CHAPTER XVI. - VICTORY !

"Ho! there's a fine target!" cried one of the Union soldiers leveling his gun at the man who had appeared in the window of the stone house at the Kennesaw fortification.

But Cavalry Curt had recognized the voice, and glancing up saw the Wizard Scout looking down upon them!

He was in season to throw up the soldier's firearm so that the bullet flew wide of its mark.

"Look to the magazine in the basement!" warned the scout. " The rebs mean to blow us up!"

No further time was lost, nor was there any to spare. Another minute would have been too late! The fuse had burned nearly to the powder.

Putting out the fire and seeing there was no further danger in that direction, Curt hastened up-stairs to find his friend chained to the wall.

" I saw you form for your charge," h« said, "and I hoped you would get here. Then as I overheard their plans in case they should be routed I feared you would not get here in season."

" Thanks to you, we were. But how came you here when I supposed you at Woodsville?"

"Oh, 1 got into a trap the Johnnies set for me, or rather two of them," he replied, carelessly. " They captured me at Woodsville and I got away from them by sliding off my horse into a river we were crossing. I hid in a clump of bushes under water till they had gone; when I crawled out. However, the woods were full of grays and I hadn't gone far afore I was gobbled up by another squad, who were a little top sharp for me. My chances looked mighty slim to get away afore you came along. In fact they had got all ready to set me up for a target when your attack delayed their practice."

" Well, let us hope it is indefinitely postponed. I have glorious news for you. Sherman is sweeping everything before him."

"True, but he will have to try again before he catches the old gray rat. Johnston _is preparing to retreat once more."

"Yes; where will he next entrench?"

"In Atlanta."

" And that will be his last stronghold."

"You are right; Sherman's great victory is to be won there."

The scouts proved correct in their views for that night Johnston abandoned Kennesaw and Marietta, to retreat to Smyrna Church five miles down the railroad.

Sherman pushed vigorously after him, but the Confederate chief succeeded in eluding his active antagonist.

A week later Johnston was entrenched at Atlanta, leaving the Union troops in undisputed dominion of all northern Georgia.

Already the sunshine began to dispel the gloom from loyal hearts.

The night of the Confederacy was beginning to cast its shadows.

At the very time when he was most needed Johnston was removed said Hood placed in command.

A change of masters in war for a better is not always advisable at the moment of a crisis; and when that change brings to the front a weaker man it is anything but advantageous.

" However, it is not in our province to criticize. Johnston was superceded by Hood, and the later took up theorems where he had laid them down.

As our heroes acted their part in the closing scene of that memorable campaign we feel it our part to briefly follow the charge upon Atlanta, though our narrative might be closed here.

Cavalry Curt and the Wizard Scout still remained with McPherson's brigade, which leaving Roswell swooped down upon the Augusta railroad, breaking it up for four miles, and continuing on through Decatur to join Schofield's left.

At this time Hood executed his grand coup d’ etat by leaving Atlanta under the protection of State troops and uniting his forces by sweeping round to a position facing the Howard House, south of Decatur.

Sherman, ignorant of this move, was picking his way cautiously along when suddenly Thomas and Schofleld found themselves confronted by the Confederate breastworks.

It was then seen that the Confederate's design was to turn Sherman's left by Hardee and that only prompt action could save them.

McPherson had been at the Howard House, consulting with his chief, and was on his way to join his brigade, when passing through a piece of woods, he was shot dead.

Thus perished the brave and gallant leader of the Army of the Tennessee, and when the news of his death was borne to the ranks there were few, if any, dry eyes.

Perhaps the boys in blue struck with more than usual determination for brave Mac's sake. At any rate the Confederates were repulsed with a heavy loss.

Logan now assumed command of McPherson's division. Upon him and Schofield devolved the hottest of the fight that day.

The next movement in which Remington's cavalry figured was the ill-timed advance upon Lovejoy's Station!

Anxious to break the Macon road Sherman sent out two columns of cavalry, of about five thousand each, one under McCook and the other Stoneman, the two to meet at Lovejoy's Station to destroy the road there and thus cut off the supplies for Atlanta from the south.

The troops, however, found it impossible to meet in concert. McCook was surrounded and escaped only with a desperate fight and the loss of five hundred men.

Stoneman was even more disastrous met. Cut off by superior numbers gallant troops made a desperate fight freedom, to be dispersed and completely routed. Five hundred were taken prisoners; and it was some time before t others again united.

Among those who barely escaped with their lives was Cavalry Curt, who wounded and put to flight found his way back to the regular forces.

If Sherman's cavalry failed in this one attempt, his infantry was meeting with success that was all the most sanguine could ask.

Concentrating his forces upon Atlanta his next move was to destroy the West Point railroad from Fairborn to East Point, twelve miles.

The Union troops were now disposed along the Macon road, hoping thus to drive Hood from Atlanta to the south.

On the 31st of July, Hood sallying forth from his works, attempted to dislodge Howard at Jonesboro, where a smart engagement took place.

Unsuccessful, the Confederate commander withdrew to Atlanta, to see what could be done to redeem his shatters fortunes.

He was in the midst of a consultation with his officers that evening, when the were startled by the sudden appearance of a stranger among them.

He was tall of carriage, with a powerful frame, and shaggy mass of white hair and beard.

At sight of him the little group staggered back.

"Don't be alarmed," he said in a deep sepulchral tone. " I mean you no harm.

"Who are you?" gasped the commander in-chief.

"Old Fatality! Some call me the Wizard of the Army!"

" A traitor in camp!" exclaimed Hood " Don't let him escape."

"Ha! ha!" he laughed, "you give yourselves unnecessary trouble. My stay will be short, so——"

" Orderly Hatton——"

The strange intruder stopped him wit a wave of the hand.

" I have only a few words to say an then you can go on with planning. Yes go on, but you cannot save Atlanta-save the south. I warned Johnston of what he was to expect. The signs are plain enough for you to read yourself, so I will not waste my breath. But wanted to look in upon you as I am on my way to Lee. I shall be the one to tell him that Atlanta has fallen! I was with Beaureguard at Shiloh, with Pemberton at Vicksburg, with Bragg at Chattanooga, with Johnston at Dalton. You can read for yourself to-night, General Hood. When I tell you that I am going to Lee next and last, you may anticipate that the end is near at hand. Gentlemen, you have my sympathy in your misfortunes. Good-night."

A moment later he had vanished from their sight, nor could any trace of him be found. He was not seen afterward in Atlanta.

That night Hood prepared to evacuate his citadel.

The following day Sherman after destroying the railroad down to that place moved to Jonesboro.

If Cavalry Curt was removed from the central fight Harry Morland as Colonel Warson was an eager participant in the closing scene of the great drama.

In spite of the wounds he was suffering from he refused to leave active duty until the wrongs that had been done him were wiped out:

He led in the last gallant charge which broke the Confederate lines.

Hood, however, was already on his retreat, and had left Hardee to cover his flight.

That night the discomfited enemy set fire to the powder magazines, blowing up their stores, trains, etc., while the main body of the troop moved rapidly southward.

The thunder of the explosion, arousing Sherman's weary soldiers stationed along the railroad, told them in unmistakable accents that Atlanta was won.