The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

: = & en wy “He won't ?” 3 we ares “Wo. General, he intends to attack you -soon—this day, perhaps Even now his troops lie at Pittsburg Landing, or very near there. The plan is to surprise you and erush you here beyond recovery.”’ - The old, undisturbed look came back to the features of the general. He was incred- ~ nious. - Grant,” cried Laura, firmly. y, ‘Girl, you are beside yourself,’’ he said. “Do you suppose, if all this were true, my trusty scouts would not have brought me something of it? The idea is absurd. Sur- prise me!” ““Byen you may be surprised, General ‘““T know what Ispeak istrue. Ihave it from the lips of the man who planned the attack. I tell you to be on your guard.” The general laughed a little. Yet it was plain to be seen that the words of the girl were béginning to take a hold up- on him. ' What if Beauregard should attack him as this stranger intimated? The thought was unpleasant. “Well, my fair young friend, I promise you that I will give this matter thought, and if find you speak advisedly, you shall not repent coming here through tbe dark. I will remember the name of Laura Doane.”’ Too late was it even then to give the mat- ter future thought. Even as the general spoke, the door of the apartment in which he sat was hurled open, and a young map entered. Jt was Phil Lamonte. Almost breathlessly he cast down upon the table the dispatches, torn and crumpled, which he had borne from Buell. ‘‘1} am too late, general,’’ he said, pacing up and down the room, his cap in his hand. “ ffeaven knows I could not helpit. I have doue my best."’ The general, without exhibiting a sign of surprise, tore open the package and began to read. Before he had finished a single line he turned toward a bell. At that moment there came from without a wild cry of mingled alarm and terror. The avalanche was descending. Let us takea look about the Union camp at that moment. The scene was one to impress itself forever upon the memory. The gray morning light was just begin- ning to break over the eastern hills. In their quarter many officers were yet fastin the arms of sleep, oblivious of the impending tornado, while some, half-dressed, were in quiet leisure completing their toilet. Part of the soldiers were washing. Some were engaged in preparing their morning meal. Others had finished their duty, and were eating breakfast. Everywhere order and a real Sunday morning quietude reigned over all. Stillat that very instant a tornado was sweeping toward that peaceful camp: Already its mutterings could be eard in the distance. A moment transformed all. Hark! With a yella picket came dashing in! “The enewy is upon us!” Then another scout made his appearance. What a change! In the twinkling of au eye, soldiers sprung up and rushed in confusion to and fro. Officers hastily threw themselves into the saddle. The bugle sounded to arms! The next moment shells came screaming through the forest, anda shower of bullets sung amoung the tents. It was indeed a scene of terror. Hardee threw his forces with fearful vio- lenge upon the troops of General Sherman, who, half bewildered, and hardly knowing whither to turn, dealt terrific blows every- where. Walf dressed, many out of their own or- anizations 2nd poorly equipped, the Union- ists contested every inch of the way against their antagonists, but were forced back step by step in confusion. Then fearful results ensued. This division having been overwhelmed, that held by General Prentiss was attacked. The result was the same. The Union col- umn was shattered and the ground strewn with dead and dying. General Prentiss, with a large portion of his brave boys fell into the hands of the enemy; and with sharp cries of victory, the Coufederates rushed like infuriated demons into the camp. Then the struggle became desperate in- pee THE WAR LIBRARY. Almost hand to hand the opposing forces fought for ten long bours. Now one side held the disputed now the other. It was Northern patriotism, love of coun- try and liberty, against belief in a false | principle. Barnest men, and calm against deceived yet impulsive, hot-headed partisans. Step by step, almost inch by inch, the Union troops were beaten back. With skill almost unparalleled, General Grant directed his forces, and with bull-dog tenacity strove to hold his own. It was useless. Pushing their antagonists slowly before them, the enthusiastic Confederates occu- pied point after point, from which the Unionists had been dislodged, until only the camp of General W. H. L. Wallace, who had fallen in the thickest of the fray, now in command of General McArthur, remained in the hands of the Unionists. General Grant now rested, with the Ten- nessee swollen and turbulent at his back. The day was lost to the Union troops. Who shall picture the weary heart with which the commander acknowledged his impending defeat? It was terrible. From the throats of theoverjoyed Beaure- gard’s men went up 4 shout of victory. The news was sent clicking over wires to Richmond. He had fulfilled his pledge made on the evening of the fifth, when he said to his as- sociates in council, pointing toward the Northern army : ‘Gentlemen, we sleep in the enemy’s Camp to-morrow night.”’ Was his ery of victory justified ¢ Ask the calm historian who wrote the story of those two bloody days, and he will tell you that instead of sitting down in Gen- eral Grant’s camp, if Beauregard at twilight of the sixth of April, had struck one more strong blow the day might have been really gained, the palm of triumph indeed rested in his hands. But this he did not do. Feeling too sure of the final issue, he dealt his iron-willed foe a feeble stroke, which was easily parried. And the result of the awful struggle at Pittsburg Landing on that gloomy night still remain an open question. ground, CHAPTER XX. UNDER THE BARS, That night, while the Union troops, worn out by the terrible conflict of the day, were resting wherever they happened to be, their leader was planning to recover the ground which had been lost Not a shadow of despair could be traced upon his features as he sat in his tent. There was thesame imperturbabie look on his face, the same given air of determina- tion. The hour of nine had arrived. A minute ortwo afterward a young man rode hastily up to Grant’s quarters and de- manded admittance. The light of the lantern held in the hand of the suspicious sentry outside, revealed the face of Phil Lamonte. “T tell you I must see the general ead The tone was impressive. Hearing the voice, the general ealled out: ‘‘ Pass that man immediately !”’ Apologizing, the sentry stepped aside and allowed our hero to pass. ‘‘What do you bring me to-night?” ‘‘Good news, I think.”’ 66 It st ‘That General Buell will arrive to-night.’ “Ah! That is indeed refreshing. From what source do you learn this?”’ ‘‘T left him not two hours ago.” ‘So late as that! Then he must be very near. You think he can reach us in time to help us?” The general peered curiously up from un- der his eyebrows at the young man. “]Tknow he can. General, this hour to- morrow will see us hot upon the heels of those men yonder.” And he pointed toward the rebel army. ‘“You seem enthusiastic.”’ ‘““f am,’ was the proud response, ‘and I know the worth of my leader.” Grant bowed politely. ‘‘Tf the history of this day were to decide my reputation as a soldier, [fear your con- fidence would be shaken. But now thatyou are here I wish to give you a dangerous piece of work. Are you ready for it?” * Anything you entrust me to do shall be ' done, or I will die in the attempt.”’ | 19 eRe “True grit,’’ smiled the general. It was plain to beseen that he held Phil Lamonte to be a hero. ‘‘Tshall ask you to go into the very heart of the Confederate camp.” Phil started a little, but recovered. ae said into the tent of Beauregard himself, I would undertake it.’’ “Tam not sure that the task will not call you there. WhatI wish you to do is to as- certain as accurately aS you can the precise strength of the Confederates, and their ge- ographical location. This can best be learned from some one in command, say the gen- erals. Now this will take some time. I want to make an early attack. Ihave just learned through a scout from General Lew Wallace, that he was led astray ata cross-road, and went far out of the way. With his force added to that of Buell, I think we can wrest from the hands ot Beauregard the victory be almost won to-day.”’ ed ‘Tam sure of it,’’ said Phil, rising as he spoke. ‘I willtry todo what you ask. In order not to lose too much time, [ will rignal you at four o’clock from the rebel camp.” “Dangerous. Don't be careless.” “Tf 1 throw a red, followed by a blue light, wait tillI come. Ifared alone, then open the attack on the Confederate left as soon as you can.”’ ‘Your idea is that if you show the blue you have something I must know before the tight begins ?”’ ‘‘ That’s it.”’ ‘‘T understand, and shall watch for your signals. Be careful. You are brave; don’t try to go too far, and come to me when the day is ours.” ‘My signals will show you that I think we can defeat the Confederates. Have you con- fidence enough in me to takeit for granted that lam right?” ‘“T believe you will not ask me to make too great sacrifices. Too many of my brave beys have gone down to-day to » ake me thoughtless of them. Poor fellows! God knows, I pity them and their dear ones at home.” : In the eye of the strong man somethiug like a tear shone. ; He brushed it silently away. “Good uight, general,’’ said Phil. ‘At four o'clock, if | am alive, you shall know the situation over yonder.”’ ‘Good-night!” And out into the darkness went the in- trepid youth. He had before him a task more trying than he had entered upon in all his life. Yet not once did he wish his leader had left the duty to some one else—not once did he wish it were Over. Not more than two hours or so after Phil Lamonte separated from the Union general there passed along the road leading from Corinth to the camp of the Confederate army, a countryman, driving a sorry speci- men of a horse to which was attached a dilapidated wagon, the inside of which was full of boxes and barrels of various sizes, and all were apparently crowded with such articles as potatoes, cabbage, poultry, and other things of a like nature. As the driver approached the picket-line he drew up, and slowly dismouuting from his seat in the vehicle, left his horse stand- ing in the highway and went limping toward the Confederate who barred his way. “ Halt!” The tones of the sentry rung out clear and distinct on the night air. ‘‘ Halt yerself!’’ was the response of the stranger, as he kept on his way till he stood exactly in front of the Confederate soldier. “What do I want to hold upfor. I'd like to ask yer?”’ ‘You cannot pass this line to-night. That’s€ why I challenge you.” “T can’t?” “No, sir. We have strict orders. can enter camp to-night.” ‘“ Well, you see, ag how Iam no one, and so Imust be an exception, I rather think I ought to be.”’ ‘“What is your business?”’ “Why, I’ve a load o’ truck out here that I’ve brought up all the way from Corinth to sell you fellers, stuff to eat, mostly.”’ ‘‘ Your a huckster, then ?” “You've guessed right; I am. JT used to be around camp before you moved up, every day. An’I thought may be you’d be glad to see me after the big scrimmage to- day. Say, stranger, I’m all right. DVve got a pass to enter the lines. Want to see it?” he countryman fumbled about in the breast of his coat and fished outa dirty card which he held up before him. No one EOmIIGchbooks (E)