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| author | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-02-03 08:04:44 -0800 |
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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-02-03 08:04:44 -0800 |
| commit | 4c2d43f83d401081099bd4166393c395c08ab95c (patch) | |
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diff --git a/77848-h/77848-h.htm b/77848-h/77848-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9ec406 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/77848-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14180 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <title> + Defending his flag | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.autotable td, +table.autotable th { padding: 0.25em; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +blockquote { + margin-top: 0; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.large {font-size: large;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.bold {font-weight: bold;} + + +figcaption {font-weight: bold;} +figcaption p {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: .2em; text-align: inherit;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + +.illowp45 {width: 45%;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77848 ***</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_i"></a>[Pg i]</span></p> +<h3> +DEFENDING HIS FLAG +</h3> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii"></a>[Pg ii]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="EDWARD_STRATEMEYERS_BOOKS"> + EDWARD STRATEMEYER’S BOOKS + </h2> +</div> + + +<p class="center large bold">Old Glory Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Six Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA.<br> + A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA.<br> + FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS.<br> + UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES.<br> + THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE.<br> + UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON. +</p> + + +<p class="center large bold">Stratemeyer Popular Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Twelve Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $0.75.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE.<br> + REUBEN STONE’S DISCOVERY.<br> + TRUE TO HIMSELF.<br> + RICHARD DARE’S VENTURE.<br> + OLIVER BRIGHT’S SEARCH.<br> + JOE, THE SURVEYOR.<br> + TO ALASKA FOR GOLD.<br> + THE YOUNG AUCTIONEER.<br> + BOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN.<br> + SHORTHAND TOM, THE REPORTER.<br> + FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN.<br> + LARRY, THE WANDERER. +</p> + + +<p class="center large bold">Soldiers of Fortune Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + ON TO PEKIN.<br> + UNDER THE MIKADO’S FLAG.<br> + AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR.<br> + WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN. +</p> + + +<p class="center large">American Boys’ Biographical Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + AMERICAN BOYS’ LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.<br> + AMERICAN BOYS’ LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. +</p> + + +<p class="center large bold">Colonial Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST.<br> + MARCHING ON NIAGARA.<br> + AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL.<br> + THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS.<br> + ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC.<br> + TRAIL AND TRADING POST. +</p> + + +<p class="center large bold">Pan-American Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Cloth, Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + LOST ON THE ORINOCO.<br> + THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS.<br> + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS.<br> + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON.<br> + TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES. +</p> + + +<p class="center large bold">Dave Porter Series</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25.</i></p> + +<p class="center"> + DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL.<br> + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS.<br> + DAVE PORTER’S RETURN TO SCHOOL.<br> + <br> + TWO YOUNG LUMBERMEN. <i>Price $1.25.</i><br> + BETWEEN BOER AND BRITON. <i>Price $1.25.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a>[Pg iii]</span></p> +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_f002b" style="max-width: 68.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_f002b.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><span class="smcap">Then he saw Louis catch hold of the bayonet and + thrust it aside.</span>—<i><a href="#Page_133">Page 133.</a></i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1> +DEFENDING HIS FLAG</h1> + +<p class="center">OR</p> + +<p class="center large bold">A BOY IN BLUE AND A BOY IN GRAY</p> + <br> +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="center large bold">EDWARD STRATEMEYER</p> + +<p class="center large">Author of “Old Glory Series,” “Colonial Series,” +“American Boys’ Life of William McKinley,” “Dave Porter at Oak Hall,” etc.</p> + <br> +<p class="center bold"><i>ILLUSTRATED BY GRISWOLD TYNG</i></p> + <br> +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 112px;"> + <img src="images/i_f003.jpg" width="112" height="140" alt=""> +</figure> + <br> +<p class="center bold">BOSTON<br> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"> + Published, August, 1907<br> + <br> + <span class="smcap">Copyright, 1906 and 1907, by Edward Stratemeyer, as a</span><br> + <span class="smcap">Serial, under the Title of “In Defence of His Flag”</span><br> + <br> + <span class="smcap">Copyright, 1907, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.</span><br> + <br> + <i>All rights reserved</i><br> + <br> + <span class="smcap">Defending His Flag</span><br> + <br> + Norwood Press<br> + Berwick & Smith Co.<br> + Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE"> + PREFACE + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>“Defending His Flag” relates the adventures +of two boys, or rather young men, during +the first campaign of our great Civil War. At +the call to arms, one enlists in the infantry of +the North while the other throws in his fortunes +with the cavalry of the South. Personally +the two are warm friends, yet they become +bitter foes on the battlefield. One marches to +Washington, to defend the Capitol, and the +other rides to Manassas, where the Confederates +were gathering. Both fight at the bloody +battle of Bull Run, and then take part in that +stirring Campaign of the Peninsula and before +Richmond.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span></p> +<p>In writing this work I have had but one object +in view, and that was to give a faithful picture +of a part of the Civil War as seen from +both sides of that never-to-be-forgotten conflict. +During the war, and for years afterward, +grown folk and young people were treated to +innumerable books on the conflict, all written +either from the Northern or the Southern +point of view, thoroughly biased, and calculated +to do more harm than good. In some of +these bits of ill-advised literature the enemy +never gained a victory, the other side simply +“falling back to a better point from which +to make another attack.”</p> + +<p>I think the time has come when the truth, +and the whole truth at that, can be told, and +when it will do positive good. Since the Spanish-American +War, when some of the gallant +Southern officers and men made such records +for themselves under Old Glory, the old lines +have been practically wiped out. The reconstructed +South is as firm a part of our Nation +as was the old South during the first half of +the last century, and it has a perfect right to +honor the memories of those who, while wearing +the gray and marching under the stars and +bars, fought so gallantly for what they considered +was right and true.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pgs vii-viii]</span></p> +<p>This story ran as a serial under the title, +“In Defence of His Flag,” in that popular +monthly, <i>The American Boy</i>. As a serial it +created a demand for its publication in book +form, hence the present volume. The story +has been somewhat revised but not materially +altered. The purely historical portions are +based on the United States records and the +records of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>Once again I thank the thousands and thousands +of boys, not only in this country but also +in other lands, who take so much interest in +what I have written for them. May the present +volume please you in every way and do you +good.</p> + +<p> + <span class="smcap">Edward Stratemeyer.</span> +</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a><a id="Page_ix"></a>[Pgs ix-x]</span></p> +<p><i>May 15, 1907.</i></p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"> + CONTENTS + </h2> +</div> + + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdr">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Signs of War</a></td> +<td class="tdr">1</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">In a Hostile Neighborhood</a></td> +<td class="tdr">16</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">A Discovery and a Surprise</a></td> +<td class="tdr">29</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">The Progress of the Uprising</a></td> +<td class="tdr">42</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Off for Washington</a></td> +<td class="tdr">57</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">The Volunteers at the Capitol</a></td> +<td class="tdr">69</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Andy off for Manassas</a></td> +<td class="tdr">85</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Andy on the Breastworks</a></td> +<td class="tdr">97</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">The Advance to Bull Run</a></td> +<td class="tdr">110</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">A Meeting and a Retreat</a></td> +<td class="tdr">125</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Louis’s Perilous Escape</a></td> +<td class="tdr">141</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Andy Is Taken Prisoner</a></td> +<td class="tdr">153</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">The Story of a Stolen Horse</a></td> +<td class="tdr">164</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">A Chase and a Capture</a></td> +<td class="tdr">176</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Off for the Peninsula</a></td> +<td class="tdr">189</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">The Landing—On to Yorktown</a></td> +<td class="tdr">202</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">The Capture of a Spy</a></td> +<td class="tdr">215</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XVIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Across the Potomac Once More</a></td> +<td class="tdr">228</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XIX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Andy Goes to Yorktown</a></td> +<td class="tdr">244</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">The Evacuation of Yorktown</a></td> +<td class="tdr">261</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">At the Battle of Williamsburg</a></td> +<td class="tdr">277</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">In Camp at White House</a></td> +<td class="tdr">289</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">The Living Wall at Fair Oaks</a></td> +<td class="tdr">303</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXIV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">When Richmond Was Besieged</a></td> +<td class="tdr">319</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXV.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Andy and the Union Pickets</a></td> +<td class="tdr">332</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXVI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">An Adventure in the Confederate Capital</a></td> +<td class="tdr">345</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXVII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Louis as a Confederate Soldier</a></td> +<td class="tdr">357</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXVIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">Louis and Andy Meet Again</a></td> +<td class="tdr">373</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXIX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Louis Visits General McClellan</a></td> +<td class="tdr">383</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXX.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">Adventures during the Seven Days’ Battles</a></td> +<td class="tdr">396</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXXI.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">Between the Lines</a></td> +<td class="tdr">407</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XXXII.</td> +<td class="tdl"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">Malvern Hill—Conclusion</a></td> +<td class="tdr">418</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"> + ILLUSTRATIONS + </h2> +</div> + + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_f002b">Then he saw Louis catch hold of the bayonet and thrust it aside </a></span>(<i>Page 133</i>)</td> +<td class="tdr"><i>Frontispiece</i></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdr">FACING PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p094a">“Stand where you are or I will fire at you!” said Andy</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">94</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p222a">Louis gazed at the face, wondering if he had not seen the man before</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">222</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p324a">The march to this prison was one Louis never forgot</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">324</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p340a">Away Andy trotted at a brisk pace</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">340</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p386a">“Keep on as you have started, and who knows but that you will one day be wearing a general’s shoulder-straps?”</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">386</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p400a">Then on swept the Union line, yelling with a voice that is never heard anywhere but on the battlefield</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">400</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class=smcap><a href="#i_p426a">“I’ll die with him before I’ll do it!”</a></span></td> +<td class="tdr">426</td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xii"></a><a id="Page_1"></a>[Pg 1]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="DEFENDING_HIS"> + DEFENDING HIS + FLAG + </h2> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</h2> +<p class="center large bold">SIGNS OF WAR +<br> + </p> +</div> + + +<p>“Hello, Louis! Want to ride to the depot +with me? I am going to bring father home.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, Andy, I’ll go along. Do you expect +your father on the eleven o’clock train?”</p> + +<p>“He wrote he would most likely be back on +that, if he could get away from Washington. +He said everything was in such a state of excitement +it was impossible to talk business.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span></p> +<p>“I suppose that is true,” returned Louis +Rockford, as he hopped up on the seat of the +wagon, beside his chum. “My father wrote +me that it looked as if war must come after all. +What a shame Congress can’t settle this matter +peaceably.”</p> + +<p>“It could, if the Northerners would give us +Southerners a chance,” burst out Andy Arlington, +as he gave the horse a flick with the whip +and sent the animal down the rocky road on a +gallop. “The whole trouble is the Northern +States want to interfere with our rights, and +we won’t have it.”</p> + +<p>“I thought the trouble was about the +slaves.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you can put it that way if you want +to. The Southern States own their slaves and +have a right to do with them as they please.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think the negroes ought to be +slaves, Andy.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that. We have got to +have help to run the cotton and tobacco plantations, +and I reckon most of the colored people +are better off now than they would be if they +were free. Just look at the free negroes idling +about. They are not worth their salt.”</p> + +<p>“That may be true. Still, I don’t believe +any human being ought to be a slave—it’s +barbarous!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p> +<p>“There’s another thing,” added Andy, with +a second flick of the whip. “Years ago—and +not so many, either—the Northern States had +slaves, and when they got rid of ’em, what did +they do? Sold most of ’em to the planters +down South. Now those same people want to +stop us from using those slaves as we please.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe they want to do that, exactly, +Andy. They want to stop the extension +of slavery.”</p> + +<p>“It amounts to the same thing.”</p> + +<p>“No, it doesn’t.”</p> + +<p>“I say it does. The Northern States want +to dictate to us—and we won’t have it—father +says so, and Mr. Carroll, and Doctor +Barnsby, and all of them—and they ought to +know.”</p> + +<p>The words were spoken with great emphasis, +and as he spoke the Southern lad, with his +ruddy-brown face and coal-black hair, glanced +half-defiantly at his companion. Louis Rockford’s +face fell and then a half-amused look +crossed it.</p> + +<p>“How hot-headed you do get, Andy! I trust +you’re not going to fight over this thing.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll fight if I’m called on to fight. I believe +in sticking up for my rights. Wouldn’t you +fight for your rights?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly. But the politicians and the +other big men on both sides ought to do their +best to prevent bloodshed.”</p> + +<p>Andy Arlington drew a long breath, and +urged forward his horse again. “This thing +has been a-brewing a long time—ever since +old John Brown seized the arsenal at Harper’s +Ferry and tried to get the negroes to arm themselves. +Jefferson Davis and the others have +tried their best to straighten matters out and +the Northerners won’t listen to them, and I +say if it comes to fighting, it will be the fault +of the North, and not of the South.”</p> + +<p>“And I think you are greatly mistaken,” +was the quiet but firm answer. “However,” +went on Louis Rockford, as he saw his chum’s +face darken, “whatever happens, Andy, let us +remain friends.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m not making this a personal affair, +Louis,” was the hasty response. “I wouldn’t +want to count you my enemy for a good deal. +But—but—hang it all, I wish you would look +at this matter as I, and father, and the rest do.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> +<p>“And I wish you would look at it as I and +my father do,” laughed Louis. “We’re as bad +as the politicians, aren’t we? But I’ll tell you +one thing,” went on Louis, gravely. “I’ll +never stand for having our glorious United +States broken up into separate republics. Our +forefathers fought too hard for our colonies +to allow anything like that to happen.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it is a kind of a shame, in one way, +Louis. But the Northern States must learn to +keep their hands out of our business—must +learn to leave us alone,” said Andy Arlington, +with as much spirit as before; and now the +mountain-road became so rough that the rattle +of the farm wagon over the rough stones made +further conversation just then impossible.</p> + +<p>As has been mentioned, Louis Rockford and +Andy Arlington were chums. Both were nearly +seventeen years of age, tall, well-built, and muscular. +Andy was dark, while Louis was fair, +and each had been brought up upon a large +farm or plantation.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> +<p>The Rockford homestead lay in a valley near +the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, at a +point where the State of Maryland divided it +from Virginia by a stretch of less than twenty +miles. It was a well-kept, although rather +rocky, farm of a hundred acres, and to it was +attached a dairy of no mean proportions.</p> + +<p>The Rockford family consisted of five persons—Mr. +and Mrs. Rockford, Louis, the only +son, and Lucy and Martha, two daughters, one +older and the other younger than their brother.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rockford had emigrated to Pennsylvania +from New York State some fifteen years before +and he was, in consequence, a thorough Northern +man at heart, and had but little sympathy +for those of the South who intended to make +slavery and State rights a basis for war. Louis +followed his father’s views closely, but both +parent and son were of a quiet, peaceful nature, +and the idea of possible bloodshed filled them +with dismay.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> +<p>The Arlingtons belonged to one of the oldest +families in upper Virginia. Clarence Arlington, +the grandfather of Andy, had fought with +Washington during the Revolution, and Hugo +Arlington, Andy’s father, had followed General +Scott to Mexico and lost a leg at the memorable +battle of Chapultepec. Father and son were +full of the war spirit, and it was plain to see +that, as the father, being crippled, could not go, +Andy would take up a musket at the first call +to arms.</p> + +<p>The plantation of the Arlingtons was extensive, +but as the ground was not of the best, the +tobacco, which was planted from year to year, +did only fairly well, and four years before the +opening of this story Mr. Arlington had become +interested in dairy matters. His first +herd of cows had been purchased from Mr. +Rockford, and this transfer of property had led +to the two families becoming warm friends. +Later on, both men had purchased a drove of +cattle from the West, and in the work of dividing +up this herd Louis and Andy had assisted, +and soon the two boys were the warmest kind of +chums, and when either took a vacation it was +only to spend the time at the house of the other.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> +<p>Louis had now been stopping at the Arlington +homestead for over a week. It was just +before Christmas time, and there was but little +for him to do at home. Early that morning he +had gone off alone to see what he could bag in +the way of game in the woods along the highway. +He had wanted Andy to go with him, but +some of the cows were sick, and Andy had to +remain behind to give advice concerning the +cattle. Louis had shot several rabbits, which +now rested in his game pouch. He had been +standing near the highway, reloading his shotgun, +when Andy came along and invited him to +take the ride to the depot at Lee Run, three +miles away.</p> + +<p>That war was threatened, there could be no +doubt. For over two years the North and the +South had wrangled over the slave question +and over the equally important question of +State rights, and a settlement was now further +off than ever. More than this, the leaders in +South Carolina had actually called a convention +for the purpose of deciding whether or not +that State should withdraw from the Union. +The convention was to have met at Columbia, +but as that city was largely infested with +smallpox, the convention was removed to +Charleston, to deliberate there behind closed +doors. And while this was going on the Southern +statesmen and politicians at Washington, +and elsewhere, were plotting to throw down the +gauntlet of war whenever the favorable opportunity +arrived.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> +<p>“Look, Andy, something is up!” cried +Louis, as they drove up to the main street of +Lee Run. “See what an excited crowd there +is at the railroad station.”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! Hurrah for South Carolina!” +was the sudden cry which reached their ears. +“She’s the State! Hurrah! and may gallant +Virginia soon follow her!”</p> + +<p>“What is it, Mr. Deems?” cried Andy, as +he drew rein in front of the general store fronting +the depot. “What’s the shouting about?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you hear the news, Arlington? +South Carolina has seceded from the Union. +They are having the greatest jubilication ever +heard of down there. ’T won’t be long afore +we follow ’em, I reckon,” added the store-keeper.</p> + +<p>“Seceded from the Union!” repeated +Louis. “Oh, that’s too bad!”</p> + +<p>“Bad? Didn’t ye say ‘bad’?” interrupted +a tall mountaineer, who stood by, whittling a +plug of tobacco with his jack-knife. “I reckon +ye don’t know much, boy. Why, it’s jess the +best all-fired news I heard tell on fer ten +years.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> +<p>“That is where our opinions differ,” answered +Louis, coldly. “In fact, I don’t see +how a State can leave the Union, unless all the +other States agree to it.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t ye? Say, ain’t ye just a bit Northern-like +now?” and the mountaineer squinted +one eye suggestively.</p> + +<p>“I am from Pennsylvania, if that is what +you mean.”</p> + +<p>“Thought so. An’ ye don’t agree with us? +Think our ideas about slavery an’ sech ain’t o’ +no account.”</p> + +<p>“I think this present difficulty ought to be +settled without breaking up our Union and +shedding blood.”</p> + +<p>“Waal—” the mountaineer paused long +enough to transfer a whittling of hard tobacco +to his mouth,—“all I’ve got to say is, we +ain’t gettin’ on our knees to save this infernal +Union, nohow, so thar!”</p> + +<p>“You ought to be ashamed to speak of our +Union as an infernal one,” burst out Louis. +“Our Union is the greatest and grandest on +this globe, and I for one will help uphold it to +the last.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, don’t talk so much, Louis!” put in +Andy, with a swift rush of blood to his face. +“The crowd around here is excited and may +not like what you say.”</p> + +<p>“But he called our Union an infernal +one—”</p> + +<p>“Don’t pay any attention to him. I know +him. His name is Sam Jacks, and he never did +an honest stroke of work in his life. Here +comes the train. Let us go over and meet my +father and see what he has to say.”</p> + +<p>Leaving the horse tied to a near-by tree, the +two lads made their way through the crowd to +the edge of the depot platform. Soon the train +rolled in and the first man to hop down, upon +his cork leg, was Hugo Arlington.</p> + +<p>“What’s the latest from Washington, Arlington?” +cried half a dozen voices, and in a +twinkling the veteran was surrounded, so that +Andy and Louis could scarcely reach him.</p> + +<p>“South Carolina has seceded, that’s the main +news—” began Mr. Arlington.</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, we know that. But what do they +say at the Capitol?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> +<p>“Most of the people can’t believe it. The +crowds around the telegraph and newspaper +offices are tremendous, and there is a regular +mob around the Capitol and the White House.”</p> + +<p>“What does President Buchanan say?”</p> + +<p>“Hasn’t said anything yet. But there is a +rumor that General Scott is to be sent for,” +and Mr. Arlington shook his head gravely, for +the hero of Mexico was still dear to his heart.</p> + +<p>“General Scott! Then they are going to +fight it?”</p> + +<p>“It looks that way, neighbors.”</p> + +<p>A deep murmur arose, and half a dozen began +to ask as many different questions. In the +meantime the train had rolled away. Mr. +Arlington answered the questions as best he +could, shook hands with his son and with Louis; +and ten minutes later moved over to where the +farm wagon had been left standing.</p> + +<p>“I must get some groceries before we go +home,” said Andy, and hurried into the store.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Arlington, do you really think we’ll +have war?” asked Louis, when he was left +alone with the Southern veteran.</p> + +<p>“It looks so, Louis; although I allow I don’t +think it will last long if it does come. I think +the South will split from the North, and that +will be the end of it.”</p> + +<p>“But that will be too bad.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> +<p>“That’s as how you look at it. The South +will be better off alone than under the thumb +of Northern dictators. One thing is certain, +we’ll do as we please with our slaves.”</p> + +<p>At this Louis said no more, for he saw that +an agreement with his chum’s father was out +of the question. Finding Andy did not return, +Mr. Arlington presently leaped from the wagon +to learn what had become of him. As Louis sat +alone he noticed half a dozen men gathered +across the way and talking earnestly. In the +crowd was the mountaineer, Sam Jacks, and +presently the boy saw this man point toward +him.</p> + +<p>“We ought to teach thet kind a lesson,” were +the words which drifted to his ears, and at once +Louis became alert, for he felt he was the subject +of the talk that was taking place.</p> + +<p>Five minutes more passed, and Louis wished +Andy and his father would reappear. Then the +crowd stalked over to the farm wagon. The +men were all mountaineers and of the roughest +class to be found in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>“Say, you’re a Northern lad, ain’t ye?” +drawled one.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p> +<p>“I am from Goreville, Pennsylvania,” answered +Louis.</p> + +<p>“Got a big head on ye, ’bout wot the Northerners +are goin’ to do to us,” added a second +of the group.</p> + +<p>To this Louis made no reply. His silence +seemed to anger the entire crowd.</p> + +<p>“Get down from thet seat!” suddenly roared +Jacks, catching Louis by the arm and jerking +him forward.</p> + +<p>“Let go! What do you mean?” cried the +youth, trying to draw away.</p> + +<p>“We are goin’ to teach you-uns a lesson!” +cried another of the mountaineers. “Come +down!” and he, too, caught hold of Louis.</p> + +<p>But now the youth was fairly aroused, and +leaping to his feet managed to wrest himself +free from his second assailant. Then, as quick +as a flash, he caught up the horsewhip.</p> + +<p>“Let go!” he commanded, to Jacks. “Let +go, or I’ll let you have this across the face!”</p> + +<p>“I’ll let go—I will!” roared the mountaineer, +and pulled Louis to the ground. Yet, as the +youth went down, the whip swung around, and +the lash took Jacks across the nose, leaving an +ugly ridge behind.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a><a id="Page_16"></a>[Pg 16]</span></p> +<p>The next moment Louis found himself surrounded. +In vain he tried to beat off his captors. +With a savage cry, Jacks felled him to the +ground, and ere he could recover the mountaineers +caught him up by the arms and legs and +bore him off in triumph towards the town pump +and watering-trough.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</h2> +<p class="center large bold">IN A HOSTILE NEIGHBORHOOD</p> +<br> +</div> + + +<p>It was the intention of the mountaineers to +duck Louis in the icy water of the horse trough. +Sam Jacks had dilated upon what the Northern +youth had said, and all hands had agreed that +a “coolin’ off” would do the Northern mud-sill +good. The spirit of rebellion had already +reached the quiet town of Lee Run, and Louis +was to be the first victim of the over-zealous inhabitants.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> +<p>As the little crowd made its way around the +depot to where the pump and trough were situated +it attracted immediate attention, and folks +came running from all directions, wanting to +know what was the matter. To all of these Jacks +explained the case in his own peculiar way, until +half of those assembled felt certain that Louis +was about the worst traitor that neighborhood +had ever held.</p> + +<p>“Duck him good, Jacks!” was the cry. +“Let him cool off thoroughly.”</p> + +<p>“Trust me for it!” puffed Jacks, as he felt +of the ridge on his nose. “I’ll duck him once +on our country’s account and twice on my own +account!”</p> + +<p>It must not be imagined that Louis submitted +tamely to the proceedings. As soon as he was +able, he began to struggle with might and main +to free himself, and so vigorously did he haul +and kick that soon one of the men holding his +feet received a blow in the stomach which made +him falter and lose his grip. But the others +closed in, and in a moment more the place where +the icy bath was to be administered was reached.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Andy and his father had +come from the store. Seeing the wagon empty, +they looked around for Louis.</p> + +<p>“They took him over to the pump, Mr. Arlington,” +piped up a child standing near.</p> + +<p>“Dey is dun gwine ter duck him,” explained +a darky, who sat on the edge of the store stoop, +too lazy to get up and witness proceedings.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p> +<p>“To duck him!” gasped Andy. “What +for?”</p> + +<p>“Take de Northern starch outer him, I dun +racken, sah.”</p> + +<p>“The—the brutes!” murmured the Southern +youth, and away he sped for the square, with +his father stumping after him as rapidly as the +cork leg would allow.</p> + +<p>“Here, you let my friend alone!” cried +Andy, bursting into the crowd. “What’s the +meaning of this?”</p> + +<p>“You stand back, Andy Arlington!” growled +Jacks. “We’re goin’ ter give him a duckin’, as +he deserves.”</p> + +<p>“Not much! He is my friend and guest, and +you must let him alone.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes; let him alone,” put in Mr. Arlington.</p> + +<p>“He’s a Northerner an’ is talkin’ ag’in we-uns!” +burst out one of the mountaineers.</p> + +<p>“We don’t know but what he’s a spy,” added +Jacks, determined, on account of the blow received, +to make out the worst possible case +against Louis.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p> +<p>“A spy! you are crazy!” answered Andy. +“He came down from Goreville just on a +friendly visit. Let go of him, or I’ll knock you +down, Sam Jacks!”</p> + +<p>And Andy squared off in such a determined +fashion that Jacks fell back, and seeing this his +companions did the same; and Louis struggled +to his feet.</p> + +<p>“There is certainly a mistake here,” said +Mr. Arlington, with a deliberateness which instantly +commanded attention. “This boy is a +friend of our family and I can vouch for him +that he means no harm in this neighborhood. +I am as loyal to Virginia as any of you, but we +have not yet reached the point where we must +be on the lookout for spies. Come, Louis, we’ll +drive home, and you can depend upon it that +you shall be safe as long as you remain with +me.”</p> + +<p>He ranged upon one side of the boy, and, taking +the hint, Andy ranged up on the other side. +There were half a dozen murmurs, but the temper +of the veteran was well known, and it +was likewise known, and this was even more +important, that he carried an effective side +weapon with him upon all occasions.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> +<p>Having reached the wagon unmolested, Louis +clambered in and the others followed. There +was the snap of the whip, and soon Lee Run +and the discontented ones were left behind. +When the town had disappeared from view, +Louis drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>“It looks as if affairs were getting too hot +down here for my safety,” he said, with a faint +smile. “I never dreamed of being attacked in +this fashion.”</p> + +<p>“You will find hot-heads wherever you go, +Louis,” answered Mr. Arlington. Then, after +a moment’s reflection, he continued: “But, all +told, I don’t know but that it will be as well for +you to get home before long, not but that I +would like you to spend Christmas with us.”</p> + +<p>“I promised mother to be home on Christmas. +I think I’ll start to-morrow morning. It +was very kind of you and Andy to come to my +aid. I don’t want you to get into trouble with +your neighbors on my account.”</p> + +<p>“Those rough mountaineers are hardly +neighbors,” said Mr. Arlington. “They are +very impulsive and generally aching for a +chance to quarrel with some one, especially a +newcomer. This talk of war has stirred them +so that some of them have lost their heads completely +and they’ll want to go shooting at something +by to-morrow.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></p> +<p>“Well, they needn’t shoot at me,” answered +Louis, but in a light tone, for he did not dream +of the perils so close at hand.</p> + +<p>The drive to the plantation was quickly at an +end, and Mr. Arlington stumped into the house, +to be warmly embraced by his wife and by pretty +Grace Arlington, Andy’s only sister, a girl of +fifteen. In the meantime Louis took the rabbits +he had shot around to the kitchen and handed +them over to the colored cook. Then he joined +Andy down in the stable yard, to see that his +horse was being cared for properly.</p> + +<p>“I think I’ll leave directly after breakfast,” +he said to his chum. “Father will most likely +hear of what is up, and he’ll be anxious about +me.”</p> + +<p>“I would rather have you stay,” answered +Andy, his face flushing. “Northern or not, I +want folks around here to understand that they +sha’n’t mistreat my guest.”</p> + +<p>“You’re a chum worth having,” laughed +Louis, and they returned to the house arm in +arm, never, alas, thinking of how soon the cruel +war was to separate them and make them, to +a certain degree, enemies!</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p> +<p>Grace Arlington had been questioning her +father eagerly about the course of public events, +and when Louis appeared she lost no time in +pouncing down upon him.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Louis, is it true, are we going to fight +you Northern people?” she burst out.</p> + +<p>“Well, I trust you won’t fight me,” he replied, +with a smile, for deep down in his heart +the youth thought Grace Arlington just the +best and most lovable girl he had ever known.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know about that—if you join the +Northerners,” she pouted. “If you fight +against us I’ll think you real mean.”</p> + +<p>“You would want a fellow to stick up for +what he considered his duty, wouldn’t you, +Grace?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I would, but—but—how can +you think of fighting us when we are so entirely +in the right?” and she bent a reproachful pair +of brown eyes on him in such a manner that his +heart gave a big jump, and he was forced to +turn away.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> +<p>Luckily Andy interrupted the brief tête-à-tête +at this point, and in a little while the conversation +became general. Soon dinner was announced +and once again Louis found Grace at +his side. But now he was on his guard, and not +to wound her feelings talked about everything +else he could think of but the threatened war.</p> + +<p>The evening which followed, full of songs and +music from Grace, who could both play on the +piano and sing very well, and filled in with war +anecdotes by Mr. Arlington, was one Louis +never forgot. What a happy and good-natured +family they were, and what a truly jolly girl +Grace was! Many were the times he remembered +every detail of the scene, as he lay in the +trenches in the rain and darkness, in front of +the enemy and, for all he knew to the contrary, +in front of Andy!</p> + +<p>But the best of times must come to an end, +and at eleven o’clock the gathering broke up, +and Louis went off, to sleep his last sleep by +Andy’s side for many a weary, perilous month +to come.</p> + +<p>Six o’clock found the two boys stirring. Both +walked to the dairy and then to the barn, where +Louis saw to it that his horse would be ready +for him immediately after breakfast.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span></p> +<p>The morning meal, in honor of the departing +guest, was more elaborate than usual, and during +the progress of the breakfast Mr. Arlington +expressed the hope that Louis would have no +trouble in getting home.</p> + +<p>“Pomp tells me that the news that South +Carolina has seceded has travelled everywhere +during the night, and in consequence, the country +folks are growing suspicious of all strangers. +You had better go straight on through +Maryland without stopping.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder if Maryland will join us if it comes +to war?” said Andy.</p> + +<p>“Of course she will join,” answered Mr. +Arlington. But in this the veteran was mistaken. +Although a slave State and with strong +Southern tendencies, Maryland, when the all-important +test came, remained in the Union. +And, as a matter of fact, even a portion of Mr. +Arlington’s home State also remained, forming +what has since been known as West Virginia.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p> +<p>The breakfast over, Louis felt that he must +be on his way. It was a raw winter’s day and +the distance to be covered was nearer forty +miles than thirty. There was a winding turnpike +leading to the Potomac River, and, this +crossed, there remained a choice of two roads, +one almost direct, but very hilly and stony, and +the other a serpentine way several miles longer +but much more easily travelled.</p> + +<p>“Well, good-bye and good luck to you!” +were Andy’s parting words, and the two shook +hands, and Louis expressed the wish that when +they met again all inter-State difficulties would +be settled once and forever.</p> + +<p>Louis found the parting from Grace harder +than ever. There were tears in the eyes of the +little Virginian, and the boy could scarcely +speak to her because of the lump which arose +in his throat.</p> + +<p>But at last it was all over, and he had +mounted his horse, which one of the slaves had +brought up to the door. He was just about to +tip his hat in a parting adieu when, on glancing +towards a side road skirting the plantation +on the left, his eyes caught sight of half a +dozen men galloping swiftly towards him. A +closer inspection revealed the fact that the men +were mountaineers and at their head rode Sam +Jacks!</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> +<p>“They are after me!” he thought. He was +about to turn to his friends, when he as quickly +changed his mind. There was a good chance +to escape those approaching, and why should +he cause the Arlingtons further trouble on his +behalf? He tipped his hat, urged forward his +horse, and in five seconds was galloping towards +the main road at high speed.</p> + +<p>“He certainly means to get home before +nightfall,” cried Andy, as he watched Louis +disappear in a cloud of dust. “I wish he believed +as we do and could stay here.”</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken when Mr. Arlington +discovered Sam Jacks and his followers. The +men rode straight for the house, cutting into +a lane leading up from the dairy.</p> + +<p>“Well, Jacks, what brings you this morning?” +demanded the veteran, as the mountaineer +came to a halt.</p> + +<p>“We came to have a talk with that boy,” +was the gruff answer. The mountaineers had +talked matters over and had decided to put on +a bold front.</p> + +<p>“So you came here to insult our guest, did +you?”</p> + +<p>“We came here to find out what he’s up +to in these parts, Colonel,” put in a second of +the newcomers.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p> +<p>“I told you yesterday he was here only on +a friendly visit.”</p> + +<p>“Jacks thinks he is a spy.”</p> + +<p>“Jacks is too forward entirely in his thinking. +Take my word for it, men, there are no +spies as yet around Lee Run. The time is not +yet ripe for that sort of thing.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s the boy?”</p> + +<p>“He has left.”</p> + +<p>“Gone away!” came in a chorus.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Gone away for good?” demanded Jacks, +sourly.</p> + +<p>“Yes; he left for his home in Pennsylvania +directly after breakfast, fearing his folks would +grow anxious about him.”</p> + +<p>The face of the leader of the mountaineers +fell. He had not forgotten the blow Louis had +given him across the face and he was longing, +with the aid of his followers, to “square accounts.”</p> + +<p>“Which way did he go?”</p> + +<p>“Went on horseback,” put in Andy, before +his father could speak. He understood very +well that Jacks wanted to know what road had +been taken, but purposely pretended to misunderstand +the fellow.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p> +<p>“There is no use in trying to catch him—now.” +said Mr. Arlington, taking up the cue. +“He has gone, and as he is a perfectly innocent +young fellow I trust he reaches home in +safety. Come, Grace, come, wife,” and he +turned into the house, and Andy followed. +From the parlor windows they saw Jacks and +his men consult together for several minutes +and then ride slowly away.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good thing they didn’t get here half +an hour ago,” said Andy, with a sigh of relief, +in which Grace readily joined. “Even if we +had prevented them from getting at Louis here +they would have waylaid him when he did start +off. They are fooled now—and serves ’em +right.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p> +<p>But were Jacks and his men fooled? Let us +wait and see.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</h2> +<p class="center large bold">A DISCOVERY AND A SURPRISE</p> +<br> +</div> + + +<p>As Andy Arlington—whose full name, by +the way, was, Andrew Jackson Arlington—had +said, the trouble between the Northern and the +Southern States had been brewing for a long +time, and the gathering trouble had brought to +the surface many men upon both sides, who +were hot-tempered and hasty and the last persons +in the world to settle a difficulty of this +sort, although in many cases these men thought +they were the very persons to settle the difficulty.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> +<p>In the North these ill-advised persons gathered +on the street corners and elsewhere, shouting +to liberate the slaves and demanding that +war be declared, that they might go south and +in a few short weeks put to an end forever the +rebel boasting. They were perfectly certain +that no war could last more than two or three +months at the most, and were equally certain +that they could “lick the rebs out of their +boots!” When the war with all of its horrors +did come these ranting fellows were, in nine +cases out of ten, scared out of their wits, and +the bloody battle of Bull Run was a nightmare +from which they never recovered.</p> + +<p>The South also had its share of hot-heads, +fellows who were equally certain of immediate +victory, and who thought that our great government +at Washington could be turned upside +down in an equally short space of time. How +much of a task they cut out for themselves +history has shown.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p> +<p>But there were others in the South who were +cooler and more far-seeing, and, feeling that +war was slowly but surely approaching, they began +to prepare for it, at first in secret and then +more and more openly as the time for action +drew near. At first Northern business connections +were severed, and this accomplished, the +leaders began to form military and cavalry +companies in their local districts, fitting the +men out on the sly and drilling them in unfrequented +and out of the way places. Some reports +of these doings reached the North, but +never, until the actual opening of the war, was +it suspected how thorough these preparations +had been.</p> + +<p>In the district about Lee Run, which, I may +as well admit here, is not the real name of the +country town with which our opening chapters +have had to do, several military companies and +one troop of cavalry had thus far been formed, +organizations having nothing in common with +the regular State militia. Of these companies +Mr. Arlington was cognizant, but because of +his cork leg and his generally shattered health, +he had taken no active part in the work, although +joining with the leaders in heart and +spirit.</p> + +<p>He understood Jacks when spy work was +spoken of, but he was satisfied that Louis during +his stay at the plantation had discovered +nothing of importance. Yet he was now glad +the boy was gone, for there was no telling what +a day would bring forth.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> +<p>On and on along the winding turnpike galloped +Louis’s faithful steed, named Jess, after +a cherished aunt in New York State. The day +was cloudy, and on rising the lad had felt that +a shower was not far off. He was yet three +miles from the next town, situated in Maryland, +when it began to rain. At first the drops +came down scatteringly, then followed a perfect +deluge, and he was glad enough to seek the +shelter of a deserted tobacco house, standing on +the edge of a large clearing.</p> + +<p>He had occupied the shelter for less than +three minutes, when, on looking forth from +the wide open doors, he saw something which +filled him with astonishment not unmixed with +dismay. A band of soldiers were approaching, +an odd-looking set of men, wearing their ordinary +clothing, but each with a gun and bayonet, +and a belt with a cartridge box. At the +head of the crowd, which numbered probably +forty, rode a man named Pickering, the postmaster +of Lee Run.</p> + +<p>“Left wheel!” came the command, and +leaving the roadway the company set out for +the tobacco house. Then followed the order: +“Double quick!” and on came the men at +increased speed.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p> +<p>“They must be some rebel recruits!” was +the thought which flashed through Louis’s +mind. For a moment he allowed his horse to +stand still. Then he wheeled about, dashed +out of the rear doors of the tobacco house, and +entered a small thicket five hundred feet away.</p> + +<p>By the time he had tethered Jess and come +down to the edge of the thicket once more, the +company of strange soldiers had entered the +tobacco house, and having broken ranks, were +stamping around shaking off the rain. He wondered +if he had been seen, but as no effort was +made to trace him, he concluded that he had +gotten away without being noticed.</p> + +<p>The rain was now coming down more furiously +than ever and Louis was quite content +to keep off the exposed highway until the storm +should abate. As he waited his curiosity arose +concerning the strange body of men, and at +length, at the risk of being discovered and subjected +to harsh criticism, if not to rough handling, +he left the thicket and approached the +tobacco house from the south side. Here there +was no regular opening, but several boards +were loose, and through the cracks he could +plainly hear and see all that was taking place +within.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p> +<p>“Drillin’ to-day didn’t last long,” he heard +a soldier close to him remark. “But I reckon +it doesn’t matter much—we’ve got the movements +down pretty fine.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right, Higwin,” came from a comrade. +“Captain Pickering knows how to put +the fellows through and no mistake.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder how long it will be before we’re +called on to go to war,” said a third soldier. +“I’m tired of this drilling in secret. I wish +we could get at the dirty Yankees—we’ll teach +’em a lesson.”</p> + +<p>“It won’t be long now, Gosby—with South +Carolina seceded. Virginia and North Carolina +and the rest will follow in short order, and +then the North will have to fight, or give up +the reins at Washington.”</p> + +<p>“I understand our leaders intend to seize +all the forts along the coast,” added another +man. “’Twill be a good job done, to my way +of thinking.”</p> + +<p>“We ought to seize the arsenals, too,” put +in the first soldier who had spoken. “If we—Hi, +what’s up outside?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></p> +<p>He broke off short, and in company with his +companions made a rush for the open doorway, +there to behold two of the company in full pursuit +of Louis, who was making his way back +to the thicket with a speed which would have +done credit to a professional runner.</p> + +<p>The youth had been somewhat surprised by +the sudden appearance of the men. But he had +had time enough to back away and run, and he +was still thirty yards in advance when the first +belt of timber was gained.</p> + +<p>“Halt, or I’ll fire!” called out one of the +men. His gun was not loaded, but he thought +the threat would be sufficient to bring the youth +to a stop. But Louis kept on; and in a moment +the thicket hid him from view.</p> + +<p>Once behind the shelter of the trees, the boy +did not diminish his speed, but crashing along +through the small brush, soon gained his +horse’s side. The tether was untied, he flung +himself on the mare’s back, and off they went +in a circuitous route for the turnpike. Ere the +men who had followed cleared the wood again +he was out of sight and hearing.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> +<p>What he had seen and heard filled his mind +with strange thoughts. “They are a newly +formed rebel company,” he said to himself. +“A rebel company sworn in, no doubt, to fight +our government the minute the leaders in the +South give the order. I wonder how many +more such companies there are down here? No +doubt hundreds—and perhaps thousands!”</p> + +<p>Feeling that he would have an interesting +story to tell when he arrived home, Louis urged +forward his horse as rapidly as the muddy road +would permit. He soon reached the hamlet +of Deems, but the rain had driven every one +indoors and he passed on unquestioned. Half +a mile outside of the hamlet Jess began to limp, +and he alighted to find out the cause of the +trouble. A shoe was loose and in such a condition +that it must be tightened before the journey +could be continued. Under such conditions +there was nothing to do but to turn back to +Deems and call in the aid of the local blacksmith.</p> + +<p>The smithy was soon found, a low, smoke-begrimed +place at the lower end of the hamlet. +The door was swung open and Louis rode in, +to find himself in the presence of the blacksmith +and half a dozen boon companions, all +of whom had been discussing the war question +with all the warmth of their Southern natures.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p> +<p>“I would like to have that shoe fastened,” +said Louis, as the blacksmith strode forward +to greet him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” was the reply, and the man set +to work without delay. Having nothing to do, +the youth strode up to one side of the fire at +the forge and tried to dry his clothing.</p> + +<p>While he stood there the others in the smithy +eyed him curiously and the talk lagged and was +turned into other channels. Louis had seen one +of the men at Lee Run some days before, and +this man now whispered something to the others +and all eyed the youth sharply. It was +evident that they knew he was a Northerner +and would treat him accordingly. No effort, +however, was made to molest him, but he was +made to feel that he was no longer a friend but +an enemy. Such was the spirit in the South +just before the war, a spirit which speedily +found its counterpart in the North.</p> + +<p>In a quarter of an hour the shoe was readjusted +and Louis handed over the twenty cents +asked in payment. He was glad to think he had +not been detained longer, and lost no further +time in getting on his way. But the halt, brief +as it was, was sufficient to bring him into serious +trouble, as we shall soon learn.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></p> +<p>The trouble came from Sam Jacks and his +followers. Chagrined at the failure to find +Louis at Mr. Arlington’s plantation, the mountaineer +had set off for Deems, to learn if the +youth had passed in that direction. Jacks was +of the class of men who never forget or forgive +a blow, no matter how much deserved, and he +was determined to “square accounts” or know +the reason why. The men with him were a +rough, dissolute set, willing to enter into anything +which promised excitement and sport—men +who afterwards became unauthorized guerrillas, +to prey upon any helpless band of soldiers +they ran across, and who cared nothing +about who won on the battlefield so long as +they could add to their plunder. Jacks and his +followers arrived in Deems less than five minutes +after Louis had left the hamlet, and at the +smithy received full particulars concerning the +youth.</p> + +<p>“Forward, boys,” he cried to the other +mountaineers. “We’ll soon be up to the Yankee +lick-spittle!” And away they went down +the hill beyond Deems and up the next, where +they beheld Louis just crossing the ridge. In +a few minutes more the youth found himself +surrounded.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> +<p>Although not actually frightened, he was +much disturbed, for the mountaineers were a +wild-looking set and he knew from the look +upon Jacks’s face that the fellow meant him +no good. As the others rode directly in front +of him he was compelled to draw rein.</p> + +<p>“So, I’ve caught you, have I?” sneered +Jacks, as he ranged up beside Louis. “Didn’t +reckon I’d make it, did you?”</p> + +<p>“You have no right to detain me, Jacks,” +replied Louis, as calmly as he could.</p> + +<p>“Hain’t we? Wall, all I kin say is, we’re +a-takin’ the right; eh, boys?”</p> + +<p>“Thet’s so, Sam.”</p> + +<p>“And what is your object, gentlemen?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you needn’t git on no high horse,” returned +Jacks. “Yer know well enough what +our object is.”</p> + +<p>“You-uns ain’t gwine ter spy on us,” put in +another of the horsemen, a fellow horribly +pitted with smallpox marks. “Jacks, I reckon +it’s best to search him.”</p> + +<p>“Of course we’ll search him,” came from +several of the others.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></p> +<p>“You have no authority to touch me,” answered +Louis, with all the dignity he could command.</p> + +<p>“You march along with us,” returned Jacks, +and caught hold of Jess’s bridle. “Hogwell, +git on one side of him and Ross, you git on the +other. The rest go behind. He sha’n’t git away +this trip. Forward!”</p> + +<p>“Where are you going to take me?” asked +Louis, in alarm.</p> + +<p>“Shut up! You’ll find out soon enough. Git +along!”</p> + +<p>There was no help for it, and much against +his will, the youth rode off in the midst of the +mountaineers. The road taken was along the +ridge of the hill, at right angles to the turnpike. +An eighth of a mile was covered, and +they descended into a thickly wooded hollow +and presently halted in front of what had once +been a sawmill, on the south bank of a half-frozen +stream.</p> + +<p>Here Louis was compelled to dismount, while +his horse was led away with those of the mountaineers. +With Jacks on one side of him and +Hogwell on the other he was forced to enter +the deserted and half-tumbled-down mill. The +rain, which had let up for a bit, now came down +as hard as ever.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span></p> +<p>“Fetch a rope, boys, and we’ll bind him,” +were Jacks’s next words, and this order was +speedily obeyed, and in spite of a desperate +struggle Louis was made a prisoner.</p> + +<p>He was then searched, and four dollars and +his silver watch were taken from him—“as +payment on thet insult at Lee Run”—so +Jacks put it. Then the mountaineer began to +question him closely about what he had seen +and heard while in and about the town mentioned. +But Louis was on his guard and revealed +nothing, and this so angered the mountaineers +they abused him roundly.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you what we’ll do, boys,” said +Jacks, suddenly. “We’ll leave him bound up +here until to-morrow morning. A night of cold +and hunger will bring him to terms.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> +<p>This was agreed to, and, as they did not wish +to take along the extra horse, Jess was tied up +in the mill beside Louis. Then with mocking +adieus the rascals withdrew, leaving the lad to +his fate.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</h2> +<p class="center large bold">THE PROGRESS OF THE UPRISING</p> +<br> +</div> + + +<p>It would be hard to put Louis’s feelings into +words when he found himself alone once more. +Here he was bound hands and feet to a corner +post of the old mill, robbed of his valuables, +and with the prospect of even harsher treatment +in the morning.</p> + +<p>“They are thorough rascals, if ever there +were any,” he thought, bitterly. “I believe +they would murder me if they thought they +could get anything more out of me by doing it. +I’m in a scrape and no mistake. What’s to be +done, Jess?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> +<p>For reply the faithful mare bent her soft +eyes on him and gave an unsatisfactory +whinny. Evidently she felt something was +wrong. On her back rested a rusty brown +saddle, which one of the mountaineers had +“swapped” for Louis’s new trappings.</p> + +<p>“It’s a shame the way they treated us,” +went on the youth. “But never mind, only +let us get away and some day we’ll get square, +won’t we? I wonder how strong this confounded +rope is?”</p> + +<p>Louis found it much stronger than expected—far +too strong to be either stretched or +broken—and a half-hour’s work upon it only +sufficed to chafe his wrists and ankles to the +blood-drawing point. He stopped his struggles +and drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>“They understand tying a fellow up,” he +murmured. “Is it possible I must remain in +this dismal place all night?”</p> + +<p>It was not long before Louis was shivering, +for he was wet to the skin, and the wind that +was rising swept through every opening in the +old mill. Jess, too, began to grow impatient, +wanting her blanket and her noonday meal. +Slowly the hours dragged by until nightfall.</p> + +<p>Louis had about given up all hope of getting +free when through the wind he heard a broad, +negro voice singing loudly:</p> + +<p> + “Oh, my Sue, my Sue, I lub you!