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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/7862-0.txt b/7862-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c5052f --- /dev/null +++ b/7862-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10277 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sword of Antietam + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7862] +Posting Date: July 23, 2009 +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder + + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + +A STORY OF THE NATION'S CRISIS + +By Joseph A. Altsheler + + + + +FOREWORD + + +“The Sword of Antietam” tells a complete story, but it is one in +the chain of Civil War romances, begun in “The Guns of Bull Run” and +continued through “The Guns of Shiloh” and “The Scouts of Stonewall.” + The young Northern hero, Dick Mason, and his friends are in the +forefront of the tale. + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT “SUSE,” A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + II. AT THE CAPITAL + + III. BESIDE THE RIVER + + IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + + V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + + VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + + VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + + X. ANTIETAM + + XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + + XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + XIII. PERRYVILLE + + XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + + XV. STONE RIVER + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + + + + +CHAPTER I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + +The first youth rode to the crest of the hill, and, still sitting on his +horse, examined the country in the south with minute care through a pair +of powerful glasses. The other two dismounted and waited patiently. All +three were thin and their faces were darkened by sun and wind. But they +were strong alike of body and soul. Beneath the faded blue uniforms +brave hearts beat and powerful muscles responded at once to every +command of the will. + +“What do you see, Dick?” asked Warner, who leaned easily against his +horse, with one arm over the pommel of his saddle. + +“Hills, valleys, mountains, the August heat shimmering over all, but no +human being.” + +“A fine country,” said young Pennington, “and I like to look at it, but +just now my Nebraska prairie would be better for us. We could at least +see the advance of Stonewall Jackson before he was right on top of us.” + +Dick took another long look, searching every point in the half circle +of the south with his glasses. Although burned by summer the country +was beautiful, and neither heat nor cold could take away its +picturesqueness. He saw valleys in which the grass grew thick and +strong, clusters of hills dotted with trees, and then the blue loom of +mountains clothed heavily with foliage. Over everything bent a dazzling +sky of blue and gold. + +The light was so intense that with his glasses he could pick out +individual trees and rocks on the far slopes. He saw an occasional roof, +but nowhere did he see man. He knew the reason, but he had become so +used to his trade that at the moment, he felt no sadness. All this +region had been swept by great armies. Here the tide of battle in +the mightiest of all wars had rolled back and forth, and here it was +destined to surge again in a volume increasing always. + +“I don't find anything,” repeated Dick, “but three pairs of eyes are +better than none. George, you take the glasses and see what you can see +and Frank will follow.” + +He dismounted and stood holding the reins of his horse while the young +Vermonter looked. He noticed that the mathematical turn of Warner's +mind showed in every emergency. He swept the glasses back and forth in +a regular curve, not looking here and now there, but taking his time and +missing nothing. It occurred to Dick that he was a type of his region, +slow but thorough, and sure to win after defeat. + +“What's the result of your examination?” asked Dick as Warner passed the +glasses in turn to Pennington. + +“Let x equal what I saw, which is nothing. Let y equal the result I +draw, which is nothing. Hence we have x + y which still equals nothing.” + +Pennington was swifter in his examination. The blood in his veins flowed +a little faster than Warner's. + +“I find nothing but land and water,” he said without waiting to be +asked, “and I'm disappointed. I had a hope, Dick, that I'd see Stonewall +Jackson himself riding along a slope.” + +“Even if you saw him, how would you know it was Stonewall?” + +“I hadn't thought of that. We've heard so much of him that it just +seemed to me I'd know him anywhere.” + +“Same here,” said Warner. “Remember all the tales we've heard about his +whiskers, his old slouch hat and his sorrel horse.” + +“I'd like to see him myself,” confessed Dick. “From all we hear he's +the man who kept McClellan from taking Richmond. He certainly played +hob with the plans of our generals. You know, I've got a cousin, Harry +Kenton, with him. I had a letter from him a week ago--passing through +the lines, and coming in a round-about way. Writes as if he thought +Stonewall Jackson was a demigod. Says we'd better quit and go home, as +we haven't any earthly chance to win this war.” + +“He fights best who wins last,” said Warner. “I'm thinking I won't see +the green hills of Vermont for a long time yet, because I mean to pay +a visit to Richmond first. Have you got your cousin's letter with you, +Dick?” + +“No, I destroyed it. I didn't want it bobbing up some time or other to +cause either of us trouble. A man I know at home says he's kept out of a +lot of trouble by 'never writin' nothin' to nobody.' And if you do write +a letter the next best thing is to burn it as quick as you can.” + +“If my eyes tell the truth, and they do,” said Pennington, “here comes +a short, thick man riding a long, thick horse and he--the man, not the +horse--bears a startling resemblance to our friend, ally, guide and +sometime mentor, Sergeant Daniel Whitley.” + +“Yes, it's the sergeant,” said Dick, looking down into the valley, “and +I'm glad he's joining us. Do you know, boys, I often think these veteran +sergeants know more than some of our generals.” + +“It's not an opinion. It's a fact,” said Warner. “Hi, there, sergeant! +Here are your friends! Come up and make the same empty report that we've +got ready for the colonel.” + +Sergeant Daniel Whitley looked at the three lads, and his face +brightened. He had a good intellect under his thatch of hair, and a warm +heart within his strong body. The boys, although lieutenants, and he +only a sergeant in the ranks, treated him usually as an equal and often +as a superior. + +Colonel Winchester's regiment and the remains of Colonel Newcomb's +Pennsylvanians had been sent east after the defeat of the Union army at +the Seven Days, and were now with Pope's Army of Virginia, which was to +hold the valley and also protect Washington. Grant's success at +Shiloh had been offset by McClellan's failure before Richmond, and the +President and his Cabinet at Washington were filled with justifiable +alarm. Pope was a western man, a Kentuckian, and he had insisted upon +having some of the western troops with him. + +The sergeant rode his horse slowly up the slope, and joined the lads +over whom he watched like a father. + +“And what have the hundred eyes of Argus beheld?” asked Warner. + +“Argus?” said the sergeant. “I don't know any such man. Name sounds +queer, too.” + +“He belongs to a distant and mythical past, sergeant, but he'd be mighty +useful if we had him here. If even a single one of his hundred eyes were +to light on Stonewall Jackson, it would be a great service.” + +The sergeant shook his head and looked reprovingly at Warner. + +“It ain't no time for jokin',” he said. + +“I was never further from it. It seems to me that we need a lot of +Arguses more than anything else. This is the enemy's country, and we +hear that Stonewall Jackson is advancing. Advancing where, from what and +when? There is no Argus to tell. The country supports a fairly numerous +population, but it hasn't a single kind or informing word for us. Is +Stonewall Jackson going to drop from the sky, which rumor says is his +favorite method of approach?” + +“He's usin' the solid ground this time, anyway,” said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley. “I've been eight miles farther south, an' if I didn't see +cavalry comin' along the skirt of a ridge, then my eyes ain't any +friends of mine. Then I came through a little place of not more'n five +houses. No men there, just women an' children, but when I looked back I +saw them women an' children, too, grinnin' at me. That means somethin', +as shore as we're livin' an' breathin'. I'm bettin' that we new fellows +from the west will get acquainted with Stonewall Jackson inside of +twenty-four hours.” + +“You don't mean that? It's not possible!” exclaimed Dick, startled. +“Why, when we last heard of Jackson he was so far south we can't expect +him in a week!” + +“You've heard that they call his men the foot cavalry,” said the +sergeant gravely, “an' I reckon from all I've learned since I come east +that they've won the name fair an' true. See them woods off to the south +there. See the black line they make ag'inst the sky. I know, the same +as if I had seen him, that Stonewall Jackson is down in them forests, +comin' an' comin' fast.” + +The sergeant's tone was ominous, and Dick felt a tingling at the roots +of his hair. The western troops were eager to meet this new Southern +phenomenon who had suddenly shot like a burning star across the sky, but +for the first time there was apprehension in his soul. He had seen but +little of the new general, Pope, but he had read his proclamations and +he had thought them bombastic. He talked lightly of the enemy and of the +grand deeds that he was going to do. Who was Pope to sweep away such men +as Lee and Jackson with mere words! + +Dick longed for Grant, the stern, unyielding, unbeatable Grant whom he +had known at Shiloh. In the west the Union troops had felt the strong +hand over them, and confidence had flowed into them, but here they were +in doubt. They felt that the powerful and directing mind was absent. + +Silence fell upon them all for a little space, while the four gazed +intently into the south, strange fears assailing everyone. Dick never +doubted that the Union would win. He never doubted it then and he never +doubted it afterward, through all the vast hecatomb when the flag of the +Union fell more than once in terrible defeat. + +But their ignorance was mystifying and oppressive. They saw before them +the beautiful country, the hills and valleys, the forest and the blue +loom of the mountains, so much that appealed to the eye, and yet the +horizon, looking so peaceful in the distance, was barbed with spears. +Jackson was there! The sergeant's theory had become conviction with +them. Distance had been nothing to him. He was at hand with a great +force, and Lee with another army might fall at any time upon their +flank, while McClellan was isolated and left useless, far away. + +Dick's heart missed a beat or two, as he saw the sinister picture that +he had created in his own mind. Highly imaginative, he had leaped to the +conclusion that Lee and Jackson meant to trap the Union army, the hammer +beating it out on the anvil. He raised the glasses to his eyes, surveyed +the forests in the South once more, and then his heart missed another +beat. + +He had caught the flash of steel, the sun's rays falling across a +bayonet or a polished rifle barrel. And then as he looked he saw the +flash again and again. He handed the glasses to Warner and said quietly: + +“George, I see troops on the edge of that far hill to the south and the +east. Can't you see them, too?” + +“Yes, I can make them out clearly now, as they pass across a bit of open +land. They're Confederate cavalry, two hundred at least, I should say.” + +Dick learned long afterward that it was the troop of Sherburne, but, for +the present, the name of Sherburne was unknown to him. He merely felt +that this was the vanguard of Jackson riding forward to set the trap. +The men were now so near that they could be seen with the naked eye, and +the sergeant said tersely: + +“At last we've seen what we were afraid we would see.” + +“And look to the left also,” said Warner, who still held the glasses. +“There's a troop of horse coming up another road, too. By George, +they're advancing at a trot! We'd better clear out or we may be enclosed +between the two horns of their cavalry.” + +“We'll go back to our force at Cedar Run,” said Harry, “and report what +we've seen. As you say, George, there's no time to waste.” + +The four mounted and rode fast, the dust of the road flying in a cloud +behind their horses' heels. Dick felt that they had fulfilled their +errand, but he had his doubts how their news would be received. The +Northern generals in the east did not seem to him to equal those of the +west in keenness and resolution, while the case was reversed so far as +the Southern generals were concerned. + +But fast as they went the Southern cavalry was coming with equal speed. +They continually saw the flash of arms in both east and west. The force +in the west was the nearer of the two. Not only was Sherburne there, but +Harry Kenton was with him, and besides their own natural zeal they had +all the eagerness and daring infused into them by the great spirit and +brilliant successes of Jackson. + +“They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their +horsemen,” said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, “and the +battle won't be to-morrow or the next day.” + +“Why not? I thought Jackson was swift,” said Warner. + +“Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too, but +he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to +change their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley.” + +The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now +saw masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They +saw also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the +rumble of their wheels. + +“Looks as if the sergeant was right,” said Pennington. “Stonewall +Jackson is here.” + +They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run, a +cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about the +middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless. +Their hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn +painfully through throats lined with dust. + +A long ridge covered with forest rose on one side of them and now they +saw the flash of many bayonets and rifle barrels along its lowest slope. +Another heavy column of infantry was advancing, and presently they heard +the far note of trumpets calling to one another. + +“Their whole army is in touch,” said the sergeant. “The trumpets show +it. Often on the plains, when we had to divide our little force into +detachments, they'd have bugle talk with one another. We must go faster +if we can.” + +They got another ounce of strength out of their horses, and now they +saw Union cavalry in front. In a minute or two they were among the blue +horsemen, giving the hasty news of Jackson's advance. Other scouts and +staff officers arrived a little later with like messages, and not long +afterward they heard shots behind them telling them that the hostile +pickets were in touch. + +They watered their horses in Cedar Run, crossed it and rejoined their +own regiment under Colonel Arthur Winchester. The colonel was thin, +bronzed and strong, and he, too, like the other new men from the West, +was eager for battle with the redoubtable Jackson. + +“What have you seen, Dick?” he exclaimed. “Is it a mere scouting force +of cavalry, or is Jackson really at hand?” + +“I think it's Jackson himself. We saw heavy columns coming up. They were +pressing forward, too, as if they meant to brush aside whatever got in +their way.” + +“Then we'll show them!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “We've only seven +thousand men here on Cedar Run, but Banks, who is in immediate command, +has been stung deeply by his defeats at the hands of Jackson, and he +means a fight to the last ditch. So does everybody else.” + +Dick, at that moment, the thrill of the gallop gone, was not so +sanguine. The great weight of Jackson's name hung over him like a +sinister menace, and the Union troops on Cedar Run were but seven +thousand. The famous Confederate leader must have at least three times +that number. Were the Union forces, separated into several armies, to +be beaten again in detail? Pope himself should be present with at least +fifty thousand men. + +Their horses had been given to an orderly and Dick threw himself upon +the turf to rest a little. All along the creek the Union army, including +his own regiment, was forming in line of battle but his colonel had +not yet called upon him for any duty. Warner and Pennington were also +resting from their long and exciting ride, but the sergeant, who seemed +never to know fatigue, was already at work with his men. + +“Listen to those skirmishers,” said Dick. “It sounds like the popping of +corn at home on winter evenings, when I was a little boy.” + +“But a lot more deadly,” said Pennington. “I wouldn't like to be a +skirmisher. I don't mind firing into the smoke and the crowd, but I'd +hate to sit down behind a stump or in the grass and pick out the spot on +a man that I meant for my bullet to hit.” + +“You won't have to do any such work, Frank,” said Warner. “Hark to it! +The sergeant was right. We're going to have a battle to-day and a big +one. The popping of your corn, Dick, has become an unbroken sound.” + +Dick, from the crest of the hillock on which they lay, gazed over +the heads of the men in blue. The skirmishers were showing a hideous +activity. A continuous line of light ran along the front of both armies, +and behind the flash of the Southern firing he saw heavy masses of +infantry emerging from the woods. A deep thrill ran through him. +Jackson, the famous, the redoubtable, the unbeatable, was at hand with +his army. Would he remain unbeaten? Dick said to himself, in unspoken +words, over and over again, “No! No! No! No!” He and his comrades had +been victors in the west. They must not fail here. + +Colonel Winchester now called to them, and mounting their horses they +gathered around him to await his orders. These officers, though mere +boys, learned fast. Dick knew enough already of war to see that they +were in a strong position. Before them flowed the creek. On their flank +and partly in their front was a great field of Indian corn. A quarter +of a mile away was a lofty ridge on which were posted Union guns with +gunners who knew so well how to use them. To right and left ran the long +files of infantry, their faces white but resolute. + +“I think,” said Dick to Warner, “that if Jackson passes over this place +he will at least know that we've been here.” + +“Yes, he'll know it, and besides he'll make quite a halt before passing. +At least, that's my way of thinking.” + +There was a sudden dying of the rifle fire. The Union skirmishers +were driven in, and they fell back on the main body which was silent, +awaiting the attack. Dick was no longer compelled to use the glasses. +He saw with unaided eye the great Southern columns marching forward with +the utmost confidence, heavy batteries advancing between the regiments, +ready at command to sweep the Northern ranks with shot and shell. + +Dick shivered a little. He could not help it. They were face to face +with Jackson, and he was all that the heralds of fame had promised. +He had eye enough to see that the Southern force was much greater than +their own, and, led by such a man, how could they fail to win another +triumph? He looked around upon the army in blue, but he did not see +any sign of fear. Both the beaten and the unbeaten were ready for a new +battle. + +There was a mighty crash from the hill and the Northern batteries poured +a stream of metal into the advancing ranks of their foe. + +The Confederate advance staggered, but, recovering itself, came on +again. A tremendous cheer burst from the ranks of the lads in blue. +Stonewall Jackson with all his skill and fame was before them, but they +meant to stop him. Numbers were against them, and Banks, their leader, +had been defeated already by Jackson, but they meant to stop him, +nevertheless. + +The Southern guns replied. Posted along the slopes of Slaughter +Mountain, sinister of name, they sent a sheet of death upon the Union +ranks. But the regiments, the new and the old, stood firm. Those that +had been beaten before by Jackson were resolved not to be beaten again +by him, and the new regiments from the west, one or two of which had +been at Shiloh, were resolved never to be beaten at all. + +“The lads are steady,” said Colonel Winchester. “It's a fine sign. I've +news, too, that two thousand men have come up. We shall now have nine +thousand with which to withstand the attack, and I don't believe they +can drive us away. Oh, why isn't Pope himself here with his whole army? +Then we could wipe Jackson off the face of the earth!” + +But Pope was not there. The commander of a huge force, the man of +boastful words who was to do such great things, the man who sent such +grandiloquent dispatches from “Headquarters in the Saddle,” to the +anxious Lincoln at Washington, had strung his numerous forces along in +detachments, just as the others had done before him, and the booming +of Jackson's cannon attacking the Northern vanguard with his whole army +could not reach ears so far away. + +The fire now became heavy along the whole Union front. All the batteries +on both sides were coming into action, and the earth trembled with the +rolling crash. The smoke rose and hung in clouds over the hills, the +valley and the cornfield. The hot air, surcharged with dust, smoke and +burned gunpowder, was painful and rasping to the throat. The frightful +screaming of the shells filled the air, and then came the hissing of the +bullets like a storm of sleet. + +Colonel Winchester and his staff dismounted, giving their horses to an +orderly who led them to the rear. Horses would not be needed for the +present, at least, and they had learned to avoid needless risk. + +The attack was coming closer, and the bullets as they swept through +their ranks found many victims. Colonel Winchester ordered his regiment +to kneel and open fire, being held hitherto in reserve. Dick snatched up +a rifle from a soldier who had fallen almost beside him, and he saw that +Warner and Pennington had equipped themselves in like fashion. + +A strong gust of wind lifted the smoke before them a little. Dick saw +many splashes of water on the surface of the creek where bullets struck, +and there were many tiny spurts of dust in the road, where other bullets +fell. Then he saw beyond the dark masses of the Southern infantry. It +seemed to him that they were strangely close. He believed that he could +see their tanned faces, one by one, and their vengeful eyes, but it was +only fancy. + +The next instant the signal was given, and the regiment fired as one. +There was a long flash of fire, a tremendous roaring in Dick's ears, +then for an instant or two a vast cloud of smoke hid the advancing gray +mass. When it was lifted a moment later the men in gray were advancing +no longer. Their ranks were shattered and broken, the ground was covered +with the fallen and the others were reeling back. + +“We win! We win!” shouted Pennington, wild with enthusiasm. + +“For the present, at least,” said Warner, a deep flush blazing in either +cheek. + +There was no return fire just then from that point, and the smoke lifted +a little more. Above the crash of the battle which raged fiercely on +either flank, they heard the notes of a trumpet rising, loud, clear, and +distinct from all other sounds. Dick knew that it was a rallying call, +and then he heard Pennington utter a wild shout. + +“I see him! I see him!” he cried. “It's old Stonewall himself! There on +the hillock, on the little horse!” + +The vision was but for an instant. Dick gazed with all his eyes, and he +saw several hundred yards away a thickset man on a sorrel horse. He was +bearded and he stooped a little, seeming to bend an intense gaze upon +the Northern lines. + +There was no time for anyone to fire, because in a few seconds the +smoke came back, a huge, impenetrable curtain, and hid the man and the +hillock. But Dick had not the slightest doubt that it was the great +Southern leader, and he was right. It was Stonewall Jackson on the +hillock, rallying his men, and Dick's own cousin, Harry Kenton, rode by +his side. + +They reloaded, but a staff officer galloped up and delivered a written +order to Colonel Winchester. The whole regiment left the line, another +less seasoned taking its place, and they marched off to one flank, where +a field of wheat lately cut, and a wood on the extreme end, lay before +them. Behind them they heard the battle swelling anew, but Dick knew +that a new force of the foe was coming here, and he felt proud that his +own regiment had been moved to meet an attack which would certainly be +made with the greatest violence. + +“Who are those men down in the wheat-field?” asked Pennington. + +“Our own skirmishers,” replied Warner. “See them running forward, hiding +behind the shocks of straw and firing!” + +The riflemen were busy. They fired from the shelter of every straw stack +in the field, and they stung the new Southern advance, which was already +showing its front. Southern guns now began to search the wheat field. +A shell struck squarely in the center of one of the shocks behind which +three Northern skirmishers were kneeling. Dick saw the straw fly into +the air as if picked up by a whirlwind. When it settled back it lay +in scattered masses and three dark figures lay with it, motionless and +silent. He shuddered and looked away. + +The edge of the wood was now lined with Southern infantry, and on their +right flank was a numerous body of cavalry. Officers were waving their +swords aloft, leading the men in person to the charge. + +“The attack will be heavy here,” said Colonel Winchester. “Ah, there are +our guns firing over our heads. We need 'em.” + +The Southern cannon were more numerous, but the Northern guns, posted +well on the hill, refused to be silenced. Some of them were dismounted +and the gunners about them were killed, but the others, served with +speed and valor, sprayed the whole Southern front with a deadly shower +of steel. + +It was this welcome metal that Dick and his comrades heard over their +heads, and then the trumpets rang a shrill note of defiance along the +whole line. Banks, remembering his bitter defeats and resolved upon +victory now, was not awaiting the attack. He would make it himself. + +The whole wing lifted itself up and rushed through the wheat field, +firing as they charged. The cannon were pushed forward and poured in +volleys as fast as the gunners could load and discharge them. Dick +felt the ground reeling beneath his feet, but he knew that they were +advancing and that the enemy was giving way again. Stonewall Jackson and +his generals felt a certain hardening of the Northern resistance that +day. The recruits in blue were becoming trained now. They did not break +in a panic, although their lines were raked through and through by the +Southern shells. New men stepped in the place of the fallen, and the +lines, filled up, came on again. + +The Northern wing charging through the wheat field continued to bear +back the enemy. Jackson was not yet able to stop the fierce masses in +blue. A formidable body of men issuing from the Northern side of the +wood charged with the bayonet, pushing the charge home with a courage +and a recklessness of death that the war had not yet seen surpassed. The +Southern rifles and cannon raked them, but they never stopped, bursting +like a tornado upon their foe. + +One of Jackson's Virginia regiments gave way and then another. The men +in blue from the wood and Colonel Winchester's regiment joined, their +shouts rising above the smoke while they steadily pushed the enemy +before them. + +Dick as he shouted with the rest felt a wild exultation. They were +showing Jackson what they could do! They were proving to him that he +could not win always. His joy was warranted. No such confusion had ever +before existed in Jackson's army. The Northern charge was driven like a +wedge of steel into its ranks. + +Jackson had able generals, valiant lieutenants, with him, Ewell and +Early, and A. P. Hill and Winder, and they strove together to stop +the retreat. The valiant Winder was mortally wounded and died upon the +field, and Jackson, with his wonderful ability to see what was happening +and his equal power of decision, swiftly withdrew that wing of his army, +also carrying with it every gun. + +A great shout of triumph rose from the men in blue as they saw the +Southern retreat. + +“We win! We win!” cried Pennington again. + +“Yes, we win!” shouted Warner, usually so cool. + +And it did seem even to older men that the triumph was complete. The +blue and the gray were face to face in the smoke, but the gray were +driven back by the fierce and irresistible charge, and, as their flight +became swifter, the shells and grape from the Northern batteries plunged +and tore through their ranks. Nothing stopped the blue wave. It rolled +on and on, sweeping a mass of fugitives before it, and engulfing others. + +Dick had no ordered knowledge of the charge. He was a part of it, and he +saw only straight in front of him, but he was conscious that all around +him there was a fiery red mist, and a confused and terrible noise of +shouting and firing. But they were winning! They were beating Stonewall +Jackson himself. His pulses throbbed so hard that he thought his +arteries would burst, and his lips were dry and blackened from smoke, +burned gunpowder and his own hot breath issuing like steam between them. + +Then came a halt so sudden and terrible that it shook Dick as if by +physical contact. He looked around in wonder. The charge was spent, not +from its lack of strength but because they had struck an obstacle. They +had reckoned ill, because they had not reckoned upon all the resources +of Stonewall Jackson's mind. He had stemmed the rout in person and now +he was pushing forward the Stonewall Brigade, five regiments, which +always had but two alternatives, to conquer or to die. Hill and Ewell +with fresh troops were coming up also on his flanks, and now the blue +and the gray, face to face again, closed in mortal combat. + +“We've stopped! We've stopped! Do you hear it, we've stopped!” exclaimed +Pennington, his face a ghastly reek of dust and perspiration, his eyes +showing amazement and wonder how the halt could have happened. Dick +shared in the terrible surprise. The fire in front of him deepened +suddenly. Men were struck down all about him. Heavy masses of troops in +gray showed through the smoke. The Stonewall Brigade was charging, and +regiments were charging with it on either side. + +The column in blue was struck in front and on either flank. It not only +ceased its victorious advance, but it began to give ground. The men +could not help it, despite their most desperate efforts. It seemed to +Dick that the earth slipped under their feet. A tremendous excitement +seized him at the thought of victory lost just when it seemed won. He +ran up and down the lines, shouting to the men to stand firm. He saw +that the senior officers were doing the same, but there was little +order or method in his own movements. It was the excitement and bitter +humiliation that drove him on. + +He stumbled in the smoke against Sergeant Whitley. The sergeant's +forehead had been creased by a bullet, but so much dust and burned +gunpowder had gathered upon it that it was as black as the face of a +black man. + +“Are we to lose after all?” exclaimed Dick. + +It seemed strange to him, even at that moment, that he should hear +his own voice amid such a roar of cannon and rifles. But it was an +undernote, and he heard with equal ease the sergeant's reply: + +“It ain't decided yet, Mr. Mason, but we've got to fight as we never +fought before.” + +The Union men, both those who had faced Jackson before and those who +were now meeting him for the first time, fought with unsurpassed valor, +but, unequal in numbers, they saw the victory wrenched from their grasp. +Jackson now had his forces in the hollow of his hand. He saw everything +that was passing, and with the mind of a master he read the meaning of +it. He strengthened his own weak points and increased the attack upon +those of the North. + +Dick remained beside the sergeant. He had lost sight of Colonel +Winchester, Warner and Pennington in the smoke and the dreadful +confusion, but he saw well enough that his fears were coming true. + +The attack in front increased in violence, and the Northern army was +also attacked with fiery energy on both flanks. The men had the actual +physical feeling that they were enclosed in the jaws of a vise, and, +forced to abandon all hope of victory, they fought now to escape. Two +small squadrons of cavalry, scarce two hundred in number, sent forward +from a wood, charged the whole Southern army under a storm of cannon and +rifle fire. They equalled the ride of the Six Hundred at Balaklava, but +with no poet to celebrate it, it remained like so many other charges in +this war, an obscure and forgotten incident. + +Dick saw the charge of the horsemen, and the return of the few. Then +he lost hope. Above the roar of the battle the rebel yell continually +swelled afresh. The setting sun, no longer golden but red, cast a +sinister light over the trampled wheat field, the slopes and the woods +torn by cannon balls. The dead and the wounded lay in thousands, and +Banks, brave and tenacious, but with bitter despair in his heart, was +seeking to drag the remains of his army from that merciless vise which +continued to close down harder and harder. + +Dick's excitement and tension seemed to abate. He had been keyed to so +high a pitch that his pulses grew gentler through very lack of force, +and with the relaxation came a clearer view. He saw the sinking red +sun through the banks of smoke, and in fancy he already felt the cool +darkness upon his face after the hot and terrible August day. He knew +that night might save them, and he prayed deeply and fervently for its +swift coming. + +He and the sergeant came suddenly to Colonel Winchester, whose hat had +been shot from his head, but who was otherwise unharmed. Warner and +Pennington were near, Warner slightly wounded but apparently unaware of +the fact. The colonel, by shout and by gesture, was gathering around him +the remains of his regiment. Other regiments on either side were trying +to do the same, and eventually they formed a compact mass which, driving +with all its force back toward its old position, reached the hills and +the woods just as the jaws of Stonewall Jackson's vise shut down, but +not upon the main body. + +Victory, won for a little while, had been lost. Night protected their +retreat, and they fought with a valor that made Jackson and all his +generals cautious. But this knowledge was little compensation to the +Northern troops. They knew that behind them was a great army, that Pope +might have been present with fifty thousand men, sufficient to overwhelm +Jackson. Instead of the odds being more than two to one in their favor, +they had been two to one against them. + +It was a sullen army that lay in the woods in the first hour or two of +the night, gasping for breath. These men had boasted that they were +a match for those of Jackson, and they were, if they could only have +traded generals. Dick and his comrades from the west began to share in +the awe that the name of Stonewall Jackson inspired. + +“He comes up to his advertisements. There ain't no doubt of it,” said +Sergeant Whitley. “I never saw anybody fight better than our men did, +an' that charge of the little troop of cavalry was never beat anywhere +in the world. But here we are licked, and thirty or forty thousand men +of ours not many miles away!” + +He spoke the last words with a bitterness that Dick had never heard in +his voice before. + +“It's simple,” said Warner, who was binding up his little wound with his +own hand. “It's just a question in mathematics. I see now how Stonewall +Jackson won so many triumphs in the Valley of Virginia. Give Jackson, +say, fifteen thousand men. We have fifty thousand, but we divide them +into five armies of ten thousand apiece. Jackson fights them in detail, +which is five battles, of course. His fifteen thousand defeat the ten +thousand every time. Hence Jackson with fifteen thousand men has beaten +our side. It's simple but painful. In time our leaders will learn.” + +“After we're all killed,” said Pennington sadly. + +“And the country is ripped apart so that it will take half a century to +put the pieces back together again and put 'em back right,” said Dick, +with equal sadness. + +“Never mind,” said Sergeant Whitley with returning cheerfulness. “Other +countries have survived great wars and so will ours.” + +Some food was obtained for the exhausted men and they ate it nervously, +paying little attention to the crackling fire of the skirmishers which +was still going on in the darkness along their front. Dick saw the pink +flashes along the edges of the woods and the wheat field, but his mind, +deadened for the time, took no further impressions. Skirmishers were +unpleasant people, anyway. Let them fight down there. It did not matter +what they might do to one another. A minute or two later he was ashamed +of such thoughts. + +Colonel Winchester, who had been to see General Banks, returned +presently and told them that they would march again in half an hour. + +“General Banks,” he said with bitter irony, “is afraid that a powerful +force of the rebels will gain his rear and that we shall be surrounded. +He ought to know. He has had enough dealings with Jackson. Outmaneuvered +and outflanked again! Why can't we learn something?” + +But he said this to the young officers only. He forced a cheerfulness +of tone when he spoke to the men, and they dragged themselves wearily +to their feet in order to begin the retreat. But though the muscles +were tired the spirit was not unwilling. All the omens were sinister, +pointing to the need of withdrawal. The vicious skirmishers were still +busy and a crackling fire came from many points in the woods. The +occasional rolling thunder of a cannon deepened the somberness of the +scene. + +All the officers of the regiment had lost their horses and they walked +now with the men. A full moon threw a silvery light over the marching +troops, who strode on in silence, the wounded suppressing their groans. +A full moon cast a silvery light over the pallid faces. + +“Do you know where we are going?” Dick asked of the Vermonter. + +“I heard that we're bound for a place called Culpeper Court House, +six or seven miles away. I suppose we'll get there in the morning, if +Stonewall Jackson doesn't insist on another interview with us.” + +“There's enough time in the day for fighting,” said Pennington, “without +borrowing of the night. Hear that big gun over there on our right! Why +do they want to be firing cannon balls at such a time?” + +They trudged gloomily on, following other regiments ghostly in the +moonlight, and followed by others as ghostly. But the sinister omens, +the flash of rifle firing and the far boom of a cannon, were always on +their flanks. The impression of Jackson's skill and power which Dick had +gained so quickly was deepening already. He did not have the slightest +doubt now that the Southern leader was pressing forward through the +woods to cut them off. As the sergeant had said truly, he came up to +his advertisements and more. Dick shivered and it was a shiver of +apprehension for the army, and not for himself. + +In accordance with human nature he and the boy officers who were his +good comrades talked together, but their sentences were short and +broken. + +“Marching toward a court house,” said Pennington. “What'll we do when we +get there? Lawyers won't help us.” + +“Not so much marching toward a court house as marching away from +Jackson,” said the Vermonter. + +“We'll march back again,” said Dick hopefully. + +“But when?” said Pennington. “Look through the trees there on our right. +Aren't those rebel troops?” + +Dick's startled gaze beheld a long line of horsemen in gray on their +flank and only a few hundred yards away. + + + + +CHAPTER II. AT THE CAPITAL + + +The Southern cavalry was seen almost at the same time by many men in the +regiments, and nervous and hasty, as was natural at such a time, they +opened a scattering fire. The horsemen did not return the fire, but +seemed to melt away in the darkness. + +But the shrewdest of the officers, among whom was Colonel Winchester, +took alarm at this sudden appearance and disappearance. Dick would have +divined from their manner, even without their talk, that they believed +Jackson was at hand. Action followed quickly. The army stopped and +began to seek a strong position in the wood. Cannon were drawn up, their +mouths turned to the side on which the horsemen had appeared, and the +worn regiments assumed the attitude of defense. Dick's heart throbbed +with pride when he saw that they were as ready as ever to fight, +although they had suffered great losses and the bitterest of +disappointments. + +“What I said I've got to say over again,” said Pennington ruefully: “the +night's no time for fighting. It's heathenish in Stonewall Jackson to +follow us, and annoy us in such a way.” + +“Such a way! Such a way!” said Dick impatiently. “We've got to learn to +fight as he does. Good God, Frank, think of all the sacrifices we are +making to save our Union, the great republic! Think how the hateful old +monarchies will sneer and rejoice if we fall, and here in the East our +generals just throw our men away! They divide and scatter our armies in +such a manner that we simply ask to be beaten.” + +“Sh! sh!” said Warner, as he listened to the violent outbreak, so +unusual on the part of the reserved and self-contained lad. “Here come +two generals.” + +“Two too many,” muttered Dick. A moment or two later he was ashamed of +himself, not because of what he had said, but because he had said it. +Then Warner seized him by the arm and pointed. + +“A new general, bigger than all the rest, has come,” he said, “and +although I've never seen him before I know with mathematical certainty +that it's General John Pope, commander-in-chief of the Army of +Virginia.” + +Both Dick and Pennington knew instinctively that Warner was right. +General Pope, a strongly built man in early middle years, surrounded by +a brilliant staff, rode into a little glade in the midst of the troops, +and summoned to him the leading officers who had taken part in the +battle. + +Dick and his two comrades stood on one side, but they could not keep +from hearing what was said and done. In truth they did not seek to +avoid hearing, nor did many of the young privates who stood near and who +considered themselves quite as good as their officers. + +Pope, florid and full-faced, was in a fine humor. He complimented the +officers on their valor, spoke as if they had won a victory--which would +have been a fact had others done their duty--and talked slightingly of +Jackson. The men of the west would show this man his match in the art of +war. + +Dick listened to it all with bitterness in his heart. He had no doubt +that Pope was brave, and he could see that he was confident. Yet it took +something more than confidence to defeat an able enemy. What had become +of those gray horsemen in the bush? They had appeared once and they +could appear again. He had believed that Jackson himself was at hand, +and he still believed it. His eyes shifted from Pope to the dark woods, +which, with their thick foliage, turned back the moonlight. + +“George,” he whispered to Warner, “do you think you can see anything +among those trees?” + +“I can make out dimly one or two figures, which no doubt are our scouts. +Ah-h!” + +The long “Ah-h!” was drawn by a flash and the report of a rifle. A +second and a third report came, and then the crash of a heavy fire. The +scouts and sentinels came running in, reporting that a great force with +batteries, presumably the whole army of Jackson, was at hand. + +A deep murmur ran through the Union army, but there was no confusion. +The long hours of fighting had habituated them to danger. They were +also too tired to become excited, and in addition, they were of as stern +stuff at night as they had been in the morning. They were ready to fight +again. + +Formidable columns of troops appeared through the woods, their bayonets +glistening in the moonlight. The heavy rifle fire began once more, +although it was nearly midnight, and then came the deep thunder of +cannon, sending round shot and shells among the Union troops. But the +men in blue, harried beyond endurance, fought back fiercely. They shared +the feelings of Pennington. They felt that they had been persecuted, +that this thing had grown inhuman, and they used rifles and cannon with +astonishing vigor and energy. + +Two heavy Union batteries replied to the Southern cannon, raking the +woods with shell, round shot and grape, and Dick concluded that in the +face of so much resolution Jackson would not press an attack at night, +when every kind of disaster might happen in the darkness. His own +regiment had lain down among the leaves, and the men were firing at the +flashes on their right. Dick looked for General Pope and his brilliant +staff, but he did not see them. + +“Gone to bring up the reserves,” whispered Warner, who saw Dick's +inquiring look. + +But the Vermonter's slur was not wholly true. Pope was on his way to his +main force, doubtless not really believing that Jackson himself was +at hand. But the little army that he left behind fighting with renewed +energy and valor broke away from the Southern grasp and continued its +march toward that court house, in which the boys could see no merit. +Jackson himself, knowing what great numbers were ahead, was content to +swing away and seek for prey elsewhere. + +They emerged from the wood toward morning and saw ahead of them great +masses of troops in blue. They would have shouted with joy, but they +were too tired. Besides, nearly two thousand of their men were killed or +wounded, and they had no victory to celebrate. + +Dick ate breakfast with his comrades. The Northern armies nearly always +had an abundance of provisions, and now they were served in plenty. For +the moment, the physical overcame the mental in Dick. It was enough to +eat and to rest and to feel secure. Thousands of friendly faces were +around them, and they would not have to fight in either day or dark for +their lives. Their bones ceased to ache, and the good food and the good +coffee began to rebuild the worn tissues. What did the rest matter? + +After breakfast these men who had marched and fought for nearly twenty +hours were told to sleep. Only one command was needed. It was August, +and the dry grass and the soft earth were good enough for anybody. The +three lads, each with an arm under his head, slept side by side. At noon +they were still sleeping, and Colonel Winchester, as he was passing, +looked at the three, but longest at Dick. His gaze was half affection, +half protection, but it was not the boy alone whom he saw. He saw also +his fair-haired young mother in that little town on the other side of +the mountains. + +While Dick still slept, the minds of men were at work. Pope's army, +hitherto separated, was now called together by a battle. Troops from +every direction were pouring upon the common center. The little army +which had fought so gallantly the day before now amounted to only +one-fourth of the whole. McDowell, Sigel and many other generals joined +Pope, who, with the strange faculty of always seeing his enemy too +small, while McClellan always saw him too large, began to feed upon his +own sanguine anticipations, and to regard as won the great victory that +he intended to win. He sent telegrams to Washington announcing that his +triumph at Cedar Run was only the first of a series that his army would +soon achieve. + +It was late in the afternoon when Dick awoke, and he was amazed to see +that the sun was far down the western sky. But he rubbed his eyes and, +remembering, knew that he had slept at least ten hours. He looked down +at the relaxed figures of Warner and Pennington on either side of him. +They still slumbered soundly, but he decided that they had slept long +enough. + +“Here, you,” he exclaimed, seizing Warner by the collar and dragging him +to a sitting position, “look at the sun! Do you realize that you've lost +a day out of your bright young life?” + +Then he seized Pennington by the collar also and dragged him up. Both +Warner and Pennington yawned prodigiously. + +“If I've lost a day, and it would seem that I have, then I'm glad of +it,” replied Warner. “I could afford to lose several in such a pleasant +manner. I suppose a lot of Stonewall Jackson's men were shooting at me +while I slept, but I was lucky and didn't know about it.” + +“You talk too long,” said Pennington. “That comes of your having taught +school. You could talk all day to boys younger than yourself, and they +were afraid to answer back.” + +“Shut up, both of you,” said Dick. “Here comes the sergeant, and I think +from his look he has something to say worth hearing.” + +Sergeant Whitley had cleansed the blood and dust from his face, and +a handkerchief tied neatly around his head covered up the small +wound there. He looked trim and entirely restored, both mentally and +physically. + +“Well, sergeant,” said Dick ingratiatingly, “if any thing has happened +in this army you're sure to know of it. We'd have known it ourselves, +but we had an important engagement with Morpheus, a world away, and we +had to keep it. Now what is the news?” + +“I don't know who Morpheus is,” replied the sergeant, laughing, “but +I'd guess from your looks that he is another name for sleep. There is no +news of anything big happenin'. We've got a great army here, and Jackson +remains near our battlefield of yesterday. I should say that we number +at least fifty thousand men, or about twice the rebels.” + +“Then why don't we march against 'em at once?” + +The sergeant shrugged his shoulders. It was not for him to tell why +generals did not do things. + +“I think,” he said, “that we're likely to stay here a day or two.” + +“Which means,” said Dick, his alert mind interpreting at once, “that +our generals don't know what to do. Why is it that they always seem +paralyzed when they get in front of Stonewall Jackson? He's only a man +like the rest of them!” + +He spoke with perfect freedom in the presence of Sergeant Whitley, +knowing that he would repeat nothing. + +“A man, yes,” said Warner, in his precise manner, “but not exactly like +the others. He seems to have more of the lightning flash about him. What +a pity such a leader should be on the wrong side! Perhaps we'll have his +equal in time.” + +“Is Jackson's army just sitting still?” asked Dick. + +“So far as scouts can gather, an' I've been one of them,” replied +Sergeant Whitley, “it seems to be just campin'. But I wish I knew which +way it was goin' to jump. I don't trust Jackson when he seems to be +nappin'.” + +But the good sergeant's doubts were to remain for two days at least. The +two armies sat still, only two miles apart, and sentinels, as was common +throughout the great war, became friendly with one another. Often they +met in the woods and exchanged news and abundant criticism of generals. +At last there was a truce to bury the dead who still lay upon the +sanguinary field of Cedar Run. + +Dick was in charge of one of these burial parties, and toward the close +of the day he saw a familiar figure, also in command of a burial party, +although it was in a gray uniform. His heart began to thump, and +he uttered a cry of joy. The unexpected, but not the unnatural, had +happened. + +“Oh, Harry! Harry!” he shouted. + +The strong young figure in the uniform of a lieutenant in the Southern +army turned in surprise at the sound of a familiar voice, and stood, +staring. + +“Dick! Dick Mason!” he cried. Then the two sprang forward and grasped +the hands of each other. There was no display of emotion--they were of +the stern American stock, taught not to show its feelings--but their +eyes showed their gladness. + +“Harry,” said Dick, “I knew that you had been with Jackson, but I had no +way of knowing until a moment ago that you were yet alive.” + +“Nor I you, Dick. I thought you were in the west.” + +“I was, but after Shiloh, some of us came east to help. It seemed after +the Seven Days that we were needed more here than in the west.” + +“You never said truer words, Dick. They'll need you and many more +thousands like you. Why, Dick, we're not led here by a man, we're led +by a thunderbolt. I'm on his staff, I see him every day. He talks to +me, and I talk to him. I tell you, Dick, it's a wonderful thing to serve +such a genius. You can't beat him! His kind appears only a few times in +the ages. He always knows what's to be done and he does it. Even if your +generals knew what ought to be done, most likely they'd do something +else.” + +Harry's face glowed with enthusiasm as he spoke of his hero, and Dick, +looking at him, shook his head sadly. + +“I'm afraid that what you say is true for the present at least, Harry,” + he said. “You beat us now here in the east, but don't forget that we're +winning in the west. And don't forget that here in the east even, you +can never wear us out. We'll be coming, always coming.” + +“All right, old Sober Sides, we won't quarrel about it. We'll let time +settle it. Here come some friends of mine whom I want you to know. +Curious that you should meet them at such a time.” + +Two other young lieutenants in gray uniforms at the head of burial +parties came near in the course of their work, and Harry called to them. + +“Tom! Arthur! A moment, please! This is my cousin, Dick Mason, a Yankee, +though I think he's honest in his folly. Dick, this is Arthur St. Clair, +and this is Tom Langdon, both friends of mine from South Carolina.” + +They shook hands warmly. There was no animosity between them. Dick +liked the looks and manners of Harry's friends. He could have been their +friend, too. + +“Harry has talked about you often,” said Happy Tom Langdon. “Says you're +a great scholar, and a good fellow, all right every way, except the +crack in your head that makes you a Yankee. I hope you won't get hurt in +this unpleasantness, and when our victorious army comes into Washington +we'll take good care of you and release you soon.” + +Dick smiled. He liked this youth who could keep up the spirit of fun +among such scenes. + +“Don't you pay any attention to Langdon, Mr. Mason,” said St. Clair. “If +he'd only fight as well and fast as he talks there'd be no need for the +rest of us.” + +“You know you couldn't win the war without me,” said Langdon. + +They talked a little more together, then trumpets blew, the work was +done and they must withdraw to their own armies. They had been engaged +in a grewsome task, but Dick was glad to the bottom of his heart to have +been sent upon it. He had learned that Harry still lived, and he had met +him. He did not understand until then how dear his cousin was to him. +They were more like brothers than cousins. It was like the affection +their great-grandfathers, Henry Ware and Paul Cotter, had felt for each +other, although those famous heroes of the border had always fought +side by side, while their descendants were compelled to face each other +across a gulf. + +They shook hands and withdrew slowly. At the edge of the field, Dick +turned to wave another farewell, and he found that Harry, actuated +by the same motive at the same time, had also turned to make a like +gesture. Each waved twice, instead of once, and then they disappeared +among the woods. Dick returned to Colonel Winchester. + +“While we were under the flag of truce I met my cousin, Harry Kenton,” + he said. + +“One of the lucky fortunes of war.” + +“Yes, sir, I was very glad to see him. I did not know how glad I was +until I came away. He says that we can never beat Jackson, that nothing +but death can ever stop him.” + +“Youth often deceives itself, nor is age any exception. Never lose hope, +Dick.” + +“I don't mean to do so, sir.” + +The next morning, when Dick was with one of the outposts, a man of +powerful build, wonderfully quick and alert in his movements, appeared. +His coming was so quick and silent that he seemed to rise from the +earth, and Dick was startled. The man's face was uncommon. His features +were of great strength, the eyes being singularly vivid and penetrating. +He was in civilian's dress, but he promptly showed a pass from General +Pope, and Dick volunteered to take him to headquarters, where he said he +wished to go. + +Dick became conscious as they walked along that the man was examining +him minutely with those searching eyes of his which seemed to look one +through and through. + +“You are Lieutenant Richard Mason,” said the stranger presently, “and +you have a cousin, Harry Kenton, also a lieutenant, but in the army of +Stonewall Jackson.” + +Dick stared at him in amazement. + +“Everything you say is true,” he said, “but how did you know it?” + +“It's my business to know. Knowledge is my sole pursuit in this great +war, and a most engrossing and dangerous task I find it. Yet, I would +not leave it. My name is Shepard, and I am a spy. You needn't shrink. +I'm not ashamed of my occupation. Why should I be? I don't kill. I don't +commit any violence. I'm a guide and educator. I and my kind are the +eyes of an army. We show the generals where the enemy is, and we +tell them his plans. An able and daring spy is worth more than many +a general. Besides, he takes the risk of execution, and he can win no +glory, for he must always remain obscure, if not wholly unknown. Which, +then, makes the greater sacrifice for his country, the spy or the +general?” + +“You give me a new point of view. I had not thought before how spies +risked so much for so little reward.” + +Shepard smiled. He saw that in spite of his logic Dick yet retained +that slight feeling of aversion. The boy left him, when they arrived at +headquarters, but the news that Shepard brought was soon known to the +whole army. + +Jackson had left his camp. He was gone again, disappeared into the +ether. “Retreated” was the word that Pope at once seized upon, and he +sent forth happy bulletins. Shepard and other scouts and spies reported +a day or two later that Jackson's army was on the Rapidan, one of the +numerous Virginia rivers. Then Dick accompanied Colonel Winchester, who +was sent by rail to Washington with dispatches. + +He did not find in the capital the optimism that reigned in the mind of +Pope. McClellan was withdrawing his army from Virginia, but the eyes of +the nation were turned toward Pope. Many who had taken deep thought of +the times and of men, were more alarmed about Pope than he was about +himself. They did not like those jubilant dispatches from “Headquarters +in the Saddle.” There was ominous news that Lee himself was marching +north, and that he and Jackson would soon be together. Anxious eyes +scanned the hills about Washington. The enemy had been very near once +before, and he might soon be near again. + +Dick had an hour of leisure, and he wandered into an old hotel, at which +many great men had lived. They would point to Henry Clay's famous chair +in the lobby, and the whole place was thick with memories of Webster, +Calhoun and others who had seemed almost demigods to their own +generation. + +But a different crowd was there now. They were mostly paunchy men who +talked of contracts and profits. One, to whom the others paid deference, +was fat, heavy and of middle age, with a fat, heavy face and pouches +under his eyes. His small eyes were set close together, but they +sparkled with shrewdness and cunning. + +The big man presently noticed the lad who was sitting quietly in one +of the chairs against the wall. Dick's was an alien presence there, and +doubtless this fact had attracted his attention. + +“Good day to you,” said the stranger in a bluff, deep voice. “I take +it from your uniform, your tan and your thinness that you've come from +active service.” + +“In both the west and the east,” replied Dick politely. “I was at +Shiloh, but soon afterward I was transferred with my regiment to the +east.” + +“Ah, then, of course, you know what is going on in Virginia?” + +“No more than the general public does. I was at Cedar Run, which both we +and the rebels claim as a victory.” + +The man instantly showed a great increase of interest. + +“Were you?” he said. “My own information says that Banks and Pope were +surprised by Jackson and that the rebel general has merely drawn off to +make a bigger jump. Did you get that impression?” + +“Will you tell me why you ask me these questions?” said Dick in the same +polite tone. + +“Because I've a big stake in the results out there. My name is John +Watson, and I'm supplying vast quantities of shoes and clothing to our +troops.” + +Dick turned up the sole of one of his shoes and picked thoughtfully at a +hole half way through the sole. Little pieces of paper came out. + +“I bought these, Mr. Watson, from a sutler in General Pope's army,” he +said. “I wonder if they came from you?” + +A deeper tint flushed the contractor's cheeks, but in a moment he threw +off anger. + +“A good joke,” he said jovially. “I see that you're ready of wit, +despite your youth. No, those are not my shoes. I know dishonest men are +making great sums out of supplies that are defective or short. A great +war gives such people many opportunities, but I scorn them. I'll not +deny that I seek a fair profit, but my chief object is to serve my +country. Do you ever reflect, my young friend, that the men who clothe +and feed an army have almost as much to do with winning the victory as +the men who fight?” + +“I've thought of it,” said Dick, wondering what the contractor had in +mind. + +“What regiment do you belong to, if I may ask? My motive in asking these +questions is wholly good.” + +“One commanded by Colonel Winchester, recently sent from the west. We've +been in only one battle in the east, that fought at Cedar Run against +Jackson.” + +Watson again looked at Dick intently. The boy felt that he was being +measured and weighed by a man of uncommon perceptions. Whatever might be +his moral quality there could be no question of his ability. + +“I am, as I told you before,” said Watson, “a servant of my country. A +man who feeds and clothes the soldiers well is a patriot, while he who +feeds and clothes them badly is a mere money grubber.” + +He paused, as if he expected Dick to say something, but the boy was +silent and he went on: + +“It is to the interest of the country that it be served well in all +departments, particularly in the tremendous crisis that we now face. Yet +the best patriot cannot always get a chance to serve. He needs +friends at court, as they say. Now this colonel of yours, Colonel +Winchester--I've observed both him and you, although I approached you +as if I'd never heard of either of you before--is a man of character and +influence. Certain words from him at the right time would be of great +value, nor would his favorite aide suffer through bringing the matter to +his attention.” + +Dick saw clearly now, but he was not impulsive. Experience was teaching +him, while yet a boy, to speak softly. + +“The young aide of whom you speak,” he said, “would never think of +mentioning such a matter to the colonel, of whom you also speak, and +even if he should, the colonel wouldn't listen to him for a moment.” + +Watson shrugged his shoulders slightly, but made no other gesture of +displeasure. + +“Doubtless you are well informed about this aide and this colonel,” he +said, “but it's a pity. If more food is thrown to the sparrows than they +can eat, is it any harm for other birds to eat the remainder?” + +“I scarcely regard it as a study in ornithology.” + +“Ornithology? That's a big word, but I suppose it will serve. We'll +drop the matter, and if at any time my words here should be quoted I'll +promptly deny them. It's a bad thing for a boy to have his statements +disputed by a man of years who can command wealth and other powerful +influences. Unless he had witnesses nobody would believe the boy. I tell +you this, my lad, partly for your own good, because I'm inclined to like +you.” + +Dick stared. There was nothing insulting in the man's tone. He seemed +to be thoroughly in earnest. Perhaps he regarded his point of view as +right, and Dick, a boy of thought and resource, saw that it was not +worth while to make a quarrel. But he resolved to remember Watson, +feeling that the course of events might bring them together again. + +“I suppose it's as you say,” he said. “You're a man of affairs and you +ought to know.” + +Watson smiled at him. Dick felt that the contractor had been telling +the truth when he said that he was inclined to like him. Perhaps he was +honest and supplied good materials, when others supplied bad. + +“You will shake hands with me, Mr. Mason,” he said. “You think that +I will be hostile to you, but maybe some day I can prove myself your +friend. Young soldiers often need friends.” + +His eyes twinkled and his smile widened. In spite of his appearance and +his proposition, something winning had suddenly appeared in the manner +of this man. Dick found himself shaking hands with him. + +“Good-bye, Mr. Mason,” said Watson. “It may be that we shall meet on the +field, although I shall not be within range of the guns.” + +He left the lobby of the hotel, and Dick was rather puzzled. It was +his first thought to tell Colonel Winchester about him, but he finally +decided that Watson's own advice to him to keep silent was best. He and +Colonel Winchester took the train from Washington the next day, and on +the day after were with Pope's army on the Rapidan. + +Dick detected at once a feeling of excitement or tension in this army, +at least among the young officers with whom he associated most. They +felt that a storm of some kind was gathering, either in front or on +their flank. McClellan's army was now on the transports, leaving behind +the Virginia that he had failed to conquer, and Pope's, with a new +commander, was not yet in shape. The moment was propitious for Lee and +Jackson to strike, and the elusive Jackson was lost again. + +“Our scouts discover nothing,” said Warner to Dick. “The country is +chockfull of hostility to us. Not a soul will tell us a word. We have to +see a thing with our own eyes before we know it's there, but the people, +the little children even, take news to the rebels. A veil is hung before +us, but there is none before them.” + +“There is one man who is sure to find out about Jackson.” + +“Who?” + +Dick's only answer was a shake of the head. But he was thinking of +Shepard. He did not see him about the camp, and he had no doubt that he +was gone on another of his dangerous missions. Meanwhile newspapers from +New York and other great cities reflected the doubts of the North. They +spoke of Pope's grandiloquent dispatches, and they wondered what had +become of Lee and Jackson. + +Dick, an intense patriot, passed many bitter moments. He, like others, +felt that the hand upon the reins was not sure. Instead of finding the +enemy and assailing him with all their strength, they were waiting in +doubt and alarm to fend off a stroke that would come from some unknown +point out of the dark. + +The army now lay in one of the finest parts of Virginia, a region of +picturesque mountains, wide and fertile valleys, and of many clear +creeks and rivers coming down from the peaks and ridges. To one side lay +a great forest, known as the Wilderness, destined, with the country near +it, to become the greatest battlefield of the world. Here, the terrible +battles of the Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, +the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and others less sanguinary, but great +struggles, nevertheless, were to be fought. + +But these were yet in the future, and Dick, much as his eyes had been +opened, did not yet dream how tremendous the epic combat was to be. He +only knew that to-day it was the middle of August, the valleys were very +hot, but it was shady and cool on the hills and mountains. He knew, too, +that he was young, and that pessimism and gloom could not abide long +with him. + +He and Warner and Pennington had good horses, in place of those that +they had lost at Cedar Run, and often they rode to the front to see +what might be seen of the enemy, which at present was nothing. Their +battlefield at Cedar Run had been reoccupied by Northern troops and Pope +was now confirmed in his belief that his men had won a victory there. +And this victory was to be merely a prelude to another and far greater +one. + +As they rode here and there in search of the enemy, Dick came upon +familiar ground. Once more he saw the field of Manassas which had been +lost so hardly the year before. He remembered every hill and brook and +curve of the little river, because they had been etched into his brain +with steel and fire. How could anyone forget that day? + +“Looks as if we might fight our battle of last year over again, but on a +much bigger scale,” he said to Warner. + +“Here or hereabouts,” said the Vermonter, “and I think we ought to win. +They've got the better generals, but we've got more men. Besides, our +troops are becoming experienced and they've shown their mettle. Dick, +here's a farmer gathering corn. Let's ask him some questions, but I'll +wager you a hundred to one before we begin that he knows absolutely +nothing about the rebel army. In fact, I doubt that he will know of its +existence.” + +“I won't take your bet,” said Dick. + +They called to the man, a typical Virginia farmer in his shirt sleeves, +tall and spare, short whiskers growing under his chin. There was not +much difference between him and his brother farmer in New England. + +“Good-day,” said Warner. + +“Good-day.” + +“You seem to be working hard.” + +“I've need to do it. Farm hands are scarce these days.” + +“Farming is hard work.” + +“Yes; but it's a lot safer than some other kinds men are doin' +nowadays.” + +“True, no doubt, but have you seen anything of the army?” + +“What army?” + +“The one under Lee and Jackson, the rebel army.” + +“I ain't heard of no rebel army, mister. I don't know of any such people +as rebels.” + +“You call it the Confederate army. Can you tell us anything about the +Confederate army?” + +“What Confederate army, mister? I heard last month when I went in to the +court house that there was more than one of them.” + +“I mean the one under Lee and Jackson.” + +“That's cur'us. A man come ridin' 'long here three or four weeks ago. +Mebbe he was a lightnin' rod agent an' mebbe he had patent medicines to +sell, he didn't say, but he did tell me that General Jackson was in one +place an General Lee was in another. Now which army do you mean?” + +“That was nearly a month ago. They are together now.” + +“Then, mister, if you know so much more about it than I do, what are you +askin' me questions for?” + +“But I want to know about Lee and Jackson. Have you seen them?” + +“Lord bless you, mister, them big generals don't come visitin' the likes +o' me. You kin see my house over thar among the trees. You kin search it +if you want to, but you won't find nothin'.” + +“I don't want to search your house. You can't hide a great army in a +house. I want to know if you've seen the Southern Army. I want to know +if you've heard anything about it.” + +“I ain't seed it. My sight's none too good, mister. Sometimes the +blazin' sun gits in my eyes and kinder blinds me for a long time. Then, +too, I'm bad of hearin'; but I'm a powerful good sleeper. When I sleep I +don't hear nothin', of course, an' nothin' wakes me up. I just sleep on, +sometimes dreamin' beautiful dreams. A million men wouldn't wake me, an' +mebbe a dozen armies or so have passed in the night while I was sleepin' +so good. I'd tell you anything I know, but them that knows nothin' has +nothin' to tell.” + +Warner's temper, although he had always practiced self-control, had +begun to rise, but he checked it, seeing that it would be a mere foolish +display of weakness in the face of the blank wall that confronted him. + +“My friend,” he said with gravity, “I judge from the extreme ignorance +you display concerning great affairs that you sleep a large part of the +time.” + +“Mebbe so, an' mebbe not. I most gen'ally sleep when I'm sleepy. I've +heard tell there was a big war goin' on in these parts, but this is my +land, an' I'm goin' to stay on it.” + +“A good farmer, if not a good patriot. Good day.” + +“Good day.” + +They rode on and, in spite of themselves, laughed. + +“I'm willing to wager that he knows a lot about Lee and Jackson,” said +Warner, “but the days of the rack and the thumbscrew passed long ago, +and there is no way to make him tell.” + +“No,” said Dick, “but we ought to find out for ourselves.” + +Nevertheless, they discovered nothing. They saw no trace of a Southern +soldier, nor did they hear news of any, and toward nightfall they rode +back toward the army, much disappointed. The sunset was of uncommon +beauty. The hot day was growing cool. Pleasant shadows were creeping +up in the east. In the west a round mountain shouldered its black bulk +against the sky. Dick looked at it vaguely. He had heard it called +Clark's Mountain, and it was about seven miles away from the Union army +which lay behind the Rapidan River. + +Dick liked mountains, and the peak looked beautiful against the red and +yellow bars of the western horizon. + +“Have you ever been over there?” he said to Pennington and Warner. + +“No; but a lot of our scouts have,” replied Pennington. “It's just a +mountain and nothing more. Funny how all those peaks and ridges crop +up suddenly around here out of what seems meant to have been a level +country.” + +“I like it better because it isn't level,” said Dick. “I'm afraid George +and I wouldn't care much for your prairie country which just rolls on +forever, almost without trees and clear running streams.” + +“You would care for it,” said Pennington stoutly. “You'd miss at first +the clear rivers and creeks, but then the spell of it would take hold of +you. The air you breathe isn't like the air you breathe anywhere else.” + +“We've got some air of our own in Vermont that we could brag about, if +we wanted to,” said Warner, defiantly. + +“It's good, but not as good as ours. And then the vast distances, the +great spaces take hold of you. And there's the sky so high and so clear. +When you come away from the great plains you feel cooped up anywhere +else.” + +Pennington spoke with enthusiasm, his nostrils dilating and his eyes +flashing. Dick was impressed. + +“When the war's over I'm going out there to see your plains,” he said. + +“Then you're coming to see me!” exclaimed Pennington, with all the +impulsive warmth of youth. “And George here is coming with you. I won't +show you any mountains like the one over there, but boys, west of the +Platte River, when I was with my father and some other men I watched for +three days a buffalo herd passing. The herd was going north and all +the time it stretched so far from east to west that it sank under each +horizon. There must have been millions of them. Don't you think that was +something worth seeing?” + +“We're surely coming,” said Dick, “and you be equally sure to have your +buffalo herd ready for us when we come.” + +“It'll be there.” + +“Meanwhile, here we are at the Rapidan,” said the practical Warner, “and +beyond it is our army. Look at that long line of fires, boys. Aren't +they cheering? A fine big army like ours ought to beat off anything. We +almost held our own with Jackson himself at Cedar Run, and he had two to +one.” + +“We will win! We're bound to win!” said Dick, with sudden access of +hope. “We'll crush Lee and Jackson, and next summer you and I, George, +will be out on the western plains with Frank, watching the buffalo +millions go thundering by!” + +They forded the Rapidan and rejoined their regiment with nothing to +tell. But it was cheerful about the fires. Optimism reigned once more in +the Army of Virginia. McClellan had sent word to Pope that he would have +plenty of soldiers to face the attack that now seemed to be threatened +by the South. Brigades from the Army of the Potomac would make the Army +of Virginia invincible. + +Dick having nothing particular to do, sat late with his comrades before +one of the finest of the fires, and he read only cheerful omens in the +flames. It was a beautiful night. The moon seemed large and near, and +the sky was full of dancing stars. In the clear night Dick saw the black +bulk of Clark's Mountain off there against the horizon, but he could not +see what was behind it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. BESIDE THE RIVER + + +Dick was on duty early in the morning when he saw a horseman coming at +a gallop toward the Rapidan. The man was in civilian clothing, but his +figure seemed familiar. The boy raised his glasses, and he saw at once +that it was Shepard. He saw, too, that he was urging his horse to its +utmost speed. + +The boy's heart suddenly began to throb, and there was a cold, prickling +sensation at the roots of his hair. Shepard had made an extraordinary +impression upon him and he did not believe that the man would be coming +at such a pace unless he came with great news. + +He saw Shepard stop, give the pass word to the pickets, then gallop on, +ford the river and come straight toward the heart of the army. Dick ran +forward and met him. + +“What is it?” he cried. + +“General Pope's tent! Where it is! I can't wait a minute.” + +Dick pointed toward a big marquee, standing in an open space, and +Shepard leaping from his horse and abandoning it entirely, ran toward +the marquee. A word or two to the sentinels, and he disappeared inside. + +Dick, devoured with curiosity and anxiety, went to Colonel Winchester +with the story of what he had seen. + +“I know of Shepard,” said the colonel. “He is the best and most daring +spy in the whole service of the North. I think you're right in inferring +that he rides so fast for good cause.” + +Shepard remained with the commander-in-chief a quarter of an hour. When +he came forth from the tent he regained his horse and rode away without +a word, going in the direction of Clark's Mountain. But his news was +quickly known, because it was of a kind that could not be concealed. +Pennington came running with it to the regiment, his face flushed and +his eyes big. + +“Look! Look at the mountain!” he exclaimed. + +“I see it,” said Warner. “I saw it there yesterday, too, in exactly the +same place.” + +“So did I, but there's something behind it. Lee and Jackson are there +with sixty or eighty thousand men! The whole Southern army is only six +or seven miles away.” + +Even Warner's face changed. + +“How do you know this?” he asked. + +“A spy has seen their army. They say he is a man whose reports are never +false. At any rate orders have already been issued for us to retreat +and I hear that we're going back until we reach the Rappahannock, behind +which we will camp.” + +Dick knew very well now that it was Shepard who brought the news, and +Pennington's report about the retreat was also soon verified. The +whole army was soon in motion and a feeling of depression replaced +the optimism of the night before. The advance had been turned into a +retreat. Were they to go back and forth in this manner forever? But +Colonel Winchester spoke hopefully to his young aides and said that the +retreat was right. + +“We're drawing out of a trap,” he said, “and time is always on our side. +The South to win has to hit hard and fast, and in this case the Army of +the Potomac and the Army of Virginia may join before Lee and Jackson can +come up.” + +The lads tried to reconcile themselves, but nevertheless they did not +like retreat. Dick with his powerful glasses often looked back toward +the dark bulk of Clark's Mountain. He saw nothing there, nor anything in +the low country between, save the rear ranks of the Union army marching +on. + +But Shepard had been right. Lee and Jackson, advancing silently and with +every avenue of news guarded, were there behind the mountain with sixty +thousand men, flushed with victories, and putting a supreme faith in +their great commanders who so well deserved their trust. The men of +the valley and the Seven Days, wholly confident, asked only to be led +against Pope and his army, and most of them expected a battle that very +day, while the Northern commander was slipping from the well-laid trap. + +Pope's judgment in this case was good and fortune, too, favored him. +Before the last of his men had left the Rapidan Lee himself, with his +staff officers, climbed to the summit of Clark's Mountain. They were +armed with the best of glasses, but drifting fogs coming down from +the north spread along the whole side of the mountain and hung like a +curtain between it and the retreating army. None of their glasses could +pierce the veil, and it was not until nearly night that rising winds +caught the fog and took it away. Then Lee and his generals saw a vast +cloud of dust in the northwest and they knew that under it marched +Pope's retreating army. + +The Southern army was at once ordered forward in pursuit and in the +night the vanguard, wading the Rapidan, followed eagerly. Dick and his +comrades did not know then that they were followed so closely, but +they were destined to know it before morning. The regiment of Colonel +Winchester, one of the best and bravest in the whole service, formed a +part of the rearguard, and Dick, Warner and Pennington rode with their +chief. + +The country was broken and they crossed small streams. Sometimes they +were in open fields, and again they passed through long stretches of +forest. There was a strong force of cavalry with the regiment, and the +beat of the horses' hoofs made a steady rolling sound which was not +unpleasant. + +But Dick found the night full of sinister omens. They had left the +Rapidan in such haste that there was still a certain confusion of +impressions. The gigantic scale of everything took hold of him. One +hundred and fifty thousand men, or near it, were marching northward in +two armies which could not be many miles apart. The darkness and the +feeling of tragedy soon to come oppressed him. + +He listened eagerly for the sounds of pursuit, but the long hours passed +and he heard nothing. The rear guard did not talk. The men wasted no +strength that way, but marched stolidly on in the moonlight. Midnight +passed and after a while it grew darker. Colonel Winchester and his +young officers rode at the very rear, and Pennington suddenly held up +his hand. + +“What is it?” asked Colonel Winchester. + +“Somebody following us, sir. I was trained out on the plains to take +notice of such things. May I get down and put my ear to the ground? I +may look ridiculous, sir, but I can make sure.” + +“Certainly. Go ahead.” + +Pennington sprang down and put his ear to the road. He did not listen +long, but when he stood up again he said: + +“Horsemen are coming. I can't tell how many, but several hundreds at +least.” + +“As we're the very last of our own army, they must be Southern cavalry,” + said Colonel Winchester. “If they want to attack, I dare say our boys +are willing.” + +Very soon they heard clearly the gallop of the cavalry, and the men +heard it also. They looked up and turned their faces toward those who +must be foes. Despite the dimness Dick saw their eyes brighten. Colonel +Winchester had judged rightly. The boys were willing. + +The rear guard turned back and waited, and in a few minutes the Southern +horsemen came in sight, opening fire at once. Their infantry, too, soon +appeared in the woods and fields and the dark hours before the dawn were +filled with the crackle of small arms. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester who anxiously watched the pursuit, +throwing his own regiment across the road, and keeping up a heavy fire +on the enemy. The Union loss was not great as most of the firing in the +dusk, of necessity, was at random, and Dick heard bullets whistling all +about him. Some times the bark flew from trees and now and then there +was a rain of twigs, shorn from the branches by the showers of missiles. + +It was arduous work. The men were worn by the darkness, the uncertainty +and the incessant pursuit. The Northern rear guard presented a strong +front, retreating slowly with its face to the enemy, and always +disputing the road. Dick meanwhile could hear through the crash of +the firing the deep rumble of Pope's great army with its artillery and +thousands of wagons continually marching toward the Rappahannock. His +mind became absorbed in a vital question. Would Lee and Jackson come up +before they could reach the bigger river? Would a battle be forced the +next day while the Union army was in retreat? He confided his anxieties +to Warner who rode by his side. + +“I take it that it's only a vanguard that's pursuing us,” said the +Vermonter. “If they were in great force they'd have been pushing harder +and harder. We must have got a good start before Lee and Jackson found +us out. We know our Jackson, Dick, and he'd have been right on top of us +without delay.” + +“That's right, George. It must be their cavalry mostly. I suppose Jeb +Stuart is there leading them. At any rate we'll soon know better what's +doing. Look there toward the east. Don't you see a ray of light behind +that hill?” + +“I see it, Dick.” + +“Is it the first ray of the morning, or is it just a low star?” + +“It's the dawn, Dick, and mighty glad I am to see it. Look how fast it +comes!” + +The sun shot up, over the hill. The sky turning to silver soon gave way +to gold, and the clear August light poured in a flood over the rolling +country. + +Dick saw ahead of him a vast cloud of dust extending miles from east +to west, marking where the army of Pope pushed on its retreat to the +Rappahannock. There was no need to search for the Northern force. The +newest recruit would know that it was here. + +The Southern vanguard was behind them and not many hundred yards away. +Dick distinctly saw the cavalry, riding along the road, and hundreds +of skirmishers pushing through the woods and fields. He judged that +the force did not number many thousands and that it could not think of +assailing the whole Union army. But with the coming of day the vigor of +the attack increased. The skirmishers fired from the shelter of every +tree stump, fence or hillock and the bullets pattered about Dick and his +comrades. + +The Union rear guard maintained its answering fire, but as it was +retreating it was at a disadvantage. The regiments began to suffer. Many +men were wounded. The fire became most galling. A sudden charge by the +rearguard was ordered and it was made with spirit. The Southern van was +driven back, but when the retreat was resumed the skirmishers and the +cavalry came forward again, always firing at their retreating foe. + +“I judge that it's going to be a very hot morning,” said Colonel +Winchester, wiping away a few drops of blood, where a bullet had barely +touched his face. “I think the wind of that bullet hurt me more than its +kiss. There will be no great battle to-day. We can see now that they +are not yet in strong enough force, but we'll never know a minute's rest +until we're behind the Rappahannock. Oh, Dick, if McClellan's army +were only here also! This business of retreating is as bitter as death +itself!” + +Dick saw the pain on his colonel's face and it was reflected on his own. + +“I feel it, sir, in the same way. Our men are just as eager as the +Johnnies to fight and they are as brave and tenacious. What do you think +will happen, sir?” + +“We'll reach the Rappahannock and take refuge behind it. We command the +railroad bridge there, and can cross and destroy it afterward. But the +river is broad and deep with high banks and the army of the enemy cannot +possibly force the passage in any way while we defend it.” + +“And after that, sir?” + +“God alone knows. Look out, Dick, those men are aiming at us!” + +Colonel Winchester seized the bridle of Dick's horse and pulled him +violently to one side, pulling his own horse in the same direction +in the same manner. The bullets of half a dozen Southern skirmishers, +standing under the boughs of a beech tree less than two hundred yards +away, hissed angrily by them. + +“A close call,” said the colonel. “There, they've been scattered by our +own riflemen and one of them remains to pay the toll.” + +The reply of the Northern skirmishers had been quick, and the gray +figure lying prone by the trunk of the tree told Dick that the colonel +had been right. He was shaken by a momentary shudder, but he could not +long remember one among so many. They rode on, leaving the prone figure +out of sight, and the Southern cavalry and skirmishers pressed forward +afresh. + +Many of the Union men had food in their saddle bags, and supplies were +sent back for those who did not have it. Colonel Winchester who was +now thoroughly cool, advised his officers to eat, even if they felt no +hunger. + +“I'm hungry enough,” said Pennington to Dick. “Out on the plains, where +the air is so fresh and so full of life I was always hungry, and I +suppose I brought my appetite here with me. Dick, I've opened a can of +cove oysters, and that's a great deal for a fellow on horseback to +do. Here, take your share, and they'll help out that dry bread you're +munching.” + +Dick accepted with thanks. He learned that he, too, could eat with a +good appetite while bullets were knocking up dust only twenty yards +away. Meanwhile there was a steady flash of firing from every wood and +cornfield behind them. + +As he ate he watched and he saw an amazing panorama. Miles in front +the great cloud of dust, cutting across from horizon to horizon swelled +slowly on toward the Rappahannock. Behind them rode the Southern cavalry +and masses of infantry were pressing forward, too. Far off on either +flank rolled the pleasant country, its beauty heightened by the loom of +blue mountains. + +Colonel Winchester had predicted truly. The fighting between the +Northern rearguard, and the Southern vanguard never ceased. Every moment +the bullets were whistling, and occasionally a cannon lent its deep roar +to the crackling fire of the rifles. Daring detachments of the Southern +cavalry often galloped up and charged lagging regiments. And they were +driven off with equal courage and daring. + +The three boys took especial notice of those cavalry bands and began +to believe at last that they could identify the very men in them. Dick +looked for his cousin, Harry Kenton. He was sure that he would be there +in the front--but he did not see him. Instead he saw after a while an +extraordinary figure on a large black horse, a large man in magnificent +uniform, with a great plume in his hat. He was nearer to them than any +other Southern horseman, and he seemed to be indifferent to danger. + +“Look! look! There's Jeb Stuart!” exclaimed Dick. He had heard so +much about the famous Stuart and his gorgeous uniform that he knew him +instinctively, and, Warner and Pennington, as their eyes followed his +pointing finger felt the same conviction. + +Three of the Northern riflemen fired at once at the conspicuous target, +and Dick breathed a little sigh of relief when all their bullets missed. +Then the brilliant figure turned to one side and was lost in the smoke. + +“Well,” said Pennington. “We've seen Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stuart +both in battle against us. I wonder who will come next.” + +“Lee is due,” said Warner, “but I doubt whether his men will let him +expose himself in such a way. We'll have to slip under cover to get a +chance of seeing him.” + +The hours went on, and the fight between rear guard and vanguard never +ceased. That column of dust miles long was at the same distance in +front, continuing in its slow course for the river, but the foes in +contact were having plenty of dust showers of their own. Dick's throat +and mouth burned with the dust and heat of the pitiless August day, and +his bones ached with the tension and the long hours in the saddle. But +his spirit was high. They were holding off the Southern cavalry and he +felt that they would continue to do so. + +About noon he ate more cold food, and then rode on, while the sun blazed +and blazed and the dust whirled in clouds like the “dust devils” of the +desert, continually spitting forth bullets instead of sand. Late in +the afternoon he heard the sound of many trumpets, and saw the Southern +cavalry getting together in a great mass. A warning ran instantly +among the Union troops and the horsemen in blue and one or two infantry +regiments drew closer together. + +“They're going to charge in force,” said Colonel Winchester to Dick. +“See, our rearguard has lost touch with our main army, leaving a side +opening between. They see this chance and intend to make the most of +it.” + +“But our men are willing and anxious to meet them,” said Dick. “You can +see it in their faces.” + +He had made no mistake, as the fire in their rear deepened, and they +saw the gathering squadrons of gray cavalry, a fierce anger seized the +retreating Union rearguard. Those wasps had been buzzing and stinging +them all day long and they had had enough of it. They could fight, and +they would, if their officers would let them. Now it seemed that the +officers were willing. + +A deep and menacing mutter of satisfaction ran along the whole line. +They would show the Southerners what kind of men they were. Colonel +Winchester drew his infantry regiment into a small wood which at that +point skirted the road. + +“There is no doubt that we've found it at the right time,” said Warner. + +Both knew that the forest would protect the infantry from the fierce +charges of the Southern cavalry, while proving no obstacle to the +Northern defense. His own cavalry was gathering in the road ready to +meet Jeb Stuart and his squadrons. + +The three boys sat on their horses within the covering of the trees, +and watched eagerly, while the hostile forces massed for battle. The +Southern cavalry was supported by infantry also on its flanks, and once +again Dick caught sight of Jeb Stuart with his floating plume. But that +time he was too far away for any of the Northern riflemen to reach him +with a bullet, and as before he disappeared quickly in the clouds of +dust and smoke which never ceased to float over both forces. + +“Look out! The charge!” suddenly exclaimed Colonel Winchester. + +They heard the thunder of the galloping horses, and also the flash of +many rifles and carbines. Cavalry met cavalry but the men in gray reeled +back, and as they retreated the Northern infantry in the wood sent a +deadly fire into the flank of the attacking force. The Southern infantry +replied, and a fierce battle raged along the road and through the woods. +Dick heard once more the rattling of bullets on bark, and felt the twigs +falling upon his face as they were shorn off by the missiles. + +“We hold the road and we'll hold it for a while,” exclaimed Colonel +Winchester, exultation showing in his tone. + +“Why can't we hold it all the time?” Dick could not refrain from asking. + +“Because we are retreating and the Southerners are continually coming +up, while our army wishes to go away.” + +Dick glanced through the trees and saw that great clouds of dust still +were rolling toward the northwest. It must be almost at the Rappahannock +now, and he began to appreciate what this desperate combat in the woods +meant. They were holding back the Southern army, while their men could +cross the river and reform behind it. + +The battle swayed back and forth, and it was most desperate between +the cavalry. The bugles again and again called the gray horsemen to the +charge, and although the blue infantry supported their own horsemen with +a heavy rifle fire, and held the wood undaunted, the Northern rear +guard was forced to give way at last before the pressure of numbers and +attacks that would not cease. + +Their own bugles sounded the retreat and they began to retire slowly. + +“Do we run again?” exclaimed Pennington, a tear ploughing its way +through the smoky grime on his cheek. + +“No, we don't run,” replied Warner calmly, “We're forced back, and the +rebels will claim a victory but we haven't fought for nothing. Lee and +Jackson will never get up in time to attack our army before it's over +the river.” + +The regiment began its slow retreat. It had not suffered much, owing to +the shelter of the forest, and, full of courage and resolution, it was a +formidable support on the flank of the slowly retreating cavalry. + +The evening was now at hand. The sun was setting once more over the +Virginia hills destined to be scarred so deeply by battle, but attack +and defense went on. As night came the thudding of cannon added to the +tumult, and then the three boys saw the Rappahannock, a deep and wide +stream flowing between high banks crested with timber. Ahead of them +Pope's army was crossing on the bridge and in boats, and masses +of infantry supported by heavy batteries had turned to protect the +crossing. The Southern vanguard could not assail such a powerful +force, and before the night was over the whole Union army passed to the +Northern side of the Rappahannock. + +Dick felt a mixture of chagrin and satisfaction as he crossed the river, +chagrin that this great army should draw back, as McClellan's had been +forced to draw back at the Seven Days, and satisfaction that they were +safe for the time being and could prepare for a new start. + +But the feeling of exultation soon passed and gave way wholly to +chagrin. They were retreating before an army not exceeding their own, +in numbers, perhaps less. They had another great force, the Army of the +Potomac, which should have been there, and then they could have bade +defiance to Lee and Jackson. The North with its great numbers, its fine +courage and its splendid patriotism should never be retreating. He felt +once more as thousands of others felt that the hand on the reins was +neither strong nor sure, and that the great trouble lay there. They +ought not to be hiding behind a river. Lee and Jackson did not do it. +Dick remembered that grim commander in the West, the silent Grant, and +he did not believe he would be retreating. + +Long after darkness came the firing continued between skirmishers across +the stream, but finally it, too, waned and Dick was permitted to throw +himself upon the ground and sleep with the sleeping thousands. Warner +and Pennington slept near him and not far away was the brave sergeant. +Even he was overpowered by fatigue and he slept like one dead, never +stirring. + +Dick was awakened next morning by the booming of cannon. He had become +so much used to such sounds that he would have slept on had not the +crashes been so irregular. He stood up, rubbed his eyes and then looked +in the direction whence came the cannonade. He saw from the crest of a +hill great numbers of Confederate troops on the other side of the river, +the August sun glittering over thousands of bayonets and rifle barrels, +and along the somber batteries of great guns. The firing, so far as he +could determine, was merely to feel out or annoy the Northern army. + +It was a strange sight to Dick, one that is not looked upon often, two +great armies gazing across a river at each other, and, sure to meet, +sooner or later, in mortal combat. It was thrilling, awe-inspiring, but +it made his heart miss a beat or two at the thought of the wounds and +death to come, all the more terrible because those who fought together +were of the same blood, and the same nation. + +Warner and Pennington joined him on the height where he stood, and they +saw that in the early hours before dawn the Northern generals had not +been idle. The whole army of Pope was massed along the left bank of +the river and every high point was crowned with heavy batteries of +artillery. There had been a long drought, and at some points the +Rappahannock could be forded, but not in the face of such a defence as +the North here offered. + +Colonel Winchester himself came a moment or two later and joined them as +they gazed at the two armies and the river between. Both he and the boys +used their glasses and they distinctly saw the Southern masses. + +“Will they try to cross, sir?” asked Dick of the colonel. + +“I don't think so, but if they do we ought to beat them back. Meanwhile, +Dick, my boy, every day's delay is a fresh card in our hand. McClellan +is landing his army at Aquia Creek, whence it can march in two days to +a junction with us, when we would become overwhelming and irresistible. +But I wish it didn't take so long to disembark an army!” + +The note of anxiety in his voice did not escape Dick. “You wish then to +be sure of the junction between our two armies before Lee and Jackson +strike?” + +“Yes, Dick. That is what is on my mind. The retreat of this army, +although it may have caused us chagrin, was most opportune. It gave +us two chances, when we had but one before. But, Dick, I'm afraid. I +wouldn't say this to anybody but you and you must not repeat me. I wish +I could divine what is in the mind of those two men, Lee and Jackson. +They surely have a plan of some kind, but what is it?” + +“Have we any definite news from the other side, sir?” + +“Shepard came in this morning. But little ever escapes him, and he says +that the whole Southern army is up. All their best leaders are there. +Lee and Jackson and Longstreet and the Hills and Early and Lawton and +the others. He says that they are all flushed with confidence in their +own courage and fighting powers and the ability of their leaders. Oh, +if only the Army of the Potomac would come! If we could only stave off +battle long enough for it to reach us!” + +“Don't you think we could do it, sir? Couldn't General Pope retreat on +Washington then, and, as they continued to follow us, we could turn and +spring on them with both armies.” + +But Colonel Winchester shook his head. + +“It would never do,” he said. “All Europe, eager to see the Union +split, would then help the Confederacy in every possible manner. The old +monarchies would say that despite our superior numbers we're not able to +maintain ourselves outside the defenses of Washington. And these things +would injure us in ways that we cannot afford. Remember, Dick, my boy, +that this republic is the hope of the world, and that we must save it.” + +“It will be done, sir,” said Dick, almost in the tone of a young +prophet. “I know the spirit of the men. No matter how many defeats are +inflicted upon us by our own brethren we'll triumph in the end.” + +“It's my own feeling, Dick. It cannot, it must not be any other way!” + +Dick remained upborne by a confidence in the future rather than in the +present, and throughout the morning he remained with his comrades, under +arms, but doing little, save to hear the fitful firing which ran along +a front of several miles. But later in the day a heavy crash came from a +ford further up the stream. + +Under cover of a great artillery fire Stuart's cavalry dashed into the +ford, and drove off the infantry and a battery posted to defend it. Then +they triumphantly placed heavy lines of pickets about the ford on the +Union side. + +It was more than the Union lads could stand. A heavy mass of infantry, +Colonel Winchester's regiment in the very front of it, marched forward +to drive back these impertinent horsemen. They charged with so much +impetuosity that Stuart's cavalry abandoned such dangerous ground. All +the pickets were drawn in and they retreated in haste across the stream, +the water foaming up in spurts about them beneath the pursuing bullets. + +Then came a silence and a great looking back and forth. The threatening +armies stared at each other across the water, but throughout the +afternoon they lay idle. The pitiless August sun burned on and the dust +that had been trodden up by the scores of thousands hung in clouds low, +but almost motionless. + +Dick went down into a little creek, emptying into the Rappahannock, and +bathed his face and hands. Hundreds of others were doing the same. The +water brought a great relief. Then he went back to Colonel Winchester +and his comrades, and waited patiently with them until evening. + +He remembered Colonel Winchester's words earlier in the day, and, as the +darkness came, he began to wonder what Lee and Jackson were thinking. He +believed that two such redoubtable commanders must have formed a plan by +this time, and, perhaps in the end, it would be worth a hundred thousand +men to know it. But he could only stare into the darkness and guess and +guess. And one guess was as good as another. + +The night seemed portentous to him. It was full of sinister omens. He +strove to pierce the darkness on the other shore with his eyes, and see +what was going on there, but he distinguished only a black background +and the dim light of fires. + +Dick was not wrong. The Confederate commanders did have a plan and the +omens which seemed sinister to him were sinister in fact. Jackson with +his forces was marching up his side of the Rappahannock and the great +brain under the old slouch hat was working hard. + +When Lee and Jackson found that the Union army on the Rapidan +had slipped away from them they felt that they had wasted a great +opportunity to strike the retreating force before it reached the +Rappahannock, and that, as they followed, the situation of the +Confederacy would become most critical. They would leave McClellan and +the Army of the Potomac nearer to Richmond, their own capital, than they +were. Nevertheless Lee, full of daring despite his years, followed, and +the dangers were growing thicker every hour around Pope. + +Dick, with his regiment, moved the next morning up the river. The enemy +was in plain view beyond the stream, and Shepard and the other spies +reported that the Southern army showed no signs of retiring. But Shepard +had said also that he would not be able to cross the river again. The +hostile scouts and sharpshooters had become too vigilant. Yet he was +sure that Lee and Jackson would attempt to force a passage higher up, +where the drought had made good fords. + +“It's well that we're showing vigilance,” said Colonel Winchester to +Dick. He had fallen into the habit of talking much and confidentially to +the boy, because he liked and trusted him, and for another reason which +to Dick was yet in the background. + +“Do you feel sure that the rebels will attempt the crossing?” asked +Dick. + +“Beyond a doubt. They have every reason to strike before the Army of the +Potomac can come. Besides, it is in accord with the character of their +generals. Both Lee and Jackson are always for the swift offensive, and +Early, Longstreet and the Hills are the same way. Hear that booming +ahead! They're attacking one of the fords now!” + +At a ford a mile above and also at another a mile or two further on, the +Southern troops had begun a heavy fire, and gathered in strong masses +were threatening every moment to attempt the passage. But the Union +guns posted on hills made a vigorous reply and the time passed in heavy +cannonades. Colonel Winchester, his brows knitted and anxious, watched +the fire of the cannon. He confided at last to his favorite aide his +belief that what lay behind the cannonade was more important than the +cannonade itself. + +“It must be a feint or a blind,” he said. “They fire a great deal, +but they don't make any dash for the stream. Now, the rebels haven't +ammunition to waste.” + +“Then what do you think they're up to, sir?” + +“They must be sending a heavy force higher up the river to cross where +there is no resistance. And we must meet them there, with my regiment +only, if we can obtain no other men.” + +The colonel obtained leave to go up the Rappahannock until nightfall, +but only his own regiment, now reduced to less than four hundred men, +was allotted to him. In truth his division commander thought his purpose +useless, but yielded to the insistence of Winchester who was known to +be an officer of great merit. It seemed to the Union generals that they +must defend the fords where the Southern army lay massed before them. + +Dick learned that there was a little place called Sulphur Springs some +miles ahead, and that the river there was spanned by a bridge which +the Union cavalry had wrecked the day before. He divined at once that +Colonel Winchester had that ford in mind, and he was glad to be with him +on the march to it. + +They left behind them the sound of the cannonade which they learned +afterward was being carried on by Longstreet, and followed the course of +the stream as fast as they could over the hills and through the woods. +But with so many obstacles they made slow progress, and, in the close +heat, the men soon grew breathless. It was also late in the afternoon +and Dick was quite sure that they would not reach Sulphur Springs before +nightfall. + +“I've felt exactly this same air on the great plains,” said Pennington, +as they stopped on the crest of a hill for the troops to rest a little. +“It's heavy and close as if it were being all crowded together. It makes +your lungs work twice as hard as usual, and it's also a sign.” + +“Tell your sign, old weather sharp,” said Warner. + +“It's simple enough. The sign may not be so strong here, but it applies +just as it does on the great plains. It means that a storm is coming. +Anybody could tell that. Look there, in the southwest. See that cloud +edging itself over the horizon. Things will turn loose to-night. Don't +you say the same, sergeant? You've been out in my country.” + +Sergeant Whitley was standing near them regarding the cloud attentively. + +“Yes, Mr. Pennington,” he replied. “I was out there a long time and I'd +rather be there now fighting the Indians, instead of fighting our own +people, although no other choice was left me. I've seen some terrible +hurricanes on the plains, winds that would cut the earth as if it was +done with a ploughshare, and these armies are going to be rained on +mighty hard to-night.” + +Dick smiled a little at the sergeant's solemn tone, and formal words, +but he saw that he was very much in earnest. Nor was he one to underrate +weather effects upon movements in war. + +“What will it mean to the two armies, sergeant?” he asked. + +“Depends upon what happens before she busts. If a rebel force is then +across it's bad for us, but if it ain't the more water between us an' +them the better. This, I take it, is the end of the drought, and a flood +will come tumbling down from the mountains.” + +The sun now darkened and the clouds gathered heavily on the Western +horizon. Colonel Winchester's anxiety increased fast. It became evident +that the regiment could not reach Sulphur Springs until far into +the night, and, still full of alarms, he resolved to take a small +detachment, chiefly of his staff, and ride forward at the utmost speed. + +He chose about twenty men, including Dick, Warner, Pennington, Sergeant +Whitley, and another veteran who were mounted on the horses of junior +officers left behind, and pressed forward with speed. A West Virginian +named Shattuck knew something of the country, and led them. + +“What is this place, Sulphur Springs?” asked Colonel Winchester of +Shattuck. + +“Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the +river. They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages +built up by people who come there to stay a while. But I guess them +people have gone away. It ain't no place for health just at this time.” + +“That's a certainty,” said Colonel Winchester. + +“An' then there's the bridge, which, as we know, the cavalry has broke +down.” + +“Fortunately. But can't we go a little faster, boys?” + +There was a well defined road and Shattuck now led them at a gallop. +As they approached the springs they checked their speed, owing to the +increasing darkness. But Dick's good ears soon told him that something +was happening at the springs. He heard faintly the sound of voices, and +the clank and rattle which many men with weapons cannot keep from making +now and then. + +“I'm afraid, sir,” he said to Colonel Winchester, “that they're already +across.” + +The little troop stopped at the command of its leader and all listened +intently. It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns +of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the +noises made by regiments. + +“You're right, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification +showing in his tone. “They're there, and they're on our side of the +river. Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson +never sleeps, and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot +cavalry!” + +Dick was silent. He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he +knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment. + +“Mr. Shattuck,” said Colonel Winchester, “how near do you think we can +approach without being seen?” + +“I know a neck of woods leading within a hundred yards of the cottages. +If we was to leave our horses here with a couple of men we could slip +down among the trees and bushes, and there ain't one chance in ten that +we'd be seen on so dark a night.” + +“Then you lead us. Pawley, you and Woodfall hold the horses. Now follow +softly, lads! All of you have hunted the 'coon and 'possum at night, and +you should know how to step without making noise.” + +Shattuck advanced with certainty, and the others, true to their +training, came behind him in single file, and without noise. But as they +advanced the sounds of an army ahead of them increased, and when they +reached the edge of the covert they saw a great Confederate division +on their side of the stream, in full possession of the cottages and +occupying all the ground about them. Many men were at work, restoring +the wrecked bridge, but the others were eating their suppers or were at +rest. + +“There must be seven or eight thousand men here,” said Dick, who did not +miss the full significance of the fact. + +“So it seems,” said Warner, “and I'm afraid it bodes ill for General +Pope.” + + + + +CHAPTER IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + + +Lying close in the bushes the little party watched the Southerners +making themselves ready for the night. The cottages were prepared for +the higher officers, but the men stacked arms in the open ground all +about. As well as they could judge by the light of the low fires, +soldiers were still crossing the river to strengthen the force already +on the Union side. + +Colonel Winchester suppressed a groan. Dick noticed that his face was +pallid in the uncertain shadows, and he understood the agony of spirit +that the brave man must suffer when he saw that they had been outflanked +by their enemy. + +Sergeant Whitley, moving forward a little, touched the colonel on the +arm. + +“All the clouds that we saw a little further back,” he said, “have +gathered together, an' the storm is about to bust. See, sir, how fast +the Johnnies are spreadin' their tents an' runnin' to shelter.” + +“It's so, sergeant,” said Colonel Winchester. “I was so much absorbed in +watching those men that I thank you for reminding me. We've seen enough +anyway and we'd better get back as fast as we can.” + +They hurried through the trees and bushes toward their horses, taking +no particular pains now to deaden their footsteps, since the Southerners +themselves were making a good deal of noise as they took refuge. + +But the storm was upon them before they could reach their horses. The +last star was gone and the somber clouds covered the whole heavens. The +wind ceased to moan and the air was heavy with apprehension. Deep and +sullen thunder began to mutter on the southwestern horizon. Then came +a mighty crash and a great blaze of lightning seemed to cleave the sky +straight down the center. + +The lightning and thunder made Dick jump, and for a few moments he +was blinded by the electric glare. He heard a heavy sound of something +falling, and exclaimed: + +“Are any of you hurt?” + +“No,” said Warner, who alone heard him, “but we're scared half to +death. When a drought breaks up I wish it wouldn't break up with such a +terrible fuss. Listen to that thunder again, won't you!” + +There was another terrible crash of thunder and the whole sky blazed +with lightning. Despite himself Dick shrank again. The first bolt had +struck a tree which had fallen within thirty feet of them, but the +second left this bit of the woods unscathed. + +A third and a fourth bolt struck somewhere, and then came the rush and +roar of the rain, driven on by a fierce wind out of the southwest. The +close, dense heat was swept away, and the first blasts of the rain were +as cold as ice. The little party was drenched in an instant, and every +one was shivering through and through with combined wet and cold. + +The cessation of the lightning was succeeded by pitchy darkness, and the +roaring of the wind and rain was so great that they called loudly to one +another lest they lose touch in the blackness. Dick heard Warner on his +right, and he followed the sound of his voice. But before he went much +further his foot struck a trailing vine, and he fell so hard, his head +striking the trunk of a tree, that he lay unconscious. + +The cold rain drove so fiercely on the fallen boy's face and body that +he revived in two or three minutes, and stood up. He clapped his hand to +the left side of his head, and felt there a big bump and a sharp ache. +His weapons were still in his belt and he knew that his injuries were +not serious, but he heard nothing save the drive and roar of the wind +and rain. There was no calling of voices and no beat of footsteps. + +He divined at once that his comrades, wholly unaware of his fall, when +no one could either see or hear it, had gone on without missing him. +They might also mount their horses and gallop away wholly ignorant that +he was not among them. + +Although he was a little dazed, Dick had a good idea of direction and +he plunged through the mud which was now growing deep toward the little +ravine in which they had hitched their horses. All were gone, including +his own mount, and he had no doubt that the horse had broken or slipped +the bridle in the darkness and followed the others. + +He stood a while behind the trunk of a great tree, trying to shelter +himself a little from the rain, and listened. But he could hear neither +his friends leaving nor any foes approaching. The storm was of uncommon +fury. He had never seen one fiercer, and knowing that he had little to +dread from the Southerners while it raged he knew also that he must make +his way on foot, and as best he could, to his own people. + +Making a calculation of the direction and remembering that one might +wander in a curve in the darkness, he set off down the stream. He meant +to keep close to the banks of the Rappahannock, and if he persisted he +would surely come in time to Pope's army. The rain did not abate. Both +armies were flooded that night, but they could find some measure of +protection. To the scouts and skirmishers and to Dick, wandering through +the forest, nature was an unmitigated foe. + +But nothing could stop the boy. He was resolved to get back to the army +with the news that a heavy Southern force was across the Rappahannock. +Others might get there first with the fact, but one never knew. A +hundred might fall by the wayside, leaving it to him alone to bear the +message. + +He stumbled on. He was able to keep his cartridges dry in his pouch, but +that was all. His wet, cold clothes flapped around him and he shivered +to the bone. He could see only the loom of the black forest before him, +and sometimes he slipped to the waist in swollen brooks. Then the wind +shifted and drove the sheets of rain, sprinkled with hail, directly in +his face. He was compelled to stop a while and take refuge behind a big +oak. While he shivered in the shelter of the tree the only things that +he thought of spontaneously were dry clothes, hot food, a fire and a +warm bed. The Union and its fate, gigantic as they were, slipped away +from his mind, and it took an effort of the will to bring them back. + +But his will made the effort, and recalling his mission he struggled +on again. He had the river on his right, and it now became an unfailing +guide. It had probably been raining much earlier in the mountains along +the headwaters and the flood was already pouring down. The river swished +high against its banks and once or twice, when he caught dim glimpses +of it through the trees, he saw a yellow torrent bearing much brushwood +upon its bosom. + +He had very little idea of his progress. It was impossible to judge of +pace under such circumstances. The army might be ten miles further on +or it might be only two. Then he found himself sliding down a muddy and +slippery bank. He grasped at weeds and bushes, but they slipped through +his hands. Then he shot into a creek, swollen by the flood, and went +over his head. + +He came up, gasping, struck out and reached the further shore. Here he +found bushes more friendly than the others and pulled himself upon the +bank. But he had lost everything. His belt had broken in his struggles, +and pistols, small sword and ammunition were gone. He would be helpless +against an enemy. Then he laughed at the idea. Surely enemies would not +be in search of him at such a time and such a place. + +Nevertheless when he saw an open space in front of him he paused at +its edge. He could see well enough here to notice a file of dim figures +riding slowly by. At first his heart leaped up with the belief that they +were Colonel Winchester and his own people, but they were going in the +wrong direction, and then he was able to discern the bedraggled and +faded Confederate gray. + +The horsemen were about fifty in number and most of them rode with the +reins hanging loose on their horses' necks. They were wrapped in cloaks, +but cloaks and uniforms alike were sodden. A stream of water ran from +every stirrup to the ground. + +Dick looked at them attentively. Near the head of the column but on +one side rode a soldierly figure, apparently that of a young man of +twenty-three or four. Just behind came three youths, and Dick's heart +fairly leaped when he saw the last of the three. He could not mistake +the figure, and a turning of the head caused him to catch a faint +glimpse of the face. Then he knew beyond all shadow of doubt. It was +Harry and he surmised that the other two were his comrades, St. Clair +and Langdon, whom he had met when they were burying the dead. + +Dick was so sodden and cold and wretched that he was tempted to call out +to them--the sight of Harry was like a light in the darkness--but the +temptation was gone in an instant. His way lay in another direction. +What they wished he did not wish, and while they fought for the triumph +of the South it was his business to endure and struggle on that he might +do his own little part for the Union. + +But despite the storm and his sufferings, he drew courage from nature +itself. While a portion of the Southern army was across it must be a +minor portion, and certainly the major part could not span such a flood +and attack. The storm and time allied were now fighting for Pope. + +He wandered away a little into the open fields in order to find easier +going, but he came back presently to the forest lining the bank of the +river, for fear he should lose his direction. The yellow torrent of the +Rappahannock was now his only sure guide and he stuck to it. He wondered +why the rain and wind did not die down. It was not usual for a storm so +furious to last so long, but he could not see any abatement of either. + +He became conscious after a while of a growing weakness, but he had +recalled all the powers of his will and it was triumphant over his body. +He trudged on on feet that were unconscious of sensation, and his face +as if the flesh were paralyzed no longer felt the beat of the rain. + +A mile or two further and in the swish of the storm he heard hoofbeats +again. Looking forth from the bushes he saw another line of horsemen, +but now they were going in the direction of Pope's army. Dick recognized +these figures. Shapeless as he might appear on his horse that was +Colonel Winchester, and there were the broad shoulders of Sergeant +Whitley and the figures of the others. + +He rushed through the dripping forest and shouted in a tone that +could be heard above the shriek of wind and rain. Colonel Winchester +recognized the voice, but the light was so dim that he did not recognize +him from whom it came. Certainly the figure that emerged from the forest +did not look human. + +“Colonel,” cried Dick, “it is I, Richard Mason, whom you left behind!” + +“So it is,” said Sergeant Whitley, keener of eye than the others. + +The whole troop set up a shout as Dick came forward, taking off his +dripping cap. + +“Why, Dick, it is you!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester in a tone of +immeasurable relief. “We missed you and your horse and hoped that you +were somewhere ahead. Your horse must have broken loose in the storm. +But here, you look as if you were nearly dead! Jump up behind me!” + +Dick made an effort, but his strength failed and he slipped back to +the ground. He had not realized that he was walking on his spirit and +courage and that his strength was gone, so powerful had been the buffets +of the wind and rain. + +The colonel reached down, gave him a hand and a strong pull, and with +a second effort Dick landed astride the horse behind the rider. Then +Colonel Winchester gave the word and the sodden file wound on again. + +“Dick,” said the colonel, looking back over his shoulder, “you come as +near being a wreck as anything that I've seen in a long time. It's lucky +we found you.” + +“It is, sir, and I not only look like a wreck but I feel like one. But +I had made up my mind to reach General Pope's camp, with the news of the +Confederates crossing, and I think I'd have done it.” + +“I know you would. But what a night! What a night! Not many men can be +abroad at such a time. We have seen nothing.” + +“But I have, sir.” + +“You have! What did you see?” + +“A mile or two back I passed a line of Southern horsemen, just as wet +and bedraggled as ours.” + +“Might they not have been our own men? It would be hard to tell blue and +gray apart on such a night.” + +“One could make such a mistake, but in this case it was not possible. +I saw my own cousin, Harry Kenton, riding with them. I recognized them +perfectly.” + +“Then that settles it. The Confederate scouts and cavalry are abroad +to-night also, and on our side of the river. But they must be few who +dare to ride in such a storm.” + +“That's surely true, sir.” + +But both Dick and his commanding officer were mistaken. They still +underrated the daring and resolution of the Confederate leaders, +the extraordinary group of men who were the very bloom and flower of +Virginia's military glory, the equal of whom--two at least being in the +very first rank in the world's history--no other country with so small a +population has produced in so short a time. + +Earlier in the day Stuart, full of enterprise, and almost insensible to +fatigue, had crossed the Rappahannock much higher up and at the head +of a formidable body of his horsemen, unseen by scouts and spies, was +riding around the Union right. They galloped into Warrenton where the +people, red hot as usual for the South, crowded around them cheering and +laughing and many of the women crying with joy. It was like Jackson and +Stuart to drop from the clouds this way and to tell them, although the +land had been occupied by the enemy, that their brave soldiers would +come in time. + +News, where a Northern force could not have obtained a word, was poured +out for the South. They told Stuart that none of the Northern cavalry +was about, and that Pope's vast supply train was gathered at a little +point only ten miles to the southeast. Stuart shook his plumed head +until his long golden hair flew about his neck. Then he laughed aloud +and calling to his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great +spoil that waited upon quickness and daring. + +The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it +reached it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men. +Despite rain and darkness Stuart pushed on. He said afterward that it +was the darkest night he had ever seen. A captured negro guided them on +the final stage of the gallop and just when Dick was riding back to +camp behind Colonel Winchester, Stuart fell like a thunderbolt upon the +supply train and its guard. + +Stuart could not drive wholly away the Northern guard, which though +surprised, fought with great courage, but he burned the supply train, +then galloped off with prisoners, and Pope's own uniform, horses, +treasure chest and dispatch book. He found in the dispatch book minute +information about the movements of all the Union troops, and Pope's +belief that he ought to retreat from the river on Washington. Doubtless +the Confederate horseman shook his head again and again and laughed +aloud, when he put this book, more precious than jewels, inside his gold +braided tunic, to be taken to Lee and Jackson. + +But these things were all hidden from the little group of weary men +who rode into Pope's camp. Colonel Winchester carried the news of the +crossing--Early had made it--to the commander, and the rest sought the +best shelter to be found. Dick was lucky enough to be taken into a tent +that was thoroughly dry, and the sergeant who had followed him managed +to obtain a supply of dry clothing which would be ready for him when he +awoke. + +Dick did not revive as usual. He threw all of his clothing aside and +water flew where it fell, put on dry undergarments and crept between +warm blankets. Nevertheless he still felt cold, and he was amazed at his +own lack of interest in everything. He might have perished out there in +the stream, but what did it matter? He would probably be killed in some +battle anyway. Besides, their information about the crossing of the +rebels was of no importance either. The rebels might stay on their side +of the Rappahannock, or they might go back. It was all the same either +way. All things seemed, for the moment, useless to him. + +He began to shiver, but after a while he became so hot that he wanted to +throw off all the cover. But he retained enough knowledge and will +not to do so, and he sank soon into a feverish doze from which he was +awakened by the light of a lantern shining in his face. + +He saw Colonel Winchester and another man, a stranger, who held a small +leather case in his hand. But Dick was in such a dull and apathetic +state that he had no curiosity about them and he shut his eyes to keep +out the light of the lantern. + +“What is it, doctor?” he heard Colonel Winchester asking. + +“Chill and a little fever, brought on by exposure and exhaustion. But +he's a hardy youth. Look what a chest and shoulders! With the aid of +these little white pills of mine he'll be all right in the morning. +Colonel, Napoleon said that an army fights on its stomach, which I +suppose is true, but in our heavily watered and but partly settled +country, it must fight sometimes on a stomach charged with quinine.” + +“I was afraid it might be worse. A dose or two then will bring him +around?” + +“Wish I could be so sure of a quick cure in every case. Here, my lad, +take two of these. A big start is often a good one.” + +Dick raised his head obediently and took the two quinine pills. Soon he +sank into a condition which was as near stupor as sleep. But before he +passed into unconsciousness he heard the doctor say: + +“Wake him soon enough in the morning, Colonel, to take two more. What a +wonderful thing for our armies that we can get all the quinine we want! +The rebel supply, I know, is exhausted. With General Quinine on our side +we're bound to win.” + +“But that isn't the only reason, doctor. Now--” Their voices trailed +away as Dick sank into oblivion. He had a dim memory of being awakened +the next morning and of swallowing two more pills, but in a minute or +two he sank back into a sleep which was neither feverish nor troubled. +When he awoke the dark had come a second time. The fever was wholly +gone, and his head had ceased to ache. + +Dick felt weak, but angry at himself for having broken down at such +a time, he sat up and began to put on the dry uniform that lay in the +tent. Then he was astonished to find how great his weakness really was, +but he persevered, and as he slipped on the tunic Warner came into the +tent. + +“You've been asleep a long time,” he said, looking at Dick critically. + +“I know it. I suppose I slept all through the night as well as the day.” + +“And the great battle was fought without you.” + +Dick started, and looked at his comrade, but Warner's eyes were +twinkling. + +“There's been no battle, and you know it,” Dick said. + +“No, there hasn't been any; there won't be any for several days at +least. That whopping big rain last night did us a service after all. It +was Early who crossed the river, and now he is in a way cut off from the +rest of the Southern army. We hear that he'll go back to the other side. +But Stuart has curved about us, raided our supply train and destroyed +it. And he's done more than that. He's captured General Pope's important +papers.” + +“What does it mean for us?” + +“A delay, but I don't know anything more. I suppose that whatever is +going to happen will happen in its own good time. You feel like a man +again, don't you Dick? And you can have the consolation of knowing that +nothing has happened all day long when you slept.” + +Dick finished his dressing, rejoined his regiment and ate supper with +the other officers around a fine camp fire. He found that he had a good +appetite, and as he ate strength flowed rapidly back into his veins. He +gathered from the talk of the older officers that they were still hoping +for a junction with McClellan before Lee and Jackson could attack. They +expected at the very least to have one hundred and fifty thousand men in +line, most of them veterans. + +But Dick saw Shepard again that evening. He had come from a long journey +and he reported great activity in the Southern camp. When Dick said +that Lee and Jackson would have to fight both Pope and McClellan the spy +merely replied: + +“Yes, if Pope and McClellan hurry.” + +But Dick learned that night that Pope was not discouraged. He had an +army full of fighting power, and eager to meet its enemy. He began the +next day to move up the river in order that he might face Lee's whole +force as it attempted to cross at the upper fords. Their spirits +increased as they learned that Early, through fear of being cut off, was +going back to join the main Southern army. + +The ground had now dried up after the great storm, but the refreshed +earth took on a greener tinge, and the air was full of sparkle and life. +Dick had not seen such elasticity among the troops in a long time. As +they marched they spoke confidently of victory. One regiment took up a +song which had appeared in print just after the fall of Sumter: + + + “Men of the North and West, + Wake in your might. + Prepare as the rebels have done + For the fight. + You cannot shrink from the test; + Rise! Men of the North and West.” + + +Another regiment took up the song, and soon many thousands were singing +it; those who did not know the words following the others. Dick felt +his heart beat and his courage mount high, as he sang with Warner and +Pennington the last verse: + + + “Not with words; they laugh them to scorn, + And tears they despise. + But with swords in your hands + And death in your eyes! + Strike home! Leave to God all the rest; + Strike! Men of the North and West!” + + +The song sung by so many men rolled off across the fields, and the woods +and the hills gave back the echo. + +“We will strike home!” exclaimed Dick, putting great emphasis on the +“will.” “Our time for victory is at hand.” + +“The other side may think they're striking home; too,” said Warner, +speaking according to the directness of his dry mathematical mind. “Then +I suppose it will be a case of victory for the one that strikes the +harder for home.” + +“That's a fine old mind of yours. Don't you ever feel any enthusiasm?” + +“I do, when the figures warrant it. But I must reckon everything with +care before I permit myself to feel joy.” + +“I'm glad I'm not like you, Mr. Arithmetic, Mr. Algebra, Mr. Geometry +and Mr. Trigonometry.” + +“You mustn't make fun of such serious matters, Dick. It would be a noble +thing to be the greatest professor of mathematics in the world.” + +“Of course, George, but we wouldn't need him at this minute. But here +we are back at those cottages in which I saw the Southern officers +sheltering themselves. Well, they're ours again and I take it as a good +omen.” + +“Yes, here we rest, as the French general said, but I don't know that I +care about resting much more. I've had about all I want of it.” + +Nevertheless they spent the day quietly at the Sulphur Springs, and lay +down in peace that night. But the storm cloud, the blackest storm cloud +of the whole war so far, was gathering. + +Lee, knowing the danger of the junction between Pope and McClellan had +resolved to hazard all on a single stroke. He would divide his army. +Jackson, so well called “the striking arm,” would pass far around +through the maze of hills and mountains and fall like a thunderbolt +upon Pope's flank. At the sound of his guns Lee himself would attack in +front. + +As Dick and his young comrades lay down to sleep this march, the +greatest of Stonewall Jackson's famous turning movements, had begun +already. Jackson was on his horse, Little Sorrel, his old slouch hat +drawn down over his eyes, his head bent forward a little, and the great +brain thinking, always thinking. His face was turned to the North. + +Just a little behind Jackson rode one of his most trusted aides, Harry +Kenton, a mere youth in years, but already a veteran in service. Not +far away was the gallant young Sherburne at the head of his troop of +cavalry, and in the first brigade was the regiment of the Invincibles +led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant Colonel Hector St. +Hilaire. Never had the two colonels seemed more prim and precise, and +not even in youth had the fire of battle ever burned more brightly in +their bosoms. + +Jackson meant to pass around his enemy's right, crossing the Bull Run +Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap, then strike the railway in Pope's rear. +Longstreet, one of the heaviest hitters of the South, meanwhile was +to worry Pope incessantly along the line of the Rappahannock, and when +Jackson attacked they were to drive him toward the northeast and away +from McClellan. + +The hot August night was one of the most momentous in American history, +and the next few days were to see the Union in greater danger than it +has ever stood either before or since. Perhaps it was not given to the +actors in the drama to know it then, but the retrospect shows it now. +The North had not attained its full fighting strength, and the genius of +the two great Southern commanders was at the zenith, while behind them +stood a group of generals, full of talent and fearless of death. + +Jackson had been directly before Sulphur Springs where Dick lay with the +division to which he belonged. But Jackson, under cover of the darkness, +had slipped away and the division of Longstreet had taken its place so +quietly that the Union scouts and spies, including Shepard himself, did +not know the difference. + +Jackson's army marched swiftly and silently, while that of Pope slept. +The plan of Lee was complicated and delicate to the last degree, but +Jackson, the mainspring in this organism, never doubted that he could +carry it out. His division soon left the rest of the army far behind, as +they marched steadily on over the hills, the fate of the nation almost +in the hollow of their hands. + +The foot cavalry of Jackson were proud of their ability that night. They +carried only three days' rations, expecting to feed off the enemy at +the end of that time. Near midnight they lay down and slept a while, +but long before dawn they were in line again marching over the hills and +across the mountains. There were skirmishers in advance on either side, +but they met no Union scouts. The march of Jackson's great fighting +column was still unseen and unsuspected. A single Union scout or a +message carried by a woman or child might destroy the whole plan, as a +grain of dust stops all the wheels and levers of a watch, but neither +the scout, the woman nor the child appeared. + +Toward dawn the marching Southerners heard far behind them the thunder +of guns along the Rappahannock. They knew that Longstreet had opened +with his batteries across the river, and that those of Pope were +replying. The men looked at one another. There was a deep feeling of +excitement and suspense among them. They did not know what all this +marching meant, but they had learned to trust the man who led them. He +had led them only to victory, and they did not doubt that he was doing +so again. + +The march never paused for an instant. On they went, and the sound of +the great guns behind them grew fainter and fainter until it faded away. +Where were they going? Was it a raid on Washington? Were they to hurl +themselves upon Pope's rear, or was there some new army that they were +to destroy? + +Up swept the sun and the coolness left by the storm disappeared. The +August day began to blaze again with fierce burning heat, but there was +no complaint among Jackson's men. They knew now that they were on one of +his great turning movements, on a far greater scale than any hitherto, +and full of confidence, they followed in the wake of Little Sorrel. + +In the daylight now Jackson had scouts and skirmishers far in front and +on either flank. They were to blaze the way for the army and they made +a far out-flung line, through which no hostile scout could pass and +see the marching army within. At the close of the day they were still +marching, and when the sun was setting Jackson stood by the dusty +roadside and watched his men as they passed. For the first time in that +long march they broke through restraint and thundering cheers swept +along the whole line as they took off their caps to the man whom they +deemed at once their friend and a very god of war. The stern Jackson +giving way so seldom to emotion was heard to say to himself: + +“Who can fail to win battles with such men as these?” + +Jackson's column did not stop until midnight. They had been more than +twenty-four hours on the march, and they had not seen a hostile soldier. +Harry Kenton himself did not know where they were going. But he lay down +and gratefully, like the others, took the rest that was allowed to him. +But a few hours only and they were marching again under a starry sky. +Morning showed the forest lining the slopes of the mountains and then +all the men seemed to realize suddenly which way they were going. + +This was the road that led to Pope. It was not Washington, or +Winchester, or some unknown army, but their foe on the Rappahannock that +they were going to strike. A deep murmur of joy ran through the ranks, +and the men who had now been marching thirty hours, with but little +rest, suddenly increased their speed. Knowledge had brought them new +strength. + +They entered the forest and passed into Thoroughfare Gap, which leads +through Bull Run Mountain. The files narrowed now and stretched out in a +longer line. This was a deep gorge, pines and bushes lining the summits +and crests. The confined air here was closer and hotter than ever, but +the men pressed on with undiminished speed. + +Harry Kenton felt a certain awe as he rode behind Jackson, and looked +up at the lofty cliffs that enclosed them. The pines along the summit on +either side were like long, green ribbons, and he half feared to see +men in blue appear there and open fire on those in the gorge below. But +reason told him that there was no such danger. No Northern force could +be on Bull Run Mountain. + +Harry had not asked a question during all that march. He had not +known where they were going, but like all the soldiers he had supreme +confidence in Jackson. He might be going to any of a number of places, +but the place to which he was going was sure to be the right place. +Now as he rode in the pass he knew that they were bound for the rear of +Pope's army. Well, that would be bad for Pope! Harry had no doubt of it. + +They passed out of the gap, leaving the mountain behind them, and swept +on through two little villages, and over the famous plateau of Manassas +Junction which many of them had seen before in the fire and smoke of the +war's first terrible day. Here were the fields and hills over which +they had fought and won the victory. Harry recognized at once the places +which had been burned so vividly into his memory, and he considered it a +good omen. + +Not so far away was Washington, and so strongly was Harry's imagination +impressed that he believed he could have seen through powerful glasses +and from the crest of some tall hill that they passed, the dome of the +Capitol shining in the August sun. He wondered why there was no attack, +nor even any alarm. The cloud of dust that so many thousands of marching +men made could be seen for miles. He did not know that Sherburne and the +fastest of the rough riders were now far in front, seizing every Union +scout or sentinel, and enabling Jackson's army to march on its great +turning movement wholly unknown to any officer or soldier of the North. +Soon he would stand squarely between Pope and Washington. + +Before noon, Stuart and his wild horsemen joined them and their spirits +surged yet higher. All through the afternoon the march continued, and +at night Jackson fell upon Pope's vast store of supplies, surprising and +routing the guard. Taking what he could use he set fire to the rest and +the vast conflagration filled the sky. + +Night came with Jackson standing directly in the rear of Pope. The trap +had been shut down, and it was to be seen whether Pope was strong enough +to break from it. + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + + +The sunbeams seemed fairly to dance over the dusty earth. The dust was +not only over the earth, but over everything, men, animals, wagons and +tents. Dick Mason who had struggled so hard through a storm but a few +nights ago now longed for another like it. Anything to get away from +this blinding blaze. + +But he soon forgot heat and dust. He was conscious of a great quiver +and thrill running through the whole army. Something was happening. +Something had happened, but nobody knew what. Warner and Pennington felt +the same quiver and thrill, because they looked at him as if in inquiry. +Colonel Winchester showed it, too. He said nothing, but gazed uneasily +toward the Northern horizon. Dick found himself looking that way also. +Along the Rappahannock there was but little firing now, and he began to +forget the river which had loomed so large in the affairs of the armies. +Perhaps the importance of the Rappahannock had passed. + +It was said that Pope himself with his staff had ridden away toward +Washington, but Dick did not know. Far off toward the capital he +saw dust clouds, but he concluded that they must be made by marching +reinforcements. + +The long hot hours dragged and then came a messenger. It was Shepard who +had reported to headquarters and who afterwards came over to the shade +of a tree where Colonel Winchester and his little staff were gathered. +He was on the verge of exhaustion. He was black under the eyes and the +veins of his neck were distended. Dust covered him from head to foot. +He threw himself on the ground and drank deeply from a canteen of cool +water that Dick handed to him. All saw that Shepard, the spy, the man +whose life was a continual danger, who had never before shown emotion, +was in a state of excitement, and if they waited a little he would speak +of his own accord. + +Shepard took the canteen from his lips, drew several long deep breaths +of relief and said: + +“Do you know what I have seen?” + +“I don't, but I infer from your manner, Shepard, that it must be of +great importance,” said Colonel Winchester. + +“I've seen Stonewall Jackson at the head of half of Lee's army behind +us! Standing between us and Washington!” + +“What! Impossible! How could he get there?” + +“It's possible, because it's been done--I've seen the rebel army behind +us. In these civilian clothes of mine, I've been in their ranks, and +I've talked with their men. While they were amusing us here on the +Rappahannock with their cannon, Jackson with the best of the army +crossed the river higher up, passed through Thoroughfare Gap, marching +two or three days before a soul of ours knew it, and then struck our +great camp at Bristoe Station.” + +“Shepard, you must be sunstruck!” + +“My mind was never clearer. What I saw at close range General Pope +himself saw at long range. He and his staff and a detachment came near +enough to see the looting and burning of all our stores--I don't suppose +so many were ever gathered together before. But I was right there. You +ought to have seen the sight, Colonel, when those ragged rebels who +had been living on green corn burst into our camp. I've heard about the +Goths and Vandals coming down on Rome and it must have been something +like it. They ate as I never saw anybody eat before, and then throwing +away their rags they put on our new uniforms which were stored there in +thousands. At least half the rebel army must now be wearing the Union +blue. And the way they danced about and sang was enough to make a loyal +man's heart sick.” + +“You told all this to General Pope?” + +“I did, sir, but I could not make him believe the half of it. He insists +that it can only be a raiding detachment, that it is impossible for a +great army to have come to such a place. But, sir, I was among them. I +know Stonewall Jackson, and I saw him with my own eyes. He was there +at the head of thirty thousand men, and we've already lost stores worth +millions and millions. Jeb Stuart was there, too. I saw him. And I saw +Munford, who leads Jackson's cavalry since the death of Turner Ashby. +Oh, they'll find out soon enough that it's Jackson. We're trapped, sir! +I tell you we're trapped, and our own commander-in-chief won't believe +it. Good God, Colonel, the trap has shut down on us and if we get out of +it we've got to be up and doing! This is no time for waiting!” + +Colonel Winchester saw from the rapidity and emphasis with which Shepard +spoke that his excitement had increased, but knowing the man's great +devotion to the Union he had no rebuke for his plain speech. + +“You have done splendid work, Mr. Shepard,” he said, “and the +commander-in-chief will recognize what great risks you have run for +the cause. I've no doubt that the accuracy of your reports will soon be +proved.” + +Colonel Winchester in truth believed every word that Shepard had said, +sinister though they were. He said that Jackson was behind them, that +he had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the +slightest doubt that Jackson was there. + +Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's +praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was +the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the +cause he served. + +“Thank you, Colonel,” he said, “I've got to go out and get a little food +now. All I say will be proved soon enough.” + +The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of +Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which +should mark the approach of Jackson. + +“We've been outmaneuvered,” said Warner to Dick, “but it's no reason why +we should be outfought.” + +“No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the +world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash +their old trap all to pieces.” + +“If our generals will only give us a chance.” + +Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified +almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch +after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been +at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning. + +“Now is our chance,” said Dick to his comrades, “why doesn't the general +move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his +help?” + +“I'm praying for it,” said Warner. + +“From what I hear it's going to be done,” said Pennington. + +Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched on +Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in +the heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including +Colonel Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place +of a few houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through +which Jackson had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did +not expect to find anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look. + +Dick rode by the side of his colonel ready for any command, but the +mystery, and uncertainty had begun to weigh upon him again. It seemed +when they had the first news that Jackson was behind them, that they had +a splendid opportunity to turn upon him and annihilate him before Lee +could come. But he was gone. They had looked upon the smoldering ruins +of their great supply camp, but they had found there no trace of a +Confederate soldier. Was Harry Kenton right, when he told them they +could not beat Jackson? He asked himself angrily why the man would not +stay and fight. He believed, too, that he must be off there somewhere to +the right, and he listened eagerly but vainly for the distant throb of +guns in the east. + +A cloud of dust hovered over the ten thousand as they marched on in the +blazing sunshine. The country was well peopled, but all the inhabitants +had disappeared save a few, and from not one of these could they obtain +a scrap of information. + +Dick noticed through the dusty veil a heavy wood on their left extending +for a long distance. Then as in a flash, he saw that the whole forest +was filled with troops, and he saw also two batteries galloping from it +toward the crest of a ridge. It occurred to him instantly that here was +the army of Jackson, and others who saw had the same instinctive belief. + +There was a flash and roar from the batteries. Shot and shell cut +through the clouds of dust and among the ranks of the men in blue. Now +came from the forest a vast shout, the defiant rebel yell and nobody in +the column doubted that Jackson was there. He had swung away toward the +Gap, where Lee could come to him more readily, and he would fight the +whole Union army until Lee came up. + +As the roar of the first discharge from the batteries was dying swarms +of skirmishers sprang up from ambush and poured a storm of bullets upon +the Union front and flanks. A cry as of anguish arose from the column +and it reeled back, but the men, many of them hardy young farmers from +the West, men of staunch stuff, were eager to get at the enemy and the +terrible surprise could not daunt them. Uttering a tremendous shout they +charged directly upon the Southern force. + +It was a case largely of vanguards, the main forces not yet having come +up, but the two detachments charged into each other with a courage and +fierceness that was astounding. In a minute the woods and fields were +filled with fire and smoke, and hissing shells and bullets. Men fell by +hundreds, but neither side yielded. The South could not drive away the +North and the North could not hurl back the South. + +The field of battle became a terrible and deadly vortex. The fire of the +opposing lines blazed in the faces of each other. Often they were +only three or four score yards apart. Ewell, Jackson's ablest and most +trusted lieutenant, fell wounded almost to death, and lay long upon the +field. Other Southern generals fell also, and despite their superior +numbers they could not drive back the North. + +Dick never had much recollection of the combat, save a reek of fire +and smoke in which men fought. He saw Colonel Winchester's horse +pitch forward on his head and springing from his own he pulled the +half-stunned colonel to his feet. Both leaped aside just in time to +avoid Dick's own falling horse, which had been slain by a shell. Then +the colonel ran up and down the lines of his men, waving his sword and +encouraging them to stand fast. + +The Southern lines spread out and endeavored to overlap the Union men, +but they were held back by a deep railroad cut and masses of felled +timber. The combat redoubled in fury. Cannon and rifles together made +a continuous roar. Both sides seemed to have gone mad with the rage of +battle. + +The Southern generals astonished at such a resistance by a smaller +force, ordered up more men and cannon. The Union troops were slowly +pushed back by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming +of which neither had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving +fifteen hundred men, nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the +small area within which the two vanguards had fought. + +But the Union men did not retreat far. Practically, they were holding +their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were +full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the +formidable Jackson. Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that +he threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath. When he was able +to rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured. +So was Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom, was +gloomy. + +“What's the matter, sergeant?” exclaimed Dick in surprise. “Didn't we +give 'em a great fight?” + +“Splendid, Mr. Mason, I don't believe that troops ever fought better +than ours did. But we're not many here. Where's all the rest of our +army? Scattered, while I'm certain that Jackson with twenty-five or +thirty thousand men is in front of us, with more coming. We'll fall +back. We'll have to do it before morning.” + +The sergeant on this occasion had the power of divination. An hour +after midnight the whole force which had fought with so much heroism +was withdrawn. It was a strange night to the whole Union army, full of +sinister omens. + +Pope, in his quest for Jackson, had heard about sunset the booming of +guns in the west, but he could not believe that the Southern general +was there. Many of his dispatches had been captured by the hard-riding +cavalry of Stuart. His own division commanders had lost touch with him. +It was not possible for him to know what to do until morning, and no +one could tell him. Meanwhile Longstreet was advancing in the darkness +through the Gap to reinforce Jackson. + +Dick had found another horse belonging to a slain owner, and, in the +darkness, his heart full of bitterness, he rode back beside Colonel +Winchester toward Manassas. Could they never win a big victory in the +east? The men were brave and tenacious. They had proved it over and over +again, but they were always mismanaged. It seemed to him that they were +never sent to the right place at the right time. + +Nevertheless, many of the Northern generals, able and patriotic, +achieved great deeds before the dawn of that momentous morning. +Messengers were riding in the darkness in a zealous attempt to gather +the forces together. There was yet abundant hope that they could crush +Jackson before Lee came, and in the darkness brigade after brigade +marched toward Warrenton. + +Dick, after tasting all the bitterness of retreat, felt his hopes rise +again. They had not really been beaten. They had fought a superior force +of Jackson's own men to a standstill. He could never forget that. He +cherished it and rolled it under his tongue. It was an omen of what was +to come. If they could only get leaders of the first rank they would +soon end the war. + +He found himself laughing aloud in the anticipation of what Pope's Army +of Virginia would do in the coming day to the rebels. It might even +happen that McClellan with the Army of the Potomac would also come upon +the field. And then! Lee and Jackson thought they had Pope in a trap! +Pope and McClellan would have them between the hammer and the anvil, and +they would be pounded to pieces! + +“Here, stop that foolishness, Dick! Quit, I say, quit it at once!” + +It was Warner who was speaking, and he gripped Dick's arm hard, while he +peered anxiously into his face. + +“What's the matter with you?” he continued. “What do you find to laugh +at? Besides, I don't like the way you laugh.” + +Dick shook himself, and then rubbed his hand across his brow. + +“Thanks, George,” he said. “I'm glad you called me back to myself. I was +thinking what would happen to the enemy if McClellan and the Army of the +Potomac came up also, and I was laughing over it.” + +“Well, the next time, don't you laugh at a thing until it happens. You +may have to take your laugh back.” + +Dick shook himself again, and the nervous excitement passed. + +“You always give good advice, George,” he said. “Do you know where we +are?” + +“I couldn't name the place, but we're not so far from Warrenton that we +can't get back there in a short time and tackle Jackson again. Dick, see +all those moving lights to right and left of us. They're the brigades +coming up in the night. Isn't it a weird and tremendous scene? You and I +and Pennington will see this night over and over again, many and many a +time.” + +“It's so, George,” said Dick, “I feel the truth of what you say all +through me. Listen to the rumble of the cannon wheels! I hear 'em on +both sides of us, and behind us, and I've no doubt, too, that it's going +on before us, where the Southerners are massing their batteries. How the +lights move! It's the field of Manassas again, and we're going to win +this time!” + +All of Dick's senses were excited once more, and everything he saw was +vivid and highly colored. Warner, cool of blood as he habitually was, +had no words of rebuke for him now, because he, too, was affected in the +same way. The fields and plains of Manassas were alive not alone with +marching armies, but the ghosts of those who had fallen there the year +before rose and walked again. + +Despite the darkness everything swelled into life again for Dick. Off +there was the little river of Manassas, Young's Branch, the railway +station, and the Henry House, around which the battle had raged so +fiercely. They would have won the victory then if it had not been for +Stonewall Jackson. If he had not been there the war would have been +ended on that sanguinary summer day. + +But Jackson was in front of them now, and they had him fast. Lee and +Jackson had thought to trap Pope, but Jackson himself was in the +trap, and they would destroy him utterly. His admiration for the great +Southern general had changed for the time into consuming rage. They must +overwhelm him, annihilate him, sweep him from the face of the earth. + +They mounted again and moved back, but did not go far. + +“Get down, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester. “Here's food for us, and hot +coffee. I don't remember myself how long we've been in the saddle and +how long we've been without food, but we mustn't go into battle until +we've eaten.” + +Dick was the last of the officers to dismount. He, too, did not remember +how long they had been in the saddle. He could not say at that moment, +whether it had been one night or two. He ate and drank mechanically, but +hungrily--the Union army nearly always had plenty of stores--and then he +felt better and stronger. + +A faint bluish tint was appearing under the gray horizon in the east. +Dick felt the touch of a light wind on his forehead. The dawn was +coming. + +Yes, the dawn was coming, but it was coming heavy with sinister omens +and the frown of battle. Before the bluish tint in the east had turned +to silver Dick heard the faint and far thudding of great guns, and +closer a heavy regular beat which he knew was the gallop of cavalry. +Surely the North could not fail now. Fierce anger against those who +would break up the Union surged up in him again. + +The gray came at last, driving the bluish tint away, and the sun rose +hot and bright over the field of Manassas which already had been +stained with the blood of one fierce battle. But now the armies were far +greater. Nearly a hundred and fifty thousand men were gathering for the +combat, and Dick was still hoping that McClellan would come with seventy +or eighty thousand more. But within the Confederate lines, where they +must always win and never lose, because losing meant to lose all there +was a stern determination to shatter Pope and his superior numbers +before McClellan could come. Never had the genius and resolution of the +two great Southern leaders burned more brightly. + +As the brazen sun swung slowly up Dick felt that the intense nervous +excitement he had felt the night before was seizing him again. The +officers of the regiment remained on foot. Colonel Winchester had sent +their horses away to some cavalrymen who had lost their own. He and his +staff and other officers, dismounted, could lead the men better into +battle. + +And that it was battle, great and bloody, the youngest of them all could +see. Never had an August day been brighter and hotter. Every object +seemed to swell into new size in the vivid and burning sunlight. Plain +before them lay Jackson's army. Two of his regiments were between them +and a turnpike that Dick remembered well. Off to the left ran the dark +masses in gray, until they ended against a thick wood. In the center was +a huge battery, and Dick from his position could see the mouths of the +cannon waiting for them. + +But he also saw the great line of the Northern Army. It was both deeper +and longer than that of the South, and he knew that the men were full of +resolve and courage. + +“How many have we got here?” Dick heard himself asking Warner. + +“Forty or fifty thousand, I suppose,” he heard Warner replying, “and +before night there will be eighty thousand. Our line is two miles long +now. We ought to wrap around Jackson and crush him to death. Listen to +the bugles! What a mellow note! And how they draw men on to death! And +listen to the throbbing of the big cannon, too!” + +Warner's face was flushed. He had become excited, as the two armies +stood there, and looked at each other a moment or two like prize +fighters in the ring before closing in battle. Then they heard the order +to charge and far up and down the line their own cannon opened with a +crash so great that Dick and his comrades could not hear one another +talking. + +Then they charged. The whole army lifted itself up and rushed at the +enemy, animated by patriotism, the fire of battle and the desire for +revenge. Among the officers were Milroy and Schenck and others who had +been beaten by Jackson in the valley. There, too, was the brigade +of Germans whom Jackson had beaten at Cross Keyes. Many of them were +veterans of the sternest discipline known in Europe and they longed +fiercely for revenge. And there were more Germans, too, under +Schurz--hired Germans, fighting nearly a hundred years before to prevent +the Union--and free Germans now fighting to save it. + +Driven forward thus by all the motives that sway men in battle, the +Union army rushed upon Jackson. Confident from many victories and +trusting absolutely in their leader the Southern defense received the +mighty charge without flinching. The wood now swarmed with riflemen +and they filled the air with their bullets, so many of them that their +passage was like the continual rush of a hurricane. Along the whole line +came the same metallic scream, and the great battery in the center was a +volcano, pouring forth a fiery hurricane of shot and shell. + +Dick felt their front lines being shorn. Although he was untouched it +was an actual physical sensation. He could see but little save that +fearful blaze in their faces, and the cries of the wounded and dying +were drowned by the awful roar of so many cannon and rifles. + +The cloud of dust and smoke had become immense and overwhelming in an +instant, but it was pierced always in front by the blaze of fire, and +by its flaming light Dick saw the long lines of the Southern men, their +faces gray and fixed, as he knew those of his own comrades were. + +But the charge, brave, even reckless, failed. The brigades broke in vain +on Jackson's iron front. Riddled by the fire of the great battery and of +the riflemen they could not go on and live. The Germans had longed for +revenge, but they did not get it. The South Carolinians fell upon them +at the edge of the wood and hurled them back. They rallied, and charged +again, but again they were handled terribly, and were forced back by the +charging masses of the Southerners. + +Dick had been at Shiloh. He had seen the men of the west in a great +battle, and now he saw the men of the east in a battle yet greater. +There it had been largely in the forest, here it was mostly in the open, +yet he saw but little more. One of the extraordinary features of this +battle was dust. Trampled up from the dry fields by fighting men in +scores of thousands it rose in vast floating clouds that permeated +everything. It was even more persistent than the smoke. It clogged +Dick's throat. It stung and burnt him like powder. Often it filled his +eyes so completely that for a moment or two he could not see the blaze +of the cannon and rifle fire, almost in his face. + +But as they fell back he felt again that sensation of actual physical +pain, although he was still untouched. Added to it was an intense mental +anguish. They were failing! They had been driven back! They had not +crushed Jackson! He forgot all about Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades Warner and Pennington. He forgot all about his own danger in +this terrible reversal of his hopes, and he began to shout angrily at +the men to stand. He did not know by and by that no sound came from his +mouth, that words could not come from a throat so choked with dust and +burned gunpowder. + +But the charge was made again. The thudding great guns now told all the +Northern divisions where Jackson was. The eighty thousand men of Pope +were crowding forward to attack him, and the batteries were galloping +over the plateau to add to the volume of shot and shell that was poured +upon the Southern ranks. + +Dick was quite unconscious of the passage of time. Hope had sprung anew +in his breast. He heard a report that ten thousand fresh troops under +Kearney had arrived and were attacking the Southerners in the wood. +He knew by the immense volume of fire coming from that point that the +report was true, and he heard that McDowell, too, would soon be at hand +with nearly thirty thousand men. + +Then he saw Colonel Winchester, his face a mass of grime and his +clothing flecked with blood. But he did not seem to have suffered any +wound and he was calmly rallying his men. + +“It's hot!” Dick shouted, why he knew not. + +“Yes, my boy, and it will soon be hotter! Look at the new brigades +coming into battle! See them on both right and left! We'll crush Jackson +yet!” + +It was now mid-morning, and neither Colonel Winchester nor any other of +the Northern officers facing the Southern force knew that Lee and the +other Southern army was at hand. The front ranks of Longstreet were +already in battle, and the most difficult and dangerous of all tasks was +accomplished. Two armies coming from points widely divergent, but acting +in concert had joined upon the field of battle at the very moment when +the junction meant the most. Lee had come, but McClellan and the Army of +the Potomac were far away. + +Dick heard the trumpets calling again, and once more they charged, +hurling heavy masses now upon the wood, which was held by the Southern +general, A. P. Hill. Rifle fire gave way to bayonet charges by either +side, and after swaying back and forth the Union men held the wood for +a while, but at last they were driven out to stay, and as they retreated +cannon and rifles decimated their ranks. + +The regiment had suffered so terribly that after its retreat it was +compelled to lie down a while and rest. Dick gasped for breath, but he +was not as much excited as he had been earlier in the day. Perhaps one +can become hardened to anything. Although he and his immediate comrades +were resting he could see no diminution of the battle. + +As far to left and right as the eye reached, cannon and rifles blazed +and thundered. In front of their own exhausted regiment hundreds of +sharpshooters, creeping forward, were now pouring a deadly fire among +the Southern troops who held the wood. They were men of the west and +northwest, accustomed all their lives to the use of firearms, and if a +Confederate officer in the forest showed himself for a moment it was at +the risk of his life. Captains and lieutenants fell fast beneath the aim +of the sharpshooters. + +The burning sun was at the zenith, pouring fiery rays upon the vast +conflict which raged along a front of two miles. Pope himself was now +upon the field and his troops were pouring from every point to his aid. +So deadly was the fire of the sharpshooters that they regained the wood, +driving out the Southerners who had exhausted their cartridges. Hill's +division of the Confederates was almost cut to pieces by the cannon +and rifles, and the Southern leaders from their posts on the hills saw +brigades and regiments continually coming to the help of the North. + +Dick saw or rather felt the fortunes of the North rising again, and as +his regiment stood up for action once more he began to shout with the +others in triumph. The roar of the battle grew so steady that the voices +of men became audible and articulate beneath it. + +“They shut their trap down upon us, but we're breaking that trap all to +pieces,” he heard Pennington say. + +“Looks as if we might win a victory,” said the cooler Warner. + +Then he heard no more, as they were once again upon the enemy who +received them almost hand to hand, and the battle swelled anew. It was +now long past noon, and in that prodigious canopy of dust and fire and +smoke it seemed for a while that the Union army in truth had shattered +the trap. The men in gray were borne back by the courage and weight of +their opponents. Hooker, Kearney, Reynolds and all the gallant generals +of the North continually urged on their troops. Confidence in victory at +last passed through all the army, and incited it to greater efforts. + +But Jackson was undaunted. Never was he cooler. Never did his genius +shine more brilliantly. Never did any man in all the fury and turmoil +of battle, amid a thousand conflicting reports and appalling confusion, +have a keener perception, a greater power to sum up what was actually +passing, and a better knowledge of what to do. + +Lee was a mile away, standing on a wooded hill, the bearded Longstreet +by his side, watching the battle in his immediate front, where +accumulating masses under Pope's own eye were gathering. On the other +flank where Jackson stood and the conflict was heaviest he trusted all +to his great lieutenant and not in vain. + +Jackson had formed his plan. There came for a few moments a lull in the +battle which had now lasted nine hours, and then gathering a powerful +reserve he sent them charging through the wood with the bayonet. Dick +saw the massive line of glittering steel coming on at the double +quick and he felt his regiment giving back. The men could not help it. +Physically exhausted and with ammunition running low they slowly yielded +the wood. Many of the youths wept with rage, but although they had lost +thousands in five desperate charges they were compelled to see all five +fail. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Warner through the smoke. + +“It's true!” gasped Warner, “we didn't break the trap, Dick. But maybe +they'll succeed off there to the left! Our own commander is there, and +they say that Lee himself has come to the help of Jackson!” + +They had been driven back at all points and their own battle was dying, +but off to the left it thundered a while longer, and then as night +suddenly rushed over the field it, too, sank, leaving the hostile forces +on that wing also still face to face, but with the North pushed back. + +The coming of night was as sudden to Dick as if it had been the abrupt +dropping of a great dark blanket. In the fury of conflict he had not +noticed the gathering shadows in the west. The dimness around him, if +he had taken time to think about it, he would have ascribed to the vast +columns of dust that eddied and surged about. + +Again it was the dust that he felt and remembered. The surging back and +forth of seven score thousand men, the tread of horses and the wheels +of hundreds of cannon raised it in such quantities that it covered the +forest and the armies with a vast whitish curtain. Even in the darkness +it showed dim and ghastly like a funeral veil. + +Out of that fatal forest came a dreadful moaning. Dick did not know +whether it was the wind among the leaves or the dying. Once more the +ghosts of the year before walked the fatal field, but the ghosts of this +year would be a far greater company. They had not broken the trap and +Dick knew that the battle was far from over. + +It would be renewed in the morning with greater fierceness than ever, +but he was grateful for the present darkness and rest. He and his +comrades had thrown themselves upon the ground, and they felt as if they +could never move again. Their bones did not ache. They merely felt dead +within them. + +Dick was roused after a long time. The camp cooks were bringing food +and coffee. He saw a figure lying at his feet as still as death, and he +shoved it with his foot. + +“Get up, Frank,” he said. “You're not dead.” + +“No, I'm not, but I'm as good as dead. You just let me finish dying in +peace.” + +Dick shoved him again and Pennington sat up. When he saw the food and +coffee he suddenly remembered to be hungry. Warner was already eating +and drinking. Off to the left they still heard cannon and rifles, +although the sound was sinking. Occasionally flashes from the mouths of +the great guns illumined the darkness. + +Dick did not know what time it was. He had no idea how long he had +been lying upon the ground panting, the air surcharged with menace and +suspense. The vast clouds of dust, impregnated with burned gunpowder +still floated about, and it scorched his mouth and throat as he breathed +it. + +The boys, after eating and drinking lay down again. They still heard the +firing of pickets, but it was no more than the buzzing of bees to them, +and after a while they fell into the sleep of nervous and physical +exhaustion. But while many of the soldiers slept all of the generals +were awake. + +It was a singular fact but in the night that divided the great battle +of the Second Manassas into two days both sides were full of confidence. +Jackson's men, who had borne the brunt of the first day, rested upon +their arms and awaited the dawn with implicit confidence in their +leader. On the other flank Lee and Longstreet were massing their men for +a fresh attack. + +The losses within the Union lines were replaced by reinforcements. Pope +rode among them, sanguine, full of hope, telegraphing to Washington that +the enemy had lost two to his one, and that Lee was retreating toward +the mountains. + +Dick slept uneasily through the night, and rose to another hot August +sun. Then the two armies looked at each other and it seemed that each +was waiting for the other to begin, as the morning hours dragged on and +only the skirmishers were busy. During this comparative peace, the heavy +clouds of dust were not floating about, and Dick whose body had come to +life again walked back and forth with his colonel, gazing through their +glasses at the enemy. He scarcely noticed it, but Colonel Winchester's +manner toward him had become paternal. The boy merely ascribed it to the +friendly feeling an officer would feel for a faithful aide, but he knew +that he had in his colonel one to whom he could speak both as a friend +and a protector. Walking together they talked freely of the enemy who +stood before them in such an imposing array. + +“Colonel,” said Dick, “do you think General Pope is correct in stating +that one wing of the Southern army is already retreating through +Thoroughfare Gap?” + +“I don't, Dick. I don't think it is even remotely probable. I'm quite +sure, too, that we have the whole Confederate army in front of us. We'll +have to beat both Lee and Jackson, if we can.” + +“Where do you think the main attack will be?” + +“On Jackson, who is still in front of us. But we have waited a long +time. It must be full noon now.” + +“It is past noon, sir, but I hear the trumpets, calling up our men.” + +“They are calling to us, too.” + +The regiment shifted a little to the right, where a great column was +forming for a direct attack upon the Confederate lines. Twenty thousand +men stood in a vast line and forty thousand were behind them to march in +support. + +Dick had thought that he would be insensible to emotions, but his heart +began to throb again. The spectacle thrilled and awed him--the great +army marching to the attack and the resolute army awaiting it. Soon he +heard behind him the firing of the artillery which sent shot and shell +over their heads at the enemy. A dozen cannon came into action, then +twenty, fifty, a hundred and more, and the earth trembled with the +mighty concussion. + +Dick felt the surge of triumph. They had yet met no answering fire. +Perhaps General Pope and not Colonel Winchester had been right after +all, and the Confederates were crushed. Awaiting them was only a rear +guard which would flee at the first flash of the bayonets in the wood. + +The great line marched steadily onward, and the cannon thundered and +roared over the heads of the men raking the wood with steel. Still +no reply. Surely the sixty thousand Union men would now march over +everything. They were driving in the swarms of skirmishers. Dick could +see them retreating everywhere, in the wood over the hills and along an +embankment. + +Warner was on his right and Pennington on his left. Dick glanced at them +and he saw the belief in speedy victory expressed on the faces of both. +It seemed to him, too, that nothing could now stop the massive +columns that Pope was sending forward against the thinned ranks of the +Confederates. + +They were much nearer and he saw gray lines along an embankment and in +a wood. Then above the crash and thunder of their covering artillery he +heard another sound. It was the Southern bugles calling with a piercing +note to their own men just as the Northern trumpets had called. + +Dick saw a great gray multitude suddenly pour forward. It looked to him +in the blur and the smoke like an avalanche, and in truth it was a human +avalanche, a far greater force of the South than they expected to +meet there. Directly in front of the Union column stood the Stonewall +Brigade, and all the chosen veterans of Stonewall Jackson's army. + +“It's a fight, face to face,” Dick heard Colonel Winchester say. + +Then he saw a Union officer, whose name he did not know suddenly gallop +out in front of the division, wave his saber over his head and shout +the charge. A tremendous rolling cry came from the blue ranks and Dick +physically felt the whole division leap forward and rush at the enemy. + +Dick saw the officer who had made himself the leader of the charge +gallop straight at a breastwork that the Southerners had built, reach +and stand, horse and rider, a moment at the top, then both fall in +a limp heap. The next instant the officer, not dead but wounded, was +dragged a prisoner behind the embankment by generous foes who had +refused to shoot at him until compelled to do so. + +The Union men, with a roar, followed their champion, and Dick felt a +very storm burst upon them. The Southerners had thrown up earthworks at +midnight and thousands of riflemen lying behind them sent in a fire at +short range that caused the first Union line to go down like falling +grain. Cannon from the wood and elsewhere raked them through and +through. + +It was a vortex of fire and death. The Confederates themselves were +losing heavily, but taught by the stern Jackson and knowing that his eye +was upon them they refused to yield. The Northern charge broke on their +front, but the men did not retreat far. The shrill trumpet called them +back to the charge, and once more the blue masses hurled themselves upon +the barrier of fire and steel, to break again, and to come yet a third +time at the trumpet's call. Often the combatants were within ten yards +of one another, but strive as they would the Union columns could not +break through the Confederate defense. + +Elsewhere the men of Hill and Longstreet showed a sternness and valor +equal to that of Jackson's. Their ranks held firm everywhere, and now, +as the long afternoon drew on, the eye of Lee, watching every rising +and falling wave of the battle, saw his chance. He drew his batteries +together in great masses and as the last charge broke on Jackson's lines +the trumpets sounded the charge for the Southern troops who hitherto had +stood on the defensive. + +Dick heard a tremendous shout, the great rebel yell, that he had heard +so often before, and that he was destined to hear so often again. +Through the clouds of smoke and dust he saw the long lines of Southern +bayonets advancing swiftly. His regiment, which had already lost more +than half its numbers, was borne back by an appalling weight. + +Then hope deserted the boy for the first time. The Union was not to be +saved here on this field. It was instead another lost Manassas, but far +greater than the first. The genius of Lee and Jackson which bore up +the Confederacy was triumphing once again. Dick shut his teeth in grim +despair. He heard the triumphant shouts of the advancing enemy, and he +saw that not only his own regiment, but the whole Northern line, was +being driven back, slowly it is true, but they were going. + +Now at the critical moment, Lee was hurling forward every man and gun. +Although his army was inferior in numbers he was always superior at the +point of contact, and his exultant veterans pressed harder and harder +upon their weakening foes. Only the artillery behind them now protected +Dick and his comrades. But the Confederates still came with a rush. + +Jackson was leading on his own men who had stood so long on the +defensive. The retreating Union line was broken, guns were lost, and +there was a vast turmoil and confusion. Yet out of it some order finally +emerged, and although the Union army was now driven back at every point +it inflicted heavy losses upon its foe, and under the lead of brave +commanders great masses gathered upon the famous Henry Hill, resolved, +although they could not prevent defeat, to save the army from +destruction. + +Night was coming down for the second time upon the field of battle, lost +to the North, although the North was ready to fight again. + +Lee and Jackson looked upon the heavy Union masses gathered at the Henry +Hill, and then looking at the coming darkness they stopped the attack. +Night heavier than usual came down over the field, covering with +its friendly veil those who had lost and those who had won, and the +twenty-five thousand who had fallen. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + +As the night settled down, heavy and dark, and the sounds of firing +died away along the great line, Dick again sank to the ground exhausted. +Although the battle itself had ceased, it seemed to him that the drums +of his ears still reproduced its thunder and roar, or at least the echo +of it was left upon the brain. + +He lay upon the dry grass, and although the night was again hot and +breathless, surcharged with smoke and dust and fire, he felt a +chill that went to the bone, and he trembled all over. Then a cold +perspiration broke out upon him. It was the collapse after two days of +tremendous exertion, excitement and anxiety. He did not move for eight +or ten minutes, blind to everything that was going on about him, and +then through the darkness he saw Colonel Winchester standing by and +looking down at him. + +“Are you all right, Dick, my boy?” the colonel asked. + +“Yes, sir,” replied Dick, as his pride made him drag himself to his +feet. “I'm not wounded at all. I was just clean played out.” + +“You're lucky to get off so well,” said the colonel, smiling sadly. +“We've lost many thousands and we've lost the battle, too. The killed or +wounded in my regiment number more than two-thirds.” + +“Have you seen anything of Warner and Pennington, sir? I lost sight of +them in that last terrible attack.” + +“Pennington is here. He has had a bullet through the fleshy part of his +left arm, but he's so healthy it won't take him long to get well. I'm +sorry to say that Warner is missing.” + +“Missing, sir? You don't say that George has been killed?” + +“I don't say it. I'm hoping instead that he's been captured.” + +Dick knew what the colonel meant. In Colonel Winchester's opinion only +two things, death or capture, could keep Warner from being with them. + +“Maybe he will come in yet,” he said. “We were mixed up a good deal when +the darkness fell, and he may have trouble in finding our position.” + +“That's true. There are not so many of us left, and we do not cover any +great area of ground. Lie still, Dick, and take a little rest. We +don't know what's going to happen in the night. We may have to do more +fighting yet, despite the darkness.” + +The colonel's figure disappeared in the shadow, and Dick, following his +advice, lay quiet. All around him were other forms stretched upon the +earth, motionless. But Dick knew they were not dead, merely sleeping. +His own nervous system was being restored by youth and the habit +of courage. Yet he felt a personal grief, and it grew stronger with +returning physical strength. Warner, his comrade, knitted to him by ties +of hardship and danger, was missing, dead no doubt in the battle. For +the moment he forgot about the defeat. All his thoughts were for the +brave youth who lay out there somewhere, stretched on the dusty field. + +Dick strained his eyes into the darkness, as if by straining he might +see where Warner lay. He saw, indeed, dim fires here and there along a +long line, marking where the Confederates now stood, or rather lay. Then +a bitter pang came. It was ground upon which the Union army had stood in +the morning. + +The rifle fire, which had died down, began again in a fitful way. Far +off, skirmishers, not satisfied with the slaughter of the day, were +seeing what harm they could do in the dark. Somewhere the plumed and +unresting Stuart was charging with his horsemen, driving back some +portion of the Union army that the Confederate forces might be on their +flank in the morning. + +But Dick, as he lay quietly and felt his strength, mental and physical, +returning, was taking a resolution. Down there in front of them and in +the darkness was the wood upon which they had made five great assaults, +all to fail. In front of that mournful forest, and within its edge, more +than ten thousand men had fallen. He had no doubt that Warner was among +them. + +His sense of direction was good, and, as his blurred faculties regained +their normal keenness, he could mark the exact line by which they +had advanced, and the exact line by which they had retreated. Warner +unquestionably lay near the edge of the wood and he must seek him. Were +it the other way, Warner would do the same. + +Dick stood up. He was no longer dizzy, and every muscle felt steady and +strong. He did not know what had become of Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades still lay upon the ground in a deep stupor. + +It could not be a night of order and precision, with every man numbered +and in his place, as if they were going to begin a battle instead of +just having finished one, and Dick, leaving his comrades, walked calmly +toward the wood. He passed one sentinel, but a few words satisfied him, +and he continued to advance. Far to right and left he still heard the +sound of firing and saw the flash of guns, but these facts did not +disturb him. In front of him lay darkness and silence, with the horizon +bounded by that saddest of all woods where the heaped dead lay. + +Dick looked back toward the Henry Hill, on the slopes of which were the +fragments of his own regiment. Lights were moving there, but they were +so dim they showed nothing. Then he turned his face toward the enemy's +position and did not look back again. + +The character of the night was changing. It had come on dark and heavy. +Hot and breathless like the one before, he had taken no notice of the +change save for the increased darkness. Now he felt a sudden damp touch +on his face, as if a wet finger had been laid there. The faintest of +winds had blown for a moment or two, and when Dick looked up, he saw +that the sky was covered with black clouds. The saddest of woods had +moved far away, but by some sort of optical illusion he could yet see +it. + +Save for the distant flash of random firing, the darkness was intense. +Every star was gone, and Dick moved without any guide. But he needed +none. His course was fixed. He could not miss the mournful wood hanging +there like a pall on the horizon. + +His feet struck against something. It was a man, but he was past all +feeling, and Dick went on, striking by and by against many more. It was +impossible at the moment to see Warner's face, but he began to feel +of the figures with his hands. There was none so long and slender as +Warner's, and he continued his search, moving steadily toward the wood. + +He saw presently a lantern moving over the field, and he walked toward +it. Three men were with the lantern, and the one who carried it held it +up as he approached. The beams fell directly upon Dick, revealing his +pale face and torn and dusty uniform. + +“What do you want, Yank?” called the man. + +“I'm looking for a friend of mine who must have fallen somewhere near +here.” + +The man laughed, but it was not a laugh of joy or irony. It was a laugh +of pity and sadness. + +“You've shorely got a big look comin',” he said. “They're scattered all +around here, coverin' acres an' acres, just like dead leaves shook by +a storm from the trees. But j'in us, Yank. You can't do nothin' in the +darkness all by yourself. We're Johnny Rebs, good and true, and I may +be shootin' straight at you to-morrow mornin', but I reckon I've got +nothin' ag'in you now. We're lookin' for a brother o' mine.” + +Dick joined them, and the four, the three in gray and the one in blue, +moved on. A friendly current had passed between him and them, and there +would be no thought of hostility until the morning, when it would come +again. It was often so in this war, when men of the same blood met in +the night between battles. + +“What sort of a fellow is it that you're lookin' for?” asked the man +with the lantern. + +“About my age. Very tall and thin. You could mark him by his height.” + +“It takes different kinds of people to make the world. My brother ain't +like him a-tall. Sam's short, an' thick as a buffalo. Weighs two twenty +with no fat on him. What crowd do you belong to, youngster?” + +“The division on our right. We attacked the wood there.” + +“Well, you're a bully boy. Give me your hand, if you are a Yank. You +shorely came right up there and looked us in the eyes. How often did you +charge us?” + +“Five times, I think. But I may be mistaken. You know it wasn't a day +when a fellow could be very particular about his count.” + +“Guess you're right there. I made it five. What do you say, Jim?” + +“Five she was.” + +“That settles it. Jim kin always count up to five an' never make a +mistake. What you fellers goin' to do in the mornin'?” + +“I don't know.” + +“Pope ain't asked you yet what to do. Well, Bobby Lee and Old Stonewall +ain't been lookin' for me either to get my advice, but, Yank, you +fellers do just what I tell you.” + +“What's that?” + +“Pack up your clothes before daylight, say good-bye, and go back +to Washington. You needn't think you kin ever lick Marse Bobby an' +Stonewall Jackson.” + +“But what if we do think it? We've got a big army back there yet, and +more are always coming to us. We'll beat you yet.” + +“There seems to be a pow'ful wide difference in our opinions, an' +I can't persuade you an' you can't persuade me. We'll just let the +question rip. I'm glad, after all, Yank, it's so dark. I don't want to +see ten thousand dead men stretched out in rows.” + +“We're going to get a wettin',” said the man to Jim. “The air's +already damp on my face. Thar, do you hear that thunder growlin' in the +southwest? Tremenjously like cannon far away, but it's thunder all the +same.” + +“What do we care 'bout a wettin', Jim? Fur the last few days this young +Yank here an' his comrades have shot at me 'bout a million cannon balls +an' shells, an' more 'n a hundred million rifle bullets. Leastways I +felt as if they was all aimed at me, which is just as bad. After bein' +drenched fur two days with a storm of steel an' lead an' fire, what do +you think I care for a summer shower of rain, just drops of rain?” + +“But I don't like to get wet after havin' fit so hard. It's unhealthy, +likely to give me a cold.” + +“Never min' 'bout ketchin' cold. You're goin' to get wet, shore. +Thunder, but I thought fur a second that was the flash of a hull +battery aimed at me. Fellers, if you wasn't with me I'd be plumb scared, +prowlin' 'roun' here in a big storm on the biggest graveyard in the +world. Keep close, Yank, we don't want to lose you in the dark.” + +A tremendous flash of lightning had cut the sky down the middle, as if +it intended to divide the world in two halves, but after its passage the +darkness closed in thicker and heavier than ever. The sinister sound of +thunder muttering on the horizon now went on without ceasing. + +Dick was awed. Like many another his brain exposed to such tremendous +pressure for two or three days, was not quite normal. It was quickly +heated and excited by fancies, and time and place alone were enough to +weigh down even the coolest and most seasoned. He pressed close to his +Confederate friends, whose names he never knew, and who never knew his, +and they, feeling the same influence, never for an instant left the man +who held the lantern. + +The muttering thunder now came closer and broke in terrible crashes. The +lightning flashed again and again so vividly that Dick, with involuntary +motion, threw up his hands to shelter his eyes. But he could see before +him the mournful forest, where so many good men had fallen, and, turned +red in the gleam of the lightning, it was more terrifying than it had +been in the mere black of the night. The wind, too, was now blowing, +and the forest gave forth what Dick's ears turned into a long despairing +wail. + +“She's about to bust,” said the lantern bearer, looking up at the +menacing sky. “Jim, you'll have to take your wettin' as it comes.” + +A moment later the storm burst in fact. The rain rushed down on them, +soaking them through in an instant, but Dick, so far from caring, liked +it. It cooled his heated body and brain, and he knew that it was more +likely to help than hurt the wounded who yet lay on the ground. + +The lightning ceased before the sweep of the rain, but the lantern was +well protected by its glass cover, and they still searched. The lantern +bearer suddenly uttered a low cry. + +“Boys!” he said, “Here's Sam!” + +A thick and uncommonly powerful man lay doubled up against a bush. His +face was white. Dick saw that blood had just been washed from it by +the rain. But he could see no rising and falling of the chest, and he +concluded that he was dead. + +“Take the lantern, Jim,” said the leader. Then he knelt down and put his +finger on his brother's wrist. + +“He ain't dead,” he said at last. “His pulse is beatin' an' he'll come +to soon. The rain helped him. Whar was he hit? By gum, here it is! A +bullet has ploughed all along the side of his head, runnin' 'roun' his +skull. Here, you Yank, did you think you could kill Sam by shootin' him +in the head with a bullet? We've stood him up in front of our lines, and +let you fellows break fifty pound shells on his head. You never done him +no harm, 'cept once when two solid shot struck him at the same time an' +he had a headache nigh until sundown. Besides havin' natural thickness +of the skull Sam trained his head by buttin' with the black boys when he +was young.” + +Dick saw that the man really felt deep emotion and was chattering, +partly to hide it. He was glad that they had found his brother, and +he helped them to lift him. Then they rubbed Sam's wrists and poured a +stimulant down his throat. In a few minutes he stood alone on his feet, +yawned mightily, and by the light of the dim lantern gazed at them in a +sort of stupid wonder. + +“What's happened?” he asked. + +“What's happened?” replied his brother. “You was always late with the +news, Sam. Of course you've been takin' a nap, but a lot has happened. +We met the Yankees an' we've been fightin' 'em for two days. Tremenjous +big battle, an' we've whipped 'em. 'Scuse me, Yank, I forgot you was +with us. Well, nigh onto a million have been killed, which ought to be +enough for anybody. I love my country, but I don't care to love another +at such a price. But resumin' 'bout you pussonally, Sam, you stopped +so many shells an' solid shot with that thick head of yourn that the +concussion at last put you to sleep, an' we've found you so we kin take +you in out of the wet an' let you sleep in a dry place. Kin you walk?” + +Sam made an effort, but staggered badly. + +“Jim, you an' Dave take him by each shoulder an' walk him back to camp,” + said the lantern bearer. “You jest keep straight ahead an' you'll butt +into Marse Bob or old Stonewall, one or the other.” + +“You lead the way with the lantern.” + +“Never you mind about me or the lantern.” + +“What you goin' to do?” + +“Me? I'm goin' to keep this lantern an' help Yank here find his friend. +Ain't he done stuck with us till we found Sam, an' I reckon I'll stick +with him till he gits the boy he's lookin for, dead or alive. Now, you +keep Sam straight, and walk him back to camp. He ain't hurt. Why, that +bullet didn't dent his skull. It said to itself when it came smack up +against the bone: 'This is too tough for me, I guess I'll go 'roun'.' +An' it did go 'roun'. You can see whar it come out of the flesh on +the other side. Why, by the time Sam was fourteen years old we quit +splittin' old boards with an axe or a hatchet. We jest let Sam set on a +log an' we split 'em over his head. Everybody was suited. Sam could make +himself pow'ful useful without havin' to work.” + +Nevertheless, the lantern bearer gave his brother the tenderest care, +and watched him until he and the men on either side of him were lost in +the darkness as they walked toward the Southern camp. + +“I jest had to come an' find old Sam, dead or alive,” he said. “Now, +which way, Yank, do you think this friend of yours is layin'?” + +“But you're comin' with us,” repeated Jim. + +“No, I'm not. Didn't Yank here help us find Sam? An' are we to let the +Yanks give us lessons in manners? I reckon not. 'Sides, he's only a boy, +an' I'm goin' to see him through.” + +“I thank you,” said Dick, much moved. + +“Don't thank me too much, 'cause while I'm walkin' 'roun' with you +friendly like to-night I may shoot you to-morrow.” + +“I thank you, all the same,” said Dick, his gratitude in nowise +diminished. + +“Them that will stir no more are layin' mighty thick 'roun' here, but +we ought to find your friend pretty soon. By gum, how it rains! W'all, +it'll wash away some big stains, that wouldn't look nice in the mornin'. +Say, sonny, what started this rumpus, anyway?” + +“I don't know.” + +“An' I don't, either, so I guess it's hoss an' hoss with you an' me. +But, sonny, I'll bet you a cracker ag'in a barrel of beef that none of +them that did start the rumpus are a-layin' on this field to-night. What +kind of lookin' feller did you say your young friend was?” + +“Very tall, very thin, and about my age or perhaps a year or two older.” + +“Take a good look, an' see if this ain't him.” + +He held up the lantern and the beams fell upon a long figure half +raised upon an elbow. The figure was turned toward the light and stared +unknowing at Dick and the Southerner. There was a great clot of blood +upon his right breast and shoulder, but it was Warner. Dick swallowed +hard. + +“Yes,” he said, “it's my comrade, but he's hurt badly.” + +“So bad that he don't know you or anybody else. He's clean out of his +head.” + +They leaned over him, and Dick called: + +“George! George! It's Dick Mason, your comrade, come to help you back to +camp!” + +But Warner merely stared with feverish, unseeing eyes. + +“He's out of his head, as I told you, an' he's like to be for many +hours,” said the lantern bearer. “It's a shore thing that I won't shoot +him to-morrow, nor he won't shoot me.” + +He leaned over Warner and carefully examined the wound. + +“He's lucky, after all,” he said, “the bullet went in just under the +right shoulder, but it curved, as bullets have a way of doin' sometimes, +an' has come out on the side. There ain't no lead in him now, which is +good. He was pow'ful lucky, too, in not bein' hit in the head, 'cause he +ain't got no such skull as Sam has, not within a mile of it. His skull +wouldn't have turned no bullet. He has lost a power of blood, but if you +kin get him back to camp, an' use the med'cines which you Yanks have in +such lots an' which we haven't, he may get well.” + +“That's good advice,” said Dick. “Help me up with him.” + +“Take him on your back. That's the best way to carry a sick man.” + +He set down his lantern, took up Warner bodily and put him on Dick's +back. + +“I guess you can carry him all right,” he said. “I'd light you with the +lantern a piece of the way, but I've been out here long enough. Marse +Bob an' old Stonewall will get tired waitin' fur me to tell 'em how to +end this war in a month.” + +Dick, holding Warner in place with one hand, held out the other, and +said: + +“You're a white man, through and through, Johnny Reb. Shake!” + +“So are you, Yank. There's nothin' wrong with you 'cept that you +happened to get on the wrong side, an' I don't hold that ag'in you. I +guess it was an innercent mistake.” + +“Good-bye.” + +“Good-bye. Keep straight ahead an' you'll strike that camp of yourn that +we're goin' to take in the mornin'. Gosh, how it rains!” + +Dick retained his idea of direction, and he walked straight through the +darkness toward the Northern camp. George was a heavy load, but he did +not struggle. His head sank down against his comrade's and Dick felt +that it was burning with fever. + +“Good old George,” he murmured to himself rather than to his comrade, +“I'll save you.” + +Excitement and resolve had given him a strength twice the normal, a +strength that would last the fifteen or twenty minutes needed until this +task was finished. Despite the darkness and the driving rain, he could +now see the lights in his own camp, and bending forward a little to +support the dead weight on his back, he walked in a straight course +toward them. + +“Halt! Who are you?” + +The form of a sentinel, rifle raised, rose up before him in the darkness +and the rain. + +“Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment, bringing in +Lieutenant George Warner of the same regiment, who is badly wounded.” + +The sentinel lowered his rifle and looked at them sympathetically. + +“Hangs like he's dead, but he ain't,” he said. “You'll find a sort of +hospital over thar in the big tents among them trees.” + +Dick found the improvised hospital, and put George down on a rude cot, +within the shelter of one of the tents. + +“He's my friend,” he said to a young doctor, “and I wish you'd save +him.” + +“There are hundreds of others who have friends also, but I'll do my +best. Shot just under the right shoulder, but the bullet, luckily, has +turned and gone out. It's loss of blood that hurt him most. You soldiers +kill more men than we doctors can save. I'm bound to say that. But your +friend won't die. I'll see to it.” + +“Thank you,” said Dick. He saw that the doctor was kind-hearted, and a +marvel of endurance and industry. He could not ask for more at such a +time, and he went out of the tent, leaving George to his care. + +It was still raining, but the soldiers managed to keep many fires +going, despite it, and Dick passed between them as he sought Colonel +Winchester, and the fragments of his regiment. He found the colonel +wrapped in a greatcoat, leaning against a tree under a few feet of +canvas supported on sticks. Pennington, sound asleep, sat on a root of +the same tree, also under the canvas, but with the rain beating on his +left arm and shoulder. + +Colonel Winchester looked inquiringly at Dick, but said nothing. + +“I've been away without leave, sir,” said Dick, “but I think I have +sufficient excuse.” + +“What is it?” + +“I've brought in Warner.” + +“Ah! Is he dead?” + +“No, sir. He's had a bullet through him and he's feverish and +unconscious, but the doctor says that with care he'll get well.” + +“Where did you find him?” + +“Over there by the edge of the wood, sir, within what is now the +Confederate lines.” + +“A credit to your courage and to your heart. Sit down here. There's a +little more shelter under the canvas, and go to sleep. You're too much +hardened now to be hurt seriously by wet clothes.” + +Dick sat down with his back against the tree, and, despite his soaked +condition, slept as soundly as Pennington. When he awoke in the morning +the hot sun was shining again, and his clothes soon dried on him. He +felt a little stiffness and awkwardness at first, but in a few minutes +it passed away. Then breakfast restored his strength, and he looked +curiously about him. + +Around him was the Northern army, and before him was the vast +battlefield, now occupied by the foe. He heard sounds of distant rifle +shots, indicating that the skirmishers were still restless, but it was +no more now than the buzzing of flies. Pennington, coming back from the +hospital, hailed him. + +“George has come to,” he said. “Great deed of yours last night, Dick. +Wish I'd done it myself. They let old George talk just a little, but +he's his real old Vermont self again. Says chances were ninety-nine and +a half per cent that he would die there on the battlefield, but that the +half per cent, which was yourself, won. Fancy being only half of one +per cent, and doing a thing like that. No, you can't see him. Only one +visitor was allowed, and that's me. His fever is leaving him, and he +swallowed a little soup. Now, he's going to sleep.” + +Dick felt very grateful. Pennington had been up some time, and as they +sat down in the sun he gave Dick the news. + +“It was a bad night,” he said. “After you staggered in with George, +the rebels, in spite of the rain, harassed us. I was waked up after +midnight, and the colonel began to believe that we would have to fight +again before morning, though the need didn't come, so far as we were +concerned. But we were terribly worried on the flanks. They say it was +Stuart and his cavalry who were bothering us.” + +“What's the outlook for to-day?” + +“I don't know. I hear that General Pope has sent a dispatch saying +that the enemy is badly whipped, and that we'll hold our own here. But +between you and me, Dick, I don't believe it. We've been driven out of +all our positions, so we can hardly call it a victory for our side.” + +“But we may hold on where we are and win a victory yet. McClellan +and the Army of the Potomac may come. Anyway, we can get big +reinforcements.” + +Pennington clasped his arms over his knees and sang: + + “The race is not to him that's got + The longest legs to run, + Nor the battle to those people + That shoot the biggest gun.” + +“Where did you get that song?” asked Dick. “I'll allow, under the +circumstances, that there seems to be some sense in it.” + +“A Texan that we captured last night sang it to us. He was a funny kind +of fellow. Didn't seem to be worried a bit because he was taken. Said +if his own people didn't retake him that he'd escape in a week, anyhow. +Likely enough he will, too. But he was good company, and he sang us that +song. Impudent, wasn't he?” + +“But true so far, at least in the east. I fancy from what you say, +Frank, that we'll be here a day longer anyhow. I hope so, I want to +rest.” + +“So do I. I won't fight to-day, unless I'm ordered to do it. But I'm +thinking with you, Dick, that we'll retreat. We were outmaneuvered by +Lee and Jackson. That circuit of Jackson's through Thoroughfare Gap and +the attack from the rear undid us. It comes of being kept in the dark by +the enemy, instead of your keeping him in the dark. We never knew where +the blow was going to fall, and when it fell a lot of us weren't there. +But, Dick, old boy, we're going to win, in the end, aren't we, in spite +of Lee, in spite of Jackson, and in spite of everybody and everything?” + +“As surely as the rising and setting of the sun, Frank.” + +Although Dick had little to do that day, events were occurring. It was +in the minds of Lee and Jackson that they might yet destroy the army +which they had already defeated, and heavy divisions of the Southern +army were moving. Dick heard about night that Jackson had marched ten +miles, through fields deep in mud, and meant to fall on Pope's flank or +rear again. Stuart and his unresting cavalry were also on their right +flank and in the rear, doing damage everywhere. Longstreet had sent +a brigade across Bull Run, and at many points the enemy was pressing +closer. + +The next morning, Pope, alarmed by all the sinister movements on his +flanks and in his rear, gathered up his army and retreated. It was full +time or the vise would have shut down on him again. Late that day the +division under Kearney came into contact with Jackson's flanking force +in the forest. A short but fierce battle ensued, fought in the night +and amid new torrents of driving rain. General Kearney was killed by a +skirmisher, but the night and the rain grew so dense, and they were +in such a tangle of thickets and forests that both sides drew off, and +Pope's army passed on. + +Dick was not in this battle, but he heard it's crash and roar above the +sweep of the storm. He and the balance of the regiment were helping to +guard the long train of the wounded. Now and then, he leaned from his +horse and looked at Warner who lay in one of the covered wagons. + +“I'm getting along all right, Dick, old man,” said Warner. “What's all +that firing off toward the woods?” + +“A battle, but it won't stop us. We retreated in time.” + +“And we've been defeated. Well, we can stand it. It takes a good nation +to stand big defeats. You know I taught school once, Dick, and I learned +that the biggest nation the world has ever known was the one that +suffered the biggest defeats. Look at the terrible knocks the Romans +got! Why the Gauls nearly ate 'em alive two or three times, and for +years Hannibal whipped 'em every time he could get at 'em. But they +ended by whipping everybody who had whipped them. They whipped the whole +world, and they kept it whipped until they played out from old age.” + +Dick laughed cheerily. + +“Now, you shut up, George,” he said. “You've talked too much. What's +the use of going back as far as the old Romans for comfort. We can win +without having to copy a lot of old timers.” + +He dropped the flap of canvas and rode on listening to the sounds of the +combat. A powerful figure stepped out of the bushes and stood beside +his horse. It was Sergeant Whitley, who had passed through the battle +without a scratch. + +“What has happened, Sergeant?” asked Dick, as he sat in the rain and +listened to the dying fire. + +“There has been a fight, and both are quitting because they can't see +enough to carry it on any longer. But General Kearney has been killed.” + +The retreat continued until they reached the Potomac and were in the +great fortifications before Washington. Then Pope resigned, and the star +of McClellan rose again. The command of the armies about Washington +was entrusted to him, and the North gathered itself anew for the mighty +struggle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + + +When the Union army, defeated at the Second Manassas fell back on +Washington, Dick was detached for a few days from the regiment by +Colonel Winchester, partly that he might have a day or two of leave, and +partly that he might watch over Warner, who was making good progress. + +Warner was in a wagon that contained half a dozen other wounded men, or +rather boys, and they were all silent like stoics as they passed over +the bridge to a hospital in Washington. His side and shoulder pained +him, and he had recurrent periods of fever, but he was making fine +progress. + +Dick found his comrade on a small cot among dozens of others in a great +room. But George's cot was near a window and the pleasant sunshine +poured in. It was now the opening of September, and the hot days were +passing. There was a new sparkle and crispness in the air, and Warner, +wounded as he was, felt it. + +“We're back in the capital to enjoy ourselves a while,” he said +lightly to Dick, “and I'm glad to see that the weather will be fine for +sight-seeing.” + +“Yes, here we are,” said Dick. “The Johnnies beat us this time. They +didn't outfight us, but they had the best generals. As soon as you're +well, George, we'll start out again and lick 'em.” + +“I'm glad you told 'em to wait for me, Dick. That's what you ought to +do. I hear that McClellan is at the head of things again.” + +“Yes, the Army of the Potomac is to the front once more, and it's +taken over the Army of Virginia. We hear that Pope is going out to the +northwest to fight Indians.” + +“McClellan is not likely to be trapped as Pope was, but he's so +tremendously cautious that he'll never trap anything himself. Now, which +kind of a general would you choose, Dick?” + +“As between those two I'll take McClellan. The soldiers at least like +him and believe in him. And George, our man in the east hasn't come yet. +The generals we've had don't hammer. They don't concentrate, rush right +in and rain blows on the enemy.” + +“Do you think you know the right man, Dick?” + +“I'm making a guess. It's Grant. We saw him at Donelson and Shiloh. +Surprised at both places, he won anyhow. He wouldn't be beat. That's the +kind of man we want here in the east.” + +“You may be right, Dick, but the politicians in this part of the country +all run him down. Halleck has been transferred to Washington as a sort +of general commander and adviser to the President, and they say he +doesn't like Grant.” + +Further talk was cut short by a young army surgeon, and Dick left +George, saying that he would come back the next day. The streets of +Washington were full of sunshine, but not of hope and cheerfulness. +The most terrible suspense reigned there. Never before or since was +Washington in such alarm. A hostile and victorious army was within a +day's march. Pope almost to the last had talked of victory. Then came a +telegram, asking if the capital could be defended in case his army was +destroyed. Next came the army preceded by thousands of stragglers and +heralds of disaster. + +The people were dropped from the golden clouds of hope to the hard earth +of despair. They strained their eyes toward Manassas, where the flag of +the Union had twice gone down in disaster. It was said, and there +was ample cause for the saying of it, that Lee and Jackson with their +victorious veterans would appear any moment before the capital. +There were rumors that the government was packing up in order to flee +northward to Philadelphia or even New York. + +But Dick believed none of these rumors. In fact, he was not greatly +alarmed by any of them. He was sure that McClellan, although without +genius, would restore the stamina of the troops, if indeed it were ever +lost, which he doubted very much. He had seen how splendidly they fought +at the Second Manassas, and he knew that there was no panic among them. +Moreover, the North was an inexhaustible storehouse of men and material, +and whenever one soldier fell two grew in his place. + +So he strode through the crowded streets, calm of face and manner, and +took his way once more to the hotel, where he had sat and listened to +the talk before the Second Manassas. The lobby was packed with men, and +there was but one topic, the military situation. Would Lee and Jackson +advance, hot upon the heels of their victory? Would Washington fall? +Would McClellan be able to save them? Why weren't the generals of the +North as good as those of the South? + +Dick listened to the talk which was for all who might choose to hear. He +did not assume any superior frame of mind, merely because he had fought +in many battles and these men had fought in none. He retained the +natural modesty of youth, and knowing that one who looked on might +sometimes be a better judge of what was happening than the one who took +part, he weighed carefully what they said. + +He was in a comfortable chair by the wall, and while he sat there a +heavy man of middle age, whom he remembered well, approached and stood +before him, regarding him with a keen and measuring eye. + +“Good morning, Mr. Watson,” said Dick politely. + +“Ah, it is you, Lieutenant Mason!” said the contractor. “I thought so, +but I was not sure, as you are thinner than you were when I last saw +you. I'll just take this seat beside you.” + +A man in the next chair had moved and the contractor dropped into it. +Then he crossed his legs, and smoothed the upper knee with a strong, fat +hand. + +“You've had quite a trip since I last saw you, Mr. Mason,” he said. + +“We didn't go so terribly far.” + +“It's not length that makes a trip. It's what you see and what happens.” + +“I saw a lot, and a hundred times more than what I saw happened.” + +The contractor took two fine cigars from his vest pocket and handed one +to Dick. + +“No, thank you,” said the boy, “I've never learned to smoke.” + +“I suppose that's because you come from Kentucky, where they raise so +much tobacco. When you see a thing so thick around you, you don't care +for it. Well, we'll talk while I light mine and puff it. And so, young +man, you ran against Lee and Jackson!” + +“We did, or they ran against us, which comes to the same thing.” + +“And got well thrashed. There's no denying it.” + +“I'm not trying to do so.” + +“That's right. I thought from the first that you were a young man of +sense. I'm glad to see that you didn't get yourself killed.” + +“A great many good men did.” + +“That's so, and a great many more will go the same way. You just listen +to me. I don't wear any uniform, but I've got eyes to see and ears to +hear. I suppose that more monumental foolishness has been hidden under +cocked hats and gold lace than under anything else, since the world +began. Easy now, I don't say that fools are not more numerous outside +armies than in them--there are more people outside--but the mistakes of +generals are more costly.” + +“I suppose our generals are doing the best they can. You will let me +speak plainly, will you, Mr. Watson?” + +“Of course, young man. Go ahead.” + +“Perhaps you feel badly over a disaster of your own. I saw the smoking +fires at Bristoe Station. The rebels burned there several million +dollars worth of stores belonging to us. Maybe a large part of them were +your own goods.” + +The contractor rubbed his huge knee with one hand, took his cigar out +of his mouth with the other hand, blew several rings of fine blue smoke +from his nose, and watched them break against the ceiling. + +“Young man,” he said, “you're a good guesser, but you don't guess all. +More than a million dollars worth of material that I supplied was +burned or looted at Bristoe Station. But it had all been paid for by a +perfectly solvent Union government. So, if I were to consider it from +the purely material standpoint, which you imagine to be the only one I +have, I should rejoice over the raids of the rebels because they make +trade for contractors. I'm a patriot, even if I do not fight at the +front. Besides my feelings have been hurt.” + +“In what way?” + +The contractor drew from his pocket a coarse brown envelope, and he took +from the envelope a letter, written on paper equally coarse and brown. + +“I received this letter last night,” he said. “It was addressed simply +'John Watson, Washington, D. C.,' and the post office people gave it to +me at once. It came from somebody within the Confederate lines. You know +how the Northern and Southern pickets exchange tobacco, newspapers and +such things, when they're not fighting. I suppose the letter was passed +on to me in that way. Listen.” + + + +“John Watson, Washington, D. C. + +“My dear sir: I have never met you, but certain circumstances have made +me acquainted with your name. Believing therefore that you are a man +of judgment and fairness I feel justified in making to you a complaint +which I am sure you will agree with me is well-founded. At a little +place called Bristoe Station I recently obtained a fine, blue uniform, +the tint of which wind and rain will soon turn to our own excellent +Confederate gray. I found your own name as maker stamped upon the neck +band of both coat and vest. + +“I ought to say however that after I had worn the coat only twice the +seams ripped across both shoulders, I admit that the fit was a little +tight, but work well done would not yield so quickly. I also picked +out a pair of beautiful shoes, bearing your name stamped upon them. The +leather cracked after the first day's use, and good leather will never +crack so soon. + +“Now, my dear Mr. Watson, I feel that you have treated me unfairly. I +will not use any harsher word. We do not expect you to supply us with +goods of this quality, and we certainly look for something better from +you next time. + + “Your obedient servant, + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, + Lieutenant 'The Invincibles,' + C. S. A.” + + +“Now, did you ever hear of another piece of impudence like that?” said +Watson. “It has its humorous side, I admit, and you're justified in +laughing, but it's impudence all the same.” + +“Yes, it is impudence, and do you know, Mr. Watson, I've met the writer +of that letter. He is a South Carolinian, and from his standpoint he +has a real grievance. I never knew anybody else as particular about his +clothes, and it seems that the uniform and shoes you furnished him are +not all right. He's a gentleman and he wouldn't lie. I met him at +Cedar Run, when the burying parties were going over the field. He was +introduced to me by my cousin, Harry Kenton, who is on the other side. +Harry wouldn't associate with any fellow who isn't all right.” + +“All the same, if I ever catch that young jackanapes of a St. +Clair--it's an easy name to remember--I'll strip my uniform off him and +turn him loose for his own comrades to laugh at.” + +“But we won't catch either him or his comrades for a long time.” + +“That's so, but in the end we'll catch 'em. Now, Mr. Mason, you don't +agree with me about many things, but you're only a boy and you'll know +better later on. Anyway, I like you, and if you need help at any time +and can reach me, come.” + +“I'll do so, and I thank you now,” said Dick, who saw that the +contractor's tone was sincere. + +“That's right, good-bye. I see a senator whom I need.” + +They shook hands and Watson hurried away with great lightness and +agility for so large a man. + +Dick stayed two days longer in Washington, visiting Warner twice a day +and seeing with gladness his rapid improvement. When he was with him the +last time, and told him he was going to join the Army of the Potomac, +Warner said: + +“Dick, old man, I haven't spoken before of the way you brought me in +from that last battlefield. Pennington has told me about it--but if I +didn't it was not because I wasn't grateful. Up in Vermont we're not +much on words--our training I suppose, though I don't say it is the best +training. It's quite sure that I'd have died if you hadn't found me.” + +“Why, George, I looked for you as a matter of course. You'd have done +exactly the same for me.” + +“That's just it, but I didn't get the chance. Now, Dick, there's going +to be another big battle before long, and I shall be up in time for +it. You'll be there, too. Couldn't you get yourself shot late in the +afternoon, lie on the ground, feverish and delirious until far in the +night, when I'd come for you. Then I could pay you back.” + +Dick laughed. He knew that at the bottom of Warner's jest lay a resolve +to match the score, whenever the chance should come. + +“Good-bye, George,” he said. “I'll look for you in two weeks.” + +“Make it only ten days. McClellan will need me by that time.” + +But it seemed to Dick that McClellan would need him and every other man +at once. Lee was marching. Passing by the capital he had advanced +into Maryland, a Southern state, but one that had never seceded. The +Southerners expected to find many reinforcements here among their +kindred. The regiments in gray, flushed with victory, advanced singing: + + + “The despot's heel is on thy shore, + Maryland! + His torch is at thy temple door, + Maryland! + Avenge the patriotic gore + That flecked the streets of Baltimore + And be the battle queen of yore, + Maryland, my Maryland!” + + +Dick knew that the South expected much of Maryland. Her people were +Southerners. Their valor in the Revolution was unsurpassed. People still +talked of the Maryland line and its great deeds. Many of the Marylanders +had already come to Lee and Jackson, and now that the Southern army, led +by its famous leaders and crowned with victories, was on their soil, it +was expected that they would pour forward in thousands, relieved from +the fear of Northern armies. + +Alarm, deep and intense, spread all through the North. McClellan, as +usual, doubled Lee's numbers but he organized with all speed to meet +him. Dick heard that Lee was already at Frederick, giving his troops +a few days' repose before meeting any enemy who might come. The utmost +confidence reigned in the South. + +McClellan marched, but he advanced slowly. The old mystery and +uncertainty about the Southern army returned. It suddenly disappeared +from Frederick, and McClellan became extremely cautious. He had nearly +a hundred thousand men, veterans now, but he believed that Lee had two +hundred thousand. + +Colonel Winchester again complained bitterly to Dick, who was a comrade +as well as an aide. + +“What we need,” he said, “is a general who doesn't see double, and we +haven't got him yet. We must spend less time counting the rebels and +more hammering them.” + +“A civilian in Washington told me that,” said Dick. “I believed then +that he was right, and I believe it yet. If General Grant were here he'd +attack instead of waiting to be attacked.” + +But the Army of the Potomac continued to march forward in a slow and +hesitating fashion. Dick, despite his impatience, appreciated the +position of General McClellan. No one in the Union army or in the +North knew the plans of Lee and Jackson. Lee had not even consulted the +President of the Confederacy but had merely notified him that he was +going into Maryland. + +Now Lee and Jackson had melted away again in the mist that so often +overhung their movements. McClellan could not be absolutely sure they +intended an important invasion of Maryland. They might be planning to +fall upon the capital from another direction. The Union commander must +protect Washington and at the same time look for his enemy. + +The army marched near the Potomac, and Dick, as he rode with his +regiment, saw McClellan several times. It had not been many months since +he took his great army by sea for what seemed to be the certain capture +of Richmond, but McClellan, although a very young man for so high a +position, had already changed much. His face was thinner, and it seemed +to Dick that he had lost something of his confident look. The awful +Seven Days and his bitter disappointment had left their imprint. +Nevertheless he was trim, neat and upright, and always wore a splendid +uniform. An unfailing favorite with the soldiers, they cheered him as he +passed, and he would raise his hat, a flush of pride showing through the +tan of his cheeks. + +“If a general, after being defeated, can still retain the confidence +of his army he must have great qualities of some kind,” said Dick to +Colonel Winchester. + +“That's true, Dick. McClellan lost at the Seven Days, and he has just +taken over an army that was trapped and beaten under Pope, but behold +the spirits of the men, although the Second Manassas is only a few days +away. McClellan looks after the private soldier, and if he could only +look after an army in the way that he organizes it this war would soon +be over.” + +Dick noticed that the colonel put emphasis on the “if” and his heart +sank a little. But it soon rose again. The Army of the Potomac was now +a veteran body. It had been tested in the fire of defeat, and it had +emerged stronger and braver than ever. + +But Dick did not like the mystery about Lee and Jackson. They had an +extraordinary ability to drop out of sight, to draw a veil before them +so completely that no Union scout or skirmisher could penetrate it. And +these disappearances were always full of sinister omens, portending a +terrible attack from an unknown quarter. But when Dick looked upon the +great and brave Army of the Potomac, nearly a hundred thousand strong, +his apprehensions disappeared. The Army of the Potomac could not be +beaten, and since Lee and Jackson were venturing so far from their base, +they might be destroyed. He confided his faith to Pennington who rode +beside him. + +“I tell you, Frank, old man,” he said, “the Southern army may never get +back into Virginia.” + +“Not if we light a prairie fire behind it and set another in front. Then +we'll have 'em trapped same as they trapped us at Manassas. Wouldn't +it be funny if we'd turn their own trick on 'em, and end the war right +away?” + +“It would be more than funny. It would be grand, superb, splendid, +magnificent. But I wish old George was here. Why did he want to get in +the way of that bullet? I hate to think of ending the war without him.” + +“Maybe he'll get up in time yet, Dick. I saw him a few hours before +we started. The doctors said that youth, clean blood and clean living +counted for a lot--I guess George would put it at ninety per cent, and +that his wound, the bullet having gone through, would heal at a record +rate.” + +“Then we'll see him soon. When he's strong enough to ride a horse, +nothing can hold him back.” + +“That's so. I see houses ahead. What place is it, Dick?” + +“It must be Frederick. We had reports that the Johnnies were about here, +but they must have vanished, since no bullets meet us. The colonel is +looking through his glasses, and, as he does not check his horse, it is +evident that the enemy is not there.” + +“But maybe he has been there, and if he has we'll just take his place. +I like the looks of these Maryland towns, Frank, and they're not so +hostile to us.” + +Colonel Winchester's skeleton regiment, now not amounting to more than +three hundred men, was in the vanguard and it rode forward rapidly. The +people received them without either enthusiasm or marked hostility. Yet +the Union vanguard obtained news. Lee had been there with his army, but +he had gone away! Where! They could not say. The Southern officers +had been silent and the soldiers had not known. None of the people of +Frederick had been allowed to follow. A cloud of cavalry covered the +Southern movements. + +“Not so definite after all,” said Dick. “We know that the Southern army +has been here, but we don't know where it has gone.” + +“At any rate,” said Pennington, “we're on the trail, and we're bound +to find it sooner or later. I learned from the hunters in Nebraska that +when you strike the trail of a buffalo herd, all you had to do was to +keep on and you'd strike the herd itself.” + +It was not yet noon and McClellan's army began to go into camp at +Frederick. Dick and Pennington got a chance to stroll about a little, +and they picked up much gossip. Young women, with strong Southern +proclivities, looked with frowning eyes upon their blue uniforms, but +the frank and pleasant smiles of the two lads disarmed them. Older women +of the same proclivities did not melt so easily, but continued to regard +them with a hard and burning gaze. + +But there were men strongly for the Union, and the two friendly lads +picked up many details from them. They showed them a grove in which Lee, +Jackson, Longstreet and D. H. Hill had all been camped at once. People +had gone there daily for a glimpse of these famous men. + +They also showed the boys the very spot where Stonewall Jackson had +come near to making an ignominious end of his great career. His faithful +horse, Little Sorrel, had been worn out by incessant marchings and must +rest for a while. The people gave him a splendid horse, but one that had +not been broken well. The first time he mounted it a band happened +to begin playing, the horse sprang wildly, the saddle girth broke and +Jackson was thrown heavily to the ground. + +“You'd better believe there was excitement then,” said the narrator, +a clerk in one of the stores. “Everybody ran forward to pick up the +general. He had been thrown so hard that he was stunned and had big +bruises. That horse did him more damage than all the armies of the +North have done. I can tell you there was alarm for a while among the +Johnnies, but they say he was all over it before he left.” + +They wandered back toward their own command and the obliging guide +pointed out to them a house which the Confederate generals had made +their headquarters. They saw Colonel Winchester entering it, and +thanking the clerk, followed him. + +Union officers were already in the house looking with curiosity at the +chairs and tables that Jackson and Lee and Longstreet had occupied. Dick +caught sight of a small package lying on one of the tables, but another +man picked it up first. As he did so he looked at Dick and said in +triumph: + +“Three good cigars that the rebels have left behind. Have one, Mason?” + +“Thanks, but I don't smoke.” + +“All right, I'll find someone else who does.” + +He pulled off a piece of paper wrapped around them, threw it on the +floor and put the cigars in his pocket. Dick was about to turn away when +he happened to glance at the wrapping lying on the floor. + +His eyes were caught by the words written in large letters: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTH-- + +Something seemed to shoot through his brain. It was like a flash of +warning or command and he obeyed at once. He picked up the paper and +smoothed it out in his hand. The full line read like the headline in a +newspaper: + + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. + +Then with eyes bulging in his head he read: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. +Special Orders, No. 191. + +The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road. +General Jackson's command will form the advance, and after passing +Middletown with such portions as he may select, take their route toward +Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point and by Friday +morning take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, capture such +of them as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to +escape from Harper's Ferry. + +General Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as +Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve supply and baggage +train of the army. + +General McLaws with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson +will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown will take the +route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the +Maryland Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and +vicinity. + + +Dick stopped a moment and gasped. + +“Come on,” called the man with the cigars, “there is nothing more to be +seen here.” + +“Wait a moment,” said Dick. + +Perhaps it was his duty to rush at once with it to a superior officer, +but the spell was too strong. He read on: + + +General Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object on +which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford, ascend +its right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Sundown Heights, if +practicable, by Friday morning, Key's Grove on his left, and the road +between the end of the mountains and the Potomac on his right. He +will, as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General +Jackson, and intercept the retreat of the enemy. + +General D. H. Hill's division will form the rear-guard of the army, +pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, +ordinance and supply trains, etc., will precede General Hill. + + +Dick gasped and he heard someone calling again to him to come, but he +read on: + + +General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the +commands of Generals Longstreet, Jackson and McLaws, and with the main +body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army, bringing up all +the stragglers that may have been left behind. + +The commands of General Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after accomplishing +the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body +of the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. + +Each regiment on the march will habitually carry its axes in the +regimental ordnance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments, to +procure wood, etc. R. H. CHILTON, + Assistant Adjutant General. + + +Dick clutched the paper in his hands and for the moment his throat +seemed to contract so tightly that he could not breathe. Then he felt a +burst of wild joy. + +One of the most extraordinary incidents in the whole history of war had +occurred. He knew in an instant that this was Lee's general orders +to his army, and that at such a time nothing could be more important. +Evidently copies of it had been sent to all his division commanders, and +this one by some singular chance either had not reached its destination, +or had been tossed carelessly aside after reading. Found by those who +needed it most wrapped around three cigars! It was a miracle! Nothing +short of it! How could the Union army be defeated after such an omen? + +It was the copy intended for the Southern general, D. H. Hill--he denied +that he ever received it--but it did not matter to Dick then for whom it +was intended. He saw at once all the possibilities. Lee and Jackson had +divided their army again. Emboldened by the splendid success of their +daring maneuver at Manassas they were going to repeat it. + +He looked again at the date on the order. September 9th! And this was +the 13th! Jackson was to march on the 10th. He had been gone three days +with the half, perhaps, of Lee's army, and Lee himself must be somewhere +near at hand. The Union scouts could quickly find him and the ninety +thousand veterans of the Army of the Potomac could crush him to powder +in a day. What a chance! No, it was not a chance. It was a miracle. The +key had been put in McClellan's hand and it would take but one turn of +his wrist to unlock the door upon dazzling success. + +Dick saw the war finished in a month. Lee could not have more than +twenty or twenty-five thousand men with him, and Jackson was three or +four days' march away. He clutched the order in his hand and ran toward +Colonel Winchester. + +“Here, take it, sir! Take it!” he exclaimed. + +“Take what?” + +“Look! Look! See what it is!” + +Colonel Winchester took one glance at it, and then he, too, became +excited. He hurried with it to General McClellan, and that day the +commander-in-chief telegraphed to the anxious President at Washington: + +“I have all the plans of the rebels, and will catch them in my own trap, +if my men are equal to the emergency.” + +The shrewd Lincoln took notice of the qualifying clause, “if my men are +equal to the emergency,” and sighed a little. Already this general, +so bold in design and so great in preparation was making excuses for +possible failure in action--if he failed his men and not he would be to +blame. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + +Dick carried the news to Pennington who danced with delight. + +“We've got 'em! we've got 'em!” he cried over and over again. + +“So we have,” said Dick, “we'll be marching in a half hour and then the +trap will shut down so tight on Robert Lee that he'll never raise the +lid again.” + +It was nearly noon, and they expected every moment the order to start, +but it did not come. Dick began to be tormented by an astonished +impatience, and he saw that Colonel Winchester suffered in the same way. +The army showed no signs of moving. Was it possible that McClellan would +not advance at once on Lee, whom the scouts had now located definitely? +The hot afternoon hours grew long as they passed one by one, and many a +brave man ate his heart out with anger at the delay. Dick saw Sergeant +Whitley walking up and down, and he was eager to hear his opinion. + +“What is it, sergeant?” he asked. “Why do we sit here, twiddling our +thumbs when there is an army waiting to be taken by us?” + +“You're a commissioned officer, sir, and I'm only a private.” + +“Never mind about that. You're a veteran of many years and many fights, +and I know but little. Why do we sit still in the dust and fail to take +the great prize that's offered to us?” + +“The men of an army, sir, do the fighting, but its generals are its +brains. It is for the brains to judge, to see and to command. The +generals cannot win without the men, and the men cannot win without the +generals. Now, in this case, sir, you can see--” + +He stopped and shrugged his shoulders, as if it were not for him to say +any more. + +“I see,” said Dick bitterly. “You needn't say it, sergeant, but I'll say +it for you. General McClellan has been overcome by caution again, and he +sees two Johnnies where but one stands.” + +Sergeant Whitley shrugged his shoulders again, but said nothing. Dick +was about to turn away, when he saw a tall, thin figure approaching. + +“Mr. Warner,” said Sergeant Whitley. + +“So it is,” exclaimed Dick. “It's really good old George come to help +us!” + +He rushed forward and shook hands with Warner who although thin and pale +was as cool and apparently almost as strong as ever. + +“Here I am, Dick,” he said, “and the great battle hasn't been fought. +I knew they couldn't fight it without me. The hospital at Washington +dismissed me in disgrace because I got well so fast. 'What's the use,' +said one of the doctors, 'in getting up and running away to the army to +get killed? You could die much more comfortably here in bed.' 'Not at +all,' I replied. 'I don't get killed when I'm with the army. I merely +get nearly killed. Then I lie unconscious on the field, in the rain, +until some good friend comes along, takes me away on his back and puts +me in a warm bed. It's a lot safer than staying in your hospital all the +time.'” + +“Oh, shut up, George! Come and see the boys. They'll be glad to know +you're back--what's left of 'em.” + +Warner's welcome was in truth warm. He seemed more phlegmatic than ever, +but he opened his eyes wide when they told him of the dispatch that had +been lost and found. + +“General McClellan must have been waiting for me,” he said. “Tell him +I've come.” + +But General McClellan did not yet move. The last long hour of the day +passed. The sun set in red and gold behind the western mountains, and +the Army of the Potomac still rested in its camp, although privates even +knew that precious hours were being lost, and that booming cannon might +already be telling the defenders of Harper's Ferry that Jackson was at +hand. + +Nor were they far wrong. While McClellan lingered on through the night, +never moving from his camp, Jackson and his generals were pushing +forward with fiery energy and at dawn the next day had surrounded +Harper's Ferry and its doomed garrison of more than twelve thousand men. + +But these were things that Dick could not guess that night. One small +detachment had been sent ahead by McClellan, chiefly for scouting +purposes, and in the darkness the boy who had gone a little distance +forward with Colonel Winchester heard the booming of cannon. It was a +faint sound but unmistakable, and Dick glanced at his chief. + +“That detachment has come into contact with the rebels somewhere there +in the mountains,” he said, “and the ridges and valleys are bringing us +the echoes. Oh, why in Heaven's name are we delayed here through all the +precious moments! Every hour's delay will cost the lives of ten thousand +good men!” + +And it is likely that in the end Colonel Winchester's reckoning was +too moderate. He and Dick gazed long in the direction in which Harper's +Ferry lay, and they listened, too, to the faint mutter of the guns among +the hills. Before dawn, scouts came in, saying that there had been hard +fighting off toward Harper's Ferry, and that Lee with the other division +of the Southern army was retreating into a peninsula formed by the +junction of the river Antietam with the Potomac, where he would await +the coming of Jackson, after taking Harper's Ferry. + +“Jackson hasn't taken Harper's Ferry yet,” said Dick, when he heard the +news. “Many of Banks' veterans of the valley are there, and, our men +instead of being crushed by defeat, are always improved by it.” + +“Still, I wish we'd march,” said Warner. “I didn't come here merely to +go into camp. I might as well have stayed in the hospital.” + +Nevertheless they moved at daylight. McClellan had made up his mind +at last, and the army advanced joyfully to shut down the trap on Lee. +Dick's spirits rose with the sun and the advance of the troops. They had +delayed, but they would get Lee yet. There was nothing to tell them that +Harper's Ferry had fallen, and Jackson's force must still be detained +there far away. They ought to strike Lee on the morrow and destroy +him, and then they would destroy Jackson. Oh, Lee and Jackson had been +reckless generals to venture beyond the seceding states! + +They marched fast now, and the fiery Hooker soon to be called Fighting +Joe led the advance. He was eager to get at Lee, who some said did not +now have more than twenty thousand men with him, although McClellan +insisted on doubling or tripling his numbers and those of Jackson. +Scouts and skirmishers came in fast now. Yes, Lee was between the +Antietam and the Potomac and they ought to strike him on the morrow. The +spirits of the Army of the Potomac continually rose. + +Dick remained in a joyous mood. He had been greatly uplifted by +the return of his comrade, Warner, for whom he had formed a strong +attachment, and he could not keep down the thought that they would now +be able to trap Lee and end the war. The terrible field of the Second +Manassas was behind him and forgotten for the time. They rode now to a +new battle and to victory. + +Another great cloud of dust like that at Manassas rolled slowly on +toward the little river or creek of Antietam, but the heat was not so +great now. A pleasant breeze blew from the distant western mountains and +cooled the faces of the soldiers. The country through which they were +passing was old for America. They saw a carefully cultivated soil, good +roads and stone bridges. + +None of the lads and young men around Colonel Winchester rejoiced more +than Warner. Released from the hospital and with his tried comrades once +more he felt as if he were the dead come back. He was in time, too, for +the great battle which was to end the war. The cool wind that blew upon +his face tingled with life and made his pulses leap. Beneath the granite +of his nature and a phlegmatic exterior, he concealed a warm heart that +always beat steadfastly for his friends and his country. + +“Dick,” he said, “have they heard anything directly from Harper's +Ferry?” + +“Not a word, at least none that I've heard about, but it's quite sure +that Jackson hasn't taken the place yet. Why should he? We have there +twelve or thirteen thousand good men, most of whom have proven their +worth in the valley. Why, they ought to beat him off entirely.” + +“And while they're doing that we ought to be taking Mr. Lee and a lot of +well-known Confederate gentlemen. I've made a close calculation, Dick, +and I figure that the chances are at least eighty per cent in favor of +our taking or destroying Lee's army.” + +“I wish we had started sooner,” said Pennington. “We've lost a whole +day, one of the most precious days the world has ever known.” + +“You're right, Frank, and I've allowed that fact to figure importantly +in my reckoning. If it were not for the lost day I'd figure our chance +of making the finishing stroke at ninety-five per cent. But boys, it's +glorious to be back with you. Once, I thought when we were marching back +and forth so much that if I could only lie down and rest for a week or +two I'd be the happiest fellow on earth. But it became awful as I lay +there, day after day. I had suddenly left the world. All the great +events were going on without me. North or South might win, while I lay +stretched on a hospital bed. It was beyond endurance. If I hadn't got +well so fast that they could let me go, I'd have climbed out of the +window with what strength I had, and have made for the army anyhow. Did +you ever feel a finer wind than this? What a beautiful country! It must +be the most magnificent in the world!” + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Old George was growing gushy. But they +understood that he saw with the eyes of the released prisoner. + +“It is beautiful,” said Dick, “and it's a pity that it should be ripped +up by war. Listen, boys, there's the call that's growing mighty familiar +to us all!” + +Far in front behind the hills they heard the low grumbling of cannon. +And further away to the west they heard the same sinister mutter. The +Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No. 191 might +cause their total destruction, but they were on guard, nevertheless. +Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan, had sent back +Hill with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern army until +he himself should come with all his force. + +In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of +the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat +never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy. He would not +only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it. When +McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to Lee +than Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning +perception and unyielding courage win. + +The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a +distant thunder. Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest +rose, they saw smoke and flashes of fire. A young Maryland cavalry +officer, riding near, explained to them that the point from which the +cannonade came was a gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet +invisible, owing to the forest. + +“We heard that Lee's army was much further away,” said Warner to Dick. +“What can it mean? What force is there fighting our vanguard?” + +It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts. He had already +reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester. +His face was worn and drawn, and he was black under the eyes. His +clothes were covered with dust. His body was weary almost unto death, +but his eyes burned with the fire of an undying spirit. + +“I've been all the night and all this morning in the mountains and +hills,” he said. “Harper's Ferry is not yet taken, but I think it will +fall. But Hill, McLaws and Longstreet are all in this pass or the other +which leads through the mountain. They mean to hold us as long as they +can, and then hang on to the flank of our army.” + +He passed on and the little regiment advanced more rapidly. Dick saw +Colonel Winchester's eyes sparkling and he knew he was anxious to be in +the thick of it. Other and heavier forces were deploying upon the same +point, but Winchester's regiment led. + +As they approached a deadly fire swept the plain and the hills. Rifle +bullets crashed among them and shell and shrapnel came whining and +shrieking. Once more the Winchester regiment, as it had come to be +called, was smitten with a bitter and deadly hail. Men fell all around +Dick but the survivors pressed on, still leading the way for the heavy +brigades which they heard thundering behind them. + +The mouth of the pass poured forth fire and missiles like a volcano, but +Dick heard Colonel Winchester still shouting to his men to come on, and +he charged with the rest. The fire became so hot that the vanguard +could not live in it without shelter, and the colonel, shouting to the +officers to dismount, ordered them all to take cover behind trees and +rocks. + +Dick who had been carried a little ahead of the rest, sprang down, still +holding his horse, and made for a great rock which he saw on one side +just within the mouth of the pass. His frightened horse reared and +jerked so violently that he tore the bridle from the lad's hand and ran +away. + +Dick stood for a moment, scarcely knowing what to do, and then, as a +half dozen bullets whistled by his head, urging him to do something, he +finished his dash for the rock, throwing himself down behind it just as +a half a dozen more bullets striking on the stone told him that he had +done the right thing in the very nick of time. + +He carried with him a light rifle of a fine improved make, a number of +which had been captured at the Second Manassas, and which some of the +younger officers had been allowed to take. He did not drop it in his +rush for the rock, holding on to it mechanically. + +He lay for at least a minute or two flat upon the ground behind the +great stone, while the perspiration rolled from his face and his hair +prickled at the roots. He could never learn to be unconcerned when a +dozen or fifteen riflemen were shooting at him. + +When he raised his head a little he saw that the Winchester regiment had +fallen back, and that, in truth, the entire advance had stopped until it +could make an attack in full force upon the enemy. + +Dick recognized with a certain grim humor that he was isolated. He was +just a little Federal island in a Confederate sea. Up the gap he saw +cannon and masses of gray infantry. Gathered on a comparatively level +spot was a troop of cavalry. He saw all the signs of a desperate +defense, and, while he watched, the great guns of the South began to +fire again, their missiles flying far over his head toward the Northern +army. + +Dick was puzzled, but for the present he did not feel great alarm about +himself. He lay almost midway between the hostile forces, but it was +likely that they would take no notice of him. + +With a judgment born of a clear mind, he lay quite still, while the +hostile forces massed themselves for attack and defense. Each was +feeling out the other with cannon, but every missile passed well over +his head, and he did not take the trouble to bow to them as they sailed +on their errands. Yet he lay close behind that splendid and friendly +rock. + +He knew that the Southerners would have sharpshooters and skirmishers +ahead of their main force. They would lie behind stones, trees and brush +and at any moment one of them might pick him off. The Confederate force +seemed to incline to the side of the valley, opposite the slope on which +he lay, and he was hopeful that the fact would keep him hidden until the +masses of his own people could charge into the gap. + +It was painful work to flatten his body out behind a stone and lie +there. No trees or bushes grew near enough to give him shade, and the +afternoon sun began to send down upon him direct rays that burned. He +wondered how long it would be until the Union brigades came. It seemed +to him that they were doing a tremendous amount of waiting. Nothing was +to be gained by this long range cannon fire. They must charge home with +the bayonet. + +He raised himself a little in order that he might peep over the stone +and see if the charge were coming, and then with a little cry he dropped +back, a fine gray powder stinging his face. A rifle had been fired +across the valley and a bullet chipping the top of the rock sheltering +Dick warned him that he was not the only sharpshooter who lay in an +ambush. + +Peeping again from the side of the rock, he saw curls of blue smoke +rising from a point behind a stone just like his own on the other side +of the valley. It was enough to tell him that a Southern sharpshooter +lay there and had marked him for prey. + +Dick's anger rose. Why should anyone seek his life, trying to pick him +off as if he were a beast of prey? He had been keeping quiet, disturbing +nobody, merely seeking a chance to escape, when this ruthless rebel had +seen him. He became in his turn hot and fiercely ready to give bullet +for bullet. Smoke floating through the pass and the flash of the cannon, +made him more eager to hit the sharpshooter who was seeking so hard to +hit him. + +Watching intently he caught a glimpse of a gray cap showing above the +rock across the valley, and, raising his light rifle, he fired, quick as +a flash. The return shot came at once, and chipped the rock as before, +but he dropped back unhurt, and peeping from the side he could see +nothing. He might or might not have slain his enemy. The gray cap was no +longer visible, and he watched to see if it would reappear. + +He heard the sound of a great cannonade before the mouth of the pass, +and he saw his own people advancing in force, their lines extending far +to the left and right, with several batteries showing at intervals. Then +came the rebel yell from the pass and as the Union lines advanced the +Southerners poured upon them a vast concentrated fire. + +Dick, watching through the smoke and forgetful of his enemy across the +valley, saw the Union charge rolled back. But he also saw the men out +of range gathering themselves for a new attack. Within the pass +preparations were going on to repel it a second time. Then he glanced +toward the opposite rock and dropped down just in time. He had seen a +rifle barrel protruding above it, and a second later the bullet whistled +where his head had been. + +He grew angrier than ever. He had left that sharpshooter alone for at +least ten minutes, while he watched charge and repulse, and he expected +to be treated with the same consideration. He would pay him for such +ferocity, and seeing an edge of gray shoulder, he fired. + +No sign came from the rock, and Dick was quite sure that he had missed. +The blood mounted to his head and surcharged his brain. A thousand +little pulses that he had never heard of before began to beat in his +head, and he was devoured by a consuming anger. He vowed to get that +fellow yet. + +Lying flat upon his stomach he drew himself around the edge of the rock +and watched. There was a great deal of covering smoke from the artillery +in the pass now, and he believed that it would serve his purpose. + +But when he got a little distance away from the rock the bank of smoke +lifted suddenly, and it was only by quickly flattening himself +down behind a little ridge of stone that he saved his life. The +sharpshooter's bullet passed so close to his head that Dick felt as if +he had received a complete hair cut, all in a flash. + +He fairly sprang back to the cover of his rock. What a fine rock +that was! How big and thick! And it was so protective! In a spirit of +defiance he fired at the top of the other stone and saw the gray dust +shoot up from it. Quick came the answering shot, and a little piece of +his coat flew with it. That was certainly a great sharpshooter across +the valley! Dick gave him full credit for his skill. + +Then he heard the rolling of drums and the mellow call of trumpets in +front of the pass. Taking care to keep well under cover he looked back. +The Union army was advancing in great force now, its front tipped with a +long line of bayonets and the mouths of fifty cannon turned to the pass. +In front of them swarmed the skirmishers, eager, active fellows leaping +from rock to rock and from tree to tree. + +Dick foresaw that the second charge would not fail. Its numbers were so +great that it would at least enter the pass and hold the mouth of it. +Already a mighty cannonade was pouring a storm of death over the heads +of the skirmishers toward the defenders, and the brigades came on +steadily and splendidly to the continued rolling of the drums. + +Dick rose up again, watching now for his enemy who, he knew, could not +remain much longer behind the rock, as he would soon be within range of +the Northern skirmishers advancing on that side. + +He fancied that he could hear the massive tread of the thousands coming +toward the pass, and the roll of the drums, distinct amid the roar of +the cannon, told him that his comrades would soon be at hand, driving +everything before them. But his eyes were for that big rock on the other +side of the valley. Now was his time for revenge upon the sharpshooter +who had sought his life with such savage persistence. The Northern +skirmishers were drawing nearer and the fellow must flee or die. + +Suddenly the sharpshooter sprang from the rock, and up flew Dick's rifle +as he drew a bead straight upon his heart. Then he dropped the weapon +with a cry of horror. Across the valley and through the smoke he +recognized Harry Kenton, and Harry Kenton looking toward his enemy +recognized him also. + +Each threw up his hand in a gesture of friendliness and farewell--the +roar of the battle was so loud now that no voice could have been heard +at the distance--and then they disappeared in the smoke, each returning +to his own, each heart thrilling with a great joy, because its owner had +always missed the sharpshooter behind the stone. + +The impression of that vivid encounter in the pass was dimmed for a +while for Dick by the fierceness of the fighting that followed. The +defense had the advantage of the narrow pass and the rocky slopes, +and numbers could not be put to the most account. Nevertheless, the +Confederates were pressed back along the gap, and when night came the +Union army was in full possession of its summit. + +But at the other gap the North had not achieved equal success. +Longstreet, marching thirteen miles that day, had come upon the field in +time, and when darkness fell the Southern troops still held their ground +there. But later in the night Hill and Longstreet, through fear of being +cut off, abandoned their positions and marched to join Lee. + +Dick and his comrades who did not lie down until after midnight had +come, felt that a great success had been gained. McClellan had been slow +to march, but, now that he was marching, he was sweeping the enemy out +of his way. + +The whole Army of the Potomac felt that it was winning and McClellan +himself was exultant. Early the next morning he reported to his superior +at Washington that the enemy was fleeing in panic and that General Lee +admitted that he had been “shockingly whipped.” + +Full of confidence, the army advanced to destroy Lee, who lay between +the peninsula of the Antietam and the Potomac, but just about the +time McClellan was writing his dispatch, the white flag was hoisted at +Harper's Ferry, the whole garrison surrendered, and messengers were on +their way to Lee with the news that Stonewall Jackson was coming. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + + +Dick and his comrades had not heard of the taking of Harper's Ferry and +they were full of enthusiasm that brilliant morning in mid-September. +McClellan, if slow to move, nevertheless had shown vigor in action, +and the sanguine youths could not doubt that they had driven Lee into a +corner. The Confederates, after the fierce fighting of the day before, +had abandoned both gaps, and the way at last lay clear before the Army +of the Potomac. + +Dick was mounted again. In fact his horse, after pulling the reins from +his hands and fleeing from the Confederate fire, had been retaken by +a member of his own regiment and returned to him. It was another good +omen. The lost had been found again and defeat would become victory. + +But Dick said nothing to anybody of his duel with Harry Kenton. He +shuddered even now when he recalled it. And yet there had been no guilt +in either. Neither had known that the other lay behind the stone, +but happy chance had made all their bullets go astray. Again he was +thankful. + +“How did you stand that fighting yesterday afternoon, George?” Dick +asked of Warner. + +“First rate. The open air agreed with me, and as no bullet sought me out +I felt benefited. I didn't get away from that hospital too soon. How far +away is this Antietam River, behind which they say Lee lies?” + +“It's only eight miles from the gap,” said Pennington, who had been +making inquiries, “and as we have come three miles it must be only five +miles away.” + +“Correct,” said Warner, who was in an uncommonly fine humor. “Your +mathematical power grows every day, Frank. Let x equal the whole +distance from the gap to the Antietam, which is eight miles, let y equal +the distance which we have come which is three miles, then x minus y +equals the distance left, which is five miles. Wonderful! wonderful! +You'll soon have a great head on you, Frank.” + +“If some rebel cannoneer doesn't shoot it off in the coming battle. By +George, we're driving their skirmishers before us! They don't seem to +make any stand at all!” + +The vanguard certainly met with no very formidable resistance as it +advanced over the rolling country. The sound of firing was continuous, +but it came from small squads here and there, and after firing a few +volleys the men in gray invariably withdrew. + +Yet the Northern advance was slow. Colonel Winchester became intensely +impatient again. + +“Why don't we hurry!” he exclaimed. “Of all things in the world the one +that we need most is haste. With Jackson tied up before Harper's Ferry, +Lee's defeat is sure, unless he retreats across the Potomac, and that +would be equivalent to a defeat. Good Heavens, why don't we push on?” + +He had not yet heard of the fall of Harper's Ferry, and that Jackson +with picked brigades was already on the way to join Lee. Had he known +these two vital facts his anger would have burned to a white heat. +Surely no day lost was ever lost at a greater cost than the one +McClellan lost after the finding of Orders No. 191. + +“Do you know anything about the Antietam, colonel?” asked Dick. + +“It's a narrow stream, but deep, and crossed by several stone bridges. +It will be hard to force a crossing here, but further up it can be done +with ease since we outnumber Lee so much that we can overlap him by far. +I have my information from Shepard, and he makes no mistakes. There is +a church, too, on the upper part of the peninsula, a little church +belonging to an order called the Dunkards.” + +“Ah,” murmured Dick, “the little church of Shiloh!” + +“What do you mean by that?” + +“There was a little church at Shiloh, too. The battle raged all around +it more than once. We lost it at first, but in the end we won. It's +another good omen. We're bound to achieve a great victory, colonel.” + +“I hope and believe so. We've the materials with which to do it. But +we've got to push and push hard.” + +The colonel raised his glasses and took a long look in front. Dick also +had a pair and he, too, examined the country before them. It was a fine, +rolling region and all the forest was gone, except clumps of trees here +and there. The whole country would have been heavy with forest had it +not been for the tramp of war. + +It was now nearly noon and the sunlight was brilliant and intense. The +glasses carried far. Dick saw a line of trees which he surmised marked +the course of the Antietam, and he saw small detachments of cavalry +which he knew were watching the advance of the Army of the Potomac. +Their purpose convinced him that Lee had not retreated across the +Potomac, but that he would fight and surely lose. Dick now believed that +so many good omens could not fail. + +A horseman galloped toward them. It was Shepard again, dustier than +ever, his face pale from weariness. + +“What is it, Mr. Shepard?” asked Colonel Winchester. + +“I've just reported to General McClellan that our whole command at +Harper's Ferry, thirteen thousand strong, surrendered early this morning +and that Jackson with picked men has already started to join Lee!” + +“My God! My God!” cried the colonel. “Oh, that lost day! We ought to +have fought yesterday and destroyed Lee, while Harper's Ferry was still +holding out! What a day! What a day! Nothing can ever pay us back for +the losing of it!” + +Dick, too, felt a sinking of the heart, but despair was not written on +his face as it was on that of his colonel. Jackson might come, but it +would only be with a part of his force, that which marched the swiftest, +and the victory of the Army of the Potomac would be all the grander. The +more enemies crushed the better it would be for the Union. + +“Why, colonel!” he exclaimed, “we can beat them anyhow!” + +“That's so, my lad, so we can! And so we will! It was childish of me to +talk as I did. Here, Johnson, blow your best on that trumpet. I want our +regiment to be the first to reach the Antietam.” + +Johnson blew a long and mellow tune and the Winchester regiment swung +forward at a more rapid gait. The weather, after a day or two of +coolness, had grown intensely hot again, and the noon sun poured down +upon them sheaves of fiery rays. Dick looked back, and he saw once more +that vast billowing cloud of dust made by the marching army. But in +front he saw only quiet and peace, save for a few distant horsemen who +seemed to be riding at random. + +“There's a little town called Sharpsburg in the peninsula formed by +the Potomac and the Antietam,” said Shepard, who stayed with them, his +immediate work done, “and the Potomac being very low, owing to the +dry season, there is one ford by which Lee can cross and go back to +Virginia. But he isn't going to cross without a battle, that's sure. +The rebels are flushed with victory, they think they have the greatest +leaders ever born and they believe, despite the disparity of numbers, +that they can beat us.” + +“And I believe they can't,” said Dick. + +“If it were not for that lost day we'd have 'em beaten now,” said +Shepard, “and we'd be marching against Jackson.” + +The regiment in its swift advance now came nearer to the Antietam, the +narrow but deep creek between its high banks. One or two shots from the +far side warned them to come more slowly, and Colonel Winchester drew +his men up on a knoll, waiting for the rest of the army to advance. + +Dick put his glasses to his eyes, and slowly swept a wide curve on the +peninsula of Antietam. Great armies drawn up for battle were a spectacle +that no boy could ever view calmly, and his heart beat so hard that it +caused him actual physical pain. + +He saw through the powerful glasses the walls of the little village of +Sharpsburg, and to the north a roof which he believed was that of the +Dunkard Church, of which Shepard spoke. But his eyes came back from +the church and rested on the country around Sharpsburg. The Confederate +masses were there and he clearly saw the batteries posted along the +Antietam. Beyond the peninsula he caught glimpses of the broad Potomac. + +There lay Lee before them again, and now was the time to destroy his +army. Jackson, even with his vanguard, could not arrive before night, +and the main force certainly could not come from Harper's Ferry before +the morrow. Here was a full half day for the Army of the Potomac, enough +in which to destroy a divided portion of the Army of Northern Virginia. + +But Colonel Winchester raged again and again in vain. There was no +attack. Brigade after brigade in blue came up and sat down before the +Antietam. The cannon exchanged salutes across the little river, but +no harm was done, and the great masses of McClellan faced the whole +peninsula, within which lay Lee with half of his army. The Winchester +regiment was moved far to the north, where its officers hopefully +believed that the first attack would be made. Here they extended +beyond Lee's line, and it would be easy to cross the Antietam and hurl +themselves upon his flank. + +Despite the delay, Dick and his comrades, thrilled at the great and +terrible panorama spread before them. The mid-September day had become +as hot as those of August had been. The late afternoon sun was brazen, +and immense clouds of dust drifted about. But they did not hide the view +of the armies, arrayed for battle, and with only a narrow river between. + +Dick, through his own glasses saw Confederate officers watching them +also. He tried to imagine that this was Lee and that Longstreet, and +that one of the Hills, and the one who wore a gorgeous uniform must +surely be Stuart. Why should they be allowed to ride about so calmly? +His heart fairly ached for the attack. McClellan said that fifty +thousand men were there, and that Jackson was coming with fifty thousand +more, but Shepard, who always knew, said that they did not number more +than twenty thousand. What a chance! What a chance! He almost repeated +Colonel Winchester's words, but he was only a young staff officer and it +was not for him to complain. If he said anything at all he would have to +say it in a guarded manner and to his best friends. + +The Winchester regiment went into camp in a pleasant grove at the +northern end of the Union line. Dick and his two young comrades had no +fault to find with their quarters. They had dry grass, warm air and the +open sky. A more comfortable summer home for a night could not be asked. +And there was plenty of food, too. The Army of the Potomac never lacked +it. The coffee was already boiling in the pots, and beef and pork were +frying in the skillets. Heavenly aromas arose. + +Dick and his comrades ate and drank, and then lay down in the grove. If +they must rest they would rest well. Now and then they heard the booming +of guns, and just before dark there had been a short artillery duel +across the Antietam, but now the night was quiet, save for the murmur +and movement of a great army. Through the darkness came the sound of +many voices and the clank of moving wheels. + +Dick asked permission for his two comrades and himself to go down near +the river and obtained it. + +“But don't get shot,” cautioned Colonel Winchester. “The Confederate +riflemen will certainly be on watch on the other side of the stream.” + +Dick promised and the three went forward very carefully among some +bushes. They were led on by curiosity and they did not believe that they +would be in any great danger. The singular friendliness which always +marked the pickets of the hostile armies in the Civil War would prevail. + +It was several hundred yards down to the Antietam, and luckily the +ribbon of bushes held out. But when they were half way to the stream a +thick, dark figure rose up before them. Dick, in an instant, recognized +Sergeant Whitley. + +“We want to get a nearer view of the enemy,” said the boy. + +“I'll go with you,” said the sergeant. “I'm on what may be called +scouting duty. Besides, I've a couple of friends down there by the +river, but on the other side.” + +“Friends on the other side of the Antietam. What do you mean, sergeant?” + +“I was scouting along there and I came across 'em. Only one in fact is +an old acquaintance, an' he's just introduced me to the other.” + +“That's cryptic.” + +“I don't rightly know what 'cryptic' means, but I guess I don't make +myself understood well. In my campaign on the plains against the Indians +I had a comrade named Bill Brayton. A Tennesseean, Bill was an' a fine +feller, too. Him an' me have bunked together many a time an' we've dug +out of the snow together, too, after the blizzards was over. But when +we saw the war comin' up, Bill had fool notions. Said he didn't know +anything 'bout the right an' wrong of it, guessed there was some of each +on each side, but whichever way his state would flop, he'd flop. Well, +we waited. Tennessee flopped right out of the Union an' Bill flopped +with it. + +“I felt powerful sorry when Bill told me good-bye, and so did he. I +ain't seen or heard of him since 'till to-night, when I was cruisin' +down there by the side of the river in the dark an' keepin' under cover +of the bushes. Had no intention of shootin' anybody. Just wanted to take +a look. I saw on the other side a dim figure walkin' up an' down, rifle +on shoulder. Thought I noticed something familiar about it, an' the +longer I watched the shorer I was. + +“At last I crept right to the edge of the bank an' layin' down lest some +fool who didn't know the manners of our war take a pot shot at me, I +called out, 'Bill Brayton, you thick-headed rebel, are you well an' +doin' well?' + +“You ought to have seen him jump. He stopped walkin', dropped his rifle +in the hollow of his arm, looked the way my voice come and called out, +likewise in a loud voice: 'Who's callin' me a thick-headed rebel? Is it +some blue-backed Yankee? You know we see nothin' of you but your backs. +Come out in the light, an' I'll let some sense into you with a bullet.' + +“'Oh, no I won't,' says I, still layin' close, an' not mindin' his taunt +'bout seein' our backs only. 'You couldn't hit me if I stood up an' +marked the place on my chest. Nothin' will save you but them days on the +plain in the blizzards when you was more useful with a shovel than you +are with a rifle, 'cause to-morrow at sunrise we're goin' to cross this +little river and tie all you fellows hand an' foot an' take you away as +prisoners to Washington.' + +“That made him mighty mad, but the part 'bout the blizzards on the +plains set him to thinkin', too. 'Who in thunderation are you?' sez he. +'You're Bill Brayton, of Tennessee, fightin' in the rebel army, when +you ought to know better,' says I. 'Now, who in thunderation am I?' +'Sufferin' Moses!' says he, 'that voice grows more like his every time +he speaks. It can't be that empty-headed galoot, Dan Whitley, who never +knew nothin' 'bout the rights an' wrongs of the war, an' had to go off +with the Yanks!' + +“'It's him an' nobody else,' says I, as I rose right up an' stood there +on the bank, 'an' mighty glad am I to see you Bill, an' to know that +your fool head ain't knocked off by a cannon ball.' He shorely jumped +up an' down with pleasure an' he called back: 'The good Lord certainly +watches over them that ain't got any sense. Dan, you flat-headed, +hump-backed, round-shouldered, thin-chested, knock-kneed, club-footed +son of a gun, I was never so glad to see anybody before in my life.' + +“His eyes were shinin' with delight an' I know mine was, too. Reunions +of old friends who for all each know have been dead a year or two, clean +blowed to pieces by shells, or shot through by a hundred rifle bullets +are powerful affectin'. He come down to the edge of the river an' he +shot questions across to me, an' I shot questions at him, an' I felt +as if a brother had riz from the dead. An' as we can't shake hands we +reaches out the muzzles of our guns and shakes them towards each other +in the most friendly way. Then another picket comes up, fellow by name +of Henderson, from Mississippi. Bill introduces him to his good old pal, +an' we three have a friendly talk. Guess they're down there yet, if you +want to see 'em. I liked that fellow, Henderson, too, though he was a +powerful boaster.” + +“All right,” said Dick. “Lead on, but don't get us shot.” + +They went cautiously through the bushes to the bank of the river, and +then the sergeant blew softly between his fingers. Two figures at once +appeared on the other side, and Sergeant Whitley and the boys rose up. + +“Mr. Brayton and Mr. Henderson,” said the sergeant politely, “I want to +introduce my friends, Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Warner and Lieutenant +Pennington.” + +“Movin' in mighty good comp'ny, though young, Dan,” said Brayton, who +was about Whitley's age and build. + +“They're officers, an' they're young, as you say,” said Whitley, “but +they're good ones.” + +“Them's the kind we eat alive, when we ain't got anything else to eat,” + said the Mississippian, a very tall, sallow and youngish man. “We're +never too strong on rations, and when I eat prisoners I like 'em under +twenty the best. They ain't had time to get tough. I speak right now for +that yellow-haired one in the middle.” + +“You can't swallow me,” said Pennington, good naturedly. “I'll just turn +myself crossways and stick in your throat.” + +“What are you fellows after around here, anyway?” continued the +Mississippian. “The weather's hot an' we all want to go in swimmin' +to-morrow, bein' as we have two rivers handy. Shore as you live if you +get to botherin' us we'll hurt you.” + +“You won't hurt us,” said Dick, “because to-morrow we're going to +surround you and drive you into a coop.” + +“Drive us in a coop. See here, Yank, you're gettin' excited. Do you know +how many men we have here waitin' for you? Of course you don't. Why, +it's four hundred thousand, ain't it, Bill?” + +“No, it's just two hundred thousand. I don't believe in lyin' fur +effect, Jim.” + +“I ain't lyin'. There's two hundred thousand men. Then there's Bobby +Lee. That's a hundred thousand more, which makes three hundred thousand. +Then there's Stonewall Jackson, who's another hundred thousand, which +brings the figures up to exactly what I said, four hundred thousand. +Now, ain't I right, Bill?” + +“You shorely are, Jim. I was a fool for countin' the way I did. Will you +overlook it this time?” + +“Wa'al, I will this time, but be shore you don't do it ag'in. Now, see +here, you Yanks: we like you well enough. You're friends of Bill, who +is a friend of me. Just you take my advice an' go home. Start to-night +while the weather is warm, an' the roads are good. If you're afraid of +our chasin' you we'll give you a runnin' start of a hunderd miles.” + +“Wa'al now, that's right kind of you,” said Whitley. “I for one might +take your advice, but I was froze up so much in them wild mountains an' +plains of the northwest that I like to go south when the winter's comin' +on. It's hot now, all right, but in two months the chilly blasts will be +seekin' my marrow.” + +“I was speakin' for your own good,” said the Mississippian gravely. +“Anyway, you won't be troubled by the cold weather 'cause if you don't +go back into the no'th where you belong, we'll be takin' you a prisoner +way down south, where you don't belong. But you could have a good time +there. We won't treat you bad. There's fine huntin' for b'ars in the +canebrake an' the rivers an' bayous are full of fish. Your captivity +won't be downright painful on you.” + +“Glad to get your welcome, Mr. Henderson,” said Whitley, “'cause we've +heard a lot 'bout the hospitality of Mississippi, an' we're shorely +goin' to stretch it. I'm comin', an' I'm bringin' a couple of hundred +thousand fellers 'bout my size with me. Funny thing, we'll all wear blue +coats just alike. Think you'd find room for us?” + +“Plenty of it. What was it the feller said--we welcome you with bloody +hands to hospitable graves--but we ain't feelin' that way to-night. Got +a plug of terbacker?” + +The sergeant took out a square of tobacco, cut it in exact halves with +his pocket knife, and tossed one-half across the Antietam, where it was +deftly caught by the Mississippian. + +“Thanks mightily,” said Henderson. “Mr. Commissary Banks used to supply +us with good things, then it was Mr. Commissary Pope, and now I reckon +it'll be Mr. Commissary McClellan. Say, how many fellers have you got +over thar, anyway?” + +“When I counted 'em last night,” replied the sergeant calmly, “there was +five hundred and twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-three infantry, +sixty-four thousand two hundred and nineteen cavalry an' three thousand +one hundred and seventy-five cannon, but I reckon we'll receive +reinforcements of three hundred thousand before mornin'.” + +“Then we'll have more prisoners than I thought. Are you shore them three +hundred thousand reinforcements will get up in time?” + +“Quite shore. I've sent 'em word to hurry.” + +“Then we'll have to take them, too.” + +“Time you fellers quit your talkin',” said Brayton, “a major or a +colonel may come strollin' 'long here any minute, an' they don't like +for us fellers to be too friendly. Dan, I'm powerful glad to see you +ag'in, an' I hope you won't get killed. I've a feelin' that you an' +me will be ridin' over the plains once more some day, an' we won't be +fightin' each other. We'll be fightin' Sioux an' Cheyennes an' all that +red lot, just as we did in the old days. Here's a good-bye.” + +He thrust out the muzzle of his gun, an' Whitley thrust out his. Then +they shook them at each other in friendly salute, and the little group +moved away from the river bank. + +“I'm glad I've seen Bill again,” said the sergeant. “Fine feller an' +that Mississippian with him was quaint like. Mighty big bragger.” + +“You did some bragging yourself, sergeant,” said Dick. + +“So I did, but it was in answer to Henderson. I'm glad we had that +little talk across the river. It was a friendly thing to do, before we +fall to slaughterin' one another.” + +They rejoined Colonel Winchester, and Dick worked through a part of the +night carrying orders and other messages. A great movement was going +on. Fresh troops were continually coming up, but there was little noise +beyond the Antietam, although he saw the light of many fires. + +He slept after midnight and awoke at dawn, expecting to go at once into +battle. Some of the troops were moved about and Colonel Winchester began +to rage again. + +“Good God! can it be possible!” he exclaimed, “that another day will be +lost? Is General McClellan instead of General Lee waiting for Jackson to +come? With the enemy safely within the trap, we refuse to shut it down +upon him!” + +He said these things only within the hearing of Dick, who he knew would +never repeat them. But he was not the only one to complain. Men higher +in rank than he, generals, spoke their discontent openly. Why would +not McClellan attack? He had claimed that the rebels had two hundred +thousand men at the Seven Days, when it was well known that half that +figure or less was their true number. Why should he persist in seeing +the enemy double, and even if Lee did have fifty thousand men on the +other side of the Antietam, instead of the twenty thousand the scouts +assigned to him, the Army of the Potomac could defeat him before Jackson +came up. + +But McClellan was overcome by caution. In spite of everything he doubled +or tripled the numbers of the enemy. Personally brave beyond dispute, he +feared for his army. The position of the enemy on the peninsula seemed +to have changed somewhat through the night. He believed that the +batteries had been moved about, and he telegraphed to Washington that +he must find out exactly the disposition of Lee's forces and where the +fords were. + +Meanwhile the long, hot hours dragged on. The dust trodden up by so many +marching feet was terrible. It hung in clouds and added a sting to the +burning heat. Dick was wild with impatience, but he knew that it was not +worth while to say anything. He, Warner and Pennington, for the lack of +something else to do, lay on the dry grass, whispering and watching as +well as they could what was going on in Sharpsburg. + +Meanwhile Sharpsburg itself seemed a monument to peace. It was deep in +dust and the sun blazed on the roofs. Staff officers rode up, and when +they dismounted they lazily led their horses to the best shade that +could be found. Within a residence Lee sat in close conference with his +lieutenants, Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet. Now and then, they looked +at the reports of brigade commanders and sometimes they studied the maps +of Maryland and Virginia. Lee was calm and confident. The odds against +him--and he knew what they were--apparently mattered nothing. + +He knew the strength and spirit of his army and to what a pitch it was +keyed by victory. Moreover, he knew McClellan, whom he had met at the +Seven Days, and he believed, in truth he felt positive that McClellan +would delay long enough for the remainder of Jackson's troops to come +up. Upon this belief he staked the future of the Confederacy in the +battle to be fought there between the Potomac and the Antietam. His +troops were worn by battles and tremendous marches. Jackson's men in +three days had marched sixty miles, and had fought a battle at Harper's +Ferry within that time, also, taking more than thirteen thousand +prisoners. Never before had the foot cavalry marched so hard. + +The men in gray, ragged and many of them barefooted, slept in the woods +about Sharpsburg all through the hot hours of the day. Their officers +had told them that the drums and bugles would call them when needed, and +they sank quietly into the deepest of slumbers. From where they lay Red +Hill, a spur of a mountain, separated them from the Union army. It was +only those like Dick and his comrades who mounted elevations and who +had powerful field glasses who could see into Sharpsburg. The main Union +force saw only the top of a church spire or two in the village. But each +felt fully the presence of the other and knew that the battle could not +be delayed long. + +Dick, in his anxiety and excitement, fell asleep. The heat and the +waiting seemed to overpower him. He did not know how long he had slept, +but he was awakened by the sharp call of a trumpet, and when he sprang +to his feet Warner told him it was about four o'clock. + +“What's up?” he cried, as he wiped the haze of heat and dust from his +eyes. + +“We're about to march,” replied Warner, “but as it's so late in the +day I don't think it can be a general attack. Still, I know that our +division is going to cross the Antietam. Up here the stream is narrower +than it is down below, and the banks are not so high. Look, the colonel +is beckoning to us! Here we go!” + +They sprang upon their horses, and a great corps advanced toward the +Antietam, far above the town of Sharpsburg. The sun had declined in the +West, and a breeze, bringing a little coolness, had begun to blow. They +did not see much preparation for defense beyond the river, but as +they advanced some cannon in the woods opened there. The Union cannon +replied, and then the brigades in blue moved forward swiftly. + +The officers and the cavalry galloped their horses into the little river +and Dick felt a fierce joy as the water was dashed into his face. This +was action, movement, the attack that had been delayed so long but +which was not yet too late. He thought nothing of the shells hissing and +shrieking over his head, and he shouted with the others in exultation as +they passed the fords of the Antietam and set foot on the peninsula. The +cannon dashed after them through the stream and up the bank. + +A heavy rifle fire from the woods met them, but the triumphant division +pressed on. They were held back at the edge of the woods by cannon +aiding the rifles, and for some time a battle swayed back and forth, +but the Confederate resistance ceased suddenly. Infantry and batteries +disappeared in woods or beyond a ridge, and then Dick noticed that +night was coming. The sun was already hidden by the lofty slopes of the +western mountains, and there would be no battle that day. In another +half hour full darkness would be upon them. + +But Dick felt that something had been achieved. A powerful Union force +was now beyond the Antietam, with its feet rooted firmly in the soil +of the peninsula. It looked directly south at the Confederate army and +there was no barrier between. Lee would have to face at once, Hooker on +the north and McClellan on the east across the Antietam. The Union army +had been numerous enough to outflank him. + +Dick was quite sure of success now. They had lost two of the most +precious of all days instead of one, but they had closed the gap on the +north, through which Lee's army might march in an attempt to escape. It +was likely, too, that the last of Jackson's men would come that way and +the Union force would cut them off from Lee. Two entire army corps were +now beyond the Antietam, and they should be able to do anything. + +The Winchester regiment lay in deep woods, and the great division +although it had rested nearly all the day was quiet in the night. But +some ardent souls could not rest. A group of officers, including Colonel +Winchester and the three young members of his staff, walked forward +through the woods, taking the chance of stray shots from sentinels or +skirmishers. But they knew that this risk was not great. + +They passed near a mill, its wheels and saws silent now, and presently +as the moon rose they saw the square white walls of a building shining +in its light. + +“The Dunkard church,” said one of the officers. “I think we'd better not +go any closer. The Johnnies must be lying thick close at hand.” + +“The dim light off to the right must be made by their fires,” said +Colonel Winchester. “I wish I knew what troops they are. Jackson's +perhaps. It's a rough country, and all these forests and ridges and +hills will help the defense. I understand that the farms in here are +surrounded by stone fences and that, too, will help the Johnnies.” + +“But we'll get 'em,” said another confidently. “The battle can't be put +off any longer, and we're bound to smash 'em in the morning.” + +They remained in the darkness for a while, trying to see what was +passing toward the Southern lines, but they could see little. There +was some rifle firing after a while, and the occasional deep note of a +cannon, mostly at random and the little group walked back. + +“I'm going to sleep, Dick,” said Warner. “I've just remembered that +I'm an invalid and that if I overtask myself it will be a bad thing for +McClellan to-morrow. The colonel doesn't want us any longer, and so here +goes.” + +“I follow,” said Pennington. “The dry earth is good enough for me. May I +stay on top of it for the next half century.” + +Warner and Pennington slept quickly, but Dick lay awake a long time, +listening to the stray rifle shots and the distant boom of a cannon at +far intervals. After a while, he looked at his watch and saw that it was +midnight. It was more than an hour later when slumber overtook him, +and while he and his comrades lay there the last of Jackson's men were +coming with the help that Lee needed so sorely. + +Two divisions which had been left at Harper's Ferry started at midnight +just as Dick was looking at his watch and at dawn they were almost to +the Potomac. On their flank was a cavalry brigade and A. P. Hill was +hurrying with another of infantry. Messenger after messenger from them +came to Lee that on the fateful day they with their fourteen thousand +bayonets would be in line when they were needed most. + +Few of those who fought for the Lost Cause ever cherished anything more +vividly than those hours between midnight and the next noon when they +marched at the double quick across hill and valley and forest to the +relief of their great commander. There was little need for the officers +to urge them on, and at sunrise the rolling of the cannon was calling to +them to come faster, always faster. + + + + +CHAPTER X. ANTIETAM + + +Dick arose at the first flash of dawn. All the men of the Winchester +regiment were on their feet. The officers had sent their horses to the +rear, knowing that they would be worse than useless among the rocks and +in the forest in front of them. + +A mist arising from the two rivers floated over everything, but Dick +knew that the battle was at hand. The Northern trumpets were calling, +and in the haze in front of them the Southern trumpets were calling, +too. + +The fog lifted, and then Dick saw the Confederate lines stretched +through forest, rock and ploughed ground. Near the front was a rail +fence with lines of skirmishers crouching behind it. As the last bit of +mist rolled away the fence became a twisted line of flame. The fire of +the Southern skirmishers crashed in the Union ranks, and the Northern +skirmishers, pressing in on the right replied with a fire equally swift +and deadly. Then came the roar of the Southern cannon, well aimed and +tearing gaps in the Union lines. + +“Its time to charge!” exclaimed Pennington. “It scares me, standing +still under the enemy's fire, but I forget about it when I'm rushing +forward.” + +The Winchester regiment did not move for the present, although the +battle thickened and deepened about it. The fire of the Confederate +cannon was heavy and terrible, yet the Union masses on either wing had +begun to press forward. Hooker hurled in two divisions, one under Meade, +and one under Doubleday, and another came up behind to support them. +The western men were here and remembering how they had been decimated at +Manassas, they fought for revenge as well as patriotism. + +At last the Winchester regiment in the center moved forward also. They +struck heavy ploughed land, and as they struggled through it they met a +devastating fire. It seemed to Dick that the last of the little regiment +was about to be blown away, but as he looked through the fire and smoke +he saw Warner and Pennington still by his side, and the colonel a little +ahead, waving his sword and shouting orders that could not be heard. + +Dick saw shining far before him the white walls of the Dunkard church, +and he was seized with a frantic desire to reach it. It seemed to him if +they could get there that the victory would be won. Yet they made little +progress. The cannon facing them fairly spouted fire, and thousands of +expert riflemen in front of them lying behind ridges and among rocks +and bushes sent shower after shower of leaden balls that swept away the +front ranks of the charging Union lines. The shell and the shrapnel and +the grape and the round shot made a great noise, but the little bullets +coming in swarms like bees were the true messengers of death. + +Jackson and four thousand of his veterans formed the thin line between +the Dunkard church and the Antietam. They were ragged and worn by war, +but they were the children of victory, led by a man of genius, and they +felt equal to any task. Near Jackson stood his favorite young aide, +Harry Kenton, and on the other side was the thin regiment of the +Invincibles, led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot, and Lieutenant-Colonel +Hector St. Hilaire. + +Around the church itself were the Texans under Hood, stalwart, sunburned +men who could ride like Comanches, some of whom when lads had been +present at San Jacinto, when the Texans struck with such terrible might +and success for liberty. + +“Are we winning? Tell me, that we are winning!” shouted Dick in Warner's +ear. + +“We're not winning, but we will! Confound that fog! It's coming up +again!” Warner shouted back. + +The heavy fog from the Potomac and the Antietam which the early and +burning sunrise had driven away was drifting back, thickened by the +smoke from the cannon and rifles. The gray lines in front disappeared +and the church was hidden. Yet the Northern artillery continued to pour +a terrible fire through the smoke toward the point where the Confederate +infantry had been posted. + +Dick heard at the same time a tremendous roar on the left, and he knew +that the Union batteries beyond the Antietam had opened a flanking fire +on the Southern army. He breathed a sigh of triumph. McClellan, who +could organize and prepare so well, was aroused at last to such a point +that he could concentrate his full strength in battle itself, and push +home with all his might until able to snatch the reward, victory. As +the lad heard the supporting guns across the Antietam, he suddenly found +himself shouting with all his might. His voice could not be heard in the +uproar, but he saw that the lips of those about him were moving in like +manner. + +The two corps on the peninsula had a good leader that morning. Hooker, +fiery, impetuous, scorning death, continually led his men to the attack. +The gaps in their ranks were closed up, and on they went, infantry, +cavalry and artillery. The fog blew away again and they beheld once more +the gray lines of the Southerners, and the white wooden walls of the +church. + +So fierce and overwhelming was the Northern rush that all of Jackson's +men and the Texans were borne back, and were driven from the ridges +and out of the woods. Exultant, the men in blue followed, their roar of +triumph swelling above the thunder of the battle. + +“Victory!” cried Dick, but Warner shouted: + +“Look out!” + +The keen eyes of the young Vermonter had seen masses of infantry and +cavalry on their flank. Hooker, fierce and impetuous, had gone too +far, and now the Southern trumpets sang the charge. Stuart, fiery and +dauntless, his saber flashing, led his charging horsemen, and Hill threw +his infantry upon the Northern flank. + +It seemed to Dick that he was in a huge volcano of fire and smoke. +Men who, in their calm moments, did not hate one another, glared into +hostile eyes. There was often actual physical contact, and the flash +from the cannon and rifles blazed in Dick's face. The Southerners +in front who had been driven back returned, and as Stuart and Hill +continued to beat hard upon their flanks, the troops of Hooker were +compelled to retreat. Once more the white church faded in the mists and +smoke. + +But Hooker and his generals rallied their men and advanced anew. The +ground around the Dunkard church became one of the most sanguinary +places in all America. One side advanced and then the other, and +they continually reeled to and fro. Even the young soldiers knew the +immensity of the stake. This was the open ground, elsewhere the Antietam +separated the fighting armies. But victory here would decide the whole +battle, and the war, too. The Northern troops fought for a triumph that +would end all, and the Southern troops for salvation. + +So close and obstinate was the conflict that colonels and generals +themselves were in the thick of it. Starke and Lawton of the South were +both killed. Mansfield, who led one of the Northern army corps fell dead +in the very front line, and the valiant Hooker, caught in the arms of +his soldiers, was borne away so severely wounded that he could no longer +give orders. + +Scarcely any generals were left on either side, but the colonels and +the majors and the captains still led the men into the thick of the +conflict. Dick felt a terrible constriction. It was as if some one were +choking him with powerful hands, and he strove for breath. He knew that +the masses pressed upon their flank by Stuart and Hill, were riddling +them through and through. + +The Union men were giving ground, slowly, it is true, and leaving heaps +of dead and wounded behind them, but nobody could stand the terrible +rifle fire that was raking them at short range from side to side, and +they were no longer able to advance. Now Dick heard once more that +terrible and triumphant rebel yell, and it seemed to him that they were +about to be destroyed utterly, when shell and shot began to shriek and +whistle over their heads. The woods behind them were alive with the +blaze of fire, and the great Union batteries were driving back the +triumphant and cheering Confederates. + +The Union generals on the other side of the Antietam saw the fate that +was about to overtake Hooker's valiant men, and Sumner, with another +army corps, had crossed the river to the rescue, coming just in time. +They moved up to Hooker's men and the united masses returned to the +charge. + +The battle grew more desperate with the arrival of fresh troops. Again +it was charge and repulse, charge and repulse, and the continuous +swaying to and fro by two combatants, each resolved to win. There were +the Union men who had forced the passes through the mountains to reach +this field, and they were struggling to follow up those successes by +a victory far greater, and there were the Confederates resolved upon +another glorious success. + +The fire became so tremendous that the men could no longer hear orders. +Here was a field of ripe corn, the stems and blades higher than a man's +head, forty acres or so, nearly a quarter of a mile each way, but the +corn soon ceased to hide the combatants from one another. The fire from +the cannon and rifles came in such close sheets that scarcely a stalk +stood upright in that whole field. + +Long this mighty conflict swayed back and forth. Dick had seen nothing +like it before, not even at the Second Manassas. It was almost hand to +hand. Cannons were lost and retaken by each side. Stuart, finding the +ground too rough for his cavalry, dismounted them and put them at +the guns. Jackson, with an eye that missed nothing, called up Early's +brigade and hurled it into the battle. The North replied with fresh +troops, and the combat was as much in doubt as ever. Every brigade +commander on the Southern side had been killed or wounded. Nearly all +the colonels had fallen, but Jackson's men still fought with a fire and +spirit that only such a leader as he could inspire. + +It seemed to Dick that the whole world was on fire with the flash of +cannon and rifles. The roar and crash came from not only in front and +around him, but far down the side, where the main army of McClellan was +advancing directly upon the Antietam, and the stone bridges which the +Confederates had not found time to tear down. + +There stood Lee, supremely confident that if his lieutenant, Jackson, +could not hold the Northern opening into the peninsula nobody could. +His men, who knew the desperate nature of the crisis, said that they had +never seen him more confident than he was that day. + +On the ridge just south of the village was a huge limestone bowlder, +and Lee, field glasses in hand, stood on it. He listened a while to the +growing thunder of the battle in the north--the Dunkard church, around +which Jackson and Hooker were fighting so desperately, was a mile +away--but he soon turned his attention to the blue masses across the +Antietam. + +The Southern commander faced the Antietam with the hard-hitting +Longstreet on his right, his left being composed of the forces of +Jackson, already in furious conflict. Nothing escaped him. As he +listened to the thunder of the dreadful battle in the north, he never +ceased to watch the great army in front of him on the other side of the +little river. + +While Hooker and his men were fighting with such desperate courage, why +did not McClellan and the main body of the Union army move forward to +the attack? Doubtless Lee asked himself this question, and doubtless +also he had gauged accurately the mind of the Union leader, who always +saw two or even three enemies where but one stood. Relying so strongly +upon his judgment he dared to strip himself yet further and send more +men to Jackson. A messenger brought him news that more of Jackson's men +had come to his aid and that he was now holding the whole line against +the attacks of Meade and Hooker and all the rest. + +Lee nodded and turned his glasses again toward the long blue line across +the Antietam. McClellan himself was there, standing on a hill and also +watching. Around him was a great division under the command of Burnside, +and his time to win victory had come. He sent the order to Burnside to +move forward and force the Antietam. It is said that at this moment Lee +had only five thousand men with him, all the rest having been sent to +Jackson, and, if so, time itself fought against the Union, as it was a +full two hours before Burnside carried out his order and moved forward +on the Antietam. + +But Dick, on the north, did not know that it was as yet only cannon +fire, and not the charge of troops to the south and west. In truth, he +knew little of his own part of the battle. Once he was knocked down, but +it was only the wind from a cannon ball, and when he sprang to his feet +and drew a few long breaths he was as well as ever. + +From muttered talk around him, talk that he could hear under the thunder +of the battle, he learned that Sumner, who had come with the great +reinforcement, was now leading the battle, with Hooker wounded and +Mansfield dying. + +Sumner, as brave and daring as any, had gathered twenty thousand men, +and they were advancing in splendid order over the wreck of the dead and +the dying, apparently an irresistible force. + +Jackson, standing at the edge of a wood, saw the magnificent advance, +and while the officers around him despaired, he did not think of +awaiting the Northern attack, but prepared instead for an attack of his +own. There was word that McLaws and the Harper's Ferry men had come. +Jackson galloped to meet them, formed them quickly with his own, and +then the Southern drums rolled out the charge. The weary veterans, +gathering themselves anew for another burst of strength, fell with all +their might on the Northern flank. + +Dick felt the force of that charge. Men seemed to be driven in upon him. +He was hurled down, how he knew not, but he sprang up again, and then he +saw that their advance was stopped. Long lines of bayonets advanced upon +them, and a terrible artillery fire crashed through and through their +ranks. Two or three thousand men in blue fell in a moment or so. Fortune +in an instant had made a terrible change of front. + +Dick shouted aloud in despair as the brigades steadily gave back. The +great Union batteries were firing over their heads again, but even they +could not arrest the Southern advance. Their regiments were coming now +across the shorn cornfield. Dick saw the galloping horses drawing their +batteries up closer and around the flanks. And the rebel yell of victory +which he had heard too often was now swelling from thousands of throats, +as the fierce sons of the South rushed upon their foe. + +But the North refused to abandon the battle here. These were splendid +troops, so tenacious and so much bent upon victory that they scarcely +needed leaders. Sedgwick, another of their gallant generals, fell and +was carried off the field, wounded severely. Richardson, yet another, +was killed a little later, but heavy reinforcements arrived, and the +Southerners were driven back in their turn. + +These were picked troops who met here, veterans almost all of them, and +neither would yield. The superior weight and range of the Northern guns +gave them an advantage in artillery, and it was used to the utmost. Dick +did not see how men could live under such a horrible fire, but there +were the gray lines replying, and wherever they yielded, yielding but +little. + +Noon came and then one o'clock. They had been fighting since dawn, and +a combat so impetuous and terrible could not be maintained forever, +particularly when the awful demon of war was eating up men so fast. Many +of the regiments on either side had lost more than half their number and +would lose more. They were human beings, and even the unwounded began to +collapse from mere physical exhaustion. Some dropped to the ground from +sheer inability to stand, and as they lay there, they heard to the south +and west the rolling thunder that told of Burnside's belated advance +upon the Antietam. + +Down where Lee stood watching, the battle blazed up with extraordinary +rapidity. The men who had been held in leash so long by McClellan were +anxious to get at the foe. Burnside's brigades charged directly for one +of the stone bridges, and Lee, watching from his bowlder, hurried the +Southern troops forward to meet them. Again the Northern artillery +proved its worth. The great batteries sent a hurricane of death over the +heads of the men in blue and toward the town of Sharpsburg. Despite all +the valor of the Southern veterans, the heavy masses of the Union men +forced their way across the bridge to the peninsula. Lee's batteries and +infantry regiments could not hold them. + +It seemed now that Lee's own force was to be destroyed and that +victory was won, but fortune had in store yet another of those +dazzling recoveries for the South. At the very moment when Lee seemed +overwhelmed, A. P. Hill, as valiant and vigorous as the other Hill, +arrived with the last of the Harper's Ferry veterans, having marched +seventeen miles, almost on a dead run. They crossed the Potomac at a +ford below the mouth of the Antietam, then crossed the Antietam on the +lowest bridge back into the peninsula, and without waiting for orders +rushed upon the Northern flank. + +The attack was so sudden and fierce that Burnside's entire division +reeled back. Here, as in the north, the face of the battle had been +changed in an instant. Not only could Colonel Winchester mourn over +those lost two days, but he could mourn over every lost half hour in +them. Had Hill come a half hour later Lee's whole center would have been +swept away. + +Lee and his great lieutenants, Jackson and Longstreet, were still +confident. Despite the disparity in numbers they had beaten back every +attack. + +A. P. Hill was a man who corresponded in fire and impetuosity to Hooker. +The number of his veterans was not so great, but their rush was so +fierce, and they struck at such a critical time that the Northern +brigades were unable to hold the ground they had gained. More troops +from the dying battle on the north came to Lee's aid, and every attempt +of McClellan to take Sharpsburg failed. + +Dick, fighting with his comrades on the north, knew little of what was +passing on the peninsula in the south, but he became conscious after a +while that the appalling fury of the battle around him was diminishing. +He had not seen such a desperate hand-to-hand battle at either Shiloh or +the Second Manassas, and they were terrible enough. But he felt as the +Confederates themselves had felt, that the Southern army was fighting +for existence. + +But as the day waned, Dick believed that they would never be able to +crush Jackson. The Union troops always returned to the attack, but the +men in gray never failed to meet it, and actual physical exhaustion +overwhelmed the combatants. Pennington went down, and Dick dragged him +to his feet, fearing that he was wounded mortally, but found that his +comrade had merely dropped through weakness. + +The long day of heat and strife neared its close. Neither Northern +tenacity nor Southern fire could win, and the sun began to droop over +the field piled so thickly with bodies. As the twilight crept up the +battle sank in all parts of the peninsula. McClellan, who had lost those +two most precious days, and who had finally failed to make use of all +his numbers at the same time, now, great in preparation, as usual, made +ready for the emergency of the morrow. + +All the powerful and improved artillery which McClellan had in such +abundance was brought up. The mathematical minds and the workshops of +the North bore full fruit upon this sanguinary field of Antietam. The +shattered divisions of Hooker, with which Dick and his comrades lay, +were sheltered behind a great line of artillery. No less than thirty +rifled guns of the latest and finest make were massed in one battery to +command the road by which the South might attack. + +To the south the Northern artillery was equally strong, and beyond the +Antietam also it was massed in battery after battery to protect its men. + +But the coming twilight found both sides too exhausted to move. The +sun was setting upon the fiercest single day's fighting ever seen in +America. Nearly twenty-five thousand dead or wounded lay upon the field. +More than one fourth of the Southern army was killed or wounded, yet it +was in Lee's mind to attack on the morrow. + +After night had come the weary Southern generals--those left +alive--reported to Lee as he sat on his horse in the road. The shadows +gathered on his face, as they told of their awful losses, and of the +long list of high officers killed or wounded. Jackson was among the +last, and he was gloomy. The man who had always insisted upon battle did +not insist upon it now. Hood reported that his Texans, who had fought so +valiantly for the Dunkard church, were almost destroyed. + +The scene in the darkness with the awful battlefield around them was one +which not even the greatest of painters could have reproduced. When the +last general had told his tale of slaughter and destruction, they sat +for a while in silence. They realized the smallness of their army, and +the immense extent of their losses. The light wind that had sprung +up swept over the dead faces of thousands of the bravest men in the +Southern army. They had held their ground, but on the morrow McClellan +could bring into line three to one and an artillery far superior alike +in quality, weight and numbers to theirs. + +The strange, intense silence lasted. Every eye was upon Lee. When the +generals were making their reports he had shown more emotion than they +had ever seen on his face before. Now he was quiet, but he drew his +lips close together, his eyes shone with blue fire, and rising in his +stirrups he said: + +“We will not cross the Potomac to-night, gentlemen.” + +Then while they still waited in silence, he said: + +“Go to your commands! Reform and strengthen your lines. Collect all your +stragglers. Bring up every man who is in the rear. If McClellan wants a +battle again in the morning, he shall have it. Now go!” + +Not a general said a word in objection, in fact, they did not speak +at all, but rode slowly away, every one to his command. Yet they were, +without exception, against the decision of their great leader. + +Even Stonewall Jackson did not want a second battle. He had shown +through the doubtful conflict a most extraordinary calmness. While the +combat in the north, where he commanded, was at its height, he had sat +on Little Sorrel, now happily restored to him, eating from time to +time a peach that he took from his pocket. Nothing had escaped his +observation; he watched every movement, and noticed every rise and fall +in the tide of success. His silence now indicated that he concurred with +the others in his belief that the remains of the Confederate army +should withdraw across the Potomac, but his manner indicated complete +acquiescence in the decision of his leader. + +But in the north of the peninsula the remnants of either side had scarce +a thought to bestow upon victory or defeat. It was a question that did +not concern them for the present, so utter was their exhaustion. As +night came and the battle ceased they dropped where they were and sank +into sleep or a stupor that was deeper than sleep. + +But Dick this time did neither. His nervous system had been strained so +severely that it was impossible for him to keep still. He had found that +all of his friends had received wounds, although they were too slight +to put them out of action. But the Winchester regiment had suffered +terribly again. It did not have a hundred men left fit for service, +and even at that it had got off better than some others. In one of the +Virginia regiments under Longstreet only fourteen men had been left +unhurt. + +Dick stood beside his colonel--Warner and Pennington were lying in a +stupor--and he was appalled. The battle had been fought within a narrow +area, and the tremendous destruction was visible in the moonlight, +heaped up everywhere. Colonel Winchester was as much shaken as he, and +the two, the man and the boy, walked toward the picket line, drawn by a +sort of hideous fascination, as they looked upon the area of conflict. + +The dead lay in windrows between the two armies which were waiting to +fight on the dawn. Dick and the colonel walked toward the field where +the corn had been waving high that morning, and where it was now mown +by cannon and rifles to the last stalk. In the edge of the wood the boy +paused and grasping the man suddenly by the arm pulled him back. + +“Look! Look!” he exclaimed in a sharp whisper. “The Confederate +skirmishers! The woods are full of them! They are making ready for a +night attack!” Both he and Colonel Winchester sprang back behind a big +tree, sheltering themselves from a possible shot. But no sound came, +not even that of men creeping forward through the undergrowth. All they +heard was the moaning of the wind through the foliage. They waited, and +then the two looked at each other. The true reason for the extraordinary +silence had occurred to both at the same instant, and they stepped from +the shelter of the tree. + +Awed and appalled, the man and the boy gazed at the silent forms which +lay row on row in the woods and in the shorn cornfield. It seemed as if +they slept, but Dick knew that all were dead. He and Colonel Winchester +gazed again at each other and shuddering turned away lest they disturb +the sleep of the dead. + +When they returned to a position behind the guns they heard others +coming in with equally terrible tales. A sunken lane that ran between +the hostile lines was filled to the brim with dead. Boys, yet in +their teens, with nerves completely shattered for the time, chattered +hysterically of what they had seen. The Antietam was still running red. +Both Lee and Stonewall Jackson had been killed and the whole Confederate +army would be taken in the morning. Some said, on the other hand, that +the Southerners still had a hundred thousand men, and that McClellan +would certainly be beaten the next day, if he did not retreat in time. + +None of the talk, either of victory or defeat, made any impression upon +Dick. His senses were too much dulled by all through which he had gone. +Words no longer meant anything. Although the night was warm he began to +shiver, as if he were seized with a chill. + +“Lie down, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, who noticed him. “I don't +think you can stand it any longer. Here, under this tree will do.” + +Dick threw himself down and Colonel Winchester, finding a blanket, +spread it over him. Then the boy closed his eyes, and, for a while, +phase after phase of the terrible conflict passed before him. He could +see the white wall of the Dunkard church, the Bloody Lane, and most +ghastly of all, those dead men in rows lying on their arms, like +regiments asleep, but his nerves grew quiet at last, and after midnight +he slept. + +Dawn came and found the two armies ready. Dick and the sad remnant +of the Winchester regiment rose to their feet. Although food had been +prepared for them very few in all these brigades had touched a bite the +night before, sinking into sleep or stupor before it could be brought to +them. But now they ate hungrily while they watched for their foes, the +skirmishers of either army already being massed in front to be ready for +any movement by the other. + +As on the morning before, a mist arose from the Potomac and the +Antietam. The sun, bright and hot, soon dispersed it. But there was no +movement by either army. Dick did not hear the sound of a single shot. +Warner and Pennington, recovered from their stupor, stood beside him +gazing southward toward the rocks and ridges, where the Confederate army +lay. + +“I'm thinking,” said Warner, “that they're just as much exhausted as we +are. We're waiting for an attack, and they're waiting for the same. The +odds are at least ninety per cent in favor of my theory. Their losses +are something awful, and I don't think they can do anything against us. +Look how our batteries are massed for them.” + +Dick was watching through his glasses, and even with their aid he +could see no movement within the Southern lines. Hours passed and still +neither army stirred. McClellan counted his tremendous losses, and he, +too, preferred to await attack rather than offer it. His old obsession +that his enemy was double his real strength seized him, and he was not +willing to risk his army in a second rush upon Lee. + +While Dick and his comrades were waiting through the long morning hours, +Lee and Jackson and his other lieutenants were deciding whether or not +they should make an attack of their own. But when they studied with +their glasses the Northern lines and the great batteries, they decided +that it would be better not to try it. + +When noon came and still no shot had been fired, Colonel Winchester +shook his head. + +“We might yet destroy the Southern army,” he said to Dick, “but I'm +convinced that General McClellan will not move it.” + +The hot afternoon passed, and then the night came with the sound of +rumbling wheels and marching men. Dick surmised that Lee was leaving the +peninsula, and, crossing the Potomac in to Virginia, and that therefore +tactical victory would rest with the Northern side. The noises continued +all night long, but McClellan made no advance, nor did he do so the next +day, while the whole Confederate army was crossing the Potomac, until +nearly night. + +But the Winchester regiment and several more of the same skeleton +character, pushing forward a little on the morning of that day, found +that the last Confederate soldier was gone from Sharpsburg. Colonel +Winchester and other officers were eager for the Army of the Potomac to +attack the Army of Northern Virginia, while it dragged itself across the +wide and dangerous ford. + +But McClellan delayed again, and it was sunset when Dick saw the first +sign of action. A strong division with cannon crossed the river and +attacked the batteries which were covering the Southern rearguard. Four +guns and prisoners were taken, but when Lee heard of it he sent back +Jackson, who beat off all pursuit. + +Dick and his comrades did not see this last fight, which was the dying +echo of Antietam. They felt that they had defeated the enemy's purpose, +but they did not rejoice over any victory. The sword of Antietam had +turned back Lee and Jackson for a time and perhaps had saved the Union, +but Dick was gloomy and depressed that so little had been won when they +seemed to hold so much in the hollow of their hands. + +This feeling spread through the whole army, and the privates, even, +talked of it openly. Nobody could forget those precious two days lost +before the battle. Orders No. 191 had put all the cards in their hands, +but the commander had not played them. + +“I feel that we've really failed,” said Warner, as they sat beside a +camp fire. “The Southerners certainly fought like demons, but we ought +to have been there long before Jackson came, and we ought to have +whipped them, even after Jackson did come.” + +“But we didn't,” said Pennington, “and so we've got the job to do all +over again. You know, George, we're bound to win.” + +“Of course, Frank; but while we're doing it the country is being ripped +to pieces. I'll never quit mourning over that lost chance at Antietam.” + +“At any rate we came off better than at the Second Manassas,” said Dick. +“What's ahead of us now?” + +“I don't know,” replied Warner. “I saw Shepard yesterday, and he says +that the Southerners are recuperating in Virginia. We need restoratives +ourselves, and I don't suppose we'll have any important movements along +this line for a while.” + +“But there'll be big fighting somewhere,” said Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + + +Two days after the battle of Antietam, Dick went with Colonel Winchester +to Washington on official duty. His nerves, shaken so severely by that +awful battle, were not yet fully restored and he was glad of the little +respite, and change of scene. The sights of the city and the talk of men +were a restorative to him. + +The capital was undoubtedly gay. The deep depression and fear that +had hung over it a few weeks ago were gone. Men had believed after the +Second Manassas that Lee might take Washington and this fear was not +decreased when he passed into Maryland on what seemed to be an invasion. +Many had begun to believe that he was invincible, that every Northern +commander whoever he might be, would be beaten by him, but Antietam, +although there were bitter complaints that Lee might have been destroyed +instead of merely being checked, had changed a sky of steel into a sky +of blue. + +Washington was not only gay, it was brilliant. Life flowed fast and it +was astonishingly vivid. A restless society, always seeking something +new flitted from house to house. Dick, young and impressionable, would +have been glad to share a little in it, but his time was too short. He +went once with Colonel Winchester to the theatre, and the boy who had +thrice seen a hundred and fifty thousand men in deadly action hung +breathless over the mimic struggles of a few men and women on a painted +stage. + +The second day after his arrival he received a letter from his mother +that had been awaiting him there. It had come by the way of Louisville +through the Northern lines, and it was long and full of news. Pendleton, +she said, was a sad town in these days. All of the older boys and +young men had gone away to the armies, and many of them had been killed +already, or had died in hospitals. Here she gave names and Dick's heart +grew heavy, because in this fatal list were old friends of his. + +It was not alone the boys and young men who had gone, wrote Mrs. Mason, +but the middle-aged men, too. Dr. Russell had kept the Pendleton Academy +open, but he had no pupil over sixteen years of age. There were no +trustees, because they had all gone to the war. Senator Culver had been +killed in the fighting in Tennessee, but she heard that Colonel Kenton +was alive and well and with Bragg's army. + +The affairs of the Union, she continued, were not going well in +Tennessee and Kentucky. The terrible Confederate cavalryman Forrest had +suddenly raided Murfreesborough in Tennessee, where Union regiments were +stationed, and had destroyed or captured them all. Throughout the west +the Southerners were raising their heads again. General Bragg, it was +said, was advancing with a strong army, and was already farther north +than the army of General Buell, which was in Tennessee. It was said that +Louisville, one of the largest and richest of the border cities, would +surely fall into the hands of the South. + +Dick read the letter with changing and strong emotions. Amid the +terrible struggles in the east, the west was almost blotted out of +his mind. The Second Manassas and Antietam had great power to absorb +attention wholly upon themselves. He had wholly forgotten for the time +about Pendleton, the people whom he knew, and even his mother. Now +they returned with increased strength. His memory was flooded with +recollections of the little town, every house and face of which he knew. + +And so the Confederates were coming north again with a great army. +Shiloh had been far from crushing them in the west. The letter had +been written before the Second Manassas, and that and Lee's great fight +against odds at Antietam would certainly arouse in them the wish for +like achievements. He inferred that since the armies in the east were +exhausted, the great field for action would be for a while, in the west, +and he was seized with an intense longing for that region which was his +own. + +It was not coincidence, but the need for men that made Dick's wish come +true almost at once. A few hours after he received his letter Colonel +Winchester found him sitting in the lobby of the hotel in which Dick had +twice talked with the contractor. But the boy was alone this time, and +as Colonel Winchester sat down beside him he said: + +“Dick, the capital has received alarming news from Kentucky. Buoyed +up by their successes in the east the Confederacy is going to make an +effort to secure that state. Bragg with a powerful force is already on +his way toward Louisville, and we fear that he has slipped away from +Buell.” + +“So I've heard. I found here a letter from my mother, and she told me +all the reports from that section.” + +“And is Mrs. Mason well? She has not been troubled by guerillas, or in +any other way?” + +“Not at all. Mother's health is always good, and she has not been +molested.” + +“Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon.” + +“Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?” + +“The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west. This +movement of Bragg's army is formidable, and it would be a great blow for +us if he took Louisville. Dispatches have been sent east for help. My +regiment and several others that really belong in the west have been +asked for, and we are to start in three days. Dick, do you know how many +men of the Winchester regiment are left? We shall be able to start with +only one hundred and five men, and when we attacked at Donelson we were +a thousand strong.” + +“And the end of the war, sir, seems as far off as ever.” + +“So it does, Dick, but we'll go, and we'll do our best. Starting from +Washington we can reach Louisville in two days by train. Bragg, no +matter what progress he may make across the state, cannot be there then. +If any big battle is to be fought we're likely to be in it.” + +The scanty remainder of the regiment was brought to Washington and two +days later they were in Louisville, which they found full of alarm. +The famous Southern partisan leader, John Morgan, had been roaming +everywhere over the state, capturing towns, taking prisoners and +throwing all the Union communications into confusion by means of false +dispatches. + +People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's +telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument, +and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general +pleased. It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville +where there was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell +on another line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him +and Louisville. + +But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding +as usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring +into Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg +had captured the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at +Munfordville, the crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady +advance. + +But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering +force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside. + +At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east, +and then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army +already gathered there and a division sent by Grant from his station at +Corinth, in Mississippi, he was at the head of a hundred thousand men, +and Bragg could not muster more than half as many. + +So rapid had been the passage of events that Dick found himself a member +of Buell's reorganized army, and ready to march, only thirteen days +after the sun set on the bloody field of Antietam, seven hundred miles +away. Bragg, they said, was at Lexington, in the heart of the state, and +the Union army was in motion to punish him for his temerity in venturing +out of the far south. + +Dick felt a great elation as he rode once more over the soil of his +native state. He beheld again many of the officers whom he had seen at +Donelson, and also he spoke to General Buell, who although as taciturn +and somber as ever, remembered him. + +Warner and Pennington were by his side, the colonel rode before, and the +Winchester regiment marched behind. Volunteers from Kentucky and other +states had raised it to about three hundred men, and the new lads +listened with amazement, while the unbearded veterans told them of +Shiloh, the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +“Good country, this of yours, Dick,” said Warner, as they rode through +the rich lands east of Louisville. “Worth saving. I'm glad the doctor +ordered me west for my health.” + +“He didn't order you west for your health,” said Pennington. “He ordered +you west to get killed for your country.” + +“Well, at any rate, I'm here, and as I said, this looks like a land +worth saving.” + +“It's still finer when you get eastward into the Bluegrass,” said Dick, +“but it isn't showing at its best. I never before saw the ground looking +so burnt and parched. They say it's the dryest summer known since the +country was settled eighty or ninety years ago.” + +Dick hoped that their line of march would take them near Pendleton, and +as it soon dropped southward he saw that his hope had come true. They +would pass within twenty miles of his mother's home, and at Dick's +urgent and repeated request, Colonel Winchester strained a point and +allowed him to go. He was permitted to select a horse of unusual power +and speed, and he departed just before sundown. + +“Remember that you're to rejoin us to-morrow,” said Colonel Winchester. +“Beware of guerillas. I hope you'll find your mother well.” + +“I feel sure of it, and I shall tell her how very kind and helpful +you've been to me, sir.” + +“Thank you, Dick.” + +Dick, in his haste to be off did not notice that the colonel's voice +quivered and that his face flushed as he uttered the emphatic “thank +you.” A few minutes later he was riding swiftly southward over a road +that he knew well. His start was made at six o'clock and he was sure +that by ten o'clock he would be in Pendleton. + +The road was deserted. This was a well-peopled country, and he saw many +houses, but nearly always the doors and shutters of the windows were +closed. The men were away, and the women and children were shutting out +the bands that robbed in the name of either army. + +The night came down, and Dick still sped southward with no one appearing +to stop him. He did not know just where the Southern army lay, but he +did not believe that he would come in contact with any of its flankers. +His horse was so good and true, that earlier than he had hoped, he was +approaching Pendleton. The moon was up now, and every foot of the ground +was familiar. He crossed brooks in which he and Harry Kenton and other +boys of his age had waded--but he had never seen them so low before--and +he marked the tree in which he had shot his first squirrel. + +It had not been so many months since he had been in Pendleton, and +yet it seemed years and years. Three great battles in which seventy or +eighty thousand men had fallen were enough to make anybody older. + +Dick paused on the crest of a little hill and looked toward the place +where his mother's house stood. He had come just in this way in the +winter, and he looked forward to another meeting as happy. The moonlight +was very clear now and he saw no smoke rising from the chimneys, but +this was summer, and of course they would not have a fire burning at +such an hour. + +He rode on a little further and paused again at the crest of another +hill. His view of Pendleton here was still better. He could see more +roofs, and walls, but he noticed that no smoke rose from any house. +Pendleton lay very still in its hollow. On the far side he saw the white +walls of Colonel Kenton's house shining in the moonlight. Something +leaped in his brain. He seemed to have been looking upon such white +walls only yesterday, white walls that stood out in a fiery haze, white +walls that he could never forget though he lived to be a hundred. + +Then he remembered. The white walls were those of the Dunkard church at +Antietam, around which the blue and the gray had piled their bodies in +masses. The vast battlefield ranged past him like a moving panorama, and +then he was merely looking at Pendleton lying there below, so still. + +Dick was sensitive and his affections were strong. He loved his mother +with a remarkable devotion, and his friends were for all time. Highly +imaginative, he felt a powerful stirring of the heart, at his second +return to Pendleton since his departure for the war. Yet he was chilled +somewhat by the strange silence hanging over the little town that he +loved so well. It was night, it was true, but not even a dog barked at +his coming, and there was not the faintest trail of smoke across the +sky. A brilliant moon shone, and white stars unnumbered glittered and +danced, yet they showed no movement of man in the town below. + +He shook off the feeling, believing that it was merely a sensitiveness +born of time and place, and rode straight for his mother's house. Then +he dismounted, tied his horse to one of the pines, and ran up the walk +to the front door, where he knocked softly at first, and then more +loudly. + +No answer came and Dick's heart sank within him like a plummet in a +pool. He went to the edge of the walk, gathered up some gravel and threw +it against a window in his mother's room on the second floor. That would +arouse her, because he knew that she slept lightly in these times, when +her son was off to the wars. But the window was not raised, and he could +hear no sound of movement in the room. + +Alarmed, he went back to the front door, and he noticed that while the +door was locked the keyhole was empty. Then his mother was gone away. +The sign was almost infallible. Had any one been at home the key would +have been on the inside. + +His heart grew lighter. There had been no violence. No roving band had +come there to plunder. He whistled and shouted through the keyhole, +although he did not want anyone who might possibly be passing in +the road to hear him, as this town was almost wholly Southern in its +sympathies. + +There was still no answer, and leading his horse behind one of the pine +trees on the lawn, where it would not be observed, he went to the rear +of the house, and taking a stick pried open a kitchen window. He had +learned this trick when he was a young boy, and climbing lightly inside +he closed the window behind him and fastened the catch. + +He knew of course every hall and room of the house, but the moment he +entered it he felt that it was deserted. The air was close and heavy, +showing that no fresh breeze had blown through it for days. It was +impossible that his mother or the faithful colored woman could have +lived there so long a time with closed doors and shuttered windows. + +When he passed into the main part of his home, and touched a door +or chair, a fine dust grated slightly under his fingers. Here was +confirmation, if further confirmation was needed. Dust on chairs +and tables and sofas in the house in which his mother was present. +Impossible! Such a thing could not occur with her there. It was not the +white dust of the road or fields, but the black dust that gathers in +closed chambers. + +He went up to his mother's room, and, opening one of the shutters a few +inches, let in a little light. It was in perfect order. Everything +was in its place. Upon the dresser was a little vase containing some +shrivelled flowers. The water in the vase had dried up days ago, and the +flowers had dried up with it. + +In this room and in all the others everything was arranged with order +and method, as if one were going away for a long time. Dick drew a chair +near the window, that he had opened slightly, and sat down. Much of +his fear for his mother disappeared. It was obvious that she and her +faithful attendant, Juliana, had gone, probably to be out of the track +of the armies or to escape plundering bands like Skelly's. + +He wondered where she had gone, whether northward or southward. There +were many places that would gladly receive her. Nearly all the people in +this part of the state were more or less related, and with them the tie +of kinship was strong. It was probable that she would go north, or east. +She might have gone to Lexington, or Winchester, or Richmond, or even in +the hills to Somerset. + +Well, he could not solve it. He was deeply disappointed because he had +not found her there, but he was relieved from his first fear that the +guerillas had come. He closed and fastened the window again, and then +walked all through the house once more. His eyes had now grown so used +to the darkness that he could see everything dimly. He went into his own +room. A picture of himself that used to hang on the wall now stood on +the dresser. He knew very well why, and he knew, too, that his mother +often passed hours in that room. + +Below stairs everything was neatness and in order. He went into the +parlor, of which he had stood in so much awe, when he was a little +child. The floor was covered with an imported carpet, mingled brown and +red. A great Bible lay upon a small marble-topped table in the center +of the room. Two larger tables stood against the wall. Upon them lay +volumes of the English classics, and a cluster of wax flowers under a +glass cover, that had seemed wonderful to Dick in his childhood. + +But the room awed him no more, and he turned at once to the great +squares of light that faced each other from wall to wall. + +A famous portrait painter had arisen at Lexington when the canebrake +was scarcely yet cleared away from the heart of Kentucky. His work +was astonishing to have come out of a country yet a wilderness, and a +century later he is ranked among the great painters. But it is said that +the best work he ever did is the pair of portraits that face each other +in the Mason home, and the other pair, the exact duplicates that face +each other in the same manner in the Kenton house. + +Dick opened a shutter entirely, and the light of the white moon, white +like marble, streamed in. The sudden inpouring illuminated the room so +vividly that Dick's heart missed a beat. It seemed, for a minute, that +the two men in the portraits were stepping from the wall. Then his heart +beat steadily again and the color returned to his face. They had always +been there, those two portraits. Men had never lived more intensely than +they, and the artist, at the instant his genius was burning brightest, +had caught them in the moment of extraordinary concentration. Their +souls had looked through their eyes and his own soul looking through his +had met theirs. + +Dick gazed at one and then at the other. There was his great +grandfather, Paul Cotter, a man of vision and inspiration, the greatest +scholar the west had ever produced, and there facing him was his comrade +of a long life-time, Henry Ware, the famous borderer, afterward the +great governor of the state. They had been painted in hunting suits of +deerskin, with the fringed borders and beaded moccasins, and raccoon +skin caps. + +These were men, Dick's great grandfather and Harry's. An immense pride +that he was the great-grandson of one of them suddenly swelled up in his +bosom, and he was proud, too, that the descendants of the borderers, and +of the earlier borderers in the east, should show the same spirit and +stamina. No one could look upon the fields of Shiloh, and Manassas and +Antietam and say that any braver men ever lived. + +He drew his chair into the middle of the room and sat and looked at them +a long time. His steady gazing and his own imaginative brain, keyed to +the point of excitement, brought back into the portraits that singular +quality of intense life. Had they moved he would not have been +surprised, and the eyes certainly looked down at him in full and ample +recognition. + +What did they say? He gazed straight into the eyes of one and then +straight into the eyes of the other, and over and over again. But the +expression there was Delphic. He must choose for himself, as they had +chosen for themselves, and remembering that he was lingering, when he +should not linger, he closed and fastened the window, slipped out at the +kitchen window and returned to his horse. + +He remounted in the road and rode a few paces nearer to Pendleton, which +still lay silent in the white moonlight. He had no doubt now that many +of the people had fled like his mother. Most of the houses must be +closed and shuttered like hers. That was why the town was so silent. +He would have been glad to see Dr. Russell and old Judge Kendrick and +others again, but it would have been risky to go into the center of the +place, and it would have been a breach, too, of the faith that Colonel +Winchester had put in him. + +He crushed the wish and turned away. Then he saw the white walls of +Colonel Kenton's house shining upon a hill among the pines beyond the +town. He was quite sure that it would be deserted, and there was no +harm in passing it. He knew it as well as his own home. He and Harry had +played in every part of it, and it was, in truth, a second home to him. + +He rode slowly along the road which led to the quiet house. Colonel +Kenton had all the instincts so strong in the Kentuckians and Virginians +of his type. A portion of his wealth had been devoted to decoration and +beauty. The white, sanded road led upward through a great park, splendid +with oak and beech and maple, and elms of great size. Nearer the house +he came to the cedars and clipped pines, like those surrounding his +mother's own home. + +He opened the iron gate that led to the house, and tied his horse +inside. Here was the same desolation and silence that he had beheld at +his own home. The grass on the lawn, although withered and dry from the +intense drought that had prevailed in Kentucky that summer, was long and +showed signs of neglect. The great stone pillars of the portico, from +the shelter of which Harry and his father and their friends had fought +Skelly and his mountaineers, were stained, and around their bases were +dirty from the sand and earth blown against them. The lawn and even the +portico were littered with autumn leaves. + +Dick felt the chill settling down on him again. War, not war with +armies, but war in its results, had swept over his uncle's home as truly +as it had swept over his mother's. There was no sign of a human being. +Doubtless the colored servants had fled to the Union armies, and to the +freedom which they as yet knew so little how to use. He felt a sudden +access of anger against them, because they had deserted a master so kind +and just, forgetting, for the moment that he was fighting to free them +from that very master. + +All the windows were dark, but he walked upon the portico and the dry +autumn leaves rustled under his feet. He would have turned away, but +he noticed that the front door stood ajar six or eight inches. The fact +amazed him. If a servant was about, he would not leave it open, and if +robbers were in the house, they would close it in order not to attract +attention. It was a great door of massive and magnificent oak, highly +polished, with heavy bands of glittering bronze running across it. But +it was so lightly poised on its hinges, that, despite its great weight, +a child could have swung it back and forth with his little finger. +Henry Ware, who built the house after his term as governor was over, was +always proud of this door. + +Dick ran his hand along one of the polished bronze bars as he had often +done when he was a boy, enjoying the cool touch of the metal. Then +he put his thumb against the edge of the door, and pushed it a little +further open. Something was wrong here, and he meant to see what it was. +He had no scruples about entering. He did not consider himself in the +least an intruder. This was his uncle's house, and his uncle and his +cousin were far away. + +The door made no sound as it swung back, and soundless, too, was Dick as +he stepped within. It was dark in the big hall, but as he stood there, +listening, he became conscious of a light. It proceeded from one of the +rooms opening into the hall on the right, and a door nearly closed only +allowed a narrow band of it to fall upon the hall floor. + +Dick, believing now that a robber had indeed come, drew a pistol from +his pocket, stepped lightly across the hall and looked in at the door. + +He checked a cry, and it was his first thought to go away as quietly as +he had come. He had seen a man in the uniform of a Confederate colonel, +sitting in a chair, and staring out at one of the little side windows +which Dick could not see from the front, and which was now open. It was +his own uncle, Colonel George Kenton, C. S. A., his gold braided cap on +the window sill, and his sword in its scabbard lying across his knees. + +But Dick changed his mind. His uncle was a colonel on one side, and he +was a lieutenant on the other, and from one point of view it was almost +high treason for them to meet there and talk quietly together, but from +another it was the most natural thing in the world, commanded alike by +duty and affection. + +He pushed open the door a little further and stepped inside. + +“Uncle George,” he said. + +Colonel Kenton sprang to his feet, and his sword clattered upon the +floor. + +“Good God!” he cried. “You, Dick! Here! To-night!” + +“Yes, Uncle George, it's no other.” + +“And I suppose you have Yankees without to take me.” + +“Those are hard words, sir, and you don't mean them. I'm all alone, just +as you were. I galloped south, sir, to see my mother, whom I found gone, +where, I don't know, and then I couldn't resist the temptation to come +by here and see your house and Harry's, which, as you know, sir, has +been almost a home to me, too.” + +“Thank God you came, Dick,” said the colonel putting his arms around +Dick's shoulders, and giving him an affectionate hug. “You were right. I +did not mean what I said. There is only one other in the world whom I'd +rather see than you. Dick, I didn't know whether you were dead or alive, +until I saw your face there in the doorway.” + +It was obvious to Dick that his uncle's emotions were deeply stirred. +He felt the strong hands upon his shoulders trembling, but the veteran +soldier soon steadied his nerves, and asked Dick to sit down in a chair +which he drew close beside his own at the window. + +“I thank God again that the notion took you to come by the house,” he +said. “It's pleasant and cool here at the window, isn't it, Dick, boy?” + +Dick knew that he was thinking nothing about the window and the pleasant +coolness of the night. He knew equally well the question that was +trembling on his lips but which he could not muster the courage to ask. +But he had one of his own to ask first. + +“My mother?” he asked. “Do you know where she has gone?” + +“Yes, Dick, I came here in secret, but I've seen two men, Judge Kendrick +and Dr. Russell. The armies are passing so close to this place, and the +guerillas from the mountains have become so troublesome, that she has +gone to Danville to stay a while with her relatives. Nearly everybody +else has gone, too. That's why the town is so silent. There were not +many left anyway, except old people and children. But, Dick, I have +ridden as far as you have to-night, and I came to ask a question which +I thought Judge Kendrick or Dr. Russell might answer--news of those who +leave a town often comes back to it--but neither of them could tell +me what I wanted to hear. Dick, I have not heard a word of Harry since +spring. His army has fought since then two great battles and many +smaller ones! It was for this, to get some word of him, that I risked +everything in leaving our army to come to Pendleton!” + +He turned upon Dick a face distorted with pain and anxiety, and the boy +quickly said: + +“Uncle George, I have every reason to believe that Harry is alive and +well.” + +“What do you know? What have you heard about him?” + +“I have not merely heard. I have seen him and talked with him. It was +after the Second Manassas, when we were both with burial parties, and +met on the field. I was at Antietam, and he, of course, was there, too, +as he is with Stonewall Jackson. I did not see him in that battle, but I +learned from a prisoner who knew him that he had escaped unwounded, and +had gone with Lee's army into Virginia.” + +“I thank God once more, Dick, that you were moved to come by my house. +To know that both Harry and you are alive and well is joy enough for one +man.” + +“But it is likely, sir, that we'll soon meet in battle,” said Dick. + +“So it would seem.” + +And that was all that either said about his army. There was no attempt +to obtain information by direct or indirect methods. This was a family +meeting. + +“You have a horse, of course,” said Colonel Kenton. + +“Yes, sir. He is on the lawn, tied to your fence. His hoofs may now be +in a flower bed.” + +“It doesn't matter, Dick. People are not thinking much of flower beds +nowadays. My own horse is further down the lawn between the pines, and +as he is an impatient beast it is probable that he has already dug up a +square yard or two of turf with his hoofs. How did you get in, Dick?” + +“You forgot about the front door, sir, and left it open six or seven +inches. I thought some plunderer was within and entered, to find you.” + +“I must have been watched over to-night when forgetfulness was rewarded +so well. Dick, we've found out what we came for and neither should +linger here. Do you need anything?” + +“Nothing at all, sir.” + +“Then we'll go.” + +Colonel Kenton carefully closed and fastened the window and door again +and the two mounted their horses, which they led into the road. + +“Dick,” said the colonel, “you and I are on opposing sides, but we can +never be enemies.” + +Then, after a strong handclasp, they rode away by different roads, each +riding with a lighter heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + +Dick's horse had had a good rest, and he was fighting for his head +before they were clear of the outskirts of Pendleton. When the road +emerged once more into the deep woods the boy gave him the rein. It was +well past midnight now, and he wished to reach the army before dawn. + +Soon the great horse was galloping, and Dick felt exhilaration as the +cool air of early October rushed past. The heat in both east and west +had been so long and intense, that year, that the coming of autumn was +full of tonic. Yet the uncommon dryness, the least rainy summer and +autumn in two generations, still prevailed. The hoofs of Dick's horse +left a cloud of dust behind him. The leaves of the trees were falling +already, rustling dryly as they fell. Brooks that were old friends of +his and that he had never known to go dry before were merely chains of +yellow pools in a shallow bed. + +He watered his horse at one or two of the creeks that still flowed in +good volume, and then went on again, sometimes at a gallop. He passed +but one horseman, a farmer who evidently had taken an unusually early +start for a mill, as a sack of corn lay across his saddle behind him. +Dick nodded but the farmer stared open-mouthed at the youth in the blue +uniform who flew past him. + +Dick never looked back and by dawn he was with the army. He found +Colonel Winchester taking breakfast under the thin shade of an oak, and +joined him. + +“What did you find, Dick?” asked the colonel, striving to hide the note +of anxiety in his voice. + +“I found all right at the house, but I did not see mother.” + +“What had become of her?” + +“I learned from a friend that in order to be out of the path of the army +or of prowling bands she had gone to relatives of ours in Danville. Then +I came away.” + +“She did well,” said Colonel Winchester. “The rebels are concentrating +about Lexington, but the battle, I think, will take place far south of +that city.” + +Before the day was old they heard news that changed their opinion +for the time at least. A scout brought news that a division of the +Confederate army was much nearer than Lexington; in fact, that it was +at Frankfort, the capital of the state. And the news was heightened in +interest by the statement that the division was there to assist in the +inauguration of a Confederate government of the state, so little of +which the Confederate army held. + +Colonel Winchester at once applied to General Buell for permission for +a few officers like himself, natives of Kentucky and familiar with the +region, to ride forward and see what the enemy was really doing. Dick +was present at the interview and it was characteristic. + +“If you leave, what of your regiment, Colonel Winchester?” said General +Buell. + +“I shall certainly rejoin it in time for battle.” + +“Suppose the enemy should prevent you?” + +“He cannot do so.” + +“I remember you at Shiloh. You did good work there.” + +“Thank you, sir.” + +“And this lad, Lieutenant Mason, he has also done well. But he is +young.” + +“I can vouch for him, sir.” + +“Then take twenty of your bravest and most intelligent men and ride +toward Frankfort. It may be that we shall have to take a part in this +inauguration, which I hear is scheduled for to-morrow.” + +“It may be so, sir,” said Colonel Winchester, returning General Buell's +grim smile. Then he and Dick saluted and withdrew. + +But it did not take the colonel long to make his preparations. Among his +twenty men all were natives of Kentucky except Warner, Pennington +and Sergeant Whitley. Two were from Frankfort itself, and they were +confident that they could approach through the hills with comparative +security, the little capital nestling in its little valley. + +They rode rapidly and by nightfall drew near to the rough Benson Hills, +which suddenly shooting up in a beautiful rolling country, hem in the +capital. Although it was now the third day of October the little +party marked anew the extreme dryness and the shrunken condition of +everything. It was all the more remarkable as no region in the world is +better watered than Kentucky, with many great rivers, more small ones, +and innumerable creeks and brooks. There are few points in the state +where a man can be more than a mile from running water. + +The dryness impressed Dick. They had dust here, as they had had it in +Virginia, but there it was trampled up by great armies. Here it was +raised by their own little party, and as the October winds swept across +the dry fields it filled their eyes with particles. Yet it was one of +the finest regions of the world, underlaid with vitalizing limestone, +a land where the grass grows thick and long and does not die even in +winter. + +“If one were superstitious,” said Dick, “he could think it was a +punishment sent upon us all for fighting so much, and for killing so +many men about questions that lots of us don't understand, and that at +least could have been settled in some other way.” + +“It's easy enough to imagine it so,” said Warner in his precise way, +“but after all, despite the reasons against it, here we are fighting and +killing one another with a persistence that has never been surpassed. +It's a perfectly simple question in mathematics. Let x equal the anger +of the South, let y equal the anger of the North, let 10 equal the +percentage of reason, 100, of course, being the whole, then you have x + +y + 10 equalling 100. The anger of the two sections is consequently x + +y, equalling 100 - 10, or 90. When anger constitutes 90 per cent., what +chance has reason, which is only 10 per cent., or one-ninth of anger?” + +“No chance at all,” replied Dick. “That has already been proved without +the aid of algebra. Here is a man in a cornfield signaling to us. I +wonder what he wants?” + +As Dick spoke, Colonel Winchester, who had already noticed the man, gave +an order to stop. The stranger, bent and knotted by hard work on the +farm, hurried toward them. He leaned against the fence a moment, gasping +for breath, and then said: + +“You're Union men, ain't you? It's no disguise?” + +“Yes,” replied Colonel Winchester, “we're Union men, and it's no +disguise that we're wearing, Malachi White. I've seen you several times +in Frankfort, selling hay.” + +The farmer, who had climbed upon the fence and who was sitting on the +top rail, hands on his knees, stared at him open-mouthed. + +“You've got my name right. Malachi White it is,” he said, “suah enough, +but I don't know yours. 