A Lieutenant at Eighteen

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER XXXIII

  THE DEFEAT AND SURRENDER OF THE GUERILLAS

  The moment Deck Lyon had given the signal for the first company toadvance, he ran down the hill with all the speed he could command, to atree where Life had hitched his horse in readiness for him. It was notthe animal he had ridden from Colonel Hickman's mansion, but Ceph, thesteed he had trained and used from the beginning of his career as asoldier. He was very intelligent, and seemed to understand preciselywhat was required of him in action; though he sometimes overdid hispart, as when he tried to leap over the horse of his rider's opponent.

  The lieutenant did not feel quite at home on any other horse. Thebaggage-wagons of the squadron had been halted in the road with asufficient guard, and the spare horses included not a few picked up onthe battle-field of Mill Springs. Ceph whinnied vigorously, and pawedthe sod with his forefeet when he saw his master running down the hill.These were his expressions of rejoicing to meet his rider again.

  But Deck, who was anxious to be at the head of his platoon on thefield, could only pat him on the neck and stroke his nose as heunhitched him. Life had attached a sabre to the saddle for his use, forhe was sure that he would want one. Mounting hastily, he disengaged theweapon, and started in the direction his company had taken. If therider had fully informed his steed what he wanted, the animal could nothave understood him any better; for he darted away at his swiftestgallop, and bounded through the valley like the flight of an arrow.Deck had slung his carbine over his shoulder, and carried the nakedsabre in his hand, with the scabbard attached to his belt.

  As the lieutenant advanced he obtained a view of the field, and couldmeasure the progress of the action as far as it had gone. Four shotshad been sent from the fort; though after Captain Grundy had scatteredhis men, the last two were less effective than the first two. Up tothis time the guerilla leader evidently believed that he had no enemyexcept the few men in the vicinity of the mansion. It was after thesecond gun from the breastwork that Deck had given the signal for theadvance of the second company.

  At the onslaught of this company, consisting of about eighty troopers,Grundy could not help seeing that he was outnumbered two to one, andthat his opponents were trained soldiers, mounted upon excellenthorses; and he had no alternative but a hasty retreat. He led them inthe direction of the road; but at this time Deck had given his secondsignal, and the first company were stretching across the field tointercept his flight. It must have been an appalling sight to him, andhe saw that he must be ground to powder between the upper and thenether millstone.

  Deck had reached his place at the head of his platoon, which Life Knoxwas glad to yield to him. Captain Gordon was on the flank at the left.His command was stretched across the field, and were a wall of steelagainst the farther retreat of the enemy. It was about half a mile fromthe second company, which was driving the guerillas before it upon thepoint of their sabres. The captain called a halt when the head of hiscolumn had reached what appeared to be a swamp, and faced them to theenemy, ready to charge upon the broken ranks of the ruffians.

  "This can be nothing but a butchery," said Captain Gordon, as he reinedin his horse in front of his second lieutenant; and his tones and hismanner indicated his disgust at this sort of warfare.

  "When I was in the mansion, Captain Grundy surrendered to me; but whenI proposed to secure him with cords and straps, he broke away from us,and we were unable to recapture him," added Deck.

  "It is not usual to bind captured prisoners," suggested the captain.

  "But we had only half a dozen men, and I would not trust the fellow outof sight," replied Deck. "But I have secured my prisoners when theywere guerillas, and not soldiers."

  "No doubt you were right in dealing so with these ruffians," added thecaptain. "I think we have this gang where not one of them can escape,and perhaps we may have to bind them as you did their leader."

  "There goes the recall!" exclaimed the lieutenant, as the bugle-notessounded across the field from the right of the second company, whereMajor Lyon had taken his place.

  "There is a white flag displayed in the centre of the enemy's line,"added Captain Gordon. "Your father does not relish a butchery any morethan I do."

  The commander of the company took his field-glass from its case, anddirected it towards the position of the major. The troopers fell back,evidently at the command of their officers, at the signal, stretchingnearly across the field.

  "Look through my glass, Deck, and tell me what is going on there," saidthe captain, as he handed the glass to the lieutenant. "There is a tallgentleman there who is a stranger to me; and he seems to be talking andgesticulating very earnestly."

  "That is Colonel Hickman, and it is easy enough for me to guess what heis talking about," added Deck.

  "But the major seems to be as dignified as he always is, and don'tappear to be much moved by what the other is saying. But what is thematter with Colonel Hickman?"

  "He believes in hanging these fellows as fast as they are taken, thoughperhaps he would be satisfied to see them cut down before the sabres ofour men. I had to tell him squarely that no prisoner should be hung, orpunished in any manner, except by the law of the land," replied Deck.

  "Does he believe in firing or charging on a flag of truce?"

  "Doubtless he believes that a flag in the hands of these fellows is notentitled to be respected."

  "Major Lyon is the right man to settle the question, with the advice ofCaptain Woodbine," said Captain Gordon. "While they are discussing it,we will move forward;" and in a loud tone he gave the order to march,which was repeated by the subordinate officers.

  The long line moved forward, at a walk, about half a mile, and haltedforty rods in the rear of the disordered ranks of the enemy. Presentlya sergeant rode across the field, passing to the left of the guerillas,and making his way to the centre of the first company. It proved to beSergeant Fronklyn, who saluted the captain.