<br> + Oh, my Sue, my Sue, be mine!<br> + An’ de possum, an’——” +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p> + +<p>The negro voice came to a sudden stop as +Louis cried loudly for help. A period of silence +followed.</p> + +<p>“Wot’s dat?”</p> + +<p>“Help me! I am tied up in the mill!”</p> + +<p>“Golly, who is yo’?” There was a crashing +through the woods and presently a tall darky, +weighing all of two hundred pounds, blocked +up the entrance to the mill. “Golly, yere’s a +bit ob work!”</p> + +<p>“Release me, will you?” asked Louis, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Who tied yo’ up like dat, massa?”</p> + +<p>“Some rascals who robbed me of my watch +and money. Cut that rope. I am almost perished +with cold.”</p> + +<p>The negro at once complied with Louis’s request, +and once free the youth drew a long sigh +of relief.</p> + +<p>“Who war dem fellows, massa?” questioned +the negro, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“One of them is named Sam Jacks. He is +the leader. Two of the others were named +Hogwell and Ross. Do you know them?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> +<p>“I dun heered tell of dem, massa. Dey cum +from de mountains over yonder—a mighty +bad crowd dem.”</p> + +<p>“I am much obliged to you for coming to +my assistance. I am sorry I can’t reward you, +but they took all my money, as well as my +watch and my new saddle.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s all right, massa—glad to do yo’ a +good turn, sah. Yere, let me help yo’ fasten +dat old saddle, sah—seein’ it’s de best yo’ got +left, sah,” and the ponderous black friend went +to work with a will. In two minutes more Louis +was on Jess’s back, and, bidding his friend +good-bye, made off up the hill in the direction +of the turnpike. The negro watched him out +of sight and then went on his way, singing as +before, as though to forget the discomforts of +the storm in melody.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> +<p>Once on the highway again, Louis put spurs +to his mare and in less than an hour gained a +good-sized town in Maryland. Here he put up +at the hotel for two hours, in the meantime getting +dinner and having Jess fed. He told the +hotel-keeper how he had been robbed, and as +the man happened to know the youth’s father, +he readily trusted Louis for the accommodations +furnished.</p> + +<p>It was growing well towards night when +Maryland soil was left behind and Louis +turned up the well known road leading to +Goreville. His hard riding had tired him +greatly, and he was not sorry when towards +midnight the home acres were gained, and +he was permitted to place faithful Jess in the +stable, silence the watch-dog, and enter the +house.</p> + +<p>“Louis! And in all this rain!” exclaimed +his father, as he descended from his bedroom +to greet his son. “I’ve been looking for you +for the past two days, but I didn’t think you +would start out in such weather as this.”</p> + +<p>The son’s story was soon related, and then +it had to be repeated for the benefit of Mrs. +Rockford, Lucy, and Martha. All listened +with close attention to what was told.</p> + +<p>“I have suspected as much,” declared Mr. +Rockford. “The South is bound to bring on +a war. They won’t argue the point or listen +to reason. The seceding of South Carolina has +started a flame which will take hard work to +quench.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> +<p>“Never mind the war just now, father. +What am I to do about my watch and money?”</p> + +<p>“Better let them go, Louis. You can prove +nothing against Jacks and his companions, for +if brought into court they would deny everything, +and as matters stand down there, their +word would be taken in preference to yours.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe any fair-minded men, even +if they are so-called rebels, will uphold such +actions. Mr. Arlington is a rebel, and so is +Andy, but they are honest and square for all +that. They are merely sticking up for what +they believe is right.”</p> + +<p>“Gracious, Lou, you are not going to turn +rebel, are you?” exclaimed Lucy, half in horror.</p> + +<p>“I’ll wager pretty Grace Arlington has been +trying to convert him to slavery,” asserted +Martha, who was the tease of the family.</p> + +<p>“No, I’m not going to turn rebel,” answered +the boy, blushing at the mention of Grace. +“But I want you to understand that there are +a great many gentlemen and men of honor +down South, and some mighty nice people, too, +for all of their notions about slavery and State +rights.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p> +<p>“Of course there are, my son,” said Mr. +Rockford. “And, as you say, they think they +are in the right, and they are willing to fight +for what they think. But, for all that, they are +wrong, and sooner or later they must acknowledge +it.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Arlington told me, one day, that there +used to be nearly as many slaves in the North +as there were in the South, and when we gave +up slavery here we sold our slaves to the +South.”</p> + +<p>“There is something of truth in that, Louis—we +certainly had slaves, and some were sent +South—how many I do not know.”</p> + +<p>“And he said that now we want to free those +same slaves or their children—after taking +Southern money for them,” went on the boy, +earnestly.</p> + +<p>“What I object to, Louis, is the extension +of slavery. I think it ought to be allowed to +die out. I am sure the matter could be arranged +if the real statesmen could get together, +without the interference of the hot-heads on +both sides. It would be much better to arrange +things peaceably than to plunge the whole nation +into civil war.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p> +<p>Soon after this the conversation was interrupted +by Mrs. Rockford, who had prepared +a hasty but hot midnight meal for her son. +Louis partook of this with avidity, and on retiring +rolled himself in a flannel blanket, to +sweat out any cold he might have caught when +out in the wintry rain.</p> + +<p>For several days after Louis returned home +matters moved along quietly at the dairy farm. +Then came Christmas, and among the boy’s +gifts was a new silver watch and chain from +his mother and father, and knit mittens and a +neck muffler from Lucy and Martha. Of course +Louis made gifts in return, things bought with +some money left at home when he had started +on his visit to Andy; and the holiday passed +with a pleasantness long to be remembered.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p> +<p>A few days later came news from Charleston +which set everybody to talking. It was to +the effect that Major Anderson, in command of +Fort Moultrie, had abandoned that stronghold, +spiked his guns and burned their carriages, and +moved to Fort Sumter. The fort where this +United States officer had been stopping was a +low-walled place, hard to defend, and on the +coast; the place to which he had withdrawn +was on an island in the harbor, and was as +strong as a fort could well be.</p> + +<p>The South Carolinians had for a long while +thought they could swoop down upon Major +Anderson and his force and secure an easy +surrender. Now, when they saw the plucky +commander entrenched behind the frowning +walls of Fort Sumter they grew furious, and +at once made preparations to occupy not +only the works which the Union men had abandoned +but also a number of other places, including +ancient Fort Johnson, which had been +abandoned since the Revolution. “We’ll drive +the Yankees out in fine style,” they told each +other. And then came a wait of several +months, as winter set in throughout the North, +and other matters claimed attention in the +South.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> +<p>South Carolina had seceded from the Union +on the twentieth of December, 1860. On the +ninth of January following, Mississippi joined +her Southern sister, and then Florida, Alabama, +Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas did likewise +by the first of February. There followed +a lull, and then came the shot which, as some +writers have said, was heard around the world, +a shot which threw our great and glorious nation +into a war that lasted four years and cost +thousands upon thousands of lives, and millions +upon millions of dollars.</p> + +<p>Fort Sumter was fired upon by the Confederates. +Major Anderson had been called upon +to evacuate and had refused. On Friday morning, +April 12, 1861, at exactly half-past four +o’clock, a shell was thrown from Fort Johnson +and burst directly over Sumter. It was a signal-gun, +and directly afterwards came a shot +from an ironclad battery on Morris Island; and +then began a fierce bombardment which lasted +all day and all night, and the greater part of +the next day. Fort Sumter was fairly riddled +with cannon-balls and torn up by shells, and +was set on fire a score of times. Such a fierce +onslaught could not long be endured, and feeling +the uselessness of fighting further, and being +nearly out of provisions, a flag of truce was +displayed, and arrangements were made to +evacuate the next day.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p> +<p>When word came to Washington that Fort +Sumter had fallen, the excitement was intense. +Everybody looked to President Lincoln, who +had succeeded Buchanan in March, for he was +the head of the nation, and must decide in a +crisis like this. This was on Sunday. On Monday +came a proclamation, calling for seventy-five +thousand men to go to the war.</p> + +<p>The proclamation aroused the nation as +never before. It was published in the newspapers +and scattered broadcast, and inside of +three days companies were forming in all of +the Northern States and getting ready to march +to Washington. Old uniforms were brushed +up, old guns cleaned and oiled, old drums re-headed, +and nearly every man and boy began +to study Hardee’s Tactics, a soldier’s manual. +What the effects of this proclamation were in +the South we will see later on, when we follow +the daring career of Andy Arlington.</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Rockford who brought home the +news to Louis and the others that the President +wanted seventy-five thousand men, and wanted +them immediately. He had been down to Goreville +and came back stating that the citizens +were going half-crazy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></p> +<p>“Paulding has already issued an address, +calling on the men of this neighborhood to join +a company he is forming,” said Mr. Rockford. +“Harley, the miller, is going, and so is that +young Bingham, the clerk in the grocery store, +and Umbleton and Dilks. You never heard +such spouting and shouting in your life.”</p> + +<p>“Will you join, father?” asked Louis, +quickly, and his usually grave face lit up with +sudden earnestness.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. Paulding urged me, but I +said I wouldn’t commit myself until I had +talked matters over at home.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, John!” cried Mrs. Rockford, and then +stopped short. She did not want her husband +to leave her, and yet she wanted to see him do +his duty as a citizen.</p> + +<p>“If you don’t go, father, I’ll go—if they’ll +take me,” went on the son, but in rather a low +tone.</p> + +<p>“You, Louis!” burst from mother and both +sisters.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Why not, mother? I am as tall and +strong as some of the men. I really think one +or the other of us ought to go.”</p> + +<p>“If either of us go it will be I,” said Mr. +Rockford, decidedly. “But we will talk it over +in the morning,” he went on, as he saw his wife +was on the verge of tears.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></p> +<p>Fate decided for Mr. Rockford before he had +a chance to decide for himself, although +secretly he was much in favor of going, if matters +around the dairy could be arranged. That +evening, when passing among the cows, one +particularly vicious animal turned upon him +and jammed him into a corner of the barn, +breaking his collar bone and otherwise injuring +him.</p> + +<p>The accident frightened the others of the +family very much, and a hired man was sent +post-haste for the village doctor. It was after +midnight before Mr. Rockford was pronounced +out of danger, and then the doctor announced +that he would not be able to leave his bed for +many weeks and perhaps months to come.</p> + +<p>Ordinarily such an accident would have +brought in many neighbors to sympathize and +offer aid, but now the war was the one subject +on everybody’s mind, and the family was +passed by, excepting by a few of the most intimate +friends.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></p> +<p>It was two days later, when Louis was down +in the village at the general store, that he was +addressed about going to Washington with +Captain Paulding’s company. Robert Paulding +had been nothing but a plain lawyer a few +days previous, yet now everybody called him +captain, and many of the men touched their +hats unconsciously whenever he passed.</p> + +<p>It was Harry Bingham, the grocer’s clerk, +who addressed Louis, as he measured out some +cotton goods Mrs. Rockford needed for bandages. +“Now your father can’t go, Louis, you +ought to take his place,” he said. “Your family +ought to be represented, you know; and +there are lots of young fellows going besides +me—Dick Coombs, Jerry Rowe, Mart Wilkins, +and a lot more.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve been thinking of it, Harry,” answered +Louis. “I’ll go if mother can spare me.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you want to make up your mind +pretty soon. Captain Paulding is going to start +us off for Washington by the middle of next +week if he can.”</p> + +<p>Just then another young fellow came into the +grocery. It was Jerry Rowe, the son of a local +horse doctor. He was an overbearing fellow, +and Louis did not like him.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Rockford!” he cried. “They tell +me you haven’t joined the company yet. +What’s the matter, are you afraid?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p> +<p>“No, I am not afraid,” replied Louis, his +face flushing. “I—”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span></p> +<p>“It looks as if you were afraid; doesn’t it, +Harry? All the fellows who are not afraid are +going,” went on Jerry Rowe, and then he +moved on to another part of the store, before +Louis could say another word. But those cruel, +thoughtless words of Rowe decided Louis. +Come what might, he must obtain permission +to enlist inside of the next twenty-four hours.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</h2> +<p class="center large bold">OFF FOR WASHINGTON</p> +<br> +</div> + + +<p>“Now, then, who is the next volunteer? +Come, gentlemen and fellow citizens, you have +read our worthy President’s proclamation; +you know how urgent is the call; you know +that the rebels are collecting a great force to +capture our noble Capitol at Washington; you +know how those same rebels have taunted us, +saying the North could not be kicked into a +war; and you know also what the cities and +towns and villages around us are doing—enrolling +their patriots as fast as the names can +be put down. Shall it be said that Goreville +stood back when called upon to do her duty? +Never! Come, who is the next volunteer?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></p> +<p>Captain Paulding stood upon the stoop of +the grocery store, addressing the crowd which +had collected at the roll of the drum in the +hands of young Benny Bruce, who had also +enlisted, although less than fifteen years old. +The captain had been “spouting” earnestly +for half an hour, but no new volunteers had appeared. +The muster roll numbered thirty-four +names, and Captain Paulding wanted forty before +starting on the long march for Washington.</p> + +<p>Behind the captain sat a clerk with the list +in hand and a table with pens and ink beside +him, for the captain knew that many volunteers +had to be “caught on the fly,” or their enthusiasm +would wane and they would not sign the +enlistment paper. Beside the clerk sat Josiah +Bruce, the father of Benny, a veteran who had +lost a hand in the Mexican war, and who was +much crippled by rheumatism.</p> + +<p>“Come, boys; come and sign!” cried Josiah +Bruce, waving his stump of an arm over +his head. “I went to Mexico, and my son there +is goin’ to beat the drum fer ye. Sign, I say, +an’ be patriots! Hurrah for the Stars and +Stripes! Oh, if I wasn’t doubled up with this +’ere rheumatism, I’d show ye! Benny, beat the +drum ag’in. Perhaps some o’ the men standin’ +around hain’t heard it yet!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> +<p>And Benny beat the drum so vigorously that +a larger crowd than ever began to collect. +Again Captain Paulding addressed those before +him.</p> + +<p>“Shall it be said that the majority of the +men of Goreville were cowards; that they +would not march forth to uphold the hand of +their President? No, never! Come now and +sign; place your names on the golden roll of +honor ere it is too late. Ha! Here is another, +our worthy citizen, Moses Blackwell. Moses is +a blacksmith, as we all know, and creation help +the rebel that gets in front of him in a hand-to-hand +fight. Soldiers, three cheers for our +new member, Moses Blackwell.”</p> + +<p>And as Moses, a tall, thin, but, nevertheless, +powerful fellow, put down the rough scrawl +which went for his signature, the cheers were +given with a will. As the blacksmith stepped +back, two others came to the front, one a man +who had just hopped from a farm wagon, and +who came forward with his pants tucked in his +boots and his whip in his hand.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p> +<p>“Bart Callings and Nathan Hornsby!” announced +Captain Paulding. “Keep the ball +a-rolling, boys. Now is the time, remember, +ere it is too late. Soldiers, three cheers for +Callings and Hornsby! That makes thirty-seven. +We want at least three more. Come, +now! Come! Everybody join in, please.”</p> + +<p> + “‘My country, ’tis of thee,<br> + Sweet land of liberty;<br> + Of thee I sing!’” +</p> + +<p>Loud and clear arose the song on the bracing +April air, and ere the refrain had died away +two more names had been added to the list. +The echo of the final word yet rang over the +distant hills when Louis Rockford slipped shyly +from his horse and mounted the store porch +from the side.</p> + +<p>“I want to sign, please,” he almost whispered +to the clerk.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Rockford! Then you are really +going, after all!” cried the clerk. “I’m glad +to hear it. Rowe put you down as too cowardly, +but I knew better and said so. Captain, +Louis Rockford will sign.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p> +<p>“Another! The fortieth!” shouted Captain +Paulding. He shook Louis by the hand. “Going +in place of your poor father, I suppose. +Soldiers, three cheers for our fortieth man, +Louis Rockford.”</p> + +<p>And once more the cheers rang out, this time +with an extra will, for Louis had many friends +among the younger members of the company. +But during the cheering Louis’s quick eye detected +that Jerry Rowe’s lips did not move. +Almost instinctively he felt that, though he had +many friends in the company, he had also one +enemy.</p> + +<p>Louis had had an easier time than he anticipated +getting his parents to consent to his enlistment. +The reason for this was that, now +Mr. Rockford could not go, he felt the family +should be in some way represented and had +whispered as much to his wife during the moments +when not in pain. And Mrs. Rockford +had agreed, but with tears in her eyes, for her +only son was sorely needed about the dairy, and +the thought that he must go forth to meet great +danger filled her with alarm. A deeply religious +woman, she spent a night in prayer, then +called Louis to her side, and kissing him fondly, +told him to do his duty to his country.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p> +<p>The days which followed the enlistment flew +on wings, so much was there to do. Louis was +called on each day to drill for three hours, from +four o’clock to seven in the afternoon and +evening—this time being chosen that the men +might do a fair day’s work at home before commencing. +At first he was put in the “awkward +squad,” drilled by old Josiah Bruce, and rapidly +taught how to stand at “attention,” how +to “right face,” “left face,” “about face,” +“mark time,” and “march.” This learned, +he was given a gun and put through the manual +of arms until he could handle the weapon as +well as any of them.</p> + +<p>Louis’s earnestness was warmly approved by +the old Mexican veteran. “You’re a born soldier, +Louis,” he said one day when the drilling +was over. “Keep on as you have begun and +my word on it, you’ll come out of the war with +shoulder-straps.”</p> + +<p>“Now I’ve started, I mean to do my best,” +was the quiet answer, and those words told the +whole story, as the chapters which follow will +testify.</p> + +<p>At last came the day when the company was +to start for Washington, that being then the +objective point of all the Union troops. It was +felt that if the South struck any blow at all it +would be at our Capitol.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> +<p>Louis had taken an affectionate farewell of +his father and his mother at home, and now +Lucy and Martha took him down to Goreville +Square in a dairy wagon, not only to see him +off, but to witness the celebration given in +honor of the departure of the Goreville Volunteers. +Big bonfires were blazing, a flag flew +from the front of every house and place of +business, and the small boys were shooting off +all the powder and crackers they could lay +hands on, while in the midst of all little Benny +Bruce was rolling his drum as never before, +calling the men together for their first march +of a hundred and fifty miles or more.</p> + +<p>“Fall in, men!” cried Captain Paulding. +There was a hasty handshaking and a kissing +all around, and the men hurried to the center +of the square. “Company, attention! Shoulder +arms! Forward march!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span></p> +<p>Rap! Rap! Rap-rap-rap! went Benny +Bruce’s big drum, and off the company started +in two rather irregular lines. Old Bruce gave +a rousing cheer and this was taken up on all +sides, while the ladies waved their handkerchiefs +and some of the boys set off the cannon +they had borrowed from somewhere. The +Goreville Volunteers were off at last.</p> + +<p>Each man was provided with a gun of some +kind, finding the weapon for himself, and each +had likewise furnished himself with a belt and +ammunition-box, a haversack, and a blanket. +None of the privates had uniforms outside of +caps, which the general store-keeper at Goreville +had donated. The officers wore uniforms +of their own selecting, while Benny Bruce had +been tricked out with uniform and drum by his +enthusiastic father. The flag the company carried +had been presented by the ladies of the +district, who had held a large “donation” +party for the purpose of raising the necessary +funds. Each man’s haversack was stocked to +overflowing with rations, and behind the company +drove a wagon packed with other necessities +of camp life.</p> + +<p>The course of the company lay directly southeast +through the State of Maryland. At that +time it was known that Maryland was “on the +fence” so far as joining the North or the South +was concerned, and hardly had the boundary-line +of the State been crossed than Captain +Paulding halted the company and made a brief +address.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span></p> +<p>“Men, we have now entered the State of +Maryland,” he began. “We trust this State +will remain true to the Union, but we are not +sure that she will do so. I know personally +that there are many people living here who are +rebels at heart, and some of these people may +try to make us trouble. If—”</p> + +<p>“Let ’em try it on, that’s all,” came in a +growl from the rear line.</p> + +<p>“Silence in the ranks. I feel as you do about +this matter, but at the same time if we can reach +Washington without open trouble, we had best +do so. Of course, we will maintain our rights, +but to seek a quarrel will only delay us.”</p> + +<p>Having spoken thus, Captain Paulding +paused for a moment and then commanded +Privates Rockford and Bingham to step forward. +Wondering what was up, Louis did as +ordered, and Harry Bingham followed.</p> + +<p>“You will go on ahead,” said the captain. +“Take the road to Frederick and keep on until +about four o’clock this afternoon, when you can +look around for a good halting-place. If you +see anything alarming report to me as quickly +as you can.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p> +<p>Louis and Bingham replied that they would. +Then they saluted the captain in true military +style and hurried off side by side.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad he detailed us for this work,” said +Louis, a few minutes later. “It’s much pleasanter +to have a friend along.”</p> + +<p>“Rather have me than Jerry Rowe, eh?” +replied Harry Bingham. “Well, I don’t blame +you. Rowe is very overbearing. But I reckon +he’ll have the starch taken out of him before +the war is over.”</p> + +<p>Knowing what was expected of them, they +hurried off at a rapid pace, and soon the company +was lost to sight behind a turn in the +road. It was a clear and by no means cold day +and both felt in capital spirits, and Louis would +have started to whistle, but suddenly thought +better of it. Their course lay along a low hill, +and this passed, they came within sight of several +farmhouses. As they passed the first of +these, two farmers came out to meet them.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, sodgers; whar ye goin’?” questioned +one.</p> + +<p>“Down the road,” answered Louis, pleasantly.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span></p> +<p>“Goin’ to Washington, I allow,” put in the +second farmer.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps we are,” said Harry, with spirit. +“Any objections?”</p> + +<p>“Objections? Not at all, young man. +Only—”</p> + +<p>“Only what?”</p> + +<p>“Reckon ye’ll wish ye hadn’t gone afore +long—when Jeff Davis takes hold o’ things +at the Capitol.”</p> + +<p>Both farmers laughed meaningly; in the +midst of which Louis and his friend proceeded +on their way.</p> + +<p>“Captain Paulding was right; Maryland is +full of rebels,” said Louis, when they were out +of hearing. “We must be on our guard and +not let the company run into trouble.”</p> + +<p>On and on they went, over one hill after another; +past open fields and through heavy +woods. At the noon hour they halted beside a +brook and partook of a portion of the rations +contained in their haversacks.</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you one thing,” remarked Harry, +as he munched a sandwich. “We are not +going to live as well as we did at home—not +by a good deal.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> +<p>“Fortunes of war,” laughed Louis. “Think +of what the old Revolutionary heroes had to put +up with.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and the heroes of the War of 1812 and +the Mexican War. Do you know what made me +enlist? It was old Bruce’s stories of how General +Scott took Mexico.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad President Lincoln has called +General Scott to take charge in Washington. +I want to see the old fellow. Who knows but +that—Hist! Who is that coming?”</p> + +<p>Louis broke off short as three horsemen appeared +at the ridge of the hill just beyond the +brook. The three horsemen wore the uniforms +and trappings of cavalrymen. In a moment +more they were leading their animals down to +the brook for a drink. Feeling they might be +a detachment of the enemy, the two Union boys +started to withdraw from sight. But the movement +came too late.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span></p> +<p>“Halt, there!” came the command, and in +a moment more the three cavalrymen were +upon them.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE CAPITOL</p> +<br> +</div> + + +<p>The men who had come so unexpectedly upon +Louis and Harry Bingham were noble-looking +fellows, all well-built and past middle age. +Their trappings were of the finest, and by his +shoulder-straps Louis saw that one of the number +was a captain.</p> + +<p>“Well, young men, where are you bound?” +demanded the captain of the trio.</p> + +<p>“Bound for Frederick,” answered Harry, +having taken his cue from Louis’s former +speech.</p> + +<p>“Frederick, eh? Do you intend to remain +in that city?”</p> + +<p>“That depends.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think you are bound for Washington?” +put in a second of the cavalrymen.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></p> +<p>“What if we were?” asked Louis, cautiously.</p> + +<p>“Well, if I were in your place I wouldn’t +be ashamed to own it.”</p> + +<p>“Neither we are,” burst out Harry, without +stopping to think twice.</p> + +<p>“Are you alone?” was the next question +put.</p> + +<p>“Can’t you see that we are?” was Louis’s +counter query.</p> + +<p>“But by your caps you belong to some company, +I take it,” went on the cavalry captain. +“Where is the rest of that company?”</p> + +<p>“On the road somewhere.”</p> + +<p>“Humph!” There was a moment of silence. +“Come, boys, it is useless to waste time here,” +and having watered his horse the captain of +the strangers rode off, followed by his two companions.</p> + +<p>“Now, what does that mean?” demanded +Harry Bingham, as soon as they were left +alone.</p> + +<p>“That is what I would like to know,” said +Louis, much disturbed. “I wonder if those +fellows belong to a cavalry troop close at +hand?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></p> +<p>“More than likely.”</p> + +<p>“Then they may hunt up our boys and cause +trouble.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we go back?”</p> + +<p>“I think one of us might. The other can go +ahead, as Captain Paulding directed.”</p> + +<p>This was agreed to, and by tossing up a cent +it was decided that Harry Bingham should return +to the Goreville Volunteers, while Louis +went on as originally intended, but with increased +vigilance.</p> + +<p>In five minutes more they had separated, and +Louis was stalking sturdily along towards +Frederick. The road now led beside a number +of plantation fields where numerous colored +hands were hard at work getting the +ground into shape for the coming summer. +Many of the slaves eyed Louis curiously, but +none asked him questions. Several, noting his +cap, haversack, and gun, grinned broadly, but +that was all.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></p> +<p>Towards four o’clock the young soldier, remembering +his captain’s words, began to cast +about for a good spot for the night’s camp. He +soon came to a patch of woods, in the midst +of which was a clearing backed up by rocks, +and this he concluded would be as good a place +as any, having both wood and water handy. +Marking the spot on the roadway, so it could +not be missed, he started back to join his company.</p> + +<p>He had proceeded less than a quarter of a +mile on the back track when a loud shouting +reached his ears and made him quicken his pace. +The shouting came from familiar voices, and +loudest of all was the voice of Jerry Rowe.</p> + +<p>“Help! Help! Save me! Shoot the critter, +somebody!” came the cry from Rowe, and then +there burst into view half a dozen of the Goreville +Volunteers, with Jerry Rowe bringing up +the rear. Behind the flying squad, in deadly +pursuit, was—a bull.</p> + +<p>“Save me! Save me! Shoot him, somebody!” +shrieked Jerry Rowe again. “Don’t +let the savage critter horn me!”</p> + +<p>“Shoot him yourself!” cried several of his +companions. “You are the nearest,” added +one.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></p> +<p>But Jerry Rowe was too scared to fire his +weapon, and when, at last, he did manage to +pull the trigger, the ball passed about six feet +over the beast’s head. Having fired, Jerry +threw away his gun and ran harder than ever.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt but that the bull was a +bad one, for his eyes were bloodshot and the +foam was flying from his jaws as he lumbered +on with wonderful rapidity. Yet with it all +Louis could not help but laugh at the scene. +Here were soldiers enlisted to fight the enemy +flying from a barnyard beast! What would +these volunteers do in the face of an armed battery?</p> + +<p>Bang! Coming to a halt by the roadside, he +waited until the bull was almost even with him, +then aimed at a bloodshot eye and fired. The +aim was true, and with a roar of pain the beast +staggered, pitched forward upon his knees, and +then rolled over in a cloud of dust with a thud +that shook the earth.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! Louis Rockford has killed him!” +came from one of the young fellows in front. +“That was a dandy shot, Louis.”</p> + +<p>“I hit him, too,” panted Jerry Rowe. “See, +my shot struck him directly in the eye.”</p> + +<p>“It was I who hit him in the eye!” answered +Louis, indignantly. “You didn’t come within +a mile of him.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> +<p>“Go on with you; I know I hit him,” blustered +Jerry. “Do you think you are the only +marksman in the company?”</p> + +<p>“Louis hit him in the eye,” put in another +of the crowd. “I fired, too, but the bullet +passed under him, I think.”</p> + +<p>“How on earth did you start him up?” +questioned Louis, coolly, as he proceeded to +load up again.</p> + +<p>“We didn’t start him up. He broke out of +a field that we were passing and came for us +red hot before we realized what was up.”</p> + +<p>By this time the bull had breathed his last, +and the little crowd gathered around and +waited for the others of the company to come +up. When they did, Captain Paulding’s face +was as red as a beet.</p> + +<p>“To run from a cow!” he burst out. +“Boys, I am ashamed of you. What would +the rebels say to this if they heard of it?”</p> + +<p>“But he came upon us so unexpectedly, captain,” +pleaded one.</p> + +<p>“Soldiers should never be taken unawares. +Didn’t I warn you we might be passing +through a hostile country, and all must be on +guard?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></p> +<p>“But we weren’t looking for a bull rebel, +cap’n,” returned Jack Melburn, the joker of +the company.</p> + +<p>The captain made no reply to this. Learning +that Louis had shot the beast, he praised +the youth for his alertness and good aim, and +then re-formed his company and marched on.</p> + +<p>Nothing more had been seen of the strange +cavalrymen, but as soon as the volunteers +went into camp a strict guard was set, that +there might be no surprise during the night. +Several old tents had been brought along, and +these and the blankets were all the protection +at hand, but even these were better than some +of the accommodations experienced by the volunteers +later.</p> + +<p>Morning was just about to dawn, and Louis +was still fast asleep, with his head upon a pine +branch pillow, when a sudden shot from the direction +of the roadway set the camp in immediate +commotion. Two farmers had tried to +pass the guard and the soldier had fired as a +signal for assistance.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> +<p>When Captain Paulding went out to meet +the intruders, with his company drawn up behind +him, the farmers looked rather disconcerted. +Yet one of them plucked up courage +enough to state that he was the owner of the +bull that had been slain, and he wanted to +know what the “sodgers was a-gwine ter do +about the deestruction o’ his val’able property.”</p> + +<p>“The bull attacked my men while they were +on the public highway,” returned the captain. +“They had to kill him in self-defense. We +propose to do nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Thet bull was wuth a heap o’ money,” +growled the farmer.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry for you, but I can do nothing,” +went on Captain Paulding.</p> + +<p>“I reckon you air some of them cussed +Yankees.”</p> + +<p>“We are Union men, sir,” and the captain +looked so stern that the farmer’s jaw dropped. +Seeing he could do nothing by intimidation, +he finally offered to sell the meat at +a reasonable price. This offer was accepted, +and for the remainder of the trip to the Capitol +the Goreville Volunteers lived on roast beef +and beefsteaks galore.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></p> +<p>“It was an easy way out of the trouble,” +said the captain when in camp the next noon. +“Had we not bought the meat the farmer +might have spread the report that we were +confiscating his goods and the whole neighborhood +would have been aroused.”</p> + +<p>Frederick had been passed by a circuitous +route, and now the company took the most direct +road to Rockville and Washington. Everybody +still felt fresh and none complained of +the long marches. Once they encountered a +slight shower, but otherwise the weather remained +perfect.</p> + +<p>It was towards the close of the fourth day +out that word reached the company, through +several Union sympathizers, that trouble had +occurred at Baltimore between the citizens and +some Massachusetts troops that were passing +through the city from one railroad station to +another. A mob had collected, sticks and +stones had been used, and a sharp skirmish +had ensued, ending in the death of a number +on both sides. This trouble at Baltimore was +kept up until some time later, when General +Butler took possession of the city and placed +it under military rule. By this it will be seen +how near Maryland was at one time to joining +her Southern sisters in the great rebellion.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p> +<p>The news from Baltimore made Captain +Paulding more vigilant than ever, and four +advance guards or skirmishers were sent out +whenever the volunteers moved. At a little +place called Bowker’s the company was attacked +by two men and half a dozen big boys, +who threw stones and clods of dirt, but these +Southern sympathizers fled at the first order +from Captain Paulding to halt and take aim.</p> + +<p>When the order came to point his gun, +Louis’s heart leaped into his throat. Was he +really to fire upon a fellow human being? he +asked himself. It is not to be wondered at +that his aim was high. Very few men in their +first encounter on the battlefield shoot to kill. +One must be nerved up by the course of events +to do this deliberately.</p> + +<p>Bowker’s passed, the little band struck out +through a fertile country for Rockville. Up +to this time nothing had been heard of the +cavalrymen Louis and Harry Bingham had +met. But now, about four o’clock in the +afternoon, Jerry Rowe, one of the advance +guards sent out, came running back, his face +as white as a sheet.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> +<p>“The Southern cavalry!” he gasped. +“They are on the road, a hundred or more +strong, and are coming this way! Run for +your lives!”</p> + +<p>“Rowe!” ejaculated Captain Paulding so +fiercely that Jerry nearly sank in new terror.</p> + +<p>“But, captain, they are a hundred strong, +and all armed—and—”</p> + +<p>“Enough. They are riding this way?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; that is sufficient. Take your +place in the ranks. Company, halt!”</p> + +<p>“But, captain—”</p> + +<p>“Silence, or I’ll place you under arrest. +You are positively the worst coward I ever +met.”</p> + +<p>Without a word more Jerry sneaked to his +place, glad that it was in the second and not +the first division of the command. He trembled +from head to foot.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span></p> +<p>Another of the guards now came back. It +was Moses Blackwell, the blacksmith. He had +remained long enough to ascertain that the +cavalry numbered less than sixty men, but all +well armed and mounted. That they were +Confederates he was certain, for, although +they wore the United States uniform, every +U. S. had been stripped from their clothing, +as well as from their horses’ trappings.</p> + +<p>“I left Dunham and Wells behind,” said +Blackwell. “They are going to watch and +see if any more of the enemy are on the way.”</p> + +<p>“How far off are the cavalry?”</p> + +<p>“No more’n half a mile, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Very good. Return to the ranks. Company, +attention! Forward march! Left +wheel! Forward march! Left wheel! Forward +march!” came the various commands, +and in half a minute the volunteers were moving +in the direction from whence they had +come.</p> + +<p>Louis wondered if they were really going to +retreat, but he did not have to wonder long. +In five minutes they reached a spot where the +road widened and where at one side was a +patch of rocky woodland, fringed by a strip +of heavy but low brush. Here Captain Paulding +halted his command and drew them up in +a single line just in front of the brush.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p> +<p>“Men, we will wait here until the enemy +appears,” he said, quietly but firmly. “If +they show a disposition to pass us without +trouble, well and good. If they want to fight, +leap behind the brush and wait for the command +to fire. If we can’t hold the brush, we +will take to the woods, where, if they want +to follow us, they’ll have to do it on foot.”</p> + +<p>Having thus shown his military sagacity, +Captain Paulding set the command at rest and +went among “his boys” to encourage them to +keep calm. The drummer boy was sent to the +rear and every gun and pistol was examined +to see that it was properly loaded.</p> + +<p>A cloud of dust soon indicated the approach +of the cavalry, and in a minute more +they rode into sight. As they came closer +Louis noted that the captain he had spoken +to at the brook was at their head.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> +<p>The volunteers were not discovered until +the two commands were less than three hundred +feet apart, for the cavalry had not expected +trouble in that vicinity and had no +guard in advance. The instant the volunteers +were sighted the captain called a halt. There +was a few seconds of consultation, then the +cavalry leader rode forward holding up a white +handkerchief. With his own handkerchief +over his shoulder, Captain Paulding went forward +to meet him. The two saluted in true +military style.</p> + +<p>“What company is that?” demanded the +Confederate.</p> + +<p>“The Goreville Volunteers, United States +Army, from Pennsylvania, unattached. What +cavalry is that?”</p> + +<p>“Nelson’s Potomac Chargers, unattached, +of the South,” the last words with peculiar +emphasis. “Where are you going?”</p> + +<p>“To Washington. And you?”</p> + +<p>“To Frederick.”</p> + +<p>Then came a pause. Both leaders looked +each other squarely in the eyes.</p> + +<p>“Do you anticipate trouble on the road, +captain?” asked the Confederate, with a +faint smile.</p> + +<p>“I’m not looking for trouble, captain; but +I am ready to meet it if it comes.”</p> + +<p>“Are you holding this road?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no.”</p> + +<p>“Then I reckon I’ll bid you good day and +go on.”</p> + +<p>“Good day, captain.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p> +<p>Again the two saluted, and each went back +to his command. In a minute more the +cavalrymen rode by, their sabers clanking loudly. +They were certainly a fine body of men. A +few scowled at the volunteers, a few smiled, +and the majority, including the officers, looked +straight ahead, as though the company along +the roadside had never existed. Five minutes +more, and the dust again swallowed them from +view.</p> + +<p>Before they had disappeared the volunteers +were again in motion, and the wagon came +forth from its place of concealment in the +woods. Now the danger was past, Jerry Rowe +began to murmur and wanted to know “why +they hadn’t been permitted to blow the heads +off of every pesky rebel.” But Moses, the +blacksmith, soon silenced him.</p> + +<p>“Jerry, you make me weary,” he said. “If +we ever git to shootin’, you’ll be the fust to +run. Shut up!” and Jerry did so.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> +<p>The encounter with the cavalry was the last +incident of importance in the march to the +Capitol. One Sunday was spent on the road, +and the following Tuesday night saw them +in Washington. They found some other commands +from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and +New York already there, in camp on the large +parade ground near the White House and in +the Capitol buildings. Some of the men who +had come in were unarmed, but these were +speedily furnished weapons by the United +States authorities, and the veteran General +Scott took command of the troops.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span></p> +<p>Throughout the South the cry was “On to +Washington!” and it was feared that the +Capitol might be attacked at any time. But +General Scott was alive to the situation, and, +as more and more troops came in, the city was +well fortified against an attack and that danger +was, for the time being, averted.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ANDY OFF FOR MANASSAS</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“Hurrah! hurrah, father, the Yankees are +whipped! Fort Sumter is taken! Didn’t I tell +you they couldn’t stand up against our fellows? +My, but don’t I just wish I had been in +Charleston to see the bombardment!”</p> + +<p>And Andy Arlington rushed into the sitting-room +pell-mell, throwing his cap into the air, +and giving his sister Grace a hug in his delight.</p> + +<p>“Fort Sumter taken!” repeated his father. +“Is it really true, my son? Then the war +has opened at last.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span></p> +<p>The old Mexican veteran took the newspaper +his son had brought in from the post-office. +Yes, it was true, as the great black scare lines +proved; the fort had been taken, Major Anderson +had departed for the North on the +<i>Baltic</i>, and all of Charleston was mad with +joy.</p> + +<p>“I wonder what Louis will say to that +when he reads it,” said Andy, as he turned +again to Grace. “I told him right along we’d +whip if it came to fighting.”</p> + +<p>“Well, one battle doesn’t constitute a whole +war, Andy,” replied Grace, instinctively standing +up for the enemy who was yet her dearest +friend. “And Louis knows that as well as +we do.”</p> + +<p>“It’s not such a tremendous victory, +either,” observed Mrs. Arlington. “The fort +was surrounded by the other forts and floating +batteries, and the garrison must have been +about starved out, being cut off from shore +for three months. I wonder what the North +will do next?”</p> + +<p>“They won’t do much,” said the husband. +“I believe the saying is true, they can’t be +kicked into a fight. Even at Fort Sumter they +stood only on the defensive.”</p> + +<p>Grace listened and her face grew red. She +could not get Louis out of her mind. “Maybe +it will take a long while to arouse the North, +but when they are aroused—” She did not +finish.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw! We’ll lick ’em out of their +boots; see if we don’t!” ejaculated Andy. +“Why, you ought to hear the talk down at the +post-office and over to the tavern. Half the +district is fairly wild over the news, and Frederick +Mason is going to organize a company of +volunteers if they’ll have ’em, and Captain +Montgomery is going to try to fit out some +cavalry. I’d like to join Captain Montgomery—he’s +such a good fellow,” and Andy’s eyes +beamed at the prospect. Mrs. Arlington said +nothing, but as she thought of her only son +riding to battle her eyes filled with tears and +she had to turn away.</p> + +<p>The proclamation calling for Union troops +was speedily followed by a similar call for +men in the South. The call was an urgent one, +and aroused the warm Southern blood to its +highest pitch. Military companies and troops +of cavalry were formed everywhere, and +young and old went forth to fight against those +who threatened their plantations, their industries +and their firesides. The enthusiasm of +the South was equal to that of the North in +every particular.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> +<p>It was understood that Mr. Arlington could +not take part in this conflict. When, even with +his cork leg, he might have joined the cavalry, +his general condition was such that his wife +would not for one moment entertain the idea +of his leaving home.</p> + +<p>“You have fought enough, father,” she +would say. “Let the younger men carry this +war through.”</p> + +<p>“But I feel as if I ought to go,” he would +plead, but she would shake her head, and then +he would remain silent.</p> + +<p>As the days went by and news came of how +the South was gaining a little here and there, +attacking this fort and that arsenal and capturing +them, Andy grew more and more impatient. +Captain Montgomery had begun to +form his cavalry troop and the youth watched +them wistfully as they went through their drill +on Lee Run Square.</p> + +<p>“Father, I’m going to join; that’s all there +is to it,” he said at last. “If I don’t go +they’ll call me a coward, and I want to go awfully +bad. I’ve got a horse and money enough +to buy trappings and a sword, and there’s no +reason why I should stay home.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span></p> +<p>At this the eyes of the veteran glistened. +“I know the feeling, Andy,” he said. “I’ve +been thinking it over a good deal, too. Since +I cannot go I don’t know but that you might—if +you can get your mother to consent.”</p> + +<p>At first Mrs. Arlington could not think of +it. But then came a short letter from the +Rockfords, telling of the accident which had +happened to Mr. Rockford and that Louis had +joined a volunteer company. The letter was +written by Lucy, who said Louis was too busy +to do more than ask to be remembered to Andy +and Grace, and Lucy added that she supposed +Andy would soon be on his way to fight +against her brother. The letter was very +friendly and closed by hoping that the present +difficulty would soon be settled. This was the +last letter which passed between the families +for a long while to come.</p> + +<p>“You see how it is,” said Andy, as he +handed the letter to his mother after perusing +it. “Even the Rockfords think I will go. +How can you make me stand back in the face +of that? Why don’t you let me show that I +am at least as brave as Louis?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span></p> +<p>This was Andy’s clinching argument. Mrs. +Arlington’s Southern pride would not permit +her to keep her son at home when the son of +her Northern friend was already off to the seat +of war. She consented that night, and Andy +enrolled under Captain Montgomery the next +day.</p> + +<p>The cavalry was called Montgomery’s Grays, +and each trooper was required to clothe himself +in gray suit of a certain design, with a +plumed hat to match. At first it was thought +to seat every man on a gray horse, but this +was found impossible in the short space of +time allowed for equipment, and the cavalrymen +rode such animals as they possessed.</p> + +<p>The seat of government for the States which +had seceded was soon to be at Richmond, but +the Confederate forces were gathering at Manassas +Junction, a place about thirty-five miles +west of Washington, and an important point +from the fact that two of the principal Southern +railroads met there. It was this gathering +at Manassas that made Northern people +think an attack on Washington was close at +hand.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> +<p>Soon came the day for Andy to leave home. +Lee Run was gaily decorated—as much so +as Goreville had been when Louis left. There +were flags and bunting in abundance, but the +glorious stars and stripes were missing. Instead +the State flag was unfurled, for the +stars and bars and other emblems of the Confederacy +had not yet come into use.</p> + +<p>The cavalry made an imposing appearance +as they moved off four abreast, the horses +prancing gaily to the trumpet notes of the +bugler. Shout after shout went up, which continued +until the Montgomery Grays were lost +to sight in a cloud of dust half a mile from the +town center.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad we’re off,” remarked one of the +young men to Andy as they cantered along. +“I’ve been itching to get at the Yankees ever +since the trouble began.”</p> + +<p>The young man’s name was Leroy Wellington. +His father’s plantation adjoined that of +the Arlingtons, and both youths were on the +best of terms. Leroy had traveled much, and +a rough, outdoor life just suited him.</p> + +<p>“So am I glad we are off,” answered Andy, +as he patted Firefly, his horse, affectionately +upon the neck. “I wonder how soon we’ll +fight our first battle?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> +<p>“That will depend altogether upon our +leaders. I understand Harper’s Ferry has +been taken. That will give us a lot of guns +and ammunition from the arsenal.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and a victory at Norfolk Navy Yard +will be still more important.”</p> + +<p>“By the way, how about that Pennsylvania +friend of yours?” went on Leroy Wellington. +“What does he think of things now?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he has already joined the volunteers +called for by Lincoln.”</p> + +<p>“Humph! Then we may meet on the field +of battle?”</p> + +<p>“I trust I don’t have to fight Louis face +to face,” answered Andy, very seriously. +“War is one thing, and shooting or cutting +down your friend is another.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose that is so, Andy; but if my +friend chooses to become my enemy that is +his lookout, not mine,” concluded Leroy Wellington.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> +<p>On went the cavalry until about six o’clock +in the evening. They had now arrived at a +small village called Parker’s Mills, and it was +decided to put up there for the night. Accommodations +were found for the horses in the +various stables in the neighborhood, and as +patriots the cavalrymen were entertained at +the various homes in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>Parker’s Mills was full of slaves, and it had +been whispered about that there was fear of +an uprising among the colored folks. For +this reason every slave was watched closely, +and if any were found to be at all rebellious, +they were chained up and subjected to severe +lashings.</p> + +<p>It was about eleven o’clock that Andy was +aroused from a light sleep into which he had +fallen by the sounds of a violent struggle in +the sitting-room below the bed-chamber he was +occupying. Slipping into a portion of his +clothing, he hurried below, to find the master +of the house, a Mr. Rockleigh, struggling valiantly +in the grasp of two burly negroes who +were his slaves. The negroes had contemplated +flight, but before going had sneaked into the +house in an attempt to steal some money which +had been left in an old-fashioned secretary in +the room.</p> + +<p>“Let go, Pomp,” gasped Mr. Rockleigh. +“Let go, or sure as I live I’ll flay you alive +for this.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> +<p>“Dun yo’ let go, Pomp,” put in one of the +burly negroes. “We is in dis to de end, remember!”</p> + +<p>“I ain’t a-lettin’ go, Cuffy,” replied Pomp. +“Now, Massa Rockleigh, yo’ quit yo’ noise, or +I’ll knock yo’ ober de head wid dis yere club. +We knows well enough yo’ wife is away an’ +de young ladies, too, an’ we is bound to hab +our own way.”</p> + +<p>“You—you scoundrels!” cried the master, +but even as he spoke the club descended +and the man of the house fell back partly unconscious +from a blow upon the head.</p> + +<p>It was at this moment that Andy leaped into +the sitting-room. On coming down he had +caught up his sword, and taking in the situation +at a glance, he advanced upon the two +slaves.</p> + +<p>“Stop where you are!” he commanded; +“stop, unless you want your heads cut +open!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p> +<p>His words nearly dumbfounded the negroes, +who had supposed Mr. Rockleigh in the house +alone, save for an old woman who was more +than half deaf, and who had not up to this +time heard the commotion. Both stared hard +and fell back a few steps.</p> + +<p>“Who—who is yo’?” finally demanded +Pomp, with an ugly scowl.</p> + +<p>“Never mind who I am,” replied Andy. +“Drop your clubs at once.”</p> + +<p>“But see yere, sah—”</p> + +<p>“I won’t argue with you. Drop your +clubs.”</p> + +<p>Instead of doing this, however, both negroes +made for the doorway leading into the kitchen. +By this time Mr. Rockleigh had partly recovered +and was trying to stagger to his feet.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let them get away,” he cried. +“They are my slaves and have robbed me +of several hundred dollars in gold.”</p> + +<p>“Stand where you are or I will fire at you!” +said Andy. And now he exhibited a pistol +he had also brought along.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p094a" style="max-width: 70.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p094a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p>“<span class="smcap">Stand where you are or I will fire at you!” said + Andy.</span>—<i>Page 95.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<p>“Don’t—don’t shoot me!” yelled Cuffy, +in abject terror. “Please, massa sodger, +don’t shoot!” and he dropped upon his knees. +He could stand almost anything but a display +of firearms.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p> +<p>“Cuffy, yo’ is a fool!” howled Pomp. +“Come on, if yo’ is gwine wid me. Remember, +if we is cotched now we’ll be more dan +half-killed wid de lash. Take dat.”</p> + +<p>As the last words were uttered Pomp +launched forth the heavy club he carried. His +aim was for Andy’s head and had the young +cavalryman not dodged in a hurry, he might +have suffered from a cracked skull. As it +was, the club grazed his ear and then went +crashing through a closed window, carrying +away part of the frame and several lights of +glass.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> +<p>“Fire at him!” ordered Mr. Rockleigh, +and the words were yet on his lips when Andy +pulled the trigger of his pistol. Pomp was +hit in the shoulder, but not seriously injured, +and the next moment both slaves fled forth +from the kitchen of the house into the darkness +of the night.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ANDY ON THE BREASTWORKS</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>At home Andy had never experienced any +difficulty with his father’s slaves, for the colored +people were well cared for and were too +happy to create any disturbances. To be sure, +minor difficulties arose from time to time, but +these had been readily adjusted, and there +was not a man or woman on the Arlington +plantation who would not have been willing to +lay down his or her life for any member of the +family. These slaves were true to the Arlingtons +all through the war, and when liberated +by President Lincoln’s proclamation, made no +effort to take advantage of their liberty. As +attachés of that plantation and dairy, they felt +they were being better taken care of than they +would be if they tried to do for themselves.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span></p> +<p>To come in contact, then, with such rascals +as Pomp and Cuffy was to the youth much of +a surprise, and having seen the slaves dash +away, he stood still, not knowing what to do, +until Mr. Rockleigh caught him by the arm.</p> + +<p>“Come, we must stop them. They have +my gold and they will try to reach the North +if they can,” burst from the plantation owner.</p> + +<p>Out he sped, and Andy came upon his heels. +The report of the pistol and the smashing of +the glass had aroused a number of inhabitants +living on the other side of the main road upon +which the house stood, and now windows were +thrown up and anxious faces appeared, and +voices demanded to know what was the +trouble. Matters were quickly explained, and +soon a dozen men were in the saddle and on +foot in pursuit of the runaway thieves.</p> + +<p>One man living a distance up the road had +seen Pomp and Cuffy taking a side path leading +due northward, and it was in this direction +the pursuing party headed, spreading out over +several open fields, that the negroes might not +double on their trail and escape in that manner. +Mr. Rockleigh wanted to follow them +with bloodhounds, but not a dog of that breed +was handy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span></p> +<p>“Just let me catch them,” he cried, in a +fearful rage. “I’ll skin them both alive. I’ll +cut out their black hearts with my whip.” He +was naturally a passionate man, and this was +one reason why his slaves had revolted.</p> + +<p>The pursuit was kept up until six o’clock in +the morning. It was then discovered that the +two runaways had separated. One party, including +Andy, continued after Pomp, while the +second followed up the trail of Cuffy. By ten +o’clock Andy dropped out of the search to +ride post-haste back to his command. Sometime +later he learned that Pomp had not been +captured.</p> + +<p>Cuffy was taken while in hiding in a brook +in a patch of woods. He was dragged out of +the water by his heels and at once searched. +A hundred dollars in gold was found in his +shirt bosom. The remainder of the money he +insisted was in Pomp’s possession. He was +marched back to the Rockleigh plantation, +where he was chained up in one of the barns +and flogged until he dropped like one dead, +from exhaustion and loss of blood.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p> +<p>This was the only incident of note which occurred +on the trip from Lee Run to Manassas +Junction. Arriving at the Junction the Montgomery +Grays selected a camping spot in the +vicinity of a number of other Virginia troops, +and immediately went into quarters in true +military style.