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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/77848-0.txt b/77848-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95b07a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/77848-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9483 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77848 *** + + + + + DEFENDING HIS FLAG + + + + + EDWARD STRATEMEYER’S BOOKS + + + Old Glory Series + + _Six Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA. + A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA. + FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS. + UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES. + THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE. + UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON. + + + Stratemeyer Popular Series + + _Twelve Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $0.75._ + + THE LAST CRUISE OF THE SPITFIRE. + REUBEN STONE’S DISCOVERY. + TRUE TO HIMSELF. + RICHARD DARE’S VENTURE. + OLIVER BRIGHT’S SEARCH. + JOE, THE SURVEYOR. + TO ALASKA FOR GOLD. + THE YOUNG AUCTIONEER. + BOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN. + SHORTHAND TOM, THE REPORTER. + FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN. + LARRY, THE WANDERER. + + + Soldiers of Fortune Series + + _Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + ON TO PEKIN. + UNDER THE MIKADO’S FLAG. + AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR. + WITH TOGO FOR JAPAN. + + + American Boys’ Biographical Series + + _Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + AMERICAN BOYS’ LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY. + AMERICAN BOYS’ LIFE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. + + + Colonial Series + + _Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + WITH WASHINGTON IN THE WEST. + MARCHING ON NIAGARA. + AT THE FALL OF MONTREAL. + THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS. + ON THE TRAIL OF PONTIAC. + TRAIL AND TRADING POST. + + + Pan-American Series + + _Cloth, Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + LOST ON THE ORINOCO. + THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS. + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS. + YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON. + TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES. + + + Dave Porter Series + + _Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._ + + DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL. + DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS. + DAVE PORTER’S RETURN TO SCHOOL. + + TWO YOUNG LUMBERMEN. _Price $1.25._ + BETWEEN BOER AND BRITON. _Price $1.25._ + +[Illustration: THEN HE SAW LOUIS CATCH HOLD OF THE BAYONET AND THRUST +IT ASIDE.--_Page 133._] + + + + + DEFENDING HIS FLAG + + OR + + A BOY IN BLUE AND A BOY IN GRAY + + BY + + EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +Author of “Old Glory Series,” “Colonial Series,” “American Boys’ Life of + William McKinley,” “Dave Porter at Oak Hall,” etc. + + _ILLUSTRATED BY GRISWOLD TYNG_ + + [Illustration] + + BOSTON + LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + + + + + Published, August, 1907 + + COPYRIGHT, 1906 AND 1907, BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER, AS A + SERIAL, UNDER THE TITLE OF “IN DEFENCE OF HIS FLAG” + + COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + + _All rights reserved_ + + DEFENDING HIS FLAG + + Norwood Press + Berwick & Smith Co. + Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. + + + + + PREFACE + + +“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. + +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.” + +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. + +This story ran as a serial under the title, “In Defence of His Flag,” +in that popular monthly, _The American Boy_. 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. + +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. + + EDWARD STRATEMEYER. + + _May 15, 1907._ + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. SIGNS OF WAR 1 + + II. IN A HOSTILE NEIGHBORHOOD 16 + + III. A DISCOVERY AND A SURPRISE 29 + + IV. THE PROGRESS OF THE UPRISING 42 + + V. OFF FOR WASHINGTON 57 + + VI. THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE CAPITOL 69 + + VII. ANDY OFF FOR MANASSAS 85 + + VIII. ANDY ON THE BREASTWORKS 97 + + IX. THE ADVANCE TO BULL RUN 110 + + X. A MEETING AND A RETREAT 125 + + XI. LOUIS’S PERILOUS ESCAPE 141 + + XII. ANDY IS TAKEN PRISONER 153 + + XIII. THE STORY OF A STOLEN HORSE 164 + + XIV. A CHASE AND A CAPTURE 176 + + XV. OFF FOR THE PENINSULA 189 + + XVI. THE LANDING--ON TO YORKTOWN 202 + + XVII. THE CAPTURE OF A SPY 215 + + XVIII. ACROSS THE POTOMAC ONCE MORE 228 + + XIX. ANDY GOES TO YORKTOWN 244 + + XX. THE EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN 261 + + XXI. AT THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG 277 + + XXII. IN CAMP AT WHITE HOUSE 289 + + XXIII. THE LIVING WALL AT FAIR OAKS 303 + + XXIV. WHEN RICHMOND WAS BESIEGED 319 + + XXV. ANDY AND THE UNION PICKETS 332 + + XXVI. AN ADVENTURE IN THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL 345 + + XXVII. LOUIS AS A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER 357 + + XXVIII. LOUIS AND ANDY MEET AGAIN 373 + + XXIX. LOUIS VISITS GENERAL MCCLELLAN 383 + + XXX. ADVENTURES DURING THE SEVEN DAYS’ BATTLES 396 + + XXXI. BETWEEN THE LINES 407 + + XXXII. MALVERN HILL--CONCLUSION 418 + + + + + ILLUSTRATIONS + + + THEN HE SAW LOUIS CATCH HOLD OF THE BAYONET AND + THRUST IT ASIDE (_Page 133_) _Frontispiece_ + + FACING PAGE + + “STAND WHERE YOU ARE OR I WILL FIRE AT YOU!” SAID ANDY 94 + + LOUIS GAZED AT THE FACE, WONDERING IF HE HAD NOT + SEEN THE MAN BEFORE 222 + + THE MARCH TO THIS PRISON WAS ONE LOUIS NEVER FORGOT 324 + + AWAY ANDY TROTTED AT A BRISK PACE 340 + + “KEEP ON AS YOU HAVE STARTED, AND WHO KNOWS BUT THAT YOU + WILL ONE DAY BE WEARING A GENERAL’S SHOULDER-STRAPS?” 386 + + THEN ON SWEPT THE UNION LINE, YELLING WITH A VOICE + THAT IS NEVER HEARD ANYWHERE BUT ON THE BATTLEFIELD 400 + + “I’LL DIE WITH HIM BEFORE I’LL DO IT!” 426 + + + + + DEFENDING HIS FLAG + + + + + CHAPTER I + + SIGNS OF WAR + + +“Hello, Louis! Want to ride to the depot with me? I am going to bring +father home.” + +“Certainly, Andy, I’ll go along. Do you expect your father on the +eleven o’clock train?” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“I thought the trouble was about the slaves.” + +“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.” + +“I don’t think the negroes ought to be slaves, Andy.” + +“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.” + +“That may be true. Still, I don’t believe any human being ought to be a +slave--it’s barbarous!” + +“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.” + +“I don’t believe they want to do that, exactly, Andy. They want to stop +the extension of slavery.” + +“It amounts to the same thing.” + +“No, it doesn’t.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“How hot-headed you do get, Andy! I trust you’re not going to fight +over this thing.” + +“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?” + +“Certainly. But the politicians and the other big men on both sides +ought to do their best to prevent bloodshed.” + +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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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!” + +“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?” + +“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. + +“Seceded from the Union!” repeated Louis. “Oh, that’s too bad!” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“Don’t ye? Say, ain’t ye just a bit Northern-like now?” and the +mountaineer squinted one eye suggestively. + +“I am from Pennsylvania, if that is what you mean.” + +“Thought so. An’ ye don’t agree with us? Think our ideas about slavery +an’ sech ain’t o’ no account.” + +“I think this present difficulty ought to be settled without breaking +up our Union and shedding blood.” + +“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!” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“But he called our Union an infernal one--” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +“South Carolina has seceded, that’s the main news--” began Mr. +Arlington. + +“Yes, yes, we know that. But what do they say at the Capitol?” + +“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.” + +“What does President Buchanan say?” + +“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. + +“General Scott! Then they are going to fight it?” + +“It looks that way, neighbors.” + +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. + +“I must get some groceries before we go home,” said Andy, and hurried +into the store. + +“Mr. Arlington, do you really think we’ll have war?” asked Louis, when +he was left alone with the Southern veteran. + +“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.” + +“But that will be too bad.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Say, you’re a Northern lad, ain’t ye?” drawled one. + +“I am from Goreville, Pennsylvania,” answered Louis. + +“Got a big head on ye, ’bout wot the Northerners are goin’ to do to +us,” added a second of the group. + +To this Louis made no reply. His silence seemed to anger the entire +crowd. + +“Get down from thet seat!” suddenly roared Jacks, catching Louis by the +arm and jerking him forward. + +“Let go! What do you mean?” cried the youth, trying to draw away. + +“We are goin’ to teach you-uns a lesson!” cried another of the +mountaineers. “Come down!” and he, too, caught hold of Louis. + +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. + +“Let go!” he commanded, to Jacks. “Let go, or I’ll let you have this +across the face!” + +“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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER II + + IN A HOSTILE NEIGHBORHOOD + + +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. + +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. + +“Duck him good, Jacks!” was the cry. “Let him cool off thoroughly.” + +“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!” + +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. + +In the meantime, Andy and his father had come from the store. Seeing +the wagon empty, they looked around for Louis. + +“They took him over to the pump, Mr. Arlington,” piped up a child +standing near. + +“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. + +“To duck him!” gasped Andy. “What for?” + +“Take de Northern starch outer him, I dun racken, sah.” + +“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. + +“Here, you let my friend alone!” cried Andy, bursting into the crowd. +“What’s the meaning of this?” + +“You stand back, Andy Arlington!” growled Jacks. “We’re goin’ ter give +him a duckin’, as he deserves.” + +“Not much! He is my friend and guest, and you must let him alone.” + +“Yes, yes; let him alone,” put in Mr. Arlington. + +“He’s a Northerner an’ is talkin’ ag’in we-uns!” burst out one of the +mountaineers. + +“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. + +“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!” + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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! + +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. + +“Oh, Louis, is it true, are we going to fight you Northern people?” she +burst out. + +“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. + +“I don’t know about that--if you join the Northerners,” she pouted. “If +you fight against us I’ll think you real mean.” + +“You would want a fellow to stick up for what he considered his duty, +wouldn’t you, Grace?” + +“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. + +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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“I wonder if Maryland will join us if it comes to war?” said Andy. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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! + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“Well, Jacks, what brings you this morning?” demanded the veteran, as +the mountaineer came to a halt. + +“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. + +“So you came here to insult our guest, did you?” + +“We came here to find out what he’s up to in these parts, Colonel,” put +in a second of the newcomers. + +“I told you yesterday he was here only on a friendly visit.” + +“Jacks thinks he is a spy.” + +“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.” + +“Where’s the boy?” + +“He has left.” + +“Gone away!” came in a chorus. + +“Yes.” + +“Gone away for good?” demanded Jacks, sourly. + +“Yes; he left for his home in Pennsylvania directly after breakfast, +fearing his folks would grow anxious about him.” + +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.” + +“Which way did he go?” + +“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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +But were Jacks and his men fooled? Let us wait and see. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + A DISCOVERY AND A SURPRISE + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“You’re right, Higwin,” came from a comrade. “Captain Pickering knows +how to put the fellows through and no mistake.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“We ought to seize the arsenals, too,” put in the first soldier who had +spoken. “If we--Hi, what’s up outside?” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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!” + +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. + +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. + +“I would like to have that shoe fastened,” said Louis, as the +blacksmith strode forward to greet him. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“So, I’ve caught you, have I?” sneered Jacks, as he ranged up beside +Louis. “Didn’t reckon I’d make it, did you?” + +“You have no right to detain me, Jacks,” replied Louis, as calmly as he +could. + +“Hain’t we? Wall, all I kin say is, we’re a-takin’ the right; eh, boys?” + +“Thet’s so, Sam.” + +“And what is your object, gentlemen?” + +“Oh, you needn’t git on no high horse,” returned Jacks. “Yer know well +enough what our object is.” + +“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.” + +“Of course we’ll search him,” came from several of the others. + +“You have no authority to touch me,” answered Louis, with all the +dignity he could command. + +“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!” + +“Where are you going to take me?” asked Louis, in alarm. + +“Shut up! You’ll find out soon enough. Git along!” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + THE PROGRESS OF THE UPRISING + + +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. + +“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?” + +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. + +“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?” + +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. + +“They understand tying a fellow up,” he murmured. “Is it possible I +must remain in this dismal place all night?” + +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. + +Louis had about given up all hope of getting free when through the wind +he heard a broad, negro voice singing loudly: + + “Oh, my Sue, my Sue, I lub you! + Oh, my Sue, my Sue, be mine! + An’ de possum, an’----” + +The negro voice came to a sudden stop as Louis cried loudly for help. A +period of silence followed. + +“Wot’s dat?” + +“Help me! I am tied up in the mill!” + +“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!” + +“Release me, will you?” asked Louis, eagerly. + +“Who tied yo’ up like dat, massa?” + +“Some rascals who robbed me of my watch and money. Cut that rope. I am +almost perished with cold.” + +The negro at once complied with Louis’s request, and once free the +youth drew a long sigh of relief. + +“Who war dem fellows, massa?” questioned the negro, eagerly. + +“One of them is named Sam Jacks. He is the leader. Two of the others +were named Hogwell and Ross. Do you know them?” + +“I dun heered tell of dem, massa. Dey cum from de mountains over +yonder--a mighty bad crowd dem.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“Never mind the war just now, father. What am I to do about my watch +and money?” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“Gracious, Lou, you are not going to turn rebel, are you?” exclaimed +Lucy, half in horror. + +“I’ll wager pretty Grace Arlington has been trying to convert him to +slavery,” asserted Martha, who was the tease of the family. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“There is something of truth in that, Louis--we certainly had slaves, +and some were sent South--how many I do not know.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“Will you join, father?” asked Louis, quickly, and his usually grave +face lit up with sudden earnestness. + +“I don’t know. Paulding urged me, but I said I wouldn’t commit myself +until I had talked matters over at home.” + +“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. + +“If you don’t go, father, I’ll go--if they’ll take me,” went on the +son, but in rather a low tone. + +“You, Louis!” burst from mother and both sisters. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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.” + +“I’ve been thinking of it, Harry,” answered Louis. “I’ll go if mother +can spare me.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“Hello, Rockford!” he cried. “They tell me you haven’t joined the +company yet. What’s the matter, are you afraid?” + +“No, I am not afraid,” replied Louis, his face flushing. “I--” + +“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. + + + + + CHAPTER V + + OFF FOR WASHINGTON + + +“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?” + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +And Benny beat the drum so vigorously that a larger crowd than ever +began to collect. Again Captain Paulding addressed those before him. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + + “‘My country, ’tis of thee, + Sweet land of liberty; + Of thee I sing!’” + +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. + +“I want to sign, please,” he almost whispered to the clerk. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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--” + +“Let ’em try it on, that’s all,” came in a growl from the rear line. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +Louis and Bingham replied that they would. Then they saluted the +captain in true military style and hurried off side by side. + +“I’m glad he detailed us for this work,” said Louis, a few minutes +later. “It’s much pleasanter to have a friend along.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“Hullo, sodgers; whar ye goin’?” questioned one. + +“Down the road,” answered Louis, pleasantly. + +“Goin’ to Washington, I allow,” put in the second farmer. + +“Perhaps we are,” said Harry, with spirit. “Any objections?” + +“Objections? Not at all, young man. Only--” + +“Only what?” + +“Reckon ye’ll wish ye hadn’t gone afore long--when Jeff Davis takes +hold o’ things at the Capitol.” + +Both farmers laughed meaningly; in the midst of which Louis and his +friend proceeded on their way. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“Fortunes of war,” laughed Louis. “Think of what the old Revolutionary +heroes had to put up with.” + +“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.” + +“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?” + +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. + +“Halt, there!” came the command, and in a moment more the three +cavalrymen were upon them. + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE CAPITOL + + +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. + +“Well, young men, where are you bound?” demanded the captain of the +trio. + +“Bound for Frederick,” answered Harry, having taken his cue from +Louis’s former speech. + +“Frederick, eh? Do you intend to remain in that city?” + +“That depends.” + +“Don’t you think you are bound for Washington?” put in a second of the +cavalrymen. + +“What if we were?” asked Louis, cautiously. + +“Well, if I were in your place I wouldn’t be ashamed to own it.” + +“Neither we are,” burst out Harry, without stopping to think twice. + +“Are you alone?” was the next question put. + +“Can’t you see that we are?” was Louis’s counter query. + +“But by your caps you belong to some company, I take it,” went on the +cavalry captain. “Where is the rest of that company?” + +“On the road somewhere.” + +“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. + +“Now, what does that mean?” demanded Harry Bingham, as soon as they +were left alone. + +“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?” + +“More than likely.” + +“Then they may hunt up our boys and cause trouble.” + +“Shall we go back?” + +“I think one of us might. The other can go ahead, as Captain Paulding +directed.