United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
"I am very glad to see you, Lieutenant Lyon; and you also," said the
commander, as he took them both by the hand. "I did not expect to see
you before to-morrow. Have you obtained the information I need?"
"We have, General," replied Deck. "We saw the Confederate army on the
march through Jamestown, and on the way to Livingston, which makes it
certain that General Crittenden is going to Gainsboro'."
"Where he can obtain steamboats to convey his army to Nashville,"
supplemented the general. "I am satisfied now. I feared that
Crittenden might march from Monticello, when I saw him headed in that
direction from Oak Forest, by the way of Seventy-Six to the river, and
then cross to Burkesville, and pick up the supplies of which he is in
such great need. I must await further orders here. I have no doubt you
are very tired, and one of the sentinels will conduct you to your
tents."
"I think Lieutenant Lyon had better see Dr. Farnwright before he goes
to sleep," said Life.
"Is he wounded?" asked the general, with interest and anxiety.
"Only slightly. We had a skrimmage with half a dozen deserters from the
enemy, and licked 'em handsome," added Life.
The officers were shown to their tents, and the surgeon sent for. The
wound was carefully dressed, and the doctor said it would be well in
three days. He slept soundly after the long and hard journey; and the
surgeon had ordered him to remain in his tent if the brigade did not
march in the morning, which it did not. The first persons to call upon
him were his father and his brother.
"Where have you been, Dexter?" asked Major Lyon, after his wound had
been considered. "I did not know you had been absent till this morning,
though I missed Lieutenant Knox when I saw Sergeant Fronklyn at the
head of his platoon."
"Life and I have been away on secret service; and for further
particulars you must apply to General Woodbine," replied Deck with a
meaning smile.
"I shall not apply to the general," added the major. "I am glad your
wound is no worse; and I hope your new duties on the staff will be
agreeable to you."
"I know they will, especially if I get my share of the fighting,"
answered Deck.
But the story of this campaign of the Riverlawn Cavalry, ending with
the decisive battle of Mill Springs, is completed. Deck Lyon has won
and obtained his promotion, and has entered upon a new sphere of duty,
in which his bravery, skill, and enterprise enabled him to distinguish
himself.
Before noon a messenger, escorted by a squad of cavalrymen, arrived at
the camp with sealed orders for General Woodbine, and bearing a large
bag of letters for the officers and soldiers. There were several for
Major Lyon and for his two sons. They were from home; and everything at
Riverlawn was quiet and prosperous, with no evidences of war near the
family.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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