CHAPTER III.
RECRUITING IN KENTUCKY.
It did not take Calhoun long after he had plunged into the wood toascertain that he was not pursued; so he slackened his headlong pace, thenstopped that he might catch his breath.
"Whew!" he panted, "here is a go. Horse gone--arms, except this smallrevolver, gone--baggage gone--letters gone. Thank God the dispatches aresafe," and he tapped his breast, where they lay hidden. "That is about astight a place as I care to be in," he continued, as he began to work hisway through the woods. "I call this blamed tough luck. Here I am nearlythree hundred miles from my destination. A horse I must and will have, andthat quickly. Surely the planters in this section are too loyal to theSouth not to let me have a horse when they know the predicament I am in. Iwill try my luck at the very first opportunity. If worse come to worst, Iwill steal one; that is, I will confiscate one."
With this resolve he pushed rapidly on, and after going a half mile ormore, he came out of the woods, and beyond lay a fine plantation. "Iwonder if those pesky Yankees will trouble me if I try to make thathouse," he thought. "I will risk it anyway, for if I can reach it, itmeans a horse."
Making his way cautiously he soon reached the road in safety. He listenedintently, but could hear nothing of the enemy; but from the oppositedirection there came the measured beat of a horse's hoofs. Looking up hesaw, not a Yankee, but a lady approaching, at a swift gallop. Calhoun'sheart gave a great bound, for he knew that no Southern woman would betrayhim, and he stepped out from his place of concealment and stood in plainview by the side of the road.
When the rider saw him she gave a start of surprise, and then reined inher horse with such ease and grace as to charm him. He saw at a glance shewas young and exceedingly beautiful.
"Pardon me," he exclaimed, reaching for his hat, and then he remembered hehad none, having lost it when his horse fell. "Excuse my appearance," helaughed. "I find I have no hat to take off. Probably some Yankee has it asa trophy by this time. I am a Confederate officer in distress, and as adaughter of the South, I know I can appeal to you, and not in vain."
"You can," she replied, quickly. "I thought I heard firing and I rode downto see what it meant, as I knew of no party of Confederates in thevicinity."
"A company of Federal cavalry were firing at me," answered Calhoun. "Myhorse fell, and I had to run, or be captured."
"Were you all alone?" she queried.
"Yes, all alone."
"Then I forgive you for running," she answered, with a ringing laugh,"otherwise I should not. But how came you here, and all alone?"
In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and his business.
"Come with me," she cried, quickly. "Let us gain the house before theYankees come, as no doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse. Ifno other be forthcoming, I will give you my Firefly here, although itwould almost break my heart to part with him," and she lovingly patted theneck of her gallant steed.
"I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be called for," repliedCalhoun.
"No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved cause," she answered; "butcome, we are losing time, the Yankees may be here any moment."
If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read the captured letters, Calhounand his fair guide would not have reached the house undiscovered. As itwas, they had hardly entered it when the Federals hove in sight.
"There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!" exclaimed Calhoun. "How Ishould like to meet him alone."
"They are going to stop," gasped the girl. "They may search the house, butthey will not if I can outwit them. Mother," she said, to an elderly ladywho had just entered and was gazing at Calhoun in surprise, "take thisofficer upstairs and conceal him. There is now no time for explanations.The Yankees are in the yard."
The mother, without a word, motioned Calhoun to follow her, and led himupstairs. Hardly had they disappeared when her father entered.
"There is that Lieutenant Haines and his company visiting us again," hesaid, with some anxiety. "I wonder what they want."
"Father," said the girl, "go and meet Lieutenant Haines, use him nicely.Invite him to dinner."
Mr. Osborne looked at his daughter in surprise. "I never expected to seethe time you would want me to invite a Yankee officer to dinner," he said.
"Never mind now, I will explain afterwards. Go quick, for I see he isthrowing a guard around the house," was her answer.
Mr. Osborne went, wondering what had come over his daughter, and wasentirely successful in carrying out her scheme, although it was unknown tohim. Before his return, Mrs. Osborne came downstairs, her face denotingher anxiety.
"Mother," said the girl, "do not let father know we have any oneconcealed. It will enable him to say truly he knows of no Confederatearound. And, mother, I have told him to invite the Federal commander--it'sthat odious Lieutenant Haines--to dinner. Be nice to him. Use him like awelcome, honored guest. We must disarm all suspicion, and keep them fromsearching the house, if possible."
