you shrink from me, and
+tremble like a leaf. Tell me, Joyce, what is it?”
+
+“My father!” she whispered, “Oh, I fear—I fear!”
+
+“Fear what, darling?”
+
+“That he will drive you from me; that he will forbid me seeing you!”
+
+“For what?”
+
+“Because you fought against your country; because you were one of Morgan’s
+men.”
+
+“What would he do? Hang me, if he could?” asked Calhoun, bitterly.
+
+“No, no, but—oh, Calhoun, let us hope for the best. Perhaps when he sees
+you it will be different. You must see him. He and aunt have gone to New
+Lisbon; but they will be at home presently.”
+
+With many misgivings Calhoun allowed his horse to be put up, and he and
+Joyce enjoyed an hour’s sweet converse before her father and aunt
+returned.
+
+When her father entered the room Joyce, with a palpitating heart, said:
+“Father, let me introduce you to Mr. Calhoun Pennington, of Danville,
+Kentucky. He is the young officer whom we cared for when wounded. He has
+come to thank us for the kindness shown him.”
+
+Mr. Crawford bowed coldly, and said, without extending his hand, “Mr.
+Pennington need not have taken the trouble; the incident has long since
+been forgotten. But supper is ready; I trust Mr. Pennington will honor us
+by remaining and partaking of the repast with us.”
+
+Calhoun could do nothing but accept, yet he felt he was an unwelcome
+guest. As for Joyce, she knew not what to think; she could only hope for
+the best. The meal passed almost in silence. Mr. Crawford was scrupulously
+polite, but his manner was cold and constrained. Poor Joyce tried to talk
+and appear merry, but had to give it up as a failure. Every one was glad
+when the meal was through. As they arose from the table, Mr. Crawford
+said: “Joyce, remain with your aunt, I wish to have a private conversation
+with Mr. Pennington.” Calhoun followed him into the parlor. He knew that
+what was coming would try his soul more than charging up to the mouth of a
+flaming cannon.
+
+The first question asked nearly took Calhoun’s breath away, it was so
+sudden and unexpected. It was, “Young man, why am I honored with this
+visit?”
+
+“As your daughter said, to thank you for the kindness I received while an
+enforced guest in your house,” answered Calhoun, and then he mentally
+cursed himself for his cowardice.
+
+“Guests who leave as unceremoniously as you did do not generally return to
+express their thanks,” answered Mr. Crawford, dryly. “It was a poor return
+you gave my daughter for her kindness.”
+
+“What do you mean?” asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+“I mean that leaving as you did subjected my daughter to much unjust
+criticism. An honorable man would have gone to prison rather than
+subjected the young lady to whom he owed his life to idle remarks.”
+
+Calhoun felt every nerve in him tingle. His hot blood rushed through his
+veins like fire, he clenched his hands until his nails buried themselves
+in the palms. How he longed to throttle him and force the insult down his
+throat! But he was an old man; he was Joyce’s father. Then, as Joyce had
+never told him it was she who had planned the escape, it was not for him
+to speak. Controlling himself by a mighty effort, he calmly said: “Mr.
+Crawford, I am sorry you think so poorly of me, for I came here to ask of
+you the greatest boon you have to give on earth, that is your consent that
+I may pay my addresses to your daughter, and in due time make her my wife.
+I love her with my whole soul, and have reason to know that my love is
+returned.”
+
+“And I had rather see my daughter dead than married to a Rebel and
+traitor, especially to one of Morgan’s men. You have my answer,” said Mr.
+Crawford, angrily.
+
+“Why call me Rebel and traitor?” asked Calhoun. “Whatever I may have been,
+I am not that now. The government has pardoned; can you not be as generous
+as the government? as generous as your great generals, Grant and Sherman?”
+
+“And the government will find out its mistake. Your punishment has not
+been what your sins deserve. Your lands should be taken from you and given
+to the poor beings you have enslaved these centuries. But we need not
+quarrel. You have had my answer concerning my daughter. Now go, and never
+let me see you again.”
+
+“Mr. Crawford,” said Calhoun, rising, “you have been very outspoken with
+me, and I will be equally so with you. As to the terms you say should have
+been given the South, I will say that had such been even hinted at, every
+man, woman, and child in the South would have died on their hearthstones
+before yielding. But this is idle talk, as I trust there are but few in
+the North so remorseless as you. Now, as to your daughter; if she is
+willing, I shall marry her in spite of you. There is one raider of Morgan
+still in the saddle, and he will not cease his raid until he has carried
+away the fairest flower in Ohio.”
+
+“Go,” cried Mr. Crawford, losing his temper, “go before I am forced to use
+harsher means.”
+
+Before Calhoun could reply, before he could take a step, there was a swish
+of woman’s garments, and before the father’s astonished eyes there stood
+his daughter by the side of her lover. Her form was drawn to its full
+height, her bosom was heaving, her eyes were flashing. Taking her lover’s
+hand, she cried: “Father, what have you done? I love this man, love him
+with all my heart and soul, and he is worthy of my love. If I can never
+call him husband, no other man shall ever call me wife.”
+
+The father staggered and grew deadly pale.
+
+“O God,” he moaned. “I have no daughter now. Child, child, much as I love
+you, would that you were lying beside your mother.”
+
+Leaving the side of Calhoun, Joyce went to her father, and taking his
+hands in hers said, “Father, grant me but a few moments’ private interview
+with Captain Pennington, and I promise I will never marry him without your
+free and full consent. Nay, more, without your consent I will never see
+him again or correspond with him.”
+
+“Joyce, Joyce!” cried Calhoun, “what are you doing? What are you
+promising?” and he started toward her, but she motioned him back.
+
+“Father! Father!” she wailed, “don’t you hear?”
+
+Mr. Crawford looked up.
+
+“Joyce, what did you say? What do you mean?” he whispered.
+
+Joyce repeated what she had said.
+
+“And you mean it, Joyce? you are to stay with me?” he asked, eagerly.
+
+“Yes, but I must have a private interview with Captain Pennington before
+he goes. Then it is for you to say whether I shall ever meet him again or
+not.”
+
+Calhoun stood by while this conversation was going on, the great drops of
+perspiration gathering on his forehead. Was he going to lose Joyce after
+all?
+
+The father arose and left the room. No sooner was he gone than she turned,
+and with a low cry sank into her lover’s arms.
+
+“Joyce, Joyce, what have you done?” cried Calhoun. “Fly with me now! Let
+me take you to my Kentucky home. Father will welcome you. You will not
+lack the love of a father.”
+
+Joyce raised her head, her eyes swimming in tears, but full of love and
+tenderness. “Hear me, Calhoun,” she said, “and then you will not blame me.
+We cannot marry now, we are both too young. You told me that you and your
+cousin were to go to Harvard. That means four long years. Before that time
+my father may give his consent to our union.”
+
+“But you told him you would not see me, would not even write. That means
+banishment.”
+
+“Not from my heart,” she whispered. “Calhoun, for you to attempt to see me
+now, or to write to me, would be but to increase my father’s opposition. I
+trust to time, and by filial obedience to win him. It is a fearful thing,
+Calhoun, to be disowned by one’s own father, and by a father who loves one
+as I know my father loves me. It would kill him if I left him, and the
+knowledge would make me unhappy, even with you. Calhoun, do you love me?”
+
+“As my life,” he answered, clasping her once more to his breast. “And to
+be banished entirely from your presence is more than I can bear. It is
+cruel of you to ask it.”
+
+“Calhoun, did you love me when I aided you to escape?”
+
+“You know I did, why do you ask?”
+
+“Yet you left me for two long years, left me to fight for principles which
+you held dear. What if, for love of me, I had asked you to resign from the
+army, to forsake the cause for which you were fighting?”
+
+“I couldn’t have done it, Joyce. I couldn’t have done it, even for your
+love. But you would not ask me to do such a craven act.”
+
+“And yet you ask me to forsake my father, to be false to what I know is
+right.”
+
+“Joyce, how can I answer you? I am dumb before your logic. But how can I
+pass the weary years which are to come?”
+
+“You have passed two since we parted, and your college years need not be
+weary. They will not be weary. Have faith. When father learns how good,
+how noble, how true you are, he will give his consent. And Mark, my
+brother Mark, he will plead for me, I know.”
+
+“Joyce, I am like a criminal awaiting pardon—a pardon which may never
+come.”
+
+“Don’t say that. Now, Calhoun, we must part. Remember you are not to try
+to see me or write to me. But the moment father relents I will say, Come.
+It will not be long. Now go.”
+
+Calhoun clasped her once more in his arms, pressed the farewell kiss on
+her lips, and left her.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+                                 “COME.”
+
+
+Calhoun found his life in the university delightful. He was a good
+student, and a popular one. The black-haired young Kentuckian who had
+ridden with Morgan was a favorite in society. Many were the languishing
+glances cast upon him by the beauties of Cambridge and Boston, but he was
+true to Joyce. In the still hours of the night his thoughts were of her,
+and he wondered when he would hear that word “Come.” But months and years
+passed, and no word came. He heard that her father was still obdurate. He
+would wait until his college course was finished, and then, come what
+would, he would see Joyce and try to shake her resolution. He would carry
+her off _vi et armis_ if necessary.
+
+The day of his graduation came. It was a proud as well as a sad day to
+him. Sad because friendships of four years must be broken, in most cases
+never to be renewed; and sadder yet because no word had come from Joyce.
+She must know that he was now free, that of all things he would long to
+come to her. Why should she longer be held by that promise to her father?
+For the first time he felt bitterness in his heart.
+
+Twilight, darkness came, still he sat in his apartments brooding. From
+without came the shouts and laughter of students, happy in the thought of
+going home; but their laughter found no echo in his heart. A step was
+heard, and his cousin Fred came dashing into the room. “Why, Cal,” he
+exclaimed, “why sit here in the darkness, especially on this day of all
+days? We are through, Cal, we are going back to Old Kentucky. Don’t the
+thought stir your blood?”
+
+“Go away and leave me, Fred. I am desperate to-night. I want to be alone,”
+replied Calhoun, half despondently, half angrily.
+
+Fred whistled. “Look here, old fellow,” he said, kindly, “this won’t do.
+It’s time we met the folks down at the hotel. By the way, here is a
+telegram for you. A messenger boy handed it to me, as I was coming up to
+the room.”
+
+Calhoun took the yellow envelope languidly, while Fred lighted the gas;
+but no sooner had he glanced at his telegram, than he gave a whoop that
+would have done credit to a Comanche Indian.
+
+“Fred, Fred!” he shouted, dancing around as if crazy, “when does the first
+train leave for the west? Tell the folks I can’t meet them.”
+
+“Well, I never—” began Fred, but Calhoun stopped him by shaking his
+telegram in his face.
+
+It read:
+
+          “Come.
+
+            “Joyce.”
+
+That was all, but it was enough to tell Calhoun that the long years of
+waiting were over, that the little Puritan girl had been true to her
+lover, true to her father, and won at last. The first train that steamed
+out of Boston west bore Calhoun as a passenger, and an impatient passenger
+he was.
+
+How had it fared with Joyce during these years? If Calhoun had known all
+that she suffered, all her heartaches, he would not have been so happy at
+Harvard as he was. The fear of losing his daughter being gone, Mr.
+Crawford, like Pharaoh, hardened his heart. He believed that in time Joyce
+would forget, a pitiable mistake made by many fathers. A woman like Joyce,
+who truly loves, never forgets. It is said that men do, but this I doubt.
+
+The troublesome days of Reconstruction came on, and Mr. Crawford felt more
+aggrieved than ever toward the South. He believed that the facts bore out
+his views, that the North had been too lenient. As for Joyce, she gave
+little thought to politics. She believed that her father would surely
+relent before Calhoun had finished his college course; but as the time for
+his graduation approached, and her father was still obdurate, her courage
+failed. Her step grew languid, her cheeks lost their roses, the music of
+her voice in song was no longer heard.
+
+Strange that her father did not notice it, but there was one who did. That
+was her brother Mark. He was now a major in the Regular Army, had been
+wounded in a fight with the Apaches, and was home on leave of absence. To
+him Joyce confided all her sorrows, and found a ready sympathizer, for he
+was as tender of heart as he was brave.
+
+He went to his father and talked to him as he had never talked before.
+“Your opposition is all nonsense,” said Mark. “Young Pennington is in
+every way worthy of her. I have taken pains to investigate.”
+
+The old gentleman fairly writhed under his son’s censures, and tried to
+excuse himself by saying, “Mark, I have said I had rather see her dead
+than married to a Rebel, one of Morgan’s men.”
+
+“Well, you will see her dead, and that very soon,” retorted Mark,
+thoroughly aroused. “Have you no eyes? Have you not noticed her pale
+cheeks, her languid steps? Is she the happy girl she was? Your foolish,
+cruel treatment is killing her.”
+
+Mr. Crawford groaned. “Mark, Mark,” he cried, “I can’t bear to hear you
+talk like that, you my only son. I have only done what I thought was
+right. You must be mistaken about Joyce.”
+
+“I am not; look at her yourself. Never was there a more dutiful daughter
+than Joyce. She would rather die than break her promise to you. Free her
+from it. Make her happy by telling her she can see Pennington.”
+
+“Mark, don’t ask too much. Joyce is all I have to comfort me. When I am
+gone you will be the head of the family. You can then advise her as you
+please.”
+
+“Better be kind to her and give her your blessing while you live,” said
+his son, turning away, believing that his words would bear fruit.
+
+What Mark had said deeply troubled Mr. Crawford. He now noticed Joyce
+closely, and was surprised that he had not perceived the change in her. He
+meant to speak to her, but kept putting it off day by day, until sickness
+seized him. The doctor came, and told him he had but a short time to live.
+Mr. Crawford heard the verdict with composure. The Puritan blood in his
+veins led him to meet death as he would meet any enemy in life. But he
+would do justice to his daughter before he died. Calling Joyce to him, he
+took her hand in his, and said: “Joyce, you have been all that a daughter
+should be to me, but to you I have been a hard, cruel father.”
+
+“No, no, you have been the kindest of fathers,” she cried, her tears
+falling fast. “Father, don’t talk so, or you will break my heart.”
+
+“Listen, Joyce. I now know how much suffering I have caused you. I drove
+from you the man you loved. Do you still love him, Joyce?”
+
+“Father, I love him, I shall always love him, but I have been true to my
+promise. I—”
+
+“There, child,” broke in Mr. Crawford, “say no more. I know how true you
+have been, how sacred you have kept your word, while I—oh, forgive me,
+Joyce!”
+
+“Don’t, father, don’t, you only did what you thought was right.”
+
+“But Pennington, Joyce—has he been true all these years?”
+
+“I charged him not to see or write to me until I bade him, and that was to
+be when I had your free and full consent. Father, have I that consent
+now?”
+
+“Yes, yes, tell him to come.”
+
+With her feet winged with love Joyce flew to send the glad message. But
+that night Mr. Crawford became much worse. It was doubtful if he would
+live until Calhoun could arrive.
+
+Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again is Calhoun galloping up
+the road which leads to the Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing
+at the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust grows larger and
+larger, but it is not noticed. In the house a life is ebbing away—going
+out with the sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse, and points
+to the house. “Massa Crawford dyin’,” is all he said.
+
+He is met at the door by Joyce. “Come, father wants to see you,” she says,
+and leads him into the chamber where the dying man lies.
+
+“Father, here is Calhoun,” she sobbed.
+
+Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a trembling hand, and it was
+grasped by Calhoun. In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was
+forgotten.
+
+Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover. Her father took her hand
+and placed it in that of Calhoun. “God bless you both, my children,” he
+whispered. “Forgive!”
+
+“There is nothing to forgive,” replied Calhoun, in a choking voice.
+
+A look of great contentment came over the dying man’s face. “Sit by me,
+Joyce,” he whispered. “Let me hold your hand in mine.”
+
+Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For some time she held her
+father’s hand, and then his mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce’s
+hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had lain in the grave for so
+many years. Once he opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending
+over him, murmured, “Kiss me, Mary.”
+
+Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not once, but again and again.
+
+He smiled, closed his eyes—and then fell asleep.
+
+
+
+A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford. Calhoun has come to
+claim his beautiful bride. He is making his last raid; but this time no
+enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are scattered in his path; glad
+bells are ringing a joyful welcome. He is fully aware that the war has
+left many bitter memories; yet when the words are spoken which link his
+life to Joyce’s forever and forever (for true love ends not in the grave),
+he clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan made his raid into
+Ohio.
+
+
+                                 THE END.
+
+      PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY
+      AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE
+      LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                FOOTNOTES
+
+
+    1 Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding his capture
+      and release. For this see “General Nelson’s Scout.”
+
+    2 For full particulars of this see “On General Thomas’s Staff.”
+
+    3 This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
+
+
+The author’s footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.
+
+The following typographical errors were corrected:
+
+      page 70, “wagon train” changed to “wagon-train”
+      page 73, “orced” changed to “forced”
+      page 86, “kulking” changed to “skulking”
+      page 125, “way” changed to “way.”
+      page 140, “At” changed to “As”
+
+In addition, several missing, superfluous or misplaced quote marks have
+been corrected.
+
+Variations in spelling (“pass-word” and “password”, “tear-drop” and
+“teardrop”, “bastile” and “Bastille”) were not changed. The single
+occurrence of “Matthews” was not changed to “Mathews” as it is not clear
+if the same character is meant. Similarly, it can not be decided if a
+horse is called “Salim” or “Selim”.
+
+
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+                                 CREDITS
+
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+August 24, 2009
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+            Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1
+            Produced by David Garcia, Stefan Cramme and the Online
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Raiding with Morgan by Byron A. Dunn
+
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no
+restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under
+the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or
+online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license
+
+
+
+Title: Raiding with Morgan
+
+Author: Byron A. Dunn
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2009 [Ebook #29786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO 8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+
+
+                           Raiding with Morgan
+
+  [Illustration: AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.]
+
+
+
+
+
+                      The Young Kentuckians Series
+
+
+                          Raiding with Morgan
+
+                                   BY
+                             Byron A. Dunn
+
+     Author of "General Nelson's Scout," "On General Thomas's Staff,"
+            "Battling for Atlanta," "From Atlanta to the Sea"
+
+
+Chicago
+A. C. McClurg & Co.
+1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                COPYRIGHT
+                          BY A. C. MCCLURG & CO
+                                A. D. 1903
+
+                                 -------
+
+                         PUBLISHED SEPT. 30, 1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 PREFACE.
+
+
+General John H. Morgan was one of the most picturesque figures in the
+Civil War, an officer without a peer in his chosen line. During the two
+years of his brilliant career he captured and paroled at least ten
+thousand Federal soldiers, and kept three times that number in the rear of
+the Federal army guarding communications. When we consider the millions of
+dollars' worth of property he destroyed, and how he paralyzed the
+movements of Buell, we do not wonder that he was considered the scourge of
+the Army of the Cumberland.
+
+General Morgan was a true Kentucky gentleman, and possessed one of the
+kindest of hearts. The thousands of persons captured by him almost
+invariably speak of the good treatment accorded them. The following
+incident reveals more clearly than words his generous spirit. In reporting
+a scout, he says:
+
+"Stopped at a house where there was a sick Lincoln soldier, who died that
+night. No men being in the neighborhood, his wife having no person to make
+a coffin or bury him, I detailed some men, who made a coffin."
+
+The adventures of Calhoun as a secret agent of the "Knights of the Golden
+Circle" opens up a portion of the history of the Civil War which may be
+almost unknown to our younger readers. During the war the whole North was
+honeycombed with secret societies, whose members denounced Lincoln as a
+usurper and a bloody monster, and maintained that the government had no
+right to coerce the South. They resisted the draft, encouraged desertions,
+and embarrassed the Federal Government in every way possible. In secret
+many of the leaders plotted armed rebellion, the liberation of Confederate
+prisoners, and the burning of Northern cities. They held out inducements
+to the South to invade the North, and there is but little doubt that
+Morgan was lured to his destruction by their representations.
+
+Shortly after the close of the war the author met a gentleman who had
+served on the staff of General Breckinridge. This officer affirmed that he
+carried a message from Breckinridge to Morgan, saying that the former had
+positive information that forty thousand armed "Knights" stood ready to
+assist Morgan if he would invade Indiana. Everything goes to show that
+Morgan relied on these reports, and it was this belief that induced him to
+disobey the orders of General Bragg.
+
+It is an interesting question whether General Breckinridge was really
+privy to the plans of the "Knights," and whether he secretly encouraged
+Morgan to disobey orders, hoping that the appearance of a Confederate
+force in the North would lead to the overthrow of the Lincoln Government
+and the independence of the South. The author has taken the ground that
+Breckinridge was fully cognizant of Morgan's intended move.
+
+This volume mentions only the greatest of the General's raids, and the
+author has tried to narrate them with historical accuracy as regards time,
+place, and circumstances. In stating the number of his men, his losses,
+and the damage he inflicted on the Federals, the General's own reports
+have been followed; these, as was to be expected, differ widely in many
+cases from those of the Federal officers.
+
+The tale of the exploits of Calhoun is substantially true, though the hero
+himself is fictitious, for every one of his most notable feats was
+accomplished by one or other of Morgan's men. It was Lieutenant Eastin, of
+Morgan's command, who killed Colonel Halisy in single combat. Calhoun's
+achievements in the escape from the Ohio Penitentiary were actually
+performed by two different persons: a sharp dining-room boy furnished the
+knives with which the prisoners dug their way to liberty; Captain Thomas
+H. Hines planned and carried to a successful termination the daring and
+ingenious escape. Captain Hines fled with General Morgan; and every
+adventure which befell Calhoun in "The Flight to the South" actually
+befell Captain Hines. The Captain's marvellous story was published in the
+January number of "The Century," 1891, and to this narrative the author is
+indebted for the leading facts.
+
+                                                             B. A. DUNN.
+  August 1, 1903.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                                    PAGE
+      I.   AFTER SHILOH                                       15
+     II.   THROUGH THE LINES                                  28
+    III.   RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY                             49
+     IV.   MORGAN'S FIRST RAID                                69
+      V.   MORGAN'S FIRST GREAT RAID                          82
+     VI.   CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS                            94
+    VII.   CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER                       108
+   VIII.   THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN                           113
+     IX.   THE DUEL                                          126
+      X.   HARTSVILLE                                        142
+     XI.   MORGAN'S SECOND GREAT RAID                        151
+    XII.   A SPY! A SPY!                                     161
+   XIII.   UNDER ARREST                                      181
+    XIV.   THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE                  196
+     XV.   OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!                           214
+    XVI.   CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT                          226
+   XVII.   THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON                        234
+  XVIII.   THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED                       246
+    XIX.   AN ANGEL OF MERCY                                 253
+     XX.   CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE                            269
+    XXI.   THE ESCAPE                                        281
+   XXII.   PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED                           292
+  XXIII.   THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH                           303
+   XXIV.   CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE                       310
+    XXV.   THE LONE RAIDER                                   318
+   XXVI.   "COME"                                            328
+
+
+
+
+
+                              ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+                                                                       PAGE
+    As he sat upon his horse and looked out upon the river   _Frontispiece_
+    He easily distanced all his pursuers                                 31
+    Sauntering into the depot they gazed curiously around                76
+    They silently crept down the gorge                                  101
+    He fired at Conway                                                  120
+    The force of the blow threw the Colonel forward on                  157
+      his saddle
+    He cautiously crept up on the Sergeant                              183
+    Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide               223
+    Escape of Morgan from prison                                        302
+    She held her breath and listened to catch the sound                 319
+      of battle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           RAIDING WITH MORGAN.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER I.
+
+
+                              AFTER SHILOH.
+
+
+The great battle of Shiloh had been fought, and victory had been snatched
+from the hands of the Confederates by the opportune arrival of Buell's
+army.
+
+The Southerners had lost their beloved commander, slain; a third of their
+number had fallen. Although defeated they had not been conquered. They had
+set forth from Corinth in the highest hopes, fully expecting to drive
+Grant's army into the Tennessee River. This hope was almost realized, when
+it suddenly perished: twenty thousand fresh troops had arrived upon the
+field, and the Confederates were forced to retreat. But they had fallen
+back unmolested, for the Federal army had been too severely punished to
+think of pursuing. Both armies were willing to rest and have their
+decimated ranks filled with fresh troops.
+
+Of all the Southern troops engaged at Shiloh none felt their defeat more
+keenly than the Kentucky brigade under the command of Colonel Trabue. They
+had fought as only brave men can fight; they left one-third of their
+number on the field, killed and wounded. Defeat could not demoralize them,
+and it fell to their lot to cover the retreat of Beauregard. They had
+stood like a wall of adamant between their fleeing army and the victorious
+Federals. No charge could pierce that line of heroes. With faces to the
+foe, they slowly fell back, contesting every inch of ground.
+
+Fondly had they hoped that Grant would first be crushed, then Buell
+annihilated, and their march to Nashville would be unopposed. From
+Nashville it would be an easy matter to redeem their beloved Kentucky from
+the ruthless Northern invaders.
+
+It was but a few days after the battle that there was a social gathering
+of Kentucky officers at the headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
+Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one whose insignia of office
+showed him to be only a captain. But he was already a marked man. He had
+greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and Tennessee as a daring raider
+and scout, and at the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable service
+at the head of a squadron of independent cavalry.
+
+It was but natural that in such a gathering the situation would be freely
+discussed. "It looks to me," said Breckinridge, with a sigh, "that if we
+are forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West will be lost. I am in
+favor of holding Corinth to the last man."
+
+"What is your opinion, Morgan?" asked one of the officers, turning to the
+captain of whom we have spoken.
+
+Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly answered: "The General will pardon
+me if I differ with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should be held,
+as long as that can be done with safety to the army. But Corinth itself is
+of little value to us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
+is in the hands of the enemy. It is not worth the sacrifice of a hundred
+men."
+
+"What! would you give up Corinth without a struggle?" asked the officer,
+in surprise.
+
+"Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of victory," replied Morgan.
+"What I mean is, that the place should not be held so long as to endanger
+the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the army is everything."
+
+"Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could be lost, and our cause not
+greatly suffer?"
+
+"Certainly. The further the enemy advances into the South, the more
+vulnerable he becomes. Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can keep
+forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting their lines of communication."
+
+"Morgan, you are joking!" exclaimed several of the officers.
+
+"No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky before many days; and if I
+do, there will be consternation in the ranks of the Yankees."
+
+"Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a thousand men?" asked
+Breckinridge, in a tone which showed his doubt.
+
+"I shall make the attempt with less than half of that number," replied
+Morgan, coolly.
+
+A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue asked: "Will Beauregard let
+you make the hazardous attempt?"
+
+"Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk no more men in the venture."
+
+"Well, good-bye, John, if you try it," said one of the officers, laughing.
+
+"Why good-bye, Colonel?"
+
+"Because the Yankees will get you sure."
+
+"Perhaps!" answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose to go.
+
+"The whole South will ring with the praises of that man one of these
+days," remarked Breckinridge, after Morgan had made his exit.
+
+"A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian," remarked Trabue.
+
+Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him, Morgan wended his way to
+his headquarters, where he was informed by the orderly who took his horse
+that a young Confederate officer had been waiting for some time to see
+him.
+
+"He said he must see you," continued the orderly, "and if necessary he
+would wait all night."
+
+"All right, I will see what he wants," replied Morgan, as he turned and
+entered his headquarters. There he was greeted by a young man, not much
+more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate lieutenant.
+
+Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed: "Bless my heart! if
+this isn't Calhoun Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington! I am
+more than glad to see you. I have heard of some of your exploits, and
+often wondered why you did not seek to take service with me. Let's see!
+You were on the staff of the late lamented Governor Johnson, were you
+not?"
+
+"Yes," replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled, and tears came into his
+eyes in spite of himself, as he thought of the death of his beloved chief.
+
+"A grand man, a brave man," said Morgan, gently. "Now that he has gone,
+what do you propose doing?"
+
+"That is what I have come to see you about. General Beauregard has offered
+me a position on his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted."
+
+"What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard! That is a rare honor
+for one so young as you are. Of course you are going to accept?"
+
+"I do not know yet; I am to give him an answer in the morning, as I said I
+wanted to see you first. Great as the honor is which has been offered me,
+I feel it is a service which would not be agreeable to me. I much prefer
+the freer life of a scout and ranger. Perhaps you may know, I have done
+much of this kind of work. I have even performed more dangerous tasks than
+that of scouting, and I confess I rather like it."
+
+Morgan mused for a moment, and then suddenly asked: "Are you not a cousin
+of Frederic Shackelford, son of the late Colonel Richard Shackelford of
+our army?"
+
+Calhoun's brow clouded. "Yes," he answered; "but why do you say the late
+Colonel Shackelford? Uncle Dick is not dead."
+
+"Is that so? I am rejoiced to hear it. It was reported he was among the
+slain."
+
+"He was desperately wounded," answered Calhoun, "but he did not die, and
+he is now a prisoner in the hands of the Yankees. Uncle Dick is a hero;
+but as for that traitor cousin of mine, I hate him!" and again Calhoun's
+brow grew dark.
+
+"I have no reason to love him," laughed Morgan, "but I cannot help
+admiring him. He it was who discovered our well-laid plans, and forced me
+to flee from Lexington, as a thief in the night."
+
+"Aye!" answered Calhoun, "but for him and that brute Nelson, Kentucky
+would now have been out of the Union. But that is not all. Had it not been
+for the same two traitors there would have been a different story to tell
+of Shiloh. Grant's army would now have been prisoners, Buell's in full
+flight, and our own pressing northward to redeem Kentucky. Had there been
+no Nelson, Buell's army would not have reached Grant in time to save him
+from destruction. If there had been no Fred Shackelford I should have
+borne the news to General Johnston that Buell would join Grant by the
+fifth, and Johnston would have made his attack a couple of days earlier. I
+was bearing the news to Johnston that Nelson would reach Savannah by the
+fifth when I was captured."
+
+"Captured?" echoed Morgan, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, captured, and by no less a personage than my cousin Fred
+Shackelford. But for this I would have reached Johnston by the second; as
+it was, I did not reach Shiloh until the morning of the last day of the
+battle."
+
+"Then you escaped?" queried Morgan.
+
+"No; my cousin let me go, after he had held me until he knew my
+information would be of no value. I was dressed in citizen's clothes. He
+could have had me hanged as a spy. I suppose I ought to be thankful to
+him, but I am not." And Calhoun shuddered when he thought how near he had
+been to death.(1)
+
+"That was kind of him," said Morgan; "and you ought to be thankful to him,
+whether you are or not. To tell the truth, I took a great fancy to young
+Shackelford, and tried hard to get him to cast his lot with me. But as I
+failed to get him, I believe you would make a splendid substitute. You
+still think you had rather go with me than be on Beauregard's staff?"
+
+"A thousand times, yes. I had rather go with you as a private than be a
+lieutenant on the General's staff," answered Calhoun, with vehemence.
+
+Morgan's eyes sparkled. "That is the finest compliment I ever had paid
+me," he said, "but I cannot allow the son of my old friend Judge
+Pennington to serve in the ranks as a private soldier. Yet my companies
+are fully officered now. Let's see! How would you like to go back to
+Kentucky?"
+
+"Go back to Kentucky?" asked Calhoun in surprise.
+
+"Yes, to recruit for my command. Do you think you could dodge the
+Yankees?"
+
+"I believe I could. I could at least try," answered Calhoun, his face
+aglow with the idea.
+
+"The case is this," said Morgan: "I am going to make a raid in a few days,
+and am going to try to reach Kentucky. My present force is small--not much
+over four hundred. I do not look for much help from the Confederate
+Government. Those in authority do not regard with much favor independent
+organizations. To augment my force, I must in a great measure rely on my
+own efforts. I know there are hundreds of the flower of Kentucky youths
+eager to join me if they had the opportunity. You are just the person to
+send back to organize them. When can you start?"
+
+"In the morning," answered Calhoun.
+
+Morgan smiled. "Good!" he said. "You are made of the right material. We
+will make full arrangements to-morrow. Good night, now, for it is getting
+late."
+
+Thus dismissed Calhoun went away with a light heart. He was to be one of
+Morgan's men. It was all he wished.
+
+The next morning Calhoun informed General Beauregard that while sensible
+of the great honor which he would bestow on him by appointing him a member
+of his staff, yet he believed he could be of more service to the South by
+casting his fortune with Morgan, and he had concluded to do so.
+
+"While I greatly regret to lose you," replied the General, "I believe you
+have chosen well. To one of your temperament service with Morgan will be
+much more congenial than the duties of a staff officer. In fact,"
+continued the General, with a smile, "I think you resemble Morgan in being
+restive under orders, and prefer to have your own way and go where you
+please. A command or two of partisan rangers may do, but too many would be
+fatal to the discipline of an army. Morgan may do the enemy a great deal
+of mischief, but after all, the fate of the South must be decided by her
+great armies."
+
+"True, General," replied Calhoun, "but if Morgan can keep thousands of the
+enemy in the rear guarding their communications, the great armies of the
+North will be depleted by that number."
+
+"That is true also," answered Beauregard; "and for that reason Morgan will
+be given more or less of a free rein. I have recommended him for a
+colonelcy. Convey to him my regards, and tell him I heartily congratulate
+him upon his last recruit."
+
+General Beauregard's kind words touched Calhoun deeply. "Thank you,
+General," he replied, with feeling. "I trust I shall never prove myself
+unworthy of your good opinion. May God bless you, and crown your efforts
+with victory!"
+
+After parting with Beauregard, Calhoun lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan. He found his chief in command of about four hundred men, rough,
+daring fellows who would follow their leader wherever he went. A more
+superb body of rough-riders was never formed.
+
+Calhoun was introduced to the officers of the squadron, and when it became
+known that he was going back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command--although many of the officers wondered why their chief had
+selected one so young--they gave him a hearty welcome. But when it became
+known that he was the son of Judge Pennington, of Danville, that he had
+already won renown as a daring scout, and had been offered a position on
+the staff of General Beauregard, their welcome was doubly enthusiastic.
+
+To this welcome there was one exception. One of Morgan's officers, Captain
+P. C. Conway, had applied to Morgan for permission to go back to Kentucky
+on this same duty, and had been refused. He was a short, thickset,
+red-faced man with a very pompous air. His weakness was liquor; yet he was
+a brave, efficient officer. What he considered an affront was never
+forgiven, for he was of a revengeful disposition. It was consistent with
+his character that he should become a mortal enemy of Calhoun.
+
+When he was introduced to Calhoun he merely bowed, and did not offer to
+give his hand.
+
+"I believe I have heard of Captain Conway," said Calhoun, with a smile. "I
+have heard a cousin of mine speak of him."
+
+"Why, yes," spoke up Morgan, with a twinkle in his eye, "Captain,
+Lieutenant Pennington is a cousin of your particular friend, Captain Fred
+Shackelford, of the Yankee army."
+
+Conway fairly turned purple with rage. "Lieutenant Pennington has no
+reason to be proud of his relationship to that sneak and spy," he snorted.
+
+"I have no more reason to love my cousin than you," replied Calhoun, with
+some warmth. "He may have played the spy; so have I; but sneak he is not,
+and I would thank you not to use the term again, traitor though he is to
+the South and his native state."
+
+Conway glared at him for a moment, but there was something in Calhoun's
+eye which told him that if he repeated the term it might cause trouble, so
+he snapped: "Well, spy and traitor, if those terms suit you better; but it
+may be of interest to you to know that I have sworn to see that precious
+cousin of yours hanged, and"--with a fearful oath--"I will see that he is."
+
+With these words he turned on his heel and stalked away.
+
+"Shackelford's name has the same effect on Conway that a red rag has on a
+mad bull," laughed Morgan. "He can never forget that trick your cousin
+played on him."
+
+"Ah! I remember," said Calhoun; "Fred told me all about it. Conway may
+take a dislike to me simply because I am Fred's cousin. I noticed that he
+greeted me rather coldly."
+
+"I reckon he will not carry his hatred so far as that," replied Morgan,
+"yet it may be best not to mention Shackelford's name to him."
+
+But Morgan might have changed his mind if he had heard Conway talking to a
+brother officer.
+
+"Just to think," he fumed, "that the Captain picked on that young upstart
+to go back to Kentucky to recruit instead of one of us. I volunteered to
+go yesterday, and he put me down. To my mind, Pennington is no better than
+that sneak of a cousin of his, and Morgan will find it out some day."
+
+"Better keep a still tongue in your head, Conway," dryly replied the
+officer, a Captain Matthews, to whom Conway was complaining. "Morgan will
+give you hell if he finds you are trying to create dissatisfaction."
+
+"I am not afraid of Morgan," muttered Conway, but he said no more.
+
+In the mean time Calhoun was hurriedly making preparations for his
+journey. Many of the officers and men were engaged in writing letters to
+send back by him to the dear ones in Kentucky. Morgan intrusted to him
+several important communications to prominent Southern sympathizers.
+
+Just as Calhoun was ready to start, Morgan gave him his secret
+instructions.
+
+"What I now tell you," he said, "is too important to commit to writing.
+You may be captured. For hundreds of miles you must ride through a country
+swarming with Yankees. You will need discretion, as much or more than you
+will need courage. Much depends on your success. I intend to make a raid
+north about the first week in May. If possible (and I think it is), I
+shall try to reach Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach five
+hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand when I reach Kentucky, I
+believe I could sweep clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time at
+your disposal that will be impossible. But join me at Glasgow with all you
+can. I expect to be in Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest."
+
+"All right," replied Calhoun, "I will try to meet you there at that time,
+with at least one or two good companies."
+
+Little did Morgan think at the time how badly he would need those
+companies.
+
+At last all was ready, and amid shouts of "Good-bye" and "Success to you,"
+Calhoun vaulted into the saddle and rode away eastward.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II.
+
+
+                            THROUGH THE LINES.
+
+
+At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky, General Halleck was
+concentrating his immense army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to an
+attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled the Tennessee River as far
+up as Eastport. General Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
+between Decatur and Stevenson, but between Corinth and Decatur there was
+no large body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions of
+Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee every important place was held by
+detachments of Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the lines was an
+exceedingly dangerous undertaking, but that is what Calhoun had to do to
+reach Kentucky. He expected to meet with little danger until he attempted
+to cross the lines of General Mitchell, which extended along the railroads
+that ran from Nashville southward. The country through which he had to
+pass was intensely Southern, and the Yankee cavalry did not venture far
+from the railroads.
+
+When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight eastward, until he reached
+Tuscumbia, Alabama. Here he found little trouble in finding means to cross
+the Tennessee River. Once across the river he took a northeast course,
+which would take him through Rogersville. Now and then he met small squads
+of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting through the country, and did
+not seem to be under very strict military discipline, doing much as they
+pleased.
+
+Now and then he came across a party of recruits making their way to the
+Confederate army at Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
+uncouth, and with little or no education. They knew or cared little of the
+causes which had led up to the war; but they knew that the Southland had
+been invaded, that their homes were in danger, and they made soldiers
+whose bravery and devotion excited the admiration of the world.
+
+In order to find out what General Mitchell was doing, and as nearly as he
+could, to ascertain the number of his forces, Calhoun resolved to ride as
+near the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad as was prudent. As he
+approached Rogersville, he learned that the place had just been raided by
+a regiment of Yankee cavalry, and the country was in a panic.
+
+Approaching the place cautiously, he was pleased to ascertain that the
+cavalry, after committing numerous depredations, had retreated to Athens.
+He now learned for the first time of the atrocities which had been
+committed on the defenceless inhabitants of Athens, and his blood boiled
+as he listened to the recital. No wonder the citizens of Rogersville were
+in a panic, fearing that their fate might be the same.
+
+"The whelps and robbers!" he exclaimed; "how I should like to get at them!
+But their time will come. Never will the South lay down her arms until
+every Northern soldier is driven in or across the Ohio."
+
+In Rogersville Calhoun met with a Doctor Jenkins, who was especially well
+informed as to the strength and positions of the Federal army, and as to
+the feelings of the citizens.
+
+"At first," said he, "the result of the battle of Shiloh greatly
+discouraged us, and the slaughter was horrifying. But we are getting over
+that now, and every true son of the South is more determined than ever to
+fight the war to the bitter end, even if we see our homes in flames and
+the country laid waste. How is it that Kentucky does not join hands with
+her sister states?"
+
+"She will, she must," cried Calhoun. "Already thousands of her sons are
+flocking to the Southern standard. It needs but a victory--a Confederate
+army to enter her territory, and the people will rise _en masse_. There
+are not enough traitors or Yankees in the state to keep them down."
+
+"Do you think Beauregard can hold Corinth?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"He can if any one can. He is a great general," answered Calhoun. "But
+Morgan thinks the loss of Corinth would not be fatal if the army were
+saved. 'Under no consideration,' says Morgan, 'should Beauregard allow
+himself to be cooped up in Corinth.' "
+
+"I reckon he is right," sighed the Doctor; "but may the time never come
+when he will have to give it up."
+
+"Amen to that!" answered Calhoun.
+
+From Rogersville Calhoun made his way north. He ascertained that the
+railroad which Mitchell was engaged in repairing was not strongly guarded,
+and he believed that with five hundred men Morgan could break it almost
+anywhere between Athens and Columbia.
+
+Near Mount Pleasant he met a Confederate officer with a party of recruits
+which he was taking south. He sent back by him a statement to Morgan of
+all he had learned, and added: "Taking everything into consideration, I
+believe that Pulaski will be the best place for you to strike. I have no
+fears but that you can capture it, even with your small force."
+
+Calhoun met with his first serious adventure shortly after he had crossed
+the railroad, which he did a few miles south of Columbia. Thinking to make
+better time, he took the main road leading to Shelbyville. He was
+discovered by a squad of Federal cavalry, which immediately gave chase.
+But he was mounted on a splendid horse, one that he had brought with him
+from Kentucky. He easily distanced all his pursuers with the exception of
+three or four, and he was gradually drawing away from all of them, except
+a lieutenant in command of the squad, who seemed to be as well mounted as
+himself.
+
+  [Illustration: HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.]
+
+"Only one," muttered Calhoun, looking back, as a pistol-ball whistled by
+his head; "I can settle him," and he reached for a revolver in his
+holster. As he did so, his horse stepped into a hole and plunged heavily
+forward, throwing Calhoun over his head. For a moment he lay bruised and
+stunned, and then staggered to his feet, only to find the Federal officer
+upon him.
+
+"Surrender, you Rebel!" cried the officer, but quick as a flash, Calhoun
+snatched a small revolver which he carried in his belt, and fired.
+
+Instead of hitting the officer, the ball struck the horse fairly in the
+head, and the animal fell dead. Leaving the officer struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse, Calhoun scrambled over a fence,
+and scurried across a small field, beyond which was a wood. A scattering
+volley was fired by the foremost of the pursuers, but it did no harm, and
+Calhoun was soon across the field. Mounting the fence on the other side,
+he stood on the top rail, and turning around, he uttered a shout of
+defiance, then jumping down, disappeared in the wood.
+
+The foremost of the Federals, a tall, lanky sergeant named Latham,
+galloped to the side of his commander, who was still struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse. Springing from his saddle, he
+helped him to his feet, and anxiously inquired, "Are you hurt,
+Lieutenant?"
+
+"The Rebel, the Rebel, where is he? Did you get him?" asked the
+Lieutenant.
+
+"Get him!" drawled the Sergeant, "I think not. He got across that field as
+if Old Nick was after him. But once across he had the cheek to stand on
+the fence and crow like a young rooster. I took a crack at him, but
+missed."
+
+"Why didn't you pursue him?" demanded the officer, fiercely.
+
+"What! in those woods? Might as well look for a needle in a haymow. But
+are you hurt, Lieutenant?"
+
+"My leg is sprained," he groaned; "but the worst of it is, Jupiter is
+dead. Curse that Rebel! how I wish I had him! I would make him pay dearly
+for that horse."
+
+"Here is the Rebel's horse. I caught him!" exclaimed one of the men,
+leading up Calhoun's horse, which he had captured. "He looks like a mighty
+fine horse, only he seems a little lame from his fall."
+
+"That is a fine horse," said Latham, looking him over, "but he has been
+rode mighty hard. Wonder who that feller can be. I see no signs of any
+other Reb. He must have been alone. Say, he was a Jim-dandy whoever he
+was. I thought you had him sure, Lieutenant."
+
+"So did I," answered the Lieutenant, with an oath. "When his horse threw
+him I had no idea he would try to get away, and ordered him to surrender.
+But quick as a flash he jerked a revolver from his belt, and fired."
+
+"Better be thankful he hit the horse instead of you," said the Sergeant.
+
+For answer the Lieutenant limped to a stone, and sitting down, said:
+"Examine that roll behind the saddle of the horse. Perhaps we can find out
+who the fellow was."
+
+Sergeant Latham took the roll, which was securely strapped behind
+Calhoun's saddle, and began to unroll it as carefully as if he suspected
+it might be loaded.
+
+"A fine rubber and a good woollen blanket," remarked the Sergeant. "Looks
+mighty like those goods once belonged to our good Uncle Samuel. Bet your
+life, they are a part of the plunder from Shiloh. Ah! here is a bundle of
+letters."
+
+"Give them to me," said the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant handed them over, and the officer hastily glanced over them,
+reading the superscriptions.
+
+"Why," he exclaimed, in surprise, "these letters are all addressed to
+persons in Kentucky. What could that fellow be doing with letters going to
+Kentucky? We will see." He tore open one of the letters.
+
+He had read but a few lines when he exclaimed, with a strong expletive,
+"Boys, I would give a month's pay if we had captured that fellow!"
+
+"Who was he? Who was he?" cried several soldiers in unison.
+
+"He was--let me see--" and the Lieutenant tore open several more of the
+letters, and rapidly scanned them--"yes, these letters make it plain. He
+was a Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington, and he was from the Rebel army at
+Corinth. I take it he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command of a Captain John H. Morgan. Morgan--Morgan, I have heard of that
+fellow before. He played the deuce with us in Kentucky last winter: burned
+the railroad bridge over Bacon Creek, captured trains, tore up the
+railroad, and played smash generally. These letters all seem to be private
+ones written by the soldiers in Morgan's command to their relatives and
+friends back in Kentucky. But he may have carried important dispatches on
+his person. We let a rare prize slip through our fingers."
+
+"Can't be helped now," dryly remarked Sergeant Latham. "If you had
+captured him it might have put one bar, if not two, on your
+shoulder-strap."
+
+The Lieutenant scowled, but did not reply. All the letters were read and
+passed around. Three or four of them occasioned much merriment, for they
+were written by love-lorn swains whom the cruel hand of war had torn from
+their sweethearts.
+
+"Golly! it's a wonder them letters hadn't melted from the sweetness they
+contained," remarked Sergeant Latham.
+
+"Or took fire from their warmth," put in a boyish looking soldier.
+
+"Not half as warm as the letter I caught you writing to Polly Jones the
+other day," laughed a comrade. "Boys, I looked over his shoulder and read
+some of it. I tell you it was hot stuff. 'My dearest Polly!' it commenced,
+'I----' "
+
+But he never finished the sentence, for the young soldier sprang and
+struck him a blow which rolled him in the dust.
+
+"A fight! a fight!" shouted the men, and crowded around to see the fun.
+
+"Stop that!" roared the Lieutenant, "or I will have you both bucked and
+gagged when we get to camp. Sergeant Latham, see that both of those men
+are put on extra duty to-night."
+
+When things had quieted down, others of the letters were read; but some of
+them occasioned no merriment. Instead, one could see a rough blouse sleeve
+drawn across the eyes, and a gulping down as if something choked the
+wearer. These were letters written to the wives and mothers who were
+watching and waiting for their loved ones to return. These letters
+reminded them of their own wives and mothers in the Northland, waiting and
+praying for them.
+
+Suddenly the Lieutenant spoke up: "Boys, we have been wasting time over
+those letters. That fellow was making his way back to Kentucky. He has no
+horse. What more natural than that he would try and obtain one at the
+first opportunity? That old Rebel Osborne lives not more than a mile
+ahead. You remember we visited him last week, and threatened to arrest him
+if the railroad was tampered with any more. It was thought he sheltered
+these wandering bands of Confederates who make it dangerous to step
+outside the camp. If we push on, we may catch our bird at Osborne's."
+
+"If not, it will at least give you a chance to see the pretty daughter,"
+remarked the Sergeant.
+
+"Shut up, or I will have you reduced to the ranks," growled the
+Lieutenant.
+
+The subject was rather a painful one to the Lieutenant, for during his
+visit to the Osbornes the week before, when he tried to make himself
+agreeable to the daughter, the lady told him in very plain words what she
+thought of Yankees.
+
+"It's nearly noon, too," continued the Lieutenant, after the interruption,
+"and that spring near the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and
+eat our dinners; so fall in." The Lieutenant slowly mounted Calhoun's
+horse, for his fall had made him sore, and in none the best of humor, he
+gave the command, "Forward!"
+
+The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached. It was a beautiful place.
+The country had not yet been devastated by the cruel hand of war, and the
+landscape, rich with the growing crops, lay glowing under the bright April
+sky. The mansion house stood back from the road in a grove of noble native
+trees, and the whole surroundings betokened a home of wealth and
+refinement.
+
+From underneath a rock near the house gushed forth a spring, whose waters,
+clear as crystal, ran away in a rippling stream. It was near this spring
+that Lieutenant Haines, for that was the officer's name, halted his
+troops.
+
+"Better throw a guard around the house," he said to Sergeant Latham, "for
+if that Rebel has found his way here, he may make a sneak out the back
+way. After you get the guard posted, we will search the house."
+
+As the Sergeant was executing his orders, Mr. Osborne came out of the
+house, and approaching the troop, to Lieutenant Haines's surprise, gave
+him a cordial greeting.
+
+"I cannot say I am rejoiced to see you again," he exclaimed, with a smile,
+"except you come in peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
+cut, or the railroad torn up again."
+
+"Nothing of the kind has happened," answered the Lieutenant.
+
+"Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and I trust you will take
+dinner with us. It is nearly ready."
+
+The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant's breath, but he accepted
+it gladly. As they were going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
+carelessly, "I see you have thrown a guard around the house. Are you
+afraid of an attack? I know of no body of Confederates in the vicinity."
+
+"The truth is," replied Haines, "we ran into a lone Confederate about a
+mile from here. We captured his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
+woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but he might have found
+refuge here; and, excuse me, Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity
+of searching your house."
+
+"Do as you please," replied Mr. Osborne, coldly; "I have seen no such
+Confederate; but if I had, I should have concealed him if I could. But do
+not let this circumstance spoil our good nature, or our dinner."
+
+Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning from posting the guard.
+"Sergeant, you may withdraw the guard," said the Lieutenant; "Mr. Osborne
+informs me he has not seen our runaway Confederate."
+
+The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order, muttering, "Confederate!
+Confederate! The Lieutenant is getting mighty nice; he generally says
+'Rebel.' "
+
+If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial greeting he had received
+from Mr. Osborne, he was more than surprised at the reception he met from
+Mrs. Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.
+
+Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about twenty years of age. No
+wonder Lieutenant Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked upon
+her. When he met her the week before, she treated him with the utmost
+disdain; now she greeted him with a smile, and said, "I trust you have not
+come to carry papa away in captivity. If not, you are welcome."
+
+"Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to say," exclaimed the
+Lieutenant, with a bow, "and I hope I shall never be called upon to
+perform that disagreeable duty."
+
+"Thank you," she answered, with a smile. "Now, you must stay and take
+dinner with us while your men rest."
+
+"The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a little adventure, about a
+mile below here," said Mr. Osborne.
+
+Miss Osborne looked up inquiringly. Before more could be said Mrs. Osborne
+announced that dinner was ready, and the Lieutenant sat down to a most
+sumptuous repast.
+
+"What was Lieutenant Haines's adventure you spoke of?" at length asked
+Miss Osborne of her father.
+
+"Better let the Lieutenant tell the story, for I know nothing of it,"
+answered Mr. Osborne; "but he spoke of searching the house for a supposed
+concealed Confederate."
+
+As Mr. Osborne said this, Miss Osborne gave a little gasp and turned pale,
+but quickly recovering herself, she turned a pair of inquiring eyes on the
+Lieutenant--eyes that emitted flames of angry light and seemed to look him
+through and through.
+
+Lieutenant Haines turned very red. "Forgive me if I thought of such a
+thing," he replied, humbly. "Your father has assured me he has neither
+seen nor concealed any Confederate officer, and his word is good with me.
+Make yourself easy. I shall not insult you by searching the house."
+
+A look as of relief came over the face of Miss Osborne as she answered: "I
+thank you very much. I shall never say again there are no gentlemen among
+the Yankees. But tell us of your adventure. I thought I heard firing about
+an hour ago. Was there any one hurt?"
+
+"Only my poor horse; he was killed," answered Haines.
+
+"Ah! in the days of knighthood to be unhorsed was to be defeated,"
+exclaimed Miss Osborne, gayly. "You must admit yourself vanquished!"
+
+Haines laughingly replied: "I am sorry to disappoint you; but as I
+captured my enemy's horse and he fled on foot, I cannot admit defeat."
+
+"Then your enemy was a solitary knight?" queried Miss Osborne.
+
+"Yes, but to all appearances a most gallant one."
+
+"Strange," she mused, "who he could be, and what he could be doing in this
+section. The place for true knights, at this time, is at Corinth."
+
+"From letters captured with his horse, I take it he was from Corinth,"
+said Haines. "From those letters we learned that his name was Calhoun
+Pennington, that he was a lieutenant in the command of Captain John H.
+Morgan, a gentleman who has given us considerable trouble, and may give us
+more, and that he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for Morgan's
+command."
+
+"You say you captured letters?" queried the girl.
+
+"Yes, a whole package of them. They were from members of Morgan's command
+to their friends back in Kentucky. The boys are having rare fun reading
+them."
+
+"I suppose it is according to military usages to read all communications
+captured from the enemy," remarked Miss Osborne with a slight tinge of
+sarcasm in her tone, "but it seems sacrilege that these private letters
+should fall into profane hands."
+
+"Some of them were rich," laughed Haines; "they were written by loving
+swains to their girls. There were others written to wives and mothers,
+which almost brought tears to our eyes, they were so full of yearnings for
+home."
+
+"Lieutenant, there was nothing in those letters of value to you from a
+military standpoint, was there?" suddenly asked Miss Osborne.
+
+"Nothing."
+
+"Then I have a great boon to ask. Will you not give them to me?"
+
+"Why, Miss Osborne, what can you do with them?" asked Haines, in surprise.
+
+"I can at least keep them sacred. Perhaps I can find means of getting them
+to those for whom they are intended. Think of those wives and mothers
+watching, waiting for letters which will never come. Oh! give them to me,
+Lieutenant Haines, and you will sleep the sweeter to-night."
+
+"Your request is a strange one," said the Lieutenant; "yet I can see no
+harm in granting it. You can have the letters, but the boys may have
+destroyed some of them by this time."
+
+"Thank you! Oh, thank you! You will never regret your kindness. I shall
+remember it."
+
+"I only ask you to think better of Yankees, Miss Osborne; we are not all
+monsters."
+
+Dinner was now over, and Sergeant Latham came to report that the hour for
+the halt was up, and to ask what were the Lieutenant's orders.
+
+"Have the troop ready, and we will return to camp. I see nothing more we
+can accomplish here," answered the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant saluted and turned to go, when the officer stopped him with,
+"Say, Sergeant, you can gather up all those letters we captured and send
+them up here with my horse."
+
+"Very well," said the Sergeant, but he muttered to himself, as he
+returned, "Now, I would like to know what the Lieutenant wants of those
+letters. I bet he has let that girl pull the wool over his eyes."
+
+In a few moments a soldier appeared leading the Lieutenant's horse.
+
+The family had accompanied Lieutenant Haines to the porch. Stepping down
+to where his horse was, he said to the soldier, "You may return and tell
+Sergeant Latham to move the troop. I will catch up with you in a few
+moments. Did you bring the letters?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered the soldier, saluting, and handing the package to his
+commander.
+
+"Very well, you may go now."
+
+Lieutenant Haines stood and watched the soldiers while his order was being
+obeyed, for he did not wish to have any of his men see him give the
+package to Miss Osborne.
+
+After his troop had moved off, Haines placed the bridle of his horse in
+the hands of a waiting colored boy, and returning to the porch where Mr.
+Osborne and the ladies still stood, said: "That is the horse I captured
+from my foe. He is a beauty, isn't he? Jupiter was a splendid horse, but I
+do not think I lost anything by the exchange. Here are the letters, Miss
+Osborne; you see I have kept my promise," and he reached out the package
+to her.
+
+But before she could take them they were snatched from Haines's hand, and
+a stern voice said, "I will take the letters, please."
+
+Had a bombshell exploded at Lieutenant Haines's feet he would not have
+been more surprised, and his surprise changed to consternation when he
+found himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. Lieutenant Haines was
+no coward, but he was unarmed save his sword, and there was no mistaking
+the look in Calhoun's eye. It meant death if he attempted to draw his
+sword.
+
+As for Mr. Osborne, he seemed as much surprised as Lieutenant Haines. Miss
+Osborne gave a little shriek, and then cried. "Oh, how could you betray
+us!" and stood with clasped hands, and with face as pale as death.
+
+Mr. Osborne was the first to recover from his surprise. "I know not who
+you are," he said, "but Lieutenant Haines is my guest, and I will have no
+violence. Lower that weapon!"
+
+Without doing so, Calhoun answered, "If I have done anything contrary to
+the wishes of those who have so kindly befriended me, I am sorry; but I
+could not withstand the temptation to claim my own. As it is, I will bid
+you good day."
+
+Thus saying, he dashed past them, and snatching the bridle of his horse
+from the negro boy, he vaulted into the saddle and was away at full speed.
+
+For a moment not a word was spoken, and then Lieutenant Haines turned on
+Mr. Osborne and said, bitterly, "I congratulate you on the success of your
+plot. I will not be fool enough again to take the word of a Southern
+gentleman."
+
+Mr. Osborne flushed deeply, but before he could reply, his daughter sprang
+in front of him, and faced Lieutenant Haines with flashing eye.
+
+"I will not have my father accused of deception and falsehood," she cried.
+"He knew nothing of that Confederate being concealed in the house. I alone
+am to blame, and I told you nothing. I strove to entertain you and keep
+you from searching the house, and I accomplished my purpose."
+
+"And you got those letters from me to give to him?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Lieutenant Haines groaned. "It may be some satisfaction to you," he said,
+"to know that this may mean my undoing, disgrace, a dishonorable dismissal
+from the service."
+
+"I shall take no pleasure in your dishonor," she exclaimed, the color
+slowly mounting to her cheeks. "I did not intend that Lieutenant
+Pennington should show himself. It was his rashness that has brought all
+this trouble."
+
+"How can I return to camp without arms, without a horse? It would have
+been a kindness to me if your friend Lieutenant Pennington had put a
+bullet through my brain."
+
+Mr. Osborne now spoke. "Lieutenant Haines," he said, "my daughter speaks
+the truth when she says I knew nothing of the Confederate officer being in
+my house. Had I known it, I should have tried to conceal him, to protect
+him; but I should not have invited you to be my guest. As my guest, you
+are entitled to my protection, and I shall make what reparation is in my
+power." Then turning to the colored boy who had stood by with mouth and
+eyes wide open, he said, "Tom, go and saddle and bridle Starlight, and
+bring him around for this gentleman."
+
+"Surely you do not intend to give me a horse, Mr. Osborne," said Haines.
+
+"As my guest, I can do no less," replied Mr. Osborne. "If Lieutenant
+Pennington had not taken his, I should have let him have one to continue
+on his way to Kentucky. So you see, after all, I am out nothing."
+
+Just then they were aroused by the sound of horses' feet, and looking up
+they saw Sergeant Latham accompanied by two soldiers coming on a gallop.
+Riding up, the Sergeant saluted, and casting his sharp eyes around, said,
+"Lieutenant, excuse me, but you were so long in joining us that I feared
+something--an accident--had befallen you, so I came back to see. Where in
+the world is your horse, Lieutenant?"
+
+"Coming," answered his superior, briskly, for he had no notion of
+explaining just then what had happened.
+
+When the colored boy came leading an entirely strange horse with citizen
+saddle and bridle on, the Sergeant exchanged meaning glances with his
+companions, but said nothing.
+
+Mounting, Lieutenant Haines bade the family good day, and rode moodily
+away. No sooner were they out of hearing than the Sergeant, forgetting
+military discipline, exclaimed, "What in blazes is up, Lieutenant? I
+suspected something was wrong all the time."
+
+"That is what made you come back, is it?" asked the Lieutenant.
+
+"Yes; I did not march the command far before I halted and waited for you.
+Pretty soon we heard the sound of a galloping horse, and thought you were
+coming. But when you didn't appear, I became alarmed and concluded to ride
+back and see what was the matter."
+
+"Thank you, Sergeant, for your watchfulness. I shall remember it."
+
+Then as they rode along, the Lieutenant told Latham his story.
+
+"And that pesky Reb was concealed in the house all the time, was he?"
+asked Latham.
+
+"Yes; the girl worked it fine."
+
+The Sergeant laughed long and loud. "And she coaxed the letters from you
+too. Oh, my! Oh, my!" And he nearly bent double.
+
+"Shut up, you fool you!" growled Haines. "Say, you must help me out of
+this scrape."
+
+"Trust me, Lieutenant; I will tell how brave you were, and how you run the
+Rebel down, and how you would have captured him if he hadn't shot your
+horse. But look out after this how you let Southern girls fool you."
+
+The Lieutenant sighed. "She is the most beautiful creature I ever saw," he
+murmured. "Gods! I shall never forget how she looked when she sprang in
+between me and that Pennington when he had his revolver levelled at my
+head."
+
+"Forget her," was the sage advice of the Sergeant; but the Lieutenant did
+not take it.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER III.
+
+
+                         RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.
+
+
+It did not take Calhoun long after he had plunged into the wood to
+ascertain that he was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong pace, then
+stopped that he might catch his breath.
+
+"Whew!" he panted, "here is a go. Horse gone--arms, except this small
+revolver, gone--baggage gone--letters gone. Thank God the dispatches are
+safe," and he tapped his breast, where they lay hidden. "That is about as
+tight a place as I care to be in," he continued, as he began to work his
+way through the woods. "I call this blamed tough luck. Here I am nearly
+three hundred miles from my destination. A horse I must and will have, and
+that quickly. Surely the planters in this section are too loyal to the
+South not to let me have a horse when they know the predicament I am in. I
+will try my luck at the very first opportunity. If worse come to worst, I
+will steal one; that is, I will confiscate one."
+
+With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after going a half mile or
+more, he came out of the woods, and beyond lay a fine plantation. "I
+wonder if those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to make that
+house," he thought. "I will risk it anyway, for if I can reach it, it
+means a horse."
+
+Making his way cautiously he soon reached the road in safety. He listened
+intently, but could hear nothing of the enemy; but from the opposite
+direction there came the measured beat of a horse's hoofs. Looking up he
+saw, not a Yankee, but a lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun's
+heart gave a great bound, for he knew that no Southern woman would betray
+him, and he stepped out from his place of concealment and stood in plain
+view by the side of the road.
+
+When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise, and then reined in
+her horse with such ease and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance she
+was young and exceedingly beautiful.
+
+"Pardon me," he exclaimed, reaching for his hat, and then he remembered he
+had none, having lost it when his horse fell. "Excuse my appearance," he
+laughed. "I find I have no hat to take off. Probably some Yankee has it as
+a trophy by this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress, and as a
+daughter of the South, I know I can appeal to you, and not in vain."
+
+"You can," she replied, quickly. "I thought I heard firing and I rode down
+to see what it meant, as I knew of no party of Confederates in the
+vicinity."
+
+"A company of Federal cavalry were firing at me," answered Calhoun. "My
+horse fell, and I had to run, or be captured."
+
+"Were you all alone?" she queried.
+
+"Yes, all alone."
+
+"Then I forgive you for running," she answered, with a ringing laugh,
+"otherwise I should not. But how came you here, and all alone?"
+
+In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and his business.
+
+"Come with me," she cried, quickly. "Let us gain the house before the
+Yankees come, as no doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse. If
+no other be forthcoming, I will give you my Firefly here, although it
+would almost break my heart to part with him," and she lovingly patted the
+neck of her gallant steed.
+
+"I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be called for," replied
+Calhoun.
+
+"No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved cause," she answered; "but
+come, we are losing time, the Yankees may be here any moment."
+
+If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read the captured letters, Calhoun
+and his fair guide would not have reached the house undiscovered. As it
+was, they had hardly entered it when the Federals hove in sight.
+
+"There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!" exclaimed Calhoun. "How I
+should like to meet him alone."
+
+"They are going to stop," gasped the girl. "They may search the house, but
+they will not if I can outwit them. Mother," she said, to an elderly lady
+who had just entered and was gazing at Calhoun in surprise, "take this
+officer upstairs and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.
+The Yankees are in the yard."
+
+The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun to follow her, and led him
+upstairs. Hardly had they disappeared when her father entered.
+
+"There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company visiting us again," he
+said, with some anxiety. "I wonder what they want."
+
+"Father," said the girl, "go and meet Lieutenant Haines, use him nicely.
+Invite him to dinner."
+
+Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise. "I never expected to see
+the time you would want me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner," he said.
+
+"Never mind now, I will explain afterwards. Go quick, for I see he is
+throwing a guard around the house," was her answer.
+
+Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come over his daughter, and was
+entirely successful in carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown to
+him. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came downstairs, her face denoting
+her anxiety.
+
+"Mother," said the girl, "do not let father know we have any one
+concealed. It will enable him to say truly he knows of no Confederate
+around. And, mother, I have told him to invite the Federal commander--it's
+that odious Lieutenant Haines--to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him like a
+welcome, honored guest. We must disarm all suspicion, and keep them from
+searching the house, if possible."
+
+We have seen how well her plan worked, and how completely Lieutenant
+Haines was thrown off his guard. Little did he think that while he was
+enjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate officer who had escaped
+him was feasting like a king upstairs.
+
+It soon became evident to Calhoun that there was no danger of the house
+being searched, and from a window he observed all that was passing
+without. When he saw the troop ride away, and his own horse led up to the
+house for the Federal commander, that spirit of recklessness for which he
+was noted came over him, and without thinking of what the effect might be
+on those who had, at great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved to
+try to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw the last Yankee depart,
+leaving the commander behind.
+
+"Now is my time!" he exclaimed, exultingly, and looking to see that his
+revolver was in perfect condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as has
+been noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden was his appearance, so
+swift were his movements, that the little company could only gaze after
+him in astonishment until he had disappeared.
+
+For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over the success of his bold dash;
+then came to him the thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes in
+what he had done. He suddenly checked his horse, and then turned as if he
+would ride back, hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his way,
+but more slowly.
+
+"It is too late now," he sighed, to himself, "to undo the wrong I may have
+done. To think I may have brought trouble on the head of that glorious
+girl, who even would give me her own horse! It's the meanest trick you
+ever did, Calhoun Pennington, and it would serve you right if the Yankees
+captured you."
+
+It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun continued his journey. It
+was not long before he noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that he
+had had, had evidently strained his shoulder. Calhoun more bitterly than
+ever regretted that he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might now
+have been riding a good fresh horse, given him by Mr. Osborne.
+
+"Serves me right," he groaned. "Oh, what a fool, and not only a fool, but
+a brute, I have been. That girl! I can't help thinking that I may have got
+her into serious trouble."
+
+A few miles more and his horse became so lame that Calhoun had to come
+down to a walk. He dismounted with a ruthful face.
+
+"It's no use," he said; "I shall have to leave him. Where can I get
+another horse?"
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. He had dismounted in a wood,
+a thick growth of cedars screening him from the observation of any one
+passing along the road. Hearing the sound of an approaching horseman, he
+crept to the side of the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officer
+approaching unattended. He was riding leisurely along unsuspicious of
+danger, and whistling merrily. With Calhoun to think was to act.
+
+"Halt! Surrender!" were the words which saluted the startled officer, as
+Calhoun sprang into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at his
+breast.
+
+The officer was a brave man, and he reached for his revolver.
+
+"Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man," said Calhoun, in a low, firm
+voice. "Fool, don't you see I have the drop on you?"
+
+The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even smiled as he replied: "I
+guess you are right. No use kicking. What is your pleasure?"
+
+"Dismount. No, on this side."
+
+The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took hold of the horse's bridle,
+still keeping the man covered with his revolver.
+
+"Now," continued Calhoun, "your name, rank, and regiment."
+
+"Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, --th Ohio Cavalry," was the answer.
+
+"Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have met you. As it may be a little
+inconvenient for you and me to travel together, I ask you to give me your
+parole of honor that you will not bear arms against the Southern
+Confederacy until regularly exchanged."
+
+"May I be permitted to ask," replied the Captain, with a peculiar smile,
+"who it is that makes this demand?"
+
+"Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry."
+
+"Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry, you may go to
+the devil, before I will give you my parole."
+
+Calhoun was astounded at the reply. "I am afraid I shall have to shoot
+you," he said.
+
+"Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will," was the fearless reply; "it would
+be an act worthy of a Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am well
+aware you are alone, that you cannot take me with you. It would be an act
+of cowardice in me to give you my parole."
+
+As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his arms across his breast and
+looked Calhoun in the face without the quiver of a muscle.
+
+Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery of the man. "Captain,
+you are too brave a man to die a dog's death, neither would I think of
+shooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go, but shall be under the
+necessity of borrowing your horse. You will find mine in the bushes there
+badly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again." Thus saying, Calhoun sprang
+on the Captain's horse, and dashed away.
+
+Captain Crawford stood looking after him until he was out of sight. "May
+you have your wish, my fine fellow!" he exclaimed; "I would ask nothing
+better than that we should meet again."
+
+Both had their wish; they met again, not once, but several times.
+
+"A brave fellow, that," said Calhoun to himself, as he galloped away. "I
+would as soon have thought of shooting my brother. He didn't bluff worth a
+cent."
+
+The horse which Calhoun had captured was a good one, and he rode him for
+many a day. We will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in his
+journey toward his destination in Kentucky. Suffice it to say, he met with
+numerous perils and made some narrow escapes, but at last found himself
+near Danville. There resided a few miles from Danville a rich planter
+named Ormsby. Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South, one well
+versed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky out of the Union, and one
+who kept well posted in everything which pertained to the welfare of the
+Confederacy; and at Ormsby's he resolved to stop and lay his plans for the
+future.
+
+He was received with open arms. "So you are from John Morgan," said Mr.
+Ormsby, "and wish to recruit for his command. You have come at an
+opportune time. To-morrow there is a secret meeting of prominent
+Confederates near Harrodsburg. I am to attend. You will meet a number
+there for whom you have letters. Of course you will go with me?"
+
+Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with Mr. Ormsby to be present at
+the meeting. If he was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first days of
+May, his time was short, very short, and what he should do had to be done
+quickly.
+
+When he was introduced to those present as from Morgan, and just from
+Corinth, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story of
+Shiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson, of the retreat, but how
+the spirit of the Southern army was unbroken, and that the South would
+not, and could not, be conquered.
+
+To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies of cavalry were nearly
+ready to take the field, and it was unanimously agreed that they should
+cast their fortune with Morgan.
+
+"I believe that Morgan with a thousand men can ride clear to the Ohio
+River," declared Calhoun. "It only remains for Kentuckians to rally to his
+standard, and give him the support that he desires."
+
+It was agreed that the companies should be filled as soon as possible, and
+should go whenever Calhoun said the word.
+
+Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished to enter Danville to visit
+his parents. Disguised as a country boy with produce to sell, he had no
+trouble in passing the pickets into town. With a basket of eggs on his
+arm, he knocked at the back door of his father's residence. It was opened
+by Chloe, the cook.
+
+"Want eny good fresh eggs?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No; go way wid ye, yo' po' white trash," snapped the old negro woman, as
+she attempted to shut the door in his face.
+
+"Chloe!"
+
+The dish which she held in her hand went clattering to the floor. "Fo' de
+land's sake!" she cried, "if it isn't Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress yo',
+chile! De Lawd bress you!" And she seized him and fairly dragged him into
+the house.
+
+"Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don't tell father I am here yet. And, Chloe,
+don't whisper I am here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was here,
+they might hang me."
+
+"Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn' Massa?" she cried. "Ole Chloe tell no
+one."
+
+"That's right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those biscuits I see you are making,
+in a hurry. And make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more meal of your
+cooking. No one can cook like Aunt Chloe."
+
+"Yo' shell hev a meal fit fo' de king!" cried the old negress, her face
+all aglow.
+
+"You must hurry, Chloe, for I can't stay long. Now I will go and surprise
+father." And surprise him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe the
+seeming country boy was his son.
+
+"Where in the world did you come from?" he asked.
+
+"From Corinth," answered Calhoun. "I am now back to recruit for Morgan."
+
+"So you have joined Morgan, have you?"
+
+"Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I know of no service I would
+like as well as to ride with Morgan."
+
+"You could have come home, my son."
+
+"Father! what do you mean? Come home while the South is bleeding at every
+pore? Come home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?"
+
+"I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you, my only child, to be in
+the army. Oh! that dreadful battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleepless
+nights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet safe."
+
+"Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a kind Providence will still
+protect me. But here is a letter from Morgan."
+
+The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the letter with much interest.
+"My son," he said, after he had finished it, "it is well you were not
+captured with such letters on your person. It might have cost you your
+life. Even now I tremble for your safety. Does any one know you are in
+Danville?"
+
+"Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel."
+
+"Yet there is danger. I know the house is under the closest surveillance.
+The Federal authorities know I am an ardent friend of the South, and they
+watch me continually. Morgan says in his letter that he hopes it will not
+be long before he will be in Kentucky."
+
+"And mark my word," cried Calhoun, "it will not be! Before many weeks the
+name of Morgan will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge of the
+Yankee army. But, father, what of Uncle Dick and Fred?"
+
+"Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg. The Federal authorities have
+paroled him. Fred is at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishable
+honors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he has such a son as Fred!"
+
+Calhoun's face clouded. The remembrance of his last meeting with Fred
+still rankled in his breast. "I never want to see him again," he said.
+
+The Judge sighed, "Oh, this war! this war!" he exclaimed; "how it disrupts
+families! You and Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought nothing
+could come in between you and him. Calhoun, he is a noble boy,
+notwithstanding he is a traitor to his state and the South. They say he is
+going to resign from the army for the sake of his father. Won't you go and
+see him?"
+
+"No," brusquely answered Calhoun, yet he felt in his heart he was wronging
+his cousin by his action.
+
+Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and it did her honest old heart
+good to see the way that Calhoun ate.
+
+"I jes' believe dat air chile hab had nuthin' to eat fo' a week," she
+declared.
+
+"I reckon I shall have to go now," said Calhoun, rising reluctantly from
+the table. "I have already made too long a visit for a country boy with
+eggs to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I should kill myself
+eating if I stayed any longer."
+
+"No danger of dat, chile," replied Aunt Chloe, grinning.
+
+The words of parting were few. "Do be careful, my son," said Judge
+Pennington, his voice trembling with emotion. "God only knows whether I
+shall ever see you again or not."
+
+As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp eyes was watching him. Those
+eyes belonged to a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans were
+Judge Pennington's nearest neighbors, but Mr. Freeman was as strong a
+Union man as the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of friends, a
+coldness had sprung up between them since the opening of the war.
+
+Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but they had been playmates from
+babyhood, and were great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.
+More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes in fighting her battles
+when some of the larger boys had teased her.
+
+Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter the kitchen of Judge
+Pennington, and there was something in his walk and manner which attracted
+her attention. "If that isn't Cal Pennington I am a sinner!" she exclaimed
+to herself.
+
+She was on the watch for him, and when he remained so long she became more
+than ever convinced that her suspicions were correct. At length the boy
+came out with his basket on his arm.
+
+"Hi, there, boy! come here," she called. "What have you to sell?"
+
+Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried on the faster.
+
+"I tell you, boy, you had better come here if you know when you are well
+off!" she called, in a threatening voice, "Oh, I know you!"
+
+Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that his best way was to try to
+make peace with her. "What do yer want?" he growled, as he walked toward
+her. "I hev nuthin' to sell; all sold out."
+
+"Well, I never!" said the girl as Calhoun came up. "Do you think I don't
+know you, Cal Pennington? A pretty figure you cut in those old clothes,
+and with that basket. What in the world are you doing here?"
+
+"Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I might be hanged," said
+Calhoun, in a low voice.
+
+"Yankees don't hang traitors; they ought to," replied the girl, with a
+toss of her head.
+
+"But don't you see I am in disguise? I might be taken as a spy."
+
+"What are you but one? I ought to inform on you at once."
+
+"Jennie, you wouldn't do that. I am only here to see father and mother. I
+had to come in disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the Yankees."
+
+"And you are not here to spy? You know there are many rumors afloat?"
+asked the girl.
+
+"Just here to visit father and mother. Can you blame me, Jennie?" As
+Calhoun said this his heart smote him, for while it was true he was in
+Danville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his mission to Kentucky
+was for an entirely different object.
+
+"Now, Jennie, you won't tell on me, will you?" he continued, in a coaxing
+tone.
+
+"No, if you behave yourself; but don't let me hear of any of your capers,"
+answered the girl.
+
+"You won't, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be able to do you a good turn one of
+these days."
+
+Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared, then shaking her
+head, she went into the house, saying: "I couldn't inform on him, if he is
+a Rebel."
+
+The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun. He visited Nicholasville,
+Lexington, Harrodsburg; had interviews with a large number of prominent
+Secessionists; found out, as near as possible, the number of Federal
+troops garrisoning the different towns; in fact, gathered information of
+the utmost value to Morgan if he should ever raid Kentucky.
+
+But all these things could not be done without rumors reaching the Federal
+authorities. It was known that the Southern element was extremely active;
+that recruiting for the Confederate army was going on; and at last, the
+name of Calhoun Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew him well
+declared that he had seen him, and it was common report he was back
+recruiting for Morgan's command. The Federal commander at Danville was
+ordered to keep a close watch on the house of Judge Pennington to see if
+it was not visited by his son.
+
+It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun was in Lexington when he was
+startled by hearing the news-boys crying, "Pulaski, Tennessee, captured by
+John Morgan!" "He is headed north, closely pursued by the Federal forces!"
+
+Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There was no time to be lost. That
+night, the next day, and the next night horsemen could be seen galloping
+furiously along unfrequented roads, throughout central Kentucky. The word
+was, "Meet at the rendezvous near Harrodsburg." Three days afterwards, two
+hundred of the best, the bravest, and the noblest youths of Kentucky were
+ready to march to join Morgan. Each one of them had provided his own
+outfit. They asked no pay to fight for their beloved South.
+
+Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his father one more visit,
+although he knew it was dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in a
+thicket outside the limits of the city, he waited until dark, then stole
+across fields, and through alleys home.
+
+No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried, "Calhoun! Calhoun! what
+have you done! Do you know they are on the watch for you?"
+
+"I had to see you once more before I went," answered Calhoun. "I was
+careful, and I do not think any one saw me come. I have some things of
+importance to tell you."
+
+Father and son talked together for some five minutes in low, confidential
+tones, when they were interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting unannounced
+into the room and crying, "Run, Cal, run! the soldiers are coming! They
+are most here!" And before either could say a word, she was out again like
+a flash.
+
+"Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist Freeman's daughter,"
+gasped the Judge. "Fly, my boy, fly! and may God protect you."
+
+Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty revolver, he cried,
+"Good-bye, all," and ran through the house to pass out by the back way.
+Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he fairly rushed into the
+arms of a soldier who was entering. So surprised were both that they could
+only stare at each other for a brief second; but Calhoun recovered himself
+first, and dealt the soldier a terrific blow over the head with the butt
+of his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan, and Calhoun sprang out
+over his prostrate body, only to meet and overturn another soldier who was
+just ascending the steps. The force of the collision threw him headlong,
+but he was up again in a twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness,
+followed by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled Federals.
+
+Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned, "My son, oh, my son!"
+
+The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and there were many pale faces,
+for the people knew not what it meant.
+
+A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested Judge Pennington, and
+he was dragged off to jail. But he did not think of himself. "My son," he
+asked, "was he captured? was he hurt?"
+
+"I think the devil protected his own," roughly replied the officer, "but
+we will attend to you for harboring Rebels."
+
+Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals, not only that night, but for
+nearly a week. There was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as a
+dangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of his arrest and his probable
+fate, and came in and had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.
+He showed that Judge Pennington had committed no overt act; that his son,
+who was a Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him, and had
+resisted capture, as any soldier had a right to do. As Fred threatened to
+report the case to the commander of the Department, the Judge was
+released.
+
+Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience over what she had done. But
+Judge Pennington kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when he
+congratulated Jennie over her act, she felt relieved; for young
+Shackelford was not only known as a favorite of General Nelson, but as one
+of the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
+
+Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had no trouble in finding his way
+to his horse, and he lost no time in joining his comrades.
+
+"Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at Glasgow," he cried, and two
+hundred voices answered with a loud "Hurrah! we will do it!"
+
+Little did Calhoun or they think that at that very time John Morgan, his
+forces defeated and scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But like
+them, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+                           MORGAN'S FIRST RAID.
+
+
+All through the month of April General Halleck had been concentrating the
+mighty armies of almost the entire West for the purpose of crushing
+Beauregard at Corinth. For a month the two armies lay but a few miles
+apart, almost daily skirmishes taking place between the outposts.
+
+During the month General O. M. Mitchell had overrun Middle Tennessee, and
+was holding the Memphis and Charleston railroad from Decatur to
+Bridgeport, Alabama. Two railroads led south from Nashville, Tennessee,
+both connecting with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, one at Decatur,
+and the other at Stevenson, Alabama. Both of these roads were of vital
+importance to General Mitchell, for on them he depended for transportation
+for the sustenance of his army.
+
+These roads had been badly damaged by the Confederate army when it
+retreated from Nashville, and General Mitchell was busily engaged in
+repairing them. If repaired and held, it meant that Chattanooga must fall,
+and the Confederate army be driven still farther south.
+
+John H. Morgan, now promoted to a colonelcy, believed that with a small
+force the rear of the Federal army could be raided, the railroads cut,
+bridges burned, and their communications so destroyed that they would be
+forced to fall back. General Beauregard was not so sanguine. While great
+damage might be done, and the Federal army subjected to much
+inconvenience, the contest, after all, would have to be decided by the
+great armies. Then he needed every man, as Halleck was about to move.
+
+At last he gave Morgan permission to make his raid, but with a force not
+to exceed five hundred.
+
+It was in the last days of April that Morgan started with his little
+force, on what seemed to many certain destruction. But every man in the
+command was full of enthusiasm. They had unlimited faith in their leader,
+and where he went they would follow.
+
+Following almost the exact route taken by Calhoun, Morgan's first blow
+fell on Pulaski, Tennessee. So swift and unexpected had been his movements
+that the Federals were taken completely by surprise. The place was
+surrendered without a struggle.
+
+Moving rapidly north, the command attacked and, without any loss, captured
+a wagon-train en route from Columbia to Athens. Thus at the very
+commencement of his raid, Morgan captured Pulaski, with all its military
+stores, a wagon-train, and some two hundred and seventy prisoners, and
+this without the loss of a man. Among the prisoners captured were a son of
+General O. M. Mitchell, and our old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+The prisoners were all paroled, and were astonished at the kind treatment
+they received. Both Captain Jumper, who was in charge of the wagon-train,
+and the son of General Mitchell were loud in their praise of the way they
+were used by Morgan.
+
+After destroying all the Federal property captured, and damaging the
+railroad as much as possible, the command continued on their raid, their
+route taking them by the plantation of Mr. Osborne. The welcome they
+received there was a royal one. Colonel Morgan stopped and took dinner
+with the family.
+
+Here he heard of the adventure of Calhoun, and he laughed long and
+heartily over the way Calhoun had recovered his horse.
+
+"Tell him," said Miss Osborne, "that I forgive him his abrupt leaving, as
+no harm came to father. By the way, Lieutenant Haines has become quite
+friendly, coming out to see us two or three times."
+
+"No one can blame him, even if you give him but a moment of your company,"
+replied Morgan, gallantly. "But Miss Osborne, I am sorry to say we took
+your friend prisoner. He was paroled, and no doubt is now on his way
+North."
+
+Miss Osborne blushed, and then said, "A good riddance; I trust I shall
+never see him again. But he was kind to papa. He even returned the horse;
+would not keep him."
+
+"That is lucky," responded Morgan, "for if he hadn't been returned, one of
+my men would be riding him now, and your chance of getting him would be
+small."
+
+From Pulaski Morgan pushed northeast, avoiding Shelbyville and
+Murfreesboro, both of these places being too strongly garrisoned for him
+to attack with his small force. He crossed the Nashville and Chattanooga
+railroad ten miles north of Murfreesboro, burned the depot, and destroyed
+as much of the track as his limited time would admit. From there he rode
+straight for Lebanon, Tennessee, which place he reached just at nightfall.
+The inhabitants received him with the wildest demonstration of joy. But
+trouble was in store for him. His men, wearied with their long ride, and
+elated over their continued success, became careless. They knew they were
+among friends, and thought that no harm could come to them, so they slept
+without fear.
+
+The Federal authorities had become thoroughly alarmed over his progress.
+Strong bodies of troops were in swift pursuit, from Shelbyville, from
+Murfreesboro, and from Nashville.
+
+Just before daylight the Federals charged into the little city with whoop
+and hurrah. Taken entirely by surprise, Morgan's men thought only of
+flight. Two companies under the command of Colonel Robert C. Wood being
+cut off from their horses, threw themselves into a college building in the
+outskirts of the city, and for three hours defended themselves with
+desperation. At last being out of ammunition they were forced to
+surrender.
+
+In this unfortunate affair Morgan lost nearly two hundred of his best
+troops. The rest were more or less scattered. He himself was chased for
+eighteen miles, and the pursuit ceased only when he, with the remnant of
+his troops, had crossed the Cumberland.
+
+The Federals thought they had thoroughly whipped Morgan, and he would give
+them no more trouble. But they did not know the man. He had started for
+Kentucky, and to Kentucky he would go. After crossing the Cumberland, he
+halted, gathered his scattered command together, and then with less than
+three hundred men, started for Glasgow.
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington will meet us at Glasgow with reinforcements," he
+told his men.
+
+But there were some of his officers who had misgivings. Chief among these
+was Captain Conway. Speaking to another officer, a Captain Mathews, Conway
+said: "It's strange that the Colonel has such confidence in that young
+upstart. As for me, I look for no reinforcements. The best thing we can do
+is to get back as soon as possible."
+
+"Captain, what is the matter?" asked Mathews. "What has that young fellow
+done that you have taken such a dislike to him?"
+
+"Nothing; but the idea of sending a mere boy on such an important mission!
+Why did he not send some one back with influence?"
+
+"Pennington is well connected; you know his father is Judge Pennington of
+Danville."
+
+"That makes little difference. His mission will be a failure; see if it
+isn't. We shall see no reinforcements at Glasgow."
+
+Just then Morgan came riding along, and seeing Conway said, "Captain, I
+want to thank you for the gallant manner in which you held back the enemy
+while the command crossed the Cumberland. You did nobly."
+
+This praise so pleased Conway that for a time he forgot his supposed
+grievance.
+
+Without further trouble from the Federals, the little command reached
+Glasgow, where they were received with open arms by the inhabitants.
+Houses were thrown open to them and food provided in abundance. But
+nothing had been heard of any reinforcements.
+
+"What did I tell you?" said Conway to Mathews.
+
+"Wait," was the answer.
+
+The night was an anxious one. Morning came, but still nothing was heard of
+any reinforcements.
+
+"We will wait another day," said Morgan.
+
+About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan's men nearly went wild with
+enthusiasm, as nearly two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
+into camp.
+
+When the captain in command reported, Morgan thanked him in the warmest
+terms, and then looking eagerly around, said: "Where is Lieutenant
+Pennington? I do not see him."
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington," answered the Captain, "asked leave to take twenty
+men and scout toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do so. He has an
+idea that the railroad might be reached and broken at that point."
+
+"Ah! I have thought so myself," replied Morgan. "I shall wait for his
+report with interest."
+
+The arrival of the two fresh companies had raised the command to as large,
+or larger, than it was when it started from Corinth, and every man was
+eager to go on. It was nearly night when Calhoun reported with his little
+company. He was jubilant over what he had discovered.
+
+"Colonel," he said, "we can easily capture Cave City, and thus sever the
+connection between Louisville and Nashville. The place is lightly
+guarded."
+
+"Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture the train on which my
+gallant men taken prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I should be
+supremely happy," said Morgan, with much feeling.
+
+"Perhaps we can," replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.
+
+"How about going farther north than Cave City?" asked Morgan.
+
+Calhoun shook his head. "It will not do," he replied; "all the towns are
+too strongly held for your small force to cope with."
+
+"At least we can try Cave City," answered Morgan, and orders were given
+for the command to be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of Cave City
+was reached about two o'clock in the morning. The column was halted and
+the men were ordered to rest until daylight.
+
+As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier named Emory, was sent in
+advance to the place. They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
+linger around the depot, and when the charge came they were to prevent the
+telegraph operator from sending warning of the raid.
+
+Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry steeds, Calhoun and Emory
+played their part to perfection. Their entrance into the little place
+caused no comment, and excited no suspicion. Sauntering into the depot,
+they gazed curiously around.
+
+  [Illustration: SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.]
+
+"What's that?" asked Calhoun, pointing at the clicking telegraph
+instrument.
+
+"That, my boy," said the operator, patronizingly, "is a telegraphic
+instrument. Did you never see one before?"
+
+"No. What makes it tick?"
+
+"Lightning, my son, lightning; that's a lightning-catcher."
+
+Calhoun opened his eyes in wonder. "Jes' heah that," he said to Emory.
+"What is it fer?" he continued, turning his attention to the operator once
+more.
+
+"To send messages," replied the operator, amused at the ignorance
+displayed. "With this little instrument, I can talk with any one at
+Louisville or Nashville."
+
+"What's yo-uns givin' we-uns," drawled Calhoun. "Do yo' take we-uns fo' a
+fule?"
+
+A guard who stood idly by laughed long and loud. "A fine specimen of
+Southern chivalry," he chuckled.
+
+Just then there came the sound of cheering, pistol shots, and the clatter
+of horses' hoofs, mingled with affrighted cries.
+
+"By heavens! the town is being raided," shouted the operator, as he sprang
+to his instrument.
+
+"Stop!" thundered Calhoun. "Touch that instrument and you are a dead man."
+
+The operator looked up amazed, only to find himself covered with a
+revolver.
+
+The guard at the same time was looking into the muzzle of a weapon held by
+Emory.
+
+"Drop that gun," said Emory to the trembling man.
+
+The gun went clanging to the floor.
+
+"You two stand there in the corner with your hands above your heads,"
+commanded Calhoun.
+
+The operator and the guard obeyed with alacrity. "Keep them covered with
+your revolver, Emory," continued Calhoun, "while I see what I can find.
+Think I will pocket these dispatches first; they may be of use."
+
+Just then he glanced out of the window and saw four or five soldiers
+running toward the depot. There might be more following. Giving the
+telegraphic instrument a kick which sent it flying, he started to leave in
+a hurry. Then noticing the blanched faces of the soldiers, as they came
+rushing into the depot, he called out, "No use running, Emory, we can take
+the whole crowd prisoners, green as we look."
+
+And they did. There was no fight in the frightened men.
+
+When the excitement was over Calhoun looked over the dispatches which he
+had captured, and found that a passenger train was due from the south in
+half an hour, and that it had orders to wait at Cave City for a freight
+train to pass, coming from the north. This was good news, and Morgan's men
+waited, in glee, for the approaching trains.
+
+At the appointed time the passenger train came rolling in. The reception
+it received astonished every one on board. To Colonel Morgan's great
+disappointment his men captured at Lebanon were not on the train; but
+there were a great many Federal soldiers, principally officers, aboard on
+their way North. A few of these at first made some show of resistance; but
+when they saw how hopeless their case was, they sullenly submitted to
+their fate.
+
+It was not long before the freight train came slowly puffing in. It was an
+immense train of forty-five cars, heavily loaded with rations, clothing,
+and munitions of war for Buell's army. Morgan's men freely helped
+themselves from the rich stores to everything that they needed and could
+carry, and then the work of destruction began.
+
+The torch was applied, and soon the two trains were wrapped in flames. The
+prisoners, who had gloomily watched the work of destruction, were now
+lined up, and told that they would be released upon their giving their
+parole. This they gladly consented to do.
+
+It fell to Calhoun to take a list of their names, with rank and regiment.
+
+"Don't see why I should be asked to give another parole," growled a
+lieutenant. "I gave you fellows one at Pulaski, a short time since, and
+was on my way home now, to stay until I am exchanged. How often do you
+want to take a fellow prisoner, anyway?"
+
+Calhoun glanced up much amused. The officer started, stared at him a
+moment, and then abruptly asked, "Is your name Pennington?"
+
+"It is, Lieutenant Pennington, if you please."
+
+"You and I have met before."
+
+"Ah! I know you now. I wish to thank you, for I am told you did not visit
+your wrath on the Osbornes on account of my abrupt leave-taking."
+
+"No, the girl had concealed you in the house unbeknown to the old
+gentleman, and as he had assured me there were no Confederates about, he
+felt real cut up about it. He actually proffered me another horse in the
+place of the one you took. Said I was his guest, and should not suffer."
+
+"Just like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman, the very personification
+of honesty," replied Calhoun. "It may interest you, Lieutenant, to know
+that recovering my horse did me little good, for he went so lame I had to
+leave him."
+
+"And took mine in his place," spoke up a fine-looking Federal officer who
+stood near, and whose name Calhoun had not yet taken.
+
+"Captain Crawford, as I live," exclaimed Calhoun, extending his hand.
+"Captain, I want to give you my sincere thanks. That was a fine horse you
+loaned me. Must have Kentucky blood in him. I am riding him yet. How about
+your parole, Captain? You know you absolutely refused to give it to me."
+
+"I have changed my mind."
+
+"Ah! that is good. If you refused this time we might be obliged to take
+you along with us, and that might not be agreeable to you."
+
+As the Captain gave his parole, he said, "This is the second time we have
+met. There may be a third meeting, and it may be my time."
+
+"_Au revoir_," gayly replied Calhoun.
+
+Little did he think then of their next meeting, and what it would mean to
+him.
+
+The prisoners all being paroled, and the work of destruction complete,
+Morgan's command returned to Glasgow, loaded with booty.
+
+The capture of the trains and the breaking of the railroad at Cave City
+caused the greatest excitement throughout the Federal army. It showed the
+Federal authorities how weak their line of communication was. Although so
+much depended on Morgan's capture, he was left for some days almost
+unmolested. He made a demonstration toward Lebanon, captured a number of
+prisoners, and then, when the combination against him grew too strong to
+be resisted, he withdrew at his leisure and at length found rest for his
+command at Chattanooga.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER V.
+
+
+                        MORGAN'S FIRST GREAT RAID.
+
+
+The struggle for the possession of Corinth was ended. General Halleck,
+with his immense army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand men, had
+thought to reduce the place by regular siege, and force General Beauregard
+to capitulate, surrendering himself with his whole army.
+
+But Beauregard was too able a general to be caught in a trap. For a month
+he held the Federal army at bay, and then, when Halleck was about to
+spring his trap, Beauregard silently withdrew, leaving to him but a barren
+victory.
+
+The Confederate army was saved, and to the Federal forces the occupation
+of Corinth proved as demoralizing as a defeat. The result showed that John
+Morgan was right when he said that the hope of the South rested, not on
+the occupancy of any single place, but on the safety of its armies.
+
+The fall of Corinth at once changed the theatre of war. The Federal army
+was divided, the Army of the Tennessee, under Grant, remaining in
+Mississippi and Western Tennessee, and the Army of the Ohio, under Buell,
+being ordered to march east and capture Chattanooga.
+
+If Buell had acted promptly and swiftly, he might have been successful,
+and the death-blow would have been given to the Confederacy long before it
+was. But he moved slowly and haltingly, and the golden opportunity was
+lost. It gave the Confederacy time to transfer to Chattanooga the larger
+part of the army which had been at Corinth. The command of this army was
+given to General Braxton Bragg, a brave man, and by many thought to be one
+of the ablest generals of the South.
+
+It at once became the dream of General Bragg to gather as large an army as
+possible, then march northward clear to the Ohio River, sweeping
+everything before him. This dream came near being realized. It was made
+possible by the efforts and deeds of two men, General John H. Morgan and
+General N. B. Forrest. These two great raiders and leaders of cavalry
+nearly turned the scale in favor of the Confederacy. They raided the rear
+of the Federal army, tore up railroads, destroyed millions of dollars'
+worth of property, and captured thousands of prisoners. They ran General
+Buell nearly distracted, and caused him not to know which way to turn.
+They made it possible for General Bragg to reach Kentucky unopposed; and
+if, after reaching Kentucky, General Bragg had proved as able a leader of
+infantry as Morgan was of cavalry, Buell's army would have been destroyed.
+While Bragg was organizing his army at Chattanooga, another Confederate
+army was being organized at Knoxville under General E. Kirby Smith; this
+army was to invade Kentucky by way of East Tennessee, while General Bragg
+was to invade by way of Middle Tennessee. Once in Kentucky, the two armies
+were to unite.
+
+This programme was successfully carried out, and yet the whole movement
+was a failure, as far as the occupancy of Kentucky was concerned.
+
+After the fall of Corinth, Colonel Morgan rendezvoused his little force at
+Chattanooga. From Chattanooga he proceeded to Knoxville, where he at once
+began the preparations for another raid. As Cumberland Gap was held by the
+Federals, Colonel Morgan decided to cross over into Middle Tennessee
+before invading Kentucky. His command consisted of about nine hundred men,
+made up of two regiments and two independent companies. His own regiment
+was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Duke. All through Morgan's
+career Colonel Duke was his chief adviser, so much so that many claim that
+Morgan's success was mainly due to Colonel Duke.
+
+"Why don't some one shoot Basil Duke through the head, and blow out John
+Morgan's brains?" exclaimed a disgusted Federal officer, after a fruitless
+effort to catch Morgan.
+
+But the officer was mistaken; both had brains. Like Grant and Sherman they
+worked hand in hand, and one needed the other. Together they were
+invincible.
+
+Before leaving Knoxville Morgan picked out twenty-five men, mounted on the
+best and fleetest horses, and placed them in the command of Calhoun
+Pennington. They were to be the scouts of the command, and well did they
+do their duty. More than once did they save Morgan from heavy loss by
+ascertaining the movements of the enemy.
+
+Morgan left Knoxville July 4th. His route lay directly west over the
+Cumberland Mountains to Sparta, a distance of one hundred and four miles.
+This, in spite of the rough roads, he made in three days. Many of the
+mountaineers of East Tennessee clung to the Union, and much of the way he
+had to ride through almost as hostile a country as if raiding through the
+North. The utmost vigilance had to be used, and Calhoun, with his scouts,
+was kept well in front to see that the road was clear.
+
+On the second day's march there was the crack of a rifle from a
+mountainside, and one of the scouts tumbled from his horse dead. A little
+cloud of smoke up the mountain showed from where the shot was fired. With
+a cry of rage the scouts sent a volley where the little cloud was seen,
+then springing from their horses, clambered up the mountain to hunt down
+the murderer; but their search was fruitless.
+
+About a mile beyond where the shooting took place they came to a rough log
+cabin, surrounded by a few acres of comparatively smooth ground. A small
+patch of corn and potatoes was growing near the cabin, and an old man with
+tangled gray hair and beard was hoeing in the field. An old woman sat in
+the door calmly smoking a corn-cob pipe. Neither seemed to notice the
+soldiers as they came riding up.
+
+"You, man, come here!" sternly called Calhoun.
+
+The mountaineer deliberately laid down his hoe, and slowly came to where
+Calhoun was. He seemed to be in no hurry, nor did he appear to be
+disturbed.
+
+"What is your name?" demanded Calhoun.
+
+"Nichols--Jim Nichols," drawled the man.
+
+"Are you well acquainted around here?" demanded Calhoun.
+
+"Hev lived heah goin' on twenty years," was the answer.
+
+"We have just had a man shot, by one of you skulking mountaineers. Do you
+know of any one likely to do such a deed? Tell the truth, or it will be
+the worse for you."
+
+The old man shook his head. "The men be all gone in one army or de other,"
+he answered.
+
+"Are you Union or Confederate?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"The wah is nuthin' to we-uns," he drawled; "we-uns own no niggers."
+
+"That's no answer," fiercely replied Calhoun, "I have a mind to hang you
+up like a dog. A little stretching of the neck might loosen your tongue."
+
+At the word "hang" a strange look came into the old man's eyes, a look as
+of mortal hatred, but it was gone in a moment, and the drawling answer
+came, "We-uns knows nuthin'; thar may be strange men hidin' in the
+mountin. We-uns don't know."
+
+"Have you a family?"
+
+"A gal."
+
+"Where is she?"
+
+"Done gone over the mountin to see the Jimson gals."
+
+"You have no son?"
+
+At the word "son," again that deadly glint came in the old man's eye.
+Again it was gone in a moment, and the answer came, "No."
+
+The cabin was searched--the mountaineer and his wife apparently perfectly
+unconcerned as to what was going on--but nothing suspicious was found, and
+Calhoun had to confess himself baffled. But after Morgan's column had
+passed, a tall, lank girl with unkempt hair might have been seen coming
+down the mountainside, carrying a long rifle in her hand. Swiftly and
+surely as a deer she leaped from rock to rock, and soon neared the cabin.
+Carefully concealing her rifle beneath a huge rock, she came slowly up to
+the door of the cabin, where the old man sat smoking. He looked up at her,
+inquiringly, but did not say a word.
+
+"We-uns got one, dad," she said, as she passed in. Not another word was
+spoken, but the old man sat and smoked and watched the sun as it slowly
+sunk to rest behind the mountain.
+
+If Calhoun had known that Nichol's only son had been hanged the winter
+before by the Confederate authorities for bridge-burning, and that his
+sister had sworn revenge, he would not have been at a loss as to who had
+fired the deadly shot, for every mountain girl can use a rifle.
+
+From Sparta Morgan made a rapid march to Selina, where he forded the
+Cumberland River. At Selina he learned that there was a Federal force at
+Tompkinsville, which is just over the line in Kentucky. By a swift advance
+he hoped to surprise and capture this force. As the command crossed the
+line from Tennessee into Kentucky, the enthusiasm of the men knew no
+bounds. They sang "My Old Kentucky Home," and cheered again and again.
+
+Tompkinsville was reached at five o'clock on the morning of the 9th of
+July. The Federals, under the command of Major Thomas J. Jordan, of the
+Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, though surprised, made a stand, and the battle
+at once opened. But a few shots from Morgan's mountain howitzers utterly
+demoralized the Federals, and they fled in confusion.
+
+Major Jordan, after retreating about a mile, succeeded in rallying about
+seventy-five of his men, and made a stand to cover the retreat of his
+force. Calhoun, with some fifteen of his scouts far in advance of the main
+column, charged down on them without hesitating a moment. The Federals,
+although they outnumbered the scouts five to one, were ridden down, and
+throwing down their arms they cried for mercy.
+
+In this fight the gallant Colonel Hunt was mortally wounded. He was one of
+Morgan's best officers, and his loss was deeply mourned.
+
+From Tompkinsville Morgan moved to Glasgow, arriving there at one o'clock
+in the morning.
+
+The Federal garrison had heard of his approach, and had fled, leaving
+everything behind them. A large quantity of military stores fell into
+Morgan's hands, and was destroyed.
+
+Although it was in the middle of the night, the glad news spread through
+the town, and the citizens were hailing each other with the glad shout,
+"Morgan has come again! Morgan has come again!" Soon from every house
+lights were flashing, and every woman was engaged in cooking. When morning
+came, not only a steaming hot breakfast of the best that the place
+afforded was set before the men, but three days' cooked rations were given
+each man.
+
+At Glasgow Morgan gave out that he was again to raid the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad. In order to carry out the deception, when he left
+Glasgow he followed the road which would lead him to strike the railroad
+in between Woodsonville and Mumfordsville; but when he was within a few
+miles of the road, he halted his command, and taking only Calhoun and his
+scouts, he struck the road at a lonely place a short distance from Horse
+Cove. Here he had his telegraph operator, a sharp young fellow named
+Ellsworth, attach his private instrument to the telegraph wire, and for
+two hours Ellsworth, in the midst of a driving storm and standing in water
+up to his knees, took every message that passed over the wire. It was rare
+fun to hear the Federal officers telling all their secrets, and revealing
+the terror they were in over Morgan's raid. After listening to their plans
+of how they would try to capture him, Morgan had Ellsworth send the
+following dispatch to the provost marshal at Louisville:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                        Nashville, Tenn., July 10, 1862.
+
+General Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro, routing our
+forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan is reported to be between
+Scottsville and Gallatin, and will act in concert with Forrest, it is
+believed. Inform general commanding.
+
+                                                      STANLEY MATHEWS,
+                                                        Provost Marshal.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal authorities to believe that
+he was returning from Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrest
+did on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro, and of this fact
+Morgan was entirely ignorant.
+
+Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as to have the Federals
+remain in ignorance of what he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoined
+his command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of over forty miles. The place
+fell, almost without struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,
+Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office. This was at three o'clock
+in the morning. Unsuspicious of danger the regular telegraph operator was
+at home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more installed at the instrument.
+
+It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson, commanding the place, had
+telegraphed for reinforcements, saying he feared an attack. The first
+dispatch that Ellsworth received was:
+
+"What news? Any more skirmishing?"
+
+To which Ellsworth answered: "No, we drove what few cavalry there were
+away."
+
+The next was: "Has the train arrived yet?"
+
+"No. How many troops on train?" asked Ellsworth.
+
+"About five hundred," was the answer.
+
+This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he at once dispatched a column to
+intercept the train. But the train scented danger, and backed with all
+speed toward Louisville.
+
+At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan's hands. Two large warehouses
+filled to overflowing with clothing, rations, and the munitions of war
+were given to the flames. Five thousand stand of arms were among the
+trophies; Morgan picked out the best of these to arm his men.
+
+The destruction of Federal property being complete, Morgan started north,
+going through Springfield and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met with a
+most enthusiastic reception. Nothing was too good for Morgan's men.
+
+While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished that Morgan would make a
+detour and visit Danville, but this Morgan refused to do, as it would take
+him too far out of his route and give the Federals time to concentrate
+against him. Thus Calhoun was prevented from entering his native town in
+triumph.
+
+Morgan had caused the report to be circulated far and near that he had a
+force of five thousand and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
+From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the line of the Louisville and
+Lexington Railroad. The place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
+Lexington, and from it either place could be equally threatened.
+
+Here he once more took possession of the telegraph office, and Ellsworth
+was once more busy in sending telegrams. In the names of the different
+Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left, ordering the Federal
+troops here and there, everywhere but to the right place, and causing the
+utmost confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits' end; they knew not
+what to do, or which way to turn. The whole state was in terror. The name
+of Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified fivefold. General
+Boyle, in command of the Department of Kentucky, was deluged with
+telegrams imploring assistance. He in turn deluged General Halleck,
+General Buell, and even President Lincoln. "Send me troops, or Kentucky is
+lost. John Morgan will have it," he said.
+
+Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth: "They are having a stampede in
+Kentucky. Please look to it."
+
+Buell telegraphed: "I can do nothing. Have no men I can send." Thus
+Kentucky was left to her fears. Never did a thousand men create a greater
+panic.
+
+From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong demonstration toward Frankfort,
+strengthening the belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
+object was the capture of Lexington.
+
+Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the outskirts of the place,
+driving in the Federal outposts; but he learned that the city was
+garrisoned by at least five times the number of Morgan's men. This fact he
+reported to his chief, who saw that it would be madness to attempt to
+capture it. Morgan therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
+thoroughly breaking the railroad which led from that place to Cincinnati,
+so he gave orders to start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed for
+a day at Midway by an unfortunate incident, the capture of Calhoun and one
+of his men by the Home Guards.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+                         CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS.
+
+
+All through Kentucky during the war there were companies of troops known
+as Home Guards. They were in reality the militia of the state. They in
+many instances rendered valuable services, and did much to keep Kentucky
+in the Union. If it had not been for them, the Federal government would
+have been obliged to keep twice as many troops in the state as it did. Not
+being under as strict discipline as the United States troops, they were
+more dreaded by the Southern element than the regular army.
+
+These Home Guards were very bitter, and lost no opportunity of harassing
+those who clung to the cause of the South. Now and then there were bands
+of these Guards that were nothing but bands of guerrillas who lived by
+plundering, and they were frequently guilty of the most cold-blooded
+murders. It was by such a band that Calhoun was captured. He had been
+scouting toward Frankfort to see if the Federals were moving any
+considerable body of troops from that place to attack Morgan. He found
+them so frightened that they were not thinking of attacking Morgan; they
+were bending every nerve to defend the city from an expected attack by
+him. He was on his way back with the news that there was no danger from
+the direction of Frankfort, when he was told that a band of Home Guards,
+that were in fact a set of robbers, had their haunts in the rough, hilly
+country to the south of him, and he determined to try to effect their
+capture. After riding several miles, and hearing nothing of them, he
+ordered a return to Midway.
+
+The day was very hot, and coming to a cross-road, where several trees cast
+their grateful shade and a little brook ran babbling by, he ordered his
+men to halt and rest. The shade and the water were very acceptable to both
+man and beast; dismounting, the men lay sprawling around in the shade.
+Seeing a house standing on an eminence up the cross-road, Calhoun decided
+to take one of his soldiers named Nevels, and ride up to it to see if he
+could learn anything.
+
+"Better let us all go, there is no telling what one may run into in this
+country," said a sergeant named Graham, who in the absence of Calhoun
+would be in command of the little company.
+
+"No, Graham," answered Calhoun, "both men and horses are tired, and need
+the little rest they are getting. I do not think there is any danger. If I
+see anything suspicious, I will signal to you." With these words Calhoun
+with his companion rode away.
+
+"There he goes as careless as if there was not an enemy within forty
+miles," said Graham, looking after them, and shaking his head. "I tell you
+the Lieutenant will get into trouble some of these days. He is altogether
+too rash; never thinks of danger."
+
+"Don't worry about the Lieutenant," lazily replied one of the men; "he
+never gets into a scrape without getting out of it. He is a good one, he
+is."
+
+The Sergeant did not answer, but stood earnestly gazing after his chief,
+who by this time was about a quarter of a mile away. Here Calhoun and
+Nevels descended into a depression, which for a moment would hide them
+from the watchful eyes of the Sergeant.
+
+As Calhoun entered this depression, he noticed that a thick growth of
+underbrush came up close to the side of the road, affording a splendid
+place for concealment. For a moment a feeling as of unseen danger came
+over him, but nothing suspicious could be seen or heard, and dismissing
+the thought, he rode forward. Suddenly Calhoun's horse stopped and pricked
+up his ears.
+
+"What's the matter, Selim? What do you see?" exclaimed Calhoun, as he
+gently touched him with the spur.
+
+The horse sprang forward, but had gone but a few yards, when as suddenly
+as if they had arisen out of the ground, a dozen men, with levelled guns,
+arose by the side of the road, and demanded their surrender. Desperate as
+the chance was, Calhoun wheeled his horse to flee, when before him stood a
+dozen more men; his retreat was cut off.
+
+"Surrender, or you are dead men," cried the leader. Calhoun saw they were
+surrounded by at least twenty-five men, and a most villainous-looking set
+they were. There was no help for it. To refuse to surrender meant instant
+death, and Calhoun and Nevels yielded as gracefully as possible.
+
+The Sergeant stood still looking up the road waiting for them to appear,
+when he caught sight of the head of a man, then of another, and another.
+
+"Boys," he shouted, excitedly, "something is wrong; the Lieutenant is in
+trouble."
+
+The little squad sprang to their horses, and without thinking of danger,
+or what force they would meet, rode to the rescue, the Sergeant in the
+lead. But when they neared the place, they were met with a volley which
+brought three of the horses down and seriously wounded two of the men.
+
+"Forward!" shouted the Sergeant, staggering to his feet, and holding his
+wounded arm, from which the blood was streaming.
+
+But another volley brought down two more of the horses, and the Sergeant
+seeing they were outnumbered more than two to one, ordered a halt, and
+made preparations to resist a charge, which he thought would surely come.
+No charge came, and all was silent in front. The Sergeant ordered an
+advance, but no enemy was found. They had silently decamped and left no
+trace behind, and had taken Calhoun and Nevels with them.
+
+Crippled as they were, and the Sergeant suffering terribly from his wound,
+it was decided it would be madness to pursue with their small force. So
+one of the men on a swift horse was sent to carry the news to Morgan,
+while the others followed more leisurely.
+
+When the news reached camp, the greatest excitement prevailed, and every
+man in the command clamored to be sent to the rescue. Colonel Morgan chose
+Captain Huffman, who, with thirty of his famous Texan rangers, was soon
+galloping to the scene of the encounter, under the guidance of the courier
+who had brought the news. On the way they met Calhoun's little squad
+sorrowfully returning. Not a man but begged to be allowed to go with the
+rescuing party, but this, on account of the tired condition of their
+horses, and on account of the two wounded men, had to be refused.
+
+It was well along in the afternoon when the theatre of the encounter was
+reached. Captain Huffman had with him three or four men who for years had
+been accustomed to Indian fighting in Texas; these men took up the trail
+and followed it like bloodhounds. After going three or four miles, the
+advance ran into two men, who sought safety by running into the woods; but
+a shot in the leg brought one of them down, and he was captured. At first
+he denied knowing anything of the affair, saying he had heard nothing of a
+fight. But when Captain Huffman ordered a rope to be brought and it was
+placed around his neck, he begged piteously, saying that if they would
+spare his life he would tell them all he knew. And this is what he told
+them:
+
+He belonged to a band led by a man known as "Red Bill" from his florid
+complexion. It was this band that had captured Calhoun and Nevels. It
+seemed that the officer whom they had captured had known Red Bill in
+Danville, and taunted him with being a chicken-thief. This so angered Red
+Bill that he determined to hang the officer. This resulted in a quarrel
+among the members of the band, many of whom had become tired of the
+leadership of Red Bill, being fearful that his crimes would bring
+retribution on their heads. At last it was agreed that the band would
+disperse, Red Bill, on the promise that he might have the two horses
+captured, agreeing to deliver the two prisoners to the Federal commander
+at Frankfort.
+
+"But," added the prisoner, whose name was Evans, "I doubt if they ever
+reach Frankfort. I reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid of
+them before he gets there."
+
+Captain Huffman listened to this story with horror. "If this miscreant
+makes way with Lieutenant Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to his
+death, if it takes ten years," he declared. Then turning to Evans, he
+asked: "Did any of the gang side with Red Bill?"
+
+"Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him," was the answer.
+
+"And you men, at least twenty of you, by your own story, coolly left our
+men to be foully murdered?" furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
+
+The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
+
+"Answer!" thundered Huffman.
+
+"Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort," he at length managed to
+say.
+
+"And you have just admitted that his promise was worth nothing. Where did
+this thing occur? Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?"
+demanded Huffman.
+
+"About three miles from here," answered Evans.
+
+"Lead us to the place at once."
+
+"I dare not," he whimpered; "Red Bill will kill me if I give away the
+place of rendezvous. We are under a terrible oath not to reveal it."
+
+"You need not fear Red Bill," answered Captain Huffman, in ominous tones,
+"for I am going to hang you. Boys, bring the rope."
+
+"Mercy! Mercy!" gasped the shivering wretch.
+
+"Then lead us to the place where you left Red Bill, and that quickly."
+
+"My wound," he whined, pointing to his leg.
+
+"Bind up his leg," said Huffman to one of his men.
+
+The wound was rudely dressed, and then Evans was placed on a horse in
+front of a sturdy trooper.
+
+"Now take us to the place where you left Red Bill, by the shortest and
+quickest route; you say it is three miles. If we don't reach it in half an
+hour, I will hang you like a dog. And," continued Huffman, to the trooper
+in front of whom Evans was riding, "blow out his brains at the first sign
+of treachery."
+
+For answer the trooper touched his revolver significantly.
+
+After riding swiftly for about two miles, Evans bade them turn into a path
+which led into the woods. The way became rough and rocky, and their
+progress was necessarily slower. Evans was in mortal terror lest the
+half-hour would be up before they could reach the place.
+
+"It is right down thar," he at length said, pointing down a ravine which
+led to a stream.
+
+The place was admirably adapted for concealment. On a small level place
+surrounded by high cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in from
+view from every point except the single one on which they stood.
+
+"Leave the horses here," whispered Huffman, "I think I caught sight of
+some one down there. We will creep up on them unawares."
+
+Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain Huffman, with the rest of
+his force, silently crept down the gorge.
+
+  [Illustration: THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.]
+
+We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was captured and heard his men
+cheering as they made the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected
+they would all be killed. He was, therefore, greatly surprised when the
+firing ceased, and his captors came running back, and hurried him through
+the woods at a break-neck speed. The rapid pace was kept up for about
+three miles, when finding they were not pursued, they adopted a more
+leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for he was entirely out of
+breath. The leader of the gang, and another, probably the second in
+command, had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun and Nevels had been
+forced to walk, or rather run.
+
+Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the fight, and was told that
+all of his men had been killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors
+would not have retreated so hastily if they had achieved so sweeping a
+victory. He asked another question, but was roughly told to shut up.
+
+When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for the first time noticed his
+prisoners closely. He started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to his
+gang, said, "I reckon we had better string these fellows up, and get them
+out of the way."
+
+"String us up," boldly answered Calhoun, "and I would not give a cent for
+your worthless lives; Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you
+encumbered the earth."
+
+"Who is afraid of Morgan!" exclaimed Red Bill, with an oath. "He and the
+rest of you are nuthin' but hoss-thieves an' yo' will all hang one of
+these days. I know yo', my young rooster, you air the son of that ole
+Rebil, Judge Pennington of Danville. I hev it in fur him."
+
+"And I know you now," hotly replied Calhoun, forgetting the danger he was
+in. "You used to live in Danville, and went by the name of Red Bill. Your
+popularity consisted in the fact that you were known as an adept
+chicken-thief. My father once sent you to jail for petit larceny."
+
+Bill's face grew still redder. "Yo' lie, yo' dog!" he hissed. "Yo' father
+did send me to jail, but I war innocent, an' he knowed it. But he thought
+I war only po' white trash, while he is an aristocrat. I swore to hev my
+revenge, an' I will hev it. Boys, what do we-uns do with hoss-thieves in
+ole Kentuck?"
+
+"Hang 'em," exclaimed four or five voices.
+
+"An' we-uns will hang this crowin' bantam. I will learn him to call me a
+chicken-thief, classin' me with niggers!" exclaimed Red Bill, with fury.
+
+"What will we-uns do with the other feller?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Hang him too. Dead men don't talk."
+
+But some of the gang began to demur over this summary proceeding, saying
+that the Federal authorities would deal severely with them if it became
+known they murdered prisoners in cold blood. Not only this, but Morgan had
+captured hundreds of Home Guards and paroled them. But if they should
+execute one of his prominent officers, he would show no mercy.
+
+The discussion became so hot, they came nearly fighting among themselves.
+At last one of them said, "I am tired of the hull business. I am goin'
+home."
+
+"An' I!" "An' I!" cried a dozen voices.
+
+It was finally agreed that the gang should disband, only five agreeing to
+remain with Red Bill. Being allowed to keep the plunder and horses they
+had captured, these men, with Red Bill, promised to deliver Calhoun and
+Nevels to the Federal authorities at Frankfort, unharmed.
+
+Calhoun and Nevels had watched this quarrel among their captors with the
+utmost anxiety, knowing that upon the result depended their lives. It was
+with the deepest concern that they beheld the members of the party depart,
+leaving them with Red Bill and his five boon companions.
+
+No sooner were they alone than the six, with oaths and jeers, tied their
+prisoners securely to trees, drawing the cords so closely that they cut
+into the flesh. Although the pain was terrible, neither Calhoun nor Nevels
+uttered a moan. After the prisoners were thus securely tied, Red Bill
+produced a bottle of whisky, and the six commenced drinking, apparently
+taking no notice of their captives. The whole six were soon fiendishly
+drunk.
+
+Staggering up to Calhoun, Red Bill growled: "Think we-uns goin' to take
+you to Frankfort, I reckin'."
+
+"That is what you promised," replied Calhoun, calmly.
+
+"Well, we-uns ain't. We-uns goin' to hang ye!"
+
+Calhoun turned pale, then controlling himself by a powerful effort, he
+replied: "Do the Home Guards of Kentucky violate every principle of
+honorable warfare?"
+
+"Damn honorable warfare! Yo-uns called me a chicken-thief; I call you a
+hoss-thief. Hoss-thieves air hanged. Ha! ha! the son of Judge Pennington
+strung up fo' stealin' hosses! Won't that sound nice?" and he burst into a
+devilish laugh, in which he was joined by the others.
+
+Calhoun saw there was no hope. It was hard to die such an ignominious
+death. "Oh!" he thought, "if I had only been permitted to die amid the
+flame and smoke of battle. Such a death is glorious; but this----" A great
+lump arose in his throat, and came near choking him.
+
+Gulping it back, he whispered to Nevels: "Don't show the white feather.
+Let them see how Morgan's men can die."
+
+The brave fellow nodded; he could not speak. He had a wife and child at
+home.
+
+They were unbound from the tree, but their arms and limbs were kept
+tightly pinioned. Ropes were brought and tied around their necks, and the
+free ends thrown over a limb of the tree.
+
+"Can ye tie a true hangman's knot, Jack?" asked Red of the villain who was
+adjusting the rope around Calhoun's neck.
+
+"That I can, Red," he answered, with a chuckling laugh. "It's as neat a
+job as eny sheriff can do."
+
+The sun had just sunk to rest; the gloom of night was settling over the
+forest. Calhoun saw the shadows thicken among the trees. The darkness of
+death would soon be upon him.
+
+"String 'em up!" shouted Red.
+
+Just then the solemn hoot of a distant owl was heard. One of the men
+holding the rope dropped it, and shivered from head to foot.
+
+"Boys," he whispered, "let's don't do it. That's a note of warning. I
+never knew it to fail."
+
+"Cuss ye fo' a white-livered coward!" yelled Red Bill. "String them up, I
+tell ye!"
+
+For answer there came the sharp crack of rifles, the rush of armed men,
+and the infuriated Texans were on them. No mercy was shown; in a moment it
+was all over.
+
+Quickly the cords which bound Calhoun and Nevels were cut, and the
+terrible nooses removed from their necks. "Thank God, we were in time!"
+cried Captain Huffman, wringing Calhoun's hand.
+
+But Calhoun stood as one in a trance. So sudden had been his deliverance,
+he could not realize it. He had nerved himself to die, and now that he was
+safe, he felt sick and faint, and would have fallen if he had not been
+supported. Both he and Nevels soon rallied, and poured out their thanks to
+the brave men who had come to their rescue.
+
+"We would never have found you," said Huffman, "if we had not run on one
+of the gang who under the threat of death piloted us here."
+
+"Where is he?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"With the boys up with the horses."
+
+"Let him go," pleaded Calhoun; "but for him I would now have been food for
+the buzzards."
+
+"To which we will leave these carrion," answered Huffman, pointing to the
+dead Home Guards. "But we must be going; Morgan is impatient to be on the
+road."
+
+Great was the rejoicing in Morgan's command when Captain Huffman returned
+bringing Calhoun and Nevels safe; and much satisfaction was expressed over
+the fate of their captors. In half an hour after the return of Captain
+Huffman's command, Morgan's men were en route for Paris.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+                       CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.
+
+
+After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march directly to Paris, but halted
+at Georgetown, a little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The citizens
+of Georgetown gave Morgan's command the same joyous welcome which they had
+received at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to them not as an
+enemy, but as a liberator.
+
+From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack Cynthiana, which lies north of
+Paris, having heard there was a considerable body of Federal troops
+stationed there. Sending a small force toward Lexington to keep up the
+fiction of an attack upon that place, Morgan moved with the main body of
+his force upon Cynthiana.
+
+Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan was engaged in during his
+raid. Cynthiana was held by Colonel John J. Landram of the Eighteenth
+Kentucky. He had under him about four hundred men, mostly Home Guards and
+raw recruits. Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the battle raged
+for an hour and a half with the greatest fury. It was at last decided by a
+furious charge made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas rangers. The
+entire force of Colonel Landram was killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
+Colonel Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his bravest men. Calhoun
+was not in this fight, having been sent with his scouts toward Lexington
+to watch the movements of the enemy.
+
+From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and the place surrendered without a
+shot being fired. Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexington
+railroad was now in Morgan's possession, and he proceeded to destroy it as
+thoroughly as his limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed by
+his enemies. A large force was moving on him from Frankfort; another from
+Lexington. Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully informed of
+these movements.
+
+Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith's forces from Lexington, he
+marched for Winchester. His next move was to Richmond. This left all the
+pursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan's movements, the
+marvellous endurance of his men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
+
+At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand and give battle to his
+pursuers; but Calhoun brought word that at least five thousand Federals
+were closing in on him. To give battle to such a number would have been
+madness, so he marched for Crab Orchard. On the march Calhoun made a
+detour toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his uncle, Colonel
+Richard Shackelford. He was also in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. He
+had heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping him from being
+sent to a Northern prison, and he wished to thank him. He was ashamed of
+the hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to make amends for it.
+
+His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his consternation Fred
+presented himself in the uniform of a captain of the Federal army. His men
+clamored to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had succeeded in
+quieting them, to his dismay Captain Conway came galloping upon the scene
+at the head of his company. He had obtained permission from Morgan to
+scout toward Danville. His real object was to capture Fred, who he knew
+was at home. Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy. His plan
+was frustrated by the bold stand taken by Colonel Shackelford, who
+delivered Fred as a prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him to
+Morgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once paroled him, although Conway
+tried his best to have him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,
+but let him return with the horse he had ridden, although many of the men
+looked on the splendid animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not hear
+of their taking a horse which belonged to his old friend, Colonel
+Shackelford.
+
+"Why didn't you ride that horse of yours?" asked Captain Mathews of Fred,
+alluding to Fred's famous horse, Prince.
+
+"Afraid you might keep him," laughed Fred; "you are a good judge of a
+horse, Captain."
+
+"Right you are," responded Mathews; "I am sorry I didn't think of that
+horse when we were at Richmond. I would have visited you with my friend
+Conway, and taken the horse. Think I will have to return for him yet."
+
+Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but that very night Mathews
+dispatched two of his men back in disguise to steal Fred's horse.
+
+From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset, surprising the place, and
+capturing a large wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies, all
+of which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he again took possession of the
+telegraph office, and enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
+
+At Somerset Morgan's raid was practically at an end. There were no Federal
+troops in front of him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he had
+completed the destruction of all the United States property in the place,
+and was ready to leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GEORGE D. PRENTICE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete destruction of
+all of Uncle Sam's property in this little burg. I regret exceedingly that
+this is the last that comes under my supervision on this route. I expect
+in a short time to pay you a visit, and wish to know if you will be at
+home. All well in Dixie.
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GENERAL J. T. BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution. You should
+destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend Ellsworth has all of
+your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you wish copies?
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+HON. GEORGE DUNLAP, Washington, D. C.
+
+Just completed my tour through Kentucky. Captured sixteen cities,
+destroyed millions of dollars of United States property. Passed through
+your county, but regret not seeing you. We paroled fifteen hundred Federal
+prisoners. Your old friend,
+
+                                                    JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The feelings of the above gentlemen as they received these telegrams can
+better be imagined than described. The one to General Boyle must have cut
+him to the quick as he read it. To know how completely Morgan had
+outwitted him was like gall and wormwood to him.
+
+From Somerset Morgan halted his command at Livingston, Tennessee, to take
+a much-needed rest. Never did men need it more. They had accomplished one
+of the most astonishing feats in the annals of American warfare. No wonder
+the name of Morgan struck terror to the hearts of the Federals. Morgan in
+his report of his raid sums it up as follows:
+
+"I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month with about nine hundred
+men, and returned to Livingston on the 28th instant with nearly twelve
+hundred, having been absent just twenty-four days, during which time I
+travelled over one thousand miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed all
+the government property and arms in them, dispersed about fifteen hundred
+Home Guards, and paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I lost in
+killed, wounded, and missing of the number I carried into Kentucky, about
+ninety."
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+                         THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.
+
+
+Morgan's command had not been encamped at Livingston more than two or
+three days when, to every one's astonishment, a couple of soldiers
+belonging to Captain Mathews's company came riding into camp, one on Fred
+Shackelford's famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known horse of
+Colonel Shackelford's, called Blenheim.
+
+Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter which greeted the soldiers as
+they galloped in waving their hats and shouting, ran out of his quarters
+to see what was occasioning the excitement. He could hardly believe his
+eyes when he saw the well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a great
+jump, for the thought came to him that his cousin had been waylaid and
+killed. But if so, how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too? To his
+relief he soon learned the truth of the story, how from Crab Orchard
+Captain Mathews had sent back two of his company to capture Prince, and
+they had returned not only with Prince, but with Blenheim. Mathews was in
+high spirits as he appropriated Prince. Jumping on his back he galloped
+him through camp, showing off his fine points, and declaring he could
+outrun any horse in the brigade. A match was soon arranged, but Prince so
+easily outstripped every competitor that soon no officer was found who had
+the hardihood to enter his horse in the lists against him.
+
+Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his satisfaction. He could not
+forego the opportunity of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be vexed
+over the capture of his cousin's horse.
+
+"Why do you come blowing around me?" asked Calhoun, nettled by his manner,
+"I am neither the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his horse."
+
+"Oh, you were so careful of his precious person when I took him prisoner,
+I did not know but your carefulness might extend to his horse," replied
+Conway, with a sneer.
+
+Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself, he replied: "You did
+not take Captain Shackelford, and I am surprised that you should make such
+a statement. You forget that I was there before you."
+
+"You would have let the fellow go," snapped Conway.
+
+"Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole," answered Calhoun.
+
+"It was your fault that he slipped through my fingers," exclaimed Conway,
+angrily, "but my time will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
+this war is over, and I shall."
+
+"Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain," replied Calhoun, with
+provoking coolness; and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away with a
+muttered oath.
+
+Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun ever since their first
+meeting, partly because he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
+himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on account of his being Fred's
+cousin. But after the affair at Colonel Shackelford's house, he took
+little pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers of the brigade
+noticed this, and predicted that sooner or later there would be trouble
+between the two.
+
+But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture of
+Prince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: "Ah!
+Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think of
+him?" Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in
+the command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answered
+pleasantly: "He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
+beaten by him in a race. But," continued Calhoun, with a laugh, "my advice
+is to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back,
+sure. That horse has more tricks than you dream of."
+
+"I am not worrying," replied Mathews. "One of your scouts has just had to
+fork over five dollars to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab
+Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps you would like to bet I
+can't keep him?"
+
+"Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain Shackelford will have his
+horse back in less than two months," answered Calhoun, dryly.
+
+"Done!" exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and the stakes were placed in
+the hands of Captain Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to the
+officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very foolish bet on the part
+of Calhoun.
+
+"That twenty-five is gone," said Huffman to Calhoun, as he pocketed the
+stakes, "but I am sure of having fifty dollars for at least two months."
+
+"I reckon I shall lose," said Calhoun, "but Mathews had better not let
+Shackelford get sight of his horse."
+
+"Why?" asked a dozen voices in concert.
+
+"Because that horse is up to more antics than a trick horse in a circus.
+You will see, if we ever run across my cousin in our raids."
+
+"I don't know what you mean," said one of the officers, "but your cousin
+will have a fine time getting that horse away from Jim Mathews."
+
+"Wait and see," was Calhoun's answer.
+
+It was not many days before they knew what Calhoun meant. A few days
+sufficed to rest Morgan's command, and it was not the nature of Morgan to
+remain long idle. He had to be doing something. It was known that the
+Confederate armies were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward
+movement into Kentucky. In fact, General Kirby Smith had already set out
+from Knoxville to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg was nearly
+ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.
+
+The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered, and owing to the raids of
+Morgan and Forrest, the men were on short rations. General Buell was at
+his wits' end. He knew that General Bragg was preparing to advance, but
+thought he would not attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking
+him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere in Middle Tennessee,
+and concentrated his forces for that event.
+
+Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike another blow at the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and this time right under the noses of
+the Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles from Nashville, and
+Morgan decided to attempt its capture. In order to spy out the land,
+Calhoun entered the place as a country lad. He found that it was
+garrisoned by a Federal force of about four hundred, under the command of
+Colonel Boone. The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets were out,
+and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering the place. He made himself
+known to a few of the citizens, and they gave him all the information
+possible. To them the coming of Morgan meant deliverance from a hateful
+foe.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to find out the station of every picket at
+night. The camp of the Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile from
+the city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep at a hotel in the city; in
+fact, his wife was sick at the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan was
+near, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed both to Nashville and
+to General Buell at MacMinnville for reinforcements, but no attention was
+paid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to send nearly half of his
+force away to intercept a drove of beef cattle which it was reported the
+Confederates were driving down from Kentucky.
+
+That the citizens might not know that his numbers were depleted, Colonel
+Boone did not send this force away until midnight, thinking no one would
+see them depart. But sharp eyes were watching. Nothing was going on in
+Gallatin without Calhoun's knowledge. He lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan, and the attack came swiftly.
+
+Knowing the location of every picket post, Calhoun was able to effect
+their capture without the firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatin
+without the knowledge of the Federal force, which was only half a mile
+away. Colonel Boone was captured at the hotel. The first intimation he had
+that Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded by Calhoun to
+surrender. A demand was now made on the camp that it should surrender,
+which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin, with the entire Federal
+garrison and all the military stores which it contained, was captured.
+
+Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies of Captain Mathews and
+Captain Conway, together with Calhoun's scouts, to take the stockade which
+guarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The attack was successful, the
+stockade surrendering after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in the
+possession of the Confederates.
+
+A long train of cars which had been captured was piled with wood, rails,
+and other combustibles, set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sides
+and roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork, and the whole
+tunnel was soon a roaring mass of flame. The wood being burned away the
+tunnel caved in, and it was months before a train ran through from
+Louisville to Nashville. Morgan had effectually blocked the road. Highly
+elated with their success, the command returned to Gallatin, Mathews and
+Conway riding at the head of the column. To Calhoun was committed the care
+of the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.
+
+When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard the report of a single
+pistol shot in front, then a rapid succession of rifle shots. The head of
+the column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and the whole command came
+to a halt.
+
+Fearful that an attack had been made by a Federal force coming from
+Nashville, Calhoun gave orders to shoot down the first prisoner who
+attempted to escape, and prepared to resist any attack that might come.
+But no more firing was heard, and the column began to move again. Soon an
+officer came riding back and told Calhoun a story that interested him
+greatly.
+
+Mathews and Conway were riding at the head of the column, when, as it
+reached a cross-road, a peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
+Mathews's horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated his rider, and dashed up
+the cross-road. Conway's horse bolted, and in spite of Conway's efforts,
+followed.
+
+A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road, and Mathews's horse stopped
+by his side. He fired at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To save
+himself from being shot again, Conway flung himself from his horse. The
+boy sprang onto Mathews's horse and rode away at full speed, followed by
+the other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired at the boy. Captain
+Mathews's arm was broken by the fall.
+
+  [Illustration: HE FIRED AT CONWAY.]
+
+"So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?" asked Calhoun, with a faint
+smile.
+
+"Yes, he will quit blowing now."
+
+"And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am sorry Mathews had his arm
+broken."
+
+When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway had had his wound dressed,
+and Mathews's arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering passion. He
+blamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying if it had not been for him, Fred
+Shackelford would have been hanged as a spy. From this time he did not try
+to conceal his hatred of Calhoun.
+
+Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically. "It was a blamed
+sharp trick on the part of young Shackelford!" he exclaimed. Then turning
+to Captain Huffman, he said: "Give that money to Lieutenant Pennington; he
+has won it. But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss back. My
+reputation depends upon it. Then to think that I, who prided myself on
+being one of the best hossmen in Morgan's troop, should be thrown. Bah! it
+makes me sick," and his face took on a look of disgust.
+
+"I warned you," said Calhoun, "that that horse was up to tricks. When Fred
+gives that whistle he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I have
+seen Fred try it time and time again with his father's nigger boys as
+riders, and Prince never failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave that
+whistle his horse would have gone to him, or died in the attempt."
+
+"I am sorry you didn't let Conway hang him," replied Mathews, gently
+rubbing his broken arm, "but I will get even with him, see if I don't. I
+want that hoss worse than ever."
+
+A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a Federal force moved up from
+Nashville, reoccupied the city, committed many depredations, and began
+arresting the citizens right and left, accusing them of complicity with
+Morgan. When Morgan heard of this he at once moved to the relief of the
+distressed city. Attacking the rear guard of the enemy as it was leaving
+the place, he not only defeated them, but drove them to within seven miles
+of Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot Knob, and burning the high
+railroad trestle at that place. He also captured a train of cars and
+liberated forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being taken to
+Nashville as prisoners. They had been used with the greatest cruelty by
+their captors.
+
+In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding
+the provocation was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatin
+had been used, Morgan treated his prisoners kindly and paroled them.
+
+The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly alarmed, resolved to crush
+Morgan. To this end a brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,
+placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson, and sent against him.
+Johnson thought that Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against that
+place. But when he reached Hartsville and learned that Morgan was at
+Gallatin, he at once marched to attack him there, confident of easy
+victory.
+
+Up to this time the Federals had boasted that Morgan would not fight
+anything like an equal force; that he always attacked isolated posts with
+overwhelming numbers. They were now to learn something different. Morgan
+had been kept well posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to every
+movement of Johnson. Although he knew that he was greatly outnumbered,
+Morgan resolved to give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
+
+Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun came galloping into Gallatin
+with the information that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting a
+battle in the city Morgan moved out on the Hartsville pike, meeting the
+enemy about two miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at once with
+fury. Up to that time it was the greatest engagement fought in the West in
+which cavalry only was engaged.
+
+For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for an hour the issue of the
+battle was doubtful; then a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal
+forces. Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns, accoutrements,
+everything that impeded their progress, thinking only of safety in flight.
+Plunging into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did not stop
+running until they reached Nashville.
+
+The remaining Federal force under General Johnson retreated about two
+miles, and then made a brave stand. But nothing could withstand the fury
+of Colonel Basil Duke's attack, whose command had the advance. General
+Johnson and many of his men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
+scattered.
+
+In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred men, killed, wounded, and
+missing. Their general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their cost, they
+found that when the occasion demanded it Morgan would fight. Morgan's loss
+in the battle was only five killed and twenty wounded; but among the
+latter was the brave Captain Huffman, who had an arm shattered.
+
+Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest praise from Morgan for
+the masterly manner in which he handled his regiment. It was greatly owing
+to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory was won.
+
+In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part. Single-handed he engaged a
+Federal officer who was trying to rally his men, and forced him to
+surrender. When he delivered up his sword Calhoun saw to his surprise that
+it was his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+"Ah, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, "I am glad to have met you again. When the
+battle is over I will come and see you."
+
+"Pennington again, as I am alive!" gasped the astonished Lieutenant.
+
+After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejected
+and crestfallen among the prisoners.
+
+"Cheer up, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, pleasantly; "we are going to parole
+you. You will soon be at liberty."
+
+"How often do you want to parole a fellow? This will be the third time,"
+growled Haines. "Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you off the face
+of the earth sure this time. We would, too, if it hadn't been for that
+cowardly regiment which broke."
+
+"An 'if' has stood in between many a man and success," answered Calhoun.
+"How long ago were you exchanged?"
+
+"About two months," replied Haines, "and here I am in for it again. I
+expected to win a captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall
+die a lieutenant."
+
+"Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet, who knows? To change the
+subject, have you met the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the
+army?"
+
+A change came over the face of Haines--one that transformed his rather
+handsome features into those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and
+wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself, and answered:
+
+"Yes, but trouble has come upon the family. Mr. Osborne refused to take
+the oath of allegiance, and as he was looked upon as a dangerous
+character, he has been sent North as a prisoner."
+
+"To wear his life away in some Northern bastile!" exclaimed Calhoun, in a
+fury. "Monstrous!"
+
+"That is not all," returned Haines. "By some means the house took fire and
+burned with all its contents. I did all I could for them--tried to save Mr.
+Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax my efforts to have him
+released. I have some powerful friends in the North."
+
+Calhoun thanked him, and went his way. But that look which came over
+Haines's face, what did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+                                THE DUEL.
+
+
+IN August, 1862, Cumberland Gap, the gateway between Eastern Kentucky and
+East Tennessee, was held by a Federal force of over ten thousand,
+commanded by General George W. Morgan. It was this force which confronted
+General Kirby Smith as he set out to invade Kentucky.
+
+The place being too strong to carry by assault, General Smith left a force
+in front of the Gap to menace it, made a flank movement with the rest of
+his army, passed through Roger's Gap unopposed, and without paying any
+attention to the force at Cumberland Gap, pushed on with all speed for
+Central Kentucky.
+
+At the same time General Bragg made his long-expected advance from
+Chattanooga, completely deceiving Buell, who first concentrated his army
+at Altamont and then at MacMinnville. Bragg marched unopposed up the
+Sequatchie Valley to Sparta. General George H. Thomas had advised Buell to
+occupy Sparta, but the advice was rejected. Buell could not, or would not,
+see that Kentucky was Bragg's objective point. He now believed that
+Nashville or Murfreesboro was the point of danger, and he concentrated his
+army at the latter place.
+
+From Sparta General Bragg had marched to Carthage, crossed the Cumberland
+River, and was well on his way to Kentucky before Buell waked up. Bragg
+was then three days ahead of him. If Bragg had marched straight for
+Louisville, there would have been no troops to oppose him until he reached
+that place, and Louisville would have fallen. But he stopped to take
+Mumfordsville, and the delay was fatal. It gave Buell the opportunity to
+overtake him.
+
+When the forward movement began, Colonel John H. Morgan was ordered to
+Eastern Kentucky to watch the force at Cumberland Gap and prevent it from
+falling on the rear of the army of General Smith. Smith moved rapidly, and
+on August 29 fought the battle of Richmond, where a Federal force of seven
+thousand was almost annihilated, only about eight hundred escaping.
+
+By the movements of Smith and Bragg the Federal force at Cumberland Gap
+was cut off. For that army the situation was a grave one. In their front
+was General Stevenson with a force too small to attack, but large enough
+to keep them from advancing. In their rear were the Confederate armies.
+They were short of food; starvation stared them in the face. It was either
+surrender or a retreat through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
+
+General George W. Morgan called a council of his officers, and it was
+decided to evacuate the Gap and attempt the retreat. The Gap was evacuated
+on the night of the 17th of September. All government property which could
+not be carried away was given to the flames. The rough mountain road had
+been mined, and the mines were exploded to prevent Stevenson from
+following. But as Stevenson's force was infantry, it would be of little
+avail in following the retreating Federals.
+
+A toilsome march of two hundred and twenty miles over rough mountainous
+roads lay between the Federals and the Ohio River. To the credit of
+General G. W. Morgan be it said, he conducted the retreat with consummate
+skill. It was expected that a Confederate force in Eastern Kentucky under
+General Humphrey Marshall would try to cut the Federals off; but Marshall
+never appeared, and it was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
+what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry brigade could not stop
+the progress of ten thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day Morgan
+hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking advantage of every opening,
+and making their way a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen days,
+the Federal force, footsore and completely exhausted, reached the Ohio at
+Greenupsburg on the Ohio River, and was safe.
+
+During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost continually in the saddle,
+the foremost to strike, the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
+his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners to their credit.
+
+When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow the retreating army any
+longer, without taking any rest he turned the head of his column toward
+Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed there.
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the change a few weeks
+had effected. All Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the Federals.
+Panic-stricken they had fled back to Louisville and Cincinnati, and were
+cowering in their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony of fear. The
+governors were frantically calling on the people to arise _en masse_ and
+save their states from invasion.
+
+When the command reached Danville, Calhoun was nearly beside himself with
+joy. Over the courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South. It was
+the first time Calhoun had ever seen there the flag he loved so well. With
+a proud hurrah he dashed up to the door of his father's residence; there
+was no one to molest him or make him afraid. From the house of every
+friend of the South hung a Confederate flag.
+
+"Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!" shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.
+
+But he was disappointed in not finding his father at home. The Judge was
+in Frankfort, helping to form a provisional government for the state. Many
+of the more sanguine of the Southern element of the state already
+considered it safe in the Confederacy.
+
+Although his father was not at home, Calhoun received a most joyful
+welcome. "Bress de chile, if he isn't bac' again," cried Aunt Chloe.
+
+"Yes, Chloe," said Calhoun, as he shook her honest black hand, "and now be
+sure and get up one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this time.
+And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel Morgan, with his staff, will
+be here to dine."
+
+But what Morgan's command learned was anything but satisfactory. Kirby
+Smith had advanced to within six miles of Covington, there halted, and at
+last fallen back. Bragg, instead of marching direct to Louisville, had
+turned aside to Bardstown, allowing Buell's army to enter the city of
+Louisville unopposed. There Buell had been joined by twenty thousand fresh
+troops. Clothing and refitting his men, he had turned, and was now
+marching on Bardstown. A great battle might be fought any day. In fact, it
+was reported that Bragg had already abandoned Bardstown and was marching
+in the direction of Danville or Harrodsburg.
+
+"I don't like it at all," said Morgan. "Our generals have already let the
+golden opportunity pass. But there is still hope. With the armies of Bragg
+and Smith united, they should be strong enough to give battle and crush
+Buell."
+
+So good was the dinner and so animated the discussion, that it was late in
+the afternoon when they arose from the table. As they came out Morgan
+suddenly stopped and said, "Hark!"
+
+Away in the northwest, in the direction of Perryville, the dull heavy
+booming of cannon was heard. They listened and the dull roar, like distant
+thunder, was continuous.
+
+"A battle is being fought," they said, in low tones; "May God favor the
+right!"
+
+At Perryville the forces of Buell and Bragg had met, and were engaged in
+deadly strife. Until nightfall the heavy dull roar was heard, and then it
+died away. Which army had been victorious? They could not tell.
+
+After the battle of Perryville, Buell, fully expecting that Bragg would
+fight a decisive battle for the possession of the state, remained inactive
+for three days for the purpose of concentrating his army. It was fatal to
+all his hopes, for Bragg had already decided to leave the state, and he
+utilized the three days in getting away with his immense trains. He had
+been grievously disappointed in the hope that his army would be largely
+recruited, and that at least twenty thousand Kentuckians would flock to
+his standard. But Kentucky had already been well drained of men,
+furnishing troops by thousands for both sides.
+
+From one point of view, the invasion of Kentucky by the Confederates had
+been a magnificent success. A loss of at least twenty thousand had been
+inflicted on the Federal armies, while the loss of the Confederate army
+had not been over one-third of that number. In addition to that, the
+immense stores gathered and taken South were of inestimable value to the
+army. But in the chagrin and disappointment over Bragg's retreat these
+things were lost sight of and the Confederate general was most bitterly
+denounced.
+
+Calhoun went wild when he heard that the state was to be given up without
+a decisive battle, that all that had been gained was to go for naught; and
+his feelings were shared by all Morgan's men.
+
+"It won't prevent us from visiting the state once in a while," said
+Morgan, with a grim smile.
+
+As for Judge Pennington, he was so disgusted that although his whole heart
+was with the South, he gave up all idea of forming a state government
+loyal to the Confederacy, and remained quiet during the rest of the war.
+"The armies will have to settle it," he would say; "we can do nothing
+here."
+
+One of the first things that Calhoun did after he reached Danville was to
+see Jennie Freeman and thank her for her timely warning. "It was kind of
+you, Jennie," he said, "for I know that you hate the cause for which I am
+fighting."
+
+"My conscience has hurt me awfully ever since," replied Jennie, with a
+toss of her head; "and then I believe you told me an awful fib."
+
+"Why, how is that, Jennie?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"You worked on my sympathy, and said if you were caught you would be
+hanged. The Union forces don't hang prisoners. They would only have shut
+you up, and that is what you deserve."
+
+"But, Jennie, I was in disguise; they would have hanged me as a spy."
+
+"Don't believe it, but I sometimes think half of you Rebels ought to be
+hanged."
+
+"Oh, Jennie, Jennie! what a bloodthirsty creature you have grown! But
+where is your father?"
+
+"Thank the Lord, where the old flag yet floats--in Louisville. He will stay
+there until that rag comes down," and she pointed to the Confederate flag
+floating over the courthouse.
+
+"Poor girl, never to see her father again," exclaimed Calhoun, in tones of
+compassion.
+
+"What do you mean?" she asked, turning pale. A sudden fear had come over
+her; had anything befallen her father?
+
+Calhoun saw her mistake. Laughing, he said, "I only meant that flag would
+never come down."
+
+"Is that all?" she replied, saucily; "you all will be scurrying south like
+so many rabbits in less than a week."
+
+"Give us ten days."
+
+"No, not an hour more than a week. And mind, if you get caught, you
+needn't call on me for help."
+
+"Well, Jennie, don't let's quarrel. Perhaps I can return the favor you did
+me, by helping you some day."
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. The next day Jennie ventured
+out to visit a sick friend. On her return she had to pass a couple of
+Confederate officers, one of whom was intoxicated. The other appeared to
+be reasoning with him, and trying to get him to go to his quarters.
+
+As Jennie was hurrying past them, the one who was intoxicated staggered
+toward her, and leering at her, exclaimed, "How--how do, pretty one? Give
+me a--a kiss!"
+
+Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly by the arm. Just as he
+did so, he was struck a terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling
+in the gutter.
+
+"Take my arm, Jennie," said Calhoun, for it was he who struck the blow, "I
+will see you safe home."
+
+The trembling girl took his arm, saying: "Oh, Calhoun, how glad I am you
+came! How can I thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful man?"
+
+"Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan's command. His name is
+Conway. We left him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able to follow
+Bragg's army, and he joined us only yesterday. By the way, it was Fred
+Shackelford who shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back. Conway was
+riding Blenheim."
+
+"Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn't that just splendid in him,
+getting his horse back!"
+
+"Where is Fred now?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"I don't know. Did you know General Nelson was shot?"
+
+"Shot? Nelson shot?" cried Calhoun. "Where? How?"
+
+Jennie had to tell him what little she knew about it. All that she had
+heard had come from Confederate sources.
+
+"Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel ashamed. It is the first time
+I ever knew one of Morgan's men to insult a woman."
+
+"I hope that miserable Conway will give you no trouble," said Jennie, as
+they parted.
+
+"No fears on that score," lightly replied Calhoun, as he bade her
+good-bye.
+
+But Calhoun well knew there would be trouble. No Kentucky officer would
+forgive a blow, no matter what the provocation was under which it was
+given.
+
+The blow which Conway received had the effect of sobering him, but he
+presented a pitiable sight. His face was covered with blood, and one eye
+was nearly closed. When he knew it was Calhoun that had struck him, his
+rage was fearful. Nothing but blood would wipe out the insult. For a
+Kentucky gentleman not to resent a blow meant disgrace and dishonor; he
+would be looked upon as a contemptible coward. But Conway was no coward.
+He knew he was in fault, but that would not wipe out the disgrace of the
+blow. There was but one thing for him to do, and that was to challenge
+Calhoun.
+
+That night Calhoun was waited upon by Captain Mathews, who in the name of
+Conway demanded an abject apology. This, of course, was refused, and a
+formal challenge was delivered. Calhoun at once accepted it, and referred
+Mathews to his friend Lieutenant Matson.
+
+"Look here, Pennington," said Mathews, "I do not want you to think I
+uphold Conway in what he did. I am no saint, but I never insulted a woman.
+Conway would not have done it if he had not been drunk. I was just going
+to the lady's rescue when you struck the blow. There was no need of
+knocking Conway down. I understand the girl is a Lincolnite, but that
+makes no difference, Conway is right in demanding satisfaction."
+
+"And I am willing to give it to him," answered Calhoun. "The only thing I
+ask is that the affair be arranged quickly. Let it be to-morrow morning at
+sunrise. And, Captain, understand that I bear you no grudge. I consider
+your action perfectly honorable."
+
+Mathews bowed and withdrew. He and Matson quickly arranged the
+preliminaries. The meeting was to take place at sunrise, in a secluded
+spot near Danville; the weapons were pistols, the distance fifteen paces.
+Only one shot was to be allowed. The affair had to be managed with the
+utmost secrecy; above all things, it had to be kept from the ears of
+Morgan. But it was whispered from one to another until half the officers
+knew of it. None blamed Calhoun, yet none could see how Conway could avoid
+giving the challenge.
+
+"Both are dead men," said an officer, with a grave shake of the head.
+"Morgan ought to be told; he would stop it."
+
+"Tell Morgan if you dare!" cried half a dozen voices.
+
+"Oh, I am not going to tell; if they wish to kill each other it's none of
+my business," replied the officer, turning away.
+
+Calhoun was known as the best pistol shot in the brigade, and Conway was
+no mean marksman. Everyone thought it would be a bloody affair. Many were
+aware of the enmity which Conway held toward Calhoun, and knew he would
+kill him if he could. Meanwhile Jennie slept unconscious of the danger
+Calhoun was in for her sake.
+
+It was a beautiful autumn morning when they met. The sun was just rising,
+touching woods, and fields, and the spires of the distant town with its
+golden light. The meeting was in a place which Calhoun well knew. How
+often he had played there when a boy! It was an open glade in the midst of
+a grove of mighty forest trees. The trees had taken on the beautiful hues
+of autumn, and they flamed with red and gold and orange.
+
+At least twenty had assembled to witness the duel. A surgeon stood near
+with an open case of instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
+turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.
+
+The principals were placed in position. A hush came over the little group
+of spectators. Even the breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
+the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge, and a shower of
+leaves, red as blood, fell around the contestants.
+
+"Are you ready, gentlemen?" asked Mathews.
+
+"Ready!" answered Calhoun.
+
+"Ready!" said Conway.
+
+"One--two--three--fire!"
+
+Conway's pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight twinge of pain. The ball
+had grazed his left side, near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
+For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his pistol and fired in the
+air.
+
+The spectators raised a shout of applause; but Conway was white with rage.
+"I demand another shot," he shouted, "Pennington's action has made a farce
+of this meeting."
+
+"It was the condition that but one shot should be allowed," remonstrated
+Mathews.
+
+"The condition has not been fulfilled," angrily replied Conway; "I demand
+another shot."
+
+In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun, and seeing the hole
+through his clothing, exclaimed. "My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?"
+
+"A mere scratch; it's nothing," answered Calhoun.
+
+An examination showed it to be so, but blood had been drawn. This should
+have satisfied Conway, but it did not; he still insisted on a second shot.
+This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely, when Calhoun asked to be
+heard.
+
+"Although Captain Conway richly deserved the blow I gave him," he said,
+"yet as a gentleman and an officer I felt he could do no less than
+challenge me. I have given him the satisfaction he demanded. If he insists
+on continuing the duel, I shall conclude it is his desire to kill me
+through personal malice, not on account of his injured honor, which
+according to the code has been satisfied. This time there will be no
+firing in the air. Give him the second shot, if he desires it."
+
+"No! No!" cried a dozen voices.
+
+Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a low tone, said: "You fool, do
+you want to be killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if you
+insist on the second shot. Now you are out of it honorably."
+
+Conway mumbled something, and Mathews turning around, said: "Gentlemen, my
+principal acknowledges himself satisfied. It is with pleasure that I
+compliment both of the principals in this affair. They have conducted
+themselves like true Kentucky gentlemen, and I trust they will part as
+such."
+
+"Shake hands, gentlemen, shake hands," cried their friends, crowding
+around them.
+
+Calhoun gave his freely, but Conway extended his coldly. There was a look
+in his eye which foreboded future trouble.
+
+Such a meeting could not be kept secret, and it soon came to the ears of
+Morgan. Both of the principals, as well as the seconds were summoned into
+his presence. He listened to all the details in silence, and then said:
+
+"It is well that this affair resulted as it did. If either one of the
+principals had fallen, the other would have been summarily dealt with.
+Both of you," looking at Conway and Calhoun, "were to blame. Lieutenant
+Pennington should not have struck the blow: no gentleman will tamely
+submit to the indignity of a blow. As for you, Captain Conway, I am
+surprised that you, one of my officers, should insult a lady. If this
+offence is ever repeated, intoxication will be no plea in its extenuation.
+Heretofore it has been our proud boast that where Morgan's men are there
+any lady, be she for North or South, is as safe as in her own home. Let us
+see that it will always be so."
+
+The men who heard burst into a wild cheer. Each of them was a knight to
+uphold the honor of woman.
+
+As Captain Conway listened to the reprimand, his red face became redder.
+His heart was full of anger, but he was diplomat enough to listen with
+becoming humility. To his fellow-officers his plea was intoxication, and
+in the stirring times which followed, his offence was forgotten.
+
+Scouts came dashing into the city with the startling intelligence that a
+large Federal force was advancing on the place. It was not long before a
+battle was being waged through the streets. Before an overwhelming force
+of infantry Morgan had to fall back.
+
+Bragg was in full retreat, and to Morgan fell the lot of guarding the
+rear. As they were falling back from Camp Dick Robinson, Calhoun met a
+Major Hockoday, who to him was the bearer of sad news. The Major said that
+that morning his men pursued a Federal scout who had ventured inside their
+lines. In his effort to escape he had fallen over the cliff of Dick River,
+and been killed. "And I am sorry to say," added the Major, "that that
+scout was your cousin, Captain Fred Shackelford."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Calhoun, in a trembling voice.
+
+"Perfectly sure. I knew him too well to be mistaken. For the sake of his
+father, I sent word to the overseer of the General's plantation so that
+the body could be found, and given Christian burial."
+
+"Thank you," replied Calhoun, as he turned away with swimming eyes. All
+his old love for his cousin had returned. There was little heart in
+Calhoun for battle that day. It was weeks before he learned that Fred was
+not dead.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER X.
+
+
+                               HARTSVILLE.
+
+
+WHEN Bragg evacuated Kentucky his weary army found rest at Murfreesboro.
+This little city is thirty-two miles southeast of Nashville, situated on
+the railroad leading from Nashville to Chattanooga. It had already become
+famous by the capture of a Federal brigade there in August, by General N.
+B. Forrest, and was destined to become the theatre of one of the greatest
+battles of the war.
+
+In the Federal army a great change had taken place. General Buell had been
+relieved from command, and General W. Rosecrans, the hero of the battle of
+Corinth, appointed in his place. This general assembled his army at
+Nashville. Thus the two great armies were only thirty-two miles apart,
+with their outposts almost touching.
+
+Bragg, believing that it would be impossible for Rosecrans to advance
+before spring, established his army in winter quarters, and the soldiers
+looked forward to two or three months of comparative quiet.
+
+Rosecrans's first duty was to reopen the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad, which had been so thoroughly destroyed by Morgan. An army of men
+did the work--a work which took them weeks to accomplish. But it was not in
+the nature of Morgan to be quiet. Not only he, but his men, fretted in
+camp life. Its daily routine with its drills did not suit them. Their home
+was the saddle, and they wanted no other. Therefore Morgan began to look
+around in search of a weak point in the Federal lines. For this purpose
+Calhoun and his scouts were kept busy. They seemed to be omnipresent, now
+here, now there. They would ride in between the Federal posts, learn of
+the citizens where the enemy were posted, and whether their camps were
+guarded with vigilance or not. Many a prisoner was picked up, and much
+valuable information obtained. In this way Morgan soon knew, as well as
+the Federal commander himself, how his troops were posted, and the number
+at each post.
+
+Taking everything into consideration, Calhoun reported that Hartsville
+offered the best opening for an attack. "It is the extreme eastern outpost
+of the Federals," he said. "The nearest troops to them are at Castalian
+Springs, nine miles away. The country from here to Hartsville is entirely
+free of Federal troops, and we can approach the place unobserved. The
+Cumberland River is low and can be forded. But if you wish, I will go and
+make a thorough reconnaissance of the place."
+
+"Go, and be back as soon as possible," replied Morgan, "but be careful; do
+not take too many risks."
+
+With a dozen of his trusty scouts, Calhoun had no trouble in reaching the
+bank of the Cumberland River opposite Hartsville. Here, concealed in the
+woods, through his glass he noted the position of every regiment, and drew
+a map of the camp. But he was not satisfied with this. Under the cover of
+darkness he crossed the river, determined to learn more. Above all, he
+wished to learn where the enemy's pickets were posted at night, their
+exact force, as nearly as possible, and the discipline which they were
+under. He wanted to do all this without alarming them.
+
+After crossing the river he concluded to call at a commodious farm-house,
+situated some three miles from Hartsville. He was almost certain of a
+hearty welcome; there were few disloyal to the South in that section. At
+first he was taken for a Federal soldier in disguise, and admittance was
+refused; but once the inmates were convinced that he was one of Morgan's
+men, the heartiness of his welcome made up for the coldness of his first
+reception.
+
+The planter was well posted. There was one brigade at Hartsville. Until a
+few days before, the brigade had been commanded by a Colonel Scott, but he
+had been relieved by a Colonel Moore. This Moore was the colonel of one of
+the regiments at Hartsville, and had been in the service but a short time.
+Most of the troops were raw and inexperienced. Calhoun was glad to hear
+all this.
+
+In the morning, dressed as a rough country boy, he made a circuit of the
+entire place. This he did by going on foot, and keeping to the fields and
+woods. The location of every picket post was carefully noted, and the best
+way to approach each one. In two or three instances he did not hesitate to
+approach soldiers who were foraging outside of the lines, and in a whining
+tone, enter into conversation with them, informing them he was looking for
+some of his father's pigs.
+
+"Mighty 'fraid sum ov yo-uns Yanks got 'em," he said, with a sigh.
+
+"No doubt, sonny, no doubt," replied a soldier with a hearty laugh. "You
+see, if a pig comes up and grunts at the flag, we have a right to kill him
+for the insult offered. Probably your pigs were guilty of this heinous
+crime, and were sacrificed for the good of the country."
+
+"Do yo-uns mean the Yanks hev 'em?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Undoubtedly, sonny. What are you going to do about it?"
+
+"Goin' to tell dad," replied Calhoun, as he limped off, for he pretended
+to be lame.
+
+Calhoun found that the post was picketed much more strongly to the east
+than the west, for Castalian Springs lay to the west, and the Federals had
+no idea that an attack would come from that direction. If attacked, the
+Confederates would try to force the ford, or they would come from the
+east. For this reason Calhoun decided that Morgan should cross the river
+in between Hartsville and Castalian Springs, and assault from the west.
+
+There was a ferry two miles below Hartsville where the infantry could
+cross the river, but the cavalry would have to go to a ford seven miles or
+within two miles of Castalian Springs. To his surprise, but great
+gratification, he found neither the ferry nor the ford guarded.
+
+Calhoun recrossed the river in safety, and joining his scouts, whom he had
+left on the southern side of the river, he lost no time in making his way
+back to Murfreesboro. Morgan heard his report with evident satisfaction.
+
+"Our only danger," said Calhoun, as he finished his report, "is from the
+force at Castalian Springs. From what I could learn there are at least
+five thousand Federals there. To be successful we must surprise the camp
+at Hartsville, capture the place, and re-cross the river before the force
+from the Springs can reach us. A hard thing to do, but I believe it can be
+done."
+
+"So do I," said Morgan; "with General Bragg's consent, I will start at
+once."
+
+General Bragg not only gave his consent, but owing to the importance of
+the expedition, added to Morgan's cavalry brigade two regiments of
+infantry and a battery.
+
+The force marched to within five miles of Hartsville, and halted until
+night. The night proved very dark, and the way was rough. There was but
+one small ferry-boat in which to cross the infantry, and it was 5:30 in
+the morning before the infantry were all across, and in position two miles
+from Hartsville.
+
+The cavalry had had even a rougher time than the infantry, and one large
+regiment had not yet reported. But Morgan determined not to wait, for it
+would soon be light, and they would be discovered. So with thirteen
+hundred men Morgan moved to capture a Federal brigade of over two
+thousand, and in a position of their own choosing.
+
+To Calhoun and his scouts was assigned the difficult but important task of
+capturing the outposts without alarming the camp. The success of the whole
+movement might depend upon this.
+
+So adroitly did Calhoun manage it, that the surprised pickets were
+captured without firing a gun. Nor was the Confederate force discovered
+until they were within four hundred yards of the Federal camp, and
+advancing in line of battle. It was now getting light, and a negro
+camp-follower discovered them and gave the alarm.
+
+The Federals having been taken by surprise and most of the officers and
+men being raw and inexperienced, consternation reigned in the camp. But
+they formed their lines, and for a few moments put up a brave fight. Then
+their lines broke. Colonel Moore did not seem to have his brigade well in
+hand, and each regiment fought more or less independently. In a short time
+only the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois regiment was left on the site of
+the camp to continue the battle. Although this regiment had been only
+three months in the service and had never been in an engagement before,
+under the command of their brave Lieutenant Colonel, Douglass Hapeman,
+they did not surrender until they were entirely surrounded and nearly two
+hundred of their number had been shot down.
+
+Morgan warmly complimented this regiment on its bravery, saying if all the
+regiments had been like it, the result of the contest would have been
+doubtful. In one hour and a quarter after the battle opened, all was over.
+A whole brigade had laid down their arms to the prowess of Morgan.
+
+But now a new danger arose. Calhoun had been sent toward Castalian Springs
+to watch the enemy in that direction. One of his scouts came dashing in
+with the intelligence that five thousand Federals were hurrying to the
+relief of Hartsville. They must be stopped, and time given to get the
+prisoners and munitions of war across the Cumberland.
+
+Morgan hurried two regiments to where Calhoun and his little band of
+scouts were resisting the advance of the enemy. The show of strength made
+halted the Federals, and a precious hour and a half was gained. In this
+time, by almost superhuman efforts, Morgan had succeeded in crossing the
+prisoners and his men to the south side of the Cumberland. They were now
+safe from pursuit.
+
+It was during the fight with the approaching reinforcements that an
+incident happened which caused Calhoun many hours of uneasiness. During
+the hottest of the engagement a ball, evidently fired from the rear,
+grazed his cheek. He thought little of it, supposing some one had fired in
+his rear, not seeing him. But in a moment a ball passed through his hat.
+Wheeling suddenly, to his surprise he saw Captain Conway with a smoking
+revolver in his hand.
+
+"You are shooting carelessly, Captain!" exclaimed Calhoun, angrily, riding
+up to him.
+
+For a moment the Captain cowered, then recovering himself, he said: "You
+are mistaken, Lieutenant; it was some one in the rear. The same balls came
+close to me." Just then the order was given to fall back, and Conway rode
+hastily away. There was no direct proof, but Calhoun was certain Conway
+had tried to kill him. More than one man has been disposed of in time of
+battle by a personal enemy. Many an obnoxious officer has bitten the dust
+in this manner. Calhoun could only bide his time and watch. But he now
+firmly believed his life was in more danger from Conway than it was in
+battle with the Federals.
+
+Hartsville, considering everything, was one of the greatest victories
+Morgan ever won, as he captured a whole brigade with a vastly inferior
+force. The Federals lost in killed, wounded, and captured two thousand one
+hundred men. Of these nearly three hundred were killed and wounded.
+Morgan's actual force engaged was only thirteen hundred, and of these he
+lost one hundred and forty, a small loss considering he was the assaulting
+party.
+
+The capture of Hartsville caused the utmost chagrin in the Federal army,
+and not only in the army but throughout the North. Even President Lincoln
+telegraphed asking for full particulars. General Halleck ordered the
+dishonorable dismissal of Colonel Moore, but the order was never carried
+into effect. Of his bravery there was no question.
+
+This victory caused the name of Morgan to be more feared than ever.
+"Morgan is coming!" was a cry which caused fear and trembling in many a
+Yankee's heart.
+
+President Davis of the Confederate States, shortly after the capture of
+Hartsville, visited Murfreesboro, and as a reward for his services,
+presented Morgan with a commission as Brigadier-General in the Confederate
+army. General Hardie asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie knew
+Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for some reason President Davis
+refused the request.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+                       MORGAN'S SECOND GREAT RAID.
+
+
+General Morgan was allowed but ten days' rest after his return from his
+great victory at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished repairing the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and trains were running again between
+the two cities. Reports had been brought to General Bragg that the Federal
+troops at Nashville were suffering greatly for want of food; that military
+stores of all kinds were short; and he thought if the road were again
+broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall back on account of supplies. Who
+so willing and able to break it as General Morgan?
+
+But there was little use of trying to raid the road south of Bowling
+Green, for it was guarded by thousands of men. To cripple the road
+effectually meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky. To
+this General Morgan was not averse.
+
+When his men heard that another raid was to be made into Kentucky, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
+encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights, and the tremendous
+fatigue they would be called upon to endure? They were to stir up the
+Yankees once more; that was enough.
+
+"Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!" was their cry, and they shouted and sang
+until they could shout and sing no longer for want of breath.
+
+Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the expedition, and was willing
+to give Morgan all the troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon at
+the head of the most formidable force he had ever commanded. It consisted
+of over three thousand cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own light
+battery.
+
+The task which had been assigned him was indeed a perilous one. It was to
+ride almost to the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the immense
+trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This done, the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad would again be effectually crippled for weeks.
+
+He set out from Alexandria, on December 22, and in two days he was in
+Glasgow, Kentucky. The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon Morgan as
+a monthly visitor by this time; therefore they were not surprised at his
+coming. Here he met with the first Federal force, which was quickly
+scattered.
+
+Remaining in Glasgow only long enough to rest his horses, he pushed on for
+Mumfordsville, where the great bridge spans the Green River. But learning
+that the place was held by so strong a force that it would be madness for
+him to attack it, he passed a few miles to the right, and struck the
+railroad at Bacon Creek. Here a stout block-house, defended by ninety
+soldiers, guarded the bridge. They put up a stout defence in hopes of
+being reinforced from Mumfordsville, but at last were compelled to
+surrender, the block-house being knocked to pieces by Morgan's artillery.
+
+Burning the bridge and destroying four miles of road, the command moved on
+to Nolan, where another block-house was captured and a bridge burned. This
+was the third time that these bridges had been destroyed by Morgan.
+
+Elizabethtown was the next goal to be reached. As they approached the
+place, Calhoun, who was in advance with his scouts, was met by an officer
+bearing a flag of truce, who handed him a dirty envelope, on which was
+scrawled:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                    ELIZABETHTOWN, KY., December 27, 1862.
+To the Commander of the Confederate Force.
+
+Sir: I demand an unconditional surrender of all of your forces. I have you
+surrounded, and will compel you to surrender.
+
+                               I am, sir, your obedient servant,
+                                                          H. S. SMITH,
+                                                   Commanding U. S. Force.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+"Well," exclaimed Calhoun, as he glanced at it, "I have often been told
+that Yankees have cheek, but this is the greatest exhibition of it I have
+met. Who is H. S. Smith, anyway?"
+
+"One of the numerous Smith family, I reckon," dryly responded one of his
+men. "He should have signed it John Smith. This would have concealed his
+identity, and prevented us from knowing what a fool he is."
+
+But the message was taken back to Morgan, and Calhoun never saw him laugh
+more heartily than when he read it.
+
+"Go back and tell Mr. Smith," replied Morgan, trying to keep his face
+straight, "that he has made a little mistake. It is he who is surrounded,
+and must surrender."
+
+The message was taken back, but Mr. Smith answered pompously that it was
+the business of United States officer to fight, not to surrender.
+
+"Very good," replied Calhoun, "get back and let us open the ball."
+
+It took only a few shells from Morgan's battery to convince Mr. Smith he
+had made a mistake, and that it was the business of at least one United
+States officer to surrender, and not to fight. Six hundred and fifty-two
+prisoners fell into Morgan's hands, also a large quantity of military
+stores. The stores were destroyed. At Elizabethtown Morgan was in striking
+distance of the object of his expedition, the great trestles at Muldraugh
+Hill. There were two trestles, known as the upper and lower, both defended
+by stout stockades.
+
+General Morgan divided his forces, Colonel Breckinridge with one brigade
+attacking the lower stockade, while Morgan with Colonel Duke's brigade
+attacked the upper. A couple of hours of severe shelling convinced the
+commanders of these stockades also that it was the duty of a United States
+officer to surrender, and not to fight. Seven hundred more prisoners and
+an immense store of military goods were added to Morgan's captures. The
+goods, as usual, were destroyed.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the surrender of the block-houses when the
+trestles were a mass of flames. They were immense structures, each nearly
+fifteen hundred feet long, and from eighty to ninety feet high. Thus the
+object of the expedition had been gained. Again the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad was rendered useless to Rosecrans's army.
+
+But Morgan's danger had just commenced. Thus far he had had his own way.
+The enraged Federals were moving heaven and earth to compass his capture.
+A brigade was transported from Gallatin to Mumfordsville by rail, joined
+to the force at that place, and ordered to move east and cut off his
+retreat. The forces in Central Kentucky were ordered to concentrate at
+Lebanon. Thus they hoped to cut off every line of retreat.
+
+"Don't let Morgan escape," was the command flashed to every Federal
+officer in Kentucky.
+
+From Muldraugh Hill Morgan marched for Bardstown. This led him across the
+Lebanon Railroad. Before all of his force had crossed the Rolling Fork of
+Salt River, the pursuing force, under Colonel Harlan, came up and engaged
+the rear. The rear guard under Colonel Duke gallantly resisted them until
+all had crossed in safety, but during the action Colonel Duke was severely
+wounded by a piece of shell. General Boyle, the Federal commander at
+Louisville, gave out that he had died of his wounds and there was great
+rejoicing. But the gallant Colonel lived, to the disappointment of his
+enemies.
+
+The Federals, in close pursuit, left Morgan little time to destroy the
+railroad leading to Lebanon, but he captured a stockade, and burned the
+bridge at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he pushed rapidly on to
+Springfield. From that place he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon.
+His rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented them from
+concentrating their forces, for they knew not which way he would go next.
+
+From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving Lebanon a few miles to his
+left, so as to avoid the large force at that place; he reached New Market
+a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid the troops which had been
+concentrating at Hodgensville, he now took the road to Campbellsville.
+
+In going through the Muldraugh range of hills to the south of New Market,
+his rear guard was struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
+Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively fight. There was now more
+or less skirmishing for some miles.
+
+There now happened to Calhoun one of the most thrilling adventures he
+experienced during the whole war. As the post of danger was now in the
+rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant service in holding back
+the Federals. There had been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing had
+been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not thinking of danger, he and a
+Captain Tribble halted their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
+dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard passing on. They lingered
+longer than they thought, and had just remounted their horses when they
+were suddenly surprised by three horsemen, who came galloping up, yelling
+to them to surrender. For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their revolvers
+and fire was the work of a moment. The Federals returned the fire. A
+pistol duel now took place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
+strange to say, no one was hurt.
+
+Throwing down their now useless weapons, all drew their swords and
+furiously spurred their horses on to the combat. It was almost like a
+medi�val contest, where knight met knight with sword only. While one of
+the Federals engaged Captain Tribble, two rode straight for Calhoun, the
+foremost a fine-looking man in the uniform of a Federal colonel. Parrying
+his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his horse, avoided the other. They
+wheeled their horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did Calhoun parry
+the fierce blow aimed at him; at the same time he managed to prick the
+horse of the other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable. This left
+Calhoun free to engage the Colonel alone, who aimed at him a tremendous
+blow. This blow Calhoun avoided, and as it met with no resistance, its
+force threw the Colonel forward on his saddle. As quick as lightning, the
+point of Calhoun's sword reached his heart, and the combat was over.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS
+  SADDLE.]
+
+During this time Tribble had vanquished his antagonist. The remaining
+Federal, seeing one of his comrades dead and the other a prisoner, threw
+down his sword and surrendered. The dead officer proved to be Colonel D.
+J. Halisy of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry.
+
+This conflict was long remembered as one of the most remarkable ever
+engaged in by any of Morgan's men, and Calhoun was warmly congratulated by
+the whole command on his prowess.
+
+The death of Colonel Halisy seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of Morgan's
+pursuers. Although they followed him to Campbellsville, and from
+Campbellsville to Columbia, the pursuit was a feeble one. In fact, so
+timid was Colonel Hoskins that he ordered his advance not to engage Morgan
+if they found him at Columbia, but to wait for the column from
+Hodgensville to come up. From Columbia all pursuit ceased, and Morgan was
+left to return to Tennessee at his leisure.
+
+While at Columbia Morgan reports that his men heard distinctly the sound
+of distant cannonading away to the southwest. To their accustomed ears it
+told of a battle raging. It was the thunder of Rosecrans's cannon at Stone
+River. Little did Morgan's men think at that time that that distant
+thunder meant that hundreds of their brave brothers were being slaughtered
+in that fatal charge of Breckinridge. Murfreesboro is, as the crow flies,
+a hundred and eighteen miles from Columbia. In no other battle during the
+war is it reported that cannonading was heard so far.
+
+From Columbia Morgan proceeded by easy stages to Smithville, Tennessee,
+which he reached January 5, just fourteen days after he had started on his
+raid from Alexandria. During this time his command had travelled fully six
+hundred miles. This raid was one of the most remarkable Morgan ever made,
+when we consider what he accomplished, and the number of troops that tried
+in vain to capture him. Riding within a few miles of thousands of men, he
+easily eluded all his pursuers and escaped almost scot free.
+
+General Morgan, in summing up the results of this raid, says: "It meant
+the destruction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from
+Mumfordsville to Shephardsville within eighteen miles of Louisville,
+rendering it impassable for at least two months; the capture of eighteen
+hundred and seventy-seven prisoners, including sixty-two commissioned
+officers; the destruction of over two million dollars' worth of United
+States property, and a large loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. The
+loss of my entire command was: killed, 2; wounded, 24; missing, 64."
+
+It seems impossible that so much could be accomplished with so slight a
+loss. The number of his killed and wounded shows that the Federals touched
+him very gingerly; that they did not force the fighting. In the capture of
+the stockades in which he took so many prisoners, Morgan suffered hardly
+any loss, as he forced the surrender with his artillery. But the joy which
+Morgan and his men felt over the success of the raid was clouded when they
+reached Tennessee by the news of the result of the battle of Stone River.
+Murfreesboro no longer belonged to the South. Bragg had retreated to his
+new line along Duck River.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+                              A SPY! A SPY!
+
+
+For nearly six months after the battle of Stone River, the Federal army
+made no general advance. General Rosecrans made his headquarters at
+Murfreesboro, while Bragg's was at Tullahoma. But these months were not
+months of idleness. Almost daily skirmishes took place between the lines,
+and there were a number of contests which arose to the dignity of battles.
+
+Morgan's cavalry protected the right of Bragg's army. His headquarters
+were nominally at MacMinnville, but it could truly be said they were in
+the saddle. Morgan did not stay long in any one place. A number of
+expeditions were made against him, sometimes with a whole division, but he
+managed to elude them with slight loss.
+
+Only twice during all this time did severe reverse overtake him--once at
+Milton, when he failed in his efforts to capture a brigade of infantry,
+and again at Snow Hill, when he was charged by a whole division of cavalry
+under the leadership of General David Stanley.
+
+His captures of scouting and forage parties were numerous during these
+months, and he added a long list of prisoners to those he had already
+captured. But so strongly was every place held, and so numerous had become
+the Federal cavalry, it was impossible to make any large capture. The
+enemy had learned by bitter experience, that eternal vigilance was their
+only safety in guarding against Morgan, and the troops which held the left
+of Rosecrans's army were always in fear. No Federal soldier was safe half
+a mile outside the lines. Bitterly did many sleepy soldiers curse him, for
+at three o'clock every morning they were forced to get up and stand at
+arms until broad daylight. The Federal officers wanted no more surprises.
+But in spite of all their vigilance, Morgan would swoop down and carry off
+prisoners from under their very noses.
+
+These months were busy ones for Calhoun; he and his scouts were always on
+the go. At the battle of Milton he greatly distinguished himself, and was
+the subject of a complimentary order. But during the battle he received a
+slight flesh wound in the arm and the ball came from the rear. Again was
+Conway behind him. The thought that he might be slain in this treacherous
+manner was distracting, but what could he do? He durst not complain; such
+a monstrous charge against a brother officer would have to be
+substantiated by the best of proof. He could only avoid Conway as much as
+possible during battle, and hope for the best. After the battle at Milton,
+by reason of losses in the regiment, Conway was promoted, being appointed
+major. It was fortunate for Calhoun that he was chief of scouts, and on
+Morgan's staff, or Conway would have made his life a burden, for he was a
+member of the regiment of which Conway was major.
+
+One day Calhoun, being sent on special duty over to the left of Bragg's
+army, found himself in Columbia. He now remembered what Captain Haines had
+told him of the misfortunes which had befallen the Osbornes, and he
+determined to visit them. As he approached the place a sigh escaped him,
+for the plantation no longer was blooming like a rose, and the splendid
+mansion house was a charred mass of ruins.
+
+He found the family living in a small house which once had been occupied
+by the overseer. Their story was soon told. After Lieutenant Haines had
+been exchanged, he came back and was stationed at Columbia. He visited
+them frequently, was very attentive to Miss Osborne, and at last asked her
+to become his wife. He was very politely but firmly refused. He now began
+a series of petty persecutions, and was forbidden the house as a guest.
+Then he began to threaten. He reported to the commander that Osborne's
+house was the headquarters of a gang of guerrillas which gave the Federal
+authorities in Columbia and Pulaski a great deal of trouble.
+
+About this time the murder of General Robert McCook by guerrillas greatly
+angered the Federals. A few days after he was killed a couple of foragers
+from Columbia were found dead. Lieutenant Haines lost no time in reporting
+that the gang of guerrillas sheltered by Osborne had murdered the men. A
+party was sent out, who burned the house, took away everything of value in
+the shape of stock, and arrested Mr. Osborne, who was afterwards sent
+North as a prisoner.
+
+Calhoun listened to the recital with flashing eyes. "The villain!" he
+exclaimed; "if I had only known this he would not have escaped so easily
+when we captured him at Gallatin."
+
+"That is not all," continued Mrs. Osborne, in a broken voice. "After all
+this had happened, the scoundrel had the effrontery to renew his suit, and
+say if Emma would marry him he would see that Mr. Osborne was released;
+that he had powerful political friends who could accomplish this. We
+spurned his proposition as it deserved. I knew my husband would rather rot
+in prison than consent to such a monstrous thing."
+
+"Oh! had I known! had I known!" exclaimed Calhoun, pacing up and down the
+room in his excitement; "but we may meet again."
+
+Little did Calhoun think that before many days they would meet again, and
+that that meeting would nearly mean for him the ignominious death of a
+spy. A few days after his return from Columbia, he asked the permission of
+Morgan to visit Nashville. "I would like to see," said he, "what our
+friends, the enemy, are doing in that city."
+
+Morgan shook his head. "I don't want to see you hanged," he replied.
+
+But Calhoun argued so zealously, that at last Morgan's scruples were
+overcome, and he gave his consent, but added, "If you should be captured
+and executed, I would never forgive myself."
+
+Calhoun looked upon it as a mere holiday affair; he had passed through too
+many dangers to be terrified. Taking half a dozen of his trusty scouts
+with him, he had no trouble in reaching the Cumberland River a few miles
+above Nashville. The few scouting parties of the enemy they met were
+easily avoided. He ordered his scouts to remain secreted in a thick wood
+near by a friendly house, from which they could obtain food for themselves
+and provender for their horses.
+
+"If I am not back in three days," said he, "return to Morgan, and tell him
+I have been captured."
+
+His men pleaded with him to let at least one of them accompany him, but
+this he refused, saying it would but add to his danger.
+
+From the gentleman who resided in the nearby house he secured a skiff
+which had been kept secreted from the lynx-eyed Federals. In this Calhoun
+proposed to float down to Nashville.
+
+Night came dark and cloudy. It was just such a night as Calhoun wished.
+Clad in a suit of citizen's clothes, and with muffled oars, he bade his
+comrades a cheerful good night, and pushed out into the river, and in a
+moment the darkness had swallowed him up. He floated down as noiselessly
+as a drifting stick.
+
+In an hour's time the lights of Nashville came in view; the dangers of his
+trip had just commenced. He knew that the banks of the river would not
+only be strongly patrolled, but the lights from the shore and from the
+steamers moored at the wharfs shone across the stream in places, making it
+impossible for an object the size of his boat to pass without being
+noticed.
+
+But Calhoun was prepared for just such an emergency. He was a capital
+swimmer, and had no fears of the water. He had weighted his skiff with
+stones, bored a hole in the bottom, and filled it with a plug which could
+easily be removed. When he had drifted as far as he dared, he removed the
+plug. The skiff gradually filled and at last sank. If any person had
+looked after it disappeared, all he would have seen would have been the
+small branch of a tree, covered with leaves, floating down with the
+current.
+
+When Calhoun was well down abreast of the city, and coming to a place
+where shadows covered the river, he turned toward the bank. Fortunately he
+landed near a dark alley which led down to the water. Listening intently,
+he heard nothing, and making his way up the alley, he soon came to a
+street. A violent storm came on, which was of advantage to him, for if he
+met any one, it would account for his dripping clothes. It also had the
+effect of driving the patrol guards into shelter.
