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diff --git a/old/23182-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/23182-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b82b24e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/23182-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,1721 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Brigade Commander, by J. W. Deforest + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brigade Commander, by J. W. Deforest + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Brigade Commander + +Author: J. W. Deforest + +Release Date: October 24, 2007 [EBook #23182] +Last Updated: November 4, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRIGADE COMMANDER *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE BRIGADE COMMANDER + </h1> + <h2> + By J. W. Deforest <br /> <br /> By permission of “The New York Times.” + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + The Colonel was the idol of his bragging old regiment and of the bragging + brigade which for the last six months he had commanded. + </p> + <p> + He was the idol, not because he was good and gracious, not because he + spared his soldiers or treated them as fellow-citizens, but because he had + led them to victory and made them famous. If a man will win battles and + give his brigade a right to brag loudly of its doings, he may have its + admiration and even its enthusiastic devotion, though he be as pitiless + and as wicked as Lucifer. + </p> + <p> + “It’s nothin’ to me what the Currnell is in prrivit, so long as he shows + us how to whack the rrebs,” said Major Gahogan, commandant of the “Old + Tenth.” “Moses saw God in the burrnin’ bussh, an’ bowed down to it, an’ + worr-shipt it. It wasn’t the bussh he worrshipt; it was his God that was + in it. An’ I worrship this villin of a Currnell (if he is a villin) + because he’s almighty and gives us the vict’ry. He’s nothin’ but a human + burrnin’ bussh, perhaps, but he’s got the god of war in um. Adjetant + Wallis, it’s a———long time between dhrinks, as I think + ye was sayin’, an’ with rayson. See if ye can’t confiscate a canteen of + whiskee somewhere in the camp. Bedad, if I can’t buy it I’ll stale it. + We’re goin’ to fight tomorry, an’ it may be it’s the last chance we’ll + have for a dhrink, unless there’s more lik’r now in the other worrld than + Dives got.” + </p> + <p> + The brigade was bivouacked in some invisible region, amid the damp, misty + darkness of a September night. The men lay in their ranks, each with his + feet to the front and his head rearward, each covered by his overcoat and + pillowed upon his haversack, each with his loaded rifle nestled close + beside him. Asleep as they were, or dropping placidly into slumber, they + were ready to start in order to their feet and pour out the red light and + harsh roar of combat. There were two lines of battle, each of three + regiments of infantry, the first some two hundred yards in advance of the + second. In the space between them lay two four-gun batteries, one of them + brass twelve-pounder “Napoleons,” and the other rifled Parrotts. To the + rear of the infantry were the recumbent troopers and picketed horses of a + regiment of cavalry. All around, in the far, black distance, invisible and + inaudible, paced or watched stealthily the sentinels of the grand guards. + </p> + <p> + There was not a fire, not a torch, nor a star-beam in the whole bivouac to + guide the feet of Adjutant Wallis in his pilgrimage after whiskey. The + orders from brigade headquarters had been strict against illuminations, + for the Confederates were near at hand in force, and a surprise was + proposed as well as feared. A tired and sleepy youngster, almost dropping + with the heavy somnolence of wearied adolescence, he stumbled on through + the trials of an undiscernible and unfamiliar footing, lifting his heavy + riding-boots sluggishly over imaginary obstacles, and fearing the while + lest his toil were labor misspent. It was a dry camp, he felt dolefully + certain, or there would have been more noise in it. He fell over a + sleeping sergeant, and said to him hastily, “Steady, man—a friend!” + as the half-roused soldier clutched his rifle. Then he found a lieutenant, + and shook him in vain; further on a captain, and exchanged saddening + murmurs with him; further still a camp-follower of African extraction, and + blasphemed him. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a God-forsaken camp, and there isn’t a horn in it,” said Adjutant + Wallis to himself as he pursued his groping journey. “Bet you I don’t find + the first drop,” he continued, for he was a betting boy, and frequently + argued by wagers, even with himself. “Bet you two to one I don’t. Bet you + three to one—ten to one.” + </p> + <p> + Then he saw, an indefinite distance beyond him, burning like red-hot iron + through the darkness, a little scarlet or crimson gleam, as of a lighted + cigar. + </p> + <p> + “That’s Old Grumps, of the Bloody Fourteenth,” he thought. “I’ve raided + into his happy sleeping-grounds. I’ll draw on him.” + </p> + <p> + But Old Grumps, otherwise Colonel Lafayette Gildersleeve, had no rations—that + is, no whiskey. + </p> + <p> + “How do you suppose an officer is to have a drink, Lieutenant?” he + grumbled. “Don’t you know that our would-be Brigadier sent all the + commissary to the rear day before yesterday? A eanteenful can’t last two + days. Mine went empty about five minutes ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thunder!” groaned Wallis, saddened by that saddest of all thoughts, + “Too late!” “Well, least said soonest mended. I must wobble back to my + Major.” + </p> + <p> + “He’ll send you off to some other camp as dry as this one. Wait ten + minutes, and he’ll be asleep. Lie down on my blanket and light your pipe. + I want to talk to you about official business—about our would-be + Brigadier.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>your</i> turn will come some day,” mumbled Wallis, remembering + Gildersleeve’s jealousy of the brigade commander—a jealousy which + only gave tongue when aroused by “commissary.” “If you do as well as usual + to-morrow you can have your own brigade.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you think we are all going to do well to-morrow,” scoffed Old + Grumps, whose utterance by this time stumbled. “I suppose you expect to + whip and to have a good time. I suppose you brag on fighting and enjoy + it.” + </p> + <p> + “I like it well enough when it goes right; and it generally does go right + with this brigade. I should like it better if the rebs would fire higher + and break quicker.” + </p> + <p> + “That depends on the way those are commanded whose business it is to break + them,” growled Old Grumps. “I don’t say but what we are rightly + commanded,” he added, remembering his duty to superiors. “I concede and + acknowledge that our would-be Brigadier knows his military business. But + the blessing of God, Wallis! I believe in Waldron as a soldier. But as a + man and a Christian, faugh!” + </p> + <p> + Gildersleeve had clearly emptied his canteen unassisted; he never talked + about Christianity when perfectly sober. + </p> + <p> + “What was your last remark?” inquired Wallis, taking his pipe from his + mouth to grin. Even a superior officer might be chaffed a little in the + darkness. + </p> + <p> + “I made no last remark,” asserted the Colonel with dignity. “I’m not + a-dying yet. If I said anything last it was a mere exclamation of disgust—the + disgust of an officer and gentleman. I suppose you know something about + our would-be Brigadier. I suppose you think you know something about him.” + </p> + <p> + “Bet you I know <i>all</i> about him,” affirmed Wallis. “He enlisted in + the Old Tenth as a common soldier. Before he had been a week in camp they + found that he knew his biz, and they made him a sergeant. Before we + started for the field the Governor got his eye on him and shoved him into + a lieutenancy. The first battle h’isted him to a captain. And the second—bang! + whiz! he