</p> + +<p>Their camp was in an orchard of trees +which had borne their best fruit years before, +and which were consequently good for little +else than firewood. The Montgomery Grays +occupied one “street” about a hundred and +fifty feet long. At the upper end of the +“street” were the officers’ tents, at the center +the horses’ quarters, and at the lower end +the cook’s quarters. The cook was a fat darky +known as Mungo, a jolly fellow who sang from +morning to night, and who could play a banjo +to perfection. Mungo had brought his banjo +with him, a home-made instrument, the head +of which was almost as black as his own, and +this banjo he declared must go along whenever +they moved, no matter what else had to +be left behind.</p> + +<p>“I would jess mope away an’ die ef I didn’t +hab dat dere instrument, cap’n,” he explained +to Captain Montgomery. “It’s been my pet +fo’ ten yahs an’ mo’. Ef I’se killed in dis +yere wah, bury de banjo wid me.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p> +<p>“All right, Mungo, I’ll remember that,” +answered the captain. “But don’t forget, +if you get the chance, to smash that banjo over +some Yankee’s head. Do that, and I’ll buy +you the best instrument to be found in Richmond.”</p> + +<p>“De Yankee ain’t born whose head am +good enuf to hab dis yere banjo smashed ober +it,” murmured Mungo; and there the subject +was dropped.</p> + +<p>The main body of the Confederate army +was stationed in and about Manassas Junction +and along a little stream known as Bull +Run; but there were also bodies of troops at +Centerville and Fairfax Court House, situated +between Manassas and Washington, and also +detachments at Alexandria on the Potomac +and at Arlington Heights, just across the river +from the Capitol.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span></p> +<p>Andy had been in camp less than a week +when he received his first real taste of war +life, if not of war itself. In order to strengthen +the position of the army at Bull Run, it was +decided to throw up breastworks, and this was +done under the orders of General Beauregard, +who now had under him a force of nearly +twenty thousand men.</p> + +<p>Bull Run is a sluggish stream of water, +flowing between steep banks and through a +well-timbered country. Its winding course +contained many fords and several bridges. +The Confederate army occupied about eight +miles of the southern bank of this stream, and +at once began the work of defending seven of +the fords and one of the bridges by throwing +up breastworks of dirt and brushwood.</p> + +<p>With the others in his company, Andy was +given first a pick and then a shovel and set +to work like any common day laborer. The +youth was not used to this, and when night +came his back ached as it never had before. +The work took the best part of a week, and +then Andy found his hands blistered.</p> + +<p>“Call this fighting?” he grumbled. “It +wouldn’t be so bad if a fellow was out in California +digging gold, but to work like a nigger +on the streets of a town—” He did not +finish but heaved a big sigh. That night it +rained “pitchforks;” the tent Andy occupied +with Leroy was blown down, and he felt +utterly discouraged.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p> +<p>“Never mind, Andy,” said Leroy, trying +to cheer him. “We’ll be fighting before long, +and then you can show your mettle to better +advantage. I heard some of the officers saying +that the soldiers over in Washington +would be out this way before the month was +up. If they come we ought to give it to ’em +red hot.”</p> + +<p>“They can’t come any too quick for me,” +growled Andy.</p> + +<p>Even with the work on the defenses the +drilling went on daily without interruption. +First they would drill in company, then with +other detached cavalry troops, and finally +would come the grand drill of the division. +The drilling was not always done in an open +field, but among the trees and on rough +ground, and often fences had to be jumped +and streams forded. It was not play but +hard work; yet Andy liked it a good deal +better than handling a pick and a shovel, +something he thought altogether beneath him.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span></p> +<p>“It’s life to be on horseback, dashing here +and there,” he observed to Leroy Wellington. +“If only the Yankees would appear and give +us a little more of this sort to do. I wonder +if they are going to wait for us to attack +them?”</p> + +<p>The breastworks along Bull Run completed, +advance guards were sent out along the Potomac +just above Washington. Then the Confederates +sent their engineers along Arlington +Heights to survey the territory and report +on the advisability of planting a battery there. +Some of the Southern leaders were certain +that such a battery could successfully shell +Washington and compel President Lincoln and +the members of Congress to flee for their +lives. The only trouble was, could they hold +such a position? Might not the Union forces +come down upon them from the upper Potomac +and cut them off from their base of supplies +and from Richmond?</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span></p> +<p>The question was answered before the +Southern generals had time to act upon their +idea. One day a Union officer, while in a +boat near the foot of Arlington Heights, discovered +a number of men walking about +among the rocks and brush. The officer happened +to have a powerful spy-glass with him, +and using this, discovered that one of the men +was Robert E. Lee, who was then the military +adviser of President Davis of the Confederacy, +and who afterwards became the general-in-chief +of the Southern army. Lee was laying +out fortifications, and the Union officer lost no +time in reporting to General Scott to that +effect.</p> + +<p>General Scott saw at once that this work +must be stopped instantly, or Washington +would be at the enemy’s mercy. Orders were +accordingly given for certain detachments of +the Union troops to cross the river without +delay, and take possession of the opposite +shore.</p> + +<p>The advance from Washington was made at +two o’clock at night. Two bridges crossed the +Potomac at this point, and a column of the +army passed over by each, while a third division +embarked on vessels for Alexandria, a +short distance below Arlington Heights. As +soon as the Confederates heard of the approach +of the Union men they retreated, and +the shore of the Potomac opposite Washington +was occupied without great difficulty.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span></p> +<p>Louis was just about to retire for the night +when the sudden roll of the drum made him +leap to his feet. In a few seconds Harry Bingham +came rushing into the tent.</p> + +<p>“We are off, Louis!” he ejaculated. “The +war has begun.”</p> + +<p>“Off! Where to?” burst from Louis’s lips.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. Across the river to somewhere +I believe. Come on!” and off Harry +ran, with Louis at his heels. The parade +ground was filled with men, on foot and on +horseback, scurrying in all directions.</p> + +<p>From their captain the youths soon learned +that the Union army, or a portion of it, was to +take possession of the other shore of the river. +The various commands had been divided into +three parts and the Goreville Volunteers were +to be attached to the Ellsworth Zouaves and +some other companies, bound by boat for Alexandria. +In less than two hours all was ready +for embarkation.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p> +<p>The trip down the stream to one of the main +docks in Alexandria did not take long. Company +after company came ashore unmolested, +although mutterings could be heard on every +side. Having landed all of his troops, Colonel +Ellsworth marched up the main street, called +upon the city authorities to surrender the +town, and then started for the telegraph +office, with the intention of cutting off all +communications with the South—certainly a very +clever movement.</p> + +<p>The Goreville Volunteers soon found themselves +not far from the telegraph office for +which Colonel Ellsworth was bound. They +had become detached from the main body of +the soldiers and now, without warning, were +surrounded by a mob of two hundred people, +armed with pistols, clubs, and stones.</p> + +<p>“Down with the Yankees! Down with the +Northern mud-sills!” was the cry, and in a +moment the air became thick with flying stones +and lumps of dirt. Captain Paulding at once +halted his men in two lines, and gave the rear +line the order to “about face.” Next came +the order to take aim, but by this time the mob +saw that the soldiers “meant business,” and +it melted away as quickly as it had gathered.</p> + +<p>“A bloodless victory,” said Harry, who +stood next to Louis.</p> + +<p>Louis smiled and then he nodded his head +in the direction where Jerry Rowe stood. Poor +Jerry was shaking so that he could scarcely +hold his gun.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> +<p>“He’ll collapse when he gets into a regular +battle,” said Harry, and then the command +came for silence in the ranks and nothing +further was said.</p> + +<p>A little later the command marched past the +Marshall House, one of the leading hotels of +Alexandria. From the top waved a Confederate +flag—a flag which President Lincoln +and others had often seen from a window in +the White House.</p> + +<p>“That flag ought to come down,” whispered +Louis. He had scarcely spoken when down +the street came Colonel Ellsworth, accompanied +by only two or three of his command. +Ellsworth had noted the flag and now he ran +into the hotel to tear it down with his own +hands.</p> + +<p>“Whose flag is that?” he demanded of the +first man he met.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” was the surly reply.</p> + +<p>“I want it lowered at once.”</p> + +<p>“Do you? All right, go take it down yourself.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span></p> +<p>“I will,” answered the Union officer, and +ran up one pair of stairs after another to the +roof of the hotel. Here the halliards of the +flag-staff were cut and the flag brought down +on a run. With the colors wound over his arm, +Ellsworth began to descend to the street. He +had just reached the second floor of the building +when the proprietor of the hotel, a man +named Jackson, appeared in the hallway +armed with a double-barrel shotgun.</p> + +<p>“Will haul it down, will you?” he muttered +and pointing his weapon at Ellsworth’s breast, +fired. The gallant leader of the Ellsworth +Zouaves was killed instantly, and sank down +without a moan.</p> + +<p>“Ellsworth is shot! Help!” came the cry +from the Union officer’s companions, and +then one fired at Jackson with fatal effect. As +the hotel man went down in a pool of blood the +others leaped upon his body and thrust it +through with their sabers.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> +<p>“Spare him!” came in a woman’s voice, +and the secessionist’s wife came rushing forth +from a bedroom. Thinking her husband might +still breathe, she threw herself on his corpse, +while the Union men, knowing he was dead, +picked up their lifeless leader and carried him +away.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE ADVANCE TO BULL RUN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>The excitement around the hotel was for a +time intense, and not only the Zouaves, but +also the Goreville Volunteers had all they +could do to restore order and thus prevent +further bloodshed. Many of the Union men +were in favor of burning the Marshall House +to the ground, but other counsel prevailed and +the building was spared.</p> + +<p>It may be added here that later on Colonel +Ellsworth’s body was sent on to New York, +where the funeral services were among the +largest and most imposing ever witnessed in +that city. The funeral of Jackson was also +well attended, and each man was looked upon +as a martyr by those whose side he happened +to represent.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> +<p>The death of Ellsworth was a shock to +Louis. It was the first soldier he had heard of +being slain, and he shuddered when, later on, +he gazed at the cold, set face of the dashing +Zouave, whose striking uniform of red, blue, +and yellow had made him more dashing than +ever. It was the lad’s first taste of grim war—and +there was much still in store.</p> + +<p>The Zouaves having taken complete possession +of Alexandria, the Goreville Volunteers +were sent back to their old quarters at Washington, +to remain there for a possible call from +the upper Potomac. It was during this wait +that Louis one day came almost face to face +with President Lincoln, who was inspecting +the remnant of the army, in company with +General Scott. The sad, earnest face of the +President impressed him greatly, and he could +not help but think of what a tremendous responsibility +now rested on the shoulders of the +nation’s chief executive.</p> + +<p>“He’s got more of a load than I would like +to carry,” said he to Harry Bingham. “With +so many thousands of eyes upon him, he can’t +afford to make a mismove.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Louis. I would rather be a +private in the ranks.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span></p> +<p>“If I was President I would soon end this +war,” blustered Jerry Rowe, who had heard +the remarks.</p> + +<p>“Would you, indeed, Jerry?” answered +Louis, curiously. “How could you do it?”</p> + +<p>“Never mind—I’d do it, and that’s enough +for you to know,” and Jerry stalked off, fearful +of being pinned down to some plan of campaign.</p> + +<p>“Jerry is a cooler,” murmured Harry. +“He is a coward at heart, yet how he does +love to brag!”</p> + +<p>“Benny Bruce was complaining to me about +him,” said Louis. “He says Jerry is picking +at him whenever the chance offers. Jerry +always did love to tease the little fellows.”</p> + +<p>“He ought to have his head punched for +it,” concluded Harry.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span></p> +<p>Having taken possession of Arlington +Heights, the Union troops at once began to +build fortifications there and soon the danger +that had threatened Washington was past. +Close at hand were the beautiful grounds of +Mount Vernon, where Washington had lived, +but these were not touched during the entire +war, both North and South considering the +ground as sacred.</p> + +<p>The Goreville Volunteers were not left in +Washington long. More troops from New +York, New Jersey and Down East had arrived, +and on one bright day in May the brigade +moved across the river and went into camp +in an orchard near Arlington Heights. Not +far away was Arlington House, the homestead +of the Lee family. The Lees had deserted the +beautiful abode, and it was now the headquarters +of General Sanford, commander of +the Army in Virginia.</p> + +<p>“It seems a shame to destroy all these +beautiful places,” remarked Louis one day, +when he and Harry Bingham were off duty +and were strolling around in the confines of +the camp. “Just look at this orchard. It +looks as if a cyclone had struck it.”</p> + +<p>“This is bad enough,” replied Harry. +“But supposing the rebs had come up and +shelled Washington, wouldn’t it have been +worse to have the Capitol and the White +House and other buildings laid in ruins?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> +<p>“Oh, I’m not comparing the two, Harry. +But think how long it took to get this orchard +growing like this. If we stay here +another month every tree will be ruined—if +not cut up for firewood.”</p> + +<p>“We won’t stay here much longer. The +authorities in Washington are growing too +impatient to do something,” concluded Harry +Bingham.</p> + +<p>Late in May, Brigadier-General Irwin McDowell, +of the regular army, took command, +General Sanford being transferred. The coming +of this hero of the Mexican War was an +event, and the inspection and drill which followed +was not soon forgotten by the boys in +blue. From henceforth strict military discipline +prevailed, and every soldier had to “toe +the mark” in earnest.</p> + +<p>Yet week after week went by and the army +did not move. It was known the Confederates +were growing stronger and stronger in their +position at Manassas Junction and along Bull +Run, and many of the soldiers wondered why +something was not done.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> +<p>“Boys, don’t you know it takes a lot of +time to get everything in readiness for such an +immense army as this?” said Captain Paulding +one day, by way of explanation. “Think +of the thousands of horses required for the +wagons and batteries, the immense stock of +rations, and hundreds of other things. Why, +you must remember that the moving of such +a body of men as we have here is like an +exodus. But we’ll march before long, never +fear.”</p> + +<p>Fourth of July was spent in camp in a lusty +manner, the soldiers celebrating as much as +their means allowed. In the evening bonfires +blazed forth on every hand, making the vast +camping-field as bright as day. There were +orations, sham battles, and some of the boys +in blue got up a minstrel show and an amateur +circus, at both of which the fun was uproarious. +It was like the comedy which precedes +the tragic in a melodrama.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> +<p>At last, on the sixteenth of July, came the +orders to break camp. The army had been +divided into five grand divisions, each division +moving forward by a different route. Soon +every highway leading towards Fairfax Court +House, Centerville, and Manassas Junction +was filled with tramping soldiers, dashing cavalry, +fifers and drummers and bands of music, +with hundreds upon hundreds of heavy batteries +plowing their way along through the +dirt, and followed by thousands of provision +and sutlers’ wagons, and ambulances; and last +of all the carriages of politicians and others +who were curious to see what was going to +take place now the North was about to strike +her first regular blow at the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>“My gracious, I had no idea that there +were so many of us!” murmured Louis to +Harry, as they stood in the ranks, waiting for +their turn to move, and watching regiment +after regiment of their comrades march by, +with colors flying and every face full of hope +and determination. “We ought to conquer +by sheer force of numbers, if nothing else.”</p> + +<p>“They’ll have just as many men,” declared +Moses Blackwell. “It’s a bloody struggle we +have afore us, mark the words.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span></p> +<p>Louis had expected a fatiguing advance of +fifteen or twenty miles, and he was rather surprised +when, early in the afternoon, their company +entered Fairfax Court House and they +were ordered into camp for the night. The +advance along the road had been made with +caution, and although it was known the Confederates +had outposts located along the routes +these advance guards had fallen back as the +boys in blue marched forward.</p> + +<p>Fairfax Court House was but a small town, +and the majority of the inhabitants were thoroughly +scared at the arrival of so many troops.</p> + +<p>Many of the men were away, in the service of +the enemy, and the women viewed the appearance +of each new soldier with much misgivings.</p> + +<p>“Spare me and you can take all I have!” +wailed one old lady to Louis, as he appeared +at her kitchen door for a pail of water. “Oh, +do not kill me!”</p> + +<p>“Madam, I’m not going to touch you,” answered +the youth, more than half-amused. “I +came in to see if you would be kind enough +to give me a bucket of water.”</p> + +<p>At this the old lady stared, thinking she had +not heard aright.</p> + +<p>“You—you only want some water?” she +faltered, trying vainly to recover.</p> + +<p>“That is all, madam—unless you have +some cookies you are keeping for our boys. +We never refuse those, you know,” and Louis +smiled.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> +<p>“I declare, I reckon you ain’t so fierce as +I took you to be.”</p> + +<p>“I’m only a soldier boy, trying to do my +duty. Can I have the water?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly! certainly! Take all you want. +I haven’t any cookies, as you call ’em. But +I’ve got some eggs, just laid—you can have +them if you want ’em.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, madam, I’ll take them with +pleasure. But remember, I don’t demand +them. We have strict orders to demand nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s all right. You can have ’em, even +if you are a Northerner. I see you’re nothing +but a boy, and I have a boy in the army—on +our side—and I reckon he’d like a fresh-laid +egg now an’ then,” and she ran off to bring +back eight large, white eggs tied up in a bit +of cotton cloth. That evening Louis, Harry +and several of the others of their “crowd” +enjoyed the freshest omelet they had had +since leaving home.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span></p> +<p>But some of the soldiers, be it said to their +discredit, were not as considerate as Louis +had been. Thinking themselves in the enemy’s +country, they plundered a number of houses, +threatened the inmates, and in two cases buildings +were set on fire and destroyed. During +the evening a number of the thoughtless ones +arrayed themselves in some stolen female +wearing apparel, and thus masqueraded, paraded +about until stopped by the officers.</p> + +<p>From Fairfax Court House the army moved +slowly the next day towards Centerville. They +were now but a few miles from Bull Run, and +although the Goreville Volunteers were not +yet called into action, yet the distant sounds +of firearms told that no longer was everything +“quiet along the line.” On the day following +a fierce fight took place between a portion of +General Tyler’s division and the enemy entrenched +at a spot called Blackburn’s Ford, +and in this encounter nineteen of the boys in +blue were killed and twice as many wounded. +This was really the opening of the great battle +of Bull Run. The Union soldiers found they +could make no advance, and accordingly it was +decided to wait several days until the entire +army could be brought into position for a simultaneous +attack. Additional supplies were +also needed, and these did not arrive when +expected. At last came the orders to go forward.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p> +<p>“Now for bloody war, my boy!” cried +Moses Blackwell to Louis. “Ye’ll git enough +of it now, see if ye don’t.”</p> + +<p>It was early Sunday morning. The soldiers +were to have moved at two o’clock, but it was +nearly sunrise before the Goreville Volunteers +were in motion; and the day promised to be +a scorcher.</p> + +<p>Little Benny Bruce beat his drum loudly, +his eyes glistening brightly, for the spirit of +war seemed to be a part of his very nature. +Seeing Benny so brave, Louis could not help +but look at Jerry Rowe. The boaster was +pale and his fishy eyes were full of uncertainty. +The next twenty-four hours were well +calculated to sift the cowards from those who +were truly brave.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> +<p>To go into all of the details of the great +battle of Bull Run would be both impossible +and apart from my purpose in writing this +story of personal adventures on both sides of +the great conflict. Suffice it, then, to say that +the attack on the Confederate forces was begun +between six and seven in the morning +at a place known as the Stone Bridge, and +from that hour the battle kept on steadily until +the middle of the afternoon. By this time +both sides had sustained heavy losses and were +worn out, but the arrival of a large body of +fresh Confederate troops under General Johnston +put new life into those who marched under +the Stars and Bars, and they attacked the +Union men with such increased vigor that +nothing could stand before them. By sundown +the Union men were in full retreat for Washington, +and thinking the fresh Confederate +force much larger than it really was the retreat +degenerated into what was practically a +panic.</p> + +<p>But Louis thought of none of these things +as he marched forward mile after mile in the +blazing sun. The dust on the road was several +inches deep, and a heavy battery traveling +just in front of the Goreville Volunteers +kicked up such a dust that the lad was all but +blinded. He was glad enough when the orders +came to turn to the left and enter a by-road +leading through a heavy woods.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p> +<p>“Halt!” The command came full and +clear along the line of soldiers stretched out +among the trees and brush. A clearing was +just ahead and on the opposite side of this +could be seen a number of hastily constructed +breastworks, and the glitter of two brass cannons. +The order to halt had hardly come +when the cannons boomed forth, and a mass of +grapeshot came tearing through the thickets, +clipping off branches of trees and tops of +brush and sending half a dozen dead and dying +to earth.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m killed!” yelled Jerry Rowe, falling +back. But it was only a cut-away branch +which had struck him. Somebody laughed, +and then every gun was clutched closer, as +the order came to charge. Louis was in battle +at last!</p> + +<p>There is no denying the fact that his heart +was in his throat. To move forward under +fire for the first time in one’s life is no light +thing. He looked at Harry on one side of him +and saw the pale, set face. Then he got a dig +in the ribs from Moses Blackwell, who was +on the other side.</p> + +<p>“Can’t die but once, Louis. Hurrah fer +the Stars and Stripes! Down with the +rebels!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> +<p>The cry was taken up on all sides. An answering +call came back: “Here they come! +Down with the Yankees!” And then came a +blaze from a long line of rifles, and two of the +Goreville Volunteers went down to their deaths +before being permitted to strike even one blow +in the cause for which they had enlisted.</p> + +<p>“Take aim! Fire!” came the command +from Captain Paulding, and steadying himself, +Louis aimed his gun straight at one of the +enemy and pulled the trigger. The death of +two men he knew well had nerved him for the +deed, and he saw the Confederate throw up +his hands and fall back, shot through the +shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Forward again, boys! Forward! We +must gain those breastworks!” came the +cries. Away they went, out of the woods, to +confront that deadly fire again. Three went +down, wounded, and the men were ordered to +“close up.” The smoke now became thick +and in the midst of this the brass cannons +spoke again, but the shots were too high and +did no damage.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span></p> +<p>Louis now found himself at the edge of the +breastworks, with Harry and Moses Blackwell +still beside him. Close at hand was Nathan +Hornsby, and with a quick leap the Pennsylvania +farmer was on the mound of dirt and +brush, and Louis scrambled after him. Others +followed in rapid succession and the breastworks +were taken.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> +<p>But not for long. With a wild yell the Confederates +rallied and bore down upon their +enemy. The brass cannons had been hauled +away and the open field became the ground +for a fierce hand-to-hand conflict. Louis tried +to keep close to his friends, but in the mêlée +this was impossible, and in a minute more he +found himself alone and in the very midst +of the enemy!</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</h2> + <p class="center large bold">A MEETING AND A RETREAT</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>The forces under General Beauregard at the +battle of Bull Run consisted of some twenty +regiments of infantry and a number of cavalry +companies and sections of light artillery. +It was a regiment of South Carolina men that +had defended the earthworks attacked by the +Goreville Volunteers and others, and they +fought bravely for many hours after the scene +recorded in the last chapter. The battery was +one from North Carolina and retreated from +its first position only to take a second half-way +up the side of a hill, at the top of which +stood a single house. It was around the vicinity +of this house that the main onslaughts of +the day occurred.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span></p> +<p>In the meantime, however, what of the cavalry +to which Andy was attached? The Montgomery +Grays were located along the Warrenton +turnpike, and it was their honor to capture +one of the first cannons taken from the Union +army. The capture took place at a bend in +the road, and was followed by a fierce attack +by the boys in blue, which nearly demoralized +the Montgomery Grays.</p> + +<p>“Forward! Forward!” cried Captain +Montgomery again and again, but when Andy +and the others attempted to move on they +found they were literally urging their steeds +upon a bed of bayonets. They fired their pistols +and slashed with their sabers, and the din +and shock were terrific.</p> + +<p>“Down you come, grayback!” Andy heard +yelled in his ear, and a bayonet was thrust up +against his side. He pulled back, escaping the +steel point by only a few inches and cut his +assailant heavily on the arm. The next moment +other cavalrymen pushed on behind, and +then there was nothing to do but to go on, cutting +a path right and left as the Montgomery +Grays advanced.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> +<p>Yet when the Confederate cavalry had thus +hewn a path for itself along the turnpike for +a distance of several hundred feet, it found +the advantage of position a doubtful one. +From the woods poured a regiment of New +York militia, and the fire was so hot from +these well-trained soldiers that the cavalry +was forced to move rapidly towards another +defense of the Confederates, dragging the captured +cannon with them. As they were ploughing +on, in the dust and dirt, a volley of Minie +balls whistled around them and one clipped +Andy on the leg, leaving a stinging pain behind +it.</p> + +<p>“Are you struck, Andy?” cried Leroy +Wellington, who rode near to his friend.</p> + +<p>“Yes, in the leg; but I reckon it’s not +much,” was Andy’s reply, as he brushed the +perspiration and dirt from his face with his +coat sleeve. “Phew! but this is more than +warm work!”</p> + +<p>“Never mind; we have one of their cannons!” +returned Leroy. It filled his heart +with martial joy to think that he had been +one of the first to lay hands on the piece after +cutting down the gunner.</p> + +<p>“Don’t crow until we are out of the woods, +Leroy. Here come more of the Yankee boys.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p> +<p>“Pennsylvania men!” cried somebody in +advance. “Load, boys, and be quick about +it!”</p> + +<p>“Pennsylvania men!” repeated Andy. +“What if it should be Louis’s company? I +couldn’t fire on him!” he thought. Then he +began to load with all possible speed.</p> + +<p>The Pennyslvania company, however, belonged +to the regular militia. They were an +excellently drilled body of men, and came forward +in a solid mass that nothing could stay. +They had heard about the capture of the cannon +and were determined, if possible, to regain +the piece. They fired at close range, then +began to use their bayonets, and soon the cannon +was reached, and here cutting, thrusting, +and clubbing became the order of the day.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p> +<p>Never had Andy thought to be in such a +stubborn conflict. He cut, thrust, and charged +on all sides of him. Once the butt of a musket +hit him in the back and unseated him. +There was a yell of triumph as he went down. +Before the yell came to an end he was up +again and charged straight for his adversary, +a tall militiaman, who dodged out of the way +in double-quick order. Andy wanted to fire +at him, but before he could bring his pistol +into play the tide of battle had swept man and +boy fifty feet apart.</p> + +<p>And so the fray went on, until, Confederate +reinforcements coming on, the Union soldiers +were forced to retreat, and the Montgomery +Grays returned in triumph to their own division, +dragging the cannon after them. As +they moved on General Longstreet swept by +them on his charger.</p> + +<p>“Good, boys; good!” he cried, waving his +sword. “Keep it up and the day is ours!”</p> + +<p>“Carry the news to Jefferson Davis!” +yelled Leroy, after him, and the Confederate +general turned in his saddle and smiled. An +instant later the smoke of battle swallowed +him up.</p> + +<p>But now even the horses were beginning to +show signs of fatigue, and the greater part of +the company were compelled to fall back several +hundred feet farther, where there was a +small stream flowing into Bull Run. Here men +and beasts procured much-needed drink and +stopped to get their “second wind.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> +<p>Hardly was Andy again in the saddle when +the bugle called him and his fellow-cavalrymen +to a new position along the side of the hill +before mentioned. To gain this new position +the Montgomery Grays had to cross an open +space probably three hundred feet in diameter—a +clearing well covered by the batteries of +the Union army.</p> + +<p>“Forward, and lose no time!” cried Captain +Montgomery, and led the way, followed +almost immediately by a score of his men, with +Andy and Leroy in the number. The captain +had scarcely covered a quarter of the distance +when, suddenly, his horse, a powerful gray +stallion, was seen to rear up viciously and take +the bit between his teeth.</p> + +<p>“Whoa!” roared the Confederate commander, +but instead of obeying the stallion +reared again, then dropped like a flash and +shot off on a mad gallop, directly for the +Union lines!</p> + +<p>“The captain’s horse is running away!” +cried Leroy. “Whoa! Whoa!”</p> + +<p>“He’ll be carried into the enemy’s lines!” +yelled another of the men. “Turn him to yer +right, cap’n! To the right!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> +<p>“Whoa, Harry!” cried the captain, tugging +in vain at the reins. Harry would not +whoa, but with blazing eyes kept straight on, +until the ranks of the enemy could be plainly +seen.</p> + +<p>But now came rapid hoof-strokes from behind. +From the start Andy had realized his +captain’s danger and wondered how it could +be averted. He knew that trying to stop +Harry by pulling on the reins or calling to +him was out of the question. The horse had +lost his head and would not obey until exhausted.</p> + +<p>“Forward, Firefly!” he called to his own +animal, and, trained to obey on the moment, +brave Firefly flew out of the line and in full +pursuit of the runaway.</p> + +<p>“Come back! It’s certain death!” yelled +Leroy, in horror; but if Andy heard he paid +no attention. On and on he went, until the +very side of the runaway was gained. The advance +line of the enemy was now less than a +hundred feet away. Several rifles rang out +and the bullets whistled on every side.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p> +<p>As Andy ranged up alongside he crowded +Harry on the left. The stallion did not like +this and turned to bite Firefly. But Andy was +ready for him and struck the runaway on the +nose. At once Harry sheered off as desired, +and away went both horses at right angles to +the course previously pursued. Again the +rifles from the Union side rang out and Captain +Montgomery was slightly wounded in +the arm, and Andy had his plumed hat ventilated +much against his desires.</p> + +<p>“I owe you one for that, Arlington,” said +the captain, when both were safe for the time +being. “I’ll not forget you.”</p> + +<p>“I think you had better get a more manageable +horse after this, captain,” returned the +youth, with a smile. “He’s too willing to go +over to the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll give him another trial. If he runs +away again I’ll shoot him,” replied Captain +Montgomery, and having once more gotten +his stallion under control, he galloped off to +obtain further orders from the general in +charge.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span></p> +<p>“We are ordered to the breastworks below +here,” said the officer, a few minutes later. +“A South Carolina regiment has been holding +the defense, but matters are getting too hot +for them. Forward, boys, and show them +what our Grays can do. Hurrah for the Stars +and Bars!” and away went the troop of +cavalry, flinging up the sod of the cut up field +behind them. In two minutes more they were +again in the thick of the fray.</p> + +<p>“The cavalry is coming!” Andy heard one +of the Union soldiers ejaculate. “Never +mind, Blackwell. Show ’em what sort of +stuff the Goreville Volunteers are made of,” +added another. “Now we have this ground, +let us hold it. Hurrah for McDowell and +General Scott!”</p> + +<p>“The Goreville Volunteers,” thought Andy, +and the hot blood rushed to his face. It was +Louis’s company! Supposing he should—</p> + +<p>“Andy!” It was a yell from his left. He +turned swiftly. Sure enough, there was Louis, +battling bravely in the midst of half a dozen +of the South Carolina men, one of whom was +about to stick his bayonet into the Union boy’s +breast. “Don’t kill him! Don’t, please!” +were the words which rose to his lips, but in +the din of battle no one heard him. Then he +saw Louis catch hold of the bayonet and thrust +it aside. In another moment the two chums +found themselves face to face.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> +<p>“Louis! To think we should meet like +this!” came from Andy’s white lips. “You +must go back! You will be killed, or captured!”</p> + +<p>“I am fighting as I was told to fight, +Andy,” was the determined reply. “Good-bye, +and take care of yourself!” and away +sped Louis, knocking headlong a Confederate +soldier who sought to detain him. Andy had +now all he could do to look out for his own +welfare; and thus the former chums parted, +not to meet again until the Army of the Potomac +marched against Richmond, the Confederate +capital.</p> + +<p>We will follow for the time being the fortunes +of Andy. With Louis’s disappearance +the Southern youth discovered that a fresh +body of Union soldiers had come up to reinforce +the Goreville Volunteers, who were now +all but exhausted to a man. He was pleased +to note this, as the idea of fighting even +against the company to which his chum belonged +was distasteful to him.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span></p> +<p>The Grays were ordered to charge the men +who were holding the defense, and away they +dashed, with two other cavalry companies beside +them. This charge was bravely met, and +once again Andy found himself in a hand-to-hand +fight. This did not last more than five +minutes, when the Union soldiers were seen +to part, to let through a battery of two cannons, +both twelve-pounders. As quickly as +possible the battery was placed in position, +the rear guard of the Union men meanwhile +protecting the pieces. Then away went the +Northern troops to the right and left, and the +order was given for the Grays to retreat. +The order came none too soon, for when the +cannons blazed forth the aims of the gunners +were found so correct that eight horsemen and +six animals were laid low. The Union battery +remained where it was for over an hour, when +the general retreat of the Union troops began.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span></p> +<p>The line of battle had originally been nearly +eight miles long, but now it was so broken and +disorganized that the fighting became general +upon all sides, although the heaviest attacks +were still made in the vicinity of the hill before +mentioned. The exhaustion in the hot +sun was terrible, and many of the soldiers had +not had time to eat a mouthful since early +morning. Some of the poor fellows, unable to +carry the load, had thrown away their knapsacks, +and they now ran around begging for +a mouthful of something with which to brace +themselves up. It was their first awakening +to the stern reality of grim war.</p> + +<p>“If ever I git back to old New York ag’in,” +wailed a Bowery boy, who had enlisted for +three months with the idea that going down +South to whip the “rebs” would be “nothin’ +but sport, boys, nothin’ but sport.” He +wanted to see no more of the war,—and he +had his counterpart everywhere, on both sides. +One dandy from Richmond who had enlisted +also for “sport” was heard to exclaim that +henceforth “the big guns can fight for themselves. +I’ll be jiggered if I’ll do it for them,” +meaning that, as far as he was concerned, the +politicians and others who had precipitated +the conflict could end it among themselves.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span></p> +<p>But there were others, and they numbered +thousands upon both sides, who fought bravely +to the very last, realizing that the eyes of the +whole world were upon them in this initial +conflict. They were fighting to uphold a principle, +not fighting against a Northern or a +Southern brother. To these the horrors of +carnage were as appalling as they could well +be, but they had steeled their hearts for the +inevitable, and they went on, to live or die in +the defense of what they thought right. These, +and these only, are the true heroes of the great +war, and there is no dividing line, and there +never could be, to separate them.</p> + +<p>The booming of cannons and the shrieking +of shells still went on as the Goreville Volunteers +gathered together in a little clump of +trees and snatched a hasty biscuit and a drink +of water. Each man and boy was begrimed +with sweat, dirt, and powder, and each was +more than half-exhausted from his exertions.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but ain’t this simply dreadful!” +moaned Jerry Rowe, for at least the fiftieth +time. “Captain Paulding never told me of +it when he got me to enlist.”</p> + +<p>“The captain wanted to make a man of you, +Jerry,” replied Nathan Hornsby. “What are +you kicking about? See, I’m clipped with a +bullet wound in my left fore-arm, but I’m not +complaining.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> +<p>“The cap’n will make a man of Jerry if his +knees hold out,” put in another of the men. +“But, Jerry, don’t shake so bad or your +knees will cut through your trousers,” and a +short laugh went up, even in that perilous +position—a laugh which was cut short by the +passage of a cannon ball through the trees. +Everybody ducked, and Jerry fell flat, although +the ball was ten feet up in the air.</p> + +<p>General McDowell, now seeing the tide of +battle turning against his troops, sought by +every means in his power to recuperate his +forces. But when several attacks had been +led forward without avail, it was determined to +fall back, in the hope of taking a fresh stand +in the vicinity of Centerville. In the meantime, +however, the troops of General Johnson, +which had escaped from the Union General +Patterson at Charlestown, in West Virginia, +miles away, had come in on railroad trains +to Manassas Junction, and these fresh Confederate +soldiers, appearing suddenly on the +field, started a panic among the Northern companies, +a panic which it was impossible, in the +mixed-up condition of affairs, to stay.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p> +<p>“General Johnson has come on with twenty +thousand fresh troops! We must fly for it!” +was the cry which was taken up from company +to company. Johnson had come up with no +such magnificent number of men, but he had +come up with enough to make a good showing, +and, utterly worn out from marching and fighting +in the hot sun, the Union troops commenced +the retreat in the direction of Washington.</p> + +<p>The blow to all was a bitter one, but now +was no time to think about it. “We can weep +afterwards,” said one of the older men of the +Goreville Volunteers. “Now it is use your +legs or go to a rebel prison,” and off he +stalked, with Captain Paulding, Louis, Harry +Bingham, Moses Blackwell, and a dozen others +beside him. The captain tried to preserve +order, but this was impossible, for men on foot +and men on horseback were rushing hither and +thither, trying to find their commands or, at +least, a friend or two.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a><a id="Page_141"></a>[Pg 141]</span></p> +<p>Less than half a mile had been covered, +when a firing upon the road caused the volunteers +to halt. Then came a rush, and a band +of the Confederate cavalry swept by. As they +did so the volunteers stepped into the shelter +of the woods beside the turnpike. They were +about to emerge when Louis felt himself +jerked violently to the ground. He had been +pulled down by a fellow concealed in the long +grass. As he tumbled headlong he caught sight +of the man’s face. It was Sam Jacks!</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</h2> + <p class="center large bold">LOUIS’S PERILOUS ESCAPE</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>To be pulled down in such an unceremonious +fashion was a surprise in itself, but to find +himself face to face with his enemy, the mountaineer, +astonished Louis beyond measure. +For the instant he could do nothing but stare +at his assailant.</p> + +<p>Then came the realization of his position—that +Jacks was not only his personal enemy, +but that the man likewise belonged to the Confederate +forces, and as Captain Paulding and +the others moved off on the double-quick he +endeavored to pull himself away to go with +them.</p> + +<p>“No, yer don’t!” hissed rather than exclaimed +the mountaineer. “I’ve got yer an’ +I’m goin’ ter hold yer!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p> +<p>His face, generally far from clean, was now +covered with thick dirt, and over one cheek +flowed a small stream of blood, for he had +been wounded, not by a shot from the enemy, +but from a tumble in the woods in which he +had been hiding. As he spoke so vindictively +he hauled Louis closely to him.</p> + +<p>“Let me go!” panted the young Union soldier, +and struggled to free himself. “Captain +Paulding! Harry! Hel—”</p> + +<p>The words died upon his lips as Sam Jacks +clapped a dirty hand over his mouth. Then +commenced a fierce struggle, and both rolled +over and over in the tall grass, until, coming +to the edge of a gully, both dropped a distance +of six or eight feet, to bring up on a pile of +damp leaves and dead tree branches.</p> + +<p>Louis came down on top, and with such force +that the mountaineer’s wind was for the moment +knocked completely out of him. He uttered +a grunt and a gasp, and ere he could recover +Louis was on his feet and making for a +spot where the side of the gully sloped upward.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span></p> +<p>“Stop him, Hogwell!” roared Jacks, and +as he spoke another form loomed up before +the young soldier. The man was the same who +had assisted at making him a prisoner at the +old mill, before the opening of the war. Hogwell +had been in hiding with Sam Jacks for +several hours, their intention being to see +what they could steal after the battle should +come to an end. Unfortunately, throughout +the war both sides were afflicted with such +terrible criminals, who had no respect for +either dead or dying, their sole object being +plunder.</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” queried Hogwell, as he +blocked Louis’s passage.</p> + +<p>“Can’t yer see—it’s the rat we had the +trouble with up near Deems,” growled Jacks. +“Stop him. I allers calkerlated ter git squar +with him.”</p> + +<p>Hogwell grabbed Louis by the collar. Had +the young soldier had his gun with him he +would have either fired or used the bayonet. +But the weapon had been lost at the first moment +of Sam Jacks’s attack and now he had +only his hands.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> +<p>“Let go!” he commanded, and hauling +back, he hit Hogwell squarely in the lower +jaw. It was a heavy blow, delivered with all +of Louis’s youthful strength and determination, +and Hogwell went back as though struck +with a club. Ere he could recover the young +Union soldier was past him and speeding up +the gully side with the speed of lightning.</p> + +<p>“Stop, or I’ll fire!” he heard Hogwell yell, +a moment later. But he kept on. Then came +the report of the mountaineer’s long pistol +and a bullet whizzed close to his head. Soon +the shelter of the trees took him out of range.</p> + +<p>The tussle in the gully had somewhat upset +Louis’s mind, and when he started in search +of the turnpike again he turned in exactly the +opposite direction to that which he should +have taken. On and on he went, through the +brush and over trunks of decaying trees. +More than once he stumbled, but picked himself +up hastily and continued on his way, until +suddenly he found himself ascending a hill +where the thickness of the trees made further +progress almost impossible.</p> + +<p>“I’ve made a mistake,” he thought, much +dismayed. “There is no road in this direction.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span></p> +<p>Forced to halt, he listened intently. From +several points around him came the distant +sounds of musketry and occasionally the booming +of a cannon. But to locate any of the +sounds in particular was impossible. Indeed, +the firing of the day had half deafened him.</p> + +<p>“I’m in a pickle, with all the others gone,” +he thought, dismally. “Even if I do find the +road I’ll not know where to look for our company. +However, I won’t be any worse off +than lots more of our poor fellows. If only +I can get among friends somebody in command +will set me right. Perhaps this defeat will +only be temporary.”</p> + +<p>It was deliciously cool in the depths of the +woods and this refreshed him. Having regained +his breath, he retraced his steps as well +as he was able. Ten minutes later he recrossed +the gully, but at a point some distance +above where the encounter with Jacks had +occurred. He had gone on but a few feet farther +when he almost stumbled over the body +of a dead Union soldier. A little startled, he +was about to go on, when a sudden thought +seized him and he retraced his steps.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> +<p>The poor fellow had belonged to a volunteer +command. He was past middle age and cold, +showing that he had been dead several hours. +Beside him lay his gun and cap, and his cartridge +box was still strapped around his waist.</p> + +<p>“He’ll never want his gun again, poor fellow,” +thought Louis, and kneeling down he +unfastened the flap of the cartridge box and +took out the supplies. This done, he picked +up the gun and hurried on as before. Having +a weapon made him feel much more like himself.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> +<p>A short while later the road was gained. +Here a scene of indescribable confusion met +his gaze. Union troops of all kinds were rushing +along, many of the men capless and gunless, +having thrown all away in their anxiety +to escape. On the ground lay the guns, with +here and there a knapsack, and over all +tramped men and horses. Cannon after cannon +followed, the drivers of the horses beating +their animals mercilessly in their endeavor to +escape capture by the pursuing enemy; and +mixed-up with these were the provision turnouts +and occasionally the carriage of some +politician or member of Congress, whose curiosity +had brought him hither from Washington +to see how this fight with the Confederates +would end. It was a most humiliating spectacle; +yet such was needed at that time to +awaken the North to the true condition of +affairs.</p> + +<p>Presently a Pennsylvania company swept +by, not over twenty-five strong. Louis ran to +join them.</p> + +<p>“Where from?” he asked of one of the +soldiers, a young fellow scarcely older than +himself.</p> + +<p>“Harrisburg,” was the puffing reply. +“Lost your company?”</p> + +<p>“Yes—the Goreville Volunteers. Have you +seen anything of them?”</p> + +<p>“No; haven’t seen anything but a lot of +rebs at our heels. Better come along if you +want to save your skin. They’ve got a large +reinforcement after us.”</p> + +<p>On went the Harrisburg soldier, and Louis +concluded he could do nothing better than keep +at his side. Several miles were covered, and +the few houses which composed Centerville +were passed, when the road became blocked up +in front. Presently half a dozen generals and +their aides came dashing from one side and +another.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> +<p>“Face about, boys! We can whip them yet! +Face about and form the line! Face about!”</p> + +<p>The cry, well meant, was utterly useless. +The soldiers were exhausted, having been on +their feet since two o’clock that morning, and +it was now after sundown. All but a few +scattered regiments were thrown in hopeless +confusion. Colonels could not find their companies, +captains and lieutenants looked in vain +for their men. Nine out of ten had still to +learn what war and military organization +really meant.</p> + +<p>“This is Andy’s day and no mistake,” +Louis half-murmured to himself. He could +imagine Andy, in his lusty, Southern way, +throwing up his plumed cavalry hat and shouting +for the Confederacy. Well, there was one +consolation—the war was not yet over.</p> + +<p>Finding the men could not be organized for +a stand at Centerville Ridge, General McDowell +allowed them to continue toward Washington +and at the same time sent Blenker’s +brigade to cover the retreat. The troops which +reached Fairfax Court House immediately +took cars for Washington, and they carried +with them as much of the arms and stores as +was possible.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span></p> +<p>But it was only a small portion that got +away thus easily. The vast majority of the +Union soldiers, worn-out, heart-sick, and hungry +enough to eat almost anything, had to +tramp the remaining distance to the Capitol. +They took various roads, and most of them did +not come in until the next day, when it began +to rain in torrents, causing the dusty roads +to turn into rivers of mud. With the rain +came a heavy fog from the bay, as if to add +to the already accumulated misery, and in this +fog and downpour those who had gone forth +so full of hope, dragged back, to find a shelter +wherever they could lay their heads, devour +what was given them, and drop asleep before +swallowing the last mouthful. Such is an +actual picture of those days of awful gloom, +when the fate of the nation hung in the balance. +Had the Confederates followed up the +victory gained at Bull Run, or rather, had +their troops been in a condition to do so, it +is more than likely Washington would have +fallen. But the majority of the Southern soldiers +were no better off than their Northern +antagonists, and so, with the heavy rain coming +on, nothing further was done.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p> +<p>It was not until twenty-four hours later that +Louis found himself again in Washington. He +had tramped in a roundabout way from Centerville, +became lost, along with several thousands +of other soldiers, and in all that time +had had nothing to eat but three or four hardtacks +he had picked up on the road beside a +half-smashed haversack. He and the young +soldier from Harrisburg, named Clarence +Woolley, had kept together, and now they approached +the grounds around the Capitol side +by side, both limping painfully, for their feet +were more than sore.</p> + +<p>The generous ladies of Washington had +arisen to the emergency. Tented booths had +been erected, and hot coffee and sandwiches +could be had for the asking. Louis was standing +up against a tent pole, with a cup in one +hand and a corned-beef sandwich in the other, +when he was tapped on the shoulder, and turning +saw Harry Bingham.</p> + +<p>“Harry!” he exclaimed, joyfully. “Well, +I’m glad to see somebody of our company. +Where are the rest?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span></p> +<p>“Captain Paulding and a dozen others are +over in a corner of the White House grounds. +I don’t know where the rest are. I was much +worried about you. Are you O. K.?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, excepting that I am dead for sleep. +Here’s a fellow who lost his command, too,” +and Louis introduced Woolley. The meal finished, +the three walked over to the spot Harry +Bingham had mentioned. Pennsylvania troops +were gathering there, and soon Woolley found +several men he knew and went off with them.</p> + +<p>The meeting between the Goreville volunteers +was rather a silent one. Captain Paulding +and the other officers did what they could +to cheer the men up, but all were too tired to +listen; and quarters having been secured in a +warehouse on a back street, the little band +marched there and “turned in,” to sleep the +sleep of the over-weary for many hours to +come. Of the company, three had been killed +outright, four were slightly wounded and two +were still missing. The missing ones turned +up the next day.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a><a id="Page_153"></a>[Pg 153]</span></p> +<p>Such, in brief, were the experiences of the +young soldiers at the memorable battle of Bull +Run, called by Confederate historians the battles +of Bull Run and Manassas. To Louis it +was decidedly depressing, to Andy it was full +of hope for the future. Many of those in the +South imagined that the end of the conflict was +now close at hand and that it would not be +long before the North would call a truce and +recognize the new Confederacy. But these +people were sadly mistaken; the North had +not yet been fairly aroused, and the Civil War, +instead of being nearly ended, had but begun.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ANDY IS TAKEN PRISONER</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“We’re done for, and we might as well go +straight home.”</p> + +<p>It was Jerry Rowe who spoke. The youth sat +on the top of a nail keg in the warehouse. He +had been sleeping for a matter of ten hours, +and his dreams, resulting from the shocks of +the battle and an unusually large supper of +pork and beans, had been far from lulling to +his senses. He had groaned so dismally that +Benny Bruce, already awake and as chipper as +ever, had playfully poked him in the ribs with +a drumstick and thus aroused him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, we’re done for. The Union is +licked for good, and I’m for going home.”</p> + +<p>“Jerry Rowe, you’re a croaker and a +rebel!” burst from Benny’s lips. “Done +for? Not much! Why, we’ve only been +through the first round of this fight.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span></p> +<p>“I don’t care—I don’t want any more such +fighting. Why, I—I got near shot a hundred +times!”</p> + +<p>“And what did you come for, if not to be +shot at?” went on Benny, witheringly, only +Jerry did not wither. “Of all the cowards I +ever saw, I think you’re the worst.”</p> + +<p>“Hi! don’t you call me no coward!” +snorted Jerry, and leaping from the nail keg +he made after Benny. Catching the drummer +by the collar, he was on the point of bumping +Benny’s head against the warehouse wall, +when Louis sprang up from his corner and +interfered.</p> + +<p>“Let Benny alone, Jerry,” cried the young +soldier. “Let him alone, I say, or you’ll have +me to deal with,” and he advanced with +clenched fists and flashing eyes.</p> + +<p>“He called me a coward,” muttered Jerry, +but the look in Louis’s eyes caused him to +drop his hold and Benny retreated.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span></p> +<p>“I heard what you said about being done +for, and only a coward would talk in that +fashion. We are not done for, and I’ll wager +that the next time we meet the Confederates +we’ll not show ’em our heels in such a lively +fashion.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are, Louis,” came from Moses +Blackwell, who had just arisen and was +stretching himself. “We went in without +knowing what war was, that’s all. We’ll know +better next time.”</p> + +<p>“It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the captain +to send Jerry home,” added another of the +company. “He’s of no earthly use to anybody.”</p> + +<p>At this Jerry grew very red. He wanted to +“talk back,” but feeling himself too well +known, muttered something under his breath, +and a moment later strode out of hearing.</p> + +<p>The immediate days which followed the return +to Washington were gloomy enough, in +spite of all that was done to put a bright face +on the matter. A good many felt as Jerry did, +that they were “done for” and might as well +go home, and they walked dismally around in +the rain, trying to communicate this feeling to +others. Some thought Washington might be +captured by the enemy before the week was +out.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> +<p>But those in authority did not remain idle +long. As soon as possible after the disaster +at Bull Run, Congress met and passed resolutions +authorizing the President to call upon +volunteers to enlist to the number of five hundred +thousand, if so many were necessary. +The call for additional troops was telegraphed +to all of the Northern States. Four days after +Bull Run, ten full regiments of infantry from +Pennsylvania arrived at Washington to guard +the capital from possible invasion. As at the +time of the attack upon Fort Sumter, volunteer +companies sprang up everywhere, faster +than ever before, while many of the old commands +were greatly reinforced. Nor was this +all. General George B. McClellan, who had +been highly successful in putting down the +spirit of rebellion in West Virginia, was sent +for to take command of the army in and about +Washington, and he came on immediately and +settled down to restore order and bring up the +command to the high order of military excellence +for which he was famous.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span></p> +<p>The Goreville Volunteers now found themselves +supplied again with tents and camping +in true military style near the banks of the +Potomac. As soon as everything was in running +order, Captain Paulding made a four +days’ trip to Goreville, returning with twenty-two +new volunteers and several packing cases +filled with articles sent to the soldiers from +home. Louis received an extra supply of +clothing from his father and a small box of +dainties from his mother and sisters. There +was also a small pocket Bible, to replace one +which had been lost on the field of Bull Run, +and on the fly-leaf of this his mother had written +a loving dedication, admonishing him to +peruse the good Book daily and to live according +to its precepts.