+
+Calhoun was no stranger in the city. He had visited it frequently when a
+boy, for he had an uncle residing there, now a colonel in the Confederate
+army. But his family still resided in the old home, and he knew that there
+he would find a haven of safety. Carefully making his way, and dodging the
+few guards that he met, he soon reached the house. The yard was inclosed
+with a high iron fence, the pickets provided with sharp points. But
+Calhoun had been in the army too long to be baffled by any such obstacle.
+He mounted the fence with but little trouble and dropped down into the
+yard.
+
+Making his way to the rear of the house, he found refuge in a small shed.
+The night had turned cool and he shivered with the cold. But he durst not
+arouse the household, for the alarm might be heard outside. The hours
+passed wearily by, but at last morning came. He looked eagerly for some of
+the family to appear, but only the colored servants passed in and out. To
+escape being seen he had hidden behind a large box in the shed.
+
+He heard the call for breakfast, and concluded he had never been so hungry
+before in his life. After a while his patience was rewarded. A young lady
+came out of the house, and entering the shed, began looking around, as if
+searching for something. It was his cousin Kate.
+
+"Kate!" he whispered.
+
+The girl started and looked wildly around.
+
+"Kate!"
+
+She uttered a little scream and turned as if to flee.
+
+"Kate, don't be afraid. It is I, your cousin Calhoun Pennington."
+
+"Where? Where?" she half-whispered, looking eagerly around and poised as
+if still for flight.
+
+"Here behind the box. Come close. There, don't ask a question. Get the
+servants out of the way and smuggle me into the house unseen. I am wet,
+cold, and hungry."
+
+Kate flew to do his bidding. In a few moments she came out and beckoned to
+him, and right gladly he followed her into the house. One risen from the
+dead would hardly have created more surprise than did his appearance. His
+aunt and Kate persisted in embracing him, wet and dirty as he was.
+
+To their eager questions, he said: "Dry clothes first, Auntie, and
+breakfast. I am famished. I will then talk with you to your heart's
+content."
+
+Mrs. Shackelford had had a son about the size of Calhoun killed in the
+army, and our hero was soon arrayed in a nice dry suit, and seated before
+a substantial breakfast, upon which he made a furious assault. When his
+hunger was fully appeased, he informed his aunt and Kate he was ready to
+talk. And how they did talk! They had a thousand questions to ask, and he
+had full as many.
+
+To his surprise and joy he learned that his cousin, Fred Shackelford, had
+not been killed by his fall over the cliff, as Major Hockoday reported.
+Instead he was alive and well, was with the army at Murfreesboro, and
+frequently visited them.
+
+"He has been a good friend to us," said Mrs. Shackelford, "but at one time
+he was nearly the death of Kate."
+
+"Why, how was that?" asked Calhoun.
+
+Then for the first time he heard of Forrest's plot to capture Nashville,
+and of Kate's part in it, of her condemnation, and imprisonment as a spy,
+and how Fred had secured her pardon.(2)
+
+Calhoun listened to the story in wonder. When it was finished, he
+exclaimed: "Why, Kate, you are a heroine! I am proud of you."
+
+"I am not proud of myself," answered Kate. "I blush every time I think of
+how--how I lied and deceived."
+
+"Oh! that is a part of war," laughed Calhoun. "If Morgan didn't lie about
+the number of men he had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time. We
+don't call such things lying; it's a righteous deceiving of the enemy."
+
+"But I am ready to sink into the earth with shame every time I think of
+Ainsworth," sighed Kate.
+
+"That's rich," laughed Calhoun; "crying because you broke the heart of a
+Yankee! Kate, I have a mind to send you into the enemy's lines. If Cupid's
+darts were only fatal, your bright eyes would create more havoc than a
+battle."
+
+"No use sending her away," broke in Mrs. Shackelford; "there are more
+Federal officers buzzing around her now than I wish there were."
+
+"Mighty useful to worm secrets from," exclaimed Kate; "but I make no
+promises to any of them."
+
+"That's right, Kate, get all the secrets from them you can," said Calhoun;
+"that is what I am in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city
+without much danger?"
+
+"Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always more or less danger to
+strangers. Business is going on as usual. The city is lively, livelier
+than before the war; but it is soldiers--soldiers everywhere."
+
+"And you have to have no passes?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"It is best to have one. Most of us have standing permits to come and go
+in the city as we please."
+
+"Can you get me a permit?" asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+"There is Jim Grantham," replied Kate, thoughtfully; "his description will
+suit Calhoun close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his."
+
+Calhoun was now told that the Southern people in Nashville were thoroughly
+organized into a secret society. They had their signs and pass-words, so
+that they could know each other. So far no one had proved a traitor. The
+Federal authorities suspected that such an organization existed, but their
+shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out anything about it.
+
+Kate, who had gone for the permit of James Grantham, soon returned with
+it. The description fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for
+himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville with little fear of
+arrest.
+
+He was given a list of those who could most probably give him the
+information he desired. He marvelled to see how quickly a little sign
+which he gave was answered, and was amazed at the work this secret
+organization was doing. Not a regiment entered or left Nashville but they
+knew its exact strength, and to what point it was ordered.
+
+In two days Calhoun had gathered information which would be of vast value
+to the Confederate cause, and it was now time for him to see by what means
+he could leave the city. He was on his way to see three gentlemen who said
+they could get him outside of the city without trouble or danger, when an
+incident happened which came near sending him to the gallows. He was
+walking unconcernedly along the street, when he suddenly came face to face
+with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun was dressed in citizen's
+clothes, the captain knew him at a glance.
+
+"A spy! A spy!" he yelled at the top of his voice, and made a grab at
+Calhoun. Calhoun struck him a tremendous blow which sent him rolling in
+the gutter, and fled at the top of his speed.
+
+But a score of voices took up the cry, and a howling mob, mostly of
+soldiers, were at his heels. He hoped to reach the river, where among the
+immense piles of stores heaped along the levee, or among the shipping, he
+might secrete himself, but a patrol guard suddenly appeared a block away,
+and his retreat was cut off. He gave himself up for lost, and reached for
+a small pistol which he carried, with the intention of putting a bullet
+through his own heart; "for," thought he, "they shall never have the
+pleasure of hanging me before a gaping crowd."
+
+Just then he saw two young ladies standing in the open door of a house.
+What told him safety lay there he never knew, but hope sprang up within
+his breast. Dashing up the steps, he thrust the ladies back into the
+house, slammed the door to, and locked it. So rude was his entrance, one
+of the ladies fell to the floor.
+
+"Save me! Save me!" he cried, "I am a Confederate spy," and he gave the
+sign of the secret order.
+
+The young lady who had not fallen was terribly frightened, but she grasped
+the situation in a moment.
+
+"Upstairs," she gasped, pointing the way; "tell mother, the secret place."
+
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying her. The girl flew to the back door and
+opened it, then back just as her sister was rising, her face covered with
+blood, for she had hit her nose in falling.
+
+"Quick, Annette, in the parlor," said her sister; "assent to everything I
+say."
+
+Annette staggered into the parlor hardly knowing what she did, for she was
+dazed and terribly frightened. The sister, whose name was Inez, was now at
+the door, which was giving way before the blows of Calhoun's pursuers. All
+this happened in less than a minute.
+
+"Stop!" she cried, "I will unlock the door," and she did so, and when the
+soldiers rushed in, crying, "Where is he? Where is the spy?" she stood
+wringing her hands and sobbing, "My sister! Oh, my sister! he has murdered
+her."
+
+The words brought the soldiers to a halt. "Who murdered your sister?"
+asked a sergeant who seemed to be the leader.
+
+"The man! the man who ran in here!"
+
+"Where is he? He is the fellow we want."
+
+"He rushed out of the back door. Oh! my sister, my sister!"
+
+"After him, boys; don't let him get away!" yelled the sergeant, and they
+rushed through the house in hot pursuit.
+
+The house was rapidly filling, when a captain appeared, and learning of
+the sobbing Inez what the trouble was, said: "Murdered your sister!
+Horrible! where is she?"
+
+"Here," said Inez, leading the way into the parlor. Annette was reclining
+on a sofa, her face bloody; she was apparently in a fainting condition.
+
+The captain acted quickly. He ordered the house to be cleared, sent a
+subordinate for a surgeon, and another to have the whole block surrounded.
+In the mean time the mother of the girls had appeared, and was adding her
+sobs to those of her eldest daughter. When the surgeon came and had washed
+the blood from Annette's face, her only injury was found to be a bruised
+nose.
+
+Both the captain and the surgeon looked inquiringly. "How is this?" they
+asked, "you said your sister was murdered."
+
+"I--I thought she was," stammered Inez. "I saw the blood and thought the
+man had stabbed her."
+
+"Tell us just what happened," said the captain.
+
+Annette, who had by this time so far recovered from her fright as to
+comprehend what was going on, saw Inez give her the signal of danger. It
+put her on her guard.
+
+"Why, it was this way," said Inez, in answer to the captain, "sister and I
+were going out, but just as we opened the door, there was a tumult on the
+street. We stopped to see what the trouble was, when a man dashed up the
+steps. We tried to oppose him, but he struck sister a cruel blow, knocking
+her down, flung me backward, and slamming the door to, locked it; then
+running through the house, disappeared through the back door. Seeing
+sister's face covered with blood, I picked her up and carried her into the
+parlor. By this time the soldiers were breaking down the door, and I went
+and unlocked it."
+
+Annette only knew that she tried to oppose the entrance of a strange man,
+who knocked her down. She must have been rendered unconscious, for she
+remembered nothing more, until she found herself lying on the sofa in the
+parlor. The mother, Mrs. Lovell, was upstairs, and knew nothing of what
+had happened until alarmed by the screams of her daughters and the noisy
+entrance of the soldiers. These stories so accorded with the known facts
+that the captain did not for a moment doubt them. But when the sergeant
+returned and reported that no trace of the fugitive could be discovered,
+he was puzzled.
+
+Orders were given to search every house in the block. This was done, but
+the search was fruitless. When this fact was reported, the captain bit his
+lip in vexation. Then turning to Inez, he said: "Pardon me, Miss Lovell,
+while I do not doubt your story in the least, are you sure the fellow ran
+out of the house? Was not his opening the back door just a ruse? He opened
+the door and then dodged into some room, thinking this house the safest
+place for him. Every house in the block has been searched except this one,
+and we can find no trace of him. While I regret it, I shall be compelled
+to have this house searched."
+
+"I am sure he ran out," answered Inez, "but I confess I was very badly
+frightened. If you think he is in the house, search it. I ask as a favor
+that you search it, for if he is concealed in the house as you think, he
+may murder us all."
+
+A thorough search was made, but there was found no trace of Calhoun. The
+officers and soldiers retired greatly puzzled. A strong guard was
+maintained around the block for three days; then all hopes of catching
+Calhoun were given up, and the guard was withdrawn.
+
+The Federal authorities had become aware who the fugitive was through
+Captain Haines. "I cannot be mistaken," he said; "I have met him too many
+times. He is one of the most daring of all of Morgan's cutthroats"; and
+then he gave an account of his first meeting with Calhoun.
+
+But where was Calhoun all this time? When he rushed upstairs at the
+command of Inez, he was met at the top by Mrs. Lovell, who started in
+affright at the sight of him.
+
+"Your daughter said, 'The secret place!' " he exclaimed, as he gave her
+the sign of danger. "My pursuers are already at the door."
+
+The lady quickly recovered herself. "Come!" she said, and led Calhoun into
+a room. Here she began working in a corner. Her hands trembled as she did
+so, for the soldiers were thundering at the door downstairs, and she could
+hear it giving way. To Calhoun's intense surprise, a section of the
+apparently solid wall gave way, leaving an opening large enough for a
+person to enter by crawling on his hands and knees.
+
+"Quick, go in!" said the lady.
+
+Calhoun needed no second bidding, but crawled in, and the wall slowly came
+back to place. Calhoun found himself in a narrow place, between the wall
+of the room and the side of the house. The house had been built with a
+mansard roof on the sides, thus leaving a space. This space was about
+three feet wide at the bottom, coming to a point at the top. Close under
+the eaves, where it would not be noticed, an aperture had been left for
+the admission of air, and through it a ray of light came.
+
+Narrow and contracted as his quarters were, to Calhoun they were more
+welcome than a palace. It was plain that the place had been occupied
+before, for on the floor there were soft blankets, and in feeling around
+Calhoun discovered a jug of water and some provisions. It was evident that
+no one who was put in there hurriedly was to be allowed to suffer from
+thirst or hunger.
+
+Calhoun could hear every word which was said when the soldiers searched
+the room. His heart stood still when he heard them sounding the walls, but
+they gave forth no uncertain sound, and the soldiers departed, much to his
+relief.
+
+It was not until the next day that Calhoun was allowed to leave his
+hiding-place, and then he was told he must not leave the room. He had to
+be ready to seek his refuge at a moment's notice, if found necessary. For
+three days he was virtually a prisoner, then the guards around the block
+were withdrawn.
+
+Word was taken to his aunt and Kate where he was. They had been in an
+agony of fear over his non-return. But they durst not visit him.
+
+To Mrs. Lovell and her daughters Calhoun felt he could never repay what
+they had done for him. He felt like a brute, when Annette was introduced
+to him, her pretty features disfigured by a swollen nose, and when he was
+making his most abject apologies, she interrupted him with a gay laugh.
+
+"I am proud of that nose!" she exclaimed; "as proud as a gallant soldier
+of his wounds, for does it not show that I have shed my blood for our
+beloved South?"
+
+We are of the opinion that during his enforced imprisonment, Calhoun would
+have lost his heart to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged to a
+gallant officer in Bragg's army.
+
+What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought that his scouts would
+return to Morgan with the news that he was captured, but there was no help
+for it.
+
+After the guards had been withdrawn, he at once began to make plans for
+his escape from the city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
+vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and it was impossible for
+any one to leave the city without his identity being fully established.
+
+At last Inez clapped her hands. "I have it," she cried. "Get him out to
+Dr. Caldwell. The doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and on
+the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington can take to the river going
+as he did coming."
+
+"But he can't float up stream," said Annette, "and as for a boat, that
+will be impossible."
+
+"He can swim," said Inez, "swim across the river. He will be above the
+pickets around Edgefield."
+
+"But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not safe for him to appear on
+the street. Not a guard but has a description of him," said the careful
+Annette.
+
+"Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the Robinsons lived next door);
+it will be easy for the doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
+think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known."
+
+Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr. Caldwell visited Mrs.
+Robinson during the day, he was seen, and consented to the scheme. "Muffle
+him up," he said, "he will be taken for one of my patients." Before
+Calhoun left he wrote a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines -- Regt.
+This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well out of the city.
+
+Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun to his home. Here he stayed
+until dark, then bidding the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
+into the river and was soon across, and began to make his way slowly up
+the northern bank. But the night was dark, and after many falls and
+bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having made himself a bed of
+leaves beside a log, he was soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers
+were lurking near.
+
+As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed when Calhoun was not
+caught. But his leave of absence was out, and he had to return to his
+regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two after his return the following
+letter came with his mail:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                         NASHVILLE, TENN., April 25, 1863.
+To Capt. Chas. Haines,
+
+My Dear Captain: When you receive this I shall be well out of Nashville.
+We have already met three times, and I trust we may meet once more. If we
+do, it will be our last, for one or the other of us will die. I know of
+your damnable treatment of the Osbornes. Be assured it will be avenged.
+
+                                                Sincerely yours,
+                                                 CALHOUN PENNINGTON,
+                                           Lieutenant, Morgan's Command.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Captain Haines was no coward, but his hand trembled like a leaf when he
+laid the letter down.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+                              UNDER ARREST.
+
+
+Calhoun did not wake until the light of the morning sun was sifting
+through the branches of the trees. He arose stiff and somewhat chill, but
+the day promised to be a warm one, and a little exercise put a delightful
+heat through his body. All he lacked was a good breakfast, and he must not
+look for that until he had crossed the river; he was yet too close to
+Nashville to try to cross it. Then he must secure a horse, and where would
+he be so likely to secure one as at the home of Mr. Edmunds, the gentleman
+of whom he had obtained the skiff, and who had given him all possible aid?
+He had no hopes of finding his men, for at the end of three days they
+would return to Morgan, taking his horse with them.
+
+He slowly made his way up the river, dodging two or three scouting
+parties, until he thought he must be nearly opposite to where Mr. Edmunds
+lived. The place seemed favorable, as there were woods on both sides of
+the river, so he determined to cross. But if he had known it, he had
+selected a very dangerous place. A road which led down to the river was
+but a few yards in front of him, and it was one of the places to which the
+Federal cavalry came as they patrolled the bank of the river.
+
+Just as he was about to remove some of his clothing, which he would carry
+over on his head as he swam the stream, he was startled by the sound of
+horses' hoofs, and he hastily concealed himself in a thicket. Soon a
+Federal sergeant, accompanied by two soldiers, came down the road, and
+riding near the edge of the river, dismounted.
+
+"Here is the place," said the sergeant.
+
+"What are we to do here?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Keep watch to see if any Johnny attempts to cross the river," answered
+the sergeant; "but I doubt if we see anything larger than buzzards, and we
+can't stop them."
+
+The men made themselves comfortable, and lay in the shade smoking their
+pipes. Calhoun was considering the proposition whether he could not
+quietly withdraw, and flank them without being seen, when one of the men
+said: "Sergeant, let me go to that house we passed and see if I cannot get
+a canteen of milk. It will go good with our hardtack."
+
+"You can both go," replied the sergeant; "I guess I can stop any one who
+attempts to cross the river while you are away. But don't be gone long."
+
+The men quickly availed themselves of the opportunity, and mounting their
+horses rode away. The sergeant stretched himself on the ground, and lazily
+watched the river. Now was Calhoun's time. He had secured a good revolver
+when he left Nashville. This he had kept dry when he swam the river by
+wrapping it in his outside clothing, which he had made into a bundle, and
+carried over on his head. Taking the revolver in his hand, ready for
+instant use, he cautiously crept up on the sergeant.
+
+  [Illustration: HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.]
+
+That individual leaped to his feet as if he had springs when he heard the
+stern command, "Surrender!"
+
+He reached for his weapon, but suddenly stopped when he saw he was looking
+into the muzzle of a revolver.
+
+"Hands up! Be quick about it!"
+
+The hands of the sergeant slowly went above his head.
+
+"Pardon me, but I will relieve you of this," said Calhoun, as he took a
+revolver from the belt of his prisoner, and tossed it into the river.
+
+Up to this time the sergeant had not said a word, but now he exclaimed,
+with the utmost disgust, "How thundering careless of me! Sergeant Latham,
+you are no good; you ought to be reduced to the ranks."
+
+"Oh! don't feel too bad about it; better men than you have been caught
+napping," replied Calhoun, consolingly.
+
+"But no bigger fool. To be gobbled in like this, and by a blamed skulking
+citizen, too. Now, if--"
+
+"Rest your mind there, if it will make you feel any better," broke in
+Calhoun, "I am no civilian, I am Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's
+command."
+
+"You don't say," replied the sergeant, apparently much relieved.
+"Lieutenant, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sergeant Silas Latham. We
+have had the pleasure of meeting before."
+
+"Where?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"Down in Tennessee, when you got away with Lieutenant Haines's horse so
+slick."
+
+Calhoun's face darkened. "Did you have anything to do with the persecution
+of the Osbornes?" he asked, threateningly.
+
+"Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick I ever knew Haines to do.
+But he was dead gone on the girl. I half believe he would have turned Reb
+if he could have got her."
+
+"I saw Haines the other day," remarked Calhoun.
+
+"Where?" asked the Sergeant.
+
+"In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking him down."
+
+The Sergeant chuckled. "Served him right. He threatened to have me reduced
+to the ranks because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, the way
+he persecuted that girl."
+
+"Are you in his company now?"
+
+"No; he is the captain of another company. Glad of it."
+
+"Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this conversation, but time
+presses. Give me your parole, and I will be going."
+
+"By gum, I won't do it!" exclaimed Latham, with energy. "If you want to
+take me prisoner, take me. But do you think I am going sneaking back to
+camp with the story that I let one Johnny gobble me? No, sir, not by a
+jugful!"
+
+"Latham, you are a character. Can you swim?"
+
+"Never learned when a boy."
+
+"Will your horse carry double?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No, he is a poor swimmer, he would drown us both."
+
+"Latham, I am afraid I shall have to shoot you. I don't see any other way
+to get rid of you."
+
+Latham thought a moment, and said: "Let me ride the horse across and you
+swim."
+
+"A brilliant idea, declined with thanks."
+
+Latham scratched his head as if for an idea. "Perhaps I can hang on by the
+horse's tail," he remarked, hesitatingly.
+
+"That's better. It's either a parole, the tail, or death. Which shall it
+be?"
+
+"I will take the tail."
+
+"All right; but you must give me your word of honor that you will hang
+on."
+
+"Like grim death," answered Latham.
+
+"Come, then, I have fooled away too much time already."
+
+Marching his prisoner up to where his horse was tethered, Calhoun took
+Latham's sword and carbine which hung to the saddle and pitched them into
+the river after the revolver.
+
+Mounting the horse, Calhoun said, "Now, no fooling. The slightest attempt
+on your part to escape, and I shall shoot you without compunction of
+conscience."
+
+"I am not fool enough to run when there is a revolver at my head," growled
+Latham.
+
+"Nevertheless you will bear watching. I am of the opinion you are a
+slippery customer. You just walk by my side here until we reach deep
+water."
+
+They entered the river. Latham wading quietly by the side of the horse,
+until the water became so deep the horse began to plunge.
+
+"Now, grab his tail," commanded Calhoun, and he watched Latham until he
+had taken a firm hold of the horse's tail and was in water beyond his
+depth.
+
+"For the Lord's sake, keep his head above water," shouted Latham from
+behind, as the horse made a fearful plunge.
+
+For the next few minutes Calhoun had enough to do without looking to see
+what had become of Latham. The horse, as the Sergeant had said, proved a
+poor swimmer. Twice he came near drowning; but at last managed to struggle
+through. When he got to where the water was shallow enough for the horse
+to wade, Calhoun looked around to see how Latham had fared.
+
+To his surprise he saw that worthy leaning against a tree on the bank from
+which they had started, and apparently he had been watching the struggles
+of the horse in the water with a great deal of satisfaction.
+
+Calhoun hardly knew whether to laugh or get angry. Riding to the edge of
+the water, he turned his horse around, and yelled over, "You are a pretty
+fellow, you are! Like most Yankees, your word of honor is worthless."
+
+"Did just what I said I would!" yelled back Latham.
+
+"You did not. You told me you would hold on that horse's tail like grim
+death."
+
+"And so I did. I am holding on to it yet," and to Calhoun's surprise
+Latham shook a large piece of the horse's tail at him. He had neatly
+severed it.
+
+Calhoun shook with suppressed laughter, but assuming a severe tone, he
+said: "You lied to me like a Turk, anyway, you miserable Yankee; you told
+me you could not swim."
+
+"I told you no such thing, you skulking Rebel," yelled back Latham,
+wrathfully. "Come back here and fight me like a man, and I will wallop you
+until you can't stand, for calling me a liar. I would have you know I am a
+member of the church in good standing."
+
+"Didn't you tell me you couldn't swim?"
+
+"No; I told you I had never learned to swim when a boy."
+
+"When did you learn to swim?"
+
+"After I became a man."
+
+Calhoun exploded. "Say, Latham," he cried, "I forgive you. You are the
+slickest Yankee I ever met. I must be going, for I see your men are
+coming. Ta! ta!"
+
+Calhoun turned and urged his horse up the bank, but not in time to escape
+having two balls sing uncomfortably close to his head.
+
+Sergeant Latham had little trouble in recovering his arms from the river,
+as the water was not deep where Calhoun had thrown them.
+
+The Sergeant made the following report of the affair to his superior
+officer:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Sir: I have the honor to report that a Rebel scout crossed the Cumberland
+to-day near the post where I was stationed. I followed him into the river,
+but my horse being a poor swimmer, I was forced to abandon him in
+mid-stream to save myself.
+
+                                                 SILAS LATHAM, Sergeant.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The capture of Latham's horse and the ludicrous affair with him put
+Calhoun in the best of humor. He reached the house of Mr. Edmunds without
+further adventure, and met with a hearty welcome from that gentleman, who
+informed him that his men had lingered a day longer than he had ordered,
+in the hope that he would return.
+
+After satisfying his hunger, Calhoun bade his kind host good-bye, and
+without trouble reached Morgan's camp that night. Here he was received as
+one snatched from the jaws of death, for they had given him up as lost.
+The valuable information which he had collected was forwarded to General
+Bragg, and in due time an acknowledgment was received from that general,
+warmly congratulating him, and saying he had recommended him for a
+captaincy.
+
+It was but a few days after his return that Calhoun was with a regiment
+reconnoitring near Braddyville, when they were suddenly attacked by a
+whole brigade of Federal cavalry. The engagement was a spirited one, but
+owing to the superior numbers of the Federals, the Confederates were
+forced to fall back. During the retreat Calhoun with his scouts was
+holding back the advance of the enemy. They were furiously charged by two
+companies of the Federals, and a hand-to-hand conflict took place. During
+this combat Calhoun became engaged with a Federal captain, and to his
+surprise he saw that his antagonist was Captain Haines. The recognition
+was mutual, and it must have unnerved the hand of the Captain, for
+although but a few feet from Calhoun, he fired and missed him. Before he
+could fire again, Calhoun dashed his empty revolver into his face. The
+force of the blow caused him to reel in his saddle, and before he could
+recover, Calhoun had cut him down.
+
+The bloody repulse of these two companies cooled the ardor of the
+Federals, and the Confederates withdrew without further molestation.
+
+Major Conway noted Calhoun's growing popularity with the command, and his
+hatred, if possible, grew more bitter. The sting of the blow he had
+received still rankled in his heart, and he swore sooner or later to have
+his revenge. His attempts to assassinate Calhoun in time of battle, so far
+had failed, and Calhoun's extreme wariness now usually kept them apart
+during an engagement. The crafty Major was busily thinking of some other
+scheme by which he could kill Calhoun without bringing suspicion on
+himself, when an incident happened which he thought would not only cause
+Calhoun to die a most disgraceful death, but redound greatly to his own
+credit.
+
+Calhoun was out with his scouts when he fell in with a small party of the
+enemy. As he outnumbered them, he thought their capture was easy. But he
+was met with such a rapid and accurate fire that his men were forced to
+fall back.
+
+"Them Yankees have repeating rifles," growled one of his men, "and they
+know how to shoot."
+
+This was true, and Calhoun was thinking of withdrawing from the fight
+entirely, when he caught sight of the leader of the Federals. The horse
+which he rode he would know among ten thousand. It was Prince, the famous
+horse of his cousin, and the rider must be Fred. Ordering his men to cease
+firing, Calhoun tied a white handkerchief to the point of his sword, and
+rode forward.
+
+Fred, for it was he, rode out to meet him. As soon as he came within
+hearing distance, he asked, "Do you surrender?"
+
+"Surrender nothing!" answered Calhoun, a little disgusted. "If you only
+knew how many men I had back there you would think of surrendering
+yourself. I simply came out to have a little talk with you."
+
+"Cal, as sure as I live!" exclaimed Fred, and in a moment the two cousins
+had each other by the hand, forgetting they were enemies, remembering only
+their love for each other.
+
+They had much to say to each other, and talked longer than they thought,
+but were about to part, mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they
+were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking up they saw that
+Fred's men were being charged by a large force of Confederates. They were
+in full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred was alone in the midst
+of his enemies.
+
+The Confederates proved to be a full squadron in command of Major Conway.
+He was accompanied by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they see Fred than
+they shouted in their delight.
+
+"The hoss is mine again!" cried Mathews.
+
+"And this spy and sneak is in my power at last," exclaimed Conway,
+pointing at Fred; "and what is better I have you, my fine fellow," said
+Conway, turning to Calhoun. "I have long known that you were holding
+treasonable conferences with the enemy, and have only been waiting for
+indubitable proof. I have it now.
+
+"Lieutenant," turning to one of his officers, "arrest Lieutenant
+Pennington, and on your life see that he does not escape."
+
+The enormity of the charge dumbfounded Calhoun. He could scarcely believe
+his ears. He began to protest, but was cut short by Conway, who ordered
+the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten men and to conduct Calhoun
+straightway to General Bragg at Tullahoma.
+
+"Tell the General," he said, "that I have positive proof of Lieutenant
+Pennington's treasonable intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
+important I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to him. As soon as
+I see General Morgan I will file formal charges."
+
+The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders to take Calhoun direct to
+Bragg, but he said nothing, and choosing his escort, was soon on the way
+to Tullahoma with his prisoner.
+
+Major Conway's real object in sending Calhoun to Tullahoma was to bring
+the case directly to the notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
+to take action. He knew that his charge would not be believed in Morgan's
+command, but he would see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
+time.
+
+Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most heinous offence of which an
+officer could be guilty, it is no wonder that Calhoun's heart sank within
+him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.
+
+"Better to have been hanged as a spy by the Federals than to be shot as a
+traitor by my own men," he muttered to himself. The thought of dying such
+a disgraceful death was maddening.
+
+When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by General Bragg was not
+exactly such as he had expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a great
+stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant who had Calhoun in charge
+reported to him, and told him the verbal message which Major Conway had
+sent, he flew into a furious rage.
+
+"What does Major Conway mean by sending a prisoner to me with such a
+message as that?" he sputtered. "What is General Morgan about that he has
+not attended to this, and presented his charges in due form.
+
+"Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan, and tell Major Conway to
+read up on army discipline."
+
+If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg would have contended for rigid
+adherence to military law. When Bragg's order was reported to Calhoun,
+hope began to revive. Surely Morgan would give him a fair hearing. Every
+act he had done in the army would disprove the monstrous charges of Major
+Conway.
+
+It was with a much lighter heart that he set out for MacMinnville. But
+when he reached that place he was surprised by the astonishing news that
+Conway had been shot--killed while in the act of murdering his cousin in
+cold blood.
+
+One of the men who was with Conway at the time was mortally wounded, and
+confessed the whole thing. Conway was to prepare a paper which they were
+to swear was found on Fred's person, criminating Calhoun. With such
+evidence his conviction would have been certain. He thanked God for the
+death of Conway. It meant a thousand times more to him than life, for it
+kept his name unsullied.
+
+Morgan made a full report of the whole matter to General Bragg. "The plot
+was damnable," he wrote, "yet it might have been successful if Major
+Conway had not met his just deserts. But one might as well accuse me of
+holding treasonable communications with the enemy as Lieutenant
+Pennington. He is the officer, as you may remember, that entered Nashville
+a short time since, and sent you such a valuable report. Moreover, he is
+the very officer I have chosen to look into that matter which we have
+discussed so much. I expect to send him North next week."
+
+Thus was Calhoun fully exonerated, and not only that, but he was to be
+chosen for a most important mission. He also had the satisfaction of
+seeing Morgan make Captain Mathews return Fred his horse, much to the
+Captain's disgust. But what was the important duty upon which Calhoun was
+to be sent North? He had heard nothing of it before.
+
+Some time before the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, a noted Democratic
+politician of Ohio, and an ex-member of Congress, had been arrested at his
+home in Dayton for treason. He was tried by military court-martial, found
+guilty, and banished South. The excitement was intense. Thousands of his
+friends rallied to his defence, and at one time it looked as if the
+streets of Dayton would run red with blood. His friends were in open
+revolt against the government, and opposed the prosecution of the war.
+
+Before this numerous reports had reached the South of the dissatisfaction
+of a large number of the Democratic party with Lincoln, especially with
+his proclamation freeing the slaves. They were sick and tired of the war,
+and were more than willing to give the South her independence. They were
+ready to force Lincoln to do this. A secret society, known as the Knights
+of the Golden Circle, existed throughout the North, and was most numerous
+in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The purpose of this society
+was to resist the draft, encourage desertions from the army, embarrass the
+government in every way possible, and if necessary resort to arms. Already
+numerous small encounters had taken place between the Knights and the
+militia of these states.
+
+It was the boast of the Knights that they had a quarter of a million men
+armed and drilled, ready to take the field. If a Confederate force would
+only invade the North, their ranks would be augmented by these thousands.
+It was to investigate these reports and find out the truth that Calhoun
+was to be sent North.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+                    THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
+
+
+No one was more surprised than Calhoun when told that he had been selected
+to go North on a secret and most important mission.
+
+"General Breckinridge and I have selected you," said Morgan, "because we
+have confidence in your sagacity, bravery, and discretion. We know no one
+better fitted to intrust this delicate, and perhaps dangerous, mission to
+than yourself."
+
+"But I am so young," said Calhoun; "while I gladly accept the honor which
+I feel you have bestowed upon me, would not one older and more experienced
+than I do better?"
+
+"Your youth is one of the main reasons why we have chosen you," replied
+Morgan. "A youth like you will not excite suspicion half as quickly as a
+man."
+
+"Then I am more than willing to go," answered Calhoun, "and trust that the
+confidence you repose in me will not prove to have been misplaced."
+
+"I have no fears on that score," answered Morgan; "I know that you will
+succeed, if any one can."
+
+The General then fully explained what was required of him. Calhoun
+listened in silence.
+
+"I think I fully understand what you want of me, General, but how am I to
+approach these Knights of the Golden Circle? How am I to find out who are
+Knights?"
+
+"That has already been provided for," answered Morgan. "We are now ready
+to initiate you into a camp of the Golden Circle."
+
+"Does the order exist down South, too?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"Certainly, to some extent," was the answer. "If not, how could we know
+the secrets of the order? You are willing, I suppose, to take the oaths
+required?"
+
+"If there is not anything in them to hinder me from being a true son of
+the South," replied Calhoun.
+
+"I assure you there is not, for I have taken them," said Morgan; "but you
+must bear in mind this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
+the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone is States' Rights. The Hon.
+C. L. Vallandigham, who was lately sent into our lines for disloyalty, but
+who has now found a refuge in Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the
+order. No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham. He believes
+in the doctrine of secession. The North is sick and tired of the war, and
+wants to put a stop to it and let the South go in peace. This is the
+purpose of the order."
+
+"All right," said Calhoun; "I am ready to join any order that has that for
+its purpose."
+
+Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his surprise, he met quite a
+number of the officers of the command. There was one stranger present, a
+gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that he was from the North,
+was a high officer in the order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
+ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent he was a full-fledged
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. But he had taken only the
+first degree. The other degrees were to be given to him after he had
+arrived in the North.
+
+After having fully learned the signs, grips, and passwords of the order,
+Calhoun was ready for his journey. He now received his final instructions
+from Morgan and Breckinridge.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to see that while these gentlemen were
+willing to use the order, they had the utmost contempt for it. All nations
+use traitors and despise them at the same time. The Knights of the Golden
+Circle were traitors to their section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the
+men with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help the South to secure
+her independence, it was all he asked. He, like the noble Major Andr� of
+Revolutionary fame, was willing to risk his life for the cause he loved.
+Andr� failed, and suffered an ignominious death; but his fame grows
+brighter with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still abhorred.
+
+"Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars in United States money,"
+said Morgan, handing him a belt. "You will need it; our money don't go in
+the North."
+
+"Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln's strong-box," said Calhoun,
+as he took the money.
+
+Morgan smiled as he answered: "A Yankee paymaster don't come amiss once in
+a while."
+
+Calhoun was next given an official envelope, which he was to hand to
+General Forrest, who was then operating in Northern Mississippi and
+Western Tennessee.
+
+"You will receive full instructions from Forrest," continued Morgan, "what
+to do, and how to get through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to send
+you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you will not be so apt to meet
+with any Federal officer who might know you. Now go, and may success
+attend you."
+
+Calhoun took his chief's hand. His heart was too full to say a word. A
+strong grasp, and he was gone. He had no trouble in finding General
+Forrest, who carefully read the papers that Calhoun handed him. He then
+scanned Calhoun closely from head to feet. "I reckon you understand the
+purport of these papers," he said, in rather a harsh voice.
+
+"I suppose they relate to sending me through the lines," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Well, I can send you through, young man, but you are going on a fool's
+errand. I have had a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden
+Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right in giving away
+everything they know; but when it comes to fighting, bah! one of my
+companies would lick ten thousand."
+
+"Then you haven't much faith in the fighting qualities of the Knights?"
+said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+"Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere money-grabbers. Ask one of them for
+ten dollars and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they worry the
+Lincoln government, and keep up a fire in the rear; therefore they should
+be encouraged. You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with, though."
+
+"How soon can I start North?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"To-night," answered Forrest. "I am the president of an underground
+railroad, took my cue from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in
+running our niggers through to Canada. I have a regular mail North. I will
+send you through with one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your
+credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward if you were captured
+with them. You must leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind that
+your name is W. B. Harrison."
+
+"Where shall I find my credentials?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus of my railroad at
+present. Inquire for Judge Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all
+right. If all the Knights were like him there would be something doing;
+but he is a Kentuckian, no whining Yankee."
+
+Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and during his interview with
+him studied him carefully. He put him down as a man of indomitable energy,
+of great courage, and possessing military genius of a high order. On the
+other hand, he was illiterate, rough in his language, and lacked the
+polish of a cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But there was a
+magnetism about him which drew men to him.
+
+"If I were not riding with Morgan, I should surely want to be with
+Forrest," thought Calhoun.
+
+Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the mail-carrier who was to be
+his guide. He was a thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun put him
+down at about forty. The few days during which Calhoun was with Givens
+gave him a very high opinion of the guide's bravery and sagacity. Givens
+related many of his hairbreadth escapes during their journey, and seemed
+to treat them as great jokes. During the entire journey through Tennessee
+and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented roads, and in the darkest night
+rode as one entirely familiar with the way.
+
+At every place they stopped, they seemed to be expected. A man would take
+their horses, and in the evening when they started, they would find fresh
+horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun that these stations were a night
+ride apart, and that at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the
+woods.
+
+"I now understand," said Calhoun, "what an underground railroad means. If
+the Abolitionists had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were so
+successful in getting away with our slaves."
+
+Givens chuckled as he answered: "They did, I know all about it; was in the
+business myself."
+
+"You?" asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively recoiled from the
+man.
+
+"A man has to do something for a living," growled Givens; "I got so much
+for each nigger I ran off." He then refused to discuss the subject
+further.
+
+One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait, a low, tremulous
+whistle came from the side of the road. Givens reined in his horse so
+quickly that he fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle in the
+same low, tremulous note. A man stepped from the bushes into the road, and
+spoke a few words to Givens in a low tone.
+
+Givens turned to Calhoun and said: "Yanks ahead. We will have to go round
+them."
+
+Under the guidance of the man they turned into a path through the woods.
+The way was rough, and Givens swore roundly because they were losing time.
+A good-sized stream was reached, which they had to swim. They emerged from
+it wet and out of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his heart's
+content. He explained that it eased his mind. When the road was reached
+their guide bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly as he had
+appeared.
+
+Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to their utmost speed, in order
+to reach their next stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they
+could, the sun was an hour high before they reached their haven of rest.
+Luckily they met with no one, and they felt safe.
+
+"One more night and we shall reach the Ohio," said Givens, when they
+dismounted after a long, wearisome night ride. But it was destined that
+they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for they had not ridden
+more than five miles after they had started before they were brought up
+with the sharp command: "Halt! Who comes there?"
+
+"Citizens without the countersign," answered Givens without a moment's
+hesitation, and then to Calhoun, "Wheel and run for your life."
+
+They both turned and clapped spurs to their horses, but not before the
+sentinel had fired. Calhoun heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning
+his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He had carried his last mail.
+There was no time to halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of
+horses in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from his horse and
+struck him a vicious blow which sent him galloping wildly down the road.
+In a moment a squad of Federal cavalry passed in swift pursuit. Calhoun
+breathed freer after the trampling of their horses died away in the
+distance. But he was alone, without a horse, and in a strange country. He
+was now thankful that Forrest had not sent his credentials with Givens.
+
+Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning into a road which led in the
+direction which he wished to go. All through the night he plodded, and
+when morning came he found he was close to a large plantation. He
+determined to make himself known. Placing his revolver in his bosom, where
+he could get it in a moment, he boldly went up to the house. Fortunately
+he met the owner of the plantation, who saluted him with, "Heah, git off
+of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I want no tramps around heah."
+
+Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder he had been mistaken for a
+disreputable character. His night's walk had made sad havoc with the looks
+of his clothes. The road was muddy, and he had fallen down several times.
+Rather in desperation than thinking it would do any good, he made the sign
+of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was
+answered.
+
+"Who are you? and why do you come in such a plight?" asked the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun's story was soon told. "And you are one of Morgan's men," said the
+gentleman, whose name was Cressey. "I have a son with Morgan," and he gave
+his name.
+
+"One of my scouts," replied Calhoun, delighted. Calhoun had indeed found a
+friend, and a place of refuge. The next night, with a good horse and
+guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short distance from the river.
+The farmer who owned the house was to take a load of produce into Mount
+Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with him without exciting
+suspicion. This was done, and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected,
+was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.
+
+Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office of Judge Worley, and was
+shown the most pretentious law office in the little city. Entering, he
+inquired for the Judge, and was told that he was in his private office.
+
+"Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him on very important business,"
+said Calhoun.
+
+A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared. He returned in a moment and
+said the Judge would see him at once.
+
+When Calhoun entered the private office he saw seated at a desk a
+dignified-looking gentleman about sixty years of age, who eyed him
+sharply, and Calhoun was sure a look of disappointment came over his face.
+This, then, was the gentleman who wished to see him on very important
+business--hardly more than a boy.
+
+He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but said, in a cold voice:
+"Well, what do you want? Be in a hurry, for I am very busy."
+
+This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was looking for. Gulping down
+his indignation, he said: "I am just from the South, I was directed to
+come to you, who would prove a friend."
+
+"Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted liberty with my name."
+
+While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a pair of steel-gray eyes were
+trying to read his very soul.
+
+"Is that all?" at length continued the Judge. "I have no time to give you;
+as I told you, I am very busy," and he dismissed his visitor with a wave
+of the hand.
+
+As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition of the Knights of
+the Golden Circle. There was no recognition; instead a testy, "Why don't
+you go?"
+
+Calhoun's face flamed with anger, but controlling himself, he replied:
+"When you receive some mail from the South, you may find some dispatches
+from General Forrest which will cause you to treat me differently. If such
+dispatches come, be here in your office at nine o'clock to-night."
+
+When Calhoun mentioned "mail from the South," and "General Forrest," the
+Judge turned pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if to stop him;
+but the young man paid no attention to the signal, and strode indignantly
+from the office.
+
+No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned eagerly to a pile of mail
+which he had just received, and which the coming of Calhoun had
+interrupted him in reading. Hurriedly running over the letters, he picked
+out one, and opened it with nervous fingers. It was written in cipher.
+Opening a secret drawer in his desk, he took out the key to the cipher,
+and began the translation of the dispatch. As he did so, he gave vent to
+his surprise in various exclamations.
+
+"Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's staff ... will go by name of W.
+B. Harrison ... comes North to fully investigate conditions.... If
+favorable will invade North.... Pennington is member of K. G. C."
+
+The Judge laid down the letter and seemed to be gazing into vacancy. He
+was thinking--thinking hard. At last he picked up the letter and read it
+through to the end. Then he made preparations to go out.
+
+"I shall not be back again this afternoon," he said to his clerk, as he
+passed out. "You can lock up the office when you leave. I shall not need
+you this evening."
+
+When Calhoun called that evening, he was met at the door by the Judge, and
+given a reception much different from that he received in the afternoon.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Lieutenant," said the Judge, and he raised his hand
+as if in military salute, but was careful not to touch his forehead.
+
+"And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance of Judge Worley," replied
+Calhoun, raising his hand as if to shade his eyes from the light.
+
+They then advanced and grasped each other by the hand, the fore-finger of
+each resting on the pulse of the other.
+
+"Nu," said Calhoun.
+
+"Oh," responded the Judge.
+
+"Lac," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Nu-oh-lac," they then both said together.
+
+Thus were they introduced to each other as members of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle.
+
+The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for his treatment of Calhoun at
+their first meeting.
+
+"The fact is," said the Judge, "we are surrounded by Lincoln spies on
+every hand. Some of them have gained admittance into the order. One cannot
+be too careful. Then your youth misled me. I am now surprised that one so
+young should be selected for so important a commission."
+
+"No apology is needed," said Calhoun. "I confess I was indignant at first,
+but I now see you were right in receiving me as you did. Have you received
+General Forrest's letter yet?"
+
+"Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see that your name is Calhoun.
+Have you ever noticed our password particularly?"
+
+"No; you must bear in mind I am a new member."
+
+"Read your name backwards," said the Judge, with a smile.
+
+Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise: "Nuohlac! Why, it's my name
+spelled backwards."
+
+"Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American who ever lived,"
+exclaimed the Judge, with enthusiasm. "I trust that you honor the name.
+Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now. What a glorious day it would be
+for him. But his spirit lives--lives, and thank God there is no Andrew
+Jackson in the presidential chair!"
+
+"Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish he had," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller, a monster. Seward is the
+brains of the administration. Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing."
+
+Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the Judge, so he changed the
+subject by asking the number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the state.
+
+"That, under my oath, I cannot give," answered the Judge. "I see by
+General Forrest's letter that you have taken only the first degree of the
+order. That entitles you to very little information. It is the duty of
+those who take only this degree to obey, not to question. General Forrest
+advises that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible. I have
+already made arrangements to have you initiated into the second and third
+degrees this evening. That is as high as we can go here."
+
+The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it was time to go.
+
+Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a saloon, the Judge explaining that
+they had selected the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many men
+passing in and out. Calhoun found at least fifty men assembled, and when
+he was introduced as one of Morgan's men, he received a perfect ovation.
+
+"Hurrah for John Morgan!" shouted one enthusiastic member, and the cheers
+were given with a will.
+
+Three cheers were then given for Jeff Davis, followed by three groans for
+Abe Lincoln.
+
+Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was this the North? He could well
+believe he was in the heart of the South.
+
+The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun was duly initiated into
+the second and third degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of the
+society; its object was the overthrow of the Lincoln government. But
+resistance to the draft was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of even
+the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.
+
+Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials, was told that to obtain
+the information which he sought, he would have to visit the Grand
+Commander of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton, of Springfield. Calhoun
+marvelled that the head officer of such an order should reside under the
+very shadow of the state capitol.
+
+The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It was full of Federal
+soldiers, and from almost every house a United States flag was flying. It
+did not look like a very promising place for opposition to the Federal
+government, but Calhoun afterwards learned that the place was honeycombed
+with members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+
+Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with the greatest caution, and it
+was only after he was fully satisfied that his visitor was what he
+represented himself to be that the Doctor consented to talk.
+
+"Be frank with me," said Calhoun; "John Morgan is contemplating a raid in
+the North, and he wishes to know whether in that case he can expect any
+aid from this order, and if so to what number."
+
+The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of Morgan making a raid, but
+said: "If you are to be given the full information you ask for, you must
+be initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That is a degree which
+but very few take, and can be given only with the consent of the Supreme
+Commander. The Grand Commanders of the different states meet the Supreme
+Commander in Canada next Tuesday. This is Friday. You had better attend
+that meeting, as your mission is very important."
+
+"Why meet in Canada?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Because it is safer, and--and we want to meet the Supreme Commander of the
+order."
+
+"Ah! I understand," said Calhoun. "Mr. --"
+
+"Stop; on your life mention no names! Our oaths forbid it."
+
+"I stand corrected," answered Calhoun, humbly.
+
+It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but
+the Doctor warned him that on the cars they must be to each other as
+strangers.
+
+"When we reach Detroit," said the Doctor, "go to the Russell House, and
+register as from Chicago. Write Chicago 'Chic.' "
+
+"I think I will go through to Chicago this evening," said Calhoun; "I
+should like to make some investigations there; you can meet me there
+Monday."
+
+So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the names of half a dozen men in
+that city whom it might be well for him to see. "But mind," said
+Warrenton, "do not tell any one of Morgan's contemplated raid. That must
+be a secret."
+
+Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what he saw and learned there
+surprised him more than ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was
+everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded that the war be stopped,
+boastingly proclaimed that there would soon be "a fire in the rear" that
+would bring Lincoln to his senses. Resistance to the draft was openly
+talked on the streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret move on
+foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp Douglas and burn the city.
+
+"This is proving interesting," thought Calhoun; "the whole North seems to
+be a seething volcano, ready to burst forth into flames, yet something
+seems to smother the flames."
+
+Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the flames when, representing
+himself as a young Englishman, he asked a Federal officer why the
+government permitted such open talk of treason.
+
+The officer smiled as he answered: "It is better for them to talk than
+act. The government has its eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets
+them alone. The first overt act will be crushed with a heavy hand."
+
+Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley and Warrenton had told him; that
+government spies were in the order, and that they knew not whom to trust.
+Would the spies of the government find out who he was, and his mission? It
+was not a very comforting thought.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+                         OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!
+
+
+Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton was on the train, but they
+met as strangers. When he reached the city and went to register at the
+Russell House, a gentleman was carelessly leaning against the desk talking
+with the clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but he had caught the
+word "Chic." after his name.
+
+After a few moments the gentleman approached Calhoun and said: "Pardon me,
+but is not this Mr. Harrison of Kentucky?"
+
+"My name is Harrison," answered Calhoun, "but if you would examine the
+register you would see I am from Chicago."
+
+"Ah, yes, I understand," and he gave the secret sign of the order. "Come,"
+he continued, "and let me introduce you to some friends."
+
+He led the way to a room where there were several gentlemen seated smoking
+and talking, among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm greeting.
+
+"I have been telling them about you," said Warrenton, "and they are all
+anxious to meet you."
+
+The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each member of the party. There was
+Wrightman of New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri, Bullock of
+Kentucky, and others.
+
+"You don't tell me you are the son of my old friend, Judge Pennington, of
+Danville," asked Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the hand.
+
+"The very same," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant Pennington," exclaimed Mr.
+Bullock, addressing those present. "I will vouch for him with my life.
+Let's see, your name is now--"
+
+"Harrison for the present," answered Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+The party had no trouble in getting across the river, and that night there
+was a meeting in Windsor which boded ill for the Federal government.
+
+The Supreme Commander of the order was a gentleman in the full vigor of
+manhood. He was polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every action
+showed that he was accustomed to command. Behind it all Calhoun thought
+that he detected the signs of an inordinate ambition--an ambition which
+would stop for nothing.
+
+"Isn't he grand," whispered Dr. Warrenton to Calhoun. "A fit
+representative to wear the mantle of your great namesake."
+
+"Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr," thought Calhoun, but he wisely did
+not give expression to his thought. The object of Calhoun's coming was
+fully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous vote, that he should
+receive the fourth degree, and thus be entitled to all the information
+which he wished.
+
+The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun was now certain he was among
+a band of conspirators who would stop at nothing to achieve their ends.
+
+"Is this the highest of the degrees?" asked Calhoun, when he was through.
+
+The party exchanged meaning glances, and then the Supreme Commander said:
+"There is one more degree, but it is given only to the highest officers in
+the order, and would not be of the least advantage to you."
+
+Calhoun was certain there was something which those present did not wish
+him to know--some object which they wished to keep secret.
+
+The number of members in the order was now given to Calhoun. The figures
+astounded him. In Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in Missouri
+fifty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and twenty thousand, in Indiana
+one hundred thousand, in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East the
+order was not so numerous. This seemed strange to Calhoun, for he thought
+that New York especially would be fertile ground for it.
+
+"How many of these men are armed?" asked Calhoun.
+
+The answer was: "In Missouri nearly all, in Illinois fifty thousand, in
+Indiana forty thousand, in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all."
+
+"Gentlemen," exclaimed Calhoun, with considerable warmth, "if these
+figures are correct, why have you not arisen before this, and hurled the
+Lincoln government from power? Pardon me, but it looks like timidity. The
+North is denuded of men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army."
+
+"That is what I have insisted on," cried Mr. Bowman, of Indiana, jumping
+to his feet in his excitement. "I say strike, strike now! We of Indiana
+are ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners in Northern prison pens! We
+have arms for them. If necessary, give every Northern city over to the
+flames."
+
+"Brother Bowman forgets," answered the Supreme Commander, "that our forces
+are scattered; that if we attempt to concentrate, the government will take
+alarm and crush us. At present we have to work in secret."
+
+"But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"That would be different," was the answer.
+
+"What if you should be successful in your plans?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Let the South go free. We firmly believe in the doctrine of States'
+Rights," was the answer.
+
+"Would your states cast their lot with the South?" asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+Again there were meaning glances among the leaders. "It is yet too early
+to answer that question," slowly replied the Supreme Commander, "or even
+to discuss it. The overthrow of the present Abolition government and the
+independence of the South is now our object."
+
+But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun resolved to find out, and he
+did.
+
+The conference at Windsor was over. It was resolved that the order should
+everywhere be strengthened, and that it should strike at the first
+favorable opportunity. That opportunity would come at once, should the
+North be invaded.
+
+From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio, from there to Dayton, the
+home of Vallandigham. He found that that gentleman was the idol of that
+section. They wanted him to come home. They swore they would defend him
+with their lives. The whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federal
+government.
+
+Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of talking with all classes of
+citizens. He especially tried to get at the feelings of the humbler
+members of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they joined the order,
+and what they proposed doing. All the information he gleaned he treasured
+up.
+
+From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis, where he was to meet Mr.
+Bowman. He found Indiana much better organized than any of the other
+states. Bowman was enthusiastic, and he seemed to hate the Lincoln
+government with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to achieve his
+ends. But the especial object of his hatred was Governor Morton.
+
+"I want to live long enough," he said, "to see that tyrant hanged for
+trampling on the constitution of the state."
+
+Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great dread of Morton. They
+declared he had a way of finding out every secret of the order. If he had
+not been thoroughly guarded, his life would not have been worth a
+farthing.
+
+Calhoun was taken into the country, where he witnessed the drilling of two
+or three companies of Knights. These meetings always took place at night,
+in some secret place, and sentinels were posted to guard against surprise.
+Calhoun talked with many of the members to get their ideas and to find out
+what they wished to accomplish.
+
+"What do you think?" asked Bowman of Calhoun, after they had returned to
+Indianapolis. "I have forty thousand of those fellows."
+
+"Will they fight?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Fight? Of course they will fight," was the answer. "Let Morgan get into
+the state, and you will see."
+
+At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy farmer named Jones, who lived
+near Corydon. He had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and boasted of
+the number of Knights in his part of the state.
+
+"We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists from the earth," he
+exclaimed, boastingly, "and hang Old Abe, and Morton too."
+
+"What would you do if Morgan came?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell until I was hoarse," was the
+answer.
+
+"What if Morgan should want some of your horses?" asked Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Jones's countenance fell. At length he mumbled, "Of course he would
+pay me for them?"
+
+"Of course," replied Calhoun, in a tone which the old gentleman did not
+quite understand.
+
+Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis Bowman told him Morton
+was to hold a reception, and asked him if he would not like to attend and
+see the great War Governor.
+
+Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a desire to see the man of whom
+he had heard so much--a man who had the majority of his legislature against
+him, yet held the state as in the hollow of his hand--a man who borrowed
+hundreds of thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers of his
+state might be thoroughly equipped. He had overcome every difficulty, and
+held his state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands of the citizens
+of the state secretly plotting against him, he moved serenely along the
+path he had marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe measures, he knew
+when, and when not, to make an arrest. He avoided angering his enemies
+except when the public safety demanded it. His very name caused every
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun
+think that when he promised to attend the governor's reception that
+Morton's detectives were already looking for him. The renewed activity of
+the Knights had aroused the Governor's suspicions, and he was not long in
+finding out the cause. To locate and arrest the Southern officer who was
+causing the ferment, was his order to his detectives.
+
+A large crowd attended the reception, and in such a gathering Calhoun felt
+in no danger. He saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive head
+and brain. He looked every inch the intellectual giant that he was.
+
+"The grandest figure," thought Calhoun, "that I have seen in the North. He
+is a man to beware of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him."
+
+When Calhoun, passing along in the throng, took the Governor's hand,
+Morton bent his piercing look upon him, and the question came as if shot
+out of his mouth, "Where from, young man?"
+
+The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun off his guard, and almost
+involuntarily he answered, "From Kentucky."
+
+"From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down there?"
+
+Calhoun was himself again. "Of course," he answered, "we are greatly
+divided in that state, but all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it
+from the Union."
+
+"Good, pass on," and the Governor turned to the next in line.
+
+But a feeling as of impending danger took possession of Calhoun. Why that
+question to him? He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he was
+suspected? Forcing his way through the throng, he got out of the building
+as soon as possible.
+
+It was well that he did so, for hardly had the Governor let go Calhoun's
+hand, when he motioned to General Carrington, and whispered to him:
+"Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly as possible, but see he does not
+get away. He is the Southern officer we have been looking for, I am sure.
+I have a full description of him."
+
+General Carrington in turn whispered to a couple of quiet-looking men,
+dressed in citizen's clothes who stood near the Governor. They nodded, and
+started after Calhoun, who was now nearly lost to view in the crowd.
+
+Once out of the building Calhoun found that hundreds of spectators had
+gathered out of curiosity. They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton, and
+shouting for the Union, and some were singing, "We'll hang Jeff Davis on a
+sour-apple tree."
+
+Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he reached the outer edge of the
+circle. Here groups of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.
+Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it was plain they were not
+enjoying the proceedings. Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy
+hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice said: "You are our
+prisoner; better come quietly and make no disturbance." And in a trice
+Calhoun felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He was powerless in
+the iron grip by which he was held; if help there was, it must come from
+the outside.
+
+"Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!"
+
+The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife. It fell on the
+astonished ears of hundreds who did not understand it. But to those groups
+of silent, sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet, summoning
+them to duty.
+
+"Oho ne! Oho ne!" they answered, and before the surprised officers could
+draw a weapon, could raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten
+down, and their prisoner snatched from them.
+
+The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers came on the run, with
+fixed bayonets, scattering the crowd right and left. But when they reached
+the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and bleeding officers.
+They could only say they had been set upon, knocked down, and their
+prisoner taken from them. By whom they did not know, for it was dark, and
+the crowd had dispersed.
+
+When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voice
+whispered, "Follow me, quick!"
+
+Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow of
+buildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of
+the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running,
+both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.
+
+  [Illustration: INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]
+
+"We are safe now," said the guide, "but it was a close shave for you. What
+did they arrest you for?"
+
+"To hang me," answered Calhoun, with a shudder. "I am a Confederate
+officer."
+
+"I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn't have tried to
+arrest you in that crowd; but don't worry, you are all right now."
+
+His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which he
+said was his home, "and," he exclaimed, "none of Abe Lincoln's minions
+will ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escaped
+Confederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton.
+It should be called Camp Hades."
+
+Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. "Sleep soundly, and
+without fear," said Mr. Randall.
+
+Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget to
+return thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respect
+for the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The next
+morning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling of
+his escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with the
+announcement that so important did the government consider his person that
+a reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhoun
+now knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remained
+for him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.
+
+Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the city concealed in a
+farmer's wagon. He was passed on from the hands of one true Knight to
+another, and at the end of three days he found himself on the banks of the
+Ohio, a few miles above Madison. In the darkness of the night he was rowed
+over, and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native state. In his
+ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground, for was it not the soil of
+Kentucky?
+
+At the house of a true Southerner he found refuge. His measure was taken
+into Carrolton, where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing a horse
+of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he bade him good-bye, and sprang
+into the saddle. The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed with the
+beauty which we ascribe to the Golden City. In the midst of the gold hung
+the new moon like a silver bow.
+
+"See! see!" cried Calhoun, "the new moon, I saw it over my right shoulder.
+It means good luck."
+
+And while the happy omen still gleamed in the west, he galloped away.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+                        CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.
+
+
+By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the towns, Calhoun had no
+trouble in making his way back into Tennessee. He had been gone nearly a
+month, and was glad to see his old command, who gave him a royal welcome.
+He was showered with questions as to where he had been, but to each and
+every one he would laugh and say, "Be glad to tell you, boys, but can't."
+
+"Thought you had deserted us," said his scouts.
+
+"Not till death," replied Calhoun. "I was on a secret mission. The General
+knows where I was."
+
+"It's all right then, but mark my word, there will be some deviltry going
+on shortly," one of them remarked, sagely.
+
+As General Breckinridge was greatly interested, Calhoun did not make his
+report until that General could meet with Morgan. Then Calhoun gave a
+detailed account of all he had seen and heard. He was listened to with
+breathless attention.
+
+"His report agrees perfectly with all I have heard," remarked
+Breckinridge, much pleased. "I have had a dozen different agents in the
+North, and they all agree."
+
+"But you have not given us your own conclusions, Lieutenant," said Morgan.
+
+"It might seem presumptuous in me," answered Calhoun.
+
+"By no means; let us hear it," replied both generals.
+
+Calhoun, thus entreated, gave the conclusions he had formed, not from what
+had been told him by the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but
+from his own observations. He was listened to with evident interest.
+
+"Your conclusions seem to be at utter variance with all that was told you,
+and every fact given," said Breckinridge. "You admit that dissatisfaction
+in the Democratic party is almost universal over the way the war is being
+conducted; you say that we have not been deceived regarding the numbers of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, that there are eighty thousand of the
+order in Indiana alone, of whom forty thousand are armed; as you know,
+every member of that order has taken an oath not to take up arms against
+the South; that they believe in states' rights; that they will resist by
+force the tyranny of the Federal government; and yet you say it is your
+belief that if General Morgan should invade the state, not a hand would be
+raised to help him. I cannot understand it."
+
+"I will try to make myself plain," said Calhoun. "The Democratic party is
+sick and tired of the war, and want it stopped. They believe we can never
+be whipped, and in that they are right. But they love the Union, revere
+the old flag. They indulge the vain hope that if the war were stopped, the
+Union might be restored. We know how foolish that hope is. I speak of the
+rank and file. Many of their leaders are notoriously disloyal, but they
+deceive the people with fine words. They make the party believe that if
+the Republican party were only defeated, things would be as they were.
+
+"As to the Knights of the Golden Circle, the great mass who join it are
+told it is only a secret political society. They scarcely comprehend its
+oaths; they are kept in ignorance of the real motives of the order. These
+Knights hate the party in power with a bitter hatred. They are friendly to
+the South, believe we are right; but mark my word, they will not fight for
+us. They are armed, but their idea is to resist the draft. Go among them
+to-day, and not one in a thousand would enlist to fight in the Southern
+army. Fighting is the last thing they want to do for either side. For
+these reasons I conclude that if General Morgan invaded Indiana he would
+receive no direct aid from the Knights of the Golden Circle. I confess
+these conclusions are entirely different from what the leaders told me.
+
+"As for the leaders, they are heart and soul with us. They want us to
+succeed. If they dared they would rise in revolt to-morrow. They are doing
+all they can, without open resort to arms, to have us succeed. But they
+are a band of conspirators. They want us to succeed, because they want
+utterly to destroy the Federal Union. They want to break loose and form a
+Northwest Confederacy. They dare not tell their followers this, but it is
+what they are working for."
+
+When Calhoun had stated his opinion, both Breckinridge and Morgan asked
+him many questions. He was then dismissed. Unknown to Calhoun there were
+three or four other Southern officers present, who had also been in the
+North. They were called in, and questioned on the points raised by
+Calhoun. Every one differed with him. They believed that if an opportunity
+were presented the Knights would rise almost to a man at the call of their
+leaders.
+
+Breckinridge and Morgan held an earnest consultation. Morgan was greatly
+disappointed over Calhoun's report, for he had set his heart on making a
+raid into Indiana and Ohio. He believed it would be the greatest triumph
+of his life, and with the Northwest in open revolt, the independence of
+the South would be assured.
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington must be mistaken," said Breckinridge. "My
+acquaintance in the North is extensive, and I believe my friends there
+will do just as they say they will."
+
+Before Morgan and Breckinridge parted, it was fully agreed that Morgan
+should make the raid. But when the subject was broached to Bragg, that
+general absolutely refused to sanction it. He gave Morgan permission to
+make a raid into Kentucky and capture Louisville if possible. That was as
+far as he would go, and even with that object in view, he limited Morgan's
+force to two thousand.
+
+Morgan apparently acquiesced in this decision of his commander; but in his
+heart he resolved to disobey if, when he neared Louisville, he found
+conditions at all favorable for the invasion of Indiana.
+
+Some time had passed since Morgan had made a raid, and the news that they
+were again to ride north, probably clear to Louisville, was welcomed by
+the rough riders. To them a raid was but a holiday. It did not take Morgan
+long to prepare. His men were always ready to move. "To Louisville," was
+the cry, "we want to call on George D.," meaning George D. Prentice, the
+editor of the Louisville _Journal_.
+
+In all probability few men in the Confederate army knew that Morgan was on
+another raid, until he was well on his way. This time he entered Kentucky
+farther east than was his custom, and the first intimation the Federals
+had that he was in the state, he was crossing the Cumberland River at
+Burkesville. This was on the second day of July. The alarm was given. The
+frenzied Federals telegraphed right and left for troops to head off
+Morgan. It was thought that he intended to strike the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad again at his favorite place--Bacon Creek. General Judah
+hurried from Tompkinsville with a brigade to head him off, but his advance
+under General Hobson was struck at Marrowbone, and hurled back. This left
+Morgan an open road to Columbia, and that place fell an easy prey on the
+3d.
+
+Leaving General Hobson to pursue Morgan, General Judah hurried back to
+Glasgow to bring up another brigade. But General Judah never overtook
+Morgan until days afterwards, and then he caught him at Buffington Island.
+
+As for Hobson, he stuck to Morgan's trail as an Indian sticks to the trail
+of his enemy. He followed him all through Kentucky, all through Indiana,
+all through Ohio, never but a few hours behind, yet never in striking
+distance until Buffington Island was reached.
+
+After leaving the forces of Judah and Hobson in the rear, Morgan had
+nearly an open road to Louisville. The 4th found him at the crossing of
+Green River on the road between Columbia and Campbellsville. Here a
+portion of the Twenty-fifth Michigan, under Colonel Moore, was strongly
+fortified, and a charge made by Morgan was bloodily repulsed. As both
+Judah and Hobson were close in his rear, it would take too much time to
+bring these determined men to terms, and so Morgan, much to his regret,
+was forced to leave them, and pass on. The 5th of July found him at
+Lebanon. The garrison under Colonel Hanson fought desperately, but was
+forced to capitulate, and Lebanon with all its stores and three hundred
+and fifty prisoners was again in Morgan's hands.
+
+The next day found him at Bardstown, where twenty-five men of the Fourth
+Regular Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Sullivan, threw
+themselves into a livery stable, strongly fortified it, and refused to
+surrender. Here Morgan made a mistake. He should have left them and passed
+on; but angered that he should be defied by so few men, he determined to
+capture them and it delayed him twenty-four precious hours. So enraged
+were his men over what they considered the obstinacy of the brave little
+band, that they began to misuse the prisoners, but Morgan stopped them,
+saying: "The damned Yankees ought to be complimented on their pluck."
+
+Never, in any of his raids, had Morgan met with so fierce resistance as on
+this one. Cut to the quick by the numerous criticisms which had been
+published in Northern papers, that cowardice prompted nearly every one of
+the surrenders to Morgan, these troops fought long after prudence should
+have caused them to surrender.
+
+From Bardstown Morgan moved to Shepherdsville. He was now within striking
+distance of Louisville. Here it was that he fully decided, if he had not
+done so before, upon the invasion of Indiana, instead of attempting the
+capture of Louisville. At Shepherdsville he was on the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad, where a long bridge spans the Salt River. But he did
+not stop to capture the garrison which guarded the bridge, nor did he
+attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead, he rode straight west,
+and on the 9th was in Brandenburg. Before him rolled the Ohio River,
+beyond lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time he had led
+his men clear to the Ohio River. The sight of Yankee land aroused them to
+the utmost enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross if ten thousand
+foes had opposed them.
+
+Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg with instructions to sweep
+through the place, stopping for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
+which might be at the landing. This he did. Far in advance of the main
+body, he galloped into the town, to the astonishment and dismay of its
+citizens.
+
+Two small steamboats were lying at the landing, and before the terrorized
+crews could cut the hawsers and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
+men were on board and the boats were theirs.
+
+The means of crossing the river were now in Morgan's hands. But a fresh
+danger arose. A gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville and
+opened fire. Morgan brought every piece of his artillery into action, and
+for two hours the battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited, withdrew
+and went back to Louisville, leaving the way open. There was now nothing
+to prevent Morgan from crossing the river.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+                       THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.
+
+
+Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan, as he sat on his horse that
+July day, and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river. Beyond lay the
+fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan of his hopes. Should he go in and
+possess? The waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the means of
+crossing. Before him all was calm, peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite
+bank to oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops. Behind him were
+thousands of angry Federals in swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go
+ahead than to turn back?
+
+As C�sar stood on the bank of the Rubicon debating what to do, so did
+Morgan stand on the bank of the Ohio. Like C�sar, if he once took the
+step, he must abide the consequences. But if there was any hesitation in
+the mind of Morgan, he did not hesitate long. "Cross over," was the order
+which he gave. "We shall soon know," he said to Calhoun, "whether they are
+friends or foes over there; whether the forty thousand Knights who were so
+anxious for me to come will appear or not."
+
+Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana and Ohio by Morgan seems like
+sheer madness. He had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
+the states which he invaded had millions of population. But he had reasons
+to believe that thousands of that population were friendly to him, would
+welcome him with gladness. When he so nearly escaped though no hand was
+raised to help him, what would he have accomplished if only a few thousand
+had come to his relief? That there were thousands in the two states who
+would have flocked gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is no
+doubt. But the hand of the government was too strong for them to resist.
+The fires of loyalty burned too fiercely to be quenched by them. With all
+their boasted strength, the Knights of the Golden Circle were powerless
+when the supreme moment came.
+
+The order to cross the river was hailed with enthusiasm by every man in
+Morgan's command. Where they were going they knew not, cared not; they
+would go where their gallant leader led. He had never failed them, he
+would not fail them now. They knew only that they were to invade the land
+of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to be brought home to the
+North as it had been to the South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused
+the blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his veins. He had been
+full of doubts; he trembled for the results if that river were once
+passed. He had been through the North and noted her resources, how
+terribly in earnest her people were that the Union should be saved. What
+if there were thousands of traitors in their midst? There were enough
+loyal men left to crush them. What if the state of Indiana was honeycombed
+with camps of the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of the Union
+League were fully as numerous. He now forgot all these things. Did not the
+Knights come to his relief in his hour of sore distress? Surely they would
+not forget their oaths, when Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air,
+and shouted, "Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will cross over and
+possess it."
+
+The order to cross once given, was obeyed with alacrity. In an incredibly
+short time the three thousand men and horses were ferried across the
+river.
+
+"Burn the boats," was Morgan's order.
+
+The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped them in their fiery
+embrace, lo! on the other side came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like
+beasts baffled of their prey, they could only stand and gnash their teeth
+in their rage. Between them and Morgan rolled the river, and they had no
+means of crossing.
+
+"Why don't you come across, Yanks?" Morgan's men shouted in derision.
+
+"Got any word you want to send to your mammy? We are going to see her,"
+they mockingly cried.
+
+And thus with taunt and laugh and hurrah, Morgan's men rode away, leaving
+their enemies standing helpless on the farther bank.
+
+"Twenty miles to Corydon," said Calhoun, as he galloped with his scouts to
+the front to take the advance. "I wonder if I shall meet my friend Jones,
+and whether, when he sees us, he will throw his hat on high, and give us a
+royal welcome? If he spoke the truth, the bells of Corydon will ring a
+joyful peal when the people see us coming, and we shall be greeted with
+waving flags, and find hundreds of sturdy Knights ready to join us."
+
+But in that twenty miles not a single waving flag did Calhoun see, not a
+single shout of welcome did he hear. Instead, the inhabitants seemed to be
+in an agony of fear. They met only decrepit old men and white-faced women
+and children. Not a single cup of cold water was freely offered them in
+that twenty miles. If Calhoun could only have seen the welcome given
+Hobson's men the day after as they came over the same road, the flags that
+were waved, the shouts of welcome that greeted them, how women and
+children stood by the roadside with cooling water and dainty food to give
+them, and sent their prayers after them--if Calhoun could have seen all
+these things, his heart would have sunk, and he would have known that
+there was no welcome for Morgan's men in Indiana.
+
+But he was soon to have a ruder awakening. As he neared Corydon, he and
+his scouts were greeted with a volley, and sixteen of his men went down.
+The raid for them was over.
+
+"Charge!" shouted Calhoun, and like a whirlwind he and his men were on the
+little band of home guards, who thought they could withstand Morgan's
+whole force.
+
+In a few brief minutes the fight was over, and on the sod lay several
+motionless figures. In spite of himself, Calhoun could not help thinking
+of Lexington and the farmer minute men who met Pitcairn and his red-coats
+on that April morning in 1775. Were not these men of Corydon as brave? Did
+they not deserve a monument as much? He tried to dismiss the thought as
+unworthy, but it stayed with him for a long time.
+
+A short distance beyond Corydon stood a fine house, which, with all its
+surroundings, showed it to be the dwelling of a rich and prosperous
+farmer. When Calhoun came up, the owner, bareheaded and greatly excited,
+was engaged in controversy with one of Calhoun's scouts who had just
+appropriated a fine ham from the farmer's smoke-house and was busily
+engaged in tying it to his saddle-bow.
+
+"You have no business to take my property without paying for it!" the
+farmer was saying, angrily. "I am a friend of the South; I have opposed
+the war from the beginning."
+
+Seeing Calhoun, and noticing he was an officer, the farmer rushed up to
+him, crying, "Stop them! Stop them! they are stealing my property!"
+
+"Well, I declare, if it isn't my old friend Jones!" exclaimed Calhoun.
+"How do you do, Mr. Jones? Where are those five hundred armed Knights who
+you said would meet us here? Where is your hat, that you are not throwing
+it high in air? Why are you not shouting hallelujahs over our coming?"
+
+Jones had stopped and was staring at Calhoun with open mouth and bulging
+eyes. "Bless my soul," he at length managed to stammer, "if it isn't Mr.
+Harrison!"
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington, at your service. But, Jones, where are those
+Knights of the Golden Circle you promised would join us here?"
+
+Jones hung his head. "We--we didn't expect you to come so soon," he managed
+to answer; "we didn't have time to rally."
+
+"Mr. Jones, you told me this whole country would welcome us as liberators.
+They did welcome us back there in Corydon, but it was with lead. Sixteen
+of our men were killed and wounded. Mr. Jones, there will be several
+funerals for you to attend in Corydon."
+
+"It must be some of those Union Leaguers," exclaimed Mr. Jones. "Glad they
+were killed; they threatened to hang me the other day."
+
+"They were heroes, compared to you!" hotly exclaimed Calhoun. "You and
+your cowardly Knights can plot in secret, stab in the dark, curse your
+government, but when it comes to fighting like men you are a pack of
+cowardly curs."
+
+But Mr. Jones hardly heard this fierce Phillipic; his eyes were fixed on
+his smoke-house, which was being entered by some more of the soldiers.
+
+"Won't you stop them," he cried, wringing his hands; "they will take it
+all! Why, you are a pack of thieves!"
+
+"Boys, don't enter or disturb anything in the house," cried Calhoun,
+turning to his men, "but take anything out of doors you can lay your hands
+on; horses, everything."
+
+The men dispersed with a shout to carry out the order. Calhoun left Mr.
+Jones in the road jumping up and down, tearing his hair and shouting at
+the top of his voice, "I am going to vote for Abe Lincoln. I am--I am, if I
+am damned for it!"
+
+In all probability Morgan's raid in Indiana and Ohio made more than one
+vote for old Abe. Of all the thousands of Knights of the Golden Circle in
+Indiana and Ohio, not one took his rifle to join Morgan, not one raised
+his hand to help him.
+
+In speaking of this to General Shackelford, who captured him, Morgan said,
+bitterly: "Since I have crossed the Ohio I have not seen a single friendly
+face. Every man, woman, and child I have met has been my enemy; every
+hill-top a telegraph station to herald my coming; every bush an ambush to
+conceal a foe."
+
+The people who lived along the route pursued by Morgan will never forget
+his raid. What happened has been told and retold a thousand times around
+the fireside, and the story will be handed down not only to their
+children, but to their children's children. Morgan was everywhere
+proclaimed as a thief and a robber. They forgot that he had to subsist at
+the expense of the country, and that he had to take horses to replace
+those of his own which had broken down. Not only that, but it was life to
+him to sweep the country through which he passed clear of horses, that his
+pursuers might not get them. The Federals in pursuit took horses as
+readily as Morgan's men.
+
+Those who proclaim Morgan a thief and a robber sing with gusto "Marching
+through Georgia," and tell how "the sweet potatoes started from the
+ground." They forget how Sheridan, the greatest cavalry leader of the
+Federal army, boasted he had made the lovely Shenandoah Valley such a
+waste that a crow would starve to death flying over it. The Southern
+people look upon Sherman and Sheridan as the people of Ohio and Indiana
+look upon Morgan. These generals were not inhuman; they simply practised
+war. It is safe to say that less private property was destroyed in
+Morgan's raid in Indiana and Ohio than in any other raid of equal
+magnitude made by either side during the war.
+
+One can now see by reading the dispatches the panic and terror caused by
+Morgan in this raid. From Cairo, Illinois, to Wheeling, West Virginia, the
+Federals were in a panic, for they knew not which way Morgan would turn,
+or where he would strike. From the entire length of the Ohio, the people
+were wildly calling on the government to send troops to protect them from
+Morgan. There were fears and trembling as far north as Indianapolis.
+Governor Tod, of Ohio, declared martial law through the southern part of
+his state, and called on Morton to do the same for Indiana. But Morton,
+cooler, more careful, and looking farther ahead as to what might be the
+effect of such a measure, wisely refused to do so.
+
+From Corydon Morgan rode north to Salem. The Federals now thought for sure
+that Indianapolis was his objective point, but from Salem he turned
+northeast and swept through the state, touching or passing through in his
+route the counties of Jackson, Scott, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, and
+Dearborn, passing into Ohio, in the northwest corner of Hamilton County,
+almost within sight of the great city of Cincinnati. Turning north, he
+entered Butler County. Here, as in Indiana, he met only the scowling faces
+of enemies.
+
+"And here is where they worship Vallandigham!" exclaimed Calhoun,
+passionately. "Here is where they told me almost every man belonged to the
+Knights of the Golden Circle, and that the whole county would welcome us.
+Here is where even the Democratic party meet in open convention, pass
+resolutions in favor of the South, denounce Lincoln as a monster and
+tyrant, and demand that the war cease at once and the South go free,
+saying they will support no man for office who in the least way favors the
+war. And now not a word of welcome, not a single hand reached out in aid.
+Oh! the cowards! the cowards!"(3)
+
+Morgan made no bitter reply, but said. "You warned us, Lieutenant, how it
+would be. I have expected no aid since the first day we entered Indiana.
+But with God's help we shall yet escape from our foes. Oh, if my gallant
+men were across the Ohio once more! It is only that river which stands in
+between us and safety. There is now no hope of securing a steamboat. But
+at Buffington Island the river is shoal, and can be forded. If we can
+reach Buffington Island before our enemies, we can laugh at our pursuers."
+
+And for Buffington Island Morgan headed, threatening each place along the
+way, to keep the Federals guessing where he would attempt to cross. Like a
+whirlwind he swept through the counties of Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
+Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Meigs, brushing aside like so many flies the
+militia which tried to impede his progress.
+
+The goal was nearly reached. Hobson was half a day behind, still trailing,
+still following like a bloodhound. The Confederates knew of no force in
+front except militia. Safety was before them. The river once passed,
+Morgan would have performed the greatest exploit of the war. His men were
+already singing songs of triumph, for the river was in sight. Night came
+on, but they marched through the darkness, to take position. In the gray
+of the morning they would sweep aside the militia and cross over.
+
+In the morning a heavy fog hung over river and land, as if the sun were
+afraid to look down upon the scene to be enacted. In the gloom, Colonel
+Duke and the dashing Huffman formed their commands and moved to the
+attack. They were received with a fire which surprised them, coming as
+they supposed from militia. But with loud cheers they swept forward, and
+the Federals were forced back, leaving a piece of artillery. A little
+farther and the ford would be won; then there came a crashing volley,
+mingled with the thunder of artillery, and they saw before them, not
+militia, but long lines of blue-coated veterans. General Judah's brigade
+had been transported up the river in steamboats, and landed at Pomeroy.
+They had marched all night, and were now in possession of the ford.
+
+In vain the gallant Duke and Huffman struggled against that force. They
+were driven back. Flight was to be resumed up the river, when couriers
+came dashing in with the news that Hobson was up. They were hemmed in.
+There was one place yet, a path through the woods, by which a few could
+escape, if the Federal force could be held back for a time.
+
+"Go!" cried Duke to Morgan, "and I will hold them until you are gone."
+
+"Go!" cried Huffman, faint and bleeding from a wound, "and I will stay and
+help Colonel Duke."
+
+"Go!" cried Calhoun, "if you are saved I care not for myself."
+
+Then there arose a storm of protests. Who could so well guard and protect
+the chief as Calhoun and his scouts? And so, against Morgan's will,
+Calhoun went with him.
+
+"Come, then, we will clear the way," Calhoun cried to his scouts, and
+before the way was closed, six hundred men with Morgan had escaped.
+
+Hemmed in on every side, the Confederates fought as only desperate men can
+fight; but as soon as it was known that Morgan was well away, Duke and
+Huffman, and with them many other gallant officers, saw it would be
+madness to fight longer, and with breaking hearts they surrendered to
+their exultant foes. Then it was that some two or three hundred, in spite
+of shot and shell, in spite of the leaden hail which fell around them,
+plunged down the bank into the river. The bodies of many floated down,
+their life blood reddening the water. The current swept many a steed and
+rider down, and they were seen no more. A few there were who struggled
+through to safety, and these were all that escaped of the thousands that
+crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+                       THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.
+
+
+What Morgan's thoughts were, what his hopes were, as he rode away from
+that fatal field at Buffington Island, no one knows. With him rode six
+hundred, all that were left of three thousand. He could have had no
+thoughts of attempting to cross the Ohio anywhere near Buffington Island,
+for he rode almost due north. It may have been he thought that he might
+cross near Wheeling or higher up, and escape into the mountains of Western
+Pennsylvania; or as a last resort, he might reach Lake Erie, seize a
+steamboat, and escape to Canada. Whatever he thought, north he rode,
+through the most populous counties of Ohio. And what a ride was that for
+six hundred men! Foes everywhere; Home Guards springing up at every
+corner; no rest day or night.
+
+Close in his rear thundered the legions of General Shackelford, a
+Kentuckian as brave, as fearless, as tireless as Morgan himself. But in
+spite of all opposition, in spite of foes gathering on right and left and
+in front, Morgan rode on, sweeping through the counties of Meigs, Vinton,
+Hocking, Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey, Belmont,
+Harrison, Jefferson, until he reached Columbiana County, where the end
+came.
+
+At almost every hour during this ride the six hundred grew less. Men fell
+from their horses in exhaustion. They slept as they rode, keeping to their
+saddles as by instinct. The terrible strain told on every one. The men
+grew haggard, emaciated. When no danger threatened, they rode as dead men,
+but once let a rifle crack in front, and their sluggish blood would flow
+like fire through their veins, their eyes would kindle with the excitement
+of battle, and they would be Morgan's fierce raiders once more.
+
+As for Calhoun, it seemed as if he never slept, never tired. It was as if
+his frame were made of iron. Where danger threatened there he was. He was
+foremost in every charge. It looked as if he bore a charmed life. The day
+before the end came he was scouting on a road, parallel to the one on
+which the main body was travelling. Hearing shots, he took a cross-road,
+and galloped at full speed to see what was the trouble. A small party of
+Home Guards were retreating at full speed; one far in advance of the
+others was making frantic efforts to urge his horse to greater speed.
+Calhoun saw that he could cut him off, and he did so, reaching the road
+just as he came abreast of it. So intent was the fellow on getting away he
+did not notice Calhoun until brought to a stand by the stern command,
+"Surrender."
+
+In his surprise and terror, the man rolled from his horse, the picture of
+the most abject cowardice Calhoun ever saw. He fairly grovelled in the
+dust. "Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" he cried, raising his hands in
+supplication. "I didn't want to come; they forced me. I never did anything
+against you."
+
+Dismounting Calhoun gave him a kick which sent him rolling. "Get up, you
+blubbering calf," he exclaimed, "and tell us what you know."
+
+The fellow staggered to his feet, his teeth chattering, and trembling like
+a leaf.
+
+"Now, answer my questions, and see that you tell the truth," said Calhoun.
+"Are there any forces in front of us?"
+
+"N--not--not as I know," he managed to say.
+
+"Do you know the shortest road to Salineville?"
+
+"Yes; yes."
+
+"Will you guide us there if I spare your life?"
+
+"Anything, I will do anything, if you won't kill me," he whined.
+
+"Very well, but I will exchange horses with you, as I see you are riding a
+fine one, and he looks fresh," remarked Calhoun.
+
+The exchange was made, and then Calhoun said, "Now lead on, and at the
+first sign of treachery, I will blow out your brains. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, yes, I will take you the shortest road."
+
+"What's your name," asked Calhoun, as they rode along.
+
+"Andrew Harmon."
+
+"Well, Andrew, I wish all Yankees were like you. If they were, we should
+have no trouble whipping the North. I reckon you are about as big a coward
+as I ever met."
+
+Harmon, still white and trembling, did not answer; he was too thoroughly
+cowed.
+
+Ride as hard as Morgan's men could, when they neared Salineville
+Shackelford was pressing on their rear. They had either to fight or
+surrender.
+
+"My brave boys, you have done all that mortals can do. I cannot bear to
+see you slaughtered. I will surrender."
+
+As Morgan said this his voice trembled. It was a word his men had never
+heard him use before.
+
+"General, it is not all over for you," cried Calhoun, his voice quivering
+with emotion. "Think of the joy of the Yankees if you should be captured.
+Let me take half the men. You take the other half and escape. I can hold
+the enemy in check until you get well away."
+
+Morgan demurred. "The sacrifice will be too great," he said.
+
+"You must, you shall consent. We will force you," the cry went up from the
+whole command as from one man.
+
+Morgan bowed his head, he could not speak. In silence he took Calhoun's
+hand, tears gathered in his eyes, the first tears Calhoun ever saw there.
+There was a strong clasp, a clasp which seemed to say "It may be the
+last," then, wheeling his horse, Morgan galloped swiftly away, followed by
+less than half of his six hundred.
+
+There was not a moment to lose, for the Federals were already charging
+down with triumphant cheers, confident of an easy victory. Calhoun had
+posted his men well, and a withering volley sent the Federals reeling
+back. They charged again, only to recoil before the fierce fire of the
+Confederates. There was now a lull in the fighting. Calhoun saw that they
+were flanking him on the right and left. "Charge!" he shouted, and the
+little band were soon in the midst of their enemies. The Federals closed
+in around them. There was no way to retreat. Calhoun's men, seeing how
+hopeless the fight was, began to throw down their arms.
+
+"Surrender," cried a fine-looking officer to Calhoun, who, well in front,
+was fighting like a demon. Even in that hell of battle Calhoun knew the
+officer. It was Mark Crawford, the captain whose horse he had captured in
+Tennessee, and whom he afterwards took prisoner at Cave City. But the
+captain was wearing the shoulder-straps of a major now.
+
+"Never!" shouted Calhoun, in answer to the summons to surrender, and with
+sword in hand, he spurred forward to engage Crawford in single combat. But
+that officer had a revolver in his hand, and he raised it and fired.
+
+Calhoun felt as if he had been struck on the head with a red-hot iron. He
+reeled in his saddle, and then fell forward on his horse's neck. His sword
+dropped from his nerveless hand. His horse, wild with fear and not feeling
+the restraining hand of a master, broke through the ranks of the Federals,
+and bore him out of the conflict.
+
+Still clinging to the neck of his horse and the horn of his saddle, he
+kept his seat. He straightened himself up, but the blood streaming over
+his face blinded him, and he saw not where he was going. Neither did he
+realize what had happened, for the shock of his wound had rendered him
+half-unconscious. His mind began to wander. He was a soldier no longer,
+but a boy back in Kentucky running a race with his cousin Fred.
+
+"On! on! Salim," he weakly shouted; "we must win, it is for the Sunny
+South we are racing."
+
+The horse still ran at full speed, his glossy coat dripping with
+perspiration, his nostrils widely distended and showing red with blood.
+But his pace began to slacken. Darkness gathered before the eyes of
+Calhoun. "Why, it's getting night," he murmured; "Fred, where are you?"
+Lower still lower he sank, until he was once more grasping the neck of his
+horse. A deadly faintness seized him, total darkness was around him, and
+he knew no more.
+
+With Calhoun gone, all resistance to the Federals ceased. Of the six
+hundred, who had ridden so far and so well, fully one-half were prisoners.
+
+The Federals were greatly chagrined and disappointed when they found that
+Morgan was not among the prisoners. The man they desired above all others
+was still at liberty. "Forward," was the command, and the pursuit was
+again taken up.
+
+With the remnant of his command, Morgan was nearing New Lisbon. If there
+were no foes before him there was still hope. From a road to the west of
+the one he was on, a cloud of dust was rising. His guide told him that
+this road intersected the one he was on but a short distance ahead. His
+advance came dashing back, saying there was a large body of Federal troops
+in his front. From the rear came the direful tidings that Shackelford was
+near. Morgan saw, and his lip quivered. "It is no use," he said, "it is
+all over."
+
+The ride of the six hundred had ended--a ride that will ever live in song
+and story.
+
+"Morgan has surrendered! Morgan is a prisoner!" was the news borne on
+lightning wings all over the entire North.
+
+What rejoicing there was among the Federals! The great raider, the man
+they feared more than an army with banners, was in their power.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+                            AN ANGEL OF MERCY.
+
+
+In front of one of the most beautiful and stately farm-houses in
+Columbiana County stood a young girl. With clasped hands and straining
+eyes she was gazing intently down a road which led to the west. The sound
+of battle came faintly to her ears. As she listened, a shudder swept
+through her slight frame.
+
+"My brother! My brother!" she moaned, "he may be in it. O God of battles,
+protect him!"
+
+She would have made a picture for an artist as she stood there. The
+weather being warm, she wore a soft, thin garment, which clung in graceful
+folds around her. Her beautifully rounded arm and shapely shoulders were
+bare. Her luxuriant hair, the color of sun-beams, fell in a wavy mass to
+her waist. Her eyes, blue as the sky, were now troubled, and a teardrop
+trembled and then fell from the long lashes.
+
+As she looked, the sound of battle became fainter, and then ceased
+altogether. But down the road, a mile away, a little cloud of dust arose.
+It grew larger and larger, and at last she saw it was caused by a single
+horseman who was coming at a furious pace. Was the rider a bearer of ill
+tidings? No, there was no rider on the horse. He who rode must have been
+killed. It might be her brother's horse; she grew sick and faint, but
+still she gazed. The horse came nearer; he was slackening his speed. Yes,
+there was some one on the horse--a man--but he had fallen over on the
+saddle, and his arms were around the horse's neck.
+
+It must be her brother, wounded unto death, coming home to die, and she
+gave a great convulsive sob. Then like a bird she flew to the middle of
+the road. She saw that the horse's mane and shoulders were dripping with
+blood, that the rider's hair was clotted with it.
+
+As the horse came to her it stopped, and the rider rolled heavily from the
+saddle. With a cry she sprang forward and received the falling man; but
+the weight of Calhoun, for it was he, bore her to the earth. She arose,
+screaming for help. There was no one in the house except a colored
+servant, who came rushing out, and nearly fainted when she saw her
+mistress. No wonder, for the girl's dress and arms were dripping with
+blood.
+
+"Oh! Missy Joyce! Missy Joyce!" wailed the colored woman, "what's de
+mattah? Be yo' killed?"
+
+"No, no, this soldier--he is dead or dying. Oh, Mary, what can we do?"
+
+But help was near. A couple of neighbors had also heard the sound of
+battle, and were riding nearer that they might learn the result.
+
+"Great heavens! what is this?" exclaimed one, as they rode up. "As I live,
+that is Andrew Harmon's horse. Well, I never thought Andrew would get near
+enough to a battle to get shot."
+
+By this time they had dismounted. Going to Calhoun they looked at him, and
+one exclaimed, "This is not Harmon; it's one of Morgan's men. Got it good
+and heavy. Served him right."
+
+"Is he dead?" asked the girl, in a trembling voice.
+
+The man put his hand on Calhoun's heart. "No, marm," he answered, "but I
+think he might as well be."
+
+"Carry him into the house, and send for Doctor Hopkins, quick," she said.
+
+"What! that dirty, bloody thing! Better let us carry him to the barn. It's
+a blame sight better place than our boys get down South."
+
+"The house, I say," answered the girl, sharply.
+
+"Why, Miss Joyce," said the other man, as he looked at her, "you are
+covered with blood."
+
+"Yes, I caught him as he fell from his horse," she answered. "I am not
+hurt."
+
+The men were about to pick Calhoun up and carry him in according to the
+directions of the girl, when she exclaimed, "There comes Doctor Hopkins
+now."
+
+Sure enough, the Doctor had heard of the fight, and was coming at a
+remarkable speed, for him, to see if his professional services were
+needed. He reined in his horse, and jumping from his gig, ejaculated,
+"Why! why! what is this? And Miss Joyce all bloody!"
+
+"I am not hurt. The man, Doctor," she said.
+
+The Doctor turned his attention to Calhoun. "As I live, one of Morgan's
+men," he exclaimed, "and hard hit, too. How did he come here?"
+
+"His horse brought him," answered one of the men. "He clung to his horse
+as far as here, when he fell off. Miss Joyce caught him as he fell. That
+is what makes her so bloody."
+
+"Well! well! well!" was all that the old Doctor could say.
+
+"The queer part is," continued the man, "that the horse belongs to Andrew
+Harmon. I heard that Andrew had gone out with the Home Guards, but I could
+hardly believe it. I guess this fellow must have killed him and
+appropriated the horse."
+
+"What! Andrew Harmon killed in battle?" cried the Doctor, straightening up
+from his examination of Calhoun. "Don't believe it. He will turn up safe
+enough."
+
+Then speaking to the girl, the Doctor said, "Miss Joyce, this man has
+nearly bled to death. I cannot tell yet whether the ball has entered his
+head or not. If not, there may be slight hopes for him, but he must have
+immediate attention. It is fortunate I came along as I did."
+
+"Miss Joyce wanted us to take him into the house," said one of the men,
+"but I suggested the barn."
+
+"The barn first," said the Doctor; "if I remember rightly, there is a
+large work-bench there. It will make a fine operating-table. And, Joyce,
+warm water, towels, and bandages."
+
+Joyce Crawford, for that was the girl's name, flew to do the Doctor's
+bidding, while the men, to their credit be it said, picked Calhoun up
+tenderly and carried him to the barn, where the work-bench, as the Doctor
+had suggested, made an operating-table. Joyce soon appeared with the
+water, towels, and bandages. The Doctor had already taken off his coat and
+rolled up his sleeves, ready for work. Although he was a country
+practitioner, he was a skilful surgeon. Carefully he washed away the
+blood, then clipped away the matted hair from around the wound. It seemed
+to Joyce a long time that he worked, but at last the wound was dressed and
+bandaged.
+
+"The ball did not penetrate the brain," he said, as he finished, "nor do I
+think the skull is injured, although the ball plowed along it for some
+distance. Fortunately it was a small bullet, one from a revolver,
+probably, which hit him. It cut a number of small arteries in its course,
+and that is the reason he has bled so much. An hour more and he would have
+been beyond my skill."
+
+"Will he live now?" asked Joyce.
+
+"The chances are against him. If saved at all, it will only be by the best
+of nursing."
+
+"He can be taken into the house now, can't he?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, but you had better first let a tub of water be brought, and clean
+underclothes, and a night shirt. He needs a bath as much as anything."
+
+Joyce had the men get the water, while she procured some underclothes
+which belonged to her brother. Calhoun's clothes were now removed, clothes
+which had not been off him for a month.
+
+"Here is a belt," said one of the men; "it looks as if it might contain
+money," and he was proceeding to examine it when the Doctor forbade him.
+
+"Give it to Miss Joyce," he said; "the fellow is her prisoner."
+
+The belt was handed over rather reluctantly. Calhoun having been bathed,
+Joyce was called, and told that her prisoner was ready for her.
+
+"Bring him in, the chamber is all prepared," was her answer.
+
+Calhoun was brought in and placed in a large, cool upper chamber.
+
+"This is mighty nice for a Rebel," said one of the men, looking around.
+"My Jake didn't get this good care when he was shot at Stone River."
+
+"Too blame nice for a Morgan thief," mumbled the other.
+
+"Shut up," said the Doctor; "remember what Miss Joyce has done for our
+boys. Worked her fingers off for them. This man, or rather boy, for he
+can't be over twenty, was brought to her door. Would you have him left to
+die?"
+
+The men hung their heads sheepishly, and went out. They were not
+hard-hearted men, but they were bitter against Morgan, and any one who
+rode with him.
+
+"Now I must go," said the old Doctor kindly, taking Joyce's hand. "You
+have done to this young man as I would have one do to my son in a like
+extremity."
+
+The old Doctor's voice broke, for he had lost a son in the army.
+Recovering himself, he continued, "I must go now, for I may be needed by
+some of our own gallant boys. I will drop in this evening, if possible,
+and see how your patient is getting along. God bless you, Joyce, you have
+a kind heart."
+
+Joyce looked after the old Doctor with swimming eyes. "One of God's
+noblemen," she murmured.
+
+She took the belt which had been taken from Calhoun, and which had been
+handed her by the Doctor, and put it carefully away. She then began her
+vigil beside the bedside of the wounded man. The Doctor had given her
+minute directions, and she followed them faithfully. It was some hours
+before Calhoun began to show signs of consciousness, and when he did come
+to, he was delirious, and in a raging fever.
+
+The Doctor returned as he had promised. He shook his head as he felt
+Calhoun's pulse, and listened to his incoherent mutterings.
+
+"This is bad," he said. "It is fortunate he lost so much blood, or this
+fever would consume him. But we must hope for the best. Only the best of
+nursing will bring him through."
+
+"That he shall have," said Joyce. "I have sent for Margaret Goodsen. You
+know she is an army nurse, and knows all about wounded men."
+
+"Yes, Margaret is good, none better," replied the Doctor.
+
+All through that night Joyce sat by the bedside of Calhoun cooling his
+fevered brow, giving him refreshing drinks. He talked almost continually
+to himself. Now he would be leading his men in battle, cheering them on.
+Then he was a boy, engaged in boyish sports. The name of Fred was uttered
+again and again.
+
+"I wonder who Fred can be?" thought Joyce; "a brother, probably."
+
+Joyce Crawford was the only daughter of the Hon. Lorenzo Crawford, one of
+the most prominent citizens of Columbiana County. Mr. Crawford had served
+two terms in Congress, and was at the time of the war a member of the
+state senate. He had one child besides Joyce, his son Mark, who we have
+seen was a major in the Federal army.
+
+Mr. Crawford lost his wife when Joyce was three years old; since that time
+his house had been presided over by a maiden sister. This lady was absent
+in Steubenville when Morgan appeared so suddenly in the county; thus at
+the time of Calhoun's appearance only Joyce and the servants were at home,
+Mr. Crawford being absent in the east on duties connected with the
+Sanitary Commission.
+
+Mr. Crawford was what is known as an original Abolitionist. Before the war
+his house was one of the stations of the underground railroad, and many a
+runaway slave he had helped on the way to Canada. Twice he had been
+arrested by the United States officials for violation of the fugitive
+slave law, and both times fined heavily. He believed there could be no
+virtue in a slave-owner; such a man was accursed of God, and should be
+accursed of men. His daughter had to a degree imbibed his sentiments, and
+the idea of slavery was abhorrent to her; but her heart was so gentle, she
+could hate no one. Calhoun's helplessness appealed to her sympathies, and
+she forgot he was one of Morgan's raiders. Although young, only eighteen,
+she had admirers by the score, but her father so far had forbidden her
+receiving company, considering her as yet only a child.
+
+Joyce's beau ideal of a man was her brother Mark, and he was worthy of her
+adoration. Several years her senior, he had watched over and guided her in
+her childhood, and never was a brother more devoted.
+
+The next morning the news came that Morgan was captured, and the scare in
+Columbiana County was over. The morning also brought Miss Crawford, who
+had come hurrying home on receipt of the news that Morgan was in the
+county. She nearly went into hysterics when she learned that one of the
+dreadful raiders was in the house. "How could you do it, child?" she cried
+to Joyce; and "Doctor, why did you let her?" she added to Doctor Hopkins,
+who had just come in to see his patient.
+
+"Madam, it was a case of life or death," replied the Doctor. "Joyce did
+right. We are not heathens in Columbiana County."
+
+"But you will take him right away?" pleaded the lady.
+
+"It would be death to move him."
+
+"But he might murder us all," said Miss Crawford.
+
+The Doctor smiled. "If he lives, it will be weeks before he will have the
+strength to kill a fly," he answered.
+
+Miss Crawford sighed, and gave up the battle. She was not a hard-hearted
+woman, but the idea of having one of Morgan's dreadful raiders in the
+house was trying on her nerves.
+
+The afternoon brought Major Crawford. The story of Joyce's capture of a
+raider had travelled far and wide, and the Major had already heard of it.
+"So you captured a prisoner, did you, Puss?" he exclaimed, kissing her, as
+she threw herself in his arms. "Is he a regular brigand, and bearded like
+a pard?"
+
+"No, no, he is young, almost a boy," she answered. "Margaret Goodsen is
+taking care of him now. Come and see him, but he is out of his head, and
+raves dreadfully."
+
+She led the way to the chamber where Calhoun was. No sooner did Major
+Crawford see him than he turned pale and staggered back, "Great God!" he
+exclaimed.
+
+What fate was it that had led the man he had shot to the house to be cared
+for by his sister?
+
+"What is it, Mark? What is it?" she cried, seeing his agitation.
+
+Should he tell her? Yes, it would be best. "Joyce, you will not wonder at
+my surprise, when I tell you it was I who shot him."
+
+"You, brother, you!" she cried, and instinctively she shrank from him.
+
+Mark saw it, and exclaimed, "Great God! Joyce, you don't blame me, do you?
+I had to do it to save my life. He was about to cut me down with his sword
+when I fired."
+
+"No, no," she cried, "I don't blame you, but it was so sudden; it is so
+dreadful. I never before realized that war was so terrible."
+
+"Well, Joyce, save the poor fellow's life if you can; I don't want his
+death on my hands if I can help it. Do you know who your prisoner is?"
+
+"No, you see the condition he is in."
+
+"His name is Pennington, Calhoun Pennington. He is one of Morgan's bravest
+and most daring officers. I ought to know him, he took me prisoner twice."
+
+"You, Mark, you?"
+
+"Yes, you remember I told you how I lost my horse in Tennessee. He is the
+fellow who took it. He afterwards captured me at Cave City."
+
+"Mark, what will become of him if he gets well?" she asked.
+
+"The United States officials will take him," he answered. "His being here
+must be reported."
+
+"And--and he will be sent to prison?"
+
+"Yes, until he is exchanged."
+
+"But you were not sent to prison when you were captured," she protested.
+
+"No, I was paroled; but I hardly believe the government will parole any of
+Morgan's men."
+
+"Why?" she asked.
+
+"They have given us too much trouble, Puss. Now we have them, I think we
+will keep them."
+
+"Mark, Aunt Matilda don't like my taking this Pennington in. She says
+father will not like it at all."
+
+"I will see Aunt Matilda, and tell her it is all right. I will also write
+to father. No, Joyce, I don't want Pennington to die. It is best, even in
+war, to know you have not killed a man. So take good care of him, or
+rather see he has good care. Get a man to nurse him nights."
+
+"I will look out for that," said Joyce.
+
+"Well, Puss, good-bye, keep me posted. I had leave of absence only a few
+hours, so I must be going."
+
+"Oh, Mark, must you go so soon?" And she clung to him as if she would not
+let him go. Gently disengaging her arms, he pressed kiss after kiss on her
+brow and was gone. She sank into a chair weeping, and for a time forgot
+her prisoner.
+
+The next day Joyce had another visitor, in the person of Andrew Harmon. He
+had heard that his horse was at Crawford's, and that the officer who took
+him was there desperately wounded. He made his visit with pleasure, for of
+all the girls in Columbiana County, she was the one he had selected to
+become Mrs. Harmon. He had no idea he would be refused, for was he not
+considered the greatest catch in the county?
+
+Harmon had two things to recommend him--good looks and money. He was
+accounted a handsome man, and was as far as physical beauty was concerned.
+He had the body and muscle of an athlete, but there was nothing ennobling
+or inspiring in the expression of his countenance. By nature he was
+crafty, mean, cruel, and miserly, and was one of the biggest cowards that
+ever walked.
+
+Like many others, he was a great patriot as far as talk was concerned. He
+had been so unfortunate as to be drafted at the first call, and had
+promptly furnished a substitute. He was fond of boasting he was doing
+double duty for his country, not only was he represented in the army, but
+he was doing a great work at home. This work consisted in contracting for
+the government, and cheating it at every turn. Many a soldier who received
+shoddy clothing, paper-soled shoes, and rotten meat had Mr. Harmon to
+thank for it. But he was piling up money, and was already known as one of
+the richest men in the county. When he went out with the Home Guards, he
+had no idea of getting near Morgan; he would look out for that. But his
+party ran into Morgan's advance unexpectedly, and as has been related, he
+was captured by Calhoun. It was a most wonderful story he had to tell.
+
+He had been beset by at least six of Morgan's men. A desperate conflict
+followed, and he had killed, or at least desperately wounded, three of his
+assailants, and it was only after he had not a single shot left in his
+revolver and was surrounded that he had surrendered.
+
+"So enraged were they at my desperate defence," said he, "that the officer
+in charge pulled me from my horse, brutally kicked and struck me,
+threatened to kill me, and then appropriated my horse. He is a desperate
+fellow, Miss Joyce; I would not keep him in the house a single moment."
+
+Joyce, who had listened to his account much amused, for she had heard
+another version of it, said, "I do not think, Mr. Harmon, he could have
+beaten you very hard, for I see no marks on you, and you seem to be pretty
+lively. As for sending Lieutenant Pennington away, the Doctor says it
+would be death to move him."
+
+Mr. Harmon shifted uneasily in his chair as Joyce was saying this, and
+then asked to see Calhoun, as he wished to be sure whether he was the one
+who had captured him. This Joyce consented to, provided he would be
+careful not to disturb him. Harmon promised, and he was taken into the
+room. Calhoun was tossing on his bed, as he entered, and no sooner did his
+wild eyes rest on Harmon than he burst into a loud laugh, "Oh! the coward!
+the coward!" he shouted, "take him away."
+
+Harmon fled from the room white with rage. "Miss Joyce, that fellow is
+shamming," he fumed. "I demand he be delivered to the United States
+officials at once."
+
+"The Doctor thinks differently; he says it will kill him to be moved," she
+answered.
+
+"Let him die, then. It isn't your business to nurse wounded Rebels,
+especially one of Morgan's cutthroats."
+
+"I do not have to come to you to learn what my business is," answered
+Joyce, haughtily, and turned to leave the room.
+
+Mr. Harmon saw that he had made a mistake. "Joyce! Joyce! don't go, hear
+me," he exclaimed.
+
+"You will find your horse in the stable," was all she said, as she passed
+out.
+
+He left the house vowing vengeance, and lost no time in informing the
+Federal authorities that the wounded officer at Crawford's was shamming,
+and would give them the slip if not taken away. Two deputy marshals came
+to investigate, and went away satisfied when Doctor Hopkins promised to
+report as soon as his patient was well enough to be removed.
+
+In due time Joyce received a letter from her father. He had not heard that
+Morgan had come as far north as Columbiana County, until after he was
+captured. As all danger was now over, he would not be home for some time.
+The thousands who had been wounded in the great battle of Gettysburg were
+occupying his attention. He also had to make a visit to Washington and
+Fortress Monroe, and might go as far south as Hilton Head. As for the
+wounded Rebel at his house, Joyce had done right in not letting him die in
+the road, but that he should be turned over to the military authorities at
+the earliest possible moment. Little did Mr. Crawford think what the
+outcome of the affair would be.
+
+Contrary to her aunt's protest, Joyce insisted on taking most of the care
+of Calhoun during the day. Margaret Goodsen was all the help she needed.
+She had engaged a competent man to care for him nights. Had not Mark told
+her to save the life of the man he had shot, if possible?
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+                         CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE.
+
+
+For two weeks Calhoun hovered between life and death; but at last his
+rugged constitution conquered. During this time Joyce was unremitting in
+her attention. "I must save him for the sake of Mark," she would say, "I
+cannot bear to have his blood on Mark's hands."
+
+In speaking to Joyce's aunt, Matilda Goodsen said: "The poor child will
+hardly let me do anything; she wants to do it all."
+
+Miss Crawford fretted and fumed, but it did no good. In this Joyce would
+have her way.
+
+Calhoun's fever had been growing less day by day, and the time came when
+it left him, and he lay in a quiet and restful slumber. But his breathing
+was so faint, Joyce was almost afraid it was the sleep which precedes
+death.
+
+It was near the close of an August day. The weather had been warm and
+sultry, but a thunder shower had cooled and cleared the atmosphere, and
+the earth was rejoicing in the baptism it had received. The trees seemed
+to ripple with laughter, as the breeze shook the raindrops from their
+leaves. The grass was greener, the flowers brighter on account of that
+same baptism. The birds sang a sweeter song. What is more beautiful than
+nature after a summer shower!
+
+It was at such a time that Calhoun awoke to life and consciousness. A
+delicious lethargy was over him. He felt no pain, and his bed was so soft,
+he seemed to be resting on a fleecy cloud. He tried to raise his hand, and
+found to his surprise he could not move a finger. Even his eyes for a time
+refused to open. Slowly his memory came back to him; how in the fierce
+conflict he tried to break through the line and sought to cut down an
+officer who opposed him. Then there came a flash, a shock--and he
+remembered nothing more. Where was he now? Had he passed through that
+great change called death? By a great effort he opened his eyes, and was
+bewildered. He was in a strange room. By an open window sat a young girl.
+She had been reading, but the book was now lying idly in her lap, and she
+was looking apparently into vacancy. The rays of the setting sun streamed
+in through the windows, and touched hair and face and clothes with its
+golden beams. Calhoun thought he had never seen a being so lovely; her
+beauty was such as he fancied could be found only in the realms above, yet
+she was mortal. He could not take his eyes from her. She turned her head,
+and saw him gazing at her. Uttering a little exclamation of surprise, she
+arose and came swiftly but noiselessly to his side.
+
+"Who are you? Where am I?" Calhoun whispered, faintly.
+
+"Hush! hush!" she said, in low, sweet tones, "you must not talk. You have
+been sick--very sick. You are better now."
+
+She gave him a cordial. He took it, and with a gentle sigh, closed his
+eyes, and sank to sleep again. Before he was quite gone, it seemed to him
+that soft, tremulous lips touched his forehead, and a tear-drop fell upon
+his cheek. Its memory remained with him as a beautiful dream, and it was
+long years before he knew it was not a dream.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was delighted when he called in the evening and learned
+that his patient had awaked with his fever gone, and in his right mind.
+"All that he needs now," he said, "is careful nursing, and he will get
+well. But mind, do not let him talk, and tell him nothing of what has
+happened, until he gains a little strength."
+
+From that time Calhoun gained slowly, but surely. When he became strong
+enough to bear it, Joyce told him all that had happened. He could scarcely
+realize that over a month had passed since he had been wounded.
+
+"Then that stand of mine did not save Morgan," said Calhoun, sorrowfully.
+
+"No, he was taken a few hours afterwards," answered Joyce. "He and his
+officers are now in the penitentiary at Columbus."
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe what he heard. "Then we are to be treated as
+felons, are we?" he asked, bitterly.
+
+"They are afraid he might escape from a military prison," replied Joyce.
+"But the people are very bitter against him. Some are clamoring that he be
+tried and executed."
+
+"They will not dare do that," exclaimed Calhoun, excitedly.
+
+"No, I do not think there is any danger that way," replied Joyce; "but
+they want to keep him safe."
+
+"Well they may, but Morgan will yet make them trouble. No prison will hold
+him long."
+
+"There, there, don't let us talk about it any more," said Joyce; "it will
+worry you back into a fever."
+
+"You have saved my life," said Calhoun, fervently. "How can I ever repay
+you for what you have done?"
+
+Joyce did not reply.
+
+Calhoun lay silent for some time, and then suddenly said: "I am one of
+Morgan's hated officers, and yet you are caring for me as for a brother.
+What makes you do it?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I?" said Joyce; "I have a dear brother in the army. I am
+only doing by you as I would have him done by, if he should fall wounded.
+And then--" Joyce stopped; she could not tell him it was her brother who
+had shot him.
+
+A great light came to Calhoun. "Joyce! Joyce!" he cried, "I now
+understand. It was your brother who shot me."
+
+"Oh! forgive him! forgive him!" cried Joyce. "He told me it was to save
+his own life that he did it."
+
+"Why, Joyce, there is nothing to forgive. Your brother is a brave, a
+gallant officer. Then he has been here?"
+
+"Yes, and knew you. He bade me nurse you as I would nurse him in like
+condition."
+
+"Just like a brave soldier; but are there none who find fault with my
+being here treated like a prince?"
+
+"Yes, one. His name is Andrew Harmon. It was his horse you were riding
+when you came here. He seems to hate you, and is doing all he can to have
+you taken to Columbus. He says you treated him most brutally when he was
+captured."
+
+"I did kick him," answered Calhoun, laughing; "he was on the ground
+bellowing like a baby. I never saw a more abject coward. I kicked him and
+told him to get up."
+
+"He has a different story," said Joyce, smiling; and then she told the
+wonderful story of Harmon's capture as related by himself.
+
+"His capacity for lying is equalled only by his cowardice," said Calhoun,
+indignantly.
+
+"Yet he is a man to be feared," said Joyce, "for he is rich and has
+influence, although every one knows him to be a coward."
+
+The days that passed were the happiest Calhoun had ever spent. He told
+Joyce of his Kentucky home, of his cousin Fred, how noble and true he was,
+and of his own adventures in raiding with Morgan. She never tired of
+listening. Is it strange that these two hearts were drawn close to each
+other. They lived in a sweet dream--a dream which did not look to the
+future. But almost unknown to them Cupid had come and shot his shafts, and
+they had gone true.
+
+The day came when Calhoun was able to be placed in an easy-chair and drawn
+to an open window. It was a proud day to him, yet it was the beginning of
+sorrow. The Doctor came and congratulated him on his improvement.
+
+"Doctor Hopkins, how can I thank you for your kindness?" he said; "you
+have done so much for me."
+
+"You need not thank me, thank that young lady there," replied the Doctor,
+pointing to Joyce. "She it was who saved your life."
+
+"I know, no reward I could give would ever repay her," answered Calhoun.
+"I can only offer to be her slave for life."
+
+"Your offer is not accepted; you are well aware I do not believe in
+slavery," replied Joyce, with a merry laugh.
+
+When the Doctor was ready to go, he asked for a private interview with
+Joyce. It was hard work for him to say what he had to say. He choked and
+stammered, but at last Joyce understood what he meant. He had promised the
+government officials to inform them when Calhoun could be moved without
+endangering his life. That time had come. "But," said he, as he noticed
+the white face of Joyce, "I shall recommend that he be allowed to remain
+two weeks longer, as there is no danger of his running away in his weak
+condition."
+
+But Joyce hardly heard him. "And--and--this means?" she whispered.
+
+"The penitentiary at Columbus."
+
+Joyce shuddered. "And--and there is no way to prevent this?"
+
+"None. God knows I would if I could."
+
+"Thank you, Doctor; I might have known this would have to come, but it is
+so sudden."
+
+The Doctor went out shaking his head. "I am afraid harm has been done," he
+said to himself.
+
+Just as he was getting into his gig to drive away Andrew Harmon came
+riding by. He glanced up and saw Calhoun sitting by the window. "So, your
+patient is able to sit up," he exclaimed, with a sneer. "About time he
+were in the penitentiary, where he belongs, isn't it?"
+
+"I don't know how that concerns you," replied the Doctor, coldly, as he
+drove away.
+
+"Oh ho! my fine fellow. I will show you whether it concerns me or not?"
+muttered Harmon, looking after him.
+
+That night Harmon wrote to the authorities at Columbus, stating it as his
+opinion that there was a scheme on foot to detain Lieutenant Pennington
+until he was well enough to slip away. He was not aware that Doctor
+Hopkins had reported on the condition of his patient every week, and had
+already sent a letter saying he could be moved with safety, but
+recommending he be allowed to remain two weeks longer, on account of his
+weak condition. Harmon not only wrote to Columbus, but also to Mr.
+Crawford, hinting that it was dangerous for his daughter to care for
+Calhoun longer. "You know," he wrote, "that girls of the age of Joyce are
+inclined to be romantic."
+
+As for Joyce, when the Doctor left her she sank into a chair weak and
+faint. She saw Andrew Harmon gazing up at the window where Calhoun was,
+and a terror seized her. She now knew that she loved Calhoun, but with
+that knowledge also came the thought that her love was hopeless, that even
+if Calhoun returned her love, her father would never consent to their
+union. He would rather see her dead than married to a Rebel, especially a
+hated Morgan raider. Long did she struggle with her own heart, her sense
+of duty, her ideas of patriotism; and duty conquered. She would give him
+up, but she would save him.
+
+It was evening before she could muster strength to have the desired
+interview with Calhoun. When she did enter the room it was with a step so
+languid, a face so pinched and drawn, that Calhoun stared in amazement.
+
+"Joyce, what is it?" he cried. "Are you sick?"
+
+"Not sick, only a little weary," she answered, as she sank into a chair
+and motioned for the nurse to leave them. No sooner was she gone than
+Joyce told Calhoun what had happened. Her voice was so passionless that
+Calhoun wondered if she cared, wondered if he had been mistaken in
+thinking she loved him.
+
+"Joyce, do you care if I go to prison?" he asked.
+
+"Care?" she cried. "The thought is terrible. You shall not go, I will save
+you."
+
+"Joyce! Joyce! tell me that you love me, and it will make my cell in
+prison a heaven. Don't you see that I love you, that you saved my poor
+life only that I might give it to you? Joyce, say that you love me!"
+
+For answer she sank on her knees by his bedside and laid her head on his
+breast. He put his weak arms around her, and held her close. For a while
+she remained still, then gently disengaging his arms, she arose. There was
+a look on her face that Calhoun did not understand.
+
+"The first embrace, and the last," she sighed. "Oh, Calhoun, why did we
+ever meet?"
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, his lips growing white.
+
+"I mean that our love is hopeless. Father will never consent to our
+marriage. I feel it, know it. Without his consent I shall never marry. But
+save you from prison I will."
+
+"Joyce, you do not love me!" said Calhoun bitterly.
+
+"As my life," she cried.
+
+"Yet you say you can never marry me!"
+
+"Without my father's consent I cannot."
+
+"Joyce, let us not borrow trouble. Even with your father's consent we
+could not marry now. I am a prisoner. The war is going on, but it cannot
+last forever. When it is over, when peace is declared, I will come to you.
+Then, and not till then, will I ask your father for your hand. Let us hope
+the skies will be brighter by that time--that to be one of Morgan's men
+will not be a badge of dishonor, even in the North."
+
+"Oh, Calhoun, if I could only hope! I will hope. Come to me after the war
+is over. Father's consent may be won. But now the prison, the prison. I
+must save you. I have thought it all out."
+
+"How can you save me, a poor, weak mortal, who cannot take a step without
+help?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Put you in a carriage to-morrow night and take you where they cannot find
+you."
+
+"So soon? The Doctor said he would ask for two weeks. Two more weeks with
+you, Joyce--I could afford to go to prison for that."
+
+"Don't talk foolishly. I feel if I don't get you away to-morrow night, I
+cannot at all."
+
+"But you--will it endanger you, Joyce?"
+
+"Not at all!"
+
+"But how will you explain my disappearance?"
+
+"Suppose you have been shamming, better than we thought you were, and so
+you gave us the slip."
+
+"A right mean trick," said Calhoun.
+
+"No, a Yankee trick, a real good one. Now listen, Calhoun, and I will tell
+you all about how I am going to get you away. Some six miles from here a
+colored man lives whom my father has greatly befriended. He will do
+anything for me I ask. I shall tell him you are a sick soldier, and for
+good reasons wish to remain in hiding until you get well."
+
+"Will he know I am one of Morgan's men?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No, he will think you are a Federal soldier. Calhoun, as much as you may
+hate it, you must don the Union Blue."
+
+"That would make a spy of me. No, it wouldn't either, if I kept clear of
+any military post."
+
+"That's good. I have a Federal uniform in the house, which will about fit
+you. A friendless soldier died here a short time ago. We took him in and
+cared for him during his last sickness. He had been discharged for wounds
+received at Fair Oaks. Here is the discharge. I think it fits you close
+enough, so it may be of use to you."
+
+She handed him the discharge; he took it and read: "James Brown, age
+nineteen; height five feet nine inches; weight one hundred and sixty
+pounds; complexion dark; hair and eyes black."
+
+"Why, Joyce, with that in my pocket, and wearing a Federal uniform, I
+could travel anywhere in the North."
+
+"So I thought. We will cheat that old prison yet. But it is time you were
+asleep."
+
+"God bless you, Joyce," replied Calhoun. "Give me a kiss before you go."
+
+She smiled and threw him one as she went out and he had to be content with
+that. She had not stopped to consider what the result might be if she
+helped Calhoun to escape. Her only thought was to save him from going to
+prison. To do this she would dare anything.
+
+The colored man of whom she spoke was to be at the farm in the morning to
+do some work. A fear had seized her that she might be too late. The fear
+was well grounded. The authorities at Columbus had resolved to move
+Calhoun at once. The request of Doctor Hopkins, that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, although he said he could be removed without
+danger, aroused their suspicion. Not only that, but the letter of Andrew
+Harmon to Mr. Crawford had alarmed that gentleman, and he was already on
+his way home.
+
+Abram Prather, the colored man, was seen by Joyce as soon as he made his
+appearance.
+
+"Missy Joyce, I jes' do enything fo' yo.' Me an' de ol' woman will keep
+him all right."
+
+So everything was arranged. Joyce breathed freer, yet she waited
+impatiently for the night.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+                               THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+The day was a long and weary one to Calhoun. Between the joy of knowing he
+was to be free and his misery over the thought that he must part with
+Joyce, his soul was alternately swept with conflicting emotions. Then he
+had seen so little of her during the day; she seemed more distant than she
+did before she declared her love. How he longed to take her in his arms,
+to have her head rest on his breast once more! But she had said that
+although it was the first it was to be the last time. What did she mean?
+Ah! it must be that he could never embrace her again, never touch her lips
+again, until her father had consented to their marriage. When the war was
+over he would wring that consent from him.
+
+The thought brought contentment. Yes, it was better that they should part.
+Then the news of the terrible battle of Chickamauga had just come, and it
+had fired his very soul. The South had won a great victory. Surely this
+was the beginning of the end. Independence was near, the war would soon be
+at an end, and he longed to be in at the finish. The excitement of war was
+once more running riot through his veins.
+
+He little thought of the sacrifice Joyce was making, of the fierce
+conflicts she was having with her conscience. She knew that she was doing
+wrong, that she was proving a traitor to the flag she loved, that she was
+aiding and abetting the enemy; but it was one, only one man, and she loved
+him so. Surely this one man, sick and wounded, could do no harm. It was
+cruel to shut him up in prison. Thus she reasoned to silence conscience,
+but if her reasons had been ten times as weak, love would have won.
+
+All through the day she was making preparations for Calhoun's departure.
+Fortunately the young man who had been engaged to nurse Calhoun during the
+night had been taken sick a couple of days before, and as Calhoun rested
+well, another had not been engaged. Thus one of the greatest obstacles to
+the carrying out of Joyce's plans was out of the way. She could easily
+manage Miss Goodsen. Joyce's only confidant was the faithful Abe, who
+obeyed her without question. In his eyes Missy Joyce could do nothing
+wrong. He had been drilled by Joyce until he knew just what to do. He was
+to go home, but as soon as it was dark, he was to return, being careful
+not to be seen. After he was sure the household was asleep he was to
+harness a span of horses, being careful to make no noise, and have a
+carriage waiting in a grove a short distance back of the house. Here he
+was to wait for further orders from Joyce. Being well acquainted with the
+place, and Joyce promising to see that the barn and the carriage-house
+were left unlocked, he would have no trouble in carrying out his
+instructions.
+
+Night came, and Joyce was in a fever of excitement. Would anything happen
+to prevent her carrying out her plans? If she had known that Andrew Harmon
+had hired a spy to watch the house she would have been in despair. But the
+spy was to watch the window of Calhoun's room, and was concealed in a
+corn-field opposite the house. If he had watched the back instead of the
+front of the house, he would have seen some strange doings.
+
+Margaret Goodsen was told that as Calhoun was so well, she could lie down
+in an adjoining room. If he needed anything, he could ring a little bell
+which stood on a table by his side. The nurse gladly availed herself of
+the opportunity to sleep. When the nurse retired Joyce came into the room,
+and speaking so that she could hear her, said, "Good night, Lieutenant
+Pennington; I hope you will rest well." Then she whispered, "Here is the
+Federal uniform. Have you strength to put it on?"
+
+"Yes, but oh, Joyce--"
+
+She made a swift gesture and pointed to the door of the nurse's room.
+
+"Here is some money," she continued, in the same low whisper. "Now, don't
+refuse it; you will need it."
+
+"I had plenty of money in a belt around me when I was wounded," whispered
+Calhoun.
+
+"The belt, oh, I forgot! The Doctor gave it to me for safe keeping."
+Noiselessly she moved to the bureau, opened a drawer, and returned with
+the belt.
+
+"Joyce, I shall not need your money now, but I thank you for the offer."
+
+"It was nothing. Be sure and be ready," and she glided from the room.
+
+The minutes were like hours to Calhoun. At one time he had made up his
+mind not to accept his proffered liberty, as it might bring serious
+trouble on Joyce; but he concluded that he must accept.
+
+As for Joyce, she went to her room and threw herself down on a lounge. Her
+heart was beating tumultuously; every little noise startled her like the
+report of a gun. She waited in fear and apprehension. At length the clock
+struck eleven. "They must be all asleep by this time," she thought. She
+arose and softly went downstairs, carrying blankets and pillows. She
+stopped and listened as she stepped out of doors. There was no moon, it
+was slightly cloudy, and darkness was over everything. Without hesitating
+she made her way through the back yard and the barn lot to the grove,
+where she had told Abe to be in waiting. She found that the faithful
+fellow had everything in readiness.
+
+"Abe, I want you to come with me now and get the sick soldier. Drive
+through the lane until you reach the road; then drive straight to your
+house. The road is not much frequented, and you will not be apt to meet
+any one at this time of night. If you do, say nothing. Leave the soldier
+when you get home, drive straight back the way you came. Turn the horses
+into the pasture, put the harness and carriage where you found them. Be
+careful and make no noise. When you have done this go home again and be
+sure you get there before daylight. It's a hard night's work I have put on
+you, Abe, but I will pay you well for it. Now, take off your boots and
+come with me."
+
+The obedient fellow did as he was bid, and followed Joyce into the house
+and to Calhoun's room.
+
+"Take him to the carriage," whispered Joyce.
+
+The stalwart Abe took Calhoun in his arms as if he had been a child, and
+carried him to the carriage.
+
+"Now, Abe, remember and do just as I told you," said Joyce.
+
+"Yes, Missy, I 'member ebberyting."
+
+She went to the side of the carriage, arranged the pillows and comforts
+around Calhoun, and then gave him her hand. "Good-bye," she whispered;
+"may God keep you safe."
+
+The hand was cold as death, and Calhoun felt that she was trembling
+violently.
+
+"Joyce! Joyce! is this to be our leave-taking?"
+
+"Yes," she whispered.
+
+"Are you not coming to see me where I am going?"
+
+"No, I dare not; we must not see each other again until--until the war is
+over."
+
+"Without a kiss, Joyce. Joyce, I--"
+
+"Hush! you have no right to ask for one, I much less right to give it.
+Come when the war is over, and then"--Her voice broke, and she turned and
+fled into the darkness.
+
+How Joyce got back into the house she never knew. She fell on her bed
+half-unconscious. The strain upon her had been terrible, and the effect
+might have been serious if tears had not come to her relief. After a
+violent paroxysm of sobbing, she grew calmer, and tired nature asserted
+itself, and she fell asleep.
+
+It was yet early morning when she was aroused by a cry from Miss Goodsen,
+and that lady came rushing into her room, wringing her hands and crying,
+"He is gone! He is gone!"
+
+"Who is gone?" asked Joyce, springing up as if in amazement.
+
+Miss Goodsen, in her excitement did not notice that Joyce was fully
+dressed. "The wounded Rebel, Lieutenant Pennington," she fairly shrieked.
+"Oh! what shall I do? What shall I do?" and she wrung her hands in her
+distress.
+
+Joyce ran to Calhoun's room; sure enough it was empty. "Stop your noise,"
+she said, sharply, to Miss Goodsen. "If any one is to blame, I am. They
+will do nothing with you. It may be he became delirious during the night
+and has wandered off. We must have the house and premises searched."
+
+The noise had aroused the whole household. The utmost excitement
+prevailed. Miss Crawford was frantic. She was sure they would all be sent
+to prison, and she upbraided Joyce for not getting another male nurse to
+watch him during the night. The house and the premises were thoroughly
+searched, but nothing was found of the missing man. The neighborhood was
+aroused and a thorough search of the surrounding country began.
+
+Joyce took to her room with a raging headache. The afternoon brought a
+couple of deputy marshals from Columbus. They had come to convey Calhoun
+to prison, and were astonished when told that the prisoner had escaped.
+Miss Goodsen was closely questioned. She had looked in once during the
+night. The Lieutenant was awake, but said he was comfortable and wanted
+nothing. She then went to sleep and did not awake until morning. She found
+Joyce in her room, who was overcome when told that her patient was gone.
+She had not heard the slightest sound during the night.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was summoned. The old Doctor was thunderstruck when he
+heard the news. He could scarcely believe it. To add to the mystery,
+Calhoun's Confederate uniform was found. Apparently he had gone away with
+only his night clothes on. Doctor Hopkins at once gave it as his opinion
+that Calhoun had been seized with a sudden delirium and had stolen out of
+the house and wandered away; no doubt the body would be found somewhere.
+His professional services were needed in the care of Joyce, for she seemed
+to be completely prostrated, and had a high fever.
+
+"Poor girl," said the Doctor, "the excitement has been too much for her."
+If he suspected anything he kept his secret well.
+
+The spy employed by Andrew Harmon reported that he had not seen or heard
+anything suspicious during the night, so that gentleman concluded to say
+nothing, as he did not wish it to be known that he had had the house
+secretly watched.
+
+Mr. Crawford returned the day after the escape. He was greatly exercised
+over what had happened, and blamed every one that Calhoun had been kept so
+long as he had. Poor Joyce came in for her share, but she wisely held her
+peace. The country was scoured for miles around, but nothing was seen or
+heard of the escaped prisoner, and at last the excitement died out.
+
+Joyce did not lack news from Calhoun. The faithful Abe kept her fully
+informed. Joyce told him that both of them would go to prison if it was
+known what they had done, and he kept the secret well. He reported that
+Calhoun was gaining rapidly, and would soon be able to go his way. "He
+want to see yo' awful bad befo' he goes," said Abe.
+
+But Joyce resolutely refused. It would not do either of them any good. One
+day the negro brought her a letter. It was from Calhoun, telling her that
+when she received it he would be gone. He thought it cruel that she had
+not come to see him just once. He closed as follows:
+
+"Joyce, I feel that my life is yours, for you saved it. Not only that, but
+to you I now owe my liberty, and I realize the struggle you have had to do
+as you have done. But be of good cheer. When the war is over the thunder
+of the last cannon will hardly have died away before I shall be at your
+side. Till then adieu."
+
+That letter was very precious to Joyce. Before the war was over it was
+nearly worn out by being read and reread.
+
+Shortly after Mr. Crawford's return he was asked by Andrew Harmon for
+permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. Harmon hoped that if he
+had her father's permission to pay his addresses to her, Joyce's coldness
+might disappear.
+
+Mr. Crawford did not like the man, but he was rich and had a certain
+amount of political influence. Mr. Crawford was thinking of being a
+candidate for Congress at the approaching election, and he did not wish to
+offend Harmon, but he secretly hoped that Joyce would refuse him; in this
+he was not disappointed. She was indignant that her father had listened to
+Harmon, even to the extent that he had. "Why, father, I have heard you
+call him cowardly and dishonest," she exclaimed, "and to think that you
+told him you would leave it entirely to me."
+
+"I did not wish to offend him," meekly replied Mr. Crawford, "and I had
+confidence in your judgment. I was almost certain you would refuse him."
+
+"Will you always have such confidence in my judgment?" asked Joyce,
+quickly.
+
+"What do you mean?" asked her father.
+
+"Suppose I should wish to marry one of whom you did not approve?"
+
+"That is another proposition," said Mr. Crawford. "You might have been so
+foolish as to fall in love with that Morgan Rebel and horse-thief you took
+care of so long. If so, I had rather see you dead than married to him."
+
+Poor Joyce! Did her father suspect anything? She caught her breath, and
+came near falling. Quickly recovering herself, she answered. "At least he
+was a brave man. But everybody says he is dead, and mortals do not wed
+ghosts."
+
+"It is to be sincerely hoped he is dead," replied Mr. Crawford, for he had
+noticed his daughter's confusion, and an uneasiness took possession of
+him. But much to Joyce's relief he did not question her further.
+
+Andrew Harmon was beside himself with rage when told by Mr. Crawford that,
+while his daughter was sensible of the great honor he would bestow upon
+her, she was still very young, and had no idea of marrying any one at
+present.
+
+Harmon determined to have revenge on Joyce, and began slyly to circulate
+reports that Joyce Crawford, if she chose, could tell a great deal about
+the escape of the Rebel officer. In fact, half of his sickness was
+shammed.
+
+These rumors came to the ears of Mark Crawford. He had been promoted to a
+colonelcy for gallantry at Chickamauga. During the winter, while the army
+lay still around Chattanooga, he had come home on furlough. While at home
+he sought out Harmon and gave him as fine a thrashing as a man ever
+received, warning him if he ever heard of him connecting his sister with
+the escape of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his body. The
+only revenge Harmon durst take was to defeat Mr. Crawford in his
+aspirations for a nomination for Congress.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+                         PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.
+
+
+When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back in the carriage and gave
+himself up to the most gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
+took from him the joy of his escape. During the journey his dusky driver
+did not speak a word. The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he was
+thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up by a log house, surrounded by
+a small clearing.
+
+"Heah we be, Massa," said Abe, as he alighted from his seat. "Hope Massa
+had a good ride."
+
+The door of the house was opened by a motherly looking colored woman, and
+Abe, taking Calhoun once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
+Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing Calhoun looking so pale
+and thin, put her fat, black hand on his forehead, and said, "Po' chile,
+po' chile, don't yo' worry. Aunt Liza take good care ob yo'."
+
+Calhoun felt that he was among friends--friends that would prove faithful
+and true. He was carried up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
+house was all in one room, rather low, but the rough walls were
+whitewashed, and everything was neat and clean. He was placed on a
+snow-white bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When he awoke the
+sun was shining in at the window and Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast
+good enough to tempt the appetite of one far more particular than Calhoun.
+
+The invalid remained with his kind friends two weeks, treated like an
+honored guest, and protected from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
+rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk out evenings, when
+there was no danger of being seen. Once men who were searching for him
+entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every word that was said. His
+heart beat painfully, for it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
+betray him for the sake of the reward offered. But the thought did
+injustice to these simple-minded people. As for the searchers, the loft of
+the house of a poor negro who had run away from slavery was the last place
+they thought of looking for an escaped Confederate.
+
+Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce. She cheered him with words of
+love and comfort, but absolutely refused to come and see him, saying it
+would be dangerous. In this she was right, for Andrew Harmon was alert. He
+believed that Joyce had had something to do with the disappearance of
+Calhoun, and had her closely watched. Fortunately his suspicions did not
+extend to Abe, so that communication between Joyce and Calhoun was not
+interrupted. At the end of two weeks he felt able to leave his place of
+concealment. But where should he go? He longed to be South, in the midst
+of the strife, but his heart was drawn toward Columbus, where his comrades
+lay languishing in prison. What could he do at Columbus? He did not know,
+but something might transpire that would enlighten him. At least he would
+go and look over the field. Once out of the neighborhood, in his Federal
+uniform and with Brown's discharge in his pocket, there would be little
+fear of detection. He made his preparations to go, wrote Joyce the letter
+which she prized so highly, and bade his kind protectors farewell, placing
+in their hands a hundred dollars. Their surprise and joy over the gift
+were about equal.
+
+"De Lawd keep yo'!" said Aunt Liza, wiping her eyes.
+
+Calhoun had determined to start early in the evening, travel all night,
+lie concealed during the day, and travel the next night. By that time he
+thought he would be so far away from the place of his escape that he could
+venture to take the cars without danger. Aunt Liza had supplied him with
+ample provisions for the two days. He carried out his programme, and on
+the morning of the second day found himself near a small town where he
+concluded to take the cars, but deemed it safer to wait for the night
+train. The conductor eyed him sharply when he paid his fare instead of
+showing a pass, for soldiers generally travelled on Federal
+transportation. But the conductor took the money and passed on without
+remark.
+
+Opposite Calhoun in the car sat a gentlemanly looking man, and much to
+Calhoun's surprise, when the conductor passed, he saw the gentleman make
+the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle, and it was
+answered by the conductor. When the conductor next passed Calhoun gave the
+sign. The man stared, but did not answer. But he seemed to be troubled,
+and passed through the cars frequently, and Calhoun saw that he was
+watching him closely. At length, in passing, the conductor bent down and
+whispered to the gentleman opposite. Calhoun now knew another pair of eyes
+were observing him.
+
+Watching his opportunity, Calhoun gave this gentleman the sign of
+recognition. The gentleman shifted uneasily in his seat, but did not
+answer.
+
+"I will give you something stronger," thought Calhoun, and the next time
+he caught the gentleman's eye, he gave the sign of distress. This was a
+sign no true knight could afford to ignore. Leaning over, the gentleman
+said, "My boy, you look pale. Have you been sick?"
+
+"Very, and I now need friends," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Come over here and tell me about it," said the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man whispered, "Are you a
+deserter, and are they after you?"
+
+"Yes," said Calhoun.
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Columbus."
+
+"That is a poor place to go to keep out of the hands of Lincoln's
+minions," answered the man.
+
+"I am not afraid," said Calhoun. "What I want to know is where I can find
+friends in Columbus whom I can trust--true, firm friends of the South."
+
+"My name is Pettis," replied the man. "I reside in Columbus. Once let me
+be satisfied as to who you are and what you are wearing that uniform for
+and I may be able to help you."
+
+"That is easily answered," said Calhoun; "but first I must be fully
+satisfied as to you. Let me prove you, my brother."
+
+Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in the order, and was violent in
+his hatred of the Lincoln government. He could be trusted.
+
+"I am not a Federal soldier," said Calhoun after he had fully tested him.
+"I am wearing this uniform as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer."
+
+"What! escaped from Johnson's Island?" asked Mr. Pettis, in astonishment.
+
+"No, I am one of Morgan's officers."
+
+Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise.
+
+"Morgan's officers are all in the penitentiary," he gasped.
+
+"One is not and never was," answered Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said: "It can't be, but it must
+be. Is your name Pennington?"
+
+"It is," replied Calhoun.
+
+"Why, the papers have been full of your escape. But the general opinion
+seemed to be that you wandered away in a delirium and died."
+
+"Which you see is not so," said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+"How in the world did you get away?"
+
+"That is a secret which I cannot tell even you."
+
+"Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come home with me. You will find
+friends in Columbus, many of them, who will be delighted to meet you."
+
+When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit
+of citizen's clothes, for, said he, "We Knights hate the sight of that
+uniform; it's the badge of tyranny."
+
+Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner
+could be more bitter toward the Lincoln government than he. He fairly
+worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he would only return to Ohio, he
+would be defended by a hundred thousand men. He was especially indignant
+over the way Morgan and his officers were treated.
+
+"We have schemed and schemed how to help him," said he, "but see no way
+except we storm that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed.
+And," he added, with emphasis, "the day is fast approaching when we will
+do it."
+
+For three days Calhoun remained at Mr. Pettis's, wearying his brain as to
+how he might help his general, but every plan proposed was rejected as
+impracticable. On the third morning he happened to pick up a paper, and
+glancing over its columns, saw an advertisement which caused every nerve
+in his body to tingle. It was an advertisement for a boy to work in the
+dining-room and wait on the table at the penitentiary. The advertisement
+stated that the sole duty of the boy was to wait on the table when the
+Confederate officers ate, as they objected to being waited upon by
+convicts. In less than five minutes Calhoun was in his Federal uniform and
+on his way to the penitentiary to apply for the position.
+
+"You do not look very strong," said the warden, kindly; "do you think you
+could fill the bill?"
+
+"I am sure I can," said Calhoun. "Only try me and see."
+
+"Well," replied the warden, "I had rather hire a boy who has served his
+country, as you have, and I will give you a trial."
+
+Thus to his great joy Calhoun found himself hired to wait upon his old
+comrades in arms. With what feelings he commenced his duties can be
+imagined. Would they recognize him, and in their surprise give him away?
+No, he thought not. They knew too well how to control themselves for that.
+It was with a beating heart that Calhoun waited for the time of the first
+meal. It came, and the Confederate prisoners came marching in. How
+Calhoun's heart thrilled at the sight of his old comrades! But if they
+recognized him they did not show it by look or sign.
+
+When the meal was finished and the prisoners marched out, Calhoun managed
+to give Morgan a little slip of paper. On it was written: "I am here to
+help you if I can. Be of good cheer."
+
+But how could Calhoun help them? Even at meal-time guards stood everywhere
+watching every move. His duties did not take him out of the dining-room.
+Calhoun began by making a careful survey of the building in which the
+prisoners were confined. Fortune favored him. One day he made a remark to
+one of the employees of the prison that the floor of the building seemed
+to be remarkably dry and free from damp.
+
+"It should be," was the reply; "there is an air chamber under the floor."
+
+Like a flash there came to Calhoun a plan for escape. If this air chamber
+could be reached a tunnel might be run out. He took careful note of all
+the surroundings, and drew a plan of the buildings and surrounding
+grounds. These he managed to pass to Morgan unobserved. At the next
+meal-time as Morgan passed him, he said, as if to himself, "No tools."
+
+This was a difficult matter. Nothing of any size could be passed to them
+without discovery. But in the hospital Calhoun found some large and finely
+tempered table-knives. He managed to conceal several of these around his
+person, and one by one they were given to Morgan.
+
+Calhoun now waited in feverish excitement for the success of the plan. He
+had done all he could. The rest depended on the prisoners themselves.
+Through the shrewdness and indomitable energy of Captain Thomas H. Hines
+the work was carried to a successful termination inside the prison wall.
+
+General Morgan occupied a cell in the second tier, and could do nothing.
+Only those who occupied cells on the ground floor had any hopes of
+escaping. Captain Hines, with infinite labor made an opening through the
+floor of his cell into the air chamber. Once in the air chamber they could
+work without being discovered. With only the table-knives to work with,
+these men went through two solid walls, one five feet, and the other six
+feet in thickness. Not only that, but they went through eleven feet of
+grouting. Then, working from under, they went through the floors of six
+cells, leaving only a thin scale of cement, which could be broken through
+by a pressure from the foot. The work was commenced November 4, and
+finished November 24. Thus in twenty days seven men, working one at a
+time, had accomplished what seemed almost impossible.
+
+During these days Calhoun could only wait and hope. As the prisoners
+passed him in the dining-room, all they could say was "Progressing," "Not
+discovered yet," "All is well so far." At last, on the 24th, Calhoun heard
+the welcome words, "Finished. First stormy night."
+
+Calhoun now examined the time-tables and found that a train left Columbus
+for Cincinnati at 1:15 A. M.; arriving in Cincinnati before the prisoners
+were aroused in the morning. So he wrote on a slip of paper: "Escape as
+soon after midnight as possible." He believed that train could be taken
+with safety. The afternoon of November 27, the weather became dark and
+stormy. At supper-time Calhoun heard the glad word, "To-night."
+
+As soon as his duties were done he hurried to the home of Mr. Pettis,
+exchanged his uniform for citizen's clothes, telling Mr. Pettis his work
+at the penitentiary was done, and he had decided to leave. "Ask no
+questions; it is better that you know nothing," said Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis took his advice, but he was not surprised in the morning when
+he heard that Morgan had escaped. For General Morgan to escape, it was
+necessary for him to occupy a lower cell. His brother, Captain Dick
+Morgan, occupied the cell next to Captain Hines. The Captain, giving up
+his chance of escaping, effected an exchange of cells with his brother.
+This was easily accomplished, as they were about of a size, and it was
+quite dark in the cells when they were locked in.
+
+The General had been allowed to keep his watch. When a few minutes after
+twelve came, he arose, fixed a dummy in his bed to resemble a man
+sleeping, and breaking through the thin crust over the opening with his
+foot, slipped into the air chamber. He gave the signal, and was quickly
+joined by his companions. Captain Morgan had made a ladder out of strips
+of bed-clothing, and by the aid of this ladder they hoped to scale two
+walls, one twenty feet high, which would stand between them and liberty,
+after they had emerged from the tunnel.
+
+A little before midnight Calhoun made his way as close as he durst to the
+place where he knew the wall must be scaled. Not three hundred feet away
+several guards were gathered around a fire. The night was cold, and the
+guards kept close to the fire. Slowly the minutes passed. The city clocks
+struck half-past twelve. Would they never come? Had their flight been
+detected?
+
+Suddenly a dark spot appeared on top of the wall. Then another, and
+another, until Calhoun counted seven. They were all there. Silently they
+slid down the rope ladder, the talk and laughter of the guards ringing in
+their ears. But noiselessly they glided away, and the darkness hid them.
+
+"This way," whispered Calhoun. When out of hearing of the guards, they
+stopped for consultation. It would not do to keep together. They decided
+to go two and two. Calhoun handed each a sum of money. There was a strong
+clasping of the hands, a whispered farewell, and they who had dared so
+much separated.
+
+The next morning there was consternation in the penitentiary at Columbus.
+The news of Morgan's escape was flashed over the country. The Federal
+authorities were astonished, dumbfounded. A reward of five thousand
+dollars was offered for his recapture. Every house in Columbus was
+searched, but to no purpose. John Morgan had flown.
+
+  [Illustration: ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON]
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+                         THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH.
+
+
+The 1:15 train from Columbus to Cincinnati was about to start. "All
+aboard," shouted the conductor.
+
+Two gentlemen sauntered into one of the cars, to all appearances the most
+unconcerned of individuals. They took different seats, the younger just
+behind the older. General Morgan and Calhoun had reached the train in
+safety; had purchased tickets, and taken their seats without exciting
+suspicion. A moment more and they would be on their way South.
+
+A Federal major came hurrying in and seated himself beside Morgan, and the
+two entered into conversation. On the way out of the city the train had to
+pass close to the penitentiary. The major, pointing to the grim, dark
+pile, and thinking he might be imparting some information, said: "There is
+where they keep the notorious John Morgan."
+
+"May he always be kept as safe as he is now," quickly replied the General.
+
+"Oh! they will keep him safe enough," said the major, complacently
+stroking his chin. The major better understood the Delphic answer of the
+General the next morning.
+
+All went well until Dayton was reached, where by some accident the train
+was held over an hour. It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun. It
+meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati, that before they arrived
+there the Federal authorities of the city might be informed of the escape.
+It would never do for them to ride clear into the city. As the train
+slowed up as it entered the suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped
+off without being noticed.
+
+Morgan being well acquainted with the city, they quickly made their way to
+a ferry, and by the time the escape had been discovered at the
+penitentiary, Morgan's feet were pressing the soil of Kentucky. Calhoun's
+heart thrilled as he once more breathed the air of his native state. He
+felt like a new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of miles to
+safety. They must steal through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee like
+hunted beasts, for the enemy was everywhere. But friends there were,
+too--friends as true as steel. And hardly had they set foot in Kentucky
+before they found such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and
+protected them. He gave them horses, and sent them on their way. Slowly
+they made their way through the state, travelling all night, sent from the
+house of one friend to that of another. At last they reached the
+Cumberland River near Burkesville, where they had crossed it at the
+beginning of their raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had passed since
+then, so much had happened.
+
+On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened. They did not know friend
+from foe. On entering a house they did not know whether they would be
+protected or betrayed. The country was swarming with Federal cavalry. It
+was rumored that Morgan was in the country making his way south, and every
+officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing him. In the mountains
+Morgan and Calhoun met a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were
+making their way to the Confederate lines. In the party were a number of
+Morgan's old men, who hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan
+assumed command of them. But few of the party were mounted, consequently
+their progress was slow and their dangers were augmented.
+
+All went well until the Tennessee River was reached, a few miles below
+Kingston. The river was high and there was no means of crossing. A rude
+raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming, they commenced
+crossing. When about half were across a company of Federal cavalry
+appeared and attacked those who were still on the northern bank. On the
+frail raft, Morgan started to push across to their aid.
+
+"Are you crazy, General," cried Calhoun; "you can do no good, and will
+only be killed or captured. See, the men have scattered already, and are
+taking to the woods and mountains."
+
+It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away. He had the satisfaction
+afterwards of learning that most of the men escaped.
+
+The next day was the last day that Calhoun ever rode with Morgan, but
+little did he realize it at the time. Along in the afternoon they became
+aware of the close proximity of a squadron of Federal cavalry. Morgan and
+those with him took shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun
+rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no enemy and was coming back when
+he ran squarely into the Federals. The foremost of them were not ten feet
+from Morgan, he still being screened from view by the cedars. Without
+hesitation, Calhoun cried, "This way, Major. Hurry up, they have gone this
+way," pointing the way he had come.
+
+The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving the command, "Forward,"
+rode rapidly after Calhoun, and Morgan was saved. For half a mile they
+rode, when a stream was reached, and it was seen no horseman had crossed
+it. The major drew rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.
+
+"You have deceived me, you dog!" he cried.
+
+"Yes, I am one of Morgan's men," calmly replied Calhoun.
+
+The anger of the major was terrible. He grew purple in the face. "Yes, and
+you have led me away from Morgan," he hissed. "You will pay for this."
+
+Calhoun still remained calm. "That was not Morgan," he said; "I ought to
+know Morgan, I have ridden with him for two years."
+
+"I know better," roared the Major, thoroughly beside himself; "you are a
+lying scoundrel; I will fix you."
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Calhoun, with apparent calmness, but a
+great fear coming over him.
+
+"Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is a God in heaven! I would
+not have had Morgan slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It
+would mean a brigadier generalship for me if I had caught him. String him
+up, men."
+
+One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off his horse, fastened it
+around Calhoun's neck, threw the other end over the projecting limb of a
+tree, and stood awaiting orders.
+
+Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun in the face, and there was
+no Captain Huffman near to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save
+him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.
+
+"Major, before you commit this great outrage--an outrage against all rules
+of civilized warfare--let me say one word." Calhoun's voice did not even
+tremble as he asked this favor.
+
+"Be quick about it, then, but don't think you can say anything that will
+save your cursed neck!"
+
+"Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say, and I have been one of
+Morgan's men, as I have confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had
+betrayed him into your hands?"
+
+The fire of anger died out of the major's eyes. He hesitated, and then
+said: "You are right. If that was General Morgan, and you are one of his
+men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not for saving him." Then to
+his men he said: "Boys, take off that halter; he is too brave and true a
+man to be hanged."
+
+Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed to the major's sense of honor,
+and the appeal had not been made in vain.
+
+The major kept Calhoun for three days, and during that time treated him
+more like a brother than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness. At
+the end of the three days Calhoun was placed under a strong guard with
+orders to be taken to Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville
+was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would he live to be taken North
+in irons, as he would be when it became known that he was one of Morgan's
+officers.
+
+At the end of the first day's journey the prisoners, of whom there were
+several, were placed in the tower room of a deserted house. Three guards
+with loaded muskets stood in the room, another was just outside the door.
+Calhoun watched his chance, and when the guards inside the room were not
+looking, he dashed through the door, closing it after him. The guard
+outside raised his musket and fired. So close was he that the fire from
+the muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun's face, yet he was not touched.
+Another guard but a few feet away saw him running, and fired. The ball
+tore its way through the side of his coat. But he was not yet out of
+danger. He had to pass close to two picket posts, and as he neared them he
+was saluted with a shower of balls. But he ran on unharmed. One of the
+pickets with fixed bayonet took after him. He came so close that Calhoun
+could hear his heavy breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before. A
+turn in the road took him out of sight of his pursuers, and he sprang to
+one side and began to climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed by in
+pursuit; they had missed him. With a thankful heart Calhoun saw them
+disappear.
+
+But darkness came on and he had to feel his way up the mountain on his
+hands and knees. His progress was so slow that when morning came he had
+only reached the top of the mountain. He could hear the shouts of the
+soldiers searching for him. Near him was a growth of high grass. Going
+into this he lay down; and here he remained all day. At one time the
+soldiers in search of him came within twenty feet of where he lay.
+
+It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun ever spent. Hunger
+gnawed him, and he was consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter,
+and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth of his body thawed the
+frozen ground until he sank into it. When night came it froze again, and
+when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast. It was with difficulty
+that he released himself without sacrificing his clothing. For the next
+seven days he hardly remembers how he existed. Travelling by night and
+hiding by day, begging a morsel of food here and there, he at last reached
+the Confederate lines near Dalton.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+                       CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
+
+
+"Is this General Shackelford?" asked Calhoun of a distinguished-looking
+Confederate officer.
+
+"It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You look as if you had been seeing
+hard times."
+
+"I have," answered Calhoun; "I have just escaped from the North. I am one
+of Morgan's men."
+
+"Are you one of the officers who escaped with Morgan?" asked the General,
+with much interest.
+
+"Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan, but I escaped South with
+him."
+
+"I had a nephew with Morgan," continued the General. "We have not heard
+from him since Morgan was captured. The report is that he was killed in
+the last fight that Morgan had before he was captured. Poor Cal!" and the
+General sighed.
+
+"Uncle Dick, do you not know me?" asked Calhoun, in a broken voice.
+
+General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment. "It cannot be, yes,
+it is Cal!" he exclaimed, and the next moment he had Calhoun by the hand,
+and was nearly shaking it off.
+
+"And you have been in a Northern prison, have you?" asked the General.
+
+"No, but I was wounded near unto death. Fortunately I fell into kind
+hands."
+
+"But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin and bones."
+
+"No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in the last seven days to keep a
+bird alive. Then I was none too strong when I started on my journey
+south."
+
+"Tell me about it some other time," said the General. "What you want now
+is rest and something to eat."
+
+And rest and food Calhoun got.
+
+When he came to tell his story it was listened to with wonder. He was
+taken to General Joseph E. Johnston, then in command of the Confederate
+forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.
+
+"You know, I presume," said Johnston, "that Morgan escaped, and is now in
+Richmond."
+
+"Yes, I long to be with him," answered Calhoun. "I feel as strong as ever
+now."
+
+"Do not be in a hurry to report," said Johnston. "Wait until you hear from
+me."
+
+In a few days Calhoun received a message from General Johnston saying he
+would like to see him. Calhoun lost no time in obeying the summons. He was
+received most cordially.
+
+"In the first place, Captain," said the General, "allow me to present you
+this," and he handed him his commission as captain in the Confederate
+army.
+
+Calhoun choked, he could only stammer his thanks. But what came next
+astonished him still more. "I now offer you the position of Chief of the
+Secret Service of my army," said the General. "After listening to your
+story, although you are young, I believe there is no officer in the army
+more capable of filling it."
+
+Calhoun knew not what to say; it was a place of the greatest honor, but he
+hated to leave Morgan. "Will you let me consult my uncle before I give an
+answer?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Most certainly," replied the General.
+
+"Accept it, by all means, Cal," said General Shackelford when Calhoun
+appealed to him. "In the first place, it is your duty to serve your
+country in the place where you can do the most good. There is no question
+but that at the head of the Secret Service you can render the country
+vastly better service than you can riding with Morgan. In the next place,
+I fancy it will not be exactly with Morgan as it was before his
+unfortunate raid. His famous raiders are prisoners, or scattered. It will
+be impossible for him to gather another such force. They understood him,
+he understood them. This will not be the case with a new command. Then,
+this is for your ear alone, Calhoun, the authorities at Richmond are not
+satisfied with Morgan. In invading the North he disobeyed orders; and
+this, those high in authority cannot overlook."
+
+So, with many regrets, Calhoun decided to accept the offer of General
+Johnston; but for many days his heart was with his old chieftain. The time
+came when he saw the wisdom of his uncle's remarks. General Morgan never
+regained his old prestige. It is true the Confederate government gave him
+the department of Western Virginia, but they so hampered him with orders
+that any great success was impossible.
+
+In June, 1864, Morgan made his last raid into Kentucky. At first he was
+successful, sweeping everything before him. He had the pleasure of taking
+prisoner General Hobson, the man who had tracked him all through his
+Northern raid. But at Cynthiana he met with overwhelming defeat, his
+prisoners being recaptured, and he escaping with only a small remnant of
+his command.
+
+On the morning of the 4th of September, 1864, the end came. General Morgan
+was slain in battle at Greenville, East Tennessee. Calhoun mourned him as
+a father, when he heard of his death. It was long months afterwards before
+he heard the full particulars, and then they were told him by an officer
+who was with the General on that fatal morning.
+
+"We marched into Greenville," said the officer, "and took possession of
+the place on the afternoon of the 3d. There was a small company of Yankees
+within four miles of us, but there was no considerable body of Yankees
+nearer than Bull's Gap, sixteen miles away. The General established his
+headquarters at the house of a Mrs. Williams, the finest house in the
+little city.
+
+"In the evening a furious storm arose and continued most all night. The
+rain fell in torrents. The lightning flashed incessantly, and there was a
+continual crash of thunder. It seemed impossible that troops could move in
+such a storm, and we felt perfectly safe.
+
+"But there were traitors in Greenville, and they carried the news to the
+little company of Yankees four miles away that Morgan was in the city, and
+told at what house he lodged. Two daring young cavalrymen volunteered to
+carry the news to General Gillem at Bull's Gap. Talk about the ride of
+Paul Revere, compared to the ride of those two Yankees! Buffeted by wind
+and rain, one moment in a glaring light and the next in pitch darkness,
+with the thunder crashing overhead, in spite of wind and rain, those two
+cavalrymen rode the sixteen miles by midnight.
+
+"The command was aroused. What if the rain did pour and the elements
+warred with each other? Morgan was the prize, and by daylight Gillem's
+soldiers had reached Greenville. So complete was the surprise that the
+house in which the General slept was surrounded before the alarm was
+given. Then thinking only of joining his men, the General leaped out of
+bed, and without waiting to dress, seized his sword and dashed out of the
+house, seeking to escape by the way of the garden. But he was seen by a
+soldier and shot dead. The news that Morgan was killed seemed to go
+through the air. It was known in an incredibly short time by both sides.
+
+"Now," said the officer, "occurred one of the most singular circumstances
+I know of during the war. There was no flag of truce, no orders to cease
+firing, yet the firing ceased. The Confederates gathered together, and
+marched out of the city; the Federals marched in; the two were close
+together, within easy musket range, but not a shot was fired. It seemed as
+if both sides were conscious that a great man had fallen, a gallant soul
+fled, and that even grim war should stay his hand."
+
+It is not within the scope of this book to follow Calhoun through the last
+year of the war. Suffice it to say, that in the enlarged sphere of his new
+position, his genius found full scope. He was all through the Atlantic
+campaign, where for four months the thunder of cannon never ceased, and
+where seventy-five thousand men were offered as a sacrifice to the god of
+war. He followed Hood in his raid to the rear of Sherman's army, and then
+into Tennessee. He was in that hell of fire at Franklin, where fell so
+many of the bravest sons of the South. At Nashville he was among those who
+tried to stem the tide of defeat, and was among the last to leave that
+fatal field. When the remnants of Hood's army were gathered and marched
+across the states of Alabama and Georgia into North Carolina, hoping to
+stay the victorious progress of Sherman, Calhoun was with them.
+
+Not until the surrender of Lee and Johnston did Calhoun give up every hope
+of the independence of the South. But the end came, and in bitter anguish
+he laid down his arms. He had given his young life to his country when
+only seventeen years of age. For four years he had fought and hoped. When
+the end came it seemed to him the sky was darkened, that every hope had
+perished, that everything worth living for was gone. Oh, the bitterness of
+defeat! Strong men wept like children.
+
+Even the victors stood in silence over the grief of those whom they had
+met so many times in battle. They were brothers now, and they took them by
+the hand and bade them be of good cheer, and divided their rations with
+them. The soldiers who had fought each other on so many bloody fields were
+the first to fraternize, the first to forget.
+
+When Calhoun gave his parole, he met his cousin Fred, who was on General
+Sherman's staff. The meeting was a happy one for Calhoun, for it served to
+dispel the gloom which depressed his spirits. It seemed to be like old
+times to be with Fred again. Nothing would satisfy Fred, but that Calhoun
+should return home by the way of Washington. He consented, and was in
+Washington at the time of the Grand Review. All day long he watched the
+mighty armies of Grant and Sherman, as with steady tread they marched
+through the streets, showered with flowers, greeted with proud huzzahs.
+And then he thought of the home-coming of the ragged Confederates, and the
+tears ran down his cheeks. But as he looked upon the thousands and
+thousands as they marched along, and remembered the depleted ranks of the
+Southern army, his only wonder was that the South had held out so long as
+it did. Defeated they were, but their deeds are carved deep in the temple
+of fame, never to be erased.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+                             THE LONE RAIDER.
+
+
+It was near the close of a beautiful day in early June that Joyce Crawford
+was once more standing by the gate, looking down the road. It is nearly
+two years since we saw her last. She has grown taller, more womanly, even
+more beautiful, if that were possible. The sound of war had ceased in the
+land. No longer was the fierce raider abroad; yet Joyce Crawford stood
+looking down that road as intently as she did that eventful evening when
+Calhoun Pennington came riding to the door.
+
+She had not heard a word from him since his escape; nor had she expected
+to hear. All that she could do was to scan the papers for his name among
+the killed or captured Confederates. But the Northern papers published few
+names of Confederates known to have been killed, except the highest and
+most distinguished officers.
+
+During these two years Joyce's heart had been true to her raider lover. He
+had said that he would come when the war was over, that the thunder of the
+last cannon would hardly have ceased to reverberate through the land
+before he would be by her side. It was two months since Lee had
+surrendered yet he had not come. That he had been untrue she would not
+admit; if such a thought came to her, she dismissed it as unworthy. No!
+Like his general, he was lying in a soldier's grave; or he might be sick,
+wounded, unable to come.
+
+This June evening, as she stood looking down the road, her thoughts were
+in the past. Once more, in imagination, Morgan's raiders came riding by;
+she beheld the country terror-stricken; men, women, and children fleeing
+from--they hardly knew what. Once more she heard the sound of distant
+battle, then down the road that little cloud of dust which grew larger and
+larger, until the horse with its stricken rider came to view. How vividly
+she remembered it all, how real it seemed to her! She actually held her
+breath and listened to catch the sound of battle; she strained her eyes to
+catch a glimpse of that little cloud of dust.
+
+  [Illustration: SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF
+  BATTLE]
+
+No sound of battle came to her ears, but away down the road, as far as she
+could see, arose a little cloud of dust. Her heart gave a great throb; why
+she could not tell, for she had seen a thousand clouds of dust arise from
+that road, as she watched and waited. The little cloud grew larger. Now
+she could see it was caused by a single horseman, one who rode swiftly,
+and sat his horse with rare grace. She stood with hands pressed to her
+bosom, her eyes dilating, her breath coming in quick, short gasps.
+
+Before she realized it, the rider had thrown himself from his horse, and
+with the cry of "Joyce! Joyce!" had her in his arms, kissing her hair, her
+brow, her lips. For a minute she lay at rest in his arms; then, with
+burning brow and cheek and neck, she disengaged herself from his embrace,
+and stood looking at him with lovelit eyes. Could this be he whom, two
+years before, she had taken in wounded nigh unto death? How manly he had
+grown! How well his citizen suit became him!
+
+"Were you watching for me, Joyce?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"I have watched for you every night since Lee surrendered. I began to
+think you had forgotten--no, not that, I feared you had been slain," she
+exclaimed, in a trembling voice.
+
+"Death only could have kept me from you, Joyce. In camp and battle your
+image was in my heart. The thought of seeing you has sweetened the
+bitterness of defeat. The war did not end as I thought it would, but it
+has brought me to you--to you. Now that the war is over, there is nothing
+to separate us, is there, Joyce?"
+
+She grew as pale as death. She had not thought of her father before--he
+believed that the South had been treated too leniently, that treason
+should be punished. All that the South had suffered he believed to be a
+just punishment for her manifold sins. If the Rebels' lives were spared,
+they should be thankful, and ask nothing more. Joyce knew how her father
+felt. Not a word had ever passed between them relative to Calhoun since
+his escape; but the father knew much more than Joyce thought. He had kept
+still, thinking that time would cure his daughter of her infatuation, for
+he considered it nothing else.
+
+Calhoun saw the change in Joyce, how she drew from him, how pale she had
+grown, and he asked, "What is it, Joyce? Why, you shrink from me, and
+tremble like a leaf. Tell me, Joyce, what is it?"
+
+"My father!" she whispered, "Oh, I fear--I fear!"
+
+"Fear what, darling?"
+
+"That he will drive you from me; that he will forbid me seeing you!"
+
+"For what?"
+
+"Because you fought against your country; because you were one of Morgan's
+men."
+
+"What would he do? Hang me, if he could?" asked Calhoun, bitterly.
+
+"No, no, but--oh, Calhoun, let us hope for the best. Perhaps when he sees
+you it will be different. You must see him. He and aunt have gone to New
+Lisbon; but they will be at home presently."
+
+With many misgivings Calhoun allowed his horse to be put up, and he and
+Joyce enjoyed an hour's sweet converse before her father and aunt
+returned.
+
+When her father entered the room Joyce, with a palpitating heart, said:
+"Father, let me introduce you to Mr. Calhoun Pennington, of Danville,
+Kentucky. He is the young officer whom we cared for when wounded. He has
+come to thank us for the kindness shown him."
+
+Mr. Crawford bowed coldly, and said, without extending his hand, "Mr.
+Pennington need not have taken the trouble; the incident has long since
+been forgotten. But supper is ready; I trust Mr. Pennington will honor us
+by remaining and partaking of the repast with us."
+
+Calhoun could do nothing but accept, yet he felt he was an unwelcome
+guest. As for Joyce, she knew not what to think; she could only hope for
+the best. The meal passed almost in silence. Mr. Crawford was scrupulously
+polite, but his manner was cold and constrained. Poor Joyce tried to talk
+and appear merry, but had to give it up as a failure. Every one was glad
+when the meal was through. As they arose from the table, Mr. Crawford
+said: "Joyce, remain with your aunt, I wish to have a private conversation
+with Mr. Pennington." Calhoun followed him into the parlor. He knew that
+what was coming would try his soul more than charging up to the mouth of a
+flaming cannon.
+
+The first question asked nearly took Calhoun's breath away, it was so
+sudden and unexpected. It was, "Young man, why am I honored with this
+visit?"
+
+"As your daughter said, to thank you for the kindness I received while an
+enforced guest in your house," answered Calhoun, and then he mentally
+cursed himself for his cowardice.
+
+"Guests who leave as unceremoniously as you did do not generally return to
+express their thanks," answered Mr. Crawford, dryly. "It was a poor return
+you gave my daughter for her kindness."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"I mean that leaving as you did subjected my daughter to much unjust
+criticism. An honorable man would have gone to prison rather than
+subjected the young lady to whom he owed his life to idle remarks."
+
+Calhoun felt every nerve in him tingle. His hot blood rushed through his
+veins like fire, he clenched his hands until his nails buried themselves
+in the palms. How he longed to throttle him and force the insult down his
+throat! But he was an old man; he was Joyce's father. Then, as Joyce had
+never told him it was she who had planned the escape, it was not for him
+to speak. Controlling himself by a mighty effort, he calmly said: "Mr.
+Crawford, I am sorry you think so poorly of me, for I came here to ask of
+you the greatest boon you have to give on earth, that is your consent that
+I may pay my addresses to your daughter, and in due time make her my wife.
+I love her with my whole soul, and have reason to know that my love is
+returned."
+
+"And I had rather see my daughter dead than married to a Rebel and
+traitor, especially to one of Morgan's men. You have my answer," said Mr.
+Crawford, angrily.
+
+"Why call me Rebel and traitor?" asked Calhoun. "Whatever I may have been,
+I am not that now. The government has pardoned; can you not be as generous
+as the government? as generous as your great generals, Grant and Sherman?"
+
+"And the government will find out its mistake. Your punishment has not
+been what your sins deserve. Your lands should be taken from you and given
+to the poor beings you have enslaved these centuries. But we need not
+quarrel. You have had my answer concerning my daughter. Now go, and never
+let me see you again."
+
+"Mr. Crawford," said Calhoun, rising, "you have been very outspoken with
+me, and I will be equally so with you. As to the terms you say should have
+been given the South, I will say that had such been even hinted at, every
+man, woman, and child in the South would have died on their hearthstones
+before yielding. But this is idle talk, as I trust there are but few in
+the North so remorseless as you. Now, as to your daughter; if she is
+willing, I shall marry her in spite of you. There is one raider of Morgan
+still in the saddle, and he will not cease his raid until he has carried
+away the fairest flower in Ohio."
+
+"Go," cried Mr. Crawford, losing his temper, "go before I am forced to use
+harsher means."
+
+Before Calhoun could reply, before he could take a step, there was a swish
+of woman's garments, and before the father's astonished eyes there stood
+his daughter by the side of her lover. Her form was drawn to its full
+height, her bosom was heaving, her eyes were flashing. Taking her lover's
+hand, she cried: "Father, what have you done? I love this man, love him
+with all my heart and soul, and he is worthy of my love. If I can never
+call him husband, no other man shall ever call me wife."
+
+The father staggered and grew deadly pale.
+
+"O God," he moaned. "I have no daughter now. Child, child, much as I love
+you, would that you were lying beside your mother."
+
+Leaving the side of Calhoun, Joyce went to her father, and taking his
+hands in hers said, "Father, grant me but a few moments' private interview
+with Captain Pennington, and I promise I will never marry him without your
+free and full consent. Nay, more, without your consent I will never see
+him again or correspond with him."
+
+"Joyce, Joyce!" cried Calhoun, "what are you doing? What are you
+promising?" and he started toward her, but she motioned him back.
+
+"Father! Father!" she wailed, "don't you hear?"
+
+Mr. Crawford looked up.
+
+"Joyce, what did you say? What do you mean?" he whispered.
+
+Joyce repeated what she had said.
+
+"And you mean it, Joyce? you are to stay with me?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, but I must have a private interview with Captain Pennington before
+he goes. Then it is for you to say whether I shall ever meet him again or
+not."
+
+Calhoun stood by while this conversation was going on, the great drops of
+perspiration gathering on his forehead. Was he going to lose Joyce after
+all?
+
+The father arose and left the room. No sooner was he gone than she turned,
+and with a low cry sank into her lover's arms.
+
+"Joyce, Joyce, what have you done?" cried Calhoun. "Fly with me now! Let
+me take you to my Kentucky home. Father will welcome you. You will not
+lack the love of a father."
+
+Joyce raised her head, her eyes swimming in tears, but full of love and
+tenderness. "Hear me, Calhoun," she said, "and then you will not blame me.
+We cannot marry now, we are both too young. You told me that you and your
+cousin were to go to Harvard. That means four long years. Before that time
+my father may give his consent to our union."
+
+"But you told him you would not see me, would not even write. That means
+banishment."
+
+"Not from my heart," she whispered. "Calhoun, for you to attempt to see me
+now, or to write to me, would be but to increase my father's opposition. I
+trust to time, and by filial obedience to win him. It is a fearful thing,
+Calhoun, to be disowned by one's own father, and by a father who loves one
+as I know my father loves me. It would kill him if I left him, and the
+knowledge would make me unhappy, even with you. Calhoun, do you love me?"
+
+"As my life," he answered, clasping her once more to his breast. "And to
+be banished entirely from your presence is more than I can bear. It is
+cruel of you to ask it."
+
+"Calhoun, did you love me when I aided you to escape?"
+
+"You know I did, why do you ask?"
+
+"Yet you left me for two long years, left me to fight for principles which
+you held dear. What if, for love of me, I had asked you to resign from the
+army, to forsake the cause for which you were fighting?"
+
+"I couldn't have done it, Joyce. I couldn't have done it, even for your
+love. But you would not ask me to do such a craven act."
+
+"And yet you ask me to forsake my father, to be false to what I know is
+right."
+
+"Joyce, how can I answer you? I am dumb before your logic. But how can I
+pass the weary years which are to come?"
+
+"You have passed two since we parted, and your college years need not be
+weary. They will not be weary. Have faith. When father learns how good,
+how noble, how true you are, he will give his consent. And Mark, my
+brother Mark, he will plead for me, I know."
+
+"Joyce, I am like a criminal awaiting pardon--a pardon which may never
+come."
+
+"Don't say that. Now, Calhoun, we must part. Remember you are not to try
+to see me or write to me. But the moment father relents I will say, Come.
+It will not be long. Now go."
+
+Calhoun clasped her once more in his arms, pressed the farewell kiss on
+her lips, and left her.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+                                 "COME."
+
+
+Calhoun found his life in the university delightful. He was a good
+student, and a popular one. The black-haired young Kentuckian who had
+ridden with Morgan was a favorite in society. Many were the languishing
+glances cast upon him by the beauties of Cambridge and Boston, but he was
+true to Joyce. In the still hours of the night his thoughts were of her,
+and he wondered when he would hear that word "Come." But months and years
+passed, and no word came. He heard that her father was still obdurate. He
+would wait until his college course was finished, and then, come what
+would, he would see Joyce and try to shake her resolution. He would carry
+her off _vi et armis_ if necessary.
+
+The day of his graduation came. It was a proud as well as a sad day to
+him. Sad because friendships of four years must be broken, in most cases
+never to be renewed; and sadder yet because no word had come from Joyce.
+She must know that he was now free, that of all things he would long to
+come to her. Why should she longer be held by that promise to her father?
+For the first time he felt bitterness in his heart.
+
+Twilight, darkness came, still he sat in his apartments brooding. From
+without came the shouts and laughter of students, happy in the thought of
+going home; but their laughter found no echo in his heart. A step was
+heard, and his cousin Fred came dashing into the room. "Why, Cal," he
+exclaimed, "why sit here in the darkness, especially on this day of all
+days? We are through, Cal, we are going back to Old Kentucky. Don't the
+thought stir your blood?"
+
+"Go away and leave me, Fred. I am desperate to-night. I want to be alone,"
+replied Calhoun, half despondently, half angrily.
+
+Fred whistled. "Look here, old fellow," he said, kindly, "this won't do.
+It's time we met the folks down at the hotel. By the way, here is a
+telegram for you. A messenger boy handed it to me, as I was coming up to
+the room."
+
+Calhoun took the yellow envelope languidly, while Fred lighted the gas;
+but no sooner had he glanced at his telegram, than he gave a whoop that
+would have done credit to a Comanche Indian.
+
+"Fred, Fred!" he shouted, dancing around as if crazy, "when does the first
+train leave for the west? Tell the folks I can't meet them."
+
+"Well, I never--" began Fred, but Calhoun stopped him by shaking his
+telegram in his face.
+
+It read:
+
+          "Come.
+
+            "Joyce."
+
+That was all, but it was enough to tell Calhoun that the long years of
+waiting were over, that the little Puritan girl had been true to her
+lover, true to her father, and won at last. The first train that steamed
+out of Boston west bore Calhoun as a passenger, and an impatient passenger
+he was.
+
+How had it fared with Joyce during these years? If Calhoun had known all
+that she suffered, all her heartaches, he would not have been so happy at
+Harvard as he was. The fear of losing his daughter being gone, Mr.
+Crawford, like Pharaoh, hardened his heart. He believed that in time Joyce
+would forget, a pitiable mistake made by many fathers. A woman like Joyce,
+who truly loves, never forgets. It is said that men do, but this I doubt.
+
+The troublesome days of Reconstruction came on, and Mr. Crawford felt more
+aggrieved than ever toward the South. He believed that the facts bore out
+his views, that the North had been too lenient. As for Joyce, she gave
+little thought to politics. She believed that her father would surely
+relent before Calhoun had finished his college course; but as the time for
+his graduation approached, and her father was still obdurate, her courage
+failed. Her step grew languid, her cheeks lost their roses, the music of
+her voice in song was no longer heard.
+
+Strange that her father did not notice it, but there was one who did. That
+was her brother Mark. He was now a major in the Regular Army, had been
+wounded in a fight with the Apaches, and was home on leave of absence. To
+him Joyce confided all her sorrows, and found a ready sympathizer, for he
+was as tender of heart as he was brave.
+
+He went to his father and talked to him as he had never talked before.
+"Your opposition is all nonsense," said Mark. "Young Pennington is in
+every way worthy of her. I have taken pains to investigate."
+
+The old gentleman fairly writhed under his son's censures, and tried to
+excuse himself by saying, "Mark, I have said I had rather see her dead
+than married to a Rebel, one of Morgan's men."
+
+"Well, you will see her dead, and that very soon," retorted Mark,
+thoroughly aroused. "Have you no eyes? Have you not noticed her pale
+cheeks, her languid steps? Is she the happy girl she was? Your foolish,
+cruel treatment is killing her."
+
+Mr. Crawford groaned. "Mark, Mark," he cried, "I can't bear to hear you
+talk like that, you my only son. I have only done what I thought was
+right. You must be mistaken about Joyce."
+
+"I am not; look at her yourself. Never was there a more dutiful daughter
+than Joyce. She would rather die than break her promise to you. Free her
+from it. Make her happy by telling her she can see Pennington."
+
+"Mark, don't ask too much. Joyce is all I have to comfort me. When I am
+gone you will be the head of the family. You can then advise her as you
+please."
+
+"Better be kind to her and give her your blessing while you live," said
+his son, turning away, believing that his words would bear fruit.
+
+What Mark had said deeply troubled Mr. Crawford. He now noticed Joyce
+closely, and was surprised that he had not perceived the change in her. He
+meant to speak to her, but kept putting it off day by day, until sickness
+seized him. The doctor came, and told him he had but a short time to live.
+Mr. Crawford heard the verdict with composure. The Puritan blood in his
+veins led him to meet death as he would meet any enemy in life. But he
+would do justice to his daughter before he died. Calling Joyce to him, he
+took her hand in his, and said: "Joyce, you have been all that a daughter
+should be to me, but to you I have been a hard, cruel father."
+
+"No, no, you have been the kindest of fathers," she cried, her tears
+falling fast. "Father, don't talk so, or you will break my heart."
+
+"Listen, Joyce. I now know how much suffering I have caused you. I drove
+from you the man you loved. Do you still love him, Joyce?"
+
+"Father, I love him, I shall always love him, but I have been true to my
+promise. I--"
+
+"There, child," broke in Mr. Crawford, "say no more. I know how true you
+have been, how sacred you have kept your word, while I--oh, forgive me,
+Joyce!"
+
+"Don't, father, don't, you only did what you thought was right."
+
+"But Pennington, Joyce--has he been true all these years?"
+
+"I charged him not to see or write to me until I bade him, and that was to
+be when I had your free and full consent. Father, have I that consent
+now?"
+
+"Yes, yes, tell him to come."
+
+With her feet winged with love Joyce flew to send the glad message. But
+that night Mr. Crawford became much worse. It was doubtful if he would
+live until Calhoun could arrive.
+
+Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again is Calhoun galloping up
+the road which leads to the Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing
+at the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust grows larger and
+larger, but it is not noticed. In the house a life is ebbing away--going
+out with the sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse, and points
+to the house. "Massa Crawford dyin'," is all he said.
+
+He is met at the door by Joyce. "Come, father wants to see you," she says,
+and leads him into the chamber where the dying man lies.
+
+"Father, here is Calhoun," she sobbed.
+
+Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a trembling hand, and it was
+grasped by Calhoun. In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was
+forgotten.
+
+Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover. Her father took her hand
+and placed it in that of Calhoun. "God bless you both, my children," he
+whispered. "Forgive!"
+
+"There is nothing to forgive," replied Calhoun, in a choking voice.
+
+A look of great contentment came over the dying man's face. "Sit by me,
+Joyce," he whispered. "Let me hold your hand in mine."
+
+Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For some time she held her
+father's hand, and then his mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce's
+hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had lain in the grave for so
+many years. Once he opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending
+over him, murmured, "Kiss me, Mary."
+
+Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not once, but again and again.
+
+He smiled, closed his eyes--and then fell asleep.
+
+
+
+A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford. Calhoun has come to
+claim his beautiful bride. He is making his last raid; but this time no
+enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are scattered in his path; glad
+bells are ringing a joyful welcome. He is fully aware that the war has
+left many bitter memories; yet when the words are spoken which link his
+life to Joyce's forever and forever (for true love ends not in the grave),
+he clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan made his raid into
+Ohio.
+
+
+                                 THE END.
+
+      PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY
+      AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE
+      LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                FOOTNOTES
+
+
+    1 Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding his capture
+      and release. For this see "General Nelson's Scout."
+
+    2 For full particulars of this see "On General Thomas's Staff."
+
+    3 This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
+
+
+The author's footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.
+
+The following typographical errors were corrected:
+
+      page 70, "wagon train" changed to "wagon-train"
+      page 73, "orced" changed to "forced"
+      page 86, "kulking" changed to "skulking"
+      page 125, "way" changed to "way."
+      page 140, "At" changed to "As"
+
+In addition, several missing, superfluous or misplaced quote marks have
+been corrected.
+
+Variations in spelling ("pass-word" and "password", "tear-drop" and
+"teardrop", "bastile" and "Bastille") were not changed. The single
+occurrence of "Matthews" was not changed to "Mathews" as it is not clear
+if the same character is meant. Similarly, it can not be decided if a
+horse is called "Salim" or "Selim".
+
+
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+                                 CREDITS
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+    
+<div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em">
+<div class="tei tei-front" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 2.00em">
+    <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+      <div id="pgheader" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em">The Project Gutenberg EBook of Raiding with Morgan by Byron A. Dunn</p></div><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost
+          and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,
+          give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project
+          Gutenberg License <a href="#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this
+          eBook</a> or online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class="tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p></div><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">Title: Raiding with Morgan
+
+Author: Byron A. Dunn
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2009 [Ebook #29786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+</pre></div>
+    </div>
+    <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+      
+    </div>
+    <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<div class="tei tei-pb"></div>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.44em"><span style="font-size: 144%">
+Raiding with Morgan
+</span></p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-pb"></div>
+<a name="illus01" id="illus01" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus01.png" width="700" height="486" alt="AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER." title="AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.</span></div></div>
+
+</div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-titlePage" style="text-align: center">
+<div class="tei tei-pb" style="text-align: center"></div>
+    <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">The Young Kentuckians Series</span></span>
+<br /><br /><br />
+<span class="tei tei-docTitle" style="text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 173%">
+Raiding with Morgan
+</span></span></span>
+<br /><br />
+<div class="tei tei-byline" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 5.00em; margin-right: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 90%">BY</span></span>
+<br />
+<span class="tei tei-docAuthor" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">
+Byron A. Dunn
+</span></span>
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 90%">Author of “General Nelson’s Scout,” “On General
+Thomas’s Staff,” “Battling for Atlanta,”
+“From Atlanta to the Sea”</span></span>
+</div>
+    <br /><br />
+<span class="tei tei-docImprint" style="text-align: center">
+Chicago<br />
+A. C. McClurg &amp; Co.