shot up to colonel right over the heads of everybody, line and + field. Nobody in the Old Tenth grumbled. They saw that he knew his biz. I + know <i>all</i> about him. What’ll you bet?” + </p> + <p> + “I’m not a betting man, Lieutenant, except in a friendly game of poker,” + sighed Old Grumps. “You don’t know anything about your Brigadier,” he + added in a sepulchral murmur, the echo of an empty canteen. “I have only + been in this brigade a month, and I know more than you do, far, very far + more, sorry to say it. He’s a reformed clergyman. He’s an apostatized + minister.” The Colonel’s voice as he said this was solemn and sad enough + to do credit to an undertaker. “It’s a bad sort, Wallis,” he continued, + after another deep sigh, a very highly perfumed one, the sigh of a + barkeeper. “When a clergyman falls, he falls for life and eternity, like a + woman or an angel. I never knew a backslidden shepherd to come to good. + Sooner or later he always goes to the devil, and takes down whomsoever + hangs to him.” + </p> + <p> + “He’ll take down the Old Tenth, then,” asserted Wallis. “It hangs to him. + Bet you two to one he takes it along.” + </p> + <p> + “You’re right, Adjutant; spoken like a soldier,” swore Gildersleeve, “And + the Bloody Fourteenth, too. It will march into the burning pit as far as + any regiment; and the whole brigade, yes, sir! But a backslidden shepherd, + my God! Have we come to that? I often say to myself, in the solemn hours + of the night, as I remember my Sabbath-school days, ‘Great Scott! have we + come to that?’ A reformed clergyman! An apostatized minister! Think of it, + Wallis, think of it! Why, sir, his very wife ran away from him. They had + but just buried their first boy,” pursued Old Grumps, his hoarse voice + sinking to a whimper. “They drove home from the burial-place, where lay + the new-made grave. Arrived at their door, <i>he</i> got out and extended + his hand to help <i>her</i> out. Instead of accepting, instead of throwing + herself into his arms and weeping there, she turned to the coachman and + said, ‘Driver, drive me to my father’s house.’ That was the end of their + wedded life, Wallis.” + </p> + <p> + The Colonel actually wept at this point, and the maudlin tears were not + altogether insincere. His own wife and children he heartily loved, and + remembered them now with honest tenderness. At home he was not a drinker + and a rough; only amid the hardships and perils of the field. + </p> + <p> + “That was the end of it, Wallis,” he repeated. “And what was it while it + lasted? What does a woman leave her husband for? Why does she separate + from him over the grave of her innocent first-born? There are twenty + reasons, but they must all of them be good ones. I am sorry to give it as + my decided opinion, Wallis, in perfect confidence, that they must all be + whopping good ones. Well, that was the beginning; only the beginning. + After that he held on for a while, breaking the bread of life to a + skedaddling flock, and then he bolted. The next known of him, three years + later, he enlisted in your regiment, a smart but seedy recruit, smelling + strongly of whiskey.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I smelt half as strong of it myself,” grumbled Wallis. “It might + keep out the swamp fever.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the true story of Col. John James Waldron,” continued Old Grumps, + with a groan which was very somnolent, as if it were a twin to a snore. + “That’s the true story.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t believe the first word of it—that is to say, Colonel, I + think you have been misinformed—and I’ll bet you two to one on it. + If he was nothing more than a minister, how did he know drill and + tactics?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I forgot to say he went through West Point—that is, nearly + through. They graduated him in his third year by the back door, Wallis.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that was it, was it? He was a West Pointer, was he? Well, then, the + backsliding was natural, and oughtn’t to count against him. A member of + Benny Haven’s church has a right to backslide anywhere, especially as the + Colonel doesn’t seem to be any worse than some of the rest of us, who + haven’t fallen from grace the least particle, but took our stand at the + start just where we are now. A fellow that begins with a handful of trumps + has a right to play a risky game.” + </p> + <p> + “I know what euchered him, Wallis. It was the old Little Joker; and + there’s another of the same on hand now.” + </p> + <p> + “On hand where? What are you driving at, Colonel?” + </p> + <p> + “He looks like a boy. I mean she looks like a boy. You know what I mean, + Wallis; I mean the boy that makes believe to wait on him. And her brother + is in camp, got here to-night. There’ll be an explanation to-morrow, and + there’ll be bloodshed.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, Colonel, and sleep it off,” said Wallis, rising from the side + of a man whom he believed to be sillily drunk and altogether + untrustworthy. “You know we get after the rebs at dawn.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it—goo-night, Adjutant—gawbless-you,” mumbled Old + Grumps. “We’ll lick those rebs, won’t we?” he chuckled. “Goo-night, ole + fellow, an’ gawblessyou.” + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Old Grumps fell asleep, very absurdly overcome by liquor, we + extremely regret to concede, but nobly sure to do his soldierly duty as + soon as he should awake. + </p> + <p> + Stumbling wearily blanketward, Wallis found his Major and regimental + commander, the genial and gallant Gahogan, slumbering in a peace like that + of the just. He stretched himself anear, put out his hand to touch his + sabre and revolver, drew his caped great-coat over him, moved once to free + his back of a root or pebble, glanced languidly at a single struggling + star, thought for an instant of his far-away mother, turned his head with + a sigh and slept. In the morning he was to fight, and perhaps to die; but + the boyish veteran was too seasoned, and also too tired, to mind that; he + could mind but one thing—nature’s pleading for rest. + </p> + <p> + In the iron-gray dawn, while the troops were falling dimly and spectrally + into line, and he was mounting his horse to be ready for orders, he + remembered Gildersleeve’s drunken tale concerning the commandant, and + laughed aloud. But turning his face toward brigade headquarters (a sylvan + region marked out by the branches of a great oak), he was surprised to see + a strange officer, a fair young man in captain’s uniform, riding slowly + toward it. + </p> + <p> + “Is that the boy’s brother?” he said to himself; and in the next instant + he had forgotten the whole subject; it was time to form and present the + regiment. + </p> + <p> + Quietly and without tap of drum the small, battle-worn battalions filed + out of their bivouacs into the highway, ordered arms and waited for the + word to march. With a dull rumble the field-pieces trundled slowly after, + and halted in rear of the infantry. The cavalry trotted off circuitously + through the fields, emerged upon a road in advance and likewise halted, + all but a single company, which pushed on for half a mile, spreading out + as it went into a thin line of skirmishers. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a strange interview took place near the great oak which had + sheltered brigade headquarters. As the unknown officer, whom Wallis had + noted, approached it, Col. Waldron was standing by his horse ready to + mount. The commandant was a man of medium size, fairly handsome in person + and features, and apparently about twenty-eight years of age. Perhaps it + was the singular breadth of his forehead which made the lower part of his + face look so unusually slight and feminine. His eyes were dark hazel, as + clear, brilliant, and tender as a girl’s, and brimming full of a + pensiveness which seemed both loving and melancholy. Few persons, at all + events few women, who looked upon him ever looked beyond his eyes. They + were very fascinating, and in a man’s countenance very strange. They were + the kind of eyes which reveal passionate romances, and which make them. + </p> + <p> + By his side stood a boy, a singularly interesting and beautiful boy, + fair-haired and blue-eyed, and delicate in color. When this boy saw the + stranger approach he turned as pale as marble, slid away from the brigade + commander’s side, and disappeared behind a group of staff officers and + orderlies. The new-comer also became deathly white as he glanced after the + retreating youth. Then he dismounted, touched his cap slightly and, as if + mechanically, advanced a few steps, and said hoarsely, “I believe this is + Colonel Waldron. I am Captain Fitz Hugh, of the —th Delaware.” + </p> + <p> + Waldron put his hand to his revolver, withdrew it instantaneously, and + stood motionless. + </p> + <p> + “I am on leave of absence from my regiment, Colonel,” continued Fitz Hugh, + speaking now with an elaborate ceremoniousness of utterance significant of + a struggle to suppress violent emotion. “I suppose you can understand why + I made use of it in seeking you.” + </p> + <p> + Waldron hesitated; he stood gazing at the earth with the air of one who + represses deep pain; at last, after a profound sigh, he raised his eyes + and answered: + </p> + <p> + “Captain, we are on the eve of a battle. I must attend to my public duties + first. After the battle we will settle our private affair.” + </p> + <p> + “There is but one way to settle it, Colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have your way if you will. You shall do what you will. I only + ask what good will it do to <i>her?</i>” + </p> + <p> + “It will do good to <i>me</i>, Colonel,” whispered Fitz Hugh, suddenly + turning crimson. “You forget <i>me</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Waldron’s face also flushed, and an angry sparkle shot from under his + lashes in reply to this utterance of hate, but it died out in an instant. + </p> + <p> + “I have done a wrong, and I will accept the consequences,” he said. “I + pledge you my word that I will be at your disposal if I survive the + battle. Where do you propose to remain meanwhile?” + </p> + <p> + “I will take the same chance, sir. I propose to do my share in the + fighting if you will use me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am short of staff officers. Will you act as my aid?” + </p> + <p> + “I will, Colonel,” bowed Fitz Hugh, with a glance which expressed + surprise, and perhaps admiration, at this confidence. + </p> + <p> + Waldron turned, beckoned his staff officers to approach, and said, + “Gentlemen, this is Captain Fitz Hugh of the —th Delaware. He has + volunteered to join us for the day, and will act as my aid. And now, + Captain, will you ride to the head of the column and order it forward? + There will be no drum-beat and no noise. When you have given your order + and seen it executed, you will wait for me.” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh saluted, sprang into his saddle and galloped away. A few minutes + later the whole column was plodding on silently toward its bloody goal. To + a civilian, unaccustomed to scenes of war, the tranquillity of these men + would have seemed very wonderful. Many of the soldiers were still munching + the hard bread and raw pork of their meagre breakfasts, or drinking the + cold coffee with which they had filled their canteens the day previous. + Many more were chatting in an undertone, grumbling over their sore feet + and other discomfits, chaffing each other, and laughing. The general + bearing, however, was grave, patient, quietly enduring, and one might + almost say stolid. You would have said, to judge by their expressions, + that these sunburned fellows were merely doing hard work, and thoroughly + commonplace work, without a prospect of adventure, and much less of + danger. The explanation of this calmness, so brutal perhaps to the eye of + a sensitive soul, lies mainly in the fact that they were all veterans, the + survivors of marches, privations, maladies, sieges, and battles. Not a + regiment present numbered four hundred men, and the average was not above + three hundred. The whole force, including artillery and cavalry, might + have been about twenty-five hundred sabres and bayonets. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the march Waldron fell into the rear of his staff and + mounted orderlies. Then the boy who had fled from Fitz Hugh dropped out of + the tramping escort, and rode up to his side. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Charlie,” said Waldron, casting a pitying glance at the yet pallid + face and anxious eyes of the youth, “you have had a sad fright. I make you + very miserable.” + </p> + <p> + “He has found us at last,” murmured Charlie in a tremulous soprano voice. + “What did he say?” + </p> + <p> + “We are to talk to-morrow. He acts as my aide-de-camp to-day. I ought to + tell you frankly that he is not friendly.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I knew it,” sighed Charlie, while the tears fell. + </p> + <p> + “It is only one more trouble—one more danger, and perhaps it may + pass. So many <i>have</i> passed.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you tell him anything to quiet him? Did you tell him that we were + married?” + </p> + <p> + “But we are not married yet, Charlie. We shall be, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “But you ought to have told him that we were. It might stop him from doing + something—mad. Why didn’t you tell him so? Why didn’t you think of + it?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear little child, we are about to have a battle. I should like to + carry some honor and truth into it.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is he?” continued Charlie, unconvinced and unappeased. “I want to + see him. Is he at the head of the column? I want to speak to him, just one + word. He won’t hurt me.” + </p> + <p> + She suddenly spurred her horse, wheeled into the fields, and dashed + onward. Fitz Hugh was lounging in his saddle, and sombrely surveying the + passing column, when she galloped up to him. + </p> + <p> + “Carrol!” she said, in a choked voice, reining in by his side, and leaning + forward to touch his sleeve. + </p> + <p> + He threw one glance at her—a glance of aversion, if not of downright + hatred, and turned his back in silence. + </p> + <p> + “He is my husband, Carrol,” she went on rapidly. “I knew you didn’t + understand it. I ought to have written you about it. I thought I would + come and tell you before you did anything absurd. We were married as soon + as he heard that his wife was dead.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the use of this?” he muttered hoarsely. “She is not dead. I heard + from her a week ago. She was living a week ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Carrol!” stammered Charlie. “It was some mistake then. Is it + possible! And he was so sure! But he can get a divorce, you know. She + abandoned him. Or <i>she</i> can get one. No, <i>he</i> can get it—of + course, when she abandoned him. But, Carrol, she <i>must</i> be dead—he + was <i>so</i> sure.” + </p> + <p> + “She is <i>not</i> dead, I tell you. And there can be no divorce. Insanity + bars all claim to a divorce. She is in an asylum. She had to leave him, + and then she went mad.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, Carrol, it is all a mistake; it is not so. Carrol,” she murmured + in a voice so faint that he could not help glancing at her, half in fury + and half in pity. She was slowly falling from her horse. He sprang from + his saddle, caught her in his arms, and laid her on the turf, wishing the + while that it covered her grave. Just then one of Waldron’s orderlies rode + up and exclaimed: “What is the matter with the—the boy? Hullo, + Charlie.” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh stared at the man in silence, tempted to tear him from his + horse. “The boy is ill,” he answered when he recovered his self-command. + “Take charge of him yourself.” He remounted, rode onward out of sight + beyond a thicket, and there waited for the brigade commander, now and then + fingering his revolver. As Charlie was being placed in an ambulance by the + orderly and a sergeant’s wife, Waldron came up, reined in his horse + violently, and asked in a furious voice, “Is that boy hurt? + </p> + <p> + “Ah—fainted,” he added immediately. “Thank you, Mrs. Gunner. Take + good care of him—the best of care, my dear woman, and don’t let him + leave you all day.” + </p> + <p> + Further on, when Fitz Hugh silently fell into his escort, he merely + glanced at him in a furtive way, and then cantered on rapidly to the head + of the cavalry. There he beckoned to the tall, grave, iron-gray Chaplain + of the Tenth, and rode with him for nearly an hour, apart, engaged in low + and seemingly impassioned discourse. From this interview Mr. Colquhoun + returned to the escort with a strangely solemnized, tender countenance, + while the commandant, with a more cheerful air than he had yet worn that + day, gave himself to his martial duties, inspecting the landscape + incessantly with his glass, and sending frequently for news to the advance + scouts. It may properly be stated here that the Chaplain never divulged to + any one the nature of the conversation which he had held with his Colonel. + </p> + <p> + Nothing further of note occurred until the little army, after two hours of + plodding march, wound through a sinuous, wooded ravine, entered a broad, + bare, slightly undulating valley, and for the second time halted. Waldron + galloped to the summit of a knoll, pointed to a long eminence which faced + him some two miles distant, and said tranquilly, “There is our + battle-ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that the enemy’s position?” returned Captain Ives, his + adjutant-general. “We shall have a tough job if we go at it from here.” + </p> + <p> + Waldron remained in deep thought for some minutes, meanwhile scanning the + ridge and all its surroundings. + </p> + <p> + “What I want to know,” he observed, at last, “is whether they have + occupied the wooded knolls in front of their right and around their right + flank.” + </p> + <p> + Shortly afterward the commander of the scout ing squadron came riding back + at a furious pace. + </p> + <p> + “They are on the hill, Colonel,” he shouted. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of course,” nodded Waldron; “but have they occupied the woods which + veil their right front and flank?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit of it; my fellows have cantered all through, and up to the base + of the hill.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” exclaimed the brigade commander, with a rush of elation. “Then it + will be easy work. Go back, Captain, and scatter your men through the + wood, and hold it, if possible. Adjutant, call up the regimental + commanders at once. I want them to understand my plan fully.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, Gahogan, of the Tenth; Gildersleeve, of the Fourteenth; + Peck, of the First; Thomas, of the Seventh; Taylor, of the Eighth, and + Colburn, of the Fifth, were gathered around their commander. There, too, + was Bradley, the boyish, red-cheeked chief of the artillery; and Stilton, + the rough, old, bearded regular, who headed the cavalry. The staff was at + hand, also, including Fitz Hugh, who sat his horse a little apart, + downcast and sombre and silent, but nevertheless keenly interested. It is + worthy of remark, by the way, that Waldron took no special note of him, + and did not seem conscious of any disturbing presence. Evil as the man may + have been, he was a thoroughly good soldier, and just now he thought but + of his duties. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he said, “I want you to see your field of battle. The enemy + occupy that long ridge. How shall we reach it?” + </p> + <p> + “I think, if we got at it straight from here, we shan’t miss it,” promptly + judged Old Grumps, his red-oak countenance admirably cheerful and hopeful, + and his jealousy all dissolved in the interest of approaching combat. + </p> + <p> + “Nor they won’t miss us nuther,” laughed Major Gahogan. “Betther slide our + infantree into thim wuds, push up our skirmishers, play wid our guns for + an hour, an’ thin rowl in a couple o’ col’ms.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general murmur of approval. The limits of volunteer invention + in tactics had been reached by Gahogan. The other regimental commanders + looked upon him as their superior in the art of war. + </p> + <p> + “That would be well, Major, if we could do nothing better,” said Waldron. + “But I do not feel obliged to attack the front seriously at all. The + rebels have been thoughtless enough to leave that long semicircle of + wooded knolls unoccupied, even by scouts. It stretches from the front of + their centre clear around their right flank. I shall use it as a veil to + cover us while we get into position. I shall throw out a regiment, a + battery, and five companies of cavalry, to make a feint against their + centre and left. With the remainder of the brigade I shall skirt the + woods, double around the right of the position, and close in upon it front + and rear.” + </p> + <p> + “Loike scissors blades upon a snip o’ paper,” shouted Gahogan, in delight. + Then he turned to Fitz Hugh, who happened to be nearest him, and added, “I + tell ye he’s got the God o’ War in um. He’s the burnin’ bussh of humanity, + wid a God o’ Battles inside on’t.” + </p> + <p> + “But how if they come down on our thin right wing?” asked a cautious + officer, Taylor, of the Eighth. “They might smash it and seize our line of + retreat.” + </p> + <p> + “Men who have taken up a strong position, a position obviously chosen for + defence, rarely quit it promptly for an attack,” replied Waldron. “There + is not one chance in ten that these gentlemen will make a considerable + forward movement early in the fight. Only the greatest geniuses jump from + the defensive to the offensive. Besides, we must hold the wood. So long as + we hold the wood in front of their centre we save the road.” + </p> + <p> + Then came personal and detailed instructions. Each regimental commander + was told whither he should march, the point where he should halt to form + line, and the direction by which he should attack. The mass of the command + was to advance in marching column toward a knoll where the highway entered + and traversed the wood. Some time before reaching it Taylor was to deploy + the Eighth to the right, throw out a strong skirmish line and open fire on + the enemy’s centre and left, supported by the battery of Parrotts, and, if + pushed, by five companies of cavalry. The remaining troops would reach the + knoll, file to the left under cover of the forest, skirt it for a mile as + rapidly as possible, infold the right of the Confederate position, and + then move upon it concentrically. Counting from the left, the Tenth, the + Seventh, and the Fourteenth were to constitute the first line of battle, + while five companies of cavalry, then the First, and then the Fifth formed + the second line. Not until Gahogan might have time to wind into the + enemy’s right rear should Gildersleeve move out of the wood and commence + the real attack. + </p> + <p> + “You will go straight at the front of their right,” said Waldron, with a + gay smile, to this latter Colonel. “Send up two companies as skirmishers. + The moment they are clearly checked, lead up the other eight in line. It + will be rough work. But keep pushing. You won’t have fifteen minutes of it + before Thomas, on your left, will be climbing the end of the ridge to take + the rebels in flank. In fifteen minutes more Gahogan will be running in on + their backs. Of course, they will try to change front and meet us. But + they have extended their line a long way in order to cover the whole + ridge. They will not be quick enough. We shall get hold of their right, + and we shall roll them up. Then, Colonel Stilton, I shall expect to see + the troopers jumping into the gaps and making prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Colonel,” answered Stilton in that hoarse growl which is apt + to mark the old cavalry officer. “Where shall we find you if we want a + fresh order?