Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/99

NEWS FOR ROSECRANS Sheridan's brigade. These will proceed by the river road, while the others will follow the ridge as rapidly as they can be made ready. Further orders will reach them at Coulter's. That is all, gentlemen."

Within five minutes Rosecrans, the Major, the scout Daniels, and myself were left alone in the room. The General stood motionless, listening to the hoof-beats dying away in the distance, as his messengers speeded on their missions. Then his glance fell upon me.

"Do you need rest, Sergeant?"

"No, sir."

"Glad of that, as I require your services. There is no battery I can assign you to at present, but I judge from your story that you ride well, and you should know the country thoroughly between the Landing and Salter's Creek. I am going to appoint you temporarily on my staff, with the rank of Lieutenant, and place you in command of the advance scouts. Major, see that Lieutenant King is furnished with a suitable uniform and a good horse, and that he and his command get away at once."

Twenty minutes later I was galloping down the river road, with an odd following at my heels. [ 89 ]