'Pears to me, however, that they's somethin' +familiar about you. Mebbe it's the way you throw back your shoulders an' +look a fellow squah in the eyes.” + +Colonel Winchester smiled. No man is insensible to a compliment which is +obviously spontaneous. + +“I spent a night once at your house, Mr. White,” he said. “I was going +to Frankfort on horseback. I was overtaken at dusk by a storm and I +reached your place just in time. I remember that I slept on a mighty +soft feather bed, and ate a splendid breakfast in the morning.” + +Malachi White was not insensible to compliments either. He smiled, and +the smile which merely showed his middle front teeth at first, gradually +broadened until it showed all of them. Then it rippled and stretched in +little waves, until it stopped somewhere near his ears. Dick regarded +him with delight. It was the broadest and finest smile that he had seen +in many a long month. + +“Now I know you,” said Malachi White, looking intently at the colonel. +“I ain't as strong on faces as some people, though I reckon I'm right +strong on 'em, too, but I'm pow'ful strong on recollectin' hear'in', +that is, the voice and the trick of it. It was fo' yea's ago when you +stopped at my house. You had a curious trick of pronouncin' r's when +they wasn't no r's. You'd say door, an' hour, when ev'body knowed it was +doah, an' houah, but I don't hold it ag'in you fo' not knowin' how to +pronounce them wo'ds. Yoh name is Ahthuh Winchestuh.” + +“As right as right can be,” said Colonel Winchester, reaching over and +giving him a hearty hand. “I'm a colonel in the Union army now, and +these are my officers and men. What was it you wanted to tell us?” + +“Not to ride on fuhthah. It ain't mo' than fifteen miles to Frankfort. +The place is plum full of the Johnnies. I seed 'em thah myself. Ki'by +Smith, an' a sma't gen'ral he is, too, is thah, an' so's Bragg, who I +don't know much 'bout. They's as thick as black be'ies in a patch, an' +they's all gettin ready fo' a gran' ma'ch an' display to-mo'ow when +they sweah in the new Southe'n gove'nuh, Mistah Hawes. They've got out +scouts, too, colonel, an' if you go on you'll run right squah into 'em +an' be took, which I allow you don't want to happen, nohow.” + +“No, Malachi, I don't, nor do any of us, but we're going on and we don't +mean to be taken. Most of the men know this country well. Two of them, +in fact, were born in Frankfort.” + +“Then mebbe you kin look out fo' yo'selves, bein' as you are +Kentuckians. I'm mighty strong fo' the Union myself, but a lot of them +officers that came down from the no'th 'pear to tu'n into pow'ful fools +when they git away from home, knowin' nothin' 'bout the country, an' +not willin' to lea'n. Always walkin' into traps. I guess they've nevah +missed a single trap the rebels have planted. Sometimes I've been so +mad 'bout it that I've felt like quittin' bein' a Yank an' tu'nin' to a +Johnny. But somehow I've nevah been able to make up my mind to go ag'in +my principles. Is Gen'ral Grant leadin' you?” + +“No, General Buell.” + +“I'm so'y of that. Gen'ral Buell, f'om all I heah, is a good fightah, +but slow. Liable to git thar, an' hit like all ta'nation, when it's a +little mite too late. He's one of ouah own Kentuckians, an' I won't say +anything ag'in him; not a wo'd, colonel, don't think that, but I've been +pow'ful took with this fellow Grant. I ain't any sojah, myself, but I +like the tales I heah 'bout him. When a fellow hits him he hits back +ha'dah, then the fellow comes back with anothah ha'dah still, an' then +Grant up an' hits him a wallop that you heah a mile, an' so on an' so +on.” + +“You're right, Malachi. I was with him at Donelson and Shiloh and that's +the way he did.” + +“I reckon it's the right way. Is it true, colonel, that he taps the +ba'el?” + +“Taps the barrel? What do you mean, Malachi?” + +White put his hands hollowed out like a scoop to his mouth and turned up +his face. + +“I see,” said Colonel Winchester, “and I'm glad to say no, Malachi. If +he takes anything he takes water just like the rest of us.” + +“Pow'ful glad to heah it, but it ain't easy to get too much good watah +this yeah. Nevah knowed such a dry season befoah, an' I was fifty-two +yeahs old, three weeks an' one day ago yestuhday.” + +“Thank you, Malachi, for your warning. We'll be doubly careful, because +of it, and I hope after this war is over to share your fine hospitality +once more.” + +“You'll sho'ly be welcome an' ev'y man an' boy with you will be welcome, +too. Fuhthah on, 'bout foah hund'ed yahds, you'll come to a path leadin' +into the woods. You take that path, colonel. It'll be sundown soon, an' +you follow it th'ough the night.” + +The two men shook hands again, and then the soldiers rode on at a brisk +trot. Malachi White sat on the fence, looking at them from under the +brim of his old straw hat, until they came to the path that he had +indicated and disappeared in the woods. Then he sighed and walked back +slowly to his house in the cornfield. Malachi White had no education, +but he had much judgment and he was a philosopher. + +But Dick and the others rode on through the forest, penetrating into the +high and rough hills which were sparsely inhabited. The nights, as it +was now October, were cool, despite the heat and dust of the day, and +they rode in a grateful silence. It was more than an hour after dark +when Powell, one of the Frankforters, spoke: + +“We can hit the old town by midnight easy enough,” he said. “Unless +they've stretched pretty wide lines of pickets I can lead you, sir, +within four hundred yards of Frankfort, where you can stay under cover +yourself and look right down into it. I guess by this good moonlight I +could point out old Bragg himself, if he should be up and walking around +the streets.” + +“That suits us, Powell,” said Colonel Winchester. “You and May lead the +way.” + +May was the other Frankforter and they took the task eagerly. They were +about to look down upon home after an absence of more than a year, a +year that was more than a normal ten. They were both young, not over +twenty, and after a while they turned out of the path and led into the +deep woods. + +“It's open forest through here, no underbrush, colonel,” said Powell, +“and it makes easy riding. Besides, about a mile on there's a creek +running down to the Kentucky that will have deep water in it, no matter +how dry the season has been. Tom May and I have swum in it many a time, +and I reckon our horses need water, colonel.” + +“So they do, and so do we. We'll stop a bit at this creek of yours, +Powell.” + +The creek was all that the two Frankfort lads had claimed for it. It was +two feet deep, clear, cold and swift, shadowed by great primeval trees. +Men and horses drank eagerly, and at last Colonel Winchester, feeling +that there was neither danger nor the need of hurry, permitted them +to undress and take a quick bath, which was a heavenly relief and +stimulant, allowing them to get clear of the dust and dirt of the day. + +“It's a beauty of a creek,” said Powell to Dick. “About a half mile +further down the stream is a tremendous tree on which is cut with a +penknife, 'Dan'l Boone killed a bar here, June 26, 1781.' I found it +myself, and I cut away enough of the bark growth with a penknife for it +to show clearly. I imagine the great Daniel and Simon Kenton and Harrod +and the rest killed lots of bears in these hills.” + +“I'd go and see that inscription in the morning,” said Dick, “if I +didn't have a bit of war on my hands.” + +“Maybe you'll have a chance later on. But I'm feeling bully after +this cold bath. Dick, I came into the creek weighing two hundred and +twenty-five pounds, one hundred and fifty pounds of human being and +seventy-five pounds of dust and dirt. I'm back to one hundred and fifty +now. Besides, I was fifty years old when I entered the stream, and I've +returned to twenty.” + +“That just about describes me, too, but the colonel is whistling for us +to come. Rush your jacket on and jump for your horse.” + +They had stayed about a half-hour at the creek, and about two o'clock in +the morning Powell and May led them through a dense wood to the edge of +a high hill. + +“There's Frankfort below you,” said May in a voice that trembled. + +The night was brilliant, almost like day, and they saw the little city +clustered along the banks of the Kentucky which flowed, a dark ribbon of +blue. Their powerful glasses brought out everything distinctly. They saw +the old state house, its trees, and in the open spaces, tents standing +by the dozens and scores. It was the division of Kirby Smith that +occupied the town, and Bragg himself had made a triumphant entry. Dick +wondered which house sheltered him. It was undoubtedly that of some +prominent citizen, proud of the honor. + +“Isn't it the snuggest and sweetest little place you ever saw?” said +May. “Lend me your glasses a minute, please, Dick.” + +Dick handed them to him, and May took a long look, Dick noticed that +the glasses remained directed toward a house among some trees near the +river. + +“You're looking at your home, are you not?” he asked. + +“I surely am. It's that cottage among the oaks. It's bigger than it +looks from here. Front porch and back porch, too. You go from the back +porch straight down to the river. I've swum across the Kentucky there +at night many and many a time. My father and mother are sure to be there +now, staying inside with the doors closed, because they're red hot for +the Union. Farther up the street, the low red brick house with the iron +fence around the yard is Jim Powell's home. You don't mind letting Jim +have a look through the glasses, do you?” + +“Of course not.” + +The glasses were handed in turn to Powell, who, as May had done, took +a long, long look. He made no comment, when he gave the glasses back to +Dick, merely saying: “Thank you.” But Dick knew that Powell was deeply +moved. + +“It may be, lads,” said Colonel Winchester, “that you will be able +to enter your homes by the front doors in a day or two. Evidently the +Southerners intend to make it a big day to-morrow when they inaugurate +Hawes, their governor.” + +“A governor who's a governor only when he is surrounded by an army, +won't be much of a governor,” said Pennington. “This state refused to +secede, and I guess that stands.” + +“Beyond a doubt it does,” said Colonel Winchester, “but they've made +great preparations, nevertheless. There are Confederate flags on the +Capitol and the buildings back of it, and I see scaffolding for seats +outside. Are there other places from which we can get good looks, lads?” + +“Plenty of them,” May and Powell responded together, and they led them +from hill to hill, all covered with dense forest. Several times they saw +Southern sentinels on the slopes near the edge of the woods, but May and +Powell knew the ground so thoroughly that they were always able to keep +the little troop under cover without interfering with their own scouting +operations. + +Buell had given final instructions to the colonel to come back with all +the information possible, and, led by his capable guides, the colonel +used his opportunities to the utmost. He made a half circle about +Frankfort, going to the river, and then back again. With the aid of +the glasses and the brilliancy of the night he was able to see that the +division of Kirby Smith was not strong enough to hold the town under +any circumstances, if the main Union army under Buell came up, and the +colonel was resolved that it should come. + +It was a singular coincidence that the Southerners were making a +military occupation of Frankfort with a Union army only a day's march +away. The colonel found a certain grim irony in it as he took his last +look and turned away to join Buell. + +A half mile into the forest and they heard the crashing of hoofs in the +brushwood. Colonel Winchester drew up his little troop abruptly as a +band of men in gray emerged into an open space. + +“Confederate cavalry!” exclaimed Dick. + +“Yes,” said the colonel. + +But the gray troopers were not much more numerous than the blue. +Evidently they were a scouting party, too, and for a few minutes they +stared at each other across a space of a couple of hundred yards or so. +Both parties fired a few random rifle shots, more from a sense of duty +than a desire to harm. Then they fell away, as if by mutual consent, the +gray riding toward Frankfort and the blue toward the Union army. + +“Was it a misfortune to meet them?” asked Dick. + +“I don't think so,” replied Colonel Winchester. “They had probably found +out already that our army was near. Of course they had out scouts. Kirby +Smith, I know, is an alert man, and anyway, the march of an army as +large as ours could not be hidden.” + +It was dawn again when the colonel's little party reached the Union +camp, and when he made his report the heavy columns advanced at once. +But the alarm had already spread about at Frankfort. The morning there +looked upon a scene even more lively than the one that had occurred +in Buell's camp. The scouts brought in the news that the Union army in +great force was at hand. They had met some of their cavalry patrols in +the night, on the very edge of the city. Resistance to the great Union +force was out of the question, because Bragg had committed the error +that the Union generals had been committing so often in the east. He had +been dividing and scattering his forces so much that he could not now +concentrate them and fight at the point where they were needed most. + +The division of the Southern army that occupied Frankfort hastily +gathered up its arms and supplies and departed, taking with it the +governor who was never inaugurated, and soon afterward the Union men +marched in. Both May and Powell had the satisfaction of entering their +homes by the front doors, and seeing the parents who did not know until +then whether they were dead or alive. + +Dick had a few hours' leave and he walked about the town. He had made +friends when he was there in the course of that memorable struggle over +secession, and he saw again all of them who had not gone to the war. + +Harry and his father were much present in his mind then, because he had +recently seen Colonel Kenton, and because the year before, all three of +them had talked together in these very places. + +But he could not dwell too much in the past. He was too young for it, +and the bustle of war was too great. It was said that Bragg's forces +had turned toward the southeast, but were still divided. It was reported +that the Bishop-General, Polk, had been ordered to attack the Northern +force in or near Frankfort, but the attack did not come. Colonel +Winchester said it was because Polk recognized the superior strength +of his enemy, and was waiting until he could co-operate with Bragg and +Hardee. + +But whatever it was Dick soon found himself leaving Frankfort and +marching into the heart of the Bluegrass. He began to have the feeling, +or rather instinct warned him, that battle was near. Yet he did not +fear for the Northern army as he had feared in Virginia and Maryland. +He never felt that such men as Lee and Jackson were before them. He felt +instead that the Southern commanders were doubtful and hesitating. They +now had there no such leaders as Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at +Shiloh when victory was in Southern hands and before it had time to slip +from their grasp. + +So the army dropped slowly down eastward and southward through the +Bluegrass. May and Powell had obtained but a brief glimpse of their +home town, before they were on their way again with a purpose which had +little to do with such peaceful things as home. + +Dick saw with dismay that the concentric march of the armies was +bringing them toward the very region into which his mother had fled for +refuge. She was at Danville, which is in the county of Boyle, and he +heard now that the Confederate army, or at least a large division of +it, was gathering at a group of splendid springs near a village called +Perryville in the same county. But second thought told him that she +would be safe yet in Danville, as he began to feel sure now that the +meeting of the armies would be at Perryville. + +Dick's certainty grew out of the fact that the great springs were about +Perryville. The extraordinary drouth and the remarkable phenomenon of +brooks drying up in Kentucky had continued. Water, cool and fresh for +many thousands of men, was wanted or typhoid would come. + +This need of vast quantities of water fresh and cool from the earth, was +obvious to everybody, and the men marched gladly toward the springs. +The march would serve two purposes: it would quench their thirst, and it +would bring on the battle they wanted to clear Kentucky of the enemy. + +“Fine country, this of yours, Dick,” said Warner as they rode side +by side. “I don't think I ever saw dust of a higher quality. It sifts +through everything, fills your eyes, nose and mouth and then goes down +under your collar and gives you a neat and continuous dust bath.” + +“You mustn't judge us by this phenomenon,” said Dick. “It has not +happened before since the white man came, and it won't happen again in a +hundred years.” + +“You may speak with certainty of the past, Dickie, my lad, but I don't +think we can tell much about the next century. I'll grant the fact, +however, that fifty or a hundred thousand men marching through a dry +country anywhere are likely to raise a lot of dust. Still, Dickie, my +boy, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but if I live through this, as +I mean to do, I intend to call it the Dusty Campaign.” + +“Call it what you like if in the end you call it victory.” + +“The dust doesn't hurt me,” said Pennington. “I've seen it as dry as +a bone on the plains with great clouds of it rolling away behind the +buffalo herds. There's nothing the matter with dust. Country dust is one +of the cleanest things in the world.” + +“That's so,” said Warner, “but it tickles and makes you hot. I should +say that despite its cleanly qualities, of which you speak, Frank, my +friend, its power to annoy is unsurpassed. Remember that bath we took in +the creek the night we went to Frankfort. Did you ever before see such +cool running water, and Dickie, old boy, remember how much there was of +it! It was just as deep and cool and fine after we left it.” + +“George,” said Dick, as he wiped his dusty face, “if you say anything +more about the creek and its cool water this army will lose a capable +lieutenant, and it will lose him mighty soon. It will be necessary, too, +to bury him very far from his home in Vermont.” + +“Keep cool, Dickie boy, and let who will be dusty. Brooks may fail once +in a hundred years in Kentucky, but they haven't failed in a thousand in +Vermont. You need not remind me that the white man has been there only +two or three hundred years. My information comes straight from a +very old Indian chief who was the depository of tribal recollections +absolutely unassailable. The streams even in midsummer come down as full +and cold as ever from the mountains.” + +“We'll have water and plenty of it in a day or two. The scouts say that +the Confederate force at the springs is not strong enough to withstand +us.” + +“But General Buell, not knowing exactly what General Bragg intends +with his divided force, has divided his own in order to meet him at all +points.” + +“Has he done that?” exclaimed Dick aghast. Like other young officers he +felt perfectly competent to criticize anybody. + +“He has, and it seems to me that when the enemy divided was the time for +us to unite or remain united. Then we could scoop him up in detail. Why, +Dick, with an army of sixty thousand men or so, made of such material as +ours has shown itself to be, we could surely beat any Southern force in +Kentucky!” + +“Especially as we have no Lees and Stonewall Jacksons to fight.” + +“Maybe General Buell has divided his force in order to obtain plenty of +water,” said Pennington. “We fellows ought to be fair to him.” + +“Perhaps you're right,” said Warner, “and you're right when you say we +ought to be fair to him. I know it will be a great relief to General +Buell to find that we three are supporting his management of this army. +Shall I go and tell him, Frank?” + +“Not now, but you can a little later on. Suppose you wait until a day or +two after the battle which we all believe is coming.” + +The three boys were really in high spirits. Little troubled them but the +dryness and the dust. They had tasted so much of defeat and drawn battle +in the east that they had an actual physical sense of better things in +the west. The horizons were wider, the mountains were lower, and there +was not so much enveloping forest. They did not have the strangling +sensation, mental only, which came from the fear that hostile armies +would suddenly rush from the woods and fall upon their flank. + +Besides, there was Shiloh. After all, they had won Shiloh, and the +coming of this very Buell who led them now had enabled them to win it. +And Shiloh was the only great battle that they had yet really won. + +They camped that night in the dry fields. The Winchester regiment was a +part of the division under McCook, while Buell with the rest of the army +was some miles away. It was still warm, although October was now seven +days old, and Dick had never before heard the grass and leaves rustle +so dryly under the wind. Off in the direction of Perryville they saw +the dim gleam of red, and they knew it came from the camp-fires of the +Southern army. Buell had in his detached divisions sixty thousand +men, most of them veterans and Dick believed that if they were brought +together victory was absolutely sure on the morrow. + +The troops around the Winchester regiment were lads from Ohio, and they +affiliated readily. Most of the new men were in these Ohio regiments, +and Dick, Warner and Frank felt themselves ancient veterans who could +talk to the recruits and give them good advice. And the recruits took +it in the proper spirit. They looked up with admiration to those who had +been at Shiloh, and the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +Dick thought their spirit remarkable. They were not daunted at all by +the great failures in the east. They did not discount the valor of the +Southern troops, but they asked to be led against them. + +“Come over here,” said one of the Ohio boys to Dick. “Ahead of us and +on the side there's rough ground with thick woods and deep ravines. I'll +show you something just at the edge of the woods. Bring your friends +with you.” + +The twilight had already turned to night and Dick, calling Warner and +Pennington, went with his new friend. There, flowing from under a great +stone, shaded by a huge oak, was a tiny stream of pure cold water a +couple of inches deep but seven or eight inches broad. Under the stone +a beautiful basin a foot and a half across and about as deep had been +chiselled out. + +“A lot of us found it here,” said the Ohio boy, “and we found, too, a +tin cup chained to a staple driven into the stone. See, it's here still. +We haven't broken the chain. I suppose it belongs to some farmer close +by. The boys brought other tin cups and we drank so fast that the brook +itself became dry. The water never got any further than the pool. I +suppose it's just started again. Drink.” + +The boys drank deeply and gratefully. No such refreshing stream had ever +flowed down their throats before. + +“Ohio,” said Dick, “you're a lovely, dirty angel.” + +“I guess I am,” said Ohio, “'cause I found the spring. It turned me from +an old man back to a boy again. Cold as ice, ain't it? I can tell you +why. This spring starts right at the North Pole, right under the pole +itself, dives away down into the earth, comes under Bering Sea and then +under British America, and then under the lakes, and then under Ohio, +and then under a part of Kentucky, and then comes out here especially to +oblige us, this being a dry season.” + +“I believe every word you say, Ohio,” said Warner, “since your +statements are proved by the quality of the water. I could easily +demonstrate it as a mathematical proposition.” + +“Don't you pay any attention to him, Ohio,” said Dick. “He's from +Vermont, and he's so full of big words that he's bound to get rid of +some of them.” + +“I'm not doubting you, Vermont,” said Ohio. “As you believe every word I +said, I believe every word you said.” + +“There's nothing extraordinary about them things,” said another Ohio +boy belonging to a different brigade, who was sitting near. “Do you know +that we swallowed a whole river coming down here? We began swallowing it +when we crossed the Ohio, just like a big snake swallowing a snake not +quite so big, taking down his head first, then keeping on swallowing +him until the last tip of his tail disappeared inside. It was a good big +stream when we started, water up to our knees, but we formed across it +in a line five hundred men deep and then began to drink as we marched +forward. Of course, a lot of water got past the first four hundred lines +or so, but the five hundredth always swallowed up the last drop.” + +“We marched against that stream for something like a hundred and fifty +miles. No water ever got past us. We left a perfectly dry bed behind. +Up in the northern part of the state not a drop of water came down the +river in a month. We followed it, or at least a lot of us did, clean +to its source in some hills a piece back of us. We drank it dry up to a +place like this, only bigger, and do you know, a fellow of our company +named Jim Lambert was following it up under the rocks, and we had to +pull him out by the feet to keep him from being suffocated. That was +four days ago, and we had a field telegram yesterday from a place near +the Ohio, saying that a full head of water had come down the river +again, three feet deep from bank to bank and running as if there had +been a cloudburst in the hills. Mighty glad they were to see it, too.” + +There was a silence, but at length a solemn youth sitting near said in +very serious tones: + +“I've thought over that story very thoroughly, and I believe it's a +lie.” + +“Vermont,” said the first Ohio lad, “don't you have faith in my friend's +narrative?” + +“I believe every word of it,” said Warner warmly. “Our friend here, who +I see can see, despite the dim light, has a countenance which one could +justly say indicates a doubtful and disputatious nature, wishes to +discredit it because he has not heard of such a thing before. Now, I +ask you, gentlemen, intelligent and fair-minded as I know you are, where +would we be, where would civilization be if we assumed the attitude of +our friend here. If a thing is ever seen at all somebody sees it first, +else it would never be seen. _Quod erat demonstrandum_. You remember +your schooldays, of course. I thank you for your applause, gentlemen, +but I'm not through yet. We have passed the question of things seen, +and we now come to the question of things done, which is perhaps more +important. It is obvious even to the doubtful or carping mind that if +a new thing is done it is done by somebody first. Others will do it +afterward, but there must and always will be a first. + +“Nobody ever swallowed a river before, beginning at its mouth and +swallowing it clean down to its source, but a division of gallant young +troops from Ohio have done so. They are the first, and they must and +always will be the first. Doubtless, other rivers will be swallowed +later on. As the population increases, larger rivers will be swallowed, +but the credit for initiating the first and greatest pure-water drinking +movement in the history of the world will always belong to a brave army +division from the state of Ohio.” + +A roar of applause burst forth, and Warner, standing up, bowed +gracefully with his hand upon his heart. Then came a dead silence, as +a hand fell upon the Vermonter's shoulder. Warner looked around and +his jaw fell. General McCook, who commanded this part of the army, was +standing beside him. + +“Excuse me, sir, I--” began Warner. + +“Never mind,” said the general. “I had come for a drink of water, and +hearing your debate I stopped for a few moments behind a tree to listen. +I don't know your name, young gentleman.” + +“Warner, sir, George Warner, first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel +Winchester.” + +“I merely wished to say, Lieutenant Warner, that I listened to your +speech from the first word to the last, and I found it very cogent and +powerful. As you say, things must have beginnings. If there is no +first, there can be no second or third. I am entirely convinced by your +argument that our army swallowed a river as it marched southward. +In fact, I have often felt so thirsty that I felt as if I could have +swallowed it myself all alone.” + +There was another roar of applause, and as a dozen cups filled with +water were pushed at the general, he drank deeply and often, and then +retired amid further applause. + +“They'll fight well for him, to-morrow,” said Dick. + +“No doubt of it,” said Warner. + +They went into the edge of the wood and sought sleep and rest. But there +was much merry chatter first among these lads, for many of whom death +had already spread its somber wings. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. PERRYVILLE + + +Dick slept very well that night. The water from the little spring, +gushing out from under the rock, had refreshed him greatly. He would +have rejoiced in another bath, such as one as they had luxuriated in +that night before Frankfort, but it was a thing not be dreamed of now, +and making the best of things as they were, he had gone to sleep among +his comrades. + +The dryness of the ground had at least one advantage. They had not colds +and rheumatism to fear, and, with warm earth beneath them and fresh air +above, they slept more soundly than if they had been in their own beds. +But while they were sleeping the wary Sergeant Whitley was slipping +forward among the woods and ravines. He had received permission from +Colonel Winchester, confirmed by a higher officer, to go on a scout, and +he meant to use his opportunity. He had made many a scouting trip on +the plains, where there was less cover than here, and there torture and +death were certain if captured, but here it would only be imprisonment +among men who were in no sense his personal enemies, and who would not +ill-treat him. So the sergeant took plenty of chances. + +He passed the Union pickets, entered a ravine which led up between two +hills and followed it for some distance. In a cross ravine he found a +little stream of water, flowing down from some high, rocky ground above, +and, at one point, he came to a pool several yards across and three or +four feet deep. It was cool and fresh, and the sergeant could not resist +the temptation to slip off his clothes and dive into it once or twice. +He slipped his clothes on again, the whole not consuming more than five +minutes, and then went on much better equipped for war than he had been +five minutes before. + +Then he descended the hills and came down into a valley crossed by a +creek, which in ordinary times had plenty of water, but which was now +reduced to a few muddy pools. The Southern pickets did not reach so far, +and save for the two tiny streams in the hills this was all the water +that the Northern army could reach. Farther down, its muddy and detached +stream lay within the Confederate lines. + +Crossing the creek's bed the sergeant ascended a wooded ridge, and now +he proceeded with extreme caution. He had learned that beyond this ridge +was another creek containing much more water than the first. Upon its +banks at the crossing of the road stood the village of Perryville, and +there, according to his best information and belief, lay the Southern +army. But he meant to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears, +and thus return to McCook's force with absolute certainty. + +The sergeant, as he had expected, found cover more plentiful than it was +on the plains, but he never stalked an Indian camp with more caution. He +knew that the most of the Southern scouts and skirmishers were as wary +as the Indians that once hunted in these woods, and that, unless he used +extreme care, he was not likely to get past them. + +He came at last to a point where he lay down flat on his stomach and +wormed himself along, keeping in the thickest shadow of woods and +bushes. The night was bright, and although his own body was blended with +the ground, he could see well about him. The sergeant was a very patient +man. Life as a lumberman and then as a soldier on the plains had taught +him to look where he was crawling. He spent a full hour worming himself +up to the crest of that ridge and a little way down on the other side. +In the course of the last fifteen minutes he passed directly between two +alert and vigilant Southern pickets. They looked his way several times, +but the sergeant was so much in harmony with the color scheme of the +earth on which he crept, that no blame lay upon them for not seeing him. + +The sergeant was already hearing with his own ears. He heard these +pickets and others talking in low voices of the Northern army and of +their own. They knew that Buell's great force was approaching from +different points and that a battle was expected on the morrow. He knew +this already, but he wanted to know how much of the Confederate army lay +in Perryville, and he intended to see with his own eyes. + +Having passed the first line of pickets the sergeant advanced more +rapidly, although he still kept well under cover. Advancing thus he +reached the bed of the creek and hid himself against the bank, allowing +his body to drop down in the water, in order that he might feel the +glorious cool thrill again, and also that he might be hidden to the +neck. His rifle and ammunition he laid at the edge of the bank within +reach. Situated thus comfortably, he used his excellent eyes with +excellent results. He could see Perryville on his left, and also a great +camp on some heights that ran along the creek. There were plenty of +lights in this camp, and, despite the lateness of the hour, officers +were passing about. + +It was obvious to the sergeant that many thousands of soldiers were on +those heights, and now he wanted to hear again with his own ears. He did +not dare go any nearer, and the water in the creek was growing cold to +his body. But his patience was great, and still he waited, only his head +showing above the water, and it hidden in the black gloom of the bank's +shadows. + +His reward came by-and-by. A number of cavalrymen led their horses down +to the creek to drink, and while the horses drank and then blew the +water away from their noses, the men talked at some length, enabling the +sergeant to pick up important scraps of information. + +He learned that the heights were occupied by Hardee with two divisions. +It was the same Hardee, the famous tactician who had been one of the +Southern generals at Shiloh. Polk was expected, but he had not yet come +up. Bragg, too, would be there. + +The brave sergeant's heart thumped as he listened. He gathered that +Polk, perhaps, could not arrive before noon, and here was a brilliant +chance to destroy a large part of the Southern army early in the +morning. + +He waited until all the cavalrymen had gone away with their horses, and +then he crawled cautiously out of the stream. His limbs were cold and +stiff, but his enforced exercise in crawling soon brought back their +flexibility. He passed between the pickets again, and, when he was +safely beyond their hearing, he rose and stretched himself again and +again. + +The sergeant greatly preferred walking to crawling. Primitive men might +have crawled, but to do so made the modern man's knees uncommonly sore. +So he continued to stretch, to inhale great draughts of air, and to feel +proudly that he was a man who walked upright and not a bear or a pig +creeping on four legs through the bushes. + +He reached his own army not long afterward, and, walking among the +thousands of sleeping forms, reached the tree under which Colonel +Winchester slept. + +“Colonel,” he said gently. + +The colonel awoke instantly and sat up. Despite the dusk he recognized +Whitley at once. + +“Well, sergeant?” he said. + +“I've been clean over the ridge to the rebel camp. I reached the next +creek and lay on the heights just beyond it. I've seen with my own +eyes and I've heard with my own ears. They've only two divisions there, +though they're expectin' Polk to come up in the mornin' an' Bragg, too. +Colonel, I'm a good reckoner, as I've seen lots of war, and they ain't +got more `n fifteen thousand men there on the creek, while if we get all +our divisions together we can hit `em with nigh on to sixty thousand. +For God's sake, Colonel, can't we do it?” + +“We ought to, and if I can do anything, we will. Sergeant, you've done a +great service at a great risk, and all of us owe you thanks. I shall see +General McCook at once.” + +The sergeant, forgetting that he was wet to the skin, stretched himself +in the dry grass near Dick and his comrades, and soon fell fast asleep, +while his clothes dried upon him. But Colonel Winchester went to General +McCook's tent and insisted upon awakening him. The general received him +eagerly and listened with close attention. + +“This man Whitley is trustworthy?” he said. + +“Absolutely. He has had years of experience on the plains, fighting +Sioux, Cheyennes and other Indians, and he has been with me through most +of the war so far. There is probably no more skillful scout, and none +with a clearer head and better judgment in either army.” + +“Then, Colonel, we owe him thanks, and you thanks for letting him go. +We'll certainly bring on a battle to-morrow, and we ought to have all +our army present. I shall send a messenger at once to General Buell with +your news. Messengers shall also go to Crittenden, Rousseau, and the +other generals. But you recognize, of course, that General Buell is +the commander-in-chief, and that it is for him to make the final +arrangements.” + +“I do, sir,” said the colonel, as he saluted and retired. He went back +to the point where his own little regiment lay. He knew every man and +boy in it, and he had known them all in the beginning, when they were +many times more. But few of the splendid regiment with which he had +started south a year and a half before remained. He looked at Dick and +Warner and Pennington and the sergeant and wondered if they would be +present to answer to the roll the next night, or if he himself would be +there? + +The colonel cherished no illusions. He was not sanguine that the whole +Union army would come up, and even if it came, and if victory should be +won it would be dark and bloody. He knew how the Southerners fought, and +here more so than anywhere else, it would be brother against brother. +This state was divided more than any other, and, however the battle +went, kindred would meet kindred. Colonel Kenton, Dick's uncle, a man +whom he liked and admired, was undoubtedly across those ridges, and they +might meet face to face in the coming battle. + +It was far into the morning now and the colonel did not sleep again. He +saw the messengers leaving the tent of General McCook, and he knew that +the commander of the division was active. Just what success he would +have would remain for the morrow to say. The colonel saw the dawn come. +The dry fields and forests reddened with the rising sun, and then the +army rose up from its sleep. The cooks had already prepared coffee and +food. + +“Show me the enemy,” said Pennington fiercely, “and as soon as I finish +this cup of coffee, I'll go over and give him the thrashing he needs.” + +“He's just across those ridges, sir, and on the banks of the far creek,” + said Sergeant Whitley. + +“How do you know?” + +“I made a call on him last night.” + +“You did? And what did he say?” + +“I didn't send in my card. I just took a look at his front door and came +away. He's at home, waiting and willing to give us a fight.” + +“Well, it's a fine day for a battle anyway. Look what a splendid sun is +rising! And you can see the soft haze of fall over the hills and woods.” + +“It's not as fine a fall as usual in Kentucky,” said Dick, in an +apologetic tone to Warner and Pennington. “It's been so dry that the +leaves are falling too early, and the reds, the yellows and the browns +are not so bright.” + +“Never mind, Dickie, boy,” said Warner consolingly. “We'll see it in a +better year, because Pennington and I are both coming back to spend +six months with you when this war is over. I've already accepted the +invitation. So get ready for us, Dick.” + +“It's an understood thing now,” said Dick sincerely. “There go the +trumpets, and they mean for us to get in line.” + +A large portion of the division was already on the way, having started +at five o'clock, and the little Winchester regiment was soon marching, +too. The day was again hot. October, even, did not seem able to break +that singular heat, and the dust was soon billowing about them in +columns, stinging and burning them. The sergeant the night before had +taken a short cut through the hills, but the brigades, needing wide +spaces, marched along the roads and through the fields. A portion of +their own army was hidden from them by ridges and forest, and Dick did +not know whether Buell with the other half of the army had come up. + +After a long and exhausting march they stopped, and the Winchester +regiment and the Ohio lads concluded that they had been wrong after +all. No battle would be fought that day. They were willing now, too, to +postpone it, as they were almost exhausted by heat and thirst, and that +stinging, burning dust was maddening. A portion of their line rested +on the first creek, and they drank eagerly of the muddy water. Dick saw +before him fields in which the corn stood thick and heavy. The fields +were divided by hedges which cut off the view somewhat and which the +sergeant said would furnish great ambush for sharpshooters. + +The men were now allowed to lie down, but most of them were still +panting with the heat. The three boys on horseback rode with Colonel +Winchester to the crest of a low hill, just beyond the first creek. From +that point they clearly saw the enemy gathered in battle array along the +second stream. Dick, with his glasses, saw the batteries, and could even +mark the sun-browned faces of the men. + +“Has General Buell come?” he asked Colonel Winchester. + +“He has not. Not half of our army is here.” + +The answer was made with emphasis and chagrin. There was a report that +Buell did not intend to attack until the following day, when he would +have his numbers well in hand. + +“Under the circumstances,” said the colonel, “we have to wait. Better +get off your horses, boys, and hunt the shade.” + +They rode back and obeyed. It was now getting well along into the +afternoon. Thousands of soldiers lay on the grass in the shadiest places +they could find. Many were asleep. Overhead the sun burned and burned in +a sky of absolute blazing white. + +A cannon boomed suddenly and then another. The artillery of the two +armies watching one another had opened at long range, but the fire was +so distant that it did no harm. Dick and his comrades watched the shells +in their flight, noting the trails of white smoke they left behind, and +then the showers of earth that flew up when they burst. It was rather a +pleasant occupation to watch them. In a way it broke the monotony of a +long summer day. + +They did not know that Polk, the bishop-general, was arriving at that +moment in the Southern camp with five thousand men. Bragg had come, too, +but he left the command to Polk, who outranked Hardee, and the three +together listened to the long-range cannonade, while they also examined +with powerful glasses the Union army which was now mostly lying on the +ground. + +Dick himself felt a strong temptation to sleep. The march through the +heat that morning had been dusty and tiresome, and the warm wind that +blew over him made his eyelids very heavy. The cannonade itself was +conducive to slumber. The guns were fired at regular intervals, which +created a sort of rhythm. The shells with their trailing white smoke +ceased to interest him, and his eyelids grew heavier. It was now about +2:30 o'clock and as his eyes were about to close a sudden shout made him +open them wide and then spring to his feet. + +“Look out! Look out!” cried Sergeant Whitley, “The Johnnies are coming!” + +The Union forces in an instant were in line, rifles ready and eager. +The gray masses were already charging across the fields and hills, while +their cannon made a sudden and rapid increase in the volume of fire. +Their batteries were coming nearer, too, and the shells hitherto +harmless were now shrieking and hissing among their ranks, killing and +wounding. + +Dick looked around him. The members of the slim Winchester regiment were +all veterans; but thousands of the Ohio lads were recruits who had never +seen battle before. Now shell and shot were teaching them the terrible +realities. He saw many a face grow pale, as his own had often grown +pale, in the first minutes of battle, but he did not see any one flinch. + +The Northern cannon posted in the intervals and along the edges of +the woods opened with a mighty crash, and as the enemy came nearer the +riflemen began to send a hail of bullets. But the charge did not break. +It was led by Buckner, taken at Donelson, but now exchanged, and some of +the best troops of the South followed him. + +“Steady! Steady!” shouted Colonel Winchester. The ranks were so close +that he and all of his staff, having no room for their horses, had +dismounted, and they stood now in the front rank, encouraging the men to +meet the charge. But the rush of the Southern veterans was so sudden +and fierce that despite every effort of valor the division gave way, +suffering frightful losses. + +Two of the Union generals seeking to hold their men were killed. Each +side rushed forward reinforcements. A stream of Confederates issued from +a wood and flung themselves upon the Union flank. Dick was dazed with +the suddenness and ferocity with which the two armies had closed in +mortal combat. He could see but little. He was half blinded by the +smoke, the flash of rifles and cannon and the dust. Officers and +men were falling all around him. The numbers were not so great as +at Antietam, but it seemed to him that within the contracted area of +Perryville the fight was even more fierce and deadly than it had been on +that famous Maryland field. + +But he was conscious of one thing. They were being borne back. Tears of +rage ran down his face. Was it always to be this way? Were their numbers +never to be of any avail? He heard some one shout for Buell, and he +heard some one else shout in reply that he was far away, as he had been +at Shiloh. + +It was true. The wind blowing away from him, Buell had not yet heard +a sound from the raging battle, which for its numbers and the time it +lasted, was probably the fiercest ever fought on the American continent. +The larger Union force, divided by ridges and thick woods from the +field, had not heard the fire of a single cannon, and did not know that +two armies were engaged in deadly combat so near. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester and Warner and Pennington were +by his side. The sergeant was also near. There was no chance to give +or send orders, and the officers, snatching up the rifles of the fallen +soldiers, fought almost as privates. The Winchester regiment performed +prodigies of valor on that day, and the Ohio lads strove desperately for +every inch of ground. + +It seemed to Dick once that they would hold fast, when he heard in front +a tremendous cry of: “On, my boys!” As the smoke lifted a little he saw +that it was Colonel Kenton leading his own trained and veteran regiment. +Colonel Winchester and Colonel Kenton, in fact, had met face to face, +but the Southern regiment was the more numerous and the stronger. +Winchester's men were gradually borne back and the colonel gasped to +Dick: + +“Didn't I see your uncle leading on his regiment?” + +“Yes, it was he. It was his regiment that struck us, but he's hidden now +by the smoke.” + +The Southern rush did not cease. McCook's whole division, between the +shallow creeks was driven back, sustaining frightful losses, and it +would have been destroyed, but the artillery of Sheridan on the flank +suddenly opened upon the Southern victors. The Southerners whirled and +charged Sheridan, but his defense was so strong, and so powerful was his +artillery that they were compelled to recoil every time with shattered +ranks. + +The decimated Ohio regiments beyond the creek were gathering themselves +anew for the battle, and so were the men of Colonel Winchester, now +reduced to half their numbers again. Then a great shout arose. A fresh +brigade had come up to their relief, and aided by these new men they +made good the ground upon which they stood. + +Another shout arose, telling that Buell was coming, and, two hours after +the combat had opened, he arrived with more troops. But night was now at +hand, and the sun set over a draw like that at Antietam. Forty thousand +men had fought a battle only about three hours long, and eight thousand +of them lay dead or wounded upon the sanguinary field. One half the +Union army never reached the field in time to fight. + +As both sides drew off in the darkness, Dick shouted in triumph, +thinking they had won a victory. A bullet fired by some retiring +Southern skirmisher glanced along his head. There was a sudden flash of +fire before him and then darkness. His body fell on a little slope and +rolled among some bushes. + + +The close hot night came down upon the field, and the battle, the most +sanguinary ever fought on Kentucky soil, had closed. Like so many other +terrible struggles of the Civil War, it had been doubtful, or almost, +so far as the fighting was concerned. The Northern left wing had been +driven back, but the Northern right wing had held firm against every +attack of the enemy. + +Pennington, when he lay panting on the ground with the remnant of the +Winchesters, knew little about the result of the combat. He knew that +their own division had suffered terribly. The Ohio recruits had been cut +almost to pieces, and the Winchester regiment had been reduced by half +again. He was so tired that he did not believe he could stir for a long +time. He felt no wound, but every bone ached from weariness, and his +throat and mouth seemed to burn with smoke and dust. + +Pennington did not see either Dick or Warner, but as soon as he got a +little strength into his limbs he would look for them. No doubt they +were safe. A special providence always watched over those fellows. It +was true that Warner had been wounded at the Second Manassas, but a +hidden power had guided Dick to him, and he got well so fast that he was +able to fight soon afterward at Antietam. + +Pennington lay still, and he heard all around him the deep breathing of +men who, like himself, were so worn that they could scarcely move. The +field in front of him darkened greatly, but he saw lights moving there, +and he knew that they belonged to little parties from either army +looking for the wounded. He began to wonder which side had won the +battle. + +“Ohio,” he said to one of the Ohio lads who lay near, “did we lick the +Johnnies, or did the Johnnies lick us?” + +“Blessed if I know, and I don't care much, either. Four fellows that I +used to play with at school were killed right beside me. It was my first +battle, and, Oh, I tell you, it was awful!” + +He gulped suddenly and began to cry. Pennington, who was no older than +he, patted him soothingly on the shoulder. + +“I know that you were the bravest of the brave, because I saw you,” he +said. + +“I don't know about that, but I do know that I can never get used to +killing men and seeing them killed.” + +Pennington was surprised that Dick and Warner had not appeared. They +would certainly rejoin their own regiment, and he began to feel uneasy. +The last shot had been fired, the night was darkening fast and a +mournful wind blew over the battlefield. But up and down the lines they +were lighting the cooking fires. + +Pennington rose to his feet. He saw Colonel Winchester, standing a +little distance away, and he was about to ask him for leave to look for +his comrades, when he was startled by the appearance of a woman, a woman +of thirty-eight or nine, tall, slender, dressed well, and as Pennington +plainly saw, very beautiful. But now she was dusty, her face was pale, +and her eyes shone with a terrible anxiety. Women were often seen in the +camps at the very verge or close of battle, saying good-bye or looking +for the lost, but she was unusual. + +The soldiers stood aside for her respectfully, and she looked about, +until her gaze fell upon the colonel. Then she ran to him, seized him by +the arm, and exclaimed: + +“Colonel Winchester! Colonel Winchester!” + +“Good heavens, Mrs. Mason! You! How did you come?” + +“I was at Danville, not so far from here. Of course I knew that the +armies were about to meet for battle! And it was only two days ago that +I heard the Winchester regiment had come west to join General Buell's +army.” + +A stalwart and powerful colored woman emerged from the darkness and put +her arm around Mrs. Mason's waist. + +“Don't you get too much excited, chile,” she said soothingly. + +Juliana stood beside her mistress, a very tower of defense, glaring at +the soldiers about them as if she would resent their curiosity. + +“I thought I would come and try to see Dick,” continued Mrs. Mason. “My +relatives sought to persuade me not to do it. They were right, I know, +but I wanted to come so badly that I had to do it. We slipped away +yesterday, Juliana and I. We stayed at a farmhouse last night, and this +morning we rode through the woods. We expected to be in the camp this +afternoon, but as we were coming to the edge of the forest we heard the +cannon and then the rifles. Through three or four dreadful hours, while +we shook there in the woods, we listened to a roar and thunder that I +would have thought impossible.” + +“The battle was very fierce and terrible,” said Colonel Winchester. + +“I don't think it could have been more so. We saw a part of it, but +only a confused and awful sweep of smoke and flame. And now, Colonel +Winchester, where is my boy, Dick?” + +Colonel Winchester's face turned deadly pale, and she noticed it at +once. Her own turned to the same pallor, but she did not shriek or +faint. + +“You do not know that he is killed?” she said in a low, distinct tone +that was appalling to the other. + +“I missed him only a little while ago,” said Colonel Winchester, “and +I've been looking for him. But I'm sure he is not dead. He can't be!” + +“No, he can't be! I can't think it!” she said, and she looked at the +colonel appealingly. + +“If you please, sir,” said Pennington, “Lieutenant Warner is missing +also. I think we'll find them together. You remember what happened at +the Second Manassas.” + +“Yes, Frank, I do remember it, and your supposition may be right.” + +He asked a lantern from one of the men, and whispered to Pennington +to come. But Mrs. Mason and Juliana had been standing at strained +attention, and Mrs. Mason inferred at once what was about to be done. + +“You mean to look for him on the field,” she said. “We will go with +you.” + +Colonel Winchester opened his lips to protest, but shut them again in +silence. + +“It is right that you should come,” he said a moment later, “but you +will see terrible things.” + +“I am ready.” + +She seemed all the more admirable and wonderful to Colonel Winchester, +because she did not weep or faint. The deathly pallor on her face +remained, but she held herself firmly erect beside the gigantic colored +woman. + +“Come with me, Pennington,” said Colonel Winchester, “and you, too, +Sergeant Whitley.” + +The two men and the boy led the way upon the field, and the two women +came close behind. They soon entered upon the area of conflict. The +colonel had said that it would be terrible, but Mrs. Mason scarcely +dreamed of the reality. It was one vast scene of frightful destruction, +of torn and trampled earth and of dead men lying in all directions. The +black of her faithful servant's face turned to an ashen gray, and she +trembled more than her mistress. + +Colonel Winchester had a very clear idea of the line along which his +regiment had advanced and retreated, and he followed it. But the lantern +did not enable them to see far. As happened so often after the great +battles of the Civil War, the signs began to portend rain. The long +drouth would be broken, but whether by natural change or so much firing +Colonel Winchester did not know. Despite the lateness of the season dim +lightning was seen on the horizon. The great heat was broken by a cool +wind that began to blow from the northwest. + +The five advanced in silence, the two men and the boy still leading and +the two women following close behind. Colonel Winchester's heart began +to sink yet farther. He had not felt much hope at first, and now he felt +scarcely any at all. A few moments later, however, the sergeant suddenly +held up his hand. + +“What is it?” asked the colonel. + +“I think I hear somebody calling.” + +“Like as not. Plenty of wounded men may be calling in delirium.” + +“But, colonel, I've been on battlefields before, and this sounds like +the voice of some one calling for help.” + +“Which way do you think it is?” + +“To the left and not far off. It's a weak voice.” + +“We'll turn and follow it. Don't say anything to the others yet.” + +They curved and walked on, the colonel swinging his lantern from side to +side, and now all of them heard the voice distinctly. + +“What is that?” exclaimed Mrs. Mason, speaking for the first time since +they had come upon the field of conflict. + +“Some one shouting for help,” replied Colonel Winchester. “One could not +neglect him at such a time.” + +“No, that is so.” + +“It's the voice of Lieutenant Warner, colonel,” whispered the sergeant. + +Colonel Winchester nodded. “Say nothing as yet,” he whispered. + +They walked a dozen steps farther and the colonel, swinging high the +lantern, disclosed Warner sitting on the trunk of a tree that had been +cut through by cannon balls. Warner, as well as they could see, was not +wounded, but he seemed to be suffering from an overpowering weakness. +The colonel, the sergeant and the boy alike dreaded to see what lay +beyond the log, but the two women did not know Warner or that his +presence portended anything. + +The Vermonter saw them coming, and raised his hand in a proper salute +to his superior officer. Then as they came nearer, and he saw the white +woman who came with them, he lifted his head, tried to straighten his +uniform a little with his left hand, and said as he bowed: + +“I think this must be Mrs. Mason, Dick's mother.” + +“It is,” said Colonel Winchester, and then they waited a moment or two +in an awful silence. + +“I don't rise because there is something heavy lying in my lap which +keeps me from it,” said Warner very quietly, but with deep feeling. +“After the Second Manassas, where I was badly wounded and left on the +ground for dead, a boy named Dick Mason hunted over the field, found +me and brought me in. I felt grateful about it and told him that if he +happened to get hit in the same way I'd find him and bring him in as he +had brought me. + +“I didn't think the chance would come so soon. Curious how things happen +as you don't think they're going to happen, and don't happen as you +think they're going to happen, and here the whole thing comes out in +only a few weeks. We were driven back and I missed Dick as the battle +closed. Of course I came to hunt for him, and I found him. Easy, Mrs. +Mason, don't get excited now. Yes, you can have his head in your own +lap, but it must be moved gently. That's where he's hurt. Don't tremble, +ma'am. He isn't going to die, not by a long shot. The bullet meant to +kill him, but finding his head too hard, it turned away, and went out +through his hair. He won't have any scar, either, because it's all under +the thickest part of his hair. + +“Of course his eyes are closed, ma'am. He hasn't come around yet, but +he's coming fast. Don't cry on his face, ma'am. Boys never like to have +their faces cried on. I'd have brought him in myself, but I found I +was too weak to carry him. It's been too short a time since the Second +Manassas for me to have got back all my strength. So I just bound up his +head, held it in my lap, and yelled for help. Along came a rebel party, +bearing two wounded, and they looked at me. 'You're about pumped out,' +said one of them, 'but we'll take your friend in for you.' 'No, you +won't,' I said. 'Why not?' said they. 'Because you're no account +Johnnies,' I said, 'while my wounded friend and I are high-toned Yanks.' +'I beg your pardon,' said the Johnny, who was one of the most polite +fellows I ever saw, 'I didn't see your uniform clearly by this dim +light, but the parties looking for the wounded are mostly going in, and +you're likely to be left here with your friend, who needs attention. +Better come along with us and be prisoners and give him a chance to get +well.' + +“Now, that was white, real white, but I thanked him and said that as +soon as General Buell heard that the best two soldiers in his whole army +were here resting, he'd come with his finest ambulance for us, driving +his horses himself. They said then they didn't suppose they were needed +and went on. But do you know, ma'am, every one of those Johnnies, as he +passed poor old unconscious Dick with his head in my lap, took off his +hat.” + +“It was a fine thing for them to do,” said Colonel Winchester, and then +he whispered: “I'm glad you talked that way, Warner. It helps. You see, +she's feeling more cheerful already.” + +“Yes, and you see old Dick's opening his eyes. Isn't it strange that +the first thing he should see when he opens them here on the battlefield +should be his mother?” + +“A strange and happy circumstance,” said Colonel Winchester. + +Dick opened his eyes. + +“Mother!” he exclaimed. + +Her arms were already around him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + + +They took Dick to the house of his relatives, the Careys, in Danville, +and in a few days he learned the sequel of that sudden and terrible +storm of death at Perryville. Buell had gathered all his forces in +the night, and in the morning had intended to attack again, but the +Confederate army was gone, carrying with it vast stores of supplies that +it had gathered on the way. + +The rains, too, had come. They had begun the morning after the battle, +and they poured for days. In the southeast, among the mountains toward +which Bragg had turned the head of his army, the roads were quagmires. +Nevertheless he had toiled on and was passing through Cumberland Gap. +Buell had gone in the other direction toward the southwest, and then +came the news that he was relieved of his command, and that Rosecrans +would take his place. + +Dick felt the call of the trumpet. He knew that his comrades were now +down there in Tennessee with the army under Rosecrans, and he felt that +he must join them. His mother begged him to stay. He had done enough for +his country. He had fought in great battles, and he had narrowly escaped +a mortal wound. He should come home, and stay safely at Pendleton until +the war was over. + +But Dick, though grieving with her, felt that he must go. He would stay +with the army until the end, and he departed for Lexington, where he +took the train for Louisville. Thence he went southward directly by +rail to Bowling Green, where the Northern army was encamped, with +lines stretching as far south as Nashville, and where he received the +heartiest of greetings from his comrades. + +“I knew you'd come,” said Warner. “Perhaps a man with a mother like +yours ought to stay at home, and again he ought to come. So there you +are, and here you are!” + +Dick was familiar with the country about Bowling Green. It was a part +of the state in which he had relatives, and he had visited it more than +once. He also saw the camps left by Buckner's men nearly a year ago, +when they were marching southward to be taken by Grant at Donelson. +Since he had come back to this region it seemed to him that they were +always fighting their battles over again. Grant and Rosecrans had fought +a terrible but victorious battle at Corinth in Mississippi, and now +Rosecrans had come north while Grant remained in the further south. He +was sorry it was not Grant who commanded on that line. He would have +been glad to be under his command again, to feel that strong and sure +hand on the reins once more. + +Dick stayed a while in Bowling Green, and he saw all his relatives in +the little city. They were mostly on the other side, but they could not +resist an ingenuous youth like Dick, and he passed some pleasant hours +with them. For his sake they also made Warner and Pennington welcome, +but they freely predicted a great disaster for the North. Bragg would +come out of East Tennessee with his veterans, and they would give +Rosecrans the defeat that he deserved. The boys held good natured +arguments with them on this point, but all finally agreed to leave it to +the decision of the war itself. + +The great dryness had now passed so completely that it seemed impossible +such a thing ever could have been. The rains had been heavy and almost +continuous, and the earth soaked in water. But despite chill winds and +chill rains rumors of Southern activity came to them, and in the +last month of the year Rosecrans gathered his forces at Nashville in +Tennessee. + +Dick and his comrades enjoyed a few bright days here. The city was +crowded with an army and those who supply it and live by it, and it was +a center of vivid activity. Dick had letters from his mother and he +also heard in a roundabout way that Colonel Kenton had gone through the +battle of Perryville uninjured and was now with Bragg at Chattanooga. + +But the boys soon heard that despite the winter there was great activity +in the Southern camp. Undismayed by their loss of Kentucky, the Southern +generals meant to fight Rosecrans in Tennessee. The Confederacy had +not been cheered by Lee's withdrawal at Antietam and Bragg's retreat at +Perryville, and meant to strike a heavy blow for new prestige. The whole +Confederate army, they soon heard, had moved forward to Murfreesborough, +where it was waiting, while Forrest and Morgan, the famous cavalry +leaders, were off on great raids. + +It was this absence of Forrest and Morgan with the best of the cavalry +that put it into the mind of Rosecrans to attack at once. The thousands +of lads in the army who were celebrating Christmas received that night +the news that they were to march in the morning. + +“I've fought three great battles this year,” said Warner, “and I don't +think they ought to ask any more of me.” + +“Be comforted,” said Dick. “We start to-morrow, the 26th, which leaves +five days of the year, and I don't think we can arrange a battle in that +time. You'll not have to whip Bragg before the New Year, George.” + +“Well, I'm glad of it. You can have too many battles in one year. I +didn't get rest enough after my wound at the Second Manassas before I +had to go in and save our army at Antietam, and then it was but a little +time before we fought at Perryville. That wasn't as big a battle as some +of the others, but Dick, for those mad three hours it seemed that all +the demons of death were turned loose.” + +“It certainly looked like it, George, you stiff old Vermonter, and I +don't forget that you came to save me.” + +“Shut up about that, or I'll hit you over the head with the butt of my +pistol. I merely paid back, though I only paid about half of what I +was owing to you. The chance luckily came sooner than I had hoped. But, +Dick, what a morning to follow Christmas.” + +A chilly rain was pouring down. A cold fog was rising from the +Cumberland, wrapping the town in mists. It was certainly a dreary time +in which to march to battle, and the young soldiers rising in the gloom +of the dawn and starting amid such weather were depressed. + +“Pennington,” said Warner, “will you help me in a request to our +Kentucky friend to join us in three cheers for the Sunny South, the edge +of which he has the good fortune to inhabit? I haven't seen the real sun +for about a month, and I suppose that's why they call it sunny, and I'm +informed that this big river, the Cumberland, often freezes over, which +I suppose is the reason why they call it Southern. I hear, too, that +people often freeze to death in North Georgia, which is further south +than this. After this bit of business is over I'm going to forbid winter +campaigns in the south.” + +“It does get mighty cold,” said Dick. “You see we're not really a +southern people. We just lie south of the northern states and in +Kentucky, at least, we have a lot of cold weather. Why, I've seen it +twenty-three degrees below zero in the southern part of the state, and +it certainly can get cold in Tennessee, too.” + +“I believe I'd rather have it than this awful rain,” said Pennington. “I +don't seem to get used to these cold soakings.” + +“Good-bye, Nashville,” said Dick, turning about. “I don't know when +we will have to come back, and if we do I don't know what will have +happened before then. Good-bye, Nashville. I regret your roofs and your +solid walls, and your dry tents and floors.” + +“But we're going forth to fight. Don't forget that, Dick. Remember how +in Virginia we pined for battle, and the use of our superior numbers. +Anyhow Rosecrans is going out to look for the enemy, but all the same, +and between you and me, Dick, I wish it was Grant who was leading us. I +saw a copy of the New York Times a while back, and some lines in it are +haunting me. Here they are: + + “Back from the trebly crimsoned field + Terrible woods are thunder-tost: + Full of the wrath that will not yield, + Full of revenge for battles lost: + Hark to their echo as it crost + The capital making faces wan: + End this murderous holocaust; + Abraham Lincoln give us a man.” + +“Sounds good,” said Dick, “and, George, you and Frank and I know that +what we want is a man. We've lost big battles, because we didn't have a +big man, who could see at once and think like lightning, to lead us. But +we'll get him sooner or later! We'll get him. Did any other troops ever +bear up like ours under defeats and drawn battles? Listen to 'em now!” + +Slow and deep and sung by many thousand men rose the rolling chorus: + + “The army is gathering from near and from far; + The trumpet is sounding the call for the war; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + We'll gird on our armor and be marching along.” + +“Now,” cried Warner, “all together.” And the thundering chorus rose: + + “Marching, we are marching along, + Gird on the armor and be marching along; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + For God and our country we are marching along.” + +As the mighty chorus, sung by fifty thousand men, rose and throbbed +through the cold and rain, Dick felt his own heart throbbing in unison. +Rosecrans might or might not be a great general, but he certainly +was not permitting the enemy to rest easy in winter quarters at +Murfreesborough. Dick had no doubt that they were about to meet the foe +of Perryville face to face again. + +The enemies were largely the same as those of other battles in the west. +The Northern army advanced in three divisions toward Murfreesborough. +McCook, whose division contained the Winchester regiment, was in the +center, General Thomas led the right wing on the Franklin road, and +General Crittenden led the left wing. Bragg who was before them had +nearly the same generals as at Shiloh, Hardee, Breckinridge, and the +others. + +Dick knew that the advance of the Northern army would be seen at once. +This was the country of the enemy. The forces of the Union held only +the ground on which they were camped. Thousands of hostile eyes were +watching Rosecrans, and, even if Bragg himself were lax, any movement +by the army from Nashville would be reported at once to the army in +Murfreesborough. But they had a vigilant foe, they knew, and they +expected to encounter his pickets soon. + +“They're probably watching us now through the fog and rain,” said +Colonel Winchester to Dick as they left the last house of Nashville +behind. “They know every inch of these hills and valleys.” + +It was not a great distance to Murfreesborough, but they found the +marching slow. The feet of the horses sank deep in the mud and the +cannon and wagons were almost mired. But despite mud and rain and cold, +the army pressed bravely on. They were the same lads and their like who +had marched forward so hopefully to Donelson and Shiloh. Through the +rain and the soughing of wheels in the mud rolled their battle songs, +sung with all the spirit and fire of youth. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers helped with the cannon and +wagons and soon they were covered with mud. The Winchester regiment +was in the lead, and Sergeant Whitley suddenly pointing with a thick +forefinger, said: + +“There are the Johnnies! Their pickets are waiting for us!” + +Dick saw through the mist and rain a considerable body of men down the +road, most of them on horseback. He knew at once that they were Southern +pickets, and the eager lads around him, seeing them, knew it, too. +Not waiting for command they set up a shout and charged down the road. +Rifles instantly flashed through the rain and a sharp fire met them. Men +fell, but others pressed on with all the more zeal, seeing just beyond +the Southern pickets the roofs of a little town. Cannon shot also +whizzed among them, indicating that the Southern pickets were in strong +force. + +But the Northern troops, full of vigor and zeal, swept back the pickets +and charged directly upon a larger force in the town beyond. A short +and fierce battle for the possession of the village ensued, but this was +only a Southern outpost, and it was not strong enough to withstand the +rush of the Ohio men and Winchester's regiment. Fighting at every step +they retreated through the village and into the forest beyond, leaving +one of their cannon in the hands of the Union troops. + +“An omen of victory,” exclaimed Dick, when he saw the captured cannon. + +“Careful, Dick! Careful!” said Warner. “Remember that you're not strong +on omens. You're always seeing sure signs of success just before we go +into a big battle.” + +“If Dick sees visions, and they're visions of the right kind, then he's +right,” said Pennington. “I'd a good deal rather go into battle with +Dick by my side singing a song of victory, than croaking of defeat.” + +“That's good as a general proposition,” said Warner, “but I was merely +cautioning him not to be too enthusiastic. What kind of a country, Dick, +is this into which we are going?” + +“Hilly, lots of forests, particularly of cedar, and brooks, creeks and +rivers. Murfreesborough itself is right on Lytle's Creek. Bragg will +meet us at the line of Stone River.” + +“Maybe they'll retreat and go eastward to Chattanooga,” said Pennington. + +“I think we'd better dismiss that 'maybe,'” said Dick. “You haven't +heard of the rebels running away from battles, have you?” + +“What I've generally seen, in the beginning at least,” said Warner, “is +the rebels running toward us, jumping out of the woods and yelling like +Indians. I have seldom found it a pleasant sight. I'm glad, too, Dick, +that Stonewall Jackson isn't here. Do you see that big cedar forest over +there on the hillside? Suppose he should come rushing out of it with +twenty or twenty-five thousand men.” + +“Stop,” said Pennington. “You give me the shivers, talking about +Stonewall Jackson swooping down on us with an army corps, when happily +he's four or five hundred miles away. I'm seeing enough unfriendly +faces as it is. Look how the people in this village are glaring at us. +Fellows, I've decided after due consideration that they don't love us +here in Tennessee. If you were to ask me I'd say that blue was not their +favorite color.” + +“At any rate we don't stay long. Good-bye, friends, good-bye,” said +Warner, waving his hand toward two or three men who stood in the door of +an old blacksmith shop. + +“You laugh, young feller,” said a gnarled and knotted old man past +eighty, “an' mebbe it's as well for you to laugh while you have the time +to do it in. Mebbe you'll never come back from Stone River, an' if +you do, an' if you win everywhere, remember that we, too, will yet win +everywhere.” + +“What do you mean by that?” + +“All the Yankees, whether they win or not, will have to go back north, +except them that are dead, an' we'll be here right on top of the lan', +livin' on it, an' runnin' it, same as we've always done.” + +“I hadn't thought of that,” said Warner soberly. + +“There's a power of things the young don't think of,” said the ancient +man. “Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she can't be moved. She'll +always be here. People hev made a war. I don't know who started it. I +reckon there's been some powerful mean an' hot talk on both sides. I +knowed great men that seed this very thing comin' long ago an' tried +to stop it. I went over in Kentucky more than once an' heard Henry Clay +speak. I don't believe there was ever another such a talker as he was. +He had sense an' knowledge as well as voice. He done his best to smooth +over this quarrel between North and South that others was eggin' on all +the time, but he couldn't, and I reckon when Henry Clay, the greatest +man God ever made, failed, it wasn't worth while for anybody else +to try. Ride on, young fellers, an' get yourselves killed. You ain't +twenty, an' I'm over eighty, but I guess I'll be lookin' at the green +trees when you're under the ground. Ride on in the rain an' the cold, +an' I'll go inside the shop an' warm myself by the forge fire.” + +The three boys rode on in sober silence. The words of the ancient +philosopher were soaking in with the rain. + +“Suppose we don't come back from Stone River,” said Pennington. + +“We take our chances, of course,” said Dick. + +“And suppose what he said about the South should prove true,” said +Warner, thoughtfully. “One part of it, at least, is bound to come true. +That phrase of his sticks in my mind: 'Mebbe the South can be whipped, +but she can't be moved.' The Southern states, as he says, will be here +just the same after the war is over, no matter who wins.” + +But such thoughts as these could not endure long in minds so young. They +passed through the village and soon were in the forests of red cedar. +The rain ceased, but in its place came a thick and heavy fog. The mud +grew deeper than ever. Progress became very slow. It was difficult +in the great foggy veil for the regiments to keep in touch with one +another, and occasional shots in front warned them that the enemy was +active and watchful. The division barely crept along. + +Dick and his comrades were mounted again, and they kept close to Colonel +Winchester, who, however, had few orders to send. The command of the +corps rested with General McCook, and it behooved him as any private +could see, to exercise the utmost caution. They were strangers in the +land and the Confederates were not. + +Dick had thought that morning that they would get into touch with heavy +forces of the enemy before night, but the fog and the mud rendered their +advance so slow that at sunset they went into camp in a vast forest of +red cedar, still a good distance from Stone River. The fog had lifted +somewhat, but the night was heavy, damp and dark. There was an abundance +of fallen wood, and the veterans soon built long rows of fires which +contributed wonderfully to their cheerfulness. + +“There's nothing like a fine fire on a cold, dark night,” said Sergeant +Whitley, holding his hands over the flames. “Out on the plains when +there was only a hundred or so of us, an' nothin' on any side five +hundred miles away 'xcept hostile Indians, an' a blizzard whistlin' an' +roarin', with the mercury thirty degrees below zero, it was glorious to +have a big fire lighted in a hollow or a dip an' bend over the coals, +until the warmth went right through you.” + +“It was the power of contrast,” said Warner sagely. “The real comfort +from the fire was fifty per cent and the howling of the icy gale, in +which you might have frozen to death, but didn't, was fifty per cent +more. That's why I'm feeling so good now, although I'd say that those +red cedars and their dark background are none too cheerful.” + +“I've got two good blankets,” said Pennington, who was returning from a +trip further down the line, “and I'm going to sleep. Haven't you fellows +learned that all your foolish talking before a battle never changes +the result? I can tell you this. Our three divisions that are marching +toward Murfreesborough are in touch. We've put out swarms of scouts and +they all tell us so. They know exactly where the enemy is, too, and he's +too far away to surprise us to-night. So it's sleep, my boys, sleep. +Sleep will recover for you so much strength that it will be much harder +for you to get killed on the morrow.” + +Dick had dried himself very thoroughly before one of the fires, and +wrapping himself in his two blankets he slept soundly and heavily. There +was fog again the next morning, but they reached a little village +called Triune and all through the day they heard the sounds of scattered +firing. One of the scouts told Colonel Winchester that the whole +Southern army would be concentrated the next day on the line of Stone +River, but that it would be inferior to the Union army in numbers by ten +thousand men. Bragg's force, however, had the advantage of experience, +being composed almost wholly of veterans. + +It was on the afternoon of this day that Dick came into personal contact +with General Thomas again. He had been sent through the cedar forest +with dispatches to him from General McCook, and after the general had +read them he glanced at the messenger. + +“You reached General Buell safely with my letter, Lieutenant Mason,” he +said, “and I'm very glad to see you here with us again.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Dick, feeling an immense pride because this man, +whom he admired so much, remembered him. + +“It was a difficult duty and you did it well. I found that you got +through safely. I made inquiries about you and I traced you as far as +Shiloh, but I could get no further.” + +“I was at Shiloh,” said Dick proudly. “I was captured just before it +began, but I escaped while it was at its height and fought until the +close.” + +“And after that?” + +“My regiment was sent east, sir. I went with it through the Second +Manassas and Antietam. Then we came back west to help General Buell. I +was at Perryville and was wounded there, but I soon got well.” + +“Perryville was a terrible battle. It was short, but it is incredible +with what fury the troops fought. We should do better here.” + +Dick saw that the last sentence which was spoken in a low tone was not +addressed to him. It was merely a murmured expression of the general's +own thoughts, and he remained silent. + +“You can go now, Lieutenant Mason,” said General Thomas, after a few +moments, “and let us together wish for the best.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Dick, highly flattered again. Then he saluted and +retired. + +He rode back somewhat slowly through the cedars, but he kept a wary eye. +The enemy's cavalry was daring, and he might be rushed by them at any +time or be ambushed by sharpshooters on foot. His watch for the enemy +also enabled him to examine the country closely. He saw many hills and +hollows covered mostly with forests, with the red cedar and its dark +green boughs predominating. He also saw the flash of many waters, and, +where the roads cut through the soil, a deep red clay was exposed to +view. He knew that it would be difficult for the armies to get into +line for battle, because of the heavy, sticky nature of the ground, upon +which so much rain had fallen. + +He made his way safely back to the camp of his corps, although he saw +hostile cavalry galloping in the valleys in the direction of Stone +River, and all through the afternoon he heard the crackle of rifle shots +in the same direction. The skirmishers were continually in touch and +they were busy. + +The corps moved up a little, but Dick thought it likely that there would +be no battle the next day either. Rosecrans could not afford to attack +until his full force, with all its artillery, was up, and marching was +slow and exhausting in the sea of sticky mud. + +Dick was right. The Northern army was practically united the next day, +but so great was the exhaustion of the troops that Rosecrans did not +deem it wise yet to attack his foe. He was fully aware of the quality +of the Southern soldiers. He remembered how they had turned suddenly +at Perryville and with inferior numbers had fought a draw. Now on the +defensive, and in such a deep and sticky soil, they would have a great +advantage and his generals agreed with him in waiting. + +Dick spent much of this day in riding with Colonel Winchester along +their lines. There was some talk about Bragg retreating, but the boy, +a veteran in everything but years, knew the ominous signs. Bragg had no +notion of retreating. + +In the night that followed Colonel Winchester himself and some of his +young officers, accompanied by the brave and skillful Sergeant Whitley, +scouted toward Stone River. In the darkness and with great care, in +order to avoid any sound of splashing, they waded a deep creek and came +out upon a plateau, rolling slightly in character, and with a deep clay +soil, very muddy from the heavy rains. A part of the plateau was cleared +of forest, but here and there were groves, chiefly of the red cedar, +and thickets, some of them so dense that a man would have difficulty in +forcing his way through. + +Colonel Winchester and his little group paused at the edge of the creek, +and then dived promptly into a thicket. They saw further up the plateau +many fires and the figures of men walking before them and they saw +nearer by sentinels marching back and forth. They were even able to make +out cannon in batteries, and they knew that it was not worth while to go +any further. The Confederate army was there, and they would merely walk +directly into its arms. + +They returned with even greater caution than they had come, but the next +day the whole division crossed the creek at another point, and as it +cautiously felt its way forward it encountered another formidable body +of Southern pickets hidden in the woods. There was sharp firing for a +quarter of an hour, and many of the Ohio men fell, but the pickets were +finally swept back, and at sunset the half circle that Rosecrans had +intended to form for the attack upon the Southern army was complete. + +All the movements and delays brought them up to the night before the +last day in the year. The Winchester regiment with the Ohio division lay +in a region of little hills and rocks, covered with forest, with which +its officers and men were not familiar. On the other hand the Southern +army would know every inch of it, and the inhabitants were ready and +eager to give it information. + +Dick could not keep from regarding the dark forests with apprehension. +He had seen the Northern generals lose so much through ignorance of the +ground and uncertain movements that he feared for them again. He soon +learned that Rosecrans himself shared this fear. He had come to the +division and recommended its closer concentration. + +But the young Ohio troops were not afraid. They said that if they were +attacked they would hold their ground long enough for the rest of the +Northern army to beat the Southern, and McCook himself was confident. + +Meanwhile, Bragg, after delaying, had suddenly decided to make the +attack himself, and throughout the day he had been gathering his whole +army for the spring. All his generals, Hardee, Breckinridge, Polk, +Cleburne and the rest were in position and the cavalry was led by +Wheeler, a youthful rough rider, destined to become famous as Fighting +Joe Wheeler. + +Each general was ready to attack in the morning, but neither knew the +willingness of the other. Yet everybody was aware that a great battle +was soon to come. They had felt it in both armies, and for two or three +days the firing of the skirmishers had been almost continuous. Scouts +kept each side well informed. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington, before they lay down in their blankets, +listened to the faint reports of rifles. They could see little owing +to the deep woods in which they lay, but the sound of the shots came +clearly. + +“A part of our army is to cross the fords of Stone River in the morning +by daylight or before,” said Warner, “and we're to surprise the enemy +and rush him. I wonder if we'll do it.” + +“We will not,” said Pennington with emphasis. “We may beat the enemy, +but we will not surprise him. We never do. Why should we surprise him? +He is here in his own country. If the whole Southern army were sound +asleep, a thousand of the natives would wake up their generals and tell +them that the Yankee army was advancing.” + +“Their sentinels are watching, anyhow,” said Dick, “but I imagine that +we'd gain something if the first rush was ours and not theirs.” + +“We'll hope for the best,” said Warner, “I wonder whose time this will +be to get wounded. It was mine at Antietam, yours, Dick, at Perryville, +and only you are left Pennington, so it's bound to be you.” + +“No, it won't be me,” said Pennington stoutly. “I've been wounded in two +or three battles already, not bad wounds, just scratches and bruises, +but as there were so many of 'em you can lump 'em together, and make one +big wound. That lets me out.” + +The Winchester regiment lay in the very thickest of the forest and in +order not to indicate to the enemy their precise position no fires were +lighted. The earth was still soaked deep with the heavy rains and their +feet sank at every step. But they did not make many steps. They had +learned enough to lie quiet, seek what rest and sleep they could find, +and await the dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. STONE RIVER + + +Dick awoke at sunrise of the last day of the year, and Warner and +Pennington were up a moment later. There was no fog. The sun hung a low, +red ball in the steel blue sky of winter. No fires had been lighted, +cold food being served. + +He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many +small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in the +wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The other +wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before their own +division was drawn into the conflict. + +He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles, +accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great +cloud of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his +ears, nor could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was +standing beside him, shrugged his shoulders. + +“They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon,” he said. + +“And it looks as if we'd have to wait,” said Dick. + +“Things point that way. The general thinks so, too. It seems that Bragg +has moved his forces in the night, and that the portion of the enemy in +front of us is some distance off.” + +Dick soon confided this news to Warner and Pennington, who looked +discontented. + +“If we've got to fight, I'd rather do it now and get it over,” said +Pennington. “If I'm going to be killed the difference between morning +and afternoon won't matter, but if I'm not going to be killed it'll be +worth a lot to get this weight off my mind.” + +“And if we're far away from the enemy it's easy enough for us to go up +close to him,” said Warner. “I take it that we're not here to keep out +of his way, and, if our brethren are pounding now, oughtn't we to go in +and help them pound? Remember how we divided our strength at Antietam.” + +Dick shrugged his shoulders. His feelings were too bitter for him to +make a reply save to say: “I don't know anything about it.” + +Meanwhile the distant combat roared and deepened. It was obvious that +a great battle was going on, but the division lay quiet obeying its +orders. The sun rose higher in the cold, steely blue heavens and then +Dick, who was watching a forest opposite them, uttered a loud cry. He +had seen many bayonets flashing among the leafless trees. + +The cry was taken up by others who saw also, and suddenly a long +Southern line, less than half a mile away, emerged into the open and +advanced upon them in silence, but with resolution, a bristling and +terrific front of steel. After all their watching and waiting the +Northern division had been surprised. Many of the officers and soldiers, +too, were in tents that had been set against the cold and damp. The +horses that drew the artillery were being taken to water. + +It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat, but +in that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed his +power of initiative and his resolute courage. While that bristling +front of steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without +waiting for the commands of the officers. The artillerymen rushed to +their guns. + +“Kneel, men! Kneel!” shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment. He +and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in the +rear the night before. + +His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the +Northern line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending +forth a sheet of fire and bullets. + +The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were +at work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks +through and through. But Dick saw no pause in the advance of the men in +gray. They did not even falter. Without a particle of shelter they came +on through the rain of death, their ranks closing up over the slain, +their front line always presenting that bristling line of steel. + +It seemed to Dick now that the points of the bayonets shone almost in +his face, gleaming through the smoke that hung between them and the foe, +a gap that continually grew narrower as the Southern line never ceased +to come. + +“Stand firm, lads; steady for God's sake, steady!” shouted Colonel +Winchester, and then Dick heard no single voice, because the roar of the +battle broke over them like the sudden rush of a storm. He was conscious +only that the tips of the bayonets had reached them, and behind them he +saw the eyes in the brown faces gleaming. + +Then he did not even see the brown faces, because there was such a storm +of fire and smoke pouring forth bullets like hail, and the tumult +of shouts and of the crash of cannon and rifles was so awful that it +blended into one general sound like the roaring of the infernal regions. + +Dick felt himself borne back. It seemed to him that their line had +cracked like a bow bent too much. It was not anything that he saw but a +sense of the general result, and he was right. The Northern line which +had not found time to form properly, was hurled back. Neither cannon nor +rifles could stop the three Southern brigades which were charging them. + +The South struck like a tornado, and despite a resistance made with all +the fury and rage of despair, the Northern division was driven from its +position, and its line broken in many places. A Northern general was +taken prisoner. The guns which could not be carried, because the horses +were gone, were taken by the triumphant Southerners, and over all the +roar and tumult of the frightful battle Dick heard that piercing and +triumphant rebel yell, poured forth by thousands of throats and swelling +over everything, in a fierce, dominant note. + +Dick bumped against Warner as they were borne back in the smoke. He saw +the Vermonter's blackened lips move, and his own moved in the same way, +but neither heard what the other said. Nevertheless Dick read the words +in his comrade's eyes, and they said: + +“Surprised again, Dick! Good God, surprised!” + +Yet the young troops fought with a courage worthy of the toughest +veterans. They gave ground, because the rush against them was +overpowering, but they maintained a terrible fire which strewed the +earth in front of them with dead and wounded. + +“Behind those trees! Behind those trees!” suddenly called Colonel +Winchester as they continued their sullen and fighting retreat, and he +and the remnants of his regiment darted into a little wood just in time. +There was a sudden rush of hoofbeats on their flank, and a cloud of +Southern cavalry swept down, shearing away the entire side of the +Northern division as if it had been cleft with the slash of a mighty +sword. Besides the fallen a thousand prisoners and seven cannon fell +into the hands of the cavalrymen, who rushed on in search of fresh +triumphs. + +Dick shuddered with horror, but he saw that all his own immediate +friends were safe in the wood. A swarm of fugitives poured in after +them, and then came colonels and generals making desperate efforts to +reform their line of battle. But the Southern brigades gave them no +chance. Their leaders continually urged on the pursuit. The broken +regiments fell back still loading and firing, and they would soon be on +the banks of the creek again. + +After a time that seemed almost infinite, Dick heard the roar of shells +over their heads. In their retreat the regiments had come upon another +Northern division which opposed a strong resistance to the Southern +advance. Winchester's men welcomed their friends joyfully. But the fresh +troops could not stop the advance. The fire of the Southern cannon and +rifles was so deadly that nearly all the Northern artillerymen were +killed around their guns. + +The North again gave ground, seeking point after point for fresh +resistance. They rallied strongly around a building used as a hospital, +and filled it with riflemen. But they were driven from that, too, +although they inflicted terrible losses on their enemy. + +“We've got to stop this backward slide somewhere,” gasped Pennington. + +“Yes, but where?” cried Dick. + +Whether Warner made any reply he did not know, because he lost him then +in the flame and the smoke. An instant or two later the charging swarms +of infantry and cavalry drove them into one of the woods of red cedars, +where they lay shattered and gasping. The smoke lifted a little, and +Dick saw the field which he already regarded as lost. Then there was a +renewed burst of firing and cheering, as a regiment of veteran regulars +galloped into the open space and drove off the Southern cavalry which +was just about to seize the ammunition wagons and more cannon. + +Encouraged by the charge of the regulars, the men in the cedar wood +rose and began to reform for battle. Now chance, or rather watchfulness, +interposed to save Dick and his comrades from destruction. Rosecrans, at +another point, confident that McCook could hold out against all attacks, +listened with amazement to the roar of battle coming nearer and nearer. +His officers called his attention to the fact that save at the opening +there was no cannon fire. All that approaching crash was made by rifles. +They judged from it that their cannon had been taken, but they did not +know that the rush of the Southern troops had been so fast that their +own batteries were not able to keep up. + +Rosecrans read the signs with them and his alarm was great and +justified. Then a dispatch came from McCook telling him that his right +wing was routed and he took an instant resolve. + +Many regiments were marching to another point in the line, and the +commander at once changed their course. He meant to save his right wing, +but at the same moment a tremendous attack was begun upon the center of +his army. He struck his horse smartly and galloped straight toward the +rolling flame. + +Dick and his friends, driven from the defense around the hospital, lost +touch with the rest of the troops. Colonel Winchester held together what +was left of his regiment, and presently they found themselves in the +woods with the troops of the young officer, Sheridan, who had saved the +battle of Perryville. Here they took their stand, and when Dick saw +the quick and warlike glance of Sheridan that embraced everything he +believed they were not going to retreat. + +He heard cheers all around him, men shouting to one another to stand +firm. They refused to take alarm from the fugitives pouring back upon +them, and sent volley after volley into the advancing gray lines. The +artillery, too, handled with splendid skill and daring, poured a storm +along the whole gray front. The combat deepened to an almost incredible +degree. The cannon were compelled to cease firing because the men +were now face to face. Regiments lost half their numbers and more, but +Sheridan still held his ground and the South still attacked. + +Dick began to shout with joy. He saw that the indomitable stand of +Sheridan was saving the whole Northern army from rout. The South must +continually turn aside troops to attack Sheridan, and they dared not +advance too far leaving him unbeaten in their rear. Rosecrans in the +center was urging his troops to a great resistance and the battle flamed +high there. It now thundered along the whole front. Nearly every man and +cannon were in action. + +Dick was glad that chance had thrown his regiment with Sheridan, when he +saw the splendid resistance made by the young general. Sheridan massed +all his guns at the vital point and backed them up with riflemen. +Nothing broke through his line. Nothing was able to move him. + +“He'll have to retreat later on,” Colonel Winchester shouted in Dick's +ear, “because our lines are giving way elsewhere, but his courage and +that of his men has saved us from an awful defeat.” + +The battle in front of Sheridan increased in violence. The Confederates +were continually pouring fresh troops upon him, and it became apparent +that even he, with all his courage and quickness of eye at the vital +moment, could not withstand all day long the fierce attacks that were +being made upon him. The Southern fire from cannon and rifles grew more +terrible. Sheridan had three brigades and the commanders of all three of +them were killed. The Confederate attack had been repulsed three times, +but it was coming again, stronger and fiercer than ever. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Colonel Winchester and somehow through the +thunder of the battle he heard the colonel's reply: + +“Yes, we'll have to give up this position, but we have saved so much +time that the army itself is saved. Rosecrans is forming a new line +behind us.” + +Rosecrans, no genius, but a brave and resolute fighter, had indeed +brought up fresh troops and made a new line. Sheridan, having that +greatest of all gifts of the general, the eye to see amid the terrible +tumult of battle the time to do a thing, and the courage to do it then, +sounded the trumpet. Nearly all his wagons had been captured by the +Southern cavalry, and his ammunition was beginning to fail. Around him +lay two thousand of his best men, dead or wounded. Rosecrans and the +fresh troops were appearing just in time. + +Yet the retreat of Sheridan was made with the greatest difficulty. A +part of his troops were cut off and captured. Others drove back the +Confederate flankers with a bayonet charge, and then the remnant +retreated, the new lines opening to let them through. Dick, as he passed +through the gap, saw that he was among countrymen. That is, a Kentucky +regiment, fighting for the Union was standing as a shield to let his +comrades and himself through, and the people of the state were related +so closely that in the flare of the battle he saw among these new men at +least a half dozen faces that he knew. + +It was this Kentucky regiment, led by its colonel, Shepherd, that +now formed itself in the very apex of the battle. The remains of the +Winchester regiment, forming behind it, saw a terrible sight. Some of +the regiments crushed earlier in the action had entirely disbanded. The +woods and the bushes were filled with fugitives, soldiers seeking the +rear. Vast clouds of smoke drifted everywhere, the air was filled with +the odors of exploded gunpowder, cannon were piled in inextricable heaps +in the road, and horses, killed by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or +between the wheels. + +Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated +so far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified +fugitives were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph, +and shouting his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that +seemed invincible. + +Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words +and the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick, +Warner, Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky +troops bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so +sternly. It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or +the battle indeed was lost once and for all. + +Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had +joined Rosecrans. Dick observed them both. Rosecrans, tremendously +excited, and reckless of death from the flying shells and bullets, +galloped from point to point, urging on his soldiers, telling them to +die rather than yield. Thomas, cool, and showing no trace of excitement +also directed the troops. Both by their courage and resolution inspired +the men. The beaten became the unbeaten. Dick felt rather than saw the +stiffening of the lines, and the return of a great courage. + +The new line of battle was formed directly under the fire of a +victorious and charging enemy. Three batteries were gathered on a height +overlooking a railroad cut, where they could sweep the front of the foe. + +Just as they were in battle order Dick saw the faces of the Southerners +coming through the woods, led by Hardee in person. Then he saw, too, +the value of presence of mind and of a courage that would not yield. +The three batteries planted by the Kentuckian, Rousseau, on the railway +embankment suddenly opened a terrible enfilading fire upon the Southern +advance. The Kentucky regiment standing so firmly in the breach also +opened with every rifle firing directly into the ranks of their brother +Kentuckians, who were advancing in the vanguard of the South. Here again +people of the same state and even of the same county fought one another. + +The Confederates pursuing a defeated and apparently disorganized enemy +were astounded by such a sudden and fierce fire. One of their generals +was killed almost instantly, and a part of their line was hurled back +with great violence. Thomas pushed forward with a portion of the troops, +and after a desperate assault the Southern line reeled and then stopped +in the wood. Courage and presence of mind had saved a battle for the +time being, at least. + +At that point the combat sank for a while, and Dick, unwounded but +exhausted, dropped upon the ground. Around him lay his friends, and +they, too, were unwounded. It was with a sort of grim humor that he +remembered a conversation they had held before the battle. + +“Well, Frank,” he said, “you've escaped.” + +“So far only,” said Warner. “The hurricane has softened down a lot here, +but not everywhere else. Listen!” + +He pointed through the woods toward the left where another battle was +swelling with a mighty uproar. Bragg having driven in the Union right +was now seeking to shatter the Union left, but at this point there was +a Northern commander, Hazen, who was no less indomitable than Sheridan. +Sheltering themselves along the railway embankment his men, always +encouraged by their commander, and his officers, resisted every effort +to drive them back. Noon came and found them still holding tenaciously +to their positions. For a while now the whole battle sank through sheer +exhaustion on both sides. Each commander reformed his line, disentangled +his guns, brought forward fresh ammunition and prepared for the great +combat which he knew was coming. Bragg, as he noticed the advance of the +short winter day, resolved upon the utmost effort to crush his enemy. +Victory had seemed wholly in his grasp in the morning, but he had +been checked at the last moment. He would make good the defeat in the +afternoon. + +The armies had disentangled themselves from the woods and bushes. They +were now in the open and face to face on a long line. The Winchester +regiment had risen to its feet again, and stood directly behind and +almost mingled with the Kentucky regiment that had saved it. + +“They're coming!” exclaimed Warner in quick, excited tones. “Look, there +on the flank!” + +It was the division of Cleburne, in the hottest of the battle all +through the morning advancing to a fresh attack upon the Union lines, +but it was received with such a powerful fire that it was driven back in +disorder into some woods. + +Dick, however, did not have a chance to see this as the Southerners, +reinforced by fresh troops from Breckinridge's division, were charging +in the center with great violence. So terrible was the fire that +received them that some of the regiments lost half their numbers in +five minutes. Yet the remainder, upheld by their cannon, returned a +fire almost as deadly. Rosecrans, absolutely fearless, stood in the very +front where the danger was greatest. A cannon ball blew off the head +of his chief of staff who stood by his side. “Many a brave fellow must +fall!” cried Rosecrans, a devoted Catholic. “Cross yourselves, and fire +low and fast!” + +Many a brave fellow did fall, but his men fired low and fast, and, while +the Southern troops charged again and again to the very mouths of the +cannon they were unable to break down the last desperate stand of the +Northern army. They had driven it back, but they had not driven it +back far enough. Then the sun set as it had set so often before on an +undecisive battle, terrible in its long list of the slain, but leaving +everything to be fought over again. + +“They didn't beat us,” said Dick as the firing ceased. + +“No,” said Colonel Winchester, “nor have we won a victory, but we're +saved. Thank God for the night!” + +“They'll attack again to-morrow, sir,” said Sergeant Whitley. + +“Undoubtedly so,” said Colonel Winchester, who felt at this moment not +as if he were speaking as colonel to sergeant, but as man to man, “and I +hope that our artillery will be ready again. It is what has saved us. We +have always been superior in that arm.” + +The colonel had spoken the truth, and the fact was also recognized by +Rosecrans, Thomas and the other generals. While they rectified +their lines in the darkness, the great batteries were posted in good +positions, and fresh gunners took the place of those who had been +killed. Both Rosecrans and Thomas were made of stern stuff. Afraid of no +enemy, and, despite their great losses of the day and the fact that +they had been driven back, they would be ready to fight on the morrow. +Sheridan, Crittenden, McCook, Van Cleve and the others were equally +ready. + +Food was brought from the rear and the exhausted combatants sank down to +rest. Dick was in such an apathy from sheer overtasking of the body and +spirit that he did not think of anything. He lay like an animal that has +escaped from a long chase. Silence had settled down with the darkness +and the Confederate army had become invisible. + +Dick revived later. He talked more freely with those about him, and he +gathered from the gossip which travels fast, much of what had happened. +The Union army, so confident in the morning, was in a dangerous position +at night. Nearly thirty of its guns were taken. Three thousand unwounded +and many wounded men were prisoners in the hands of the South. Arms +and ammunition by the wholesale had been captured. The Southern cavalry +under Fighting Joe Wheeler had gone behind Rosecrans' whole army and +had cut his communications with his base at Nashville, at the same time +raiding his wagon trains. Another body of cavalry under Wharton had +taken all the wagons of McCook's corps, and still a third under Pegram +had captured many prisoners on the Nashville road in the rear of the +Northern army. + +Dick became aware of a great, an intense anxiety among the leaders. The +army was isolated. The raiding Southern cavalry kept it from receiving +fresh supplies of either food or ammunition, unless it retreated. + +“We're stripped of everything but our arms,” said Warner. + +“Then we've really lost nothing,” said the valiant Pennington, “because +with our arms we'll recover everything.” + +They had a commander of like spirit. At that moment Rosecrans, gathering +his generals in a tent pitched hastily for him, was saying to them, +“Gentlemen, we will conquer or die here.” Short and strong, but every +word meant. There was no need to say more. The generals animated by the +same spirit went forth to their commands, and first among them was the +grim and silent Thomas, who had the bulldog grip of Grant. Perhaps it +was this indomitable tenacity and resolution that made the Northern +generals so much more successful in the west than they were in the east +during the early years of the war. + +But there was exultation in the Confederate camp. Bragg and Polk and +Hardee and Breckinridge and the others felt now that Rosecrans would +retreat in the night after losing so many men and one-third of his +artillery. Great then was their astonishment when the rising sun of New +Year's day showed him sitting there, grimly waiting, with his back to +Stone River, a formidable foe despite his losses. Above all the Southern +generals saw the heavily massed artillery, which they had such good +reason to fear. + +Dick, who had slept soundly through the night, was up like all the +others at dawn and he beheld the Southern army before them, yet not +moving, as if uncertain what to do. He felt again that thrill of courage +and resolution, and, born of it, was the belief that despite the first +day's defeat the chances were yet even. These western youths were of a +tough and enduring stock, as he had seen at Shiloh and Perryville, and +the battle was not always to him who won the first day. A long time +passed and there was no firing. + +“Not so eager to rush us as they were,” said Warner. “It's a +mathematical certainty that an army that's not running away is not +whipped, and that certainty is patent to our Southern friends also. But +to descend from mathematics to poetry, a great poet says that he who +runs away will live to fight another day. I will transpose and otherwise +change that, making it to read: He who does not run away may make the +other fellow unable to fight another day.” + +“You talk too much like a schoolmaster, George,” said Pennington. + +“The most important business of a school teacher is to teach the young +idea how to shoot, and lately I've had ample chances to give such +instruction.” + +It was not that they were frivolous, but like most other lads in the +army, they had grown into the habit of teasing one another, which was +often a relief to teaser as well as teased. + +“I think, sir,” said Dick to Colonel Winchester, “that some of our +troops are moving.” + +He was looking through his glasses toward the left, where he saw a +strong Union force, with banners waving, advancing toward Bragg's right. + +“Ah, that is well done!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “If our men +break through there we'll cut Bragg off from Murfreesborough and his +ammunition and supplies.” + +They did not break through, but they maintained a long and vigorous +battle, while the centers and other wings of the two armies did not +stir. But it became evident to Dick later in the afternoon that a mighty +movement was about to begin. His glasses told him so, and the thrill of +expectation confirmed it. + +Bragg was preparing to hurl his full strength upon Rosecrans. +Breckinridge, who would have been the President of the United States, +had not the Democrats divided, was to lead it. This division of five +brigades had formed under cover of a wood. On its flank was a battery +of ten guns and two thousand of the fierce riders of the South under +Wharton and Pegram. Dick felt instinctively that Colonel Kenton with his +regiment was there in the very thick of it. + +Dick's regiment with Negley's strong Kentucky brigade, which had stopped +the panic and rout the day before, had now recrossed Stone River and +were posted strongly behind it. Ahead of them were two small brigades +with some cannon, and Rosecrans himself was with this force just as +Breckinridge's powerful division emerged into the open and began its +advance upon the Union lines. + +“Now, lads, stand firm!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “This is the +crisis.” + +The colonel had measured the situation with a cool eye and brain. He +knew that the regiments on the other side of the river were worn down +by the day's fighting and would not stand long. But he believed that the +Kentuckians around him, and the men from beyond the Ohio would not yield +an inch. They were largely Kentuckians also coming against them. + +The rolling fire burst from the Southern front, and the cannon on their +flanks crashed heavily. Then their infantry came forward fast, and with +a wild shout and rush the two thousand cavalry on their flanks charged. +As Colonel Winchester had expected, the two weak brigades, although +Rosecrans in person was among them, gave way, retreated rapidly to the +little river and crossed it. + +The Confederates came on in swift pursuit, but Negley's Kentuckians +and the other Union men, standing fast, received them with a tremendous +volley. It was at short range, and their bullets crashed through +the crowded Southern ranks. The Winchesters were on the flank of the +defenders, where they could get a better view, and although they also +were firing as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger, they saw +the great column pause and then reel. + +Rosecrans, who had fallen back with the retreating brigades, instantly +noted the opportunity. Here, a general who received too little reward +from the nation, and to whom popular esteem did not pay enough tribute, +rushed two brigades across Stone River and hurled them with all their +weight upon the Southern flank. Sixty cannon posted on the hillocks just +behind the river poured an awful fire upon the Southern column. The fire +from front and flank was so tremendous that the Southerners, veterans as +they were, gave way. The men who had held victory in their hands felt it +slipping from their grasp. + +“They waver! They retreat!” shouted Colonel Winchester. “Up, boys, and +at 'em!” + +The whole Union force, led by its heroic generals, rushed forward, +crossed the river and joined in the charge. The two thousand Southern +cavalry were driven off by a fire that no horsemen could withstand. The +division of Breckinridge, although fighting with furious courage, +was gradually driven back, and the day closed with the Union army in +possession of most of the territory it had lost the day before. + +As they lay that night in the damp woods, Dick and his comrades, all +of whom had been fortunate enough to escape this time without injury, +discussed the battle. For a while they claimed that it was a victory, +but they finally agreed that it was a draw. The losses were enormous. +Each side had lost about one third of its force. + +Rosecrans, raging like a wounded lion, talked of attacking again, but +the rains had been so heavy, the roads were so soft and deep in mud that +the cannon and the wagons could not be pushed forward. + +Bragg retreated four days later from Murfreesborough, and Dick and his +comrades therefore claimed a victory, but as the winter was now shutting +down cold and hard, Rosecrans remained on the line of Murfreesborough +and Nashville. + +The Winchester regiment was sent back to Nashville to recuperate and +seek recruits for its ranks. Dick and Warner and Pennington felt that +their army had done well in the west, but their hopes for the Union were +clouded by the news from the east. Lee and Jackson had triumphed again. +Burnside, in midwinter, had hurled the gallant Army of the Potomac in +vain against the heights of Fredericksburg, and twelve thousand men had +fallen for nothing. + +“We need a man, a man in the east, even more than in the west,” said +Warner. + +“He'll come. I'm sure he'll come,” said Dick. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This ebook was transcribed from a volume of the 16th printing + +Despite the fact that this is a fictional work, I myself find it +inappropriate that our fictional hero, Dick Mason, is credited with +discovering the “lost” copy of Lee's General Order No. 191. In fact, +Sergeant Bloss and Corporal Mitchell, of the 27th Indiana Infantry, +found the envelope containing the order, along with the three cigars, in +a field of clover on the morning of 09/13/1862. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed +book to ebook: + + Chapter 2 + Page 31, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 51, para 3, add missing comma + Page 51, para 6, fix typo (“Pennigton”) + Page 52, para 7, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 3 + Page 68, para 4, changed “it” to “its” + + Chapter 4 + Page 83, para 3, added a missing comma (In these books, I am + often tempted to add/move/remove commas, but I generally avoid + doing so. In this case, an additional comma was sorely needed.) + + Chapter 5 + Page 105, para 3, add missing open-quotes + Page 107, para 2, add missing open-quotes + Page 118, para 5, changed “he know not” to “he knew not” + + Chapter 6 + Page 142, para 11, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 7 + Page 157, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 9 + Page 191, para 6, add missing comma + Page 196, para 2 and 3, fix closing quotation marks + Page 197, para 1, add missing close-quote + + Chapter 10 + Page 210, para 1, fix typo (“Pennigton”) + + Chapter 13 + Page 276, para 1, change “a” to “as” + Page 281, para 2, add missing close-quotes + Page 283, para 8, change “in” to “is” + Page 288, para 4, fix typo (“seeemd”) + Page 293, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 297, para 2, closing double-quote should be single-quote + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word “marquee” in chapter 3 was presented in the printed + book with an accented “e” + +I did not change: + + - Inconsistent spelling/presentation in the printed book: + “rearguard” and “rear guard”, “guerrilla” and “guerilla”, + “round-about” and “roundabout”, “to-morrow” and “tomorrow” + + - “bowlder” in chapter 10 + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. 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Altsheler + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sword of Antietam + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: July 23, 2009 [EBook #7862] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + </h1> + <h2> + A STORY OF THE NATION'S CRISIS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Joseph A. Altsheler + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_FORE" id="link2H_FORE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + FOREWORD + </h2> + <p> + “The Sword of Antietam” tells a complete story, but it is one in the chain + of Civil War romances, begun in “The Guns of Bull Run” and continued + through “The Guns of Shiloh” and “The Scouts of Stonewall.” The young + Northern hero, Dick Mason, and his friends are in the forefront of the + tale. + </p> + <p> + THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT “SUSE,” A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, “The Rock of Chickamauga.” + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_FORE"> FOREWORD </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <big><b>THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM</b></big> </a><br /><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> CEDAR MOUNTAIN <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> AT THE CAPITAL + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> BESIDE + THE RIVER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> SPRINGING + THE TRAP <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE + SECOND MANASSAS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> THE + MOURNFUL FOREST <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> ORDERS + NO. 191 <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> THE + DUEL IN THE PASS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> ACROSS + THE STREAM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> ANTIETAM + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> A FAMILY + AFFAIR <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> THROUGH + THE BLUEGRASS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> PERRYVILLE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> SEEKING + BRAGG <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> STONE + RIVER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2H_APPE"> Appendix: Transcription notes: + </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + </h2> + <p> + The first youth rode to the crest of the hill, and, still sitting on his + horse, examined the country in the south with minute care through a pair + of powerful glasses. The other two dismounted and waited patiently. All + three were thin and their faces were darkened by sun and wind. But they + were strong alike of body and soul. Beneath the faded blue uniforms brave + hearts beat and powerful muscles responded at once to every command of the + will. + </p> + <p> + “What do you see, Dick?” asked Warner, who leaned easily against his + horse, with one arm over the pommel of his saddle. + </p> + <p> + “Hills, valleys, mountains, the August heat shimmering over all, but no + human being.” + </p> + <p> + “A fine country,” said young Pennington, “and I like to look at it, but + just now my Nebraska prairie would be better for us. We could at least see + the advance of Stonewall Jackson before he was right on top of us.” + </p> + <p> + Dick took another long look, searching every point in the half circle of + the south with his glasses. Although burned by summer the country was + beautiful, and neither heat nor cold could take away its picturesqueness. + He saw valleys in which the grass grew thick and strong, clusters of hills + dotted with trees, and then the blue loom of mountains clothed heavily + with foliage. Over everything bent a dazzling sky of blue and gold. + </p> + <p> + The light was so intense that with his glasses he could pick out + individual trees and rocks on the far slopes. He saw an occasional roof, + but nowhere did he see man. He knew the reason, but he had become so used + to his trade that at the moment, he felt no sadness. All this region had + been swept by great armies. Here the tide of battle in the mightiest of + all wars had rolled back and forth, and here it was destined to surge + again in a volume increasing always. + </p> + <p> + “I don't find anything,” repeated Dick, “but three pairs of eyes are + better than none. George, you take the glasses and see what you can see + and Frank will follow.” + </p> + <p> + He dismounted and stood holding the reins of his horse while the young + Vermonter looked. He noticed that the mathematical turn of Warner's mind + showed in every emergency. He swept the glasses back and forth in a + regular curve, not looking here and now there, but taking his time and + missing nothing. It occurred to Dick that he was a type of his region, + slow but thorough, and sure to win after defeat. + </p> + <p> + “What's the result of your examination?” asked Dick as Warner passed the + glasses in turn to Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Let x equal what I saw, which is nothing. Let y equal the result I draw, + which is nothing. Hence we have x + y which still equals nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington was swifter in his examination. The blood in his veins flowed a + little faster than Warner's. + </p> + <p> + “I find nothing but land and water,” he said without waiting to be asked, + “and I'm disappointed. I had a hope, Dick, that I'd see Stonewall Jackson + himself riding along a slope.” + </p> + <p> + “Even if you saw him, how would you know it was Stonewall?” + </p> + <p> + “I hadn't thought of that. We've heard so much of him that it just seemed + to me I'd know him anywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Same here,” said Warner. “Remember all the tales we've heard about his + whiskers, his old slouch hat and his sorrel horse.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to see him myself,” confessed Dick. “From all we hear he's the + man who kept McClellan from taking Richmond. He certainly played hob with + the plans of our generals. You know, I've got a cousin, Harry Kenton, with + him. I had a letter from him a week ago—passing through the lines, + and coming in a round-about way. Writes as if he thought Stonewall Jackson + was a demigod. Says we'd better quit and go home, as we haven't any + earthly chance to win this war.” + </p> + <p> + “He fights best who wins last,” said Warner. “I'm thinking I won't see the + green hills of Vermont for a long time yet, because I mean to pay a visit + to Richmond first. Have you got your cousin's letter with you, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I destroyed it. I didn't want it bobbing up some time or other to + cause either of us trouble. A man I know at home says he's kept out of a + lot of trouble by 'never writin' nothin' to nobody.' And if you do write a + letter the next best thing is to burn it as quick as you can.” + </p> + <p> + “If my eyes tell the truth, and they do,” said Pennington, “here comes a + short, thick man riding a long, thick horse and he—the man, not the + horse—bears a startling resemblance to our friend, ally, guide and + sometime mentor, Sergeant Daniel Whitley.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it's the sergeant,” said Dick, looking down into the valley, “and + I'm glad he's joining us. Do you know, boys, I often think these veteran + sergeants know more than some of our generals.” + </p> + <p> + “It's not an opinion. It's a fact,” said Warner. “Hi, there, sergeant! + Here are your friends! Come up and make the same empty report that we've + got ready for the colonel.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Daniel Whitley looked at the three lads, and his face brightened. + He had a good intellect under his thatch of hair, and a warm heart within + his strong body. The boys, although lieutenants, and he only a sergeant in + the ranks, treated him usually as an equal and often as a superior. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester's regiment and the remains of Colonel Newcomb's + Pennsylvanians had been sent east after the defeat of the Union army at + the Seven Days, and were now with Pope's Army of Virginia, which was to + hold the valley and also protect Washington. Grant's success at Shiloh had + been offset by McClellan's failure before Richmond, and the President and + his Cabinet at Washington were filled with justifiable alarm. Pope was a + western man, a Kentuckian, and he had insisted upon having some of the + western troops with him. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant rode his horse slowly up the slope, and joined the lads over + whom he watched like a father. + </p> + <p> + “And what have the hundred eyes of Argus beheld?” asked Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Argus?” said the sergeant. “I don't know any such man. Name sounds queer, + too.” + </p> + <p> + “He belongs to a distant and mythical past, sergeant, but he'd be mighty + useful if we had him here. If even a single one of his hundred eyes were + to light on Stonewall Jackson, it would be a great service.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant shook his head and looked reprovingly at Warner. + </p> + <p> + “It ain't no time for jokin',” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I was never further from it. It seems to me that we need a lot of Arguses + more than anything else. This is the enemy's country, and we hear that + Stonewall Jackson is advancing. Advancing where, from what and when? There + is no Argus to tell. The country supports a fairly numerous population, + but it hasn't a single kind or informing word for us. Is Stonewall Jackson + going to drop from the sky, which rumor says is his favorite method of + approach?” + </p> + <p> + “He's usin' the solid ground this time, anyway,” said Sergeant Daniel + Whitley. “I've been eight miles farther south, an' if I didn't see cavalry + comin' along the skirt of a ridge, then my eyes ain't any friends of mine. + Then I came through a little place of not more'n five houses. No men + there, just women an' children, but when I looked back I saw them women + an' children, too, grinnin' at me. That means somethin', as shore as we're + livin' an' breathin'. I'm bettin' that we new fellows from the west will + get acquainted with Stonewall Jackson inside of twenty-four hours.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean that? It's not possible!” exclaimed Dick, startled. “Why, + when we last heard of Jackson he was so far south we can't expect him in a + week!” + </p> + <p> + “You've heard that they call his men the foot cavalry,” said the sergeant + gravely, “an' I reckon from all I've learned since I come east that + they've won the name fair an' true. See them woods off to the south there. + See the black line they make ag'inst the sky. I know, the same as if I had + seen him, that Stonewall Jackson is down in them forests, comin' an' + comin' fast.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant's tone was ominous, and Dick felt a tingling at the roots of + his hair. The western troops were eager to meet this new Southern + phenomenon who had suddenly shot like a burning star across the sky, but + for the first time there was apprehension in his soul. He had seen but + little of the new general, Pope, but he had read his proclamations and he + had thought them bombastic. He talked lightly of the enemy and of the + grand deeds that he was going to do. Who was Pope to sweep away such men + as Lee and Jackson with mere words! + </p> + <p> + Dick longed for Grant, the stern, unyielding, unbeatable Grant whom he had + known at Shiloh. In the west the Union troops had felt the strong hand + over them, and confidence had flowed into them, but here they were in + doubt. They felt that the powerful and directing mind was absent. + </p> + <p> + Silence fell upon them all for a little space, while the four gazed + intently into the south, strange fears assailing everyone. Dick never + doubted that the Union would win. He never doubted it then and he never + doubted it afterward, through all the vast hecatomb when the flag of the + Union fell more than once in terrible defeat. + </p> + <p> + But their ignorance was mystifying and oppressive. They saw before them + the beautiful country, the hills and valleys, the forest and the blue loom + of the mountains, so much that appealed to the eye, and yet the horizon, + looking so peaceful in the distance, was barbed with spears. Jackson was + there! The sergeant's theory had become conviction with them. Distance had + been nothing to him. He was at hand with a great force, and Lee with + another army might fall at any time upon their flank, while McClellan was + isolated and left useless, far away. + </p> + <p> + Dick's heart missed a beat or two, as he saw the sinister picture that he + had created in his own mind. Highly imaginative, he had leaped to the + conclusion that Lee and Jackson meant to trap the Union army, the hammer + beating it out on the anvil. He raised the glasses to his eyes, surveyed + the forests in the South once more, and then his heart missed another + beat. + </p> + <p> + He had caught the flash of steel, the sun's rays falling across a bayonet + or a polished rifle barrel. And then as he looked he saw the flash again + and again. He handed the glasses to Warner and said quietly: + </p> + <p> + “George, I see troops on the edge of that far hill to the south and the + east. Can't you see them, too?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I can make them out clearly now, as they pass across a bit of open + land. They're Confederate cavalry, two hundred at least, I should say.” + </p> + <p> + Dick learned long afterward that it was the troop of Sherburne, but, for + the present, the name of Sherburne was unknown to him. He merely felt that + this was the vanguard of Jackson riding forward to set the trap. The men + were now so near that they could be seen with the naked eye, and the + sergeant said tersely: + </p> + <p> + “At last we've seen what we were afraid we would see.” + </p> + <p> + “And look to the left also,” said Warner, who still held the glasses. + “There's a troop of horse coming up another road, too. By George, they're + advancing at a trot! We'd better clear out or we may be enclosed between + the two horns of their cavalry.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll go back to our force at Cedar Run,” said Harry, “and report what + we've seen. As you say, George, there's no time to waste.” + </p> + <p> + The four mounted and rode fast, the dust of the road flying in a cloud + behind their horses' heels. Dick felt that they had fulfilled their + errand, but he had his doubts how their news would be received. The + Northern generals in the east did not seem to him to equal those of the + west in keenness and resolution, while the case was reversed so far as the + Southern generals were concerned. + </p> + <p> + But fast as they went the Southern cavalry was coming with equal speed. + They continually saw the flash of arms in both east and west. The force in + the west was the nearer of the two. Not only was Sherburne there, but + Harry Kenton was with him, and besides their own natural zeal they had all + the eagerness and daring infused into them by the great spirit and + brilliant successes of Jackson. + </p> + <p> + “They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their + horsemen,” said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, “and the + battle won't be to-morrow or the next day.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? I thought Jackson was swift,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too, but + he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to change + their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley.” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now saw + masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They saw + also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the rumble + of their wheels. + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if the sergeant was right,” said Pennington. “Stonewall Jackson + is here.” + </p> + <p> + They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run, a + cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about the + middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless. Their + hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn + painfully through throats lined with dust. + </p> + <p> + A long ridge covered with forest rose on one side of them and now they saw + the flash of many bayonets and rifle barrels along its lowest slope. + Another heavy column of infantry was advancing, and presently they heard + the far note of trumpets calling to one another. + </p> + <p> + “Their whole army is in touch,” said the sergeant. “The trumpets show it. + Often on the plains, when we had to divide our little force into + detachments, they'd have bugle talk with one another. We must go faster if + we can.” + </p> + <p> + They got another ounce of strength out of their horses, and now they saw + Union cavalry in front. In a minute or two they were among the blue + horsemen, giving the hasty news of Jackson's advance. Other scouts and + staff officers arrived a little later with like messages, and not long + afterward they heard shots behind them telling them that the hostile + pickets were in touch. + </p> + <p> + They watered their horses in Cedar Run, crossed it and rejoined their own + regiment under Colonel Arthur Winchester. The colonel was thin, bronzed + and strong, and he, too, like the other new men from the West, was eager + for battle with the redoubtable Jackson. + </p> + <p> + “What have you seen, Dick?” he exclaimed. “Is it a mere scouting force of + cavalry, or is Jackson really at hand?” + </p> + <p> + “I think it's Jackson himself. We saw heavy columns coming up. They were + pressing forward, too, as if they meant to brush aside whatever got in + their way.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll show them!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “We've only seven + thousand men here on Cedar Run, but Banks, who is in immediate command, + has been stung deeply by his defeats at the hands of Jackson, and he means + a fight to the last ditch. So does everybody else.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, at that moment, the thrill of the gallop gone, was not so sanguine. + The great weight of Jackson's name hung over him like a sinister menace, + and the Union troops on Cedar Run were but seven thousand. The famous + Confederate leader must have at least three times that number. Were the + Union forces, separated into several armies, to be beaten again in detail? + Pope himself should be present with at least fifty thousand men. + </p> + <p> + Their horses had been given to an orderly and Dick threw himself upon the + turf to rest a little. All along the creek the Union army, including his + own regiment, was forming in line of battle but his colonel had not yet + called upon him for any duty. Warner and Pennington were also resting from + their long and exciting ride, but the sergeant, who seemed never to know + fatigue, was already at work with his men. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to those skirmishers,” said Dick. “It sounds like the popping of + corn at home on winter evenings, when I was a little boy.” + </p> + <p> + “But a lot more deadly,” said Pennington. “I wouldn't like to be a + skirmisher. I don't mind firing into the smoke and the crowd, but I'd hate + to sit down behind a stump or in the grass and pick out the spot on a man + that I meant for my bullet to hit.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't have to do any such work, Frank,” said Warner. “Hark to it! The + sergeant was right. We're going to have a battle to-day and a big one. The + popping of your corn, Dick, has become an unbroken sound.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, from the crest of the hillock on which they lay, gazed over the + heads of the men in blue. The skirmishers were showing a hideous activity. + A continuous line of light ran along the front of both armies, and behind + the flash of the Southern firing he saw heavy masses of infantry emerging + from the woods. A deep thrill ran through him. Jackson, the famous, the + redoubtable, the unbeatable, was at hand with his army. Would he remain + unbeaten? Dick said to himself, in unspoken words, over and over again, + “No! No! No! No!” He and his comrades had been victors in the west. They + must not fail here. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester now called to them, and mounting their horses they + gathered around him to await his orders. These officers, though mere boys, + learned fast. Dick knew enough already of war to see that they were in a + strong position. Before them flowed the creek. On their flank and partly + in their front was a great field of Indian corn. A quarter of a mile away + was a lofty ridge on which were posted Union guns with gunners who knew so + well how to use them. To right and left ran the long files of infantry, + their faces white but resolute. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Dick to Warner, “that if Jackson passes over this place he + will at least know that we've been here.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he'll know it, and besides he'll make quite a halt before passing. + At least, that's my way of thinking.” + </p> + <p> + There was a sudden dying of the rifle fire. The Union skirmishers were + driven in, and they fell back on the main body which was silent, awaiting + the attack. Dick was no longer compelled to use the glasses. He saw with + unaided eye the great Southern columns marching forward with the utmost + confidence, heavy batteries advancing between the regiments, ready at + command to sweep the Northern ranks with shot and shell. + </p> + <p> + Dick shivered a little. He could not help it. They were face to face with + Jackson, and he was all that the heralds of fame had promised. He had eye + enough to see that the Southern force was much greater than their own, + and, led by such a man, how could they fail to win another triumph? He + looked around upon the army in blue, but he did not see any sign of fear. + Both the beaten and the unbeaten were ready for a new battle. + </p> + <p> + There was a mighty crash from the hill and the Northern batteries poured a + stream of metal into the advancing ranks of their foe. + </p> + <p> + The Confederate advance staggered, but, recovering itself, came on again. + A tremendous cheer burst from the ranks of the lads in blue. Stonewall + Jackson with all his skill and fame was before them, but they meant to + stop him. Numbers were against them, and Banks, their leader, had been + defeated already by Jackson, but they meant to stop him, nevertheless. + </p> + <p> + The Southern guns replied. Posted along the slopes of Slaughter Mountain, + sinister of name, they sent a sheet of death upon the Union ranks. But the + regiments, the new and the old, stood firm. Those that had been beaten + before by Jackson were resolved not to be beaten again by him, and the new + regiments from the west, one or two of which had been at Shiloh, were + resolved never to be beaten at all. + </p> + <p> + “The lads are steady,” said Colonel Winchester. “It's a fine sign. I've + news, too, that two thousand men have come up. We shall now have nine + thousand with which to withstand the attack, and I don't believe they can + drive us away. Oh, why isn't Pope himself here with his whole army? Then + we could wipe Jackson off the face of the earth!” + </p> + <p> + But Pope was not there. The commander of a huge force, the man of boastful + words who was to do such great things, the man who sent such grandiloquent + dispatches from “Headquarters in the Saddle,” to the anxious Lincoln at + Washington, had strung his numerous forces along in detachments, just as + the others had done before him, and the booming of Jackson's cannon + attacking the Northern vanguard with his whole army could not reach ears + so far away. + </p> + <p> + The fire now became heavy along the whole Union front. All the batteries + on both sides were coming into action, and the earth trembled with the + rolling crash. The smoke rose and hung in clouds over the hills, the + valley and the cornfield. The hot air, surcharged with dust, smoke and + burned gunpowder, was painful and rasping to the throat. The frightful + screaming of the shells filled the air, and then came the hissing of the + bullets like a storm of sleet. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester and his staff dismounted, giving their horses to an + orderly who led them to the rear. Horses would not be needed for the + present, at least, and they had learned to avoid needless risk. + </p> + <p> + The attack was coming closer, and the bullets as they swept through their + ranks found many victims. Colonel Winchester ordered his regiment to kneel + and open fire, being held hitherto in reserve. Dick snatched up a rifle + from a soldier who had fallen almost beside him, and he saw that Warner + and Pennington had equipped themselves in like fashion. + </p> + <p> + A strong gust of wind lifted the smoke before them a little. Dick saw many + splashes of water on the surface of the creek where bullets struck, and + there were many tiny spurts of dust in the road, where other bullets fell. + Then he saw beyond the dark masses of the Southern infantry. It seemed to + him that they were strangely close. He believed that he could see their + tanned faces, one by one, and their vengeful eyes, but it was only fancy. + </p> + <p> + The next instant the signal was given, and the regiment fired as one. + There was a long flash of fire, a tremendous roaring in Dick's ears, then + for an instant or two a vast cloud of smoke hid the advancing gray mass. + When it was lifted a moment later the men in gray were advancing no + longer. Their ranks were shattered and broken, the ground was covered with + the fallen and the others were reeling back. + </p> + <p> + “We win! We win!” shouted Pennington, wild with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “For the present, at least,” said Warner, a deep flush blazing in either + cheek. + </p> + <p> + There was no return fire just then from that point, and the smoke lifted a + little more. Above the crash of the battle which raged fiercely on either + flank, they heard the notes of a trumpet rising, loud, clear, and distinct + from all other sounds. Dick knew that it was a rallying call, and then he + heard Pennington utter a wild shout. + </p> + <p> + “I see him! I see him!” he cried. “It's old Stonewall himself! There on + the hillock, on the little horse!” + </p> + <p> + The vision was but for an instant. Dick gazed with all his eyes, and he + saw several hundred yards away a thickset man on a sorrel horse. He was + bearded and he stooped a little, seeming to bend an intense gaze upon the + Northern lines. + </p> + <p> + There was no time for anyone to fire, because in a few seconds the smoke + came back, a huge, impenetrable curtain, and hid the man and the hillock. + But Dick had not the slightest doubt that it was the great Southern + leader, and he was right. It was Stonewall Jackson on the hillock, + rallying his men, and Dick's own cousin, Harry Kenton, rode by his side. + </p> + <p> + They reloaded, but a staff officer galloped up and delivered a written + order to Colonel Winchester. The whole regiment left the line, another + less seasoned taking its place, and they marched off to one flank, where a + field of wheat lately cut, and a wood on the extreme end, lay before them. + Behind them they heard the battle swelling anew, but Dick knew that a new + force of the foe was coming here, and he felt proud that his own regiment + had been moved to meet an attack which would certainly be made with the + greatest violence. + </p> + <p> + “Who are those men down in the wheat-field?” asked Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Our own skirmishers,” replied Warner. “See them running forward, hiding + behind the shocks of straw and firing!” + </p> + <p> + The riflemen were busy. They fired from the shelter of every straw stack + in the field, and they stung the new Southern advance, which was already + showing its front. Southern guns now began to search the wheat field. A + shell struck squarely in the center of one of the shocks behind which + three Northern skirmishers were kneeling. Dick saw the straw fly into the + air as if picked up by a whirlwind. When it settled back it lay in + scattered masses and three dark figures lay with it, motionless and + silent. He shuddered and looked away. + </p> + <p> + The edge of the wood was now lined with Southern infantry, and on their + right flank was a numerous body of cavalry. Officers were waving their + swords aloft, leading the men in person to the charge. + </p> + <p> + “The attack will be heavy here,” said Colonel Winchester. “Ah, there are + our guns firing over our heads. We need 'em.” + </p> + <p> + The Southern cannon were more numerous, but the Northern guns, posted well + on the hill, refused to be silenced. Some of them were dismounted and the + gunners about them were killed, but the others, served with speed and + valor, sprayed the whole Southern front with a deadly shower of steel. + </p> + <p> + It was this welcome metal that Dick and his comrades heard over their + heads, and then the trumpets rang a shrill note of defiance along the + whole line. Banks, remembering his bitter defeats and resolved upon + victory now, was not awaiting the attack. He would make it himself. + </p> + <p> + The whole wing lifted itself up and rushed through the wheat field, firing + as they charged. The cannon were pushed forward and poured in volleys as + fast as the gunners could load and discharge them. Dick felt the ground + reeling beneath his feet, but he knew that they were advancing and that + the enemy was giving way again. Stonewall Jackson and his generals felt a + certain hardening of the Northern resistance that day. The recruits in + blue were becoming trained now. They did not break in a panic, although + their lines were raked through and through by the Southern shells. New men + stepped in the place of the fallen, and the lines, filled up, came on + again. + </p> + <p> + The Northern wing charging through the wheat field continued to bear back + the enemy. Jackson was not yet able to stop the fierce masses in blue. A + formidable body of men issuing from the Northern side of the wood charged + with the bayonet, pushing the charge home with a courage and a + recklessness of death that the war had not yet seen surpassed. The + Southern rifles and cannon raked them, but they never stopped, bursting + like a tornado upon their foe. + </p> + <p> + One of Jackson's Virginia regiments gave way and then another. The men in + blue from the wood and Colonel Winchester's regiment joined, their shouts + rising above the smoke while they steadily pushed the enemy before them. + </p> + <p> + Dick as he shouted with the rest felt a wild exultation. They were showing + Jackson what they could do! They were proving to him that he could not win + always. His joy was warranted. No such confusion had ever before existed + in Jackson's army. The Northern charge was driven like a wedge of steel + into its ranks. + </p> + <p> + Jackson had able generals, valiant lieutenants, with him, Ewell and Early, + and A. P. Hill and Winder, and they strove together to stop the retreat. + The valiant Winder was mortally wounded and died upon the field, and + Jackson, with his wonderful ability to see what was happening and his + equal power of decision, swiftly withdrew that wing of his army, also + carrying with it every gun. + </p> + <p> + A great shout of triumph rose from the men in blue as they saw the + Southern retreat. + </p> + <p> + “We win! We win!” cried Pennington again. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we win!” shouted Warner, usually so cool. + </p> + <p> + And it did seem even to older men that the triumph was complete. The blue + and the gray were face to face in the smoke, but the gray were driven back + by the fierce and irresistible charge, and, as their flight became + swifter, the shells and grape from the Northern batteries plunged and tore + through their ranks. Nothing stopped the blue wave. It rolled on and on, + sweeping a mass of fugitives before it, and engulfing others. + </p> + <p> + Dick had no ordered knowledge of the charge. He was a part of it, and he + saw only straight in front of him, but he was conscious that all around + him there was a fiery red mist, and a confused and terrible noise of + shouting and firing. But they were winning! They were beating Stonewall + Jackson himself. His pulses throbbed so hard that he thought his arteries + would burst, and his lips were dry and blackened from smoke, burned + gunpowder and his own hot breath issuing like steam between them. + </p> + <p> + Then came a halt so sudden and terrible that it shook Dick as if by + physical contact. He looked around in wonder. The charge was spent, not + from its lack of strength but because they had struck an obstacle. They + had reckoned ill, because they had not reckoned upon all the resources of + Stonewall Jackson's mind. He had stemmed the rout in person and now he was + pushing forward the Stonewall Brigade, five regiments, which always had + but two alternatives, to conquer or to die. Hill and Ewell with fresh + troops were coming up also on his flanks, and now the blue and the gray, + face to face again, closed in mortal combat. + </p> + <p> + “We've stopped! We've stopped! Do you hear it, we've stopped!” exclaimed + Pennington, his face a ghastly reek of dust and perspiration, his eyes + showing amazement and wonder how the halt could have happened. Dick shared + in the terrible surprise. The fire in front of him deepened suddenly. Men + were struck down all about him. Heavy masses of troops in gray showed + through the smoke. The Stonewall Brigade was charging, and regiments were + charging with it on either side. + </p> + <p> + The column in blue was struck in front and on either flank. It not only + ceased its victorious advance, but it began to give ground. The men could + not help it, despite their most desperate efforts. It seemed to Dick that + the earth slipped under their feet. A tremendous excitement seized him at + the thought of victory lost just when it seemed won. He ran up and down + the lines, shouting to the men to stand firm. He saw that the senior + officers were doing the same, but there was little order or method in his + own movements. It was the excitement and bitter humiliation that drove him + on. + </p> + <p> + He stumbled in the smoke against Sergeant Whitley. The sergeant's forehead + had been creased by a bullet, but so much dust and burned gunpowder had + gathered upon it that it was as black as the face of a black man. + </p> + <p> + “Are we to lose after all?” exclaimed Dick. + </p> + <p> + It seemed strange to him, even at that moment, that he should hear his own + voice amid such a roar of cannon and rifles. But it was an undernote, and + he heard with equal ease the sergeant's reply: + </p> + <p> + “It ain't decided yet, Mr. Mason, but we've got to fight as we never + fought before.” + </p> + <p> + The Union men, both those who had faced Jackson before and those who were + now meeting him for the first time, fought with unsurpassed valor, but, + unequal in numbers, they saw the victory wrenched from their grasp. + Jackson now had his forces in the hollow of his hand. He saw everything + that was passing, and with the mind of a master he read the meaning of it. + He strengthened his own weak points and increased the attack upon those of + the North. + </p> + <p> + Dick remained beside the sergeant. He had lost sight of Colonel + Winchester, Warner and Pennington in the smoke and the dreadful confusion, + but he saw well enough that his fears were coming true. + </p> + <p> + The attack in front increased in violence, and the Northern army was also + attacked with fiery energy on both flanks. The men had the actual physical + feeling that they were enclosed in the jaws of a vise, and, forced to + abandon all hope of victory, they fought now to escape. Two small + squadrons of cavalry, scarce two hundred in number, sent forward from a + wood, charged the whole Southern army under a storm of cannon and rifle + fire. They equalled the ride of the Six Hundred at Balaklava, but with no + poet to celebrate it, it remained like so many other charges in this war, + an obscure and forgotten incident. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the charge of the horsemen, and the return of the few. Then he + lost hope. Above the roar of the battle the rebel yell continually swelled + afresh. The setting sun, no longer golden but red, cast a sinister light + over the trampled wheat field, the slopes and the woods torn by cannon + balls. The dead and the wounded lay in thousands, and Banks, brave and + tenacious, but with bitter despair in his heart, was seeking to drag the + remains of his army from that merciless vise which continued to close down + harder and harder. + </p> + <p> + Dick's excitement and tension seemed to abate. He had been keyed to so + high a pitch that his pulses grew gentler through very lack of force, and + with the relaxation came a clearer view. He saw the sinking red sun + through the banks of smoke, and in fancy he already felt the cool darkness + upon his face after the hot and terrible August day. He knew that night + might save them, and he prayed deeply and fervently for its swift coming. + </p> + <p> + He and the sergeant came suddenly to Colonel Winchester, whose hat had + been shot from his head, but who was otherwise unharmed. Warner and + Pennington were near, Warner slightly wounded but apparently unaware of + the fact. The colonel, by shout and by gesture, was gathering around him + the remains of his regiment. Other regiments on either side were trying to + do the same, and eventually they formed a compact mass which, driving with + all its force back toward its old position, reached the hills and the + woods just as the jaws of Stonewall Jackson's vise shut down, but not upon + the main body. + </p> + <p> + Victory, won for a little while, had been lost. Night protected their + retreat, and they fought with a valor that made Jackson and all his + generals cautious. But this knowledge was little compensation to the + Northern troops. They knew that behind them was a great army, that Pope + might have been present with fifty thousand men, sufficient to overwhelm + Jackson. Instead of the odds being more than two to one in their favor, + they had been two to one against them. + </p> + <p> + It was a sullen army that lay in the woods in the first hour or two of the + night, gasping for breath. These men had boasted that they were a match + for those of Jackson, and they were, if they could only have traded + generals. Dick and his comrades from the west began to share in the awe + that the name of Stonewall Jackson inspired. + </p> + <p> + “He comes up to his advertisements. There ain't no doubt of it,” said + Sergeant Whitley. “I never saw anybody fight better than our men did, an' + that charge of the little troop of cavalry was never beat anywhere in the + world. But here we are licked, and thirty or forty thousand men of ours + not many miles away!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke the last words with a bitterness that Dick had never heard in his + voice before. + </p> + <p> + “It's simple,” said Warner, who was binding up his little wound with his + own hand. “It's just a question in mathematics. I see now how Stonewall + Jackson won so many triumphs in the Valley of Virginia. Give Jackson, say, + fifteen thousand men. We have fifty thousand, but we divide them into five + armies of ten thousand apiece. Jackson fights them in detail, which is + five battles, of course. His fifteen thousand defeat the ten thousand + every time. Hence Jackson with fifteen thousand men has beaten our side. + It's simple but painful. In time our leaders will learn.” + </p> + <p> + “After we're all killed,” said Pennington sadly. + </p> + <p> + “And the country is ripped apart so that it will take half a century to + put the pieces back together again and put 'em back right,” said Dick, + with equal sadness. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind,” said Sergeant Whitley with returning cheerfulness. “Other + countries have survived great wars and so will ours.” + </p> + <p> + Some food was obtained for the exhausted men and they ate it nervously, + paying little attention to the crackling fire of the skirmishers which was + still going on in the darkness along their front. Dick saw the pink + flashes along the edges of the woods and the wheat field, but his mind, + deadened for the time, took no further impressions. Skirmishers were + unpleasant people, anyway. Let them fight down there. It did not matter + what they might do to one another. A minute or two later he was ashamed of + such thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester, who had been to see General Banks, returned presently + and told them that they would march again in half an hour. + </p> + <p> + “General Banks,” he said with bitter irony, “is afraid that a powerful + force of the rebels will gain his rear and that we shall be surrounded. He + ought to know. He has had enough dealings with Jackson. Outmaneuvered and + outflanked again! Why can't we learn something?” + </p> + <p> + But he said this to the young officers only. He forced a cheerfulness of + tone when he spoke to the men, and they dragged themselves wearily to + their feet in order to begin the retreat. But though the muscles were + tired the spirit was not unwilling. All the omens were sinister, pointing + to the need of withdrawal. The vicious skirmishers were still busy and a + crackling fire came from many points in the woods. The occasional rolling + thunder of a cannon deepened the somberness of the scene. + </p> + <p> + All the officers of the regiment had lost their horses and they walked now + with the men. A full moon threw a silvery light over the marching troops, + who strode on in silence, the wounded suppressing their groans. A full + moon cast a silvery light over the pallid faces. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where we are going?” Dick asked of the Vermonter. + </p> + <p> + “I heard that we're bound for a place called Culpeper Court House, six or + seven miles away. I suppose we'll get there in the morning, if Stonewall + Jackson doesn't insist on another interview with us.” + </p> + <p> + “There's enough time in the day for fighting,” said Pennington, “without + borrowing of the night. Hear that big gun over there on our right! Why do + they want to be firing cannon balls at such a time?” + </p> + <p> + They trudged gloomily on, following other regiments ghostly in the + moonlight, and followed by others as ghostly. But the sinister omens, the + flash of rifle firing and the far boom of a cannon, were always on their + flanks. The impression of Jackson's skill and power which Dick had gained + so quickly was deepening already. He did not have the slightest doubt now + that the Southern leader was pressing forward through the woods to cut + them off. As the sergeant had said truly, he came up to his advertisements + and more. Dick shivered and it was a shiver of apprehension for the army, + and not for himself. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with human nature he and the boy officers who were his good + comrades talked together, but their sentences were short and broken. + </p> + <p> + “Marching toward a court house,” said Pennington. “What'll we do when we + get there? Lawyers won't help us.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so much marching toward a court house as marching away from Jackson,” + said the Vermonter. + </p> + <p> + “We'll march back again,” said Dick hopefully. + </p> + <p> + “But when?” said Pennington. “Look through the trees there on our right. + Aren't those rebel troops?” + </p> + <p> + Dick's startled gaze beheld a long line of horsemen in gray on their flank + and only a few hundred yards away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. AT THE CAPITAL + </h2> + <p> + The Southern cavalry was seen almost at the same time by many men in the + regiments, and nervous and hasty, as was natural at such a time, they + opened a scattering fire. The horsemen did not return the fire, but seemed + to melt away in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + But the shrewdest of the officers, among whom was Colonel Winchester, took + alarm at this sudden appearance and disappearance. Dick would have divined + from their manner, even without their talk, that they believed Jackson was + at hand. Action followed quickly. The army stopped and began to seek a + strong position in the wood. Cannon were drawn up, their mouths turned to + the side on which the horsemen had appeared, and the worn regiments + assumed the attitude of defense. Dick's heart throbbed with pride when he + saw that they were as ready as ever to fight, although they had suffered + great losses and the bitterest of disappointments. + </p> + <p> + “What I said I've got to say over again,” said Pennington ruefully: “the + night's no time for fighting. It's heathenish in Stonewall Jackson to + follow us, and annoy us in such a way.” + </p> + <p> + “Such a way! Such a way!” said Dick impatiently. “We've got to learn to + fight as he does. Good God, Frank, think of all the sacrifices we are + making to save our Union, the great republic! Think how the hateful old + monarchies will sneer and rejoice if we fall, and here in the East our + generals just throw our men away! They divide and scatter our armies in + such a manner that we simply ask to be beaten.” + </p> + <p> + “Sh! sh!” said Warner, as he listened to the violent outbreak, so unusual + on the part of the reserved and self-contained lad. “Here come two + generals.” + </p> + <p> + “Two too many,” muttered Dick. A moment or two later he was ashamed of + himself, not because of what he had said, but because he had said it. Then + Warner seized him by the arm and pointed. + </p> + <p> + “A new general, bigger than all the rest, has come,” he said, “and + although I've never seen him before I know with mathematical certainty + that it's General John Pope, commander-in-chief of the Army of Virginia.” + </p> + <p> + Both Dick and Pennington knew instinctively that Warner was right. General + Pope, a strongly built man in early middle years, surrounded by a + brilliant staff, rode into a little glade in the midst of the troops, and + summoned to him the leading officers who had taken part in the battle. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his two comrades stood on one side, but they could not keep from + hearing what was said and done. In truth they did not seek to avoid + hearing, nor did many of the young privates who stood near and who + considered themselves quite as good as their officers. + </p> + <p> + Pope, florid and full-faced, was in a fine humor. He complimented the + officers on their valor, spoke as if they had won a victory—which + would have been a fact had others done their duty—and talked + slightingly of Jackson. The men of the west would show this man his match + in the art of war. + </p> + <p> + Dick listened to it all with bitterness in his heart. He had no doubt that + Pope was brave, and he could see that he was confident. Yet it took + something more than confidence to defeat an able enemy. What had become of + those gray horsemen in the bush? They had appeared once and they could + appear again. He had believed that Jackson himself was at hand, and he + still believed it. His eyes shifted from Pope to the dark woods, which, + with their thick foliage, turned back the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + “George,” he whispered to Warner, “do you think you can see anything among + those trees?” + </p> + <p> + “I can make out dimly one or two figures, which no doubt are our scouts. + Ah-h!” + </p> + <p> + The long “Ah-h!” was drawn by a flash and the report of a rifle. A second + and a third report came, and then the crash of a heavy fire. The scouts + and sentinels came running in, reporting that a great force with + batteries, presumably the whole army of Jackson, was at hand. + </p> + <p> + A deep murmur ran through the Union army, but there was no confusion. The + long hours of fighting had habituated them to danger. They were also too + tired to become excited, and in addition, they were of as stern stuff at + night as they had been in the morning. They were ready to fight again. + </p> + <p> + Formidable columns of troops appeared through the woods, their bayonets + glistening in the moonlight. The heavy rifle fire began once more, + although it was nearly midnight, and then came the deep thunder of cannon, + sending round shot and shells among the Union troops. But the men in blue, + harried beyond endurance, fought back fiercely. They shared the feelings + of Pennington. They felt that they had been persecuted, that this thing + had grown inhuman, and they used rifles and cannon with astonishing vigor + and energy. + </p> + <p> + Two heavy Union batteries replied to the Southern cannon, raking the woods + with shell, round shot and grape, and Dick concluded that in the face of + so much resolution Jackson would not press an attack at night, when every + kind of disaster might happen in the darkness. His own regiment had lain + down among the leaves, and the men were firing at the flashes on their + right. Dick looked for General Pope and his brilliant staff, but he did + not see them. + </p> + <p> + “Gone to bring up the reserves,” whispered Warner, who saw Dick's + inquiring look. + </p> + <p> + But the Vermonter's slur was not wholly true. Pope was on his way to his + main force, doubtless not really believing that Jackson himself was at + hand. But the little army that he left behind fighting with renewed energy + and valor broke away from the Southern grasp and continued its march + toward that court house, in which the boys could see no merit. Jackson + himself, knowing what great numbers were ahead, was content to swing away + and seek for prey elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + They emerged from the wood toward morning and saw ahead of them great + masses of troops in blue. They would have shouted with joy, but they were + too tired. Besides, nearly two thousand of their men were killed or + wounded, and they had no victory to celebrate. + </p> + <p> + Dick ate breakfast with his comrades. The Northern armies nearly always + had an abundance of provisions, and now they were served in plenty. For + the moment, the physical overcame the mental in Dick. It was enough to eat + and to rest and to feel secure. Thousands of friendly faces were around + them, and they would not have to fight in either day or dark for their + lives. Their bones ceased to ache, and the good food and the good coffee + began to rebuild the worn tissues. What did the rest matter? + </p> + <p> + After breakfast these men who had marched and fought for nearly twenty + hours were told to sleep. Only one command was needed. It was August, and + the dry grass and the soft earth were good enough for anybody. The three + lads, each with an arm under his head, slept side by side. At noon they + were still sleeping, and Colonel Winchester, as he was passing, looked at + the three, but longest at Dick. His gaze was half affection, half + protection, but it was not the boy alone whom he saw. He saw also his + fair-haired young mother in that little town on the other side of the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + While Dick still slept, the minds of men were at work. Pope's army, + hitherto separated, was now called together by a battle. Troops from every + direction were pouring upon the common center. The little army which had + fought so gallantly the day before now amounted to only one-fourth of the + whole. McDowell, Sigel and many other generals joined Pope, who, with the + strange faculty of always seeing his enemy too small, while McClellan + always saw him too large, began to feed upon his own sanguine + anticipations, and to regard as won the great victory that he intended to + win. He sent telegrams to Washington announcing that his triumph at Cedar + Run was only the first of a series that his army would soon achieve. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon when Dick awoke, and he was amazed to see + that the sun was far down the western sky. But he rubbed his eyes and, + remembering, knew that he had slept at least ten hours. He looked down at + the relaxed figures of Warner and Pennington on either side of him. They + still slumbered soundly, but he decided that they had slept long enough. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you,” he exclaimed, seizing Warner by the collar and dragging him + to a sitting position, “look at the sun! Do you realize that you've lost a + day out of your bright young life?” + </p> + <p> + Then he seized Pennington by the collar also and dragged him up. Both + Warner and Pennington yawned prodigiously. + </p> + <p> + “If I've lost a day, and it would seem that I have, then I'm glad of it,” + replied Warner. “I could afford to lose several in such a pleasant manner. + I suppose a lot of Stonewall Jackson's men were shooting at me while I + slept, but I was lucky and didn't know about it.” + </p> + <p> + “You talk too long,” said Pennington. “That comes of your having taught + school. You could talk all day to boys younger than yourself, and they + were afraid to answer back.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, both of you,” said Dick. “Here comes the sergeant, and I think + from his look he has something to say worth hearing.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley had cleansed the blood and dust from his face, and a + handkerchief tied neatly around his head covered up the small wound there. + He looked trim and entirely restored, both mentally and physically. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sergeant,” said Dick ingratiatingly, “if any thing has happened in + this army you're sure to know of it. We'd have known it ourselves, but we + had an important engagement with Morpheus, a world away, and we had to + keep it. Now what is the news?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who Morpheus is,” replied the sergeant, laughing, “but I'd + guess from your looks that he is another name for sleep. There is no news + of anything big happenin'. We've got a great army here, and Jackson + remains near our battlefield of yesterday. I should say that we number at + least fifty thousand men, or about twice the rebels.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why don't we march against 'em at once?” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant shrugged his shoulders. It was not for him to tell why + generals did not do things. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” he said, “that we're likely to stay here a day or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Which means,” said Dick, his alert mind interpreting at once, “that our + generals don't know what to do. Why is it that they always seem paralyzed + when they get in front of Stonewall Jackson? He's only a man like the rest + of them!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke with perfect freedom in the presence of Sergeant Whitley, knowing + that he would repeat nothing. + </p> + <p> + “A man, yes,” said Warner, in his precise manner, “but not exactly like + the others. He seems to have more of the lightning flash about him. What a + pity such a leader should be on the wrong side! Perhaps we'll have his + equal in time.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Jackson's army just sitting still?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “So far as scouts can gather, an' I've been one of them,” replied Sergeant + Whitley, “it seems to be just campin'. But I wish I knew which way it was + goin' to jump. I don't trust Jackson when he seems to be nappin'.” + </p> + <p> + But the good sergeant's doubts were to remain for two days at least. The + two armies sat still, only two miles apart, and sentinels, as was common + throughout the great war, became friendly with one another. Often they met + in the woods and exchanged news and abundant criticism of generals. At + last there was a truce to bury the dead who still lay upon the sanguinary + field of Cedar Run. + </p> + <p> + Dick was in charge of one of these burial parties, and toward the close of + the day he saw a familiar figure, also in command of a burial party, + although it was in a gray uniform. His heart began to thump, and he + uttered a cry of joy. The unexpected, but not the unnatural, had happened. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Harry! Harry!” he shouted. + </p> + <p> + The strong young figure in the uniform of a lieutenant in the Southern + army turned in surprise at the sound of a familiar voice, and stood, + staring. + </p> + <p> + “Dick! Dick Mason!” he cried. Then the two sprang forward and grasped the + hands of each other. There was no display of emotion—they were of + the stern American stock, taught not to show its feelings—but their + eyes showed their gladness. + </p> + <p> + “Harry,” said Dick, “I knew that you had been with Jackson, but I had no + way of knowing until a moment ago that you were yet alive.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor I you, Dick. I thought you were in the west.” + </p> + <p> + “I was, but after Shiloh, some of us came east to help. It seemed after + the Seven Days that we were needed more here than in the west.” + </p> + <p> + “You never said truer words, Dick. They'll need you and many more + thousands like you. Why, Dick, we're not led here by a man, we're led by a + thunderbolt. I'm on his staff, I see him every day. He talks to me, and I + talk to him. I tell you, Dick, it's a wonderful thing to serve such a + genius. You can't beat him! His kind appears only a few times in the ages. + He always knows what's to be done and he does it. Even if your generals + knew what ought to be done, most likely they'd do something else.” + </p> + <p> + Harry's face glowed with enthusiasm as he spoke of his hero, and Dick, + looking at him, shook his head sadly. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid that what you say is true for the present at least, Harry,” he + said. “You beat us now here in the east, but don't forget that we're + winning in the west. And don't forget that here in the east even, you can + never wear us out. We'll be coming, always coming.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, old Sober Sides, we won't quarrel about it. We'll let time + settle it. Here come some friends of mine whom I want you to know. Curious + that you should meet them at such a time.” + </p> + <p> + Two other young lieutenants in gray uniforms at the head of burial parties + came near in the course of their work, and Harry called to them. + </p> + <p> + “Tom! Arthur! A moment, please! This is my cousin, Dick Mason, a Yankee, + though I think he's honest in his folly. Dick, this is Arthur St. Clair, + and this is Tom Langdon, both friends of mine from South Carolina.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands warmly. There was no animosity between them. Dick liked + the looks and manners of Harry's friends. He could have been their friend, + too. + </p> + <p> + “Harry has talked about you often,” said Happy Tom Langdon. “Says you're a + great scholar, and a good fellow, all right every way, except the crack in + your head that makes you a Yankee. I hope you won't get hurt in this + unpleasantness, and when our victorious army comes into Washington we'll + take good care of you and release you soon.” + </p> + <p> + Dick smiled. He liked this youth who could keep up the spirit of fun among + such scenes. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you pay any attention to Langdon, Mr. Mason,” said St. Clair. “If + he'd only fight as well and fast as he talks there'd be no need for the + rest of us.” + </p> + <p> + “You know you couldn't win the war without me,” said Langdon. + </p> + <p> + They talked a little more together, then trumpets blew, the work was done + and they must withdraw to their own armies. They had been engaged in a + grewsome task, but Dick was glad to the bottom of his heart to have been + sent upon it. He had learned that Harry still lived, and he had met him. + He did not understand until then how dear his cousin was to him. They were + more like brothers than cousins. It was like the affection their + great-grandfathers, Henry Ware and Paul Cotter, had felt for each other, + although those famous heroes of the border had always fought side by side, + while their descendants were compelled to face each other across a gulf. + </p> + <p> + They shook hands and withdrew slowly. At the edge of the field, Dick + turned to wave another farewell, and he found that Harry, actuated by the + same motive at the same time, had also turned to make a like gesture. Each + waved twice, instead of once, and then they disappeared among the woods. + Dick returned to Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “While we were under the flag of truce I met my cousin, Harry Kenton,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + “One of the lucky fortunes of war.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, I was very glad to see him. I did not know how glad I was until + I came away. He says that we can never beat Jackson, that nothing but + death can ever stop him.” + </p> + <p> + “Youth often deceives itself, nor is age any exception. Never lose hope, + Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean to do so, sir.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning, when Dick was with one of the outposts, a man of + powerful build, wonderfully quick and alert in his movements, appeared. + His coming was so quick and silent that he seemed to rise from the earth, + and Dick was startled. The man's face was uncommon. His features were of + great strength, the eyes being singularly vivid and penetrating. He was in + civilian's dress, but he promptly showed a pass from General Pope, and + Dick volunteered to take him to headquarters, where he said he wished to + go. + </p> + <p> + Dick became conscious as they walked along that the man was examining him + minutely with those searching eyes of his which seemed to look one through + and through. + </p> + <p> + “You are Lieutenant Richard Mason,” said the stranger presently, “and you + have a cousin, Harry Kenton, also a lieutenant, but in the army of + Stonewall Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + Dick stared at him in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Everything you say is true,” he said, “but how did you know it?” + </p> + <p> + “It's my business to know. Knowledge is my sole pursuit in this great war, + and a most engrossing and dangerous task I find it. Yet, I would not leave + it. My name is Shepard, and I am a spy. You needn't shrink. I'm not + ashamed of my occupation. Why should I be? I don't kill. I don't commit + any violence. I'm a guide and educator. I and my kind are the eyes of an + army. We show the generals where the enemy is, and we tell them his plans. + An able and daring spy is worth more than many a general. Besides, he + takes the risk of execution, and he can win no glory, for he must always + remain obscure, if not wholly unknown. Which, then, makes the greater + sacrifice for his country, the spy or the general?” + </p> + <p> + “You give me a new point of view. I had not thought before how spies + risked so much for so little reward.” + </p> + <p> + Shepard smiled. He saw that in spite of his logic Dick yet retained that + slight feeling of aversion. The boy left him, when they arrived at + headquarters, but the news that Shepard brought was soon known to the + whole army. + </p> + <p> + Jackson had left his camp. He was gone again, disappeared into the ether. + “Retreated” was the word that Pope at once seized upon, and he sent forth + happy bulletins. Shepard and other scouts and spies reported a day or two + later that Jackson's army was on the Rapidan, one of the numerous Virginia + rivers. Then Dick accompanied Colonel Winchester, who was sent by rail to + Washington with dispatches. + </p> + <p> + He did not find in the capital the optimism that reigned in the mind of + Pope. McClellan was withdrawing his army from Virginia, but the eyes of + the nation were turned toward Pope. Many who had taken deep thought of the + times and of men, were more alarmed about Pope than he was about himself. + They did not like those jubilant dispatches from “Headquarters in the + Saddle.” There was ominous news that Lee himself was marching north, and + that he and Jackson would soon be together. Anxious eyes scanned the hills + about Washington. The enemy had been very near once before, and he might + soon be near again. + </p> + <p> + Dick had an hour of leisure, and he wandered into an old hotel, at which + many great men had lived. They would point to Henry Clay's famous chair in + the lobby, and the whole place was thick with memories of Webster, Calhoun + and others who had seemed almost demigods to their own generation. + </p> + <p> + But a different crowd was there now. They were mostly paunchy men who + talked of contracts and profits. One, to whom the others paid deference, + was fat, heavy and of middle age, with a fat, heavy face and pouches under + his eyes. His small eyes were set close together, but they sparkled with + shrewdness and cunning. + </p> + <p> + The big man presently noticed the lad who was sitting quietly in one of + the chairs against the wall. Dick's was an alien presence there, and + doubtless this fact had attracted his attention. + </p> + <p> + “Good day to you,” said the stranger in a bluff, deep voice. “I take it + from your uniform, your tan and your thinness that you've come from active + service.” + </p> + <p> + “In both the west and the east,” replied Dick politely. “I was at Shiloh, + but soon afterward I was transferred with my regiment to the east.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then, of course, you know what is going on in Virginia?” + </p> + <p> + “No more than the general public does. I was at Cedar Run, which both we + and the rebels claim as a victory.” + </p> + <p> + The man instantly showed a great increase of interest. + </p> + <p> + “Were you?” he said. “My own information says that Banks and Pope were + surprised by Jackson and that the rebel general has merely drawn off to + make a bigger jump. Did you get that impression?” + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell me why you ask me these questions?” said Dick in the same + polite tone. + </p> + <p> + “Because I've a big stake in the results out there. My name is John + Watson, and I'm supplying vast quantities of shoes and clothing to our + troops.” + </p> + <p> + Dick turned up the sole of one of his shoes and picked thoughtfully at a + hole half way through the sole. Little pieces of paper came out. + </p> + <p> + “I bought these, Mr. Watson, from a sutler in General Pope's army,” he + said. “I wonder if they came from you?” + </p> + <p> + A deeper tint flushed the contractor's cheeks, but in a moment he threw + off anger. + </p> + <p> + “A good joke,” he said jovially. “I see that you're ready of wit, despite + your youth. No, those are not my shoes. I know dishonest men are making + great sums out of supplies that are defective or short. A great war gives + such people many opportunities, but I scorn them. I'll not deny that I + seek a fair profit, but my chief object is to serve my country. Do you + ever reflect, my young friend, that the men who clothe and feed an army + have almost as much to do with winning the victory as the men who fight?” + </p> + <p> + “I've thought of it,” said Dick, wondering what the contractor had in + mind. + </p> + <p> + “What regiment do you belong to, if I may ask? My motive in asking these + questions is wholly good.” + </p> + <p> + “One commanded by Colonel Winchester, recently sent from the west. We've + been in only one battle in the east, that fought at Cedar Run against + Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + Watson again looked at Dick intently. The boy felt that he was being + measured and weighed by a man of uncommon perceptions. Whatever might be + his moral quality there could be no question of his ability. + </p> + <p> + “I am, as I told you before,” said Watson, “a servant of my country. A man + who feeds and clothes the soldiers well is a patriot, while he who feeds + and clothes them badly is a mere money grubber.” + </p> + <p> + He paused, as if he expected Dick to say something, but the boy was silent + and he went on: + </p> + <p> + “It is to the interest of the country that it be served well in all + departments, particularly in the tremendous crisis that we now face. Yet + the best patriot cannot always get a chance to serve. He needs friends at + court, as they say. Now this colonel of yours, Colonel Winchester—I've + observed both him and you, although I approached you as if I'd never heard + of either of you before—is a man of character and influence. Certain + words from him at the right time would be of great value, nor would his + favorite aide suffer through bringing the matter to his attention.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw clearly now, but he was not impulsive. Experience was teaching + him, while yet a boy, to speak softly. + </p> + <p> + “The young aide of whom you speak,” he said, “would never think of + mentioning such a matter to the colonel, of whom you also speak, and even + if he should, the colonel wouldn't listen to him for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + Watson shrugged his shoulders slightly, but made no other gesture of + displeasure. + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless you are well informed about this aide and this colonel,” he + said, “but it's a pity. If more food is thrown to the sparrows than they + can eat, is it any harm for other birds to eat the remainder?” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely regard it as a study in ornithology.” + </p> + <p> + “Ornithology? That's a big word, but I suppose it will serve. We'll drop + the matter, and if at any time my words here should be quoted I'll + promptly deny them. It's a bad thing for a boy to have his statements + disputed by a man of years who can command wealth and other powerful + influences. Unless he had witnesses nobody would believe the boy. I tell + you this, my lad, partly for your own good, because I'm inclined to like + you.” + </p> + <p> + Dick stared. There was nothing insulting in the man's tone. He seemed to + be thoroughly in earnest. Perhaps he regarded his point of view as right, + and Dick, a boy of thought and resource, saw that it was not worth while + to make a quarrel. But he resolved to remember Watson, feeling that the + course of events might bring them together again. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it's as you say,” he said. “You're a man of affairs and you + ought to know.” + </p> + <p> + Watson smiled at him. Dick felt that the contractor had been telling the + truth when he said that he was inclined to like him. Perhaps he was honest + and supplied good materials, when others supplied bad. + </p> + <p> + “You will shake hands with me, Mr. Mason,” he said. “You think that I will + be hostile to you, but maybe some day I can prove myself your friend. + Young soldiers often need friends.” + </p> + <p> + His eyes twinkled and his smile widened. In spite of his appearance and + his proposition, something winning had suddenly appeared in the manner of + this man. Dick found himself shaking hands with him. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, Mr. Mason,” said Watson. “It may be that we shall meet on the + field, although I shall not be within range of the guns.” + </p> + <p> + He left the lobby of the hotel, and Dick was rather puzzled. It was his + first thought to tell Colonel Winchester about him, but he finally decided + that Watson's own advice to him to keep silent was best. He and Colonel + Winchester took the train from Washington the next day, and on the day + after were with Pope's army on the Rapidan. + </p> + <p> + Dick detected at once a feeling of excitement or tension in this army, at + least among the young officers with whom he associated most. They felt + that a storm of some kind was gathering, either in front or on their + flank. McClellan's army was now on the transports, leaving behind the + Virginia that he had failed to conquer, and Pope's, with a new commander, + was not yet in shape. The moment was propitious for Lee and Jackson to + strike, and the elusive Jackson was lost again. + </p> + <p> + “Our scouts discover nothing,” said Warner to Dick. “The country is + chockfull of hostility to us. Not a soul will tell us a word. We have to + see a thing with our own eyes before we know it's there, but the people, + the little children even, take news to the rebels. A veil is hung before + us, but there is none before them.” + </p> + <p> + “There is one man who is sure to find out about Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” + </p> + <p> + Dick's only answer was a shake of the head. But he was thinking of + Shepard. He did not see him about the camp, and he had no doubt that he + was gone on another of his dangerous missions. Meanwhile newspapers from + New York and other great cities reflected the doubts of the North. They + spoke of Pope's grandiloquent dispatches, and they wondered what had + become of Lee and Jackson. + </p> + <p> + Dick, an intense patriot, passed many bitter moments. He, like others, + felt that the hand upon the reins was not sure. Instead of finding the + enemy and assailing him with all their strength, they were waiting in + doubt and alarm to fend off a stroke that would come from some unknown + point out of the dark. + </p> + <p> + The army now lay in one of the finest parts of Virginia, a region of + picturesque mountains, wide and fertile valleys, and of many clear creeks + and rivers coming down from the peaks and ridges. To one side lay a great + forest, known as the Wilderness, destined, with the country near it, to + become the greatest battlefield of the world. Here, the terrible battles + of the Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, + Spottsylvania, and others less sanguinary, but great struggles, + nevertheless, were to be fought. + </p> + <p> + But these were yet in the future, and Dick, much as his eyes had been + opened, did not yet dream how tremendous the epic combat was to be. He + only knew that to-day it was the middle of August, the valleys were very + hot, but it was shady and cool on the hills and mountains. He knew, too, + that he was young, and that pessimism and gloom could not abide long with + him. + </p> + <p> + He and Warner and Pennington had good horses, in place of those that they + had lost at Cedar Run, and often they rode to the front to see what might + be seen of the enemy, which at present was nothing. Their battlefield at + Cedar Run had been reoccupied by Northern troops and Pope was now + confirmed in his belief that his men had won a victory there. And this + victory was to be merely a prelude to another and far greater one. + </p> + <p> + As they rode here and there in search of the enemy, Dick came upon + familiar ground. Once more he saw the field of Manassas which had been + lost so hardly the year before. He remembered every hill and brook and + curve of the little river, because they had been etched into his brain + with steel and fire. How could anyone forget that day? + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if we might fight our battle of last year over again, but on a + much bigger scale,” he said to Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Here or hereabouts,” said the Vermonter, “and I think we ought to win. + They've got the better generals, but we've got more men. Besides, our + troops are becoming experienced and they've shown their mettle. Dick, + here's a farmer gathering corn. Let's ask him some questions, but I'll + wager you a hundred to one before we begin that he knows absolutely + nothing about the rebel army. In fact, I doubt that he will know of its + existence.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't take your bet,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + They called to the man, a typical Virginia farmer in his shirt sleeves, + tall and spare, short whiskers growing under his chin. There was not much + difference between him and his brother farmer in New England. + </p> + <p> + “Good-day,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Good-day.” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to be working hard.” + </p> + <p> + “I've need to do it. Farm hands are scarce these days.” + </p> + <p> + “Farming is hard work.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but it's a lot safer than some other kinds men are doin' nowadays.” + </p> + <p> + “True, no doubt, but have you seen anything of the army?” + </p> + <p> + “What army?” + </p> + <p> + “The one under Lee and Jackson, the rebel army.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't heard of no rebel army, mister. I don't know of any such people + as rebels.” + </p> + <p> + “You call it the Confederate army. Can you tell us anything about the + Confederate army?” + </p> + <p> + “What Confederate army, mister? I heard last month when I went in to the + court house that there was more than one of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I mean the one under Lee and Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “That's cur'us. A man come ridin' 'long here three or four weeks ago. + Mebbe he was a lightnin' rod agent an' mebbe he had patent medicines to + sell, he didn't say, but he did tell me that General Jackson was in one + place an General Lee was in another. Now which army do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “That was nearly a month ago. They are together now.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, mister, if you know so much more about it than I do, what are you + askin' me questions for?” + </p> + <p> + “But I want to know about Lee and Jackson. Have you seen them?” + </p> + <p> + “Lord bless you, mister, them big generals don't come visitin' the likes + o' me. You kin see my house over thar among the trees. You kin search it + if you want to, but you won't find nothin'.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to search your house. You can't hide a great army in a + house. I want to know if you've seen the Southern Army. I want to know if + you've heard anything about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't seed it. My sight's none too good, mister. Sometimes the blazin' + sun gits in my eyes and kinder blinds me for a long time. Then, too, I'm + bad of hearin'; but I'm a powerful good sleeper. When I sleep I don't hear + nothin', of course, an' nothin' wakes me up. I just sleep on, sometimes + dreamin' beautiful dreams. A million men wouldn't wake me, an' mebbe a + dozen armies or so have passed in the night while I was sleepin' so good. + I'd tell you anything I know, but them that knows nothin' has nothin' to + tell.” + </p> + <p> + Warner's temper, although he had always practiced self-control, had begun + to rise, but he checked it, seeing that it would be a mere foolish display + of weakness in the face of the blank wall that confronted him. + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” he said with gravity, “I judge from the extreme ignorance you + display concerning great affairs that you sleep a large part of the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Mebbe so, an' mebbe not. I most gen'ally sleep when I'm sleepy. I've + heard tell there was a big war goin' on in these parts, but this is my + land, an' I'm goin' to stay on it.” + </p> + <p> + “A good farmer, if not a good patriot. Good day.” + </p> + <p> + “Good day.” + </p> + <p> + They rode on and, in spite of themselves, laughed. + </p> + <p> + “I'm willing to wager that he knows a lot about Lee and Jackson,” said + Warner, “but the days of the rack and the thumbscrew passed long ago, and + there is no way to make him tell.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Dick, “but we ought to find out for ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, they discovered nothing. They saw no trace of a Southern + soldier, nor did they hear news of any, and toward nightfall they rode + back toward the army, much disappointed. The sunset was of uncommon + beauty. The hot day was growing cool. Pleasant shadows were creeping up in + the east. In the west a round mountain shouldered its black bulk against + the sky. Dick looked at it vaguely. He had heard it called Clark's + Mountain, and it was about seven miles away from the Union army which lay + behind the Rapidan River. + </p> + <p> + Dick liked mountains, and the peak looked beautiful against the red and + yellow bars of the western horizon. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever been over there?” he said to Pennington and Warner. + </p> + <p> + “No; but a lot of our scouts have,” replied Pennington. “It's just a + mountain and nothing more. Funny how all those peaks and ridges crop up + suddenly around here out of what seems meant to have been a level + country.” + </p> + <p> + “I like it better because it isn't level,” said Dick. “I'm afraid George + and I wouldn't care much for your prairie country which just rolls on + forever, almost without trees and clear running streams.” + </p> + <p> + “You would care for it,” said Pennington stoutly. “You'd miss at first the + clear rivers and creeks, but then the spell of it would take hold of you. + The air you breathe isn't like the air you breathe anywhere else.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got some air of our own in Vermont that we could brag about, if we + wanted to,” said Warner, defiantly. + </p> + <p> + “It's good, but not as good as ours. And then the vast distances, the + great spaces take hold of you. And there's the sky so high and so clear. + When you come away from the great plains you feel cooped up anywhere + else.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington spoke with enthusiasm, his nostrils dilating and his eyes + flashing. Dick was impressed. + </p> + <p> + “When the war's over I'm going out there to see your plains,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Then you're coming to see me!” exclaimed Pennington, with all the + impulsive warmth of youth. “And George here is coming with you. I won't + show you any mountains like the one over there, but boys, west of the + Platte River, when I was with my father and some other men I watched for + three days a buffalo herd passing. The herd was going north and all the + time it stretched so far from east to west that it sank under each + horizon. There must have been millions of them. Don't you think that was + something worth seeing?” + </p> + <p> + “We're surely coming,” said Dick, “and you be equally sure to have your + buffalo herd ready for us when we come.” + </p> + <p> + “It'll be there.” + </p> + <p> + “Meanwhile, here we are at the Rapidan,” said the practical Warner, “and + beyond it is our army. Look at that long line of fires, boys. Aren't they + cheering? A fine big army like ours ought to beat off anything. We almost + held our own with Jackson himself at Cedar Run, and he had two to one.” + </p> + <p> + “We will win! We're bound to win!” said Dick, with sudden access of hope. + “We'll crush Lee and Jackson, and next summer you and I, George, will be + out on the western plains with Frank, watching the buffalo millions go + thundering by!” + </p> + <p> + They forded the Rapidan and rejoined their regiment with nothing to tell. + But it was cheerful about the fires. Optimism reigned once more in the + Army of Virginia. McClellan had sent word to Pope that he would have + plenty of soldiers to face the attack that now seemed to be threatened by + the South. Brigades from the Army of the Potomac would make the Army of + Virginia invincible. + </p> + <p> + Dick having nothing particular to do, sat late with his comrades before + one of the finest of the fires, and he read only cheerful omens in the + flames. It was a beautiful night. The moon seemed large and near, and the + sky was full of dancing stars. In the clear night Dick saw the black bulk + of Clark's Mountain off there against the horizon, but he could not see + what was behind it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. BESIDE THE RIVER + </h2> + <p> + Dick was on duty early in the morning when he saw a horseman coming at a + gallop toward the Rapidan. The man was in civilian clothing, but his + figure seemed familiar. The boy raised his glasses, and he saw at once + that it was Shepard. He saw, too, that he was urging his horse to its + utmost speed. + </p> + <p> + The boy's heart suddenly began to throb, and there was a cold, prickling + sensation at the roots of his hair. Shepard had made an extraordinary + impression upon him and he did not believe that the man would be coming at + such a pace unless he came with great news. + </p> + <p> + He saw Shepard stop, give the pass word to the pickets, then gallop on, + ford the river and come straight toward the heart of the army. Dick ran + forward and met him. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “General Pope's tent! Where it is! I can't wait a minute.” + </p> + <p> + Dick pointed toward a big marquee, standing in an open space, and Shepard + leaping from his horse and abandoning it entirely, ran toward the marquee. + A word or two to the sentinels, and he disappeared inside. + </p> + <p> + Dick, devoured with curiosity and anxiety, went to Colonel Winchester with + the story of what he had seen. + </p> + <p> + “I know of Shepard,” said the colonel. “He is the best and most daring spy + in the whole service of the North. I think you're right in inferring that + he rides so fast for good cause.” + </p> + <p> + Shepard remained with the commander-in-chief a quarter of an hour. When he + came forth from the tent he regained his horse and rode away without a + word, going in the direction of Clark's Mountain. But his news was quickly + known, because it was of a kind that could not be concealed. Pennington + came running with it to the regiment, his face flushed and his eyes big. + </p> + <p> + “Look! Look at the mountain!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “I see it,” said Warner. “I saw it there yesterday, too, in exactly the + same place.” + </p> + <p> + “So did I, but there's something behind it. Lee and Jackson are there with + sixty or eighty thousand men! The whole Southern army is only six or seven + miles away.” + </p> + <p> + Even Warner's face changed. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know this?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “A spy has seen their army. They say he is a man whose reports are never + false. At any rate orders have already been issued for us to retreat and I + hear that we're going back until we reach the Rappahannock, behind which + we will camp.” + </p> + <p> + Dick knew very well now that it was Shepard who brought the news, and + Pennington's report about the retreat was also soon verified. The whole + army was soon in motion and a feeling of depression replaced the optimism + of the night before. The advance had been turned into a retreat. Were they + to go back and forth in this manner forever? But Colonel Winchester spoke + hopefully to his young aides and said that the retreat was right. + </p> + <p> + “We're drawing out of a trap,” he said, “and time is always on our side. + The South to win has to hit hard and fast, and in this case the Army of + the Potomac and the Army of Virginia may join before Lee and Jackson can + come up.” + </p> + <p> + The lads tried to reconcile themselves, but nevertheless they did not like + retreat. Dick with his powerful glasses often looked back toward the dark + bulk of Clark's Mountain. He saw nothing there, nor anything in the low + country between, save the rear ranks of the Union army marching on. + </p> + <p> + But Shepard had been right. Lee and Jackson, advancing silently and with + every avenue of news guarded, were there behind the mountain with sixty + thousand men, flushed with victories, and putting a supreme faith in their + great commanders who so well deserved their trust. The men of the valley + and the Seven Days, wholly confident, asked only to be led against Pope + and his army, and most of them expected a battle that very day, while the + Northern commander was slipping from the well-laid trap. + </p> + <p> + Pope's judgment in this case was good and fortune, too, favored him. + Before the last of his men had left the Rapidan Lee himself, with his + staff officers, climbed to the summit of Clark's Mountain. They were armed + with the best of glasses, but drifting fogs coming down from the north + spread along the whole side of the mountain and hung like a curtain + between it and the retreating army. None of their glasses could pierce the + veil, and it was not until nearly night that rising winds caught the fog + and took it away. Then Lee and his generals saw a vast cloud of dust in + the northwest and they knew that under it marched Pope's retreating army. + </p> + <p> + The Southern army was at once ordered forward in pursuit and in the night + the vanguard, wading the Rapidan, followed eagerly. Dick and his comrades + did not know then that they were followed so closely, but they were + destined to know it before morning. The regiment of Colonel Winchester, + one of the best and bravest in the whole service, formed a part of the + rearguard, and Dick, Warner and Pennington rode with their chief. + </p> + <p> + The country was broken and they crossed small streams. Sometimes they were + in open fields, and again they passed through long stretches of forest. + There was a strong force of cavalry with the regiment, and the beat of the + horses' hoofs made a steady rolling sound which was not unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + But Dick found the night full of sinister omens. They had left the Rapidan + in such haste that there was still a certain confusion of impressions. The + gigantic scale of everything took hold of him. One hundred and fifty + thousand men, or near it, were marching northward in two armies which + could not be many miles apart. The darkness and the feeling of tragedy + soon to come oppressed him. + </p> + <p> + He listened eagerly for the sounds of pursuit, but the long hours passed + and he heard nothing. The rear guard did not talk. The men wasted no + strength that way, but marched stolidly on in the moonlight. Midnight + passed and after a while it grew darker. Colonel Winchester and his young + officers rode at the very rear, and Pennington suddenly held up his hand. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “Somebody following us, sir. I was trained out on the plains to take + notice of such things. May I get down and put my ear to the ground? I may + look ridiculous, sir, but I can make sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Go ahead.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington sprang down and put his ear to the road. He did not listen + long, but when he stood up again he said: + </p> + <p> + “Horsemen are coming. I can't tell how many, but several hundreds at + least.” + </p> + <p> + “As we're the very last of our own army, they must be Southern cavalry,” + said Colonel Winchester. “If they want to attack, I dare say our boys are + willing.” + </p> + <p> + Very soon they heard clearly the gallop of the cavalry, and the men heard + it also. They looked up and turned their faces toward those who must be + foes. Despite the dimness Dick saw their eyes brighten. Colonel Winchester + had judged rightly. The boys were willing. + </p> + <p> + The rear guard turned back and waited, and in a few minutes the Southern + horsemen came in sight, opening fire at once. Their infantry, too, soon + appeared in the woods and fields and the dark hours before the dawn were + filled with the crackle of small arms. + </p> + <p> + Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester who anxiously watched the pursuit, + throwing his own regiment across the road, and keeping up a heavy fire on + the enemy. The Union loss was not great as most of the firing in the dusk, + of necessity, was at random, and Dick heard bullets whistling all about + him. Some times the bark flew from trees and now and then there was a rain + of twigs, shorn from the branches by the showers of missiles. + </p> + <p> + It was arduous work. The men were worn by the darkness, the uncertainty + and the incessant pursuit. The Northern rear guard presented a strong + front, retreating slowly with its face to the enemy, and always disputing + the road. Dick meanwhile could hear through the crash of the firing the + deep rumble of Pope's great army with its artillery and thousands of + wagons continually marching toward the Rappahannock. His mind became + absorbed in a vital question. Would Lee and Jackson come up before they + could reach the bigger river? Would a battle be forced the next day while + the Union army was in retreat? He confided his anxieties to Warner who + rode by his side. + </p> + <p> + “I take it that it's only a vanguard that's pursuing us,” said the + Vermonter. “If they were in great force they'd have been pushing harder + and harder. We must have got a good start before Lee and Jackson found us + out. We know our Jackson, Dick, and he'd have been right on top of us + without delay.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, George. It must be their cavalry mostly. I suppose Jeb + Stuart is there leading them. At any rate we'll soon know better what's + doing. Look there toward the east. Don't you see a ray of light behind + that hill?” + </p> + <p> + “I see it, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it the first ray of the morning, or is it just a low star?” + </p> + <p> + “It's the dawn, Dick, and mighty glad I am to see it. Look how fast it + comes!” + </p> + <p> + The sun shot up, over the hill. The sky turning to silver soon gave way to + gold, and the clear August light poured in a flood over the rolling + country. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw ahead of him a vast cloud of dust extending miles from east to + west, marking where the army of Pope pushed on its retreat to the + Rappahannock. There was no need to search for the Northern force. The + newest recruit would know that it was here. + </p> + <p> + The Southern vanguard was behind them and not many hundred yards away. + Dick distinctly saw the cavalry, riding along the road, and hundreds of + skirmishers pushing through the woods and fields. He judged that the force + did not number many thousands and that it could not think of assailing the + whole Union army. But with the coming of day the vigor of the attack + increased. The skirmishers fired from the shelter of every tree stump, + fence or hillock and the bullets pattered about Dick and his comrades. + </p> + <p> + The Union rear guard maintained its answering fire, but as it was + retreating it was at a disadvantage. The regiments began to suffer. Many + men were wounded. The fire became most galling. A sudden charge by the + rearguard was ordered and it was made with spirit. The Southern van was + driven back, but when the retreat was resumed the skirmishers and the + cavalry came forward again, always firing at their retreating foe. + </p> + <p> + “I judge that it's going to be a very hot morning,” said Colonel + Winchester, wiping away a few drops of blood, where a bullet had barely + touched his face. “I think the wind of that bullet hurt me more than its + kiss. There will be no great battle to-day. We can see now that they are + not yet in strong enough force, but we'll never know a minute's rest until + we're behind the Rappahannock. Oh, Dick, if McClellan's army were only + here also! This business of retreating is as bitter as death itself!” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the pain on his colonel's face and it was reflected on his own. + </p> + <p> + “I feel it, sir, in the same way. Our men are just as eager as the + Johnnies to fight and they are as brave and tenacious. What do you think + will happen, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “We'll reach the Rappahannock and take refuge behind it. We command the + railroad bridge there, and can cross and destroy it afterward. But the + river is broad and deep with high banks and the army of the enemy cannot + possibly force the passage in any way while we defend it.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “God alone knows. Look out, Dick, those men are aiming at us!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester seized the bridle of Dick's horse and pulled him + violently to one side, pulling his own horse in the same direction in the + same manner. The bullets of half a dozen Southern skirmishers, standing + under the boughs of a beech tree less than two hundred yards away, hissed + angrily by them. + </p> + <p> + “A close call,” said the colonel. “There, they've been scattered by our + own riflemen and one of them remains to pay the toll.” + </p> + <p> + The reply of the Northern skirmishers had been quick, and the gray figure + lying prone by the trunk of the tree told Dick that the colonel had been + right. He was shaken by a momentary shudder, but he could not long + remember one among so many. They rode on, leaving the prone figure out of + sight, and the Southern cavalry and skirmishers pressed forward afresh. + </p> + <p> + Many of the Union men had food in their saddle bags, and supplies were + sent back for those who did not have it. Colonel Winchester who was now + thoroughly cool, advised his officers to eat, even if they felt no hunger. + </p> + <p> + “I'm hungry enough,” said Pennington to Dick. “Out on the plains, where + the air is so fresh and so full of life I was always hungry, and I suppose + I brought my appetite here with me. Dick, I've opened a can of cove + oysters, and that's a great deal for a fellow on horseback to do. Here, + take your share, and they'll help out that dry bread you're munching.” + </p> + <p> + Dick accepted with thanks. He learned that he, too, could eat with a good + appetite while bullets were knocking up dust only twenty yards away. + Meanwhile there was a steady flash of firing from every wood and cornfield + behind them. + </p> + <p> + As he ate he watched and he saw an amazing panorama. Miles in front the + great cloud of dust, cutting across from horizon to horizon swelled slowly + on toward the Rappahannock. Behind them rode the Southern cavalry and + masses of infantry were pressing forward, too. Far off on either flank + rolled the pleasant country, its beauty heightened by the loom of blue + mountains. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester had predicted truly. The fighting between the Northern + rearguard, and the Southern vanguard never ceased. Every moment the + bullets were whistling, and occasionally a cannon lent its deep roar to + the crackling fire of the rifles. Daring detachments of the Southern + cavalry often galloped up and charged lagging regiments. And they were + driven off with equal courage and daring. + </p> + <p> + The three boys took especial notice of those cavalry bands and began to + believe at last that they could identify the very men in them. Dick looked + for his cousin, Harry Kenton. He was sure that he would be there in the + front—but he did not see him. Instead he saw after a while an + extraordinary figure on a large black horse, a large man in magnificent + uniform, with a great plume in his hat. He was nearer to them than any + other Southern horseman, and he seemed to be indifferent to danger. + </p> + <p> + “Look! look! There's Jeb Stuart!” exclaimed Dick. He had heard so much + about the famous Stuart and his gorgeous uniform that he knew him + instinctively, and, Warner and Pennington, as their eyes followed his + pointing finger felt the same conviction. + </p> + <p> + Three of the Northern riflemen fired at once at the conspicuous target, + and Dick breathed a little sigh of relief when all their bullets missed. + Then the brilliant figure turned to one side and was lost in the smoke. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Pennington. “We've seen Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stuart both + in battle against us. I wonder who will come next.” + </p> + <p> + “Lee is due,” said Warner, “but I doubt whether his men will let him + expose himself in such a way. We'll have to slip under cover to get a + chance of seeing him.” + </p> + <p> + The hours went on, and the fight between rear guard and vanguard never + ceased. That column of dust miles long was at the same distance in front, + continuing in its slow course for the river, but the foes in contact were + having plenty of dust showers of their own. Dick's throat and mouth burned + with the dust and heat of the pitiless August day, and his bones ached + with the tension and the long hours in the saddle. But his spirit was + high. They were holding off the Southern cavalry and he felt that they + would continue to do so. + </p> + <p> + About noon he ate more cold food, and then rode on, while the sun blazed + and blazed and the dust whirled in clouds like the “dust devils” of the + desert, continually spitting forth bullets instead of sand. Late in the + afternoon he heard the sound of many trumpets, and saw the Southern + cavalry getting together in a great mass. A warning ran instantly among + the Union troops and the horsemen in blue and one or two infantry + regiments drew closer together. + </p> + <p> + “They're going to charge in force,” said Colonel Winchester to Dick. “See, + our rearguard has lost touch with our main army, leaving a side opening + between. They see this chance and intend to make the most of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But our men are willing and anxious to meet them,” said Dick. “You can + see it in their faces.” + </p> + <p> + He had made no mistake, as the fire in their rear deepened, and they saw + the gathering squadrons of gray cavalry, a fierce anger seized the + retreating Union rearguard. Those wasps had been buzzing and stinging them + all day long and they had had enough of it. They could fight, and they + would, if their officers would let them. Now it seemed that the officers + were willing. + </p> + <p> + A deep and menacing mutter of satisfaction ran along the whole line. They + would show the Southerners what kind of men they were. Colonel Winchester + drew his infantry regiment into a small wood which at that point skirted + the road. + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt that we've found it at the right time,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + Both knew that the forest would protect the infantry from the fierce + charges of the Southern cavalry, while proving no obstacle to the Northern + defense. His own cavalry was gathering in the road ready to meet Jeb + Stuart and his squadrons. + </p> + <p> + The three boys sat on their horses within the covering of the trees, and + watched eagerly, while the hostile forces massed for battle. The Southern + cavalry was supported by infantry also on its flanks, and once again Dick + caught sight of Jeb Stuart with his floating plume. But that time he was + too far away for any of the Northern riflemen to reach him with a bullet, + and as before he disappeared quickly in the clouds of dust and smoke which + never ceased to float over both forces. + </p> + <p> + “Look out! The charge!” suddenly exclaimed Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + They heard the thunder of the galloping horses, and also the flash of many + rifles and carbines. Cavalry met cavalry but the men in gray reeled back, + and as they retreated the Northern infantry in the wood sent a deadly fire + into the flank of the attacking force. The Southern infantry replied, and + a fierce battle raged along the road and through the woods. Dick heard + once more the rattling of bullets on bark, and felt the twigs falling upon + his face as they were shorn off by the missiles. + </p> + <p> + “We hold the road and we'll hold it for a while,” exclaimed Colonel + Winchester, exultation showing in his tone. + </p> + <p> + “Why can't we hold it all the time?” Dick could not refrain from asking. + </p> + <p> + “Because we are retreating and the Southerners are continually coming up, + while our army wishes to go away.” + </p> + <p> + Dick glanced through the trees and saw that great clouds of dust still + were rolling toward the northwest. It must be almost at the Rappahannock + now, and he began to appreciate what this desperate combat in the woods + meant. They were holding back the Southern army, while their men could + cross the river and reform behind it. + </p> + <p> + The battle swayed back and forth, and it was most desperate between the + cavalry. The bugles again and again called the gray horsemen to the + charge, and although the blue infantry supported their own horsemen with a + heavy rifle fire, and held the wood undaunted, the Northern rear guard was + forced to give way at last before the pressure of numbers and attacks that + would not cease. + </p> + <p> + Their own bugles sounded the retreat and they began to retire slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Do we run again?” exclaimed Pennington, a tear ploughing its way through + the smoky grime on his cheek. + </p> + <p> + “No, we don't run,” replied Warner calmly, “We're forced back, and the + rebels will claim a victory but we haven't fought for nothing. Lee and + Jackson will never get up in time to attack our army before it's over the + river.” + </p> + <p> + The regiment began its slow retreat. It had not suffered much, owing to + the shelter of the forest, and, full of courage and resolution, it was a + formidable support on the flank of the slowly retreating cavalry. + </p> + <p> + The evening was now at hand. The sun was setting once more over the + Virginia hills destined to be scarred so deeply by battle, but attack and + defense went on. As night came the thudding of cannon added to the tumult, + and then the three boys saw the Rappahannock, a deep and wide stream + flowing between high banks crested with timber. Ahead of them Pope's army + was crossing on the bridge and in boats, and masses of infantry supported + by heavy batteries had turned to protect the crossing. The Southern + vanguard could not assail such a powerful force, and before the night was + over the whole Union army passed to the Northern side of the Rappahannock. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt a mixture of chagrin and satisfaction as he crossed the river, + chagrin that this great army should draw back, as McClellan's had been + forced to draw back at the Seven Days, and satisfaction that they were + safe for the time being and could prepare for a new start. + </p> + <p> + But the feeling of exultation soon passed and gave way wholly to chagrin. + They were retreating before an army not exceeding their own, in numbers, + perhaps less. They had another great force, the Army of the Potomac, which + should have been there, and then they could have bade defiance to Lee and + Jackson. The North with its great numbers, its fine courage and its + splendid patriotism should never be retreating. He felt once more as + thousands of others felt that the hand on the reins was neither strong nor + sure, and that the great trouble lay there. They ought not to be hiding + behind a river. Lee and Jackson did not do it. Dick remembered that grim + commander in the West, the silent Grant, and he did not believe he would + be retreating. + </p> + <p> + Long after darkness came the firing continued between skirmishers across + the stream, but finally it, too, waned and Dick was permitted to throw + himself upon the ground and sleep with the sleeping thousands. Warner and + Pennington slept near him and not far away was the brave sergeant. Even he + was overpowered by fatigue and he slept like one dead, never stirring. + </p> + <p> + Dick was awakened next morning by the booming of cannon. He had become so + much used to such sounds that he would have slept on had not the crashes + been so irregular. He stood up, rubbed his eyes and then looked in the + direction whence came the cannonade. He saw from the crest of a hill great + numbers of Confederate troops on the other side of the river, the August + sun glittering over thousands of bayonets and rifle barrels, and along the + somber batteries of great guns. The firing, so far as he could determine, + was merely to feel out or annoy the Northern army. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange sight to Dick, one that is not looked upon often, two + great armies gazing across a river at each other, and, sure to meet, + sooner or later, in mortal combat. It was thrilling, awe-inspiring, but it + made his heart miss a beat or two at the thought of the wounds and death + to come, all the more terrible because those who fought together were of + the same blood, and the same nation. + </p> + <p> + Warner and Pennington joined him on the height where he stood, and they + saw that in the early hours before dawn the Northern generals had not been + idle. The whole army of Pope was massed along the left bank of the river + and every high point was crowned with heavy batteries of artillery. There + had been a long drought, and at some points the Rappahannock could be + forded, but not in the face of such a defence as the North here offered. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester himself came a moment or two later and joined them as + they gazed at the two armies and the river between. Both he and the boys + used their glasses and they distinctly saw the Southern masses. + </p> + <p> + “Will they try to cross, sir?” asked Dick of the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so, but if they do we ought to beat them back. Meanwhile, + Dick, my boy, every day's delay is a fresh card in our hand. McClellan is + landing his army at Aquia Creek, whence it can march in two days to a + junction with us, when we would become overwhelming and irresistible. But + I wish it didn't take so long to disembark an army!” + </p> + <p> + The note of anxiety in his voice did not escape Dick. “You wish then to be + sure of the junction between our two armies before Lee and Jackson + strike?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dick. That is what is on my mind. The retreat of this army, although + it may have caused us chagrin, was most opportune. It gave us two chances, + when we had but one before. But, Dick, I'm afraid. I wouldn't say this to + anybody but you and you must not repeat me. I wish I could divine what is + in the mind of those two men, Lee and Jackson. They surely have a plan of + some kind, but what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Have we any definite news from the other side, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Shepard came in this morning. But little ever escapes him, and he says + that the whole Southern army is up. All their best leaders are there. Lee + and Jackson and Longstreet and the Hills and Early and Lawton and the + others. He says that they are all flushed with confidence in their own + courage and fighting powers and the ability of their leaders. Oh, if only + the Army of the Potomac would come! If we could only stave off battle long + enough for it to reach us!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think we could do it, sir? Couldn't General Pope retreat on + Washington then, and, as they continued to follow us, we could turn and + spring on them with both armies.” + </p> + <p> + But Colonel Winchester shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “It would never do,” he said. “All Europe, eager to see the Union split, + would then help the Confederacy in every possible manner. The old + monarchies would say that despite our superior numbers we're not able to + maintain ourselves outside the defenses of Washington. And these things + would injure us in ways that we cannot afford. Remember, Dick, my boy, + that this republic is the hope of the world, and that we must save it.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be done, sir,” said Dick, almost in the tone of a young prophet. + “I know the spirit of the men. No matter how many defeats are inflicted + upon us by our own brethren we'll triumph in the end.” + </p> + <p> + “It's my own feeling, Dick. It cannot, it must not be any other way!” + </p> + <p> + Dick remained upborne by a confidence in the future rather than in the + present, and throughout the morning he remained with his comrades, under + arms, but doing little, save to hear the fitful firing which ran along a + front of several miles. But later in the day a heavy crash came from a + ford further up the stream. + </p> + <p> + Under cover of a great artillery fire Stuart's cavalry dashed into the + ford, and drove off the infantry and a battery posted to defend it. Then + they triumphantly placed heavy lines of pickets about the ford on the + Union side. + </p> + <p> + It was more than the Union lads could stand. A heavy mass of infantry, + Colonel Winchester's regiment in the very front of it, marched forward to + drive back these impertinent horsemen. They charged with so much + impetuosity that Stuart's cavalry abandoned such dangerous ground. All the + pickets were drawn in and they retreated in haste across the stream, the + water foaming up in spurts about them beneath the pursuing bullets. + </p> + <p> + Then came a silence and a great looking back and forth. The threatening + armies stared at each other across the water, but throughout the afternoon + they lay idle. The pitiless August sun burned on and the dust that had + been trodden up by the scores of thousands hung in clouds low, but almost + motionless. + </p> + <p> + Dick went down into a little creek, emptying into the Rappahannock, and + bathed his face and hands. Hundreds of others were doing the same. The + water brought a great relief. Then he went back to Colonel Winchester and + his comrades, and waited patiently with them until evening. + </p> + <p> + He remembered Colonel Winchester's words earlier in the day, and, as the + darkness came, he began to wonder what Lee and Jackson were thinking. He + believed that two such redoubtable commanders must have formed a plan by + this time, and, perhaps in the end, it would be worth a hundred thousand + men to know it. But he could only stare into the darkness and guess and + guess. And one guess was as good as another. + </p> + <p> + The night seemed portentous to him. It was full of sinister omens. He + strove to pierce the darkness on the other shore with his eyes, and see + what was going on there, but he distinguished only a black background and + the dim light of fires. + </p> + <p> + Dick was not wrong. The Confederate commanders did have a plan and the + omens which seemed sinister to him were sinister in fact. Jackson with his + forces was marching up his side of the Rappahannock and the great brain + under the old slouch hat was working hard. + </p> + <p> + When Lee and Jackson found that the Union army on the Rapidan had slipped + away from them they felt that they had wasted a great opportunity to + strike the retreating force before it reached the Rappahannock, and that, + as they followed, the situation of the Confederacy would become most + critical. They would leave McClellan and the Army of the Potomac nearer to + Richmond, their own capital, than they were. Nevertheless Lee, full of + daring despite his years, followed, and the dangers were growing thicker + every hour around Pope. + </p> + <p> + Dick, with his regiment, moved the next morning up the river. The enemy + was in plain view beyond the stream, and Shepard and the other spies + reported that the Southern army showed no signs of retiring. But Shepard + had said also that he would not be able to cross the river again. The + hostile scouts and sharpshooters had become too vigilant. Yet he was sure + that Lee and Jackson would attempt to force a passage higher up, where the + drought had made good fords. + </p> + <p> + “It's well that we're showing vigilance,” said Colonel Winchester to Dick. + He had fallen into the habit of talking much and confidentially to the + boy, because he liked and trusted him, and for another reason which to + Dick was yet in the background. + </p> + <p> + “Do you feel sure that the rebels will attempt the crossing?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Beyond a doubt. They have every reason to strike before the Army of the + Potomac can come. Besides, it is in accord with the character of their + generals. Both Lee and Jackson are always for the swift offensive, and + Early, Longstreet and the Hills are the same way. Hear that booming ahead! + They're attacking one of the fords now!” + </p> + <p> + At a ford a mile above and also at another a mile or two further on, the + Southern troops had begun a heavy fire, and gathered in strong masses were + threatening every moment to attempt the passage. But the Union guns posted + on hills made a vigorous reply and the time passed in heavy cannonades. + Colonel Winchester, his brows knitted and anxious, watched the fire of the + cannon. He confided at last to his favorite aide his belief that what lay + behind the cannonade was more important than the cannonade itself. + </p> + <p> + “It must be a feint or a blind,” he said. “They fire a great deal, but + they don't make any dash for the stream. Now, the rebels haven't + ammunition to waste.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what do you think they're up to, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “They must be sending a heavy force higher up the river to cross where + there is no resistance. And we must meet them there, with my regiment + only, if we can obtain no other men.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel obtained leave to go up the Rappahannock until nightfall, but + only his own regiment, now reduced to less than four hundred men, was + allotted to him. In truth his division commander thought his purpose + useless, but yielded to the insistence of Winchester who was known to be + an officer of great merit. It seemed to the Union generals that they must + defend the fords where the Southern army lay massed before them. + </p> + <p> + Dick learned that there was a little place called Sulphur Springs some + miles ahead, and that the river there was spanned by a bridge which the + Union cavalry had wrecked the day before. He divined at once that Colonel + Winchester had that ford in mind, and he was glad to be with him on the + march to it. + </p> + <p> + They left behind them the sound of the cannonade which they learned + afterward was being carried on by Longstreet, and followed the course of + the stream as fast as they could over the hills and through the woods. But + with so many obstacles they made slow progress, and, in the close heat, + the men soon grew breathless. It was also late in the afternoon and Dick + was quite sure that they would not reach Sulphur Springs before nightfall. + </p> + <p> + “I've felt exactly this same air on the great plains,” said Pennington, as + they stopped on the crest of a hill for the troops to rest a little. “It's + heavy and close as if it were being all crowded together. It makes your + lungs work twice as hard as usual, and it's also a sign.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell your sign, old weather sharp,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “It's simple enough. The sign may not be so strong here, but it applies + just as it does on the great plains. It means that a storm is coming. + Anybody could tell that. Look there, in the southwest. See that cloud + edging itself over the horizon. Things will turn loose to-night. Don't you + say the same, sergeant? You've been out in my country.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley was standing near them regarding the cloud attentively. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Pennington,” he replied. “I was out there a long time and I'd + rather be there now fighting the Indians, instead of fighting our own + people, although no other choice was left me. I've seen some terrible + hurricanes on the plains, winds that would cut the earth as if it was done + with a ploughshare, and these armies are going to be rained on mighty hard + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + Dick smiled a little at the sergeant's solemn tone, and formal words, but + he saw that he was very much in earnest. Nor was he one to underrate + weather effects upon movements in war. + </p> + <p> + “What will it mean to the two armies, sergeant?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Depends upon what happens before she busts. If a rebel force is then + across it's bad for us, but if it ain't the more water between us an' them + the better. This, I take it, is the end of the drought, and a flood will + come tumbling down from the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + The sun now darkened and the clouds gathered heavily on the Western + horizon. Colonel Winchester's anxiety increased fast. It became evident + that the regiment could not reach Sulphur Springs until far into the + night, and, still full of alarms, he resolved to take a small detachment, + chiefly of his staff, and ride forward at the utmost speed. + </p> + <p> + He chose about twenty men, including Dick, Warner, Pennington, Sergeant + Whitley, and another veteran who were mounted on the horses of junior + officers left behind, and pressed forward with speed. A West Virginian + named Shattuck knew something of the country, and led them. + </p> + <p> + “What is this place, Sulphur Springs?” asked Colonel Winchester of + Shattuck. + </p> + <p> + “Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the river. + They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages built up + by people who come there to stay a while. But I guess them people have + gone away. It ain't no place for health just at this time.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a certainty,” said Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “An' then there's the bridge, which, as we know, the cavalry has broke + down.” + </p> + <p> + “Fortunately. But can't we go a little faster, boys?” + </p> + <p> + There was a well defined road and Shattuck now led them at a gallop. As + they approached the springs they checked their speed, owing to the + increasing darkness. But Dick's good ears soon told him that something was + happening at the springs. He heard faintly the sound of voices, and the + clank and rattle which many men with weapons cannot keep from making now + and then. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid, sir,” he said to Colonel Winchester, “that they're already + across.” + </p> + <p> + The little troop stopped at the command of its leader and all listened + intently. It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns + of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the + noises made by regiments. + </p> + <p> + “You're right, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification + showing in his tone. “They're there, and they're on our side of the river. + Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson never sleeps, + and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot cavalry!” + </p> + <p> + Dick was silent. He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he + knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Shattuck,” said Colonel Winchester, “how near do you think we can + approach without being seen?” + </p> + <p> + “I know a neck of woods leading within a hundred yards of the cottages. If + we was to leave our horses here with a couple of men we could slip down + among the trees and bushes, and there ain't one chance in ten that we'd be + seen on so dark a night.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you lead us. Pawley, you and Woodfall hold the horses. Now follow + softly, lads! All of you have hunted the 'coon and 'possum at night, and + you should know how to step without making noise.” + </p> + <p> + Shattuck advanced with certainty, and the others, true to their training, + came behind him in single file, and without noise. But as they advanced + the sounds of an army ahead of them increased, and when they reached the + edge of the covert they saw a great Confederate division on their side of + the stream, in full possession of the cottages and occupying all the + ground about them. Many men were at work, restoring the wrecked bridge, + but the others were eating their suppers or were at rest. + </p> + <p> + “There must be seven or eight thousand men here,” said Dick, who did not + miss the full significance of the fact. + </p> + <p> + “So it seems,” said Warner, “and I'm afraid it bodes ill for General + Pope.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + </h2> + <p> + Lying close in the bushes the little party watched the Southerners making + themselves ready for the night. The cottages were prepared for the higher + officers, but the men stacked arms in the open ground all about. As well + as they could judge by the light of the low fires, soldiers were still + crossing the river to strengthen the force already on the Union side. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester suppressed a groan. Dick noticed that his face was + pallid in the uncertain shadows, and he understood the agony of spirit + that the brave man must suffer when he saw that they had been outflanked + by their enemy. + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley, moving forward a little, touched the colonel on the arm. + </p> + <p> + “All the clouds that we saw a little further back,” he said, “have + gathered together, an' the storm is about to bust. See, sir, how fast the + Johnnies are spreadin' their tents an' runnin' to shelter.” + </p> + <p> + “It's so, sergeant,” said Colonel Winchester. “I was so much absorbed in + watching those men that I thank you for reminding me. We've seen enough + anyway and we'd better get back as fast as we can.” + </p> + <p> + They hurried through the trees and bushes toward their horses, taking no + particular pains now to deaden their footsteps, since the Southerners + themselves were making a good deal of noise as they took refuge. + </p> + <p> + But the storm was upon them before they could reach their horses. The last + star was gone and the somber clouds covered the whole heavens. The wind + ceased to moan and the air was heavy with apprehension. Deep and sullen + thunder began to mutter on the southwestern horizon. Then came a mighty + crash and a great blaze of lightning seemed to cleave the sky straight + down the center. + </p> + <p> + The lightning and thunder made Dick jump, and for a few moments he was + blinded by the electric glare. He heard a heavy sound of something + falling, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Are any of you hurt?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Warner, who alone heard him, “but we're scared half to death. + When a drought breaks up I wish it wouldn't break up with such a terrible + fuss. Listen to that thunder again, won't you!” + </p> + <p> + There was another terrible crash of thunder and the whole sky blazed with + lightning. Despite himself Dick shrank again. The first bolt had struck a + tree which had fallen within thirty feet of them, but the second left this + bit of the woods unscathed. + </p> + <p> + A third and a fourth bolt struck somewhere, and then came the rush and + roar of the rain, driven on by a fierce wind out of the southwest. The + close, dense heat was swept away, and the first blasts of the rain were as + cold as ice. The little party was drenched in an instant, and every one + was shivering through and through with combined wet and cold. + </p> + <p> + The cessation of the lightning was succeeded by pitchy darkness, and the + roaring of the wind and rain was so great that they called loudly to one + another lest they lose touch in the blackness. Dick heard Warner on his + right, and he followed the sound of his voice. But before he went much + further his foot struck a trailing vine, and he fell so hard, his head + striking the trunk of a tree, that he lay unconscious. + </p> + <p> + The cold rain drove so fiercely on the fallen boy's face and body that he + revived in two or three minutes, and stood up. He clapped his hand to the + left side of his head, and felt there a big bump and a sharp ache. His + weapons were still in his belt and he knew that his injuries were not + serious, but he heard nothing save the drive and roar of the wind and + rain. There was no calling of voices and no beat of footsteps. + </p> + <p> + He divined at once that his comrades, wholly unaware of his fall, when no + one could either see or hear it, had gone on without missing him. They + might also mount their horses and gallop away wholly ignorant that he was + not among them. + </p> + <p> + Although he was a little dazed, Dick had a good idea of direction and he + plunged through the mud which was now growing deep toward the little + ravine in which they had hitched their horses. All were gone, including + his own mount, and he had no doubt that the horse had broken or slipped + the bridle in the darkness and followed the others. + </p> + <p> + He stood a while behind the trunk of a great tree, trying to shelter + himself a little from the rain, and listened. But he could hear neither + his friends leaving nor any foes approaching. The storm was of uncommon + fury. He had never seen one fiercer, and knowing that he had little to + dread from the Southerners while it raged he knew also that he must make + his way on foot, and as best he could, to his own people. + </p> + <p> + Making a calculation of the direction and remembering that one might + wander in a curve in the darkness, he set off down the stream. He meant to + keep close to the banks of the Rappahannock, and if he persisted he would + surely come in time to Pope's army. The rain did not abate. Both armies + were flooded that night, but they could find some measure of protection. + To the scouts and skirmishers and to Dick, wandering through the forest, + nature was an unmitigated foe. + </p> + <p> + But nothing could stop the boy. He was resolved to get back to the army + with the news that a heavy Southern force was across the Rappahannock. + Others might get there first with the fact, but one never knew. A hundred + might fall by the wayside, leaving it to him alone to bear the message. + </p> + <p> + He stumbled on. He was able to keep his cartridges dry in his pouch, but + that was all. His wet, cold clothes flapped around him and he shivered to + the bone. He could see only the loom of the black forest before him, and + sometimes he slipped to the waist in swollen brooks. Then the wind shifted + and drove the sheets of rain, sprinkled with hail, directly in his face. + He was compelled to stop a while and take refuge behind a big oak. While + he shivered in the shelter of the tree the only things that he thought of + spontaneously were dry clothes, hot food, a fire and a warm bed. The Union + and its fate, gigantic as they were, slipped away from his mind, and it + took an effort of the will to bring them back. + </p> + <p> + But his will made the effort, and recalling his mission he struggled on + again. He had the river on his right, and it now became an unfailing + guide. It had probably been raining much earlier in the mountains along + the headwaters and the flood was already pouring down. The river swished + high against its banks and once or twice, when he caught dim glimpses of + it through the trees, he saw a yellow torrent bearing much brushwood upon + its bosom. + </p> + <p> + He had very little idea of his progress. It was impossible to judge of + pace under such circumstances. The army might be ten miles further on or + it might be only two. Then he found himself sliding down a muddy and + slippery bank. He grasped at weeds and bushes, but they slipped through + his hands. Then he shot into a creek, swollen by the flood, and went over + his head. + </p> + <p> + He came up, gasping, struck out and reached the further shore. Here he + found bushes more friendly than the others and pulled himself upon the + bank. But he had lost everything. His belt had broken in his struggles, + and pistols, small sword and ammunition were gone. He would be helpless + against an enemy. Then he laughed at the idea. Surely enemies would not be + in search of him at such a time and such a place. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless when he saw an open space in front of him he paused at its + edge. He could see well enough here to notice a file of dim figures riding + slowly by. At first his heart leaped up with the belief that they were + Colonel Winchester and his own people, but they were going in the wrong + direction, and then he was able to discern the bedraggled and faded + Confederate gray. + </p> + <p> + The horsemen were about fifty in number and most of them rode with the + reins hanging loose on their horses' necks. They were wrapped in cloaks, + but cloaks and uniforms alike were sodden. A stream of water ran from + every stirrup to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked at them attentively. Near the head of the column but on one + side rode a soldierly figure, apparently that of a young man of + twenty-three or four. Just behind came three youths, and Dick's heart + fairly leaped when he saw the last of the three. He could not mistake the + figure, and a turning of the head caused him to catch a faint glimpse of + the face. Then he knew beyond all shadow of doubt. It was Harry and he + surmised that the other two were his comrades, St. Clair and Langdon, whom + he had met when they were burying the dead. + </p> + <p> + Dick was so sodden and cold and wretched that he was tempted to call out + to them—the sight of Harry was like a light in the darkness—but + the temptation was gone in an instant. His way lay in another direction. + What they wished he did not wish, and while they fought for the triumph of + the South it was his business to endure and struggle on that he might do + his own little part for the Union. + </p> + <p> + But despite the storm and his sufferings, he drew courage from nature + itself. While a portion of the Southern army was across it must be a minor + portion, and certainly the major part could not span such a flood and + attack. The storm and time allied were now fighting for Pope. + </p> + <p> + He wandered away a little into the open fields in order to find easier + going, but he came back presently to the forest lining the bank of the + river, for fear he should lose his direction. The yellow torrent of the + Rappahannock was now his only sure guide and he stuck to it. He wondered + why the rain and wind did not die down. It was not usual for a storm so + furious to last so long, but he could not see any abatement of either. + </p> + <p> + He became conscious after a while of a growing weakness, but he had + recalled all the powers of his will and it was triumphant over his body. + He trudged on on feet that were unconscious of sensation, and his face as + if the flesh were paralyzed no longer felt the beat of the rain. + </p> + <p> + A mile or two further and in the swish of the storm he heard hoofbeats + again. Looking forth from the bushes he saw another line of horsemen, but + now they were going in the direction of Pope's army. Dick recognized these + figures. Shapeless as he might appear on his horse that was Colonel + Winchester, and there were the broad shoulders of Sergeant Whitley and the + figures of the others. + </p> + <p> + He rushed through the dripping forest and shouted in a tone that could be + heard above the shriek of wind and rain. Colonel Winchester recognized the + voice, but the light was so dim that he did not recognize him from whom it + came. Certainly the figure that emerged from the forest did not look + human. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel,” cried Dick, “it is I, Richard Mason, whom you left behind!” + </p> + <p> + “So it is,” said Sergeant Whitley, keener of eye than the others. + </p> + <p> + The whole troop set up a shout as Dick came forward, taking off his + dripping cap. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Dick, it is you!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester in a tone of + immeasurable relief. “We missed you and your horse and hoped that you were + somewhere ahead. Your horse must have broken loose in the storm. But here, + you look as if you were nearly dead! Jump up behind me!” + </p> + <p> + Dick made an effort, but his strength failed and he slipped back to the + ground. He had not realized that he was walking on his spirit and courage + and that his strength was gone, so powerful had been the buffets of the + wind and rain. + </p> + <p> + The colonel reached down, gave him a hand and a strong pull, and with a + second effort Dick landed astride the horse behind the rider. Then Colonel + Winchester gave the word and the sodden file wound on again. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” said the colonel, looking back over his shoulder, “you come as + near being a wreck as anything that I've seen in a long time. It's lucky + we found you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is, sir, and I not only look like a wreck but I feel like one. But I + had made up my mind to reach General Pope's camp, with the news of the + Confederates crossing, and I think I'd have done it.” + </p> + <p> + “I know you would. But what a night! What a night! Not many men can be + abroad at such a time. We have seen nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “You have! What did you see?” + </p> + <p> + “A mile or two back I passed a line of Southern horsemen, just as wet and + bedraggled as ours.” + </p> + <p> + “Might they not have been our own men? It would be hard to tell blue and + gray apart on such a night.” + </p> + <p> + “One could make such a mistake, but in this case it was not possible. I + saw my own cousin, Harry Kenton, riding with them. I recognized them + perfectly.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that settles it. The Confederate scouts and cavalry are abroad + to-night also, and on our side of the river. But they must be few who dare + to ride in such a storm.” + </p> + <p> + “That's surely true, sir.” + </p> + <p> + But both Dick and his commanding officer were mistaken. They still + underrated the daring and resolution of the Confederate leaders, the + extraordinary group of men who were the very bloom and flower of + Virginia's military glory, the equal of whom—two at least being in + the very first rank in the world's history—no other country with so + small a population has produced in so short a time. + </p> + <p> + Earlier in the day Stuart, full of enterprise, and almost insensible to + fatigue, had crossed the Rappahannock much higher up and at the head of a + formidable body of his horsemen, unseen by scouts and spies, was riding + around the Union right. They galloped into Warrenton where the people, red + hot as usual for the South, crowded around them cheering and laughing and + many of the women crying with joy. It was like Jackson and Stuart to drop + from the clouds this way and to tell them, although the land had been + occupied by the enemy, that their brave soldiers would come in time. + </p> + <p> + News, where a Northern force could not have obtained a word, was poured + out for the South. They told Stuart that none of the Northern cavalry was + about, and that Pope's vast supply train was gathered at a little point + only ten miles to the southeast. Stuart shook his plumed head until his + long golden hair flew about his neck. Then he laughed aloud and calling to + his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great spoil that waited + upon quickness and daring. + </p> + <p> + The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it reached + it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men. Despite + rain and darkness Stuart pushed on. He said afterward that it was the + darkest night he had ever seen. A captured negro guided them on the final + stage of the gallop and just when Dick was riding back to camp behind + Colonel Winchester, Stuart fell like a thunderbolt upon the supply train + and its guard. + </p> + <p> + Stuart could not drive wholly away the Northern guard, which though + surprised, fought with great courage, but he burned the supply train, then + galloped off with prisoners, and Pope's own uniform, horses, treasure + chest and dispatch book. He found in the dispatch book minute information + about the movements of all the Union troops, and Pope's belief that he + ought to retreat from the river on Washington. Doubtless the Confederate + horseman shook his head again and again and laughed aloud, when he put + this book, more precious than jewels, inside his gold braided tunic, to be + taken to Lee and Jackson. + </p> + <p> + But these things were all hidden from the little group of weary men who + rode into Pope's camp. Colonel Winchester carried the news of the crossing—Early + had made it—to the commander, and the rest sought the best shelter + to be found. Dick was lucky enough to be taken into a tent that was + thoroughly dry, and the sergeant who had followed him managed to obtain a + supply of dry clothing which would be ready for him when he awoke. + </p> + <p> + Dick did not revive as usual. He threw all of his clothing aside and water + flew where it fell, put on dry undergarments and crept between warm + blankets. Nevertheless he still felt cold, and he was amazed at his own + lack of interest in everything. He might have perished out there in the + stream, but what did it matter? He would probably be killed in some battle + anyway. Besides, their information about the crossing of the rebels was of + no importance either. The rebels might stay on their side of the + Rappahannock, or they might go back. It was all the same either way. All + things seemed, for the moment, useless to him. + </p> + <p> + He began to shiver, but after a while he became so hot that he wanted to + throw off all the cover. But he retained enough knowledge and will not to + do so, and he sank soon into a feverish doze from which he was awakened by + the light of a lantern shining in his face. + </p> + <p> + He saw Colonel Winchester and another man, a stranger, who held a small + leather case in his hand. But Dick was in such a dull and apathetic state + that he had no curiosity about them and he shut his eyes to keep out the + light of the lantern. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, doctor?” he heard Colonel Winchester asking. + </p> + <p> + “Chill and a little fever, brought on by exposure and exhaustion. But he's + a hardy youth. Look what a chest and shoulders! With the aid of these + little white pills of mine he'll be all right in the morning. Colonel, + Napoleon said that an army fights on its stomach, which I suppose is true, + but in our heavily watered and but partly settled country, it must fight + sometimes on a stomach charged with quinine.” + </p> + <p> + “I was afraid it might be worse. A dose or two then will bring him + around?” + </p> + <p> + “Wish I could be so sure of a quick cure in every case. Here, my lad, take + two of these. A big start is often a good one.” + </p> + <p> + Dick raised his head obediently and took the two quinine pills. Soon he + sank into a condition which was as near stupor as sleep. But before he + passed into unconsciousness he heard the doctor say: + </p> + <p> + “Wake him soon enough in the morning, Colonel, to take two more. What a + wonderful thing for our armies that we can get all the quinine we want! + The rebel supply, I know, is exhausted. With General Quinine on our side + we're bound to win.” + </p> + <p> + “But that isn't the only reason, doctor. Now—” Their voices trailed + away as Dick sank into oblivion. He had a dim memory of being awakened the + next morning and of swallowing two more pills, but in a minute or two he + sank back into a sleep which was neither feverish nor troubled. When he + awoke the dark had come a second time. The fever was wholly gone, and his + head had ceased to ache. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt weak, but angry at himself for having broken down at such a + time, he sat up and began to put on the dry uniform that lay in the tent. + Then he was astonished to find how great his weakness really was, but he + persevered, and as he slipped on the tunic Warner came into the tent. + </p> + <p> + “You've been asleep a long time,” he said, looking at Dick critically. + </p> + <p> + “I know it. I suppose I slept all through the night as well as the day.” + </p> + <p> + “And the great battle was fought without you.” + </p> + <p> + Dick started, and looked at his comrade, but Warner's eyes were twinkling. + </p> + <p> + “There's been no battle, and you know it,” Dick said. + </p> + <p> + “No, there hasn't been any; there won't be any for several days at least. + That whopping big rain last night did us a service after all. It was Early + who crossed the river, and now he is in a way cut off from the rest of the + Southern army. We hear that he'll go back to the other side. But Stuart + has curved about us, raided our supply train and destroyed it. And he's + done more than that. He's captured General Pope's important papers.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it mean for us?” + </p> + <p> + “A delay, but I don't know anything more. I suppose that whatever is going + to happen will happen in its own good time. You feel like a man again, + don't you Dick? And you can have the consolation of knowing that nothing + has happened all day long when you slept.” + </p> + <p> + Dick finished his dressing, rejoined his regiment and ate supper with the + other officers around a fine camp fire. He found that he had a good + appetite, and as he ate strength flowed rapidly back into his veins. He + gathered from the talk of the older officers that they were still hoping + for a junction with McClellan before Lee and Jackson could attack. They + expected at the very least to have one hundred and fifty thousand men in + line, most of them veterans. + </p> + <p> + But Dick saw Shepard again that evening. He had come from a long journey + and he reported great activity in the Southern camp. When Dick said that + Lee and Jackson would have to fight both Pope and McClellan the spy merely + replied: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if Pope and McClellan hurry.” + </p> + <p> + But Dick learned that night that Pope was not discouraged. He had an army + full of fighting power, and eager to meet its enemy. He began the next day + to move up the river in order that he might face Lee's whole force as it + attempted to cross at the upper fords. Their spirits increased as they + learned that Early, through fear of being cut off, was going back to join + the main Southern army. + </p> + <p> + The ground had now dried up after the great storm, but the refreshed earth + took on a greener tinge, and the air was full of sparkle and life. Dick + had not seen such elasticity among the troops in a long time. As they + marched they spoke confidently of victory. One regiment took up a song + which had appeared in print just after the fall of Sumter: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Men of the North and West, + Wake in your might. + Prepare as the rebels have done + For the fight. + You cannot shrink from the test; + Rise! Men of the North and West.” + </pre> + <p> + Another regiment took up the song, and soon many thousands were singing + it; those who did not know the words following the others. Dick felt his + heart beat and his courage mount high, as he sang with Warner and + Pennington the last verse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Not with words; they laugh them to scorn, + And tears they despise. + But with swords in your hands + And death in your eyes! + Strike home! Leave to God all the rest; + Strike! Men of the North and West!” + </pre> + <p> + The song sung by so many men rolled off across the fields, and the woods + and the hills gave back the echo. + </p> + <p> + “We will strike home!” exclaimed Dick, putting great emphasis on the + “will.” “Our time for victory is at hand.” + </p> + <p> + “The other side may think they're striking home; too,” said Warner, + speaking according to the directness of his dry mathematical mind. “Then I + suppose it will be a case of victory for the one that strikes the harder + for home.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a fine old mind of yours. Don't you ever feel any enthusiasm?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, when the figures warrant it. But I must reckon everything with care + before I permit myself to feel joy.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad I'm not like you, Mr. Arithmetic, Mr. Algebra, Mr. Geometry and + Mr. Trigonometry.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't make fun of such serious matters, Dick. It would be a noble + thing to be the greatest professor of mathematics in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, George, but we wouldn't need him at this minute. But here we + are back at those cottages in which I saw the Southern officers sheltering + themselves. Well, they're ours again and I take it as a good omen.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, here we rest, as the French general said, but I don't know that I + care about resting much more. I've had about all I want of it.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless they spent the day quietly at the Sulphur Springs, and lay + down in peace that night. But the storm cloud, the blackest storm cloud of + the whole war so far, was gathering. + </p> + <p> + Lee, knowing the danger of the junction between Pope and McClellan had + resolved to hazard all on a single stroke. He would divide his army. + Jackson, so well called “the striking arm,” would pass far around through + the maze of hills and mountains and fall like a thunderbolt upon Pope's + flank. At the sound of his guns Lee himself would attack in front. + </p> + <p> + As Dick and his young comrades lay down to sleep this march, the greatest + of Stonewall Jackson's famous turning movements, had begun already. + Jackson was on his horse, Little Sorrel, his old slouch hat drawn down + over his eyes, his head bent forward a little, and the great brain + thinking, always thinking. His face was turned to the North. + </p> + <p> + Just a little behind Jackson rode one of his most trusted aides, Harry + Kenton, a mere youth in years, but already a veteran in service. Not far + away was the gallant young Sherburne at the head of his troop of cavalry, + and in the first brigade was the regiment of the Invincibles led by + Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant Colonel Hector St. Hilaire. Never + had the two colonels seemed more prim and precise, and not even in youth + had the fire of battle ever burned more brightly in their bosoms. + </p> + <p> + Jackson meant to pass around his enemy's right, crossing the Bull Run + Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap, then strike the railway in Pope's rear. + Longstreet, one of the heaviest hitters of the South, meanwhile was to + worry Pope incessantly along the line of the Rappahannock, and when + Jackson attacked they were to drive him toward the northeast and away from + McClellan. + </p> + <p> + The hot August night was one of the most momentous in American history, + and the next few days were to see the Union in greater danger than it has + ever stood either before or since. Perhaps it was not given to the actors + in the drama to know it then, but the retrospect shows it now. The North + had not attained its full fighting strength, and the genius of the two + great Southern commanders was at the zenith, while behind them stood a + group of generals, full of talent and fearless of death. + </p> + <p> + Jackson had been directly before Sulphur Springs where Dick lay with the + division to which he belonged. But Jackson, under cover of the darkness, + had slipped away and the division of Longstreet had taken its place so + quietly that the Union scouts and spies, including Shepard himself, did + not know the difference. + </p> + <p> + Jackson's army marched swiftly and silently, while that of Pope slept. The + plan of Lee was complicated and delicate to the last degree, but Jackson, + the mainspring in this organism, never doubted that he could carry it out. + His division soon left the rest of the army far behind, as they marched + steadily on over the hills, the fate of the nation almost in the hollow of + their hands. + </p> + <p> + The foot cavalry of Jackson were proud of their ability that night. They + carried only three days' rations, expecting to feed off the enemy at the + end of that time. Near midnight they lay down and slept a while, but long + before dawn they were in line again marching over the hills and across the + mountains. There were skirmishers in advance on either side, but they met + no Union scouts. The march of Jackson's great fighting column was still + unseen and unsuspected. A single Union scout or a message carried by a + woman or child might destroy the whole plan, as a grain of dust stops all + the wheels and levers of a watch, but neither the scout, the woman nor the + child appeared. + </p> + <p> + Toward dawn the marching Southerners heard far behind them the thunder of + guns along the Rappahannock. They knew that Longstreet had opened with his + batteries across the river, and that those of Pope were replying. The men + looked at one another. There was a deep feeling of excitement and suspense + among them. They did not know what all this marching meant, but they had + learned to trust the man who led them. He had led them only to victory, + and they did not doubt that he was doing so again. + </p> + <p> + The march never paused for an instant. On they went, and the sound of the + great guns behind them grew fainter and fainter until it faded away. Where + were they going? Was it a raid on Washington? Were they to hurl themselves + upon Pope's rear, or was there some new army that they were to destroy? + </p> + <p> + Up swept the sun and the coolness left by the storm disappeared. The + August day began to blaze again with fierce burning heat, but there was no + complaint among Jackson's men. They knew now that they were on one of his + great turning movements, on a far greater scale than any hitherto, and + full of confidence, they followed in the wake of Little Sorrel. + </p> + <p> + In the daylight now Jackson had scouts and skirmishers far in front and on + either flank. They were to blaze the way for the army and they made a far + out-flung line, through which no hostile scout could pass and see the + marching army within. At the close of the day they were still marching, + and when the sun was setting Jackson stood by the dusty roadside and + watched his men as they passed. For the first time in that long march they + broke through restraint and thundering cheers swept along the whole line + as they took off their caps to the man whom they deemed at once their + friend and a very god of war. The stern Jackson giving way so seldom to + emotion was heard to say to himself: + </p> + <p> + “Who can fail to win battles with such men as these?” + </p> + <p> + Jackson's column did not stop until midnight. They had been more than + twenty-four hours on the march, and they had not seen a hostile soldier. + Harry Kenton himself did not know where they were going. But he lay down + and gratefully, like the others, took the rest that was allowed to him. + But a few hours only and they were marching again under a starry sky. + Morning showed the forest lining the slopes of the mountains and then all + the men seemed to realize suddenly which way they were going. + </p> + <p> + This was the road that led to Pope. It was not Washington, or Winchester, + or some unknown army, but their foe on the Rappahannock that they were + going to strike. A deep murmur of joy ran through the ranks, and the men + who had now been marching thirty hours, with but little rest, suddenly + increased their speed. Knowledge had brought them new strength. + </p> + <p> + They entered the forest and passed into Thoroughfare Gap, which leads + through Bull Run Mountain. The files narrowed now and stretched out in a + longer line. This was a deep gorge, pines and bushes lining the summits + and crests. The confined air here was closer and hotter than ever, but the + men pressed on with undiminished speed. + </p> + <p> + Harry Kenton felt a certain awe as he rode behind Jackson, and looked up + at the lofty cliffs that enclosed them. The pines along the summit on + either side were like long, green ribbons, and he half feared to see men + in blue appear there and open fire on those in the gorge below. But reason + told him that there was no such danger. No Northern force could be on Bull + Run Mountain. + </p> + <p> + Harry had not asked a question during all that march. He had not known + where they were going, but like all the soldiers he had supreme confidence + in Jackson. He might be going to any of a number of places, but the place + to which he was going was sure to be the right place. Now as he rode in + the pass he knew that they were bound for the rear of Pope's army. Well, + that would be bad for Pope! Harry had no doubt of it. + </p> + <p> + They passed out of the gap, leaving the mountain behind them, and swept on + through two little villages, and over the famous plateau of Manassas + Junction which many of them had seen before in the fire and smoke of the + war's first terrible day. Here were the fields and hills over which they + had fought and won the victory. Harry recognized at once the places which + had been burned so vividly into his memory, and he considered it a good + omen. + </p> + <p> + Not so far away was Washington, and so strongly was Harry's imagination + impressed that he believed he could have seen through powerful glasses and + from the crest of some tall hill that they passed, the dome of the Capitol + shining in the August sun. He wondered why there was no attack, nor even + any alarm. The cloud of dust that so many thousands of marching men made + could be seen for miles. He did not know that Sherburne and the fastest of + the rough riders were now far in front, seizing every Union scout or + sentinel, and enabling Jackson's army to march on its great turning + movement wholly unknown to any officer or soldier of the North. Soon he + would stand squarely between Pope and Washington. + </p> + <p> + Before noon, Stuart and his wild horsemen joined them and their spirits + surged yet higher. All through the afternoon the march continued, and at + night Jackson fell upon Pope's vast store of supplies, surprising and + routing the guard. Taking what he could use he set fire to the rest and + the vast conflagration filled the sky. + </p> + <p> + Night came with Jackson standing directly in the rear of Pope. The trap + had been shut down, and it was to be seen whether Pope was strong enough + to break from it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + </h2> + <p> + The sunbeams seemed fairly to dance over the dusty earth. The dust was not + only over the earth, but over everything, men, animals, wagons and tents. + Dick Mason who had struggled so hard through a storm but a few nights ago + now longed for another like it. Anything to get away from this blinding + blaze. + </p> + <p> + But he soon forgot heat and dust. He was conscious of a great quiver and + thrill running through the whole army. Something was happening. Something + had happened, but nobody knew what. Warner and Pennington felt the same + quiver and thrill, because they looked at him as if in inquiry. Colonel + Winchester showed it, too. He said nothing, but gazed uneasily toward the + Northern horizon. Dick found himself looking that way also. Along the + Rappahannock there was but little firing now, and he began to forget the + river which had loomed so large in the affairs of the armies. Perhaps the + importance of the Rappahannock had passed. + </p> + <p> + It was said that Pope himself with his staff had ridden away toward + Washington, but Dick did not know. Far off toward the capital he saw dust + clouds, but he concluded that they must be made by marching + reinforcements. + </p> + <p> + The long hot hours dragged and then came a messenger. It was Shepard who + had reported to headquarters and who afterwards came over to the shade of + a tree where Colonel Winchester and his little staff were gathered. He was + on the verge of exhaustion. He was black under the eyes and the veins of + his neck were distended. Dust covered him from head to foot. He threw + himself on the ground and drank deeply from a canteen of cool water that + Dick handed to him. All saw that Shepard, the spy, the man whose life was + a continual danger, who had never before shown emotion, was in a state of + excitement, and if they waited a little he would speak of his own accord. + </p> + <p> + Shepard took the canteen from his lips, drew several long deep breaths of + relief and said: + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what I have seen?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't, but I infer from your manner, Shepard, that it must be of great + importance,” said Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “I've seen Stonewall Jackson at the head of half of Lee's army behind us! + Standing between us and Washington!” + </p> + <p> + “What! Impossible! How could he get there?” + </p> + <p> + “It's possible, because it's been done—I've seen the rebel army + behind us. In these civilian clothes of mine, I've been in their ranks, + and I've talked with their men. While they were amusing us here on the + Rappahannock with their cannon, Jackson with the best of the army crossed + the river higher up, passed through Thoroughfare Gap, marching two or + three days before a soul of ours knew it, and then struck our great camp + at Bristoe Station.” + </p> + <p> + “Shepard, you must be sunstruck!” + </p> + <p> + “My mind was never clearer. What I saw at close range General Pope himself + saw at long range. He and his staff and a detachment came near enough to + see the looting and burning of all our stores—I don't suppose so + many were ever gathered together before. But I was right there. You ought + to have seen the sight, Colonel, when those ragged rebels who had been + living on green corn burst into our camp. I've heard about the Goths and + Vandals coming down on Rome and it must have been something like it. They + ate as I never saw anybody eat before, and then throwing away their rags + they put on our new uniforms which were stored there in thousands. At + least half the rebel army must now be wearing the Union blue. And the way + they danced about and sang was enough to make a loyal man's heart sick.” + </p> + <p> + “You told all this to General Pope?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, sir, but I could not make him believe the half of it. He insists + that it can only be a raiding detachment, that it is impossible for a + great army to have come to such a place. But, sir, I was among them. I + know Stonewall Jackson, and I saw him with my own eyes. He was there at + the head of thirty thousand men, and we've already lost stores worth + millions and millions. Jeb Stuart was there, too. I saw him. And I saw + Munford, who leads Jackson's cavalry since the death of Turner Ashby. Oh, + they'll find out soon enough that it's Jackson. We're trapped, sir! I tell + you we're trapped, and our own commander-in-chief won't believe it. Good + God, Colonel, the trap has shut down on us and if we get out of it we've + got to be up and doing! This is no time for waiting!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester saw from the rapidity and emphasis with which Shepard + spoke that his excitement had increased, but knowing the man's great + devotion to the Union he had no rebuke for his plain speech. + </p> + <p> + “You have done splendid work, Mr. Shepard,” he said, “and the + commander-in-chief will recognize what great risks you have run for the + cause. I've no doubt that the accuracy of your reports will soon be + proved.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester in truth believed every word that Shepard had said, + sinister though they were. He said that Jackson was behind them, that he + had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the + slightest doubt that Jackson was there. + </p> + <p> + Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's + praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was + the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the + cause he served. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Colonel,” he said, “I've got to go out and get a little food + now. All I say will be proved soon enough.” + </p> + <p> + The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of + Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which should + mark the approach of Jackson. + </p> + <p> + “We've been outmaneuvered,” said Warner to Dick, “but it's no reason why + we should be outfought.” + </p> + <p> + “No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the + world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash + their old trap all to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “If our generals will only give us a chance.” + </p> + <p> + Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified + almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch + after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been + at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning. + </p> + <p> + “Now is our chance,” said Dick to his comrades, “why doesn't the general + move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his help?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm praying for it,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “From what I hear it's going to be done,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched on + Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in the + heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including Colonel + Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place of a few + houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through which Jackson + had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did not expect to find + anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look. + </p> + <p> + Dick rode by the side of his colonel ready for any command, but the + mystery, and uncertainty had begun to weigh upon him again. It seemed when + they had the first news that Jackson was behind them, that they had a + splendid opportunity to turn upon him and annihilate him before Lee could + come. But he was gone. They had looked upon the smoldering ruins of their + great supply camp, but they had found there no trace of a Confederate + soldier. Was Harry Kenton right, when he told them they could not beat + Jackson? He asked himself angrily why the man would not stay and fight. He + believed, too, that he must be off there somewhere to the right, and he + listened eagerly but vainly for the distant throb of guns in the east. + </p> + <p> + A cloud of dust hovered over the ten thousand as they marched on in the + blazing sunshine. The country was well peopled, but all the inhabitants + had disappeared save a few, and from not one of these could they obtain a + scrap of information. + </p> + <p> + Dick noticed through the dusty veil a heavy wood on their left extending + for a long distance. Then as in a flash, he saw that the whole forest was + filled with troops, and he saw also two batteries galloping from it toward + the crest of a ridge. It occurred to him instantly that here was the army + of Jackson, and others who saw had the same instinctive belief. + </p> + <p> + There was a flash and roar from the batteries. Shot and shell cut through + the clouds of dust and among the ranks of the men in blue. Now came from + the forest a vast shout, the defiant rebel yell and nobody in the column + doubted that Jackson was there. He had swung away toward the Gap, where + Lee could come to him more readily, and he would fight the whole Union + army until Lee came up. + </p> + <p> + As the roar of the first discharge from the batteries was dying swarms of + skirmishers sprang up from ambush and poured a storm of bullets upon the + Union front and flanks. A cry as of anguish arose from the column and it + reeled back, but the men, many of them hardy young farmers from the West, + men of staunch stuff, were eager to get at the enemy and the terrible + surprise could not daunt them. Uttering a tremendous shout they charged + directly upon the Southern force. + </p> + <p> + It was a case largely of vanguards, the main forces not yet having come + up, but the two detachments charged into each other with a courage and + fierceness that was astounding. In a minute the woods and fields were + filled with fire and smoke, and hissing shells and bullets. Men fell by + hundreds, but neither side yielded. The South could not drive away the + North and the North could not hurl back the South. + </p> + <p> + The field of battle became a terrible and deadly vortex. The fire of the + opposing lines blazed in the faces of each other. Often they were only + three or four score yards apart. Ewell, Jackson's ablest and most trusted + lieutenant, fell wounded almost to death, and lay long upon the field. + Other Southern generals fell also, and despite their superior numbers they + could not drive back the North. + </p> + <p> + Dick never had much recollection of the combat, save a reek of fire and + smoke in which men fought. He saw Colonel Winchester's horse pitch forward + on his head and springing from his own he pulled the half-stunned colonel + to his feet. Both leaped aside just in time to avoid Dick's own falling + horse, which had been slain by a shell. Then the colonel ran up and down + the lines of his men, waving his sword and encouraging them to stand fast. + </p> + <p> + The Southern lines spread out and endeavored to overlap the Union men, but + they were held back by a deep railroad cut and masses of felled timber. + The combat redoubled in fury. Cannon and rifles together made a continuous + roar. Both sides seemed to have gone mad with the rage of battle. + </p> + <p> + The Southern generals astonished at such a resistance by a smaller force, + ordered up more men and cannon. The Union troops were slowly pushed back + by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming of which neither + had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving fifteen hundred men, + nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the small area within which + the two vanguards had fought. + </p> + <p> + But the Union men did not retreat far. Practically, they were holding + their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were + full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the + formidable Jackson. Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that he + threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath. When he was able to + rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured. So was + Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom, was gloomy. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter, sergeant?” exclaimed Dick in surprise. “Didn't we give + 'em a great fight?” + </p> + <p> + “Splendid, Mr. Mason, I don't believe that troops ever fought better than + ours did. But we're not many here. Where's all the rest of our army? + Scattered, while I'm certain that Jackson with twenty-five or thirty + thousand men is in front of us, with more coming. We'll fall back. We'll + have to do it before morning.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant on this occasion had the power of divination. An hour after + midnight the whole force which had fought with so much heroism was + withdrawn. It was a strange night to the whole Union army, full of + sinister omens. + </p> + <p> + Pope, in his quest for Jackson, had heard about sunset the booming of guns + in the west, but he could not believe that the Southern general was there. + Many of his dispatches had been captured by the hard-riding cavalry of + Stuart. His own division commanders had lost touch with him. It was not + possible for him to know what to do until morning, and no one could tell + him. Meanwhile Longstreet was advancing in the darkness through the Gap to + reinforce Jackson. + </p> + <p> + Dick had found another horse belonging to a slain owner, and, in the + darkness, his heart full of bitterness, he rode back beside Colonel + Winchester toward Manassas. Could they never win a big victory in the + east? The men were brave and tenacious. They had proved it over and over + again, but they were always mismanaged. It seemed to him that they were + never sent to the right place at the right time. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, many of the Northern generals, able and patriotic, achieved + great deeds before the dawn of that momentous morning. Messengers were + riding in the darkness in a zealous attempt to gather the forces together. + There was yet abundant hope that they could crush Jackson before Lee came, + and in the darkness brigade after brigade marched toward Warrenton. + </p> + <p> + Dick, after tasting all the bitterness of retreat, felt his hopes rise + again. They had not really been beaten. They had fought a superior force + of Jackson's own men to a standstill. He could never forget that. He + cherished it and rolled it under his tongue. It was an omen of what was to + come. If they could only get leaders of the first rank they would soon end + the war. + </p> + <p> + He found himself laughing aloud in the anticipation of what Pope's Army of + Virginia would do in the coming day to the rebels. It might even happen + that McClellan with the Army of the Potomac would also come upon the + field. And then! Lee and Jackson thought they had Pope in a trap! Pope and + McClellan would have them between the hammer and the anvil, and they would + be pounded to pieces! + </p> + <p> + “Here, stop that foolishness, Dick! Quit, I say, quit it at once!” + </p> + <p> + It was Warner who was speaking, and he gripped Dick's arm hard, while he + peered anxiously into his face. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with you?” he continued. “What do you find to laugh at? + Besides, I don't like the way you laugh.” + </p> + <p> + Dick shook himself, and then rubbed his hand across his brow. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, George,” he said. “I'm glad you called me back to myself. I was + thinking what would happen to the enemy if McClellan and the Army of the + Potomac came up also, and I was laughing over it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the next time, don't you laugh at a thing until it happens. You may + have to take your laugh back.” + </p> + <p> + Dick shook himself again, and the nervous excitement passed. + </p> + <p> + “You always give good advice, George,” he said. “Do you know where we + are?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't name the place, but we're not so far from Warrenton that we + can't get back there in a short time and tackle Jackson again. Dick, see + all those moving lights to right and left of us. They're the brigades + coming up in the night. Isn't it a weird and tremendous scene? You and I + and Pennington will see this night over and over again, many and many a + time.” + </p> + <p> + “It's so, George,” said Dick, “I feel the truth of what you say all + through me. Listen to the rumble of the cannon wheels! I hear 'em on both + sides of us, and behind us, and I've no doubt, too, that it's going on + before us, where the Southerners are massing their batteries. How the + lights move! It's the field of Manassas again, and we're going to win this + time!” + </p> + <p> + All of Dick's senses were excited once more, and everything he saw was + vivid and highly colored. Warner, cool of blood as he habitually was, had + no words of rebuke for him now, because he, too, was affected in the same + way. The fields and plains of Manassas were alive not alone with marching + armies, but the ghosts of those who had fallen there the year before rose + and walked again. + </p> + <p> + Despite the darkness everything swelled into life again for Dick. Off + there was the little river of Manassas, Young's Branch, the railway + station, and the Henry House, around which the battle had raged so + fiercely. They would have won the victory then if it had not been for + Stonewall Jackson. If he had not been there the war would have been ended + on that sanguinary summer day. + </p> + <p> + But Jackson was in front of them now, and they had him fast. Lee and + Jackson had thought to trap Pope, but Jackson himself was in the trap, and + they would destroy him utterly. His admiration for the great Southern + general had changed for the time into consuming rage. They must overwhelm + him, annihilate him, sweep him from the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + They mounted again and moved back, but did not go far. + </p> + <p> + “Get down, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester. “Here's food for us, and hot + coffee. I don't remember myself how long we've been in the saddle and how + long we've been without food, but we mustn't go into battle until we've + eaten.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was the last of the officers to dismount. He, too, did not remember + how long they had been in the saddle. He could not say at that moment, + whether it had been one night or two. He ate and drank mechanically, but + hungrily—the Union army nearly always had plenty of stores—and + then he felt better and stronger. + </p> + <p> + A faint bluish tint was appearing under the gray horizon in the east. Dick + felt the touch of a light wind on his forehead. The dawn was coming. + </p> + <p> + Yes, the dawn was coming, but it was coming heavy with sinister omens and + the frown of battle. Before the bluish tint in the east had turned to + silver Dick heard the faint and far thudding of great guns, and closer a + heavy regular beat which he knew was the gallop of cavalry. Surely the + North could not fail now. Fierce anger against those who would break up + the Union surged up in him again. + </p> + <p> + The gray came at last, driving the bluish tint away, and the sun rose hot + and bright over the field of Manassas which already had been stained with + the blood of one fierce battle. But now the armies were far greater. + Nearly a hundred and fifty thousand men were gathering for the combat, and + Dick was still hoping that McClellan would come with seventy or eighty + thousand more. But within the Confederate lines, where they must always + win and never lose, because losing meant to lose all there was a stern + determination to shatter Pope and his superior numbers before McClellan + could come. Never had the genius and resolution of the two great Southern + leaders burned more brightly. + </p> + <p> + As the brazen sun swung slowly up Dick felt that the intense nervous + excitement he had felt the night before was seizing him again. The + officers of the regiment remained on foot. Colonel Winchester had sent + their horses away to some cavalrymen who had lost their own. He and his + staff and other officers, dismounted, could lead the men better into + battle. + </p> + <p> + And that it was battle, great and bloody, the youngest of them all could + see. Never had an August day been brighter and hotter. Every object seemed + to swell into new size in the vivid and burning sunlight. Plain before + them lay Jackson's army. Two of his regiments were between them and a + turnpike that Dick remembered well. Off to the left ran the dark masses in + gray, until they ended against a thick wood. In the center was a huge + battery, and Dick from his position could see the mouths of the cannon + waiting for them. + </p> + <p> + But he also saw the great line of the Northern Army. It was both deeper + and longer than that of the South, and he knew that the men were full of + resolve and courage. + </p> + <p> + “How many have we got here?” Dick heard himself asking Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Forty or fifty thousand, I suppose,” he heard Warner replying, “and + before night there will be eighty thousand. Our line is two miles long + now. We ought to wrap around Jackson and crush him to death. Listen to the + bugles! What a mellow note! And how they draw men on to death! And listen + to the throbbing of the big cannon, too!” + </p> + <p> + Warner's face was flushed. He had become excited, as the two armies stood + there, and looked at each other a moment or two like prize fighters in the + ring before closing in battle. Then they heard the order to charge and far + up and down the line their own cannon opened with a crash so great that + Dick and his comrades could not hear one another talking. + </p> + <p> + Then they charged. The whole army lifted itself up and rushed at the + enemy, animated by patriotism, the fire of battle and the desire for + revenge. Among the officers were Milroy and Schenck and others who had + been beaten by Jackson in the valley. There, too, was the brigade of + Germans whom Jackson had beaten at Cross Keyes. Many of them were veterans + of the sternest discipline known in Europe and they longed fiercely for + revenge. And there were more Germans, too, under Schurz—hired + Germans, fighting nearly a hundred years before to prevent the Union—and + free Germans now fighting to save it. + </p> + <p> + Driven forward thus by all the motives that sway men in battle, the Union + army rushed upon Jackson. Confident from many victories and trusting + absolutely in their leader the Southern defense received the mighty charge + without flinching. The wood now swarmed with riflemen and they filled the + air with their bullets, so many of them that their passage was like the + continual rush of a hurricane. Along the whole line came the same metallic + scream, and the great battery in the center was a volcano, pouring forth a + fiery hurricane of shot and shell. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt their front lines being shorn. Although he was untouched it was + an actual physical sensation. He could see but little save that fearful + blaze in their faces, and the cries of the wounded and dying were drowned + by the awful roar of so many cannon and rifles. + </p> + <p> + The cloud of dust and smoke had become immense and overwhelming in an + instant, but it was pierced always in front by the blaze of fire, and by + its flaming light Dick saw the long lines of the Southern men, their faces + gray and fixed, as he knew those of his own comrades were. + </p> + <p> + But the charge, brave, even reckless, failed. The brigades broke in vain + on Jackson's iron front. Riddled by the fire of the great battery and of + the riflemen they could not go on and live. The Germans had longed for + revenge, but they did not get it. The South Carolinians fell upon them at + the edge of the wood and hurled them back. They rallied, and charged + again, but again they were handled terribly, and were forced back by the + charging masses of the Southerners. + </p> + <p> + Dick had been at Shiloh. He had seen the men of the west in a great + battle, and now he saw the men of the east in a battle yet greater. There + it had been largely in the forest, here it was mostly in the open, yet he + saw but little more. One of the extraordinary features of this battle was + dust. Trampled up from the dry fields by fighting men in scores of + thousands it rose in vast floating clouds that permeated everything. It + was even more persistent than the smoke. It clogged Dick's throat. It + stung and burnt him like powder. Often it filled his eyes so completely + that for a moment or two he could not see the blaze of the cannon and + rifle fire, almost in his face. + </p> + <p> + But as they fell back he felt again that sensation of actual physical + pain, although he was still untouched. Added to it was an intense mental + anguish. They were failing! They had been driven back! They had not + crushed Jackson! He forgot all about Colonel Winchester, and his comrades + Warner and Pennington. He forgot all about his own danger in this terrible + reversal of his hopes, and he began to shout angrily at the men to stand. + He did not know by and by that no sound came from his mouth, that words + could not come from a throat so choked with dust and burned gunpowder. + </p> + <p> + But the charge was made again. The thudding great guns now told all the + Northern divisions where Jackson was. The eighty thousand men of Pope were + crowding forward to attack him, and the batteries were galloping over the + plateau to add to the volume of shot and shell that was poured upon the + Southern ranks. + </p> + <p> + Dick was quite unconscious of the passage of time. Hope had sprung anew in + his breast. He heard a report that ten thousand fresh troops under Kearney + had arrived and were attacking the Southerners in the wood. He knew by the + immense volume of fire coming from that point that the report was true, + and he heard that McDowell, too, would soon be at hand with nearly thirty + thousand men. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw Colonel Winchester, his face a mass of grime and his clothing + flecked with blood. But he did not seem to have suffered any wound and he + was calmly rallying his men. + </p> + <p> + “It's hot!” Dick shouted, why he knew not. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my boy, and it will soon be hotter! Look at the new brigades coming + into battle! See them on both right and left! We'll crush Jackson yet!” + </p> + <p> + It was now mid-morning, and neither Colonel Winchester nor any other of + the Northern officers facing the Southern force knew that Lee and the + other Southern army was at hand. The front ranks of Longstreet were + already in battle, and the most difficult and dangerous of all tasks was + accomplished. Two armies coming from points widely divergent, but acting + in concert had joined upon the field of battle at the very moment when the + junction meant the most. Lee had come, but McClellan and the Army of the + Potomac were far away. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard the trumpets calling again, and once more they charged, hurling + heavy masses now upon the wood, which was held by the Southern general, A. + P. Hill. Rifle fire gave way to bayonet charges by either side, and after + swaying back and forth the Union men held the wood for a while, but at + last they were driven out to stay, and as they retreated cannon and rifles + decimated their ranks. + </p> + <p> + The regiment had suffered so terribly that after its retreat it was + compelled to lie down a while and rest. Dick gasped for breath, but he was + not as much excited as he had been earlier in the day. Perhaps one can + become hardened to anything. Although he and his immediate comrades were + resting he could see no diminution of the battle. + </p> + <p> + As far to left and right as the eye reached, cannon and rifles blazed and + thundered. In front of their own exhausted regiment hundreds of + sharpshooters, creeping forward, were now pouring a deadly fire among the + Southern troops who held the wood. They were men of the west and + northwest, accustomed all their lives to the use of firearms, and if a + Confederate officer in the forest showed himself for a moment it was at + the risk of his life. Captains and lieutenants fell fast beneath the aim + of the sharpshooters. + </p> + <p> + The burning sun was at the zenith, pouring fiery rays upon the vast + conflict which raged along a front of two miles. Pope himself was now upon + the field and his troops were pouring from every point to his aid. So + deadly was the fire of the sharpshooters that they regained the wood, + driving out the Southerners who had exhausted their cartridges. Hill's + division of the Confederates was almost cut to pieces by the cannon and + rifles, and the Southern leaders from their posts on the hills saw + brigades and regiments continually coming to the help of the North. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw or rather felt the fortunes of the North rising again, and as his + regiment stood up for action once more he began to shout with the others + in triumph. The roar of the battle grew so steady that the voices of men + became audible and articulate beneath it. + </p> + <p> + “They shut their trap down upon us, but we're breaking that trap all to + pieces,” he heard Pennington say. + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if we might win a victory,” said the cooler Warner. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard no more, as they were once again upon the enemy who received + them almost hand to hand, and the battle swelled anew. It was now long + past noon, and in that prodigious canopy of dust and fire and smoke it + seemed for a while that the Union army in truth had shattered the trap. + The men in gray were borne back by the courage and weight of their + opponents. Hooker, Kearney, Reynolds and all the gallant generals of the + North continually urged on their troops. Confidence in victory at last + passed through all the army, and incited it to greater efforts. + </p> + <p> + But Jackson was undaunted. Never was he cooler. Never did his genius shine + more brilliantly. Never did any man in all the fury and turmoil of battle, + amid a thousand conflicting reports and appalling confusion, have a keener + perception, a greater power to sum up what was actually passing, and a + better knowledge of what to do. + </p> + <p> + Lee was a mile away, standing on a wooded hill, the bearded Longstreet by + his side, watching the battle in his immediate front, where accumulating + masses under Pope's own eye were gathering. On the other flank where + Jackson stood and the conflict was heaviest he trusted all to his great + lieutenant and not in vain. + </p> + <p> + Jackson had formed his plan. There came for a few moments a lull in the + battle which had now lasted nine hours, and then gathering a powerful + reserve he sent them charging through the wood with the bayonet. Dick saw + the massive line of glittering steel coming on at the double quick and he + felt his regiment giving back. The men could not help it. Physically + exhausted and with ammunition running low they slowly yielded the wood. + Many of the youths wept with rage, but although they had lost thousands in + five desperate charges they were compelled to see all five fail. + </p> + <p> + Dick, aghast, gazed at Warner through the smoke. + </p> + <p> + “It's true!” gasped Warner, “we didn't break the trap, Dick. But maybe + they'll succeed off there to the left! Our own commander is there, and + they say that Lee himself has come to the help of Jackson!” + </p> + <p> + They had been driven back at all points and their own battle was dying, + but off to the left it thundered a while longer, and then as night + suddenly rushed over the field it, too, sank, leaving the hostile forces + on that wing also still face to face, but with the North pushed back. + </p> + <p> + The coming of night was as sudden to Dick as if it had been the abrupt + dropping of a great dark blanket. In the fury of conflict he had not + noticed the gathering shadows in the west. The dimness around him, if he + had taken time to think about it, he would have ascribed to the vast + columns of dust that eddied and surged about. + </p> + <p> + Again it was the dust that he felt and remembered. The surging back and + forth of seven score thousand men, the tread of horses and the wheels of + hundreds of cannon raised it in such quantities that it covered the forest + and the armies with a vast whitish curtain. Even in the darkness it showed + dim and ghastly like a funeral veil. + </p> + <p> + Out of that fatal forest came a dreadful moaning. Dick did not know + whether it was the wind among the leaves or the dying. Once more the + ghosts of the year before walked the fatal field, but the ghosts of this + year would be a far greater company. They had not broken the trap and Dick + knew that the battle was far from over. + </p> + <p> + It would be renewed in the morning with greater fierceness than ever, but + he was grateful for the present darkness and rest. He and his comrades had + thrown themselves upon the ground, and they felt as if they could never + move again. Their bones did not ache. They merely felt dead within them. + </p> + <p> + Dick was roused after a long time. The camp cooks were bringing food and + coffee. He saw a figure lying at his feet as still as death, and he shoved + it with his foot. + </p> + <p> + “Get up, Frank,” he said. “You're not dead.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I'm not, but I'm as good as dead. You just let me finish dying in + peace.” + </p> + <p> + Dick shoved him again and Pennington sat up. When he saw the food and + coffee he suddenly remembered to be hungry. Warner was already eating and + drinking. Off to the left they still heard cannon and rifles, although the + sound was sinking. Occasionally flashes from the mouths of the great guns + illumined the darkness. + </p> + <p> + Dick did not know what time it was. He had no idea how long he had been + lying upon the ground panting, the air surcharged with menace and + suspense. The vast clouds of dust, impregnated with burned gunpowder still + floated about, and it scorched his mouth and throat as he breathed it. + </p> + <p> + The boys, after eating and drinking lay down again. They still heard the + firing of pickets, but it was no more than the buzzing of bees to them, + and after a while they fell into the sleep of nervous and physical + exhaustion. But while many of the soldiers slept all of the generals were + awake. + </p> + <p> + It was a singular fact but in the night that divided the great battle of + the Second Manassas into two days both sides were full of confidence. + Jackson's men, who had borne the brunt of the first day, rested upon their + arms and awaited the dawn with implicit confidence in their leader. On the + other flank Lee and Longstreet were massing their men for a fresh attack. + </p> + <p> + The losses within the Union lines were replaced by reinforcements. Pope + rode among them, sanguine, full of hope, telegraphing to Washington that + the enemy had lost two to his one, and that Lee was retreating toward the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + Dick slept uneasily through the night, and rose to another hot August sun. + Then the two armies looked at each other and it seemed that each was + waiting for the other to begin, as the morning hours dragged on and only + the skirmishers were busy. During this comparative peace, the heavy clouds + of dust were not floating about, and Dick whose body had come to life + again walked back and forth with his colonel, gazing through their glasses + at the enemy. He scarcely noticed it, but Colonel Winchester's manner + toward him had become paternal. The boy merely ascribed it to the friendly + feeling an officer would feel for a faithful aide, but he knew that he had + in his colonel one to whom he could speak both as a friend and a + protector. Walking together they talked freely of the enemy who stood + before them in such an imposing array. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel,” said Dick, “do you think General Pope is correct in stating + that one wing of the Southern army is already retreating through + Thoroughfare Gap?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't, Dick. I don't think it is even remotely probable. I'm quite + sure, too, that we have the whole Confederate army in front of us. We'll + have to beat both Lee and Jackson, if we can.” + </p> + <p> + “Where do you think the main attack will be?” + </p> + <p> + “On Jackson, who is still in front of us. But we have waited a long time. + It must be full noon now.” + </p> + <p> + “It is past noon, sir, but I hear the trumpets, calling up our men.” + </p> + <p> + “They are calling to us, too.” + </p> + <p> + The regiment shifted a little to the right, where a great column was + forming for a direct attack upon the Confederate lines. Twenty thousand + men stood in a vast line and forty thousand were behind them to march in + support. + </p> + <p> + Dick had thought that he would be insensible to emotions, but his heart + began to throb again. The spectacle thrilled and awed him—the great + army marching to the attack and the resolute army awaiting it. Soon he + heard behind him the firing of the artillery which sent shot and shell + over their heads at the enemy. A dozen cannon came into action, then + twenty, fifty, a hundred and more, and the earth trembled with the mighty + concussion. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt the surge of triumph. They had yet met no answering fire. + Perhaps General Pope and not Colonel Winchester had been right after all, + and the Confederates were crushed. Awaiting them was only a rear guard + which would flee at the first flash of the bayonets in the wood. + </p> + <p> + The great line marched steadily onward, and the cannon thundered and + roared over the heads of the men raking the wood with steel. Still no + reply. Surely the sixty thousand Union men would now march over + everything. They were driving in the swarms of skirmishers. Dick could see + them retreating everywhere, in the wood over the hills and along an + embankment. + </p> + <p> + Warner was on his right and Pennington on his left. Dick glanced at them + and he saw the belief in speedy victory expressed on the faces of both. It + seemed to him, too, that nothing could now stop the massive columns that + Pope was sending forward against the thinned ranks of the Confederates. + </p> + <p> + They were much nearer and he saw gray lines along an embankment and in a + wood. Then above the crash and thunder of their covering artillery he + heard another sound. It was the Southern bugles calling with a piercing + note to their own men just as the Northern trumpets had called. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw a great gray multitude suddenly pour forward. It looked to him in + the blur and the smoke like an avalanche, and in truth it was a human + avalanche, a far greater force of the South than they expected to meet + there. Directly in front of the Union column stood the Stonewall Brigade, + and all the chosen veterans of Stonewall Jackson's army. + </p> + <p> + “It's a fight, face to face,” Dick heard Colonel Winchester say. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw a Union officer, whose name he did not know suddenly gallop + out in front of the division, wave his saber over his head and shout the + charge. A tremendous rolling cry came from the blue ranks and Dick + physically felt the whole division leap forward and rush at the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the officer who had made himself the leader of the charge gallop + straight at a breastwork that the Southerners had built, reach and stand, + horse and rider, a moment at the top, then both fall in a limp heap. The + next instant the officer, not dead but wounded, was dragged a prisoner + behind the embankment by generous foes who had refused to shoot at him + until compelled to do so. + </p> + <p> + The Union men, with a roar, followed their champion, and Dick felt a very + storm burst upon them. The Southerners had thrown up earthworks at + midnight and thousands of riflemen lying behind them sent in a fire at + short range that caused the first Union line to go down like falling + grain. Cannon from the wood and elsewhere raked them through and through. + </p> + <p> + It was a vortex of fire and death. The Confederates themselves were losing + heavily, but taught by the stern Jackson and knowing that his eye was upon + them they refused to yield. The Northern charge broke on their front, but + the men did not retreat far. The shrill trumpet called them back to the + charge, and once more the blue masses hurled themselves upon the barrier + of fire and steel, to break again, and to come yet a third time at the + trumpet's call. Often the combatants were within ten yards of one another, + but strive as they would the Union columns could not break through the + Confederate defense. + </p> + <p> + Elsewhere the men of Hill and Longstreet showed a sternness and valor + equal to that of Jackson's. Their ranks held firm everywhere, and now, as + the long afternoon drew on, the eye of Lee, watching every rising and + falling wave of the battle, saw his chance. He drew his batteries together + in great masses and as the last charge broke on Jackson's lines the + trumpets sounded the charge for the Southern troops who hitherto had stood + on the defensive. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard a tremendous shout, the great rebel yell, that he had heard so + often before, and that he was destined to hear so often again. Through the + clouds of smoke and dust he saw the long lines of Southern bayonets + advancing swiftly. His regiment, which had already lost more than half its + numbers, was borne back by an appalling weight. + </p> + <p> + Then hope deserted the boy for the first time. The Union was not to be + saved here on this field. It was instead another lost Manassas, but far + greater than the first. The genius of Lee and Jackson which bore up the + Confederacy was triumphing once again. Dick shut his teeth in grim + despair. He heard the triumphant shouts of the advancing enemy, and he saw + that not only his own regiment, but the whole Northern line, was being + driven back, slowly it is true, but they were going. + </p> + <p> + Now at the critical moment, Lee was hurling forward every man and gun. + Although his army was inferior in numbers he was always superior at the + point of contact, and his exultant veterans pressed harder and harder upon + their weakening foes. Only the artillery behind them now protected Dick + and his comrades. But the Confederates still came with a rush. + </p> + <p> + Jackson was leading on his own men who had stood so long on the defensive. + The retreating Union line was broken, guns were lost, and there was a vast + turmoil and confusion. Yet out of it some order finally emerged, and + although the Union army was now driven back at every point it inflicted + heavy losses upon its foe, and under the lead of brave commanders great + masses gathered upon the famous Henry Hill, resolved, although they could + not prevent defeat, to save the army from destruction. + </p> + <p> + Night was coming down for the second time upon the field of battle, lost + to the North, although the North was ready to fight again. + </p> + <p> + Lee and Jackson looked upon the heavy Union masses gathered at the Henry + Hill, and then looking at the coming darkness they stopped the attack. + Night heavier than usual came down over the field, covering with its + friendly veil those who had lost and those who had won, and the + twenty-five thousand who had fallen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + </h2> + <p> + As the night settled down, heavy and dark, and the sounds of firing died + away along the great line, Dick again sank to the ground exhausted. + Although the battle itself had ceased, it seemed to him that the drums of + his ears still reproduced its thunder and roar, or at least the echo of it + was left upon the brain. + </p> + <p> + He lay upon the dry grass, and although the night was again hot and + breathless, surcharged with smoke and dust and fire, he felt a chill that + went to the bone, and he trembled all over. Then a cold perspiration broke + out upon him. It was the collapse after two days of tremendous exertion, + excitement and anxiety. He did not move for eight or ten minutes, blind to + everything that was going on about him, and then through the darkness he + saw Colonel Winchester standing by and looking down at him. + </p> + <p> + “Are you all right, Dick, my boy?” the colonel asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” replied Dick, as his pride made him drag himself to his feet. + “I'm not wounded at all. I was just clean played out.” + </p> + <p> + “You're lucky to get off so well,” said the colonel, smiling sadly. “We've + lost many thousands and we've lost the battle, too. The killed or wounded + in my regiment number more than two-thirds.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen anything of Warner and Pennington, sir? I lost sight of + them in that last terrible attack.” + </p> + <p> + “Pennington is here. He has had a bullet through the fleshy part of his + left arm, but he's so healthy it won't take him long to get well. I'm + sorry to say that Warner is missing.” + </p> + <p> + “Missing, sir? You don't say that George has been killed?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't say it. I'm hoping instead that he's been captured.” + </p> + <p> + Dick knew what the colonel meant. In Colonel Winchester's opinion only two + things, death or capture, could keep Warner from being with them. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe he will come in yet,” he said. “We were mixed up a good deal when + the darkness fell, and he may have trouble in finding our position.” + </p> + <p> + “That's true. There are not so many of us left, and we do not cover any + great area of ground. Lie still, Dick, and take a little rest. We don't + know what's going to happen in the night. We may have to do more fighting + yet, despite the darkness.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel's figure disappeared in the shadow, and Dick, following his + advice, lay quiet. All around him were other forms stretched upon the + earth, motionless. But Dick knew they were not dead, merely sleeping. His + own nervous system was being restored by youth and the habit of courage. + Yet he felt a personal grief, and it grew stronger with returning physical + strength. Warner, his comrade, knitted to him by ties of hardship and + danger, was missing, dead no doubt in the battle. For the moment he forgot + about the defeat. All his thoughts were for the brave youth who lay out + there somewhere, stretched on the dusty field. + </p> + <p> + Dick strained his eyes into the darkness, as if by straining he might see + where Warner lay. He saw, indeed, dim fires here and there along a long + line, marking where the Confederates now stood, or rather lay. Then a + bitter pang came. It was ground upon which the Union army had stood in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + The rifle fire, which had died down, began again in a fitful way. Far off, + skirmishers, not satisfied with the slaughter of the day, were seeing what + harm they could do in the dark. Somewhere the plumed and unresting Stuart + was charging with his horsemen, driving back some portion of the Union + army that the Confederate forces might be on their flank in the morning. + </p> + <p> + But Dick, as he lay quietly and felt his strength, mental and physical, + returning, was taking a resolution. Down there in front of them and in the + darkness was the wood upon which they had made five great assaults, all to + fail. In front of that mournful forest, and within its edge, more than ten + thousand men had fallen. He had no doubt that Warner was among them. + </p> + <p> + His sense of direction was good, and, as his blurred faculties regained + their normal keenness, he could mark the exact line by which they had + advanced, and the exact line by which they had retreated. Warner + unquestionably lay near the edge of the wood and he must seek him. Were it + the other way, Warner would do the same. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood up. He was no longer dizzy, and every muscle felt steady and + strong. He did not know what had become of Colonel Winchester, and his + comrades still lay upon the ground in a deep stupor. + </p> + <p> + It could not be a night of order and precision, with every man numbered + and in his place, as if they were going to begin a battle instead of just + having finished one, and Dick, leaving his comrades, walked calmly toward + the wood. He passed one sentinel, but a few words satisfied him, and he + continued to advance. Far to right and left he still heard the sound of + firing and saw the flash of guns, but these facts did not disturb him. In + front of him lay darkness and silence, with the horizon bounded by that + saddest of all woods where the heaped dead lay. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked back toward the Henry Hill, on the slopes of which were the + fragments of his own regiment. Lights were moving there, but they were so + dim they showed nothing. Then he turned his face toward the enemy's + position and did not look back again. + </p> + <p> + The character of the night was changing. It had come on dark and heavy. + Hot and breathless like the one before, he had taken no notice of the + change save for the increased darkness. Now he felt a sudden damp touch on + his face, as if a wet finger had been laid there. The faintest of winds + had blown for a moment or two, and when Dick looked up, he saw that the + sky was covered with black clouds. The saddest of woods had moved far + away, but by some sort of optical illusion he could yet see it. + </p> + <p> + Save for the distant flash of random firing, the darkness was intense. + Every star was gone, and Dick moved without any guide. But he needed none. + His course was fixed. He could not miss the mournful wood hanging there + like a pall on the horizon. + </p> + <p> + His feet struck against something. It was a man, but he was past all + feeling, and Dick went on, striking by and by against many more. It was + impossible at the moment to see Warner's face, but he began to feel of the + figures with his hands. There was none so long and slender as Warner's, + and he continued his search, moving steadily toward the wood. + </p> + <p> + He saw presently a lantern moving over the field, and he walked toward it. + Three men were with the lantern, and the one who carried it held it up as + he approached. The beams fell directly upon Dick, revealing his pale face + and torn and dusty uniform. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want, Yank?” called the man. + </p> + <p> + “I'm looking for a friend of mine who must have fallen somewhere near + here.” + </p> + <p> + The man laughed, but it was not a laugh of joy or irony. It was a laugh of + pity and sadness. + </p> + <p> + “You've shorely got a big look comin',” he said. “They're scattered all + around here, coverin' acres an' acres, just like dead leaves shook by a + storm from the trees. But j'in us, Yank. You can't do nothin' in the + darkness all by yourself. We're Johnny Rebs, good and true, and I may be + shootin' straight at you to-morrow mornin', but I reckon I've got nothin' + ag'in you now. We're lookin' for a brother o' mine.” + </p> + <p> + Dick joined them, and the four, the three in gray and the one in blue, + moved on. A friendly current had passed between him and them, and there + would be no thought of hostility until the morning, when it would come + again. It was often so in this war, when men of the same blood met in the + night between battles. + </p> + <p> + “What sort of a fellow is it that you're lookin' for?” asked the man with + the lantern. + </p> + <p> + “About my age. Very tall and thin. You could mark him by his height.” + </p> + <p> + “It takes different kinds of people to make the world. My brother ain't + like him a-tall. Sam's short, an' thick as a buffalo. Weighs two twenty + with no fat on him. What crowd do you belong to, youngster?” + </p> + <p> + “The division on our right. We attacked the wood there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you're a bully boy. Give me your hand, if you are a Yank. You + shorely came right up there and looked us in the eyes. How often did you + charge us?” + </p> + <p> + “Five times, I think. But I may be mistaken. You know it wasn't a day when + a fellow could be very particular about his count.” + </p> + <p> + “Guess you're right there. I made it five. What do you say, Jim?” + </p> + <p> + “Five she was.” + </p> + <p> + “That settles it. Jim kin always count up to five an' never make a + mistake. What you fellers goin' to do in the mornin'?