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be with Colburn, in rear of Gildersleeve. That is our centre. But + never mind me; you know what the battle is to be, and you know how to + fight it. The whole point with the infantry is to fold around the enemy’s + right, go in upon it concentrically, smash it, and roll up their line. The + cavalry will watch against the infantry being flanked, and when the latter + have seized the hill, will charge for prisoners. The artillery will reply + to the enemy’s guns with shell, and fire grape at any offensive + demonstration. You all know your duties, now, gentlemen. Go to your + commands, and march!” + </p> + <p> + The colonels saluted and started off at a gallop. In a few minutes + twenty-five hundred men were in simultaneous movement. Five companies of + cavalry wheeled into column of companies, and advanced at a trot through + the fields, seeking to gain the shelter of the forest. The six infantry + regiments slid up alongside of each other, and pushed on in six parallel + columns of march, two on the right of the road and four on the left. The + artillery, which alone left the highway, followed at a distance of two or + three hundred yards. The remaining cavalry made a wide detour to the right + as if to flank the enemy’s left. + </p> + <p> + It was a mile and a quarter—it was a march of fully twenty minutes—to + the edge of the woodland, the proposed cover of the column. Ten minutes + before this point was reached a tiny puff of smoke showed on the brow of + the hostile ridge; then, at an interval of several seconds, followed the + sound of a distant explosion; then, almost immediately, came the screech + of a rifled shell. Every man who heard it swiftly asked himself, “Will it + strike <i>me?</i>” But even as the words were thought out it had passed, + high in air, clean to the rear, and burst harmlessly. A few faces turned + upward and a few eyes glanced backward, as if to see the invisible enemy. + But there was no pause in the column; it flowed onward quietly, eagerly, + and with business-like precision; it gave forth no sound but the trampling + of feet and the muttering of the officers. “Steady, men! For-ward, men!” + </p> + <p> + The Confederates, however, had got their range. A half minute later four + puffs of smoke dotted the ridge, and a flight of hoarse humming shrieks + tore the air. A little aureole cracked and splintered over the First, + followed by loud cries of anguish and a brief, slight confusion. The voice + of an officer rose sharply out of the flurry, “Close up, Company A! + Forward, men!” The battalion column resumed its even formation in an + instant, and tramped unitedly onward, leaving behind it two quivering + corpses and a wounded man who tottered rearward. + </p> + <p> + Then came more screeches, and a shell exploded over the highroad, knocking + a gunner lifeless from his carriage. The brigade commander glanced + anxiously along his batteries, and addressed a few words to his chief of + artillery. Presently the four Napoleons set forward at a gallop for the + wood, while the four Parrotts wheeled to the right, deployed, and advanced + across the fields, inclining toward the left of the enemy. Next Taylor’s + regiment (the Eighth) halted, fronted, faced to the right, and filed off + in column of march at a double-quick until it had gained the rear of the + Parrotts, when it fronted again, and pushed on in support. A quarter of a + mile further on these guns went into battery behind the brow of a little + knoll, and opened fire. Four companies of the Eighth spread out to the + right as skirmishers, and commenced stealing toward the ridge, from time + to time measuring the distance with rifle-balls. The remainder of the + regiment lay down in line between the Parrotts and the forest. Far away to + the right, five companies of cavalry showed themselves, manoeuvring as if + they proposed to turn the left flank of the Southerners. The attack on + this side was in form and in operation. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Confederate fire had divided. Two guns pounded away at + Taylor’s feint, while two shelled the main column. The latter was struck + repeatedly; more than twenty men dropped silent or groaning out of the + hurrying files; but the survivors pushed on without faltering and without + even caring for the wounded. At last a broad belt of green branches rose + between the regiments and the ridge; and the rebel gunners, unable to see + their foe, dropped suddenly into silence. + </p> + <p> + Here it appeared that the road divided. The highway traversed the forest, + mounted the slope beyond and dissected the enemy’s position, while a + branch road turned to the left and skirted the exterior of the long curve + of wooded hillocks. At the fork the battery of Napoleons had halted, and + there it was ordered to remain for the present in quiet. There, too, the + Fourteenth filed in among the dense greenery, threw out two companies of + skirmishers toward the ridge, and pushed slowly after them into the + shadows. + </p> + <p> + “Get sight of the enemy at once!” was Wal-dron’s last word to + Gildersleeve. “If they move down the slope, drive them back. But don’t + commence your attack under half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + Next he filed the Fifth to the thickets, saying to Colburn, “I want you to + halt a hundred yards to the left and rear of Gildersleeve. Cover his flank + if he is attacked; but otherwise lie quiet. As soon as he charges, move + forward to the edge of the wood, and be ready to support him. But make no + assault yourself until further orders.” + </p> + <p> + The next two regiments—the Seventh and First—he placed in <i>échelon</i>, + in like manner, a quarter of a mile further along. Then he galloped + forward to the cavalry, and a last word with Stilton. “You and Gahogan + must take care of yourselves. Push on four or five hundred yards, and then + face to the right. Whatever Gahogan finds let him go at it. If he can’t + shake it, help him. You two <i>must</i> reach the top of the ridge. Only, + look out for your left flank. Keep a squadron or two in reserve on that + side.” + </p> + <p> + “Currnel, if we don’t raich the top of the hill, it’ll be because it + hasn’t got wan,” answered Gahogan. Stilton only laughed and rode forward. + </p> + <p> + Waldron now returned toward the fork of the road. On the way he sent a + staff officer to the Seventh with renewed orders to attack as soon as + possible after Gildersleeve. Then another staff officer was hurried + forward to Taylor with directions to push his feint strongly, and drive + his skirmishers as far up the slope as they could get. A third staff + officer set the Parrotts in rear of Taylor to firing with all their might. + By the time that the commandant had returned to Col-burn’s ambushed ranks, + no one was with him but his enemy, Fitz Hugh. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t seem to trust me with duty, Colonel,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + “I shall use you only in case of extremity, Captain,” replied Waldron. “We + have business to settle to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “I ask no favors on that account. I hope you will offer me none.” + </p> + <p> + “In case of need I shall spare no one,” declared Waldron. + </p> + <p> + Then he took out his watch, looked at it impatiently, put it to his ear, + restored it to his pocket, and fell into an attitude of deep attention. + Evidently his whole mind was on his battle, and he was waiting, watching, + yearning for its outburst. + </p> + <p> + “If he wins this fight,” thought Fitz Hugh, “how can I do him a harm? And + yet,” he added, “how can I help it?” + </p> + <p> + Minutes passed. Fitz Hugh tried to think of his injury, and to steel + himself against his chief. But the roar of battle on the right, and the + suspense and imminence of battle on the left, absorbed the attention of + even this wounded and angry spirit, as, indeed, they might have absorbed + that of any being not more or less than human. A private wrong, + insupportable though it might be, seemed so small amid that deadly clamor + and awful expectation! Moreover, the intellect which worked so calmly and + vigorously by his side, and which alone of all things near appeared able + to rule the coming crisis, began to dominate him, in spite of his sense of + injury. A thought crossed him to the effect that the great among men are + too valuable to be punished for their evil deeds. He turned to the + absorbed brigade commander, now not only his ruler, but even his + protector, with a feeling that he must accord him a word of peace, a + proffer in some form of possible forgiveness and friendship. But the man’s + face was clouded and stern with responsibility and authority. He seemed at + that moment too lofty to be approached with a message of pardon. Fitz Hugh + gazed at him with a mixture of prof ound respect and smothered hate. He + gazed, turned away, and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + Minutes more passed. Then a mounted orderly dashed up at full speed, with + the words, “Colonel, Major Gahogan has fronted.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he?” answered Waldron, with a smile which thanked the trooper and + made him happy. “Ride on through the thicket here, my man, and tell + Colonel Gildersleeve to push up his skirmishers.” + </p> + <p> + With a thud of hoofs and a rustling of parting foliage the cavalryman + disappeared amid the underwood. A minute or two later a thin, dropping + rattle of musketry, five hundred yards or so to the front, announced that + the sharpshooters of the Fourteenth were at work. Almost immediately there + was an angry response, full of the threatenings and execution of death. + Through the lofty leafage tore the screech of a shell, bursting with a + sharp crash as it passed overhead, and scattering in humming slivers. Then + came another, and another, and many more, chasing each other with hoarse + hissings through the trembling air, a succession of flying serpents. The + enemy doubtless believed that nearly the whole attacking force was massed + in the wood around the road, and they had brought at least four guns to + bear upon that point, and were working them with the utmost possible + rapidity. Presently a large chestnut, not fifty yards from Fitz Hugh, was + struck by a shot. The solid trunk, nearly three feet in diameter, parted + asunder as if it were the brittlest of vegetable matter. The upper portion + started aside with a monstrous groan, dropped in a standing posture to the + earth, and then toppled slowly, sublimely prostrate, its branches crashing + and all its leaves wailing. Ere long, a little further to the front, + another Anak of the forest went down; and, mingled with the noise of its + sylvan agony, there arose sharp cries of human suffering. Then Colonel + Colburn, a broad-chested and ruddy man of thirty-five, with a look of + indignant anxiety in his iron-gray eyes, rode up to the brigade commander. + </p> + <p> + “This is very annoying, Colonel,” he said. “I am losing my men without + using them. That last tree fell into my command.” + </p> + <p> + “Are they firing toward our left?” asked Waldron. + </p> + <p> + “Not a shot.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” said the chief, with a sigh of contentment. “If we can only + keep them occupied in this direction! By the way, let your men lie down + under the fallen tree, as far as it will go. It will protect them from + others.” + </p> + <p> + Colburn rode back to his regiment. Waldron looked impatiently at his + watch. At that moment a fierce burst of line firing arose in front, + followed and almost overborne by a long-drawn yell, the scream of charging + men. Waldron put up his watch, glanced excitedly at Fitz Hugh, and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I must forgive or forget,” the latter could not help saying to himself. + “All the rest of life is nothing compared with this.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” said Waldron, “ride off to the left at full speed. As soon as + you hear firing at the shoulder of the ridge, return instantly and let me + know.” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh dashed away. Three minutes carried him into perfect peace, + beyond the whistling of ball or the screeching of shell. On the right was + a tranquil, wide waving of foliage, and on the left a serene landscape of + cultivated fields, with here and there an embowered farm-house. Only for + the clamor of artillery and musketry far behind him, he could not have + believed in the near presence of battle, of blood and suffering and + triumphant death. But suddenly he heard to his right, assaulting and + slaughtering the tranquillity of nature, a tumultuous outbreak of file + firing, mingled with savage yells. He wheeled, drove spurs into his horse, + and flew back to Waldron. As he re-entered the wood he met wounded men + streaming through it, a few marching alertly upright, many more crouching + and groaning, some clinging to their less injured comrades, but all + haggard in face and ghastly. + </p> + <p> + “Are we winning?” he hastily asked of one man who held up a hand with + three fingers gone and the bones projecting in sharp spikes through + mangled flesh. + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir; sailing in,” was the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Is the brigade commander all right?” he inquired of another who was + winding a bloody handkerchief around his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Straight ahead, sir; hurrah for Waldron!” responded the soldier, and + almost in the same instant fell lifeless with a fresh ball through his + head. + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah for him!” Fitz Hugh answered frantically, plunging on through the + underwood. He found Waldron with Colburn, the two conversing tranquilly in + their saddles amid hissing bullets and dropping branches. + </p> + <p> + “Move your regiment forward now,” the brigade commander was saying; “but + halt it in the edge of the wood.” + </p> + <p> + “Shan’t I relieve Gildersleeve if he gets beaten?” asked the subordinate + officer eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “No. The regiments on the left will help him out. I want your men and + Peck’s for the fight on top of the hill. Of course the rebels will try to + retake it; then I shall call for you.” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh now approached and said, “Colonel, the Seventh has attacked in + force.” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” answered Waldron, with that sweet smile of his which thanked + people who brought him pleasant news. “I thought I heard his fire. Gahogan + will be on their right rear in ten minutes. Then we shall get the ridge. + Ride back now to Major Bradley, and tell him to bring his Napoleons + through the wood, and set two of them to shelling the enemy’s centre. Tell + him my idea is to amuse them, and keep them from changing front.” + </p> + <p> + Again Fitz Hugh galloped off as before on a comfortably safe errand, safer + at all events than many errands of that day. “This man is sparing my + life,” he said to himself. “Would to God I knew how to spare his!” + </p> + <p> + He found Bradley lunching on a gun caisson, and delivered his orders. + “Something to do at last, eh?” laughed the rosy-cheeked youngster. “The + smallest favors thankfully received. Won’t you take a bite of rebel + chicken, Captain? This rebellion must be put down. No? Well, tell the + Colonel I am moving on, and John Brown’s soul not far ahead.” + </p> + <p> + When Fitz Hugh returned to Waldron he found him outside of the wood, at + the base of the long incline which rose into the rebel position. About the + slope were scattered prostrate forms, most numerous near the bottom, some + crawling slowly rearward, some quiescent. Under the brow of the ridge, + decimated and broken into a mere skirmish line sheltered in knots and + singly, behind rocks and knolls, and bushes, lay the Fourteenth Regiment, + keeping up a steady, slow fire. From the edge above, smokily dim against a + pure, blue heaven, answered another rattle of musketry, incessant, + obstinate, and spiteful. The combatants on both sides were lying down; + otherwise neither party could have lasted ten minutes. From Fitz Hugh’s + point of view not a Confederate uniform could be seen. But the smoke of + their rifles made a long gray line, which was disagreeably visible and + permanent; and the sharp <i>whit! whit!