CHAPTER III.
_The General--His Quarters--The Delay--The Expedition--The Instructions--The Departure_.
We should have else desired your good advice (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous) In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow, Is't far you ride?--_Shakespeare._
The Union army, or rather a portion of it, was encamped at Warsaw,waiting for the completion of the Osage river bridge, which was beingbuilt by the soldiers, at that point. The division under the command ofacting Major-General Sigel, had succeeded, after an extraordinaryeffort, in reaching the west side of the river, but it was impossible toconvey the heavy trains which accompanied the army across, withoutsomething more than the small scow, which was termed a ferry-boat, andplying between Warsaw and the opposite shore.
The divisions under the command of McKinstry, Hunter, and Pope, had notyet arrived. Therefore the troops occupying Warsaw and its vicinity,numbered only about ten or twelve thousand. Under the incessant toil ofthe soldiers, who labored day and night, it was expected that the bridgewould be complete by the time the rear divisions of the army arrived.
As a matter of prudence, it was deemed necessary to keep the rebel hostsin ignorance with regard to the situation of our forces. It was notexpected that they would advance upon us, although many expressed adesire that it should be so, believing that Price would never meet ourentire army, and that farther pursuit of that general was altogetherfruitless. This opinion, however, was not general, and the moreexperienced officers were of the opinion that a few days would bring agreat and decisive battle, but had perfect confidence in our completesuccess. They felt, that if the rebel leader possessed one particle of_pride_, he _must_ make a stand, after the oft-repeated oaths that hehad taken, to meet and overwhelm the federal troops.
Spies were reporting each day, that Price had sworn to meet, and give usbattle; but the opinion among this class seemed to be, that he wouldfall back to the Arkansas line, and make a junction with Texan troops,said to be on the march toward Missouri. Many reports were circulatedwith regard to the strength of the rebel army, some saying it numberedover seventy thousand, while others declared there were not over thirtythousand armed men connected with it.
But the general commanding the Union forces, placing little relianceupon the statement of those spies, whom he believed could be boughtupon either side by the highest bidder, determined to send known andtrusty men into the very camp of Price. The delay of the army wouldafford sufficient time for doing so. It soon became known throughoutcamp that the general wished the services of some two or three daringspirits, for a dangerous enterprise, although _what_ the nature of thisenterprise might be, was not known, or whether the officers requiredwere to take soldiers with them or go alone.
The headquarters of our army were situated on the hill at the upper andeast side of Warsaw. The tent of General Fremont, which was of theSibley pattern, modest and unassuming in its appearance, stood in theedge of an oak grove, near the house of the rebel judge Brown. In no waywas it distinguishable from others which surrounded it, except thatbefore the door, there was a single soldier of the body-guard, withdrawn sword, acting as sentinel. Adjoining the general's tent wereothers of the same pattern, which were occupied by his staff. On theslope above, and almost concealed from view among the trees, was theencampment of the sharpshooters and the Benton cadets.
The reader will follow me along the main road, and passing headquarterssome twenty rods, will see, on a parallel with the street, a line oftents, which were the staff officers' of the cadets. Just beforereaching these we will turn a little to the left, and proceed for ashort distance down a narrow lane. At the extreme right of the cadets'camp, stands a tent, of precisely the same appearance as thosesurrounding it, the entire regiment occupying the kind known as theFremont tent. Let us enter.
It is occupied at this time by four men, who, by their uniforms, are atonce recognized as officers. Two of these officers display the rank ofcaptain, by their shoulder-straps, the other two that of firstlieutenant. The dark blue and bullion of one of these lieutenantsindicate a staff officer. He is the regimental adjutant.
"William Nettleton!" called one of the officers.
"Here, captain," was the ready response.
"Bring more coffee!"
"Yes, captain."
And away started the person addressed as Nettleton.
It will be necessary to give a brief description of this personage, ashe is to play a conspicuous part in the following events. He was inheight, about six feet. His neck was very long, his hair nearlywhite--not from age, but naturally so; his brows and eyelashes of thesame color, his eyes were of a light green, his mouth large and gaping,his teeth extending like a battering ram, his form very lank and lean,his legs immensely long and thin, and very knock-kneed, and hisfeet--oh! ye gods,--such feet. They were about the shape of his ownknapsack, and almost as large, and his legs seemed to join the feetexactly in the middle, extending as far to the rear as front. And whenhe walked, one would almost fancy that at every step he would fall topieces. In fact, he looked unlike man or animal, and at first sight hemight have been taken for a deformed idiot. But whoever supposed him assuch, on a very short acquaintance would discover their mistake. He hadbeen detached from his company as the captain's servant, was very muchattached to him, and delighted in being called the "captain's bodyguard."
