At length it became evident that the Rebel "Army of Liberation"was really about crossing the Cumberland Mountains to drive out the "Yankees" and recover possession of Kentucky for the Southern Confederacy.
Outposts were thrown out in all directions to gain the earlies possible intelligence of the progress of the movement, and to make such resistance to it as might be possible.One of these outposts was stationed at Wildcat Gap, an inexpressibly wild and desolate region, sixty miles from Camp Dick Robinson, where the road entering Kentucky from Tennessee at Cumberland Gap crosses the Wildcat range of mountains.
One day the startling news reached camp that an overwhelming Rebel force under Gen.Zollicoffer was on the eve of attacking the slender garrison of Wildcat Gap.The "assembly" was sounded, and the regiment, hastily provided with rations and ammunition, was hurried forward to aid in the defense of the threatened outpost.
Nature, as if in sympathy with the gathering storm of war, ceased her smiling.The blue, bending skies were transformed intoa scowling, leaden-visaged canopy, from which fell a chill incessant rain.
When the order to prepare for the march came, Glen, following the example of his comrades, packed three days' cooked rations in his haversack, made his blankets into a roll, tieing their ends together, threw them scarf-fashion over his shoulder, and took his accustomed place as file-closer in the rear of his company.He was conscious all the time, though he suffered no outward sign to betray the fact, that he was closely watched by the boys who had been with him in Western Virginia, and who were eager to see how he would demean himself in this new emergency.
He was shortly ordered to assist in the inspection of cartridge-boxes and the issuing of cartridges, adn the grim nature of the errand they were about to start upon duly impressed itself upon his mind as he walked down the lines in the melancholy rains, examined each box, and gave the owner the quantity of cartridges required to make up the quota of forty rounds per man.
Those who scrutinized his face as he passed slowly by, saw underneath the dripping eaves of his broad-brimmed hat firm-set lines about his mouth, and a little more luminous light in his eyes.
"Harry Glen's screwing his courage to the sticking point.He's bound to go through this time," said Kent Edwards.
"The more fool he," answered Abe Bolton, adjusting his poncho so as to better protect his cartridges and rations from the rain."If he wanted to play the warrior all so bold why didn't he improve his opportunities in West Virginia, when it was fine weather and he only had three months to do it in? Now that he's in for three years it will be almighty strange if he can't find a pleasanter time to make his little strut on the field of battle than in this infernal soak.""I have seen better days than this, as the tramp remarked who had once been a bank cashier," murmured kent, tightening the tompion in his musket-muzzle with a piece of paper, the better to exclude the moisture, and wrapping a part of the poncho around the lock for the same purpose."Where is that canteen?""It's where it'll do you no good until you need it much worse'n you do now.O, I know you of old, Mr.Kent Edwards," continued Abe, with that deep sarcasm, which was his nearest approach to humor.
"I may say that I've had the advantages of an intimate acquaintance with you for years, and when I trust you with a full canteen of apple-jack at the beginning of such a march as this'll be, I'll be ready to enlist in the permanent garrison of a lunatic asylum, I will.This canteen ony holds three pints; that's great deal less'n you do.It's full now, and you're empty.Fill up some place else, and tomorrow or next day, when you'd give a farm for a nip, this'll come in mighty handy."The Hospital Steward approached, and said:
"Captain, the Surgeon presents his compliments and requests that you send four men to convey your First Lieutenant Alspaugh to comfortable quarters which have been prepared for him in the hospital barracks.
His rheumatic trouble has suddenly assumed an acute form--brought on doubtless by the change in the weather--and he is suffering greatly.Please instruct the men to be very careful carrying him, so as to avoid all unnecessary pain, and also all exposure to the rain.He will have a good room in the hospital, with a fire in it, and every attention, so that you need have no fears concerning him.""I never had," said Kent, loud enough to be heard all over the right wing of the company.
"I have," said Abe."There's every danger in the world that he'll get well."Away the regiment marched, through the dismal rain, giong as fast as the heavily laden men could be spurred onward by the knowledge of their comrades' imminent need.
It was fearful hard work even so long as the pike lasted, and they had a firm, even foundation for their feet to tread upon.But the pike ended at Crab Orchard, and then they plunged into the worst roads that the South at any time offered to resist the progress of the Union armies.Narrow, tortuous, unworked substitutes for highways wound around and over steep, rocky hills, through miry creek bottoms, and over bridgeless streams, now so swollen as to be absolutely unfordable by less determined men, starting on a less urgent errand.
For three weary, discouraging days they pressed onward through the dispiriting rain and over all the exhausting obstacles.On the morning of the fourth they reached the foot of the range in which Wildcat Gap is situated.They were marching slowly up the steep mountain side, their soaked garments clinging about their weary limbs and clogging their footsteps.Suddenly a sullen boom rolled out of the mist that hung over the distant mountain tops.
Every one stopped, held their breaths, and tried to check the beating of their hearts, that they might hear more.
They needed not.There was no difficulty about hearing the succeeding reports, which became every instant more distinct.