+</span><br />
+    <span class="tei tei-docDate" style="text-align: center">1903</span>
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<div class="tei tei-pb"></div>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Copyright</span><br /><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">
+    By A. C. McCLURG &amp; CO</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 90%">
+A. D. 1903
+</span></p>
+<div class="tei tei-tb"><hr style="width: 10%" /></div>
+    <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Published Sept. 30, 1903</span></span>
+</p>
+</div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page7">[pg 7]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc1" id="toc1"></a><a name="pdf2" id="pdf2"></a>
+<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">PREFACE.</span></h1>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General John H. Morgan was one of the most
+picturesque figures in the Civil War, an officer without
+a peer in his chosen line. During the two years
+of his brilliant career he captured and paroled at
+least ten thousand Federal soldiers, and kept three
+times that number in the rear of the Federal army
+guarding communications. When we consider the
+millions of dollars’ worth of property he destroyed,
+and how he paralyzed the movements of Buell, we
+do not wonder that he was considered the scourge
+of the Army of the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Morgan was a true Kentucky gentleman,
+and possessed one of the kindest of hearts. The
+thousands of persons captured by him almost invariably
+speak of the good treatment accorded
+them. The following incident reveals more clearly
+than words his generous spirit. In reporting a
+scout, he says:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Stopped at a house where there was a sick
+Lincoln soldier, who died that night. No men
+being in the neighborhood, his wife having no
+person to make a coffin or bury him, I detailed
+some men, who made a coffin.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The adventures of Calhoun as a secret agent of
+the <span class="tei tei-q">“Knights of the Golden Circle”</span> opens up a
+portion of the history of the Civil War which may
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page8">[pg 8]</span><a name="Pg008" id="Pg008" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>be almost unknown to our younger readers. During
+the war the whole North was honeycombed
+with secret societies, whose members denounced
+Lincoln as a usurper and a bloody monster, and
+maintained that the government had no right to
+coerce the South. They resisted the draft, encouraged
+desertions, and embarrassed the Federal Government
+in every way possible. In secret many of
+the leaders plotted armed rebellion, the liberation
+of Confederate prisoners, and the burning of Northern
+cities. They held out inducements to the South
+to invade the North, and there is but little doubt
+that Morgan was lured to his destruction by their
+representations.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Shortly after the close of the war the author met
+a gentleman who had served on the staff of General
+Breckinridge. This officer affirmed that he carried
+a message from Breckinridge to Morgan, saying
+that the former had positive information that forty
+thousand armed <span class="tei tei-q">“Knights”</span> stood ready to assist
+Morgan if he would invade Indiana. Everything
+goes to show that Morgan relied on these reports,
+and it was this belief that induced him to disobey
+the orders of General Bragg.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It is an interesting question whether General
+Breckinridge was really privy to the plans of the
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Knights,”</span> and whether he secretly encouraged
+Morgan to disobey orders, hoping that the appearance
+of a Confederate force in the North would
+lead to the overthrow of the Lincoln Government
+and the independence of the South. The author
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page9">[pg 9]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>has taken the ground that Breckinridge was fully
+cognizant of Morgan’s intended move.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This volume mentions only the greatest of the
+General’s raids, and the author has tried to narrate
+them with historical accuracy as regards time,
+place, and circumstances. In stating the number
+of his men, his losses, and the damage he inflicted
+on the Federals, the General’s own reports have
+been followed; these, as was to be expected, differ
+widely in many cases from those of the Federal
+officers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The tale of the exploits of Calhoun is substantially
+true, though the hero himself is fictitious, for
+every one of his most notable feats was accomplished
+by one or other of Morgan’s men. It was
+Lieutenant Eastin, of Morgan’s command, who
+killed Colonel Halisy in single combat. Calhoun’s
+achievements in the escape from the Ohio Penitentiary
+were actually performed by two different
+persons: a sharp dining-room boy furnished the
+knives with which the prisoners dug their way to
+liberty; Captain Thomas H. Hines planned and
+carried to a successful termination the daring and
+ingenious escape. Captain Hines fled with General
+Morgan; and every adventure which befell Calhoun
+in <span class="tei tei-q">“The Flight to the South”</span> actually befell Captain
+Hines. The Captain’s marvellous story was
+published in the January number of <span class="tei tei-q">“The Century,”</span>
+1891, and to this narrative the author is indebted
+for the leading facts.
+</p>
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">B. A. Dunn.</span></span></div>
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="margin-left: 2.00em">
+August 1, 1903.
+</div>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page10">[pg 10]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+</div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page11">[pg 11]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc3" id="toc3"></a><a name="pdf4" id="pdf4"></a>
+<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CONTENTS</span></h1>
+<table summary="This is a table" cellspacing="0" class="tei tei-table" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><colgroup span="3"></colgroup><tbody><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-size: 90%"> CHAPTER</span></span></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-size: 90%">PAGE</span></span></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">I.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">AFTER SHILOH</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg015" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">15</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">II.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THROUGH THE LINES</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg028" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">28</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">III.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg049" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">49</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">IV.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">MORGAN’S FIRST RAID</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg069" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">69</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">V.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg082" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">82</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">VI.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg094" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">94</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">VII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg108" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">108</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">VIII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg113" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">113</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">IX.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE DUEL</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg126" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">126</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">X.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">HARTSVILLE</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg142" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">142</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XI.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg151" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">151</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">A SPY! A SPY!</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg161" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">161</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XIII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">UNDER ARREST</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg181" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">181</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XIV.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg196" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">196</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XV.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg214" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">214</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XVI.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg226" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">226</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XVII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg234" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">234</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XVIII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg246" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">246</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XIX.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">AN ANGEL OF MERCY </td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg253" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">253</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XX.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg269" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">269</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXI.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE ESCAPE </td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg281" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">281</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg292" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">292</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXIII.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH </td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg303" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">303</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXIV.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg310" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">310</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXV.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">THE LONE RAIDER </td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg318" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">318</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right">XXVI.</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"><span class="tei tei-q">“COME”</span> </td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#Pg328" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">328</a></td>
+    </tr></tbody></table>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page12">[pg 12]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+</div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page13">[pg 13]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc5" id="toc5"></a><a name="pdf6" id="pdf6"></a>
+<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">ILLUSTRATIONS</span></h1>
+<table summary="This is a table" cellspacing="0" class="tei tei-table" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><colgroup span="3"></colgroup><tbody><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-size: 90%">PAGE</span></span></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">As he sat upon his horse and looked out
+upon the river</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus01" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-style: italic">Frontispiece</span></a></span></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">He easily distanced all his pursuers</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus02" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">31</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">Sauntering into the depot they gazed curiously around</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus03" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">76</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">They silently crept down the gorge</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus04" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">101</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">He fired at Conway</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus05" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">120</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">The force of the blow threw the Colonel forward on<br />  his saddle</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus06" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">157</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">He cautiously crept up on the Sergeant</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus07" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">183</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus08" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">223</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">Escape of Morgan from prison</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus09" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">302</a></td>
+    </tr><tr class="tei tei-row">
+        <td class="tei tei-cell"></td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell">She held her breath and listened to catch the sound<br />  of battle</td>
+        <td class="tei tei-cell" style="text-align: right"><a href="#illus10" class="tei tei-ref" style="text-align: right">319</a></td>
+    </tr></tbody></table>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page14">[pg 14]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> 
+        
+    </div>
+</div>
+<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+    <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page15">[pg 15]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+    
+    <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">
+        RAIDING WITH MORGAN.
+    </span></h1>
+    <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<a name="toc7" id="toc7"></a><a name="pdf8" id="pdf8"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER I.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">AFTER SHILOH.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The great battle of Shiloh had been fought,
+and victory had been snatched from the
+hands of the Confederates by the opportune arrival
+of Buell’s army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Southerners had lost their beloved commander,
+slain; a third of their number had fallen.
+Although defeated they had not been conquered.
+They had set forth from Corinth in the highest
+hopes, fully expecting to drive Grant’s army into
+the Tennessee River. This hope was almost
+realized, when it suddenly perished: twenty thousand
+fresh troops had arrived upon the field, and
+the Confederates were forced to retreat. But they
+had fallen back unmolested, for the Federal
+army had been too severely punished to think
+of pursuing. Both armies were willing to rest
+and have their decimated ranks filled with fresh
+troops.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Of all the Southern troops engaged at Shiloh
+none felt their defeat more keenly than the Kentucky
+brigade under the command of Colonel
+Trabue. They had fought as only brave men can
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page16">[pg 16]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>fight; they left one-third of their number on the
+field, killed and wounded. Defeat could not demoralize
+them, and it fell to their lot to cover the
+retreat of Beauregard. They had stood like a wall
+of adamant between their fleeing army and the victorious
+Federals. No charge could pierce that line
+of heroes. With faces to the foe, they slowly fell
+back, contesting every inch of ground.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Fondly had they hoped that Grant would first
+be crushed, then Buell annihilated, and their march
+to Nashville would be unopposed. From Nashville
+it would be an easy matter to redeem their
+beloved Kentucky from the ruthless Northern
+invaders.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was but a few days after the battle that there
+was a social gathering of Kentucky officers at the
+headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
+Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one
+whose insignia of office showed him to be only a
+captain. But he was already a marked man. He
+had greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and
+Tennessee as a daring raider and scout, and at
+the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable
+service at the head of a squadron of independent
+cavalry.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was but natural that in such a gathering the
+situation would be freely discussed. <span class="tei tei-q">“It looks to
+me,”</span> said Breckinridge, with a sigh, <span class="tei tei-q">“that if we are
+forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West
+will be lost. I am in favor of holding Corinth to
+the last man.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page17">[pg 17]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What is your opinion, Morgan?”</span> asked one of
+the officers, turning to the captain of whom we
+have spoken.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly
+answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“The General will pardon me if I differ
+with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should
+be held, as long as that can be done with safety to
+the army. But Corinth itself is of little value to
+us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
+is in the hands of the enemy. It is not
+worth the sacrifice of a hundred men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! would you give up Corinth without a
+struggle?”</span> asked the officer, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of
+victory,”</span> replied Morgan. <span class="tei tei-q">“What I mean is, that
+the place should not be held so long as to endanger
+the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the
+army is everything.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could
+be lost, and our cause not greatly suffer?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly. The further the enemy advances
+into the South, the more vulnerable he becomes.
+Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can
+keep forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting
+their lines of communication.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan, you are joking!”</span> exclaimed several of
+the officers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky
+before many days; and if I do, there will be
+consternation in the ranks of the Yankees.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page18">[pg 18]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>thousand men?”</span> asked Breckinridge, in a tone
+which showed his doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall make the attempt with less than half of
+that number,”</span> replied Morgan, coolly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue
+asked: <span class="tei tei-q">“Will Beauregard let you make the hazardous
+attempt?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk
+no more men in the venture.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, good-bye, John, if you try it,”</span> said one
+of the officers, laughing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why good-bye, Colonel?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Because the Yankees will get you sure.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps!”</span> answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose
+to go.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The whole South will ring with the praises of
+that man one of these days,”</span> remarked Breckinridge,
+after Morgan had made his exit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian,”</span>
+remarked Trabue.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him,
+Morgan wended his way to his headquarters, where
+he was informed by the orderly who took his horse
+that a young Confederate officer had been waiting
+for some time to see him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He said he must see you,”</span> continued the
+orderly, <span class="tei tei-q">“and if necessary he would wait all
+night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“All right, I will see what he wants,”</span> replied
+Morgan, as he turned and entered his headquarters.
+There he was greeted by a young man, not much
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page19">[pg 19]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate
+lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Bless my heart! if this isn’t Calhoun
+Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington!
+I am more than glad to see you. I have
+heard of some of your exploits, and often wondered
+why you did not seek to take service with me.
+Let’s see! You were on the staff of the late
+lamented Governor Johnson, were you not?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled,
+and tears came into his eyes in spite of himself, as
+he thought of the death of his beloved chief.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A grand man, a brave man,”</span> said Morgan,
+gently. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now that he has gone, what do you
+propose doing?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is what I have come to see you about.
+General Beauregard has offered me a position on
+his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard!
+That is a rare honor for one so young as
+you are. Of course you are going to accept?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I do not know yet; I am to give him an answer
+in the morning, as I said I wanted to see you
+first. Great as the honor is which has been offered
+me, I feel it is a service which would not be agreeable
+to me. I much prefer the freer life of a scout
+and ranger. Perhaps you may know, I have done
+much of this kind of work. I have even performed
+more dangerous tasks than that of scouting, and I
+confess I rather like it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page20">[pg 20]</span><a name="Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan mused for a moment, and then suddenly
+asked: <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you not a cousin of Frederic Shackelford,
+son of the late Colonel Richard Shackelford
+of our army?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s brow clouded. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> he answered;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but why do you say the late Colonel Shackelford?
+Uncle Dick is not dead.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is that so? I am rejoiced to hear it. It was
+reported he was among the slain.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He was desperately wounded,”</span> answered Calhoun,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but he did not die, and he is now a prisoner
+in the hands of the Yankees. Uncle Dick is a hero;
+but as for that traitor cousin of mine, I hate him!”</span>
+and again Calhoun’s brow grew dark.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have no reason to love him,”</span> laughed Morgan,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but I cannot help admiring him. He it was
+who discovered our well-laid plans, and forced me
+to flee from Lexington, as a thief in the night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Aye!”</span> answered Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“but for him and
+that brute Nelson, Kentucky would now have been
+out of the Union. But that is not all. Had it not
+been for the same two traitors there would have
+been a different story to tell of Shiloh. Grant’s
+army would now have been prisoners, Buell’s in
+full flight, and our own pressing northward to redeem
+Kentucky. Had there been no Nelson,
+Buell’s army would not have reached Grant in time
+to save him from destruction. If there had been
+no Fred Shackelford I should have borne the news
+to General Johnston that Buell would join Grant
+by the fifth, and Johnston would have made his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page21">[pg 21]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>attack a couple of days earlier. I was bearing the
+news to Johnston that Nelson would reach Savannah
+by the fifth when I was captured.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Captured?”</span> echoed Morgan, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, captured, and by no less a personage than
+my cousin Fred Shackelford. But for this I would
+have reached Johnston by the second; as it was, I
+did not reach Shiloh until the morning of the last
+day of the battle.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then you escaped?”</span> queried Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No; my cousin let me go, after he had held
+me until he knew my information would be of no
+value. I was dressed in citizen’s clothes. He
+could have had me hanged as a spy. I suppose I
+ought to be thankful to him, but I am not.”</span> And
+Calhoun shuddered when he thought how near he
+had been to death.<a id="noteref_1" name="noteref_1" href="#note_1"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">1</span></span></a>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That was kind of him,”</span> said Morgan; <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+you ought to be thankful to him, whether you are
+or not. To tell the truth, I took a great fancy to
+young Shackelford, and tried hard to get him to
+cast his lot with me. But as I failed to get him, I
+believe you would make a splendid substitute.
+You still think you had rather go with me than be
+on Beauregard’s staff?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A thousand times, yes. I had rather go
+with you as a private than be a lieutenant on
+the General’s staff,”</span> answered Calhoun, with
+vehemence.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page22">[pg 22]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan’s eyes sparkled. <span class="tei tei-q">“That is the finest
+compliment I ever had paid me,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I
+cannot allow the son of my old friend Judge Pennington
+to serve in the ranks as a private soldier.
+Yet my companies are fully officered now. Let’s
+see! How would you like to go back to Kentucky?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go back to Kentucky?”</span> asked Calhoun in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, to recruit for my command. Do you
+think you could dodge the Yankees?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I believe I could. I could at least try,”</span> answered
+Calhoun, his face aglow with the idea.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The case is this,”</span> said Morgan: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am going
+to make a raid in a few days, and am going to try
+to reach Kentucky. My present force is small—not
+much over four hundred. I do not look for
+much help from the Confederate Government.
+Those in authority do not regard with much favor
+independent organizations. To augment my force,
+I must in a great measure rely on my own efforts.
+I know there are hundreds of the flower of Kentucky
+youths eager to join me if they had the
+opportunity. You are just the person to send
+back to organize them. When can you start?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“In the morning,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan smiled. <span class="tei tei-q">“Good!”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“You are
+made of the right material. We will make full
+arrangements to-morrow. Good night, now, for it
+is getting late.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus dismissed Calhoun went away with a light
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page23">[pg 23]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>heart. He was to be one of Morgan’s men. It
+was all he wished.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next morning Calhoun informed General
+Beauregard that while sensible of the great honor
+which he would bestow on him by appointing him
+a member of his staff, yet he believed he could be
+of more service to the South by casting his fortune
+with Morgan, and he had concluded to do so.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“While I greatly regret to lose you,”</span> replied
+the General, <span class="tei tei-q">“I believe you have chosen well. To
+one of your temperament service with Morgan will
+be much more congenial than the duties of a staff
+officer. In fact,”</span> continued the General, with a
+smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“I think you resemble Morgan in being
+restive under orders, and prefer to have your own
+way and go where you please. A command or two
+of partisan rangers may do, but too many would be
+fatal to the discipline of an army. Morgan may do
+the enemy a great deal of mischief, but after all,
+the fate of the South must be decided by her great
+armies.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“True, General,”</span> replied Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“but if
+Morgan can keep thousands of the enemy in the
+rear guarding their communications, the great
+armies of the North will be depleted by that number.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is true also,”</span> answered Beauregard;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“and for that reason Morgan will be given more or
+less of a free rein. I have recommended him for a
+colonelcy. Convey to him my regards, and tell him
+I heartily congratulate him upon his last recruit.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page24">[pg 24]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Beauregard’s kind words touched Calhoun
+deeply. <span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, General,”</span> he replied,
+with feeling. <span class="tei tei-q">“I trust I shall never prove myself
+unworthy of your good opinion. May God bless
+you, and crown your efforts with victory!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After parting with Beauregard, Calhoun lost no
+time in reporting to Morgan. He found his chief
+in command of about four hundred men, rough,
+daring fellows who would follow their leader wherever
+he went. A more superb body of rough-riders
+was never formed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was introduced to the officers of the
+squadron, and when it became known that he was
+going back to Kentucky to recruit for the command—although
+many of the officers wondered why their
+chief had selected one so young—they gave him a
+hearty welcome. But when it became known that
+he was the son of Judge Pennington, of Danville,
+that he had already won renown as a daring scout,
+and had been offered a position on the staff of
+General Beauregard, their welcome was doubly
+enthusiastic.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To this welcome there was one exception. One
+of Morgan’s officers, Captain P. C. Conway, had
+applied to Morgan for permission to go back to
+Kentucky on this same duty, and had been refused.
+He was a short, thickset, red-faced man with a very
+pompous air. His weakness was liquor; yet he
+was a brave, efficient officer. What he considered
+an affront was never forgiven, for he was of a revengeful
+disposition. It was consistent with his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page25">[pg 25]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>character that he should become a mortal enemy
+of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When he was introduced to Calhoun he merely
+bowed, and did not offer to give his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I believe I have heard of Captain Conway,”</span>
+said Calhoun, with a smile. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have heard a cousin
+of mine speak of him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, yes,”</span> spoke up Morgan, with a twinkle
+in his eye, <span class="tei tei-q">“Captain, Lieutenant Pennington is a
+cousin of your particular friend, Captain Fred
+Shackelford, of the Yankee army.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Conway fairly turned purple with rage. <span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant
+Pennington has no reason to be proud of his
+relationship to that sneak and spy,”</span> he snorted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have no more reason to love my cousin than
+you,”</span> replied Calhoun, with some warmth. <span class="tei tei-q">“He
+may have played the spy; so have I; but sneak he
+is not, and I would thank you not to use the term
+again, traitor though he is to the South and his
+native state.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Conway glared at him for a moment, but there
+was something in Calhoun’s eye which told him that
+if he repeated the term it might cause trouble, so
+he snapped: <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, spy and traitor, if those terms
+suit you better; but it may be of interest to you to
+know that I have sworn to see that precious cousin
+of yours hanged, and”</span>—with a fearful oath—<span class="tei tei-q">“I
+will see that he is.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With these words he turned on his heel and
+stalked away.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shackelford’s name has the same effect on
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page26">[pg 26]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Conway that a red rag has on a mad bull,”</span> laughed
+Morgan. <span class="tei tei-q">“He can never forget that trick your
+cousin played on him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! I remember,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“Fred told
+me all about it. Conway may take a dislike to me
+simply because I am Fred’s cousin. I noticed that
+he greeted me rather coldly.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon he will not carry his hatred so far as
+that,”</span> replied Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“yet it may be best not to
+mention Shackelford’s name to him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Morgan might have changed his mind if he
+had heard Conway talking to a brother officer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Just to think,”</span> he fumed, <span class="tei tei-q">“that the Captain
+picked on that young upstart to go back to Kentucky
+to recruit instead of one of us. I volunteered
+to go yesterday, and he put me down. To my
+mind, Pennington is no better than that sneak of a
+cousin of his, and Morgan will find it out some day.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better keep a still tongue in your head, Conway,”</span>
+dryly replied the officer, a Captain <a name="matthews" id="matthews" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Matthews,
+to whom Conway was complaining. <span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan
+will give you hell if he finds you are trying
+to create dissatisfaction.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not afraid of Morgan,”</span> muttered Conway,
+but he said no more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In the mean time Calhoun was hurriedly making
+preparations for his journey. Many of the officers
+and men were engaged in writing letters to send
+back by him to the dear ones in Kentucky. Morgan
+intrusted to him several important communications
+to prominent Southern sympathizers.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page27">[pg 27]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just as Calhoun was ready to start, Morgan gave
+him his secret instructions.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What I now tell you,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“is too important
+to commit to writing. You may be captured.
+For hundreds of miles you must ride through a
+country swarming with Yankees. You will need
+discretion, as much or more than you will need
+courage. Much depends on your success. I intend
+to make a raid north about the first week in May.
+If possible (and I think it is), I shall try to reach
+Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach
+five hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand
+when I reach Kentucky, I believe I could sweep
+clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time
+at your disposal that will be impossible. But join
+me at Glasgow with all you can. I expect to be in
+Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> replied Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“I will try to
+meet you there at that time, with at least one or
+two good companies.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Little did Morgan think at the time how badly
+he would need those companies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At last all was ready, and amid shouts of <span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye”</span>
+and <span class="tei tei-q">“Success to you,”</span> Calhoun vaulted into
+the saddle and rode away eastward.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page28">[pg 28]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc9" id="toc9"></a><a name="pdf10" id="pdf10"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER II.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THROUGH THE LINES.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky,
+General Halleck was concentrating his immense
+army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to
+an attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled
+the Tennessee River as far up as Eastport. General
+Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston
+Railroad between Decatur and Stevenson, but
+between Corinth and Decatur there was no large
+body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions
+of Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee
+every important place was held by detachments of
+Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the
+lines was an exceedingly dangerous undertaking,
+but that is what Calhoun had to do to reach Kentucky.
+He expected to meet with little danger
+until he attempted to cross the lines of General
+Mitchell, which extended along the railroads that ran
+from Nashville southward. The country through
+which he had to pass was intensely Southern, and the
+Yankee cavalry did not venture far from the railroads.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight
+eastward, until he reached Tuscumbia, Alabama.
+Here he found little trouble in finding means to
+cross the Tennessee River. Once across the river
+he took a northeast course, which would take him
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page29">[pg 29]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>through Rogersville. Now and then he met small
+squads of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting
+through the country, and did not seem to be
+under very strict military discipline, doing much as
+they pleased.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Now and then he came across a party of recruits
+making their way to the Confederate army at
+Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
+uncouth, and with little or no education. They
+knew or cared little of the causes which had led up
+to the war; but they knew that the Southland had
+been invaded, that their homes were in danger, and
+they made soldiers whose bravery and devotion
+excited the admiration of the world.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In order to find out what General Mitchell was
+doing, and as nearly as he could, to ascertain the
+number of his forces, Calhoun resolved to ride as
+near the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad
+as was prudent. As he approached Rogersville, he
+learned that the place had just been raided by a
+regiment of Yankee cavalry, and the country was
+in a panic.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Approaching the place cautiously, he was pleased
+to ascertain that the cavalry, after committing
+numerous depredations, had retreated to Athens.
+He now learned for the first time of the atrocities
+which had been committed on the defenceless inhabitants
+of Athens, and his blood boiled as he
+listened to the recital. No wonder the citizens of
+Rogersville were in a panic, fearing that their fate
+might be the same.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page30">[pg 30]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The whelps and robbers!”</span> he exclaimed;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“how I should like to get at them! But their
+time will come. Never will the South lay down
+her arms until every Northern soldier is driven in
+or across the Ohio.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In Rogersville Calhoun met with a Doctor Jenkins,
+who was especially well informed as to the
+strength and positions of the Federal army, and as
+to the feelings of the citizens.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“At first,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“the result of the battle of
+Shiloh greatly discouraged us, and the slaughter
+was horrifying. But we are getting over that now,
+and every true son of the South is more determined
+than ever to fight the war to the bitter end, even
+if we see our homes in flames and the country laid
+waste. How is it that Kentucky does not join
+hands with her sister states?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“She will, she must,”</span> cried Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Already
+thousands of her sons are flocking to the Southern
+standard. It needs but a victory—a Confederate
+army to enter her territory, and the people will rise
+<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">en masse</span></span>. There are not enough traitors or Yankees
+in the state to keep them down.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think Beauregard can hold Corinth?”</span>
+asked the Doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He can if any one can. He is a great general,”</span>
+answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“But Morgan thinks
+the loss of Corinth would not be fatal if the army
+were saved. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Under no consideration,’</span> says Morgan,
+<span class="tei tei-q">‘should Beauregard allow himself to be cooped
+up in Corinth.’</span> ”</span>
+</p>
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page31">[pg 31]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon he is right,”</span> sighed the Doctor; <span class="tei tei-q">“but
+may the time never come when he will have to
+give it up.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Amen to that!”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Rogersville Calhoun made his way north.
+He ascertained that the railroad which Mitchell was
+engaged in repairing was not strongly guarded, and
+he believed that with five hundred men Morgan
+could break it almost anywhere between Athens
+and Columbia.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Near Mount Pleasant he met a Confederate officer
+with a party of recruits which he was taking
+south. He sent back by him a statement to Morgan
+of all he had learned, and added: <span class="tei tei-q">“Taking
+everything into consideration, I believe that Pulaski
+will be the best place for you to strike. I have no
+fears but that you can capture it, even with your
+small force.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun met with his first serious adventure
+shortly after he had crossed the railroad, which he
+did a few miles south of Columbia. Thinking to
+make better time, he took the main road leading
+to Shelbyville. He was discovered by a squad of
+Federal cavalry, which immediately gave chase.
+But he was mounted on a splendid horse, one that
+he had brought with him from Kentucky. He
+easily distanced all his pursuers with the exception
+of three or four, and he was gradually drawing
+away from all of them, except a lieutenant in command
+of the squad, who seemed to be as well
+mounted as himself.
+</p>
+<a name="illus02" id="illus02" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus02.png" width="700" height="489" alt="HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS." title="HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.</span></div></div>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page32">[pg 32]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Only one,”</span> muttered Calhoun, looking back,
+as a pistol-ball whistled by his head; <span class="tei tei-q">“I can settle
+him,”</span> and he reached for a revolver in his holster.
+As he did so, his horse stepped into a hole
+and plunged heavily forward, throwing Calhoun
+over his head. For a moment he lay bruised and
+stunned, and then staggered to his feet, only to
+find the Federal officer upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender, you Rebel!”</span> cried the officer, but
+quick as a flash, Calhoun snatched a small revolver
+which he carried in his belt, and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Instead of hitting the officer, the ball struck the
+horse fairly in the head, and the animal fell dead.
+Leaving the officer struggling to extricate himself
+from his fallen horse, Calhoun scrambled over a
+fence, and scurried across a small field, beyond
+which was a wood. A scattering volley was fired
+by the foremost of the pursuers, but it did no
+harm, and Calhoun was soon across the field.
+Mounting the fence on the other side, he stood on
+the top rail, and turning around, he uttered a shout
+of defiance, then jumping down, disappeared in the
+wood.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The foremost of the Federals, a tall, lanky sergeant
+named Latham, galloped to the side of his
+commander, who was still struggling to extricate
+himself from his fallen horse. Springing from his
+saddle, he helped him to his feet, and anxiously
+inquired, <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you hurt, Lieutenant?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The Rebel, the Rebel, where is he? Did you
+get him?”</span> asked the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page33">[pg 33]</span><a name="Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Get him!”</span> drawled the Sergeant, <span class="tei tei-q">“I think not.
+He got across that field as if Old Nick was after
+him. But once across he had the cheek to stand on
+the fence and crow like a young rooster. I took a
+crack at him, but missed.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why didn’t you pursue him?”</span> demanded the
+officer, fiercely.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! in those woods? Might as well look
+for a needle in a haymow. But are you hurt,
+Lieutenant?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My leg is sprained,”</span> he groaned; <span class="tei tei-q">“but the
+worst of it is, Jupiter is dead. Curse that Rebel!
+how I wish I had him! I would make him pay
+dearly for that horse.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here is the Rebel’s horse. I caught him!”</span> exclaimed
+one of the men, leading up Calhoun’s horse,
+which he had captured. <span class="tei tei-q">“He looks like a mighty
+fine horse, only he seems a little lame from his fall.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is a fine horse,”</span> said Latham, looking
+him over, <span class="tei tei-q">“but he has been rode mighty hard.
+Wonder who that feller can be. I see no signs of
+any other Reb. He must have been alone. Say, he
+was a Jim-dandy whoever he was. I thought you
+had him sure, Lieutenant.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So did I,”</span> answered the Lieutenant, with an
+oath. <span class="tei tei-q">“When his horse threw him I had no idea
+he would try to get away, and ordered him to surrender.
+But quick as a flash he jerked a revolver
+from his belt, and fired.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better be thankful he hit the horse instead of
+you,”</span> said the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page34">[pg 34]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For answer the Lieutenant limped to a stone,
+and sitting down, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Examine that roll behind
+the saddle of the horse. Perhaps we can find out
+who the fellow was.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Sergeant Latham took the roll, which was
+securely strapped behind Calhoun’s saddle, and
+began to unroll it as carefully as if he suspected it
+might be loaded.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A fine rubber and a good woollen blanket,”</span>
+remarked the Sergeant. <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-corr">Looks</span> mighty like those
+goods once belonged to our good Uncle Samuel.
+Bet your life, they are a part of the plunder from
+Shiloh. Ah! here is a bundle of letters.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Give them to me,”</span> said the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant handed them over, and the officer
+hastily glanced over them, reading the superscriptions.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why,”</span> he exclaimed, in surprise, <span class="tei tei-q">“these letters
+are all addressed to persons in Kentucky.
+What could that fellow be doing with letters going
+to Kentucky? We will see.”</span> He tore open one
+of the letters.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He had read but a few lines when he exclaimed,
+with a strong expletive, <span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, I would give a
+month’s pay if we had captured that fellow!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who was he? Who was he?”</span> cried several
+soldiers in unison.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He was—let me see—”</span> and the Lieutenant
+tore open several more of the letters, and rapidly
+scanned them—<span class="tei tei-q">“yes, these letters make it plain.
+He was a Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington, and he
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page35">[pg 35]</span><a name="Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was from the Rebel army at Corinth. I take it he
+was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command of a Captain John H. Morgan. Morgan—Morgan,
+I have heard of that fellow before. He
+played the deuce with us in Kentucky last winter:
+burned the railroad bridge over Bacon Creek, captured
+trains, tore up the railroad, and played smash
+generally. These letters all seem to be private
+ones written by the soldiers in Morgan’s command
+to their relatives and friends back in Kentucky.
+But he may have carried important dispatches on
+his person. We let a rare prize slip through our
+fingers.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Can’t be helped now,”</span> dryly remarked Sergeant
+Latham. <span class="tei tei-q">“If you had captured him it might have
+put one bar, if not two, on your shoulder-strap.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Lieutenant scowled, but did not reply. All
+the letters were read and passed around. Three or
+four of them occasioned much merriment, for they
+were written by love-lorn swains whom the cruel
+hand of war had torn from their sweethearts.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Golly! it’s a wonder them letters hadn’t melted
+from the sweetness they contained,”</span> remarked
+Sergeant Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Or took fire from their warmth,”</span> put in a boyish
+looking soldier.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not half as warm as the letter I caught you
+writing to Polly Jones the other day,”</span> laughed a
+comrade. <span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, I looked over his shoulder and
+read some of it. I tell you it was hot stuff. <span class="tei tei-q">‘My
+dearest Polly!’</span> it commenced, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I——’</span> ”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page36">[pg 36]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But he never finished the sentence, for the
+young soldier sprang and struck him a blow which
+rolled him in the dust.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A fight! a fight!”</span> shouted the men, and
+crowded around to see the fun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Stop that!”</span> roared the Lieutenant, <span class="tei tei-q">“or I will
+have you both bucked and gagged when we get to
+camp. Sergeant Latham, see that both of those
+men are put on extra duty to-night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When things had quieted down, others of the
+letters were read; but some of them occasioned no
+merriment. Instead, one could see a rough blouse
+sleeve drawn across the eyes, and a gulping down
+as if something choked the wearer. These were
+letters written to the wives and mothers who were
+watching and waiting for their loved ones to return.
+These letters reminded them of their own wives and
+mothers in the Northland, waiting and praying for
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Suddenly the Lieutenant spoke up: <span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, we
+have been wasting time over those letters. That
+fellow was making his way back to Kentucky. He
+has no horse. What more natural than that he
+would try and obtain one at the first opportunity?
+That old Rebel Osborne lives not more than a mile
+ahead. You remember we visited him last week,
+and threatened to arrest him if the railroad was
+tampered with any more. It was thought he sheltered
+these wandering bands of Confederates who
+make it dangerous to step outside the camp. If we
+push on, we may catch our bird at Osborne’s.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page37">[pg 37]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If not, it will at least give you a chance to see
+the pretty daughter,”</span> remarked the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shut up, or I will have you reduced to the
+ranks,”</span> growled the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The subject was rather a painful one to the
+Lieutenant, for during his visit to the Osbornes the
+week before, when he tried to make himself agreeable
+to the daughter, the lady told him in very
+plain words what she thought of Yankees.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It’s nearly noon, too,”</span> continued the Lieutenant,
+after the interruption, <span class="tei tei-q">“and that spring near
+the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and
+eat our dinners; so fall in.”</span> The Lieutenant
+slowly mounted Calhoun’s horse, for his fall had
+made him sore, and in none the best of humor, he
+gave the command, <span class="tei tei-q">“Forward!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached.
+It was a beautiful place. The country had not yet
+been devastated by the cruel hand of war, and the
+landscape, rich with the growing crops, lay glowing
+under the bright April sky. The mansion house
+stood back from the road in a grove of noble native
+trees, and the whole surroundings betokened a
+home of wealth and refinement.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From underneath a rock near the house gushed
+forth a spring, whose waters, clear as crystal, ran
+away in a rippling stream. It was near this spring
+that Lieutenant Haines, for that was the officer’s
+name, halted his troops.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better throw a guard around the house,”</span> he
+said to Sergeant Latham, <span class="tei tei-q">“for if that Rebel has
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page38">[pg 38]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>found his way here, he may make a sneak out the
+back way. After you get the guard posted, we
+will search the house.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As the Sergeant was executing his orders, Mr.
+Osborne came out of the house, and approaching
+the troop, to Lieutenant Haines’s surprise, gave
+him a cordial greeting.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I cannot say I am rejoiced to see you again,”</span>
+he exclaimed, with a smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“except you come in
+peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
+cut, or the railroad torn up again.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nothing of the kind has happened,”</span> answered
+the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and
+I trust you will take dinner with us. It is nearly
+ready.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant’s
+breath, but he accepted it gladly. As they were
+going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
+carelessly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I see you have thrown a guard around
+the house. Are you afraid of an attack? I know
+of no body of Confederates in the vicinity.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The truth is,”</span> replied Haines, <span class="tei tei-q">“we ran into a
+lone Confederate about a mile from here. We captured
+his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
+woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but
+he might have found refuge here; and, excuse me,
+Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity of
+searching your house.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do as you please,”</span> replied Mr. Osborne,
+coldly; <span class="tei tei-q">“I have seen no such Confederate; but if I
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page39">[pg 39]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>had, I should have concealed him if I could. But
+do not let this circumstance spoil our good nature,
+or our dinner.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning
+from posting the guard. <span class="tei tei-q">“Sergeant, you may
+withdraw the guard,”</span> said the Lieutenant; <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr.
+Osborne informs me he has not seen our runaway
+Confederate.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order,
+muttering, <span class="tei tei-q">“Confederate! Confederate! The Lieutenant
+is getting mighty nice; he generally says
+<span class="tei tei-q">‘Rebel.’</span> ”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial
+greeting he had received from Mr. Osborne, he was
+more than surprised at the reception he met from Mrs.
+Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about
+twenty years of age. No wonder Lieutenant
+Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked
+upon her. When he met her the week before, she
+treated him with the utmost disdain; now she
+greeted him with a smile, and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I trust you
+have not come to carry papa away in captivity. If
+not, you are welcome.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to
+say,”</span> exclaimed the Lieutenant, with a bow, <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+I hope I shall never be called upon to perform that
+disagreeable duty.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you,”</span> she answered, with a smile.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, you must stay and take dinner with us while
+your men rest.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page40">[pg 40]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a
+little adventure, about a mile below here,”</span> said
+Mr. Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Osborne looked up inquiringly. Before
+more could be said Mrs. Osborne announced that
+dinner was ready, and the Lieutenant sat down to
+a most sumptuous repast.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What was Lieutenant Haines’s adventure you
+spoke of?”</span> at length asked Miss Osborne of her
+father.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better let the Lieutenant tell the story, for I
+know nothing of it,”</span> answered Mr. Osborne; <span class="tei tei-q">“but he
+spoke of searching the house for a supposed concealed
+Confederate.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Mr. Osborne said this, Miss Osborne gave a
+little gasp and turned pale, but quickly recovering
+herself, she turned a pair of inquiring eyes on the
+Lieutenant—eyes that emitted flames of angry light
+and seemed to look him through and through.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Lieutenant Haines turned very red. <span class="tei tei-q">“Forgive
+me if I thought of such a thing,”</span> he replied, humbly.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your father has assured me he has neither
+seen nor concealed any Confederate officer, and his
+word is good with me. Make yourself easy. I
+shall not insult you by searching the house.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A look as of relief came over the face of Miss
+Osborne as she answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“I thank you very much.
+I shall never say again there are no gentlemen
+among the Yankees. But tell us of your adventure.
+I thought I heard firing about an hour ago. Was
+there any one hurt?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page41">[pg 41]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Only my poor horse; he was killed,”</span> answered
+Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! in the days of knighthood to be unhorsed
+was to be defeated,”</span> exclaimed Miss Osborne,
+gayly. <span class="tei tei-q">“You must admit yourself vanquished!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Haines laughingly replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am sorry to disappoint
+you; but as I captured my enemy’s horse
+and he fled on foot, I cannot admit defeat.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then your enemy was a solitary knight?”</span>
+queried Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, but to all appearances a most gallant
+one.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Strange,”</span> she mused, <span class="tei tei-q">“who he could be, and
+what he could be doing in this section. The place
+for true knights, at this time, is at Corinth.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“From letters captured with his horse, I take it
+he was from Corinth,”</span> said Haines. <span class="tei tei-q">“From those
+letters we learned that his name was Calhoun Pennington,
+that he was a lieutenant in the command
+of Captain John H. Morgan, a gentleman who has
+given us considerable trouble, and may give us
+more, and that he was on his way back to Kentucky
+to recruit for Morgan’s command.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You say you captured letters?”</span> queried the
+girl.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, a whole package of them. They were
+from members of Morgan’s command to their
+friends back in Kentucky. The boys are having
+rare fun reading them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose it is according to military usages to
+read all communications captured from the enemy,”</span>
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page42">[pg 42]</span><a name="Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>remarked Miss Osborne with a slight tinge of sarcasm
+in her tone, <span class="tei tei-q">“but it seems sacrilege that these
+private letters should fall into profane hands.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Some of them were rich,”</span> laughed Haines;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“they were written by loving swains to their girls.
+There were others written to wives and mothers,
+which almost brought tears to our eyes, they were
+so full of yearnings for home.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant, there was nothing in those letters
+of value to you from a military standpoint, was
+there?”</span> suddenly asked Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nothing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I have a great boon to ask. Will you
+not give them to me?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Miss Osborne, what can you do with
+them?”</span> asked Haines, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I can at least keep them sacred. Perhaps I
+can find means of getting them to those for whom
+they are intended. Think of those wives and
+mothers watching, waiting for letters which will
+never come. Oh! give them to me, Lieutenant
+Haines, and you will sleep the sweeter to-night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your request is a strange one,”</span> said the Lieutenant;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“yet I can see no harm in granting it. You
+can have the letters, but the boys may have destroyed
+some of them by this time.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you! Oh, thank you! You will never
+regret your kindness. I shall remember it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I only ask you to think better of Yankees,
+Miss Osborne; we are not all monsters.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Dinner was now over, and Sergeant Latham
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page43">[pg 43]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>came to report that the hour for the halt was up,
+and to ask what were the Lieutenant’s orders.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Have the troop ready, and we will return to
+camp. I see nothing more we can accomplish
+here,”</span> answered the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant saluted and turned to go, when
+the officer stopped him with, <span class="tei tei-q">“Say, Sergeant, you
+can gather up all those letters we captured and
+send them up here with my horse.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very well,”</span> said the Sergeant, but he muttered
+to himself, as he returned, <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, I would like to
+know what the Lieutenant wants of those letters.
+I bet he has let that girl pull the wool over his eyes.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In a few moments a soldier appeared leading the
+Lieutenant’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The family had accompanied Lieutenant Haines
+to the porch. Stepping down to where his horse
+was, he said to the soldier, <span class="tei tei-q">“You may return and
+tell Sergeant Latham to move the troop. I will
+catch up with you in a few moments. Did you
+bring the letters?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> answered the soldier, saluting, and
+handing the package to his commander.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very well, you may go now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Lieutenant Haines stood and watched the soldiers
+while his order was being obeyed, for he did
+not wish to have any of his men see him give the
+package to Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After his troop had moved off, Haines placed
+the bridle of his horse in the hands of a waiting
+colored boy, and returning to the porch where Mr.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page44">[pg 44]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Osborne and the ladies still stood, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“That is
+the horse I captured from my foe. He is a beauty,
+isn’t he? Jupiter was a splendid horse, but I do
+not think I lost anything by the exchange. Here
+are the letters, Miss Osborne; you see I have kept my
+promise,”</span> and he reached out the package to her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But before she could take them they were
+snatched from Haines’s hand, and a stern voice
+said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I will take the letters, please.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Had a bombshell exploded at Lieutenant
+Haines’s feet he would not have been more surprised,
+and his surprise changed to consternation
+when he found himself looking into the muzzle of
+a revolver. Lieutenant Haines was no coward, but
+he was unarmed save his sword, and there was no
+mistaking the look in Calhoun’s eye. It meant
+death if he attempted to draw his sword.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Mr. Osborne, he seemed as much surprised
+as Lieutenant Haines. Miss Osborne gave a little
+shriek, and then cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, how could you
+betray us!”</span> and stood with clasped hands, and
+with face as pale as death.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Osborne was the first to recover from his
+surprise. <span class="tei tei-q">“I know not who you are,”</span> he said,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but Lieutenant Haines is my guest, and I will
+have no violence. Lower that weapon!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Without doing so, Calhoun answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“If I have
+done anything contrary to the wishes of those who
+have so kindly befriended me, I am sorry; but I
+could not withstand the temptation to claim my
+own. As it is, I will bid you good day.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page45">[pg 45]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus saying, he dashed past them, and snatching
+the bridle of his horse from the negro boy, he
+vaulted into the saddle and was away at full speed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For a moment not a word was spoken, and then
+Lieutenant Haines turned on Mr. Osborne and said,
+bitterly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I congratulate you on the success of your
+plot. I will not be fool enough again to take the
+word of a Southern gentleman.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Osborne flushed deeply, but before he could
+reply, his daughter sprang in front of him, and
+faced Lieutenant Haines with flashing eye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will not have my father accused of deception
+and falsehood,”</span> she cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“He knew nothing of
+that Confederate being concealed in the house.
+I alone am to blame, and I told you nothing.
+I strove to entertain you and keep you from
+searching the house, and I accomplished my
+purpose.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you got those letters from me to give to
+him?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Lieutenant Haines groaned. <span class="tei tei-q">“It may be some
+satisfaction to you,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“to know that this
+may mean my undoing, disgrace, a dishonorable
+dismissal from the service.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall take no pleasure in your dishonor,”</span> she
+exclaimed, the color slowly mounting to her cheeks.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I did not intend that Lieutenant Pennington
+should show himself. It was his rashness that has
+brought all this trouble.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How can I return to camp without arms,
+with<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page46">[pg 46]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>out a horse? It would have been a kindness to me
+if your friend Lieutenant Pennington had put a
+bullet through my brain.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Osborne now spoke. <span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Haines,”</span>
+he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“my daughter speaks the truth when she
+says I knew nothing of the Confederate officer
+being in my house. Had I known it, I should
+have tried to conceal him, to protect him; but I
+should not have invited you to be my guest. As
+my guest, you are entitled to my protection, and I
+shall make what reparation is in my power.”</span> Then
+turning to the colored boy who had stood by with
+mouth and eyes wide open, he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Tom, go and
+saddle and bridle Starlight, and bring him around
+for this gentleman.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Surely you do not intend to give me a horse,
+Mr. Osborne,”</span> said Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As my guest, I can do no less,”</span> replied Mr.
+Osborne. <span class="tei tei-q">“If Lieutenant Pennington had not
+taken his, I should have let him have one to continue
+on his way to Kentucky. So you see, after
+all, I am out nothing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then they were aroused by the sound of
+horses’ feet, and looking up they saw Sergeant
+Latham accompanied by two soldiers coming on a
+gallop. Riding up, the Sergeant saluted, and casting
+his sharp eyes around, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant,
+excuse me, but you were so long in joining us that
+I feared something—an accident—had befallen you,
+so I came back to see. Where in the world is
+your horse, Lieutenant?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page47">[pg 47]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Coming,”</span> answered his superior, briskly, for
+he had no notion of explaining just then what had
+happened.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the colored boy came leading an entirely
+strange horse with citizen saddle and bridle on, the
+Sergeant exchanged meaning glances with his companions,
+but said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mounting, Lieutenant Haines bade the family
+good day, and rode moodily away. No sooner were
+they out of hearing than the Sergeant, forgetting
+military discipline, exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“What in blazes is
+up, Lieutenant? I suspected something was wrong
+all the time.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is what made you come back, is it?”</span>
+asked the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; I did not march the command far before
+I halted and waited for you. Pretty soon we heard
+the sound of a galloping horse, and thought you
+were coming. But when you didn’t appear, I
+became alarmed and concluded to ride back and see
+what was the matter.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, Sergeant, for your watchfulness.
+I shall remember it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then as they rode along, the Lieutenant told
+Latham his story.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And that pesky Reb was concealed in the
+house all the time, was he?”</span> asked Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; the girl worked it fine.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant laughed long and loud. <span class="tei tei-q">“And
+she coaxed the letters from you too. Oh, my!
+Oh, my!”</span> And he nearly bent double.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page48">[pg 48]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shut up, you fool you!”</span> growled Haines.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Say, you must help me out of this scrape.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Trust me, Lieutenant; I will tell how brave
+you were, and how you run the Rebel down, and
+how you would have captured him if he hadn’t
+shot your horse. But look out after this how you
+let Southern girls fool you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Lieutenant sighed. <span class="tei tei-q">“She is the most beautiful
+creature I ever saw,”</span> he murmured. <span class="tei tei-q">“Gods!
+I shall never forget how she looked when she
+sprang in between me and that Pennington when
+he had his revolver levelled at my head.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Forget her,”</span> was the sage advice of the Sergeant;
+but the Lieutenant did not take it.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page49">[pg 49]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc11" id="toc11"></a><a name="pdf12" id="pdf12"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER III.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It did not take Calhoun long after he had
+plunged into the wood to ascertain that he
+was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong
+pace, then stopped that he might catch his breath.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Whew!”</span> he panted, <span class="tei tei-q">“here is a go. Horse
+gone—arms, except this small revolver, gone—baggage
+gone—letters gone. Thank God the dispatches
+are safe,”</span> and he tapped his breast, where
+they lay hidden. <span class="tei tei-q">“That is about as tight a place
+as I care to be in,”</span> he continued, as he began to
+work his way through the woods. <span class="tei tei-q">“I call this
+blamed tough luck. Here I am nearly three hundred
+miles from my destination. A horse I must
+and will have, and that quickly. Surely the planters
+in this section are too loyal to the South not to
+let me have a horse when they know the predicament
+I am in. I will try my luck at the very first
+opportunity. If worse come to worst, I will steal
+one; that is, I will confiscate one.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after
+going a half mile or more, he came out of the woods,
+and beyond lay a fine plantation. <span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if
+those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to
+make that house,”</span> he thought. <span class="tei tei-q">“I will risk it
+anyway, for if I can reach it, it means a horse.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page50">[pg 50]</span><a name="Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Making his way cautiously he soon reached the
+road in safety. He listened intently, but could
+hear nothing of the enemy; but from the opposite
+direction there came the measured beat of a horse’s
+hoofs. Looking up he saw, not a Yankee, but a
+lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun’s
+heart gave a great bound, for he knew that no
+Southern woman would betray him, and he stepped
+out from his place of concealment and stood in
+plain view by the side of the road.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise,
+and then reined in her horse with such ease
+and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance
+she was young and exceedingly beautiful.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me,”</span> he exclaimed, reaching for his
+hat, and then he remembered he had none, having
+lost it when his horse fell. <span class="tei tei-q">“Excuse my appearance,”</span>
+he laughed. <span class="tei tei-q">“I find I have no hat to take
+off. Probably some Yankee has it as a trophy by
+this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress,
+and as a daughter of the South, I know I can appeal
+to you, and not in vain.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You can,”</span> she replied, quickly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I thought I
+heard firing and I rode down to see what it meant, as I
+knew of no party of Confederates in the vicinity.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A company of Federal cavalry were firing at
+me,”</span> answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“My horse fell, and I
+had to run, or be captured.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Were you all alone?”</span> she queried.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, all alone.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I forgive you for running,”</span> she answered,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page51">[pg 51]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>with a ringing laugh, <span class="tei tei-q">“otherwise I should not. But
+how came you here, and all alone?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and
+his business.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Come with me,”</span> she cried, quickly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Let us
+gain the house before the Yankees come, as no
+doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse.
+If no other be forthcoming, I will give you my
+Firefly here, although it would almost break my
+heart to part with him,”</span> and she lovingly patted
+the neck of her gallant steed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be
+called for,”</span> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved
+cause,”</span> she answered; <span class="tei tei-q">“but come, we are losing
+time, the Yankees may be here any moment.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read
+the captured letters, Calhoun and his fair guide
+would not have reached the house undiscovered.
+As it was, they had hardly entered it when the
+Federals hove in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!”</span>
+exclaimed Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“How I should like to meet
+him alone.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They are going to stop,”</span> gasped the girl.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They may search the house, but they will not if
+I can outwit them. Mother,”</span> she said, to an
+elderly lady who had just entered and was gazing
+at Calhoun in surprise, <span class="tei tei-q">“take this officer upstairs
+and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.
+The Yankees are in the yard.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page52">[pg 52]</span><a name="Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun
+to follow her, and led him upstairs. Hardly had
+they disappeared when her father entered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company
+visiting us again,”</span> he said, with some anxiety.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder what they want.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Father,”</span> said the girl, <span class="tei tei-q">“go and meet Lieutenant
+Haines, use him nicely. Invite him to dinner.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I never expected to see the time you would want
+me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner,”</span> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Never mind now, I will explain afterwards.
+Go quick, for I see he is throwing a guard around
+the house,”</span> was her answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come
+over his daughter, and was entirely successful in
+carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown
+to him. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came
+downstairs, her face denoting her anxiety.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mother,”</span> said the girl, <span class="tei tei-q">“do not let father
+know we have any one concealed. It will enable
+him to say truly he knows of no Confederate
+around. And, mother, I have told him to invite
+the Federal commander—it’s that odious Lieutenant
+Haines—to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him
+like a welcome, honored guest. We must disarm
+all suspicion, and keep them from searching the
+house, if possible.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+We have seen how well her plan worked, and
+how completely Lieutenant Haines was thrown off
+his guard. Little did he think that while he was
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page53">[pg 53]</span><a name="Pg053" id="Pg053" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>enjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate
+officer who had escaped him was feasting like a
+king upstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It soon became evident to Calhoun that there
+was no danger of the house being searched, and
+from a window he observed all that was passing
+without. When he saw the troop ride away, and
+his own horse led up to the house for the Federal
+commander, that spirit of recklessness for which he
+was noted came over him, and without thinking
+of what the effect might be on those who had, at
+great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved to
+try to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw
+the last Yankee depart, leaving the commander
+behind.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now is my time!”</span> he exclaimed, exultingly,
+and looking to see that his revolver was in perfect
+condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as has
+been noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden
+was his appearance, so swift were his movements,
+that the little company could only gaze after him
+in astonishment until he had disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over
+the success of his bold dash; then came to him the
+thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes
+in what he had done. He suddenly checked his
+horse, and then turned as if he would ride back,
+hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his
+way, but more slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is too late now,”</span> he sighed, to himself, <span class="tei tei-q">“to
+undo the wrong I may have done. To think I may
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page54">[pg 54]</span><a name="Pg054" id="Pg054" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>have brought trouble on the head of that glorious
+girl, who even would give me her own horse! It’s
+the meanest trick you ever did, Calhoun Pennington,
+and it would serve you right if the Yankees
+captured you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun
+continued his journey. It was not long before he
+noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that he
+had had, had evidently strained his shoulder.
+Calhoun more bitterly than ever regretted that
+he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might
+now have been riding a good fresh horse, given
+him by Mr. Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Serves me right,”</span> he groaned. <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, what a
+fool, and not only a fool, but a brute, I have been.
+That girl! I can’t help thinking that I may have
+got her into serious trouble.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A few miles more and his horse became so lame
+that Calhoun had to come down to a walk. He
+dismounted with a ruthful face.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It’s no use,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall have to leave
+him. Where can I get another horse?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
+He had dismounted in a wood, a thick growth of
+cedars screening him from the observation of any
+one passing along the road. Hearing the sound of
+an approaching horseman, he crept to the side of
+the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officer
+approaching unattended. He was riding leisurely
+along unsuspicious of danger, and whistling merrily.
+With Calhoun to think was to act.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page55">[pg 55]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Halt! Surrender!”</span> were the words which
+saluted the startled officer, as Calhoun sprang
+into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at
+his breast.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The officer was a brave man, and he reached for
+his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man,”</span>
+said Calhoun, in a low, firm voice. <span class="tei tei-q">“Fool, don’t
+you see I have the drop on you?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even
+smiled as he replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“I guess you are right. No
+use kicking. What is your pleasure?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Dismount. No, on this side.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took
+hold of the horse’s bridle, still keeping the man
+covered with his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now,”</span> continued Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“your name, rank,
+and regiment.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, —th
+Ohio Cavalry,”</span> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have
+met you. As it may be a little inconvenient for
+you and me to travel together, I ask you to give
+me your parole of honor that you will not bear
+arms against the Southern Confederacy until regularly
+exchanged.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“May I be permitted to ask,”</span> replied the Captain,
+with a peculiar smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“who it is that makes
+this demand?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+cavalry.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page56">[pg 56]</span><a name="Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+cavalry, you may go to the devil, before I will
+give you my parole.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was astounded at the reply. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am
+afraid I shall have to shoot you,”</span> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will,”</span> was
+the fearless reply; <span class="tei tei-q">“it would be an act worthy of a
+Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am
+well aware you are alone, that you cannot take me
+with you. It would be an act of cowardice in me
+to give you my parole.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his
+arms across his breast and looked Calhoun in the
+face without the quiver of a muscle.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery
+of the man. <span class="tei tei-q">“Captain, you are too brave a
+man to die a dog’s death, neither would I think of
+shooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go,
+but shall be under the necessity of borrowing your
+horse. You will find mine in the bushes there
+badly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again.”</span>
+Thus saying, Calhoun sprang on the Captain’s
+horse, and dashed away.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Captain Crawford stood looking after him until
+he was out of sight. <span class="tei tei-q">“May you have your wish,
+my fine fellow!”</span> he exclaimed; <span class="tei tei-q">“I would ask nothing
+better than that we should meet again.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Both had their wish; they met again, not once,
+but several times.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A brave fellow, that,”</span> said Calhoun to himself,
+as he galloped away. <span class="tei tei-q">“I would as soon have
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page57">[pg 57]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>thought of shooting my brother. He didn’t bluff
+worth a cent.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The horse which Calhoun had captured was a
+good one, and he rode him for many a day. We
+will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in
+his journey toward his destination in Kentucky.
+Suffice it to say, he met with numerous perils
+and made some narrow escapes, but at last found
+himself near Danville. There resided a few miles
+from Danville a rich planter named Ormsby.
+Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South,
+one well versed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky
+out of the Union, and one who kept well
+posted in everything which pertained to the welfare
+of the Confederacy; and at Ormsby’s he resolved
+to stop and lay his plans for the future.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He was received with open arms. <span class="tei tei-q">“So you are
+from John Morgan,”</span> said Mr. Ormsby, <span class="tei tei-q">“and wish
+to recruit for his command. You have come at an
+opportune time. To-morrow there is a secret
+meeting of prominent Confederates near Harrodsburg.
+I am to attend. You will meet a number
+there for whom you have letters. Of course you
+will go with me?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with
+Mr. Ormsby to be present at the meeting. If he
+was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first
+days of May, his time was short, very short, and
+what he should do had to be done quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When he was introduced to those present as
+from Morgan, and just from Corinth, their
+enthusi<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page58">[pg 58]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>asm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story of
+Shiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson,
+of the retreat, but how the spirit of the Southern
+army was unbroken, and that the South would not,
+and could not, be conquered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies
+of cavalry were nearly ready to take the field,
+and it was unanimously agreed that they should
+cast their fortune with Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I believe that Morgan with a thousand men
+can ride clear to the Ohio River,”</span> declared Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It only remains for Kentuckians to rally
+to his standard, and give him the support that he
+desires.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was agreed that the companies should be filled
+as soon as possible, and should go whenever Calhoun
+said the word.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished
+to enter Danville to visit his parents. Disguised as
+a country boy with produce to sell, he had no
+trouble in passing the pickets into town. With a
+basket of eggs on his arm, he knocked at the back
+door of his father’s residence. It was opened by
+Chloe, the cook.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Want eny good fresh eggs?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No; go way wid ye, yo’ po’ white trash,”</span>
+snapped the old negro woman, as she attempted to
+shut the door in his face.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Chloe!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The dish which she held in her hand went clattering
+to the floor. <span class="tei tei-q">“Fo’ de land’s sake!”</span> she
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page59">[pg 59]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“if it isn’t Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress
+yo’, chile! De Lawd bress you!”</span> And she seized
+him and fairly dragged him into the house.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don’t tell father
+I am here yet. And, Chloe, don’t whisper I am
+here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was
+here, they might hang me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn’ Massa?”</span>
+she cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ole Chloe tell no one.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those
+biscuits I see you are making, in a hurry. And
+make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more
+meal of your cooking. No one can cook like Aunt
+Chloe.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yo’ shell hev a meal fit fo’ de king!”</span> cried the
+old negress, her face all aglow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You must hurry, Chloe, for I can’t stay long.
+Now I will go and surprise father.”</span> And surprise
+him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe
+the seeming country boy was his son.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where in the world did you come from?”</span> he
+asked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“From Corinth,”</span> answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am
+now back to recruit for Morgan.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So you have joined Morgan, have you?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I
+know of no service I would like as well as to ride
+with Morgan.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You could have come home, my son.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Father! what do you mean? Come home
+while the South is bleeding at every pore? Come
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page60">[pg 60]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you,
+my only child, to be in the army. Oh! that dreadful
+battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleepless
+nights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet
+safe.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a
+kind Providence will still protect me. But here is
+a letter from Morgan.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the
+letter with much interest. <span class="tei tei-q">“My son,”</span> he said,
+after he had finished it, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is well you were not captured
+with such letters on your person. It might
+have cost you your life. Even now I tremble for
+your safety. Does any one know you are in Danville?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yet there is danger. I know the house is
+under the closest surveillance. The Federal
+authorities know I am an ardent friend of the
+South, and they watch me continually. Morgan
+says in his letter that he hopes it will not be long
+before he will be in Kentucky.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And mark my word,”</span> cried Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“it will
+not be! Before many weeks the name of Morgan
+will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge
+of the Yankee army. But, father, what of Uncle
+Dick and Fred?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg.
+The Federal authorities have paroled him. Fred is
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page61">[pg 61]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishable
+honors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he
+has such a son as Fred!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s face clouded. The remembrance of
+his last meeting with Fred still rankled in his breast.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I never want to see him again,”</span> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Judge sighed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, this war! this war!”</span>
+he exclaimed; <span class="tei tei-q">“how it disrupts families! You and
+Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought
+nothing could come in between you and him.
+Calhoun, he is a noble boy, notwithstanding he is
+a traitor to his state and the South. They say he
+is going to resign from the army for the sake of his
+father. Won’t you go and see him?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> brusquely answered Calhoun, yet he felt
+in his heart he was wronging his cousin by his
+action.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and
+it did her honest old heart good to see the way
+that Calhoun ate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I jes’ believe dat air chile hab had nuthin’ to
+eat fo’ a week,”</span> she declared.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon I shall have to go now,”</span> said Calhoun,
+rising reluctantly from the table. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have already
+made too long a visit for a country boy with eggs
+to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I
+should kill myself eating if I stayed any longer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No danger of dat, chile,”</span> replied Aunt Chloe,
+grinning.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The words of parting were few. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do be careful,
+my son,”</span> said Judge Pennington, his voice
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page62">[pg 62]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>trembling with emotion. <span class="tei tei-q">“God only knows
+whether I shall ever see you again or not.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp
+eyes was watching him. Those eyes belonged to
+a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans
+were Judge Pennington’s nearest neighbors,
+but Mr. Freeman was as strong a Union man as
+the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of
+friends, a coldness had sprung up between them
+since the opening of the war.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but
+they had been playmates from babyhood, and were
+great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.
+More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes
+in fighting her battles when some of the larger
+boys had teased her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter
+the kitchen of Judge Pennington, and there was
+something in his walk and manner which attracted
+her attention. <span class="tei tei-q">“If that isn’t Cal Pennington I am
+a sinner!”</span> she exclaimed to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She was on the watch for him, and when he
+remained so long she became more than ever
+convinced that her suspicions were correct. At
+length the boy came out with his basket on his
+arm.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hi, there, boy! come here,”</span> she called.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What have you to sell?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried
+on the faster.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I tell you, boy, you had better come here if
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page63">[pg 63]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>you know when you are well off!”</span> she called, in a
+threatening voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I know you!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that
+his best way was to try to make peace with her.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do yer want?”</span> he growled, as he walked
+toward her. <span class="tei tei-q">“I hev nuthin’ to sell; all sold out.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I never!”</span> said the girl as Calhoun came
+up. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think I don’t know you, Cal Pennington?
+A pretty figure you cut in those old
+clothes, and with that basket. What in the world
+are you doing here?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I
+might be hanged,”</span> said Calhoun, in a low voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yankees don’t hang traitors; they ought to,”</span>
+replied the girl, with a toss of her head.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But don’t you see I am in disguise? I might
+be taken as a spy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What are you but one? I ought to inform on
+you at once.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Jennie, you wouldn’t do that. I am only
+here to see father and mother. I had to come in
+disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the
+Yankees.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you are not here to spy? You know
+there are many rumors afloat?”</span> asked the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Just here to visit father and mother. Can you
+blame me, Jennie?”</span> As Calhoun said this his
+heart smote him, for while it was true he was in
+Danville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his
+mission to Kentucky was for an entirely different
+object.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page64">[pg 64]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, Jennie, you won’t tell on me, will you?”</span>
+he continued, in a coaxing tone.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, if you behave yourself; but don’t let me
+hear of any of your capers,”</span> answered the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You won’t, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be
+able to do you a good turn one of these days.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared,
+then shaking her head, she went into the
+house, saying: <span class="tei tei-q">“I couldn’t inform on him, if he is
+a Rebel.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun.
+He visited Nicholasville, Lexington, Harrodsburg;
+had interviews with a large number of prominent
+Secessionists; found out, as near as possible, the
+number of Federal troops garrisoning the different
+towns; in fact, gathered information of the utmost
+value to Morgan if he should ever raid
+Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But all these things could not be done without
+rumors reaching the Federal authorities. It was
+known that the Southern element was extremely
+active; that recruiting for the Confederate army
+was going on; and at last, the name of Calhoun
+Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew
+him well declared that he had seen him, and it was
+common report he was back recruiting for Morgan’s
+command. The Federal commander at Danville
+was ordered to keep a close watch on the house of
+Judge Pennington to see if it was not visited by
+his son.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page65">[pg 65]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was in Lexington when he was startled by hearing
+the news-boys crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Pulaski, Tennessee, captured
+by John Morgan!”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“He is headed north,
+closely pursued by the Federal forces!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There
+was no time to be lost. That night, the next day,
+and the next night horsemen could be seen galloping
+furiously along unfrequented roads, throughout
+central Kentucky. The word was, <span class="tei tei-q">“Meet at the
+rendezvous near Harrodsburg.”</span> Three days afterwards,
+two hundred of the best, the bravest, and
+the noblest youths of Kentucky were ready to
+march to join Morgan. Each one of them had
+provided his own outfit. They asked no pay to
+fight for their beloved South.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his
+father one more visit, although he knew it was
+dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in a
+thicket outside the limits of the city, he waited
+until dark, then stole across fields, and through
+alleys home.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Calhoun! Calhoun! what have you done! Do
+you know they are on the watch for you?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I had to see you once more before I went,”</span>
+answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I was careful, and I do not
+think any one saw me come. I have some things
+of importance to tell you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Father and son talked together for some five
+minutes in low, confidential tones, when they were
+interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting
+unan<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page66">[pg 66]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>nounced into the room and crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Run, Cal,
+run! the soldiers are coming! They are most
+here!”</span> And before either could say a word, she
+was out again like a flash.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist
+Freeman’s daughter,”</span> gasped the Judge. <span class="tei tei-q">“Fly,
+my boy, fly! and may God protect you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty
+revolver, he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye, all,”</span> and ran
+through the house to pass out by the back way.
+Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he
+fairly rushed into the arms of a soldier who was
+entering. So surprised were both that they could
+only stare at each other for a brief second; but
+Calhoun recovered himself first, and dealt the soldier
+a terrific blow over the head with the butt of
+his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan,
+and Calhoun sprang out over his prostrate body,
+only to meet and overturn another soldier who was
+just ascending the steps. The force of the collision
+threw him headlong, but he was up again in a
+twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness, followed
+by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled
+Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My son, oh, my son!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and
+there were many pale faces, for the people knew
+not what it meant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page67">[pg 67]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Judge Pennington, and he was dragged off to jail.
+But he did not think of himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“My son,”</span> he
+asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“was he captured? was he hurt?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I think the devil protected his own,”</span> roughly
+replied the officer, <span class="tei tei-q">“but we will attend to you for
+harboring Rebels.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals,
+not only that night, but for nearly a week. There
+was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as a
+dangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of
+his arrest and his probable fate, and came in and
+had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.
+He showed that Judge Pennington had
+committed no overt act; that his son, who was a
+Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him,
+and had resisted capture, as any soldier had a right
+to do. As Fred threatened to report the case to
+the commander of the Department, the Judge was
+released.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience
+over what she had done. But Judge Pennington
+kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when
+he congratulated Jennie over her act, she felt
+relieved; for young Shackelford was not only
+known as a favorite of General Nelson, but as one
+of the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had
+no trouble in finding his way to his horse, and he
+lost no time in joining his comrades.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page68">[pg 68]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Glasgow,”</span> he cried, and two hundred voices answered
+with a loud <span class="tei tei-q">“Hurrah! we will do it!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Little did Calhoun or they think that at that
+very time John Morgan, his forces defeated and
+scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But like
+them, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page69">[pg 69]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc13" id="toc13"></a><a name="pdf14" id="pdf14"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER IV.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">MORGAN’S FIRST RAID.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All through the month of April General
+Halleck had been concentrating the mighty
+armies of almost the entire West for the purpose
+of crushing Beauregard at Corinth. For a
+month the two armies lay but a few miles apart,
+almost daily skirmishes taking place between the
+outposts.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+During the month General O. M. Mitchell had
+overrun Middle Tennessee, and was holding the
+Memphis and Charleston railroad from Decatur to
+Bridgeport, Alabama. Two railroads led south
+from Nashville, Tennessee, both connecting with
+the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, one at
+Decatur, and the other at Stevenson, Alabama.
+Both of these roads were of vital importance to
+General Mitchell, for on them he depended for
+transportation for the sustenance of his army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+These roads had been badly damaged by the
+Confederate army when it retreated from Nashville,
+and General Mitchell was busily engaged in
+repairing them. If repaired and held, it meant
+that Chattanooga must fall, and the Confederate
+army be driven still farther south.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+John H. Morgan, now promoted to a colonelcy,
+believed that with a small force the rear of the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page70">[pg 70]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Federal army could be raided, the railroads cut,
+bridges burned, and their communications so
+destroyed that they would be forced to fall back.
+General Beauregard was not so sanguine. While
+great damage might be done, and the Federal army
+subjected to much inconvenience, the contest, after
+all, would have to be decided by the great armies.
+Then he needed every man, as Halleck was about
+to move.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At last he gave Morgan permission to make his
+raid, but with a force not to exceed five hundred.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was in the last days of April that Morgan
+started with his little force, on what seemed to
+many certain destruction. But every man in the
+command was full of enthusiasm. They had unlimited
+faith in their leader, and where he went
+they would follow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Following almost the exact route taken by Calhoun,
+Morgan’s first blow fell on Pulaski, Tennessee.
+So swift and unexpected had been his movements
+that the Federals were taken completely by
+surprise. The place was surrendered without a
+struggle.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Moving rapidly north, the command attacked
+and, without any loss, captured a <a name="corr070" id="corr070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">wagon-train</span>
+en route from Columbia to Athens. Thus at the
+very commencement of his raid, Morgan captured
+Pulaski, with all its military stores, a wagon-train, and some two hundred and seventy prisoners,
+and this without the loss of a man. Among
+the prisoners captured were a son of General O. M.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page71">[pg 71]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mitchell, and our old acquaintance, Lieutenant
+Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The prisoners were all paroled, and were astonished
+at the kind treatment they received. Both
+Captain Jumper, who was in charge of the wagon-train,
+and the son of General Mitchell were loud in
+their praise of the way they were used by Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After destroying all the Federal property captured,
+and damaging the railroad as much as possible,
+the command continued on their raid, their
+route taking them by the plantation of Mr.
+Osborne. The welcome they received there was a
+royal one. Colonel Morgan stopped and took
+dinner with the family.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Here he heard of the adventure of Calhoun, and
+he laughed long and heartily over the way Calhoun
+had recovered his horse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell him,”</span> said Miss Osborne, <span class="tei tei-q">“that I forgive
+him his abrupt leaving, as no harm came to
+father. By the way, Lieutenant Haines has become
+quite friendly, coming out to see us two or three
+times.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No one can blame him, even if you give him
+but a moment of your company,”</span> replied Morgan,
+gallantly. <span class="tei tei-q">“But Miss Osborne, I am sorry to say
+we took your friend prisoner. He was paroled,
+and no doubt is now on his way North.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Osborne blushed, and then said, <span class="tei tei-q">“A good
+riddance; I trust I shall never see him again. But
+he was kind to papa. He even returned the horse;
+would not keep <span class="tei tei-corr">him.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page72">[pg 72]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is lucky,”</span> responded Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“for if he
+hadn’t been returned, one of my men would be
+riding him now, and your chance of getting him
+would be small.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Pulaski Morgan pushed northeast, avoiding
+Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, both of these
+places being too strongly garrisoned for him to
+attack with his small force. He crossed the Nashville
+and Chattanooga railroad ten miles north of
+Murfreesboro, burned the depot, and destroyed as
+much of the track as his limited time would admit.
+From there he rode straight for Lebanon, Tennessee,
+which place he reached just at nightfall. The
+inhabitants received him with the wildest demonstration
+of joy. But trouble was in store for him.
+His men, wearied with their long ride, and elated
+over their continued success, became careless. They
+knew they were among friends, and thought that
+no harm could come to them, so they slept without
+fear.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federal authorities had become thoroughly
+alarmed over his progress. Strong bodies of troops
+were in swift pursuit, from Shelbyville, from Murfreesboro,
+and from Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just before daylight the Federals charged into
+the little city with whoop and hurrah. Taken
+entirely by surprise, Morgan’s men thought only
+of flight. Two companies under the command of
+Colonel Robert C. Wood being cut off from their
+horses, threw themselves into a college building in
+the outskirts of the city, and for three hours
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page73">[pg 73]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>defended themselves with desperation. At last
+being out of ammunition they were <a name="corr073" id="corr073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">forced</span> to
+surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In this unfortunate affair Morgan lost nearly two
+hundred of his best troops. The rest were more or
+less scattered. He himself was chased for eighteen
+miles, and the pursuit ceased only when he, with
+the remnant of his troops, had crossed the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federals thought they had thoroughly
+whipped Morgan, and he would give them no more
+trouble. But they did not know the man. He
+had started for Kentucky, and to Kentucky he
+would go. After crossing the Cumberland, he
+halted, gathered his scattered command together,
+and then with less than three hundred men, started
+for Glasgow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Pennington will meet us at Glasgow
+with reinforcements,”</span> he told his men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But there were some of his officers who had
+misgivings. Chief among these was Captain Conway.
+Speaking to another officer, a Captain
+Mathews, Conway said: <span class="tei tei-q">“It’s strange that the
+Colonel has such confidence in that young upstart.
+As for me, I look for no reinforcements. The
+best thing we can do is to get back as soon as
+possible.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Captain, what is the matter?”</span> asked Mathews.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What has that young fellow done that you have
+taken such a dislike to him?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nothing; but the idea of sending a mere boy
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page74">[pg 74]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>on such an important mission! Why did he not
+send some one back with influence?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Pennington is well connected; you know his
+father is Judge Pennington of Danville.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That makes little difference. His mission will
+be a failure; see if it isn’t. We shall see no reinforcements
+at Glasgow.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then Morgan came riding along, and seeing
+Conway said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Captain, I want to thank you for
+the gallant manner in which you held back the
+enemy while the command crossed the Cumberland.
+You did nobly.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This praise so pleased Conway that for a time
+he forgot his supposed grievance.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Without further trouble from the Federals, the
+little command reached Glasgow, where they were
+received with open arms by the inhabitants.
+Houses were thrown open to them and food provided
+in abundance. But nothing had been heard
+of any reinforcements.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What did I tell you?”</span> said Conway to
+Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Wait,”</span> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The night was an anxious one. Morning came,
+but still nothing was heard of any reinforcements.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We will wait another day,”</span> said Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan’s
+men nearly went wild with enthusiasm, as nearly
+two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
+into camp.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the captain in command reported, Morgan
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page75">[pg 75]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>thanked him in the warmest terms, and then looking
+eagerly around, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Where is Lieutenant
+Pennington? I do not see him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Pennington,”</span> answered the Captain,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“asked leave to take twenty men and scout
+toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do
+so. He has an idea that the railroad might be
+reached and broken at that point.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! I have thought so myself,”</span> replied Morgan.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall wait for his report with interest.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The arrival of the two fresh companies had
+raised the command to as large, or larger, than it
+was when it started from Corinth, and every man
+was eager to go on. It was nearly night when
+Calhoun reported with his little company. He was
+jubilant over what he had <span class="tei tei-corr">discovered.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Colonel,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“we can easily capture Cave
+City, and thus sever the connection between Louisville
+and Nashville. The place is lightly guarded.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture
+the train on which my gallant men taken
+prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I
+should be supremely happy,”</span> said Morgan, with
+much feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps we can,”</span> replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How about going farther north than Cave
+City?”</span> asked Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun shook his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“It will not do,”</span> he
+replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“all the towns are too strongly held for
+your small force to cope with.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page76">[pg 76]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“At least we can try Cave City,”</span> answered
+Morgan, and orders were given for the command to
+be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of
+Cave City was reached about two o’clock in the
+morning. The column was halted and the men
+were ordered to rest until daylight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier
+named Emory, was sent in advance to the place.
+They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
+linger around the depot, and when the charge came
+they were to prevent the telegraph operator from
+sending warning of the raid.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry
+steeds, Calhoun and Emory played their part to
+perfection. Their entrance into the little place
+caused no comment, and excited no suspicion.
+Sauntering into the depot, they gazed curiously
+around.
+</p>
+<a name="illus03" id="illus03" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus03.png" width="494" height="700" alt="SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND." title="SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What’s that?”</span> asked Calhoun, pointing at the
+clicking telegraph instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That, my boy,”</span> said the operator, patronizingly,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“is a telegraphic instrument. Did you
+never see one before?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No. What makes it tick?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lightning, my son, lightning; that’s a lightning-catcher.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun opened his eyes in wonder. <span class="tei tei-q">“Jes’ heah
+that,”</span> he said to Emory. <span class="tei tei-q">“What is it fer?”</span> he
+continued, turning his attention to the operator
+once more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To send messages,”</span> replied the operator,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page77">[pg 77]</span><a name="Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>amused at the ignorance displayed. <span class="tei tei-q">“With this
+little instrument, I can talk with any one at Louisville
+or Nashville.”</span>
+</p>
+    
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What’s yo-uns givin’ we-uns,”</span> drawled Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do yo’ take we-uns fo’ a fule?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A guard who stood idly by laughed long and
+loud. <span class="tei tei-q">“A fine specimen of Southern chivalry,”</span>
+he chuckled.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then there came the sound of cheering,
+pistol shots, and the clatter of horses’ hoofs,
+mingled with affrighted cries.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“By heavens! the town is being raided,”</span> shouted
+the operator, as he sprang to his instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Stop!”</span> thundered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Touch that
+instrument and you are a dead man.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The operator looked up amazed, only to find
+himself covered with a revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The guard at the same time was looking into
+the muzzle of a weapon held by Emory.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Drop that gun,”</span> said Emory to the trembling
+man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The gun went clanging to the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You two stand there in the corner with your
+hands above your heads,”</span> commanded Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The operator and the guard obeyed with alacrity.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Keep them covered with your revolver, Emory,”</span>
+continued Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“while I see what I can find.
+Think I will pocket these dispatches first; they
+may be of use.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then he glanced out of the window and saw
+four or five soldiers running toward the depot.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page78">[pg 78]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>There might be more following. Giving the telegraphic
+instrument a kick which sent it flying, he
+started to leave in a hurry. Then noticing the
+blanched faces of the soldiers, as they came rushing
+into the depot, he called out, <span class="tei tei-q">“No use running,
+Emory, we can take the whole crowd prisoners,
+green as we look.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+And they did. There was no fight in the
+frightened men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the excitement was over Calhoun looked
+over the dispatches which he had captured, and
+found that a passenger train was due from the
+south in half an hour, and that it had orders to
+wait at Cave City for a freight train to pass, coming
+from the north. This was good news, and Morgan’s
+men waited, in glee, for the approaching
+trains.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the appointed time the passenger train came
+rolling in. The reception it received astonished
+every one on board. To Colonel Morgan’s great
+disappointment his men captured at Lebanon were
+not on the train; but there were a great many
+Federal soldiers, principally officers, aboard on their
+way North. A few of these at first made some
+show of resistance; but when they saw how hopeless
+their case was, they sullenly submitted to their
+fate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was not long before the freight train came
+slowly puffing in. It was an immense train of
+forty-five cars, heavily loaded with rations, clothing,
+and munitions of war for Buell’s army. Morgan’s
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page79">[pg 79]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>men freely helped themselves from the rich stores
+to everything that they needed and could carry,
+and then the work of destruction began.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The torch was applied, and soon the two trains
+were wrapped in flames. The prisoners, who had
+gloomily watched the work of destruction, were
+now lined up, and told that they would be released
+upon their giving their parole. This they gladly
+consented to do.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It fell to Calhoun to take a list of their names,
+with rank and regiment.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t see why I should be asked to give
+another parole,”</span> growled a lieutenant. <span class="tei tei-q">“I gave
+you fellows one at Pulaski, a short time since, and
+was on my way home now, to stay until I am
+exchanged. How often do you want to take a
+fellow prisoner, anyway?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun glanced up much amused. The officer
+started, stared at him a moment, and then abruptly
+asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Is your name Pennington?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is, Lieutenant Pennington, if you please.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You and I have met before.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! I know you now. I wish to thank you,
+for I am told you did not visit your wrath on the
+Osbornes on account of my abrupt leave-taking.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, the girl had concealed you in the house
+unbeknown to the old gentleman, and as he had
+assured me there were no Confederates about, he
+felt real cut up about it. He actually proffered me
+another horse in the place of the one you took.
+Said I was his guest, and should not suffer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page80">[pg 80]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Just like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman,
+the very personification of honesty,”</span> replied Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It may interest you, Lieutenant, to know
+that recovering my horse did me little good, for he
+went so lame I had to leave him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And took mine in his place,”</span> spoke up a fine-looking
+Federal officer who stood near, and whose
+name Calhoun had not yet taken.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Captain Crawford, as I live,”</span> exclaimed Calhoun,
+extending his hand. <span class="tei tei-q">“Captain, I want to
+give you my sincere thanks. That was a fine horse
+you loaned me. Must have Kentucky blood in
+him. I am riding him yet. How about your
+parole, Captain? You know you absolutely refused
+to give it to me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have changed my mind.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! that is good. If you refused this time
+we might be obliged to take you along with us, and
+that might not be agreeable to you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As the Captain gave his parole, he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“This is
+the second time we have met. There may be a
+third meeting, and it may be my time.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Au revoir</span></span>,”</span> gayly replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Little did he think then of their next meeting,
+and what it would mean to him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The prisoners all being paroled, and the work of
+destruction complete, Morgan’s command returned
+to Glasgow, loaded with booty.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The capture of the trains and the breaking of
+the railroad at Cave City caused the greatest excitement
+throughout the Federal army. It showed the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page81">[pg 81]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Federal authorities how weak their line of communication
+was. Although so much depended on
+Morgan’s capture, he was left for some days almost
+unmolested. He made a demonstration toward
+Lebanon, captured a number of prisoners, and
+then, when the combination against him grew too
+strong to be resisted, he withdrew at his leisure and
+at length found rest for his command at Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page82">[pg 82]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc15" id="toc15"></a><a name="pdf16" id="pdf16"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER V.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The struggle for the possession of Corinth was
+ended. General Halleck, with his immense
+army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
+men, had thought to reduce the place by regular
+siege, and force General Beauregard to capitulate,
+surrendering himself with his whole army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Beauregard was too able a general to be
+caught in a trap. For a month he held the Federal
+army at bay, and then, when Halleck was about to
+spring his trap, Beauregard silently withdrew, leaving
+to him but a barren victory.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Confederate army was saved, and to the
+Federal forces the occupation of Corinth proved as
+demoralizing as a defeat. The result showed that
+John Morgan was right when he said that the hope
+of the South rested, not on the occupancy of any
+single place, but on the safety of its armies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The fall of Corinth at once changed the theatre
+of war. The Federal army was divided, the Army
+of the Tennessee, under Grant, remaining in Mississippi
+and Western Tennessee, and the Army of
+the Ohio, under Buell, being ordered to march east
+and capture Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+If Buell had acted promptly and swiftly, he
+might have been successful, and the death-blow
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page83">[pg 83]</span><a name="Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>would have been given to the Confederacy long
+before it was. But he moved slowly and haltingly,
+and the golden opportunity was lost. It gave the
+Confederacy time to transfer to Chattanooga the
+larger part of the army which had been at Corinth.
+The command of this army was given to General
+Braxton Bragg, a brave man, and by many thought
+to be one of the ablest generals of the South.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It at once became the dream of General Bragg
+to gather as large an army as possible, then march
+northward clear to the Ohio River, sweeping everything
+before him. This dream came near being
+realized. It was made possible by the efforts and
+deeds of two men, General John H. Morgan and
+General N. B. Forrest. These two great raiders
+and leaders of cavalry nearly turned the scale in
+favor of the Confederacy. They raided the rear of
+the Federal army, tore up railroads, destroyed
+millions of dollars’ worth of property, and captured
+thousands of prisoners. They ran General Buell
+nearly distracted, and caused him not to know
+which way to turn. They made it possible for
+General Bragg to reach Kentucky unopposed; and
+if, after reaching Kentucky, General Bragg had
+proved as able a leader of infantry as Morgan was
+of cavalry, Buell’s army would have been destroyed.
+While Bragg was organizing his army at Chattanooga,
+another Confederate army was being organized
+at Knoxville under General E. Kirby Smith;
+this army was to invade Kentucky by way of East
+Tennessee, while General Bragg was to invade by
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page84">[pg 84]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>way of Middle Tennessee. Once in Kentucky, the
+two armies were to unite.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This programme was successfully carried out,
+and yet the whole movement was a failure, as far
+as the occupancy of Kentucky was concerned.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After the fall of Corinth, Colonel Morgan
+rendezvoused his little force at Chattanooga.
+From Chattanooga he proceeded to Knoxville,
+where he at once began the preparations for another
+raid. As Cumberland Gap was held by the Federals,
+Colonel Morgan decided to cross over into
+Middle Tennessee before invading Kentucky. His
+command consisted of about nine hundred men,
+made up of two regiments and two independent
+companies. His own regiment was commanded by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Duke. All through Morgan’s
+career Colonel Duke was his chief adviser, so
+much so that many claim that Morgan’s success
+was mainly due to Colonel Duke.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why don’t some one shoot Basil Duke through
+the head, and blow out John Morgan’s brains?”</span>
+exclaimed a disgusted Federal officer, after a fruitless
+effort to catch Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But the officer was mistaken; both had brains.
+Like Grant and Sherman they worked hand in
+hand, and one needed the other. Together they
+were invincible.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before leaving Knoxville Morgan picked out
+twenty-five men, mounted on the best and fleetest
+horses, and placed them in the command of Calhoun
+Pennington. They were to be the scouts of the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page85">[pg 85]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>command, and well did they do their duty. More
+than once did they save Morgan from heavy loss by
+ascertaining the movements of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan left Knoxville July 4th. His route lay
+directly west over the Cumberland Mountains to
+Sparta, a distance of one hundred and four miles.
+This, in spite of the rough roads, he made in three
+days. Many of the mountaineers of East Tennessee
+clung to the Union, and much of the way he had
+to ride through almost as hostile a country as if
+raiding through the North. The utmost vigilance
+had to be used, and Calhoun, with his scouts, was
+kept well in front to see that the road was clear.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+On the second day’s march there was the crack
+of a rifle from a mountainside, and one of the
+scouts tumbled from his horse dead. A little cloud
+of smoke up the mountain showed from where the
+shot was fired. With a cry of rage the scouts sent
+a volley where the little cloud was seen, then
+springing from their horses, clambered up the
+mountain to hunt down the murderer; but their
+search was fruitless.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+About a mile beyond where the shooting took
+place they came to a rough log cabin, surrounded
+by a few acres of comparatively smooth ground.
+A small patch of corn and potatoes was growing
+near the cabin, and an old man with tangled gray
+hair and beard was hoeing in the field. An old
+woman sat in the door calmly smoking a corn-cob
+pipe. Neither seemed to notice the soldiers as
+they came riding up.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page86">[pg 86]</span><a name="Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You, man, come here!”</span> sternly called Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The mountaineer deliberately laid down his
+hoe, and slowly came to where Calhoun was. He
+seemed to be in no hurry, nor did he appear to be
+disturbed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What is your name?”</span> demanded Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nichols—Jim Nichols,”</span> drawled the man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you well acquainted around here?”</span> demanded
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hev lived heah goin’ on twenty years,”</span> was
+the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We have just had a man shot, by one of you
+<a name="corr086" id="corr086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">skulking</span> mountaineers. Do you know of any one
+likely to do such a deed? Tell the truth, or it will
+be the worse for you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The old man shook his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“The men be all
+gone in one army or de other,”</span> he answered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you Union or Confederate?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The wah is nuthin’ to we-uns,”</span> he drawled;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“we-uns own no niggers.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s no answer,”</span> fiercely replied Calhoun,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have a mind to hang you up like a dog. A
+little stretching of the neck might loosen your
+tongue.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the word <span class="tei tei-q">“hang”</span> a strange look came into
+the old man’s eyes, a look as of mortal hatred, but
+it was gone in a moment, and the drawling answer
+came, <span class="tei tei-q">“We-uns knows nuthin’; thar may be strange
+men hidin’ in the mountin. We-uns don’t know.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Have you a family?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page87">[pg 87]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A gal.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where is she?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Done gone over the mountin to see the Jimson
+gals.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You have no son?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the word <span class="tei tei-q">“son,”</span> again that deadly glint
+came in the old man’s eye. Again it was gone in
+a moment, and the answer came, <span class="tei tei-q">“No.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The cabin was searched—the mountaineer and
+his wife apparently perfectly unconcerned as to
+what was going on—but nothing suspicious was
+found, and Calhoun had to confess himself baffled.
+But after Morgan’s column had passed, a tall,
+lank girl with unkempt hair might have been seen
+coming down the mountainside, carrying a long
+rifle in her hand. Swiftly and surely as a deer she
+leaped from rock to rock, and soon neared the cabin.
+Carefully concealing her rifle beneath a huge rock,
+she came slowly up to the door of the cabin, where
+the old man sat smoking. He looked up at her,
+inquiringly, but did not say a word.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We-uns got one, dad,”</span> she said, as she passed
+in. Not another word was spoken, but the old
+man sat and smoked and watched the sun as it
+slowly sunk to rest behind the mountain.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+If Calhoun had known that Nichol’s only son
+had been hanged the winter before by the Confederate
+authorities for bridge-burning, and that his
+sister had sworn revenge, he would not have been
+at a loss as to who had fired the deadly shot, for
+every mountain girl can use a rifle.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page88">[pg 88]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Sparta Morgan made a rapid march to
+Selina, where he forded the Cumberland River. At
+Selina he learned that there was a Federal force at
+Tompkinsville, which is just over the line in Kentucky.
+By a swift advance he hoped to surprise
+and capture this force. As the command crossed
+the line from Tennessee into Kentucky, the enthusiasm
+of the men knew no bounds. They sang
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My Old Kentucky Home,”</span> and cheered again
+and again.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Tompkinsville was reached at five o’clock on the
+morning of the 9th of July. The Federals, under
+the command of Major Thomas J. Jordan, of the
+Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, though surprised, made
+a stand, and the battle at once opened. But a few
+shots from Morgan’s mountain howitzers utterly
+demoralized the Federals, and they fled in confusion.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Major Jordan, after retreating about a mile,
+succeeded in rallying about seventy-five of his men,
+and made a stand to cover the retreat of his force.
+Calhoun, with some fifteen of his scouts far in
+advance of the main column, charged down on
+them without hesitating a moment. The Federals,
+although they outnumbered the scouts five to one,
+were ridden down, and throwing down their arms
+they cried for mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In this fight the gallant Colonel Hunt was mortally
+wounded. He was one of Morgan’s best officers,
+and his loss was deeply mourned.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Tompkinsville Morgan moved to Glasgow,
+arriving there at one o’clock in the morning.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page89">[pg 89]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federal garrison had heard of his approach,
+and had fled, leaving everything behind them. A
+large quantity of military stores fell into Morgan’s
+hands, and was destroyed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Although it was in the middle of the night, the
+glad news spread through the town, and the citizens
+were hailing each other with the glad shout,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan has come again! Morgan has come
+again!”</span> Soon from every house lights were flashing,
+and every woman was engaged in cooking.
+When morning came, not only a steaming hot
+breakfast of the best that the place afforded was
+set before the men, but three days’ cooked rations
+were given each man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Glasgow Morgan gave out that he was again
+to raid the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. In
+order to carry out the deception, when he left Glasgow
+he followed the road which would lead him to
+strike the railroad in between Woodsonville and
+Mumfordsville; but when he was within a few
+miles of the road, he halted his command, and
+taking only Calhoun and his scouts, he struck the
+road at a lonely place a short distance from Horse
+Cove. Here he had his telegraph operator, a sharp
+young fellow named Ellsworth, attach his private
+instrument to the telegraph wire, and for two hours
+Ellsworth, in the midst of a driving storm and
+standing in water up to his knees, took every message
+that passed over the wire. It was rare fun to
+hear the Federal officers telling all their secrets,
+and revealing the terror they were in over Morgan’s
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page90">[pg 90]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>raid. After listening to their plans of how they
+would try to capture him, Morgan had Ellsworth
+send the following dispatch to the provost marshal
+at Louisville:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+</p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Nashville, Tenn., July 10, 1862.</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro,
+routing our forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan
+is reported to be between Scottsville and Gallatin, and will
+act in concert with Forrest, it is believed. Inform general commanding.
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Stanley Mathews</span></span>,</div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Provost Marshal.</div>
+
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal
+authorities to believe that he was returning from
+Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrest
+did on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro,
+and of this fact Morgan was entirely
+ignorant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as
+to have the Federals remain in ignorance of what
+he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoined
+his command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of
+over forty miles. The place fell, almost without
+struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,
+Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office.
+This was at three o’clock in the morning. Unsuspicious
+of danger the regular telegraph operator
+was at home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more
+installed at the instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson,
+commanding the place, had telegraphed for reinforcements,
+saying he feared an attack. The first
+dispatch that Ellsworth received was:
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page91">[pg 91]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What news? Any more skirmishing?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To which Ellsworth answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“No, we drove
+what few cavalry there were away.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next was: <span class="tei tei-q">“Has the train arrived yet?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No. How many troops on train?”</span> asked Ellsworth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“About five hundred,”</span> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he
+at once dispatched a column to intercept the train.
+But the train scented danger, and backed with all
+speed toward Louisville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan’s
+hands. Two large warehouses filled to overflowing
+with clothing, rations, and the munitions of war
+were given to the flames. Five thousand stand of
+arms were among the trophies; Morgan picked out
+the best of these to arm his men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The destruction of Federal property being complete,
+Morgan started north, going through Springfield
+and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met
+with a most enthusiastic reception. Nothing was
+too good for Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished
+that Morgan would make a detour and visit Danville,
+but this Morgan refused to do, as it would
+take him too far out of his route and give the
+Federals time to concentrate against him. Thus
+Calhoun was prevented from entering his native
+town in triumph.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan had caused the report to be circulated
+far and near that he had a force of five thousand
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page92">[pg 92]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
+From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the
+line of the Louisville and Lexington Railroad. The
+place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
+Lexington, and from it either place could be
+equally threatened.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Here he once more took possession of the telegraph
+office, and Ellsworth was once more busy in
+sending telegrams. In the names of the different
+Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left,
+ordering the Federal troops here and there, everywhere
+but to the right place, and causing the utmost
+confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits’
+end; they knew not what to do, or which way to
+turn. The whole state was in terror. The name of
+Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified
+fivefold. General Boyle, in command of the
+Department of Kentucky, was deluged with telegrams
+imploring assistance. He in turn deluged
+General Halleck, General Buell, and even President
+Lincoln. <span class="tei tei-q">“Send me troops, or Kentucky is lost.
+John Morgan will have it,”</span> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They are having a stampede in Kentucky. Please
+look to it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Buell telegraphed: <span class="tei tei-q">“I can do nothing. Have
+no men I can send.”</span> Thus Kentucky was left to
+her fears. Never did a thousand men create a
+greater panic.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong
+demonstration toward Frankfort, strengthening the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page93">[pg 93]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
+object was the capture of Lexington.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the
+outskirts of the place, driving in the Federal outposts;
+but he learned that the city was garrisoned
+by at least five times the number of Morgan’s men.
+This fact he reported to his chief, who saw that it
+would be madness to attempt to capture it. Morgan
+therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
+thoroughly breaking the railroad which led
+from that place to Cincinnati, so he gave orders to
+start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed
+for a day at Midway by an unfortunate incident,
+the capture of Calhoun and one of his men by the
+Home Guards.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page94">[pg 94]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc17" id="toc17"></a><a name="pdf18" id="pdf18"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VI.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All through Kentucky during the war there
+were companies of troops known as Home
+Guards. They were in reality the militia of the
+state. They in many instances rendered valuable
+services, and did much to keep Kentucky in the
+Union. If it had not been for them, the Federal
+government would have been obliged to keep twice
+as many troops in the state as it did. Not being
+under as strict discipline as the United States
+troops, they were more dreaded by the Southern
+element than the regular army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+These Home Guards were very bitter, and lost
+no opportunity of harassing those who clung to
+the cause of the South. Now and then there were
+bands of these Guards that were nothing but bands
+of guerrillas who lived by plundering, and they were
+frequently guilty of the most cold-blooded murders.
+It was by such a band that Calhoun was captured.
+He had been scouting toward Frankfort to see
+if the Federals were moving any considerable body
+of troops from that place to attack Morgan. He
+found them so frightened that they were not thinking
+of attacking Morgan; they were bending every
+nerve to defend the city from an expected attack by
+him. He was on his way back with the news that
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page95">[pg 95]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>there was no danger from the direction of Frankfort,
+when he was told that a band of Home Guards,
+that were in fact a set of robbers, had their haunts
+in the rough, hilly country to the south of him, and
+he determined to try to effect their capture. After
+riding several miles, and hearing nothing of them,
+he ordered a return to Midway.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The day was very hot, and coming to a cross-road,
+where several trees cast their grateful shade
+and a little brook ran babbling by, he ordered his
+men to halt and rest. The shade and the water
+were very acceptable to both man and beast; dismounting,
+the men lay sprawling around in the
+shade. Seeing a house standing on an eminence
+up the cross-road, Calhoun decided to take one of
+his soldiers named Nevels, and ride up to it to see
+if he could learn anything.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better let us all go, there is no telling what one
+may run into in this country,”</span> said a sergeant
+named Graham, who in the absence of Calhoun
+would be in command of the little company.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, Graham,”</span> answered Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“both men
+and horses are tired, and need the little rest they
+are getting. I do not think there is any danger.
+If I see anything suspicious, I will signal to you.”</span>
+With these words Calhoun with his companion rode
+away.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There he goes as careless as if there was not an
+enemy within forty miles,”</span> said Graham, looking
+after them, and shaking his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“I tell you
+the Lieutenant will get into trouble some of these
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page96">[pg 96]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>days. He is altogether too rash; never thinks of
+danger.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t worry about the Lieutenant,”</span> lazily
+replied one of the men; <span class="tei tei-q">“he never gets into a
+scrape without getting out of it. He is a good
+one, he is.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant did not answer, but stood earnestly
+gazing after his chief, who by this time was
+about a quarter of a mile away. Here Calhoun
+and Nevels descended into a depression, which for
+a moment would hide them from the watchful eyes
+of the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Calhoun entered this depression, he noticed
+that a thick growth of underbrush came up close
+to the side of the road, affording a splendid place
+for concealment. For a moment a feeling as of
+unseen danger came over him, but nothing suspicious
+could be seen or heard, and dismissing the
+thought, he rode forward. Suddenly Calhoun’s
+horse stopped and pricked up his ears.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What’s the matter, <a name="selim" id="selim" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Selim? What do you
+see?”</span> exclaimed Calhoun, as he gently touched him
+with the spur.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The horse sprang forward, but had gone but a
+few yards, when as suddenly as if they had arisen
+out of the ground, a dozen men, with levelled
+guns, arose by the side of the road, and demanded
+their surrender. Desperate as the chance
+was, Calhoun wheeled his horse to flee, when before
+him stood a dozen more men; his retreat was cut
+off.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page97">[pg 97]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender, or you are dead men,”</span> cried the
+leader. Calhoun saw they were surrounded by at
+least twenty-five men, and a most villainous-looking
+set they were. There was no help for it. To
+refuse to surrender meant instant death, and Calhoun
+and Nevels yielded as gracefully as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant stood still looking up the road
+waiting for them to appear, when he caught sight
+of the head of a man, then of another, and another.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Boys,”</span> he shouted, excitedly, <span class="tei tei-q">“something is
+wrong; the Lieutenant is in trouble.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The little squad sprang to their horses, and
+without thinking of danger, or what force they
+would meet, rode to the rescue, the Sergeant in the
+lead. But when they neared the place, they were
+met with a volley which brought three of the
+horses down and seriously wounded two of the
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Forward!”</span> shouted the Sergeant, staggering to
+his feet, and holding his wounded arm, from which
+the blood was streaming.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But another volley brought down two more of
+the horses, and the Sergeant seeing they were outnumbered
+more than two to one, ordered a halt,
+and made preparations to resist a charge, which he
+thought would surely come. No charge came, and
+all was silent in front. The Sergeant ordered an
+advance, but no enemy was found. They had
+silently decamped and left no trace behind, and
+had taken Calhoun and Nevels with them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Crippled as they were, and the Sergeant suffering
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page98">[pg 98]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>terribly from his wound, it was decided it would be
+madness to pursue with their small force. So one
+of the men on a swift horse was sent to carry the
+news to Morgan, while the others followed more
+leisurely.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the news reached camp, the greatest
+excitement prevailed, and every man in the command
+clamored to be sent to the rescue. Colonel
+Morgan chose Captain Huffman, who, with thirty
+of his famous Texan rangers, was soon galloping to
+the scene of the encounter, under the guidance of
+the courier who had brought the news. On the
+way they met Calhoun’s little squad sorrowfully
+returning. Not a man but begged to be allowed
+to go with the rescuing party, but this, on account
+of the tired condition of their horses, and on
+account of the two wounded men, had to be
+refused.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was well along in the afternoon when the
+theatre of the encounter was reached. Captain
+Huffman had with him three or four men who for
+years had been accustomed to Indian fighting in
+Texas; these men took up the trail and followed it
+like bloodhounds. After going three or four miles,
+the advance ran into two men, who sought safety
+by running into the woods; but a shot in the leg
+brought one of them down, and he was captured.
+At first he denied knowing anything of the affair,
+saying he had heard nothing of a fight. But
+when Captain Huffman ordered a rope to be brought
+and it was placed around his neck, he begged
+pite<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page99">[pg 99]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ously, saying that if they would spare his life he
+would tell them all he knew. And this is what he
+told them:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He belonged to a band led by a man known as
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Red Bill”</span> from his florid complexion. It was
+this band that had captured Calhoun and Nevels.
+It seemed that the officer whom they had captured
+had known Red Bill in Danville, and taunted him
+with being a chicken-thief. This so angered Red
+Bill that he determined to hang the officer. This
+resulted in a quarrel among the members of the
+band, many of whom had become tired of the
+leadership of Red Bill, being fearful that his crimes
+would bring retribution on their heads. At last it
+was agreed that the band would disperse, Red Bill,
+on the promise that he might have the two horses
+captured, agreeing to deliver the two prisoners to
+the Federal commander at Frankfort.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> added the prisoner, whose name was
+Evans, <span class="tei tei-q">“I doubt if they ever reach Frankfort. I
+reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid
+of them before he gets there.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Captain Huffman listened to this story with
+horror. <span class="tei tei-q">“If this miscreant makes way with Lieutenant
+Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to
+his death, if it takes ten years,”</span> he declared.
+Then turning to Evans, he asked: <span class="tei tei-q">“Did any of the
+gang side with Red Bill?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him,”</span>
+was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you men, at least twenty of you, by your
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>own story, coolly left our men to be foully murdered?”</span>
+furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Answer!”</span> thundered Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort,”</span>
+he at length managed to say.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you have just admitted that his promise
+was worth nothing. Where did this thing occur?
+Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?”</span>
+demanded Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“About three miles from here,”</span> answered Evans.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lead us to the place at once.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I dare not,”</span> he whimpered; <span class="tei tei-q">“Red Bill will kill
+me if I give away the place of rendezvous. We are
+under a terrible oath not to reveal it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You need not fear Red Bill,”</span> answered Captain
+Huffman, in ominous tones, <span class="tei tei-q">“for I am going to
+hang you. Boys, bring the rope.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mercy! Mercy!”</span> gasped the shivering wretch.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then lead us to the place where you left Red
+Bill, and that quickly.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My wound,”</span> he whined, pointing to his leg.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Bind up his leg,”</span> said Huffman to one of his
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The wound was rudely dressed, and then Evans
+was placed on a horse in front of a sturdy trooper.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now take us to the place where you left Red
+Bill, by the shortest and quickest route; you say it
+is three miles. If we don’t reach it in half an hour,
+I will hang you like a dog. And,”</span> continued
+Huffman, to the trooper in front of whom Evans
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was riding, <span class="tei tei-q">“blow out his brains at the first sign
+of treachery.”</span>
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For answer the trooper touched his revolver
+significantly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After riding swiftly for about two miles, Evans
+bade them turn into a path which led into the
+woods. The way became rough and rocky, and
+their progress was necessarily slower. Evans was
+in mortal terror lest the half-hour would be up
+before they could reach the place.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is right down thar,”</span> he at length said,
+pointing down a ravine which led to a stream.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The place was admirably adapted for concealment.
+On a small level place surrounded by high
+cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in
+from view from every point except the single one
+on which they stood.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Leave the horses here,”</span> whispered Huffman,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I think I caught sight of some one down there.
+We will creep up on them unawares.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain
+Huffman, with the rest of his force, silently
+crept down the gorge.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus04" id="illus04" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus04.png" width="490" height="700" alt="THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE." title="THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was
+captured and heard his men cheering as they made
+the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected
+they would all be killed. He was, therefore,
+greatly surprised when the firing ceased, and his
+captors came running back, and hurried him
+through the woods at a break-neck speed. The
+rapid pace was kept up for about three miles, when
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>finding they were not pursued, they adopted a
+more leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for
+he was entirely out of breath. The leader of the
+gang, and another, probably the second in command,
+had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun
+and Nevels had been forced to walk, or rather run.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the
+fight, and was told that all of his men had been
+killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors
+would not have retreated so hastily if they had
+achieved so sweeping a victory. He asked another
+question, but was roughly told to shut up.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for
+the first time noticed his prisoners closely. He
+started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to
+his gang, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon we had better string
+these fellows up, and get them out of the way.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“String us up,”</span> boldly answered Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+I would not give a cent for your worthless lives;
+Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you
+encumbered the earth.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who is afraid of Morgan!”</span> exclaimed Red
+Bill, with an oath. <span class="tei tei-q">“He and the rest of you are
+nuthin’ but hoss-thieves an’ yo’ will all hang one
+of these days. I know yo’, my young rooster, you
+air the son of that ole Rebil, Judge Pennington of
+Danville. I hev it in fur him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And I know you now,”</span> hotly replied Calhoun,
+forgetting the danger he was in. <span class="tei tei-q">“You used to
+live in Danville, and went by the name of Red
+Bill. Your popularity consisted in the fact that
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>you were known as an adept chicken-thief. My
+father once sent you to jail for petit larceny.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Bill’s face grew still redder. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yo’ lie, yo’
+dog!”</span> he hissed. <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-corr">Yo’</span> father did send me to jail,
+but I war innocent, an’ he knowed it. But he
+thought I war only po’ white trash, while he is an
+aristocrat. I swore to hev my revenge, an’ I will
+hev it. Boys, what do we-uns do with hoss-thieves
+in ole Kentuck?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hang ’em,”</span> exclaimed four or five voices.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“An’ we-uns will hang this crowin’ bantam. I
+will learn him to call me a chicken-thief, classin’ me
+with niggers!”</span> exclaimed Red Bill, with fury.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What will we-uns do with the other feller?”</span>
+asked one of the men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hang him too. Dead men don’t talk.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But some of the gang began to demur over this
+summary proceeding, saying that the Federal
+authorities would deal severely with them if it became
+known they murdered prisoners in cold blood.
+Not only this, but Morgan had captured hundreds
+of Home Guards and paroled them. But if they
+should execute one of his prominent officers, he
+would show no mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The discussion became so hot, they came nearly
+fighting among themselves. At last one of them
+said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am tired of the hull business. I am goin’
+home.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“An’ I!”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“An’ I!”</span> cried a dozen voices.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was finally agreed that the gang should disband,
+only five agreeing to remain with Red Bill.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Being allowed to keep the plunder and horses they
+had captured, these men, with Red Bill, promised
+to deliver Calhoun and Nevels to the Federal
+authorities at Frankfort, unharmed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun and Nevels had watched this quarrel
+among their captors with the utmost anxiety,
+knowing that upon the result depended their lives.
+It was with the deepest concern that they beheld
+the members of the party depart, leaving them with
+Red Bill and his five boon companions.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+No sooner were they alone than the six, with
+oaths and jeers, tied their prisoners securely to trees,
+drawing the cords so closely that they cut into the
+flesh. Although the pain was terrible, neither
+Calhoun nor Nevels uttered a moan. After the
+prisoners were thus securely tied, Red Bill produced
+a bottle of whisky, and the six commenced drinking,
+apparently taking no notice of their captives.
+The whole six were soon fiendishly drunk.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Staggering up to Calhoun, Red Bill growled:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Think we-uns goin’ to take you to Frankfort, I
+reckin’.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is what you promised,”</span> replied Calhoun,
+calmly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, we-uns ain’t. We-uns goin’ to hang
+ye!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun turned pale, then controlling himself by
+a powerful effort, he replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“Do the Home
+Guards of Kentucky violate every principle of honorable
+warfare?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Damn honorable warfare! Yo-uns called me
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a chicken-thief; I call you a hoss-thief. Hoss-thieves
+air hanged. Ha! ha! the son of Judge
+Pennington strung up fo’ stealin’ hosses! Won’t
+that sound nice?”</span> and he burst into a devilish
+laugh, in which he was joined by the others.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun saw there was no hope. It was hard
+to die such an ignominious death. <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh!”</span> he
+thought, <span class="tei tei-q">“if I had only been permitted to die
+amid the flame and smoke of battle. Such a death
+is glorious; but this——”</span> A great lump arose in his
+throat, and came near choking him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Gulping it back, he whispered to Nevels:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t show the white feather. Let them see
+how Morgan’s men can die.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The brave fellow nodded; he could not speak.
+He had a wife and child at home.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+They were unbound from the tree, but their
+arms and limbs were kept tightly pinioned. Ropes
+were brought and tied around their necks, and the
+free ends thrown over a limb of the tree.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Can ye tie a true hangman’s knot, Jack?”</span>
+asked Red of the villain who was adjusting the
+rope around Calhoun’s neck.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That I can, Red,”</span> he answered, with a chuckling
+laugh. <span class="tei tei-q">“It’s as neat a job as eny sheriff can
+do.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The sun had just sunk to rest; the gloom of
+night was settling over the forest. Calhoun saw
+the shadows thicken among the trees. The darkness
+of death would soon be upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“String ’em up!”</span> shouted Red.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then the solemn hoot of a distant owl was
+heard. One of the men holding the rope dropped
+it, and shivered from head to foot.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Boys,”</span> he whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“let’s don’t do it.
+That’s a note of warning. I never knew it to fail.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Cuss ye fo’ a white-livered coward!”</span> yelled
+Red Bill. <span class="tei tei-q">“String them up, I tell ye!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For answer there came the sharp crack of rifles,
+the rush of armed men, and the infuriated Texans
+were on them. No mercy was shown; in a moment
+it was all over.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Quickly the cords which bound Calhoun and
+Nevels were cut, and the terrible nooses removed
+from their necks. <span class="tei tei-q">“Thank God, we were in time!”</span>
+cried Captain Huffman, wringing Calhoun’s hand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Calhoun stood as one in a trance. So sudden
+had been his deliverance, he could not realize
+it. He had nerved himself to die, and now that
+he was safe, he felt sick and faint, and would have
+fallen if he had not been supported. Both he and
+Nevels soon rallied, and poured out their thanks to
+the brave men who had come to their rescue.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We would never have found you,”</span> said Huffman,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“if we had not run on one of the gang who
+under the threat of death piloted us here.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where is he?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“With the boys up with the horses.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Let him go,”</span> pleaded Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“but for him
+I would now have been food for the buzzards.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To which we will leave these carrion,”</span> answered
+Huffman, pointing to the dead Home
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Guards. <span class="tei tei-q">“But we must be going; Morgan is impatient
+to be on the road.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Great was the rejoicing in Morgan’s command
+when Captain Huffman returned bringing Calhoun
+and Nevels safe; and much satisfaction was expressed
+over the fate of their captors. In half an
+hour after the return of Captain Huffman’s command,
+Morgan’s men were en route for Paris.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc19" id="toc19"></a><a name="pdf20" id="pdf20"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march
+directly to Paris, but halted at Georgetown, a
+little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The
+citizens of Georgetown gave Morgan’s command
+the same joyous welcome which they had received
+at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to
+them not as an enemy, but as a liberator.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack
+Cynthiana, which lies north of Paris, having heard
+there was a considerable body of Federal troops
+stationed there. Sending a small force toward
+Lexington to keep up the fiction of an attack upon
+that place, Morgan moved with the main body of
+his force upon Cynthiana.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan
+was engaged in during his raid. Cynthiana was
+held by Colonel John J. Landram of the Eighteenth
+Kentucky. He had under him about four hundred
+men, mostly Home Guards and raw recruits.
+Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the
+battle raged for an hour and a half with the greatest
+fury. It was at last decided by a furious charge
+made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas
+rangers. The entire force of Colonel Landram was
+killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Colonel
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his
+bravest men. Calhoun was not in this fight, having
+been sent with his scouts toward Lexington to
+watch the movements of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and
+the place surrendered without a shot being fired.
+Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexington
+railroad was now in Morgan’s possession,
+and he proceeded to destroy it as thoroughly as his
+limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed
+by his enemies. A large force was moving
+on him from Frankfort; another from Lexington.
+Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully
+informed of these movements.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith’s
+forces from Lexington, he marched for Winchester.
+His next move was to Richmond. This left all the
+pursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan’s
+movements, the marvellous endurance of his
+men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand
+and give battle to his pursuers; but Calhoun brought
+word that at least five thousand Federals were closing
+in on him. To give battle to such a number
+would have been madness, so he marched for Crab
+Orchard. On the march Calhoun made a detour
+toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his
+uncle, Colonel Richard Shackelford. He was also
+in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. He had
+heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping
+him from being sent to a Northern prison, and
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he wished to thank him. He was ashamed of the
+hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to
+make amends for it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his
+consternation Fred presented himself in the uniform
+of a captain of the Federal army. His men clamored
+to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had
+succeeded in quieting them, to his dismay Captain
+Conway came galloping upon the scene at the head
+of his company. He had obtained permission from
+Morgan to scout toward Danville. His real object
+was to capture Fred, who he knew was at home.
+Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy.
+His plan was frustrated by the bold stand taken
+by Colonel Shackelford, who delivered Fred as a
+prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him to
+Morgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once
+paroled him, although Conway tried his best to have
+him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,
+but let him return with the horse he had ridden,
+although many of the men looked on the splendid
+animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not
+hear of their taking a horse which belonged to his
+old friend, Colonel Shackelford.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why didn’t you ride that horse of yours?”</span>
+asked Captain Mathews of Fred, alluding to Fred’s
+famous horse, Prince.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Afraid you might keep him,”</span> laughed Fred;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“you are a good judge of a horse, <span class="tei tei-corr">Captain.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Right you are,”</span> responded Mathews; <span class="tei tei-q">“I am
+sorry I didn’t think of that horse when we were at
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Richmond. I would have visited you with my
+friend Conway, and taken the horse. Think I will
+have to return for him yet.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but
+that very night Mathews dispatched two of his men
+back in disguise to steal Fred’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset,
+surprising the place, and capturing a large
+wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies,
+all of which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he
+again took possession of the telegraph office, and
+enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Somerset Morgan’s raid was practically at an
+end. There were no Federal troops in front of
+him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he
+had completed the destruction of all the United
+States property in the place, and was ready to
+leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</div>
+
+<div class="tei tei-salute"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">George D. Prentice</span></span>, Louisville, Ky.</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete
+destruction of all of Uncle Sam’s property in this little burg.
+I regret exceedingly that this is the last that comes under my
+supervision on this route. I expect in a short time to pay you a
+visit, and wish to know if you will be at home. All well in Dixie.
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 6.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">John H. Morgan</span></span>,</div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Commanding Brigade.
+</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</div>
+
+<div class="tei tei-salute"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">General J. T. Boyle</span></span>, Louisville, Ky.</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution.
+You should destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend
+Ellsworth has all of your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you
+wish copies?
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 6.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">John H. Morgan</span></span>,</div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Commanding Brigade.
+</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</div>
+
+<div class="tei tei-salute"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Hon. George Dunlap</span></span>, Washington, D. C.</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just completed my tour through Kentucky. Captured sixteen
+cities, destroyed millions of dollars of United States property.
+Passed through your county, but regret not seeing you. We
+paroled fifteen hundred Federal prisoners. Your old friend,
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 6.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">John H. Morgan</span></span>,<br /></div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Commanding Brigade.</div>
+
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The feelings of the above gentlemen as they
+received these telegrams can better be imagined
+than described. The one to General Boyle must
+have cut him to the quick as he read it. To know
+how completely Morgan had outwitted him was like
+gall and wormwood to him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Somerset Morgan halted his command at
+Livingston, Tennessee, to take a much-needed rest.
+Never did men need it more. They had accomplished
+one of the most astonishing feats in the
+annals of American warfare. No wonder the
+name of Morgan struck terror to the hearts of
+the Federals. Morgan in his report of his raid
+sums it up as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month
+with about nine hundred men, and returned to
+Livingston on the 28th instant with nearly twelve
+hundred, having been absent just twenty-four
+days, during which time I travelled over one thousand
+miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed
+all the government property and arms in them, dispersed
+about fifteen hundred Home Guards, and
+paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I
+lost in killed, wounded, and missing of the number
+I carried into Kentucky, about ninety.”</span>
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc21" id="toc21"></a><a name="pdf22" id="pdf22"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER VIII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan’s command had not been encamped
+at Livingston more than two or three days
+when, to every one’s astonishment, a couple of soldiers
+belonging to Captain Mathews’s company
+came riding into camp, one on Fred Shackelford’s
+famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known
+horse of Colonel Shackelford’s, called Blenheim.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter
+which greeted the soldiers as they galloped in waving
+their hats and shouting, ran out of his quarters
+to see what was occasioning the excitement. He
+could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the
+well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a
+great jump, for the thought came to him that his
+cousin had been waylaid and killed. But if so,
+how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too?
+To his relief he soon learned the truth of the story,
+how from Crab Orchard Captain Mathews had sent
+back two of his company to capture Prince, and
+they had returned not only with Prince, but with
+Blenheim. Mathews was in high spirits as he appropriated
+Prince. Jumping on his back he galloped
+him through camp, showing off his fine points, and
+declaring he could outrun any horse in the brigade.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>A match was soon arranged, but Prince so easily
+outstripped every competitor that soon no officer
+was found who had the hardihood to enter his
+horse in the lists against him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his
+satisfaction. He could not forego the opportunity
+of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be
+vexed over the capture of his cousin’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why do you come blowing around me?”</span> asked
+Calhoun, nettled by his manner, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am neither
+the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his
+horse.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you were so careful of his precious person
+when I took him prisoner, I did not know but your
+carefulness might extend to his horse,”</span> replied
+Conway, with a sneer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself,
+he replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“You did not take Captain Shackelford,
+and I am surprised that you should make such
+a statement. You forget that I was there before
+you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You would have let the fellow go,”</span> snapped
+Conway.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole,”</span>
+answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It was your fault that he slipped through my
+fingers,”</span> exclaimed Conway, angrily, <span class="tei tei-q">“but my time
+will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
+this war is over, and I shall.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain,”</span>
+replied Calhoun, with provoking coolness;
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away
+with a muttered oath.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun
+ever since their first meeting, partly because
+he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
+himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on
+account of his being Fred’s cousin. But after the
+affair at Colonel Shackelford’s house, he took little
+pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers
+of the brigade noticed this, and predicted that
+sooner or later there would be trouble between
+the two.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Calhoun was not through with being bantered
+over the capture of Prince. Captain Mathews
+came riding up and with a flourish said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Ah!
+Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before;
+what do you think of him?”</span> Now, Mathews was a
+rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in the
+command. He and Calhoun were good friends,
+and so Calhoun answered pleasantly: <span class="tei tei-q">“He is the
+best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
+beaten by him in a race. But,”</span> continued Calhoun,
+with a laugh, <span class="tei tei-q">“my advice is to guard him
+very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him
+back, sure. That horse has more tricks than you
+dream of.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not worrying,”</span> replied Mathews. <span class="tei tei-q">“One
+of your scouts has just had to fork over five dollars
+to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab
+Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps
+you would like to bet I can’t keep him?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain
+Shackelford will have his horse back in less than
+two months,”</span> answered Calhoun, dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Done!”</span> exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and
+the stakes were placed in the hands of Captain
+Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to
+the officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very
+foolish bet on the part of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That twenty-five is gone,”</span> said Huffman to
+Calhoun, as he pocketed the stakes, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I am sure
+of having fifty dollars for at least two months.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon I shall lose,”</span> said Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“but
+Mathews had better not let Shackelford get sight
+of his <a name="corr116" id="corr116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">horse.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why?”</span> asked a dozen voices in concert.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Because that horse is up to more antics than a
+trick horse in a circus. You will see, if we ever run
+across my cousin in our raids.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know what you mean,”</span> said one of the
+officers, <span class="tei tei-q">“but your cousin will have a fine time
+getting that horse away from Jim Mathews.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Wait and see,”</span> was Calhoun’s answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was not many days before they knew what
+Calhoun meant. A few days sufficed to rest Morgan’s
+command, and it was not the nature of Morgan
+to remain long idle. He had to be doing something.
+It was known that the Confederate armies
+were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward
+movement into Kentucky. In fact, General
+Kirby Smith had already set out from Knoxville
+to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was nearly ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered,
+and owing to the raids of Morgan and Forrest, the
+men were on short rations. General Buell was at
+his wits’ end. He knew that General Bragg was
+preparing to advance, but thought he would not
+attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking
+him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere
+in Middle Tennessee, and concentrated his
+forces for that event.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike
+another blow at the Louisville and Nashville Railroad,
+and this time right under the noses of the
+Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles
+from Nashville, and Morgan decided to attempt its
+capture. In order to spy out the land, Calhoun
+entered the place as a country lad. He found that
+it was garrisoned by a Federal force of about four
+hundred, under the command of Colonel Boone.
+The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets
+were out, and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering
+the place. He made himself known to a few of
+the citizens, and they gave him all the information
+possible. To them the coming of Morgan meant
+deliverance from a hateful foe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It did not take Calhoun long to find out the
+station of every picket at night. The camp of the
+Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile from
+the city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep
+at a hotel in the city; in fact, his wife was sick at
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan was
+near, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed
+both to Nashville and to General Buell at MacMinnville
+for reinforcements, but no attention was
+paid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to
+send nearly half of his force away to intercept a
+drove of beef cattle which it was reported the Confederates
+were driving down from Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That the citizens might not know that his numbers
+were depleted, Colonel Boone did not send this
+force away until midnight, thinking no one would
+see them depart. But sharp eyes were watching.
+Nothing was going on in Gallatin without Calhoun’s
+knowledge. He lost no time in reporting to Morgan,
+and the attack came swiftly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Knowing the location of every picket post,
+Calhoun was able to effect their capture without the
+firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatin without
+the knowledge of the Federal force, which was
+only half a mile away. Colonel Boone was captured
+at the hotel. The first intimation he had that
+Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded
+by Calhoun to surrender. A demand was
+now made on the camp that it should surrender,
+which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin,
+with the entire Federal garrison and all the military
+stores which it contained, was captured.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies
+of Captain Mathews and Captain Conway, together
+with Calhoun’s scouts, to take the stockade which
+guarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>attack was successful, the stockade surrendering
+after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in
+the possession of the Confederates.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A long train of cars which had been captured
+was piled with wood, rails, and other combustibles,
+set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sides and
+roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork,
+and the whole tunnel was soon a roaring mass
+of flame. The wood being burned away the tunnel
+caved in, and it was months before a train ran
+through from Louisville to Nashville. Morgan had
+effectually blocked the road. Highly elated with
+their success, the command returned to Gallatin,
+Mathews and Conway riding at the head of the
+column. To Calhoun was committed the care of
+the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard
+the report of a single pistol shot in front, then a
+rapid succession of rifle shots. The head of the
+column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and
+the whole command came to a halt.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Fearful that an attack had been made by a
+Federal force coming from Nashville, Calhoun gave
+orders to shoot down the first prisoner who
+attempted to escape, and prepared to resist any
+attack that might come. But no more firing was
+heard, and the column began to move again. Soon
+an officer came riding back and told Calhoun a story
+that interested him greatly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mathews and Conway were riding at the head
+of the column, when, as it reached a cross-road, a
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
+Mathews’s horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated
+his rider, and dashed up the cross-road. Conway’s
+horse bolted, and in spite of Conway’s efforts,
+followed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road,
+and Mathews’s horse stopped by his side. He fired
+at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To save
+himself from being shot again, Conway flung himself
+from his horse. The boy sprang onto Mathews’s
+horse and rode away at full speed, followed
+by the other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired
+at the boy. Captain Mathews’s arm was broken by
+the fall.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus05" id="illus05" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus05.png" width="492" height="700" alt="HE FIRED AT CONWAY." title="HE FIRED AT CONWAY." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">HE FIRED AT CONWAY.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?”</span> asked
+Calhoun, with a faint smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, he will quit blowing now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am
+sorry Mathews had his arm broken.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway
+had had his wound dressed, and Mathews’s
+arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering
+passion. He blamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying
+if it had not been for him, Fred Shackelford
+would have been hanged as a spy. From this time
+he did not try to conceal his hatred of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It was a blamed sharp trick on the
+part of young Shackelford!”</span> he exclaimed. Then
+turning to Captain Huffman, he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Give that
+money to Lieutenant Pennington; he has won it.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name="Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss
+back. My reputation depends upon it. Then to
+think that I, who prided myself on being one of the
+best hossmen in Morgan’s troop, should be thrown.
+Bah! it makes me sick,”</span> and his face took on a
+look of disgust.
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I warned you,”</span> said Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“that that horse
+was up to tricks. When Fred gives that whistle
+he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I
+have seen Fred try it time and time again with his
+father’s nigger boys as riders, and Prince never
+failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave that
+whistle his horse would have gone to him, or died
+in the attempt.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am sorry you didn’t let Conway hang him,”</span>
+replied Mathews, gently rubbing his broken arm,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but I will get even with him, see if I don’t. I
+want that hoss worse than ever.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a
+Federal force moved up from Nashville, reoccupied
+the city, committed many depredations, and began
+arresting the citizens right and left, accusing them
+of complicity with Morgan. When Morgan heard
+of this he at once moved to the relief of the distressed
+city. Attacking the rear guard of the
+enemy as it was leaving the place, he not only
+defeated them, but drove them to within seven
+miles of Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot
+Knob, and burning the high railroad trestle at that
+place. He also captured a train of cars and liberated
+forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>taken to Nashville as prisoners. They had been
+used with the greatest cruelty by their captors.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred
+prisoners. Notwithstanding the provocation
+was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatin
+had been used, Morgan treated his prisoners
+kindly and paroled them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly
+alarmed, resolved to crush Morgan. To this end a
+brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,
+placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson,
+and sent against him. Johnson thought that
+Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against that
+place. But when he reached Hartsville and learned
+that Morgan was at Gallatin, he at once marched
+to attack him there, confident of easy victory.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Up to this time the Federals had boasted that
+Morgan would not fight anything like an equal
+force; that he always attacked isolated posts with
+overwhelming numbers. They were now to learn
+something different. Morgan had been kept well
+posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to
+every movement of Johnson. Although he knew
+that he was greatly outnumbered, Morgan resolved to
+give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun
+came galloping into Gallatin with the information
+that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting
+a battle in the city Morgan moved out on the
+Hartsville pike, meeting the enemy about two
+miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>once with fury. Up to that time it was the greatest
+engagement fought in the West in which cavalry
+only was engaged.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for
+an hour the issue of the battle was doubtful; then
+a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal forces.
+Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns,
+accoutrements, everything that impeded their progress,
+thinking only of safety in flight. Plunging
+into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did
+not stop running until they reached Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The remaining Federal force under General Johnson
+retreated about two miles, and then made a brave
+stand. But nothing could withstand the fury of
+Colonel Basil Duke’s attack, whose command had
+the advance. General Johnson and many of his
+men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
+scattered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred
+men, killed, wounded, and missing. Their
+general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their
+cost, they found that when the occasion demanded
+it Morgan would fight. Morgan’s loss in the battle
+was only five killed and twenty wounded; but
+among the latter was the brave Captain Huffman,
+who had an arm shattered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest
+praise from Morgan for the masterly manner in
+which he handled his regiment. It was greatly
+owing to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory
+was won.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part.
+Single-handed he engaged a Federal officer who was
+trying to rally his men, and forced him to surrender.
+When he delivered up his sword Calhoun
+saw to his surprise that it was his old acquaintance,
+Lieutenant Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, Lieutenant,”</span> said Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am glad
+to have met you again. When the battle is over I
+will come and see you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Pennington again, as I am alive!”</span> gasped the
+astonished Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and
+found him sitting dejected and crestfallen among
+the prisoners.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Cheer up, Lieutenant,”</span> said Calhoun, pleasantly;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“we are going to parole you. You will soon
+be at liberty.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How often do you want to parole a fellow?
+This will be the third time,”</span> growled Haines.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you
+off the face of the earth sure this time. We
+would, too, if it hadn’t been for that cowardly
+regiment which broke.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“An <span class="tei tei-q">‘if’</span> has stood in between many a man and
+success,”</span> answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“How long ago were
+you exchanged?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“About two months,”</span> replied Haines, <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+here I am in for it again. I expected to win a
+captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall
+die a lieutenant.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>who knows? To change the subject, have you met
+the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the
+army?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A change came over the face of Haines—one
+that transformed his rather handsome features into
+those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and
+wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself,
+and answered:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, but trouble has come upon the family.
+Mr. Osborne refused to take the oath of allegiance,
+and as he was looked upon as a dangerous character,
+he has been sent North as a prisoner.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To wear his life away in some Northern
+bastile!”</span> exclaimed Calhoun, in a fury. <span class="tei tei-q">“Monstrous!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is not all,”</span> returned Haines. <span class="tei tei-q">“By some
+means the house took fire and burned with all its
+contents. I did all I could for them—tried to save
+Mr. Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax
+my efforts to have him released. I have some
+powerful friends in the North.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun thanked him, and went his <a name="corr125" id="corr125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">way.</span> But
+that look which came over Haines’s face, what
+did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc23" id="toc23"></a><a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER IX.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE DUEL.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">In</span></span> August, 1862, Cumberland Gap, the gateway
+between Eastern Kentucky and East Tennessee,
+was held by a Federal force of over ten thousand,
+commanded by General George W. Morgan.
+It was this force which confronted General Kirby
+Smith as he set out to invade Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The place being too strong to carry by assault,
+General Smith left a force in front of the Gap to
+menace it, made a flank movement with the rest of
+his army, passed through Roger’s Gap unopposed,
+and without paying any attention to the force at
+Cumberland Gap, pushed on with all speed for
+Central Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the same time General Bragg made his long-expected
+advance from Chattanooga, completely
+deceiving Buell, who first concentrated his army at
+Altamont and then at MacMinnville. Bragg marched
+unopposed up the Sequatchie Valley to Sparta.
+General George H. Thomas had advised Buell to
+occupy Sparta, but the advice was rejected. Buell
+could not, or would not, see that Kentucky was
+Bragg’s objective point. He now believed that
+Nashville or Murfreesboro was the point of danger,
+and he concentrated his army at the latter place.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Sparta General Bragg had marched to
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Carthage, crossed the Cumberland River, and was
+well on his way to Kentucky before Buell waked
+up. Bragg was then three days ahead of him. If
+Bragg had marched straight for Louisville, there
+would have been no troops to oppose him until he
+reached that place, and Louisville would have fallen.
+But he stopped to take Mumfordsville, and the
+delay was fatal. It gave Buell the opportunity to
+overtake him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the forward movement began, Colonel
+John H. Morgan was ordered to Eastern Kentucky
+to watch the force at Cumberland Gap and prevent
+it from falling on the rear of the army of General
+Smith. Smith moved rapidly, and on August 29
+fought the battle of Richmond, where a Federal
+force of seven thousand was almost annihilated,
+only about eight hundred escaping.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+By the movements of Smith and Bragg the
+Federal force at Cumberland Gap was cut off. For
+that army the situation was a grave one. In their
+front was General Stevenson with a force too small
+to attack, but large enough to keep them from
+advancing. In their rear were the Confederate
+armies. They were short of food; starvation stared
+them in the face. It was either surrender or a
+retreat through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General George W. Morgan called a council of
+his officers, and it was decided to evacuate the Gap
+and attempt the retreat. The Gap was evacuated
+on the night of the 17th of September. All government
+property which could not be carried away
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was given to the flames. The rough mountain
+road had been mined, and the mines were exploded
+to prevent Stevenson from following. But as
+Stevenson’s force was infantry, it would be of little
+avail in following the retreating Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A toilsome march of two hundred and twenty
+miles over rough mountainous roads lay between
+the Federals and the Ohio River. To the credit of
+General G. W. Morgan be it said, he conducted the
+retreat with consummate skill. It was expected
+that a Confederate force in Eastern Kentucky under
+General Humphrey Marshall would try to cut the
+Federals off; but Marshall never appeared, and it
+was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
+what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry
+brigade could not stop the progress of ten
+thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day
+Morgan hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking
+advantage of every opening, and making their way
+a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen
+days, the Federal force, footsore and completely
+exhausted, reached the Ohio at Greenupsburg on
+the Ohio River, and was safe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost
+continually in the saddle, the foremost to strike,
+the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
+his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners
+to their credit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow
+the retreating army any longer, without taking any
+rest he turned the head of his column toward
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed
+there.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he
+saw the change a few weeks had effected. All
+Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the
+Federals. Panic-stricken they had fled back to
+Louisville and Cincinnati, and were cowering in
+their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony
+of fear. The governors were frantically calling on
+the people to arise <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">en masse</span></span> and save their states
+from invasion.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the command reached Danville, Calhoun
+was nearly beside himself with joy. Over the
+courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South.
+It was the first time Calhoun had ever seen there
+the flag he loved so well. With a proud hurrah he
+dashed up to the door of his father’s residence;
+there was no one to molest him or make him afraid.
+From the house of every friend of the South hung
+a Confederate flag.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!”</span>
+shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But he was disappointed in not finding his father
+at home. The Judge was in Frankfort, helping to
+form a provisional government for the state. Many
+of the more sanguine of the Southern element of
+the state already considered it safe in the Confederacy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Although his father was not at home, Calhoun
+received a most joyful welcome. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bress de chile,
+if he isn’t bac’ again,”</span> cried Aunt Chloe.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, Chloe,”</span> said Calhoun, as he shook her
+honest black hand, <span class="tei tei-q">“and now be sure and get up
+one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this
+time. And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel
+Morgan, with his staff, will be here to dine.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But what Morgan’s command learned was anything
+but satisfactory. Kirby Smith had advanced
+to within six miles of Covington, there halted, and
+at last fallen back. Bragg, instead of marching
+direct to Louisville, had turned aside to Bardstown,
+allowing Buell’s army to enter the city of Louisville
+unopposed. There Buell had been joined by
+twenty thousand fresh troops. Clothing and refitting
+his men, he had turned, and was now marching
+on Bardstown. A great battle might be fought any
+day. In fact, it was reported that Bragg had
+already abandoned Bardstown and was marching in
+the direction of Danville or Harrodsburg.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t like it at all,”</span> said Morgan. <span class="tei tei-q">“Our
+generals have already let the golden opportunity
+pass. But there is still hope. With the armies of
+Bragg and Smith united, they should be strong
+enough to give battle and crush Buell.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+So good was the dinner and so animated the
+discussion, that it was late in the afternoon when
+they arose from the table. As they came out
+Morgan suddenly stopped and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Hark!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Away in the northwest, in the direction of Perryville,
+the dull heavy booming of cannon was heard.
+They listened and the dull roar, like distant thunder,
+was continuous.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A battle is being fought,”</span> they said, in low
+tones; <span class="tei tei-q">“May God favor the right!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Perryville the forces of Buell and Bragg had
+met, and were engaged in deadly strife. Until
+nightfall the heavy dull roar was heard, and then
+it died away. Which army had been victorious?
+They could not tell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After the battle of Perryville, Buell, fully expecting
+that Bragg would fight a decisive battle for the
+possession of the state, remained inactive for three
+days for the purpose of concentrating his army. It
+was fatal to all his hopes, for Bragg had already
+decided to leave the state, and he utilized the three
+days in getting away with his immense trains. He
+had been grievously disappointed in the hope that
+his army would be largely recruited, and that at
+least twenty thousand Kentuckians would flock to
+his standard. But Kentucky had already been well
+drained of men, furnishing troops by thousands for
+both sides.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From one point of view, the invasion of Kentucky
+by the Confederates had been a magnificent
+success. A loss of at least twenty thousand had
+been inflicted on the Federal armies, while the loss
+of the Confederate army had not been over one-third
+of that number. In addition to that, the immense
+stores gathered and taken South were of inestimable
+value to the army. But in the chagrin and disappointment
+over Bragg’s retreat these things were
+lost sight of and the Confederate general was most
+bitterly denounced.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun went wild when he heard that the state
+was to be given up without a decisive battle, that
+all that had been gained was to go for naught; and
+his feelings were shared by all Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It won’t prevent us from visiting the state
+once in a while,”</span> said Morgan, with a grim smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Judge Pennington, he was so disgusted
+that although his whole heart was with the South,
+he gave up all idea of forming a state government
+loyal to the Confederacy, and remained quiet during
+the rest of the war. <span class="tei tei-q">“The armies will have to
+settle it,”</span> he would say; <span class="tei tei-q">“we can do nothing
+here.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One of the first things that Calhoun did after he
+reached Danville was to see Jennie Freeman and
+thank her for her timely warning. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was kind
+of you, Jennie,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“for I know that you
+hate the cause for which I am fighting.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My conscience has hurt me awfully ever since,”</span>
+replied Jennie, with a toss of her head; <span class="tei tei-q">“and then
+I believe you told me an awful fib.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, how is that, Jennie?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You worked on my sympathy, and said if you
+were caught you would be hanged. The Union
+forces don’t hang prisoners. They would only
+have shut you up, and that is what you deserve.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But, Jennie, I was in disguise; they would
+have hanged me as a spy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t believe it, but I sometimes think half of
+you Rebels ought to be hanged.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Jennie, Jennie! what a bloodthirsty
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>creature you have grown! But where is your
+father?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank the Lord, where the old flag yet floats—in
+Louisville. He will stay there until that rag
+comes down,”</span> and she pointed to the Confederate
+flag floating over the courthouse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Poor girl, never to see her father again,”</span> exclaimed
+Calhoun, in tones of compassion.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> she asked, turning pale.
+A sudden fear had come over her; had anything
+befallen her father?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun saw her mistake. Laughing, he said,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I only meant that flag would never come down.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is that all?”</span> she replied, saucily; <span class="tei tei-q">“you all will
+be scurrying south like so many rabbits in less than
+a week.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Give us ten days.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, not an hour more than a week. And
+mind, if you get caught, you needn’t call on me for
+help.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Jennie, don’t let’s quarrel. Perhaps I
+can return the favor you did me, by helping you
+some day.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
+The next day Jennie ventured out to visit a sick
+friend. On her return she had to pass a couple of
+Confederate officers, one of whom was intoxicated.
+The other appeared to be reasoning with him, and
+trying to get him to go to his quarters.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Jennie was hurrying past them, the one who
+was intoxicated staggered toward her, and leering
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>at her, exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“How—how do, pretty one?
+Give me a—a kiss!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly
+by the arm. Just as he did so, he was struck a
+terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling in
+the gutter.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Take my arm, Jennie,”</span> said Calhoun, for it
+was he who struck the blow, <span class="tei tei-q">“I will see you safe
+home.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The trembling girl took his arm, saying: <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh,
+Calhoun, how glad I am you came! How can I
+thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful
+man?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan’s
+command. His name is Conway. We left
+him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able
+to follow Bragg’s army, and he joined us only yesterday.
+By the way, it was Fred Shackelford who
+shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back.
+Conway was riding Blenheim.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn’t that
+just splendid in him, getting his horse back!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where is Fred now?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know. Did you know General Nelson
+was shot?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shot? Nelson shot?”</span> cried Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Where?
+How?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jennie had to tell him what little she knew
+about it. All that she had heard had come from
+Confederate sources.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ashamed. It is the first time I ever knew one of
+Morgan’s men to insult a woman.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I hope that miserable Conway will give you no
+trouble,”</span> said Jennie, as they parted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No fears on that score,”</span> lightly replied Calhoun,
+as he bade her good-bye.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Calhoun well knew there would be trouble.
+No Kentucky officer would forgive a blow, no matter
+what the provocation was under which it was
+given.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The blow which Conway received had the effect
+of sobering him, but he presented a pitiable sight.
+His face was covered with blood, and one eye was
+nearly closed. When he knew it was Calhoun that
+had struck him, his rage was fearful. Nothing but
+blood would wipe out the insult. For a Kentucky
+gentleman not to resent a blow meant disgrace
+and dishonor; he would be looked upon as a contemptible
+coward. But Conway was no coward.
+He knew he was in fault, but that would not wipe
+out the disgrace of the blow. There was but one thing
+for him to do, and that was to challenge Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That night Calhoun was waited upon by Captain
+Mathews, who in the name of Conway demanded
+an abject apology. This, of course, was refused,
+and a formal challenge was delivered. Calhoun at
+once accepted it, and referred Mathews to his
+friend Lieutenant Matson.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Look here, Pennington,”</span> said Mathews, <span class="tei tei-q">“I do
+not want you to think I uphold Conway in what he
+did. I am no saint, but I never insulted a woman.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Conway would not have done it if he had not been
+drunk. I was just going to the lady’s rescue when
+you struck the blow. There was no need of knocking
+Conway down. I understand the girl is a Lincolnite,
+but that makes no difference, Conway is
+right in demanding satisfaction.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And I am willing to give it to him,”</span> answered
+Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“The only thing I ask is that the affair
+be arranged quickly. Let it be to-morrow morning
+at sunrise. And, Captain, understand that I bear
+you no grudge. I consider your action perfectly
+honorable.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mathews bowed and withdrew. He and Matson
+quickly arranged the preliminaries. The meeting
+was to take place at sunrise, in a secluded spot near
+Danville; the weapons were pistols, the distance
+fifteen paces. Only one shot was to be allowed.
+The affair had to be managed with the utmost
+secrecy; above all things, it had to be kept from
+the ears of Morgan. But it was whispered from
+one to another until half the officers knew of it.
+None blamed Calhoun, yet none could see how
+Conway could avoid giving the challenge.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Both are dead men,”</span> said an officer, with a
+grave shake of the head. <span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan ought to be
+told; he would stop it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell Morgan if you dare!”</span> cried half a dozen
+voices.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I am not going to tell; if they wish to kill
+each other it’s none of my business,”</span> replied the
+officer, turning away.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was known as the best pistol shot in the
+brigade, and Conway was no mean marksman.
+Everyone thought it would be a bloody affair.
+Many were aware of the enmity which Conway held
+toward Calhoun, and knew he would kill him if he
+could. Meanwhile Jennie slept unconscious of the
+danger Calhoun was in for her sake.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was a beautiful autumn morning when they
+met. The sun was just rising, touching woods,
+and fields, and the spires of the distant town with
+its golden light. The meeting was in a place which
+Calhoun well knew. How often he had played
+there when a boy! It was an open glade in the
+midst of a grove of mighty forest trees. The trees
+had taken on the beautiful hues of autumn, and
+they flamed with red and gold and orange.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At least twenty had assembled to witness the
+duel. A surgeon stood near with an open case of
+instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
+turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The principals were placed in position. A hush
+came over the little group of spectators. Even the
+breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
+the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge,
+and a shower of leaves, red as blood, fell around
+the contestants.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you ready, gentlemen?”</span> asked Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ready!”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ready!”</span> said <span class="tei tei-corr">Conway.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“One—two—three—fire!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Conway’s pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight
+twinge of pain. The ball had grazed his left side,
+near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
+For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his
+pistol and fired in the air.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The spectators raised a shout of applause; but
+Conway was white with rage. <span class="tei tei-q">“I demand another
+shot,”</span> he shouted, <span class="tei tei-q">“Pennington’s action has made
+a farce of this meeting.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It was the condition that but one shot should
+be allowed,”</span> remonstrated Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The condition has not been fulfilled,”</span> angrily
+replied Conway; <span class="tei tei-q">“I demand another shot.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun,
+and seeing the hole through his clothing,
+exclaimed. <span class="tei tei-q">“My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A mere scratch; it’s nothing,”</span> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+An examination showed it to be so, but blood
+had been drawn. This should have satisfied Conway,
+but it did not; he still insisted on a second
+shot. This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely,
+when Calhoun asked to be heard.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Although Captain Conway richly deserved the
+blow I gave him,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“yet as a gentleman
+and an officer I felt he could do no less than challenge
+me. I have given him the satisfaction he
+demanded. If he insists on continuing the duel, I
+shall conclude it is his desire to kill me through
+personal malice, not on account of his injured honor,
+which according to the code has been satisfied.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>This time there will be no firing in the air. Give
+him the second shot, if he desires it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No! No!”</span> cried a dozen voices.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a
+low tone, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“You fool, do you want to be
+killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if
+you insist on the second shot. Now you are out
+of it honorably.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Conway mumbled something, and Mathews
+turning around, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen, my principal
+acknowledges himself satisfied. It is with pleasure
+that I compliment both of the principals in this
+affair. They have conducted themselves like true
+Kentucky gentlemen, and I trust they will part as
+such.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shake hands, gentlemen, shake hands,”</span> cried
+their friends, crowding around them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun gave his freely, but Conway extended
+his coldly. There was a look in his eye which foreboded
+future trouble.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Such a meeting could not be kept secret, and it
+soon came to the ears of Morgan. Both of the
+principals, as well as the seconds were summoned
+into his presence. He listened to all the details in
+silence, and then said:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is well that this affair resulted as it did. If
+either one of the principals had fallen, the other
+would have been summarily dealt with. Both of
+you,”</span> looking at Conway and Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“were to
+blame. Lieutenant Pennington should not have
+struck the blow: no gentleman will tamely submit
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to the indignity of a blow. <span class="tei tei-corr">As</span> for you, Captain
+Conway, I am surprised that you, one of
+my officers, should insult a lady. If this offence
+is ever repeated, intoxication will be no plea
+in its extenuation. Heretofore it has been our
+proud boast that where Morgan’s men are there
+any lady, be she for North or South, is as safe
+as in her own home. Let us see that it will
+always be so.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men who heard burst into a wild cheer.
+Each of them was a knight to uphold the honor of
+woman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Captain Conway listened to the reprimand,
+his red face became redder. His heart was full of
+anger, but he was diplomat enough to listen with
+becoming humility. To his fellow-officers his plea
+was intoxication, and in the stirring times which
+followed, his offence was forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Scouts came dashing into the city with the
+startling intelligence that a large Federal force
+was advancing on the place. It was not long
+before a battle was being waged through the streets.
+Before an overwhelming force of infantry Morgan
+had to fall back.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Bragg was in full retreat, and to Morgan fell the
+lot of guarding the rear. <a name="corr140" id="corr140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-corr">As</span> they were falling back
+from Camp Dick Robinson, Calhoun met a Major
+Hockoday, who to him was the bearer of sad news.
+The Major said that that morning his men pursued
+a Federal scout who had ventured inside their lines.
+In his effort to escape he had fallen over the cliff
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of Dick River, and been killed. <span class="tei tei-q">“And I am sorry
+to say,”</span> added the Major, <span class="tei tei-q">“that that scout was
+your cousin, Captain Fred Shackelford.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you sure?”</span> asked Calhoun, in a trembling
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Perfectly sure. I knew him too well to be
+mistaken. For the sake of his father, I sent word
+to the overseer of the General’s plantation so that
+the body could be found, and given Christian
+burial.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you,”</span> replied Calhoun, as he turned
+away with swimming eyes. All his old love for his
+cousin had returned. There was little heart in
+Calhoun for battle that day. It was weeks before
+he learned that Fred was not dead.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc25" id="toc25"></a><a name="pdf26" id="pdf26"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER X.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">HARTSVILLE.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">When</span></span> Bragg evacuated Kentucky his weary
+army found rest at Murfreesboro. This
+little city is thirty-two miles southeast of Nashville,
+situated on the railroad leading from Nashville to
+Chattanooga. It had already become famous by
+the capture of a Federal brigade there in August,
+by General N. B. Forrest, and was destined to
+become the theatre of one of the greatest battles
+of the war.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In the Federal army a great change had taken
+place. General Buell had been relieved from command,
+and General W. Rosecrans, the hero of the
+battle of Corinth, appointed in his place. This
+general assembled his army at Nashville. Thus
+the two great armies were only thirty-two miles
+apart, with their outposts almost touching.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Bragg, believing that it would be impossible for
+Rosecrans to advance before spring, established his
+army in winter quarters, and the soldiers looked
+forward to two or three months of comparative
+quiet.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Rosecrans’s first duty was to reopen the Louisville
+and Nashville Railroad, which had been so thoroughly
+destroyed by Morgan. An army of men
+did the work—a work which took them weeks to
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>accomplish. But it was not in the nature of Morgan
+to be quiet. Not only he, but his men, fretted
+in camp life. Its daily routine with its drills did
+not suit them. Their home was the saddle, and
+they wanted no other. Therefore Morgan began
+to look around in search of a weak point in the
+Federal lines. For this purpose Calhoun and his
+scouts were kept busy. They seemed to be omnipresent,
+now here, now there. They would ride in
+between the Federal posts, learn of the citizens
+where the enemy were posted, and whether their
+camps were guarded with vigilance or not. Many
+a prisoner was picked up, and much valuable information
+obtained. In this way Morgan soon knew,
+as well as the Federal commander himself, how his
+troops were posted, and the number at each post.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Taking everything into consideration, Calhoun
+reported that Hartsville offered the best opening
+for an attack. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is the extreme eastern outpost
+of the Federals,”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“The nearest troops to
+them are at Castalian Springs, nine miles away.
+The country from here to Hartsville is entirely free
+of Federal troops, and we can approach the place
+unobserved. The Cumberland River is low and
+can be forded. But if you wish, I will go and make
+a thorough reconnaissance of the place.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go, and be back as soon as possible,”</span> replied
+Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“but be careful; do not take too many
+risks.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With a dozen of his trusty scouts, Calhoun had
+no trouble in reaching the bank of the Cumberland
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>River opposite Hartsville. Here, concealed in the
+woods, through his glass he noted the position of
+every regiment, and drew a map of the camp. But
+he was not satisfied with this. Under the cover of
+darkness he crossed the river, determined to learn
+more. Above all, he wished to learn where the
+enemy’s pickets were posted at night, their exact
+force, as nearly as possible, and the discipline which
+they were under. He wanted to do all this without
+alarming them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After crossing the river he concluded to call at
+a commodious farm-house, situated some three miles
+from Hartsville. He was almost certain of a hearty
+welcome; there were few disloyal to the South in
+that section. At first he was taken for a Federal
+soldier in disguise, and admittance was refused;
+but once the inmates were convinced that he was
+one of Morgan’s men, the heartiness of his welcome
+made up for the coldness of his first reception.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The planter was well posted. There was one
+brigade at Hartsville. Until a few days before, the
+brigade had been commanded by a Colonel Scott,
+but he had been relieved by a Colonel Moore.
+This Moore was the colonel of one of the regiments
+at Hartsville, and had been in the service but a
+short time. Most of the troops were raw and inexperienced.
+Calhoun was glad to hear all this.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In the morning, dressed as a rough country
+boy, he made a circuit of the entire place. This
+he did by going on foot, and keeping to the fields
+and woods. The location of every picket post was
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>carefully noted, and the best way to approach each
+one. In two or three instances he did not hesitate
+to approach soldiers who were foraging outside of
+the lines, and in a whining tone, enter into conversation
+with them, informing them he was looking
+for some of his father’s pigs.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mighty ’fraid sum ov yo-uns Yanks got ’em,”</span>
+he said, with a sigh.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No doubt, sonny, no doubt,”</span> replied a soldier
+with a hearty laugh. <span class="tei tei-q">“You see, if a pig comes up
+and grunts at the flag, we have a right to kill him
+for the insult offered. Probably your pigs were
+guilty of this heinous crime, and were sacrificed for
+the good of the country.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do yo-uns mean the Yanks hev ’em?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Undoubtedly, sonny. What are you going to
+do about it?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Goin’ to tell dad,”</span> replied Calhoun, as he
+limped off, for he pretended to be lame.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun found that the post was picketed much
+more strongly to the east than the west, for Castalian
+Springs lay to the west, and the Federals had
+no idea that an attack would come from that direction.
+If attacked, the Confederates would try to
+force the ford, or they would come from the east.
+For this reason Calhoun decided that Morgan should
+cross the river in between Hartsville and Castalian
+Springs, and assault from the west.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+There was a ferry two miles below Hartsville
+where the infantry could cross the river, but the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>cavalry would have to go to a ford seven miles or
+within two miles of Castalian Springs. To his
+surprise, but great gratification, he found neither
+the ferry nor the ford guarded.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun recrossed the river in safety, and joining
+his scouts, whom he had left on the southern
+side of the river, he lost no time in making his way
+back to Murfreesboro. Morgan heard his report
+with evident satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Our only danger,”</span> said Calhoun, as he finished
+his report, <span class="tei tei-q">“is from the force at Castalian Springs.
+From what I could learn there are at least five
+thousand Federals there. To be successful we
+must surprise the camp at Hartsville, capture the
+place, and re-cross the river before the force from
+the Springs can reach us. A hard thing to do, but
+I believe it can be done.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So do I,”</span> said Morgan; <span class="tei tei-q">“with General Bragg’s
+consent, I will start at once.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Bragg not only gave his consent, but
+owing to the importance of the expedition, added
+to Morgan’s cavalry brigade two regiments of
+infantry and a battery.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The force marched to within five miles of Hartsville,
+and halted until night. The night proved
+very dark, and the way was rough. There was but
+one small ferry-boat in which to cross the infantry,
+and it was 5:30 in the morning before the infantry
+were all across, and in position two miles from
+Hartsville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The cavalry had had even a rougher time than
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the infantry, and one large regiment had not yet
+reported. But Morgan determined not to wait,
+for it would soon be light, and they would be discovered.
+So with thirteen hundred men Morgan
+moved to capture a Federal brigade of over two
+thousand, and in a position of their own choosing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To Calhoun and his scouts was assigned the difficult
+but important task of capturing the outposts
+without alarming the camp. The success of the
+whole movement might depend upon this.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+So adroitly did Calhoun manage it, that the surprised
+pickets were captured without firing a gun.
+Nor was the Confederate force discovered until they
+were within four hundred yards of the Federal
+camp, and advancing in line of battle. It was now
+getting light, and a negro camp-follower discovered
+them and gave the alarm.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federals having been taken by surprise and
+most of the officers and men being raw and inexperienced,
+consternation reigned in the camp. But
+they formed their lines, and for a few moments put
+up a brave fight. Then their lines broke. Colonel
+Moore did not seem to have his brigade well in
+hand, and each regiment fought more or less independently.
+In a short time only the One Hundred
+and Fourth Illinois regiment was left on the site of
+the camp to continue the battle. Although this
+regiment had been only three months in the service
+and had never been in an engagement before, under
+the command of their brave Lieutenant Colonel,
+Douglass Hapeman, they did not surrender until
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>they were entirely surrounded and nearly two hundred
+of their number had been shot down.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan warmly complimented this regiment on
+its bravery, saying if all the regiments had been
+like it, the result of the contest would have been
+doubtful. In one hour and a quarter after the
+battle opened, all was over. A whole brigade had
+laid down their arms to the prowess of Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But now a new danger arose. Calhoun had been
+sent toward Castalian Springs to watch the enemy
+in that direction. One of his scouts came dashing
+in with the intelligence that five thousand Federals
+were hurrying to the relief of Hartsville. They
+must be stopped, and time given to get the prisoners
+and munitions of war across the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan hurried two regiments to where Calhoun
+and his little band of scouts were resisting the
+advance of the enemy. The show of strength
+made halted the Federals, and a precious hour and
+a half was gained. In this time, by almost superhuman
+efforts, Morgan had succeeded in crossing
+the prisoners and his men to the south side of the
+Cumberland. They were now safe from pursuit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was during the fight with the approaching
+reinforcements that an incident happened which
+caused Calhoun many hours of uneasiness. During
+the hottest of the engagement a ball, evidently
+fired from the rear, grazed his cheek. He thought
+little of it, supposing some one had fired in his
+rear, not seeing him. But in a moment a ball
+passed through his hat. Wheeling suddenly, to his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>surprise he saw Captain Conway with a smoking
+revolver in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You are shooting carelessly, Captain!”</span> exclaimed
+Calhoun, angrily, riding up to him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For a moment the Captain cowered, then recovering
+himself, he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“You are mistaken,
+Lieutenant; it was some one in the rear. The
+same balls came close to me.”</span> Just then the
+order was given to fall back, and Conway rode
+hastily away. There was no direct proof, but Calhoun
+was certain Conway had tried to kill him.
+More than one man has been disposed of in time of
+battle by a personal enemy. Many an obnoxious
+officer has bitten the dust in this manner. Calhoun
+could only bide his time and watch. But he now
+firmly believed his life was in more danger from
+Conway than it was in battle with the Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Hartsville, considering everything, was one of
+the greatest victories Morgan ever won, as he captured
+a whole brigade with a vastly inferior force.
+The Federals lost in killed, wounded, and captured
+two thousand one hundred men. Of these nearly
+three hundred were killed and wounded. Morgan’s
+actual force engaged was only thirteen hundred,
+and of these he lost one hundred and forty, a small
+loss considering he was the assaulting party.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The capture of Hartsville caused the utmost
+chagrin in the Federal army, and not only in the
+army but throughout the North. Even President
+Lincoln telegraphed asking for full particulars.
+General Halleck ordered the dishonorable
+dis<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>missal of Colonel Moore, but the order was never
+carried into effect. Of his bravery there was no
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This victory caused the name of Morgan to be
+more feared than ever. <span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan is coming!”</span> was
+a cry which caused fear and trembling in many a
+Yankee’s heart.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+President Davis of the Confederate States,
+shortly after the capture of Hartsville, visited Murfreesboro,
+and as a reward for his services, presented
+Morgan with a commission as Brigadier-General
+in the Confederate army. General Hardie
+asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie
+knew Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for
+some reason President Davis refused the request.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc27" id="toc27"></a><a name="pdf28" id="pdf28"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XI.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Morgan was allowed but ten
+days’ rest after his return from his great victory
+at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished
+repairing the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and
+trains were running again between the two cities.
+Reports had been brought to General Bragg that
+the Federal troops at Nashville were suffering
+greatly for want of food; that military stores of all
+kinds were short; and he thought if the road were
+again broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall
+back on account of supplies. Who so willing and
+able to break it as General Morgan?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But there was little use of trying to raid the
+road south of Bowling Green, for it was guarded by
+thousands of men. To cripple the road effectually
+meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky.
+To this General Morgan was not averse.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When his men heard that another raid was to
+be made into Kentucky, their enthusiasm knew no
+bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
+encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights,
+and the tremendous fatigue they would be called
+upon to endure? They were to stir up the Yankees
+once more; that was enough.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!”</span> was their cry,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and they shouted and sang until they could shout
+and sing no longer for want of breath.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the
+expedition, and was willing to give Morgan all the
+troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon
+at the head of the most formidable force he had
+ever commanded. It consisted of over three thousand
+cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own
+light battery.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The task which had been assigned him was
+indeed a perilous one. It was to ride almost to
+the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the
+immense trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This
+done, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad would
+again be effectually crippled for weeks.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He set out from Alexandria, on December 22,
+and in two days he was in Glasgow, Kentucky.
+The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon
+Morgan as a monthly visitor by this time; therefore
+they were not surprised at his coming. Here
+he met with the first Federal force, which was
+quickly scattered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Remaining in Glasgow only long enough to rest
+his horses, he pushed on for Mumfordsville, where
+the great bridge spans the Green River. But learning
+that the place was held by so strong a force that
+it would be madness for him to attack it, he passed
+a few miles to the right, and struck the railroad at
+Bacon Creek. Here a stout block-house, defended
+by ninety soldiers, guarded the bridge. They put
+up a stout defence in hopes of being reinforced
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>from Mumfordsville, but at last were compelled to
+surrender, the block-house being knocked to pieces
+by Morgan’s artillery.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Burning the bridge and destroying four miles of
+road, the command moved on to Nolan, where
+another block-house was captured and a bridge
+burned. This was the third time that these bridges
+had been destroyed by Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Elizabethtown was the next goal to be reached.
+As they approached the place, Calhoun, who was
+in advance with his scouts, was met by an officer
+bearing a flag of truce, who handed him a dirty envelope,
+on which was scrawled:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+</p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Elizabethtown, Ky.</span></span></span>, December 27, 1862.</div>
+<div class="tei tei-salute">To the Commander of the Confederate Force.</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Sir: I demand an unconditional surrender of all of your
+forces. I have you surrounded, and will compel you to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-salute" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 10.00em">I am, sir, your obedient servant,</div>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 4.00em"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">H. S. Smith</span></span>,</div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right">Commanding U. S. Force.</div>
+
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well,”</span> exclaimed Calhoun, as he glanced at it,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have often been told that Yankees have cheek,
+but this is the greatest exhibition of it I have met.
+Who is H. S. Smith, anyway?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“One of the numerous Smith family, I reckon,”</span>
+dryly responded one of his men. <span class="tei tei-q">“He should have
+signed it John Smith. This would have concealed
+his identity, and prevented us from knowing what
+a fool he is.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But the message was taken back to Morgan, and
+Calhoun never saw him laugh more heartily than
+when he read it.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go back and tell Mr. Smith,”</span> replied Morgan,
+trying to keep his face straight, <span class="tei tei-q">“that he has made
+a little mistake. It is he who is surrounded, and
+must surrender.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The message was taken back, but Mr. Smith
+answered pompously that it was the business of
+United States officer to fight, not to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very good,”</span> replied Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“get back and
+let us open the ball.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It took only a few shells from Morgan’s battery
+to convince Mr. Smith he had made a mistake, and
+that it was the business of at least one United
+States officer to surrender, and not to fight. Six
+hundred and fifty-two prisoners fell into Morgan’s
+hands, also a large quantity of military stores.
+The stores were destroyed. At Elizabethtown
+Morgan was in striking distance of the object of
+his expedition, the great trestles at Muldraugh
+Hill. There were two trestles, known as the upper
+and lower, both defended by stout stockades.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Morgan divided his forces, Colonel
+Breckinridge with one brigade attacking the lower
+stockade, while Morgan with Colonel Duke’s brigade
+attacked the upper. A couple of hours of severe
+shelling convinced the commanders of these stockades
+also that it was the duty of a United States
+officer to surrender, and not to fight. Seven hundred
+more prisoners and an immense store of military
+goods were added to Morgan’s captures. The
+goods, as usual, were destroyed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was but a few minutes after the surrender of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the block-houses when the trestles were a mass of
+flames. They were immense structures, each
+nearly fifteen hundred feet long, and from eighty
+to ninety feet high. Thus the object of the expedition
+had been gained. Again the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad was rendered useless to Rosecrans’s
+army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Morgan’s danger had just commenced.
+Thus far he had had his own way. The enraged
+Federals were moving heaven and earth to compass
+his capture. A brigade was transported from Gallatin
+to Mumfordsville by rail, joined to the force at
+that place, and ordered to move east and cut off
+his retreat. The forces in Central Kentucky were
+ordered to concentrate at Lebanon. Thus they
+hoped to cut off every line of retreat.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t let Morgan escape,”</span> was the command
+flashed to every Federal officer in Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Muldraugh Hill Morgan marched for
+Bardstown. This led him across the Lebanon
+Railroad. Before all of his force had crossed the
+Rolling Fork of Salt River, the pursuing force,
+under Colonel Harlan, came up and engaged the
+rear. The rear guard under Colonel Duke gallantly
+resisted them until all had crossed in safety, but
+during the action Colonel Duke was severely
+wounded by a piece of shell. General Boyle, the
+Federal commander at Louisville, gave out that he
+had died of his wounds and there was great rejoicing.
+But the gallant Colonel lived, to the disappointment
+of his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federals, in close pursuit, left Morgan little
+time to destroy the railroad leading to Lebanon,
+but he captured a stockade, and burned the bridge
+at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he
+pushed rapidly on to Springfield. From that place
+he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon. His
+rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented
+them from concentrating their forces, for
+they knew not which way he would go next.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving
+Lebanon a few miles to his left, so as to avoid the
+large force at that place; he reached New Market
+a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid
+the troops which had been concentrating at Hodgensville,
+he now took the road to Campbellsville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In going through the Muldraugh range of hills
+to the south of New Market, his rear guard was
+struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
+Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively
+fight. There was now more or less skirmishing for
+some miles.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+There now happened to Calhoun one of the most
+thrilling adventures he experienced during the
+whole war. As the post of danger was now in
+the rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant
+service in holding back the Federals. There had
+been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing
+had been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not
+thinking of danger, he and a Captain Tribble halted
+their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
+dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>passing on. They lingered longer than they
+thought, and had just remounted their horses when
+they were suddenly surprised by three horsemen,
+who came galloping up, yelling to them to surrender.
+For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their
+revolvers and fire was the work of a moment. The
+Federals returned the fire. A pistol duel now took
+place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
+strange to say, no one was hurt.
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Throwing down their now useless weapons, all
+drew their swords and furiously spurred their horses
+on to the combat. It was almost like a mediæval
+contest, where knight met knight with sword only.
+While one of the Federals engaged Captain Tribble,
+two rode straight for Calhoun, the foremost a fine-looking
+man in the uniform of a Federal colonel.
+Parrying his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his
+horse, avoided the other. They wheeled their
+horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did
+Calhoun parry the fierce blow aimed at him; at the
+same time he managed to prick the horse of the
+other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable.
+This left Calhoun free to engage the Colonel
+alone, who aimed at him a tremendous blow. This
+blow Calhoun avoided, and as it met with no resistance,
+its force threw the Colonel forward on his
+saddle. As quick as lightning, the point of Calhoun’s
+sword reached his heart, and the combat
+was over.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus06" id="illus06" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus06.png" width="700" height="494" alt="THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE." title="THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+During this time Tribble had vanquished his
+antagonist. The remaining Federal, seeing one of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>his comrades dead and the other a prisoner, threw
+down his sword and surrendered. The dead officer
+proved to be Colonel D. J. Halisy of the Sixth
+Kentucky cavalry.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This conflict was long remembered as one of the
+most remarkable ever engaged in by any of Morgan’s
+men, and Calhoun was warmly congratulated
+by the whole command on his prowess.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The death of Colonel Halisy seemed to dampen
+the enthusiasm of Morgan’s pursuers. Although
+they followed him to Campbellsville, and from
+Campbellsville to Columbia, the pursuit was a feeble
+one. In fact, so timid was Colonel Hoskins that he
+ordered his advance not to engage Morgan if they
+found him at Columbia, but to wait for the column
+from Hodgensville to come up. From Columbia
+all pursuit ceased, and Morgan was left to return
+to Tennessee at his leisure.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+While at Columbia Morgan reports that his men
+heard distinctly the sound of distant cannonading
+away to the southwest. To their accustomed ears it
+told of a battle raging. It was the thunder of Rosecrans’s
+cannon at Stone River. Little did Morgan’s
+men think at that time that that distant thunder
+meant that hundreds of their brave brothers were
+being slaughtered in that fatal charge of Breckinridge.
+Murfreesboro is, as the crow flies, a
+hundred and eighteen miles from Columbia. In
+no other battle during the war is it reported that
+cannonading was heard so far.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Columbia Morgan proceeded by easy
+stages to Smithville, Tennessee, which he reached
+January 5, just fourteen days after he had started
+on his raid from Alexandria. During this time his
+command had travelled fully six hundred miles.
+This raid was one of the most remarkable Morgan
+ever made, when we consider what he accomplished,
+and the number of troops that tried in vain to capture
+him. Riding within a few miles of thousands
+of men, he easily eluded all his pursuers and
+escaped almost scot free.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Morgan, in summing up the results of
+this raid, says: <span class="tei tei-q">“It meant the destruction of the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad from Mumfordsville
+to Shephardsville within eighteen miles of
+Louisville, rendering it impassable for at least two
+months; the capture of eighteen hundred and
+seventy-seven prisoners, including sixty-two commissioned
+officers; the destruction of over two million
+dollars’ worth of United States property, and a
+large loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. The
+loss of my entire command was: killed, 2;
+wounded, 24; missing, 64.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It seems impossible that so much could be accomplished
+with so slight a loss. The number of
+his killed and wounded shows that the Federals
+touched him very gingerly; that they did not force
+the fighting. In the capture of the stockades in
+which he took so many prisoners, Morgan suffered
+hardly any loss, as he forced the surrender with his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>artillery. But the joy which Morgan and his men
+felt over the success of the raid was clouded
+when they reached Tennessee by the news of the
+result of the battle of Stone River. Murfreesboro
+no longer belonged to the South. Bragg had retreated
+to his new line along Duck River.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc29" id="toc29"></a><a name="pdf30" id="pdf30"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">A SPY! A SPY!</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For nearly six months after the battle of Stone
+River, the Federal army made no general
+advance. General Rosecrans made his headquarters
+at Murfreesboro, while Bragg’s was at Tullahoma.
+But these months were not months of idleness.
+Almost daily skirmishes took place between the
+lines, and there were a number of contests which
+arose to the dignity of battles.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan’s cavalry protected the right of Bragg’s
+army. His headquarters were nominally at MacMinnville,
+but it could truly be said they were in
+the saddle. Morgan did not stay long in any one
+place. A number of expeditions were made against
+him, sometimes with a whole division, but he managed
+to elude them with slight loss.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Only twice during all this time did severe reverse
+overtake him—once at Milton, when he failed in
+his efforts to capture a brigade of infantry, and
+again at Snow Hill, when he was charged by a
+whole division of cavalry under the leadership of
+General David Stanley.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+His captures of scouting and forage parties were
+numerous during these months, and he added a long
+list of prisoners to those he had already captured.
+But so strongly was every place held, and so
+numer<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ous had become the Federal cavalry, it was impossible
+to make any large capture. The enemy had
+learned by bitter experience, that eternal vigilance
+was their only safety in guarding against Morgan,
+and the troops which held the left of Rosecrans’s
+army were always in fear. No Federal soldier was
+safe half a mile outside the lines. Bitterly did
+many sleepy soldiers curse him, for at three o’clock
+every morning they were forced to get up and stand
+at arms until broad daylight. The Federal officers
+wanted no more surprises. But in spite of all their
+vigilance, Morgan would swoop down and carry
+off prisoners from under their very noses.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+These months were busy ones for Calhoun; he
+and his scouts were always on the go. At the
+battle of Milton he greatly distinguished himself,
+and was the subject of a complimentary order.
+But during the battle he received a slight flesh
+wound in the arm and the ball came from the rear.
+Again was Conway behind him. The thought that
+he might be slain in this treacherous manner was
+distracting, but what could he do? He durst not
+complain; such a monstrous charge against a
+brother officer would have to be substantiated by the
+best of proof. He could only avoid Conway as
+much as possible during battle, and hope for the
+best. After the battle at Milton, by reason of
+losses in the regiment, Conway was promoted,
+being appointed major. It was fortunate for Calhoun
+that he was chief of scouts, and on Morgan’s
+staff, or Conway would have made his life a burden,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>for he was a member of the regiment of which
+Conway was major.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One day Calhoun, being sent on special duty
+over to the left of Bragg’s army, found himself in
+Columbia. He now remembered what Captain
+Haines had told him of the misfortunes which had
+befallen the Osbornes, and he determined to visit
+them. As he approached the place a sigh escaped
+him, for the plantation no longer was blooming like
+a rose, and the splendid mansion house was a
+charred mass of ruins.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He found the family living in a small house
+which once had been occupied by the overseer.
+Their story was soon told. After Lieutenant
+Haines had been exchanged, he came back and was
+stationed at Columbia. He visited them frequently,
+was very attentive to Miss Osborne, and
+at last asked her to become his wife. He was very
+politely but firmly refused. He now began a series
+of petty persecutions, and was forbidden the house
+as a guest. Then he began to threaten. He reported
+to the commander that Osborne’s house was
+the headquarters of a gang of guerrillas which gave
+the Federal authorities in Columbia and Pulaski a
+great deal of trouble.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+About this time the murder of General Robert
+McCook by guerrillas greatly angered the Federals.
+A few days after he was killed a couple of foragers
+from Columbia were found dead. Lieutenant
+Haines lost no time in reporting that the gang of
+guerrillas sheltered by Osborne had murdered the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>men. A party was sent out, who burned the
+house, took away everything of value in the shape
+of stock, and arrested Mr. Osborne, who was afterwards
+sent North as a prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun listened to the recital with flashing
+eyes. <span class="tei tei-q">“The villain!”</span> he exclaimed; <span class="tei tei-q">“if I had
+only known this he would not have escaped so
+easily when we captured him at Gallatin.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is not all,”</span> continued Mrs. Osborne, in a
+broken voice. <span class="tei tei-q">“After all this had happened, the
+scoundrel had the effrontery to renew his suit, and
+say if Emma would marry him he would see that
+Mr. Osborne was released; that he had powerful
+political friends who could accomplish this. We
+spurned his proposition as it deserved. I knew
+my husband would rather rot in prison than consent
+to such a monstrous thing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! had I known! had I known!”</span> exclaimed
+Calhoun, pacing up and down the room in his excitement;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but we may meet again.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Little did Calhoun think that before many days
+they would meet again, and that that meeting
+would nearly mean for him the ignominious death
+of a spy. A few days after his return from Columbia,
+he asked the permission of Morgan to visit
+Nashville. <span class="tei tei-q">“I would like to see,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“what
+our friends, the enemy, are doing in that city.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan shook his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t want to see
+you hanged,”</span> he replied.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Calhoun argued so zealously, that at last
+Morgan’s scruples were overcome, and he gave his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>consent, but added, <span class="tei tei-q">“If you should be captured
+and executed, I would never forgive myself.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun looked upon it as a mere holiday affair;
+he had passed through too many dangers to be
+terrified. Taking half a dozen of his trusty scouts
+with him, he had no trouble in reaching the Cumberland
+River a few miles above Nashville. The
+few scouting parties of the enemy they met were
+easily avoided. He ordered his scouts to remain
+secreted in a thick wood near by a friendly house,
+from which they could obtain food for themselves
+and provender for their horses.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If I am not back in three days,”</span> said he,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“return to Morgan, and tell him I have been captured.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+His men pleaded with him to let at least one of
+them accompany him, but this he refused, saying it
+would but add to his danger.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From the gentleman who resided in the nearby
+house he secured a skiff which had been kept
+secreted from the lynx-eyed Federals. In this
+Calhoun proposed to float down to Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Night came dark and cloudy. It was just such
+a night as Calhoun wished. Clad in a suit of citizen’s
+clothes, and with muffled oars, he bade his
+comrades a cheerful good night, and pushed out
+into the river, and in a moment the darkness had
+swallowed him up. He floated down as noiselessly
+as a drifting stick.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In an hour’s time the lights of Nashville came
+in view; the dangers of his trip had just commenced.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>He knew that the banks of the river would not only
+be strongly patrolled, but the lights from the shore
+and from the steamers moored at the wharfs shone
+across the stream in places, making it impossible
+for an object the size of his boat to pass without
+being noticed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Calhoun was prepared for just such an
+emergency. He was a capital swimmer, and had
+no fears of the water. He had weighted his skiff
+with stones, bored a hole in the bottom, and filled
+it with a plug which could easily be removed.
+When he had drifted as far as he dared, he removed
+the plug. The skiff gradually filled and at
+last sank. If any person had looked after it disappeared,
+all he would have seen would have been
+the small branch of a tree, covered with leaves,
+floating down with the current.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun was well down abreast of the city,
+and coming to a place where shadows covered the
+river, he turned toward the bank. Fortunately he
+landed near a dark alley which led down to the
+water. Listening intently, he heard nothing, and
+making his way up the alley, he soon came to a
+street. A violent storm came on, which was of
+advantage to him, for if he met any one, it would
+account for his dripping clothes. It also had the
+effect of driving the patrol guards into shelter.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was no stranger in the city. He had
+visited it frequently when a boy, for he had an
+uncle residing there, now a colonel in the Confederate
+army. But his family still resided in the old
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>home, and he knew that there he would find a
+haven of safety. Carefully making his way, and
+dodging the few guards that he met, he soon
+reached the house. The yard was inclosed with a
+high iron fence, the pickets provided with sharp
+points. But Calhoun had been in the army too
+long to be baffled by any such obstacle. He
+mounted the fence with but little trouble and
+dropped down into the yard.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Making his way to the rear of the house, he
+found refuge in a small shed. The night had
+turned cool and he shivered with the cold. But he
+durst not arouse the household, for the alarm might
+be heard outside. The hours passed wearily by,
+but at last morning came. He looked eagerly for
+some of the family to appear, but only the colored
+servants passed in and out. To escape being seen
+he had hidden behind a large box in the shed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He heard the call for breakfast, and concluded
+he had never been so hungry before in his life.
+After a while his patience was rewarded. A young
+lady came out of the house, and entering the shed,
+began looking around, as if searching for something.
+It was his cousin Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Kate!”</span> he whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The girl started and looked wildly around.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Kate!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She uttered a little scream and turned as if to
+flee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Kate, don’t be afraid. It is I, your cousin
+Calhoun Pennington.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where? Where?”</span> she half-whispered, looking
+eagerly around and poised as if still for flight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here behind the box. Come close. There,
+don’t ask a question. Get the servants out of
+the way and smuggle me into the house unseen. I
+am wet, cold, and hungry.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Kate flew to do his bidding. In a few moments
+she came out and beckoned to him, and right
+gladly he followed her into the house. One risen
+from the dead would hardly have created more surprise
+than did his appearance. His aunt and Kate
+persisted in embracing him, wet and dirty as he was.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To their eager questions, he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Dry clothes
+first, Auntie, and breakfast. I am famished. I
+will then talk with you to your heart’s <span class="tei tei-corr">content.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mrs. Shackelford had had a son about the size
+of Calhoun killed in the army, and our hero was
+soon arrayed in a nice dry suit, and seated before
+a substantial breakfast, upon which he made a furious
+assault. When his hunger was fully appeased,
+he informed his aunt and Kate he was ready to
+talk. And how they did talk! They had a thousand
+questions to ask, and he had full as many.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To his surprise and joy he learned that his
+cousin, Fred Shackelford, had not been killed by
+his fall over the cliff, as Major Hockoday reported.
+Instead he was alive and well, was with the army
+at Murfreesboro, and frequently visited them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He has been a good friend to us,”</span> said Mrs.
+Shackelford, <span class="tei tei-q">“but at one time he was nearly the
+death of Kate.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, how was that?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then for the first time he heard of Forrest’s
+plot to capture Nashville, and of Kate’s part in it,
+of her condemnation, and imprisonment as a spy,
+and how Fred had secured her pardon.<a id="noteref_2" name="noteref_2" href="#note_2"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">2</span></span></a>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun listened to the story in wonder. When
+it was finished, he exclaimed: <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Kate, you
+are a heroine! I am proud of you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not proud of myself,”</span> answered Kate.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I blush every time I think of how—how I lied and
+deceived.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! that is a part of war,”</span> laughed Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If Morgan didn’t lie about the number of men he
+had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time.
+We don’t call such things lying; it’s a righteous
+deceiving of the enemy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But I am ready to sink into the earth with
+shame every time I think of Ainsworth,”</span> sighed
+Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s rich,”</span> laughed Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“crying because
+you broke the heart of a Yankee! Kate, I
+have a mind to send you into the enemy’s lines.
+If Cupid’s darts were only fatal, your bright eyes
+would create more havoc than a battle.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No use sending her away,”</span> broke in Mrs.
+Shackelford; <span class="tei tei-q">“there are more Federal officers buzzing
+around her now than I wish there were.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mighty useful to worm secrets from,”</span> exclaimed
+Kate; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I make no promises to any of
+them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s right, Kate, get all the secrets from
+them you can,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“that is what I am
+in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city
+without much danger?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always
+more or less danger to strangers. Business is going
+on as usual. The city is lively, livelier than before
+the war; but it is soldiers—soldiers everywhere.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you have to have no passes?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is best to have one. Most of us have
+standing permits to come and go in the city as we
+please.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Can you get me a permit?”</span> asked Calhoun,
+eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There is Jim Grantham,”</span> replied Kate,
+thoughtfully; <span class="tei tei-q">“his description will suit Calhoun
+close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was now told that the Southern people
+in Nashville were thoroughly organized into a secret
+society. They had their signs and pass-words, so
+that they could know each other. So far no one
+had proved a traitor. The Federal authorities suspected
+that such an organization existed, but their
+shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out
+anything about it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Kate, who had gone for the permit of James
+Grantham, soon returned with it. The description
+fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for
+himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville
+with little fear of arrest.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name="Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He was given a list of those who could most
+probably give him the information he desired. He
+marvelled to see how quickly a little sign which he
+gave was answered, and was amazed at the work
+this secret organization was doing. Not a regiment
+entered or left Nashville but they knew its exact
+strength, and to what point it was ordered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In two days Calhoun had gathered information
+which would be of vast value to the Confederate
+cause, and it was now time for him to see by what
+means he could leave the city. He was on his way
+to see three gentlemen who said they could get him
+outside of the city without trouble or danger, when
+an incident happened which came near sending him
+to the gallows. He was walking unconcernedly
+along the street, when he suddenly came face to
+face with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun
+was dressed in citizen’s clothes, the captain
+knew him at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A spy! A spy!”</span> he yelled at the top of his
+voice, and made a grab at Calhoun. Calhoun
+struck him a tremendous blow which sent him rolling
+in the gutter, and fled at the top of his speed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But a score of voices took up the cry, and a
+howling mob, mostly of soldiers, were at his heels.
+He hoped to reach the river, where among the
+immense piles of stores heaped along the levee, or
+among the shipping, he might secrete himself, but a
+patrol guard suddenly appeared a block away, and
+his retreat was cut off. He gave himself up for
+lost, and reached for a small pistol which he carried,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>with the intention of putting a bullet through his
+own heart; <span class="tei tei-q">“for,”</span> thought he, <span class="tei tei-q">“they shall never
+have the pleasure of hanging me before a gaping
+crowd.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just then he saw two young ladies standing in
+the open door of a house. What told him safety
+lay there he never knew, but hope sprang up
+within his breast. Dashing up the steps, he thrust
+the ladies back into the house, slammed the door
+to, and locked it. So rude was his entrance, one
+of the ladies fell to the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Save me! Save me!”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am a Confederate
+spy,”</span> and he gave the sign of the secret
+order.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The young lady who had not fallen was terribly
+frightened, but she grasped the situation in a
+moment.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Upstairs,”</span> she gasped, pointing the way;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“tell mother, the secret place.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying her. The girl
+flew to the back door and opened it, then back
+just as her sister was rising, her face covered with
+blood, for she had hit her nose in falling.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Quick, Annette, in the parlor,”</span> said her sister;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“assent to everything I say.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Annette staggered into the parlor hardly knowing
+what she did, for she was dazed and terribly
+frightened. The sister, whose name was Inez, was
+now at the door, which was giving way before the
+blows of Calhoun’s pursuers. All this happened
+in less than a minute.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Stop!”</span> she cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I will unlock the door,”</span>
+and she did so, and when the soldiers rushed in,
+crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Where is he? Where is the spy?”</span> she
+stood wringing her hands and sobbing, <span class="tei tei-q">“My sister!
+Oh, my sister! he has murdered her.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The words brought the soldiers to a halt. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who
+murdered your sister?”</span> asked a sergeant who
+seemed to be the leader.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The man! the man who ran in here!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where is he? He is the fellow we want.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He rushed out of the back door. Oh! my
+sister, my sister!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“After him, boys; don’t let him get away!”</span>
+yelled the sergeant, and they rushed through the
+house in hot pursuit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The house was rapidly filling, when a captain
+appeared, and learning of the sobbing Inez what
+the trouble was, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Murdered your sister!
+Horrible! where is she?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here,”</span> said Inez, leading the way into the
+parlor. Annette was reclining on a sofa, her face
+bloody; she was apparently in a fainting condition.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The captain acted quickly. He ordered the
+house to be cleared, sent a subordinate for a surgeon,
+and another to have the whole block surrounded.
+In the mean time the mother of the
+girls had appeared, and was adding her sobs to
+those of her eldest daughter. When the surgeon
+came and had washed the blood from Annette’s
+face, her only injury was found to be a bruised nose.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Both the captain and the surgeon looked
+in<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>quiringly. <span class="tei tei-q">“How is this?”</span> they asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“you said
+your sister was <span class="tei tei-corr">murdered.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I—I thought she was,”</span> stammered Inez. <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+saw the blood and thought the man had stabbed
+her.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell us just what happened,”</span> said the captain.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Annette, who had by this time so far recovered
+from her fright as to comprehend what was going
+on, saw Inez give her the signal of danger. It put
+her on her guard.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, it was this way,”</span> said Inez, in answer to
+the captain, <span class="tei tei-q">“sister and I were going out, but just
+as we opened the door, there was a tumult on the
+street. We stopped to see what the trouble was,
+when a man dashed up the steps. We tried to
+oppose him, but he struck sister a cruel blow,
+knocking her down, flung me backward, and slamming
+the door to, locked it; then running through
+the house, disappeared through the back door.
+Seeing sister’s face covered with blood, I picked
+her up and carried her into the parlor. By this
+time the soldiers were breaking down the door, and
+I went and unlocked <span class="tei tei-corr">it.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Annette only knew that she tried to oppose the
+entrance of a strange man, who knocked her down.
