"So the summing up of all this," said Stuart, "that our friends are nottoo hopeful?"
"They are not, general."
"They say Lee must win a great victory on the soil of Pennsylvania?"
"Yes, general. Without it there is no hope of peace, they declare."
"Well, I think they are right; and that we shall gain the victory."
Mr. Nighthawk made no reply; and Stuart reflected for some momentswithout speaking. Then rousing himself:--
"I forgot," he said. "You have not given me your special information,Nighthawk."
The worthy smiled.
"You know I am the 'man before the battle,' general?"
"Yes, go on, Nighthawk."
"I have just left General Hooker's head-quarters."
"Where are they?"
"Beyond Centreville."
"You saw him?"
"I conversed with him."
"Ah!"
"An hour, general, as the Rev. Mr. Ward, from Massachusett, of the'Grand Union Sanitary Commission'."
And Mr. Nighthawk smiled.
"Of course I urged active movements, and General Hooker became quiteanimated."
"He agreed with your views then?" said Stuart, laughing.
"Perfectly, general."
"And he intends--"
"There is the important thing. While we were conversing, General Hookerwas called for a moment out of his tent, and by accident, my eyes fellupon an order which lay upon his desk."
"An order?"
"For two divisions of cavalry, one of infantry, and a full complement ofartillery, to advance and drive you back to the mountain."
"Ah! you saw that order?"
"I did, general; it was just ready to be sent."
"What day did it fix?"
"To-morrow, general."
"Ah, indeed! Two divisions of infantry and one of cavalry?"
Mr. Nighthawk inclined in assent.
"When did you leave Hooker's head-quarters?"
"This afternoon."
"And you came through the lines to-night?"
"Yes, general, in the usual way, by passing through the pickets. I wason foot and nothing was easier."
Stuart knit his brows and reflected. Then he called to the orderly.
"Wake the adjutant-general, and have three couriers ready at once!"
Mr. Nighthawk arose.
"By-the-by, general," he said, "I saw Swartz, whom I have mentioned toyou."
"Yes; the best spy, you say, in the Federal army."
"I think he is, general. He is a wonderful man. He recently played atrick upon you."
"Upon _me_?"
"At least he bore off a prisoner from you. It was a lady, captured byColonel Mohun, one night on the Rappahannock."
"Ah! Is it possible! So Swartz was the old countryman, driving the wagonthat morning."
"So he informed me, general."
"You are friends, then?"
"Close friends."
And Mr. Nighthawk smiled.
"We have an agreement--but that would not interest you, general. Thatwas really Swartz, and the old woman was the prisoner."
"Well," said Stuart, "that was a bold stroke, but the lady was handsomeenough to make friends. There is something between herself and ColonelMohun, is there not?"
Mr. Nighthawk glanced quickly at the face of the general. His eyesresembled steel points, but the piercing glance at once sank.
"Something between them, general? What could have made you think that?But here is Major McClellan. I will not detain you, general; I will comeback at daylight to receive your orders."
With these words, Mr. Nighthawk distributed a benignant smile, bowed ina friendly manner, and disappeared, it was difficult to say how, fromthe apartment. I had turned my eyes from him but an instant; when Iagain looked he was gone.
"And now to work!" exclaimed Stuart. "We are going to fight tomorrow,Surry, since the 'man before the battle' has made his appearance!"
XII.
HOW STUART FELL BACK.
At daybreak, Stuart was going at full gallop to the front.
A rapid fire of skirmishers, mingled with the dull roar of cannon,indicated that Nighthawk had not been deceived.
All at once the sharp-shooters were seen falling back from the woods.
"Bring me a piece of artillery!" exclaimed Stuart, darting to the front.
But the attack of the enemy swept all before it. Stuart was driven back,and was returning doggedly, when the gun for which he had sent, gallopedup, and unlimbered in the road.
It was too late. Suddenly a solid shot screamed above us; the gun washurled from its carriage, and rolled shattered and useless in the wood;the horses were seen rearing wild with terror, and trying to kick out ofthe harness.
Suddenly one of them leaped into the air and fell, torn in two by asecond round shot.
"Quick work!" said Stuart, grimly.
And turning round to me, he said, pointing to a hill in rear--
"Post three pieces on that hill to rake all the roads."
The order, like the former, came too late, however. The enemy advancedin overpowering force--drove Stuart back beyond his head-quarters, wherethey captured the military satchel of the present writer--and stillrushing forward, like a hurricane, compelled the Confederate cavalry toretire behind Goose Creek. On the high ground there, Stuart postedhis artillery; opened a rapid fire; and before this storm of shell theFederal forces paused.
The spectacle at that moment was picturesque and imposing. The enemy'sforce was evidently large. Long columns of cavalry, heavy masses ofinfantry and artillery at every opening, right, left, and centre, showedthat the task of driving back Stuart was not regarded as very easy.The sunshine darted from bayonet and sabre all along the great line ofbattle--and from the heavy smoke, tinged with flame, came the Federalshell. With their infantry, cavalry, and artillery, they seemeddetermined to put an end to us. Stuart galloped to his guns, pouring asteady fire from the lofty hill. Captain Davenant directed it inperson, and he was evidently in his right element. All his sadness haddisappeared. A cool and resolute smile lit up his features.
