United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
It was now getting late, and all felt they must be on the way. Yet every
man was hungry, and it was decided that a meal should first be had at
Colonel's Bradner's expense. The negro cook, who had been hiding about
the kitchen, was brought to light, and made to promise to get ready the
best spread the plantation could provide, and it must be acknowledged
that she kept her word.
As Captain Fordick was not willing to escort a woman prisoner back to
camp, a detail was left at the mansion, taking both the lady of the
house and her husband into custody. Every weapon about the place was
confiscated, and the colored people were placed under strict
surveillance, that they might not help master and mistress in secret.
Mrs. Bradner wept bitterly when told that her brother was captured and
would be taken to the Union headquarters as a spy. On her knees she
begged Artie, Life, and Captain Fordick in turn to let Gossley go. But
this was, of course, out of the question. Now that matters had turned
out so favorably for him, Artie could not help but feel sorry for the
lady, who had allowed her mistaken patriotism to lead her so far astray,
yet he could do nothing for her, and left the place as soon as the
dinner was finished.
Two hours of hard riding brought the infantry and their prisoner to
general headquarters, and here Gossley was turned over to the proper
authorities, who sent him to a western prison, there to remain until the
close of the war. The head of the staff, although busy with numerous
other reports, listened with close attention to Artie's tale, and placed
the map taken from the spy on file.
"It was a good bit of work, Captain Lyon," he said. "And it is likely to
be remembered to your credit."
"It was only my duty, sir," answered Artie. "Any Union soldier would
have done as much."
"Possibly. But let me say, it is a big thing to catch a spy," and then
Artie was dismissed to join his company, along with Life Knox. The
unattached infantrymen were ordered to remain in the vicinity of Colonel
Bradner's plantation, which was afterwards transformed into a temporary
hospital.
By this time the cavalry, of which the Riverlawns formed a portion, had
passed through Eagleville, to do some sharp skirmishing at Rover. Here
the Confederates attempted to make a stand, but the forces under General
Mitchell were too powerful for them, and they broke and filed down the
road leading to Unionville and Shelbyville. At the same time another
cavalry force made a demonstration on the extreme left, and some
infantry began to operate about Woodbury. Thus was Bragg completely
blinded to what the true intention of the Union commander was, and sent
force after force to his left when he should have hurried them in
exactly the opposite direction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account