In a moment his voice was heard exclaiming:
"Here, ye darn lazy skunks, you; what for did you let this fire go out?Captain wants some more coffee, and now it's all cold, darn ye."
A burst of laughter followed this, as the adjutant remarked:
"Captain, you have a jewel in that fellow."
"Yes, but a rough one."
"A decided character, I wish you would transfer him to me."
"Not for his weight in gold. I have adopted him," replied the captain.
"I will wager my commission, he will fight!"
"I intend to try him!"
"In what way?"
"I will tell you presently. But, let us talk of other matters now. Youheard what the colonel said?"
"Ye darn lazy skunks you!"
"William's voice again!" replied the adjutant, laughing, which wasjoined in by the four officers present.
"Perhaps William's address to his squad _might_ apply to us, for we havedone very little lately. But, the colonel tells me that Fremont wantssome one to--"
"Go to the devil!" again shouted William. He was, of course, addressinghimself to the cook and boys who surrounded him, and who were alwaysteazing the fellow, and of course took all he said or did in good part.
"William is apt in answers, if replying to us, captain. At all events,_that_ reply was more apropos than the first," said the adjutant.
"To go on some important service. I expect," continued the captain, "itis to visit the camp of Price as a spy. There has nothing been saidabout the men going with us, or with the officer who may volunteer togo, and of course the general would not expect an officer of the cadetsto take men from other regiments, and ours are all engaged in buildingthe bridge."
"Have you received any definite order?"
"Yes, and I at once sent for you all. The order includes our names, andwe are to report to the general at four o'clock. It is now two."
"Anything to relieve this present monotony. I for one am tired of it. Icame to Missouri to fight, and not to run. True, we are running _after_Price, but that does not satisfy me. I confess that I am ambitious, andI want to do something that will bring my name prominently before theworld; and I want--"
"Coffee, sir," said William, entering the tent.
"Go on, adjutant William, place the coffee upon the table. You weresaying that you want--"
"Whiskey, sir," again repeated William, as he handed a bottle toward hiscaptain, which he had taken from the mess-chest.
"William, be quiet; don't speak again," said the captain.
"I won't, captain, but I heard the adjuta
nt say he wanted something, andI thought of course it was the black bottle."
"Silence, Nettleton."
"I will, captain. Shall I make it hot?"
"Nettleton, will you shut your mouth?"
"I can't, captain, my teeth are too long."
"Go after some wood for my fire, William. Take your squad with you."
"Yes, captain."
In a moment Nettleton was heard calling:
"Here, ye darn lazy skunks you, captain wants some wood. Come, be quick,or I will have you all in the guard-house."
"Now, adjutant, what were you going to say?"
"Merely, that I want my parents, my relatives, to feel that I have donesomething that they may be proud of me!"
"Adjutant, that is a natural impulse of the human heart. But this is notyour only motive?" The captain fixed a piercing look upon him. He benthis head for a moment and was silent. At that instant the band struck upthe Star-Spangled Banner.
"No!" cried the adjutant, springing to his feet. "That is _not_ my onlymotive. I thought _you_ knew me better. It is true I love my father andmy mother, my brothers and sisters, and it would gratify my pride if Icould return home after this war is over, an acknowledged hero; but, Ilove my country, and while I enjoy the self-satisfaction derived fromgreat deeds, I desire my country should derive all the benefits. It maybe passion with me--this love of country--but I trust it is principle.My fathers fought, and I should hate myself if I had so far degeneratedas to fight from selfish motives, or _fear_ to fight. From youth I havedreamed of battle-fields, and glory for myself, never thinking it wouldbe in this, our own America, that my first battle would be fought. Butit is so, and my manhood views differ somewhat from those of childhood.Now I long for the battle-field, and my country's glory!"
"I have no doubt of your loyalty, Harry," replied the captain. "Neitherdo I doubt your love for your friends and your country. But you havejust returned from the camp of Price, and, if I mistake not, you lovethat camp."
Harry did not reply. The two other officers gazed upon the adjutant witha look of surprise, and then turning to the captain, one of them said:
"Love for the camp of Price!"
"Oh don't be alarmed, gentlemen. You know the good book tells us thatwhere the treasure is, there the heart will be."
"These are strange words; however, explain."
"Why, can you not guess?"
