Up the Washita.
All noise of pursuit, if any had been made, had died away, and not a
sound disturbed the stillness of the woods. But Frank had learned, by
experience, that silence was not indicative of safety, for it might, at
any moment, be broken by the report of muskets, or a sudden demand for
surrender from enemies who had followed them so silently that their
approach had not been discovered. He bent suspicious glances upon the
woods on all sides of him, and was ready to plunge into the water again
upon hearing the least sounds of pursuit.
What had become of the wounded pilot, the lieutenant, and the rest of
the cutter's crew? All who had succeeded in reaching the shore, were,
beyond a doubt, prisoners.
Frank shuddered when he thought of the hard fare and harder treatment
that awaited the poor fellows, recalling to mind incidents of his own
capture and escape, which made him doubly anxious to reach the
Mississippi as soon as possible, where he would be safe among friends.
After resting nearly an hour, for their long swim had wearied them, they
continued their flight down the river, being careful to keep close to
the bank, so that in case of emergency they could again take to the
water. The shore was covered with logs and bushes, and their progress
was slow and laborious. But daylight came at length, and shortly
afterward they discovered a transport coming up the river. When she
arrived opposite to them, Frank hailed her, and the boat landed and took
them on board. Frank gave the information that there was a battery
above, and the captain, not liking the idea of trusting his unarmed
vessel within range of its guns, ordered the pilot to round-to and start
down the river again. The order was obeyed at once, and Frank and the
coxswain, who now began to breathe more freely, went below and stood
before the fire-doors to dry their clothing. About noon they arrived at
the Mississippi River, the transport landing alongside the vessel of the
commanding naval officer, to whom Frank delivered his dispatches in
triumph, at the same time apologizing for his appearance, for he was
without coat, hat, or side-arms.
Among these dispatches of the admiral were orders for two tin-clads to
report at Alexandria. These vessels were to be used to keep the banks
clear of rebels, to carry dispatches, and to convoy unarmed steamers up
and down the river. The necessary orders were promptly issued, and in a
short time the tin-clads came alongside; their commanders received their
instructions, after which the vessels steamed up Red River, one of them
having Frank and the coxswain on board. The former had in his possession
several official documents addressed to the admiral. If he could have
seen the inside of one of them, he would have found (greatly to his
surprise) that it contained a complete history of the run from
Alexandria, that it spoke in the highest terms of his skill and bravery,
and ended with a recommendation for a master's appointment. This letter
had been written by the captain to whom Frank had delivered his
dispatches, he having learned the full particulars from the coxswain,
whom he had summoned into his presence while Frank was in the wardroom
eating his dinner. The sailor described all that had happened in glowing
language, dwelling with a good deal of emphasis upon the "pluck"
displayed by his young officer, and the ignorance and cowardice of the
lieutenant, and ended with saying, "He didn't think of nothing, sir, but
them dispatches; and it an't every man that could have saved 'em, sir."
The captain fully agreed with the coxswain, and when the latter was
dismissed, he gave his pants a vigorous hitch, and said to himself, "If
Mr. Nelson don't get another stripe around his arm now, may I be
keelhauled." And one, to have seen him, would have thought that he was
as much pleased at the prospect as though he was about to receive the
appointment himself. Frank, of course, knew nothing of this, and little
imagining that he was carrying a recommendation for his promotion, he
put the letters carefully away in his pocket, thinking, no doubt, they
were all-important official documents.
A short time before dark they arrived at the junction of the Black and
Washita Rivers, where Frank found the Michigan anchored, in company with
four or five other gun-boats. He reported his safe return to his
captain, and then went into the wardroom and sat down to report to the
admiral by letter, according to his instructions. After all he had
passed through, one would suppose that his report would have been a long
one; but he wisely thought that all the admiral cared to know was that
his dispatches had been safely delivered. He therefore wrote, in the
briefest manner--
"I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders of the
20th inst., I took passage on board the United States army transport
"Key-West," for the mouth of Red River, with dispatches, which were
delivered into the hands of the commanding naval officer there. I have
to-day returned on board my vessel."
This was all. No glowing description of the gallant manner in which he
had taken the transport by the battery, no mention of the ever-watchful
eye he had kept upon his dispatches, or of his long swim from the
burning wreck, but a few simple lines, that told the admiral all he
wished to know; namely, that his letters had reached their destination.
This report Frank placed before the captain, who wrote upon it "approved
and respectfully forwarded," (for all letters from subordinate officers
to the admiral had to pass through the captain's hands,) and the letter
was put into the general mail. Frank then, in obedience to the captain's
order, proceeded to give that gentleman a minute account of the manner
in which he had executed his orders, together with the names of the men
belonging to the cutter's crew who were missing, and wound up with the
request that "something might be done for the coxswain," for he was a
brave man, and a good sailor. As the Michigan had but one boatswain's
mate, (she was entitled to two,) the captain determined to promote the
man, who was at once summoned into the cabin and presented with the
boatswain's whistle. He retired, proud of his promotion, and firm in his
belief that "the captain and Mr. Nelson were the best men afloat."