+She must have been rendered unconscious, for she
+remembered nothing more, until she found herself
+lying on the sofa in the parlor. The mother, Mrs.
+Lovell, was upstairs, and knew nothing of what
+had happened until alarmed by the screams of her
+daughters and the noisy entrance of the soldiers.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>These stories so accorded with the known facts
+that the captain did not for a moment doubt them.
+But when the sergeant returned and reported that
+no trace of the fugitive could be discovered, he was
+puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Orders were given to search every house in the
+block. This was done, but the search was fruitless.
+When this fact was reported, the captain bit his
+lip in vexation. Then turning to Inez, he said:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me, Miss Lovell, while I do not doubt
+your story in the least, are you sure the fellow ran
+out of the house? Was not his opening the back
+door just a ruse? He opened the door and then
+dodged into some room, thinking this house the
+safest place for him. Every house in the block
+has been searched except this one, and we can find
+no trace of him. While I regret it, I shall be
+compelled to have this house searched.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am sure he ran out,”</span> answered Inez, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I
+confess I was very badly frightened. If you think
+he is in the house, search it. I ask as a favor that
+you search it, for if he is concealed in the house as
+you think, he may murder us all.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A thorough search was made, but there was
+found no trace of Calhoun. The officers and soldiers
+retired greatly puzzled. A strong guard was
+maintained around the block for three days; then
+all hopes of catching Calhoun were given up, and
+the guard was withdrawn.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federal authorities had become aware who
+the fugitive was through Captain Haines. <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+can<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>not be mistaken,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“I have met him too
+many times. He is one of the most daring of all
+of Morgan’s cutthroats”</span>; and then he gave an
+account of his first meeting with Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But where was Calhoun all this time? When he
+rushed upstairs at the command of Inez, he was
+met at the top by Mrs. Lovell, who started in
+affright at the sight of him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your daughter said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘The secret place!’</span> ”</span> he
+exclaimed, as he gave her the sign of danger. <span class="tei tei-q">“My
+pursuers are already at the door.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The lady quickly recovered herself. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come!”</span>
+she said, and led Calhoun into a room. Here she
+began working in a corner. Her hands trembled as
+she did so, for the soldiers were thundering at the
+door downstairs, and she could hear it giving way.
+To Calhoun’s intense surprise, a section of the
+apparently solid wall gave way, leaving an opening
+large enough for a person to enter by crawling on
+his hands and knees.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Quick, go in!”</span> said the lady.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun needed no second bidding, but crawled
+in, and the wall slowly came back to place. Calhoun
+found himself in a narrow place, between the
+wall of the room and the side of the house. The
+house had been built with a mansard roof on the
+sides, thus leaving a space. This space was about
+three feet wide at the bottom, coming to a point at
+the top. Close under the eaves, where it would
+not be noticed, an aperture had been left for the
+admission of air, and through it a ray of light came.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Narrow and contracted as his quarters were, to
+Calhoun they were more welcome than a palace.
+It was plain that the place had been occupied before,
+for on the floor there were soft blankets, and
+in feeling around Calhoun discovered a jug of water
+and some provisions. It was evident that no one
+who was put in there hurriedly was to be allowed
+to suffer from thirst or hunger.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun could hear every word which was said
+when the soldiers searched the room. His heart
+stood still when he heard them sounding the walls,
+but they gave forth no uncertain sound, and the
+soldiers departed, much to his relief.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was not until the next day that Calhoun was
+allowed to leave his hiding-place, and then he was
+told he must not leave the room. He had to be
+ready to seek his refuge at a moment’s notice, if
+found necessary. For three days he was virtually
+a prisoner, then the guards around the block were
+withdrawn.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Word was taken to his aunt and Kate where he
+was. They had been in an agony of fear over his
+non-return. But they durst not visit him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To Mrs. Lovell and her daughters Calhoun felt
+he could never repay what they had done for him.
+He felt like a brute, when Annette was introduced
+to him, her pretty features disfigured by a
+swollen nose, and when he was making his most
+abject apologies, she interrupted him with a gay
+laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am proud of that nose!”</span> she exclaimed; <span class="tei tei-q">“as
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>proud as a gallant soldier of his wounds, for does it
+not show that I have shed my blood for our beloved
+South?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+We are of the opinion that during his enforced
+imprisonment, Calhoun would have lost his heart
+to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged
+to a gallant officer in Bragg’s army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought
+that his scouts would return to Morgan with the
+news that he was captured, but there was no help
+for it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After the guards had been withdrawn, he at
+once began to make plans for his escape from the
+city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
+vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and
+it was impossible for any one to leave the city without
+his identity being fully established.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At last Inez clapped her hands. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have it,”</span>
+she cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Get him out to Dr. Caldwell. The
+doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and
+on the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington
+can take to the river going as he did coming.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But he can’t float up stream,”</span> said Annette,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“and as for a boat, that will be impossible.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He can swim,”</span> said Inez, <span class="tei tei-q">“swim across the
+river. He will be above the pickets around Edgefield.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not
+safe for him to appear on the street. Not a guard
+but has a description of him,”</span> said the careful
+Annette.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the
+Robinsons lived next door); it will be easy for the
+doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
+think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr.
+Caldwell visited Mrs. Robinson during the day, he
+was seen, and consented to the scheme. <span class="tei tei-q">“Muffle
+him up,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“he will be taken for one of
+my patients.”</span> Before Calhoun left he wrote
+a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines — Regt.
+This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well
+out of the city.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun
+to his home. Here he stayed until dark, then bidding
+the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
+into the river and was soon across, and began to
+make his way slowly up the northern bank. But
+the night was dark, and after many falls and
+bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having
+made himself a bed of leaves beside a log, he was
+soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers were
+lurking near.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed
+when Calhoun was not caught. But his
+leave of absence was out, and he had to return to
+his regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two
+after his return the following letter came with his
+mail:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+</p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+
+<div class="tei tei-dateline" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-name" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Nashville, Tenn.</span></span></span>, April 25, 1863.</div>
+<div class="tei tei-salute">To Capt. Chas. Haines,</div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+My Dear Captain: When you receive this I shall be well out
+of Nashville. We have already met three times, and I trust we
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>may meet once more. If we do, it will be our last, for one or the
+other of us will die. I know of your damnable treatment of the
+Osbornes. Be assured it will be avenged.
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-salute" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 10.00em">Sincerely yours,</div>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 6.00em"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Calhoun Pennington</span></span>,</div>
+    <div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">Lieutenant, Morgan’s Command.</div>
+
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Captain Haines was no coward, but his hand
+trembled like a leaf when he laid the letter down.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc31" id="toc31"></a><a name="pdf32" id="pdf32"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">UNDER ARREST.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun did not wake until the light of the
+morning sun was sifting through the branches
+of the trees. He arose stiff and somewhat chill,
+but the day promised to be a warm one, and a little
+exercise put a delightful heat through his body.
+All he lacked was a good breakfast, and he must
+not look for that until he had crossed the river; he
+was yet too close to Nashville to try to cross it.
+Then he must secure a horse, and where would he
+be so likely to secure one as at the home of Mr.
+Edmunds, the gentleman of whom he had obtained
+the skiff, and who had given him all possible aid?
+He had no hopes of finding his men, for at the
+end of three days they would return to Morgan,
+taking his horse with them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He slowly made his way up the river, dodging
+two or three scouting parties, until he thought he
+must be nearly opposite to where Mr. Edmunds
+lived. The place seemed favorable, as there were
+woods on both sides of the river, so he determined
+to cross. But if he had known it, he had selected
+a very dangerous place. A road which led down
+to the river was but a few yards in front of him,
+and it was one of the places to which the Federal
+cavalry came as they patrolled the bank of the river.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just as he was about to remove some of his
+clothing, which he would carry over on his head as
+he swam the stream, he was startled by the sound
+of horses’ hoofs, and he hastily concealed himself in
+a thicket. Soon a Federal sergeant, accompanied
+by two soldiers, came down the road, and riding
+near the edge of the river, dismounted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here is the place,”</span> said the sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What are we to do here?”</span> asked one of the
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Keep watch to see if any Johnny attempts to
+cross the river,”</span> answered the sergeant; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I
+doubt if we see anything larger than buzzards, and
+we can’t stop them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men made themselves comfortable, and lay
+in the shade smoking their pipes. Calhoun was
+considering the proposition whether he could not
+quietly withdraw, and flank them without being
+seen, when one of the men said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Sergeant, let me
+go to that house we passed and see if I cannot get
+a canteen of milk. It will go good with our hardtack.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You can both go,”</span> replied the sergeant; <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+guess I can stop any one who attempts to cross the
+river while you are away. But don’t be gone
+long.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men quickly availed themselves of the
+opportunity, and mounting their horses rode away.
+The sergeant stretched himself on the ground, and
+lazily watched the river. Now was Calhoun’s time.
+He had secured a good revolver when he left
+Nash<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ville. This he had kept dry when he swam the
+river by wrapping it in his outside clothing, which
+he had made into a bundle, and carried over on his
+head. Taking the revolver in his hand, ready for
+instant use, he cautiously crept up on the sergeant.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus07" id="illus07" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus07.png" width="486" height="700" alt="HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT." title="HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That individual leaped to his feet as if he had
+springs when he heard the stern command, <span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He reached for his weapon, but suddenly stopped
+when he saw he was looking into the muzzle of a
+revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hands up! Be quick about it!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The hands of the sergeant slowly went above his
+head.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me, but I will relieve you of this,”</span> said
+Calhoun, as he took a revolver from the belt of his
+prisoner, and tossed it into the river.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Up to this time the sergeant had not said a
+word, but now he exclaimed, with the utmost disgust,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How thundering careless of me! Sergeant
+Latham, you are no good; you ought to be reduced
+to the ranks.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! don’t feel too bad about it; better men
+than you have been caught napping,”</span> replied
+Calhoun, consolingly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But no bigger fool. To be gobbled in like this,
+and by a blamed skulking citizen, too. Now, if—”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Rest your mind there, if it will make you feel
+any better,”</span> broke in Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am no civilian,
+I am Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+command.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You don’t say,”</span> replied the sergeant, apparently
+much relieved. <span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant, allow me to
+introduce myself. I am Sergeant Silas Latham.
+We have had the pleasure of meeting before.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where?”</span> asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Down in Tennessee, when you got away with
+Lieutenant Haines’s horse so slick.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s face darkened. <span class="tei tei-q">“Did you have anything
+to do with the persecution of the Osbornes?”</span>
+he asked, threateningly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick
+I ever knew Haines to do. But he was dead gone
+on the girl. I half believe he would have turned
+Reb if he could have got her.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I saw Haines the other day,”</span> remarked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where?”</span> asked the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking
+him down.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant chuckled. <span class="tei tei-q">“Served him right.
+He threatened to have me reduced to the ranks
+because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself,
+the way he persecuted that girl.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you in his company now?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No; he is the captain of another company.
+Glad of it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this
+conversation, but time presses. Give me your
+parole, and I will be going.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“By gum, I won’t do it!”</span> exclaimed Latham,
+with energy. <span class="tei tei-q">“If you want to take me prisoner,
+take me. But do you think I am going sneaking
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>back to camp with the story that I let one Johnny
+gobble me? No, sir, not by a jugful!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Latham, you are a character. Can you swim?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Never learned when a boy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will your horse carry double?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, he is a poor swimmer, he would drown us
+both.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Latham, I am afraid I shall have to shoot you.
+I don’t see any other way to get rid of you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Latham thought a moment, and said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Let me
+ride the horse across and you swim.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A brilliant idea, declined with thanks.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Latham scratched his head as if for an idea.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps I can hang on by the horse’s tail,”</span> he
+remarked, hesitatingly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s better. It’s either a parole, the tail, or
+death. Which shall it be?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will take the tail.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“All right; but you must give me your word of
+honor that you will hang on.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Like grim death,”</span> answered Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Come, then, I have fooled away too much time
+already.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Marching his prisoner up to where his horse was
+tethered, Calhoun took Latham’s sword and carbine
+which hung to the saddle and pitched them into the
+river after the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mounting the horse, Calhoun said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, no
+fooling. The slightest attempt on your part to
+escape, and I shall shoot you without compunction
+of conscience.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not fool enough to run when there is a
+revolver at my head,”</span> growled Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nevertheless you will bear watching. I am
+of the opinion you are a slippery customer. You
+just walk by my side here until we reach deep
+water.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+They entered the river. Latham wading quietly
+by the side of the horse, until the water became so
+deep the horse began to plunge.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, grab his tail,”</span> commanded Calhoun, and
+he watched Latham until he had taken a firm hold
+of the horse’s tail and was in water beyond his
+depth.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“For the Lord’s sake, keep his head above
+water,”</span> shouted Latham from behind, as the horse
+made a fearful plunge.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For the next few minutes Calhoun had enough
+to do without looking to see what had become of
+Latham. The horse, as the Sergeant had said,
+proved a poor swimmer. Twice he came near
+drowning; but at last managed to struggle through.
+When he got to where the water was shallow
+enough for the horse to wade, Calhoun looked
+around to see how Latham had fared.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+To his surprise he saw that worthy leaning
+against a tree on the bank from which they had
+started, and apparently he had been watching the
+struggles of the horse in the water with a great deal
+of satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun hardly knew whether to laugh or get
+angry. Riding to the edge of the water, he turned
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>his horse around, and yelled over, <span class="tei tei-q">“You are a
+pretty fellow, you are! Like most Yankees, your
+word of honor is worthless.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Did just what I said I would!”</span> yelled back
+Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You did not. You told me you would hold
+on that horse’s tail like grim death.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And so I did. I am holding on to it yet,”</span>
+and to Calhoun’s surprise Latham shook a large
+piece of the horse’s tail at him. He had neatly
+severed it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun shook with suppressed laughter, but
+assuming a severe tone, he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“You lied to me
+like a Turk, anyway, you miserable Yankee; you
+told me you could not swim.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I told you no such thing, you skulking Rebel,”</span>
+yelled back Latham, wrathfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come back here
+and fight me like a man, and I will wallop you until
+you can’t stand, for calling me a liar. I would have
+you know I am a member of the church in good
+standing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Didn’t you tell me you couldn’t swim?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No; I told you I had never learned to swim
+when a boy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“When did you learn to swim?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“After I became a man.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun exploded. <span class="tei tei-q">“Say, Latham,”</span> he cried,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I forgive you. You are the slickest Yankee I
+ever met. I must be going, for I see your men are
+coming. Ta! ta!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun turned and urged his horse up the bank,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>but not in time to escape having two balls sing
+uncomfortably close to his head.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Sergeant Latham had little trouble in recovering
+his arms from the river, as the water was not deep
+where Calhoun had thrown them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Sergeant made the following report of the
+affair to his superior officer:
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-text" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 2.00em"><div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Sir: I have the honor to report that a Rebel scout crossed
+the Cumberland to-day near the post where I was stationed. I
+followed him into the river, but my horse being a poor swimmer,
+I was forced to abandon him in mid-stream to save myself.
+</p>
+
+<div class="tei tei-signed" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Silas Latham</span></span>, Sergeant.
+</div>
+</div></div>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The capture of Latham’s horse and the ludicrous
+affair with him put Calhoun in the best of humor.
+He reached the house of Mr. Edmunds without
+further adventure, and met with a hearty welcome
+from that gentleman, who informed him that his
+men had lingered a day longer than he had
+ordered, in the hope that he would return.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After satisfying his hunger, Calhoun bade his
+kind host good-bye, and without trouble reached
+Morgan’s camp that night. Here he was received
+as one snatched from the jaws of death, for they
+had given him up as lost. The valuable information
+which he had collected was forwarded to
+General Bragg, and in due time an acknowledgment
+was received from that general, warmly congratulating
+him, and saying he had recommended
+him for a captaincy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was but a few days after his return that Calhoun
+was with a regiment reconnoitring near
+Braddyville, when they were suddenly attacked by
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a whole brigade of Federal cavalry. The engagement
+was a spirited one, but owing to the superior
+numbers of the Federals, the Confederates were
+forced to fall back. During the retreat Calhoun
+with his scouts was holding back the advance of the
+enemy. They were furiously charged by two
+companies of the Federals, and a hand-to-hand
+conflict took place. During this combat Calhoun
+became engaged with a Federal captain, and to his
+surprise he saw that his antagonist was Captain
+Haines. The recognition was mutual, and it must
+have unnerved the hand of the Captain, for although
+but a few feet from Calhoun, he fired and missed
+him. Before he could fire again, Calhoun dashed
+his empty revolver into his face. The force of the
+blow caused him to reel in his saddle, and before
+he could recover, Calhoun had cut him down.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The bloody repulse of these two companies
+cooled the ardor of the Federals, and the Confederates
+withdrew without further molestation.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Major Conway noted Calhoun’s growing popularity
+with the command, and his hatred, if possible,
+grew more bitter. The sting of the blow he had
+received still rankled in his heart, and he swore
+sooner or later to have his revenge. His attempts
+to assassinate Calhoun in time of battle, so far had
+failed, and Calhoun’s extreme wariness now usually
+kept them apart during an engagement. The
+crafty Major was busily thinking of some other
+scheme by which he could kill Calhoun without
+bringing suspicion on himself, when an incident
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>happened which he thought would not only cause
+Calhoun to die a most disgraceful death, but redound
+greatly to his own credit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was out with his scouts when he fell in
+with a small party of the enemy. As he outnumbered
+them, he thought their capture was easy.
+But he was met with such a rapid and accurate fire
+that his men were forced to fall back.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Them Yankees have repeating rifles,”</span> growled
+one of his men, <span class="tei tei-q">“and they know how to shoot.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This was true, and Calhoun was thinking of
+withdrawing from the fight entirely, when he caught
+sight of the leader of the Federals. The horse
+which he rode he would know among ten thousand.
+It was Prince, the famous horse of his cousin, and
+the rider must be Fred. Ordering his men to cease
+firing, Calhoun tied a white handkerchief to the
+point of his sword, and rode forward.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Fred, for it was he, rode out to meet him. As
+soon as he came within hearing distance, he asked,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do you surrender?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender nothing!”</span> answered Calhoun, a little
+disgusted. <span class="tei tei-q">“If you only knew how many men I
+had back there you would think of surrendering
+yourself. I simply came out to have a little talk
+with you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Cal, as sure as I live!”</span> exclaimed Fred, and in
+a moment the two cousins had each other by the
+hand, forgetting they were enemies, remembering
+only their love for each other.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+They had much to say to each other, and talked
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>longer than they thought, but were about to part,
+mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they
+were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking
+up they saw that Fred’s men were being charged
+by a large force of Confederates. They were in
+full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred
+was alone in the midst of his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Confederates proved to be a full squadron
+in command of Major Conway. He was accompanied
+by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they
+see Fred than they shouted in their delight.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The hoss is mine again!”</span> cried Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And this spy and sneak is in my power at
+last,”</span> exclaimed Conway, pointing at Fred; <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+what is better I have you, my fine fellow,”</span> said
+Conway, turning to Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have long known
+that you were holding treasonable conferences with
+the enemy, and have only been waiting for indubitable
+proof. I have it now.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant,”</span> turning to one of his officers,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“arrest Lieutenant Pennington, and on your life
+see that he does not escape.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The enormity of the charge dumbfounded
+Calhoun. He could scarcely believe his ears. He
+began to protest, but was cut short by Conway,
+who ordered the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten
+men and to conduct Calhoun straightway to General
+Bragg at Tullahoma.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell the General,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“that I have positive
+proof of Lieutenant Pennington’s treasonable
+intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
+impor<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>tant I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to
+him. As soon as I see General Morgan I will file
+formal charges.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders
+to take Calhoun direct to Bragg, but he said nothing,
+and choosing his escort, was soon on the way to
+Tullahoma with his prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Major Conway’s real object in sending Calhoun
+to Tullahoma was to bring the case directly to the
+notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
+to take action. He knew that his charge would
+not be believed in Morgan’s command, but he would
+see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
+time.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most
+heinous offence of which an officer could be guilty,
+it is no wonder that Calhoun’s heart sank within
+him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better to have been hanged as a spy by the
+Federals than to be shot as a traitor by my own
+men,”</span> he muttered to himself. The thought of
+dying such a disgraceful death was maddening.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by
+General Bragg was not exactly such as he had
+expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a
+great stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant
+who had Calhoun in charge reported to him,
+and told him the verbal message which Major Conway
+had sent, he flew into a furious rage.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What does Major Conway mean by sending a
+prisoner to me with such a message as that?”</span> he
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sputtered. <span class="tei tei-q">“What is General Morgan about that
+he has not attended to this, and presented his
+charges in due form.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan,
+and tell Major Conway to read up on army discipline.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg
+would have contended for rigid adherence to military
+law. When Bragg’s order was reported to
+Calhoun, hope began to revive. Surely Morgan
+would give him a fair hearing. Every act he had
+done in the army would disprove the monstrous
+charges of Major Conway.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was with a much lighter heart that he set out
+for MacMinnville. But when he reached that place
+he was surprised by the astonishing news that Conway
+had been shot—killed while in the act of murdering
+his cousin in cold blood.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One of the men who was with Conway at the
+time was mortally wounded, and confessed the
+whole thing. Conway was to prepare a paper
+which they were to swear was found on Fred’s person,
+criminating Calhoun. With such evidence his
+conviction would have been certain. He thanked
+God for the death of Conway. It meant a thousand
+times more to him than life, for it kept his
+name unsullied.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan made a full report of the whole matter
+to General Bragg. <span class="tei tei-q">“The plot was damnable,”</span> he
+wrote, <span class="tei tei-q">“yet it might have been successful if Major
+Conway had not met his just deserts. But one
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>might as well accuse me of holding treasonable
+communications with the enemy as Lieutenant
+Pennington. He is the officer, as you may remember,
+that entered Nashville a short time since, and
+sent you such a valuable report. Moreover, he is
+the very officer I have chosen to look into that
+matter which we have discussed so much. I expect
+to send him North next week.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus was Calhoun fully exonerated, and not
+only that, but he was to be chosen for a most important
+mission. He also had the satisfaction of
+seeing Morgan make Captain Mathews return Fred
+his horse, much to the Captain’s disgust. But
+what was the important duty upon which Calhoun
+was to be sent North? He had heard nothing of it
+before.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Some time before the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham,
+a noted Democratic politician of Ohio, and an ex-member
+of Congress, had been arrested at his home
+in Dayton for treason. He was tried by military
+court-martial, found guilty, and banished South.
+The excitement was intense. Thousands of his
+friends rallied to his defence, and at one time it
+looked as if the streets of Dayton would run red
+with blood. His friends were in open revolt against
+the government, and opposed the prosecution of
+the war.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before this numerous reports had reached the
+South of the dissatisfaction of a large number of
+the Democratic party with Lincoln, especially with
+his proclamation freeing the slaves. They were
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sick and tired of the war, and were more than willing
+to give the South her independence. They
+were ready to force Lincoln to do this. A secret
+society, known as the Knights of the Golden Circle,
+existed throughout the North, and was most numerous
+in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
+The purpose of this society was to resist the draft,
+encourage desertions from the army, embarrass
+the government in every way possible, and if
+necessary resort to arms. Already numerous small
+encounters had taken place between the Knights
+and the militia of these states.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was the boast of the Knights that they had
+a quarter of a million men armed and drilled, ready
+to take the field. If a Confederate force would
+only invade the North, their ranks would be augmented
+by these thousands. It was to investigate
+these reports and find out the truth that Calhoun
+was to be sent North.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc33" id="toc33"></a><a name="pdf34" id="pdf34"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIV.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+No one was more surprised than Calhoun when
+told that he had been selected to go North on
+a secret and most important mission.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“General Breckinridge and I have selected you,”</span>
+said Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“because we have confidence in your
+sagacity, bravery, and discretion. We know no
+one better fitted to intrust this delicate, and perhaps
+dangerous, mission to than yourself.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But I am so young,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“while I
+gladly accept the honor which I feel you have
+bestowed upon me, would not one older and more
+experienced than I do better?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your youth is one of the main reasons why we
+have chosen you,”</span> replied Morgan. <span class="tei tei-q">“A youth like
+you will not excite suspicion half as quickly as a
+man.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I am more than willing to go,”</span> answered
+Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“and trust that the confidence you repose
+in me will not prove to have been misplaced.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have no fears on that score,”</span> answered Morgan;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I know that you will succeed, if any one
+can.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The General then fully explained what was required
+of him. Calhoun listened in silence.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I think I fully understand what you want of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>me, General, but how am I to approach these
+Knights of the Golden Circle? How am I to find
+out who are Knights?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That has already been provided for,”</span> answered
+Morgan. <span class="tei tei-q">“We are now ready to initiate you into
+a camp of the Golden Circle.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Does the order exist down South, too?”</span> asked
+Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly, to some extent,”</span> was the answer.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If not, how could we know the secrets of the
+order? You are willing, I suppose, to take the oaths
+required?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If there is not anything in them to hinder me
+from being a true son of the South,”</span> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I assure you there is not, for I have taken
+them,”</span> said Morgan; <span class="tei tei-q">“but you must bear in mind
+this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
+the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone
+is States’ Rights. The Hon. C. L. Vallandigham,
+who was lately sent into our lines for
+disloyalty, but who has now found a refuge in
+Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the order.
+No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham.
+He believes in the doctrine of secession.
+The North is sick and tired of the war,
+and wants to put a stop to it and let the South
+go in peace. This is the purpose of the order.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“I am ready to
+join any order that has that for its purpose.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his
+surprise, he met quite a number of the officers of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the command. There was one stranger present, a
+gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that
+he was from the North, was a high officer in the
+order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
+ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent
+he was a full-fledged member of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle. But he had taken only the first
+degree. The other degrees were to be given to
+him after he had arrived in the North.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After having fully learned the signs, grips, and
+passwords of the order, Calhoun was ready for his
+journey. He now received his final instructions
+from Morgan and Breckinridge.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It did not take Calhoun long to see that while
+these gentlemen were willing to use the order, they
+had the utmost contempt for it. All nations use
+traitors and despise them at the same time. The
+Knights of the Golden Circle were traitors to their
+section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the men
+with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help
+the South to secure her independence, it was all he
+asked. He, like the noble Major André of Revolutionary
+fame, was willing to risk his life for the
+cause he loved. André failed, and suffered an
+ignominious death; but his fame grows brighter
+with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still
+abhorred.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars
+in United States money,”</span> said Morgan, handing
+him a belt. <span class="tei tei-q">“You will need it; our money don’t
+go in the North.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln’s
+strong-box,”</span> said Calhoun, as he took the
+money.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan smiled as he answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“A Yankee paymaster
+don’t come amiss once in a while.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was next given an official envelope,
+which he was to hand to General Forrest, who was
+then operating in Northern Mississippi and Western
+Tennessee.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You will receive full instructions from Forrest,”</span>
+continued Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“what to do, and how to get
+through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to
+send you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you
+will not be so apt to meet with any Federal officer
+who might know you. Now go, and may success
+attend you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun took his chief’s hand. His heart was
+too full to say a word. A strong grasp, and he was
+gone. He had no trouble in finding General Forrest,
+who carefully read the papers that Calhoun
+handed him. He then scanned Calhoun closely
+from head to feet. <span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon you understand the
+purport of these papers,”</span> he said, in rather a harsh
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose they relate to sending me through
+the lines,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I can send you through, young man,
+but you are going on a fool’s errand. I have had
+a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden
+Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right
+in giving away everything they know; but when it
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>comes to fighting, bah! one of my companies would
+lick ten thousand.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then you haven’t much faith in the fighting
+qualities of the Knights?”</span> said Calhoun, with a
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere
+money-grabbers. Ask one of them for ten dollars
+and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they
+worry the Lincoln government, and keep up a fire
+in the rear; therefore they should be encouraged.
+You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with,
+though.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How soon can I start North?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To-night,”</span> answered Forrest. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am the
+president of an underground railroad, took my cue
+from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in
+running our niggers through to Canada. I have a
+regular mail North. I will send you through with
+one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your
+credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward
+if you were captured with them. You must
+leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind
+that your name is W. B. Harrison.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where shall I find my credentials?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus
+of my railroad at present. Inquire for Judge
+Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all right.
+If all the Knights were like him there would be
+something doing; but he is a Kentuckian, no
+whining Yankee.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and
+during his interview with him studied him carefully.
+He put him down as a man of indomitable energy,
+of great courage, and possessing military genius of
+a high order. On the other hand, he was illiterate,
+rough in his language, and lacked the polish of a
+cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But
+there was a magnetism about him which drew men
+to him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“If I were not riding with Morgan, I should
+surely want to be with Forrest,”</span> thought Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the
+mail-carrier who was to be his guide. He was a
+thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun
+put him down at about forty. The few days during
+which Calhoun was with Givens gave him a very
+high opinion of the guide’s bravery and sagacity.
+Givens related many of his hairbreadth escapes
+during their journey, and seemed to treat them as
+great jokes. During the entire journey through
+Tennessee and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented
+roads, and in the darkest night rode as one
+entirely familiar with the way.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At every place they stopped, they seemed to be
+expected. A man would take their horses, and in
+the evening when they started, they would find
+fresh horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun
+that these stations were a night ride apart, and that
+at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the
+woods.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I now understand,”</span> said Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“what an
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>underground railroad means. If the Abolitionists
+had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were
+so successful in getting away with our slaves.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Givens chuckled as he answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“They did, I
+know all about it; was in the business myself.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You?”</span> asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively
+recoiled from the man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A man has to do something for a living,”</span>
+growled Givens; <span class="tei tei-q">“I got so much for each nigger I
+ran off.”</span> He then refused to discuss the subject
+further.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait,
+a low, tremulous whistle came from the side of the
+road. Givens reined in his horse so quickly that he
+fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle
+in the same low, tremulous note. A man stepped
+from the bushes into the road, and spoke a few
+words to Givens in a low tone.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Givens turned to Calhoun and said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Yanks
+ahead. We will have to go round them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Under the guidance of the man they turned into
+a path through the woods. The way was rough,
+and Givens swore roundly because they were losing
+time. A good-sized stream was reached, which they
+had to swim. They emerged from it wet and out
+of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his
+heart’s content. He explained that it eased his
+mind. When the road was reached their guide
+bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly
+as he had appeared.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>their utmost speed, in order to reach their next
+stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they
+could, the sun was an hour high before they reached
+their haven of rest. Luckily they met with no
+one, and they felt safe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“One more night and we shall reach the Ohio,”</span>
+said Givens, when they dismounted after a long,
+wearisome night ride. But it was destined that
+they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for
+they had not ridden more than five miles after they
+had started before they were brought up with the
+sharp command: <span class="tei tei-q">“Halt! Who comes there?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Citizens without the countersign,”</span> answered
+Givens without a moment’s hesitation, and then to
+Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wheel and run for your life.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+They both turned and clapped spurs to their
+horses, but not before the sentinel had fired. Calhoun
+heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning
+his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He
+had carried his last mail. There was no time to
+halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of horses
+in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from
+his horse and struck him a vicious blow which sent
+him galloping wildly down the road. In a moment
+a squad of Federal cavalry passed in swift pursuit.
+Calhoun breathed freer after the trampling of
+their horses died away in the distance. But he was
+alone, without a horse, and in a strange country.
+He was now thankful that Forrest had not sent
+his credentials with Givens.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>into a road which led in the direction which he
+wished to go. All through the night he plodded,
+and when morning came he found he was close to
+a large plantation. He determined to make himself
+known. Placing his revolver in his bosom,
+where he could get it in a moment, he boldly went
+up to the house. Fortunately he met the owner of
+the plantation, who saluted him with, <span class="tei tei-q">“Heah, git
+off of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I
+want no tramps around heah.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder
+he had been mistaken for a disreputable character.
+His night’s walk had made sad havoc with the
+looks of his clothes. The road was muddy, and
+he had fallen down several times. Rather in
+desperation than thinking it would do any good,
+he made the sign of recognition of the Knights
+of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was
+answered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you? and why do you come in such a
+plight?”</span> asked the gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s story was soon told. <span class="tei tei-q">“And you are
+one of Morgan’s men,”</span> said the gentleman, whose
+name was Cressey. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have a son with Morgan,”</span>
+and he gave his name.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“One of my scouts,”</span> replied Calhoun, delighted.
+Calhoun had indeed found a friend, and a place of
+refuge. The next night, with a good horse and
+guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short
+distance from the river. The farmer who owned
+the house was to take a load of produce into Mount
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with
+him without exciting suspicion. This was done,
+and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected,
+was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office
+of Judge Worley, and was shown the most pretentious
+law office in the little city. Entering, he inquired
+for the Judge, and was told that he was in
+his private office.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him
+on very important business,”</span> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared.
+He returned in a moment and said the Judge would
+see him at once.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun entered the private office he saw
+seated at a desk a dignified-looking gentleman about
+sixty years of age, who eyed him sharply, and Calhoun
+was sure a look of disappointment came over
+his face. This, then, was the gentleman who
+wished to see him on very important business—hardly
+more than a boy.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but
+said, in a cold voice: <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, what do you want?
+Be in a hurry, for I am very busy.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was
+looking for. Gulping down his indignation, he
+said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am just from the South, I was directed to
+come to you, who would prove a friend.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted
+liberty with my name.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>pair of steel-gray eyes were trying to read his very
+soul.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is that all?”</span> at length continued the Judge.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have no time to give you; as I told you, I am
+very busy,”</span> and he dismissed his visitor with a
+wave of the hand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle. There
+was no recognition; instead a testy, <span class="tei tei-q">“Why don’t
+you go?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s face flamed with anger, but controlling
+himself, he replied: <span class="tei tei-q">“When you receive some
+mail from the South, you may find some dispatches
+from General Forrest which will cause you to treat
+me differently. If such dispatches come, be here in
+your office at nine o’clock to-night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun mentioned <span class="tei tei-q">“mail from the
+South,”</span> and <span class="tei tei-q">“General Forrest,”</span> the Judge turned
+pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if
+to stop him; but the young man paid no attention
+to the signal, and strode indignantly from the office.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned
+eagerly to a pile of mail which he had just
+received, and which the coming of Calhoun had
+interrupted him in reading. Hurriedly running
+over the letters, he picked out one, and opened it
+with nervous fingers. It was written in cipher.
+Opening a secret drawer in his desk, he took out
+the key to the cipher, and began the translation of
+the dispatch. As he did so, he gave vent to his
+surprise in various exclamations.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+staff ... will go by name of W. B. Harrison ... comes
+North to fully investigate conditions.... If
+favorable will invade North.... Pennington
+is member of K. G. C.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Judge laid down the letter and seemed to
+be gazing into vacancy. He was thinking—thinking
+hard. At last he picked up the letter and read
+it through to the end. Then he made preparations
+to go out.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall not be back again this afternoon,”</span> he
+said to his clerk, as he passed out. <span class="tei tei-q">“You can lock
+up the office when you leave. I shall not need you
+this evening.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun called that evening, he was met
+at the door by the Judge, and given a reception
+much different from that he received in the afternoon.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am glad to see you, Lieutenant,”</span> said the
+Judge, and he raised his hand as if in military
+salute, but was careful not to touch his forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance
+of Judge Worley,”</span> replied Calhoun, raising his
+hand as if to shade his eyes from the light.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+They then advanced and grasped each other by
+the hand, the fore-finger of each resting on the
+pulse of the other.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nu,”</span> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh,”</span> responded the Judge.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lac,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nu-oh-lac,”</span> they then both said together.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus were they introduced to each other as
+members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for
+his treatment of Calhoun at their first meeting.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The fact is,”</span> said the Judge, <span class="tei tei-q">“we are surrounded
+by Lincoln spies on every hand. Some of
+them have gained admittance into the order. One
+cannot be too careful. Then your youth misled
+me. I am now surprised that one so young should
+be selected for so important a <span class="tei tei-corr">commission.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No apology is needed,”</span> said Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+confess I was indignant at first, but I now see you
+were right in receiving me as you did. Have you
+received General Forrest’s letter yet?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see
+that your name is Calhoun. Have you ever noticed
+our password particularly?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No; you must bear in mind I am a new member.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Read your name backwards,”</span> said the Judge,
+with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Nuohlac! Why, it’s my name spelled backwards.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American
+who ever lived,”</span> exclaimed the Judge, with
+enthusiasm. <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-corr">I</span> trust that you honor the name.
+Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now.
+What a glorious day it would be for him. But his
+spirit lives—lives, and thank God there is no
+Andrew Jackson in the presidential chair!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish
+he had,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller,
+a monster. Seward is the brains of the administration.
+Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the
+Judge, so he changed the subject by asking the
+number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the
+state.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That, under my oath, I cannot give,”</span> answered
+the Judge. <span class="tei tei-q">“I see by General Forrest’s letter that
+you have taken only the first degree of the order.
+That entitles you to very little information. It is
+the duty of those who take only this degree to
+obey, not to question. General Forrest advises
+that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible.
+I have already made arrangements to have
+you initiated into the second and third degrees this
+evening. That is as high as we can go here.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it
+was time to go.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a
+saloon, the Judge explaining that they had selected
+the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many
+men passing in and out. Calhoun found at least
+fifty men assembled, and when he was introduced
+as one of Morgan’s men, he received a perfect
+ovation.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hurrah for John Morgan!”</span> shouted one enthusiastic
+member, and the cheers were given with a
+will.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Three cheers were then given for Jeff Davis,
+followed by three groans for Abe Lincoln.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was
+this the North? He could well believe he was in
+the heart of the South.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun
+was duly initiated into the second and third
+degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of
+the society; its object was the overthrow of the
+Lincoln government. But resistance to the draft
+was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of
+even the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials,
+was told that to obtain the information which he
+sought, he would have to visit the Grand Commander
+of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton,
+of Springfield. Calhoun marvelled that the head
+officer of such an order should reside under the
+very shadow of the state capitol.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It
+was full of Federal soldiers, and from almost every
+house a United States flag was flying. It did not
+look like a very promising place for opposition to
+the Federal government, but Calhoun afterwards
+learned that the place was honeycombed with members
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with
+the greatest caution, and it was only after he was
+fully satisfied that his visitor was what he represented
+himself to be that the Doctor consented to
+talk.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Be frank with me,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“John Morgan
+is contemplating a raid in the North, and he
+wishes to know whether in that case he can expect
+any aid from this order, and if so to what number.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of
+Morgan making a raid, but said: <span class="tei tei-q">“If you are to be
+given the full information you ask for, you must be
+initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That
+is a degree which but very few take, and can be given
+only with the consent of the Supreme Commander.
+The Grand Commanders of the different states meet
+the Supreme Commander in Canada next Tuesday.
+This is Friday. You had better attend that meeting,
+as your mission is very important.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why meet in Canada?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Because it is safer, and—and we want to meet
+the Supreme Commander of the order.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah! I understand,”</span> said Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. —”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Stop; on your life mention no names! Our
+oaths forbid it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I stand corrected,”</span> answered Calhoun, humbly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany
+Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but the Doctor warned
+him that on the cars they must be to each other as
+strangers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“When we reach Detroit,”</span> said the Doctor,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“go to the Russell House, and register as from
+Chicago. Write Chicago <span class="tei tei-q">‘Chic.’</span> ”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I think I will go through to Chicago this evening,”</span>
+said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“I should like to make some
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>investigations there; you can meet me there Monday.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the
+names of half a dozen men in that city whom it
+might be well for him to see. <span class="tei tei-q">“But mind,”</span> said
+Warrenton, <span class="tei tei-q">“do not tell any one of Morgan’s contemplated
+raid. That must be a secret.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what
+he saw and learned there surprised him more than
+ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was
+everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded
+that the war be stopped, boastingly proclaimed
+that there would soon be <span class="tei tei-q">“a fire in the
+rear”</span> that would bring Lincoln to his senses.
+Resistance to the draft was openly talked on the
+streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret
+move on foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp
+Douglas and burn the city.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“This is proving interesting,”</span> thought Calhoun;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“the whole North seems to be a seething volcano,
+ready to burst forth into flames, yet something
+seems to smother the flames.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the
+flames when, representing himself as a young Englishman,
+he asked a Federal officer why the government
+permitted such open talk of treason.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The officer smiled as he answered: <span class="tei tei-q">“It is better
+for them to talk than act. The government has its
+eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets
+them alone. The first overt act will be crushed
+with a heavy hand.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley
+and Warrenton had told him; that government
+spies were in the order, and that they knew not
+whom to trust. Would the spies of the government
+find out who he was, and his mission? It
+was not a very comforting thought.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc35" id="toc35"></a><a name="pdf36" id="pdf36"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XV.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton
+was on the train, but they met as
+strangers. When he reached the city and went to
+register at the Russell House, a gentleman was
+carelessly leaning against the desk talking with the
+clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but
+he had caught the word <span class="tei tei-q">“Chic.”</span> after his name.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After a few moments the gentleman approached
+Calhoun and said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me, but is not this Mr.
+Harrison of Kentucky?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My name is Harrison,”</span> answered Calhoun,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“but if you would examine the register you would
+see I am from Chicago.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, yes, I understand,”</span> and he gave the secret
+sign of the order. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come,”</span> he continued, <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+let me introduce you to some friends.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He led the way to a room where there were
+several gentlemen seated smoking and talking,
+among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm
+greeting.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have been telling them about you,”</span> said
+Warrenton, <span class="tei tei-q">“and they are all anxious to meet
+you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each
+member of the party. There was Wrightman of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri,
+Bullock of Kentucky, and others.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You don’t tell me you are the son of my old
+friend, Judge Pennington, of Danville,”</span> asked
+Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The very same,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant
+Pennington,”</span> exclaimed Mr. Bullock, addressing
+those present. <span class="tei tei-q">“I will vouch for him with my
+life. Let’s see, your name is now—”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Harrison for the present,”</span> answered Calhoun,
+with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The party had no trouble in getting across the
+river, and that night there was a meeting in Windsor
+which boded ill for the Federal government.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Supreme Commander of the order was a
+gentleman in the full vigor of manhood. He was
+polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every
+action showed that he was accustomed to command.
+Behind it all Calhoun thought that he detected the
+signs of an inordinate ambition—an ambition which
+would stop for nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Isn’t he grand,”</span> whispered Dr. Warrenton to
+Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“A fit representative to wear the mantle
+of your great namesake.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr,”</span> thought
+Calhoun, but he wisely did not give expression to
+his thought. The object of Calhoun’s coming was
+fully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous
+vote, that he should receive the fourth degree,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg 216]</span><a name="Pg216" id="Pg216" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and thus be entitled to all the information which
+he wished.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun
+was now certain he was among a band of conspirators
+who would stop at nothing to achieve their
+ends.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is this the highest of the degrees?”</span> asked
+Calhoun, when he was through.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The party exchanged meaning glances, and then
+the Supreme Commander said: <span class="tei tei-q">“There is one more
+degree, but it is given only to the highest officers
+in the order, and would not be of the least advantage
+to you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was certain there was something which
+those present did not wish him to know—some
+object which they wished to keep secret.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The number of members in the order was now
+given to Calhoun. The figures astounded him. In
+Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in
+Missouri fifty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and
+twenty thousand, in Indiana one hundred thousand,
+in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East the
+order was not so numerous. This seemed strange
+to Calhoun, for he thought that New York especially
+would be fertile ground for it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How many of these men are armed?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The answer was: <span class="tei tei-q">“In Missouri nearly all, in
+Illinois fifty thousand, in Indiana forty thousand,
+in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen,”</span> exclaimed Calhoun, with
+consid<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>erable warmth, <span class="tei tei-q">“if these figures are correct, why
+have you not arisen before this, and hurled the
+Lincoln government from power? Pardon me, but
+it looks like timidity. The North is denuded of
+men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is what I have insisted on,”</span> cried Mr.
+Bowman, of Indiana, jumping to his feet in his
+excitement. <span class="tei tei-q">“I say strike, strike now! We of
+Indiana are ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners
+in Northern prison pens! We have arms for
+them. If necessary, give every Northern city over
+to the flames.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Brother Bowman forgets,”</span> answered the Supreme
+Commander, <span class="tei tei-q">“that our forces are scattered;
+that if we attempt to concentrate, the government
+will take alarm and crush us. At present we have
+to work in secret.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?”</span>
+asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That would be different,”</span> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What if you should be successful in your
+plans?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Let the South go free. We firmly believe
+in the doctrine of States’ Rights,”</span> was the
+answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Would your states cast their lot with the
+South?”</span> asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Again there were meaning glances among the
+leaders. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is yet too early to answer that question,”</span>
+slowly replied the Supreme Commander,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“or even to discuss it. The overthrow of the
+pres<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ent Abolition government and the independence of
+the South is now our object.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun
+resolved to find out, and he did.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The conference at Windsor was over. It was
+resolved that the order should everywhere be
+strengthened, and that it should strike at the first
+favorable opportunity. That opportunity would
+come at once, should the North be invaded.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio,
+from there to Dayton, the home of Vallandigham.
+He found that that gentleman was the idol of that
+section. They wanted him to come home. They
+swore they would defend him with their lives. The
+whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federal
+government.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of
+talking with all classes of citizens. He especially
+tried to get at the feelings of the humbler members
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they
+joined the order, and what they proposed doing.
+All the information he gleaned he treasured up.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis,
+where he was to meet Mr. Bowman. He
+found Indiana much better organized than any
+of the other states. Bowman was enthusiastic,
+and he seemed to hate the Lincoln government
+with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to
+achieve his ends. But the especial object of his
+hatred was Governor Morton.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I want to live long enough,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“to see
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg 219]</span><a name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>that tyrant hanged for trampling on the constitution
+of the state.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great
+dread of Morton. They declared he had a way of
+finding out every secret of the order. If he had
+not been thoroughly guarded, his life would not
+have been worth a farthing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was taken into the country, where he
+witnessed the drilling of two or three companies of
+Knights. These meetings always took place at
+night, in some secret place, and sentinels were
+posted to guard against surprise. Calhoun talked
+with many of the members to get their ideas and
+to find out what they wished to accomplish.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you think?”</span> asked Bowman of Calhoun,
+after they had returned to Indianapolis.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have forty thousand of those fellows.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will they fight?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Fight? Of course they will fight,”</span> was the
+answer. <span class="tei tei-q">“Let Morgan get into the state, and you
+will see.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy
+farmer named Jones, who lived near Corydon. He
+had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and
+boasted of the number of Knights in his part of the
+state.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists
+from the earth,”</span> he exclaimed, boastingly, <span class="tei tei-q">“and
+hang Old Abe, and Morton too.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What would you do if Morgan came?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg 220]</span><a name="Pg220" id="Pg220" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell
+until I was hoarse,”</span> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What if Morgan should want some of your
+horses?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Jones’s countenance fell. At length he
+mumbled, <span class="tei tei-q">“Of course he would pay me for them?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Of course,”</span> replied Calhoun, in a tone which
+the old gentleman did not quite understand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis
+Bowman told him Morton was to hold a
+reception, and asked him if he would not like to
+attend and see the great War Governor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a
+desire to see the man of whom he had heard so
+much—a man who had the majority of his legislature
+against him, yet held the state as in the hollow
+of his hand—a man who borrowed hundreds of
+thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers
+of his state might be thoroughly equipped.
+He had overcome every difficulty, and held his
+state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands
+of the citizens of the state secretly plotting against
+him, he moved serenely along the path he had
+marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe
+measures, he knew when, and when not, to make an
+arrest. He avoided angering his enemies except
+when the public safety demanded it. His very
+name caused every member of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun think
+that when he promised to attend the governor’s
+reception that Morton’s detectives were already
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg 221]</span><a name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>looking for him. The renewed activity of the
+Knights had aroused the Governor’s suspicions, and
+he was not long in finding out the cause. To locate
+and arrest the Southern officer who was causing the
+ferment, was his order to his detectives.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A large crowd attended the reception, and in
+such a gathering Calhoun felt in no danger. He
+saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive
+head and brain. He looked every inch the
+intellectual giant that he was.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The grandest figure,”</span> thought Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“that
+I have seen in the North. He is a man to beware
+of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun, passing along in the throng,
+took the Governor’s hand, Morton bent his piercing
+look upon him, and the question came as if shot
+out of his mouth, <span class="tei tei-q">“Where from, young man?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun
+off his guard, and almost involuntarily he answered,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“From Kentucky.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down
+there?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was himself again. <span class="tei tei-q">“Of course,”</span> he
+answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“we are greatly divided in that state, but
+all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it from the
+Union.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Good, pass on,”</span> and the Governor turned to
+the next in line.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But a feeling as of impending danger took possession
+of Calhoun. Why that question to him?
+He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg 222]</span><a name="Pg222" id="Pg222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was suspected? Forcing his way through the
+throng, he got out of the building as soon as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was well that he did so, for hardly had the
+Governor let go Calhoun’s hand, when he motioned
+to General Carrington, and whispered to
+him: <span class="tei tei-q">“Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly
+as possible, but see he does not get away. He is
+the Southern officer we have been looking for, I
+am sure. I have a full description of him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Carrington in turn whispered to a
+couple of quiet-looking men, dressed in citizen’s
+clothes who stood near the Governor. They
+nodded, and started after Calhoun, who was now
+nearly lost to view in the crowd.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Once out of the building Calhoun found that
+hundreds of spectators had gathered out of curiosity.
+They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton,
+and shouting for the Union, and some were
+singing, <span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll hang Jeff Davis on a sour-apple
+tree.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he
+reached the outer edge of the circle. Here groups
+of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.
+Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it
+was plain they were not enjoying the proceedings.
+Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy
+hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice
+said: <span class="tei tei-q">“You are our prisoner; better come quietly
+and make no disturbance.”</span> And in a trice Calhoun
+felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span><a name="Pg223" id="Pg223" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was powerless in the iron grip by which he was
+held; if help there was, it must come from the outside.
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife.
+It fell on the astonished ears of hundreds who did
+not understand it. But to those groups of silent,
+sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet,
+summoning them to duty.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oho ne! Oho ne!”</span> they answered, and before
+the surprised officers could draw a weapon, could
+raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten
+down, and their prisoner snatched from them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers
+came on the run, with fixed bayonets, scattering
+the crowd right and left. But when they reached
+the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and
+bleeding officers. They could only say they had
+been set upon, knocked down, and their prisoner
+taken from them. By whom they did not know,
+for it was dark, and the crowd had dispersed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself
+grasped by the arm, and a voice whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Follow
+me, quick!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his
+guide. In the shadow of buildings, through dark
+alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of
+the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there.
+They stopped running, both exhausted, their breath
+coming in quick gasps.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus08" id="illus08" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus08.png" width="475" height="700" alt="INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE." title="INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We are safe now,”</span> said the guide, <span class="tei tei-q">“but it was
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span><a name="Pg224" id="Pg224" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a close shave for you. What did they arrest you
+for?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To hang me,”</span> answered Calhoun, with a
+shudder. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am a Confederate officer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I thought you must be some big gun, or old
+Morton wouldn’t have tried to arrest you in that
+crowd; but don’t worry, you are all right now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+His guide, whose name proved to be Randall,
+soon came to a house which he said was his home,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“and,”</span> he exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“none of Abe Lincoln’s minions
+will ever find you here. I have sheltered more
+than one escaped Confederate prisoner from that
+infernal pen out there called Camp Morton. It
+should be called Camp Hades.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown
+a room. <span class="tei tei-q">“Sleep soundly, and without fear,”</span> said
+Mr. Randall.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to
+sleep he did not forget to return thanks for his
+escape, and he also had a great deal more respect for
+the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had
+before. The next morning the papers came out
+with a full description of Calhoun, telling of his
+escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The
+article ended with the announcement that so
+important did the government consider his person
+that a reward of one thousand dollars would be
+paid for his recapture. Calhoun now knew that
+his work was done in the North. The only thing
+that remained for him was to get out of it as
+secretly as possible.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page225">[pg 225]</span><a name="Pg225" id="Pg225" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the
+city concealed in a farmer’s wagon. He was passed
+on from the hands of one true Knight to another,
+and at the end of three days he found himself on
+the banks of the Ohio, a few miles above Madison.
+In the darkness of the night he was rowed over,
+and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native
+state. In his ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground,
+for was it not the soil of Kentucky?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the house of a true Southerner he found
+refuge. His measure was taken into Carrolton,
+where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing
+a horse of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he
+bade him good-bye, and sprang into the saddle.
+The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed
+with the beauty which we ascribe to the Golden
+City. In the midst of the gold hung the new
+moon like a silver bow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“See! see!”</span> cried Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“the new moon, I
+saw it over my right shoulder. It means good
+luck.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+And while the happy omen still gleamed in the
+west, he galloped away.
+</p>
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span><a name="Pg226" id="Pg226" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc37" id="toc37"></a><a name="pdf38" id="pdf38"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVI.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the
+towns, Calhoun had no trouble in making his
+way back into Tennessee. He had been gone
+nearly a month, and was glad to see his old command,
+who gave him a royal welcome. He was
+showered with questions as to where he had been,
+but to each and every one he would laugh and say,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Be glad to tell you, boys, but can’t.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thought you had deserted us,”</span> said his scouts.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not till death,”</span> replied Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I was on
+a secret mission. The General knows where I was.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It’s all right then, but mark my word, there
+will be some deviltry going on shortly,”</span> one of
+them remarked, sagely.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As General Breckinridge was greatly interested,
+Calhoun did not make his report until that General
+could meet with Morgan. Then Calhoun gave a
+detailed account of all he had seen and heard. He
+was listened to with breathless attention.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“His report agrees perfectly with all I have
+heard,”</span> remarked Breckinridge, much pleased. <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+have had a dozen different agents in the North, and
+they all agree.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But you have not given us your own conclusions,
+Lieutenant,”</span> said Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page227">[pg 227]</span><a name="Pg227" id="Pg227" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It might seem presumptuous in me,”</span> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“By no means; let us hear it,”</span> replied both
+generals.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun, thus entreated, gave the conclusions he
+had formed, not from what had been told him by
+the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but
+from his own observations. He was listened to
+with evident interest.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your conclusions seem to be at utter variance
+with all that was told you, and every fact given,”</span>
+said Breckinridge. <span class="tei tei-q">“You admit that dissatisfaction
+in the Democratic party is almost universal over the
+way the war is being conducted; you say that we
+have not been deceived regarding the numbers of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, that there are
+eighty thousand of the order in Indiana alone, of
+whom forty thousand are armed; as you know,
+every member of that order has taken an oath not
+to take up arms against the South; that they
+believe in states’ rights; that they will resist by
+force the tyranny of the Federal government; and
+yet you say it is your belief that if General Morgan
+should invade the state, not a hand would be raised
+to help him. I cannot understand it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will try to make myself plain,”</span> said Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The Democratic party is sick and tired of
+the war, and want it stopped. They believe we
+can never be whipped, and in that they are right.
+But they love the Union, revere the old flag. They
+indulge the vain hope that if the war were stopped,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page228">[pg 228]</span><a name="Pg228" id="Pg228" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the Union might be restored. We know how foolish
+that hope is. I speak of the rank and file.
+Many of their leaders are notoriously disloyal, but
+they deceive the people with fine words. They
+make the party believe that if the Republican party
+were only defeated, things would be as they were.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As to the Knights of the Golden Circle, the
+great mass who join it are told it is only a secret
+political society. They scarcely comprehend its
+oaths; they are kept in ignorance of the real
+motives of the order. These Knights hate the
+party in power with a bitter hatred. They are
+friendly to the South, believe we are right; but
+mark my word, they will not fight for us. They
+are armed, but their idea is to resist the draft. Go
+among them to-day, and not one in a thousand
+would enlist to fight in the Southern army. Fighting
+is the last thing they want to do for either side.
+For these reasons I conclude that if General Morgan
+invaded Indiana he would receive no direct aid
+from the Knights of the Golden Circle. I confess
+these conclusions are entirely different from what
+the leaders told me.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As for the leaders, they are heart and soul with
+us. They want us to succeed. If they dared they
+would rise in revolt to-morrow. They are doing
+all they can, without open resort to arms, to
+have us succeed. But they are a band of conspirators.
+They want us to succeed, because they want
+utterly to destroy the Federal Union. They want
+to break loose and form a Northwest Confederacy.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page229">[pg 229]</span><a name="Pg229" id="Pg229" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>They dare not tell their followers this, but it is
+what they are working for.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun had stated his opinion, both
+Breckinridge and Morgan asked him many questions.
+He was then dismissed. Unknown to Calhoun
+there were three or four other Southern
+officers present, who had also been in the North.
+They were called in, and questioned on the points
+raised by Calhoun. Every one differed with him.
+They believed that if an opportunity were presented
+the Knights would rise almost to a man at the call
+of their leaders.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Breckinridge and Morgan held an earnest consultation.
+Morgan was greatly disappointed over
+Calhoun’s report, for he had set his heart on making
+a raid into Indiana and Ohio. He believed it
+would be the greatest triumph of his life, and with
+the Northwest in open revolt, the independence of
+the South would be assured.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Pennington must be mistaken,”</span>
+said Breckinridge. <span class="tei tei-q">“My acquaintance in the North
+is extensive, and I believe my friends there will do
+just as they say they will.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before Morgan and Breckinridge parted, it was
+fully agreed that Morgan should make the raid.
+But when the subject was broached to Bragg, that
+general absolutely refused to sanction it. He gave
+Morgan permission to make a raid into Kentucky
+and capture Louisville if possible. That was as far
+as he would go, and even with that object in view,
+he limited Morgan’s force to two thousand.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page230">[pg 230]</span><a name="Pg230" id="Pg230" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan apparently acquiesced in this decision of
+his commander; but in his heart he resolved to
+disobey if, when he neared Louisville, he found
+conditions at all favorable for the invasion of
+Indiana.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Some time had passed since Morgan had made
+a raid, and the news that they were again to ride
+north, probably clear to Louisville, was welcomed
+by the rough riders. To them a raid was but a holiday.
+It did not take Morgan long to prepare. His
+men were always ready to move. <span class="tei tei-q">“To Louisville,”</span>
+was the cry, <span class="tei tei-q">“we want to call on George D.,”</span>
+meaning George D. Prentice, the editor of the
+Louisville <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Journal</span></span>.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In all probability few men in the Confederate
+army knew that Morgan was on another raid, until
+he was well on his way. This time he entered
+Kentucky farther east than was his custom, and the
+first intimation the Federals had that he was in the
+state, he was crossing the Cumberland River at
+Burkesville. This was on the second day of July.
+The alarm was given. The frenzied Federals telegraphed
+right and left for troops to head off
+Morgan. It was thought that he intended to strike
+the Louisville and Nashville Railroad again at his
+favorite place—Bacon Creek. General Judah hurried
+from Tompkinsville with a brigade to head
+him off, but his advance under General Hobson
+was struck at Marrowbone, and hurled back. This
+left Morgan an open road to Columbia, and that
+place fell an easy prey on the 3d.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg 231]</span><a name="Pg231" id="Pg231" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Leaving General Hobson to pursue Morgan,
+General Judah hurried back to Glasgow to bring
+up another brigade. But General Judah never
+overtook Morgan until days afterwards, and then
+he caught him at Buffington Island.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Hobson, he stuck to Morgan’s trail as an
+Indian sticks to the trail of his enemy. He followed
+him all through Kentucky, all through Indiana,
+all through Ohio, never but a few hours behind,
+yet never in striking distance until Buffington Island
+was reached.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+After leaving the forces of Judah and Hobson in
+the rear, Morgan had nearly an open road to Louisville.
+The 4th found him at the crossing of Green
+River on the road between Columbia and Campbellsville.
+Here a portion of the Twenty-fifth
+Michigan, under Colonel Moore, was strongly fortified,
+and a charge made by Morgan was bloodily
+repulsed. As both Judah and Hobson were close
+in his rear, it would take too much time to bring
+these determined men to terms, and so Morgan,
+much to his regret, was forced to leave them, and
+pass on. The 5th of July found him at Lebanon.
+The garrison under Colonel Hanson fought desperately,
+but was forced to capitulate, and Lebanon
+with all its stores and three hundred and fifty
+prisoners was again in Morgan’s hands.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next day found him at Bardstown, where
+twenty-five men of the Fourth Regular Cavalry,
+under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Sullivan,
+threw themselves into a livery stable, strongly
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg 232]</span><a name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>fortified it, and refused to surrender. Here Morgan
+made a mistake. He should have left them
+and passed on; but angered that he should be
+defied by so few men, he determined to capture
+them and it delayed him twenty-four precious
+hours. So enraged were his men over what they
+considered the obstinacy of the brave little band,
+that they began to misuse the prisoners, but Morgan
+stopped them, saying: <span class="tei tei-q">“The damned Yankees
+ought to be complimented on their pluck.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Never, in any of his raids, had Morgan met with
+so fierce resistance as on this one. Cut to the
+quick by the numerous criticisms which had been
+published in Northern papers, that cowardice
+prompted nearly every one of the surrenders to
+Morgan, these troops fought long after prudence
+should have caused them to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Bardstown Morgan moved to Shepherdsville.
+He was now within striking distance of
+Louisville. Here it was that he fully decided, if he
+had not done so before, upon the invasion of
+Indiana, instead of attempting the capture of Louisville.
+At Shepherdsville he was on the Louisville
+and Nashville Railroad, where a long bridge spans
+the Salt River. But he did not stop to capture the
+garrison which guarded the bridge, nor did he
+attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead,
+he rode straight west, and on the 9th was in Brandenburg.
+Before him rolled the Ohio River, beyond
+lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time
+he had led his men clear to the Ohio River. The
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233">[pg 233]</span><a name="Pg233" id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sight of Yankee land aroused them to the utmost
+enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross
+if ten thousand foes had opposed them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg
+with instructions to sweep through the place, stopping
+for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
+which might be at the landing. This he did. Far
+in advance of the main body, he galloped into the
+town, to the astonishment and dismay of its citizens.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Two small steamboats were lying at the landing,
+and before the terrorized crews could cut the hawsers
+and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
+men were on board and the boats were theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The means of crossing the river were now in
+Morgan’s hands. But a fresh danger arose. A
+gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville
+and opened fire. Morgan brought every piece
+of his artillery into action, and for two hours the
+battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited,
+withdrew and went back to Louisville, leaving the
+way open. There was now nothing to prevent
+Morgan from crossing the river.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page234">[pg 234]</span><a name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc39" id="toc39"></a><a name="pdf40" id="pdf40"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan,
+as he sat on his horse that July day,
+and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river.
+Beyond lay the fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan
+of his hopes. Should he go in and possess? The
+waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the
+means of crossing. Before him all was calm,
+peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite bank to
+oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops.
+Behind him were thousands of angry Federals in
+swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go ahead than
+to turn back?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Cæsar stood on the bank of the Rubicon
+debating what to do, so did Morgan stand on the
+bank of the Ohio. Like Cæsar, if he once took
+the step, he must abide the consequences. But if
+there was any hesitation in the mind of Morgan, he
+did not hesitate long. <span class="tei tei-q">“Cross over,”</span> was the order
+which he gave. <span class="tei tei-q">“We shall soon know,”</span> he said
+to Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“whether they are friends or foes over
+there; whether the forty thousand Knights who
+were so anxious for me to come will appear or
+not.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana and
+Ohio by Morgan seems like sheer madness. He
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg 235]</span><a name="Pg235" id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
+the states which he invaded had millions of population.
+But he had reasons to believe that thousands
+of that population were friendly to him, would welcome
+him with gladness. When he so nearly
+escaped though no hand was raised to help him,
+what would he have accomplished if only a few
+thousand had come to his relief? That there were
+thousands in the two states who would have flocked
+gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is
+no doubt. But the hand of the government was
+too strong for them to resist. The fires of loyalty
+burned too fiercely to be quenched by them.
+With all their boasted strength, the Knights of the
+Golden Circle were powerless when the supreme
+moment came.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The order to cross the river was hailed with
+enthusiasm by every man in Morgan’s command.
+Where they were going they knew not, cared not;
+they would go where their gallant leader led. He
+had never failed them, he would not fail them now.
+They knew only that they were to invade the land
+of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to
+be brought home to the North as it had been to the
+South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused the
+blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his
+veins. He had been full of doubts; he trembled for
+the results if that river were once passed. He had
+been through the North and noted her resources,
+how terribly in earnest her people were that the
+Union should be saved. What if there were
+thou<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page236">[pg 236]</span><a name="Pg236" id="Pg236" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sands of traitors in their midst? There were
+enough loyal men left to crush them. What if the
+state of Indiana was honeycombed with camps of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of
+the Union League were fully as numerous. He
+now forgot all these things. Did not the Knights
+come to his relief in his hour of sore distress?
+Surely they would not forget their oaths, when
+Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air, and
+shouted, <span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will
+cross over and possess it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The order to cross once given, was obeyed with
+alacrity. In an incredibly short time the three
+thousand men and horses were ferried across the
+river.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Burn the boats,”</span> was Morgan’s order.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped
+them in their fiery embrace, lo! on the other side
+came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like beasts
+baffled of their prey, they could only stand and
+gnash their teeth in their rage. Between them and
+Morgan rolled the river, and they had no means of
+crossing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why don’t you come across, Yanks?”</span> Morgan’s
+men shouted in derision.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Got any word you want to send to your
+mammy? We are going to see her,”</span> they mockingly
+cried.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+And thus with taunt and laugh and hurrah,
+Morgan’s men rode away, leaving their enemies
+standing helpless on the farther bank.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg 237]</span><a name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Twenty miles to Corydon,”</span> said Calhoun, as
+he galloped with his scouts to the front to take the
+advance. <span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if I shall meet my friend
+Jones, and whether, when he sees us, he will throw
+his hat on high, and give us a royal welcome? If
+he spoke the truth, the bells of Corydon will ring a
+joyful peal when the people see us coming, and we
+shall be greeted with waving flags, and find hundreds
+of sturdy Knights ready to join us.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But in that twenty miles not a single waving flag
+did Calhoun see, not a single shout of welcome did
+he hear. Instead, the inhabitants seemed to be in
+an agony of fear. They met only decrepit old men
+and white-faced women and children. Not a single
+cup of cold water was freely offered them in that
+twenty miles. If Calhoun could only have seen the
+welcome given Hobson’s men the day after as they
+came over the same road, the flags that were
+waved, the shouts of welcome that greeted them,
+how women and children stood by the roadside
+with cooling water and dainty food to give them,
+and sent their prayers after them—if Calhoun could
+have seen all these things, his heart would have
+sunk, and he would have known that there was no
+welcome for Morgan’s men in Indiana.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But he was soon to have a ruder awakening.
+As he neared Corydon, he and his scouts were
+greeted with a volley, and sixteen of his men went
+down. The raid for them was over.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Charge!”</span> shouted Calhoun, and like a whirlwind
+he and his men were on the little band of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238">[pg 238]</span><a name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>home guards, who thought they could withstand
+Morgan’s whole force.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In a few brief minutes the fight was over, and
+on the sod lay several motionless figures. In spite
+of himself, Calhoun could not help thinking of
+Lexington and the farmer minute men who met
+Pitcairn and his red-coats on that April morning in
+1775. Were not these men of Corydon as brave?
+Did they not deserve a monument as much? He
+tried to dismiss the thought as unworthy, but it
+stayed with him for a long time.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A short distance beyond Corydon stood a fine
+house, which, with all its surroundings, showed
+it to be the dwelling of a rich and prosperous
+farmer. When Calhoun came up, the owner, bareheaded
+and greatly excited, was engaged in controversy
+with one of Calhoun’s scouts who had just
+appropriated a fine ham from the farmer’s smoke-house
+and was busily engaged in tying it to his
+saddle-bow.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You have no business to take my property
+without paying for it!”</span> the farmer was saying,
+angrily. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am a friend of the South; I have
+opposed the war from the beginning.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Seeing Calhoun, and noticing he was an officer,
+the farmer rushed up to him, crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Stop them!
+Stop them! they are stealing my property!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I declare, if it isn’t my old friend Jones!”</span>
+exclaimed Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“How do you do, Mr. Jones?
+Where are those five hundred armed Knights
+who you said would meet us here? Where is
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page239">[pg 239]</span><a name="Pg239" id="Pg239" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>your hat, that you are not throwing it high in air?
+Why are you not shouting hallelujahs over our
+coming?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jones had stopped and was staring at Calhoun
+with open mouth and bulging eyes. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bless my
+soul,”</span> he at length managed to stammer, <span class="tei tei-q">“if it
+isn’t Mr. Harrison!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Pennington, at your service. But,
+Jones, where are those Knights of the Golden Circle
+you promised would join us here?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Jones hung his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“We—we didn’t expect
+you to come so soon,”</span> he managed to answer; <span class="tei tei-q">“we
+didn’t have time to rally.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Jones, you told me this whole country
+would welcome us as liberators. They did welcome
+us back there in Corydon, but it was with lead.
+Sixteen of our men were killed and wounded. Mr.
+Jones, there will be several funerals for you to
+attend in Corydon.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It must be some of those Union Leaguers,”</span>
+exclaimed Mr. Jones. <span class="tei tei-q">“Glad they were killed;
+they threatened to hang me the other day.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They were heroes, compared to you!”</span> hotly
+exclaimed Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“You and your cowardly
+Knights can plot in secret, stab in the dark, curse
+your government, but when it comes to fighting
+like men you are a pack of cowardly curs.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Mr. Jones hardly heard this fierce Phillipic;
+his eyes were fixed on his smoke-house, which was
+being entered by some more of the soldiers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Won’t you stop them,”</span> he cried, wringing his
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240">[pg 240]</span><a name="Pg240" id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>hands; <span class="tei tei-q">“they will take it all! Why, you are a
+pack of thieves!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Boys, don’t enter or disturb anything in the
+house,”</span> cried Calhoun, turning to his men, <span class="tei tei-q">“but
+take anything out of doors you can lay your hands
+on; horses, everything.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men dispersed with a shout to carry out the
+order. Calhoun left Mr. Jones in the road jumping
+up and down, tearing his hair and shouting at the
+top of his voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am going to vote for Abe Lincoln.
+I am—I am, if I am damned for it!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In all probability Morgan’s raid in Indiana and
+Ohio made more than one vote for old Abe. Of
+all the thousands of Knights of the Golden Circle
+in Indiana and Ohio, not one took his rifle to
+join Morgan, not one raised his hand to help him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In speaking of this to General Shackelford, who
+captured him, Morgan said, bitterly: <span class="tei tei-q">“Since I
+have crossed the Ohio I have not seen a single
+friendly face. Every man, woman, and child I
+have met has been my enemy; every hill-top a
+telegraph station to herald my coming; every bush
+an ambush to conceal a foe.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The people who lived along the route pursued
+by Morgan will never forget his raid. What happened
+has been told and retold a thousand times
+around the fireside, and the story will be handed
+down not only to their children, but to their children’s
+children. Morgan was everywhere proclaimed
+as a thief and a robber. They forgot that
+he had to subsist at the expense of the country,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg 241]</span><a name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>and that he had to take horses to replace those of
+his own which had broken down. Not only that,
+but it was life to him to sweep the country through
+which he passed clear of horses, that his pursuers
+might not get them. The Federals in pursuit
+took horses as readily as Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Those who proclaim Morgan a thief and a robber
+sing with gusto <span class="tei tei-q">“Marching through Georgia,”</span>
+and tell how <span class="tei tei-q">“the sweet potatoes started from the
+ground.”</span> They forget how Sheridan, the greatest
+cavalry leader of the Federal army, boasted he had
+made the lovely Shenandoah Valley such a waste
+that a crow would starve to death flying over it.
+The Southern people look upon Sherman and
+Sheridan as the people of Ohio and Indiana look
+upon Morgan. These generals were not inhuman;
+they simply practised war. It is safe to say that
+less private property was destroyed in Morgan’s raid
+in Indiana and Ohio than in any other raid of equal
+magnitude made by either side during the war.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One can now see by reading the dispatches the
+panic and terror caused by Morgan in this raid.
+From Cairo, Illinois, to Wheeling, West Virginia,
+the Federals were in a panic, for they knew not
+which way Morgan would turn, or where he would
+strike. From the entire length of the Ohio, the
+people were wildly calling on the government to
+send troops to protect them from Morgan. There
+were fears and trembling as far north as Indianapolis.
+Governor Tod, of Ohio, declared martial
+law through the southern part of his state, and
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg 242]</span><a name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>called on Morton to do the same for Indiana. But
+Morton, cooler, more careful, and looking farther
+ahead as to what might be the effect of such a
+measure, wisely refused to do so.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From Corydon Morgan rode north to Salem.
+The Federals now thought for sure that Indianapolis
+was his objective point, but from Salem he turned
+northeast and swept through the state, touching
+or passing through in his route the counties of
+Jackson, Scott, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, and
+Dearborn, passing into Ohio, in the northwest
+corner of Hamilton County, almost within sight of
+the great city of Cincinnati. Turning north, he
+entered Butler County. Here, as in Indiana, he
+met only the scowling faces of enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And here is where they worship Vallandigham!”</span>
+exclaimed Calhoun, passionately. <span class="tei tei-q">“Here is
+where they told me almost every man belonged to
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, and that the
+whole county would welcome us. Here is where
+even the Democratic party meet in open convention,
+pass resolutions in favor of the South, denounce
+Lincoln as a monster and tyrant, and demand that
+the war cease at once and the South go free, saying
+they will support no man for office who in the
+least way favors the war. And now not a word of
+welcome, not a single hand reached out in aid.
+Oh! the cowards! the cowards!”</span><a id="noteref_3" name="noteref_3" href="#note_3"><span class="tei tei-noteref"><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">3</span></span></a>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan made no bitter reply, but said. <span class="tei tei-q">“You
+warned us, Lieutenant, how it would be. I have
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page243">[pg 243]</span><a name="Pg243" id="Pg243" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>expected no aid since the first day we entered Indiana.
+But with God’s help we shall yet escape from
+our foes. Oh, if my gallant men were across the
+Ohio once more! It is only that river which stands
+in between us and safety. There is now no hope
+of securing a steamboat. But at Buffington Island
+the river is shoal, and can be forded. If we can
+reach Buffington Island before our enemies, we
+can laugh at our pursuers.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+And for Buffington Island Morgan headed,
+threatening each place along the way, to keep the
+Federals guessing where he would attempt to cross.
+Like a whirlwind he swept through the counties of
+Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Pike, Jackson,
+Gallia, Meigs, brushing aside like so many flies the
+militia which tried to impede his progress.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The goal was nearly reached. Hobson was half
+a day behind, still trailing, still following like a
+bloodhound. The Confederates knew of no force
+in front except militia. Safety was before them.
+The river once passed, Morgan would have performed
+the greatest exploit of the war. His men
+were already singing songs of triumph, for the
+river was in sight. Night came on, but they
+marched through the darkness, to take position. In
+the gray of the morning they would sweep aside
+the militia and cross over.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In the morning a heavy fog hung over river and
+land, as if the sun were afraid to look down upon
+the scene to be enacted. In the gloom, Colonel
+Duke and the dashing Huffman formed their
+com<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg 244]</span><a name="Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>mands and moved to the attack. They were received
+with a fire which surprised them, coming as they
+supposed from militia. But with loud cheers they
+swept forward, and the Federals were forced back,
+leaving a piece of artillery. A little farther and the
+ford would be won; then there came a crashing
+volley, mingled with the thunder of artillery, and
+they saw before them, not militia, but long lines of
+blue-coated veterans. General Judah’s brigade had
+been transported up the river in steamboats, and
+landed at Pomeroy. They had marched all night,
+and were now in possession of the ford.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In vain the gallant Duke and Huffman struggled
+against that force. They were driven back. Flight
+was to be resumed up the river, when couriers
+came dashing in with the news that Hobson was
+up. They were hemmed in. There was one place
+yet, a path through the woods, by which a few
+could escape, if the Federal force could be held
+back for a time.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go!”</span> cried Duke to Morgan, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I will hold
+them until you are gone.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go!”</span> cried Huffman, faint and bleeding from
+a wound, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I will stay and help Colonel Duke.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go!”</span> cried Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you are saved I care
+not for myself.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then there arose a storm of protests. Who
+could so well guard and protect the chief as Calhoun
+and his scouts? And so, against Morgan’s
+will, Calhoun went with him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Come, then, we will clear the way,”</span> Calhoun
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page245">[pg 245]</span><a name="Pg245" id="Pg245" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>cried to his scouts, and before the way was closed,
+six hundred men with Morgan had escaped.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Hemmed in on every side, the Confederates
+fought as only desperate men can fight; but as
+soon as it was known that Morgan was well away,
+Duke and Huffman, and with them many other
+gallant officers, saw it would be madness to fight
+longer, and with breaking hearts they surrendered
+to their exultant foes. Then it was that some two
+or three hundred, in spite of shot and shell, in
+spite of the leaden hail which fell around them,
+plunged down the bank into the river. The bodies
+of many floated down, their life blood reddening the
+water. The current swept many a steed and rider
+down, and they were seen no more. A few there
+were who struggled through to safety, and these
+were all that escaped of the thousands that crossed
+the Ohio at Brandenburg.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span><a name="Pg246" id="Pg246" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc41" id="toc41"></a><a name="pdf42" id="pdf42"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+What Morgan’s thoughts were, what his
+hopes were, as he rode away from that fatal
+field at Buffington Island, no one knows. With
+him rode six hundred, all that were left of three
+thousand. He could have had no thoughts of
+attempting to cross the Ohio anywhere near Buffington
+Island, for he rode almost due north. It may
+have been he thought that he might cross near
+Wheeling or higher up, and escape into the mountains
+of Western Pennsylvania; or as a last resort,
+he might reach Lake Erie, seize a steamboat, and
+escape to Canada. Whatever he thought, north he
+rode, through the most populous counties of Ohio.
+And what a ride was that for six hundred men!
+Foes everywhere; Home Guards springing up at
+every corner; no rest day or night.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Close in his rear thundered the legions of General
+Shackelford, a Kentuckian as brave, as fearless, as
+tireless as Morgan himself. But in spite of all
+opposition, in spite of foes gathering on right and
+left and in front, Morgan rode on, sweeping
+through the counties of Meigs, Vinton, Hocking,
+Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey,
+Belmont, Harrison, Jefferson, until he reached
+Columbiana County, where the end came.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page247">[pg 247]</span><a name="Pg247" id="Pg247" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At almost every hour during this ride the six
+hundred grew less. Men fell from their horses in
+exhaustion. They slept as they rode, keeping to
+their saddles as by instinct. The terrible strain
+told on every one. The men grew haggard, emaciated.
+When no danger threatened, they rode as
+dead men, but once let a rifle crack in front, and
+their sluggish blood would flow like fire through
+their veins, their eyes would kindle with the excitement
+of battle, and they would be Morgan’s fierce
+raiders once more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Calhoun, it seemed as if he never slept,
+never tired. It was as if his frame were made of
+iron. Where danger threatened there he was.
+He was foremost in every charge. It looked as if
+he bore a charmed life. The day before the end
+came he was scouting on a road, parallel to the
+one on which the main body was travelling. Hearing
+shots, he took a cross-road, and galloped at full
+speed to see what was the trouble. A small
+party of Home Guards were retreating at full
+speed; one far in advance of the others was making
+frantic efforts to urge his horse to greater speed.
+Calhoun saw that he could cut him off, and he
+did so, reaching the road just as he came abreast
+of it. So intent was the fellow on getting away he
+did not notice Calhoun until brought to a stand by
+the stern command, <span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In his surprise and terror, the man rolled from
+his horse, the picture of the most abject cowardice
+Calhoun ever saw. He fairly grovelled in the dust.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page248">[pg 248]</span><a name="Pg248" id="Pg248" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!”</span> he cried, raising
+his hands in supplication. <span class="tei tei-q">“I didn’t want to
+come; they forced me. I never did anything
+against you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Dismounting Calhoun gave him a kick which
+sent him rolling. <span class="tei tei-q">“Get up, you blubbering calf,”</span>
+he exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“and tell us what you know.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The fellow staggered to his feet, his teeth chattering,
+and trembling like a leaf.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, answer my questions, and see that you
+tell the truth,”</span> said Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Are there any
+forces in front of us?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“N—not—not as I know,”</span> he managed to say.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do you know the shortest road to Salineville?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; yes.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will you guide us there if I spare your life?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Anything, I will do anything, if you won’t kill
+me,”</span> he whined.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very well, but I will exchange horses with
+you, as I see you are riding a fine one, and he
+looks fresh,”</span> remarked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The exchange was made, and then Calhoun said,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now lead on, and at the first sign of treachery,
+I will blow out your brains. Do you understand?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, yes, I will take you the shortest road.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What’s your name,”</span> asked Calhoun, as they
+rode along.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Andrew Harmon.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Andrew, I wish all Yankees were like
+you. If they were, we should have no trouble
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page249">[pg 249]</span><a name="Pg249" id="Pg249" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>whipping the North. I reckon you are about as
+big a coward as I ever met.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Harmon, still white and trembling, did not
+answer; he was too thoroughly cowed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Ride as hard as Morgan’s men could, when they
+neared Salineville Shackelford was pressing on
+their rear. They had either to fight or surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My brave boys, you have done all that mortals
+can do. I cannot bear to see you slaughtered. I
+will surrender.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As Morgan said this his voice trembled. It was
+a word his men had never heard him use before.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“General, it is not all over for you,”</span> cried Calhoun,
+his voice quivering with emotion. <span class="tei tei-q">“Think
+of the joy of the Yankees if you should be captured.
+Let me take half the men. You take the other
+half and escape. I can hold the enemy in check
+until you get well away.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan demurred. <span class="tei tei-q">“The sacrifice will be too
+great,”</span> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You must, you shall consent. We will force
+you,”</span> the cry went up from the whole command as
+from one man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan bowed his head, he could not speak.
+In silence he took Calhoun’s hand, tears gathered
+in his eyes, the first tears Calhoun ever saw there.
+There was a strong clasp, a clasp which seemed to
+say <span class="tei tei-q">“It may be the last,”</span> then, wheeling his horse,
+Morgan galloped swiftly away, followed by less
+than half of his six hundred.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+There was not a moment to lose, for the
+Feder<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page250">[pg 250]</span><a name="Pg250" id="Pg250" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>als were already charging down with triumphant
+cheers, confident of an easy victory. Calhoun had
+posted his men well, and a withering volley sent
+the Federals reeling back. They charged again,
+only to recoil before the fierce fire of the Confederates.
+There was now a lull in the fighting. Calhoun
+saw that they were flanking him on the right
+and left. <span class="tei tei-q">“Charge!”</span> he shouted, and the little band
+were soon in the midst of their enemies. The
+Federals closed in around them. There was no
+way to retreat. Calhoun’s men, seeing how hopeless
+the fight was, began to throw down their
+arms.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Surrender,”</span> cried a fine-looking officer to Calhoun,
+who, well in front, was fighting like a demon.
+Even in that hell of battle Calhoun knew the
+officer. It was Mark Crawford, the captain whose
+horse he had captured in Tennessee, and whom he
+afterwards took prisoner at Cave City. But the
+captain was wearing the shoulder-straps of a
+major now.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Never!”</span> shouted Calhoun, in answer to the
+summons to surrender, and with sword in hand, he
+spurred forward to engage Crawford in single combat.
+But that officer had a revolver in his hand,
+and he raised it and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun felt as if he had been struck on the head
+with a red-hot iron. He reeled in his saddle, and
+then fell forward on his horse’s neck. His sword
+dropped from his nerveless hand. His horse, wild
+with fear and not feeling the restraining hand of a
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page251">[pg 251]</span><a name="Pg251" id="Pg251" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>master, broke through the ranks of the Federals,
+and bore him out of the conflict.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Still clinging to the neck of his horse and the
+horn of his saddle, he kept his seat. He straightened
+himself up, but the blood streaming over his
+face blinded him, and he saw not where he was
+going. Neither did he realize what had happened,
+for the shock of his wound had rendered him half-unconscious.
+His mind began to wander. He
+was a soldier no longer, but a boy back in Kentucky
+running a race with his cousin Fred.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“On! on! <a name="salim" id="salim" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Salim,”</span> he weakly shouted; <span class="tei tei-q">“we
+must win, it is for the Sunny South we are racing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The horse still ran at full speed, his glossy coat
+dripping with perspiration, his nostrils widely distended
+and showing red with blood. But his pace
+began to slacken. Darkness gathered before the
+eyes of Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, it’s getting night,”</span> he
+murmured; <span class="tei tei-q">“Fred, where are you?”</span> Lower still
+lower he sank, until he was once more grasping
+the neck of his horse. A deadly faintness seized
+him, total darkness was around him, and he knew
+no more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With Calhoun gone, all resistance to the Federals
+ceased. Of the six hundred, who had ridden
+so far and so well, fully one-half were prisoners.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Federals were greatly chagrined and disappointed
+when they found that Morgan was not
+among the prisoners. The man they desired above
+all others was still at liberty. <span class="tei tei-q">“Forward,”</span> was the
+command, and the pursuit was again taken up.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page252">[pg 252]</span><a name="Pg252" id="Pg252" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With the remnant of his command, Morgan was
+nearing New Lisbon. If there were no foes before
+him there was still hope. From a road to the west
+of the one he was on, a cloud of dust was rising.
+His guide told him that this road intersected the
+one he was on but a short distance ahead. His
+advance came dashing back, saying there was a
+large body of Federal troops in his front. From
+the rear came the direful tidings that Shackelford
+was near. Morgan saw, and his lip quivered. <span class="tei tei-q">“It
+is no use,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is all over.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The ride of the six hundred had ended—a ride
+that will ever live in song and story.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan has surrendered! Morgan is a prisoner!”</span>
+was the news borne on lightning wings all
+over the entire North.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+What rejoicing there was among the Federals!
+The great raider, the man they feared more than
+an army with banners, was in their power.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page253">[pg 253]</span><a name="Pg253" id="Pg253" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc43" id="toc43"></a><a name="pdf44" id="pdf44"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XIX.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">AN ANGEL OF MERCY.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In front of one of the most beautiful and stately
+farm-houses in Columbiana County stood a
+young girl. With clasped hands and straining eyes
+she was gazing intently down a road which led to
+the west. The sound of battle came faintly to her
+ears. As she listened, a shudder swept through
+her slight frame.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My brother! My brother!”</span> she moaned, <span class="tei tei-q">“he
+may be in it. O God of battles, protect him!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She would have made a picture for an artist as
+she stood there. The weather being warm, she
+wore a soft, thin garment, which clung in graceful
+folds around her. Her beautifully rounded arm
+and shapely shoulders were bare. Her luxuriant
+hair, the color of sun-beams, fell in a wavy mass to
+her waist. Her eyes, blue as the sky, were now
+troubled, and a teardrop trembled and then fell
+from the long lashes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As she looked, the sound of battle became
+fainter, and then ceased altogether. But down the
+road, a mile away, a little cloud of dust arose. It
+grew larger and larger, and at last she saw it was
+caused by a single horseman who was coming at a
+furious pace. Was the rider a bearer of ill tidings?
+No, there was no rider on the horse. He who
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page254">[pg 254]</span><a name="Pg254" id="Pg254" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>rode must have been killed. It might be her
+brother’s horse; she grew sick and faint, but
+still she gazed. The horse came nearer; he was
+slackening his speed. Yes, there was some one on
+the horse—a man—but he had fallen over on the
+saddle, and his arms were around the horse’s neck.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It must be her brother, wounded unto death,
+coming home to die, and she gave a great convulsive
+sob. Then like a bird she flew to the middle
+of the road. She saw that the horse’s mane and
+shoulders were dripping with blood, that the rider’s
+hair was clotted with it.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As the horse came to her it stopped, and the
+rider rolled heavily from the saddle. With a cry
+she sprang forward and received the falling man;
+but the weight of Calhoun, for it was he, bore
+her to the earth. She arose, screaming for help.
+There was no one in the house except a colored
+servant, who came rushing out, and nearly fainted
+when she saw her mistress. No wonder, for the
+girl’s dress and arms were dripping with blood.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! Missy Joyce! Missy Joyce!”</span> wailed the
+colored woman, <span class="tei tei-q">“what’s de mattah? Be yo’
+killed?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, this soldier—he is dead or dying. Oh,
+Mary, what can we do?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But help was near. A couple of neighbors had
+also heard the sound of battle, and were riding
+nearer that they might learn the result.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Great heavens! what is this?”</span> exclaimed one,
+as they rode up. <span class="tei tei-q">“As I live, that is Andrew
+Har<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page255">[pg 255]</span><a name="Pg255" id="Pg255" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>mon’s horse. Well, I never thought Andrew would
+get near enough to a battle to get shot.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+By this time they had dismounted. Going to
+Calhoun they looked at him, and one exclaimed,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“This is not Harmon; it’s one of Morgan’s men.
+Got it good and heavy. Served him right.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is he dead?”</span> asked the girl, in a trembling
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The man put his hand on Calhoun’s heart.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, marm,”</span> he answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I think he might
+as well be.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Carry him into the house, and send for Doctor
+Hopkins, quick,”</span> she said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! that dirty, bloody thing! Better let us
+carry him to the barn. It’s a blame sight better
+place than our boys get down South.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The house, I say,”</span> answered the girl, sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Miss Joyce,”</span> said the other man, as he
+looked at her, <span class="tei tei-q">“you are covered with blood.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I caught him as he fell from his horse,”</span>
+she answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am not hurt.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men were about to pick Calhoun up and
+carry him in according to the directions of the girl,
+when she exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“There comes Doctor Hopkins
+now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Sure enough, the Doctor had heard of the fight,
+and was coming at a remarkable speed, for him, to
+see if his professional services were needed. He
+reined in his horse, and jumping from his gig,
+ejaculated, <span class="tei tei-q">“Why! why! what is this? And Miss
+Joyce all bloody!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page256">[pg 256]</span><a name="Pg256" id="Pg256" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not hurt. The man, Doctor,”</span> she said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor turned his attention to Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As I live, one of Morgan’s men,”</span> he exclaimed,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“and hard hit, too. How did he come here?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“His horse brought him,”</span> answered one of the
+men. <span class="tei tei-q">“He clung to his horse as far as here, when
+he fell off. Miss Joyce caught him as he fell.
+That is what makes her so bloody.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well! well! well!”</span> was all that the old Doctor
+could say.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The queer part is,”</span> continued the man, <span class="tei tei-q">“that
+the horse belongs to Andrew Harmon. I heard
+that Andrew had gone out with the Home Guards,
+but I could hardly believe it. I guess this fellow
+must have killed him and appropriated the
+horse.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! Andrew Harmon killed in battle?”</span>
+cried the Doctor, straightening up from his examination
+of Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t believe it. He will turn
+up safe enough.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Then speaking to the girl, the Doctor said,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Miss Joyce, this man has nearly bled to death. I
+cannot tell yet whether the ball has entered his
+head or not. If not, there may be slight hopes for
+him, but he must have immediate attention. It is
+fortunate I came along as I did.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Miss Joyce wanted us to take him into the
+house,”</span> said one of the men, <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-corr">but</span> I suggested the
+barn.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The barn first,”</span> said the Doctor; <span class="tei tei-q">“if I remember
+rightly, there is a large work-bench there. It
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page257">[pg 257]</span><a name="Pg257" id="Pg257" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>will make a fine operating-table. And, Joyce,
+warm water, towels, and <span class="tei tei-corr">bandages.</span>”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce Crawford, for that was the girl’s name,
+flew to do the Doctor’s bidding, while the men, to
+their credit be it said, picked Calhoun up tenderly
+and carried him to the barn, where the work-bench,
+as the Doctor had suggested, made an operating-table.
+Joyce soon appeared with the water,
+towels, and bandages. The Doctor had already
+taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, ready
+for work. Although he was a country practitioner,
+he was a skilful surgeon. Carefully he washed
+away the blood, then clipped away the matted hair
+from around the wound. It seemed to Joyce a
+long time that he worked, but at last the wound
+was dressed and bandaged.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The ball did not penetrate the brain,”</span> he said,
+as he finished, <span class="tei tei-q">“nor do I think the skull is injured,
+although the ball plowed along it for some distance.
+Fortunately it was a small bullet, one from a
+revolver, probably, which hit him. It cut a number
+of small arteries in its course, and that is the reason
+he has bled so much. An hour more and he would
+have been beyond my skill.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will he live now?”</span> asked Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The chances are against him. If saved at all,
+it will only be by the best of nursing.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He can be taken into the house now, can’t
+he?”</span> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, but you had better first let a tub of
+water be brought, and clean underclothes, and
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page258">[pg 258]</span><a name="Pg258" id="Pg258" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a night shirt. He needs a bath as much as anything.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce had the men get the water, while she procured
+some underclothes which belonged to her
+brother. Calhoun’s clothes were now removed,
+clothes which had not been off him for a
+month.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here is a belt,”</span> said one of the men; <span class="tei tei-q">“it looks
+as if it might contain money,”</span> and he was proceeding
+to examine it when the Doctor forbade him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Give it to Miss Joyce,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“the fellow is
+her prisoner.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The belt was handed over rather reluctantly.
+Calhoun having been bathed, Joyce was called,
+and told that her prisoner was ready for her.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Bring him in, the chamber is all prepared,”</span>
+was her answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun was brought in and placed in a large,
+cool upper chamber.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“This is mighty nice for a Rebel,”</span> said one of
+the men, looking around. <span class="tei tei-q">“My Jake didn’t
+get this good care when he was shot at Stone
+River.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Too blame nice for a Morgan thief,”</span> mumbled
+the other.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Shut up,”</span> said the Doctor; <span class="tei tei-q">“remember what
+Miss Joyce has done for our boys. Worked her
+fingers off for them. This man, or rather boy, for
+he can’t be over twenty, was brought to her door.
+Would you have him left to die?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The men hung their heads sheepishly, and went
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page259">[pg 259]</span><a name="Pg259" id="Pg259" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>out. They were not hard-hearted men, but they
+were bitter against Morgan, and any one who rode
+with him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now I must go,”</span> said the old Doctor kindly,
+taking Joyce’s hand. <span class="tei tei-q">“You have done to this
+young man as I would have one do to my son in a
+like extremity.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The old Doctor’s voice broke, for he had lost a
+son in the army. Recovering himself, he continued,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I must go now, for I may be needed by some
+of our own gallant boys. I will drop in this evening,
+if possible, and see how your patient is getting
+along. God bless you, Joyce, you have a kind
+heart.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce looked after the old Doctor with swimming
+eyes. <span class="tei tei-q">“One of God’s noblemen,”</span> she murmured.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She took the belt which had been taken from
+Calhoun, and which had been handed her by the
+Doctor, and put it carefully away. She then began
+her vigil beside the bedside of the wounded man.
+The Doctor had given her minute directions, and
+she followed them faithfully. It was some hours
+before Calhoun began to show signs of consciousness,
+and when he did come to, he was delirious,
+and in a raging fever.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor returned as he had promised. He
+shook his head as he felt Calhoun’s pulse, and
+listened to his incoherent mutterings.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“This is bad,”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is fortunate he lost
+so much blood, or this fever would consume him.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page260">[pg 260]</span><a name="Pg260" id="Pg260" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>But we must hope for the best. Only the best of
+nursing will bring him through.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That he shall have,”</span> said Joyce. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have
+sent for Margaret Goodsen. You know she is an
+army nurse, and knows all about wounded men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, Margaret is good, none better,”</span> replied
+the Doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All through that night Joyce sat by the bedside
+of Calhoun cooling his fevered brow, giving him
+refreshing drinks. He talked almost continually to
+himself. Now he would be leading his men in
+battle, cheering them on. Then he was a boy,
+engaged in boyish sports. The name of Fred was
+uttered again and again.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder who Fred can be?”</span> thought Joyce; <span class="tei tei-q">“a
+brother, probably.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce Crawford was the only daughter of
+the Hon. Lorenzo Crawford, one of the most
+prominent citizens of Columbiana County. Mr.
+Crawford had served two terms in Congress, and
+was at the time of the war a member of the state
+senate. He had one child besides Joyce, his son
+Mark, who we have seen was a major in the
+Federal army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford lost his wife when Joyce was
+three years old; since that time his house had
+been presided over by a maiden sister. This lady
+was absent in Steubenville when Morgan appeared
+so suddenly in the county; thus at the time
+of Calhoun’s appearance only Joyce and the
+servants were at home, Mr. Crawford being
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page261">[pg 261]</span><a name="Pg261" id="Pg261" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>absent in the east on duties connected with the
+Sanitary Commission.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford was what is known as an original
+Abolitionist. Before the war his house was one of
+the stations of the underground railroad, and many
+a runaway slave he had helped on the way to
+Canada. Twice he had been arrested by the
+United States officials for violation of the fugitive
+slave law, and both times fined heavily. He
+believed there could be no virtue in a slave-owner;
+such a man was accursed of God, and should be
+accursed of men. His daughter had to a degree
+imbibed his sentiments, and the idea of slavery was
+abhorrent to her; but her heart was so gentle, she
+could hate no one. Calhoun’s helplessness appealed
+to her sympathies, and she forgot he was one of
+Morgan’s raiders. Although young, only eighteen,
+she had admirers by the score, but her father so far
+had forbidden her receiving company, considering
+her as yet only a child.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce’s beau ideal of a man was her brother
+Mark, and he was worthy of her adoration. Several
+years her senior, he had watched over and
+guided her in her childhood, and never was a
+brother more devoted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next morning the news came that Morgan
+was captured, and the scare in Columbiana County
+was over. The morning also brought Miss Crawford,
+who had come hurrying home on receipt of the
+news that Morgan was in the county. She nearly
+went into hysterics when she learned that one of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page262">[pg 262]</span><a name="Pg262" id="Pg262" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the dreadful raiders was in the house. <span class="tei tei-q">“How could
+you do it, child?”</span> she cried to Joyce; and <span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor,
+why did you let her?”</span> she added to Doctor
+Hopkins, who had just come in to see his patient.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Madam, it was a case of life or death,”</span> replied
+the Doctor. <span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce did right. We are not
+heathens in Columbiana County.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But you will take him right away?”</span> pleaded
+the lady.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It would be death to move him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But he might murder us all,”</span> said Miss Crawford.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor smiled. <span class="tei tei-q">“If he lives, it will be
+weeks before he will have the strength to kill a fly,”</span>
+he answered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Crawford sighed, and gave up the battle.
+She was not a hard-hearted woman, but the idea of
+having one of Morgan’s dreadful raiders in the
+house was trying on her nerves.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The afternoon brought Major Crawford. The
+story of Joyce’s capture of a raider had travelled
+far and wide, and the Major had already heard of it.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So you captured a prisoner, did you, Puss?”</span>
+he exclaimed, kissing her, as she threw herself in
+his arms. <span class="tei tei-q">“Is he a regular brigand, and bearded
+like a pard?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, he is young, almost a boy,”</span> she answered.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Margaret Goodsen is taking care of him
+now. Come and see him, but he is out of his
+head, and raves dreadfully.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She led the way to the chamber where Calhoun
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page263">[pg 263]</span><a name="Pg263" id="Pg263" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>was. No sooner did Major Crawford see him than
+he turned pale and staggered back, <span class="tei tei-q">“Great God!”</span>
+he exclaimed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+What fate was it that had led the man he
+had shot to the house to be cared for by his sister?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What is it, Mark? What is it?”</span> she cried,
+seeing his agitation.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Should he tell her? Yes, it would be best.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, you will not wonder at my surprise, when
+I tell you it was I who shot him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You, brother, you!”</span> she cried, and instinctively
+she shrank from him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mark saw it, and exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Great God! Joyce,
+you don’t blame me, do you? I had to do it to
+save my life. He was about to cut me down with
+his sword when I fired.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no,”</span> she cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t blame you, but
+it was so sudden; it is so dreadful. I never before
+realized that war was so terrible.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Joyce, save the poor fellow’s life if you
+can; I don’t want his death on my hands if I can
+help it. Do you know who your prisoner is?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, you see the condition he is in.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“His name is Pennington, Calhoun Pennington.
+He is one of Morgan’s bravest and most daring
+officers. I ought to know him, he took me prisoner
+twice.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You, Mark, you?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, you remember I told you how I lost my
+horse in Tennessee. He is the fellow who took it.
+He afterwards captured me at Cave City.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page264">[pg 264]</span><a name="Pg264" id="Pg264" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mark, what will become of him if he gets
+well?”</span> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The United States officials will take him,”</span>
+he answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“His being here must be reported.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And—and he will be sent to prison?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, until he is exchanged.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But you were not sent to prison when you were
+captured,”</span> she protested.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, I was paroled; but I hardly believe the
+government will parole any of Morgan’s men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why?”</span> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They have given us too much trouble, Puss.
+Now we have them, I think we will keep them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mark, Aunt Matilda don’t like my taking this
+Pennington in. She says father will not like it
+at all.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will see Aunt Matilda, and tell her it is all
+right. I will also write to father. No, Joyce, I
+don’t want Pennington to die. It is best, even in
+war, to know you have not killed a man. So take
+good care of him, or rather see he has good care.
+Get a man to nurse him nights.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will look out for that,”</span> said Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Puss, good-bye, keep me posted. I had
+leave of absence only a few hours, so I must be
+going.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Mark, must you go so soon?”</span> And she
+clung to him as if she would not let him go.
+Gently disengaging her arms, he pressed kiss after
+kiss on her brow and was gone. She sank into a
+chair weeping, and for a time forgot her prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page265">[pg 265]</span><a name="Pg265" id="Pg265" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next day Joyce had another visitor, in the
+person of Andrew Harmon. He had heard that
+his horse was at Crawford’s, and that the officer
+who took him was there desperately wounded. He
+made his visit with pleasure, for of all the girls in
+Columbiana County, she was the one he had selected
+to become Mrs. Harmon. He had no idea he
+would be refused, for was he not considered the
+greatest catch in the county?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Harmon had two things to recommend him—good
+looks and money. He was accounted a handsome
+man, and was as far as physical beauty was
+concerned. He had the body and muscle of an
+athlete, but there was nothing ennobling or inspiring
+in the expression of his countenance. By
+nature he was crafty, mean, cruel, and miserly, and
+was one of the biggest cowards that ever walked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Like many others, he was a great patriot as far
+as talk was concerned. He had been so unfortunate
+as to be drafted at the first call, and had promptly
+furnished a substitute. He was fond of boasting
+he was doing double duty for his country, not only
+was he represented in the army, but he was doing
+a great work at home. This work consisted in
+contracting for the government, and cheating it at
+every turn. Many a soldier who received shoddy
+clothing, paper-soled shoes, and rotten meat had
+Mr. Harmon to thank for it. But he was piling up
+money, and was already known as one of the richest
+men in the county. When he went out with the
+Home Guards, he had no idea of getting near
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page2766">[pg 2766]</span><a name="Pg266" id="Pg266" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Morgan; he would look out for that. But his party
+ran into Morgan’s advance unexpectedly, and as
+has been related, he was captured by Calhoun. It
+was a most wonderful story he had to tell.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He had been beset by at least six of Morgan’s
+men. A desperate conflict followed, and he had
+killed, or at least desperately wounded, three of his
+assailants, and it was only after he had not a single
+shot left in his revolver and was surrounded that he
+had surrendered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So enraged were they at my desperate defence,”</span>
+said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“that the officer in charge pulled me from
+my horse, brutally kicked and struck me, threatened
+to kill me, and then appropriated my horse. He
+is a desperate fellow, Miss Joyce; I would not keep
+him in the house a single moment.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce, who had listened to his account much
+amused, for she had heard another version of it,
+said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I do not think, Mr. Harmon, he could have
+beaten you very hard, for I see no marks on you,
+and you seem to be pretty lively. As for sending
+Lieutenant Pennington away, the Doctor says it
+would be death to move him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Harmon shifted uneasily in his chair as
+Joyce was saying this, and then asked to see Calhoun,
+as he wished to be sure whether he was the
+one who had captured him. This Joyce consented
+to, provided he would be careful not to disturb
+him. Harmon promised, and he was taken into
+the room. Calhoun was tossing on his bed, as he
+entered, and no sooner did his wild eyes rest on
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page267">[pg 267]</span><a name="Pg267" id="Pg267" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Harmon than he burst into a loud laugh, <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! the
+coward! the coward!”</span> he shouted, <span class="tei tei-q">“take him
+away.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Harmon fled from the room white with rage.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Miss Joyce, that fellow is shamming,”</span> he fumed.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I demand he be delivered to the United States
+officials at once.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The Doctor thinks differently; he says it will
+kill him to be moved,”</span> she answered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Let him die, then. It isn’t your business to
+nurse wounded Rebels, especially one of Morgan’s
+cutthroats.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I do not have to come to you to learn what
+my business is,”</span> answered Joyce, haughtily, and
+turned to leave the room.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Harmon saw that he had made a mistake.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce! Joyce! don’t go, hear me,”</span> he exclaimed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You will find your horse in the stable,”</span> was
+all she said, as she passed out.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He left the house vowing vengeance, and lost no
+time in informing the Federal authorities that the
+wounded officer at Crawford’s was shamming, and
+would give them the slip if not taken away. Two
+deputy marshals came to investigate, and went
+away satisfied when Doctor Hopkins promised to
+report as soon as his patient was well enough to
+be removed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In due time Joyce received a letter from her
+father. He had not heard that Morgan had come
+as far north as Columbiana County, until after he
+was captured. As all danger was now over, he
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page268">[pg 268]</span><a name="Pg268" id="Pg268" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>would not be home for some time. The thousands
+who had been wounded in the great battle of
+Gettysburg were occupying his attention. He also
+had to make a visit to Washington and Fortress
+Monroe, and might go as far south as Hilton Head.
+As for the wounded Rebel at his house, Joyce had
+done right in not letting him die in the road, but
+that he should be turned over to the military
+authorities at the earliest possible moment. Little
+did Mr. Crawford think what the outcome of the
+affair would be.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Contrary to her aunt’s protest, Joyce insisted on
+taking most of the care of Calhoun during the day.
+Margaret Goodsen was all the help she needed.
+She had engaged a competent man to care for him
+nights. Had not Mark told her to save the life of
+the man he had shot, if possible?
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page269">[pg 269]</span><a name="Pg269" id="Pg269" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc45" id="toc45"></a><a name="pdf46" id="pdf46"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XX.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For two weeks Calhoun hovered between life
+and death; but at last his rugged constitution
+conquered. During this time Joyce was unremitting
+in her attention. <span class="tei tei-q">“I must save him for the
+sake of Mark,”</span> she would say, <span class="tei tei-q">“I cannot bear to
+have his blood on Mark’s hands.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In speaking to Joyce’s aunt, Matilda Goodsen
+said: <span class="tei tei-q">“The poor child will hardly let me do anything;
+she wants to do it all.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Crawford fretted and fumed, but it did no
+good. In this Joyce would have her way.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun’s fever had been growing less day by
+day, and the time came when it left him, and he
+lay in a quiet and restful slumber. But his breathing
+was so faint, Joyce was almost afraid it was the
+sleep which precedes death.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was near the close of an August day. The
+weather had been warm and sultry, but a thunder
+shower had cooled and cleared the atmosphere, and
+the earth was rejoicing in the baptism it had received.
+The trees seemed to ripple with laughter,
+as the breeze shook the raindrops from their leaves.
+The grass was greener, the flowers brighter on
+account of that same baptism. The birds sang a
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page270">[pg 270]</span><a name="Pg270" id="Pg270" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>sweeter song. What is more beautiful than nature
+after a summer shower!
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was at such a time that Calhoun awoke to life
+and consciousness. A delicious lethargy was over
+him. He felt no pain, and his bed was so soft,
+he seemed to be resting on a fleecy cloud. He
+tried to raise his hand, and found to his surprise he
+could not move a finger. Even his eyes for a time
+refused to open. Slowly his memory came back to
+him; how in the fierce conflict he tried to break
+through the line and sought to cut down an officer
+who opposed him. Then there came a flash, a
+shock—and he remembered nothing more. Where
+was he now? Had he passed through that great
+change called death? By a great effort he opened
+his eyes, and was bewildered. He was in a strange
+room. By an open window sat a young girl. She
+had been reading, but the book was now lying idly
+in her lap, and she was looking apparently into
+vacancy. The rays of the setting sun streamed in
+through the windows, and touched hair and face
+and clothes with its golden beams. Calhoun
+thought he had never seen a being so lovely; her
+beauty was such as he fancied could be found only
+in the realms above, yet she was mortal. He
+could not take his eyes from her. She turned her
+head, and saw him gazing at her. Uttering a little
+exclamation of surprise, she arose and came swiftly
+but noiselessly to his side.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you? Where am I?”</span> Calhoun whispered,
+faintly.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page271">[pg 271]</span><a name="Pg271" id="Pg271" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hush! hush!”</span> she said, in low, sweet tones,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“you must not talk. You have been sick—very
+sick. You are better now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She gave him a cordial. He took it, and with
+a gentle sigh, closed his eyes, and sank to sleep
+again. Before he was quite gone, it seemed to him
+that soft, tremulous lips touched his forehead, and
+a tear-drop fell upon his cheek. Its memory
+remained with him as a beautiful dream, and it was
+long years before he knew it was not a dream.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Doctor Hopkins was delighted when he called in
+the evening and learned that his patient had awaked
+with his fever gone, and in his right mind. <span class="tei tei-q">“All
+that he needs now,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“is careful nursing,
+and he will get well. But mind, do not let
+him talk, and tell him nothing of what has happened,
+until he gains a little strength.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+From that time Calhoun gained slowly, but
+surely. When he became strong enough to bear
+it, Joyce told him all that had happened. He
+could scarcely realize that over a month had passed
+since he had been wounded.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then that stand of mine did not save Morgan,”</span>
+said Calhoun, sorrowfully.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, he was taken a few hours afterwards,”</span>
+answered Joyce. <span class="tei tei-q">“He and his officers are now in
+the penitentiary at Columbus.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun could hardly believe what he heard.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Then we are to be treated as felons, are we?”</span> he
+asked, bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They are afraid he might escape from a military
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page272">[pg 272]</span><a name="Pg272" id="Pg272" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>prison,”</span> replied Joyce. <span class="tei tei-q">“But the people are very
+bitter against him. Some are clamoring that he be
+tried and executed.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“They will not dare do that,”</span> exclaimed Calhoun,
+excitedly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, I do not think there is any danger that
+way,”</span> replied Joyce; <span class="tei tei-q">“but they want to keep him
+safe.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well they may, but Morgan will yet make
+them trouble. No prison will hold him long.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There, there, don’t let us talk about it any
+more,”</span> said Joyce; <span class="tei tei-q">“it will worry you back into a
+fever.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You have saved my life,”</span> said Calhoun, fervently.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How can I ever repay you for what you
+have done?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce did not reply.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun lay silent for some time, and then suddenly
+said: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am one of Morgan’s hated officers,
+and yet you are caring for me as for a brother.
+What makes you do it?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why shouldn’t I?”</span> said Joyce; <span class="tei tei-q">“I have a dear
+brother in the army. I am only doing by you as
+I would have him done by, if he should fall
+wounded. And then—”</span> Joyce stopped; she
+could not tell him it was her brother who had shot
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A great light came to Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce!
+Joyce!”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I now understand. It was your
+brother who shot me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! forgive him! forgive him!”</span> cried Joyce.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page273">[pg 273]</span><a name="Pg273" id="Pg273" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span class="tei tei-q">“He told me it was to save his own life that he
+did it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Joyce, there is nothing to forgive. Your
+brother is a brave, a gallant officer. Then he has
+been here?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, and knew you. He bade me nurse you
+as I would nurse him in like condition.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Just like a brave soldier; but are there none
+who find fault with my being here treated like a
+prince?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, one. His name is Andrew Harmon. It
+was his horse you were riding when you came here.
+He seems to hate you, and is doing all he can to
+have you taken to Columbus. He says you treated
+him most brutally when he was captured.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I did kick him,”</span> answered Calhoun, laughing;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“he was on the ground bellowing like a baby. I
+never saw a more abject coward. I kicked him
+and told him to get up.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He has a different story,”</span> said Joyce, smiling;
+and then she told the wonderful story of Harmon’s
+capture as related by himself.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“His capacity for lying is equalled only by his
+cowardice,”</span> said Calhoun, indignantly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yet he is a man to be feared,”</span> said Joyce,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“for he is rich and has influence, although every
+one knows him to be a coward.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The days that passed were the happiest Calhoun
+had ever spent. He told Joyce of his Kentucky
+home, of his cousin Fred, how noble and true
+he was, and of his own adventures in raiding with
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page274">[pg 274]</span><a name="Pg274" id="Pg274" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Morgan. She never tired of listening. Is it
+strange that these two hearts were drawn close to
+each other. They lived in a sweet dream—a dream
+which did not look to the future. But almost unknown
+to them Cupid had come and shot his
+shafts, and they had gone true.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The day came when Calhoun was able to be
+placed in an easy-chair and drawn to an open window.
+It was a proud day to him, yet it was the
+beginning of sorrow. The Doctor came and congratulated
+him on his improvement.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor Hopkins, how can I thank you for
+your kindness?”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“you have done so much
+for me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You need not thank me, thank that young lady
+there,”</span> replied the Doctor, pointing to Joyce.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“She it was who saved your life.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I know, no reward I could give would ever
+repay her,”</span> answered Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“I can only offer
+to be her slave for life.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Your offer is not accepted; you are well aware
+I do not believe in slavery,”</span> replied Joyce, with a
+merry laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the Doctor was ready to go, he asked for
+a private interview with Joyce. It was hard work
+for him to say what he had to say. He choked and
+stammered, but at last Joyce understood what he
+meant. He had promised the government officials
+to inform them when Calhoun could be moved
+without endangering his life. That time had come.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> said he, as he noticed the white face of
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page275">[pg 275]</span><a name="Pg275" id="Pg275" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Joyce, <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall recommend that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, as there is no danger of
+his running away in his weak condition.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Joyce hardly heard him. <span class="tei tei-q">“And—and—this
+means?”</span> she whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The penitentiary at Columbus.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce shuddered. <span class="tei tei-q">“And—and there is no way
+to prevent this?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“None. God knows I would if I could.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, Doctor; I might have known this
+would have to come, but it is so sudden.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The Doctor went out shaking his head. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am
+afraid harm has been done,”</span> he said to himself.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Just as he was getting into his gig to drive away
+Andrew Harmon came riding by. He glanced up
+and saw Calhoun sitting by the window. <span class="tei tei-q">“So,
+your patient is able to sit up,”</span> he exclaimed, with
+a sneer. <span class="tei tei-q">“About time he were in the penitentiary,
+where he belongs, isn’t it?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know how that concerns you,”</span> replied
+the Doctor, coldly, as he drove away.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh ho! my fine fellow. I will show you
+whether it concerns me or not?”</span> muttered Harmon,
+looking after him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That night Harmon wrote to the authorities at
+Columbus, stating it as his opinion that there was a
+scheme on foot to detain Lieutenant Pennington
+until he was well enough to slip away. He was
+not aware that Doctor Hopkins had reported on the
+condition of his patient every week, and had
+already sent a letter saying he could be moved with
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page276">[pg 276]</span><a name="Pg276" id="Pg276" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>safety, but recommending he be allowed to remain
+two weeks longer, on account of his weak condition.
+Harmon not only wrote to Columbus, but
+also to Mr. Crawford, hinting that it was dangerous
+for his daughter to care for Calhoun longer. <span class="tei tei-q">“You
+know,”</span> he wrote, <span class="tei tei-q">“that girls of the age of Joyce
+are inclined to be romantic.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Joyce, when the Doctor left her she sank
+into a chair weak and faint. She saw Andrew
+Harmon gazing up at the window where Calhoun
+was, and a terror seized her. She now knew that
+she loved Calhoun, but with that knowledge also
+came the thought that her love was hopeless, that
+even if Calhoun returned her love, her father would
+never consent to their union. He would rather see
+her dead than married to a Rebel, especially a hated
+Morgan raider. Long did she struggle with her
+own heart, her sense of duty, her ideas of patriotism;
+and duty conquered. She would give him
+up, but she would save him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was evening before she could muster strength
+to have the desired interview with Calhoun. When
+she did enter the room it was with a step so languid,
+a face so pinched and drawn, that Calhoun stared in
+amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, what is it?”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you sick?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not sick, only a little weary,”</span> she answered,
+as she sank into a chair and motioned for the nurse
+to leave them. No sooner was she gone than
+Joyce told Calhoun what had happened. Her voice
+was so passionless that Calhoun wondered if she
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page277">[pg 277]</span><a name="Pg277" id="Pg277" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>cared, wondered if he had been mistaken in thinking
+she loved him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, do you care if I go to prison?”</span> he
+asked.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Care?”</span> she cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“The thought is terrible.
+You shall not go, I will save you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce! Joyce! tell me that you love me, and
+it will make my cell in prison a heaven. Don’t you
+see that I love you, that you saved my poor life
+only that I might give it to you? Joyce, say that
+you love me!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For answer she sank on her knees by his bedside
+and laid her head on his breast. He put his weak
+arms around her, and held her close. For a while
+she remained still, then gently disengaging his arms,
+she arose. There was a look on her face that
+Calhoun did not understand.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The first embrace, and the last,”</span> she sighed.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Calhoun, why did we ever meet?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> he asked, his lips growing
+white.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I mean that our love is hopeless. Father
+will never consent to our marriage. I feel it, know
+it. Without his consent I shall never marry. But
+save you from prison I will.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, you do not love me!”</span> said Calhoun
+bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As my life,”</span> she cried.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yet you say you can never marry me!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Without my father’s consent I cannot.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, let us not borrow trouble. Even with
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page278">[pg 278]</span><a name="Pg278" id="Pg278" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>your father’s consent we could not marry now. I
+am a prisoner. The war is going on, but it cannot
+last forever. When it is over, when peace is
+declared, I will come to you. Then, and not till
+then, will I ask your father for your hand. Let us
+hope the skies will be brighter by that time—that
+to be one of Morgan’s men will not be a badge of
+dishonor, even in the North.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Calhoun, if I could only hope! I will
+hope. Come to me after the war is over. Father’s
+consent may be won. But now the prison, the
+prison. I must save you. I have thought it all
+out.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How can you save me, a poor, weak mortal,
+who cannot take a step without help?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Put you in a carriage to-morrow night and take
+you where they cannot find you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So soon? The Doctor said he would ask for
+two weeks. Two more weeks with you, Joyce—I
+could afford to go to prison for that.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t talk foolishly. I feel if I don’t get you
+away to-morrow night, I cannot at all.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But you—will it endanger you, Joyce?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not at all!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But how will you explain my disappearance?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Suppose you have been shamming, better than
+we thought you were, and so you gave us the slip.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“A right mean trick,”</span> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, a Yankee trick, a real good one. Now
+listen, Calhoun, and I will tell you all about how I
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page279">[pg 279]</span><a name="Pg279" id="Pg279" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>am going to get you away. Some six miles from
+here a colored man lives whom my father has
+greatly befriended. He will do anything for me I
+ask. I shall tell him you are a sick soldier, and for
+good reasons wish to remain in hiding until you
+get well.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will he know I am one of Morgan’s men?”</span>
+asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, he will think you are a Federal soldier.
+Calhoun, as much as you may hate it, you must
+don the Union Blue.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That would make a spy of me. No, it wouldn’t
+either, if I kept clear of any military post.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That’s good. I have a Federal uniform in the
+house, which will about fit you. A friendless soldier
+died here a short time ago. We took him in
+and cared for him during his last sickness. He had
+been discharged for wounds received at Fair Oaks.
+Here is the discharge. I think it fits you close
+enough, so it may be of use to you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She handed him the discharge; he took it
+and read: <span class="tei tei-q">“James Brown, age nineteen; height
+five feet nine inches; weight one hundred and sixty
+pounds; complexion dark; hair and eyes black.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Joyce, with that in my pocket, and wearing
+a Federal uniform, I could travel anywhere in
+the North.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“So I thought. We will cheat that old prison
+yet. But it is time you were asleep.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“God bless you, Joyce,”</span> replied Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Give me a kiss before you go.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page280">[pg 280]</span><a name="Pg280" id="Pg280" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She smiled and threw him one as she went out
+and he had to be content with that. She had not
+stopped to consider what the result might be if she
+helped Calhoun to escape. Her only thought was
+to save him from going to prison. To do this she
+would dare anything.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The colored man of whom she spoke was to be
+at the farm in the morning to do some work. A
+fear had seized her that she might be too late. The
+fear was well grounded. The authorities at Columbus
+had resolved to move Calhoun at once. The
+request of Doctor Hopkins, that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, although he said he could
+be removed without danger, aroused their suspicion.
+Not only that, but the letter of Andrew Harmon
+to Mr. Crawford had alarmed that gentleman, and
+he was already on his way home.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Abram Prather, the colored man, was seen by
+Joyce as soon as he made his appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Missy Joyce, I jes’ do enything fo’ yo.’ Me
+an’ de ol’ woman will keep him all right.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+So everything was arranged. Joyce breathed
+freer, yet she waited impatiently for the night.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page281">[pg 281]</span><a name="Pg281" id="Pg281" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc47" id="toc47"></a><a name="pdf48" id="pdf48"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXI.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE ESCAPE.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The day was a long and weary one to Calhoun.
+Between the joy of knowing he was to be free
+and his misery over the thought that he must part
+with Joyce, his soul was alternately swept with
+conflicting emotions. Then he had seen so little
+of her during the day; she seemed more distant
+than she did before she declared her love. How he
+longed to take her in his arms, to have her head
+rest on his breast once more! But she had said that
+although it was the first it was to be the last time.
+What did she mean? Ah! it must be that he could
+never embrace her again, never touch her lips again,
+until her father had consented to their marriage.
+When the war was over he would wring that consent
+from him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The thought brought contentment. Yes, it was
+better that they should part. Then the news of
+the terrible battle of Chickamauga had just come,
+and it had fired his very soul. The South had won
+a great victory. Surely this was the beginning of
+the end. Independence was near, the war would
+soon be at an end, and he longed to be in at the
+finish. The excitement of war was once more running
+riot through his veins.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He little thought of the sacrifice Joyce was
+mak<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page282">[pg 282]</span><a name="Pg282" id="Pg282" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ing, of the fierce conflicts she was having with her
+conscience. She knew that she was doing wrong,
+that she was proving a traitor to the flag she loved,
+that she was aiding and abetting the enemy; but it
+was one, only one man, and she loved him so.
+Surely this one man, sick and wounded, could do
+no harm. It was cruel to shut him up in prison.
+Thus she reasoned to silence conscience, but if
+her reasons had been ten times as weak, love would
+have won.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All through the day she was making preparations
+for Calhoun’s departure. Fortunately the
+young man who had been engaged to nurse Calhoun
+during the night had been taken sick a couple
+of days before, and as Calhoun rested well, another
+had not been engaged. Thus one of the greatest
+obstacles to the carrying out of Joyce’s plans was
+out of the way. She could easily manage Miss
+Goodsen. Joyce’s only confidant was the faithful
+Abe, who obeyed her without question. In his
+eyes Missy Joyce could do nothing wrong. He
+had been drilled by Joyce until he knew just what
+to do. He was to go home, but as soon as it was
+dark, he was to return, being careful not to be seen.
+After he was sure the household was asleep he
+was to harness a span of horses, being careful to
+make no noise, and have a carriage waiting in a
+grove a short distance back of the house. Here he
+was to wait for further orders from Joyce. Being
+well acquainted with the place, and Joyce promising
+to see that the barn and the carriage-house were
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page283">[pg 283]</span><a name="Pg283" id="Pg283" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>left unlocked, he would have no trouble in carrying
+out his instructions.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Night came, and Joyce was in a fever of excitement.
+Would anything happen to prevent her
+carrying out her plans? If she had known that
+Andrew Harmon had hired a spy to watch the
+house she would have been in despair. But the spy
+was to watch the window of Calhoun’s room, and
+was concealed in a corn-field opposite the house.
+If he had watched the back instead of the front of
+the house, he would have seen some strange doings.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Margaret Goodsen was told that as Calhoun was
+so well, she could lie down in an adjoining room.
+If he needed anything, he could ring a little bell
+which stood on a table by his side. The nurse
+gladly availed herself of the opportunity to sleep.
+When the nurse retired Joyce came into the
+room, and speaking so that she could hear her,
+said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Good night, Lieutenant Pennington; I hope
+you will rest well.”</span> Then she whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Here
+is the Federal uniform. Have you strength to put
+it on?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, but oh, Joyce—”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She made a swift gesture and pointed to the
+door of the nurse’s room.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Here is some money,”</span> she continued, in the
+same low whisper. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, don’t refuse it; you
+will need it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I had plenty of money in a belt around me
+when I was wounded,”</span> whispered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The belt, oh, I forgot! The Doctor gave it to
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page284">[pg 284]</span><a name="Pg284" id="Pg284" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>me for safe keeping.”</span> Noiselessly she moved to
+the bureau, opened a drawer, and returned with the
+belt.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, I shall not need your money now, but
+I thank you for the offer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It was nothing. Be sure and be ready,”</span> and
+she glided from the room.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The minutes were like hours to Calhoun. At
+one time he had made up his mind not to accept his
+proffered liberty, as it might bring serious trouble
+on Joyce; but he concluded that he must accept.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As for Joyce, she went to her room and threw
+herself down on a lounge. Her heart was beating
+tumultuously; every little noise startled her like
+the report of a gun. She waited in fear and apprehension.
+At length the clock struck eleven. <span class="tei tei-q">“They
+must be all asleep by this time,”</span> she thought.
+She arose and softly went downstairs, carrying
+blankets and pillows. She stopped and listened as
+she stepped out of doors. There was no moon, it
+was slightly cloudy, and darkness was over everything.
+Without hesitating she made her way
+through the back yard and the barn lot to the
+grove, where she had told Abe to be in waiting.
+She found that the faithful fellow had everything
+in readiness.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Abe, I want you to come with me now and
+get the sick soldier. Drive through the lane until
+you reach the road; then drive straight to your
+house. The road is not much frequented, and you
+will not be apt to meet any one at this time of night.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page285">[pg 285]</span><a name="Pg285" id="Pg285" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>If you do, say nothing. Leave the soldier when
+you get home, drive straight back the way you
+came. Turn the horses into the pasture, put the
+harness and carriage where you found them. Be
+careful and make no noise. When you have done
+this go home again and be sure you get there
+before daylight. It’s a hard night’s work I have
+put on you, Abe, but I will pay you well for it.
+Now, take off your boots and come with me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The obedient fellow did as he was bid, and followed
+Joyce into the house and to Calhoun’s room.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Take him to the carriage,”</span> whispered Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The stalwart Abe took Calhoun in his arms as if
+he had been a child, and carried him to the carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, Abe, remember and do just as I told
+you,”</span> said Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, Missy, I ’member ebberyting.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She went to the side of the carriage, arranged
+the pillows and comforts around Calhoun, and then
+gave him her hand. <span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye,”</span> she whispered;
+<span class="tei tei-q">“may God keep you safe.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The hand was cold as death, and Calhoun felt
+that she was trembling violently.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce! Joyce! is this to be our leave-taking?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> she whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you not coming to see me where I am
+going?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, I dare not; we must not see each other
+again until—until the war is over.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Without a kiss, Joyce. Joyce, I—”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hush! you have no right to ask for one, I
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page286">[pg 286]</span><a name="Pg286" id="Pg286" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>much less right to give it. Come when the war is
+over, and then”</span>—Her voice broke, and she turned
+and fled into the darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+How Joyce got back into the house she never
+knew. She fell on her bed half-unconscious. The
+strain upon her had been terrible, and the effect
+might have been serious if tears had not come to
+her relief. After a violent paroxysm of sobbing,
+she grew calmer, and tired nature asserted itself,
+and she fell asleep.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was yet early morning when she was aroused
+by a cry from Miss Goodsen, and that lady came
+rushing into her room, wringing her hands and crying,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He is gone! He is gone!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Who is gone?”</span> asked Joyce, springing up as if
+in amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Miss Goodsen, in her excitement did not notice
+that Joyce was fully dressed. <span class="tei tei-q">“The wounded
+Rebel, Lieutenant Pennington,”</span> she fairly shrieked.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! what shall I do? What shall I do?”</span> and she
+wrung her hands in her distress.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce ran to Calhoun’s room; sure enough it
+was empty. <span class="tei tei-q">“Stop your noise,”</span> she said, sharply,
+to Miss Goodsen. <span class="tei tei-q">“If any one is to blame, I am.
+They will do nothing with you. It may be he
+became delirious during the night and has wandered
+off. We must have the house and premises
+searched.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The noise had aroused the whole household.
+The utmost excitement prevailed. Miss Crawford
+was frantic. She was sure they would all be sent
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page287">[pg 287]</span><a name="Pg287" id="Pg287" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to prison, and she upbraided Joyce for not getting
+another male nurse to watch him during the night.
+The house and the premises were thoroughly
+searched, but nothing was found of the missing
+man. The neighborhood was aroused and a thorough
+search of the surrounding country began.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce took to her room with a raging headache.
+The afternoon brought a couple of deputy marshals
+from Columbus. They had come to convey Calhoun
+to prison, and were astonished when told
+that the prisoner had escaped. Miss Goodsen
+was closely questioned. She had looked in once
+during the night. The Lieutenant was awake, but
+said he was comfortable and wanted nothing. She
+then went to sleep and did not awake until morning.
+She found Joyce in her room, who was overcome
+when told that her patient was gone. She
+had not heard the slightest sound during the night.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Doctor Hopkins was summoned. The old Doctor
+was thunderstruck when he heard the news.
+He could scarcely believe it. To add to the mystery,
+Calhoun’s Confederate uniform was found.
+Apparently he had gone away with only his night
+clothes on. Doctor Hopkins at once gave it as his
+opinion that Calhoun had been seized with a sudden
+delirium and had stolen out of the house and wandered
+away; no doubt the body would be found
+somewhere. His professional services were needed
+in the care of Joyce, for she seemed to be completely
+prostrated, and had a high fever.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Poor girl,”</span> said the Doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“the excitement
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page288">[pg 288]</span><a name="Pg288" id="Pg288" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>has been too much for her.”</span> If he suspected anything
+he kept his secret well.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The spy employed by Andrew Harmon reported
+that he had not seen or heard anything suspicious
+during the night, so that gentleman concluded to
+say nothing, as he did not wish it to be known that
+he had had the house secretly watched.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford returned the day after the escape.
+He was greatly exercised over what had happened,
+and blamed every one that Calhoun had been kept
+so long as he had. Poor Joyce came in for her
+share, but she wisely held her peace. The country
+was scoured for miles around, but nothing was seen
+or heard of the escaped prisoner, and at last the
+excitement died out.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce did not lack news from Calhoun. The
+faithful Abe kept her fully informed. Joyce told
+him that both of them would go to prison if it was
+known what they had done, and he kept the secret
+well. He reported that Calhoun was gaining
+rapidly, and would soon be able to go his way.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“He want to see yo’ awful bad befo’ he goes,”</span>
+said Abe.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But Joyce resolutely refused. It would not do
+either of them any good. One day the negro
+brought her a letter. It was from Calhoun, telling
+her that when she received it he would be gone.
+He thought it cruel that she had not come to see
+him just once. He closed as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, I feel that my life is yours, for you
+saved it. Not only that, but to you I now owe my
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page289">[pg 289]</span><a name="Pg289" id="Pg289" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>liberty, and I realize the struggle you have had to
+do as you have done. But be of good cheer.
+When the war is over the thunder of the last cannon
+will hardly have died away before I shall be at
+your side. Till then adieu.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That letter was very precious to Joyce. Before
+the war was over it was nearly worn out by being
+read and reread.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Shortly after Mr. Crawford’s return he was
+asked by Andrew Harmon for permission to pay
+his addresses to his daughter. Harmon hoped that
+if he had her father’s permission to pay his addresses
+to her, Joyce’s coldness might disappear.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford did not like the man, but he was
+rich and had a certain amount of political influence.
+Mr. Crawford was thinking of being a candidate for
+Congress at the approaching election, and he did
+not wish to offend Harmon, but he secretly hoped
+that Joyce would refuse him; in this he was not
+disappointed. She was indignant that her father
+had listened to Harmon, even to the extent that
+he had. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, father, I have heard you call him
+cowardly and dishonest,”</span> she exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“and to
+think that you told him you would leave it entirely
+to me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I did not wish to offend him,”</span> meekly replied
+Mr. Crawford, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I had confidence in your judgment.
+I was almost certain you would refuse
+him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will you always have such confidence in my
+judgment?”</span> asked Joyce, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page290">[pg 290]</span><a name="Pg290" id="Pg290" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> asked her father.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Suppose I should wish to marry one of whom
+you did not approve?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is another proposition,”</span> said Mr. Crawford.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You might have been so foolish as to fall in
+love with that Morgan Rebel and horse-thief you
+took care of so long. If so, I had rather see you
+dead than married to him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Poor Joyce! Did her father suspect anything?
+She caught her breath, and came near falling.
+Quickly recovering herself, she answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“At
+least he was a brave man. But everybody says he
+is dead, and mortals do not wed ghosts.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is to be sincerely hoped he is dead,”</span> replied
+Mr. Crawford, for he had noticed his daughter’s
+confusion, and an uneasiness took possession of him.
+But much to Joyce’s relief he did not question her
+further.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Andrew Harmon was beside himself with rage
+when told by Mr. Crawford that, while his daughter
+was sensible of the great honor he would bestow
+upon her, she was still very young, and had no idea
+of marrying any one at present.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Harmon determined to have revenge on Joyce,
+and began slyly to circulate reports that Joyce
+Crawford, if she chose, could tell a great deal
+about the escape of the Rebel officer. In fact, half
+of his sickness was shammed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+These rumors came to the ears of Mark Crawford.
+He had been promoted to a colonelcy for
+gallantry at Chickamauga. During the winter,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page291">[pg 291]</span><a name="Pg291" id="Pg291" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>while the army lay still around Chattanooga, he
+had come home on furlough. While at home he
+sought out Harmon and gave him as fine a thrashing
+as a man ever received, warning him if he ever
+heard of him connecting his sister with the escape
+of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his
+body. The only revenge Harmon durst take was
+to defeat Mr. Crawford in his aspirations for a
+nomination for Congress.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page292">[pg 292]</span><a name="Pg292" id="Pg292" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc49" id="toc49"></a><a name="pdf50" id="pdf50"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back
+in the carriage and gave himself up to the most
+gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
+took from him the joy of his escape. During
+the journey his dusky driver did not speak a word.
+The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he
+was thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up
+by a log house, surrounded by a small clearing.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Heah we be, Massa,”</span> said Abe, as he alighted
+from his seat. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hope Massa had a good ride.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The door of the house was opened by a motherly
+looking colored woman, and Abe, taking Calhoun
+once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
+Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing
+Calhoun looking so pale and thin, put her fat, black
+hand on his forehead, and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Po’ chile, po’
+chile, don’t yo’ worry. Aunt Liza take good care
+ob yo’.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun felt that he was among friends—friends
+that would prove faithful and true. He was carried
+up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
+house was all in one room, rather low, but the
+rough walls were whitewashed, and everything was
+neat and clean. He was placed on a snow-white
+bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page293">[pg 293]</span><a name="Pg293" id="Pg293" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he awoke the sun was shining in at the window and
+Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast good enough
+to tempt the appetite of one far more particular
+than Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The invalid remained with his kind friends two
+weeks, treated like an honored guest, and protected
+from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
+rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk
+out evenings, when there was no danger of being
+seen. Once men who were searching for him
+entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every
+word that was said. His heart beat painfully, for
+it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
+betray him for the sake of the reward offered.
+But the thought did injustice to these simple-minded
+people. As for the searchers, the loft of
+the house of a poor negro who had run away from
+slavery was the last place they thought of looking
+for an escaped Confederate.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce.
+She cheered him with words of love and comfort,
+but absolutely refused to come and see him, saying
+it would be dangerous. In this she was right, for
+Andrew Harmon was alert. He believed that
+Joyce had had something to do with the disappearance
+of Calhoun, and had her closely watched.
+Fortunately his suspicions did not extend to Abe,
+so that communication between Joyce and Calhoun
+was not interrupted. At the end of two weeks he
+felt able to leave his place of concealment. But
+where should he go? He longed to be South, in the
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page294">[pg 294]</span><a name="Pg294" id="Pg294" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>midst of the strife, but his heart was drawn toward
+Columbus, where his comrades lay languishing in
+prison. What could he do at Columbus? He did
+not know, but something might transpire that would
+enlighten him. At least he would go and look
+over the field. Once out of the neighborhood, in
+his Federal uniform and with Brown’s discharge in
+his pocket, there would be little fear of detection.
+He made his preparations to go, wrote Joyce the
+letter which she prized so highly, and bade his
+kind protectors farewell, placing in their hands a
+hundred dollars. Their surprise and joy over the
+gift were about equal.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“De Lawd keep yo’!”</span> said Aunt Liza, wiping
+her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun had determined to start early in the
+evening, travel all night, lie concealed during the
+day, and travel the next night. By that time he
+thought he would be so far away from the place of
+his escape that he could venture to take the cars
+without danger. Aunt Liza had supplied him
+with ample provisions for the two days. He
+carried out his programme, and on the morning
+of the second day found himself near a small
+town where he concluded to take the cars, but
+deemed it safer to wait for the night train. The
+conductor eyed him sharply when he paid his fare
+instead of showing a pass, for soldiers generally
+travelled on Federal transportation. But the conductor
+took the money and passed on without
+remark.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page295">[pg 295]</span><a name="Pg295" id="Pg295" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Opposite Calhoun in the car sat a gentlemanly
+looking man, and much to Calhoun’s surprise, when
+the conductor passed, he saw the gentleman make
+the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden
+Circle, and it was answered by the conductor.
+When the conductor next passed Calhoun gave
+the sign. The man stared, but did not answer.
+But he seemed to be troubled, and passed through
+the cars frequently, and Calhoun saw that he was
+watching him closely. At length, in passing, the
+conductor bent down and whispered to the gentleman
+opposite. Calhoun now knew another pair of
+eyes were observing him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Watching his opportunity, Calhoun gave this
+gentleman the sign of recognition. The gentleman
+shifted uneasily in his seat, but did not answer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I will give you something stronger,”</span> thought
+Calhoun, and the next time he caught the gentleman’s
+eye, he gave the sign of distress. This was
+a sign no true knight could afford to ignore. Leaning
+over, the gentleman said, <span class="tei tei-q">“My boy, you look
+pale. Have you been sick?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very, and I now need friends,”</span> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Come over here and tell me about it,”</span> said the
+gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man
+whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you a deserter, and are they after
+you?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Where are you going?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page296">[pg 296]</span><a name="Pg296" id="Pg296" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“To Columbus.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is a poor place to go to keep out of the
+hands of Lincoln’s minions,”</span> answered the man.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not afraid,”</span> said Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“What I
+want to know is where I can find friends in Columbus
+whom I can trust—true, firm friends of the
+South.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My name is Pettis,”</span> replied the man. <span class="tei tei-q">“I
+reside in Columbus. Once let me be satisfied as to
+who you are and what you are wearing that uniform
+for and I may be able to help you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is easily answered,”</span> said Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“but
+first I must be fully satisfied as to you. Let me
+prove you, my brother.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in
+the order, and was violent in his hatred of the Lincoln
+government. He could be trusted.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not a Federal soldier,”</span> said Calhoun after
+he had fully tested him. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am wearing this uniform
+as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What! escaped from Johnson’s Island?”</span> asked
+Mr. Pettis, in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, I am one of Morgan’s officers.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Morgan’s officers are all in the penitentiary,”</span>
+he gasped.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“One is not and never was,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said:
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It can’t be, but it must be. Is your name Pennington?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is,”</span> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page297">[pg 297]</span><a name="Pg297" id="Pg297" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, the papers have been full of your escape.
+But the general opinion seemed to be that you
+wandered away in a delirium and died.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Which you see is not so,”</span> said Calhoun, with
+a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“How in the world did you get away?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That is a secret which I cannot tell even you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come
+home with me. You will find friends in Columbus,
+many of them, who will be delighted to meet you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice
+of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit of citizen’s clothes, for,
+said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“We Knights hate the sight of that uniform;
+it’s the badge of tyranny.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed
+in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner could be more
+bitter toward the Lincoln government than he.
+He fairly worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he
+would only return to Ohio, he would be defended
+by a hundred thousand men. He was especially
+indignant over the way Morgan and his officers
+were treated.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We have schemed and schemed how to help
+him,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“but see no way except we storm
+that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed.
+And,”</span> he added, with emphasis, <span class="tei tei-q">“the day is fast
+approaching when we will do it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+For three days Calhoun remained at Mr. Pettis’s,
+wearying his brain as to how he might help his
+general, but every plan proposed was rejected as
+impracticable. On the third morning he happened
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page298">[pg 298]</span><a name="Pg298" id="Pg298" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>to pick up a paper, and glancing over its columns,
+saw an advertisement which caused every nerve in his
+body to tingle. It was an advertisement for a boy
+to work in the dining-room and wait on the table
+at the penitentiary. The advertisement stated that
+the sole duty of the boy was to wait on the table
+when the Confederate officers ate, as they objected
+to being waited upon by convicts. In less than
+five minutes Calhoun was in his Federal uniform
+and on his way to the penitentiary to apply for the
+position.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You do not look very strong,”</span> said the warden,
+kindly; <span class="tei tei-q">“do you think you could fill the bill?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am sure I can,”</span> said Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Only try
+me and see.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well,”</span> replied the warden, <span class="tei tei-q">“I had rather hire
+a boy who has served his country, as you have, and
+I will give you a trial.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Thus to his great joy Calhoun found himself
+hired to wait upon his old comrades in arms.
+With what feelings he commenced his duties can
+be imagined. Would they recognize him, and in
+their surprise give him away? No, he thought not.
+They knew too well how to control themselves for
+that. It was with a beating heart that Calhoun
+waited for the time of the first meal. It came, and
+the Confederate prisoners came marching in. How
+Calhoun’s heart thrilled at the sight of his old
+comrades! But if they recognized him they did
+not show it by look or sign.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When the meal was finished and the prisoners
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page299">[pg 299]</span><a name="Pg299" id="Pg299" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>marched out, Calhoun managed to give Morgan a
+little slip of paper. On it was written: <span class="tei tei-q">“I am here
+to help you if I can. Be of good cheer.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But how could Calhoun help them? Even at
+meal-time guards stood everywhere watching every
+move. His duties did not take him out of the
+dining-room. Calhoun began by making a careful
+survey of the building in which the prisoners were
+confined. Fortune favored him. One day he
+made a remark to one of the employees of the
+prison that the floor of the building seemed to be
+remarkably dry and free from damp.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It should be,”</span> was the reply; <span class="tei tei-q">“there is an air
+chamber under the floor.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Like a flash there came to Calhoun a plan for
+escape. If this air chamber could be reached a
+tunnel might be run out. He took careful note of
+all the surroundings, and drew a plan of the buildings
+and surrounding grounds. These he managed
+to pass to Morgan unobserved. At the next meal-time
+as Morgan passed him, he said, as if to himself,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No tools.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This was a difficult matter. Nothing of any size
+could be passed to them without discovery. But
+in the hospital Calhoun found some large and finely
+tempered table-knives. He managed to conceal
+several of these around his person, and one by one
+they were given to Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun now waited in feverish excitement for
+the success of the plan. He had done all he could.
+The rest depended on the prisoners themselves.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page300">[pg 300]</span><a name="Pg300" id="Pg300" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Through the shrewdness and indomitable energy of
+Captain Thomas H. Hines the work was carried to
+a successful termination inside the prison wall.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Morgan occupied a cell in the second
+tier, and could do nothing. Only those who occupied
+cells on the ground floor had any hopes of
+escaping. Captain Hines, with infinite labor made
+an opening through the floor of his cell into the air
+chamber. Once in the air chamber they could work
+without being discovered. With only the table-knives
+to work with, these men went through two
+solid walls, one five feet, and the other six feet in
+thickness. Not only that, but they went through
+eleven feet of grouting. Then, working from
+under, they went through the floors of six cells,
+leaving only a thin scale of cement, which could be
+broken through by a pressure from the foot. The
+work was commenced November 4, and finished
+November 24. Thus in twenty days seven men,
+working one at a time, had accomplished what
+seemed almost impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+During these days Calhoun could only wait and
+hope. As the prisoners passed him in the dining-room,
+all they could say was <span class="tei tei-q">“Progressing,”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“Not
+discovered yet,”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“All is well so far.”</span> At last, on
+the 24th, Calhoun heard the welcome words,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Finished. First stormy night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun now examined the time-tables and
+found that a train left Columbus for Cincinnati at
+1:15 <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%">A. M.</span></span>; arriving in Cincinnati before the prisoners
+were aroused in the morning. So he wrote on
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page301">[pg 301]</span><a name="Pg301" id="Pg301" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a slip of paper: <span class="tei tei-q">“Escape as soon after midnight as
+possible.”</span> He believed that train could be taken
+with safety. The afternoon of November 27,
+the weather became dark and stormy. At supper-time
+Calhoun heard the glad word, <span class="tei tei-q">“To-night.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+As soon as his duties were done he hurried
+to the home of Mr. Pettis, exchanged his uniform
+for citizen’s clothes, telling Mr. Pettis his work at
+the penitentiary was done, and he had decided to
+leave. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ask no questions; it is better that you
+know nothing,”</span> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Pettis took his advice, but he was not surprised
+in the morning when he heard that Morgan
+had escaped. For General Morgan to escape, it
+was necessary for him to occupy a lower cell. His
+brother, Captain Dick Morgan, occupied the cell
+next to Captain Hines. The Captain, giving up his
+chance of escaping, effected an exchange of cells
+with his brother. This was easily accomplished, as
+they were about of a size, and it was quite dark in
+the cells when they were locked in.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The General had been allowed to keep his watch.
+When a few minutes after twelve came, he arose,
+fixed a dummy in his bed to resemble a man sleeping,
+and breaking through the thin crust over the
+opening with his foot, slipped into the air chamber.
+He gave the signal, and was quickly joined by his
+companions. Captain Morgan had made a ladder
+out of strips of bed-clothing, and by the aid of this
+ladder they hoped to scale two walls, one twenty
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page302">[pg 302]</span><a name="Pg302" id="Pg302" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>feet high, which would stand between them and
+liberty, after they had emerged from the tunnel.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A little before midnight Calhoun made his way
+as close as he durst to the place where he knew the
+wall must be scaled. Not three hundred feet away
+several guards were gathered around a fire. The
+night was cold, and the guards kept close to the
+fire. Slowly the minutes passed. The city clocks
+struck half-past twelve. Would they never come?
+Had their flight been detected?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Suddenly a dark spot appeared on top of the
+wall. Then another, and another, until Calhoun
+counted seven. They were all there. Silently
+they slid down the rope ladder, the talk and laughter
+of the guards ringing in their ears. But noiselessly
+they glided away, and the darkness hid them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“This way,”</span> whispered Calhoun. When out of
+hearing of the guards, they stopped for consultation.
+It would not do to keep together. They
+decided to go two and two. Calhoun handed each
+a sum of money. There was a strong clasping of
+the hands, a whispered farewell, and they who had
+dared so much separated.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next morning there was consternation in
+the penitentiary at Columbus. The news of Morgan’s
+escape was flashed over the country. The
+Federal authorities were astonished, dumbfounded.
+A reward of five thousand dollars was offered for
+his recapture. Every house in Columbus was
+searched, but to no purpose. John Morgan had
+flown.
+</p>
+<a name="illus09" id="illus09" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus09.png" width="483" height="700" alt="ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON" title="ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON</span></div></div>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page303">[pg 303]</span><a name="Pg303" id="Pg303" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc51" id="toc51"></a><a name="pdf52" id="pdf52"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXIII.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The 1:15 train from Columbus to Cincinnati
+was about to start. <span class="tei tei-q">“All aboard,”</span> shouted
+the conductor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Two gentlemen sauntered into one of the cars,
+to all appearances the most unconcerned of individuals.
+They took different seats, the younger
+just behind the older. General Morgan and Calhoun
+had reached the train in safety; had purchased
+tickets, and taken their seats without exciting suspicion.
+A moment more and they would be on
+their way South.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A Federal major came hurrying in and seated
+himself beside Morgan, and the two entered into
+conversation. On the way out of the city the train
+had to pass close to the penitentiary. The major,
+pointing to the grim, dark pile, and thinking he
+might be imparting some information, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“There
+is where they keep the notorious John Morgan.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“May he always be kept as safe as he is now,”</span>
+quickly replied the General.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! they will keep him safe enough,”</span> said the
+major, complacently stroking his chin. The major
+better understood the Delphic answer of the General
+the next morning.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All went well until Dayton was reached, where
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page304">[pg 304]</span><a name="Pg304" id="Pg304" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>by some accident the train was held over an hour.
+It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun.
+It meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati,
+that before they arrived there the Federal authorities
+of the city might be informed of the escape.
+It would never do for them to ride clear into the
+city. As the train slowed up as it entered the
+suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped off
+without being noticed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Morgan being well acquainted with the city,
+they quickly made their way to a ferry, and by the
+time the escape had been discovered at the penitentiary,
+Morgan’s feet were pressing the soil of
+Kentucky. Calhoun’s heart thrilled as he once more
+breathed the air of his native state. He felt like a
+new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of
+miles to safety. They must steal through the states
+of Kentucky and Tennessee like hunted beasts, for
+the enemy was everywhere. But friends there
+were, too—friends as true as steel. And hardly
+had they set foot in Kentucky before they found
+such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and
+protected them. He gave them horses, and sent
+them on their way. Slowly they made their way
+through the state, travelling all night, sent from the
+house of one friend to that of another. At last they
+reached the Cumberland River near Burkesville,
+where they had crossed it at the beginning of their
+raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had passed
+since then, so much had happened.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened.
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page305">[pg 305]</span><a name="Pg305" id="Pg305" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>They did not know friend from foe. On entering
+a house they did not know whether they would be
+protected or betrayed. The country was swarming
+with Federal cavalry. It was rumored that Morgan
+was in the country making his way south, and every
+officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing
+him. In the mountains Morgan and Calhoun met
+a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were
+making their way to the Confederate lines. In the
+party were a number of Morgan’s old men, who
+hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan
+assumed command of them. But few of the party
+were mounted, consequently their progress was
+slow and their dangers were augmented.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+All went well until the Tennessee River was
+reached, a few miles below Kingston. The river
+was high and there was no means of crossing. A
+rude raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming,
+they commenced crossing. When about half
+were across a company of Federal cavalry appeared
+and attacked those who were still on the northern
+bank. On the frail raft, Morgan started to push
+across to their aid.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you crazy, General,”</span> cried Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“you
+can do no good, and will only be killed or captured.
+See, the men have scattered already, and are taking
+to the woods and mountains.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away.
+He had the satisfaction afterwards of learning that
+most of the men escaped.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The next day was the last day that Calhoun
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page306">[pg 306]</span><a name="Pg306" id="Pg306" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ever rode with Morgan, but little did he realize it
+at the time. Along in the afternoon they became
+aware of the close proximity of a squadron of
+Federal cavalry. Morgan and those with him took
+shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun
+rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no
+enemy and was coming back when he ran squarely
+into the Federals. The foremost of them were not
+ten feet from Morgan, he still being screened from
+view by the cedars. Without hesitation, Calhoun
+cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“This way, Major. Hurry up, they have
+gone this way,”</span> pointing the way he had come.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving
+the command, <span class="tei tei-q">“Forward,”</span> rode rapidly after Calhoun,
+and Morgan was saved. For half a mile
+they rode, when a stream was reached, and it was
+seen no horseman had crossed it. The major drew
+rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You have deceived me, you dog!”</span> he cried.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I am one of Morgan’s men,”</span> calmly
+replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The anger of the major was terrible. He grew
+purple in the face. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, and you have led me
+away from Morgan,”</span> he hissed. <span class="tei tei-q">“You will pay
+for this.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun still remained calm. <span class="tei tei-q">“That was not
+Morgan,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“I ought to know Morgan, I
+have ridden with him for two years.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I know better,”</span> roared the Major, thoroughly
+beside himself; <span class="tei tei-q">“you are a lying scoundrel; I will
+fix you.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page307">[pg 307]</span><a name="Pg307" id="Pg307" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What are you going to do?”</span> asked Calhoun,
+with apparent calmness, but a great fear coming
+over him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is
+a God in heaven! I would not have had Morgan
+slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It
+would mean a brigadier generalship for me if I had
+caught him. String him up, men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off
+his horse, fastened it around Calhoun’s neck,
+threw the other end over the projecting limb of a
+tree, and stood awaiting orders.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun
+in the face, and there was no Captain Huffman near
+to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save
+him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Major, before you commit this great outrage—an
+outrage against all rules of civilized warfare—let
+me say one word.”</span> Calhoun’s voice did not even
+tremble as he asked this favor.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Be quick about it, then, but don’t think you
+can say anything that will save your cursed neck!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say,
+and I have been one of Morgan’s men, as I have
+confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had
+betrayed him into your hands?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The fire of anger died out of the major’s eyes.
+He hesitated, and then said: <span class="tei tei-q">“You are right. If
+that was General Morgan, and you are one of his
+men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not
+for saving him.”</span> Then to his men he said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Boys,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page308">[pg 308]</span><a name="Pg308" id="Pg308" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>take off that halter; he is too brave and true a
+man to be hanged.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed
+to the major’s sense of honor, and the appeal had
+not been made in vain.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The major kept Calhoun for three days, and
+during that time treated him more like a brother
+than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness.
+At the end of the three days Calhoun was placed
+under a strong guard with orders to be taken to
+Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville
+was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would
+he live to be taken North in irons, as he would be
+when it became known that he was one of Morgan’s
+officers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+At the end of the first day’s journey the prisoners,
+of whom there were several, were placed in the
+tower room of a deserted house. Three guards
+with loaded muskets stood in the room, another
+was just outside the door. Calhoun watched his
+chance, and when the guards inside the room were
+not looking, he dashed through the door, closing it
+after him. The guard outside raised his musket
+and fired. So close was he that the fire from the
+muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun’s face, yet he was
+not touched. Another guard but a few feet away
+saw him running, and fired. The ball tore its way
+through the side of his coat. But he was not yet
+out of danger. He had to pass close to two picket
+posts, and as he neared them he was saluted with a
+shower of balls. But he ran on unharmed. One
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page309">[pg 309]</span><a name="Pg309" id="Pg309" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>of the pickets with fixed bayonet took after him.
+He came so close that Calhoun could hear his heavy
+breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before.
+A turn in the road took him out of sight of his
+pursuers, and he sprang to one side and began to
+climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed
+by in pursuit; they had missed him. With a
+thankful heart Calhoun saw them disappear.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+But darkness came on and he had to feel his way
+up the mountain on his hands and knees. His
+progress was so slow that when morning came he
+had only reached the top of the mountain. He
+could hear the shouts of the soldiers searching
+for him. Near him was a growth of high grass.
+Going into this he lay down; and here he remained
+all day. At one time the soldiers in search of him
+came within twenty feet of where he lay.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun
+ever spent. Hunger gnawed him, and he was
+consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter,
+and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth
+of his body thawed the frozen ground until he sank
+into it. When night came it froze again, and
+when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast.
+It was with difficulty that he released himself
+without sacrificing his clothing. For the next
+seven days he hardly remembers how he existed.
+Travelling by night and hiding by day, begging a
+morsel of food here and there, he at last reached
+the Confederate lines near Dalton.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page310">[pg 310]</span><a name="Pg310" id="Pg310" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc53" id="toc53"></a><a name="pdf54" id="pdf54"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXIV.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Is this General Shackelford?”</span> asked Calhoun of
+a distinguished-looking Confederate officer.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You
+look as if you had been seeing hard times.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have,”</span> answered Calhoun; <span class="tei tei-q">“I have just
+escaped from the North. I am one of Morgan’s
+men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you one of the officers who escaped with
+Morgan?”</span> asked the General, with much interest.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan,
+but I escaped South with him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I had a nephew with Morgan,”</span> continued the
+General. <span class="tei tei-q">“We have not heard from him since
+Morgan was captured. The report is that he was
+killed in the last fight that Morgan had before
+he was captured. Poor Cal!”</span> and the General
+sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Uncle Dick, do you not know me?”</span> asked
+Calhoun, in a broken voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“It cannot be, yes, it is Cal!”</span> he exclaimed,
+and the next moment he had Calhoun by
+the hand, and was nearly shaking it off.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you have been in a Northern prison, have
+you?”</span> asked the General.
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page311">[pg 311]</span><a name="Pg311" id="Pg311" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, but I was wounded near unto death.
+Fortunately I fell into kind hands.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin
+and bones.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in
+the last seven days to keep a bird alive. Then I
+was none too strong when I started on my journey
+south.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Tell me about it some other time,”</span> said the
+General. <span class="tei tei-q">“What you want now is rest and something
+to eat.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+And rest and food Calhoun got.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When he came to tell his story it was listened to
+with wonder. He was taken to General Joseph E.
+Johnston, then in command of the Confederate
+forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You know, I presume,”</span> said Johnston, <span class="tei tei-q">“that
+Morgan escaped, and is now in Richmond.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I long to be with him,”</span> answered Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I feel as strong as ever now.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Do not be in a hurry to report,”</span> said Johnston.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Wait until you hear from me.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In a few days Calhoun received a message from
+General Johnston saying he would like to see him.
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying the summons.
+He was received most cordially.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“In the first place, Captain,”</span> said the General,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“allow me to present you this,”</span> and he handed him
+his commission as captain in the Confederate army.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun choked, he could only stammer his
+thanks. But what came next astonished him still
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page312">[pg 312]</span><a name="Pg312" id="Pg312" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>more. <span class="tei tei-q">“I now offer you the position of Chief of
+the Secret Service of my army,”</span> said the General.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-corr">After</span> listening to your story, although you are
+young, I believe there is no officer in the army
+more capable of filling it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun knew not what to say; it was a place
+of the greatest honor, but he hated to leave Morgan.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Will you let me consult my uncle before I
+give an answer?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Most certainly,”</span> replied the General.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Accept it, by all means, Cal,”</span> said General
+Shackelford when Calhoun appealed to him. <span class="tei tei-q">“In
+the first place, it is your duty to serve your country
+in the place where you can do the most good.
+There is no question but that at the head of the
+Secret Service you can render the country vastly
+better service than you can riding with Morgan.
+In the next place, I fancy it will not be exactly
+with Morgan as it was before his unfortunate raid.
+His famous raiders are prisoners, or scattered. It
+will be impossible for him to gather another such
+force. They understood him, he understood them.
+This will not be the case with a new command.
+Then, this is for your ear alone, Calhoun, the
+authorities at Richmond are not satisfied with
+Morgan. In invading the North he disobeyed
+orders; and this, those high in authority cannot
+overlook.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+So, with many regrets, Calhoun decided to
+accept the offer of General Johnston; but for many
+days his heart was with his old chieftain. The
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page313">[pg 313]</span><a name="Pg313" id="Pg313" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>time came when he saw the wisdom of his uncle’s
+remarks. General Morgan never regained his old
+prestige. It is true the Confederate government
+gave him the department of Western Virginia, but
+they so hampered him with orders that any great
+success was impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+In June, 1864, Morgan made his last raid into
+Kentucky. At first he was successful, sweeping
+everything before him. He had the pleasure of
+taking prisoner General Hobson, the man who had
+tracked him all through his Northern raid. But
+at Cynthiana he met with overwhelming defeat, his
+prisoners being recaptured, and he escaping with
+only a small remnant of his command.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+On the morning of the 4th of September, 1864,
+the end came. General Morgan was slain in battle
+at Greenville, East Tennessee. Calhoun mourned
+him as a father, when he heard of his death. It
+was long months afterwards before he heard the
+full particulars, and then they were told him by
+an officer who was with the General on that fatal
+morning.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“We marched into Greenville,”</span> said the officer,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“and took possession of the place on the afternoon
+of the 3d. There was a small company of Yankees
+within four miles of us, but there was no considerable
+body of Yankees nearer than Bull’s Gap, sixteen
+miles away. The General established his
+headquarters at the house of a Mrs. Williams, the
+finest house in the little city.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“In the evening a furious storm arose and
+con<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page314">[pg 314]</span><a name="Pg314" id="Pg314" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>tinued most all night. The rain fell in torrents.
+The lightning flashed incessantly, and there was a
+continual crash of thunder. It seemed impossible
+that troops could move in such a storm, and we
+felt perfectly safe.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But there were traitors in Greenville, and they
+carried the news to the little company of Yankees
+four miles away that Morgan was in the city, and
+told at what house he lodged. Two daring young
+cavalrymen volunteered to carry the news to General
+Gillem at Bull’s Gap. Talk about the ride of
+Paul Revere, compared to the ride of those two
+Yankees! Buffeted by wind and rain, one moment
+in a glaring light and the next in pitch darkness,
+with the thunder crashing overhead, in spite
+of wind and rain, those two cavalrymen rode the
+sixteen miles by midnight.</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“The command was aroused. What if the rain
+did pour and the elements warred with each other?
+Morgan was the prize, and by daylight Gillem’s
+soldiers had reached Greenville. So complete was
+the surprise that the house in which the General
+slept was surrounded before the alarm was given.
+Then thinking only of joining his men, the General
+leaped out of bed, and without waiting to dress,
+seized his sword and dashed out of the house, seeking
+to escape by the way of the garden. But he
+was seen by a soldier and shot dead. The news
+that Morgan was killed seemed to go through the
+air. It was known in an incredibly short time by
+both sides.</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page315">[pg 315]</span><a name="Pg315" id="Pg315" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Now,”</span> said the officer, <span class="tei tei-q">“occurred one of the
+most singular circumstances I know of during the
+war. There was no flag of truce, no orders to cease
+firing, yet the firing ceased. The Confederates
+gathered together, and marched out of the city;
+the Federals marched in; the two were close
+together, within easy musket range, but not a shot
+was fired. It seemed as if both sides were conscious
+that a great man had fallen, a gallant soul
+fled, and that even grim war should stay his hand.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It is not within the scope of this book to follow
+Calhoun through the last year of the war. Suffice it
+to say, that in the enlarged sphere of his new position,
+his genius found full scope. He was all through
+the Atlantic campaign, where for four months the
+thunder of cannon never ceased, and where seventy-five
+thousand men were offered as a sacrifice to the
+god of war. He followed Hood in his raid to the
+rear of Sherman’s army, and then into Tennessee.
+He was in that hell of fire at Franklin, where fell so
+many of the bravest sons of the South. At Nashville
+he was among those who tried to stem the tide
+of defeat, and was among the last to leave that
+fatal field. When the remnants of Hood’s army
+were gathered and marched across the states of
+Alabama and Georgia into North Carolina, hoping
+to stay the victorious progress of Sherman, Calhoun
+was with them.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Not until the surrender of Lee and Johnston did
+Calhoun give up every hope of the independence of
+the South. But the end came, and in bitter anguish
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page316">[pg 316]</span><a name="Pg316" id="Pg316" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he laid down his arms. He had given his young
+life to his country when only seventeen years of
+age. For four years he had fought and hoped.
+When the end came it seemed to him the sky
+was darkened, that every hope had perished, that
+everything worth living for was gone. Oh, the
+bitterness of defeat! Strong men wept like
+children.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Even the victors stood in silence over the grief
+of those whom they had met so many times in
+battle. They were brothers now, and they took
+them by the hand and bade them be of good cheer,
+and divided their rations with them. The soldiers
+who had fought each other on so many bloody fields
+were the first to fraternize, the first to forget.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When Calhoun gave his parole, he met his cousin
+Fred, who was on General Sherman’s staff. The
+meeting was a happy one for Calhoun, for it served
+to dispel the gloom which depressed his spirits. It
+seemed to be like old times to be with Fred again.
+Nothing would satisfy Fred, but that Calhoun
+should return home by the way of Washington.
+He consented, and was in Washington at the time
+of the Grand Review. All day long he watched
+the mighty armies of Grant and Sherman, as with
+steady tread they marched through the streets,
+showered with flowers, greeted with proud huzzahs.
+And then he thought of the home-coming of the
+ragged Confederates, and the tears ran down his
+cheeks. But as he looked upon the thousands and
+thousands as they marched along, and remembered
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page317">[pg 317]</span><a name="Pg317" id="Pg317" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>the depleted ranks of the Southern army, his only
+wonder was that the South had held out so long as
+it did. Defeated they were, but their deeds are
+carved deep in the temple of fame, never to be
+erased.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page318">[pg 318]</span><a name="Pg318" id="Pg318" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc55" id="toc55"></a><a name="pdf56" id="pdf56"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXV.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span style="font-size: 120%">THE LONE RAIDER.</span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It was near the close of a beautiful day in early
+June that Joyce Crawford was once more standing
+by the gate, looking down the road. It is
+nearly two years since we saw her last. She has
+grown taller, more womanly, even more beautiful,
+if that were possible. The sound of war had
+ceased in the land. No longer was the fierce raider
+abroad; yet Joyce Crawford stood looking down
+that road as intently as she did that eventful evening
+when Calhoun Pennington came riding to the
+door.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She had not heard a word from him since his
+escape; nor had she expected to hear. All that she
+could do was to scan the papers for his name among
+the killed or captured Confederates. But the
+Northern papers published few names of Confederates
+known to have been killed, except the highest
+and most distinguished officers.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+During these two years Joyce’s heart had been
+true to her raider lover. He had said that he
+would come when the war was over, that the
+thunder of the last cannon would hardly have
+ceased to reverberate through the land before he
+would be by her side. It was two months since
+Lee had surrendered yet he had not come. That
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page319">[pg 319]</span><a name="Pg319" id="Pg319" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>he had been untrue she would not admit; if such a
+thought came to her, she dismissed it as unworthy.
+No! Like his general, he was lying in a soldier’s
+grave; or he might be sick, wounded, unable to
+come.
+</p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+This June evening, as she stood looking down
+the road, her thoughts were in the past. Once
+more, in imagination, Morgan’s raiders came riding
+by; she beheld the country terror-stricken; men,
+women, and children fleeing from—they hardly
+knew what. Once more she heard the sound of
+distant battle, then down the road that little cloud
+of dust which grew larger and larger, until the horse
+with its stricken rider came to view. How vividly
+she remembered it all, how real it seemed to her!
+She actually held her breath and listened to catch
+the sound of battle; she strained her eyes to catch
+a glimpse of that little cloud of dust.
+</p>
+    <a name="illus10" id="illus10" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/illus10.png" width="473" height="700" alt="SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE" title="SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-top: 0.90em"><span style="font-size: 90%">SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE</span></div></div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+No sound of battle came to her ears, but away
+down the road, as far as she could see, arose a little
+cloud of dust. Her heart gave a great throb; why
+she could not tell, for she had seen a thousand
+clouds of dust arise from that road, as she watched
+and waited. The little cloud grew larger. Now
+she could see it was caused by a single horseman,
+one who rode swiftly, and sat his horse with rare
+grace. She stood with hands pressed to her bosom,
+her eyes dilating, her breath coming in quick, short
+gasps.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before she realized it, the rider had thrown himself
+from his horse, and with the cry of <span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce!
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page320">[pg 320]</span><a name="Pg320" id="Pg320" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Joyce!”</span> had her in his arms, kissing her hair, her
+brow, her lips. For a minute she lay at rest in his
+arms; then, with burning brow and cheek and neck,
+she disengaged herself from his embrace, and stood
+looking at him with lovelit eyes. Could this be he
+whom, two years before, she had taken in wounded
+nigh unto death? How manly he had grown!
+How well his citizen suit became him!
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Were you watching for me, Joyce?”</span> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I have watched for you every night since Lee
+surrendered. I began to think you had forgotten—no,
+not that, I feared you had been slain,”</span> she
+exclaimed, in a trembling voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Death only could have kept me from you,
+Joyce. In camp and battle your image was in my
+heart. The thought of seeing you has sweetened
+the bitterness of defeat. The war did not
+end as I thought it would, but it has brought me
+to you—to you. Now that the war is over, there
+is nothing to separate us, is there, Joyce?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+She grew as pale as death. She had not thought
+of her father before—he believed that the South
+had been treated too leniently, that treason should
+be punished. All that the South had suffered he
+believed to be a just punishment for her manifold
+sins. If the Rebels’ lives were spared, they should
+be thankful, and ask nothing more. Joyce knew
+how her father felt. Not a word had ever passed
+between them relative to Calhoun since his escape;
+but the father knew much more than Joyce
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page321">[pg 321]</span><a name="Pg321" id="Pg321" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>thought. He had kept still, thinking that time
+would cure his daughter of her infatuation, for he
+considered it nothing else.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun saw the change in Joyce, how she drew
+from him, how pale she had grown, and he asked,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What is it, Joyce? Why, you shrink from me, and
+tremble like a leaf. Tell me, Joyce, what is it?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“My father!”</span> she whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I fear—I
+fear!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Fear what, darling?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“That he will drive you from me; that he will
+forbid me seeing you!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“For what?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Because you fought against your country;
+because you were one of Morgan’s men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What would he do? Hang me, if he could?”</span>
+asked Calhoun, bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, but—oh, Calhoun, let us hope for the
+best. Perhaps when he sees you it will be different.
+You must see him. He and aunt have gone
+to New Lisbon; but they will be at home presently.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With many misgivings Calhoun allowed his horse
+to be put up, and he and Joyce enjoyed an hour’s
+sweet converse before her father and aunt returned.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+When her father entered the room Joyce, with
+a palpitating heart, said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Father, let me introduce
+you to Mr. Calhoun Pennington, of Danville, Kentucky.
+He is the young officer whom we cared for
+when wounded. He has come to thank us for the
+kindness shown him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page322">[pg 322]</span><a name="Pg322" id="Pg322" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford bowed coldly, and said, without
+extending his hand, <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Pennington need not
+have taken the trouble; the incident has long since
+been forgotten. But supper is ready; I trust Mr.
+Pennington will honor us by remaining and partaking
+of the repast with us.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun could do nothing but accept, yet he
+felt he was an unwelcome guest. As for Joyce,
+she knew not what to think; she could only hope
+for the best. The meal passed almost in silence.
+Mr. Crawford was scrupulously polite, but his manner
+was cold and constrained. Poor Joyce tried to
+talk and appear merry, but had to give it up as a
+failure. Every one was glad when the meal was
+through. As they arose from the table, Mr. Crawford
+said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, remain with your aunt, I wish to
+have a private conversation with Mr. Pennington.”</span>
+Calhoun followed him into the parlor. He knew
+that what was coming would try his soul more than
+charging up to the mouth of a flaming cannon.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The first question asked nearly took Calhoun’s
+breath away, it was so sudden and unexpected.
+It was, <span class="tei tei-q">“Young man, why am I honored with this
+visit?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As your daughter said, to thank you for the
+kindness I received while an enforced guest in your
+house,”</span> answered Calhoun, and then he mentally
+cursed himself for his cowardice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Guests who leave as unceremoniously as you
+did do not generally return to express their
+thanks,”</span> answered Mr. Crawford, dryly. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page323">[pg 323]</span><a name="Pg323" id="Pg323" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>a poor return you gave my daughter for her kindness.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I mean that leaving as you did subjected my
+daughter to much unjust criticism. An honorable
+man would have gone to prison rather than subjected
+the young lady to whom he owed his life to
+idle remarks.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun felt every nerve in him tingle. His hot
+blood rushed through his veins like fire, he clenched
+his hands until his nails buried themselves in the
+palms. How he longed to throttle him and force
+the insult down his throat! But he was an old
+man; he was Joyce’s father. Then, as Joyce had
+never told him it was she who had planned the
+escape, it was not for him to speak. Controlling
+himself by a mighty effort, he calmly said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr.
+Crawford, I am sorry you think so poorly of me,
+for I came here to ask of you the greatest boon you
+have to give on earth, that is your consent that I
+may pay my addresses to your daughter, and in due
+time make her my wife. I love her with my whole
+soul, and have reason to know that my love is
+returned.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And I had rather see my daughter dead than
+married to a Rebel and traitor, especially to one of
+Morgan’s men. You have my answer,”</span> said Mr.
+Crawford, angrily.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Why call me Rebel and traitor?”</span> asked Calhoun.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Whatever I may have been, I am not that
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page324">[pg 324]</span><a name="Pg324" id="Pg324" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>now. The government has pardoned; can you not
+be as generous as the government? as generous
+as your great generals, Grant and Sherman?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And the government will find out its mistake.
+Your punishment has not been what your sins
+deserve. Your lands should be taken from you and
+given to the poor beings you have enslaved these
+centuries. But we need not quarrel. You have
+had my answer concerning my daughter. Now go,
+and never let me see you again.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Crawford,”</span> said Calhoun, rising, <span class="tei tei-q">“you
+have been very outspoken with me, and I will be
+equally so with you. As to the terms you say
+should have been given the South, I will say that
+had such been even hinted at, every man, woman,
+and child in the South would have died on their
+hearthstones before yielding. But this is idle talk,
+as I trust there are but few in the North so
+remorseless as you. Now, as to your daughter; if
+she is willing, I shall marry her in spite of you.
+There is one raider of Morgan still in the saddle,
+and he will not cease his raid until he has carried
+away the fairest flower in Ohio.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go,”</span> cried Mr. Crawford, losing his temper,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“go before I am forced to use harsher means.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Before Calhoun could reply, before he could take
+a step, there was a swish of woman’s garments, and
+before the father’s astonished eyes there stood his
+daughter by the side of her lover. Her form was
+drawn to its full height, her bosom was heaving,
+her eyes were flashing. Taking her lover’s hand,
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page325">[pg 325]</span><a name="Pg325" id="Pg325" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>she cried: <span class="tei tei-q">“Father, what have you done? I love
+this man, love him with all my heart and soul, and
+he is worthy of my love. If I can never call him
+husband, no other man shall ever call me wife.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The father staggered and grew deadly pale.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“O God,”</span> he moaned. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have no daughter
+now. Child, child, much as I love you, would
+that you were lying beside your mother.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Leaving the side of Calhoun, Joyce went to her
+father, and taking his hands in hers said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Father,
+grant me but a few moments’ private interview with
+Captain Pennington, and I promise I will never
+marry him without your free and full consent.
+Nay, more, without your consent I will never see
+him again or correspond with him.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, Joyce!”</span> cried Calhoun, <span class="tei tei-q">“what are you
+doing? What are you promising?”</span> and he started
+toward her, but she motioned him back.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Father! Father!”</span> she wailed, <span class="tei tei-q">“don’t you
+hear?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, what did you say? What do you
+mean?”</span> he whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce repeated what she had said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And you mean it, Joyce? you are to stay with
+me?”</span> he asked, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, but I must have a private interview with
+Captain Pennington before he goes. Then it is for
+you to say whether I shall ever meet him again or
+not.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun stood by while this conversation was
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page326">[pg 326]</span><a name="Pg326" id="Pg326" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>going on, the great drops of perspiration gathering
+on his forehead. Was he going to lose Joyce after
+all?
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The father arose and left the room. No sooner
+was he gone than she turned, and with a low cry
+sank into her lover’s arms.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, Joyce, what have you done?”</span> cried
+Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“Fly with me now! Let me take you
+to my Kentucky home. Father will welcome you.
+You will not lack the love of a father.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce raised her head, her eyes swimming in
+tears, but full of love and tenderness. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hear me,
+Calhoun,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and then you will not blame
+me. We cannot marry now, we are both too young.
+You told me that you and your cousin were to go to
+Harvard. That means four long years. Before that
+time my father may give his consent to our union.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But you told him you would not see me, would
+not even write. That means banishment.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Not from my heart,”</span> she whispered. <span class="tei tei-q">“Calhoun,
+for you to attempt to see me now, or to
+write to me, would be but to increase my father’s
+opposition. I trust to time, and by filial obedience
+to win him. It is a fearful thing, Calhoun, to
+be disowned by one’s own father, and by a father
+who loves one as I know my father loves me. It
+would kill him if I left him, and the knowledge
+would make me unhappy, even with you. Calhoun,
+do you love me?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“As my life,”</span> he answered, clasping her once
+more to his breast. <span class="tei tei-q">“And to be banished entirely
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page327">[pg 327]</span><a name="Pg327" id="Pg327" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>from your presence is more than I can bear. It is
+cruel of you to ask it.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Calhoun, did you love me when I aided you to
+escape?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You know I did, why do you ask?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yet you left me for two long years, left me to
+fight for principles which you held dear. What if, for
+love of me, I had asked you to resign from the army,
+to forsake the cause for which you were fighting?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I couldn’t have done it, Joyce. I couldn’t
+have done it, even for your love. But you would
+not ask me to do such a craven act.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“And yet you ask me to forsake my father, to
+be false to what I know is right.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, how can I answer you? I am dumb
+before your logic. But how can I pass the weary
+years which are to come?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“You have passed two since we parted, and
+your college years need not be weary. They will
+not be weary. Have faith. When father learns
+how good, how noble, how true you are, he will
+give his consent. And Mark, my brother Mark,
+he will plead for me, I know.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, I am like a criminal awaiting pardon—a
+pardon which may never come.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t say that. Now, Calhoun, we must part.
+Remember you are not to try to see me or write to
+me. But the moment father relents I will say,
+Come. It will not be long. Now go.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun clasped her once more in his arms,
+pressed the farewell kiss on her lips, and left her.
+</p>
+
+</div><hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page328">[pg 328]</span><a name="Pg328" id="Pg328" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+<a name="toc57" id="toc57"></a><a name="pdf58" id="pdf58"></a>
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%">CHAPTER XXVI.</span></h2>
+
+<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.40em; margin-top: 2.40em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">“</span><span style="font-size: 120%">COME.</span><span style="font-size: 120%">”</span></span></h2>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun found his life in the university
+delightful. He was a good student, and a
+popular one. The black-haired young Kentuckian
+who had ridden with Morgan was a favorite in society.
+Many were the languishing glances cast upon
+him by the beauties of Cambridge and Boston, but
+he was true to Joyce. In the still hours of the
+night his thoughts were of her, and he wondered
+when he would hear that word <span class="tei tei-q">“Come.”</span> But
+months and years passed, and no word came.
+He heard that her father was still obdurate. He
+would wait until his college course was finished,
+and then, come what would, he would see Joyce
+and try to shake her resolution. He would carry
+her off <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">vi et armis</span></span> if necessary.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The day of his graduation came. It was a proud
+as well as a sad day to him. Sad because friendships
+of four years must be broken, in most cases
+never to be renewed; and sadder yet because no
+word had come from Joyce. She must know that
+he was now free, that of all things he would long to
+come to her. Why should she longer be held by
+that promise to her father? For the first time he
+felt bitterness in his heart.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Twilight, darkness came, still he sat in his
+apart<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page329">[pg 329]</span><a name="Pg329" id="Pg329" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>ments brooding. From without came the shouts
+and laughter of students, happy in the thought of
+going home; but their laughter found no echo in
+his heart. A step was heard, and his cousin Fred
+came dashing into the room. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, Cal,”</span> he exclaimed,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“why sit here in the darkness, especially
+on this day of all days? We are through, Cal, we
+are going back to Old Kentucky. Don’t the
+thought stir your blood?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Go away and leave me, Fred. I am desperate
+to-night. I want to be alone,”</span> replied Calhoun,
+half despondently, half angrily.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Fred whistled. <span class="tei tei-q">“Look here, old fellow,”</span> he
+said, kindly, <span class="tei tei-q">“this won’t do. It’s time we met the
+folks down at the hotel. By the way, here is a
+telegram for you. A messenger boy handed it to
+me, as I was coming up to the room.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Calhoun took the yellow envelope languidly,
+while Fred lighted the gas; but no sooner had
+he glanced at his telegram, than he gave a whoop
+that would have done credit to a Comanche Indian.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Fred, Fred!”</span> he shouted, dancing around as
+if crazy, <span class="tei tei-q">“when does the first train leave for the
+west? Tell the folks I can’t meet them.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I never—”</span> began Fred, but Calhoun
+stopped him by shaking his telegram in his face.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+It read:
+</p>
+    <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 10.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come.</span></p>
+    <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-left: 12.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce.”</span></p>
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+That was all, but it was enough to tell Calhoun that
+the long years of waiting were over, that the little
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page330">[pg 330]</span><a name="Pg330" id="Pg330" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Puritan girl had been true to her lover, true to her
+father, and won at last. The first train that
+steamed out of Boston west bore Calhoun as a
+passenger, and an impatient passenger he was.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+How had it fared with Joyce during these years?
+If Calhoun had known all that she suffered, all
+her heartaches, he would not have been so happy
+at Harvard as he was. The fear of losing his
+daughter being gone, Mr. Crawford, like Pharaoh,
+hardened his heart. He believed that in time
+Joyce would forget, a pitiable mistake made by
+many fathers. A woman like Joyce, who truly
+loves, never forgets. It is said that men do, but
+this I doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The troublesome days of Reconstruction came
+on, and Mr. Crawford felt more aggrieved than ever
+toward the South. He believed that the facts bore
+out his views, that the North had been too lenient.
+As for Joyce, she gave little thought to politics.
+She believed that her father would surely relent
+before Calhoun had finished his college course; but
+as the time for his graduation approached, and her
+father was still obdurate, her courage failed. Her
+step grew languid, her cheeks lost their roses, the
+music of her voice in song was no longer heard.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Strange that her father did not notice it, but
+there was one who did. That was her brother
+Mark. He was now a major in the Regular Army,
+had been wounded in a fight with the Apaches, and
+was home on leave of absence. To him Joyce
+confided all her sorrows, and found a ready
+sym<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page331">[pg 331]</span><a name="Pg331" id="Pg331" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>pathizer, for he was as tender of heart as he was
+brave.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He went to his father and talked to him
+as he had never talked before. <span class="tei tei-q">“Your opposition
+is all nonsense,”</span> said Mark. <span class="tei tei-q">“Young Pennington
+is in every way worthy of her. I have taken
+pains to investigate.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+The old gentleman fairly writhed under his son’s
+censures, and tried to excuse himself by saying,
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mark, I have said I had rather see her dead than
+married to a Rebel, one of Morgan’s men.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, you will see her dead, and that very
+soon,”</span> retorted Mark, thoroughly aroused. <span class="tei tei-q">“Have
+you no eyes? Have you not noticed her pale
+cheeks, her languid steps? Is she the happy girl
+she was? Your foolish, cruel treatment is killing
+her.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford groaned. <span class="tei tei-q">“Mark, Mark,”</span> he
+cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I can’t bear to hear you talk like that,
+you my only son. I have only done what I
+thought was right. You must be mistaken about
+Joyce.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not; look at her yourself. Never was
+there a more dutiful daughter than Joyce. She
+would rather die than break her promise to you.
+Free her from it. Make her happy by telling her
+she can see Pennington.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Mark, don’t ask too much. Joyce is all I have
+to comfort me. When I am gone you will be
+the head of the family. You can then advise her
+as you please.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page332">[pg 332]</span><a name="Pg332" id="Pg332" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Better be kind to her and give her your blessing
+while you live,”</span> said his son, turning away,
+believing that his words would bear fruit.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+What Mark had said deeply troubled Mr. Crawford.
+He now noticed Joyce closely, and was surprised
+that he had not perceived the change in her.
+He meant to speak to her, but kept putting it off
+day by day, until sickness seized him. The doctor
+came, and told him he had but a short time to live.
+Mr. Crawford heard the verdict with composure.
+The Puritan blood in his veins led him to meet
+death as he would meet any enemy in life. But he
+would do justice to his daughter before he died.
+Calling Joyce to him, he took her hand in his,
+and said: <span class="tei tei-q">“Joyce, you have been all that a daughter
+should be to me, but to you I have been a hard,
+cruel father.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, you have been the kindest of fathers,”</span>
+she cried, her tears falling fast. <span class="tei tei-q">“Father, don’t
+talk so, or you will break my heart.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Listen, Joyce. I now know how much suffering
+I have caused you. I drove from you the man
+you loved. Do you still love him, Joyce?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Father, I love him, I shall always love him, but
+I have been true to my promise. I—”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There, child,”</span> broke in Mr. Crawford, <span class="tei tei-q">“say
+no more. I know how true you have been, how
+sacred you have kept your word, while I—oh, forgive
+me, Joyce!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t, father, don’t, you only did what you
+thought was right.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page333">[pg 333]</span><a name="Pg333" id="Pg333" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“But Pennington, Joyce—has he been true all
+these years?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“I charged him not to see or write to me until I
+bade him, and that was to be when I had your free
+and full consent. Father, have I that consent now?”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, yes, tell him to come.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+With her feet winged with love Joyce flew to
+send the glad message. But that night Mr. Crawford
+became much worse. It was doubtful if he
+would live until Calhoun could arrive.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again
+is Calhoun galloping up the road which leads to the
+Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing at
+the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust
+grows larger and larger, but it is not noticed. In
+the house a life is ebbing away—going out with the
+sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse,
+and points to the house. <span class="tei tei-q">“Massa Crawford dyin’,”</span>
+is all he said.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He is met at the door by Joyce. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come, father
+wants to see you,”</span> she says, and leads him into the
+chamber where the dying man lies.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Father, here is Calhoun,”</span> she sobbed.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a
+trembling hand, and it was grasped by Calhoun.
+In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover.
+Her father took her hand and placed it in that of
+Calhoun. <span class="tei tei-q">“God bless you both, my children,”</span> he
+whispered. <span class="tei tei-q">“Forgive!”</span>
+</p>
+
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page334">[pg 334]</span><a name="Pg334" id="Pg334" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+<span class="tei tei-q">“There is nothing to forgive,”</span> replied Calhoun,
+in a choking voice.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A look of great contentment came over the
+dying man’s face. <span class="tei tei-q">“Sit by me, Joyce,”</span> he whispered.