</p> + +<p>Month after month went by after this and +the army in and about the capital lay inactive. +There were small fights here and there along +the river and some miles in the interior of +Virginia, but they did not amount to much. In +the meantime operations in the West went on +spiritedly. In Tennessee, Grant had taken +Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and this cheering +news caused much enthusiasm throughout +the Union.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span></p> +<p>Louis had hoped to go home on furlough +throughout Christmas week, but the permit +could not be obtained, and he made the most +of the holidays in camp, in company with +Harry and the rest of his friends. Again the +ladies of Washington showed their goodness +of heart by sending out Christmas pies and +other goodies, and never were gifts more appreciated +by the waiting boys in blue.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Andy was far from idle. +From Manassas the Montgomery Grays moved +to Centerville and went into temporary camp. +Every one was in the best of spirits throughout +the Confederate army, and Andy and the others +thought the orders to advance upon Washington +might come at any moment. Recruits were +coming in rapidly, and soon over fifty thousand +men lay scattered within two days’ march of +our capital.</p> + +<p>“We ought to do something,” said Andy +to Leroy Wellington, on a crisp, cool day in +October. “It’s a shame to keep us idle when +all the fellows are so anxious to fight.”</p> + +<p>“I am with you, Andy; I’d be willing to +risk almost anything for some sort of an encounter.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span></p> +<p>The wishes of the pair were gratified a few +days later. General McClellan, in order to learn +how close the Confederates were, and what their +actual numbers might be, ordered several thousands +of the Union troops to Drainesville. +This done, others were ordered to Ball’s +Bluff, a rocky plateau overlooking the Potomac. +Word of this was received by the Confederate +leaders, and a counter demonstration +ensued, with the result that the Union forces +were caught on the Bluff to the number of +nearly two thousand, one-half of whom were +either killed or wounded.</p> + +<p>The Montgomery Grays participated in this +fight, and during this Andy had an experience +which he was not likely to forget for many +long days to come. The cavalry were moving +slowly through the woods when the command +came to turn to the right and take a narrow +path leading close up to the river bank.</p> + +<p>“Be careful, men,” cautioned Captain +Montgomery. “This would be a hard road +on foot, and on horseback it is ten times worse. +Look out that you don’t have a tumble into +the river.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span></p> +<p>The command was still an eighth of a mile +from the bluff, and the horsemen were moving +along silently, when suddenly from the opposite +shore there rang out half a dozen rifle +shots in quick succession. Two of the cavalrymen +were wounded and the horse immediately +in front of Andy’s animal fell headlong, shot +through the knee.</p> + +<p>The fall of this horse caused Firefly to +balk and rear. Andy caught him tightly by +the reins, but this was useless, and a second +later boy and animal were plunging through +the brush to the river below!</p> + +<p>“Andy Arlington has fallen overboard!” +sang out Leroy, in consternation. There followed +a great splash and two more rifle shots, +and boy and horse disappeared from view.</p> + +<p>But not for long. In a moment Firefly reappeared, +snorting and blowing the water +from his mouth and nostrils, and Andy came +up shaking his head like a water spaniel. +Both struck out for the shore, but the current +was too strong for each, and they were swept +onward and out of sight of those above.</p> + +<p>“They are lost!” groaned Leroy, and the +others thought he must be right, for going forward +meant to move into the very teeth of the +enemy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span></p> +<p>Crack! Another rifle rang out, followed by +the puff of smoke from a screen of green +leaves. A Union sharpshooter had taken close +aim and the bullet clipped one of Andy’s wet +locks. But now he had gained Firefly’s side +and he crouched down beside the faithful steed +for protection.</p> + +<p>Here and there in the stream were spots +where the bottom could be touched. But the +current would not let them stand still, even +had they been so inclined, and Andy certainly +was not. They were hurled forward until +under the very edge of the bluff.</p> + +<p>At that time the fighting upon Ball’s Bluff +was at its highest pitch. Colonel Baker of the +Union forces was making a desperate endeavor +to retreat to the flatboats which had brought +him across the river and the Confederate +forces, posted in the woods surrounding the +bluff, were pouring in their deadly fire with +fearful effect. The cracking of firearms was +incessant and reached Andy’s ears plainly, +yet he hardly paid attention, for his one +thought was to save himself and his faithful +Firefly from drowning.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span></p> +<p>Opposite to Ball’s Bluff is a place called +Conrad’s Ferry, and in the middle of the river +between these two points lies a long, low, +rocky bit of soil called Harrison’s Island. +Some of the Federal troops were stationed +on this island and it was to this Andy found +himself drifting.</p> + +<p>He had just waded out of the water and +Firefly had done the same when he heard the +sounds of voices just ahead of him. Then +he saw the gleam of several rifle barrels.</p> + +<p>“Halt! Throw up your hands!” came the +command, and taken completely by surprise, +and being in no condition, with water-soaked +firearms, to defend himself, Andy complied.</p> + +<p>“I guess you’re our prisoner, Grayback,” +muttered a tall Union soldier as he strode forward. +“What do you think about it?”</p> + +<p>“It certainly looks that way,” replied +Andy, trying to smile, although deeply chagrined +over the turn affairs had taken.</p> + +<p>“Do you take it quietly, Reb?”</p> + +<p>“I reckon I’ll have to, Yank.”</p> + +<p>“There’s where you show your sense. How +did you get in the river?”</p> + +<p>“My horse tumbled over the bank.”</p> + +<p>“And like lots of you Southerners you +couldn’t think of separating from your hoss-flesh, +eh? All right, if you’re shot we’ll see +to it that the hoss is buried with you. March!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span></p> +<p>“Where to?”</p> + +<p>“Straight ahead.”</p> + +<p>“What place is this?”</p> + +<p>“We ain’t in school now, Grayback. +March!”</p> + +<p>And as there was no help for it, Andy +marched forward, with a soldier at each side +of him and one in the rear, while a fourth led +the dripping Firefly.</p> + +<p>The march did not last over two minutes, +when Andy found himself in the middle of a +growth of trees. Here was stationed a detachment +of Union soldiers, to cover any retreat +from the bluff, should such a thing become +necessary. Most of the soldiers were on the +alert, watching the battle above them and +guarding the flatboats, and they paid but scant +attention to the arrival.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span></p> +<p>“It’s going tough with somebody,” Andy +heard an under officer say, and then he was +taken to one side and bound fast to a tree, +while Firefly was tethered but a few feet away.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE STORY OF A STOLEN HORSE</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>For a quarter of an hour Andy listened to +the shooting in the distance and worked upon +his bonds at the same time. No one had remained +to watch him, and if there was any +way by which he could liberate himself he +meant to do it. He had no desire to languish +in a Northern prison. He knew well enough +how Union soldiers were treated down South +and he imagined that Confederates up North +fared no better.</p> + +<p>“I must get away—that’s all there is to +it; eh, Firefly?” he muttered between his +set teeth, and Firefly shook his wet mane vigorously +as if to agree with his master.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span></p> +<p>The soldier who had bound Andy had done +his work in a hurry and in a bungling manner, +and soon the young soldier found himself free. +But he was still “in the woods,” physically +and mentally, and to get out was likely to +prove a dangerous if not impossible bit of +work. He was nearly in the center of the +island and surrounded by a guard that was +more than ever on the alert.</p> + +<p>But there was one thing in his favor: the +soldiers who had made him their prisoner +were looking away from the island instead of +towards the interior. Consequently, no matter +how he turned, he was sure to come upon +the guards from the rear.</p> + +<p>His mind was soon made up as to what +course to pursue. He would move to the +lower end of the island with Firefly and trust +to good luck to reach the water, where the +swift current might carry him and his animal +out of the reach of the enemy’s firearms.</p> + +<p>Had it been quiet he would never have proposed +to take Firefly along, much as he would +have regretted leaving the beast behind. But +the rattle of the musketry drowned out all +ordinary sounds, so the hoof-strokes through +the brush and over the rocks counted for nothing.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span></p> +<p>In a few minutes he found himself within +sight of the rushing and rolling river. Down +near the water’s edge was a fringe of bushes, +and here he saw two soldiers at one point and +a single soldier at another. He had picked up +a stout club as he moved along, and with this +ready for use, he made a short detour and +came close to the shore of the island and less +than a dozen feet from where the single guard +was standing, his body bent forward and his +eyes taking in the doings on the bluff beyond.</p> + +<p>At that moment Firefly, with his nostrils +still trickling from his bath, let out a warlike +snort, as though ready to do battle. Instantly +the guard straightened up, to see what had +caused the disturbance. But before he could +turn Andy was upon him. There was a quick +shove, the start of an exclamation, and then +a heavy splash, as the Union soldier fell headlong +into the stream. As he went down he +let fall his gun and this the young Confederate +saved and appropriated.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span></p> +<p>Having disposed of the guard thus readily, +Andy did not lose a fraction of time. Long +before the Union soldier had regained the surface +of the river, the young Confederate was +in the saddle and urging Firefly again into the +stream. The brave horse shied at first and +Andy’s heart leaped into his throat. “Go, +Firefly, go!” he cried, and Firefly went with +a leap and a splurge which carried him twenty +feet from the shore.</p> + +<p>As they descended into the water Andy remembered +the other guards he had seen and +instinctively withdrew behind Firefly that they +might not discover him. He heard two shouts.</p> + +<p>“What’s up, Markham?”</p> + +<p>“Hang me if the horse hasn’t run away!” +came in reply.</p> + +<p>“But I heard two splashes.”</p> + +<p>“So did I, come to think of it. Hello, +Graves!”</p> + +<p>To this there was no answer, for Graves +was floundering in the water, too bewildered +to save himself. He came up with a great +splutter.</p> + +<p>“Save me!” he gasped, as soon as he could +speak. “Save me! I can’t swim!”</p> + +<p>“Can’t you wade ashore?” queried one of +his companions.</p> + +<p>“No, it’s too deep. Save me, Markham! +Don’t let me drown!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span></p> +<p>“I will,” was the ready answer, and without +hesitation the Union soldier plunged into +the cold water and started after his companion.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the third soldier had made +an important discovery. Andy was trying to +swim beside Firefly and keep the gun above +water at the same time, and now he exposed +his hand and a portion of the stock of the firearm. +Instantly the soldier took aim and fired, +and the bullet struck the gun squarely, knocking +the weapon from the young Confederate’s +grasp and nearly paralyzing his hand and arm +for the time being.</p> + +<p>There was now nothing left to do but to get +out of range with all possible speed. Andy +felt that the guard would reload and would +then either fire at himself or the horse. If +Firefly was killed he would have to swim along +alone, thus exposing himself to an open attack.</p> + +<p>“On, Firefly, on!” he cried, and the noble +beast seemed to understand. Fortunately, he +was used to the water and could swim fully as +well as his master. On they went, the swollen +stream sending them first towards one shore +and then the other.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span></p> +<p>By this time the battle upon Ball’s Bluff +was drawing to a close. The gallant but imprudent +Colonel Baker had been shot and killed, +and this, added to the galling fire poured in by +the Confederates stationed in the woods upon +three sides of the clearing, threw the Union +men into confusion. With fearful loss they +came tearing down the uneven path leading +to the water and shoved off in their flatboats +for Harrison Island. The enemy followed +them up, and many a poor soul was sent to +eternity before the island or the opposite +shore could be gained.</p> + +<p>The turn of the tide of battle took the attention +of all of the guards left on Harrison +Island, and from that moment Andy was forgotten +by those left behind. But the Confederates +on the bluff saw him and thinking +him a Union man fired at him several times—shots +that did no damage, but which made +him feel very uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes more the feet of the horse +struck upon a sandy and rocky bar and instinctively +Firefly followed the high bottom +shoreward. It led to the northern bank of the +Potomac to a spot thickly covered with hickory +trees.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span></p> +<p>Feeling himself safe for the time being, +Andy dropped upon a rock utterly exhausted. +He was chilled to the bone and more than wet, +for his cavalry boots were filled with muddy +water. Taking off the boots, he emptied them, +and then wrung out his coat and cape, and +dashed the water from his hat.</p> + +<p>“Well, Firefly, what next?” he asked, half-aloud, +when a crashing in the brush behind +him caused him to start. He turned quickly, +to find himself face to face with a short, broad-faced, +and not unpleasant-looking negro. The +darky wore a suit of cast-off army clothing of +gray, from which every C. S. A. had been carefully +stripped.</p> + +<p>“Wh—what—how de do, massa,” he +stammered, as he came to a sudden halt.</p> + +<p>“Are you alone?” queried Andy, quickly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, massa.”</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here, running away?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, massa,” was the quick reply; but +by the way the negro’s eyes dropped before +Andy’s sharp gaze the youth knew he was +lying.</p> + +<p>“Are there any soldiers near here?” was +the young Confederate’s next question.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p> +<p>“No, massa; leas’wise, I ain’t seed none.”</p> + +<p>“Any house close by?”</p> + +<p>At this question the negro hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Da is a cabin over yander, massa. But da +ain’t nobody dar ’cusin’ an ole woman most +unable ter do anyt’ing.”</p> + +<p>“Show me the way and I’ll make it right +with you. What is your name?”</p> + +<p>“Tom, sah, Tom Crosby.”</p> + +<p>“And where do you belong?”</p> + +<p>“About ten miles north o’ yere, massa.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Tom, take me to the cabin at once. +And mind, we are not to be surprised by any +Union soldiers, do you understand?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, massa; ain’t no sodgers in dese +parts, massa.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span></p> +<p>The negro moved back, along a well-defined +trail, and Andy followed on foot, leading Firefly +by the bridle. The young Confederate +knew only too well that he was upon the +enemy’s soil and upon dangerous ground, but +for this there was no help. Crossing the river +was impossible just now, and he was chilled to +the marrow and felt he must have a chance +to warm himself and dry his clothing if he +wished to avoid a dangerous spell of sickness.</p> + +<p>A distance of two hundred yards was covered, +and they emerged upon a small clearing, +in the center of which stood a log cabin built +of wood with the bark left on, and having at +one end a broad stone chimney. Smoke was +curling from the latter, a most welcome sight +to the shivering youth.</p> + +<p>Without waiting, the negro led the way inside +of the cabin, where a woman who looked +to be at least seventy years of age was huddled +before the open fireplace, smoking a +black-looking clay pipe, filled with “tar-heel” +tobacco. She looked in amazement at the intruders.</p> + +<p>“Thought you wasn’t comin’ back?” she +cried, to the negro.</p> + +<p>“Dis gem’man made me come,” was the +answer.</p> + +<p>“What do you want?”</p> + +<p>“My horse and I fell into the river, +madam,” answered Andy. “I wish to warm +myself and dry my clothing, that is all. And +if you can furnish me with a bowl of hot +coffee or something like that, I’ll pay you for +it.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p> +<p>“Humph!” The old woman took several +long puffs at her pipe. “Ain’t got no coffee +in the house.”</p> + +<p>“You have tea, then?”</p> + +<p>“I reckon I have, but—”</p> + +<p>“I’ll take a bowl of tea. Anything so long +as it’s warm. Tom?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, massa.”</p> + +<p>“Will you rub down my horse and see if +you can stir up something for him to eat?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, massa.”</p> + +<p>“I see there is a shed over to the left. Put +him in there.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, massa.”</p> + +<p>The negro hurried out, and watching him, +Andy saw him do as directed. The old woman +had meanwhile bestirred herself and set her +kettle to boiling. She saw that he was a Confederate +soldier, but this caused her no anxiety, +for she was too old, and lived too near +the border line, to take a stand in the great +controversy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span></p> +<p>It was now growing dark, and the distant +firing had almost ceased. Deeming it improbable +that any of the Union force would come +to that immediate neighborhood, Andy proceeded +to make himself as comfortable as +possible before the fire, which soon blazed up +red hot from the extra chunks of hickory +thrown upon it. In an hour he was fairly dry, +and by that time he was served with tea, corn +dodgers and some baked sweet potatoes. +The old woman also offered him a drink of +whisky, probably of the “moonshine” +variety, but this he declined.</p> + +<p>“Tom is a Virginia nigger, isn’t he?” +asked Andy, during the process of the meal.</p> + +<p>“I reckon he is—” began the old woman, +and suddenly stopped. Andy waited for her +to go on, but she would say no more. The +young Confederate, however, felt that his surmise +was correct. Tom was a runaway slave, +bound North.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span></p> +<p>Andy had taken a position near a window +overlooking the shed in which Firefly had been +placed, that he might make sure his horse was +not tampered with, for he did not intend to +trust the negro too far. He saw Tom working +away vigorously, with the shed door open. +Presently he turned away for a moment, and +when he looked again the shed door was closed. +He thought nothing of this just then, but soon +a dim suspicion that all was not as it should +be crossed his mind.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span></p> +<p>He had just been counting out some money +for the old woman. Throwing the scrip upon +the table, he caught up his hat and darted out +of the house. In a minute more he was at the +shed door and kicked it open. A groan of +dismay escaped him. There was another door +on the opposite side of the shed. This door +stood wide open, and Firefly and the negro +were gone!</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</h2> + <p class="center large bold">A CHASE AND A CAPTURE</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“That negro has outwitted me!”</p> + +<p>Such were the bitter words which arose to +Andy’s lips as he burst into the shed. He did +not remain in the rickety building long. A +single bound took him to the opposite doorway, +and looking along the woody trail beyond, +he discerned the shadowy forms of horse +and rider not a hundred yards distant.</p> + +<p>Andy was a fair runner, and feeling that he +must regain his steed at any cost, he ran forth +at the top of his speed along the trail, which +sloped gradually upward into the State of +Maryland. He forgot all about being in the +enemy’s territory. He was going to have +Firefly back, or know the reason why.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p> +<p>At first he had thought to yell to the negro +to halt, but prudently remained silent, feeling +the thief would only endeavor to increase his +speed on discovering that he was being followed. +On he went over sticks and stones, +until, his foot catching in the exposed root of +a pine-tree, he fell headlong, with a crash.</p> + +<p>The noise reached the negro’s ears and he +swung around in the saddle. Catching sight +of Andy, he began to urge Firefly on by words +and blows, new to the horse, and which the +gentle beast hardly comprehended. In the +meantime, Andy scrambled up as quickly as +possible.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” he called. “Stop, you thief!”</p> + +<p>“Yo’ go on back!” returned the negro. +“Doan yo’ know de Yankees is jest above dis +yere trail?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care—you’re not going to steal +my mount in this fashion,” returned Andy, +determinedly. “You’re a runaway nigger, +and if you don’t stop I’ll put a bullet through +you.”</p> + +<p>And as he spoke the young Confederate +drew his pistol, which he had taken from the +holster on turning Firefly over to be fed and +rubbed down.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> +<p>“If yo’ shoot de Yankees will be down on +yo’ afo’ yo’ kin turn yo’self,” answered the +negro, but his tones showed that he was much +disturbed. Again he urged Firefly forward, +and bent low, to escape the expected shot.</p> + +<p>The pistol was indeed ready for use, freshly +loaded, and Andy would certainly have fired +had the chance of hitting his mark been a +good one. But the light was uncertain, the +rough road made Firefly bob up and down continually, +and he was afraid he might wound +the very animal he had come to save.</p> + +<p>At last a bright idea struck him. Stopping +short, he took a deep breath.</p> + +<p>“Whoa, Firefly! Whoa, old boy!” he +called, with all the strength at his command.</p> + +<p>The faithful horse heard and pricked up +his ears. Then, when Andy called again, he +suddenly came to a dead stop.</p> + +<p>“Git on, yo’ lazy hoss, git on!” screamed +the negro, but in spite of a beating, Firefly refused +to budge, for Andy kept calling to him +to whoa, and ran up closer and closer. At +last, seeing he was beaten in his attempt to +steal the animal, the negro slipped from the +saddle and darted off among the trees.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll git dem Union sodgers after yo’ in no +time!” he sang out as he disappeared. “I +dun racken yo’ won’t nebber see Virginy no +mo’!” and then off he crashed; and that was +the last Andy saw of him.</p> + +<p>Once again in the saddle, Andy did not deem +it advisable to remain in the vicinity long. +The Union soldiers, if not close at hand, were +certainly not far off, and it was barely possible +the negro might keep his word and send +them down upon him. He turned Firefly on +the back trail and urged the faithful beast on +as rapidly as the nature of the uncertain +ground permitted.</p> + +<p>Reaching the cabin again, he found the old +woman at the doorway, still smoking her pipe.</p> + +<p>“Got back your hoss, eh?” she said. +“That nigger is a sly one.”</p> + +<p>“I want to cross the river,” returned the +young cavalryman. “If you can furnish me +with a flatboat I’ll pay you well for its use.”</p> + +<p>“I ain’t got no flatboat. But I’ll tell you +where to git one—up to Lemming’s. There’s +a flatboat there—up in the creek.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span></p> +<p>Further conversation revealed the fact that +Lemming’s was nearly an eighth of a mile +down the Potomac. Lemming was a plantation +owner, and used the flatboat to ferry hay +and other commodities from one shore to the +other—or at least he had used it before the +war put an end to such traffic. The old woman +was certain that Lemming was off to the war +and nobody was at home but his wife and her +two daughters.</p> + +<p>Rewarding the elderly female handsomely for +her information, Andy continued on his way, +feeling that the darkness of the night would +greatly aid him in escaping from the enemy’s +country. A well-defined trail led along the +Potomac, and in a short while he found himself +at the bank of the creek or inlet where the +flatboat was supposed to lie.</p> + +<p>For some time he could learn nothing of the +craft, and he was thinking seriously of venturing +to the distant farmhouse for information, +when he caught sight of the flatboat, drawn up +among a number of tall bushes. To get the +craft afloat was no mean task, but finally it +was accomplished, and he moored her where +Firefly might readily step on board. The horse +was at first unwilling to do this, and it took +loud and repeated urging to make the animal +budge.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span></p> +<p>To guide the boat across the stream there +was a broad oar to be used as a rudder. Andy +had just taken up this oar and was preparing +to shove off from the bank of the inlet when +the sharp click of a rifle trigger caught his +ear.</p> + +<p>“Halt there!” came the command, and a +short, stout Union soldier stepped into full +view from behind a tree. He had a very red +face, red hair, and a red beard, and his tone +of voice was unmistakably that of an Irishman.</p> + +<p>“Sthand where yez are,” he went on, as +Andy looked at him crestfallenly. “Have yez +the countersign?”</p> + +<p>“Potomac,” said Andy, on a venture.</p> + +<p>“Wrong, me laddybuck, it’s not Potomac, +nor President, nor potatoes, nor nuthin’ loike +it. Yez are my prisoner. Oi was after +watchin’ yez fer tin minutes an’ wondherin’ +what yez was up to. Sthep ashure now an’ kape +quoit till Oi call the guard.”</p> + +<p>“But I’m not an enemy, I’m a friend,” began +Andy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span></p> +<p>“Yez is a Johnny Reb an’ nuthin’ else; Oi +kin see it stickin’ out all over yez—not to +spake of the uniform yez is afther wearin’. +Sthep out, Oi say!” and the rifle was pointed +at Andy’s head.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to do but to obey. As +Andy stepped ashore Firefly started to follow, +but the young Confederate shoved him back. +This caused the flat-bottom boat to wobble, and +in a second more she was adrift and heading +for the river.</p> + +<p>“Sthop that boat!” roared the Irish picket, +but when Andy started to obey the Union soldier +caught him by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>“No, yez don’t!” he cried. “You sthay +roight here. Corporal of the guard, it’s Tim +Moriarity wants yez! Picket numbher sivin!”</p> + +<p>The last words were delivered with all the +strength of the Irishman’s lungs. He was a +new recruit, having been mustered in but a +week previous, and he felt he had made a most +important capture. He continued to hold Andy, +meanwhile letting his musket fall to the +ground.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span></p> +<p>As soon as the weapon went down, the +young Confederate planted his foot upon it. +This accomplished, he pulled out his pistol and +aimed it at the picket’s head.</p> + +<p>“Let go—unless you want me to fire,” he +said, in a low but earnest tone.</p> + +<p>“Saints preserve us!” howled Tim Moriarity. +“Don’t yez shoot me! don’t!” and releasing +Andy he leaped behind the nearest tree +for protection.</p> + +<p>The alarm had now sounded, and from +across the plantation clearing the young Confederate +saw half a dozen Union soldiers approaching +on a run. They were all armed +and one called to the picket to know what was +up.</p> + +<p>“It’s a Johnny Reb!” yelled the Irishman. +“He was afther thryin’ to murdher me, so +he was!”</p> + +<p>“There he is; I see him!” cried the under officer, +who accompanied the squad. “Halt, +or we fire!” he commanded.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p> +<p>By this time Andy was in the water of the +inlet, wading as rapidly as possible after the +fast receding flatboat. He had just clutched +the rudder-lock when several reports rang out +and he felt himself struck in the shoulder: A +pain like that of a thousand needles shot +through his body, his grasp relaxed, and then +he knew no more.</p> + +<p>It was not until several hours later that he +came to himself. At first he knew nothing, but +that he was lying on a soft and warm couch +in a dimly-lit room, and that there was a +faint murmur of voices around him. Then he +saw the faces of a kindly-looking woman and +an elderly man, as both bent over him.</p> + +<p>“Will he live, surgeon?” asked the woman.</p> + +<p>“I think so. But the poor fellow has had a +narrow escape,” was the reply of the medical +man.</p> + +<p>“A narrow escape, indeed, to be shot and +then half drowned. And he is so young, too; +why nothing but a boy, one might say.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly young for a cavalryman, Mrs. +Lemming. But then, you see, these Southerners +are all crazy to fight, boys as well as +men. Can I leave him here for the present, +or shall I send down a stretcher and have him +removed?”</p> + +<p>“No, no; leave him here for the present. +It might prove fatal to move him. I will do +my best for the poor boy.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> +<p>“I don’t doubt but that you will, madam. +To be sure, he is an enemy, but in such cases +no one with a heart can make any distinction.”</p> + +<p>“True, sir, and one must remember also, +that, at the end, we are all God’s creatures,” +concluded the woman, solemnly. “On the Day +of Judgment He will judge us by His rule of +conduct, and not by our own.”</p> + +<p>Andy scarcely heard the last words. But in +a dim manner he realized that he was among +friends, even though they were of the enemy, +and then consciousness again forsook him.</p> + +<p>It was morning when he opened his eyes +once more, and the sunshine was streaming +across the plantation fields and into the window +of the room he occupied. Feeling a trifle +stronger he essayed to sit up. Instantly there +was a stir and a girl of fifteen came to him.</p> + +<p>“You must remain quiet,” she said sweetly, +then turned and called out: “Mamma, he is +awake.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lemming came instantly into the room. +“You must remain quiet, Mr. Arlington,” she +said. “It is the doctor’s order. You are +badly wounded in the shoulder. We will take +good care of you.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span></p> +<p>“Thank you, madam.” Andy was surprised +how weak his voice was. He tried to say +more, but the words would not come, and he +felt compelled to close his eyes again. Later +in the day he managed to swallow a little +nourishment, and from that time on he grew +stronger, although his progress was so slow +that it was scarcely perceptible.</p> + +<p>“I suppose you wonder how we know your +name,” said the daughter, who was assisting +her mother in caring for Andy. “I saw it +written on a number of letters which were in +your pocket. My name is Viola Lemming. +Mamma and I and my younger sister Flossie +are living here, for papa is off to the war.”</p> + +<p>“Your father is a Union man, I suppose?” +said Andy.</p> + +<p>“Yes. We are all Unionists around here. +But you mustn’t mind that. We will take good +care of you.”</p> + +<p>“You are more than kind. Will you tell +me what happened after I was shot?”</p> + +<p>“There is not much to tell. You fell back +into the water and two of the soldiers fished +you out and brought you here, for the nearest +hospital service is five miles away.”</p> + +<p>“And did they catch my horse?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span></p> +<p>“No. They tried to stop the flatboat, but +it got away in the darkness, and what became +of it and the horse none of the men know.”</p> + +<p>“I hope he got back into Virginia,” said +Andy, with a little sigh; and then Mrs. Lemming +came in and said it would be best for +him to remain quiet.</p> + +<p>Day after day went by and Andy remained +on the couch. The Lemmings were as kind +and patient with him as though they were his +best friends, and he could not help but reach +the conclusion that there were other good +people on the side of the North besides the +Rockfords. Viola, especially, did all she +possibly could for his comfort, and one day he +told her about his home and his sister Grace.</p> + +<p>“I would like to meet her,” said Viola +Lemming. “Who knows but that we will +when this cruel war is over.”</p> + +<p>“That when will prove a long one, I am +afraid,” answered the young Confederate. +“We are bound to fight to the last, and I +presume folks up North think the same way.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span></p> +<p>Once or twice, when Andy was well enough +to be moved, it was suggested by the surgeon +who visited him that he be taken to the regular +army quarters. The youth shuddered at this, +knowing he would not receive half the care he +was now getting.</p> + +<p>“If you will have me, I will stay here, Mrs. +Lemming,” he said. “I know I am a good +deal of a burden, but some day I and my +family will try to make it up to you.”</p> + +<p>“I shall be glad to have you remain,” said +the lady of the house. “But you must give +me one promise—that you will not try to +escape so long as the Union authorities leave +you in our care?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll promise that,” answered the young +Confederate, seriously. “You have my word +of honor as a Virginian.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</h2> + <p class="center large bold">OFF FOR THE PENINSULA</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>As previously mentioned, General McClellan, +on taking charge of the Army of the Potomac +and, later on, charge of the whole Federal +forces, found affairs in Washington in a +truly deplorable condition. The infantry numbered +less than fifty thousand, the cavalry about +a thousand, and the artillery less than seven +hundred, with only thirty field pieces, many of +them hardly fit for use. Added to these facts +was the still more important one that officers +and men were alike slack in military discipline, +coming and going very much as suited their +convenience.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span></p> +<p>This was all changed as rapidly as such a +huge work could be performed. Officers were +made to pass a regular examination to determine +their fitness for their positions, men were +drilled every day and had regular hours for +doing things assigned to them, and each new +command as it came in was made to feel +that it must live up to the spirit as well as the +letter of the military law. Whatever else may +be said of General McClellan’s fitness for the +absolute leadership in a great campaign, the +fact must forever remain that he was one of +the best army organizers this country, or any +other, has ever produced. Firm almost to the +point of harshness, he was still a friend to all, +and his men understood this so well that they +would have followed him anywhere. To thousands +he was “Little Mac,” and for a long +while the very idol of the army.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span></p> +<p>By February, 1862, General McClellan’s +forces were ready for an advance upon the +Confederates. Over fifty thousand soldiers +were stationed in and around Washington, +below the city at Alexandria, above upon +the Potomac, and at several places to watch +the valley of the Shenandoah. Outside +of these the great army numbered 158,000 +men, of which not quite five thousand were +regulars and all of the rest volunteers. By +this it will be seen that in less than ten +months the Northern States had converted +into trained soldiers over two hundred thousand +men who had previously been clerks, +farmers, mechanics and followers of kindred +occupations. During the same time the +seceded States had turned out about half +that number of soldiers from somewhat similar +sources. This work was a wonder in itself +and is well worth a moment’s contemplation.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span></p> +<p>It had taken much valuable time to organize +the Army of the Potomac, and now more time +was lost in perfecting the details of the coming +campaign. It was General McClellan’s +desire to strike “all along the line” at the +same time, thus giving the Confederates no +opportunity to rally from one point to another. +The enemy was to be attacked not only +in Virginia, but also in North and South Carolina, +in Kentucky and Tennessee. Had this +plan been executed without delay, it is possible +the war would have been of short duration. +But delay after delay occurred at Washington, +and meanwhile battle after battle took place +elsewhere. At last, after numerous changes +in the plan of campaign, it was decided between +the administration and the general-in-chief +that the army should be transported by +boats to Fortress Monroe, at the extreme point +of the peninsula formed by the York and +James Rivers, and then march up past Yorktown, +and lay siege to Richmond, if the Confederate +Capital could not be taken in any +other way. It was argued that, as the route +from the water to Richmond was less than +ninety-five miles in length, and as the troops +would be perfectly fresh after their sea voyage, +they ought to be able to make a steady +movement forward, in which case Richmond +might be taken with but little trouble.</p> + +<p>The anticipated movement of the army was, +of course, kept a secret from the public and +the privates until the last moment. It was +not until the middle of March that word came +into camp that the Goreville Volunteers, now +regularly attached to a regiment of Pennsylvania +Volunteers, were to move two days +later.</p> + +<p>“Where are we going to move to?” questioned +Louis, of Harry Bingham, who had +brought the word from Captain Paulding’s +headquarters.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span></p> +<p>“We are to cross the Potomac, that’s all +I know,” answered Harry.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps we are to follow the rebels from +Centerville,” said Louis, for he heard how +the Confederate forces had left that vicinity.</p> + +<p>“Maybe. We’re going somewhere, that’s +certain.”</p> + +<p>It was a cool but clear day when the volunteers +broke camp and struck out on a march +which lasted the best part of ten hours. They +went into camp in a sweet potato field, and by +sunrise the day following were again on the +tramp.</p> + +<p>“I guess we are marching around for fun,” +laughed Harry Bingham. But he soon found +out his mistake. That afternoon they reached +Alexandria and here were waiting a whole +host of vessels to receive them. The regiment +to which the Goreville boys belonged was +taken on a boat named the <i>Boston Queen</i>.</p> + +<p>“Sure and they are going to send us south +on a voyage of discovery,” said one of the +men. “I wonder if they’ll land us at Charleston?”</p> + +<p>“Charleston!” shrieked Jerry Rowe. “If +they do that, we’ll all be killed. Why, that is +where they bombarded Fort Sumter.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span></p> +<p>“Never mind, Jerry, if you are killed, +remember you died for your country when you +didn’t want to,” said Moses Blackwell, and a +laugh went up, while Jerry groaned dismally.</p> + +<p>The harbor was “a sight for to see,” as +one of the men said. Transports were there +without number, big and small, some filled to +overflowing with soldiers, others waiting for +their loads of human freight. Here and there +a band of music was playing and the Stars and +Stripes were everywhere to be seen. The sight +was an inspiring one, and Louis and Harry +enjoyed it thoroughly.</p> + +<p>“Creation, what a lot of us!” cried Harry +Bingham. “Hang me if I don’t believe half +the men in the country have taken up arms.”</p> + +<p>“We are bound for Fortress Monroe,” +came the word a bit later. “The rebels are +congregating around Richmond, and we are +to wipe ’em out!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” went up the cry. “On to +Richmond, boys, and no turning back this time. +Hurrah for Little Mac!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span></p> +<p>“Besser ve valk to Richmond,” said Hans +Roddmann, one of the new members of the +Goreville company. “Ven I come me ofer +from Chermany I bes sick more as dree-quarters +der dime. I ton’t vonts me no more sickness +like dot.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, this is only a little coast trip,” said +Harry Bingham, lightly—too lightly altogether, +as he remembered later on. “We +sha’n’t hardly be out of sight of land.”</p> + +<p>“Vell, I ton’t know.” Hans Roddmann +shook his head meditatively. “Put I vould +besser been sick anyhow as let von of dem +repel gunpoats come along und plow us up, +hey?”</p> + +<p>“You’re right there, Hans,” laughed Louis. +“We’ll have to keep a sharp watch out for +the enemy. Although we are nearly a thousand +strong, our rifles would prove a poor +defense against a number of ten or twenty-pounders.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span></p> +<p>“Maybe de got some twenty ouder dirty +pounders on board dis ship,” concluded Hans. +The man had been the village cobbler at Goreville +and it had taken a good bit of talking upon +Captain Paulding’s part to get him to volunteer, +and even then it had taken still more +talking to get Mrs. Roddmann to consent to +the enlistment. The woman was alone in the +world, excepting for her husband, and it was +only when Mr. Rockford had consented to take +her in the house and give her work that she +had granted her husband permission to leave +at his country’s call.</p> + +<p>At last the time came to cast off the lines +and start on the voyage down the Potomac +River and Chesapeake Bay. A final hurrah +went up as the <i>Boston Queen</i> swung clear of +the dock.</p> + +<p>“Good-bye, boys; meet me on the peninsula.”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter with meeting you at +Richmond?” came back the reply.</p> + +<p>“Just the thing. I’ll make a date of it.”</p> + +<p>“All right; April first suit?”</p> + +<p>“You klown, dot vos Abril fool’s tay!” +shouted Hans Roddmann, and then those on +the boat and those left on the dock passed out +of hearing of each other. Soon the voyage +southward had begun.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span></p> +<p>The day, which had promised fair, now +turned cloudy, and soon the <i>Boston Queen</i> was +enveloped in one of the dense fogs for which +this section of our sea coast is famous. Louis +had thought to remain on deck, but now he +was glad enough to seek the shelter of the +cabin, already crowded to suffocation.</p> + +<p>“Not much of a chance to bunk, boys,” +said Captain Paulding, as he passed among +his men. “We’ll have to make the best of it. +One consolation, the trip won’t last forever.”</p> + +<p>“How long will it last, captain?” queried +Blackwell.</p> + +<p>“Well, the trip is less than a hundred +and fifty miles. We might make it in four +days, if we had clear sailing. But we have +two enemies to contend with—fog and rebel +gunboats;” and the captain passed on.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span></p> +<p>By night the space on board of the transport +had been divided among the different companies +as evenly as possible, while the staterooms +were reserved for the commanders +from second lieutenants up. The Goreville +Volunteers found themselves located in the +front cabin, where there were six long benches +and, as Blackwell declared, “as soft a floor of +Georgia pine as could be found anywhere.” +Louis slept on that floor that same night, with +his knapsack for a pillow, and found it anything +but soft. Yet even that couch was in +infinitely better than some of those which he +was glad enough to make his own later on.</p> + +<p>“Ve vos all chickens in der chicken-coop, +hey?” was the way Hans Roddmann expressed +himself in the morning. “Blease +somepotty fall oferpoard bis I stretch mineselluf!” +And the room he required for the +stretching process really made it look as if +somebody would have to clear the deck.</p> + +<p>“This is worse than the camp in Washington,” +began Jerry Rowe, but just then a shoe, +thrown from the other end of the cabin, took +him in the back of the neck and caused him +to subside with a howl. The owner of the +shoe came limping along with the other on +a moment later, and when Jerry tried to argue +with him, there was a regular pitched battle, +in which a number of others joined, in the +best of humor, although Jerry, who was at the +bottom of the heap during a “pile on,” did +not see it exactly that way.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span></p> +<p>“Never mind, Jerry, have a cup of fresh +chocolate,” exclaimed Harry, a minute later, +as the cook passed around with his wash-boiler, +“all steaming hot,” and again Jerry +was disappointed for, as usual, it was black +coffee, and particularly bitter at that. Louis +was getting used to “hardtack” and coffee, +but Jerry grumbled every time it was placed +before him.</p> + +<p>“I’m sick, tired, and disgusted with pork +and beans and strong coffee and pilot bread,” +he would growl. “Why in the name of creation +don’t the government give us something +else?”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, Jerry; there’s a sutler along +and you can buy what you please from him,” +said one of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>“Barker is a thief!” burst out the discontented +one. “Why, he wanted to charge me a +quarter for a measly four-cent pie and forty +cents for a tiny pot of jam. If I patronized +him, he’d draw every cent of my pay when the +quartermaster turned up.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span></p> +<p>The following morning found the <i>Boston +Queen</i> well down towards Chesapeake Bay. +The fog was as thick as ever, but a wind had +sprung up and this caused the ship to roll +lazily from side to side as she moved southward. +About noon Louis saw Harry drop +upon a bench and catch his face in his hands.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Harry, home-sick?” +he asked, lightly.</p> + +<p>“No, I’m not <i>home</i>-sick,” was the short +reply, and then Harry added, with a peculiar +twitching of his mouth, “but I’m getting awfully +sick otherwise.”</p> + +<p>“He vos sea-sick, py chiminatty!” roared +out Hans Roddmann. “Now you vos see how +<i>you</i> likes him, hey?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, it’s awful!” was all Harry could answer, +and then he made a rush for the outer +deck, closely followed by Jerry Rowe, who +had been similarly attacked. An hour later +Hans Roddmann had joined the pair, and during +the remainder of the voyage the trio had +plenty of company, for overloaded with men +and baggage, the <i>Boston Queen</i> rolled dreadfully +as she worked her way slowly along.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span></p> +<p>Twenty-four hours before they came in +sight of Fortress Monroe the fog lifted, and +soon after that came a good deal of a scare. +Two strange vessels were seen approaching +from the eastward and were instantly put +down as rebel cruisers or gunboats. At once +the guns on board of the transport were gotten +into readiness for firing and the soldiers +were called to arms. In the meantime, the +<i>Boston Queen</i> did all possible to increase her +speed, in the hope of getting within the protection +of the guns of the fortress before she +could be run down or sunk.</p> + +<p>The excitement lasted for two hours, and +more than once the heart of many a soldier +was in his throat. Many of the men could +not swim and they knew that a single round +shot, properly delivered, could put the <i>Boston +Queen</i> at the bottom of the Atlantic.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span></p> +<p>Then came a hurrah from the mast-head, +as those on the watch made out that the approaching +vessels were friends and not enemies. +The boats proved to be two transports +which had in some way strayed from the fleet +in the fog. They were flying signals to that +effect, and soon after they joined in the rear +of the vessels behind the <i>Boston Queen</i>, and +again the passage to Fortress Monroe was +resumed.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE LANDING—ON TO YORKTOWN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“Well, here we are at last, Harry. Now +for Richmond and the capturing of the Confederate +Capital.”</p> + +<p>It was Louis who spoke. The Goreville +Volunteers, after landing at the government +wharf at Fortress Monroe, had crossed the +bridge leading to Hampton, marched through +that semi-deserted and forlorn-looking town, +and came to a halt on the highway leading to +Yorktown.</p> + +<p>“We are on land, that’s a fact,” returned +Harry Bingham. “But where is another +question. What a desolate country!” he +added, as his eyes swept a wide range of half-ploughed +and neglected corn and tobacco +fields. “Is this what we have come to conquer?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span></p> +<p>“I was told we were only about eighteen +miles from Yorktown,” said Moses Blackwell. +“I am very curious to see that place, for, if +you will remember, it was there that Lord +Cornwallis of the British forces surrendered +to Washington eighty years ago.”</p> + +<p>“That’s so!” cried Louis, much interested. +“My grandfather was in that war. And come +to think of it, they say the breastworks Washington’s +troops threw up at that siege are still +to be seen. I hope we catch sight of them,” +he added, after a pause, but never dreamt how +useful some of those same old breastworks +were to become to the Union troops during +those stirring battles which made the Peninsular +Campaign so famous in history.</p> + +<p>Regiments of infantry, bands of cavalry, +and divisions of artillery were everywhere as +far as eye could reach, covering not only the +roadway, but the fields beyond. The volunteers +had fancied they had moved on far +enough for that first day, but presently the +orders came to move on and another half-mile +was covered, when the larger portion of +their corps and another went into regular +camp.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span></p> +<p>All of the boys in blue were in heavy marching +order, that is, carrying with them everything +that belonged to each soldier, his gun, +cartridge box, canteen, haversack, knapsack, +great coat, blanket and private property, and +a march of five or six miles under such conditions +is exceedingly fatiguing. To be sure, +the route step was given, and everybody +marched very much as he pleased in consequence, +but even so, when the order to halt +came everybody was glad enough to throw +down his load and rest himself upon it.</p> + +<p>“Ven I march like dis I vos feel me like +von pack-mule,” remarked Hans Roddmann. +“Dot load gits heavier und heavier bis it +veighs apout a ton.”</p> + +<p>“I’m getting used to the load,” answered +Louis. “But it’s no fun, Hans, that’s a fact. +But you must remember, we didn’t enlist for +the fun of the thing.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no; put too much ist too much,” and +Hans went off shaking his head. He was extra +tired, and suffering from a bunion, and the +fact that it was his duty to play cook for the +next week did not tend to put him into good +humor.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span></p> +<p>“To the field on the right, boys,” came the +order from Captain Paulding, and the Goreville +Volunteers hopped over a worm-fence +located along the roadway. Two days later +the fence had disappeared—chopped up for +firewood. Firewood was not plentiful in the +vicinity, and everything—fences, sheds and +trees had to go for fuel. Only the log cabins +and houses of the inhabitants were spared.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span></p> +<p>In going into camp, Louis soon learned that +a regular rule was adopted. The four regiments +forming a division were first placed in +a large square, one regiment to each corner, +or quarter, with the tent of the brigadier-general +commanding in front of the whole. The +grand square thus divided, each regiment was +divided into divisions of two companies each, +one company placed in a line behind the second +company, the two about ten or fifteen +yards apart, with each company divided from +that next to it by about the same distance. +When thus stationed, the soldiers were ordered +to stack arms and unsling knapsacks, +and then began the work of building up the +tents in long rows behind the stacked guns, +the officers’ quarters being placed on a line +with the others, but either on the outside of all +or in the “cross streets” between companies.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span></p> +<p>Before starting out on the campaign each +soldier had been supplied with a bit of strong +canvas about five feet square, having on the +edges rows of strong buttons and button-holes. +Usually four of these pieces of canvas were +buttoned together, making a sheet ten feet +square. This square was now thrown over a +ridgepole, sometimes a straight branch of a +tree, sometimes a fence-rail and then again +nothing but a musket with bayonet attached, +the ridgepole held up at each end by a short +post driven into the ground. Thus “hoisted,” +the canvas was stretched out as far as possible +upon either side and pinned to the +ground with sharpened sticks, after which a +fifth patch of cloth was buttoned fast over the +back end, when the “dog tent,” as all the +soldiers called them, was ready for occupancy. +Under such a covering would sleep, closely +huddled together, the five men who had contributed +their patches of cloth. Sometimes a +sixth man would join the crowd or mess, when +the weather was cold, and then the “dog” +would have a “front door.”</p> + +<p>“Gosh, this ain’t no palace, is it?” queried +Nathan Hornsby, who was one of the members +of the mess to which Louis belonged. “It’s +all right enough in good weather, but creation +help us if it storms.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder how long we’ll stay here?” +queried Louis.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have to stay until all of the troops +come down from Alexandria, I suppose,” said +Harry, who also belonged to the mess, and +who now sat on his knapsack in the shelter. +“I heard somebody say that the last of the +transports wouldn’t be in for a week yet.”</p> + +<p>“If we stay here long the rebs will steal +a march on us,” put in Moses Blackwell, who +was vainly trying to light some green tobacco +picked up at a ruined storehouse on the route +hither. “Of course, it’s only natural they +should fight like wildcats to keep us out of +Richmond.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span></p> +<p>“I think myself some of the troops ought +to be sent ahead, at least as far as Yorktown,” +said Louis. “That place ought to make a +splendid base for supplies, being right along +the York River, where our ships of war could +cover it all the time.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon we’re going to have lots o’ +fightin’ afore we see the streets o’ Richmond,” +ventured Bart Callings, who stood by. +“We’ve got Yorktown to pass, an’ it’s full +of rebels, an’ Williamsburg, an’ the Chickahominy +River, where they’ll make a stand as +sure as eggs is eggs, and then comes a lot of +swamp woods, an’ I don’t know what all—an’ +they’ll have every hole an’ corner o’ it +fortified, mark my words!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we’ll get fighting enough,” answered +another. “The rebs are just as brave as we +are, every bit, and we might as well understand +it so, first as last.”</p> + +<p>“I go in for a dash,” was the comment of +a little wiry man named Fleck. “Start the +army on a run for Richmond and let it stop +at nothing, and the day will be ours in less +than a week.”</p> + +<p>How long the discussion might have lasted, +there is no telling, but just then came the cry: +“Company B fall in for supper!” and every +man sprang for his cup and dinner plate, for +Company B in that regiment meant the Goreville +Volunteers.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span></p> +<p>The cooking was done under a large tent +at the end of the division grounds. Here, +over a long fire built up of fence rails, tree +branches or any other fuel which came handy, +hung a row of smoky kettles, one containing +coffee, another soup, another fresh or salt +meat, and so on, the diet varying but little +from meal to meal and day-to-day. The men +marched up in a row, from kettle to kettle, +each getting his cup and plate filled and also +his supply of pilot crackers, or “hard tack.” +This ended, the soldiers would return to their +quarters, each crowd of five occupying a tent +usually forming a mess of their own.</p> + +<p>For over a week the Goreville Volunteers +lay in the camp on the road not far from Big +Bethel. During that time the weather remained +fairly fine and, consequently, all were +in the best of spirits, and even Jerry Rowe +brightened up, although still grumbling because +the fare was so plain and the war was +not pushed so “it could be got done with and +they could go home.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span></p> +<p>At last, early in April, came the order to +move, “in heavy marching order,” and once +more the boys in that division found themselves +on the way to Yorktown. In the +meanwhile, another corps of the Army of the +Potomac was pushing forward from Newport +News Point, intending to clear the road up +past a settlement called Lee’s Mills, for it +must be remembered that in advancing upon +Richmond it was the intention of General McClellan +to make a general advance from the +York to the James up the peninsula. A glance +at a map of this territory will aid my readers +greatly in following the movements which +ensued.</p> + +<p>“Forward, march!” came the command, +about the middle of the forenoon, a band +ahead struck up the then popular Washington +March, and off the columns moved, the men +four abreast, every uniform carefully brushed +up, each button polished, the bright red blankets +carefully rolled, and each musket and +bayonet glistening brightly in the morning +light. It was a sight to inspire the most listless +and Louis felt almost like singing, as he +moved away on the long, swinging route step.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span></p> +<p>Twelve miles were covered that day, and +early in the morning the march was again resumed. +But now the sun failed to shine and +soon there started a light rain which by noon +settled into a steady downpour. Louis threw +his cape over his head, and shielded himself +as much as possible, but the elements could +not be fought off, and an hour later he was +wet almost to the skin.</p> + +<p>“An umbrella wouldn’t be a bad thing to +have,” Harry Bingham started in to say, when +the report of a number of firearms cut him +short. The rattle of the musketry sounded from +ahead, and a moment later came the command +to halt.</p> + +<p>The army was still some two miles and a +half from Yorktown when the advanced guard +had come upon some formidable earthworks +stretched across the road and well into the +woods beyond. As a matter of fact, the Confederate +defences were afterwards found to +stretch directly across the peninsula, from in +front of Yorktown, as described, to Southall’s +Landing. A sharp skirmish ensued between +the advanced guard of the Union army and the +Confederate outposts, and then the former +fell back.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span></p> +<p>“Something is up,” said Louis, when the +orders finally came to go into camp. “And +it’s not a battle, either.”</p> + +<p>He was right. Instead of making another +demonstration, all became quiet, saving from +the direction of Lee’s Mills, where the corps +on the road from Newport News Point had +also received a check. A regular camp was +laid out, and the boys in blue proceeded to make +themselves as comfortable as the state of the +weather permitted.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning Benny Bruce, as +bright and eager as ever, sounded the reveille, +and the soldiers came tumbling out of their +tents to listen to a few words from Captain +Paulding.</p> + +<p>“This regiment is to march to the front, to +do picket duty for twenty-four hours, from +sunset to sunset. I wish all the men to remember +that we are now in the very heart of +the enemy’s country, and that each man must +do his full duty. There must be no shirking +from work, no nodding on post. Remember, +a picket found asleep on his post is liable to be +shot for his offense. Company will get ready +to march in fifteen minutes.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span></p> +<p>“Hurrah, we’re going to the front at +last!” cried Louis. “I’m glad of it,” and he +started to pack up with all possible haste. +Soon they were on the march, Benny beating +his drum louder than ever, until stopped by +a general order to keep quiet, as they were +now within easy hearing distance of the Confederates.