IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED
"Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were
crossing the creek bridge. "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"
"You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground. "And
here is another. That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after
I left him on the bridge bench."
Artie dismounted also, and the pair began a rigorous search for the
balance of the missing silverware. Four additional spoons were brought
to light, all having lain within a distance of two yards of each other.
"That's all," said Artie, after looking around for quarter of an hour
without finding any more. "More than likely several of the guerillas
divided the tableware between them."
Mrs. Lyon was much pleased over the recovery of even a part of the
stolen property, and a hunt was immediately instituted at the various
spots where the prisoners had been shot down or captured. Before night a
dozen and a half spoons were in, also the gold butter dish. The other
spoons were never found, although long after it was learned that the
thief had thrown them into the creek.
Immediately after learning what was to be ascertained concerning
Totterly, Levi had gone off with General and Clinker to run the men
down, were such a thing possible. The overseer was gone two days and a
night, and came back looking worn and haggard.
"I couldn't catch him, try my best," he said. "He has escaped into
Tennessee, and I doubt very much if any of us ever lay eyes on him
again."
From one of the prisoners they had received a very good description of
the guerilla, who was said to be tall, with a marked stoop to his left
shoulder, and with a long nose which did not point directly ahead, but
somewhat to the right. He was said to be a well-educated man, inclined
to drink, and was put down as using "school English."
"We shall never see or hear of him again," sighed Mrs. Lyon. "The money
and that precious paper are gone forever."
"I don't see why he took the paper," said Artie. "I don't believe it is
of any value excepting to father."
"We ought to write to father at once," said Hope, who, though younger
than any present, took a deep interest in what had occurred. "If the
paper concerned the slaves, what will he do if it is not found?"
"That's the conundrum, Hope," answered her big brother. "I'll write
to-night, and father will get the letter inside of forty-eight hours, I
think."
The major and the captain had expected to have a right royal time at
home while on their furlough; but the attack on Riverlawn had upset all
of their calculations. Nevertheless, they were warmly welcomed by those
at the plantation, and Kate Belthorpe made Deck especially happy by
coming over with her sister to spend a whole day at the mansion.
The furlough of the major and the captain was for ten days, and before
the time was up a letter came from Colonel Lyon, stating that he had
received the news of the attack on Riverlawn even before Deck's
communication was handed to him. The loss of the private document
intrusted to him by his dead brother worried him greatly, but he
presumed everything possible was being done to recover it, so he would
not risk leaving his command to take a hand personally.
"General Rosecrans is almost certain the enemy is up to some movement,"
he added. "I was talking to Colonel Minty only yesterday, and he thinks
we shall have work cut out for us inside of a week. Unless you can
accomplish something at home, you and Artie had better return to your
positions at the front."
The note had evidently been written in a hurry, for no mention was made
of the lost money, the colonel evidently valuing that at less than the
stolen paper. The communication produced a profound impression on Deck
and Artie, and after talking it over, both decided to leave for their
regiment on the following morning. Levi urged them to do this, and
promised to guard more carefully than ever against any possible future
attack at Riverlawn.
Early in the year 1863 several changes were made in the Army of the
Cumberland, and one of these was to transfer Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson from Grant to Rosecrans, giving the latter the entire control
of the Cumberland River. In the meantime, and during the several months
to follow, the cavalry of the Union forces was recruited as much as
possible, and many companies of infantry were placed on horseback, for
Rosecrans had discovered that little or nothing could be done against
the enemy's raiders by foot soldiers, no matter how daring or
long-winded on the double-quick the latter might be.
Toward the end of January, General Bragg, somewhat recovered from the
shock of the conflict at Murfreesboro, thought it about time to make
another demonstration against the army of the North, and he accordingly
directed General Wheeler to make an attack against Fort Donelson, so
gallantly taken by the forces under Grant nearly a year previous.
Wheeler directed Forrest to move his brigade with a battery of four
guns along the river road to the neighborhood of Dover, while he with
Wharton's command took a road to the left.