+<span class="tei tei-q">“Let me hold your hand in mine.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For
+some time she held her father’s hand, and then his
+mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce’s
+hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had
+lain in the grave for so many years. Once he
+opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending
+over him, murmured, <span class="tei tei-q">“Kiss me, Mary.”</span>
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not
+once, but again and again.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+He smiled, closed his eyes—and then fell asleep.
+</p>
+    
+<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">
+A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford.
+Calhoun has come to claim his beautiful
+bride. He is making his last raid; but this time
+no enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are
+scattered in his path; glad bells are ringing a joyful
+welcome. He is fully aware that the war has
+left many bitter memories; yet when the words are
+spoken which link his life to Joyce’s forever and
+forever (for true love ends not in the grave), he
+clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan
+made his raid into Ohio.
+</p>
+
+<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 2.00em">
+THE END.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="page" /><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em; margin-left: 5.40em">
+<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page335">[pg 335]</span><a name="Pg335" id="Pg335" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">
+PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY</span><br /><span style="font-size: 90%">
+AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE</span><br /><span style="font-size: 90%">
+LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
+</span></p>
+        </div></div>
+        <div class="tei tei-back" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em">
+            <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+                
+                    
+                    
+                        <hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em">
+                            <a name="toc59" id="toc59"></a>
+                            <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Footnotes</span></h1>
+                            <dl class="tei tei-list-footnotes"><dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_1" name="note_1" href="#noteref_1">1.</a></dt><dd class="tei tei-notetext">Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding
+    his capture and release. For this see <span class="tei tei-q">“General Nelson’s Scout.”</span></dd><dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_2" name="note_2" href="#noteref_2">2.</a></dt><dd class="tei tei-notetext">For full particulars of this see
+    <span class="tei tei-q">“On General Thomas’s Staff.”</span></dd><dt class="tei tei-notelabel"><a id="note_3" name="note_3" href="#noteref_3">3.</a></dt><dd class="tei tei-notetext">This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864.</dd></dl>
+                        </div>
+                    
+                
+            </div>
+            <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="boxed tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+                <a name="toc60" id="toc60"></a><a name="pdf61" id="pdf61"></a>
+                <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Transcriber’s Note</span></h1>
+                
+                    
+                    
+                        <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The author’s footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.</p>
+                    
+                
+                <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following typographical errors were corrected:</p>
+                <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr070" class="tei tei-ref">page 70</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“wagon train”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“wagon-train”</span></td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr073" class="tei tei-ref">page 73</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“orced”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“forced”</span></td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr086" class="tei tei-ref">page 86</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“kulking”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“skulking”</span></td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr125" class="tei tei-ref">page 125</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“way”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“way.”</span></td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><a href="#corr140" class="tei tei-ref">page 140</a>, <span class="tei tei-q">“At”</span> changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“As”</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
+                <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In addition, several missing, superfluous or misplaced quote marks have been corrected.</p>
+                <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Variations in spelling (<span class="tei tei-q">“pass-word”</span> and <span class="tei tei-q">“password”</span>, <span class="tei tei-q">“tear-drop”</span> and <span class="tei tei-q">“teardrop”</span>,
+                    <span class="tei tei-q">“bastile”</span> and <span class="tei tei-q">“Bastille”</span>) were not changed. The single occurrence of
+                    <span class="tei tei-q">“<a href="#matthews" class="tei tei-ref">Matthews</a>”</span> 
+                    was not changed to <span class="tei tei-q">“Mathews”</span> as it is not clear
+                    if the same character is meant. Similarly, it can not be decided if a horse is called
+                    <span class="tei tei-q">“<a href="#salim" class="tei tei-ref">Salim</a>”</span> or <span class="tei tei-q">“<a href="#selim" class="tei tei-ref">Selim</a>”</span>.</p>
+            </div>
+            <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em">
+      <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+</pre><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader62" id="rightpageheader62"></a><a name="pgtoc63" id="pgtoc63"></a><a name="pdf64" id="pdf64"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">August 24, 2009  </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt">
+                <span class="tei tei-resp">Produced by David Garcia, Stefan Cramme and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+                    at http://www.pgdp.net
+                    (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library)</span>
+            </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader65" id="rightpageheader65"></a><a name="pgtoc66" id="pgtoc66"></a><a name="pdf67" id="pdf67"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h1><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This file should be named 
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+<TEI.2 lang="en">
+    <teiHeader>
+        <fileDesc>
+            <titleStmt>
+                <title>Raiding with Morgan</title>
+                <author><name reg="Dunn, Byron Archibald">Byron A. Dunn</name></author>
+            </titleStmt>
+            <publicationStmt>
+                <publisher>Project Gutenberg</publisher>
+                <date value="2009-08-24">August 24, 2009</date>
+                <idno type='etext-no'>29786</idno>
+                <availability>
+                  <p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere
+                  at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.
+                  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under
+                  the terms of the Project Gutenberg License online at
+                  www.gutenberg.org/license</p>
+                </availability>
+            </publicationStmt>
+            <sourceDesc>
+                <p>Dunn, Byron Archibald: Raiding with Morgan. - Chicago : A. C. McClurg &amp; Co., 1903</p>
+            </sourceDesc>
+        </fileDesc>
+        <encodingDesc>
+        </encodingDesc>
+        <profileDesc>
+          <langUsage>
+            <language id="en" />
+          </langUsage>
+        </profileDesc>
+        <revisionDesc>
+          <change>
+            <date value="2009-08-24">August 24, 2009</date>
+            <respStmt>
+                <resp>Produced by David Garcia, Stefan Cramme and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+                    at http://www.pgdp.net
+                    (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library)</resp>
+            </respStmt>
+            <item>Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1</item>
+          </change>
+        </revisionDesc>
+    </teiHeader>
+
+    <pgExtensions>
+      <pgStyleSheet>
+        .italic      { font-style: italic }
+        .smallcaps   { font-variant: small-caps }
+        .center      { text-align: center }
+        figure     { text-align: center }
+        head       { text-align: center }
+      </pgStyleSheet>
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+<text>
+<front>
+    <div>
+      <divGen type="pgheader" />
+    </div>
+    <div>
+      <divGen type="encodingDesc" />
+    </div>
+    <div>
+<pb/>
+<p rend="center; font-size: x-large">
+Raiding with Morgan
+</p>
+
+<pb/>
+<anchor id="illus01"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus01.png" rend="width: 100%"><head rend="font-size: small">AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus01.png"><head rend="font-size: small">AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.</head>
+<figDesc>AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+</div><titlePage rend="center; page-break-before: right">
+<pb/>
+    <titlePart rend="font-size: large">The Young Kentuckians Series</titlePart>
+<lb/><lb/><lb/>
+<docTitle><titlePart rend="font-size: xx-large">
+Raiding with Morgan
+</titlePart></docTitle>
+<lb/><lb/>
+<byline rend="margin-left: 5; margin-right: 5">
+<hi rend="font-size: small">BY</hi>
+<lb/>
+<docAuthor rend="font-size: large">
+Byron A. Dunn
+</docAuthor>
+<lb/>
+<lb/>
+<hi rend="font-size: small">Author of “General Nelson’s Scout,” “On General
+Thomas’s Staff,” “Battling for Atlanta,”
+“From Atlanta to the Sea”</hi>
+</byline>
+    <lb/><lb/>
+<docImprint>
+Chicago<lb/>
+A. C. McClurg &amp; Co.
+</docImprint><lb/>
+    <docDate>1903</docDate>
+</titlePage><div rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb/>
+<p rend="center; font-size: small">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>Copyright<lb/>
+    By A. C. McCLURG &amp; CO</hi><lb/>
+A. D. 1903
+</p>
+<milestone unit="tb" rend="rule: 10%"/>
+    <p rend="center; font-size: small">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>Published Sept. 30, 1903</hi>
+</p>
+</div><div rend="page-break-before: right">
+<pb n='7'/><anchor id='Pg007'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>PREFACE.</head>
+
+<p>
+General John H. Morgan was one of the most
+picturesque figures in the Civil War, an officer without
+a peer in his chosen line. During the two years
+of his brilliant career he captured and paroled at
+least ten thousand Federal soldiers, and kept three
+times that number in the rear of the Federal army
+guarding communications. When we consider the
+millions of dollars’ worth of property he destroyed,
+and how he paralyzed the movements of Buell, we
+do not wonder that he was considered the scourge
+of the Army of the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Morgan was a true Kentucky gentleman,
+and possessed one of the kindest of hearts. The
+thousands of persons captured by him almost invariably
+speak of the good treatment accorded
+them. The following incident reveals more clearly
+than words his generous spirit. In reporting a
+scout, he says:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Stopped at a house where there was a sick
+Lincoln soldier, who died that night. No men
+being in the neighborhood, his wife having no
+person to make a coffin or bury him, I detailed
+some men, who made a coffin.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The adventures of Calhoun as a secret agent of
+the <q>Knights of the Golden Circle</q> opens up a
+portion of the history of the Civil War which may
+<pb n='8'/><anchor id='Pg008'/>be almost unknown to our younger readers. During
+the war the whole North was honeycombed
+with secret societies, whose members denounced
+Lincoln as a usurper and a bloody monster, and
+maintained that the government had no right to
+coerce the South. They resisted the draft, encouraged
+desertions, and embarrassed the Federal Government
+in every way possible. In secret many of
+the leaders plotted armed rebellion, the liberation
+of Confederate prisoners, and the burning of Northern
+cities. They held out inducements to the South
+to invade the North, and there is but little doubt
+that Morgan was lured to his destruction by their
+representations.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Shortly after the close of the war the author met
+a gentleman who had served on the staff of General
+Breckinridge. This officer affirmed that he carried
+a message from Breckinridge to Morgan, saying
+that the former had positive information that forty
+thousand armed <q>Knights</q> stood ready to assist
+Morgan if he would invade Indiana. Everything
+goes to show that Morgan relied on these reports,
+and it was this belief that induced him to disobey
+the orders of General Bragg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It is an interesting question whether General
+Breckinridge was really privy to the plans of the
+<q>Knights,</q> and whether he secretly encouraged
+Morgan to disobey orders, hoping that the appearance
+of a Confederate force in the North would
+lead to the overthrow of the Lincoln Government
+and the independence of the South. The author
+<pb n='9'/><anchor id='Pg009'/>has taken the ground that Breckinridge was fully
+cognizant of Morgan’s intended move.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This volume mentions only the greatest of the
+General’s raids, and the author has tried to narrate
+them with historical accuracy as regards time,
+place, and circumstances. In stating the number
+of his men, his losses, and the damage he inflicted
+on the Federals, the General’s own reports have
+been followed; these, as was to be expected, differ
+widely in many cases from those of the Federal
+officers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tale of the exploits of Calhoun is substantially
+true, though the hero himself is fictitious, for
+every one of his most notable feats was accomplished
+by one or other of Morgan’s men. It was
+Lieutenant Eastin, of Morgan’s command, who
+killed Colonel Halisy in single combat. Calhoun’s
+achievements in the escape from the Ohio Penitentiary
+were actually performed by two different
+persons: a sharp dining-room boy furnished the
+knives with which the prisoners dug their way to
+liberty; Captain Thomas H. Hines planned and
+carried to a successful termination the daring and
+ingenious escape. Captain Hines fled with General
+Morgan; and every adventure which befell Calhoun
+in <q>The Flight to the South</q> actually befell Captain
+Hines. The Captain’s marvellous story was
+published in the January number of <q>The Century,</q>
+1891, and to this narrative the author is indebted
+for the leading facts.
+</p>
+<signed rend="margin-right: 2"><hi rend='smallcaps'>B. A. Dunn.</hi></signed>
+<dateline rend="margin-left: 2">
+August 1, 1903.
+</dateline>
+
+<pb n='10'/><anchor id='Pg010'/>
+
+</div><div rend="page-break-before: right">
+<pb n='11'/><anchor id='Pg011'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CONTENTS</head>
+<table rend="tblcolumns: 'r lw(46m) r'; latexcolumns: 'rp{6cm}r'">
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend="font-size: small">&nbsp;CHAPTER</hi></cell>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend="font-size: small">PAGE</hi></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">I.</cell>
+        <cell>AFTER SHILOH</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg015">15</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">II.</cell>
+        <cell>THROUGH THE LINES</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg028">28</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">III.</cell>
+        <cell>RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg049">49</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">IV.</cell>
+        <cell>MORGAN’S FIRST RAID</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg069">69</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">V.</cell>
+        <cell>MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg082">82</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">VI.</cell>
+        <cell>CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg094">94</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">VII.</cell>
+        <cell>CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg108">108</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">VIII.</cell>
+        <cell>THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg113">113</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">IX.</cell>
+        <cell>THE DUEL</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg126">126</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">X.</cell>
+        <cell>HARTSVILLE</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg142">142</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XI.</cell>
+        <cell>MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg151">151</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XII.</cell>
+        <cell>A SPY! A SPY!</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg161">161</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XIII.</cell>
+        <cell>UNDER ARREST</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg181">181</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XIV.</cell>
+        <cell>THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg196">196</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XV.</cell>
+        <cell>OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg214">214</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XVI.</cell>
+        <cell>CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg226">226</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XVII.</cell>
+        <cell>THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg234">234</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XVIII.</cell>
+        <cell>THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg246">246</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XIX.</cell>
+        <cell>AN ANGEL OF MERCY </cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg253">253</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XX.</cell>
+        <cell>CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg269">269</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXI.</cell>
+        <cell>THE ESCAPE </cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg281">281</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXII.</cell>
+        <cell>PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg292">292</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXIII.</cell>
+        <cell>THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH </cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg303">303</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXIV.</cell>
+        <cell>CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg310">310</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXV.</cell>
+        <cell>THE LONE RAIDER </cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg318">318</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right">XXVI.</cell>
+        <cell><q>COME</q> </cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg328">328</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+</table>
+
+<pb n='12'/><anchor id='Pg012'/>
+
+</div><div rend="page-break-before: right">
+<pb n='13'/><anchor id='Pg013'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>ILLUSTRATIONS</head>
+<table rend="tblcolumns:'lw(1m) lw(54m) r'; latexcolumns:'lp{6cm}r'">
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend="font-size: small">PAGE</hi></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>As he sat upon his horse and looked out
+upon the river</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend='italic'><ref target="illus01">Frontispiece</ref></hi></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>He easily distanced all his pursuers</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus02">31</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>Sauntering into the depot they gazed curiously around</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus03">76</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>They silently crept down the gorge</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus04">101</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>He fired at Conway</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus05">120</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>The force of the blow threw the Colonel forward on<lb/>&nbsp;&nbsp;his saddle</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus06">157</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>He cautiously crept up on the Sergeant</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus07">183</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus08">223</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>Escape of Morgan from prison</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus09">302</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+    <row>
+        <cell></cell>
+        <cell>She held her breath and listened to catch the sound<lb/>&nbsp;&nbsp;of battle</cell>
+        <cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="illus10">319</ref></cell>
+    </row>
+</table>
+
+<pb n='14'/><anchor id='Pg014'/> 
+        
+    </div>
+</front>
+<body rend="page-break-before: right">
+    <pb n='15'/><anchor id='Pg015'/>
+    
+    <head>
+        RAIDING WITH MORGAN.
+    </head>
+    <div type="chapter" n="1">
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER I.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">AFTER SHILOH.</head>
+
+<p>
+The great battle of Shiloh had been fought,
+and victory had been snatched from the
+hands of the Confederates by the opportune arrival
+of Buell’s army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Southerners had lost their beloved commander,
+slain; a third of their number had fallen.
+Although defeated they had not been conquered.
+They had set forth from Corinth in the highest
+hopes, fully expecting to drive Grant’s army into
+the Tennessee River. This hope was almost
+realized, when it suddenly perished: twenty thousand
+fresh troops had arrived upon the field, and
+the Confederates were forced to retreat. But they
+had fallen back unmolested, for the Federal
+army had been too severely punished to think
+of pursuing. Both armies were willing to rest
+and have their decimated ranks filled with fresh
+troops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of all the Southern troops engaged at Shiloh
+none felt their defeat more keenly than the Kentucky
+brigade under the command of Colonel
+Trabue. They had fought as only brave men can
+<pb n='16'/><anchor id='Pg016'/>fight; they left one-third of their number on the
+field, killed and wounded. Defeat could not demoralize
+them, and it fell to their lot to cover the
+retreat of Beauregard. They had stood like a wall
+of adamant between their fleeing army and the victorious
+Federals. No charge could pierce that line
+of heroes. With faces to the foe, they slowly fell
+back, contesting every inch of ground.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fondly had they hoped that Grant would first
+be crushed, then Buell annihilated, and their march
+to Nashville would be unopposed. From Nashville
+it would be an easy matter to redeem their
+beloved Kentucky from the ruthless Northern
+invaders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was but a few days after the battle that there
+was a social gathering of Kentucky officers at the
+headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
+Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one
+whose insignia of office showed him to be only a
+captain. But he was already a marked man. He
+had greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and
+Tennessee as a daring raider and scout, and at
+the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable
+service at the head of a squadron of independent
+cavalry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was but natural that in such a gathering the
+situation would be freely discussed. <q>It looks to
+me,</q> said Breckinridge, with a sigh, <q>that if we are
+forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West
+will be lost. I am in favor of holding Corinth to
+the last man.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='17'/><anchor id='Pg017'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>What is your opinion, Morgan?</q> asked one of
+the officers, turning to the captain of whom we
+have spoken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly
+answered: <q>The General will pardon me if I differ
+with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should
+be held, as long as that can be done with safety to
+the army. But Corinth itself is of little value to
+us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
+is in the hands of the enemy. It is not
+worth the sacrifice of a hundred men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! would you give up Corinth without a
+struggle?</q> asked the officer, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of
+victory,</q> replied Morgan. <q>What I mean is, that
+the place should not be held so long as to endanger
+the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the
+army is everything.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could
+be lost, and our cause not greatly suffer?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Certainly. The further the enemy advances
+into the South, the more vulnerable he becomes.
+Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can
+keep forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting
+their lines of communication.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Morgan, you are joking!</q> exclaimed several of
+the officers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky
+before many days; and if I do, there will be
+consternation in the ranks of the Yankees.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a
+<pb n='18'/><anchor id='Pg018'/>thousand men?</q> asked Breckinridge, in a tone
+which showed his doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I shall make the attempt with less than half of
+that number,</q> replied Morgan, coolly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue
+asked: <q>Will Beauregard let you make the hazardous
+attempt?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk
+no more men in the venture.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, good-bye, John, if you try it,</q> said one
+of the officers, laughing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why good-bye, Colonel?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Because the Yankees will get you sure.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Perhaps!</q> answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose
+to go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The whole South will ring with the praises of
+that man one of these days,</q> remarked Breckinridge,
+after Morgan had made his exit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian,</q>
+remarked Trabue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him,
+Morgan wended his way to his headquarters, where
+he was informed by the orderly who took his horse
+that a young Confederate officer had been waiting
+for some time to see him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He said he must see you,</q> continued the
+orderly, <q>and if necessary he would wait all
+night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>All right, I will see what he wants,</q> replied
+Morgan, as he turned and entered his headquarters.
+There he was greeted by a young man, not much
+<pb n='19'/><anchor id='Pg019'/>more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate
+lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed:
+<q>Bless my heart! if this isn’t Calhoun
+Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington!
+I am more than glad to see you. I have
+heard of some of your exploits, and often wondered
+why you did not seek to take service with me.
+Let’s see! You were on the staff of the late
+lamented Governor Johnson, were you not?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes,</q> replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled,
+and tears came into his eyes in spite of himself, as
+he thought of the death of his beloved chief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A grand man, a brave man,</q> said Morgan,
+gently. <q>Now that he has gone, what do you
+propose doing?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is what I have come to see you about.
+General Beauregard has offered me a position on
+his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard!
+That is a rare honor for one so young as
+you are. Of course you are going to accept?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I do not know yet; I am to give him an answer
+in the morning, as I said I wanted to see you
+first. Great as the honor is which has been offered
+me, I feel it is a service which would not be agreeable
+to me. I much prefer the freer life of a scout
+and ranger. Perhaps you may know, I have done
+much of this kind of work. I have even performed
+more dangerous tasks than that of scouting, and I
+confess I rather like it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='20'/><anchor id='Pg020'/>
+
+<p>
+Morgan mused for a moment, and then suddenly
+asked: <q>Are you not a cousin of Frederic Shackelford,
+son of the late Colonel Richard Shackelford
+of our army?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s brow clouded. <q>Yes,</q> he answered;
+<q>but why do you say the late Colonel Shackelford?
+Uncle Dick is not dead.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is that so? I am rejoiced to hear it. It was
+reported he was among the slain.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He was desperately wounded,</q> answered Calhoun,
+<q>but he did not die, and he is now a prisoner
+in the hands of the Yankees. Uncle Dick is a hero;
+but as for that traitor cousin of mine, I hate him!</q>
+and again Calhoun’s brow grew dark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have no reason to love him,</q> laughed Morgan,
+<q>but I cannot help admiring him. He it was
+who discovered our well-laid plans, and forced me
+to flee from Lexington, as a thief in the night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Aye!</q> answered Calhoun, <q>but for him and
+that brute Nelson, Kentucky would now have been
+out of the Union. But that is not all. Had it not
+been for the same two traitors there would have
+been a different story to tell of Shiloh. Grant’s
+army would now have been prisoners, Buell’s in
+full flight, and our own pressing northward to redeem
+Kentucky. Had there been no Nelson,
+Buell’s army would not have reached Grant in time
+to save him from destruction. If there had been
+no Fred Shackelford I should have borne the news
+to General Johnston that Buell would join Grant
+by the fifth, and Johnston would have made his
+<pb n='21'/><anchor id='Pg021'/>attack a couple of days earlier. I was bearing the
+news to Johnston that Nelson would reach Savannah
+by the fifth when I was captured.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Captured?</q> echoed Morgan, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, captured, and by no less a personage than
+my cousin Fred Shackelford. But for this I would
+have reached Johnston by the second; as it was, I
+did not reach Shiloh until the morning of the last
+day of the battle.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then you escaped?</q> queried Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No; my cousin let me go, after he had held
+me until he knew my information would be of no
+value. I was dressed in citizen’s clothes. He
+could have had me hanged as a spy. I suppose I
+ought to be thankful to him, but I am not.</q> And
+Calhoun shuddered when he thought how near he
+had been to death.<note place="foot">Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding
+    his capture and release. For this see <q>General Nelson’s Scout.</q></note>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That was kind of him,</q> said Morgan; <q>and
+you ought to be thankful to him, whether you are
+or not. To tell the truth, I took a great fancy to
+young Shackelford, and tried hard to get him to
+cast his lot with me. But as I failed to get him, I
+believe you would make a splendid substitute.
+You still think you had rather go with me than be
+on Beauregard’s staff?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A thousand times, yes. I had rather go
+with you as a private than be a lieutenant on
+the General’s staff,</q> answered Calhoun, with
+vehemence.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='22'/><anchor id='Pg022'/>
+
+<p>
+Morgan’s eyes sparkled. <q>That is the finest
+compliment I ever had paid me,</q> he said, <q>but I
+cannot allow the son of my old friend Judge Pennington
+to serve in the ranks as a private soldier.
+Yet my companies are fully officered now. Let’s
+see! How would you like to go back to Kentucky?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go back to Kentucky?</q> asked Calhoun in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, to recruit for my command. Do you
+think you could dodge the Yankees?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I believe I could. I could at least try,</q> answered
+Calhoun, his face aglow with the idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The case is this,</q> said Morgan: <q>I am going
+to make a raid in a few days, and am going to try
+to reach Kentucky. My present force is small—not
+much over four hundred. I do not look for
+much help from the Confederate Government.
+Those in authority do not regard with much favor
+independent organizations. To augment my force,
+I must in a great measure rely on my own efforts.
+I know there are hundreds of the flower of Kentucky
+youths eager to join me if they had the
+opportunity. You are just the person to send
+back to organize them. When can you start?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>In the morning,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan smiled. <q>Good!</q> he said. <q>You are
+made of the right material. We will make full
+arrangements to-morrow. Good night, now, for it
+is getting late.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus dismissed Calhoun went away with a light
+<pb n='23'/><anchor id='Pg023'/>heart. He was to be one of Morgan’s men. It
+was all he wished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next morning Calhoun informed General
+Beauregard that while sensible of the great honor
+which he would bestow on him by appointing him
+a member of his staff, yet he believed he could be
+of more service to the South by casting his fortune
+with Morgan, and he had concluded to do so.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>While I greatly regret to lose you,</q> replied
+the General, <q>I believe you have chosen well. To
+one of your temperament service with Morgan will
+be much more congenial than the duties of a staff
+officer. In fact,</q> continued the General, with a
+smile, <q>I think you resemble Morgan in being
+restive under orders, and prefer to have your own
+way and go where you please. A command or two
+of partisan rangers may do, but too many would be
+fatal to the discipline of an army. Morgan may do
+the enemy a great deal of mischief, but after all,
+the fate of the South must be decided by her great
+armies.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>True, General,</q> replied Calhoun, <q>but if
+Morgan can keep thousands of the enemy in the
+rear guarding their communications, the great
+armies of the North will be depleted by that number.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is true also,</q> answered Beauregard;
+<q>and for that reason Morgan will be given more or
+less of a free rein. I have recommended him for a
+colonelcy. Convey to him my regards, and tell him
+I heartily congratulate him upon his last recruit.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='24'/><anchor id='Pg024'/>
+
+<p>
+General Beauregard’s kind words touched Calhoun
+deeply. <q>Thank you, General,</q> he replied,
+with feeling. <q>I trust I shall never prove myself
+unworthy of your good opinion. May God bless
+you, and crown your efforts with victory!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After parting with Beauregard, Calhoun lost no
+time in reporting to Morgan. He found his chief
+in command of about four hundred men, rough,
+daring fellows who would follow their leader wherever
+he went. A more superb body of rough-riders
+was never formed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was introduced to the officers of the
+squadron, and when it became known that he was
+going back to Kentucky to recruit for the command—although
+many of the officers wondered why their
+chief had selected one so young—they gave him a
+hearty welcome. But when it became known that
+he was the son of Judge Pennington, of Danville,
+that he had already won renown as a daring scout,
+and had been offered a position on the staff of
+General Beauregard, their welcome was doubly
+enthusiastic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To this welcome there was one exception. One
+of Morgan’s officers, Captain P. C. Conway, had
+applied to Morgan for permission to go back to
+Kentucky on this same duty, and had been refused.
+He was a short, thickset, red-faced man with a very
+pompous air. His weakness was liquor; yet he
+was a brave, efficient officer. What he considered
+an affront was never forgiven, for he was of a revengeful
+disposition. It was consistent with his
+<pb n='25'/><anchor id='Pg025'/>character that he should become a mortal enemy
+of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he was introduced to Calhoun he merely
+bowed, and did not offer to give his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I believe I have heard of Captain Conway,</q>
+said Calhoun, with a smile. <q>I have heard a cousin
+of mine speak of him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, yes,</q> spoke up Morgan, with a twinkle
+in his eye, <q>Captain, Lieutenant Pennington is a
+cousin of your particular friend, Captain Fred
+Shackelford, of the Yankee army.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conway fairly turned purple with rage. <q>Lieutenant
+Pennington has no reason to be proud of his
+relationship to that sneak and spy,</q> he snorted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have no more reason to love my cousin than
+you,</q> replied Calhoun, with some warmth. <q>He
+may have played the spy; so have I; but sneak he
+is not, and I would thank you not to use the term
+again, traitor though he is to the South and his
+native state.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conway glared at him for a moment, but there
+was something in Calhoun’s eye which told him that
+if he repeated the term it might cause trouble, so
+he snapped: <q>Well, spy and traitor, if those terms
+suit you better; but it may be of interest to you to
+know that I have sworn to see that precious cousin
+of yours hanged, and</q>—with a fearful oath—<q>I
+will see that he is.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With these words he turned on his heel and
+stalked away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shackelford’s name has the same effect on
+<pb n='26'/><anchor id='Pg026'/>Conway that a red rag has on a mad bull,</q> laughed
+Morgan. <q>He can never forget that trick your
+cousin played on him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! I remember,</q> said Calhoun; <q>Fred told
+me all about it. Conway may take a dislike to me
+simply because I am Fred’s cousin. I noticed that
+he greeted me rather coldly.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I reckon he will not carry his hatred so far as
+that,</q> replied Morgan, <q>yet it may be best not to
+mention Shackelford’s name to him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Morgan might have changed his mind if he
+had heard Conway talking to a brother officer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Just to think,</q> he fumed, <q>that the Captain
+picked on that young upstart to go back to Kentucky
+to recruit instead of one of us. I volunteered
+to go yesterday, and he put me down. To my
+mind, Pennington is no better than that sneak of a
+cousin of his, and Morgan will find it out some day.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better keep a still tongue in your head, Conway,</q>
+dryly replied the officer, a Captain <anchor id="matthews"/>Matthews,
+to whom Conway was complaining. <q>Morgan
+will give you hell if he finds you are trying
+to create dissatisfaction.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not afraid of Morgan,</q> muttered Conway,
+but he said no more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the mean time Calhoun was hurriedly making
+preparations for his journey. Many of the officers
+and men were engaged in writing letters to send
+back by him to the dear ones in Kentucky. Morgan
+intrusted to him several important communications
+to prominent Southern sympathizers.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='27'/><anchor id='Pg027'/>
+
+<p>
+Just as Calhoun was ready to start, Morgan gave
+him his secret instructions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What I now tell you,</q> he said, <q>is too important
+to commit to writing. You may be captured.
+For hundreds of miles you must ride through a
+country swarming with Yankees. You will need
+discretion, as much or more than you will need
+courage. Much depends on your success. I intend
+to make a raid north about the first week in May.
+If possible (and I think it is), I shall try to reach
+Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach
+five hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand
+when I reach Kentucky, I believe I could sweep
+clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time
+at your disposal that will be impossible. But join
+me at Glasgow with all you can. I expect to be in
+Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>All right,</q> replied Calhoun, <q>I will try to
+meet you there at that time, with at least one or
+two good companies.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Little did Morgan think at the time how badly
+he would need those companies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last all was ready, and amid shouts of <q>Good-bye</q>
+and <q>Success to you,</q> Calhoun vaulted into
+the saddle and rode away eastward.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="2" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='28'/><anchor id='Pg028'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER II.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THROUGH THE LINES.</head>
+
+<p>
+At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky,
+General Halleck was concentrating his immense
+army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to
+an attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled
+the Tennessee River as far up as Eastport. General
+Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston
+Railroad between Decatur and Stevenson, but
+between Corinth and Decatur there was no large
+body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions
+of Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee
+every important place was held by detachments of
+Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the
+lines was an exceedingly dangerous undertaking,
+but that is what Calhoun had to do to reach Kentucky.
+He expected to meet with little danger
+until he attempted to cross the lines of General
+Mitchell, which extended along the railroads that ran
+from Nashville southward. The country through
+which he had to pass was intensely Southern, and the
+Yankee cavalry did not venture far from the railroads.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight
+eastward, until he reached Tuscumbia, Alabama.
+Here he found little trouble in finding means to
+cross the Tennessee River. Once across the river
+he took a northeast course, which would take him
+<pb n='29'/><anchor id='Pg029'/>through Rogersville. Now and then he met small
+squads of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting
+through the country, and did not seem to be
+under very strict military discipline, doing much as
+they pleased.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now and then he came across a party of recruits
+making their way to the Confederate army at
+Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
+uncouth, and with little or no education. They
+knew or cared little of the causes which had led up
+to the war; but they knew that the Southland had
+been invaded, that their homes were in danger, and
+they made soldiers whose bravery and devotion
+excited the admiration of the world.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In order to find out what General Mitchell was
+doing, and as nearly as he could, to ascertain the
+number of his forces, Calhoun resolved to ride as
+near the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad
+as was prudent. As he approached Rogersville, he
+learned that the place had just been raided by a
+regiment of Yankee cavalry, and the country was
+in a panic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Approaching the place cautiously, he was pleased
+to ascertain that the cavalry, after committing
+numerous depredations, had retreated to Athens.
+He now learned for the first time of the atrocities
+which had been committed on the defenceless inhabitants
+of Athens, and his blood boiled as he
+listened to the recital. No wonder the citizens of
+Rogersville were in a panic, fearing that their fate
+might be the same.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='30'/><anchor id='Pg030'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>The whelps and robbers!</q> he exclaimed;
+<q>how I should like to get at them! But their
+time will come. Never will the South lay down
+her arms until every Northern soldier is driven in
+or across the Ohio.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In Rogersville Calhoun met with a Doctor Jenkins,
+who was especially well informed as to the
+strength and positions of the Federal army, and as
+to the feelings of the citizens.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>At first,</q> said he, <q>the result of the battle of
+Shiloh greatly discouraged us, and the slaughter
+was horrifying. But we are getting over that now,
+and every true son of the South is more determined
+than ever to fight the war to the bitter end, even
+if we see our homes in flames and the country laid
+waste. How is it that Kentucky does not join
+hands with her sister states?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>She will, she must,</q> cried Calhoun. <q>Already
+thousands of her sons are flocking to the Southern
+standard. It needs but a victory—a Confederate
+army to enter her territory, and the people will rise
+<hi rend='italic'>en masse</hi>. There are not enough traitors or Yankees
+in the state to keep them down.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do you think Beauregard can hold Corinth?</q>
+asked the Doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He can if any one can. He is a great general,</q>
+answered Calhoun. <q>But Morgan thinks
+the loss of Corinth would not be fatal if the army
+were saved. <q>Under no consideration,</q> says Morgan,
+<q>should Beauregard allow himself to be cooped
+up in Corinth.</q></q>
+</p>
+<pb n='31'/><anchor id='Pg031'/>
+<p>
+<q>I reckon he is right,</q> sighed the Doctor; <q>but
+may the time never come when he will have to
+give it up.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Amen to that!</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Rogersville Calhoun made his way north.
+He ascertained that the railroad which Mitchell was
+engaged in repairing was not strongly guarded, and
+he believed that with five hundred men Morgan
+could break it almost anywhere between Athens
+and Columbia.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Near Mount Pleasant he met a Confederate officer
+with a party of recruits which he was taking
+south. He sent back by him a statement to Morgan
+of all he had learned, and added: <q>Taking
+everything into consideration, I believe that Pulaski
+will be the best place for you to strike. I have no
+fears but that you can capture it, even with your
+small force.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun met with his first serious adventure
+shortly after he had crossed the railroad, which he
+did a few miles south of Columbia. Thinking to
+make better time, he took the main road leading
+to Shelbyville. He was discovered by a squad of
+Federal cavalry, which immediately gave chase.
+But he was mounted on a splendid horse, one that
+he had brought with him from Kentucky. He
+easily distanced all his pursuers with the exception
+of three or four, and he was gradually drawing
+away from all of them, except a lieutenant in command
+of the squad, who seemed to be as well
+mounted as himself.
+</p>
+<anchor id="illus02"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus02.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head>HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus02.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.</head>
+<figDesc>HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<pb n='32'/><anchor id='Pg032'/>
+<p>
+<q>Only one,</q> muttered Calhoun, looking back,
+as a pistol-ball whistled by his head; <q>I can settle
+him,</q> and he reached for a revolver in his holster.
+As he did so, his horse stepped into a hole
+and plunged heavily forward, throwing Calhoun
+over his head. For a moment he lay bruised and
+stunned, and then staggered to his feet, only to
+find the Federal officer upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Surrender, you Rebel!</q> cried the officer, but
+quick as a flash, Calhoun snatched a small revolver
+which he carried in his belt, and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Instead of hitting the officer, the ball struck the
+horse fairly in the head, and the animal fell dead.
+Leaving the officer struggling to extricate himself
+from his fallen horse, Calhoun scrambled over a
+fence, and scurried across a small field, beyond
+which was a wood. A scattering volley was fired
+by the foremost of the pursuers, but it did no
+harm, and Calhoun was soon across the field.
+Mounting the fence on the other side, he stood on
+the top rail, and turning around, he uttered a shout
+of defiance, then jumping down, disappeared in the
+wood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The foremost of the Federals, a tall, lanky sergeant
+named Latham, galloped to the side of his
+commander, who was still struggling to extricate
+himself from his fallen horse. Springing from his
+saddle, he helped him to his feet, and anxiously
+inquired, <q>Are you hurt, Lieutenant?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The Rebel, the Rebel, where is he? Did you
+get him?</q> asked the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='33'/><anchor id='Pg033'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Get him!</q> drawled the Sergeant, <q>I think not.
+He got across that field as if Old Nick was after
+him. But once across he had the cheek to stand on
+the fence and crow like a young rooster. I took a
+crack at him, but missed.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why didn’t you pursue him?</q> demanded the
+officer, fiercely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! in those woods? Might as well look
+for a needle in a haymow. But are you hurt,
+Lieutenant?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My leg is sprained,</q> he groaned; <q>but the
+worst of it is, Jupiter is dead. Curse that Rebel!
+how I wish I had him! I would make him pay
+dearly for that horse.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here is the Rebel’s horse. I caught him!</q> exclaimed
+one of the men, leading up Calhoun’s horse,
+which he had captured. <q>He looks like a mighty
+fine horse, only he seems a little lame from his fall.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is a fine horse,</q> said Latham, looking
+him over, <q>but he has been rode mighty hard.
+Wonder who that feller can be. I see no signs of
+any other Reb. He must have been alone. Say, he
+was a Jim-dandy whoever he was. I thought you
+had him sure, Lieutenant.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So did I,</q> answered the Lieutenant, with an
+oath. <q>When his horse threw him I had no idea
+he would try to get away, and ordered him to surrender.
+But quick as a flash he jerked a revolver
+from his belt, and fired.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better be thankful he hit the horse instead of
+you,</q> said the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='34'/><anchor id='Pg034'/>
+
+<p>
+For answer the Lieutenant limped to a stone,
+and sitting down, said: <q>Examine that roll behind
+the saddle of the horse. Perhaps we can find out
+who the fellow was.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sergeant Latham took the roll, which was
+securely strapped behind Calhoun’s saddle, and
+began to unroll it as carefully as if he suspected it
+might be loaded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A fine rubber and a good woollen blanket,</q>
+remarked the Sergeant. <q><corr sic="quote missing">Looks</corr> mighty like those
+goods once belonged to our good Uncle Samuel.
+Bet your life, they are a part of the plunder from
+Shiloh. Ah! here is a bundle of letters.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Give them to me,</q> said the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant handed them over, and the officer
+hastily glanced over them, reading the superscriptions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why,</q> he exclaimed, in surprise, <q>these letters
+are all addressed to persons in Kentucky.
+What could that fellow be doing with letters going
+to Kentucky? We will see.</q> He tore open one
+of the letters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had read but a few lines when he exclaimed,
+with a strong expletive, <q>Boys, I would give a
+month’s pay if we had captured that fellow!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who was he? Who was he?</q> cried several
+soldiers in unison.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He was—let me see—</q> and the Lieutenant
+tore open several more of the letters, and rapidly
+scanned them—<q>yes, these letters make it plain.
+He was a Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington, and he
+<pb n='35'/><anchor id='Pg035'/>was from the Rebel army at Corinth. I take it he
+was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command of a Captain John H. Morgan. Morgan—Morgan,
+I have heard of that fellow before. He
+played the deuce with us in Kentucky last winter:
+burned the railroad bridge over Bacon Creek, captured
+trains, tore up the railroad, and played smash
+generally. These letters all seem to be private
+ones written by the soldiers in Morgan’s command
+to their relatives and friends back in Kentucky.
+But he may have carried important dispatches on
+his person. We let a rare prize slip through our
+fingers.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Can’t be helped now,</q> dryly remarked Sergeant
+Latham. <q>If you had captured him it might have
+put one bar, if not two, on your shoulder-strap.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Lieutenant scowled, but did not reply. All
+the letters were read and passed around. Three or
+four of them occasioned much merriment, for they
+were written by love-lorn swains whom the cruel
+hand of war had torn from their sweethearts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Golly! it’s a wonder them letters hadn’t melted
+from the sweetness they contained,</q> remarked
+Sergeant Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Or took fire from their warmth,</q> put in a boyish
+looking soldier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not half as warm as the letter I caught you
+writing to Polly Jones the other day,</q> laughed a
+comrade. <q>Boys, I looked over his shoulder and
+read some of it. I tell you it was hot stuff. <q>My
+dearest Polly!</q> it commenced, <q>I——</q></q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='36'/><anchor id='Pg036'/>
+
+<p>
+But he never finished the sentence, for the
+young soldier sprang and struck him a blow which
+rolled him in the dust.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A fight! a fight!</q> shouted the men, and
+crowded around to see the fun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Stop that!</q> roared the Lieutenant, <q>or I will
+have you both bucked and gagged when we get to
+camp. Sergeant Latham, see that both of those
+men are put on extra duty to-night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When things had quieted down, others of the
+letters were read; but some of them occasioned no
+merriment. Instead, one could see a rough blouse
+sleeve drawn across the eyes, and a gulping down
+as if something choked the wearer. These were
+letters written to the wives and mothers who were
+watching and waiting for their loved ones to return.
+These letters reminded them of their own wives and
+mothers in the Northland, waiting and praying for
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly the Lieutenant spoke up: <q>Boys, we
+have been wasting time over those letters. That
+fellow was making his way back to Kentucky. He
+has no horse. What more natural than that he
+would try and obtain one at the first opportunity?
+That old Rebel Osborne lives not more than a mile
+ahead. You remember we visited him last week,
+and threatened to arrest him if the railroad was
+tampered with any more. It was thought he sheltered
+these wandering bands of Confederates who
+make it dangerous to step outside the camp. If we
+push on, we may catch our bird at Osborne’s.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='37'/><anchor id='Pg037'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>If not, it will at least give you a chance to see
+the pretty daughter,</q> remarked the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shut up, or I will have you reduced to the
+ranks,</q> growled the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The subject was rather a painful one to the
+Lieutenant, for during his visit to the Osbornes the
+week before, when he tried to make himself agreeable
+to the daughter, the lady told him in very
+plain words what she thought of Yankees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It’s nearly noon, too,</q> continued the Lieutenant,
+after the interruption, <q>and that spring near
+the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and
+eat our dinners; so fall in.</q> The Lieutenant
+slowly mounted Calhoun’s horse, for his fall had
+made him sore, and in none the best of humor, he
+gave the command, <q>Forward!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached.
+It was a beautiful place. The country had not yet
+been devastated by the cruel hand of war, and the
+landscape, rich with the growing crops, lay glowing
+under the bright April sky. The mansion house
+stood back from the road in a grove of noble native
+trees, and the whole surroundings betokened a
+home of wealth and refinement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From underneath a rock near the house gushed
+forth a spring, whose waters, clear as crystal, ran
+away in a rippling stream. It was near this spring
+that Lieutenant Haines, for that was the officer’s
+name, halted his troops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better throw a guard around the house,</q> he
+said to Sergeant Latham, <q>for if that Rebel has
+<pb n='38'/><anchor id='Pg038'/>found his way here, he may make a sneak out the
+back way. After you get the guard posted, we
+will search the house.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the Sergeant was executing his orders, Mr.
+Osborne came out of the house, and approaching
+the troop, to Lieutenant Haines’s surprise, gave
+him a cordial greeting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I cannot say I am rejoiced to see you again,</q>
+he exclaimed, with a smile, <q>except you come in
+peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
+cut, or the railroad torn up again.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nothing of the kind has happened,</q> answered
+the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and
+I trust you will take dinner with us. It is nearly
+ready.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant’s
+breath, but he accepted it gladly. As they were
+going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
+carelessly, <q>I see you have thrown a guard around
+the house. Are you afraid of an attack? I know
+of no body of Confederates in the vicinity.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The truth is,</q> replied Haines, <q>we ran into a
+lone Confederate about a mile from here. We captured
+his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
+woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but
+he might have found refuge here; and, excuse me,
+Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity of
+searching your house.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do as you please,</q> replied Mr. Osborne,
+coldly; <q>I have seen no such Confederate; but if I
+<pb n='39'/><anchor id='Pg039'/>had, I should have concealed him if I could. But
+do not let this circumstance spoil our good nature,
+or our dinner.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning
+from posting the guard. <q>Sergeant, you may
+withdraw the guard,</q> said the Lieutenant; <q>Mr.
+Osborne informs me he has not seen our runaway
+Confederate.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order,
+muttering, <q>Confederate! Confederate! The Lieutenant
+is getting mighty nice; he generally says
+<q>Rebel.</q></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial
+greeting he had received from Mr. Osborne, he was
+more than surprised at the reception he met from Mrs.
+Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about
+twenty years of age. No wonder Lieutenant
+Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked
+upon her. When he met her the week before, she
+treated him with the utmost disdain; now she
+greeted him with a smile, and said, <q>I trust you
+have not come to carry papa away in captivity. If
+not, you are welcome.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to
+say,</q> exclaimed the Lieutenant, with a bow, <q>and
+I hope I shall never be called upon to perform that
+disagreeable duty.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank you,</q> she answered, with a smile.
+<q>Now, you must stay and take dinner with us while
+your men rest.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='40'/><anchor id='Pg040'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a
+little adventure, about a mile below here,</q> said
+Mr. Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Osborne looked up inquiringly. Before
+more could be said Mrs. Osborne announced that
+dinner was ready, and the Lieutenant sat down to
+a most sumptuous repast.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What was Lieutenant Haines’s adventure you
+spoke of?</q> at length asked Miss Osborne of her
+father.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better let the Lieutenant tell the story, for I
+know nothing of it,</q> answered Mr. Osborne; <q>but he
+spoke of searching the house for a supposed concealed
+Confederate.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Mr. Osborne said this, Miss Osborne gave a
+little gasp and turned pale, but quickly recovering
+herself, she turned a pair of inquiring eyes on the
+Lieutenant—eyes that emitted flames of angry light
+and seemed to look him through and through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lieutenant Haines turned very red. <q>Forgive
+me if I thought of such a thing,</q> he replied, humbly.
+<q>Your father has assured me he has neither
+seen nor concealed any Confederate officer, and his
+word is good with me. Make yourself easy. I
+shall not insult you by searching the house.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A look as of relief came over the face of Miss
+Osborne as she answered: <q>I thank you very much.
+I shall never say again there are no gentlemen
+among the Yankees. But tell us of your adventure.
+I thought I heard firing about an hour ago. Was
+there any one hurt?</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='41'/><anchor id='Pg041'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Only my poor horse; he was killed,</q> answered
+Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! in the days of knighthood to be unhorsed
+was to be defeated,</q> exclaimed Miss Osborne,
+gayly. <q>You must admit yourself vanquished!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Haines laughingly replied: <q>I am sorry to disappoint
+you; but as I captured my enemy’s horse
+and he fled on foot, I cannot admit defeat.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then your enemy was a solitary knight?</q>
+queried Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, but to all appearances a most gallant
+one.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Strange,</q> she mused, <q>who he could be, and
+what he could be doing in this section. The place
+for true knights, at this time, is at Corinth.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>From letters captured with his horse, I take it
+he was from Corinth,</q> said Haines. <q>From those
+letters we learned that his name was Calhoun Pennington,
+that he was a lieutenant in the command
+of Captain John H. Morgan, a gentleman who has
+given us considerable trouble, and may give us
+more, and that he was on his way back to Kentucky
+to recruit for Morgan’s command.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You say you captured letters?</q> queried the
+girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, a whole package of them. They were
+from members of Morgan’s command to their
+friends back in Kentucky. The boys are having
+rare fun reading them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I suppose it is according to military usages to
+read all communications captured from the enemy,</q>
+<pb n='42'/><anchor id='Pg042'/>remarked Miss Osborne with a slight tinge of sarcasm
+in her tone, <q>but it seems sacrilege that these
+private letters should fall into profane hands.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Some of them were rich,</q> laughed Haines;
+<q>they were written by loving swains to their girls.
+There were others written to wives and mothers,
+which almost brought tears to our eyes, they were
+so full of yearnings for home.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant, there was nothing in those letters
+of value to you from a military standpoint, was
+there?</q> suddenly asked Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nothing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then I have a great boon to ask. Will you
+not give them to me?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, Miss Osborne, what can you do with
+them?</q> asked Haines, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I can at least keep them sacred. Perhaps I
+can find means of getting them to those for whom
+they are intended. Think of those wives and
+mothers watching, waiting for letters which will
+never come. Oh! give them to me, Lieutenant
+Haines, and you will sleep the sweeter to-night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Your request is a strange one,</q> said the Lieutenant;
+<q>yet I can see no harm in granting it. You
+can have the letters, but the boys may have destroyed
+some of them by this time.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank you! Oh, thank you! You will never
+regret your kindness. I shall remember it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I only ask you to think better of Yankees,
+Miss Osborne; we are not all monsters.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dinner was now over, and Sergeant Latham
+<pb n='43'/><anchor id='Pg043'/>came to report that the hour for the halt was up,
+and to ask what were the Lieutenant’s orders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Have the troop ready, and we will return to
+camp. I see nothing more we can accomplish
+here,</q> answered the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant saluted and turned to go, when
+the officer stopped him with, <q>Say, Sergeant, you
+can gather up all those letters we captured and
+send them up here with my horse.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very well,</q> said the Sergeant, but he muttered
+to himself, as he returned, <q>Now, I would like to
+know what the Lieutenant wants of those letters.
+I bet he has let that girl pull the wool over his eyes.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few moments a soldier appeared leading the
+Lieutenant’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The family had accompanied Lieutenant Haines
+to the porch. Stepping down to where his horse
+was, he said to the soldier, <q>You may return and
+tell Sergeant Latham to move the troop. I will
+catch up with you in a few moments. Did you
+bring the letters?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, sir,</q> answered the soldier, saluting, and
+handing the package to his commander.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very well, you may go now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lieutenant Haines stood and watched the soldiers
+while his order was being obeyed, for he did
+not wish to have any of his men see him give the
+package to Miss Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After his troop had moved off, Haines placed
+the bridle of his horse in the hands of a waiting
+colored boy, and returning to the porch where Mr.
+<pb n='44'/><anchor id='Pg044'/>Osborne and the ladies still stood, said: <q>That is
+the horse I captured from my foe. He is a beauty,
+isn’t he? Jupiter was a splendid horse, but I do
+not think I lost anything by the exchange. Here
+are the letters, Miss Osborne; you see I have kept my
+promise,</q> and he reached out the package to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But before she could take them they were
+snatched from Haines’s hand, and a stern voice
+said, <q>I will take the letters, please.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Had a bombshell exploded at Lieutenant
+Haines’s feet he would not have been more surprised,
+and his surprise changed to consternation
+when he found himself looking into the muzzle of
+a revolver. Lieutenant Haines was no coward, but
+he was unarmed save his sword, and there was no
+mistaking the look in Calhoun’s eye. It meant
+death if he attempted to draw his sword.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Mr. Osborne, he seemed as much surprised
+as Lieutenant Haines. Miss Osborne gave a little
+shriek, and then cried. <q>Oh, how could you
+betray us!</q> and stood with clasped hands, and
+with face as pale as death.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Osborne was the first to recover from his
+surprise. <q>I know not who you are,</q> he said,
+<q>but Lieutenant Haines is my guest, and I will
+have no violence. Lower that weapon!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Without doing so, Calhoun answered, <q>If I have
+done anything contrary to the wishes of those who
+have so kindly befriended me, I am sorry; but I
+could not withstand the temptation to claim my
+own. As it is, I will bid you good day.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='45'/><anchor id='Pg045'/>
+
+<p>
+Thus saying, he dashed past them, and snatching
+the bridle of his horse from the negro boy, he
+vaulted into the saddle and was away at full speed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment not a word was spoken, and then
+Lieutenant Haines turned on Mr. Osborne and said,
+bitterly, <q>I congratulate you on the success of your
+plot. I will not be fool enough again to take the
+word of a Southern gentleman.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Osborne flushed deeply, but before he could
+reply, his daughter sprang in front of him, and
+faced Lieutenant Haines with flashing eye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will not have my father accused of deception
+and falsehood,</q> she cried. <q>He knew nothing of
+that Confederate being concealed in the house.
+I alone am to blame, and I told you nothing.
+I strove to entertain you and keep you from
+searching the house, and I accomplished my
+purpose.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you got those letters from me to give to
+him?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lieutenant Haines groaned. <q>It may be some
+satisfaction to you,</q> he said, <q>to know that this
+may mean my undoing, disgrace, a dishonorable
+dismissal from the service.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I shall take no pleasure in your dishonor,</q> she
+exclaimed, the color slowly mounting to her cheeks.
+<q>I did not intend that Lieutenant Pennington
+should show himself. It was his rashness that has
+brought all this trouble.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How can I return to camp without arms,
+with<pb n='46'/><anchor id='Pg046'/>out a horse? It would have been a kindness to me
+if your friend Lieutenant Pennington had put a
+bullet through my brain.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Osborne now spoke. <q>Lieutenant Haines,</q>
+he said, <q>my daughter speaks the truth when she
+says I knew nothing of the Confederate officer
+being in my house. Had I known it, I should
+have tried to conceal him, to protect him; but I
+should not have invited you to be my guest. As
+my guest, you are entitled to my protection, and I
+shall make what reparation is in my power.</q> Then
+turning to the colored boy who had stood by with
+mouth and eyes wide open, he said, <q>Tom, go and
+saddle and bridle Starlight, and bring him around
+for this gentleman.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Surely you do not intend to give me a horse,
+Mr. Osborne,</q> said Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>As my guest, I can do no less,</q> replied Mr.
+Osborne. <q>If Lieutenant Pennington had not
+taken his, I should have let him have one to continue
+on his way to Kentucky. So you see, after
+all, I am out nothing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then they were aroused by the sound of
+horses’ feet, and looking up they saw Sergeant
+Latham accompanied by two soldiers coming on a
+gallop. Riding up, the Sergeant saluted, and casting
+his sharp eyes around, said, <q>Lieutenant,
+excuse me, but you were so long in joining us that
+I feared something—an accident—had befallen you,
+so I came back to see. Where in the world is
+your horse, Lieutenant?</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='47'/><anchor id='Pg047'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Coming,</q> answered his superior, briskly, for
+he had no notion of explaining just then what had
+happened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the colored boy came leading an entirely
+strange horse with citizen saddle and bridle on, the
+Sergeant exchanged meaning glances with his companions,
+but said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mounting, Lieutenant Haines bade the family
+good day, and rode moodily away. No sooner were
+they out of hearing than the Sergeant, forgetting
+military discipline, exclaimed, <q>What in blazes is
+up, Lieutenant? I suspected something was wrong
+all the time.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is what made you come back, is it?</q>
+asked the Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes; I did not march the command far before
+I halted and waited for you. Pretty soon we heard
+the sound of a galloping horse, and thought you
+were coming. But when you didn’t appear, I
+became alarmed and concluded to ride back and see
+what was the matter.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank you, Sergeant, for your watchfulness.
+I shall remember it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then as they rode along, the Lieutenant told
+Latham his story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And that pesky Reb was concealed in the
+house all the time, was he?</q> asked Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes; the girl worked it fine.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant laughed long and loud. <q>And
+she coaxed the letters from you too. Oh, my!
+Oh, my!</q> And he nearly bent double.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='48'/><anchor id='Pg048'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shut up, you fool you!</q> growled Haines.
+<q>Say, you must help me out of this scrape.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Trust me, Lieutenant; I will tell how brave
+you were, and how you run the Rebel down, and
+how you would have captured him if he hadn’t
+shot your horse. But look out after this how you
+let Southern girls fool you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Lieutenant sighed. <q>She is the most beautiful
+creature I ever saw,</q> he murmured. <q>Gods!
+I shall never forget how she looked when she
+sprang in between me and that Pennington when
+he had his revolver levelled at my head.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Forget her,</q> was the sage advice of the Sergeant;
+but the Lieutenant did not take it.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="3" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='49'/><anchor id='Pg049'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER III.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.</head>
+
+<p>
+It did not take Calhoun long after he had
+plunged into the wood to ascertain that he
+was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong
+pace, then stopped that he might catch his breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Whew!</q> he panted, <q>here is a go. Horse
+gone—arms, except this small revolver, gone—baggage
+gone—letters gone. Thank God the dispatches
+are safe,</q> and he tapped his breast, where
+they lay hidden. <q>That is about as tight a place
+as I care to be in,</q> he continued, as he began to
+work his way through the woods. <q>I call this
+blamed tough luck. Here I am nearly three hundred
+miles from my destination. A horse I must
+and will have, and that quickly. Surely the planters
+in this section are too loyal to the South not to
+let me have a horse when they know the predicament
+I am in. I will try my luck at the very first
+opportunity. If worse come to worst, I will steal
+one; that is, I will confiscate one.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after
+going a half mile or more, he came out of the woods,
+and beyond lay a fine plantation. <q>I wonder if
+those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to
+make that house,</q> he thought. <q>I will risk it
+anyway, for if I can reach it, it means a horse.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='50'/><anchor id='Pg050'/>
+
+<p>
+Making his way cautiously he soon reached the
+road in safety. He listened intently, but could
+hear nothing of the enemy; but from the opposite
+direction there came the measured beat of a horse’s
+hoofs. Looking up he saw, not a Yankee, but a
+lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun’s
+heart gave a great bound, for he knew that no
+Southern woman would betray him, and he stepped
+out from his place of concealment and stood in
+plain view by the side of the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise,
+and then reined in her horse with such ease
+and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance
+she was young and exceedingly beautiful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Pardon me,</q> he exclaimed, reaching for his
+hat, and then he remembered he had none, having
+lost it when his horse fell. <q>Excuse my appearance,</q>
+he laughed. <q>I find I have no hat to take
+off. Probably some Yankee has it as a trophy by
+this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress,
+and as a daughter of the South, I know I can appeal
+to you, and not in vain.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You can,</q> she replied, quickly. <q>I thought I
+heard firing and I rode down to see what it meant, as I
+knew of no party of Confederates in the vicinity.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A company of Federal cavalry were firing at
+me,</q> answered Calhoun. <q>My horse fell, and I
+had to run, or be captured.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Were you all alone?</q> she queried.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, all alone.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then I forgive you for running,</q> she answered,
+<pb n='51'/><anchor id='Pg051'/>with a ringing laugh, <q>otherwise I should not. But
+how came you here, and all alone?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and
+his business.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Come with me,</q> she cried, quickly. <q>Let us
+gain the house before the Yankees come, as no
+doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse.
+If no other be forthcoming, I will give you my
+Firefly here, although it would almost break my
+heart to part with him,</q> and she lovingly patted
+the neck of her gallant steed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be
+called for,</q> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved
+cause,</q> she answered; <q>but come, we are losing
+time, the Yankees may be here any moment.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read
+the captured letters, Calhoun and his fair guide
+would not have reached the house undiscovered.
+As it was, they had hardly entered it when the
+Federals hove in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!</q>
+exclaimed Calhoun. <q>How I should like to meet
+him alone.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>They are going to stop,</q> gasped the girl.
+<q>They may search the house, but they will not if
+I can outwit them. Mother,</q> she said, to an
+elderly lady who had just entered and was gazing
+at Calhoun in surprise, <q>take this officer upstairs
+and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.
+The Yankees are in the yard.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='52'/><anchor id='Pg052'/>
+
+<p>
+The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun
+to follow her, and led him upstairs. Hardly had
+they disappeared when her father entered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company
+visiting us again,</q> he said, with some anxiety.
+<q>I wonder what they want.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Father,</q> said the girl, <q>go and meet Lieutenant
+Haines, use him nicely. Invite him to dinner.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise.
+<q>I never expected to see the time you would want
+me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner,</q> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Never mind now, I will explain afterwards.
+Go quick, for I see he is throwing a guard around
+the house,</q> was her answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come
+over his daughter, and was entirely successful in
+carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown
+to him. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came
+downstairs, her face denoting her anxiety.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mother,</q> said the girl, <q>do not let father
+know we have any one concealed. It will enable
+him to say truly he knows of no Confederate
+around. And, mother, I have told him to invite
+the Federal commander—it’s that odious Lieutenant
+Haines—to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him
+like a welcome, honored guest. We must disarm
+all suspicion, and keep them from searching the
+house, if possible.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+We have seen how well her plan worked, and
+how completely Lieutenant Haines was thrown off
+his guard. Little did he think that while he was
+<pb n='53'/><anchor id='Pg053'/>enjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate
+officer who had escaped him was feasting like a
+king upstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It soon became evident to Calhoun that there
+was no danger of the house being searched, and
+from a window he observed all that was passing
+without. When he saw the troop ride away, and
+his own horse led up to the house for the Federal
+commander, that spirit of recklessness for which he
+was noted came over him, and without thinking
+of what the effect might be on those who had, at
+great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved to
+try to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw
+the last Yankee depart, leaving the commander
+behind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now is my time!</q> he exclaimed, exultingly,
+and looking to see that his revolver was in perfect
+condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as has
+been noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden
+was his appearance, so swift were his movements,
+that the little company could only gaze after him
+in astonishment until he had disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over
+the success of his bold dash; then came to him the
+thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes
+in what he had done. He suddenly checked his
+horse, and then turned as if he would ride back,
+hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his
+way, but more slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is too late now,</q> he sighed, to himself, <q>to
+undo the wrong I may have done. To think I may
+<pb n='54'/><anchor id='Pg054'/>have brought trouble on the head of that glorious
+girl, who even would give me her own horse! It’s
+the meanest trick you ever did, Calhoun Pennington,
+and it would serve you right if the Yankees
+captured you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun
+continued his journey. It was not long before he
+noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that he
+had had, had evidently strained his shoulder.
+Calhoun more bitterly than ever regretted that
+he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might
+now have been riding a good fresh horse, given
+him by Mr. Osborne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Serves me right,</q> he groaned. <q>Oh, what a
+fool, and not only a fool, but a brute, I have been.
+That girl! I can’t help thinking that I may have
+got her into serious trouble.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few miles more and his horse became so lame
+that Calhoun had to come down to a walk. He
+dismounted with a ruthful face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It’s no use,</q> he said; <q>I shall have to leave
+him. Where can I get another horse?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
+He had dismounted in a wood, a thick growth of
+cedars screening him from the observation of any
+one passing along the road. Hearing the sound of
+an approaching horseman, he crept to the side of
+the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officer
+approaching unattended. He was riding leisurely
+along unsuspicious of danger, and whistling merrily.
+With Calhoun to think was to act.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='55'/><anchor id='Pg055'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Halt! Surrender!</q> were the words which
+saluted the startled officer, as Calhoun sprang
+into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at
+his breast.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The officer was a brave man, and he reached for
+his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man,</q>
+said Calhoun, in a low, firm voice. <q>Fool, don’t
+you see I have the drop on you?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even
+smiled as he replied: <q>I guess you are right. No
+use kicking. What is your pleasure?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Dismount. No, on this side.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took
+hold of the horse’s bridle, still keeping the man
+covered with his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now,</q> continued Calhoun, <q>your name, rank,
+and regiment.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, —th
+Ohio Cavalry,</q> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have
+met you. As it may be a little inconvenient for
+you and me to travel together, I ask you to give
+me your parole of honor that you will not bear
+arms against the Southern Confederacy until regularly
+exchanged.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>May I be permitted to ask,</q> replied the Captain,
+with a peculiar smile, <q>who it is that makes
+this demand?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+cavalry.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='56'/><anchor id='Pg056'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+cavalry, you may go to the devil, before I will
+give you my parole.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was astounded at the reply. <q>I am
+afraid I shall have to shoot you,</q> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will,</q> was
+the fearless reply; <q>it would be an act worthy of a
+Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am
+well aware you are alone, that you cannot take me
+with you. It would be an act of cowardice in me
+to give you my parole.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his
+arms across his breast and looked Calhoun in the
+face without the quiver of a muscle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery
+of the man. <q>Captain, you are too brave a
+man to die a dog’s death, neither would I think of
+shooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go,
+but shall be under the necessity of borrowing your
+horse. You will find mine in the bushes there
+badly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again.</q>
+Thus saying, Calhoun sprang on the Captain’s
+horse, and dashed away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Crawford stood looking after him until
+he was out of sight. <q>May you have your wish,
+my fine fellow!</q> he exclaimed; <q>I would ask nothing
+better than that we should meet again.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Both had their wish; they met again, not once,
+but several times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A brave fellow, that,</q> said Calhoun to himself,
+as he galloped away. <q>I would as soon have
+<pb n='57'/><anchor id='Pg057'/>thought of shooting my brother. He didn’t bluff
+worth a cent.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The horse which Calhoun had captured was a
+good one, and he rode him for many a day. We
+will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in
+his journey toward his destination in Kentucky.
+Suffice it to say, he met with numerous perils
+and made some narrow escapes, but at last found
+himself near Danville. There resided a few miles
+from Danville a rich planter named Ormsby.
+Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South,
+one well versed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky
+out of the Union, and one who kept well
+posted in everything which pertained to the welfare
+of the Confederacy; and at Ormsby’s he resolved
+to stop and lay his plans for the future.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was received with open arms. <q>So you are
+from John Morgan,</q> said Mr. Ormsby, <q>and wish
+to recruit for his command. You have come at an
+opportune time. To-morrow there is a secret
+meeting of prominent Confederates near Harrodsburg.
+I am to attend. You will meet a number
+there for whom you have letters. Of course you
+will go with me?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with
+Mr. Ormsby to be present at the meeting. If he
+was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first
+days of May, his time was short, very short, and
+what he should do had to be done quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he was introduced to those present as
+from Morgan, and just from Corinth, their
+enthusi<pb n='58'/><anchor id='Pg058'/>asm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story of
+Shiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson,
+of the retreat, but how the spirit of the Southern
+army was unbroken, and that the South would not,
+and could not, be conquered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies
+of cavalry were nearly ready to take the field,
+and it was unanimously agreed that they should
+cast their fortune with Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I believe that Morgan with a thousand men
+can ride clear to the Ohio River,</q> declared Calhoun.
+<q>It only remains for Kentuckians to rally
+to his standard, and give him the support that he
+desires.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was agreed that the companies should be filled
+as soon as possible, and should go whenever Calhoun
+said the word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished
+to enter Danville to visit his parents. Disguised as
+a country boy with produce to sell, he had no
+trouble in passing the pickets into town. With a
+basket of eggs on his arm, he knocked at the back
+door of his father’s residence. It was opened by
+Chloe, the cook.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Want eny good fresh eggs?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No; go way wid ye, yo’ po’ white trash,</q>
+snapped the old negro woman, as she attempted to
+shut the door in his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Chloe!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The dish which she held in her hand went clattering
+to the floor. <q>Fo’ de land’s sake!</q> she
+<pb n='59'/><anchor id='Pg059'/>cried, <q>if it isn’t Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress
+yo’, chile! De Lawd bress you!</q> And she seized
+him and fairly dragged him into the house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don’t tell father
+I am here yet. And, Chloe, don’t whisper I am
+here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was
+here, they might hang me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn’ Massa?</q>
+she cried. <q>Ole Chloe tell no one.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those
+biscuits I see you are making, in a hurry. And
+make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more
+meal of your cooking. No one can cook like Aunt
+Chloe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yo’ shell hev a meal fit fo’ de king!</q> cried the
+old negress, her face all aglow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You must hurry, Chloe, for I can’t stay long.
+Now I will go and surprise father.</q> And surprise
+him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe
+the seeming country boy was his son.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where in the world did you come from?</q> he
+asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>From Corinth,</q> answered Calhoun. <q>I am
+now back to recruit for Morgan.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So you have joined Morgan, have you?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I
+know of no service I would like as well as to ride
+with Morgan.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You could have come home, my son.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Father! what do you mean? Come home
+while the South is bleeding at every pore? Come
+<pb n='60'/><anchor id='Pg060'/>home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you,
+my only child, to be in the army. Oh! that dreadful
+battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleepless
+nights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet
+safe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a
+kind Providence will still protect me. But here is
+a letter from Morgan.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the
+letter with much interest. <q>My son,</q> he said,
+after he had finished it, <q>it is well you were not captured
+with such letters on your person. It might
+have cost you your life. Even now I tremble for
+your safety. Does any one know you are in Danville?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yet there is danger. I know the house is
+under the closest surveillance. The Federal
+authorities know I am an ardent friend of the
+South, and they watch me continually. Morgan
+says in his letter that he hopes it will not be long
+before he will be in Kentucky.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And mark my word,</q> cried Calhoun, <q>it will
+not be! Before many weeks the name of Morgan
+will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge
+of the Yankee army. But, father, what of Uncle
+Dick and Fred?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg.
+The Federal authorities have paroled him. Fred is
+<pb n='61'/><anchor id='Pg061'/>at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishable
+honors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he
+has such a son as Fred!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s face clouded. The remembrance of
+his last meeting with Fred still rankled in his breast.
+<q>I never want to see him again,</q> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Judge sighed, <q>Oh, this war! this war!</q>
+he exclaimed; <q>how it disrupts families! You and
+Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought
+nothing could come in between you and him.
+Calhoun, he is a noble boy, notwithstanding he is
+a traitor to his state and the South. They say he
+is going to resign from the army for the sake of his
+father. Won’t you go and see him?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No,</q> brusquely answered Calhoun, yet he felt
+in his heart he was wronging his cousin by his
+action.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and
+it did her honest old heart good to see the way
+that Calhoun ate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I jes’ believe dat air chile hab had nuthin’ to
+eat fo’ a week,</q> she declared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I reckon I shall have to go now,</q> said Calhoun,
+rising reluctantly from the table. <q>I have already
+made too long a visit for a country boy with eggs
+to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I
+should kill myself eating if I stayed any longer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No danger of dat, chile,</q> replied Aunt Chloe,
+grinning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The words of parting were few. <q>Do be careful,
+my son,</q> said Judge Pennington, his voice
+<pb n='62'/><anchor id='Pg062'/>trembling with emotion. <q>God only knows
+whether I shall ever see you again or not.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp
+eyes was watching him. Those eyes belonged to
+a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans
+were Judge Pennington’s nearest neighbors,
+but Mr. Freeman was as strong a Union man as
+the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of
+friends, a coldness had sprung up between them
+since the opening of the war.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but
+they had been playmates from babyhood, and were
+great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.
+More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes
+in fighting her battles when some of the larger
+boys had teased her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter
+the kitchen of Judge Pennington, and there was
+something in his walk and manner which attracted
+her attention. <q>If that isn’t Cal Pennington I am
+a sinner!</q> she exclaimed to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was on the watch for him, and when he
+remained so long she became more than ever
+convinced that her suspicions were correct. At
+length the boy came out with his basket on his
+arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hi, there, boy! come here,</q> she called.
+<q>What have you to sell?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried
+on the faster.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I tell you, boy, you had better come here if
+<pb n='63'/><anchor id='Pg063'/>you know when you are well off!</q> she called, in a
+threatening voice, <q>Oh, I know you!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that
+his best way was to try to make peace with her.
+<q>What do yer want?</q> he growled, as he walked
+toward her. <q>I hev nuthin’ to sell; all sold out.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, I never!</q> said the girl as Calhoun came
+up. <q>Do you think I don’t know you, Cal Pennington?
+A pretty figure you cut in those old
+clothes, and with that basket. What in the world
+are you doing here?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I
+might be hanged,</q> said Calhoun, in a low voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yankees don’t hang traitors; they ought to,</q>
+replied the girl, with a toss of her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But don’t you see I am in disguise? I might
+be taken as a spy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What are you but one? I ought to inform on
+you at once.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Jennie, you wouldn’t do that. I am only
+here to see father and mother. I had to come in
+disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the
+Yankees.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you are not here to spy? You know
+there are many rumors afloat?</q> asked the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Just here to visit father and mother. Can you
+blame me, Jennie?</q> As Calhoun said this his
+heart smote him, for while it was true he was in
+Danville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his
+mission to Kentucky was for an entirely different
+object.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='64'/><anchor id='Pg064'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now, Jennie, you won’t tell on me, will you?</q>
+he continued, in a coaxing tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, if you behave yourself; but don’t let me
+hear of any of your capers,</q> answered the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You won’t, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be
+able to do you a good turn one of these days.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared,
+then shaking her head, she went into the
+house, saying: <q>I couldn’t inform on him, if he is
+a Rebel.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun.
+He visited Nicholasville, Lexington, Harrodsburg;
+had interviews with a large number of prominent
+Secessionists; found out, as near as possible, the
+number of Federal troops garrisoning the different
+towns; in fact, gathered information of the utmost
+value to Morgan if he should ever raid
+Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But all these things could not be done without
+rumors reaching the Federal authorities. It was
+known that the Southern element was extremely
+active; that recruiting for the Confederate army
+was going on; and at last, the name of Calhoun
+Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew
+him well declared that he had seen him, and it was
+common report he was back recruiting for Morgan’s
+command. The Federal commander at Danville
+was ordered to keep a close watch on the house of
+Judge Pennington to see if it was not visited by
+his son.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun
+<pb n='65'/><anchor id='Pg065'/>was in Lexington when he was startled by hearing
+the news-boys crying, <q>Pulaski, Tennessee, captured
+by John Morgan!</q> <q>He is headed north,
+closely pursued by the Federal forces!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There
+was no time to be lost. That night, the next day,
+and the next night horsemen could be seen galloping
+furiously along unfrequented roads, throughout
+central Kentucky. The word was, <q>Meet at the
+rendezvous near Harrodsburg.</q> Three days afterwards,
+two hundred of the best, the bravest, and
+the noblest youths of Kentucky were ready to
+march to join Morgan. Each one of them had
+provided his own outfit. They asked no pay to
+fight for their beloved South.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his
+father one more visit, although he knew it was
+dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in a
+thicket outside the limits of the city, he waited
+until dark, then stole across fields, and through
+alleys home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried,
+<q>Calhoun! Calhoun! what have you done! Do
+you know they are on the watch for you?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I had to see you once more before I went,</q>
+answered Calhoun. <q>I was careful, and I do not
+think any one saw me come. I have some things
+of importance to tell you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Father and son talked together for some five
+minutes in low, confidential tones, when they were
+interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting
+unan<pb n='66'/><anchor id='Pg066'/>nounced into the room and crying, <q>Run, Cal,
+run! the soldiers are coming! They are most
+here!</q> And before either could say a word, she
+was out again like a flash.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist
+Freeman’s daughter,</q> gasped the Judge. <q>Fly,
+my boy, fly! and may God protect you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty
+revolver, he cried, <q>Good-bye, all,</q> and ran
+through the house to pass out by the back way.
+Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he
+fairly rushed into the arms of a soldier who was
+entering. So surprised were both that they could
+only stare at each other for a brief second; but
+Calhoun recovered himself first, and dealt the soldier
+a terrific blow over the head with the butt of
+his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan,
+and Calhoun sprang out over his prostrate body,
+only to meet and overturn another soldier who was
+just ascending the steps. The force of the collision
+threw him headlong, but he was up again in a
+twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness, followed
+by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled
+Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned,
+<q>My son, oh, my son!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and
+there were many pale faces, for the people knew
+not what it meant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested
+<pb n='67'/><anchor id='Pg067'/>Judge Pennington, and he was dragged off to jail.
+But he did not think of himself. <q>My son,</q> he
+asked, <q>was he captured? was he hurt?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I think the devil protected his own,</q> roughly
+replied the officer, <q>but we will attend to you for
+harboring Rebels.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals,
+not only that night, but for nearly a week. There
+was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as a
+dangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of
+his arrest and his probable fate, and came in and
+had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.
+He showed that Judge Pennington had
+committed no overt act; that his son, who was a
+Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him,
+and had resisted capture, as any soldier had a right
+to do. As Fred threatened to report the case to
+the commander of the Department, the Judge was
+released.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience
+over what she had done. But Judge Pennington
+kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when
+he congratulated Jennie over her act, she felt
+relieved; for young Shackelford was not only
+known as a favorite of General Nelson, but as one
+of the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had
+no trouble in finding his way to his horse, and he
+lost no time in joining his comrades.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at
+<pb n='68'/><anchor id='Pg068'/>Glasgow,</q> he cried, and two hundred voices answered
+with a loud <q>Hurrah! we will do it!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Little did Calhoun or they think that at that
+very time John Morgan, his forces defeated and
+scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But like
+them, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="4" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='69'/><anchor id='Pg069'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER IV.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">MORGAN’S FIRST RAID.</head>
+
+<p>
+All through the month of April General
+Halleck had been concentrating the mighty
+armies of almost the entire West for the purpose
+of crushing Beauregard at Corinth. For a
+month the two armies lay but a few miles apart,
+almost daily skirmishes taking place between the
+outposts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+During the month General O. M. Mitchell had
+overrun Middle Tennessee, and was holding the
+Memphis and Charleston railroad from Decatur to
+Bridgeport, Alabama. Two railroads led south
+from Nashville, Tennessee, both connecting with
+the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, one at
+Decatur, and the other at Stevenson, Alabama.
+Both of these roads were of vital importance to
+General Mitchell, for on them he depended for
+transportation for the sustenance of his army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These roads had been badly damaged by the
+Confederate army when it retreated from Nashville,
+and General Mitchell was busily engaged in
+repairing them. If repaired and held, it meant
+that Chattanooga must fall, and the Confederate
+army be driven still farther south.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+John H. Morgan, now promoted to a colonelcy,
+believed that with a small force the rear of the
+<pb n='70'/><anchor id='Pg070'/>Federal army could be raided, the railroads cut,
+bridges burned, and their communications so
+destroyed that they would be forced to fall back.
+General Beauregard was not so sanguine. While
+great damage might be done, and the Federal army
+subjected to much inconvenience, the contest, after
+all, would have to be decided by the great armies.
+Then he needed every man, as Halleck was about
+to move.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last he gave Morgan permission to make his
+raid, but with a force not to exceed five hundred.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in the last days of April that Morgan
+started with his little force, on what seemed to
+many certain destruction. But every man in the
+command was full of enthusiasm. They had unlimited
+faith in their leader, and where he went
+they would follow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Following almost the exact route taken by Calhoun,
+Morgan’s first blow fell on Pulaski, Tennessee.
+So swift and unexpected had been his movements
+that the Federals were taken completely by
+surprise. The place was surrendered without a
+struggle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Moving rapidly north, the command attacked
+and, without any loss, captured a <anchor id="corr070"/><corr sic="wagon train">wagon-train</corr>
+en route from Columbia to Athens. Thus at the
+very commencement of his raid, Morgan captured
+Pulaski, with all its military stores, a wagon-train, and some two hundred and seventy prisoners,
+and this without the loss of a man. Among
+the prisoners captured were a son of General O. M.
+<pb n='71'/><anchor id='Pg071'/>Mitchell, and our old acquaintance, Lieutenant
+Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The prisoners were all paroled, and were astonished
+at the kind treatment they received. Both
+Captain Jumper, who was in charge of the wagon-train,
+and the son of General Mitchell were loud in
+their praise of the way they were used by Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After destroying all the Federal property captured,
+and damaging the railroad as much as possible,
+the command continued on their raid, their
+route taking them by the plantation of Mr.
+Osborne. The welcome they received there was a
+royal one. Colonel Morgan stopped and took
+dinner with the family.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here he heard of the adventure of Calhoun, and
+he laughed long and heartily over the way Calhoun
+had recovered his horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell him,</q> said Miss Osborne, <q>that I forgive
+him his abrupt leaving, as no harm came to
+father. By the way, Lieutenant Haines has become
+quite friendly, coming out to see us two or three
+times.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No one can blame him, even if you give him
+but a moment of your company,</q> replied Morgan,
+gallantly. <q>But Miss Osborne, I am sorry to say
+we took your friend prisoner. He was paroled,
+and no doubt is now on his way North.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Osborne blushed, and then said, <q>A good
+riddance; I trust I shall never see him again. But
+he was kind to papa. He even returned the horse;
+would not keep <corr sic="quote missing">him.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='72'/><anchor id='Pg072'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is lucky,</q> responded Morgan, <q>for if he
+hadn’t been returned, one of my men would be
+riding him now, and your chance of getting him
+would be small.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Pulaski Morgan pushed northeast, avoiding
+Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, both of these
+places being too strongly garrisoned for him to
+attack with his small force. He crossed the Nashville
+and Chattanooga railroad ten miles north of
+Murfreesboro, burned the depot, and destroyed as
+much of the track as his limited time would admit.
+From there he rode straight for Lebanon, Tennessee,
+which place he reached just at nightfall. The
+inhabitants received him with the wildest demonstration
+of joy. But trouble was in store for him.
+His men, wearied with their long ride, and elated
+over their continued success, became careless. They
+knew they were among friends, and thought that
+no harm could come to them, so they slept without
+fear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federal authorities had become thoroughly
+alarmed over his progress. Strong bodies of troops
+were in swift pursuit, from Shelbyville, from Murfreesboro,
+and from Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just before daylight the Federals charged into
+the little city with whoop and hurrah. Taken
+entirely by surprise, Morgan’s men thought only
+of flight. Two companies under the command of
+Colonel Robert C. Wood being cut off from their
+horses, threw themselves into a college building in
+the outskirts of the city, and for three hours
+<pb n='73'/><anchor id='Pg073'/>defended themselves with desperation. At last
+being out of ammunition they were <anchor id="corr073"/><corr sic="orced">forced</corr> to
+surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this unfortunate affair Morgan lost nearly two
+hundred of his best troops. The rest were more or
+less scattered. He himself was chased for eighteen
+miles, and the pursuit ceased only when he, with
+the remnant of his troops, had crossed the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federals thought they had thoroughly
+whipped Morgan, and he would give them no more
+trouble. But they did not know the man. He
+had started for Kentucky, and to Kentucky he
+would go. After crossing the Cumberland, he
+halted, gathered his scattered command together,
+and then with less than three hundred men, started
+for Glasgow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Pennington will meet us at Glasgow
+with reinforcements,</q> he told his men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there were some of his officers who had
+misgivings. Chief among these was Captain Conway.
+Speaking to another officer, a Captain
+Mathews, Conway said: <q>It’s strange that the
+Colonel has such confidence in that young upstart.
+As for me, I look for no reinforcements. The
+best thing we can do is to get back as soon as
+possible.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Captain, what is the matter?</q> asked Mathews.
+<q>What has that young fellow done that you have
+taken such a dislike to him?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nothing; but the idea of sending a mere boy
+<pb n='74'/><anchor id='Pg074'/>on such an important mission! Why did he not
+send some one back with influence?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Pennington is well connected; you know his
+father is Judge Pennington of Danville.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That makes little difference. His mission will
+be a failure; see if it isn’t. We shall see no reinforcements
+at Glasgow.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then Morgan came riding along, and seeing
+Conway said, <q>Captain, I want to thank you for
+the gallant manner in which you held back the
+enemy while the command crossed the Cumberland.
+You did nobly.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This praise so pleased Conway that for a time
+he forgot his supposed grievance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Without further trouble from the Federals, the
+little command reached Glasgow, where they were
+received with open arms by the inhabitants.
+Houses were thrown open to them and food provided
+in abundance. But nothing had been heard
+of any reinforcements.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What did I tell you?</q> said Conway to
+Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Wait,</q> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The night was an anxious one. Morning came,
+but still nothing was heard of any reinforcements.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We will wait another day,</q> said Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan’s
+men nearly went wild with enthusiasm, as nearly
+two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
+into camp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the captain in command reported, Morgan
+<pb n='75'/><anchor id='Pg075'/>thanked him in the warmest terms, and then looking
+eagerly around, said: <q>Where is Lieutenant
+Pennington? I do not see him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Pennington,</q> answered the Captain,
+<q>asked leave to take twenty men and scout
+toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do
+so. He has an idea that the railroad might be
+reached and broken at that point.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! I have thought so myself,</q> replied Morgan.
+<q>I shall wait for his report with interest.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The arrival of the two fresh companies had
+raised the command to as large, or larger, than it
+was when it started from Corinth, and every man
+was eager to go on. It was nearly night when
+Calhoun reported with his little company. He was
+jubilant over what he had <corr sic="extra quote">discovered.</corr>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Colonel,</q> he said, <q>we can easily capture Cave
+City, and thus sever the connection between Louisville
+and Nashville. The place is lightly guarded.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture
+the train on which my gallant men taken
+prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I
+should be supremely happy,</q> said Morgan, with
+much feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Perhaps we can,</q> replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How about going farther north than Cave
+City?</q> asked Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun shook his head. <q>It will not do,</q> he
+replied; <q>all the towns are too strongly held for
+your small force to cope with.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='76'/><anchor id='Pg076'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>At least we can try Cave City,</q> answered
+Morgan, and orders were given for the command to
+be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of
+Cave City was reached about two o’clock in the
+morning. The column was halted and the men
+were ordered to rest until daylight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier
+named Emory, was sent in advance to the place.
+They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
+linger around the depot, and when the charge came
+they were to prevent the telegraph operator from
+sending warning of the raid.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry
+steeds, Calhoun and Emory played their part to
+perfection. Their entrance into the little place
+caused no comment, and excited no suspicion.
+Sauntering into the depot, they gazed curiously
+around.
+</p>
+<anchor id="illus03"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus03.png"  rend="width: 100%"><head rend="font-size: small">SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus03.png"><head rend="font-size: small">SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.</head>
+<figDesc>SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+<q>What’s that?</q> asked Calhoun, pointing at the
+clicking telegraph instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That, my boy,</q> said the operator, patronizingly,
+<q>is a telegraphic instrument. Did you
+never see one before?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No. What makes it tick?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lightning, my son, lightning; that’s a lightning-catcher.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun opened his eyes in wonder. <q>Jes’ heah
+that,</q> he said to Emory. <q>What is it fer?</q> he
+continued, turning his attention to the operator
+once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>To send messages,</q> replied the operator,
+<pb n='77'/><anchor id='Pg077'/>amused at the ignorance displayed. <q>With this
+little instrument, I can talk with any one at Louisville
+or Nashville.</q>
+</p>
+    
+<p>
+<q>What’s yo-uns givin’ we-uns,</q> drawled Calhoun.
+<q>Do yo’ take we-uns fo’ a fule?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A guard who stood idly by laughed long and
+loud. <q>A fine specimen of Southern chivalry,</q>
+he chuckled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then there came the sound of cheering,
+pistol shots, and the clatter of horses’ hoofs,
+mingled with affrighted cries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>By heavens! the town is being raided,</q> shouted
+the operator, as he sprang to his instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Stop!</q> thundered Calhoun. <q>Touch that
+instrument and you are a dead man.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The operator looked up amazed, only to find
+himself covered with a revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The guard at the same time was looking into
+the muzzle of a weapon held by Emory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Drop that gun,</q> said Emory to the trembling
+man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The gun went clanging to the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You two stand there in the corner with your
+hands above your heads,</q> commanded Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The operator and the guard obeyed with alacrity.
+<q>Keep them covered with your revolver, Emory,</q>
+continued Calhoun, <q>while I see what I can find.
+Think I will pocket these dispatches first; they
+may be of use.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then he glanced out of the window and saw
+four or five soldiers running toward the depot.
+<pb n='78'/><anchor id='Pg078'/>There might be more following. Giving the telegraphic
+instrument a kick which sent it flying, he
+started to leave in a hurry. Then noticing the
+blanched faces of the soldiers, as they came rushing
+into the depot, he called out, <q>No use running,
+Emory, we can take the whole crowd prisoners,
+green as we look.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And they did. There was no fight in the
+frightened men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the excitement was over Calhoun looked
+over the dispatches which he had captured, and
+found that a passenger train was due from the
+south in half an hour, and that it had orders to
+wait at Cave City for a freight train to pass, coming
+from the north. This was good news, and Morgan’s
+men waited, in glee, for the approaching
+trains.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the appointed time the passenger train came
+rolling in. The reception it received astonished
+every one on board. To Colonel Morgan’s great
+disappointment his men captured at Lebanon were
+not on the train; but there were a great many
+Federal soldiers, principally officers, aboard on their
+way North. A few of these at first made some
+show of resistance; but when they saw how hopeless
+their case was, they sullenly submitted to their
+fate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was not long before the freight train came
+slowly puffing in. It was an immense train of
+forty-five cars, heavily loaded with rations, clothing,
+and munitions of war for Buell’s army. Morgan’s
+<pb n='79'/><anchor id='Pg079'/>men freely helped themselves from the rich stores
+to everything that they needed and could carry,
+and then the work of destruction began.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The torch was applied, and soon the two trains
+were wrapped in flames. The prisoners, who had
+gloomily watched the work of destruction, were
+now lined up, and told that they would be released
+upon their giving their parole. This they gladly
+consented to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It fell to Calhoun to take a list of their names,
+with rank and regiment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t see why I should be asked to give
+another parole,</q> growled a lieutenant. <q>I gave
+you fellows one at Pulaski, a short time since, and
+was on my way home now, to stay until I am
+exchanged. How often do you want to take a
+fellow prisoner, anyway?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun glanced up much amused. The officer
+started, stared at him a moment, and then abruptly
+asked, <q>Is your name Pennington?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is, Lieutenant Pennington, if you please.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You and I have met before.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! I know you now. I wish to thank you,
+for I am told you did not visit your wrath on the
+Osbornes on account of my abrupt leave-taking.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, the girl had concealed you in the house
+unbeknown to the old gentleman, and as he had
+assured me there were no Confederates about, he
+felt real cut up about it. He actually proffered me
+another horse in the place of the one you took.
+Said I was his guest, and should not suffer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='80'/><anchor id='Pg080'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Just like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman,
+the very personification of honesty,</q> replied Calhoun.
+<q>It may interest you, Lieutenant, to know
+that recovering my horse did me little good, for he
+went so lame I had to leave him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And took mine in his place,</q> spoke up a fine-looking
+Federal officer who stood near, and whose
+name Calhoun had not yet taken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Captain Crawford, as I live,</q> exclaimed Calhoun,
+extending his hand. <q>Captain, I want to
+give you my sincere thanks. That was a fine horse
+you loaned me. Must have Kentucky blood in
+him. I am riding him yet. How about your
+parole, Captain? You know you absolutely refused
+to give it to me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have changed my mind.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! that is good. If you refused this time
+we might be obliged to take you along with us, and
+that might not be agreeable to you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the Captain gave his parole, he said, <q>This is
+the second time we have met. There may be a
+third meeting, and it may be my time.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q><hi rend='italic'>Au revoir</hi>,</q> gayly replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Little did he think then of their next meeting,
+and what it would mean to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The prisoners all being paroled, and the work of
+destruction complete, Morgan’s command returned
+to Glasgow, loaded with booty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The capture of the trains and the breaking of
+the railroad at Cave City caused the greatest excitement
+throughout the Federal army. It showed the
+<pb n='81'/><anchor id='Pg081'/>Federal authorities how weak their line of communication
+was. Although so much depended on
+Morgan’s capture, he was left for some days almost
+unmolested. He made a demonstration toward
+Lebanon, captured a number of prisoners, and
+then, when the combination against him grew too
+strong to be resisted, he withdrew at his leisure and
+at length found rest for his command at Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="5" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='82'/><anchor id='Pg082'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER V.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">MORGAN’S FIRST GREAT RAID.</head>
+
+<p>
+The struggle for the possession of Corinth was
+ended. General Halleck, with his immense
+army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand
+men, had thought to reduce the place by regular
+siege, and force General Beauregard to capitulate,
+surrendering himself with his whole army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Beauregard was too able a general to be
+caught in a trap. For a month he held the Federal
+army at bay, and then, when Halleck was about to
+spring his trap, Beauregard silently withdrew, leaving
+to him but a barren victory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Confederate army was saved, and to the
+Federal forces the occupation of Corinth proved as
+demoralizing as a defeat. The result showed that
+John Morgan was right when he said that the hope
+of the South rested, not on the occupancy of any
+single place, but on the safety of its armies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The fall of Corinth at once changed the theatre
+of war. The Federal army was divided, the Army
+of the Tennessee, under Grant, remaining in Mississippi
+and Western Tennessee, and the Army of
+the Ohio, under Buell, being ordered to march east
+and capture Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Buell had acted promptly and swiftly, he
+might have been successful, and the death-blow
+<pb n='83'/><anchor id='Pg083'/>would have been given to the Confederacy long
+before it was. But he moved slowly and haltingly,
+and the golden opportunity was lost. It gave the
+Confederacy time to transfer to Chattanooga the
+larger part of the army which had been at Corinth.
+The command of this army was given to General
+Braxton Bragg, a brave man, and by many thought
+to be one of the ablest generals of the South.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It at once became the dream of General Bragg
+to gather as large an army as possible, then march
+northward clear to the Ohio River, sweeping everything
+before him. This dream came near being
+realized. It was made possible by the efforts and
+deeds of two men, General John H. Morgan and
+General N. B. Forrest. These two great raiders
+and leaders of cavalry nearly turned the scale in
+favor of the Confederacy. They raided the rear of
+the Federal army, tore up railroads, destroyed
+millions of dollars’ worth of property, and captured
+thousands of prisoners. They ran General Buell
+nearly distracted, and caused him not to know
+which way to turn. They made it possible for
+General Bragg to reach Kentucky unopposed; and
+if, after reaching Kentucky, General Bragg had
+proved as able a leader of infantry as Morgan was
+of cavalry, Buell’s army would have been destroyed.
+While Bragg was organizing his army at Chattanooga,
+another Confederate army was being organized
+at Knoxville under General E. Kirby Smith;
+this army was to invade Kentucky by way of East
+Tennessee, while General Bragg was to invade by
+<pb n='84'/><anchor id='Pg084'/>way of Middle Tennessee. Once in Kentucky, the
+two armies were to unite.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This programme was successfully carried out,
+and yet the whole movement was a failure, as far
+as the occupancy of Kentucky was concerned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After the fall of Corinth, Colonel Morgan
+rendezvoused his little force at Chattanooga.
+From Chattanooga he proceeded to Knoxville,
+where he at once began the preparations for another
+raid. As Cumberland Gap was held by the Federals,
+Colonel Morgan decided to cross over into
+Middle Tennessee before invading Kentucky. His
+command consisted of about nine hundred men,
+made up of two regiments and two independent
+companies. His own regiment was commanded by
+Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Duke. All through Morgan’s
+career Colonel Duke was his chief adviser, so
+much so that many claim that Morgan’s success
+was mainly due to Colonel Duke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why don’t some one shoot Basil Duke through
+the head, and blow out John Morgan’s brains?</q>
+exclaimed a disgusted Federal officer, after a fruitless
+effort to catch Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the officer was mistaken; both had brains.
+Like Grant and Sherman they worked hand in
+hand, and one needed the other. Together they
+were invincible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before leaving Knoxville Morgan picked out
+twenty-five men, mounted on the best and fleetest
+horses, and placed them in the command of Calhoun
+Pennington. They were to be the scouts of the
+<pb n='85'/><anchor id='Pg085'/>command, and well did they do their duty. More
+than once did they save Morgan from heavy loss by
+ascertaining the movements of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan left Knoxville July 4th. His route lay
+directly west over the Cumberland Mountains to
+Sparta, a distance of one hundred and four miles.
+This, in spite of the rough roads, he made in three
+days. Many of the mountaineers of East Tennessee
+clung to the Union, and much of the way he had
+to ride through almost as hostile a country as if
+raiding through the North. The utmost vigilance
+had to be used, and Calhoun, with his scouts, was
+kept well in front to see that the road was clear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the second day’s march there was the crack
+of a rifle from a mountainside, and one of the
+scouts tumbled from his horse dead. A little cloud
+of smoke up the mountain showed from where the
+shot was fired. With a cry of rage the scouts sent
+a volley where the little cloud was seen, then
+springing from their horses, clambered up the
+mountain to hunt down the murderer; but their
+search was fruitless.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About a mile beyond where the shooting took
+place they came to a rough log cabin, surrounded
+by a few acres of comparatively smooth ground.
+A small patch of corn and potatoes was growing
+near the cabin, and an old man with tangled gray
+hair and beard was hoeing in the field. An old
+woman sat in the door calmly smoking a corn-cob
+pipe. Neither seemed to notice the soldiers as
+they came riding up.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='86'/><anchor id='Pg086'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>You, man, come here!</q> sternly called Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The mountaineer deliberately laid down his
+hoe, and slowly came to where Calhoun was. He
+seemed to be in no hurry, nor did he appear to be
+disturbed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What is your name?</q> demanded Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nichols—Jim Nichols,</q> drawled the man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you well acquainted around here?</q> demanded
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hev lived heah goin’ on twenty years,</q> was
+the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We have just had a man shot, by one of you
+<anchor id="corr086"/><corr sic="kulking ">skulking</corr> mountaineers. Do you know of any one
+likely to do such a deed? Tell the truth, or it will
+be the worse for you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The old man shook his head. <q>The men be all
+gone in one army or de other,</q> he answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you Union or Confederate?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The wah is nuthin’ to we-uns,</q> he drawled;
+<q>we-uns own no niggers.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s no answer,</q> fiercely replied Calhoun,
+<q>I have a mind to hang you up like a dog. A
+little stretching of the neck might loosen your
+tongue.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the word <q>hang</q> a strange look came into
+the old man’s eyes, a look as of mortal hatred, but
+it was gone in a moment, and the drawling answer
+came, <q>We-uns knows nuthin’; thar may be strange
+men hidin’ in the mountin. We-uns don’t know.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Have you a family?</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='87'/><anchor id='Pg087'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>A gal.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where is she?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Done gone over the mountin to see the Jimson
+gals.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You have no son?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the word <q>son,</q> again that deadly glint
+came in the old man’s eye. Again it was gone in
+a moment, and the answer came, <q>No.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cabin was searched—the mountaineer and
+his wife apparently perfectly unconcerned as to
+what was going on—but nothing suspicious was
+found, and Calhoun had to confess himself baffled.
+But after Morgan’s column had passed, a tall,
+lank girl with unkempt hair might have been seen
+coming down the mountainside, carrying a long
+rifle in her hand. Swiftly and surely as a deer she
+leaped from rock to rock, and soon neared the cabin.
+Carefully concealing her rifle beneath a huge rock,
+she came slowly up to the door of the cabin, where
+the old man sat smoking. He looked up at her,
+inquiringly, but did not say a word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We-uns got one, dad,</q> she said, as she passed
+in. Not another word was spoken, but the old
+man sat and smoked and watched the sun as it
+slowly sunk to rest behind the mountain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Calhoun had known that Nichol’s only son
+had been hanged the winter before by the Confederate
+authorities for bridge-burning, and that his
+sister had sworn revenge, he would not have been
+at a loss as to who had fired the deadly shot, for
+every mountain girl can use a rifle.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='88'/><anchor id='Pg088'/>
+
+<p>
+From Sparta Morgan made a rapid march to
+Selina, where he forded the Cumberland River. At
+Selina he learned that there was a Federal force at
+Tompkinsville, which is just over the line in Kentucky.
+By a swift advance he hoped to surprise
+and capture this force. As the command crossed
+the line from Tennessee into Kentucky, the enthusiasm
+of the men knew no bounds. They sang
+<q>My Old Kentucky Home,</q> and cheered again
+and again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tompkinsville was reached at five o’clock on the
+morning of the 9th of July. The Federals, under
+the command of Major Thomas J. Jordan, of the
+Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, though surprised, made
+a stand, and the battle at once opened. But a few
+shots from Morgan’s mountain howitzers utterly
+demoralized the Federals, and they fled in confusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Major Jordan, after retreating about a mile,
+succeeded in rallying about seventy-five of his men,
+and made a stand to cover the retreat of his force.
+Calhoun, with some fifteen of his scouts far in
+advance of the main column, charged down on
+them without hesitating a moment. The Federals,
+although they outnumbered the scouts five to one,
+were ridden down, and throwing down their arms
+they cried for mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this fight the gallant Colonel Hunt was mortally
+wounded. He was one of Morgan’s best officers,
+and his loss was deeply mourned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Tompkinsville Morgan moved to Glasgow,
+arriving there at one o’clock in the morning.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='89'/><anchor id='Pg089'/>
+
+<p>
+The Federal garrison had heard of his approach,
+and had fled, leaving everything behind them. A
+large quantity of military stores fell into Morgan’s
+hands, and was destroyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Although it was in the middle of the night, the
+glad news spread through the town, and the citizens
+were hailing each other with the glad shout,
+<q>Morgan has come again! Morgan has come
+again!</q> Soon from every house lights were flashing,
+and every woman was engaged in cooking.
+When morning came, not only a steaming hot
+breakfast of the best that the place afforded was
+set before the men, but three days’ cooked rations
+were given each man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Glasgow Morgan gave out that he was again
+to raid the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. In
+order to carry out the deception, when he left Glasgow
+he followed the road which would lead him to
+strike the railroad in between Woodsonville and
+Mumfordsville; but when he was within a few
+miles of the road, he halted his command, and
+taking only Calhoun and his scouts, he struck the
+road at a lonely place a short distance from Horse
+Cove. Here he had his telegraph operator, a sharp
+young fellow named Ellsworth, attach his private
+instrument to the telegraph wire, and for two hours
+Ellsworth, in the midst of a driving storm and
+standing in water up to his knees, took every message
+that passed over the wire. It was rare fun to
+hear the Federal officers telling all their secrets,
+and revealing the terror they were in over Morgan’s
+<pb n='90'/><anchor id='Pg090'/>raid. After listening to their plans of how they
+would try to capture him, Morgan had Ellsworth
+send the following dispatch to the provost marshal
+at Louisville:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 2">Nashville, Tenn., July 10, 1862.</dateline>
+
+<p>
+General Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro,
+routing our forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan
+is reported to be between Scottsville and Gallatin, and will
+act in concert with Forrest, it is believed. Inform general commanding.
+</p>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 4"><hi rend='smallcaps'>Stanley Mathews</hi>,</signed>
+    <signed rend="margin-right: 2">Provost Marshal.</signed>
+
+</body></text>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal
+authorities to believe that he was returning from
+Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrest
+did on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro,
+and of this fact Morgan was entirely
+ignorant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as
+to have the Federals remain in ignorance of what
+he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoined
+his command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of
+over forty miles. The place fell, almost without
+struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,
+Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office.
+This was at three o’clock in the morning. Unsuspicious
+of danger the regular telegraph operator
+was at home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more
+installed at the instrument.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson,
+commanding the place, had telegraphed for reinforcements,
+saying he feared an attack. The first
+dispatch that Ellsworth received was:
+</p>
+
+<pb n='91'/><anchor id='Pg091'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>What news? Any more skirmishing?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To which Ellsworth answered: <q>No, we drove
+what few cavalry there were away.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next was: <q>Has the train arrived yet?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No. How many troops on train?</q> asked Ellsworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>About five hundred,</q> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he
+at once dispatched a column to intercept the train.
+But the train scented danger, and backed with all
+speed toward Louisville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan’s
+hands. Two large warehouses filled to overflowing
+with clothing, rations, and the munitions of war
+were given to the flames. Five thousand stand of
+arms were among the trophies; Morgan picked out
+the best of these to arm his men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The destruction of Federal property being complete,
+Morgan started north, going through Springfield
+and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met
+with a most enthusiastic reception. Nothing was
+too good for Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished
+that Morgan would make a detour and visit Danville,
+but this Morgan refused to do, as it would
+take him too far out of his route and give the
+Federals time to concentrate against him. Thus
+Calhoun was prevented from entering his native
+town in triumph.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan had caused the report to be circulated
+far and near that he had a force of five thousand
+<pb n='92'/><anchor id='Pg092'/>and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
+From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the
+line of the Louisville and Lexington Railroad. The
+place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
+Lexington, and from it either place could be
+equally threatened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here he once more took possession of the telegraph
+office, and Ellsworth was once more busy in
+sending telegrams. In the names of the different
+Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left,
+ordering the Federal troops here and there, everywhere
+but to the right place, and causing the utmost
+confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits’
+end; they knew not what to do, or which way to
+turn. The whole state was in terror. The name of
+Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified
+fivefold. General Boyle, in command of the
+Department of Kentucky, was deluged with telegrams
+imploring assistance. He in turn deluged
+General Halleck, General Buell, and even President
+Lincoln. <q>Send me troops, or Kentucky is lost.
+John Morgan will have it,</q> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth:
+<q>They are having a stampede in Kentucky. Please
+look to it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Buell telegraphed: <q>I can do nothing. Have
+no men I can send.</q> Thus Kentucky was left to
+her fears. Never did a thousand men create a
+greater panic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong
+demonstration toward Frankfort, strengthening the
+<pb n='93'/><anchor id='Pg093'/>belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
+object was the capture of Lexington.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the
+outskirts of the place, driving in the Federal outposts;
+but he learned that the city was garrisoned
+by at least five times the number of Morgan’s men.
+This fact he reported to his chief, who saw that it
+would be madness to attempt to capture it. Morgan
+therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
+thoroughly breaking the railroad which led
+from that place to Cincinnati, so he gave orders to
+start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed
+for a day at Midway by an unfortunate incident,
+the capture of Calhoun and one of his men by the
+Home Guards.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="6" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='94'/><anchor id='Pg094'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER VI.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS.</head>
+
+<p>
+All through Kentucky during the war there
+were companies of troops known as Home
+Guards. They were in reality the militia of the
+state. They in many instances rendered valuable
+services, and did much to keep Kentucky in the
+Union. If it had not been for them, the Federal
+government would have been obliged to keep twice
+as many troops in the state as it did. Not being
+under as strict discipline as the United States
+troops, they were more dreaded by the Southern
+element than the regular army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These Home Guards were very bitter, and lost
+no opportunity of harassing those who clung to
+the cause of the South. Now and then there were
+bands of these Guards that were nothing but bands
+of guerrillas who lived by plundering, and they were
+frequently guilty of the most cold-blooded murders.
+It was by such a band that Calhoun was captured.
+He had been scouting toward Frankfort to see
+if the Federals were moving any considerable body
+of troops from that place to attack Morgan. He
+found them so frightened that they were not thinking
+of attacking Morgan; they were bending every
+nerve to defend the city from an expected attack by
+him. He was on his way back with the news that
+<pb n='95'/><anchor id='Pg095'/>there was no danger from the direction of Frankfort,
+when he was told that a band of Home Guards,
+that were in fact a set of robbers, had their haunts
+in the rough, hilly country to the south of him, and
+he determined to try to effect their capture. After
+riding several miles, and hearing nothing of them,
+he ordered a return to Midway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day was very hot, and coming to a cross-road,
+where several trees cast their grateful shade
+and a little brook ran babbling by, he ordered his
+men to halt and rest. The shade and the water
+were very acceptable to both man and beast; dismounting,
+the men lay sprawling around in the
+shade. Seeing a house standing on an eminence
+up the cross-road, Calhoun decided to take one of
+his soldiers named Nevels, and ride up to it to see
+if he could learn anything.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better let us all go, there is no telling what one
+may run into in this country,</q> said a sergeant
+named Graham, who in the absence of Calhoun
+would be in command of the little company.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, Graham,</q> answered Calhoun, <q>both men
+and horses are tired, and need the little rest they
+are getting. I do not think there is any danger.
+If I see anything suspicious, I will signal to you.</q>
+With these words Calhoun with his companion rode
+away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There he goes as careless as if there was not an
+enemy within forty miles,</q> said Graham, looking
+after them, and shaking his head. <q>I tell you
+the Lieutenant will get into trouble some of these
+<pb n='96'/><anchor id='Pg096'/>days. He is altogether too rash; never thinks of
+danger.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t worry about the Lieutenant,</q> lazily
+replied one of the men; <q>he never gets into a
+scrape without getting out of it. He is a good
+one, he is.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant did not answer, but stood earnestly
+gazing after his chief, who by this time was
+about a quarter of a mile away. Here Calhoun
+and Nevels descended into a depression, which for
+a moment would hide them from the watchful eyes
+of the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Calhoun entered this depression, he noticed
+that a thick growth of underbrush came up close
+to the side of the road, affording a splendid place
+for concealment. For a moment a feeling as of
+unseen danger came over him, but nothing suspicious
+could be seen or heard, and dismissing the
+thought, he rode forward. Suddenly Calhoun’s
+horse stopped and pricked up his ears.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What’s the matter, <anchor id="selim"/>Selim? What do you
+see?</q> exclaimed Calhoun, as he gently touched him
+with the spur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The horse sprang forward, but had gone but a
+few yards, when as suddenly as if they had arisen
+out of the ground, a dozen men, with levelled
+guns, arose by the side of the road, and demanded
+their surrender. Desperate as the chance
+was, Calhoun wheeled his horse to flee, when before
+him stood a dozen more men; his retreat was cut
+off.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='97'/><anchor id='Pg097'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Surrender, or you are dead men,</q> cried the
+leader. Calhoun saw they were surrounded by at
+least twenty-five men, and a most villainous-looking
+set they were. There was no help for it. To
+refuse to surrender meant instant death, and Calhoun
+and Nevels yielded as gracefully as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant stood still looking up the road
+waiting for them to appear, when he caught sight
+of the head of a man, then of another, and another.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Boys,</q> he shouted, excitedly, <q>something is
+wrong; the Lieutenant is in trouble.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little squad sprang to their horses, and
+without thinking of danger, or what force they
+would meet, rode to the rescue, the Sergeant in the
+lead. But when they neared the place, they were
+met with a volley which brought three of the
+horses down and seriously wounded two of the
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Forward!</q> shouted the Sergeant, staggering to
+his feet, and holding his wounded arm, from which
+the blood was streaming.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But another volley brought down two more of
+the horses, and the Sergeant seeing they were outnumbered
+more than two to one, ordered a halt,
+and made preparations to resist a charge, which he
+thought would surely come. No charge came, and
+all was silent in front. The Sergeant ordered an
+advance, but no enemy was found. They had
+silently decamped and left no trace behind, and
+had taken Calhoun and Nevels with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Crippled as they were, and the Sergeant suffering
+<pb n='98'/><anchor id='Pg098'/>terribly from his wound, it was decided it would be
+madness to pursue with their small force. So one
+of the men on a swift horse was sent to carry the
+news to Morgan, while the others followed more
+leisurely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the news reached camp, the greatest
+excitement prevailed, and every man in the command
+clamored to be sent to the rescue. Colonel
+Morgan chose Captain Huffman, who, with thirty
+of his famous Texan rangers, was soon galloping to
+the scene of the encounter, under the guidance of
+the courier who had brought the news. On the
+way they met Calhoun’s little squad sorrowfully
+returning. Not a man but begged to be allowed
+to go with the rescuing party, but this, on account
+of the tired condition of their horses, and on
+account of the two wounded men, had to be
+refused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was well along in the afternoon when the
+theatre of the encounter was reached. Captain
+Huffman had with him three or four men who for
+years had been accustomed to Indian fighting in
+Texas; these men took up the trail and followed it
+like bloodhounds. After going three or four miles,
+the advance ran into two men, who sought safety
+by running into the woods; but a shot in the leg
+brought one of them down, and he was captured.
+At first he denied knowing anything of the affair,
+saying he had heard nothing of a fight. But
+when Captain Huffman ordered a rope to be brought
+and it was placed around his neck, he begged
+pite<pb n='99'/><anchor id='Pg099'/>ously, saying that if they would spare his life he
+would tell them all he knew. And this is what he
+told them:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He belonged to a band led by a man known as
+<q>Red Bill</q> from his florid complexion. It was
+this band that had captured Calhoun and Nevels.
+It seemed that the officer whom they had captured
+had known Red Bill in Danville, and taunted him
+with being a chicken-thief. This so angered Red
+Bill that he determined to hang the officer. This
+resulted in a quarrel among the members of the
+band, many of whom had become tired of the
+leadership of Red Bill, being fearful that his crimes
+would bring retribution on their heads. At last it
+was agreed that the band would disperse, Red Bill,
+on the promise that he might have the two horses
+captured, agreeing to deliver the two prisoners to
+the Federal commander at Frankfort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But,</q> added the prisoner, whose name was
+Evans, <q>I doubt if they ever reach Frankfort. I
+reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid
+of them before he gets there.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Huffman listened to this story with
+horror. <q>If this miscreant makes way with Lieutenant
+Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to
+his death, if it takes ten years,</q> he declared.
+Then turning to Evans, he asked: <q>Did any of the
+gang side with Red Bill?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him,</q>
+was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you men, at least twenty of you, by your
+<pb n='100'/><anchor id='Pg100'/>own story, coolly left our men to be foully murdered?</q>
+furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Answer!</q> thundered Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort,</q>
+he at length managed to say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you have just admitted that his promise
+was worth nothing. Where did this thing occur?
+Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?</q>
+demanded Huffman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>About three miles from here,</q> answered Evans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lead us to the place at once.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I dare not,</q> he whimpered; <q>Red Bill will kill
+me if I give away the place of rendezvous. We are
+under a terrible oath not to reveal it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You need not fear Red Bill,</q> answered Captain
+Huffman, in ominous tones, <q>for I am going to
+hang you. Boys, bring the rope.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mercy! Mercy!</q> gasped the shivering wretch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then lead us to the place where you left Red
+Bill, and that quickly.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My wound,</q> he whined, pointing to his leg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Bind up his leg,</q> said Huffman to one of his
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The wound was rudely dressed, and then Evans
+was placed on a horse in front of a sturdy trooper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now take us to the place where you left Red
+Bill, by the shortest and quickest route; you say it
+is three miles. If we don’t reach it in half an hour,
+I will hang you like a dog. And,</q> continued
+Huffman, to the trooper in front of whom Evans
+<pb n='101'/><anchor id='Pg101'/>was riding, <q>blow out his brains at the first sign
+of treachery.</q>
+</p>
+<p>
+For answer the trooper touched his revolver
+significantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After riding swiftly for about two miles, Evans
+bade them turn into a path which led into the
+woods. The way became rough and rocky, and
+their progress was necessarily slower. Evans was
+in mortal terror lest the half-hour would be up
+before they could reach the place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is right down thar,</q> he at length said,
+pointing down a ravine which led to a stream.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The place was admirably adapted for concealment.
+On a small level place surrounded by high
+cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in
+from view from every point except the single one
+on which they stood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Leave the horses here,</q> whispered Huffman,
+<q>I think I caught sight of some one down there.
+We will creep up on them unawares.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain
+Huffman, with the rest of his force, silently
+crept down the gorge.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus04"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus04.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus04.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.</head>
+    <figDesc>THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.</figDesc>
+</figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was
+captured and heard his men cheering as they made
+the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected
+they would all be killed. He was, therefore,
+greatly surprised when the firing ceased, and his
+captors came running back, and hurried him
+through the woods at a break-neck speed. The
+rapid pace was kept up for about three miles, when
+<pb n='102'/><anchor id='Pg102'/>finding they were not pursued, they adopted a
+more leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for
+he was entirely out of breath. The leader of the
+gang, and another, probably the second in command,
+had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun
+and Nevels had been forced to walk, or rather run.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the
+fight, and was told that all of his men had been
+killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors
+would not have retreated so hastily if they had
+achieved so sweeping a victory. He asked another
+question, but was roughly told to shut up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for
+the first time noticed his prisoners closely. He
+started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to
+his gang, said, <q>I reckon we had better string
+these fellows up, and get them out of the way.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>String us up,</q> boldly answered Calhoun, <q>and
+I would not give a cent for your worthless lives;
+Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you
+encumbered the earth.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who is afraid of Morgan!</q> exclaimed Red
+Bill, with an oath. <q>He and the rest of you are
+nuthin’ but hoss-thieves an’ yo’ will all hang one
+of these days. I know yo’, my young rooster, you
+air the son of that ole Rebil, Judge Pennington of
+Danville. I hev it in fur him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And I know you now,</q> hotly replied Calhoun,
+forgetting the danger he was in. <q>You used to
+live in Danville, and went by the name of Red
+Bill. Your popularity consisted in the fact that
+<pb n='103'/><anchor id='Pg103'/>you were known as an adept chicken-thief. My
+father once sent you to jail for petit larceny.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Bill’s face grew still redder. <q>Yo’ lie, yo’
+dog!</q> he hissed. <q><corr sic="quote missing">Yo’</corr> father did send me to jail,
+but I war innocent, an’ he knowed it. But he
+thought I war only po’ white trash, while he is an
+aristocrat. I swore to hev my revenge, an’ I will
+hev it. Boys, what do we-uns do with hoss-thieves
+in ole Kentuck?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hang ’em,</q> exclaimed four or five voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>An’ we-uns will hang this crowin’ bantam. I
+will learn him to call me a chicken-thief, classin’ me
+with niggers!</q> exclaimed Red Bill, with fury.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What will we-uns do with the other feller?</q>
+asked one of the men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hang him too. Dead men don’t talk.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But some of the gang began to demur over this
+summary proceeding, saying that the Federal
+authorities would deal severely with them if it became
+known they murdered prisoners in cold blood.
+Not only this, but Morgan had captured hundreds
+of Home Guards and paroled them. But if they
+should execute one of his prominent officers, he
+would show no mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The discussion became so hot, they came nearly
+fighting among themselves. At last one of them
+said, <q>I am tired of the hull business. I am goin’
+home.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>An’ I!</q> <q>An’ I!</q> cried a dozen voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was finally agreed that the gang should disband,
+only five agreeing to remain with Red Bill.
+<pb n='104'/><anchor id='Pg104'/>Being allowed to keep the plunder and horses they
+had captured, these men, with Red Bill, promised
+to deliver Calhoun and Nevels to the Federal
+authorities at Frankfort, unharmed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun and Nevels had watched this quarrel
+among their captors with the utmost anxiety,
+knowing that upon the result depended their lives.
+It was with the deepest concern that they beheld
+the members of the party depart, leaving them with
+Red Bill and his five boon companions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No sooner were they alone than the six, with
+oaths and jeers, tied their prisoners securely to trees,
+drawing the cords so closely that they cut into the
+flesh. Although the pain was terrible, neither
+Calhoun nor Nevels uttered a moan. After the
+prisoners were thus securely tied, Red Bill produced
+a bottle of whisky, and the six commenced drinking,
+apparently taking no notice of their captives.
+The whole six were soon fiendishly drunk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Staggering up to Calhoun, Red Bill growled:
+<q>Think we-uns goin’ to take you to Frankfort, I
+reckin’.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is what you promised,</q> replied Calhoun,
+calmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, we-uns ain’t. We-uns goin’ to hang
+ye!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun turned pale, then controlling himself by
+a powerful effort, he replied: <q>Do the Home
+Guards of Kentucky violate every principle of honorable
+warfare?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Damn honorable warfare! Yo-uns called me
+<pb n='105'/><anchor id='Pg105'/>a chicken-thief; I call you a hoss-thief. Hoss-thieves
+air hanged. Ha! ha! the son of Judge
+Pennington strung up fo’ stealin’ hosses! Won’t
+that sound nice?</q> and he burst into a devilish
+laugh, in which he was joined by the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun saw there was no hope. It was hard
+to die such an ignominious death. <q>Oh!</q> he
+thought, <q>if I had only been permitted to die
+amid the flame and smoke of battle. Such a death
+is glorious; but this——</q> A great lump arose in his
+throat, and came near choking him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Gulping it back, he whispered to Nevels:
+<q>Don’t show the white feather. Let them see
+how Morgan’s men can die.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The brave fellow nodded; he could not speak.
+He had a wife and child at home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were unbound from the tree, but their
+arms and limbs were kept tightly pinioned. Ropes
+were brought and tied around their necks, and the
+free ends thrown over a limb of the tree.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Can ye tie a true hangman’s knot, Jack?</q>
+asked Red of the villain who was adjusting the
+rope around Calhoun’s neck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That I can, Red,</q> he answered, with a chuckling
+laugh. <q>It’s as neat a job as eny sheriff can
+do.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sun had just sunk to rest; the gloom of
+night was settling over the forest. Calhoun saw
+the shadows thicken among the trees. The darkness
+of death would soon be upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>String ’em up!</q> shouted Red.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='106'/><anchor id='Pg106'/>
+
+<p>
+Just then the solemn hoot of a distant owl was
+heard. One of the men holding the rope dropped
+it, and shivered from head to foot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Boys,</q> he whispered, <q>let’s don’t do it.
+That’s a note of warning. I never knew it to fail.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Cuss ye fo’ a white-livered coward!</q> yelled
+Red Bill. <q>String them up, I tell ye!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For answer there came the sharp crack of rifles,
+the rush of armed men, and the infuriated Texans
+were on them. No mercy was shown; in a moment
+it was all over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Quickly the cords which bound Calhoun and
+Nevels were cut, and the terrible nooses removed
+from their necks. <q>Thank God, we were in time!</q>
+cried Captain Huffman, wringing Calhoun’s hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Calhoun stood as one in a trance. So sudden
+had been his deliverance, he could not realize
+it. He had nerved himself to die, and now that
+he was safe, he felt sick and faint, and would have
+fallen if he had not been supported. Both he and
+Nevels soon rallied, and poured out their thanks to
+the brave men who had come to their rescue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We would never have found you,</q> said Huffman,
+<q>if we had not run on one of the gang who
+under the threat of death piloted us here.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where is he?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>With the boys up with the horses.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Let him go,</q> pleaded Calhoun; <q>but for him
+I would now have been food for the buzzards.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>To which we will leave these carrion,</q> answered
+Huffman, pointing to the dead Home
+<pb n='107'/><anchor id='Pg107'/>Guards. <q>But we must be going; Morgan is impatient
+to be on the road.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Great was the rejoicing in Morgan’s command
+when Captain Huffman returned bringing Calhoun
+and Nevels safe; and much satisfaction was expressed
+over the fate of their captors. In half an
+hour after the return of Captain Huffman’s command,
+Morgan’s men were en route for Paris.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="7" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='108'/><anchor id='Pg108'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER VII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.</head>
+
+<p>
+After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march
+directly to Paris, but halted at Georgetown, a
+little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The
+citizens of Georgetown gave Morgan’s command
+the same joyous welcome which they had received
+at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to
+them not as an enemy, but as a liberator.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack
+Cynthiana, which lies north of Paris, having heard
+there was a considerable body of Federal troops
+stationed there. Sending a small force toward
+Lexington to keep up the fiction of an attack upon
+that place, Morgan moved with the main body of
+his force upon Cynthiana.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan
+was engaged in during his raid. Cynthiana was
+held by Colonel John J. Landram of the Eighteenth
+Kentucky. He had under him about four hundred
+men, mostly Home Guards and raw recruits.
+Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the
+battle raged for an hour and a half with the greatest
+fury. It was at last decided by a furious charge
+made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas
+rangers. The entire force of Colonel Landram was
+killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Colonel
+<pb n='109'/><anchor id='Pg109'/>Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his
+bravest men. Calhoun was not in this fight, having
+been sent with his scouts toward Lexington to
+watch the movements of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and
+the place surrendered without a shot being fired.
+Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexington
+railroad was now in Morgan’s possession,
+and he proceeded to destroy it as thoroughly as his
+limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed
+by his enemies. A large force was moving
+on him from Frankfort; another from Lexington.
+Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully
+informed of these movements.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith’s
+forces from Lexington, he marched for Winchester.
+His next move was to Richmond. This left all the
+pursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan’s
+movements, the marvellous endurance of his
+men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand
+and give battle to his pursuers; but Calhoun brought
+word that at least five thousand Federals were closing
+in on him. To give battle to such a number
+would have been madness, so he marched for Crab
+Orchard. On the march Calhoun made a detour
+toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his
+uncle, Colonel Richard Shackelford. He was also
+in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. He had
+heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping
+him from being sent to a Northern prison, and
+<pb n='110'/><anchor id='Pg110'/>he wished to thank him. He was ashamed of the
+hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to
+make amends for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his
+consternation Fred presented himself in the uniform
+of a captain of the Federal army. His men clamored
+to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had
+succeeded in quieting them, to his dismay Captain
+Conway came galloping upon the scene at the head
+of his company. He had obtained permission from
+Morgan to scout toward Danville. His real object
+was to capture Fred, who he knew was at home.
+Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy.
+His plan was frustrated by the bold stand taken
+by Colonel Shackelford, who delivered Fred as a
+prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him to
+Morgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once
+paroled him, although Conway tried his best to have
+him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,
+but let him return with the horse he had ridden,
+although many of the men looked on the splendid
+animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not
+hear of their taking a horse which belonged to his
+old friend, Colonel Shackelford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why didn’t you ride that horse of yours?</q>
+asked Captain Mathews of Fred, alluding to Fred’s
+famous horse, Prince.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Afraid you might keep him,</q> laughed Fred;
+<q>you are a good judge of a horse, <corr sic="quote missing">Captain.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Right you are,</q> responded Mathews; <q>I am
+sorry I didn’t think of that horse when we were at
+<pb n='111'/><anchor id='Pg111'/>Richmond. I would have visited you with my
+friend Conway, and taken the horse. Think I will
+have to return for him yet.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but
+that very night Mathews dispatched two of his men
+back in disguise to steal Fred’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset,
+surprising the place, and capturing a large
+wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies,
+all of which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he
+again took possession of the telegraph office, and
+enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Somerset Morgan’s raid was practically at an
+end. There were no Federal troops in front of
+him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he
+had completed the destruction of all the United
+States property in the place, and was ready to
+leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
+</p>
+<p><text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 2">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</dateline>
+
+<salute><hi rend='smallcaps'>George D. Prentice</hi>, Louisville, Ky.</salute>
+
+<p>
+Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete
+destruction of all of Uncle Sam’s property in this little burg.
+I regret exceedingly that this is the last that comes under my
+supervision on this route. I expect in a short time to pay you a
+visit, and wish to know if you will be at home. All well in Dixie.
+</p>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 6">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>John H. Morgan</hi>,</signed>
+    <signed rend="margin-right: 2">Commanding Brigade.
+</signed>
+</body></text></p>
+
+<p><text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 2">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</dateline>
+
+<salute><hi rend='smallcaps'>General J. T. Boyle</hi>, Louisville, Ky.</salute>
+
+<p>
+Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution.
+You should destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend
+Ellsworth has all of your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you
+wish copies?
+</p>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 6">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>John H. Morgan</hi>,</signed>
+    <signed rend="margin-right: 2">Commanding Brigade.
+</signed>
+</body></text></p>
+
+<pb n='112'/><anchor id='Pg112'/>
+<p><text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 2">Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.</dateline>
+
+<salute><hi rend='smallcaps'>Hon. George Dunlap</hi>, Washington, D. C.</salute>
+
+<p>
+Just completed my tour through Kentucky. Captured sixteen
+cities, destroyed millions of dollars of United States property.
+Passed through your county, but regret not seeing you. We
+paroled fifteen hundred Federal prisoners. Your old friend,
+</p>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 6">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>John H. Morgan</hi>,<lb/></signed>
+    <signed rend="margin-right: 2">Commanding Brigade.</signed>
+
+</body></text></p>
+
+<p>
+The feelings of the above gentlemen as they
+received these telegrams can better be imagined
+than described. The one to General Boyle must
+have cut him to the quick as he read it. To know
+how completely Morgan had outwitted him was like
+gall and wormwood to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Somerset Morgan halted his command at
+Livingston, Tennessee, to take a much-needed rest.
+Never did men need it more. They had accomplished
+one of the most astonishing feats in the
+annals of American warfare. No wonder the
+name of Morgan struck terror to the hearts of
+the Federals. Morgan in his report of his raid
+sums it up as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month
+with about nine hundred men, and returned to
+Livingston on the 28th instant with nearly twelve
+hundred, having been absent just twenty-four
+days, during which time I travelled over one thousand
+miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed
+all the government property and arms in them, dispersed
+about fifteen hundred Home Guards, and
+paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I
+lost in killed, wounded, and missing of the number
+I carried into Kentucky, about ninety.</q>
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="8" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='113'/><anchor id='Pg113'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER VIII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.</head>
+
+<p>
+Morgan’s command had not been encamped
+at Livingston more than two or three days
+when, to every one’s astonishment, a couple of soldiers
+belonging to Captain Mathews’s company
+came riding into camp, one on Fred Shackelford’s
+famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known
+horse of Colonel Shackelford’s, called Blenheim.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter
+which greeted the soldiers as they galloped in waving
+their hats and shouting, ran out of his quarters
+to see what was occasioning the excitement. He
+could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the
+well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a
+great jump, for the thought came to him that his
+cousin had been waylaid and killed. But if so,
+how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too?
+To his relief he soon learned the truth of the story,
+how from Crab Orchard Captain Mathews had sent
+back two of his company to capture Prince, and
+they had returned not only with Prince, but with
+Blenheim. Mathews was in high spirits as he appropriated
+Prince. Jumping on his back he galloped
+him through camp, showing off his fine points, and
+declaring he could outrun any horse in the brigade.
+<pb n='114'/><anchor id='Pg114'/>A match was soon arranged, but Prince so easily
+outstripped every competitor that soon no officer
+was found who had the hardihood to enter his
+horse in the lists against him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his
+satisfaction. He could not forego the opportunity
+of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be
+vexed over the capture of his cousin’s horse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why do you come blowing around me?</q> asked
+Calhoun, nettled by his manner, <q>I am neither
+the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his
+horse.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, you were so careful of his precious person
+when I took him prisoner, I did not know but your
+carefulness might extend to his horse,</q> replied
+Conway, with a sneer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself,
+he replied: <q>You did not take Captain Shackelford,
+and I am surprised that you should make such
+a statement. You forget that I was there before
+you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You would have let the fellow go,</q> snapped
+Conway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole,</q>
+answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It was your fault that he slipped through my
+fingers,</q> exclaimed Conway, angrily, <q>but my time
+will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
+this war is over, and I shall.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain,</q>
+replied Calhoun, with provoking coolness;
+<pb n='115'/><anchor id='Pg115'/>and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away
+with a muttered oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun
+ever since their first meeting, partly because
+he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
+himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on
+account of his being Fred’s cousin. But after the
+affair at Colonel Shackelford’s house, he took little
+pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers
+of the brigade noticed this, and predicted that
+sooner or later there would be trouble between
+the two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Calhoun was not through with being bantered
+over the capture of Prince. Captain Mathews
+came riding up and with a flourish said: <q>Ah!
+Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before;
+what do you think of him?</q> Now, Mathews was a
+rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in the
+command. He and Calhoun were good friends,
+and so Calhoun answered pleasantly: <q>He is the
+best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
+beaten by him in a race. But,</q> continued Calhoun,
+with a laugh, <q>my advice is to guard him
+very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him
+back, sure. That horse has more tricks than you
+dream of.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not worrying,</q> replied Mathews. <q>One
+of your scouts has just had to fork over five dollars
+to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab
+Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps
+you would like to bet I can’t keep him?</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='116'/><anchor id='Pg116'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain
+Shackelford will have his horse back in less than
+two months,</q> answered Calhoun, dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Done!</q> exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and
+the stakes were placed in the hands of Captain
+Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to
+the officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very
+foolish bet on the part of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That twenty-five is gone,</q> said Huffman to
+Calhoun, as he pocketed the stakes, <q>but I am sure
+of having fifty dollars for at least two months.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I reckon I shall lose,</q> said Calhoun, <q>but
+Mathews had better not let Shackelford get sight
+of his <anchor id="corr116"/><corr sic="horse?">horse.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why?</q> asked a dozen voices in concert.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Because that horse is up to more antics than a
+trick horse in a circus. You will see, if we ever run
+across my cousin in our raids.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I don’t know what you mean,</q> said one of the
+officers, <q>but your cousin will have a fine time
+getting that horse away from Jim Mathews.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Wait and see,</q> was Calhoun’s answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was not many days before they knew what
+Calhoun meant. A few days sufficed to rest Morgan’s
+command, and it was not the nature of Morgan
+to remain long idle. He had to be doing something.
+It was known that the Confederate armies
+were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward
+movement into Kentucky. In fact, General
+Kirby Smith had already set out from Knoxville
+to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg
+<pb n='117'/><anchor id='Pg117'/>was nearly ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered,
+and owing to the raids of Morgan and Forrest, the
+men were on short rations. General Buell was at
+his wits’ end. He knew that General Bragg was
+preparing to advance, but thought he would not
+attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking
+him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere
+in Middle Tennessee, and concentrated his
+forces for that event.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike
+another blow at the Louisville and Nashville Railroad,
+and this time right under the noses of the
+Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles
+from Nashville, and Morgan decided to attempt its
+capture. In order to spy out the land, Calhoun
+entered the place as a country lad. He found that
+it was garrisoned by a Federal force of about four
+hundred, under the command of Colonel Boone.
+The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets
+were out, and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering
+the place. He made himself known to a few of
+the citizens, and they gave him all the information
+possible. To them the coming of Morgan meant
+deliverance from a hateful foe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It did not take Calhoun long to find out the
+station of every picket at night. The camp of the
+Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile from
+the city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep
+at a hotel in the city; in fact, his wife was sick at
+<pb n='118'/><anchor id='Pg118'/>the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan was
+near, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed
+both to Nashville and to General Buell at MacMinnville
+for reinforcements, but no attention was
+paid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to
+send nearly half of his force away to intercept a
+drove of beef cattle which it was reported the Confederates
+were driving down from Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That the citizens might not know that his numbers
+were depleted, Colonel Boone did not send this
+force away until midnight, thinking no one would
+see them depart. But sharp eyes were watching.
+Nothing was going on in Gallatin without Calhoun’s
+knowledge. He lost no time in reporting to Morgan,
+and the attack came swiftly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Knowing the location of every picket post,
+Calhoun was able to effect their capture without the
+firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatin without
+the knowledge of the Federal force, which was
+only half a mile away. Colonel Boone was captured
+at the hotel. The first intimation he had that
+Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded
+by Calhoun to surrender. A demand was
+now made on the camp that it should surrender,
+which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin,
+with the entire Federal garrison and all the military
+stores which it contained, was captured.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies
+of Captain Mathews and Captain Conway, together
+with Calhoun’s scouts, to take the stockade which
+guarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The
+<pb n='119'/><anchor id='Pg119'/>attack was successful, the stockade surrendering
+after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in
+the possession of the Confederates.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A long train of cars which had been captured
+was piled with wood, rails, and other combustibles,
+set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sides and
+roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork,
+and the whole tunnel was soon a roaring mass
+of flame. The wood being burned away the tunnel
+caved in, and it was months before a train ran
+through from Louisville to Nashville. Morgan had
+effectually blocked the road. Highly elated with
+their success, the command returned to Gallatin,
+Mathews and Conway riding at the head of the
+column. To Calhoun was committed the care of
+the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard
+the report of a single pistol shot in front, then a
+rapid succession of rifle shots. The head of the
+column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and
+the whole command came to a halt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fearful that an attack had been made by a
+Federal force coming from Nashville, Calhoun gave
+orders to shoot down the first prisoner who
+attempted to escape, and prepared to resist any
+attack that might come. But no more firing was
+heard, and the column began to move again. Soon
+an officer came riding back and told Calhoun a story
+that interested him greatly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mathews and Conway were riding at the head
+of the column, when, as it reached a cross-road, a
+<pb n='120'/><anchor id='Pg120'/>peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
+Mathews’s horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated
+his rider, and dashed up the cross-road. Conway’s
+horse bolted, and in spite of Conway’s efforts,
+followed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road,
+and Mathews’s horse stopped by his side. He fired
+at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To save
+himself from being shot again, Conway flung himself
+from his horse. The boy sprang onto Mathews’s
+horse and rode away at full speed, followed
+by the other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired
+at the boy. Captain Mathews’s arm was broken by
+the fall.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus05"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: HE FIRED AT CONWAY.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus05.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">HE FIRED AT CONWAY.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus05.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">HE FIRED AT CONWAY.</head>
+<figDesc>HE FIRED AT CONWAY.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+<q>So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?</q> asked
+Calhoun, with a faint smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, he will quit blowing now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am
+sorry Mathews had his arm broken.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway
+had had his wound dressed, and Mathews’s
+arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering
+passion. He blamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying
+if it had not been for him, Fred Shackelford
+would have been hanged as a spy. From this time
+he did not try to conceal his hatred of Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically.
+<q>It was a blamed sharp trick on the
+part of young Shackelford!</q> he exclaimed. Then
+turning to Captain Huffman, he said: <q>Give that
+money to Lieutenant Pennington; he has won it.
+<pb n='121'/><anchor id='Pg121'/>But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss
+back. My reputation depends upon it. Then to
+think that I, who prided myself on being one of the
+best hossmen in Morgan’s troop, should be thrown.
+Bah! it makes me sick,</q> and his face took on a
+look of disgust.
+</p>
+<p>
+<q>I warned you,</q> said Calhoun, <q>that that horse
+was up to tricks. When Fred gives that whistle
+he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I
+have seen Fred try it time and time again with his
+father’s nigger boys as riders, and Prince never
+failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave that
+whistle his horse would have gone to him, or died
+in the attempt.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am sorry you didn’t let Conway hang him,</q>
+replied Mathews, gently rubbing his broken arm,
+<q>but I will get even with him, see if I don’t. I
+want that hoss worse than ever.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a
+Federal force moved up from Nashville, reoccupied
+the city, committed many depredations, and began
+arresting the citizens right and left, accusing them
+of complicity with Morgan. When Morgan heard
+of this he at once moved to the relief of the distressed
+city. Attacking the rear guard of the
+enemy as it was leaving the place, he not only
+defeated them, but drove them to within seven
+miles of Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot
+Knob, and burning the high railroad trestle at that
+place. He also captured a train of cars and liberated
+forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being
+<pb n='122'/><anchor id='Pg122'/>taken to Nashville as prisoners. They had been
+used with the greatest cruelty by their captors.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred
+prisoners. Notwithstanding the provocation
+was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatin
+had been used, Morgan treated his prisoners
+kindly and paroled them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly
+alarmed, resolved to crush Morgan. To this end a
+brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,
+placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson,
+and sent against him. Johnson thought that
+Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against that
+place. But when he reached Hartsville and learned
+that Morgan was at Gallatin, he at once marched
+to attack him there, confident of easy victory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Up to this time the Federals had boasted that
+Morgan would not fight anything like an equal
+force; that he always attacked isolated posts with
+overwhelming numbers. They were now to learn
+something different. Morgan had been kept well
+posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to
+every movement of Johnson. Although he knew
+that he was greatly outnumbered, Morgan resolved to
+give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun
+came galloping into Gallatin with the information
+that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting
+a battle in the city Morgan moved out on the
+Hartsville pike, meeting the enemy about two
+miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at
+<pb n='123'/><anchor id='Pg123'/>once with fury. Up to that time it was the greatest
+engagement fought in the West in which cavalry
+only was engaged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for
+an hour the issue of the battle was doubtful; then
+a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal forces.
+Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns,
+accoutrements, everything that impeded their progress,
+thinking only of safety in flight. Plunging
+into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did
+not stop running until they reached Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The remaining Federal force under General Johnson
+retreated about two miles, and then made a brave
+stand. But nothing could withstand the fury of
+Colonel Basil Duke’s attack, whose command had
+the advance. General Johnson and many of his
+men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
+scattered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred
+men, killed, wounded, and missing. Their
+general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their
+cost, they found that when the occasion demanded
+it Morgan would fight. Morgan’s loss in the battle
+was only five killed and twenty wounded; but
+among the latter was the brave Captain Huffman,
+who had an arm shattered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest
+praise from Morgan for the masterly manner in
+which he handled his regiment. It was greatly
+owing to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory
+was won.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='124'/><anchor id='Pg124'/>
+
+<p>
+In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part.
+Single-handed he engaged a Federal officer who was
+trying to rally his men, and forced him to surrender.
+When he delivered up his sword Calhoun
+saw to his surprise that it was his old acquaintance,
+Lieutenant Haines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah, Lieutenant,</q> said Calhoun, <q>I am glad
+to have met you again. When the battle is over I
+will come and see you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Pennington again, as I am alive!</q> gasped the
+astonished Lieutenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and
+found him sitting dejected and crestfallen among
+the prisoners.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Cheer up, Lieutenant,</q> said Calhoun, pleasantly;
+<q>we are going to parole you. You will soon
+be at liberty.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How often do you want to parole a fellow?
+This will be the third time,</q> growled Haines.
+<q>Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you
+off the face of the earth sure this time. We
+would, too, if it hadn’t been for that cowardly
+regiment which broke.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>An <q>if</q> has stood in between many a man and
+success,</q> answered Calhoun. <q>How long ago were
+you exchanged?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>About two months,</q> replied Haines, <q>and
+here I am in for it again. I expected to win a
+captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall
+die a lieutenant.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet,
+<pb n='125'/><anchor id='Pg125'/>who knows? To change the subject, have you met
+the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the
+army?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A change came over the face of Haines—one
+that transformed his rather handsome features into
+those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and
+wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself,
+and answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, but trouble has come upon the family.
+Mr. Osborne refused to take the oath of allegiance,
+and as he was looked upon as a dangerous character,
+he has been sent North as a prisoner.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>To wear his life away in some Northern
+bastile!</q> exclaimed Calhoun, in a fury. <q>Monstrous!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is not all,</q> returned Haines. <q>By some
+means the house took fire and burned with all its
+contents. I did all I could for them—tried to save
+Mr. Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax
+my efforts to have him released. I have some
+powerful friends in the North.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun thanked him, and went his <anchor id="corr125"/><corr sic="way">way.</corr> But
+that look which came over Haines’s face, what
+did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="9" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='126'/><anchor id='Pg126'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER IX.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE DUEL.</head>
+
+<p>
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>In</hi> August, 1862, Cumberland Gap, the gateway
+between Eastern Kentucky and East Tennessee,
+was held by a Federal force of over ten thousand,
+commanded by General George W. Morgan.
+It was this force which confronted General Kirby
+Smith as he set out to invade Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The place being too strong to carry by assault,
+General Smith left a force in front of the Gap to
+menace it, made a flank movement with the rest of
+his army, passed through Roger’s Gap unopposed,
+and without paying any attention to the force at
+Cumberland Gap, pushed on with all speed for
+Central Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the same time General Bragg made his long-expected
+advance from Chattanooga, completely
+deceiving Buell, who first concentrated his army at
+Altamont and then at MacMinnville. Bragg marched
+unopposed up the Sequatchie Valley to Sparta.
+General George H. Thomas had advised Buell to
+occupy Sparta, but the advice was rejected. Buell
+could not, or would not, see that Kentucky was
+Bragg’s objective point. He now believed that
+Nashville or Murfreesboro was the point of danger,
+and he concentrated his army at the latter place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Sparta General Bragg had marched to
+<pb n='127'/><anchor id='Pg127'/>Carthage, crossed the Cumberland River, and was
+well on his way to Kentucky before Buell waked
+up. Bragg was then three days ahead of him. If
+Bragg had marched straight for Louisville, there
+would have been no troops to oppose him until he
+reached that place, and Louisville would have fallen.
+But he stopped to take Mumfordsville, and the
+delay was fatal. It gave Buell the opportunity to
+overtake him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the forward movement began, Colonel
+John H. Morgan was ordered to Eastern Kentucky
+to watch the force at Cumberland Gap and prevent
+it from falling on the rear of the army of General
+Smith. Smith moved rapidly, and on August 29
+fought the battle of Richmond, where a Federal
+force of seven thousand was almost annihilated,
+only about eight hundred escaping.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By the movements of Smith and Bragg the
+Federal force at Cumberland Gap was cut off. For
+that army the situation was a grave one. In their
+front was General Stevenson with a force too small
+to attack, but large enough to keep them from
+advancing. In their rear were the Confederate
+armies. They were short of food; starvation stared
+them in the face. It was either surrender or a
+retreat through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General George W. Morgan called a council of
+his officers, and it was decided to evacuate the Gap
+and attempt the retreat. The Gap was evacuated
+on the night of the 17th of September. All government
+property which could not be carried away
+<pb n='128'/><anchor id='Pg128'/>was given to the flames. The rough mountain
+road had been mined, and the mines were exploded
+to prevent Stevenson from following. But as
+Stevenson’s force was infantry, it would be of little
+avail in following the retreating Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A toilsome march of two hundred and twenty
+miles over rough mountainous roads lay between
+the Federals and the Ohio River. To the credit of
+General G. W. Morgan be it said, he conducted the
+retreat with consummate skill. It was expected
+that a Confederate force in Eastern Kentucky under
+General Humphrey Marshall would try to cut the
+Federals off; but Marshall never appeared, and it
+was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
+what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry
+brigade could not stop the progress of ten
+thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day
+Morgan hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking
+advantage of every opening, and making their way
+a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen
+days, the Federal force, footsore and completely
+exhausted, reached the Ohio at Greenupsburg on
+the Ohio River, and was safe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost
+continually in the saddle, the foremost to strike,
+the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
+his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners
+to their credit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow
+the retreating army any longer, without taking any
+rest he turned the head of his column toward
+<pb n='129'/><anchor id='Pg129'/>Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed
+there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he
+saw the change a few weeks had effected. All
+Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the
+Federals. Panic-stricken they had fled back to
+Louisville and Cincinnati, and were cowering in
+their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony
+of fear. The governors were frantically calling on
+the people to arise <hi rend='italic'>en masse</hi> and save their states
+from invasion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the command reached Danville, Calhoun
+was nearly beside himself with joy. Over the
+courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South.
+It was the first time Calhoun had ever seen there
+the flag he loved so well. With a proud hurrah he
+dashed up to the door of his father’s residence;
+there was no one to molest him or make him afraid.
+From the house of every friend of the South hung
+a Confederate flag.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!</q>
+shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But he was disappointed in not finding his father
+at home. The Judge was in Frankfort, helping to
+form a provisional government for the state. Many
+of the more sanguine of the Southern element of
+the state already considered it safe in the Confederacy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Although his father was not at home, Calhoun
+received a most joyful welcome. <q>Bress de chile,
+if he isn’t bac’ again,</q> cried Aunt Chloe.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='130'/><anchor id='Pg130'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, Chloe,</q> said Calhoun, as he shook her
+honest black hand, <q>and now be sure and get up
+one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this
+time. And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel
+Morgan, with his staff, will be here to dine.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But what Morgan’s command learned was anything
+but satisfactory. Kirby Smith had advanced
+to within six miles of Covington, there halted, and
+at last fallen back. Bragg, instead of marching
+direct to Louisville, had turned aside to Bardstown,
+allowing Buell’s army to enter the city of Louisville
+unopposed. There Buell had been joined by
+twenty thousand fresh troops. Clothing and refitting
+his men, he had turned, and was now marching
+on Bardstown. A great battle might be fought any
+day. In fact, it was reported that Bragg had
+already abandoned Bardstown and was marching in
+the direction of Danville or Harrodsburg.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I don’t like it at all,</q> said Morgan. <q>Our
+generals have already let the golden opportunity
+pass. But there is still hope. With the armies of
+Bragg and Smith united, they should be strong
+enough to give battle and crush Buell.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So good was the dinner and so animated the
+discussion, that it was late in the afternoon when
+they arose from the table. As they came out
+Morgan suddenly stopped and said, <q>Hark!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Away in the northwest, in the direction of Perryville,
+the dull heavy booming of cannon was heard.
+They listened and the dull roar, like distant thunder,
+was continuous.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='131'/><anchor id='Pg131'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>A battle is being fought,</q> they said, in low
+tones; <q>May God favor the right!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Perryville the forces of Buell and Bragg had
+met, and were engaged in deadly strife. Until
+nightfall the heavy dull roar was heard, and then
+it died away. Which army had been victorious?
+They could not tell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After the battle of Perryville, Buell, fully expecting
+that Bragg would fight a decisive battle for the
+possession of the state, remained inactive for three
+days for the purpose of concentrating his army. It
+was fatal to all his hopes, for Bragg had already
+decided to leave the state, and he utilized the three
+days in getting away with his immense trains. He
+had been grievously disappointed in the hope that
+his army would be largely recruited, and that at
+least twenty thousand Kentuckians would flock to
+his standard. But Kentucky had already been well
+drained of men, furnishing troops by thousands for
+both sides.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From one point of view, the invasion of Kentucky
+by the Confederates had been a magnificent
+success. A loss of at least twenty thousand had
+been inflicted on the Federal armies, while the loss
+of the Confederate army had not been over one-third
+of that number. In addition to that, the immense
+stores gathered and taken South were of inestimable
+value to the army. But in the chagrin and disappointment
+over Bragg’s retreat these things were
+lost sight of and the Confederate general was most
+bitterly denounced.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='132'/><anchor id='Pg132'/>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun went wild when he heard that the state
+was to be given up without a decisive battle, that
+all that had been gained was to go for naught; and
+his feelings were shared by all Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It won’t prevent us from visiting the state
+once in a while,</q> said Morgan, with a grim smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Judge Pennington, he was so disgusted
+that although his whole heart was with the South,
+he gave up all idea of forming a state government
+loyal to the Confederacy, and remained quiet during
+the rest of the war. <q>The armies will have to
+settle it,</q> he would say; <q>we can do nothing
+here.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One of the first things that Calhoun did after he
+reached Danville was to see Jennie Freeman and
+thank her for her timely warning. <q>It was kind
+of you, Jennie,</q> he said, <q>for I know that you
+hate the cause for which I am fighting.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My conscience has hurt me awfully ever since,</q>
+replied Jennie, with a toss of her head; <q>and then
+I believe you told me an awful fib.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, how is that, Jennie?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You worked on my sympathy, and said if you
+were caught you would be hanged. The Union
+forces don’t hang prisoners. They would only
+have shut you up, and that is what you deserve.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But, Jennie, I was in disguise; they would
+have hanged me as a spy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t believe it, but I sometimes think half of
+you Rebels ought to be hanged.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, Jennie, Jennie! what a bloodthirsty
+<pb n='133'/><anchor id='Pg133'/>creature you have grown! But where is your
+father?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank the Lord, where the old flag yet floats—in
+Louisville. He will stay there until that rag
+comes down,</q> and she pointed to the Confederate
+flag floating over the courthouse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Poor girl, never to see her father again,</q> exclaimed
+Calhoun, in tones of compassion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What do you mean?</q> she asked, turning pale.
+A sudden fear had come over her; had anything
+befallen her father?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun saw her mistake. Laughing, he said,
+<q>I only meant that flag would never come down.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is that all?</q> she replied, saucily; <q>you all will
+be scurrying south like so many rabbits in less than
+a week.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Give us ten days.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, not an hour more than a week. And
+mind, if you get caught, you needn’t call on me for
+help.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Jennie, don’t let’s quarrel. Perhaps I
+can return the favor you did me, by helping you
+some day.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
+The next day Jennie ventured out to visit a sick
+friend. On her return she had to pass a couple of
+Confederate officers, one of whom was intoxicated.
+The other appeared to be reasoning with him, and
+trying to get him to go to his quarters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Jennie was hurrying past them, the one who
+was intoxicated staggered toward her, and leering
+<pb n='134'/><anchor id='Pg134'/>at her, exclaimed, <q>How—how do, pretty one?
+Give me a—a kiss!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly
+by the arm. Just as he did so, he was struck a
+terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling in
+the gutter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Take my arm, Jennie,</q> said Calhoun, for it
+was he who struck the blow, <q>I will see you safe
+home.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The trembling girl took his arm, saying: <q>Oh,
+Calhoun, how glad I am you came! How can I
+thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful
+man?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan’s
+command. His name is Conway. We left
+him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able
+to follow Bragg’s army, and he joined us only yesterday.
+By the way, it was Fred Shackelford who
+shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back.
+Conway was riding Blenheim.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn’t that
+just splendid in him, getting his horse back!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where is Fred now?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I don’t know. Did you know General Nelson
+was shot?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shot? Nelson shot?</q> cried Calhoun. <q>Where?
+How?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jennie had to tell him what little she knew
+about it. All that she had heard had come from
+Confederate sources.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel
+<pb n='135'/><anchor id='Pg135'/>ashamed. It is the first time I ever knew one of
+Morgan’s men to insult a woman.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I hope that miserable Conway will give you no
+trouble,</q> said Jennie, as they parted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No fears on that score,</q> lightly replied Calhoun,
+as he bade her good-bye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Calhoun well knew there would be trouble.
+No Kentucky officer would forgive a blow, no matter
+what the provocation was under which it was
+given.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The blow which Conway received had the effect
+of sobering him, but he presented a pitiable sight.
+His face was covered with blood, and one eye was
+nearly closed. When he knew it was Calhoun that
+had struck him, his rage was fearful. Nothing but
+blood would wipe out the insult. For a Kentucky
+gentleman not to resent a blow meant disgrace
+and dishonor; he would be looked upon as a contemptible
+coward. But Conway was no coward.
+He knew he was in fault, but that would not wipe
+out the disgrace of the blow. There was but one thing
+for him to do, and that was to challenge Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That night Calhoun was waited upon by Captain
+Mathews, who in the name of Conway demanded
+an abject apology. This, of course, was refused,
+and a formal challenge was delivered. Calhoun at
+once accepted it, and referred Mathews to his
+friend Lieutenant Matson.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Look here, Pennington,</q> said Mathews, <q>I do
+not want you to think I uphold Conway in what he
+did. I am no saint, but I never insulted a woman.
+<pb n='136'/><anchor id='Pg136'/>Conway would not have done it if he had not been
+drunk. I was just going to the lady’s rescue when
+you struck the blow. There was no need of knocking
+Conway down. I understand the girl is a Lincolnite,
+but that makes no difference, Conway is
+right in demanding satisfaction.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And I am willing to give it to him,</q> answered
+Calhoun. <q>The only thing I ask is that the affair
+be arranged quickly. Let it be to-morrow morning
+at sunrise. And, Captain, understand that I bear
+you no grudge. I consider your action perfectly
+honorable.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mathews bowed and withdrew. He and Matson
+quickly arranged the preliminaries. The meeting
+was to take place at sunrise, in a secluded spot near
+Danville; the weapons were pistols, the distance
+fifteen paces. Only one shot was to be allowed.
+The affair had to be managed with the utmost
+secrecy; above all things, it had to be kept from
+the ears of Morgan. But it was whispered from
+one to another until half the officers knew of it.
+None blamed Calhoun, yet none could see how
+Conway could avoid giving the challenge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Both are dead men,</q> said an officer, with a
+grave shake of the head. <q>Morgan ought to be
+told; he would stop it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell Morgan if you dare!</q> cried half a dozen
+voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, I am not going to tell; if they wish to kill
+each other it’s none of my business,</q> replied the
+officer, turning away.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='137'/><anchor id='Pg137'/>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was known as the best pistol shot in the
+brigade, and Conway was no mean marksman.
+Everyone thought it would be a bloody affair.
+Many were aware of the enmity which Conway held
+toward Calhoun, and knew he would kill him if he
+could. Meanwhile Jennie slept unconscious of the
+danger Calhoun was in for her sake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a beautiful autumn morning when they
+met. The sun was just rising, touching woods,
+and fields, and the spires of the distant town with
+its golden light. The meeting was in a place which
+Calhoun well knew. How often he had played
+there when a boy! It was an open glade in the
+midst of a grove of mighty forest trees. The trees
+had taken on the beautiful hues of autumn, and
+they flamed with red and gold and orange.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At least twenty had assembled to witness the
+duel. A surgeon stood near with an open case of
+instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
+turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The principals were placed in position. A hush
+came over the little group of spectators. Even the
+breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
+the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge,
+and a shower of leaves, red as blood, fell around
+the contestants.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you ready, gentlemen?</q> asked Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ready!</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ready!</q> said <corr sic="extra quote">Conway.</corr>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>One—two—three—fire!</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='138'/><anchor id='Pg138'/>
+
+<p>
+Conway’s pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight
+twinge of pain. The ball had grazed his left side,
+near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
+For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his
+pistol and fired in the air.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The spectators raised a shout of applause; but
+Conway was white with rage. <q>I demand another
+shot,</q> he shouted, <q>Pennington’s action has made
+a farce of this meeting.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It was the condition that but one shot should
+be allowed,</q> remonstrated Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The condition has not been fulfilled,</q> angrily
+replied Conway; <q>I demand another shot.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun,
+and seeing the hole through his clothing,
+exclaimed. <q>My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A mere scratch; it’s nothing,</q> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An examination showed it to be so, but blood
+had been drawn. This should have satisfied Conway,
+but it did not; he still insisted on a second
+shot. This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely,
+when Calhoun asked to be heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Although Captain Conway richly deserved the
+blow I gave him,</q> he said, <q>yet as a gentleman
+and an officer I felt he could do no less than challenge
+me. I have given him the satisfaction he
+demanded. If he insists on continuing the duel, I
+shall conclude it is his desire to kill me through
+personal malice, not on account of his injured honor,
+which according to the code has been satisfied.
+<pb n='139'/><anchor id='Pg139'/>This time there will be no firing in the air. Give
+him the second shot, if he desires it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No! No!</q> cried a dozen voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a
+low tone, said: <q>You fool, do you want to be
+killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if
+you insist on the second shot. Now you are out
+of it honorably.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conway mumbled something, and Mathews
+turning around, said: <q>Gentlemen, my principal
+acknowledges himself satisfied. It is with pleasure
+that I compliment both of the principals in this
+affair. They have conducted themselves like true
+Kentucky gentlemen, and I trust they will part as
+such.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shake hands, gentlemen, shake hands,</q> cried
+their friends, crowding around them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun gave his freely, but Conway extended
+his coldly. There was a look in his eye which foreboded
+future trouble.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such a meeting could not be kept secret, and it
+soon came to the ears of Morgan. Both of the
+principals, as well as the seconds were summoned
+into his presence. He listened to all the details in
+silence, and then said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is well that this affair resulted as it did. If
+either one of the principals had fallen, the other
+would have been summarily dealt with. Both of
+you,</q> looking at Conway and Calhoun, <q>were to
+blame. Lieutenant Pennington should not have
+struck the blow: no gentleman will tamely submit
+<pb n='140'/><anchor id='Pg140'/>to the indignity of a blow. <corr sic="extra quote">As</corr> for you, Captain
+Conway, I am surprised that you, one of
+my officers, should insult a lady. If this offence
+is ever repeated, intoxication will be no plea
+in its extenuation. Heretofore it has been our
+proud boast that where Morgan’s men are there
+any lady, be she for North or South, is as safe
+as in her own home. Let us see that it will
+always be so.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men who heard burst into a wild cheer.
+Each of them was a knight to uphold the honor of
+woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Captain Conway listened to the reprimand,
+his red face became redder. His heart was full of
+anger, but he was diplomat enough to listen with
+becoming humility. To his fellow-officers his plea
+was intoxication, and in the stirring times which
+followed, his offence was forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scouts came dashing into the city with the
+startling intelligence that a large Federal force
+was advancing on the place. It was not long
+before a battle was being waged through the streets.
+Before an overwhelming force of infantry Morgan
+had to fall back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Bragg was in full retreat, and to Morgan fell the
+lot of guarding the rear. <anchor id="corr140"/><corr sic="At">As</corr> they were falling back
+from Camp Dick Robinson, Calhoun met a Major
+Hockoday, who to him was the bearer of sad news.
+The Major said that that morning his men pursued
+a Federal scout who had ventured inside their lines.
+In his effort to escape he had fallen over the cliff
+<pb n='141'/><anchor id='Pg141'/>of Dick River, and been killed. <q>And I am sorry
+to say,</q> added the Major, <q>that that scout was
+your cousin, Captain Fred Shackelford.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you sure?</q> asked Calhoun, in a trembling
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Perfectly sure. I knew him too well to be
+mistaken. For the sake of his father, I sent word
+to the overseer of the General’s plantation so that
+the body could be found, and given Christian
+burial.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank you,</q> replied Calhoun, as he turned
+away with swimming eyes. All his old love for his
+cousin had returned. There was little heart in
+Calhoun for battle that day. It was weeks before
+he learned that Fred was not dead.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="10" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='142'/><anchor id='Pg142'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER X.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">HARTSVILLE.</head>
+
+<p>
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>When</hi> Bragg evacuated Kentucky his weary
+army found rest at Murfreesboro. This
+little city is thirty-two miles southeast of Nashville,
+situated on the railroad leading from Nashville to
+Chattanooga. It had already become famous by
+the capture of a Federal brigade there in August,
+by General N. B. Forrest, and was destined to
+become the theatre of one of the greatest battles
+of the war.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the Federal army a great change had taken
+place. General Buell had been relieved from command,
+and General W. Rosecrans, the hero of the
+battle of Corinth, appointed in his place. This
+general assembled his army at Nashville. Thus
+the two great armies were only thirty-two miles
+apart, with their outposts almost touching.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Bragg, believing that it would be impossible for
+Rosecrans to advance before spring, established his
+army in winter quarters, and the soldiers looked
+forward to two or three months of comparative
+quiet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Rosecrans’s first duty was to reopen the Louisville
+and Nashville Railroad, which had been so thoroughly
+destroyed by Morgan. An army of men
+did the work—a work which took them weeks to
+<pb n='143'/><anchor id='Pg143'/>accomplish. But it was not in the nature of Morgan
+to be quiet. Not only he, but his men, fretted
+in camp life. Its daily routine with its drills did
+not suit them. Their home was the saddle, and
+they wanted no other. Therefore Morgan began
+to look around in search of a weak point in the
+Federal lines. For this purpose Calhoun and his
+scouts were kept busy. They seemed to be omnipresent,
+now here, now there. They would ride in
+between the Federal posts, learn of the citizens
+where the enemy were posted, and whether their
+camps were guarded with vigilance or not. Many
+a prisoner was picked up, and much valuable information
+obtained. In this way Morgan soon knew,
+as well as the Federal commander himself, how his
+troops were posted, and the number at each post.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Taking everything into consideration, Calhoun
+reported that Hartsville offered the best opening
+for an attack. <q>It is the extreme eastern outpost
+of the Federals,</q> he said. <q>The nearest troops to
+them are at Castalian Springs, nine miles away.
+The country from here to Hartsville is entirely free
+of Federal troops, and we can approach the place
+unobserved. The Cumberland River is low and
+can be forded. But if you wish, I will go and make
+a thorough reconnaissance of the place.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go, and be back as soon as possible,</q> replied
+Morgan, <q>but be careful; do not take too many
+risks.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a dozen of his trusty scouts, Calhoun had
+no trouble in reaching the bank of the Cumberland
+<pb n='144'/><anchor id='Pg144'/>River opposite Hartsville. Here, concealed in the
+woods, through his glass he noted the position of
+every regiment, and drew a map of the camp. But
+he was not satisfied with this. Under the cover of
+darkness he crossed the river, determined to learn
+more. Above all, he wished to learn where the
+enemy’s pickets were posted at night, their exact
+force, as nearly as possible, and the discipline which
+they were under. He wanted to do all this without
+alarming them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After crossing the river he concluded to call at
+a commodious farm-house, situated some three miles
+from Hartsville. He was almost certain of a hearty
+welcome; there were few disloyal to the South in
+that section. At first he was taken for a Federal
+soldier in disguise, and admittance was refused;
+but once the inmates were convinced that he was
+one of Morgan’s men, the heartiness of his welcome
+made up for the coldness of his first reception.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The planter was well posted. There was one
+brigade at Hartsville. Until a few days before, the
+brigade had been commanded by a Colonel Scott,
+but he had been relieved by a Colonel Moore.
+This Moore was the colonel of one of the regiments
+at Hartsville, and had been in the service but a
+short time. Most of the troops were raw and inexperienced.
+Calhoun was glad to hear all this.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the morning, dressed as a rough country
+boy, he made a circuit of the entire place. This
+he did by going on foot, and keeping to the fields
+and woods. The location of every picket post was
+<pb n='145'/><anchor id='Pg145'/>carefully noted, and the best way to approach each
+one. In two or three instances he did not hesitate
+to approach soldiers who were foraging outside of
+the lines, and in a whining tone, enter into conversation
+with them, informing them he was looking
+for some of his father’s pigs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mighty ’fraid sum ov yo-uns Yanks got ’em,</q>
+he said, with a sigh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No doubt, sonny, no doubt,</q> replied a soldier
+with a hearty laugh. <q>You see, if a pig comes up
+and grunts at the flag, we have a right to kill him
+for the insult offered. Probably your pigs were
+guilty of this heinous crime, and were sacrificed for
+the good of the country.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do yo-uns mean the Yanks hev ’em?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Undoubtedly, sonny. What are you going to
+do about it?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Goin’ to tell dad,</q> replied Calhoun, as he
+limped off, for he pretended to be lame.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun found that the post was picketed much
+more strongly to the east than the west, for Castalian
+Springs lay to the west, and the Federals had
+no idea that an attack would come from that direction.
+If attacked, the Confederates would try to
+force the ford, or they would come from the east.
+For this reason Calhoun decided that Morgan should
+cross the river in between Hartsville and Castalian
+Springs, and assault from the west.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a ferry two miles below Hartsville
+where the infantry could cross the river, but the
+<pb n='146'/><anchor id='Pg146'/>cavalry would have to go to a ford seven miles or
+within two miles of Castalian Springs. To his
+surprise, but great gratification, he found neither
+the ferry nor the ford guarded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun recrossed the river in safety, and joining
+his scouts, whom he had left on the southern
+side of the river, he lost no time in making his way
+back to Murfreesboro. Morgan heard his report
+with evident satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Our only danger,</q> said Calhoun, as he finished
+his report, <q>is from the force at Castalian Springs.
+From what I could learn there are at least five
+thousand Federals there. To be successful we
+must surprise the camp at Hartsville, capture the
+place, and re-cross the river before the force from
+the Springs can reach us. A hard thing to do, but
+I believe it can be done.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So do I,</q> said Morgan; <q>with General Bragg’s
+consent, I will start at once.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Bragg not only gave his consent, but
+owing to the importance of the expedition, added
+to Morgan’s cavalry brigade two regiments of
+infantry and a battery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The force marched to within five miles of Hartsville,
+and halted until night. The night proved
+very dark, and the way was rough. There was but
+one small ferry-boat in which to cross the infantry,
+and it was 5:30 in the morning before the infantry
+were all across, and in position two miles from
+Hartsville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cavalry had had even a rougher time than
+<pb n='147'/><anchor id='Pg147'/>the infantry, and one large regiment had not yet
+reported. But Morgan determined not to wait,
+for it would soon be light, and they would be discovered.
+So with thirteen hundred men Morgan
+moved to capture a Federal brigade of over two
+thousand, and in a position of their own choosing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Calhoun and his scouts was assigned the difficult
+but important task of capturing the outposts
+without alarming the camp. The success of the
+whole movement might depend upon this.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So adroitly did Calhoun manage it, that the surprised
+pickets were captured without firing a gun.
+Nor was the Confederate force discovered until they
+were within four hundred yards of the Federal
+camp, and advancing in line of battle. It was now
+getting light, and a negro camp-follower discovered
+them and gave the alarm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federals having been taken by surprise and
+most of the officers and men being raw and inexperienced,
+consternation reigned in the camp. But
+they formed their lines, and for a few moments put
+up a brave fight. Then their lines broke. Colonel
+Moore did not seem to have his brigade well in
+hand, and each regiment fought more or less independently.
+In a short time only the One Hundred
+and Fourth Illinois regiment was left on the site of
+the camp to continue the battle. Although this
+regiment had been only three months in the service
+and had never been in an engagement before, under
+the command of their brave Lieutenant Colonel,
+Douglass Hapeman, they did not surrender until
+<pb n='148'/><anchor id='Pg148'/>they were entirely surrounded and nearly two hundred
+of their number had been shot down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan warmly complimented this regiment on
+its bravery, saying if all the regiments had been
+like it, the result of the contest would have been
+doubtful. In one hour and a quarter after the
+battle opened, all was over. A whole brigade had
+laid down their arms to the prowess of Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But now a new danger arose. Calhoun had been
+sent toward Castalian Springs to watch the enemy
+in that direction. One of his scouts came dashing
+in with the intelligence that five thousand Federals
+were hurrying to the relief of Hartsville. They
+must be stopped, and time given to get the prisoners
+and munitions of war across the Cumberland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan hurried two regiments to where Calhoun
+and his little band of scouts were resisting the
+advance of the enemy. The show of strength
+made halted the Federals, and a precious hour and
+a half was gained. In this time, by almost superhuman
+efforts, Morgan had succeeded in crossing
+the prisoners and his men to the south side of the
+Cumberland. They were now safe from pursuit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was during the fight with the approaching
+reinforcements that an incident happened which
+caused Calhoun many hours of uneasiness. During
+the hottest of the engagement a ball, evidently
+fired from the rear, grazed his cheek. He thought
+little of it, supposing some one had fired in his
+rear, not seeing him. But in a moment a ball
+passed through his hat. Wheeling suddenly, to his
+<pb n='149'/><anchor id='Pg149'/>surprise he saw Captain Conway with a smoking
+revolver in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You are shooting carelessly, Captain!</q> exclaimed
+Calhoun, angrily, riding up to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment the Captain cowered, then recovering
+himself, he said: <q>You are mistaken,
+Lieutenant; it was some one in the rear. The
+same balls came close to me.</q> Just then the
+order was given to fall back, and Conway rode
+hastily away. There was no direct proof, but Calhoun
+was certain Conway had tried to kill him.
+More than one man has been disposed of in time of
+battle by a personal enemy. Many an obnoxious
+officer has bitten the dust in this manner. Calhoun
+could only bide his time and watch. But he now
+firmly believed his life was in more danger from
+Conway than it was in battle with the Federals.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hartsville, considering everything, was one of
+the greatest victories Morgan ever won, as he captured
+a whole brigade with a vastly inferior force.
+The Federals lost in killed, wounded, and captured
+two thousand one hundred men. Of these nearly
+three hundred were killed and wounded. Morgan’s
+actual force engaged was only thirteen hundred,
+and of these he lost one hundred and forty, a small
+loss considering he was the assaulting party.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The capture of Hartsville caused the utmost
+chagrin in the Federal army, and not only in the
+army but throughout the North. Even President
+Lincoln telegraphed asking for full particulars.
+General Halleck ordered the dishonorable
+dis<pb n='150'/><anchor id='Pg150'/>missal of Colonel Moore, but the order was never
+carried into effect. Of his bravery there was no
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This victory caused the name of Morgan to be
+more feared than ever. <q>Morgan is coming!</q> was
+a cry which caused fear and trembling in many a
+Yankee’s heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+President Davis of the Confederate States,
+shortly after the capture of Hartsville, visited Murfreesboro,
+and as a reward for his services, presented
+Morgan with a commission as Brigadier-General
+in the Confederate army. General Hardie
+asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie
+knew Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for
+some reason President Davis refused the request.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="11" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='151'/><anchor id='Pg151'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XI.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">MORGAN’S SECOND GREAT RAID.</head>
+
+<p>
+General Morgan was allowed but ten
+days’ rest after his return from his great victory
+at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished
+repairing the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and
+trains were running again between the two cities.
+Reports had been brought to General Bragg that
+the Federal troops at Nashville were suffering
+greatly for want of food; that military stores of all
+kinds were short; and he thought if the road were
+again broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall
+back on account of supplies. Who so willing and
+able to break it as General Morgan?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there was little use of trying to raid the
+road south of Bowling Green, for it was guarded by
+thousands of men. To cripple the road effectually
+meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky.
+To this General Morgan was not averse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When his men heard that another raid was to
+be made into Kentucky, their enthusiasm knew no
+bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
+encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights,
+and the tremendous fatigue they would be called
+upon to endure? They were to stir up the Yankees
+once more; that was enough.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!</q> was their cry,
+<pb n='152'/><anchor id='Pg152'/>and they shouted and sang until they could shout
+and sing no longer for want of breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the
+expedition, and was willing to give Morgan all the
+troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon
+at the head of the most formidable force he had
+ever commanded. It consisted of over three thousand
+cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own
+light battery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The task which had been assigned him was
+indeed a perilous one. It was to ride almost to
+the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the
+immense trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This
+done, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad would
+again be effectually crippled for weeks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He set out from Alexandria, on December 22,
+and in two days he was in Glasgow, Kentucky.
+The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon
+Morgan as a monthly visitor by this time; therefore
+they were not surprised at his coming. Here
+he met with the first Federal force, which was
+quickly scattered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Remaining in Glasgow only long enough to rest
+his horses, he pushed on for Mumfordsville, where
+the great bridge spans the Green River. But learning
+that the place was held by so strong a force that
+it would be madness for him to attack it, he passed
+a few miles to the right, and struck the railroad at
+Bacon Creek. Here a stout block-house, defended
+by ninety soldiers, guarded the bridge. They put
+up a stout defence in hopes of being reinforced
+<pb n='153'/><anchor id='Pg153'/>from Mumfordsville, but at last were compelled to
+surrender, the block-house being knocked to pieces
+by Morgan’s artillery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Burning the bridge and destroying four miles of
+road, the command moved on to Nolan, where
+another block-house was captured and a bridge
+burned. This was the third time that these bridges
+had been destroyed by Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabethtown was the next goal to be reached.
+As they approached the place, Calhoun, who was
+in advance with his scouts, was met by an officer
+bearing a flag of truce, who handed him a dirty envelope,
+on which was scrawled:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right"><name><hi rend='smallcaps'>Elizabethtown, Ky.</hi></name>, December 27, 1862.</dateline>
+<salute>To the Commander of the Confederate Force.</salute>
+
+<p>
+Sir: I demand an unconditional surrender of all of your
+forces. I have you surrounded, and will compel you to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<salute rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 10">I am, sir, your obedient servant,</salute>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 4"><hi rend='smallcaps'>H. S. Smith</hi>,</signed>
+    <signed>Commanding U. S. Force.</signed>
+
+</body></text>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well,</q> exclaimed Calhoun, as he glanced at it,
+<q>I have often been told that Yankees have cheek,
+but this is the greatest exhibition of it I have met.
+Who is H. S. Smith, anyway?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>One of the numerous Smith family, I reckon,</q>
+dryly responded one of his men. <q>He should have
+signed it John Smith. This would have concealed
+his identity, and prevented us from knowing what
+a fool he is.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the message was taken back to Morgan, and
+Calhoun never saw him laugh more heartily than
+when he read it.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='154'/><anchor id='Pg154'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go back and tell Mr. Smith,</q> replied Morgan,
+trying to keep his face straight, <q>that he has made
+a little mistake. It is he who is surrounded, and
+must surrender.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The message was taken back, but Mr. Smith
+answered pompously that it was the business of
+United States officer to fight, not to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very good,</q> replied Calhoun, <q>get back and
+let us open the ball.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It took only a few shells from Morgan’s battery
+to convince Mr. Smith he had made a mistake, and
+that it was the business of at least one United
+States officer to surrender, and not to fight. Six
+hundred and fifty-two prisoners fell into Morgan’s
+hands, also a large quantity of military stores.
+The stores were destroyed. At Elizabethtown
+Morgan was in striking distance of the object of
+his expedition, the great trestles at Muldraugh
+Hill. There were two trestles, known as the upper
+and lower, both defended by stout stockades.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Morgan divided his forces, Colonel
+Breckinridge with one brigade attacking the lower
+stockade, while Morgan with Colonel Duke’s brigade
+attacked the upper. A couple of hours of severe
+shelling convinced the commanders of these stockades
+also that it was the duty of a United States
+officer to surrender, and not to fight. Seven hundred
+more prisoners and an immense store of military
+goods were added to Morgan’s captures. The
+goods, as usual, were destroyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was but a few minutes after the surrender of
+<pb n='155'/><anchor id='Pg155'/>the block-houses when the trestles were a mass of
+flames. They were immense structures, each
+nearly fifteen hundred feet long, and from eighty
+to ninety feet high. Thus the object of the expedition
+had been gained. Again the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad was rendered useless to Rosecrans’s
+army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Morgan’s danger had just commenced.
+Thus far he had had his own way. The enraged
+Federals were moving heaven and earth to compass
+his capture. A brigade was transported from Gallatin
+to Mumfordsville by rail, joined to the force at
+that place, and ordered to move east and cut off
+his retreat. The forces in Central Kentucky were
+ordered to concentrate at Lebanon. Thus they
+hoped to cut off every line of retreat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t let Morgan escape,</q> was the command
+flashed to every Federal officer in Kentucky.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Muldraugh Hill Morgan marched for
+Bardstown. This led him across the Lebanon
+Railroad. Before all of his force had crossed the
+Rolling Fork of Salt River, the pursuing force,
+under Colonel Harlan, came up and engaged the
+rear. The rear guard under Colonel Duke gallantly
+resisted them until all had crossed in safety, but
+during the action Colonel Duke was severely
+wounded by a piece of shell. General Boyle, the
+Federal commander at Louisville, gave out that he
+had died of his wounds and there was great rejoicing.
+But the gallant Colonel lived, to the disappointment
+of his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='156'/><anchor id='Pg156'/>
+
+<p>
+The Federals, in close pursuit, left Morgan little
+time to destroy the railroad leading to Lebanon,
+but he captured a stockade, and burned the bridge
+at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he
+pushed rapidly on to Springfield. From that place
+he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon. His
+rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented
+them from concentrating their forces, for
+they knew not which way he would go next.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving
+Lebanon a few miles to his left, so as to avoid the
+large force at that place; he reached New Market
+a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid
+the troops which had been concentrating at Hodgensville,
+he now took the road to Campbellsville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In going through the Muldraugh range of hills
+to the south of New Market, his rear guard was
+struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
+Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively
+fight. There was now more or less skirmishing for
+some miles.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There now happened to Calhoun one of the most
+thrilling adventures he experienced during the
+whole war. As the post of danger was now in
+the rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant
+service in holding back the Federals. There had
+been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing
+had been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not
+thinking of danger, he and a Captain Tribble halted
+their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
+dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard
+<pb n='157'/><anchor id='Pg157'/>passing on. They lingered longer than they
+thought, and had just remounted their horses when
+they were suddenly surprised by three horsemen,
+who came galloping up, yelling to them to surrender.
+For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their
+revolvers and fire was the work of a moment. The
+Federals returned the fire. A pistol duel now took
+place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
+strange to say, no one was hurt.
+</p>
+<p>
+Throwing down their now useless weapons, all
+drew their swords and furiously spurred their horses
+on to the combat. It was almost like a mediæval
+contest, where knight met knight with sword only.
+While one of the Federals engaged Captain Tribble,
+two rode straight for Calhoun, the foremost a fine-looking
+man in the uniform of a Federal colonel.
+Parrying his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his
+horse, avoided the other. They wheeled their
+horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did
+Calhoun parry the fierce blow aimed at him; at the
+same time he managed to prick the horse of the
+other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable.
+This left Calhoun free to engage the Colonel
+alone, who aimed at him a tremendous blow. This
+blow Calhoun avoided, and as it met with no resistance,
+its force threw the Colonel forward on his
+saddle. As quick as lightning, the point of Calhoun’s
+sword reached his heart, and the combat
+was over.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus06"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus06.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus06.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE.</head>
+<figDesc>THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS SADDLE.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+During this time Tribble had vanquished his
+antagonist. The remaining Federal, seeing one of
+<pb n='158'/><anchor id='Pg158'/>his comrades dead and the other a prisoner, threw
+down his sword and surrendered. The dead officer
+proved to be Colonel D. J. Halisy of the Sixth
+Kentucky cavalry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This conflict was long remembered as one of the
+most remarkable ever engaged in by any of Morgan’s
+men, and Calhoun was warmly congratulated
+by the whole command on his prowess.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The death of Colonel Halisy seemed to dampen
+the enthusiasm of Morgan’s pursuers. Although
+they followed him to Campbellsville, and from
+Campbellsville to Columbia, the pursuit was a feeble
+one. In fact, so timid was Colonel Hoskins that he
+ordered his advance not to engage Morgan if they
+found him at Columbia, but to wait for the column
+from Hodgensville to come up. From Columbia
+all pursuit ceased, and Morgan was left to return
+to Tennessee at his leisure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While at Columbia Morgan reports that his men
+heard distinctly the sound of distant cannonading
+away to the southwest. To their accustomed ears it
+told of a battle raging. It was the thunder of Rosecrans’s
+cannon at Stone River. Little did Morgan’s
+men think at that time that that distant thunder
+meant that hundreds of their brave brothers were
+being slaughtered in that fatal charge of Breckinridge.
+Murfreesboro is, as the crow flies, a
+hundred and eighteen miles from Columbia. In
+no other battle during the war is it reported that
+cannonading was heard so far.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='159'/><anchor id='Pg159'/>
+
+<p>
+From Columbia Morgan proceeded by easy
+stages to Smithville, Tennessee, which he reached
+January 5, just fourteen days after he had started
+on his raid from Alexandria. During this time his
+command had travelled fully six hundred miles.
+This raid was one of the most remarkable Morgan
+ever made, when we consider what he accomplished,
+and the number of troops that tried in vain to capture
+him. Riding within a few miles of thousands
+of men, he easily eluded all his pursuers and
+escaped almost scot free.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Morgan, in summing up the results of
+this raid, says: <q>It meant the destruction of the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad from Mumfordsville
+to Shephardsville within eighteen miles of
+Louisville, rendering it impassable for at least two
+months; the capture of eighteen hundred and
+seventy-seven prisoners, including sixty-two commissioned
+officers; the destruction of over two million
+dollars’ worth of United States property, and a
+large loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. The
+loss of my entire command was: killed, 2;
+wounded, 24; missing, 64.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seems impossible that so much could be accomplished
+with so slight a loss. The number of
+his killed and wounded shows that the Federals
+touched him very gingerly; that they did not force
+the fighting. In the capture of the stockades in
+which he took so many prisoners, Morgan suffered
+hardly any loss, as he forced the surrender with his
+<pb n='160'/><anchor id='Pg160'/>artillery. But the joy which Morgan and his men
+felt over the success of the raid was clouded
+when they reached Tennessee by the news of the
+result of the battle of Stone River. Murfreesboro
+no longer belonged to the South. Bragg had retreated
+to his new line along Duck River.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="12" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='161'/><anchor id='Pg161'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">A SPY! A SPY!</head>
+
+<p>
+For nearly six months after the battle of Stone
+River, the Federal army made no general
+advance. General Rosecrans made his headquarters
+at Murfreesboro, while Bragg’s was at Tullahoma.
+But these months were not months of idleness.
+Almost daily skirmishes took place between the
+lines, and there were a number of contests which
+arose to the dignity of battles.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan’s cavalry protected the right of Bragg’s
+army. His headquarters were nominally at MacMinnville,
+but it could truly be said they were in
+the saddle. Morgan did not stay long in any one
+place. A number of expeditions were made against
+him, sometimes with a whole division, but he managed
+to elude them with slight loss.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Only twice during all this time did severe reverse
+overtake him—once at Milton, when he failed in
+his efforts to capture a brigade of infantry, and
+again at Snow Hill, when he was charged by a
+whole division of cavalry under the leadership of
+General David Stanley.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His captures of scouting and forage parties were
+numerous during these months, and he added a long
+list of prisoners to those he had already captured.
+But so strongly was every place held, and so
+numer<pb n='162'/><anchor id='Pg162'/>ous had become the Federal cavalry, it was impossible
+to make any large capture. The enemy had
+learned by bitter experience, that eternal vigilance
+was their only safety in guarding against Morgan,
+and the troops which held the left of Rosecrans’s
+army were always in fear. No Federal soldier was
+safe half a mile outside the lines. Bitterly did
+many sleepy soldiers curse him, for at three o’clock
+every morning they were forced to get up and stand
+at arms until broad daylight. The Federal officers
+wanted no more surprises. But in spite of all their
+vigilance, Morgan would swoop down and carry
+off prisoners from under their very noses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These months were busy ones for Calhoun; he
+and his scouts were always on the go. At the
+battle of Milton he greatly distinguished himself,
+and was the subject of a complimentary order.
+But during the battle he received a slight flesh
+wound in the arm and the ball came from the rear.
+Again was Conway behind him. The thought that
+he might be slain in this treacherous manner was
+distracting, but what could he do? He durst not
+complain; such a monstrous charge against a
+brother officer would have to be substantiated by the
+best of proof. He could only avoid Conway as
+much as possible during battle, and hope for the
+best. After the battle at Milton, by reason of
+losses in the regiment, Conway was promoted,
+being appointed major. It was fortunate for Calhoun
+that he was chief of scouts, and on Morgan’s
+staff, or Conway would have made his life a burden,
+<pb n='163'/><anchor id='Pg163'/>for he was a member of the regiment of which
+Conway was major.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One day Calhoun, being sent on special duty
+over to the left of Bragg’s army, found himself in
+Columbia. He now remembered what Captain
+Haines had told him of the misfortunes which had
+befallen the Osbornes, and he determined to visit
+them. As he approached the place a sigh escaped
+him, for the plantation no longer was blooming like
+a rose, and the splendid mansion house was a
+charred mass of ruins.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He found the family living in a small house
+which once had been occupied by the overseer.
+Their story was soon told. After Lieutenant
+Haines had been exchanged, he came back and was
+stationed at Columbia. He visited them frequently,
+was very attentive to Miss Osborne, and
+at last asked her to become his wife. He was very
+politely but firmly refused. He now began a series
+of petty persecutions, and was forbidden the house
+as a guest. Then he began to threaten. He reported
+to the commander that Osborne’s house was
+the headquarters of a gang of guerrillas which gave
+the Federal authorities in Columbia and Pulaski a
+great deal of trouble.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About this time the murder of General Robert
+McCook by guerrillas greatly angered the Federals.