"All right, Davenant! Hold your ground!" exclaimed Stuart.
"I will do so, general."
"Can you keep them from crossing?"
"I can try, general."
A whirlwind of shell screamed around the two speakers. For the hundredthtime I witnessed that entire indifference to danger which was a trait ofStuart. The fire at this moment was so terrible that I heard an officersay:--
"General Stuart seems trying to get himself and everybody killed."
Nothing more inspiring, however, can be imagined than his appearance atthat moment. His horse, wild with terror, reared, darted, and attemptedto unseat his rider. Stuart paid no attention to him. He had no eyes orthought for any thing but the enemy. His cheeks were flushed, his eyesflamed--he resembled a veritable king of battle.
From Stuart my glances passed to Davenant. His coolness impressedme deeply. While giving an order, a shell burst right in his face,enveloping horse and rider in a cloud of smoke--but when the smokedrifted away, he was sitting his horse unmoved, and giving the order asquietly as before.
I have not invented this picture, reader, or fancied this character. Ihad the honor to enjoy the friendship of the brave boy I describe. Hewas remarkable, in an epoch crowded with remarkable characters.
Stuart held his ground for an hour on the high hills of Goose Creek, butit then became plain that he was going to be driven back. The enemy hadfelt him, and discovered that the game was in their own hands. Nowthey rushed on his right, left and centre, at the same moment--cavalry,infantry, and artillery rolling on like a torrent--crossed the stream,charged the hill--in a moment a bitter and savage combat commenced forthe possession of the crest.
Stuart rushed toward the guns. As he reached them a cannon ball carriedoff the head of a cannoneer, and his horse reared with fright, nearlytrampling on the headless trunk which spouted blood
. Davenant had coollydrawn his sabre, but had given no order to retire.
"Move back the guns!" exclaimed Stuart.
"Is it necessary, general?" asked Davenant.
"Yes, they will be captured in five minutes!"
"It is a pity we can not remain, general. This is an excellentposition."
And he gave the order to limber up. The operation was performed amid ahurricane of bullets, striking down the cannoneers.
Suddenly a column of Federal cavalry charged straight at the guns.Davenant met them with his mounted men, armed with sabres, and astubborn combat followed. It was a hilt to hilt affair, and Davenant wasin the midst of it shouting:--
"You are fighting for your guns, boys! You promised to die by yourguns!"
The men answered with fierce shouts, and met the enemy with savageresolution. Meanwhile, the guns had rushed at a gallop down thewestern slope; a regiment came to Davenant's assistance; the fight grewdesperate, but was of no avail.
In fifteen minutes we were driven.
Driven! Do you know what that means, reader? Ask old soldiers if it ispleasant. They will growl in reply!
We were forced back, step by step, with the enemy at our very heels. Atour backs came on the huge column, yelling and firing, mad with triumph.Stuart the valiant, the obstinate, the unshrinking was driven!
We were forced back to Upperville, and there things looked stormy. Onthe other roads, Stuart's right and left were rapidly retiring. Hiscentre at Upperville seemed devoted to destruction.
The enemy came on like a whirlwind, with a roaring shout. As far asthe eye could see, the great fields were dark with them. Their horseartillery advanced at a gallop, unlimbered, and tore the retreatingcolumns with shot and shell.
I was ten yards from Stuart, just at the edge of the town, when a pickedbody of Federal horsemen darted straight upon him.
They had evidently recognized him by his major-general's uniform andsplendid feather. Bullets hissed around him; blows were struck at him;and for an instant I saw him in the midst of a wild huddle of enemies,defending himself with his revolver only.
In an instant he would have been killed or captured, with his staff andbody-guard, when a resounding shout was heard.
I glanced over my shoulder, and saw the cavaliers of Hampton coming onwith drawn sabre.
Then a splendid spectacle was presented--that of Wade Hampton in one ofhis great moments. This stalwart cavalier was leading his men, and in aninstant they had struck the enemy with a noise like thunder.
Suddenly a cavalier on a black horse rushed by like the wild huntsman,and I recognized Mohun; who, spurring his animal to headlong speed,drove straight at the leader of the Federal cavalry, almost in contactwith us.
Through a rift in the smoke I caught a glimpse of Mohun's opponent. Hewas a man of low stature, but broad, heavy, and powerful. He came tomeet his adversary with the bridle of his horse resting on the animal'sneck, while both hands clutched a heavy broad-sword, raised over hisright shoulder.
I could only see that the two opponents hurled together like knightstilting; their swords gleamed; they closed in, body to body; then thesmoke wrapped them. It was impossible to see more.
XIV.
MOSBY COMES TO STUART'S ASSISTANCE.
Sore and restive at the reverse which had come to balance his victoryof Fleetwood, Stuart bivouacked near Paris, that night, and made everypreparation to attack at dawn.
At daylight he was in the saddle, and spurred to the high groundcommanding Upperville.
All at once he checked his horse. The enemy had disappeared.
