CHAPTER XXV
CALLED TO OTHER FIELDS
The victory of Prairie Grove sent a thrill throughout the west,especially to the Union men of Missouri. To the secession element of theState it was a fearful blow, and they felt that their only hope was inthe success of the Southern army in other fields.
Generals Blunt and Herron and the gallant soldiers of the Army of theFrontier were warmly thanked by the Federal Government for the greatvictory they had achieved.
A few days after the battle an orderly placed a bulky letter in thehands of Lawrence. He found it to be from General Schofield. As he readit he uttered an exclamation of surprise. The letter stated that GeneralBlair had sent an urgent request that Lawrence be at once returned tohim, as he was greatly in need of a staff officer of Lawrence'sacquirements.
"As much as I regret to lose you," wrote Schofield, "under thecircumstances I cannot object. I have just heard of your achievements inthe Ozarks and desire to thank you, which I hope to do in person."
The letter then went on to state that while he no longer feared aninvasion of Missouri by any large force, the guerrilla warfare was by nomeans over, and the State was still open to raids from Arkansas;therefore he hoped that the troop would remain under the command ofLieutenant Sherman, and that the scout Harry Semans would remain withhim.
As Lawrence read this his brow contracted, for he hated to give up Danand Harry. But he felt the wisdom of Schofield's suggestion and couldoffer no objection.
Enclosed was a letter from General Blair to Lawrence, urging him to comeas soon as possible, saying that the movement against Vicksburg wasabout to commence. "There will be stirring times down here for the nextfew months," he wrote, "and you will find plenty to do, and fresh fieldsin which to win honor."
After he read the letter Lawrence handed Schofield's letter to Dan,saying, "Read it."
Dan had read but a few words when he looked up with a happy smile. "Why,Captain," he exclaimed, "this is jolly. It means a wider field. I alwaysthought I would like to be in an army commanded by Grant."
"Read on, Dan," said Lawrence. "There is much bitter with the sweet inthat document."
Dan read on. In a moment he uttered an oath, and threw the letter down."I won't stay," he cried. "I want to go with you. I will resign mycommission. I will enlist as a private soldier so I can be near you."
"I do not think that will do you much good," said Lawrence, smiling. "Asa private soldier you might be sent hundreds of miles from me. Even ifwe were in the same army we would see little or nothing of each other.Dan, let's look at this in a reasonable way. To part with you is asgreat a grief to me as to you. It will be a sad parting, Dan, but itwill leave you in command of the troop and, Dan, I know you will do aswell, if not better, than I. Then you will have Harry and Bruno. GeneralSchofield is right; the guerrilla warfare is not over, and it is yourduty to remain here."
It was hard to convince Dan, although he knew Lawrence was right.
"Let's go and see Blunt," said Lawrence.
The General, though he had known Lawrence but a few days, had becomewarmly attached to him. His gallantry and coolness in time of battle hadwon his admiration.
"I had hoped you could remain and become chief of my scouts," he said."I have need of just such a body of men as you command."
"You forget," said Lawrence, "that General Schofield writes that thetroop is to remain under the command of my lieutenant, Daniel Sherman.You will find him equal to all demands. As for scouting, Harry Semans isto remain with his dog Bruno, and they are equal to a regiment when itcomes to scouting."
Schofield had written that he wished Lawrence would come by way of St.Louis, as he wished to see him. This meant a horseback ride of twohundred miles to Rolla. Lawrence's preparations for the long ride weresoon made, and the time to bid farewell to his command came.
The members of the troop crowded around him to say good-bye and bid himGodspeed, and tears stood in the eyes of many a rough soldier as theytook his hand in theirs.
When it came to parting with Dan and Harry, Lawrence broke down. Hetried to say something, but a great lump was in his throat and his voicedied away. They could only clasp hands, their eyes looking what theirtongues refused to say. Dan and Harry watched him ride away, and as helooked back, waved him a last farewell.
But Lawrence's adventures in Missouri were not ended. He reachedSpringfield in safety and there joined a wagon train en route for Rolla,guarded by a detachment of fifty cavalry. The train was a small one,consisting of forty wagons and ten ambulances, the ambulances conveyingback some disabled soldiers who had been furloughed.
The escort was in charge of a Captain Jackson, a pompous, red faced man.Lawrence noticed that he was more or less under the influence of liquorall the time, and that there was little discipline among his men.
A train from Rolla that came into Springfield just as this train wasleaving reported that they had been threatened by a band of guerrillasunder Jackman, but as their train was strongly guarded, he had notattacked.
"You had better be on your guard," said the officer in command toJackson.
