Confederates as far as Unionville before
nightfall," he said, enthusiastically. "The battalion has been doing
splendidly, and Black couldn't have done better."

The colonel was also glad to see Artie back, and astonished at the tale
the young man had to tell. But the talk between the two was cut short by
an order from General Mitchell. They had been halting just outside of
Rover. Now they were commanded to proceed to a side road and cut off any
Confederates who were trying to escape to Unionville from that
direction.

In two minutes the cavalry was off on a gallop, feeling that some hot
work was in store for them. And that feeling did not prove a
disappointment.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE EVACUATION OF TULLAHOMA

On the afternoon of this 23d day of June, General Granger had left
Triune, with his forces, and after but little fighting had driven the
Confederates back to Christiana, a small village on the road from
Murfreesboro to Shelbyville. At the same time the cavalry under General
Mitchell--commonly called Stanley's cavalry, although the major-general
was absent--moved along as already told, having with them the
Riverlawns. The two commands met at the village mentioned, and after a
brief conference it was decided that both should proceed onward in an
endeavor to drive the enemy from Guy's Gap back into the rifle-pits at
Shelbyville.

Going into the Gap after the Confederates was no easy task. The way was
rough in some spots, and knee-deep with mud in others, and the forces
went forward in the lightest marching order possible. It was out of the
question to use one road alone, as each regiment that passed over it
rendered it all the more torn up and difficult of travel, and troops
were consequently sent on in several ways.

Colonel Lyon rode at the head of his column, with Deck beside him. The
Riverlawns were riding by fours, but now the way widened, and the
horsemen came up by eights. For half an hour no enemy had been sighted,
but now the vedettes came back announcing several battalions just above
the bend.

"And some of the company are sharpshooters," said the leader. "They
picked off poor Rolloson at a distance of three hundred yards."

Without hesitation Colonel Lyon summoned Major Belthorpe to his side and
explained the situation. "I wish you would send Captain Knox's company
to the front. I think it would be as well for him to spread his men to
the left of the road, but he can use his own judgment a