</p> + +<p>At the time the sun set, although there was +no telling when that was by looking at the +sky, for it still rained, Louis found himself +on picket duty for almost the first time in his +life. He had often stood guard, but picket +duty was different, for now it was positively +known that the enemy was just ahead. He +had been stationed close to the edge of a +woods and was given a beat of twenty feet, +ending on the right at a big oak and on the +left at a sideroad running into the Yorktown +highway. Next to him, at the other side of the +oak, Harry was stationed, while Callings covered +the road. The reserves, or companies +sent forward to aid the pickets, if needed, lay +in a hollow some distance back, and with these +were several cavalrymen detailed for any messenger +service which might be deemed necessary.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span></p> +<p>Up and down his short walk tramped the +young Union soldier, his gun loaded and his +eyes and ears on the alert for anything which +might appear in the least suspicious in the uneven +field beyond the woods. He felt that he +was now placed upon his mettle, and resolved +that nothing should happen which might be +put down to the enemy’s credit.</p> + +<p>Two hours went by, long hours to the youth, +for the short beat soon became a wearisome +one, and the pickets had been cautioned not +to speak to one another unless it became necessary. +Stopping now and then, he could hear +Harry tramping up and down, and occasionally +came a murmur from the roadway, as +Callings forgot himself and started to hum +some well known tune.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span></p> +<p>And then, Louis stopped short again and +clutched his musket tighter. What was that +out in the field, moving slowly along beside a +large, rough rock? With his heart standing +fairly still, he dashed the rain from his eyebrows +and took a step forward. Beyond a +doubt it was the form of a man.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE CAPTURE OF A SPY</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>For the instant, after making his important +discovery, Louis knew not what to do. That +the fellow who was advancing so cautiously +was an enemy there could be no doubt. That +being so, why was the Confederate taking so +much pains in the rain and darkness to enter +the Union lines?</p> + +<p>There could be but one answer to this question. +He must be a spy, bent upon some secret +and important mission.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span></p> +<p>As the truth forced itself home to the young +Union soldier’s mind, he took a step in the +direction of the roadway, feeling that the eyes +of the man by the rock were upon him and +that if he knew he was discovered it might +prove a case of “who shot first” as to who +remained alive to tell the story afterward. +He must not show his hand until in a position +to use his gun with quickness and accuracy.</p> + +<p>Turning from the roadway, he walked +slowly back toward the big oak. As he did +this he noted that the man had shifted his +position and was now some six feet closer to +the woods, where a low fringe of brush stuck +up, and where the rain had formed a pool of +shallow water extending a distance of several +yards.</p> + +<p>Unionist and Confederate were now less +than fifty feet apart, and the rain was coming +down furiously upon both. Two steps more +and Louis was close to the shelter of the tree. +He listened intently. The man by the bushes +made no sound; Harry’s footsteps were some +distance away. Something had attracted his +attention at the other end of his beat and he +remained there.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span></p> +<p>It must be acknowledged that Louis’s heart +now beat like a trip-hammer. He felt it his +duty to challenge the man, and, if his answer +was not satisfactory, and he tried to escape, +to shoot him on the spot. On the other hand, +he knew that a single word from his lips might +be the signal for a shot from the unknown, +who would then make a rush for the woods +on the opposite side of the little clearing. He +was not certain, but he imagined he saw the +gleam of a pistol in the right hand of the fellow +as he turned from the rock.</p> + +<p>Stepping behind the tree for an instant, +Louis examined his gun, to see that all was +in perfect order for firing. He shuddered as +he tried the trigger. In a moment more he +might be taking a human life.</p> + +<p>Again he stepped forth, but partly behind +a bush in front of the oak. He opened his +lips to shout out the word halt when he made +a most startling discovery.</p> + +<p>The man had disappeared.</p> + +<p>In vain he strained his eyes, in this direction, +that direction, and beyond. It was useless. +The fellow was not at the rock, nor on +the ground near the pool, nor was he at the +fringe of brush to which he had turned. He +was as completely gone as though the earth +had opened and swallowed him up.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span></p> +<p>Louis was dumbstruck. What in the world +had become of the man? He clutched his gun +in nervous perplexity. Had the man made a +silent but rapid rush and passed the line? No, +such a thing was impossible. He must still be +in front.</p> + +<p>The young soldier heard Harry returning +now and resolved on a new course of action. +Waiting for his friend to reach the oak, he +caught him by the arm and clapped his hand +over his mouth.</p> + +<p>“Harry, listen, but don’t make any noise,” +he whispered into the other’s ear. “There is +a man out there, near the pool. I saw him +crawling along a moment ago, but he has now +disappeared. Tell the guard next to you, and +I’ll tell Callings, and we’ll round him up.”</p> + +<p>Harry understood and nodded. Then struck +by a sudden idea, he exclaimed aloud: “I +ain’t got any tobacco. Ask Callings for his +plug.”</p> + +<p>“And you ask Risby,” answered Louis, +catching the cue, and speaking just as loudly, +and then they separated, but each kept an eye +on the vicinity of the oak, that the man who +had disappeared might not try to break +through the picket guard at that point.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span></p> +<p>“A reb, eh?” whispered Callings, when +Louis had called him up. “All right, I’ll help +you. Wait till I’ve called the next man to +overlook the road. Send the word back, too, +Louis; it’s ag’in orders to try to do too much +without letting the officer of the guard know.”</p> + +<p>In a moment Louis had glided back and +given the necessary order. Then he, Harry, +Callings, and Risby moved forward in a semi-circle. +They had scarcely advanced five yards, +when Callings found himself sinking into a +half choked-up rifle-pit.</p> + +<p>“Hi! hi! here’s the rascal!” he yelled. +“Down with that pistol, you rebel, or I’ll +finish you in short order.”</p> + +<p>“Hang the luck!” came in a growl from +the bottom of the hole. “Git off of my back, +you confounded Yank!”</p> + +<p>“I will, when you surrender, Grayback! +Throw up that pistol.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span></p> +<p>By this time not only Louis and Harry, but +also some others were at the edge of the hole, +which was several feet in diameter and over-grown +with grass and weeds. Down at the +bottom the water was over a foot deep, and in +this a man was crouching, wet to the skin and +covered with mud. Callings had landed directly +upon the fellow’s back with his heavy +boots, and it was small wonder that the victim +yelled with pain.</p> + +<p>“This yere is the wust luck I ever struck,” +muttered the captured one, as with very bad +grace he surrendered his pistol, of the old-fashion +“hoss” variety and nearly two feet +long. “Let me git outer the hole before I +sink clear outer sight.”</p> + +<p>Callings sprang up and a few feet back. +Then he and Louis covered the man with their +guns, but this was not necessary, for the chap +was thoroughly cowed. It was soon found +that the clay at the bottom of the hole held +him fast, and Harry and Risby had to haul +him forth by main strength.</p> + +<p>By this time the cry, “Corporal of the +guard! Number seven! A prisoner!” had +gone down the line, and the corporal was +hurrying forward to picket number seven, +which was Louis. He was followed by a detachment +of others, who marched the prisoner +to the guard tent, Louis, relieved from duty +by another soldier, following on behind.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span></p> +<p>When surveyed by the lantern hanging to +the rear post of the guard tent, the captured +one presented anything but a prepossessing +appearance. He was a tall, lank individual, +with sallow complexion, high cheek bones, and +tangled beard and hair. His tattered clothing +hung upon him as garments hang upon a +scarecrow. In his left cheek was a large quid +of tobacco, which he chewed upon with great +vigor, as if to thereby keep up his fading courage. +Long and earnestly Louis gazed at the +face, wondering if he had not seen the man +before.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p222a" style="max-width: 71.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p222a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><span class="smcap">Louis gazed at the face, wondering if he had not seen + the man before.</span>—<i>Page 221.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<p>“Your name?” was the first question put +to the stranger.</p> + +<p>“My name?” answered the prisoner, +slowly. “Er—Tom Johnson.”</p> + +<p>“Brother to General Johnson, I suppose?” +sneered the corporal, satisfied the man was +not telling the truth.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; I ain’t no relation to that measly +rebel.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Johnson, where do you belong?”</p> + +<p>“Belong to the Second Maryland Volunteers, +Company B.”</p> + +<p>“Captain’s name, please?”</p> + +<p>“Captain—er Thompson.”</p> + +<p>“First cousin to Johnson, I suppose?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir; no relation.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span></p> +<p>“That’s too bad. When did you leave your +regiment?”</p> + +<p>“Right after leaving Fortress Monroe. I +wanted to call on an uncle of mine living up +around yere, an’ the cap’n let me go.”</p> + +<p>“Why did you try to crawl through the +lines?”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t have no countersign.”</p> + +<p>“What was the countersign the day you +left?”</p> + +<p>“It was—” the prisoner pretended to +think. “Hang the luck! I’ve forgot wot it +wuz, corporal, upon my honah.”</p> + +<p>“When you were off did you see anything +of the rebels?”</p> + +<p>“Not much, I didn’t. I give ’em the biggest +go-by I could.”</p> + +<p>“Supposing we search you? Have you any +objections?”</p> + +<p>“’Tain’t gentlemanly, corporal.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, it is; under certain circumstances.”</p> + +<p>“But I’ve gin yer my name an’ regiment,” +pleaded the prisoner, who seemed to be +alarmed over the possibility of a search. +“Yer might ez well let me find my quarters.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span></p> +<p>“You’ve put your foot into it, my man. +The regiment you mentioned is not with us, +but is stationed somewhere up in Maryland, +in the vicinity of Baltimore.”</p> + +<p>At this announcement the lower jaw of the +prisoner dropped visibly, and he forgot to go +on with the chewing process.</p> + +<p>“Well—er—we cum down—our company, +I mean,” he stammered. “It was a mistake, +but our company is yere—I’ll take my +oath to that.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt—after +I’ve searched you. Stivers, take off his +coat and vest and make him remove his boots. +Number Seven, what is it?”</p> + +<p>“Can I speak to the prisoner, sir?” asked +Louis, who felt he was on the verge of a discovery. +“I think I know him and can make +him reveal himself,” he added, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead,” answered the corporal, briefly. +The other officers had been called away to general +headquarters and he was, consequently, in +sole charge.</p> + +<p>“I want to ask you how you left Sam Jacks, +and Hogwell, and the rest,” said Louis, aloud, +and as he spoke he eyed the prisoner narrowly.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span></p> +<p>“By thunder!” was the ejaculation, and the +man fell back a step. Then, by the light of the +smoking lantern he surveyed Louis closer. +“Ef it hain’t the chap we wuz arfter at Lee +Run!” he continued, before considering his +words.</p> + +<p>“Exactly!” burst from the young soldier’s +lips. “I thought I knew you. Corporal, he is +a rebel, and worse.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by worse?”</p> + +<p>“He is a thief. He and a gang of others +once robbed me of my watch and money. It was +up near Deems, and I was trying to get through +Maryland to my home in Pennsylvania. Before +that I met some of the same crowd at Lee +Run, and they tried to injure me there.”</p> + +<p>“It ain’t so!” roared the prisoner. “I +don’t know Sam Jacks, nor Hogwell, nor Ross, +nor none of ’em.”</p> + +<p>“You remember the names right enough,” +returned Louis, coldly. “And you will note +that you add Ross’s name, which I didn’t mention.” +He turned to the corporal. “Ross was +another of the crowd.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span></p> +<p>“We’ll search him,” was the short answer. +The work commenced at once. Slipped into one +of the man’s boots was a slip of paper, which, +on being unfolded, was found to be a Confederate +pass, signed by General Longstreet. There +was also another paper, which the corporal +perused with even deeper interest.</p> + +<p>“A spy!” he murmured. He turned to +Louis. “Your name?”</p> + +<p>“Louis Rockford, sir.”</p> + +<p>The corporal made a note of it. Then Louis +was sent back to his regiment, and the spy was +taken to general headquarters. Here it was at +last ascertained that his name was Caleb Fox. +It was surmised that he had been sent over to +learn whether the Unionists contemplated an +attack, or if they thought of settling down to a +siege. He would speak but little, and was +placed under heavy guard until some of the +higher officers could question him further.</p> + +<p>“That’s a feather in your cap, Louis!” +cried Harry, as they were eating breakfast the +next morning. “You’ll hear from headquarters +about it sooner or later, see if you don’t.”</p> + +<p>“It’s odd that we should capture one of Sam +Jacks’s crowd,” mused Louis. “Doesn’t it +seem to prove that a good part of the rebels +who were up around Manassas have moved +down here?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span></p> +<p>“If they ain’t down here now they will be +pretty soon,” put in Moses Blackwell. “You +can bet they won’t give up their main stronghold +without the toughest kind of a struggle.”</p> + +<p>“One thing is certain,” continued Harry. +“This man won’t bother you any more.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think they’ll shoot him?” said +Louis, with a shudder.</p> + +<p>“Of course they’ll shoot him. It’s the fate +of any spy that is captured.”</p> + +<p>“I shouldn’t like to have his blood on my +head, Harry.”</p> + +<p>“He brought his fate on himself, Louis—you +had nothing to do with that. He knew just +what to expect when he left the rebel breastworks +in the rain and darkness and tried to +worm his way over here. And more than that, +the fact that he had his big pistol ready for use, +shows he was prepared to sell his liberty dearly, +if given half a chance. If you had advanced +upon him openly and alone he would have shot +you down and run for it, as sure as fate.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span></p> +<p>That afternoon Louis was called up before +the general of the corps, who questioned him +closely. Then the prisoner was brought in, and +Louis for the first time learned his name. As +Louis went out, he passed close to Caleb Fox, +who scowled at him viciously and whispered +into his ear:</p> + +<p>“You skunk! I’ll git squar—ef I live.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span></p> +<p>To this Louis made no answer. But the +words haunted his mind for a long time. The +day was destined to come when he would remember +them even more vividly.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ACROSS THE POTOMAC ONCE MORE</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>To go back to Andy at the time he was slowly +recovering from a bullet wound in his shoulder, +inflicted by a Union soldier at the time of his +capture during the battle of Ball’s Bluff.</p> + +<p>The pain had now left him entirely, and although +he was still weak from what he had +experienced, yet he was able to sit up, and that +was a great comfort. Every warm day a chair +was placed for him upon the piazza of the Lemming +homestead and here he would read, or +watch the river, or play checkers and dominoes +with Viola Lemming.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span></p> +<p>So the golden Virginia summer passed. In +the meantime Andy heard how the great army +of the North was assembling at Washington, +and of what that patriotic body was expected to +do. But from home, from his parents, his company, +or the rebel cause, he heard nothing.</p> + +<p>The late autumn found him walking about the +plantation. Viola Lemming often accompanied +him. She noticed how strong he was getting.</p> + +<p>“I presume you will want to leave us soon,” +she said, with half a smile.</p> + +<p>“I was thinking I would go away next +week,” he answered. “I have ventured on +your hospitality too long already.”</p> + +<p>“You are welcome to stay as long as you +please,” she returned, quickly. “You—you +seem like one of the family.”</p> + +<p>His thin face flushed with pleasure at this. +“You are very, very kind—you and your +mother and your little sister,” he said, taking +her hand. “As long as I live I shall never forget +you, and I do trust that some day I shall be +able to repay you, at least in part.” And then +he turned away as he saw how red in the face +Viola became. The two young folks had grown +to think a great deal of each other.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span></p> +<p>That night he told Mrs. Lemming of his intention. +“I will not outstay my welcome, warm +as it has been,” he said. “To-morrow you can +notify the army authorities, if you will. As +soon as they come for me, you will no longer +be responsible for my keeping.”</p> + +<p>“But they will put you in prison!” said +Viola, shuddering. “I didn’t think of that +when you spoke. I thought—” she did not +finish.</p> + +<p>“Did you think I would break my word of +honor?” he questioned, seriously.</p> + +<p>“No—but—but—Oh, to go to prison! It +is horrible!” She tried to speak on, but the +words stuck in her throat and she rushed from +the room. Her mother was scarcely less affected.</p> + +<p>“It is terrible, this change you think of making,” +said Mrs. Lemming. “Better stay here, +while you can. Perhaps the war will soon be +over, and then you can cross the river to your +folks.”</p> + +<p>But he was obdurate. He did not intend to +go to a Union prison if it could be avoided, but +at the same time he would not break his word +to them and get them into trouble with the army +authorities.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span></p> +<p>That afternoon a slave carried a note from +Mrs. Lemming to the nearest Union camp. In +this she stated that the prisoner left at her +house was now almost well and had desired to +be turned over to the proper authorities. She +added that he was not much more than a boy, +and she trusted that the commandant would +treat him with as little harshness as possible, +and that if he could have him exchanged for +a Union prisoner in the near future, she would +consider it a special favor, for the prisoner had +acted so gentlemanly during his illness that he +had quite won her heart.</p> + +<p>On receiving this note the captain in charge +smiled grimly. “All woman’s bosh,” he muttered. +“We’ll soon have the young rebel behind +the bars and give him a taste of how Union +men are treated in their own foul prisons.”</p> + +<p>It was not yet sundown when he detailed a +guard of three soldiers to bring Andy to the +camp. The soldiers started off on foot, and +having to tramp a distance of three miles over +rather rough roads, reached Mrs. Lemming’s +place an hour later.</p> + +<p>“So this is the young rebel, eh,” said the +sergeant in charge. “All right, we have a +description of him on file. Come on.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p> +<p>“In a moment,” answered Andy, and shook +hands with Mrs. Lemming, Viola, and the +younger girl. “Good-by, and remember, I +shall never forget your kindness. You’ll have +a little more ease, I fancy, now you are no +longer responsible for my safe-keeping,” he +added, with peculiar emphasis, which, however, +no one but Viola noticed.</p> + +<p>“I shall regret having you go,” answered +Mrs. Lemming. Viola said nothing more just +then, but turned and re-entered the house. In +a second more Andy was off, with the sergeant +ahead and a soldier upon each side of him.</p> + +<p>“I guess you’ll remember the sweet time +you had there when you’re in a regular prison,” +remarked one of the soldiers, in an effort to twit +the lad. “You won’t have no sech soft bits of +calico to look after you, I’ll warrant you that!”</p> + +<p>The end of the plantation grounds had hardly +been reached when Viola came rushing along +the path, calling to Andy to stop. He halted, +turned and took several steps toward her.</p> + +<p>“Here is a silk neckerchief for you,” she +said, handing over the gift, and then she added +in a whisper, while her face was crimson: “You +are no longer responsible to us—the neckerchief +contains a pistol—<i>escape if you can</i>!” +Before the astonished young Confederate could +reply, she was speeding back to the house.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span></p> +<p>Although nearly dumbfounded, Andy did not +lose his wits. He turned his back to the soldiers, +slipped the little silver-mounted weapon, +which had belonged to Mrs. Lemming, into his +bosom, and waved the silk cloth in the air. +“Thank you, and good-bye for the last time!” +he cried, and gave himself up once more, and +the march forward proceeded. One of the soldiers +would have taken the neckerchief away +from him, but the sergeant, though rough, was +too fair-minded to allow anything of such a +nature to take place.</p> + +<p>On they went along a road bounded on one +side by an open tobacco-field and on the other +by a spare growth of wood, with here and there +a patch of brush. Andy noted with satisfaction +that it was growing dark rapidly and that the +timber was between himself and the river.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span></p> +<p>He understood thoroughly what a risk he +would run in trying to escape—that his captors +would first try to catch him, and failing in +this, would do their best to shoot him down. +But, on the other hand, what was he to expect? +A journey to a Northern prison, where perhaps +he would be made to pass months, and it might +be years, in some loathsome cell, crowded in +with others, poorly fed, and made to suffer all +sorts of indignities. He imagined things worse +than they were, but the effect upon his actions +was the same as though it were all true.</p> + +<p>A mile had been covered, when they reached +a bend in the road, which now turned away +from the Potomac. Here stood a deserted +farmhouse, set in a wilderness of pear-trees.</p> + +<p>“Great smoke, look!” yelled Andy, shoving +the soldiers away from him and pointing +towards the house. “Look out, they are going +to shoot us! Look out!” And with a quick +dash he gained the side of the highway and +leaped the worm-fence. As was natural, all +three of the Union soldiers ducked their heads +and strove in vain to ascertain what Andy +meant. By the time they had recovered and +comprehended the trick that had been played, +the young Confederate was out of sight behind +the trees.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span></p> +<p>“Fools! After him!” shrieked the sergeant, +and clambered over the fence as rapidly as his +somewhat dumpy form would permit. At the +same time one of the soldiers, seeing a quiver +among the trees, fired, but the bullet did not +touch Andy. In a moment more all three of +the Union soldiers were in full pursuit.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the young Confederate was +making his way through the tangled undergrowth +and over jagged rocks and exposed tree-roots +with all the speed at his command. There +was no mistaking the location of the river, for +the whole neighborhood sloped in that direction, +so all he had to do was to keep on going downhill +until the water was gained.</p> + +<p>It was perilous moving, too, for the undergrowth +was thick with briar bushes, which +scratched his face and his hands, and caught +his clothing so tightly that often it was impossible +to move until the offending branch had +been torn completely from its bush.</p> + +<p>“I’m bound to get away somehow,” he muttered, +as he flung aside a briar which left a +scratch from nose to ear. “There is one consolation, +they are all larger than me, especially +that sergeant, and traveling down here will be +just that much more difficult for them. If only +they don’t send word along the river front to +watch out for me.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span></p> +<p>The last thought gave him a chill. But he did +not waste time upon it. He heard his pursuers +crashing along, a hundred feet behind him. +They seemed to be getting closer, or else it was +only his imagination. Coming to a clear spot, +he crossed it like a deer chased by dogs and +hunters.</p> + +<p>Bang! bang! He was seen, and the sergeant +and one of the privates had fired. He felt one +bullet clip his shoulder, directly over the spot +where he had been wounded before. It was +agony to think of this. What if he had to suffer +the awful pain of being shot again? He was +almost tempted to give up.</p> + +<p>But before he could reach such a conclusion +he was safe among the trees again. He was +now descending into a hollow, thick with undergrowth, +and here it was as dark as though the +time was midnight instead of eight o’clock of +a summer evening.</p> + +<p>At the bottom of the hollow he paused, and +at a spring that was handy, procured a drink. +On the opposite side of the hollow was another +clearing. Should he attempt to cross it at once, +or wait until a more favorable opportunity presented +itself? While he pondered the situation, +the voices of the three soldiers broke upon his +ear.</p> + +<p>“See anything of him, sergeant?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span></p> +<p>“No, Fosdick, do you?”</p> + +<p>“Nary a hair.”</p> + +<p>“How about it, Cramer?”</p> + +<p>“He came down into the hollow, I’m sure of +it,” replied the third soldier. “But I guess +he’s up the other side now.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll go around and see.”</p> + +<p>The trio moved off, one to one side, the remaining +two to the other. Andy, fairly holding +his breath, crouched low behind a bush overhanging +the spring. What if they should surround +him and call upon him to give himself +up.</p> + +<p>“I’ll sell my life as dearly as I can,” he +thought, and drew forth the silver-mounted pistol +Viola Lemming had given him. It was a +six-barrelled affair, in those days something +quite up to date, and every barrel was loaded. +With great caution he raised the hammer.</p> + +<p>An anxious ten minutes passed. The men +had gone beyond sight and hearing, and he was +beginning to think they would not return, when +he again heard the voice of the sergeant.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span></p> +<p>“Fosdick! Cramer! Where are you?” was +the cry. “Confound the luck, where can that +young fellow be? I’ll take a look into the +hollow on my own account.” And the sergeant +began to descend.</p> + +<p>He was almost upon the young Confederate +when Andy thought it time to act. Leaping to +his feet with marvelous swiftness, he thrust his +pistol into the sergeant’s face.</p> + +<p>“Throw down your gun, quick!” he commanded, +in a whisper. “Down—or I fire!”</p> + +<p>The words and the flash of the silver-mounted +pistol took the Union soldier by surprise and +he started back with lowered gun. Then Andy +sprang upon him, and with a shove and a twist +of the foot sent the dumpy figure headfirst into +the spring.</p> + +<p>“Wough!” came in a splutter from the sergeant, +but the youth did not hear him. With +nimble steps he made his way up the hollow’s +side, and once more began the race for the +river bank.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span></p> +<p>Andy now felt that he must be alert for the +enemy in front as well as behind, for the two +soldiers not having come back, must have gone +forward. He strained his eyes to their utmost +and clutched his pistol tighter. A half-articulated +prayer for deliverance arose to his lips. +Oh, if only he could get safely into Virginia +again!</p> + +<p>Presently a welcome sound broke upon his +ears. It was the murmur of the swollen river, +as it rushed over the rocks in the shallows and +made a bend southward. Soon he parted the +final line of brush and saw the dancing water +before him. Catching the hammer of the pistol +in his hat, so as to hold the weapon dry, he +jammed the headgear down tightly and waded +into the stream.</p> + +<p>He advanced with extreme caution, knowing +how treacherous the Potomac is at certain times +of the year, and aware that the whole northern +side was picketed by Union soldiers, while the +southern shore was guarded by men of his own +stamp. To be shot by one or the other of the +military guards would be equally unpleasant +and, perhaps, equally fatal.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span></p> +<p>“If I only had some way of letting our men +know that I am all right,” he thought, as he +paused when about one-fourth of the stream had +been passed. He knew they could not see his +uniform in the gloom, and, having lost his +cavalry hat, he was now wearing one which had +formerly belonged to Mr. Lemming, and which +Mrs. Lemming had kindly given him.</p> + +<p>A few steps farther and he suddenly went +down almost to his armpits. The current now +took him off his feet and sent a shiver over him. +He felt very cold, and realized that he was not +yet half as strong as he had imagined. But +turning back was out of the question, and he +struck out boldly for the opposite bank, a distance +of over a hundred and fifty feet.</p> + +<p>The middle of the stream had been gained +and he was congratulating himself on the fine +progress made, when suddenly a challenge rang +out from a point some distance below him.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, there, in the river! Who are you?”</p> + +<p>“A friend!” cried Andy, but instead of +halting, he swam on faster than ever.</p> + +<p>“If you are a friend, turn in here and give +the countersign.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t turn in—I’m bound for the other +shore,” answered Andy, but the last words were +so low the picket did not hear them—nor did +the young Confederate intend that he should.</p> + +<p>“Can’t turn in?” queried the guard. “Yes, +you can. Come now, or I’ll fire.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span></p> +<p>“Don’t fire!” yelled back Andy, and then +having swam a few more strokes he clutched +his pistol and dove out of sight.</p> + +<p>He was none too soon, for feeling he was +being duped, the Union picket brought his gun +into range and pulled the trigger. From under +the surface of the stream Andy heard a muffled +report, but the bullet passed wide of its mark.</p> + +<p>The young Confederate remained under as +long as possible, at the same time reaching out +with desperate efforts for the southern shore. +He felt himself carried downward by the current +and this in itself tended to bring him closer +to the picket than ever. At last, unable to hold +his breath a second longer, he came up and gave +a gasp.</p> + +<p>The firing of the gun had aroused the picket +line for several hundreds of feet up and down +the river and on both sides. A rush was made +on the Union side, and the picket was asked to +explain matters, which he did as well as he +could.</p> + +<p>“We’ll have him yet,” cried the officer in +command. “Bring out the flatboat, Carriwell, +quick!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span></p> +<p>His order was obeyed, and the officer and two +men entered. But all this had taken time and +now Andy was once more where he could touch +bottom. He looked back and saw the boat put +out.</p> + +<p>“Save me, brother Confederates!” he cried. +“Save me! Shoot the Yankees!”</p> + +<p>“We will!” came an answer from almost +in front of him, and then two guns spoke up +spitefully. A groan came from the flatboat, +which was immediately turned back. The pursuit +was over. Several shots were fired, but in +the gloom they went wild, and then the shooting +came to an end.</p> + +<p>Not until it was all over did Andy fully realize +what a tremendous strain he had been under. +He waded out of the water and up the muddy +bank, to find himself confronted by half a dozen +anxious men in gray.</p> + +<p>“What does this mean? Who are you?” +demanded one of the number.</p> + +<p>“I am a Confederate, like yourselves. I +have been a prisoner and I just escaped,” answered +Andy. “My name is Andy Arlington, +and I belong to the Montgomery Grays, cavalry, +of Lee Run. If some of you will help—”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span></p> +<p>He could get no further. Everything danced +before his eyes, trees, soldiers, and guns, and +he fell back into a pair of outstretched arms, +utterly exhausted.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span></p> +<p>“A brave youngster, I’ll wager a fortune,” +was the comment of the Confederate who held +him. “Come, men, let us take him to camp +and do the best we can for him.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ANDY GOES TO YORKTOWN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>When Andy came to his senses, he found +himself lying on a cot in a farmhouse, quarter +of a mile from where he had crossed the Potomac. +The farmhouse was being used as a rebel +headquarters, and half a dozen Confederate +officers were present, making out various reports +and attending to other duties of a military +nature.</p> + +<p>As soon as he felt strong enough, he told his +story in detail, to which those present listened +with lively interest. An officer knew of the advance +to Ball’s Bluff of the Montgomery Grays +and what the youth had to say was readily believed.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span></p> +<p>“I suppose you would like to go home as soon +as possible,” said one of the officers. “We are +going to send some army wagons southward +to-morrow, and one of them can go down by the +Lee Run road and you can ride with the teamster, +if you wish.”</p> + +<p>Andy gladly accepted the offer, and six +o’clock in the morning found him homeward +bound at the rate of four miles an hour, for the +canvas-covered vehicle was loaded to the ash +bows and the recent rains had rendered the +roads almost impassable. Ordinarily the time +would have dragged heavily, but the teamster +was a jolly fellow, full of jokes and war stories, +and he made Andy forget his troubles in spite +of himself. They had their army rations with +them and only stopped long enough to feed the +horses. The teamster intimated several times +that they might stop at a roadhouse, “to become +better acquainted,” but as neither he nor +Andy had money to spend this was not done.</p> + +<p>Andy’s heart beat quickly as they approached +the familiar surroundings of Lee Run. What a +long while it seemed since he had gone away! +He wondered how his father and the rest of the +family were.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span></p> +<p>“Andy, my son! God be praised!” came +from the stoop of the country store, and the +next minute the young soldier was in his +mother’s arms, while Grace was bobbing +around, this side and that, looking for a chance +to get at him.</p> + +<p>“You have been shot and a prisoner!” +gasped Grace. “Oh, Andy!”</p> + +<p>“We thought you had been killed,” said the +mother, with her eyes full of tears. “Captain +Montgomery sent us word of how you had gone +over the bluff while on horseback, and when +Firefly came back alone—”</p> + +<p>“Firefly!” burst out Andy, his face beaming +more brightly than ever. “Is he really +back?”</p> + +<p>“Why, yes, he came back the next day. A +man caught him who knew him and turned him +over to Captain Montgomery. He is at home +in the stable now.”</p> + +<p>“I’m awfully glad, mother. I was afraid I +would never see the dear old fellow again. And +how is father?”</p> + +<p>“As well as he can be expected. The war has +upset him completely, and he cannot settle down +to work as he used to do. But how pale and +thin you are!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span></p> +<p>“He’s only a ghost of himself,” added Grace. +“But never mind, Andy,” she went on, warmly, +“we’ll fatten you up again, and make you +strong, and I’m proud to know what a hero I +have for a brother!” and then he gave her such +a hug and a kiss as only Andy could give—he +was so whole-souled in everything he did.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Arlington and Grace had been down to +the store to do some trading and to hear the +latest news from the seat of war. Around +Washington, as we know, all was quiet, but in +the west, especially in Missouri, matters were +getting livelier every day. The news from this +district did not arrive until three or four days +old, there being no telegraph lines in use south +of Cairo, but when it did come, how eagerly +every line was perused, and what a running fire +of comment ensued!</p> + +<p>Soon the three were on their way to the dairy +farm. As the old horse jogged along over the +stony road, Andy related the particulars of his +experience at Ball’s Bluff.</p> + +<p>“I don’t mind telling you that I was scared,” +he said to mother and sister, frankly, “but I +wouldn’t have let the enemy know that for the +world!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span></p> +<p>“You’re your father over again,” said Mrs. +Arlington, with a smile. “He was captured +by the Mexicans at the time he was wounded, +and they took off his leg very roughly, but he +never winced—so some other soldiers told +me.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I hope Andy never loses a leg,” cried +Grace.</p> + +<p>“If I do I’ll try to be as heroic as father +was,” said the youth, gravely.</p> + +<p>Mr. Arlington was as well pleased as the +others had been to see his son once more. “I +was afraid you had been shot and your body +had drifted down into Chesapeake Bay,” he +said, as he took both of Andy’s hands. “Tell +me all about it,” and again the tale was told, +the others as eager to hear as though not a +word had been said before.</p> + +<p>Christmas came and went and by that time +Andy felt as well and strong as ever. Sometimes, +when the weather was particularly raw, +the place where the bullet wound had left a +scar hurt him, “itched,” he said—a feeling +plenty of veterans know only too well. But he +never complained, being fearful it might hinder +him from going to the front again.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span></p> +<p>In the meantime he had written to Captain +Montgomery. The Grays were in winter quarters +several miles back of the bank of the Potomac, +and an equal distance south of Alexandria. +To join them at this time would have been useless, +and Andy received word that he might stay +home and “get braced up” until the army +moved again in the spring.</p> + +<p>Now that he felt able to do so, the youth +worked around the dairy as before, superintending +the women and men and giving his father a +much-needed holiday. But Andy’s heart was +not in the task—it was with the Grays. He +was impatient to rejoin them.</p> + +<p>“A letter fo’ you, Massa Andrew,” said one +of the slaves, one day in the spring.</p> + +<p>Andy took the communication quickly. It +was from the army, as the stamp in the corner +of the envelope showed. He tore it open hastily, +then rushed off to find his folks.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span></p> +<p>“I’ve got an order to join our cavalry at +once! The Federals are getting ready for a +move from Washington!” he cried, and then +followed two hours of hustling, as he arranged +his clothing, packed his saddlebags and had +Firefly groomed his very best. The horse +seemed to understand the order, too, for his +brown eyes brightened and he snorted in approval.</p> + +<p>“Take care of yourself, my boy,” said the +fond mother. “Write as often as you can,” +added the father. “Don’t let the Yankees catch +you again,” chimed in Grace, and then all +kissed him affectionately and followed him out +on the verandah. Soon he was in the saddle, +and with a last wave of the hand he galloped +off and was lost to view among the trees.</p> + +<p>The day was bright and warm. Andy was in +the finest of spirits, so was Firefly, and mile +after mile was paced off in the charger’s best +style. At noon Andy stopped at a little tavern +at a cross-roads for dinner, and here two other +cavalrymen joined him, neither belonging to +the Grays, but both bound southward. For the +rest of the day the trio remained together, and +this made the journey even more pleasant than +before.</p> + +<p>“The Yankees are going to give us a +shake-up at Richmond, to my way of thinking,” +said one of the cavalrymen. “I received a +letter from a friend who lives down there last +week, and he says the authorities are certain +that Yankee spies are around sizing up the defenses.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span></p> +<p>“Well, I reckon we have spies in Washington, +too,” said Andy, and in this he was right. +Long afterwards it was found that a spy occupying +a confidential government position had +given to the Confederates the first intimation +that the Army of the Potomac was about leaving +for an attack upon Richmond by way of the +peninsula. It was such spy work which gave +the Confederates time to throw up their defenses +at Yorktown and elsewhere and thus +hold General McClellan’s forces in check until +further re-enforcements for the Confederate +Capital could arrive.</p> + +<p>“They won’t gain a thing by another attack +out here,” put in the second cavalryman. +“Why, companies of soldiers and bands of cavalry +are springing up like mushrooms. We’re +bound to wipe ’em out by mere force of numbers.”</p> + +<p>“That may be true—just now,” returned +Andy, seriously. “But what worries me is, +sooner or later, they’ll be able to put more men +in the field than ourselves. Why, the northern +States have four times as many citizens as we +have.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span></p> +<p>“Yes, but they won’t fight like our boys will, +Arlington. We are fighting not only for State +rights but for our homes. A man can stay at +home and fight for it better than he can go off +and fight.”</p> + +<p>“Another thing to remember,” added the +other horseman. “They are blockading our +ports so that we can’t send our cotton to the +foreign countries that want it. It won’t be long +before these foreign countries begin to kick, +and if we put up our cotton they’ll furnish us +with both money and men to show the Yankees +their places. Cotton is king in America, and +don’t you forget it.”</p> + +<p>And so the talk went on. The remark about +cotton was one heard everywhere, having even +been mentioned in Congress before the Southern +representatives and senators took leave of +the Capitol. Cotton and tobacco did play a +prominent part in the war, but they were not +as powerful as some of the Confederate leaders +imagined.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span></p> +<p>On the third day of his journey, Andy reached +Camp Lee, as the spot where the Grays had +gone into quarters was designated, out of honor +to the illustrious line of Lees that have ever +been prominent in Virginia chronicles from +Revolutionary days on. The first person to +rush up and shake him by the hand was Leroy +Wellington, and Captain Montgomery and a +dozen others followed.</p> + +<p>“By jinks! but I thought you were done for +when I saw you fall into the Potomac and float +down to Harrison Island!” exclaimed Leroy. +“You are a sight for sore eyes!” and he fairly +hugged his friend. Andy had to tell his story +twice, once to the officers and again to the mess +he had joined.</p> + +<p>The winter quarters of the Grays had been +close to the shelter of a belt of timber land. +Here the cavalrymen had built up houses of +logs and mud, covered over in many cases with +bits of canvas and whatever of boards came +handy. The floors were strewn with pine brush, +some brush, covered with rubber cloths, serving +also for beds. Some of the houses had little +ovens built of sun-dried bricks, and two had +sheet-iron wood stoves. All told, the boys in +gray had passed a fairly comfortable winter.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span></p> +<p>“The worst part was when we went out with +the pickets,” said Leroy. “That week was a +corker, and I was detailed up at the top of +yonder hill, to carry the news back in case there +was an alarm. It rained and snowed nearly all +the time, and one night I was nearly blown +away, and an old tree came down within ten +yards of me and the horse. That was a close +call, I can tell you, and I didn’t get over it for +hours. You can thank your stars and bars you +were at home in a warm bed.”</p> + +<p>The orders to move came that night, at nine +o’clock. “Roll call at five o’clock, boys; half +an hour for breakfast, and the column moves +at six sharp. Heavy marching orders. We are +not coming back, but the general’s order is not +to carry any more than necessary.”</p> + +<p>“Heavy marching order, but don’t carry +more than what is necessary,” mused Andy. +“That looks as if we were going to get along +as fast as possible. Where are we going, Bosdell?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know, but I heard something said +about crossing the Rappahannock. My opinion +is the Yankees are going to leave Washington +by boat and land at Urbanna, and then try to +march overland to Richmond.”</p> + +<p>“We can get to Urbanna in one day, if we +ride hard,” said Leroy. “But can enough of +our troops get there?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span></p> +<p>“We might stop them at the York River,” +said Andy, “that is, if we could hurry and steal +a march around their right flank.”</p> + +<p>History has shown how near Bosdell’s guess +was to being right. One of the first plans of the +campaign was to land at Urbanna, situated +some fifty miles above Fortress Monroe, but +delays and military operations in the interior +of Virginia made a change necessary, and the +Union forces went down to the end of the +peninsula, as previously described.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span></p> +<p>By five o’clock in the morning the camp was +astir. The cavalrymen were having their +horses and trappings looked after, the artillerymen +were testing wheels, carriages, and harnesses, +everybody was packing knapsacks and +saddlebags and rolling up blankets. The day +was foggy and cold, more than half the soldiers +were out of humor, and grumblings were frequent. +It was, “Where’s that strap?” +“Who took my cake of soap?” “Did you see +anything of my gun?” “Have I got to leave +this folding chair behind, or can I tote it +along?” “Have we got to move before the +mail comes in?” Then came the call to fall in +for breakfast; hot coffee, really fresh bread, +and some fresh meat and beans were served +out, and everyone felt better. It was the best +meal Andy saw for many a weary day. The +news had spread throughout the district that +the “sodgers” were to move, and crowds +came down to see them off, many bringing with +them some dainties, in the shape of chicken, +jam, hoecakes, and the like.</p> + +<p>Promptly at six o’clock the bugles sounded, +and the head of the column moved off. First +came the advance guard, then the pioneers—men +with heavy axes to clear the way—then +a detachment of cavalry, and then the regular +troops. After the troops and artillery came a +small detachment of cavalry, detailed to “whip +up” the stragglers, who, if they would not obey +orders to “march on, and get where you belong,” +were pitched into one of the guard +wagons which followed for such purposes. +Last of all came the wagon train, covered by +another band of cavalry and by a small battery. +On each side of this long column moved a line +of skirmishers, keeping from two to five hundred +feet from the road, to prevent any possible +surprise from the right or the left, although, +just then, no surprise was anticipated.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span></p> +<p>By a quarter to seven the Montgomery Grays +fell into their proper place, and then ensued a +long march lasting until nightfall, with half an +hour’s rest at one o’clock for dinner. Three +days’ rations had been served out to be eaten +directly from the knapsack, with possibly a +chance to kindle a brush fire and heat some +coffee. The food was hardtack, coffee, pork and +beans, nothing else. Regular army fare had +again begun.</p> + +<p>On the following day, in the middle of the +afternoon, it began to rain. At first many +thought it would be but a shower, but by the +time a camp was selected, it was pouring down +in torrents. The Grays found themselves +booked for an eighth section of an open field, +a portion of which had already been ploughed +for spring planting.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a picnic!” grumbled Leroy, as he +dismounted, to find himself in water several +inches deep. “How under the sun are we to +pitch tents out here?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span></p> +<p>“We are not going to do it under the sun, +Leroy; we’re going to do it under the dripping +clouds. Come on, pitch in. Ask Groman for +a spade and we’ll soon have a trench dug in +which the water can run off.”</p> + +<p>Leroy went off, and Andy took charge of his +horse. By the time he had seen that animal +and Firefly cared for, Leroy was back and digging +a trench about six inches deep. He cut it +in the form of a square just a trifle larger than +what the tent would cover. The others of the +mess had gone foraging for tent poles. These +were easily procured, and fifteen minutes later +the canvas was up. It shed the rain into the +trenches, and soon the water inside also found +its way down into the hollow, and then the +ground became fairly dry. But a night there, +even with a rubber cloth and blankets, was far +from home-like, and many a poor chap caught +his death of cold. Andy was glad when morning +came and the sun shone brightly through +the flying clouds.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span></p> +<p>Four days later found the Montgomery +Grays detached from the main body of the +troops and on their way to Yorktown. Everything +was bustle and excitement, and the youth +felt that something was up. Soon the news +came that the Union troops had landed at Fortress +Monroe and were on their way up the +peninsula. By the time Yorktown was reached +the Confederates there had already thrown up +a long line of breastworks which practically extended +across the whole peninsula.</p> + +<p>On the second day in camp on the outskirts +of Yorktown, Captain Montgomery came to +Andy with a folded paper.</p> + +<p>“Arlington, here is an order I wish carried +to General Magruder or his representative in +the field. The orderlies are all away on other +business. You will find Magruder’s command +somewhere near Lee’s Mill. Make the most of +your time,” and off Captain Montgomery +dashed again.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span></p> +<p>Without losing a moment Andy placed the +folded paper in his pocket and urged Firefly +down the muddy road leading along the rear +line of the Confederate forces. His progress +was soon barred by a breakdown on the highway +and he was compelled to make a détour +through a woods. Thinking sooner to gain the +point he was seeking, he kept on along the +woods until he reached a small clearing, not far +from the Warwick River and at a point known +as Garrow’s Chimneys, because of three tall, +burnt-out chimneys standing there. Just below +him were located a long line of rifle pits belonging +to the Confederate troops.</p> + +<p>As he approached the spot, half a dozen rifle +shots sounded out from the river, and then +came the sudden booming of a cannon.</p> + +<p>“The Yankees are fording the river!” was +the cry. “They are just below Dam No. 1. +They are going to break through the line if they +can! We’re going to have hot work now!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span></p> +<p>The remainder of the talk was cut short by +a volley from the Warwick. The Union troops +were coming true enough. Unable to restrain +his curiosity, Andy rode forward to where a +slight hill overlooked the stream. Hardly had +he shown himself, when spat! a minie ball hit +the tree beside him and clipped off a bit of bark. +The young Confederate lost no time in returning +to cover.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>Having found the enemy strongly entrenched +at, or rather before, Yorktown, General McClellan +determined to lay siege to the place, +and in the meantime endeavor to obtain more +troops, so that when the proper time arrived +he could make a grand assault all along the +line, drive the enemy from its position and perhaps +scatter it and thus open an easy way to +Richmond. It was at one time thought that +the great battle of the peninsula campaign +would be fought here, but affairs proved otherwise.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span></p> +<p>But the Union soldiers did not lie quietly on +their arms. Skirmishes took place almost +daily, first at one spot and then at another, and +presently General William F. Smith was ordered +by McClellan to “feel” the enemy at +Garrow’s Chimneys, which was directly +opposite to the Confederate reserve force under +General Smith. A Vermont regiment made the +attack, and soon silenced the Confederate battery, +and the officers in command made an extensive +examination of the ground, which, however, +later on proved valueless, for the information +was not used. It was this skirmish +which Andy witnessed. In the excitement he +almost forgot about the order he was carrying, +and when it was delivered and he returned to +camp he was roundly censured for his neglect.</p> + +<p>“Never delay while on military duty, my +lad,” said Captain Montgomery. “A delay +may prove fatal to the best laid plan.” Andy +never forgot those words.</p> + +<p>The young Confederate wondered during the +days which followed if Louis was within the +lines of the enemy. He would have been somewhat +surprised had he known that his former +chum was less than a mile away; yet such was +the fact, and it was not to be long ere the two +should meet again, and under very trying circumstances +to each.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span></p> +<p>Louis’s time at the picket line had expired, +the regiment to which the Goreville Volunteers +belonged had given place to another, and now +the boys were back in their regular quarters, +on the edge of a dense woods. Louis had tried +to learn what had become of Caleb Fox, the +spy, but not a word could be gotten out of those +in command. The answer to this was very +simple, although the boy could not guess it. +Caleb Fox had escaped.</p> + +<p>The Confederate spy had taken a desperate +chance, considered in one way, although not so +desperate when considered in another. He had +taken his life in his hands by stabbing one +guard in the breast with an eating knife and +hitting another with a rock, and he had been +fired at four times before he could gain the +shelter of a woods. But all this was done with +the knowledge that if he did not get away he +would sooner or later be hanged for a spy.</p> + +<p>“Might ez well die now ez later,” was the +way he had argued, and had sped as never +before. Once in the woods he drew a deep sigh +of relief. They were thick and dark and would +afford him ample shelter until an extra black +night would make it fairly easy to regain the +Confederate lines. He made up his mind that +no picket should spot him again.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span></p> +<p>“An’ ez fer that boy ez collared me before, +let him look out fer himself, thet’s all!” he +fairly hissed, between his snaggy, yellow teeth. +He was not likely to forget Louis.</p> + +<p>The weather now was worse than had been +expected. Nearly every other day it rained, +and the camp was something fearful to contemplate, +cut up as it was by the feet of thousands +of soldiers and hundreds of horses. Louis and +his mess had carpeted their tent with brush +thickly matted together and filled in with chips, +but still it was damp and unwholesome. The +hospital tent soon overflowed with typhus and +typhoid fever cases. The siege was doing more +harm by sickness than it was by bullet and shell.</p> + +<p>“Your turn to gather firewood,” announced +Moses Blackwell one afternoon, after inspection +drill. “Get a good supply, Louis, and we’ll +try to dry the air in the tent somehow.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll get all I can bundle and carry,” answered +the young soldier, and started off, axe +and strap in hand. All the small brush had +been cut down long before, and not wishing to +tackle a big tree he had to walk a good way +into the timber before he reached something +of the size he had in mind to cut down.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span></p> +<p>He was just about to start work near the edge +of a ravine when the sounds of two voices broke +upon his ear. He listened intently.</p> + +<p>“What’s the news, Yank?”</p> + +<p>“Ain’t much, Reb. What’s the news your +way?”</p> + +<p>“General Johnson has just come down with +a hundred thousand men to wipe you out.”</p> + +<p>“A hundred thousand, eh? Any of the little +boys left to hum to mind the baby?”</p> + +<p>“It’s a fact. What’s Little Mac doing, going +to sleep?”</p> + +<p>“No, he’s thinking where he’s going to bury +you rebs when the next fight is over.”</p> + +<p>Then came a brief silence. Louis had listened +to the talk with a smile. He knew the +pickets on both sides sometimes became friendly +and arranged not to shoot at each other. Sometimes +they even made an exchange of some kind. +Soon the talk was resumed.</p> + +<p>“Grayback, got any terbacker?”</p> + +<p>“A half plug.”</p> + +<p>“What will you take for it?”</p> + +<p>“What will yer give?”</p> + +<p>“A canteen of fresh coffee.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll take yer up, ’though I know the +coffee’s more’n half chicory.”</p> + +<p>“Better coffee nor you’ll ever git over there, +Grayback.”</p> + +<p>A rustle through the brush and grass followed, +and peering forth from the trees Louis +saw the Union and the Confederate soldiers +meet in the hollow and exchange goods. Then +each hurried back to his post. A second later +the Confederate sang out:</p> + +<p>“Corporal’s coming, Yank; look out fer +yourself,” meaning that the truce was, for the +time being, at an end, and that shooting on +sight was now the order of the day. After that +both pickets remained securely hidden.</p> + +<p>Louis was particularly fortunate in getting +some dry brushwood, and that night the boys +of the mess sat around the camp fire in a more +comfortable frame of mind than usual.</p> + +<p>“Mail! Letters!” was the cry, at a late +hour. The sacks had come in by way of Fortress +Monroe, and soon Louis had two letters +from home, both of which he perused eagerly. +He learned that his father was better and +around as usual. Agents of the government +had called, trying to buy beef, but, so far, none +of the cows had been sold.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span></p> +<p>“I have had one thing to worry me considerably,” +wrote Mr. Rockford. “If you will +remember, when I purchased this place, a party +named Faily had an interest in it. There has +appeared a man named Samuel Hammer who +now claims that the Faily interest was really +his—that Faily sold out to him. This Hammer +threatens to make trouble for me unless I +buy him off. I am now doing my best to locate +Theodore Faily, to get him to explain, or make +a settlement which will clear me, but so far I +can get no trace of him. One man told me +Faily had moved south, but could not say where +to. Hammer wants me to pay him three thousand +dollars. If I have to do that in these +times it will almost ruin me.”</p> + +<p>Louis was very sober after reading this communication. +He could well understand how +worried the folks at home must be. He drew +a long sigh as he put the letter away.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span></p> +<p>“Poor father!” he murmured. “I hope he +finds Theodore Faily and gets the matter +straightened out without further trouble. +Three thousand dollars would be a terribly big +sum to pay out in these war times. I suppose +they are all about worried to death over this.” +That very night before retiring, he wrote a long +letter in return, telling of the various things +that had happened to him.</p> + +<p>The next day was Sunday, cloudy but without +rain. The day was kept, as nearly as possible, +as a day of rest. At ten in the morning +came inspection drill, when the regimental commanders +inspected the arms and accoutrements. +The drill over, the chaplain held divine service, +which all the Goreville Volunteers attended as +regularly as they could. Then came a late +dinner, after which the men did as they pleased. +Some would talk and walk around, some sat +and read, and others would mend their clothing. +Some would try to play cards, but this +was frowned down. There was also a good +deal less of drinking on the Lord’s day than +on any other.</p> + +<p>This Sunday turned off cold towards night, +and Louis was glad enough when tattoo sounded +that he was not out on picket duty, but could +go to sleep in his tent, close to the blazing fire.</p> + +<p>“A dent don’t vos so goot as a house,” was +the way in which Hans Roddmann expressed +himself, “but it vos besser as noddings den +dimes ofer!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span></p> +<p>“I think they might put up some sheds, at +least,” grumbled Jerry Rowe, “seeing as how +we seem to be booked to stay here all summer.”</p> + +<p>“You’d like carpet on the floor, too, wouldn’t +you, Jerry?” laughed Callings. “Never +mind—we won’t stay here long, mark my +word.”