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “Pope ain't asked you yet what to do. Well, Bobby Lee and Old Stonewall + ain't been lookin' for me either to get my advice, but, Yank, you fellers + do just what I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” + </p> + <p> + “Pack up your clothes before daylight, say good-bye, and go back to + Washington. You needn't think you kin ever lick Marse Bobby an' Stonewall + Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “But what if we do think it? We've got a big army back there yet, and more + are always coming to us. We'll beat you yet.” + </p> + <p> + “There seems to be a pow'ful wide difference in our opinions, an' I can't + persuade you an' you can't persuade me. We'll just let the question rip. + I'm glad, after all, Yank, it's so dark. I don't want to see ten thousand + dead men stretched out in rows.” + </p> + <p> + “We're going to get a wettin',” said the man to Jim. “The air's already + damp on my face. Thar, do you hear that thunder growlin' in the southwest? + Tremenjously like cannon far away, but it's thunder all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “What do we care 'bout a wettin', Jim? Fur the last few days this young + Yank here an' his comrades have shot at me 'bout a million cannon balls + an' shells, an' more 'n a hundred million rifle bullets. Leastways I felt + as if they was all aimed at me, which is just as bad. After bein' drenched + fur two days with a storm of steel an' lead an' fire, what do you think I + care for a summer shower of rain, just drops of rain?” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't like to get wet after havin' fit so hard. It's unhealthy, + likely to give me a cold.” + </p> + <p> + “Never min' 'bout ketchin' cold. You're goin' to get wet, shore. Thunder, + but I thought fur a second that was the flash of a hull battery aimed at + me. Fellers, if you wasn't with me I'd be plumb scared, prowlin' 'roun' + here in a big storm on the biggest graveyard in the world. Keep close, + Yank, we don't want to lose you in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + A tremendous flash of lightning had cut the sky down the middle, as if it + intended to divide the world in two halves, but after its passage the + darkness closed in thicker and heavier than ever. The sinister sound of + thunder muttering on the horizon now went on without ceasing. + </p> + <p> + Dick was awed. Like many another his brain exposed to such tremendous + pressure for two or three days, was not quite normal. It was quickly + heated and excited by fancies, and time and place alone were enough to + weigh down even the coolest and most seasoned. He pressed close to his + Confederate friends, whose names he never knew, and who never knew his, + and they, feeling the same influence, never for an instant left the man + who held the lantern. + </p> + <p> + The muttering thunder now came closer and broke in terrible crashes. The + lightning flashed again and again so vividly that Dick, with involuntary + motion, threw up his hands to shelter his eyes. But he could see before + him the mournful forest, where so many good men had fallen, and, turned + red in the gleam of the lightning, it was more terrifying than it had been + in the mere black of the night. The wind, too, was now blowing, and the + forest gave forth what Dick's ears turned into a long despairing wail. + </p> + <p> + “She's about to bust,” said the lantern bearer, looking up at the menacing + sky. “Jim, you'll have to take your wettin' as it comes.” + </p> + <p> + A moment later the storm burst in fact. The rain rushed down on them, + soaking them through in an instant, but Dick, so far from caring, liked + it. It cooled his heated body and brain, and he knew that it was more + likely to help than hurt the wounded who yet lay on the ground. + </p> + <p> + The lightning ceased before the sweep of the rain, but the lantern was + well protected by its glass cover, and they still searched. The lantern + bearer suddenly uttered a low cry. + </p> + <p> + “Boys!” he said, “Here's Sam!” + </p> + <p> + A thick and uncommonly powerful man lay doubled up against a bush. His + face was white. Dick saw that blood had just been washed from it by the + rain. But he could see no rising and falling of the chest, and he + concluded that he was dead. + </p> + <p> + “Take the lantern, Jim,” said the leader. Then he knelt down and put his + finger on his brother's wrist. + </p> + <p> + “He ain't dead,” he said at last. “His pulse is beatin' an' he'll come to + soon. The rain helped him. Whar was he hit? By gum, here it is! A bullet + has ploughed all along the side of his head, runnin' 'roun' his skull. + Here, you Yank, did you think you could kill Sam by shootin' him in the + head with a bullet? We've stood him up in front of our lines, and let you + fellows break fifty pound shells on his head. You never done him no harm, + 'cept once when two solid shot struck him at the same time an' he had a + headache nigh until sundown. Besides havin' natural thickness of the skull + Sam trained his head by buttin' with the black boys when he was young.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw that the man really felt deep emotion and was chattering, partly + to hide it. He was glad that they had found his brother, and he helped + them to lift him. Then they rubbed Sam's wrists and poured a stimulant + down his throat. In a few minutes he stood alone on his feet, yawned + mightily, and by the light of the dim lantern gazed at them in a sort of + stupid wonder. + </p> + <p> + “What's happened?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “What's happened?” replied his brother. “You was always late with the + news, Sam. Of course you've been takin' a nap, but a lot has happened. We + met the Yankees an' we've been fightin' 'em for two days. Tremenjous big + battle, an' we've whipped 'em. 'Scuse me, Yank, I forgot you was with us. + Well, nigh onto a million have been killed, which ought to be enough for + anybody. I love my country, but I don't care to love another at such a + price. But resumin' 'bout you pussonally, Sam, you stopped so many shells + an' solid shot with that thick head of yourn that the concussion at last + put you to sleep, an' we've found you so we kin take you in out of the wet + an' let you sleep in a dry place. Kin you walk?” + </p> + <p> + Sam made an effort, but staggered badly. + </p> + <p> + “Jim, you an' Dave take him by each shoulder an' walk him back to camp,” + said the lantern bearer. “You jest keep straight ahead an' you'll butt + into Marse Bob or old Stonewall, one or the other.” + </p> + <p> + “You lead the way with the lantern.” + </p> + <p> + “Never you mind about me or the lantern.” + </p> + <p> + “What you goin' to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Me? I'm goin' to keep this lantern an' help Yank here find his friend. + Ain't he done stuck with us till we found Sam, an' I reckon I'll stick + with him till he gits the boy he's lookin for, dead or alive. Now, you + keep Sam straight, and walk him back to camp. He ain't hurt. Why, that + bullet didn't dent his skull. It said to itself when it came smack up + against the bone: 'This is too tough for me, I guess I'll go 'roun'.' An' + it did go 'roun'. You can see whar it come out of the flesh on the other + side. Why, by the time Sam was fourteen years old we quit splittin' old + boards with an axe or a hatchet. We jest let Sam set on a log an' we split + 'em over his head. Everybody was suited. Sam could make himself pow'ful + useful without havin' to work.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the lantern bearer gave his brother the tenderest care, and + watched him until he and the men on either side of him were lost in the + darkness as they walked toward the Southern camp. + </p> + <p> + “I jest had to come an' find old Sam, dead or alive,” he said. “Now, which + way, Yank, do you think this friend of yours is layin'?” + </p> + <p> + “But you're comin' with us,” repeated Jim. + </p> + <p> + “No, I'm not. Didn't Yank here help us find Sam? An' are we to let the + Yanks give us lessons in manners? I reckon not. 'Sides, he's only a boy, + an' I'm goin' to see him through.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you,” said Dick, much moved. + </p> + <p> + “Don't thank me too much, 'cause while I'm walkin' 'roun' with you + friendly like to-night I may shoot you to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, all the same,” said Dick, his gratitude in nowise + diminished. + </p> + <p> + “Them that will stir no more are layin' mighty thick 'roun' here, but we + ought to find your friend pretty soon. By gum, how it rains! W'all, it'll + wash away some big stains, that wouldn't look nice in the mornin'. Say, + sonny, what started this rumpus, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “An' I don't, either, so I guess it's hoss an' hoss with you an' me. But, + sonny, I'll bet you a cracker ag'in a barrel of beef that none of them + that did start the rumpus are a-layin' on this field to-night. What kind + of lookin' feller did you say your young friend was?” + </p> + <p> + “Very tall, very thin, and about my age or perhaps a year or two older.” + </p> + <p> + “Take a good look, an' see if this ain't him.” + </p> + <p> + He held up the lantern and the beams fell upon a long figure half raised + upon an elbow. The figure was turned toward the light and stared unknowing + at Dick and the Southerner. There was a great clot of blood upon his right + breast and shoulder, but it was Warner. Dick swallowed hard. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he said, “it's my comrade, but he's hurt badly.” + </p> + <p> + “So bad that he don't know you or anybody else. He's clean out of his + head.” + </p> + <p> + They leaned over him, and Dick called: + </p> + <p> + “George! George! It's Dick Mason, your comrade, come to help you back to + camp!” + </p> + <p> + But Warner merely stared with feverish, unseeing eyes. + </p> + <p> + “He's out of his head, as I told you, an' he's like to be for many hours,” + said the lantern bearer. “It's a shore thing that I won't shoot him + to-morrow, nor he won't shoot me.” + </p> + <p> + He leaned over Warner and carefully examined the wound. + </p> + <p> + “He's lucky, after all,” he said, “the bullet went in just under the right + shoulder, but it curved, as bullets have a way of doin' sometimes, an' has + come out on the side. There ain't no lead in him now, which is good. He + was pow'ful lucky, too, in not bein' hit in the head, 'cause he ain't got + no such skull as Sam has, not within a mile of it. His skull wouldn't have + turned no bullet. He has lost a power of blood, but if you kin get him + back to camp, an' use the med'cines which you Yanks have in such lots an' + which we haven't, he may get well.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good advice,” said Dick. “Help me up with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Take him on your back. That's the best way to carry a sick man.” + </p> + <p> + He set down his lantern, took up Warner bodily and put him on Dick's back. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you can carry him all right,” he said. “I'd light you with the + lantern a piece of the way, but I've been out here long enough. Marse Bob + an' old Stonewall will get tired waitin' fur me to tell 'em how to end + this war in a month.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, holding Warner in place with one hand, held out the other, and said: + </p> + <p> + “You're a white man, through and through, Johnny Reb. Shake!” + </p> + <p> + “So are you, Yank. There's nothin' wrong with you 'cept that you happened + to get on the wrong side, an' I don't hold that ag'in you. I guess it was + an innercent mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye. Keep straight ahead an' you'll strike that camp of yourn that + we're goin' to take in the mornin'. Gosh, how it rains!” + </p> + <p> + Dick retained his idea of direction, and he walked straight through the + darkness toward the Northern camp. George was a heavy load, but he did not + struggle. His head sank down against his comrade's and Dick felt that it + was burning with fever. + </p> + <p> + “Good old George,” he murmured to himself rather than to his comrade, + “I'll save you.” + </p> + <p> + Excitement and resolve had given him a strength twice the normal, a + strength that would last the fifteen or twenty minutes needed until this + task was finished. Despite the darkness and the driving rain, he could now + see the lights in his own camp, and bending forward a little to support + the dead weight on his back, he walked in a straight course toward them. + </p> + <p> + “Halt! Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + The form of a sentinel, rifle raised, rose up before him in the darkness + and the rain. + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment, bringing in + Lieutenant George Warner of the same regiment, who is badly wounded.” + </p> + <p> + The sentinel lowered his rifle and looked at them sympathetically. + </p> + <p> + “Hangs like he's dead, but he ain't,” he said. “You'll find a sort of + hospital over thar in the big tents among them trees.” + </p> + <p> + Dick found the improvised hospital, and put George down on a rude cot, + within the shelter of one of the tents. + </p> + <p> + “He's my friend,” he said to a young doctor, “and I wish you'd save him.” + </p> + <p> + “There are hundreds of others who have friends also, but I'll do my best. + Shot just under the right shoulder, but the bullet, luckily, has turned + and gone out. It's loss of blood that hurt him most. You soldiers kill + more men than we doctors can save. I'm bound to say that. But your friend + won't die. I'll see to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Dick. He saw that the doctor was kind-hearted, and a + marvel of endurance and industry. He could not ask for more at such a + time, and he went out of the tent, leaving George to his care. + </p> + <p> + It was still raining, but the soldiers managed to keep many fires going, + despite it, and Dick passed between them as he sought Colonel Winchester, + and the fragments of his regiment. He found the colonel wrapped in a + greatcoat, leaning against a tree under a few feet of canvas supported on + sticks. Pennington, sound asleep, sat on a root of the same tree, also + under the canvas, but with the rain beating on his left arm and shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester looked inquiringly at Dick, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “I've been away without leave, sir,” said Dick, “but I think I have + sufficient excuse.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I've brought in Warner.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Is he dead?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. He's had a bullet through him and he's feverish and unconscious, + but the doctor says that with care he'll get well.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you find him?” + </p> + <p> + “Over there by the edge of the wood, sir, within what is now the + Confederate lines.” + </p> + <p> + “A credit to your courage and to your heart. Sit down here. There's a + little more shelter under the canvas, and go to sleep. You're too much + hardened now to be hurt seriously by wet clothes.” + </p> + <p> + Dick sat down with his back against the tree, and, despite his soaked + condition, slept as soundly as Pennington. When he awoke in the morning + the hot sun was shining again, and his clothes soon dried on him. He felt + a little stiffness and awkwardness at first, but in a few minutes it + passed away. Then breakfast restored his strength, and he looked curiously + about him. + </p> + <p> + Around him was the Northern army, and before him was the vast battlefield, + now occupied by the foe. He heard sounds of distant rifle shots, + indicating that the skirmishers were still restless, but it was no more + now than the buzzing of flies. Pennington, coming back from the hospital, + hailed him. + </p> + <p> + “George has come to,” he said. “Great deed of yours last night, Dick. Wish + I'd done it myself. They let old George talk just a little, but he's his + real old Vermont self again. Says chances were ninety-nine and a half per + cent that he would die there on the battlefield, but that the half per + cent, which was yourself, won. Fancy being only half of one per cent, and + doing a thing like that. No, you can't see him. Only one visitor was + allowed, and that's me. His fever is leaving him, and he swallowed a + little soup. Now, he's going to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + Dick felt very grateful. Pennington had been up some time, and as they sat + down in the sun he gave Dick the news. + </p> + <p> + “It was a bad night,” he said. “After you staggered in with George, the + rebels, in spite of the rain, harassed us. I was waked up after midnight, + and the colonel began to believe that we would have to fight again before + morning, though the need didn't come, so far as we were concerned. But we + were terribly worried on the flanks. They say it was Stuart and his + cavalry who were bothering us.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the outlook for to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. I hear that General Pope has sent a dispatch saying that + the enemy is badly whipped, and that we'll hold our own here. But between + you and me, Dick, I don't believe it. We've been driven out of all our + positions, so we can hardly call it a victory for our side.” + </p> + <p> + “But we may hold on where we are and win a victory yet. McClellan and the + Army of the Potomac may come. Anyway, we can get big reinforcements.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington clasped his arms over his knees and sang: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The race is not to him that's got + The longest legs to run, + Nor the battle to those people + That shoot the biggest gun.” + </pre> + <p> + “Where did you get that song?” asked Dick. “I'll allow, under the + circumstances, that there seems to be some sense in it.” + </p> + <p> + “A Texan that we captured last night sang it to us. He was a funny kind of + fellow. Didn't seem to be worried a bit because he was taken. Said if his + own people didn't retake him that he'd escape in a week, anyhow. Likely + enough he will, too. But he was good company, and he sang us that song. + Impudent, wasn't he?” + </p> + <p> + “But true so far, at least in the east. I fancy from what you say, Frank, + that we'll be here a day longer anyhow. I hope so, I want to rest.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I. I won't fight to-day, unless I'm ordered to do it. But I'm + thinking with you, Dick, that we'll retreat. We were outmaneuvered by Lee + and Jackson. That circuit of Jackson's through Thoroughfare Gap and the + attack from the rear undid us. It comes of being kept in the dark by the + enemy, instead of your keeping him in the dark. We never knew where the + blow was going to fall, and when it fell a lot of us weren't there. But, + Dick, old boy, we're going to win, in the end, aren't we, in spite of Lee, + in spite of Jackson, and in spite of everybody and everything?” + </p> + <p> + “As surely as the rising and setting of the sun, Frank.” + </p> + <p> + Although Dick had little to do that day, events were occurring. It was in + the minds of Lee and Jackson that they might yet destroy the army which + they had already defeated, and heavy divisions of the Southern army were + moving. Dick heard about night that Jackson had marched ten miles, through + fields deep in mud, and meant to fall on Pope's flank or rear again. + Stuart and his unresting cavalry were also on their right flank and in the + rear, doing damage everywhere. Longstreet had sent a brigade across Bull + Run, and at many points the enemy was pressing closer. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, Pope, alarmed by all the sinister movements on his + flanks and in his rear, gathered up his army and retreated. It was full + time or the vise would have shut down on him again. Late that day the + division under Kearney came into contact with Jackson's flanking force in + the forest. A short but fierce battle ensued, fought in the night and amid + new torrents of driving rain. General Kearney was killed by a skirmisher, + but the night and the rain grew so dense, and they were in such a tangle + of thickets and forests that both sides drew off, and Pope's army passed + on. + </p> + <p> + Dick was not in this battle, but he heard it's crash and roar above the + sweep of the storm. He and the balance of the regiment were helping to + guard the long train of the wounded. Now and then, he leaned from his + horse and looked at Warner who lay in one of the covered wagons. + </p> + <p> + “I'm getting along all right, Dick, old man,” said Warner. “What's all + that firing off toward the woods?” + </p> + <p> + “A battle, but it won't stop us. We retreated in time.” + </p> + <p> + “And we've been defeated. Well, we can stand it. It takes a good nation to + stand big defeats. You know I taught school once, Dick, and I learned that + the biggest nation the world has ever known was the one that suffered the + biggest defeats. Look at the terrible knocks the Romans got! Why the Gauls + nearly ate 'em alive two or three times, and for years Hannibal whipped + 'em every time he could get at 'em. But they ended by whipping everybody + who had whipped them. They whipped the whole world, and they kept it + whipped until they played out from old age.” + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed cheerily. + </p> + <p> + “Now, you shut up, George,” he said. “You've talked too much. What's the + use of going back as far as the old Romans for comfort. We can win without + having to copy a lot of old timers.” + </p> + <p> + He dropped the flap of canvas and rode on listening to the sounds of the + combat. A powerful figure stepped out of the bushes and stood beside his + horse. It was Sergeant Whitley, who had passed through the battle without + a scratch. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened, Sergeant?” asked Dick, as he sat in the rain and + listened to the dying fire. + </p> + <p> + “There has been a fight, and both are quitting because they can't see + enough to carry it on any longer. But General Kearney has been killed.” + </p> + <p> + The retreat continued until they reached the Potomac and were in the great + fortifications before Washington. Then Pope resigned, and the star of + McClellan rose again. The command of the armies about Washington was + entrusted to him, and the North gathered itself anew for the mighty + struggle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + </h2> + <p> + When the Union army, defeated at the Second Manassas fell back on + Washington, Dick was detached for a few days from the regiment by Colonel + Winchester, partly that he might have a day or two of leave, and partly + that he might watch over Warner, who was making good progress. + </p> + <p> + Warner was in a wagon that contained half a dozen other wounded men, or + rather boys, and they were all silent like stoics as they passed over the + bridge to a hospital in Washington. His side and shoulder pained him, and + he had recurrent periods of fever, but he was making fine progress. + </p> + <p> + Dick found his comrade on a small cot among dozens of others in a great + room. But George's cot was near a window and the pleasant sunshine poured + in. It was now the opening of September, and the hot days were passing. + There was a new sparkle and crispness in the air, and Warner, wounded as + he was, felt it. + </p> + <p> + “We're back in the capital to enjoy ourselves a while,” he said lightly to + Dick, “and I'm glad to see that the weather will be fine for + sight-seeing.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, here we are,” said Dick. “The Johnnies beat us this time. They + didn't outfight us, but they had the best generals. As soon as you're + well, George, we'll start out again and lick 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you told 'em to wait for me, Dick. That's what you ought to do. + I hear that McClellan is at the head of things again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the Army of the Potomac is to the front once more, and it's taken + over the Army of Virginia. We hear that Pope is going out to the northwest + to fight Indians.” + </p> + <p> + “McClellan is not likely to be trapped as Pope was, but he's so + tremendously cautious that he'll never trap anything himself. Now, which + kind of a general would you choose, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “As between those two I'll take McClellan. The soldiers at least like him + and believe in him. And George, our man in the east hasn't come yet. The + generals we've had don't hammer. They don't concentrate, rush right in and + rain blows on the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you know the right man, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm making a guess. It's Grant. We saw him at Donelson and Shiloh. + Surprised at both places, he won anyhow. He wouldn't be beat. That's the + kind of man we want here in the east.” + </p> + <p> + “You may be right, Dick, but the politicians in this part of the country + all run him down. Halleck has been transferred to Washington as a sort of + general commander and adviser to the President, and they say he doesn't + like Grant.” + </p> + <p> + Further talk was cut short by a young army surgeon, and Dick left George, + saying that he would come back the next day. The streets of Washington + were full of sunshine, but not of hope and cheerfulness. The most terrible + suspense reigned there. Never before or since was Washington in such + alarm. A hostile and victorious army was within a day's march. Pope almost + to the last had talked of victory. Then came a telegram, asking if the + capital could be defended in case his army was destroyed. Next came the + army preceded by thousands of stragglers and heralds of disaster. + </p> + <p> + The people were dropped from the golden clouds of hope to the hard earth + of despair. They strained their eyes toward Manassas, where the flag of + the Union had twice gone down in disaster. It was said, and there was + ample cause for the saying of it, that Lee and Jackson with their + victorious veterans would appear any moment before the capital. There were + rumors that the government was packing up in order to flee northward to + Philadelphia or even New York. + </p> + <p> + But Dick believed none of these rumors. In fact, he was not greatly + alarmed by any of them. He was sure that McClellan, although without + genius, would restore the stamina of the troops, if indeed it were ever + lost, which he doubted very much. He had seen how splendidly they fought + at the Second Manassas, and he knew that there was no panic among them. + Moreover, the North was an inexhaustible storehouse of men and material, + and whenever one soldier fell two grew in his place. + </p> + <p> + So he strode through the crowded streets, calm of face and manner, and + took his way once more to the hotel, where he had sat and listened to the + talk before the Second Manassas. The lobby was packed with men, and there + was but one topic, the military situation. Would Lee and Jackson advance, + hot upon the heels of their victory? Would Washington fall? Would + McClellan be able to save them? Why weren't the generals of the North as + good as those of the South? + </p> + <p> + Dick listened to the talk which was for all who might choose to hear. He + did not assume any superior frame of mind, merely because he had fought in + many battles and these men had fought in none. He retained the natural + modesty of youth, and knowing that one who looked on might sometimes be a + better judge of what was happening than the one who took part, he weighed + carefully what they said. + </p> + <p> + He was in a comfortable chair by the wall, and while he sat there a heavy + man of middle age, whom he remembered well, approached and stood before + him, regarding him with a keen and measuring eye. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Mr. Watson,” said Dick politely. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it is you, Lieutenant Mason!” said the contractor. “I thought so, but + I was not sure, as you are thinner than you were when I last saw you. I'll + just take this seat beside you.” + </p> + <p> + A man in the next chair had moved and the contractor dropped into it. Then + he crossed his legs, and smoothed the upper knee with a strong, fat hand. + </p> + <p> + “You've had quite a trip since I last saw you, Mr. Mason,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “We didn't go so terribly far.” + </p> + <p> + “It's not length that makes a trip. It's what you see and what happens.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw a lot, and a hundred times more than what I saw happened.” + </p> + <p> + The contractor took two fine cigars from his vest pocket and handed one to + Dick. + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you,” said the boy, “I've never learned to smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that's because you come from Kentucky, where they raise so much + tobacco. When you see a thing so thick around you, you don't care for it. + Well, we'll talk while I light mine and puff it. And so, young man, you + ran against Lee and Jackson!” + </p> + <p> + “We did, or they ran against us, which comes to the same thing.” + </p> + <p> + “And got well thrashed. There's no denying it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not trying to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right. I thought from the first that you were a young man of + sense. I'm glad to see that you didn't get yourself killed.” + </p> + <p> + “A great many good men did.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so, and a great many more will go the same way. You just listen to + me. I don't wear any uniform, but I've got eyes to see and ears to hear. I + suppose that more monumental foolishness has been hidden under cocked hats + and gold lace than under anything else, since the world began. Easy now, I + don't say that fools are not more numerous outside armies than in them—there + are more people outside—but the mistakes of generals are more + costly.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose our generals are doing the best they can. You will let me speak + plainly, will you, Mr. Watson?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, young man. Go ahead.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you feel badly over a disaster of your own. I saw the smoking + fires at Bristoe Station. The rebels burned there several million dollars + worth of stores belonging to us. Maybe a large part of them were your own + goods.” + </p> + <p> + The contractor rubbed his huge knee with one hand, took his cigar out of + his mouth with the other hand, blew several rings of fine blue smoke from + his nose, and watched them break against the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “you're a good guesser, but you don't guess all. + More than a million dollars worth of material that I supplied was burned + or looted at Bristoe Station. But it had all been paid for by a perfectly + solvent Union government. So, if I were to consider it from the purely + material standpoint, which you imagine to be the only one I have, I should + rejoice over the raids of the rebels because they make trade for + contractors. I'm a patriot, even if I do not fight at the front. Besides + my feelings have been hurt.” + </p> + <p> + “In what way?” + </p> + <p> + The contractor drew from his pocket a coarse brown envelope, and he took + from the envelope a letter, written on paper equally coarse and brown. + </p> + <p> + “I received this letter last night,” he said. “It was addressed simply + 'John Watson, Washington, D. C.,' and the post office people gave it to me + at once. It came from somebody within the Confederate lines. You know how + the Northern and Southern pickets exchange tobacco, newspapers and such + things, when they're not fighting. I suppose the letter was passed on to + me in that way. Listen.” + </p> + <p> + “John Watson, Washington, D. C. + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir: I have never met you, but certain circumstances have made me + acquainted with your name. Believing therefore that you are a man of + judgment and fairness I feel justified in making to you a complaint which + I am sure you will agree with me is well-founded. At a little place called + Bristoe Station I recently obtained a fine, blue uniform, the tint of + which wind and rain will soon turn to our own excellent Confederate gray. + I found your own name as maker stamped upon the neck band of both coat and + vest. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to say however that after I had worn the coat only twice the + seams ripped across both shoulders, I admit that the fit was a little + tight, but work well done would not yield so quickly. I also picked out a + pair of beautiful shoes, bearing your name stamped upon them. The leather + cracked after the first day's use, and good leather will never crack so + soon. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my dear Mr. Watson, I feel that you have treated me unfairly. I will + not use any harsher word. We do not expect you to supply us with goods of + this quality, and we certainly look for something better from you next + time. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Your obedient servant, + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, + Lieutenant 'The Invincibles,' + C. S. A.” + </pre> + <p> + “Now, did you ever hear of another piece of impudence like that?” said + Watson. “It has its humorous side, I admit, and you're justified in + laughing, but it's impudence all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is impudence, and do you know, Mr. Watson, I've met the writer of + that letter. He is a South Carolinian, and from his standpoint he has a + real grievance. I never knew anybody else as particular about his clothes, + and it seems that the uniform and shoes you furnished him are not all + right. He's a gentleman and he wouldn't lie. I met him at Cedar Run, when + the burying parties were going over the field. He was introduced to me by + my cousin, Harry Kenton, who is on the other side. Harry wouldn't + associate with any fellow who isn't all right.” + </p> + <p> + “All the same, if I ever catch that young jackanapes of a St. Clair—it's + an easy name to remember—I'll strip my uniform off him and turn him + loose for his own comrades to laugh at.” + </p> + <p> + “But we won't catch either him or his comrades for a long time.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so, but in the end we'll catch 'em. Now, Mr. Mason, you don't + agree with me about many things, but you're only a boy and you'll know + better later on. Anyway, I like you, and if you need help at any time and + can reach me, come.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do so, and I thank you now,” said Dick, who saw that the + contractor's tone was sincere. + </p> + <p> + “That's right, good-bye. I see a senator whom I need.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands and Watson hurried away with great lightness and agility + for so large a man. + </p> + <p> + Dick stayed two days longer in Washington, visiting Warner twice a day and + seeing with gladness his rapid improvement. When he was with him the last + time, and told him he was going to join the Army of the Potomac, Warner + said: + </p> + <p> + “Dick, old man, I haven't spoken before of the way you brought me in from + that last battlefield. Pennington has told me about it—but if I + didn't it was not because I wasn't grateful. Up in Vermont we're not much + on words—our training I suppose, though I don't say it is the best + training. It's quite sure that I'd have died if you hadn't found me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, George, I looked for you as a matter of course. You'd have done + exactly the same for me.” + </p> + <p> + “That's just it, but I didn't get the chance. Now, Dick, there's going to + be another big battle before long, and I shall be up in time for it. + You'll be there, too. Couldn't you get yourself shot late in the + afternoon, lie on the ground, feverish and delirious until far in the + night, when I'd come for you. Then I could pay you back.” + </p> + <p> + Dick laughed. He knew that at the bottom of Warner's jest lay a resolve to + match the score, whenever the chance should come. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, George,” he said. “I'll look for you in two weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “Make it only ten days. McClellan will need me by that time.” + </p> + <p> + But it seemed to Dick that McClellan would need him and every other man at + once. Lee was marching. Passing by the capital he had advanced into + Maryland, a Southern state, but one that had never seceded. The + Southerners expected to find many reinforcements here among their kindred. + The regiments in gray, flushed with victory, advanced singing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The despot's heel is on thy shore, + Maryland! + His torch is at thy temple door, + Maryland! + Avenge the patriotic gore + That flecked the streets of Baltimore + And be the battle queen of yore, + Maryland, my Maryland!” + </pre> + <p> + Dick knew that the South expected much of Maryland. Her people were + Southerners. Their valor in the Revolution was unsurpassed. People still + talked of the Maryland line and its great deeds. Many of the Marylanders + had already come to Lee and Jackson, and now that the Southern army, led + by its famous leaders and crowned with victories, was on their soil, it + was expected that they would pour forward in thousands, relieved from the + fear of Northern armies. + </p> + <p> + Alarm, deep and intense, spread all through the North. McClellan, as + usual, doubled Lee's numbers but he organized with all speed to meet him. + Dick heard that Lee was already at Frederick, giving his troops a few + days' repose before meeting any enemy who might come. The utmost + confidence reigned in the South. + </p> + <p> + McClellan marched, but he advanced slowly. The old mystery and uncertainty + about the Southern army returned. It suddenly disappeared from Frederick, + and McClellan became extremely cautious. He had nearly a hundred thousand + men, veterans now, but he believed that Lee had two hundred thousand. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester again complained bitterly to Dick, who was a comrade as + well as an aide. + </p> + <p> + “What we need,” he said, “is a general who doesn't see double, and we + haven't got him yet. We must spend less time counting the rebels and more + hammering them.” + </p> + <p> + “A civilian in Washington told me that,” said Dick. “I believed then that + he was right, and I believe it yet. If General Grant were here he'd attack + instead of waiting to be attacked.” + </p> + <p> + But the Army of the Potomac continued to march forward in a slow and + hesitating fashion. Dick, despite his impatience, appreciated the position + of General McClellan. No one in the Union army or in the North knew the + plans of Lee and Jackson. Lee had not even consulted the President of the + Confederacy but had merely notified him that he was going into Maryland. + </p> + <p> + Now Lee and Jackson had melted away again in the mist that so often + overhung their movements. McClellan could not be absolutely sure they + intended an important invasion of Maryland. They might be planning to fall + upon the capital from another direction. The Union commander must protect + Washington and at the same time look for his enemy. + </p> + <p> + The army marched near the Potomac, and Dick, as he rode with his regiment, + saw McClellan several times. It had not been many months since he took his + great army by sea for what seemed to be the certain capture of Richmond, + but McClellan, although a very young man for so high a position, had + already changed much. His face was thinner, and it seemed to Dick that he + had lost something of his confident look. The awful Seven Days and his + bitter disappointment had left their imprint. Nevertheless he was trim, + neat and upright, and always wore a splendid uniform. An unfailing + favorite with the soldiers, they cheered him as he passed, and he would + raise his hat, a flush of pride showing through the tan of his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “If a general, after being defeated, can still retain the confidence of + his army he must have great qualities of some kind,” said Dick to Colonel + Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “That's true, Dick. McClellan lost at the Seven Days, and he has just + taken over an army that was trapped and beaten under Pope, but behold the + spirits of the men, although the Second Manassas is only a few days away. + McClellan looks after the private soldier, and if he could only look after + an army in the way that he organizes it this war would soon be over.” + </p> + <p> + Dick noticed that the colonel put emphasis on the “if” and his heart sank + a little. But it soon rose again. The Army of the Potomac was now a + veteran body. It had been tested in the fire of defeat, and it had emerged + stronger and braver than ever. + </p> + <p> + But Dick did not like the mystery about Lee and Jackson. They had an + extraordinary ability to drop out of sight, to draw a veil before them so + completely that no Union scout or skirmisher could penetrate it. And these + disappearances were always full of sinister omens, portending a terrible + attack from an unknown quarter. But when Dick looked upon the great and + brave Army of the Potomac, nearly a hundred thousand strong, his + apprehensions disappeared. The Army of the Potomac could not be beaten, + and since Lee and Jackson were venturing so far from their base, they + might be destroyed. He confided his faith to Pennington who rode beside + him. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Frank, old man,” he said, “the Southern army may never get + back into Virginia.” + </p> + <p> + “Not if we light a prairie fire behind it and set another in front. Then + we'll have 'em trapped same as they trapped us at Manassas. Wouldn't it be + funny if we'd turn their own trick on 'em, and end the war right away?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be more than funny. It would be grand, superb, splendid, + magnificent. But I wish old George was here. Why did he want to get in the + way of that bullet? I hate to think of ending the war without him.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe he'll get up in time yet, Dick. I saw him a few hours before we + started. The doctors said that youth, clean blood and clean living counted + for a lot—I guess George would put it at ninety per cent, and that + his wound, the bullet having gone through, would heal at a record rate.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll see him soon. When he's strong enough to ride a horse, nothing + can hold him back.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so. I see houses ahead. What place is it, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “It must be Frederick. We had reports that the Johnnies were about here, + but they must have vanished, since no bullets meet us. The colonel is + looking through his glasses, and, as he does not check his horse, it is + evident that the enemy is not there.” + </p> + <p> + “But maybe he has been there, and if he has we'll just take his place. I + like the looks of these Maryland towns, Frank, and they're not so hostile + to us.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester's skeleton regiment, now not amounting to more than + three hundred men, was in the vanguard and it rode forward rapidly. The + people received them without either enthusiasm or marked hostility. Yet + the Union vanguard obtained news. Lee had been there with his army, but he + had gone away! Where! They could not say. The Southern officers had been + silent and the soldiers had not known. None of the people of Frederick had + been allowed to follow. A cloud of cavalry covered the Southern movements. + </p> + <p> + “Not so definite after all,” said Dick. “We know that the Southern army + has been here, but we don't know where it has gone.” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate,” said Pennington, “we're on the trail, and we're bound to + find it sooner or later. I learned from the hunters in Nebraska that when + you strike the trail of a buffalo herd, all you had to do was to keep on + and you'd strike the herd itself.” + </p> + <p> + It was not yet noon and McClellan's army began to go into camp at + Frederick. Dick and Pennington got a chance to stroll about a little, and + they picked up much gossip. Young women, with strong Southern + proclivities, looked with frowning eyes upon their blue uniforms, but the + frank and pleasant smiles of the two lads disarmed them. Older women of + the same proclivities did not melt so easily, but continued to regard them + with a hard and burning gaze. + </p> + <p> + But there were men strongly for the Union, and the two friendly lads + picked up many details from them. They showed them a grove in which Lee, + Jackson, Longstreet and D. H. Hill had all been camped at once. People had + gone there daily for a glimpse of these famous men. + </p> + <p> + They also showed the boys the very spot where Stonewall Jackson had come + near to making an ignominious end of his great career. His faithful horse, + Little Sorrel, had been worn out by incessant marchings and must rest for + a while. The people gave him a splendid horse, but one that had not been + broken well. The first time he mounted it a band happened to begin + playing, the horse sprang wildly, the saddle girth broke and Jackson was + thrown heavily to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better believe there was excitement then,” said the narrator, a + clerk in one of the stores. “Everybody ran forward to pick up the general. + He had been thrown so hard that he was stunned and had big bruises. That + horse did him more damage than all the armies of the North have done. I + can tell you there was alarm for a while among the Johnnies, but they say + he was all over it before he left.” + </p> + <p> + They wandered back toward their own command and the obliging guide pointed + out to them a house which the Confederate generals had made their + headquarters. They saw Colonel Winchester entering it, and thanking the + clerk, followed him. + </p> + <p> + Union officers were already in the house looking with curiosity at the + chairs and tables that Jackson and Lee and Longstreet had occupied. Dick + caught sight of a small package lying on one of the tables, but another + man picked it up first. As he did so he looked at Dick and said in + triumph: + </p> + <p> + “Three good cigars that the rebels have left behind. Have one, Mason?” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, but I don't smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, I'll find someone else who does.” + </p> + <p> + He pulled off a piece of paper wrapped around them, threw it on the floor + and put the cigars in his pocket. Dick was about to turn away when he + happened to glance at the wrapping lying on the floor. + </p> + <p> + His eyes were caught by the words written in large letters: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTH— +</pre> + <p> + Something seemed to shoot through his brain. It was like a flash of + warning or command and he obeyed at once. He picked up the paper and + smoothed it out in his hand. The full line read like the headline in a + newspaper: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. +</pre> + <p> + Then with eyes bulging in his head he read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. +Special Orders, No. 191. +</pre> + <p> + The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road. + General Jackson's command will form the advance, and after passing + Middletown with such portions as he may select, take their route toward + Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point and by Friday + morning take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, capture such of + them as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to escape + from Harper's Ferry. + </p> + <p> + General Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as + Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve supply and baggage train + of the army. + </p> + <p> + General McLaws with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson + will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown will take the route + to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the Maryland + Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and vicinity. + </p> + <p> + Dick stopped a moment and gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” called the man with the cigars, “there is nothing more to be + seen here.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it was his duty to rush at once with it to a superior officer, but + the spell was too strong. He read on: + </p> + <p> + General Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object on which + he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford, ascend its + right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Sundown Heights, if + practicable, by Friday morning, Key's Grove on his left, and the road + between the end of the mountains and the Potomac on his right. He will, as + far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General Jackson, + and intercept the retreat of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + General D. H. Hill's division will form the rear-guard of the army, + pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, ordinance + and supply trains, etc., will precede General Hill. + </p> + <p> + Dick gasped and he heard someone calling again to him to come, but he read + on: + </p> + <p> + General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the commands + of Generals Longstreet, Jackson and McLaws, and with the main body of the + cavalry will cover the route of the army, bringing up all the stragglers + that may have been left behind. + </p> + <p> + The commands of General Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after accomplishing + the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body of + the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Each regiment on the march will habitually carry its axes in the +regimental ordnance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments, to +procure wood, etc. R. H. CHILTON, + Assistant Adjutant General. +</pre> + <p> + Dick clutched the paper in his hands and for the moment his throat seemed + to contract so tightly that he could not breathe. Then he felt a burst of + wild joy. + </p> + <p> + One of the most extraordinary incidents in the whole history of war had + occurred. He knew in an instant that this was Lee's general orders to his + army, and that at such a time nothing could be more important. Evidently + copies of it had been sent to all his division commanders, and this one by + some singular chance either had not reached its destination, or had been + tossed carelessly aside after reading. Found by those who needed it most + wrapped around three cigars! It was a miracle! Nothing short of it! How + could the Union army be defeated after such an omen? + </p> + <p> + It was the copy intended for the Southern general, D. H. Hill—he + denied that he ever received it—but it did not matter to Dick then + for whom it was intended. He saw at once all the possibilities. Lee and + Jackson had divided their army again. Emboldened by the splendid success + of their daring maneuver at Manassas they were going to repeat it. + </p> + <p> + He looked again at the date on the order. September 9th! And this was the + 13th! Jackson was to march on the 10th. He had been gone three days with + the half, perhaps, of Lee's army, and Lee himself must be somewhere near + at hand. The Union scouts could quickly find him and the ninety thousand + veterans of the Army of the Potomac could crush him to powder in a day. + What a chance! No, it was not a chance. It was a miracle. The key had been + put in McClellan's hand and it would take but one turn of his wrist to + unlock the door upon dazzling success. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw the war finished in a month. Lee could not have more than twenty + or twenty-five thousand men with him, and Jackson was three or four days' + march away. He clutched the order in his hand and ran toward Colonel + Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “Here, take it, sir! Take it!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Take what?” + </p> + <p> + “Look! Look! See what it is!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester took one glance at it, and then he, too, became + excited. He hurried with it to General McClellan, and that day the + commander-in-chief telegraphed to the anxious President at Washington: + </p> + <p> + “I have all the plans of the rebels, and will catch them in my own trap, + if my men are equal to the emergency.” + </p> + <p> + The shrewd Lincoln took notice of the qualifying clause, “if my men are + equal to the emergency,” and sighed a little. Already this general, so + bold in design and so great in preparation was making excuses for possible + failure in action—if he failed his men and not he would be to blame. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + </h2> + <p> + Dick carried the news to Pennington who danced with delight. + </p> + <p> + “We've got 'em! we've got 'em!” he cried over and over again. + </p> + <p> + “So we have,” said Dick, “we'll be marching in a half hour and then the + trap will shut down so tight on Robert Lee that he'll never raise the lid + again.” + </p> + <p> + It was nearly noon, and they expected every moment the order to start, but + it did not come. Dick began to be tormented by an astonished impatience, + and he saw that Colonel Winchester suffered in the same way. The army + showed no signs of moving. Was it possible that McClellan would not + advance at once on Lee, whom the scouts had now located definitely? The + hot afternoon hours grew long as they passed one by one, and many a brave + man ate his heart out with anger at the delay. Dick saw Sergeant Whitley + walking up and down, and he was eager to hear his opinion. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, sergeant?” he asked. “Why do we sit here, twiddling our + thumbs when there is an army waiting to be taken by us?” + </p> + <p> + “You're a commissioned officer, sir, and I'm only a private.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind about that. You're a veteran of many years and many fights, + and I know but little. Why do we sit still in the dust and fail to take + the great prize that's offered to us?” + </p> + <p> + “The men of an army, sir, do the fighting, but its generals are its + brains. It is for the brains to judge, to see and to command. The generals + cannot win without the men, and the men cannot win without the generals. + Now, in this case, sir, you can see—” + </p> + <p> + He stopped and shrugged his shoulders, as if it were not for him to say + any more. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Dick bitterly. “You needn't say it, sergeant, but I'll say + it for you. General McClellan has been overcome by caution again, and he + sees two Johnnies where but one stands.” + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Whitley shrugged his shoulders again, but said nothing. Dick was + about to turn away, when he saw a tall, thin figure approaching. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Warner,” said Sergeant Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “So it is,” exclaimed Dick. “It's really good old George come to help us!” + </p> + <p> + He rushed forward and shook hands with Warner who although thin and pale + was as cool and apparently almost as strong as ever. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, Dick,” he said, “and the great battle hasn't been fought. I + knew they couldn't fight it without me. The hospital at Washington + dismissed me in disgrace because I got well so fast. 'What's the use,' + said one of the doctors, 'in getting up and running away to the army to + get killed? You could die much more comfortably here in bed.' 'Not at + all,' I replied. 'I don't get killed when I'm with the army. I merely get + nearly killed. Then I lie unconscious on the field, in the rain, until + some good friend comes along, takes me away on his back and puts me in a + warm bed. It's a lot safer than staying in your hospital all the time.'” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, shut up, George! Come and see the boys. They'll be glad to know + you're back—what's left of 'em.” + </p> + <p> + Warner's welcome was in truth warm. He seemed more phlegmatic than ever, + but he opened his eyes wide when they told him of the dispatch that had + been lost and found. + </p> + <p> + “General McClellan must have been waiting for me,” he said. “Tell him I've + come.” + </p> + <p> + But General McClellan did not yet move. The last long hour of the day + passed. The sun set in red and gold behind the western mountains, and the + Army of the Potomac still rested in its camp, although privates even knew + that precious hours were being lost, and that booming cannon might already + be telling the defenders of Harper's Ferry that Jackson was at hand. + </p> + <p> + Nor were they far wrong. While McClellan lingered on through the night, + never moving from his camp, Jackson and his generals were pushing forward + with fiery energy and at dawn the next day had surrounded Harper's Ferry + and its doomed garrison of more than twelve thousand men. + </p> + <p> + But these were things that Dick could not guess that night. One small + detachment had been sent ahead by McClellan, chiefly for scouting + purposes, and in the darkness the boy who had gone a little distance + forward with Colonel Winchester heard the booming of cannon. It was a + faint sound but unmistakable, and Dick glanced at his chief. + </p> + <p> + “That detachment has come into contact with the rebels somewhere there in + the mountains,” he said, “and the ridges and valleys are bringing us the + echoes. Oh, why in Heaven's name are we delayed here through all the + precious moments! Every hour's delay will cost the lives of ten thousand + good men!” + </p> + <p> + And it is likely that in the end Colonel Winchester's reckoning was too + moderate. He and Dick gazed long in the direction in which Harper's Ferry + lay, and they listened, too, to the faint mutter of the guns among the + hills. Before dawn, scouts came in, saying that there had been hard + fighting off toward Harper's Ferry, and that Lee with the other division + of the Southern army was retreating into a peninsula formed by the + junction of the river Antietam with the Potomac, where he would await the + coming of Jackson, after taking Harper's Ferry. + </p> + <p> + “Jackson hasn't taken Harper's Ferry yet,” said Dick, when he heard the + news. “Many of Banks' veterans of the valley are there, and, our men + instead of being crushed by defeat, are always improved by it.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, I wish we'd march,” said Warner. “I didn't come here merely to go + into camp. I might as well have stayed in the hospital.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless they moved at daylight. McClellan had made up his mind at + last, and the army advanced joyfully to shut down the trap on Lee. Dick's + spirits rose with the sun and the advance of the troops. They had delayed, + but they would get Lee yet. There was nothing to tell them that Harper's + Ferry had fallen, and Jackson's force must still be detained there far + away. They ought to strike Lee on the morrow and destroy him, and then + they would destroy Jackson. Oh, Lee and Jackson had been reckless generals + to venture beyond the seceding states! + </p> + <p> + They marched fast now, and the fiery Hooker soon to be called Fighting Joe + led the advance. He was eager to get at Lee, who some said did not now + have more than twenty thousand men with him, although McClellan insisted + on doubling or tripling his numbers and those of Jackson. Scouts and + skirmishers came in fast now. Yes, Lee was between the Antietam and the + Potomac and they ought to strike him on the morrow. The spirits of the + Army of the Potomac continually rose. + </p> + <p> + Dick remained in a joyous mood. He had been greatly uplifted by the return + of his comrade, Warner, for whom he had formed a strong attachment, and he + could not keep down the thought that they would now be able to trap Lee + and end the war. The terrible field of the Second Manassas was behind him + and forgotten for the time. They rode now to a new battle and to victory. + </p> + <p> + Another great cloud of dust like that at Manassas rolled slowly on toward + the little river or creek of Antietam, but the heat was not so great now. + A pleasant breeze blew from the distant western mountains and cooled the + faces of the soldiers. The country through which they were passing was old + for America. They saw a carefully cultivated soil, good roads and stone + bridges. + </p> + <p> + None of the lads and young men around Colonel Winchester rejoiced more + than Warner. Released from the hospital and with his tried comrades once + more he felt as if he were the dead come back. He was in time, too, for + the great battle which was to end the war. The cool wind that blew upon + his face tingled with life and made his pulses leap. Beneath the granite + of his nature and a phlegmatic exterior, he concealed a warm heart that + always beat steadfastly for his friends and his country. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” he said, “have they heard anything directly from Harper's Ferry?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word, at least none that I've heard about, but it's quite sure that + Jackson hasn't taken the place yet. Why should he? We have there twelve or + thirteen thousand good men, most of whom have proven their worth in the + valley. Why, they ought to beat him off entirely.” + </p> + <p> + “And while they're doing that we ought to be taking Mr. Lee and a lot of + well-known Confederate gentlemen. I've made a close calculation, Dick, and + I figure that the chances are at least eighty per cent in favor of our + taking or destroying Lee's army.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish we had started sooner,” said Pennington. “We've lost a whole day, + one of the most precious days the world has ever known.” + </p> + <p> + “You're right, Frank, and I've allowed that fact to figure importantly in + my reckoning. If it were not for the lost day I'd figure our chance of + making the finishing stroke at ninety-five per cent. But boys, it's + glorious to be back with you. Once, I thought when we were marching back + and forth so much that if I could only lie down and rest for a week or two + I'd be the happiest fellow on earth. But it became awful as I lay there, + day after day. I had suddenly left the world. All the great events were + going on without me. North or South might win, while I lay stretched on a + hospital bed. It was beyond endurance. If I hadn't got well so fast that + they could let me go, I'd have climbed out of the window with what + strength I had, and have made for the army anyhow. Did you ever feel a + finer wind than this? What a beautiful country! It must be the most + magnificent in the world!” + </p> + <p> + Dick and Pennington laughed. Old George was growing gushy. But they + understood that he saw with the eyes of the released prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “It is beautiful,” said Dick, “and it's a pity that it should be ripped up + by war. Listen, boys, there's the call that's growing mighty familiar to + us all!” + </p> + <p> + Far in front behind the hills they heard the low grumbling of cannon. And + further away to the west they heard the same sinister mutter. The + Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No. 191 might + cause their total destruction, but they were on guard, nevertheless. + Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan, had sent back Hill + with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern army until he + himself should come with all his force. + </p> + <p> + In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of + the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat + never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy. He would not + only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it. When + McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to Lee than + Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning perception + and unyielding courage win. + </p> + <p> + The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a distant + thunder. Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest rose, they + saw smoke and flashes of fire. A young Maryland cavalry officer, riding + near, explained to them that the point from which the cannonade came was a + gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet invisible, owing to the + forest. + </p> + <p> + “We heard that Lee's army was much further away,” said Warner to Dick. + “What can it mean? What force is there fighting our vanguard?” + </p> + <p> + It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts. He had already + reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester. His + face was worn and drawn, and he was black under the eyes. His clothes were + covered with dust. His body was weary almost unto death, but his eyes + burned with the fire of an undying spirit. + </p> + <p> + “I've been all the night and all this morning in the mountains and hills,” + he said. “Harper's Ferry is not yet taken, but I think it will fall. But + Hill, McLaws and Longstreet are all in this pass or the other which leads + through the mountain. They mean to hold us as long as they can, and then + hang on to the flank of our army.” + </p> + <p> + He passed on and the little regiment advanced more rapidly. Dick saw + Colonel Winchester's eyes sparkling and he knew he was anxious to be in + the thick of it. Other and heavier forces were deploying upon the same + point, but Winchester's regiment led. + </p> + <p> + As they approached a deadly fire swept the plain and the hills. Rifle + bullets crashed among them and shell and shrapnel came whining and + shrieking. Once more the Winchester regiment, as it had come to be called, + was smitten with a bitter and deadly hail. Men fell all around Dick but + the survivors pressed on, still leading the way for the heavy brigades + which they heard thundering behind them. + </p> + <p> + The mouth of the pass poured forth fire and missiles like a volcano, but + Dick heard Colonel Winchester still shouting to his men to come on, and he + charged with the rest. The fire became so hot that the vanguard could not + live in it without shelter, and the colonel, shouting to the officers to + dismount, ordered them all to take cover behind trees and rocks. + </p> + <p> + Dick who had been carried a little ahead of the rest, sprang down, still + holding his horse, and made for a great rock which he saw on one side just + within the mouth of the pass. His frightened horse reared and jerked so + violently that he tore the bridle from the lad's hand and ran away. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood for a moment, scarcely knowing what to do, and then, as a half + dozen bullets whistled by his head, urging him to do something, he + finished his dash for the rock, throwing himself down behind it just as a + half a dozen more bullets striking on the stone told him that he had done + the right thing in the very nick of time. + </p> + <p> + He carried with him a light rifle of a fine improved make, a number of + which had been captured at the Second Manassas, and which some of the + younger officers had been allowed to take. He did not drop it in his rush + for the rock, holding on to it mechanically. + </p> + <p> + He lay for at least a minute or two flat upon the ground behind the great + stone, while the perspiration rolled from his face and his hair prickled + at the roots. He could never learn to be unconcerned when a dozen or + fifteen riflemen were shooting at him. + </p> + <p> + When he raised his head a little he saw that the Winchester regiment had + fallen back, and that, in truth, the entire advance had stopped until it + could make an attack in full force upon the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Dick recognized with a certain grim humor that he was isolated. He was + just a little Federal island in a Confederate sea. Up the gap he saw + cannon and masses of gray infantry. Gathered on a comparatively level spot + was a troop of cavalry. He saw all the signs of a desperate defense, and, + while he watched, the great guns of the South began to fire again, their + missiles flying far over his head toward the Northern army. + </p> + <p> + Dick was puzzled, but for the present he did not feel great alarm about + himself. He lay almost midway between the hostile forces, but it was + likely that they would take no notice of him. + </p> + <p> + With a judgment born of a clear mind, he lay quite still, while the + hostile forces massed themselves for attack and defense. Each was feeling + out the other with cannon, but every missile passed well over his head, + and he did not take the trouble to bow to them as they sailed on their + errands. Yet he lay close behind that splendid and friendly rock. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the Southerners would have sharpshooters and skirmishers + ahead of their main force. They would lie behind stones, trees and brush + and at any moment one of them might pick him off. The Confederate force + seemed to incline to the side of the valley, opposite the slope on which + he lay, and he was hopeful that the fact would keep him hidden until the + masses of his own people could charge into the gap. + </p> + <p> + It was painful work to flatten his body out behind a stone and lie there. + No trees or bushes grew near enough to give him shade, and the afternoon + sun began to send down upon him direct rays that burned. He wondered how + long it would be until the Union brigades came. It seemed to him that they + were doing a tremendous amount of waiting. Nothing was to be gained by + this long range cannon fire. They must charge home with the bayonet. + </p> + <p> + He raised himself a little in order that he might peep over the stone and + see if the charge were coming, and then with a little cry he dropped back, + a fine gray powder stinging his face. A rifle had been fired across the + valley and a bullet chipping the top of the rock sheltering Dick warned + him that he was not the only sharpshooter who lay in an ambush. + </p> + <p> + Peeping again from the side of the rock, he saw curls of blue smoke rising + from a point behind a stone just like his own on the other side of the + valley. It was enough to tell him that a Southern sharpshooter lay there + and had marked him for prey. + </p> + <p> + Dick's anger rose. Why should anyone seek his life, trying to pick him off + as if he were a beast of prey? He had been keeping quiet, disturbing + nobody, merely seeking a chance to escape, when this ruthless rebel had + seen him. He became in his turn hot and fiercely ready to give bullet for + bullet. Smoke floating through the pass and the flash of the cannon, made + him more eager to hit the sharpshooter who was seeking so hard to hit him. + </p> + <p> + Watching intently he caught a glimpse of a gray cap showing above the rock + across the valley, and, raising his light rifle, he fired, quick as a + flash. The return shot came at once, and chipped the rock as before, but + he dropped back unhurt, and peeping from the side he could see nothing. He + might or might not have slain his enemy. The gray cap was no longer + visible, and he watched to see if it would reappear. + </p> + <p> + He heard the sound of a great cannonade before the mouth of the pass, and + he saw his own people advancing in force, their lines extending far to the + left and right, with several batteries showing at intervals. Then came the + rebel yell from the pass and as the Union lines advanced the Southerners + poured upon them a vast concentrated fire. + </p> + <p> + Dick, watching through the smoke and forgetful of his enemy across the + valley, saw the Union charge rolled back. But he also saw the men out of + range gathering themselves for a new attack. Within the pass preparations + were going on to repel it a second time. Then he glanced toward the + opposite rock and dropped down just in time. He had seen a rifle barrel + protruding above it, and a second later the bullet whistled where his head + had been. + </p> + <p> + He grew angrier than ever. He had left that sharpshooter alone for at + least ten minutes, while he watched charge and repulse, and he expected to + be treated with the same consideration. He would pay him for such + ferocity, and seeing an edge of gray shoulder, he fired. + </p> + <p> + No sign came from the rock, and Dick was quite sure that he had missed. + The blood mounted to his head and surcharged his brain. A thousand little + pulses that he had never heard of before began to beat in his head, and he + was devoured by a consuming anger. He vowed to get that fellow yet. + </p> + <p> + Lying flat upon his stomach he drew himself around the edge of the rock + and watched. There was a great deal of covering smoke from the artillery + in the pass now, and he believed that it would serve his purpose. + </p> + <p> + But when he got a little distance away from the rock the bank of smoke + lifted suddenly, and it was only by quickly flattening himself down behind + a little ridge of stone that he saved his life. The sharpshooter's bullet + passed so close to his head that Dick felt as if he had received a + complete hair cut, all in a flash. + </p> + <p> + He fairly sprang back to the cover of his rock. What a fine rock that was! + How big and thick! And it was so protective! In a spirit of defiance he + fired at the top of the other stone and saw the gray dust shoot up from + it. Quick came the answering shot, and a little piece of his coat flew + with it. That was certainly a great sharpshooter across the valley! Dick + gave him full credit for his skill. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard the rolling of drums and the mellow call of trumpets in + front of the pass. Taking care to keep well under cover he looked back. + The Union army was advancing in great force now, its front tipped with a + long line of bayonets and the mouths of fifty cannon turned to the pass. + In front of them swarmed the skirmishers, eager, active fellows leaping + from rock to rock and from tree to tree. + </p> + <p> + Dick foresaw that the second charge would not fail. Its numbers were so + great that it would at least enter the pass and hold the mouth of it. + Already a mighty cannonade was pouring a storm of death over the heads of + the skirmishers toward the defenders, and the brigades came on steadily + and splendidly to the continued rolling of the drums. + </p> + <p> + Dick rose up again, watching now for his enemy who, he knew, could not + remain much longer behind the rock, as he would soon be within range of + the Northern skirmishers advancing on that side. + </p> + <p> + He fancied that he could hear the massive tread of the thousands coming + toward the pass, and the roll of the drums, distinct amid the roar of the + cannon, told him that his comrades would soon be at hand, driving + everything before them. But his eyes were for that big rock on the other + side of the valley. Now was his time for revenge upon the sharpshooter who + had sought his life with such savage persistence. The Northern skirmishers + were drawing nearer and the fellow must flee or die. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the sharpshooter sprang from the rock, and up flew Dick's rifle + as he drew a bead straight upon his heart. Then he dropped the weapon with + a cry of horror. Across the valley and through the smoke he recognized + Harry Kenton, and Harry Kenton looking toward his enemy recognized him + also. + </p> + <p> + Each threw up his hand in a gesture of friendliness and farewell—the + roar of the battle was so loud now that no voice could have been heard at + the distance—and then they disappeared in the smoke, each returning + to his own, each heart thrilling with a great joy, because its owner had + always missed the sharpshooter behind the stone. + </p> + <p> + The impression of that vivid encounter in the pass was dimmed for a while + for Dick by the fierceness of the fighting that followed. The defense had + the advantage of the narrow pass and the rocky slopes, and numbers could + not be put to the most account. Nevertheless, the Confederates were + pressed back along the gap, and when night came the Union army was in full + possession of its summit. + </p> + <p> + But at the other gap the North had not achieved equal success. Longstreet, + marching thirteen miles that day, had come upon the field in time, and + when darkness fell the Southern troops still held their ground there. But + later in the night Hill and Longstreet, through fear of being cut off, + abandoned their positions and marched to join Lee. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades who did not lie down until after midnight had come, + felt that a great success had been gained. McClellan had been slow to + march, but, now that he was marching, he was sweeping the enemy out of his + way. + </p> + <p> + The whole Army of the Potomac felt that it was winning and McClellan + himself was exultant. Early the next morning he reported to his superior + at Washington that the enemy was fleeing in panic and that General Lee + admitted that he had been “shockingly whipped.” + </p> + <p> + Full of confidence, the army advanced to destroy Lee, who lay between the + peninsula of the Antietam and the Potomac, but just about the time + McClellan was writing his dispatch, the white flag was hoisted at Harper's + Ferry, the whole garrison surrendered, and messengers were on their way to + Lee with the news that Stonewall Jackson was coming. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + </h2> + <p> + Dick and his comrades had not heard of the taking of Harper's Ferry and + they were full of enthusiasm that brilliant morning in mid-September. + McClellan, if slow to move, nevertheless had shown vigor in action, and + the sanguine youths could not doubt that they had driven Lee into a + corner. The Confederates, after the fierce fighting of the day before, had + abandoned both gaps, and the way at last lay clear before the Army of the + Potomac. + </p> + <p> + Dick was mounted again. In fact his horse, after pulling the reins from + his hands and fleeing from the Confederate fire, had been retaken by a + member of his own regiment and returned to him. It was another good omen. + The lost had been found again and defeat would become victory. + </p> + <p> + But Dick said nothing to anybody of his duel with Harry Kenton. He + shuddered even now when he recalled it. And yet there had been no guilt in + either. Neither had known that the other lay behind the stone, but happy + chance had made all their bullets go astray. Again he was thankful. + </p> + <p> + “How did you stand that fighting yesterday afternoon, George?” Dick asked + of Warner. + </p> + <p> + “First rate. The open air agreed with me, and as no bullet sought me out I + felt benefited. I didn't get away from that hospital too soon. How far + away is this Antietam River, behind which they say Lee lies?” + </p> + <p> + “It's only eight miles from the gap,” said Pennington, who had been making + inquiries, “and as we have come three miles it must be only five miles + away.” + </p> + <p> + “Correct,” said Warner, who was in an uncommonly fine humor. “Your + mathematical power grows every day, Frank. Let x equal the whole distance + from the gap to the Antietam, which is eight miles, let y equal the + distance which we have come which is three miles, then x minus y equals + the distance left, which is five miles. Wonderful! wonderful! You'll soon + have a great head on you, Frank.” + </p> + <p> + “If some rebel cannoneer doesn't shoot it off in the coming battle. By + George, we're driving their skirmishers before us! They don't seem to make + any stand at all!” + </p> + <p> + The vanguard certainly met with no very formidable resistance as it + advanced over the rolling country. The sound of firing was continuous, but + it came from small squads here and there, and after firing a few volleys + the men in gray invariably withdrew. + </p> + <p> + Yet the Northern advance was slow. Colonel Winchester became intensely + impatient again. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't we hurry!” he exclaimed. “Of all things in the world the one + that we need most is haste. With Jackson tied up before Harper's Ferry, + Lee's defeat is sure, unless he retreats across the Potomac, and that + would be equivalent to a defeat. Good Heavens, why don't we push on?” + </p> + <p> + He had not yet heard of the fall of Harper's Ferry, and that Jackson with + picked brigades was already on the way to join Lee. Had he known these two + vital facts his anger would have burned to a white heat. Surely no day + lost was ever lost at a greater cost than the one McClellan lost after the + finding of Orders No. 191. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know anything about the Antietam, colonel?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “It's a narrow stream, but deep, and crossed by several stone bridges. It + will be hard to force a crossing here, but further up it can be done with + ease since we outnumber Lee so much that we can overlap him by far. I have + my information from Shepard, and he makes no mistakes. There is a church, + too, on the upper part of the peninsula, a little church belonging to an + order called the Dunkards.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” murmured Dick, “the little church of Shiloh!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + “There was a little church at Shiloh, too. The battle raged all around it + more than once. We lost it at first, but in the end we won. It's another + good omen. We're bound to achieve a great victory, colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope and believe so. We've the materials with which to do it. But we've + got to push and push hard.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel raised his glasses and took a long look in front. Dick also + had a pair and he, too, examined the country before them. It was a fine, + rolling region and all the forest was gone, except clumps of trees here + and there. The whole country would have been heavy with forest had it not + been for the tramp of war. + </p> + <p> + It was now nearly noon and the sunlight was brilliant and intense. The + glasses carried far. Dick saw a line of trees which he surmised marked the + course of the Antietam, and he saw small detachments of cavalry which he + knew were watching the advance of the Army of the Potomac. Their purpose + convinced him that Lee had not retreated across the Potomac, but that he + would fight and surely lose. Dick now believed that so many good omens + could not fail. + </p> + <p> + A horseman galloped toward them. It was Shepard again, dustier than ever, + his face pale from weariness. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Mr. Shepard?” asked Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “I've just reported to General McClellan that our whole command at + Harper's Ferry, thirteen thousand strong, surrendered early this morning + and that Jackson with picked men has already started to join Lee!” + </p> + <p> + “My God! My God!” cried the colonel. “Oh, that lost day! We ought to have + fought yesterday and destroyed Lee, while Harper's Ferry was still holding + out! What a day! What a day! Nothing can ever pay us back for the losing + of it!” + </p> + <p> + Dick, too, felt a sinking of the heart, but despair was not written on his + face as it was on that of his colonel. Jackson might come, but it would + only be with a part of his force, that which marched the swiftest, and the + victory of the Army of the Potomac would be all the grander. The more + enemies crushed the better it would be for the Union. + </p> + <p> + “Why, colonel!” he exclaimed, “we can beat them anyhow!” + </p> + <p> + “That's so, my lad, so we can! And so we will! It was childish of me to + talk as I did. Here, Johnson, blow your best on that trumpet. I want our + regiment to be the first to reach the Antietam.” + </p> + <p> + Johnson blew a long and mellow tune and the Winchester regiment swung + forward at a more rapid gait. The weather, after a day or two of coolness, + had grown intensely hot again, and the noon sun poured down upon them + sheaves of fiery rays. Dick looked back, and he saw once more that vast + billowing cloud of dust made by the marching army. But in front he saw + only quiet and peace, save for a few distant horsemen who seemed to be + riding at random. + </p> + <p> + “There's a little town called Sharpsburg in the peninsula formed by the + Potomac and the Antietam,” said Shepard, who stayed with them, his + immediate work done, “and the Potomac being very low, owing to the dry + season, there is one ford by which Lee can cross and go back to Virginia. + But he isn't going to cross without a battle, that's sure. The rebels are + flushed with victory, they think they have the greatest leaders ever born + and they believe, despite the disparity of numbers, that they can beat + us.” + </p> + <p> + “And I believe they can't,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “If it were not for that lost day we'd have 'em beaten now,” said Shepard, + “and we'd be marching against Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + The regiment in its swift advance now came nearer to the Antietam, the + narrow but deep creek between its high banks. One or two shots from the + far side warned them to come more slowly, and Colonel Winchester drew his + men up on a knoll, waiting for the rest of the army to advance. + </p> + <p> + Dick put his glasses to his eyes, and slowly swept a wide curve on the + peninsula of Antietam. Great armies drawn up for battle were a spectacle + that no boy could ever view calmly, and his heart beat so hard that it + caused him actual physical pain. + </p> + <p> + He saw through the powerful glasses the walls of the little village of + Sharpsburg, and to the north a roof which he believed was that of the + Dunkard Church, of which Shepard spoke. But his eyes came back from the + church and rested on the country around Sharpsburg. The Confederate masses + were there and he clearly saw the batteries posted along the Antietam. + Beyond the peninsula he caught glimpses of the broad Potomac. + </p> + <p> + There lay Lee before them again, and now was the time to destroy his army. + Jackson, even with his vanguard, could not arrive before night, and the + main force certainly could not come from Harper's Ferry before the morrow. + Here was a full half day for the Army of the Potomac, enough in which to + destroy a divided portion of the Army of Northern Virginia. + </p> + <p> + But Colonel Winchester raged again and again in vain. There was no attack. + Brigade after brigade in blue came up and sat down before the Antietam. + The cannon exchanged salutes across the little river, but no harm was + done, and the great masses of McClellan faced the whole peninsula, within + which lay Lee with half of his army. The Winchester regiment was moved far + to the north, where its officers hopefully believed that the first attack + would be made. Here they extended beyond Lee's line, and it would be easy + to cross the Antietam and hurl themselves upon his flank. + </p> + <p> + Despite the delay, Dick and his comrades, thrilled at the great and + terrible panorama spread before them. The mid-September day had become as + hot as those of August had been. The late afternoon sun was brazen, and + immense clouds of dust drifted about. But they did not hide the view of + the armies, arrayed for battle, and with only a narrow river between. + </p> + <p> + Dick, through his own glasses saw Confederate officers watching them also. + He tried to imagine that this was Lee and that Longstreet, and that one of + the Hills, and the one who wore a gorgeous uniform must surely be Stuart. + Why should they be allowed to ride about so calmly? His heart fairly ached + for the attack. McClellan said that fifty thousand men were there, and + that Jackson was coming with fifty thousand more, but Shepard, who always + knew, said that they did not number more than twenty thousand. What a + chance! What a chance! He almost repeated Colonel Winchester's words, but + he was only a young staff officer and it was not for him to complain. If + he said anything at all he would have to say it in a guarded manner and to + his best friends. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment went into camp in a pleasant grove at the northern + end of the Union line. Dick and his two young comrades had no fault to + find with their quarters. They had dry grass, warm air and the open sky. A + more comfortable summer home for a night could not be asked. And there was + plenty of food, too. The Army of the Potomac never lacked it. The coffee + was already boiling in the pots, and beef and pork were frying in the + skillets. Heavenly aromas arose. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades ate and drank, and then lay down in the grove. If + they must rest they would rest well. Now and then they heard the booming + of guns, and just before dark there had been a short artillery duel across + the Antietam, but now the night was quiet, save for the murmur and + movement of a great army. Through the darkness came the sound of many + voices and the clank of moving wheels. + </p> + <p> + Dick asked permission for his two comrades and himself to go down near the + river and obtained it. + </p> + <p> + “But don't get shot,” cautioned Colonel Winchester. “The Confederate + riflemen will certainly be on watch on the other side of the stream.” + </p> + <p> + Dick promised and the three went forward very carefully among some bushes. + They were led on by curiosity and they did not believe that they would be + in any great danger. The singular friendliness which always marked the + pickets of the hostile armies in the Civil War would prevail. + </p> + <p> + It was several hundred yards down to the Antietam, and luckily the ribbon + of bushes held out. But when they were half way to the stream a thick, + dark figure rose up before them. Dick, in an instant, recognized Sergeant + Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “We want to get a nearer view of the enemy,” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go with you,” said the sergeant. “I'm on what may be called scouting + duty. Besides, I've a couple of friends down there by the river, but on + the other side.” + </p> + <p> + “Friends on the other side of the Antietam. What do you mean, sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “I was scouting along there and I came across 'em. Only one in fact is an + old acquaintance, an' he's just introduced me to the other.” + </p> + <p> + “That's cryptic.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't rightly know what 'cryptic' means, but I guess I don't make + myself understood well. In my campaign on the plains against the Indians I + had a comrade named Bill Brayton. A Tennesseean, Bill was an' a fine + feller, too. Him an' me have bunked together many a time an' we've dug out + of the snow together, too, after the blizzards was over. But when we saw + the war comin' up, Bill had fool notions. Said he didn't know anything + 'bout the right an' wrong of it, guessed there was some of each on each + side, but whichever way his state would flop, he'd flop. Well, we waited. + Tennessee flopped right out of the Union an' Bill flopped with it. + </p> + <p> + “I felt powerful sorry when Bill told me good-bye, and so did he. I ain't + seen or heard of him since 'till to-night, when I was cruisin' down there + by the side of the river in the dark an' keepin' under cover of the + bushes. Had no intention of shootin' anybody. Just wanted to take a look. + I saw on the other side a dim figure walkin' up an' down, rifle on + shoulder. Thought I noticed something familiar about it, an' the longer I + watched the shorer I was. + </p> + <p> + “At last I crept right to the edge of the bank an' layin' down lest some + fool who didn't know the manners of our war take a pot shot at me, I + called out, 'Bill Brayton, you thick-headed rebel, are you well an' doin' + well?' + </p> + <p> + “You ought to have seen him jump. He stopped walkin', dropped his rifle in + the hollow of his arm, looked the way my voice come and called out, + likewise in a loud voice: 'Who's callin' me a thick-headed rebel? Is it + some blue-backed Yankee? You know we see nothin' of you but your backs. + Come out in the light, an' I'll let some sense into you with a bullet.' + </p> + <p> + “'Oh, no I won't,' says I, still layin' close, an' not mindin' his taunt + 'bout seein' our backs only. 'You couldn't hit me if I stood up an' marked + the place on my chest. Nothin' will save you but them days on the plain in + the blizzards when you was more useful with a shovel than you are with a + rifle, 'cause to-morrow at sunrise we're goin' to cross this little river + and tie all you fellows hand an' foot an' take you away as prisoners to + Washington.' + </p> + <p> + “That made him mighty mad, but the part 'bout the blizzards on the plains + set him to thinkin', too. 'Who in thunderation are you?' sez he. 'You're + Bill Brayton, of Tennessee, fightin' in the rebel army, when you ought to + know better,' says I. 'Now, who in thunderation am I?' 'Sufferin' Moses!' + says he, 'that voice grows more like his every time he speaks. It can't be + that empty-headed galoot, Dan Whitley, who never knew nothin' 'bout the + rights an' wrongs of the war, an' had to go off with the Yanks!' + </p> + <p> + “'It's him an' nobody else,' says I, as I rose right up an' stood there on + the bank, 'an' mighty glad am I to see you Bill, an' to know that your + fool head ain't knocked off by a cannon ball.' He shorely jumped up an' + down with pleasure an' he called back: 'The good Lord certainly watches + over them that ain't got any sense. Dan, you flat-headed, hump-backed, + round-shouldered, thin-chested, knock-kneed, club-footed son of a gun, I + was never so glad to see anybody before in my life.' + </p> + <p> + “His eyes were shinin' with delight an' I know mine was, too. Reunions of + old friends who for all each know have been dead a year or two, clean + blowed to pieces by shells, or shot through by a hundred rifle bullets are + powerful affectin'. He come down to the edge of the river an' he shot + questions across to me, an' I shot questions at him, an' I felt as if a + brother had riz from the dead. An' as we can't shake hands we reaches out + the muzzles of our guns and shakes them towards each other in the most + friendly way. Then another picket comes up, fellow by name of Henderson, + from Mississippi. Bill introduces him to his good old pal, an' we three + have a friendly talk. Guess they're down there yet, if you want to see + 'em. I liked that fellow, Henderson, too, though he was a powerful + boaster.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Dick. “Lead on, but don't get us shot.” + </p> + <p> + They went cautiously through the bushes to the bank of the river, and then + the sergeant blew softly between his fingers. Two figures at once appeared + on the other side, and Sergeant Whitley and the boys rose up. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Brayton and Mr. Henderson,” said the sergeant politely, “I want to + introduce my friends, Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Warner and Lieutenant + Pennington.” + </p> + <p> + “Movin' in mighty good comp'ny, though young, Dan,” said Brayton, who was + about Whitley's age and build. + </p> + <p> + “They're officers, an' they're young, as you say,” said Whitley, “but + they're good ones.” + </p> + <p> + “Them's the kind we eat alive, when we ain't got anything else to eat,” + said the Mississippian, a very tall, sallow and youngish man. “We're never + too strong on rations, and when I eat prisoners I like 'em under twenty + the best. They ain't had time to get tough. I speak right now for that + yellow-haired one in the middle.” + </p> + <p> + “You can't swallow me,” said Pennington, good naturedly. “I'll just turn + myself crossways and stick in your throat.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you fellows after around here, anyway?” continued the + Mississippian. “The weather's hot an' we all want to go in swimmin' + to-morrow, bein' as we have two rivers handy. Shore as you live if you get + to botherin' us we'll hurt you.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't hurt us,” said Dick, “because to-morrow we're going to surround + you and drive you into a coop.” + </p> + <p> + “Drive us in a coop. See here, Yank, you're gettin' excited. Do you know + how many men we have here waitin' for you? Of course you don't. Why, it's + four hundred thousand, ain't it, Bill?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it's just two hundred thousand. I don't believe in lyin' fur effect, + Jim.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't lyin'. There's two hundred thousand men. Then there's Bobby Lee. + That's a hundred thousand more, which makes three hundred thousand. Then + there's Stonewall Jackson, who's another hundred thousand, which brings + the figures up to exactly what I said, four hundred thousand. Now, ain't I + right, Bill?” + </p> + <p> + “You shorely are, Jim. I was a fool for countin' the way I did. Will you + overlook it this time?” + </p> + <p> + “Wa'al, I will this time, but be shore you don't do it ag'in. Now, see + here, you Yanks: we like you well enough. You're friends of Bill, who is a + friend of me. Just you take my advice an' go home. Start to-night while + the weather is warm, an' the roads are good. If you're afraid of our + chasin' you we'll give you a runnin' start of a hunderd miles.” + </p> + <p> + “Wa'al now, that's right kind of you,” said Whitley. “I for one might take + your advice, but I was froze up so much in them wild mountains an' plains + of the northwest that I like to go south when the winter's comin' on. It's + hot now, all right, but in two months the chilly blasts will be seekin' my + marrow.” + </p> + <p> + “I was speakin' for your own good,” said the Mississippian gravely. + “Anyway, you won't be troubled by the cold weather 'cause if you don't go + back into the no'th where you belong, we'll be takin' you a prisoner way + down south, where you don't belong. But you could have a good time there. + We won't treat you bad. There's fine huntin' for b'ars in the canebrake + an' the rivers an' bayous are full of fish. Your captivity won't be + downright painful on you.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad to get your welcome, Mr. Henderson,” said Whitley, “'cause we've + heard a lot 'bout the hospitality of Mississippi, an' we're shorely goin' + to stretch it. I'm comin', an' I'm bringin' a couple of hundred thousand + fellers 'bout my size with me. Funny thing, we'll all wear blue coats just + alike. Think you'd find room for us?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of it. What was it the feller said—we welcome you with + bloody hands to hospitable graves—but we ain't feelin' that way + to-night. Got a plug of terbacker?” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant took out a square of tobacco, cut it in exact halves with his + pocket knife, and tossed one-half across the Antietam, where it was deftly + caught by the Mississippian. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks mightily,” said Henderson. “Mr. Commissary Banks used to supply us + with good things, then it was Mr. Commissary Pope, and now I reckon it'll + be Mr. Commissary McClellan. Say, how many fellers have you got over thar, + anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “When I counted 'em last night,” replied the sergeant calmly, “there was + five hundred and twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-three infantry, + sixty-four thousand two hundred and nineteen cavalry an' three thousand + one hundred and seventy-five cannon, but I reckon we'll receive + reinforcements of three hundred thousand before mornin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll have more prisoners than I thought. Are you shore them three + hundred thousand reinforcements will get up in time?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite shore. I've sent 'em word to hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll have to take them, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Time you fellers quit your talkin',” said Brayton, “a major or a colonel + may come strollin' 'long here any minute, an' they don't like for us + fellers to be too friendly. Dan, I'm powerful glad to see you ag'in, an' I + hope you won't get killed. I've a feelin' that you an' me will be ridin' + over the plains once more some day, an' we won't be fightin' each other. + We'll be fightin' Sioux an' Cheyennes an' all that red lot, just as we did + in the old days. Here's a good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + He thrust out the muzzle of his gun, an' Whitley thrust out his. Then they + shook them at each other in friendly salute, and the little group moved + away from the river bank. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad I've seen Bill again,” said the sergeant. “Fine feller an' that + Mississippian with him was quaint like. Mighty big bragger.” + </p> + <p> + “You did some bragging yourself, sergeant,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “So I did, but it was in answer to Henderson. I'm glad we had that little + talk across the river. It was a friendly thing to do, before we fall to + slaughterin' one another.” + </p> + <p> + They rejoined Colonel Winchester, and Dick worked through a part of the + night carrying orders and other messages. A great movement was going on. + Fresh troops were continually coming up, but there was little noise beyond + the Antietam, although he saw the light of many fires. + </p> + <p> + He slept after midnight and awoke at dawn, expecting to go at once into + battle. Some of the troops were moved about and Colonel Winchester began + to rage again. + </p> + <p> + “Good God! can it be possible!” he exclaimed, “that another day will be + lost? Is General McClellan instead of General Lee waiting for Jackson to + come? With the enemy safely within the trap, we refuse to shut it down + upon him!” + </p> + <p> + He said these things only within the hearing of Dick, who he knew would + never repeat them. But he was not the only one to complain. Men higher in + rank than he, generals, spoke their discontent openly. Why would not + McClellan attack? He had claimed that the rebels had two hundred thousand + men at the Seven Days, when it was well known that half that figure or + less was their true number. Why should he persist in seeing the enemy + double, and even if Lee did have fifty thousand men on the other side of + the Antietam, instead of the twenty thousand the scouts assigned to him, + the Army of the Potomac could defeat him before Jackson came up. + </p> + <p> + But McClellan was overcome by caution. In spite of everything he doubled + or tripled the numbers of the enemy. Personally brave beyond dispute, he + feared for his army. The position of the enemy on the peninsula seemed to + have changed somewhat through the night. He believed that the batteries + had been moved about, and he telegraphed to Washington that he must find + out exactly the disposition of Lee's forces and where the fords were. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the long, hot hours dragged on. The dust trodden up by so many + marching feet was terrible. It hung in clouds and added a sting to the + burning heat. Dick was wild with impatience, but he knew that it was not + worth while to say anything. He, Warner and Pennington, for the lack of + something else to do, lay on the dry grass, whispering and watching as + well as they could what was going on in Sharpsburg. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Sharpsburg itself seemed a monument to peace. It was deep in + dust and the sun blazed on the roofs. Staff officers rode up, and when + they dismounted they lazily led their horses to the best shade that could + be found. Within a residence Lee sat in close conference with his + lieutenants, Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet. Now and then, they looked + at the reports of brigade commanders and sometimes they studied the maps + of Maryland and Virginia. Lee was calm and confident. The odds against him—and + he knew what they were—apparently mattered nothing. + </p> + <p> + He knew the strength and spirit of his army and to what a pitch it was + keyed by victory. Moreover, he knew McClellan, whom he had met at the + Seven Days, and he believed, in truth he felt positive that McClellan + would delay long enough for the remainder of Jackson's troops to come up. + Upon this belief he staked the future of the Confederacy in the battle to + be fought there between the Potomac and the Antietam. His troops were worn + by battles and tremendous marches. Jackson's men in three days had marched + sixty miles, and had fought a battle at Harper's Ferry within that time, + also, taking more than thirteen thousand prisoners. Never before had the + foot cavalry marched so hard. + </p> + <p> + The men in gray, ragged and many of them barefooted, slept in the woods + about Sharpsburg all through the hot hours of the day. Their officers had + told them that the drums and bugles would call them when needed, and they + sank quietly into the deepest of slumbers. From where they lay Red Hill, a + spur of a mountain, separated them from the Union army. It was only those + like Dick and his comrades who mounted elevations and who had powerful + field glasses who could see into Sharpsburg. The main Union force saw only + the top of a church spire or two in the village. But each felt fully the + presence of the other and knew that the battle could not be delayed long. + </p> + <p> + Dick, in his anxiety and excitement, fell asleep. The heat and the waiting + seemed to overpower him. He did not know how long he had slept, but he was + awakened by the sharp call of a trumpet, and when he sprang to his feet + Warner told him it was about four o'clock. + </p> + <p> + “What's up?” he cried, as he wiped the haze of heat and dust from his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “We're about to march,” replied Warner, “but as it's so late in the day I + don't think it can be a general attack. Still, I know that our division is + going to cross the Antietam. Up here the stream is narrower than it is + down below, and the banks are not so high. Look, the colonel is beckoning + to us! Here we go!” + </p> + <p> + They sprang upon their horses, and a great corps advanced toward the + Antietam, far above the town of Sharpsburg. The sun had declined in the + West, and a breeze, bringing a little coolness, had begun to blow. They + did not see much preparation for defense beyond the river, but as they + advanced some cannon in the woods opened there. The Union cannon replied, + and then the brigades in blue moved forward swiftly. + </p> + <p> + The officers and the cavalry galloped their horses into the little river + and Dick felt a fierce joy as the water was dashed into his face. This was + action, movement, the attack that had been delayed so long but which was + not yet too late. He thought nothing of the shells hissing and shrieking + over his head, and he shouted with the others in exultation as they passed + the fords of the Antietam and set foot on the peninsula. The cannon dashed + after them through the stream and up the bank. + </p> + <p> + A heavy rifle fire from the woods met them, but the triumphant division + pressed on. They were held back at the edge of the woods by cannon aiding + the rifles, and for some time a battle swayed back and forth, but the + Confederate resistance ceased suddenly. Infantry and batteries disappeared + in woods or beyond a ridge, and then Dick noticed that night was coming. + The sun was already hidden by the lofty slopes of the western mountains, + and there would be no battle that day. In another half hour full darkness + would be upon them. + </p> + <p> + But Dick felt that something had been achieved. A powerful Union force was + now beyond the Antietam, with its feet rooted firmly in the soil of the + peninsula. It looked directly south at the Confederate army and there was + no barrier between. Lee would have to face at once, Hooker on the north + and McClellan on the east across the Antietam. The Union army had been + numerous enough to outflank him. + </p> + <p> + Dick was quite sure of success now. They had lost two of the most precious + of all days instead of one, but they had closed the gap on the north, + through which Lee's army might march in an attempt to escape. It was + likely, too, that the last of Jackson's men would come that way and the + Union force would cut them off from Lee. Two entire army corps were now + beyond the Antietam, and they should be able to do anything. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment lay in deep woods, and the great division although + it had rested nearly all the day was quiet in the night. But some ardent + souls could not rest. A group of officers, including Colonel Winchester + and the three young members of his staff, walked forward through the + woods, taking the chance of stray shots from sentinels or skirmishers. But + they knew that this risk was not great. + </p> + <p> + They passed near a mill, its wheels and saws silent now, and presently as + the moon rose they saw the square white walls of a building shining in its + light. + </p> + <p> + “The Dunkard church,” said one of the officers. “I think we'd better not + go any closer. The Johnnies must be lying thick close at hand.” + </p> + <p> + “The dim light off to the right must be made by their fires,” said Colonel + Winchester. “I wish I knew what troops they are. Jackson's perhaps. It's a + rough country, and all these forests and ridges and hills will help the + defense. I understand that the farms in here are surrounded by stone + fences and that, too, will help the Johnnies.” + </p> + <p> + “But we'll get 'em,” said another confidently. “The battle can't be put + off any longer, and we're bound to smash 'em in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + They remained in the darkness for a while, trying to see what was passing + toward the Southern lines, but they could see little. There was some rifle + firing after a while, and the occasional deep note of a cannon, mostly at + random and the little group walked back. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to sleep, Dick,” said Warner. “I've just remembered that I'm an + invalid and that if I overtask myself it will be a bad thing for McClellan + to-morrow. The colonel doesn't want us any longer, and so here goes.” + </p> + <p> + “I follow,” said Pennington. “The dry earth is good enough for me. May I + stay on top of it for the next half century.” + </p> + <p> + Warner and Pennington slept quickly, but Dick lay awake a long time, + listening to the stray rifle shots and the distant boom of a cannon at far + intervals. After a while, he looked at his watch and saw that it was + midnight. It was more than an hour later when slumber overtook him, and + while he and his comrades lay there the last of Jackson's men were coming + with the help that Lee needed so sorely. + </p> + <p> + Two divisions which had been left at Harper's Ferry started at midnight + just as Dick was looking at his watch and at dawn they were almost to the + Potomac. On their flank was a cavalry brigade and A. P. Hill was hurrying + with another of infantry. Messenger after messenger from them came to Lee + that on the fateful day they with their fourteen thousand bayonets would + be in line when they were needed most. + </p> + <p> + Few of those who fought for the Lost Cause ever cherished anything more + vividly than those hours between midnight and the next noon when they + marched at the double quick across hill and valley and forest to the + relief of their great commander. There was little need for the officers to + urge them on, and at sunrise the rolling of the cannon was calling to them + to come faster, always faster. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. ANTIETAM + </h2> + <p> + Dick arose at the first flash of dawn. All the men of the Winchester + regiment were on their feet. The officers had sent their horses to the + rear, knowing that they would be worse than useless among the rocks and in + the forest in front of them. + </p> + <p> + A mist arising from the two rivers floated over everything, but Dick knew + that the battle was at hand. The Northern trumpets were calling, and in + the haze in front of them the Southern trumpets were calling, too. + </p> + <p> + The fog lifted, and then Dick saw the Confederate lines stretched through + forest, rock and ploughed ground. Near the front was a rail fence with + lines of skirmishers crouching behind it. As the last bit of mist rolled + away the fence became a twisted line of flame. The fire of the Southern + skirmishers crashed in the Union ranks, and the Northern skirmishers, + pressing in on the right replied with a fire equally swift and deadly. + Then came the roar of the Southern cannon, well aimed and tearing gaps in + the Union lines. + </p> + <p> + “Its time to charge!” exclaimed Pennington. “It scares me, standing still + under the enemy's fire, but I forget about it when I'm rushing forward.” + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment did not move for the present, although the battle + thickened and deepened about it. The fire of the Confederate cannon was + heavy and terrible, yet the Union masses on either wing had begun to press + forward. Hooker hurled in two divisions, one under Meade, and one under + Doubleday, and another came up behind to support them. The western men + were here and remembering how they had been decimated at Manassas, they + fought for revenge as well as patriotism. + </p> + <p> + At last the Winchester regiment in the center moved forward also. They + struck heavy ploughed land, and as they struggled through it they met a + devastating fire. It seemed to Dick that the last of the little regiment + was about to be blown away, but as he looked through the fire and smoke he + saw Warner and Pennington still by his side, and the colonel a little + ahead, waving his sword and shouting orders that could not be heard. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw shining far before him the white walls of the Dunkard church, and + he was seized with a frantic desire to reach it. It seemed to him if they + could get there that the victory would be won. Yet they made little + progress. The cannon facing them fairly spouted fire, and thousands of + expert riflemen in front of them lying behind ridges and among rocks and + bushes sent shower after shower of leaden balls that swept away the front + ranks of the charging Union lines. The shell and the shrapnel and the + grape and the round shot made a great noise, but the little bullets coming + in swarms like bees were the true messengers of death. + </p> + <p> + Jackson and four thousand of his veterans formed the thin line between the + Dunkard church and the Antietam. They were ragged and worn by war, but + they were the children of victory, led by a man of genius, and they felt + equal to any task. Near Jackson stood his favorite young aide, Harry + Kenton, and on the other side was the thin regiment of the Invincibles, + led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire. + </p> + <p> + Around the church itself were the Texans under Hood, stalwart, sunburned + men who could ride like Comanches, some of whom when lads had been present + at San Jacinto, when the Texans struck with such terrible might and + success for liberty. + </p> + <p> + “Are we winning? Tell me, that we are winning!” shouted Dick in Warner's + ear. + </p> + <p> + “We're not winning, but we will! Confound that fog! It's coming up again!” + Warner shouted back. + </p> + <p> + The heavy fog from the Potomac and the Antietam which the early and + burning sunrise had driven away was drifting back, thickened by the smoke + from the cannon and rifles. The gray lines in front disappeared and the + church was hidden. Yet the Northern artillery continued to pour a terrible + fire through the smoke toward the point where the Confederate infantry had + been posted. + </p> + <p> + Dick heard at the same time a tremendous roar on the left, and he knew + that the Union batteries beyond the Antietam had opened a flanking fire on + the Southern army. He breathed a sigh of triumph. McClellan, who could + organize and prepare so well, was aroused at last to such a point that he + could concentrate his full strength in battle itself, and push home with + all his might until able to snatch the reward, victory. As the lad heard + the supporting guns across the Antietam, he suddenly found himself + shouting with all his might. His voice could not be heard in the uproar, + but he saw that the lips of those about him were moving in like manner. + </p> + <p> + The two corps on the peninsula had a good leader that morning. Hooker, + fiery, impetuous, scorning death, continually led his men to the attack. + The gaps in their ranks were closed up, and on they went, infantry, + cavalry and artillery. The fog blew away again and they beheld once more + the gray lines of the Southerners, and the white wooden walls of the + church. + </p> + <p> + So fierce and overwhelming was the Northern rush that all of Jackson's men + and the Texans were borne back, and were driven from the ridges and out of + the woods. Exultant, the men in blue followed, their roar of triumph + swelling above the thunder of the battle. + </p> + <p> + “Victory!” cried Dick, but Warner shouted: + </p> + <p> + “Look out!” + </p> + <p> + The keen eyes of the young Vermonter had seen masses of infantry and + cavalry on their flank. Hooker, fierce and impetuous, had gone too far, + and now the Southern trumpets sang the charge. Stuart, fiery and + dauntless, his saber flashing, led his charging horsemen, and Hill threw + his infantry upon the Northern flank. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Dick that he was in a huge volcano of fire and smoke. Men + who, in their calm moments, did not hate one another, glared into hostile + eyes. There was often actual physical contact, and the flash from the + cannon and rifles blazed in Dick's face. The Southerners in front who had + been driven back returned, and as Stuart and Hill continued to beat hard + upon their flanks, the troops of Hooker were compelled to retreat. Once + more the white church faded in the mists and smoke. + </p> + <p> + But Hooker and his generals rallied their men and advanced anew. The + ground around the Dunkard church became one of the most sanguinary places + in all America. One side advanced and then the other, and they continually + reeled to and fro. Even the young soldiers knew the immensity of the + stake. This was the open ground, elsewhere the Antietam separated the + fighting armies. But victory here would decide the whole battle, and the + war, too. The Northern troops fought for a triumph that would end all, and + the Southern troops for salvation. + </p> + <p> + So close and obstinate was the conflict that colonels and generals + themselves were in the thick of it. Starke and Lawton of the South were + both killed. Mansfield, who led one of the Northern army corps fell dead + in the very front line, and the valiant Hooker, caught in the arms of his + soldiers, was borne away so severely wounded that he could no longer give + orders. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely any generals were left on either side, but the colonels and the + majors and the captains still led the men into the thick of the conflict. + Dick felt a terrible constriction. It was as if some one were choking him + with powerful hands, and he strove for breath. He knew that the masses + pressed upon their flank by Stuart and Hill, were riddling them through + and through. + </p> + <p> + The Union men were giving ground, slowly, it is true, and leaving heaps of + dead and wounded behind them, but nobody could stand the terrible rifle + fire that was raking them at short range from side to side, and they were + no longer able to advance. Now Dick heard once more that terrible and + triumphant rebel yell, and it seemed to him that they were about to be + destroyed utterly, when shell and shot began to shriek and whistle over + their heads. The woods behind them were alive with the blaze of fire, and + the great Union batteries were driving back the triumphant and cheering + Confederates. + </p> + <p> + The Union generals on the other side of the Antietam saw the fate that was + about to overtake Hooker's valiant men, and Sumner, with another army + corps, had crossed the river to the rescue, coming just in time. They + moved up to Hooker's men and the united masses returned to the charge. + </p> + <p> + The battle grew more desperate with the arrival of fresh troops. Again it + was charge and repulse, charge and repulse, and the continuous swaying to + and fro by two combatants, each resolved to win. There were the Union men + who had forced the passes through the mountains to reach this field, and + they were struggling to follow up those successes by a victory far + greater, and there were the Confederates resolved upon another glorious + success. + </p> + <p> + The fire became so tremendous that the men could no longer hear orders. + Here was a field of ripe corn, the stems and blades higher than a man's + head, forty acres or so, nearly a quarter of a mile each way, but the corn + soon ceased to hide the combatants from one another. The fire from the + cannon and rifles came in such close sheets that scarcely a stalk stood + upright in that whole field. + </p> + <p> + Long this mighty conflict swayed back and forth. Dick had seen nothing + like it before, not even at the Second Manassas. It was almost hand to + hand. Cannons were lost and retaken by each side. Stuart, finding the + ground too rough for his cavalry, dismounted them and put them at the + guns. Jackson, with an eye that missed nothing, called up Early's brigade + and hurled it into the battle. The North replied with fresh troops, and + the combat was as much in doubt as ever. Every brigade commander on the + Southern side had been killed or wounded. Nearly all the colonels had + fallen, but Jackson's men still fought with a fire and spirit that only + such a leader as he could inspire. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Dick that the whole world was on fire with the flash of + cannon and rifles. The roar and crash came from not only in front and + around him, but far down the side, where the main army of McClellan was + advancing directly upon the Antietam, and the stone bridges which the + Confederates had not found time to tear down. + </p> + <p> + There stood Lee, supremely confident that if his lieutenant, Jackson, + could not hold the Northern opening into the peninsula nobody could. His + men, who knew the desperate nature of the crisis, said that they had never + seen him more confident than he was that day. + </p> + <p> + On the ridge just south of the village was a huge limestone bowlder, and + Lee, field glasses in hand, stood on it. He listened a while to the + growing thunder of the battle in the north—the Dunkard church, + around which Jackson and Hooker were fighting so desperately, was a mile + away—but he soon turned his attention to the blue masses across the + Antietam. + </p> + <p> + The Southern commander faced the Antietam with the hard-hitting Longstreet + on his right, his left being composed of the forces of Jackson, already in + furious conflict. Nothing escaped him. As he listened to the thunder of + the dreadful battle in the north, he never ceased to watch the great army + in front of him on the other side of the little river. + </p> + <p> + While Hooker and his men were fighting with such desperate courage, why + did not McClellan and the main body of the Union army move forward to the + attack? Doubtless Lee asked himself this question, and doubtless also he + had gauged accurately the mind of the Union leader, who always saw two or + even three enemies where but one stood. Relying so strongly upon his + judgment he dared to strip himself yet further and send more men to + Jackson. A messenger brought him news that more of Jackson's men had come + to his aid and that he was now holding the whole line against the attacks + of Meade and Hooker and all the rest. + </p> + <p> + Lee nodded and turned his glasses again toward the long blue line across + the Antietam. McClellan himself was there, standing on a hill and also + watching. Around him was a great division under the command of Burnside, + and his time to win victory had come. He sent the order to Burnside to + move forward and force the Antietam. It is said that at this moment Lee + had only five thousand men with him, all the rest having been sent to + Jackson, and, if so, time itself fought against the Union, as it was a + full two hours before Burnside carried out his order and moved forward on + the Antietam. + </p> + <p> + But Dick, on the north, did not know that it was as yet only cannon fire, + and not the charge of troops to the south and west. In truth, he knew + little of his own part of the battle. Once he was knocked down, but it was + only the wind from a cannon ball, and when he sprang to his feet and drew + a few long breaths he was as well as ever. + </p> + <p> + From muttered talk around him, talk that he could hear under the thunder + of the battle, he learned that Sumner, who had come with the great + reinforcement, was now leading the battle, with Hooker wounded and + Mansfield dying. + </p> + <p> + Sumner, as brave and daring as any, had gathered twenty thousand men, and + they were advancing in splendid order over the wreck of the dead and the + dying, apparently an irresistible force. + </p> + <p> + Jackson, standing at the edge of a wood, saw the magnificent advance, and + while the officers around him despaired, he did not think of awaiting the + Northern attack, but prepared instead for an attack of his own. There was + word that McLaws and the Harper's Ferry men had come. Jackson galloped to + meet them, formed them quickly with his own, and then the Southern drums + rolled out the charge. The weary veterans, gathering themselves anew for + another burst of strength, fell with all their might on the Northern + flank. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt the force of that charge. Men seemed to be driven in upon him. + He was hurled down, how he knew not, but he sprang up again, and then he + saw that their advance was stopped. Long lines of bayonets advanced upon + them, and a terrible artillery fire crashed through and through their + ranks. Two or three thousand men in blue fell in a moment or so. Fortune + in an instant had made a terrible change of front. + </p> + <p> + Dick shouted aloud in despair as the brigades steadily gave back. The + great Union batteries were firing over their heads again, but even they + could not arrest the Southern advance. Their regiments were coming now + across the shorn cornfield. Dick saw the galloping horses drawing their + batteries up closer and around the flanks. And the rebel yell of victory + which he had heard too often was now swelling from thousands of throats, + as the fierce sons of the South rushed upon their foe. + </p> + <p> + But the North refused to abandon the battle here. These were splendid + troops, so tenacious and so much bent upon victory that they scarcely + needed leaders. Sedgwick, another of their gallant generals, fell and was + carried off the field, wounded severely. Richardson, yet another, was + killed a little later, but heavy reinforcements arrived, and the + Southerners were driven back in their turn. + </p> + <p> + These were picked troops who met here, veterans almost all of them, and + neither would yield. The superior weight and range of the Northern guns + gave them an advantage in artillery, and it was used to the utmost. Dick + did not see how men could live under such a horrible fire, but there were + the gray lines replying, and wherever they yielded, yielding but little. + </p> + <p> + Noon came and then one o'clock. They had been fighting since dawn, and a + combat so impetuous and terrible could not be maintained forever, + particularly when the awful demon of war was eating up men so fast. Many + of the regiments on either side had lost more than half their number and + would lose more. They were human beings, and even the unwounded began to + collapse from mere physical exhaustion. Some dropped to the ground from + sheer inability to stand, and as they lay there, they heard to the south + and west the rolling thunder that told of Burnside's belated advance upon + the Antietam. + </p> + <p> + Down where Lee stood watching, the battle blazed up with extraordinary + rapidity. The men who had been held in leash so long by McClellan were + anxious to get at the foe. Burnside's brigades charged directly for one of + the stone bridges, and Lee, watching from his bowlder, hurried the + Southern troops forward to meet them. Again the Northern artillery proved + its worth. The great batteries sent a hurricane of death over the heads of + the men in blue and toward the town of Sharpsburg. Despite all the valor + of the Southern veterans, the heavy masses of the Union men forced their + way across the bridge to the peninsula. Lee's batteries and infantry + regiments could not hold them. + </p> + <p> + It seemed now that Lee's own force was to be destroyed and that victory + was won, but fortune had in store yet another of those dazzling recoveries + for the South. At the very moment when Lee seemed overwhelmed, A. P. Hill, + as valiant and vigorous as the other Hill, arrived with the last of the + Harper's Ferry veterans, having marched seventeen miles, almost on a dead + run. They crossed the Potomac at a ford below the mouth of the Antietam, + then crossed the Antietam on the lowest bridge back into the peninsula, + and without waiting for orders rushed upon the Northern flank. + </p> + <p> + The attack was so sudden and fierce that Burnside's entire division reeled + back. Here, as in the north, the face of the battle had been changed in an + instant. Not only could Colonel Winchester mourn over those lost two days, + but he could mourn over every lost half hour in them. Had Hill come a half + hour later Lee's whole center would have been swept away. + </p> + <p> + Lee and his great lieutenants, Jackson and Longstreet, were still + confident. Despite the disparity in numbers they had beaten back every + attack. + </p> + <p> + A. P. Hill was a man who corresponded in fire and impetuosity to Hooker. + The number of his veterans was not so great, but their rush was so fierce, + and they struck at such a critical time that the Northern brigades were + unable to hold the ground they had gained. More troops from the dying + battle on the north came to Lee's aid, and every attempt of McClellan to + take Sharpsburg failed. + </p> + <p> + Dick, fighting with his comrades on the north, knew little of what was + passing on the peninsula in the south, but he became conscious after a + while that the appalling fury of the battle around him was diminishing. He + had not seen such a desperate hand-to-hand battle at either Shiloh or the + Second Manassas, and they were terrible enough. But he felt as the + Confederates themselves had felt, that the Southern army was fighting for + existence. + </p> + <p> + But as the day waned, Dick believed that they would never be able to crush + Jackson. The Union troops always returned to the attack, but the men in + gray never failed to meet it, and actual physical exhaustion overwhelmed + the combatants. Pennington went down, and Dick dragged him to his feet, + fearing that he was wounded mortally, but found that his comrade had + merely dropped through weakness. + </p> + <p> + The long day of heat and strife neared its close. Neither Northern + tenacity nor Southern fire could win, and the sun began to droop over the + field piled so thickly with bodies. As the twilight crept up the battle + sank in all parts of the peninsula. McClellan, who had lost those two most + precious days, and who had finally failed to make use of all his numbers + at the same time, now, great in preparation, as usual, made ready for the + emergency of the morrow. + </p> + <p> + All the powerful and improved artillery which McClellan had in such + abundance was brought up. The mathematical minds and the workshops of the + North bore full fruit upon this sanguinary field of Antietam. The + shattered divisions of Hooker, with which Dick and his comrades lay, were + sheltered behind a great line of artillery. No less than thirty rifled + guns of the latest and finest make were massed in one battery to command + the road by which the South might attack. + </p> + <p> + To the south the Northern artillery was equally strong, and beyond the + Antietam also it was massed in battery after battery to protect its men. + </p> + <p> + But the coming twilight found both sides too exhausted to move. The sun + was setting upon the fiercest single day's fighting ever seen in America. + Nearly twenty-five thousand dead or wounded lay upon the field. More than + one fourth of the Southern army was killed or wounded, yet it was in Lee's + mind to attack on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + After night had come the weary Southern generals—those left alive—reported + to Lee as he sat on his horse in the road. The shadows gathered on his + face, as they told of their awful losses, and of the long list of high + officers killed or wounded. Jackson was among the last, and he was gloomy. + The man who had always insisted upon battle did not insist upon it now. + Hood reported that his Texans, who had fought so valiantly for the Dunkard + church, were almost destroyed. + </p> + <p> + The scene in the darkness with the awful battlefield around them was one + which not even the greatest of painters could have reproduced. When the + last general had told his tale of slaughter and destruction, they sat for + a while in silence. They realized the smallness of their army, and the + immense extent of their losses. The light wind that had sprung up swept + over the dead faces of thousands of the bravest men in the Southern army. + They had held their ground, but on the morrow McClellan could bring into + line three to one and an artillery far superior alike in quality, weight + and numbers to theirs. + </p> + <p> + The strange, intense silence lasted. Every eye was upon Lee. When the + generals were making their reports he had shown more emotion than they had + ever seen on his face before. Now he was quiet, but he drew his lips close + together, his eyes shone with blue fire, and rising in his stirrups he + said: + </p> + <p> + “We will not cross the Potomac to-night, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + Then while they still waited in silence, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Go to your commands! Reform and strengthen your lines. Collect all your + stragglers. Bring up every man who is in the rear. If McClellan wants a + battle again in the morning, he shall have it. Now go!” + </p> + <p> + Not a general said a word in objection, in fact, they did not speak at + all, but rode slowly away, every one to his command. Yet they were, + without exception, against the decision of their great leader. + </p> + <p> + Even Stonewall Jackson did not want a second battle. He had shown through + the doubtful conflict a most extraordinary calmness. While the combat in + the north, where he commanded, was at its height, he had sat on Little + Sorrel, now happily restored to him, eating from time to time a peach that + he took from his pocket. Nothing had escaped his observation; he watched + every movement, and noticed every rise and fall in the tide of success. + His silence now indicated that he concurred with the others in his belief + that the remains of the Confederate army should withdraw across the + Potomac, but his manner indicated complete acquiescence in the decision of + his leader. + </p> + <p> + But in the north of the peninsula the remnants of either side had scarce a + thought to bestow upon victory or defeat. It was a question that did not + concern them for the present, so utter was their exhaustion. As night came + and the battle ceased they dropped where they were and sank into sleep or + a stupor that was deeper than sleep. + </p> + <p> + But Dick this time did neither. His nervous system had been strained so + severely that it was impossible for him to keep still. He had found that + all of his friends had received wounds, although they were too slight to + put them out of action. But the Winchester regiment had suffered terribly + again. It did not have a hundred men left fit for service, and even at + that it had got off better than some others. In one of the Virginia + regiments under Longstreet only fourteen men had been left unhurt. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood beside his colonel—Warner and Pennington were lying in a + stupor—and he was appalled. The battle had been fought within a + narrow area, and the tremendous destruction was visible in the moonlight, + heaped up everywhere. Colonel Winchester was as much shaken as he, and the + two, the man and the boy, walked toward the picket line, drawn by a sort + of hideous fascination, as they looked upon the area of conflict. + </p> + <p> + The dead lay in windrows between the two armies which were waiting to + fight on the dawn. Dick and the colonel walked toward the field where the + corn had been waving high that morning, and where it was now mown by + cannon and rifles to the last stalk. In the edge of the wood the boy + paused and grasping the man suddenly by the arm pulled him back. + </p> + <p> + “Look! Look!” he exclaimed in a sharp whisper. “The Confederate + skirmishers! The woods are full of them! They are making ready for a night + attack!” Both he and Colonel Winchester sprang back behind a big tree, + sheltering themselves from a possible shot. But no sound came, not even + that of men creeping forward through the undergrowth. All they heard was + the moaning of the wind through the foliage. They waited, and then the two + looked at each other. The true reason for the extraordinary silence had + occurred to both at the same instant, and they stepped from the shelter of + the tree. + </p> + <p> + Awed and appalled, the man and the boy gazed at the silent forms which lay + row on row in the woods and in the shorn cornfield. It seemed as if they + slept, but Dick knew that all were dead. He and Colonel Winchester gazed + again at each other and shuddering turned away lest they disturb the sleep + of the dead. + </p> + <p> + When they returned to a position behind the guns they heard others coming + in with equally terrible tales. A sunken lane that ran between the hostile + lines was filled to the brim with dead. Boys, yet in their teens, with + nerves completely shattered for the time, chattered hysterically of what + they had seen. The Antietam was still running red. Both Lee and Stonewall + Jackson had been killed and the whole Confederate army would be taken in + the morning. Some said, on the other hand, that the Southerners still had + a hundred thousand men, and that McClellan would certainly be beaten the + next day, if he did not retreat in time. + </p> + <p> + None of the talk, either of victory or defeat, made any impression upon + Dick. His senses were too much dulled by all through which he had gone. + Words no longer meant anything. Although the night was warm he began to + shiver, as if he were seized with a chill. + </p> + <p> + “Lie down, Dick,” said Colonel Winchester, who noticed him. “I don't think + you can stand it any longer. Here, under this tree will do.” + </p> + <p> + Dick threw himself down and Colonel Winchester, finding a blanket, spread + it over him. Then the boy closed his eyes, and, for a while, phase after + phase of the terrible conflict passed before him. He could see the white + wall of the Dunkard church, the Bloody Lane, and most ghastly of all, + those dead men in rows lying on their arms, like regiments asleep, but his + nerves grew quiet at last, and after midnight he slept. + </p> + <p> + Dawn came and found the two armies ready. Dick and the sad remnant of the + Winchester regiment rose to their feet. Although food had been prepared + for them very few in all these brigades had touched a bite the night + before, sinking into sleep or stupor before it could be brought to them. + But now they ate hungrily while they watched for their foes, the + skirmishers of either army already being massed in front to be ready for + any movement by the other. + </p> + <p> + As on the morning before, a mist arose from the Potomac and the Antietam. + The sun, bright and hot, soon dispersed it. But there was no movement by + either army. Dick did not hear the sound of a single shot. Warner and + Pennington, recovered from their stupor, stood beside him gazing southward + toward the rocks and ridges, where the Confederate army lay. + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking,” said Warner, “that they're just as much exhausted as we + are. We're waiting for an attack, and they're waiting for the same. The + odds are at least ninety per cent in favor of my theory. Their losses are + something awful, and I don't think they can do anything against us. Look + how our batteries are massed for them.” + </p> + <p> + Dick was watching through his glasses, and even with their aid he could + see no movement within the Southern lines. Hours passed and still neither + army stirred. McClellan counted his tremendous losses, and he, too, + preferred to await attack rather than offer it. His old obsession that his + enemy was double his real strength seized him, and he was not willing to + risk his army in a second rush upon Lee. + </p> + <p> + While Dick and his comrades were waiting through the long morning hours, + Lee and Jackson and his other lieutenants were deciding whether or not + they should make an attack of their own. But when they studied with their + glasses the Northern lines and the great batteries, they decided that it + would be better not to try it. + </p> + <p> + When noon came and still no shot had been fired, Colonel Winchester shook + his head. + </p> + <p> + “We might yet destroy the Southern army,” he said to Dick, “but I'm + convinced that General McClellan will not move it.” + </p> + <p> + The hot afternoon passed, and then the night came with the sound of + rumbling wheels and marching men. Dick surmised that Lee was leaving the + peninsula, and, crossing the Potomac in to Virginia, and that therefore + tactical victory would rest with the Northern side. The noises continued + all night long, but McClellan made no advance, nor did he do so the next + day, while the whole Confederate army was crossing the Potomac, until + nearly night. + </p> + <p> + But the Winchester regiment and several more of the same skeleton + character, pushing forward a little on the morning of that day, found that + the last Confederate soldier was gone from Sharpsburg. Colonel Winchester + and other officers were eager for the Army of the Potomac to attack the + Army of Northern Virginia, while it dragged itself across the wide and + dangerous ford. + </p> + <p> + But McClellan delayed again, and it was sunset when Dick saw the first + sign of action. A strong division with cannon crossed the river and + attacked the batteries which were covering the Southern rearguard. Four + guns and prisoners were taken, but when Lee heard of it he sent back + Jackson, who beat off all pursuit. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades did not see this last fight, which was the dying + echo of Antietam. They felt that they had defeated the enemy's purpose, + but they did not rejoice over any victory. The sword of Antietam had + turned back Lee and Jackson for a time and perhaps had saved the Union, + but Dick was gloomy and depressed that so little had been won when they + seemed to hold so much in the hollow of their hands. + </p> + <p> + This feeling spread through the whole army, and the privates, even, talked + of it openly. Nobody could forget those precious two days lost before the + battle. Orders No. 191 had put all the cards in their hands, but the + commander had not played them. + </p> + <p> + “I feel that we've really failed,” said Warner, as they sat beside a camp + fire. “The Southerners certainly fought like demons, but we ought to have + been there long before Jackson came, and we ought to have whipped them, + even after Jackson did come.” + </p> + <p> + “But we didn't,” said Pennington, “and so we've got the job to do all over + again. You know, George, we're bound to win.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Frank; but while we're doing it the country is being ripped to + pieces. I'll never quit mourning over that lost chance at Antietam.” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate we came off better than at the Second Manassas,” said Dick. + “What's ahead of us now?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” replied Warner. “I saw Shepard yesterday, and he says that + the Southerners are recuperating in Virginia. We need restoratives + ourselves, and I don't suppose we'll have any important movements along + this line for a while.” + </p> + <p> + “But there'll be big fighting somewhere,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + </h2> + <p> + Two days after the battle of Antietam, Dick went with Colonel Winchester + to Washington on official duty. His nerves, shaken so severely by that + awful battle, were not yet fully restored and he was glad of the little + respite, and change of scene. The sights of the city and the talk of men + were a restorative to him. + </p> + <p> + The capital was undoubtedly gay. The deep depression and fear that had + hung over it a few weeks ago were gone. Men had believed after the Second + Manassas that Lee might take Washington and this fear was not decreased + when he passed into Maryland on what seemed to be an invasion. Many had + begun to believe that he was invincible, that every Northern commander + whoever he might be, would be beaten by him, but Antietam, although there + were bitter complaints that Lee might have been destroyed instead of + merely being checked, had changed a sky of steel into a sky of blue. + </p> + <p> + Washington was not only gay, it was brilliant. Life flowed fast and it was + astonishingly vivid. A restless society, always seeking something new + flitted from house to house. Dick, young and impressionable, would have + been glad to share a little in it, but his time was too short. He went + once with Colonel Winchester to the theatre, and the boy who had thrice + seen a hundred and fifty thousand men in deadly action hung breathless + over the mimic struggles of a few men and women on a painted stage. + </p> + <p> + The second day after his arrival he received a letter from his mother that + had been awaiting him there. It had come by the way of Louisville through + the Northern lines, and it was long and full of news. Pendleton, she said, + was a sad town in these days. All of the older boys and young men had gone + away to the armies, and many of them had been killed already, or had died + in hospitals. Here she gave names and Dick's heart grew heavy, because in + this fatal list were old friends of his. + </p> + <p> + It was not alone the boys and young men who had gone, wrote Mrs. Mason, + but the middle-aged men, too. Dr. Russell had kept the Pendleton Academy + open, but he had no pupil over sixteen years of age. There were no + trustees, because they had all gone to the war. Senator Culver had been + killed in the fighting in Tennessee, but she heard that Colonel Kenton was + alive and well and with Bragg's army. + </p> + <p> + The affairs of the Union, she continued, were not going well in Tennessee + and Kentucky. The terrible Confederate cavalryman Forrest had suddenly + raided Murfreesborough in Tennessee, where Union regiments were stationed, + and had destroyed or captured them all. Throughout the west the + Southerners were raising their heads again. General Bragg, it was said, + was advancing with a strong army, and was already farther north than the + army of General Buell, which was in Tennessee. It was said that + Louisville, one of the largest and richest of the border cities, would + surely fall into the hands of the South. + </p> + <p> + Dick read the letter with changing and strong emotions. Amid the terrible + struggles in the east, the west was almost blotted out of his mind. The + Second Manassas and Antietam had great power to absorb attention wholly + upon themselves. He had wholly forgotten for the time about Pendleton, the + people whom he knew, and even his mother. Now they returned with increased + strength. His memory was flooded with recollections of the little town, + every house and face of which he knew. + </p> + <p> + And so the Confederates were coming north again with a great army. Shiloh + had been far from crushing them in the west. The letter had been written + before the Second Manassas, and that and Lee's great fight against odds at + Antietam would certainly arouse in them the wish for like achievements. He + inferred that since the armies in the east were exhausted, the great field + for action would be for a while, in the west, and he was seized with an + intense longing for that region which was his own. + </p> + <p> + It was not coincidence, but the need for men that made Dick's wish come + true almost at once. A few hours after he received his letter Colonel + Winchester found him sitting in the lobby of the hotel in which Dick had + twice talked with the contractor. But the boy was alone this time, and as + Colonel Winchester sat down beside him he said: + </p> + <p> + “Dick, the capital has received alarming news from Kentucky. Buoyed up by + their successes in the east the Confederacy is going to make an effort to + secure that state. Bragg with a powerful force is already on his way + toward Louisville, and we fear that he has slipped away from Buell.” + </p> + <p> + “So I've heard. I found here a letter from my mother, and she told me all + the reports from that section.” + </p> + <p> + “And is Mrs. Mason well? She has not been troubled by guerillas, or in any + other way?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. Mother's health is always good, and she has not been + molested.” + </p> + <p> + “Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon.” + </p> + <p> + “Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west. This + movement of Bragg's army is formidable, and it would be a great blow for + us if he took Louisville. Dispatches have been sent east for help. My + regiment and several others that really belong in the west have been asked + for, and we are to start in three days. Dick, do you know how many men of + the Winchester regiment are left? We shall be able to start with only one + hundred and five men, and when we attacked at Donelson we were a thousand + strong.” + </p> + <p> + “And the end of the war, sir, seems as far off as ever.” + </p> + <p> + “So it does, Dick, but we'll go, and we'll do our best. Starting from + Washington we can reach Louisville in two days by train. Bragg, no matter + what progress he may make across the state, cannot be there then. If any + big battle is to be fought we're likely to be in it.” + </p> + <p> + The scanty remainder of the regiment was brought to Washington and two + days later they were in Louisville, which they found full of alarm. The + famous Southern partisan leader, John Morgan, had been roaming everywhere + over the state, capturing towns, taking prisoners and throwing all the + Union communications into confusion by means of false dispatches. + </p> + <p> + People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's + telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument, + and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general pleased. + It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville where there + was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell on another + line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him and + Louisville. + </p> + <p> + But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding as + usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring into + Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg had captured + the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at Munfordville, the + crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady advance. + </p> + <p> + But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering + force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside. + </p> + <p> + At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east, and + then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army already + gathered there and a division sent by Grant from his station at Corinth, + in Mississippi, he was at the head of a hundred thousand men, and Bragg + could not muster more than half as many. + </p> + <p> + So rapid had been the passage of events that Dick found himself a member + of Buell's reorganized army, and ready to march, only thirteen days after + the sun set on the bloody field of Antietam, seven hundred miles away. + Bragg, they said, was at Lexington, in the heart of the state, and the + Union army was in motion to punish him for his temerity in venturing out + of the far south. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt a great elation as he rode once more over the soil of his native + state. He beheld again many of the officers whom he had seen at Donelson, + and also he spoke to General Buell, who although as taciturn and somber as + ever, remembered him. + </p> + <p> + Warner and Pennington were by his side, the colonel rode before, and the + Winchester regiment marched behind. Volunteers from Kentucky and other + states had raised it to about three hundred men, and the new lads listened + with amazement, while the unbearded veterans told them of Shiloh, the + Second Manassas and Antietam. + </p> + <p> + “Good country, this of yours, Dick,” said Warner, as they rode through the + rich lands east of Louisville. “Worth saving. I'm glad the doctor ordered + me west for my health.” + </p> + <p> + “He didn't order you west for your health,” said Pennington. “He ordered + you west to get killed for your country.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, at any rate, I'm here, and as I said, this looks like a land worth + saving.” + </p> + <p> + “It's still finer when you get eastward into the Bluegrass,” said Dick, + “but it isn't showing at its best. I never before saw the ground looking + so burnt and parched. They say it's the dryest summer known since the + country was settled eighty or ninety years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Dick hoped that their line of march would take them near Pendleton, and as + it soon dropped southward he saw that his hope had come true. They would + pass within twenty miles of his mother's home, and at Dick's urgent and + repeated request, Colonel Winchester strained a point and allowed him to + go. He was permitted to select a horse of unusual power and speed, and he + departed just before sundown. + </p> + <p> + “Remember that you're to rejoin us to-morrow,” said Colonel Winchester. + “Beware of guerillas. I hope you'll find your mother well.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel sure of it, and I shall tell her how very kind and helpful you've + been to me, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + Dick, in his haste to be off did not notice that the colonel's voice + quivered and that his face flushed as he uttered the emphatic “thank you.” + A few minutes later he was riding swiftly southward over a road that he + knew well. His start was made at six o'clock and he was sure that by ten + o'clock he would be in Pendleton. + </p> + <p> + The road was deserted. This was a well-peopled country, and he saw many + houses, but nearly always the doors and shutters of the windows were + closed. The men were away, and the women and children were shutting out + the bands that robbed in the name of either army. + </p> + <p> + The night came down, and Dick still sped southward with no one appearing + to stop him. He did not know just where the Southern army lay, but he did + not believe that he would come in contact with any of its flankers. His + horse was so good and true, that earlier than he had hoped, he was + approaching Pendleton. The moon was up now, and every foot of the ground + was familiar. He crossed brooks in which he and Harry Kenton and other + boys of his age had waded—but he had never seen them so low before—and + he marked the tree in which he had shot his first squirrel. + </p> + <p> + It had not been so many months since he had been in Pendleton, and yet it + seemed years and years. Three great battles in which seventy or eighty + thousand men had fallen were enough to make anybody older. + </p> + <p> + Dick paused on the crest of a little hill and looked toward the place + where his mother's house stood. He had come just in this way in the + winter, and he looked forward to another meeting as happy. The moonlight + was very clear now and he saw no smoke rising from the chimneys, but this + was summer, and of course they would not have a fire burning at such an + hour. + </p> + <p> + He rode on a little further and paused again at the crest of another hill. + His view of Pendleton here was still better. He could see more roofs, and + walls, but he noticed that no smoke rose from any house. Pendleton lay + very still in its hollow. On the far side he saw the white walls of + Colonel Kenton's house shining in the moonlight. Something leaped in his + brain. He seemed to have been looking upon such white walls only + yesterday, white walls that stood out in a fiery haze, white walls that he + could never forget though he lived to be a hundred. + </p> + <p> + Then he remembered. The white walls were those of the Dunkard church at + Antietam, around which the blue and the gray had piled their bodies in + masses. The vast battlefield ranged past him like a moving panorama, and + then he was merely looking at Pendleton lying there below, so still. + </p> + <p> + Dick was sensitive and his affections were strong. He loved his mother + with a remarkable devotion, and his friends were for all time. Highly + imaginative, he felt a powerful stirring of the heart, at his second + return to Pendleton since his departure for the war. Yet he was chilled + somewhat by the strange silence hanging over the little town that he loved + so well. It was night, it was true, but not even a dog barked at his + coming, and there was not the faintest trail of smoke across the sky. A + brilliant moon shone, and white stars unnumbered glittered and danced, yet + they showed no movement of man in the town below. + </p> + <p> + He shook off the feeling, believing that it was merely a sensitiveness + born of time and place, and rode straight for his mother's house. Then he + dismounted, tied his horse to one of the pines, and ran up the walk to the + front door, where he knocked softly at first, and then more loudly. + </p> + <p> + No answer came and Dick's heart sank within him like a plummet in a pool. + He went to the edge of the walk, gathered up some gravel and threw it + against a window in his mother's room on the second floor. That would + arouse her, because he knew that she slept lightly in these times, when + her son was off to the wars. But the window was not raised, and he could + hear no sound of movement in the room. + </p> + <p> + Alarmed, he went back to the front door, and he noticed that while the + door was locked the keyhole was empty. Then his mother was gone away. The + sign was almost infallible. Had any one been at home the key would have + been on the inside. + </p> + <p> + His heart grew lighter. There had been no violence. No roving band had + come there to plunder. He whistled and shouted through the keyhole, + although he did not want anyone who might possibly be passing in the road + to hear him, as this town was almost wholly Southern in its sympathies. + </p> + <p> + There was still no answer, and leading his horse behind one of the pine + trees on the lawn, where it would not be observed, he went to the rear of + the house, and taking a stick pried open a kitchen window. He had learned + this trick when he was a young boy, and climbing lightly inside he closed + the window behind him and fastened the catch. + </p> + <p> + He knew of course every hall and room of the house, but the moment he + entered it he felt that it was deserted. The air was close and heavy, + showing that no fresh breeze had blown through it for days. It was + impossible that his mother or the faithful colored woman could have lived + there so long a time with closed doors and shuttered windows. + </p> + <p> + When he passed into the main part of his home, and touched a door or + chair, a fine dust grated slightly under his fingers. Here was + confirmation, if further confirmation was needed. Dust on chairs and + tables and sofas in the house in which his mother was present. Impossible! + Such a thing could not occur with her there. It was not the white dust of + the road or fields, but the black dust that gathers in closed chambers. + </p> + <p> + He went up to his mother's room, and, opening one of the shutters a few + inches, let in a little light. It was in perfect order. Everything was in + its place. Upon the dresser was a little vase containing some shrivelled + flowers. The water in the vase had dried up days ago, and the flowers had + dried up with it. + </p> + <p> + In this room and in all the others everything was arranged with order and + method, as if one were going away for a long time. Dick drew a chair near + the window, that he had opened slightly, and sat down. Much of his fear + for his mother disappeared. It was obvious that she and her faithful + attendant, Juliana, had gone, probably to be out of the track of the + armies or to escape plundering bands like Skelly's. + </p> + <p> + He wondered where she had gone, whether northward or southward. There were + many places that would gladly receive her. Nearly all the people in this + part of the state were more or less related, and with them the tie of + kinship was strong. It was probable that she would go north, or east. She + might have gone to Lexington, or Winchester, or Richmond, or even in the + hills to Somerset. + </p> + <p> + Well, he could not solve it. He was deeply disappointed because he had not + found her there, but he was relieved from his first fear that the + guerillas had come. He closed and fastened the window again, and then + walked all through the house once more. His eyes had now grown so used to + the darkness that he could see everything dimly. He went into his own + room. A picture of himself that used to hang on the wall now stood on the + dresser. He knew very well why, and he knew, too, that his mother often + passed hours in that room. + </p> + <p> + Below stairs everything was neatness and in order. He went into the + parlor, of which he had stood in so much awe, when he was a little child. + The floor was covered with an imported carpet, mingled brown and red. A + great Bible lay upon a small marble-topped table in the center of the + room. Two larger tables stood against the wall. Upon them lay volumes of + the English classics, and a cluster of wax flowers under a glass cover, + that had seemed wonderful to Dick in his childhood. + </p> + <p> + But the room awed him no more, and he turned at once to the great squares + of light that faced each other from wall to wall. + </p> + <p> + A famous portrait painter had arisen at Lexington when the canebrake was + scarcely yet cleared away from the heart of Kentucky. His work was + astonishing to have come out of a country yet a wilderness, and a century + later he is ranked among the great painters. But it is said that the best + work he ever did is the pair of portraits that face each other in the + Mason home, and the other pair, the exact duplicates that face each other + in the same manner in the Kenton house. + </p> + <p> + Dick opened a shutter entirely, and the light of the white moon, white + like marble, streamed in. The sudden inpouring illuminated the room so + vividly that Dick's heart missed a beat. It seemed, for a minute, that the + two men in the portraits were stepping from the wall. Then his heart beat + steadily again and the color returned to his face. They had always been + there, those two portraits. Men had never lived more intensely than they, + and the artist, at the instant his genius was burning brightest, had + caught them in the moment of extraordinary concentration. Their souls had + looked through their eyes and his own soul looking through his had met + theirs. + </p> + <p> + Dick gazed at one and then at the other. There was his great grandfather, + Paul Cotter, a man of vision and inspiration, the greatest scholar the + west had ever produced, and there facing him was his comrade of a long + life-time, Henry Ware, the famous borderer, afterward the great governor + of the state. They had been painted in hunting suits of deerskin, with the + fringed borders and beaded moccasins, and raccoon skin caps. + </p> + <p> + These were men, Dick's great grandfather and Harry's. An immense pride + that he was the great-grandson of one of them suddenly swelled up in his + bosom, and he was proud, too, that the descendants of the borderers, and + of the earlier borderers in the east, should show the same spirit and + stamina. No one could look upon the fields of Shiloh, and Manassas and + Antietam and say that any braver men ever lived. + </p> + <p> + He drew his chair into the middle of the room and sat and looked at them a + long time. His steady gazing and his own imaginative brain, keyed to the + point of excitement, brought back into the portraits that singular quality + of intense life. Had they moved he would not have been surprised, and the + eyes certainly looked down at him in full and ample recognition. + </p> + <p> + What did they say? He gazed straight into the eyes of one and then + straight into the eyes of the other, and over and over again. But the + expression there was Delphic. He must choose for himself, as they had + chosen for themselves, and remembering that he was lingering, when he + should not linger, he closed and fastened the window, slipped out at the + kitchen window and returned to his horse. + </p> + <p> + He remounted in the road and rode a few paces nearer to Pendleton, which + still lay silent in the white moonlight. He had no doubt now that many of + the people had fled like his mother. Most of the houses must be closed and + shuttered like hers. That was why the town was so silent. He would have + been glad to see Dr. Russell and old Judge Kendrick and others again, but + it would have been risky to go into the center of the place, and it would + have been a breach, too, of the faith that Colonel Winchester had put in + him. + </p> + <p> + He crushed the wish and turned away. Then he saw the white walls of + Colonel Kenton's house shining upon a hill among the pines beyond the + town. He was quite sure that it would be deserted, and there was no harm + in passing it. He knew it as well as his own home. He and Harry had played + in every part of it, and it was, in truth, a second home to him. + </p> + <p> + He rode slowly along the road which led to the quiet house. Colonel Kenton + had all the instincts so strong in the Kentuckians and Virginians of his + type. A portion of his wealth had been devoted to decoration and beauty. + The white, sanded road led upward through a great park, splendid with oak + and beech and maple, and elms of great size. Nearer the house he came to + the cedars and clipped pines, like those surrounding his mother's own + home. + </p> + <p> + He opened the iron gate that led to the house, and tied his horse inside. + Here was the same desolation and silence that he had beheld at his own + home. The grass on the lawn, although withered and dry from the intense + drought that had prevailed in Kentucky that summer, was long and showed + signs of neglect. The great stone pillars of the portico, from the shelter + of which Harry and his father and their friends had fought Skelly and his + mountaineers, were stained, and around their bases were dirty from the + sand and earth blown against them. The lawn and even the portico were + littered with autumn leaves. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt the chill settling down on him again. War, not war with armies, + but war in its results, had swept over his uncle's home as truly as it had + swept over his mother's. There was no sign of a human being. Doubtless the + colored servants had fled to the Union armies, and to the freedom which + they as yet knew so little how to use. He felt a sudden access of anger + against them, because they had deserted a master so kind and just, + forgetting, for the moment that he was fighting to free them from that + very master. + </p> + <p> + All the windows were dark, but he walked upon the portico and the dry + autumn leaves rustled under his feet. He would have turned away, but he + noticed that the front door stood ajar six or eight inches. The fact + amazed him. If a servant was about, he would not leave it open, and if + robbers were in the house, they would close it in order not to attract + attention. It was a great door of massive and magnificent oak, highly + polished, with heavy bands of glittering bronze running across it. But it + was so lightly poised on its hinges, that, despite its great weight, a + child could have swung it back and forth with his little finger. Henry + Ware, who built the house after his term as governor was over, was always + proud of this door. + </p> + <p> + Dick ran his hand along one of the polished bronze bars as he had often + done when he was a boy, enjoying the cool touch of the metal. Then he put + his thumb against the edge of the door, and pushed it a little further + open. Something was wrong here, and he meant to see what it was. He had no + scruples about entering. He did not consider himself in the least an + intruder. This was his uncle's house, and his uncle and his cousin were + far away. + </p> + <p> + The door made no sound as it swung back, and soundless, too, was Dick as + he stepped within. It was dark in the big hall, but as he stood there, + listening, he became conscious of a light. It proceeded from one of the + rooms opening into the hall on the right, and a door nearly closed only + allowed a narrow band of it to fall upon the hall floor. + </p> + <p> + Dick, believing now that a robber had indeed come, drew a pistol from his + pocket, stepped lightly across the hall and looked in at the door. + </p> + <p> + He checked a cry, and it was his first thought to go away as quietly as he + had come. He had seen a man in the uniform of a Confederate colonel, + sitting in a chair, and staring out at one of the little side windows + which Dick could not see from the front, and which was now open. It was + his own uncle, Colonel George Kenton, C. S. A., his gold braided cap on + the window sill, and his sword in its scabbard lying across his knees. + </p> + <p> + But Dick changed his mind. His uncle was a colonel on one side, and he was + a lieutenant on the other, and from one point of view it was almost high + treason for them to meet there and talk quietly together, but from another + it was the most natural thing in the world, commanded alike by duty and + affection. + </p> + <p> + He pushed open the door a little further and stepped inside. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle George,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Kenton sprang to his feet, and his sword clattered upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Good God!” he cried. “You, Dick! Here! To-night!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Uncle George, it's no other.” + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose you have Yankees without to take me.” + </p> + <p> + “Those are hard words, sir, and you don't mean them. I'm all alone, just + as you were. I galloped south, sir, to see my mother, whom I found gone, + where, I don't know, and then I couldn't resist the temptation to come by + here and see your house and Harry's, which, as you know, sir, has been + almost a home to me, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God you came, Dick,” said the colonel putting his arms around + Dick's shoulders, and giving him an affectionate hug. “You were right. I + did not mean what I said. There is only one other in the world whom I'd + rather see than you. Dick, I didn't know whether you were dead or alive, + until I saw your face there in the doorway.” + </p> + <p> + It was obvious to Dick that his uncle's emotions were deeply stirred. He + felt the strong hands upon his shoulders trembling, but the veteran + soldier soon steadied his nerves, and asked Dick to sit down in a chair + which he drew close beside his own at the window. + </p> + <p> + “I thank God again that the notion took you to come by the house,” he + said. “It's pleasant and cool here at the window, isn't it, Dick, boy?” + </p> + <p> + Dick knew that he was thinking nothing about the window and the pleasant + coolness of the night. He knew equally well the question that was + trembling on his lips but which he could not muster the courage to ask. + But he had one of his own to ask first. + </p> + <p> + “My mother?” he asked. “Do you know where she has gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dick, I came here in secret, but I've seen two men, Judge Kendrick + and Dr. Russell. The armies are passing so close to this place, and the + guerillas from the mountains have become so troublesome, that she has gone + to Danville to stay a while with her relatives. Nearly everybody else has + gone, too. That's why the town is so silent. There were not many left + anyway, except old people and children. But, Dick, I have ridden as far as + you have to-night, and I came to ask a question which I thought Judge + Kendrick or Dr. Russell might answer—news of those who leave a town + often comes back to it—but neither of them could tell me what I + wanted to hear. Dick, I have not heard a word of Harry since spring. His + army has fought since then two great battles and many smaller ones! It was + for this, to get some word of him, that I risked everything in leaving our + army to come to Pendleton!” + </p> + <p> + He turned upon Dick a face distorted with pain and anxiety, and the boy + quickly said: + </p> + <p> + “Uncle George, I have every reason to believe that Harry is alive and + well.