General Nelson's Scout 13

General Nelson's Scout 13

CHAPTER VI.

 

THE FIGHT FOR THE ARMS.

 

 

The soldiers that Nelson had gathered at Camp Dick Robinson were a

nondescript set, not only in clothing, but in arms. Squirrel rifles and

shotguns were the principal weapons. When he first began organizing his

troops, Nelson had ordered guns and ammunition from the Federal

government, and his impetuous spirit chafed at their non-arrival.

Consequently he was not in the best of humor, and was mentally cursing

the government for its exceeding slowness when Fred rode up to his

headquarters.

 

Fred's ride had been anything but a pleasant one. That he had taken a

desperate step for a boy of his age, he well knew. He passionately loved

his father, and the thought that he had been disowned for disobedience

was a bitter one. He strove to fight back the lump that would rise in

his throat; and in spite of all his efforts to keep them back, the tears

would well up in his eyes. But he never faltered in his determination.

He had given himself, heart and soul, to the cause of the Union, and had

no thought of turning back. Even if Nelson did not receive him, if it

came to the worst he would enlist as a private soldier. Serve the Union

he would.

 

"A boy to see me," snapped Nelson, when an orderly reported that a boy

was outside and wished to see him. "Tell him to go to the ----."

 

The orderly reported to Fred Nelson's kind wish.

 

"Tell him," replied Fred, rather indignantly, "that Fred Shackelford

wishes to see him."

 

The orderly soon returned, and ushered Fred into the presence of the

irate officer.

 

"It is you, Fred, is it?" said Nelson, as our hero entered and saluted

him. "I am sorry I told you to go where I did, but the truth is I am out

of sorts. Have you any news to cheer me up?"

 

"News, General, yes; and quite important, if you do not already know it.

But first," continued Fred, glancing at the star which glistened on

Nelson's shoulder, "let me congratulate you. I see you are no longer

Lieutenant Nelson of the navy, but General Nelson of the army."

 

"Yes," replied Nelson, with a twinkle in his eye, "I now command on

land; so, young man, be careful how you try to ride over me."

 

Fred laughed as he thought of his first meeting with Nelson, and

replied: "I shall never so forget myself again, General."

 

"Now," continued Nelson, "give me the news. You said you had something

important to communicate."

 

"So I have if you are not already informed. You are expecting arms for

your men, are you not?"

 

"I am, and I am all out of patience because I do not receive them. They

should have been here days ago. But what do you know about this?"

 

"I know that you will never receive them, if the friends of the South

can prevent it; and that they are taking active measures to do."

 

"Tell me all about it," said Nelson, manifesting the greatest interest.

 

Fred then related all that he had heard at the meeting which took place

at his father's house. Nelson's face grew very grave. Then he asked,

"Where did you learn of all this?"

 

"Please do not ask me," replied Fred, in a low voice. "I can only say

the information is absolutely correct."

 

"Never mind," said Nelson, kindly. "I think I understand. Your news is,

indeed, important. The enemy must have spies watching every movement.

You have again rendered me important service, Fred. How I wish you could

take up with that offer I made you."

 

"That is what I have come for, General, if you will accept my poor

services."

 

"What! has your father consented?" asked Nelson, in surprise.

 

Fred colored, and then replied: "I have no home; my father has cast me

out."

 

"For what?"

 

"I had my choice to accompany him in the Confederate army or to go to

Europe to attend some university. I refused to do either."

 

Nelson knitted his brows a moment as if in thought, and then replied:

"You were certainly right in refusing the first; I wonder at your father

making you the proposition. The last was a very reasonable proposition,

and a wise one. You should have accepted it. I am afraid I am to blame

for your folly--for such it is. The offer I made you appealed to your

boyish imagination and love of adventure, and caused you to go against

the wishes of your father. Four or five years at some foreign university

is a chance not to be idly thrown away, to say nothing about obeying the

wishes of your father. As much as I would like your services, Fred, be

reconciled to your father; go to Europe, and keep out of this infernal

war. It will cost the lives of thousands of just such noble youths as

you before it ends; and," he continued, with a tinge of sadness in his

tone, "I sometimes think I shall never live to see it end. I am

surrounded by hundreds of enemies who are hungering for my life."