Several trusted scouts reported this movement to Rosecrans without
delay, and the general immediately ordered Davis to take his division
and two brigades of cavalry under Colonel Minty down the Versailles road
and endeavor to take Wheeler in the rear, while Steedman was directed to
watch the Confederate general's movements by way of Triune.
As the work of the Riverlawn Cavalry was well known, Colonel Lyon was
pressed into the services of the cavalry moving toward Fort Donelson
without, however, Captain Batterson's battery being attached, as
heretofore. The brigades of cavalry were directed to move by way of the
Unionville and Rover roads, the infantry going direct to Eaglesville.
The major and the captain arrived in camp just as the men were striking
their tents. They were warmly received by Major Belthorpe, who wanted to
know the news from home, and by Captain Gadbury, who was likewise
anxious to hear from Lyndhall and especially from Margie. Both young
men, however, lost no time in reporting to their father.
"It's a bad business, Dexter," said the colonel, when the loss of the
secret letter was alluded to. "I must say I am treed, as the bear said
to Davy Crockett."
"Don't you think the letter referred to the slaves, father?" said the
major. "I always thought it did."
"I did think so, because I was particularly cautioned by Brother Duncan
not to dispose of any of the slaves under any circumstances. They
originally numbered fifty-one, but three have died, leaving forty-eight,
as perhaps you know."
"Perhaps they were to be given their freedom," said Artie. "If that is
so, President Lincoln's proclamation has forestalled Uncle Duncan's
design."
At this the colonel smiled. "Almost true, Artie, but not quite," he said
slowly. "If we lived in a rebellious State the proclamation would act as
you say, but Kentucky, being still in the Union, is not affected by that
proclamation, strange as the statement may seem."
"Creation! but I reckon you're right, father!" almost shouted Major
Deck. "I never looked at it in that light before. We can hold slaves
even if the folks living below the Mason and Dixon's line can't."
Colonel Lyon turned his eyes fully on the young commander, and studied
that resolute face for several seconds in silence. From his parent's
manner Deck knew something important was coming.
"My son, would you care to hold our colored people as slaves if all the
other colored people in these United States were set at liberty? I say
these United States, for I pray God that this conflict will speedily
come to an end and that we shall remain an undivided Union."
"No; I say let them be free! Let us hire them to work for us," answered
the major, promptly.
"Yes; give them their liberty," echoed Artie. "I never believed in
slavery when we lived in New Hampshire, and I haven't got used to it
yet. It isn't a Christian-like institution."
"My boys, I am glad you speak my thoughts," said Colonel Lyon, and
grasped each by the hand. "Yes, the slaves shall be free; I settled
that in my mind as soon as I read our President's proclamation. I have
already begun a letter of instructions to Levi Bedford on the subject."
At this juncture Colonel Lyon was called away to confer with the officer
in command of the division to which the Riverlawns had been assigned,
and Deck and Artie hurried to their respective headquarters, the one to
assume command of his company and the other his battalion.
"Major, you are looking as fine as fine can be!" exclaimed Captain Life
Knox, of the seventh company, as he came up, saluted Deck, and then gave
a hearty shake to the proffered hand. "Your furlough has evidently
agreed with you."
"It would have agreed with me if it hadn't been for the trouble we had
at Riverlawn."
"I heard something of that, but I'd like to listen to the particulars,"
continued Life.
They were readily given. When the tall Kentuckian heard Totterly's name
mentioned his face grew dark.
"I know the skunk!" he cried. "He hails from the western part of the
State and once cheated me in a hoss trade. So he is the man? Very well,
we'll keep our eyes open for him."
Major Truman was also at hand, an eager listener to what was said. The
former squire of Barcreek shook his head dubiously. "I was hoping our
neighborhood would miss being raided after that last trouble," he said.
"But, being on the border of this conflict, I dare say we shall suffer
in this fashion as long as the war lasts."
In less than two hours after this the Riverlawn Cavalry was on the
march, Deck at the head of the first battalion, with Artie as commander
of his fourth company, and Colonel Lyon in charge of the whole. Major
Batterson of the battery was sorry to be left behind, but wished "the
boys" the best of luck.
