The station swarmed now with shouting, gesticulating, panic-stricken men
from the front. They crowded around the conductor.
"Pull out of this!"
"Crowd on steam!"
"Save your engine and your train, man!"
"And take us with you for God's sake!"
The President pushed his way through the crowd.
"I must go on, Conductor--the train is the only way to reach the
field--"
"I'm sorry, sir," the conductor demurred. "I'm responsible for the
property of the railroad--"
The panic-stricken men backed him up.
"What's the use?"
"The battle's lost!"
"The whole army's wiped off the earth."
"There's not a grease spot left!"
The President confronted the trembling conductor:
"Will you move your train?"
"I can't do it, sir--"
"Will you lend me your engine?"
The conductor's face brightened.
"I might do that."
The engine was detached to the disgust of the panic-stricken men and the
cool-headed engineer nodded to the President, pulled his lever and the
locomotive shot out of the station and in five minutes Davis alighted
with his staff near the battle field. By the guidance of stragglers they
found headquarters.
Adjutant General Jordan sent for horses and volunteered to conduct the
President to the front.
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