"Relatives there!"
"No! that is, not at present. How soon a relative _may_ be there isquite another thing."
"Come--come, captain, explain."
"Why, look at Harry's face; you can find the explanation there. What butlove, and love for the _softer_ sex, ever made a man like Harry growpale and melancholy. You have not heard him sing 'Noble Republic'recently, have you? You know the free bird never sings when its mate hasbeen caught and caged."
"_Caught_ and _caged_! Why then if Harry really does love, it is not arebel beauty?"
"I will answer that," cried Harry. "No, she is not a rebel beauty, butis, and ever has been a true Union girl. I call her girl, for she is soinnocent, so artless, so beautiful, and yet she possesses firmness andresolution I never could have expected in one so young. I met her yearsago in New York. She was then a little child, but I loved her even then.When I visited the camp of the rebels last week, what was my surprise tomeet her. I learned her history, and I found she was detained as aprisoner. But it is growing late. In ten minutes we must meet thegeneral. I will explain all this at some future time."
"Ah! here comes Nettleton. I want him," said the captain.
Nettleton entered the tent.
"William, tell me which you prefer: to serve in the ranks, or to act asmy body-guard?"
"Why, captain, I want to remain just as I am. Why? You don't want tohave me superceded, do you?"
"Oh! no; but why do you object to being in the ranks?"
"I can't turn round quick enough!"
"Why?"
"My feet are too big?"
"I am afraid, William, that you are a coward!"
"I don't think I am, captain!"
"If you were to meet the enemy in battle, would you run?"
"Which way?"
"Why, _from_ the enemy."
"I suspect I should, captain!"
"Why, William, you said you were not a coward!"
"Well, I say so again!"
"Then why would you run _from_ the enemy?"
"Why, _I must follow my captain of course_!"
"Good, Nettleton, good," shouted the listeners. "You are matched thistime, captain." And all joined in the laugh.
"Well, William, I expect I shall go to-night, where there is somedanger. Will you go with me?"
"Yes, captain."
"Think again, William. We may both be killed?"
"Oh! well, if we are only _both_ killed, I can serve you still?"
"Serve me! In what way?"
"By bringing _coal for your fire_, instead of wood!"
"Come--come, William, no more of this levity. If you will go, or wish togo, you can do so. Saddle White Surry for yourself. Give my brown horseto Swasey's nigger! prepare my horse, and be ready in half an hour.Come, gentlemen, it is time to report to the general."
The four officers left the tent, and proceeded to the headquarters ofthe commanding officer. They were duly announced by the guard.
They entered the tent. The general was seated at a small table, busywith his papers. But he rose instantly, and in a cordial manner, invitedthem to a seat.
"We report for orders, general," said the captain.
"Then you have resolved to undertake this task?" answered the general inan inquiring manner.
"Yes, although ignorant of its nature, we have resolved to attemptanything that may benefit our army and our cause. You have only to giveyour commands, to have them faithfully executed, if it is possible to doso!"
"I have no commands to give. That which I ask is a mere request, whichyou are at liberty to decline if you wish. Here are the directions. You,Captain Hayward, will act as you think best, so far as details areconcerned, and will take command. If, however, after reading thedirections contained in that envelope, you wish to decline the service,let me hear of it soon as convenient."
"You have our answer now. Good evening, general."
"Good evening, gentlemen."
The officers at once left the tent, and proceeded to that of thecaptain.
"Be seated," said Captain Hayward, as he opened the envelope. He glancedover its contents, and turning to his companions he said:
"We must disguise ourselves. It is as I suspected--we are to go to thecamp of Price. I have in my possession one of the secesh uniforms, whichformerly belonged to an officer. I shall wear it. You will dress in theplain homespun worn by the rebel soldiers."
"Where are we to procure them?"
"They will be sent to my tent in a few moments. The general has providedthem. William Nettleton!"
"Yes, captain."
"Are our horses ready?"
"Yes, captain."
"Tell my cook to prepare rations for three days for six men. Take carethat they are properly placed in our haversacks--then bring the horsesaround to my tent-door. Stay, here is a suit of clothing I wish you toput on, and wherever we go, understand you belong in Springfield, andhave just left the hospital there. After we pass our lines, you know youare a rebel, so lay aside that rifle, and take the shot gun I gave you.'Swasey's nigger' will not be armed at all. Go."
In a few moments the officers had changed their uniforms for the rougherdress. Their horses were brought up, and they at once took their leaveof camp, followed by the negro and William Nettleton.