+A few days after he was killed a couple of foragers
+from Columbia were found dead. Lieutenant
+Haines lost no time in reporting that the gang of
+guerrillas sheltered by Osborne had murdered the
+<pb n='164'/><anchor id='Pg164'/>men. A party was sent out, who burned the
+house, took away everything of value in the shape
+of stock, and arrested Mr. Osborne, who was afterwards
+sent North as a prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun listened to the recital with flashing
+eyes. <q>The villain!</q> he exclaimed; <q>if I had
+only known this he would not have escaped so
+easily when we captured him at Gallatin.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is not all,</q> continued Mrs. Osborne, in a
+broken voice. <q>After all this had happened, the
+scoundrel had the effrontery to renew his suit, and
+say if Emma would marry him he would see that
+Mr. Osborne was released; that he had powerful
+political friends who could accomplish this. We
+spurned his proposition as it deserved. I knew
+my husband would rather rot in prison than consent
+to such a monstrous thing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! had I known! had I known!</q> exclaimed
+Calhoun, pacing up and down the room in his excitement;
+<q>but we may meet again.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Little did Calhoun think that before many days
+they would meet again, and that that meeting
+would nearly mean for him the ignominious death
+of a spy. A few days after his return from Columbia,
+he asked the permission of Morgan to visit
+Nashville. <q>I would like to see,</q> said he, <q>what
+our friends, the enemy, are doing in that city.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan shook his head. <q>I don’t want to see
+you hanged,</q> he replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Calhoun argued so zealously, that at last
+Morgan’s scruples were overcome, and he gave his
+<pb n='165'/><anchor id='Pg165'/>consent, but added, <q>If you should be captured
+and executed, I would never forgive myself.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun looked upon it as a mere holiday affair;
+he had passed through too many dangers to be
+terrified. Taking half a dozen of his trusty scouts
+with him, he had no trouble in reaching the Cumberland
+River a few miles above Nashville. The
+few scouting parties of the enemy they met were
+easily avoided. He ordered his scouts to remain
+secreted in a thick wood near by a friendly house,
+from which they could obtain food for themselves
+and provender for their horses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>If I am not back in three days,</q> said he,
+<q>return to Morgan, and tell him I have been captured.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His men pleaded with him to let at least one of
+them accompany him, but this he refused, saying it
+would but add to his danger.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From the gentleman who resided in the nearby
+house he secured a skiff which had been kept
+secreted from the lynx-eyed Federals. In this
+Calhoun proposed to float down to Nashville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Night came dark and cloudy. It was just such
+a night as Calhoun wished. Clad in a suit of citizen’s
+clothes, and with muffled oars, he bade his
+comrades a cheerful good night, and pushed out
+into the river, and in a moment the darkness had
+swallowed him up. He floated down as noiselessly
+as a drifting stick.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In an hour’s time the lights of Nashville came
+in view; the dangers of his trip had just commenced.
+<pb n='166'/><anchor id='Pg166'/>He knew that the banks of the river would not only
+be strongly patrolled, but the lights from the shore
+and from the steamers moored at the wharfs shone
+across the stream in places, making it impossible
+for an object the size of his boat to pass without
+being noticed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Calhoun was prepared for just such an
+emergency. He was a capital swimmer, and had
+no fears of the water. He had weighted his skiff
+with stones, bored a hole in the bottom, and filled
+it with a plug which could easily be removed.
+When he had drifted as far as he dared, he removed
+the plug. The skiff gradually filled and at
+last sank. If any person had looked after it disappeared,
+all he would have seen would have been
+the small branch of a tree, covered with leaves,
+floating down with the current.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun was well down abreast of the city,
+and coming to a place where shadows covered the
+river, he turned toward the bank. Fortunately he
+landed near a dark alley which led down to the
+water. Listening intently, he heard nothing, and
+making his way up the alley, he soon came to a
+street. A violent storm came on, which was of
+advantage to him, for if he met any one, it would
+account for his dripping clothes. It also had the
+effect of driving the patrol guards into shelter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was no stranger in the city. He had
+visited it frequently when a boy, for he had an
+uncle residing there, now a colonel in the Confederate
+army. But his family still resided in the old
+<pb n='167'/><anchor id='Pg167'/>home, and he knew that there he would find a
+haven of safety. Carefully making his way, and
+dodging the few guards that he met, he soon
+reached the house. The yard was inclosed with a
+high iron fence, the pickets provided with sharp
+points. But Calhoun had been in the army too
+long to be baffled by any such obstacle. He
+mounted the fence with but little trouble and
+dropped down into the yard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Making his way to the rear of the house, he
+found refuge in a small shed. The night had
+turned cool and he shivered with the cold. But he
+durst not arouse the household, for the alarm might
+be heard outside. The hours passed wearily by,
+but at last morning came. He looked eagerly for
+some of the family to appear, but only the colored
+servants passed in and out. To escape being seen
+he had hidden behind a large box in the shed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He heard the call for breakfast, and concluded
+he had never been so hungry before in his life.
+After a while his patience was rewarded. A young
+lady came out of the house, and entering the shed,
+began looking around, as if searching for something.
+It was his cousin Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Kate!</q> he whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl started and looked wildly around.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Kate!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She uttered a little scream and turned as if to
+flee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Kate, don’t be afraid. It is I, your cousin
+Calhoun Pennington.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='168'/><anchor id='Pg168'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where? Where?</q> she half-whispered, looking
+eagerly around and poised as if still for flight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here behind the box. Come close. There,
+don’t ask a question. Get the servants out of
+the way and smuggle me into the house unseen. I
+am wet, cold, and hungry.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kate flew to do his bidding. In a few moments
+she came out and beckoned to him, and right
+gladly he followed her into the house. One risen
+from the dead would hardly have created more surprise
+than did his appearance. His aunt and Kate
+persisted in embracing him, wet and dirty as he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To their eager questions, he said: <q>Dry clothes
+first, Auntie, and breakfast. I am famished. I
+will then talk with you to your heart’s <corr sic="single quote">content.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Shackelford had had a son about the size
+of Calhoun killed in the army, and our hero was
+soon arrayed in a nice dry suit, and seated before
+a substantial breakfast, upon which he made a furious
+assault. When his hunger was fully appeased,
+he informed his aunt and Kate he was ready to
+talk. And how they did talk! They had a thousand
+questions to ask, and he had full as many.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To his surprise and joy he learned that his
+cousin, Fred Shackelford, had not been killed by
+his fall over the cliff, as Major Hockoday reported.
+Instead he was alive and well, was with the army
+at Murfreesboro, and frequently visited them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He has been a good friend to us,</q> said Mrs.
+Shackelford, <q>but at one time he was nearly the
+death of Kate.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='169'/><anchor id='Pg169'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, how was that?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then for the first time he heard of Forrest’s
+plot to capture Nashville, and of Kate’s part in it,
+of her condemnation, and imprisonment as a spy,
+and how Fred had secured her pardon.<note place="foot">For full particulars of this see
+    <q>On General Thomas’s Staff.</q></note>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun listened to the story in wonder. When
+it was finished, he exclaimed: <q>Why, Kate, you
+are a heroine! I am proud of you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not proud of myself,</q> answered Kate.
+<q>I blush every time I think of how—how I lied and
+deceived.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! that is a part of war,</q> laughed Calhoun.
+<q>If Morgan didn’t lie about the number of men he
+had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time.
+We don’t call such things lying; it’s a righteous
+deceiving of the enemy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But I am ready to sink into the earth with
+shame every time I think of Ainsworth,</q> sighed
+Kate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s rich,</q> laughed Calhoun; <q>crying because
+you broke the heart of a Yankee! Kate, I
+have a mind to send you into the enemy’s lines.
+If Cupid’s darts were only fatal, your bright eyes
+would create more havoc than a battle.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No use sending her away,</q> broke in Mrs.
+Shackelford; <q>there are more Federal officers buzzing
+around her now than I wish there were.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mighty useful to worm secrets from,</q> exclaimed
+Kate; <q>but I make no promises to any of
+them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='170'/><anchor id='Pg170'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s right, Kate, get all the secrets from
+them you can,</q> said Calhoun; <q>that is what I am
+in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city
+without much danger?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always
+more or less danger to strangers. Business is going
+on as usual. The city is lively, livelier than before
+the war; but it is soldiers—soldiers everywhere.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you have to have no passes?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is best to have one. Most of us have
+standing permits to come and go in the city as we
+please.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Can you get me a permit?</q> asked Calhoun,
+eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There is Jim Grantham,</q> replied Kate,
+thoughtfully; <q>his description will suit Calhoun
+close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was now told that the Southern people
+in Nashville were thoroughly organized into a secret
+society. They had their signs and pass-words, so
+that they could know each other. So far no one
+had proved a traitor. The Federal authorities suspected
+that such an organization existed, but their
+shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out
+anything about it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kate, who had gone for the permit of James
+Grantham, soon returned with it. The description
+fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for
+himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville
+with little fear of arrest.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='171'/><anchor id='Pg171'/>
+
+<p>
+He was given a list of those who could most
+probably give him the information he desired. He
+marvelled to see how quickly a little sign which he
+gave was answered, and was amazed at the work
+this secret organization was doing. Not a regiment
+entered or left Nashville but they knew its exact
+strength, and to what point it was ordered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In two days Calhoun had gathered information
+which would be of vast value to the Confederate
+cause, and it was now time for him to see by what
+means he could leave the city. He was on his way
+to see three gentlemen who said they could get him
+outside of the city without trouble or danger, when
+an incident happened which came near sending him
+to the gallows. He was walking unconcernedly
+along the street, when he suddenly came face to
+face with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun
+was dressed in citizen’s clothes, the captain
+knew him at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A spy! A spy!</q> he yelled at the top of his
+voice, and made a grab at Calhoun. Calhoun
+struck him a tremendous blow which sent him rolling
+in the gutter, and fled at the top of his speed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But a score of voices took up the cry, and a
+howling mob, mostly of soldiers, were at his heels.
+He hoped to reach the river, where among the
+immense piles of stores heaped along the levee, or
+among the shipping, he might secrete himself, but a
+patrol guard suddenly appeared a block away, and
+his retreat was cut off. He gave himself up for
+lost, and reached for a small pistol which he carried,
+<pb n='172'/><anchor id='Pg172'/>with the intention of putting a bullet through his
+own heart; <q>for,</q> thought he, <q>they shall never
+have the pleasure of hanging me before a gaping
+crowd.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then he saw two young ladies standing in
+the open door of a house. What told him safety
+lay there he never knew, but hope sprang up
+within his breast. Dashing up the steps, he thrust
+the ladies back into the house, slammed the door
+to, and locked it. So rude was his entrance, one
+of the ladies fell to the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Save me! Save me!</q> he cried, <q>I am a Confederate
+spy,</q> and he gave the sign of the secret
+order.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young lady who had not fallen was terribly
+frightened, but she grasped the situation in a
+moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Upstairs,</q> she gasped, pointing the way;
+<q>tell mother, the secret place.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying her. The girl
+flew to the back door and opened it, then back
+just as her sister was rising, her face covered with
+blood, for she had hit her nose in falling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Quick, Annette, in the parlor,</q> said her sister;
+<q>assent to everything I say.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Annette staggered into the parlor hardly knowing
+what she did, for she was dazed and terribly
+frightened. The sister, whose name was Inez, was
+now at the door, which was giving way before the
+blows of Calhoun’s pursuers. All this happened
+in less than a minute.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='173'/><anchor id='Pg173'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Stop!</q> she cried, <q>I will unlock the door,</q>
+and she did so, and when the soldiers rushed in,
+crying, <q>Where is he? Where is the spy?</q> she
+stood wringing her hands and sobbing, <q>My sister!
+Oh, my sister! he has murdered her.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The words brought the soldiers to a halt. <q>Who
+murdered your sister?</q> asked a sergeant who
+seemed to be the leader.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The man! the man who ran in here!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where is he? He is the fellow we want.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He rushed out of the back door. Oh! my
+sister, my sister!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>After him, boys; don’t let him get away!</q>
+yelled the sergeant, and they rushed through the
+house in hot pursuit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The house was rapidly filling, when a captain
+appeared, and learning of the sobbing Inez what
+the trouble was, said: <q>Murdered your sister!
+Horrible! where is she?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here,</q> said Inez, leading the way into the
+parlor. Annette was reclining on a sofa, her face
+bloody; she was apparently in a fainting condition.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The captain acted quickly. He ordered the
+house to be cleared, sent a subordinate for a surgeon,
+and another to have the whole block surrounded.
+In the mean time the mother of the
+girls had appeared, and was adding her sobs to
+those of her eldest daughter. When the surgeon
+came and had washed the blood from Annette’s
+face, her only injury was found to be a bruised nose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Both the captain and the surgeon looked
+in<pb n='174'/><anchor id='Pg174'/>quiringly. <q>How is this?</q> they asked, <q>you said
+your sister was <corr sic="single quote">murdered.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I—I thought she was,</q> stammered Inez. <q>I
+saw the blood and thought the man had stabbed
+her.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell us just what happened,</q> said the captain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Annette, who had by this time so far recovered
+from her fright as to comprehend what was going
+on, saw Inez give her the signal of danger. It put
+her on her guard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, it was this way,</q> said Inez, in answer to
+the captain, <q>sister and I were going out, but just
+as we opened the door, there was a tumult on the
+street. We stopped to see what the trouble was,
+when a man dashed up the steps. We tried to
+oppose him, but he struck sister a cruel blow,
+knocking her down, flung me backward, and slamming
+the door to, locked it; then running through
+the house, disappeared through the back door.
+Seeing sister’s face covered with blood, I picked
+her up and carried her into the parlor. By this
+time the soldiers were breaking down the door, and
+I went and unlocked <corr sic="single quote">it.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Annette only knew that she tried to oppose the
+entrance of a strange man, who knocked her down.
+She must have been rendered unconscious, for she
+remembered nothing more, until she found herself
+lying on the sofa in the parlor. The mother, Mrs.
+Lovell, was upstairs, and knew nothing of what
+had happened until alarmed by the screams of her
+daughters and the noisy entrance of the soldiers.
+<pb n='175'/><anchor id='Pg175'/>These stories so accorded with the known facts
+that the captain did not for a moment doubt them.
+But when the sergeant returned and reported that
+no trace of the fugitive could be discovered, he was
+puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Orders were given to search every house in the
+block. This was done, but the search was fruitless.
+When this fact was reported, the captain bit his
+lip in vexation. Then turning to Inez, he said:
+<q>Pardon me, Miss Lovell, while I do not doubt
+your story in the least, are you sure the fellow ran
+out of the house? Was not his opening the back
+door just a ruse? He opened the door and then
+dodged into some room, thinking this house the
+safest place for him. Every house in the block
+has been searched except this one, and we can find
+no trace of him. While I regret it, I shall be
+compelled to have this house searched.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am sure he ran out,</q> answered Inez, <q>but I
+confess I was very badly frightened. If you think
+he is in the house, search it. I ask as a favor that
+you search it, for if he is concealed in the house as
+you think, he may murder us all.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A thorough search was made, but there was
+found no trace of Calhoun. The officers and soldiers
+retired greatly puzzled. A strong guard was
+maintained around the block for three days; then
+all hopes of catching Calhoun were given up, and
+the guard was withdrawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federal authorities had become aware who
+the fugitive was through Captain Haines. <q>I
+can<pb n='176'/><anchor id='Pg176'/>not be mistaken,</q> he said; <q>I have met him too
+many times. He is one of the most daring of all
+of Morgan’s cutthroats</q>; and then he gave an
+account of his first meeting with Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But where was Calhoun all this time? When he
+rushed upstairs at the command of Inez, he was
+met at the top by Mrs. Lovell, who started in
+affright at the sight of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Your daughter said, <q>The secret place!</q></q> he
+exclaimed, as he gave her the sign of danger. <q>My
+pursuers are already at the door.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lady quickly recovered herself. <q>Come!</q>
+she said, and led Calhoun into a room. Here she
+began working in a corner. Her hands trembled as
+she did so, for the soldiers were thundering at the
+door downstairs, and she could hear it giving way.
+To Calhoun’s intense surprise, a section of the
+apparently solid wall gave way, leaving an opening
+large enough for a person to enter by crawling on
+his hands and knees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Quick, go in!</q> said the lady.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun needed no second bidding, but crawled
+in, and the wall slowly came back to place. Calhoun
+found himself in a narrow place, between the
+wall of the room and the side of the house. The
+house had been built with a mansard roof on the
+sides, thus leaving a space. This space was about
+three feet wide at the bottom, coming to a point at
+the top. Close under the eaves, where it would
+not be noticed, an aperture had been left for the
+admission of air, and through it a ray of light came.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='177'/><anchor id='Pg177'/>
+
+<p>
+Narrow and contracted as his quarters were, to
+Calhoun they were more welcome than a palace.
+It was plain that the place had been occupied before,
+for on the floor there were soft blankets, and
+in feeling around Calhoun discovered a jug of water
+and some provisions. It was evident that no one
+who was put in there hurriedly was to be allowed
+to suffer from thirst or hunger.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun could hear every word which was said
+when the soldiers searched the room. His heart
+stood still when he heard them sounding the walls,
+but they gave forth no uncertain sound, and the
+soldiers departed, much to his relief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was not until the next day that Calhoun was
+allowed to leave his hiding-place, and then he was
+told he must not leave the room. He had to be
+ready to seek his refuge at a moment’s notice, if
+found necessary. For three days he was virtually
+a prisoner, then the guards around the block were
+withdrawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Word was taken to his aunt and Kate where he
+was. They had been in an agony of fear over his
+non-return. But they durst not visit him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Mrs. Lovell and her daughters Calhoun felt
+he could never repay what they had done for him.
+He felt like a brute, when Annette was introduced
+to him, her pretty features disfigured by a
+swollen nose, and when he was making his most
+abject apologies, she interrupted him with a gay
+laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am proud of that nose!</q> she exclaimed; <q>as
+<pb n='178'/><anchor id='Pg178'/>proud as a gallant soldier of his wounds, for does it
+not show that I have shed my blood for our beloved
+South?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+We are of the opinion that during his enforced
+imprisonment, Calhoun would have lost his heart
+to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged
+to a gallant officer in Bragg’s army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought
+that his scouts would return to Morgan with the
+news that he was captured, but there was no help
+for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After the guards had been withdrawn, he at
+once began to make plans for his escape from the
+city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
+vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and
+it was impossible for any one to leave the city without
+his identity being fully established.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Inez clapped her hands. <q>I have it,</q>
+she cried. <q>Get him out to Dr. Caldwell. The
+doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and
+on the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington
+can take to the river going as he did coming.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But he can’t float up stream,</q> said Annette,
+<q>and as for a boat, that will be impossible.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He can swim,</q> said Inez, <q>swim across the
+river. He will be above the pickets around Edgefield.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not
+safe for him to appear on the street. Not a guard
+but has a description of him,</q> said the careful
+Annette.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='179'/><anchor id='Pg179'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the
+Robinsons lived next door); it will be easy for the
+doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
+think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr.
+Caldwell visited Mrs. Robinson during the day, he
+was seen, and consented to the scheme. <q>Muffle
+him up,</q> he said, <q>he will be taken for one of
+my patients.</q> Before Calhoun left he wrote
+a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines — Regt.
+This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well
+out of the city.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun
+to his home. Here he stayed until dark, then bidding
+the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
+into the river and was soon across, and began to
+make his way slowly up the northern bank. But
+the night was dark, and after many falls and
+bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having
+made himself a bed of leaves beside a log, he was
+soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers were
+lurking near.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed
+when Calhoun was not caught. But his
+leave of absence was out, and he had to return to
+his regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two
+after his return the following letter came with his
+mail:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<text><body>
+
+<dateline rend="text-align: right; argin-right: 2"><name><hi rend='smallcaps'>Nashville, Tenn.</hi></name>, April 25, 1863.</dateline>
+<salute>To Capt. Chas. Haines,</salute>
+
+<p>
+My Dear Captain: When you receive this I shall be well out
+of Nashville. We have already met three times, and I trust we
+<pb n='180'/><anchor id='Pg180'/>may meet once more. If we do, it will be our last, for one or the
+other of us will die. I know of your damnable treatment of the
+Osbornes. Be assured it will be avenged.
+</p>
+
+<salute rend="text-align: right; margin-right: 10">Sincerely yours,</salute>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 6"><hi rend='smallcaps'>Calhoun Pennington</hi>,</signed>
+    <signed rend="margin-right: 2">Lieutenant, Morgan’s Command.</signed>
+
+</body></text>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Haines was no coward, but his hand
+trembled like a leaf when he laid the letter down.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="13" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='181'/><anchor id='Pg181'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XIII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">UNDER ARREST.</head>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun did not wake until the light of the
+morning sun was sifting through the branches
+of the trees. He arose stiff and somewhat chill,
+but the day promised to be a warm one, and a little
+exercise put a delightful heat through his body.
+All he lacked was a good breakfast, and he must
+not look for that until he had crossed the river; he
+was yet too close to Nashville to try to cross it.
+Then he must secure a horse, and where would he
+be so likely to secure one as at the home of Mr.
+Edmunds, the gentleman of whom he had obtained
+the skiff, and who had given him all possible aid?
+He had no hopes of finding his men, for at the
+end of three days they would return to Morgan,
+taking his horse with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He slowly made his way up the river, dodging
+two or three scouting parties, until he thought he
+must be nearly opposite to where Mr. Edmunds
+lived. The place seemed favorable, as there were
+woods on both sides of the river, so he determined
+to cross. But if he had known it, he had selected
+a very dangerous place. A road which led down
+to the river was but a few yards in front of him,
+and it was one of the places to which the Federal
+cavalry came as they patrolled the bank of the river.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='182'/><anchor id='Pg182'/>
+
+<p>
+Just as he was about to remove some of his
+clothing, which he would carry over on his head as
+he swam the stream, he was startled by the sound
+of horses’ hoofs, and he hastily concealed himself in
+a thicket. Soon a Federal sergeant, accompanied
+by two soldiers, came down the road, and riding
+near the edge of the river, dismounted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here is the place,</q> said the sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What are we to do here?</q> asked one of the
+men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Keep watch to see if any Johnny attempts to
+cross the river,</q> answered the sergeant; <q>but I
+doubt if we see anything larger than buzzards, and
+we can’t stop them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men made themselves comfortable, and lay
+in the shade smoking their pipes. Calhoun was
+considering the proposition whether he could not
+quietly withdraw, and flank them without being
+seen, when one of the men said: <q>Sergeant, let me
+go to that house we passed and see if I cannot get
+a canteen of milk. It will go good with our hardtack.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You can both go,</q> replied the sergeant; <q>I
+guess I can stop any one who attempts to cross the
+river while you are away. But don’t be gone
+long.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men quickly availed themselves of the
+opportunity, and mounting their horses rode away.
+The sergeant stretched himself on the ground, and
+lazily watched the river. Now was Calhoun’s time.
+He had secured a good revolver when he left
+Nash<pb n='183'/><anchor id='Pg183'/>ville. This he had kept dry when he swam the
+river by wrapping it in his outside clothing, which
+he had made into a bundle, and carried over on his
+head. Taking the revolver in his hand, ready for
+instant use, he cautiously crept up on the sergeant.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus07"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus07.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus07.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.</head>
+<figDesc>HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+That individual leaped to his feet as if he had
+springs when he heard the stern command, <q>Surrender!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He reached for his weapon, but suddenly stopped
+when he saw he was looking into the muzzle of a
+revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hands up! Be quick about it!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The hands of the sergeant slowly went above his
+head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Pardon me, but I will relieve you of this,</q> said
+Calhoun, as he took a revolver from the belt of his
+prisoner, and tossed it into the river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Up to this time the sergeant had not said a
+word, but now he exclaimed, with the utmost disgust,
+<q>How thundering careless of me! Sergeant
+Latham, you are no good; you ought to be reduced
+to the ranks.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! don’t feel too bad about it; better men
+than you have been caught napping,</q> replied
+Calhoun, consolingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But no bigger fool. To be gobbled in like this,
+and by a blamed skulking citizen, too. Now, if—</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Rest your mind there, if it will make you feel
+any better,</q> broke in Calhoun, <q>I am no civilian,
+I am Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+command.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='184'/><anchor id='Pg184'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>You don’t say,</q> replied the sergeant, apparently
+much relieved. <q>Lieutenant, allow me to
+introduce myself. I am Sergeant Silas Latham.
+We have had the pleasure of meeting before.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where?</q> asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Down in Tennessee, when you got away with
+Lieutenant Haines’s horse so slick.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s face darkened. <q>Did you have anything
+to do with the persecution of the Osbornes?</q>
+he asked, threateningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick
+I ever knew Haines to do. But he was dead gone
+on the girl. I half believe he would have turned
+Reb if he could have got her.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I saw Haines the other day,</q> remarked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where?</q> asked the Sergeant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking
+him down.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant chuckled. <q>Served him right.
+He threatened to have me reduced to the ranks
+because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself,
+the way he persecuted that girl.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you in his company now?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No; he is the captain of another company.
+Glad of it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this
+conversation, but time presses. Give me your
+parole, and I will be going.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>By gum, I won’t do it!</q> exclaimed Latham,
+with energy. <q>If you want to take me prisoner,
+take me. But do you think I am going sneaking
+<pb n='185'/><anchor id='Pg185'/>back to camp with the story that I let one Johnny
+gobble me? No, sir, not by a jugful!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Latham, you are a character. Can you swim?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Never learned when a boy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will your horse carry double?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, he is a poor swimmer, he would drown us
+both.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Latham, I am afraid I shall have to shoot you.
+I don’t see any other way to get rid of you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Latham thought a moment, and said: <q>Let me
+ride the horse across and you swim.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A brilliant idea, declined with thanks.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Latham scratched his head as if for an idea.
+<q>Perhaps I can hang on by the horse’s tail,</q> he
+remarked, hesitatingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s better. It’s either a parole, the tail, or
+death. Which shall it be?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will take the tail.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>All right; but you must give me your word of
+honor that you will hang on.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Like grim death,</q> answered Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Come, then, I have fooled away too much time
+already.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Marching his prisoner up to where his horse was
+tethered, Calhoun took Latham’s sword and carbine
+which hung to the saddle and pitched them into the
+river after the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mounting the horse, Calhoun said, <q>Now, no
+fooling. The slightest attempt on your part to
+escape, and I shall shoot you without compunction
+of conscience.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='186'/><anchor id='Pg186'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not fool enough to run when there is a
+revolver at my head,</q> growled Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nevertheless you will bear watching. I am
+of the opinion you are a slippery customer. You
+just walk by my side here until we reach deep
+water.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They entered the river. Latham wading quietly
+by the side of the horse, until the water became so
+deep the horse began to plunge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now, grab his tail,</q> commanded Calhoun, and
+he watched Latham until he had taken a firm hold
+of the horse’s tail and was in water beyond his
+depth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>For the Lord’s sake, keep his head above
+water,</q> shouted Latham from behind, as the horse
+made a fearful plunge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the next few minutes Calhoun had enough
+to do without looking to see what had become of
+Latham. The horse, as the Sergeant had said,
+proved a poor swimmer. Twice he came near
+drowning; but at last managed to struggle through.
+When he got to where the water was shallow
+enough for the horse to wade, Calhoun looked
+around to see how Latham had fared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To his surprise he saw that worthy leaning
+against a tree on the bank from which they had
+started, and apparently he had been watching the
+struggles of the horse in the water with a great deal
+of satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun hardly knew whether to laugh or get
+angry. Riding to the edge of the water, he turned
+<pb n='187'/><anchor id='Pg187'/>his horse around, and yelled over, <q>You are a
+pretty fellow, you are! Like most Yankees, your
+word of honor is worthless.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Did just what I said I would!</q> yelled back
+Latham.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You did not. You told me you would hold
+on that horse’s tail like grim death.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And so I did. I am holding on to it yet,</q>
+and to Calhoun’s surprise Latham shook a large
+piece of the horse’s tail at him. He had neatly
+severed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun shook with suppressed laughter, but
+assuming a severe tone, he said: <q>You lied to me
+like a Turk, anyway, you miserable Yankee; you
+told me you could not swim.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I told you no such thing, you skulking Rebel,</q>
+yelled back Latham, wrathfully. <q>Come back here
+and fight me like a man, and I will wallop you until
+you can’t stand, for calling me a liar. I would have
+you know I am a member of the church in good
+standing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Didn’t you tell me you couldn’t swim?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No; I told you I had never learned to swim
+when a boy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>When did you learn to swim?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>After I became a man.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun exploded. <q>Say, Latham,</q> he cried,
+<q>I forgive you. You are the slickest Yankee I
+ever met. I must be going, for I see your men are
+coming. Ta! ta!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun turned and urged his horse up the bank,
+<pb n='188'/><anchor id='Pg188'/>but not in time to escape having two balls sing
+uncomfortably close to his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sergeant Latham had little trouble in recovering
+his arms from the river, as the water was not deep
+where Calhoun had thrown them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sergeant made the following report of the
+affair to his superior officer:
+</p>
+<p><text><body>
+<p>
+Sir: I have the honor to report that a Rebel scout crossed
+the Cumberland to-day near the post where I was stationed. I
+followed him into the river, but my horse being a poor swimmer,
+I was forced to abandon him in mid-stream to save myself.
+</p>
+
+<signed rend="margin-right: 2">
+<hi rend='smallcaps'>Silas Latham</hi>, Sergeant.
+</signed>
+</body></text></p>
+<p>
+The capture of Latham’s horse and the ludicrous
+affair with him put Calhoun in the best of humor.
+He reached the house of Mr. Edmunds without
+further adventure, and met with a hearty welcome
+from that gentleman, who informed him that his
+men had lingered a day longer than he had
+ordered, in the hope that he would return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After satisfying his hunger, Calhoun bade his
+kind host good-bye, and without trouble reached
+Morgan’s camp that night. Here he was received
+as one snatched from the jaws of death, for they
+had given him up as lost. The valuable information
+which he had collected was forwarded to
+General Bragg, and in due time an acknowledgment
+was received from that general, warmly congratulating
+him, and saying he had recommended
+him for a captaincy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was but a few days after his return that Calhoun
+was with a regiment reconnoitring near
+Braddyville, when they were suddenly attacked by
+<pb n='189'/><anchor id='Pg189'/>a whole brigade of Federal cavalry. The engagement
+was a spirited one, but owing to the superior
+numbers of the Federals, the Confederates were
+forced to fall back. During the retreat Calhoun
+with his scouts was holding back the advance of the
+enemy. They were furiously charged by two
+companies of the Federals, and a hand-to-hand
+conflict took place. During this combat Calhoun
+became engaged with a Federal captain, and to his
+surprise he saw that his antagonist was Captain
+Haines. The recognition was mutual, and it must
+have unnerved the hand of the Captain, for although
+but a few feet from Calhoun, he fired and missed
+him. Before he could fire again, Calhoun dashed
+his empty revolver into his face. The force of the
+blow caused him to reel in his saddle, and before
+he could recover, Calhoun had cut him down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The bloody repulse of these two companies
+cooled the ardor of the Federals, and the Confederates
+withdrew without further molestation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Major Conway noted Calhoun’s growing popularity
+with the command, and his hatred, if possible,
+grew more bitter. The sting of the blow he had
+received still rankled in his heart, and he swore
+sooner or later to have his revenge. His attempts
+to assassinate Calhoun in time of battle, so far had
+failed, and Calhoun’s extreme wariness now usually
+kept them apart during an engagement. The
+crafty Major was busily thinking of some other
+scheme by which he could kill Calhoun without
+bringing suspicion on himself, when an incident
+<pb n='190'/><anchor id='Pg190'/>happened which he thought would not only cause
+Calhoun to die a most disgraceful death, but redound
+greatly to his own credit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was out with his scouts when he fell in
+with a small party of the enemy. As he outnumbered
+them, he thought their capture was easy.
+But he was met with such a rapid and accurate fire
+that his men were forced to fall back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Them Yankees have repeating rifles,</q> growled
+one of his men, <q>and they know how to shoot.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was true, and Calhoun was thinking of
+withdrawing from the fight entirely, when he caught
+sight of the leader of the Federals. The horse
+which he rode he would know among ten thousand.
+It was Prince, the famous horse of his cousin, and
+the rider must be Fred. Ordering his men to cease
+firing, Calhoun tied a white handkerchief to the
+point of his sword, and rode forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fred, for it was he, rode out to meet him. As
+soon as he came within hearing distance, he asked,
+<q>Do you surrender?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Surrender nothing!</q> answered Calhoun, a little
+disgusted. <q>If you only knew how many men I
+had back there you would think of surrendering
+yourself. I simply came out to have a little talk
+with you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Cal, as sure as I live!</q> exclaimed Fred, and in
+a moment the two cousins had each other by the
+hand, forgetting they were enemies, remembering
+only their love for each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had much to say to each other, and talked
+<pb n='191'/><anchor id='Pg191'/>longer than they thought, but were about to part,
+mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they
+were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking
+up they saw that Fred’s men were being charged
+by a large force of Confederates. They were in
+full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred
+was alone in the midst of his enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Confederates proved to be a full squadron
+in command of Major Conway. He was accompanied
+by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they
+see Fred than they shouted in their delight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The hoss is mine again!</q> cried Mathews.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And this spy and sneak is in my power at
+last,</q> exclaimed Conway, pointing at Fred; <q>and
+what is better I have you, my fine fellow,</q> said
+Conway, turning to Calhoun. <q rend="post: none">I have long known
+that you were holding treasonable conferences with
+the enemy, and have only been waiting for indubitable
+proof. I have it now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant,</q> turning to one of his officers,
+<q>arrest Lieutenant Pennington, and on your life
+see that he does not escape.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The enormity of the charge dumbfounded
+Calhoun. He could scarcely believe his ears. He
+began to protest, but was cut short by Conway,
+who ordered the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten
+men and to conduct Calhoun straightway to General
+Bragg at Tullahoma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell the General,</q> he said, <q>that I have positive
+proof of Lieutenant Pennington’s treasonable
+intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
+impor<pb n='192'/><anchor id='Pg192'/>tant I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to
+him. As soon as I see General Morgan I will file
+formal charges.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders
+to take Calhoun direct to Bragg, but he said nothing,
+and choosing his escort, was soon on the way to
+Tullahoma with his prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Major Conway’s real object in sending Calhoun
+to Tullahoma was to bring the case directly to the
+notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
+to take action. He knew that his charge would
+not be believed in Morgan’s command, but he would
+see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
+time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most
+heinous offence of which an officer could be guilty,
+it is no wonder that Calhoun’s heart sank within
+him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better to have been hanged as a spy by the
+Federals than to be shot as a traitor by my own
+men,</q> he muttered to himself. The thought of
+dying such a disgraceful death was maddening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by
+General Bragg was not exactly such as he had
+expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a
+great stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant
+who had Calhoun in charge reported to him,
+and told him the verbal message which Major Conway
+had sent, he flew into a furious rage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What does Major Conway mean by sending a
+prisoner to me with such a message as that?</q> he
+<pb n='193'/><anchor id='Pg193'/>sputtered. <q rend="post: none">What is General Morgan about that
+he has not attended to this, and presented his
+charges in due form.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan,
+and tell Major Conway to read up on army discipline.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg
+would have contended for rigid adherence to military
+law. When Bragg’s order was reported to
+Calhoun, hope began to revive. Surely Morgan
+would give him a fair hearing. Every act he had
+done in the army would disprove the monstrous
+charges of Major Conway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was with a much lighter heart that he set out
+for MacMinnville. But when he reached that place
+he was surprised by the astonishing news that Conway
+had been shot—killed while in the act of murdering
+his cousin in cold blood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One of the men who was with Conway at the
+time was mortally wounded, and confessed the
+whole thing. Conway was to prepare a paper
+which they were to swear was found on Fred’s person,
+criminating Calhoun. With such evidence his
+conviction would have been certain. He thanked
+God for the death of Conway. It meant a thousand
+times more to him than life, for it kept his
+name unsullied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan made a full report of the whole matter
+to General Bragg. <q>The plot was damnable,</q> he
+wrote, <q>yet it might have been successful if Major
+Conway had not met his just deserts. But one
+<pb n='194'/><anchor id='Pg194'/>might as well accuse me of holding treasonable
+communications with the enemy as Lieutenant
+Pennington. He is the officer, as you may remember,
+that entered Nashville a short time since, and
+sent you such a valuable report. Moreover, he is
+the very officer I have chosen to look into that
+matter which we have discussed so much. I expect
+to send him North next week.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus was Calhoun fully exonerated, and not
+only that, but he was to be chosen for a most important
+mission. He also had the satisfaction of
+seeing Morgan make Captain Mathews return Fred
+his horse, much to the Captain’s disgust. But
+what was the important duty upon which Calhoun
+was to be sent North? He had heard nothing of it
+before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Some time before the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham,
+a noted Democratic politician of Ohio, and an ex-member
+of Congress, had been arrested at his home
+in Dayton for treason. He was tried by military
+court-martial, found guilty, and banished South.
+The excitement was intense. Thousands of his
+friends rallied to his defence, and at one time it
+looked as if the streets of Dayton would run red
+with blood. His friends were in open revolt against
+the government, and opposed the prosecution of
+the war.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before this numerous reports had reached the
+South of the dissatisfaction of a large number of
+the Democratic party with Lincoln, especially with
+his proclamation freeing the slaves. They were
+<pb n='195'/><anchor id='Pg195'/>sick and tired of the war, and were more than willing
+to give the South her independence. They
+were ready to force Lincoln to do this. A secret
+society, known as the Knights of the Golden Circle,
+existed throughout the North, and was most numerous
+in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
+The purpose of this society was to resist the draft,
+encourage desertions from the army, embarrass
+the government in every way possible, and if
+necessary resort to arms. Already numerous small
+encounters had taken place between the Knights
+and the militia of these states.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was the boast of the Knights that they had
+a quarter of a million men armed and drilled, ready
+to take the field. If a Confederate force would
+only invade the North, their ranks would be augmented
+by these thousands. It was to investigate
+these reports and find out the truth that Calhoun
+was to be sent North.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="14" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='196'/><anchor id='Pg196'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XIV.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.</head>
+
+<p>
+No one was more surprised than Calhoun when
+told that he had been selected to go North on
+a secret and most important mission.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>General Breckinridge and I have selected you,</q>
+said Morgan, <q>because we have confidence in your
+sagacity, bravery, and discretion. We know no
+one better fitted to intrust this delicate, and perhaps
+dangerous, mission to than yourself.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But I am so young,</q> said Calhoun; <q>while I
+gladly accept the honor which I feel you have
+bestowed upon me, would not one older and more
+experienced than I do better?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Your youth is one of the main reasons why we
+have chosen you,</q> replied Morgan. <q>A youth like
+you will not excite suspicion half as quickly as a
+man.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then I am more than willing to go,</q> answered
+Calhoun, <q>and trust that the confidence you repose
+in me will not prove to have been misplaced.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have no fears on that score,</q> answered Morgan;
+<q>I know that you will succeed, if any one
+can.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The General then fully explained what was required
+of him. Calhoun listened in silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I think I fully understand what you want of
+<pb n='197'/><anchor id='Pg197'/>me, General, but how am I to approach these
+Knights of the Golden Circle? How am I to find
+out who are Knights?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That has already been provided for,</q> answered
+Morgan. <q>We are now ready to initiate you into
+a camp of the Golden Circle.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Does the order exist down South, too?</q> asked
+Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Certainly, to some extent,</q> was the answer.
+<q>If not, how could we know the secrets of the
+order? You are willing, I suppose, to take the oaths
+required?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>If there is not anything in them to hinder me
+from being a true son of the South,</q> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I assure you there is not, for I have taken
+them,</q> said Morgan; <q>but you must bear in mind
+this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
+the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone
+is States’ Rights. The Hon. C. L. Vallandigham,
+who was lately sent into our lines for
+disloyalty, but who has now found a refuge in
+Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the order.
+No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham.
+He believes in the doctrine of secession.
+The North is sick and tired of the war,
+and wants to put a stop to it and let the South
+go in peace. This is the purpose of the order.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>All right,</q> said Calhoun; <q>I am ready to
+join any order that has that for its purpose.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his
+surprise, he met quite a number of the officers of
+<pb n='198'/><anchor id='Pg198'/>the command. There was one stranger present, a
+gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that
+he was from the North, was a high officer in the
+order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
+ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent
+he was a full-fledged member of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle. But he had taken only the first
+degree. The other degrees were to be given to
+him after he had arrived in the North.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After having fully learned the signs, grips, and
+passwords of the order, Calhoun was ready for his
+journey. He now received his final instructions
+from Morgan and Breckinridge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It did not take Calhoun long to see that while
+these gentlemen were willing to use the order, they
+had the utmost contempt for it. All nations use
+traitors and despise them at the same time. The
+Knights of the Golden Circle were traitors to their
+section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the men
+with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help
+the South to secure her independence, it was all he
+asked. He, like the noble Major André of Revolutionary
+fame, was willing to risk his life for the
+cause he loved. André failed, and suffered an
+ignominious death; but his fame grows brighter
+with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still
+abhorred.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars
+in United States money,</q> said Morgan, handing
+him a belt. <q>You will need it; our money don’t
+go in the North.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='199'/><anchor id='Pg199'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln’s
+strong-box,</q> said Calhoun, as he took the
+money.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan smiled as he answered: <q>A Yankee paymaster
+don’t come amiss once in a while.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was next given an official envelope,
+which he was to hand to General Forrest, who was
+then operating in Northern Mississippi and Western
+Tennessee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You will receive full instructions from Forrest,</q>
+continued Morgan, <q>what to do, and how to get
+through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to
+send you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you
+will not be so apt to meet with any Federal officer
+who might know you. Now go, and may success
+attend you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun took his chief’s hand. His heart was
+too full to say a word. A strong grasp, and he was
+gone. He had no trouble in finding General Forrest,
+who carefully read the papers that Calhoun
+handed him. He then scanned Calhoun closely
+from head to feet. <q>I reckon you understand the
+purport of these papers,</q> he said, in rather a harsh
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I suppose they relate to sending me through
+the lines,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, I can send you through, young man,
+but you are going on a fool’s errand. I have had
+a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden
+Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right
+in giving away everything they know; but when it
+<pb n='200'/><anchor id='Pg200'/>comes to fighting, bah! one of my companies would
+lick ten thousand.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then you haven’t much faith in the fighting
+qualities of the Knights?</q> said Calhoun, with a
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere
+money-grabbers. Ask one of them for ten dollars
+and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they
+worry the Lincoln government, and keep up a fire
+in the rear; therefore they should be encouraged.
+You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with,
+though.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How soon can I start North?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>To-night,</q> answered Forrest. <q>I am the
+president of an underground railroad, took my cue
+from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in
+running our niggers through to Canada. I have a
+regular mail North. I will send you through with
+one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your
+credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward
+if you were captured with them. You must
+leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind
+that your name is W. B. Harrison.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where shall I find my credentials?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus
+of my railroad at present. Inquire for Judge
+Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all right.
+If all the Knights were like him there would be
+something doing; but he is a Kentuckian, no
+whining Yankee.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='201'/><anchor id='Pg201'/>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and
+during his interview with him studied him carefully.
+He put him down as a man of indomitable energy,
+of great courage, and possessing military genius of
+a high order. On the other hand, he was illiterate,
+rough in his language, and lacked the polish of a
+cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But
+there was a magnetism about him which drew men
+to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>If I were not riding with Morgan, I should
+surely want to be with Forrest,</q> thought Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the
+mail-carrier who was to be his guide. He was a
+thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun
+put him down at about forty. The few days during
+which Calhoun was with Givens gave him a very
+high opinion of the guide’s bravery and sagacity.
+Givens related many of his hairbreadth escapes
+during their journey, and seemed to treat them as
+great jokes. During the entire journey through
+Tennessee and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented
+roads, and in the darkest night rode as one
+entirely familiar with the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At every place they stopped, they seemed to be
+expected. A man would take their horses, and in
+the evening when they started, they would find
+fresh horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun
+that these stations were a night ride apart, and that
+at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the
+woods.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I now understand,</q> said Calhoun, <q>what an
+<pb n='202'/><anchor id='Pg202'/>underground railroad means. If the Abolitionists
+had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were
+so successful in getting away with our slaves.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Givens chuckled as he answered: <q>They did, I
+know all about it; was in the business myself.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You?</q> asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively
+recoiled from the man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A man has to do something for a living,</q>
+growled Givens; <q>I got so much for each nigger I
+ran off.</q> He then refused to discuss the subject
+further.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait,
+a low, tremulous whistle came from the side of the
+road. Givens reined in his horse so quickly that he
+fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle
+in the same low, tremulous note. A man stepped
+from the bushes into the road, and spoke a few
+words to Givens in a low tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Givens turned to Calhoun and said: <q>Yanks
+ahead. We will have to go round them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Under the guidance of the man they turned into
+a path through the woods. The way was rough,
+and Givens swore roundly because they were losing
+time. A good-sized stream was reached, which they
+had to swim. They emerged from it wet and out
+of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his
+heart’s content. He explained that it eased his
+mind. When the road was reached their guide
+bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly
+as he had appeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to
+<pb n='203'/><anchor id='Pg203'/>their utmost speed, in order to reach their next
+stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they
+could, the sun was an hour high before they reached
+their haven of rest. Luckily they met with no
+one, and they felt safe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>One more night and we shall reach the Ohio,</q>
+said Givens, when they dismounted after a long,
+wearisome night ride. But it was destined that
+they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for
+they had not ridden more than five miles after they
+had started before they were brought up with the
+sharp command: <q>Halt! Who comes there?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Citizens without the countersign,</q> answered
+Givens without a moment’s hesitation, and then to
+Calhoun, <q>Wheel and run for your life.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They both turned and clapped spurs to their
+horses, but not before the sentinel had fired. Calhoun
+heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning
+his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He
+had carried his last mail. There was no time to
+halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of horses
+in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from
+his horse and struck him a vicious blow which sent
+him galloping wildly down the road. In a moment
+a squad of Federal cavalry passed in swift pursuit.
+Calhoun breathed freer after the trampling of
+their horses died away in the distance. But he was
+alone, without a horse, and in a strange country.
+He was now thankful that Forrest had not sent
+his credentials with Givens.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning
+<pb n='204'/><anchor id='Pg204'/>into a road which led in the direction which he
+wished to go. All through the night he plodded,
+and when morning came he found he was close to
+a large plantation. He determined to make himself
+known. Placing his revolver in his bosom,
+where he could get it in a moment, he boldly went
+up to the house. Fortunately he met the owner of
+the plantation, who saluted him with, <q>Heah, git
+off of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I
+want no tramps around heah.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder
+he had been mistaken for a disreputable character.
+His night’s walk had made sad havoc with the
+looks of his clothes. The road was muddy, and
+he had fallen down several times. Rather in
+desperation than thinking it would do any good,
+he made the sign of recognition of the Knights
+of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was
+answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who are you? and why do you come in such a
+plight?</q> asked the gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s story was soon told. <q>And you are
+one of Morgan’s men,</q> said the gentleman, whose
+name was Cressey. <q>I have a son with Morgan,</q>
+and he gave his name.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>One of my scouts,</q> replied Calhoun, delighted.
+Calhoun had indeed found a friend, and a place of
+refuge. The next night, with a good horse and
+guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short
+distance from the river. The farmer who owned
+the house was to take a load of produce into Mount
+<pb n='205'/><anchor id='Pg205'/>Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with
+him without exciting suspicion. This was done,
+and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected,
+was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office
+of Judge Worley, and was shown the most pretentious
+law office in the little city. Entering, he inquired
+for the Judge, and was told that he was in
+his private office.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him
+on very important business,</q> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared.
+He returned in a moment and said the Judge would
+see him at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun entered the private office he saw
+seated at a desk a dignified-looking gentleman about
+sixty years of age, who eyed him sharply, and Calhoun
+was sure a look of disappointment came over
+his face. This, then, was the gentleman who
+wished to see him on very important business—hardly
+more than a boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but
+said, in a cold voice: <q>Well, what do you want?
+Be in a hurry, for I am very busy.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was
+looking for. Gulping down his indignation, he
+said: <q>I am just from the South, I was directed to
+come to you, who would prove a friend.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted
+liberty with my name.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a
+<pb n='206'/><anchor id='Pg206'/>pair of steel-gray eyes were trying to read his very
+soul.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is that all?</q> at length continued the Judge.
+<q>I have no time to give you; as I told you, I am
+very busy,</q> and he dismissed his visitor with a
+wave of the hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle. There
+was no recognition; instead a testy, <q>Why don’t
+you go?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s face flamed with anger, but controlling
+himself, he replied: <q>When you receive some
+mail from the South, you may find some dispatches
+from General Forrest which will cause you to treat
+me differently. If such dispatches come, be here in
+your office at nine o’clock to-night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun mentioned <q>mail from the
+South,</q> and <q>General Forrest,</q> the Judge turned
+pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if
+to stop him; but the young man paid no attention
+to the signal, and strode indignantly from the office.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned
+eagerly to a pile of mail which he had just
+received, and which the coming of Calhoun had
+interrupted him in reading. Hurriedly running
+over the letters, he picked out one, and opened it
+with nervous fingers. It was written in cipher.
+Opening a secret drawer in his desk, he took out
+the key to the cipher, and began the translation of
+the dispatch. As he did so, he gave vent to his
+surprise in various exclamations.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='207'/><anchor id='Pg207'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan’s
+staff ... will go by name of W. B. Harrison ... comes
+North to fully investigate conditions.... If
+favorable will invade North.... Pennington
+is member of K. G. C.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Judge laid down the letter and seemed to
+be gazing into vacancy. He was thinking—thinking
+hard. At last he picked up the letter and read
+it through to the end. Then he made preparations
+to go out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I shall not be back again this afternoon,</q> he
+said to his clerk, as he passed out. <q>You can lock
+up the office when you leave. I shall not need you
+this evening.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun called that evening, he was met
+at the door by the Judge, and given a reception
+much different from that he received in the afternoon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am glad to see you, Lieutenant,</q> said the
+Judge, and he raised his hand as if in military
+salute, but was careful not to touch his forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance
+of Judge Worley,</q> replied Calhoun, raising his
+hand as if to shade his eyes from the light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They then advanced and grasped each other by
+the hand, the fore-finger of each resting on the
+pulse of the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nu,</q> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh,</q> responded the Judge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lac,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Nu-oh-lac,</q> they then both said together.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='208'/><anchor id='Pg208'/>
+
+<p>
+Thus were they introduced to each other as
+members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for
+his treatment of Calhoun at their first meeting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The fact is,</q> said the Judge, <q>we are surrounded
+by Lincoln spies on every hand. Some of
+them have gained admittance into the order. One
+cannot be too careful. Then your youth misled
+me. I am now surprised that one so young should
+be selected for so important a <corr sic="quote missing">commission.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No apology is needed,</q> said Calhoun. <q>I
+confess I was indignant at first, but I now see you
+were right in receiving me as you did. Have you
+received General Forrest’s letter yet?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see
+that your name is Calhoun. Have you ever noticed
+our password particularly?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No; you must bear in mind I am a new member.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Read your name backwards,</q> said the Judge,
+with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise:
+<q>Nuohlac! Why, it’s my name spelled backwards.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American
+who ever lived,</q> exclaimed the Judge, with
+enthusiasm. <q><corr sic="quote missing">I</corr> trust that you honor the name.
+Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now.
+What a glorious day it would be for him. But his
+spirit lives—lives, and thank God there is no
+Andrew Jackson in the presidential chair!</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='209'/><anchor id='Pg209'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish
+he had,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller,
+a monster. Seward is the brains of the administration.
+Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the
+Judge, so he changed the subject by asking the
+number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the
+state.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That, under my oath, I cannot give,</q> answered
+the Judge. <q>I see by General Forrest’s letter that
+you have taken only the first degree of the order.
+That entitles you to very little information. It is
+the duty of those who take only this degree to
+obey, not to question. General Forrest advises
+that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible.
+I have already made arrangements to have
+you initiated into the second and third degrees this
+evening. That is as high as we can go here.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it
+was time to go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a
+saloon, the Judge explaining that they had selected
+the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many
+men passing in and out. Calhoun found at least
+fifty men assembled, and when he was introduced
+as one of Morgan’s men, he received a perfect
+ovation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hurrah for John Morgan!</q> shouted one enthusiastic
+member, and the cheers were given with a
+will.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='210'/><anchor id='Pg210'/>
+
+<p>
+Three cheers were then given for Jeff Davis,
+followed by three groans for Abe Lincoln.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was
+this the North? He could well believe he was in
+the heart of the South.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun
+was duly initiated into the second and third
+degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of
+the society; its object was the overthrow of the
+Lincoln government. But resistance to the draft
+was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of
+even the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials,
+was told that to obtain the information which he
+sought, he would have to visit the Grand Commander
+of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton,
+of Springfield. Calhoun marvelled that the head
+officer of such an order should reside under the
+very shadow of the state capitol.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It
+was full of Federal soldiers, and from almost every
+house a United States flag was flying. It did not
+look like a very promising place for opposition to
+the Federal government, but Calhoun afterwards
+learned that the place was honeycombed with members
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with
+the greatest caution, and it was only after he was
+fully satisfied that his visitor was what he represented
+himself to be that the Doctor consented to
+talk.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='211'/><anchor id='Pg211'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Be frank with me,</q> said Calhoun; <q>John Morgan
+is contemplating a raid in the North, and he
+wishes to know whether in that case he can expect
+any aid from this order, and if so to what number.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of
+Morgan making a raid, but said: <q>If you are to be
+given the full information you ask for, you must be
+initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That
+is a degree which but very few take, and can be given
+only with the consent of the Supreme Commander.
+The Grand Commanders of the different states meet
+the Supreme Commander in Canada next Tuesday.
+This is Friday. You had better attend that meeting,
+as your mission is very important.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why meet in Canada?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Because it is safer, and—and we want to meet
+the Supreme Commander of the order.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah! I understand,</q> said Calhoun. <q>Mr. —</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Stop; on your life mention no names! Our
+oaths forbid it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I stand corrected,</q> answered Calhoun, humbly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany
+Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but the Doctor warned
+him that on the cars they must be to each other as
+strangers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>When we reach Detroit,</q> said the Doctor,
+<q>go to the Russell House, and register as from
+Chicago. Write Chicago <q>Chic.</q></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I think I will go through to Chicago this evening,</q>
+said Calhoun; <q>I should like to make some
+<pb n='212'/><anchor id='Pg212'/>investigations there; you can meet me there Monday.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the
+names of half a dozen men in that city whom it
+might be well for him to see. <q>But mind,</q> said
+Warrenton, <q>do not tell any one of Morgan’s contemplated
+raid. That must be a secret.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what
+he saw and learned there surprised him more than
+ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was
+everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded
+that the war be stopped, boastingly proclaimed
+that there would soon be <q>a fire in the
+rear</q> that would bring Lincoln to his senses.
+Resistance to the draft was openly talked on the
+streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret
+move on foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp
+Douglas and burn the city.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>This is proving interesting,</q> thought Calhoun;
+<q>the whole North seems to be a seething volcano,
+ready to burst forth into flames, yet something
+seems to smother the flames.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the
+flames when, representing himself as a young Englishman,
+he asked a Federal officer why the government
+permitted such open talk of treason.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The officer smiled as he answered: <q>It is better
+for them to talk than act. The government has its
+eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets
+them alone. The first overt act will be crushed
+with a heavy hand.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='213'/><anchor id='Pg213'/>
+
+<p>
+Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley
+and Warrenton had told him; that government
+spies were in the order, and that they knew not
+whom to trust. Would the spies of the government
+find out who he was, and his mission? It
+was not a very comforting thought.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="15" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='214'/><anchor id='Pg214'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XV.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!</head>
+
+<p>
+Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton
+was on the train, but they met as
+strangers. When he reached the city and went to
+register at the Russell House, a gentleman was
+carelessly leaning against the desk talking with the
+clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but
+he had caught the word <q>Chic.</q> after his name.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a few moments the gentleman approached
+Calhoun and said: <q>Pardon me, but is not this Mr.
+Harrison of Kentucky?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My name is Harrison,</q> answered Calhoun,
+<q>but if you would examine the register you would
+see I am from Chicago.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Ah, yes, I understand,</q> and he gave the secret
+sign of the order. <q>Come,</q> he continued, <q>and
+let me introduce you to some friends.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He led the way to a room where there were
+several gentlemen seated smoking and talking,
+among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm
+greeting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have been telling them about you,</q> said
+Warrenton, <q>and they are all anxious to meet
+you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each
+member of the party. There was Wrightman of
+<pb n='215'/><anchor id='Pg215'/>New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri,
+Bullock of Kentucky, and others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You don’t tell me you are the son of my old
+friend, Judge Pennington, of Danville,</q> asked
+Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The very same,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant
+Pennington,</q> exclaimed Mr. Bullock, addressing
+those present. <q>I will vouch for him with my
+life. Let’s see, your name is now—</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Harrison for the present,</q> answered Calhoun,
+with a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party had no trouble in getting across the
+river, and that night there was a meeting in Windsor
+which boded ill for the Federal government.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Supreme Commander of the order was a
+gentleman in the full vigor of manhood. He was
+polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every
+action showed that he was accustomed to command.
+Behind it all Calhoun thought that he detected the
+signs of an inordinate ambition—an ambition which
+would stop for nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Isn’t he grand,</q> whispered Dr. Warrenton to
+Calhoun. <q>A fit representative to wear the mantle
+of your great namesake.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr,</q> thought
+Calhoun, but he wisely did not give expression to
+his thought. The object of Calhoun’s coming was
+fully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous
+vote, that he should receive the fourth degree,
+<pb n='216'/><anchor id='Pg216'/>and thus be entitled to all the information which
+he wished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun
+was now certain he was among a band of conspirators
+who would stop at nothing to achieve their
+ends.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is this the highest of the degrees?</q> asked
+Calhoun, when he was through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party exchanged meaning glances, and then
+the Supreme Commander said: <q>There is one more
+degree, but it is given only to the highest officers
+in the order, and would not be of the least advantage
+to you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was certain there was something which
+those present did not wish him to know—some
+object which they wished to keep secret.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The number of members in the order was now
+given to Calhoun. The figures astounded him. In
+Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in
+Missouri fifty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and
+twenty thousand, in Indiana one hundred thousand,
+in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East the
+order was not so numerous. This seemed strange
+to Calhoun, for he thought that New York especially
+would be fertile ground for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How many of these men are armed?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The answer was: <q>In Missouri nearly all, in
+Illinois fifty thousand, in Indiana forty thousand,
+in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Gentlemen,</q> exclaimed Calhoun, with
+consid<pb n='217'/><anchor id='Pg217'/>erable warmth, <q>if these figures are correct, why
+have you not arisen before this, and hurled the
+Lincoln government from power? Pardon me, but
+it looks like timidity. The North is denuded of
+men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is what I have insisted on,</q> cried Mr.
+Bowman, of Indiana, jumping to his feet in his
+excitement. <q>I say strike, strike now! We of
+Indiana are ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners
+in Northern prison pens! We have arms for
+them. If necessary, give every Northern city over
+to the flames.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Brother Bowman forgets,</q> answered the Supreme
+Commander, <q>that our forces are scattered;
+that if we attempt to concentrate, the government
+will take alarm and crush us. At present we have
+to work in secret.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?</q>
+asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That would be different,</q> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What if you should be successful in your
+plans?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Let the South go free. We firmly believe
+in the doctrine of States’ Rights,</q> was the
+answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Would your states cast their lot with the
+South?</q> asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again there were meaning glances among the
+leaders. <q>It is yet too early to answer that question,</q>
+slowly replied the Supreme Commander,
+<q>or even to discuss it. The overthrow of the
+pres<pb n='218'/><anchor id='Pg218'/>ent Abolition government and the independence of
+the South is now our object.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun
+resolved to find out, and he did.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conference at Windsor was over. It was
+resolved that the order should everywhere be
+strengthened, and that it should strike at the first
+favorable opportunity. That opportunity would
+come at once, should the North be invaded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio,
+from there to Dayton, the home of Vallandigham.
+He found that that gentleman was the idol of that
+section. They wanted him to come home. They
+swore they would defend him with their lives. The
+whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federal
+government.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of
+talking with all classes of citizens. He especially
+tried to get at the feelings of the humbler members
+of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they
+joined the order, and what they proposed doing.
+All the information he gleaned he treasured up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis,
+where he was to meet Mr. Bowman. He
+found Indiana much better organized than any
+of the other states. Bowman was enthusiastic,
+and he seemed to hate the Lincoln government
+with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to
+achieve his ends. But the especial object of his
+hatred was Governor Morton.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I want to live long enough,</q> he said, <q>to see
+<pb n='219'/><anchor id='Pg219'/>that tyrant hanged for trampling on the constitution
+of the state.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great
+dread of Morton. They declared he had a way of
+finding out every secret of the order. If he had
+not been thoroughly guarded, his life would not
+have been worth a farthing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was taken into the country, where he
+witnessed the drilling of two or three companies of
+Knights. These meetings always took place at
+night, in some secret place, and sentinels were
+posted to guard against surprise. Calhoun talked
+with many of the members to get their ideas and
+to find out what they wished to accomplish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What do you think?</q> asked Bowman of Calhoun,
+after they had returned to Indianapolis.
+<q>I have forty thousand of those fellows.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will they fight?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Fight? Of course they will fight,</q> was the
+answer. <q>Let Morgan get into the state, and you
+will see.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy
+farmer named Jones, who lived near Corydon. He
+had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and
+boasted of the number of Knights in his part of the
+state.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists
+from the earth,</q> he exclaimed, boastingly, <q>and
+hang Old Abe, and Morton too.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What would you do if Morgan came?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='220'/><anchor id='Pg220'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell
+until I was hoarse,</q> was the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What if Morgan should want some of your
+horses?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Jones’s countenance fell. At length he
+mumbled, <q>Of course he would pay me for them?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Of course,</q> replied Calhoun, in a tone which
+the old gentleman did not quite understand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis
+Bowman told him Morton was to hold a
+reception, and asked him if he would not like to
+attend and see the great War Governor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a
+desire to see the man of whom he had heard so
+much—a man who had the majority of his legislature
+against him, yet held the state as in the hollow
+of his hand—a man who borrowed hundreds of
+thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers
+of his state might be thoroughly equipped.
+He had overcome every difficulty, and held his
+state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands
+of the citizens of the state secretly plotting against
+him, he moved serenely along the path he had
+marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe
+measures, he knew when, and when not, to make an
+arrest. He avoided angering his enemies except
+when the public safety demanded it. His very
+name caused every member of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun think
+that when he promised to attend the governor’s
+reception that Morton’s detectives were already
+<pb n='221'/><anchor id='Pg221'/>looking for him. The renewed activity of the
+Knights had aroused the Governor’s suspicions, and
+he was not long in finding out the cause. To locate
+and arrest the Southern officer who was causing the
+ferment, was his order to his detectives.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A large crowd attended the reception, and in
+such a gathering Calhoun felt in no danger. He
+saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive
+head and brain. He looked every inch the
+intellectual giant that he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The grandest figure,</q> thought Calhoun, <q>that
+I have seen in the North. He is a man to beware
+of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun, passing along in the throng,
+took the Governor’s hand, Morton bent his piercing
+look upon him, and the question came as if shot
+out of his mouth, <q>Where from, young man?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun
+off his guard, and almost involuntarily he answered,
+<q>From Kentucky.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down
+there?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was himself again. <q>Of course,</q> he
+answered, <q>we are greatly divided in that state, but
+all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it from the
+Union.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Good, pass on,</q> and the Governor turned to
+the next in line.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But a feeling as of impending danger took possession
+of Calhoun. Why that question to him?
+He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he
+<pb n='222'/><anchor id='Pg222'/>was suspected? Forcing his way through the
+throng, he got out of the building as soon as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was well that he did so, for hardly had the
+Governor let go Calhoun’s hand, when he motioned
+to General Carrington, and whispered to
+him: <q>Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly
+as possible, but see he does not get away. He is
+the Southern officer we have been looking for, I
+am sure. I have a full description of him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Carrington in turn whispered to a
+couple of quiet-looking men, dressed in citizen’s
+clothes who stood near the Governor. They
+nodded, and started after Calhoun, who was now
+nearly lost to view in the crowd.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once out of the building Calhoun found that
+hundreds of spectators had gathered out of curiosity.
+They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton,
+and shouting for the Union, and some were
+singing, <q>We’ll hang Jeff Davis on a sour-apple
+tree.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he
+reached the outer edge of the circle. Here groups
+of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.
+Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it
+was plain they were not enjoying the proceedings.
+Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy
+hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice
+said: <q>You are our prisoner; better come quietly
+and make no disturbance.</q> And in a trice Calhoun
+felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He
+<pb n='223'/><anchor id='Pg223'/>was powerless in the iron grip by which he was
+held; if help there was, it must come from the outside.
+</p>
+<p>
+<q>Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife.
+It fell on the astonished ears of hundreds who did
+not understand it. But to those groups of silent,
+sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet,
+summoning them to duty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oho ne! Oho ne!</q> they answered, and before
+the surprised officers could draw a weapon, could
+raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten
+down, and their prisoner snatched from them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers
+came on the run, with fixed bayonets, scattering
+the crowd right and left. But when they reached
+the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and
+bleeding officers. They could only say they had
+been set upon, knocked down, and their prisoner
+taken from them. By whom they did not know,
+for it was dark, and the crowd had dispersed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself
+grasped by the arm, and a voice whispered, <q>Follow
+me, quick!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his
+guide. In the shadow of buildings, through dark
+alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of
+the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there.
+They stopped running, both exhausted, their breath
+coming in quick gasps.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus08"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus08.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus08.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.</head>
+<figDesc>INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+<q>We are safe now,</q> said the guide, <q>but it was
+<pb n='224'/><anchor id='Pg224'/>a close shave for you. What did they arrest you
+for?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>To hang me,</q> answered Calhoun, with a
+shudder. <q>I am a Confederate officer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I thought you must be some big gun, or old
+Morton wouldn’t have tried to arrest you in that
+crowd; but don’t worry, you are all right now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His guide, whose name proved to be Randall,
+soon came to a house which he said was his home,
+<q>and,</q> he exclaimed, <q>none of Abe Lincoln’s minions
+will ever find you here. I have sheltered more
+than one escaped Confederate prisoner from that
+infernal pen out there called Camp Morton. It
+should be called Camp Hades.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown
+a room. <q>Sleep soundly, and without fear,</q> said
+Mr. Randall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to
+sleep he did not forget to return thanks for his
+escape, and he also had a great deal more respect for
+the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had
+before. The next morning the papers came out
+with a full description of Calhoun, telling of his
+escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The
+article ended with the announcement that so
+important did the government consider his person
+that a reward of one thousand dollars would be
+paid for his recapture. Calhoun now knew that
+his work was done in the North. The only thing
+that remained for him was to get out of it as
+secretly as possible.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='225'/><anchor id='Pg225'/>
+
+<p>
+Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the
+city concealed in a farmer’s wagon. He was passed
+on from the hands of one true Knight to another,
+and at the end of three days he found himself on
+the banks of the Ohio, a few miles above Madison.
+In the darkness of the night he was rowed over,
+and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native
+state. In his ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground,
+for was it not the soil of Kentucky?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the house of a true Southerner he found
+refuge. His measure was taken into Carrolton,
+where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing
+a horse of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he
+bade him good-bye, and sprang into the saddle.
+The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed
+with the beauty which we ascribe to the Golden
+City. In the midst of the gold hung the new
+moon like a silver bow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>See! see!</q> cried Calhoun, <q>the new moon, I
+saw it over my right shoulder. It means good
+luck.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And while the happy omen still gleamed in the
+west, he galloped away.
+</p>
+</div><div type="chapter" n="16" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='226'/><anchor id='Pg226'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XVI.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.</head>
+
+<p>
+By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the
+towns, Calhoun had no trouble in making his
+way back into Tennessee. He had been gone
+nearly a month, and was glad to see his old command,
+who gave him a royal welcome. He was
+showered with questions as to where he had been,
+but to each and every one he would laugh and say,
+<q>Be glad to tell you, boys, but can’t.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thought you had deserted us,</q> said his scouts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not till death,</q> replied Calhoun. <q>I was on
+a secret mission. The General knows where I was.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It’s all right then, but mark my word, there
+will be some deviltry going on shortly,</q> one of
+them remarked, sagely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As General Breckinridge was greatly interested,
+Calhoun did not make his report until that General
+could meet with Morgan. Then Calhoun gave a
+detailed account of all he had seen and heard. He
+was listened to with breathless attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>His report agrees perfectly with all I have
+heard,</q> remarked Breckinridge, much pleased. <q>I
+have had a dozen different agents in the North, and
+they all agree.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But you have not given us your own conclusions,
+Lieutenant,</q> said Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='227'/><anchor id='Pg227'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>It might seem presumptuous in me,</q> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>By no means; let us hear it,</q> replied both
+generals.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun, thus entreated, gave the conclusions he
+had formed, not from what had been told him by
+the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but
+from his own observations. He was listened to
+with evident interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Your conclusions seem to be at utter variance
+with all that was told you, and every fact given,</q>
+said Breckinridge. <q>You admit that dissatisfaction
+in the Democratic party is almost universal over the
+way the war is being conducted; you say that we
+have not been deceived regarding the numbers of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, that there are
+eighty thousand of the order in Indiana alone, of
+whom forty thousand are armed; as you know,
+every member of that order has taken an oath not
+to take up arms against the South; that they
+believe in states’ rights; that they will resist by
+force the tyranny of the Federal government; and
+yet you say it is your belief that if General Morgan
+should invade the state, not a hand would be raised
+to help him. I cannot understand it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will try to make myself plain,</q> said Calhoun.
+<q rend="post: none">The Democratic party is sick and tired of
+the war, and want it stopped. They believe we
+can never be whipped, and in that they are right.
+But they love the Union, revere the old flag. They
+indulge the vain hope that if the war were stopped,
+<pb n='228'/><anchor id='Pg228'/>the Union might be restored. We know how foolish
+that hope is. I speak of the rank and file.
+Many of their leaders are notoriously disloyal, but
+they deceive the people with fine words. They
+make the party believe that if the Republican party
+were only defeated, things would be as they were.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q rend="post: none">As to the Knights of the Golden Circle, the
+great mass who join it are told it is only a secret
+political society. They scarcely comprehend its
+oaths; they are kept in ignorance of the real
+motives of the order. These Knights hate the
+party in power with a bitter hatred. They are
+friendly to the South, believe we are right; but
+mark my word, they will not fight for us. They
+are armed, but their idea is to resist the draft. Go
+among them to-day, and not one in a thousand
+would enlist to fight in the Southern army. Fighting
+is the last thing they want to do for either side.
+For these reasons I conclude that if General Morgan
+invaded Indiana he would receive no direct aid
+from the Knights of the Golden Circle. I confess
+these conclusions are entirely different from what
+the leaders told me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>As for the leaders, they are heart and soul with
+us. They want us to succeed. If they dared they
+would rise in revolt to-morrow. They are doing
+all they can, without open resort to arms, to
+have us succeed. But they are a band of conspirators.
+They want us to succeed, because they want
+utterly to destroy the Federal Union. They want
+to break loose and form a Northwest Confederacy.
+<pb n='229'/><anchor id='Pg229'/>They dare not tell their followers this, but it is
+what they are working for.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun had stated his opinion, both
+Breckinridge and Morgan asked him many questions.
+He was then dismissed. Unknown to Calhoun
+there were three or four other Southern
+officers present, who had also been in the North.
+They were called in, and questioned on the points
+raised by Calhoun. Every one differed with him.
+They believed that if an opportunity were presented
+the Knights would rise almost to a man at the call
+of their leaders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Breckinridge and Morgan held an earnest consultation.
+Morgan was greatly disappointed over
+Calhoun’s report, for he had set his heart on making
+a raid into Indiana and Ohio. He believed it
+would be the greatest triumph of his life, and with
+the Northwest in open revolt, the independence of
+the South would be assured.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Pennington must be mistaken,</q>
+said Breckinridge. <q>My acquaintance in the North
+is extensive, and I believe my friends there will do
+just as they say they will.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before Morgan and Breckinridge parted, it was
+fully agreed that Morgan should make the raid.
+But when the subject was broached to Bragg, that
+general absolutely refused to sanction it. He gave
+Morgan permission to make a raid into Kentucky
+and capture Louisville if possible. That was as far
+as he would go, and even with that object in view,
+he limited Morgan’s force to two thousand.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='230'/><anchor id='Pg230'/>
+
+<p>
+Morgan apparently acquiesced in this decision of
+his commander; but in his heart he resolved to
+disobey if, when he neared Louisville, he found
+conditions at all favorable for the invasion of
+Indiana.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Some time had passed since Morgan had made
+a raid, and the news that they were again to ride
+north, probably clear to Louisville, was welcomed
+by the rough riders. To them a raid was but a holiday.
+It did not take Morgan long to prepare. His
+men were always ready to move. <q>To Louisville,</q>
+was the cry, <q>we want to call on George D.,</q>
+meaning George D. Prentice, the editor of the
+Louisville <hi rend='italic'>Journal</hi>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all probability few men in the Confederate
+army knew that Morgan was on another raid, until
+he was well on his way. This time he entered
+Kentucky farther east than was his custom, and the
+first intimation the Federals had that he was in the
+state, he was crossing the Cumberland River at
+Burkesville. This was on the second day of July.
+The alarm was given. The frenzied Federals telegraphed
+right and left for troops to head off
+Morgan. It was thought that he intended to strike
+the Louisville and Nashville Railroad again at his
+favorite place—Bacon Creek. General Judah hurried
+from Tompkinsville with a brigade to head
+him off, but his advance under General Hobson
+was struck at Marrowbone, and hurled back. This
+left Morgan an open road to Columbia, and that
+place fell an easy prey on the 3d.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='231'/><anchor id='Pg231'/>
+
+<p>
+Leaving General Hobson to pursue Morgan,
+General Judah hurried back to Glasgow to bring
+up another brigade. But General Judah never
+overtook Morgan until days afterwards, and then
+he caught him at Buffington Island.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Hobson, he stuck to Morgan’s trail as an
+Indian sticks to the trail of his enemy. He followed
+him all through Kentucky, all through Indiana,
+all through Ohio, never but a few hours behind,
+yet never in striking distance until Buffington Island
+was reached.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After leaving the forces of Judah and Hobson in
+the rear, Morgan had nearly an open road to Louisville.
+The 4th found him at the crossing of Green
+River on the road between Columbia and Campbellsville.
+Here a portion of the Twenty-fifth
+Michigan, under Colonel Moore, was strongly fortified,
+and a charge made by Morgan was bloodily
+repulsed. As both Judah and Hobson were close
+in his rear, it would take too much time to bring
+these determined men to terms, and so Morgan,
+much to his regret, was forced to leave them, and
+pass on. The 5th of July found him at Lebanon.
+The garrison under Colonel Hanson fought desperately,
+but was forced to capitulate, and Lebanon
+with all its stores and three hundred and fifty
+prisoners was again in Morgan’s hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next day found him at Bardstown, where
+twenty-five men of the Fourth Regular Cavalry,
+under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Sullivan,
+threw themselves into a livery stable, strongly
+<pb n='232'/><anchor id='Pg232'/>fortified it, and refused to surrender. Here Morgan
+made a mistake. He should have left them
+and passed on; but angered that he should be
+defied by so few men, he determined to capture
+them and it delayed him twenty-four precious
+hours. So enraged were his men over what they
+considered the obstinacy of the brave little band,
+that they began to misuse the prisoners, but Morgan
+stopped them, saying: <q>The damned Yankees
+ought to be complimented on their pluck.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Never, in any of his raids, had Morgan met with
+so fierce resistance as on this one. Cut to the
+quick by the numerous criticisms which had been
+published in Northern papers, that cowardice
+prompted nearly every one of the surrenders to
+Morgan, these troops fought long after prudence
+should have caused them to surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Bardstown Morgan moved to Shepherdsville.
+He was now within striking distance of
+Louisville. Here it was that he fully decided, if he
+had not done so before, upon the invasion of
+Indiana, instead of attempting the capture of Louisville.
+At Shepherdsville he was on the Louisville
+and Nashville Railroad, where a long bridge spans
+the Salt River. But he did not stop to capture the
+garrison which guarded the bridge, nor did he
+attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead,
+he rode straight west, and on the 9th was in Brandenburg.
+Before him rolled the Ohio River, beyond
+lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time
+he had led his men clear to the Ohio River. The
+<pb n='233'/><anchor id='Pg233'/>sight of Yankee land aroused them to the utmost
+enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross
+if ten thousand foes had opposed them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg
+with instructions to sweep through the place, stopping
+for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
+which might be at the landing. This he did. Far
+in advance of the main body, he galloped into the
+town, to the astonishment and dismay of its citizens.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two small steamboats were lying at the landing,
+and before the terrorized crews could cut the hawsers
+and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
+men were on board and the boats were theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The means of crossing the river were now in
+Morgan’s hands. But a fresh danger arose. A
+gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville
+and opened fire. Morgan brought every piece
+of his artillery into action, and for two hours the
+battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited,
+withdrew and went back to Louisville, leaving the
+way open. There was now nothing to prevent
+Morgan from crossing the river.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="17" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='234'/><anchor id='Pg234'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XVII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.</head>
+
+<p>
+Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan,
+as he sat on his horse that July day,
+and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river.
+Beyond lay the fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan
+of his hopes. Should he go in and possess? The
+waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the
+means of crossing. Before him all was calm,
+peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite bank to
+oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops.
+Behind him were thousands of angry Federals in
+swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go ahead than
+to turn back?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Cæsar stood on the bank of the Rubicon
+debating what to do, so did Morgan stand on the
+bank of the Ohio. Like Cæsar, if he once took
+the step, he must abide the consequences. But if
+there was any hesitation in the mind of Morgan, he
+did not hesitate long. <q>Cross over,</q> was the order
+which he gave. <q>We shall soon know,</q> he said
+to Calhoun, <q>whether they are friends or foes over
+there; whether the forty thousand Knights who
+were so anxious for me to come will appear or
+not.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana and
+Ohio by Morgan seems like sheer madness. He
+<pb n='235'/><anchor id='Pg235'/>had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
+the states which he invaded had millions of population.
+But he had reasons to believe that thousands
+of that population were friendly to him, would welcome
+him with gladness. When he so nearly
+escaped though no hand was raised to help him,
+what would he have accomplished if only a few
+thousand had come to his relief? That there were
+thousands in the two states who would have flocked
+gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is
+no doubt. But the hand of the government was
+too strong for them to resist. The fires of loyalty
+burned too fiercely to be quenched by them.
+With all their boasted strength, the Knights of the
+Golden Circle were powerless when the supreme
+moment came.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The order to cross the river was hailed with
+enthusiasm by every man in Morgan’s command.
+Where they were going they knew not, cared not;
+they would go where their gallant leader led. He
+had never failed them, he would not fail them now.
+They knew only that they were to invade the land
+of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to
+be brought home to the North as it had been to the
+South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused the
+blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his
+veins. He had been full of doubts; he trembled for
+the results if that river were once passed. He had
+been through the North and noted her resources,
+how terribly in earnest her people were that the
+Union should be saved. What if there were
+thou<pb n='236'/><anchor id='Pg236'/>sands of traitors in their midst? There were
+enough loyal men left to crush them. What if the
+state of Indiana was honeycombed with camps of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of
+the Union League were fully as numerous. He
+now forgot all these things. Did not the Knights
+come to his relief in his hour of sore distress?
+Surely they would not forget their oaths, when
+Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air, and
+shouted, <q>Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will
+cross over and possess it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The order to cross once given, was obeyed with
+alacrity. In an incredibly short time the three
+thousand men and horses were ferried across the
+river.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Burn the boats,</q> was Morgan’s order.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped
+them in their fiery embrace, lo! on the other side
+came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like beasts
+baffled of their prey, they could only stand and
+gnash their teeth in their rage. Between them and
+Morgan rolled the river, and they had no means of
+crossing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why don’t you come across, Yanks?</q> Morgan’s
+men shouted in derision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Got any word you want to send to your
+mammy? We are going to see her,</q> they mockingly
+cried.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And thus with taunt and laugh and hurrah,
+Morgan’s men rode away, leaving their enemies
+standing helpless on the farther bank.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='237'/><anchor id='Pg237'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Twenty miles to Corydon,</q> said Calhoun, as
+he galloped with his scouts to the front to take the
+advance. <q>I wonder if I shall meet my friend
+Jones, and whether, when he sees us, he will throw
+his hat on high, and give us a royal welcome? If
+he spoke the truth, the bells of Corydon will ring a
+joyful peal when the people see us coming, and we
+shall be greeted with waving flags, and find hundreds
+of sturdy Knights ready to join us.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But in that twenty miles not a single waving flag
+did Calhoun see, not a single shout of welcome did
+he hear. Instead, the inhabitants seemed to be in
+an agony of fear. They met only decrepit old men
+and white-faced women and children. Not a single
+cup of cold water was freely offered them in that
+twenty miles. If Calhoun could only have seen the
+welcome given Hobson’s men the day after as they
+came over the same road, the flags that were
+waved, the shouts of welcome that greeted them,
+how women and children stood by the roadside
+with cooling water and dainty food to give them,
+and sent their prayers after them—if Calhoun could
+have seen all these things, his heart would have
+sunk, and he would have known that there was no
+welcome for Morgan’s men in Indiana.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But he was soon to have a ruder awakening.
+As he neared Corydon, he and his scouts were
+greeted with a volley, and sixteen of his men went
+down. The raid for them was over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Charge!</q> shouted Calhoun, and like a whirlwind
+he and his men were on the little band of
+<pb n='238'/><anchor id='Pg238'/>home guards, who thought they could withstand
+Morgan’s whole force.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few brief minutes the fight was over, and
+on the sod lay several motionless figures. In spite
+of himself, Calhoun could not help thinking of
+Lexington and the farmer minute men who met
+Pitcairn and his red-coats on that April morning in
+1775. Were not these men of Corydon as brave?
+Did they not deserve a monument as much? He
+tried to dismiss the thought as unworthy, but it
+stayed with him for a long time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A short distance beyond Corydon stood a fine
+house, which, with all its surroundings, showed
+it to be the dwelling of a rich and prosperous
+farmer. When Calhoun came up, the owner, bareheaded
+and greatly excited, was engaged in controversy
+with one of Calhoun’s scouts who had just
+appropriated a fine ham from the farmer’s smoke-house
+and was busily engaged in tying it to his
+saddle-bow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You have no business to take my property
+without paying for it!</q> the farmer was saying,
+angrily. <q>I am a friend of the South; I have
+opposed the war from the beginning.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Seeing Calhoun, and noticing he was an officer,
+the farmer rushed up to him, crying, <q>Stop them!
+Stop them! they are stealing my property!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, I declare, if it isn’t my old friend Jones!</q>
+exclaimed Calhoun. <q>How do you do, Mr. Jones?
+Where are those five hundred armed Knights
+who you said would meet us here? Where is
+<pb n='239'/><anchor id='Pg239'/>your hat, that you are not throwing it high in air?
+Why are you not shouting hallelujahs over our
+coming?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jones had stopped and was staring at Calhoun
+with open mouth and bulging eyes. <q>Bless my
+soul,</q> he at length managed to stammer, <q>if it
+isn’t Mr. Harrison!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Lieutenant Pennington, at your service. But,
+Jones, where are those Knights of the Golden Circle
+you promised would join us here?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jones hung his head. <q>We—we didn’t expect
+you to come so soon,</q> he managed to answer; <q>we
+didn’t have time to rally.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mr. Jones, you told me this whole country
+would welcome us as liberators. They did welcome
+us back there in Corydon, but it was with lead.
+Sixteen of our men were killed and wounded. Mr.
+Jones, there will be several funerals for you to
+attend in Corydon.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It must be some of those Union Leaguers,</q>
+exclaimed Mr. Jones. <q>Glad they were killed;
+they threatened to hang me the other day.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>They were heroes, compared to you!</q> hotly
+exclaimed Calhoun. <q>You and your cowardly
+Knights can plot in secret, stab in the dark, curse
+your government, but when it comes to fighting
+like men you are a pack of cowardly curs.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mr. Jones hardly heard this fierce Phillipic;
+his eyes were fixed on his smoke-house, which was
+being entered by some more of the soldiers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Won’t you stop them,</q> he cried, wringing his
+<pb n='240'/><anchor id='Pg240'/>hands; <q>they will take it all! Why, you are a
+pack of thieves!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Boys, don’t enter or disturb anything in the
+house,</q> cried Calhoun, turning to his men, <q>but
+take anything out of doors you can lay your hands
+on; horses, everything.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men dispersed with a shout to carry out the
+order. Calhoun left Mr. Jones in the road jumping
+up and down, tearing his hair and shouting at the
+top of his voice, <q>I am going to vote for Abe Lincoln.
+I am—I am, if I am damned for it!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all probability Morgan’s raid in Indiana and
+Ohio made more than one vote for old Abe. Of
+all the thousands of Knights of the Golden Circle
+in Indiana and Ohio, not one took his rifle to
+join Morgan, not one raised his hand to help him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In speaking of this to General Shackelford, who
+captured him, Morgan said, bitterly: <q>Since I
+have crossed the Ohio I have not seen a single
+friendly face. Every man, woman, and child I
+have met has been my enemy; every hill-top a
+telegraph station to herald my coming; every bush
+an ambush to conceal a foe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The people who lived along the route pursued
+by Morgan will never forget his raid. What happened
+has been told and retold a thousand times
+around the fireside, and the story will be handed
+down not only to their children, but to their children’s
+children. Morgan was everywhere proclaimed
+as a thief and a robber. They forgot that
+he had to subsist at the expense of the country,
+<pb n='241'/><anchor id='Pg241'/>and that he had to take horses to replace those of
+his own which had broken down. Not only that,
+but it was life to him to sweep the country through
+which he passed clear of horses, that his pursuers
+might not get them. The Federals in pursuit
+took horses as readily as Morgan’s men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Those who proclaim Morgan a thief and a robber
+sing with gusto <q>Marching through Georgia,</q>
+and tell how <q>the sweet potatoes started from the
+ground.</q> They forget how Sheridan, the greatest
+cavalry leader of the Federal army, boasted he had
+made the lovely Shenandoah Valley such a waste
+that a crow would starve to death flying over it.
+The Southern people look upon Sherman and
+Sheridan as the people of Ohio and Indiana look
+upon Morgan. These generals were not inhuman;
+they simply practised war. It is safe to say that
+less private property was destroyed in Morgan’s raid
+in Indiana and Ohio than in any other raid of equal
+magnitude made by either side during the war.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One can now see by reading the dispatches the
+panic and terror caused by Morgan in this raid.
+From Cairo, Illinois, to Wheeling, West Virginia,
+the Federals were in a panic, for they knew not
+which way Morgan would turn, or where he would
+strike. From the entire length of the Ohio, the
+people were wildly calling on the government to
+send troops to protect them from Morgan. There
+were fears and trembling as far north as Indianapolis.
+Governor Tod, of Ohio, declared martial
+law through the southern part of his state, and
+<pb n='242'/><anchor id='Pg242'/>called on Morton to do the same for Indiana. But
+Morton, cooler, more careful, and looking farther
+ahead as to what might be the effect of such a
+measure, wisely refused to do so.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Corydon Morgan rode north to Salem.
+The Federals now thought for sure that Indianapolis
+was his objective point, but from Salem he turned
+northeast and swept through the state, touching
+or passing through in his route the counties of
+Jackson, Scott, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, and
+Dearborn, passing into Ohio, in the northwest
+corner of Hamilton County, almost within sight of
+the great city of Cincinnati. Turning north, he
+entered Butler County. Here, as in Indiana, he
+met only the scowling faces of enemies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And here is where they worship Vallandigham!</q>
+exclaimed Calhoun, passionately. <q>Here is
+where they told me almost every man belonged to
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, and that the
+whole county would welcome us. Here is where
+even the Democratic party meet in open convention,
+pass resolutions in favor of the South, denounce
+Lincoln as a monster and tyrant, and demand that
+the war cease at once and the South go free, saying
+they will support no man for office who in the
+least way favors the war. And now not a word of
+welcome, not a single hand reached out in aid.
+Oh! the cowards! the cowards!</q><note place="foot">This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864.</note>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan made no bitter reply, but said. <q>You
+warned us, Lieutenant, how it would be. I have
+<pb n='243'/><anchor id='Pg243'/>expected no aid since the first day we entered Indiana.
+But with God’s help we shall yet escape from
+our foes. Oh, if my gallant men were across the
+Ohio once more! It is only that river which stands
+in between us and safety. There is now no hope
+of securing a steamboat. But at Buffington Island
+the river is shoal, and can be forded. If we can
+reach Buffington Island before our enemies, we
+can laugh at our pursuers.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And for Buffington Island Morgan headed,
+threatening each place along the way, to keep the
+Federals guessing where he would attempt to cross.
+Like a whirlwind he swept through the counties of
+Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Pike, Jackson,
+Gallia, Meigs, brushing aside like so many flies the
+militia which tried to impede his progress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The goal was nearly reached. Hobson was half
+a day behind, still trailing, still following like a
+bloodhound. The Confederates knew of no force
+in front except militia. Safety was before them.
+The river once passed, Morgan would have performed
+the greatest exploit of the war. His men
+were already singing songs of triumph, for the
+river was in sight. Night came on, but they
+marched through the darkness, to take position. In
+the gray of the morning they would sweep aside
+the militia and cross over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the morning a heavy fog hung over river and
+land, as if the sun were afraid to look down upon
+the scene to be enacted. In the gloom, Colonel
+Duke and the dashing Huffman formed their
+com<pb n='244'/><anchor id='Pg244'/>mands and moved to the attack. They were received
+with a fire which surprised them, coming as they
+supposed from militia. But with loud cheers they
+swept forward, and the Federals were forced back,
+leaving a piece of artillery. A little farther and the
+ford would be won; then there came a crashing
+volley, mingled with the thunder of artillery, and
+they saw before them, not militia, but long lines of
+blue-coated veterans. General Judah’s brigade had
+been transported up the river in steamboats, and
+landed at Pomeroy. They had marched all night,
+and were now in possession of the ford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In vain the gallant Duke and Huffman struggled
+against that force. They were driven back. Flight
+was to be resumed up the river, when couriers
+came dashing in with the news that Hobson was
+up. They were hemmed in. There was one place
+yet, a path through the woods, by which a few
+could escape, if the Federal force could be held
+back for a time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go!</q> cried Duke to Morgan, <q>and I will hold
+them until you are gone.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go!</q> cried Huffman, faint and bleeding from
+a wound, <q>and I will stay and help Colonel Duke.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go!</q> cried Calhoun, <q>if you are saved I care
+not for myself.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then there arose a storm of protests. Who
+could so well guard and protect the chief as Calhoun
+and his scouts? And so, against Morgan’s
+will, Calhoun went with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Come, then, we will clear the way,</q> Calhoun
+<pb n='245'/><anchor id='Pg245'/>cried to his scouts, and before the way was closed,
+six hundred men with Morgan had escaped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hemmed in on every side, the Confederates
+fought as only desperate men can fight; but as
+soon as it was known that Morgan was well away,
+Duke and Huffman, and with them many other
+gallant officers, saw it would be madness to fight
+longer, and with breaking hearts they surrendered
+to their exultant foes. Then it was that some two
+or three hundred, in spite of shot and shell, in
+spite of the leaden hail which fell around them,
+plunged down the bank into the river. The bodies
+of many floated down, their life blood reddening the
+water. The current swept many a steed and rider
+down, and they were seen no more. A few there
+were who struggled through to safety, and these
+were all that escaped of the thousands that crossed
+the Ohio at Brandenburg.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="18" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='246'/><anchor id='Pg246'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XVIII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.</head>
+
+<p>
+What Morgan’s thoughts were, what his
+hopes were, as he rode away from that fatal
+field at Buffington Island, no one knows. With
+him rode six hundred, all that were left of three
+thousand. He could have had no thoughts of
+attempting to cross the Ohio anywhere near Buffington
+Island, for he rode almost due north. It may
+have been he thought that he might cross near
+Wheeling or higher up, and escape into the mountains
+of Western Pennsylvania; or as a last resort,
+he might reach Lake Erie, seize a steamboat, and
+escape to Canada. Whatever he thought, north he
+rode, through the most populous counties of Ohio.
+And what a ride was that for six hundred men!
+Foes everywhere; Home Guards springing up at
+every corner; no rest day or night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Close in his rear thundered the legions of General
+Shackelford, a Kentuckian as brave, as fearless, as
+tireless as Morgan himself. But in spite of all
+opposition, in spite of foes gathering on right and
+left and in front, Morgan rode on, sweeping
+through the counties of Meigs, Vinton, Hocking,
+Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey,
+Belmont, Harrison, Jefferson, until he reached
+Columbiana County, where the end came.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='247'/><anchor id='Pg247'/>
+
+<p>
+At almost every hour during this ride the six
+hundred grew less. Men fell from their horses in
+exhaustion. They slept as they rode, keeping to
+their saddles as by instinct. The terrible strain
+told on every one. The men grew haggard, emaciated.
+When no danger threatened, they rode as
+dead men, but once let a rifle crack in front, and
+their sluggish blood would flow like fire through
+their veins, their eyes would kindle with the excitement
+of battle, and they would be Morgan’s fierce
+raiders once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Calhoun, it seemed as if he never slept,
+never tired. It was as if his frame were made of
+iron. Where danger threatened there he was.
+He was foremost in every charge. It looked as if
+he bore a charmed life. The day before the end
+came he was scouting on a road, parallel to the
+one on which the main body was travelling. Hearing
+shots, he took a cross-road, and galloped at full
+speed to see what was the trouble. A small
+party of Home Guards were retreating at full
+speed; one far in advance of the others was making
+frantic efforts to urge his horse to greater speed.
+Calhoun saw that he could cut him off, and he
+did so, reaching the road just as he came abreast
+of it. So intent was the fellow on getting away he
+did not notice Calhoun until brought to a stand by
+the stern command, <q>Surrender.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In his surprise and terror, the man rolled from
+his horse, the picture of the most abject cowardice
+Calhoun ever saw. He fairly grovelled in the dust.
+<pb n='248'/><anchor id='Pg248'/><q>Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!</q> he cried, raising
+his hands in supplication. <q>I didn’t want to
+come; they forced me. I never did anything
+against you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dismounting Calhoun gave him a kick which
+sent him rolling. <q>Get up, you blubbering calf,</q>
+he exclaimed, <q>and tell us what you know.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The fellow staggered to his feet, his teeth chattering,
+and trembling like a leaf.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now, answer my questions, and see that you
+tell the truth,</q> said Calhoun. <q>Are there any
+forces in front of us?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>N—not—not as I know,</q> he managed to say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do you know the shortest road to Salineville?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes; yes.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will you guide us there if I spare your life?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Anything, I will do anything, if you won’t kill
+me,</q> he whined.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very well, but I will exchange horses with
+you, as I see you are riding a fine one, and he
+looks fresh,</q> remarked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The exchange was made, and then Calhoun said,
+<q>Now lead on, and at the first sign of treachery,
+I will blow out your brains. Do you understand?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, yes, I will take you the shortest road.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What’s your name,</q> asked Calhoun, as they
+rode along.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Andrew Harmon.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Andrew, I wish all Yankees were like
+you. If they were, we should have no trouble
+<pb n='249'/><anchor id='Pg249'/>whipping the North. I reckon you are about as
+big a coward as I ever met.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harmon, still white and trembling, did not
+answer; he was too thoroughly cowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ride as hard as Morgan’s men could, when they
+neared Salineville Shackelford was pressing on
+their rear. They had either to fight or surrender.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My brave boys, you have done all that mortals
+can do. I cannot bear to see you slaughtered. I
+will surrender.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Morgan said this his voice trembled. It was
+a word his men had never heard him use before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>General, it is not all over for you,</q> cried Calhoun,
+his voice quivering with emotion. <q>Think
+of the joy of the Yankees if you should be captured.
+Let me take half the men. You take the other
+half and escape. I can hold the enemy in check
+until you get well away.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan demurred. <q>The sacrifice will be too
+great,</q> he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You must, you shall consent. We will force
+you,</q> the cry went up from the whole command as
+from one man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan bowed his head, he could not speak.
+In silence he took Calhoun’s hand, tears gathered
+in his eyes, the first tears Calhoun ever saw there.
+There was a strong clasp, a clasp which seemed to
+say <q>It may be the last,</q> then, wheeling his horse,
+Morgan galloped swiftly away, followed by less
+than half of his six hundred.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was not a moment to lose, for the
+Feder<pb n='250'/><anchor id='Pg250'/>als were already charging down with triumphant
+cheers, confident of an easy victory. Calhoun had
+posted his men well, and a withering volley sent
+the Federals reeling back. They charged again,
+only to recoil before the fierce fire of the Confederates.
+There was now a lull in the fighting. Calhoun
+saw that they were flanking him on the right
+and left. <q>Charge!</q> he shouted, and the little band
+were soon in the midst of their enemies. The
+Federals closed in around them. There was no
+way to retreat. Calhoun’s men, seeing how hopeless
+the fight was, began to throw down their
+arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Surrender,</q> cried a fine-looking officer to Calhoun,
+who, well in front, was fighting like a demon.
+Even in that hell of battle Calhoun knew the
+officer. It was Mark Crawford, the captain whose
+horse he had captured in Tennessee, and whom he
+afterwards took prisoner at Cave City. But the
+captain was wearing the shoulder-straps of a
+major now.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Never!</q> shouted Calhoun, in answer to the
+summons to surrender, and with sword in hand, he
+spurred forward to engage Crawford in single combat.
+But that officer had a revolver in his hand,
+and he raised it and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun felt as if he had been struck on the head
+with a red-hot iron. He reeled in his saddle, and
+then fell forward on his horse’s neck. His sword
+dropped from his nerveless hand. His horse, wild
+with fear and not feeling the restraining hand of a
+<pb n='251'/><anchor id='Pg251'/>master, broke through the ranks of the Federals,
+and bore him out of the conflict.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Still clinging to the neck of his horse and the
+horn of his saddle, he kept his seat. He straightened
+himself up, but the blood streaming over his
+face blinded him, and he saw not where he was
+going. Neither did he realize what had happened,
+for the shock of his wound had rendered him half-unconscious.
+His mind began to wander. He
+was a soldier no longer, but a boy back in Kentucky
+running a race with his cousin Fred.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>On! on! <anchor id="salim"/>Salim,</q> he weakly shouted; <q>we
+must win, it is for the Sunny South we are racing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The horse still ran at full speed, his glossy coat
+dripping with perspiration, his nostrils widely distended
+and showing red with blood. But his pace
+began to slacken. Darkness gathered before the
+eyes of Calhoun. <q>Why, it’s getting night,</q> he
+murmured; <q>Fred, where are you?</q> Lower still
+lower he sank, until he was once more grasping
+the neck of his horse. A deadly faintness seized
+him, total darkness was around him, and he knew
+no more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With Calhoun gone, all resistance to the Federals
+ceased. Of the six hundred, who had ridden
+so far and so well, fully one-half were prisoners.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Federals were greatly chagrined and disappointed
+when they found that Morgan was not
+among the prisoners. The man they desired above
+all others was still at liberty. <q>Forward,</q> was the
+command, and the pursuit was again taken up.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='252'/><anchor id='Pg252'/>
+
+<p>
+With the remnant of his command, Morgan was
+nearing New Lisbon. If there were no foes before
+him there was still hope. From a road to the west
+of the one he was on, a cloud of dust was rising.
+His guide told him that this road intersected the
+one he was on but a short distance ahead. His
+advance came dashing back, saying there was a
+large body of Federal troops in his front. From
+the rear came the direful tidings that Shackelford
+was near. Morgan saw, and his lip quivered. <q>It
+is no use,</q> he said, <q>it is all over.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The ride of the six hundred had ended—a ride
+that will ever live in song and story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Morgan has surrendered! Morgan is a prisoner!</q>
+was the news borne on lightning wings all
+over the entire North.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What rejoicing there was among the Federals!
+The great raider, the man they feared more than
+an army with banners, was in their power.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="19" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='253'/><anchor id='Pg253'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XIX.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">AN ANGEL OF MERCY.</head>
+
+<p>
+In front of one of the most beautiful and stately
+farm-houses in Columbiana County stood a
+young girl. With clasped hands and straining eyes
+she was gazing intently down a road which led to
+the west. The sound of battle came faintly to her
+ears. As she listened, a shudder swept through
+her slight frame.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My brother! My brother!</q> she moaned, <q>he
+may be in it. O God of battles, protect him!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She would have made a picture for an artist as
+she stood there. The weather being warm, she
+wore a soft, thin garment, which clung in graceful
+folds around her. Her beautifully rounded arm
+and shapely shoulders were bare. Her luxuriant
+hair, the color of sun-beams, fell in a wavy mass to
+her waist. Her eyes, blue as the sky, were now
+troubled, and a teardrop trembled and then fell
+from the long lashes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she looked, the sound of battle became
+fainter, and then ceased altogether. But down the
+road, a mile away, a little cloud of dust arose. It
+grew larger and larger, and at last she saw it was
+caused by a single horseman who was coming at a
+furious pace. Was the rider a bearer of ill tidings?
+No, there was no rider on the horse. He who
+<pb n='254'/><anchor id='Pg254'/>rode must have been killed. It might be her
+brother’s horse; she grew sick and faint, but
+still she gazed. The horse came nearer; he was
+slackening his speed. Yes, there was some one on
+the horse—a man—but he had fallen over on the
+saddle, and his arms were around the horse’s neck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It must be her brother, wounded unto death,
+coming home to die, and she gave a great convulsive
+sob. Then like a bird she flew to the middle
+of the road. She saw that the horse’s mane and
+shoulders were dripping with blood, that the rider’s
+hair was clotted with it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the horse came to her it stopped, and the
+rider rolled heavily from the saddle. With a cry
+she sprang forward and received the falling man;
+but the weight of Calhoun, for it was he, bore
+her to the earth. She arose, screaming for help.
+There was no one in the house except a colored
+servant, who came rushing out, and nearly fainted
+when she saw her mistress. No wonder, for the
+girl’s dress and arms were dripping with blood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! Missy Joyce! Missy Joyce!</q> wailed the
+colored woman, <q>what’s de mattah? Be yo’
+killed?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, no, this soldier—he is dead or dying. Oh,
+Mary, what can we do?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But help was near. A couple of neighbors had
+also heard the sound of battle, and were riding
+nearer that they might learn the result.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Great heavens! what is this?</q> exclaimed one,
+as they rode up. <q>As I live, that is Andrew
+Har<pb n='255'/><anchor id='Pg255'/>mon’s horse. Well, I never thought Andrew would
+get near enough to a battle to get shot.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time they had dismounted. Going to
+Calhoun they looked at him, and one exclaimed,
+<q>This is not Harmon; it’s one of Morgan’s men.
+Got it good and heavy. Served him right.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is he dead?</q> asked the girl, in a trembling
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man put his hand on Calhoun’s heart.
+<q>No, marm,</q> he answered, <q>but I think he might
+as well be.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Carry him into the house, and send for Doctor
+Hopkins, quick,</q> she said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! that dirty, bloody thing! Better let us
+carry him to the barn. It’s a blame sight better
+place than our boys get down South.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The house, I say,</q> answered the girl, sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, Miss Joyce,</q> said the other man, as he
+looked at her, <q>you are covered with blood.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, I caught him as he fell from his horse,</q>
+she answered. <q>I am not hurt.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men were about to pick Calhoun up and
+carry him in according to the directions of the girl,
+when she exclaimed, <q>There comes Doctor Hopkins
+now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sure enough, the Doctor had heard of the fight,
+and was coming at a remarkable speed, for him, to
+see if his professional services were needed. He
+reined in his horse, and jumping from his gig,
+ejaculated, <q>Why! why! what is this? And Miss
+Joyce all bloody!</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='256'/><anchor id='Pg256'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not hurt. The man, Doctor,</q> she said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor turned his attention to Calhoun.
+<q>As I live, one of Morgan’s men,</q> he exclaimed,
+<q>and hard hit, too. How did he come here?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>His horse brought him,</q> answered one of the
+men. <q>He clung to his horse as far as here, when
+he fell off. Miss Joyce caught him as he fell.
+That is what makes her so bloody.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well! well! well!</q> was all that the old Doctor
+could say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The queer part is,</q> continued the man, <q>that
+the horse belongs to Andrew Harmon. I heard
+that Andrew had gone out with the Home Guards,
+but I could hardly believe it. I guess this fellow
+must have killed him and appropriated the
+horse.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! Andrew Harmon killed in battle?</q>
+cried the Doctor, straightening up from his examination
+of Calhoun. <q>Don’t believe it. He will turn
+up safe enough.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then speaking to the girl, the Doctor said,
+<q>Miss Joyce, this man has nearly bled to death. I
+cannot tell yet whether the ball has entered his
+head or not. If not, there may be slight hopes for
+him, but he must have immediate attention. It is
+fortunate I came along as I did.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Miss Joyce wanted us to take him into the
+house,</q> said one of the men, <q><corr sic="quote missing">but</corr> I suggested the
+barn.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The barn first,</q> said the Doctor; <q>if I remember
+rightly, there is a large work-bench there. It
+<pb n='257'/><anchor id='Pg257'/>will make a fine operating-table. And, Joyce,
+warm water, towels, and <corr sic="quote missing">bandages.</corr></q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce Crawford, for that was the girl’s name,
+flew to do the Doctor’s bidding, while the men, to
+their credit be it said, picked Calhoun up tenderly
+and carried him to the barn, where the work-bench,
+as the Doctor had suggested, made an operating-table.
+Joyce soon appeared with the water,
+towels, and bandages. The Doctor had already
+taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, ready
+for work. Although he was a country practitioner,
+he was a skilful surgeon. Carefully he washed
+away the blood, then clipped away the matted hair
+from around the wound. It seemed to Joyce a
+long time that he worked, but at last the wound
+was dressed and bandaged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The ball did not penetrate the brain,</q> he said,
+as he finished, <q>nor do I think the skull is injured,
+although the ball plowed along it for some distance.
+Fortunately it was a small bullet, one from a
+revolver, probably, which hit him. It cut a number
+of small arteries in its course, and that is the reason
+he has bled so much. An hour more and he would
+have been beyond my skill.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will he live now?</q> asked Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The chances are against him. If saved at all,
+it will only be by the best of nursing.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He can be taken into the house now, can’t
+he?</q> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, but you had better first let a tub of
+water be brought, and clean underclothes, and
+<pb n='258'/><anchor id='Pg258'/>a night shirt. He needs a bath as much as anything.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce had the men get the water, while she procured
+some underclothes which belonged to her
+brother. Calhoun’s clothes were now removed,
+clothes which had not been off him for a
+month.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here is a belt,</q> said one of the men; <q>it looks
+as if it might contain money,</q> and he was proceeding
+to examine it when the Doctor forbade him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Give it to Miss Joyce,</q> he said; <q>the fellow is
+her prisoner.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The belt was handed over rather reluctantly.
+Calhoun having been bathed, Joyce was called,
+and told that her prisoner was ready for her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Bring him in, the chamber is all prepared,</q>
+was her answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun was brought in and placed in a large,
+cool upper chamber.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>This is mighty nice for a Rebel,</q> said one of
+the men, looking around. <q>My Jake didn’t
+get this good care when he was shot at Stone
+River.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Too blame nice for a Morgan thief,</q> mumbled
+the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Shut up,</q> said the Doctor; <q>remember what
+Miss Joyce has done for our boys. Worked her
+fingers off for them. This man, or rather boy, for
+he can’t be over twenty, was brought to her door.
+Would you have him left to die?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The men hung their heads sheepishly, and went
+<pb n='259'/><anchor id='Pg259'/>out. They were not hard-hearted men, but they
+were bitter against Morgan, and any one who rode
+with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now I must go,</q> said the old Doctor kindly,
+taking Joyce’s hand. <q>You have done to this
+young man as I would have one do to my son in a
+like extremity.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The old Doctor’s voice broke, for he had lost a
+son in the army. Recovering himself, he continued,
+<q>I must go now, for I may be needed by some
+of our own gallant boys. I will drop in this evening,
+if possible, and see how your patient is getting
+along. God bless you, Joyce, you have a kind
+heart.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce looked after the old Doctor with swimming
+eyes. <q>One of God’s noblemen,</q> she murmured.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She took the belt which had been taken from
+Calhoun, and which had been handed her by the
+Doctor, and put it carefully away. She then began
+her vigil beside the bedside of the wounded man.
+The Doctor had given her minute directions, and
+she followed them faithfully. It was some hours
+before Calhoun began to show signs of consciousness,
+and when he did come to, he was delirious,
+and in a raging fever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor returned as he had promised. He
+shook his head as he felt Calhoun’s pulse, and
+listened to his incoherent mutterings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>This is bad,</q> he said. <q>It is fortunate he lost
+so much blood, or this fever would consume him.
+<pb n='260'/><anchor id='Pg260'/>But we must hope for the best. Only the best of
+nursing will bring him through.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That he shall have,</q> said Joyce. <q>I have
+sent for Margaret Goodsen. You know she is an
+army nurse, and knows all about wounded men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, Margaret is good, none better,</q> replied
+the Doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All through that night Joyce sat by the bedside
+of Calhoun cooling his fevered brow, giving him
+refreshing drinks. He talked almost continually to
+himself. Now he would be leading his men in
+battle, cheering them on. Then he was a boy,
+engaged in boyish sports. The name of Fred was
+uttered again and again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I wonder who Fred can be?</q> thought Joyce; <q>a
+brother, probably.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce Crawford was the only daughter of
+the Hon. Lorenzo Crawford, one of the most
+prominent citizens of Columbiana County. Mr.
+Crawford had served two terms in Congress, and
+was at the time of the war a member of the state
+senate. He had one child besides Joyce, his son
+Mark, who we have seen was a major in the
+Federal army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford lost his wife when Joyce was
+three years old; since that time his house had
+been presided over by a maiden sister. This lady
+was absent in Steubenville when Morgan appeared
+so suddenly in the county; thus at the time
+of Calhoun’s appearance only Joyce and the
+servants were at home, Mr. Crawford being
+<pb n='261'/><anchor id='Pg261'/>absent in the east on duties connected with the
+Sanitary Commission.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford was what is known as an original
+Abolitionist. Before the war his house was one of
+the stations of the underground railroad, and many
+a runaway slave he had helped on the way to
+Canada. Twice he had been arrested by the
+United States officials for violation of the fugitive
+slave law, and both times fined heavily. He
+believed there could be no virtue in a slave-owner;
+such a man was accursed of God, and should be
+accursed of men. His daughter had to a degree
+imbibed his sentiments, and the idea of slavery was
+abhorrent to her; but her heart was so gentle, she
+could hate no one. Calhoun’s helplessness appealed
+to her sympathies, and she forgot he was one of
+Morgan’s raiders. Although young, only eighteen,
+she had admirers by the score, but her father so far
+had forbidden her receiving company, considering
+her as yet only a child.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce’s beau ideal of a man was her brother
+Mark, and he was worthy of her adoration. Several
+years her senior, he had watched over and
+guided her in her childhood, and never was a
+brother more devoted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next morning the news came that Morgan
+was captured, and the scare in Columbiana County
+was over. The morning also brought Miss Crawford,
+who had come hurrying home on receipt of the
+news that Morgan was in the county. She nearly
+went into hysterics when she learned that one of
+<pb n='262'/><anchor id='Pg262'/>the dreadful raiders was in the house. <q>How could
+you do it, child?</q> she cried to Joyce; and <q>Doctor,
+why did you let her?</q> she added to Doctor
+Hopkins, who had just come in to see his patient.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Madam, it was a case of life or death,</q> replied
+the Doctor. <q>Joyce did right. We are not
+heathens in Columbiana County.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But you will take him right away?</q> pleaded
+the lady.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It would be death to move him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But he might murder us all,</q> said Miss Crawford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor smiled. <q>If he lives, it will be
+weeks before he will have the strength to kill a fly,</q>
+he answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Crawford sighed, and gave up the battle.
+She was not a hard-hearted woman, but the idea of
+having one of Morgan’s dreadful raiders in the
+house was trying on her nerves.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The afternoon brought Major Crawford. The
+story of Joyce’s capture of a raider had travelled
+far and wide, and the Major had already heard of it.
+<q>So you captured a prisoner, did you, Puss?</q>
+he exclaimed, kissing her, as she threw herself in
+his arms. <q>Is he a regular brigand, and bearded
+like a pard?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, no, he is young, almost a boy,</q> she answered.
+<q>Margaret Goodsen is taking care of him
+now. Come and see him, but he is out of his
+head, and raves dreadfully.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She led the way to the chamber where Calhoun
+<pb n='263'/><anchor id='Pg263'/>was. No sooner did Major Crawford see him than
+he turned pale and staggered back, <q>Great God!</q>
+he exclaimed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What fate was it that had led the man he
+had shot to the house to be cared for by his sister?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What is it, Mark? What is it?</q> she cried,
+seeing his agitation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Should he tell her? Yes, it would be best.
+<q>Joyce, you will not wonder at my surprise, when
+I tell you it was I who shot him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You, brother, you!</q> she cried, and instinctively
+she shrank from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mark saw it, and exclaimed, <q>Great God! Joyce,
+you don’t blame me, do you? I had to do it to
+save my life. He was about to cut me down with
+his sword when I fired.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, no,</q> she cried, <q>I don’t blame you, but
+it was so sudden; it is so dreadful. I never before
+realized that war was so terrible.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Joyce, save the poor fellow’s life if you
+can; I don’t want his death on my hands if I can
+help it. Do you know who your prisoner is?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, you see the condition he is in.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>His name is Pennington, Calhoun Pennington.
+He is one of Morgan’s bravest and most daring
+officers. I ought to know him, he took me prisoner
+twice.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You, Mark, you?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, you remember I told you how I lost my
+horse in Tennessee. He is the fellow who took it.
+He afterwards captured me at Cave City.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='264'/><anchor id='Pg264'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mark, what will become of him if he gets
+well?</q> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The United States officials will take him,</q>
+he answered. <q>His being here must be reported.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And—and he will be sent to prison?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, until he is exchanged.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But you were not sent to prison when you were
+captured,</q> she protested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, I was paroled; but I hardly believe the
+government will parole any of Morgan’s men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why?</q> she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>They have given us too much trouble, Puss.
+Now we have them, I think we will keep them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mark, Aunt Matilda don’t like my taking this
+Pennington in. She says father will not like it
+at all.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will see Aunt Matilda, and tell her it is all
+right. I will also write to father. No, Joyce, I
+don’t want Pennington to die. It is best, even in
+war, to know you have not killed a man. So take
+good care of him, or rather see he has good care.
+Get a man to nurse him nights.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will look out for that,</q> said Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, Puss, good-bye, keep me posted. I had
+leave of absence only a few hours, so I must be
+going.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, Mark, must you go so soon?</q> And she
+clung to him as if she would not let him go.
+Gently disengaging her arms, he pressed kiss after
+kiss on her brow and was gone. She sank into a
+chair weeping, and for a time forgot her prisoner.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='265'/><anchor id='Pg265'/>
+
+<p>
+The next day Joyce had another visitor, in the
+person of Andrew Harmon. He had heard that
+his horse was at Crawford’s, and that the officer
+who took him was there desperately wounded. He
+made his visit with pleasure, for of all the girls in
+Columbiana County, she was the one he had selected
+to become Mrs. Harmon. He had no idea he
+would be refused, for was he not considered the
+greatest catch in the county?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harmon had two things to recommend him—good
+looks and money. He was accounted a handsome
+man, and was as far as physical beauty was
+concerned. He had the body and muscle of an
+athlete, but there was nothing ennobling or inspiring
+in the expression of his countenance. By
+nature he was crafty, mean, cruel, and miserly, and
+was one of the biggest cowards that ever walked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Like many others, he was a great patriot as far
+as talk was concerned. He had been so unfortunate
+as to be drafted at the first call, and had promptly
+furnished a substitute. He was fond of boasting
+he was doing double duty for his country, not only
+was he represented in the army, but he was doing
+a great work at home. This work consisted in
+contracting for the government, and cheating it at
+every turn. Many a soldier who received shoddy
+clothing, paper-soled shoes, and rotten meat had
+Mr. Harmon to thank for it. But he was piling up
+money, and was already known as one of the richest
+men in the county. When he went out with the
+Home Guards, he had no idea of getting near
+<pb n='2766'/><anchor id='Pg266'/>Morgan; he would look out for that. But his party
+ran into Morgan’s advance unexpectedly, and as
+has been related, he was captured by Calhoun. It
+was a most wonderful story he had to tell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been beset by at least six of Morgan’s
+men. A desperate conflict followed, and he had
+killed, or at least desperately wounded, three of his
+assailants, and it was only after he had not a single
+shot left in his revolver and was surrounded that he
+had surrendered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So enraged were they at my desperate defence,</q>
+said he, <q>that the officer in charge pulled me from
+my horse, brutally kicked and struck me, threatened
+to kill me, and then appropriated my horse. He
+is a desperate fellow, Miss Joyce; I would not keep
+him in the house a single moment.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce, who had listened to his account much
+amused, for she had heard another version of it,
+said, <q>I do not think, Mr. Harmon, he could have
+beaten you very hard, for I see no marks on you,
+and you seem to be pretty lively. As for sending
+Lieutenant Pennington away, the Doctor says it
+would be death to move him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Harmon shifted uneasily in his chair as
+Joyce was saying this, and then asked to see Calhoun,
+as he wished to be sure whether he was the
+one who had captured him. This Joyce consented
+to, provided he would be careful not to disturb
+him. Harmon promised, and he was taken into
+the room. Calhoun was tossing on his bed, as he
+entered, and no sooner did his wild eyes rest on
+<pb n='267'/><anchor id='Pg267'/>Harmon than he burst into a loud laugh, <q>Oh! the
+coward! the coward!</q> he shouted, <q>take him
+away.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harmon fled from the room white with rage.
+<q>Miss Joyce, that fellow is shamming,</q> he fumed.
+<q>I demand he be delivered to the United States
+officials at once.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The Doctor thinks differently; he says it will
+kill him to be moved,</q> she answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Let him die, then. It isn’t your business to
+nurse wounded Rebels, especially one of Morgan’s
+cutthroats.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I do not have to come to you to learn what
+my business is,</q> answered Joyce, haughtily, and
+turned to leave the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Harmon saw that he had made a mistake.
+<q>Joyce! Joyce! don’t go, hear me,</q> he exclaimed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You will find your horse in the stable,</q> was
+all she said, as she passed out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He left the house vowing vengeance, and lost no
+time in informing the Federal authorities that the
+wounded officer at Crawford’s was shamming, and
+would give them the slip if not taken away. Two
+deputy marshals came to investigate, and went
+away satisfied when Doctor Hopkins promised to
+report as soon as his patient was well enough to
+be removed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In due time Joyce received a letter from her
+father. He had not heard that Morgan had come
+as far north as Columbiana County, until after he
+was captured. As all danger was now over, he
+<pb n='268'/><anchor id='Pg268'/>would not be home for some time. The thousands
+who had been wounded in the great battle of
+Gettysburg were occupying his attention. He also
+had to make a visit to Washington and Fortress
+Monroe, and might go as far south as Hilton Head.
+As for the wounded Rebel at his house, Joyce had
+done right in not letting him die in the road, but
+that he should be turned over to the military
+authorities at the earliest possible moment. Little
+did Mr. Crawford think what the outcome of the
+affair would be.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Contrary to her aunt’s protest, Joyce insisted on
+taking most of the care of Calhoun during the day.
+Margaret Goodsen was all the help she needed.
+She had engaged a competent man to care for him
+nights. Had not Mark told her to save the life of
+the man he had shot, if possible?
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="20" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='269'/><anchor id='Pg269'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XX.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE.</head>
+
+<p>
+For two weeks Calhoun hovered between life
+and death; but at last his rugged constitution
+conquered. During this time Joyce was unremitting
+in her attention. <q>I must save him for the
+sake of Mark,</q> she would say, <q>I cannot bear to
+have his blood on Mark’s hands.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In speaking to Joyce’s aunt, Matilda Goodsen
+said: <q>The poor child will hardly let me do anything;
+she wants to do it all.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Crawford fretted and fumed, but it did no
+good. In this Joyce would have her way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun’s fever had been growing less day by
+day, and the time came when it left him, and he
+lay in a quiet and restful slumber. But his breathing
+was so faint, Joyce was almost afraid it was the
+sleep which precedes death.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was near the close of an August day. The
+weather had been warm and sultry, but a thunder
+shower had cooled and cleared the atmosphere, and
+the earth was rejoicing in the baptism it had received.
+The trees seemed to ripple with laughter,
+as the breeze shook the raindrops from their leaves.
+The grass was greener, the flowers brighter on
+account of that same baptism. The birds sang a
+<pb n='270'/><anchor id='Pg270'/>sweeter song. What is more beautiful than nature
+after a summer shower!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was at such a time that Calhoun awoke to life
+and consciousness. A delicious lethargy was over
+him. He felt no pain, and his bed was so soft,
+he seemed to be resting on a fleecy cloud. He
+tried to raise his hand, and found to his surprise he
+could not move a finger. Even his eyes for a time
+refused to open. Slowly his memory came back to
+him; how in the fierce conflict he tried to break
+through the line and sought to cut down an officer
+who opposed him. Then there came a flash, a
+shock—and he remembered nothing more. Where
+was he now? Had he passed through that great
+change called death? By a great effort he opened
+his eyes, and was bewildered. He was in a strange
+room. By an open window sat a young girl. She
+had been reading, but the book was now lying idly
+in her lap, and she was looking apparently into
+vacancy. The rays of the setting sun streamed in
+through the windows, and touched hair and face
+and clothes with its golden beams. Calhoun
+thought he had never seen a being so lovely; her
+beauty was such as he fancied could be found only
+in the realms above, yet she was mortal. He
+could not take his eyes from her. She turned her
+head, and saw him gazing at her. Uttering a little
+exclamation of surprise, she arose and came swiftly
+but noiselessly to his side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who are you? Where am I?</q> Calhoun whispered,
+faintly.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='271'/><anchor id='Pg271'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hush! hush!</q> she said, in low, sweet tones,
+<q>you must not talk. You have been sick—very
+sick. You are better now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She gave him a cordial. He took it, and with
+a gentle sigh, closed his eyes, and sank to sleep
+again. Before he was quite gone, it seemed to him
+that soft, tremulous lips touched his forehead, and
+a tear-drop fell upon his cheek. Its memory
+remained with him as a beautiful dream, and it was
+long years before he knew it was not a dream.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Doctor Hopkins was delighted when he called in
+the evening and learned that his patient had awaked
+with his fever gone, and in his right mind. <q>All
+that he needs now,</q> he said, <q>is careful nursing,
+and he will get well. But mind, do not let
+him talk, and tell him nothing of what has happened,
+until he gains a little strength.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From that time Calhoun gained slowly, but
+surely. When he became strong enough to bear
+it, Joyce told him all that had happened. He
+could scarcely realize that over a month had passed
+since he had been wounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Then that stand of mine did not save Morgan,</q>
+said Calhoun, sorrowfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, he was taken a few hours afterwards,</q>
+answered Joyce. <q>He and his officers are now in
+the penitentiary at Columbus.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun could hardly believe what he heard.
+<q>Then we are to be treated as felons, are we?</q> he
+asked, bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>They are afraid he might escape from a military
+<pb n='272'/><anchor id='Pg272'/>prison,</q> replied Joyce. <q>But the people are very
+bitter against him. Some are clamoring that he be
+tried and executed.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>They will not dare do that,</q> exclaimed Calhoun,
+excitedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, I do not think there is any danger that
+way,</q> replied Joyce; <q>but they want to keep him
+safe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well they may, but Morgan will yet make
+them trouble. No prison will hold him long.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There, there, don’t let us talk about it any
+more,</q> said Joyce; <q>it will worry you back into a
+fever.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You have saved my life,</q> said Calhoun, fervently.
+<q>How can I ever repay you for what you
+have done?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce did not reply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun lay silent for some time, and then suddenly
+said: <q>I am one of Morgan’s hated officers,
+and yet you are caring for me as for a brother.
+What makes you do it?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why shouldn’t I?</q> said Joyce; <q>I have a dear
+brother in the army. I am only doing by you as
+I would have him done by, if he should fall
+wounded. And then—</q> Joyce stopped; she
+could not tell him it was her brother who had shot
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A great light came to Calhoun. <q>Joyce!
+Joyce!</q> he cried, <q>I now understand. It was your
+brother who shot me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! forgive him! forgive him!</q> cried Joyce.
+<pb n='273'/><anchor id='Pg273'/><q>He told me it was to save his own life that he
+did it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, Joyce, there is nothing to forgive. Your
+brother is a brave, a gallant officer. Then he has
+been here?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, and knew you. He bade me nurse you
+as I would nurse him in like condition.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Just like a brave soldier; but are there none
+who find fault with my being here treated like a
+prince?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, one. His name is Andrew Harmon. It
+was his horse you were riding when you came here.
+He seems to hate you, and is doing all he can to
+have you taken to Columbus. He says you treated
+him most brutally when he was captured.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I did kick him,</q> answered Calhoun, laughing;
+<q>he was on the ground bellowing like a baby. I
+never saw a more abject coward. I kicked him
+and told him to get up.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>He has a different story,</q> said Joyce, smiling;
+and then she told the wonderful story of Harmon’s
+capture as related by himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>His capacity for lying is equalled only by his
+cowardice,</q> said Calhoun, indignantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yet he is a man to be feared,</q> said Joyce,
+<q>for he is rich and has influence, although every
+one knows him to be a coward.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The days that passed were the happiest Calhoun
+had ever spent. He told Joyce of his Kentucky
+home, of his cousin Fred, how noble and true
+he was, and of his own adventures in raiding with
+<pb n='274'/><anchor id='Pg274'/>Morgan. She never tired of listening. Is it
+strange that these two hearts were drawn close to
+each other. They lived in a sweet dream—a dream
+which did not look to the future. But almost unknown
+to them Cupid had come and shot his
+shafts, and they had gone true.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day came when Calhoun was able to be
+placed in an easy-chair and drawn to an open window.
+It was a proud day to him, yet it was the
+beginning of sorrow. The Doctor came and congratulated
+him on his improvement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Doctor Hopkins, how can I thank you for
+your kindness?</q> he said; <q>you have done so much
+for me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You need not thank me, thank that young lady
+there,</q> replied the Doctor, pointing to Joyce.
+<q>She it was who saved your life.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I know, no reward I could give would ever
+repay her,</q> answered Calhoun. <q>I can only offer
+to be her slave for life.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Your offer is not accepted; you are well aware
+I do not believe in slavery,</q> replied Joyce, with a
+merry laugh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the Doctor was ready to go, he asked for
+a private interview with Joyce. It was hard work
+for him to say what he had to say. He choked and
+stammered, but at last Joyce understood what he
+meant. He had promised the government officials
+to inform them when Calhoun could be moved
+without endangering his life. That time had come.
+<q>But,</q> said he, as he noticed the white face of
+<pb n='275'/><anchor id='Pg275'/>Joyce, <q>I shall recommend that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, as there is no danger of
+his running away in his weak condition.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Joyce hardly heard him. <q>And—and—this
+means?</q> she whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The penitentiary at Columbus.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce shuddered. <q>And—and there is no way
+to prevent this?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>None. God knows I would if I could.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Thank you, Doctor; I might have known this
+would have to come, but it is so sudden.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Doctor went out shaking his head. <q>I am
+afraid harm has been done,</q> he said to himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just as he was getting into his gig to drive away
+Andrew Harmon came riding by. He glanced up
+and saw Calhoun sitting by the window. <q>So,
+your patient is able to sit up,</q> he exclaimed, with
+a sneer. <q>About time he were in the penitentiary,
+where he belongs, isn’t it?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I don’t know how that concerns you,</q> replied
+the Doctor, coldly, as he drove away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh ho! my fine fellow. I will show you
+whether it concerns me or not?</q> muttered Harmon,
+looking after him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That night Harmon wrote to the authorities at
+Columbus, stating it as his opinion that there was a
+scheme on foot to detain Lieutenant Pennington
+until he was well enough to slip away. He was
+not aware that Doctor Hopkins had reported on the
+condition of his patient every week, and had
+already sent a letter saying he could be moved with
+<pb n='276'/><anchor id='Pg276'/>safety, but recommending he be allowed to remain
+two weeks longer, on account of his weak condition.
+Harmon not only wrote to Columbus, but
+also to Mr. Crawford, hinting that it was dangerous
+for his daughter to care for Calhoun longer. <q>You
+know,</q> he wrote, <q>that girls of the age of Joyce
+are inclined to be romantic.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Joyce, when the Doctor left her she sank
+into a chair weak and faint. She saw Andrew
+Harmon gazing up at the window where Calhoun
+was, and a terror seized her. She now knew that
+she loved Calhoun, but with that knowledge also
+came the thought that her love was hopeless, that
+even if Calhoun returned her love, her father would
+never consent to their union. He would rather see
+her dead than married to a Rebel, especially a hated
+Morgan raider. Long did she struggle with her
+own heart, her sense of duty, her ideas of patriotism;
+and duty conquered. She would give him
+up, but she would save him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was evening before she could muster strength
+to have the desired interview with Calhoun. When
+she did enter the room it was with a step so languid,
+a face so pinched and drawn, that Calhoun stared in
+amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, what is it?</q> he cried. <q>Are you sick?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not sick, only a little weary,</q> she answered,
+as she sank into a chair and motioned for the nurse
+to leave them. No sooner was she gone than
+Joyce told Calhoun what had happened. Her voice
+was so passionless that Calhoun wondered if she
+<pb n='277'/><anchor id='Pg277'/>cared, wondered if he had been mistaken in thinking
+she loved him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, do you care if I go to prison?</q> he
+asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Care?</q> she cried. <q>The thought is terrible.
+You shall not go, I will save you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce! Joyce! tell me that you love me, and
+it will make my cell in prison a heaven. Don’t you
+see that I love you, that you saved my poor life
+only that I might give it to you? Joyce, say that
+you love me!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For answer she sank on her knees by his bedside
+and laid her head on his breast. He put his weak
+arms around her, and held her close. For a while
+she remained still, then gently disengaging his arms,
+she arose. There was a look on her face that
+Calhoun did not understand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The first embrace, and the last,</q> she sighed.
+<q>Oh, Calhoun, why did we ever meet?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What do you mean?</q> he asked, his lips growing
+white.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I mean that our love is hopeless. Father
+will never consent to our marriage. I feel it, know
+it. Without his consent I shall never marry. But
+save you from prison I will.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, you do not love me!</q> said Calhoun
+bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>As my life,</q> she cried.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yet you say you can never marry me!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Without my father’s consent I cannot.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, let us not borrow trouble. Even with
+<pb n='278'/><anchor id='Pg278'/>your father’s consent we could not marry now. I
+am a prisoner. The war is going on, but it cannot
+last forever. When it is over, when peace is
+declared, I will come to you. Then, and not till
+then, will I ask your father for your hand. Let us
+hope the skies will be brighter by that time—that
+to be one of Morgan’s men will not be a badge of
+dishonor, even in the North.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh, Calhoun, if I could only hope! I will
+hope. Come to me after the war is over. Father’s
+consent may be won. But now the prison, the
+prison. I must save you. I have thought it all
+out.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How can you save me, a poor, weak mortal,
+who cannot take a step without help?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Put you in a carriage to-morrow night and take
+you where they cannot find you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So soon? The Doctor said he would ask for
+two weeks. Two more weeks with you, Joyce—I
+could afford to go to prison for that.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t talk foolishly. I feel if I don’t get you
+away to-morrow night, I cannot at all.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But you—will it endanger you, Joyce?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not at all!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But how will you explain my disappearance?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Suppose you have been shamming, better than
+we thought you were, and so you gave us the slip.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>A right mean trick,</q> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, a Yankee trick, a real good one. Now
+listen, Calhoun, and I will tell you all about how I
+<pb n='279'/><anchor id='Pg279'/>am going to get you away. Some six miles from
+here a colored man lives whom my father has
+greatly befriended. He will do anything for me I
+ask. I shall tell him you are a sick soldier, and for
+good reasons wish to remain in hiding until you
+get well.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will he know I am one of Morgan’s men?</q>
+asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, he will think you are a Federal soldier.
+Calhoun, as much as you may hate it, you must
+don the Union Blue.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That would make a spy of me. No, it wouldn’t
+either, if I kept clear of any military post.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That’s good. I have a Federal uniform in the
+house, which will about fit you. A friendless soldier
+died here a short time ago. We took him in
+and cared for him during his last sickness. He had
+been discharged for wounds received at Fair Oaks.
+Here is the discharge. I think it fits you close
+enough, so it may be of use to you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She handed him the discharge; he took it
+and read: <q>James Brown, age nineteen; height
+five feet nine inches; weight one hundred and sixty
+pounds; complexion dark; hair and eyes black.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, Joyce, with that in my pocket, and wearing
+a Federal uniform, I could travel anywhere in
+the North.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>So I thought. We will cheat that old prison
+yet. But it is time you were asleep.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>God bless you, Joyce,</q> replied Calhoun.
+<q>Give me a kiss before you go.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='280'/><anchor id='Pg280'/>
+
+<p>
+She smiled and threw him one as she went out
+and he had to be content with that. She had not
+stopped to consider what the result might be if she
+helped Calhoun to escape. Her only thought was
+to save him from going to prison. To do this she
+would dare anything.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The colored man of whom she spoke was to be
+at the farm in the morning to do some work. A
+fear had seized her that she might be too late. The
+fear was well grounded. The authorities at Columbus
+had resolved to move Calhoun at once. The
+request of Doctor Hopkins, that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, although he said he could
+be removed without danger, aroused their suspicion.
+Not only that, but the letter of Andrew Harmon
+to Mr. Crawford had alarmed that gentleman, and
+he was already on his way home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Abram Prather, the colored man, was seen by
+Joyce as soon as he made his appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Missy Joyce, I jes’ do enything fo’ yo.’ Me
+an’ de ol’ woman will keep him all right.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So everything was arranged. Joyce breathed
+freer, yet she waited impatiently for the night.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="21" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='281'/><anchor id='Pg281'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXI.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE ESCAPE.</head>
+
+<p>
+The day was a long and weary one to Calhoun.
+Between the joy of knowing he was to be free
+and his misery over the thought that he must part
+with Joyce, his soul was alternately swept with
+conflicting emotions. Then he had seen so little
+of her during the day; she seemed more distant
+than she did before she declared her love. How he
+longed to take her in his arms, to have her head
+rest on his breast once more! But she had said that
+although it was the first it was to be the last time.
+What did she mean? Ah! it must be that he could
+never embrace her again, never touch her lips again,
+until her father had consented to their marriage.
+When the war was over he would wring that consent
+from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The thought brought contentment. Yes, it was
+better that they should part. Then the news of
+the terrible battle of Chickamauga had just come,
+and it had fired his very soul. The South had won
+a great victory. Surely this was the beginning of
+the end. Independence was near, the war would
+soon be at an end, and he longed to be in at the
+finish. The excitement of war was once more running
+riot through his veins.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He little thought of the sacrifice Joyce was
+mak<pb n='282'/><anchor id='Pg282'/>ing, of the fierce conflicts she was having with her
+conscience. She knew that she was doing wrong,
+that she was proving a traitor to the flag she loved,
+that she was aiding and abetting the enemy; but it
+was one, only one man, and she loved him so.
+Surely this one man, sick and wounded, could do
+no harm. It was cruel to shut him up in prison.
+Thus she reasoned to silence conscience, but if
+her reasons had been ten times as weak, love would
+have won.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All through the day she was making preparations
+for Calhoun’s departure. Fortunately the
+young man who had been engaged to nurse Calhoun
+during the night had been taken sick a couple
+of days before, and as Calhoun rested well, another
+had not been engaged. Thus one of the greatest
+obstacles to the carrying out of Joyce’s plans was
+out of the way. She could easily manage Miss
+Goodsen. Joyce’s only confidant was the faithful
+Abe, who obeyed her without question. In his
+eyes Missy Joyce could do nothing wrong. He
+had been drilled by Joyce until he knew just what
+to do. He was to go home, but as soon as it was
+dark, he was to return, being careful not to be seen.
+After he was sure the household was asleep he
+was to harness a span of horses, being careful to
+make no noise, and have a carriage waiting in a
+grove a short distance back of the house. Here he
+was to wait for further orders from Joyce. Being
+well acquainted with the place, and Joyce promising
+to see that the barn and the carriage-house were
+<pb n='283'/><anchor id='Pg283'/>left unlocked, he would have no trouble in carrying
+out his instructions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Night came, and Joyce was in a fever of excitement.
+Would anything happen to prevent her
+carrying out her plans? If she had known that
+Andrew Harmon had hired a spy to watch the
+house she would have been in despair. But the spy
+was to watch the window of Calhoun’s room, and
+was concealed in a corn-field opposite the house.
+If he had watched the back instead of the front of
+the house, he would have seen some strange doings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Margaret Goodsen was told that as Calhoun was
+so well, she could lie down in an adjoining room.
+If he needed anything, he could ring a little bell
+which stood on a table by his side. The nurse
+gladly availed herself of the opportunity to sleep.
+When the nurse retired Joyce came into the
+room, and speaking so that she could hear her,
+said, <q>Good night, Lieutenant Pennington; I hope
+you will rest well.</q> Then she whispered, <q>Here
+is the Federal uniform. Have you strength to put
+it on?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, but oh, Joyce—</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She made a swift gesture and pointed to the
+door of the nurse’s room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Here is some money,</q> she continued, in the
+same low whisper. <q>Now, don’t refuse it; you
+will need it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I had plenty of money in a belt around me
+when I was wounded,</q> whispered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>The belt, oh, I forgot! The Doctor gave it to
+<pb n='284'/><anchor id='Pg284'/>me for safe keeping.</q> Noiselessly she moved to
+the bureau, opened a drawer, and returned with the
+belt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, I shall not need your money now, but
+I thank you for the offer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It was nothing. Be sure and be ready,</q> and
+she glided from the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The minutes were like hours to Calhoun. At
+one time he had made up his mind not to accept his
+proffered liberty, as it might bring serious trouble
+on Joyce; but he concluded that he must accept.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As for Joyce, she went to her room and threw
+herself down on a lounge. Her heart was beating
+tumultuously; every little noise startled her like
+the report of a gun. She waited in fear and apprehension.
+At length the clock struck eleven. <q>They
+must be all asleep by this time,</q> she thought.
+She arose and softly went downstairs, carrying
+blankets and pillows. She stopped and listened as
+she stepped out of doors. There was no moon, it
+was slightly cloudy, and darkness was over everything.
+Without hesitating she made her way
+through the back yard and the barn lot to the
+grove, where she had told Abe to be in waiting.
+She found that the faithful fellow had everything
+in readiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Abe, I want you to come with me now and
+get the sick soldier. Drive through the lane until
+you reach the road; then drive straight to your
+house. The road is not much frequented, and you
+will not be apt to meet any one at this time of night.
+<pb n='285'/><anchor id='Pg285'/>If you do, say nothing. Leave the soldier when
+you get home, drive straight back the way you
+came. Turn the horses into the pasture, put the
+harness and carriage where you found them. Be
+careful and make no noise. When you have done
+this go home again and be sure you get there
+before daylight. It’s a hard night’s work I have
+put on you, Abe, but I will pay you well for it.
+Now, take off your boots and come with me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The obedient fellow did as he was bid, and followed
+Joyce into the house and to Calhoun’s room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Take him to the carriage,</q> whispered Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The stalwart Abe took Calhoun in his arms as if
+he had been a child, and carried him to the carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now, Abe, remember and do just as I told
+you,</q> said Joyce.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, Missy, I ’member ebberyting.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She went to the side of the carriage, arranged
+the pillows and comforts around Calhoun, and then
+gave him her hand. <q>Good-bye,</q> she whispered;
+<q>may God keep you safe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The hand was cold as death, and Calhoun felt
+that she was trembling violently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce! Joyce! is this to be our leave-taking?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes,</q> she whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you not coming to see me where I am
+going?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, I dare not; we must not see each other
+again until—until the war is over.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Without a kiss, Joyce. Joyce, I—</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hush! you have no right to ask for one, I
+<pb n='286'/><anchor id='Pg286'/>much less right to give it. Come when the war is
+over, and then</q>—Her voice broke, and she turned
+and fled into the darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How Joyce got back into the house she never
+knew. She fell on her bed half-unconscious. The
+strain upon her had been terrible, and the effect
+might have been serious if tears had not come to
+her relief. After a violent paroxysm of sobbing,
+she grew calmer, and tired nature asserted itself,
+and she fell asleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was yet early morning when she was aroused
+by a cry from Miss Goodsen, and that lady came
+rushing into her room, wringing her hands and crying,
+<q>He is gone! He is gone!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Who is gone?</q> asked Joyce, springing up as if
+in amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Goodsen, in her excitement did not notice
+that Joyce was fully dressed. <q>The wounded
+Rebel, Lieutenant Pennington,</q> she fairly shrieked.
+<q>Oh! what shall I do? What shall I do?</q> and she
+wrung her hands in her distress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce ran to Calhoun’s room; sure enough it
+was empty. <q>Stop your noise,</q> she said, sharply,
+to Miss Goodsen. <q>If any one is to blame, I am.
+They will do nothing with you. It may be he
+became delirious during the night and has wandered
+off. We must have the house and premises
+searched.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The noise had aroused the whole household.
+The utmost excitement prevailed. Miss Crawford
+was frantic. She was sure they would all be sent
+<pb n='287'/><anchor id='Pg287'/>to prison, and she upbraided Joyce for not getting
+another male nurse to watch him during the night.
+The house and the premises were thoroughly
+searched, but nothing was found of the missing
+man. The neighborhood was aroused and a thorough
+search of the surrounding country began.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce took to her room with a raging headache.
+The afternoon brought a couple of deputy marshals
+from Columbus. They had come to convey Calhoun
+to prison, and were astonished when told
+that the prisoner had escaped. Miss Goodsen
+was closely questioned. She had looked in once
+during the night. The Lieutenant was awake, but
+said he was comfortable and wanted nothing. She
+then went to sleep and did not awake until morning.
+She found Joyce in her room, who was overcome
+when told that her patient was gone. She
+had not heard the slightest sound during the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Doctor Hopkins was summoned. The old Doctor
+was thunderstruck when he heard the news.
+He could scarcely believe it. To add to the mystery,
+Calhoun’s Confederate uniform was found.
+Apparently he had gone away with only his night
+clothes on. Doctor Hopkins at once gave it as his
+opinion that Calhoun had been seized with a sudden
+delirium and had stolen out of the house and wandered
+away; no doubt the body would be found
+somewhere. His professional services were needed
+in the care of Joyce, for she seemed to be completely
+prostrated, and had a high fever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Poor girl,</q> said the Doctor, <q>the excitement
+<pb n='288'/><anchor id='Pg288'/>has been too much for her.</q> If he suspected anything
+he kept his secret well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The spy employed by Andrew Harmon reported
+that he had not seen or heard anything suspicious
+during the night, so that gentleman concluded to
+say nothing, as he did not wish it to be known that
+he had had the house secretly watched.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford returned the day after the escape.
+He was greatly exercised over what had happened,
+and blamed every one that Calhoun had been kept
+so long as he had. Poor Joyce came in for her
+share, but she wisely held her peace. The country
+was scoured for miles around, but nothing was seen
+or heard of the escaped prisoner, and at last the
+excitement died out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce did not lack news from Calhoun. The
+faithful Abe kept her fully informed. Joyce told
+him that both of them would go to prison if it was
+known what they had done, and he kept the secret
+well. He reported that Calhoun was gaining
+rapidly, and would soon be able to go his way.
+<q>He want to see yo’ awful bad befo’ he goes,</q>
+said Abe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Joyce resolutely refused. It would not do
+either of them any good. One day the negro
+brought her a letter. It was from Calhoun, telling
+her that when she received it he would be gone.
+He thought it cruel that she had not come to see
+him just once. He closed as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, I feel that my life is yours, for you
+saved it. Not only that, but to you I now owe my
+<pb n='289'/><anchor id='Pg289'/>liberty, and I realize the struggle you have had to
+do as you have done. But be of good cheer.
+When the war is over the thunder of the last cannon
+will hardly have died away before I shall be at
+your side. Till then adieu.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That letter was very precious to Joyce. Before
+the war was over it was nearly worn out by being
+read and reread.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Shortly after Mr. Crawford’s return he was
+asked by Andrew Harmon for permission to pay
+his addresses to his daughter. Harmon hoped that
+if he had her father’s permission to pay his addresses
+to her, Joyce’s coldness might disappear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford did not like the man, but he was
+rich and had a certain amount of political influence.
+Mr. Crawford was thinking of being a candidate for
+Congress at the approaching election, and he did
+not wish to offend Harmon, but he secretly hoped
+that Joyce would refuse him; in this he was not
+disappointed. She was indignant that her father
+had listened to Harmon, even to the extent that
+he had. <q>Why, father, I have heard you call him
+cowardly and dishonest,</q> she exclaimed, <q>and to
+think that you told him you would leave it entirely
+to me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I did not wish to offend him,</q> meekly replied
+Mr. Crawford, <q>and I had confidence in your judgment.
+I was almost certain you would refuse
+him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Will you always have such confidence in my
+judgment?</q> asked Joyce, quickly.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='290'/><anchor id='Pg290'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>What do you mean?</q> asked her father.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Suppose I should wish to marry one of whom
+you did not approve?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is another proposition,</q> said Mr. Crawford.
+<q>You might have been so foolish as to fall in
+love with that Morgan Rebel and horse-thief you
+took care of so long. If so, I had rather see you
+dead than married to him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Poor Joyce! Did her father suspect anything?
+She caught her breath, and came near falling.
+Quickly recovering herself, she answered. <q>At
+least he was a brave man. But everybody says he
+is dead, and mortals do not wed ghosts.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is to be sincerely hoped he is dead,</q> replied
+Mr. Crawford, for he had noticed his daughter’s
+confusion, and an uneasiness took possession of him.
+But much to Joyce’s relief he did not question her
+further.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Andrew Harmon was beside himself with rage
+when told by Mr. Crawford that, while his daughter
+was sensible of the great honor he would bestow
+upon her, she was still very young, and had no idea
+of marrying any one at present.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harmon determined to have revenge on Joyce,
+and began slyly to circulate reports that Joyce
+Crawford, if she chose, could tell a great deal
+about the escape of the Rebel officer. In fact, half
+of his sickness was shammed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These rumors came to the ears of Mark Crawford.
+He had been promoted to a colonelcy for
+gallantry at Chickamauga. During the winter,
+<pb n='291'/><anchor id='Pg291'/>while the army lay still around Chattanooga, he
+had come home on furlough. While at home he
+sought out Harmon and gave him as fine a thrashing
+as a man ever received, warning him if he ever
+heard of him connecting his sister with the escape
+of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his
+body. The only revenge Harmon durst take was
+to defeat Mr. Crawford in his aspirations for a
+nomination for Congress.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="22" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='292'/><anchor id='Pg292'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.</head>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back
+in the carriage and gave himself up to the most
+gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
+took from him the joy of his escape. During
+the journey his dusky driver did not speak a word.
+The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he
+was thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up
+by a log house, surrounded by a small clearing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Heah we be, Massa,</q> said Abe, as he alighted
+from his seat. <q>Hope Massa had a good ride.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door of the house was opened by a motherly
+looking colored woman, and Abe, taking Calhoun
+once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
+Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing
+Calhoun looking so pale and thin, put her fat, black
+hand on his forehead, and said, <q>Po’ chile, po’
+chile, don’t yo’ worry. Aunt Liza take good care
+ob yo’.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun felt that he was among friends—friends
+that would prove faithful and true. He was carried
+up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
+house was all in one room, rather low, but the
+rough walls were whitewashed, and everything was
+neat and clean. He was placed on a snow-white
+bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When
+<pb n='293'/><anchor id='Pg293'/>he awoke the sun was shining in at the window and
+Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast good enough
+to tempt the appetite of one far more particular
+than Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The invalid remained with his kind friends two
+weeks, treated like an honored guest, and protected
+from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
+rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk
+out evenings, when there was no danger of being
+seen. Once men who were searching for him
+entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every
+word that was said. His heart beat painfully, for
+it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
+betray him for the sake of the reward offered.
+But the thought did injustice to these simple-minded
+people. As for the searchers, the loft of
+the house of a poor negro who had run away from
+slavery was the last place they thought of looking
+for an escaped Confederate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce.
+She cheered him with words of love and comfort,
+but absolutely refused to come and see him, saying
+it would be dangerous. In this she was right, for
+Andrew Harmon was alert. He believed that
+Joyce had had something to do with the disappearance
+of Calhoun, and had her closely watched.
+Fortunately his suspicions did not extend to Abe,
+so that communication between Joyce and Calhoun
+was not interrupted. At the end of two weeks he
+felt able to leave his place of concealment. But
+where should he go? He longed to be South, in the
+<pb n='294'/><anchor id='Pg294'/>midst of the strife, but his heart was drawn toward
+Columbus, where his comrades lay languishing in
+prison. What could he do at Columbus? He did
+not know, but something might transpire that would
+enlighten him. At least he would go and look
+over the field. Once out of the neighborhood, in
+his Federal uniform and with Brown’s discharge in
+his pocket, there would be little fear of detection.
+He made his preparations to go, wrote Joyce the
+letter which she prized so highly, and bade his
+kind protectors farewell, placing in their hands a
+hundred dollars. Their surprise and joy over the
+gift were about equal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>De Lawd keep yo’!</q> said Aunt Liza, wiping
+her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun had determined to start early in the
+evening, travel all night, lie concealed during the
+day, and travel the next night. By that time he
+thought he would be so far away from the place of
+his escape that he could venture to take the cars
+without danger. Aunt Liza had supplied him
+with ample provisions for the two days. He
+carried out his programme, and on the morning
+of the second day found himself near a small
+town where he concluded to take the cars, but
+deemed it safer to wait for the night train. The
+conductor eyed him sharply when he paid his fare
+instead of showing a pass, for soldiers generally
+travelled on Federal transportation. But the conductor
+took the money and passed on without
+remark.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='295'/><anchor id='Pg295'/>
+
+<p>
+Opposite Calhoun in the car sat a gentlemanly
+looking man, and much to Calhoun’s surprise, when
+the conductor passed, he saw the gentleman make
+the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden
+Circle, and it was answered by the conductor.
+When the conductor next passed Calhoun gave
+the sign. The man stared, but did not answer.
+But he seemed to be troubled, and passed through
+the cars frequently, and Calhoun saw that he was
+watching him closely. At length, in passing, the
+conductor bent down and whispered to the gentleman
+opposite. Calhoun now knew another pair of
+eyes were observing him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Watching his opportunity, Calhoun gave this
+gentleman the sign of recognition. The gentleman
+shifted uneasily in his seat, but did not answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I will give you something stronger,</q> thought
+Calhoun, and the next time he caught the gentleman’s
+eye, he gave the sign of distress. This was
+a sign no true knight could afford to ignore. Leaning
+over, the gentleman said, <q>My boy, you look
+pale. Have you been sick?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very, and I now need friends,</q> answered
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Come over here and tell me about it,</q> said the
+gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man
+whispered, <q>Are you a deserter, and are they after
+you?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes,</q> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Where are you going?</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='296'/><anchor id='Pg296'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>To Columbus.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is a poor place to go to keep out of the
+hands of Lincoln’s minions,</q> answered the man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not afraid,</q> said Calhoun. <q>What I
+want to know is where I can find friends in Columbus
+whom I can trust—true, firm friends of the
+South.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My name is Pettis,</q> replied the man. <q>I
+reside in Columbus. Once let me be satisfied as to
+who you are and what you are wearing that uniform
+for and I may be able to help you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is easily answered,</q> said Calhoun; <q>but
+first I must be fully satisfied as to you. Let me
+prove you, my brother.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in
+the order, and was violent in his hatred of the Lincoln
+government. He could be trusted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not a Federal soldier,</q> said Calhoun after
+he had fully tested him. <q>I am wearing this uniform
+as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What! escaped from Johnson’s Island?</q> asked
+Mr. Pettis, in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, I am one of Morgan’s officers.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Morgan’s officers are all in the penitentiary,</q>
+he gasped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>One is not and never was,</q> answered Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said:
+<q>It can’t be, but it must be. Is your name Pennington?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is,</q> replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='297'/><anchor id='Pg297'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why, the papers have been full of your escape.
+But the general opinion seemed to be that you
+wandered away in a delirium and died.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Which you see is not so,</q> said Calhoun, with
+a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>How in the world did you get away?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That is a secret which I cannot tell even you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come
+home with me. You will find friends in Columbus,
+many of them, who will be delighted to meet you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice
+of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit of citizen’s clothes, for,
+said he, <q>We Knights hate the sight of that uniform;
+it’s the badge of tyranny.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed
+in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner could be more
+bitter toward the Lincoln government than he.
+He fairly worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he
+would only return to Ohio, he would be defended
+by a hundred thousand men. He was especially
+indignant over the way Morgan and his officers
+were treated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We have schemed and schemed how to help
+him,</q> said he, <q>but see no way except we storm
+that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed.
+And,</q> he added, with emphasis, <q>the day is fast
+approaching when we will do it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For three days Calhoun remained at Mr. Pettis’s,
+wearying his brain as to how he might help his
+general, but every plan proposed was rejected as
+impracticable. On the third morning he happened
+<pb n='298'/><anchor id='Pg298'/>to pick up a paper, and glancing over its columns,
+saw an advertisement which caused every nerve in his
+body to tingle. It was an advertisement for a boy
+to work in the dining-room and wait on the table
+at the penitentiary. The advertisement stated that
+the sole duty of the boy was to wait on the table
+when the Confederate officers ate, as they objected
+to being waited upon by convicts. In less than
+five minutes Calhoun was in his Federal uniform
+and on his way to the penitentiary to apply for the
+position.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You do not look very strong,</q> said the warden,
+kindly; <q>do you think you could fill the bill?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am sure I can,</q> said Calhoun. <q>Only try
+me and see.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well,</q> replied the warden, <q>I had rather hire
+a boy who has served his country, as you have, and
+I will give you a trial.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus to his great joy Calhoun found himself
+hired to wait upon his old comrades in arms.
+With what feelings he commenced his duties can
+be imagined. Would they recognize him, and in
+their surprise give him away? No, he thought not.
+They knew too well how to control themselves for
+that. It was with a beating heart that Calhoun
+waited for the time of the first meal. It came, and
+the Confederate prisoners came marching in. How
+Calhoun’s heart thrilled at the sight of his old
+comrades! But if they recognized him they did
+not show it by look or sign.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the meal was finished and the prisoners
+<pb n='299'/><anchor id='Pg299'/>marched out, Calhoun managed to give Morgan a
+little slip of paper. On it was written: <q>I am here
+to help you if I can. Be of good cheer.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But how could Calhoun help them? Even at
+meal-time guards stood everywhere watching every
+move. His duties did not take him out of the
+dining-room. Calhoun began by making a careful
+survey of the building in which the prisoners were
+confined. Fortune favored him. One day he
+made a remark to one of the employees of the
+prison that the floor of the building seemed to be
+remarkably dry and free from damp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It should be,</q> was the reply; <q>there is an air
+chamber under the floor.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Like a flash there came to Calhoun a plan for
+escape. If this air chamber could be reached a
+tunnel might be run out. He took careful note of
+all the surroundings, and drew a plan of the buildings
+and surrounding grounds. These he managed
+to pass to Morgan unobserved. At the next meal-time
+as Morgan passed him, he said, as if to himself,
+<q>No tools.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was a difficult matter. Nothing of any size
+could be passed to them without discovery. But
+in the hospital Calhoun found some large and finely
+tempered table-knives. He managed to conceal
+several of these around his person, and one by one
+they were given to Morgan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun now waited in feverish excitement for
+the success of the plan. He had done all he could.
+The rest depended on the prisoners themselves.
+<pb n='300'/><anchor id='Pg300'/>Through the shrewdness and indomitable energy of
+Captain Thomas H. Hines the work was carried to
+a successful termination inside the prison wall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Morgan occupied a cell in the second
+tier, and could do nothing. Only those who occupied
+cells on the ground floor had any hopes of
+escaping. Captain Hines, with infinite labor made
+an opening through the floor of his cell into the air
+chamber. Once in the air chamber they could work
+without being discovered. With only the table-knives
+to work with, these men went through two
+solid walls, one five feet, and the other six feet in
+thickness. Not only that, but they went through
+eleven feet of grouting. Then, working from
+under, they went through the floors of six cells,
+leaving only a thin scale of cement, which could be
+broken through by a pressure from the foot. The
+work was commenced November 4, and finished
+November 24. Thus in twenty days seven men,
+working one at a time, had accomplished what
+seemed almost impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+During these days Calhoun could only wait and
+hope. As the prisoners passed him in the dining-room,
+all they could say was <q>Progressing,</q> <q>Not
+discovered yet,</q> <q>All is well so far.</q> At last, on
+the 24th, Calhoun heard the welcome words,
+<q>Finished. First stormy night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun now examined the time-tables and
+found that a train left Columbus for Cincinnati at
+1:15 <hi rend="font-size: small">A. M.</hi>; arriving in Cincinnati before the prisoners
+were aroused in the morning. So he wrote on
+<pb n='301'/><anchor id='Pg301'/>a slip of paper: <q>Escape as soon after midnight as
+possible.</q> He believed that train could be taken
+with safety. The afternoon of November 27,
+the weather became dark and stormy. At supper-time
+Calhoun heard the glad word, <q>To-night.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as his duties were done he hurried
+to the home of Mr. Pettis, exchanged his uniform
+for citizen’s clothes, telling Mr. Pettis his work at
+the penitentiary was done, and he had decided to
+leave. <q>Ask no questions; it is better that you
+know nothing,</q> said Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Pettis took his advice, but he was not surprised
+in the morning when he heard that Morgan
+had escaped. For General Morgan to escape, it
+was necessary for him to occupy a lower cell. His
+brother, Captain Dick Morgan, occupied the cell
+next to Captain Hines. The Captain, giving up his
+chance of escaping, effected an exchange of cells
+with his brother. This was easily accomplished, as
+they were about of a size, and it was quite dark in
+the cells when they were locked in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The General had been allowed to keep his watch.
+When a few minutes after twelve came, he arose,
+fixed a dummy in his bed to resemble a man sleeping,
+and breaking through the thin crust over the
+opening with his foot, slipped into the air chamber.
+He gave the signal, and was quickly joined by his
+companions. Captain Morgan had made a ladder
+out of strips of bed-clothing, and by the aid of this
+ladder they hoped to scale two walls, one twenty
+<pb n='302'/><anchor id='Pg302'/>feet high, which would stand between them and
+liberty, after they had emerged from the tunnel.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little before midnight Calhoun made his way
+as close as he durst to the place where he knew the
+wall must be scaled. Not three hundred feet away
+several guards were gathered around a fire. The
+night was cold, and the guards kept close to the
+fire. Slowly the minutes passed. The city clocks
+struck half-past twelve. Would they never come?
+Had their flight been detected?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a dark spot appeared on top of the
+wall. Then another, and another, until Calhoun
+counted seven. They were all there. Silently
+they slid down the rope ladder, the talk and laughter
+of the guards ringing in their ears. But noiselessly
+they glided away, and the darkness hid them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>This way,</q> whispered Calhoun. When out of
+hearing of the guards, they stopped for consultation.
+It would not do to keep together. They
+decided to go two and two. Calhoun handed each
+a sum of money. There was a strong clasping of
+the hands, a whispered farewell, and they who had
+dared so much separated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next morning there was consternation in
+the penitentiary at Columbus. The news of Morgan’s
+escape was flashed over the country. The
+Federal authorities were astonished, dumbfounded.
+A reward of five thousand dollars was offered for
+his recapture. Every house in Columbus was
+searched, but to no purpose. John Morgan had
+flown.
+</p>
+<anchor id="illus09"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus09.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus09.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON</head>
+<figDesc>ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+</div><div type="chapter" n="23" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='303'/><anchor id='Pg303'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXIII.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH.</head>
+
+<p>
+The 1:15 train from Columbus to Cincinnati
+was about to start. <q>All aboard,</q> shouted
+the conductor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two gentlemen sauntered into one of the cars,
+to all appearances the most unconcerned of individuals.
+They took different seats, the younger
+just behind the older. General Morgan and Calhoun
+had reached the train in safety; had purchased
+tickets, and taken their seats without exciting suspicion.
+A moment more and they would be on
+their way South.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A Federal major came hurrying in and seated
+himself beside Morgan, and the two entered into
+conversation. On the way out of the city the train
+had to pass close to the penitentiary. The major,
+pointing to the grim, dark pile, and thinking he
+might be imparting some information, said: <q>There
+is where they keep the notorious John Morgan.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>May he always be kept as safe as he is now,</q>
+quickly replied the General.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Oh! they will keep him safe enough,</q> said the
+major, complacently stroking his chin. The major
+better understood the Delphic answer of the General
+the next morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All went well until Dayton was reached, where
+<pb n='304'/><anchor id='Pg304'/>by some accident the train was held over an hour.
+It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun.
+It meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati,
+that before they arrived there the Federal authorities
+of the city might be informed of the escape.
+It would never do for them to ride clear into the
+city. As the train slowed up as it entered the
+suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped off
+without being noticed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Morgan being well acquainted with the city,
+they quickly made their way to a ferry, and by the
+time the escape had been discovered at the penitentiary,
+Morgan’s feet were pressing the soil of
+Kentucky. Calhoun’s heart thrilled as he once more
+breathed the air of his native state. He felt like a
+new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of
+miles to safety. They must steal through the states
+of Kentucky and Tennessee like hunted beasts, for
+the enemy was everywhere. But friends there
+were, too—friends as true as steel. And hardly
+had they set foot in Kentucky before they found
+such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and
+protected them. He gave them horses, and sent
+them on their way. Slowly they made their way
+through the state, travelling all night, sent from the
+house of one friend to that of another. At last they
+reached the Cumberland River near Burkesville,
+where they had crossed it at the beginning of their
+raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had passed
+since then, so much had happened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened.
+<pb n='305'/><anchor id='Pg305'/>They did not know friend from foe. On entering
+a house they did not know whether they would be
+protected or betrayed. The country was swarming
+with Federal cavalry. It was rumored that Morgan
+was in the country making his way south, and every
+officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing
+him. In the mountains Morgan and Calhoun met
+a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were
+making their way to the Confederate lines. In the
+party were a number of Morgan’s old men, who
+hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan
+assumed command of them. But few of the party
+were mounted, consequently their progress was
+slow and their dangers were augmented.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All went well until the Tennessee River was
+reached, a few miles below Kingston. The river
+was high and there was no means of crossing. A
+rude raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming,
+they commenced crossing. When about half
+were across a company of Federal cavalry appeared
+and attacked those who were still on the northern
+bank. On the frail raft, Morgan started to push
+across to their aid.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you crazy, General,</q> cried Calhoun; <q>you
+can do no good, and will only be killed or captured.
+See, the men have scattered already, and are taking
+to the woods and mountains.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away.
+He had the satisfaction afterwards of learning that
+most of the men escaped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next day was the last day that Calhoun
+<pb n='306'/><anchor id='Pg306'/>ever rode with Morgan, but little did he realize it
+at the time. Along in the afternoon they became
+aware of the close proximity of a squadron of
+Federal cavalry. Morgan and those with him took
+shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun
+rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no
+enemy and was coming back when he ran squarely
+into the Federals. The foremost of them were not
+ten feet from Morgan, he still being screened from
+view by the cedars. Without hesitation, Calhoun
+cried, <q>This way, Major. Hurry up, they have
+gone this way,</q> pointing the way he had come.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving
+the command, <q>Forward,</q> rode rapidly after Calhoun,
+and Morgan was saved. For half a mile
+they rode, when a stream was reached, and it was
+seen no horseman had crossed it. The major drew
+rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You have deceived me, you dog!</q> he cried.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, I am one of Morgan’s men,</q> calmly
+replied Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The anger of the major was terrible. He grew
+purple in the face. <q>Yes, and you have led me
+away from Morgan,</q> he hissed. <q>You will pay
+for this.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun still remained calm. <q>That was not
+Morgan,</q> he said; <q>I ought to know Morgan, I
+have ridden with him for two years.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I know better,</q> roared the Major, thoroughly
+beside himself; <q>you are a lying scoundrel; I will
+fix you.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='307'/><anchor id='Pg307'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>What are you going to do?</q> asked Calhoun,
+with apparent calmness, but a great fear coming
+over him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is
+a God in heaven! I would not have had Morgan
+slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It
+would mean a brigadier generalship for me if I had
+caught him. String him up, men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off
+his horse, fastened it around Calhoun’s neck,
+threw the other end over the projecting limb of a
+tree, and stood awaiting orders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun
+in the face, and there was no Captain Huffman near
+to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save
+him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Major, before you commit this great outrage—an
+outrage against all rules of civilized warfare—let
+me say one word.</q> Calhoun’s voice did not even
+tremble as he asked this favor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Be quick about it, then, but don’t think you
+can say anything that will save your cursed neck!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say,
+and I have been one of Morgan’s men, as I have
+confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had
+betrayed him into your hands?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The fire of anger died out of the major’s eyes.
+He hesitated, and then said: <q>You are right. If
+that was General Morgan, and you are one of his
+men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not
+for saving him.</q> Then to his men he said: <q>Boys,
+<pb n='308'/><anchor id='Pg308'/>take off that halter; he is too brave and true a
+man to be hanged.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed
+to the major’s sense of honor, and the appeal had
+not been made in vain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The major kept Calhoun for three days, and
+during that time treated him more like a brother
+than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness.
+At the end of the three days Calhoun was placed
+under a strong guard with orders to be taken to
+Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville
+was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would
+he live to be taken North in irons, as he would be
+when it became known that he was one of Morgan’s
+officers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the end of the first day’s journey the prisoners,
+of whom there were several, were placed in the
+tower room of a deserted house. Three guards
+with loaded muskets stood in the room, another
+was just outside the door. Calhoun watched his
+chance, and when the guards inside the room were
+not looking, he dashed through the door, closing it
+after him. The guard outside raised his musket
+and fired. So close was he that the fire from the
+muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun’s face, yet he was
+not touched. Another guard but a few feet away
+saw him running, and fired. The ball tore its way
+through the side of his coat. But he was not yet
+out of danger. He had to pass close to two picket
+posts, and as he neared them he was saluted with a
+shower of balls. But he ran on unharmed. One
+<pb n='309'/><anchor id='Pg309'/>of the pickets with fixed bayonet took after him.
+He came so close that Calhoun could hear his heavy
+breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before.
+A turn in the road took him out of sight of his
+pursuers, and he sprang to one side and began to
+climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed
+by in pursuit; they had missed him. With a
+thankful heart Calhoun saw them disappear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But darkness came on and he had to feel his way
+up the mountain on his hands and knees. His
+progress was so slow that when morning came he
+had only reached the top of the mountain. He
+could hear the shouts of the soldiers searching
+for him. Near him was a growth of high grass.
+Going into this he lay down; and here he remained
+all day. At one time the soldiers in search of him
+came within twenty feet of where he lay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun
+ever spent. Hunger gnawed him, and he was
+consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter,
+and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth
+of his body thawed the frozen ground until he sank
+into it. When night came it froze again, and
+when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast.
+It was with difficulty that he released himself
+without sacrificing his clothing. For the next
+seven days he hardly remembers how he existed.
+Travelling by night and hiding by day, begging a
+morsel of food here and there, he at last reached
+the Confederate lines near Dalton.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="24" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='310'/><anchor id='Pg310'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXIV.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.</head>
+
+<p>
+<q>Is this General Shackelford?</q> asked Calhoun of
+a distinguished-looking Confederate officer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You
+look as if you had been seeing hard times.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have,</q> answered Calhoun; <q>I have just
+escaped from the North. I am one of Morgan’s
+men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Are you one of the officers who escaped with
+Morgan?</q> asked the General, with much interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan,
+but I escaped South with him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I had a nephew with Morgan,</q> continued the
+General. <q>We have not heard from him since
+Morgan was captured. The report is that he was
+killed in the last fight that Morgan had before
+he was captured. Poor Cal!</q> and the General
+sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Uncle Dick, do you not know me?</q> asked
+Calhoun, in a broken voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment.
+<q>It cannot be, yes, it is Cal!</q> he exclaimed,
+and the next moment he had Calhoun by
+the hand, and was nearly shaking it off.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you have been in a Northern prison, have
+you?</q> asked the General.
+</p>
+
+<pb n='311'/><anchor id='Pg311'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, but I was wounded near unto death.
+Fortunately I fell into kind hands.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin
+and bones.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in
+the last seven days to keep a bird alive. Then I
+was none too strong when I started on my journey
+south.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Tell me about it some other time,</q> said the
+General. <q>What you want now is rest and something
+to eat.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And rest and food Calhoun got.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he came to tell his story it was listened to
+with wonder. He was taken to General Joseph E.
+Johnston, then in command of the Confederate
+forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You know, I presume,</q> said Johnston, <q>that
+Morgan escaped, and is now in Richmond.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, I long to be with him,</q> answered Calhoun.
+<q>I feel as strong as ever now.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Do not be in a hurry to report,</q> said Johnston.
+<q>Wait until you hear from me.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few days Calhoun received a message from
+General Johnston saying he would like to see him.
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying the summons.
+He was received most cordially.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>In the first place, Captain,</q> said the General,
+<q>allow me to present you this,</q> and he handed him
+his commission as captain in the Confederate army.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun choked, he could only stammer his
+thanks. But what came next astonished him still
+<pb n='312'/><anchor id='Pg312'/>more. <q>I now offer you the position of Chief of
+the Secret Service of my army,</q> said the General.
+<q><corr sic="quote missing">After</corr> listening to your story, although you are
+young, I believe there is no officer in the army
+more capable of filling it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun knew not what to say; it was a place
+of the greatest honor, but he hated to leave Morgan.
+<q>Will you let me consult my uncle before I
+give an answer?</q> asked Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Most certainly,</q> replied the General.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Accept it, by all means, Cal,</q> said General
+Shackelford when Calhoun appealed to him. <q>In
+the first place, it is your duty to serve your country
+in the place where you can do the most good.
+There is no question but that at the head of the
+Secret Service you can render the country vastly
+better service than you can riding with Morgan.
+In the next place, I fancy it will not be exactly
+with Morgan as it was before his unfortunate raid.
+His famous raiders are prisoners, or scattered. It
+will be impossible for him to gather another such
+force. They understood him, he understood them.
+This will not be the case with a new command.
+Then, this is for your ear alone, Calhoun, the
+authorities at Richmond are not satisfied with
+Morgan. In invading the North he disobeyed
+orders; and this, those high in authority cannot
+overlook.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So, with many regrets, Calhoun decided to
+accept the offer of General Johnston; but for many
+days his heart was with his old chieftain. The
+<pb n='313'/><anchor id='Pg313'/>time came when he saw the wisdom of his uncle’s
+remarks. General Morgan never regained his old
+prestige. It is true the Confederate government
+gave him the department of Western Virginia, but
+they so hampered him with orders that any great
+success was impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In June, 1864, Morgan made his last raid into
+Kentucky. At first he was successful, sweeping
+everything before him. He had the pleasure of
+taking prisoner General Hobson, the man who had
+tracked him all through his Northern raid. But
+at Cynthiana he met with overwhelming defeat, his
+prisoners being recaptured, and he escaping with
+only a small remnant of his command.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the morning of the 4th of September, 1864,
+the end came. General Morgan was slain in battle
+at Greenville, East Tennessee. Calhoun mourned
+him as a father, when he heard of his death. It
+was long months afterwards before he heard the
+full particulars, and then they were told him by
+an officer who was with the General on that fatal
+morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>We marched into Greenville,</q> said the officer,
+<q rend="post: none">and took possession of the place on the afternoon
+of the 3d. There was a small company of Yankees
+within four miles of us, but there was no considerable
+body of Yankees nearer than Bull’s Gap, sixteen
+miles away. The General established his
+headquarters at the house of a Mrs. Williams, the
+finest house in the little city.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q rend="post: none">In the evening a furious storm arose and
+con<pb n='314'/><anchor id='Pg314'/>tinued most all night. The rain fell in torrents.
+The lightning flashed incessantly, and there was a
+continual crash of thunder. It seemed impossible
+that troops could move in such a storm, and we
+felt perfectly safe.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q rend="post: none">But there were traitors in Greenville, and they
+carried the news to the little company of Yankees
+four miles away that Morgan was in the city, and
+told at what house he lodged. Two daring young
+cavalrymen volunteered to carry the news to General
+Gillem at Bull’s Gap. Talk about the ride of
+Paul Revere, compared to the ride of those two
+Yankees! Buffeted by wind and rain, one moment
+in a glaring light and the next in pitch darkness,
+with the thunder crashing overhead, in spite
+of wind and rain, those two cavalrymen rode the
+sixteen miles by midnight.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q rend="post: none">The command was aroused. What if the rain
+did pour and the elements warred with each other?
+Morgan was the prize, and by daylight Gillem’s
+soldiers had reached Greenville. So complete was
+the surprise that the house in which the General
+slept was surrounded before the alarm was given.
+Then thinking only of joining his men, the General
+leaped out of bed, and without waiting to dress,
+seized his sword and dashed out of the house, seeking
+to escape by the way of the garden. But he
+was seen by a soldier and shot dead. The news
+that Morgan was killed seemed to go through the
+air. It was known in an incredibly short time by
+both sides.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='315'/><anchor id='Pg315'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Now,</q> said the officer, <q>occurred one of the
+most singular circumstances I know of during the
+war. There was no flag of truce, no orders to cease
+firing, yet the firing ceased. The Confederates
+gathered together, and marched out of the city;
+the Federals marched in; the two were close
+together, within easy musket range, but not a shot
+was fired. It seemed as if both sides were conscious
+that a great man had fallen, a gallant soul
+fled, and that even grim war should stay his hand.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It is not within the scope of this book to follow
+Calhoun through the last year of the war. Suffice it
+to say, that in the enlarged sphere of his new position,
+his genius found full scope. He was all through
+the Atlantic campaign, where for four months the
+thunder of cannon never ceased, and where seventy-five
+thousand men were offered as a sacrifice to the
+god of war. He followed Hood in his raid to the
+rear of Sherman’s army, and then into Tennessee.
+He was in that hell of fire at Franklin, where fell so
+many of the bravest sons of the South. At Nashville
+he was among those who tried to stem the tide
+of defeat, and was among the last to leave that
+fatal field. When the remnants of Hood’s army
+were gathered and marched across the states of
+Alabama and Georgia into North Carolina, hoping
+to stay the victorious progress of Sherman, Calhoun
+was with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Not until the surrender of Lee and Johnston did
+Calhoun give up every hope of the independence of
+the South. But the end came, and in bitter anguish
+<pb n='316'/><anchor id='Pg316'/>he laid down his arms. He had given his young
+life to his country when only seventeen years of
+age. For four years he had fought and hoped.
+When the end came it seemed to him the sky
+was darkened, that every hope had perished, that
+everything worth living for was gone. Oh, the
+bitterness of defeat! Strong men wept like
+children.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Even the victors stood in silence over the grief
+of those whom they had met so many times in
+battle. They were brothers now, and they took
+them by the hand and bade them be of good cheer,
+and divided their rations with them. The soldiers
+who had fought each other on so many bloody fields
+were the first to fraternize, the first to forget.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Calhoun gave his parole, he met his cousin
+Fred, who was on General Sherman’s staff. The
+meeting was a happy one for Calhoun, for it served
+to dispel the gloom which depressed his spirits. It
+seemed to be like old times to be with Fred again.
+Nothing would satisfy Fred, but that Calhoun
+should return home by the way of Washington.
+He consented, and was in Washington at the time
+of the Grand Review. All day long he watched
+the mighty armies of Grant and Sherman, as with
+steady tread they marched through the streets,
+showered with flowers, greeted with proud huzzahs.
+And then he thought of the home-coming of the
+ragged Confederates, and the tears ran down his
+cheeks. But as he looked upon the thousands and
+thousands as they marched along, and remembered
+<pb n='317'/><anchor id='Pg317'/>the depleted ranks of the Southern army, his only
+wonder was that the South had held out so long as
+it did. Defeated they were, but their deeds are
+carved deep in the temple of fame, never to be
+erased.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="25" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='318'/><anchor id='Pg318'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXV.</head>
+
+<head type="sub">THE LONE RAIDER.</head>
+
+<p>
+It was near the close of a beautiful day in early
+June that Joyce Crawford was once more standing
+by the gate, looking down the road. It is
+nearly two years since we saw her last. She has
+grown taller, more womanly, even more beautiful,
+if that were possible. The sound of war had
+ceased in the land. No longer was the fierce raider
+abroad; yet Joyce Crawford stood looking down
+that road as intently as she did that eventful evening
+when Calhoun Pennington came riding to the
+door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had not heard a word from him since his
+escape; nor had she expected to hear. All that she
+could do was to scan the papers for his name among
+the killed or captured Confederates. But the
+Northern papers published few names of Confederates
+known to have been killed, except the highest
+and most distinguished officers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+During these two years Joyce’s heart had been
+true to her raider lover. He had said that he
+would come when the war was over, that the
+thunder of the last cannon would hardly have
+ceased to reverberate through the land before he
+would be by her side. It was two months since
+Lee had surrendered yet he had not come. That
+<pb n='319'/><anchor id='Pg319'/>he had been untrue she would not admit; if such a
+thought came to her, she dismissed it as unworthy.
+No! Like his general, he was lying in a soldier’s
+grave; or he might be sick, wounded, unable to
+come.
+</p>
+<p>
+This June evening, as she stood looking down
+the road, her thoughts were in the past. Once
+more, in imagination, Morgan’s raiders came riding
+by; she beheld the country terror-stricken; men,
+women, and children fleeing from—they hardly
+knew what. Once more she heard the sound of
+distant battle, then down the road that little cloud
+of dust which grew larger and larger, until the horse
+with its stricken rider came to view. How vividly
+she remembered it all, how real it seemed to her!
+She actually held her breath and listened to catch
+the sound of battle; she strained her eyes to catch
+a glimpse of that little cloud of dust.
+</p>
+    <anchor id="illus10"/>
+<pgIf output='txt'><then>
+  <p rend="margin-left: 2; margin-right: 2">[Illustration: SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE]</p>
+</then><else><pgIf output="pdf"><then><p><figure url="images/illus10.png" rend="width: 100%">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE</head></figure></p></then>
+<else><p><figure url="images/illus10.png">
+    <head rend="font-size: small">SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE</head>
+<figDesc>SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF BATTLE</figDesc></figure></p></else></pgIf>
+</else></pgIf>
+<p>
+No sound of battle came to her ears, but away
+down the road, as far as she could see, arose a little
+cloud of dust. Her heart gave a great throb; why
+she could not tell, for she had seen a thousand
+clouds of dust arise from that road, as she watched
+and waited. The little cloud grew larger. Now
+she could see it was caused by a single horseman,
+one who rode swiftly, and sat his horse with rare
+grace. She stood with hands pressed to her bosom,
+her eyes dilating, her breath coming in quick, short
+gasps.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before she realized it, the rider had thrown himself
+from his horse, and with the cry of <q>Joyce!
+<pb n='320'/><anchor id='Pg320'/>Joyce!</q> had her in his arms, kissing her hair, her
+brow, her lips. For a minute she lay at rest in his
+arms; then, with burning brow and cheek and neck,
+she disengaged herself from his embrace, and stood
+looking at him with lovelit eyes. Could this be he
+whom, two years before, she had taken in wounded
+nigh unto death? How manly he had grown!
+How well his citizen suit became him!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Were you watching for me, Joyce?</q> asked
+Calhoun.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I have watched for you every night since Lee
+surrendered. I began to think you had forgotten—no,
+not that, I feared you had been slain,</q> she
+exclaimed, in a trembling voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Death only could have kept me from you,
+Joyce. In camp and battle your image was in my
+heart. The thought of seeing you has sweetened
+the bitterness of defeat. The war did not
+end as I thought it would, but it has brought me
+to you—to you. Now that the war is over, there
+is nothing to separate us, is there, Joyce?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She grew as pale as death. She had not thought
+of her father before—he believed that the South
+had been treated too leniently, that treason should
+be punished. All that the South had suffered he
+believed to be a just punishment for her manifold
+sins. If the Rebels’ lives were spared, they should
+be thankful, and ask nothing more. Joyce knew
+how her father felt. Not a word had ever passed
+between them relative to Calhoun since his escape;
+but the father knew much more than Joyce
+<pb n='321'/><anchor id='Pg321'/>thought. He had kept still, thinking that time
+would cure his daughter of her infatuation, for he
+considered it nothing else.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun saw the change in Joyce, how she drew
+from him, how pale she had grown, and he asked,
+<q>What is it, Joyce? Why, you shrink from me, and
+tremble like a leaf. Tell me, Joyce, what is it?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>My father!</q> she whispered, <q>Oh, I fear—I
+fear!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Fear what, darling?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>That he will drive you from me; that he will
+forbid me seeing you!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>For what?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Because you fought against your country;
+because you were one of Morgan’s men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What would he do? Hang me, if he could?</q>
+asked Calhoun, bitterly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, no, but—oh, Calhoun, let us hope for the
+best. Perhaps when he sees you it will be different.
+You must see him. He and aunt have gone
+to New Lisbon; but they will be at home presently.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With many misgivings Calhoun allowed his horse
+to be put up, and he and Joyce enjoyed an hour’s
+sweet converse before her father and aunt returned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When her father entered the room Joyce, with
+a palpitating heart, said: <q>Father, let me introduce
+you to Mr. Calhoun Pennington, of Danville, Kentucky.
+He is the young officer whom we cared for
+when wounded. He has come to thank us for the
+kindness shown him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='322'/><anchor id='Pg322'/>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford bowed coldly, and said, without
+extending his hand, <q>Mr. Pennington need not
+have taken the trouble; the incident has long since
+been forgotten. But supper is ready; I trust Mr.
+Pennington will honor us by remaining and partaking
+of the repast with us.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun could do nothing but accept, yet he
+felt he was an unwelcome guest. As for Joyce,
+she knew not what to think; she could only hope
+for the best. The meal passed almost in silence.
+Mr. Crawford was scrupulously polite, but his manner
+was cold and constrained. Poor Joyce tried to
+talk and appear merry, but had to give it up as a
+failure. Every one was glad when the meal was
+through. As they arose from the table, Mr. Crawford
+said: <q>Joyce, remain with your aunt, I wish to
+have a private conversation with Mr. Pennington.</q>
+Calhoun followed him into the parlor. He knew
+that what was coming would try his soul more than
+charging up to the mouth of a flaming cannon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first question asked nearly took Calhoun’s
+breath away, it was so sudden and unexpected.
+It was, <q>Young man, why am I honored with this
+visit?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>As your daughter said, to thank you for the
+kindness I received while an enforced guest in your
+house,</q> answered Calhoun, and then he mentally
+cursed himself for his cowardice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Guests who leave as unceremoniously as you
+did do not generally return to express their
+thanks,</q> answered Mr. Crawford, dryly. <q>It was
+<pb n='323'/><anchor id='Pg323'/>a poor return you gave my daughter for her kindness.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>What do you mean?</q> asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I mean that leaving as you did subjected my
+daughter to much unjust criticism. An honorable
+man would have gone to prison rather than subjected
+the young lady to whom he owed his life to
+idle remarks.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun felt every nerve in him tingle. His hot
+blood rushed through his veins like fire, he clenched
+his hands until his nails buried themselves in the
+palms. How he longed to throttle him and force
+the insult down his throat! But he was an old
+man; he was Joyce’s father. Then, as Joyce had
+never told him it was she who had planned the
+escape, it was not for him to speak. Controlling
+himself by a mighty effort, he calmly said: <q>Mr.
+Crawford, I am sorry you think so poorly of me,
+for I came here to ask of you the greatest boon you
+have to give on earth, that is your consent that I
+may pay my addresses to your daughter, and in due
+time make her my wife. I love her with my whole
+soul, and have reason to know that my love is
+returned.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And I had rather see my daughter dead than
+married to a Rebel and traitor, especially to one of
+Morgan’s men. You have my answer,</q> said Mr.
+Crawford, angrily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Why call me Rebel and traitor?</q> asked Calhoun.
+<q>Whatever I may have been, I am not that
+<pb n='324'/><anchor id='Pg324'/>now. The government has pardoned; can you not
+be as generous as the government? as generous
+as your great generals, Grant and Sherman?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And the government will find out its mistake.
+Your punishment has not been what your sins
+deserve. Your lands should be taken from you and
+given to the poor beings you have enslaved these
+centuries. But we need not quarrel. You have
+had my answer concerning my daughter. Now go,
+and never let me see you again.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mr. Crawford,</q> said Calhoun, rising, <q>you
+have been very outspoken with me, and I will be
+equally so with you. As to the terms you say
+should have been given the South, I will say that
+had such been even hinted at, every man, woman,
+and child in the South would have died on their
+hearthstones before yielding. But this is idle talk,
+as I trust there are but few in the North so
+remorseless as you. Now, as to your daughter; if
+she is willing, I shall marry her in spite of you.