Frank, so weary that he could scarcely walk, was glad to get to bed; but
the captain sat for a long time at his desk, writing a letter to the
admiral, which contained the statement that, in his opinion, "Acting
Ensign Frank Nelson, by the gallant manner in which he had executed the
important business intrusted to him, had nobly earned his promotion,
and, by the skill and judgment he had exhibited in handling the
transport, had shown that he was fully capable of taking charge of a
_vessel of his own_, and that his past history, taken in connection
with his recent exploit, was sufficient guarantee that the honor of the
flag would never suffer in his hands."
Frank, all unconscious of the admiration his gallant behavior had
excited in the mind of the captain, slept soundly until daylight, when
he was called up to get the vessel under way. The expedition was
composed of five gun-boats, and its destination was Monroe, a small town
about two hundred miles up Washita River. Its object was to capture
cotton, and to destroy any fortifications that might be found along the
banks. The remainder of the fleet, which was at Alexandria when Frank
left, had gone up Red River, toward Shreveport. Had he been allowed his
choice in the matter, Frank would have preferred to accompany the latter
expedition, as he then would have been able, after Shreveport had been
captured, to visit the prison in which he had been confined, and from
which he had escaped in so remarkable a manner. He thought over all the
scenes through which he had passed--his capture, the march to
Shreveport, his flight from the prison, the bayonet-fight in the woods,
the chase by blood-hounds--and they seemed to him like a dream.
George Le Dell, who was the officer of the deck, stood close beside
Frank, gazing about as if every object that met his eye was a familiar
one. Every turn of the paddle-wheels was bringing him nearer to the home
of his childhood, from which he was now excluded by the stern mandate of
his rebel father. Ever since he had been attached to the Michigan, he
and Frank had been bosom friends. The dangers through which they had
passed while fugitives from a rebel prison--their hair-breadth escapes
from recapture--could never be forgotten. No one on board besides Frank
knew any thing of George's past history. In accordance with the latter's
desire, the secret was closely kept, and no one imagined that the pale,
quiet young officer was any relation to the rebel general whose house it
had been ordered should be burned. Ever since the receipt of that order,
every one remarked that George Le Dell had been unusually thoughtful,
but no one knew the cause.
"Mr. Nelson," said he, at length, "I wish I could have gone up Red
River. I want to see home once more, but I don't want to stand by and
see the old house burned over the heads of my mother and sisters. I
don't deny that the order is a just one, but I don't want to see it
executed. I begin to believe that I am a good prophet," he continued,
after a moment's pause. "I told father, in the last letter I ever wrote
to him, that this war would bring him nothing but suffering and
disgrace, and I think he will find that I told the truth."
As George ceased speaking, he turned and walked to another part of the
deck, to meet the captain, who at that moment came out of his cabin.
Among all the ship's company, there was but one that could sympathize
with George, and that one was Frank. The young officer cherished an
honest enmity toward the traitors whose bloody hands were stretched out
to pull down the Old Flag under which his ancestors had fought and died,
but when Frank looked upon the pale face of his messmate, and listened
to his oft-repeated sentiments of loyalty, and heard him, in his quiet
way, expressing his firm belief in the final triumph of the Government
and the total overthrow of the rebellion, and when he witnessed his
quiet submission to his cruel fate, knowing that he was cut off from all
further intercourse with his relatives, he could not help pitying both
him and his rebel parents. But he knew, from those letters he had read,
and which George still preserved, and from what he had witnessed on that
memorable night when he and his companions had stopped at the plantation
and asked for food, that the general and his family had taken part with
the rebellion, not to secure any rights which they imagined had been
denied them, but to assist in "establishing a confederacy of their own,
whose corner-stone should be slavery," and to destroy "every vestige of
the old Union." Like George, he knew that the order to burn the house
was a just one; but he would have been much better pleased had some
other boat been selected to execute it. He did not pity the rebels so
much, but he did not want to witness the sorrow his messmate would
experience when he saw the home of his boyhood enveloped in flames.
The next day, as the two friends stood together on deck, George suddenly
said--
"We're almost there. I know these woods well. I've caught many a string
of fish off that log that lies in the water just ahead."
About half a mile further on, the Michigan came round a sharp bend in
the river, and they saw the plantation before them. Every thing looked
just as it did on that long-to-be-remembered night when George had
suddenly presented himself before his relatives, who thought him safe in
the prison at Tyler. There were the broad stone steps that led up to the
portico on which the major had stood while making known his wants, and
just in front of them were the posts to which the general and his sons
had fastened their horses before entering the house.
The fleet did not stop, as they had expected, but kept on up the river,
and in a few moments more the plantation was out of sight. No doubt the
burning of the house was to be put off until their return.
The expedition reached Monroe without mishap, and without seeing a
single armed rebel, only stopping now and then to pick up cotton, which
was scattered all along the bank. The vessels remained at anchor in
front of the town for two days, and after burning the public buildings,
and picking up some escaped Union prisoners, started down the river
again. The Michigan led the way, and on the afternoon of the second day
came to anchor in front of General Le Dell's plantation.