We have seen how well her plan worked, and how completely LieutenantHaines was thrown off his guard. Little did he think that while he wasenjoying his dinner downstairs, the Confederate officer who had escapedhim was feasting like a king upstairs.
It soon became evident to Calhoun that there was no danger of the housebeing searched, and from a window he observed all that was passingwithout. When he saw the troop ride away, and his own horse led up to thehouse for the Federal commander, that spirit of recklessness for which hewas noted came over him, and without thinking of what the effect might beon those who had, at great risk, so kindly befriended him, he resolved totry to capture his own. With satisfaction he saw the last Yankee depart,leaving the commander behind.
"Now is my time!" he exclaimed, exultingly, and looking to see that hisrevolver was in perfect condition, he crept softly downstairs, and as hasbeen noted, was perfectly successful. So sudden was his appearance, soswift were his movements, that the little company could only gaze afterhim in astonishment until he had disappeared.
For a few minutes Calhoun was hilarious over the success of his bold dash;then came to him the thought that he had cruelly wronged the Osbornes inwhat he had done. He suddenly checked his horse, and then turned as if hewould ride back, hesitated, then turned once more, and rode on his way,but more slowly.
"It is too late now," he sighed, to himself, "to undo the wrong I may havedone. To think I may have brought trouble on the head of that gloriousgirl, who even would give me her own horse! It's the meanest trick youever did, Calhoun Pennington, and it would serve you right if the Yankeescaptured you."
It was in no enviable frame of mind that Calhoun continued his journey. Itwas not long before he noticed that his horse was lame. The fall that hehad had, had evidently strained his shoulder. Calhoun more bitterly thanever regretted that he had not restrained himself. If he had, he might nowhave been riding a good fresh horse, given him by Mr. Osborne.
"Serves me right," he groaned. "Oh, what a fool, and not only a fool, buta brute, I have been. That girl! I can't help thinking that I may have gother into serious trouble."
A few miles more and his horse became so lame that Calhoun had to comedown to a walk. He dismounted with a ruthful face.
"It's no use," he said; "I shall have to leave him. Where can I getanother horse?"
The opportunity came sooner than he expected. He had dismounted in a wood,a thick growth of cedars screening him from the observation of any onepassing along the road. Hearing the sound of an approaching horseman, hecrept to the side of the road, and to his surprise saw a Federal officerapproaching unattended. He was riding leisurely along unsuspicious ofdanger, and whistling merrily. With Calhoun to think was to act.
"Halt! Surrender!" were the words which saluted the startled officer, asCalhoun sprang into the road by his side, and levelled a revolver at hisbreast.
The officer was a brave man, and he reached for his revolver.
"Touch that weapon, and you are a dead man," said Calhoun, in a low, firmvoice. "Fool, don't you see I have the drop on you?"
The set features of the Federal relaxed, he even smiled as he replied: "Iguess you are right. No use kicking. What is your pleasure?"
"Dismount. No, on this side."
The officer did as he was bidden. Calhoun took hold of the horse's bridle,still keeping the man covered with his revolver.
"Now," continued Calhoun, "your name, rank, and regiment."
"Mark Crawford, Captain Company B, --th Ohio Cavalry," was the answer.
"Captain Crawford, I am very happy to have met you. As it may be a littleinconvenient for you and me to travel together, I ask you to give me yourparole of honor that you will not bear arms against the SouthernConfederacy until regularly exchanged."
"May I be permitted to ask," replied the Captain, with a peculiar smile,"who it is that makes this demand?"
"Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry."
"Well, Lieutenant Calhoun Pennington of Morgan's cavalry, you may go tothe devil, before I will give you my parole."
Calhoun was astounded at the reply. "I am afraid I shall have to shootyou," he said.
"Shoot an unarmed prisoner if you will," was the fearless reply; "it wouldbe an act worthy of a Rebel and traitor. Lieutenant Pennington, I am wellaware you are alone, that you cannot take me with you. It would be an actof cowardice in me to give you my parole."
As Captain Crawford said this, he folded his arms across his breast andlooked Calhoun in the face without the quiver of a muscle.
Calhoun was filled with admiration at the bravery of the man. "Captain,you are too brave a man to die a dog's death, neither would I think ofshooting a defenceless man. I shall let you go, but shall be under thenecessity of borrowing your horse. You will find mine in the bushes therebadly crippled. Good-bye. May we meet again." Thus saying, Calhoun sprangon the Captain's horse, and dashed away.
Captain Crawford stood looking after him until he was out of sight. "Mayyou have your wish, my fine fellow!" he exclaimed; "I would ask nothingbetter than that we should meet again."