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you know? What have you heard about him?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not merely heard. I have seen him and talked with him. It was + after the Second Manassas, when we were both with burial parties, and met + on the field. I was at Antietam, and he, of course, was there, too, as he + is with Stonewall Jackson. I did not see him in that battle, but I learned + from a prisoner who knew him that he had escaped unwounded, and had gone + with Lee's army into Virginia.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank God once more, Dick, that you were moved to come by my house. To + know that both Harry and you are alive and well is joy enough for one + man.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is likely, sir, that we'll soon meet in battle,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “So it would seem.” + </p> + <p> + And that was all that either said about his army. There was no attempt to + obtain information by direct or indirect methods. This was a family + meeting. + </p> + <p> + “You have a horse, of course,” said Colonel Kenton. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. He is on the lawn, tied to your fence. His hoofs may now be in + a flower bed.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't matter, Dick. People are not thinking much of flower beds + nowadays. My own horse is further down the lawn between the pines, and as + he is an impatient beast it is probable that he has already dug up a + square yard or two of turf with his hoofs. How did you get in, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “You forgot about the front door, sir, and left it open six or seven + inches. I thought some plunderer was within and entered, to find you.” + </p> + <p> + “I must have been watched over to-night when forgetfulness was rewarded so + well. Dick, we've found out what we came for and neither should linger + here. Do you need anything?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing at all, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll go.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Kenton carefully closed and fastened the window and door again and + the two mounted their horses, which they led into the road. + </p> + <p> + “Dick,” said the colonel, “you and I are on opposing sides, but we can + never be enemies.” + </p> + <p> + Then, after a strong handclasp, they rode away by different roads, each + riding with a lighter heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + </h2> + <p> + Dick's horse had had a good rest, and he was fighting for his head before + they were clear of the outskirts of Pendleton. When the road emerged once + more into the deep woods the boy gave him the rein. It was well past + midnight now, and he wished to reach the army before dawn. + </p> + <p> + Soon the great horse was galloping, and Dick felt exhilaration as the cool + air of early October rushed past. The heat in both east and west had been + so long and intense, that year, that the coming of autumn was full of + tonic. Yet the uncommon dryness, the least rainy summer and autumn in two + generations, still prevailed. The hoofs of Dick's horse left a cloud of + dust behind him. The leaves of the trees were falling already, rustling + dryly as they fell. Brooks that were old friends of his and that he had + never known to go dry before were merely chains of yellow pools in a + shallow bed. + </p> + <p> + He watered his horse at one or two of the creeks that still flowed in good + volume, and then went on again, sometimes at a gallop. He passed but one + horseman, a farmer who evidently had taken an unusually early start for a + mill, as a sack of corn lay across his saddle behind him. Dick nodded but + the farmer stared open-mouthed at the youth in the blue uniform who flew + past him. + </p> + <p> + Dick never looked back and by dawn he was with the army. He found Colonel + Winchester taking breakfast under the thin shade of an oak, and joined + him. + </p> + <p> + “What did you find, Dick?” asked the colonel, striving to hide the note of + anxiety in his voice. + </p> + <p> + “I found all right at the house, but I did not see mother.” + </p> + <p> + “What had become of her?” + </p> + <p> + “I learned from a friend that in order to be out of the path of the army + or of prowling bands she had gone to relatives of ours in Danville. Then I + came away.” + </p> + <p> + “She did well,” said Colonel Winchester. “The rebels are concentrating + about Lexington, but the battle, I think, will take place far south of + that city.” + </p> + <p> + Before the day was old they heard news that changed their opinion for the + time at least. A scout brought news that a division of the Confederate + army was much nearer than Lexington; in fact, that it was at Frankfort, + the capital of the state. And the news was heightened in interest by the + statement that the division was there to assist in the inauguration of a + Confederate government of the state, so little of which the Confederate + army held. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester at once applied to General Buell for permission for a + few officers like himself, natives of Kentucky and familiar with the + region, to ride forward and see what the enemy was really doing. Dick was + present at the interview and it was characteristic. + </p> + <p> + “If you leave, what of your regiment, Colonel Winchester?” said General + Buell. + </p> + <p> + “I shall certainly rejoin it in time for battle.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose the enemy should prevent you?” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot do so.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember you at Shiloh. You did good work there.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “And this lad, Lieutenant Mason, he has also done well. But he is young.” + </p> + <p> + “I can vouch for him, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then take twenty of your bravest and most intelligent men and ride toward + Frankfort. It may be that we shall have to take a part in this + inauguration, which I hear is scheduled for to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be so, sir,” said Colonel Winchester, returning General Buell's + grim smile. Then he and Dick saluted and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + But it did not take the colonel long to make his preparations. Among his + twenty men all were natives of Kentucky except Warner, Pennington and + Sergeant Whitley. Two were from Frankfort itself, and they were confident + that they could approach through the hills with comparative security, the + little capital nestling in its little valley. + </p> + <p> + They rode rapidly and by nightfall drew near to the rough Benson Hills, + which suddenly shooting up in a beautiful rolling country, hem in the + capital. Although it was now the third day of October the little party + marked anew the extreme dryness and the shrunken condition of everything. + It was all the more remarkable as no region in the world is better watered + than Kentucky, with many great rivers, more small ones, and innumerable + creeks and brooks. There are few points in the state where a man can be + more than a mile from running water. + </p> + <p> + The dryness impressed Dick. They had dust here, as they had had it in + Virginia, but there it was trampled up by great armies. Here it was raised + by their own little party, and as the October winds swept across the dry + fields it filled their eyes with particles. Yet it was one of the finest + regions of the world, underlaid with vitalizing limestone, a land where + the grass grows thick and long and does not die even in winter. + </p> + <p> + “If one were superstitious,” said Dick, “he could think it was a + punishment sent upon us all for fighting so much, and for killing so many + men about questions that lots of us don't understand, and that at least + could have been settled in some other way.” + </p> + <p> + “It's easy enough to imagine it so,” said Warner in his precise way, “but + after all, despite the reasons against it, here we are fighting and + killing one another with a persistence that has never been surpassed. It's + a perfectly simple question in mathematics. Let x equal the anger of the + South, let y equal the anger of the North, let 10 equal the percentage of + reason, 100, of course, being the whole, then you have x + y + 10 + equalling 100. The anger of the two sections is consequently x + y, + equalling 100 - 10, or 90. When anger constitutes 90 per cent., what + chance has reason, which is only 10 per cent., or one-ninth of anger?” + </p> + <p> + “No chance at all,” replied Dick. “That has already been proved without + the aid of algebra. Here is a man in a cornfield signaling to us. I wonder + what he wants?” + </p> + <p> + As Dick spoke, Colonel Winchester, who had already noticed the man, gave + an order to stop. The stranger, bent and knotted by hard work on the farm, + hurried toward them. He leaned against the fence a moment, gasping for + breath, and then said: + </p> + <p> + “You're Union men, ain't you? It's no disguise?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Colonel Winchester, “we're Union men, and it's no disguise + that we're wearing, Malachi White. I've seen you several times in + Frankfort, selling hay.” + </p> + <p> + The farmer, who had climbed upon the fence and who was sitting on the top + rail, hands on his knees, stared at him open-mouthed. + </p> + <p> + “You've got my name right. Malachi White it is,” he said, “suah enough, + but I don't know yours. 'Pears to me, however, that they's somethin' + familiar about you. Mebbe it's the way you throw back your shoulders an' + look a fellow squah in the eyes.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester smiled. No man is insensible to a compliment which is + obviously spontaneous. + </p> + <p> + “I spent a night once at your house, Mr. White,” he said. “I was going to + Frankfort on horseback. I was overtaken at dusk by a storm and I reached + your place just in time. I remember that I slept on a mighty soft feather + bed, and ate a splendid breakfast in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + Malachi White was not insensible to compliments either. He smiled, and the + smile which merely showed his middle front teeth at first, gradually + broadened until it showed all of them. Then it rippled and stretched in + little waves, until it stopped somewhere near his ears. Dick regarded him + with delight. It was the broadest and finest smile that he had seen in + many a long month. + </p> + <p> + “Now I know you,” said Malachi White, looking intently at the colonel. “I + ain't as strong on faces as some people, though I reckon I'm right strong + on 'em, too, but I'm pow'ful strong on recollectin' hear'in', that is, the + voice and the trick of it. It was fo' yea's ago when you stopped at my + house. You had a curious trick of pronouncin' r's when they wasn't no r's. + You'd say door, an' hour, when ev'body knowed it was doah, an' houah, but + I don't hold it ag'in you fo' not knowin' how to pronounce them wo'ds. Yoh + name is Ahthuh Winchestuh.” + </p> + <p> + “As right as right can be,” said Colonel Winchester, reaching over and + giving him a hearty hand. “I'm a colonel in the Union army now, and these + are my officers and men. What was it you wanted to tell us?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to ride on fuhthah. It ain't mo' than fifteen miles to Frankfort. The + place is plum full of the Johnnies. I seed 'em thah myself. Ki'by Smith, + an' a sma't gen'ral he is, too, is thah, an' so's Bragg, who I don't know + much 'bout. They's as thick as black be'ies in a patch, an' they's all + gettin ready fo' a gran' ma'ch an' display to-mo'ow when they sweah in the + new Southe'n gove'nuh, Mistah Hawes. They've got out scouts, too, colonel, + an' if you go on you'll run right squah into 'em an' be took, which I + allow you don't want to happen, nohow.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Malachi, I don't, nor do any of us, but we're going on and we don't + mean to be taken. Most of the men know this country well. Two of them, in + fact, were born in Frankfort.” + </p> + <p> + “Then mebbe you kin look out fo' yo'selves, bein' as you are Kentuckians. + I'm mighty strong fo' the Union myself, but a lot of them officers that + came down from the no'th 'pear to tu'n into pow'ful fools when they git + away from home, knowin' nothin' 'bout the country, an' not willin' to + lea'n. Always walkin' into traps. I guess they've nevah missed a single + trap the rebels have planted. Sometimes I've been so mad 'bout it that + I've felt like quittin' bein' a Yank an' tu'nin' to a Johnny. But somehow + I've nevah been able to make up my mind to go ag'in my principles. Is + Gen'ral Grant leadin' you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, General Buell.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm so'y of that. Gen'ral Buell, f'om all I heah, is a good fightah, but + slow. Liable to git thar, an' hit like all ta'nation, when it's a little + mite too late. He's one of ouah own Kentuckians, an' I won't say anything + ag'in him; not a wo'd, colonel, don't think that, but I've been pow'ful + took with this fellow Grant. I ain't any sojah, myself, but I like the + tales I heah 'bout him. When a fellow hits him he hits back ha'dah, then + the fellow comes back with anothah ha'dah still, an' then Grant up an' + hits him a wallop that you heah a mile, an' so on an' so on.” + </p> + <p> + “You're right, Malachi. I was with him at Donelson and Shiloh and that's + the way he did.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon it's the right way. Is it true, colonel, that he taps the + ba'el?” + </p> + <p> + “Taps the barrel? What do you mean, Malachi?” + </p> + <p> + White put his hands hollowed out like a scoop to his mouth and turned up + his face. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Colonel Winchester, “and I'm glad to say no, Malachi. If he + takes anything he takes water just like the rest of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Pow'ful glad to heah it, but it ain't easy to get too much good watah + this yeah. Nevah knowed such a dry season befoah, an' I was fifty-two + yeahs old, three weeks an' one day ago yestuhday.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Malachi, for your warning. We'll be doubly careful, because of + it, and I hope after this war is over to share your fine hospitality once + more.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll sho'ly be welcome an' ev'y man an' boy with you will be welcome, + too. Fuhthah on, 'bout foah hund'ed yahds, you'll come to a path leadin' + into the woods. You take that path, colonel. It'll be sundown soon, an' + you follow it th'ough the night.” + </p> + <p> + The two men shook hands again, and then the soldiers rode on at a brisk + trot. Malachi White sat on the fence, looking at them from under the brim + of his old straw hat, until they came to the path that he had indicated + and disappeared in the woods. Then he sighed and walked back slowly to his + house in the cornfield. Malachi White had no education, but he had much + judgment and he was a philosopher. + </p> + <p> + But Dick and the others rode on through the forest, penetrating into the + high and rough hills which were sparsely inhabited. The nights, as it was + now October, were cool, despite the heat and dust of the day, and they + rode in a grateful silence. It was more than an hour after dark when + Powell, one of the Frankforters, spoke: + </p> + <p> + “We can hit the old town by midnight easy enough,” he said. “Unless + they've stretched pretty wide lines of pickets I can lead you, sir, within + four hundred yards of Frankfort, where you can stay under cover yourself + and look right down into it. I guess by this good moonlight I could point + out old Bragg himself, if he should be up and walking around the streets.” + </p> + <p> + “That suits us, Powell,” said Colonel Winchester. “You and May lead the + way.” + </p> + <p> + May was the other Frankforter and they took the task eagerly. They were + about to look down upon home after an absence of more than a year, a year + that was more than a normal ten. They were both young, not over twenty, + and after a while they turned out of the path and led into the deep woods. + </p> + <p> + “It's open forest through here, no underbrush, colonel,” said Powell, “and + it makes easy riding. Besides, about a mile on there's a creek running + down to the Kentucky that will have deep water in it, no matter how dry + the season has been. Tom May and I have swum in it many a time, and I + reckon our horses need water, colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “So they do, and so do we. We'll stop a bit at this creek of yours, + Powell.” + </p> + <p> + The creek was all that the two Frankfort lads had claimed for it. It was + two feet deep, clear, cold and swift, shadowed by great primeval trees. + Men and horses drank eagerly, and at last Colonel Winchester, feeling that + there was neither danger nor the need of hurry, permitted them to undress + and take a quick bath, which was a heavenly relief and stimulant, allowing + them to get clear of the dust and dirt of the day. + </p> + <p> + “It's a beauty of a creek,” said Powell to Dick. “About a half mile + further down the stream is a tremendous tree on which is cut with a + penknife, 'Dan'l Boone killed a bar here, June 26, 1781.' I found it + myself, and I cut away enough of the bark growth with a penknife for it to + show clearly. I imagine the great Daniel and Simon Kenton and Harrod and + the rest killed lots of bears in these hills.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd go and see that inscription in the morning,” said Dick, “if I didn't + have a bit of war on my hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe you'll have a chance later on. But I'm feeling bully after this + cold bath. Dick, I came into the creek weighing two hundred and + twenty-five pounds, one hundred and fifty pounds of human being and + seventy-five pounds of dust and dirt. I'm back to one hundred and fifty + now. Besides, I was fifty years old when I entered the stream, and I've + returned to twenty.” + </p> + <p> + “That just about describes me, too, but the colonel is whistling for us to + come. Rush your jacket on and jump for your horse.” + </p> + <p> + They had stayed about a half-hour at the creek, and about two o'clock in + the morning Powell and May led them through a dense wood to the edge of a + high hill. + </p> + <p> + “There's Frankfort below you,” said May in a voice that trembled. + </p> + <p> + The night was brilliant, almost like day, and they saw the little city + clustered along the banks of the Kentucky which flowed, a dark ribbon of + blue. Their powerful glasses brought out everything distinctly. They saw + the old state house, its trees, and in the open spaces, tents standing by + the dozens and scores. It was the division of Kirby Smith that occupied + the town, and Bragg himself had made a triumphant entry. Dick wondered + which house sheltered him. It was undoubtedly that of some prominent + citizen, proud of the honor. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it the snuggest and sweetest little place you ever saw?” said May. + “Lend me your glasses a minute, please, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + Dick handed them to him, and May took a long look, Dick noticed that the + glasses remained directed toward a house among some trees near the river. + </p> + <p> + “You're looking at your home, are you not?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I surely am. It's that cottage among the oaks. It's bigger than it looks + from here. Front porch and back porch, too. You go from the back porch + straight down to the river. I've swum across the Kentucky there at night + many and many a time. My father and mother are sure to be there now, + staying inside with the doors closed, because they're red hot for the + Union. Farther up the street, the low red brick house with the iron fence + around the yard is Jim Powell's home. You don't mind letting Jim have a + look through the glasses, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not.” + </p> + <p> + The glasses were handed in turn to Powell, who, as May had done, took a + long, long look. He made no comment, when he gave the glasses back to + Dick, merely saying: “Thank you.” But Dick knew that Powell was deeply + moved. + </p> + <p> + “It may be, lads,” said Colonel Winchester, “that you will be able to + enter your homes by the front doors in a day or two. Evidently the + Southerners intend to make it a big day to-morrow when they inaugurate + Hawes, their governor.” + </p> + <p> + “A governor who's a governor only when he is surrounded by an army, won't + be much of a governor,” said Pennington. “This state refused to secede, + and I guess that stands.” + </p> + <p> + “Beyond a doubt it does,” said Colonel Winchester, “but they've made great + preparations, nevertheless. There are Confederate flags on the Capitol and + the buildings back of it, and I see scaffolding for seats outside. Are + there other places from which we can get good looks, lads?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty of them,” May and Powell responded together, and they led them + from hill to hill, all covered with dense forest. Several times they saw + Southern sentinels on the slopes near the edge of the woods, but May and + Powell knew the ground so thoroughly that they were always able to keep + the little troop under cover without interfering with their own scouting + operations. + </p> + <p> + Buell had given final instructions to the colonel to come back with all + the information possible, and, led by his capable guides, the colonel used + his opportunities to the utmost. He made a half circle about Frankfort, + going to the river, and then back again. With the aid of the glasses and + the brilliancy of the night he was able to see that the division of Kirby + Smith was not strong enough to hold the town under any circumstances, if + the main Union army under Buell came up, and the colonel was resolved that + it should come. + </p> + <p> + It was a singular coincidence that the Southerners were making a military + occupation of Frankfort with a Union army only a day's march away. The + colonel found a certain grim irony in it as he took his last look and + turned away to join Buell. + </p> + <p> + A half mile into the forest and they heard the crashing of hoofs in the + brushwood. Colonel Winchester drew up his little troop abruptly as a band + of men in gray emerged into an open space. + </p> + <p> + “Confederate cavalry!” exclaimed Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the colonel. + </p> + <p> + But the gray troopers were not much more numerous than the blue. Evidently + they were a scouting party, too, and for a few minutes they stared at each + other across a space of a couple of hundred yards or so. Both parties + fired a few random rifle shots, more from a sense of duty than a desire to + harm. Then they fell away, as if by mutual consent, the gray riding toward + Frankfort and the blue toward the Union army. + </p> + <p> + “Was it a misfortune to meet them?” asked Dick. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so,” replied Colonel Winchester. “They had probably found + out already that our army was near. Of course they had out scouts. Kirby + Smith, I know, is an alert man, and anyway, the march of an army as large + as ours could not be hidden.” + </p> + <p> + It was dawn again when the colonel's little party reached the Union camp, + and when he made his report the heavy columns advanced at once. But the + alarm had already spread about at Frankfort. The morning there looked upon + a scene even more lively than the one that had occurred in Buell's camp. + The scouts brought in the news that the Union army in great force was at + hand. They had met some of their cavalry patrols in the night, on the very + edge of the city. Resistance to the great Union force was out of the + question, because Bragg had committed the error that the Union generals + had been committing so often in the east. He had been dividing and + scattering his forces so much that he could not now concentrate them and + fight at the point where they were needed most. + </p> + <p> + The division of the Southern army that occupied Frankfort hastily gathered + up its arms and supplies and departed, taking with it the governor who was + never inaugurated, and soon afterward the Union men marched in. Both May + and Powell had the satisfaction of entering their homes by the front + doors, and seeing the parents who did not know until then whether they + were dead or alive. + </p> + <p> + Dick had a few hours' leave and he walked about the town. He had made + friends when he was there in the course of that memorable struggle over + secession, and he saw again all of them who had not gone to the war. + </p> + <p> + Harry and his father were much present in his mind then, because he had + recently seen Colonel Kenton, and because the year before, all three of + them had talked together in these very places. + </p> + <p> + But he could not dwell too much in the past. He was too young for it, and + the bustle of war was too great. It was said that Bragg's forces had + turned toward the southeast, but were still divided. It was reported that + the Bishop-General, Polk, had been ordered to attack the Northern force in + or near Frankfort, but the attack did not come. Colonel Winchester said it + was because Polk recognized the superior strength of his enemy, and was + waiting until he could co-operate with Bragg and Hardee. + </p> + <p> + But whatever it was Dick soon found himself leaving Frankfort and marching + into the heart of the Bluegrass. He began to have the feeling, or rather + instinct warned him, that battle was near. Yet he did not fear for the + Northern army as he had feared in Virginia and Maryland. He never felt + that such men as Lee and Jackson were before them. He felt instead that + the Southern commanders were doubtful and hesitating. They now had there + no such leaders as Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at Shiloh when victory + was in Southern hands and before it had time to slip from their grasp. + </p> + <p> + So the army dropped slowly down eastward and southward through the + Bluegrass. May and Powell had obtained but a brief glimpse of their home + town, before they were on their way again with a purpose which had little + to do with such peaceful things as home. + </p> + <p> + Dick saw with dismay that the concentric march of the armies was bringing + them toward the very region into which his mother had fled for refuge. She + was at Danville, which is in the county of Boyle, and he heard now that + the Confederate army, or at least a large division of it, was gathering at + a group of splendid springs near a village called Perryville in the same + county. But second thought told him that she would be safe yet in + Danville, as he began to feel sure now that the meeting of the armies + would be at Perryville. + </p> + <p> + Dick's certainty grew out of the fact that the great springs were about + Perryville. The extraordinary drouth and the remarkable phenomenon of + brooks drying up in Kentucky had continued. Water, cool and fresh for many + thousands of men, was wanted or typhoid would come. + </p> + <p> + This need of vast quantities of water fresh and cool from the earth, was + obvious to everybody, and the men marched gladly toward the springs. The + march would serve two purposes: it would quench their thirst, and it would + bring on the battle they wanted to clear Kentucky of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “Fine country, this of yours, Dick,” said Warner as they rode side by + side. “I don't think I ever saw dust of a higher quality. It sifts through + everything, fills your eyes, nose and mouth and then goes down under your + collar and gives you a neat and continuous dust bath.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't judge us by this phenomenon,” said Dick. “It has not happened + before since the white man came, and it won't happen again in a hundred + years.” + </p> + <p> + “You may speak with certainty of the past, Dickie, my lad, but I don't + think we can tell much about the next century. I'll grant the fact, + however, that fifty or a hundred thousand men marching through a dry + country anywhere are likely to raise a lot of dust. Still, Dickie, my boy, + I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but if I live through this, as I mean + to do, I intend to call it the Dusty Campaign.” + </p> + <p> + “Call it what you like if in the end you call it victory.” + </p> + <p> + “The dust doesn't hurt me,” said Pennington. “I've seen it as dry as a + bone on the plains with great clouds of it rolling away behind the buffalo + herds. There's nothing the matter with dust. Country dust is one of the + cleanest things in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” said Warner, “but it tickles and makes you hot. I should say + that despite its cleanly qualities, of which you speak, Frank, my friend, + its power to annoy is unsurpassed. Remember that bath we took in the creek + the night we went to Frankfort. Did you ever before see such cool running + water, and Dickie, old boy, remember how much there was of it! It was just + as deep and cool and fine after we left it.” + </p> + <p> + “George,” said Dick, as he wiped his dusty face, “if you say anything more + about the creek and its cool water this army will lose a capable + lieutenant, and it will lose him mighty soon. It will be necessary, too, + to bury him very far from his home in Vermont.” + </p> + <p> + “Keep cool, Dickie boy, and let who will be dusty. Brooks may fail once in + a hundred years in Kentucky, but they haven't failed in a thousand in + Vermont. You need not remind me that the white man has been there only two + or three hundred years. My information comes straight from a very old + Indian chief who was the depository of tribal recollections absolutely + unassailable. The streams even in midsummer come down as full and cold as + ever from the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have water and plenty of it in a day or two. The scouts say that + the Confederate force at the springs is not strong enough to withstand + us.” + </p> + <p> + “But General Buell, not knowing exactly what General Bragg intends with + his divided force, has divided his own in order to meet him at all + points.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he done that?” exclaimed Dick aghast. Like other young officers he + felt perfectly competent to criticize anybody. + </p> + <p> + “He has, and it seems to me that when the enemy divided was the time for + us to unite or remain united. Then we could scoop him up in detail. Why, + Dick, with an army of sixty thousand men or so, made of such material as + ours has shown itself to be, we could surely beat any Southern force in + Kentucky!” + </p> + <p> + “Especially as we have no Lees and Stonewall Jacksons to fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe General Buell has divided his force in order to obtain plenty of + water,” said Pennington. “We fellows ought to be fair to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you're right,” said Warner, “and you're right when you say we + ought to be fair to him. I know it will be a great relief to General Buell + to find that we three are supporting his management of this army. Shall I + go and tell him, Frank?” + </p> + <p> + “Not now, but you can a little later on. Suppose you wait until a day or + two after the battle which we all believe is coming.” + </p> + <p> + The three boys were really in high spirits. Little troubled them but the + dryness and the dust. They had tasted so much of defeat and drawn battle + in the east that they had an actual physical sense of better things in the + west. The horizons were wider, the mountains were lower, and there was not + so much enveloping forest. They did not have the strangling sensation, + mental only, which came from the fear that hostile armies would suddenly + rush from the woods and fall upon their flank. + </p> + <p> + Besides, there was Shiloh. After all, they had won Shiloh, and the coming + of this very Buell who led them now had enabled them to win it. And Shiloh + was the only great battle that they had yet really won. + </p> + <p> + They camped that night in the dry fields. The Winchester regiment was a + part of the division under McCook, while Buell with the rest of the army + was some miles away. It was still warm, although October was now seven + days old, and Dick had never before heard the grass and leaves rustle so + dryly under the wind. Off in the direction of Perryville they saw the dim + gleam of red, and they knew it came from the camp-fires of the Southern + army. Buell had in his detached divisions sixty thousand men, most of them + veterans and Dick believed that if they were brought together victory was + absolutely sure on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + The troops around the Winchester regiment were lads from Ohio, and they + affiliated readily. Most of the new men were in these Ohio regiments, and + Dick, Warner and Frank felt themselves ancient veterans who could talk to + the recruits and give them good advice. And the recruits took it in the + proper spirit. They looked up with admiration to those who had been at + Shiloh, and the Second Manassas and Antietam. + </p> + <p> + Dick thought their spirit remarkable. They were not daunted at all by the + great failures in the east. They did not discount the valor of the + Southern troops, but they asked to be led against them. + </p> + <p> + “Come over here,” said one of the Ohio boys to Dick. “Ahead of us and on + the side there's rough ground with thick woods and deep ravines. I'll show + you something just at the edge of the woods. Bring your friends with you.” + </p> + <p> + The twilight had already turned to night and Dick, calling Warner and + Pennington, went with his new friend. There, flowing from under a great + stone, shaded by a huge oak, was a tiny stream of pure cold water a couple + of inches deep but seven or eight inches broad. Under the stone a + beautiful basin a foot and a half across and about as deep had been + chiselled out. + </p> + <p> + “A lot of us found it here,” said the Ohio boy, “and we found, too, a tin + cup chained to a staple driven into the stone. See, it's here still. We + haven't broken the chain. I suppose it belongs to some farmer close by. + The boys brought other tin cups and we drank so fast that the brook itself + became dry. The water never got any further than the pool. I suppose it's + just started again. Drink.” + </p> + <p> + The boys drank deeply and gratefully. No such refreshing stream had ever + flowed down their throats before. + </p> + <p> + “Ohio,” said Dick, “you're a lovely, dirty angel.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess I am,” said Ohio, “'cause I found the spring. It turned me from + an old man back to a boy again. Cold as ice, ain't it? I can tell you why. + This spring starts right at the North Pole, right under the pole itself, + dives away down into the earth, comes under Bering Sea and then under + British America, and then under the lakes, and then under Ohio, and then + under a part of Kentucky, and then comes out here especially to oblige us, + this being a dry season.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe every word you say, Ohio,” said Warner, “since your statements + are proved by the quality of the water. I could easily demonstrate it as a + mathematical proposition.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you pay any attention to him, Ohio,” said Dick. “He's from Vermont, + and he's so full of big words that he's bound to get rid of some of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not doubting you, Vermont,” said Ohio. “As you believe every word I + said, I believe every word you said.” + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing extraordinary about them things,” said another Ohio boy + belonging to a different brigade, who was sitting near. “Do you know that + we swallowed a whole river coming down here? We began swallowing it when + we crossed the Ohio, just like a big snake swallowing a snake not quite so + big, taking down his head first, then keeping on swallowing him until the + last tip of his tail disappeared inside. It was a good big stream when we + started, water up to our knees, but we formed across it in a line five + hundred men deep and then began to drink as we marched forward. Of course, + a lot of water got past the first four hundred lines or so, but the five + hundredth always swallowed up the last drop.” + </p> + <p> + “We marched against that stream for something like a hundred and fifty + miles. No water ever got past us. We left a perfectly dry bed behind. Up + in the northern part of the state not a drop of water came down the river + in a month. We followed it, or at least a lot of us did, clean to its + source in some hills a piece back of us. We drank it dry up to a place + like this, only bigger, and do you know, a fellow of our company named Jim + Lambert was following it up under the rocks, and we had to pull him out by + the feet to keep him from being suffocated. That was four days ago, and we + had a field telegram yesterday from a place near the Ohio, saying that a + full head of water had come down the river again, three feet deep from + bank to bank and running as if there had been a cloudburst in the hills. + Mighty glad they were to see it, too.” + </p> + <p> + There was a silence, but at length a solemn youth sitting near said in + very serious tones: + </p> + <p> + “I've thought over that story very thoroughly, and I believe it's a lie.” + </p> + <p> + “Vermont,” said the first Ohio lad, “don't you have faith in my friend's + narrative?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe every word of it,” said Warner warmly. “Our friend here, who I + see can see, despite the dim light, has a countenance which one could + justly say indicates a doubtful and disputatious nature, wishes to + discredit it because he has not heard of such a thing before. Now, I ask + you, gentlemen, intelligent and fair-minded as I know you are, where would + we be, where would civilization be if we assumed the attitude of our + friend here. If a thing is ever seen at all somebody sees it first, else + it would never be seen. <i>Quod erat demonstrandum</i>. You remember your + schooldays, of course. I thank you for your applause, gentlemen, but I'm + not through yet. We have passed the question of things seen, and we now + come to the question of things done, which is perhaps more important. It + is obvious even to the doubtful or carping mind that if a new thing is + done it is done by somebody first. Others will do it afterward, but there + must and always will be a first. + </p> + <p> + “Nobody ever swallowed a river before, beginning at its mouth and + swallowing it clean down to its source, but a division of gallant young + troops from Ohio have done so. They are the first, and they must and + always will be the first. Doubtless, other rivers will be swallowed later + on. As the population increases, larger rivers will be swallowed, but the + credit for initiating the first and greatest pure-water drinking movement + in the history of the world will always belong to a brave army division + from the state of Ohio.” + </p> + <p> + A roar of applause burst forth, and Warner, standing up, bowed gracefully + with his hand upon his heart. Then came a dead silence, as a hand fell + upon the Vermonter's shoulder. Warner looked around and his jaw fell. + General McCook, who commanded this part of the army, was standing beside + him. + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, sir, I—” began Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind,” said the general. “I had come for a drink of water, and + hearing your debate I stopped for a few moments behind a tree to listen. I + don't know your name, young gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Warner, sir, George Warner, first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel + Winchester.” + </p> + <p> + “I merely wished to say, Lieutenant Warner, that I listened to your speech + from the first word to the last, and I found it very cogent and powerful. + As you say, things must have beginnings. If there is no first, there can + be no second or third. I am entirely convinced by your argument that our + army swallowed a river as it marched southward. In fact, I have often felt + so thirsty that I felt as if I could have swallowed it myself all alone.” + </p> + <p> + There was another roar of applause, and as a dozen cups filled with water + were pushed at the general, he drank deeply and often, and then retired + amid further applause. + </p> + <p> + “They'll fight well for him, to-morrow,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + They went into the edge of the wood and sought sleep and rest. But there + was much merry chatter first among these lads, for many of whom death had + already spread its somber wings. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. PERRYVILLE + </h2> + <p> + Dick slept very well that night. The water from the little spring, gushing + out from under the rock, had refreshed him greatly. He would have rejoiced + in another bath, such as one as they had luxuriated in that night before + Frankfort, but it was a thing not be dreamed of now, and making the best + of things as they were, he had gone to sleep among his comrades. + </p> + <p> + The dryness of the ground had at least one advantage. They had not colds + and rheumatism to fear, and, with warm earth beneath them and fresh air + above, they slept more soundly than if they had been in their own beds. + But while they were sleeping the wary Sergeant Whitley was slipping + forward among the woods and ravines. He had received permission from + Colonel Winchester, confirmed by a higher officer, to go on a scout, and + he meant to use his opportunity. He had made many a scouting trip on the + plains, where there was less cover than here, and there torture and death + were certain if captured, but here it would only be imprisonment among men + who were in no sense his personal enemies, and who would not ill-treat + him. So the sergeant took plenty of chances. + </p> + <p> + He passed the Union pickets, entered a ravine which led up between two + hills and followed it for some distance. In a cross ravine he found a + little stream of water, flowing down from some high, rocky ground above, + and, at one point, he came to a pool several yards across and three or + four feet deep. It was cool and fresh, and the sergeant could not resist + the temptation to slip off his clothes and dive into it once or twice. He + slipped his clothes on again, the whole not consuming more than five + minutes, and then went on much better equipped for war than he had been + five minutes before. + </p> + <p> + Then he descended the hills and came down into a valley crossed by a + creek, which in ordinary times had plenty of water, but which was now + reduced to a few muddy pools. The Southern pickets did not reach so far, + and save for the two tiny streams in the hills this was all the water that + the Northern army could reach. Farther down, its muddy and detached stream + lay within the Confederate lines. + </p> + <p> + Crossing the creek's bed the sergeant ascended a wooded ridge, and now he + proceeded with extreme caution. He had learned that beyond this ridge was + another creek containing much more water than the first. Upon its banks at + the crossing of the road stood the village of Perryville, and there, + according to his best information and belief, lay the Southern army. But + he meant to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears, and thus + return to McCook's force with absolute certainty. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant, as he had expected, found cover more plentiful than it was + on the plains, but he never stalked an Indian camp with more caution. He + knew that the most of the Southern scouts and skirmishers were as wary as + the Indians that once hunted in these woods, and that, unless he used + extreme care, he was not likely to get past them. + </p> + <p> + He came at last to a point where he lay down flat on his stomach and + wormed himself along, keeping in the thickest shadow of woods and bushes. + The night was bright, and although his own body was blended with the + ground, he could see well about him. The sergeant was a very patient man. + Life as a lumberman and then as a soldier on the plains had taught him to + look where he was crawling. He spent a full hour worming himself up to the + crest of that ridge and a little way down on the other side. In the course + of the last fifteen minutes he passed directly between two alert and + vigilant Southern pickets. They looked his way several times, but the + sergeant was so much in harmony with the color scheme of the earth on + which he crept, that no blame lay upon them for not seeing him. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant was already hearing with his own ears. He heard these pickets + and others talking in low voices of the Northern army and of their own. + They knew that Buell's great force was approaching from different points + and that a battle was expected on the morrow. He knew this already, but he + wanted to know how much of the Confederate army lay in Perryville, and he + intended to see with his own eyes. + </p> + <p> + Having passed the first line of pickets the sergeant advanced more + rapidly, although he still kept well under cover. Advancing thus he + reached the bed of the creek and hid himself against the bank, allowing + his body to drop down in the water, in order that he might feel the + glorious cool thrill again, and also that he might be hidden to the neck. + His rifle and ammunition he laid at the edge of the bank within reach. + Situated thus comfortably, he used his excellent eyes with excellent + results. He could see Perryville on his left, and also a great camp on + some heights that ran along the creek. There were plenty of lights in this + camp, and, despite the lateness of the hour, officers were passing about. + </p> + <p> + It was obvious to the sergeant that many thousands of soldiers were on + those heights, and now he wanted to hear again with his own ears. He did + not dare go any nearer, and the water in the creek was growing cold to his + body. But his patience was great, and still he waited, only his head + showing above the water, and it hidden in the black gloom of the bank's + shadows. + </p> + <p> + His reward came by-and-by. A number of cavalrymen led their horses down to + the creek to drink, and while the horses drank and then blew the water + away from their noses, the men talked at some length, enabling the + sergeant to pick up important scraps of information. + </p> + <p> + He learned that the heights were occupied by Hardee with two divisions. It + was the same Hardee, the famous tactician who had been one of the Southern + generals at Shiloh. Polk was expected, but he had not yet come up. Bragg, + too, would be there. + </p> + <p> + The brave sergeant's heart thumped as he listened. He gathered that Polk, + perhaps, could not arrive before noon, and here was a brilliant chance to + destroy a large part of the Southern army early in the morning. + </p> + <p> + He waited until all the cavalrymen had gone away with their horses, and + then he crawled cautiously out of the stream. His limbs were cold and + stiff, but his enforced exercise in crawling soon brought back their + flexibility. He passed between the pickets again, and, when he was safely + beyond their hearing, he rose and stretched himself again and again. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant greatly preferred walking to crawling. Primitive men might + have crawled, but to do so made the modern man's knees uncommonly sore. So + he continued to stretch, to inhale great draughts of air, and to feel + proudly that he was a man who walked upright and not a bear or a pig + creeping on four legs through the bushes. + </p> + <p> + He reached his own army not long afterward, and, walking among the + thousands of sleeping forms, reached the tree under which Colonel + Winchester slept. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel,” he said gently. + </p> + <p> + The colonel awoke instantly and sat up. Despite the dusk he recognized + Whitley at once. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sergeant?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I've been clean over the ridge to the rebel camp. I reached the next + creek and lay on the heights just beyond it. I've seen with my own eyes + and I've heard with my own ears. They've only two divisions there, though + they're expectin' Polk to come up in the mornin' an' Bragg, too. Colonel, + I'm a good reckoner, as I've seen lots of war, and they ain't got more `n + fifteen thousand men there on the creek, while if we get all our divisions + together we can hit `em with nigh on to sixty thousand. For God's sake, + Colonel, can't we do it?” + </p> + <p> + “We ought to, and if I can do anything, we will. Sergeant, you've done a + great service at a great risk, and all of us owe you thanks. I shall see + General McCook at once.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant, forgetting that he was wet to the skin, stretched himself in + the dry grass near Dick and his comrades, and soon fell fast asleep, while + his clothes dried upon him. But Colonel Winchester went to General + McCook's tent and insisted upon awakening him. The general received him + eagerly and listened with close attention. + </p> + <p> + “This man Whitley is trustworthy?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely. He has had years of experience on the plains, fighting Sioux, + Cheyennes and other Indians, and he has been with me through most of the + war so far. There is probably no more skillful scout, and none with a + clearer head and better judgment in either army.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Colonel, we owe him thanks, and you thanks for letting him go. + We'll certainly bring on a battle to-morrow, and we ought to have all our + army present. I shall send a messenger at once to General Buell with your + news. Messengers shall also go to Crittenden, Rousseau, and the other + generals. But you recognize, of course, that General Buell is the + commander-in-chief, and that it is for him to make the final + arrangements.” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir,” said the colonel, as he saluted and retired. He went back to + the point where his own little regiment lay. He knew every man and boy in + it, and he had known them all in the beginning, when they were many times + more. But few of the splendid regiment with which he had started south a + year and a half before remained. He looked at Dick and Warner and + Pennington and the sergeant and wondered if they would be present to + answer to the roll the next night, or if he himself would be there? + </p> + <p> + The colonel cherished no illusions. He was not sanguine that the whole + Union army would come up, and even if it came, and if victory should be + won it would be dark and bloody. He knew how the Southerners fought, and + here more so than anywhere else, it would be brother against brother. This + state was divided more than any other, and, however the battle went, + kindred would meet kindred. Colonel Kenton, Dick's uncle, a man whom he + liked and admired, was undoubtedly across those ridges, and they might + meet face to face in the coming battle. + </p> + <p> + It was far into the morning now and the colonel did not sleep again. He + saw the messengers leaving the tent of General McCook, and he knew that + the commander of the division was active. Just what success he would have + would remain for the morrow to say. The colonel saw the dawn come. The dry + fields and forests reddened with the rising sun, and then the army rose up + from its sleep. The cooks had already prepared coffee and food. + </p> + <p> + “Show me the enemy,” said Pennington fiercely, “and as soon as I finish + this cup of coffee, I'll go over and give him the thrashing he needs.” + </p> + <p> + “He's just across those ridges, sir, and on the banks of the far creek,” + said Sergeant Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “I made a call on him last night.” + </p> + <p> + “You did? And what did he say?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't send in my card. I just took a look at his front door and came + away. He's at home, waiting and willing to give us a fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's a fine day for a battle anyway. Look what a splendid sun is + rising! And you can see the soft haze of fall over the hills and woods.” + </p> + <p> + “It's not as fine a fall as usual in Kentucky,” said Dick, in an + apologetic tone to Warner and Pennington. “It's been so dry that the + leaves are falling too early, and the reds, the yellows and the browns are + not so bright.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, Dickie, boy,” said Warner consolingly. “We'll see it in a + better year, because Pennington and I are both coming back to spend six + months with you when this war is over. I've already accepted the + invitation. So get ready for us, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “It's an understood thing now,” said Dick sincerely. “There go the + trumpets, and they mean for us to get in line.” + </p> + <p> + A large portion of the division was already on the way, having started at + five o'clock, and the little Winchester regiment was soon marching, too. + The day was again hot. October, even, did not seem able to break that + singular heat, and the dust was soon billowing about them in columns, + stinging and burning them. The sergeant the night before had taken a short + cut through the hills, but the brigades, needing wide spaces, marched + along the roads and through the fields. A portion of their own army was + hidden from them by ridges and forest, and Dick did not know whether Buell + with the other half of the army had come up. + </p> + <p> + After a long and exhausting march they stopped, and the Winchester + regiment and the Ohio lads concluded that they had been wrong after all. + No battle would be fought that day. They were willing now, too, to + postpone it, as they were almost exhausted by heat and thirst, and that + stinging, burning dust was maddening. A portion of their line rested on + the first creek, and they drank eagerly of the muddy water. Dick saw + before him fields in which the corn stood thick and heavy. The fields were + divided by hedges which cut off the view somewhat and which the sergeant + said would furnish great ambush for sharpshooters. + </p> + <p> + The men were now allowed to lie down, but most of them were still panting + with the heat. The three boys on horseback rode with Colonel Winchester to + the crest of a low hill, just beyond the first creek. From that point they + clearly saw the enemy gathered in battle array along the second stream. + Dick, with his glasses, saw the batteries, and could even mark the + sun-browned faces of the men. + </p> + <p> + “Has General Buell come?” he asked Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “He has not. Not half of our army is here.” + </p> + <p> + The answer was made with emphasis and chagrin. There was a report that + Buell did not intend to attack until the following day, when he would have + his numbers well in hand. + </p> + <p> + “Under the circumstances,” said the colonel, “we have to wait. Better get + off your horses, boys, and hunt the shade.” + </p> + <p> + They rode back and obeyed. It was now getting well along into the + afternoon. Thousands of soldiers lay on the grass in the shadiest places + they could find. Many were asleep. Overhead the sun burned and burned in a + sky of absolute blazing white. + </p> + <p> + A cannon boomed suddenly and then another. The artillery of the two armies + watching one another had opened at long range, but the fire was so distant + that it did no harm. Dick and his comrades watched the shells in their + flight, noting the trails of white smoke they left behind, and then the + showers of earth that flew up when they burst. It was rather a pleasant + occupation to watch them. In a way it broke the monotony of a long summer + day. + </p> + <p> + They did not know that Polk, the bishop-general, was arriving at that + moment in the Southern camp with five thousand men. Bragg had come, too, + but he left the command to Polk, who outranked Hardee, and the three + together listened to the long-range cannonade, while they also examined + with powerful glasses the Union army which was now mostly lying on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + Dick himself felt a strong temptation to sleep. The march through the heat + that morning had been dusty and tiresome, and the warm wind that blew over + him made his eyelids very heavy. The cannonade itself was conducive to + slumber. The guns were fired at regular intervals, which created a sort of + rhythm. The shells with their trailing white smoke ceased to interest him, + and his eyelids grew heavier. It was now about 2:30 o'clock and as his + eyes were about to close a sudden shout made him open them wide and then + spring to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Look out! Look out!” cried Sergeant Whitley, “The Johnnies are coming!” + </p> + <p> + The Union forces in an instant were in line, rifles ready and eager. The + gray masses were already charging across the fields and hills, while their + cannon made a sudden and rapid increase in the volume of fire. Their + batteries were coming nearer, too, and the shells hitherto harmless were + now shrieking and hissing among their ranks, killing and wounding. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked around him. The members of the slim Winchester regiment were + all veterans; but thousands of the Ohio lads were recruits who had never + seen battle before. Now shell and shot were teaching them the terrible + realities. He saw many a face grow pale, as his own had often grown pale, + in the first minutes of battle, but he did not see any one flinch. + </p> + <p> + The Northern cannon posted in the intervals and along the edges of the + woods opened with a mighty crash, and as the enemy came nearer the + riflemen began to send a hail of bullets. But the charge did not break. It + was led by Buckner, taken at Donelson, but now exchanged, and some of the + best troops of the South followed him. + </p> + <p> + “Steady! Steady!” shouted Colonel Winchester. The ranks were so close that + he and all of his staff, having no room for their horses, had dismounted, + and they stood now in the front rank, encouraging the men to meet the + charge. But the rush of the Southern veterans was so sudden and fierce + that despite every effort of valor the division gave way, suffering + frightful losses. + </p> + <p> + Two of the Union generals seeking to hold their men were killed. Each side + rushed forward reinforcements. A stream of Confederates issued from a wood + and flung themselves upon the Union flank. Dick was dazed with the + suddenness and ferocity with which the two armies had closed in mortal + combat. He could see but little. He was half blinded by the smoke, the + flash of rifles and cannon and the dust. Officers and men were falling all + around him. The numbers were not so great as at Antietam, but it seemed to + him that within the contracted area of Perryville the fight was even more + fierce and deadly than it had been on that famous Maryland field. + </p> + <p> + But he was conscious of one thing. They were being borne back. Tears of + rage ran down his face. Was it always to be this way? Were their numbers + never to be of any avail? He heard some one shout for Buell, and he heard + some one else shout in reply that he was far away, as he had been at + Shiloh. + </p> + <p> + It was true. The wind blowing away from him, Buell had not yet heard a + sound from the raging battle, which for its numbers and the time it + lasted, was probably the fiercest ever fought on the American continent. + The larger Union force, divided by ridges and thick woods from the field, + had not heard the fire of a single cannon, and did not know that two + armies were engaged in deadly combat so near. + </p> + <p> + Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester and Warner and Pennington were by + his side. The sergeant was also near. There was no chance to give or send + orders, and the officers, snatching up the rifles of the fallen soldiers, + fought almost as privates. The Winchester regiment performed prodigies of + valor on that day, and the Ohio lads strove desperately for every inch of + ground. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Dick once that they would hold fast, when he heard in front a + tremendous cry of: “On, my boys!” As the smoke lifted a little he saw that + it was Colonel Kenton leading his own trained and veteran regiment. + Colonel Winchester and Colonel Kenton, in fact, had met face to face, but + the Southern regiment was the more numerous and the stronger. Winchester's + men were gradually borne back and the colonel gasped to Dick: + </p> + <p> + “Didn't I see your uncle leading on his regiment?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was he. It was his regiment that struck us, but he's hidden now + by the smoke.” + </p> + <p> + The Southern rush did not cease. McCook's whole division, between the + shallow creeks was driven back, sustaining frightful losses, and it would + have been destroyed, but the artillery of Sheridan on the flank suddenly + opened upon the Southern victors. The Southerners whirled and charged + Sheridan, but his defense was so strong, and so powerful was his artillery + that they were compelled to recoil every time with shattered ranks. + </p> + <p> + The decimated Ohio regiments beyond the creek were gathering themselves + anew for the battle, and so were the men of Colonel Winchester, now + reduced to half their numbers again. Then a great shout arose. A fresh + brigade had come up to their relief, and aided by these new men they made + good the ground upon which they stood. + </p> + <p> + Another shout arose, telling that Buell was coming, and, two hours after + the combat had opened, he arrived with more troops. But night was now at + hand, and the sun set over a draw like that at Antietam. Forty thousand + men had fought a battle only about three hours long, and eight thousand of + them lay dead or wounded upon the sanguinary field. One half the Union + army never reached the field in time to fight. + </p> + <p> + As both sides drew off in the darkness, Dick shouted in triumph, thinking + they had won a victory. A bullet fired by some retiring Southern + skirmisher glanced along his head. There was a sudden flash of fire before + him and then darkness. His body fell on a little slope and rolled among + some bushes. + </p> + <p> + The close hot night came down upon the field, and the battle, the most + sanguinary ever fought on Kentucky soil, had closed. Like so many other + terrible struggles of the Civil War, it had been doubtful, or almost, so + far as the fighting was concerned. The Northern left wing had been driven + back, but the Northern right wing had held firm against every attack of + the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Pennington, when he lay panting on the ground with the remnant of the + Winchesters, knew little about the result of the combat. He knew that + their own division had suffered terribly. The Ohio recruits had been cut + almost to pieces, and the Winchester regiment had been reduced by half + again. He was so tired that he did not believe he could stir for a long + time. He felt no wound, but every bone ached from weariness, and his + throat and mouth seemed to burn with smoke and dust. + </p> + <p> + Pennington did not see either Dick or Warner, but as soon as he got a + little strength into his limbs he would look for them. No doubt they were + safe. A special providence always watched over those fellows. It was true + that Warner had been wounded at the Second Manassas, but a hidden power + had guided Dick to him, and he got well so fast that he was able to fight + soon afterward at Antietam. + </p> + <p> + Pennington lay still, and he heard all around him the deep breathing of + men who, like himself, were so worn that they could scarcely move. The + field in front of him darkened greatly, but he saw lights moving there, + and he knew that they belonged to little parties from either army looking + for the wounded. He began to wonder which side had won the battle. + </p> + <p> + “Ohio,” he said to one of the Ohio lads who lay near, “did we lick the + Johnnies, or did the Johnnies lick us?” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed if I know, and I don't care much, either. Four fellows that I + used to play with at school were killed right beside me. It was my first + battle, and, Oh, I tell you, it was awful!” + </p> + <p> + He gulped suddenly and began to cry. Pennington, who was no older than he, + patted him soothingly on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “I know that you were the bravest of the brave, because I saw you,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know about that, but I do know that I can never get used to + killing men and seeing them killed.” + </p> + <p> + Pennington was surprised that Dick and Warner had not appeared. They would + certainly rejoin their own regiment, and he began to feel uneasy. The last + shot had been fired, the night was darkening fast and a mournful wind blew + over the battlefield. But up and down the lines they were lighting the + cooking fires. + </p> + <p> + Pennington rose to his feet. He saw Colonel Winchester, standing a little + distance away, and he was about to ask him for leave to look for his + comrades, when he was startled by the appearance of a woman, a woman of + thirty-eight or nine, tall, slender, dressed well, and as Pennington + plainly saw, very beautiful. But now she was dusty, her face was pale, and + her eyes shone with a terrible anxiety. Women were often seen in the camps + at the very verge or close of battle, saying good-bye or looking for the + lost, but she was unusual. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers stood aside for her respectfully, and she looked about, until + her gaze fell upon the colonel. Then she ran to him, seized him by the + arm, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Winchester! Colonel Winchester!” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens, Mrs. Mason! You! How did you come?” + </p> + <p> + “I was at Danville, not so far from here. Of course I knew that the armies + were about to meet for battle! And it was only two days ago that I heard + the Winchester regiment had come west to join General Buell's army.” + </p> + <p> + A stalwart and powerful colored woman emerged from the darkness and put + her arm around Mrs. Mason's waist. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you get too much excited, chile,” she said soothingly. + </p> + <p> + Juliana stood beside her mistress, a very tower of defense, glaring at the + soldiers about them as if she would resent their curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “I thought I would come and try to see Dick,” continued Mrs. Mason. “My + relatives sought to persuade me not to do it. They were right, I know, but + I wanted to come so badly that I had to do it. We slipped away yesterday, + Juliana and I. We stayed at a farmhouse last night, and this morning we + rode through the woods. We expected to be in the camp this afternoon, but + as we were coming to the edge of the forest we heard the cannon and then + the rifles. Through three or four dreadful hours, while we shook there in + the woods, we listened to a roar and thunder that I would have thought + impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “The battle was very fierce and terrible,” said Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think it could have been more so. We saw a part of it, but only a + confused and awful sweep of smoke and flame. And now, Colonel Winchester, + where is my boy, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester's face turned deadly pale, and she noticed it at once. + Her own turned to the same pallor, but she did not shriek or faint. + </p> + <p> + “You do not know that he is killed?” she said in a low, distinct tone that + was appalling to the other. + </p> + <p> + “I missed him only a little while ago,” said Colonel Winchester, “and I've + been looking for him. But I'm sure he is not dead. He can't be!” + </p> + <p> + “No, he can't be! I can't think it!” she said, and she looked at the + colonel appealingly. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, sir,” said Pennington, “Lieutenant Warner is missing also. + I think we'll find them together. You remember what happened at the Second + Manassas.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Frank, I do remember it, and your supposition may be right.” + </p> + <p> + He asked a lantern from one of the men, and whispered to Pennington to + come. But Mrs. Mason and Juliana had been standing at strained attention, + and Mrs. Mason inferred at once what was about to be done. + </p> + <p> + “You mean to look for him on the field,” she said. “We will go with you.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester opened his lips to protest, but shut them again in + silence. + </p> + <p> + “It is right that you should come,” he said a moment later, “but you will + see terrible things.” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready.” + </p> + <p> + She seemed all the more admirable and wonderful to Colonel Winchester, + because she did not weep or faint. The deathly pallor on her face + remained, but she held herself firmly erect beside the gigantic colored + woman. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me, Pennington,” said Colonel Winchester, “and you, too, + Sergeant Whitley.” + </p> + <p> + The two men and the boy led the way upon the field, and the two women came + close behind. They soon entered upon the area of conflict. The colonel had + said that it would be terrible, but Mrs. Mason scarcely dreamed of the + reality. It was one vast scene of frightful destruction, of torn and + trampled earth and of dead men lying in all directions. The black of her + faithful servant's face turned to an ashen gray, and she trembled more + than her mistress. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester had a very clear idea of the line along which his + regiment had advanced and retreated, and he followed it. But the lantern + did not enable them to see far. As happened so often after the great + battles of the Civil War, the signs began to portend rain. The long drouth + would be broken, but whether by natural change or so much firing Colonel + Winchester did not know. Despite the lateness of the season dim lightning + was seen on the horizon. The great heat was broken by a cool wind that + began to blow from the northwest. + </p> + <p> + The five advanced in silence, the two men and the boy still leading and + the two women following close behind. Colonel Winchester's heart began to + sink yet farther. He had not felt much hope at first, and now he felt + scarcely any at all. A few moments later, however, the sergeant suddenly + held up his hand. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “I think I hear somebody calling.” + </p> + <p> + “Like as not. Plenty of wounded men may be calling in delirium.” + </p> + <p> + “But, colonel, I've been on battlefields before, and this sounds like the + voice of some one calling for help.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way do you think it is?” + </p> + <p> + “To the left and not far off. It's a weak voice.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll turn and follow it. Don't say anything to the others yet.” + </p> + <p> + They curved and walked on, the colonel swinging his lantern from side to + side, and now all of them heard the voice distinctly. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” exclaimed Mrs. Mason, speaking for the first time since + they had come upon the field of conflict. + </p> + <p> + “Some one shouting for help,” replied Colonel Winchester. “One could not + neglect him at such a time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is so.” + </p> + <p> + “It's the voice of Lieutenant Warner, colonel,” whispered the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester nodded. “Say nothing as yet,” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + They walked a dozen steps farther and the colonel, swinging high the + lantern, disclosed Warner sitting on the trunk of a tree that had been cut + through by cannon balls. Warner, as well as they could see, was not + wounded, but he seemed to be suffering from an overpowering weakness. The + colonel, the sergeant and the boy alike dreaded to see what lay beyond the + log, but the two women did not know Warner or that his presence portended + anything. + </p> + <p> + The Vermonter saw them coming, and raised his hand in a proper salute to + his superior officer. Then as they came nearer, and he saw the white woman + who came with them, he lifted his head, tried to straighten his uniform a + little with his left hand, and said as he bowed: + </p> + <p> + “I think this must be Mrs. Mason, Dick's mother.” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Colonel Winchester, and then they waited a moment or two in + an awful silence. + </p> + <p> + “I don't rise because there is something heavy lying in my lap which keeps + me from it,” said Warner very quietly, but with deep feeling. “After the + Second Manassas, where I was badly wounded and left on the ground for + dead, a boy named Dick Mason hunted over the field, found me and brought + me in. I felt grateful about it and told him that if he happened to get + hit in the same way I'd find him and bring him in as he had brought me. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't think the chance would come so soon. Curious how things happen + as you don't think they're going to happen, and don't happen as you think + they're going to happen, and here the whole thing comes out in only a few + weeks. We were driven back and I missed Dick as the battle closed. Of + course I came to hunt for him, and I found him. Easy, Mrs. Mason, don't + get excited now. Yes, you can have his head in your own lap, but it must + be moved gently. That's where he's hurt. Don't tremble, ma'am. He isn't + going to die, not by a long shot. The bullet meant to kill him, but + finding his head too hard, it turned away, and went out through his hair. + He won't have any scar, either, because it's all under the thickest part + of his hair. + </p> + <p> + “Of course his eyes are closed, ma'am. He hasn't come around yet, but he's + coming fast. Don't cry on his face, ma'am. Boys never like to have their + faces cried on. I'd have brought him in myself, but I found I was too weak + to carry him. It's been too short a time since the Second Manassas for me + to have got back all my strength. So I just bound up his head, held it in + my lap, and yelled for help. Along came a rebel party, bearing two + wounded, and they looked at me. 'You're about pumped out,' said one of + them, 'but we'll take your friend in for you.' 'No, you won't,' I said. + 'Why not?' said they. 'Because you're no account Johnnies,' I said, 'while + my wounded friend and I are high-toned Yanks.' 'I beg your pardon,' said + the Johnny, who was one of the most polite fellows I ever saw, 'I didn't + see your uniform clearly by this dim light, but the parties looking for + the wounded are mostly going in, and you're likely to be left here with + your friend, who needs attention. Better come along with us and be + prisoners and give him a chance to get well.' + </p> + <p> + “Now, that was white, real white, but I thanked him and said that as soon + as General Buell heard that the best two soldiers in his whole army were + here resting, he'd come with his finest ambulance for us, driving his + horses himself. They said then they didn't suppose they were needed and + went on. But do you know, ma'am, every one of those Johnnies, as he passed + poor old unconscious Dick with his head in my lap, took off his hat.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a fine thing for them to do,” said Colonel Winchester, and then he + whispered: “I'm glad you talked that way, Warner. It helps. You see, she's + feeling more cheerful already.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and you see old Dick's opening his eyes. Isn't it strange that the + first thing he should see when he opens them here on the battlefield + should be his mother?” + </p> + <p> + “A strange and happy circumstance,” said Colonel Winchester. + </p> + <p> + Dick opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Mother!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + Her arms were already around him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + </h2> + <p> + They took Dick to the house of his relatives, the Careys, in Danville, and + in a few days he learned the sequel of that sudden and terrible storm of + death at Perryville. Buell had gathered all his forces in the night, and + in the morning had intended to attack again, but the Confederate army was + gone, carrying with it vast stores of supplies that it had gathered on the + way. + </p> + <p> + The rains, too, had come. They had begun the morning after the battle, and + they poured for days. In the southeast, among the mountains toward which + Bragg had turned the head of his army, the roads were quagmires. + Nevertheless he had toiled on and was passing through Cumberland Gap. + Buell had gone in the other direction toward the southwest, and then came + the news that he was relieved of his command, and that Rosecrans would + take his place. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt the call of the trumpet. He knew that his comrades were now down + there in Tennessee with the army under Rosecrans, and he felt that he must + join them. His mother begged him to stay. He had done enough for his + country. He had fought in great battles, and he had narrowly escaped a + mortal wound. He should come home, and stay safely at Pendleton until the + war was over. + </p> + <p> + But Dick, though grieving with her, felt that he must go. He would stay + with the army until the end, and he departed for Lexington, where he took + the train for Louisville. Thence he went southward directly by rail to + Bowling Green, where the Northern army was encamped, with lines stretching + as far south as Nashville, and where he received the heartiest of + greetings from his comrades. + </p> + <p> + “I knew you'd come,” said Warner. “Perhaps a man with a mother like yours + ought to stay at home, and again he ought to come. So there you are, and + here you are!” + </p> + <p> + Dick was familiar with the country about Bowling Green. It was a part of + the state in which he had relatives, and he had visited it more than once. + He also saw the camps left by Buckner's men nearly a year ago, when they + were marching southward to be taken by Grant at Donelson. Since he had + come back to this region it seemed to him that they were always fighting + their battles over again. Grant and Rosecrans had fought a terrible but + victorious battle at Corinth in Mississippi, and now Rosecrans had come + north while Grant remained in the further south. He was sorry it was not + Grant who commanded on that line. He would have been glad to be under his + command again, to feel that strong and sure hand on the reins once more. + </p> + <p> + Dick stayed a while in Bowling Green, and he saw all his relatives in the + little city. They were mostly on the other side, but they could not resist + an ingenuous youth like Dick, and he passed some pleasant hours with them. + For his sake they also made Warner and Pennington welcome, but they freely + predicted a great disaster for the North. Bragg would come out of East + Tennessee with his veterans, and they would give Rosecrans the defeat that + he deserved. The boys held good natured arguments with them on this point, + but all finally agreed to leave it to the decision of the war itself. + </p> + <p> + The great dryness had now passed so completely that it seemed impossible + such a thing ever could have been. The rains had been heavy and almost + continuous, and the earth soaked in water. But despite chill winds and + chill rains rumors of Southern activity came to them, and in the last + month of the year Rosecrans gathered his forces at Nashville in Tennessee. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades enjoyed a few bright days here. The city was crowded + with an army and those who supply it and live by it, and it was a center + of vivid activity. Dick had letters from his mother and he also heard in a + roundabout way that Colonel Kenton had gone through the battle of + Perryville uninjured and was now with Bragg at Chattanooga. + </p> + <p> + But the boys soon heard that despite the winter there was great activity + in the Southern camp. Undismayed by their loss of Kentucky, the Southern + generals meant to fight Rosecrans in Tennessee. The Confederacy had not + been cheered by Lee's withdrawal at Antietam and Bragg's retreat at + Perryville, and meant to strike a heavy blow for new prestige. The whole + Confederate army, they soon heard, had moved forward to Murfreesborough, + where it was waiting, while Forrest and Morgan, the famous cavalry + leaders, were off on great raids. + </p> + <p> + It was this absence of Forrest and Morgan with the best of the cavalry + that put it into the mind of Rosecrans to attack at once. The thousands of + lads in the army who were celebrating Christmas received that night the + news that they were to march in the morning. + </p> + <p> + “I've fought three great battles this year,” said Warner, “and I don't + think they ought to ask any more of me.” + </p> + <p> + “Be comforted,” said Dick. “We start to-morrow, the 26th, which leaves + five days of the year, and I don't think we can arrange a battle in that + time. You'll not have to whip Bragg before the New Year, George.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm glad of it. You can have too many battles in one year. I didn't + get rest enough after my wound at the Second Manassas before I had to go + in and save our army at Antietam, and then it was but a little time before + we fought at Perryville. That wasn't as big a battle as some of the + others, but Dick, for those mad three hours it seemed that all the demons + of death were turned loose.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly looked like it, George, you stiff old Vermonter, and I don't + forget that you came to save me.” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up about that, or I'll hit you over the head with the butt of my + pistol. I merely paid back, though I only paid about half of what I was + owing to you. The chance luckily came sooner than I had hoped. But, Dick, + what a morning to follow Christmas.” + </p> + <p> + A chilly rain was pouring down. A cold fog was rising from the Cumberland, + wrapping the town in mists. It was certainly a dreary time in which to + march to battle, and the young soldiers rising in the gloom of the dawn + and starting amid such weather were depressed. + </p> + <p> + “Pennington,” said Warner, “will you help me in a request to our Kentucky + friend to join us in three cheers for the Sunny South, the edge of which + he has the good fortune to inhabit? I haven't seen the real sun for about + a month, and I suppose that's why they call it sunny, and I'm informed + that this big river, the Cumberland, often freezes over, which I suppose + is the reason why they call it Southern. I hear, too, that people often + freeze to death in North Georgia, which is further south than this. After + this bit of business is over I'm going to forbid winter campaigns in the + south.” + </p> + <p> + “It does get mighty cold,” said Dick. “You see we're not really a southern + people. We just lie south of the northern states and in Kentucky, at + least, we have a lot of cold weather. Why, I've seen it twenty-three + degrees below zero in the southern part of the state, and it certainly can + get cold in Tennessee, too.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I'd rather have it than this awful rain,” said Pennington. “I + don't seem to get used to these cold soakings.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, Nashville,” said Dick, turning about. “I don't know when we + will have to come back, and if we do I don't know what will have happened + before then. Good-bye, Nashville. I regret your roofs and your solid + walls, and your dry tents and floors.” + </p> + <p> + “But we're going forth to fight. Don't forget that, Dick. Remember how in + Virginia we pined for battle, and the use of our superior numbers. Anyhow + Rosecrans is going out to look for the enemy, but all the same, and + between you and me, Dick, I wish it was Grant who was leading us. I saw a + copy of the New York Times a while back, and some lines in it are haunting + me. Here they are: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Back from the trebly crimsoned field + Terrible woods are thunder-tost: + Full of the wrath that will not yield, + Full of revenge for battles lost: + Hark to their echo as it crost + The capital making faces wan: + End this murderous holocaust; + Abraham Lincoln give us a man.” + </pre> + <p> + “Sounds good,” said Dick, “and, George, you and Frank and I know that what + we want is a man. We've lost big battles, because we didn't have a big + man, who could see at once and think like lightning, to lead us. But we'll + get him sooner or later! We'll get him. Did any other troops ever bear up + like ours under defeats and drawn battles? Listen to 'em now!” + </p> + <p> + Slow and deep and sung by many thousand men rose the rolling chorus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The army is gathering from near and from far; + The trumpet is sounding the call for the war; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + We'll gird on our armor and be marching along.” + </pre> + <p> + “Now,” cried Warner, “all together.” And the thundering chorus rose: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Marching, we are marching along, + Gird on the armor and be marching along; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + For God and our country we are marching along.” + </pre> + <p> + As the mighty chorus, sung by fifty thousand men, rose and throbbed + through the cold and rain, Dick felt his own heart throbbing in unison. + Rosecrans might or might not be a great general, but he certainly was not + permitting the enemy to rest easy in winter quarters at Murfreesborough. + Dick had no doubt that they were about to meet the foe of Perryville face + to face again. + </p> + <p> + The enemies were largely the same as those of other battles in the west. + The Northern army advanced in three divisions toward Murfreesborough. + McCook, whose division contained the Winchester regiment, was in the + center, General Thomas led the right wing on the Franklin road, and + General Crittenden led the left wing. Bragg who was before them had nearly + the same generals as at Shiloh, Hardee, Breckinridge, and the others. + </p> + <p> + Dick knew that the advance of the Northern army would be seen at once. + This was the country of the enemy. The forces of the Union held only the + ground on which they were camped. Thousands of hostile eyes were watching + Rosecrans, and, even if Bragg himself were lax, any movement by the army + from Nashville would be reported at once to the army in Murfreesborough. + But they had a vigilant foe, they knew, and they expected to encounter his + pickets soon. + </p> + <p> + “They're probably watching us now through the fog and rain,” said Colonel + Winchester to Dick as they left the last house of Nashville behind. “They + know every inch of these hills and valleys.” + </p> + <p> + It was not a great distance to Murfreesborough, but they found the + marching slow. The feet of the horses sank deep in the mud and the cannon + and wagons were almost mired. But despite mud and rain and cold, the army + pressed bravely on. They were the same lads and their like who had marched + forward so hopefully to Donelson and Shiloh. Through the rain and the + soughing of wheels in the mud rolled their battle songs, sung with all the + spirit and fire of youth. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester and all the officers helped with the cannon and wagons + and soon they were covered with mud. The Winchester regiment was in the + lead, and Sergeant Whitley suddenly pointing with a thick forefinger, + said: + </p> + <p> + “There are the Johnnies! Their pickets are waiting for us!” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw through the mist and rain a considerable body of men down the + road, most of them on horseback. He knew at once that they were Southern + pickets, and the eager lads around him, seeing them, knew it, too. Not + waiting for command they set up a shout and charged down the road. Rifles + instantly flashed through the rain and a sharp fire met them. Men fell, + but others pressed on with all the more zeal, seeing just beyond the + Southern pickets the roofs of a little town. Cannon shot also whizzed + among them, indicating that the Southern pickets were in strong force. + </p> + <p> + But the Northern troops, full of vigor and zeal, swept back the pickets + and charged directly upon a larger force in the town beyond. A short and + fierce battle for the possession of the village ensued, but this was only + a Southern outpost, and it was not strong enough to withstand the rush of + the Ohio men and Winchester's regiment. Fighting at every step they + retreated through the village and into the forest beyond, leaving one of + their cannon in the hands of the Union troops. + </p> + <p> + “An omen of victory,” exclaimed Dick, when he saw the captured cannon. + </p> + <p> + “Careful, Dick! Careful!” said Warner. “Remember that you're not strong on + omens. You're always seeing sure signs of success just before we go into a + big battle.” + </p> + <p> + “If Dick sees visions, and they're visions of the right kind, then he's + right,” said Pennington. “I'd a good deal rather go into battle with Dick + by my side singing a song of victory, than croaking of defeat.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good as a general proposition,” said Warner, “but I was merely + cautioning him not to be too enthusiastic. What kind of a country, Dick, + is this into which we are going?” + </p> + <p> + “Hilly, lots of forests, particularly of cedar, and brooks, creeks and + rivers. Murfreesborough itself is right on Lytle's Creek. Bragg will meet + us at the line of Stone River.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe they'll retreat and go eastward to Chattanooga,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “I think we'd better dismiss that 'maybe,'” said Dick. “You haven't heard + of the rebels running away from battles, have you?” + </p> + <p> + “What I've generally seen, in the beginning at least,” said Warner, “is + the rebels running toward us, jumping out of the woods and yelling like + Indians. I have seldom found it a pleasant sight. I'm glad, too, Dick, + that Stonewall Jackson isn't here. Do you see that big cedar forest over + there on the hillside? Suppose he should come rushing out of it with + twenty or twenty-five thousand men.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop,” said Pennington. “You give me the shivers, talking about Stonewall + Jackson swooping down on us with an army corps, when happily he's four or + five hundred miles away. I'm seeing enough unfriendly faces as it is. Look + how the people in this village are glaring at us. Fellows, I've decided + after due consideration that they don't love us here in Tennessee. If you + were to ask me I'd say that blue was not their favorite color.” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate we don't stay long. Good-bye, friends, good-bye,” said + Warner, waving his hand toward two or three men who stood in the door of + an old blacksmith shop. + </p> + <p> + “You laugh, young feller,” said a gnarled and knotted old man past eighty, + “an' mebbe it's as well for you to laugh while you have the time to do it + in. Mebbe you'll never come back from Stone River, an' if you do, an' if + you win everywhere, remember that we, too, will yet win everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + “All the Yankees, whether they win or not, will have to go back north, + except them that are dead, an' we'll be here right on top of the lan', + livin' on it, an' runnin' it, same as we've always done.” + </p> + <p> + “I hadn't thought of that,” said Warner soberly. + </p> + <p> + “There's a power of things the young don't think of,” said the ancient + man. “Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she can't be moved. She'll + always be here. People hev made a war. I don't know who started it. I + reckon there's been some powerful mean an' hot talk on both sides. I + knowed great men that seed this very thing comin' long ago an' tried to + stop it. I went over in Kentucky more than once an' heard Henry Clay + speak. I don't believe there was ever another such a talker as he was. He + had sense an' knowledge as well as voice. He done his best to smooth over + this quarrel between North and South that others was eggin' on all the + time, but he couldn't, and I reckon when Henry Clay, the greatest man God + ever made, failed, it wasn't worth while for anybody else to try. Ride on, + young fellers, an' get yourselves killed. You ain't twenty, an' I'm over + eighty, but I guess I'll be lookin' at the green trees when you're under + the ground. Ride on in the rain an' the cold, an' I'll go inside the shop + an' warm myself by the forge fire.” + </p> + <p> + The three boys rode on in sober silence. The words of the ancient + philosopher were soaking in with the rain. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we don't come back from Stone River,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “We take our chances, of course,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “And suppose what he said about the South should prove true,” said Warner, + thoughtfully. “One part of it, at least, is bound to come true. That + phrase of his sticks in my mind: 'Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she + can't be moved.' The Southern states, as he says, will be here just the + same after the war is over, no matter who wins.” + </p> + <p> + But such thoughts as these could not endure long in minds so young. They + passed through the village and soon were in the forests of red cedar. The + rain ceased, but in its place came a thick and heavy fog. The mud grew + deeper than ever. Progress became very slow. It was difficult in the great + foggy veil for the regiments to keep in touch with one another, and + occasional shots in front warned them that the enemy was active and + watchful. The division barely crept along. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his comrades were mounted again, and they kept close to Colonel + Winchester, who, however, had few orders to send. The command of the corps + rested with General McCook, and it behooved him as any private could see, + to exercise the utmost caution. They were strangers in the land and the + Confederates were not. + </p> + <p> + Dick had thought that morning that they would get into touch with heavy + forces of the enemy before night, but the fog and the mud rendered their + advance so slow that at sunset they went into camp in a vast forest of red + cedar, still a good distance from Stone River. The fog had lifted + somewhat, but the night was heavy, damp and dark. There was an abundance + of fallen wood, and the veterans soon built long rows of fires which + contributed wonderfully to their cheerfulness. + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing like a fine fire on a cold, dark night,” said Sergeant + Whitley, holding his hands over the flames. “Out on the plains when there + was only a hundred or so of us, an' nothin' on any side five hundred miles + away 'xcept hostile Indians, an' a blizzard whistlin' an' roarin', with + the mercury thirty degrees below zero, it was glorious to have a big fire + lighted in a hollow or a dip an' bend over the coals, until the warmth + went right through you.” + </p> + <p> + “It was the power of contrast,” said Warner sagely. “The real comfort from + the fire was fifty per cent and the howling of the icy gale, in which you + might have frozen to death, but didn't, was fifty per cent more. That's + why I'm feeling so good now, although I'd say that those red cedars and + their dark background are none too cheerful.” + </p> + <p> + “I've got two good blankets,” said Pennington, who was returning from a + trip further down the line, “and I'm going to sleep. Haven't you fellows + learned that all your foolish talking before a battle never changes the + result? I can tell you this. Our three divisions that are marching toward + Murfreesborough are in touch. We've put out swarms of scouts and they all + tell us so. They know exactly where the enemy is, too, and he's too far + away to surprise us to-night. So it's sleep, my boys, sleep. Sleep will + recover for you so much strength that it will be much harder for you to + get killed on the morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Dick had dried himself very thoroughly before one of the fires, and + wrapping himself in his two blankets he slept soundly and heavily. There + was fog again the next morning, but they reached a little village called + Triune and all through the day they heard the sounds of scattered firing. + One of the scouts told Colonel Winchester that the whole Southern army + would be concentrated the next day on the line of Stone River, but that it + would be inferior to the Union army in numbers by ten thousand men. + Bragg's force, however, had the advantage of experience, being composed + almost wholly of veterans. + </p> + <p> + It was on the afternoon of this day that Dick came into personal contact + with General Thomas again. He had been sent through the cedar forest with + dispatches to him from General McCook, and after the general had read them + he glanced at the messenger. + </p> + <p> + “You reached General Buell safely with my letter, Lieutenant Mason,” he + said, “and I'm very glad to see you here with us again.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” said Dick, feeling an immense pride because this man, + whom he admired so much, remembered him. + </p> + <p> + “It was a difficult duty and you did it well. I found that you got through + safely. I made inquiries about you and I traced you as far as Shiloh, but + I could get no further.” + </p> + <p> + “I was at Shiloh,” said Dick proudly. “I was captured just before it + began, but I escaped while it was at its height and fought until the + close.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “My regiment was sent east, sir. I went with it through the Second + Manassas and Antietam. Then we came back west to help General Buell. I was + at Perryville and was wounded there, but I soon got well.” + </p> + <p> + “Perryville was a terrible battle. It was short, but it is incredible with + what fury the troops fought. We should do better here.” + </p> + <p> + Dick saw that the last sentence which was spoken in a low tone was not + addressed to him. It was merely a murmured expression of the general's own + thoughts, and he remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “You can go now, Lieutenant Mason,” said General Thomas, after a few + moments, “and let us together wish for the best.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” said Dick, highly flattered again. Then he saluted and + retired. + </p> + <p> + He rode back somewhat slowly through the cedars, but he kept a wary eye. + The enemy's cavalry was daring, and he might be rushed by them at any time + or be ambushed by sharpshooters on foot. His watch for the enemy also + enabled him to examine the country closely. He saw many hills and hollows + covered mostly with forests, with the red cedar and its dark green boughs + predominating. He also saw the flash of many waters, and, where the roads + cut through the soil, a deep red clay was exposed to view. He knew that it + would be difficult for the armies to get into line for battle, because of + the heavy, sticky nature of the ground, upon which so much rain had + fallen. + </p> + <p> + He made his way safely back to the camp of his corps, although he saw + hostile cavalry galloping in the valleys in the direction of Stone River, + and all through the afternoon he heard the crackle of rifle shots in the + same direction. The skirmishers were continually in touch and they were + busy. + </p> + <p> + The corps moved up a little, but Dick thought it likely that there would + be no battle the next day either. Rosecrans could not afford to attack + until his full force, with all its artillery, was up, and marching was + slow and exhausting in the sea of sticky mud. + </p> + <p> + Dick was right. The Northern army was practically united the next day, but + so great was the exhaustion of the troops that Rosecrans did not deem it + wise yet to attack his foe. He was fully aware of the quality of the + Southern soldiers. He remembered how they had turned suddenly at + Perryville and with inferior numbers had fought a draw. Now on the + defensive, and in such a deep and sticky soil, they would have a great + advantage and his generals agreed with him in waiting. + </p> + <p> + Dick spent much of this day in riding with Colonel Winchester along their + lines. There was some talk about Bragg retreating, but the boy, a veteran + in everything but years, knew the ominous signs. Bragg had no notion of + retreating. + </p> + <p> + In the night that followed Colonel Winchester himself and some of his + young officers, accompanied by the brave and skillful Sergeant Whitley, + scouted toward Stone River. In the darkness and with great care, in order + to avoid any sound of splashing, they waded a deep creek and came out upon + a plateau, rolling slightly in character, and with a deep clay soil, very + muddy from the heavy rains. A part of the plateau was cleared of forest, + but here and there were groves, chiefly of the red cedar, and thickets, + some of them so dense that a man would have difficulty in forcing his way + through. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester and his little group paused at the edge of the creek, + and then dived promptly into a thicket. They saw further up the plateau + many fires and the figures of men walking before them and they saw nearer + by sentinels marching back and forth. They were even able to make out + cannon in batteries, and they knew that it was not worth while to go any + further. The Confederate army was there, and they would merely walk + directly into its arms. + </p> + <p> + They returned with even greater caution than they had come, but the next + day the whole division crossed the creek at another point, and as it + cautiously felt its way forward it encountered another formidable body of + Southern pickets hidden in the woods. There was sharp firing for a quarter + of an hour, and many of the Ohio men fell, but the pickets were finally + swept back, and at sunset the half circle that Rosecrans had intended to + form for the attack upon the Southern army was complete. + </p> + <p> + All the movements and delays brought them up to the night before the last + day in the year. The Winchester regiment with the Ohio division lay in a + region of little hills and rocks, covered with forest, with which its + officers and men were not familiar. On the other hand the Southern army + would know every inch of it, and the inhabitants were ready and eager to + give it information. + </p> + <p> + Dick could not keep from regarding the dark forests with apprehension. He + had seen the Northern generals lose so much through ignorance of the + ground and uncertain movements that he feared for them again. He soon + learned that Rosecrans himself shared this fear. He had come to the + division and recommended its closer concentration. + </p> + <p> + But the young Ohio troops were not afraid. They said that if they were + attacked they would hold their ground long enough for the rest of the + Northern army to beat the Southern, and McCook himself was confident. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Bragg, after delaying, had suddenly decided to make the attack + himself, and throughout the day he had been gathering his whole army for + the spring. All his generals, Hardee, Breckinridge, Polk, Cleburne and the + rest were in position and the cavalry was led by Wheeler, a youthful rough + rider, destined to become famous as Fighting Joe Wheeler. + </p> + <p> + Each general was ready to attack in the morning, but neither knew the + willingness of the other. Yet everybody was aware that a great battle was + soon to come. They had felt it in both armies, and for two or three days + the firing of the skirmishers had been almost continuous. Scouts kept each + side well informed. + </p> + <p> + Dick, Warner and Pennington, before they lay down in their blankets, + listened to the faint reports of rifles. They could see little owing to + the deep woods in which they lay, but the sound of the shots came clearly. + </p> + <p> + “A part of our army is to cross the fords of Stone River in the morning by + daylight or before,” said Warner, “and we're to surprise the enemy and + rush him. I wonder if we'll do it.” + </p> + <p> + “We will not,” said Pennington with emphasis. “We may beat the enemy, but + we will not surprise him. We never do. Why should we surprise him? He is + here in his own country. If the whole Southern army were sound asleep, a + thousand of the natives would wake up their generals and tell them that + the Yankee army was advancing.” + </p> + <p> + “Their sentinels are watching, anyhow,” said Dick, “but I imagine that + we'd gain something if the first rush was ours and not theirs.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll hope for the best,” said Warner, “I wonder whose time this will be + to get wounded. It was mine at Antietam, yours, Dick, at Perryville, and + only you are left Pennington, so it's bound to be you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it won't be me,” said Pennington stoutly. “I've been wounded in two + or three battles already, not bad wounds, just scratches and bruises, but + as there were so many of 'em you can lump 'em together, and make one big + wound. That lets me out.” + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment lay in the very thickest of the forest and in + order not to indicate to the enemy their precise position no fires were + lighted. The earth was still soaked deep with the heavy rains and their + feet sank at every step. But they did not make many steps. They had + learned enough to lie quiet, seek what rest and sleep they could find, and + await the dawn. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. STONE RIVER + </h2> + <p> + Dick awoke at sunrise of the last day of the year, and Warner and + Pennington were up a moment later. There was no fog. The sun hung a low, + red ball in the steel blue sky of winter. No fires had been lighted, cold + food being served. + </p> + <p> + He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many + small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in the + wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The other + wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before their own + division was drawn into the conflict. + </p> + <p> + He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles, + accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great cloud + of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his ears, nor + could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was standing + beside him, shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “And it looks as if we'd have to wait,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + “Things point that way. The general thinks so, too. It seems that Bragg + has moved his forces in the night, and that the portion of the enemy in + front of us is some distance off.” + </p> + <p> + Dick soon confided this news to Warner and Pennington, who looked + discontented. + </p> + <p> + “If we've got to fight, I'd rather do it now and get it over,” said + Pennington. “If I'm going to be killed the difference between morning and + afternoon won't matter, but if I'm not going to be killed it'll be worth a + lot to get this weight off my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “And if we're far away from the enemy it's easy enough for us to go up + close to him,” said Warner. “I take it that we're not here to keep out of + his way, and, if our brethren are pounding now, oughtn't we to go in and + help them pound? Remember how we divided our strength at Antietam.” + </p> + <p> + Dick shrugged his shoulders. His feelings were too bitter for him to make + a reply save to say: “I don't know anything about it.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the distant combat roared and deepened. It was obvious that a + great battle was going on, but the division lay quiet obeying its orders. + The sun rose higher in the cold, steely blue heavens and then Dick, who + was watching a forest opposite them, uttered a loud cry. He had seen many + bayonets flashing among the leafless trees. + </p> + <p> + The cry was taken up by others who saw also, and suddenly a long Southern + line, less than half a mile away, emerged into the open and advanced upon + them in silence, but with resolution, a bristling and terrific front of + steel. After all their watching and waiting the Northern division had been + surprised. Many of the officers and soldiers, too, were in tents that had + been set against the cold and damp. The horses that drew the artillery + were being taken to water. + </p> + <p> + It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat, but in + that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed his power + of initiative and his resolute courage. While that bristling front of + steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without waiting for + the commands of the officers. The artillerymen rushed to their guns. + </p> + <p> + “Kneel, men! Kneel!” shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment. He + and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in the + rear the night before. + </p> + <p> + His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the Northern + line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending forth a sheet + of fire and bullets. + </p> + <p> + The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were at + work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks through + and through. But Dick saw no pause in the advance of the men in gray. They + did not even falter. Without a particle of shelter they came on through + the rain of death, their ranks closing up over the slain, their front line + always presenting that bristling line of steel. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Dick now that the points of the bayonets shone almost in his + face, gleaming through the smoke that hung between them and the foe, a gap + that continually grew narrower as the Southern line never ceased to come. + </p> + <p> + “Stand firm, lads; steady for God's sake, steady!” shouted Colonel + Winchester, and then Dick heard no single voice, because the roar of the + battle broke over them like the sudden rush of a storm. He was conscious + only that the tips of the bayonets had reached them, and behind them he + saw the eyes in the brown faces gleaming. + </p> + <p> + Then he did not even see the brown faces, because there was such a storm + of fire and smoke pouring forth bullets like hail, and the tumult of + shouts and of the crash of cannon and rifles was so awful that it blended + into one general sound like the roaring of the infernal regions. + </p> + <p> + Dick felt himself borne back. It seemed to him that their line had cracked + like a bow bent too much. It was not anything that he saw but a sense of + the general result, and he was right. The Northern line which had not + found time to form properly, was hurled back. Neither cannon nor rifles + could stop the three Southern brigades which were charging them. + </p> + <p> + The South struck like a tornado, and despite a resistance made with all + the fury and rage of despair, the Northern division was driven from its + position, and its line broken in many places. A Northern general was taken + prisoner. The guns which could not be carried, because the horses were + gone, were taken by the triumphant Southerners, and over all the roar and + tumult of the frightful battle Dick heard that piercing and triumphant + rebel yell, poured forth by thousands of throats and swelling over + everything, in a fierce, dominant note. + </p> + <p> + Dick bumped against Warner as they were borne back in the smoke. He saw + the Vermonter's blackened lips move, and his own moved in the same way, + but neither heard what the other said. Nevertheless Dick read the words in + his comrade's eyes, and they said: + </p> + <p> + “Surprised again, Dick! Good God, surprised!” + </p> + <p> + Yet the young troops fought with a courage worthy of the toughest + veterans. They gave ground, because the rush against them was + overpowering, but they maintained a terrible fire which strewed the earth + in front of them with dead and wounded. + </p> + <p> + “Behind those trees! Behind those trees!” suddenly called Colonel + Winchester as they continued their sullen and fighting retreat, and he and + the remnants of his regiment darted into a little wood just in time. There + was a sudden rush of hoofbeats on their flank, and a cloud of Southern + cavalry swept down, shearing away the entire side of the Northern division + as if it had been cleft with the slash of a mighty sword. Besides the + fallen a thousand prisoners and seven cannon fell into the hands of the + cavalrymen, who rushed on in search of fresh triumphs. + </p> + <p> + Dick shuddered with horror, but he saw that all his own immediate friends + were safe in the wood. A swarm of fugitives poured in after them, and then + came colonels and generals making desperate efforts to reform their line + of battle. But the Southern brigades gave them no chance. Their leaders + continually urged on the pursuit. The broken regiments fell back still + loading and firing, and they would soon be on the banks of the creek + again. + </p> + <p> + After a time that seemed almost infinite, Dick heard the roar of shells + over their heads. In their retreat the regiments had come upon another + Northern division which opposed a strong resistance to the Southern + advance. Winchester's men welcomed their friends joyfully. But the fresh + troops could not stop the advance. The fire of the Southern cannon and + rifles was so deadly that nearly all the Northern artillerymen were killed + around their guns. + </p> + <p> + The North again gave ground, seeking point after point for fresh + resistance. They rallied strongly around a building used as a hospital, + and filled it with riflemen. But they were driven from that, too, although + they inflicted terrible losses on their enemy. + </p> + <p> + “We've got to stop this backward slide somewhere,” gasped Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but where?” cried Dick. + </p> + <p> + Whether Warner made any reply he did not know, because he lost him then in + the flame and the smoke. An instant or two later the charging swarms of + infantry and cavalry drove them into one of the woods of red cedars, where + they lay shattered and gasping. The smoke lifted a little, and Dick saw + the field which he already regarded as lost. Then there was a renewed + burst of firing and cheering, as a regiment of veteran regulars galloped + into the open space and drove off the Southern cavalry which was just + about to seize the ammunition wagons and more cannon. + </p> + <p> + Encouraged by the charge of the regulars, the men in the cedar wood rose + and began to reform for battle. Now chance, or rather watchfulness, + interposed to save Dick and his comrades from destruction. Rosecrans, at + another point, confident that McCook could hold out against all attacks, + listened with amazement to the roar of battle coming nearer and nearer. + His officers called his attention to the fact that save at the opening + there was no cannon fire. All that approaching crash was made by rifles. + They judged from it that their cannon had been taken, but they did not + know that the rush of the Southern troops had been so fast that their own + batteries were not able to keep up. + </p> + <p> + Rosecrans read the signs with them and his alarm was great and justified. + Then a dispatch came from McCook telling him that his right wing was + routed and he took an instant resolve. + </p> + <p> + Many regiments were marching to another point in the line, and the + commander at once changed their course. He meant to save his right wing, + but at the same moment a tremendous attack was begun upon the center of + his army. He struck his horse smartly and galloped straight toward the + rolling flame. + </p> + <p> + Dick and his friends, driven from the defense around the hospital, lost + touch with the rest of the troops. Colonel Winchester held together what + was left of his regiment, and presently they found themselves in the woods + with the troops of the young officer, Sheridan, who had saved the battle + of Perryville. Here they took their stand, and when Dick saw the quick and + warlike glance of Sheridan that embraced everything he believed they were + not going to retreat. + </p> + <p> + He heard cheers all around him, men shouting to one another to stand firm. + They refused to take alarm from the fugitives pouring back upon them, and + sent volley after volley into the advancing gray lines. The artillery, + too, handled with splendid skill and daring, poured a storm along the + whole gray front. The combat deepened to an almost incredible degree. The + cannon were compelled to cease firing because the men were now face to + face. Regiments lost half their numbers and more, but Sheridan still held + his ground and the South still attacked. + </p> + <p> + Dick began to shout with joy. He saw that the indomitable stand of + Sheridan was saving the whole Northern army from rout. The South must + continually turn aside troops to attack Sheridan, and they dared not + advance too far leaving him unbeaten in their rear. Rosecrans in the + center was urging his troops to a great resistance and the battle flamed + high there. It now thundered along the whole front. Nearly every man and + cannon were in action. + </p> + <p> + Dick was glad that chance had thrown his regiment with Sheridan, when he + saw the splendid resistance made by the young general. Sheridan massed all + his guns at the vital point and backed them up with riflemen. Nothing + broke through his line. Nothing was able to move him. + </p> + <p> + “He'll have to retreat later on,” Colonel Winchester shouted in Dick's + ear, “because our lines are giving way elsewhere, but his courage and that + of his men has saved us from an awful defeat.” + </p> + <p> + The battle in front of Sheridan increased in violence. The Confederates + were continually pouring fresh troops upon him, and it became apparent + that even he, with all his courage and quickness of eye at the vital + moment, could not withstand all day long the fierce attacks that were + being made upon him. The Southern fire from cannon and rifles grew more + terrible. Sheridan had three brigades and the commanders of all three of + them were killed. The Confederate attack had been repulsed three times, + but it was coming again, stronger and fiercer than ever. + </p> + <p> + Dick, aghast, gazed at Colonel Winchester and somehow through the thunder + of the battle he heard the colonel's reply: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we'll have to give up this position, but we have saved so much time + that the army itself is saved. Rosecrans is forming a new line behind us.” + </p> + <p> + Rosecrans, no genius, but a brave and resolute fighter, had indeed brought + up fresh troops and made a new line. Sheridan, having that greatest of all + gifts of the general, the eye to see amid the terrible tumult of battle + the time to do a thing, and the courage to do it then, sounded the + trumpet. Nearly all his wagons had been captured by the Southern cavalry, + and his ammunition was beginning to fail. Around him lay two thousand of + his best men, dead or wounded. Rosecrans and the fresh troops were + appearing just in time. + </p> + <p> + Yet the retreat of Sheridan was made with the greatest difficulty. A part + of his troops were cut off and captured. Others drove back the Confederate + flankers with a bayonet charge, and then the remnant retreated, the new + lines opening to let them through. Dick, as he passed through the gap, saw + that he was among countrymen. That is, a Kentucky regiment, fighting for + the Union was standing as a shield to let his comrades and himself + through, and the people of the state were related so closely that in the + flare of the battle he saw among these new men at least a half dozen faces + that he knew. + </p> + <p> + It was this Kentucky regiment, led by its colonel, Shepherd, that now + formed itself in the very apex of the battle. The remains of the + Winchester regiment, forming behind it, saw a terrible sight. Some of the + regiments crushed earlier in the action had entirely disbanded. The woods + and the bushes were filled with fugitives, soldiers seeking the rear. Vast + clouds of smoke drifted everywhere, the air was filled with the odors of + exploded gunpowder, cannon were piled in inextricable heaps in the road, + and horses, killed by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or between the + wheels. + </p> + <p> + Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated so + far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified fugitives + were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph, and shouting + his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that seemed + invincible. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words and + the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick, Warner, + Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky troops + bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so sternly. + It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or the battle + indeed was lost once and for all. + </p> + <p> + Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had + joined Rosecrans. Dick observed them both. Rosecrans, tremendously + excited, and reckless of death from the flying shells and bullets, + galloped from point to point, urging on his soldiers, telling them to die + rather than yield. Thomas, cool, and showing no trace of excitement also + directed the troops. Both by their courage and resolution inspired the + men. The beaten became the unbeaten. Dick felt rather than saw the + stiffening of the lines, and the return of a great courage. + </p> + <p> + The new line of battle was formed directly under the fire of a victorious + and charging enemy. Three batteries were gathered on a height overlooking + a railroad cut, where they could sweep the front of the foe. + </p> + <p> + Just as they were in battle order Dick saw the faces of the Southerners + coming through the woods, led by Hardee in person. Then he saw, too, the + value of presence of mind and of a courage that would not yield. The three + batteries planted by the Kentuckian, Rousseau, on the railway embankment + suddenly opened a terrible enfilading fire upon the Southern advance. The + Kentucky regiment standing so firmly in the breach also opened with every + rifle firing directly into the ranks of their brother Kentuckians, who + were advancing in the vanguard of the South. Here again people of the same + state and even of the same county fought one another. + </p> + <p> + The Confederates pursuing a defeated and apparently disorganized enemy + were astounded by such a sudden and fierce fire. One of their generals was + killed almost instantly, and a part of their line was hurled back with + great violence. Thomas pushed forward with a portion of the troops, and + after a desperate assault the Southern line reeled and then stopped in the + wood. Courage and presence of mind had saved a battle for the time being, + at least. + </p> + <p> + At that point the combat sank for a while, and Dick, unwounded but + exhausted, dropped upon the ground. Around him lay his friends, and they, + too, were unwounded. It was with a sort of grim humor that he remembered a + conversation they had held before the battle. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Frank,” he said, “you've escaped.” + </p> + <p> + “So far only,” said Warner. “The hurricane has softened down a lot here, + but not everywhere else. Listen!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed through the woods toward the left where another battle was + swelling with a mighty uproar. Bragg having driven in the Union right was + now seeking to shatter the Union left, but at this point there was a + Northern commander, Hazen, who was no less indomitable than Sheridan. + Sheltering themselves along the railway embankment his men, always + encouraged by their commander, and his officers, resisted every effort to + drive them back. Noon came and found them still holding tenaciously to + their positions. For a while now the whole battle sank through sheer + exhaustion on both sides. Each commander reformed his line, disentangled + his guns, brought forward fresh ammunition and prepared for the great + combat which he knew was coming. Bragg, as he noticed the advance of the + short winter day, resolved upon the utmost effort to crush his enemy. + Victory had seemed wholly in his grasp in the morning, but he had been + checked at the last moment. He would make good the defeat in the + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + The armies had disentangled themselves from the woods and bushes. They + were now in the open and face to face on a long line. The Winchester + regiment had risen to its feet again, and stood directly behind and almost + mingled with the Kentucky regiment that had saved it. + </p> + <p> + “They're coming!” exclaimed Warner in quick, excited tones. “Look, there + on the flank!” + </p> + <p> + It was the division of Cleburne, in the hottest of the battle all through + the morning advancing to a fresh attack upon the Union lines, but it was + received with such a powerful fire that it was driven back in disorder + into some woods. + </p> + <p> + Dick, however, did not have a chance to see this as the Southerners, + reinforced by fresh troops from Breckinridge's division, were charging in + the center with great violence. So terrible was the fire that received + them that some of the regiments lost half their numbers in five minutes. + Yet the remainder, upheld by their cannon, returned a fire almost as + deadly. Rosecrans, absolutely fearless, stood in the very front where the + danger was greatest. A cannon ball blew off the head of his chief of staff + who stood by his side. “Many a brave fellow must fall!” cried Rosecrans, a + devoted Catholic. “Cross yourselves, and fire low and fast!” + </p> + <p> + Many a brave fellow did fall, but his men fired low and fast, and, while + the Southern troops charged again and again to the very mouths of the + cannon they were unable to break down the last desperate stand of the + Northern army. They had driven it back, but they had not driven it back + far enough. Then the sun set as it had set so often before on an + undecisive battle, terrible in its long list of the slain, but leaving + everything to be fought over again. + </p> + <p> + “They didn't beat us,” said Dick as the firing ceased. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Colonel Winchester, “nor have we won a victory, but we're + saved. Thank God for the night!” + </p> + <p> + “They'll attack again to-morrow, sir,” said Sergeant Whitley. + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly so,” said Colonel Winchester, who felt at this moment not as + if he were speaking as colonel to sergeant, but as man to man, “and I hope + that our artillery will be ready again. It is what has saved us. We have + always been superior in that arm.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel had spoken the truth, and the fact was also recognized by + Rosecrans, Thomas and the other generals. While they rectified their lines + in the darkness, the great batteries were posted in good positions, and + fresh gunners took the place of those who had been killed. Both Rosecrans + and Thomas were made of stern stuff. Afraid of no enemy, and, despite + their great losses of the day and the fact that they had been driven back, + they would be ready to fight on the morrow. Sheridan, Crittenden, McCook, + Van Cleve and the others were equally ready. + </p> + <p> + Food was brought from the rear and the exhausted combatants sank down to + rest. Dick was in such an apathy from sheer overtasking of the body and + spirit that he did not think of anything. He lay like an animal that has + escaped from a long chase. Silence had settled down with the darkness and + the Confederate army had become invisible. + </p> + <p> + Dick revived later. He talked more freely with those about him, and he + gathered from the gossip which travels fast, much of what had happened. + The Union army, so confident in the morning, was in a dangerous position + at night. Nearly thirty of its guns were taken. Three thousand unwounded + and many wounded men were prisoners in the hands of the South. Arms and + ammunition by the wholesale had been captured. The Southern cavalry under + Fighting Joe Wheeler had gone behind Rosecrans' whole army and had cut his + communications with his base at Nashville, at the same time raiding his + wagon trains. Another body of cavalry under Wharton had taken all the + wagons of McCook's corps, and still a third under Pegram had captured many + prisoners on the Nashville road in the rear of the Northern army. + </p> + <p> + Dick became aware of a great, an intense anxiety among the leaders. The + army was isolated. The raiding Southern cavalry kept it from receiving + fresh supplies of either food or ammunition, unless it retreated. + </p> + <p> + “We're stripped of everything but our arms,” said Warner. + </p> + <p> + “Then we've really lost nothing,” said the valiant Pennington, “because + with our arms we'll recover everything.” + </p> + <p> + They had a commander of like spirit. At that moment Rosecrans, gathering + his generals in a tent pitched hastily for him, was saying to them, + “Gentlemen, we will conquer or die here.” Short and strong, but every word + meant. There was no need to say more. The generals animated by the same + spirit went forth to their commands, and first among them was the grim and + silent Thomas, who had the bulldog grip of Grant. Perhaps it was this + indomitable tenacity and resolution that made the Northern generals so + much more successful in the west than they were in the east during the + early years of the war. + </p> + <p> + But there was exultation in the Confederate camp. Bragg and Polk and + Hardee and Breckinridge and the others felt now that Rosecrans would + retreat in the night after losing so many men and one-third of his + artillery. Great then was their astonishment when the rising sun of New + Year's day showed him sitting there, grimly waiting, with his back to + Stone River, a formidable foe despite his losses. Above all the Southern + generals saw the heavily massed artillery, which they had such good reason + to fear. + </p> + <p> + Dick, who had slept soundly through the night, was up like all the others + at dawn and he beheld the Southern army before them, yet not moving, as if + uncertain what to do. He felt again that thrill of courage and resolution, + and, born of it, was the belief that despite the first day's defeat the + chances were yet even. These western youths were of a tough and enduring + stock, as he had seen at Shiloh and Perryville, and the battle was not + always to him who won the first day. A long time passed and there was no + firing. + </p> + <p> + “Not so eager to rush us as they were,” said Warner. “It's a mathematical + certainty that an army that's not running away is not whipped, and that + certainty is patent to our Southern friends also. But to descend from + mathematics to poetry, a great poet says that he who runs away will live + to fight another day. I will transpose and otherwise change that, making + it to read: He who does not run away may make the other fellow unable to + fight another day.” + </p> + <p> + “You talk too much like a schoolmaster, George,” said Pennington. + </p> + <p> + “The most important business of a school teacher is to teach the young + idea how to shoot, and lately I've had ample chances to give such + instruction.” + </p> + <p> + It was not that they were frivolous, but like most other lads in the army, + they had grown into the habit of teasing one another, which was often a + relief to teaser as well as teased. + </p> + <p> + “I think, sir,” said Dick to Colonel Winchester, “that some of our troops + are moving.” + </p> + <p> + He was looking through his glasses toward the left, where he saw a strong + Union force, with banners waving, advancing toward Bragg's right. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that is well done!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “If our men break + through there we'll cut Bragg off from Murfreesborough and his ammunition + and supplies.” + </p> + <p> + They did not break through, but they maintained a long and vigorous + battle, while the centers and other wings of the two armies did not stir. + But it became evident to Dick later in the afternoon that a mighty + movement was about to begin. His glasses told him so, and the thrill of + expectation confirmed it. + </p> + <p> + Bragg was preparing to hurl his full strength upon Rosecrans. + Breckinridge, who would have been the President of the United States, had + not the Democrats divided, was to lead it. This division of five brigades + had formed under cover of a wood. On its flank was a battery of ten guns + and two thousand of the fierce riders of the South under Wharton and + Pegram. Dick felt instinctively that Colonel Kenton with his regiment was + there in the very thick of it. + </p> + <p> + Dick's regiment with Negley's strong Kentucky brigade, which had stopped + the panic and rout the day before, had now recrossed Stone River and were + posted strongly behind it. Ahead of them were two small brigades with some + cannon, and Rosecrans himself was with this force just as Breckinridge's + powerful division emerged into the open and began its advance upon the + Union lines. + </p> + <p> + “Now, lads, stand firm!” exclaimed Colonel Winchester. “This is the + crisis.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel had measured the situation with a cool eye and brain. He knew + that the regiments on the other side of the river were worn down by the + day's fighting and would not stand long. But he believed that the + Kentuckians around him, and the men from beyond the Ohio would not yield + an inch. They were largely Kentuckians also coming against them. + </p> + <p> + The rolling fire burst from the Southern front, and the cannon on their + flanks crashed heavily. Then their infantry came forward fast, and with a + wild shout and rush the two thousand cavalry on their flanks charged. As + Colonel Winchester had expected, the two weak brigades, although Rosecrans + in person was among them, gave way, retreated rapidly to the little river + and crossed it. + </p> + <p> + The Confederates came on in swift pursuit, but Negley's Kentuckians and + the other Union men, standing fast, received them with a tremendous + volley. It was at short range, and their bullets crashed through the + crowded Southern ranks. The Winchesters were on the flank of the + defenders, where they could get a better view, and although they also were + firing as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger, they saw the + great column pause and then reel. + </p> + <p> + Rosecrans, who had fallen back with the retreating brigades, instantly + noted the opportunity. Here, a general who received too little reward from + the nation, and to whom popular esteem did not pay enough tribute, rushed + two brigades across Stone River and hurled them with all their weight upon + the Southern flank. Sixty cannon posted on the hillocks just behind the + river poured an awful fire upon the Southern column. The fire from front + and flank was so tremendous that the Southerners, veterans as they were, + gave way. The men who had held victory in their hands felt it slipping + from their grasp. + </p> + <p> + “They waver! They retreat!” shouted Colonel Winchester. “Up, boys, and at + 'em!” + </p> + <p> + The whole Union force, led by its heroic generals, rushed forward, crossed + the river and joined in the charge. The two thousand Southern cavalry were + driven off by a fire that no horsemen could withstand. The division of + Breckinridge, although fighting with furious courage, was gradually driven + back, and the day closed with the Union army in possession of most of the + territory it had lost the day before. + </p> + <p> + As they lay that night in the damp woods, Dick and his comrades, all of + whom had been fortunate enough to escape this time without injury, + discussed the battle. For a while they claimed that it was a victory, but + they finally agreed that it was a draw. The losses were enormous. Each + side had lost about one third of its force. + </p> + <p> + Rosecrans, raging like a wounded lion, talked of attacking again, but the + rains had been so heavy, the roads were so soft and deep in mud that the + cannon and the wagons could not be pushed forward. + </p> + <p> + Bragg retreated four days later from Murfreesborough, and Dick and his + comrades therefore claimed a victory, but as the winter was now shutting + down cold and hard, Rosecrans remained on the line of Murfreesborough and + Nashville. + </p> + <p> + The Winchester regiment was sent back to Nashville to recuperate and seek + recruits for its ranks. Dick and Warner and Pennington felt that their + army had done well in the west, but their hopes for the Union were clouded + by the news from the east. Lee and Jackson had triumphed again. Burnside, + in midwinter, had hurled the gallant Army of the Potomac in vain against + the heights of Fredericksburg, and twelve thousand men had fallen for + nothing. + </p> + <p> + “We need a man, a man in the east, even more than in the west,” said + Warner. + </p> + <p> + “He'll come. I'm sure he'll come,” said Dick. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_APPE" id="link2H_APPE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Appendix: Transcription notes: + </h2> + <h3> + This ebook was transcribed from a volume of the 16th printing + </h3> + <p> + Despite the fact that this is a fictional work, I myself find it + inappropriate that our fictional hero, Dick Mason, is credited with + discovering the “lost” copy of Lee's General Order No. 191. In fact, + Sergeant Bloss and Corporal Mitchell, of the 27th Indiana Infantry, found + the envelope containing the order, along with the three cigars, in a field + of clover on the morning of 09/13/1862. + </p> + <p> + The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed + book to ebook: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Chapter 2 + Page 31, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 51, para 3, add missing comma + Page 51, para 6, fix typo (“Pennigton”) + Page 52, para 7, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 3 + Page 68, para 4, changed “it” to “its” + + Chapter 4 + Page 83, para 3, added a missing comma (In these books, I am + often tempted to add/move/remove commas, but I generally avoid + doing so. In this case, an additional comma was sorely needed.) + + Chapter 5 + Page 105, para 3, add missing open-quotes + Page 107, para 2, add missing open-quotes + Page 118, para 5, changed “he know not” to “he knew not” + + Chapter 6 + Page 142, para 11, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 7 + Page 157, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 9 + Page 191, para 6, add missing comma + Page 196, para 2 and 3, fix closing quotation marks + Page 197, para 1, add missing close-quote + + Chapter 10 + Page 210, para 1, fix typo (“Pennigton”) + + Chapter 13 + Page 276, para 1, change “a” to “as” + Page 281, para 2, add missing close-quotes + Page 283, para 8, change “in” to “is” + Page 288, para 4, fix typo (“seeemd”) + Page 293, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 297, para 2, closing double-quote should be single-quote + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word “marquee” in chapter 3 was presented in the printed + book with an accented “e” + </pre> + <p> + I did not change: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + - Inconsistent spelling/presentation in the printed book: + “rearguard” and “rear guard”, “guerrilla” and “guerilla”, + “round-about” and “roundabout”, “to-morrow” and “tomorrow” + + - “bowlder” in chapter 10 +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sword of Antietam + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7862] +Posting Date: July 23, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM *** + + + + +Produced by Ken Reeder + + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + +A STORY OF THE NATION'S CRISIS + +By Joseph A. Altsheler + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Sword of Antietam" tells a complete story, but it is one in +the chain of Civil War romances, begun in "The Guns of Bull Run" and +continued through "The Guns of Shiloh" and "The Scouts of Stonewall." +The young Northern hero, Dick Mason, and his friends are in the +forefront of the tale. + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT "SUSE," A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA CARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT E. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + II. AT THE CAPITAL + + III. BESIDE THE RIVER + + IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + + V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + + VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + + VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + + X. ANTIETAM + + XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + + XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + XIII. PERRYVILLE + + XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + + XV. STONE RIVER + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + + + + +CHAPTER I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + +The first youth rode to the crest of the hill, and, still sitting on his +horse, examined the country in the south with minute care through a pair +of powerful glasses. The other two dismounted and waited patiently. All +three were thin and their faces were darkened by sun and wind. But they +were strong alike of body and soul. Beneath the faded blue uniforms +brave hearts beat and powerful muscles responded at once to every +command of the will. + +"What do you see, Dick?" asked Warner, who leaned easily against his +horse, with one arm over the pommel of his saddle. + +"Hills, valleys, mountains, the August heat shimmering over all, but no +human being." + +"A fine country," said young Pennington, "and I like to look at it, but +just now my Nebraska prairie would be better for us. We could at least +see the advance of Stonewall Jackson before he was right on top of us." + +Dick took another long look, searching every point in the half circle +of the south with his glasses. Although burned by summer the country +was beautiful, and neither heat nor cold could take away its +picturesqueness. He saw valleys in which the grass grew thick and +strong, clusters of hills dotted with trees, and then the blue loom of +mountains clothed heavily with foliage. Over everything bent a dazzling +sky of blue and gold. + +The light was so intense that with his glasses he could pick out +individual trees and rocks on the far slopes. He saw an occasional roof, +but nowhere did he see man. He knew the reason, but he had become so +used to his trade that at the moment, he felt no sadness. All this +region had been swept by great armies. Here the tide of battle in +the mightiest of all wars had rolled back and forth, and here it was +destined to surge again in a volume increasing always. + +"I don't find anything," repeated Dick, "but three pairs of eyes are +better than none. George, you take the glasses and see what you can see +and Frank will follow." + +He dismounted and stood holding the reins of his horse while the young +Vermonter looked. He noticed that the mathematical turn of Warner's +mind showed in every emergency. He swept the glasses back and forth in +a regular curve, not looking here and now there, but taking his time and +missing nothing. It occurred to Dick that he was a type of his region, +slow but thorough, and sure to win after defeat. + +"What's the result of your examination?" asked Dick as Warner passed the +glasses in turn to Pennington. + +"Let x equal what I saw, which is nothing. Let y equal the result I +draw, which is nothing. Hence we have x + y which still equals nothing." + +Pennington was swifter in his examination. The blood in his veins flowed +a little faster than Warner's. + +"I find nothing but land and water," he said without waiting to be +asked, "and I'm disappointed. I had a hope, Dick, that I'd see Stonewall +Jackson himself riding along a slope." + +"Even if you saw him, how would you know it was Stonewall?" + +"I hadn't thought of that. We've heard so much of him that it just +seemed to me I'd know him anywhere." + +"Same here," said Warner. "Remember all the tales we've heard about his +whiskers, his old slouch hat and his sorrel horse." + +"I'd like to see him myself," confessed Dick. "From all we hear he's +the man who kept McClellan from taking Richmond. He certainly played +hob with the plans of our generals. You know, I've got a cousin, Harry +Kenton, with him. I had a letter from him a week ago--passing through +the lines, and coming in a round-about way. Writes as if he thought +Stonewall Jackson was a demigod. Says we'd better quit and go home, as +we haven't any earthly chance to win this war." + +"He fights best who wins last," said Warner. "I'm thinking I won't see +the green hills of Vermont for a long time yet, because I mean to pay +a visit to Richmond first. Have you got your cousin's letter with you, +Dick?" + +"No, I destroyed it. I didn't want it bobbing up some time or other to +cause either of us trouble. A man I know at home says he's kept out of a +lot of trouble by 'never writin' nothin' to nobody.' And if you do write +a letter the next best thing is to burn it as quick as you can." + +"If my eyes tell the truth, and they do," said Pennington, "here comes +a short, thick man riding a long, thick horse and he--the man, not the +horse--bears a startling resemblance to our friend, ally, guide and +sometime mentor, Sergeant Daniel Whitley." + +"Yes, it's the sergeant," said Dick, looking down into the valley, "and +I'm glad he's joining us. Do you know, boys, I often think these veteran +sergeants know more than some of our generals." + +"It's not an opinion. It's a fact," said Warner. "Hi, there, sergeant! +Here are your friends! Come up and make the same empty report that we've +got ready for the colonel." + +Sergeant Daniel Whitley looked at the three lads, and his face +brightened. He had a good intellect under his thatch of hair, and a warm +heart within his strong body. The boys, although lieutenants, and he +only a sergeant in the ranks, treated him usually as an equal and often +as a superior. + +Colonel Winchester's regiment and the remains of Colonel Newcomb's +Pennsylvanians had been sent east after the defeat of the Union army at +the Seven Days, and were now with Pope's Army of Virginia, which was to +hold the valley and also protect Washington. Grant's success at +Shiloh had been offset by McClellan's failure before Richmond, and the +President and his Cabinet at Washington were filled with justifiable +alarm. Pope was a western man, a Kentuckian, and he had insisted upon +having some of the western troops with him. + +The sergeant rode his horse slowly up the slope, and joined the lads +over whom he watched like a father. + +"And what have the hundred eyes of Argus beheld?" asked Warner. + +"Argus?" said the sergeant. "I don't know any such man. Name sounds +queer, too." + +"He belongs to a distant and mythical past, sergeant, but he'd be mighty +useful if we had him here. If even a single one of his hundred eyes were +to light on Stonewall Jackson, it would be a great service." + +The sergeant shook his head and looked reprovingly at Warner. + +"It ain't no time for jokin'," he said. + +"I was never further from it. It seems to me that we need a lot of +Arguses more than anything else. This is the enemy's country, and we +hear that Stonewall Jackson is advancing. Advancing where, from what and +when? There is no Argus to tell. The country supports a fairly numerous +population, but it hasn't a single kind or informing word for us. Is +Stonewall Jackson going to drop from the sky, which rumor says is his +favorite method of approach?" + +"He's usin' the solid ground this time, anyway," said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley. "I've been eight miles farther south, an' if I didn't see +cavalry comin' along the skirt of a ridge, then my eyes ain't any +friends of mine. Then I came through a little place of not more'n five +houses. No men there, just women an' children, but when I looked back I +saw them women an' children, too, grinnin' at me. That means somethin', +as shore as we're livin' an' breathin'. I'm bettin' that we new fellows +from the west will get acquainted with Stonewall Jackson inside of +twenty-four hours." + +"You don't mean that? It's not possible!" exclaimed Dick, startled. +"Why, when we last heard of Jackson he was so far south we can't expect +him in a week!" + +"You've heard that they call his men the foot cavalry," said the +sergeant gravely, "an' I reckon from all I've learned since I come east +that they've won the name fair an' true. See them woods off to the south +there. See the black line they make ag'inst the sky. I know, the same +as if I had seen him, that Stonewall Jackson is down in them forests, +comin' an' comin' fast." + +The sergeant's tone was ominous, and Dick felt a tingling at the roots +of his hair. The western troops were eager to meet this new Southern +phenomenon who had suddenly shot like a burning star across the sky, but +for the first time there was apprehension in his soul. He had seen but +little of the new general, Pope, but he had read his proclamations and +he had thought them bombastic. He talked lightly of the enemy and of the +grand deeds that he was going to do. Who was Pope to sweep away such men +as Lee and Jackson with mere words! + +Dick longed for Grant, the stern, unyielding, unbeatable Grant whom he +had known at Shiloh. In the west the Union troops had felt the strong +hand over them, and confidence had flowed into them, but here they were +in doubt. They felt that the powerful and directing mind was absent. + +Silence fell upon them all for a little space, while the four gazed +intently into the south, strange fears assailing everyone. Dick never +doubted that the Union would win. He never doubted it then and he never +doubted it afterward, through all the vast hecatomb when the flag of the +Union fell more than once in terrible defeat. + +But their ignorance was mystifying and oppressive. They saw before them +the beautiful country, the hills and valleys, the forest and the blue +loom of the mountains, so much that appealed to the eye, and yet the +horizon, looking so peaceful in the distance, was barbed with spears. +Jackson was there! The sergeant's theory had become conviction with +them. Distance had been nothing to him. He was at hand with a great +force, and Lee with another army might fall at any time upon their +flank, while McClellan was isolated and left useless, far away. + +Dick's heart missed a beat or two, as he saw the sinister picture that +he had created in his own mind. Highly imaginative, he had leaped to the +conclusion that Lee and Jackson meant to trap the Union army, the hammer +beating it out on the anvil. He raised the glasses to his eyes, surveyed +the forests in the South once more, and then his heart missed another +beat. + +He had caught the flash of steel, the sun's rays falling across a +bayonet or a polished rifle barrel. And then as he looked he saw the +flash again and again. He handed the glasses to Warner and said quietly: + +"George, I see troops on the edge of that far hill to the south and the +east. Can't you see them, too?" + +"Yes, I can make them out clearly now, as they pass across a bit of open +land. They're Confederate cavalry, two hundred at least, I should say." + +Dick learned long afterward that it was the troop of Sherburne, but, for +the present, the name of Sherburne was unknown to him. He merely felt +that this was the vanguard of Jackson riding forward to set the trap. +The men were now so near that they could be seen with the naked eye, and +the sergeant said tersely: + +"At last we've seen what we were afraid we would see." + +"And look to the left also," said Warner, who still held the glasses. +"There's a troop of horse coming up another road, too. By George, +they're advancing at a trot! We'd better clear out or we may be enclosed +between the two horns of their cavalry." + +"We'll go back to our force at Cedar Run," said Harry, "and report what +we've seen. As you say, George, there's no time to waste." + +The four mounted and rode fast, the dust of the road flying in a cloud +behind their horses' heels. Dick felt that they had fulfilled their +errand, but he had his doubts how their news would be received. The +Northern generals in the east did not seem to him to equal those of the +west in keenness and resolution, while the case was reversed so far as +the Southern generals were concerned. + +But fast as they went the Southern cavalry was coming with equal speed. +They continually saw the flash of arms in both east and west. The force +in the west was the nearer of the two. Not only was Sherburne there, but +Harry Kenton was with him, and besides their own natural zeal they had +all the eagerness and daring infused into them by the great spirit and +brilliant successes of Jackson. + +"They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their +horsemen," said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, "and the +battle won't be to-morrow or the next day." + +"Why not? I thought Jackson was swift," said Warner. + +"Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too, but +he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to +change their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley." + +The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now +saw masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They +saw also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the +rumble of their wheels. + +"Looks as if the sergeant was right," said Pennington. "Stonewall +Jackson is here." + +They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run, a +cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about the +middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless. +Their hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn +painfully through throats lined with dust. + +A long ridge covered with forest rose on one side of them and now they +saw the flash of many bayonets and rifle barrels along its lowest slope. +Another heavy column of infantry was advancing, and presently they heard +the far note of trumpets calling to one another. + +"Their whole army is in touch," said the sergeant. "The trumpets show +it. Often on the plains, when we had to divide our little force into +detachments, they'd have bugle talk with one another. We must go faster +if we can." + +They got another ounce of strength out of their horses, and now they +saw Union cavalry in front. In a minute or two they were among the blue +horsemen, giving the hasty news of Jackson's advance. Other scouts and +staff officers arrived a little later with like messages, and not long +afterward they heard shots behind them telling them that the hostile +pickets were in touch. + +They watered their horses in Cedar Run, crossed it and rejoined their +own regiment under Colonel Arthur Winchester. The colonel was thin, +bronzed and strong, and he, too, like the other new men from the West, +was eager for battle with the redoubtable Jackson. + +"What have you seen, Dick?" he exclaimed. "Is it a mere scouting force +of cavalry, or is Jackson really at hand?" + +"I think it's Jackson himself. We saw heavy columns coming up. They were +pressing forward, too, as if they meant to brush aside whatever got in +their way." + +"Then we'll show them!