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Save me! Save me! Shoot him, somebody!” shrieked Jerry Rowe again. +“Don’t let the savage critter horn me!” + +“Shoot him yourself!” cried several of his companions. “You are the +nearest,” added one. + +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. + +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? + +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. + +“Hurrah! Louis Rockford has killed him!” came from one of the young +fellows in front. “That was a dandy shot, Louis.” + +“I hit him, too,” panted Jerry Rowe. “See, my shot struck him directly +in the eye.” + +“It was I who hit him in the eye!” answered Louis, indignantly. “You +didn’t come within a mile of him.” + +“Go on with you; I know I hit him,” blustered Jerry. “Do you think you +are the only marksman in the company?” + +“Louis hit him in the eye,” put in another of the crowd. “I fired, too, +but the bullet passed under him, I think.” + +“How on earth did you start him up?” questioned Louis, coolly, as he +proceeded to load up again. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“But he came upon us so unexpectedly, captain,” pleaded one. + +“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?” + +“But we weren’t looking for a bull rebel, cap’n,” returned Jack +Melburn, the joker of the company. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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.” + +“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.” + +“Thet bull was wuth a heap o’ money,” growled the farmer. + +“I am sorry for you, but I can do nothing,” went on Captain Paulding. + +“I reckon you air some of them cussed Yankees.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“The Southern cavalry!” he gasped. “They are on the road, a hundred or +more strong, and are coming this way! Run for your lives!” + +“Rowe!” ejaculated Captain Paulding so fiercely that Jerry nearly sank +in new terror. + +“But, captain, they are a hundred strong, and all armed--and--” + +“Enough. They are riding this way?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Very well; that is sufficient. Take your place in the ranks. Company, +halt!” + +“But, captain--” + +“Silence, or I’ll place you under arrest. You are positively the worst +coward I ever met.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“How far off are the cavalry?” + +“No more’n half a mile, sir.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“What company is that?” demanded the Confederate. + +“The Goreville Volunteers, United States Army, from Pennsylvania, +unattached. What cavalry is that?” + +“Nelson’s Potomac Chargers, unattached, of the South,” the last words +with peculiar emphasis. “Where are you going?” + +“To Washington. And you?” + +“To Frederick.” + +Then came a pause. Both leaders looked each other squarely in the eyes. + +“Do you anticipate trouble on the road, captain?” asked the +Confederate, with a faint smile. + +“I’m not looking for trouble, captain; but I am ready to meet it if it +comes.” + +“Are you holding this road?” + +“Oh, no.” + +“Then I reckon I’ll bid you good day and go on.” + +“Good day, captain.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + ANDY OFF FOR MANASSAS + + +“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!” + +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. + +“Fort Sumter taken!” repeated his father. “Is it really true, my son? +Then the war has opened at last.” + +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 _Baltic_, and all of Charleston was mad with joy. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“You have fought enough, father,” she would say. “Let the younger men +carry this war through.” + +“But I feel as if I ought to go,” he would plead, but she would shake +her head, and then he would remain silent. + +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. + +“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.” + +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.” + +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. + +“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?” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“Yes, and a victory at Norfolk Navy Yard will be still more important.” + +“By the way, how about that Pennsylvania friend of yours?” went on +Leroy Wellington. “What does he think of things now?” + +“Oh, he has already joined the volunteers called for by Lincoln.” + +“Humph! Then we may meet on the field of battle?” + +“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.” + +“I suppose that is so, Andy; but if my friend chooses to become my +enemy that is his lookout, not mine,” concluded Leroy Wellington. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Let go, Pomp,” gasped Mr. Rockleigh. “Let go, or sure as I live I’ll +flay you alive for this.” + +“Dun yo’ let go, Pomp,” put in one of the burly negroes. “We is in dis +to de end, remember!” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“Stop where you are!” he commanded; “stop, unless you want your heads +cut open!” + +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. + +“Who--who is yo’?” finally demanded Pomp, with an ugly scowl. + +“Never mind who I am,” replied Andy. “Drop your clubs at once.” + +“But see yere, sah--” + +“I won’t argue with you. Drop your clubs.” + +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. + +“Don’t let them get away,” he cried. “They are my slaves and have +robbed me of several hundred dollars in gold.” + +“Stand where you are or I will fire at you!” said Andy. And now he +exhibited a pistol he had also brought along. + +[Illustration: “STAND WHERE YOU ARE OR I WILL FIRE AT YOU!” SAID +ANDY.--_Page 95._] + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + ANDY ON THE BREASTWORKS + + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +“They can’t come any too quick for me,” growled Andy. + +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. + +“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?” + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“We are off, Louis!” he ejaculated. “The war has begun.” + +“Off! Where to?” burst from Louis’s lips. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“A bloodless victory,” said Harry, who stood next to Louis. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Whose flag is that?” he demanded of the first man he met. + +“I don’t know,” was the surly reply. + +“I want it lowered at once.” + +“Do you? All right, go take it down yourself.” + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + THE ADVANCE TO BULL RUN + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“You are right, Louis. I would rather be a private in the ranks.” + +“If I was President I would soon end this war,” blustered Jerry Rowe, +who had heard the remarks. + +“Would you, indeed, Jerry?” answered Louis, curiously. “How could you +do it?” + +“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. + +“Jerry is a cooler,” murmured Harry. “He is a coward at heart, yet how +he does love to brag!” + +“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.” + +“He ought to have his head punched for it,” concluded Harry. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“We won’t stay here much longer. The authorities in Washington are +growing too impatient to do something,” concluded Harry Bingham. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“They’ll have just as many men,” declared Moses Blackwell. “It’s a +bloody struggle we have afore us, mark the words.” + +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. + +Fairfax Court House was but a small town, and the majority of the +inhabitants were thoroughly scared at the arrival of so many troops. + +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. + +“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!” + +“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.” + +At this the old lady stared, thinking she had not heard aright. + +“You--you only want some water?” she faltered, trying vainly to recover. + +“That is all, madam--unless you have some cookies you are keeping for +our boys. We never refuse those, you know,” and Louis smiled. + +“I declare, I reckon you ain’t so fierce as I took you to be.” + +“I’m only a soldier boy, trying to do my duty. Can I have the water?” + +“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.” + +“Thank you, madam, I’ll take them with pleasure. But remember, I don’t +demand them. We have strict orders to demand nothing.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“Now for bloody war, my boy!” cried Moses Blackwell to Louis. “Ye’ll +git enough of it now, see if ye don’t.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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! + +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. + +“Can’t die but once, Louis. Hurrah fer the Stars and Stripes! Down with +the rebels!” + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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! + + + + + CHAPTER X + + A MEETING AND A RETREAT + + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Are you struck, Andy?” cried Leroy Wellington, who rode near to his +friend. + +“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!” + +“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. + +“Don’t crow until we are out of the woods, Leroy. Here come more of the +Yankee boys.” + +“Pennsylvania men!” cried somebody in advance. “Load, boys, and be +quick about it!” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Good, boys; good!” he cried, waving his sword. “Keep it up and the day +is ours!” + +“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. + +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.” + +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. + +“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. + +“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! + +“The captain’s horse is running away!” cried Leroy. “Whoa! Whoa!” + +“He’ll be carried into the enemy’s lines!” yelled another of the men. +“Turn him to yer right, cap’n! To the right!” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“I owe you one for that, Arlington,” said the captain, when both were +safe for the time being. “I’ll not forget you.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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. + +“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!” + +“The Goreville Volunteers,” thought Andy, and the hot blood rushed to +his face. It was Louis’s company! Supposing he should-- + +“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. + +“Louis! To think we should meet like this!” came from Andy’s white +lips. “You must go back! You will be killed, or captured!” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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! + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + LOUIS’S PERILOUS ESCAPE + + +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. + +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. + +“No, yer don’t!” hissed rather than exclaimed the mountaineer. “I’ve +got yer an’ I’m goin’ ter hold yer!” + +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. + +“Let me go!” panted the young Union soldier, and struggled to free +himself. “Captain Paulding! Harry! Hel--” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Who is it?” queried Hogwell, as he blocked Louis’s passage. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“I’ve made a mistake,” he thought, much dismayed. “There is no road in +this direction.” + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +Presently a Pennsylvania company swept by, not over twenty-five strong. +Louis ran to join them. + +“Where from?” he asked of one of the soldiers, a young fellow scarcely +older than himself. + +“Harrisburg,” was the puffing reply. “Lost your company?” + +“Yes--the Goreville Volunteers. Have you seen anything of them?” + +“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.” + +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. + +“Face about, boys! We can whip them yet! Face about and form the line! +Face about!” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Harry!” he exclaimed, joyfully. “Well, I’m glad to see somebody of our +company. Where are the rest?” + +“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.?” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + ANDY IS TAKEN PRISONER + + +“We’re done for, and we might as well go straight home.” + +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. + +“Yes, sir, we’re done for. The Union is licked for good, and I’m for +going home.” + +“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.” + +“I don’t care--I don’t want any more such fighting. Why, I--I got near +shot a hundred times!” + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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. + +“He called me a coward,” muttered Jerry, but the look in Louis’s eyes +caused him to drop his hold and Benny retreated. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“I am with you, Andy; I’d be willing to risk almost anything for some +sort of an encounter.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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! + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“I guess you’re our prisoner, Grayback,” muttered a tall Union soldier +as he strode forward. “What do you think about it?” + +“It certainly looks that way,” replied Andy, trying to smile, although +deeply chagrined over the turn affairs had taken. + +“Do you take it quietly, Reb?” + +“I reckon I’ll have to, Yank.” + +“There’s where you show your sense. How did you get in the river?” + +“My horse tumbled over the bank.” + +“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!” + +“Where to?” + +“Straight ahead.” + +“What place is this?” + +“We ain’t in school now, Grayback. March!” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + THE STORY OF A STOLEN HORSE + + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“What’s up, Markham?” + +“Hang me if the horse hasn’t run away!” came in reply. + +“But I heard two splashes.” + +“So did I, come to think of it. Hello, Graves!” + +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. + +“Save me!” he gasped, as soon as he could speak. “Save me! I can’t +swim!” + +“Can’t you wade ashore?” queried one of his companions. + +“No, it’s too deep. Save me, Markham! Don’t let me drown!” + +“I will,” was the ready answer, and without hesitation the Union +soldier plunged into the cold water and started after his companion. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Wh--what--how de do, massa,” he stammered, as he came to a sudden halt. + +“Are you alone?” queried Andy, quickly. + +“Yes, massa.” + +“What are you doing here, running away?” + +“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. + +“Are there any soldiers near here?” was the young Confederate’s next +question. + +“No, massa; leas’wise, I ain’t seed none.” + +“Any house close by?” + +At this question the negro hesitated. + +“Da is a cabin over yander, massa. But da ain’t nobody dar ’cusin’ an +ole woman most unable ter do anyt’ing.” + +“Show me the way and I’ll make it right with you. What is your name?” + +“Tom, sah, Tom Crosby.” + +“And where do you belong?” + +“About ten miles north o’ yere, massa.” + +“Well, Tom, take me to the cabin at once. And mind, we are not to be +surprised by any Union soldiers, do you understand?” + +“Yes, massa; ain’t no sodgers in dese parts, massa.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Thought you wasn’t comin’ back?” she cried, to the negro. + +“Dis gem’man made me come,” was the answer. + +“What do you want?” + +“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.” + +“Humph!” The old woman took several long puffs at her pipe. “Ain’t got +no coffee in the house.” + +“You have tea, then?” + +“I reckon I have, but--” + +“I’ll take a bowl of tea. Anything so long as it’s warm. Tom?” + +“Yes, massa.” + +“Will you rub down my horse and see if you can stir up something for +him to eat?” + +“Yes, massa.” + +“I see there is a shed over to the left. Put him in there.” + +“Yes, massa.” + +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. + +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. + +“Tom is a Virginia nigger, isn’t he?” asked Andy, during the process of +the meal. + +“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. + +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. + +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! + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + A CHASE AND A CAPTURE + + +“That negro has outwitted me!” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Stop!” he called. “Stop, you thief!” + +“Yo’ go on back!” returned the negro. “Doan yo’ know de Yankees is jest +above dis yere trail?” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +At last a bright idea struck him. Stopping short, he took a deep breath. + +“Whoa, Firefly! Whoa, old boy!” he called, with all the strength at his +command. + +The faithful horse heard and pricked up his ears. Then, when Andy +called again, he suddenly came to a dead stop. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +Reaching the cabin again, he found the old woman at the doorway, still +smoking her pipe. + +“Got back your hoss, eh?” she said. “That nigger is a sly one.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Sthand where yez are,” he went on, as Andy looked at him +crestfallenly. “Have yez the countersign?” + +“Potomac,” said Andy, on a venture. + +“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.” + +“But I’m not an enemy, I’m a friend,” began Andy. + +“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. + +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. + +“Sthop that boat!” roared the Irish picket, but when Andy started to +obey the Union soldier caught him by the shoulder. + +“No, yez don’t!” he cried. “You sthay roight here. Corporal of the +guard, it’s Tim Moriarity wants yez! Picket numbher sivin!” + +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. + +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. + +“Let go--unless you want me to fire,” he said, in a low but earnest +tone. + +“Saints preserve us!” howled Tim Moriarity. “Don’t yez shoot me! +don’t!” and releasing Andy he leaped behind the nearest tree for +protection. + +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. + +“It’s a Johnny Reb!” yelled the Irishman. “He was afther thryin’ to +murdher me, so he was!” + +“There he is; I see him!” cried the under officer, who accompanied the +squad. “Halt, or we fire!” he commanded. + +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. + +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. + +“Will he live, surgeon?” asked the woman. + +“I think so. But the poor fellow has had a narrow escape,” was the +reply of the medical man. + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“No, no; leave him here for the present. It might prove fatal to move +him. I will do my best for the poor boy.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“You must remain quiet,” she said sweetly, then turned and called out: +“Mamma, he is awake.” + +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.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +“Your father is a Union man, I suppose?” said Andy. + +“Yes. We are all Unionists around here. But you mustn’t mind that. We +will take good care of you.” + +“You are more than kind. Will you tell me what happened after I was +shot?” + +“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.” + +“And did they catch my horse?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“I would like to meet her,” said Viola Lemming. “Who knows but that we +will when this cruel war is over.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“I’ll promise that,” answered the young Confederate, seriously. “You +have my word of honor as a Virginian.” + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + OFF FOR THE PENINSULA + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Where are we going to move to?” questioned Louis, of Harry Bingham, +who had brought the word from Captain Paulding’s headquarters. + +“We are to cross the Potomac, that’s all I know,” answered Harry. + +“Perhaps we are to follow the rebels from Centerville,” said Louis, for +he heard how the Confederate forces had left that vicinity. + +“Maybe. We’re going somewhere, that’s certain.” + +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. + +“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 +_Boston Queen_. + +“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?” + +“Charleston!” shrieked Jerry Rowe. “If they do that, we’ll all be +killed. Why, that is where they bombarded Fort Sumter.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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!” + +“Hurrah!” went up the cry. “On to Richmond, boys, and no turning back +this time. Hurrah for Little Mac!” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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 _Boston Queen_ swung clear of the dock. + +“Good-bye, boys; meet me on the peninsula.” + +“What’s the matter with meeting you at Richmond?” came back the reply. + +“Just the thing. I’ll make a date of it.” + +“All right; April first suit?” + +“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. + +The day, which had promised fair, now turned cloudy, and soon the +_Boston Queen_ 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. + +“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.” + +“How long will it last, captain?” queried Blackwell. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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?” + +“Never mind, Jerry; there’s a sutler along and you can buy what you +please from him,” said one of the soldiers. + +“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.” + +The following morning found the _Boston Queen_ 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. + +“What’s the matter, Harry, home-sick?” he asked, lightly. + +“No, I’m not _home_-sick,” was the short reply, and then Harry added, +with a peculiar twitching of his mouth, “but I’m getting awfully sick +otherwise.” + +“He vos sea-sick, py chiminatty!” roared out Hans Roddmann. “Now you +vos see how _you_ likes him, hey?” + +“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 _Boston Queen_ rolled +dreadfully as she worked her way slowly along. + +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 _Boston Queen_ 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. + +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 +_Boston Queen_ at the bottom of the Atlantic. + +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 _Boston Queen_, +and again the passage to Fortress Monroe was resumed. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + THE LANDING--ON TO YORKTOWN + + +“Well, here we are at last, Harry. Now for Richmond and the capturing +of the Confederate Capital.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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.” + +“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.” + +“I wonder how long we’ll stay here?” queried Louis. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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!” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Something is up,” said Louis, when the orders finally came to go into +camp. “And it’s not a battle, either.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + THE CAPTURE OF A SPY + + +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? + +There could be but one answer to this question. He must be a spy, bent +upon some secret and important mission. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The man had disappeared. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +Harry understood and nodded. Then struck by a sudden idea, he exclaimed +aloud: “I ain’t got any tobacco. Ask Callings for his plug.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“Hi! hi! here’s the rascal!” he yelled. “Down with that pistol, you +rebel, or I’ll finish you in short order.” + +“Hang the luck!” came in a growl from the bottom of the hole. “Git off +of my back, you confounded Yank!” + +“I will, when you surrender, Grayback! Throw up that pistol.” + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +[Illustration: LOUIS GAZED AT THE FACE, WONDERING IF HE HAD NOT SEEN +THE MAN BEFORE.--_Page 221._] + +“Your name?” was the first question put to the stranger. + +“My name?” answered the prisoner, slowly. “Er--Tom Johnson.” + +“Brother to General Johnson, I suppose?” sneered the corporal, +satisfied the man was not telling the truth. + +“No, sir; I ain’t no relation to that measly rebel.” + +“Well, Johnson, where do you belong?” + +“Belong to the Second Maryland Volunteers, Company B.” + +“Captain’s name, please?” + +“Captain--er Thompson.” + +“First cousin to Johnson, I suppose?” + +“No, sir; no relation.” + +“That’s too bad. When did you leave your regiment?” + +“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.” + +“Why did you try to crawl through the lines?” + +“Didn’t have no countersign.” + +“What was the countersign the day you left?” + +“It was--” the prisoner pretended to think. “Hang the luck! I’ve forgot +wot it wuz, corporal, upon my honah.” + +“When you were off did you see anything of the rebels?” + +“Not much, I didn’t. I give ’em the biggest go-by I could.” + +“Supposing we search you? Have you any objections?” + +“’Tain’t gentlemanly, corporal.” + +“Oh, yes, it is; under certain circumstances.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +At this announcement the lower jaw of the prisoner dropped visibly, and +he forgot to go on with the chewing process. + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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. + +“Go ahead,” answered the corporal, briefly. The other officers had been +called away to general headquarters and he was, consequently, in sole +charge. + +“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. + +“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. + +“Exactly!” burst from the young soldier’s lips. “I thought I knew you. +Corporal, he is a rebel, and worse.” + +“What do you mean by worse?” + +“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.” + +“It ain’t so!” roared the prisoner. “I don’t know Sam Jacks, nor +Hogwell, nor Ross, nor none of ’em.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +“A spy!” he murmured. He turned to Louis. “Your name?” + +“Louis Rockford, sir.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“One thing is certain,” continued Harry. “This man won’t bother you any +more.” + +“Do you think they’ll shoot him?” said Louis, with a shudder. + +“Of course they’ll shoot him. It’s the fate of any spy that is +captured.” + +“I shouldn’t like to have his blood on my head, Harry.” + +“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.” + +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: + +“You skunk! I’ll git squar--ef I live.” + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + ACROSS THE POTOMAC ONCE MORE + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +The late autumn found him walking about the plantation. Viola Lemming +often accompanied him. She noticed how strong he was getting. + +“I presume you will want to leave us soon,” she said, with half a smile. + +“I was thinking I would go away next week,” he answered. “I have +ventured on your hospitality too long already.” + +“You are welcome to stay as long as you please,” she returned, quickly. +“You--you seem like one of the family.” + +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. + +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.” + +“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. + +“Did you think I would break my word of honor?” he questioned, +seriously. + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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.” + +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. + +“So this is the young rebel, eh,” said the sergeant in charge. “All +right, we have a description of him on file. Come on.” + +“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. + +“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. + +“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!” + +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. + +“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--_escape +if you can_!” Before the astonished young Confederate could reply, she +was speeding back to the house. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“See anything of him, sergeant?” + +“No, Fosdick, do you?” + +“Nary a hair.” + +“How about it, Cramer?” + +“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.” + +“We’ll go around and see.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Throw down your gun, quick!” he commanded, in a whisper. “Down--or I +fire!” + +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. + +“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. + +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! + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“Hullo, there, in the river! Who are you?” + +“A friend!” cried Andy, but instead of halting, he swam on faster than +ever. + +“If you are a friend, turn in here and give the countersign.” + +“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. + +“Can’t turn in?” queried the guard. “Yes, you can. Come now, or I’ll +fire.” + +“Don’t fire!” yelled back Andy, and then having swam a few more +strokes he clutched his pistol and dove out of sight. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“We’ll have him yet,” cried the officer in command. “Bring out the +flatboat, Carriwell, quick!” + +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. + +“Save me, brother Confederates!” he cried. “Save me! Shoot the Yankees!” + +“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. + +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. + +“What does this mean? Who are you?” demanded one of the number. + +“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--” + +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. + +“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.” + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + ANDY GOES TO YORKTOWN + + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“You have been shot and a prisoner!” gasped Grace. “Oh, Andy!” + +“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--” + +“Firefly!” burst out Andy, his face beaming more brightly than ever. +“Is he really back?” + +“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.” + +“I’m awfully glad, mother. I was afraid I would never see the dear old +fellow again. And how is father?” + +“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!” + +“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. + +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! + +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. + +“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!” + +“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.” + +“Oh, I hope Andy never loses a leg,” cried Grace. + +“If I do I’ll try to be as heroic as father was,” said the youth, +gravely. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“A letter fo’ you, Massa Andrew,” said one of the slaves, one day in +the spring. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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.” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“We can get to Urbanna in one day, if we ride hard,” said Leroy. “But +can enough of our troops get there?” + +“We might stop them at the York River,” said Andy, “that is, if we +could hurry and steal a march around their right flank.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +On the second day in camp on the outskirts of Yorktown, Captain +Montgomery came to Andy with a folded paper. + +“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. + +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. + +As he approached the spot, half a dozen rifle shots sounded out from +the river, and then came the sudden booming of a cannon. + +“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!” + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + THE EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN + + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“What’s the news, Yank?” + +“Ain’t much, Reb. What’s the news your way?” + +“General Johnson has just come down with a hundred thousand men to wipe +you out.” + +“A hundred thousand, eh? Any of the little boys left to hum to mind the +baby?” + +“It’s a fact. What’s Little Mac doing, going to sleep?” + +“No, he’s thinking where he’s going to bury you rebs when the next +fight is over.” + +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. + +“Grayback, got any terbacker?” + +“A half plug.” + +“What will you take for it?” + +“What will yer give?” + +“A canteen of fresh coffee.” + +“I’ll take yer up, ’though I know the coffee’s more’n half chicory.” + +“Better coffee nor you’ll ever git over there, Grayback.” + +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: + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“One consolation, though,” said Nathan Hornsby. “The rebs ain’t got no +better road.” + +“They are ploughing it up for us to wade through,” grumbled Blackwell. +“Hang me if I don’t hope we have an engagement soon.” + +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. + +“Hurrah! we’re going to have some warm work at last!” cried Harry +Bingham. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + AT THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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. + +“Who is he?” asked a stranger in the crowd. + +“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.” + +“He ain’t gitting away, don’t ye fear,” growled Caleb Fox. “Fer two +pins I’d run him through with my bayonet!” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“The Yankees are coming!” two of them shouted. “Better make tracks if +you want to save your hides!” + +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. + +“Wot will we do with the prisoner?” asked Sam Jacks. + +“Kill him,” was Caleb Fox’s cold reply. “Come on.” + +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. + +“I’m shot!” he groaned, as the arm dropped limply by his side. + +“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. + +“Burn, you Yank you, burn!” he yelled, and bounded after Sam Jacks, +just as a second volley rang out. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + IN CAMP AT WHITE HOUSE + + +“We’ve stirred up the Johnnies, boys, come on!” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“We’ll force them back,” put in Callings. “If--listen!” + +He stopped short, and every man listened, his hand on the trigger of +his weapon. + +“It’s a cry for help!” put in Harry. “I believe it comes from the +dugout!” + +“Some poor, wounded fellow has been left behind,” said Hornsby. “Let us +rescue him. It’s awful to let anybody burn up.” + +“I’m with you,” answered Harry. “But look out, it may be only a trick +of the enemy.” + +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. + +“Louis! Is it possible!” + +“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. + +“So the Confederates captured you,” said Harry, as he continued to +support Louis. + +“Do you know who it was, Harry? Sam Jacks, Caleb Fox, and their +followers.” + +“Really!” + +“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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Where are we going, Leroy?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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!” + +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: + +“Anybody coming, Leroy?” + +“Some infantry over to the left,” answered his friend. “I can’t make +out if they are Yankees or our own fellows.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +Sundown found them safe within the Confederate lines again. A motley +collection of infantry, cavalrymen, and artillerists gathered around. + +“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. + +“Great gumboils!” + +“It ain’t canned peaches at all; it’s only axle-grease!” + +“Axle-grease and wagon hardware! Well, I swan!” + +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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + THE LIVING WALL AT FAIR OAKS + + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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!” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“Help! help!” he shrieked. “I can’t swim! Help!” + +“It’s Jerry!” burst from Harry Bingham’s lips. “What shall we do?” + +“Isn’t there a rope handy?” asked Louis, and then, as he saw Jerry +sink, he added, “Get one somewhere and follow me.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +Louis felt the bottom with a sigh of relief. “You can walk ashore now,” +he cried, wrenching himself free at last. + +“Is--is it safe?” spluttered Jerry. + +“Yes; try it for yourself.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“He didn’t waste breath in thanking you, did he?” put in Hornsby, who +was in the crowd. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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? + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Arlington!” + +It was a call from Captain Montgomery, who still sat upon his horse, +although pale and weak from loss of blood. + +“Yes, captain,” and Andy touched his plumed hat. + +“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.” + +“I will, sir. But, captain, hadn’t you better go to the rear and have +your wound dressed?” + +“I’ll go later on. Hurry now, for every moment is precious.” + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + WHEN RICHMOND WAS BESIEGED + + +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. + +“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. + +“Go forward, you coward!” were the words which rang into Jerry’s +unwilling ears. + +“I’m sick! I’ve got a stomach-ache--I can’t stand up, really I can’t!” +he whined. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“We’re in for it!” cried Harry Bingham, who remained close to Louis. +“Look, the rebs are on every side of us!” + +“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. + +“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!” + +“Say, Yank, don’t McClellan wish he had stayed at home? He’ll get more +than his fill before we are done with him!” + +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. + +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. + +“Hornsby, what do you think of this?” he whispered. + +“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.” + +“I think so myself. Perhaps we’ll see the inside of Libby Prison before +the end comes.” + +“Heaven keep us out of that foul hole,” murmured Hornsby, and then the +order came for silence, and no more was said. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +[Illustration: THE MARCH TO THIS PRISON WAS ONE LOUIS NEVER FORGOT. +_Page 325._] + +“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. + +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. + +“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!” + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +“Will you go with me if any chance to run for it happens?” + +“Yes--if it ain’t too risky.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Hi, there, what are you doin’ by that thar window?” called out the +guard. + +“Trying to get some fresh air,” answered Louis, as coolly as he could. +“This place is worse than a pig pen.” + +“It’s better nor you Yanks deserve,” growled the Confederate, and went +on smoking his briar-root pipe filled with tar-heel tobacco. + +“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.” + +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.” + +“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.” + +“And git ketched like thet air Caleb Fox.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Yes,” was the soft answer. “I’ll try it, no matter what comes.” + +“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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + ANDY AND THE UNION PICKETS + + +We will now go back to Andy, at the time he found himself so +unexpectedly surrounded by Union skirmishers. + +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. + +“Do you surrender?” demanded one of the men, after an instant’s pause. + +“I don’t see that there is anything else to do, gentlemen,” replied +Andy, with a smile, which, however, was rather forced. + +“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.” + +“All right, Wombolt; you take the horse and the prisoner back. We can’t +stop here.” + +“Are you going to rob me of my horse?” demanded Andy, his eyes flashing. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“It’s a pretty bad road,” remarked Andy, trying to gain time in which +to form some plan of escape. + +“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.” + +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. + +“Git alang there, you lazy beast!” he cried. “Git now, or I’ll stave in +your ribs!” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“Gracious, I’m glad to meet somebody,” answered Andy. “Say, you are +true blue, aren’t you?” he went on, in almost a whisper. + +“Air we?” cried the second recruit. “O’ cos we be. Ain’t thet so, +Josiah?” + +“Thet’s so, Hiram.” + +“Then I am sure you will befriend me,” went on Andy. “I--” + +“You’re a rebel, ain’t you?” asked Hiram, cutting Andy short. + +“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. + +“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. + +“You’re on the picket line, aren’t you?” + +“We be,” came promptly from both recruits. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“Whar did yeou git thet uniform?” asked Josiah, as they progressed, +rather slowly, to Andy’s notion. + +“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?” + +“Fine,” answered Josiah. + +“I’d like tew do spy work,” commented Hiram. + +“Would you?” answered Andy. “All right, I’ll remember that, and if I +get the chance I’ll speak to General McClellan about it.” + +“Will yeou? Much erbliged, I’m sure.” + +“Speak fer me, tew,” put in Josiah. “I’m sick o’ regular fightin’, I +am.