Both had their wish; they met again, not once, but several times.
"A brave fellow, that," said Calhoun to himself, as he galloped away. "Iwould as soon have thought of shooting my brother. He didn't bluff worth acent."
The horse which Calhoun had captured was a good one, and he rode him formany a day. We will not follow Calhoun in all his adventures in hisjourney toward his destination in Kentucky. Suffice it to say, he met withnumerous perils and made some narrow escapes, but at last found himselfnear Danville. There resided a few miles from Danville a rich planternamed Ormsby. Calhoun knew him as an ardent friend of the South, one wellversed in all secret attempts to take Kentucky out of the Union, and onewho kept well posted in everything which pertained to the welfare of theConfederacy; and at Ormsby's he resolved to stop and lay his plans for thefuture.
He was received with open arms. "So you are from John Morgan," said Mr.Ormsby, "and wish to recruit for his command. You have come at anopportune time. To-morrow there is a secret meeting of prominentConfederates near Harrodsburg. I am to attend. You will meet a numberthere for whom you have letters. Of course you will go with me?"
Tired as he was, Calhoun rode that night with Mr. Ormsby to be present atthe meeting. If he was to meet Morgan at Glasgow during the first days ofMay, his time was short, very short, and what he should do had to be donequickly.
When he was introduced to those present as from Morgan, and just fromCorinth, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. He had to tell the story ofShiloh, of the tragic death of Governor Johnson, of the retreat, but howthe spirit of the Southern army was unbroken, and that the South wouldnot, and could not, be conquered.
To his delight, Calhoun found that two companies of cavalry were nearlyready to take the field, and it was unanimously agreed that they shouldcast their fortune with Morgan.
"I believe that Morgan with a thousand men can ride clear to the OhioRiver," declared Calhoun. "It only remains for Kentuckians to rally to hisstandard, and give him the support that he desires."
It was agreed that the companies should be filled as soon as possible, andshould go whenever Calhoun said the word.
Calhoun returned with Mr. Ormsby, as he wished to enter Danville to visithis parents. Disguised as a country boy with produce to sell, he had notrouble in passing the pickets into town. With a basket of eggs on hisarm, he knocked at the back door of his father's residence. It was openedby Chloe, the cook.
"Want eny good fresh eggs?" asked Calhoun.
"No; go way wid ye, yo' po' white trash," snapped the old negro woman, asshe attempted to shut the door in his face.
"Chloe!"
The dish which she held in her hand went clattering to the floor. "Fo' deland's sake!" she cried, "if it isn't Massa Calhoun. De Lawd bress yo',chile! De Lawd bress you!" And she seized him and fairly dragged him intothe house.
"Hush, Chloe, not so loud. Don't tell father I am here yet. And, Chloe,don't whisper I am here to a soul. If the Yankees found out I was here,they might hang me."
"Oh, Lawd! Oh, Lawd! hang youn' Massa?" she cried. "Ole Chloe tell noone."
"That's right, Aunt Chloe. Now bake those biscuits I see you are making,in a hurry. And make my favorite pie. I want to eat one more meal of yourcooking. No one can cook like Aunt Chloe."
"Yo' shell hev a meal fit fo' de king!" cried the old negress, her faceall aglow.
"You must hurry, Chloe, for I can't stay long. Now I will go and surprisefather." And surprise him he did. The old Judge could hardly believe theseeming country boy was his son.
"Where in the world did you come from?" he asked.
"From Corinth," answered Calhoun. "I am now back to recruit for Morgan."
"So you have joined Morgan, have you?"
"Yes. Now that Governor Johnson is killed, I know of no service I wouldlike as well as to ride with Morgan."
"You could have come home, my son."
"Father! what do you mean? Come home while the South is bleeding at everypore? Come home like a craven while the contest is yet undecided?"
"I am wrong, my son; but it is so hard for you, my only child, to be inthe army. Oh! that dreadful battle of Shiloh! The agony, the sleeplessnights it has caused me! Thank God you are yet safe."
"Yes, father, and I trust that the hand of a kind Providence will stillprotect me. But here is a letter from Morgan."
The Judge adjusted his spectacles, and read the letter with much interest."My son," he said, after he had finished it, "it is well you were notcaptured with such letters on your person. It might have cost you yourlife. Even now I tremble for your safety. Does any one know you are inDanville?"
"Only Aunt Chloe, and she is as true as steel."