Stuart's blue eye flashed, and half an hour afterward he was advancingat the head of his cavalry. Not a foe was visible. Pressing on throughUpperville, and over the trampled fields beyond, he continued to advanceupon Middleburg, and near that place came up with the rear of the enemy.They showed little fight, however, and were driven beyond the place.The gray troopers pursued them with shouts and cheers--with which weremingled cries of rejoicing from the people of Middleburg.
An hour afterward the lines were re-established in triumph.
Stuart returned to his former head-quarters amid a drenching rain; andthis recalls an incident very honorable to the brave soldier. As nightdescended, dark and stormy, Stuart gazed gloomily at the torrents ofrain falling.
"My poor fellows!" he said, with a sigh, "they will have a hard timeto-night."
Then suddenly turning to his servant, he added:--
"Spread my oil-cloth and blankets under that apple tree yonder. I willkeep them dry enough when I once get into them."[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
"You are not going to sleep out on such a night, general!" exclaimed astaff officer.
"Certainly I am," was his reply, "I don't intend to fare better than mymen!"[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
And an hour afterward Stuart was asleep under the apple tree, with atorrent pouring on him.
That was the act of a good officer and soldier, was it not, reader?
Before sunrise Stuart was up, and walking uneasily to and fro. As theday wore on, he exhibited more and more impatience. All at once, at theappearance of an officer, approaching rapidly from the front, he utteredan exclamation of pleasure.
"Here is Mosby at last!" he said.
And he went to meet the new-comer. It was the famous chief of partisanswhose name by this time had become a terror to the enemy. He wore aplain gray uniform, a brace of revolvers in a swaying belt, rode aspirited gray mare, and I recognized at once the roving glance, andsatirical smile which had struck me on that night when he rescued Farleyand myself in Fauquier.
Stuart rapidly drew him into a private apartment; remained inconsultation with him for half an hour; and then came forth, with asmile of evident satisfaction.
Mosby's intelligence must have pleased him. It at least dispelled hisgloom.
An hour afterward his head-quarters had disappeared--every thing wassent toward the mountains. Stuart set out apparently to follow them--butthat was only a ruse to blind busybodies.
A quarter of a mile from head-quarters he leaped a fence, and doubledback, going in the direction now of Manassas.
At daylight on the next morning he had forced his way through the BullRun mountain.
Two hours afterward he had made a sudden attack on the enemy's infantry.It was the rear of Hancock's corps, which was the rear of Hooker's army,then retiring toward the Potomac.
XV.
THE SUPPER NEAR BUCKLANDS.
Stuart's fight near Haymarket, here alluded to, was a gay affair; but Ipass over it, to a scene still gayer and decidedly more pleasant.
The fighting continued throughout the day, and at dusk a heavy raincame on. We were all tired and hungry--the general no less so thanhis staff--and when an invitation was sent to us by a gentleman nearBucklands, to come and sup with him, we accepted it with fervor, andhastened toward the friendly mansion.
A delightful reception awaited us. The house was full of young ladies,passionately devoted to "rebels," and we were greeted with an enthusiasmwhich passed all bounds. Delicate hands pressed our own; bright eyesbeamed upon us; rosy lips smiled; musical voices said "welcome!"--andsoon a savory odor, pervading the mansion, indicated that the wants ofthe inner man were not forgotten.
An excellent supper was plainly in preparation for the bold Stuart andhis military family; and that gay and gallant cavalier, General FitzLee having also been invited, the joy of the occasion was complete! Thehouse rang with clashing heels, rattling sabres, and clanking spurs. Amore charming sound still, however, was that made by jingling keys andrattling china, and knives and forks. All was joy and uproar: jests,compliments and laughter. Young ladies went and came; the odors grewmore inviting. In ten minutes the door of a large apartment oppositethe drawing-room was thrown open, and a magnificent, an enthrallingspectacle was revealed to every eye. Not to be carried away, however,by enthusiasm, I will simply say that we saw before us a long mahoganytable covered
with the most appetizing viands--broils, roasts, stews,bread of every variety, and real coffee and tea in real silver! Thatmagical spectacle still dwells in my memory, reader, though the fact maylower me in your good opinion. But alas! we are all "weak creatures."The most poetical grow hungry. We remember our heroic performances inthe great civil war--but ask old soldiers if these recollections are notthe most vivid!
An incident connected with the repast made it especially memorable.The servants of the house had deserted to their friends in blue; and asthere was thus a deficiency of attendants, the young ladies took theirplaces. Behind every chair stood a maiden--their faces wreathed withsmiles. We were shown to our seats, amid joyous laughter. The comedyevidently afforded all engaged in it immense enjoyment--and thecavaliers humoring the angelic maid-servants, gravely advanced towardthe table.
Stuart threw his plumed hat upon a chair, and drew near the foot ofthe table. The light fell full on the ruddy face, the heavy beard andmustache, and brilliant fighting jacket. He looked round with a gaysmile. "Was any one absent," asked the kind lady of the house, as shesaw the glance. Stuart made a low bow, and said:--
"All are here, madam!"
Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins. Page 5