</p> + +<p>Callings was right, they were not to stay +there much longer. General McClellan had laid +his plans for the siege too well. Every battery +was in position, the line of defense or attack +perfect, and there must come a “break” ere +long.</p> + +<p>It did come, but so silently that the Union +troops did not know of it until some time later. +Knowing the strength of the enemy, and having +kept him at bay for exactly a month, and thus +given themselves time to be handsomely re-enforced +in the neighborhood of Richmond, the +Confederate forces abandoned Yorktown and +drew back up the peninsula through Williamsburg.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span></p> +<p>It was on Sunday, May 4th, 1862, that General +McClellan and his vast army entered Yorktown +and planted the Stars and Stripes upon every +breastwork and upon every public building. +Bands of music played and cheer after cheer +rent the air. But not for long. The Confederates +must be pursued, they must not be allowed +to escape so easily. At once all of the +cavalry and horse artillery were sent in pursuit. +It was learned that the Confederates had +from six to ten hours’ start of their eager +pursuers.</p> + +<p>“They’re whipped! they’re whipped!” +yelled Jerry Rowe, as he marched into Yorktown +with the others of the volunteers. “I +knew they wouldn’t dare to show fight.”</p> + +<p>“Look out, there comes a rebel!” shouted +Moses Blackwell, in seeming earnestness. He +took a hasty step aside, and Jerry ran like mad +for the nearest cover. A laugh went up, and +the bragging youth did not appear again until +the regiment got orders to start for Williamsburg +on the double-quick.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span></p> +<p>As usual it was wet—foggy one hour and +raining the next, far from an ideal battle day—but +this was not ideal, this was real, and so +thought Louis as they plunged along over the +road swimming in mud—a peculiar, sticky soil, +which at times clung to one’s feet like so much +glue. The artillery that had gone on ahead was +having a fearful time, with horses up to their +bodies in the road, cannon nearly out of sight, +and teamsters frantic, yelling, cursing, whipping, +and then falling back in dumb despair, +until extra horses came up to pull all out of the +rut. It was as if “the bottom had dropped out +of everything,” as Harry Bingham put it.</p> + +<p>“One consolation, though,” said Nathan +Hornsby. “The rebs ain’t got no better road.”</p> + +<p>“They are ploughing it up for us to wade +through,” grumbled Blackwell. “Hang me if +I don’t hope we have an engagement soon.”</p> + +<p>His wish was fulfilled. The Confederates +had gone on to where the road from Yorktown +joined another running from Lee’s Mill. Here +at the fork they had erected a bastioned earth-work, +flanked north and south by redoubts, running +to the swamps on each side of the dry (or +rather, supposed to be dry) ground. A large +force was collected behind this shelter, and the +cavalry in advance of the Union infantry received +a severe fire, which reached plainly to the +ears of the Goreville Volunteers.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! we’re going to have some warm +work at last!” cried Harry Bingham.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span></p> +<p>It was General Smith’s division, with the +gallant Hancock’s brigade in advance, which +met the Confederates first, late in the afternoon. +A charge was at once ordered, but the +woods through which the soldiers sought to +make their way was so thick but little progress +could be made.</p> + +<p>The Goreville Volunteers rested that night +upon their arms, ready at a moment’s notice to +jump into battle should the call come. But General +Smith’s division having fallen back a short +distance, also took it easy in the darkness, and +all remained, for the time being, comparatively +quiet. In the meantime, large reinforcements +of the remaining Union troops arrived.</p> + +<p>The following day the battle of Williamsburg +started. The rain came down in a steady +stream; it was so muddy and slippery men +could scarcely stand upon their feet, as they +moved forward, while only one battery in three +could move at a time, so many extra horses +being required for each piece. First shots were +exchanged at half-past seven o’clock, and half +an hour later the Goreville Volunteers moved +forward in light marching order, each soldier +furnished with forty rounds of ammunition.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span></p> +<p>Once more Louis’s heart beat fast. He felt +he was going into a bloody contest, such as had +been experienced at Bull Run. He gripped his +gun tightly, and advanced with the others on +the double-quick. They were forcing their way +through a thick patch of brush, but now they +came upon a small clearing. Directly opposite +was a Confederate battery, backed up by one or +two regiments of militia and a troop of cavalry.</p> + +<p>“Boys, we must take that battery!” cried +the general in charge, as he galloped along the +line. “Forward now, and keep the line closed +up!”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the order been given than the +battery in question blazed forth, seemingly in +their very faces. Every man dropped, and the +aims of the gunners being unusually high, the +grape and canister flew above them, clipping +the brush off cleaner than it would have been +cut by a monstrous scythe.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span></p> +<p>There was a yell—from Jerry Rowe, who +felt sure he was hit—and then the company +moved forward, each gun pointed straight +ahead, the rain running in streams from the +row of glistening bayonets. It was a strange, +thrilling sight, as that solid mass of boys in +blue came on. Nearer and nearer they swept, +and now the battle cry rang out, growing louder +and louder, a strong, determined cry, from men +who meant to do or die.</p> + +<p>Again the battery belched forth, and now the +aim was true and half a score of soldiers went +down, some dead, some dying, a few slightly +wounded. For a second the terrific shock +caused a pause. Then Jerry Rowe tried to take +to his heels.</p> + +<p>“Close up, boys, close up! Forward!” +came the command, and the ranks of the regiment +closed up the gaps made by those shot +down, and again they moved forward on the +double-quick. Jerry suddenly found himself +running straight into the point of an extended +sword.</p> + +<p>“You coward, go forward!” came the command, +and worse scared than ever, Jerry turned +again, but took good care not to get anywhere +near the front line.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span></p> +<p>Fearful of the onslaught, the Confederate +battery now ceased its fire and allowed the +cavalry and infantry to come forward. There +was a thunder of hoofs in the wet grass and the +Goreville Volunteers found themselves face to +face with a band of cavalry numbering at least +sixty men. One glance showed Louis that they +were not the Montgomery Grays, then he felt +a saber swish over his head and his cap was +taken off and half cut in two. Bang! went his +gun, and the man who had attacked him toppled +over, shot in the sword arm.</p> + +<p>The dash of the Confederate cavalry was a +resolute one and for the minute it looked as if +the Goreville Volunteers would be annihilated. +But they stood firm, another regiment close by +poured in their earnest fire upon the figures +in the saddle, and slowly the Confederates were +driven back, only, however, to make place for +the long line of gray-coated infantry.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span></p> +<p>“Forward again!” shouted the Union general +in command, and again they went on, +within fifty feet of the guns they had set out +to capture. The firing was incessant and the +bullets whistled in every direction. Louis could +scarcely stand and went down once on both +knees in the mud, while Hornsby pitched over +him on his own broad back. But both were up +in a jiffy, before the Confederates around them +could pin them down with their bayonets. The +smoke of battle, added to the rain and mist, was +speedily cutting off the view upon all sides, and +the battery they had started to capture was no +longer in view. Although they did not know +it until some time later, the enemy had taken +time by the forelock and removed it to a safer +position.</p> + +<p>The third charge of their regiment was the +fiercest of all, and Louis was almost taken off +his feet by the rush. He was caught between +half a dozen struggling soldiers, some friends, +some enemies, and tried in vain to get out of +the scrimmage. Then a bayonet flashed before +his face, the Union soldier just beside him was +pierced through the shoulder, and the crowd +opened and he ran forth to join the advancing +line.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span></p> +<p>“Look out! Drop!” somebody shouted. +Louis tried to obey. Before he could do so, a +bellowing roar sounded just ahead, something +rushed directly past his face, and he felt his +breath leave his body. He tried to get back his +wind, but it seemed impossible, and off he +dashed wildly, like one choking, until, falling +over a mass of brush, he went headlong, and for +the time being knew no more.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</h2> + <p class="center large bold">AT THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>All of the Confederates, upon withdrawing +from Yorktown, did not go up the peninsula +towards Richmond. Many of them took to the +York River, and following this and the Pamunkey +River, landed at White House, already a +place of considerable importance to them, and +fortified it for an attack.</p> + +<p>Nor did all of the Union troops under General +McClellan engage in the battle at Williamsburg. +Many of the soldiers remained on the +river, in transports, and these, afterwards sailing +up the York, fought the battle of West +Point, Virginia, and assisted in rendering +White House the Union base of supplies.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span></p> +<p>Taken as a whole, the battle of Williamsburg +was rather a mixed-up although stubbornly +fought contest. Through a confusion of orders, +nearly every general fought as he thought best. +At the main road, Hooker’s division, aided by +a few other troops, soon silenced the Confederate +guns of Fort Magruder, and the impetuous +General Kearney, coming to his aid when he +was almost exhausted, made a glorious dash +and secured the rifle pits, thus causing a retreat.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span></p> +<p>While this was going on, it was reported that +another spot along the line of Confederate defenses +seemed to be weak. The place was one +called Cub Dam Creek, and General Hancock, +with his own and additional troops, was sent +forward to cross the stream and secure the +strongholds on the other side. With Hancock +was a Lieutenant Custer, the same who in later +years became General Custer, the great Indian +fighter of the West. There was nothing but a +narrow bridge over the mill stream, but Custer +led his band of soldiers over this, a foothold +was secured under a most galling fire, and at +last Hancock was able to report the stronghold +taken. Soon after this he advanced again and +was warmly received by the Confederate Generals +Hill and Early. A hard fight followed, +and Early and many other officers were +wounded, and many soldiers were killed upon +both sides. At first it looked as if the Southerners +would be victorious, but at last they were +forced to withdraw to a distance. Here they +rested on their arms all night, during a cold, +pitiless rain, which gave many a Union and +Confederate soldier his death of sickness—a +rain that increased the sufferings of the +wounded tenfold.</p> + +<p>But of all this Louis knew nothing. As he +rushed away from the scene of carnage his +mind was a total blank. He could not get his +breath, everything was black before his eyes, +and he felt as though the end of the world had +come, so far as he was concerned. He felt himself +go down in the wet, and there he lay, not +unconscious, but unable to move, unable to +think, with a roaring in his ears, a flash of +lights before his eyes, and a pain in his lungs +which no pen could describe. What had happened +to him?</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span></p> +<p>The answer is very simple. A cannon ball +had rushed close past his mouth just at the +second of time when his lungs were heaving out +air. The vacuum thus caused had drawn forth +more air than was healthful—in other words, +had collapsed his breathing apparatus and left +him almost powerless. If my young reader +wants something of the sensation experienced +by Louis let him blow out all the breath he can +from his lungs and then stand without air for +half a minute, or more—if he can.</p> + +<p>Slowly and painfully he came to a realization +of his condition. His head now ached as it had +never ached before, and there was a pain like +that of a cutting knife in his chest every time +he drew his breath. With a groan he could not +suppress he sat up and tried to look about him.</p> + +<p>The effort was a failure. On all sides was +darkness, while the rain, splashing down upon +his bared head, formed a good-sized pool at his +feet. He scooped up some of the water in the +hollow of his hand and drank it.</p> + +<p>“I don’t seem to be shot,” he thought, as +he felt himself all over, “and yet what a queer +sensation that was when the cannon went off! +I believe it took away my wind, and that’s +all.”</p> + +<p>It was some time before he felt strong enough +to stand up, and even then he was decidedly +shaky. Slowly and painfully he limped to the +shelter of a clump of trees.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span></p> +<p>A groan startled him. It was followed by +another, and then another. He walked to the +other side of the tree and saw three soldiers +lying there, two Confederates and one Union +man. All were badly wounded, and were huddling +together in their misery.</p> + +<p>The sight made Louis more downhearted than +ever, especially as he could do but little for +any of the trio. One of the Confederates asked +to be propped up against a tree and Louis made +him as comfortable as possible. The other simply +glared wildly at the youth.</p> + +<p>“Don’t yer tech me,” he growled, with a +strong mountainous accent. “You-uns is responsible +fer this—may the Old Nick himself +burn yer all!” and he turned his begrimed and +muddy face away, that his enemy might not see +all he was suffering.</p> + +<p>“If you’ll please bind up my head,” sighed +the Union victim, a New Jersey boy who had +been fighting under Kearney for hours. “A +fellow clubbed me badly with his musket stock.” +The head was bound up with two handkerchiefs +tied together, and the New Jersey soldier said +it was a great relief.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span></p> +<p>“If I can find any help I’ll try to get you to +the hospital,” said Louis, as he moved away. +“I’m suffering myself, but I’m not half as +badly off as you three are.”</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken when there came a +flare of torches, and six rough-looking men +burst into view from the brush back of the +trees. At first Louis wondered who they were, +but was not kept long in doubt as to the identity +of two of the number.</p> + +<p>“Ha! so we meet again!” came a hoarse +chuckle, and in another moment Caleb Fox was +beside the Union lad. “I was jess wishin’ I +could run across yer, hang me ef I wasn’t!” +And rushing up he caught Louis strongly by +the collar.</p> + +<p>“Who is he?” asked a stranger in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>“Ef it ain’t thet Rockford fellow,” came +from another, and Louis now recognized Sam +Jacks. “Don’t let him git away, Caleb. We +have too many scores ter settle.”</p> + +<p>“He ain’t gitting away, don’t ye fear,” +growled Caleb Fox. “Fer two pins I’d run +him through with my bayonet!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span></p> +<p>“Let me alone!” cried Louis, and endeavored +to break away, but he was no match for +the crowd, that speedily pounced upon him and +beat him mercilessly until he was glad enough +to remain quiet.</p> + +<p>From the start Louis had suspected what +the mission of the men was. The whole crowd +were battlefield thieves, and now without ceremony +they proceeded to rob the Union and the +two Confederate soldiers, who were helpless, +of all they possessed that was in the least valuable. +Two watches, some silver, and twenty-four +dollars in United States and Confederate +scrip rewarded their heinous work, and then +they were ready to withdraw, threatening to +come back and kill the victims if they made any +outcry over what had been accomplished.</p> + +<p>“An’ now you march along, an’ be quick!” +growled Caleb Fox to Louis, and Sam Jacks +caught the lad by the opposite arm and gave +him a violent shove. The men were heavily +armed and in an ugly temper, and not daring +to oppose them just then, Louis did as directed.</p> + +<p>The sextet of rascals had evidently been out +on their marauding expedition for some time, +for their pockets were overflowing with booty—watches, +rings, pocket-knives, money, and a +miscellaneous collection of other articles.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span></p> +<p>“Old Hooked-nose ought to pony up +handsomely fer this lot,” remarked one of the men, +as they pushed ahead, towards the Confederate +lines. He referred to a certain unscrupulous +Jew in Richmond who was not above buying +stolen goods, whether taken from Union or Confederate +soldiers.</p> + +<p>“Wot’s the boy got with him?” asked another +of the crowd, and all halted, while Louis’s +pockets were searched and emptied. As a protest +would have been followed only by abuse, +Louis said nothing to this, although, as he afterwards +remarked, “he did a powerful lot of +thinking.”</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour’s walking brought all +to a hollow beside a small stream. Here, close +to a shelving bank, was situated a narrow dugout, +sheltered in front by an overshot of rough +boards. Before the dugout a bright fire was +burning, and two elderly men were cooking +coffee and a pot of beans and bacon.</p> + +<p>“Wot in thunder did yer want ter bring thet +kid here for?” demanded one of the campers. +“We don’t want no outsiders here, yer know +thet well enough, don’t ye?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span></p> +<p>“He’s a special,” grinned Caleb Fox. “Me +an’ Sam Jacks is got an account ter settle with +him. Ain’t no use fer to alarm yerself—he’ll +never squeal on nobody.” By which he probably +meant that Louis should never leave that +camp alive.</p> + +<p>The young Union soldier could not help but +shudder at the words. He was not among the +regular enemy, he was among a band of thieves, +and worse. He made up his mind to break for +liberty at the first opportunity which presented +itself, even if he had to run the risk of being +shot in so doing.</p> + +<p>It is likely Sam Jacks guessed what was passing +in his mind, for he called to Caleb Fox to +get a rope and bind the “mud-sill” securely. +The rope was soon forthcoming and Louis was +made a close prisoner, being tied up in a manner +similar to that he had experienced at the +deserted mill near Deems.</p> + +<p>“I’ll settle with you jess as soon as we’ve +had a mouthful ter eat,” remarked Fox, and +Sam Jacks nodded approvingly. Both walked +towards the fire, leaving the young soldier +alone inside of the dugout.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span></p> +<p>From the position he occupied Louis could +see but little of what was going on around the +camp fire. The most frequent words which +reached his ears were ones requesting that the +flask be passed this way or that, indicating that +the party was doing more drinking than eating, +and that the liquid refreshments did not come +entirely from the coffee pot.</p> + +<p>As his captors ate and drank, the young soldier +worked bravely at his bonds, but as when +similarly situated, he was unable to release +himself. At last he gave himself up to whatever +might come, silently praying to God that +he might be delivered in safety from his enemies. +A quarter of an hour had passed, and +the eight men still hung under the overshot +roofing of the dugout when several rifle shots +rang out a short distance up the ravine. A +small detachment of the Union troops had come +forward to ascertain if the Confederates were +retreating. Soon half a dozen men in gray +came running along close to the water’s edge.</p> + +<p>“The Yankees are coming!” two of them +shouted. “Better make tracks if you want to +save your hides!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span></p> +<p>Instantly there was a commotion, as the +eight men leaped up and reached for their guns. +They had no relish for a skirmish, only fighting +when there was no help for it.</p> + +<p>“Wot will we do with the prisoner?” asked +Sam Jacks.</p> + +<p>“Kill him,” was Caleb Fox’s cold reply. +“Come on.”</p> + +<p>Both started to enter the dugout. As they +did so, half a score of Union men appeared on +the opposite side of the stream. The Confederates +were plainly visible by the glare of the +camp fire, and a volley rang out. Two of the +strangers to Louis were hit, one fatally, and +Caleb Fox received an ugly wound in the left +arm.</p> + +<p>“I’m shot!” he groaned, as the arm +dropped limply by his side.</p> + +<p>“We can’t wait for the boy!” answered +Sam Jacks. “If we do we’ll be either killed +or captured. Come on!” And away he darted, +after those who had gone before. Caleb Fox +hesitated for an instant. Then with a savage +kick of his boot he sent the firebrands flying +into the dugout.</p> + +<p>“Burn, you Yank you, burn!” he yelled, +and bounded after Sam Jacks, just as a second +volley rang out.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a><a id="Page_289"></a>[Pg 289]</span></p> +<p>The fiendish act of Fox nearly took away +Louis’s breath. The burning brands flew in all +directions around him, one large bit of brush +landing directly at his feet. He watched this +anxiously and saw it blaze with renewed vigor, +throwing up a cloud of smoke and flame almost +into his face. At the same time another volley +of musketry sounded out and he heard the ping +of two bullets as they landed on the woodwork +of the dugout. Certainly he was in a most +perilous situation.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">IN CAMP AT WHITE HOUSE</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“We’ve stirred up the Johnnies, boys, come +on!”</p> + +<p>It was one of the boys in blue who uttered +the cry. He had forded the little stream and +now his friends came after him. Rifle shots +were sounding out up and down the water-course +for a distance of several hundred feet, +and the Union soldiers pushed their way +through the hollow with care.</p> + +<p>A minute after another detachment of Northern +soldiers appeared. They were from the +Goreville Volunteers, and were headed by +Nathan Hornsby. In some manner the Goreville +boys had become detached from the remainder +of their command and were “bunking” +with a New Jersey company, also detached.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span></p> +<p>Hornsby had noted the skirmish and had led +forth ten men, including Harry Bingham and +Callings. He had asked Jerry Rowe to come, +but Jerry had declined, saying he was suffering +from a lame foot. Jerry’s lame foot was +very much in evidence from that time on, whenever +a fight was close at hand, although it was +noted he could retreat about as fast as any +sprinter present.</p> + +<p>“Here’s a camp,” cried Hornsby, as they +came in sight of the place. “If they haven’t +set fire to their hut,” he added.</p> + +<p>“We’ll force them back,” put in Callings. +“If—listen!”</p> + +<p>He stopped short, and every man listened, +his hand on the trigger of his weapon.</p> + +<p>“It’s a cry for help!” put in Harry. “I +believe it comes from the dugout!”</p> + +<p>“Some poor, wounded fellow has been left +behind,” said Hornsby. “Let us rescue him. +It’s awful to let anybody burn up.”</p> + +<p>“I’m with you,” answered Harry. “But +look out, it may be only a trick of the enemy.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span></p> +<p>Cautiously but rapidly they advanced. In +the meantime the firing down the stream +became louder, showing the Confederates were +massing at that point. Soon Harry Bingham +gained the dugout and kicking aside several of +the firebrands, he entered and Hornsby followed.</p> + +<p>“Louis! Is it possible!”</p> + +<p>“Harry! Oh, how thankful I am that you +have come! Kick those firebrands away. I +am almost suffocated,” and the last word +fairly choked in Louis’s throat. His eyes were +bulging from their sockets and he could not +have held out much longer. Harry did as directed, +while Hornsby drew out his jack-knife +and cut the rope. Between them they took the +released one out into the fresh air, where the +rain and coolness soon revived him.</p> + +<p>“So the Confederates captured you,” said +Harry, as he continued to support Louis.</p> + +<p>“Do you know who it was, Harry? Sam +Jacks, Caleb Fox, and their followers.”</p> + +<p>“Really!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and that’s not all. The whole crowd +are nothing but common thieves,” and in a few +brief words Louis related what had occurred. +“I’m mighty glad they don’t belong to our +side,” he concluded.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span></p> +<p>“Such rascals don’t belong to either side, +Louis,” answered Harry, gravely. “Why +General Johnson, or Longstreet, or Hill, or any +of those Confederate leaders would shoot ’em +on sight, you know that as well as I do.”</p> + +<p>There was no time to say more, for some of +the Union men were coming back, shouting +that the rebel force were too much for them. +Limping painfully, Louis followed his friends +back to the camp of the Goreville Volunteers, +and was not long in getting to bed. A desultory +firing was kept up all night, but no further +raids upon either side were attempted.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span></p> +<p>On the following morning a discovery +awaited the Union leaders. During the blackness +of the night and the noise of the storm the +greater part of the Confederate forces had +withdrawn from Williamsburg, thus continuing +their retreat towards Richmond. The way was +now once more clear to the Union forces. On +the 8th of May the onward march was resumed, +not directly for Richmond, but towards White +House, which was to be the base of supplies +during the final advance upon the Confederate +capital. The march to the great plain before +White House occupied, in one way and another, +a week, and during that time a branch of the +army, as before stated, fought and sent the +Confederates flying from West Point, not many +miles distant.</p> + +<p>The march, on account of the miserable +weather and the wretched condition of the +roads, was a weary one and was not totally devoid +of peril. On the way the baggage train +sought to take a side road, thinking to find a +better bottom for horses and wagons. The +train was barely out of sight of the regular +troops when some Confederate cavalry and +soldiers dashed down upon it, sending all in +confusion. Andy took part in this raid, and it +is but proper that we should tell here of what +happened to him.</p> + +<p>He was resting flat on his back on a bed made +of brush when the order came, “To horse—we +move in five minutes!” Weary still from a +long, stubborn fight on the road north of Williamsburg, +where the Montgomery Grays had +handsomely repulsed a regiment of Union soldiers +in their fierce struggle to outflank them, +Andy leaped up and made ready to leave. Leroy +had warned him, although Andy had heard +the bugle, in a half-dreamy way, being on the +verge of dropping to sleep.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span></p> +<p>“Where are we going, Leroy?”</p> + +<p>“After the Yankees’ baggage train, Andy. +The general got wind of it somehow that we +may be able to steal some of their wagons. +That will be sport—if we can get hold of anything +good to eat.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon they haven’t anything much better +than ourselves,” said Andy, as he buckled on +his saber and saw to it that his trappings were +secure and Firefly was in proper fettle.</p> + +<p>The Montgomery Grays were soon on the +road, splashing through the mud at the rate of +eight miles an hour. They had to make a detour, +past a little hut where several women +folks were busy dressing chickens.</p> + +<p>“They don’t dare to leave them running +around any more,” laughed Leroy. “I declare, +I believe some of the boys would rather +capture a chicken than a Yankee.”</p> + +<p>“I’m one of that sort—sometimes,” Andy +laughed in return. “Um! how good a nice +broiled chicken would taste,” and he smacked +his lips.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p> +<p>The Union baggage train had passed New +Kent when it was sighted on the road by the +Montgomery Grays. A battery of the Confederates +had also come up, and this opened fire +immediately, throwing the train into great confusion.</p> + +<p>“Forward, boys!” shouted Captain Montgomery, +and away went the Grays, down a +slight slope at terrific speed. The teamsters +in the wagons nearest to them yelled in alarm, +and four of them forsook the two wagons they +were driving and ran for their lives.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! Here are two wagons, Leroy!” +shouted Andy; then as Captain Montgomery +dashed by he continued, “Captain, can I drive +one of the wagons off before they can recapture +it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” was the short answer, for now some +Union regulars were seen in the distance. +“Take another man with you, and don’t lose +your own horses.”</p> + +<p>“We won’t, sir. Come on, Leroy, here’s a +lark!” and hopping from Firefly, Andy leaped +up on the seat of the nearest turnout and +whipped up the team. Leroy caught hold of +Firefly and rode close alongside, looking back +occasionally in order to cover the rear.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span></p> +<p>Up along a side road Andy lashed the animals, +over sticks and stumps and through mud +a foot and more deep. Once he glanced into +the wagon and saw that it was well filled with +some articles carefully covered with an oiled +canvas. “Something worth having in there, +I’ll wager a fortune,” he said to himself. “I +hope it’s food. Won’t the Grays have a feast, +if it is!”</p> + +<p>The thought was so pleasant it made him +smile and he urged forward the horses again +while he shouted out on the side of the covering:</p> + +<p>“Anybody coming, Leroy?”</p> + +<p>“Some infantry over to the left,” answered +his friend. “I can’t make out if they are Yankees +or our own fellows.”</p> + +<p>“We won’t run any chances. Phew! won’t +those Yanks be mad when they find we have +run off with one of their wagons.”</p> + +<p>“I see a box sticking out labeled canned +peaches,” went on Leroy. “And there is another +labeled catsup. We’ve struck it rich and +no mistake, Andy.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span></p> +<p>“We’ll divide with the boys to-night, Leroy—it +will help ’em to remember this capture so +much longer,” concluded Andy, and a vision of +a heaped-up plate of canned peaches loomed up +most appetizingly before his mind. The +catsup he did not care so much about, although +it would go very well with pork and beans.</p> + +<p>On and on they went until a down grade was +gained. By this time the firing which had begun +in the distance had ceased, and they heard +the tramp of cavalry behind them. A quarter +of an hour later the Montgomery Grays came +up. Some United States regulars had appeared +to protect the wagon train and the object of the +Confederate raid was very largely defeated. +But they had one wagon, and of this Andy felt +very proud.</p> + +<p>“Canned peaches and catsup and lots of +other good things, boys!” he sang out, as they +continued on their way, and he promised to +share and share alike all around as soon as +camp was reached, providing Captain Montgomery +was willing, and the captain was.</p> + +<p>Sundown found them safe within the Confederate +lines again. A motley collection of +infantry, cavalrymen, and artillerists gathered +around.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span></p> +<p>“Now for some of them canned peaches and +some catsup!” cried somebody, and the oiled +canvas was hauled aside and the boxes were +lifted carefully to the ground. The covers were +partly loose and were speedily wrenched off.</p> + +<p>“Great gumboils!”</p> + +<p>“It ain’t canned peaches at all; it’s only +axle-grease!”</p> + +<p>“Axle-grease and wagon hardware! Well, +I swan!”</p> + +<p>What a howl went up! Then the crowd +turned to poor Andy and Leroy. But that pair +had nothing to say. They sneaked out of sight +with all possible speed. It was a long while +before either heard the last of that “canned +peaches and catsup.”</p> + +<p>The passing of the cannon ball and the peril +endured in the dugout had weakened Louis a +good deal, and the march through Williamsburg +and New Kent Court House proved a wearisome +one to him.</p> + +<p>“I’m glad we are to rest at last,” he remarked +to Harry, when they came into sight +of the camp on the plain previously mentioned. +“Another day on the road would do me +up.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span></p> +<p>“I never saw so much mud in my life, Louis; +but see, I think we are going to have a fairly +good camping place, well up the side of yonder +slope. That will mean a whole lot in this +beastly weather.”</p> + +<p>By noon guns had been stacked, lines formed, +and tents had been pitched. It took the army +two days to enter and take possession of the +plain, and this vast body of men occupied a territory +about four miles square. When all were +settled it was a most imposing sight. There +were miles after miles of “dog” tents, with +here and there a high marquee for the officers, +standing up like church steeples in a big city. +There were line after line of cannon and ammunition +carriages, a vast collection of wagons, +and thousands upon thousands of horses, while +the blue uniformed soldiers filled every +“street” and crossway. Back on the river +loomed up the gunboats of the navy and hundreds +of transports, and everything was alive, +bustling and “chock full of business,” as +Harry declared. It was a scene worthy of the +greatest painter in the world. If this great and +superb army could not conquer, it was only +because they met, not enemies, but brothers +worthy of their steel.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span></p> +<p>Nearly a week was spent in the Cumberland +camp, as it has been called by many, and that +week, despite the fact that the army was doing +no fighting, was a busy one, although now all +of the soldiers got their proper time to rest. +The sun came out once more, the ground began +to dry up, and as Louis said, “life was once +more worth living.”</p> + +<p>Near to where the Goreville Volunteers were +situated flowed a small stream, and in this the +soldiers went bathing and washed their clothing. +It was rather a comical sight to see hundreds +of men squatting down by the water’s +edge, or sitting upon flat rocks, rubbing and +soaping and rinsing away like so many washer-women. +Even the soldiers had to laugh at +themselves, and many were the jokes passed +about getting a job in a laundry when the war +was over. Some few were too lazy to do much +work of this sort, but the majority would go +a long way to be clean and comfortable. Of +course mending went with the washing, and +even Louis sat for hours, threading a needle +that seldom would thread, and sewing on buttons +and mending socks.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span></p> +<p>Mail day was an event, and the soldier who +did not get at least one letter from home was +the object of genuine sympathy. After the +communications were delivered there were always +a certain number left, mute reminders of +war’s terrors, for those letters were addressed +to those who had died on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>There was other reading, too, for the newspapers +from New York, Boston, and Philadelphia +could be had, if one wanted to pay the +price, which was from ten cents to “two shillings” +apiece, and these and the big pictorial +weeklies were read by one and another until the +pages would no longer hold together. There +were also many religious books and tracts, supplied +by the various religious societies of the +North, reading that brought many a poor sinner +to the realization of his condition.</p> + +<p>Among the letters was one from home for +Louis, stating his last had been received. Mr. +Rockford mentioned the fact that he had had +another call from Samuel Hammer and the +fellow had threatened him with a suit at law +to gain possession of the farm unless he was +paid the three thousand dollars he demanded.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span></p> +<p>“I have put him off as best I could,” wrote +Mr. Rockford. “And in the meantime I have +learned that when Theodore Faily left this +neighborhood he went to Richmond, Virginia, +to live. Were it not for the war I should communicate +with Faily at once and see if I could +not get him to settle this Hammer claim. But, +as matters now stand, my hands seem to be +tied. I wish the war was over and we could +get this matter straightened out. It worries +your mother greatly.”</p> + +<p>“This is certainly too bad!” murmured +Louis. “If Faily went to Richmond we won’t +be able to get at him, no matter how hard we +try—at least for the present. I wish I could +help father out of this trouble.”</p> + +<p>Thus far during the campaign the Goreville +Volunteers had lost six men. Besides this, +nine were in the hospital, four wounded, and +five down with the swamp fever and other sickness. +For the sick ones, the boys did all they +possibly could, buying them delicacies and the +like, and sitting by them and reading the news +in a low tone, so as not to disturb others.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span></p> +<p>So one day after another went by until the +time mentioned had passed. Then came the +orders to strike tents, and once more the army +was set in motion, with its face turned towards +Richmond, about ten miles distant. The great +crisis of the peninsula campaign was at hand.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">THE LIVING WALL AT FAIR OAKS</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“We’re off for Richmond, now!” cried +Harry, enthusiastically, as they stood at parade +rest, while waiting for their turn to fall in with +the advancing column. “If everything goes +right, I’ll wager we’ll be walking the streets of +the town inside of another week.”</p> + +<p>“I trust you speak the truth, Harry,” answered +Louis. “The question is, will everything +go right? The roads are still about as +bad as ever and they say the Chickahominy +River is terribly swollen and the bridges far +from safe.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span></p> +<p>“If we can’t use the old bridges the rebels +built, we’ll build new ones,” went on Harry +Bingham, in an off-handed way, as though +bridge-building were of small importance. +“The only trouble ahead that I can see is, that +this confounded rain may increase and wash +us all off the peninsula. Creation, but I never +saw such a wet season in my life! Why, ever +since we started it has rained two days out of +three!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span></p> +<p>Harry was right about the rain. Perhaps +some of my young readers may grow tired of +these oft-repeated statements concerning the +weather, but they are necessary, in order to +explain why it was the army moved so slowly +and why battle after battle was delayed. Old +soldiers upon both sides have declared over and +over again that they never saw or heard of a +campaign in which rain and mud played such +a large and important part, and even many war +reports, usually supposed to be the briefest of +communications, speak of this. In many places +corduroy roads had to be constructed or the +cannon would have sunk out of sight and beyond +rescue, and many a faithful horse went +down so deeply that he was stepped upon by +others and smothered in the mire. When a +company of soldiers moved every man chose +his own path, hopping from one safe place to +the next. Thus it took more time and endurance +to cover one mile here than it would otherwise +have taken to cover twenty.</p> + +<p>Before the troops had been out a day it was +rumored that more bridges would have to be +built across the Chickahominy, with long approaches +of logs. The next morning the Goreville +Volunteers were sent out to do a part of +this work.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t enlist for a wood-chopper!” +grumbled Jerry Rowe, as he joined the crowd +at the river. “I’m not going to do any more +of this work than I have to.”</p> + +<p>“Why not make the best of it, Jerry?” said +Louis. “The quicker the work is done, the +more rapid will be our advance, and I’m sure +we all want to see the campaign come to a +quick as well as a successful ending.”</p> + +<p>But Jerry did not see it that way. He had +to go out, but the amount of work he did was +small and he was often reprimanded for his +laziness.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span></p> +<p>The labor had been going on for several +hours, and Louis was beginning to wonder if +it was not about time for dinner, when a shriek +from the river sounded out. At first it was +thought somebody had been shot, but this was +not so. Jerry Rowe had tumbled overboard, +and the swollen and swiftly flowing current was +carrying him rapidly out of sight and hearing +of his companions.</p> + +<p>“Help! help!” he shrieked. “I can’t +swim! Help!”</p> + +<p>“It’s Jerry!” burst from Harry Bingham’s +lips. “What shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t there a rope handy?” asked Louis, +and then, as he saw Jerry sink, he added, +“Get one somewhere and follow me.”</p> + +<p>With the agility of a cat he left the half-constructed +bridge and darted along the overflowed +bank of the river. Once he went down, +but quickly picked himself up again and continued +on his run, which was with the current. +“Where are you going?” asked somebody, +but he did not answer.</p> + +<p>A hundred feet farther on a gnarled oak +stood, its twisted branches spreading in every +direction. One branch swept the river, its outer +end at least twenty-five feet from shore. Up +into this tree sprang Louis, to crawl along the +branch mentioned until the middle of the Chickahominy +was gained. Then he swung himself +downward, under the leaves.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span></p> +<p>The soldiers standing near saw his plan and +cheered him. But Louis still paid no attention +to them. His face was scanning the swollen +stream at a point where he had seen Jerry’s +white face bobbing up and down. That face +was coming nearer. It was yet twenty feet +from the tree when it disappeared.</p> + +<p>Splash! with the vanishing of the face Louis +had let go his hold on the oak and now he was +swimming lustily forward. “Keep up, Jerry, +I’ll save you!” were his words, but if Jerry +heard when he reappeared he was too scared +to reply.</p> + +<p>“Help! Save me!” Those were the only +words the frightened boy uttered, until he was +ready to sink again. Then Louis clutched him +by the arm.</p> + +<p>“Jerry!” Before he could say another +word Jerry felt his grasp, and swinging around +clutched him with the strength found only in +those who are drowning. The clutch was +around Louis’s neck, and instantly the young +Union soldier was in danger of being choked.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span></p> +<p>“Don’t—hold—on—so—tight,” he managed +to gasp, but Jerry would not listen and +tried to wind his long, slim legs around Louis’s +body in his endeavor to hold himself above the +current.</p> + +<p>At that dangerous moment Harry arrived +with a long rope, picked up close to the spot +where he had been standing when the alarm +rang out. He knotted one end and threw it out +to the struggling pair.</p> + +<p>Louis made a clutch for it, but missed it +through Jerry’s wild endeavors. The line was +thrown a second time and the youth in midstream +caught the knot just as it was floating +out of his reach.</p> + +<p>“Jerry—let—go, do!” he pleaded, but +Jerry was deaf to all appeals. Seeing this, +Louis held his breath as well as he was able, +while Harry and a dozen others who had followed +to the scene of the trouble pulled in with +might and main.</p> + +<p>Louis felt the bottom with a sigh of relief. +“You can walk ashore now,” he cried, wrenching +himself free at last.</p> + +<p>“Is—is it safe?” spluttered Jerry.</p> + +<p>“Yes; try it for yourself.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span></p> +<p>With great caution Jerry did as told. Striking +bottom in water which was hardly up to +his waist, he made a dash for dry land. Having +reached this, he did not even look back to +see if Louis was safe, but struck out for camp, +five hundred feet away.</p> + +<p>“By gosh!” muttered Harry, as Louis gave +him a certain glance. “If there is a meaner +fellow in our camp than Jerry Rowe I have still +to find him.”</p> + +<p>“He didn’t waste breath in thanking you, +did he?” put in Hornsby, who was in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>“The chances are that Jerry won’t believe I +did anything for him,” answered Louis, when +he had recovered his breath. “He may even +say that he could have saved himself if he had +been left alone.” And this is what Jerry actually +did, much to his discredit and to the disgust +of all who heard him. But the others did +not forget Louis, and he was spoken of as a +brave boy in blue for a long while to come.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span></p> +<p>The building of the bridge occupied two days +more, and then the Goreville Volunteers struck +camp again and moved forward another mile +nearer the Confederate capital. Serious fighting +was now “in the air” and the men were +kept under strict discipline. The rival armies, +each over a hundred thousand strong, were +about to engage in the first of the great battles +of the campaign, a battle called by the Unionists +Fair Oaks, and by the Confederates Seven +Pines, both names belonging to certain territories +of the battlefield, which was many miles +in extent.</p> + +<p>To go into the details of this battle, great +and important as it was, would be beyond the +scope of this tale, so we will only take a brief +review ere we return, to follow the fortunes of +Louis on one side and Andy upon the other.</p> + +<p>The battle was fought mostly upon very low +and level ground, abounding in swamps and +small streams, and covered nearly everywhere +with heavy woods. The railroad to Richmond +ran nearly east and west, and parallel to it, +half a mile southward, ran the Williamsburg +road. There was also a cross road called the +Nine Mile Road. The woods were thickest near +to Richmond and here many trees had been laid +low, to serve as a shelter to the Confederate +troops and to obstruct the advance of the Union +army.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span></p> +<p>After hard work upon bridges and roads the +leading troops under General McClellan had +advanced to a position which was within five +miles of Richmond. The body of men in +advance were well supported by others and there +were strong divisions also scattered to the +north and south.</p> + +<p>In the meantime General Johnston had become +afraid that another part of the Union +army, under General McDowell, a part that had +been watching Washington, would join General +McClellan in the attack upon Richmond. He +had called upon General Jackson, who had been +confronting McDowell in the Shenandoah Valley, +and was assured that Jackson would keep +McDowell “very much interested” where he +was—and he did. General McDowell’s command +had been promised to General McClellan +and to have it held back was a great blow to the +Union commander-in-chief. Had McDowell’s +troops been sent down to the peninsula it is +certain that Richmond would have been in far +more danger of being taken than it was.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span></p> +<p>So, assured that McDowell would be held in +check, and receiving reinforcements of his own, +the Confederate commander-in-chief resolved +to force the fighting instead of holding back as +before. He knew that the right and left wings +of the Union forces were divided by the Chickahominy +River, and he chose for the conflict +a time when the elements might help him. The +battle started upon Saturday, the 31st of May. +On Friday, the day before, one of the heaviest +thunder storms yet experienced upon the peninsula +broke forth, and the Chickahominy, already +much swollen, became a raging torrent, +which swept away some of the bridges and put +swimming or further bridge-building just then +out of the question. In this fearful storm the +Confederate troops were brought forward, +some from Richmond on the railroad cars, to +confront the enemy at daybreak, General Johnston +feeling assured that he could defeat one +wing of the Union troops before the other could +come to the relief.</p> + +<p>The attack was not wholly expected, yet +something was “in the air,” and the troops +were held in readiness for action. Louis spent +six hours in a rifle-pit, with Harry next to him. +The rain beat upon them pitilessly and soon +they were in water up to their knees.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span></p> +<p>“By ginger, but this is worse than fighting,” +grumbled Harry, when crash! bang! came a +thunder clap and a stroke of lightning, and a +giant oak not a hundred feet away was split +in twain and toppled over. The oak was over +in the direction of the Confederate picket line, +and a scrambling in the bushes followed, showing +that some of the boys in gray were hustling +to get out of further danger of that sort. Half +an hour later the water rushed into the rifle +pits in such a stream that the defenses had to be +abandoned.</p> + +<p>At eight o’clock the Goreville Volunteers +were ready for the march. Dirty and wet, they +yet presented a determined appearance as they +drew up in two lines, each man in light marching +order, with a day’s rations in his haversack +and forty rounds of ammunition in his cartridge +box. Each gun had been cleaned and +oiled, and every bayonet was as bright as when +it left the arsenal—for the terror of a bayonet +lies in its brightness as well as its pointedness.</p> + +<p>“Forward, march!” the word of command +did not come until nearly eleven o’clock, and +even then the volunteers moved only a few hundred +feet.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span></p> +<p>“It’s going to be another fizzle,” growled +Jerry Rowe, under his breath, when a sharp +rattle of musketry ahead caused him to jump +and turn pale. The savage battle of Fair Oaks, +Jerry never forgot and he never said “fizzle” +again.</p> + +<p>The attack proved to be nothing but a skirmish, +but not long after noon the battle began +in earnest and was kept up until sundown, when +both sides lay down almost exhausted, but +knowing that the fray must be continued at +dawn, despite the fact that it was God’s day of +rest.</p> + +<p>The real battle had been in progress in front +about an hour when there came a sudden panic, +brought on by the retreat of a portion of a +division which had been almost cut in two by +the mad attack of a great body of Confederates. +“They are coming upon us a hundred thousand +strong! We’ll have to fall back!” was the +cry, which made Louis’s heart leap into his +throat. Was the scene at Bull Run to be repeated?</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span></p> +<p>“Halt, men! About face!” came the command. +“Don’t be cowards! We can whip +them yet!” And a fresh division was advanced, +and those who were retreating took +heart. Now the Goreville Volunteers were going +to the front, the second company in the +regiment. Along the muddy road they went, +leaping over fallen trees and over the dirt embankments +which had been thrown up.</p> + +<p>Bang! crack! bang! The enemy was in +sight and the front line of the Confederates had +opened fire upon them. Down the Union boys +dropped to their knees, and a part of the deadly +fire spent itself over their heads. Then a Confederate +battery, situated in a woods to the +right, opened its thunder, with grape and canister.</p> + +<p>“Forward!” came down the line again, and +on the boys in blue went for twenty yards more. +“Fire!” was the next cry, and from the long +line came a spurt of pure white smoke, and +scores of Confederates were seen to throw up +their hands and fall. But their forces did not +waver. Constantly reinforced, they came on, +blazing away as rapidly as the men could load, +while their battery spoke out more spitefully +than ever. Slowly the Union troops were +forced back, foot by foot over the torn up and +swampy ground. There was a mist in the air, +and now this and the thick smoke for a time +hid all from view.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span></p> +<p>“If only we could capture that battery!” +This was the thought in the mind of many a +Union commander and private. A desperate +attempt was made, a whole regiment advancing +upon it in one solid mass. Twice the battery +belched forth, tearing great holes in the Union +ranks, but these were closed up and soon the +boys in blue stood at the very muzzles of the +cannons.</p> + +<p>But now came a ringing shout from the Confederate +rear. A troop of cavalry was coming +up, and in the fore were the gallant Montgomery +Grays, with Andy in the saddle, looking as +brave and wildly daring as any of them. Ever +since the defeat at Williamsburg they had been +spoiling for a fight, and now they rode in and +surrounded the battery.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span></p> +<p>“Charge!” came the cry from Captain +Montgomery, and the Grays charged as never +before, riding fairly on top of the bayonets of +the gallant Union men. Down went many a +poor foot-soldier on his back, while half a dozen +saddles were emptied of owners who would +never ride again. The shock was fearful, and +it was instantly followed by a hand-to-hand +conflict upon every side. For ten minutes this +continued, and during that time Captain Montgomery +received a severe bayonet thrust +through his left arm. He might have been +killed had not one of his men seen the act and +shot dead the Union soldier who did the deed. +Then an additional force of Confederate cavalry +dashed up, and the Union regiment was +compelled to retreat, leaving two hundred dead +and wounded upon the field.</p> + +<p>“Arlington!”</p> + +<p>It was a call from Captain Montgomery, who +still sat upon his horse, although pale and weak +from loss of blood.</p> + +<p>“Yes, captain,” and Andy touched his +plumed hat.</p> + +<p>“Ride down into yonder woods and ask General +Parkhurst, if you can find him, if we can +cross the new road at that point. I imagine +the enemy is trying to plant a battery up there +somewhere.”</p> + +<p>“I will, sir. But, captain, hadn’t you better +go to the rear and have your wound dressed?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll go later on. Hurry now, for every +moment is precious.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span></p> +<p>Saluting, Andy dashed away upon his mission. +The woods mentioned were low and thick, +and the Confederates had cut two roads +through them to transport supplies from one +part of the vast battlefield to another. Never +dreaming of danger in that territory, Andy +dashed along among the trees until a turn in +the path was gained.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span></p> +<p>Suddenly a shout went up. “A Johnny Reb, +boys, and on horseback! Capture him!” Instantly +Andy halted. But it was too late. +From the woods upon either side of the path +appeared at least a dozen Union skirmishers, +and the young Confederate was instantly surrounded, +while several rifle barrels were pointed +directly at his head.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + <p class="center large bold">WHEN RICHMOND WAS BESIEGED</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>In the meantime, Louis was fighting as he +had never fought before. The Goreville Volunteers +were posted, after the first attack, at a +point an eighth of a mile south of the battery +the Montgomery Grays had so gallantly defended. +They were backed up by a fringe of +brush and trees, and to their left were planted +two Union guns, to cover a hollow some distance +to the front. Beyond, the hills and thickets +were filled with boys in gray, who poured +in a perfect hailstorm of bullets upon the +Union forces and sent shell after shell shrieking +over their heads. The din was something +frightful, while the smoke became so thick that +when held down to the ground by the heavy +atmosphere it nearly choked everybody.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span></p> +<p>“I’m sick! I’m sick! I can’t stand this any +more!” blurted out Jerry Rowe, as a shell +went whining and shrieking directly over his +head, and throwing away his musket, he made +a wild rush for the rear. But the stragglers’ +guard saw him coming, and one of them tripped +him up.</p> + +<p>“Go forward, you coward!” were the words +which rang into Jerry’s unwilling ears.</p> + +<p>“I’m sick! I’ve got a stomach-ache—I +can’t stand up, really I can’t!” he whined.</p> + +<p>“You’re shamming, young fellow. Go forward, +or we’ll bayonet you!” and the steel +was thrust under Jerry’s very nose. With a +howl of terror Jerry turned back and went +searching for his musket. After that he remained +where he had been, but only because +the peril at the rear seemed, to him, to be as +great as that to the front.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</span></p> +<p>“Cherry vos got der shakes,” observed +Hans Roddmann to Louis. “Vy dot feller +vonted to enlist vos a riddle to me, py chimminy! +Of he—Forvards, und may ve chase +does repels into der Chames Rifer!” and forward +they went, at Captain Paulding’s command. +The hollow had been crossed under a +fierce fire, and they were ascending the hill +beyond, when the Confederates appeared not +only in front, but also to the right and left.</p> + +<p>“Forward, boys, we must cut our way out!” +came the cry, as the Confederates rushed into +the hollow and the Goreville Volunteers appeared +almost surrounded. The men had fired +twice. There was no time to load again, and +on they went, guns to their breasts and the line +of polished bayonets sending a brief chill to +the hearts of those before them. But the +Confederates stood firm and fired when that +line of bayonets was scarcely fifty feet away. +As the volley rang out, Louis felt a quiver in +his arms. His gun had been struck and the +barrel rendered useless. Callings, who stood +beside him, was hit and went down on the +battlefield with a groan which rang in the +youth’s ears for many hours after.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</span></p> +<p>In another second the two forces came together. +But now the Confederates retreated, +hoping to cut off the Volunteers from the main +body of the Union army. In this they were +partly successful, for the one regiment which +had gone forward was not properly reinforced. +The fighting went on in much disorder, and a +portion of the Goreville Volunteers found +themselves isolated from the rest of the command.</p> + +<p>“We’re in for it!” cried Harry Bingham, +who remained close to Louis. “Look, the rebs +are on every side of us!”</p> + +<p>“Surrender!” came the cry of a Confederate +commander. “Down you go, Yank!” +Louis heard poured into his ear, and then he +was sent to earth. By the time he could arise +he was a prisoner, and was being hurried to +the rear of the Confederate lines.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah! we’re bagging the Northern mud-sills!” +came the victorious yell, as Louis and +a score of others, all strangers to him but +Nathan Hornsby, were being pushed along. +“We’ll have ’em all by night!”</p> + +<p>“Say, Yank, don’t McClellan wish he had +stayed at home? He’ll get more than his fill +before we are done with him!”</p> + +<p>To none of these taunts did Louis reply, and, +indeed, it was not safe to do so, for some hot-head +would have gloried in shooting down the +prisoner where he stood.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</span></p> +<p>As Louis went on he noted with a sinking +heart how thickly the Confederate troops were +massed, tens of thousands of them standing +upon every hand.</p> + +<p>“Hornsby, what do you think of this?” he +whispered.</p> + +<p>“I think we are done for, unless Sumner +arrives to help Couch out,” was the low reply. +“But that ain’t our affair just now. Louis, it +looks like we was in a bad fix.”</p> + +<p>“I think so myself. Perhaps we’ll see the +inside of Libby Prison before the end comes.”</p> + +<p>“Heaven keep us out of that foul hole,” +murmured Hornsby, and then the order came +for silence, and no more was said.</p> + +<p>The prisoners had been passed along, from +one guard to the next, until a strong fortification +just upon the northeastern outskirts of +Richmond was gained. Here they were +searched and everything of value was taken +from them. They were then tied up in pairs, +Louis and Hornsby together, and made to squat +down upon the ground, and here they remained +for the balance of that day and all night, under +sentinels who were cautioned to shoot them +down at the least sign of an outbreak.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</span></p> +<p>During this time the Union soldiers were +driven steadily back until the reinforcements +mentioned by Hornsby arrived, when General +Sumner put an end to the Confederate advance, +and all rested upon their arms until morning. +For this portion of the contest the Confederates +claimed a victory.