University of Virginia Library

2. II.
MY LAST LOOK AT THE RED-CROSS FLAG.

The Partisan greeted me with cordial warmth,
and introduced me to the commander of the Federal
forces, with whom I proceeded to converse upon the
business which had brought me.

“We have agreed on a truce till twelve to-day,”
said Landon, when I had finished, “and if by that
time we do not settle terms of surrender, I am to go
with my Night-Hawks to open the war again.”

“You shall not be forced to do that, captain,”
said the Federal officer, whose tone was perfectly
courteous.

And the negotiations commenced.

At twelve they were not concluded, and Landon
mounted his horse.

“Form column!” he said to his men, “and
unroll the flag!”

At the word the Night-Hawks sprung to horse,
and the red battle-flag of the Confederacy floated
proudly in the wind.

Never shall I forget my feelings as I saw that
banner again given to the air! I had seen it furled

on the Appomattox; I now saw it unrolled again on
the Shenandoah! My heart throbbed, and my hand
went to my side, feeling for the sabre.

Alas! there was none there. But I went and
“fell in” by Landon.

The Federal cavalry had sprung to horse at the
moment when Landon mounted. The men in blue
and gray, but a moment before jesting with each
other, laid their hands upon their sword-hilts.

For the last time I saw the gray ranks face the
blue in line of battle; for the last time the red-cross
flag flaunt proudly in the face of the Stars and
Stripes!

“Forward!” trembled on Landon's lips, and his
eye flashed.

What would have happened, I know not; but
at that moment hoof-strokes were heard upon the
turnpike; a courier came at full gallop from the direction
of Winchester; and the next instant the Federal
officer in command was reading a dispatch.

As he finished, he bowed to Landon, and said: —

“I am glad to inform you, captain, that General
Hancock has extended the truce until sunset this
evening, and the Partisan troops are placed upon the
same footing as General Lee's army. They will be
paroled on the same terms.”

Landon bowed gloomily.

“I accept the terms of parole for my command,”
he said.

And, breaking ranks by his order, the men formally
surrendered and were paroled, retaining their horses
and side-arms.

Then, without word, they mounted and formed line.
All eyes were turned to Landon; it was plain that
they were waiting for his last words to them.

He spurred forward, his head erect, his eye flashing,
his keen glance running along the line, as
though to see that it was “dressed.”

Then, removing his hat, he spoke.

I will not attempt to repeat his words. I could
do so, for they thrilled through me. Again my heart
throbbed hotly. I recall every word, every accent,
and every expression of the face of the Partisan.

As he spoke, the rough Rangers stirred and murmured.
With flushed faces and flashing eyes, they
seemed to go back and live over the glorious days
when they chased the very blue horsemen now before
them.

Landon ended his brief and fiery address in a few
minutes. Then, turning with an electric gesture toward
the red flag which one of the men had seized
and unrolled, he drew his sword, and said in his deep,
proud voice: —

“I salute the flag which history will salute forever!”

A whirl of the arm — the sabre at a salute, in
which the whole band imitated him — a burst of
cheers — and the Night-Hawks looked at Landon.

“Break ranks!” he said.

And, as he spurred into their midst, the men seized
his hand, his coat, and seemed utterly unable to control
the wild sobs that burst from them.

In another instant the Partisan had made me a
sign, and we were proceeding at a full gallop toward
“Bizarre.”