</i> of their bullets continually + passed him, and cheeped away in the leafage behind. + </p> + <p> + “Our men can’t get on another inch,” he ventured to say to his commander. + “Wouldn’t it be well for me to ride up and say a cheering word?” + </p> + <p> + “Every battle consists largely in waiting,” replied Waldron thoughtfully. + “They have undoubtedly brought up a reserve to face Thomas. But when + Gahogan strikes the flank of the reserve, we shall win.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would take shelter,” begged Fitz Hugh. “Everything depends on + your life.” + </p> + <p> + “My life has been both a help and a hurt to my fellow-creatures,” sighed + the brigade commander. “Let come what will to it.” + </p> + <p> + He glanced upward with an expression of profound emotion; he was evidently + fighting two battles, an outward and an inward one. + </p> + <p> + Presently he added, “I think the musketry is increasing on the left. Does + it strike you so?” + </p> + <p> + He was all eagerness again, leaning forward with an air of earnest + listening, his face deeply flushed and his eye brilliant. Of a sudden the + combat above rose and swelled into higher violence. There was a clamor far + away—it seemed nearly a mile away—over the hill. Then the + nearer musketry—first Thomas’s on the shoulder of the ridge, next + Gildersleeve’s in front—caught fire and raged with new fury. + </p> + <p> + Waldron laughed outright. “Gahogan has reached them,” he said to one of + his staff who had just rejoined him. “We shall all be up there in five + minutes. Tell Colburn to bring on his regiment slowly.” + </p> + <p> + Then, turning to Fitz Hugh, he added, “Captain, we will ride forward.” + </p> + <p> + They set off at a walk, now watching the smoking brow of the eminence, now + picking their way among dead and wounded. Suddenly there was a shout above + them and a sudden diminution of the firing; and looking upward they saw + the men of the Fourteenth running confusedly toward the summit. Without a + word the brigade commander struck spurs into his horse and dashed up the + long slope at a run, closely followed by his enemy and aid. What they saw + when they overtook the straggling, running, panting, screaming pellmell of + the Fourteenth was victory! + </p> + <p> + The entire right wing of the Confederates, attacked on three sides at + once, placed at enormous disadvantage, completely outgeneraled, had given + way in confusion, was retreating, breaking, and flying. There were lines + yet of dirty gray or butternut; but they were few, meagre, fluctuating, + and recoiling, and there were scattered and scurrying men in hundreds. + Three veteran and gallant regiments had gone all to wreck under the shock + of three similar regiments far more intelligently directed. A strong + position had been lost because the heroes who held it could not perform + the impossible feat of forming successively two fresh fronts under a + concentric fire of musketry. The inferior brain power had confessed the + superiority of the stronger one. + </p> + <p> + On the victorious side there was wild, clamorous, fierce exultation. The + hurrying, shouting, firing soldiers, who noted their commander riding + among them, swung their rifles or their tattered hats at him, and screamed + “Hurrah!” No one thought of the Confederate dead underfoot, nor of the + Union dead who dotted the slope behind. “What are you here for, Colonel?” + shouted rough old Gildersleeve, one leg of his trousers dripping blood. + “We can do it alone.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a battle won,” laughed Fitz Hugh, almost worshiping the man whom he + had come to slay. + </p> + <p> + “It is a battle won, but not used,” answered Waldron. “We haven’t a gun + yet, nor a flag. Where is the cavalry? Why isn’t Stilton here? He must + have got afoul of the enemy’s horse, and been obliged to beat it off. Can + anybody hear anything of Stilton?” + </p> + <p> + “Let him go,” roared Old Grumps. “The infantry don’t want any help.” + </p> + <p> + “Your regiment has suffered, Colonel,” answered Waldron, glancing at the + scattered files of the Fourteenth. “Halt it and reorganize it, and let it + fall in with the right of the First when Peck comes up. I shall replace + you with the Fifth. Send your Adjutant back to Colburn and tell him to + hurry along. Those fellows are making a new front over there,” he added, + pointing to the centre of the hill. “I want the Fifth, Seventh and Tenth + in <i>échelon</i> as quickly as possible. And I want that cavalry. + Lieutenant,” turning to one of his staff, “ride off to the left and find + Colonel Stilton. Tell him that I need a charge in ten minutes.” + </p> + <p> + Presently cannon opened from that part of the ridge still held by the + Confederates, the shell tearing through or over the dissolving groups of + their right wing, and cracking viciously above the heads of the victorious + Unionists. The explosions followed each other with stunning rapidity, and + the shrill whirring of the splinters was ominous. Men began to fall again + in the ranks or to drop out of them wounded. Of all this Waldron took no + further note than to ride hastily to the brow of the ridge and look for + his own artillery. + </p> + <p> + “See how he attinds to iverything himself,” said Major Gahogan, who had + cantered up to the side of Fitz Hugh. “It’s just a matther of plain + business, an’ he looks after it loike a business man. Did ye see us, + though, Captin, whin we come in on their right flank? By George, we + murthered urn. There’s more’n a hundred lyin’ in hapes back there. As for + old Stilton, I just caught sight of um behind that wood to our left, an’ + he’s makin’ for the enemy’s right rair. He’ll have lots o’ prisoners in + half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + When Waldron returned to the group he was told of his cavalry’s + whereabouts, and responded to the information with a smile of + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Bradley is hurrying up,” he said, “and Taylor is pushing their left + smartly. They will make one more tussle to recover their line of retreat; + but we shall smash them from end to end and take every gun.” + </p> + <p> + He galloped now to his infantry, and gave the word “Forward!” The three + regiments which composed the <i>échelon</i> were the Fifth on the right, + the Seventh fifty yards to the rear and left of the Fifth, the Tenth to + the rear and left of the Seventh. It was behind the Fifth, that is, the + foremost battalion, that the brigade commander posted himself. + </p> + <p> + “Do <i>you</i> mean to stay here, Colonel?” asked Fitz Hugh, in surprise + and anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “It is a certain victory now,” answered Wal-dron, with a singular glance + upward. “My life is no longer important. I prefer to do my duty to the + utmost in the sight of all men.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall follow you and do mine, sir,” said the Captain, much moved, he + could scarcely say by what emotions, they were so many and conflicting. + </p> + <p> + “I want you otherwheres. Ride to Colonel Taylor at once, and hurry him up + the hill. Tell him the enemy have greatly weakened their left. Tell him to + push up everything, infantry, and cavalry, and artillery, and to do it in + haste.