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“Good,” replied Andy. “Good-bye to both of you, and I wish you luck.” + +“Don’t forget tew mention us tew General McClellan when yeou git back!” +called out Josiah. + +“All right,” came back, and away Andy trotted at a brisk pace, while +the two rustics watched him out of sight with keen interest. + +[Illustration: AWAY ANDY TROTTED AT A BRISK PACE.--_Page 339._] + +“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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Gracious! what a couple of hayseeds,” said Leroy Wellington. “Won’t +they feel cheap when they learn how they have been sold?” + +“Most likely they never will find out,” answered Andy. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“You’re a Pennsylvania man,” he said. “Know anything about the +Goreville Volunteers?” + +“I’m a Goreville Volunteer,” came the surprising reply. + +“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.” + +“O’ course I know Louis--everybody does. I owned a farm near his place. +My name is Coomber.” + +“And how is Louis?” + +“He’s missing--somebody said he was shot,” answered Coomber. “Who are +you?” + +Andy told him. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + AN ADVENTURE IN THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +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. + +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. + +“Louis, are you safe?” + +“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! + +“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. + +“Two guards out there,” he whispered into the old soldier’s ear. “We +must find some other way. Let us try the back.” + +“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. + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Sure both of ’em didn’t jump the fence?” Louis heard one of the +Confederates ask. + +“Yes. Griffith saw him. The other must be around here.” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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?” + +“Best Davidstein ever saw,” joined in the second guerrilla. + +“I ton’t vos got no fife hundred in gold to bay out dis night,” said +Davidstein, stoutly. + +“Well, you handle the stuff an’ make an offer,” concluded Caleb Fox. +“Remember, we have got to divide with the rest o’ the boys.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Who is dot?” he questioned, and went forward. An officer and two +guards from the prison presented themselves. + +“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?” + +“Not a soul,” answered the sleepy clerk. “I heard somedings going on +ofer by der brison, put dot’s all.” + +“Your window upstairs is open,” said the officer. “We think he may have +climbed up to it. We want to make a search.” + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVII + + LOUIS AS A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER + + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“Oh, Robert, are you safe?” Louis heard the lady exclaim, in anxious +tones. + +“Perfectly safe, Lucy; although I’ve had a tight squeeze of it.” + +“And did you get to General McClel--” + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +Louis felt his heart bound within him. Here were friends who would +surely assist him. He came to the edge of the loft. + +“Below there,” he whispered. + +“Ha! who is there?” ejaculated the man, leaping back and snatching up +his pistol, which lay on a feed box. + +“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--” + +“Come down here and let me look at you,” was the interruption, and +Louis ran down the ladder. The man held up his lantern. + +“Pennsylvania Volunteers, eh?” he said, briefly. “Humph! How long were +you up in the loft?” + +“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. + +“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.” + +“They were myself and a friend, madam. I don’t know what has become of +my friend, but I trust he is safe.” + +“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. + +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. + +“Now I will listen to your story,” said the man, dropping into an easy +chair. + +“Won’t you have your supper first, Robert?” interposed his wife. +“Perhaps you are hungry, too?” she added, turning to the young soldier. + +“I am--but I want to know that I’m safe from the rebels before I begin +to eat,” was the quick reply. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“I dare say it does. But now the question is, Having escaped from +prison, what are you going to do?” + +“Get back to camp--if I can.” + +“Precisely--if you can. It is going to be difficult, Rockford, +tremendously difficult. Getting through the lines is no light work.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“The trouble is, this uniform is against me.” + +“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.” + +“And what will be my best route out of Richmond?” + +“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.” + +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. + +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? + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Tough job to get in here, eh?” said Robert Dowling, briefly. + +Louis drew a long breath. “Indeed it will be. Do you really think +General McClellan can do it?” + +“If General McDowell’s troops come down, yes. If they don’t--” The man +did not finish. “Come down, if you have seen enough.” + +“In a minute.” Louis turned the field glass to the northeast. “Our +troops have their balloon up,” he cried. “They are taking observations.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“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. + +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. + +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: + + THEODORE FAILY + +“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?” + +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. + +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. + +“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?” + +“I am the man, yes.” + +“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?” + +“I do--to my sorrow.” + +“Did he have a claim on that farm?” + +“Not in the least. He once claimed to have, but his claim was +worthless.” + +“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--” + +“The rascal! But it is just like Sam Hammer. Mr. Rockford had better +pay no attention to him.” + +“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.” + +Theodore Faily mused for a moment and gazed keenly at Louis. + +“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.” + +The gentleman went out--to be gone over a quarter of an hour. When he +came back he handed Louis an envelope. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“That settles it. I can’t go much farther in this direction. I’ll +strike out through the woods.” + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVIII + + LOUIS AND ANDY MEET AGAIN + + +“Firefly!” burst from the lips of the young Union soldier. “Whoa, old +fellow! Where is your master?” + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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: + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“You wounded my horse and made him run away,” went on Andy. “I ought to +shoot you both for that.” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +“Louis!” burst from Andy’s lips, as the young Union soldier rushed +forward. “Was it you shot him?” + +“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!” + +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. + +“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. + +“Stand still, Jacks,” commanded Louis, “or my pistol will go off, and +Fox can testify to what sort of a bead I can draw.” + +“My wrist is broke!” moaned Fox, still dancing about. “You young +villain! If ever I git a chance--” + +“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.” + +“I will, seeing that my own is unloaded,” answered Andy. “But what +brought you here, and in that outfit?” + +“I’ll explain later. At present--Hi, Jacks, stop!” + +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. + +“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.” + +“Won’t you let me have my pistol?” demanded the guerrilla. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“It was Firefly brought me here,” answered Louis, and patted the +animal affectionately. “But why are you out here alone?” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“Don’t you know you are in our lines?” and Andy looked deeply concerned. + +“Oh, yes, I know that only too well. I suppose I’ll have no picnic +running the picket line.” + +“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--” + +“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.” + +“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?” + +“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?” + +“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. + +“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!” + +“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!” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Union or reb?” came the question, as the company halted behind some +bushes. + +“Union, captain,” was the prompt answer. “I’ve been a rebel prisoner.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIX + + LOUIS VISITS GENERAL MCCLELLAN + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“Did you take note of any of their fortifications, or the number and +disposition of their troops?” + +“I took note of all I possibly could, sir--feeling that it was +knowledge worth getting for our side,” answered Louis, with pardonable +pride. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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.” + +“Hum!” General McClellan spread the paper out on his camp table and +pored over it earnestly. “This line is the outskirts of Richmond?” + +“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.” + +“And what is that?” and General McClellan pointed upon the map with the +point of a pen. + +“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.” + +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.” + +“I will remember, general.” + +“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. + +[Illustration: “KEEP ON AS YOU HAVE STARTED AND WHO KNOWS BUT THAT YOU +WILL ONE DAY BE WEARING A GENERAL’S SHOULDER-STRAPS?”