 

"Your advice, General, is most kindly given," answered Fred, "and I

sincerely thank you for what you have said; but it is impossible for me

to accept it. It is all over between father and myself. He gave me

$1,000 and my horse, and told me to go my way. I love my father, but if

I should now go back after what has passed, he would despise me, as I

would despise myself. Father is the soul of honor; if I should play the

craven after all that I have said, he would not only despise, but loathe

me. Now I can hope that time may once more unite us. Be assured that

though his heart may be filled with anger towards me now, if I prove

myself worthy, he will yet be proud of his son."

 

Nelson's heart was touched. He grasped Fred's hand, and exclaimed with

much feeling: "You must have a noble father, or he could not have such a

son. Yes, Fred, I will take you. Consider yourself attached to my staff

as confidential scout and messenger. I do not wish you to enlist; you

will be more free to act if you are not an enlisted soldier."

 

Fred warmly thanked the general for his __EXPRESSION__ of confidence, and

announced himself as ready for orders.

 

Nelson smiled at his ardor, and then said: "I believe you stated that

that meeting is to take place in Scott county the 17th?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"This is the 14th. You can make it all right. How would you like to go

there, and see what you can learn?"

 

Fred's eyes kindled. "I can make it all right, but I am afraid some of

them may know me."

 

"We will fix that all right," responded Nelson.

 

The next morning, a boy with jet black hair and hands and face stained

brown rode away from General Nelson's headquarters. It would have been

a close observer indeed that would have taken that boy for Fred

Shackelford.

 

It was on the evening of the 16th that Fred reached Georgetown. He found

the little city full of excited partisans of the South. At the meeting

the next day many fierce speeches were made. The extremists were for at

once calling out the State Guards, and marching on Camp Dick Robinson,

and capturing it at the point of the bayonet. But more pacific advice

prevailed. Governor Magoffin was instructed to protest in the strongest

language to President Lincoln, and to call on him at once to disband the

troops at Dick Robinson. As for allowing the arms to be shipped, it was

resolved that it should be prevented at all hazards.

 

When Fred arrived at Georgetown, he found at the hotel that he could

procure a room next to the one occupied by Major Hockoday, and believing

that the major's room might be used for secret consultations of the more

violent partisans of the South, he engaged it, hoping that in some

manner he might become possessed of some of their secrets. While the

room engaged by Major Hockoday was unoccupied he deftly made a hole

through the plastering in his room, and then with the aid of a sharpened

stick made a very small opening through the plastering into the next

room. He then rolled up a sheet of paper in the shape of a trumpet. By

placing the small end of the paper in the small opening, and putting his

ear to the larger end, he was enabled to hear much that was said,

especially if everything was still and the conversation was animated.

The result exceeded his most sanguine expectations. After the close of

the public meeting, a number of the more prominent actors gathered in

Major Hockoday's room.

 

A heated discussion arose as to how Kentucky could the most quickly

throw off her neutrality, and join her fortune to that of the

Confederacy.

 

"Gentlemen," said Major Hockoday, "I believe every one present is a true

son of the South, therefore I can speak to you freely. The first thing,

as we all agree, is to prevent the shipment of these arms. Then if

Lincoln refuses to disband the troops at Dick Robinson, the program is

this: You all know that General Buckner has been in Washington for some

time talking neutrality. In a measure he has gained the confidence of

Lincoln, and has nearly received the promise that no Federal troops from

other States will be ordered into the State as long as the Confederate

troops keep out. Buckner has secretly gone to Richmond, where he will

accept a commission from the Confederate government. He will then come

back by way of the South, and issue a proclamation to loyal Kentuckians

to join his standard. The State Guards should join him to a man. Then,

if Lincoln refuses to disband the soldiers at Dick Robinson, the

Confederate government will occupy the State with troops, claiming and

justly, too, that the Federal government has not respected the

neutrality of the State. The coming of the Confederate troops will fire

the heart of every true Kentuckian, and all over the State Confederates

will spring to arms, and the half-armed ragamuffins of Nelson will be

scattered like a flock of sheep. By a dash Louisville can be occupied,

and Kentucky will be where she belongs--in the Southern Confederacy.

What think you, gentlemen, of the program?"

 

A wild cheer burst from those present. Strong men embraced each other

with tears streaming down their cheeks. They believed with their whole

hearts and souls that the South was right, and that Kentucky's place was

with her Southern sisters, and now that there seemed to be a possibility of this, their enthusiasm knew no bounds.