+There is one raider of Morgan still in the saddle,
+and he will not cease his raid until he has carried
+away the fairest flower in Ohio.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go,</q> cried Mr. Crawford, losing his temper,
+<q>go before I am forced to use harsher means.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before Calhoun could reply, before he could take
+a step, there was a swish of woman’s garments, and
+before the father’s astonished eyes there stood his
+daughter by the side of her lover. Her form was
+drawn to its full height, her bosom was heaving,
+her eyes were flashing. Taking her lover’s hand,
+<pb n='325'/><anchor id='Pg325'/>she cried: <q>Father, what have you done? I love
+this man, love him with all my heart and soul, and
+he is worthy of my love. If I can never call him
+husband, no other man shall ever call me wife.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The father staggered and grew deadly pale.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>O God,</q> he moaned. <q>I have no daughter
+now. Child, child, much as I love you, would
+that you were lying beside your mother.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Leaving the side of Calhoun, Joyce went to her
+father, and taking his hands in hers said, <q>Father,
+grant me but a few moments’ private interview with
+Captain Pennington, and I promise I will never
+marry him without your free and full consent.
+Nay, more, without your consent I will never see
+him again or correspond with him.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, Joyce!</q> cried Calhoun, <q>what are you
+doing? What are you promising?</q> and he started
+toward her, but she motioned him back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Father! Father!</q> she wailed, <q>don’t you
+hear?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, what did you say? What do you
+mean?</q> he whispered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce repeated what she had said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And you mean it, Joyce? you are to stay with
+me?</q> he asked, eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, but I must have a private interview with
+Captain Pennington before he goes. Then it is for
+you to say whether I shall ever meet him again or
+not.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun stood by while this conversation was
+<pb n='326'/><anchor id='Pg326'/>going on, the great drops of perspiration gathering
+on his forehead. Was he going to lose Joyce after
+all?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The father arose and left the room. No sooner
+was he gone than she turned, and with a low cry
+sank into her lover’s arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, Joyce, what have you done?</q> cried
+Calhoun. <q>Fly with me now! Let me take you
+to my Kentucky home. Father will welcome you.
+You will not lack the love of a father.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce raised her head, her eyes swimming in
+tears, but full of love and tenderness. <q>Hear me,
+Calhoun,</q> she said, <q>and then you will not blame
+me. We cannot marry now, we are both too young.
+You told me that you and your cousin were to go to
+Harvard. That means four long years. Before that
+time my father may give his consent to our union.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>But you told him you would not see me, would
+not even write. That means banishment.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Not from my heart,</q> she whispered. <q>Calhoun,
+for you to attempt to see me now, or to
+write to me, would be but to increase my father’s
+opposition. I trust to time, and by filial obedience
+to win him. It is a fearful thing, Calhoun, to
+be disowned by one’s own father, and by a father
+who loves one as I know my father loves me. It
+would kill him if I left him, and the knowledge
+would make me unhappy, even with you. Calhoun,
+do you love me?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>As my life,</q> he answered, clasping her once
+more to his breast. <q>And to be banished entirely
+<pb n='327'/><anchor id='Pg327'/>from your presence is more than I can bear. It is
+cruel of you to ask it.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Calhoun, did you love me when I aided you to
+escape?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You know I did, why do you ask?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yet you left me for two long years, left me to
+fight for principles which you held dear. What if, for
+love of me, I had asked you to resign from the army,
+to forsake the cause for which you were fighting?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I couldn’t have done it, Joyce. I couldn’t
+have done it, even for your love. But you would
+not ask me to do such a craven act.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>And yet you ask me to forsake my father, to
+be false to what I know is right.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, how can I answer you? I am dumb
+before your logic. But how can I pass the weary
+years which are to come?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>You have passed two since we parted, and
+your college years need not be weary. They will
+not be weary. Have faith. When father learns
+how good, how noble, how true you are, he will
+give his consent. And Mark, my brother Mark,
+he will plead for me, I know.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Joyce, I am like a criminal awaiting pardon—a
+pardon which may never come.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t say that. Now, Calhoun, we must part.
+Remember you are not to try to see me or write to
+me. But the moment father relents I will say,
+Come. It will not be long. Now go.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun clasped her once more in his arms,
+pressed the farewell kiss on her lips, and left her.
+</p>
+
+</div><div type="chapter" n="26" rend="page-break-before: always">
+<pb n='328'/><anchor id='Pg328'/>
+<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/>
+<head>CHAPTER XXVI.</head>
+
+<head type="sub"><q>COME.</q></head>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun found his life in the university
+delightful. He was a good student, and a
+popular one. The black-haired young Kentuckian
+who had ridden with Morgan was a favorite in society.
+Many were the languishing glances cast upon
+him by the beauties of Cambridge and Boston, but
+he was true to Joyce. In the still hours of the
+night his thoughts were of her, and he wondered
+when he would hear that word <q>Come.</q> But
+months and years passed, and no word came.
+He heard that her father was still obdurate. He
+would wait until his college course was finished,
+and then, come what would, he would see Joyce
+and try to shake her resolution. He would carry
+her off <hi rend='italic'>vi et armis</hi> if necessary.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day of his graduation came. It was a proud
+as well as a sad day to him. Sad because friendships
+of four years must be broken, in most cases
+never to be renewed; and sadder yet because no
+word had come from Joyce. She must know that
+he was now free, that of all things he would long to
+come to her. Why should she longer be held by
+that promise to her father? For the first time he
+felt bitterness in his heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Twilight, darkness came, still he sat in his
+apart<pb n='329'/><anchor id='Pg329'/>ments brooding. From without came the shouts
+and laughter of students, happy in the thought of
+going home; but their laughter found no echo in
+his heart. A step was heard, and his cousin Fred
+came dashing into the room. <q>Why, Cal,</q> he exclaimed,
+<q>why sit here in the darkness, especially
+on this day of all days? We are through, Cal, we
+are going back to Old Kentucky. Don’t the
+thought stir your blood?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Go away and leave me, Fred. I am desperate
+to-night. I want to be alone,</q> replied Calhoun,
+half despondently, half angrily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fred whistled. <q>Look here, old fellow,</q> he
+said, kindly, <q>this won’t do. It’s time we met the
+folks down at the hotel. By the way, here is a
+telegram for you. A messenger boy handed it to
+me, as I was coming up to the room.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Calhoun took the yellow envelope languidly,
+while Fred lighted the gas; but no sooner had
+he glanced at his telegram, than he gave a whoop
+that would have done credit to a Comanche Indian.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Fred, Fred!</q> he shouted, dancing around as
+if crazy, <q>when does the first train leave for the
+west? Tell the folks I can’t meet them.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, I never—</q> began Fred, but Calhoun
+stopped him by shaking his telegram in his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It read:
+</p>
+    <p rend="margin-left: 10"><q rend="post: none">Come.</q></p>
+    <p rend="margin-left: 12"><q>Joyce.</q></p>
+<p>
+That was all, but it was enough to tell Calhoun that
+the long years of waiting were over, that the little
+<pb n='330'/><anchor id='Pg330'/>Puritan girl had been true to her lover, true to her
+father, and won at last. The first train that
+steamed out of Boston west bore Calhoun as a
+passenger, and an impatient passenger he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How had it fared with Joyce during these years?
+If Calhoun had known all that she suffered, all
+her heartaches, he would not have been so happy
+at Harvard as he was. The fear of losing his
+daughter being gone, Mr. Crawford, like Pharaoh,
+hardened his heart. He believed that in time
+Joyce would forget, a pitiable mistake made by
+many fathers. A woman like Joyce, who truly
+loves, never forgets. It is said that men do, but
+this I doubt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The troublesome days of Reconstruction came
+on, and Mr. Crawford felt more aggrieved than ever
+toward the South. He believed that the facts bore
+out his views, that the North had been too lenient.
+As for Joyce, she gave little thought to politics.
+She believed that her father would surely relent
+before Calhoun had finished his college course; but
+as the time for his graduation approached, and her
+father was still obdurate, her courage failed. Her
+step grew languid, her cheeks lost their roses, the
+music of her voice in song was no longer heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Strange that her father did not notice it, but
+there was one who did. That was her brother
+Mark. He was now a major in the Regular Army,
+had been wounded in a fight with the Apaches, and
+was home on leave of absence. To him Joyce
+confided all her sorrows, and found a ready
+sym<pb n='331'/><anchor id='Pg331'/>pathizer, for he was as tender of heart as he was
+brave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He went to his father and talked to him
+as he had never talked before. <q>Your opposition
+is all nonsense,</q> said Mark. <q>Young Pennington
+is in every way worthy of her. I have taken
+pains to investigate.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The old gentleman fairly writhed under his son’s
+censures, and tried to excuse himself by saying,
+<q>Mark, I have said I had rather see her dead than
+married to a Rebel, one of Morgan’s men.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Well, you will see her dead, and that very
+soon,</q> retorted Mark, thoroughly aroused. <q>Have
+you no eyes? Have you not noticed her pale
+cheeks, her languid steps? Is she the happy girl
+she was? Your foolish, cruel treatment is killing
+her.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford groaned. <q>Mark, Mark,</q> he
+cried, <q>I can’t bear to hear you talk like that,
+you my only son. I have only done what I
+thought was right. You must be mistaken about
+Joyce.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I am not; look at her yourself. Never was
+there a more dutiful daughter than Joyce. She
+would rather die than break her promise to you.
+Free her from it. Make her happy by telling her
+she can see Pennington.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Mark, don’t ask too much. Joyce is all I have
+to comfort me. When I am gone you will be
+the head of the family. You can then advise her
+as you please.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='332'/><anchor id='Pg332'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>Better be kind to her and give her your blessing
+while you live,</q> said his son, turning away,
+believing that his words would bear fruit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What Mark had said deeply troubled Mr. Crawford.
+He now noticed Joyce closely, and was surprised
+that he had not perceived the change in her.
+He meant to speak to her, but kept putting it off
+day by day, until sickness seized him. The doctor
+came, and told him he had but a short time to live.
+Mr. Crawford heard the verdict with composure.
+The Puritan blood in his veins led him to meet
+death as he would meet any enemy in life. But he
+would do justice to his daughter before he died.
+Calling Joyce to him, he took her hand in his,
+and said: <q>Joyce, you have been all that a daughter
+should be to me, but to you I have been a hard,
+cruel father.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>No, no, you have been the kindest of fathers,</q>
+she cried, her tears falling fast. <q>Father, don’t
+talk so, or you will break my heart.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Listen, Joyce. I now know how much suffering
+I have caused you. I drove from you the man
+you loved. Do you still love him, Joyce?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Father, I love him, I shall always love him, but
+I have been true to my promise. I—</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>There, child,</q> broke in Mr. Crawford, <q>say
+no more. I know how true you have been, how
+sacred you have kept your word, while I—oh, forgive
+me, Joyce!</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Don’t, father, don’t, you only did what you
+thought was right.</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='333'/><anchor id='Pg333'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>But Pennington, Joyce—has he been true all
+these years?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>I charged him not to see or write to me until I
+bade him, and that was to be when I had your free
+and full consent. Father, have I that consent now?</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Yes, yes, tell him to come.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With her feet winged with love Joyce flew to
+send the glad message. But that night Mr. Crawford
+became much worse. It was doubtful if he
+would live until Calhoun could arrive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again
+is Calhoun galloping up the road which leads to the
+Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing at
+the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust
+grows larger and larger, but it is not noticed. In
+the house a life is ebbing away—going out with the
+sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse,
+and points to the house. <q>Massa Crawford dyin’,</q>
+is all he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He is met at the door by Joyce. <q>Come, father
+wants to see you,</q> she says, and leads him into the
+chamber where the dying man lies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<q>Father, here is Calhoun,</q> she sobbed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a
+trembling hand, and it was grasped by Calhoun.
+In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover.
+Her father took her hand and placed it in that of
+Calhoun. <q>God bless you both, my children,</q> he
+whispered. <q>Forgive!</q>
+</p>
+
+<pb n='334'/><anchor id='Pg334'/>
+
+<p>
+<q>There is nothing to forgive,</q> replied Calhoun,
+in a choking voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A look of great contentment came over the
+dying man’s face. <q>Sit by me, Joyce,</q> he whispered.
+<q>Let me hold your hand in mine.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For
+some time she held her father’s hand, and then his
+mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce’s
+hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had
+lain in the grave for so many years. Once he
+opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending
+over him, murmured, <q>Kiss me, Mary.</q>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not
+once, but again and again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He smiled, closed his eyes—and then fell asleep.
+</p>
+    
+<milestone unit="tb"/>
+
+<p>
+A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford.
+Calhoun has come to claim his beautiful
+bride. He is making his last raid; but this time
+no enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are
+scattered in his path; glad bells are ringing a joyful
+welcome. He is fully aware that the war has
+left many bitter memories; yet when the words are
+spoken which link his life to Joyce’s forever and
+forever (for true love ends not in the grave), he
+clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan
+made his raid into Ohio.
+</p>
+
+<p rend="text-align: center; margin-top:2">
+THE END.
+</p>
+
+<p rend="page-break-before: always; margin-left: 6; font-size: small">
+<pb n='335'/><anchor id='Pg335'/>
+PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY<lb/>
+AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE<lb/>
+LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
+</p>
+        </div></body>
+        <back>
+            <div>
+                <pgIf output="pdf">
+                    <then>
+                    </then>
+                    <else>
+                        <div rend="page-break-before: always">
+                            <index index="toc"/>
+                            <head>Footnotes</head>
+                            <divGen type="footnotes"/>
+                        </div>
+                    </else>
+                </pgIf>
+            </div>
+            <div rend="page-break-before: right; x-class: boxed">
+                <index index="toc"/><index index="pdf" level1="Transcriber's Note"/>
+                <head>Transcriber’s Note</head>
+                <pgIf output="pdf">
+                    <then/>
+                    <else>
+                        <p>The author’s footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.</p>
+                    </else>
+                </pgIf>
+                <p>The following typographical errors were corrected:</p>
+                <list>
+                    <item><ref target="corr070">page 70</ref>, <q>wagon train</q> changed to <q>wagon-train</q></item>
+                    <item><ref target="corr073">page 73</ref>, <q>orced</q> changed to <q>forced</q></item>
+                    <item><ref target="corr086">page 86</ref>, <q>kulking</q> changed to <q>skulking</q></item>
+                    <item><ref target="corr125">page 125</ref>, <q>way</q> changed to <q>way.</q></item>
+                    <item><ref target="corr140">page 140</ref>, <q>At</q> changed to <q>As</q></item>
+                </list>
+                <p>In addition, several missing, superfluous or misplaced quote marks have been corrected.</p>
+                <p>Variations in spelling (<q>pass-word</q> and <q>password</q>, <q>tear-drop</q> and <q>teardrop</q>,
+                    <q>bastile</q> and <q>Bastille</q>) were not changed. The single occurrence of
+                    <q><ref target="matthews">Matthews</ref></q> 
+                    was not changed to <q>Mathews</q> as it is not clear
+                    if the same character is meant. Similarly, it can not be decided if a horse is called
+                    <q><ref target="salim">Salim</ref></q> or <q><ref target="selim">Selim</ref></q>.</p>
+            </div>
+            <div rend="page-break-before: right">
+      <divGen type="pgfooter"/>
+    </div>
+        </back>
+    </text>
+</TEI.2>
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@@ -0,0 +1,9503 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Raiding with Morgan by Byron A. Dunn
+
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no
+restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under
+the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or
+online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license
+
+
+
+Title: Raiding with Morgan
+
+Author: Byron A. Dunn
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2009 [Ebook #29786]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+
+
+                           Raiding with Morgan
+
+  [Illustration: AS HE SAT ON HIS HORSE AND LOOKED OUT UPON THE RIVER.]
+
+
+
+
+
+                      The Young Kentuckians Series
+
+
+                          Raiding with Morgan
+
+                                   BY
+                             Byron A. Dunn
+
+     Author of "General Nelson's Scout," "On General Thomas's Staff,"
+            "Battling for Atlanta," "From Atlanta to the Sea"
+
+
+Chicago
+A. C. McClurg & Co.
+1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                COPYRIGHT
+                          BY A. C. MCCLURG & CO
+                                A. D. 1903
+
+                                 -------
+
+                         PUBLISHED SEPT. 30, 1903
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 PREFACE.
+
+
+General John H. Morgan was one of the most picturesque figures in the
+Civil War, an officer without a peer in his chosen line. During the two
+years of his brilliant career he captured and paroled at least ten
+thousand Federal soldiers, and kept three times that number in the rear of
+the Federal army guarding communications. When we consider the millions of
+dollars' worth of property he destroyed, and how he paralyzed the
+movements of Buell, we do not wonder that he was considered the scourge of
+the Army of the Cumberland.
+
+General Morgan was a true Kentucky gentleman, and possessed one of the
+kindest of hearts. The thousands of persons captured by him almost
+invariably speak of the good treatment accorded them. The following
+incident reveals more clearly than words his generous spirit. In reporting
+a scout, he says:
+
+"Stopped at a house where there was a sick Lincoln soldier, who died that
+night. No men being in the neighborhood, his wife having no person to make
+a coffin or bury him, I detailed some men, who made a coffin."
+
+The adventures of Calhoun as a secret agent of the "Knights of the Golden
+Circle" opens up a portion of the history of the Civil War which may be
+almost unknown to our younger readers. During the war the whole North was
+honeycombed with secret societies, whose members denounced Lincoln as a
+usurper and a bloody monster, and maintained that the government had no
+right to coerce the South. They resisted the draft, encouraged desertions,
+and embarrassed the Federal Government in every way possible. In secret
+many of the leaders plotted armed rebellion, the liberation of Confederate
+prisoners, and the burning of Northern cities. They held out inducements
+to the South to invade the North, and there is but little doubt that
+Morgan was lured to his destruction by their representations.
+
+Shortly after the close of the war the author met a gentleman who had
+served on the staff of General Breckinridge. This officer affirmed that he
+carried a message from Breckinridge to Morgan, saying that the former had
+positive information that forty thousand armed "Knights" stood ready to
+assist Morgan if he would invade Indiana. Everything goes to show that
+Morgan relied on these reports, and it was this belief that induced him to
+disobey the orders of General Bragg.
+
+It is an interesting question whether General Breckinridge was really
+privy to the plans of the "Knights," and whether he secretly encouraged
+Morgan to disobey orders, hoping that the appearance of a Confederate
+force in the North would lead to the overthrow of the Lincoln Government
+and the independence of the South. The author has taken the ground that
+Breckinridge was fully cognizant of Morgan's intended move.
+
+This volume mentions only the greatest of the General's raids, and the
+author has tried to narrate them with historical accuracy as regards time,
+place, and circumstances. In stating the number of his men, his losses,
+and the damage he inflicted on the Federals, the General's own reports
+have been followed; these, as was to be expected, differ widely in many
+cases from those of the Federal officers.
+
+The tale of the exploits of Calhoun is substantially true, though the hero
+himself is fictitious, for every one of his most notable feats was
+accomplished by one or other of Morgan's men. It was Lieutenant Eastin, of
+Morgan's command, who killed Colonel Halisy in single combat. Calhoun's
+achievements in the escape from the Ohio Penitentiary were actually
+performed by two different persons: a sharp dining-room boy furnished the
+knives with which the prisoners dug their way to liberty; Captain Thomas
+H. Hines planned and carried to a successful termination the daring and
+ingenious escape. Captain Hines fled with General Morgan; and every
+adventure which befell Calhoun in "The Flight to the South" actually
+befell Captain Hines. The Captain's marvellous story was published in the
+January number of "The Century," 1891, and to this narrative the author is
+indebted for the leading facts.
+
+                                                             B. A. DUNN.
+  August 1, 1903.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER                                                    PAGE
+      I.   AFTER SHILOH                                       15
+     II.   THROUGH THE LINES                                  28
+    III.   RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY                             49
+     IV.   MORGAN'S FIRST RAID                                69
+      V.   MORGAN'S FIRST GREAT RAID                          82
+     VI.   CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS                            94
+    VII.   CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER                       108
+   VIII.   THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN                           113
+     IX.   THE DUEL                                          126
+      X.   HARTSVILLE                                        142
+     XI.   MORGAN'S SECOND GREAT RAID                        151
+    XII.   A SPY! A SPY!                                     161
+   XIII.   UNDER ARREST                                      181
+    XIV.   THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE                  196
+     XV.   OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!                           214
+    XVI.   CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT                          226
+   XVII.   THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON                        234
+  XVIII.   THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED                       246
+    XIX.   AN ANGEL OF MERCY                                 253
+     XX.   CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE                            269
+    XXI.   THE ESCAPE                                        281
+   XXII.   PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED                           292
+  XXIII.   THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH                           303
+   XXIV.   CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE                       310
+    XXV.   THE LONE RAIDER                                   318
+   XXVI.   "COME"                                            328
+
+
+
+
+
+                              ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+                                                                       PAGE
+    As he sat upon his horse and looked out upon the river   _Frontispiece_
+    He easily distanced all his pursuers                                 31
+    Sauntering into the depot they gazed curiously around                76
+    They silently crept down the gorge                                  101
+    He fired at Conway                                                  120
+    The force of the blow threw the Colonel forward on                  157
+      his saddle
+    He cautiously crept up on the Sergeant                              183
+    Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide               223
+    Escape of Morgan from prison                                        302
+    She held her breath and listened to catch the sound                 319
+      of battle
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           RAIDING WITH MORGAN.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER I.
+
+
+                              AFTER SHILOH.
+
+
+The great battle of Shiloh had been fought, and victory had been snatched
+from the hands of the Confederates by the opportune arrival of Buell's
+army.
+
+The Southerners had lost their beloved commander, slain; a third of their
+number had fallen. Although defeated they had not been conquered. They had
+set forth from Corinth in the highest hopes, fully expecting to drive
+Grant's army into the Tennessee River. This hope was almost realized, when
+it suddenly perished: twenty thousand fresh troops had arrived upon the
+field, and the Confederates were forced to retreat. But they had fallen
+back unmolested, for the Federal army had been too severely punished to
+think of pursuing. Both armies were willing to rest and have their
+decimated ranks filled with fresh troops.
+
+Of all the Southern troops engaged at Shiloh none felt their defeat more
+keenly than the Kentucky brigade under the command of Colonel Trabue. They
+had fought as only brave men can fight; they left one-third of their
+number on the field, killed and wounded. Defeat could not demoralize them,
+and it fell to their lot to cover the retreat of Beauregard. They had
+stood like a wall of adamant between their fleeing army and the victorious
+Federals. No charge could pierce that line of heroes. With faces to the
+foe, they slowly fell back, contesting every inch of ground.
+
+Fondly had they hoped that Grant would first be crushed, then Buell
+annihilated, and their march to Nashville would be unopposed. From
+Nashville it would be an easy matter to redeem their beloved Kentucky from
+the ruthless Northern invaders.
+
+It was but a few days after the battle that there was a social gathering
+of Kentucky officers at the headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
+Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one whose insignia of office
+showed him to be only a captain. But he was already a marked man. He had
+greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and Tennessee as a daring raider
+and scout, and at the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable service
+at the head of a squadron of independent cavalry.
+
+It was but natural that in such a gathering the situation would be freely
+discussed. "It looks to me," said Breckinridge, with a sigh, "that if we
+are forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West will be lost. I am in
+favor of holding Corinth to the last man."
+
+"What is your opinion, Morgan?" asked one of the officers, turning to the
+captain of whom we have spoken.
+
+Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly answered: "The General will pardon
+me if I differ with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should be held,
+as long as that can be done with safety to the army. But Corinth itself is
+of little value to us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
+is in the hands of the enemy. It is not worth the sacrifice of a hundred
+men."
+
+"What! would you give up Corinth without a struggle?" asked the officer,
+in surprise.
+
+"Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of victory," replied Morgan.
+"What I mean is, that the place should not be held so long as to endanger
+the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the army is everything."
+
+"Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could be lost, and our cause not
+greatly suffer?"
+
+"Certainly. The further the enemy advances into the South, the more
+vulnerable he becomes. Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can keep
+forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting their lines of communication."
+
+"Morgan, you are joking!" exclaimed several of the officers.
+
+"No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky before many days; and if I
+do, there will be consternation in the ranks of the Yankees."
+
+"Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a thousand men?" asked
+Breckinridge, in a tone which showed his doubt.
+
+"I shall make the attempt with less than half of that number," replied
+Morgan, coolly.
+
+A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue asked: "Will Beauregard let
+you make the hazardous attempt?"
+
+"Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk no more men in the venture."
+
+"Well, good-bye, John, if you try it," said one of the officers, laughing.
+
+"Why good-bye, Colonel?"
+
+"Because the Yankees will get you sure."
+
+"Perhaps!" answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose to go.
+
+"The whole South will ring with the praises of that man one of these
+days," remarked Breckinridge, after Morgan had made his exit.
+
+"A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian," remarked Trabue.
+
+Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him, Morgan wended his way to
+his headquarters, where he was informed by the orderly who took his horse
+that a young Confederate officer had been waiting for some time to see
+him.
+
+"He said he must see you," continued the orderly, "and if necessary he
+would wait all night."
+
+"All right, I will see what he wants," replied Morgan, as he turned and
+entered his headquarters. There he was greeted by a young man, not much
+more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate lieutenant.
+
+Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed: "Bless my heart! if
+this isn't Calhoun Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington! I am
+more than glad to see you. I have heard of some of your exploits, and
+often wondered why you did not seek to take service with me. Let's see!
+You were on the staff of the late lamented Governor Johnson, were you
+not?"
+
+"Yes," replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled, and tears came into his
+eyes in spite of himself, as he thought of the death of his beloved chief.
+
+"A grand man, a brave man," said Morgan, gently. "Now that he has gone,
+what do you propose doing?"
+
+"That is what I have come to see you about. General Beauregard has offered
+me a position on his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted."
+
+"What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard! That is a rare honor
+for one so young as you are. Of course you are going to accept?"
+
+"I do not know yet; I am to give him an answer in the morning, as I said I
+wanted to see you first. Great as the honor is which has been offered me,
+I feel it is a service which would not be agreeable to me. I much prefer
+the freer life of a scout and ranger. Perhaps you may know, I have done
+much of this kind of work. I have even performed more dangerous tasks than
+that of scouting, and I confess I rather like it."
+
+Morgan mused for a moment, and then suddenly asked: "Are you not a cousin
+of Frederic Shackelford, son of the late Colonel Richard Shackelford of
+our army?"
+
+Calhoun's brow clouded. "Yes," he answered; "but why do you say the late
+Colonel Shackelford? Uncle Dick is not dead."
+
+"Is that so? I am rejoiced to hear it. It was reported he was among the
+slain."
+
+"He was desperately wounded," answered Calhoun, "but he did not die, and
+he is now a prisoner in the hands of the Yankees. Uncle Dick is a hero;
+but as for that traitor cousin of mine, I hate him!" and again Calhoun's
+brow grew dark.
+
+"I have no reason to love him," laughed Morgan, "but I cannot help
+admiring him. He it was who discovered our well-laid plans, and forced me
+to flee from Lexington, as a thief in the night."
+
+"Aye!" answered Calhoun, "but for him and that brute Nelson, Kentucky
+would now have been out of the Union. But that is not all. Had it not been
+for the same two traitors there would have been a different story to tell
+of Shiloh. Grant's army would now have been prisoners, Buell's in full
+flight, and our own pressing northward to redeem Kentucky. Had there been
+no Nelson, Buell's army would not have reached Grant in time to save him
+from destruction. If there had been no Fred Shackelford I should have
+borne the news to General Johnston that Buell would join Grant by the
+fifth, and Johnston would have made his attack a couple of days earlier. I
+was bearing the news to Johnston that Nelson would reach Savannah by the
+fifth when I was captured."
+
+"Captured?" echoed Morgan, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, captured, and by no less a personage than my cousin Fred
+Shackelford. But for this I would have reached Johnston by the second; as
+it was, I did not reach Shiloh until the morning of the last day of the
+battle."
+
+"Then you escaped?" queried Morgan.
+
+"No; my cousin let me go, after he had held me until he knew my
+information would be of no value. I was dressed in citizen's clothes. He
+could have had me hanged as a spy. I suppose I ought to be thankful to
+him, but I am not." And Calhoun shuddered when he thought how near he had
+been to death.(1)
+
+"That was kind of him," said Morgan; "and you ought to be thankful to him,
+whether you are or not. To tell the truth, I took a great fancy to young
+Shackelford, and tried hard to get him to cast his lot with me. But as I
+failed to get him, I believe you would make a splendid substitute. You
+still think you had rather go with me than be on Beauregard's staff?"
+
+"A thousand times, yes. I had rather go with you as a private than be a
+lieutenant on the General's staff," answered Calhoun, with vehemence.
+
+Morgan's eyes sparkled. "That is the finest compliment I ever had paid
+me," he said, "but I cannot allow the son of my old friend Judge
+Pennington to serve in the ranks as a private soldier. Yet my companies
+are fully officered now. Let's see! How would you like to go back to
+Kentucky?"
+
+"Go back to Kentucky?" asked Calhoun in surprise.
+
+"Yes, to recruit for my command. Do you think you could dodge the
+Yankees?"
+
+"I believe I could. I could at least try," answered Calhoun, his face
+aglow with the idea.
+
+"The case is this," said Morgan: "I am going to make a raid in a few days,
+and am going to try to reach Kentucky. My present force is small--not much
+over four hundred. I do not look for much help from the Confederate
+Government. Those in authority do not regard with much favor independent
+organizations. To augment my force, I must in a great measure rely on my
+own efforts. I know there are hundreds of the flower of Kentucky youths
+eager to join me if they had the opportunity. You are just the person to
+send back to organize them. When can you start?"
+
+"In the morning," answered Calhoun.
+
+Morgan smiled. "Good!" he said. "You are made of the right material. We
+will make full arrangements to-morrow. Good night, now, for it is getting
+late."
+
+Thus dismissed Calhoun went away with a light heart. He was to be one of
+Morgan's men. It was all he wished.
+
+The next morning Calhoun informed General Beauregard that while sensible
+of the great honor which he would bestow on him by appointing him a member
+of his staff, yet he believed he could be of more service to the South by
+casting his fortune with Morgan, and he had concluded to do so.
+
+"While I greatly regret to lose you," replied the General, "I believe you
+have chosen well. To one of your temperament service with Morgan will be
+much more congenial than the duties of a staff officer. In fact,"
+continued the General, with a smile, "I think you resemble Morgan in being
+restive under orders, and prefer to have your own way and go where you
+please. A command or two of partisan rangers may do, but too many would be
+fatal to the discipline of an army. Morgan may do the enemy a great deal
+of mischief, but after all, the fate of the South must be decided by her
+great armies."
+
+"True, General," replied Calhoun, "but if Morgan can keep thousands of the
+enemy in the rear guarding their communications, the great armies of the
+North will be depleted by that number."
+
+"That is true also," answered Beauregard; "and for that reason Morgan will
+be given more or less of a free rein. I have recommended him for a
+colonelcy. Convey to him my regards, and tell him I heartily congratulate
+him upon his last recruit."
+
+General Beauregard's kind words touched Calhoun deeply. "Thank you,
+General," he replied, with feeling. "I trust I shall never prove myself
+unworthy of your good opinion. May God bless you, and crown your efforts
+with victory!"
+
+After parting with Beauregard, Calhoun lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan. He found his chief in command of about four hundred men, rough,
+daring fellows who would follow their leader wherever he went. A more
+superb body of rough-riders was never formed.
+
+Calhoun was introduced to the officers of the squadron, and when it became
+known that he was going back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command--although many of the officers wondered why their chief had
+selected one so young--they gave him a hearty welcome. But when it became
+known that he was the son of Judge Pennington, of Danville, that he had
+already won renown as a daring scout, and had been offered a position on
+the staff of General Beauregard, their welcome was doubly enthusiastic.
+
+To this welcome there was one exception. One of Morgan's officers, Captain
+P. C. Conway, had applied to Morgan for permission to go back to Kentucky
+on this same duty, and had been refused. He was a short, thickset,
+red-faced man with a very pompous air. His weakness was liquor; yet he was
+a brave, efficient officer. What he considered an affront was never
+forgiven, for he was of a revengeful disposition. It was consistent with
+his character that he should become a mortal enemy of Calhoun.
+
+When he was introduced to Calhoun he merely bowed, and did not offer to
+give his hand.
+
+"I believe I have heard of Captain Conway," said Calhoun, with a smile. "I
+have heard a cousin of mine speak of him."
+
+"Why, yes," spoke up Morgan, with a twinkle in his eye, "Captain,
+Lieutenant Pennington is a cousin of your particular friend, Captain Fred
+Shackelford, of the Yankee army."
+
+Conway fairly turned purple with rage. "Lieutenant Pennington has no
+reason to be proud of his relationship to that sneak and spy," he snorted.
+
+"I have no more reason to love my cousin than you," replied Calhoun, with
+some warmth. "He may have played the spy; so have I; but sneak he is not,
+and I would thank you not to use the term again, traitor though he is to
+the South and his native state."
+
+Conway glared at him for a moment, but there was something in Calhoun's
+eye which told him that if he repeated the term it might cause trouble, so
+he snapped: "Well, spy and traitor, if those terms suit you better; but it
+may be of interest to you to know that I have sworn to see that precious
+cousin of yours hanged, and"--with a fearful oath--"I will see that he is."
+
+With these words he turned on his heel and stalked away.
+
+"Shackelford's name has the same effect on Conway that a red rag has on a
+mad bull," laughed Morgan. "He can never forget that trick your cousin
+played on him."
+
+"Ah! I remember," said Calhoun; "Fred told me all about it. Conway may
+take a dislike to me simply because I am Fred's cousin. I noticed that he
+greeted me rather coldly."
+
+"I reckon he will not carry his hatred so far as that," replied Morgan,
+"yet it may be best not to mention Shackelford's name to him."
+
+But Morgan might have changed his mind if he had heard Conway talking to a
+brother officer.
+
+"Just to think," he fumed, "that the Captain picked on that young upstart
+to go back to Kentucky to recruit instead of one of us. I volunteered to
+go yesterday, and he put me down. To my mind, Pennington is no better than
+that sneak of a cousin of his, and Morgan will find it out some day."
+
+"Better keep a still tongue in your head, Conway," dryly replied the
+officer, a Captain Matthews, to whom Conway was complaining. "Morgan will
+give you hell if he finds you are trying to create dissatisfaction."
+
+"I am not afraid of Morgan," muttered Conway, but he said no more.
+
+In the mean time Calhoun was hurriedly making preparations for his
+journey. Many of the officers and men were engaged in writing letters to
+send back by him to the dear ones in Kentucky. Morgan intrusted to him
+several important communications to prominent Southern sympathizers.
+
+Just as Calhoun was ready to start, Morgan gave him his secret
+instructions.
+
+"What I now tell you," he said, "is too important to commit to writing.
+You may be captured. For hundreds of miles you must ride through a country
+swarming with Yankees. You will need discretion, as much or more than you
+will need courage. Much depends on your success. I intend to make a raid
+north about the first week in May. If possible (and I think it is), I
+shall try to reach Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach five
+hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand when I reach Kentucky, I
+believe I could sweep clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time at
+your disposal that will be impossible. But join me at Glasgow with all you
+can. I expect to be in Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest."
+
+"All right," replied Calhoun, "I will try to meet you there at that time,
+with at least one or two good companies."
+
+Little did Morgan think at the time how badly he would need those
+companies.
+
+At last all was ready, and amid shouts of "Good-bye" and "Success to you,"
+Calhoun vaulted into the saddle and rode away eastward.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II.
+
+
+                            THROUGH THE LINES.
+
+
+At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky, General Halleck was
+concentrating his immense army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to an
+attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled the Tennessee River as far
+up as Eastport. General Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
+between Decatur and Stevenson, but between Corinth and Decatur there was
+no large body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions of
+Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee every important place was held by
+detachments of Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the lines was an
+exceedingly dangerous undertaking, but that is what Calhoun had to do to
+reach Kentucky. He expected to meet with little danger until he attempted
+to cross the lines of General Mitchell, which extended along the railroads
+that ran from Nashville southward. The country through which he had to
+pass was intensely Southern, and the Yankee cavalry did not venture far
+from the railroads.
+
+When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight eastward, until he reached
+Tuscumbia, Alabama. Here he found little trouble in finding means to cross
+the Tennessee River. Once across the river he took a northeast course,
+which would take him through Rogersville. Now and then he met small squads
+of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting through the country, and did
+not seem to be under very strict military discipline, doing much as they
+pleased.
+
+Now and then he came across a party of recruits making their way to the
+Confederate army at Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
+uncouth, and with little or no education. They knew or cared little of the
+causes which had led up to the war; but they knew that the Southland had
+been invaded, that their homes were in danger, and they made soldiers
+whose bravery and devotion excited the admiration of the world.
+
+In order to find out what General Mitchell was doing, and as nearly as he
+could, to ascertain the number of his forces, Calhoun resolved to ride as
+near the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad as was prudent. As he
+approached Rogersville, he learned that the place had just been raided by
+a regiment of Yankee cavalry, and the country was in a panic.
+
+Approaching the place cautiously, he was pleased to ascertain that the
+cavalry, after committing numerous depredations, had retreated to Athens.
+He now learned for the first time of the atrocities which had been
+committed on the defenceless inhabitants of Athens, and his blood boiled
+as he listened to the recital. No wonder the citizens of Rogersville were
+in a panic, fearing that their fate might be the same.
+
+"The whelps and robbers!" he exclaimed; "how I should like to get at them!
+But their time will come. Never will the South lay down her arms until
+every Northern soldier is driven in or across the Ohio."
+
+In Rogersville Calhoun met with a Doctor Jenkins, who was especially well
+informed as to the strength and positions of the Federal army, and as to
+the feelings of the citizens.
+
+"At first," said he, "the result of the battle of Shiloh greatly
+discouraged us, and the slaughter was horrifying. But we are getting over
+that now, and every true son of the South is more determined than ever to
+fight the war to the bitter end, even if we see our homes in flames and
+the country laid waste. How is it that Kentucky does not join hands with
+her sister states?"
+
+"She will, she must," cried Calhoun. "Already thousands of her sons are
+flocking to the Southern standard. It needs but a victory--a Confederate
+army to enter her territory, and the people will rise _en masse_. There
+are not enough traitors or Yankees in the state to keep them down."
+
+"Do you think Beauregard can hold Corinth?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"He can if any one can. He is a great general," answered Calhoun. "But
+Morgan thinks the loss of Corinth would not be fatal if the army were
+saved. 'Under no consideration,' says Morgan, 'should Beauregard allow
+himself to be cooped up in Corinth.' "
+
+"I reckon he is right," sighed the Doctor; "but may the time never come
+when he will have to give it up."
+
+"Amen to that!" answered Calhoun.
+
+From Rogersville Calhoun made his way north. He ascertained that the
+railroad which Mitchell was engaged in repairing was not strongly guarded,
+and he believed that with five hundred men Morgan could break it almost
+anywhere between Athens and Columbia.
+
+Near Mount Pleasant he met a Confederate officer with a party of recruits
+which he was taking south. He sent back by him a statement to Morgan of
+all he had learned, and added: "Taking everything into consideration, I
+believe that Pulaski will be the best place for you to strike. I have no
+fears but that you can capture it, even with your small force."
+
+Calhoun met with his first serious adventure shortly after he had crossed
+the railroad, which he did a few miles south of Columbia. Thinking to make
+better time, he took the main road leading to Shelbyville. He was
+discovered by a squad of Federal cavalry, which immediately gave chase.
+But he was mounted on a splendid horse, one that he had brought with him
+from Kentucky. He easily distanced all his pursuers with the exception of
+three or four, and he was gradually drawing away from all of them, except
+a lieutenant in command of the squad, who seemed to be as well mounted as
+himself.
+
+  [Illustration: HE EASILY DISTANCED ALL HIS PURSUERS.]
+
+"Only one," muttered Calhoun, looking back, as a pistol-ball whistled by
+his head; "I can settle him," and he reached for a revolver in his
+holster. As he did so, his horse stepped into a hole and plunged heavily
+forward, throwing Calhoun over his head. For a moment he lay bruised and
+stunned, and then staggered to his feet, only to find the Federal officer
+upon him.
+
+"Surrender, you Rebel!" cried the officer, but quick as a flash, Calhoun
+snatched a small revolver which he carried in his belt, and fired.
+
+Instead of hitting the officer, the ball struck the horse fairly in the
+head, and the animal fell dead. Leaving the officer struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse, Calhoun scrambled over a fence,
+and scurried across a small field, beyond which was a wood. A scattering
+volley was fired by the foremost of the pursuers, but it did no harm, and
+Calhoun was soon across the field. Mounting the fence on the other side,
+he stood on the top rail, and turning around, he uttered a shout of
+defiance, then jumping down, disappeared in the wood.
+
+The foremost of the Federals, a tall, lanky sergeant named Latham,
+galloped to the side of his commander, who was still struggling to
+extricate himself from his fallen horse. Springing from his saddle, he
+helped him to his feet, and anxiously inquired, "Are you hurt,
+Lieutenant?"
+
+"The Rebel, the Rebel, where is he? Did you get him?" asked the
+Lieutenant.
+
+"Get him!" drawled the Sergeant, "I think not. He got across that field as
+if Old Nick was after him. But once across he had the cheek to stand on
+the fence and crow like a young rooster. I took a crack at him, but
+missed."
+
+"Why didn't you pursue him?" demanded the officer, fiercely.
+
+"What! in those woods? Might as well look for a needle in a haymow. But
+are you hurt, Lieutenant?"
+
+"My leg is sprained," he groaned; "but the worst of it is, Jupiter is
+dead. Curse that Rebel! how I wish I had him! I would make him pay dearly
+for that horse."
+
+"Here is the Rebel's horse. I caught him!" exclaimed one of the men,
+leading up Calhoun's horse, which he had captured. "He looks like a mighty
+fine horse, only he seems a little lame from his fall."
+
+"That is a fine horse," said Latham, looking him over, "but he has been
+rode mighty hard. Wonder who that feller can be. I see no signs of any
+other Reb. He must have been alone. Say, he was a Jim-dandy whoever he
+was. I thought you had him sure, Lieutenant."
+
+"So did I," answered the Lieutenant, with an oath. "When his horse threw
+him I had no idea he would try to get away, and ordered him to surrender.
+But quick as a flash he jerked a revolver from his belt, and fired."
+
+"Better be thankful he hit the horse instead of you," said the Sergeant.
+
+For answer the Lieutenant limped to a stone, and sitting down, said:
+"Examine that roll behind the saddle of the horse. Perhaps we can find out
+who the fellow was."
+
+Sergeant Latham took the roll, which was securely strapped behind
+Calhoun's saddle, and began to unroll it as carefully as if he suspected
+it might be loaded.
+
+"A fine rubber and a good woollen blanket," remarked the Sergeant. "Looks
+mighty like those goods once belonged to our good Uncle Samuel. Bet your
+life, they are a part of the plunder from Shiloh. Ah! here is a bundle of
+letters."
+
+"Give them to me," said the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant handed them over, and the officer hastily glanced over them,
+reading the superscriptions.
+
+"Why," he exclaimed, in surprise, "these letters are all addressed to
+persons in Kentucky. What could that fellow be doing with letters going to
+Kentucky? We will see." He tore open one of the letters.
+
+He had read but a few lines when he exclaimed, with a strong expletive,
+"Boys, I would give a month's pay if we had captured that fellow!"
+
+"Who was he? Who was he?" cried several soldiers in unison.
+
+"He was--let me see--" and the Lieutenant tore open several more of the
+letters, and rapidly scanned them--"yes, these letters make it plain. He
+was a Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington, and he was from the Rebel army at
+Corinth. I take it he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for the
+command of a Captain John H. Morgan. Morgan--Morgan, I have heard of that
+fellow before. He played the deuce with us in Kentucky last winter: burned
+the railroad bridge over Bacon Creek, captured trains, tore up the
+railroad, and played smash generally. These letters all seem to be private
+ones written by the soldiers in Morgan's command to their relatives and
+friends back in Kentucky. But he may have carried important dispatches on
+his person. We let a rare prize slip through our fingers."
+
+"Can't be helped now," dryly remarked Sergeant Latham. "If you had
+captured him it might have put one bar, if not two, on your
+shoulder-strap."
+
+The Lieutenant scowled, but did not reply. All the letters were read and
+passed around. Three or four of them occasioned much merriment, for they
+were written by love-lorn swains whom the cruel hand of war had torn from
+their sweethearts.
+
+"Golly! it's a wonder them letters hadn't melted from the sweetness they
+contained," remarked Sergeant Latham.
+
+"Or took fire from their warmth," put in a boyish looking soldier.
+
+"Not half as warm as the letter I caught you writing to Polly Jones the
+other day," laughed a comrade. "Boys, I looked over his shoulder and read
+some of it. I tell you it was hot stuff. 'My dearest Polly!' it commenced,
+'I----' "
+
+But he never finished the sentence, for the young soldier sprang and
+struck him a blow which rolled him in the dust.
+
+"A fight! a fight!" shouted the men, and crowded around to see the fun.
+
+"Stop that!" roared the Lieutenant, "or I will have you both bucked and
+gagged when we get to camp. Sergeant Latham, see that both of those men
+are put on extra duty to-night."
+
+When things had quieted down, others of the letters were read; but some of
+them occasioned no merriment. Instead, one could see a rough blouse sleeve
+drawn across the eyes, and a gulping down as if something choked the
+wearer. These were letters written to the wives and mothers who were
+watching and waiting for their loved ones to return. These letters
+reminded them of their own wives and mothers in the Northland, waiting and
+praying for them.
+
+Suddenly the Lieutenant spoke up: "Boys, we have been wasting time over
+those letters. That fellow was making his way back to Kentucky. He has no
+horse. What more natural than that he would try and obtain one at the
+first opportunity? That old Rebel Osborne lives not more than a mile
+ahead. You remember we visited him last week, and threatened to arrest him
+if the railroad was tampered with any more. It was thought he sheltered
+these wandering bands of Confederates who make it dangerous to step
+outside the camp. If we push on, we may catch our bird at Osborne's."
+
+"If not, it will at least give you a chance to see the pretty daughter,"
+remarked the Sergeant.
+
+"Shut up, or I will have you reduced to the ranks," growled the
+Lieutenant.
+
+The subject was rather a painful one to the Lieutenant, for during his
+visit to the Osbornes the week before, when he tried to make himself
+agreeable to the daughter, the lady told him in very plain words what she
+thought of Yankees.
+
+"It's nearly noon, too," continued the Lieutenant, after the interruption,
+"and that spring near the house is a splendid place to rest our horses and
+eat our dinners; so fall in." The Lieutenant slowly mounted Calhoun's
+horse, for his fall had made him sore, and in none the best of humor, he
+gave the command, "Forward!"
+
+The plantation of Mr. Osborne was soon reached. It was a beautiful place.
+The country had not yet been devastated by the cruel hand of war, and the
+landscape, rich with the growing crops, lay glowing under the bright April
+sky. The mansion house stood back from the road in a grove of noble native
+trees, and the whole surroundings betokened a home of wealth and
+refinement.
+
+From underneath a rock near the house gushed forth a spring, whose waters,
+clear as crystal, ran away in a rippling stream. It was near this spring
+that Lieutenant Haines, for that was the officer's name, halted his
+troops.
+
+"Better throw a guard around the house," he said to Sergeant Latham, "for
+if that Rebel has found his way here, he may make a sneak out the back
+way. After you get the guard posted, we will search the house."
+
+As the Sergeant was executing his orders, Mr. Osborne came out of the
+house, and approaching the troop, to Lieutenant Haines's surprise, gave
+him a cordial greeting.
+
+"I cannot say I am rejoiced to see you again," he exclaimed, with a smile,
+"except you come in peace. I trust that the telegraph wire has not been
+cut, or the railroad torn up again."
+
+"Nothing of the kind has happened," answered the Lieutenant.
+
+"Then I reckon I am in no danger of arrest, and I trust you will take
+dinner with us. It is nearly ready."
+
+The invitation nearly took away the Lieutenant's breath, but he accepted
+it gladly. As they were going toward the house, Mr. Osborne remarked,
+carelessly, "I see you have thrown a guard around the house. Are you
+afraid of an attack? I know of no body of Confederates in the vicinity."
+
+"The truth is," replied Haines, "we ran into a lone Confederate about a
+mile from here. We captured his horse, but he succeeded in escaping to the
+woods, after killing my horse. I did not know but he might have found
+refuge here; and, excuse me, Mr. Osborne, but I may be under the necessity
+of searching your house."
+
+"Do as you please," replied Mr. Osborne, coldly; "I have seen no such
+Confederate; but if I had, I should have concealed him if I could. But do
+not let this circumstance spoil our good nature, or our dinner."
+
+Just then they met Sergeant Latham returning from posting the guard.
+"Sergeant, you may withdraw the guard," said the Lieutenant; "Mr. Osborne
+informs me he has not seen our runaway Confederate."
+
+The Sergeant turned back to carry out the order, muttering, "Confederate!
+Confederate! The Lieutenant is getting mighty nice; he generally says
+'Rebel.' "
+
+If Lieutenant Haines was surprised at the cordial greeting he had received
+from Mr. Osborne, he was more than surprised at the reception he met from
+Mrs. Osborne, and especially the daughter, Miss Clara.
+
+Miss Osborne was a most beautiful girl, about twenty years of age. No
+wonder Lieutenant Haines felt his heart beat faster when he looked upon
+her. When he met her the week before, she treated him with the utmost
+disdain; now she greeted him with a smile, and said, "I trust you have not
+come to carry papa away in captivity. If not, you are welcome."
+
+"Nothing of the sort this time, I am happy to say," exclaimed the
+Lieutenant, with a bow, "and I hope I shall never be called upon to
+perform that disagreeable duty."
+
+"Thank you," she answered, with a smile. "Now, you must stay and take
+dinner with us while your men rest."
+
+"The Lieutenant tells me he met with quite a little adventure, about a
+mile below here," said Mr. Osborne.
+
+Miss Osborne looked up inquiringly. Before more could be said Mrs. Osborne
+announced that dinner was ready, and the Lieutenant sat down to a most
+sumptuous repast.
+
+"What was Lieutenant Haines's adventure you spoke of?" at length asked
+Miss Osborne of her father.
+
+"Better let the Lieutenant tell the story, for I know nothing of it,"
+answered Mr. Osborne; "but he spoke of searching the house for a supposed
+concealed Confederate."
+
+As Mr. Osborne said this, Miss Osborne gave a little gasp and turned pale,
+but quickly recovering herself, she turned a pair of inquiring eyes on the
+Lieutenant--eyes that emitted flames of angry light and seemed to look him
+through and through.
+
+Lieutenant Haines turned very red. "Forgive me if I thought of such a
+thing," he replied, humbly. "Your father has assured me he has neither
+seen nor concealed any Confederate officer, and his word is good with me.
+Make yourself easy. I shall not insult you by searching the house."
+
+A look as of relief came over the face of Miss Osborne as she answered: "I
+thank you very much. I shall never say again there are no gentlemen among
+the Yankees. But tell us of your adventure. I thought I heard firing about
+an hour ago. Was there any one hurt?"
+
+"Only my poor horse; he was killed," answered Haines.
+
+"Ah! in the days of knighthood to be unhorsed was to be defeated,"
+exclaimed Miss Osborne, gayly. "You must admit yourself vanquished!"
+
+Haines laughingly replied: "I am sorry to disappoint you; but as I
+captured my enemy's horse and he fled on foot, I cannot admit defeat."
+
+"Then your enemy was a solitary knight?" queried Miss Osborne.
+
+"Yes, but to all appearances a most gallant one."
+
+"Strange," she mused, "who he could be, and what he could be doing in this
+section. The place for true knights, at this time, is at Corinth."
+
+"From letters captured with his horse, I take it he was from Corinth,"
+said Haines. "From those letters we learned that his name was Calhoun
+Pennington, that he was a lieutenant in the command of Captain John H.
+Morgan, a gentleman who has given us considerable trouble, and may give us
+more, and that he was on his way back to Kentucky to recruit for Morgan's
+command."
+
+"You say you captured letters?" queried the girl.
+
+"Yes, a whole package of them. They were from members of Morgan's command
+to their friends back in Kentucky. The boys are having rare fun reading
+them."
+
+"I suppose it is according to military usages to read all communications
+captured from the enemy," remarked Miss Osborne with a slight tinge of
+sarcasm in her tone, "but it seems sacrilege that these private letters
+should fall into profane hands."
+
+"Some of them were rich," laughed Haines; "they were written by loving
+swains to their girls. There were others written to wives and mothers,
+which almost brought tears to our eyes, they were so full of yearnings for
+home."
+
+"Lieutenant, there was nothing in those letters of value to you from a
+military standpoint, was there?" suddenly asked Miss Osborne.
+
+"Nothing."
+
+"Then I have a great boon to ask. Will you not give them to me?"
+
+"Why, Miss Osborne, what can you do with them?" asked Haines, in surprise.
+
+"I can at least keep them sacred. Perhaps I can find means of getting them
+to those for whom they are intended. Think of those wives and mothers
+watching, waiting for letters which will never come. Oh! give them to me,
+Lieutenant Haines, and you will sleep the sweeter to-night."
+
+"Your request is a strange one," said the Lieutenant; "yet I can see no
+harm in granting it. You can have the letters, but the boys may have
+destroyed some of them by this time."
+
+"Thank you! Oh, thank you! You will never regret your kindness. I shall
+remember it."
+
+"I only ask you to think better of Yankees, Miss Osborne; we are not all
+monsters."
+
+Dinner was now over, and Sergeant Latham came to report that the hour for
+the halt was up, and to ask what were the Lieutenant's orders.
+
+"Have the troop ready, and we will return to camp. I see nothing more we
+can accomplish here," answered the Lieutenant.
+
+The Sergeant saluted and turned to go, when the officer stopped him with,
+"Say, Sergeant, you can gather up all those letters we captured and send
+them up here with my horse."
+
+"Very well," said the Sergeant, but he muttered to himself, as he
+returned, "Now, I would like to know what the Lieutenant wants of those
+letters. I bet he has let that girl pull the wool over his eyes."
+
+In a few moments a soldier appeared leading the Lieutenant's horse.
+
+The family had accompanied Lieutenant Haines to the porch. Stepping down
+to where his horse was, he said to the soldier, "You may return and tell
+Sergeant Latham to move the troop. I will catch up with you in a few
+moments. Did you bring the letters?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered the soldier, saluting, and handing the package to his
+commander.
+
+"Very well, you may go now."
+
+Lieutenant Haines stood and watched the soldiers while his order was being
+obeyed, for he did not wish to have any of his men see him give the
+package to Miss Osborne.
+
+After his troop had moved off, Haines placed the bridle of his horse in
+the hands of a waiting colored boy, and returning to the porch where Mr.
+Osborne and the ladies still stood, said: "That is the horse I captured
+from my foe. He is a beauty, isn't he? Jupiter was a splendid horse, but I
+do not think I lost anything by the exchange. Here are the letters, Miss
+Osborne; you see I have kept my promise," and he reached out the package
+to her.
+
+But before she could take them they were snatched from Haines's hand, and
+a stern voice said, "I will take the letters, please."
+
+Had a bombshell exploded at Lieutenant Haines's feet he would not have
+been more surprised, and his surprise changed to consternation when he
+found himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. Lieutenant Haines was
+no coward, but he was unarmed save his sword, and there was no mistaking
+the look in Calhoun's eye. It meant death if he attempted to draw his
+sword.
+
+As for Mr. Osborne, he seemed as much surprised as Lieutenant Haines. Miss
+Osborne gave a little shriek, and then cried. "Oh, how could you betray
+us!" and stood with clasped hands, and with face as pale as death.
+
+Mr. Osborne was the first to recover from his surprise. "I know not who
+you are," he said, "but Lieutenant Haines is my guest, and I will have no
+violence. Lower that weapon!"
+
+Without doing so, Calhoun answered, "If I have done anything contrary to
+the wishes of those who have so kindly befriended me, I am sorry; but I
+could not withstand the temptation to claim my own. As it is, I will bid
+you good day."
+
+Thus saying, he dashed past them, and snatching the bridle of his horse
+from the negro boy, he vaulted into the saddle and was away at full speed.
+
+For a moment not a word was spoken, and then Lieutenant Haines turned on
+Mr. Osborne and said, bitterly, "I congratulate you on the success of your
+plot. I will not be fool enough again to take the word of a Southern
+gentleman."
+
+Mr. Osborne flushed deeply, but before he could reply, his daughter sprang
+in front of him, and faced Lieutenant Haines with flashing eye.
+
+"I will not have my father accused of deception and falsehood," she cried.
+"He knew nothing of that Confederate being concealed in the house. I alone
+am to blame, and I told you nothing. I strove to entertain you and keep
+you from searching the house, and I accomplished my purpose."
+
+"And you got those letters from me to give to him?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Lieutenant Haines groaned. "It may be some satisfaction to you," he said,
+"to know that this may mean my undoing, disgrace, a dishonorable dismissal
+from the service."
+
+"I shall take no pleasure in your dishonor," she exclaimed, the color
+slowly mounting to her cheeks. "I did not intend that Lieutenant
+Pennington should show himself. It was his rashness that has brought all
+this trouble."
+
+"How can I return to camp without arms, without a horse? It would have
+been a kindness to me if your friend Lieutenant Pennington had put a
+bullet through my brain."
+
+Mr. Osborne now spoke. "Lieutenant Haines," he said, "my daughter speaks
+the truth when she says I knew nothing of the Confederate officer being in
+my house. Had I known it, I should have tried to conceal him, to protect
+him; but I should not have invited you to be my guest. As my guest, you
+are entitled to my protection, and I shall make what reparation is in my
+power." Then turning to the colored boy who had stood by with mouth and
+eyes wide open, he said, "Tom, go and saddle and bridle Starlight, and
+bring him around for this gentleman."
+
+"Surely you do not intend to give me a horse, Mr. Osborne," said Haines.
+
+"As my guest, I can do no less," replied Mr. Osborne. "If Lieutenant
+Pennington had not taken his, I should have let him have one to continue
+on his way to Kentucky. So you see, after all, I am out nothing."
+
+Just then they were aroused by the sound of horses' feet, and looking up
+they saw Sergeant Latham accompanied by two soldiers coming on a gallop.
+Riding up, the Sergeant saluted, and casting his sharp eyes around, said,
+"Lieutenant, excuse me, but you were so long in joining us that I feared
+something--an accident--had befallen you, so I came back to see. Where in
+the world is your horse, Lieutenant?"
+
+"Coming," answered his superior, briskly, for he had no notion of
+explaining just then what had happened.
+
+When the colored boy came leading an entirely strange horse with citizen
+saddle and bridle on, the Sergeant exchanged meaning glances with his
+companions, but said nothing.
+
+Mounting, Lieutenant Haines bade the family good day, and rode moodily
+away. No sooner were they out of hearing than the Sergeant, forgetting
+military discipline, exclaimed, "What in blazes is up, Lieutenant? I
+suspected something was wrong all the time."
+
+"That is what made you come back, is it?" asked the Lieutenant.
+
+"Yes; I did not march the command far before I halted and waited for you.
+Pretty soon we heard the sound of a galloping horse, and thought you were
+coming. But when you didn't appear, I became alarmed and concluded to ride
+back and see what was the matter."
+
+"Thank you, Sergeant, for your watchfulness. I shall remember it."
+
+Then as they rode along, the Lieutenant told Latham his story.
+
+"And that pesky Reb was concealed in the house all the time, was he?"
+asked Latham.
+
+"Yes; the girl worked it fine."
+
+The Sergeant laughed long and loud. "And she coaxed the letters from you
+too. Oh, my! Oh, my!" And he nearly bent double.
+
+"Shut up, you fool you!" growled Haines. "Say, you must help me out of
+this scrape."
+
+"Trust me, Lieutenant; I will tell how brave you were, and how you run the
+Rebel down, and how you would have captured him if he hadn't shot your
+horse. But look out after this how you let Southern girls fool you."
+
+The Lieutenant sighed. "She is the most beautiful creature I ever saw," he
+murmured. "Gods! I shall never forget how she looked when she sprang in
+between me and that Pennington when he had his revolver levelled at my
+head."
+
+"Forget her," was the sage advice of the Sergeant; but the Lieutenant did
+not take it.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER III.
+
+
+                         RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.
+
+
+It did not take Calhoun long after he had plunged into the wood to
+ascertain that he was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong pace, then
+stopped that he might catch his breath.
+
+"Whew!" he panted, "here is a go. Horse gone--arms, except this small
+revolver, gone--baggage gone--letters gone. Thank God the dispatches are
+safe," and he tapped his breast, where they lay hidden. "That is about as
+tight a place as I care to be in," he continued, as he began to work his
+way through the woods. "I call this blamed tough luck. Here I am nearly
+three hundred miles from my destination. A horse I must and will have, and
+that quickly. Surely the planters in this section are too loyal to the
+South not to let me have a horse when they know the predicament I am in. I
+will try my luck at the very first opportunity. If worse come to worst, I
+will steal one; that is, I will confiscate one."
+
+With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after going a half mile or
+more, he came out of the woods, and beyond lay a fine plantation. "I
+wonder if those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to make that
+house," he thought. "I will risk it anyway, for if I can reach it, it
+means a horse."
+
+Making his way cautiously he soon reached the road in safety. He listened
+intently, but could hear nothing of the enemy; but from the opposite
+direction there came the measured beat of a horse's hoofs. Looking up he
+saw, not a Yankee, but a lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun's
+heart gave a great bound, for he knew that no Southern woman would betray
+him, and he stepped out from his place of concealment and stood in plain
+view by the side of the road.
+
+When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise, and then reined in
+her horse with such ease and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance she
+was young and exceedingly beautiful.
+
+"Pardon me," he exclaimed, reaching for his hat, and then he remembered he
+had none, having lost it when his horse fell. "Excuse my appearance," he
+laughed. "I find I have no hat to take off. Probably some Yankee has it as
+a trophy by this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress, and as a
+daughter of the South, I know I can appeal to you, and not in vain."
+
+"You can," she replied, quickly. "I thought I heard firing and I rode down
+to see what it meant, as I knew of no party of Confederates in the
+vicinity."
+
+"A company of Federal cavalry were firing at me," answered Calhoun. "My
+horse fell, and I had to run, or be captured."
+
+"Were you all alone?" she queried.
+
+"Yes, all alone."
+
+"Then I forgive you for running," she answered, with a ringing laugh,
+"otherwise I should not. But how came you here, and all alone?"
+
+In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and his business.
+
+"Come with me," she cried, quickly. "Let us gain the house before the
+Yankees come, as no doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse. If
+no other be forthcoming, I will give you my Firefly here, although it
+would almost break my heart to part with him," and she lovingly patted the
+neck of her gallant steed.
+
+"I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be called for," replied
+Calhoun.
+
+"No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved cause," she answered; "but
+come, we are losing time, the Yankees may be here any moment."
+
+If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read the captured letters, Calhoun
+and his fair guide would not have reached the house undiscovered. As it
+was, they had hardly entered it when the Federals hove in sight.
+
+"There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!" exclaimed Calhoun. "How I
+should like to meet him alone."
+
+"They are going to stop," gasped the girl. "They may search the house, but
+they will not if I can outwit them. Mother," she said, to an elderly lady
+who had just entered and was gazing at Calhoun in surprise, "take this
+officer upstairs and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.
+The Yankees are in the yard."
+
+The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun to follow her, and led him
+upstairs. Hardly had they disappeared when her father entered.
+
+"There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company visiting us again," he
+said, with some anxiety. "I wonder what they want."
+
+"Father," said the girl, "go and meet Lieutenant Haines, use him nicely.
+Invite him to dinner."
+
+Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise. "I never expected to see
+the time you would want me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner," he said.
+
+"Never mind now, I will explain afterwards. Go quick, for I see he is
+throwing a guard around the house," was her answer.
+
+Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come over his daughter, and was
+entirely successful in carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown to
+him. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came downstairs, her face denoting
+her anxiety.
+
+"Mother," said the girl, "do not let father know we have any one
+concealed. It will enable him to say truly he knows of no Confederate
+around. And, mother, I have told him to invite the Federal commander--it's
+that odious Lieutenant Haines--to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him like a
+welcome, honored guest. We must disarm all suspicion, and keep them from
+searching the house, if possible."
+
+We have seen how well her plan worked, and how completely Lieutenant
+Haines was thrown off his guard. Little did he think that while he was
+enjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate officer who had escaped
+him was feasting like a king upstairs.
+
+It soon became evident to Calhoun that there was no danger of the house
+being searched, and from a window he observed all that was passing
+without. When he saw the troop ride away, and his own horse led up to the
+house for the Federal commander, that spirit of recklessness for which he
+was noted came over him, and without thinking of what the effect might be
+on those who had, at great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved to
+try to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw the last Yankee depart,
+leaving the commander behind.
+
+"Now is my time!" he exclaimed, exultingly, and looking to see that his
+revolver was in perfect condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as has
+been noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden was his appearance, so
+swift were his movements, that the little company could only gaze after
+him in astonishment until he had disappeared.
+
+For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over the success of his bold dash;
+then came to him the thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes in
+what he had done. He suddenly checked his horse, and then turned as if he
+would ride back, hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his way,
+but more slowly.
+
+"It is too late now," he sighed, to himself, "to undo the wrong I may have
+done. To think I may have brought trouble on the head of that glorious
+girl, who even would give me her own horse! It's the meanest trick you
+ever did, Calhoun Pennington, and it would serve you right if the Yankees
+captured you."
+
+It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun continued his journey. It
+was not long before he noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that he
+had had, had evidently strained his shoulder. Calhoun more bitterly than
+ever regretted that he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might now
+have been riding a good fresh horse, given him by Mr. Osborne.
+
+"Serves me right," he groaned. "Oh, what a fool, and not only a fool, but
+a brute, I have been. That girl! I can't help thinking that I may have got
+her into serious trouble."
+
+A few miles more and his horse became so lame that Calhoun had to come
+down to a walk. He dismounted with a ruthful face.
+
+"It's no use," he said; "I shall have to leave him. Where can I get
+another horse?"
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. He had dismounted in a wood,
+a thick growth of cedars screening him from the observation of any one
+passing along the road. Hearing the sound of an approaching horseman, he
+crept to the side of the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officer
+approaching unattended. He was riding leisurely along unsuspicious of
+danger, and whistling merrily. With Calhoun to think was to act.
+
+"Halt! Surrender!" were the words which saluted the startled officer, as
+Calhoun sprang into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at his
+breast.
+
+The officer was a brave man, and he reached for his revolver.
+
+"Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man," said Calhoun, in a low, firm
+voice. "Fool, don't you see I have the drop on you?"
+
+The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even smiled as he replied: "I
+guess you are right. No use kicking. What is your pleasure?"
+
+"Dismount. No, on this side."
+
+The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took hold of the horse's bridle,
+still keeping the man covered with his revolver.
+
+"Now," continued Calhoun, "your name, rank, and regiment."
+
+"Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, --th Ohio Cavalry," was the answer.
+
+"Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have met you. As it may be a little
+inconvenient for you and me to travel together, I ask you to give me your
+parole of honor that you will not bear arms against the Southern
+Confederacy until regularly exchanged."
+
+"May I be permitted to ask," replied the Captain, with a peculiar smile,
+"who it is that makes this demand?"
+
+"Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry."
+
+"Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry, you may go to
+the devil, before I will give you my parole."
+
+Calhoun was astounded at the reply. "I am afraid I shall have to shoot
+you," he said.
+
+"Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will," was the fearless reply; "it would
+be an act worthy of a Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am well
+aware you are alone, that you cannot take me with you. It would be an act
+of cowardice in me to give you my parole."
+
+As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his arms across his breast and
+looked Calhoun in the face without the quiver of a muscle.
+
+Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery of the man. "Captain,
+you are too brave a man to die a dog's death, neither would I think of
+shooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go, but shall be under the
+necessity of borrowing your horse. You will find mine in the bushes there
+badly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again." Thus saying, Calhoun sprang
+on the Captain's horse, and dashed away.
+
+Captain Crawford stood looking after him until he was out of sight. "May
+you have your wish, my fine fellow!" he exclaimed; "I would ask nothing
+better than that we should meet again."
+
+Both had their wish; they met again, not once, but several times.
+
+"A brave fellow, that," said Calhoun to himself, as he galloped away. "I
+would as soon have thought of shooting my brother. He didn't bluff worth a
+cent."
+
+The horse which Calhoun had captured was a good one, and he rode him for
+many a day. We will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in his
+journey toward his destination in Kentucky. Suffice it to say, he met with
+numerous perils and made some narrow escapes, but at last found himself
+near Danville. There resided a few miles from Danville a rich planter
+named Ormsby. Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South, one well
+versed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky out of the Union, and one
+who kept well posted in everything which pertained to the welfare of the
+Confederacy; and at Ormsby's he resolved to stop and lay his plans for the
+future.
+
+He was received with open arms. "So you are from John Morgan," said Mr.
+Ormsby, "and wish to recruit for his command. You have come at an
+opportune time. To-morrow there is a secret meeting of prominent
+Confederates near Harrodsburg. I am to attend. You will meet a number
+there for whom you have letters. Of course you will go with me?"
+
+Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with Mr. Ormsby to be present at
+the meeting. If he was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first days of
+May, his time was short, very short, and what he should do had to be done
+quickly.
+
+When he was introduced to those present as from Morgan, and just from
+Corinth, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story of
+Shiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson, of the retreat, but how
+the spirit of the Southern army was unbroken, and that the South would
+not, and could not, be conquered.
+
+To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies of cavalry were nearly
+ready to take the field, and it was unanimously agreed that they should
+cast their fortune with Morgan.
+
+"I believe that Morgan with a thousand men can ride clear to the Ohio
+River," declared Calhoun. "It only remains for Kentuckians to rally to his
+standard, and give him the support that he desires."
+
+It was agreed that the companies should be filled as soon as possible, and
+should go whenever Calhoun said the word.
+
+Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished to enter Danville to visit
+his parents. Disguised as a country boy with produce to sell, he had no
+trouble in passing the pickets into town. With a basket of eggs on his
+arm, he knocked at the back door of his father's residence. It was opened
+by Chloe, the cook.
+
+"Want eny good fresh eggs?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No; go way wid ye, yo' po' white trash," snapped the old negro woman, as
+she attempted to shut the door in his face.
+
+"Chloe!"
+
+The dish which she held in her hand went clattering to the floor. "Fo' de
+land's sake!" she cried, "if it isn't Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress yo',
+chile! De Lawd bress you!" And she seized him and fairly dragged him into
+the house.
+
+"Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don't tell father I am here yet. And, Chloe,
+don't whisper I am here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was here,
+they might hang me."
+
+"Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn' Massa?" she cried. "Ole Chloe tell no
+one."
+
+"That's right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those biscuits I see you are making,
+in a hurry. And make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more meal of your
+cooking. No one can cook like Aunt Chloe."
+
+"Yo' shell hev a meal fit fo' de king!" cried the old negress, her face
+all aglow.
+
+"You must hurry, Chloe, for I can't stay long. Now I will go and surprise
+father." And surprise him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe the
+seeming country boy was his son.
+
+"Where in the world did you come from?" he asked.
+
+"From Corinth," answered Calhoun. "I am now back to recruit for Morgan."
+
+"So you have joined Morgan, have you?"
+
+"Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I know of no service I would
+like as well as to ride with Morgan."
+
+"You could have come home, my son."
+
+"Father! what do you mean? Come home while the South is bleeding at every
+pore? Come home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?"
+
+"I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you, my only child, to be in
+the army. Oh! that dreadful battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleepless
+nights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet safe."
+
+"Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a kind Providence will still
+protect me. But here is a letter from Morgan."
+
+The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the letter with much interest.
+"My son," he said, after he had finished it, "it is well you were not
+captured with such letters on your person. It might have cost you your
+life. Even now I tremble for your safety. Does any one know you are in
+Danville?"
+
+"Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel."
+
+"Yet there is danger. I know the house is under the closest surveillance.
+The Federal authorities know I am an ardent friend of the South, and they
+watch me continually. Morgan says in his letter that he hopes it will not
+be long before he will be in Kentucky."
+
+"And mark my word," cried Calhoun, "it will not be! Before many weeks the
+name of Morgan will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge of the
+Yankee army. But, father, what of Uncle Dick and Fred?"
+
+"Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg. The Federal authorities have
+paroled him. Fred is at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishable
+honors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he has such a son as Fred!"
+
+Calhoun's face clouded. The remembrance of his last meeting with Fred
+still rankled in his breast. "I never want to see him again," he said.
+
+The Judge sighed, "Oh, this war! this war!" he exclaimed; "how it disrupts
+families! You and Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought nothing
+could come in between you and him. Calhoun, he is a noble boy,
+notwithstanding he is a traitor to his state and the South. They say he is
+going to resign from the army for the sake of his father. Won't you go and
+see him?"
+
+"No," brusquely answered Calhoun, yet he felt in his heart he was wronging
+his cousin by his action.
+
+Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and it did her honest old heart
+good to see the way that Calhoun ate.
+
+"I jes' believe dat air chile hab had nuthin' to eat fo' a week," she
+declared.
+
+"I reckon I shall have to go now," said Calhoun, rising reluctantly from
+the table. "I have already made too long a visit for a country boy with
+eggs to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I should kill myself
+eating if I stayed any longer."
+
+"No danger of dat, chile," replied Aunt Chloe, grinning.
+
+The words of parting were few. "Do be careful, my son," said Judge
+Pennington, his voice trembling with emotion. "God only knows whether I
+shall ever see you again or not."
+
+As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp eyes was watching him. Those
+eyes belonged to a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans were
+Judge Pennington's nearest neighbors, but Mr. Freeman was as strong a
+Union man as the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of friends, a
+coldness had sprung up between them since the opening of the war.
+
+Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but they had been playmates from
+babyhood, and were great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.
+More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes in fighting her battles
+when some of the larger boys had teased her.
+
+Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter the kitchen of Judge
+Pennington, and there was something in his walk and manner which attracted
+her attention. "If that isn't Cal Pennington I am a sinner!" she exclaimed
+to herself.
+
+She was on the watch for him, and when he remained so long she became more
+than ever convinced that her suspicions were correct. At length the boy
+came out with his basket on his arm.
+
+"Hi, there, boy! come here," she called. "What have you to sell?"
+
+Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried on the faster.
+
+"I tell you, boy, you had better come here if you know when you are well
+off!" she called, in a threatening voice, "Oh, I know you!"
+
+Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that his best way was to try to
+make peace with her. "What do yer want?" he growled, as he walked toward
+her. "I hev nuthin' to sell; all sold out."
+
+"Well, I never!" said the girl as Calhoun came up. "Do you think I don't
+know you, Cal Pennington? A pretty figure you cut in those old clothes,
+and with that basket. What in the world are you doing here?"
+
+"Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I might be hanged," said
+Calhoun, in a low voice.
+
+"Yankees don't hang traitors; they ought to," replied the girl, with a
+toss of her head.
+
+"But don't you see I am in disguise? I might be taken as a spy."
+
+"What are you but one? I ought to inform on you at once."
+
+"Jennie, you wouldn't do that. I am only here to see father and mother. I
+had to come in disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the Yankees."
+
+"And you are not here to spy? You know there are many rumors afloat?"
+asked the girl.
+
+"Just here to visit father and mother. Can you blame me, Jennie?" As
+Calhoun said this his heart smote him, for while it was true he was in
+Danville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his mission to Kentucky
+was for an entirely different object.
+
+"Now, Jennie, you won't tell on me, will you?" he continued, in a coaxing
+tone.
+
+"No, if you behave yourself; but don't let me hear of any of your capers,"
+answered the girl.
+
+"You won't, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be able to do you a good turn one of
+these days."
+
+Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared, then shaking her
+head, she went into the house, saying: "I couldn't inform on him, if he is
+a Rebel."
+
+The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun. He visited Nicholasville,
+Lexington, Harrodsburg; had interviews with a large number of prominent
+Secessionists; found out, as near as possible, the number of Federal
+troops garrisoning the different towns; in fact, gathered information of
+the utmost value to Morgan if he should ever raid Kentucky.
+
+But all these things could not be done without rumors reaching the Federal
+authorities. It was known that the Southern element was extremely active;
+that recruiting for the Confederate army was going on; and at last, the
+name of Calhoun Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew him well
+declared that he had seen him, and it was common report he was back
+recruiting for Morgan's command. The Federal commander at Danville was
+ordered to keep a close watch on the house of Judge Pennington to see if
+it was not visited by his son.
+
+It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun was in Lexington when he was
+startled by hearing the news-boys crying, "Pulaski, Tennessee, captured by
+John Morgan!" "He is headed north, closely pursued by the Federal forces!"
+
+Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There was no time to be lost. That
+night, the next day, and the next night horsemen could be seen galloping
+furiously along unfrequented roads, throughout central Kentucky. The word
+was, "Meet at the rendezvous near Harrodsburg." Three days afterwards, two
+hundred of the best, the bravest, and the noblest youths of Kentucky were
+ready to march to join Morgan. Each one of them had provided his own
+outfit. They asked no pay to fight for their beloved South.
+
+Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his father one more visit,
+although he knew it was dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in a
+thicket outside the limits of the city, he waited until dark, then stole
+across fields, and through alleys home.
+
+No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried, "Calhoun! Calhoun! what
+have you done! Do you know they are on the watch for you?"
+
+"I had to see you once more before I went," answered Calhoun. "I was
+careful, and I do not think any one saw me come. I have some things of
+importance to tell you."
+
+Father and son talked together for some five minutes in low, confidential
+tones, when they were interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting unannounced
+into the room and crying, "Run, Cal, run! the soldiers are coming! They
+are most here!" And before either could say a word, she was out again like
+a flash.
+
+"Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist Freeman's daughter,"
+gasped the Judge. "Fly, my boy, fly! and may God protect you."
+
+Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty revolver, he cried,
+"Good-bye, all," and ran through the house to pass out by the back way.
+Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he fairly rushed into the
+arms of a soldier who was entering. So surprised were both that they could
+only stare at each other for a brief second; but Calhoun recovered himself
+first, and dealt the soldier a terrific blow over the head with the butt
+of his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan, and Calhoun sprang out
+over his prostrate body, only to meet and overturn another soldier who was
+just ascending the steps. The force of the collision threw him headlong,
+but he was up again in a twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness,
+followed by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled Federals.
+
+Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned, "My son, oh, my son!"
+
+The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and there were many pale faces,
+for the people knew not what it meant.
+
+A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested Judge Pennington, and
+he was dragged off to jail. But he did not think of himself. "My son," he
+asked, "was he captured? was he hurt?"
+
+"I think the devil protected his own," roughly replied the officer, "but
+we will attend to you for harboring Rebels."
+
+Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals, not only that night, but for
+nearly a week. There was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as a
+dangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of his arrest and his probable
+fate, and came in and had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.
+He showed that Judge Pennington had committed no overt act; that his son,
+who was a Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him, and had
+resisted capture, as any soldier had a right to do. As Fred threatened to
+report the case to the commander of the Department, the Judge was
+released.
+
+Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience over what she had done. But
+Judge Pennington kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when he
+congratulated Jennie over her act, she felt relieved; for young
+Shackelford was not only known as a favorite of General Nelson, but as one
+of the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
+
+Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had no trouble in finding his way
+to his horse, and he lost no time in joining his comrades.
+
+"Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at Glasgow," he cried, and two
+hundred voices answered with a loud "Hurrah! we will do it!"
+
+Little did Calhoun or they think that at that very time John Morgan, his
+forces defeated and scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But like
+them, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+                           MORGAN'S FIRST RAID.
+
+
+All through the month of April General Halleck had been concentrating the
+mighty armies of almost the entire West for the purpose of crushing
+Beauregard at Corinth. For a month the two armies lay but a few miles
+apart, almost daily skirmishes taking place between the outposts.
+
+During the month General O. M. Mitchell had overrun Middle Tennessee, and
+was holding the Memphis and Charleston railroad from Decatur to
+Bridgeport, Alabama. Two railroads led south from Nashville, Tennessee,
+both connecting with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, one at Decatur,
+and the other at Stevenson, Alabama. Both of these roads were of vital
+importance to General Mitchell, for on them he depended for transportation
+for the sustenance of his army.
+
+These roads had been badly damaged by the Confederate army when it
+retreated from Nashville, and General Mitchell was busily engaged in
+repairing them. If repaired and held, it meant that Chattanooga must fall,
+and the Confederate army be driven still farther south.
+
+John H. Morgan, now promoted to a colonelcy, believed that with a small
+force the rear of the Federal army could be raided, the railroads cut,
+bridges burned, and their communications so destroyed that they would be
+forced to fall back. General Beauregard was not so sanguine. While great
+damage might be done, and the Federal army subjected to much
+inconvenience, the contest, after all, would have to be decided by the
+great armies. Then he needed every man, as Halleck was about to move.
+
+At last he gave Morgan permission to make his raid, but with a force not
+to exceed five hundred.
+
+It was in the last days of April that Morgan started with his little
+force, on what seemed to many certain destruction. But every man in the
+command was full of enthusiasm. They had unlimited faith in their leader,
+and where he went they would follow.
+
+Following almost the exact route taken by Calhoun, Morgan's first blow
+fell on Pulaski, Tennessee. So swift and unexpected had been his movements
+that the Federals were taken completely by surprise. The place was
+surrendered without a struggle.
+
+Moving rapidly north, the command attacked and, without any loss, captured
+a wagon-train en route from Columbia to Athens. Thus at the very
+commencement of his raid, Morgan captured Pulaski, with all its military
+stores, a wagon-train, and some two hundred and seventy prisoners, and
+this without the loss of a man. Among the prisoners captured were a son of
+General O. M. Mitchell, and our old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+The prisoners were all paroled, and were astonished at the kind treatment
+they received. Both Captain Jumper, who was in charge of the wagon-train,
+and the son of General Mitchell were loud in their praise of the way they
+were used by Morgan.
+
+After destroying all the Federal property captured, and damaging the
+railroad as much as possible, the command continued on their raid, their
+route taking them by the plantation of Mr. Osborne. The welcome they
+received there was a royal one. Colonel Morgan stopped and took dinner
+with the family.
+
+Here he heard of the adventure of Calhoun, and he laughed long and
+heartily over the way Calhoun had recovered his horse.
+
+"Tell him," said Miss Osborne, "that I forgive him his abrupt leaving, as
+no harm came to father. By the way, Lieutenant Haines has become quite
+friendly, coming out to see us two or three times."
+
+"No one can blame him, even if you give him but a moment of your company,"
+replied Morgan, gallantly. "But Miss Osborne, I am sorry to say we took
+your friend prisoner. He was paroled, and no doubt is now on his way
+North."
+
+Miss Osborne blushed, and then said, "A good riddance; I trust I shall
+never see him again. But he was kind to papa. He even returned the horse;
+would not keep him."
+
+"That is lucky," responded Morgan, "for if he hadn't been returned, one of
+my men would be riding him now, and your chance of getting him would be
+small."
+
+From Pulaski Morgan pushed northeast, avoiding Shelbyville and
+Murfreesboro, both of these places being too strongly garrisoned for him
+to attack with his small force. He crossed the Nashville and Chattanooga
+railroad ten miles north of Murfreesboro, burned the depot, and destroyed
+as much of the track as his limited time would admit. From there he rode
+straight for Lebanon, Tennessee, which place he reached just at nightfall.
+The inhabitants received him with the wildest demonstration of joy. But
+trouble was in store for him. His men, wearied with their long ride, and
+elated over their continued success, became careless. They knew they were
+among friends, and thought that no harm could come to them, so they slept
+without fear.
+
+The Federal authorities had become thoroughly alarmed over his progress.
+Strong bodies of troops were in swift pursuit, from Shelbyville, from
+Murfreesboro, and from Nashville.
+
+Just before daylight the Federals charged into the little city with whoop
+and hurrah. Taken entirely by surprise, Morgan's men thought only of
+flight. Two companies under the command of Colonel Robert C. Wood being
+cut off from their horses, threw themselves into a college building in the
+outskirts of the city, and for three hours defended themselves with
+desperation. At last being out of ammunition they were forced to
+surrender.
+
+In this unfortunate affair Morgan lost nearly two hundred of his best
+troops. The rest were more or less scattered. He himself was chased for
+eighteen miles, and the pursuit ceased only when he, with the remnant of
+his troops, had crossed the Cumberland.
+
+The Federals thought they had thoroughly whipped Morgan, and he would give
+them no more trouble. But they did not know the man. He had started for
+Kentucky, and to Kentucky he would go. After crossing the Cumberland, he
+halted, gathered his scattered command together, and then with less than
+three hundred men, started for Glasgow.
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington will meet us at Glasgow with reinforcements," he
+told his men.
+
+But there were some of his officers who had misgivings. Chief among these
+was Captain Conway. Speaking to another officer, a Captain Mathews, Conway
+said: "It's strange that the Colonel has such confidence in that young
+upstart. As for me, I look for no reinforcements. The best thing we can do
+is to get back as soon as possible."
+
+"Captain, what is the matter?" asked Mathews. "What has that young fellow
+done that you have taken such a dislike to him?"
+
+"Nothing; but the idea of sending a mere boy on such an important mission!
+Why did he not send some one back with influence?"
+
+"Pennington is well connected; you know his father is Judge Pennington of
+Danville."
+
+"That makes little difference. His mission will be a failure; see if it
+isn't. We shall see no reinforcements at Glasgow."
+
+Just then Morgan came riding along, and seeing Conway said, "Captain, I
+want to thank you for the gallant manner in which you held back the enemy
+while the command crossed the Cumberland. You did nobly."
+
+This praise so pleased Conway that for a time he forgot his supposed
+grievance.
+
+Without further trouble from the Federals, the little command reached
+Glasgow, where they were received with open arms by the inhabitants.
+Houses were thrown open to them and food provided in abundance. But
+nothing had been heard of any reinforcements.
+
+"What did I tell you?" said Conway to Mathews.
+
+"Wait," was the answer.
+
+The night was an anxious one. Morning came, but still nothing was heard of
+any reinforcements.
+
+"We will wait another day," said Morgan.
+
+About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan's men nearly went wild with
+enthusiasm, as nearly two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
+into camp.
+
+When the captain in command reported, Morgan thanked him in the warmest
+terms, and then looking eagerly around, said: "Where is Lieutenant
+Pennington? I do not see him."
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington," answered the Captain, "asked leave to take twenty
+men and scout toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do so. He has an
+idea that the railroad might be reached and broken at that point."
+
+"Ah! I have thought so myself," replied Morgan. "I shall wait for his
+report with interest."
+
+The arrival of the two fresh companies had raised the command to as large,
+or larger, than it was when it started from Corinth, and every man was
+eager to go on. It was nearly night when Calhoun reported with his little
+company. He was jubilant over what he had discovered.
+
+"Colonel," he said, "we can easily capture Cave City, and thus sever the
+connection between Louisville and Nashville. The place is lightly
+guarded."
+
+"Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture the train on which my
+gallant men taken prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I should be
+supremely happy," said Morgan, with much feeling.
+
+"Perhaps we can," replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.
+
+"How about going farther north than Cave City?" asked Morgan.
+
+Calhoun shook his head. "It will not do," he replied; "all the towns are
+too strongly held for your small force to cope with."
+
+"At least we can try Cave City," answered Morgan, and orders were given
+for the command to be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of Cave City
+was reached about two o'clock in the morning. The column was halted and
+the men were ordered to rest until daylight.
+
+As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier named Emory, was sent in
+advance to the place. They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
+linger around the depot, and when the charge came they were to prevent the
+telegraph operator from sending warning of the raid.
+
+Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry steeds, Calhoun and Emory
+played their part to perfection. Their entrance into the little place
+caused no comment, and excited no suspicion. Sauntering into the depot,
+they gazed curiously around.
+
+  [Illustration: SAUNTERING INTO THE DEPOT THEY GAZED CURIOUSLY AROUND.]
+
+"What's that?" asked Calhoun, pointing at the clicking telegraph
+instrument.
+
+"That, my boy," said the operator, patronizingly, "is a telegraphic
+instrument. Did you never see one before?"
+
+"No. What makes it tick?"
+
+"Lightning, my son, lightning; that's a lightning-catcher."
+
+Calhoun opened his eyes in wonder. "Jes' heah that," he said to Emory.
+"What is it fer?" he continued, turning his attention to the operator once
+more.
+
+"To send messages," replied the operator, amused at the ignorance
+displayed. "With this little instrument, I can talk with any one at
+Louisville or Nashville."
+
+"What's yo-uns givin' we-uns," drawled Calhoun. "Do yo' take we-uns fo' a
+fule?"
+
+A guard who stood idly by laughed long and loud. "A fine specimen of
+Southern chivalry," he chuckled.
+
+Just then there came the sound of cheering, pistol shots, and the clatter
+of horses' hoofs, mingled with affrighted cries.
+
+"By heavens! the town is being raided," shouted the operator, as he sprang
+to his instrument.
+
+"Stop!" thundered Calhoun. "Touch that instrument and you are a dead man."
+
+The operator looked up amazed, only to find himself covered with a
+revolver.
+
+The guard at the same time was looking into the muzzle of a weapon held by
+Emory.
+
+"Drop that gun," said Emory to the trembling man.
+
+The gun went clanging to the floor.
+
+"You two stand there in the corner with your hands above your heads,"
+commanded Calhoun.
+
+The operator and the guard obeyed with alacrity. "Keep them covered with
+your revolver, Emory," continued Calhoun, "while I see what I can find.
+Think I will pocket these dispatches first; they may be of use."
+
+Just then he glanced out of the window and saw four or five soldiers
+running toward the depot. There might be more following. Giving the
+telegraphic instrument a kick which sent it flying, he started to leave in
+a hurry. Then noticing the blanched faces of the soldiers, as they came
+rushing into the depot, he called out, "No use running, Emory, we can take
+the whole crowd prisoners, green as we look."
+
+And they did. There was no fight in the frightened men.
+
+When the excitement was over Calhoun looked over the dispatches which he
+had captured, and found that a passenger train was due from the south in
+half an hour, and that it had orders to wait at Cave City for a freight
+train to pass, coming from the north. This was good news, and Morgan's men
+waited, in glee, for the approaching trains.
+
+At the appointed time the passenger train came rolling in. The reception
+it received astonished every one on board. To Colonel Morgan's great
+disappointment his men captured at Lebanon were not on the train; but
+there were a great many Federal soldiers, principally officers, aboard on
+their way North. A few of these at first made some show of resistance; but
+when they saw how hopeless their case was, they sullenly submitted to
+their fate.
+
+It was not long before the freight train came slowly puffing in. It was an
+immense train of forty-five cars, heavily loaded with rations, clothing,
+and munitions of war for Buell's army. Morgan's men freely helped
+themselves from the rich stores to everything that they needed and could
+carry, and then the work of destruction began.
+
+The torch was applied, and soon the two trains were wrapped in flames. The
+prisoners, who had gloomily watched the work of destruction, were now
+lined up, and told that they would be released upon their giving their
+parole. This they gladly consented to do.
+
+It fell to Calhoun to take a list of their names, with rank and regiment.
+
+"Don't see why I should be asked to give another parole," growled a
+lieutenant. "I gave you fellows one at Pulaski, a short time since, and
+was on my way home now, to stay until I am exchanged. How often do you
+want to take a fellow prisoner, anyway?"
+
+Calhoun glanced up much amused. The officer started, stared at him a
+moment, and then abruptly asked, "Is your name Pennington?"
+
+"It is, Lieutenant Pennington, if you please."
+
+"You and I have met before."
+
+"Ah! I know you now. I wish to thank you, for I am told you did not visit
+your wrath on the Osbornes on account of my abrupt leave-taking."
+
+"No, the girl had concealed you in the house unbeknown to the old
+gentleman, and as he had assured me there were no Confederates about, he
+felt real cut up about it. He actually proffered me another horse in the
+place of the one you took. Said I was his guest, and should not suffer."
+
+"Just like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman, the very personification
+of honesty," replied Calhoun. "It may interest you, Lieutenant, to know
+that recovering my horse did me little good, for he went so lame I had to
+leave him."
+
+"And took mine in his place," spoke up a fine-looking Federal officer who
+stood near, and whose name Calhoun had not yet taken.
+
+"Captain Crawford, as I live," exclaimed Calhoun, extending his hand.
+"Captain, I want to give you my sincere thanks. That was a fine horse you
+loaned me. Must have Kentucky blood in him. I am riding him yet. How about
+your parole, Captain? You know you absolutely refused to give it to me."
+
+"I have changed my mind."
+
+"Ah! that is good. If you refused this time we might be obliged to take
+you along with us, and that might not be agreeable to you."
+
+As the Captain gave his parole, he said, "This is the second time we have
+met. There may be a third meeting, and it may be my time."
+
+"_Au revoir_," gayly replied Calhoun.
+
+Little did he think then of their next meeting, and what it would mean to
+him.
+
+The prisoners all being paroled, and the work of destruction complete,
+Morgan's command returned to Glasgow, loaded with booty.
+
+The capture of the trains and the breaking of the railroad at Cave City
+caused the greatest excitement throughout the Federal army. It showed the
+Federal authorities how weak their line of communication was. Although so
+much depended on Morgan's capture, he was left for some days almost
+unmolested. He made a demonstration toward Lebanon, captured a number of
+prisoners, and then, when the combination against him grew too strong to
+be resisted, he withdrew at his leisure and at length found rest for his
+command at Chattanooga.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER V.
+
+
+                        MORGAN'S FIRST GREAT RAID.
+
+
+The struggle for the possession of Corinth was ended. General Halleck,
+with his immense army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand men, had
+thought to reduce the place by regular siege, and force General Beauregard
+to capitulate, surrendering himself with his whole army.
+
+But Beauregard was too able a general to be caught in a trap. For a month
+he held the Federal army at bay, and then, when Halleck was about to
+spring his trap, Beauregard silently withdrew, leaving to him but a barren
+victory.
+
+The Confederate army was saved, and to the Federal forces the occupation
+of Corinth proved as demoralizing as a defeat. The result showed that John
+Morgan was right when he said that the hope of the South rested, not on
+the occupancy of any single place, but on the safety of its armies.
+
+The fall of Corinth at once changed the theatre of war. The Federal army
+was divided, the Army of the Tennessee, under Grant, remaining in
+Mississippi and Western Tennessee, and the Army of the Ohio, under Buell,
+being ordered to march east and capture Chattanooga.
+
+If Buell had acted promptly and swiftly, he might have been successful,
+and the death-blow would have been given to the Confederacy long before it
+was. But he moved slowly and haltingly, and the golden opportunity was
+lost. It gave the Confederacy time to transfer to Chattanooga the larger
+part of the army which had been at Corinth. The command of this army was
+given to General Braxton Bragg, a brave man, and by many thought to be one
+of the ablest generals of the South.
+
+It at once became the dream of General Bragg to gather as large an army as
+possible, then march northward clear to the Ohio River, sweeping
+everything before him. This dream came near being realized. It was made
+possible by the efforts and deeds of two men, General John H. Morgan and
+General N. B. Forrest. These two great raiders and leaders of cavalry
+nearly turned the scale in favor of the Confederacy. They raided the rear
+of the Federal army, tore up railroads, destroyed millions of dollars'
+worth of property, and captured thousands of prisoners. They ran General
+Buell nearly distracted, and caused him not to know which way to turn.
+They made it possible for General Bragg to reach Kentucky unopposed; and
+if, after reaching Kentucky, General Bragg had proved as able a leader of
+infantry as Morgan was of cavalry, Buell's army would have been destroyed.
+While Bragg was organizing his army at Chattanooga, another Confederate
+army was being organized at Knoxville under General E. Kirby Smith; this
+army was to invade Kentucky by way of East Tennessee, while General Bragg
+was to invade by way of Middle Tennessee. Once in Kentucky, the two armies
+were to unite.
+
+This programme was successfully carried out, and yet the whole movement
+was a failure, as far as the occupancy of Kentucky was concerned.
+
+After the fall of Corinth, Colonel Morgan rendezvoused his little force at
+Chattanooga. From Chattanooga he proceeded to Knoxville, where he at once
+began the preparations for another raid. As Cumberland Gap was held by the
+Federals, Colonel Morgan decided to cross over into Middle Tennessee
+before invading Kentucky. His command consisted of about nine hundred men,
+made up of two regiments and two independent companies. His own regiment
+was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Basil Duke. All through Morgan's
+career Colonel Duke was his chief adviser, so much so that many claim that
+Morgan's success was mainly due to Colonel Duke.
+
+"Why don't some one shoot Basil Duke through the head, and blow out John
+Morgan's brains?" exclaimed a disgusted Federal officer, after a fruitless
+effort to catch Morgan.
+
+But the officer was mistaken; both had brains. Like Grant and Sherman they
+worked hand in hand, and one needed the other. Together they were
+invincible.
+
+Before leaving Knoxville Morgan picked out twenty-five men, mounted on the
+best and fleetest horses, and placed them in the command of Calhoun
+Pennington. They were to be the scouts of the command, and well did they
+do their duty. More than once did they save Morgan from heavy loss by
+ascertaining the movements of the enemy.
+
+Morgan left Knoxville July 4th. His route lay directly west over the
+Cumberland Mountains to Sparta, a distance of one hundred and four miles.
+This, in spite of the rough roads, he made in three days. Many of the
+mountaineers of East Tennessee clung to the Union, and much of the way he
+had to ride through almost as hostile a country as if raiding through the
+North. The utmost vigilance had to be used, and Calhoun, with his scouts,
+was kept well in front to see that the road was clear.
+
+On the second day's march there was the crack of a rifle from a
+mountainside, and one of the scouts tumbled from his horse dead. A little
+cloud of smoke up the mountain showed from where the shot was fired. With
+a cry of rage the scouts sent a volley where the little cloud was seen,
+then springing from their horses, clambered up the mountain to hunt down
+the murderer; but their search was fruitless.
+
+About a mile beyond where the shooting took place they came to a rough log
+cabin, surrounded by a few acres of comparatively smooth ground. A small
+patch of corn and potatoes was growing near the cabin, and an old man with
+tangled gray hair and beard was hoeing in the field. An old woman sat in
+the door calmly smoking a corn-cob pipe. Neither seemed to notice the
+soldiers as they came riding up.
+
+"You, man, come here!" sternly called Calhoun.
+
+The mountaineer deliberately laid down his hoe, and slowly came to where
+Calhoun was. He seemed to be in no hurry, nor did he appear to be
+disturbed.
+
+"What is your name?" demanded Calhoun.
+
+"Nichols--Jim Nichols," drawled the man.
+
+"Are you well acquainted around here?" demanded Calhoun.
+
+"Hev lived heah goin' on twenty years," was the answer.
+
+"We have just had a man shot, by one of you skulking mountaineers. Do you
+know of any one likely to do such a deed? Tell the truth, or it will be
+the worse for you."
+
+The old man shook his head. "The men be all gone in one army or de other,"
+he answered.
+
+"Are you Union or Confederate?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"The wah is nuthin' to we-uns," he drawled; "we-uns own no niggers."
+
+"That's no answer," fiercely replied Calhoun, "I have a mind to hang you
+up like a dog. A little stretching of the neck might loosen your tongue."
+
+At the word "hang" a strange look came into the old man's eyes, a look as
+of mortal hatred, but it was gone in a moment, and the drawling answer
+came, "We-uns knows nuthin'; thar may be strange men hidin' in the
+mountin. We-uns don't know."
+
+"Have you a family?"
+
+"A gal."
+
+"Where is she?"
+
+"Done gone over the mountin to see the Jimson gals."
+
+"You have no son?"
+
+At the word "son," again that deadly glint came in the old man's eye.
+Again it was gone in a moment, and the answer came, "No."
+
+The cabin was searched--the mountaineer and his wife apparently perfectly
+unconcerned as to what was going on--but nothing suspicious was found, and
+Calhoun had to confess himself baffled. But after Morgan's column had
+passed, a tall, lank girl with unkempt hair might have been seen coming
+down the mountainside, carrying a long rifle in her hand. Swiftly and
+surely as a deer she leaped from rock to rock, and soon neared the cabin.
+Carefully concealing her rifle beneath a huge rock, she came slowly up to
+the door of the cabin, where the old man sat smoking. He looked up at her,
+inquiringly, but did not say a word.
+
+"We-uns got one, dad," she said, as she passed in. Not another word was
+spoken, but the old man sat and smoked and watched the sun as it slowly
+sunk to rest behind the mountain.
+
+If Calhoun had known that Nichol's only son had been hanged the winter
+before by the Confederate authorities for bridge-burning, and that his
+sister had sworn revenge, he would not have been at a loss as to who had
+fired the deadly shot, for every mountain girl can use a rifle.
+
+From Sparta Morgan made a rapid march to Selina, where he forded the
+Cumberland River. At Selina he learned that there was a Federal force at
+Tompkinsville, which is just over the line in Kentucky. By a swift advance
+he hoped to surprise and capture this force. As the command crossed the
+line from Tennessee into Kentucky, the enthusiasm of the men knew no
+bounds. They sang "My Old Kentucky Home," and cheered again and again.
+
+Tompkinsville was reached at five o'clock on the morning of the 9th of
+July. The Federals, under the command of Major Thomas J. Jordan, of the
+Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, though surprised, made a stand, and the battle
+at once opened. But a few shots from Morgan's mountain howitzers utterly
+demoralized the Federals, and they fled in confusion.
+
+Major Jordan, after retreating about a mile, succeeded in rallying about
+seventy-five of his men, and made a stand to cover the retreat of his
+force. Calhoun, with some fifteen of his scouts far in advance of the main
+column, charged down on them without hesitating a moment. The Federals,
+although they outnumbered the scouts five to one, were ridden down, and
+throwing down their arms they cried for mercy.
+
+In this fight the gallant Colonel Hunt was mortally wounded. He was one of
+Morgan's best officers, and his loss was deeply mourned.
+
+From Tompkinsville Morgan moved to Glasgow, arriving there at one o'clock
+in the morning.
+
+The Federal garrison had heard of his approach, and had fled, leaving
+everything behind them. A large quantity of military stores fell into
+Morgan's hands, and was destroyed.
+
+Although it was in the middle of the night, the glad news spread through
+the town, and the citizens were hailing each other with the glad shout,
+"Morgan has come again! Morgan has come again!" Soon from every house
+lights were flashing, and every woman was engaged in cooking. When morning
+came, not only a steaming hot breakfast of the best that the place
+afforded was set before the men, but three days' cooked rations were given
+each man.
+
+At Glasgow Morgan gave out that he was again to raid the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad. In order to carry out the deception, when he left
+Glasgow he followed the road which would lead him to strike the railroad
+in between Woodsonville and Mumfordsville; but when he was within a few
+miles of the road, he halted his command, and taking only Calhoun and his
+scouts, he struck the road at a lonely place a short distance from Horse
+Cove. Here he had his telegraph operator, a sharp young fellow named
+Ellsworth, attach his private instrument to the telegraph wire, and for
+two hours Ellsworth, in the midst of a driving storm and standing in water
+up to his knees, took every message that passed over the wire. It was rare
+fun to hear the Federal officers telling all their secrets, and revealing
+the terror they were in over Morgan's raid. After listening to their plans
+of how they would try to capture him, Morgan had Ellsworth send the
+following dispatch to the provost marshal at Louisville:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                        Nashville, Tenn., July 10, 1862.
+
+General Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro, routing our
+forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan is reported to be between
+Scottsville and Gallatin, and will act in concert with Forrest, it is
+believed. Inform general commanding.
+
+                                                      STANLEY MATHEWS,
+                                                        Provost Marshal.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal authorities to believe that
+he was returning from Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrest
+did on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro, and of this fact
+Morgan was entirely ignorant.
+
+Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as to have the Federals
+remain in ignorance of what he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoined
+his command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of over forty miles. The place
+fell, almost without struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,
+Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office. This was at three o'clock
+in the morning. Unsuspicious of danger the regular telegraph operator was
+at home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more installed at the instrument.
+
+It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson, commanding the place, had
+telegraphed for reinforcements, saying he feared an attack. The first
+dispatch that Ellsworth received was:
+
+"What news? Any more skirmishing?"
+
+To which Ellsworth answered: "No, we drove what few cavalry there were
+away."
+
+The next was: "Has the train arrived yet?"
+
+"No. How many troops on train?" asked Ellsworth.
+
+"About five hundred," was the answer.
+
+This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he at once dispatched a column to
+intercept the train. But the train scented danger, and backed with all
+speed toward Louisville.
+
+At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan's hands. Two large warehouses
+filled to overflowing with clothing, rations, and the munitions of war
+were given to the flames. Five thousand stand of arms were among the
+trophies; Morgan picked out the best of these to arm his men.
+
+The destruction of Federal property being complete, Morgan started north,
+going through Springfield and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met with a
+most enthusiastic reception. Nothing was too good for Morgan's men.
+
+While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished that Morgan would make a
+detour and visit Danville, but this Morgan refused to do, as it would take
+him too far out of his route and give the Federals time to concentrate
+against him. Thus Calhoun was prevented from entering his native town in
+triumph.
+
+Morgan had caused the report to be circulated far and near that he had a
+force of five thousand and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
+From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the line of the Louisville and
+Lexington Railroad. The place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
+Lexington, and from it either place could be equally threatened.
+
+Here he once more took possession of the telegraph office, and Ellsworth
+was once more busy in sending telegrams. In the names of the different
+Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left, ordering the Federal
+troops here and there, everywhere but to the right place, and causing the
+utmost confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits' end; they knew not
+what to do, or which way to turn. The whole state was in terror. The name
+of Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified fivefold. General
+Boyle, in command of the Department of Kentucky, was deluged with
+telegrams imploring assistance. He in turn deluged General Halleck,
+General Buell, and even President Lincoln. "Send me troops, or Kentucky is
+lost. John Morgan will have it," he said.
+
+Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth: "They are having a stampede in
+Kentucky. Please look to it."
+
+Buell telegraphed: "I can do nothing. Have no men I can send." Thus
+Kentucky was left to her fears. Never did a thousand men create a greater
+panic.
+
+From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong demonstration toward Frankfort,
+strengthening the belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
+object was the capture of Lexington.
+
+Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the outskirts of the place,
+driving in the Federal outposts; but he learned that the city was
+garrisoned by at least five times the number of Morgan's men. This fact he
+reported to his chief, who saw that it would be madness to attempt to
+capture it. Morgan therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
+thoroughly breaking the railroad which led from that place to Cincinnati,
+so he gave orders to start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed for
+a day at Midway by an unfortunate incident, the capture of Calhoun and one
+of his men by the Home Guards.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+                         CAPTURED BY HOME GUARDS.
+
+
+All through Kentucky during the war there were companies of troops known
+as Home Guards. They were in reality the militia of the state. They in
+many instances rendered valuable services, and did much to keep Kentucky
+in the Union. If it had not been for them, the Federal government would
+have been obliged to keep twice as many troops in the state as it did. Not
+being under as strict discipline as the United States troops, they were
+more dreaded by the Southern element than the regular army.
+
+These Home Guards were very bitter, and lost no opportunity of harassing
+those who clung to the cause of the South. Now and then there were bands
+of these Guards that were nothing but bands of guerrillas who lived by
+plundering, and they were frequently guilty of the most cold-blooded
+murders. It was by such a band that Calhoun was captured. He had been
+scouting toward Frankfort to see if the Federals were moving any
+considerable body of troops from that place to attack Morgan. He found
+them so frightened that they were not thinking of attacking Morgan; they
+were bending every nerve to defend the city from an expected attack by
+him. He was on his way back with the news that there was no danger from
+the direction of Frankfort, when he was told that a band of Home Guards,
+that were in fact a set of robbers, had their haunts in the rough, hilly
+country to the south of him, and he determined to try to effect their
+capture. After riding several miles, and hearing nothing of them, he
+ordered a return to Midway.
+
+The day was very hot, and coming to a cross-road, where several trees cast
+their grateful shade and a little brook ran babbling by, he ordered his
+men to halt and rest. The shade and the water were very acceptable to both
+man and beast; dismounting, the men lay sprawling around in the shade.
+Seeing a house standing on an eminence up the cross-road, Calhoun decided
+to take one of his soldiers named Nevels, and ride up to it to see if he
+could learn anything.
+
+"Better let us all go, there is no telling what one may run into in this
+country," said a sergeant named Graham, who in the absence of Calhoun
+would be in command of the little company.
+
+"No, Graham," answered Calhoun, "both men and horses are tired, and need
+the little rest they are getting. I do not think there is any danger. If I
+see anything suspicious, I will signal to you." With these words Calhoun
+with his companion rode away.
+
+"There he goes as careless as if there was not an enemy within forty
+miles," said Graham, looking after them, and shaking his head. "I tell you
+the Lieutenant will get into trouble some of these days. He is altogether
+too rash; never thinks of danger."
+
+"Don't worry about the Lieutenant," lazily replied one of the men; "he
+never gets into a scrape without getting out of it. He is a good one, he
+is."
+
+The Sergeant did not answer, but stood earnestly gazing after his chief,
+who by this time was about a quarter of a mile away. Here Calhoun and
+Nevels descended into a depression, which for a moment would hide them
+from the watchful eyes of the Sergeant.
+
+As Calhoun entered this depression, he noticed that a thick growth of
+underbrush came up close to the side of the road, affording a splendid
+place for concealment. For a moment a feeling as of unseen danger came
+over him, but nothing suspicious could be seen or heard, and dismissing
+the thought, he rode forward. Suddenly Calhoun's horse stopped and pricked
+up his ears.
+
+"What's the matter, Selim? What do you see?" exclaimed Calhoun, as he
+gently touched him with the spur.
+
+The horse sprang forward, but had gone but a few yards, when as suddenly
+as if they had arisen out of the ground, a dozen men, with levelled guns,
+arose by the side of the road, and demanded their surrender. Desperate as
+the chance was, Calhoun wheeled his horse to flee, when before him stood a
+dozen more men; his retreat was cut off.
+
+"Surrender, or you are dead men," cried the leader. Calhoun saw they were
+surrounded by at least twenty-five men, and a most villainous-looking set
+they were. There was no help for it. To refuse to surrender meant instant
+death, and Calhoun and Nevels yielded as gracefully as possible.
+
+The Sergeant stood still looking up the road waiting for them to appear,
+when he caught sight of the head of a man, then of another, and another.
+
+"Boys," he shouted, excitedly, "something is wrong; the Lieutenant is in
+trouble."
+
+The little squad sprang to their horses, and without thinking of danger,
+or what force they would meet, rode to the rescue, the Sergeant in the
+lead. But when they neared the place, they were met with a volley which
+brought three of the horses down and seriously wounded two of the men.
+
+"Forward!" shouted the Sergeant, staggering to his feet, and holding his
+wounded arm, from which the blood was streaming.
+
+But another volley brought down two more of the horses, and the Sergeant
+seeing they were outnumbered more than two to one, ordered a halt, and
+made preparations to resist a charge, which he thought would surely come.
+No charge came, and all was silent in front. The Sergeant ordered an
+advance, but no enemy was found. They had silently decamped and left no
+trace behind, and had taken Calhoun and Nevels with them.
+
+Crippled as they were, and the Sergeant suffering terribly from his wound,
+it was decided it would be madness to pursue with their small force. So
+one of the men on a swift horse was sent to carry the news to Morgan,
+while the others followed more leisurely.
+
+When the news reached camp, the greatest excitement prevailed, and every
+man in the command clamored to be sent to the rescue. Colonel Morgan chose
+Captain Huffman, who, with thirty of his famous Texan rangers, was soon
+galloping to the scene of the encounter, under the guidance of the courier
+who had brought the news. On the way they met Calhoun's little squad
+sorrowfully returning. Not a man but begged to be allowed to go with the
+rescuing party, but this, on account of the tired condition of their
+horses, and on account of the two wounded men, had to be refused.
+
+It was well along in the afternoon when the theatre of the encounter was
+reached. Captain Huffman had with him three or four men who for years had
+been accustomed to Indian fighting in Texas; these men took up the trail
+and followed it like bloodhounds. After going three or four miles, the
+advance ran into two men, who sought safety by running into the woods; but
+a shot in the leg brought one of them down, and he was captured. At first
+he denied knowing anything of the affair, saying he had heard nothing of a
+fight. But when Captain Huffman ordered a rope to be brought and it was
+placed around his neck, he begged piteously, saying that if they would
+spare his life he would tell them all he knew. And this is what he told
+them:
+
+He belonged to a band led by a man known as "Red Bill" from his florid
+complexion. It was this band that had captured Calhoun and Nevels. It
+seemed that the officer whom they had captured had known Red Bill in
+Danville, and taunted him with being a chicken-thief. This so angered Red
+Bill that he determined to hang the officer. This resulted in a quarrel
+among the members of the band, many of whom had become tired of the
+leadership of Red Bill, being fearful that his crimes would bring
+retribution on their heads. At last it was agreed that the band would
+disperse, Red Bill, on the promise that he might have the two horses
+captured, agreeing to deliver the two prisoners to the Federal commander
+at Frankfort.
+
+"But," added the prisoner, whose name was Evans, "I doubt if they ever
+reach Frankfort. I reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid of
+them before he gets there."
+
+Captain Huffman listened to this story with horror. "If this miscreant
+makes way with Lieutenant Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to his
+death, if it takes ten years," he declared. Then turning to Evans, he
+asked: "Did any of the gang side with Red Bill?"
+
+"Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him," was the answer.
+
+"And you men, at least twenty of you, by your own story, coolly left our
+men to be foully murdered?" furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
+
+The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
+
+"Answer!" thundered Huffman.
+
+"Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort," he at length managed to
+say.
+
+"And you have just admitted that his promise was worth nothing. Where did
+this thing occur? Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?"
+demanded Huffman.
+
+"About three miles from here," answered Evans.
+
+"Lead us to the place at once."
+
+"I dare not," he whimpered; "Red Bill will kill me if I give away the
+place of rendezvous. We are under a terrible oath not to reveal it."
+
+"You need not fear Red Bill," answered Captain Huffman, in ominous tones,
+"for I am going to hang you. Boys, bring the rope."
+
+"Mercy! Mercy!" gasped the shivering wretch.
+
+"Then lead us to the place where you left Red Bill, and that quickly."
+
+"My wound," he whined, pointing to his leg.
+
+"Bind up his leg," said Huffman to one of his men.
+
+The wound was rudely dressed, and then Evans was placed on a horse in
+front of a sturdy trooper.
+
+"Now take us to the place where you left Red Bill, by the shortest and
+quickest route; you say it is three miles. If we don't reach it in half an
+hour, I will hang you like a dog. And," continued Huffman, to the trooper
+in front of whom Evans was riding, "blow out his brains at the first sign
+of treachery."
+
+For answer the trooper touched his revolver significantly.
+
+After riding swiftly for about two miles, Evans bade them turn into a path
+which led into the woods. The way became rough and rocky, and their
+progress was necessarily slower. Evans was in mortal terror lest the
+half-hour would be up before they could reach the place.
+
+"It is right down thar," he at length said, pointing down a ravine which
+led to a stream.
+
+The place was admirably adapted for concealment. On a small level place
+surrounded by high cliffs stood a tumble-down house. It was shut in from
+view from every point except the single one on which they stood.
+
+"Leave the horses here," whispered Huffman, "I think I caught sight of
+some one down there. We will creep up on them unawares."
+
+Leaving the horses in charge of ten men, Captain Huffman, with the rest of
+his force, silently crept down the gorge.
+
+  [Illustration: THEY SILENTLY CREPT DOWN THE GORGE.]
+
+We will now turn to Calhoun. After he was captured and heard his men
+cheering as they made the charge, his heart stood still, for he expected
+they would all be killed. He was, therefore, greatly surprised when the
+firing ceased, and his captors came running back, and hurried him through
+the woods at a break-neck speed. The rapid pace was kept up for about
+three miles, when finding they were not pursued, they adopted a more
+leisurely gait. Of this Calhoun was glad, for he was entirely out of
+breath. The leader of the gang, and another, probably the second in
+command, had appropriated the horses, and Calhoun and Nevels had been
+forced to walk, or rather run.
+
+Once Calhoun ventured to ask the result of the fight, and was told that
+all of his men had been killed. This he knew to be a lie, as his captors
+would not have retreated so hastily if they had achieved so sweeping a
+victory. He asked another question, but was roughly told to shut up.
+
+When the rendezvous was reached Red Bill for the first time noticed his
+prisoners closely. He started when he saw Calhoun, and then turning to his
+gang, said, "I reckon we had better string these fellows up, and get them
+out of the way."
+
+"String us up," boldly answered Calhoun, "and I would not give a cent for
+your worthless lives; Morgan would never rest, as long as one of you
+encumbered the earth."
+
+"Who is afraid of Morgan!" exclaimed Red Bill, with an oath. "He and the
+rest of you are nuthin' but hoss-thieves an' yo' will all hang one of
+these days. I know yo', my young rooster, you air the son of that ole
+Rebil, Judge Pennington of Danville. I hev it in fur him."
+
+"And I know you now," hotly replied Calhoun, forgetting the danger he was
+in. "You used to live in Danville, and went by the name of Red Bill. Your
+popularity consisted in the fact that you were known as an adept
+chicken-thief. My father once sent you to jail for petit larceny."
+
+Bill's face grew still redder. "Yo' lie, yo' dog!" he hissed. "Yo' father
+did send me to jail, but I war innocent, an' he knowed it. But he thought
+I war only po' white trash, while he is an aristocrat. I swore to hev my
+revenge, an' I will hev it. Boys, what do we-uns do with hoss-thieves in
+ole Kentuck?"
+
+"Hang 'em," exclaimed four or five voices.
+
+"An' we-uns will hang this crowin' bantam. I will learn him to call me a
+chicken-thief, classin' me with niggers!" exclaimed Red Bill, with fury.
+
+"What will we-uns do with the other feller?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Hang him too. Dead men don't talk."
+
+But some of the gang began to demur over this summary proceeding, saying
+that the Federal authorities would deal severely with them if it became
+known they murdered prisoners in cold blood. Not only this, but Morgan had
+captured hundreds of Home Guards and paroled them. But if they should
+execute one of his prominent officers, he would show no mercy.
+
+The discussion became so hot, they came nearly fighting among themselves.
+At last one of them said, "I am tired of the hull business. I am goin'
+home."
+
+"An' I!" "An' I!" cried a dozen voices.
+
+It was finally agreed that the gang should disband, only five agreeing to
+remain with Red Bill. Being allowed to keep the plunder and horses they
+had captured, these men, with Red Bill, promised to deliver Calhoun and
+Nevels to the Federal authorities at Frankfort, unharmed.
+
+Calhoun and Nevels had watched this quarrel among their captors with the
+utmost anxiety, knowing that upon the result depended their lives. It was
+with the deepest concern that they beheld the members of the party depart,
+leaving them with Red Bill and his five boon companions.
+
+No sooner were they alone than the six, with oaths and jeers, tied their
+prisoners securely to trees, drawing the cords so closely that they cut
+into the flesh. Although the pain was terrible, neither Calhoun nor Nevels
+uttered a moan. After the prisoners were thus securely tied, Red Bill
+produced a bottle of whisky, and the six commenced drinking, apparently
+taking no notice of their captives. The whole six were soon fiendishly
+drunk.
+
+Staggering up to Calhoun, Red Bill growled: "Think we-uns goin' to take
+you to Frankfort, I reckin'."
+
+"That is what you promised," replied Calhoun, calmly.
+
+"Well, we-uns ain't. We-uns goin' to hang ye!"
+
+Calhoun turned pale, then controlling himself by a powerful effort, he
+replied: "Do the Home Guards of Kentucky violate every principle of
+honorable warfare?"
+
+"Damn honorable warfare! Yo-uns called me a chicken-thief; I call you a
+hoss-thief. Hoss-thieves air hanged. Ha! ha! the son of Judge Pennington
+strung up fo' stealin' hosses! Won't that sound nice?" and he burst into a
+devilish laugh, in which he was joined by the others.
+
+Calhoun saw there was no hope. It was hard to die such an ignominious
+death. "Oh!" he thought, "if I had only been permitted to die amid the
+flame and smoke of battle. Such a death is glorious; but this----" A great
+lump arose in his throat, and came near choking him.
+
+Gulping it back, he whispered to Nevels: "Don't show the white feather.
+Let them see how Morgan's men can die."
+
+The brave fellow nodded; he could not speak. He had a wife and child at
+home.
+
+They were unbound from the tree, but their arms and limbs were kept
+tightly pinioned. Ropes were brought and tied around their necks, and the
+free ends thrown over a limb of the tree.
+
+"Can ye tie a true hangman's knot, Jack?" asked Red of the villain who was
+adjusting the rope around Calhoun's neck.
+
+"That I can, Red," he answered, with a chuckling laugh. "It's as neat a
+job as eny sheriff can do."
+
+The sun had just sunk to rest; the gloom of night was settling over the
+forest. Calhoun saw the shadows thicken among the trees. The darkness of
+death would soon be upon him.
+
+"String 'em up!" shouted Red.
+
+Just then the solemn hoot of a distant owl was heard. One of the men
+holding the rope dropped it, and shivered from head to foot.
+
+"Boys," he whispered, "let's don't do it. That's a note of warning. I
+never knew it to fail."
+
+"Cuss ye fo' a white-livered coward!" yelled Red Bill. "String them up, I
+tell ye!"
+
+For answer there came the sharp crack of rifles, the rush of armed men,
+and the infuriated Texans were on them. No mercy was shown; in a moment it
+was all over.
+
+Quickly the cords which bound Calhoun and Nevels were cut, and the
+terrible nooses removed from their necks. "Thank God, we were in time!"
+cried Captain Huffman, wringing Calhoun's hand.
+
+But Calhoun stood as one in a trance. So sudden had been his deliverance,
+he could not realize it. He had nerved himself to die, and now that he was
+safe, he felt sick and faint, and would have fallen if he had not been
+supported. Both he and Nevels soon rallied, and poured out their thanks to
+the brave men who had come to their rescue.
+
+"We would never have found you," said Huffman, "if we had not run on one
+of the gang who under the threat of death piloted us here."
+
+"Where is he?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"With the boys up with the horses."
+
+"Let him go," pleaded Calhoun; "but for him I would now have been food for
+the buzzards."
+
+"To which we will leave these carrion," answered Huffman, pointing to the
+dead Home Guards. "But we must be going; Morgan is impatient to be on the
+road."
+
+Great was the rejoicing in Morgan's command when Captain Huffman returned
+bringing Calhoun and Nevels safe; and much satisfaction was expressed over
+the fate of their captors. In half an hour after the return of Captain
+Huffman's command, Morgan's men were en route for Paris.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+                       CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.
+
+
+After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march directly to Paris, but halted
+at Georgetown, a little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The citizens
+of Georgetown gave Morgan's command the same joyous welcome which they had
+received at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to them not as an
+enemy, but as a liberator.
+
+From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack Cynthiana, which lies north of
+Paris, having heard there was a considerable body of Federal troops
+stationed there. Sending a small force toward Lexington to keep up the
+fiction of an attack upon that place, Morgan moved with the main body of
+his force upon Cynthiana.
+
+Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan was engaged in during his
+raid. Cynthiana was held by Colonel John J. Landram of the Eighteenth
+Kentucky. He had under him about four hundred men, mostly Home Guards and
+raw recruits. Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the battle raged
+for an hour and a half with the greatest fury. It was at last decided by a
+furious charge made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas rangers. The
+entire force of Colonel Landram was killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
+Colonel Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his bravest men. Calhoun
+was not in this fight, having been sent with his scouts toward Lexington
+to watch the movements of the enemy.
+
+From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and the place surrendered without a
+shot being fired. Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexington
+railroad was now in Morgan's possession, and he proceeded to destroy it as
+thoroughly as his limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed by
+his enemies. A large force was moving on him from Frankfort; another from
+Lexington. Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully informed of
+these movements.
+
+Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith's forces from Lexington, he
+marched for Winchester. His next move was to Richmond. This left all the
+pursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan's movements, the
+marvellous endurance of his men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
+
+At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand and give battle to his
+pursuers; but Calhoun brought word that at least five thousand Federals
+were closing in on him. To give battle to such a number would have been
+madness, so he marched for Crab Orchard. On the march Calhoun made a
+detour toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his uncle, Colonel
+Richard Shackelford. He was also in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. He
+had heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping him from being
+sent to a Northern prison, and he wished to thank him. He was ashamed of
+the hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to make amends for it.
+
+His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his consternation Fred
+presented himself in the uniform of a captain of the Federal army. His men
+clamored to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had succeeded in
+quieting them, to his dismay Captain Conway came galloping upon the scene
+at the head of his company. He had obtained permission from Morgan to
+scout toward Danville. His real object was to capture Fred, who he knew
+was at home. Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy. His plan
+was frustrated by the bold stand taken by Colonel Shackelford, who
+delivered Fred as a prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him to
+Morgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once paroled him, although Conway
+tried his best to have him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,
+but let him return with the horse he had ridden, although many of the men
+looked on the splendid animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not hear
+of their taking a horse which belonged to his old friend, Colonel
+Shackelford.
+
+"Why didn't you ride that horse of yours?" asked Captain Mathews of Fred,
+alluding to Fred's famous horse, Prince.
+
+"Afraid you might keep him," laughed Fred; "you are a good judge of a
+horse, Captain."
+
+"Right you are," responded Mathews; "I am sorry I didn't think of that
+horse when we were at Richmond. I would have visited you with my friend
+Conway, and taken the horse. Think I will have to return for him yet."
+
+Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but that very night Mathews
+dispatched two of his men back in disguise to steal Fred's horse.
+
+From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset, surprising the place, and
+capturing a large wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies, all
+of which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he again took possession of the
+telegraph office, and enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
+
+At Somerset Morgan's raid was practically at an end. There were no Federal
+troops in front of him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he had
+completed the destruction of all the United States property in the place,
+and was ready to leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GEORGE D. PRENTICE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete destruction of
+all of Uncle Sam's property in this little burg. I regret exceedingly that
+this is the last that comes under my supervision on this route. I expect
+in a short time to pay you a visit, and wish to know if you will be at
+home. All well in Dixie.
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+GENERAL J. T. BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.
+
+Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution. You should
+destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend Ellsworth has all of
+your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you wish copies?
+
+                                                     JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                           Somerset, Ky., July 22, 1862.
+HON. GEORGE DUNLAP, Washington, D. C.
+
+Just completed my tour through Kentucky. Captured sixteen cities,
+destroyed millions of dollars of United States property. Passed through
+your county, but regret not seeing you. We paroled fifteen hundred Federal
+prisoners. Your old friend,
+
+                                                    JOHN H. MORGAN,
+                                                     Commanding Brigade.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The feelings of the above gentlemen as they received these telegrams can
+better be imagined than described. The one to General Boyle must have cut
+him to the quick as he read it. To know how completely Morgan had
+outwitted him was like gall and wormwood to him.
+
+From Somerset Morgan halted his command at Livingston, Tennessee, to take
+a much-needed rest. Never did men need it more. They had accomplished one
+of the most astonishing feats in the annals of American warfare. No wonder
+the name of Morgan struck terror to the hearts of the Federals. Morgan in
+his report of his raid sums it up as follows:
+
+"I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month with about nine hundred
+men, and returned to Livingston on the 28th instant with nearly twelve
+hundred, having been absent just twenty-four days, during which time I
+travelled over one thousand miles, captured seventeen towns, destroyed all
+the government property and arms in them, dispersed about fifteen hundred
+Home Guards, and paroled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I lost in
+killed, wounded, and missing of the number I carried into Kentucky, about
+ninety."
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+                         THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.
+
+
+Morgan's command had not been encamped at Livingston more than two or
+three days when, to every one's astonishment, a couple of soldiers
+belonging to Captain Mathews's company came riding into camp, one on Fred
+Shackelford's famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known horse of
+Colonel Shackelford's, called Blenheim.
+
+Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter which greeted the soldiers as
+they galloped in waving their hats and shouting, ran out of his quarters
+to see what was occasioning the excitement. He could hardly believe his
+eyes when he saw the well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a great
+jump, for the thought came to him that his cousin had been waylaid and
+killed. But if so, how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too? To his
+relief he soon learned the truth of the story, how from Crab Orchard
+Captain Mathews had sent back two of his company to capture Prince, and
+they had returned not only with Prince, but with Blenheim. Mathews was in
+high spirits as he appropriated Prince. Jumping on his back he galloped
+him through camp, showing off his fine points, and declaring he could
+outrun any horse in the brigade. A match was soon arranged, but Prince so
+easily outstripped every competitor that soon no officer was found who had
+the hardihood to enter his horse in the lists against him.
+
+Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his satisfaction. He could not
+forego the opportunity of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be vexed
+over the capture of his cousin's horse.
+
+"Why do you come blowing around me?" asked Calhoun, nettled by his manner,
+"I am neither the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his horse."
+
+"Oh, you were so careful of his precious person when I took him prisoner,
+I did not know but your carefulness might extend to his horse," replied
+Conway, with a sneer.
+
+Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself, he replied: "You did
+not take Captain Shackelford, and I am surprised that you should make such
+a statement. You forget that I was there before you."
+
+"You would have let the fellow go," snapped Conway.
+
+"Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole," answered Calhoun.
+
+"It was your fault that he slipped through my fingers," exclaimed Conway,
+angrily, "but my time will come. I have swore to see him hanged before
+this war is over, and I shall."
+
+"Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain," replied Calhoun, with
+provoking coolness; and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away with a
+muttered oath.
+
+Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun ever since their first
+meeting, partly because he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conway
+himself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on account of his being Fred's
+cousin. But after the affair at Colonel Shackelford's house, he took
+little pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers of the brigade
+noticed this, and predicted that sooner or later there would be trouble
+between the two.
+
+But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture of
+Prince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: "Ah!
+Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think of
+him?" Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in
+the command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answered
+pleasantly: "He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once
+beaten by him in a race. But," continued Calhoun, with a laugh, "my advice
+is to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back,
+sure. That horse has more tricks than you dream of."
+
+"I am not worrying," replied Mathews. "One of your scouts has just had to
+fork over five dollars to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab
+Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps you would like to bet I
+can't keep him?"
+
+"Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain Shackelford will have his
+horse back in less than two months," answered Calhoun, dryly.
+
+"Done!" exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and the stakes were placed in
+the hands of Captain Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to the
+officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very foolish bet on the part
+of Calhoun.
+
+"That twenty-five is gone," said Huffman to Calhoun, as he pocketed the
+stakes, "but I am sure of having fifty dollars for at least two months."
+
+"I reckon I shall lose," said Calhoun, "but Mathews had better not let
+Shackelford get sight of his horse."
+
+"Why?" asked a dozen voices in concert.
+
+"Because that horse is up to more antics than a trick horse in a circus.
+You will see, if we ever run across my cousin in our raids."
+
+"I don't know what you mean," said one of the officers, "but your cousin
+will have a fine time getting that horse away from Jim Mathews."
+
+"Wait and see," was Calhoun's answer.
+
+It was not many days before they knew what Calhoun meant. A few days
+sufficed to rest Morgan's command, and it was not the nature of Morgan to
+remain long idle. He had to be doing something. It was known that the
+Confederate armies were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward
+movement into Kentucky. In fact, General Kirby Smith had already set out
+from Knoxville to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg was nearly
+ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.
+
+The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered, and owing to the raids of
+Morgan and Forrest, the men were on short rations. General Buell was at
+his wits' end. He knew that General Bragg was preparing to advance, but
+thought he would not attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking
+him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere in Middle Tennessee,
+and concentrated his forces for that event.
+
+Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike another blow at the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and this time right under the noses of
+the Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles from Nashville, and
+Morgan decided to attempt its capture. In order to spy out the land,
+Calhoun entered the place as a country lad. He found that it was
+garrisoned by a Federal force of about four hundred, under the command of
+Colonel Boone. The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets were out,
+and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering the place. He made himself
+known to a few of the citizens, and they gave him all the information
+possible. To them the coming of Morgan meant deliverance from a hateful
+foe.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to find out the station of every picket at
+night. The camp of the Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile from
+the city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep at a hotel in the city; in
+fact, his wife was sick at the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan was
+near, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed both to Nashville and
+to General Buell at MacMinnville for reinforcements, but no attention was
+paid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to send nearly half of his
+force away to intercept a drove of beef cattle which it was reported the
+Confederates were driving down from Kentucky.
+
+That the citizens might not know that his numbers were depleted, Colonel
+Boone did not send this force away until midnight, thinking no one would
+see them depart. But sharp eyes were watching. Nothing was going on in
+Gallatin without Calhoun's knowledge. He lost no time in reporting to
+Morgan, and the attack came swiftly.
+
+Knowing the location of every picket post, Calhoun was able to effect
+their capture without the firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatin
+without the knowledge of the Federal force, which was only half a mile
+away. Colonel Boone was captured at the hotel. The first intimation he had
+that Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded by Calhoun to
+surrender. A demand was now made on the camp that it should surrender,
+which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin, with the entire Federal
+garrison and all the military stores which it contained, was captured.
+
+Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies of Captain Mathews and
+Captain Conway, together with Calhoun's scouts, to take the stockade which
+guarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The attack was successful, the
+stockade surrendering after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in the
+possession of the Confederates.
+
+A long train of cars which had been captured was piled with wood, rails,
+and other combustibles, set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sides
+and roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork, and the whole
+tunnel was soon a roaring mass of flame. The wood being burned away the
+tunnel caved in, and it was months before a train ran through from
+Louisville to Nashville. Morgan had effectually blocked the road. Highly
+elated with their success, the command returned to Gallatin, Mathews and
+Conway riding at the head of the column. To Calhoun was committed the care
+of the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.
+
+When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard the report of a single
+pistol shot in front, then a rapid succession of rifle shots. The head of
+the column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and the whole command came
+to a halt.
+
+Fearful that an attack had been made by a Federal force coming from
+Nashville, Calhoun gave orders to shoot down the first prisoner who
+attempted to escape, and prepared to resist any attack that might come.
+But no more firing was heard, and the column began to move again. Soon an
+officer came riding back and told Calhoun a story that interested him
+greatly.
+
+Mathews and Conway were riding at the head of the column, when, as it
+reached a cross-road, a peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
+Mathews's horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated his rider, and dashed up
+the cross-road. Conway's horse bolted, and in spite of Conway's efforts,
+followed.
+
+A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road, and Mathews's horse stopped
+by his side. He fired at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To save
+himself from being shot again, Conway flung himself from his horse. The
+boy sprang onto Mathews's horse and rode away at full speed, followed by
+the other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired at the boy. Captain
+Mathews's arm was broken by the fall.
+
+  [Illustration: HE FIRED AT CONWAY.]
+
+"So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?" asked Calhoun, with a faint
+smile.
+
+"Yes, he will quit blowing now."
+
+"And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am sorry Mathews had his arm
+broken."
+
+When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway had had his wound dressed,
+and Mathews's arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering passion. He
+blamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying if it had not been for him, Fred
+Shackelford would have been hanged as a spy. From this time he did not try
+to conceal his hatred of Calhoun.
+
+Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically. "It was a blamed
+sharp trick on the part of young Shackelford!" he exclaimed. Then turning
+to Captain Huffman, he said: "Give that money to Lieutenant Pennington; he
+has won it. But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss back. My
+reputation depends upon it. Then to think that I, who prided myself on
+being one of the best hossmen in Morgan's troop, should be thrown. Bah! it
+makes me sick," and his face took on a look of disgust.
+
+"I warned you," said Calhoun, "that that horse was up to tricks. When Fred
+gives that whistle he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I have
+seen Fred try it time and time again with his father's nigger boys as
+riders, and Prince never failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave that
+whistle his horse would have gone to him, or died in the attempt."
+
+"I am sorry you didn't let Conway hang him," replied Mathews, gently
+rubbing his broken arm, "but I will get even with him, see if I don't. I
+want that hoss worse than ever."
+
+A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a Federal force moved up from
+Nashville, reoccupied the city, committed many depredations, and began
+arresting the citizens right and left, accusing them of complicity with
+Morgan. When Morgan heard of this he at once moved to the relief of the
+distressed city. Attacking the rear guard of the enemy as it was leaving
+the place, he not only defeated them, but drove them to within seven miles
+of Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot Knob, and burning the high
+railroad trestle at that place. He also captured a train of cars and
+liberated forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being taken to
+Nashville as prisoners. They had been used with the greatest cruelty by
+their captors.
+
+In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred prisoners. Notwithstanding
+the provocation was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatin
+had been used, Morgan treated his prisoners kindly and paroled them.
+
+The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly alarmed, resolved to crush
+Morgan. To this end a brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,
+placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson, and sent against him.
+Johnson thought that Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against that
+place. But when he reached Hartsville and learned that Morgan was at
+Gallatin, he at once marched to attack him there, confident of easy
+victory.
+
+Up to this time the Federals had boasted that Morgan would not fight
+anything like an equal force; that he always attacked isolated posts with
+overwhelming numbers. They were now to learn something different. Morgan
+had been kept well posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to every
+movement of Johnson. Although he knew that he was greatly outnumbered,
+Morgan resolved to give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
+
+Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun came galloping into Gallatin
+with the information that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting a
+battle in the city Morgan moved out on the Hartsville pike, meeting the
+enemy about two miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at once with
+fury. Up to that time it was the greatest engagement fought in the West in
+which cavalry only was engaged.
+
+For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for an hour the issue of the
+battle was doubtful; then a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal
+forces. Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns, accoutrements,
+everything that impeded their progress, thinking only of safety in flight.
+Plunging into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did not stop
+running until they reached Nashville.
+
+The remaining Federal force under General Johnson retreated about two
+miles, and then made a brave stand. But nothing could withstand the fury
+of Colonel Basil Duke's attack, whose command had the advance. General
+Johnson and many of his men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
+scattered.
+
+In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred men, killed, wounded, and
+missing. Their general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their cost, they
+found that when the occasion demanded it Morgan would fight. Morgan's loss
+in the battle was only five killed and twenty wounded; but among the
+latter was the brave Captain Huffman, who had an arm shattered.
+
+Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest praise from Morgan for
+the masterly manner in which he handled his regiment. It was greatly owing
+to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory was won.
+
+In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part. Single-handed he engaged a
+Federal officer who was trying to rally his men, and forced him to
+surrender. When he delivered up his sword Calhoun saw to his surprise that
+it was his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
+
+"Ah, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, "I am glad to have met you again. When the
+battle is over I will come and see you."
+
+"Pennington again, as I am alive!" gasped the astonished Lieutenant.
+
+After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejected
+and crestfallen among the prisoners.
+
+"Cheer up, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, pleasantly; "we are going to parole
+you. You will soon be at liberty."
+
+"How often do you want to parole a fellow? This will be the third time,"
+growled Haines. "Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you off the face
+of the earth sure this time. We would, too, if it hadn't been for that
+cowardly regiment which broke."
+
+"An 'if' has stood in between many a man and success," answered Calhoun.
+"How long ago were you exchanged?"
+
+"About two months," replied Haines, "and here I am in for it again. I
+expected to win a captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall
+die a lieutenant."
+
+"Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet, who knows? To change the
+subject, have you met the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the
+army?"
+
+A change came over the face of Haines--one that transformed his rather
+handsome features into those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and
+wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself, and answered:
+
+"Yes, but trouble has come upon the family. Mr. Osborne refused to take
+the oath of allegiance, and as he was looked upon as a dangerous
+character, he has been sent North as a prisoner."
+
+"To wear his life away in some Northern bastile!" exclaimed Calhoun, in a
+fury. "Monstrous!"
+
+"That is not all," returned Haines. "By some means the house took fire and
+burned with all its contents. I did all I could for them--tried to save Mr.
+Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax my efforts to have him
+released. I have some powerful friends in the North."
+
+Calhoun thanked him, and went his way. But that look which came over
+Haines's face, what did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+                                THE DUEL.
+
+
+IN August, 1862, Cumberland Gap, the gateway between Eastern Kentucky and
+East Tennessee, was held by a Federal force of over ten thousand,
+commanded by General George W. Morgan. It was this force which confronted
+General Kirby Smith as he set out to invade Kentucky.
+
+The place being too strong to carry by assault, General Smith left a force
+in front of the Gap to menace it, made a flank movement with the rest of
+his army, passed through Roger's Gap unopposed, and without paying any
+attention to the force at Cumberland Gap, pushed on with all speed for
+Central Kentucky.
+
+At the same time General Bragg made his long-expected advance from
+Chattanooga, completely deceiving Buell, who first concentrated his army
+at Altamont and then at MacMinnville. Bragg marched unopposed up the
+Sequatchie Valley to Sparta. General George H. Thomas had advised Buell to
+occupy Sparta, but the advice was rejected. Buell could not, or would not,
+see that Kentucky was Bragg's objective point. He now believed that
+Nashville or Murfreesboro was the point of danger, and he concentrated his
+army at the latter place.
+
+From Sparta General Bragg had marched to Carthage, crossed the Cumberland
+River, and was well on his way to Kentucky before Buell waked up. Bragg
+was then three days ahead of him. If Bragg had marched straight for
+Louisville, there would have been no troops to oppose him until he reached
+that place, and Louisville would have fallen. But he stopped to take
+Mumfordsville, and the delay was fatal. It gave Buell the opportunity to
+overtake him.
+
+When the forward movement began, Colonel John H. Morgan was ordered to
+Eastern Kentucky to watch the force at Cumberland Gap and prevent it from
+falling on the rear of the army of General Smith. Smith moved rapidly, and
+on August 29 fought the battle of Richmond, where a Federal force of seven
+thousand was almost annihilated, only about eight hundred escaping.
+
+By the movements of Smith and Bragg the Federal force at Cumberland Gap
+was cut off. For that army the situation was a grave one. In their front
+was General Stevenson with a force too small to attack, but large enough
+to keep them from advancing. In their rear were the Confederate armies.
+They were short of food; starvation stared them in the face. It was either
+surrender or a retreat through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
+
+General George W. Morgan called a council of his officers, and it was
+decided to evacuate the Gap and attempt the retreat. The Gap was evacuated
+on the night of the 17th of September. All government property which could
+not be carried away was given to the flames. The rough mountain road had
+been mined, and the mines were exploded to prevent Stevenson from
+following. But as Stevenson's force was infantry, it would be of little
+avail in following the retreating Federals.
+
+A toilsome march of two hundred and twenty miles over rough mountainous
+roads lay between the Federals and the Ohio River. To the credit of
+General G. W. Morgan be it said, he conducted the retreat with consummate
+skill. It was expected that a Confederate force in Eastern Kentucky under
+General Humphrey Marshall would try to cut the Federals off; but Marshall
+never appeared, and it was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
+what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry brigade could not stop
+the progress of ten thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day Morgan
+hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking advantage of every opening,
+and making their way a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen days,
+the Federal force, footsore and completely exhausted, reached the Ohio at
+Greenupsburg on the Ohio River, and was safe.
+
+During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost continually in the saddle,
+the foremost to strike, the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
+his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners to their credit.
+
+When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow the retreating army any
+longer, without taking any rest he turned the head of his column toward
+Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed there.
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the change a few weeks
+had effected. All Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the Federals.
+Panic-stricken they had fled back to Louisville and Cincinnati, and were
+cowering in their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony of fear. The
+governors were frantically calling on the people to arise _en masse_ and
+save their states from invasion.
+
+When the command reached Danville, Calhoun was nearly beside himself with
+joy. Over the courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South. It was
+the first time Calhoun had ever seen there the flag he loved so well. With
+a proud hurrah he dashed up to the door of his father's residence; there
+was no one to molest him or make him afraid. From the house of every
+friend of the South hung a Confederate flag.
+
+"Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!" shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.
+
+But he was disappointed in not finding his father at home. The Judge was
+in Frankfort, helping to form a provisional government for the state. Many
+of the more sanguine of the Southern element of the state already
+considered it safe in the Confederacy.
+
+Although his father was not at home, Calhoun received a most joyful
+welcome. "Bress de chile, if he isn't bac' again," cried Aunt Chloe.
+
+"Yes, Chloe," said Calhoun, as he shook her honest black hand, "and now be
+sure and get up one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this time.
+And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel Morgan, with his staff, will
+be here to dine."
+
+But what Morgan's command learned was anything but satisfactory. Kirby
+Smith had advanced to within six miles of Covington, there halted, and at
+last fallen back. Bragg, instead of marching direct to Louisville, had
+turned aside to Bardstown, allowing Buell's army to enter the city of
+Louisville unopposed. There Buell had been joined by twenty thousand fresh
+troops. Clothing and refitting his men, he had turned, and was now
+marching on Bardstown. A great battle might be fought any day. In fact, it
+was reported that Bragg had already abandoned Bardstown and was marching
+in the direction of Danville or Harrodsburg.
+
+"I don't like it at all," said Morgan. "Our generals have already let the
+golden opportunity pass. But there is still hope. With the armies of Bragg
+and Smith united, they should be strong enough to give battle and crush
+Buell."
+
+So good was the dinner and so animated the discussion, that it was late in
+the afternoon when they arose from the table. As they came out Morgan
+suddenly stopped and said, "Hark!"
+
+Away in the northwest, in the direction of Perryville, the dull heavy
+booming of cannon was heard. They listened and the dull roar, like distant
+thunder, was continuous.
+
+"A battle is being fought," they said, in low tones; "May God favor the
+right!"
+
+At Perryville the forces of Buell and Bragg had met, and were engaged in
+deadly strife. Until nightfall the heavy dull roar was heard, and then it
+died away. Which army had been victorious? They could not tell.
+
+After the battle of Perryville, Buell, fully expecting that Bragg would
+fight a decisive battle for the possession of the state, remained inactive
+for three days for the purpose of concentrating his army. It was fatal to
+all his hopes, for Bragg had already decided to leave the state, and he
+utilized the three days in getting away with his immense trains. He had
+been grievously disappointed in the hope that his army would be largely
+recruited, and that at least twenty thousand Kentuckians would flock to
+his standard. But Kentucky had already been well drained of men,
+furnishing troops by thousands for both sides.
+
+From one point of view, the invasion of Kentucky by the Confederates had
+been a magnificent success. A loss of at least twenty thousand had been
+inflicted on the Federal armies, while the loss of the Confederate army
+had not been over one-third of that number. In addition to that, the
+immense stores gathered and taken South were of inestimable value to the
+army. But in the chagrin and disappointment over Bragg's retreat these
+things were lost sight of and the Confederate general was most bitterly
+denounced.
+
+Calhoun went wild when he heard that the state was to be given up without
+a decisive battle, that all that had been gained was to go for naught; and
+his feelings were shared by all Morgan's men.
+
+"It won't prevent us from visiting the state once in a while," said
+Morgan, with a grim smile.
+
+As for Judge Pennington, he was so disgusted that although his whole heart
+was with the South, he gave up all idea of forming a state government
+loyal to the Confederacy, and remained quiet during the rest of the war.
+"The armies will have to settle it," he would say; "we can do nothing
+here."
+
+One of the first things that Calhoun did after he reached Danville was to
+see Jennie Freeman and thank her for her timely warning. "It was kind of
+you, Jennie," he said, "for I know that you hate the cause for which I am
+fighting."
+
+"My conscience has hurt me awfully ever since," replied Jennie, with a
+toss of her head; "and then I believe you told me an awful fib."
+
+"Why, how is that, Jennie?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"You worked on my sympathy, and said if you were caught you would be
+hanged. The Union forces don't hang prisoners. They would only have shut
+you up, and that is what you deserve."
+
+"But, Jennie, I was in disguise; they would have hanged me as a spy."
+
+"Don't believe it, but I sometimes think half of you Rebels ought to be
+hanged."
+
+"Oh, Jennie, Jennie! what a bloodthirsty creature you have grown! But
+where is your father?"
+
+"Thank the Lord, where the old flag yet floats--in Louisville. He will stay
+there until that rag comes down," and she pointed to the Confederate flag
+floating over the courthouse.
+
+"Poor girl, never to see her father again," exclaimed Calhoun, in tones of
+compassion.
+
+"What do you mean?" she asked, turning pale. A sudden fear had come over
+her; had anything befallen her father?
+
+Calhoun saw her mistake. Laughing, he said, "I only meant that flag would
+never come down."
+
+"Is that all?" she replied, saucily; "you all will be scurrying south like
+so many rabbits in less than a week."
+
+"Give us ten days."
+
+"No, not an hour more than a week. And mind, if you get caught, you
+needn't call on me for help."
+
+"Well, Jennie, don't let's quarrel. Perhaps I can return the favor you did
+me, by helping you some day."
+
+The opportunity came sooner than he expected. The next day Jennie ventured
+out to visit a sick friend. On her return she had to pass a couple of
+Confederate officers, one of whom was intoxicated. The other appeared to
+be reasoning with him, and trying to get him to go to his quarters.
+
+As Jennie was hurrying past them, the one who was intoxicated staggered
+toward her, and leering at her, exclaimed, "How--how do, pretty one? Give
+me a--a kiss!"
+
+Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly by the arm. Just as he
+did so, he was struck a terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling
+in the gutter.
+
+"Take my arm, Jennie," said Calhoun, for it was he who struck the blow, "I
+will see you safe home."
+
+The trembling girl took his arm, saying: "Oh, Calhoun, how glad I am you
+came! How can I thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful man?"
+
+"Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan's command. His name is
+Conway. We left him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able to follow
+Bragg's army, and he joined us only yesterday. By the way, it was Fred
+Shackelford who shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back. Conway was
+riding Blenheim."
+
+"Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn't that just splendid in him,
+getting his horse back!"
+
+"Where is Fred now?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"I don't know. Did you know General Nelson was shot?"
+
+"Shot? Nelson shot?" cried Calhoun. "Where? How?"
+
+Jennie had to tell him what little she knew about it. All that she had
+heard had come from Confederate sources.
+
+"Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel ashamed. It is the first time
+I ever knew one of Morgan's men to insult a woman."
+
+"I hope that miserable Conway will give you no trouble," said Jennie, as
+they parted.
+
+"No fears on that score," lightly replied Calhoun, as he bade her
+good-bye.
+
+But Calhoun well knew there would be trouble. No Kentucky officer would
+forgive a blow, no matter what the provocation was under which it was
+given.
+
+The blow which Conway received had the effect of sobering him, but he
+presented a pitiable sight. His face was covered with blood, and one eye
+was nearly closed. When he knew it was Calhoun that had struck him, his
+rage was fearful. Nothing but blood would wipe out the insult. For a
+Kentucky gentleman not to resent a blow meant disgrace and dishonor; he
+would be looked upon as a contemptible coward. But Conway was no coward.
+He knew he was in fault, but that would not wipe out the disgrace of the
+blow. There was but one thing for him to do, and that was to challenge
+Calhoun.
+
+That night Calhoun was waited upon by Captain Mathews, who in the name of
+Conway demanded an abject apology. This, of course, was refused, and a
+formal challenge was delivered. Calhoun at once accepted it, and referred
+Mathews to his friend Lieutenant Matson.
+
+"Look here, Pennington," said Mathews, "I do not want you to think I
+uphold Conway in what he did. I am no saint, but I never insulted a woman.
+Conway would not have done it if he had not been drunk. I was just going
+to the lady's rescue when you struck the blow. There was no need of
+knocking Conway down. I understand the girl is a Lincolnite, but that
+makes no difference, Conway is right in demanding satisfaction."
+
+"And I am willing to give it to him," answered Calhoun. "The only thing I
+ask is that the affair be arranged quickly. Let it be to-morrow morning at
+sunrise. And, Captain, understand that I bear you no grudge. I consider
+your action perfectly honorable."
+
+Mathews bowed and withdrew. He and Matson quickly arranged the
+preliminaries. The meeting was to take place at sunrise, in a secluded
+spot near Danville; the weapons were pistols, the distance fifteen paces.
+Only one shot was to be allowed. The affair had to be managed with the
+utmost secrecy; above all things, it had to be kept from the ears of
+Morgan. But it was whispered from one to another until half the officers
+knew of it. None blamed Calhoun, yet none could see how Conway could avoid
+giving the challenge.
+
+"Both are dead men," said an officer, with a grave shake of the head.
+"Morgan ought to be told; he would stop it."
+
+"Tell Morgan if you dare!" cried half a dozen voices.
+
+"Oh, I am not going to tell; if they wish to kill each other it's none of
+my business," replied the officer, turning away.
+
+Calhoun was known as the best pistol shot in the brigade, and Conway was
+no mean marksman. Everyone thought it would be a bloody affair. Many were
+aware of the enmity which Conway held toward Calhoun, and knew he would
+kill him if he could. Meanwhile Jennie slept unconscious of the danger
+Calhoun was in for her sake.
+
+It was a beautiful autumn morning when they met. The sun was just rising,
+touching woods, and fields, and the spires of the distant town with its
+golden light. The meeting was in a place which Calhoun well knew. How
+often he had played there when a boy! It was an open glade in the midst of
+a grove of mighty forest trees. The trees had taken on the beautiful hues
+of autumn, and they flamed with red and gold and orange.
+
+At least twenty had assembled to witness the duel. A surgeon stood near
+with an open case of instruments at his feet. Many glanced at it, but
+turned their eyes away quickly. It was too suggestive.
+
+The principals were placed in position. A hush came over the little group
+of spectators. Even the breeze seemed no longer to whisper lovingly among
+the trees, but took upon itself the wail of a dirge, and a shower of
+leaves, red as blood, fell around the contestants.
+
+"Are you ready, gentlemen?" asked Mathews.
+
+"Ready!" answered Calhoun.
+
+"Ready!" said Conway.
+
+"One--two--three--fire!"
+
+Conway's pistol blazed, and Calhoun felt a slight twinge of pain. The ball
+had grazed his left side, near the heart, and drawn a few drops of blood.
+For a moment Calhoun stood, then coolly raised his pistol and fired in the
+air.
+
+The spectators raised a shout of applause; but Conway was white with rage.
+"I demand another shot," he shouted, "Pennington's action has made a farce
+of this meeting."
+
+"It was the condition that but one shot should be allowed," remonstrated
+Mathews.
+
+"The condition has not been fulfilled," angrily replied Conway; "I demand
+another shot."
+
+In the mean time Matson had gone up to Calhoun, and seeing the hole
+through his clothing, exclaimed. "My God! are you shot, Lieutenant?"
+
+"A mere scratch; it's nothing," answered Calhoun.
+
+An examination showed it to be so, but blood had been drawn. This should
+have satisfied Conway, but it did not; he still insisted on a second shot.
+This the seconds were about to refuse absolutely, when Calhoun asked to be
+heard.
+
+"Although Captain Conway richly deserved the blow I gave him," he said,
+"yet as a gentleman and an officer I felt he could do no less than
+challenge me. I have given him the satisfaction he demanded. If he insists
+on continuing the duel, I shall conclude it is his desire to kill me
+through personal malice, not on account of his injured honor, which
+according to the code has been satisfied. This time there will be no
+firing in the air. Give him the second shot, if he desires it."
+
+"No! No!" cried a dozen voices.
+
+Mathews went up to Conway, and speaking in a low tone, said: "You fool, do
+you want to be killed? Pennington will kill you as sure as fate, if you
+insist on the second shot. Now you are out of it honorably."
+
+Conway mumbled something, and Mathews turning around, said: "Gentlemen, my
+principal acknowledges himself satisfied. It is with pleasure that I
+compliment both of the principals in this affair. They have conducted
+themselves like true Kentucky gentlemen, and I trust they will part as
+such."
+
+"Shake hands, gentlemen, shake hands," cried their friends, crowding
+around them.
+
+Calhoun gave his freely, but Conway extended his coldly. There was a look
+in his eye which foreboded future trouble.
+
+Such a meeting could not be kept secret, and it soon came to the ears of
+Morgan. Both of the principals, as well as the seconds were summoned into
+his presence. He listened to all the details in silence, and then said:
+
+"It is well that this affair resulted as it did. If either one of the
+principals had fallen, the other would have been summarily dealt with.
+Both of you," looking at Conway and Calhoun, "were to blame. Lieutenant
+Pennington should not have struck the blow: no gentleman will tamely
+submit to the indignity of a blow. As for you, Captain Conway, I am
+surprised that you, one of my officers, should insult a lady. If this
+offence is ever repeated, intoxication will be no plea in its extenuation.
+Heretofore it has been our proud boast that where Morgan's men are there
+any lady, be she for North or South, is as safe as in her own home. Let us
+see that it will always be so."
+
+The men who heard burst into a wild cheer. Each of them was a knight to
+uphold the honor of woman.
+
+As Captain Conway listened to the reprimand, his red face became redder.
+His heart was full of anger, but he was diplomat enough to listen with
+becoming humility. To his fellow-officers his plea was intoxication, and
+in the stirring times which followed, his offence was forgotten.
+
+Scouts came dashing into the city with the startling intelligence that a
+large Federal force was advancing on the place. It was not long before a
+battle was being waged through the streets. Before an overwhelming force
+of infantry Morgan had to fall back.
+
+Bragg was in full retreat, and to Morgan fell the lot of guarding the
+rear. As they were falling back from Camp Dick Robinson, Calhoun met a
+Major Hockoday, who to him was the bearer of sad news. The Major said that
+that morning his men pursued a Federal scout who had ventured inside their
+lines. In his effort to escape he had fallen over the cliff of Dick River,
+and been killed. "And I am sorry to say," added the Major, "that that
+scout was your cousin, Captain Fred Shackelford."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked Calhoun, in a trembling voice.
+
+"Perfectly sure. I knew him too well to be mistaken. For the sake of his
+father, I sent word to the overseer of the General's plantation so that
+the body could be found, and given Christian burial."
+
+"Thank you," replied Calhoun, as he turned away with swimming eyes. All
+his old love for his cousin had returned. There was little heart in
+Calhoun for battle that day. It was weeks before he learned that Fred was
+not dead.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                CHAPTER X.
+
+
+                               HARTSVILLE.
+
+
+WHEN Bragg evacuated Kentucky his weary army found rest at Murfreesboro.
+This little city is thirty-two miles southeast of Nashville, situated on
+the railroad leading from Nashville to Chattanooga. It had already become
+famous by the capture of a Federal brigade there in August, by General N.
+B. Forrest, and was destined to become the theatre of one of the greatest
+battles of the war.
+
+In the Federal army a great change had taken place. General Buell had been
+relieved from command, and General W. Rosecrans, the hero of the battle of
+Corinth, appointed in his place. This general assembled his army at
+Nashville. Thus the two great armies were only thirty-two miles apart,
+with their outposts almost touching.
+
+Bragg, believing that it would be impossible for Rosecrans to advance
+before spring, established his army in winter quarters, and the soldiers
+looked forward to two or three months of comparative quiet.
+
+Rosecrans's first duty was to reopen the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad, which had been so thoroughly destroyed by Morgan. An army of men
+did the work--a work which took them weeks to accomplish. But it was not in
+the nature of Morgan to be quiet. Not only he, but his men, fretted in
+camp life. Its daily routine with its drills did not suit them. Their home
+was the saddle, and they wanted no other. Therefore Morgan began to look
+around in search of a weak point in the Federal lines. For this purpose
+Calhoun and his scouts were kept busy. They seemed to be omnipresent, now
+here, now there. They would ride in between the Federal posts, learn of
+the citizens where the enemy were posted, and whether their camps were
+guarded with vigilance or not. Many a prisoner was picked up, and much
+valuable information obtained. In this way Morgan soon knew, as well as
+the Federal commander himself, how his troops were posted, and the number
+at each post.
+
+Taking everything into consideration, Calhoun reported that Hartsville
+offered the best opening for an attack. "It is the extreme eastern outpost
+of the Federals," he said. "The nearest troops to them are at Castalian
+Springs, nine miles away. The country from here to Hartsville is entirely
+free of Federal troops, and we can approach the place unobserved. The
+Cumberland River is low and can be forded. But if you wish, I will go and
+make a thorough reconnaissance of the place."
+
+"Go, and be back as soon as possible," replied Morgan, "but be careful; do
+not take too many risks."
+
+With a dozen of his trusty scouts, Calhoun had no trouble in reaching the
+bank of the Cumberland River opposite Hartsville. Here, concealed in the
+woods, through his glass he noted the position of every regiment, and drew
+a map of the camp. But he was not satisfied with this. Under the cover of
+darkness he crossed the river, determined to learn more. Above all, he
+wished to learn where the enemy's pickets were posted at night, their
+exact force, as nearly as possible, and the discipline which they were
+under. He wanted to do all this without alarming them.
+
+After crossing the river he concluded to call at a commodious farm-house,
+situated some three miles from Hartsville. He was almost certain of a
+hearty welcome; there were few disloyal to the South in that section. At
+first he was taken for a Federal soldier in disguise, and admittance was
+refused; but once the inmates were convinced that he was one of Morgan's
+men, the heartiness of his welcome made up for the coldness of his first
+reception.
+
+The planter was well posted. There was one brigade at Hartsville. Until a
+few days before, the brigade had been commanded by a Colonel Scott, but he
+had been relieved by a Colonel Moore. This Moore was the colonel of one of
+the regiments at Hartsville, and had been in the service but a short time.
+Most of the troops were raw and inexperienced. Calhoun was glad to hear
+all this.
+
+In the morning, dressed as a rough country boy, he made a circuit of the
+entire place. This he did by going on foot, and keeping to the fields and
+woods. The location of every picket post was carefully noted, and the best
+way to approach each one. In two or three instances he did not hesitate to
+approach soldiers who were foraging outside of the lines, and in a whining
+tone, enter into conversation with them, informing them he was looking for
+some of his father's pigs.
+
+"Mighty 'fraid sum ov yo-uns Yanks got 'em," he said, with a sigh.
+
+"No doubt, sonny, no doubt," replied a soldier with a hearty laugh. "You
+see, if a pig comes up and grunts at the flag, we have a right to kill him
+for the insult offered. Probably your pigs were guilty of this heinous
+crime, and were sacrificed for the good of the country."
+
+"Do yo-uns mean the Yanks hev 'em?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Undoubtedly, sonny. What are you going to do about it?"
+
+"Goin' to tell dad," replied Calhoun, as he limped off, for he pretended
+to be lame.
+
+Calhoun found that the post was picketed much more strongly to the east
+than the west, for Castalian Springs lay to the west, and the Federals had
+no idea that an attack would come from that direction. If attacked, the
+Confederates would try to force the ford, or they would come from the
+east. For this reason Calhoun decided that Morgan should cross the river
+in between Hartsville and Castalian Springs, and assault from the west.
+
+There was a ferry two miles below Hartsville where the infantry could
+cross the river, but the cavalry would have to go to a ford seven miles or
+within two miles of Castalian Springs. To his surprise, but great
+gratification, he found neither the ferry nor the ford guarded.
+
+Calhoun recrossed the river in safety, and joining his scouts, whom he had
+left on the southern side of the river, he lost no time in making his way
+back to Murfreesboro. Morgan heard his report with evident satisfaction.
+
+"Our only danger," said Calhoun, as he finished his report, "is from the
+force at Castalian Springs. From what I could learn there are at least
+five thousand Federals there. To be successful we must surprise the camp
+at Hartsville, capture the place, and re-cross the river before the force
+from the Springs can reach us. A hard thing to do, but I believe it can be
+done."
+
+"So do I," said Morgan; "with General Bragg's consent, I will start at
+once."
+
+General Bragg not only gave his consent, but owing to the importance of
+the expedition, added to Morgan's cavalry brigade two regiments of
+infantry and a battery.
+
+The force marched to within five miles of Hartsville, and halted until
+night. The night proved very dark, and the way was rough. There was but
+one small ferry-boat in which to cross the infantry, and it was 5:30 in
+the morning before the infantry were all across, and in position two miles
+from Hartsville.
+
+The cavalry had had even a rougher time than the infantry, and one large
+regiment had not yet reported. But Morgan determined not to wait, for it
+would soon be light, and they would be discovered. So with thirteen
+hundred men Morgan moved to capture a Federal brigade of over two
+thousand, and in a position of their own choosing.
+
+To Calhoun and his scouts was assigned the difficult but important task of
+capturing the outposts without alarming the camp. The success of the whole
+movement might depend upon this.
+
+So adroitly did Calhoun manage it, that the surprised pickets were
+captured without firing a gun. Nor was the Confederate force discovered
+until they were within four hundred yards of the Federal camp, and
+advancing in line of battle. It was now getting light, and a negro
+camp-follower discovered them and gave the alarm.
+
+The Federals having been taken by surprise and most of the officers and
+men being raw and inexperienced, consternation reigned in the camp. But
+they formed their lines, and for a few moments put up a brave fight. Then
+their lines broke. Colonel Moore did not seem to have his brigade well in
+hand, and each regiment fought more or less independently. In a short time
+only the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois regiment was left on the site of
+the camp to continue the battle. Although this regiment had been only
+three months in the service and had never been in an engagement before,
+under the command of their brave Lieutenant Colonel, Douglass Hapeman,
+they did not surrender until they were entirely surrounded and nearly two
+hundred of their number had been shot down.
+
+Morgan warmly complimented this regiment on its bravery, saying if all the
+regiments had been like it, the result of the contest would have been
+doubtful. In one hour and a quarter after the battle opened, all was over.
+A whole brigade had laid down their arms to the prowess of Morgan.
+
+But now a new danger arose. Calhoun had been sent toward Castalian Springs
+to watch the enemy in that direction. One of his scouts came dashing in
+with the intelligence that five thousand Federals were hurrying to the
+relief of Hartsville. They must be stopped, and time given to get the
+prisoners and munitions of war across the Cumberland.
+
+Morgan hurried two regiments to where Calhoun and his little band of
+scouts were resisting the advance of the enemy. The show of strength made
+halted the Federals, and a precious hour and a half was gained. In this
+time, by almost superhuman efforts, Morgan had succeeded in crossing the
+prisoners and his men to the south side of the Cumberland. They were now
+safe from pursuit.
+
+It was during the fight with the approaching reinforcements that an
+incident happened which caused Calhoun many hours of uneasiness. During
+the hottest of the engagement a ball, evidently fired from the rear,
+grazed his cheek. He thought little of it, supposing some one had fired in
+his rear, not seeing him. But in a moment a ball passed through his hat.
+Wheeling suddenly, to his surprise he saw Captain Conway with a smoking
+revolver in his hand.
+
+"You are shooting carelessly, Captain!" exclaimed Calhoun, angrily, riding
+up to him.
+
+For a moment the Captain cowered, then recovering himself, he said: "You
+are mistaken, Lieutenant; it was some one in the rear. The same balls came
+close to me." Just then the order was given to fall back, and Conway rode
+hastily away. There was no direct proof, but Calhoun was certain Conway
+had tried to kill him. More than one man has been disposed of in time of
+battle by a personal enemy. Many an obnoxious officer has bitten the dust
+in this manner. Calhoun could only bide his time and watch. But he now
+firmly believed his life was in more danger from Conway than it was in
+battle with the Federals.
+
+Hartsville, considering everything, was one of the greatest victories
+Morgan ever won, as he captured a whole brigade with a vastly inferior
+force. The Federals lost in killed, wounded, and captured two thousand one
+hundred men. Of these nearly three hundred were killed and wounded.
+Morgan's actual force engaged was only thirteen hundred, and of these he
+lost one hundred and forty, a small loss considering he was the assaulting
+party.
+
+The capture of Hartsville caused the utmost chagrin in the Federal army,
+and not only in the army but throughout the North. Even President Lincoln
+telegraphed asking for full particulars. General Halleck ordered the
+dishonorable dismissal of Colonel Moore, but the order was never carried
+into effect. Of his bravery there was no question.
+
+This victory caused the name of Morgan to be more feared than ever.
+"Morgan is coming!" was a cry which caused fear and trembling in many a
+Yankee's heart.
+
+President Davis of the Confederate States, shortly after the capture of
+Hartsville, visited Murfreesboro, and as a reward for his services,
+presented Morgan with a commission as Brigadier-General in the Confederate
+army. General Hardie asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie knew
+Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for some reason President Davis
+refused the request.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+                       MORGAN'S SECOND GREAT RAID.
+
+
+General Morgan was allowed but ten days' rest after his return from his
+great victory at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished repairing the
+Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and trains were running again between
+the two cities. Reports had been brought to General Bragg that the Federal
+troops at Nashville were suffering greatly for want of food; that military
+stores of all kinds were short; and he thought if the road were again
+broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall back on account of supplies. Who
+so willing and able to break it as General Morgan?
+
+But there was little use of trying to raid the road south of Bowling
+Green, for it was guarded by thousands of men. To cripple the road
+effectually meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky. To
+this General Morgan was not averse.
+
+When his men heard that another raid was to be made into Kentucky, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
+encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights, and the tremendous
+fatigue they would be called upon to endure? They were to stir up the
+Yankees once more; that was enough.
+
+"Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!" was their cry, and they shouted and sang
+until they could shout and sing no longer for want of breath.
+
+Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the expedition, and was willing
+to give Morgan all the troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon at
+the head of the most formidable force he had ever commanded. It consisted
+of over three thousand cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own light
+battery.
+
+The task which had been assigned him was indeed a perilous one. It was to
+ride almost to the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the immense
+trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This done, the Louisville and Nashville
+Railroad would again be effectually crippled for weeks.
+
+He set out from Alexandria, on December 22, and in two days he was in
+Glasgow, Kentucky. The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon Morgan as
+a monthly visitor by this time; therefore they were not surprised at his
+coming. Here he met with the first Federal force, which was quickly
+scattered.
+
+Remaining in Glasgow only long enough to rest his horses, he pushed on for
+Mumfordsville, where the great bridge spans the Green River. But learning
+that the place was held by so strong a force that it would be madness for
+him to attack it, he passed a few miles to the right, and struck the
+railroad at Bacon Creek. Here a stout block-house, defended by ninety
+soldiers, guarded the bridge. They put up a stout defence in hopes of
+being reinforced from Mumfordsville, but at last were compelled to
+surrender, the block-house being knocked to pieces by Morgan's artillery.
+
+Burning the bridge and destroying four miles of road, the command moved on
+to Nolan, where another block-house was captured and a bridge burned. This
+was the third time that these bridges had been destroyed by Morgan.
+
+Elizabethtown was the next goal to be reached. As they approached the
+place, Calhoun, who was in advance with his scouts, was met by an officer
+bearing a flag of truce, who handed him a dirty envelope, on which was
+scrawled:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                    ELIZABETHTOWN, KY., December 27, 1862.
+To the Commander of the Confederate Force.
+
+Sir: I demand an unconditional surrender of all of your forces. I have you
+surrounded, and will compel you to surrender.
+
+                               I am, sir, your obedient servant,
+                                                          H. S. SMITH,
+                                                   Commanding U. S. Force.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+"Well," exclaimed Calhoun, as he glanced at it, "I have often been told
+that Yankees have cheek, but this is the greatest exhibition of it I have
+met. Who is H. S. Smith, anyway?"
+
+"One of the numerous Smith family, I reckon," dryly responded one of his
+men. "He should have signed it John Smith. This would have concealed his
+identity, and prevented us from knowing what a fool he is."
+
+But the message was taken back to Morgan, and Calhoun never saw him laugh
+more heartily than when he read it.
+
+"Go back and tell Mr. Smith," replied Morgan, trying to keep his face
+straight, "that he has made a little mistake. It is he who is surrounded,
+and must surrender."
+
+The message was taken back, but Mr. Smith answered pompously that it was
+the business of United States officer to fight, not to surrender.
+
+"Very good," replied Calhoun, "get back and let us open the ball."
+
+It took only a few shells from Morgan's battery to convince Mr. Smith he
+had made a mistake, and that it was the business of at least one United
+States officer to surrender, and not to fight. Six hundred and fifty-two
+prisoners fell into Morgan's hands, also a large quantity of military
+stores. The stores were destroyed. At Elizabethtown Morgan was in striking
+distance of the object of his expedition, the great trestles at Muldraugh
+Hill. There were two trestles, known as the upper and lower, both defended
+by stout stockades.
+
+General Morgan divided his forces, Colonel Breckinridge with one brigade
+attacking the lower stockade, while Morgan with Colonel Duke's brigade
+attacked the upper. A couple of hours of severe shelling convinced the
+commanders of these stockades also that it was the duty of a United States
+officer to surrender, and not to fight. Seven hundred more prisoners and
+an immense store of military goods were added to Morgan's captures. The
+goods, as usual, were destroyed.
+
+It was but a few minutes after the surrender of the block-houses when the
+trestles were a mass of flames. They were immense structures, each nearly
+fifteen hundred feet long, and from eighty to ninety feet high. Thus the
+object of the expedition had been gained. Again the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad was rendered useless to Rosecrans's army.
+
+But Morgan's danger had just commenced. Thus far he had had his own way.
+The enraged Federals were moving heaven and earth to compass his capture.
+A brigade was transported from Gallatin to Mumfordsville by rail, joined
+to the force at that place, and ordered to move east and cut off his
+retreat. The forces in Central Kentucky were ordered to concentrate at
+Lebanon. Thus they hoped to cut off every line of retreat.
+
+"Don't let Morgan escape," was the command flashed to every Federal
+officer in Kentucky.
+
+From Muldraugh Hill Morgan marched for Bardstown. This led him across the
+Lebanon Railroad. Before all of his force had crossed the Rolling Fork of
+Salt River, the pursuing force, under Colonel Harlan, came up and engaged
+the rear. The rear guard under Colonel Duke gallantly resisted them until
+all had crossed in safety, but during the action Colonel Duke was severely
+wounded by a piece of shell. General Boyle, the Federal commander at
+Louisville, gave out that he had died of his wounds and there was great
+rejoicing. But the gallant Colonel lived, to the disappointment of his
+enemies.
+
+The Federals, in close pursuit, left Morgan little time to destroy the
+railroad leading to Lebanon, but he captured a stockade, and burned the
+bridge at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he pushed rapidly on to
+Springfield. From that place he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon.
+His rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented them from
+concentrating their forces, for they knew not which way he would go next.
+
+From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving Lebanon a few miles to his
+left, so as to avoid the large force at that place; he reached New Market
+a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid the troops which had been
+concentrating at Hodgensville, he now took the road to Campbellsville.
+
+In going through the Muldraugh range of hills to the south of New Market,
+his rear guard was struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
+Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively fight. There was now more
+or less skirmishing for some miles.
+
+There now happened to Calhoun one of the most thrilling adventures he
+experienced during the whole war. As the post of danger was now in the
+rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant service in holding back
+the Federals. There had been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing had
+been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not thinking of danger, he and a
+Captain Tribble halted their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
+dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard passing on. They lingered
+longer than they thought, and had just remounted their horses when they
+were suddenly surprised by three horsemen, who came galloping up, yelling
+to them to surrender. For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their revolvers
+and fire was the work of a moment. The Federals returned the fire. A
+pistol duel now took place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
+strange to say, no one was hurt.
+
+Throwing down their now useless weapons, all drew their swords and
+furiously spurred their horses on to the combat. It was almost like a
+mediaeval contest, where knight met knight with sword only. While one of
+the Federals engaged Captain Tribble, two rode straight for Calhoun, the
+foremost a fine-looking man in the uniform of a Federal colonel. Parrying
+his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his horse, avoided the other. They
+wheeled their horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did Calhoun parry
+the fierce blow aimed at him; at the same time he managed to prick the
+horse of the other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable. This left
+Calhoun free to engage the Colonel alone, who aimed at him a tremendous
+blow. This blow Calhoun avoided, and as it met with no resistance, its
+force threw the Colonel forward on his saddle. As quick as lightning, the
+point of Calhoun's sword reached his heart, and the combat was over.
+
+  [Illustration: THE FORCE OF THE BLOW THREW THE COLONEL FORWARD ON HIS
+  SADDLE.]
+
+During this time Tribble had vanquished his antagonist. The remaining
+Federal, seeing one of his comrades dead and the other a prisoner, threw
+down his sword and surrendered. The dead officer proved to be Colonel D.
+J. Halisy of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry.
+
+This conflict was long remembered as one of the most remarkable ever
+engaged in by any of Morgan's men, and Calhoun was warmly congratulated by
+the whole command on his prowess.
+
+The death of Colonel Halisy seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of Morgan's
+pursuers. Although they followed him to Campbellsville, and from
+Campbellsville to Columbia, the pursuit was a feeble one. In fact, so
+timid was Colonel Hoskins that he ordered his advance not to engage Morgan
+if they found him at Columbia, but to wait for the column from
+Hodgensville to come up. From Columbia all pursuit ceased, and Morgan was
+left to return to Tennessee at his leisure.
+
+While at Columbia Morgan reports that his men heard distinctly the sound
+of distant cannonading away to the southwest. To their accustomed ears it
+told of a battle raging. It was the thunder of Rosecrans's cannon at Stone
+River. Little did Morgan's men think at that time that that distant
+thunder meant that hundreds of their brave brothers were being slaughtered
+in that fatal charge of Breckinridge. Murfreesboro is, as the crow flies,
+a hundred and eighteen miles from Columbia. In no other battle during the
+war is it reported that cannonading was heard so far.
+
+From Columbia Morgan proceeded by easy stages to Smithville, Tennessee,
+which he reached January 5, just fourteen days after he had started on his
+raid from Alexandria. During this time his command had travelled fully six
+hundred miles. This raid was one of the most remarkable Morgan ever made,
+when we consider what he accomplished, and the number of troops that tried
+in vain to capture him. Riding within a few miles of thousands of men, he
+easily eluded all his pursuers and escaped almost scot free.
+
+General Morgan, in summing up the results of this raid, says: "It meant
+the destruction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from
+Mumfordsville to Shephardsville within eighteen miles of Louisville,
+rendering it impassable for at least two months; the capture of eighteen
+hundred and seventy-seven prisoners, including sixty-two commissioned
+officers; the destruction of over two million dollars' worth of United
+States property, and a large loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. The
+loss of my entire command was: killed, 2; wounded, 24; missing, 64."
+
+It seems impossible that so much could be accomplished with so slight a
+loss. The number of his killed and wounded shows that the Federals touched
+him very gingerly; that they did not force the fighting. In the capture of
+the stockades in which he took so many prisoners, Morgan suffered hardly
+any loss, as he forced the surrender with his artillery. But the joy which
+Morgan and his men felt over the success of the raid was clouded when they
+reached Tennessee by the news of the result of the battle of Stone River.
+Murfreesboro no longer belonged to the South. Bragg had retreated to his
+new line along Duck River.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+                              A SPY! A SPY!
+
+
+For nearly six months after the battle of Stone River, the Federal army
+made no general advance. General Rosecrans made his headquarters at
+Murfreesboro, while Bragg's was at Tullahoma. But these months were not
+months of idleness. Almost daily skirmishes took place between the lines,
+and there were a number of contests which arose to the dignity of battles.
+
+Morgan's cavalry protected the right of Bragg's army. His headquarters
+were nominally at MacMinnville, but it could truly be said they were in
+the saddle. Morgan did not stay long in any one place. A number of
+expeditions were made against him, sometimes with a whole division, but he
+managed to elude them with slight loss.
+
+Only twice during all this time did severe reverse overtake him--once at
+Milton, when he failed in his efforts to capture a brigade of infantry,
+and again at Snow Hill, when he was charged by a whole division of cavalry
+under the leadership of General David Stanley.
+
+His captures of scouting and forage parties were numerous during these
+months, and he added a long list of prisoners to those he had already
+captured. But so strongly was every place held, and so numerous had become
+the Federal cavalry, it was impossible to make any large capture. The
+enemy had learned by bitter experience, that eternal vigilance was their
+only safety in guarding against Morgan, and the troops which held the left
+of Rosecrans's army were always in fear. No Federal soldier was safe half
+a mile outside the lines. Bitterly did many sleepy soldiers curse him, for
+at three o'clock every morning they were forced to get up and stand at
+arms until broad daylight. The Federal officers wanted no more surprises.
+But in spite of all their vigilance, Morgan would swoop down and carry off
+prisoners from under their very noses.
+
+These months were busy ones for Calhoun; he and his scouts were always on
+the go. At the battle of Milton he greatly distinguished himself, and was
+the subject of a complimentary order. But during the battle he received a
+slight flesh wound in the arm and the ball came from the rear. Again was
+Conway behind him. The thought that he might be slain in this treacherous
+manner was distracting, but what could he do? He durst not complain; such
+a monstrous charge against a brother officer would have to be
+substantiated by the best of proof. He could only avoid Conway as much as
+possible during battle, and hope for the best. After the battle at Milton,
+by reason of losses in the regiment, Conway was promoted, being appointed
+major. It was fortunate for Calhoun that he was chief of scouts, and on
+Morgan's staff, or Conway would have made his life a burden, for he was a
+member of the regiment of which Conway was major.
+
+One day Calhoun, being sent on special duty over to the left of Bragg's
+army, found himself in Columbia. He now remembered what Captain Haines had
+told him of the misfortunes which had befallen the Osbornes, and he
+determined to visit them. As he approached the place a sigh escaped him,
+for the plantation no longer was blooming like a rose, and the splendid
+mansion house was a charred mass of ruins.
+
+He found the family living in a small house which once had been occupied
+by the overseer. Their story was soon told. After Lieutenant Haines had
+been exchanged, he came back and was stationed at Columbia. He visited
+them frequently, was very attentive to Miss Osborne, and at last asked her
+to become his wife. He was very politely but firmly refused. He now began
+a series of petty persecutions, and was forbidden the house as a guest.
+Then he began to threaten. He reported to the commander that Osborne's
+house was the headquarters of a gang of guerrillas which gave the Federal
+authorities in Columbia and Pulaski a great deal of trouble.
+
+About this time the murder of General Robert McCook by guerrillas greatly
+angered the Federals. A few days after he was killed a couple of foragers
+from Columbia were found dead. Lieutenant Haines lost no time in reporting
+that the gang of guerrillas sheltered by Osborne had murdered the men. A
+party was sent out, who burned the house, took away everything of value in
+the shape of stock, and arrested Mr. Osborne, who was afterwards sent
+North as a prisoner.
+
+Calhoun listened to the recital with flashing eyes. "The villain!" he
+exclaimed; "if I had only known this he would not have escaped so easily
+when we captured him at Gallatin."
+
+"That is not all," continued Mrs. Osborne, in a broken voice. "After all
+this had happened, the scoundrel had the effrontery to renew his suit, and
+say if Emma would marry him he would see that Mr. Osborne was released;
+that he had powerful political friends who could accomplish this. We
+spurned his proposition as it deserved. I knew my husband would rather rot
+in prison than consent to such a monstrous thing."
+
+"Oh! had I known! had I known!" exclaimed Calhoun, pacing up and down the
+room in his excitement; "but we may meet again."
+
+Little did Calhoun think that before many days they would meet again, and
+that that meeting would nearly mean for him the ignominious death of a
+spy. A few days after his return from Columbia, he asked the permission of
+Morgan to visit Nashville. "I would like to see," said he, "what our
+friends, the enemy, are doing in that city."
+
+Morgan shook his head. "I don't want to see you hanged," he replied.
+
+But Calhoun argued so zealously, that at last Morgan's scruples were
+overcome, and he gave his consent, but added, "If you should be captured
+and executed, I would never forgive myself."
+
+Calhoun looked upon it as a mere holiday affair; he had passed through too
+many dangers to be terrified. Taking half a dozen of his trusty scouts
+with him, he had no trouble in reaching the Cumberland River a few miles
+above Nashville. The few scouting parties of the enemy they met were
+easily avoided. He ordered his scouts to remain secreted in a thick wood
+near by a friendly house, from which they could obtain food for themselves
+and provender for their horses.
+
+"If I am not back in three days," said he, "return to Morgan, and tell him
+I have been captured."
+
+His men pleaded with him to let at least one of them accompany him, but
+this he refused, saying it would but add to his danger.
+
+From the gentleman who resided in the nearby house he secured a skiff
+which had been kept secreted from the lynx-eyed Federals. In this Calhoun
+proposed to float down to Nashville.
+
+Night came dark and cloudy. It was just such a night as Calhoun wished.
+Clad in a suit of citizen's clothes, and with muffled oars, he bade his
+comrades a cheerful good night, and pushed out into the river, and in a
+moment the darkness had swallowed him up. He floated down as noiselessly
+as a drifting stick.
+
+In an hour's time the lights of Nashville came in view; the dangers of his
+trip had just commenced. He knew that the banks of the river would not
+only be strongly patrolled, but the lights from the shore and from the
+steamers moored at the wharfs shone across the stream in places, making it
+impossible for an object the size of his boat to pass without being
+noticed.
+
+But Calhoun was prepared for just such an emergency. He was a capital
+swimmer, and had no fears of the water. He had weighted his skiff with
+stones, bored a hole in the bottom, and filled it with a plug which could
+easily be removed. When he had drifted as far as he dared, he removed the
+plug. The skiff gradually filled and at last sank. If any person had
+looked after it disappeared, all he would have seen would have been the
+small branch of a tree, covered with leaves, floating down with the
+current.
+
+When Calhoun was well down abreast of the city, and coming to a place
+where shadows covered the river, he turned toward the bank. Fortunately he
+landed near a dark alley which led down to the water. Listening intently,
+he heard nothing, and making his way up the alley, he soon came to a
+street. A violent storm came on, which was of advantage to him, for if he
+met any one, it would account for his dripping clothes. It also had the
+effect of driving the patrol guards into shelter.