With an oath Jackson replied that his fifty men were a match for anyforce Jackman could bring against him. That he wished Jackman wouldattack, as he would like to give him a good licking.
The first day out Lawrence saw how things were going and spoke toJackson, telling him that he was moving carelessly, that his men werestraggling and were in no shape to resist an attack if one came.
Jackson drew himself proudly up and growled: "Who's in command of thistrain, you or I? If you are afraid you had better go back to Springfieldand get a regiment to guard you through."
Lawrence smothered his wrath and said nothing more. Jackson went amonghis men boasting loudly how he had taken the starch out of that youngpeacock of a captain. He had quickly shown him he couldn't order himaround.
Soon a lieutenant of the company came to Lawrence and said, "Captain, Iheard what you said to Captain Jackson and his insulting reply. You areright. We are in no shape to resist an attack."
"You are in charge of the rear guard, are you not?" asked Lawrence.
"Yes."
"How many men have you?"
"Fifteen."
"Can they all be depended on?"
"Ten or twelve can."
"Good! Tell them if an attack comes to stand by the train to the last.Captain Jackson has charge of the advance; how many men has he?"
"Twenty. Half of them are no good. They would run at the first shot."
"That leaves fifteen men to guard the center of the train," repliedLawrence. "Under whose command are they?"
"Sergeant Strong. He's a good man."
"Let's see him."
The Sergeant was seen and found to be a keen young soldier, fully aliveto the situation. "I have had hard work," he said, "to keep my men inhand owing to the example of those in front, but I am doing the best Ican. One shot would stampede the whole advance."
"If an attack should come in front," said Lawrence, "and the advancecome back panic-stricken, don't give way; Lieutenant Hale, here, willcome to your relief. If the rear is attacked, go to him. If the centeris attacked he will come to you."
"You can depend on that," said Hale.
"Are the teamsters armed?" asked Lawrence.
"Only about half of them are enlisted men. They are armed."
"See that their guns are loaded and ready for instant use."
The teamsters were astonished and considerably excited when the ordercame, but they were told that it was merely a matter of precaution, andthat there was no cause for alarm.
On the morning of the third day out firing was heard in front. Therecame a volley followed by fiendish yells and the advance came tearingback, panic-stricken. In a moment everything was in confusion.
Down the train rode the guerrillas, shooting the teamsters and mules,and yelling like devils. Back came Captain Jackson, spurring his horse,his face white with fright.
"Halt," crie
d Lawrence. But the Captain went past him like a whirlwind,his only thought of escape.
Where the guerrillas had charged the head of the train the ground wasopen, but where Lawrence was there was a thick growth of bushes on oneside of the road and a rough fence built out of logs and rails on theother.
Lawrence ordered one of the teamsters who had not entirely lost his headto swing his wagon across the road, blocking it. Sergeant Strong hadsucceeded in rallying some ten or twelve of the soldiers, who, springingfrom their horses, used the mules and wagons for breastworks. Several ofthe advance guard had been cut off, but they jumped from their horsesand, diving under the wagon, continued their flight. Lawrence did notattempt to stop them, for they had lost their arms and would have beenof no use.
Close on the heels of the fugitives came six or eight guerrillas.
"Steady, men! Hold your fire!" shouted Lawrence.
He waited until the guerrillas were within a few rods of the improvisedbreastworks, then ordered the men to fire. Half the saddles were emptiedand the rest went scurrying back. But they were met by the main body ofguerrillas and all came charging with blood curdling yells.
At this opportune moment Lieutenant Hale came galloping up with the rearguard. His quick eye took in the situation and he ordered his men todismount and take position behind the mules and wagons.
"Hold your fire!" again shouted Lawrence. "Keep cool and take good aim."
On came the yelling horde. When within a few yards of the blockade theforemost tried to check their horses, but those in the rear pressed onand threw the whole body into confusion.
"Fire!" Lawrence's voice rang out loud and clear. In that packed massthe effect of the volley was terrible.
"Give it to them," shouted Lawrence.
The men loaded and fired as fast as they could, but soon there was noone to shoot at. The guerrillas who had escaped were in retreat.
"Lieutenant Hale, hold the position here," said Lawrence. "Fifteen mencome with me."
Every man within the barricade volunteered. Quickly Lawrence counted offfifteen. "The rest stay with Lieutenant Hale and hold the barricade," heordered.
With the fifteen men Lawrence boldly charged after the fleeing enemy.They had commenced to rally, but a few well directed volleys once moreput them to flight.
