Across the Great Divide by Michael Ross

Author:Michael Ross
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction/Christian/Historical/History/United States/Civil War/Juvenile Fiction/Religious
Publisher: Elm Hill
Published: 2019-01-09T16:00:00+00:00

FIGHTING RIFLES

October 1861

Basil Duke came to Will’s tent. Duke was the newly elected first lieutenant of the second Kentucky Cavalry, CSA. James West was now second lieutenant, and Morgan was captain. They were regular army now, not a militia.

“Yes, sir! What is it, sir?”

“We’ve found some horses. The captain hopes to persuade the command to give us more. It’s driving him crazy to have a cavalry unit without enough horses for each man. Some of the commanders think cavalry is only good for picket duty. We intend to show them otherwise. The captain ordered me to pick a few men that can ride and shoot. We know that there are Federal messengers and scouts in the area. We want to teach them that this is Kentucky land, not for Federals. What do you say? It’s night duty, using surprise. You’ll still have to drill tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good, then report to the quartermaster and draw your mount. We leave in half an hour.”

Will checked his ammunition and his bayonet. Mounted, he didn’t expect to use it, but he thought being prepared was best. He went and got saddled up. His mount was a dapple gray mare, probably some Arabian in it, with the small head. The large hindquarters promised speed. Will saw Captain Morgan and the others. He mounted and joined the group.

Morgan briefed them. “I’ve gotten permission to scout, to try and find Federals, especially messengers, and intercept dispatches along with anything else we can get them to tell us. Duke and I will lead. Will, I want you in the rear. The rest of you spread out in a single line behind Duke and me, about ten feet apart. Go quiet. If you have to shoot, aim to wound or unhorse them. Remember, the goal is information, and dead Federals don’t talk. Of course, don’t let them shoot you—if you must kill them, so be it. I aim to show what a cavalry unit can do. Any questions?”

“No, sir!” they all said in unison.

The group set out in the growing darkness, traveling as quietly as horsemen can through woods and rough country, occasionally breaking the line to dodge fallen trees. They used hand signals to communicate whenever possible, rather than talking. Duke called a halt, and everyone stopped to listen. They were all tense, fingering their weapons.

Will heard the sound of horses approaching on their right, from the rear. He signaled those ahead, and the troop turned to face the oncoming horsemen. Duke signaled their right and left flankers to move slowly ahead, so that the horsemen would walk into a trap.

Will quietly dismounted and tied his horse. He was now near the front of his company, since they reversed. He intended to have a clear shot and make sure the horsemen did not escape. He was nervous. He’d never pointed a gun at a human being before. But he was determined to justify Morgan’s faith in him.

The moon came out from behind a cloud. Will could see the blue uniform and brass buttons of the horsemen.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.