+
+Calhoun was no stranger in the city. He had visited it frequently when a
+boy, for he had an uncle residing there, now a colonel in the Confederate
+army. But his family still resided in the old home, and he knew that there
+he would find a haven of safety. Carefully making his way, and dodging the
+few guards that he met, he soon reached the house. The yard was inclosed
+with a high iron fence, the pickets provided with sharp points. But
+Calhoun had been in the army too long to be baffled by any such obstacle.
+He mounted the fence with but little trouble and dropped down into the
+yard.
+
+Making his way to the rear of the house, he found refuge in a small shed.
+The night had turned cool and he shivered with the cold. But he durst not
+arouse the household, for the alarm might be heard outside. The hours
+passed wearily by, but at last morning came. He looked eagerly for some of
+the family to appear, but only the colored servants passed in and out. To
+escape being seen he had hidden behind a large box in the shed.
+
+He heard the call for breakfast, and concluded he had never been so hungry
+before in his life. After a while his patience was rewarded. A young lady
+came out of the house, and entering the shed, began looking around, as if
+searching for something. It was his cousin Kate.
+
+"Kate!" he whispered.
+
+The girl started and looked wildly around.
+
+"Kate!"
+
+She uttered a little scream and turned as if to flee.
+
+"Kate, don't be afraid. It is I, your cousin Calhoun Pennington."
+
+"Where? Where?" she half-whispered, looking eagerly around and poised as
+if still for flight.
+
+"Here behind the box. Come close. There, don't ask a question. Get the
+servants out of the way and smuggle me into the house unseen. I am wet,
+cold, and hungry."
+
+Kate flew to do his bidding. In a few moments she came out and beckoned to
+him, and right gladly he followed her into the house. One risen from the
+dead would hardly have created more surprise than did his appearance. His
+aunt and Kate persisted in embracing him, wet and dirty as he was.
+
+To their eager questions, he said: "Dry clothes first, Auntie, and
+breakfast. I am famished. I will then talk with you to your heart's
+content."
+
+Mrs. Shackelford had had a son about the size of Calhoun killed in the
+army, and our hero was soon arrayed in a nice dry suit, and seated before
+a substantial breakfast, upon which he made a furious assault. When his
+hunger was fully appeased, he informed his aunt and Kate he was ready to
+talk. And how they did talk! They had a thousand questions to ask, and he
+had full as many.
+
+To his surprise and joy he learned that his cousin, Fred Shackelford, had
+not been killed by his fall over the cliff, as Major Hockoday reported.
+Instead he was alive and well, was with the army at Murfreesboro, and
+frequently visited them.
+
+"He has been a good friend to us," said Mrs. Shackelford, "but at one time
+he was nearly the death of Kate."
+
+"Why, how was that?" asked Calhoun.
+
+Then for the first time he heard of Forrest's plot to capture Nashville,
+and of Kate's part in it, of her condemnation, and imprisonment as a spy,
+and how Fred had secured her pardon.(2)
+
+Calhoun listened to the story in wonder. When it was finished, he
+exclaimed: "Why, Kate, you are a heroine! I am proud of you."
+
+"I am not proud of myself," answered Kate. "I blush every time I think of
+how--how I lied and deceived."
+
+"Oh! that is a part of war," laughed Calhoun. "If Morgan didn't lie about
+the number of men he had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time. We
+don't call such things lying; it's a righteous deceiving of the enemy."
+
+"But I am ready to sink into the earth with shame every time I think of
+Ainsworth," sighed Kate.
+
+"That's rich," laughed Calhoun; "crying because you broke the heart of a
+Yankee! Kate, I have a mind to send you into the enemy's lines. If Cupid's
+darts were only fatal, your bright eyes would create more havoc than a
+battle."
+
+"No use sending her away," broke in Mrs. Shackelford; "there are more
+Federal officers buzzing around her now than I wish there were."
+
+"Mighty useful to worm secrets from," exclaimed Kate; "but I make no
+promises to any of them."
+
+"That's right, Kate, get all the secrets from them you can," said Calhoun;
+"that is what I am in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city
+without much danger?"
+
+"Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always more or less danger to
+strangers. Business is going on as usual. The city is lively, livelier
+than before the war; but it is soldiers--soldiers everywhere."
+
+"And you have to have no passes?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"It is best to have one. Most of us have standing permits to come and go
+in the city as we please."
+
+"Can you get me a permit?" asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+"There is Jim Grantham," replied Kate, thoughtfully; "his description will
+suit Calhoun close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his."
+
+Calhoun was now told that the Southern people in Nashville were thoroughly
+organized into a secret society. They had their signs and pass-words, so
+that they could know each other. So far no one had proved a traitor. The
+Federal authorities suspected that such an organization existed, but their
+shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out anything about it.
+
+Kate, who had gone for the permit of James Grantham, soon returned with
+it. The description fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for
+himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville with little fear of
+arrest.
+
+He was given a list of those who could most probably give him the
+information he desired. He marvelled to see how quickly a little sign
+which he gave was answered, and was amazed at the work this secret
+organization was doing. Not a regiment entered or left Nashville but they
+knew its exact strength, and to what point it was ordered.
+
+In two days Calhoun had gathered information which would be of vast value
+to the Confederate cause, and it was now time for him to see by what means
+he could leave the city. He was on his way to see three gentlemen who said
+they could get him outside of the city without trouble or danger, when an
+incident happened which came near sending him to the gallows. He was
+walking unconcernedly along the street, when he suddenly came face to face
+with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun was dressed in citizen's
+clothes, the captain knew him at a glance.
+
+"A spy! A spy!" he yelled at the top of his voice, and made a grab at
+Calhoun. Calhoun struck him a tremendous blow which sent him rolling in
+the gutter, and fled at the top of his speed.
+
+But a score of voices took up the cry, and a howling mob, mostly of
+soldiers, were at his heels. He hoped to reach the river, where among the
+immense piles of stores heaped along the levee, or among the shipping, he
+might secrete himself, but a patrol guard suddenly appeared a block away,
+and his retreat was cut off. He gave himself up for lost, and reached for
+a small pistol which he carried, with the intention of putting a bullet
+through his own heart; "for," thought he, "they shall never have the
+pleasure of hanging me before a gaping crowd."
+
+Just then he saw two young ladies standing in the open door of a house.
+What told him safety lay there he never knew, but hope sprang up within
+his breast. Dashing up the steps, he thrust the ladies back into the
+house, slammed the door to, and locked it. So rude was his entrance, one
+of the ladies fell to the floor.
+
+"Save me! Save me!" he cried, "I am a Confederate spy," and he gave the
+sign of the secret order.
+
+The young lady who had not fallen was terribly frightened, but she grasped
+the situation in a moment.
+
+"Upstairs," she gasped, pointing the way; "tell mother, the secret place."
+
+Calhoun lost no time in obeying her. The girl flew to the back door and
+opened it, then back just as her sister was rising, her face covered with
+blood, for she had hit her nose in falling.
+
+"Quick, Annette, in the parlor," said her sister; "assent to everything I
+say."
+
+Annette staggered into the parlor hardly knowing what she did, for she was
+dazed and terribly frightened. The sister, whose name was Inez, was now at
+the door, which was giving way before the blows of Calhoun's pursuers. All
+this happened in less than a minute.
+
+"Stop!" she cried, "I will unlock the door," and she did so, and when the
+soldiers rushed in, crying, "Where is he? Where is the spy?" she stood
+wringing her hands and sobbing, "My sister! Oh, my sister! he has murdered
+her."
+
+The words brought the soldiers to a halt. "Who murdered your sister?"
+asked a sergeant who seemed to be the leader.
+
+"The man! the man who ran in here!"
+
+"Where is he? He is the fellow we want."
+
+"He rushed out of the back door. Oh! my sister, my sister!"
+
+"After him, boys; don't let him get away!" yelled the sergeant, and they
+rushed through the house in hot pursuit.
+
+The house was rapidly filling, when a captain appeared, and learning of
+the sobbing Inez what the trouble was, said: "Murdered your sister!
+Horrible! where is she?"
+
+"Here," said Inez, leading the way into the parlor. Annette was reclining
+on a sofa, her face bloody; she was apparently in a fainting condition.
+
+The captain acted quickly. He ordered the house to be cleared, sent a
+subordinate for a surgeon, and another to have the whole block surrounded.
+In the mean time the mother of the girls had appeared, and was adding her
+sobs to those of her eldest daughter. When the surgeon came and had washed
+the blood from Annette's face, her only injury was found to be a bruised
+nose.
+
+Both the captain and the surgeon looked inquiringly. "How is this?" they
+asked, "you said your sister was murdered."
+
+"I--I thought she was," stammered Inez. "I saw the blood and thought the
+man had stabbed her."
+
+"Tell us just what happened," said the captain.
+
+Annette, who had by this time so far recovered from her fright as to
+comprehend what was going on, saw Inez give her the signal of danger. It
+put her on her guard.
+
+"Why, it was this way," said Inez, in answer to the captain, "sister and I
+were going out, but just as we opened the door, there was a tumult on the
+street. We stopped to see what the trouble was, when a man dashed up the
+steps. We tried to oppose him, but he struck sister a cruel blow, knocking
+her down, flung me backward, and slamming the door to, locked it; then
+running through the house, disappeared through the back door. Seeing
+sister's face covered with blood, I picked her up and carried her into the
+parlor. By this time the soldiers were breaking down the door, and I went
+and unlocked it."
+
+Annette only knew that she tried to oppose the entrance of a strange man,
+who knocked her down. She must have been rendered unconscious, for she
+remembered nothing more, until she found herself lying on the sofa in the
+parlor. The mother, Mrs. Lovell, was upstairs, and knew nothing of what
+had happened until alarmed by the screams of her daughters and the noisy
+entrance of the soldiers. These stories so accorded with the known facts
+that the captain did not for a moment doubt them. But when the sergeant
+returned and reported that no trace of the fugitive could be discovered,
+he was puzzled.
+
+Orders were given to search every house in the block. This was done, but
+the search was fruitless. When this fact was reported, the captain bit his
+lip in vexation. Then turning to Inez, he said: "Pardon me, Miss Lovell,
+while I do not doubt your story in the least, are you sure the fellow ran
+out of the house? Was not his opening the back door just a ruse? He opened
+the door and then dodged into some room, thinking this house the safest
+place for him. Every house in the block has been searched except this one,
+and we can find no trace of him. While I regret it, I shall be compelled
+to have this house searched."
+
+"I am sure he ran out," answered Inez, "but I confess I was very badly
+frightened. If you think he is in the house, search it. I ask as a favor
+that you search it, for if he is concealed in the house as you think, he
+may murder us all."
+
+A thorough search was made, but there was found no trace of Calhoun. The
+officers and soldiers retired greatly puzzled. A strong guard was
+maintained around the block for three days; then all hopes of catching
+Calhoun were given up, and the guard was withdrawn.
+
+The Federal authorities had become aware who the fugitive was through
+Captain Haines. "I cannot be mistaken," he said; "I have met him too many
+times. He is one of the most daring of all of Morgan's cutthroats"; and
+then he gave an account of his first meeting with Calhoun.
+
+But where was Calhoun all this time? When he rushed upstairs at the
+command of Inez, he was met at the top by Mrs. Lovell, who started in
+affright at the sight of him.
+
+"Your daughter said, 'The secret place!' " he exclaimed, as he gave her
+the sign of danger. "My pursuers are already at the door."
+
+The lady quickly recovered herself. "Come!" she said, and led Calhoun into
+a room. Here she began working in a corner. Her hands trembled as she did
+so, for the soldiers were thundering at the door downstairs, and she could
+hear it giving way. To Calhoun's intense surprise, a section of the
+apparently solid wall gave way, leaving an opening large enough for a
+person to enter by crawling on his hands and knees.
+
+"Quick, go in!" said the lady.
+
+Calhoun needed no second bidding, but crawled in, and the wall slowly came
+back to place. Calhoun found himself in a narrow place, between the wall
+of the room and the side of the house. The house had been built with a
+mansard roof on the sides, thus leaving a space. This space was about
+three feet wide at the bottom, coming to a point at the top. Close under
+the eaves, where it would not be noticed, an aperture had been left for
+the admission of air, and through it a ray of light came.
+
+Narrow and contracted as his quarters were, to Calhoun they were more
+welcome than a palace. It was plain that the place had been occupied
+before, for on the floor there were soft blankets, and in feeling around
+Calhoun discovered a jug of water and some provisions. It was evident that
+no one who was put in there hurriedly was to be allowed to suffer from
+thirst or hunger.
+
+Calhoun could hear every word which was said when the soldiers searched
+the room. His heart stood still when he heard them sounding the walls, but
+they gave forth no uncertain sound, and the soldiers departed, much to his
+relief.
+
+It was not until the next day that Calhoun was allowed to leave his
+hiding-place, and then he was told he must not leave the room. He had to
+be ready to seek his refuge at a moment's notice, if found necessary. For
+three days he was virtually a prisoner, then the guards around the block
+were withdrawn.
+
+Word was taken to his aunt and Kate where he was. They had been in an
+agony of fear over his non-return. But they durst not visit him.
+
+To Mrs. Lovell and her daughters Calhoun felt he could never repay what
+they had done for him. He felt like a brute, when Annette was introduced
+to him, her pretty features disfigured by a swollen nose, and when he was
+making his most abject apologies, she interrupted him with a gay laugh.
+
+"I am proud of that nose!" she exclaimed; "as proud as a gallant soldier
+of his wounds, for does it not show that I have shed my blood for our
+beloved South?"
+
+We are of the opinion that during his enforced imprisonment, Calhoun would
+have lost his heart to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged to a
+gallant officer in Bragg's army.
+
+What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought that his scouts would
+return to Morgan with the news that he was captured, but there was no help
+for it.
+
+After the guards had been withdrawn, he at once began to make plans for
+his escape from the city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
+vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and it was impossible for
+any one to leave the city without his identity being fully established.
+
+At last Inez clapped her hands. "I have it," she cried. "Get him out to
+Dr. Caldwell. The doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and on
+the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington can take to the river going
+as he did coming."
+
+"But he can't float up stream," said Annette, "and as for a boat, that
+will be impossible."
+
+"He can swim," said Inez, "swim across the river. He will be above the
+pickets around Edgefield."
+
+"But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not safe for him to appear on
+the street. Not a guard but has a description of him," said the careful
+Annette.
+
+"Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the Robinsons lived next door);
+it will be easy for the doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
+think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known."
+
+Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr. Caldwell visited Mrs.
+Robinson during the day, he was seen, and consented to the scheme. "Muffle
+him up," he said, "he will be taken for one of my patients." Before
+Calhoun left he wrote a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines -- Regt.
+This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well out of the city.
+
+Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun to his home. Here he stayed
+until dark, then bidding the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
+into the river and was soon across, and began to make his way slowly up
+the northern bank. But the night was dark, and after many falls and
+bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having made himself a bed of
+leaves beside a log, he was soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers
+were lurking near.
+
+As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed when Calhoun was not
+caught. But his leave of absence was out, and he had to return to his
+regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two after his return the following
+letter came with his mail:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                         NASHVILLE, TENN., April 25, 1863.
+To Capt. Chas. Haines,
+
+My Dear Captain: When you receive this I shall be well out of Nashville.
+We have already met three times, and I trust we may meet once more. If we
+do, it will be our last, for one or the other of us will die. I know of
+your damnable treatment of the Osbornes. Be assured it will be avenged.
+
+                                                Sincerely yours,
+                                                 CALHOUN PENNINGTON,
+                                           Lieutenant, Morgan's Command.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Captain Haines was no coward, but his hand trembled like a leaf when he
+laid the letter down.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+                              UNDER ARREST.
+
+
+Calhoun did not wake until the light of the morning sun was sifting
+through the branches of the trees. He arose stiff and somewhat chill, but
+the day promised to be a warm one, and a little exercise put a delightful
+heat through his body. All he lacked was a good breakfast, and he must not
+look for that until he had crossed the river; he was yet too close to
+Nashville to try to cross it. Then he must secure a horse, and where would
+he be so likely to secure one as at the home of Mr. Edmunds, the gentleman
+of whom he had obtained the skiff, and who had given him all possible aid?
+He had no hopes of finding his men, for at the end of three days they
+would return to Morgan, taking his horse with them.
+
+He slowly made his way up the river, dodging two or three scouting
+parties, until he thought he must be nearly opposite to where Mr. Edmunds
+lived. The place seemed favorable, as there were woods on both sides of
+the river, so he determined to cross. But if he had known it, he had
+selected a very dangerous place. A road which led down to the river was
+but a few yards in front of him, and it was one of the places to which the
+Federal cavalry came as they patrolled the bank of the river.
+
+Just as he was about to remove some of his clothing, which he would carry
+over on his head as he swam the stream, he was startled by the sound of
+horses' hoofs, and he hastily concealed himself in a thicket. Soon a
+Federal sergeant, accompanied by two soldiers, came down the road, and
+riding near the edge of the river, dismounted.
+
+"Here is the place," said the sergeant.
+
+"What are we to do here?" asked one of the men.
+
+"Keep watch to see if any Johnny attempts to cross the river," answered
+the sergeant; "but I doubt if we see anything larger than buzzards, and we
+can't stop them."
+
+The men made themselves comfortable, and lay in the shade smoking their
+pipes. Calhoun was considering the proposition whether he could not
+quietly withdraw, and flank them without being seen, when one of the men
+said: "Sergeant, let me go to that house we passed and see if I cannot get
+a canteen of milk. It will go good with our hardtack."
+
+"You can both go," replied the sergeant; "I guess I can stop any one who
+attempts to cross the river while you are away. But don't be gone long."
+
+The men quickly availed themselves of the opportunity, and mounting their
+horses rode away. The sergeant stretched himself on the ground, and lazily
+watched the river. Now was Calhoun's time. He had secured a good revolver
+when he left Nashville. This he had kept dry when he swam the river by
+wrapping it in his outside clothing, which he had made into a bundle, and
+carried over on his head. Taking the revolver in his hand, ready for
+instant use, he cautiously crept up on the sergeant.
+
+  [Illustration: HE CAUTIOUSLY CREPT UP ON THE SERGEANT.]
+
+That individual leaped to his feet as if he had springs when he heard the
+stern command, "Surrender!"
+
+He reached for his weapon, but suddenly stopped when he saw he was looking
+into the muzzle of a revolver.
+
+"Hands up! Be quick about it!"
+
+The hands of the sergeant slowly went above his head.
+
+"Pardon me, but I will relieve you of this," said Calhoun, as he took a
+revolver from the belt of his prisoner, and tossed it into the river.
+
+Up to this time the sergeant had not said a word, but now he exclaimed,
+with the utmost disgust, "How thundering careless of me! Sergeant Latham,
+you are no good; you ought to be reduced to the ranks."
+
+"Oh! don't feel too bad about it; better men than you have been caught
+napping," replied Calhoun, consolingly.
+
+"But no bigger fool. To be gobbled in like this, and by a blamed skulking
+citizen, too. Now, if--"
+
+"Rest your mind there, if it will make you feel any better," broke in
+Calhoun, "I am no civilian, I am Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's
+command."
+
+"You don't say," replied the sergeant, apparently much relieved.
+"Lieutenant, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sergeant Silas Latham. We
+have had the pleasure of meeting before."
+
+"Where?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"Down in Tennessee, when you got away with Lieutenant Haines's horse so
+slick."
+
+Calhoun's face darkened. "Did you have anything to do with the persecution
+of the Osbornes?" he asked, threateningly.
+
+"Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick I ever knew Haines to do.
+But he was dead gone on the girl. I half believe he would have turned Reb
+if he could have got her."
+
+"I saw Haines the other day," remarked Calhoun.
+
+"Where?" asked the Sergeant.
+
+"In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking him down."
+
+The Sergeant chuckled. "Served him right. He threatened to have me reduced
+to the ranks because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, the way
+he persecuted that girl."
+
+"Are you in his company now?"
+
+"No; he is the captain of another company. Glad of it."
+
+"Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this conversation, but time
+presses. Give me your parole, and I will be going."
+
+"By gum, I won't do it!" exclaimed Latham, with energy. "If you want to
+take me prisoner, take me. But do you think I am going sneaking back to
+camp with the story that I let one Johnny gobble me? No, sir, not by a
+jugful!"
+
+"Latham, you are a character. Can you swim?"
+
+"Never learned when a boy."
+
+"Will your horse carry double?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No, he is a poor swimmer, he would drown us both."
+
+"Latham, I am afraid I shall have to shoot you. I don't see any other way
+to get rid of you."
+
+Latham thought a moment, and said: "Let me ride the horse across and you
+swim."
+
+"A brilliant idea, declined with thanks."
+
+Latham scratched his head as if for an idea. "Perhaps I can hang on by the
+horse's tail," he remarked, hesitatingly.
+
+"That's better. It's either a parole, the tail, or death. Which shall it
+be?"
+
+"I will take the tail."
+
+"All right; but you must give me your word of honor that you will hang
+on."
+
+"Like grim death," answered Latham.
+
+"Come, then, I have fooled away too much time already."
+
+Marching his prisoner up to where his horse was tethered, Calhoun took
+Latham's sword and carbine which hung to the saddle and pitched them into
+the river after the revolver.
+
+Mounting the horse, Calhoun said, "Now, no fooling. The slightest attempt
+on your part to escape, and I shall shoot you without compunction of
+conscience."
+
+"I am not fool enough to run when there is a revolver at my head," growled
+Latham.
+
+"Nevertheless you will bear watching. I am of the opinion you are a
+slippery customer. You just walk by my side here until we reach deep
+water."
+
+They entered the river. Latham wading quietly by the side of the horse,
+until the water became so deep the horse began to plunge.
+
+"Now, grab his tail," commanded Calhoun, and he watched Latham until he
+had taken a firm hold of the horse's tail and was in water beyond his
+depth.
+
+"For the Lord's sake, keep his head above water," shouted Latham from
+behind, as the horse made a fearful plunge.
+
+For the next few minutes Calhoun had enough to do without looking to see
+what had become of Latham. The horse, as the Sergeant had said, proved a
+poor swimmer. Twice he came near drowning; but at last managed to struggle
+through. When he got to where the water was shallow enough for the horse
+to wade, Calhoun looked around to see how Latham had fared.
+
+To his surprise he saw that worthy leaning against a tree on the bank from
+which they had started, and apparently he had been watching the struggles
+of the horse in the water with a great deal of satisfaction.
+
+Calhoun hardly knew whether to laugh or get angry. Riding to the edge of
+the water, he turned his horse around, and yelled over, "You are a pretty
+fellow, you are! Like most Yankees, your word of honor is worthless."
+
+"Did just what I said I would!" yelled back Latham.
+
+"You did not. You told me you would hold on that horse's tail like grim
+death."
+
+"And so I did. I am holding on to it yet," and to Calhoun's surprise
+Latham shook a large piece of the horse's tail at him. He had neatly
+severed it.
+
+Calhoun shook with suppressed laughter, but assuming a severe tone, he
+said: "You lied to me like a Turk, anyway, you miserable Yankee; you told
+me you could not swim."
+
+"I told you no such thing, you skulking Rebel," yelled back Latham,
+wrathfully. "Come back here and fight me like a man, and I will wallop you
+until you can't stand, for calling me a liar. I would have you know I am a
+member of the church in good standing."
+
+"Didn't you tell me you couldn't swim?"
+
+"No; I told you I had never learned to swim when a boy."
+
+"When did you learn to swim?"
+
+"After I became a man."
+
+Calhoun exploded. "Say, Latham," he cried, "I forgive you. You are the
+slickest Yankee I ever met. I must be going, for I see your men are
+coming. Ta! ta!"
+
+Calhoun turned and urged his horse up the bank, but not in time to escape
+having two balls sing uncomfortably close to his head.
+
+Sergeant Latham had little trouble in recovering his arms from the river,
+as the water was not deep where Calhoun had thrown them.
+
+The Sergeant made the following report of the affair to his superior
+officer:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Sir: I have the honor to report that a Rebel scout crossed the Cumberland
+to-day near the post where I was stationed. I followed him into the river,
+but my horse being a poor swimmer, I was forced to abandon him in
+mid-stream to save myself.
+
+                                                 SILAS LATHAM, Sergeant.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The capture of Latham's horse and the ludicrous affair with him put
+Calhoun in the best of humor. He reached the house of Mr. Edmunds without
+further adventure, and met with a hearty welcome from that gentleman, who
+informed him that his men had lingered a day longer than he had ordered,
+in the hope that he would return.
+
+After satisfying his hunger, Calhoun bade his kind host good-bye, and
+without trouble reached Morgan's camp that night. Here he was received as
+one snatched from the jaws of death, for they had given him up as lost.
+The valuable information which he had collected was forwarded to General
+Bragg, and in due time an acknowledgment was received from that general,
+warmly congratulating him, and saying he had recommended him for a
+captaincy.
+
+It was but a few days after his return that Calhoun was with a regiment
+reconnoitring near Braddyville, when they were suddenly attacked by a
+whole brigade of Federal cavalry. The engagement was a spirited one, but
+owing to the superior numbers of the Federals, the Confederates were
+forced to fall back. During the retreat Calhoun with his scouts was
+holding back the advance of the enemy. They were furiously charged by two
+companies of the Federals, and a hand-to-hand conflict took place. During
+this combat Calhoun became engaged with a Federal captain, and to his
+surprise he saw that his antagonist was Captain Haines. The recognition
+was mutual, and it must have unnerved the hand of the Captain, for
+although but a few feet from Calhoun, he fired and missed him. Before he
+could fire again, Calhoun dashed his empty revolver into his face. The
+force of the blow caused him to reel in his saddle, and before he could
+recover, Calhoun had cut him down.
+
+The bloody repulse of these two companies cooled the ardor of the
+Federals, and the Confederates withdrew without further molestation.
+
+Major Conway noted Calhoun's growing popularity with the command, and his
+hatred, if possible, grew more bitter. The sting of the blow he had
+received still rankled in his heart, and he swore sooner or later to have
+his revenge. His attempts to assassinate Calhoun in time of battle, so far
+had failed, and Calhoun's extreme wariness now usually kept them apart
+during an engagement. The crafty Major was busily thinking of some other
+scheme by which he could kill Calhoun without bringing suspicion on
+himself, when an incident happened which he thought would not only cause
+Calhoun to die a most disgraceful death, but redound greatly to his own
+credit.
+
+Calhoun was out with his scouts when he fell in with a small party of the
+enemy. As he outnumbered them, he thought their capture was easy. But he
+was met with such a rapid and accurate fire that his men were forced to
+fall back.
+
+"Them Yankees have repeating rifles," growled one of his men, "and they
+know how to shoot."
+
+This was true, and Calhoun was thinking of withdrawing from the fight
+entirely, when he caught sight of the leader of the Federals. The horse
+which he rode he would know among ten thousand. It was Prince, the famous
+horse of his cousin, and the rider must be Fred. Ordering his men to cease
+firing, Calhoun tied a white handkerchief to the point of his sword, and
+rode forward.
+
+Fred, for it was he, rode out to meet him. As soon as he came within
+hearing distance, he asked, "Do you surrender?"
+
+"Surrender nothing!" answered Calhoun, a little disgusted. "If you only
+knew how many men I had back there you would think of surrendering
+yourself. I simply came out to have a little talk with you."
+
+"Cal, as sure as I live!" exclaimed Fred, and in a moment the two cousins
+had each other by the hand, forgetting they were enemies, remembering only
+their love for each other.
+
+They had much to say to each other, and talked longer than they thought,
+but were about to part, mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they
+were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking up they saw that
+Fred's men were being charged by a large force of Confederates. They were
+in full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred was alone in the midst
+of his enemies.
+
+The Confederates proved to be a full squadron in command of Major Conway.
+He was accompanied by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they see Fred than
+they shouted in their delight.
+
+"The hoss is mine again!" cried Mathews.
+
+"And this spy and sneak is in my power at last," exclaimed Conway,
+pointing at Fred; "and what is better I have you, my fine fellow," said
+Conway, turning to Calhoun. "I have long known that you were holding
+treasonable conferences with the enemy, and have only been waiting for
+indubitable proof. I have it now.
+
+"Lieutenant," turning to one of his officers, "arrest Lieutenant
+Pennington, and on your life see that he does not escape."
+
+The enormity of the charge dumbfounded Calhoun. He could scarcely believe
+his ears. He began to protest, but was cut short by Conway, who ordered
+the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten men and to conduct Calhoun
+straightway to General Bragg at Tullahoma.
+
+"Tell the General," he said, "that I have positive proof of Lieutenant
+Pennington's treasonable intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
+important I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to him. As soon as
+I see General Morgan I will file formal charges."
+
+The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders to take Calhoun direct to
+Bragg, but he said nothing, and choosing his escort, was soon on the way
+to Tullahoma with his prisoner.
+
+Major Conway's real object in sending Calhoun to Tullahoma was to bring
+the case directly to the notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
+to take action. He knew that his charge would not be believed in Morgan's
+command, but he would see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
+time.
+
+Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most heinous offence of which an
+officer could be guilty, it is no wonder that Calhoun's heart sank within
+him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.
+
+"Better to have been hanged as a spy by the Federals than to be shot as a
+traitor by my own men," he muttered to himself. The thought of dying such
+a disgraceful death was maddening.
+
+When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by General Bragg was not
+exactly such as he had expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a great
+stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant who had Calhoun in charge
+reported to him, and told him the verbal message which Major Conway had
+sent, he flew into a furious rage.
+
+"What does Major Conway mean by sending a prisoner to me with such a
+message as that?" he sputtered. "What is General Morgan about that he has
+not attended to this, and presented his charges in due form.
+
+"Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan, and tell Major Conway to
+read up on army discipline."
+
+If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg would have contended for rigid
+adherence to military law. When Bragg's order was reported to Calhoun,
+hope began to revive. Surely Morgan would give him a fair hearing. Every
+act he had done in the army would disprove the monstrous charges of Major
+Conway.
+
+It was with a much lighter heart that he set out for MacMinnville. But
+when he reached that place he was surprised by the astonishing news that
+Conway had been shot--killed while in the act of murdering his cousin in
+cold blood.
+
+One of the men who was with Conway at the time was mortally wounded, and
+confessed the whole thing. Conway was to prepare a paper which they were
+to swear was found on Fred's person, criminating Calhoun. With such
+evidence his conviction would have been certain. He thanked God for the
+death of Conway. It meant a thousand times more to him than life, for it
+kept his name unsullied.
+
+Morgan made a full report of the whole matter to General Bragg. "The plot
+was damnable," he wrote, "yet it might have been successful if Major
+Conway had not met his just deserts. But one might as well accuse me of
+holding treasonable communications with the enemy as Lieutenant
+Pennington. He is the officer, as you may remember, that entered Nashville
+a short time since, and sent you such a valuable report. Moreover, he is
+the very officer I have chosen to look into that matter which we have
+discussed so much. I expect to send him North next week."
+
+Thus was Calhoun fully exonerated, and not only that, but he was to be
+chosen for a most important mission. He also had the satisfaction of
+seeing Morgan make Captain Mathews return Fred his horse, much to the
+Captain's disgust. But what was the important duty upon which Calhoun was
+to be sent North? He had heard nothing of it before.
+
+Some time before the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, a noted Democratic
+politician of Ohio, and an ex-member of Congress, had been arrested at his
+home in Dayton for treason. He was tried by military court-martial, found
+guilty, and banished South. The excitement was intense. Thousands of his
+friends rallied to his defence, and at one time it looked as if the
+streets of Dayton would run red with blood. His friends were in open
+revolt against the government, and opposed the prosecution of the war.
+
+Before this numerous reports had reached the South of the dissatisfaction
+of a large number of the Democratic party with Lincoln, especially with
+his proclamation freeing the slaves. They were sick and tired of the war,
+and were more than willing to give the South her independence. They were
+ready to force Lincoln to do this. A secret society, known as the Knights
+of the Golden Circle, existed throughout the North, and was most numerous
+in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The purpose of this society
+was to resist the draft, encourage desertions from the army, embarrass the
+government in every way possible, and if necessary resort to arms. Already
+numerous small encounters had taken place between the Knights and the
+militia of these states.
+
+It was the boast of the Knights that they had a quarter of a million men
+armed and drilled, ready to take the field. If a Confederate force would
+only invade the North, their ranks would be augmented by these thousands.
+It was to investigate these reports and find out the truth that Calhoun
+was to be sent North.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+                    THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
+
+
+No one was more surprised than Calhoun when told that he had been selected
+to go North on a secret and most important mission.
+
+"General Breckinridge and I have selected you," said Morgan, "because we
+have confidence in your sagacity, bravery, and discretion. We know no one
+better fitted to intrust this delicate, and perhaps dangerous, mission to
+than yourself."
+
+"But I am so young," said Calhoun; "while I gladly accept the honor which
+I feel you have bestowed upon me, would not one older and more experienced
+than I do better?"
+
+"Your youth is one of the main reasons why we have chosen you," replied
+Morgan. "A youth like you will not excite suspicion half as quickly as a
+man."
+
+"Then I am more than willing to go," answered Calhoun, "and trust that the
+confidence you repose in me will not prove to have been misplaced."
+
+"I have no fears on that score," answered Morgan; "I know that you will
+succeed, if any one can."
+
+The General then fully explained what was required of him. Calhoun
+listened in silence.
+
+"I think I fully understand what you want of me, General, but how am I to
+approach these Knights of the Golden Circle? How am I to find out who are
+Knights?"
+
+"That has already been provided for," answered Morgan. "We are now ready
+to initiate you into a camp of the Golden Circle."
+
+"Does the order exist down South, too?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"Certainly, to some extent," was the answer. "If not, how could we know
+the secrets of the order? You are willing, I suppose, to take the oaths
+required?"
+
+"If there is not anything in them to hinder me from being a true son of
+the South," replied Calhoun.
+
+"I assure you there is not, for I have taken them," said Morgan; "but you
+must bear in mind this is a Northern order, its chief purpose to overthrow
+the Lincoln government; its chief cornerstone is States' Rights. The Hon.
+C. L. Vallandigham, who was lately sent into our lines for disloyalty, but
+who has now found a refuge in Canada, is the Supreme Commander of the
+order. No truer friend of the South exists than Vallandigham. He believes
+in the doctrine of secession. The North is sick and tired of the war, and
+wants to put a stop to it and let the South go in peace. This is the
+purpose of the order."
+
+"All right," said Calhoun; "I am ready to join any order that has that for
+its purpose."
+
+Calhoun was conducted to a tent where, to his surprise, he met quite a
+number of the officers of the command. There was one stranger present, a
+gentleman in civilian dress. Calhoun was told that he was from the North,
+was a high officer in the order, and that he would conduct the initiatory
+ceremonies. When Calhoun issued from that tent he was a full-fledged
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. But he had taken only the
+first degree. The other degrees were to be given to him after he had
+arrived in the North.
+
+After having fully learned the signs, grips, and passwords of the order,
+Calhoun was ready for his journey. He now received his final instructions
+from Morgan and Breckinridge.
+
+It did not take Calhoun long to see that while these gentlemen were
+willing to use the order, they had the utmost contempt for it. All nations
+use traitors and despise them at the same time. The Knights of the Golden
+Circle were traitors to their section. Calhoun felt this, and loathed the
+men with whom he was to mingle; but if they could help the South to secure
+her independence, it was all he asked. He, like the noble Major Andre of
+Revolutionary fame, was willing to risk his life for the cause he loved.
+Andre failed, and suffered an ignominious death; but his fame grows
+brighter with the centuries, while the traitor Arnold is still abhorred.
+
+"Here is a belt containing ten thousand dollars in United States money,"
+said Morgan, handing him a belt. "You will need it; our money don't go in
+the North."
+
+"Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln's strong-box," said Calhoun,
+as he took the money.
+
+Morgan smiled as he answered: "A Yankee paymaster don't come amiss once in
+a while."
+
+Calhoun was next given an official envelope, which he was to hand to
+General Forrest, who was then operating in Northern Mississippi and
+Western Tennessee.
+
+"You will receive full instructions from Forrest," continued Morgan, "what
+to do, and how to get through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to send
+you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you will not be so apt to meet
+with any Federal officer who might know you. Now go, and may success
+attend you."
+
+Calhoun took his chief's hand. His heart was too full to say a word. A
+strong grasp, and he was gone. He had no trouble in finding General
+Forrest, who carefully read the papers that Calhoun handed him. He then
+scanned Calhoun closely from head to feet. "I reckon you understand the
+purport of these papers," he said, in rather a harsh voice.
+
+"I suppose they relate to sending me through the lines," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Well, I can send you through, young man, but you are going on a fool's
+errand. I have had a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden
+Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right in giving away
+everything they know; but when it comes to fighting, bah! one of my
+companies would lick ten thousand."
+
+"Then you haven't much faith in the fighting qualities of the Knights?"
+said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+"Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere money-grabbers. Ask one of them for
+ten dollars and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they worry the
+Lincoln government, and keep up a fire in the rear; therefore they should
+be encouraged. You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with, though."
+
+"How soon can I start North?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"To-night," answered Forrest. "I am the president of an underground
+railroad, took my cue from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in
+running our niggers through to Canada. I have a regular mail North. I will
+send you through with one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your
+credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward if you were captured
+with them. You must leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind that
+your name is W. B. Harrison."
+
+"Where shall I find my credentials?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus of my railroad at
+present. Inquire for Judge Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all
+right. If all the Knights were like him there would be something doing;
+but he is a Kentuckian, no whining Yankee."
+
+Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and during his interview with
+him studied him carefully. He put him down as a man of indomitable energy,
+of great courage, and possessing military genius of a high order. On the
+other hand, he was illiterate, rough in his language, and lacked the
+polish of a cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But there was a
+magnetism about him which drew men to him.
+
+"If I were not riding with Morgan, I should surely want to be with
+Forrest," thought Calhoun.
+
+Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the mail-carrier who was to be
+his guide. He was a thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun put him
+down at about forty. The few days during which Calhoun was with Givens
+gave him a very high opinion of the guide's bravery and sagacity. Givens
+related many of his hairbreadth escapes during their journey, and seemed
+to treat them as great jokes. During the entire journey through Tennessee
+and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented roads, and in the darkest night
+rode as one entirely familiar with the way.
+
+At every place they stopped, they seemed to be expected. A man would take
+their horses, and in the evening when they started, they would find fresh
+horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun that these stations were a night
+ride apart, and that at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the
+woods.
+
+"I now understand," said Calhoun, "what an underground railroad means. If
+the Abolitionists had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were so
+successful in getting away with our slaves."
+
+Givens chuckled as he answered: "They did, I know all about it; was in the
+business myself."
+
+"You?" asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively recoiled from the
+man.
+
+"A man has to do something for a living," growled Givens; "I got so much
+for each nigger I ran off." He then refused to discuss the subject
+further.
+
+One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait, a low, tremulous
+whistle came from the side of the road. Givens reined in his horse so
+quickly that he fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle in the
+same low, tremulous note. A man stepped from the bushes into the road, and
+spoke a few words to Givens in a low tone.
+
+Givens turned to Calhoun and said: "Yanks ahead. We will have to go round
+them."
+
+Under the guidance of the man they turned into a path through the woods.
+The way was rough, and Givens swore roundly because they were losing time.
+A good-sized stream was reached, which they had to swim. They emerged from
+it wet and out of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his heart's
+content. He explained that it eased his mind. When the road was reached
+their guide bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly as he had
+appeared.
+
+Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to their utmost speed, in order
+to reach their next stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they
+could, the sun was an hour high before they reached their haven of rest.
+Luckily they met with no one, and they felt safe.
+
+"One more night and we shall reach the Ohio," said Givens, when they
+dismounted after a long, wearisome night ride. But it was destined that
+they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for they had not ridden
+more than five miles after they had started before they were brought up
+with the sharp command: "Halt! Who comes there?"
+
+"Citizens without the countersign," answered Givens without a moment's
+hesitation, and then to Calhoun, "Wheel and run for your life."
+
+They both turned and clapped spurs to their horses, but not before the
+sentinel had fired. Calhoun heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning
+his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He had carried his last mail.
+There was no time to halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of
+horses in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from his horse and
+struck him a vicious blow which sent him galloping wildly down the road.
+In a moment a squad of Federal cavalry passed in swift pursuit. Calhoun
+breathed freer after the trampling of their horses died away in the
+distance. But he was alone, without a horse, and in a strange country. He
+was now thankful that Forrest had not sent his credentials with Givens.
+
+Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning into a road which led in the
+direction which he wished to go. All through the night he plodded, and
+when morning came he found he was close to a large plantation. He
+determined to make himself known. Placing his revolver in his bosom, where
+he could get it in a moment, he boldly went up to the house. Fortunately
+he met the owner of the plantation, who saluted him with, "Heah, git off
+of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I want no tramps around heah."
+
+Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder he had been mistaken for a
+disreputable character. His night's walk had made sad havoc with the looks
+of his clothes. The road was muddy, and he had fallen down several times.
+Rather in desperation than thinking it would do any good, he made the sign
+of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was
+answered.
+
+"Who are you? and why do you come in such a plight?" asked the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun's story was soon told. "And you are one of Morgan's men," said the
+gentleman, whose name was Cressey. "I have a son with Morgan," and he gave
+his name.
+
+"One of my scouts," replied Calhoun, delighted. Calhoun had indeed found a
+friend, and a place of refuge. The next night, with a good horse and
+guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short distance from the river.
+The farmer who owned the house was to take a load of produce into Mount
+Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with him without exciting
+suspicion. This was done, and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected,
+was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.
+
+Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office of Judge Worley, and was
+shown the most pretentious law office in the little city. Entering, he
+inquired for the Judge, and was told that he was in his private office.
+
+"Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him on very important business,"
+said Calhoun.
+
+A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared. He returned in a moment and
+said the Judge would see him at once.
+
+When Calhoun entered the private office he saw seated at a desk a
+dignified-looking gentleman about sixty years of age, who eyed him
+sharply, and Calhoun was sure a look of disappointment came over his face.
+This, then, was the gentleman who wished to see him on very important
+business--hardly more than a boy.
+
+He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but said, in a cold voice:
+"Well, what do you want? Be in a hurry, for I am very busy."
+
+This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was looking for. Gulping down
+his indignation, he said: "I am just from the South, I was directed to
+come to you, who would prove a friend."
+
+"Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted liberty with my name."
+
+While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a pair of steel-gray eyes were
+trying to read his very soul.
+
+"Is that all?" at length continued the Judge. "I have no time to give you;
+as I told you, I am very busy," and he dismissed his visitor with a wave
+of the hand.
+
+As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition of the Knights of
+the Golden Circle. There was no recognition; instead a testy, "Why don't
+you go?"
+
+Calhoun's face flamed with anger, but controlling himself, he replied:
+"When you receive some mail from the South, you may find some dispatches
+from General Forrest which will cause you to treat me differently. If such
+dispatches come, be here in your office at nine o'clock to-night."
+
+When Calhoun mentioned "mail from the South," and "General Forrest," the
+Judge turned pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if to stop him;
+but the young man paid no attention to the signal, and strode indignantly
+from the office.
+
+No sooner was he gone than the Judge turned eagerly to a pile of mail
+which he had just received, and which the coming of Calhoun had
+interrupted him in reading. Hurriedly running over the letters, he picked
+out one, and opened it with nervous fingers. It was written in cipher.
+Opening a secret drawer in his desk, he took out the key to the cipher,
+and began the translation of the dispatch. As he did so, he gave vent to
+his surprise in various exclamations.
+
+"Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's staff ... will go by name of W.
+B. Harrison ... comes North to fully investigate conditions.... If
+favorable will invade North.... Pennington is member of K. G. C."
+
+The Judge laid down the letter and seemed to be gazing into vacancy. He
+was thinking--thinking hard. At last he picked up the letter and read it
+through to the end. Then he made preparations to go out.
+
+"I shall not be back again this afternoon," he said to his clerk, as he
+passed out. "You can lock up the office when you leave. I shall not need
+you this evening."
+
+When Calhoun called that evening, he was met at the door by the Judge, and
+given a reception much different from that he received in the afternoon.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Lieutenant," said the Judge, and he raised his hand
+as if in military salute, but was careful not to touch his forehead.
+
+"And I am rejoiced to make the acquaintance of Judge Worley," replied
+Calhoun, raising his hand as if to shade his eyes from the light.
+
+They then advanced and grasped each other by the hand, the fore-finger of
+each resting on the pulse of the other.
+
+"Nu," said Calhoun.
+
+"Oh," responded the Judge.
+
+"Lac," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Nu-oh-lac," they then both said together.
+
+Thus were they introduced to each other as members of the Knights of the
+Golden Circle.
+
+The Judge was now profuse in his apologies for his treatment of Calhoun at
+their first meeting.
+
+"The fact is," said the Judge, "we are surrounded by Lincoln spies on
+every hand. Some of them have gained admittance into the order. One cannot
+be too careful. Then your youth misled me. I am now surprised that one so
+young should be selected for so important a commission."
+
+"No apology is needed," said Calhoun. "I confess I was indignant at first,
+but I now see you were right in receiving me as you did. Have you received
+General Forrest's letter yet?"
+
+"Yes, and it makes all plain. By the way, I see that your name is Calhoun.
+Have you ever noticed our password particularly?"
+
+"No; you must bear in mind I am a new member."
+
+"Read your name backwards," said the Judge, with a smile.
+
+Calhoun did so, and exclaimed, in surprise: "Nuohlac! Why, it's my name
+spelled backwards."
+
+"Aye! and it is the name of the greatest American who ever lived,"
+exclaimed the Judge, with enthusiasm. "I trust that you honor the name.
+Would that John C. Calhoun were alive now. What a glorious day it would be
+for him. But his spirit lives--lives, and thank God there is no Andrew
+Jackson in the presidential chair!"
+
+"Lincoln seems to have more nerve than I wish he had," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Lincoln is an ignoramus, a filthy story-teller, a monster. Seward is the
+brains of the administration. Without Seward, Lincoln would be nothing."
+
+Calhoun thought it wise not to dispute with the Judge, so he changed the
+subject by asking the number of Knights of the Golden Circle in the state.
+
+"That, under my oath, I cannot give," answered the Judge. "I see by
+General Forrest's letter that you have taken only the first degree of the
+order. That entitles you to very little information. It is the duty of
+those who take only this degree to obey, not to question. General Forrest
+advises that the other degrees be given you as soon as possible. I have
+already made arrangements to have you initiated into the second and third
+degrees this evening. That is as high as we can go here."
+
+The Judge here looked at his watch, and said it was time to go.
+
+Calhoun accompanied him to a room over a saloon, the Judge explaining that
+they had selected the place so as not to excite suspicion by so many men
+passing in and out. Calhoun found at least fifty men assembled, and when
+he was introduced as one of Morgan's men, he received a perfect ovation.
+
+"Hurrah for John Morgan!" shouted one enthusiastic member, and the cheers
+were given with a will.
+
+Three cheers were then given for Jeff Davis, followed by three groans for
+Abe Lincoln.
+
+Calhoun could scarcely believe his ears. Was this the North? He could well
+believe he was in the heart of the South.
+
+The object of the meeting was stated, and Calhoun was duly initiated into
+the second and third degrees. There was no mistaking the nature of the
+society; its object was the overthrow of the Lincoln government. But
+resistance to the draft was the main thing discussed. Their hatred of even
+the name of Lincoln was shown in every word.
+
+Calhoun, now armed with the proper credentials, was told that to obtain
+the information which he sought, he would have to visit the Grand
+Commander of the state, who was a Dr. Warrenton, of Springfield. Calhoun
+marvelled that the head officer of such an order should reside under the
+very shadow of the state capitol.
+
+The next day found Calhoun in Springfield. It was full of Federal
+soldiers, and from almost every house a United States flag was flying. It
+did not look like a very promising place for opposition to the Federal
+government, but Calhoun afterwards learned that the place was honeycombed
+with members of the Knights of the Golden Circle.
+
+Calhoun was received by Dr. Warrenton with the greatest caution, and it
+was only after he was fully satisfied that his visitor was what he
+represented himself to be that the Doctor consented to talk.
+
+"Be frank with me," said Calhoun; "John Morgan is contemplating a raid in
+the North, and he wishes to know whether in that case he can expect any
+aid from this order, and if so to what number."
+
+The Doctor seemed to be fired with the idea of Morgan making a raid, but
+said: "If you are to be given the full information you ask for, you must
+be initiated into the fourth degree of the order. That is a degree which
+but very few take, and can be given only with the consent of the Supreme
+Commander. The Grand Commanders of the different states meet the Supreme
+Commander in Canada next Tuesday. This is Friday. You had better attend
+that meeting, as your mission is very important."
+
+"Why meet in Canada?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Because it is safer, and--and we want to meet the Supreme Commander of the
+order."
+
+"Ah! I understand," said Calhoun. "Mr. --"
+
+"Stop; on your life mention no names! Our oaths forbid it."
+
+"I stand corrected," answered Calhoun, humbly.
+
+It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but
+the Doctor warned him that on the cars they must be to each other as
+strangers.
+
+"When we reach Detroit," said the Doctor, "go to the Russell House, and
+register as from Chicago. Write Chicago 'Chic.' "
+
+"I think I will go through to Chicago this evening," said Calhoun; "I
+should like to make some investigations there; you can meet me there
+Monday."
+
+So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the names of half a dozen men in
+that city whom it might be well for him to see. "But mind," said
+Warrenton, "do not tell any one of Morgan's contemplated raid. That must
+be a secret."
+
+Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what he saw and learned there
+surprised him more than ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was
+everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded that the war be stopped,
+boastingly proclaimed that there would soon be "a fire in the rear" that
+would bring Lincoln to his senses. Resistance to the draft was openly
+talked on the streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret move on
+foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp Douglas and burn the city.
+
+"This is proving interesting," thought Calhoun; "the whole North seems to
+be a seething volcano, ready to burst forth into flames, yet something
+seems to smother the flames."
+
+Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the flames when, representing
+himself as a young Englishman, he asked a Federal officer why the
+government permitted such open talk of treason.
+
+The officer smiled as he answered: "It is better for them to talk than
+act. The government has its eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets
+them alone. The first overt act will be crushed with a heavy hand."
+
+Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley and Warrenton had told him; that
+government spies were in the order, and that they knew not whom to trust.
+Would the spies of the government find out who he was, and his mission? It
+was not a very comforting thought.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+                         OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!
+
+
+Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton was on the train, but they
+met as strangers. When he reached the city and went to register at the
+Russell House, a gentleman was carelessly leaning against the desk talking
+with the clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but he had caught the
+word "Chic." after his name.
+
+After a few moments the gentleman approached Calhoun and said: "Pardon me,
+but is not this Mr. Harrison of Kentucky?"
+
+"My name is Harrison," answered Calhoun, "but if you would examine the
+register you would see I am from Chicago."
+
+"Ah, yes, I understand," and he gave the secret sign of the order. "Come,"
+he continued, "and let me introduce you to some friends."
+
+He led the way to a room where there were several gentlemen seated smoking
+and talking, among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm greeting.
+
+"I have been telling them about you," said Warrenton, "and they are all
+anxious to meet you."
+
+The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each member of the party. There was
+Wrightman of New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri, Bullock of
+Kentucky, and others.
+
+"You don't tell me you are the son of my old friend, Judge Pennington, of
+Danville," asked Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the hand.
+
+"The very same," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant Pennington," exclaimed Mr.
+Bullock, addressing those present. "I will vouch for him with my life.
+Let's see, your name is now--"
+
+"Harrison for the present," answered Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+The party had no trouble in getting across the river, and that night there
+was a meeting in Windsor which boded ill for the Federal government.
+
+The Supreme Commander of the order was a gentleman in the full vigor of
+manhood. He was polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every action
+showed that he was accustomed to command. Behind it all Calhoun thought
+that he detected the signs of an inordinate ambition--an ambition which
+would stop for nothing.
+
+"Isn't he grand," whispered Dr. Warrenton to Calhoun. "A fit
+representative to wear the mantle of your great namesake."
+
+"Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr," thought Calhoun, but he wisely did
+not give expression to his thought. The object of Calhoun's coming was
+fully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous vote, that he should
+receive the fourth degree, and thus be entitled to all the information
+which he wished.
+
+The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun was now certain he was among
+a band of conspirators who would stop at nothing to achieve their ends.
+
+"Is this the highest of the degrees?" asked Calhoun, when he was through.
+
+The party exchanged meaning glances, and then the Supreme Commander said:
+"There is one more degree, but it is given only to the highest officers in
+the order, and would not be of the least advantage to you."
+
+Calhoun was certain there was something which those present did not wish
+him to know--some object which they wished to keep secret.
+
+The number of members in the order was now given to Calhoun. The figures
+astounded him. In Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in Missouri
+fifty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and twenty thousand, in Indiana
+one hundred thousand, in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East the
+order was not so numerous. This seemed strange to Calhoun, for he thought
+that New York especially would be fertile ground for it.
+
+"How many of these men are armed?" asked Calhoun.
+
+The answer was: "In Missouri nearly all, in Illinois fifty thousand, in
+Indiana forty thousand, in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all."
+
+"Gentlemen," exclaimed Calhoun, with considerable warmth, "if these
+figures are correct, why have you not arisen before this, and hurled the
+Lincoln government from power? Pardon me, but it looks like timidity. The
+North is denuded of men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army."
+
+"That is what I have insisted on," cried Mr. Bowman, of Indiana, jumping
+to his feet in his excitement. "I say strike, strike now! We of Indiana
+are ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners in Northern prison pens! We
+have arms for them. If necessary, give every Northern city over to the
+flames."
+
+"Brother Bowman forgets," answered the Supreme Commander, "that our forces
+are scattered; that if we attempt to concentrate, the government will take
+alarm and crush us. At present we have to work in secret."
+
+"But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"That would be different," was the answer.
+
+"What if you should be successful in your plans?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Let the South go free. We firmly believe in the doctrine of States'
+Rights," was the answer.
+
+"Would your states cast their lot with the South?" asked Calhoun, eagerly.
+
+Again there were meaning glances among the leaders. "It is yet too early
+to answer that question," slowly replied the Supreme Commander, "or even
+to discuss it. The overthrow of the present Abolition government and the
+independence of the South is now our object."
+
+But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun resolved to find out, and he
+did.
+
+The conference at Windsor was over. It was resolved that the order should
+everywhere be strengthened, and that it should strike at the first
+favorable opportunity. That opportunity would come at once, should the
+North be invaded.
+
+From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio, from there to Dayton, the
+home of Vallandigham. He found that that gentleman was the idol of that
+section. They wanted him to come home. They swore they would defend him
+with their lives. The whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federal
+government.
+
+Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of talking with all classes of
+citizens. He especially tried to get at the feelings of the humbler
+members of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they joined the order,
+and what they proposed doing. All the information he gleaned he treasured
+up.
+
+From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis, where he was to meet Mr.
+Bowman. He found Indiana much better organized than any of the other
+states. Bowman was enthusiastic, and he seemed to hate the Lincoln
+government with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to achieve his
+ends. But the especial object of his hatred was Governor Morton.
+
+"I want to live long enough," he said, "to see that tyrant hanged for
+trampling on the constitution of the state."
+
+Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great dread of Morton. They
+declared he had a way of finding out every secret of the order. If he had
+not been thoroughly guarded, his life would not have been worth a
+farthing.
+
+Calhoun was taken into the country, where he witnessed the drilling of two
+or three companies of Knights. These meetings always took place at night,
+in some secret place, and sentinels were posted to guard against surprise.
+Calhoun talked with many of the members to get their ideas and to find out
+what they wished to accomplish.
+
+"What do you think?" asked Bowman of Calhoun, after they had returned to
+Indianapolis. "I have forty thousand of those fellows."
+
+"Will they fight?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Fight? Of course they will fight," was the answer. "Let Morgan get into
+the state, and you will see."
+
+At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy farmer named Jones, who lived
+near Corydon. He had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and boasted of
+the number of Knights in his part of the state.
+
+"We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists from the earth," he
+exclaimed, boastingly, "and hang Old Abe, and Morton too."
+
+"What would you do if Morgan came?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell until I was hoarse," was the
+answer.
+
+"What if Morgan should want some of your horses?" asked Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Jones's countenance fell. At length he mumbled, "Of course he would
+pay me for them?"
+
+"Of course," replied Calhoun, in a tone which the old gentleman did not
+quite understand.
+
+Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis Bowman told him Morton
+was to hold a reception, and asked him if he would not like to attend and
+see the great War Governor.
+
+Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a desire to see the man of whom
+he had heard so much--a man who had the majority of his legislature against
+him, yet held the state as in the hollow of his hand--a man who borrowed
+hundreds of thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers of his
+state might be thoroughly equipped. He had overcome every difficulty, and
+held his state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands of the citizens
+of the state secretly plotting against him, he moved serenely along the
+path he had marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe measures, he knew
+when, and when not, to make an arrest. He avoided angering his enemies
+except when the public safety demanded it. His very name caused every
+member of the Knights of the Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun
+think that when he promised to attend the governor's reception that
+Morton's detectives were already looking for him. The renewed activity of
+the Knights had aroused the Governor's suspicions, and he was not long in
+finding out the cause. To locate and arrest the Southern officer who was
+causing the ferment, was his order to his detectives.
+
+A large crowd attended the reception, and in such a gathering Calhoun felt
+in no danger. He saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive head
+and brain. He looked every inch the intellectual giant that he was.
+
+"The grandest figure," thought Calhoun, "that I have seen in the North. He
+is a man to beware of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him."
+
+When Calhoun, passing along in the throng, took the Governor's hand,
+Morton bent his piercing look upon him, and the question came as if shot
+out of his mouth, "Where from, young man?"
+
+The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun off his guard, and almost
+involuntarily he answered, "From Kentucky."
+
+"From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down there?"
+
+Calhoun was himself again. "Of course," he answered, "we are greatly
+divided in that state, but all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it
+from the Union."
+
+"Good, pass on," and the Governor turned to the next in line.
+
+But a feeling as of impending danger took possession of Calhoun. Why that
+question to him? He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he was
+suspected? Forcing his way through the throng, he got out of the building
+as soon as possible.
+
+It was well that he did so, for hardly had the Governor let go Calhoun's
+hand, when he motioned to General Carrington, and whispered to him:
+"Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly as possible, but see he does not
+get away. He is the Southern officer we have been looking for, I am sure.
+I have a full description of him."
+
+General Carrington in turn whispered to a couple of quiet-looking men,
+dressed in citizen's clothes who stood near the Governor. They nodded, and
+started after Calhoun, who was now nearly lost to view in the crowd.
+
+Once out of the building Calhoun found that hundreds of spectators had
+gathered out of curiosity. They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton, and
+shouting for the Union, and some were singing, "We'll hang Jeff Davis on a
+sour-apple tree."
+
+Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he reached the outer edge of the
+circle. Here groups of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.
+Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it was plain they were not
+enjoying the proceedings. Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy
+hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice said: "You are our
+prisoner; better come quietly and make no disturbance." And in a trice
+Calhoun felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He was powerless in
+the iron grip by which he was held; if help there was, it must come from
+the outside.
+
+"Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!"
+
+The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife. It fell on the
+astonished ears of hundreds who did not understand it. But to those groups
+of silent, sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet, summoning
+them to duty.
+
+"Oho ne! Oho ne!" they answered, and before the surprised officers could
+draw a weapon, could raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten
+down, and their prisoner snatched from them.
+
+The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers came on the run, with
+fixed bayonets, scattering the crowd right and left. But when they reached
+the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and bleeding officers.
+They could only say they had been set upon, knocked down, and their
+prisoner taken from them. By whom they did not know, for it was dark, and
+the crowd had dispersed.
+
+When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voice
+whispered, "Follow me, quick!"
+
+Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow of
+buildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of
+the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running,
+both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.
+
+  [Illustration: INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]
+
+"We are safe now," said the guide, "but it was a close shave for you. What
+did they arrest you for?"
+
+"To hang me," answered Calhoun, with a shudder. "I am a Confederate
+officer."
+
+"I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn't have tried to
+arrest you in that crowd; but don't worry, you are all right now."
+
+His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which he
+said was his home, "and," he exclaimed, "none of Abe Lincoln's minions
+will ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escaped
+Confederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton.
+It should be called Camp Hades."
+
+Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. "Sleep soundly, and
+without fear," said Mr. Randall.
+
+Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget to
+return thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respect
+for the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The next
+morning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling of
+his escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with the
+announcement that so important did the government consider his person that
+a reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhoun
+now knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remained
+for him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.
+
+Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the city concealed in a
+farmer's wagon. He was passed on from the hands of one true Knight to
+another, and at the end of three days he found himself on the banks of the
+Ohio, a few miles above Madison. In the darkness of the night he was rowed
+over, and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native state. In his
+ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground, for was it not the soil of
+Kentucky?
+
+At the house of a true Southerner he found refuge. His measure was taken
+into Carrolton, where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing a horse
+of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he bade him good-bye, and sprang
+into the saddle. The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed with the
+beauty which we ascribe to the Golden City. In the midst of the gold hung
+the new moon like a silver bow.
+
+"See! see!" cried Calhoun, "the new moon, I saw it over my right shoulder.
+It means good luck."
+
+And while the happy omen still gleamed in the west, he galloped away.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+                        CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.
+
+
+By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the towns, Calhoun had no
+trouble in making his way back into Tennessee. He had been gone nearly a
+month, and was glad to see his old command, who gave him a royal welcome.
+He was showered with questions as to where he had been, but to each and
+every one he would laugh and say, "Be glad to tell you, boys, but can't."
+
+"Thought you had deserted us," said his scouts.
+
+"Not till death," replied Calhoun. "I was on a secret mission. The General
+knows where I was."
+
+"It's all right then, but mark my word, there will be some deviltry going
+on shortly," one of them remarked, sagely.
+
+As General Breckinridge was greatly interested, Calhoun did not make his
+report until that General could meet with Morgan. Then Calhoun gave a
+detailed account of all he had seen and heard. He was listened to with
+breathless attention.
+
+"His report agrees perfectly with all I have heard," remarked
+Breckinridge, much pleased. "I have had a dozen different agents in the
+North, and they all agree."
+
+"But you have not given us your own conclusions, Lieutenant," said Morgan.
+
+"It might seem presumptuous in me," answered Calhoun.
+
+"By no means; let us hear it," replied both generals.
+
+Calhoun, thus entreated, gave the conclusions he had formed, not from what
+had been told him by the leaders of the Knights of the Golden Circle, but
+from his own observations. He was listened to with evident interest.
+
+"Your conclusions seem to be at utter variance with all that was told you,
+and every fact given," said Breckinridge. "You admit that dissatisfaction
+in the Democratic party is almost universal over the way the war is being
+conducted; you say that we have not been deceived regarding the numbers of
+the Knights of the Golden Circle, that there are eighty thousand of the
+order in Indiana alone, of whom forty thousand are armed; as you know,
+every member of that order has taken an oath not to take up arms against
+the South; that they believe in states' rights; that they will resist by
+force the tyranny of the Federal government; and yet you say it is your
+belief that if General Morgan should invade the state, not a hand would be
+raised to help him. I cannot understand it."
+
+"I will try to make myself plain," said Calhoun. "The Democratic party is
+sick and tired of the war, and want it stopped. They believe we can never
+be whipped, and in that they are right. But they love the Union, revere
+the old flag. They indulge the vain hope that if the war were stopped, the
+Union might be restored. We know how foolish that hope is. I speak of the
+rank and file. Many of their leaders are notoriously disloyal, but they
+deceive the people with fine words. They make the party believe that if
+the Republican party were only defeated, things would be as they were.
+
+"As to the Knights of the Golden Circle, the great mass who join it are
+told it is only a secret political society. They scarcely comprehend its
+oaths; they are kept in ignorance of the real motives of the order. These
+Knights hate the party in power with a bitter hatred. They are friendly to
+the South, believe we are right; but mark my word, they will not fight for
+us. They are armed, but their idea is to resist the draft. Go among them
+to-day, and not one in a thousand would enlist to fight in the Southern
+army. Fighting is the last thing they want to do for either side. For
+these reasons I conclude that if General Morgan invaded Indiana he would
+receive no direct aid from the Knights of the Golden Circle. I confess
+these conclusions are entirely different from what the leaders told me.
+
+"As for the leaders, they are heart and soul with us. They want us to
+succeed. If they dared they would rise in revolt to-morrow. They are doing
+all they can, without open resort to arms, to have us succeed. But they
+are a band of conspirators. They want us to succeed, because they want
+utterly to destroy the Federal Union. They want to break loose and form a
+Northwest Confederacy. They dare not tell their followers this, but it is
+what they are working for."
+
+When Calhoun had stated his opinion, both Breckinridge and Morgan asked
+him many questions. He was then dismissed. Unknown to Calhoun there were
+three or four other Southern officers present, who had also been in the
+North. They were called in, and questioned on the points raised by
+Calhoun. Every one differed with him. They believed that if an opportunity
+were presented the Knights would rise almost to a man at the call of their
+leaders.
+
+Breckinridge and Morgan held an earnest consultation. Morgan was greatly
+disappointed over Calhoun's report, for he had set his heart on making a
+raid into Indiana and Ohio. He believed it would be the greatest triumph
+of his life, and with the Northwest in open revolt, the independence of
+the South would be assured.
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington must be mistaken," said Breckinridge. "My
+acquaintance in the North is extensive, and I believe my friends there
+will do just as they say they will."
+
+Before Morgan and Breckinridge parted, it was fully agreed that Morgan
+should make the raid. But when the subject was broached to Bragg, that
+general absolutely refused to sanction it. He gave Morgan permission to
+make a raid into Kentucky and capture Louisville if possible. That was as
+far as he would go, and even with that object in view, he limited Morgan's
+force to two thousand.
+
+Morgan apparently acquiesced in this decision of his commander; but in his
+heart he resolved to disobey if, when he neared Louisville, he found
+conditions at all favorable for the invasion of Indiana.
+
+Some time had passed since Morgan had made a raid, and the news that they
+were again to ride north, probably clear to Louisville, was welcomed by
+the rough riders. To them a raid was but a holiday. It did not take Morgan
+long to prepare. His men were always ready to move. "To Louisville," was
+the cry, "we want to call on George D.," meaning George D. Prentice, the
+editor of the Louisville _Journal_.
+
+In all probability few men in the Confederate army knew that Morgan was on
+another raid, until he was well on his way. This time he entered Kentucky
+farther east than was his custom, and the first intimation the Federals
+had that he was in the state, he was crossing the Cumberland River at
+Burkesville. This was on the second day of July. The alarm was given. The
+frenzied Federals telegraphed right and left for troops to head off
+Morgan. It was thought that he intended to strike the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad again at his favorite place--Bacon Creek. General Judah
+hurried from Tompkinsville with a brigade to head him off, but his advance
+under General Hobson was struck at Marrowbone, and hurled back. This left
+Morgan an open road to Columbia, and that place fell an easy prey on the
+3d.
+
+Leaving General Hobson to pursue Morgan, General Judah hurried back to
+Glasgow to bring up another brigade. But General Judah never overtook
+Morgan until days afterwards, and then he caught him at Buffington Island.
+
+As for Hobson, he stuck to Morgan's trail as an Indian sticks to the trail
+of his enemy. He followed him all through Kentucky, all through Indiana,
+all through Ohio, never but a few hours behind, yet never in striking
+distance until Buffington Island was reached.
+
+After leaving the forces of Judah and Hobson in the rear, Morgan had
+nearly an open road to Louisville. The 4th found him at the crossing of
+Green River on the road between Columbia and Campbellsville. Here a
+portion of the Twenty-fifth Michigan, under Colonel Moore, was strongly
+fortified, and a charge made by Morgan was bloodily repulsed. As both
+Judah and Hobson were close in his rear, it would take too much time to
+bring these determined men to terms, and so Morgan, much to his regret,
+was forced to leave them, and pass on. The 5th of July found him at
+Lebanon. The garrison under Colonel Hanson fought desperately, but was
+forced to capitulate, and Lebanon with all its stores and three hundred
+and fifty prisoners was again in Morgan's hands.
+
+The next day found him at Bardstown, where twenty-five men of the Fourth
+Regular Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Sullivan, threw
+themselves into a livery stable, strongly fortified it, and refused to
+surrender. Here Morgan made a mistake. He should have left them and passed
+on; but angered that he should be defied by so few men, he determined to
+capture them and it delayed him twenty-four precious hours. So enraged
+were his men over what they considered the obstinacy of the brave little
+band, that they began to misuse the prisoners, but Morgan stopped them,
+saying: "The damned Yankees ought to be complimented on their pluck."
+
+Never, in any of his raids, had Morgan met with so fierce resistance as on
+this one. Cut to the quick by the numerous criticisms which had been
+published in Northern papers, that cowardice prompted nearly every one of
+the surrenders to Morgan, these troops fought long after prudence should
+have caused them to surrender.
+
+From Bardstown Morgan moved to Shepherdsville. He was now within striking
+distance of Louisville. Here it was that he fully decided, if he had not
+done so before, upon the invasion of Indiana, instead of attempting the
+capture of Louisville. At Shepherdsville he was on the Louisville and
+Nashville Railroad, where a long bridge spans the Salt River. But he did
+not stop to capture the garrison which guarded the bridge, nor did he
+attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead, he rode straight west,
+and on the 9th was in Brandenburg. Before him rolled the Ohio River,
+beyond lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time he had led
+his men clear to the Ohio River. The sight of Yankee land aroused them to
+the utmost enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross if ten thousand
+foes had opposed them.
+
+Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg with instructions to sweep
+through the place, stopping for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
+which might be at the landing. This he did. Far in advance of the main
+body, he galloped into the town, to the astonishment and dismay of its
+citizens.
+
+Two small steamboats were lying at the landing, and before the terrorized
+crews could cut the hawsers and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
+men were on board and the boats were theirs.
+
+The means of crossing the river were now in Morgan's hands. But a fresh
+danger arose. A gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville and
+opened fire. Morgan brought every piece of his artillery into action, and
+for two hours the battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited, withdrew
+and went back to Louisville, leaving the way open. There was now nothing
+to prevent Morgan from crossing the river.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+                       THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.
+
+
+Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan, as he sat on his horse that
+July day, and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river. Beyond lay the
+fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan of his hopes. Should he go in and
+possess? The waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the means of
+crossing. Before him all was calm, peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite
+bank to oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops. Behind him were
+thousands of angry Federals in swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go
+ahead than to turn back?
+
+As Caesar stood on the bank of the Rubicon debating what to do, so did
+Morgan stand on the bank of the Ohio. Like Caesar, if he once took the
+step, he must abide the consequences. But if there was any hesitation in
+the mind of Morgan, he did not hesitate long. "Cross over," was the order
+which he gave. "We shall soon know," he said to Calhoun, "whether they are
+friends or foes over there; whether the forty thousand Knights who were so
+anxious for me to come will appear or not."
+
+Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana and Ohio by Morgan seems like
+sheer madness. He had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
+the states which he invaded had millions of population. But he had reasons
+to believe that thousands of that population were friendly to him, would
+welcome him with gladness. When he so nearly escaped though no hand was
+raised to help him, what would he have accomplished if only a few thousand
+had come to his relief? That there were thousands in the two states who
+would have flocked gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is no
+doubt. But the hand of the government was too strong for them to resist.
+The fires of loyalty burned too fiercely to be quenched by them. With all
+their boasted strength, the Knights of the Golden Circle were powerless
+when the supreme moment came.
+
+The order to cross the river was hailed with enthusiasm by every man in
+Morgan's command. Where they were going they knew not, cared not; they
+would go where their gallant leader led. He had never failed them, he
+would not fail them now. They knew only that they were to invade the land
+of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to be brought home to the
+North as it had been to the South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused
+the blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his veins. He had been
+full of doubts; he trembled for the results if that river were once
+passed. He had been through the North and noted her resources, how
+terribly in earnest her people were that the Union should be saved. What
+if there were thousands of traitors in their midst? There were enough
+loyal men left to crush them. What if the state of Indiana was honeycombed
+with camps of the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of the Union
+League were fully as numerous. He now forgot all these things. Did not the
+Knights come to his relief in his hour of sore distress? Surely they would
+not forget their oaths, when Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air,
+and shouted, "Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will cross over and
+possess it."
+
+The order to cross once given, was obeyed with alacrity. In an incredibly
+short time the three thousand men and horses were ferried across the
+river.
+
+"Burn the boats," was Morgan's order.
+
+The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped them in their fiery
+embrace, lo! on the other side came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like
+beasts baffled of their prey, they could only stand and gnash their teeth
+in their rage. Between them and Morgan rolled the river, and they had no
+means of crossing.
+
+"Why don't you come across, Yanks?" Morgan's men shouted in derision.
+
+"Got any word you want to send to your mammy? We are going to see her,"
+they mockingly cried.
+
+And thus with taunt and laugh and hurrah, Morgan's men rode away, leaving
+their enemies standing helpless on the farther bank.
+
+"Twenty miles to Corydon," said Calhoun, as he galloped with his scouts to
+the front to take the advance. "I wonder if I shall meet my friend Jones,
+and whether, when he sees us, he will throw his hat on high, and give us a
+royal welcome? If he spoke the truth, the bells of Corydon will ring a
+joyful peal when the people see us coming, and we shall be greeted with
+waving flags, and find hundreds of sturdy Knights ready to join us."
+
+But in that twenty miles not a single waving flag did Calhoun see, not a
+single shout of welcome did he hear. Instead, the inhabitants seemed to be
+in an agony of fear. They met only decrepit old men and white-faced women
+and children. Not a single cup of cold water was freely offered them in
+that twenty miles. If Calhoun could only have seen the welcome given
+Hobson's men the day after as they came over the same road, the flags that
+were waved, the shouts of welcome that greeted them, how women and
+children stood by the roadside with cooling water and dainty food to give
+them, and sent their prayers after them--if Calhoun could have seen all
+these things, his heart would have sunk, and he would have known that
+there was no welcome for Morgan's men in Indiana.
+
+But he was soon to have a ruder awakening. As he neared Corydon, he and
+his scouts were greeted with a volley, and sixteen of his men went down.
+The raid for them was over.
+
+"Charge!" shouted Calhoun, and like a whirlwind he and his men were on the
+little band of home guards, who thought they could withstand Morgan's
+whole force.
+
+In a few brief minutes the fight was over, and on the sod lay several
+motionless figures. In spite of himself, Calhoun could not help thinking
+of Lexington and the farmer minute men who met Pitcairn and his red-coats
+on that April morning in 1775. Were not these men of Corydon as brave? Did
+they not deserve a monument as much? He tried to dismiss the thought as
+unworthy, but it stayed with him for a long time.
+
+A short distance beyond Corydon stood a fine house, which, with all its
+surroundings, showed it to be the dwelling of a rich and prosperous
+farmer. When Calhoun came up, the owner, bareheaded and greatly excited,
+was engaged in controversy with one of Calhoun's scouts who had just
+appropriated a fine ham from the farmer's smoke-house and was busily
+engaged in tying it to his saddle-bow.
+
+"You have no business to take my property without paying for it!" the
+farmer was saying, angrily. "I am a friend of the South; I have opposed
+the war from the beginning."
+
+Seeing Calhoun, and noticing he was an officer, the farmer rushed up to
+him, crying, "Stop them! Stop them! they are stealing my property!"
+
+"Well, I declare, if it isn't my old friend Jones!" exclaimed Calhoun.
+"How do you do, Mr. Jones? Where are those five hundred armed Knights who
+you said would meet us here? Where is your hat, that you are not throwing
+it high in air? Why are you not shouting hallelujahs over our coming?"
+
+Jones had stopped and was staring at Calhoun with open mouth and bulging
+eyes. "Bless my soul," he at length managed to stammer, "if it isn't Mr.
+Harrison!"
+
+"Lieutenant Pennington, at your service. But, Jones, where are those
+Knights of the Golden Circle you promised would join us here?"
+
+Jones hung his head. "We--we didn't expect you to come so soon," he managed
+to answer; "we didn't have time to rally."
+
+"Mr. Jones, you told me this whole country would welcome us as liberators.
+They did welcome us back there in Corydon, but it was with lead. Sixteen
+of our men were killed and wounded. Mr. Jones, there will be several
+funerals for you to attend in Corydon."
+
+"It must be some of those Union Leaguers," exclaimed Mr. Jones. "Glad they
+were killed; they threatened to hang me the other day."
+
+"They were heroes, compared to you!" hotly exclaimed Calhoun. "You and
+your cowardly Knights can plot in secret, stab in the dark, curse your
+government, but when it comes to fighting like men you are a pack of
+cowardly curs."
+
+But Mr. Jones hardly heard this fierce Phillipic; his eyes were fixed on
+his smoke-house, which was being entered by some more of the soldiers.
+
+"Won't you stop them," he cried, wringing his hands; "they will take it
+all! Why, you are a pack of thieves!"
+
+"Boys, don't enter or disturb anything in the house," cried Calhoun,
+turning to his men, "but take anything out of doors you can lay your hands
+on; horses, everything."
+
+The men dispersed with a shout to carry out the order. Calhoun left Mr.
+Jones in the road jumping up and down, tearing his hair and shouting at
+the top of his voice, "I am going to vote for Abe Lincoln. I am--I am, if I
+am damned for it!"
+
+In all probability Morgan's raid in Indiana and Ohio made more than one
+vote for old Abe. Of all the thousands of Knights of the Golden Circle in
+Indiana and Ohio, not one took his rifle to join Morgan, not one raised
+his hand to help him.
+
+In speaking of this to General Shackelford, who captured him, Morgan said,
+bitterly: "Since I have crossed the Ohio I have not seen a single friendly
+face. Every man, woman, and child I have met has been my enemy; every
+hill-top a telegraph station to herald my coming; every bush an ambush to
+conceal a foe."
+
+The people who lived along the route pursued by Morgan will never forget
+his raid. What happened has been told and retold a thousand times around
+the fireside, and the story will be handed down not only to their
+children, but to their children's children. Morgan was everywhere
+proclaimed as a thief and a robber. They forgot that he had to subsist at
+the expense of the country, and that he had to take horses to replace
+those of his own which had broken down. Not only that, but it was life to
+him to sweep the country through which he passed clear of horses, that his
+pursuers might not get them. The Federals in pursuit took horses as
+readily as Morgan's men.
+
+Those who proclaim Morgan a thief and a robber sing with gusto "Marching
+through Georgia," and tell how "the sweet potatoes started from the
+ground." They forget how Sheridan, the greatest cavalry leader of the
+Federal army, boasted he had made the lovely Shenandoah Valley such a
+waste that a crow would starve to death flying over it. The Southern
+people look upon Sherman and Sheridan as the people of Ohio and Indiana
+look upon Morgan. These generals were not inhuman; they simply practised
+war. It is safe to say that less private property was destroyed in
+Morgan's raid in Indiana and Ohio than in any other raid of equal
+magnitude made by either side during the war.
+
+One can now see by reading the dispatches the panic and terror caused by
+Morgan in this raid. From Cairo, Illinois, to Wheeling, West Virginia, the
+Federals were in a panic, for they knew not which way Morgan would turn,
+or where he would strike. From the entire length of the Ohio, the people
+were wildly calling on the government to send troops to protect them from
+Morgan. There were fears and trembling as far north as Indianapolis.
+Governor Tod, of Ohio, declared martial law through the southern part of
+his state, and called on Morton to do the same for Indiana. But Morton,
+cooler, more careful, and looking farther ahead as to what might be the
+effect of such a measure, wisely refused to do so.
+
+From Corydon Morgan rode north to Salem. The Federals now thought for sure
+that Indianapolis was his objective point, but from Salem he turned
+northeast and swept through the state, touching or passing through in his
+route the counties of Jackson, Scott, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, and
+Dearborn, passing into Ohio, in the northwest corner of Hamilton County,
+almost within sight of the great city of Cincinnati. Turning north, he
+entered Butler County. Here, as in Indiana, he met only the scowling faces
+of enemies.
+
+"And here is where they worship Vallandigham!" exclaimed Calhoun,
+passionately. "Here is where they told me almost every man belonged to the
+Knights of the Golden Circle, and that the whole county would welcome us.
+Here is where even the Democratic party meet in open convention, pass
+resolutions in favor of the South, denounce Lincoln as a monster and
+tyrant, and demand that the war cease at once and the South go free,
+saying they will support no man for office who in the least way favors the
+war. And now not a word of welcome, not a single hand reached out in aid.
+Oh! the cowards! the cowards!"(3)
+
+Morgan made no bitter reply, but said. "You warned us, Lieutenant, how it
+would be. I have expected no aid since the first day we entered Indiana.
+But with God's help we shall yet escape from our foes. Oh, if my gallant
+men were across the Ohio once more! It is only that river which stands in
+between us and safety. There is now no hope of securing a steamboat. But
+at Buffington Island the river is shoal, and can be forded. If we can
+reach Buffington Island before our enemies, we can laugh at our pursuers."
+
+And for Buffington Island Morgan headed, threatening each place along the
+way, to keep the Federals guessing where he would attempt to cross. Like a
+whirlwind he swept through the counties of Warren, Clermont, Brown, Adams,
+Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Meigs, brushing aside like so many flies the
+militia which tried to impede his progress.
+
+The goal was nearly reached. Hobson was half a day behind, still trailing,
+still following like a bloodhound. The Confederates knew of no force in
+front except militia. Safety was before them. The river once passed,
+Morgan would have performed the greatest exploit of the war. His men were
+already singing songs of triumph, for the river was in sight. Night came
+on, but they marched through the darkness, to take position. In the gray
+of the morning they would sweep aside the militia and cross over.
+
+In the morning a heavy fog hung over river and land, as if the sun were
+afraid to look down upon the scene to be enacted. In the gloom, Colonel
+Duke and the dashing Huffman formed their commands and moved to the
+attack. They were received with a fire which surprised them, coming as
+they supposed from militia. But with loud cheers they swept forward, and
+the Federals were forced back, leaving a piece of artillery. A little
+farther and the ford would be won; then there came a crashing volley,
+mingled with the thunder of artillery, and they saw before them, not
+militia, but long lines of blue-coated veterans. General Judah's brigade
+had been transported up the river in steamboats, and landed at Pomeroy.
+They had marched all night, and were now in possession of the ford.
+
+In vain the gallant Duke and Huffman struggled against that force. They
+were driven back. Flight was to be resumed up the river, when couriers
+came dashing in with the news that Hobson was up. They were hemmed in.
+There was one place yet, a path through the woods, by which a few could
+escape, if the Federal force could be held back for a time.
+
+"Go!" cried Duke to Morgan, "and I will hold them until you are gone."
+
+"Go!" cried Huffman, faint and bleeding from a wound, "and I will stay and
+help Colonel Duke."
+
+"Go!" cried Calhoun, "if you are saved I care not for myself."
+
+Then there arose a storm of protests. Who could so well guard and protect
+the chief as Calhoun and his scouts? And so, against Morgan's will,
+Calhoun went with him.
+
+"Come, then, we will clear the way," Calhoun cried to his scouts, and
+before the way was closed, six hundred men with Morgan had escaped.
+
+Hemmed in on every side, the Confederates fought as only desperate men can
+fight; but as soon as it was known that Morgan was well away, Duke and
+Huffman, and with them many other gallant officers, saw it would be
+madness to fight longer, and with breaking hearts they surrendered to
+their exultant foes. Then it was that some two or three hundred, in spite
+of shot and shell, in spite of the leaden hail which fell around them,
+plunged down the bank into the river. The bodies of many floated down,
+their life blood reddening the water. The current swept many a steed and
+rider down, and they were seen no more. A few there were who struggled
+through to safety, and these were all that escaped of the thousands that
+crossed the Ohio at Brandenburg.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+                       THE RIDE OF THE SIX HUNDRED.
+
+
+What Morgan's thoughts were, what his hopes were, as he rode away from
+that fatal field at Buffington Island, no one knows. With him rode six
+hundred, all that were left of three thousand. He could have had no
+thoughts of attempting to cross the Ohio anywhere near Buffington Island,
+for he rode almost due north. It may have been he thought that he might
+cross near Wheeling or higher up, and escape into the mountains of Western
+Pennsylvania; or as a last resort, he might reach Lake Erie, seize a
+steamboat, and escape to Canada. Whatever he thought, north he rode,
+through the most populous counties of Ohio. And what a ride was that for
+six hundred men! Foes everywhere; Home Guards springing up at every
+corner; no rest day or night.
+
+Close in his rear thundered the legions of General Shackelford, a
+Kentuckian as brave, as fearless, as tireless as Morgan himself. But in
+spite of all opposition, in spite of foes gathering on right and left and
+in front, Morgan rode on, sweeping through the counties of Meigs, Vinton,
+Hocking, Athens, Washington, Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey, Belmont,
+Harrison, Jefferson, until he reached Columbiana County, where the end
+came.
+
+At almost every hour during this ride the six hundred grew less. Men fell
+from their horses in exhaustion. They slept as they rode, keeping to their
+saddles as by instinct. The terrible strain told on every one. The men
+grew haggard, emaciated. When no danger threatened, they rode as dead men,
+but once let a rifle crack in front, and their sluggish blood would flow
+like fire through their veins, their eyes would kindle with the excitement
+of battle, and they would be Morgan's fierce raiders once more.
+
+As for Calhoun, it seemed as if he never slept, never tired. It was as if
+his frame were made of iron. Where danger threatened there he was. He was
+foremost in every charge. It looked as if he bore a charmed life. The day
+before the end came he was scouting on a road, parallel to the one on
+which the main body was travelling. Hearing shots, he took a cross-road,
+and galloped at full speed to see what was the trouble. A small party of
+Home Guards were retreating at full speed; one far in advance of the
+others was making frantic efforts to urge his horse to greater speed.
+Calhoun saw that he could cut him off, and he did so, reaching the road
+just as he came abreast of it. So intent was the fellow on getting away he
+did not notice Calhoun until brought to a stand by the stern command,
+"Surrender."
+
+In his surprise and terror, the man rolled from his horse, the picture of
+the most abject cowardice Calhoun ever saw. He fairly grovelled in the
+dust. "Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" he cried, raising his hands in
+supplication. "I didn't want to come; they forced me. I never did anything
+against you."
+
+Dismounting Calhoun gave him a kick which sent him rolling. "Get up, you
+blubbering calf," he exclaimed, "and tell us what you know."
+
+The fellow staggered to his feet, his teeth chattering, and trembling like
+a leaf.
+
+"Now, answer my questions, and see that you tell the truth," said Calhoun.
+"Are there any forces in front of us?"
+
+"N--not--not as I know," he managed to say.
+
+"Do you know the shortest road to Salineville?"
+
+"Yes; yes."
+
+"Will you guide us there if I spare your life?"
+
+"Anything, I will do anything, if you won't kill me," he whined.
+
+"Very well, but I will exchange horses with you, as I see you are riding a
+fine one, and he looks fresh," remarked Calhoun.
+
+The exchange was made, and then Calhoun said, "Now lead on, and at the
+first sign of treachery, I will blow out your brains. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, yes, I will take you the shortest road."
+
+"What's your name," asked Calhoun, as they rode along.
+
+"Andrew Harmon."
+
+"Well, Andrew, I wish all Yankees were like you. If they were, we should
+have no trouble whipping the North. I reckon you are about as big a coward
+as I ever met."
+
+Harmon, still white and trembling, did not answer; he was too thoroughly
+cowed.
+
+Ride as hard as Morgan's men could, when they neared Salineville
+Shackelford was pressing on their rear. They had either to fight or
+surrender.
+
+"My brave boys, you have done all that mortals can do. I cannot bear to
+see you slaughtered. I will surrender."
+
+As Morgan said this his voice trembled. It was a word his men had never
+heard him use before.
+
+"General, it is not all over for you," cried Calhoun, his voice quivering
+with emotion. "Think of the joy of the Yankees if you should be captured.
+Let me take half the men. You take the other half and escape. I can hold
+the enemy in check until you get well away."
+
+Morgan demurred. "The sacrifice will be too great," he said.
+
+"You must, you shall consent. We will force you," the cry went up from the
+whole command as from one man.
+
+Morgan bowed his head, he could not speak. In silence he took Calhoun's
+hand, tears gathered in his eyes, the first tears Calhoun ever saw there.
+There was a strong clasp, a clasp which seemed to say "It may be the
+last," then, wheeling his horse, Morgan galloped swiftly away, followed by
+less than half of his six hundred.
+
+There was not a moment to lose, for the Federals were already charging
+down with triumphant cheers, confident of an easy victory. Calhoun had
+posted his men well, and a withering volley sent the Federals reeling
+back. They charged again, only to recoil before the fierce fire of the
+Confederates. There was now a lull in the fighting. Calhoun saw that they
+were flanking him on the right and left. "Charge!" he shouted, and the
+little band were soon in the midst of their enemies. The Federals closed
+in around them. There was no way to retreat. Calhoun's men, seeing how
+hopeless the fight was, began to throw down their arms.
+
+"Surrender," cried a fine-looking officer to Calhoun, who, well in front,
+was fighting like a demon. Even in that hell of battle Calhoun knew the
+officer. It was Mark Crawford, the captain whose horse he had captured in
+Tennessee, and whom he afterwards took prisoner at Cave City. But the
+captain was wearing the shoulder-straps of a major now.
+
+"Never!" shouted Calhoun, in answer to the summons to surrender, and with
+sword in hand, he spurred forward to engage Crawford in single combat. But
+that officer had a revolver in his hand, and he raised it and fired.
+
+Calhoun felt as if he had been struck on the head with a red-hot iron. He
+reeled in his saddle, and then fell forward on his horse's neck. His sword
+dropped from his nerveless hand. His horse, wild with fear and not feeling
+the restraining hand of a master, broke through the ranks of the Federals,
+and bore him out of the conflict.
+
+Still clinging to the neck of his horse and the horn of his saddle, he
+kept his seat. He straightened himself up, but the blood streaming over
+his face blinded him, and he saw not where he was going. Neither did he
+realize what had happened, for the shock of his wound had rendered him
+half-unconscious. His mind began to wander. He was a soldier no longer,
+but a boy back in Kentucky running a race with his cousin Fred.
+
+"On! on! Salim," he weakly shouted; "we must win, it is for the Sunny
+South we are racing."
+
+The horse still ran at full speed, his glossy coat dripping with
+perspiration, his nostrils widely distended and showing red with blood.
+But his pace began to slacken. Darkness gathered before the eyes of
+Calhoun. "Why, it's getting night," he murmured; "Fred, where are you?"
+Lower still lower he sank, until he was once more grasping the neck of his
+horse. A deadly faintness seized him, total darkness was around him, and
+he knew no more.
+
+With Calhoun gone, all resistance to the Federals ceased. Of the six
+hundred, who had ridden so far and so well, fully one-half were prisoners.
+
+The Federals were greatly chagrined and disappointed when they found that
+Morgan was not among the prisoners. The man they desired above all others
+was still at liberty. "Forward," was the command, and the pursuit was
+again taken up.
+
+With the remnant of his command, Morgan was nearing New Lisbon. If there
+were no foes before him there was still hope. From a road to the west of
+the one he was on, a cloud of dust was rising. His guide told him that
+this road intersected the one he was on but a short distance ahead. His
+advance came dashing back, saying there was a large body of Federal troops
+in his front. From the rear came the direful tidings that Shackelford was
+near. Morgan saw, and his lip quivered. "It is no use," he said, "it is
+all over."
+
+The ride of the six hundred had ended--a ride that will ever live in song
+and story.
+
+"Morgan has surrendered! Morgan is a prisoner!" was the news borne on
+lightning wings all over the entire North.
+
+What rejoicing there was among the Federals! The great raider, the man
+they feared more than an army with banners, was in their power.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+                            AN ANGEL OF MERCY.
+
+
+In front of one of the most beautiful and stately farm-houses in
+Columbiana County stood a young girl. With clasped hands and straining
+eyes she was gazing intently down a road which led to the west. The sound
+of battle came faintly to her ears. As she listened, a shudder swept
+through her slight frame.
+
+"My brother! My brother!" she moaned, "he may be in it. O God of battles,
+protect him!"
+
+She would have made a picture for an artist as she stood there. The
+weather being warm, she wore a soft, thin garment, which clung in graceful
+folds around her. Her beautifully rounded arm and shapely shoulders were
+bare. Her luxuriant hair, the color of sun-beams, fell in a wavy mass to
+her waist. Her eyes, blue as the sky, were now troubled, and a teardrop
+trembled and then fell from the long lashes.
+
+As she looked, the sound of battle became fainter, and then ceased
+altogether. But down the road, a mile away, a little cloud of dust arose.
+It grew larger and larger, and at last she saw it was caused by a single
+horseman who was coming at a furious pace. Was the rider a bearer of ill
+tidings? No, there was no rider on the horse. He who rode must have been
+killed. It might be her brother's horse; she grew sick and faint, but
+still she gazed. The horse came nearer; he was slackening his speed. Yes,
+there was some one on the horse--a man--but he had fallen over on the
+saddle, and his arms were around the horse's neck.
+
+It must be her brother, wounded unto death, coming home to die, and she
+gave a great convulsive sob. Then like a bird she flew to the middle of
+the road. She saw that the horse's mane and shoulders were dripping with
+blood, that the rider's hair was clotted with it.
+
+As the horse came to her it stopped, and the rider rolled heavily from the
+saddle. With a cry she sprang forward and received the falling man; but
+the weight of Calhoun, for it was he, bore her to the earth. She arose,
+screaming for help. There was no one in the house except a colored
+servant, who came rushing out, and nearly fainted when she saw her
+mistress. No wonder, for the girl's dress and arms were dripping with
+blood.
+
+"Oh! Missy Joyce! Missy Joyce!" wailed the colored woman, "what's de
+mattah? Be yo' killed?"
+
+"No, no, this soldier--he is dead or dying. Oh, Mary, what can we do?"
+
+But help was near. A couple of neighbors had also heard the sound of
+battle, and were riding nearer that they might learn the result.
+
+"Great heavens! what is this?" exclaimed one, as they rode up. "As I live,
+that is Andrew Harmon's horse. Well, I never thought Andrew would get near
+enough to a battle to get shot."
+
+By this time they had dismounted. Going to Calhoun they looked at him, and
+one exclaimed, "This is not Harmon; it's one of Morgan's men. Got it good
+and heavy. Served him right."
+
+"Is he dead?" asked the girl, in a trembling voice.
+
+The man put his hand on Calhoun's heart. "No, marm," he answered, "but I
+think he might as well be."
+
+"Carry him into the house, and send for Doctor Hopkins, quick," she said.
+
+"What! that dirty, bloody thing! Better let us carry him to the barn. It's
+a blame sight better place than our boys get down South."
+
+"The house, I say," answered the girl, sharply.
+
+"Why, Miss Joyce," said the other man, as he looked at her, "you are
+covered with blood."
+
+"Yes, I caught him as he fell from his horse," she answered. "I am not
+hurt."
+
+The men were about to pick Calhoun up and carry him in according to the
+directions of the girl, when she exclaimed, "There comes Doctor Hopkins
+now."
+
+Sure enough, the Doctor had heard of the fight, and was coming at a
+remarkable speed, for him, to see if his professional services were
+needed. He reined in his horse, and jumping from his gig, ejaculated,
+"Why! why! what is this? And Miss Joyce all bloody!"
+
+"I am not hurt. The man, Doctor," she said.
+
+The Doctor turned his attention to Calhoun. "As I live, one of Morgan's
+men," he exclaimed, "and hard hit, too. How did he come here?"
+
+"His horse brought him," answered one of the men. "He clung to his horse
+as far as here, when he fell off. Miss Joyce caught him as he fell. That
+is what makes her so bloody."
+
+"Well! well! well!" was all that the old Doctor could say.
+
+"The queer part is," continued the man, "that the horse belongs to Andrew
+Harmon. I heard that Andrew had gone out with the Home Guards, but I could
+hardly believe it. I guess this fellow must have killed him and
+appropriated the horse."
+
+"What! Andrew Harmon killed in battle?" cried the Doctor, straightening up
+from his examination of Calhoun. "Don't believe it. He will turn up safe
+enough."
+
+Then speaking to the girl, the Doctor said, "Miss Joyce, this man has
+nearly bled to death. I cannot tell yet whether the ball has entered his
+head or not. If not, there may be slight hopes for him, but he must have
+immediate attention. It is fortunate I came along as I did."
+
+"Miss Joyce wanted us to take him into the house," said one of the men,
+"but I suggested the barn."
+
+"The barn first," said the Doctor; "if I remember rightly, there is a
+large work-bench there. It will make a fine operating-table. And, Joyce,
+warm water, towels, and bandages."
+
+Joyce Crawford, for that was the girl's name, flew to do the Doctor's
+bidding, while the men, to their credit be it said, picked Calhoun up
+tenderly and carried him to the barn, where the work-bench, as the Doctor
+had suggested, made an operating-table. Joyce soon appeared with the
+water, towels, and bandages. The Doctor had already taken off his coat and
+rolled up his sleeves, ready for work. Although he was a country
+practitioner, he was a skilful surgeon. Carefully he washed away the
+blood, then clipped away the matted hair from around the wound. It seemed
+to Joyce a long time that he worked, but at last the wound was dressed and
+bandaged.
+
+"The ball did not penetrate the brain," he said, as he finished, "nor do I
+think the skull is injured, although the ball plowed along it for some
+distance. Fortunately it was a small bullet, one from a revolver,
+probably, which hit him. It cut a number of small arteries in its course,
+and that is the reason he has bled so much. An hour more and he would have
+been beyond my skill."
+
+"Will he live now?" asked Joyce.
+
+"The chances are against him. If saved at all, it will only be by the best
+of nursing."
+
+"He can be taken into the house now, can't he?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, but you had better first let a tub of water be brought, and clean
+underclothes, and a night shirt. He needs a bath as much as anything."
+
+Joyce had the men get the water, while she procured some underclothes
+which belonged to her brother. Calhoun's clothes were now removed, clothes
+which had not been off him for a month.
+
+"Here is a belt," said one of the men; "it looks as if it might contain
+money," and he was proceeding to examine it when the Doctor forbade him.
+
+"Give it to Miss Joyce," he said; "the fellow is her prisoner."
+
+The belt was handed over rather reluctantly. Calhoun having been bathed,
+Joyce was called, and told that her prisoner was ready for her.
+
+"Bring him in, the chamber is all prepared," was her answer.
+
+Calhoun was brought in and placed in a large, cool upper chamber.
+
+"This is mighty nice for a Rebel," said one of the men, looking around.
+"My Jake didn't get this good care when he was shot at Stone River."
+
+"Too blame nice for a Morgan thief," mumbled the other.
+
+"Shut up," said the Doctor; "remember what Miss Joyce has done for our
+boys. Worked her fingers off for them. This man, or rather boy, for he
+can't be over twenty, was brought to her door. Would you have him left to
+die?"
+
+The men hung their heads sheepishly, and went out. They were not
+hard-hearted men, but they were bitter against Morgan, and any one who
+rode with him.
+
+"Now I must go," said the old Doctor kindly, taking Joyce's hand. "You
+have done to this young man as I would have one do to my son in a like
+extremity."
+
+The old Doctor's voice broke, for he had lost a son in the army.
+Recovering himself, he continued, "I must go now, for I may be needed by
+some of our own gallant boys. I will drop in this evening, if possible,
+and see how your patient is getting along. God bless you, Joyce, you have
+a kind heart."
+
+Joyce looked after the old Doctor with swimming eyes. "One of God's
+noblemen," she murmured.
+
+She took the belt which had been taken from Calhoun, and which had been
+handed her by the Doctor, and put it carefully away. She then began her
+vigil beside the bedside of the wounded man. The Doctor had given her
+minute directions, and she followed them faithfully. It was some hours
+before Calhoun began to show signs of consciousness, and when he did come
+to, he was delirious, and in a raging fever.
+
+The Doctor returned as he had promised. He shook his head as he felt
+Calhoun's pulse, and listened to his incoherent mutterings.
+
+"This is bad," he said. "It is fortunate he lost so much blood, or this
+fever would consume him. But we must hope for the best. Only the best of
+nursing will bring him through."
+
+"That he shall have," said Joyce. "I have sent for Margaret Goodsen. You
+know she is an army nurse, and knows all about wounded men."
+
+"Yes, Margaret is good, none better," replied the Doctor.
+
+All through that night Joyce sat by the bedside of Calhoun cooling his
+fevered brow, giving him refreshing drinks. He talked almost continually
+to himself. Now he would be leading his men in battle, cheering them on.
+Then he was a boy, engaged in boyish sports. The name of Fred was uttered
+again and again.
+
+"I wonder who Fred can be?" thought Joyce; "a brother, probably."
+
+Joyce Crawford was the only daughter of the Hon. Lorenzo Crawford, one of
+the most prominent citizens of Columbiana County. Mr. Crawford had served
+two terms in Congress, and was at the time of the war a member of the
+state senate. He had one child besides Joyce, his son Mark, who we have
+seen was a major in the Federal army.
+
+Mr. Crawford lost his wife when Joyce was three years old; since that time
+his house had been presided over by a maiden sister. This lady was absent
+in Steubenville when Morgan appeared so suddenly in the county; thus at
+the time of Calhoun's appearance only Joyce and the servants were at home,
+Mr. Crawford being absent in the east on duties connected with the
+Sanitary Commission.
+
+Mr. Crawford was what is known as an original Abolitionist. Before the war
+his house was one of the stations of the underground railroad, and many a
+runaway slave he had helped on the way to Canada. Twice he had been
+arrested by the United States officials for violation of the fugitive
+slave law, and both times fined heavily. He believed there could be no
+virtue in a slave-owner; such a man was accursed of God, and should be
+accursed of men. His daughter had to a degree imbibed his sentiments, and
+the idea of slavery was abhorrent to her; but her heart was so gentle, she
+could hate no one. Calhoun's helplessness appealed to her sympathies, and
+she forgot he was one of Morgan's raiders. Although young, only eighteen,
+she had admirers by the score, but her father so far had forbidden her
+receiving company, considering her as yet only a child.
+
+Joyce's beau ideal of a man was her brother Mark, and he was worthy of her
+adoration. Several years her senior, he had watched over and guided her in
+her childhood, and never was a brother more devoted.
+
+The next morning the news came that Morgan was captured, and the scare in
+Columbiana County was over. The morning also brought Miss Crawford, who
+had come hurrying home on receipt of the news that Morgan was in the
+county. She nearly went into hysterics when she learned that one of the
+dreadful raiders was in the house. "How could you do it, child?" she cried
+to Joyce; and "Doctor, why did you let her?" she added to Doctor Hopkins,
+who had just come in to see his patient.
+
+"Madam, it was a case of life or death," replied the Doctor. "Joyce did
+right. We are not heathens in Columbiana County."
+
+"But you will take him right away?" pleaded the lady.
+
+"It would be death to move him."
+
+"But he might murder us all," said Miss Crawford.
+
+The Doctor smiled. "If he lives, it will be weeks before he will have the
+strength to kill a fly," he answered.
+
+Miss Crawford sighed, and gave up the battle. She was not a hard-hearted
+woman, but the idea of having one of Morgan's dreadful raiders in the
+house was trying on her nerves.
+
+The afternoon brought Major Crawford. The story of Joyce's capture of a
+raider had travelled far and wide, and the Major had already heard of it.
+"So you captured a prisoner, did you, Puss?" he exclaimed, kissing her, as
+she threw herself in his arms. "Is he a regular brigand, and bearded like
+a pard?"
+
+"No, no, he is young, almost a boy," she answered. "Margaret Goodsen is
+taking care of him now. Come and see him, but he is out of his head, and
+raves dreadfully."
+
+She led the way to the chamber where Calhoun was. No sooner did Major
+Crawford see him than he turned pale and staggered back, "Great God!" he
+exclaimed.
+
+What fate was it that had led the man he had shot to the house to be cared
+for by his sister?
+
+"What is it, Mark? What is it?" she cried, seeing his agitation.
+
+Should he tell her? Yes, it would be best. "Joyce, you will not wonder at
+my surprise, when I tell you it was I who shot him."
+
+"You, brother, you!" she cried, and instinctively she shrank from him.
+
+Mark saw it, and exclaimed, "Great God! Joyce, you don't blame me, do you?
+I had to do it to save my life. He was about to cut me down with his sword
+when I fired."
+
+"No, no," she cried, "I don't blame you, but it was so sudden; it is so
+dreadful. I never before realized that war was so terrible."
+
+"Well, Joyce, save the poor fellow's life if you can; I don't want his
+death on my hands if I can help it. Do you know who your prisoner is?"
+
+"No, you see the condition he is in."
+
+"His name is Pennington, Calhoun Pennington. He is one of Morgan's bravest
+and most daring officers. I ought to know him, he took me prisoner twice."
+
+"You, Mark, you?"
+
+"Yes, you remember I told you how I lost my horse in Tennessee. He is the
+fellow who took it. He afterwards captured me at Cave City."
+
+"Mark, what will become of him if he gets well?" she asked.
+
+"The United States officials will take him," he answered. "His being here
+must be reported."
+
+"And--and he will be sent to prison?"
+
+"Yes, until he is exchanged."
+
+"But you were not sent to prison when you were captured," she protested.
+
+"No, I was paroled; but I hardly believe the government will parole any of
+Morgan's men."
+
+"Why?" she asked.
+
+"They have given us too much trouble, Puss. Now we have them, I think we
+will keep them."
+
+"Mark, Aunt Matilda don't like my taking this Pennington in. She says
+father will not like it at all."
+
+"I will see Aunt Matilda, and tell her it is all right. I will also write
+to father. No, Joyce, I don't want Pennington to die. It is best, even in
+war, to know you have not killed a man. So take good care of him, or
+rather see he has good care. Get a man to nurse him nights."
+
+"I will look out for that," said Joyce.
+
+"Well, Puss, good-bye, keep me posted. I had leave of absence only a few
+hours, so I must be going."
+
+"Oh, Mark, must you go so soon?" And she clung to him as if she would not
+let him go. Gently disengaging her arms, he pressed kiss after kiss on her
+brow and was gone. She sank into a chair weeping, and for a time forgot
+her prisoner.
+
+The next day Joyce had another visitor, in the person of Andrew Harmon. He
+had heard that his horse was at Crawford's, and that the officer who took
+him was there desperately wounded. He made his visit with pleasure, for of
+all the girls in Columbiana County, she was the one he had selected to
+become Mrs. Harmon. He had no idea he would be refused, for was he not
+considered the greatest catch in the county?
+
+Harmon had two things to recommend him--good looks and money. He was
+accounted a handsome man, and was as far as physical beauty was concerned.
+He had the body and muscle of an athlete, but there was nothing ennobling
+or inspiring in the expression of his countenance. By nature he was
+crafty, mean, cruel, and miserly, and was one of the biggest cowards that
+ever walked.
+
+Like many others, he was a great patriot as far as talk was concerned. He
+had been so unfortunate as to be drafted at the first call, and had
+promptly furnished a substitute. He was fond of boasting he was doing
+double duty for his country, not only was he represented in the army, but
+he was doing a great work at home. This work consisted in contracting for
+the government, and cheating it at every turn. Many a soldier who received
+shoddy clothing, paper-soled shoes, and rotten meat had Mr. Harmon to
+thank for it. But he was piling up money, and was already known as one of
+the richest men in the county. When he went out with the Home Guards, he
+had no idea of getting near Morgan; he would look out for that. But his
+party ran into Morgan's advance unexpectedly, and as has been related, he
+was captured by Calhoun. It was a most wonderful story he had to tell.
+
+He had been beset by at least six of Morgan's men. A desperate conflict
+followed, and he had killed, or at least desperately wounded, three of his
+assailants, and it was only after he had not a single shot left in his
+revolver and was surrounded that he had surrendered.
+
+"So enraged were they at my desperate defence," said he, "that the officer
+in charge pulled me from my horse, brutally kicked and struck me,
+threatened to kill me, and then appropriated my horse. He is a desperate
+fellow, Miss Joyce; I would not keep him in the house a single moment."
+
+Joyce, who had listened to his account much amused, for she had heard
+another version of it, said, "I do not think, Mr. Harmon, he could have
+beaten you very hard, for I see no marks on you, and you seem to be pretty
+lively. As for sending Lieutenant Pennington away, the Doctor says it
+would be death to move him."
+
+Mr. Harmon shifted uneasily in his chair as Joyce was saying this, and
+then asked to see Calhoun, as he wished to be sure whether he was the one
+who had captured him. This Joyce consented to, provided he would be
+careful not to disturb him. Harmon promised, and he was taken into the
+room. Calhoun was tossing on his bed, as he entered, and no sooner did his
+wild eyes rest on Harmon than he burst into a loud laugh, "Oh! the coward!
+the coward!" he shouted, "take him away."
+
+Harmon fled from the room white with rage. "Miss Joyce, that fellow is
+shamming," he fumed. "I demand he be delivered to the United States
+officials at once."
+
+"The Doctor thinks differently; he says it will kill him to be moved," she
+answered.
+
+"Let him die, then. It isn't your business to nurse wounded Rebels,
+especially one of Morgan's cutthroats."
+
+"I do not have to come to you to learn what my business is," answered
+Joyce, haughtily, and turned to leave the room.
+
+Mr. Harmon saw that he had made a mistake. "Joyce! Joyce! don't go, hear
+me," he exclaimed.
+
+"You will find your horse in the stable," was all she said, as she passed
+out.
+
+He left the house vowing vengeance, and lost no time in informing the
+Federal authorities that the wounded officer at Crawford's was shamming,
+and would give them the slip if not taken away. Two deputy marshals came
+to investigate, and went away satisfied when Doctor Hopkins promised to
+report as soon as his patient was well enough to be removed.
+
+In due time Joyce received a letter from her father. He had not heard that
+Morgan had come as far north as Columbiana County, until after he was
+captured. As all danger was now over, he would not be home for some time.
+The thousands who had been wounded in the great battle of Gettysburg were
+occupying his attention. He also had to make a visit to Washington and
+Fortress Monroe, and might go as far south as Hilton Head. As for the
+wounded Rebel at his house, Joyce had done right in not letting him die in
+the road, but that he should be turned over to the military authorities at
+the earliest possible moment. Little did Mr. Crawford think what the
+outcome of the affair would be.
+
+Contrary to her aunt's protest, Joyce insisted on taking most of the care
+of Calhoun during the day. Margaret Goodsen was all the help she needed.
+She had engaged a competent man to care for him nights. Had not Mark told
+her to save the life of the man he had shot, if possible?
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+                         CALHOUN AWAKES TO LIFE.
+
+
+For two weeks Calhoun hovered between life and death; but at last his
+rugged constitution conquered. During this time Joyce was unremitting in
+her attention. "I must save him for the sake of Mark," she would say, "I
+cannot bear to have his blood on Mark's hands."
+
+In speaking to Joyce's aunt, Matilda Goodsen said: "The poor child will
+hardly let me do anything; she wants to do it all."
+
+Miss Crawford fretted and fumed, but it did no good. In this Joyce would
+have her way.
+
+Calhoun's fever had been growing less day by day, and the time came when
+it left him, and he lay in a quiet and restful slumber. But his breathing
+was so faint, Joyce was almost afraid it was the sleep which precedes
+death.
+
+It was near the close of an August day. The weather had been warm and
+sultry, but a thunder shower had cooled and cleared the atmosphere, and
+the earth was rejoicing in the baptism it had received. The trees seemed
+to ripple with laughter, as the breeze shook the raindrops from their
+leaves. The grass was greener, the flowers brighter on account of that
+same baptism. The birds sang a sweeter song. What is more beautiful than
+nature after a summer shower!
+
+It was at such a time that Calhoun awoke to life and consciousness. A
+delicious lethargy was over him. He felt no pain, and his bed was so soft,
+he seemed to be resting on a fleecy cloud. He tried to raise his hand, and
+found to his surprise he could not move a finger. Even his eyes for a time
+refused to open. Slowly his memory came back to him; how in the fierce
+conflict he tried to break through the line and sought to cut down an
+officer who opposed him. Then there came a flash, a shock--and he
+remembered nothing more. Where was he now? Had he passed through that
+great change called death? By a great effort he opened his eyes, and was
+bewildered. He was in a strange room. By an open window sat a young girl.
+She had been reading, but the book was now lying idly in her lap, and she
+was looking apparently into vacancy. The rays of the setting sun streamed
+in through the windows, and touched hair and face and clothes with its
+golden beams. Calhoun thought he had never seen a being so lovely; her
+beauty was such as he fancied could be found only in the realms above, yet
+she was mortal. He could not take his eyes from her. She turned her head,
+and saw him gazing at her. Uttering a little exclamation of surprise, she
+arose and came swiftly but noiselessly to his side.
+
+"Who are you? Where am I?" Calhoun whispered, faintly.
+
+"Hush! hush!" she said, in low, sweet tones, "you must not talk. You have
+been sick--very sick. You are better now."
+
+She gave him a cordial. He took it, and with a gentle sigh, closed his
+eyes, and sank to sleep again. Before he was quite gone, it seemed to him
+that soft, tremulous lips touched his forehead, and a tear-drop fell upon
+his cheek. Its memory remained with him as a beautiful dream, and it was
+long years before he knew it was not a dream.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was delighted when he called in the evening and learned
+that his patient had awaked with his fever gone, and in his right mind.
+"All that he needs now," he said, "is careful nursing, and he will get
+well. But mind, do not let him talk, and tell him nothing of what has
+happened, until he gains a little strength."
+
+From that time Calhoun gained slowly, but surely. When he became strong
+enough to bear it, Joyce told him all that had happened. He could scarcely
+realize that over a month had passed since he had been wounded.
+
+"Then that stand of mine did not save Morgan," said Calhoun, sorrowfully.
+
+"No, he was taken a few hours afterwards," answered Joyce. "He and his
+officers are now in the penitentiary at Columbus."
+
+Calhoun could hardly believe what he heard. "Then we are to be treated as
+felons, are we?" he asked, bitterly.
+
+"They are afraid he might escape from a military prison," replied Joyce.
+"But the people are very bitter against him. Some are clamoring that he be
+tried and executed."
+
+"They will not dare do that," exclaimed Calhoun, excitedly.
+
+"No, I do not think there is any danger that way," replied Joyce; "but
+they want to keep him safe."
+
+"Well they may, but Morgan will yet make them trouble. No prison will hold
+him long."
+
+"There, there, don't let us talk about it any more," said Joyce; "it will
+worry you back into a fever."
+
+"You have saved my life," said Calhoun, fervently. "How can I ever repay
+you for what you have done?"
+
+Joyce did not reply.
+
+Calhoun lay silent for some time, and then suddenly said: "I am one of
+Morgan's hated officers, and yet you are caring for me as for a brother.
+What makes you do it?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I?" said Joyce; "I have a dear brother in the army. I am
+only doing by you as I would have him done by, if he should fall wounded.
+And then--" Joyce stopped; she could not tell him it was her brother who
+had shot him.
+
+A great light came to Calhoun. "Joyce! Joyce!" he cried, "I now
+understand. It was your brother who shot me."
+
+"Oh! forgive him! forgive him!" cried Joyce. "He told me it was to save
+his own life that he did it."
+
+"Why, Joyce, there is nothing to forgive. Your brother is a brave, a
+gallant officer. Then he has been here?"
+
+"Yes, and knew you. He bade me nurse you as I would nurse him in like
+condition."
+
+"Just like a brave soldier; but are there none who find fault with my
+being here treated like a prince?"
+
+"Yes, one. His name is Andrew Harmon. It was his horse you were riding
+when you came here. He seems to hate you, and is doing all he can to have
+you taken to Columbus. He says you treated him most brutally when he was
+captured."
+
+"I did kick him," answered Calhoun, laughing; "he was on the ground
+bellowing like a baby. I never saw a more abject coward. I kicked him and
+told him to get up."
+
+"He has a different story," said Joyce, smiling; and then she told the
+wonderful story of Harmon's capture as related by himself.
+
+"His capacity for lying is equalled only by his cowardice," said Calhoun,
+indignantly.
+
+"Yet he is a man to be feared," said Joyce, "for he is rich and has
+influence, although every one knows him to be a coward."
+
+The days that passed were the happiest Calhoun had ever spent. He told
+Joyce of his Kentucky home, of his cousin Fred, how noble and true he was,
+and of his own adventures in raiding with Morgan. She never tired of
+listening. Is it strange that these two hearts were drawn close to each
+other. They lived in a sweet dream--a dream which did not look to the
+future. But almost unknown to them Cupid had come and shot his shafts, and
+they had gone true.
+
+The day came when Calhoun was able to be placed in an easy-chair and drawn
+to an open window. It was a proud day to him, yet it was the beginning of
+sorrow. The Doctor came and congratulated him on his improvement.
+
+"Doctor Hopkins, how can I thank you for your kindness?" he said; "you
+have done so much for me."
+
+"You need not thank me, thank that young lady there," replied the Doctor,
+pointing to Joyce. "She it was who saved your life."
+
+"I know, no reward I could give would ever repay her," answered Calhoun.
+"I can only offer to be her slave for life."
+
+"Your offer is not accepted; you are well aware I do not believe in
+slavery," replied Joyce, with a merry laugh.
+
+When the Doctor was ready to go, he asked for a private interview with
+Joyce. It was hard work for him to say what he had to say. He choked and
+stammered, but at last Joyce understood what he meant. He had promised the
+government officials to inform them when Calhoun could be moved without
+endangering his life. That time had come. "But," said he, as he noticed
+the white face of Joyce, "I shall recommend that he be allowed to remain
+two weeks longer, as there is no danger of his running away in his weak
+condition."
+
+But Joyce hardly heard him. "And--and--this means?" she whispered.
+
+"The penitentiary at Columbus."
+
+Joyce shuddered. "And--and there is no way to prevent this?"
+
+"None. God knows I would if I could."
+
+"Thank you, Doctor; I might have known this would have to come, but it is
+so sudden."
+
+The Doctor went out shaking his head. "I am afraid harm has been done," he
+said to himself.
+
+Just as he was getting into his gig to drive away Andrew Harmon came
+riding by. He glanced up and saw Calhoun sitting by the window. "So, your
+patient is able to sit up," he exclaimed, with a sneer. "About time he
+were in the penitentiary, where he belongs, isn't it?"
+
+"I don't know how that concerns you," replied the Doctor, coldly, as he
+drove away.
+
+"Oh ho! my fine fellow. I will show you whether it concerns me or not?"
+muttered Harmon, looking after him.
+
+That night Harmon wrote to the authorities at Columbus, stating it as his
+opinion that there was a scheme on foot to detain Lieutenant Pennington
+until he was well enough to slip away. He was not aware that Doctor
+Hopkins had reported on the condition of his patient every week, and had
+already sent a letter saying he could be moved with safety, but
+recommending he be allowed to remain two weeks longer, on account of his
+weak condition. Harmon not only wrote to Columbus, but also to Mr.
+Crawford, hinting that it was dangerous for his daughter to care for
+Calhoun longer. "You know," he wrote, "that girls of the age of Joyce are
+inclined to be romantic."
+
+As for Joyce, when the Doctor left her she sank into a chair weak and
+faint. She saw Andrew Harmon gazing up at the window where Calhoun was,
+and a terror seized her. She now knew that she loved Calhoun, but with
+that knowledge also came the thought that her love was hopeless, that even
+if Calhoun returned her love, her father would never consent to their
+union. He would rather see her dead than married to a Rebel, especially a
+hated Morgan raider. Long did she struggle with her own heart, her sense
+of duty, her ideas of patriotism; and duty conquered. She would give him
+up, but she would save him.
+
+It was evening before she could muster strength to have the desired
+interview with Calhoun. When she did enter the room it was with a step so
+languid, a face so pinched and drawn, that Calhoun stared in amazement.
+
+"Joyce, what is it?" he cried. "Are you sick?"
+
+"Not sick, only a little weary," she answered, as she sank into a chair
+and motioned for the nurse to leave them. No sooner was she gone than
+Joyce told Calhoun what had happened. Her voice was so passionless that
+Calhoun wondered if she cared, wondered if he had been mistaken in
+thinking she loved him.
+
+"Joyce, do you care if I go to prison?" he asked.
+
+"Care?" she cried. "The thought is terrible. You shall not go, I will save
+you."
+
+"Joyce! Joyce! tell me that you love me, and it will make my cell in
+prison a heaven. Don't you see that I love you, that you saved my poor
+life only that I might give it to you? Joyce, say that you love me!"
+
+For answer she sank on her knees by his bedside and laid her head on his
+breast. He put his weak arms around her, and held her close. For a while
+she remained still, then gently disengaging his arms, she arose. There was
+a look on her face that Calhoun did not understand.
+
+"The first embrace, and the last," she sighed. "Oh, Calhoun, why did we
+ever meet?"
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, his lips growing white.
+
+"I mean that our love is hopeless. Father will never consent to our
+marriage. I feel it, know it. Without his consent I shall never marry. But
+save you from prison I will."
+
+"Joyce, you do not love me!" said Calhoun bitterly.
+
+"As my life," she cried.
+
+"Yet you say you can never marry me!"
+
+"Without my father's consent I cannot."
+
+"Joyce, let us not borrow trouble. Even with your father's consent we
+could not marry now. I am a prisoner. The war is going on, but it cannot
+last forever. When it is over, when peace is declared, I will come to you.
+Then, and not till then, will I ask your father for your hand. Let us hope
+the skies will be brighter by that time--that to be one of Morgan's men
+will not be a badge of dishonor, even in the North."
+
+"Oh, Calhoun, if I could only hope! I will hope. Come to me after the war
+is over. Father's consent may be won. But now the prison, the prison. I
+must save you. I have thought it all out."
+
+"How can you save me, a poor, weak mortal, who cannot take a step without
+help?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Put you in a carriage to-morrow night and take you where they cannot find
+you."
+
+"So soon? The Doctor said he would ask for two weeks. Two more weeks with
+you, Joyce--I could afford to go to prison for that."
+
+"Don't talk foolishly. I feel if I don't get you away to-morrow night, I
+cannot at all."
+
+"But you--will it endanger you, Joyce?"
+
+"Not at all!"
+
+"But how will you explain my disappearance?"
+
+"Suppose you have been shamming, better than we thought you were, and so
+you gave us the slip."
+
+"A right mean trick," said Calhoun.
+
+"No, a Yankee trick, a real good one. Now listen, Calhoun, and I will tell
+you all about how I am going to get you away. Some six miles from here a
+colored man lives whom my father has greatly befriended. He will do
+anything for me I ask. I shall tell him you are a sick soldier, and for
+good reasons wish to remain in hiding until you get well."
+
+"Will he know I am one of Morgan's men?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"No, he will think you are a Federal soldier. Calhoun, as much as you may
+hate it, you must don the Union Blue."
+
+"That would make a spy of me. No, it wouldn't either, if I kept clear of
+any military post."
+
+"That's good. I have a Federal uniform in the house, which will about fit
+you. A friendless soldier died here a short time ago. We took him in and
+cared for him during his last sickness. He had been discharged for wounds
+received at Fair Oaks. Here is the discharge. I think it fits you close
+enough, so it may be of use to you."
+
+She handed him the discharge; he took it and read: "James Brown, age
+nineteen; height five feet nine inches; weight one hundred and sixty
+pounds; complexion dark; hair and eyes black."
+
+"Why, Joyce, with that in my pocket, and wearing a Federal uniform, I
+could travel anywhere in the North."
+
+"So I thought. We will cheat that old prison yet. But it is time you were
+asleep."
+
+"God bless you, Joyce," replied Calhoun. "Give me a kiss before you go."
+
+She smiled and threw him one as she went out and he had to be content with
+that. She had not stopped to consider what the result might be if she
+helped Calhoun to escape. Her only thought was to save him from going to
+prison. To do this she would dare anything.
+
+The colored man of whom she spoke was to be at the farm in the morning to
+do some work. A fear had seized her that she might be too late. The fear
+was well grounded. The authorities at Columbus had resolved to move
+Calhoun at once. The request of Doctor Hopkins, that he be allowed to
+remain two weeks longer, although he said he could be removed without
+danger, aroused their suspicion. Not only that, but the letter of Andrew
+Harmon to Mr. Crawford had alarmed that gentleman, and he was already on
+his way home.
+
+Abram Prather, the colored man, was seen by Joyce as soon as he made his
+appearance.
+
+"Missy Joyce, I jes' do enything fo' yo.' Me an' de ol' woman will keep
+him all right."
+
+So everything was arranged. Joyce breathed freer, yet she waited
+impatiently for the night.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+                               THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+The day was a long and weary one to Calhoun. Between the joy of knowing he
+was to be free and his misery over the thought that he must part with
+Joyce, his soul was alternately swept with conflicting emotions. Then he
+had seen so little of her during the day; she seemed more distant than she
+did before she declared her love. How he longed to take her in his arms,
+to have her head rest on his breast once more! But she had said that
+although it was the first it was to be the last time. What did she mean?
+Ah! it must be that he could never embrace her again, never touch her lips
+again, until her father had consented to their marriage. When the war was
+over he would wring that consent from him.
+
+The thought brought contentment. Yes, it was better that they should part.
+Then the news of the terrible battle of Chickamauga had just come, and it
+had fired his very soul. The South had won a great victory. Surely this
+was the beginning of the end. Independence was near, the war would soon be
+at an end, and he longed to be in at the finish. The excitement of war was
+once more running riot through his veins.
+
+He little thought of the sacrifice Joyce was making, of the fierce
+conflicts she was having with her conscience. She knew that she was doing
+wrong, that she was proving a traitor to the flag she loved, that she was
+aiding and abetting the enemy; but it was one, only one man, and she loved
+him so. Surely this one man, sick and wounded, could do no harm. It was
+cruel to shut him up in prison. Thus she reasoned to silence conscience,
+but if her reasons had been ten times as weak, love would have won.
+
+All through the day she was making preparations for Calhoun's departure.
+Fortunately the young man who had been engaged to nurse Calhoun during the
+night had been taken sick a couple of days before, and as Calhoun rested
+well, another had not been engaged. Thus one of the greatest obstacles to
+the carrying out of Joyce's plans was out of the way. She could easily
+manage Miss Goodsen. Joyce's only confidant was the faithful Abe, who
+obeyed her without question. In his eyes Missy Joyce could do nothing
+wrong. He had been drilled by Joyce until he knew just what to do. He was
+to go home, but as soon as it was dark, he was to return, being careful
+not to be seen. After he was sure the household was asleep he was to
+harness a span of horses, being careful to make no noise, and have a
+carriage waiting in a grove a short distance back of the house. Here he
+was to wait for further orders from Joyce. Being well acquainted with the
+place, and Joyce promising to see that the barn and the carriage-house
+were left unlocked, he would have no trouble in carrying out his
+instructions.
+
+Night came, and Joyce was in a fever of excitement. Would anything happen
+to prevent her carrying out her plans? If she had known that Andrew Harmon
+had hired a spy to watch the house she would have been in despair. But the
+spy was to watch the window of Calhoun's room, and was concealed in a
+corn-field opposite the house. If he had watched the back instead of the
+front of the house, he would have seen some strange doings.
+
+Margaret Goodsen was told that as Calhoun was so well, she could lie down
+in an adjoining room. If he needed anything, he could ring a little bell
+which stood on a table by his side. The nurse gladly availed herself of
+the opportunity to sleep. When the nurse retired Joyce came into the room,
+and speaking so that she could hear her, said, "Good night, Lieutenant
+Pennington; I hope you will rest well." Then she whispered, "Here is the
+Federal uniform. Have you strength to put it on?"
+
+"Yes, but oh, Joyce--"
+
+She made a swift gesture and pointed to the door of the nurse's room.
+
+"Here is some money," she continued, in the same low whisper. "Now, don't
+refuse it; you will need it."
+
+"I had plenty of money in a belt around me when I was wounded," whispered
+Calhoun.
+
+"The belt, oh, I forgot! The Doctor gave it to me for safe keeping."
+Noiselessly she moved to the bureau, opened a drawer, and returned with
+the belt.
+
+"Joyce, I shall not need your money now, but I thank you for the offer."
+
+"It was nothing. Be sure and be ready," and she glided from the room.
+
+The minutes were like hours to Calhoun. At one time he had made up his
+mind not to accept his proffered liberty, as it might bring serious
+trouble on Joyce; but he concluded that he must accept.
+
+As for Joyce, she went to her room and threw herself down on a lounge. Her
+heart was beating tumultuously; every little noise startled her like the
+report of a gun. She waited in fear and apprehension. At length the clock
+struck eleven. "They must be all asleep by this time," she thought. She
+arose and softly went downstairs, carrying blankets and pillows. She
+stopped and listened as she stepped out of doors. There was no moon, it
+was slightly cloudy, and darkness was over everything. Without hesitating
+she made her way through the back yard and the barn lot to the grove,
+where she had told Abe to be in waiting. She found that the faithful
+fellow had everything in readiness.
+
+"Abe, I want you to come with me now and get the sick soldier. Drive
+through the lane until you reach the road; then drive straight to your
+house. The road is not much frequented, and you will not be apt to meet
+any one at this time of night. If you do, say nothing. Leave the soldier
+when you get home, drive straight back the way you came. Turn the horses
+into the pasture, put the harness and carriage where you found them. Be
+careful and make no noise. When you have done this go home again and be
+sure you get there before daylight. It's a hard night's work I have put on
+you, Abe, but I will pay you well for it. Now, take off your boots and
+come with me."
+
+The obedient fellow did as he was bid, and followed Joyce into the house
+and to Calhoun's room.
+
+"Take him to the carriage," whispered Joyce.
+
+The stalwart Abe took Calhoun in his arms as if he had been a child, and
+carried him to the carriage.
+
+"Now, Abe, remember and do just as I told you," said Joyce.
+
+"Yes, Missy, I 'member ebberyting."
+
+She went to the side of the carriage, arranged the pillows and comforts
+around Calhoun, and then gave him her hand. "Good-bye," she whispered;
+"may God keep you safe."
+
+The hand was cold as death, and Calhoun felt that she was trembling
+violently.
+
+"Joyce! Joyce! is this to be our leave-taking?"
+
+"Yes," she whispered.
+
+"Are you not coming to see me where I am going?"
+
+"No, I dare not; we must not see each other again until--until the war is
+over."
+
+"Without a kiss, Joyce. Joyce, I--"
+
+"Hush! you have no right to ask for one, I much less right to give it.
+Come when the war is over, and then"--Her voice broke, and she turned and
+fled into the darkness.
+
+How Joyce got back into the house she never knew. She fell on her bed
+half-unconscious. The strain upon her had been terrible, and the effect
+might have been serious if tears had not come to her relief. After a
+violent paroxysm of sobbing, she grew calmer, and tired nature asserted
+itself, and she fell asleep.
+
+It was yet early morning when she was aroused by a cry from Miss Goodsen,
+and that lady came rushing into her room, wringing her hands and crying,
+"He is gone! He is gone!"
+
+"Who is gone?" asked Joyce, springing up as if in amazement.
+
+Miss Goodsen, in her excitement did not notice that Joyce was fully
+dressed. "The wounded Rebel, Lieutenant Pennington," she fairly shrieked.
+"Oh! what shall I do? What shall I do?" and she wrung her hands in her
+distress.
+
+Joyce ran to Calhoun's room; sure enough it was empty. "Stop your noise,"
+she said, sharply, to Miss Goodsen. "If any one is to blame, I am. They
+will do nothing with you. It may be he became delirious during the night
+and has wandered off. We must have the house and premises searched."
+
+The noise had aroused the whole household. The utmost excitement
+prevailed. Miss Crawford was frantic. She was sure they would all be sent
+to prison, and she upbraided Joyce for not getting another male nurse to
+watch him during the night. The house and the premises were thoroughly
+searched, but nothing was found of the missing man. The neighborhood was
+aroused and a thorough search of the surrounding country began.
+
+Joyce took to her room with a raging headache. The afternoon brought a
+couple of deputy marshals from Columbus. They had come to convey Calhoun
+to prison, and were astonished when told that the prisoner had escaped.
+Miss Goodsen was closely questioned. She had looked in once during the
+night. The Lieutenant was awake, but said he was comfortable and wanted
+nothing. She then went to sleep and did not awake until morning. She found
+Joyce in her room, who was overcome when told that her patient was gone.
+She had not heard the slightest sound during the night.
+
+Doctor Hopkins was summoned. The old Doctor was thunderstruck when he
+heard the news. He could scarcely believe it. To add to the mystery,
+Calhoun's Confederate uniform was found. Apparently he had gone away with
+only his night clothes on. Doctor Hopkins at once gave it as his opinion
+that Calhoun had been seized with a sudden delirium and had stolen out of
+the house and wandered away; no doubt the body would be found somewhere.
+His professional services were needed in the care of Joyce, for she seemed
+to be completely prostrated, and had a high fever.
+
+"Poor girl," said the Doctor, "the excitement has been too much for her."
+If he suspected anything he kept his secret well.
+
+The spy employed by Andrew Harmon reported that he had not seen or heard
+anything suspicious during the night, so that gentleman concluded to say
+nothing, as he did not wish it to be known that he had had the house
+secretly watched.
+
+Mr. Crawford returned the day after the escape. He was greatly exercised
+over what had happened, and blamed every one that Calhoun had been kept so
+long as he had. Poor Joyce came in for her share, but she wisely held her
+peace. The country was scoured for miles around, but nothing was seen or
+heard of the escaped prisoner, and at last the excitement died out.
+
+Joyce did not lack news from Calhoun. The faithful Abe kept her fully
+informed. Joyce told him that both of them would go to prison if it was
+known what they had done, and he kept the secret well. He reported that
+Calhoun was gaining rapidly, and would soon be able to go his way. "He
+want to see yo' awful bad befo' he goes," said Abe.
+
+But Joyce resolutely refused. It would not do either of them any good. One
+day the negro brought her a letter. It was from Calhoun, telling her that
+when she received it he would be gone. He thought it cruel that she had
+not come to see him just once. He closed as follows:
+
+"Joyce, I feel that my life is yours, for you saved it. Not only that, but
+to you I now owe my liberty, and I realize the struggle you have had to do
+as you have done. But be of good cheer. When the war is over the thunder
+of the last cannon will hardly have died away before I shall be at your
+side. Till then adieu."
+
+That letter was very precious to Joyce. Before the war was over it was
+nearly worn out by being read and reread.
+
+Shortly after Mr. Crawford's return he was asked by Andrew Harmon for
+permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. Harmon hoped that if he
+had her father's permission to pay his addresses to her, Joyce's coldness
+might disappear.
+
+Mr. Crawford did not like the man, but he was rich and had a certain
+amount of political influence. Mr. Crawford was thinking of being a
+candidate for Congress at the approaching election, and he did not wish to
+offend Harmon, but he secretly hoped that Joyce would refuse him; in this
+he was not disappointed. She was indignant that her father had listened to
+Harmon, even to the extent that he had. "Why, father, I have heard you
+call him cowardly and dishonest," she exclaimed, "and to think that you
+told him you would leave it entirely to me."
+
+"I did not wish to offend him," meekly replied Mr. Crawford, "and I had
+confidence in your judgment. I was almost certain you would refuse him."
+
+"Will you always have such confidence in my judgment?" asked Joyce,
+quickly.
+
+"What do you mean?" asked her father.
+
+"Suppose I should wish to marry one of whom you did not approve?"
+
+"That is another proposition," said Mr. Crawford. "You might have been so
+foolish as to fall in love with that Morgan Rebel and horse-thief you took
+care of so long. If so, I had rather see you dead than married to him."
+
+Poor Joyce! Did her father suspect anything? She caught her breath, and
+came near falling. Quickly recovering herself, she answered. "At least he
+was a brave man. But everybody says he is dead, and mortals do not wed
+ghosts."
+
+"It is to be sincerely hoped he is dead," replied Mr. Crawford, for he had
+noticed his daughter's confusion, and an uneasiness took possession of
+him. But much to Joyce's relief he did not question her further.
+
+Andrew Harmon was beside himself with rage when told by Mr. Crawford that,
+while his daughter was sensible of the great honor he would bestow upon
+her, she was still very young, and had no idea of marrying any one at
+present.
+
+Harmon determined to have revenge on Joyce, and began slyly to circulate
+reports that Joyce Crawford, if she chose, could tell a great deal about
+the escape of the Rebel officer. In fact, half of his sickness was
+shammed.
+
+These rumors came to the ears of Mark Crawford. He had been promoted to a
+colonelcy for gallantry at Chickamauga. During the winter, while the army
+lay still around Chattanooga, he had come home on furlough. While at home
+he sought out Harmon and gave him as fine a thrashing as a man ever
+received, warning him if he ever heard of him connecting his sister with
+the escape of Calhoun again he would break every bone in his body. The
+only revenge Harmon durst take was to defeat Mr. Crawford in his
+aspirations for a nomination for Congress.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+                         PRISON DOORS ARE OPENED.
+
+
+When Calhoun parted from Joyce he sank back in the carriage and gave
+himself up to the most gloomy thoughts. The sorrow of parting from her
+took from him the joy of his escape. During the journey his dusky driver
+did not speak a word. The drive seemed a long one to Calhoun, and he was
+thoroughly wearied when the carriage drew up by a log house, surrounded by
+a small clearing.
+
+"Heah we be, Massa," said Abe, as he alighted from his seat. "Hope Massa
+had a good ride."
+
+The door of the house was opened by a motherly looking colored woman, and
+Abe, taking Calhoun once more in his arms, carried him into the house.
+Aunt Liza, as the wife of Abe was called, seeing Calhoun looking so pale
+and thin, put her fat, black hand on his forehead, and said, "Po' chile,
+po' chile, don't yo' worry. Aunt Liza take good care ob yo'."
+
+Calhoun felt that he was among friends--friends that would prove faithful
+and true. He was carried up a ladder to a chamber. The upper part of the
+house was all in one room, rather low, but the rough walls were
+whitewashed, and everything was neat and clean. He was placed on a
+snow-white bed, and soon sank into a peaceful slumber. When he awoke the
+sun was shining in at the window and Aunt Liza appeared with a breakfast
+good enough to tempt the appetite of one far more particular than Calhoun.
+
+The invalid remained with his kind friends two weeks, treated like an
+honored guest, and protected from every inquiring eye. He gained strength
+rapidly, and at the end of a week was able to walk out evenings, when
+there was no danger of being seen. Once men who were searching for him
+entered the house, and Calhoun could hear every word that was said. His
+heart beat painfully, for it entered his mind that Abe and his wife might
+betray him for the sake of the reward offered. But the thought did
+injustice to these simple-minded people. As for the searchers, the loft of
+the house of a poor negro who had run away from slavery was the last place
+they thought of looking for an escaped Confederate.
+
+Through Abe Calhoun often heard from Joyce. She cheered him with words of
+love and comfort, but absolutely refused to come and see him, saying it
+would be dangerous. In this she was right, for Andrew Harmon was alert. He
+believed that Joyce had had something to do with the disappearance of
+Calhoun, and had her closely watched. Fortunately his suspicions did not
+extend to Abe, so that communication between Joyce and Calhoun was not
+interrupted. At the end of two weeks he felt able to leave his place of
+concealment. But where should he go? He longed to be South, in the midst
+of the strife, but his heart was drawn toward Columbus, where his comrades
+lay languishing in prison. What could he do at Columbus? He did not know,
+but something might transpire that would enlighten him. At least he would
+go and look over the field. Once out of the neighborhood, in his Federal
+uniform and with Brown's discharge in his pocket, there would be little
+fear of detection. He made his preparations to go, wrote Joyce the letter
+which she prized so highly, and bade his kind protectors farewell, placing
+in their hands a hundred dollars. Their surprise and joy over the gift
+were about equal.
+
+"De Lawd keep yo'!" said Aunt Liza, wiping her eyes.
+
+Calhoun had determined to start early in the evening, travel all night,
+lie concealed during the day, and travel the next night. By that time he
+thought he would be so far away from the place of his escape that he could
+venture to take the cars without danger. Aunt Liza had supplied him with
+ample provisions for the two days. He carried out his programme, and on
+the morning of the second day found himself near a small town where he
+concluded to take the cars, but deemed it safer to wait for the night
+train. The conductor eyed him sharply when he paid his fare instead of
+showing a pass, for soldiers generally travelled on Federal
+transportation. But the conductor took the money and passed on without
+remark.
+
+Opposite Calhoun in the car sat a gentlemanly looking man, and much to
+Calhoun's surprise, when the conductor passed, he saw the gentleman make
+the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle, and it was
+answered by the conductor. When the conductor next passed Calhoun gave the
+sign. The man stared, but did not answer. But he seemed to be troubled,
+and passed through the cars frequently, and Calhoun saw that he was
+watching him closely. At length, in passing, the conductor bent down and
+whispered to the gentleman opposite. Calhoun now knew another pair of eyes
+were observing him.
+
+Watching his opportunity, Calhoun gave this gentleman the sign of
+recognition. The gentleman shifted uneasily in his seat, but did not
+answer.
+
+"I will give you something stronger," thought Calhoun, and the next time
+he caught the gentleman's eye, he gave the sign of distress. This was a
+sign no true knight could afford to ignore. Leaning over, the gentleman
+said, "My boy, you look pale. Have you been sick?"
+
+"Very, and I now need friends," answered Calhoun.
+
+"Come over here and tell me about it," said the gentleman.
+
+Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man whispered, "Are you a
+deserter, and are they after you?"
+
+"Yes," said Calhoun.
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Columbus."
+
+"That is a poor place to go to keep out of the hands of Lincoln's
+minions," answered the man.
+
+"I am not afraid," said Calhoun. "What I want to know is where I can find
+friends in Columbus whom I can trust--true, firm friends of the South."
+
+"My name is Pettis," replied the man. "I reside in Columbus. Once let me
+be satisfied as to who you are and what you are wearing that uniform for
+and I may be able to help you."
+
+"That is easily answered," said Calhoun; "but first I must be fully
+satisfied as to you. Let me prove you, my brother."
+
+Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in the order, and was violent in
+his hatred of the Lincoln government. He could be trusted.
+
+"I am not a Federal soldier," said Calhoun after he had fully tested him.
+"I am wearing this uniform as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer."
+
+"What! escaped from Johnson's Island?" asked Mr. Pettis, in astonishment.
+
+"No, I am one of Morgan's officers."
+
+Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise.
+
+"Morgan's officers are all in the penitentiary," he gasped.
+
+"One is not and never was," answered Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said: "It can't be, but it must
+be. Is your name Pennington?"
+
+"It is," replied Calhoun.
+
+"Why, the papers have been full of your escape. But the general opinion
+seemed to be that you wandered away in a delirium and died."
+
+"Which you see is not so," said Calhoun, with a smile.
+
+"How in the world did you get away?"
+
+"That is a secret which I cannot tell even you."
+
+"Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come home with me. You will find
+friends in Columbus, many of them, who will be delighted to meet you."
+
+When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit
+of citizen's clothes, for, said he, "We Knights hate the sight of that
+uniform; it's the badge of tyranny."
+
+Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner
+could be more bitter toward the Lincoln government than he. He fairly
+worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he would only return to Ohio, he
+would be defended by a hundred thousand men. He was especially indignant
+over the way Morgan and his officers were treated.
+
+"We have schemed and schemed how to help him," said he, "but see no way
+except we storm that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed.
+And," he added, with emphasis, "the day is fast approaching when we will
+do it."
+
+For three days Calhoun remained at Mr. Pettis's, wearying his brain as to
+how he might help his general, but every plan proposed was rejected as
+impracticable. On the third morning he happened to pick up a paper, and
+glancing over its columns, saw an advertisement which caused every nerve
+in his body to tingle. It was an advertisement for a boy to work in the
+dining-room and wait on the table at the penitentiary. The advertisement
+stated that the sole duty of the boy was to wait on the table when the
+Confederate officers ate, as they objected to being waited upon by
+convicts. In less than five minutes Calhoun was in his Federal uniform and
+on his way to the penitentiary to apply for the position.
+
+"You do not look very strong," said the warden, kindly; "do you think you
+could fill the bill?"
+
+"I am sure I can," said Calhoun. "Only try me and see."
+
+"Well," replied the warden, "I had rather hire a boy who has served his
+country, as you have, and I will give you a trial."
+
+Thus to his great joy Calhoun found himself hired to wait upon his old
+comrades in arms. With what feelings he commenced his duties can be
+imagined. Would they recognize him, and in their surprise give him away?
+No, he thought not. They knew too well how to control themselves for that.
+It was with a beating heart that Calhoun waited for the time of the first
+meal. It came, and the Confederate prisoners came marching in. How
+Calhoun's heart thrilled at the sight of his old comrades! But if they
+recognized him they did not show it by look or sign.
+
+When the meal was finished and the prisoners marched out, Calhoun managed
+to give Morgan a little slip of paper. On it was written: "I am here to
+help you if I can. Be of good cheer."
+
+But how could Calhoun help them? Even at meal-time guards stood everywhere
+watching every move. His duties did not take him out of the dining-room.
+Calhoun began by making a careful survey of the building in which the
+prisoners were confined. Fortune favored him. One day he made a remark to
+one of the employees of the prison that the floor of the building seemed
+to be remarkably dry and free from damp.
+
+"It should be," was the reply; "there is an air chamber under the floor."
+
+Like a flash there came to Calhoun a plan for escape. If this air chamber
+could be reached a tunnel might be run out. He took careful note of all
+the surroundings, and drew a plan of the buildings and surrounding
+grounds. These he managed to pass to Morgan unobserved. At the next
+meal-time as Morgan passed him, he said, as if to himself, "No tools."
+
+This was a difficult matter. Nothing of any size could be passed to them
+without discovery. But in the hospital Calhoun found some large and finely
+tempered table-knives. He managed to conceal several of these around his
+person, and one by one they were given to Morgan.
+
+Calhoun now waited in feverish excitement for the success of the plan. He
+had done all he could. The rest depended on the prisoners themselves.
+Through the shrewdness and indomitable energy of Captain Thomas H. Hines
+the work was carried to a successful termination inside the prison wall.
+
+General Morgan occupied a cell in the second tier, and could do nothing.
+Only those who occupied cells on the ground floor had any hopes of
+escaping. Captain Hines, with infinite labor made an opening through the
+floor of his cell into the air chamber. Once in the air chamber they could
+work without being discovered. With only the table-knives to work with,
+these men went through two solid walls, one five feet, and the other six
+feet in thickness. Not only that, but they went through eleven feet of
+grouting. Then, working from under, they went through the floors of six
+cells, leaving only a thin scale of cement, which could be broken through
+by a pressure from the foot. The work was commenced November 4, and
+finished November 24. Thus in twenty days seven men, working one at a
+time, had accomplished what seemed almost impossible.
+
+During these days Calhoun could only wait and hope. As the prisoners
+passed him in the dining-room, all they could say was "Progressing," "Not
+discovered yet," "All is well so far." At last, on the 24th, Calhoun heard
+the welcome words, "Finished. First stormy night."
+
+Calhoun now examined the time-tables and found that a train left Columbus
+for Cincinnati at 1:15 A. M.; arriving in Cincinnati before the prisoners
+were aroused in the morning. So he wrote on a slip of paper: "Escape as
+soon after midnight as possible." He believed that train could be taken
+with safety. The afternoon of November 27, the weather became dark and
+stormy. At supper-time Calhoun heard the glad word, "To-night."
+
+As soon as his duties were done he hurried to the home of Mr. Pettis,
+exchanged his uniform for citizen's clothes, telling Mr. Pettis his work
+at the penitentiary was done, and he had decided to leave. "Ask no
+questions; it is better that you know nothing," said Calhoun.
+
+Mr. Pettis took his advice, but he was not surprised in the morning when
+he heard that Morgan had escaped. For General Morgan to escape, it was
+necessary for him to occupy a lower cell. His brother, Captain Dick
+Morgan, occupied the cell next to Captain Hines. The Captain, giving up
+his chance of escaping, effected an exchange of cells with his brother.
+This was easily accomplished, as they were about of a size, and it was
+quite dark in the cells when they were locked in.
+
+The General had been allowed to keep his watch. When a few minutes after
+twelve came, he arose, fixed a dummy in his bed to resemble a man
+sleeping, and breaking through the thin crust over the opening with his
+foot, slipped into the air chamber. He gave the signal, and was quickly
+joined by his companions. Captain Morgan had made a ladder out of strips
+of bed-clothing, and by the aid of this ladder they hoped to scale two
+walls, one twenty feet high, which would stand between them and liberty,
+after they had emerged from the tunnel.
+
+A little before midnight Calhoun made his way as close as he durst to the
+place where he knew the wall must be scaled. Not three hundred feet away
+several guards were gathered around a fire. The night was cold, and the
+guards kept close to the fire. Slowly the minutes passed. The city clocks
+struck half-past twelve. Would they never come? Had their flight been
+detected?
+
+Suddenly a dark spot appeared on top of the wall. Then another, and
+another, until Calhoun counted seven. They were all there. Silently they
+slid down the rope ladder, the talk and laughter of the guards ringing in
+their ears. But noiselessly they glided away, and the darkness hid them.
+
+"This way," whispered Calhoun. When out of hearing of the guards, they
+stopped for consultation. It would not do to keep together. They decided
+to go two and two. Calhoun handed each a sum of money. There was a strong
+clasping of the hands, a whispered farewell, and they who had dared so
+much separated.
+
+The next morning there was consternation in the penitentiary at Columbus.
+The news of Morgan's escape was flashed over the country. The Federal
+authorities were astonished, dumbfounded. A reward of five thousand
+dollars was offered for his recapture. Every house in Columbus was
+searched, but to no purpose. John Morgan had flown.
+
+  [Illustration: ESCAPE OF MORGAN FROM PRISON]
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+                         THE FLIGHT TO THE SOUTH.
+
+
+The 1:15 train from Columbus to Cincinnati was about to start. "All
+aboard," shouted the conductor.
+
+Two gentlemen sauntered into one of the cars, to all appearances the most
+unconcerned of individuals. They took different seats, the younger just
+behind the older. General Morgan and Calhoun had reached the train in
+safety; had purchased tickets, and taken their seats without exciting
+suspicion. A moment more and they would be on their way South.
+
+A Federal major came hurrying in and seated himself beside Morgan, and the
+two entered into conversation. On the way out of the city the train had to
+pass close to the penitentiary. The major, pointing to the grim, dark
+pile, and thinking he might be imparting some information, said: "There is
+where they keep the notorious John Morgan."
+
+"May he always be kept as safe as he is now," quickly replied the General.
+
+"Oh! they will keep him safe enough," said the major, complacently
+stroking his chin. The major better understood the Delphic answer of the
+General the next morning.
+
+All went well until Dayton was reached, where by some accident the train
+was held over an hour. It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun. It
+meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati, that before they arrived
+there the Federal authorities of the city might be informed of the escape.
+It would never do for them to ride clear into the city. As the train
+slowed up as it entered the suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped
+off without being noticed.
+
+Morgan being well acquainted with the city, they quickly made their way to
+a ferry, and by the time the escape had been discovered at the
+penitentiary, Morgan's feet were pressing the soil of Kentucky. Calhoun's
+heart thrilled as he once more breathed the air of his native state. He
+felt like a new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of miles to
+safety. They must steal through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee like
+hunted beasts, for the enemy was everywhere. But friends there were,
+too--friends as true as steel. And hardly had they set foot in Kentucky
+before they found such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and
+protected them. He gave them horses, and sent them on their way. Slowly
+they made their way through the state, travelling all night, sent from the
+house of one friend to that of another. At last they reached the
+Cumberland River near Burkesville, where they had crossed it at the
+beginning of their raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had passed since
+then, so much had happened.
+
+On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened. They did not know friend
+from foe. On entering a house they did not know whether they would be
+protected or betrayed. The country was swarming with Federal cavalry. It
+was rumored that Morgan was in the country making his way south, and every
+officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing him. In the mountains
+Morgan and Calhoun met a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were
+making their way to the Confederate lines. In the party were a number of
+Morgan's old men, who hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan
+assumed command of them. But few of the party were mounted, consequently
+their progress was slow and their dangers were augmented.
+
+All went well until the Tennessee River was reached, a few miles below
+Kingston. The river was high and there was no means of crossing. A rude
+raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming, they commenced
+crossing. When about half were across a company of Federal cavalry
+appeared and attacked those who were still on the northern bank. On the
+frail raft, Morgan started to push across to their aid.
+
+"Are you crazy, General," cried Calhoun; "you can do no good, and will
+only be killed or captured. See, the men have scattered already, and are
+taking to the woods and mountains."
+
+It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away. He had the satisfaction
+afterwards of learning that most of the men escaped.
+
+The next day was the last day that Calhoun ever rode with Morgan, but
+little did he realize it at the time. Along in the afternoon they became
+aware of the close proximity of a squadron of Federal cavalry. Morgan and
+those with him took shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun
+rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no enemy and was coming back when
+he ran squarely into the Federals. The foremost of them were not ten feet
+from Morgan, he still being screened from view by the cedars. Without
+hesitation, Calhoun cried, "This way, Major. Hurry up, they have gone this
+way," pointing the way he had come.
+
+The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving the command, "Forward,"
+rode rapidly after Calhoun, and Morgan was saved. For half a mile they
+rode, when a stream was reached, and it was seen no horseman had crossed
+it. The major drew rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.
+
+"You have deceived me, you dog!" he cried.
+
+"Yes, I am one of Morgan's men," calmly replied Calhoun.
+
+The anger of the major was terrible. He grew purple in the face. "Yes, and
+you have led me away from Morgan," he hissed. "You will pay for this."
+
+Calhoun still remained calm. "That was not Morgan," he said; "I ought to
+know Morgan, I have ridden with him for two years."
+
+"I know better," roared the Major, thoroughly beside himself; "you are a
+lying scoundrel; I will fix you."
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Calhoun, with apparent calmness, but a
+great fear coming over him.
+
+"Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is a God in heaven! I would
+not have had Morgan slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It
+would mean a brigadier generalship for me if I had caught him. String him
+up, men."
+
+One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off his horse, fastened it
+around Calhoun's neck, threw the other end over the projecting limb of a
+tree, and stood awaiting orders.
+
+Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun in the face, and there was
+no Captain Huffman near to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save
+him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.
+
+"Major, before you commit this great outrage--an outrage against all rules
+of civilized warfare--let me say one word." Calhoun's voice did not even
+tremble as he asked this favor.
+
+"Be quick about it, then, but don't think you can say anything that will
+save your cursed neck!"
+
+"Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say, and I have been one of
+Morgan's men, as I have confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had
+betrayed him into your hands?"
+
+The fire of anger died out of the major's eyes. He hesitated, and then
+said: "You are right. If that was General Morgan, and you are one of his
+men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not for saving him." Then to
+his men he said: "Boys, take off that halter; he is too brave and true a
+man to be hanged."
+
+Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed to the major's sense of honor,
+and the appeal had not been made in vain.
+
+The major kept Calhoun for three days, and during that time treated him
+more like a brother than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness. At
+the end of the three days Calhoun was placed under a strong guard with
+orders to be taken to Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville
+was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would he live to be taken North
+in irons, as he would be when it became known that he was one of Morgan's
+officers.
+
+At the end of the first day's journey the prisoners, of whom there were
+several, were placed in the tower room of a deserted house. Three guards
+with loaded muskets stood in the room, another was just outside the door.
+Calhoun watched his chance, and when the guards inside the room were not
+looking, he dashed through the door, closing it after him. The guard
+outside raised his musket and fired. So close was he that the fire from
+the muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun's face, yet he was not touched.
+Another guard but a few feet away saw him running, and fired. The ball
+tore its way through the side of his coat. But he was not yet out of
+danger. He had to pass close to two picket posts, and as he neared them he
+was saluted with a shower of balls. But he ran on unharmed. One of the
+pickets with fixed bayonet took after him. He came so close that Calhoun
+could hear his heavy breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before. A
+turn in the road took him out of sight of his pursuers, and he sprang to
+one side and began to climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed by in
+pursuit; they had missed him. With a thankful heart Calhoun saw them
+disappear.
+
+But darkness came on and he had to feel his way up the mountain on his
+hands and knees. His progress was so slow that when morning came he had
+only reached the top of the mountain. He could hear the shouts of the
+soldiers searching for him. Near him was a growth of high grass. Going
+into this he lay down; and here he remained all day. At one time the
+soldiers in search of him came within twenty feet of where he lay.
+
+It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun ever spent. Hunger
+gnawed him, and he was consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter,
+and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth of his body thawed the
+frozen ground until he sank into it. When night came it froze again, and
+when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast. It was with difficulty
+that he released himself without sacrificing his clothing. For the next
+seven days he hardly remembers how he existed. Travelling by night and
+hiding by day, begging a morsel of food here and there, he at last reached
+the Confederate lines near Dalton.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+                       CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
+
+
+"Is this General Shackelford?" asked Calhoun of a distinguished-looking
+Confederate officer.
+
+"It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You look as if you had been seeing
+hard times."
+
+"I have," answered Calhoun; "I have just escaped from the North. I am one
+of Morgan's men."
+
+"Are you one of the officers who escaped with Morgan?" asked the General,
+with much interest.
+
+"Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan, but I escaped South with
+him."
+
+"I had a nephew with Morgan," continued the General. "We have not heard
+from him since Morgan was captured. The report is that he was killed in
+the last fight that Morgan had before he was captured. Poor Cal!" and the
+General sighed.
+
+"Uncle Dick, do you not know me?" asked Calhoun, in a broken voice.
+
+General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment. "It cannot be, yes,
+it is Cal!" he exclaimed, and the next moment he had Calhoun by the hand,
+and was nearly shaking it off.
+
+"And you have been in a Northern prison, have you?" asked the General.
+
+"No, but I was wounded near unto death. Fortunately I fell into kind
+hands."
+
+"But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin and bones."
+
+"No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in the last seven days to keep a
+bird alive. Then I was none too strong when I started on my journey
+south."
+
+"Tell me about it some other time," said the General. "What you want now
+is rest and something to eat."
+
+And rest and food Calhoun got.
+
+When he came to tell his story it was listened to with wonder. He was
+taken to General Joseph E. Johnston, then in command of the Confederate
+forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.
+
+"You know, I presume," said Johnston, "that Morgan escaped, and is now in
+Richmond."
+
+"Yes, I long to be with him," answered Calhoun. "I feel as strong as ever
+now."
+
+"Do not be in a hurry to report," said Johnston. "Wait until you hear from
+me."
+
+In a few days Calhoun received a message from General Johnston saying he
+would like to see him. Calhoun lost no time in obeying the summons. He was
+received most cordially.
+
+"In the first place, Captain," said the General, "allow me to present you
+this," and he handed him his commission as captain in the Confederate
+army.
+
+Calhoun choked, he could only stammer his thanks. But what came next
+astonished him still more. "I now offer you the position of Chief of the
+Secret Service of my army," said the General. "After listening to your
+story, although you are young, I believe there is no officer in the army
+more capable of filling it."
+
+Calhoun knew not what to say; it was a place of the greatest honor, but he
+hated to leave Morgan. "Will you let me consult my uncle before I give an
+answer?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"Most certainly," replied the General.
+
+"Accept it, by all means, Cal," said General Shackelford when Calhoun
+appealed to him. "In the first place, it is your duty to serve your
+country in the place where you can do the most good. There is no question
+but that at the head of the Secret Service you can render the country
+vastly better service than you can riding with Morgan. In the next place,
+I fancy it will not be exactly with Morgan as it was before his
+unfortunate raid. His famous raiders are prisoners, or scattered. It will
+be impossible for him to gather another such force. They understood him,
+he understood them. This will not be the case with a new command. Then,
+this is for your ear alone, Calhoun, the authorities at Richmond are not
+satisfied with Morgan. In invading the North he disobeyed orders; and
+this, those high in authority cannot overlook."
+
+So, with many regrets, Calhoun decided to accept the offer of General
+Johnston; but for many days his heart was with his old chieftain. The time
+came when he saw the wisdom of his uncle's remarks. General Morgan never
+regained his old prestige. It is true the Confederate government gave him
+the department of Western Virginia, but they so hampered him with orders
+that any great success was impossible.
+
+In June, 1864, Morgan made his last raid into Kentucky. At first he was
+successful, sweeping everything before him. He had the pleasure of taking
+prisoner General Hobson, the man who had tracked him all through his
+Northern raid. But at Cynthiana he met with overwhelming defeat, his
+prisoners being recaptured, and he escaping with only a small remnant of
+his command.
+
+On the morning of the 4th of September, 1864, the end came. General Morgan
+was slain in battle at Greenville, East Tennessee. Calhoun mourned him as
+a father, when he heard of his death. It was long months afterwards before
+he heard the full particulars, and then they were told him by an officer
+who was with the General on that fatal morning.
+
+"We marched into Greenville," said the officer, "and took possession of
+the place on the afternoon of the 3d. There was a small company of Yankees
+within four miles of us, but there was no considerable body of Yankees
+nearer than Bull's Gap, sixteen miles away. The General established his
+headquarters at the house of a Mrs. Williams, the finest house in the
+little city.
+
+"In the evening a furious storm arose and continued most all night. The
+rain fell in torrents. The lightning flashed incessantly, and there was a
+continual crash of thunder. It seemed impossible that troops could move in
+such a storm, and we felt perfectly safe.
+
+"But there were traitors in Greenville, and they carried the news to the
+little company of Yankees four miles away that Morgan was in the city, and
+told at what house he lodged. Two daring young cavalrymen volunteered to
+carry the news to General Gillem at Bull's Gap. Talk about the ride of
+Paul Revere, compared to the ride of those two Yankees! Buffeted by wind
+and rain, one moment in a glaring light and the next in pitch darkness,
+with the thunder crashing overhead, in spite of wind and rain, those two
+cavalrymen rode the sixteen miles by midnight.
+
+"The command was aroused. What if the rain did pour and the elements
+warred with each other? Morgan was the prize, and by daylight Gillem's
+soldiers had reached Greenville. So complete was the surprise that the
+house in which the General slept was surrounded before the alarm was
+given. Then thinking only of joining his men, the General leaped out of
+bed, and without waiting to dress, seized his sword and dashed out of the
+house, seeking to escape by the way of the garden. But he was seen by a
+soldier and shot dead. The news that Morgan was killed seemed to go
+through the air. It was known in an incredibly short time by both sides.
+
+"Now," said the officer, "occurred one of the most singular circumstances
+I know of during the war. There was no flag of truce, no orders to cease
+firing, yet the firing ceased. The Confederates gathered together, and
+marched out of the city; the Federals marched in; the two were close
+together, within easy musket range, but not a shot was fired. It seemed as
+if both sides were conscious that a great man had fallen, a gallant soul
+fled, and that even grim war should stay his hand."
+
+It is not within the scope of this book to follow Calhoun through the last
+year of the war. Suffice it to say, that in the enlarged sphere of his new
+position, his genius found full scope. He was all through the Atlantic
+campaign, where for four months the thunder of cannon never ceased, and
+where seventy-five thousand men were offered as a sacrifice to the god of
+war. He followed Hood in his raid to the rear of Sherman's army, and then
+into Tennessee. He was in that hell of fire at Franklin, where fell so
+many of the bravest sons of the South. At Nashville he was among those who
+tried to stem the tide of defeat, and was among the last to leave that
+fatal field. When the remnants of Hood's army were gathered and marched
+across the states of Alabama and Georgia into North Carolina, hoping to
+stay the victorious progress of Sherman, Calhoun was with them.
+
+Not until the surrender of Lee and Johnston did Calhoun give up every hope
+of the independence of the South. But the end came, and in bitter anguish
+he laid down his arms. He had given his young life to his country when
+only seventeen years of age. For four years he had fought and hoped. When
+the end came it seemed to him the sky was darkened, that every hope had
+perished, that everything worth living for was gone. Oh, the bitterness of
+defeat! Strong men wept like children.
+
+Even the victors stood in silence over the grief of those whom they had
+met so many times in battle. They were brothers now, and they took them by
+the hand and bade them be of good cheer, and divided their rations with
+them. The soldiers who had fought each other on so many bloody fields were
+the first to fraternize, the first to forget.
+
+When Calhoun gave his parole, he met his cousin Fred, who was on General
+Sherman's staff. The meeting was a happy one for Calhoun, for it served to
+dispel the gloom which depressed his spirits. It seemed to be like old
+times to be with Fred again. Nothing would satisfy Fred, but that Calhoun
+should return home by the way of Washington. He consented, and was in
+Washington at the time of the Grand Review. All day long he watched the
+mighty armies of Grant and Sherman, as with steady tread they marched
+through the streets, showered with flowers, greeted with proud huzzahs.
+And then he thought of the home-coming of the ragged Confederates, and the
+tears ran down his cheeks. But as he looked upon the thousands and
+thousands as they marched along, and remembered the depleted ranks of the
+Southern army, his only wonder was that the South had held out so long as
+it did. Defeated they were, but their deeds are carved deep in the temple
+of fame, never to be erased.
+
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+                             THE LONE RAIDER.
+
+
+It was near the close of a beautiful day in early June that Joyce Crawford
+was once more standing by the gate, looking down the road. It is nearly
+two years since we saw her last. She has grown taller, more womanly, even
+more beautiful, if that were possible. The sound of war had ceased in the
+land. No longer was the fierce raider abroad; yet Joyce Crawford stood
+looking down that road as intently as she did that eventful evening when
+Calhoun Pennington came riding to the door.
+
+She had not heard a word from him since his escape; nor had she expected
+to hear. All that she could do was to scan the papers for his name among
+the killed or captured Confederates. But the Northern papers published few
+names of Confederates known to have been killed, except the highest and
+most distinguished officers.
+
+During these two years Joyce's heart had been true to her raider lover. He
+had said that he would come when the war was over, that the thunder of the
+last cannon would hardly have ceased to reverberate through the land
+before he would be by her side. It was two months since Lee had
+surrendered yet he had not come. That he had been untrue she would not
+admit; if such a thought came to her, she dismissed it as unworthy. No!
+Like his general, he was lying in a soldier's grave; or he might be sick,
+wounded, unable to come.
+
+This June evening, as she stood looking down the road, her thoughts were
+in the past. Once more, in imagination, Morgan's raiders came riding by;
+she beheld the country terror-stricken; men, women, and children fleeing
+from--they hardly knew what. Once more she heard the sound of distant
+battle, then down the road that little cloud of dust which grew larger and
+larger, until the horse with its stricken rider came to view. How vividly
+she remembered it all, how real it seemed to her! She actually held her
+breath and listened to catch the sound of battle; she strained her eyes to
+catch a glimpse of that little cloud of dust.
+
+  [Illustration: SHE HELD HER BREATH AND LISTENED TO CATCH THE SOUND OF
+  BATTLE]
+
+No sound of battle came to her ears, but away down the road, as far as she
+could see, arose a little cloud of dust. Her heart gave a great throb; why
+she could not tell, for she had seen a thousand clouds of dust arise from
+that road, as she watched and waited. The little cloud grew larger. Now
+she could see it was caused by a single horseman, one who rode swiftly,
+and sat his horse with rare grace. She stood with hands pressed to her
+bosom, her eyes dilating, her breath coming in quick, short gasps.
+
+Before she realized it, the rider had thrown himself from his horse, and
+with the cry of "Joyce! Joyce!" had her in his arms, kissing her hair, her
+brow, her lips. For a minute she lay at rest in his arms; then, with
+burning brow and cheek and neck, she disengaged herself from his embrace,
+and stood looking at him with lovelit eyes. Could this be he whom, two
+years before, she had taken in wounded nigh unto death? How manly he had
+grown! How well his citizen suit became him!
+
+"Were you watching for me, Joyce?" asked Calhoun.
+
+"I have watched for you every night since Lee surrendered. I began to
+think you had forgotten--no, not that, I feared you had been slain," she
+exclaimed, in a trembling voice.
+
+"Death only could have kept me from you, Joyce. In camp and battle your
+image was in my heart. The thought of seeing you has sweetened the
+bitterness of defeat. The war did not end as I thought it would, but it
+has brought me to you--to you. Now that the war is over, there is nothing
+to separate us, is there, Joyce?"
+
+She grew as pale as death. She had not thought of her father before--he
+believed that the South had been treated too leniently, that treason
+should be punished. All that the South had suffered he believed to be a
+just punishment for her manifold sins. If the Rebels' lives were spared,
+they should be thankful, and ask nothing more. Joyce knew how her father
+felt. Not a word had ever passed between them relative to Calhoun since
+his escape; but the father knew much more than Joyce thought. He had kept
+still, thinking that time would cure his daughter of her infatuation, for
+he considered it nothing else.
+
+Calhoun saw the change in Joyce, how she drew from him, how pale she had
+grown, and he asked, "What is it, Joyce? Why, you shrink from me, and
+tremble like a leaf. Tell me, Joyce, what is it?"
+
+"My father!" she whispered, "Oh, I fear--I fear!"
+
+"Fear what, darling?"
+
+"That he will drive you from me; that he will forbid me seeing you!"
+
+"For what?"
+
+"Because you fought against your country; because you were one of Morgan's
+men."
+
+"What would he do? Hang me, if he could?" asked Calhoun, bitterly.
+
+"No, no, but--oh, Calhoun, let us hope for the best. Perhaps when he sees
+you it will be different. You must see him. He and aunt have gone to New
+Lisbon; but they will be at home presently."
+
+With many misgivings Calhoun allowed his horse to be put up, and he and
+Joyce enjoyed an hour's sweet converse before her father and aunt
+returned.
+
+When her father entered the room Joyce, with a palpitating heart, said:
+"Father, let me introduce you to Mr. Calhoun Pennington, of Danville,
+Kentucky. He is the young officer whom we cared for when wounded. He has
+come to thank us for the kindness shown him."
+
+Mr. Crawford bowed coldly, and said, without extending his hand, "Mr.
+Pennington need not have taken the trouble; the incident has long since
+been forgotten. But supper is ready; I trust Mr. Pennington will honor us
+by remaining and partaking of the repast with us."
+
+Calhoun could do nothing but accept, yet he felt he was an unwelcome
+guest. As for Joyce, she knew not what to think; she could only hope for
+the best. The meal passed almost in silence. Mr. Crawford was scrupulously
+polite, but his manner was cold and constrained. Poor Joyce tried to talk
+and appear merry, but had to give it up as a failure. Every one was glad
+when the meal was through. As they arose from the table, Mr. Crawford
+said: "Joyce, remain with your aunt, I wish to have a private conversation
+with Mr. Pennington." Calhoun followed him into the parlor. He knew that
+what was coming would try his soul more than charging up to the mouth of a
+flaming cannon.
+
+The first question asked nearly took Calhoun's breath away, it was so
+sudden and unexpected. It was, "Young man, why am I honored with this
+visit?"
+
+"As your daughter said, to thank you for the kindness I received while an
+enforced guest in your house," answered Calhoun, and then he mentally
+cursed himself for his cowardice.
+
+"Guests who leave as unceremoniously as you did do not generally return to
+express their thanks," answered Mr. Crawford, dryly. "It was a poor return
+you gave my daughter for her kindness."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Calhoun, in surprise.
+
+"I mean that leaving as you did subjected my daughter to much unjust
+criticism. An honorable man would have gone to prison rather than
+subjected the young lady to whom he owed his life to idle remarks."
+
+Calhoun felt every nerve in him tingle. His hot blood rushed through his
+veins like fire, he clenched his hands until his nails buried themselves
+in the palms. How he longed to throttle him and force the insult down his
+throat! But he was an old man; he was Joyce's father. Then, as Joyce had
+never told him it was she who had planned the escape, it was not for him
+to speak. Controlling himself by a mighty effort, he calmly said: "Mr.
+Crawford, I am sorry you think so poorly of me, for I came here to ask of
+you the greatest boon you have to give on earth, that is your consent that
+I may pay my addresses to your daughter, and in due time make her my wife.
+I love her with my whole soul, and have reason to know that my love is
+returned."
+
+"And I had rather see my daughter dead than married to a Rebel and
+traitor, especially to one of Morgan's men. You have my answer," said Mr.
+Crawford, angrily.
+
+"Why call me Rebel and traitor?" asked Calhoun. "Whatever I may have been,
+I am not that now. The government has pardoned; can you not be as generous
+as the government? as generous as your great generals, Grant and Sherman?"
+
+"And the government will find out its mistake. Your punishment has not
+been what your sins deserve. Your lands should be taken from you and given
+to the poor beings you have enslaved these centuries. But we need not
+quarrel. You have had my answer concerning my daughter. Now go, and never
+let me see you again."
+
+"Mr. Crawford," said Calhoun, rising, "you have been very outspoken with
+me, and I will be equally so with you. As to the terms you say should have
+been given the South, I will say that had such been even hinted at, every
+man, woman, and child in the South would have died on their hearthstones
+before yielding. But this is idle talk, as I trust there are but few in
+the North so remorseless as you. Now, as to your daughter; if she is
+willing, I shall marry her in spite of you. There is one raider of Morgan
+still in the saddle, and he will not cease his raid until he has carried
+away the fairest flower in Ohio."
+
+"Go," cried Mr. Crawford, losing his temper, "go before I am forced to use
+harsher means."
+
+Before Calhoun could reply, before he could take a step, there was a swish
+of woman's garments, and before the father's astonished eyes there stood
+his daughter by the side of her lover. Her form was drawn to its full
+height, her bosom was heaving, her eyes were flashing. Taking her lover's
+hand, she cried: "Father, what have you done? I love this man, love him
+with all my heart and soul, and he is worthy of my love. If I can never
+call him husband, no other man shall ever call me wife."
+
+The father staggered and grew deadly pale.
+
+"O God," he moaned. "I have no daughter now. Child, child, much as I love
+you, would that you were lying beside your mother."
+
+Leaving the side of Calhoun, Joyce went to her father, and taking his
+hands in hers said, "Father, grant me but a few moments' private interview
+with Captain Pennington, and I promise I will never marry him without your
+free and full consent. Nay, more, without your consent I will never see
+him again or correspond with him."
+
+"Joyce, Joyce!" cried Calhoun, "what are you doing? What are you
+promising?" and he started toward her, but she motioned him back.
+
+"Father! Father!" she wailed, "don't you hear?"
+
+Mr. Crawford looked up.
+
+"Joyce, what did you say? What do you mean?" he whispered.
+
+Joyce repeated what she had said.
+
+"And you mean it, Joyce? you are to stay with me?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, but I must have a private interview with Captain Pennington before
+he goes. Then it is for you to say whether I shall ever meet him again or
+not."
+
+Calhoun stood by while this conversation was going on, the great drops of
+perspiration gathering on his forehead. Was he going to lose Joyce after
+all?
+
+The father arose and left the room. No sooner was he gone than she turned,
+and with a low cry sank into her lover's arms.
+
+"Joyce, Joyce, what have you done?" cried Calhoun. "Fly with me now! Let
+me take you to my Kentucky home. Father will welcome you. You will not
+lack the love of a father."
+
+Joyce raised her head, her eyes swimming in tears, but full of love and
+tenderness. "Hear me, Calhoun," she said, "and then you will not blame me.
+We cannot marry now, we are both too young. You told me that you and your
+cousin were to go to Harvard. That means four long years. Before that time
+my father may give his consent to our union."
+
+"But you told him you would not see me, would not even write. That means
+banishment."
+
+"Not from my heart," she whispered. "Calhoun, for you to attempt to see me
+now, or to write to me, would be but to increase my father's opposition. I
+trust to time, and by filial obedience to win him. It is a fearful thing,
+Calhoun, to be disowned by one's own father, and by a father who loves one
+as I know my father loves me. It would kill him if I left him, and the
+knowledge would make me unhappy, even with you. Calhoun, do you love me?"
+
+"As my life," he answered, clasping her once more to his breast. "And to
+be banished entirely from your presence is more than I can bear. It is
+cruel of you to ask it."
+
+"Calhoun, did you love me when I aided you to escape?"
+
+"You know I did, why do you ask?"
+
+"Yet you left me for two long years, left me to fight for principles which
+you held dear. What if, for love of me, I had asked you to resign from the
+army, to forsake the cause for which you were fighting?"
+
+"I couldn't have done it, Joyce. I couldn't have done it, even for your
+love. But you would not ask me to do such a craven act."
+
+"And yet you ask me to forsake my father, to be false to what I know is
+right."
+
+"Joyce, how can I answer you? I am dumb before your logic. But how can I
+pass the weary years which are to come?"
+
+"You have passed two since we parted, and your college years need not be
+weary. They will not be weary. Have faith. When father learns how good,
+how noble, how true you are, he will give his consent. And Mark, my
+brother Mark, he will plead for me, I know."
+
+"Joyce, I am like a criminal awaiting pardon--a pardon which may never
+come."
+
+"Don't say that. Now, Calhoun, we must part. Remember you are not to try
+to see me or write to me. But the moment father relents I will say, Come.
+It will not be long. Now go."
+
+Calhoun clasped her once more in his arms, pressed the farewell kiss on
+her lips, and left her.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+                                 "COME."
+
+
+Calhoun found his life in the university delightful. He was a good
+student, and a popular one. The black-haired young Kentuckian who had
+ridden with Morgan was a favorite in society. Many were the languishing
+glances cast upon him by the beauties of Cambridge and Boston, but he was
+true to Joyce. In the still hours of the night his thoughts were of her,
+and he wondered when he would hear that word "Come." But months and years
+passed, and no word came. He heard that her father was still obdurate. He
+would wait until his college course was finished, and then, come what
+would, he would see Joyce and try to shake her resolution. He would carry
+her off _vi et armis_ if necessary.
+
+The day of his graduation came. It was a proud as well as a sad day to
+him. Sad because friendships of four years must be broken, in most cases
+never to be renewed; and sadder yet because no word had come from Joyce.
+She must know that he was now free, that of all things he would long to
+come to her. Why should she longer be held by that promise to her father?
+For the first time he felt bitterness in his heart.
+
+Twilight, darkness came, still he sat in his apartments brooding. From
+without came the shouts and laughter of students, happy in the thought of
+going home; but their laughter found no echo in his heart. A step was
+heard, and his cousin Fred came dashing into the room. "Why, Cal," he
+exclaimed, "why sit here in the darkness, especially on this day of all
+days? We are through, Cal, we are going back to Old Kentucky. Don't the
+thought stir your blood?"
+
+"Go away and leave me, Fred. I am desperate to-night. I want to be alone,"
+replied Calhoun, half despondently, half angrily.
+
+Fred whistled. "Look here, old fellow," he said, kindly, "this won't do.
+It's time we met the folks down at the hotel. By the way, here is a
+telegram for you. A messenger boy handed it to me, as I was coming up to
+the room."
+
+Calhoun took the yellow envelope languidly, while Fred lighted the gas;
+but no sooner had he glanced at his telegram, than he gave a whoop that
+would have done credit to a Comanche Indian.
+
+"Fred, Fred!" he shouted, dancing around as if crazy, "when does the first
+train leave for the west? Tell the folks I can't meet them."
+
+"Well, I never--" began Fred, but Calhoun stopped him by shaking his
+telegram in his face.
+
+It read:
+
+          "Come.
+
+            "Joyce."
+
+That was all, but it was enough to tell Calhoun that the long years of
+waiting were over, that the little Puritan girl had been true to her
+lover, true to her father, and won at last. The first train that steamed
+out of Boston west bore Calhoun as a passenger, and an impatient passenger
+he was.
+
+How had it fared with Joyce during these years? If Calhoun had known all
+that she suffered, all her heartaches, he would not have been so happy at
+Harvard as he was. The fear of losing his daughter being gone, Mr.
+Crawford, like Pharaoh, hardened his heart. He believed that in time Joyce
+would forget, a pitiable mistake made by many fathers. A woman like Joyce,
+who truly loves, never forgets. It is said that men do, but this I doubt.
+
+The troublesome days of Reconstruction came on, and Mr. Crawford felt more
+aggrieved than ever toward the South. He believed that the facts bore out
+his views, that the North had been too lenient. As for Joyce, she gave
+little thought to politics. She believed that her father would surely
+relent before Calhoun had finished his college course; but as the time for
+his graduation approached, and her father was still obdurate, her courage
+failed. Her step grew languid, her cheeks lost their roses, the music of
+her voice in song was no longer heard.
+
+Strange that her father did not notice it, but there was one who did. That
+was her brother Mark. He was now a major in the Regular Army, had been
+wounded in a fight with the Apaches, and was home on leave of absence. To
+him Joyce confided all her sorrows, and found a ready sympathizer, for he
+was as tender of heart as he was brave.
+
+He went to his father and talked to him as he had never talked before.
+"Your opposition is all nonsense," said Mark. "Young Pennington is in
+every way worthy of her. I have taken pains to investigate."
+
+The old gentleman fairly writhed under his son's censures, and tried to
+excuse himself by saying, "Mark, I have said I had rather see her dead
+than married to a Rebel, one of Morgan's men."
+
+"Well, you will see her dead, and that very soon," retorted Mark,
+thoroughly aroused. "Have you no eyes? Have you not noticed her pale
+cheeks, her languid steps? Is she the happy girl she was? Your foolish,
+cruel treatment is killing her."
+
+Mr. Crawford groaned. "Mark, Mark," he cried, "I can't bear to hear you
+talk like that, you my only son. I have only done what I thought was
+right. You must be mistaken about Joyce."
+
+"I am not; look at her yourself. Never was there a more dutiful daughter
+than Joyce. She would rather die than break her promise to you. Free her
+from it. Make her happy by telling her she can see Pennington."
+
+"Mark, don't ask too much. Joyce is all I have to comfort me. When I am
+gone you will be the head of the family. You can then advise her as you
+please."
+
+"Better be kind to her and give her your blessing while you live," said
+his son, turning away, believing that his words would bear fruit.
+
+What Mark had said deeply troubled Mr. Crawford. He now noticed Joyce
+closely, and was surprised that he had not perceived the change in her. He
+meant to speak to her, but kept putting it off day by day, until sickness
+seized him. The doctor came, and told him he had but a short time to live.
+Mr. Crawford heard the verdict with composure. The Puritan blood in his
+veins led him to meet death as he would meet any enemy in life. But he
+would do justice to his daughter before he died. Calling Joyce to him, he
+took her hand in his, and said: "Joyce, you have been all that a daughter
+should be to me, but to you I have been a hard, cruel father."
+
+"No, no, you have been the kindest of fathers," she cried, her tears
+falling fast. "Father, don't talk so, or you will break my heart."
+
+"Listen, Joyce. I now know how much suffering I have caused you. I drove
+from you the man you loved. Do you still love him, Joyce?"
+
+"Father, I love him, I shall always love him, but I have been true to my
+promise. I--"
+
+"There, child," broke in Mr. Crawford, "say no more. I know how true you
+have been, how sacred you have kept your word, while I--oh, forgive me,
+Joyce!"
+
+"Don't, father, don't, you only did what you thought was right."
+
+"But Pennington, Joyce--has he been true all these years?"
+
+"I charged him not to see or write to me until I bade him, and that was to
+be when I had your free and full consent. Father, have I that consent
+now?"
+
+"Yes, yes, tell him to come."
+
+With her feet winged with love Joyce flew to send the glad message. But
+that night Mr. Crawford became much worse. It was doubtful if he would
+live until Calhoun could arrive.
+
+Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again is Calhoun galloping up
+the road which leads to the Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing
+at the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust grows larger and
+larger, but it is not noticed. In the house a life is ebbing away--going
+out with the sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse, and points
+to the house. "Massa Crawford dyin'," is all he said.
+
+He is met at the door by Joyce. "Come, father wants to see you," she says,
+and leads him into the chamber where the dying man lies.
+
+"Father, here is Calhoun," she sobbed.
+
+Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a trembling hand, and it was
+grasped by Calhoun. In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was
+forgotten.
+
+Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover. Her father took her hand
+and placed it in that of Calhoun. "God bless you both, my children," he
+whispered. "Forgive!"
+
+"There is nothing to forgive," replied Calhoun, in a choking voice.
+
+A look of great contentment came over the dying man's face. "Sit by me,
+Joyce," he whispered. "Let me hold your hand in mine."
+
+Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For some time she held her
+father's hand, and then his mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce's
+hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had lain in the grave for so
+many years. Once he opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending
+over him, murmured, "Kiss me, Mary."
+
+Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not once, but again and again.
+
+He smiled, closed his eyes--and then fell asleep.
+
+
+
+A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford. Calhoun has come to
+claim his beautiful bride. He is making his last raid; but this time no
+enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are scattered in his path; glad
+bells are ringing a joyful welcome. He is fully aware that the war has
+left many bitter memories; yet when the words are spoken which link his
+life to Joyce's forever and forever (for true love ends not in the grave),
+he clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan made his raid into
+Ohio.
+
+
+                                 THE END.
+
+      PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY
+      AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE
+      LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                FOOTNOTES
+
+
+    1 Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding his capture
+      and release. For this see "General Nelson's Scout."
+
+    2 For full particulars of this see "On General Thomas's Staff."
+
+    3 This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
+
+
+The author's footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume.
+
+The following typographical errors were corrected:
+
+      page 70, "wagon train" changed to "wagon-train"
+      page 73, "orced" changed to "forced"
+      page 86, "kulking" changed to "skulking"
+      page 125, "way" changed to "way."
+      page 140, "At" changed to "As"
+
+In addition, several missing, superfluous or misplaced quote marks have
+been corrected.
+
+Variations in spelling ("pass-word" and "password", "tear-drop" and
+"teardrop", "bastile" and "Bastille") were not changed. The single
+occurrence of "Matthews" was not changed to "Mathews" as it is not clear
+if the same character is meant. Similarly, it can not be decided if a
+horse is called "Salim" or "Selim".
+
+
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAIDING WITH MORGAN***
+
+
+
+                                 CREDITS
+
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