General Nelson's Scout 1

General Nelson's Scout 1

General Nelson's Scout

 

Author: Byron A. Dunn

INTRODUCTION.

Throughout the following pages the threads of history and fiction are

closely interwoven. The plot of the story is laid in the dark and stormy

days of 1861, amid the waving trees and blue grass fields of Central

Kentucky.

 

No State wept more bitter tears at the commencement of the dreadful

struggle between the North and the South than Kentucky. With loving arms

she tried to encircle both, and when she failed, in the language of one

of her most eloquent sons, "So intense was her agony that her great

heart burst in twain."

 

Resolutions of neutrality did little good. Sympathies and beliefs are

not controlled by resolutions or laws, and never can be. Kentucky was

divided into two great hostile camps. The Secession element was very

active, and the Union men saw the State slowly but surely drifting into

the arms of the Confederacy.

 

Then it was that Lieutenant William Nelson of the United States navy, a

well-known and very popular Kentuckian, asked the privilege of raising

ten regiments of Kentucky troops. The request was granted, and Nelson at

once commenced his task. Only a man of iron determination and the

highest courage would have dared to undertake such a work. He became the

object of the fiercest hatred and opposition,--even from many who

professed to love the Union. But he never wavered in his purpose, and

established a camp for his recruits at Dick Robinson, a few miles east

of Danville.

 

Here it is that the story opens, and Nelson is the chief historic

figure--a figure with many imperfections, yet it can be said of him as

it was of King James V., in "The Lady of the Lake":

 

 

"On his bold visage middle age

Had slightly pressed its signet sage,

Yet had not quenched the open truth

And fiery vehemence of youth;

Forward and frolic glee was there,

The will to do, the soul to dare."

 

 

All military movements chronicled in the story are historically correct.

The riot in Louisville, the fight for the arms, the foiling of the plot,

the throwing of the train from the track, are all historical incidents.

 

Every real character in the story is called by his true name. In this

class belong Colonel Peyton and his son Bailie. The high character of

the one and the eloquence of the other are not overdrawn.

 

The story of Shiloh, as told, may be contradicted, but, the author

believes, cannot be successfully controverted. Had it not been for

General Nelson, Buell's army would never have reached the battlefield of

Shiloh Sunday night.

 

Fred Shackelford and Calhoun Pennington, the heroes of the story, are

children of the imagination, as well as their relatives and friends.

 

With this brief introduction, the author sends forth this little volume,

hoping that the rising generation may not only read it, but enjoy it,

and be somewhat enlightened by it.

 

Through bitter tears and dreadful carnage the Union was preserved; and

through it all there has come a great blessing. Thoroughly united, the

North and the South are vying with each other in upholding the honor of

the flag. Shoulder to shoulder they stand, battling that the last

remnant of tyranny may be driven from the New World.

 

B. A. D.

 

WAUKEGAN, ILL., June, 1898.

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE QUARREL AND THE OATH 15

II. THE MEETING WITH NELSON 22

III. THE DAY AFTER BULL RUN 34

IV. THE TRIP TO NASHVILLE 58

V. FATHER AND SON 80

VI. THE FIGHT FOR THE ARMS 98

VII. THE FOILING OF A PLOT 115

VIII. A DARING DEED 135

IX. A LEAP FOR LIFE 153

X. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY 167

XI. CRAZY BILL SHERMAN 187

XII. A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER 195

XIII. THE MEETING OF THE COUSINS 206

XIV. THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS 227

XV. A FIGHT WITH GUERRILLAS 238

XVI. FORT DONELSON 253

XVII. AFTER THE BATTLE 267

XVIII. "WE BOTH MUST DIE" 279

XIX. SHILOH 294

XX. "MY SON! MY SON!" 311

 

 

 

 

ILLUSTRATIONS.

 

 

As lightly as a Bird he cleared the Fence _Frontispiece._

 

He plunged forward, and passed the Goal

half-a-length ahead _Facing page_ 22

 

He dealt the Ruffian such a Blow that he fell like a log 54

 

As quick as a flash Fred snatched a Revolver from the holster 78

 

"You here!" gasped the Major, and he made a grab for

his collar 130

 

"Fire! Fire!" thundered a Colonel who had just sprung

out of the foremost car 142

 

Fred raised his Head, "Ferror! Ferror!" he cried 186

 

The Federals were among them, shooting, sabering,

riding them down 202

 

The Battle now raged along the entire line with great fury 236

 

Fred drew his Revolver, and the Guerrilla dropped

from his horse 246

 

"Why, Boys, they are trying to get away; we mustn't let them" 266

 

"For God's Sake, don't shoot! I promise" 290

 

Springing from his horse, he bent over the death-like form 316

 

 

 

 

GENERAL NELSON'S SCOUT.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER I.

 

THE QUARREL AND THE OATH.

 

 

A short distance from Danville, Kentucky, on the afternoon of July 21,

1861, two boys might have been seen seated by the roadside under the

branches of a wide-spreading oak. Near by, tethered to the stout rail

fence which ran along the side of the road, were two spirited

thoroughbred horses that champed their bits and restlessly stamped their

feet, unnoticed by their young owners, who seemed to be engaged in a

heated discussion.

 

The two boys were nearly the same age and size, and were cousins.

Calhoun Pennington, who was the more excited of the two, was very dark,

and his black hair, which he wore long, was flung back from a broad and

handsome forehead. His countenance was flushed with anger, and his eyes

fairly blazed with suppressed wrath.

 

His companion, Frederic Shackelford, was not quite as large as Calhoun,

but his frame was more closely knit, and if it came to a trial of

strength between the two, it would take no prophet to tell which would

prove master.

 

Frederic was as fair as his cousin was dark. His eyes were deep blue,

and his hair had a decided tinge of red. The firm set lips showed that

he was not only a boy of character, but of decided will. While his tones

expressed earnestness and deep feeling, his countenance did not betray

the excitement under which his cousin labored. Young as Frederic was, he

had learned the valuable lesson of self-control.

 

So earnest did the discussion between the two boys become, that Calhoun

Pennington sprang to his feet, and raising his clenched hand, exclaimed

in passionate tones: "Do you mean to say that Kentucky is so sunk in

cowardice that she will not enforce her proclamation of neutrality? Then

I blush I am a Kentuckian."

 

"I mean to say," calmly replied Frederic, "that it will be impossible

for Kentucky to enforce her ideas of neutrality. Kentuckians are no

cowards, that you know, Calhoun; but it is not a question of courage.

The passions aroused are too strong to be controlled. The North and the

South are too thoroughly in earnest; the love of the Union on one side,

the love of the rights of the States on the other, is too sincere. We

could not remain neutral, if we wished. As well try to control the

beating of our hearts, as our sympathies. We are either for the old flag, or against it."