"Mr. Nelson," said the captain, as he stepped down out of the
pilot-house, "order two companies of small-armed men to be called away,
and you and Mr. Le Dell get ready to go on shore with me. By the way,"
he added, turning to George, "I have orders to burn out this rebel
namesake of yours."
"So I have heard, sir," replied George, while not a muscle of his face
quivered to show the surprise and sorrow he felt at being obliged to
accompany the expedition ashore. He had hoped that some other officer
would be chosen to accompany the captain, but he could not ask to be
excused from duty without exciting suspicions. The reason why he did not
wish to go could be easily guessed, and if the truth became known, it
would be followed by what he particularly desired to avoid--the sympathy
of all his messmates. He would accompany the expedition, but he would
neither enter the house or go into the presence of his mother and
sisters, and he might return without being recognized. By the time he
had buckled on his sword and returned to the deck the men were ready,
when, in obedience to Frank's order, he marched them on board the tug,
which lay at the stern of the Michigan. When they reached the shore,
Frank instructed George to post sentries all around the house, both to
guard against surprise, and also to prevent the escape of any rebel
soldiers who might chance to be in the building, after which he
accompanied the captain to the door, where they were met by Mrs. Le Dell
and her daughters, who coldly received their salutations, and waited for
them to make known the object of their visit.
"Madam," said the captain, addressing himself to Mrs. Le Dell, "I am
ordered to burn your house."
"I have been expecting it for a long time," was the reply.
"I will give you a reasonable time," continued the captain, "to remove
your valuables."
The lady then requested that an hour might be allowed her to send for a
neighbor, who lived several miles distant, to come with his team to
remove the furniture to a place of safety, as all the wagons about the
plantation had been given up to the rebel army. This was granted, and a
note, which was first presented for the inspection of the captain, was
at once dispatched to summon the neighbor.
In the meantime, Frank and George were strolling about the plantation,
the latter feasting his eyes on every familiar object, and recalling to
mind incidents of the "good old times," as he expressed it. Frank also
recognized two objects; one was the barn where he and his
fellow-fugitives had halted to hold a consultation before going up to
the house; and the other was the fence behind which the captain had left
their prisoner, bound hand and foot. While thus engaged, a little boy,
who had approached them without being discovered, suddenly called out,
"George!"
The latter turned, as the familiar voice reached his ear, and held out
his hands to his brother, who sprang toward him, threw his arms around
his neck, and burst into tears. There was one among George's relatives
who still remembered and loved him.
"George," sobbed the little fellow, "are you a Yankee 'bolitionist?"
Tears choked George's utterance, and the boy, suddenly breaking from his
arms, ran toward the house, and scrambling up the steps, burst into the
room where the captain and ladies were seated, and astonished them all
with:
"Mother, mother! George is here! He's come back!"
Both mother and daughter appeared to be considerably agitated upon
receiving this news, and the captain noticing it, the suspicion flashed
across his mind that it was one of their rebel friends. He glanced out
at the door, and saw his two officers standing quietly together, the
sentinels walking their beats, and felt satisfied that the rebel,
whoever he was, might consider himself a prisoner.
"Who do you mean, my little man?" he asked, putting his hand on the
boy's head. "What is his other name?"
"George Le Dell," replied the boy, promptly. "He's my brother. He's out
there," and he pointed toward the place where George and Frank were
standing.
"Is that your brother?" asked the captain in surprise, as he turned
toward Mrs. Le Dell for an explanation.
"I have a son in the Federal navy," replied the lady.
"Then, madam," said the captain, "if that young man out there is your
son, allow me to say that you have every reason to be proud of him."
At this moment the neighbor for whom they had sent arrived, and he and
the captain held a long conversation; after which, to his surprise,
Frank was ordered to collect the men and march them on board the tug.
The Michigan remained at her anchorage until the flag-ship of the
expedition came down, when the two captains had a short consultation,
and both vessels got under way and steamed down the river. The reason
given why the order to burn the house was not executed was this: Unlike
the majority of rebel commanders, General Le Dell had always treated
Union prisoners who had fallen into his hands with the greatest
humanity. Although he seemed to be particularly spiteful toward George,
whom he called a "young traitor," he always endeavored to make the
condition of other prisoners as tolerable as possible. The truth of this
was attested by the soldiers they had picked up at Monroe, all of whom
were officers, and they had done much toward saving the property. The
captain of the Michigan had delayed to fulfill his orders until the
arrival of his superior, in order to communicate some news he had
received from the man who had been sent to remove the furniture, and
when the flag-ship arrived, the order had been countermanded.
"Perhaps every thing will come out right after the war," said George, as
the two friends stood watching the plantation as long as it remained in
eight. "If it does, we'll have the old house to live in."
On the way down the river, large quantities of cotton were captured,
which made both officers and men look forward to a good share of
prize-money, and one afternoon--about a week after leaving Monroe--they
reached Black River in safety.