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diff --git a/29786-h/29786-h.html b/29786-h/29786-h.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..68e8f54 --- /dev/null +++ b/29786-h/29786-h.html @@ -0,0 +1,16060 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /><link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" /><meta name="DC.Creator" content="Byron A. Dunn" /><meta name="DC.Title" content="Raiding with Morgan" /><meta name="DC.Date" content="August 24, 2009" /><meta name="DC.Language" content="English" /><meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /><meta name="DC.Identifier" content="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/29786" /><meta name="DC.Rights" content="This text is in the public domain." /><title>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Raiding with Morgan by Byron A. 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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 & 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 & 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 + 29786-h.html or + 29786-h.zip.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This and all associated files of various formats will be found + in: + + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/9/7/8/29786/" class="block tei tei-xref" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"><span style="font-size: 90%">http://www.gutenberg.org</span><span style="font-size: 90%">/dirs/2/9/7/8/29786/</span></a></p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old + editions will be renamed.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that + no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the + Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United + States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. + Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this + license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works + to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. 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