  "It is the order of Major Lyon, Captain Gordon, that you send SergeantKnox, with ten men, to the right of your line, to prevent the escape ofany of the enemy to the swamp. Also, that you send Lieutenant Lyon toheadquarters," said Fronklyn, delivering his message.

  On the right of the line four of the ruffians had attempted to fleefrom the scene of the anticipated surrender; but Lieutenant Gadbury hadordered four of his men to fire upon them. One had been wounded, andthe others had returned to the ranks. This was the occasion of theorder to send Knox to the border of the swamp. Deck went with Fronklynto the major by the same way the sergeant had come. On their arrivalthe lieutenant found Grundy had come over to interview the major,attended by a man bearing the flag of truce.

  "You are treating these ruffians as though they were regular soldiers,Major Lyon; and I protest against it!" exclaimed Colonel Hickman, justas Deck saluted the major.

  "I can answer you better when I have heard what Captain Grundy has tosay," replied the major with his usual dignity and gentleness.

  "He is not a captain; he has no commission or authority of any kindfrom the State or Nation," protested the planter.

  "I can understand and appreciate your feelings, Colonel, in the face ofthe outrages to which you have been subjected; but I shall be greatlyobliged to you if you will permit me to discharge my duty withoutfurther interruption. I have been the victim of similar indignities;but I cannot order men who probably intend to surrender, to be hung, orto be shot down in cold blood."

  Upon this appeal Colonel Hickman was silent, though evidently very muchagainst his will. Captain Grundy approached the major at a signal fromhim. He was asked to make the communication he sought to offer underthe flag of truce.

  "My troop are fighting-men; but of course, surrounded by six timestheir number, we should all be sabred or shot down in a few minutes.Against this odds I do not intend to fight," said the guerilla leader,who was evidently a man of some education, and conducted himself withsome degree of dignity.

  "Do you propose to surrender?" asked the major.

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p; "I do, if reasonable terms are held out to me," replied Captain Grundy.

  "What do you consider reasonable terms?" inquired the commander of thesquadron.

  "That we should lay down our arms, retain our horses, and retire to ourhomes, returning to our usual occupations," answered the captain of theruffians.

  "That is better terms than a defeated company of regular troops of theConfederate army would have any right to ask for or expect," added themajor with a smile.

  "I have named what I consider fair terms under the circumstances; andnow I will ask what terms you are willing to make," continued CaptainGrundy.

  "No terms at all," replied Major Lyon very decidedly. "I do not regardyou as soldiers in the service of the Confederacy, but as lawlessmarauders, cutthroats, and murderers."

  "Good!" exclaimed Colonel Hickman. "That is hitting the nail on thehead."

  "Many gentlemen who support the Confederate side of the question haveexpressed the same opinions to me. I can make no terms whatever withyou, Captain Grundy. The surrender must be unconditional."

  "Do you propose to put us in irons, or bind us with ropes and straps,as the young officer at your side did?" demanded the guerilla chiefbitterly.

  "I should feel entirely justified in doing so if the circumstancesrequired such an extreme measure; but with the ample force under mycommand I don't think such a step would be necessary, though my menwould shoot down any one who attempted to escape."

  "Your terms are very unfair and very unchivalrous; and I should judgethat you were a Yankee, as I am told that you are," growled themarauder.

  "Doubtless you consider the robbing of a private mansion, andthreatening to hang the owner if he don't inform you where he hashidden his money, chivalrous deeds; but I do not so regard them. We arewasting time. Do you surrender, or shall I order my men to charge uponyour column?" demanded the major.

  "What do you intend to do with us after we have laid down our arms?"asked Captain Grundy, after he had glanced at the files of troopers onboth sides of his command.

  "Though the State of Kentucky is in a very disordered state, the civillaw is still in force in most parts of it. I shall deliver you over tothe civil government whose laws you have broken."

  "Hemmed in as my men are by six times their number, I have noalternative but to surrender, unfair and outrageous as the terms are,"replied the marauder, with a despairing look as he glanced again at theloyal troops that surrounded his company.

  "The terms are better than you deserve, and if I had my way I wouldhang you to the nearest tree as a beginning!" shouted Colonel Hickman.

  "I may have a chance to do you that favor, Colonel, before many weekshave gone by," added the outlaw.

  "You sent for me, Major Lyon," said Deck, stepping forward, andsaluting his father. "I am ready for any duty to which I may beassigned."

  "Captain Woodbine wants both you and Sergeant Fronklyn as guides; forboth of you have become acquainted with this locality," replied themajor, as he proceeded to give orders for the conduct of the surrender.

  The first company was moved up, and the guerillas marched in singlefile between the two, laying down their arms, though a couple ofsergeants searched them for pistols and knives. Lieutenant Blenks, withthe second platoon of the second company, was detailed to march theprisoners to Jamestown, which was the capital of Russell County, wherethey were to be delivered to the sheriff. It was not a long march, andthe platoon rejoined the squadron on the bank of the Cumberland atdark.

  The next day a mob took Grundy from the jail, and hung him in thevillage; and possibly Colonel Hickman knew more about the affair thanany other single person.

  The colonel was the highest type of a Kentucky gentleman, and no onenot in his difficult position could fully comprehend his apparentlyferocious views.