"Yet there is danger. I know the house is under the closest surveillance.The Federal authorities know I am an ardent friend of the South, and theywatch me continually. Morgan says in his letter that he hopes it will notbe long before he will be in Kentucky."
"And mark my word," cried Calhoun, "it will not be! Before many weeks thename of Morgan will be on every tongue. He will be the scourge of theYankee army. But, father, what of Uncle Dick and Fred?"
"Colonel Shackelford is at home minus a leg. The Federal authorities haveparoled him. Fred is at home nursing him. Your uncle won imperishablehonors on the field of Shiloh. What a pity he has such a son as Fred!"
Calhoun's face clouded. The remembrance of his last meeting with Fredstill rankled in his breast. "I never want to see him again," he said.
The Judge sighed, "Oh, this war! this war!" he exclaimed; "how it disruptsfamilies! You and Fred used to be the same as brothers. I thought nothingcould come in between you and him. Calhoun, he is a noble boy,notwithstanding he is a traitor to his state and the South. They say he isgoing to resign from the army for the sake of his father. Won't you go andsee him?"
"No," brusquely answ
ered Calhoun, yet he felt in his heart he was wronginghis cousin by his action.
Dinner was now announced by Aunt Chloe, and it did her honest old heartgood to see the way that Calhoun ate.
"I jes' believe dat air chile hab had nuthin' to eat fo' a week," shedeclared.
"I reckon I shall have to go now," said Calhoun, rising reluctantly fromthe table. "I have already made too long a visit for a country boy witheggs to sell. I declare, Aunt Chloe, I do believe I should kill myselfeating if I stayed any longer."
"No danger of dat, chile," replied Aunt Chloe, grinning.
The words of parting were few. "Do be careful, my son," said JudgePennington, his voice trembling with emotion. "God only knows whether Ishall ever see you again or not."
As Calhoun started to leave, a pair of sharp eyes was watching him. Thoseeyes belonged to a pretty girl named Jennie Freeman. The Freemans wereJudge Pennington's nearest neighbors, but Mr. Freeman was as strong aUnion man as the Judge was a Secessionist. Once the best of friends, acoldness had sprung up between them since the opening of the war.
Jennie was two years older than Calhoun, but they had been playmates frombabyhood, and were great friends. Jennie called him her knight-errant.More than once he had carried a pair of black eyes in fighting her battleswhen some of the larger boys had teased her.
Jennie had seen the supposed country boy enter the kitchen of JudgePennington, and there was something in his walk and manner which attractedher attention. "If that isn't Cal Pennington I am a sinner!" she exclaimedto herself.
She was on the watch for him, and when he remained so long she became morethan ever convinced that her suspicions were correct. At length the boycame out with his basket on his arm.
"Hi, there, boy! come here," she called. "What have you to sell?"
Calhoun paid no attention to her call, but hurried on the faster.
"I tell you, boy, you had better come here if you know when you are welloff!" she called, in a threatening voice, "Oh, I know you!"
Calhoun saw that he was discovered, and that his best way was to try tomake peace with her. "What do yer want?" he growled, as he walked towardher. "I hev nuthin' to sell; all sold out."
"Well, I never!" said the girl as Calhoun came up. "Do you think I don'tknow you, Cal Pennington? A pretty figure you cut in those old clothes,and with that basket. What in the world are you doing here?"
"Hush, Jennie, not so loud. If discovered, I might be hanged," saidCalhoun, in a low voice.
"Yankees don't hang traitors; they ought to," replied the girl, with atoss of her head.
"But don't you see I am in disguise? I might be taken as a spy."
"What are you but one? I ought to inform on you at once."
"Jennie, you wouldn't do that. I am only here to see father and mother. Ihad to come in disguise, or I might be taken prisoner by the Yankees."
"And you are not here to spy? You know there are many rumors afloat?"asked the girl.
"Just here to visit father and mother. Can you blame me, Jennie?" AsCalhoun said this his heart smote him, for while it was true he was inDanville for the purpose of visiting his parents, his mission to Kentuckywas for an entirely different object.
"Now, Jennie, you won't tell on me, will you?" he continued, in a coaxingtone.
"No, if you behave yourself; but don't let me hear of any of your capers,"answered the girl.
"You won't, Jennie. Good-bye. I may be able to do you a good turn one ofthese days."
Jennie stood looking after him until he disappeared, then shaking herhead, she went into the house, saying: "I couldn't inform on him, if he isa Rebel."