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</span></p> +<p>Early in the morning the battle was renewed +with increased vigor, the Union general, Sickles, +leading the attack at one point and General +Meagher at another. The charge was +bravely met by the Confederates, but at last +they could hold their ground no longer, and the +simultaneous attack of the whole Federal line +gained the day. The remainder of the day was +spent in gathering up and burying the dead, +and caring for the wounded, and then began the +siege of Richmond by the Union army entrenching +itself upon every side. During this contest +the Confederate commander-in-chief, General +Johnston, was first hit by a bullet and then +knocked from his horse by a piece of shell. The +command in the field was thereupon assumed +by General Smith, who gave place, two days +later, to General Robert E. Lee, the greatest +of all Southern commanders, who remained at +the head of the Confederate forces until the +close of the war.</p> + +<p>On Monday, Louis was marched into Richmond +in company with a large number of other +prisoners. It was learned that Libby Prison, +which had formerly been a large warehouse, +was full to overflowing, and the prisoners were +divided, Louis, Hornsby, and thirty others being +sent to what before the outbreak of the +war had been a pork-packing establishment.</p> + +<p>The march to this prison was one Louis +never forgot. The streets of the Confederate +capital were lined with a motley collection of +people, who had come to cheer their own soldiers +and sneer at the captives. Some on the +sidewalks were very vindictive and had to be +restrained from doing the Union men bodily +harm.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p324a" style="max-width: 70.0em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p324a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><span class="smcap">The march to this prison was one Louis never forgot.</span> + <i>Page 325.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</span></p> +<p>“They killed my son!” shrieked one +woman, as she ran directly in front of Louis. +“I will be avenged!” and she drew a long +knife. Louis caught her upraised arm, gently +but firmly, and held her until a Confederate +soldier disarmed her and pushed her away. +The boy’s heart was in his throat; nevertheless, +he felt sorry for the dame, for he saw that +the loss of her boy had almost deprived her of +her reason. After that both he and Hornsby, +sticking close together, kept a sharp lookout for +an attack.</p> + +<p>The temporary prison having been gained, +the captured ones were again examined, to see +that none of them had obtained any weapons +on the march, and then thrust into the gloomy-looking +building, which still smelt of pig’s meat +and salt brine. Louis and Hornsby were +placed, with ten others, in an apartment on +the second floor, a gloomy place, fifteen by +eighteen feet in size, and lit by three small windows. +The windows had once held sashes of +glass, but these were broken away, and each +opening was barred by several pieces of thick +joist, spiked fast, top and bottom.</p> + +<p>“We’re in a pickle, ain’t we?” sniffed +Hornsby, as he took a survey of the situation. +“Gosh! wot an all-fired bad smell!”</p> + +<p>“Wonder how long we’ll have to remain +here?” put in another of the prisoners. “Sergeant, +what do you think about it?” and he +turned to the Confederate officer who was posting +two guards at the doorway.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</span></p> +<p>“I reckon you’ll stay here until McClellan +surrenders,” was the answer, with a grin, and +then the prisoner muttered something far from +fit for our pages.</p> + +<p>It was nearly dark and that night the +prisoners were left without supper after a +march of six miles, to make themselves as comfortable +as they could. There was nothing to +lie upon but the hard and greasy floor, with +one’s cap for a pillow, and no blankets but such +as a few had brought along. The smell made +Louis sick at his stomach and he hung at one +of the windows for fresh air until one of the +guards ordered him away.</p> + +<p>In the morning a negro appeared with a +basket, a kettle, and a number of tin cups. The +basket contained stale bread cut into chunks, +and the kettle black coffee. For breakfast +every prisoner was given a cup of coffee and +two chunks of bread. Later on the whole rations +for one day were served at once, half a +pound of bread and a bowl of soup with meat, +or beans and bacon—all of the plainest and, +at times, not overly wholesome. On such a diet +a “square meal” was entirely out of the question.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</span></p> +<p>From one of the windows the prisoners could +see a side street of the city; the other openings +looked down upon a yard littered with casks +and barrels and surrounded by business structures +of wood and stone. The street always +presented a lively appearance, not on account +of the business transacted, for that was very +little, but because the soldiers were moving to +and fro constantly and the crowds of curious +ones followed them.</p> + +<p>“If only we could get free,” whispered +Louis to Hornsby. He had no desire to remain +a prisoner, in such a place and on such rations, +and while he felt sure the Union army needed +the services of every man who was enrolled.</p> + +<p>“Hush!” murmured Hornsby. “I was +thinking the same thing, lad; but don’t let the +guard dream of what’s in your mind, or he’ll +shoot you down like a dog.”</p> + +<p>“Will you go with me if any chance to run +for it happens?”</p> + +<p>“Yes—if it ain’t too risky.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</span></p> +<p>No more could be said that day. But late in +the afternoon Louis, while walking around the +lower end of the room, saw something projecting +from a shelf three feet above his head. He +drew Hornsby to one side, and when the guard +was not looking, got the man to hoist him up.</p> + +<p>The object proved to be a chisel, two inches +broad, eighteen inches long, and very thick and +heavy. Louis secreted it in his clothes. One +other prisoner, a man named Ray, saw the +movements, but merely grinned.</p> + +<p>After this Louis examined one after another +of the fastenings across the windows. Most of +the bits of joist were too well spiked on for +him to think of loosening them without considerable +noise. But there was one which was +shaky, and by inserting the chisel under it the +lower end became detached from the window +sill.</p> + +<p>“Hi, there, what are you doin’ by that thar +window?” called out the guard.</p> + +<p>“Trying to get some fresh air,” answered +Louis, as coolly as he could. “This place is +worse than a pig pen.”</p> + +<p>“It’s better nor you Yanks deserve,” +growled the Confederate, and went on smoking +his briar-root pipe filled with tar-heel tobacco.</p> + +<p>“The joist is loose,” whispered Louis to +Hornsby a few minutes later. “I am going to +risk a drop to the ground if I can get half a +chance.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</span></p> +<p>Hornsby shook his head. “They’ll shoot +you, lad, if they see you. And if you do git +away, where are ye going, tell me that? There +are thousands of troops between us and our +boys.”</p> + +<p>“Spies manage to come and go on both sides, +Hornsby. If a spy can take care of himself, +I guess I can—at least, I am going to try.”</p> + +<p>“And git ketched like thet air Caleb Fox.”</p> + +<p>“Well, he got away again,” went on Louis, +but Hornsby would not listen. He would rather +put up with ill-treatment than run too much +risk, much as he desired his liberty.</p> + +<p>Louis lay down in a corner close to the window, +but not to sleep. His mind was in a tumult. +Should he try what was in his heart? +He knew he could wrench the joist aside and +drop from the window into the yard below with +comparative ease. But after that? Ah, that +was the all-important question. He might drop +right into the hands of a guard below, and that +would mean close confinement and possibly +death. Or the guards might see him only to +fire upon and kill him.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</span></p> +<p>Hour after hour went by and Louis heard a +distant clock strike eleven, twelve, and then one. +It was pitch dark outside, for another storm +was brewing. The dim lantern in the hallway, +where the guard stood, far from lit up the +room. The guard, half asleep, leaned heavily +against a wooden partition, while his companion, +a few feet farther down the hallway, rested +on an empty box.</p> + +<p>As slyly and quietly as a cat, Louis moved +forward until he rested directly under the window +he had worked upon. The end of the joist +was within reach, and softly but firmly he +pushed it aside, so slowly that it scarcely +seemed to move.</p> + +<p>“Are ye really going?” It was the voice of +Hornsby, in the youth’s ear. He had been +watching the window in silence for three hours.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” was the soft answer. “I’ll try it, +no matter what comes.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll go with you, lad, and God be with +us in the undertaking,” concluded Hornsby. +“Good-bye, if we’re both killed,” and he gave +Louis’s hand a tight squeeze.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</span></p> +<p>An instant later Louis was up on the window +sill. Turning about like a flash, he lowered +himself to the full length of his arms. A second +he hung there, then he let himself drop.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ANDY AND THE UNION PICKETS</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>We will now go back to Andy, at the time he +found himself so unexpectedly surrounded by +Union skirmishers.</p> + +<p>The young Confederate realized without +much thought that he was in a perilous position. +Six rifles were pointed at him, and the +owner of each weapon seemed both willing to +bring him to a speedy military death, and +capable of doing so.</p> + +<p>“Do you surrender?” demanded one of the +men, after an instant’s pause.</p> + +<p>“I don’t see that there is anything else to +do, gentlemen,” replied Andy, with a smile, +which, however, was rather forced.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</span></p> +<p>“You’re a sensible boy,” put in another. +“Say, that’s a fine nag he rides, fellows. Let’s +present it to Captain Mellick. He had his +horse killed an hour ago.”</p> + +<p>“All right, Wombolt; you take the horse +and the prisoner back. We can’t stop here.”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to rob me of my horse?” +demanded Andy, his eyes flashing.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you can help ride him back to camp,” +was the cool response of Wombolt. “I’ll sit +with you. But first hand over that saber and +your pistols.”</p> + +<p>There was no help for it, and Andy turned +over the bright blade and the single weapon +in the holster. He had another pistol in the +pocket of his cavalry coat, but of this he said +nothing.</p> + +<p>Having relieved him of the weapons mentioned, +the Union soldier leaped up behind him. +He held Andy’s pistol and cocking the weapon, +placed it close to the youth’s neck.</p> + +<p>“Now, no funny work or you are a dead +reb,” he said. “Move on straight ahead until +I tell you to turn to the left.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a pretty bad road,” remarked Andy, +trying to gain time in which to form some +plan of escape.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll have it paved for you as soon as the +war is over, reb. Move now, or my finger may +get nervous on this trigger.”</p> + +<p>Seeing there was no help for it, Andy spoke +to Firefly, who instantly set off on a trot. This +did not suit the Union soldier and he began to +kick Firefly in the sides with the heels of his +boots.</p> + +<p>“Git alang there, you lazy beast!” he cried. +“Git now, or I’ll stave in your ribs!”</p> + +<p>“Look out, my horse won’t stand that!” +came in a warning from Andy, and at the same +time he gave Firefly a most cruel dig with his +spurs. He would never have done this under +ordinary circumstances, but a sudden idea had +struck him and he acted on it on the impulse +of the moment.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</span></p> +<p>The kicking and spurring did just what the +young Confederate expected. Unused to such +treatment, Firefly jerked viciously to one side, +made a wild leap forward and started off on a +run. As he made the leap Andy gave him the +reins, held fast to the saddle with one hand +and shoved the soldier violently with the other. +There was a yell of alarm, a clutch into empty +air, as Andy leaned far forward, and away went +the Union soldier, tumbling over backward into +the muddy road. The pistol was discharged, +but the shot merely whistled through the trees.</p> + +<p>Andy did not stop to look back upon the +catastrophe. Tightening the reins again, he +spoke to Firefly, who understood his young +master, and horse and rider turned to the right +and entered a thin belt of timber running off +in the direction of the Chickahominy. At first +those left behind tried to pursue him, but soon +their footsteps faded away in the distance, and +he found himself utterly alone.</p> + +<p>To get back to his own lines was now the one +consideration. He had a fair idea where the +Confederate troops could be found, but how +many of the enemy lay between, there was no +telling. He resolved to go forward slowly and +with great caution, and retreat out of sight at +the first intimation of danger.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it might be best to wait until darkness +sets in,” he mused, but continued to go on +until the edge of a swamp was reached. Soon +Firefly sank up to his knees in the mud and +ooze. Andy tried to turn him out, only to sink +the horse still deeper.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</span></p> +<p>“Here’s a go!” he muttered. “Firefly, +old boy, we must get out of this somehow. +Back, boy, back!” Firefly backed, and +gradually withdrew to a fringe of brush and more +solid ground.</p> + +<p>“Well done, boy!” sang out a voice, close +by. “Where are you bound?” and a tall +down-east fellow not much older than himself +appeared directly in front of the young Confederate. +The tall Unionist was speedily followed +by another, and both soldiers, who were raw +recruits just from their New Hampshire farms, +gaped openly at the enemy.</p> + +<p>“Gracious, I’m glad to meet somebody,” answered +Andy. “Say, you are true blue, aren’t +you?” he went on, in almost a whisper.</p> + +<p>“Air we?” cried the second recruit. “O’ +cos we be. Ain’t thet so, Josiah?”</p> + +<p>“Thet’s so, Hiram.”</p> + +<p>“Then I am sure you will befriend me,” +went on Andy. “I—”</p> + +<p>“You’re a rebel, ain’t you?” asked Hiram, +cutting Andy short.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</span></p> +<p>“A rebel? Goodness gracious, no! I am a—don’t +tell anybody”—he leaned forward +with a show of great secrecy—“I am Paul +Hammer, General McClellan’s secret service +spy. The general wants me to get some information +for him from Richmond at once. I +thought I could get through the lines here without +trouble. Have you seen any rebs about?” +Andy added suddenly, before the others had +time to think twice.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t no rebels nigh here, Mister Hammer,” +and Josiah touched his cap, thinking it +a great honor to be taken into the confidence +of the commander-in-chief’s private spy.</p> + +<p>“You’re on the picket line, aren’t you?”</p> + +<p>“We be,” came promptly from both recruits.</p> + +<p>“Then show me the nearest way to the rebel +line. Of course, I don’t want them to see me +go over on their side, for that would give me +away. And I don’t want any of our men to see +me and mistake me for a reb, for that would +mean a shot sure.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll take care o’ yeou, Mister Hammer,” +answered Hiram, and led the way along the +edge of the swamp, with Josiah beside him and +Andy bringing up closely in the rear. The +young Confederate felt he had fooled the pickets +nicely, but he was not yet “out of the +woods” and consequently he did not crow.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</span></p> +<p>“Whar did yeou git thet uniform?” asked +Josiah, as they progressed, rather slowly, to +Andy’s notion.</p> + +<p>“Oh, the authorities furnished that,” answered +the young Confederate, with assumed +carelessness. “You see, there is a cavalry +troop wearing this uniform in the rebel army, +so if I once get past their picket line I can go +where I please. Great scheme, eh?”</p> + +<p>“Fine,” answered Josiah.</p> + +<p>“I’d like tew do spy work,” commented +Hiram.</p> + +<p>“Would you?” answered Andy. “All +right, I’ll remember that, and if I get the +chance I’ll speak to General McClellan about +it.”</p> + +<p>“Will yeou? Much erbliged, I’m sure.”</p> + +<p>“Speak fer me, tew,” put in Josiah. “I’m +sick o’ regular fightin’, I am.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll remember you both,” answered Andy, +and he kept his word. Indeed, it would have +been impossible to forget these two rustics, +who were simple-hearted to the core and had +still to get their war as well as their eye teeth +cut.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</span></p> +<p>The swamp was now left behind and the men, +who had strayed from their posts during a little +excitement farther on, led the way up a small +hill. Here the woods divided, with an open +space between, of grass and low brush.</p> + +<p>“Thare yeou air, Mister Hammer,” said +Josiah. “This is our line, an’ the rebels hed +a line over yonder, but I guess it’s gone neow.”</p> + +<p>“Good,” replied Andy. “Good-bye to both +of you, and I wish you luck.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t forget tew mention us tew General +McClellan when yeou git back!” called out +Josiah.</p> + +<p>“All right,” came back, and away Andy +trotted at a brisk pace, while the two rustics +watched him out of sight with keen interest.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p340a" style="max-width: 69.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p340a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><span class="smcap">Away Andy trotted at a brisk pace.</span>—<i>Page 339.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<p>“Of all the pumpkin heads!” was what +Andy muttered to himself and so tickled was +he that he was compelled to laugh outright. +He had passed a distance of several hundred +feet into the woods when he heard the command +to halt, and a South Carolina soldier +blocked his way.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</span></p> +<p>“It’s all right,” answered Andy. “I have +just escaped from the Yankees,” and he gave +the countersign. A minute later he was asked +a few questions by an officer in command, and +then allowed to go. He inquired for the +Montgomery Grays, and was told they had withdrawn +to another part of the field.</p> + +<p>“That’s twice they have caught me,” said +Andy to himself, as he galloped down the main +road towards Richmond. “I hope they don’t +catch me again. Heigho! I wonder how +Louis is getting along?” He never dreamed +that Louis was now a prisoner in a fortification +but a mile away.</p> + +<p>It was nightfall before Andy found the +Grays, encamped on the edge of a patch of +woods near the Nine Mile Road. Captain Montgomery +had gone to the hospital tent to have +his wound taken care of, and the first lieutenant +was in charge. To this officer and several +others Andy told his story, to which all listened +with keen interest.</p> + +<p>“Gracious! what a couple of hayseeds,” +said Leroy Wellington. “Won’t they feel +cheap when they learn how they have been +sold?”</p> + +<p>“Most likely they never will find out,” answered +Andy.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</span></p> +<p>Fortunately, Andy had no picket duty to do +that night, and, huddled up close to Leroy, he +slept “like a rock,” despite the fact that +fighting still kept up at a distance and the battle +was to be renewed early in the morning.</p> + +<p>“To horse! To horse!” This was the cry +which awoke the young Confederate cavalryman +at daybreak. Leroy had already crawled +from the shelter of the tent. Soon the Montgomery +Grays were mounted and eating their +breakfast in the saddle.</p> + +<p>To relate all of Andy’s varied experiences +that day would fill a volume in itself. Between +eight o’clock and noon the Grays made three +terrific charges, capturing one Union battery +and holding it for over an hour. But the Union +forces now attacked along the whole line, as +previously described, and slowly but surely the +Confederates were driven back up the road +towards Richmond. By two o’clock the firing +ceased, and the battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven +Pines, was at an end, and then began the harrowing +work of caring for the dead and the +dying.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</span></p> +<p>Andy took part in this work and never were +the true horrors of war brought closer to his +young heart. The scenes were pitiable beyond +description and his eyes refused to keep dry, +as he moved here and there, looking for +comrades and giving aid and comfort to the unknown +sufferers. He had just found one of +the Grays’ men, down with a bullet through his +thigh, and was looking around for a stretcher, +when a groan almost at his feet made him turn. +There, in the brush and mud, rested a Union +soldier, shot through the shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Give me a drink, for the love of heaven!” +came the murmur, and having his canteen +handy, Andy poured forth the desired water +and held the cup to the sufferer’s lips.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Grayback,” came in a short +gasp. “Now, you’ve been so kind, won’t you +prop me up ag’in that tree? I can’t stand it +down here in the cold mud.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly I’ll prop you up,” answered +Andy, and lifted the wounded soldier as carefully +as he could. As he worked he caught +sight of the man’s uniform and markings.</p> + +<p>“You’re a Pennsylvania man,” he said. +“Know anything about the Goreville Volunteers?”</p> + +<p>“I’m a Goreville Volunteer,” came the surprising +reply.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</span></p> +<p>“Indeed? Do you know Louis Rockford? +He used to be a friend of mine—in fact, he’s +a friend still, personally—a close friend.”</p> + +<p>“O’ course I know Louis—everybody does. +I owned a farm near his place. My name is +Coomber.”</p> + +<p>“And how is Louis?”</p> + +<p>“He’s missing—somebody said he was +shot,” answered Coomber. “Who are you?”</p> + +<p>Andy told him.</p> + +<p>“I’ve heard him mention you—and heard +Mr. Rockford speak about your father’s place. +Strange we should meet here. Ah, here come +some fellows with a stretcher, to take me to +the hospital tent, I expect,” concluded Coomber. +No more could be said, and soon the +Union soldier was carried off, and five minutes +later Andy’s comrade followed. The wounded +men had lain between the picket lines of both +armies and a truce had been established while +the dead and wounded belonging to each side +were removed.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</span></p> +<p>What he had heard concerning Louis made +Andy feel much downcast. To fight the enemy +was one thing; to have his chum killed or +wounded was quite another.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</span></p> +<p>“I trust the report is false and he is safe,” +he thought. “War isn’t such a glorious +thing after all, when a fellow comes to look +at it.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<p class="center large bold">AN ADVENTURE IN THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>After the battle of Fair Oaks, the Union +army moved forward from a quarter to three-quarters +of a mile and there entrenched itself +in the position it occupied very nearly during +the whole of the siege of Richmond. The army +was divided into five corps, three upon the +Richmond side of the Chickahominy River and +two upon the other—one of the latter afterwards +crossing to join the other three. The entrenchments +were very strong, the nearest being +within five miles of the heart of the Confederate +capital, and the line of the besiegers was +about four miles long, with guards at either end +reaching out still farther.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</span></p> +<p>But if the entrenchments of the Union army +were strong, so were those of the Southerners, +who had gathered nearly a hundred and fifty +thousand men to prevent their principal city +from being taken. For many months the Confederates +had been afraid of an attack upon +Richmond, and they had spent all the time to +be spared in building fortification after fortification, +reaching from the city itself to from +three to six miles in all directions. A Richmond +newspaper of that time enumerates +twenty-eight of these strongholds, each well +manned and each with its guns placed in the +most commanding positions. Small wonder +was it, therefore, that General McClellan sent +out his calls for extra troops, troops which he +never received, for reasons which have never +to this day been satisfactorily explained.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</span></p> +<p>The ground which the Union army now occupied +was in a fearful condition. Mud and +swamps were everywhere, bushes lay torn up +by the roots, and thousands of trees, half cut +through about five feet from the ground, so +that the trunk falling over might block the +passage of artillery and wagons, made even +the regular roads all but impassable. As many +as could be got at of the dead had been buried, +but the swamps were still full of bodies, awful +to contemplate. Added to all, the soldiers were +exposed to swamp fevers, and soon out of less +than a hundred thousand men nearly twenty +thousand were on the wounded or sick list.</p> + +<p>The scene in Richmond was scarcely a more +happy one. Emergency hospitals were opened +by the score, and all day long on Sunday and +Monday the ambulances rumbled along through +the streets. Business of all kinds was practically +at a standstill, and the citizens gathered +in groups to discuss the situation. The wounding +of Johnston was looked upon as a great +calamity and everybody wondered if General +Lee would prove equal to the emergency into +which he had been thrown. On Monday a +rumor started that McClellan’s army had been +vastly reinforced, and this nearly caused a +panic. Many began packing up their household +goods and valuables, in order to flee southward +as soon as the Union army should move +forward.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</span></p> +<p>But no immediate movement upon either side +took place. Worn out by the fierce fighting at +Fair Oaks, each army was now trying to reconstruct +itself, while the great generals were +looking over the ground and making their plans +for the future. Thus about three weeks slipped +by with only a few encounters, which were of +no great importance. But those three weeks +were full of interest to both Louis and Andy, +as we shall now see.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>We left Louis at the time he allowed himself +to drop from the second-story window +of the temporary Confederate prison in Richmond. +It must be acknowledged that the young +Union soldier’s heart was in his throat as he +let go of the window sill. There was no telling +where he was going to land and what sort of +a reception he would meet. All was dark, only +a few dim street lights here and there brightening +up the blackness of the night.</p> + +<p>Crash! He had landed upon a number of +packing cases, thrown together in a rough-and-tumble +way. Down he went through several +thin boards and rolled over on his back. He +had just leaped to his feet when Hornsby came +after him, making a greater racket than before.</p> + +<p>“Louis, are you safe?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</span></p> +<p>“Yes. Come on!” And the young soldier +extended his hand. Hornsby took it, and side +by side they sped forward to where a board +fence separated the yard from the street. As +they reached the fence they heard a commotion +inside of the pork-packing establishment. Their +escape had been discovered!</p> + +<p>“Up ye go, lad!” whispered Hornsby, and +gave Louis a boost. The youth gave one glance +over the fence and dropped back into the yard +in a hurry. Clapping his hand over Hornsby’s +mouth he drew his companion back.</p> + +<p>“Two guards out there,” he whispered into +the old soldier’s ear. “We must find some +other way. Let us try the back.”</p> + +<p>“But there are nothin’ but buildings there,” +cried Hornsby. “I’m going to try the street +and trust to my legs,” and ere Louis could stop +him, the old soldier had disappeared in the deep +shadows of the cluttered-up yard.</p> + +<p>Louis stood motionless, his heart almost at a +standstill. He was left alone. The alarm was +growing more general. “Two prisoners have +escaped!” he heard somebody call out. Which +way should he turn?</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</span></p> +<p>There were many boxes and barrels in the +yard and he might readily have secreted himself +in one of them. But such a course, he reflected, +would be foolhardy. Sooner or later +every box and barrel was sure to be examined. +Besides, to remain in the yard, a prisoner without +food, was out of the question.</p> + +<p>Noiselessly but swiftly he moved to the extreme +rear of the yard. Here was located a +two-story building, probably facing the next +street. The lower windows of this building +were shuttered and barred, but an upper window +was partly raised and the room beyond +was totally dark. From the window of his late +prison Louis had seen that this building was +not a dwelling, but a store or warehouse of +some kind.</p> + +<p>Close to the open window ran an iron pipe, +connecting with the roof to carry off the water +when it rained. The pipe was held to the building +by metal clasps, and catching hold of these +Louis raised himself up until he was on a level +with the opening. Without hesitation he entered +the window, just as several Confederate +guards, with lanterns, entered the yard below.</p> + +<p>“Sure both of ’em didn’t jump the fence?” +Louis heard one of the Confederates ask.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Griffith saw him. The other must +be around here.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</span></p> +<p>Louis waited to hear no more, satisfied that +before the search was over the open window +would be noted and an examination in that +direction would ensue. Leading from the window +was a passageway between a great number +of boxes and loose piles of clothing, and down +this he moved cautiously, for it was so dark he +could not see a foot in front of him. Presently +his hand struck a railing leading to a pair of +stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was a door, +and from the crack above this streamed a dim +light, showing that the store below was partly +lit up, even at that unseasonable hour of the +night.</p> + +<p>Wondering if he could escape to the next +street before the alarm was given in that neighborhood, +the young Union soldier slipped down +the stairs and entered the store, which he found +filled with a miscellaneous collection of articles, +including clothing, firearms, jewelry, crockery +and woodenware, and farming implements. +There was a counter near by and on this lay +some business cards showing the place belonged +to one Simon Davidstein.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</span></p> +<p>As Louis was advancing towards the front +door he heard several men come up to it from +the other side, and then a key was inserted in +the lock and the door was thrown back. Louis +had barely time to secrete himself behind a +counter when three men entered.</p> + +<p>“It vos lucky you vos found me at der +hotel,” said one of the newcomers, in a high-pitched +German voice. “I ain’t dare all der +dime, no more.”</p> + +<p>“If we hadn’t found you, Davidstein, you’d +’a’ lost a good bargain,” came the reply, in a +voice which sounded strangely familiar to +Louis. At the risk of being discovered he +peered out from his hiding place and saw that +the man who had spoken was Caleb Fox! With +him was Sam Jacks, while the third party was +the owner of the establishment.</p> + +<p>Louis was both astonished and mystified. +What had brought Fox and Jacks to that place +at this hour of the night? Fox carried a heavy +flour-sack and the mission of the two thieving +guerrillas was soon explained.</p> + +<p>“We’ve got a fine collection of watches and +jewelry fer ye this trip, Davidstein,” said Sam +Jacks. “Must be at least five hundred dollars’ +worth in the bag.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</span></p> +<p>“Fife hundred dollars—in dese dimes!” +cried Davidstein. “You must pe crazy! Of +you dinks I gif fife hundred dollars you ton’t +petter open der pag at all, ain’t it. Maybe you +vos mean baber money?” he added suddenly.</p> + +<p>“No, we ain’t takin’ nothin’ but gold,” said +Caleb Fox. “Just you look at the rings and +watches, and we’ve got a fine pin or two; ain’t +thet so, Sam?”</p> + +<p>“Best Davidstein ever saw,” joined in the +second guerrilla.</p> + +<p>“I ton’t vos got no fife hundred in gold to +bay out dis night,” said Davidstein, stoutly.</p> + +<p>“Well, you handle the stuff an’ make an +offer,” concluded Caleb Fox. “Remember, +we have got to divide with the rest o’ the +boys.”</p> + +<p>The trio moved to the center of the store, and +here the single light that was burning was +turned up. At the same time there was a clatter +from the rear and a sleepy but somewhat excited +young Jew appeared, pistol in hand.</p> + +<p>“I dink it dime you voke up, Jacob,” cried +Davidstein, sarcastically. “Der mop could rob +der blace und you schleep on like von rock, +hey?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</span></p> +<p>“I heard you come in,” was the abashed +answer. “I vos listening py der shudders on +der pack window. Dere vos droubles py der +brison, I dink.”</p> + +<p>“Dot ain’t our bees’ness, so long dey ton’t +come here,” concluded Davidstein. “You can +lay down again,” and Jacob retreated to his +cot behind a pile of packing boxes.</p> + +<p>By this time Fox and Jacks had the flour bag +open and a miscellaneous collection of articles +stolen upon the battlefield were spread out on +the counter. With a well-trained eye Davidstein +ran over the lot in a careful but apparently +careless manner. Some talk followed, and +he finally offered a hundred dollars in gold for +what was there. To this Fox and Jacks demurred. +They would take three hundred and +not a cent less. Davidstein told them to pack +the articles up again. This brought on another +talk, and finally a purchasing price of two hundred +dollars in gold was settled upon, and +Davidstein proceeded to get the cash out of a +secret hiding place in the cellar.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</span></p> +<p>Louis listened to the talk with keen interest. +He understood that Davidstein was a receiver +of stolen goods, and he felt sure that his own +things must be among those Jacks and Fox had +come to sell. “If I get the chance I’ll have +them back again, see if I don’t,” he thought, +and continued to keep as quiet as a mouse.</p> + +<p>Davidstein had hardly disappeared into the +cellar when there came a sharp rapping on the +front door. At once the Jew came running up +again.</p> + +<p>“Who is dot?” he questioned, and went +forward. An officer and two guards from the +prison presented themselves.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t seen or heard noddings about any +escaped brisoner,” answered Davidstein, in reply +to the officer’s questions. “Jacob, haf you +seen anypotty?”</p> + +<p>“Not a soul,” answered the sleepy clerk. +“I heard somedings going on ofer by der +brison, put dot’s all.”</p> + +<p>“Your window upstairs is open,” said the +officer. “We think he may have climbed up to +it. We want to make a search.”</p> + +<p>At first Davidstein demurred, but at last he +consented to have the officer and guards take a +look around. He went upstairs with the soldiers, +and Jacks and Fox followed, while the +sleepy clerk stood watch below.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_356"></a><a id="Page_357"></a>[Pg 357]</span></p> +<p>Louis scarcely dared to breathe. The clerk +moved forward to the front door and looked +out upon the street. Then he came behind the +counter and walked slowly towards the spot +where the young Union soldier was in hiding. +Louis felt that a crisis was at hand.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">LOUIS AS A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>Moving along as if in deep thought, the clerk +of the store reached the very spot where Louis +was in hiding, behind a number of loose shelving +boards standing upright under the counter. +His legs were within easy reach of the young +Union soldier, and had he leaned down less than +a foot he could have seen the hidden one without +trouble.</p> + +<p>“Jacob!” It was a call from above, and +at once the clerk moved away. A moment later +Louis heard him ascend the stairs, and an +earnest talk on the next floor followed.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</span></p> +<p>Louis felt that now was the time to make his +escape. Even if the others should go away, +the clerk would remain in the store until it was +time to open for business in the morning. +Without making any noise Louis arose from +his cramped position. As he did this he saw +close at hand a pistol and a box of cartridges, +evidently set aside for some customer. He +slipped both into his pocket as things which +might become exceedingly useful later on.</p> + +<p>Less than ten feet away were the articles +Jacks and Fox had brought in. Over these +Davidstein had hastily thrown some paper, to +conceal them from the Confederate officer, who, +had he seen them, might have asked some +troublesome questions. Louis could not resist +the temptation to take a look at the goods. He +speedily recognized his watch and several other +things belonging to himself, and stowed them +away. This done he placed the paper in its +former position and ran lightly for the front +door.</p> + +<p>A look outside told him that the coast in the +immediate vicinity of the store was clear. But +how would it be farther on? That question +could not be answered. Those upstairs were +coming down. He moved outside, closed the +door noiselessly behind him, and made a dash +across the street to an alley between a store +and a private dwelling.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</span></p> +<p>“Hi, there!” It was the call of a private +citizen, who had seen him running. Louis did +not reply, but kept on his course, and reaching +the end of the alley leaped over a fence, crossed +another street and finally found himself in the +rear of a mansion surrounded by a well-kept +garden. A barn was close at hand and he entered +this, thinking the hay-loft would surely +offer a safe hiding place.</p> + +<p>An hour was spent in the barn without disturbance, +and the young Union soldier was +wondering what he had best do next, when he +heard the clatter of hoofs, and a man on horseback +entered the garden and rode straight for +the barn. From the hay-loft Louis saw him +dismount and take some papers from a secret +pocket in his saddle. Then came the banging +of a house door, the rush of feet, and a middle-aged +woman rushed up.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Robert, are you safe?” Louis heard +the lady exclaim, in anxious tones.</p> + +<p>“Perfectly safe, Lucy; although I’ve had a +tight squeeze of it.”</p> + +<p>“And did you get to General McClel—”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</span></p> +<p>“Hush, my dear—” The man put up his +hand warningly. “No, I didn’t see the general, +but I saw General Keyes and that was just as +well. The plans of the fortifications will help +along the cause a good deal. Has anybody +been here since I was away?”</p> + +<p>“Captain Andrews. He wanted to know +where you were. I told him somewhere about +town. Robert, I am afraid they are beginning +to suspect everything is not right.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps. But as long as they can’t prove +anything, Lucy, we are safe. I hope you have +something ready for me to eat, I’m as hungry +as a bear. Whoa, Clipper, there you are, old +boy. Lucy, Clipper is a marvel to travel +through such swamps and muck holes.”</p> + +<p>So the talk ran on, while the man lit a lantern +and cared for his horse. That he was a +Union sympathizer there was no doubt. He had +just made a visit to General Keyes’s headquarters +with the plans of the Confederate fortifications +in and about Richmond.</p> + +<p>Louis felt his heart bound within him. Here +were friends who would surely assist him. He +came to the edge of the loft.</p> + +<p>“Below there,” he whispered.</p> + +<p>“Ha! who is there?” ejaculated the man, +leaping back and snatching up his pistol, which +lay on a feed box.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</span></p> +<p>“Don’t fire, sir. I heard you talk and I +throw myself upon your sympathy. I am a +Union soldier, just escaped from the prison two +blocks over from here—a place that used to be +a pork-packing establishment—and the guards +are searching everywhere for me. So far they +have no clew to my whereabouts, and—”</p> + +<p>“Come down here and let me look at you,” +was the interruption, and Louis ran down the +ladder. The man held up his lantern.</p> + +<p>“Pennsylvania Volunteers, eh?” he said, +briefly. “Humph! How long were you up in +the loft?”</p> + +<p>“An hour. You will assist me, won’t you? +I don’t want to go back to that awful hole.” +Louis looked at the woman.</p> + +<p>“Bring him into the house, Robert,” she +said, turning to her husband. “I am sure he +speaks the truth, for when I was at the window +waiting for you I heard some men go by who +were talking about two prisoners having just +escaped.”</p> + +<p>“They were myself and a friend, madam. I +don’t know what has become of my friend, but +I trust he is safe.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</span></p> +<p>“Come along, young man,” said the man. +“And if you heard anything of importance the +quicker you forget it the better it will be for +you,” and taking Louis by the arm he led the +way through the garden into the house.</p> + +<p>Once inside of the house Louis was conducted +to a large sitting-room, well furnished. Here +he was invited to take a seat, while his host +looked to it that every curtain was carefully +drawn down and the outer doors locked.</p> + +<p>“Now I will listen to your story,” said the +man, dropping into an easy chair.</p> + +<p>“Won’t you have your supper first, Robert?” +interposed his wife. “Perhaps you are +hungry, too?” she added, turning to the young +soldier.</p> + +<p>“I am—but I want to know that I’m safe +from the rebels before I begin to eat,” was the +quick reply.</p> + +<p>“You are safe here, my lad—only don’t +speak of rebels so loudly, for even walls have +ears, you know.” The man drew two chairs +up to the center table. “We’ll eat here, Lucy; +it will be safer, in case there is an interruption +from the outside.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</span></p> +<p>In a few minutes a smoking hot supper was +brought in from the kitchen. The lady had +cooked it herself, all of her servants having +been discharged, that they might not pry into +the affairs of the household. Never had a meal +tasted better to Louis, and he said so, after he +had eaten and related his tale at the same time.</p> + +<p>“You were lucky to get away, Rockford,” +said Robert Dowling, for such was the man’s +name. “And you were lucky to strike this +place, don’t you think so?”</p> + +<p>“I do, Mr. Dowling—especially after such +a spread.” Louis smiled at the lady of the +house, who smiled back. “This beats rations +on the peninsula.”</p> + +<p>“I dare say it does. But now the question +is, Having escaped from prison, what are you +going to do?”</p> + +<p>“Get back to camp—if I can.”</p> + +<p>“Precisely—if you can. It is going to be +difficult, Rockford, tremendously difficult. Getting +through the lines is no light work.”</p> + +<p>“I believe you, sir. But I don’t want to remain +here, so I’ll make the attempt, if you’ll +give me a little aid.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</span></p> +<p>“I’ll give you all the aid I can. You had +better not try to start now. It will be daylight +soon. Wait until four o’clock this afternoon. +Then you can go down near the picket lines and +break through—if you can—when it grows +dark.”</p> + +<p>“The trouble is, this uniform is against me.”</p> + +<p>“Not so much as you may think. Some of +the boys down here are wearing cast-off Union +suits of clothing. All you must do is to rip off +your numbers and letters and dirty the suit a +little more and it will pass, combined with a +Confederate cap of gray which I will furnish +to you.”</p> + +<p>“And what will be my best route out of +Richmond?”</p> + +<p>“That must lie with yourself, since what is +best is difficult to state. During the day I will +take you to the top of the house and through +my field glass you can get some idea of how +the land lies.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</span></p> +<p>After this the talk became general. But Robert +Dowling was sleepy and soon he excused +himself and retired, leaving Louis to be entertained +by his wife. The young soldier learned +that the family had moved to Richmond from +Boston ten years before, the head of the house +being in business in both places. The war had +ruined Mr. Dowling’s trade, and being a Northern +sympathizer he was using his leisure in +giving the Federalists all the aid within his +power.</p> + +<p>Having taken a wash after eating, Louis was +conducted to an upper chamber, where he lay +down, but not to sleep, for his mind was in too +much of a tumult for that. He was about to +start on a dangerous mission. Would he succeed +or fail? Then his mind traveled back to +the parting with Hornsby. Was the old soldier +safe, or had he been retaken? And then Louis +thought of Andy. Where was the daring young +cavalryman now?</p> + +<p>From the window of the bed-chamber he +could look down two of the streets of Richmond. +Occasionally he saw an ambulance pass along, +and in the middle of the afternoon a regiment +of Confederate infantry passed with colors flying +and drums beating gaily, on their way to +the front. “Maybe I’ll have to fight my way +through those fellows to-night,” he thought, as +he turned away to avoid even the possibility +of being seen.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</span></p> +<p>It was three o’clock when Robert Dowling +called him, and both went up to the roof of the +house, but did not step outside. The man had +brought a pair of powerful field glasses with +him, and through these he pointed out to Louis +the various roads leading to the north and east.</p> + +<p>It was a grand sight to Louis. On all sides +of him lay the Confederate capital, hemmed in +with fortifications and swarming with soldiers +like ants around some gigantic ant-hill. Here +was a single company, there a regiment, and +over yonder an entire division, with tents and +wagons innumerable. From the fortifications +frowned the batteries, and Louis could distinctly +see the gunners standing ready for immediate +service and the officers moving around, +giving orders and inspecting the various headquarters. +In one section of the great field a +regiment was out on drill, its men marching and +counter-marching in splendid order, with bayonets +sparkling in the light of the fading sun.</p> + +<p>“Tough job to get in here, eh?” said Robert +Dowling, briefly.</p> + +<p>Louis drew a long breath. “Indeed it will +be. Do you really think General McClellan can +do it?”</p> + +<p>“If General McDowell’s troops come down, +yes. If they don’t—” The man did not finish. +“Come down, if you have seen enough.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</span></p> +<p>“In a minute.” Louis turned the field glass +to the northeast. “Our troops have their balloon +up,” he cried. “They are taking observations.”</p> + +<p>“That balloon makes the Southerners awfully +mad,” said Robert Dowling, with a laugh. +“Time and again they have tried to shoot it +full of holes. But come, or somebody on another +roof may see you and grow suspicious.”</p> + +<p>They went below again, and now the man +brought forth the faded Confederate cap he had +promised Louis. It made the youth feel queer +to put it on. “Seems like I was insulting myself,” +he explained, at which his host smiled +broadly.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</span></p> +<p>“You’ll get used to it. Now, remember, if +you are asked any questions, that you belong +to Company A, Second North Carolina Troops, +Brigadier-General Anderson commanding, under +General Hill, and that you are looking for +your company somewhere down the Williamsburg +road, and that you lost your regular army +clothing during a skirmish in the swamps. That +will carry you outside of Richmond and when +you get near the picket lines you must take care +of yourself as seems best. My advice is, don’t +move until it’s dark.”</p> + +<p>“Just what I was thinking,” answered +Louis, and repeated the name of the organization +to which he was supposed to belong, that +he might get it right. Soon after this he was +bidding his kind host and hostess good-bye, +having previously given his word that come +what might, he would not reveal what he had +heard in the barn during the night previous.</p> + +<p>He left the garden by a back gate, and with +a heart that beat rapidly hurried along the +street to where one of the main thoroughfares +led out of Richmond to the Williamsburg turnpike. +At first he imagined everybody was +looking at him and suspecting him, but this +soon wore away and he continued on with +greater confidence. He had no gun, but in his +pocket was the pistol which he had picked up +in the store, now fully loaded.</p> + +<p>Coming to a corner of the thoroughfare, he +paused for a minute, to avoid some soldiers who +were marching past. As he lingered, he +chanced to glance at a door upon which was +a brass plate bearing the name:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>THEODORE FAILY</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</span></p> + +<p>“The very man father wants to hear from!” +Louis murmured to himself. “Shall I venture +to call on him, or had I better move on?”</p> + +<p>His first inclination was to go on, but then +he remembered the letters from home, and how +afraid his folks were that they might lose the +farm. He advanced to the door and knocked +sharply.</p> + +<p>In answer to his summons an aged negro appeared, +and when the youth asked for Mr. +Faily, ushered him into a dimly-lit parlor. A +minute later Theodore Faily appeared. He did +not know Louis and gazed inquiringly at the +young soldier in his tattered uniform.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, sir, but I am in great haste,” +said Louis, speaking rapidly. “Will you tell +me if you are the Theodore Faily who used to +live in Pennsylvania and sold a farm to Mr. +Rockford?”</p> + +<p>“I am the man, yes.”</p> + +<p>“I am an—an agent for Mr. Rockford, Mr. +Faily. I have reached you under difficulties. +Let me ask, do you know a man named Samuel +Hammer?”</p> + +<p>“I do—to my sorrow.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</span></p> +<p>“Did he have a claim on that farm?”</p> + +<p>“Not in the least. He once claimed to have, +but his claim was worthless.”</p> + +<p>“He has been bothering Mr. Rockford a +great deal lately,” continued the young soldier. +“He wants three thousand dollars, or he is +going to law—”</p> + +<p>“The rascal! But it is just like Sam Hammer. +Mr. Rockford had better pay no attention +to him.”</p> + +<p>“Can you give me some paper, showing the +truth of this matter? I will manage to get it +to Mr. Rockford by some means. I have risked +a great deal to reach you.”</p> + +<p>Theodore Faily mused for a moment and +gazed keenly at Louis.</p> + +<p>“This is—er—a rather unusual proceeding,” +he observed. “But in these times many +things are unusual. I think I understand you—since +you must come from the North.” He +closed one eye suggestively. “Yes, I will give +you a paper, duly signed and witnessed. I hate +Sam Hammer and would like nothing better +than to put a spoke in his wheel.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</span></p> +<p>The gentleman went out—to be gone over +a quarter of an hour. When he came back he +handed Louis an envelope.</p> + +<p>“There, take that. You will find it will stop +Hammer, I reckon. And when you see Mr. +Rockford, give him my best respects.” He +leaned forward. “My sympathies are still at +the North,” he whispered.</p> + +<p>“Thank you a thousand times, sir,” said +Louis, as he slipped the document into an inner +pocket. Then, after a few words more, he left +the house.</p> + +<p>The sun was beginning to set when Louis +found himself out of the city. He had been +stopped twice, but his answers in each instance +had enabled him to proceed without molestation. +One man gave him minute directions as +to where he could find “his company,” and for +this Louis thanked him profusely, inwardly +shivering for fear the fellow might chance to +know some of the North Carolinians and ask +after them.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</span></p> +<p>The young Unionist reckoned that he was +about a mile from the picket line when he came +to a turn in the road he was pursuing. He had +just passed a small encampment of Confederate +troops who were breaking up to march to the +rear. He now heard the thunder of cavalry on +the road and stepped into the brush at hand to +let them pass by. They soon came into view +and he recognized the Montgomery Grays.</p> + +<p>“Andy’s troop,” he muttered, and strained +his eyes to catch sight of his friend, but failed +to do so, at which he was much disappointed.</p> + +<p>The cavalry having passed, he resumed his +journey, but with greater caution, feeling he +must ere long go into hiding until nightfall. A +short tramp brought him to the top of a rise. +From this he made out Confederate troops to +his right and his left, while the road ahead was +alive with them.</p> + +<p>“That settles it. I can’t go much farther in +this direction. I’ll strike out through the +woods.”</p> + +<p>Leaving the road, he pursued a course in the +center of the rising ground, thus avoiding the +swamps upon either side. There was a beaten +trail here, showing that others had taken the +same course.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</span></p> +<p>A few minutes of walking and Louis suddenly +stood still. A horse was coming towards +him, walking slowly. The animal was riderless +and was bleeding from a bullet wound in +the foreleg. As the beast came closer Louis +recognized it. The horse was Firefly.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">LOUIS AND ANDY MEET AGAIN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“Firefly!” burst from the lips of the young +Union soldier. “Whoa, old fellow! Where is +your master?”</p> + +<p>At this question Firefly halted and looked at +Louis as though he would like very much to +talk. The bullet wound made the beast quiver +with pain, and the youth stroked him affectionately.</p> + +<p>“Been in a scrimmage, I’ll wager a pilot +cracker,” the boy went on. “Was Andy killed? +Oh, I sincerely trust not!” And something +like a lump came up in his throat.</p> + +<p>Firefly whinnied and shook his mane vigorously. +Then he turned, as if to lead Louis +down a narrow path branching off from that on +the ridge. At once the boy understood and followed +the animal.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</span></p> +<p>Scarcely three hundred feet had been passed +when Louis heard the murmur of voices, coming +from a little clearing, backed up by a treacherous +swamp. As he drew closer, he recognized +Andy’s voice:</p> + +<p>“Let me alone, Jacks, or it will be the worse +for you,” the young Confederate cavalryman +was saying. “You are nothing but a thief, I +know, but you shall not rob me.”</p> + +<p>“We are two to one, Arlington,” came from +Sam Jacks. “And I ain’t forgot how yer interfered +with me an’ my pards up ter Lee Run. +I’m a-goin’ ter git squar’, I am.”</p> + +<p>“It’s a mighty fine gold watch the kid’s got,” +put in another, and now Louis recognized the +vicious face of Caleb Fox through the brush. +“It ought ter be wuth fifty dollars an’ more.”</p> + +<p>“You wounded my horse and made him run +away,” went on Andy. “I ought to shoot you +both for that.”</p> + +<p>“Ye can’t frighten us, Arlington,” chuckled +Sam Jacks. “Don’t we know neither of yer +pistols is loaded? An’ if yer try to draw thet +saber—” Jacks finished by suggestively tapping +his own pistol.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</span></p> +<p>An instant later there came a savage howl +from Caleb Fox, who had come close to Andy +with the intention of searching him. The young +Confederate had whipped out his saber and the +point had caught Fox in the fleshy part of his +left lower limb.</p> + +<p>“Back, I say!” cried Andy, as he took a +stand near a tree. Wild with rage Caleb Fox +drew a long horse-pistol from his belt.</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix yer!” he fairly hissed, and aimed +the weapon at Andy’s head. Before, however, +he could pull the trigger, if such was really his +intention, there came a sharp crack from the +brush and the pistol fell to the ground while +Fox began to dance around in pain, a bullet +wound directly through his wrist.</p> + +<p>“Louis!” burst from Andy’s lips, as the +young Union soldier rushed forward. “Was +it you shot him?”</p> + +<p>“It was, Andy; and I’ll shoot him again if +he attempts another such attack. Rascals like +these are a disgrace to any army. Up with +your hands, Sam Jacks!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</span></p> +<p>For Jacks had made a motion towards his +belt. Louis’s pistol was now on a level with +the mountaineer’s head, his eyes shone with +cool determination—and the hands went up as +requested.</p> + +<p>“This ain’t fair an’ squar’,” muttered Sam +Jacks. “Put thet gun down—it might go +off.” And he endeavored to step out of +range.</p> + +<p>“Stand still, Jacks,” commanded Louis, “or +my pistol will go off, and Fox can testify to +what sort of a bead I can draw.”</p> + +<p>“My wrist is broke!” moaned Fox, still +dancing about. “You young villain! If ever +I git a chance—”</p> + +<p>“No threats, Fox. The best thing you can +do is to wet your handkerchief, if you have one, +in yonder pool and bind the wound up. Stop—that +pistol can remain where it is—or Andy, +perhaps you had better pick it up.”</p> + +<p>“I will, seeing that my own is unloaded,” +answered Andy. “But what brought you here, +and in that outfit?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll explain later. At present—Hi, Jacks, +stop!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</span></p> +<p>But Sam Jacks was not stopping just then. +Watching his chance, he had leaped for the +shelter of the nearest bushes. Now he went +tearing along at a breakneck speed. Louis tried +to follow him, but soon stopped the pursuit, +thinking it would be useless to catch the rascal. +Presently the sounds of his footsteps died +away in the distance.</p> + +<p>“He’s gone,” he announced, upon returning +to the clearing. “You may as well let Fox go, +too. I reckon he has learned a lesson he won’t +forget in a hurry.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you let me have my pistol?” demanded +the guerrilla.</p> + +<p>“No,” was the short reply. “Go, and be +thankful you have saved your life,” answered +Andy. “If ever I catch sight of you near our +camp I’ll report you and have you both put +under arrest as battlefield thieves.”</p> + +<p>Muttering under his breath, Caleb Fox slunk +off, one hand holding the wounded wrist. He +pursued the direction Jacks had taken—a path +leading to the rendezvous of the guerrillas.</p> + +<p>The pair of rascals gone, Louis and Andy +shook hands. “I owe you one for this,” said +Andy, with a warm smile. “If you hadn’t appeared +there is no telling what those two would +have done to me. Perhaps they might have +killed me and pitched me into the swamp.” +And he shuddered at the thought.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</span></p> +<p>“It was Firefly brought me here,” answered +Louis, and patted the animal affectionately. +“But why are you out here alone?”</p> + +<p>“I am carrying a message to General Longstreet, +and I reckon I got on the wrong road. +But what have you got to say for yourself? I +heard you were either shot or a prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“I was a prisoner, Andy; but I managed to +get away, and now I’m trying to return to my +own camp—if I can find it.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you know you are in our lines?” +and Andy looked deeply concerned.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I know that only too well. I suppose +I’ll have no picnic running the picket +line.”</p> + +<p>“Hang me if I don’t wish I could help you, +Louis. I know it’s all wrong, according to the +rules of war, but—but—well, you know what +they say, ‘Blood is thicker than water,’ and +such a friendship as ours—”</p> + +<p>“Can’t be shattered by the bullets and shells +of war,” finished Louis, with a short laugh. +“I should trust not, Andy. Come what may, +I shall always look upon you as a brother, even +though I’ll do my level best to help the North +win in this great struggle.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</span></p> +<p>“And I shall always hold you as my best and +only chum, Louis,” was the warm reply, “and +of course I’ll fight just as hard as I can for our +side. How are your folks?”</p> + +<p>“Father is quite well again, and mother is, +too,” answered Louis, and told of the trouble +at the farm and how he now hoped to clear it. +“In the last letter written by Lucy, she and +Martha wanted to know if I ever heard of you. +What of your people?”</p> + +<p>“Father is not so well. Mother has a good +deal of trouble taking care of him. Grace +writes to me every week, and last week she +wanted to know if she could get a letter through +to you,” and Andy closed one eye, at which +Louis blushed furiously.