"Don't let the enemy take Fort Donelson," he said. "Grant had too much
of a job taking it from Buckner."
The cavalry forces under Minty had been divided, one taking the road
through Unionville and the other that through Rover. The weather was
cold and threatened a storm, yet the Riverlawns made good progress over
the semi-frozen and rough highway.
The most worried man in the column was Quartermaster Hickman. For
several weeks the troops had been living on half rations, for the
government could get no supplies through, owing to the wrecking of the
railroad. The country for miles around had been so thoroughly foraged
that absolutely nothing was left that was worth picking up.
"It's easy enough to talk about providing something," grumbled the
quartermaster, while riding at ease beside Deck. "I'd turn the shirt on
my back into a peck of potatoes if I could, but the thing can't be
done--and there you are. I've lived on nothing but hardtack and a couple
of potatoes for two days,--and your father has done the same,--and yet
some of the boys kick."
"It's hard lines, truly," answered Deck, soberly. "But we shall have to
make the best of it, and that is all there is to it. When we halt for
dinner, I'll make my battalion a little speech on the subject."
"I wish you would, for the third company is the hardest kicker of the
lot," grumbled Hickman, and rode off, trying to solve in his mind how
he was going to make six boxes of hardtack, two barrels of potatoes, and
one box of beans last nearly a thousand men two days or more. "I'll just
have to swell out them beans, that's all," he said. "And all hands will
have to play Yankees and eat 'em," he added, remembering that some of
the Kentuckians had turned up their noses at this particularly New
England dish.
When the halt came Major Deck made his promised speech. "Our
quartermaster is doing his best," he said, "and officers are faring no
better than the men. If we are badly off, the enemy is worse, so let us
leave the growling to them. I feel certain our government will not
forget us, and that supplies will soon be coming through in abundance."
For a moment there was a silence. "We didn't mean anything, Major," came
from a private of the second company. "The quartermaster is all right.
Three cheers for him!" The cheers were given with a will; and then
Hickman felt much better.
Life Knox and several others had gone off on a scout for "extras." They
had brought down two rabbits when they ran across a house set in a
grove of untrimmed trees. The front door was open on a crack, and at the
crack an elderly man was stationed with a shot-gun.
"Keep off! keep off!" cried the man as he stepped onto the porch. "I
don't want any soldiers around here."
"So it would seem," answered the tall Kentuckian, dryly. "Who are you?"
"Eh?" queried the man, who was a bit deaf.
"Stand still and tell us who you are."
"That's my business. You clear out!"
"Rather guess it's our business just now," laughed another of the
cavalrymen.
"A man's house is his castle, and I want you to leave me," stormed the
man with the shot-gun. "You are nothing but Yankees!"
"That is true," returned Life. "What have you in your house?"
"Eh?"
"Most awfully deaf, he is," grunted another of the party. "Have you got
many provisions on hand?" he added, in a louder key.
"Eh?" and the man with the shot-gun leaned forward. "Did you say
provisions?"
"Yes; have you any?" joined in Life.
"Enough for myself. Ain't got none for you--I can tell you that!"
"Reckon you have got something for us," grinned the tall Kentuckian.
Another of the party, Sandy Lyon, had, in the meantime, slipped behind
the house. He now appeared at the edge of the porch and suddenly leaped
upon the elderly man.
Utterly off his guard, for he had not heard Sandy approaching, the deaf
man proved an easy victim, and in a twinkle his gun was taken from him.
"That was a good move, Sandy," said Life. "Now sit down and behave
yourself, sir," he added, to the man, whose name was Gessel, and forced
the deaf one to a seat on the porch.
Having overcome the only inhabitant of the house, the cavalrymen made an
inspection of the premises and found over a score of boxes and barrels,
filled with provisions intended for a Confederate force encamped in the
vicinity of Rover.
Orders were at once sent to the quartermaster to take possession of the
prize, and Colonel Lyon was notified of the Confederate detachment
mentioned.
Realizing that the matter would brook of no delay, a consultation with
the general of the command was held, and this resulted in Deck being
sent off with his battalion to locate the Confederates, if possible, and
engage them.