The next few days were busy ones for Calhoun. He visited Nicholasville,Lexington, Harrodsburg; had interviews with a large number of prominentSecessionists; found out, as near as possible, the number of Federaltroops garrisoning the different towns; in fact, gathered information ofthe utmost value to Morgan if he should ever raid Kentucky.
But all these things could not be done without rumors reaching the Federalauthorities. It was known that the Southern element was extremely active;that recruiting for the Confederate army was going on; and at last, thename of Calhoun Pennington was mentioned. Some one who knew him welldeclared that he had seen him, and it was common report he was backrecruiting for Morgan's command. The Federal commander at Danville wasordered to keep a close watch on the house of Judge Pennington to see ifit was not visited by his son.
It was on the evening of May 2d, and Calhoun was in Lexington when he wasstartled by hearing the news-boys crying, "Pulaski, Tennessee, captured byJohn Morgan!" "He is headed north, closely pursued by the Federal forces!"
Then Morgan had commenced his raid. There was no time to be lost. Thatnight, the next day, and the next night horsemen could be seen gallopingfuriously along unfrequented roads, throughout central Kentucky. The wordwas, "Meet at the rendezvous near Harrodsburg." Three days afterwards, twohundred of the best, the bravest, and the noblest youths of Kentucky wereready to march to join Morgan. Each one of them had provided his ownoutfit. They asked no pay to fight for their beloved South.
Before going, Calhoun determined to pay his father one more visit,although he knew it was dangerous to do so. Concealing his horse in athicket outside the limits of the city, he waited until dark, then stoleacross fields, and through alleys home.
No sooner did the Judge see him than he cried, "Calhoun! Calhoun! whathave you done! Do you know they are on the watch for you?"
"I had to see you once more before I went," answered Calhoun. "I wascareful, and I do not think any one saw me come. I have some things ofimportance to tell you."
Father and son talked together for some five minutes in low, confidentialtones, when they were interrupted by Jennie Freeman bursting unannouncedinto the room and crying, "Run, Cal, run! the soldiers are coming! Theyare most here!" And before either could say a word, she was out again likea flash.
"Who would have thought it, of that Abolitionist Freeman's daughter,"gasped the Judge. "Fly, my boy, fly! and may God protect you."
Calhoun knew his danger. Grasping his trusty revolver, he cried,"Good-bye, all," and ran through the house to pass out by the back way.Just as he reached the door, it was opened, and he fairly rushed into thearms of a soldier who was entering. So surprised were both that they couldonly stare at each other for a brief second; but Calhoun recovered himselffirst, and dealt the soldier a terrific blow over the head with the buttof his revolver. The soldier sank down with a moan, and Calhoun sprang outover his prostrate body, only to meet and overturn another soldier who wasjust ascending the steps. The force of the collision threw him headlong,but he was up again in a twinkling, and disappeared in the darkness,followed by a few ineffectual shots by the baffled Federals.
Judge Pennington heard the firing and groaned, "My son, oh, my son!"
The firing had alarmed the neighborhood, and there were many pale faces,for the people knew not what it meant.
A short time afterwards a Federal officer arrested Judge Pennington, andhe was dragged off to jail. But he did not think of himself. "My son," heasked, "was he captured? was he hurt?"
"I think the devil protected his own," roughly replied the officer, "butwe will attend to you for harboring Rebels."
Judge Pennington lay in jail among criminals, not only that night, but fornearly a week. There was talk of sending him to a Northern prison as adangerous man. But Fred Shackelford heard of his arrest and his probablefate, and came in and had a stormy interview with the Federal commander.He showed that Judge Pennington had committed no overt act; that his son,who was a Confederate soldier, had simply come to visit him, and hadresisted capture, as any soldier had a right to do. As Fred threatened toreport the case to the commander of the Department, the Judge wasreleased.
Jennie Freeman had many qualms of conscience over what she had done. ButJudge Pennington kept her secret well, telling only Fred; and when hecongratulated Jennie over her act, she felt relieved; for youngShackelford was not only k
nown as a favorite of General Nelson, but as oneof the most daring and successful of Union scouts.
Calhoun met with no more adventures. He had no trouble in finding his wayto his horse, and he lost no time in joining his comrades.
"Boys, John Morgan told me to meet him at Glasgow," he cried, and twohundred voices answered with a loud "Hurrah! we will do it!"
Little did Calhoun or they think that at that very time John Morgan, hisforces defeated and scattered, was fleeing before the enemy. But likethem, he had set his face toward Glasgow.
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