</p> + +<p>“You are making that up, Andy—don’t tell +me you are not. However, remember me to +Grace, and tell her I am doing nicely in spite +of fights and bad weather. If you— Hark! +Some soldiers are coming! They must be some +of your troops, and if that is so, I must be going. +Good-bye, Andy, and may we meet again +soon!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</span></p> +<p>“Good-bye, Louis. Oh, if I could only see +you safe to your camp! Yes, you must hurry, +for the soldiers are coming on the double-quick! +Hark! there are rifle shots! There must be a +skirmish of some kind over to the left!”</p> + +<p>“If there is, it will help me through, Andy. +Good-bye!” And with a last fervid hand-clasp +the two chums parted, not to meet again until +the memorable battle of Malvern Hill.</p> + +<p>As Andy had said, the sounds of firing came +from the left. Running along the ridge trail, +Louis kept on until he reckoned he was about +midway between the two lines of shots, although +still to the right of the scene of the contest. +He then slowed up and proceeded through the +bushes with great caution, his pistol cocked and +ready for instant use.</p> + +<p>Less than a hundred and fifty feet had been +covered in this fashion, when he reached another +clearing which marked, east and west, +the picket lines of the two armies. The firing +was now close at hand, and presently, from the +cover of the woods, came scampering a company +of boys in blue closely followed by twice +their number of boys in gray. The former were +reloading their guns as they came on, the Confederates +opening fire meanwhile and causing +several to drop in their tracks.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</span></p> +<p>Throwing away his gray cap, Louis darted +into the clearing and joined the flying Union +men. As he went on he picked up a gun one of +the wounded soldiers had cast away.</p> + +<p>“Union or reb?” came the question, as the +company halted behind some bushes.</p> + +<p>“Union, captain,” was the prompt answer. +“I’ve been a rebel prisoner.”</p> + +<p>There was no time to say more, for the company +was now ordered to about face, and the +advancing Confederates received a reception +which caused a hasty retreat; and the skirmish +was over. During the siege such skirmishes +were of almost daily occurrence. The +picket lines were re-established, the dead and +wounded cared for, and that was the end of the +matter, save for the great “blowing” done +afterwards upon both sides.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</span></p> +<p>The excitement over, Louis was conducted to +the rear, where he had to give a strict account +of himself to the general in charge of the regiment +stationed in the woods. This was done in +order to ascertain beyond all doubt that he was +not a Confederate spy. He was informed where +his own regiment was located, nearly a mile +away, and a corporal was detailed to conduct +him hither and learn if his story was a true one.</p> + +<p>“Louis! We had given you up for lost!” +cried Harry Bingham, when he appeared, and +the youth was soon surrounded by friends. He +lost no time in reporting to his commander. +When Captain Paulding learned that he had +really been in Richmond and had had a chance +of overlooking the fortifications there with a +field glass, he sent word to headquarters to +that effect.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</span></p> +<p>The next day came an important order for +Louis. It was from General McClellan, to the +effect that he should present himself at the +headquarters of the commander-in-chief without +delay.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<p class="center large bold">LOUIS VISITS GENERAL McCLELLAN</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>Louis’s heart gave a bound. He was to visit +the great commander-in-chief of the Army of +the Potomac! He had seen General McClellan +before, of course, for the general was very +popular with his men and loved to roam about +among them, but he had never had the chance +of speaking with so distinguished an officer.</p> + +<p>The day was a quiet one through the great +camp as Louis walked from the quarters of the +Goreville Volunteers, a distance of nearly two +miles, to where General McClellan had stationed +himself and his staff. The troops had +not yet recovered from the shock experienced +at Fair Oaks and lay resting here, there, and +everywhere, although the picket line was ever +on the alert.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</span></p> +<p>For this occasion Louis had donned an +almost new uniform, every particular button of +which shone its brightest. He had, moreover, +had his hair trimmed by a fellow-soldier who +was a barber, and altogether he presented a +prepossessing appearance as he came up, +saluted, and told the orderly the object of his +mission.</p> + +<p>General McClellan was just then busy dictating +reports to his secretary and conversing with +several of his officers, and Louis had to wait +nearly an hour before he was admitted to the +presence of the commander. When he was told +to enter, General McClellan received him with +a kindly smile.</p> + +<p>“Private Rockford, General Heintzelman reports +that you were taken prisoner by the +rebels, carried off to Richmond, and that you +had a fair chance to look around the city before +you escaped and got back into camp. Is that +true?”</p> + +<p>“I did not have much of a chance to look +around while I was a prisoner, general. But I +did look around a bit after I escaped and before +I started in this direction.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</span></p> +<p>“Did you take note of any of their fortifications, +or the number and disposition of their +troops?”</p> + +<p>“I took note of all I possibly could, sir—feeling +that it was knowledge worth getting for +our side,” answered Louis, with pardonable +pride.</p> + +<p>“Tell me your story. But be brief, for I am +busy to-day. Never mind how you were captured +or who took you to Richmond.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you all I know in as few words as +I can, sir,” and being motioned to a camp +chair, Louis sat down and related how he and +the others had been imprisoned in the pork-packing +establishment, how he and Hornsby +had escaped and separated, and of his doings +at the home of Robert Dowling. At the mention +of the spy’s name General McClellan elevated +his eyebrows for an instant, but did not +otherwise betray his surprise.</p> + +<p>“Here is something of a plan I have drawn +of the rebel fortifications as I remember them,” +the youth went on, and drew a roll of paper +from his pocket. “You can see I am no artist, +sir. Those crosses represent woods and those +lines of dots are rebel troops. The little bars +on the fortifications are batteries.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</span></p> +<p>“Hum!” General McClellan spread the +paper out on his camp table and pored over it +earnestly. “This line is the outskirts of Richmond?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. That box marked L. P. is Libby +Prison, and that is the Williamsburg road. +That fortification is near the Mechanicsville +bridge, directly in front of these headquarters.”</p> + +<p>“And what is that?” and General McClellan +pointed upon the map with the point of a +pen.</p> + +<p>“That is a fortification commanding the +Chickahominy to the northeast of the city. I +heard that General Johnston used to stay there, +and I also heard the rebels have a large magazine +there. And, sir, I heard General Johnston +is severely wounded and that General Lee will +take his place, and the rebels think Jackson +will soon come down to Richmond from the +valley.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</span></p> +<p>At this General McClellan smiled again. +“You have had your ears wide open for one +of your age,” he said. “This map will perhaps +prove of value, although it merely corroborates +what our regular spies have already furnished +us with.” He looked at the paper again +and continued to ask questions, all of which +Louis answered as well as he was able. +In fifteen minutes the interview was over. +“One thing I wish to caution you about, Rockford,” +were the general’s final words. “Do +not mention Robert Dowling by name. The +word may get back to Richmond and cause the +man who befriended you much trouble.”</p> + +<p>“I will remember, general.”</p> + +<p>“For a young man of your age you have +done remarkably well. Keep on as you have +started and who knows but that you will one +day be wearing a general’s shoulder-straps?” +and then the general bowed pleasantly and +turned away, while Louis saluted in his best +manner and walked out. The cordial reception +had made Louis the general’s friend for life.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p386a" style="max-width: 70.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p386a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p>“<span class="smcap">Keep on as you have started and who knows but that + you will one day be wearing a general’s + shoulder-straps?</span>”—<i>Page 387.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</span></p> +<p>It must not be imagined that Louis had forgotten +Hornsby. His first words on getting into +camp had been concerning his fellow-prisoner. +Nothing had been heard of the old soldier. As +a matter of fact, the man was recaptured not +six hours after dropping from the prison window, +and it was only by good luck that he was +not shot. Two days later he was removed to +Libby Prison, where he remained until the first +exchange of prisoners after the termination of +the peninsula campaign.</p> + +<p>Louis received an ovation when he returned +to the ranks of the Goreville Volunteers.</p> + +<p>“He’s been a-dining with General McClellan,” +said Callings. “Louis, what did you +have, quail on toast or stuffed turkey? Did he +treat to Havana cigars or Pittsburg stogies?”</p> + +<p>“I pet you der cheneral vos calls him a pully +poy,” put in Hans Roddmann. “Und dot’s +vot he vos—der pulliest poy in der camp, +hey?” And he slapped Louis so heartily upon +the back that the young soldier had the breath +knocked out of him. Jerry Rowe said nothing, +but stood by, looking as sour as possible.</p> + +<p>“The airs Louis Rockford puts on make me +sick,” he grumbled to Benny Bruce, later +on.</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk to me, Jerry Rowe,” answered +Benny, with flashing eyes. “You’re the biggest +coward in the camp and I don’t care to recognize +you.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</span></p> +<p>“Call me a coward,” cried Jerry, in a rage. +He went at Benny with his fists, expecting the +drummer boy to retreat. But Benny had heard +enough about Jerry and he determined to make +a stand if it cost him his life. He dodged +Jerry’s first rush and then planted a blow on +the big boy’s neck which sent Jerry headlong +to the grass.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” called out a soldier, who saw +the row. “Benny Bruce is giving Jerry Rowe +a long-deserved licking!” and the cry soon +drew a crowd. Mad with rage and mortification, +Jerry leaped up and made another rush, +only to have the first dose repeated. Benny’s +eyes burned like two live coals.</p> + +<p>“You’ve taunted me enough, Jerry Rowe,” +he panted. “After this you leave me alone, +understand?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll—I’ll kill you!” howled Jerry, again +scrambling up. This time he managed to hit +Benny on the cheek, but in return came a smashing +blow on the nose, “a regular sockdolager,” +so Harry Bingham said, and Jerry staggered +back with his face covered with blood. Benny +followed him up, when lo and behold, Jerry’s +cowardly nature asserted itself and he actually +ran away from the aggressive little drummer +boy! What a shout went up!</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for Benny Bruce!”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</span></p> +<p>“He’ll be a man yet. Shake hands, Benny. +Jerry Rowe won’t bother you again, I’ll bet +you a shilling.”</p> + +<p>“Benny vos almost so much of a mans as +Louis, py chiminatty!” said Hans Roddmann. +“Mine poy, I vos broud of you. Der best dings +Cherry can do is to desert und choin der +enemy.”</p> + +<p>“They won’t have him,” said Louis. +“Benny, I’m glad to see you able to stick up +for yourself. I don’t believe in fist-fighting, +but I guess Jerry Rowe deserved all he got.”</p> + +<p>“He’s been picking at me since we enlisted,” +answered the drummer boy, who was still panting +from his exertions. “All I ask of him is +to leave me alone.”</p> + +<p>None of the officers had witnessed the encounter, +which took place behind some bushes to the +side of the camp, and the matter was hushed +up. After that Jerry Rowe took good care to +leave Benny Bruce alone.</p> + +<p>As soon as he could do so, Louis wrote a long +letter to the folks at home and with this sent +the document received from Theodore Faily.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</span></p> +<p>“There, I hope that makes everything +right,” he said to himself, as he dropped the +communication into the mail bag. He was very +happy to think he had met Mr. Faily, but his +happiness was cut short the next day when word +was brought in that there had been a fire on +the docks and some mail matter had been destroyed.</p> + +<p>“Oh, was our mail in the bunch destroyed?” +he asked, of the under officer who brought the +news.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, but I am afraid so,” was the +answer, which made Louis’s heart sink like a +lump of lead in his bosom.</p> + +<p>On the following morning there was a slight +commotion in camp. Some guerrillas had been +captured, and Louis went to the spot to see +them. To his surprise Caleb Fox and Sam +Jacks were among the prisoners. Both were +wounded, although not seriously.</p> + +<p>“What are they going to do with those prisoners?” +asked Louis, of one of the guards.</p> + +<p>“Shoot ’em, I guess,” was the answer. +“They deserve it.” But Fox and Jacks were +not shot. Instead they were tried and sentenced +to prison until the end of the war,—with a +black mark against each,—which meant that +they could not be exchanged.</p> + +<p>“Well, I am glad they are out of the way,” +was Louis’s comment, when he heard of this.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</span></p> +<p>For over a week matters were quiet in the +great camp so far as the Goreville Volunteers +were concerned. On all sides the commands +were strengthened so far as such a course was +possible, and again General McClellan sent out +his call for reinforcements and received less +than a tenth of what he hoped for, and what he +deemed absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Confederates were not +idle. General Lee was now in absolute control, +and by his work the army of the South was +equipped and disciplined far better than ever +before. Lee also began to correspond with General +Jackson and was assured that Jackson with +his command of the Shenandoah would be +ready to unite with Lee’s forces whenever +wanted. Thus was extinguished the last hope +the Union army had of entering Richmond as a +conclusion to the great peninsula campaign.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</span></p> +<p>Although the Goreville Volunteers were idle, +the Montgomery Grays were decidedly active. +About the middle of June a force of fifteen hundred +Confederate cavalry under General Stuart +moved from Richmond over to Hanover Court +House, where they had a brush with a small +body of Union soldiers, put them to flight, and +destroyed many military stores from Hanover +Court House to Tunstall’s Station, on the York +River. From the York they moved to New +Kent Court House and then to White Oak +Swamp, thus taking a position directly in the +rear of the Union army. Nearly two hundred +prisoners were taken, and this cavalry +raid was certainly the most daring of the whole +campaign. Andy was in this raid and acquitted +himself with great honor by helping to capture +four Unionists, one supposed to be a spy, although +the man never acknowledged it.</p> + +<p>This raid, along with other happenings, made +General McClellan decide to change his base of +supplies from White House, on the York, to the +James River on the southern side of the peninsula. +With this change of base this story has +nothing to do, although the happenings upon +that occasion, how the army goods were transported +by boat and by wagon, and how what +was left behind was burned, would fill a volume. +It was a tremendous change, but a necessary +one, and was made none too soon.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</span></p> +<p>The last week in June found the two armies +ready for the final conflict—standing at bay, +like two monsters, each measuring the strength +of the other. They were on the verge of seven +days of almost continual fighting. Everything +that the two commanding generals could well +do had been done. McClellan was vainly calling +for the increase in troops he could not obtain, +Lee was recruiting from every possible +source, while Jackson, still maneuvering in the +valley to deceive McDowell, was marching with +all possible speed with the main body of his +soldiers to help guard the Southern capital.</p> + +<p>On June twenty-fifth the contest began by the +advance of the Union forces in the neighborhood +of Seven Pines. At the same time General +Jackson descended from the Shenandoah +Valley and prepared for an immediate and +heavy attack upon the right wing of the Union +army. This was done after a consultation with +General Lee, and through this means General +McClellan was forced to abandon his attack and +henceforth act upon the defensive.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</span></p> +<p>The Seven Days’ battles began properly at +Mechanicsville on the twenty-sixth, and there +followed in rapid succession the battles of +Gaines’s Mill, Allen’s Farm, Savage Station, +Glendale, and several others of lesser importance, +topped by the terrific struggle at Malvern +Hill, where the fierce advance of the +Confederates was at last stayed by the Union +forces, and General McClellan was allowed to +withdraw to Harrison Landing without further +molestation.</p> + +<p>To go into the details of the battles enumerated +above would take far more space than we +have to spare for such purposes. If the advance +of the Confederate forces was masterly, +equally so was the skillful retreat of the Union +troops. Every mile of the ground was contested, +as both sides fought their way through +woods and swamps, and along roads now heavy +with mud and then again ankle deep with dust, +the Confederates with their capital and its supplies +behind them, the Union army carrying +with it thousands of sick and wounded and all +that it was trying to save.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</span></p> +<p>But all these wonderfully interesting details +must be left to the historians of the past and +the future. We will pass on to the adventures +Louis and Andy were to experience in those +trying times, adventures more exciting than +any they had yet encountered.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</h2> + <p class="center large bold">ADVENTURES DURING THE SEVEN DAYS’ BATTLES + </p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>“Harry, we are going to move at last!”</p> + +<p>“Who said so?”</p> + +<p>“Captain Paulding. I just heard him talking +to the general. I fancy we are in for a bit +of hard fighting now.”</p> + +<p>“We have waited here too long, Louis, to my +way of thinking. The rebels must have a tremendous +reinforcement by this time.”</p> + +<p>It was a clear, warm day. It had not rained +now for more than ten days, and the high +ground around the camp was beginning to show +signs of dust. On every side activity prevailed. +Yet it was not until the middle of the afternoon +that orders reached the regiment to which the +Goreville boys belonged to move forward, in +heavy marching order.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</span></p> +<p>“This does mean business,” Blackwell +exclaimed. “We’re either going to march for +Richmond or—”</p> + +<p>“Or what, Blackwell?”</p> + +<p>“Or we’re going to retreat.”</p> + +<p>“Retreat!” came from half a dozen throats.</p> + +<p>“Exactly, fellows. You see—”</p> + +<p>The roll of Benny Bruce’s drum cut the remark +short. Soon soldiers were hurrying in +all directions as the call to arms sounded upon +the afternoon air. Half an hour later the +Goreville Volunteers were on the march, moving +down a road in the direction of Mechanicsville.</p> + +<p>Less than half a mile had been covered, when +they heard the deep booming of cannon, followed +by the sharp rattle of musketry. The +shots came in quick succession, showing that +not a mere skirmish but a genuine battle was in +progress.</p> + +<p>Louis’s heart began to beat fast. He had +done no fighting since that advance at Fair +Oaks. What did the immediate future hold in +store? He breathed a silent prayer that all +might go well with him.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</span></p> +<p>A small hill was ascended and before the +Volunteers was spread a moving panorama of +soldiers, marching, retreating, and firing so +fast that the clouds of dust almost hid the gallant +fighters from view. On another hill a Confederate +battery was dealing out death with +every discharge of its four guns.</p> + +<p>“That battery must be taken!” This was +the cry that ran along the line, as the Goreville +Volunteers swept into action. “Forward, men, +and keep close. One gallant charge and the +day is ours!”</p> + +<p>Away went the men, each bayonet glistening +brightly in the clear sunshine. On and on over +the tramped-down grass, the soldiers so close +together that nothing could go between them, +Harry on one side of Louis, Blackwell upon the +other—on and on, through the smoke and dust. +Louis could fairly feel his heart thump against +his cross-belts.</p> + +<p>Boom! boom! boom! The Confederate battery +had opened upon them in deadly earnest. +The long flashes of fire, the whistling of grape +and canister, was followed by yells and shrieks +of agony never-to-be-forgotten. Men dropped +by the score and for a moment the line staggered +and halted.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</span></p> +<p>“Close up! close up! forward!” came the +command, and the men crowded together again. +Now came the order to fire, and the first line +did so. Then they dropped upon their knees +and the second line fired over their heads. The +rifles were pointed at the Confederate gunners +and several were seen to tumble back. Then +on swept the Union line, yelling with a voice +that is never heard anywhere but on the battlefield +where men are fighting for their very lives.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p400a" style="max-width: 68.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p400a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><span class="smcap">Then on swept the Union line, yelling with a voice + that is never heard anywhere but on the battlefield.</span> + <i>Page 399.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<p>The guns were now in plain sight, and fearful +of the attack, a regiment of Confederate infantry +was hurled to the front to stay the progress +of the long line of blue. It was bayonet to bayonet, +with a clash and a crash that could have +been heard for half a mile had not the general +din swallowed it up. But the boys in blue were +on the run and could not be stayed until the +battery was gained and silenced.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</span></p> +<p>The encounter nearly threw Louis off his +feet. As the Confederates came closer, he suddenly +saw before him a tall, thin man, with a +browned, determined face. The bayonet of the +man was thrust with a vicious lunge straight +for his heart. With a desperate effort, Louis +knocked the weapon aside. Then his own bayonet +lunged forward and the tall, thin man went +down, pierced through the side. Like a flash +he was lost to view, as the first and then the +second line of attack trampled over his body, +and Louis found himself confronted by another +foe.</p> + +<p>“The battery is ours! Hurrah!” This was +the cry which rang over the field. The Confederate +infantry had been forced back, inch by +inch, until the Union soldiers now held the entire +top of the hill. It looked as if the day +would remain their own.</p> + +<p>But this was not yet to be. From the woods +beyond there burst a fresh regiment of North +Carolina troops, and close behind them came +some Alabama reserves, and once again the +men in gray made an onslaught, yelling like so +many demons. Some artillery also came into +place, dealing death at every discharge and cutting +down those on the very apex of the hill as +with a huge scythe.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</span></p> +<p>“They’re too many for us!” Who started +the cry will never be known. But it was enough +to put the Union regiment upon the retreat. +An effort was made to spike the Confederate +battery which had just been taken, but there +was not time enough, and in a twinkling blue +and gray were fighting in the hollow beneath +the hill, “like cats in a water butt,” to use +Moses Blackwell’s words. Moses had had a +shot through his ear lobe, from which the blood +flowed freely, but the thought of retiring to the +rear never once entered his head.</p> + +<p>“If only a fellow had a drink of water!” +panted Louis. The Goreville Volunteers had +reached the shelter of some brush, and the Confederates +had failed to follow them up. He +looked around and found a pool close at hand. +He was kneeling to get a drink when a cannon +boomed forth, the ball ploughed into the pool +and he found himself bespattered with water +and mud! He forgot all about being thirsty, +but rolled over and retreated on a run.</p> + +<p>There was now a call to support another +regiment in a different section of the field, and +once again the Goreville boys set off on the +double-quick, loading as they ran. They were +now in the vicinity of the river, and blue and +gray were fighting for the possession of a +bridge.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</span></p> +<p>“We will go below,” said Captain Paulding, +who had received orders to that effect from the +general of the regiment. “The Confederates +have found a lodging on this bank behind some +fallen trees and we must root them out.”</p> + +<p>The march was through some swamp lands +close to the river. The change from the sunshine +and heat to the damp shade of the forest +trees cooled the ardor of the soldiers, but still +they went on with grim determination. Several +hundred feet were passed, when there arose a +wild yell from the right and from the left. +They had fallen into a trap!</p> + +<p>“Fire! Charge bayonets! Fall back!” +These and half a dozen other orders rang out. +But no one heard them. The Confederates +were hemming them in. They must cut their +way back to safety. A fierce fighting arose +upon every side. Louis charged with the +others. He had taken less than ten steps when +a clubbed musket hit him alongside of the head +and he was knocked almost senseless. He staggered +off to a thicket, pitched upon a tuft of +swamp grass; and knew no more.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</span></p> +<p>When the young Union soldier came to his +senses all was pitch dark around him. His +head ached as if it would split open, and his +ears still rang from the concussions of the +battle. He endeavored to sit up, but fell back completely +exhausted.</p> + +<p>The first sound which claimed his attention +was that of the swamp frogs. How calmly they +croaked, as though such a thing as war was +unknown. Then came the cry of a distant +night-bird, returning, after a brief season of +alarm, to its nest. He continued to rest and to +listen, and thus gradually his headache became +more endurable.</p> + +<p>It was the cold which finally made him arouse +himself. He reckoned it must be three or four +o’clock in the morning. He listened attentively. +Far, far away he fancied he could hear the +tramping of horses and the rumbling of wagons. +It was the retreat of the Union baggage trains. +The Army of the Potomac, finding the enemy +too numerous, had begun its withdrawal to the +James River. A part were already at Gaines’s +Mill, preparing for the battle which was bound +to come at the break of day.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</span></p> +<p>“I must get back to our regiment,” he +thought, and arose to his feet. For the moment +he could scarcely stand. He wondered if he had +been shot. Then he remembered the savage +blow from the gun-stock. He put his hand up +to his head. There was a large and sore lump +back of his ear.</p> + +<p>Which way should he turn? It was a puzzling +question. The enemy might be all around +him, and he had no desire to be taken prisoner +again. He thought of the river, close at hand. +The Union army must be on or near that, perhaps +five or ten miles below. He would follow +the river, for want of a better path.</p> + +<p>The task Louis had cut out for himself was +no easy one. The swamps were treacherous +and soon he found himself up to his knees in +muck and water. He could scarcely move, and +coming to a slight elevation threw himself +down, panting for breath. He was near the +main stream and now something caught his eye +which gave him a new idea.</p> + +<p>The something was a flat-bottom boat, resting +half in and half out of the water, the oars +sticking over the bow. Instantly his mind was +made up. He would take to the boat and row, +or rather guide himself, down the Chickahominy +until an assured place of safety was gained.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</span></p> +<p>A few steps forward, and he had just begun +to shove upon the bow of the craft, when a +slight movement at the bottom caused him to +start. A man lay there, his forehead tied up +with a bandage. The man was a Confederate +captain.</p> + +<p>“Who’s that?” asked the man, in rather a +weak voice.</p> + +<p>“A soldier,” answered Louis, and added +quickly: “Are you alone here, captain?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, worse luck. Where is my command? +I was struck by a glancing bullet and knocked +out.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know where your command is, captain. +Can you get up? This is a bad resting-place.”</p> + +<p>“Can I get up? Why—Heavens! a Union +soldier, and I thought you a friend! What does +this mean?”</p> + +<p>“Keep still, captain,” answered Louis, and +then as the wounded officer made a movement +as if to draw his pistol, the youth leaned over +him and snatched it from his belt.</p> + +<p>“Hi! give me my pistol!” came in a weak +but fierce tone. The Confederate officer tried +to rise, but Louis shoved him back.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</span></p> +<p>“Keep still now. As you discovered, I am a +Union soldier, and I have no desire to be made +a prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“What do you intend to do?”</p> + +<p>“Take this boat and row down the stream.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to go down the stream.”</p> + +<p>“In this case I am afraid you’ll have to go, +captain. Lie still while I shove off.”</p> + +<p>“But, see here—”</p> + +<p>“Silence, if you value your life!” and Louis +leveled the pistol at the man’s head. The +threat had the desired effect. The Confederate +captain fell back, and Louis shoved the boat +into the stream. The youth soon found rowing +out of the question and merely guided the craft +as it drifted swiftly along the swollen river.</p> + +<p>Half a mile had been covered and Louis was +guiding the boat around a bend when the +sounds of voices in a thicket ahead reached his +ears. To slow up was impossible and he therefore +guided the craft to the opposite shore from +whence the voices came.</p> + +<p>“Halt! In the boat, halt!” rang out the +cry. “Who goes there?” and Louis saw the +glint of a rifle barrel thrust through the leaves +not twenty feet from him.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</span></p> +<p>“It’s a Yank, sure ez you’re born,” came in +another, but lower, voice. “Plug him, Bart, +afore he gits the chance to git away!”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + <p class="center large bold">BETWEEN THE LINES</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>Louis felt he was in one of the most trying +situations of his life. The Confederate picket +had drawn a bead upon him, and unless he answered +promptly he would undoubtedly be shot +and killed.</p> + +<p>“Stop! do yer hear?” came the voice again. +Louis put down his oar and found the river less +than a foot and a half deep. The blade was +sunk into the mud and the headway of the craft +checked.</p> + +<p>“We are friends,” shouted the young Union +soldier. “You have no right to detain us.”</p> + +<p>“Who are yer?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</span></p> +<p>Louis leaned down. “Tell them who you are +and say I am detailed to take you to a farmhouse +below here,” he whispered to his prisoner. +“If you don’t help me out of this scrape +I’ll shoot you!” and he shoved the pistol forth +suggestively.</p> + +<p>“Don’t—don’t shoot me!” pleaded the +wounded one.</p> + +<p>“Then do as I ordered,” returned Louis, as +cautiously as before, but his tone was cold and +told that he meant what he said.</p> + +<p>“Air yer goin’ ter answer?” came from the +shore.</p> + +<p>“It’s—it’s all right, men,” answered the +prisoner, raising himself with an effort. “I’m +Captain Garrison, of the Fourth Infantry. I’ve +been wounded and my man is taking me down +to a farmhouse below here, where I have +friends.”</p> + +<p>“Humph.” There was a pause. “Got the +countersign, cap’n?”</p> + +<p>“Alabama.”</p> + +<p>“Thet’s all right, cap’n; pass on, ef yer +want to.”</p> + +<p>“Are we in danger from the Yanks?” asked +Louis, as he pulled on the oar with all possible +haste.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</span></p> +<p>“Ain’t no Yanks inside o’ half a mile, to my +way o’ reckonin’,” answered the Confederate +picket, and then the boat drifted onward, and +Louis breathed a great sigh of relief. The +talking had almost exhausted the prisoner, and +he lay motionless, with his eyes closed, in too +much pain to even speculate over the outcome +of his unfortunate adventure.</p> + +<p>Another half-mile was covered without +further interruption. It was now beginning to +grow light in the east and Louis cast an anxious +eye from shore to shore. Had the river +at this point been deserted? It would certainly +seem so.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</span></p> +<p>Crash! The flat-bottom boat struck a half-submerged +log, end on end. The shock was +strong enough to rip open the bow, and the +water poured in with great rapidity. The collision +threw Louis, who was standing up with +the oar, overboard, and so unexpected was the +happening that he could do nothing but struggle +to save himself. Down he went until his +arms struck the soft bottom. Then he arose and +struck out for the nearest shore. In the meantime, +the boat swung around, cleared itself +of the log that had done all the damage, and +went on its way, half-submerged, with Captain +Garrison clinging fast for his life. Soon wreck +and prisoner were out of sight. Louis fancied +the captain had been drowned, but such was not +a fact. He survived, to fall, later on, into the +hands of his friends.</p> + +<p>Dripping with mud and water, Louis crawled +up the bank of the Chickahominy and into a +tangle of bushes. Was he any better off than +he had been? was the question he asked himself.</p> + +<p>“I ought to be nearer the Union lines,” he +muttered. “If I could only climb some hill and +then a tall tree I might—Ha! what’s that?”</p> + +<p>A peculiar odor, as of cooking meat, had +reached his nose. He sniffed it and found the +odor coming stronger. Then he heard low +negro voices.</p> + +<p>“Ain’t dat fowl most done, Henry Harrison +Dundell?”</p> + +<p>“It am, Uncle Ike.”</p> + +<p>“Den let us eat um up, afore some o’ dem +sodgers cum fo’ to take it away from us.”</p> + +<p>“De taters am dun, too, Uncle Ike.”</p> + +<p>“Dat’s good, boy, dat’s good. Come an’ +stow um away now.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</span></p> +<p>A rattle of tin plates and a couple of knives +followed. Crawling forward, Louis soon beheld +a wretched negro hut, half-tumbled-down, on +the edge of a clearing. In front of the hut an +aged negro and a darkey boy were enjoying a +feast of chicken meat and baked potatoes.</p> + +<p>Making certain that no others were around, +Louis advanced, pistol in hand. At the sight +of the young soldier, both colored ones started +to run, the uncle with the chicken and the boy +with his arms full of smoking hot potatoes, +which burnt him and caused him to dance a +lively jig.</p> + +<p>“Stop, both of you!”</p> + +<p>“Fo’ de lan’ sake, officer, doan you shoot +us!” moaned the aged negro.</p> + +<p>“I won’t uncle; but come back with that +chicken. I want a drumstick, and I want a +couple of those potatoes; they smell good.”</p> + +<p>Much relieved in mind, the two colored ones +returned and gladly divided their morning +meal with Louis. As he ate, the young soldier +questioned the aged darkey, as to the camp of +the Army of the Potomac.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</span></p> +<p>“Da is right ober yander, sah,” was the +reply, and the colored man pointed with his +long, bony hand. “But, bless you, sah, General +Lee an’ General Jackson am all aroun’ +yeah wid thousands an’ thousands ob troops +ready fo’ to swallow yo’ up, moah de +pity!”</p> + +<p>“They won’t swallow us up so easily,” +smiled Louis. He sat with his back to the fire, +drying himself. In an hour he was ready to +go on, and the aged colored man gave him +minute directions as to the best trail to follow.</p> + +<p>Morning had now come, and once again the +sun shone hotly. Not a cannon boomed in the +distance, for the battle of Gaines’s Mill did not +really open in earnest until some time after +noon. With the pistol of the Confederate captain +stuck in his belt, Louis trudged on and on. +At noon he stopped, wondering where he was. +He had taken a wrong turn and now found himself +in a thicket. He tried to take a cross cut, +and became hopelessly lost, and thus the best +part of the day slipped by.</p> + +<p>He was lost in the swamps of the Chickahominy!</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</span></p> +<p>Only the old veterans who went through our +great war can realize the full meaning of those +words. “Lost in the swamps” was the fate +of many a straggling soldier who never turned +up to tell his story of starvation. With such +a jungle about him that he could not see twenty +feet ahead, and with mud and water up to his +ankles, Louis stopped short, and a chill shot +through him.</p> + +<p>“I’m in for it,” he murmured, dismally. “I +took the wrong road, or else that negro led me +astray purposely. How in the world am I to +get out?”</p> + +<p>It would not do to remain long in one spot—he +was sinking deeper and deeper in that ooze, +which stuck like so much glue. He staggered +forward until a low-branched tree was reached, +and into this he climbed to rest.</p> + +<p>From afar now came the sounds of battle, as +the Confederate General A. P. Hill sent his +corps to the attack, with Longstreet following. +How bravely the small division of Porter’s +troops resisted, history has told, and it has also +told how the Union troops were finally forced +back and two of their best regiments were taken +prisoners.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</span></p> +<p>But Louis thought of none of these things, +as slowly and painfully he climbed to the top of +the tree. The survey from this spot was disappointing. +He was in a hollow and on every +side the distant woods cut off a further view. +Yet he managed to locate the sounds of battle, +and that was one point gained.</p> + +<p>By the time he descended to the lower +branches of the tree it was dark. To think of +going on was out of the question. He got down +for a drink, then returned to the tree limbs, +to pass an almost sleepless night among the +birds and frogs.</p> + +<p>Daybreak found him hungry and cold. He +now felt he must go on or face starvation. He +had noted the location of the nearest high +ground, and struck out for this, leaping from +one tuft of swamp grass to another, as best he +could. The bushes scratched his hands and +face and tore his clothing, but to this he paid +no attention. He progressed until nearly noon, +when he reached firm ground and a well-defined +trail, and threw himself down to rest.</p> + +<p>He was between his own line and that of the +enemy, he felt tolerably certain of that. But +how should he move to join the Union army? +The trail might lead him directly into the Confederate +camp.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</span></p> +<p>“I don’t care—I’ll risk it,” he muttered at +last. “I can keep my eyes open and I guess +I can run as fast as any of them if it comes to +the pinch.”</p> + +<p>Yet his progress along the trail was slow, +for fallen trees were numerous, and once he +encountered a nest of snakes, just emerging +after an unusually long winter’s nap. His +scramble to get away from the reptiles was +lively enough, for he imagined the snakes +poisonous.</p> + +<p>Nightfall brought him out upon a highway +leading southward. The ground was cut up by +many wheels, showing that artillery had passed +that way but a short while before. Presently +he came up to three soldiers wearing Union +uniforms.</p> + +<p>“Hello there, comrades!” he shouted, joyfully. +“I’m lost. Can’t some of you find me?”</p> + +<p>“We’re lost, too,” was the reply from the +evident leader of the trio. The three men belonged +to a New Jersey command which had +been captured. They had had a tough struggle +and each was wounded, although not seriously. +With this trio Louis proceeded upon his way +feeling much lighter at heart.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</span></p> +<p>That night the four lost ones encamped in +the woods close to the road. A haversack filled +with two days’ rations had been picked up, and +although the eatables were stale, the quartet +fell to with avidity and did not allow a mouthful +to escape them. The march forward was +resumed before the sun came up and at nine +o’clock the pickets of the Union army on guard +near the railroad at Savage Station were encountered. +Nobody had the password, but their +story was soon told and they hurried to the +rear.</p> + +<p>The battles so far upon the withdrawal to +the James River had not been particularly +severe upon the Goreville Volunteers. Out of +a total of seventy men, eight had been killed +and twelve wounded. To be sure, many had +been “scratched,” but in the grimness of war +such trifles do not count.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</span></p> +<p>Louis did not run across his command until +the next day, for now the fighting was general +along the whole line, the Union troops protecting +not only their own retreat, but also the +passage of the vast stores moving from White +House across the peninsula to the James River. +Finding him unemployed, he was asked to act +as an orderly, and mounting a stray horse, he +carried several orders from one part of the +field to another for those in charge of the baggage +train. Thus the day slipped by in work +that was hard but not particularly dangerous.</p> + +<p>“Louis!” cried Harry, when at last the +Goreville boys were found. “By jinks! I ’most +feel like hugging you! I thought you were dead +sure!”</p> + +<p>“I’m a long way from that,” laughed the +youth. “But I’ve had a rough experience, +nevertheless.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</span></p> +<p>And he told his friend of all he had gone +through. There was no time to say much, for +the regiment had been ordered to the rear, to +protect the baggage wagons. Louis and Harry +were both afraid they would not have much to +do, but in this they were greatly mistaken. The +train was attacked by a large company of Confederate +cavalry, and a hot skirmish kept up +until long after nightfall. And so the days +slipped by until the great body of the army of +the Potomac reached Malvern Hill. Hotly pursued +by the Confederates, General McClellan +here took a stand, resulting in the greatest +battle of the peninsula campaign, and one that +Louis and Andy will not forget if they each +live to be a hundred years old.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII</h2> + <p class="center large bold">MALVERN HILL—CONCLUSION</p> + <br> +</div> + + +<p>Malvern Hill was a small elevation, not over +sixty feet high at its topmost point, on the +north bank of the James River. The plateau +above was nearly large enough for the entire +army, and the approach from the north was +rather abrupt, while on the south it was protected +by Western River and heavy timber and +brush.</p> + +<p>The Army of the Potomac took its final stand +around this hill in a huge semi-circle, the right +and the left resting upon the river, where the +gunboats could offer a good support. Back of +the Hill was Harrison Landing, which was to +be the last stopping place for the great army.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</span></p> +<p>It was the intention of the Confederate leaders +to force the fighting simultaneously all +along the line, but when the time for action +came this was impossible. Owing to the +denseness of the forests and the lack of topographical +knowledge of the country, some of the divisions +went astray and at the important moment +were a mile or more away from where they +should have been. Nor were some of the Union +troops better off. Having retreated in haste +and dropped their guns, they, seeing the gunboats +on the river ready to support them, ran +forward again to find their weapons, and meeting +some of the advancing Confederates produced +a confusion which broke up all of the +plans laid for that section of the battleground.</p> + +<p>From early morning the artillery were engaged, +but it was not until about one o’clock +that the real attack of the Confederates began. +From that time on until nine in the evening the +battle waged with relentless fury at one spot +or another, until, seeing they could not force +the Federals from their chosen position, the +army of the South withdrew, and McClellan +was allowed to go his own way. The losses +during the retreat from before Richmond were +over fifteen thousand men upon each side.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</span></p> +<p>Early in the morning the Goreville Volunteers +found themselves resting upon their arms +on a small elevation some distance from the +main hill. Here was planted a strong battery +which they had been called upon to support. +So far this battery had not been into action, +but now, at eleven o’clock, it began to belch +forth at the Confederates who were advancing +in a hollow of the woods below. Only a few +shots were fired, the men in gray taking to +cover as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>“We’re out for hot work to-day,” said +Louis, decidedly. “General Lee is going to do +his level best to break our backbone.”</p> + +<p>“Yah, und maybe it vos his own packbone +vill got proke,” put in Hans Roddmann. “I +been fightin’ so much der last week it seems like +I can’t do noddings else.”</p> + +<p>One man had disappeared from the ranks +without being either killed or wounded. That +was Jerry Rowe. Two days before Jerry had +flung down his gun and started on a run for +Harrison Landing, and there he was now, skulking +among the wagons, waiting for the troops +to embark for Washington. Fortunately, +neither side had many such arrant cowards +as this lad was.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</span></p> +<p>“Attention!” came the cry. “Look to +your guns, boys, and see if they are loaded and +in good condition. No play to-day. The general +expects every man to do his duty.”</p> + +<p>“We will! We will! Down with the rebs! +Let us drive ’em clear back to Richmond!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah for Little Mac!”</p> + +<p>Two hours went by, and again the battery +opened up, as a long line of men in gray were +seen coming through the hollow at double-quick. +The shots did good execution, but the line came +on through the brush, over fallen trees and +rocks, until it was advancing straight up the +little hill.</p> + +<p>“Company, attention! Charge bayonets! +Forward!”</p> + +<p>The battery had blazed away right in the +faces of the men in gray, who were yelling at +the top of their voices. But leaving their dead +and dying behind they strove to reach the cannons. +Now the boys in blue swung out to meet +them. Crack! crack! went the rifle shots, like +barrels of hail, as line after line swung into +position, fired, and wheeled away to make room +for the next. The execution was fearful and +the men in gray faltered at the very mouths of +the pieces they desired to capture.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</span></p> +<p>But now reinforcements were coming—a +large band of cavalry, with colors flying and the +trumpeter blaring wildly. Down the hollow at +breakneck speed and up the other side, the +horses snorting and prancing as they smelt the +smoke and the burnt powder—on and on, until +the foot-soldiers had to leap aside to avoid +being trodden upon. The Montgomery Grays +led the van, and Louis saw Andy in the fore, +with saber waving over his head. Andy was +yelling and Louis almost imagined he heard his +words, but that was impossible in the unearthly +racket upon every side. The battle was opened +in earnest now and sunset would not see it +ended.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</span></p> +<p>“Close up!” It was an order to the Union +men, and they closed up around the battery, +ready to defend every gun to the last. Still +the Confederate cavalry came up, until the leading +horse confronted that line of glistening +bayonets, and then they paused. But only for +an instant; there was a break, and the cavalry +rushed through. The battery was lost and the +Union men scattered in every direction, most +of them flying to the woods on the west. The +gunners lay dead at the wheels of their pieces, +faithful to the last.</p> + +<p>But the victory was a short-lived one. Word +had been sent how the battery was being +pressed, and a body of New York volunteers +were hurried through the woods to the support +of the Pennsylvania men. With a ringing cheer +they burst into the clearing and the cavalry +were shot down, horses and riders, in a fashion +that made the leaders think a whole division +of the enemy pressed them. The order was +given to retreat and they scattered, just as did +the Union men but a short quarter of an hour +before, and some went into that same woods +to the west.</p> + +<p>Hatless, saberless, and shot through the left +arm, Andy dashed into that thicket to avoid +the rain of bullets pouring into what was left +of the Montgomery Grays. Poor Firefly +limped painfully, shot through the flank. It +had been a daring charge, but a useless one, +for the battery was again in the hands of Union +gunners. He panted for breath and wiped the +sweat and dirt from his face.</p> + +<p>“Andy!”</p> + +<p>“Louis! By all that’s wonderful! Where +did you come from?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</span></p> +<p>“We were driven into this woods by your +cavalry—or some cavalry that was with yours. +How did you get here?”</p> + +<p>“Some Union reserves came up and we had +to scatter or be cut down to a man. Oh, but +it’s a fearful day for both sides! I wish this +war was over, Louis.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t wish it any more than I do, +Andy. It’s not all glory, is it?”</p> + +<p>“Hardly. But, hark! Some troops are +coming!”</p> + +<p>“And I am not armed!”</p> + +<p>“Nor I! Listen—they seem to be passing +to our right. We had better separate.”</p> + +<p>“You are badly wounded, and so is Firefly.”</p> + +<p>“So are you wounded. Your cheek is covered +with blood.”</p> + +<p>“That’s only a scratch, Andy. But one of +your horses stepped on my ankle and that’s +not so nice. Hello, what’s the meaning of +that?”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</span></p> +<p>The conversation was broken off and both +young soldiers stared through the thickets. A +strange, heavy smoke was rolling their way. +Firefly sniffed it and began to circle about uneasily.</p> + +<p>“Andy, I think—”</p> + +<p>“The woods are on fire!”</p> + +<p>“You are right—and, see! the fire is behind +us, too!”</p> + +<p>They swung around. It was true, either by +accident or design the forest had been ignited, +and now the dry brush was burning like so +much tinder. From here and there came a distant +cry for help.</p> + +<p>“It looks as if we were hemmed in, Louis. +What shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Do? Get out—just as fast as we can. +Come, there seems to be a clear space to our +left.”</p> + +<p>They hurried off. The wind now began to +blow, carrying the burning embers close to each. +Firefly snorted in alarm and could scarcely be +controlled. As Andy passed under a low-branched +tree the animal gave a sudden bound +and threw his young master backward. The +next instant he was out of sight.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</span></p> +<p>Louis ran forward. Andy lay where he had +fallen, motionless and with his eyes closed. His +head had struck the root of a bush and he was +senseless.</p> + +<p>“Andy! Andy!” cried Louis, pleadingly, +but there was no response.</p> + +<p>The young Union soldier looked back. The +fire was advancing with frightful rapidity. He +must run with all his might if he would save +himself from the devouring element.</p> + +<p>But could he leave Andy, his enemy and yet +his best friend? No, never! “I’ll die with +him before I’ll do it!” he muttered between +his set teeth, and caught up the motionless +form and slung it over his shoulder. The burden +was a heavy one, but he struggled on manfully.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="i_p426a" style="max-width: 70.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p426a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p>“<span class="smcap">I’ll die with him before I’ll do it!</span>”—<i>Page 426.</i></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> +<p>But now he could not go much farther. +Every nerve had been strained to its utmost. +He stumbled rather than ran a few steps more. +Ah, what was this—a tiny stream! He +plunged into the water and allowed his clothing +to become saturated. He also threw some +of the water into Andy’s face.</p> + +<p>“Louis—what—what happened?” and +Andy’s eyes opened widely.</p> + +<p>“Firefly threw you and ran off, Andy. I +carried you here. We are not yet safe.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</span></p> +<p>“You carried me, Louis? How good of +you! And the fire is behind?” By a superhuman +effort Andy started up. “We must go +farther.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. If you can walk give me your hand. +See, there is a road and beyond is a clearing. +Come!”</p> + +<p>On they went, side by side, Louis supporting +Andy, who was still dizzy. The clearing +reached, they saw another road, and beyond +was an open field where a regiment of Union +men were battling bravely against a broken +line of gray. Here both came to a halt and +gazed into each other’s eyes.</p> + +<p>“We must part, Andy! Good-bye!”</p> + +<p>“Good-bye, Louis, and I’ll never forget you. +May God spare your life!”</p> + +<p>“And may He spare yours, also!”</p> + +<p>They shook hands and turned in opposite +directions. It was the last the chums saw of +each other for many months to come.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</span></p> +<p>The memorable day was drawing to a close +when Louis found the Goreville Volunteers, or +what was left of them, for the charge at Malvern +Hill had cost the command dear. Brave +Callings was dead and so were ten others, and +six men were missing. But, cut up as it was, +the company was joined to the remnants of +several others and sent to the aid of the center +of the line.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock the Volunteers lay down on +their arms, worn out to such a degree that +hardly a soldier could keep open his eyes. But +the Confederates had been repulsed in handsome +shape, and, as worn out as their enemy, +they were perfectly willing to withdraw and +leave the victory wherever it might rest—which +was with the Union forces.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</span></p> +<p>And here properly ends my story of a young +soldier in blue and a young soldier in gray. A +few days later found the Goreville Volunteers +at Harrison Landing, ready to return by water +to Washington or to go wherever they were +sent. A slight attack was made by the Confederates, +but it soon ceased, and the troops of +General Lee marched back to the neighborhood +of Richmond. From this point Andy, still suffering +from his wounds, was allowed to return, +for the time being, to his home. Firefly had +again turned up, and youth and horse soon +found themselves safe in Lee Run once more. +Need I say anything of the warm greeting the +young Confederate received from his parents +and his sister?</p> + +<p>“And Louis saved you from the fire, did +he?” said Grace, when Andy’s story was told. +“How noble of him! He is surely a real hero, +even if he is a Unionist!” and her eyes beamed +with pleasure. She was thoroughly glad to +learn, later on, that Louis was safe.</p> + +<p>“Now you are home, you must take it easy +for a while,” said Andy’s parents. “You have +done enough for the cause.” And the youth +who had worn the gray was quite content to +rest for the time being.</p> + +<p>“I am coming home on furlough.” That +was the message Lucy and Martha brought +home from the Goreville post-office one day. +There was a great bustle all over the house, +and when the time came how all waited for the +train to arrive!</p> + +<p>“I see him! There is Louis!” cried Lucy, +and then all rushed forward, to kiss the young +soldier and to shake hands over and over again.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</span></p> +<p>“My boy! My boy!” murmured Mrs. Rockford, +straining him to her breast. “God be +thanked for this day!” And the tears of joy +streamed down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>“I want to ask you one thing,” said Louis +to his father, after the greeting was over. +“Did you receive that document I sent—the +one made out by Mr. Faily?”</p> + +<p>“I did. It came yesterday morning. The +edge of the envelope was burnt, and the address +scorched, but the document and letter were intact. +An hour after they came Mr. Hammer +called. I showed him the document and he was +thunderstruck. He got out as soon as he could, +and by the way he acted I do not believe he will +bother us any more.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” cried the young soldier. And his +heart was lighter than ever.</p> + +<p>“Louis, you have done your duty, and +more,” said his father, affectionately. “I am +proud of such a son.”</p> + +<p>“And we are all proud!” cried Martha. +“Just as proud as we can be!”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</span></p> +<p>The great rebellion is now only a matter of +history. Many of those who wore the blue and +the gray are sleeping side by side on the great +battlefields. To those who laid down their lives, +the Peninsular Campaign was the end of all, +but to the great majority it was but the beginning +of a conflict which was to wage fiercely for +three years longer. Louis and Andy were destined +to serve further, the one under the stars +and stripes, the other under the stars and bars. +But, come what might, neither was to forget +those first battles, when each did so nobly +Defending His Flag.</p> + +<p class="center bold">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber’s Notes</b></p> + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> + +<p>Illustrations have been moved nearer to the text to which they refer.</p> + +</div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77848 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77848-h/images/cover.jpg b/77848-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..62bcaac --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_f002b.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_f002b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e85948f --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_f002b.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_f003.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_f003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2661353 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_f003.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p094a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p094a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..474b8b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p094a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p222a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p222a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..770024e --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p222a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p324a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p324a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ceb3784 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p324a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p340a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p340a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..63fe62e --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p340a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p386a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p386a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8415298 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p386a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p400a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p400a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d5788a --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p400a.jpg diff --git a/77848-h/images/i_p426a.jpg b/77848-h/images/i_p426a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfea227 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-h/images/i_p426a.jpg |