Ten or twelve wagons were in flames, half a dozen of the teamsters layweltering in their blood, and the poor mules lay in heaps as they hadfallen. The ambulances had been in the rear of the train and so theoccupants had escaped.
It was found that fifteen of the teamsters and soldiers had been killedor wounded. Of the guerrillas, thirty lay dead or desperately wounded.
After the fight was over Captain Jackson came creeping back. He claimedthat before he retreated he had killed two of the guerrillas with hisown hand and he had only gone to the rear to order up Lieutenant Hale.
"Captain Jackson, you are under arrest."
"Sergeant Strong, please relieve Captain Jackson of his sword," saidLawrence, coolly.
"By what right do you arrest me?" roared the Captain. "I refuse to bearrested. Sergeant Strong, dare to arrest me and I will have youcourt-martialed."
"As the representative of General Schofield I arrest you; I am on hisstaff," quietly answered Lawrence. "Sergeant, do your duty."
The Captain delivered up his sword without a word. The name of GeneralSchofield was potent.
Lawrence now turned to Lieutenant Hale and said, "Lieutenant, you are incharge of the train. Clear up the debris of the battle. Let the men inthe ambulances who are best able be put in the wagons and our woundedtake their places. Let the wounded guerrillas be taken to that houseover there, and be made as comfortable as possible. Their friends willcare for them as soon as we are out of sight."
It was noon before the train was again on the way. The burnt wagons,dead mules and new made graves were the mute witnesses left to tell ofthe fight.
Rolla was reached without further trouble. Here Lawrence turned CaptainJackson over, charging him with disgraceful cowardice. The Captain wascourt-martialed and dishonorably dismissed from the service. For theirbravery, Lieutenant Hale was promoted to captain and Sergeant Strong tosecond lieutenant.
Lawrence took the cars at Rolla and was soon in St. Louis, where hereported to General Schofield. What that gentleman said brought theblushes to Lawrence's cheeks.
"You do not know how I hate to give you up," said the General. "But onyour account, I rejoice. This is a miserable warfare in Missouri; notmuch glory gained in fighting guerrillas. I will welcome the day when Iam assigned to another department. I have repeatedly asked to bereleased, but the powers that be think I am of more service here. I knowthe Radicals are opposed to me, and that complaints are pouring intoWashington against me. There is a large element that will not besatisfied except I devastate the whole State with fire and sword."
"I know," replied Lawrence. "I had a little experience with Jennison.Jim Lane and a host of others are as bad. As you say, this is amurderous warfare in Missouri, without much glory."
"There will be great things doing around Vicksburg. I envy you," saidSchofield.
"Ah! General, before the war is over you may have opportunities todistinguish yourself, rather than fight guerrillas."
The history of General Schofield shows that these opportunities came andthat in the last year of the war he won great distinction.
Lawrence made a hurried visit to his friends before he departed for hisnew field. He found his uncle and aunt well. His uncle was as firmlyconvinced as ever that the South could never be conquered.
Lola Laselle was overjoyed to meet him. "Every day I live I am prouderof my knight-errant than ever," she cried. "No lady of old ever had abraver or truer knight."
Lawrence found Leon Laselle had nearly recovered from his wound.Randolph Hamilton was in a fair way to recover, and was longing for theday to come when he could be exchanged and again fight for theprinciples he held dear.
When he heard of Lawrence being the chosen knight of Lola he begged tobe allowed to become her knight too. "Then Lola," he said, "you willhave a knight in both armies, and one of them will be sure to come backwearing the crown of victory."
"It will not do," laughed Lola, "and you are a naughty boy for fightingagainst the old flag. I had rather my knight be defeated in a good causethan be victor in a bad one, and Randolph, the cause for which you arefighting is a bad one, very bad."
Randolph sighed. Day by day Lola had become more precious to him, and ashe looked at Lawrence he thought, "Why should she not prefer him to me?"
When Lawrence inquired so particularly about Dorothy, how she wasgetting along and how she liked Europe, a faint hope came to him thatafter all it might be Dorothy and not Lola that attracted Lawrence; andthen he sighed again, for he remembered Dorothy's hatred for Yankees.
The next day Lawrence was floating down the river. When we meet him nextit will be in that great campaign which ended in the capture ofVicksburg, the Gibraltar of the Mississippi River.
THE END.
THE YOUNG KENTUCKIANS SERIES
GENERAL NELSON'S SCOUT ON GENERAL THOMAS'S STAFF BATTLING FOR ATLANTA FROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA RAIDING WITH MORGAN
THE YOUNG MISSOURIANS SERIES
WITH LYON IN MISSOURI THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS
The Courier of the Ozarks Page 25