--_Page 387._] + +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. + +Louis received an ovation when he returned to the ranks of the +Goreville Volunteers. + +“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?” + +“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. + +“The airs Louis Rockford puts on make me sick,” he grumbled to Benny +Bruce, later on. + +“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.” + +“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. + +“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. + +“You’ve taunted me enough, Jerry Rowe,” he panted. “After this you +leave me alone, understand?” + +“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! + +“Hurrah for Benny Bruce!” + +“He’ll be a man yet. Shake hands, Benny. Jerry Rowe won’t bother you +again, I’ll bet you a shilling.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +“Oh, was our mail in the bunch destroyed?” he asked, of the under +officer who brought the news. + +“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. + +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. + +“What are they going to do with those prisoners?” asked Louis, of one +of the guards. + +“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. + +“Well, I am glad they are out of the way,” was Louis’s comment, when he +heard of this. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXX + + ADVENTURES DURING THE SEVEN DAYS’ BATTLES + + +“Harry, we are going to move at last!” + +“Who said so?” + +“Captain Paulding. I just heard him talking to the general. I fancy we +are in for a bit of hard fighting now.” + +“We have waited here too long, Louis, to my way of thinking. The rebels +must have a tremendous reinforcement by this time.” + +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. + +“This does mean business,” Blackwell exclaimed. “We’re either going to +march for Richmond or--” + +“Or what, Blackwell?” + +“Or we’re going to retreat.” + +“Retreat!” came from half a dozen throats. + +“Exactly, fellows. You see--” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +[Illustration: THEN ON SWEPT THE UNION LINE, YELLING WITH A VOICE THAT +IS NEVER HEARD ANYWHERE BUT ON THE BATTLEFIELD. _Page 399._] + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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! + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“Who’s that?” asked the man, in rather a weak voice. + +“A soldier,” answered Louis, and added quickly: “Are you alone here, +captain?” + +“Yes, worse luck. Where is my command? I was struck by a glancing +bullet and knocked out.” + +“I don’t know where your command is, captain. Can you get up? This is a +bad resting-place.” + +“Can I get up? Why--Heavens! a Union soldier, and I thought you a +friend! What does this mean?” + +“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. + +“Hi! give me my pistol!” came in a weak but fierce tone. The +Confederate officer tried to rise, but Louis shoved him back. + +“Keep still now. As you discovered, I am a Union soldier, and I have +no desire to be made a prisoner.” + +“What do you intend to do?” + +“Take this boat and row down the stream.” + +“I don’t want to go down the stream.” + +“In this case I am afraid you’ll have to go, captain. Lie still while I +shove off.” + +“But, see here--” + +“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. + +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. + +“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. + +“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!” + + + + + CHAPTER XXXI + + BETWEEN THE LINES + + +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. + +“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. + +“We are friends,” shouted the young Union soldier. “You have no right +to detain us.” + +“Who are yer?” + +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. + +“Don’t--don’t shoot me!” pleaded the wounded one. + +“Then do as I ordered,” returned Louis, as cautiously as before, but +his tone was cold and told that he meant what he said. + +“Air yer goin’ ter answer?” came from the shore. + +“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.” + +“Humph.” There was a pause. “Got the countersign, cap’n?” + +“Alabama.” + +“Thet’s all right, cap’n; pass on, ef yer want to.” + +“Are we in danger from the Yanks?” asked Louis, as he pulled on the oar +with all possible haste. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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?” + +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. + +“Ain’t dat fowl most done, Henry Harrison Dundell?” + +“It am, Uncle Ike.” + +“Den let us eat um up, afore some o’ dem sodgers cum fo’ to take it +away from us.” + +“De taters am dun, too, Uncle Ike.” + +“Dat’s good, boy, dat’s good. Come an’ stow um away now.” + +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. + +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. + +“Stop, both of you!” + +“Fo’ de lan’ sake, officer, doan you shoot us!” moaned the aged negro. + +“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.” + +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. + +“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!” + +“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. + +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. + +He was lost in the swamps of the Chickahominy! + +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. + +“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?” + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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.” + +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. + +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. + +“Hello there, comrades!” he shouted, joyfully. “I’m lost. Can’t some of +you find me?” + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“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!” + +“I’m a long way from that,” laughed the youth. “But I’ve had a rough +experience, nevertheless.” + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER XXXII + + MALVERN HILL--CONCLUSION + + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +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. + +“We’re out for hot work to-day,” said Louis, decidedly. “General Lee is +going to do his level best to break our backbone.” + +“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.” + +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. + +“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.” + +“We will! We will! Down with the rebs! Let us drive ’em clear back to +Richmond!” + +“Hurrah for Little Mac!” + +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. + +“Company, attention! Charge bayonets! Forward!” + +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. + +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. + +“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. + +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. + +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. + +“Andy!” + +“Louis! By all that’s wonderful! Where did you come from?” + +“We were driven into this woods by your cavalry--or some cavalry that +was with yours. How did you get here?” + +“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.” + +“You don’t wish it any more than I do, Andy. It’s not all glory, is it?” + +“Hardly. But, hark! Some troops are coming!” + +“And I am not armed!” + +“Nor I! Listen--they seem to be passing to our right. We had better +separate.” + +“You are badly wounded, and so is Firefly.” + +“So are you wounded. Your cheek is covered with blood.” + +“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?” + +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. + +“Andy, I think--” + +“The woods are on fire!” + +“You are right--and, see! the fire is behind us, too!” + +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. + +“It looks as if we were hemmed in, Louis. What shall we do?” + +“Do? Get out--just as fast as we can. Come, there seems to be a clear +space to our left.” + +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. + +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. + +“Andy! Andy!” cried Louis, pleadingly, but there was no response. + +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. + +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. + +[Illustration: “I’LL DIE WITH HIM BEFORE I’LL DO IT!”--_Page 426._] + +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. + +“Louis--what--what happened?” and Andy’s eyes opened widely. + +“Firefly threw you and ran off, Andy. I carried you here. We are not +yet safe.” + +“You carried me, Louis? How good of you! And the fire is behind?” By +a superhuman effort Andy started up. “We must go farther.” + +“Yes. If you can walk give me your hand. See, there is a road and +beyond is a clearing. Come!” + +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. + +“We must part, Andy! Good-bye!” + +“Good-bye, Louis, and I’ll never forget you. May God spare your life!” + +“And may He spare yours, also!” + +They shook hands and turned in opposite directions. It was the last the +chums saw of each other for many months to come. + +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. + +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. + + * * * * * + +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? + +“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. + +“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. + +“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! + +“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. + +“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. + +“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?” + +“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.” + +“Good!” cried the young soldier. And his heart was lighter than ever. + +“Louis, you have done your duty, and more,” said his father, +affectionately. “I am proud of such a son.” + +“And we are all proud!” cried Martha. “Just as proud as we can be!” + + * * * * * + +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. + + + THE END. + + + + + =Transcriber’s Notes= + + Perceived typographical errors have been silently corrected. + + Illustrations have been moved nearer to the text to which they refer. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77848 *** 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 diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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