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel, this is saving my life against my will,” remonstrated Fitz Hugh. + </p> + <p> + “Go!” ordered Waldron, imperiously. “Time is precious.” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh dashed down the slope to the right at a gallop. The brigade + commander turned tranquilly, and followed the march of his <i>échelon</i>. + The second and decisive crisis of the little battle was approaching, and + to understand it we must glance at the ground on which it was to be + fought. Two hostile lines were marching toward each other along the broad, + gently rounded crest of the hill and at right angles to its general + course. Between these lines, but much the nearest to the Union troops, a + spacious road came up out of the forest in front, crossed the ridge, swept + down the smooth decline in rear, and led to a single wooden bridge over a + narrow but deep rivulet. On either hand the road was hedged in by a close + board fence, four feet or so in height. It was for the possession of this + highway that the approaching lines were about to shed their blood. If the + Confederates failed to win it all their artillery would be lost, and their + army captured or dispersed. + </p> + <p> + The two parties came on without firing. The soldiers on both sides were + veterans, cool, obedient to orders, intelligent through long service, and + able to reserve all their resources for a short-range and final struggle. + Moreover, the fences as yet partially hid them from each other, and would + have rendered all aim for the present vague and uncertain. + </p> + <p> + “Forward, Fifth!” shouted Waldron. “Steady. Reserve your fire.” Then, as + the regiment came up to the fence, he added, “Halt; right dress. Steady, + men.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime he watched the advancing array with an eager gaze. It was a noble + sight, full of moral sublimity, and worthy of all admiration. The long, + lean, sunburned, weather-beaten soldiers, in ragged gray stepped forward, + superbly, their ranks loose, but swift and firm, the men leaning forward + in their haste, their tattered slouch hats pushed backward, their whole + aspect business-like and virile. Their line was three battalions strong, + far outflanking the Fifth, and at least equal to the entire <i>échelon</i>. + When within thirty or forty yards of the further fence they increased + their pace to nearly a double-quick, many of them stooping low in hunter + fashion, and a few firing. Then Waldron rose in his stirrups and yelled, + “Battalion! ready—aim—aim low. Fire!” + </p> + <p> + There was a stunning roar of three hundred and fifty rifles, and a deadly + screech of bullets. But the smoke rolled out, the haste to reload was + intense, and none could mark what execution was done. Whatever the + Confederates may have suffered, they bore up under the volley, and they + came on. In another minute each of those fences, not more than twenty-five + yards apart, was lined by the shattered fragment of a regiment, each + firing as fast as possible into the face of the other. + </p> + <p> + The Fifth bled fearfully: it had five of its ten company commanders shot + dead in three minutes; and its loss in other officers and in men fell + scarcely short of this terrible ratio. On its left the Seventh and the + Tenth were up, pouring in musketry, and receiving it in a fashion hardly + less sanguinary. No one present had ever seen, or ever afterward saw, such + another close and deadly contest. + </p> + <p> + But the strangest thing in this whole wonderful fight was the conduct of + the brigade commander. Up and down the rear of the lacerated Fifth Waldron + rode thrice, spurring his plunging and wounded horse close to the yelling + and fighting file-closers, and shouting in a piercing voice encouragement + to his men. Stranger still, considering the character which he had borne + in the army, and considering the evil deed for which he was to account on + the morrow, were the words which he was distinctly and repeatedly heard to + utter. “Stand steady, men—God is with us!” was the extraordinary + battle-cry of this backslidden clergyman, this sinner above many. + </p> + <p> + And it was a prophecy of victory. Bradley ran up his Napoleons on the + right in the nick of time, and, although only one of them could be brought + to bear, it was enough; the grape raked the Confederate left, broke it, + and the battle was over. In five minutes more their whole array was + scattered, and the entire position open to galloping cavalry, seizing + guns, standards, and prisoners. + </p> + <p> + It was in the very moment of triumph, just as the stubborn Southern line + reeled back from the fence in isolated clusters, that the miraculous + immunity of Waldron terminated, and he received his death wound. A quarter + of an hour later Fitz Hugh found a sorrowful group of officers gazing from + a little distance upon their dying commander. + </p> + <p> + “Is the Colonel hit?” he asked, shocked and grieved, incredible as the + emotion may seem. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t go near him,” called Gildersleeve, who, it will be remembered, knew + or guessed his errand in camp. “The chaplain and surgeon are there. Let + him alone.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s going to render his account,” added Ga-hogan. “An’ whativer he’s + done wrong, he’s made it square to-day. Let um lave it to his brigade.” + </p> + <p> + Adjutant Wallis, who had been blubbering aloud, who had cursed the rebels + and the luck energetically, and who had also been trying to pray inwardly, + groaned out, “This is our last victory. You see if it ain’t. Bet you two + to one.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, man!” replied Gahogan. “We’ll win our share of um, though we’ll + have to work harder for it. We’ll have to do more ourselves, an’ get less + done for us in the way of tactics.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s so, Major,” whimpered a drummer, looking up from his duty of + attending to a wounded comrade. “He knowed how to put his men in the right + place, and his men knowed when they was in the right place. But it’s goin’ + to be uphill through the steepest part of hell the rest of the way.” + </p> + <p> + Soldiers, some of them weeping, some of them bleeding, arrived constantly + to inquire after their commander, only to be sent quietly back to their + ranks or to the rear. Around lay other men—dead men, and senseless, + groaning men—all for the present unnoticed. Everything, except the + distant pursuit of the cavalry, waited for Wal-dron to die. Fitz Hugh + looked on silently with the tears of mingled emotions in his eyes, and + with hopes and hatreds expiring in his heart. The surgeon supported the + expiring victor’s head, while Chaplain Colquhoun knelt beside him, holding + his hand and praying audibly. Of a sudden the petition ceased, both bent + hastily toward the wounded man, and after what seemed a long time + exchanged whispers. Then the Chaplain rose, came slowly toward the now + advancing group of officers, his hands outspread toward heaven in an + attitude of benediction, and tears running down his haggard white face. + </p> + <p> + “I trust, dear friends,” he said, in a tremulous voice, “that all is well + with our brother and commander. His last words were, ‘God is with us.’” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! but, man, <i>that</i> isn’t well,” broke out Gahogan, in a groan. + “What did ye pray for his soul for? Why didn’t ye pray for his loife?” + </p> + <p> + Fitz Hugh turned his horse and rode silently away. The next day he was + seen journeying rearward by the side of an ambulance, within which lay + what seemed a strangely delicate boy, insensible, and, one would say, + mortally ill. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Brigade Commander, by J. W. 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