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "We've only seven +thousand men here on Cedar Run, but Banks, who is in immediate command, +has been stung deeply by his defeats at the hands of Jackson, and he +means a fight to the last ditch. So does everybody else." + +Dick, at that moment, the thrill of the gallop gone, was not so +sanguine. The great weight of Jackson's name hung over him like a +sinister menace, and the Union troops on Cedar Run were but seven +thousand. The famous Confederate leader must have at least three times +that number. Were the Union forces, separated into several armies, to +be beaten again in detail? Pope himself should be present with at least +fifty thousand men. + +Their horses had been given to an orderly and Dick threw himself upon +the turf to rest a little. All along the creek the Union army, including +his own regiment, was forming in line of battle but his colonel had +not yet called upon him for any duty. Warner and Pennington were also +resting from their long and exciting ride, but the sergeant, who seemed +never to know fatigue, was already at work with his men. + +"Listen to those skirmishers," said Dick. "It sounds like the popping of +corn at home on winter evenings, when I was a little boy." + +"But a lot more deadly," said Pennington. "I wouldn't like to be a +skirmisher. I don't mind firing into the smoke and the crowd, but I'd +hate to sit down behind a stump or in the grass and pick out the spot on +a man that I meant for my bullet to hit." + +"You won't have to do any such work, Frank," said Warner. "Hark to it! +The sergeant was right. We're going to have a battle to-day and a big +one. The popping of your corn, Dick, has become an unbroken sound." + +Dick, from the crest of the hillock on which they lay, gazed over +the heads of the men in blue. The skirmishers were showing a hideous +activity. A continuous line of light ran along the front of both armies, +and behind the flash of the Southern firing he saw heavy masses of +infantry emerging from the woods. A deep thrill ran through him. +Jackson, the famous, the redoubtable, the unbeatable, was at hand with +his army. Would he remain unbeaten? Dick said to himself, in unspoken +words, over and over again, "No! No! No! No!" He and his comrades had +been victors in the west. They must not fail here. + +Colonel Winchester now called to them, and mounting their horses they +gathered around him to await his orders. These officers, though mere +boys, learned fast. Dick knew enough already of war to see that they +were in a strong position. Before them flowed the creek. On their flank +and partly in their front was a great field of Indian corn. A quarter +of a mile away was a lofty ridge on which were posted Union guns with +gunners who knew so well how to use them. To right and left ran the long +files of infantry, their faces white but resolute. + +"I think," said Dick to Warner, "that if Jackson passes over this place +he will at least know that we've been here." + +"Yes, he'll know it, and besides he'll make quite a halt before passing. +At least, that's my way of thinking." + +There was a sudden dying of the rifle fire. The Union skirmishers +were driven in, and they fell back on the main body which was silent, +awaiting the attack. Dick was no longer compelled to use the glasses. +He saw with unaided eye the great Southern columns marching forward with +the utmost confidence, heavy batteries advancing between the regiments, +ready at command to sweep the Northern ranks with shot and shell. + +Dick shivered a little. He could not help it. They were face to face +with Jackson, and he was all that the heralds of fame had promised. +He had eye enough to see that the Southern force was much greater than +their own, and, led by such a man, how could they fail to win another +triumph? He looked around upon the army in blue, but he did not see +any sign of fear. Both the beaten and the unbeaten were ready for a new +battle. + +There was a mighty crash from the hill and the Northern batteries poured +a stream of metal into the advancing ranks of their foe. + +The Confederate advance staggered, but, recovering itself, came on +again. A tremendous cheer burst from the ranks of the lads in blue. +Stonewall Jackson with all his skill and fame was before them, but they +meant to stop him. Numbers were against them, and Banks, their leader, +had been defeated already by Jackson, but they meant to stop him, +nevertheless. + +The Southern guns replied. Posted along the slopes of Slaughter +Mountain, sinister of name, they sent a sheet of death upon the Union +ranks. But the regiments, the new and the old, stood firm. Those that +had been beaten before by Jackson were resolved not to be beaten again +by him, and the new regiments from the west, one or two of which had +been at Shiloh, were resolved never to be beaten at all. + +"The lads are steady," said Colonel Winchester. "It's a fine sign. I've +news, too, that two thousand men have come up. We shall now have nine +thousand with which to withstand the attack, and I don't believe they +can drive us away. Oh, why isn't Pope himself here with his whole army? +Then we could wipe Jackson off the face of the earth!" + +But Pope was not there. The commander of a huge force, the man of +boastful words who was to do such great things, the man who sent such +grandiloquent dispatches from "Headquarters in the Saddle," to the +anxious Lincoln at Washington, had strung his numerous forces along in +detachments, just as the others had done before him, and the booming +of Jackson's cannon attacking the Northern vanguard with his whole army +could not reach ears so far away. + +The fire now became heavy along the whole Union front. All the batteries +on both sides were coming into action, and the earth trembled with the +rolling crash. The smoke rose and hung in clouds over the hills, the +valley and the cornfield. The hot air, surcharged with dust, smoke and +burned gunpowder, was painful and rasping to the throat. The frightful +screaming of the shells filled the air, and then came the hissing of the +bullets like a storm of sleet. + +Colonel Winchester and his staff dismounted, giving their horses to an +orderly who led them to the rear. Horses would not be needed for the +present, at least, and they had learned to avoid needless risk. + +The attack was coming closer, and the bullets as they swept through +their ranks found many victims. Colonel Winchester ordered his regiment +to kneel and open fire, being held hitherto in reserve. Dick snatched up +a rifle from a soldier who had fallen almost beside him, and he saw that +Warner and Pennington had equipped themselves in like fashion. + +A strong gust of wind lifted the smoke before them a little. Dick saw +many splashes of water on the surface of the creek where bullets struck, +and there were many tiny spurts of dust in the road, where other bullets +fell. Then he saw beyond the dark masses of the Southern infantry. It +seemed to him that they were strangely close. He believed that he could +see their tanned faces, one by one, and their vengeful eyes, but it was +only fancy. + +The next instant the signal was given, and the regiment fired as one. +There was a long flash of fire, a tremendous roaring in Dick's ears, +then for an instant or two a vast cloud of smoke hid the advancing gray +mass. When it was lifted a moment later the men in gray were advancing +no longer. Their ranks were shattered and broken, the ground was covered +with the fallen and the others were reeling back. + +"We win! We win!" shouted Pennington, wild with enthusiasm. + +"For the present, at least," said Warner, a deep flush blazing in either +cheek. + +There was no return fire just then from that point, and the smoke lifted +a little more. Above the crash of the battle which raged fiercely on +either flank, they heard the notes of a trumpet rising, loud, clear, and +distinct from all other sounds. Dick knew that it was a rallying call, +and then he heard Pennington utter a wild shout. + +"I see him! I see him!" he cried. "It's old Stonewall himself! There on +the hillock, on the little horse!" + +The vision was but for an instant. Dick gazed with all his eyes, and he +saw several hundred yards away a thickset man on a sorrel horse. He was +bearded and he stooped a little, seeming to bend an intense gaze upon +the Northern lines. + +There was no time for anyone to fire, because in a few seconds the +smoke came back, a huge, impenetrable curtain, and hid the man and the +hillock. But Dick had not the slightest doubt that it was the great +Southern leader, and he was right. It was Stonewall Jackson on the +hillock, rallying his men, and Dick's own cousin, Harry Kenton, rode by +his side. + +They reloaded, but a staff officer galloped up and delivered a written +order to Colonel Winchester. The whole regiment left the line, another +less seasoned taking its place, and they marched off to one flank, where +a field of wheat lately cut, and a wood on the extreme end, lay before +them. Behind them they heard the battle swelling anew, but Dick knew +that a new force of the foe was coming here, and he felt proud that his +own regiment had been moved to meet an attack which would certainly be +made with the greatest violence. + +"Who are those men down in the wheat-field?" asked Pennington. + +"Our own skirmishers," replied Warner. "See them running forward, hiding +behind the shocks of straw and firing!" + +The riflemen were busy. They fired from the shelter of every straw stack +in the field, and they stung the new Southern advance, which was already +showing its front. Southern guns now began to search the wheat field. +A shell struck squarely in the center of one of the shocks behind which +three Northern skirmishers were kneeling. Dick saw the straw fly into +the air as if picked up by a whirlwind. When it settled back it lay +in scattered masses and three dark figures lay with it, motionless and +silent. He shuddered and looked away. + +The edge of the wood was now lined with Southern infantry, and on their +right flank was a numerous body of cavalry. Officers were waving their +swords aloft, leading the men in person to the charge. + +"The attack will be heavy here," said Colonel Winchester. "Ah, there are +our guns firing over our heads. We need 'em." + +The Southern cannon were more numerous, but the Northern guns, posted +well on the hill, refused to be silenced. Some of them were dismounted +and the gunners about them were killed, but the others, served with +speed and valor, sprayed the whole Southern front with a deadly shower +of steel. + +It was this welcome metal that Dick and his comrades heard over their +heads, and then the trumpets rang a shrill note of defiance along the +whole line. Banks, remembering his bitter defeats and resolved upon +victory now, was not awaiting the attack. He would make it himself. + +The whole wing lifted itself up and rushed through the wheat field, +firing as they charged. The cannon were pushed forward and poured in +volleys as fast as the gunners could load and discharge them. Dick +felt the ground reeling beneath his feet, but he knew that they were +advancing and that the enemy was giving way again. Stonewall Jackson and +his generals felt a certain hardening of the Northern resistance that +day. The recruits in blue were becoming trained now. They did not break +in a panic, although their lines were raked through and through by the +Southern shells. New men stepped in the place of the fallen, and the +lines, filled up, came on again. + +The Northern wing charging through the wheat field continued to bear +back the enemy. Jackson was not yet able to stop the fierce masses in +blue. A formidable body of men issuing from the Northern side of the +wood charged with the bayonet, pushing the charge home with a courage +and a recklessness of death that the war had not yet seen surpassed. The +Southern rifles and cannon raked them, but they never stopped, bursting +like a tornado upon their foe. + +One of Jackson's Virginia regiments gave way and then another. The men +in blue from the wood and Colonel Winchester's regiment joined, their +shouts rising above the smoke while they steadily pushed the enemy +before them. + +Dick as he shouted with the rest felt a wild exultation. They were +showing Jackson what they could do! They were proving to him that he +could not win always. His joy was warranted. No such confusion had ever +before existed in Jackson's army. The Northern charge was driven like a +wedge of steel into its ranks. + +Jackson had able generals, valiant lieutenants, with him, Ewell and +Early, and A. P. Hill and Winder, and they strove together to stop +the retreat. The valiant Winder was mortally wounded and died upon the +field, and Jackson, with his wonderful ability to see what was happening +and his equal power of decision, swiftly withdrew that wing of his army, +also carrying with it every gun. + +A great shout of triumph rose from the men in blue as they saw the +Southern retreat. + +"We win! We win!" cried Pennington again. + +"Yes, we win!" shouted Warner, usually so cool. + +And it did seem even to older men that the triumph was complete. The +blue and the gray were face to face in the smoke, but the gray were +driven back by the fierce and irresistible charge, and, as their flight +became swifter, the shells and grape from the Northern batteries plunged +and tore through their ranks. Nothing stopped the blue wave. It rolled +on and on, sweeping a mass of fugitives before it, and engulfing others. + +Dick had no ordered knowledge of the charge. He was a part of it, and he +saw only straight in front of him, but he was conscious that all around +him there was a fiery red mist, and a confused and terrible noise of +shouting and firing. But they were winning! They were beating Stonewall +Jackson himself. His pulses throbbed so hard that he thought his +arteries would burst, and his lips were dry and blackened from smoke, +burned gunpowder and his own hot breath issuing like steam between them. + +Then came a halt so sudden and terrible that it shook Dick as if by +physical contact. He looked around in wonder. The charge was spent, not +from its lack of strength but because they had struck an obstacle. They +had reckoned ill, because they had not reckoned upon all the resources +of Stonewall Jackson's mind. He had stemmed the rout in person and now +he was pushing forward the Stonewall Brigade, five regiments, which +always had but two alternatives, to conquer or to die. Hill and Ewell +with fresh troops were coming up also on his flanks, and now the blue +and the gray, face to face again, closed in mortal combat. + +"We've stopped! We've stopped! Do you hear it, we've stopped!" exclaimed +Pennington, his face a ghastly reek of dust and perspiration, his eyes +showing amazement and wonder how the halt could have happened. Dick +shared in the terrible surprise. The fire in front of him deepened +suddenly. Men were struck down all about him. Heavy masses of troops in +gray showed through the smoke. The Stonewall Brigade was charging, and +regiments were charging with it on either side. + +The column in blue was struck in front and on either flank. It not only +ceased its victorious advance, but it began to give ground. The men +could not help it, despite their most desperate efforts. It seemed to +Dick that the earth slipped under their feet. A tremendous excitement +seized him at the thought of victory lost just when it seemed won. He +ran up and down the lines, shouting to the men to stand firm. He saw +that the senior officers were doing the same, but there was little +order or method in his own movements. It was the excitement and bitter +humiliation that drove him on. + +He stumbled in the smoke against Sergeant Whitley. The sergeant's +forehead had been creased by a bullet, but so much dust and burned +gunpowder had gathered upon it that it was as black as the face of a +black man. + +"Are we to lose after all?" exclaimed Dick. + +It seemed strange to him, even at that moment, that he should hear +his own voice amid such a roar of cannon and rifles. But it was an +undernote, and he heard with equal ease the sergeant's reply: + +"It ain't decided yet, Mr. Mason, but we've got to fight as we never +fought before." + +The Union men, both those who had faced Jackson before and those who +were now meeting him for the first time, fought with unsurpassed valor, +but, unequal in numbers, they saw the victory wrenched from their grasp. +Jackson now had his forces in the hollow of his hand. He saw everything +that was passing, and with the mind of a master he read the meaning of +it. He strengthened his own weak points and increased the attack upon +those of the North. + +Dick remained beside the sergeant. He had lost sight of Colonel +Winchester, Warner and Pennington in the smoke and the dreadful +confusion, but he saw well enough that his fears were coming true. + +The attack in front increased in violence, and the Northern army was +also attacked with fiery energy on both flanks. The men had the actual +physical feeling that they were enclosed in the jaws of a vise, and, +forced to abandon all hope of victory, they fought now to escape. Two +small squadrons of cavalry, scarce two hundred in number, sent forward +from a wood, charged the whole Southern army under a storm of cannon and +rifle fire. They equalled the ride of the Six Hundred at Balaklava, but +with no poet to celebrate it, it remained like so many other charges in +this war, an obscure and forgotten incident. + +Dick saw the charge of the horsemen, and the return of the few. Then +he lost hope. Above the roar of the battle the rebel yell continually +swelled afresh. The setting sun, no longer golden but red, cast a +sinister light over the trampled wheat field, the slopes and the woods +torn by cannon balls. The dead and the wounded lay in thousands, and +Banks, brave and tenacious, but with bitter despair in his heart, was +seeking to drag the remains of his army from that merciless vise which +continued to close down harder and harder. + +Dick's excitement and tension seemed to abate. He had been keyed to so +high a pitch that his pulses grew gentler through very lack of force, +and with the relaxation came a clearer view. He saw the sinking red +sun through the banks of smoke, and in fancy he already felt the cool +darkness upon his face after the hot and terrible August day. He knew +that night might save them, and he prayed deeply and fervently for its +swift coming. + +He and the sergeant came suddenly to Colonel Winchester, whose hat had +been shot from his head, but who was otherwise unharmed. Warner and +Pennington were near, Warner slightly wounded but apparently unaware of +the fact. The colonel, by shout and by gesture, was gathering around him +the remains of his regiment. Other regiments on either side were trying +to do the same, and eventually they formed a compact mass which, driving +with all its force back toward its old position, reached the hills and +the woods just as the jaws of Stonewall Jackson's vise shut down, but +not upon the main body. + +Victory, won for a little while, had been lost. Night protected their +retreat, and they fought with a valor that made Jackson and all his +generals cautious. But this knowledge was little compensation to the +Northern troops. They knew that behind them was a great army, that Pope +might have been present with fifty thousand men, sufficient to overwhelm +Jackson. Instead of the odds being more than two to one in their favor, +they had been two to one against them. + +It was a sullen army that lay in the woods in the first hour or two of +the night, gasping for breath. These men had boasted that they were +a match for those of Jackson, and they were, if they could only have +traded generals. Dick and his comrades from the west began to share in +the awe that the name of Stonewall Jackson inspired. + +"He comes up to his advertisements. There ain't no doubt of it," said +Sergeant Whitley. "I never saw anybody fight better than our men did, +an' that charge of the little troop of cavalry was never beat anywhere +in the world. But here we are licked, and thirty or forty thousand men +of ours not many miles away!" + +He spoke the last words with a bitterness that Dick had never heard in +his voice before. + +"It's simple," said Warner, who was binding up his little wound with his +own hand. "It's just a question in mathematics. I see now how Stonewall +Jackson won so many triumphs in the Valley of Virginia. Give Jackson, +say, fifteen thousand men. We have fifty thousand, but we divide them +into five armies of ten thousand apiece. Jackson fights them in detail, +which is five battles, of course. His fifteen thousand defeat the ten +thousand every time. Hence Jackson with fifteen thousand men has beaten +our side. It's simple but painful. In time our leaders will learn." + +"After we're all killed," said Pennington sadly. + +"And the country is ripped apart so that it will take half a century to +put the pieces back together again and put 'em back right," said Dick, +with equal sadness. + +"Never mind," said Sergeant Whitley with returning cheerfulness. "Other +countries have survived great wars and so will ours." + +Some food was obtained for the exhausted men and they ate it nervously, +paying little attention to the crackling fire of the skirmishers which +was still going on in the darkness along their front. Dick saw the pink +flashes along the edges of the woods and the wheat field, but his mind, +deadened for the time, took no further impressions. Skirmishers were +unpleasant people, anyway. Let them fight down there. It did not matter +what they might do to one another. A minute or two later he was ashamed +of such thoughts. + +Colonel Winchester, who had been to see General Banks, returned +presently and told them that they would march again in half an hour. + +"General Banks," he said with bitter irony, "is afraid that a powerful +force of the rebels will gain his rear and that we shall be surrounded. +He ought to know. He has had enough dealings with Jackson. Outmaneuvered +and outflanked again! Why can't we learn something?" + +But he said this to the young officers only. He forced a cheerfulness +of tone when he spoke to the men, and they dragged themselves wearily +to their feet in order to begin the retreat. But though the muscles +were tired the spirit was not unwilling. All the omens were sinister, +pointing to the need of withdrawal. The vicious skirmishers were still +busy and a crackling fire came from many points in the woods. The +occasional rolling thunder of a cannon deepened the somberness of the +scene. + +All the officers of the regiment had lost their horses and they walked +now with the men. A full moon threw a silvery light over the marching +troops, who strode on in silence, the wounded suppressing their groans. +A full moon cast a silvery light over the pallid faces. + +"Do you know where we are going?" Dick asked of the Vermonter. + +"I heard that we're bound for a place called Culpeper Court House, +six or seven miles away. I suppose we'll get there in the morning, if +Stonewall Jackson doesn't insist on another interview with us." + +"There's enough time in the day for fighting," said Pennington, "without +borrowing of the night. Hear that big gun over there on our right! Why +do they want to be firing cannon balls at such a time?" + +They trudged gloomily on, following other regiments ghostly in the +moonlight, and followed by others as ghostly. But the sinister omens, +the flash of rifle firing and the far boom of a cannon, were always on +their flanks. The impression of Jackson's skill and power which Dick had +gained so quickly was deepening already. He did not have the slightest +doubt now that the Southern leader was pressing forward through the +woods to cut them off. As the sergeant had said truly, he came up to +his advertisements and more. Dick shivered and it was a shiver of +apprehension for the army, and not for himself. + +In accordance with human nature he and the boy officers who were his +good comrades talked together, but their sentences were short and +broken. + +"Marching toward a court house," said Pennington. "What'll we do when we +get there? Lawyers won't help us." + +"Not so much marching toward a court house as marching away from +Jackson," said the Vermonter. + +"We'll march back again," said Dick hopefully. + +"But when?" said Pennington. "Look through the trees there on our right. +Aren't those rebel troops?" + +Dick's startled gaze beheld a long line of horsemen in gray on their +flank and only a few hundred yards away. + + + + +CHAPTER II. AT THE CAPITAL + + +The Southern cavalry was seen almost at the same time by many men in the +regiments, and nervous and hasty, as was natural at such a time, they +opened a scattering fire. The horsemen did not return the fire, but +seemed to melt away in the darkness. + +But the shrewdest of the officers, among whom was Colonel Winchester, +took alarm at this sudden appearance and disappearance. Dick would have +divined from their manner, even without their talk, that they believed +Jackson was at hand. Action followed quickly. The army stopped and +began to seek a strong position in the wood. Cannon were drawn up, their +mouths turned to the side on which the horsemen had appeared, and the +worn regiments assumed the attitude of defense. Dick's heart throbbed +with pride when he saw that they were as ready as ever to fight, +although they had suffered great losses and the bitterest of +disappointments. + +"What I said I've got to say over again," said Pennington ruefully: "the +night's no time for fighting. It's heathenish in Stonewall Jackson to +follow us, and annoy us in such a way." + +"Such a way! Such a way!" said Dick impatiently. "We've got to learn to +fight as he does. Good God, Frank, think of all the sacrifices we are +making to save our Union, the great republic! Think how the hateful old +monarchies will sneer and rejoice if we fall, and here in the East our +generals just throw our men away! They divide and scatter our armies in +such a manner that we simply ask to be beaten." + +"Sh! sh!" said Warner, as he listened to the violent outbreak, so +unusual on the part of the reserved and self-contained lad. "Here come +two generals." + +"Two too many," muttered Dick. A moment or two later he was ashamed of +himself, not because of what he had said, but because he had said it. +Then Warner seized him by the arm and pointed. + +"A new general, bigger than all the rest, has come," he said, "and +although I've never seen him before I know with mathematical certainty +that it's General John Pope, commander-in-chief of the Army of +Virginia." + +Both Dick and Pennington knew instinctively that Warner was right. +General Pope, a strongly built man in early middle years, surrounded by +a brilliant staff, rode into a little glade in the midst of the troops, +and summoned to him the leading officers who had taken part in the +battle. + +Dick and his two comrades stood on one side, but they could not keep +from hearing what was said and done. In truth they did not seek to +avoid hearing, nor did many of the young privates who stood near and who +considered themselves quite as good as their officers. + +Pope, florid and full-faced, was in a fine humor. He complimented the +officers on their valor, spoke as if they had won a victory--which would +have been a fact had others done their duty--and talked slightingly of +Jackson. The men of the west would show this man his match in the art of +war. + +Dick listened to it all with bitterness in his heart. He had no doubt +that Pope was brave, and he could see that he was confident. Yet it took +something more than confidence to defeat an able enemy. What had become +of those gray horsemen in the bush? They had appeared once and they +could appear again. He had believed that Jackson himself was at hand, +and he still believed it. His eyes shifted from Pope to the dark woods, +which, with their thick foliage, turned back the moonlight. + +"George," he whispered to Warner, "do you think you can see anything +among those trees?" + +"I can make out dimly one or two figures, which no doubt are our scouts. +Ah-h!" + +The long "Ah-h!" was drawn by a flash and the report of a rifle. A +second and a third report came, and then the crash of a heavy fire. The +scouts and sentinels came running in, reporting that a great force with +batteries, presumably the whole army of Jackson, was at hand. + +A deep murmur ran through the Union army, but there was no confusion. +The long hours of fighting had habituated them to danger. They were +also too tired to become excited, and in addition, they were of as stern +stuff at night as they had been in the morning. They were ready to fight +again. + +Formidable columns of troops appeared through the woods, their bayonets +glistening in the moonlight. The heavy rifle fire began once more, +although it was nearly midnight, and then came the deep thunder of +cannon, sending round shot and shells among the Union troops. But the +men in blue, harried beyond endurance, fought back fiercely. They shared +the feelings of Pennington. They felt that they had been persecuted, +that this thing had grown inhuman, and they used rifles and cannon with +astonishing vigor and energy. + +Two heavy Union batteries replied to the Southern cannon, raking the +woods with shell, round shot and grape, and Dick concluded that in the +face of so much resolution Jackson would not press an attack at night, +when every kind of disaster might happen in the darkness. His own +regiment had lain down among the leaves, and the men were firing at the +flashes on their right. Dick looked for General Pope and his brilliant +staff, but he did not see them. + +"Gone to bring up the reserves," whispered Warner, who saw Dick's +inquiring look. + +But the Vermonter's slur was not wholly true. Pope was on his way to his +main force, doubtless not really believing that Jackson himself was +at hand. But the little army that he left behind fighting with renewed +energy and valor broke away from the Southern grasp and continued its +march toward that court house, in which the boys could see no merit. +Jackson himself, knowing what great numbers were ahead, was content to +swing away and seek for prey elsewhere. + +They emerged from the wood toward morning and saw ahead of them great +masses of troops in blue. They would have shouted with joy, but they +were too tired. Besides, nearly two thousand of their men were killed or +wounded, and they had no victory to celebrate. + +Dick ate breakfast with his comrades. The Northern armies nearly always +had an abundance of provisions, and now they were served in plenty. For +the moment, the physical overcame the mental in Dick. It was enough to +eat and to rest and to feel secure. Thousands of friendly faces were +around them, and they would not have to fight in either day or dark for +their lives. Their bones ceased to ache, and the good food and the good +coffee began to rebuild the worn tissues. What did the rest matter? + +After breakfast these men who had marched and fought for nearly twenty +hours were told to sleep. Only one command was needed. It was August, +and the dry grass and the soft earth were good enough for anybody. The +three lads, each with an arm under his head, slept side by side. At noon +they were still sleeping, and Colonel Winchester, as he was passing, +looked at the three, but longest at Dick. His gaze was half affection, +half protection, but it was not the boy alone whom he saw. He saw also +his fair-haired young mother in that little town on the other side of +the mountains. + +While Dick still slept, the minds of men were at work. Pope's army, +hitherto separated, was now called together by a battle. Troops from +every direction were pouring upon the common center. The little army +which had fought so gallantly the day before now amounted to only +one-fourth of the whole. McDowell, Sigel and many other generals joined +Pope, who, with the strange faculty of always seeing his enemy too +small, while McClellan always saw him too large, began to feed upon his +own sanguine anticipations, and to regard as won the great victory that +he intended to win. He sent telegrams to Washington announcing that his +triumph at Cedar Run was only the first of a series that his army would +soon achieve. + +It was late in the afternoon when Dick awoke, and he was amazed to see +that the sun was far down the western sky. But he rubbed his eyes and, +remembering, knew that he had slept at least ten hours. He looked down +at the relaxed figures of Warner and Pennington on either side of him. +They still slumbered soundly, but he decided that they had slept long +enough. + +"Here, you," he exclaimed, seizing Warner by the collar and dragging him +to a sitting position, "look at the sun! Do you realize that you've lost +a day out of your bright young life?" + +Then he seized Pennington by the collar also and dragged him up. Both +Warner and Pennington yawned prodigiously. + +"If I've lost a day, and it would seem that I have, then I'm glad of +it," replied Warner. "I could afford to lose several in such a pleasant +manner. I suppose a lot of Stonewall Jackson's men were shooting at me +while I slept, but I was lucky and didn't know about it." + +"You talk too long," said Pennington. "That comes of your having taught +school. You could talk all day to boys younger than yourself, and they +were afraid to answer back." + +"Shut up, both of you," said Dick. "Here comes the sergeant, and I think +from his look he has something to say worth hearing." + +Sergeant Whitley had cleansed the blood and dust from his face, and +a handkerchief tied neatly around his head covered up the small +wound there. He looked trim and entirely restored, both mentally and +physically. + +"Well, sergeant," said Dick ingratiatingly, "if any thing has happened +in this army you're sure to know of it. We'd have known it ourselves, +but we had an important engagement with Morpheus, a world away, and we +had to keep it. Now what is the news?" + +"I don't know who Morpheus is," replied the sergeant, laughing, "but +I'd guess from your looks that he is another name for sleep. There is no +news of anything big happenin'. We've got a great army here, and Jackson +remains near our battlefield of yesterday. I should say that we number +at least fifty thousand men, or about twice the rebels." + +"Then why don't we march against 'em at once?" + +The sergeant shrugged his shoulders. It was not for him to tell why +generals did not do things. + +"I think," he said, "that we're likely to stay here a day or two." + +"Which means," said Dick, his alert mind interpreting at once, "that +our generals don't know what to do. Why is it that they always seem +paralyzed when they get in front of Stonewall Jackson? He's only a man +like the rest of them!" + +He spoke with perfect freedom in the presence of Sergeant Whitley, +knowing that he would repeat nothing. + +"A man, yes," said Warner, in his precise manner, "but not exactly like +the others. He seems to have more of the lightning flash about him. What +a pity such a leader should be on the wrong side! Perhaps we'll have his +equal in time." + +"Is Jackson's army just sitting still?" asked Dick. + +"So far as scouts can gather, an' I've been one of them," replied +Sergeant Whitley, "it seems to be just campin'. But I wish I knew which +way it was goin' to jump. I don't trust Jackson when he seems to be +nappin'." + +But the good sergeant's doubts were to remain for two days at least. The +two armies sat still, only two miles apart, and sentinels, as was common +throughout the great war, became friendly with one another. Often they +met in the woods and exchanged news and abundant criticism of generals. +At last there was a truce to bury the dead who still lay upon the +sanguinary field of Cedar Run. + +Dick was in charge of one of these burial parties, and toward the close +of the day he saw a familiar figure, also in command of a burial party, +although it was in a gray uniform. His heart began to thump, and +he uttered a cry of joy. The unexpected, but not the unnatural, had +happened. + +"Oh, Harry! Harry!" he shouted. + +The strong young figure in the uniform of a lieutenant in the Southern +army turned in surprise at the sound of a familiar voice, and stood, +staring. + +"Dick! Dick Mason!" he cried. Then the two sprang forward and grasped +the hands of each other. There was no display of emotion--they were of +the stern American stock, taught not to show its feelings--but their +eyes showed their gladness. + +"Harry," said Dick, "I knew that you had been with Jackson, but I had no +way of knowing until a moment ago that you were yet alive." + +"Nor I you, Dick. I thought you were in the west." + +"I was, but after Shiloh, some of us came east to help. It seemed after +the Seven Days that we were needed more here than in the west." + +"You never said truer words, Dick. They'll need you and many more +thousands like you. Why, Dick, we're not led here by a man, we're led +by a thunderbolt. I'm on his staff, I see him every day. He talks to +me, and I talk to him. I tell you, Dick, it's a wonderful thing to serve +such a genius. You can't beat him! His kind appears only a few times in +the ages. He always knows what's to be done and he does it. Even if your +generals knew what ought to be done, most likely they'd do something +else." + +Harry's face glowed with enthusiasm as he spoke of his hero, and Dick, +looking at him, shook his head sadly. + +"I'm afraid that what you say is true for the present at least, Harry," +he said. "You beat us now here in the east, but don't forget that we're +winning in the west. And don't forget that here in the east even, you +can never wear us out. We'll be coming, always coming." + +"All right, old Sober Sides, we won't quarrel about it. We'll let time +settle it. Here come some friends of mine whom I want you to know. +Curious that you should meet them at such a time." + +Two other young lieutenants in gray uniforms at the head of burial +parties came near in the course of their work, and Harry called to them. + +"Tom! Arthur! A moment, please! This is my cousin, Dick Mason, a Yankee, +though I think he's honest in his folly. Dick, this is Arthur St. Clair, +and this is Tom Langdon, both friends of mine from South Carolina." + +They shook hands warmly. There was no animosity between them. Dick +liked the looks and manners of Harry's friends. He could have been their +friend, too. + +"Harry has talked about you often," said Happy Tom Langdon. "Says you're +a great scholar, and a good fellow, all right every way, except the +crack in your head that makes you a Yankee. I hope you won't get hurt in +this unpleasantness, and when our victorious army comes into Washington +we'll take good care of you and release you soon." + +Dick smiled. He liked this youth who could keep up the spirit of fun +among such scenes. + +"Don't you pay any attention to Langdon, Mr. Mason," said St. Clair. "If +he'd only fight as well and fast as he talks there'd be no need for the +rest of us." + +"You know you couldn't win the war without me," said Langdon. + +They talked a little more together, then trumpets blew, the work was +done and they must withdraw to their own armies. They had been engaged +in a grewsome task, but Dick was glad to the bottom of his heart to have +been sent upon it. He had learned that Harry still lived, and he had met +him. He did not understand until then how dear his cousin was to him. +They were more like brothers than cousins. It was like the affection +their great-grandfathers, Henry Ware and Paul Cotter, had felt for each +other, although those famous heroes of the border had always fought +side by side, while their descendants were compelled to face each other +across a gulf. + +They shook hands and withdrew slowly. At the edge of the field, Dick +turned to wave another farewell, and he found that Harry, actuated +by the same motive at the same time, had also turned to make a like +gesture. Each waved twice, instead of once, and then they disappeared +among the woods. Dick returned to Colonel Winchester. + +"While we were under the flag of truce I met my cousin, Harry Kenton," +he said. + +"One of the lucky fortunes of war." + +"Yes, sir, I was very glad to see him. I did not know how glad I was +until I came away. He says that we can never beat Jackson, that nothing +but death can ever stop him." + +"Youth often deceives itself, nor is age any exception. Never lose hope, +Dick." + +"I don't mean to do so, sir." + +The next morning, when Dick was with one of the outposts, a man of +powerful build, wonderfully quick and alert in his movements, appeared. +His coming was so quick and silent that he seemed to rise from the +earth, and Dick was startled. The man's face was uncommon. His features +were of great strength, the eyes being singularly vivid and penetrating. +He was in civilian's dress, but he promptly showed a pass from General +Pope, and Dick volunteered to take him to headquarters, where he said he +wished to go. + +Dick became conscious as they walked along that the man was examining +him minutely with those searching eyes of his which seemed to look one +through and through. + +"You are Lieutenant Richard Mason," said the stranger presently, "and +you have a cousin, Harry Kenton, also a lieutenant, but in the army of +Stonewall Jackson." + +Dick stared at him in amazement. + +"Everything you say is true," he said, "but how did you know it?" + +"It's my business to know. Knowledge is my sole pursuit in this great +war, and a most engrossing and dangerous task I find it. Yet, I would +not leave it. My name is Shepard, and I am a spy. You needn't shrink. +I'm not ashamed of my occupation. Why should I be? I don't kill. I don't +commit any violence. I'm a guide and educator. I and my kind are the +eyes of an army. We show the generals where the enemy is, and we +tell them his plans. An able and daring spy is worth more than many +a general. Besides, he takes the risk of execution, and he can win no +glory, for he must always remain obscure, if not wholly unknown. Which, +then, makes the greater sacrifice for his country, the spy or the +general?" + +"You give me a new point of view. I had not thought before how spies +risked so much for so little reward." + +Shepard smiled. He saw that in spite of his logic Dick yet retained +that slight feeling of aversion. The boy left him, when they arrived at +headquarters, but the news that Shepard brought was soon known to the +whole army. + +Jackson had left his camp. He was gone again, disappeared into the +ether. "Retreated" was the word that Pope at once seized upon, and he +sent forth happy bulletins. Shepard and other scouts and spies reported +a day or two later that Jackson's army was on the Rapidan, one of the +numerous Virginia rivers. Then Dick accompanied Colonel Winchester, who +was sent by rail to Washington with dispatches. + +He did not find in the capital the optimism that reigned in the mind of +Pope. McClellan was withdrawing his army from Virginia, but the eyes of +the nation were turned toward Pope. Many who had taken deep thought of +the times and of men, were more alarmed about Pope than he was about +himself. They did not like those jubilant dispatches from "Headquarters +in the Saddle." There was ominous news that Lee himself was marching +north, and that he and Jackson would soon be together. Anxious eyes +scanned the hills about Washington. The enemy had been very near once +before, and he might soon be near again. + +Dick had an hour of leisure, and he wandered into an old hotel, at which +many great men had lived. They would point to Henry Clay's famous chair +in the lobby, and the whole place was thick with memories of Webster, +Calhoun and others who had seemed almost demigods to their own +generation. + +But a different crowd was there now. They were mostly paunchy men who +talked of contracts and profits. One, to whom the others paid deference, +was fat, heavy and of middle age, with a fat, heavy face and pouches +under his eyes. His small eyes were set close together, but they +sparkled with shrewdness and cunning. + +The big man presently noticed the lad who was sitting quietly in one +of the chairs against the wall. Dick's was an alien presence there, and +doubtless this fact had attracted his attention. + +"Good day to you," said the stranger in a bluff, deep voice. "I take +it from your uniform, your tan and your thinness that you've come from +active service." + +"In both the west and the east," replied Dick politely. "I was at +Shiloh, but soon afterward I was transferred with my regiment to the +east." + +"Ah, then, of course, you know what is going on in Virginia?" + +"No more than the general public does. I was at Cedar Run, which both we +and the rebels claim as a victory." + +The man instantly showed a great increase of interest. + +"Were you?" he said. "My own information says that Banks and Pope were +surprised by Jackson and that the rebel general has merely drawn off to +make a bigger jump. Did you get that impression?" + +"Will you tell me why you ask me these questions?" said Dick in the same +polite tone. + +"Because I've a big stake in the results out there. My name is John +Watson, and I'm supplying vast quantities of shoes and clothing to our +troops." + +Dick turned up the sole of one of his shoes and picked thoughtfully at a +hole half way through the sole. Little pieces of paper came out. + +"I bought these, Mr. Watson, from a sutler in General Pope's army," he +said. "I wonder if they came from you?" + +A deeper tint flushed the contractor's cheeks, but in a moment he threw +off anger. + +"A good joke," he said jovially. "I see that you're ready of wit, +despite your youth. No, those are not my shoes. I know dishonest men are +making great sums out of supplies that are defective or short. A great +war gives such people many opportunities, but I scorn them. I'll not +deny that I seek a fair profit, but my chief object is to serve my +country. Do you ever reflect, my young friend, that the men who clothe +and feed an army have almost as much to do with winning the victory as +the men who fight?" + +"I've thought of it," said Dick, wondering what the contractor had in +mind. + +"What regiment do you belong to, if I may ask? My motive in asking these +questions is wholly good." + +"One commanded by Colonel Winchester, recently sent from the west. We've +been in only one battle in the east, that fought at Cedar Run against +Jackson." + +Watson again looked at Dick intently. The boy felt that he was being +measured and weighed by a man of uncommon perceptions. Whatever might be +his moral quality there could be no question of his ability. + +"I am, as I told you before," said Watson, "a servant of my country. A +man who feeds and clothes the soldiers well is a patriot, while he who +feeds and clothes them badly is a mere money grubber." + +He paused, as if he expected Dick to say something, but the boy was +silent and he went on: + +"It is to the interest of the country that it be served well in all +departments, particularly in the tremendous crisis that we now face. Yet +the best patriot cannot always get a chance to serve. He needs +friends at court, as they say. Now this colonel of yours, Colonel +Winchester--I've observed both him and you, although I approached you +as if I'd never heard of either of you before--is a man of character and +influence. Certain words from him at the right time would be of great +value, nor would his favorite aide suffer through bringing the matter to +his attention." + +Dick saw clearly now, but he was not impulsive. Experience was teaching +him, while yet a boy, to speak softly. + +"The young aide of whom you speak," he said, "would never think of +mentioning such a matter to the colonel, of whom you also speak, and +even if he should, the colonel wouldn't listen to him for a moment." + +Watson shrugged his shoulders slightly, but made no other gesture of +displeasure. + +"Doubtless you are well informed about this aide and this colonel," he +said, "but it's a pity. If more food is thrown to the sparrows than they +can eat, is it any harm for other birds to eat the remainder?" + +"I scarcely regard it as a study in ornithology." + +"Ornithology? That's a big word, but I suppose it will serve. We'll +drop the matter, and if at any time my words here should be quoted I'll +promptly deny them. It's a bad thing for a boy to have his statements +disputed by a man of years who can command wealth and other powerful +influences. Unless he had witnesses nobody would believe the boy. I tell +you this, my lad, partly for your own good, because I'm inclined to like +you." + +Dick stared. There was nothing insulting in the man's tone. He seemed +to be thoroughly in earnest. Perhaps he regarded his point of view as +right, and Dick, a boy of thought and resource, saw that it was not +worth while to make a quarrel. But he resolved to remember Watson, +feeling that the course of events might bring them together again. + +"I suppose it's as you say," he said. "You're a man of affairs and you +ought to know." + +Watson smiled at him. Dick felt that the contractor had been telling +the truth when he said that he was inclined to like him. Perhaps he was +honest and supplied good materials, when others supplied bad. + +"You will shake hands with me, Mr. Mason," he said. "You think that +I will be hostile to you, but maybe some day I can prove myself your +friend. Young soldiers often need friends." + +His eyes twinkled and his smile widened. In spite of his appearance and +his proposition, something winning had suddenly appeared in the manner +of this man. Dick found himself shaking hands with him. + +"Good-bye, Mr. Mason," said Watson. "It may be that we shall meet on the +field, although I shall not be within range of the guns." + +He left the lobby of the hotel, and Dick was rather puzzled. It was +his first thought to tell Colonel Winchester about him, but he finally +decided that Watson's own advice to him to keep silent was best. He and +Colonel Winchester took the train from Washington the next day, and on +the day after were with Pope's army on the Rapidan. + +Dick detected at once a feeling of excitement or tension in this army, +at least among the young officers with whom he associated most. They +felt that a storm of some kind was gathering, either in front or on +their flank. McClellan's army was now on the transports, leaving behind +the Virginia that he had failed to conquer, and Pope's, with a new +commander, was not yet in shape. The moment was propitious for Lee and +Jackson to strike, and the elusive Jackson was lost again. + +"Our scouts discover nothing," said Warner to Dick. "The country is +chockfull of hostility to us. Not a soul will tell us a word. We have to +see a thing with our own eyes before we know it's there, but the people, +the little children even, take news to the rebels. A veil is hung before +us, but there is none before them." + +"There is one man who is sure to find out about Jackson." + +"Who?" + +Dick's only answer was a shake of the head. But he was thinking of +Shepard. He did not see him about the camp, and he had no doubt that he +was gone on another of his dangerous missions. Meanwhile newspapers from +New York and other great cities reflected the doubts of the North. They +spoke of Pope's grandiloquent dispatches, and they wondered what had +become of Lee and Jackson. + +Dick, an intense patriot, passed many bitter moments. He, like others, +felt that the hand upon the reins was not sure. Instead of finding the +enemy and assailing him with all their strength, they were waiting in +doubt and alarm to fend off a stroke that would come from some unknown +point out of the dark. + +The army now lay in one of the finest parts of Virginia, a region of +picturesque mountains, wide and fertile valleys, and of many clear +creeks and rivers coming down from the peaks and ridges. To one side lay +a great forest, known as the Wilderness, destined, with the country near +it, to become the greatest battlefield of the world. Here, the terrible +battles of the Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, +the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and others less sanguinary, but great +struggles, nevertheless, were to be fought. + +But these were yet in the future, and Dick, much as his eyes had been +opened, did not yet dream how tremendous the epic combat was to be. He +only knew that to-day it was the middle of August, the valleys were very +hot, but it was shady and cool on the hills and mountains. He knew, too, +that he was young, and that pessimism and gloom could not abide long +with him. + +He and Warner and Pennington had good horses, in place of those that +they had lost at Cedar Run, and often they rode to the front to see +what might be seen of the enemy, which at present was nothing. Their +battlefield at Cedar Run had been reoccupied by Northern troops and Pope +was now confirmed in his belief that his men had won a victory there. +And this victory was to be merely a prelude to another and far greater +one. + +As they rode here and there in search of the enemy, Dick came upon +familiar ground. Once more he saw the field of Manassas which had been +lost so hardly the year before. He remembered every hill and brook and +curve of the little river, because they had been etched into his brain +with steel and fire. How could anyone forget that day? + +"Looks as if we might fight our battle of last year over again, but on a +much bigger scale," he said to Warner. + +"Here or hereabouts," said the Vermonter, "and I think we ought to win. +They've got the better generals, but we've got more men. Besides, our +troops are becoming experienced and they've shown their mettle. Dick, +here's a farmer gathering corn. Let's ask him some questions, but I'll +wager you a hundred to one before we begin that he knows absolutely +nothing about the rebel army. In fact, I doubt that he will know of its +existence." + +"I won't take your bet," said Dick. + +They called to the man, a typical Virginia farmer in his shirt sleeves, +tall and spare, short whiskers growing under his chin. There was not +much difference between him and his brother farmer in New England. + +"Good-day," said Warner. + +"Good-day." + +"You seem to be working hard." + +"I've need to do it. Farm hands are scarce these days." + +"Farming is hard work." + +"Yes; but it's a lot safer than some other kinds men are doin' +nowadays." + +"True, no doubt, but have you seen anything of the army?" + +"What army?" + +"The one under Lee and Jackson, the rebel army." + +"I ain't heard of no rebel army, mister. I don't know of any such people +as rebels." + +"You call it the Confederate army. Can you tell us anything about the +Confederate army?" + +"What Confederate army, mister? I heard last month when I went in to the +court house that there was more than one of them." + +"I mean the one under Lee and Jackson." + +"That's cur'us. A man come ridin' 'long here three or four weeks ago. +Mebbe he was a lightnin' rod agent an' mebbe he had patent medicines to +sell, he didn't say, but he did tell me that General Jackson was in one +place an General Lee was in another. Now which army do you mean?" + +"That was nearly a month ago. They are together now." + +"Then, mister, if you know so much more about it than I do, what are you +askin' me questions for?" + +"But I want to know about Lee and Jackson. Have you seen them?" + +"Lord bless you, mister, them big generals don't come visitin' the likes +o' me. You kin see my house over thar among the trees. You kin search it +if you want to, but you won't find nothin'." + +"I don't want to search your house. You can't hide a great army in a +house. I want to know if you've seen the Southern Army. I want to know +if you've heard anything about it." + +"I ain't seed it. My sight's none too good, mister. Sometimes the +blazin' sun gits in my eyes and kinder blinds me for a long time. Then, +too, I'm bad of hearin'; but I'm a powerful good sleeper. When I sleep I +don't hear nothin', of course, an' nothin' wakes me up. I just sleep on, +sometimes dreamin' beautiful dreams. A million men wouldn't wake me, an' +mebbe a dozen armies or so have passed in the night while I was sleepin' +so good. I'd tell you anything I know, but them that knows nothin' has +nothin' to tell." + +Warner's temper, although he had always practiced self-control, had +begun to rise, but he checked it, seeing that it would be a mere foolish +display of weakness in the face of the blank wall that confronted him. + +"My friend," he said with gravity, "I judge from the extreme ignorance +you display concerning great affairs that you sleep a large part of the +time." + +"Mebbe so, an' mebbe not. I most gen'ally sleep when I'm sleepy. I've +heard tell there was a big war goin' on in these parts, but this is my +land, an' I'm goin' to stay on it." + +"A good farmer, if not a good patriot. Good day." + +"Good day." + +They rode on and, in spite of themselves, laughed. + +"I'm willing to wager that he knows a lot about Lee and Jackson," said +Warner, "but the days of the rack and the thumbscrew passed long ago, +and there is no way to make him tell." + +"No," said Dick, "but we ought to find out for ourselves." + +Nevertheless, they discovered nothing. They saw no trace of a Southern +soldier, nor did they hear news of any, and toward nightfall they rode +back toward the army, much disappointed. The sunset was of uncommon +beauty. The hot day was growing cool. Pleasant shadows were creeping +up in the east. In the west a round mountain shouldered its black bulk +against the sky. Dick looked at it vaguely. He had heard it called +Clark's Mountain, and it was about seven miles away from the Union army +which lay behind the Rapidan River. + +Dick liked mountains, and the peak looked beautiful against the red and +yellow bars of the western horizon. + +"Have you ever been over there?" he said to Pennington and Warner. + +"No; but a lot of our scouts have," replied Pennington. "It's just a +mountain and nothing more. Funny how all those peaks and ridges crop +up suddenly around here out of what seems meant to have been a level +country." + +"I like it better because it isn't level," said Dick. "I'm afraid George +and I wouldn't care much for your prairie country which just rolls on +forever, almost without trees and clear running streams." + +"You would care for it," said Pennington stoutly. "You'd miss at first +the clear rivers and creeks, but then the spell of it would take hold of +you. The air you breathe isn't like the air you breathe anywhere else." + +"We've got some air of our own in Vermont that we could brag about, if +we wanted to," said Warner, defiantly. + +"It's good, but not as good as ours. And then the vast distances, the +great spaces take hold of you. And there's the sky so high and so clear. +When you come away from the great plains you feel cooped up anywhere +else." + +Pennington spoke with enthusiasm, his nostrils dilating and his eyes +flashing. Dick was impressed. + +"When the war's over I'm going out there to see your plains," he said. + +"Then you're coming to see me!" exclaimed Pennington, with all the +impulsive warmth of youth. "And George here is coming with you. I won't +show you any mountains like the one over there, but boys, west of the +Platte River, when I was with my father and some other men I watched for +three days a buffalo herd passing. The herd was going north and all +the time it stretched so far from east to west that it sank under each +horizon. There must have been millions of them. Don't you think that was +something worth seeing?" + +"We're surely coming," said Dick, "and you be equally sure to have your +buffalo herd ready for us when we come." + +"It'll be there." + +"Meanwhile, here we are at the Rapidan," said the practical Warner, "and +beyond it is our army. Look at that long line of fires, boys. Aren't +they cheering? A fine big army like ours ought to beat off anything. We +almost held our own with Jackson himself at Cedar Run, and he had two to +one." + +"We will win! We're bound to win!" said Dick, with sudden access of +hope. "We'll crush Lee and Jackson, and next summer you and I, George, +will be out on the western plains with Frank, watching the buffalo +millions go thundering by!" + +They forded the Rapidan and rejoined their regiment with nothing to +tell. But it was cheerful about the fires. Optimism reigned once more in +the Army of Virginia. McClellan had sent word to Pope that he would have +plenty of soldiers to face the attack that now seemed to be threatened +by the South. Brigades from the Army of the Potomac would make the Army +of Virginia invincible. + +Dick having nothing particular to do, sat late with his comrades before +one of the finest of the fires, and he read only cheerful omens in the +flames. It was a beautiful night. The moon seemed large and near, and +the sky was full of dancing stars. In the clear night Dick saw the black +bulk of Clark's Mountain off there against the horizon, but he could not +see what was behind it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. BESIDE THE RIVER + + +Dick was on duty early in the morning when he saw a horseman coming at +a gallop toward the Rapidan. The man was in civilian clothing, but his +figure seemed familiar. The boy raised his glasses, and he saw at once +that it was Shepard. He saw, too, that he was urging his horse to its +utmost speed. + +The boy's heart suddenly began to throb, and there was a cold, prickling +sensation at the roots of his hair. Shepard had made an extraordinary +impression upon him and he did not believe that the man would be coming +at such a pace unless he came with great news. + +He saw Shepard stop, give the pass word to the pickets, then gallop on, +ford the river and come straight toward the heart of the army. Dick ran +forward and met him. + +"What is it?" he cried. + +"General Pope's tent! Where it is! I can't wait a minute." + +Dick pointed toward a big marquee, standing in an open space, and +Shepard leaping from his horse and abandoning it entirely, ran toward +the marquee. A word or two to the sentinels, and he disappeared inside. + +Dick, devoured with curiosity and anxiety, went to Colonel Winchester +with the story of what he had seen. + +"I know of Shepard," said the colonel. "He is the best and most daring +spy in the whole service of the North. I think you're right in inferring +that he rides so fast for good cause." + +Shepard remained with the commander-in-chief a quarter of an hour. When +he came forth from the tent he regained his horse and rode away without +a word, going in the direction of Clark's Mountain. But his news was +quickly known, because it was of a kind that could not be concealed. +Pennington came running with it to the regiment, his face flushed and +his eyes big. + +"Look! Look at the mountain!" he exclaimed. + +"I see it," said Warner. "I saw it there yesterday, too, in exactly the +same place." + +"So did I, but there's something behind it. Lee and Jackson are there +with sixty or eighty thousand men! The whole Southern army is only six +or seven miles away." + +Even Warner's face changed. + +"How do you know this?" he asked. + +"A spy has seen their army. They say he is a man whose reports are never +false. At any rate orders have already been issued for us to retreat +and I hear that we're going back until we reach the Rappahannock, behind +which we will camp." + +Dick knew very well now that it was Shepard who brought the news, and +Pennington's report about the retreat was also soon verified. The +whole army was soon in motion and a feeling of depression replaced +the optimism of the night before. The advance had been turned into a +retreat. Were they to go back and forth in this manner forever? But +Colonel Winchester spoke hopefully to his young aides and said that the +retreat was right. + +"We're drawing out of a trap," he said, "and time is always on our side. +The South to win has to hit hard and fast, and in this case the Army of +the Potomac and the Army of Virginia may join before Lee and Jackson can +come up." + +The lads tried to reconcile themselves, but nevertheless they did not +like retreat. Dick with his powerful glasses often looked back toward +the dark bulk of Clark's Mountain. He saw nothing there, nor anything in +the low country between, save the rear ranks of the Union army marching +on. + +But Shepard had been right. Lee and Jackson, advancing silently and with +every avenue of news guarded, were there behind the mountain with sixty +thousand men, flushed with victories, and putting a supreme faith in +their great commanders who so well deserved their trust. The men of +the valley and the Seven Days, wholly confident, asked only to be led +against Pope and his army, and most of them expected a battle that very +day, while the Northern commander was slipping from the well-laid trap. + +Pope's judgment in this case was good and fortune, too, favored him. +Before the last of his men had left the Rapidan Lee himself, with his +staff officers, climbed to the summit of Clark's Mountain. They were +armed with the best of glasses, but drifting fogs coming down from +the north spread along the whole side of the mountain and hung like a +curtain between it and the retreating army. None of their glasses could +pierce the veil, and it was not until nearly night that rising winds +caught the fog and took it away. Then Lee and his generals saw a vast +cloud of dust in the northwest and they knew that under it marched +Pope's retreating army. + +The Southern army was at once ordered forward in pursuit and in the +night the vanguard, wading the Rapidan, followed eagerly. Dick and his +comrades did not know then that they were followed so closely, but +they were destined to know it before morning. The regiment of Colonel +Winchester, one of the best and bravest in the whole service, formed a +part of the rearguard, and Dick, Warner and Pennington rode with their +chief. + +The country was broken and they crossed small streams. Sometimes they +were in open fields, and again they passed through long stretches of +forest. There was a strong force of cavalry with the regiment, and the +beat of the horses' hoofs made a steady rolling sound which was not +unpleasant. + +But Dick found the night full of sinister omens. They had left the +Rapidan in such haste that there was still a certain confusion of +impressions. The gigantic scale of everything took hold of him. One +hundred and fifty thousand men, or near it, were marching northward in +two armies which could not be many miles apart. The darkness and the +feeling of tragedy soon to come oppressed him. + +He listened eagerly for the sounds of pursuit, but the long hours passed +and he heard nothing. The rear guard did not talk. The men wasted no +strength that way, but marched stolidly on in the moonlight. Midnight +passed and after a while it grew darker. Colonel Winchester and his +young officers rode at the very rear, and Pennington suddenly held up +his hand. + +"What is it?" asked Colonel Winchester. + +"Somebody following us, sir. I was trained out on the plains to take +notice of such things. May I get down and put my ear to the ground? I +may look ridiculous, sir, but I can make sure." + +"Certainly. Go ahead." + +Pennington sprang down and put his ear to the road. He did not listen +long, but when he stood up again he said: + +"Horsemen are coming. I can't tell how many, but several hundreds at +least." + +"As we're the very last of our own army, they must be Southern cavalry," +said Colonel Winchester. "If they want to attack, I dare say our boys +are willing." + +Very soon they heard clearly the gallop of the cavalry, and the men +heard it also. They looked up and turned their faces toward those who +must be foes. Despite the dimness Dick saw their eyes brighten. Colonel +Winchester had judged rightly. The boys were willing. + +The rear guard turned back and waited, and in a few minutes the Southern +horsemen came in sight, opening fire at once. Their infantry, too, soon +appeared in the woods and fields and the dark hours before the dawn were +filled with the crackle of small arms. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester who anxiously watched the pursuit, +throwing his own regiment across the road, and keeping up a heavy fire +on the enemy. The Union loss was not great as most of the firing in the +dusk, of necessity, was at random, and Dick heard bullets whistling all +about him. Some times the bark flew from trees and now and then there +was a rain of twigs, shorn from the branches by the showers of missiles. + +It was arduous work. The men were worn by the darkness, the uncertainty +and the incessant pursuit. The Northern rear guard presented a strong +front, retreating slowly with its face to the enemy, and always +disputing the road. Dick meanwhile could hear through the crash of +the firing the deep rumble of Pope's great army with its artillery and +thousands of wagons continually marching toward the Rappahannock. His +mind became absorbed in a vital question. Would Lee and Jackson come up +before they could reach the bigger river? Would a battle be forced the +next day while the Union army was in retreat? He confided his anxieties +to Warner who rode by his side. + +"I take it that it's only a vanguard that's pursuing us," said the +Vermonter. "If they were in great force they'd have been pushing harder +and harder. We must have got a good start before Lee and Jackson found +us out. We know our Jackson, Dick, and he'd have been right on top of us +without delay." + +"That's right, George. It must be their cavalry mostly. I suppose Jeb +Stuart is there leading them. At any rate we'll soon know better what's +doing. Look there toward the east. Don't you see a ray of light behind +that hill?" + +"I see it, Dick." + +"Is it the first ray of the morning, or is it just a low star?" + +"It's the dawn, Dick, and mighty glad I am to see it. Look how fast it +comes!" + +The sun shot up, over the hill. The sky turning to silver soon gave way +to gold, and the clear August light poured in a flood over the rolling +country. + +Dick saw ahead of him a vast cloud of dust extending miles from east +to west, marking where the army of Pope pushed on its retreat to the +Rappahannock. There was no need to search for the Northern force. The +newest recruit would know that it was here. + +The Southern vanguard was behind them and not many hundred yards away. +Dick distinctly saw the cavalry, riding along the road, and hundreds +of skirmishers pushing through the woods and fields. He judged that +the force did not number many thousands and that it could not think of +assailing the whole Union army. But with the coming of day the vigor of +the attack increased. The skirmishers fired from the shelter of every +tree stump, fence or hillock and the bullets pattered about Dick and his +comrades. + +The Union rear guard maintained its answering fire, but as it was +retreating it was at a disadvantage. The regiments began to suffer. Many +men were wounded. The fire became most galling. A sudden charge by the +rearguard was ordered and it was made with spirit. The Southern van was +driven back, but when the retreat was resumed the skirmishers and the +cavalry came forward again, always firing at their retreating foe. + +"I judge that it's going to be a very hot morning," said Colonel +Winchester, wiping away a few drops of blood, where a bullet had barely +touched his face. "I think the wind of that bullet hurt me more than its +kiss. There will be no great battle to-day. We can see now that they +are not yet in strong enough force, but we'll never know a minute's rest +until we're behind the Rappahannock. Oh, Dick, if McClellan's army +were only here also! This business of retreating is as bitter as death +itself!" + +Dick saw the pain on his colonel's face and it was reflected on his own. + +"I feel it, sir, in the same way. Our men are just as eager as the +Johnnies to fight and they are as brave and tenacious. What do you think +will happen, sir?" + +"We'll reach the Rappahannock and take refuge behind it. We command the +railroad bridge there, and can cross and destroy it afterward. But the +river is broad and deep with high banks and the army of the enemy cannot +possibly force the passage in any way while we defend it." + +"And after that, sir?" + +"God alone knows. Look out, Dick, those men are aiming at us!" + +Colonel Winchester seized the bridle of Dick's horse and pulled him +violently to one side, pulling his own horse in the same direction +in the same manner. The bullets of half a dozen Southern skirmishers, +standing under the boughs of a beech tree less than two hundred yards +away, hissed angrily by them. + +"A close call," said the colonel. "There, they've been scattered by our +own riflemen and one of them remains to pay the toll." + +The reply of the Northern skirmishers had been quick, and the gray +figure lying prone by the trunk of the tree told Dick that the colonel +had been right. He was shaken by a momentary shudder, but he could not +long remember one among so many. They rode on, leaving the prone figure +out of sight, and the Southern cavalry and skirmishers pressed forward +afresh. + +Many of the Union men had food in their saddle bags, and supplies were +sent back for those who did not have it. Colonel Winchester who was +now thoroughly cool, advised his officers to eat, even if they felt no +hunger. + +"I'm hungry enough," said Pennington to Dick. "Out on the plains, where +the air is so fresh and so full of life I was always hungry, and I +suppose I brought my appetite here with me. Dick, I've opened a can of +cove oysters, and that's a great deal for a fellow on horseback to +do. Here, take your share, and they'll help out that dry bread you're +munching." + +Dick accepted with thanks. He learned that he, too, could eat with a +good appetite while bullets were knocking up dust only twenty yards +away. Meanwhile there was a steady flash of firing from every wood and +cornfield behind them. + +As he ate he watched and he saw an amazing panorama. Miles in front +the great cloud of dust, cutting across from horizon to horizon swelled +slowly on toward the Rappahannock. Behind them rode the Southern cavalry +and masses of infantry were pressing forward, too. Far off on either +flank rolled the pleasant country, its beauty heightened by the loom of +blue mountains. + +Colonel Winchester had predicted truly. The fighting between the +Northern rearguard, and the Southern vanguard never ceased. Every moment +the bullets were whistling, and occasionally a cannon lent its deep roar +to the crackling fire of the rifles. Daring detachments of the Southern +cavalry often galloped up and charged lagging regiments. And they were +driven off with equal courage and daring. + +The three boys took especial notice of those cavalry bands and began +to believe at last that they could identify the very men in them. Dick +looked for his cousin, Harry Kenton. He was sure that he would be there +in the front--but he did not see him. Instead he saw after a while an +extraordinary figure on a large black horse, a large man in magnificent +uniform, with a great plume in his hat. He was nearer to them than any +other Southern horseman, and he seemed to be indifferent to danger. + +"Look! look! There's Jeb Stuart!" exclaimed Dick. He had heard so +much about the famous Stuart and his gorgeous uniform that he knew him +instinctively, and, Warner and Pennington, as their eyes followed his +pointing finger felt the same conviction. + +Three of the Northern riflemen fired at once at the conspicuous target, +and Dick breathed a little sigh of relief when all their bullets missed. +Then the brilliant figure turned to one side and was lost in the smoke. + +"Well," said Pennington. "We've seen Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stuart +both in battle against us. I wonder who will come next." + +"Lee is due," said Warner, "but I doubt whether his men will let him +expose himself in such a way. We'll have to slip under cover to get a +chance of seeing him." + +The hours went on, and the fight between rear guard and vanguard never +ceased. That column of dust miles long was at the same distance in +front, continuing in its slow course for the river, but the foes in +contact were having plenty of dust showers of their own. Dick's throat +and mouth burned with the dust and heat of the pitiless August day, and +his bones ached with the tension and the long hours in the saddle. But +his spirit was high. They were holding off the Southern cavalry and he +felt that they would continue to do so. + +About noon he ate more cold food, and then rode on, while the sun blazed +and blazed and the dust whirled in clouds like the "dust devils" of the +desert, continually spitting forth bullets instead of sand. Late in +the afternoon he heard the sound of many trumpets, and saw the Southern +cavalry getting together in a great mass. A warning ran instantly +among the Union troops and the horsemen in blue and one or two infantry +regiments drew closer together. + +"They're going to charge in force," said Colonel Winchester to Dick. +"See, our rearguard has lost touch with our main army, leaving a side +opening between. They see this chance and intend to make the most of +it." + +"But our men are willing and anxious to meet them," said Dick. "You can +see it in their faces." + +He had made no mistake, as the fire in their rear deepened, and they +saw the gathering squadrons of gray cavalry, a fierce anger seized the +retreating Union rearguard. Those wasps had been buzzing and stinging +them all day long and they had had enough of it. They could fight, and +they would, if their officers would let them. Now it seemed that the +officers were willing. + +A deep and menacing mutter of satisfaction ran along the whole line. +They would show the Southerners what kind of men they were. Colonel +Winchester drew his infantry regiment into a small wood which at that +point skirted the road. + +"There is no doubt that we've found it at the right time," said Warner. + +Both knew that the forest would protect the infantry from the fierce +charges of the Southern cavalry, while proving no obstacle to the +Northern defense. His own cavalry was gathering in the road ready to +meet Jeb Stuart and his squadrons. + +The three boys sat on their horses within the covering of the trees, +and watched eagerly, while the hostile forces massed for battle. The +Southern cavalry was supported by infantry also on its flanks, and once +again Dick caught sight of Jeb Stuart with his floating plume. But that +time he was too far away for any of the Northern riflemen to reach him +with a bullet, and as before he disappeared quickly in the clouds of +dust and smoke which never ceased to float over both forces. + +"Look out! The charge!" suddenly exclaimed Colonel Winchester. + +They heard the thunder of the galloping horses, and also the flash of +many rifles and carbines. Cavalry met cavalry but the men in gray reeled +back, and as they retreated the Northern infantry in the wood sent a +deadly fire into the flank of the attacking force. The Southern infantry +replied, and a fierce battle raged along the road and through the woods. +Dick heard once more the rattling of bullets on bark, and felt the twigs +falling upon his face as they were shorn off by the missiles. + +"We hold the road and we'll hold it for a while," exclaimed Colonel +Winchester, exultation showing in his tone. + +"Why can't we hold it all the time?" Dick could not refrain from asking. + +"Because we are retreating and the Southerners are continually coming +up, while our army wishes to go away." + +Dick glanced through the trees and saw that great clouds of dust still +were rolling toward the northwest. It must be almost at the Rappahannock +now, and he began to appreciate what this desperate combat in the woods +meant. They were holding back the Southern army, while their men could +cross the river and reform behind it. + +The battle swayed back and forth, and it was most desperate between +the cavalry. The bugles again and again called the gray horsemen to the +charge, and although the blue infantry supported their own horsemen with +a heavy rifle fire, and held the wood undaunted, the Northern rear +guard was forced to give way at last before the pressure of numbers and +attacks that would not cease. + +Their own bugles sounded the retreat and they began to retire slowly. + +"Do we run again?" exclaimed Pennington, a tear ploughing its way +through the smoky grime on his cheek. + +"No, we don't run," replied Warner calmly, "We're forced back, and the +rebels will claim a victory but we haven't fought for nothing. Lee and +Jackson will never get up in time to attack our army before it's over +the river." + +The regiment began its slow retreat. It had not suffered much, owing to +the shelter of the forest, and, full of courage and resolution, it was a +formidable support on the flank of the slowly retreating cavalry. + +The evening was now at hand. The sun was setting once more over the +Virginia hills destined to be scarred so deeply by battle, but attack +and defense went on. As night came the thudding of cannon added to the +tumult, and then the three boys saw the Rappahannock, a deep and wide +stream flowing between high banks crested with timber. Ahead of them +Pope's army was crossing on the bridge and in boats, and masses +of infantry supported by heavy batteries had turned to protect the +crossing. The Southern vanguard could not assail such a powerful +force, and before the night was over the whole Union army passed to the +Northern side of the Rappahannock. + +Dick felt a mixture of chagrin and satisfaction as he crossed the river, +chagrin that this great army should draw back, as McClellan's had been +forced to draw back at the Seven Days, and satisfaction that they were +safe for the time being and could prepare for a new start. + +But the feeling of exultation soon passed and gave way wholly to +chagrin. They were retreating before an army not exceeding their own, +in numbers, perhaps less. They had another great force, the Army of the +Potomac, which should have been there, and then they could have bade +defiance to Lee and Jackson. The North with its great numbers, its fine +courage and its splendid patriotism should never be retreating. He felt +once more as thousands of others felt that the hand on the reins was +neither strong nor sure, and that the great trouble lay there. They +ought not to be hiding behind a river. Lee and Jackson did not do it. +Dick remembered that grim commander in the West, the silent Grant, and +he did not believe he would be retreating. + +Long after darkness came the firing continued between skirmishers across +the stream, but finally it, too, waned and Dick was permitted to throw +himself upon the ground and sleep with the sleeping thousands. Warner +and Pennington slept near him and not far away was the brave sergeant. +Even he was overpowered by fatigue and he slept like one dead, never +stirring. + +Dick was awakened next morning by the booming of cannon. He had become +so much used to such sounds that he would have slept on had not the +crashes been so irregular. He stood up, rubbed his eyes and then looked +in the direction whence came the cannonade. He saw from the crest of a +hill great numbers of Confederate troops on the other side of the river, +the August sun glittering over thousands of bayonets and rifle barrels, +and along the somber batteries of great guns. The firing, so far as he +could determine, was merely to feel out or annoy the Northern army. + +It was a strange sight to Dick, one that is not looked upon often, two +great armies gazing across a river at each other, and, sure to meet, +sooner or later, in mortal combat. It was thrilling, awe-inspiring, but +it made his heart miss a beat or two at the thought of the wounds and +death to come, all the more terrible because those who fought together +were of the same blood, and the same nation. + +Warner and Pennington joined him on the height where he stood, and they +saw that in the early hours before dawn the Northern generals had not +been idle. The whole army of Pope was massed along the left bank of +the river and every high point was crowned with heavy batteries of +artillery. There had been a long drought, and at some points the +Rappahannock could be forded, but not in the face of such a defence as +the North here offered. + +Colonel Winchester himself came a moment or two later and joined them as +they gazed at the two armies and the river between. Both he and the boys +used their glasses and they distinctly saw the Southern masses. + +"Will they try to cross, sir?" asked Dick of the colonel. + +"I don't think so, but if they do we ought to beat them back. Meanwhile, +Dick, my boy, every day's delay is a fresh card in our hand. McClellan +is landing his army at Aquia Creek, whence it can march in two days to +a junction with us, when we would become overwhelming and irresistible. +But I wish it didn't take so long to disembark an army!" + +The note of anxiety in his voice did not escape Dick. "You wish then to +be sure of the junction between our two armies before Lee and Jackson +strike?" + +"Yes, Dick. That is what is on my mind. The retreat of this army, +although it may have caused us chagrin, was most opportune. It gave +us two chances, when we had but one before. But, Dick, I'm afraid. I +wouldn't say this to anybody but you and you must not repeat me. I wish +I could divine what is in the mind of those two men, Lee and Jackson. +They surely have a plan of some kind, but what is it?" + +"Have we any definite news from the other side, sir?" + +"Shepard came in this morning. But little ever escapes him, and he says +that the whole Southern army is up. All their best leaders are there. +Lee and Jackson and Longstreet and the Hills and Early and Lawton and +the others. He says that they are all flushed with confidence in their +own courage and fighting powers and the ability of their leaders. Oh, +if only the Army of the Potomac would come! If we could only stave off +battle long enough for it to reach us!" + +"Don't you think we could do it, sir? Couldn't General Pope retreat on +Washington then, and, as they continued to follow us, we could turn and +spring on them with both armies." + +But Colonel Winchester shook his head. + +"It would never do," he said. "All Europe, eager to see the Union +split, would then help the Confederacy in every possible manner. The old +monarchies would say that despite our superior numbers we're not able to +maintain ourselves outside the defenses of Washington. And these things +would injure us in ways that we cannot afford. Remember, Dick, my boy, +that this republic is the hope of the world, and that we must save it." + +"It will be done, sir," said Dick, almost in the tone of a young +prophet. "I know the spirit of the men. No matter how many defeats are +inflicted upon us by our own brethren we'll triumph in the end." + +"It's my own feeling, Dick. It cannot, it must not be any other way!" + +Dick remained upborne by a confidence in the future rather than in the +present, and throughout the morning he remained with his comrades, under +arms, but doing little, save to hear the fitful firing which ran along +a front of several miles. But later in the day a heavy crash came from a +ford further up the stream. + +Under cover of a great artillery fire Stuart's cavalry dashed into the +ford, and drove off the infantry and a battery posted to defend it. Then +they triumphantly placed heavy lines of pickets about the ford on the +Union side. + +It was more than the Union lads could stand. A heavy mass of infantry, +Colonel Winchester's regiment in the very front of it, marched forward +to drive back these impertinent horsemen. They charged with so much +impetuosity that Stuart's cavalry abandoned such dangerous ground. All +the pickets were drawn in and they retreated in haste across the stream, +the water foaming up in spurts about them beneath the pursuing bullets. + +Then came a silence and a great looking back and forth. The threatening +armies stared at each other across the water, but throughout the +afternoon they lay idle. The pitiless August sun burned on and the dust +that had been trodden up by the scores of thousands hung in clouds low, +but almost motionless. + +Dick went down into a little creek, emptying into the Rappahannock, and +bathed his face and hands. Hundreds of others were doing the same. The +water brought a great relief. Then he went back to Colonel Winchester +and his comrades, and waited patiently with them until evening. + +He remembered Colonel Winchester's words earlier in the day, and, as the +darkness came, he began to wonder what Lee and Jackson were thinking. He +believed that two such redoubtable commanders must have formed a plan by +this time, and, perhaps in the end, it would be worth a hundred thousand +men to know it. But he could only stare into the darkness and guess and +guess. And one guess was as good as another. + +The night seemed portentous to him. It was full of sinister omens. He +strove to pierce the darkness on the other shore with his eyes, and see +what was going on there, but he distinguished only a black background +and the dim light of fires. + +Dick was not wrong. The Confederate commanders did have a plan and the +omens which seemed sinister to him were sinister in fact. Jackson with +his forces was marching up his side of the Rappahannock and the great +brain under the old slouch hat was working hard. + +When Lee and Jackson found that the Union army on the Rapidan +had slipped away from them they felt that they had wasted a great +opportunity to strike the retreating force before it reached the +Rappahannock, and that, as they followed, the situation of the +Confederacy would become most critical. They would leave McClellan and +the Army of the Potomac nearer to Richmond, their own capital, than they +were. Nevertheless Lee, full of daring despite his years, followed, and +the dangers were growing thicker every hour around Pope. + +Dick, with his regiment, moved the next morning up the river. The enemy +was in plain view beyond the stream, and Shepard and the other spies +reported that the Southern army showed no signs of retiring. But Shepard +had said also that he would not be able to cross the river again. The +hostile scouts and sharpshooters had become too vigilant. Yet he was +sure that Lee and Jackson would attempt to force a passage higher up, +where the drought had made good fords. + +"It's well that we're showing vigilance," said Colonel Winchester to +Dick. He had fallen into the habit of talking much and confidentially to +the boy, because he liked and trusted him, and for another reason which +to Dick was yet in the background. + +"Do you feel sure that the rebels will attempt the crossing?" asked +Dick. + +"Beyond a doubt. They have every reason to strike before the Army of the +Potomac can come. Besides, it is in accord with the character of their +generals. Both Lee and Jackson are always for the swift offensive, and +Early, Longstreet and the Hills are the same way. Hear that booming +ahead! They're attacking one of the fords now!" + +At a ford a mile above and also at another a mile or two further on, the +Southern troops had begun a heavy fire, and gathered in strong masses +were threatening every moment to attempt the passage. But the Union +guns posted on hills made a vigorous reply and the time passed in heavy +cannonades. Colonel Winchester, his brows knitted and anxious, watched +the fire of the cannon. He confided at last to his favorite aide his +belief that what lay behind the cannonade was more important than the +cannonade itself. + +"It must be a feint or a blind," he said. "They fire a great deal, +but they don't make any dash for the stream. Now, the rebels haven't +ammunition to waste." + +"Then what do you think they're up to, sir?" + +"They must be sending a heavy force higher up the river to cross where +there is no resistance. And we must meet them there, with my regiment +only, if we can obtain no other men." + +The colonel obtained leave to go up the Rappahannock until nightfall, +but only his own regiment, now reduced to less than four hundred men, +was allotted to him. In truth his division commander thought his purpose +useless, but yielded to the insistence of Winchester who was known to +be an officer of great merit. It seemed to the Union generals that they +must defend the fords where the Southern army lay massed before them. + +Dick learned that there was a little place called Sulphur Springs some +miles ahead, and that the river there was spanned by a bridge which +the Union cavalry had wrecked the day before. He divined at once that +Colonel Winchester had that ford in mind, and he was glad to be with him +on the march to it. + +They left behind them the sound of the cannonade which they learned +afterward was being carried on by Longstreet, and followed the course of +the stream as fast as they could over the hills and through the woods. +But with so many obstacles they made slow progress, and, in the close +heat, the men soon grew breathless. It was also late in the afternoon +and Dick was quite sure that they would not reach Sulphur Springs before +nightfall. + +"I've felt exactly this same air on the great plains," said Pennington, +as they stopped on the crest of a hill for the troops to rest a little. +"It's heavy and close as if it were being all crowded together. It makes +your lungs work twice as hard as usual, and it's also a sign." + +"Tell your sign, old weather sharp," said Warner. + +"It's simple enough. The sign may not be so strong here, but it applies +just as it does on the great plains. It means that a storm is coming. +Anybody could tell that. Look there, in the southwest. See that cloud +edging itself over the horizon. Things will turn loose to-night. Don't +you say the same, sergeant? You've been out in my country." + +Sergeant Whitley was standing near them regarding the cloud attentively. + +"Yes, Mr. Pennington," he replied. "I was out there a long time and I'd +rather be there now fighting the Indians, instead of fighting our own +people, although no other choice was left me. I've seen some terrible +hurricanes on the plains, winds that would cut the earth as if it was +done with a ploughshare, and these armies are going to be rained on +mighty hard to-night." + +Dick smiled a little at the sergeant's solemn tone, and formal words, +but he saw that he was very much in earnest. Nor was he one to underrate +weather effects upon movements in war. + +"What will it mean to the two armies, sergeant?" he asked. + +"Depends upon what happens before she busts. If a rebel force is then +across it's bad for us, but if it ain't the more water between us an' +them the better. This, I take it, is the end of the drought, and a flood +will come tumbling down from the mountains." + +The sun now darkened and the clouds gathered heavily on the Western +horizon. Colonel Winchester's anxiety increased fast. It became evident +that the regiment could not reach Sulphur Springs until far into +the night, and, still full of alarms, he resolved to take a small +detachment, chiefly of his staff, and ride forward at the utmost speed. + +He chose about twenty men, including Dick, Warner, Pennington, Sergeant +Whitley, and another veteran who were mounted on the horses of junior +officers left behind, and pressed forward with speed. A West Virginian +named Shattuck knew something of the country, and led them. + +"What is this place, Sulphur Springs?" asked Colonel Winchester of +Shattuck. + +"Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the +river. They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages +built up by people who come there to stay a while. But I guess them +people have gone away. It ain't no place for health just at this time." + +"That's a certainty," said Colonel Winchester. + +"An' then there's the bridge, which, as we know, the cavalry has broke +down." + +"Fortunately. But can't we go a little faster, boys?" + +There was a well defined road and Shattuck now led them at a gallop. +As they approached the springs they checked their speed, owing to the +increasing darkness. But Dick's good ears soon told him that something +was happening at the springs. He heard faintly the sound of voices, and +the clank and rattle which many men with weapons cannot keep from making +now and then. + +"I'm afraid, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester, "that they're already +across." + +The little troop stopped at the command of its leader and all listened +intently. It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns +of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the +noises made by regiments. + +"You're right, Dick," said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification +showing in his tone. "They're there, and they're on our side of the +river. Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson +never sleeps, and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot +cavalry!" + +Dick was silent. He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he +knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment. + +"Mr. Shattuck," said Colonel Winchester, "how near do you think we can +approach without being seen?" + +"I know a neck of woods leading within a hundred yards of the cottages. +If we was to leave our horses here with a couple of men we could slip +down among the trees and bushes, and there ain't one chance in ten that +we'd be seen on so dark a night." + +"Then you lead us. Pawley, you and Woodfall hold the horses. Now follow +softly, lads! All of you have hunted the 'coon and 'possum at night, and +you should know how to step without making noise." + +Shattuck advanced with certainty, and the others, true to their +training, came behind him in single file, and without noise. But as they +advanced the sounds of an army ahead of them increased, and when they +reached the edge of the covert they saw a great Confederate division +on their side of the stream, in full possession of the cottages and +occupying all the ground about them. Many men were at work, restoring +the wrecked bridge, but the others were eating their suppers or were at +rest. + +"There must be seven or eight thousand men here," said Dick, who did not +miss the full significance of the fact. + +"So it seems," said Warner, "and I'm afraid it bodes ill for General +Pope." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + + +Lying close in the bushes the little party watched the Southerners +making themselves ready for the night. The cottages were prepared for +the higher officers, but the men stacked arms in the open ground all +about. As well as they could judge by the light of the low fires, +soldiers were still crossing the river to strengthen the force already +on the Union side. + +Colonel Winchester suppressed a groan. Dick noticed that his face was +pallid in the uncertain shadows, and he understood the agony of spirit +that the brave man must suffer when he saw that they had been outflanked +by their enemy. + +Sergeant Whitley, moving forward a little, touched the colonel on the +arm. + +"All the clouds that we saw a little further back," he said, "have +gathered together, an' the storm is about to bust. See, sir, how fast +the Johnnies are spreadin' their tents an' runnin' to shelter." + +"It's so, sergeant," said Colonel Winchester. "I was so much absorbed in +watching those men that I thank you for reminding me. We've seen enough +anyway and we'd better get back as fast as we can." + +They hurried through the trees and bushes toward their horses, taking +no particular pains now to deaden their footsteps, since the Southerners +themselves were making a good deal of noise as they took refuge. + +But the storm was upon them before they could reach their horses. The +last star was gone and the somber clouds covered the whole heavens. The +wind ceased to moan and the air was heavy with apprehension. Deep and +sullen thunder began to mutter on the southwestern horizon. Then came +a mighty crash and a great blaze of lightning seemed to cleave the sky +straight down the center. + +The lightning and thunder made Dick jump, and for a few moments he +was blinded by the electric glare. He heard a heavy sound of something +falling, and exclaimed: + +"Are any of you hurt?" + +"No," said Warner, who alone heard him, "but we're scared half to +death. When a drought breaks up I wish it wouldn't break up with such a +terrible fuss. Listen to that thunder again, won't you!" + +There was another terrible crash of thunder and the whole sky blazed +with lightning. Despite himself Dick shrank again. The first bolt had +struck a tree which had fallen within thirty feet of them, but the +second left this bit of the woods unscathed. + +A third and a fourth bolt struck somewhere, and then came the rush and +roar of the rain, driven on by a fierce wind out of the southwest. The +close, dense heat was swept away, and the first blasts of the rain were +as cold as ice. The little party was drenched in an instant, and every +one was shivering through and through with combined wet and cold. + +The cessation of the lightning was succeeded by pitchy darkness, and the +roaring of the wind and rain was so great that they called loudly to one +another lest they lose touch in the blackness. Dick heard Warner on his +right, and he followed the sound of his voice. But before he went much +further his foot struck a trailing vine, and he fell so hard, his head +striking the trunk of a tree, that he lay unconscious. + +The cold rain drove so fiercely on the fallen boy's face and body that +he revived in two or three minutes, and stood up. He clapped his hand to +the left side of his head, and felt there a big bump and a sharp ache. +His weapons were still in his belt and he knew that his injuries were +not serious, but he heard nothing save the drive and roar of the wind +and rain. There was no calling of voices and no beat of footsteps. + +He divined at once that his comrades, wholly unaware of his fall, when +no one could either see or hear it, had gone on without missing him. +They might also mount their horses and gallop away wholly ignorant that +he was not among them. + +Although he was a little dazed, Dick had a good idea of direction and +he plunged through the mud which was now growing deep toward the little +ravine in which they had hitched their horses. All were gone, including +his own mount, and he had no doubt that the horse had broken or slipped +the bridle in the darkness and followed the others. + +He stood a while behind the trunk of a great tree, trying to shelter +himself a little from the rain, and listened. But he could hear neither +his friends leaving nor any foes approaching. The storm was of uncommon +fury. He had never seen one fiercer, and knowing that he had little to +dread from the Southerners while it raged he knew also that he must make +his way on foot, and as best he could, to his own people. + +Making a calculation of the direction and remembering that one might +wander in a curve in the darkness, he set off down the stream. He meant +to keep close to the banks of the Rappahannock, and if he persisted he +would surely come in time to Pope's army. The rain did not abate. Both +armies were flooded that night, but they could find some measure of +protection. To the scouts and skirmishers and to Dick, wandering through +the forest, nature was an unmitigated foe. + +But nothing could stop the boy. He was resolved to get back to the army +with the news that a heavy Southern force was across the Rappahannock. +Others might get there first with the fact, but one never knew. A +hundred might fall by the wayside, leaving it to him alone to bear the +message. + +He stumbled on. He was able to keep his cartridges dry in his pouch, but +that was all. His wet, cold clothes flapped around him and he shivered +to the bone. He could see only the loom of the black forest before him, +and sometimes he slipped to the waist in swollen brooks. Then the wind +shifted and drove the sheets of rain, sprinkled with hail, directly in +his face. He was compelled to stop a while and take refuge behind a big +oak. While he shivered in the shelter of the tree the only things that +he thought of spontaneously were dry clothes, hot food, a fire and a +warm bed. The Union and its fate, gigantic as they were, slipped away +from his mind, and it took an effort of the will to bring them back. + +But his will made the effort, and recalling his mission he struggled +on again. He had the river on his right, and it now became an unfailing +guide. It had probably been raining much earlier in the mountains along +the headwaters and the flood was already pouring down. The river swished +high against its banks and once or twice, when he caught dim glimpses +of it through the trees, he saw a yellow torrent bearing much brushwood +upon its bosom. + +He had very little idea of his progress. It was impossible to judge of +pace under such circumstances. The army might be ten miles further on +or it might be only two. Then he found himself sliding down a muddy and +slippery bank. He grasped at weeds and bushes, but they slipped through +his hands. Then he shot into a creek, swollen by the flood, and went +over his head. + +He came up, gasping, struck out and reached the further shore. Here he +found bushes more friendly than the others and pulled himself upon the +bank. But he had lost everything. His belt had broken in his struggles, +and pistols, small sword and ammunition were gone. He would be helpless +against an enemy. Then he laughed at the idea. Surely enemies would not +be in search of him at such a time and such a place. + +Nevertheless when he saw an open space in front of him he paused at +its edge. He could see well enough here to notice a file of dim figures +riding slowly by. At first his heart leaped up with the belief that they +were Colonel Winchester and his own people, but they were going in the +wrong direction, and then he was able to discern the bedraggled and +faded Confederate gray. + +The horsemen were about fifty in number and most of them rode with the +reins hanging loose on their horses' necks. They were wrapped in cloaks, +but cloaks and uniforms alike were sodden. A stream of water ran from +every stirrup to the ground. + +Dick looked at them attentively. Near the head of the column but on +one side rode a soldierly figure, apparently that of a young man of +twenty-three or four. Just behind came three youths, and Dick's heart +fairly leaped when he saw the last of the three. He could not mistake +the figure, and a turning of the head caused him to catch a faint +glimpse of the face. Then he knew beyond all shadow of doubt. It was +Harry and he surmised that the other two were his comrades, St. Clair +and Langdon, whom he had met when they were burying the dead. + +Dick was so sodden and cold and wretched that he was tempted to call out +to them--the sight of Harry was like a light in the darkness--but the +temptation was gone in an instant. His way lay in another direction. +What they wished he did not wish, and while they fought for the triumph +of the South it was his business to endure and struggle on that he might +do his own little part for the Union. + +But despite the storm and his sufferings, he drew courage from nature +itself. While a portion of the Southern army was across it must be a +minor portion, and certainly the major part could not span such a flood +and attack. The storm and time allied were now fighting for Pope. + +He wandered away a little into the open fields in order to find easier +going, but he came back presently to the forest lining the bank of the +river, for fear he should lose his direction. The yellow torrent of the +Rappahannock was now his only sure guide and he stuck to it. He wondered +why the rain and wind did not die down. It was not usual for a storm so +furious to last so long, but he could not see any abatement of either. + +He became conscious after a while of a growing weakness, but he had +recalled all the powers of his will and it was triumphant over his body. +He trudged on on feet that were unconscious of sensation, and his face +as if the flesh were paralyzed no longer felt the beat of the rain. + +A mile or two further and in the swish of the storm he heard hoofbeats +again. Looking forth from the bushes he saw another line of horsemen, +but now they were going in the direction of Pope's army. Dick recognized +these figures. Shapeless as he might appear on his horse that was +Colonel Winchester, and there were the broad shoulders of Sergeant +Whitley and the figures of the others. + +He rushed through the dripping forest and shouted in a tone that +could be heard above the shriek of wind and rain. Colonel Winchester +recognized the voice, but the light was so dim that he did not recognize +him from whom it came. Certainly the figure that emerged from the forest +did not look human. + +"Colonel," cried Dick, "it is I, Richard Mason, whom you left behind!" + +"So it is," said Sergeant Whitley, keener of eye than the others. + +The whole troop set up a shout as Dick came forward, taking off his +dripping cap. + +"Why, Dick, it is you!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester in a tone of +immeasurable relief. "We missed you and your horse and hoped that you +were somewhere ahead. Your horse must have broken loose in the storm. +But here, you look as if you were nearly dead! Jump up behind me!" + +Dick made an effort, but his strength failed and he slipped back to +the ground. He had not realized that he was walking on his spirit and +courage and that his strength was gone, so powerful had been the buffets +of the wind and rain. + +The colonel reached down, gave him a hand and a strong pull, and with +a second effort Dick landed astride the horse behind the rider. Then +Colonel Winchester gave the word and the sodden file wound on again. + +"Dick," said the colonel, looking back over his shoulder, "you come as +near being a wreck as anything that I've seen in a long time. It's lucky +we found you." + +"It is, sir, and I not only look like a wreck but I feel like one. But +I had made up my mind to reach General Pope's camp, with the news of the +Confederates crossing, and I think I'd have done it." + +"I know you would. But what a night! What a night! Not many men can be +abroad at such a time. We have seen nothing." + +"But I have, sir." + +"You have! What did you see?" + +"A mile or two back I passed a line of Southern horsemen, just as wet +and bedraggled as ours." + +"Might they not have been our own men? It would be hard to tell blue and +gray apart on such a night." + +"One could make such a mistake, but in this case it was not possible. +I saw my own cousin, Harry Kenton, riding with them. I recognized them +perfectly." + +"Then that settles it. The Confederate scouts and cavalry are abroad +to-night also, and on our side of the river. But they must be few who +dare to ride in such a storm." + +"That's surely true, sir." + +But both Dick and his commanding officer were mistaken. They still +underrated the daring and resolution of the Confederate leaders, +the extraordinary group of men who were the very bloom and flower of +Virginia's military glory, the equal of whom--two at least being in the +very first rank in the world's history--no other country with so small a +population has produced in so short a time. + +Earlier in the day Stuart, full of enterprise, and almost insensible to +fatigue, had crossed the Rappahannock much higher up and at the head +of a formidable body of his horsemen, unseen by scouts and spies, was +riding around the Union right. They galloped into Warrenton where the +people, red hot as usual for the South, crowded around them cheering and +laughing and many of the women crying with joy. It was like Jackson and +Stuart to drop from the clouds this way and to tell them, although the +land had been occupied by the enemy, that their brave soldiers would +come in time. + +News, where a Northern force could not have obtained a word, was poured +out for the South. They told Stuart that none of the Northern cavalry +was about, and that Pope's vast supply train was gathered at a little +point only ten miles to the southeast. Stuart shook his plumed head +until his long golden hair flew about his neck. Then he laughed aloud +and calling to his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great +spoil that waited upon quickness and daring. + +The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it +reached it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men. +Despite rain and darkness Stuart pushed on. He said afterward that it +was the darkest night he had ever seen. A captured negro guided them on +the final stage of the gallop and just when Dick was riding back to +camp behind Colonel Winchester, Stuart fell like a thunderbolt upon the +supply train and its guard. + +Stuart could not drive wholly away the Northern guard, which though +surprised, fought with great courage, but he burned the supply train, +then galloped off with prisoners, and Pope's own uniform, horses, +treasure chest and dispatch book. He found in the dispatch book minute +information about the movements of all the Union troops, and Pope's +belief that he ought to retreat from the river on Washington. Doubtless +the Confederate horseman shook his head again and again and laughed +aloud, when he put this book, more precious than jewels, inside his gold +braided tunic, to be taken to Lee and Jackson. + +But these things were all hidden from the little group of weary men +who rode into Pope's camp. Colonel Winchester carried the news of the +crossing--Early had made it--to the commander, and the rest sought the +best shelter to be found. Dick was lucky enough to be taken into a tent +that was thoroughly dry, and the sergeant who had followed him managed +to obtain a supply of dry clothing which would be ready for him when he +awoke. + +Dick did not revive as usual. He threw all of his clothing aside and +water flew where it fell, put on dry undergarments and crept between +warm blankets. Nevertheless he still felt cold, and he was amazed at his +own lack of interest in everything. He might have perished out there in +the stream, but what did it matter? He would probably be killed in some +battle anyway. Besides, their information about the crossing of the +rebels was of no importance either. The rebels might stay on their side +of the Rappahannock, or they might go back. It was all the same either +way. All things seemed, for the moment, useless to him. + +He began to shiver, but after a while he became so hot that he wanted to +throw off all the cover. But he retained enough knowledge and will +not to do so, and he sank soon into a feverish doze from which he was +awakened by the light of a lantern shining in his face. + +He saw Colonel Winchester and another man, a stranger, who held a small +leather case in his hand. But Dick was in such a dull and apathetic +state that he had no curiosity about them and he shut his eyes to keep +out the light of the lantern. + +"What is it, doctor?" he heard Colonel Winchester asking. + +"Chill and a little fever, brought on by exposure and exhaustion. But +he's a hardy youth. Look what a chest and shoulders! With the aid of +these little white pills of mine he'll be all right in the morning. +Colonel, Napoleon said that an army fights on its stomach, which I +suppose is true, but in our heavily watered and but partly settled +country, it must fight sometimes on a stomach charged with quinine." + +"I was afraid it might be worse. A dose or two then will bring him +around?" + +"Wish I could be so sure of a quick cure in every case. Here, my lad, +take two of these. A big start is often a good one." + +Dick raised his head obediently and took the two quinine pills. Soon he +sank into a condition which was as near stupor as sleep. But before he +passed into unconsciousness he heard the doctor say: + +"Wake him soon enough in the morning, Colonel, to take two more. What a +wonderful thing for our armies that we can get all the quinine we want! +The rebel supply, I know, is exhausted. With General Quinine on our side +we're bound to win." + +"But that isn't the only reason, doctor. Now--" Their voices trailed +away as Dick sank into oblivion. He had a dim memory of being awakened +the next morning and of swallowing two more pills, but in a minute or +two he sank back into a sleep which was neither feverish nor troubled. +When he awoke the dark had come a second time. The fever was wholly +gone, and his head had ceased to ache. + +Dick felt weak, but angry at himself for having broken down at such +a time, he sat up and began to put on the dry uniform that lay in the +tent. Then he was astonished to find how great his weakness really was, +but he persevered, and as he slipped on the tunic Warner came into the +tent. + +"You've been asleep a long time," he said, looking at Dick critically. + +"I know it. I suppose I slept all through the night as well as the day." + +"And the great battle was fought without you." + +Dick started, and looked at his comrade, but Warner's eyes were +twinkling. + +"There's been no battle, and you know it," Dick said. + +"No, there hasn't been any; there won't be any for several days at +least. That whopping big rain last night did us a service after all. It +was Early who crossed the river, and now he is in a way cut off from the +rest of the Southern army. We hear that he'll go back to the other side. +But Stuart has curved about us, raided our supply train and destroyed +it. And he's done more than that. He's captured General Pope's important +papers." + +"What does it mean for us?" + +"A delay, but I don't know anything more. I suppose that whatever is +going to happen will happen in its own good time. You feel like a man +again, don't you Dick? And you can have the consolation of knowing that +nothing has happened all day long when you slept." + +Dick finished his dressing, rejoined his regiment and ate supper with +the other officers around a fine camp fire. He found that he had a good +appetite, and as he ate strength flowed rapidly back into his veins. He +gathered from the talk of the older officers that they were still hoping +for a junction with McClellan before Lee and Jackson could attack. They +expected at the very least to have one hundred and fifty thousand men in +line, most of them veterans. + +But Dick saw Shepard again that evening. He had come from a long journey +and he reported great activity in the Southern camp. When Dick said +that Lee and Jackson would have to fight both Pope and McClellan the spy +merely replied: + +"Yes, if Pope and McClellan hurry." + +But Dick learned that night that Pope was not discouraged. He had an +army full of fighting power, and eager to meet its enemy. He began the +next day to move up the river in order that he might face Lee's whole +force as it attempted to cross at the upper fords. Their spirits +increased as they learned that Early, through fear of being cut off, was +going back to join the main Southern army. + +The ground had now dried up after the great storm, but the refreshed +earth took on a greener tinge, and the air was full of sparkle and life. +Dick had not seen such elasticity among the troops in a long time. As +they marched they spoke confidently of victory. One regiment took up a +song which had appeared in print just after the fall of Sumter: + + + "Men of the North and West, + Wake in your might. + Prepare as the rebels have done + For the fight. + You cannot shrink from the test; + Rise! Men of the North and West." + + +Another regiment took up the song, and soon many thousands were singing +it; those who did not know the words following the others. Dick felt +his heart beat and his courage mount high, as he sang with Warner and +Pennington the last verse: + + + "Not with words; they laugh them to scorn, + And tears they despise. + But with swords in your hands + And death in your eyes! + Strike home! Leave to God all the rest; + Strike! Men of the North and West!" + + +The song sung by so many men rolled off across the fields, and the woods +and the hills gave back the echo. + +"We will strike home!" exclaimed Dick, putting great emphasis on the +"will." "Our time for victory is at hand." + +"The other side may think they're striking home; too," said Warner, +speaking according to the directness of his dry mathematical mind. "Then +I suppose it will be a case of victory for the one that strikes the +harder for home." + +"That's a fine old mind of yours. Don't you ever feel any enthusiasm?" + +"I do, when the figures warrant it. But I must reckon everything with +care before I permit myself to feel joy." + +"I'm glad I'm not like you, Mr. Arithmetic, Mr. Algebra, Mr. Geometry +and Mr. Trigonometry." + +"You mustn't make fun of such serious matters, Dick. It would be a noble +thing to be the greatest professor of mathematics in the world." + +"Of course, George, but we wouldn't need him at this minute. But here +we are back at those cottages in which I saw the Southern officers +sheltering themselves. Well, they're ours again and I take it as a good +omen." + +"Yes, here we rest, as the French general said, but I don't know that I +care about resting much more. I've had about all I want of it." + +Nevertheless they spent the day quietly at the Sulphur Springs, and lay +down in peace that night. But the storm cloud, the blackest storm cloud +of the whole war so far, was gathering. + +Lee, knowing the danger of the junction between Pope and McClellan had +resolved to hazard all on a single stroke. He would divide his army. +Jackson, so well called "the striking arm," would pass far around +through the maze of hills and mountains and fall like a thunderbolt +upon Pope's flank. At the sound of his guns Lee himself would attack in +front. + +As Dick and his young comrades lay down to sleep this march, the +greatest of Stonewall Jackson's famous turning movements, had begun +already. Jackson was on his horse, Little Sorrel, his old slouch hat +drawn down over his eyes, his head bent forward a little, and the great +brain thinking, always thinking. His face was turned to the North. + +Just a little behind Jackson rode one of his most trusted aides, Harry +Kenton, a mere youth in years, but already a veteran in service. Not +far away was the gallant young Sherburne at the head of his troop of +cavalry, and in the first brigade was the regiment of the Invincibles +led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant Colonel Hector St. +Hilaire. Never had the two colonels seemed more prim and precise, and +not even in youth had the fire of battle ever burned more brightly in +their bosoms. + +Jackson meant to pass around his enemy's right, crossing the Bull Run +Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap, then strike the railway in Pope's rear. +Longstreet, one of the heaviest hitters of the South, meanwhile was +to worry Pope incessantly along the line of the Rappahannock, and when +Jackson attacked they were to drive him toward the northeast and away +from McClellan. + +The hot August night was one of the most momentous in American history, +and the next few days were to see the Union in greater danger than it +has ever stood either before or since. Perhaps it was not given to the +actors in the drama to know it then, but the retrospect shows it now. +The North had not attained its full fighting strength, and the genius of +the two great Southern commanders was at the zenith, while behind them +stood a group of generals, full of talent and fearless of death. + +Jackson had been directly before Sulphur Springs where Dick lay with the +division to which he belonged. But Jackson, under cover of the darkness, +had slipped away and the division of Longstreet had taken its place so +quietly that the Union scouts and spies, including Shepard himself, did +not know the difference. + +Jackson's army marched swiftly and silently, while that of Pope slept. +The plan of Lee was complicated and delicate to the last degree, but +Jackson, the mainspring in this organism, never doubted that he could +carry it out. His division soon left the rest of the army far behind, as +they marched steadily on over the hills, the fate of the nation almost +in the hollow of their hands. + +The foot cavalry of Jackson were proud of their ability that night. They +carried only three days' rations, expecting to feed off the enemy at +the end of that time. Near midnight they lay down and slept a while, +but long before dawn they were in line again marching over the hills and +across the mountains. There were skirmishers in advance on either side, +but they met no Union scouts. The march of Jackson's great fighting +column was still unseen and unsuspected. A single Union scout or a +message carried by a woman or child might destroy the whole plan, as a +grain of dust stops all the wheels and levers of a watch, but neither +the scout, the woman nor the child appeared. + +Toward dawn the marching Southerners heard far behind them the thunder +of guns along the Rappahannock. They knew that Longstreet had opened +with his batteries across the river, and that those of Pope were +replying. The men looked at one another. There was a deep feeling of +excitement and suspense among them. They did not know what all this +marching meant, but they had learned to trust the man who led them. He +had led them only to victory, and they did not doubt that he was doing +so again. + +The march never paused for an instant. On they went, and the sound of +the great guns behind them grew fainter and fainter until it faded away. +Where were they going? Was it a raid on Washington? Were they to hurl +themselves upon Pope's rear, or was there some new army that they were +to destroy? + +Up swept the sun and the coolness left by the storm disappeared. The +August day began to blaze again with fierce burning heat, but there was +no complaint among Jackson's men. They knew now that they were on one of +his great turning movements, on a far greater scale than any hitherto, +and full of confidence, they followed in the wake of Little Sorrel. + +In the daylight now Jackson had scouts and skirmishers far in front and +on either flank. They were to blaze the way for the army and they made +a far out-flung line, through which no hostile scout could pass and +see the marching army within. At the close of the day they were still +marching, and when the sun was setting Jackson stood by the dusty +roadside and watched his men as they passed. For the first time in that +long march they broke through restraint and thundering cheers swept +along the whole line as they took off their caps to the man whom they +deemed at once their friend and a very god of war. The stern Jackson +giving way so seldom to emotion was heard to say to himself: + +"Who can fail to win battles with such men as these?" + +Jackson's column did not stop until midnight. They had been more than +twenty-four hours on the march, and they had not seen a hostile soldier. +Harry Kenton himself did not know where they were going. But he lay down +and gratefully, like the others, took the rest that was allowed to him. +But a few hours only and they were marching again under a starry sky. +Morning showed the forest lining the slopes of the mountains and then +all the men seemed to realize suddenly which way they were going. + +This was the road that led to Pope. It was not Washington, or +Winchester, or some unknown army, but their foe on the Rappahannock that +they were going to strike. A deep murmur of joy ran through the ranks, +and the men who had now been marching thirty hours, with but little +rest, suddenly increased their speed. Knowledge had brought them new +strength. + +They entered the forest and passed into Thoroughfare Gap, which leads +through Bull Run Mountain. The files narrowed now and stretched out in a +longer line. This was a deep gorge, pines and bushes lining the summits +and crests. The confined air here was closer and hotter than ever, but +the men pressed on with undiminished speed. + +Harry Kenton felt a certain awe as he rode behind Jackson, and looked +up at the lofty cliffs that enclosed them. The pines along the summit on +either side were like long, green ribbons, and he half feared to see +men in blue appear there and open fire on those in the gorge below. But +reason told him that there was no such danger. No Northern force could +be on Bull Run Mountain. + +Harry had not asked a question during all that march. He had not +known where they were going, but like all the soldiers he had supreme +confidence in Jackson. He might be going to any of a number of places, +but the place to which he was going was sure to be the right place. +Now as he rode in the pass he knew that they were bound for the rear of +Pope's army. Well, that would be bad for Pope! Harry had no doubt of it. + +They passed out of the gap, leaving the mountain behind them, and swept +on through two little villages, and over the famous plateau of Manassas +Junction which many of them had seen before in the fire and smoke of the +war's first terrible day. Here were the fields and hills over which +they had fought and won the victory. Harry recognized at once the places +which had been burned so vividly into his memory, and he considered it a +good omen. + +Not so far away was Washington, and so strongly was Harry's imagination +impressed that he believed he could have seen through powerful glasses +and from the crest of some tall hill that they passed, the dome of the +Capitol shining in the August sun. He wondered why there was no attack, +nor even any alarm. The cloud of dust that so many thousands of marching +men made could be seen for miles. He did not know that Sherburne and the +fastest of the rough riders were now far in front, seizing every Union +scout or sentinel, and enabling Jackson's army to march on its great +turning movement wholly unknown to any officer or soldier of the North. +Soon he would stand squarely between Pope and Washington. + +Before noon, Stuart and his wild horsemen joined them and their spirits +surged yet higher. All through the afternoon the march continued, and +at night Jackson fell upon Pope's vast store of supplies, surprising and +routing the guard. Taking what he could use he set fire to the rest and +the vast conflagration filled the sky. + +Night came with Jackson standing directly in the rear of Pope. The trap +had been shut down, and it was to be seen whether Pope was strong enough +to break from it. + + + + +CHAPTER V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + + +The sunbeams seemed fairly to dance over the dusty earth. The dust was +not only over the earth, but over everything, men, animals, wagons and +tents. Dick Mason who had struggled so hard through a storm but a few +nights ago now longed for another like it. Anything to get away from +this blinding blaze. + +But he soon forgot heat and dust. He was conscious of a great quiver +and thrill running through the whole army. Something was happening. +Something had happened, but nobody knew what. Warner and Pennington felt +the same quiver and thrill, because they looked at him as if in inquiry. +Colonel Winchester showed it, too. He said nothing, but gazed uneasily +toward the Northern horizon. Dick found himself looking that way also. +Along the Rappahannock there was but little firing now, and he began to +forget the river which had loomed so large in the affairs of the armies. +Perhaps the importance of the Rappahannock had passed. + +It was said that Pope himself with his staff had ridden away toward +Washington, but Dick did not know. Far off toward the capital he +saw dust clouds, but he concluded that they must be made by marching +reinforcements. + +The long hot hours dragged and then came a messenger. It was Shepard who +had reported to headquarters and who afterwards came over to the shade +of a tree where Colonel Winchester and his little staff were gathered. +He was on the verge of exhaustion. He was black under the eyes and the +veins of his neck were distended. Dust covered him from head to foot. +He threw himself on the ground and drank deeply from a canteen of cool +water that Dick handed to him. All saw that Shepard, the spy, the man +whose life was a continual danger, who had never before shown emotion, +was in a state of excitement, and if they waited a little he would speak +of his own accord. + +Shepard took the canteen from his lips, drew several long deep breaths +of relief and said: + +"Do you know what I have seen?" + +"I don't, but I infer from your manner, Shepard, that it must be of +great importance," said Colonel Winchester. + +"I've seen Stonewall Jackson at the head of half of Lee's army behind +us! Standing between us and Washington!" + +"What! Impossible! How could he get there?" + +"It's possible, because it's been done--I've seen the rebel army behind +us. In these civilian clothes of mine, I've been in their ranks, and +I've talked with their men. While they were amusing us here on the +Rappahannock with their cannon, Jackson with the best of the army +crossed the river higher up, passed through Thoroughfare Gap, marching +two or three days before a soul of ours knew it, and then struck our +great camp at Bristoe Station." + +"Shepard, you must be sunstruck!" + +"My mind was never clearer. What I saw at close range General Pope +himself saw at long range. He and his staff and a detachment came near +enough to see the looting and burning of all our stores--I don't suppose +so many were ever gathered together before. But I was right there. You +ought to have seen the sight, Colonel, when those ragged rebels who +had been living on green corn burst into our camp. I've heard about the +Goths and Vandals coming down on Rome and it must have been something +like it. They ate as I never saw anybody eat before, and then throwing +away their rags they put on our new uniforms which were stored there in +thousands. At least half the rebel army must now be wearing the Union +blue. And the way they danced about and sang was enough to make a loyal +man's heart sick." + +"You told all this to General Pope?" + +"I did, sir, but I could not make him believe the half of it. He insists +that it can only be a raiding detachment, that it is impossible for a +great army to have come to such a place. But, sir, I was among them. I +know Stonewall Jackson, and I saw him with my own eyes. He was there +at the head of thirty thousand men, and we've already lost stores worth +millions and millions. Jeb Stuart was there, too. I saw him. And I saw +Munford, who leads Jackson's cavalry since the death of Turner Ashby. +Oh, they'll find out soon enough that it's Jackson. We're trapped, sir! +I tell you we're trapped, and our own commander-in-chief won't believe +it. Good God, Colonel, the trap has shut down on us and if we get out of +it we've got to be up and doing! This is no time for waiting!" + +Colonel Winchester saw from the rapidity and emphasis with which Shepard +spoke that his excitement had increased, but knowing the man's great +devotion to the Union he had no rebuke for his plain speech. + +"You have done splendid work, Mr. Shepard," he said, "and the +commander-in-chief will recognize what great risks you have run for +the cause. I've no doubt that the accuracy of your reports will soon be +proved." + +Colonel Winchester in truth believed every word that Shepard had said, +sinister though they were. He said that Jackson was behind them, that +he had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the +slightest doubt that Jackson was there. + +Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's +praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was +the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the +cause he served. + +"Thank you, Colonel," he said, "I've got to go out and get a little food +now. All I say will be proved soon enough." + +The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of +Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which +should mark the approach of Jackson. + +"We've been outmaneuvered," said Warner to Dick, "but it's no reason why +we should be outfought." + +"No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the +world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash +their old trap all to pieces." + +"If our generals will only give us a chance." + +Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified +almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch +after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been +at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning. + +"Now is our chance," said Dick to his comrades, "why doesn't the general +move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his +help?" + +"I'm praying for it," said Warner. + +"From what I hear it's going to be done," said Pennington. + +Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched on +Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in +the heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including +Colonel Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place +of a few houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through +which Jackson had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did +not expect to find anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look. + +Dick rode by the side of his colonel ready for any command, but the +mystery, and uncertainty had begun to weigh upon him again. It seemed +when they had the first news that Jackson was behind them, that they had +a splendid opportunity to turn upon him and annihilate him before Lee +could come. But he was gone. They had looked upon the smoldering ruins +of their great supply camp, but they had found there no trace of a +Confederate soldier. Was Harry Kenton right, when he told them they +could not beat Jackson? He asked himself angrily why the man would not +stay and fight. He believed, too, that he must be off there somewhere to +the right, and he listened eagerly but vainly for the distant throb of +guns in the east. + +A cloud of dust hovered over the ten thousand as they marched on in the +blazing sunshine. The country was well peopled, but all the inhabitants +had disappeared save a few, and from not one of these could they obtain +a scrap of information. + +Dick noticed through the dusty veil a heavy wood on their left extending +for a long distance. Then as in a flash, he saw that the whole forest +was filled with troops, and he saw also two batteries galloping from it +toward the crest of a ridge. It occurred to him instantly that here was +the army of Jackson, and others who saw had the same instinctive belief. + +There was a flash and roar from the batteries. Shot and shell cut +through the clouds of dust and among the ranks of the men in blue. Now +came from the forest a vast shout, the defiant rebel yell and nobody in +the column doubted that Jackson was there. He had swung away toward the +Gap, where Lee could come to him more readily, and he would fight the +whole Union army until Lee came up. + +As the roar of the first discharge from the batteries was dying swarms +of skirmishers sprang up from ambush and poured a storm of bullets upon +the Union front and flanks. A cry as of anguish arose from the column +and it reeled back, but the men, many of them hardy young farmers from +the West, men of staunch stuff, were eager to get at the enemy and the +terrible surprise could not daunt them. Uttering a tremendous shout they +charged directly upon the Southern force. + +It was a case largely of vanguards, the main forces not yet having come +up, but the two detachments charged into each other with a courage and +fierceness that was astounding. In a minute the woods and fields were +filled with fire and smoke, and hissing shells and bullets. Men fell by +hundreds, but neither side yielded. The South could not drive away the +North and the North could not hurl back the South. + +The field of battle became a terrible and deadly vortex. The fire of the +opposing lines blazed in the faces of each other. Often they were +only three or four score yards apart. Ewell, Jackson's ablest and most +trusted lieutenant, fell wounded almost to death, and lay long upon the +field. Other Southern generals fell also, and despite their superior +numbers they could not drive back the North. + +Dick never had much recollection of the combat, save a reek of fire +and smoke in which men fought. He saw Colonel Winchester's horse +pitch forward on his head and springing from his own he pulled the +half-stunned colonel to his feet. Both leaped aside just in time to +avoid Dick's own falling horse, which had been slain by a shell. Then +the colonel ran up and down the lines of his men, waving his sword and +encouraging them to stand fast. + +The Southern lines spread out and endeavored to overlap the Union men, +but they were held back by a deep railroad cut and masses of felled +timber. The combat redoubled in fury. Cannon and rifles together made +a continuous roar. Both sides seemed to have gone mad with the rage of +battle. + +The Southern generals astonished at such a resistance by a smaller +force, ordered up more men and cannon. The Union troops were slowly +pushed back by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming +of which neither had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving +fifteen hundred men, nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the +small area within which the two vanguards had fought. + +But the Union men did not retreat far. Practically, they were holding +their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were +full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the +formidable Jackson. Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that +he threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath. When he was able +to rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured. +So was Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom, was +gloomy. + +"What's the matter, sergeant?" exclaimed Dick in surprise. "Didn't we +give 'em a great fight?" + +"Splendid, Mr. Mason, I don't believe that troops ever fought better +than ours did. But we're not many here. Where's all the rest of our +army? Scattered, while I'm certain that Jackson with twenty-five or +thirty thousand men is in front of us, with more coming. We'll fall +back. We'll have to do it before morning." + +The sergeant on this occasion had the power of divination. An hour +after midnight the whole force which had fought with so much heroism +was withdrawn. It was a strange night to the whole Union army, full of +sinister omens. + +Pope, in his quest for Jackson, had heard about sunset the booming of +guns in the west, but he could not believe that the Southern general +was there. Many of his dispatches had been captured by the hard-riding +cavalry of Stuart. His own division commanders had lost touch with him. +It was not possible for him to know what to do until morning, and no +one could tell him. Meanwhile Longstreet was advancing in the darkness +through the Gap to reinforce Jackson. + +Dick had found another horse belonging to a slain owner, and, in the +darkness, his heart full of bitterness, he rode back beside Colonel +Winchester toward Manassas. Could they never win a big victory in the +east? The men were brave and tenacious. They had proved it over and over +again, but they were always mismanaged. It seemed to him that they were +never sent to the right place at the right time. + +Nevertheless, many of the Northern generals, able and patriotic, +achieved great deeds before the dawn of that momentous morning. +Messengers were riding in the darkness in a zealous attempt to gather +the forces together. There was yet abundant hope that they could crush +Jackson before Lee came, and in the darkness brigade after brigade +marched toward Warrenton. + +Dick, after tasting all the bitterness of retreat, felt his hopes rise +again. They had not really been beaten. They had fought a superior force +of Jackson's own men to a standstill. He could never forget that. He +cherished it and rolled it under his tongue. It was an omen of what was +to come. If they could only get leaders of the first rank they would +soon end the war. + +He found himself laughing aloud in the anticipation of what Pope's Army +of Virginia would do in the coming day to the rebels. It might even +happen that McClellan with the Army of the Potomac would also come upon +the field. And then! Lee and Jackson thought they had Pope in a trap! +Pope and McClellan would have them between the hammer and the anvil, and +they would be pounded to pieces! + +"Here, stop that foolishness, Dick! Quit, I say, quit it at once!" + +It was Warner who was speaking, and he gripped Dick's arm hard, while he +peered anxiously into his face. + +"What's the matter with you?" he continued. "What do you find to laugh +at? Besides, I don't like the way you laugh." + +Dick shook himself, and then rubbed his hand across his brow. + +"Thanks, George," he said. "I'm glad you called me back to myself. I was +thinking what would happen to the enemy if McClellan and the Army of the +Potomac came up also, and I was laughing over it." + +"Well, the next time, don't you laugh at a thing until it happens. You +may have to take your laugh back." + +Dick shook himself again, and the nervous excitement passed. + +"You always give good advice, George," he said. "Do you know where we +are?" + +"I couldn't name the place, but we're not so far from Warrenton that we +can't get back there in a short time and tackle Jackson again. Dick, see +all those moving lights to right and left of us. They're the brigades +coming up in the night. Isn't it a weird and tremendous scene? You and I +and Pennington will see this night over and over again, many and many a +time." + +"It's so, George," said Dick, "I feel the truth of what you say all +through me. Listen to the rumble of the cannon wheels! I hear 'em on +both sides of us, and behind us, and I've no doubt, too, that it's going +on before us, where the Southerners are massing their batteries. How the +lights move! It's the field of Manassas again, and we're going to win +this time!" + +All of Dick's senses were excited once more, and everything he saw was +vivid and highly colored. Warner, cool of blood as he habitually was, +had no words of rebuke for him now, because he, too, was affected in the +same way. The fields and plains of Manassas were alive not alone with +marching armies, but the ghosts of those who had fallen there the year +before rose and walked again. + +Despite the darkness everything swelled into life again for Dick. Off +there was the little river of Manassas, Young's Branch, the railway +station, and the Henry House, around which the battle had raged so +fiercely. They would have won the victory then if it had not been for +Stonewall Jackson. If he had not been there the war would have been +ended on that sanguinary summer day. + +But Jackson was in front of them now, and they had him fast. Lee and +Jackson had thought to trap Pope, but Jackson himself was in the +trap, and they would destroy him utterly. His admiration for the great +Southern general had changed for the time into consuming rage. They must +overwhelm him, annihilate him, sweep him from the face of the earth. + +They mounted again and moved back, but did not go far. + +"Get down, Dick," said Colonel Winchester. "Here's food for us, and hot +coffee. I don't remember myself how long we've been in the saddle and +how long we've been without food, but we mustn't go into battle until +we've eaten." + +Dick was the last of the officers to dismount. He, too, did not remember +how long they had been in the saddle. He could not say at that moment, +whether it had been one night or two. He ate and drank mechanically, but +hungrily--the Union army nearly always had plenty of stores--and then he +felt better and stronger. + +A faint bluish tint was appearing under the gray horizon in the east. +Dick felt the touch of a light wind on his forehead. The dawn was +coming. + +Yes, the dawn was coming, but it was coming heavy with sinister omens +and the frown of battle. Before the bluish tint in the east had turned +to silver Dick heard the faint and far thudding of great guns, and +closer a heavy regular beat which he knew was the gallop of cavalry. +Surely the North could not fail now. Fierce anger against those who +would break up the Union surged up in him again. + +The gray came at last, driving the bluish tint away, and the sun rose +hot and bright over the field of Manassas which already had been +stained with the blood of one fierce battle. But now the armies were far +greater. Nearly a hundred and fifty thousand men were gathering for the +combat, and Dick was still hoping that McClellan would come with seventy +or eighty thousand more. But within the Confederate lines, where they +must always win and never lose, because losing meant to lose all there +was a stern determination to shatter Pope and his superior numbers +before McClellan could come. Never had the genius and resolution of the +two great Southern leaders burned more brightly. + +As the brazen sun swung slowly up Dick felt that the intense nervous +excitement he had felt the night before was seizing him again. The +officers of the regiment remained on foot. Colonel Winchester had sent +their horses away to some cavalrymen who had lost their own. He and his +staff and other officers, dismounted, could lead the men better into +battle. + +And that it was battle, great and bloody, the youngest of them all could +see. Never had an August day been brighter and hotter. Every object +seemed to swell into new size in the vivid and burning sunlight. Plain +before them lay Jackson's army. Two of his regiments were between them +and a turnpike that Dick remembered well. Off to the left ran the dark +masses in gray, until they ended against a thick wood. In the center was +a huge battery, and Dick from his position could see the mouths of the +cannon waiting for them. + +But he also saw the great line of the Northern Army. It was both deeper +and longer than that of the South, and he knew that the men were full of +resolve and courage. + +"How many have we got here?" Dick heard himself asking Warner. + +"Forty or fifty thousand, I suppose," he heard Warner replying, "and +before night there will be eighty thousand. Our line is two miles long +now. We ought to wrap around Jackson and crush him to death. Listen to +the bugles! What a mellow note! And how they draw men on to death! And +listen to the throbbing of the big cannon, too!" + +Warner's face was flushed. He had become excited, as the two armies +stood there, and looked at each other a moment or two like prize +fighters in the ring before closing in battle. Then they heard the order +to charge and far up and down the line their own cannon opened with a +crash so great that Dick and his comrades could not hear one another +talking. + +Then they charged. The whole army lifted itself up and rushed at the +enemy, animated by patriotism, the fire of battle and the desire for +revenge. Among the officers were Milroy and Schenck and others who had +been beaten by Jackson in the valley. There, too, was the brigade +of Germans whom Jackson had beaten at Cross Keyes. Many of them were +veterans of the sternest discipline known in Europe and they longed +fiercely for revenge. And there were more Germans, too, under +Schurz--hired Germans, fighting nearly a hundred years before to prevent +the Union--and free Germans now fighting to save it. + +Driven forward thus by all the motives that sway men in battle, the +Union army rushed upon Jackson. Confident from many victories and +trusting absolutely in their leader the Southern defense received the +mighty charge without flinching. The wood now swarmed with riflemen +and they filled the air with their bullets, so many of them that their +passage was like the continual rush of a hurricane. Along the whole line +came the same metallic scream, and the great battery in the center was a +volcano, pouring forth a fiery hurricane of shot and shell. + +Dick felt their front lines being shorn. Although he was untouched it +was an actual physical sensation. He could see but little save that +fearful blaze in their faces, and the cries of the wounded and dying +were drowned by the awful roar of so many cannon and rifles. + +The cloud of dust and smoke had become immense and overwhelming in an +instant, but it was pierced always in front by the blaze of fire, and +by its flaming light Dick saw the long lines of the Southern men, their +faces gray and fixed, as he knew those of his own comrades were. + +But the charge, brave, even reckless, failed. The brigades broke in vain +on Jackson's iron front. Riddled by the fire of the great battery and of +the riflemen they could not go on and live. The Germans had longed for +revenge, but they did not get it. The South Carolinians fell upon them +at the edge of the wood and hurled them back. They rallied, and charged +again, but again they were handled terribly, and were forced back by the +charging masses of the Southerners. + +Dick had been at Shiloh. He had seen the men of the west in a great +battle, and now he saw the men of the east in a battle yet greater. +There it had been largely in the forest, here it was mostly in the open, +yet he saw but little more. One of the extraordinary features of this +battle was dust. Trampled up from the dry fields by fighting men in +scores of thousands it rose in vast floating clouds that permeated +everything. It was even more persistent than the smoke. It clogged +Dick's throat. It stung and burnt him like powder. Often it filled his +eyes so completely that for a moment or two he could not see the blaze +of the cannon and rifle fire, almost in his face. + +But as they fell back he felt again that sensation of actual physical +pain, although he was still untouched. Added to it was an intense mental +anguish. They were failing! They had been driven back! They had not +crushed Jackson! He forgot all about Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades Warner and Pennington. He forgot all about his own danger in +this terrible reversal of his hopes, and he began to shout angrily at +the men to stand. He did not know by and by that no sound came from his +mouth, that words could not come from a throat so choked with dust and +burned gunpowder. + +But the charge was made again. The thudding great guns now told all the +Northern divisions where Jackson was. The eighty thousand men of Pope +were crowding forward to attack him, and the batteries were galloping +over the plateau to add to the volume of shot and shell that was poured +upon the Southern ranks. + +Dick was quite unconscious of the passage of time. Hope had sprung anew +in his breast. He heard a report that ten thousand fresh troops under +Kearney had arrived and were attacking the Southerners in the wood. +He knew by the immense volume of fire coming from that point that the +report was true, and he heard that McDowell, too, would soon be at hand +with nearly thirty thousand men. + +Then he saw Colonel Winchester, his face a mass of grime and his +clothing flecked with blood. But he did not seem to have suffered any +wound and he was calmly rallying his men. + +"It's hot!" Dick shouted, why he knew not. + +"Yes, my boy, and it will soon be hotter! Look at the new brigades +coming into battle! See them on both right and left! We'll crush Jackson +yet!" + +It was now mid-morning, and neither Colonel Winchester nor any other of +the Northern officers facing the Southern force knew that Lee and the +other Southern army was at hand. The front ranks of Longstreet were +already in battle, and the most difficult and dangerous of all tasks was +accomplished. Two armies coming from points widely divergent, but acting +in concert had joined upon the field of battle at the very moment when +the junction meant the most. Lee had come, but McClellan and the Army of +the Potomac were far away. + +Dick heard the trumpets calling again, and once more they charged, +hurling heavy masses now upon the wood, which was held by the Southern +general, A. P. Hill. Rifle fire gave way to bayonet charges by either +side, and after swaying back and forth the Union men held the wood for +a while, but at last they were driven out to stay, and as they retreated +cannon and rifles decimated their ranks. + +The regiment had suffered so terribly that after its retreat it was +compelled to lie down a while and rest. Dick gasped for breath, but he +was not as much excited as he had been earlier in the day. Perhaps one +can become hardened to anything. Although he and his immediate comrades +were resting he could see no diminution of the battle. + +As far to left and right as the eye reached, cannon and rifles blazed +and thundered. In front of their own exhausted regiment hundreds of +sharpshooters, creeping forward, were now pouring a deadly fire among +the Southern troops who held the wood. They were men of the west and +northwest, accustomed all their lives to the use of firearms, and if a +Confederate officer in the forest showed himself for a moment it was at +the risk of his life. Captains and lieutenants fell fast beneath the aim +of the sharpshooters. + +The burning sun was at the zenith, pouring fiery rays upon the vast +conflict which raged along a front of two miles. Pope himself was now +upon the field and his troops were pouring from every point to his aid. +So deadly was the fire of the sharpshooters that they regained the wood, +driving out the Southerners who had exhausted their cartridges. Hill's +division of the Confederates was almost cut to pieces by the cannon +and rifles, and the Southern leaders from their posts on the hills saw +brigades and regiments continually coming to the help of the North. + +Dick saw or rather felt the fortunes of the North rising again, and as +his regiment stood up for action once more he began to shout with the +others in triumph. The roar of the battle grew so steady that the voices +of men became audible and articulate beneath it. + +"They shut their trap down upon us, but we're breaking that trap all to +pieces," he heard Pennington say. + +"Looks as if we might win a victory," said the cooler Warner. + +Then he heard no more, as they were once again upon the enemy who +received them almost hand to hand, and the battle swelled anew. It was +now long past noon, and in that prodigious canopy of dust and fire and +smoke it seemed for a while that the Union army in truth had shattered +the trap. The men in gray were borne back by the courage and weight of +their opponents. Hooker, Kearney, Reynolds and all the gallant generals +of the North continually urged on their troops. Confidence in victory at +last passed through all the army, and incited it to greater efforts. + +But Jackson was undaunted. Never was he cooler. Never did his genius +shine more brilliantly. Never did any man in all the fury and turmoil +of battle, amid a thousand conflicting reports and appalling confusion, +have a keener perception, a greater power to sum up what was actually +passing, and a better knowledge of what to do. + +Lee was a mile away, standing on a wooded hill, the bearded Longstreet +by his side, watching the battle in his immediate front, where +accumulating masses under Pope's own eye were gathering. On the other +flank where Jackson stood and the conflict was heaviest he trusted all +to his great lieutenant and not in vain. + +Jackson had formed his plan. There came for a few moments a lull in the +battle which had now lasted nine hours, and then gathering a powerful +reserve he sent them charging through the wood with the bayonet. Dick +saw the massive line of glittering steel coming on at the double +quick and he felt his regiment giving back. The men could not help it. +Physically exhausted and with ammunition running low they slowly yielded +the wood. Many of the youths wept with rage, but although they had lost +thousands in five desperate charges they were compelled to see all five +fail. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Warner through the smoke. + +"It's true!" gasped Warner, "we didn't break the trap, Dick. But maybe +they'll succeed off there to the left! Our own commander is there, and +they say that Lee himself has come to the help of Jackson!" + +They had been driven back at all points and their own battle was dying, +but off to the left it thundered a while longer, and then as night +suddenly rushed over the field it, too, sank, leaving the hostile forces +on that wing also still face to face, but with the North pushed back. + +The coming of night was as sudden to Dick as if it had been the abrupt +dropping of a great dark blanket. In the fury of conflict he had not +noticed the gathering shadows in the west. The dimness around him, if +he had taken time to think about it, he would have ascribed to the vast +columns of dust that eddied and surged about. + +Again it was the dust that he felt and remembered. The surging back and +forth of seven score thousand men, the tread of horses and the wheels +of hundreds of cannon raised it in such quantities that it covered the +forest and the armies with a vast whitish curtain. Even in the darkness +it showed dim and ghastly like a funeral veil. + +Out of that fatal forest came a dreadful moaning. Dick did not know +whether it was the wind among the leaves or the dying. Once more the +ghosts of the year before walked the fatal field, but the ghosts of this +year would be a far greater company. They had not broken the trap and +Dick knew that the battle was far from over. + +It would be renewed in the morning with greater fierceness than ever, +but he was grateful for the present darkness and rest. He and his +comrades had thrown themselves upon the ground, and they felt as if they +could never move again. Their bones did not ache. They merely felt dead +within them. + +Dick was roused after a long time. The camp cooks were bringing food +and coffee. He saw a figure lying at his feet as still as death, and he +shoved it with his foot. + +"Get up, Frank," he said. "You're not dead." + +"No, I'm not, but I'm as good as dead. You just let me finish dying in +peace." + +Dick shoved him again and Pennington sat up. When he saw the food and +coffee he suddenly remembered to be hungry. Warner was already eating +and drinking. Off to the left they still heard cannon and rifles, +although the sound was sinking. Occasionally flashes from the mouths of +the great guns illumined the darkness. + +Dick did not know what time it was. He had no idea how long he had +been lying upon the ground panting, the air surcharged with menace and +suspense. The vast clouds of dust, impregnated with burned gunpowder +still floated about, and it scorched his mouth and throat as he breathed +it. + +The boys, after eating and drinking lay down again. They still heard the +firing of pickets, but it was no more than the buzzing of bees to them, +and after a while they fell into the sleep of nervous and physical +exhaustion. But while many of the soldiers slept all of the generals +were awake. + +It was a singular fact but in the night that divided the great battle +of the Second Manassas into two days both sides were full of confidence. +Jackson's men, who had borne the brunt of the first day, rested upon +their arms and awaited the dawn with implicit confidence in their +leader. On the other flank Lee and Longstreet were massing their men for +a fresh attack. + +The losses within the Union lines were replaced by reinforcements. Pope +rode among them, sanguine, full of hope, telegraphing to Washington that +the enemy had lost two to his one, and that Lee was retreating toward +the mountains. + +Dick slept uneasily through the night, and rose to another hot August +sun. Then the two armies looked at each other and it seemed that each +was waiting for the other to begin, as the morning hours dragged on and +only the skirmishers were busy. During this comparative peace, the heavy +clouds of dust were not floating about, and Dick whose body had come to +life again walked back and forth with his colonel, gazing through their +glasses at the enemy. He scarcely noticed it, but Colonel Winchester's +manner toward him had become paternal. The boy merely ascribed it to the +friendly feeling an officer would feel for a faithful aide, but he knew +that he had in his colonel one to whom he could speak both as a friend +and a protector. Walking together they talked freely of the enemy who +stood before them in such an imposing array. + +"Colonel," said Dick, "do you think General Pope is correct in stating +that one wing of the Southern army is already retreating through +Thoroughfare Gap?" + +"I don't, Dick. I don't think it is even remotely probable. I'm quite +sure, too, that we have the whole Confederate army in front of us. We'll +have to beat both Lee and Jackson, if we can." + +"Where do you think the main attack will be?" + +"On Jackson, who is still in front of us. But we have waited a long +time. It must be full noon now." + +"It is past noon, sir, but I hear the trumpets, calling up our men." + +"They are calling to us, too." + +The regiment shifted a little to the right, where a great column was +forming for a direct attack upon the Confederate lines. Twenty thousand +men stood in a vast line and forty thousand were behind them to march in +support. + +Dick had thought that he would be insensible to emotions, but his heart +began to throb again. The spectacle thrilled and awed him--the great +army marching to the attack and the resolute army awaiting it. Soon he +heard behind him the firing of the artillery which sent shot and shell +over their heads at the enemy. A dozen cannon came into action, then +twenty, fifty, a hundred and more, and the earth trembled with the +mighty concussion. + +Dick felt the surge of triumph. They had yet met no answering fire. +Perhaps General Pope and not Colonel Winchester had been right after +all, and the Confederates were crushed. Awaiting them was only a rear +guard which would flee at the first flash of the bayonets in the wood. + +The great line marched steadily onward, and the cannon thundered and +roared over the heads of the men raking the wood with steel. Still +no reply. Surely the sixty thousand Union men would now march over +everything. They were driving in the swarms of skirmishers. Dick could +see them retreating everywhere, in the wood over the hills and along an +embankment. + +Warner was on his right and Pennington on his left. Dick glanced at them +and he saw the belief in speedy victory expressed on the faces of both. +It seemed to him, too, that nothing could now stop the massive +columns that Pope was sending forward against the thinned ranks of the +Confederates. + +They were much nearer and he saw gray lines along an embankment and in +a wood. Then above the crash and thunder of their covering artillery he +heard another sound. It was the Southern bugles calling with a piercing +note to their own men just as the Northern trumpets had called. + +Dick saw a great gray multitude suddenly pour forward. It looked to him +in the blur and the smoke like an avalanche, and in truth it was a human +avalanche, a far greater force of the South than they expected to +meet there. Directly in front of the Union column stood the Stonewall +Brigade, and all the chosen veterans of Stonewall Jackson's army. + +"It's a fight, face to face," Dick heard Colonel Winchester say. + +Then he saw a Union officer, whose name he did not know suddenly gallop +out in front of the division, wave his saber over his head and shout +the charge. A tremendous rolling cry came from the blue ranks and Dick +physically felt the whole division leap forward and rush at the enemy. + +Dick saw the officer who had made himself the leader of the charge +gallop straight at a breastwork that the Southerners had built, reach +and stand, horse and rider, a moment at the top, then both fall in +a limp heap. The next instant the officer, not dead but wounded, was +dragged a prisoner behind the embankment by generous foes who had +refused to shoot at him until compelled to do so. + +The Union men, with a roar, followed their champion, and Dick felt a +very storm burst upon them. The Southerners had thrown up earthworks at +midnight and thousands of riflemen lying behind them sent in a fire at +short range that caused the first Union line to go down like falling +grain. Cannon from the wood and elsewhere raked them through and +through. + +It was a vortex of fire and death. The Confederates themselves were +losing heavily, but taught by the stern Jackson and knowing that his eye +was upon them they refused to yield. The Northern charge broke on their +front, but the men did not retreat far. The shrill trumpet called them +back to the charge, and once more the blue masses hurled themselves upon +the barrier of fire and steel, to break again, and to come yet a third +time at the trumpet's call. Often the combatants were within ten yards +of one another, but strive as they would the Union columns could not +break through the Confederate defense. + +Elsewhere the men of Hill and Longstreet showed a sternness and valor +equal to that of Jackson's. Their ranks held firm everywhere, and now, +as the long afternoon drew on, the eye of Lee, watching every rising +and falling wave of the battle, saw his chance. He drew his batteries +together in great masses and as the last charge broke on Jackson's lines +the trumpets sounded the charge for the Southern troops who hitherto had +stood on the defensive. + +Dick heard a tremendous shout, the great rebel yell, that he had heard +so often before, and that he was destined to hear so often again. +Through the clouds of smoke and dust he saw the long lines of Southern +bayonets advancing swiftly. His regiment, which had already lost more +than half its numbers, was borne back by an appalling weight. + +Then hope deserted the boy for the first time. The Union was not to be +saved here on this field. It was instead another lost Manassas, but far +greater than the first. The genius of Lee and Jackson which bore up +the Confederacy was triumphing once again. Dick shut his teeth in grim +despair. He heard the triumphant shouts of the advancing enemy, and he +saw that not only his own regiment, but the whole Northern line, was +being driven back, slowly it is true, but they were going. + +Now at the critical moment, Lee was hurling forward every man and gun. +Although his army was inferior in numbers he was always superior at the +point of contact, and his exultant veterans pressed harder and harder +upon their weakening foes. Only the artillery behind them now protected +Dick and his comrades. But the Confederates still came with a rush. + +Jackson was leading on his own men who had stood so long on the +defensive. The retreating Union line was broken, guns were lost, and +there was a vast turmoil and confusion. Yet out of it some order finally +emerged, and although the Union army was now driven back at every point +it inflicted heavy losses upon its foe, and under the lead of brave +commanders great masses gathered upon the famous Henry Hill, resolved, +although they could not prevent defeat, to save the army from +destruction. + +Night was coming down for the second time upon the field of battle, lost +to the North, although the North was ready to fight again. + +Lee and Jackson looked upon the heavy Union masses gathered at the Henry +Hill, and then looking at the coming darkness they stopped the attack. +Night heavier than usual came down over the field, covering with +its friendly veil those who had lost and those who had won, and the +twenty-five thousand who had fallen. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + +As the night settled down, heavy and dark, and the sounds of firing +died away along the great line, Dick again sank to the ground exhausted. +Although the battle itself had ceased, it seemed to him that the drums +of his ears still reproduced its thunder and roar, or at least the echo +of it was left upon the brain. + +He lay upon the dry grass, and although the night was again hot and +breathless, surcharged with smoke and dust and fire, he felt a +chill that went to the bone, and he trembled all over. Then a cold +perspiration broke out upon him. It was the collapse after two days of +tremendous exertion, excitement and anxiety. He did not move for eight +or ten minutes, blind to everything that was going on about him, and +then through the darkness he saw Colonel Winchester standing by and +looking down at him. + +"Are you all right, Dick, my boy?" the colonel asked. + +"Yes, sir," replied Dick, as his pride made him drag himself to his +feet. "I'm not wounded at all. I was just clean played out." + +"You're lucky to get off so well," said the colonel, smiling sadly. +"We've lost many thousands and we've lost the battle, too. The killed or +wounded in my regiment number more than two-thirds." + +"Have you seen anything of Warner and Pennington, sir? I lost sight of +them in that last terrible attack." + +"Pennington is here. He has had a bullet through the fleshy part of his +left arm, but he's so healthy it won't take him long to get well. I'm +sorry to say that Warner is missing." + +"Missing, sir? You don't say that George has been killed?" + +"I don't say it. I'm hoping instead that he's been captured." + +Dick knew what the colonel meant. In Colonel Winchester's opinion only +two things, death or capture, could keep Warner from being with them. + +"Maybe he will come in yet," he said. "We were mixed up a good deal when +the darkness fell, and he may have trouble in finding our position." + +"That's true. There are not so many of us left, and we do not cover any +great area of ground. Lie still, Dick, and take a little rest. We +don't know what's going to happen in the night. We may have to do more +fighting yet, despite the darkness." + +The colonel's figure disappeared in the shadow, and Dick, following his +advice, lay quiet. All around him were other forms stretched upon the +earth, motionless. But Dick knew they were not dead, merely sleeping. +His own nervous system was being restored by youth and the habit +of courage. Yet he felt a personal grief, and it grew stronger with +returning physical strength. Warner, his comrade, knitted to him by ties +of hardship and danger, was missing, dead no doubt in the battle. For +the moment he forgot about the defeat. All his thoughts were for the +brave youth who lay out there somewhere, stretched on the dusty field. + +Dick strained his eyes into the darkness, as if by straining he might +see where Warner lay. He saw, indeed, dim fires here and there along a +long line, marking where the Confederates now stood, or rather lay. Then +a bitter pang came. It was ground upon which the Union army had stood in +the morning. + +The rifle fire, which had died down, began again in a fitful way. Far +off, skirmishers, not satisfied with the slaughter of the day, were +seeing what harm they could do in the dark. Somewhere the plumed and +unresting Stuart was charging with his horsemen, driving back some +portion of the Union army that the Confederate forces might be on their +flank in the morning. + +But Dick, as he lay quietly and felt his strength, mental and physical, +returning, was taking a resolution. Down there in front of them and in +the darkness was the wood upon which they had made five great assaults, +all to fail. In front of that mournful forest, and within its edge, more +than ten thousand men had fallen. He had no doubt that Warner was among +them. + +His sense of direction was good, and, as his blurred faculties regained +their normal keenness, he could mark the exact line by which they +had advanced, and the exact line by which they had retreated. Warner +unquestionably lay near the edge of the wood and he must seek him. Were +it the other way, Warner would do the same. + +Dick stood up. He was no longer dizzy, and every muscle felt steady and +strong. He did not know what had become of Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades still lay upon the ground in a deep stupor. + +It could not be a night of order and precision, with every man numbered +and in his place, as if they were going to begin a battle instead of +just having finished one, and Dick, leaving his comrades, walked calmly +toward the wood. He passed one sentinel, but a few words satisfied him, +and he continued to advance. Far to right and left he still heard the +sound of firing and saw the flash of guns, but these facts did not +disturb him. In front of him lay darkness and silence, with the horizon +bounded by that saddest of all woods where the heaped dead lay. + +Dick looked back toward the Henry Hill, on the slopes of which were the +fragments of his own regiment. Lights were moving there, but they were +so dim they showed nothing. Then he turned his face toward the enemy's +position and did not look back again. + +The character of the night was changing. It had come on dark and heavy. +Hot and breathless like the one before, he had taken no notice of the +change save for the increased darkness. Now he felt a sudden damp touch +on his face, as if a wet finger had been laid there. The faintest of +winds had blown for a moment or two, and when Dick looked up, he saw +that the sky was covered with black clouds. The saddest of woods had +moved far away, but by some sort of optical illusion he could yet see +it. + +Save for the distant flash of random firing, the darkness was intense. +Every star was gone, and Dick moved without any guide. But he needed +none. His course was fixed. He could not miss the mournful wood hanging +there like a pall on the horizon. + +His feet struck against something. It was a man, but he was past all +feeling, and Dick went on, striking by and by against many more. It was +impossible at the moment to see Warner's face, but he began to feel +of the figures with his hands. There was none so long and slender as +Warner's, and he continued his search, moving steadily toward the wood. + +He saw presently a lantern moving over the field, and he walked toward +it. Three men were with the lantern, and the one who carried it held it +up as he approached. The beams fell directly upon Dick, revealing his +pale face and torn and dusty uniform. + +"What do you want, Yank?" called the man. + +"I'm looking for a friend of mine who must have fallen somewhere near +here." + +The man laughed, but it was not a laugh of joy or irony. It was a laugh +of pity and sadness. + +"You've shorely got a big look comin'," he said. "They're scattered all +around here, coverin' acres an' acres, just like dead leaves shook by +a storm from the trees. But j'in us, Yank. You can't do nothin' in the +darkness all by yourself. We're Johnny Rebs, good and true, and I may +be shootin' straight at you to-morrow mornin', but I reckon I've got +nothin' ag'in you now. We're lookin' for a brother o' mine." + +Dick joined them, and the four, the three in gray and the one in blue, +moved on. A friendly current had passed between him and them, and there +would be no thought of hostility until the morning, when it would come +again. It was often so in this war, when men of the same blood met in +the night between battles. + +"What sort of a fellow is it that you're lookin' for?" asked the man +with the lantern. + +"About my age. Very tall and thin. You could mark him by his height." + +"It takes different kinds of people to make the world. My brother ain't +like him a-tall. Sam's short, an' thick as a buffalo. Weighs two twenty +with no fat on him. What crowd do you belong to, youngster?" + +"The division on our right. We attacked the wood there." + +"Well, you're a bully boy. Give me your hand, if you are a Yank. You +shorely came right up there and looked us in the eyes. How often did you +charge us?" + +"Five times, I think. But I may be mistaken. You know it wasn't a day +when a fellow could be very particular about his count." + +"Guess you're right there. I made it five. What do you say, Jim?" + +"Five she was." + +"That settles it. Jim kin always count up to five an' never make a +mistake. What you fellers goin' to do in the mornin'?" + +"I don't know." + +"Pope ain't asked you yet what to do. Well, Bobby Lee and Old Stonewall +ain't been lookin' for me either to get my advice, but, Yank, you +fellers do just what I tell you." + +"What's that?" + +"Pack up your clothes before daylight, say good-bye, and go back +to Washington. You needn't think you kin ever lick Marse Bobby an' +Stonewall Jackson." + +"But what if we do think it? We've got a big army back there yet, and +more are always coming to us. We'll beat you yet." + +"There seems to be a pow'ful wide difference in our opinions, an' +I can't persuade you an' you can't persuade me. We'll just let the +question rip. I'm glad, after all, Yank, it's so dark. I don't want to +see ten thousand dead men stretched out in rows." + +"We're going to get a wettin'," said the man to Jim. "The air's +already damp on my face. Thar, do you hear that thunder growlin' in the +southwest? Tremenjously like cannon far away, but it's thunder all the +same." + +"What do we care 'bout a wettin', Jim? Fur the last few days this young +Yank here an' his comrades have shot at me 'bout a million cannon balls +an' shells, an' more 'n a hundred million rifle bullets. Leastways I +felt as if they was all aimed at me, which is just as bad. After bein' +drenched fur two days with a storm of steel an' lead an' fire, what do +you think I care for a summer shower of rain, just drops of rain?" + +"But I don't like to get wet after havin' fit so hard. It's unhealthy, +likely to give me a cold." + +"Never min' 'bout ketchin' cold. You're goin' to get wet, shore. +Thunder, but I thought fur a second that was the flash of a hull +battery aimed at me. Fellers, if you wasn't with me I'd be plumb scared, +prowlin' 'roun' here in a big storm on the biggest graveyard in the +world. Keep close, Yank, we don't want to lose you in the dark." + +A tremendous flash of lightning had cut the sky down the middle, as if +it intended to divide the world in two halves, but after its passage the +darkness closed in thicker and heavier than ever. The sinister sound of +thunder muttering on the horizon now went on without ceasing. + +Dick was awed. Like many another his brain exposed to such tremendous +pressure for two or three days, was not quite normal. It was quickly +heated and excited by fancies, and time and place alone were enough to +weigh down even the coolest and most seasoned. He pressed close to his +Confederate friends, whose names he never knew, and who never knew his, +and they, feeling the same influence, never for an instant left the man +who held the lantern. + +The muttering thunder now came closer and broke in terrible crashes. The +lightning flashed again and again so vividly that Dick, with involuntary +motion, threw up his hands to shelter his eyes. But he could see before +him the mournful forest, where so many good men had fallen, and, turned +red in the gleam of the lightning, it was more terrifying than it had +been in the mere black of the night. The wind, too, was now blowing, +and the forest gave forth what Dick's ears turned into a long despairing +wail. + +"She's about to bust," said the lantern bearer, looking up at the +menacing sky. "Jim, you'll have to take your wettin' as it comes." + +A moment later the storm burst in fact. The rain rushed down on them, +soaking them through in an instant, but Dick, so far from caring, liked +it. It cooled his heated body and brain, and he knew that it was more +likely to help than hurt the wounded who yet lay on the ground. + +The lightning ceased before the sweep of the rain, but the lantern was +well protected by its glass cover, and they still searched. The lantern +bearer suddenly uttered a low cry. + +"Boys!" he said, "Here's Sam!" + +A thick and uncommonly powerful man lay doubled up against a bush. His +face was white. Dick saw that blood had just been washed from it by +the rain. But he could see no rising and falling of the chest, and he +concluded that he was dead. + +"Take the lantern, Jim," said the leader. Then he knelt down and put his +finger on his brother's wrist. + +"He ain't dead," he said at last. "His pulse is beatin' an' he'll come +to soon. The rain helped him. Whar was he hit? By gum, here it is! A +bullet has ploughed all along the side of his head, runnin' 'roun' his +skull. Here, you Yank, did you think you could kill Sam by shootin' him +in the head with a bullet? We've stood him up in front of our lines, and +let you fellows break fifty pound shells on his head. You never done him +no harm, 'cept once when two solid shot struck him at the same time an' +he had a headache nigh until sundown. Besides havin' natural thickness +of the skull Sam trained his head by buttin' with the black boys when he +was young." + +Dick saw that the man really felt deep emotion and was chattering, +partly to hide it. He was glad that they had found his brother, and +he helped them to lift him. Then they rubbed Sam's wrists and poured a +stimulant down his throat. In a few minutes he stood alone on his feet, +yawned mightily, and by the light of the dim lantern gazed at them in a +sort of stupid wonder. + +"What's happened?" he asked. + +"What's happened?" replied his brother. "You was always late with the +news, Sam. Of course you've been takin' a nap, but a lot has happened. +We met the Yankees an' we've been fightin' 'em for two days. Tremenjous +big battle, an' we've whipped 'em. 'Scuse me, Yank, I forgot you was +with us. Well, nigh onto a million have been killed, which ought to be +enough for anybody. I love my country, but I don't care to love another +at such a price. But resumin' 'bout you pussonally, Sam, you stopped +so many shells an' solid shot with that thick head of yourn that the +concussion at last put you to sleep, an' we've found you so we kin take +you in out of the wet an' let you sleep in a dry place. Kin you walk?" + +Sam made an effort, but staggered badly. + +"Jim, you an' Dave take him by each shoulder an' walk him back to camp," +said the lantern bearer. "You jest keep straight ahead an' you'll butt +into Marse Bob or old Stonewall, one or the other." + +"You lead the way with the lantern." + +"Never you mind about me or the lantern." + +"What you goin' to do?" + +"Me? I'm goin' to keep this lantern an' help Yank here find his friend. +Ain't he done stuck with us till we found Sam, an' I reckon I'll stick +with him till he gits the boy he's lookin for, dead or alive. Now, you +keep Sam straight, and walk him back to camp. He ain't hurt. Why, that +bullet didn't dent his skull. It said to itself when it came smack up +against the bone: 'This is too tough for me, I guess I'll go 'roun'.' +An' it did go 'roun'. You can see whar it come out of the flesh on +the other side. Why, by the time Sam was fourteen years old we quit +splittin' old boards with an axe or a hatchet. We jest let Sam set on a +log an' we split 'em over his head. Everybody was suited. Sam could make +himself pow'ful useful without havin' to work." + +Nevertheless, the lantern bearer gave his brother the tenderest care, +and watched him until he and the men on either side of him were lost in +the darkness as they walked toward the Southern camp. + +"I jest had to come an' find old Sam, dead or alive," he said. "Now, +which way, Yank, do you think this friend of yours is layin'?" + +"But you're comin' with us," repeated Jim. + +"No, I'm not. Didn't Yank here help us find Sam? An' are we to let the +Yanks give us lessons in manners? I reckon not. 'Sides, he's only a boy, +an' I'm goin' to see him through." + +"I thank you," said Dick, much moved. + +"Don't thank me too much, 'cause while I'm walkin' 'roun' with you +friendly like to-night I may shoot you to-morrow." + +"I thank you, all the same," said Dick, his gratitude in nowise +diminished. + +"Them that will stir no more are layin' mighty thick 'roun' here, but +we ought to find your friend pretty soon. By gum, how it rains! W'all, +it'll wash away some big stains, that wouldn't look nice in the mornin'. +Say, sonny, what started this rumpus, anyway?" + +"I don't know." + +"An' I don't, either, so I guess it's hoss an' hoss with you an' me. +But, sonny, I'll bet you a cracker ag'in a barrel of beef that none of +them that did start the rumpus are a-layin' on this field to-night. What +kind of lookin' feller did you say your young friend was?" + +"Very tall, very thin, and about my age or perhaps a year or two older." + +"Take a good look, an' see if this ain't him." + +He held up the lantern and the beams fell upon a long figure half +raised upon an elbow. The figure was turned toward the light and stared +unknowing at Dick and the Southerner. There was a great clot of blood +upon his right breast and shoulder, but it was Warner. Dick swallowed +hard. + +"Yes," he said, "it's my comrade, but he's hurt badly." + +"So bad that he don't know you or anybody else. He's clean out of his +head." + +They leaned over him, and Dick called: + +"George! George! It's Dick Mason, your comrade, come to help you back to +camp!" + +But Warner merely stared with feverish, unseeing eyes. + +"He's out of his head, as I told you, an' he's like to be for many +hours," said the lantern bearer. "It's a shore thing that I won't shoot +him to-morrow, nor he won't shoot me." + +He leaned over Warner and carefully examined the wound. + +"He's lucky, after all," he said, "the bullet went in just under the +right shoulder, but it curved, as bullets have a way of doin' sometimes, +an' has come out on the side. There ain't no lead in him now, which is +good. He was pow'ful lucky, too, in not bein' hit in the head, 'cause he +ain't got no such skull as Sam has, not within a mile of it. His skull +wouldn't have turned no bullet. He has lost a power of blood, but if you +kin get him back to camp, an' use the med'cines which you Yanks have in +such lots an' which we haven't, he may get well." + +"That's good advice," said Dick. "Help me up with him." + +"Take him on your back. That's the best way to carry a sick man." + +He set down his lantern, took up Warner bodily and put him on Dick's +back. + +"I guess you can carry him all right," he said. "I'd light you with the +lantern a piece of the way, but I've been out here long enough. Marse +Bob an' old Stonewall will get tired waitin' fur me to tell 'em how to +end this war in a month." + +Dick, holding Warner in place with one hand, held out the other, and +said: + +"You're a white man, through and through, Johnny Reb. Shake!" + +"So are you, Yank. There's nothin' wrong with you 'cept that you +happened to get on the wrong side, an' I don't hold that ag'in you. I +guess it was an innercent mistake." + +"Good-bye." + +"Good-bye. Keep straight ahead an' you'll strike that camp of yourn that +we're goin' to take in the mornin'. Gosh, how it rains!" + +Dick retained his idea of direction, and he walked straight through the +darkness toward the Northern camp. George was a heavy load, but he did +not struggle. His head sank down against his comrade's and Dick felt +that it was burning with fever. + +"Good old George," he murmured to himself rather than to his comrade, +"I'll save you." + +Excitement and resolve had given him a strength twice the normal, a +strength that would last the fifteen or twenty minutes needed until this +task was finished. Despite the darkness and the driving rain, he could +now see the lights in his own camp, and bending forward a little to +support the dead weight on his back, he walked in a straight course +toward them. + +"Halt! Who are you?" + +The form of a sentinel, rifle raised, rose up before him in the darkness +and the rain. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment, bringing in +Lieutenant George Warner of the same regiment, who is badly wounded." + +The sentinel lowered his rifle and looked at them sympathetically. + +"Hangs like he's dead, but he ain't," he said. "You'll find a sort of +hospital over thar in the big tents among them trees." + +Dick found the improvised hospital, and put George down on a rude cot, +within the shelter of one of the tents. + +"He's my friend," he said to a young doctor, "and I wish you'd save +him." + +"There are hundreds of others who have friends also, but I'll do my +best. Shot just under the right shoulder, but the bullet, luckily, has +turned and gone out. It's loss of blood that hurt him most. You soldiers +kill more men than we doctors can save. I'm bound to say that. But your +friend won't die. I'll see to it." + +"Thank you," said Dick. He saw that the doctor was kind-hearted, and a +marvel of endurance and industry. He could not ask for more at such a +time, and he went out of the tent, leaving George to his care. + +It was still raining, but the soldiers managed to keep many fires +going, despite it, and Dick passed between them as he sought Colonel +Winchester, and the fragments of his regiment. He found the colonel +wrapped in a greatcoat, leaning against a tree under a few feet of +canvas supported on sticks. Pennington, sound asleep, sat on a root of +the same tree, also under the canvas, but with the rain beating on his +left arm and shoulder. + +Colonel Winchester looked inquiringly at Dick, but said nothing. + +"I've been away without leave, sir," said Dick, "but I think I have +sufficient excuse." + +"What is it?" + +"I've brought in Warner." + +"Ah! Is he dead?" + +"No, sir. He's had a bullet through him and he's feverish and +unconscious, but the doctor says that with care he'll get well." + +"Where did you find him?" + +"Over there by the edge of the wood, sir, within what is now the +Confederate lines." + +"A credit to your courage and to your heart. Sit down here. There's a +little more shelter under the canvas, and go to sleep. You're too much +hardened now to be hurt seriously by wet clothes." + +Dick sat down with his back against the tree, and, despite his soaked +condition, slept as soundly as Pennington. When he awoke in the morning +the hot sun was shining again, and his clothes soon dried on him. He +felt a little stiffness and awkwardness at first, but in a few minutes +it passed away. Then breakfast restored his strength, and he looked +curiously about him. + +Around him was the Northern army, and before him was the vast +battlefield, now occupied by the foe. He heard sounds of distant rifle +shots, indicating that the skirmishers were still restless, but it was +no more now than the buzzing of flies. Pennington, coming back from the +hospital, hailed him. + +"George has come to," he said. "Great deed of yours last night, Dick. +Wish I'd done it myself. They let old George talk just a little, but +he's his real old Vermont self again. Says chances were ninety-nine and +a half per cent that he would die there on the battlefield, but that the +half per cent, which was yourself, won. Fancy being only half of one +per cent, and doing a thing like that. No, you can't see him. Only one +visitor was allowed, and that's me. His fever is leaving him, and he +swallowed a little soup. Now, he's going to sleep." + +Dick felt very grateful. Pennington had been up some time, and as they +sat down in the sun he gave Dick the news. + +"It was a bad night," he said. "After you staggered in with George, +the rebels, in spite of the rain, harassed us. I was waked up after +midnight, and the colonel began to believe that we would have to fight +again before morning, though the need didn't come, so far as we were +concerned. But we were terribly worried on the flanks. They say it was +Stuart and his cavalry who were bothering us." + +"What's the outlook for to-day?" + +"I don't know. I hear that General Pope has sent a dispatch saying +that the enemy is badly whipped, and that we'll hold our own here. But +between you and me, Dick, I don't believe it. We've been driven out of +all our positions, so we can hardly call it a victory for our side." + +"But we may hold on where we are and win a victory yet. McClellan +and the Army of the Potomac may come. Anyway, we can get big +reinforcements." + +Pennington clasped his arms over his knees and sang: + + "The race is not to him that's got + The longest legs to run, + Nor the battle to those people + That shoot the biggest gun." + +"Where did you get that song?" asked Dick. "I'll allow, under the +circumstances, that there seems to be some sense in it." + +"A Texan that we captured last night sang it to us. He was a funny kind +of fellow. Didn't seem to be worried a bit because he was taken. Said +if his own people didn't retake him that he'd escape in a week, anyhow. +Likely enough he will, too. But he was good company, and he sang us that +song. Impudent, wasn't he?" + +"But true so far, at least in the east. I fancy from what you say, +Frank, that we'll be here a day longer anyhow. I hope so, I want to +rest." + +"So do I. I won't fight to-day, unless I'm ordered to do it. But I'm +thinking with you, Dick, that we'll retreat. We were outmaneuvered by +Lee and Jackson. That circuit of Jackson's through Thoroughfare Gap and +the attack from the rear undid us. It comes of being kept in the dark by +the enemy, instead of your keeping him in the dark. We never knew where +the blow was going to fall, and when it fell a lot of us weren't there. +But, Dick, old boy, we're going to win, in the end, aren't we, in spite +of Lee, in spite of Jackson, and in spite of everybody and everything?" + +"As surely as the rising and setting of the sun, Frank." + +Although Dick had little to do that day, events were occurring. It was +in the minds of Lee and Jackson that they might yet destroy the army +which they had already defeated, and heavy divisions of the Southern +army were moving. Dick heard about night that Jackson had marched ten +miles, through fields deep in mud, and meant to fall on Pope's flank or +rear again. Stuart and his unresting cavalry were also on their right +flank and in the rear, doing damage everywhere. Longstreet had sent +a brigade across Bull Run, and at many points the enemy was pressing +closer. + +The next morning, Pope, alarmed by all the sinister movements on his +flanks and in his rear, gathered up his army and retreated. It was full +time or the vise would have shut down on him again. Late that day the +division under Kearney came into contact with Jackson's flanking force +in the forest. A short but fierce battle ensued, fought in the night +and amid new torrents of driving rain. General Kearney was killed by a +skirmisher, but the night and the rain grew so dense, and they were +in such a tangle of thickets and forests that both sides drew off, and +Pope's army passed on. + +Dick was not in this battle, but he heard it's crash and roar above the +sweep of the storm. He and the balance of the regiment were helping to +guard the long train of the wounded. Now and then, he leaned from his +horse and looked at Warner who lay in one of the covered wagons. + +"I'm getting along all right, Dick, old man," said Warner. "What's all +that firing off toward the woods?" + +"A battle, but it won't stop us. We retreated in time." + +"And we've been defeated. Well, we can stand it. It takes a good nation +to stand big defeats. You know I taught school once, Dick, and I learned +that the biggest nation the world has ever known was the one that +suffered the biggest defeats. Look at the terrible knocks the Romans +got! Why the Gauls nearly ate 'em alive two or three times, and for +years Hannibal whipped 'em every time he could get at 'em. But they +ended by whipping everybody who had whipped them. They whipped the whole +world, and they kept it whipped until they played out from old age." + +Dick laughed cheerily. + +"Now, you shut up, George," he said. "You've talked too much. What's +the use of going back as far as the old Romans for comfort. We can win +without having to copy a lot of old timers." + +He dropped the flap of canvas and rode on listening to the sounds of the +combat. A powerful figure stepped out of the bushes and stood beside +his horse. It was Sergeant Whitley, who had passed through the battle +without a scratch. + +"What has happened, Sergeant?" asked Dick, as he sat in the rain and +listened to the dying fire. + +"There has been a fight, and both are quitting because they can't see +enough to carry it on any longer. But General Kearney has been killed." + +The retreat continued until they reached the Potomac and were in the +great fortifications before Washington. Then Pope resigned, and the star +of McClellan rose again. The command of the armies about Washington +was entrusted to him, and the North gathered itself anew for the mighty +struggle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + + +When the Union army, defeated at the Second Manassas fell back on +Washington, Dick was detached for a few days from the regiment by +Colonel Winchester, partly that he might have a day or two of leave, and +partly that he might watch over Warner, who was making good progress. + +Warner was in a wagon that contained half a dozen other wounded men, or +rather boys, and they were all silent like stoics as they passed over +the bridge to a hospital in Washington. His side and shoulder pained +him, and he had recurrent periods of fever, but he was making fine +progress. + +Dick found his comrade on a small cot among dozens of others in a great +room. But George's cot was near a window and the pleasant sunshine +poured in. It was now the opening of September, and the hot days were +passing. There was a new sparkle and crispness in the air, and Warner, +wounded as he was, felt it. + +"We're back in the capital to enjoy ourselves a while," he said +lightly to Dick, "and I'm glad to see that the weather will be fine for +sight-seeing." + +"Yes, here we are," said Dick. "The Johnnies beat us this time. They +didn't outfight us, but they had the best generals. As soon as you're +well, George, we'll start out again and lick 'em." + +"I'm glad you told 'em to wait for me, Dick. That's what you ought to +do. I hear that McClellan is at the head of things again." + +"Yes, the Army of the Potomac is to the front once more, and it's +taken over the Army of Virginia. We hear that Pope is going out to the +northwest to fight Indians." + +"McClellan is not likely to be trapped as Pope was, but he's so +tremendously cautious that he'll never trap anything himself. Now, which +kind of a general would you choose, Dick?" + +"As between those two I'll take McClellan. The soldiers at least like +him and believe in him. And George, our man in the east hasn't come yet. +The generals we've had don't hammer. They don't concentrate, rush right +in and rain blows on the enemy." + +"Do you think you know the right man, Dick?" + +"I'm making a guess. It's Grant. We saw him at Donelson and Shiloh. +Surprised at both places, he won anyhow. He wouldn't be beat. That's the +kind of man we want here in the east." + +"You may be right, Dick, but the politicians in this part of the country +all run him down. Halleck has been transferred to Washington as a sort +of general commander and adviser to the President, and they say he +doesn't like Grant." + +Further talk was cut short by a young army surgeon, and Dick left +George, saying that he would come back the next day. The streets of +Washington were full of sunshine, but not of hope and cheerfulness. +The most terrible suspense reigned there. Never before or since was +Washington in such alarm. A hostile and victorious army was within a +day's march. Pope almost to the last had talked of victory. Then came a +telegram, asking if the capital could be defended in case his army was +destroyed. Next came the army preceded by thousands of stragglers and +heralds of disaster. + +The people were dropped from the golden clouds of hope to the hard earth +of despair. They strained their eyes toward Manassas, where the flag of +the Union had twice gone down in disaster. It was said, and there +was ample cause for the saying of it, that Lee and Jackson with their +victorious veterans would appear any moment before the capital. +There were rumors that the government was packing up in order to flee +northward to Philadelphia or even New York. + +But Dick believed none of these rumors. In fact, he was not greatly +alarmed by any of them. He was sure that McClellan, although without +genius, would restore the stamina of the troops, if indeed it were ever +lost, which he doubted very much. He had seen how splendidly they fought +at the Second Manassas, and he knew that there was no panic among them. +Moreover, the North was an inexhaustible storehouse of men and material, +and whenever one soldier fell two grew in his place. + +So he strode through the crowded streets, calm of face and manner, and +took his way once more to the hotel, where he had sat and listened to +the talk before the Second Manassas. The lobby was packed with men, and +there was but one topic, the military situation. Would Lee and Jackson +advance, hot upon the heels of their victory? Would Washington fall? +Would McClellan be able to save them? Why weren't the generals of the +North as good as those of the South? + +Dick listened to the talk which was for all who might choose to hear. He +did not assume any superior frame of mind, merely because he had fought +in many battles and these men had fought in none. He retained the +natural modesty of youth, and knowing that one who looked on might +sometimes be a better judge of what was happening than the one who took +part, he weighed carefully what they said. + +He was in a comfortable chair by the wall, and while he sat there a +heavy man of middle age, whom he remembered well, approached and stood +before him, regarding him with a keen and measuring eye. + +"Good morning, Mr. Watson," said Dick politely. + +"Ah, it is you, Lieutenant Mason!" said the contractor. "I thought so, +but I was not sure, as you are thinner than you were when I last saw +you. I'll just take this seat beside you." + +A man in the next chair had moved and the contractor dropped into it. +Then he crossed his legs, and smoothed the upper knee with a strong, fat +hand. + +"You've had quite a trip since I last saw you, Mr. Mason," he said. + +"We didn't go so terribly far." + +"It's not length that makes a trip. It's what you see and what happens." + +"I saw a lot, and a hundred times more than what I saw happened." + +The contractor took two fine cigars from his vest pocket and handed one +to Dick. + +"No, thank you," said the boy, "I've never learned to smoke." + +"I suppose that's because you come from Kentucky, where they raise so +much tobacco. When you see a thing so thick around you, you don't care +for it. Well, we'll talk while I light mine and puff it. And so, young +man, you ran against Lee and Jackson!" + +"We did, or they ran against us, which comes to the same thing." + +"And got well thrashed. There's no denying it." + +"I'm not trying to do so." + +"That's right. I thought from the first that you were a young man of +sense. I'm glad to see that you didn't get yourself killed." + +"A great many good men did." + +"That's so, and a great many more will go the same way. You just listen +to me. I don't wear any uniform, but I've got eyes to see and ears to +hear. I suppose that more monumental foolishness has been hidden under +cocked hats and gold lace than under anything else, since the world +began. Easy now, I don't say that fools are not more numerous outside +armies than in them--there are more people outside--but the mistakes of +generals are more costly." + +"I suppose our generals are doing the best they can. You will let me +speak plainly, will you, Mr. Watson?" + +"Of course, young man. Go ahead." + +"Perhaps you feel badly over a disaster of your own. I saw the smoking +fires at Bristoe Station. The rebels burned there several million +dollars worth of stores belonging to us. Maybe a large part of them were +your own goods." + +The contractor rubbed his huge knee with one hand, took his cigar out +of his mouth with the other hand, blew several rings of fine blue smoke +from his nose, and watched them break against the ceiling. + +"Young man," he said, "you're a good guesser, but you don't guess all. +More than a million dollars worth of material that I supplied was +burned or looted at Bristoe Station. But it had all been paid for by a +perfectly solvent Union government. So, if I were to consider it from +the purely material standpoint, which you imagine to be the only one I +have, I should rejoice over the raids of the rebels because they make +trade for contractors. I'm a patriot, even if I do not fight at the +front. Besides my feelings have been hurt." + +"In what way?" + +The contractor drew from his pocket a coarse brown envelope, and he took +from the envelope a letter, written on paper equally coarse and brown. + +"I received this letter last night," he said. "It was addressed simply +'John Watson, Washington, D. C.,' and the post office people gave it to +me at once. It came from somebody within the Confederate lines. You know +how the Northern and Southern pickets exchange tobacco, newspapers and +such things, when they're not fighting. I suppose the letter was passed +on to me in that way. Listen." + + + +"John Watson, Washington, D. C. + +"My dear sir: I have never met you, but certain circumstances have made +me acquainted with your name. Believing therefore that you are a man +of judgment and fairness I feel justified in making to you a complaint +which I am sure you will agree with me is well-founded. At a little +place called Bristoe Station I recently obtained a fine, blue uniform, +the tint of which wind and rain will soon turn to our own excellent +Confederate gray. I found your own name as maker stamped upon the neck +band of both coat and vest. + +"I ought to say however that after I had worn the coat only twice the +seams ripped across both shoulders, I admit that the fit was a little +tight, but work well done would not yield so quickly. I also picked +out a pair of beautiful shoes, bearing your name stamped upon them. The +leather cracked after the first day's use, and good leather will never +crack so soon. + +"Now, my dear Mr. Watson, I feel that you have treated me unfairly. I +will not use any harsher word. We do not expect you to supply us with +goods of this quality, and we certainly look for something better from +you next time. + + "Your obedient servant, + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, + Lieutenant 'The Invincibles,' + C. S. A." + + +"Now, did you ever hear of another piece of impudence like that?" said +Watson. "It has its humorous side, I admit, and you're justified in +laughing, but it's impudence all the same." + +"Yes, it is impudence, and do you know, Mr. Watson, I've met the writer +of that letter. He is a South Carolinian, and from his standpoint he +has a real grievance. I never knew anybody else as particular about his +clothes, and it seems that the uniform and shoes you furnished him are +not all right. He's a gentleman and he wouldn't lie. I met him at +Cedar Run, when the burying parties were going over the field. He was +introduced to me by my cousin, Harry Kenton, who is on the other side. +Harry wouldn't associate with any fellow who isn't all right." + +"All the same, if I ever catch that young jackanapes of a St. +Clair--it's an easy name to remember--I'll strip my uniform off him and +turn him loose for his own comrades to laugh at." + +"But we won't catch either him or his comrades for a long time." + +"That's so, but in the end we'll catch 'em. Now, Mr. Mason, you don't +agree with me about many things, but you're only a boy and you'll know +better later on. Anyway, I like you, and if you need help at any time +and can reach me, come." + +"I'll do so, and I thank you now," said Dick, who saw that the +contractor's tone was sincere. + +"That's right, good-bye. I see a senator whom I need." + +They shook hands and Watson hurried away with great lightness and +agility for so large a man. + +Dick stayed two days longer in Washington, visiting Warner twice a day +and seeing with gladness his rapid improvement. When he was with him the +last time, and told him he was going to join the Army of the Potomac, +Warner said: + +"Dick, old man, I haven't spoken before of the way you brought me in +from that last battlefield. Pennington has told me about it--but if I +didn't it was not because I wasn't grateful. Up in Vermont we're not +much on words--our training I suppose, though I don't say it is the best +training. It's quite sure that I'd have died if you hadn't found me." + +"Why, George, I looked for you as a matter of course. You'd have done +exactly the same for me." + +"That's just it, but I didn't get the chance. Now, Dick, there's going +to be another big battle before long, and I shall be up in time for +it. You'll be there, too. Couldn't you get yourself shot late in the +afternoon, lie on the ground, feverish and delirious until far in the +night, when I'd come for you. Then I could pay you back." + +Dick laughed. He knew that at the bottom of Warner's jest lay a resolve +to match the score, whenever the chance should come. + +"Good-bye, George," he said. "I'll look for you in two weeks." + +"Make it only ten days. McClellan will need me by that time." + +But it seemed to Dick that McClellan would need him and every other man +at once. Lee was marching. Passing by the capital he had advanced +into Maryland, a Southern state, but one that had never seceded. The +Southerners expected to find many reinforcements here among their +kindred. The regiments in gray, flushed with victory, advanced singing: + + + "The despot's heel is on thy shore, + Maryland! + His torch is at thy temple door, + Maryland! + Avenge the patriotic gore + That flecked the streets of Baltimore + And be the battle queen of yore, + Maryland, my Maryland!" + + +Dick knew that the South expected much of Maryland. Her people were +Southerners. Their valor in the Revolution was unsurpassed. People still +talked of the Maryland line and its great deeds. Many of the Marylanders +had already come to Lee and Jackson, and now that the Southern army, led +by its famous leaders and crowned with victories, was on their soil, it +was expected that they would pour forward in thousands, relieved from +the fear of Northern armies. + +Alarm, deep and intense, spread all through the North. McClellan, as +usual, doubled Lee's numbers but he organized with all speed to meet +him. Dick heard that Lee was already at Frederick, giving his troops +a few days' repose before meeting any enemy who might come. The utmost +confidence reigned in the South. + +McClellan marched, but he advanced slowly. The old mystery and +uncertainty about the Southern army returned. It suddenly disappeared +from Frederick, and McClellan became extremely cautious. He had nearly +a hundred thousand men, veterans now, but he believed that Lee had two +hundred thousand. + +Colonel Winchester again complained bitterly to Dick, who was a comrade +as well as an aide. + +"What we need," he said, "is a general who doesn't see double, and we +haven't got him yet. We must spend less time counting the rebels and +more hammering them." + +"A civilian in Washington told me that," said Dick. "I believed then +that he was right, and I believe it yet. If General Grant were here he'd +attack instead of waiting to be attacked." + +But the Army of the Potomac continued to march forward in a slow and +hesitating fashion. Dick, despite his impatience, appreciated the +position of General McClellan. No one in the Union army or in the +North knew the plans of Lee and Jackson. Lee had not even consulted the +President of the Confederacy but had merely notified him that he was +going into Maryland. + +Now Lee and Jackson had melted away again in the mist that so often +overhung their movements. McClellan could not be absolutely sure they +intended an important invasion of Maryland. They might be planning to +fall upon the capital from another direction. The Union commander must +protect Washington and at the same time look for his enemy. + +The army marched near the Potomac, and Dick, as he rode with his +regiment, saw McClellan several times. It had not been many months since +he took his great army by sea for what seemed to be the certain capture +of Richmond, but McClellan, although a very young man for so high a +position, had already changed much. His face was thinner, and it seemed +to Dick that he had lost something of his confident look. The awful +Seven Days and his bitter disappointment had left their imprint. +Nevertheless he was trim, neat and upright, and always wore a splendid +uniform. An unfailing favorite with the soldiers, they cheered him as he +passed, and he would raise his hat, a flush of pride showing through the +tan of his cheeks. + +"If a general, after being defeated, can still retain the confidence +of his army he must have great qualities of some kind," said Dick to +Colonel Winchester. + +"That's true, Dick. McClellan lost at the Seven Days, and he has just +taken over an army that was trapped and beaten under Pope, but behold +the spirits of the men, although the Second Manassas is only a few days +away. McClellan looks after the private soldier, and if he could only +look after an army in the way that he organizes it this war would soon +be over." + +Dick noticed that the colonel put emphasis on the "if" and his heart +sank a little. But it soon rose again. The Army of the Potomac was now +a veteran body. It had been tested in the fire of defeat, and it had +emerged stronger and braver than ever. + +But Dick did not like the mystery about Lee and Jackson. They had an +extraordinary ability to drop out of sight, to draw a veil before them +so completely that no Union scout or skirmisher could penetrate it. And +these disappearances were always full of sinister omens, portending a +terrible attack from an unknown quarter. But when Dick looked upon the +great and brave Army of the Potomac, nearly a hundred thousand strong, +his apprehensions disappeared. The Army of the Potomac could not be +beaten, and since Lee and Jackson were venturing so far from their base, +they might be destroyed. He confided his faith to Pennington who rode +beside him. + +"I tell you, Frank, old man," he said, "the Southern army may never get +back into Virginia." + +"Not if we light a prairie fire behind it and set another in front. Then +we'll have 'em trapped same as they trapped us at Manassas. Wouldn't +it be funny if we'd turn their own trick on 'em, and end the war right +away?" + +"It would be more than funny. It would be grand, superb, splendid, +magnificent. But I wish old George was here. Why did he want to get in +the way of that bullet? I hate to think of ending the war without him." + +"Maybe he'll get up in time yet, Dick. I saw him a few hours before +we started. The doctors said that youth, clean blood and clean living +counted for a lot--I guess George would put it at ninety per cent, and +that his wound, the bullet having gone through, would heal at a record +rate." + +"Then we'll see him soon. When he's strong enough to ride a horse, +nothing can hold him back." + +"That's so. I see houses ahead. What place is it, Dick?" + +"It must be Frederick. We had reports that the Johnnies were about here, +but they must have vanished, since no bullets meet us. The colonel is +looking through his glasses, and, as he does not check his horse, it is +evident that the enemy is not there." + +"But maybe he has been there, and if he has we'll just take his place. +I like the looks of these Maryland towns, Frank, and they're not so +hostile to us." + +Colonel Winchester's skeleton regiment, now not amounting to more than +three hundred men, was in the vanguard and it rode forward rapidly. The +people received them without either enthusiasm or marked hostility. Yet +the Union vanguard obtained news. Lee had been there with his army, but +he had gone away! Where! They could not say. The Southern officers +had been silent and the soldiers had not known. None of the people of +Frederick had been allowed to follow. A cloud of cavalry covered the +Southern movements. + +"Not so definite after all," said Dick. "We know that the Southern army +has been here, but we don't know where it has gone." + +"At any rate," said Pennington, "we're on the trail, and we're bound +to find it sooner or later. I learned from the hunters in Nebraska that +when you strike the trail of a buffalo herd, all you had to do was to +keep on and you'd strike the herd itself." + +It was not yet noon and McClellan's army began to go into camp at +Frederick. Dick and Pennington got a chance to stroll about a little, +and they picked up much gossip. Young women, with strong Southern +proclivities, looked with frowning eyes upon their blue uniforms, but +the frank and pleasant smiles of the two lads disarmed them. Older women +of the same proclivities did not melt so easily, but continued to regard +them with a hard and burning gaze. + +But there were men strongly for the Union, and the two friendly lads +picked up many details from them. They showed them a grove in which Lee, +Jackson, Longstreet and D. H. Hill had all been camped at once. People +had gone there daily for a glimpse of these famous men. + +They also showed the boys the very spot where Stonewall Jackson had +come near to making an ignominious end of his great career. His faithful +horse, Little Sorrel, had been worn out by incessant marchings and must +rest for a while. The people gave him a splendid horse, but one that had +not been broken well. The first time he mounted it a band happened +to begin playing, the horse sprang wildly, the saddle girth broke and +Jackson was thrown heavily to the ground. + +"You'd better believe there was excitement then," said the narrator, +a clerk in one of the stores. "Everybody ran forward to pick up the +general. He had been thrown so hard that he was stunned and had big +bruises. That horse did him more damage than all the armies of the +North have done. I can tell you there was alarm for a while among the +Johnnies, but they say he was all over it before he left." + +They wandered back toward their own command and the obliging guide +pointed out to them a house which the Confederate generals had made +their headquarters. They saw Colonel Winchester entering it, and +thanking the clerk, followed him. + +Union officers were already in the house looking with curiosity at the +chairs and tables that Jackson and Lee and Longstreet had occupied. Dick +caught sight of a small package lying on one of the tables, but another +man picked it up first. As he did so he looked at Dick and said in +triumph: + +"Three good cigars that the rebels have left behind. Have one, Mason?" + +"Thanks, but I don't smoke." + +"All right, I'll find someone else who does." + +He pulled off a piece of paper wrapped around them, threw it on the +floor and put the cigars in his pocket. Dick was about to turn away when +he happened to glance at the wrapping lying on the floor. + +His eyes were caught by the words written in large letters: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTH-- + +Something seemed to shoot through his brain. It was like a flash of +warning or command and he obeyed at once. He picked up the paper and +smoothed it out in his hand. The full line read like the headline in a +newspaper: + + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. + +Then with eyes bulging in his head he read: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. +Special Orders, No. 191. + +The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road. +General Jackson's command will form the advance, and after passing +Middletown with such portions as he may select, take their route toward +Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point and by Friday +morning take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, capture such +of them as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to +escape from Harper's Ferry. + +General Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as +Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve supply and baggage +train of the army. + +General McLaws with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson +will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown will take the +route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the +Maryland Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and +vicinity. + + +Dick stopped a moment and gasped. + +"Come on," called the man with the cigars, "there is nothing more to be +seen here." + +"Wait a moment," said Dick. + +Perhaps it was his duty to rush at once with it to a superior officer, +but the spell was too strong. He read on: + + +General Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object on +which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford, ascend +its right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Sundown Heights, if +practicable, by Friday morning, Key's Grove on his left, and the road +between the end of the mountains and the Potomac on his right. He +will, as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General +Jackson, and intercept the retreat of the enemy. + +General D. H. Hill's division will form the rear-guard of the army, +pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, +ordinance and supply trains, etc., will precede General Hill. + + +Dick gasped and he heard someone calling again to him to come, but he +read on: + + +General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the +commands of Generals Longstreet, Jackson and McLaws, and with the main +body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army, bringing up all +the stragglers that may have been left behind. + +The commands of General Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after accomplishing +the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body +of the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. + +Each regiment on the march will habitually carry its axes in the +regimental ordnance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments, to +procure wood, etc. R. H. CHILTON, + Assistant Adjutant General. + + +Dick clutched the paper in his hands and for the moment his throat +seemed to contract so tightly that he could not breathe. Then he felt a +burst of wild joy. + +One of the most extraordinary incidents in the whole history of war had +occurred. He knew in an instant that this was Lee's general orders +to his army, and that at such a time nothing could be more important. +Evidently copies of it had been sent to all his division commanders, and +this one by some singular chance either had not reached its destination, +or had been tossed carelessly aside after reading. Found by those who +needed it most wrapped around three cigars! It was a miracle! Nothing +short of it! How could the Union army be defeated after such an omen? + +It was the copy intended for the Southern general, D. H. Hill--he denied +that he ever received it--but it did not matter to Dick then for whom it +was intended. He saw at once all the possibilities. Lee and Jackson had +divided their army again. Emboldened by the splendid success of their +daring maneuver at Manassas they were going to repeat it. + +He looked again at the date on the order. September 9th! And this was +the 13th! Jackson was to march on the 10th. He had been gone three days +with the half, perhaps, of Lee's army, and Lee himself must be somewhere +near at hand. The Union scouts could quickly find him and the ninety +thousand veterans of the Army of the Potomac could crush him to powder +in a day. What a chance! No, it was not a chance. It was a miracle. The +key had been put in McClellan's hand and it would take but one turn of +his wrist to unlock the door upon dazzling success. + +Dick saw the war finished in a month. Lee could not have more than +twenty or twenty-five thousand men with him, and Jackson was three or +four days' march away. He clutched the order in his hand and ran toward +Colonel Winchester. + +"Here, take it, sir! Take it!" he exclaimed. + +"Take what?" + +"Look! Look! See what it is!" + +Colonel Winchester took one glance at it, and then he, too, became +excited. He hurried with it to General McClellan, and that day the +commander-in-chief telegraphed to the anxious President at Washington: + +"I have all the plans of the rebels, and will catch them in my own trap, +if my men are equal to the emergency." + +The shrewd Lincoln took notice of the qualifying clause, "if my men are +equal to the emergency," and sighed a little. Already this general, +so bold in design and so great in preparation was making excuses for +possible failure in action--if he failed his men and not he would be to +blame. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + +Dick carried the news to Pennington who danced with delight. + +"We've got 'em! we've got 'em!" he cried over and over again. + +"So we have," said Dick, "we'll be marching in a half hour and then the +trap will shut down so tight on Robert Lee that he'll never raise the +lid again." + +It was nearly noon, and they expected every moment the order to start, +but it did not come. Dick began to be tormented by an astonished +impatience, and he saw that Colonel Winchester suffered in the same way. +The army showed no signs of moving. Was it possible that McClellan would +not advance at once on Lee, whom the scouts had now located definitely? +The hot afternoon hours grew long as they passed one by one, and many a +brave man ate his heart out with anger at the delay. Dick saw Sergeant +Whitley walking up and down, and he was eager to hear his opinion. + +"What is it, sergeant?" he asked. "Why do we sit here, twiddling our +thumbs when there is an army waiting to be taken by us?" + +"You're a commissioned officer, sir, and I'm only a private." + +"Never mind about that. You're a veteran of many years and many fights, +and I know but little. Why do we sit still in the dust and fail to take +the great prize that's offered to us?" + +"The men of an army, sir, do the fighting, but its generals are its +brains. It is for the brains to judge, to see and to command. The +generals cannot win without the men, and the men cannot win without the +generals. Now, in this case, sir, you can see--" + +He stopped and shrugged his shoulders, as if it were not for him to say +any more. + +"I see," said Dick bitterly. "You needn't say it, sergeant, but I'll say +it for you. General McClellan has been overcome by caution again, and he +sees two Johnnies where but one stands." + +Sergeant Whitley shrugged his shoulders again, but said nothing. Dick +was about to turn away, when he saw a tall, thin figure approaching. + +"Mr. Warner," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"So it is," exclaimed Dick. "It's really good old George come to help +us!" + +He rushed forward and shook hands with Warner who although thin and pale +was as cool and apparently almost as strong as ever. + +"Here I am, Dick," he said, "and the great battle hasn't been fought. +I knew they couldn't fight it without me. The hospital at Washington +dismissed me in disgrace because I got well so fast. 'What's the use,' +said one of the doctors, 'in getting up and running away to the army to +get killed? You could die much more comfortably here in bed.' 'Not at +all,' I replied. 'I don't get killed when I'm with the army. I merely +get nearly killed. Then I lie unconscious on the field, in the rain, +until some good friend comes along, takes me away on his back and puts +me in a warm bed. It's a lot safer than staying in your hospital all the +time.'" + +"Oh, shut up, George! Come and see the boys. They'll be glad to know +you're back--what's left of 'em." + +Warner's welcome was in truth warm. He seemed more phlegmatic than ever, +but he opened his eyes wide when they told him of the dispatch that had +been lost and found. + +"General McClellan must have been waiting for me," he said. "Tell him +I've come." + +But General McClellan did not yet move. The last long hour of the day +passed. The sun set in red and gold behind the western mountains, and +the Army of the Potomac still rested in its camp, although privates even +knew that precious hours were being lost, and that booming cannon might +already be telling the defenders of Harper's Ferry that Jackson was at +hand. + +Nor were they far wrong. While McClellan lingered on through the night, +never moving from his camp, Jackson and his generals were pushing +forward with fiery energy and at dawn the next day had surrounded +Harper's Ferry and its doomed garrison of more than twelve thousand men. + +But these were things that Dick could not guess that night. One small +detachment had been sent ahead by McClellan, chiefly for scouting +purposes, and in the darkness the boy who had gone a little distance +forward with Colonel Winchester heard the booming of cannon. It was a +faint sound but unmistakable, and Dick glanced at his chief. + +"That detachment has come into contact with the rebels somewhere there +in the mountains," he said, "and the ridges and valleys are bringing us +the echoes. Oh, why in Heaven's name are we delayed here through all the +precious moments! Every hour's delay will cost the lives of ten thousand +good men!" + +And it is likely that in the end Colonel Winchester's reckoning was +too moderate. He and Dick gazed long in the direction in which Harper's +Ferry lay, and they listened, too, to the faint mutter of the guns among +the hills. Before dawn, scouts came in, saying that there had been hard +fighting off toward Harper's Ferry, and that Lee with the other division +of the Southern army was retreating into a peninsula formed by the +junction of the river Antietam with the Potomac, where he would await +the coming of Jackson, after taking Harper's Ferry. + +"Jackson hasn't taken Harper's Ferry yet," said Dick, when he heard the +news. "Many of Banks' veterans of the valley are there, and, our men +instead of being crushed by defeat, are always improved by it." + +"Still, I wish we'd march," said Warner. "I didn't come here merely to +go into camp. I might as well have stayed in the hospital." + +Nevertheless they moved at daylight. McClellan had made up his mind +at last, and the army advanced joyfully to shut down the trap on Lee. +Dick's spirits rose with the sun and the advance of the troops. They had +delayed, but they would get Lee yet. There was nothing to tell them that +Harper's Ferry had fallen, and Jackson's force must still be detained +there far away. They ought to strike Lee on the morrow and destroy +him, and then they would destroy Jackson. Oh, Lee and Jackson had been +reckless generals to venture beyond the seceding states! + +They marched fast now, and the fiery Hooker soon to be called Fighting +Joe led the advance. He was eager to get at Lee, who some said did not +now have more than twenty thousand men with him, although McClellan +insisted on doubling or tripling his numbers and those of Jackson. +Scouts and skirmishers came in fast now. Yes, Lee was between the +Antietam and the Potomac and they ought to strike him on the morrow. The +spirits of the Army of the Potomac continually rose. + +Dick remained in a joyous mood. He had been greatly uplifted by +the return of his comrade, Warner, for whom he had formed a strong +attachment, and he could not keep down the thought that they would now +be able to trap Lee and end the war. The terrible field of the Second +Manassas was behind him and forgotten for the time. They rode now to a +new battle and to victory. + +Another great cloud of dust like that at Manassas rolled slowly on +toward the little river or creek of Antietam, but the heat was not so +great now. A pleasant breeze blew from the distant western mountains and +cooled the faces of the soldiers. The country through which they were +passing was old for America. They saw a carefully cultivated soil, good +roads and stone bridges. + +None of the lads and young men around Colonel Winchester rejoiced more +than Warner. Released from the hospital and with his tried comrades once +more he felt as if he were the dead come back. He was in time, too, for +the great battle which was to end the war. The cool wind that blew upon +his face tingled with life and made his pulses leap. Beneath the granite +of his nature and a phlegmatic exterior, he concealed a warm heart that +always beat steadfastly for his friends and his country. + +"Dick," he said, "have they heard anything directly from Harper's +Ferry?" + +"Not a word, at least none that I've heard about, but it's quite sure +that Jackson hasn't taken the place yet. Why should he? We have there +twelve or thirteen thousand good men, most of whom have proven their +worth in the valley. Why, they ought to beat him off entirely." + +"And while they're doing that we ought to be taking Mr. Lee and a lot of +well-known Confederate gentlemen. I've made a close calculation, Dick, +and I figure that the chances are at least eighty per cent in favor of +our taking or destroying Lee's army." + +"I wish we had started sooner," said Pennington. "We've lost a whole +day, one of the most precious days the world has ever known." + +"You're right, Frank, and I've allowed that fact to figure importantly +in my reckoning. If it were not for the lost day I'd figure our chance +of making the finishing stroke at ninety-five per cent. But boys, it's +glorious to be back with you. Once, I thought when we were marching back +and forth so much that if I could only lie down and rest for a week or +two I'd be the happiest fellow on earth. But it became awful as I lay +there, day after day. I had suddenly left the world. All the great +events were going on without me. North or South might win, while I lay +stretched on a hospital bed. It was beyond endurance. If I hadn't got +well so fast that they could let me go, I'd have climbed out of the +window with what strength I had, and have made for the army anyhow. Did +you ever feel a finer wind than this? What a beautiful country! It must +be the most magnificent in the world!" + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Old George was growing gushy. But they +understood that he saw with the eyes of the released prisoner. + +"It is beautiful," said Dick, "and it's a pity that it should be ripped +up by war. Listen, boys, there's the call that's growing mighty familiar +to us all!" + +Far in front behind the hills they heard the low grumbling of cannon. +And further away to the west they heard the same sinister mutter. The +Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No. 191 might +cause their total destruction, but they were on guard, nevertheless. +Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan, had sent back +Hill with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern army until +he himself should come with all his force. + +In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of +the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat +never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy. He would not +only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it. When +McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to Lee +than Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning +perception and unyielding courage win. + +The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a +distant thunder. Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest +rose, they saw smoke and flashes of fire. A young Maryland cavalry +officer, riding near, explained to them that the point from which the +cannonade came was a gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet +invisible, owing to the forest. + +"We heard that Lee's army was much further away," said Warner to Dick. +"What can it mean? What force is there fighting our vanguard?" + +It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts. He had already +reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester. +His face was worn and drawn, and he was black under the eyes. His +clothes were covered with dust. His body was weary almost unto death, +but his eyes burned with the fire of an undying spirit. + +"I've been all the night and all this morning in the mountains and +hills," he said. "Harper's Ferry is not yet taken, but I think it will +fall. But Hill, McLaws and Longstreet are all in this pass or the other +which leads through the mountain. They mean to hold us as long as they +can, and then hang on to the flank of our army." + +He passed on and the little regiment advanced more rapidly. Dick saw +Colonel Winchester's eyes sparkling and he knew he was anxious to be in +the thick of it. Other and heavier forces were deploying upon the same +point, but Winchester's regiment led. + +As they approached a deadly fire swept the plain and the hills. Rifle +bullets crashed among them and shell and shrapnel came whining and +shrieking. Once more the Winchester regiment, as it had come to be +called, was smitten with a bitter and deadly hail. Men fell all around +Dick but the survivors pressed on, still leading the way for the heavy +brigades which they heard thundering behind them. + +The mouth of the pass poured forth fire and missiles like a volcano, but +Dick heard Colonel Winchester still shouting to his men to come on, and +he charged with the rest. The fire became so hot that the vanguard +could not live in it without shelter, and the colonel, shouting to the +officers to dismount, ordered them all to take cover behind trees and +rocks. + +Dick who had been carried a little ahead of the rest, sprang down, still +holding his horse, and made for a great rock which he saw on one side +just within the mouth of the pass. His frightened horse reared and +jerked so violently that he tore the bridle from the lad's hand and ran +away. + +Dick stood for a moment, scarcely knowing what to do, and then, as a +half dozen bullets whistled by his head, urging him to do something, he +finished his dash for the rock, throwing himself down behind it just as +a half a dozen more bullets striking on the stone told him that he had +done the right thing in the very nick of time. + +He carried with him a light rifle of a fine improved make, a number of +which had been captured at the Second Manassas, and which some of the +younger officers had been allowed to take. He did not drop it in his +rush for the rock, holding on to it mechanically. + +He lay for at least a minute or two flat upon the ground behind the +great stone, while the perspiration rolled from his face and his hair +prickled at the roots. He could never learn to be unconcerned when a +dozen or fifteen riflemen were shooting at him. + +When he raised his head a little he saw that the Winchester regiment had +fallen back, and that, in truth, the entire advance had stopped until it +could make an attack in full force upon the enemy. + +Dick recognized with a certain grim humor that he was isolated. He was +just a little Federal island in a Confederate sea. Up the gap he saw +cannon and masses of gray infantry. Gathered on a comparatively level +spot was a troop of cavalry. He saw all the signs of a desperate +defense, and, while he watched, the great guns of the South began to +fire again, their missiles flying far over his head toward the Northern +army. + +Dick was puzzled, but for the present he did not feel great alarm about +himself. He lay almost midway between the hostile forces, but it was +likely that they would take no notice of him. + +With a judgment born of a clear mind, he lay quite still, while the +hostile forces massed themselves for attack and defense. Each was +feeling out the other with cannon, but every missile passed well over +his head, and he did not take the trouble to bow to them as they sailed +on their errands. Yet he lay close behind that splendid and friendly +rock. + +He knew that the Southerners would have sharpshooters and skirmishers +ahead of their main force. They would lie behind stones, trees and brush +and at any moment one of them might pick him off. The Confederate force +seemed to incline to the side of the valley, opposite the slope on which +he lay, and he was hopeful that the fact would keep him hidden until the +masses of his own people could charge into the gap. + +It was painful work to flatten his body out behind a stone and lie +there. No trees or bushes grew near enough to give him shade, and the +afternoon sun began to send down upon him direct rays that burned. He +wondered how long it would be until the Union brigades came. It seemed +to him that they were doing a tremendous amount of waiting. Nothing was +to be gained by this long range cannon fire. They must charge home with +the bayonet. + +He raised himself a little in order that he might peep over the stone +and see if the charge were coming, and then with a little cry he dropped +back, a fine gray powder stinging his face. A rifle had been fired +across the valley and a bullet chipping the top of the rock sheltering +Dick warned him that he was not the only sharpshooter who lay in an +ambush. + +Peeping again from the side of the rock, he saw curls of blue smoke +rising from a point behind a stone just like his own on the other side +of the valley. It was enough to tell him that a Southern sharpshooter +lay there and had marked him for prey. + +Dick's anger rose. Why should anyone seek his life, trying to pick him +off as if he were a beast of prey? He had been keeping quiet, disturbing +nobody, merely seeking a chance to escape, when this ruthless rebel had +seen him. He became in his turn hot and fiercely ready to give bullet +for bullet. Smoke floating through the pass and the flash of the cannon, +made him more eager to hit the sharpshooter who was seeking so hard to +hit him. + +Watching intently he caught a glimpse of a gray cap showing above the +rock across the valley, and, raising his light rifle, he fired, quick as +a flash. The return shot came at once, and chipped the rock as before, +but he dropped back unhurt, and peeping from the side he could see +nothing. He might or might not have slain his enemy. The gray cap was no +longer visible, and he watched to see if it would reappear. + +He heard the sound of a great cannonade before the mouth of the pass, +and he saw his own people advancing in force, their lines extending far +to the left and right, with several batteries showing at intervals. Then +came the rebel yell from the pass and as the Union lines advanced the +Southerners poured upon them a vast concentrated fire. + +Dick, watching through the smoke and forgetful of his enemy across the +valley, saw the Union charge rolled back. But he also saw the men out +of range gathering themselves for a new attack. Within the pass +preparations were going on to repel it a second time. Then he glanced +toward the opposite rock and dropped down just in time. He had seen a +rifle barrel protruding above it, and a second later the bullet whistled +where his head had been. + +He grew angrier than ever. He had left that sharpshooter alone for at +least ten minutes, while he watched charge and repulse, and he expected +to be treated with the same consideration. He would pay him for such +ferocity, and seeing an edge of gray shoulder, he fired. + +No sign came from the rock, and Dick was quite sure that he had missed. +The blood mounted to his head and surcharged his brain. A thousand +little pulses that he had never heard of before began to beat in his +head, and he was devoured by a consuming anger. He vowed to get that +fellow yet. + +Lying flat upon his stomach he drew himself around the edge of the rock +and watched. There was a great deal of covering smoke from the artillery +in the pass now, and he believed that it would serve his purpose. + +But when he got a little distance away from the rock the bank of smoke +lifted suddenly, and it was only by quickly flattening himself +down behind a little ridge of stone that he saved his life. The +sharpshooter's bullet passed so close to his head that Dick felt as if +he had received a complete hair cut, all in a flash. + +He fairly sprang back to the cover of his rock. What a fine rock +that was! How big and thick! And it was so protective! In a spirit of +defiance he fired at the top of the other stone and saw the gray dust +shoot up from it. Quick came the answering shot, and a little piece of +his coat flew with it. That was certainly a great sharpshooter across +the valley! Dick gave him full credit for his skill. + +Then he heard the rolling of drums and the mellow call of trumpets in +front of the pass. Taking care to keep well under cover he looked back. +The Union army was advancing in great force now, its front tipped with a +long line of bayonets and the mouths of fifty cannon turned to the pass. +In front of them swarmed the skirmishers, eager, active fellows leaping +from rock to rock and from tree to tree. + +Dick foresaw that the second charge would not fail. Its numbers were so +great that it would at least enter the pass and hold the mouth of it. +Already a mighty cannonade was pouring a storm of death over the heads +of the skirmishers toward the defenders, and the brigades came on +steadily and splendidly to the continued rolling of the drums. + +Dick rose up again, watching now for his enemy who, he knew, could not +remain much longer behind the rock, as he would soon be within range of +the Northern skirmishers advancing on that side. + +He fancied that he could hear the massive tread of the thousands coming +toward the pass, and the roll of the drums, distinct amid the roar of +the cannon, told him that his comrades would soon be at hand, driving +everything before them. But his eyes were for that big rock on the other +side of the valley. Now was his time for revenge upon the sharpshooter +who had sought his life with such savage persistence. The Northern +skirmishers were drawing nearer and the fellow must flee or die. + +Suddenly the sharpshooter sprang from the rock, and up flew Dick's rifle +as he drew a bead straight upon his heart. Then he dropped the weapon +with a cry of horror. Across the valley and through the smoke he +recognized Harry Kenton, and Harry Kenton looking toward his enemy +recognized him also. + +Each threw up his hand in a gesture of friendliness and farewell--the +roar of the battle was so loud now that no voice could have been heard +at the distance--and then they disappeared in the smoke, each returning +to his own, each heart thrilling with a great joy, because its owner had +always missed the sharpshooter behind the stone. + +The impression of that vivid encounter in the pass was dimmed for a +while for Dick by the fierceness of the fighting that followed. The +defense had the advantage of the narrow pass and the rocky slopes, +and numbers could not be put to the most account. Nevertheless, the +Confederates were pressed back along the gap, and when night came the +Union army was in full possession of its summit. + +But at the other gap the North had not achieved equal success. +Longstreet, marching thirteen miles that day, had come upon the field in +time, and when darkness fell the Southern troops still held their ground +there. But later in the night Hill and Longstreet, through fear of being +cut off, abandoned their positions and marched to join Lee. + +Dick and his comrades who did not lie down until after midnight had +come, felt that a great success had been gained. McClellan had been slow +to march, but, now that he was marching, he was sweeping the enemy out +of his way. + +The whole Army of the Potomac felt that it was winning and McClellan +himself was exultant. Early the next morning he reported to his superior +at Washington that the enemy was fleeing in panic and that General Lee +admitted that he had been "shockingly whipped." + +Full of confidence, the army advanced to destroy Lee, who lay between +the peninsula of the Antietam and the Potomac, but just about the +time McClellan was writing his dispatch, the white flag was hoisted at +Harper's Ferry, the whole garrison surrendered, and messengers were on +their way to Lee with the news that Stonewall Jackson was coming. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + + +Dick and his comrades had not heard of the taking of Harper's Ferry and +they were full of enthusiasm that brilliant morning in mid-September. +McClellan, if slow to move, nevertheless had shown vigor in action, +and the sanguine youths could not doubt that they had driven Lee into a +corner. The Confederates, after the fierce fighting of the day before, +had abandoned both gaps, and the way at last lay clear before the Army +of the Potomac. + +Dick was mounted again. In fact his horse, after pulling the reins from +his hands and fleeing from the Confederate fire, had been retaken by +a member of his own regiment and returned to him. It was another good +omen. The lost had been found again and defeat would become victory. + +But Dick said nothing to anybody of his duel with Harry Kenton. He +shuddered even now when he recalled it. And yet there had been no guilt +in either. Neither had known that the other lay behind the stone, +but happy chance had made all their bullets go astray. Again he was +thankful. + +"How did you stand that fighting yesterday afternoon, George?" Dick +asked of Warner. + +"First rate. The open air agreed with me, and as no bullet sought me out +I felt benefited. I didn't get away from that hospital too soon. How far +away is this Antietam River, behind which they say Lee lies?" + +"It's only eight miles from the gap," said Pennington, who had been +making inquiries, "and as we have come three miles it must be only five +miles away." + +"Correct," said Warner, who was in an uncommonly fine humor. "Your +mathematical power grows every day, Frank. Let x equal the whole +distance from the gap to the Antietam, which is eight miles, let y equal +the distance which we have come which is three miles, then x minus y +equals the distance left, which is five miles. Wonderful! wonderful! +You'll soon have a great head on you, Frank." + +"If some rebel cannoneer doesn't shoot it off in the coming battle. By +George, we're driving their skirmishers before us! They don't seem to +make any stand at all!" + +The vanguard certainly met with no very formidable resistance as it +advanced over the rolling country. The sound of firing was continuous, +but it came from small squads here and there, and after firing a few +volleys the men in gray invariably withdrew. + +Yet the Northern advance was slow. Colonel Winchester became intensely +impatient again. + +"Why don't we hurry!" he exclaimed. "Of all things in the world the one +that we need most is haste. With Jackson tied up before Harper's Ferry, +Lee's defeat is sure, unless he retreats across the Potomac, and that +would be equivalent to a defeat. Good Heavens, why don't we push on?" + +He had not yet heard of the fall of Harper's Ferry, and that Jackson +with picked brigades was already on the way to join Lee. Had he known +these two vital facts his anger would have burned to a white heat. +Surely no day lost was ever lost at a greater cost than the one +McClellan lost after the finding of Orders No. 191. + +"Do you know anything about the Antietam, colonel?" asked Dick. + +"It's a narrow stream, but deep, and crossed by several stone bridges. +It will be hard to force a crossing here, but further up it can be done +with ease since we outnumber Lee so much that we can overlap him by far. +I have my information from Shepard, and he makes no mistakes. There is +a church, too, on the upper part of the peninsula, a little church +belonging to an order called the Dunkards." + +"Ah," murmured Dick, "the little church of Shiloh!" + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"There was a little church at Shiloh, too. The battle raged all around +it more than once. We lost it at first, but in the end we won. It's +another good omen. We're bound to achieve a great victory, colonel." + +"I hope and believe so. We've the materials with which to do it. But +we've got to push and push hard." + +The colonel raised his glasses and took a long look in front. Dick also +had a pair and he, too, examined the country before them. It was a fine, +rolling region and all the forest was gone, except clumps of trees here +and there. The whole country would have been heavy with forest had it +not been for the tramp of war. + +It was now nearly noon and the sunlight was brilliant and intense. The +glasses carried far. Dick saw a line of trees which he surmised marked +the course of the Antietam, and he saw small detachments of cavalry +which he knew were watching the advance of the Army of the Potomac. +Their purpose convinced him that Lee had not retreated across the +Potomac, but that he would fight and surely lose. Dick now believed that +so many good omens could not fail. + +A horseman galloped toward them. It was Shepard again, dustier than +ever, his face pale from weariness. + +"What is it, Mr. Shepard?" asked Colonel Winchester. + +"I've just reported to General McClellan that our whole command at +Harper's Ferry, thirteen thousand strong, surrendered early this morning +and that Jackson with picked men has already started to join Lee!" + +"My God! My God!" cried the colonel. "Oh, that lost day! We ought to +have fought yesterday and destroyed Lee, while Harper's Ferry was still +holding out! What a day! What a day! Nothing can ever pay us back for +the losing of it!" + +Dick, too, felt a sinking of the heart, but despair was not written on +his face as it was on that of his colonel. Jackson might come, but it +would only be with a part of his force, that which marched the swiftest, +and the victory of the Army of the Potomac would be all the grander. The +more enemies crushed the better it would be for the Union. + +"Why, colonel!" he exclaimed, "we can beat them anyhow!" + +"That's so, my lad, so we can! And so we will! It was childish of me to +talk as I did. Here, Johnson, blow your best on that trumpet. I want our +regiment to be the first to reach the Antietam." + +Johnson blew a long and mellow tune and the Winchester regiment swung +forward at a more rapid gait. The weather, after a day or two of +coolness, had grown intensely hot again, and the noon sun poured down +upon them sheaves of fiery rays. Dick looked back, and he saw once more +that vast billowing cloud of dust made by the marching army. But in +front he saw only quiet and peace, save for a few distant horsemen who +seemed to be riding at random. + +"There's a little town called Sharpsburg in the peninsula formed by +the Potomac and the Antietam," said Shepard, who stayed with them, his +immediate work done, "and the Potomac being very low, owing to the +dry season, there is one ford by which Lee can cross and go back to +Virginia. But he isn't going to cross without a battle, that's sure. +The rebels are flushed with victory, they think they have the greatest +leaders ever born and they believe, despite the disparity of numbers, +that they can beat us." + +"And I believe they can't," said Dick. + +"If it were not for that lost day we'd have 'em beaten now," said +Shepard, "and we'd be marching against Jackson." + +The regiment in its swift advance now came nearer to the Antietam, the +narrow but deep creek between its high banks. One or two shots from the +far side warned them to come more slowly, and Colonel Winchester drew +his men up on a knoll, waiting for the rest of the army to advance. + +Dick put his glasses to his eyes, and slowly swept a wide curve on the +peninsula of Antietam. Great armies drawn up for battle were a spectacle +that no boy could ever view calmly, and his heart beat so hard that it +caused him actual physical pain. + +He saw through the powerful glasses the walls of the little village of +Sharpsburg, and to the north a roof which he believed was that of the +Dunkard Church, of which Shepard spoke. But his eyes came back from +the church and rested on the country around Sharpsburg. The Confederate +masses were there and he clearly saw the batteries posted along the +Antietam. Beyond the peninsula he caught glimpses of the broad Potomac. + +There lay Lee before them again, and now was the time to destroy his +army. Jackson, even with his vanguard, could not arrive before night, +and the main force certainly could not come from Harper's Ferry before +the morrow. Here was a full half day for the Army of the Potomac, enough +in which to destroy a divided portion of the Army of Northern Virginia. + +But Colonel Winchester raged again and again in vain. There was no +attack. Brigade after brigade in blue came up and sat down before the +Antietam. The cannon exchanged salutes across the little river, but +no harm was done, and the great masses of McClellan faced the whole +peninsula, within which lay Lee with half of his army. The Winchester +regiment was moved far to the north, where its officers hopefully +believed that the first attack would be made. Here they extended +beyond Lee's line, and it would be easy to cross the Antietam and hurl +themselves upon his flank. + +Despite the delay, Dick and his comrades, thrilled at the great and +terrible panorama spread before them. The mid-September day had become +as hot as those of August had been. The late afternoon sun was brazen, +and immense clouds of dust drifted about. But they did not hide the view +of the armies, arrayed for battle, and with only a narrow river between. + +Dick, through his own glasses saw Confederate officers watching them +also. He tried to imagine that this was Lee and that Longstreet, and +that one of the Hills, and the one who wore a gorgeous uniform must +surely be Stuart. Why should they be allowed to ride about so calmly? +His heart fairly ached for the attack. McClellan said that fifty +thousand men were there, and that Jackson was coming with fifty thousand +more, but Shepard, who always knew, said that they did not number more +than twenty thousand. What a chance! What a chance! He almost repeated +Colonel Winchester's words, but he was only a young staff officer and it +was not for him to complain. If he said anything at all he would have to +say it in a guarded manner and to his best friends. + +The Winchester regiment went into camp in a pleasant grove at the +northern end of the Union line. Dick and his two young comrades had no +fault to find with their quarters. They had dry grass, warm air and the +open sky. A more comfortable summer home for a night could not be asked. +And there was plenty of food, too. The Army of the Potomac never lacked +it. The coffee was already boiling in the pots, and beef and pork were +frying in the skillets. Heavenly aromas arose. + +Dick and his comrades ate and drank, and then lay down in the grove. If +they must rest they would rest well. Now and then they heard the booming +of guns, and just before dark there had been a short artillery duel +across the Antietam, but now the night was quiet, save for the murmur +and movement of a great army. Through the darkness came the sound of +many voices and the clank of moving wheels. + +Dick asked permission for his two comrades and himself to go down near +the river and obtained it. + +"But don't get shot," cautioned Colonel Winchester. "The Confederate +riflemen will certainly be on watch on the other side of the stream." + +Dick promised and the three went forward very carefully among some +bushes. They were led on by curiosity and they did not believe that they +would be in any great danger. The singular friendliness which always +marked the pickets of the hostile armies in the Civil War would prevail. + +It was several hundred yards down to the Antietam, and luckily the +ribbon of bushes held out. But when they were half way to the stream a +thick, dark figure rose up before them. Dick, in an instant, recognized +Sergeant Whitley. + +"We want to get a nearer view of the enemy," said the boy. + +"I'll go with you," said the sergeant. "I'm on what may be called +scouting duty. Besides, I've a couple of friends down there by the +river, but on the other side." + +"Friends on the other side of the Antietam. What do you mean, sergeant?" + +"I was scouting along there and I came across 'em. Only one in fact is +an old acquaintance, an' he's just introduced me to the other." + +"That's cryptic." + +"I don't rightly know what 'cryptic' means, but I guess I don't make +myself understood well. In my campaign on the plains against the Indians +I had a comrade named Bill Brayton. A Tennesseean, Bill was an' a fine +feller, too. Him an' me have bunked together many a time an' we've dug +out of the snow together, too, after the blizzards was over. But when +we saw the war comin' up, Bill had fool notions. Said he didn't know +anything 'bout the right an' wrong of it, guessed there was some of each +on each side, but whichever way his state would flop, he'd flop. Well, +we waited. Tennessee flopped right out of the Union an' Bill flopped +with it. + +"I felt powerful sorry when Bill told me good-bye, and so did he. I +ain't seen or heard of him since 'till to-night, when I was cruisin' +down there by the side of the river in the dark an' keepin' under cover +of the bushes. Had no intention of shootin' anybody. Just wanted to take +a look. I saw on the other side a dim figure walkin' up an' down, rifle +on shoulder. Thought I noticed something familiar about it, an' the +longer I watched the shorer I was. + +"At last I crept right to the edge of the bank an' layin' down lest some +fool who didn't know the manners of our war take a pot shot at me, I +called out, 'Bill Brayton, you thick-headed rebel, are you well an' +doin' well?' + +"You ought to have seen him jump. He stopped walkin', dropped his rifle +in the hollow of his arm, looked the way my voice come and called out, +likewise in a loud voice: 'Who's callin' me a thick-headed rebel? Is it +some blue-backed Yankee? You know we see nothin' of you but your backs. +Come out in the light, an' I'll let some sense into you with a bullet.' + +"'Oh, no I won't,' says I, still layin' close, an' not mindin' his taunt +'bout seein' our backs only. 'You couldn't hit me if I stood up an' +marked the place on my chest. Nothin' will save you but them days on the +plain in the blizzards when you was more useful with a shovel than you +are with a rifle, 'cause to-morrow at sunrise we're goin' to cross this +little river and tie all you fellows hand an' foot an' take you away as +prisoners to Washington.' + +"That made him mighty mad, but the part 'bout the blizzards on the +plains set him to thinkin', too. 'Who in thunderation are you?' sez he. +'You're Bill Brayton, of Tennessee, fightin' in the rebel army, when +you ought to know better,' says I. 'Now, who in thunderation am I?' +'Sufferin' Moses!' says he, 'that voice grows more like his every time +he speaks. It can't be that empty-headed galoot, Dan Whitley, who never +knew nothin' 'bout the rights an' wrongs of the war, an' had to go off +with the Yanks!' + +"'It's him an' nobody else,' says I, as I rose right up an' stood there +on the bank, 'an' mighty glad am I to see you Bill, an' to know that +your fool head ain't knocked off by a cannon ball.' He shorely jumped +up an' down with pleasure an' he called back: 'The good Lord certainly +watches over them that ain't got any sense. Dan, you flat-headed, +hump-backed, round-shouldered, thin-chested, knock-kneed, club-footed +son of a gun, I was never so glad to see anybody before in my life.' + +"His eyes were shinin' with delight an' I know mine was, too. Reunions +of old friends who for all each know have been dead a year or two, clean +blowed to pieces by shells, or shot through by a hundred rifle bullets +are powerful affectin'. He come down to the edge of the river an' he +shot questions across to me, an' I shot questions at him, an' I felt +as if a brother had riz from the dead. An' as we can't shake hands we +reaches out the muzzles of our guns and shakes them towards each other +in the most friendly way. Then another picket comes up, fellow by name +of Henderson, from Mississippi. Bill introduces him to his good old pal, +an' we three have a friendly talk. Guess they're down there yet, if you +want to see 'em. I liked that fellow, Henderson, too, though he was a +powerful boaster." + +"All right," said Dick. "Lead on, but don't get us shot." + +They went cautiously through the bushes to the bank of the river, and +then the sergeant blew softly between his fingers. Two figures at once +appeared on the other side, and Sergeant Whitley and the boys rose up. + +"Mr. Brayton and Mr. Henderson," said the sergeant politely, "I want to +introduce my friends, Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Warner and Lieutenant +Pennington." + +"Movin' in mighty good comp'ny, though young, Dan," said Brayton, who +was about Whitley's age and build. + +"They're officers, an' they're young, as you say," said Whitley, "but +they're good ones." + +"Them's the kind we eat alive, when we ain't got anything else to eat," +said the Mississippian, a very tall, sallow and youngish man. "We're +never too strong on rations, and when I eat prisoners I like 'em under +twenty the best. They ain't had time to get tough. I speak right now for +that yellow-haired one in the middle." + +"You can't swallow me," said Pennington, good naturedly. "I'll just turn +myself crossways and stick in your throat." + +"What are you fellows after around here, anyway?" continued the +Mississippian. "The weather's hot an' we all want to go in swimmin' +to-morrow, bein' as we have two rivers handy. Shore as you live if you +get to botherin' us we'll hurt you." + +"You won't hurt us," said Dick, "because to-morrow we're going to +surround you and drive you into a coop." + +"Drive us in a coop. See here, Yank, you're gettin' excited. Do you know +how many men we have here waitin' for you? Of course you don't. Why, +it's four hundred thousand, ain't it, Bill?" + +"No, it's just two hundred thousand. I don't believe in lyin' fur +effect, Jim." + +"I ain't lyin'. There's two hundred thousand men. Then there's Bobby +Lee. That's a hundred thousand more, which makes three hundred thousand. +Then there's Stonewall Jackson, who's another hundred thousand, which +brings the figures up to exactly what I said, four hundred thousand. +Now, ain't I right, Bill?" + +"You shorely are, Jim. I was a fool for countin' the way I did. Will you +overlook it this time?" + +"Wa'al, I will this time, but be shore you don't do it ag'in. Now, see +here, you Yanks: we like you well enough. You're friends of Bill, who +is a friend of me. Just you take my advice an' go home. Start to-night +while the weather is warm, an' the roads are good. If you're afraid of +our chasin' you we'll give you a runnin' start of a hunderd miles." + +"Wa'al now, that's right kind of you," said Whitley. "I for one might +take your advice, but I was froze up so much in them wild mountains an' +plains of the northwest that I like to go south when the winter's comin' +on. It's hot now, all right, but in two months the chilly blasts will be +seekin' my marrow." + +"I was speakin' for your own good," said the Mississippian gravely. +"Anyway, you won't be troubled by the cold weather 'cause if you don't +go back into the no'th where you belong, we'll be takin' you a prisoner +way down south, where you don't belong. But you could have a good time +there. We won't treat you bad. There's fine huntin' for b'ars in the +canebrake an' the rivers an' bayous are full of fish. Your captivity +won't be downright painful on you." + +"Glad to get your welcome, Mr. Henderson," said Whitley, "'cause we've +heard a lot 'bout the hospitality of Mississippi, an' we're shorely +goin' to stretch it. I'm comin', an' I'm bringin' a couple of hundred +thousand fellers 'bout my size with me. Funny thing, we'll all wear blue +coats just alike. Think you'd find room for us?" + +"Plenty of it. What was it the feller said--we welcome you with bloody +hands to hospitable graves--but we ain't feelin' that way to-night. Got +a plug of terbacker?" + +The sergeant took out a square of tobacco, cut it in exact halves with +his pocket knife, and tossed one-half across the Antietam, where it was +deftly caught by the Mississippian. + +"Thanks mightily," said Henderson. "Mr. Commissary Banks used to supply +us with good things, then it was Mr. Commissary Pope, and now I reckon +it'll be Mr. Commissary McClellan. Say, how many fellers have you got +over thar, anyway?" + +"When I counted 'em last night," replied the sergeant calmly, "there was +five hundred and twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-three infantry, +sixty-four thousand two hundred and nineteen cavalry an' three thousand +one hundred and seventy-five cannon, but I reckon we'll receive +reinforcements of three hundred thousand before mornin'." + +"Then we'll have more prisoners than I thought. Are you shore them three +hundred thousand reinforcements will get up in time?" + +"Quite shore. I've sent 'em word to hurry." + +"Then we'll have to take them, too." + +"Time you fellers quit your talkin'," said Brayton, "a major or a +colonel may come strollin' 'long here any minute, an' they don't like +for us fellers to be too friendly. Dan, I'm powerful glad to see you +ag'in, an' I hope you won't get killed. I've a feelin' that you an' +me will be ridin' over the plains once more some day, an' we won't be +fightin' each other. We'll be fightin' Sioux an' Cheyennes an' all that +red lot, just as we did in the old days. Here's a good-bye." + +He thrust out the muzzle of his gun, an' Whitley thrust out his. Then +they shook them at each other in friendly salute, and the little group +moved away from the river bank. + +"I'm glad I've seen Bill again," said the sergeant. "Fine feller an' +that Mississippian with him was quaint like. Mighty big bragger." + +"You did some bragging yourself, sergeant," said Dick. + +"So I did, but it was in answer to Henderson. I'm glad we had that +little talk across the river. It was a friendly thing to do, before we +fall to slaughterin' one another." + +They rejoined Colonel Winchester, and Dick worked through a part of the +night carrying orders and other messages. A great movement was going +on. Fresh troops were continually coming up, but there was little noise +beyond the Antietam, although he saw the light of many fires. + +He slept after midnight and awoke at dawn, expecting to go at once into +battle. Some of the troops were moved about and Colonel Winchester began +to rage again. + +"Good God! can it be possible!" he exclaimed, "that another day will be +lost? Is General McClellan instead of General Lee waiting for Jackson to +come? With the enemy safely within the trap, we refuse to shut it down +upon him!" + +He said these things only within the hearing of Dick, who he knew would +never repeat them. But he was not the only one to complain. Men higher +in rank than he, generals, spoke their discontent openly. Why would +not McClellan attack? He had claimed that the rebels had two hundred +thousand men at the Seven Days, when it was well known that half that +figure or less was their true number. Why should he persist in seeing +the enemy double, and even if Lee did have fifty thousand men on the +other side of the Antietam, instead of the twenty thousand the scouts +assigned to him, the Army of the Potomac could defeat him before Jackson +came up. + +But McClellan was overcome by caution. In spite of everything he doubled +or tripled the numbers of the enemy. Personally brave beyond dispute, he +feared for his army. The position of the enemy on the peninsula seemed +to have changed somewhat through the night. He believed that the +batteries had been moved about, and he telegraphed to Washington that +he must find out exactly the disposition of Lee's forces and where the +fords were. + +Meanwhile the long, hot hours dragged on. The dust trodden up by so many +marching feet was terrible. It hung in clouds and added a sting to the +burning heat. Dick was wild with impatience, but he knew that it was not +worth while to say anything. He, Warner and Pennington, for the lack of +something else to do, lay on the dry grass, whispering and watching as +well as they could what was going on in Sharpsburg. + +Meanwhile Sharpsburg itself seemed a monument to peace. It was deep in +dust and the sun blazed on the roofs. Staff officers rode up, and when +they dismounted they lazily led their horses to the best shade that +could be found. Within a residence Lee sat in close conference with his +lieutenants, Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet. Now and then, they looked +at the reports of brigade commanders and sometimes they studied the maps +of Maryland and Virginia. Lee was calm and confident. The odds against +him--and he knew what they were--apparently mattered nothing. + +He knew the strength and spirit of his army and to what a pitch it was +keyed by victory. Moreover, he knew McClellan, whom he had met at the +Seven Days, and he believed, in truth he felt positive that McClellan +would delay long enough for the remainder of Jackson's troops to come +up. Upon this belief he staked the future of the Confederacy in the +battle to be fought there between the Potomac and the Antietam. His +troops were worn by battles and tremendous marches. Jackson's men in +three days had marched sixty miles, and had fought a battle at Harper's +Ferry within that time, also, taking more than thirteen thousand +prisoners. Never before had the foot cavalry marched so hard. + +The men in gray, ragged and many of them barefooted, slept in the woods +about Sharpsburg all through the hot hours of the day. Their officers +had told them that the drums and bugles would call them when needed, and +they sank quietly into the deepest of slumbers. From where they lay Red +Hill, a spur of a mountain, separated them from the Union army. It was +only those like Dick and his comrades who mounted elevations and who +had powerful field glasses who could see into Sharpsburg. The main Union +force saw only the top of a church spire or two in the village. But each +felt fully the presence of the other and knew that the battle could not +be delayed long. + +Dick, in his anxiety and excitement, fell asleep. The heat and the +waiting seemed to overpower him. He did not know how long he had slept, +but he was awakened by the sharp call of a trumpet, and when he sprang +to his feet Warner told him it was about four o'clock. + +"What's up?" he cried, as he wiped the haze of heat and dust from his +eyes. + +"We're about to march," replied Warner, "but as it's so late in the +day I don't think it can be a general attack. Still, I know that our +division is going to cross the Antietam. Up here the stream is narrower +than it is down below, and the banks are not so high. Look, the colonel +is beckoning to us! Here we go!" + +They sprang upon their horses, and a great corps advanced toward the +Antietam, far above the town of Sharpsburg. The sun had declined in the +West, and a breeze, bringing a little coolness, had begun to blow. They +did not see much preparation for defense beyond the river, but as +they advanced some cannon in the woods opened there. The Union cannon +replied, and then the brigades in blue moved forward swiftly. + +The officers and the cavalry galloped their horses into the little river +and Dick felt a fierce joy as the water was dashed into his face. This +was action, movement, the attack that had been delayed so long but +which was not yet too late. He thought nothing of the shells hissing and +shrieking over his head, and he shouted with the others in exultation as +they passed the fords of the Antietam and set foot on the peninsula. The +cannon dashed after them through the stream and up the bank. + +A heavy rifle fire from the woods met them, but the triumphant division +pressed on. They were held back at the edge of the woods by cannon +aiding the rifles, and for some time a battle swayed back and forth, +but the Confederate resistance ceased suddenly. Infantry and batteries +disappeared in woods or beyond a ridge, and then Dick noticed that +night was coming. The sun was already hidden by the lofty slopes of the +western mountains, and there would be no battle that day. In another +half hour full darkness would be upon them. + +But Dick felt that something had been achieved. A powerful Union force +was now beyond the Antietam, with its feet rooted firmly in the soil +of the peninsula. It looked directly south at the Confederate army and +there was no barrier between. Lee would have to face at once, Hooker on +the north and McClellan on the east across the Antietam. The Union army +had been numerous enough to outflank him. + +Dick was quite sure of success now. They had lost two of the most +precious of all days instead of one, but they had closed the gap on the +north, through which Lee's army might march in an attempt to escape. It +was likely, too, that the last of Jackson's men would come that way and +the Union force would cut them off from Lee. Two entire army corps were +now beyond the Antietam, and they should be able to do anything. + +The Winchester regiment lay in deep woods, and the great division +although it had rested nearly all the day was quiet in the night. But +some ardent souls could not rest. A group of officers, including Colonel +Winchester and the three young members of his staff, walked forward +through the woods, taking the chance of stray shots from sentinels or +skirmishers. But they knew that this risk was not great. + +They passed near a mill, its wheels and saws silent now, and presently +as the moon rose they saw the square white walls of a building shining +in its light. + +"The Dunkard church," said one of the officers. "I think we'd better not +go any closer. The Johnnies must be lying thick close at hand." + +"The dim light off to the right must be made by their fires," said +Colonel Winchester. "I wish I knew what troops they are. Jackson's +perhaps. It's a rough country, and all these forests and ridges and +hills will help the defense. I understand that the farms in here are +surrounded by stone fences and that, too, will help the Johnnies." + +"But we'll get 'em," said another confidently. "The battle can't be put +off any longer, and we're bound to smash 'em in the morning." + +They remained in the darkness for a while, trying to see what was +passing toward the Southern lines, but they could see little. There +was some rifle firing after a while, and the occasional deep note of a +cannon, mostly at random and the little group walked back. + +"I'm going to sleep, Dick," said Warner. "I've just remembered that +I'm an invalid and that if I overtask myself it will be a bad thing for +McClellan to-morrow. The colonel doesn't want us any longer, and so here +goes." + +"I follow," said Pennington. "The dry earth is good enough for me. May I +stay on top of it for the next half century." + +Warner and Pennington slept quickly, but Dick lay awake a long time, +listening to the stray rifle shots and the distant boom of a cannon at +far intervals. After a while, he looked at his watch and saw that it was +midnight. It was more than an hour later when slumber overtook him, +and while he and his comrades lay there the last of Jackson's men were +coming with the help that Lee needed so sorely. + +Two divisions which had been left at Harper's Ferry started at midnight +just as Dick was looking at his watch and at dawn they were almost to +the Potomac. On their flank was a cavalry brigade and A. P. Hill was +hurrying with another of infantry. Messenger after messenger from them +came to Lee that on the fateful day they with their fourteen thousand +bayonets would be in line when they were needed most. + +Few of those who fought for the Lost Cause ever cherished anything more +vividly than those hours between midnight and the next noon when they +marched at the double quick across hill and valley and forest to the +relief of their great commander. There was little need for the officers +to urge them on, and at sunrise the rolling of the cannon was calling to +them to come faster, always faster. + + + + +CHAPTER X. ANTIETAM + + +Dick arose at the first flash of dawn. All the men of the Winchester +regiment were on their feet. The officers had sent their horses to the +rear, knowing that they would be worse than useless among the rocks and +in the forest in front of them. + +A mist arising from the two rivers floated over everything, but Dick +knew that the battle was at hand. The Northern trumpets were calling, +and in the haze in front of them the Southern trumpets were calling, +too. + +The fog lifted, and then Dick saw the Confederate lines stretched +through forest, rock and ploughed ground. Near the front was a rail +fence with lines of skirmishers crouching behind it. As the last bit of +mist rolled away the fence became a twisted line of flame. The fire of +the Southern skirmishers crashed in the Union ranks, and the Northern +skirmishers, pressing in on the right replied with a fire equally swift +and deadly. Then came the roar of the Southern cannon, well aimed and +tearing gaps in the Union lines. + +"Its time to charge!" exclaimed Pennington. "It scares me, standing +still under the enemy's fire, but I forget about it when I'm rushing +forward." + +The Winchester regiment did not move for the present, although the +battle thickened and deepened about it. The fire of the Confederate +cannon was heavy and terrible, yet the Union masses on either wing had +begun to press forward. Hooker hurled in two divisions, one under Meade, +and one under Doubleday, and another came up behind to support them. +The western men were here and remembering how they had been decimated at +Manassas, they fought for revenge as well as patriotism. + +At last the Winchester regiment in the center moved forward also. They +struck heavy ploughed land, and as they struggled through it they met a +devastating fire. It seemed to Dick that the last of the little regiment +was about to be blown away, but as he looked through the fire and smoke +he saw Warner and Pennington still by his side, and the colonel a little +ahead, waving his sword and shouting orders that could not be heard. + +Dick saw shining far before him the white walls of the Dunkard church, +and he was seized with a frantic desire to reach it. It seemed to him if +they could get there that the victory would be won. Yet they made little +progress. The cannon facing them fairly spouted fire, and thousands of +expert riflemen in front of them lying behind ridges and among rocks +and bushes sent shower after shower of leaden balls that swept away the +front ranks of the charging Union lines. The shell and the shrapnel and +the grape and the round shot made a great noise, but the little bullets +coming in swarms like bees were the true messengers of death. + +Jackson and four thousand of his veterans formed the thin line between +the Dunkard church and the Antietam. They were ragged and worn by war, +but they were the children of victory, led by a man of genius, and they +felt equal to any task. Near Jackson stood his favorite young aide, +Harry Kenton, and on the other side was the thin regiment of the +Invincibles, led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot, and Lieutenant-Colonel +Hector St. Hilaire. + +Around the church itself were the Texans under Hood, stalwart, sunburned +men who could ride like Comanches, some of whom when lads had been +present at San Jacinto, when the Texans struck with such terrible might +and success for liberty. + +"Are we winning? Tell me, that we are winning!" shouted Dick in Warner's +ear. + +"We're not winning, but we will! Confound that fog! It's coming up +again!" Warner shouted back. + +The heavy fog from the Potomac and the Antietam which the early and +burning sunrise had driven away was drifting back, thickened by the +smoke from the cannon and rifles. The gray lines in front disappeared +and the church was hidden. Yet the Northern artillery continued to pour +a terrible fire through the smoke toward the point where the Confederate +infantry had been posted. + +Dick heard at the same time a tremendous roar on the left, and he knew +that the Union batteries beyond the Antietam had opened a flanking fire +on the Southern army. He breathed a sigh of triumph. McClellan, who +could organize and prepare so well, was aroused at last to such a point +that he could concentrate his full strength in battle itself, and push +home with all his might until able to snatch the reward, victory. As +the lad heard the supporting guns across the Antietam, he suddenly found +himself shouting with all his might. His voice could not be heard in the +uproar, but he saw that the lips of those about him were moving in like +manner. + +The two corps on the peninsula had a good leader that morning. Hooker, +fiery, impetuous, scorning death, continually led his men to the attack. +The gaps in their ranks were closed up, and on they went, infantry, +cavalry and artillery. The fog blew away again and they beheld once more +the gray lines of the Southerners, and the white wooden walls of the +church. + +So fierce and overwhelming was the Northern rush that all of Jackson's +men and the Texans were borne back, and were driven from the ridges +and out of the woods. Exultant, the men in blue followed, their roar of +triumph swelling above the thunder of the battle. + +"Victory!" cried Dick, but Warner shouted: + +"Look out!" + +The keen eyes of the young Vermonter had seen masses of infantry and +cavalry on their flank. Hooker, fierce and impetuous, had gone too +far, and now the Southern trumpets sang the charge. Stuart, fiery and +dauntless, his saber flashing, led his charging horsemen, and Hill threw +his infantry upon the Northern flank. + +It seemed to Dick that he was in a huge volcano of fire and smoke. +Men who, in their calm moments, did not hate one another, glared into +hostile eyes. There was often actual physical contact, and the flash +from the cannon and rifles blazed in Dick's face. The Southerners +in front who had been driven back returned, and as Stuart and Hill +continued to beat hard upon their flanks, the troops of Hooker were +compelled to retreat. Once more the white church faded in the mists and +smoke. + +But Hooker and his generals rallied their men and advanced anew. The +ground around the Dunkard church became one of the most sanguinary +places in all America. One side advanced and then the other, and +they continually reeled to and fro. Even the young soldiers knew the +immensity of the stake. This was the open ground, elsewhere the Antietam +separated the fighting armies. But victory here would decide the whole +battle, and the war, too. The Northern troops fought for a triumph that +would end all, and the Southern troops for salvation. + +So close and obstinate was the conflict that colonels and generals +themselves were in the thick of it. Starke and Lawton of the South were +both killed. Mansfield, who led one of the Northern army corps fell dead +in the very front line, and the valiant Hooker, caught in the arms of +his soldiers, was borne away so severely wounded that he could no longer +give orders. + +Scarcely any generals were left on either side, but the colonels and +the majors and the captains still led the men into the thick of the +conflict. Dick felt a terrible constriction. It was as if some one were +choking him with powerful hands, and he strove for breath. He knew that +the masses pressed upon their flank by Stuart and Hill, were riddling +them through and through. + +The Union men were giving ground, slowly, it is true, and leaving heaps +of dead and wounded behind them, but nobody could stand the terrible +rifle fire that was raking them at short range from side to side, and +they were no longer able to advance. Now Dick heard once more that +terrible and triumphant rebel yell, and it seemed to him that they were +about to be destroyed utterly, when shell and shot began to shriek and +whistle over their heads. The woods behind them were alive with the +blaze of fire, and the great Union batteries were driving back the +triumphant and cheering Confederates. + +The Union generals on the other side of the Antietam saw the fate that +was about to overtake Hooker's valiant men, and Sumner, with another +army corps, had crossed the river to the rescue, coming just in time. +They moved up to Hooker's men and the united masses returned to the +charge. + +The battle grew more desperate with the arrival of fresh troops. Again +it was charge and repulse, charge and repulse, and the continuous +swaying to and fro by two combatants, each resolved to win. There were +the Union men who had forced the passes through the mountains to reach +this field, and they were struggling to follow up those successes by +a victory far greater, and there were the Confederates resolved upon +another glorious success. + +The fire became so tremendous that the men could no longer hear orders. +Here was a field of ripe corn, the stems and blades higher than a man's +head, forty acres or so, nearly a quarter of a mile each way, but the +corn soon ceased to hide the combatants from one another. The fire from +the cannon and rifles came in such close sheets that scarcely a stalk +stood upright in that whole field. + +Long this mighty conflict swayed back and forth. Dick had seen nothing +like it before, not even at the Second Manassas. It was almost hand to +hand. Cannons were lost and retaken by each side. Stuart, finding the +ground too rough for his cavalry, dismounted them and put them at +the guns. Jackson, with an eye that missed nothing, called up Early's +brigade and hurled it into the battle. The North replied with fresh +troops, and the combat was as much in doubt as ever. Every brigade +commander on the Southern side had been killed or wounded. Nearly all +the colonels had fallen, but Jackson's men still fought with a fire and +spirit that only such a leader as he could inspire. + +It seemed to Dick that the whole world was on fire with the flash of +cannon and rifles. The roar and crash came from not only in front and +around him, but far down the side, where the main army of McClellan was +advancing directly upon the Antietam, and the stone bridges which the +Confederates had not found time to tear down. + +There stood Lee, supremely confident that if his lieutenant, Jackson, +could not hold the Northern opening into the peninsula nobody could. +His men, who knew the desperate nature of the crisis, said that they had +never seen him more confident than he was that day. + +On the ridge just south of the village was a huge limestone bowlder, +and Lee, field glasses in hand, stood on it. He listened a while to the +growing thunder of the battle in the north--the Dunkard church, around +which Jackson and Hooker were fighting so desperately, was a mile +away--but he soon turned his attention to the blue masses across the +Antietam. + +The Southern commander faced the Antietam with the hard-hitting +Longstreet on his right, his left being composed of the forces of +Jackson, already in furious conflict. Nothing escaped him. As he +listened to the thunder of the dreadful battle in the north, he never +ceased to watch the great army in front of him on the other side of the +little river. + +While Hooker and his men were fighting with such desperate courage, why +did not McClellan and the main body of the Union army move forward to +the attack? Doubtless Lee asked himself this question, and doubtless +also he had gauged accurately the mind of the Union leader, who always +saw two or even three enemies where but one stood. Relying so strongly +upon his judgment he dared to strip himself yet further and send more +men to Jackson. A messenger brought him news that more of Jackson's men +had come to his aid and that he was now holding the whole line against +the attacks of Meade and Hooker and all the rest. + +Lee nodded and turned his glasses again toward the long blue line across +the Antietam. McClellan himself was there, standing on a hill and also +watching. Around him was a great division under the command of Burnside, +and his time to win victory had come. He sent the order to Burnside to +move forward and force the Antietam. It is said that at this moment Lee +had only five thousand men with him, all the rest having been sent to +Jackson, and, if so, time itself fought against the Union, as it was a +full two hours before Burnside carried out his order and moved forward +on the Antietam. + +But Dick, on the north, did not know that it was as yet only cannon +fire, and not the charge of troops to the south and west. In truth, he +knew little of his own part of the battle. Once he was knocked down, but +it was only the wind from a cannon ball, and when he sprang to his feet +and drew a few long breaths he was as well as ever. + +From muttered talk around him, talk that he could hear under the thunder +of the battle, he learned that Sumner, who had come with the great +reinforcement, was now leading the battle, with Hooker wounded and +Mansfield dying. + +Sumner, as brave and daring as any, had gathered twenty thousand men, +and they were advancing in splendid order over the wreck of the dead and +the dying, apparently an irresistible force. + +Jackson, standing at the edge of a wood, saw the magnificent advance, +and while the officers around him despaired, he did not think of +awaiting the Northern attack, but prepared instead for an attack of his +own. There was word that McLaws and the Harper's Ferry men had come. +Jackson galloped to meet them, formed them quickly with his own, and +then the Southern drums rolled out the charge. The weary veterans, +gathering themselves anew for another burst of strength, fell with all +their might on the Northern flank. + +Dick felt the force of that charge. Men seemed to be driven in upon him. +He was hurled down, how he knew not, but he sprang up again, and then he +saw that their advance was stopped. Long lines of bayonets advanced upon +them, and a terrible artillery fire crashed through and through their +ranks. Two or three thousand men in blue fell in a moment or so. Fortune +in an instant had made a terrible change of front. + +Dick shouted aloud in despair as the brigades steadily gave back. The +great Union batteries were firing over their heads again, but even they +could not arrest the Southern advance. Their regiments were coming now +across the shorn cornfield. Dick saw the galloping horses drawing their +batteries up closer and around the flanks. And the rebel yell of victory +which he had heard too often was now swelling from thousands of throats, +as the fierce sons of the South rushed upon their foe. + +But the North refused to abandon the battle here. These were splendid +troops, so tenacious and so much bent upon victory that they scarcely +needed leaders. Sedgwick, another of their gallant generals, fell and +was carried off the field, wounded severely. Richardson, yet another, +was killed a little later, but heavy reinforcements arrived, and the +Southerners were driven back in their turn. + +These were picked troops who met here, veterans almost all of them, and +neither would yield. The superior weight and range of the Northern guns +gave them an advantage in artillery, and it was used to the utmost. Dick +did not see how men could live under such a horrible fire, but there +were the gray lines replying, and wherever they yielded, yielding but +little. + +Noon came and then one o'clock. They had been fighting since dawn, and +a combat so impetuous and terrible could not be maintained forever, +particularly when the awful demon of war was eating up men so fast. Many +of the regiments on either side had lost more than half their number and +would lose more. They were human beings, and even the unwounded began to +collapse from mere physical exhaustion. Some dropped to the ground from +sheer inability to stand, and as they lay there, they heard to the south +and west the rolling thunder that told of Burnside's belated advance +upon the Antietam. + +Down where Lee stood watching, the battle blazed up with extraordinary +rapidity. The men who had been held in leash so long by McClellan were +anxious to get at the foe. Burnside's brigades charged directly for one +of the stone bridges, and Lee, watching from his bowlder, hurried the +Southern troops forward to meet them. Again the Northern artillery +proved its worth. The great batteries sent a hurricane of death over the +heads of the men in blue and toward the town of Sharpsburg. Despite all +the valor of the Southern veterans, the heavy masses of the Union men +forced their way across the bridge to the peninsula. Lee's batteries and +infantry regiments could not hold them. + +It seemed now that Lee's own force was to be destroyed and that +victory was won, but fortune had in store yet another of those +dazzling recoveries for the South. At the very moment when Lee seemed +overwhelmed, A. P. Hill, as valiant and vigorous as the other Hill, +arrived with the last of the Harper's Ferry veterans, having marched +seventeen miles, almost on a dead run. They crossed the Potomac at a +ford below the mouth of the Antietam, then crossed the Antietam on the +lowest bridge back into the peninsula, and without waiting for orders +rushed upon the Northern flank. + +The attack was so sudden and fierce that Burnside's entire division +reeled back. Here, as in the north, the face of the battle had been +changed in an instant. Not only could Colonel Winchester mourn over +those lost two days, but he could mourn over every lost half hour in +them. Had Hill come a half hour later Lee's whole center would have been +swept away. + +Lee and his great lieutenants, Jackson and Longstreet, were still +confident. Despite the disparity in numbers they had beaten back every +attack. + +A. P. Hill was a man who corresponded in fire and impetuosity to Hooker. +The number of his veterans was not so great, but their rush was so +fierce, and they struck at such a critical time that the Northern +brigades were unable to hold the ground they had gained. More troops +from the dying battle on the north came to Lee's aid, and every attempt +of McClellan to take Sharpsburg failed. + +Dick, fighting with his comrades on the north, knew little of what was +passing on the peninsula in the south, but he became conscious after a +while that the appalling fury of the battle around him was diminishing. +He had not seen such a desperate hand-to-hand battle at either Shiloh or +the Second Manassas, and they were terrible enough. But he felt as the +Confederates themselves had felt, that the Southern army was fighting +for existence. + +But as the day waned, Dick believed that they would never be able to +crush Jackson. The Union troops always returned to the attack, but the +men in gray never failed to meet it, and actual physical exhaustion +overwhelmed the combatants. Pennington went down, and Dick dragged him +to his feet, fearing that he was wounded mortally, but found that his +comrade had merely dropped through weakness. + +The long day of heat and strife neared its close. Neither Northern +tenacity nor Southern fire could win, and the sun began to droop over +the field piled so thickly with bodies. As the twilight crept up the +battle sank in all parts of the peninsula. McClellan, who had lost those +two most precious days, and who had finally failed to make use of all +his numbers at the same time, now, great in preparation, as usual, made +ready for the emergency of the morrow. + +All the powerful and improved artillery which McClellan had in such +abundance was brought up. The mathematical minds and the workshops of +the North bore full fruit upon this sanguinary field of Antietam. The +shattered divisions of Hooker, with which Dick and his comrades lay, +were sheltered behind a great line of artillery. No less than thirty +rifled guns of the latest and finest make were massed in one battery to +command the road by which the South might attack. + +To the south the Northern artillery was equally strong, and beyond the +Antietam also it was massed in battery after battery to protect its men. + +But the coming twilight found both sides too exhausted to move. The +sun was setting upon the fiercest single day's fighting ever seen in +America. Nearly twenty-five thousand dead or wounded lay upon the field. +More than one fourth of the Southern army was killed or wounded, yet it +was in Lee's mind to attack on the morrow. + +After night had come the weary Southern generals--those left +alive--reported to Lee as he sat on his horse in the road. The shadows +gathered on his face, as they told of their awful losses, and of the +long list of high officers killed or wounded. Jackson was among the +last, and he was gloomy. The man who had always insisted upon battle did +not insist upon it now. Hood reported that his Texans, who had fought so +valiantly for the Dunkard church, were almost destroyed. + +The scene in the darkness with the awful battlefield around them was one +which not even the greatest of painters could have reproduced. When the +last general had told his tale of slaughter and destruction, they sat +for a while in silence. They realized the smallness of their army, and +the immense extent of their losses. The light wind that had sprung +up swept over the dead faces of thousands of the bravest men in the +Southern army. They had held their ground, but on the morrow McClellan +could bring into line three to one and an artillery far superior alike +in quality, weight and numbers to theirs. + +The strange, intense silence lasted. Every eye was upon Lee. When the +generals were making their reports he had shown more emotion than they +had ever seen on his face before. Now he was quiet, but he drew his +lips close together, his eyes shone with blue fire, and rising in his +stirrups he said: + +"We will not cross the Potomac to-night, gentlemen." + +Then while they still waited in silence, he said: + +"Go to your commands! Reform and strengthen your lines. Collect all your +stragglers. Bring up every man who is in the rear. If McClellan wants a +battle again in the morning, he shall have it. Now go!" + +Not a general said a word in objection, in fact, they did not speak +at all, but rode slowly away, every one to his command. Yet they were, +without exception, against the decision of their great leader. + +Even Stonewall Jackson did not want a second battle. He had shown +through the doubtful conflict a most extraordinary calmness. While the +combat in the north, where he commanded, was at its height, he had sat +on Little Sorrel, now happily restored to him, eating from time to +time a peach that he took from his pocket. Nothing had escaped his +observation; he watched every movement, and noticed every rise and fall +in the tide of success. His silence now indicated that he concurred with +the others in his belief that the remains of the Confederate army +should withdraw across the Potomac, but his manner indicated complete +acquiescence in the decision of his leader. + +But in the north of the peninsula the remnants of either side had scarce +a thought to bestow upon victory or defeat. It was a question that did +not concern them for the present, so utter was their exhaustion. As +night came and the battle ceased they dropped where they were and sank +into sleep or a stupor that was deeper than sleep. + +But Dick this time did neither. His nervous system had been strained so +severely that it was impossible for him to keep still. He had found that +all of his friends had received wounds, although they were too slight +to put them out of action. But the Winchester regiment had suffered +terribly again. It did not have a hundred men left fit for service, +and even at that it had got off better than some others. In one of the +Virginia regiments under Longstreet only fourteen men had been left +unhurt. + +Dick stood beside his colonel--Warner and Pennington were lying in a +stupor--and he was appalled. The battle had been fought within a narrow +area, and the tremendous destruction was visible in the moonlight, +heaped up everywhere. Colonel Winchester was as much shaken as he, and +the two, the man and the boy, walked toward the picket line, drawn by a +sort of hideous fascination, as they looked upon the area of conflict. + +The dead lay in windrows between the two armies which were waiting to +fight on the dawn. Dick and the colonel walked toward the field where +the corn had been waving high that morning, and where it was now mown +by cannon and rifles to the last stalk. In the edge of the wood the boy +paused and grasping the man suddenly by the arm pulled him back. + +"Look! Look!" he exclaimed in a sharp whisper. "The Confederate +skirmishers! The woods are full of them! They are making ready for a +night attack!" Both he and Colonel Winchester sprang back behind a big +tree, sheltering themselves from a possible shot. But no sound came, +not even that of men creeping forward through the undergrowth. All they +heard was the moaning of the wind through the foliage. They waited, and +then the two looked at each other. The true reason for the extraordinary +silence had occurred to both at the same instant, and they stepped from +the shelter of the tree. + +Awed and appalled, the man and the boy gazed at the silent forms which +lay row on row in the woods and in the shorn cornfield. It seemed as if +they slept, but Dick knew that all were dead. He and Colonel Winchester +gazed again at each other and shuddering turned away lest they disturb +the sleep of the dead. + +When they returned to a position behind the guns they heard others +coming in with equally terrible tales. A sunken lane that ran between +the hostile lines was filled to the brim with dead. Boys, yet in +their teens, with nerves completely shattered for the time, chattered +hysterically of what they had seen. The Antietam was still running red. +Both Lee and Stonewall Jackson had been killed and the whole Confederate +army would be taken in the morning. Some said, on the other hand, that +the Southerners still had a hundred thousand men, and that McClellan +would certainly be beaten the next day, if he did not retreat in time. + +None of the talk, either of victory or defeat, made any impression upon +Dick. His senses were too much dulled by all through which he had gone. +Words no longer meant anything. Although the night was warm he began to +shiver, as if he were seized with a chill. + +"Lie down, Dick," said Colonel Winchester, who noticed him. "I don't +think you can stand it any longer. Here, under this tree will do." + +Dick threw himself down and Colonel Winchester, finding a blanket, +spread it over him. Then the boy closed his eyes, and, for a while, +phase after phase of the terrible conflict passed before him. He could +see the white wall of the Dunkard church, the Bloody Lane, and most +ghastly of all, those dead men in rows lying on their arms, like +regiments asleep, but his nerves grew quiet at last, and after midnight +he slept. + +Dawn came and found the two armies ready. Dick and the sad remnant +of the Winchester regiment rose to their feet. Although food had been +prepared for them very few in all these brigades had touched a bite the +night before, sinking into sleep or stupor before it could be brought to +them. But now they ate hungrily while they watched for their foes, the +skirmishers of either army already being massed in front to be ready for +any movement by the other. + +As on the morning before, a mist arose from the Potomac and the +Antietam. The sun, bright and hot, soon dispersed it. But there was no +movement by either army. Dick did not hear the sound of a single shot. +Warner and Pennington, recovered from their stupor, stood beside him +gazing southward toward the rocks and ridges, where the Confederate army +lay. + +"I'm thinking," said Warner, "that they're just as much exhausted as we +are. We're waiting for an attack, and they're waiting for the same. The +odds are at least ninety per cent in favor of my theory. Their losses +are something awful, and I don't think they can do anything against us. +Look how our batteries are massed for them." + +Dick was watching through his glasses, and even with their aid he +could see no movement within the Southern lines. Hours passed and still +neither army stirred. McClellan counted his tremendous losses, and he, +too, preferred to await attack rather than offer it. His old obsession +that his enemy was double his real strength seized him, and he was not +willing to risk his army in a second rush upon Lee. + +While Dick and his comrades were waiting through the long morning hours, +Lee and Jackson and his other lieutenants were deciding whether or not +they should make an attack of their own. But when they studied with +their glasses the Northern lines and the great batteries, they decided +that it would be better not to try it. + +When noon came and still no shot had been fired, Colonel Winchester +shook his head. + +"We might yet destroy the Southern army," he said to Dick, "but I'm +convinced that General McClellan will not move it." + +The hot afternoon passed, and then the night came with the sound of +rumbling wheels and marching men. Dick surmised that Lee was leaving the +peninsula, and, crossing the Potomac in to Virginia, and that therefore +tactical victory would rest with the Northern side. The noises continued +all night long, but McClellan made no advance, nor did he do so the next +day, while the whole Confederate army was crossing the Potomac, until +nearly night. + +But the Winchester regiment and several more of the same skeleton +character, pushing forward a little on the morning of that day, found +that the last Confederate soldier was gone from Sharpsburg. Colonel +Winchester and other officers were eager for the Army of the Potomac to +attack the Army of Northern Virginia, while it dragged itself across the +wide and dangerous ford. + +But McClellan delayed again, and it was sunset when Dick saw the first +sign of action. A strong division with cannon crossed the river and +attacked the batteries which were covering the Southern rearguard. Four +guns and prisoners were taken, but when Lee heard of it he sent back +Jackson, who beat off all pursuit. + +Dick and his comrades did not see this last fight, which was the dying +echo of Antietam. They felt that they had defeated the enemy's purpose, +but they did not rejoice over any victory. The sword of Antietam had +turned back Lee and Jackson for a time and perhaps had saved the Union, +but Dick was gloomy and depressed that so little had been won when they +seemed to hold so much in the hollow of their hands. + +This feeling spread through the whole army, and the privates, even, +talked of it openly. Nobody could forget those precious two days lost +before the battle. Orders No. 191 had put all the cards in their hands, +but the commander had not played them. + +"I feel that we've really failed," said Warner, as they sat beside a +camp fire. "The Southerners certainly fought like demons, but we ought +to have been there long before Jackson came, and we ought to have +whipped them, even after Jackson did come." + +"But we didn't," said Pennington, "and so we've got the job to do all +over again. You know, George, we're bound to win." + +"Of course, Frank; but while we're doing it the country is being ripped +to pieces. I'll never quit mourning over that lost chance at Antietam." + +"At any rate we came off better than at the Second Manassas," said Dick. +"What's ahead of us now?" + +"I don't know," replied Warner. "I saw Shepard yesterday, and he says +that the Southerners are recuperating in Virginia. We need restoratives +ourselves, and I don't suppose we'll have any important movements along +this line for a while." + +"But there'll be big fighting somewhere," said Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + + +Two days after the battle of Antietam, Dick went with Colonel Winchester +to Washington on official duty. His nerves, shaken so severely by that +awful battle, were not yet fully restored and he was glad of the little +respite, and change of scene. The sights of the city and the talk of men +were a restorative to him. + +The capital was undoubtedly gay. The deep depression and fear that +had hung over it a few weeks ago were gone. Men had believed after the +Second Manassas that Lee might take Washington and this fear was not +decreased when he passed into Maryland on what seemed to be an invasion. +Many had begun to believe that he was invincible, that every Northern +commander whoever he might be, would be beaten by him, but Antietam, +although there were bitter complaints that Lee might have been destroyed +instead of merely being checked, had changed a sky of steel into a sky +of blue. + +Washington was not only gay, it was brilliant. Life flowed fast and it +was astonishingly vivid. A restless society, always seeking something +new flitted from house to house. Dick, young and impressionable, would +have been glad to share a little in it, but his time was too short. He +went once with Colonel Winchester to the theatre, and the boy who had +thrice seen a hundred and fifty thousand men in deadly action hung +breathless over the mimic struggles of a few men and women on a painted +stage. + +The second day after his arrival he received a letter from his mother +that had been awaiting him there. It had come by the way of Louisville +through the Northern lines, and it was long and full of news. Pendleton, +she said, was a sad town in these days. All of the older boys and +young men had gone away to the armies, and many of them had been killed +already, or had died in hospitals. Here she gave names and Dick's heart +grew heavy, because in this fatal list were old friends of his. + +It was not alone the boys and young men who had gone, wrote Mrs. Mason, +but the middle-aged men, too. Dr. Russell had kept the Pendleton Academy +open, but he had no pupil over sixteen years of age. There were no +trustees, because they had all gone to the war. Senator Culver had been +killed in the fighting in Tennessee, but she heard that Colonel Kenton +was alive and well and with Bragg's army. + +The affairs of the Union, she continued, were not going well in +Tennessee and Kentucky. The terrible Confederate cavalryman Forrest had +suddenly raided Murfreesborough in Tennessee, where Union regiments were +stationed, and had destroyed or captured them all. Throughout the west +the Southerners were raising their heads again. General Bragg, it was +said, was advancing with a strong army, and was already farther north +than the army of General Buell, which was in Tennessee. It was said that +Louisville, one of the largest and richest of the border cities, would +surely fall into the hands of the South. + +Dick read the letter with changing and strong emotions. Amid the +terrible struggles in the east, the west was almost blotted out of +his mind. The Second Manassas and Antietam had great power to absorb +attention wholly upon themselves. He had wholly forgotten for the time +about Pendleton, the people whom he knew, and even his mother. Now +they returned with increased strength. His memory was flooded with +recollections of the little town, every house and face of which he knew. + +And so the Confederates were coming north again with a great army. +Shiloh had been far from crushing them in the west. The letter had +been written before the Second Manassas, and that and Lee's great fight +against odds at Antietam would certainly arouse in them the wish for +like achievements. He inferred that since the armies in the east were +exhausted, the great field for action would be for a while, in the west, +and he was seized with an intense longing for that region which was his +own. + +It was not coincidence, but the need for men that made Dick's wish come +true almost at once. A few hours after he received his letter Colonel +Winchester found him sitting in the lobby of the hotel in which Dick had +twice talked with the contractor. But the boy was alone this time, and +as Colonel Winchester sat down beside him he said: + +"Dick, the capital has received alarming news from Kentucky. Buoyed +up by their successes in the east the Confederacy is going to make an +effort to secure that state. Bragg with a powerful force is already on +his way toward Louisville, and we fear that he has slipped away from +Buell." + +"So I've heard. I found here a letter from my mother, and she told me +all the reports from that section." + +"And is Mrs. Mason well? She has not been troubled by guerillas, or in +any other way?" + +"Not at all. Mother's health is always good, and she has not been +molested." + +"Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon." + +"Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?" + +"The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west. This +movement of Bragg's army is formidable, and it would be a great blow for +us if he took Louisville. Dispatches have been sent east for help. My +regiment and several others that really belong in the west have been +asked for, and we are to start in three days. Dick, do you know how many +men of the Winchester regiment are left? We shall be able to start with +only one hundred and five men, and when we attacked at Donelson we were +a thousand strong." + +"And the end of the war, sir, seems as far off as ever." + +"So it does, Dick, but we'll go, and we'll do our best. Starting from +Washington we can reach Louisville in two days by train. Bragg, no +matter what progress he may make across the state, cannot be there then. +If any big battle is to be fought we're likely to be in it." + +The scanty remainder of the regiment was brought to Washington and two +days later they were in Louisville, which they found full of alarm. +The famous Southern partisan leader, John Morgan, had been roaming +everywhere over the state, capturing towns, taking prisoners and +throwing all the Union communications into confusion by means of false +dispatches. + +People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's +telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument, +and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general +pleased. It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville +where there was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell +on another line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him +and Louisville. + +But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding +as usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring +into Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg +had captured the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at +Munfordville, the crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady +advance. + +But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering +force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside. + +At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east, +and then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army +already gathered there and a division sent by Grant from his station at +Corinth, in Mississippi, he was at the head of a hundred thousand men, +and Bragg could not muster more than half as many. + +So rapid had been the passage of events that Dick found himself a member +of Buell's reorganized army, and ready to march, only thirteen days +after the sun set on the bloody field of Antietam, seven hundred miles +away. Bragg, they said, was at Lexington, in the heart of the state, and +the Union army was in motion to punish him for his temerity in venturing +out of the far south. + +Dick felt a great elation as he rode once more over the soil of his +native state. He beheld again many of the officers whom he had seen at +Donelson, and also he spoke to General Buell, who although as taciturn +and somber as ever, remembered him. + +Warner and Pennington were by his side, the colonel rode before, and the +Winchester regiment marched behind. Volunteers from Kentucky and other +states had raised it to about three hundred men, and the new lads +listened with amazement, while the unbearded veterans told them of +Shiloh, the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +"Good country, this of yours, Dick," said Warner, as they rode through +the rich lands east of Louisville. "Worth saving. I'm glad the doctor +ordered me west for my health." + +"He didn't order you west for your health," said Pennington. "He ordered +you west to get killed for your country." + +"Well, at any rate, I'm here, and as I said, this looks like a land +worth saving." + +"It's still finer when you get eastward into the Bluegrass," said Dick, +"but it isn't showing at its best. I never before saw the ground looking +so burnt and parched. They say it's the dryest summer known since the +country was settled eighty or ninety years ago." + +Dick hoped that their line of march would take them near Pendleton, and +as it soon dropped southward he saw that his hope had come true. They +would pass within twenty miles of his mother's home, and at Dick's +urgent and repeated request, Colonel Winchester strained a point and +allowed him to go. He was permitted to select a horse of unusual power +and speed, and he departed just before sundown. + +"Remember that you're to rejoin us to-morrow," said Colonel Winchester. +"Beware of guerillas. I hope you'll find your mother well." + +"I feel sure of it, and I shall tell her how very kind and helpful +you've been to me, sir." + +"Thank you, Dick." + +Dick, in his haste to be off did not notice that the colonel's voice +quivered and that his face flushed as he uttered the emphatic "thank +you." A few minutes later he was riding swiftly southward over a road +that he knew well. His start was made at six o'clock and he was sure +that by ten o'clock he would be in Pendleton. + +The road was deserted. This was a well-peopled country, and he saw many +houses, but nearly always the doors and shutters of the windows were +closed. The men were away, and the women and children were shutting out +the bands that robbed in the name of either army. + +The night came down, and Dick still sped southward with no one appearing +to stop him. He did not know just where the Southern army lay, but he +did not believe that he would come in contact with any of its flankers. +His horse was so good and true, that earlier than he had hoped, he was +approaching Pendleton. The moon was up now, and every foot of the ground +was familiar. He crossed brooks in which he and Harry Kenton and other +boys of his age had waded--but he had never seen them so low before--and +he marked the tree in which he had shot his first squirrel. + +It had not been so many months since he had been in Pendleton, and +yet it seemed years and years. Three great battles in which seventy or +eighty thousand men had fallen were enough to make anybody older. + +Dick paused on the crest of a little hill and looked toward the place +where his mother's house stood. He had come just in this way in the +winter, and he looked forward to another meeting as happy. The moonlight +was very clear now and he saw no smoke rising from the chimneys, but +this was summer, and of course they would not have a fire burning at +such an hour. + +He rode on a little further and paused again at the crest of another +hill. His view of Pendleton here was still better. He could see more +roofs, and walls, but he noticed that no smoke rose from any house. +Pendleton lay very still in its hollow. On the far side he saw the white +walls of Colonel Kenton's house shining in the moonlight. Something +leaped in his brain. He seemed to have been looking upon such white +walls only yesterday, white walls that stood out in a fiery haze, white +walls that he could never forget though he lived to be a hundred. + +Then he remembered. The white walls were those of the Dunkard church at +Antietam, around which the blue and the gray had piled their bodies in +masses. The vast battlefield ranged past him like a moving panorama, and +then he was merely looking at Pendleton lying there below, so still. + +Dick was sensitive and his affections were strong. He loved his mother +with a remarkable devotion, and his friends were for all time. Highly +imaginative, he felt a powerful stirring of the heart, at his second +return to Pendleton since his departure for the war. Yet he was chilled +somewhat by the strange silence hanging over the little town that he +loved so well. It was night, it was true, but not even a dog barked at +his coming, and there was not the faintest trail of smoke across the +sky. A brilliant moon shone, and white stars unnumbered glittered and +danced, yet they showed no movement of man in the town below. + +He shook off the feeling, believing that it was merely a sensitiveness +born of time and place, and rode straight for his mother's house. Then +he dismounted, tied his horse to one of the pines, and ran up the walk +to the front door, where he knocked softly at first, and then more +loudly. + +No answer came and Dick's heart sank within him like a plummet in a +pool. He went to the edge of the walk, gathered up some gravel and threw +it against a window in his mother's room on the second floor. That would +arouse her, because he knew that she slept lightly in these times, when +her son was off to the wars. But the window was not raised, and he could +hear no sound of movement in the room. + +Alarmed, he went back to the front door, and he noticed that while the +door was locked the keyhole was empty. Then his mother was gone away. +The sign was almost infallible. Had any one been at home the key would +have been on the inside. + +His heart grew lighter. There had been no violence. No roving band had +come there to plunder. He whistled and shouted through the keyhole, +although he did not want anyone who might possibly be passing in +the road to hear him, as this town was almost wholly Southern in its +sympathies. + +There was still no answer, and leading his horse behind one of the pine +trees on the lawn, where it would not be observed, he went to the rear +of the house, and taking a stick pried open a kitchen window. He had +learned this trick when he was a young boy, and climbing lightly inside +he closed the window behind him and fastened the catch. + +He knew of course every hall and room of the house, but the moment he +entered it he felt that it was deserted. The air was close and heavy, +showing that no fresh breeze had blown through it for days. It was +impossible that his mother or the faithful colored woman could have +lived there so long a time with closed doors and shuttered windows. + +When he passed into the main part of his home, and touched a door +or chair, a fine dust grated slightly under his fingers. Here was +confirmation, if further confirmation was needed. Dust on chairs +and tables and sofas in the house in which his mother was present. +Impossible! Such a thing could not occur with her there. It was not the +white dust of the road or fields, but the black dust that gathers in +closed chambers. + +He went up to his mother's room, and, opening one of the shutters a few +inches, let in a little light. It was in perfect order. Everything +was in its place. Upon the dresser was a little vase containing some +shrivelled flowers. The water in the vase had dried up days ago, and the +flowers had dried up with it. + +In this room and in all the others everything was arranged with order +and method, as if one were going away for a long time. Dick drew a chair +near the window, that he had opened slightly, and sat down. Much of +his fear for his mother disappeared. It was obvious that she and her +faithful attendant, Juliana, had gone, probably to be out of the track +of the armies or to escape plundering bands like Skelly's. + +He wondered where she had gone, whether northward or southward. There +were many places that would gladly receive her. Nearly all the people in +this part of the state were more or less related, and with them the tie +of kinship was strong. It was probable that she would go north, or east. +She might have gone to Lexington, or Winchester, or Richmond, or even in +the hills to Somerset. + +Well, he could not solve it. He was deeply disappointed because he had +not found her there, but he was relieved from his first fear that the +guerillas had come. He closed and fastened the window again, and then +walked all through the house once more. His eyes had now grown so used +to the darkness that he could see everything dimly. He went into his own +room. A picture of himself that used to hang on the wall now stood on +the dresser. He knew very well why, and he knew, too, that his mother +often passed hours in that room. + +Below stairs everything was neatness and in order. He went into the +parlor, of which he had stood in so much awe, when he was a little +child. The floor was covered with an imported carpet, mingled brown and +red. A great Bible lay upon a small marble-topped table in the center +of the room. Two larger tables stood against the wall. Upon them lay +volumes of the English classics, and a cluster of wax flowers under a +glass cover, that had seemed wonderful to Dick in his childhood. + +But the room awed him no more, and he turned at once to the great +squares of light that faced each other from wall to wall. + +A famous portrait painter had arisen at Lexington when the canebrake +was scarcely yet cleared away from the heart of Kentucky. His work +was astonishing to have come out of a country yet a wilderness, and a +century later he is ranked among the great painters. But it is said that +the best work he ever did is the pair of portraits that face each other +in the Mason home, and the other pair, the exact duplicates that face +each other in the same manner in the Kenton house. + +Dick opened a shutter entirely, and the light of the white moon, white +like marble, streamed in. The sudden inpouring illuminated the room so +vividly that Dick's heart missed a beat. It seemed, for a minute, that +the two men in the portraits were stepping from the wall. Then his heart +beat steadily again and the color returned to his face. They had always +been there, those two portraits. Men had never lived more intensely than +they, and the artist, at the instant his genius was burning brightest, +had caught them in the moment of extraordinary concentration. Their +souls had looked through their eyes and his own soul looking through his +had met theirs. + +Dick gazed at one and then at the other. There was his great +grandfather, Paul Cotter, a man of vision and inspiration, the greatest +scholar the west had ever produced, and there facing him was his comrade +of a long life-time, Henry Ware, the famous borderer, afterward the +great governor of the state. They had been painted in hunting suits of +deerskin, with the fringed borders and beaded moccasins, and raccoon +skin caps. + +These were men, Dick's great grandfather and Harry's. An immense pride +that he was the great-grandson of one of them suddenly swelled up in his +bosom, and he was proud, too, that the descendants of the borderers, and +of the earlier borderers in the east, should show the same spirit and +stamina. No one could look upon the fields of Shiloh, and Manassas and +Antietam and say that any braver men ever lived. + +He drew his chair into the middle of the room and sat and looked at them +a long time. His steady gazing and his own imaginative brain, keyed to +the point of excitement, brought back into the portraits that singular +quality of intense life. Had they moved he would not have been +surprised, and the eyes certainly looked down at him in full and ample +recognition. + +What did they say? He gazed straight into the eyes of one and then +straight into the eyes of the other, and over and over again. But the +expression there was Delphic. He must choose for himself, as they had +chosen for themselves, and remembering that he was lingering, when he +should not linger, he closed and fastened the window, slipped out at the +kitchen window and returned to his horse. + +He remounted in the road and rode a few paces nearer to Pendleton, which +still lay silent in the white moonlight. He had no doubt now that many +of the people had fled like his mother. Most of the houses must be +closed and shuttered like hers. That was why the town was so silent. +He would have been glad to see Dr. Russell and old Judge Kendrick and +others again, but it would have been risky to go into the center of the +place, and it would have been a breach, too, of the faith that Colonel +Winchester had put in him. + +He crushed the wish and turned away. Then he saw the white walls of +Colonel Kenton's house shining upon a hill among the pines beyond the +town. He was quite sure that it would be deserted, and there was no +harm in passing it. He knew it as well as his own home. He and Harry had +played in every part of it, and it was, in truth, a second home to him. + +He rode slowly along the road which led to the quiet house. Colonel +Kenton had all the instincts so strong in the Kentuckians and Virginians +of his type. A portion of his wealth had been devoted to decoration and +beauty. The white, sanded road led upward through a great park, splendid +with oak and beech and maple, and elms of great size. Nearer the house +he came to the cedars and clipped pines, like those surrounding his +mother's own home. + +He opened the iron gate that led to the house, and tied his horse +inside. Here was the same desolation and silence that he had beheld at +his own home. The grass on the lawn, although withered and dry from the +intense drought that had prevailed in Kentucky that summer, was long and +showed signs of neglect. The great stone pillars of the portico, from +the shelter of which Harry and his father and their friends had fought +Skelly and his mountaineers, were stained, and around their bases were +dirty from the sand and earth blown against them. The lawn and even the +portico were littered with autumn leaves. + +Dick felt the chill settling down on him again. War, not war with +armies, but war in its results, had swept over his uncle's home as truly +as it had swept over his mother's. There was no sign of a human being. +Doubtless the colored servants had fled to the Union armies, and to the +freedom which they as yet knew so little how to use. He felt a sudden +access of anger against them, because they had deserted a master so kind +and just, forgetting, for the moment that he was fighting to free them +from that very master. + +All the windows were dark, but he walked upon the portico and the dry +autumn leaves rustled under his feet. He would have turned away, but +he noticed that the front door stood ajar six or eight inches. The fact +amazed him. If a servant was about, he would not leave it open, and if +robbers were in the house, they would close it in order not to attract +attention. It was a great door of massive and magnificent oak, highly +polished, with heavy bands of glittering bronze running across it. But +it was so lightly poised on its hinges, that, despite its great weight, +a child could have swung it back and forth with his little finger. +Henry Ware, who built the house after his term as governor was over, was +always proud of this door. + +Dick ran his hand along one of the polished bronze bars as he had often +done when he was a boy, enjoying the cool touch of the metal. Then +he put his thumb against the edge of the door, and pushed it a little +further open. Something was wrong here, and he meant to see what it was. +He had no scruples about entering. He did not consider himself in the +least an intruder. This was his uncle's house, and his uncle and his +cousin were far away. + +The door made no sound as it swung back, and soundless, too, was Dick as +he stepped within. It was dark in the big hall, but as he stood there, +listening, he became conscious of a light. It proceeded from one of the +rooms opening into the hall on the right, and a door nearly closed only +allowed a narrow band of it to fall upon the hall floor. + +Dick, believing now that a robber had indeed come, drew a pistol from +his pocket, stepped lightly across the hall and looked in at the door. + +He checked a cry, and it was his first thought to go away as quietly as +he had come. He had seen a man in the uniform of a Confederate colonel, +sitting in a chair, and staring out at one of the little side windows +which Dick could not see from the front, and which was now open. It was +his own uncle, Colonel George Kenton, C. S. A., his gold braided cap on +the window sill, and his sword in its scabbard lying across his knees. + +But Dick changed his mind. His uncle was a colonel on one side, and he +was a lieutenant on the other, and from one point of view it was almost +high treason for them to meet there and talk quietly together, but from +another it was the most natural thing in the world, commanded alike by +duty and affection. + +He pushed open the door a little further and stepped inside. + +"Uncle George," he said. + +Colonel Kenton sprang to his feet, and his sword clattered upon the +floor. + +"Good God!" he cried. "You, Dick! Here! To-night!" + +"Yes, Uncle George, it's no other." + +"And I suppose you have Yankees without to take me." + +"Those are hard words, sir, and you don't mean them. I'm all alone, just +as you were. I galloped south, sir, to see my mother, whom I found gone, +where, I don't know, and then I couldn't resist the temptation to come +by here and see your house and Harry's, which, as you know, sir, has +been almost a home to me, too." + +"Thank God you came, Dick," said the colonel putting his arms around +Dick's shoulders, and giving him an affectionate hug. "You were right. I +did not mean what I said. There is only one other in the world whom I'd +rather see than you. Dick, I didn't know whether you were dead or alive, +until I saw your face there in the doorway." + +It was obvious to Dick that his uncle's emotions were deeply stirred. +He felt the strong hands upon his shoulders trembling, but the veteran +soldier soon steadied his nerves, and asked Dick to sit down in a chair +which he drew close beside his own at the window. + +"I thank God again that the notion took you to come by the house," he +said. "It's pleasant and cool here at the window, isn't it, Dick, boy?" + +Dick knew that he was thinking nothing about the window and the pleasant +coolness of the night. He knew equally well the question that was +trembling on his lips but which he could not muster the courage to ask. +But he had one of his own to ask first. + +"My mother?" he asked. "Do you know where she has gone?" + +"Yes, Dick, I came here in secret, but I've seen two men, Judge Kendrick +and Dr. Russell. The armies are passing so close to this place, and the +guerillas from the mountains have become so troublesome, that she has +gone to Danville to stay a while with her relatives. Nearly everybody +else has gone, too. That's why the town is so silent. There were not +many left anyway, except old people and children. But, Dick, I have +ridden as far as you have to-night, and I came to ask a question which +I thought Judge Kendrick or Dr. Russell might answer--news of those who +leave a town often comes back to it--but neither of them could tell +me what I wanted to hear. Dick, I have not heard a word of Harry since +spring. His army has fought since then two great battles and many +smaller ones! It was for this, to get some word of him, that I risked +everything in leaving our army to come to Pendleton!" + +He turned upon Dick a face distorted with pain and anxiety, and the boy +quickly said: + +"Uncle George, I have every reason to believe that Harry is alive and +well." + +"What do you know? What have you heard about him?" + +"I have not merely heard. I have seen him and talked with him. It was +after the Second Manassas, when we were both with burial parties, and +met on the field. I was at Antietam, and he, of course, was there, too, +as he is with Stonewall Jackson. I did not see him in that battle, but I +learned from a prisoner who knew him that he had escaped unwounded, and +had gone with Lee's army into Virginia." + +"I thank God once more, Dick, that you were moved to come by my house. +To know that both Harry and you are alive and well is joy enough for one +man." + +"But it is likely, sir, that we'll soon meet in battle," said Dick. + +"So it would seem." + +And that was all that either said about his army. There was no attempt +to obtain information by direct or indirect methods. This was a family +meeting. + +"You have a horse, of course," said Colonel Kenton. + +"Yes, sir. He is on the lawn, tied to your fence. His hoofs may now be +in a flower bed." + +"It doesn't matter, Dick. People are not thinking much of flower beds +nowadays. My own horse is further down the lawn between the pines, and +as he is an impatient beast it is probable that he has already dug up a +square yard or two of turf with his hoofs. How did you get in, Dick?" + +"You forgot about the front door, sir, and left it open six or seven +inches. I thought some plunderer was within and entered, to find you." + +"I must have been watched over to-night when forgetfulness was rewarded +so well. Dick, we've found out what we came for and neither should +linger here. Do you need anything?" + +"Nothing at all, sir." + +"Then we'll go." + +Colonel Kenton carefully closed and fastened the window and door again +and the two mounted their horses, which they led into the road. + +"Dick," said the colonel, "you and I are on opposing sides, but we can +never be enemies." + +Then, after a strong handclasp, they rode away by different roads, each +riding with a lighter heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + +Dick's horse had had a good rest, and he was fighting for his head +before they were clear of the outskirts of Pendleton. When the road +emerged once more into the deep woods the boy gave him the rein. It was +well past midnight now, and he wished to reach the army before dawn. + +Soon the great horse was galloping, and Dick felt exhilaration as the +cool air of early October rushed past. The heat in both east and west +had been so long and intense, that year, that the coming of autumn was +full of tonic. Yet the uncommon dryness, the least rainy summer and +autumn in two generations, still prevailed. The hoofs of Dick's horse +left a cloud of dust behind him. The leaves of the trees were falling +already, rustling dryly as they fell. Brooks that were old friends of +his and that he had never known to go dry before were merely chains of +yellow pools in a shallow bed. + +He watered his horse at one or two of the creeks that still flowed in +good volume, and then went on again, sometimes at a gallop. He passed +but one horseman, a farmer who evidently had taken an unusually early +start for a mill, as a sack of corn lay across his saddle behind him. +Dick nodded but the farmer stared open-mouthed at the youth in the blue +uniform who flew past him. + +Dick never looked back and by dawn he was with the army. He found +Colonel Winchester taking breakfast under the thin shade of an oak, and +joined him. + +"What did you find, Dick?" asked the colonel, striving to hide the note +of anxiety in his voice. + +"I found all right at the house, but I did not see mother." + +"What had become of her?" + +"I learned from a friend that in order to be out of the path of the army +or of prowling bands she had gone to relatives of ours in Danville. Then +I came away." + +"She did well," said Colonel Winchester. "The rebels are concentrating +about Lexington, but the battle, I think, will take place far south of +that city." + +Before the day was old they heard news that changed their opinion +for the time at least. A scout brought news that a division of the +Confederate army was much nearer than Lexington; in fact, that it was +at Frankfort, the capital of the state. And the news was heightened in +interest by the statement that the division was there to assist in the +inauguration of a Confederate government of the state, so little of +which the Confederate army held. + +Colonel Winchester at once applied to General Buell for permission for +a few officers like himself, natives of Kentucky and familiar with the +region, to ride forward and see what the enemy was really doing. Dick +was present at the interview and it was characteristic. + +"If you leave, what of your regiment, Colonel Winchester?" said General +Buell. + +"I shall certainly rejoin it in time for battle." + +"Suppose the enemy should prevent you?" + +"He cannot do so." + +"I remember you at Shiloh. You did good work there." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And this lad, Lieutenant Mason, he has also done well. But he is +young." + +"I can vouch for him, sir." + +"Then take twenty of your bravest and most intelligent men and ride +toward Frankfort. It may be that we shall have to take a part in this +inauguration, which I hear is scheduled for to-morrow." + +"It may be so, sir," said Colonel Winchester, returning General Buell's +grim smile. Then he and Dick saluted and withdrew. + +But it did not take the colonel long to make his preparations. Among his +twenty men all were natives of Kentucky except Warner, Pennington +and Sergeant Whitley. Two were from Frankfort itself, and they were +confident that they could approach through the hills with comparative +security, the little capital nestling in its little valley. + +They rode rapidly and by nightfall drew near to the rough Benson Hills, +which suddenly shooting up in a beautiful rolling country, hem in the +capital. Although it was now the third day of October the little +party marked anew the extreme dryness and the shrunken condition of +everything. It was all the more remarkable as no region in the world is +better watered than Kentucky, with many great rivers, more small ones, +and innumerable creeks and brooks. There are few points in the state +where a man can be more than a mile from running water. + +The dryness impressed Dick. They had dust here, as they had had it in +Virginia, but there it was trampled up by great armies. Here it was +raised by their own little party, and as the October winds swept across +the dry fields it filled their eyes with particles. Yet it was one of +the finest regions of the world, underlaid with vitalizing limestone, +a land where the grass grows thick and long and does not die even in +winter. + +"If one were superstitious," said Dick, "he could think it was a +punishment sent upon us all for fighting so much, and for killing so +many men about questions that lots of us don't understand, and that at +least could have been settled in some other way." + +"It's easy enough to imagine it so," said Warner in his precise way, +"but after all, despite the reasons against it, here we are fighting and +killing one another with a persistence that has never been surpassed. +It's a perfectly simple question in mathematics. Let x equal the anger +of the South, let y equal the anger of the North, let 10 equal the +percentage of reason, 100, of course, being the whole, then you have x + +y + 10 equalling 100. The anger of the two sections is consequently x + +y, equalling 100 - 10, or 90. When anger constitutes 90 per cent., what +chance has reason, which is only 10 per cent., or one-ninth of anger?" + +"No chance at all," replied Dick. "That has already been proved without +the aid of algebra. Here is a man in a cornfield signaling to us. I +wonder what he wants?" + +As Dick spoke, Colonel Winchester, who had already noticed the man, gave +an order to stop. The stranger, bent and knotted by hard work on the +farm, hurried toward them. He leaned against the fence a moment, gasping +for breath, and then said: + +"You're Union men, ain't you? It's no disguise?" + +"Yes," replied Colonel Winchester, "we're Union men, and it's no +disguise that we're wearing, Malachi White. I've seen you several times +in Frankfort, selling hay." + +The farmer, who had climbed upon the fence and who was sitting on the +top rail, hands on his knees, stared at him open-mouthed. + +"You've got my name right. Malachi White it is," he said, "suah enough, +but I don't know yours. 'Pears to me, however, that they's somethin' +familiar about you. Mebbe it's the way you throw back your shoulders an' +look a fellow squah in the eyes." + +Colonel Winchester smiled. No man is insensible to a compliment which is +obviously spontaneous. + +"I spent a night once at your house, Mr. White," he said. "I was going +to Frankfort on horseback. I was overtaken at dusk by a storm and I +reached your place just in time. I remember that I slept on a mighty +soft feather bed, and ate a splendid breakfast in the morning." + +Malachi White was not insensible to compliments either. He smiled, and +the smile which merely showed his middle front teeth at first, gradually +broadened until it showed all of them. Then it rippled and stretched in +little waves, until it stopped somewhere near his ears. Dick regarded +him with delight. It was the broadest and finest smile that he had seen +in many a long month. + +"Now I know you," said Malachi White, looking intently at the colonel. +"I ain't as strong on faces as some people, though I reckon I'm right +strong on 'em, too, but I'm pow'ful strong on recollectin' hear'in', +that is, the voice and the trick of it. It was fo' yea's ago when you +stopped at my house. You had a curious trick of pronouncin' r's when +they wasn't no r's. You'd say door, an' hour, when ev'body knowed it was +doah, an' houah, but I don't hold it ag'in you fo' not knowin' how to +pronounce them wo'ds. Yoh name is Ahthuh Winchestuh." + +"As right as right can be," said Colonel Winchester, reaching over and +giving him a hearty hand. "I'm a colonel in the Union army now, and +these are my officers and men. What was it you wanted to tell us?" + +"Not to ride on fuhthah. It ain't mo' than fifteen miles to Frankfort. +The place is plum full of the Johnnies. I seed 'em thah myself. Ki'by +Smith, an' a sma't gen'ral he is, too, is thah, an' so's Bragg, who I +don't know much 'bout. They's as thick as black be'ies in a patch, an' +they's all gettin ready fo' a gran' ma'ch an' display to-mo'ow when +they sweah in the new Southe'n gove'nuh, Mistah Hawes. They've got out +scouts, too, colonel, an' if you go on you'll run right squah into 'em +an' be took, which I allow you don't want to happen, nohow." + +"No, Malachi, I don't, nor do any of us, but we're going on and we don't +mean to be taken. Most of the men know this country well. Two of them, +in fact, were born in Frankfort." + +"Then mebbe you kin look out fo' yo'selves, bein' as you are +Kentuckians. I'm mighty strong fo' the Union myself, but a lot of them +officers that came down from the no'th 'pear to tu'n into pow'ful fools +when they git away from home, knowin' nothin' 'bout the country, an' +not willin' to lea'n. Always walkin' into traps. I guess they've nevah +missed a single trap the rebels have planted. Sometimes I've been so +mad 'bout it that I've felt like quittin' bein' a Yank an' tu'nin' to a +Johnny. But somehow I've nevah been able to make up my mind to go ag'in +my principles. Is Gen'ral Grant leadin' you?" + +"No, General Buell." + +"I'm so'y of that. Gen'ral Buell, f'om all I heah, is a good fightah, +but slow. Liable to git thar, an' hit like all ta'nation, when it's a +little mite too late. He's one of ouah own Kentuckians, an' I won't say +anything ag'in him; not a wo'd, colonel, don't think that, but I've been +pow'ful took with this fellow Grant. I ain't any sojah, myself, but I +like the tales I heah 'bout him. When a fellow hits him he hits back +ha'dah, then the fellow comes back with anothah ha'dah still, an' then +Grant up an' hits him a wallop that you heah a mile, an' so on an' so +on." + +"You're right, Malachi. I was with him at Donelson and Shiloh and that's +the way he did." + +"I reckon it's the right way. Is it true, colonel, that he taps the +ba'el?" + +"Taps the barrel? What do you mean, Malachi?" + +White put his hands hollowed out like a scoop to his mouth and turned up +his face. + +"I see," said Colonel Winchester, "and I'm glad to say no, Malachi. If +he takes anything he takes water just like the rest of us." + +"Pow'ful glad to heah it, but it ain't easy to get too much good watah +this yeah. Nevah knowed such a dry season befoah, an' I was fifty-two +yeahs old, three weeks an' one day ago yestuhday." + +"Thank you, Malachi, for your warning. We'll be doubly careful, because +of it, and I hope after this war is over to share your fine hospitality +once more." + +"You'll sho'ly be welcome an' ev'y man an' boy with you will be welcome, +too. Fuhthah on, 'bout foah hund'ed yahds, you'll come to a path leadin' +into the woods. You take that path, colonel. It'll be sundown soon, an' +you follow it th'ough the night." + +The two men shook hands again, and then the soldiers rode on at a brisk +trot. Malachi White sat on the fence, looking at them from under the +brim of his old straw hat, until they came to the path that he had +indicated and disappeared in the woods. Then he sighed and walked back +slowly to his house in the cornfield. Malachi White had no education, +but he had much judgment and he was a philosopher. + +But Dick and the others rode on through the forest, penetrating into the +high and rough hills which were sparsely inhabited. The nights, as it +was now October, were cool, despite the heat and dust of the day, and +they rode in a grateful silence. It was more than an hour after dark +when Powell, one of the Frankforters, spoke: + +"We can hit the old town by midnight easy enough," he said. "Unless +they've stretched pretty wide lines of pickets I can lead you, sir, +within four hundred yards of Frankfort, where you can stay under cover +yourself and look right down into it. I guess by this good moonlight I +could point out old Bragg himself, if he should be up and walking around +the streets." + +"That suits us, Powell," said Colonel Winchester. "You and May lead the +way." + +May was the other Frankforter and they took the task eagerly. They were +about to look down upon home after an absence of more than a year, a +year that was more than a normal ten. They were both young, not over +twenty, and after a while they turned out of the path and led into the +deep woods. + +"It's open forest through here, no underbrush, colonel," said Powell, +"and it makes easy riding. Besides, about a mile on there's a creek +running down to the Kentucky that will have deep water in it, no matter +how dry the season has been. Tom May and I have swum in it many a time, +and I reckon our horses need water, colonel." + +"So they do, and so do we. We'll stop a bit at this creek of yours, +Powell." + +The creek was all that the two Frankfort lads had claimed for it. It was +two feet deep, clear, cold and swift, shadowed by great primeval trees. +Men and horses drank eagerly, and at last Colonel Winchester, feeling +that there was neither danger nor the need of hurry, permitted them +to undress and take a quick bath, which was a heavenly relief and +stimulant, allowing them to get clear of the dust and dirt of the day. + +"It's a beauty of a creek," said Powell to Dick. "About a half mile +further down the stream is a tremendous tree on which is cut with a +penknife, 'Dan'l Boone killed a bar here, June 26, 1781.' I found it +myself, and I cut away enough of the bark growth with a penknife for it +to show clearly. I imagine the great Daniel and Simon Kenton and Harrod +and the rest killed lots of bears in these hills." + +"I'd go and see that inscription in the morning," said Dick, "if I +didn't have a bit of war on my hands." + +"Maybe you'll have a chance later on. But I'm feeling bully after +this cold bath. Dick, I came into the creek weighing two hundred and +twenty-five pounds, one hundred and fifty pounds of human being and +seventy-five pounds of dust and dirt. I'm back to one hundred and fifty +now. Besides, I was fifty years old when I entered the stream, and I've +returned to twenty." + +"That just about describes me, too, but the colonel is whistling for us +to come. Rush your jacket on and jump for your horse." + +They had stayed about a half-hour at the creek, and about two o'clock in +the morning Powell and May led them through a dense wood to the edge of +a high hill. + +"There's Frankfort below you," said May in a voice that trembled. + +The night was brilliant, almost like day, and they saw the little city +clustered along the banks of the Kentucky which flowed, a dark ribbon of +blue. Their powerful glasses brought out everything distinctly. They saw +the old state house, its trees, and in the open spaces, tents standing +by the dozens and scores. It was the division of Kirby Smith that +occupied the town, and Bragg himself had made a triumphant entry. Dick +wondered which house sheltered him. It was undoubtedly that of some +prominent citizen, proud of the honor. + +"Isn't it the snuggest and sweetest little place you ever saw?" said +May. "Lend me your glasses a minute, please, Dick." + +Dick handed them to him, and May took a long look, Dick noticed that +the glasses remained directed toward a house among some trees near the +river. + +"You're looking at your home, are you not?" he asked. + +"I surely am. It's that cottage among the oaks. It's bigger than it +looks from here. Front porch and back porch, too. You go from the back +porch straight down to the river. I've swum across the Kentucky there +at night many and many a time. My father and mother are sure to be there +now, staying inside with the doors closed, because they're red hot for +the Union. Farther up the street, the low red brick house with the iron +fence around the yard is Jim Powell's home. You don't mind letting Jim +have a look through the glasses, do you?" + +"Of course not." + +The glasses were handed in turn to Powell, who, as May had done, took +a long, long look. He made no comment, when he gave the glasses back to +Dick, merely saying: "Thank you." But Dick knew that Powell was deeply +moved. + +"It may be, lads," said Colonel Winchester, "that you will be able +to enter your homes by the front doors in a day or two. Evidently the +Southerners intend to make it a big day to-morrow when they inaugurate +Hawes, their governor." + +"A governor who's a governor only when he is surrounded by an army, +won't be much of a governor," said Pennington. "This state refused to +secede, and I guess that stands." + +"Beyond a doubt it does," said Colonel Winchester, "but they've made +great preparations, nevertheless. There are Confederate flags on the +Capitol and the buildings back of it, and I see scaffolding for seats +outside. Are there other places from which we can get good looks, lads?" + +"Plenty of them," May and Powell responded together, and they led them +from hill to hill, all covered with dense forest. Several times they saw +Southern sentinels on the slopes near the edge of the woods, but May and +Powell knew the ground so thoroughly that they were always able to keep +the little troop under cover without interfering with their own scouting +operations. + +Buell had given final instructions to the colonel to come back with all +the information possible, and, led by his capable guides, the colonel +used his opportunities to the utmost. He made a half circle about +Frankfort, going to the river, and then back again. With the aid of +the glasses and the brilliancy of the night he was able to see that the +division of Kirby Smith was not strong enough to hold the town under +any circumstances, if the main Union army under Buell came up, and the +colonel was resolved that it should come. + +It was a singular coincidence that the Southerners were making a +military occupation of Frankfort with a Union army only a day's march +away. The colonel found a certain grim irony in it as he took his last +look and turned away to join Buell. + +A half mile into the forest and they heard the crashing of hoofs in the +brushwood. Colonel Winchester drew up his little troop abruptly as a +band of men in gray emerged into an open space. + +"Confederate cavalry!" exclaimed Dick. + +"Yes," said the colonel. + +But the gray troopers were not much more numerous than the blue. +Evidently they were a scouting party, too, and for a few minutes they +stared at each other across a space of a couple of hundred yards or so. +Both parties fired a few random rifle shots, more from a sense of duty +than a desire to harm. Then they fell away, as if by mutual consent, the +gray riding toward Frankfort and the blue toward the Union army. + +"Was it a misfortune to meet them?" asked Dick. + +"I don't think so," replied Colonel Winchester. "They had probably found +out already that our army was near. Of course they had out scouts. Kirby +Smith, I know, is an alert man, and anyway, the march of an army as +large as ours could not be hidden." + +It was dawn again when the colonel's little party reached the Union +camp, and when he made his report the heavy columns advanced at once. +But the alarm had already spread about at Frankfort. The morning there +looked upon a scene even more lively than the one that had occurred +in Buell's camp. The scouts brought in the news that the Union army in +great force was at hand. They had met some of their cavalry patrols in +the night, on the very edge of the city. Resistance to the great Union +force was out of the question, because Bragg had committed the error +that the Union generals had been committing so often in the east. He had +been dividing and scattering his forces so much that he could not now +concentrate them and fight at the point where they were needed most. + +The division of the Southern army that occupied Frankfort hastily +gathered up its arms and supplies and departed, taking with it the +governor who was never inaugurated, and soon afterward the Union men +marched in. Both May and Powell had the satisfaction of entering their +homes by the front doors, and seeing the parents who did not know until +then whether they were dead or alive. + +Dick had a few hours' leave and he walked about the town. He had made +friends when he was there in the course of that memorable struggle over +secession, and he saw again all of them who had not gone to the war. + +Harry and his father were much present in his mind then, because he had +recently seen Colonel Kenton, and because the year before, all three of +them had talked together in these very places. + +But he could not dwell too much in the past. He was too young for it, +and the bustle of war was too great. It was said that Bragg's forces +had turned toward the southeast, but were still divided. It was reported +that the Bishop-General, Polk, had been ordered to attack the Northern +force in or near Frankfort, but the attack did not come. Colonel +Winchester said it was because Polk recognized the superior strength +of his enemy, and was waiting until he could co-operate with Bragg and +Hardee. + +But whatever it was Dick soon found himself leaving Frankfort and +marching into the heart of the Bluegrass. He began to have the feeling, +or rather instinct warned him, that battle was near. Yet he did not +fear for the Northern army as he had feared in Virginia and Maryland. +He never felt that such men as Lee and Jackson were before them. He felt +instead that the Southern commanders were doubtful and hesitating. They +now had there no such leaders as Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at +Shiloh when victory was in Southern hands and before it had time to slip +from their grasp. + +So the army dropped slowly down eastward and southward through the +Bluegrass. May and Powell had obtained but a brief glimpse of their +home town, before they were on their way again with a purpose which had +little to do with such peaceful things as home. + +Dick saw with dismay that the concentric march of the armies was +bringing them toward the very region into which his mother had fled for +refuge. She was at Danville, which is in the county of Boyle, and he +heard now that the Confederate army, or at least a large division of +it, was gathering at a group of splendid springs near a village called +Perryville in the same county. But second thought told him that she +would be safe yet in Danville, as he began to feel sure now that the +meeting of the armies would be at Perryville. + +Dick's certainty grew out of the fact that the great springs were about +Perryville. The extraordinary drouth and the remarkable phenomenon of +brooks drying up in Kentucky had continued. Water, cool and fresh for +many thousands of men, was wanted or typhoid would come. + +This need of vast quantities of water fresh and cool from the earth, was +obvious to everybody, and the men marched gladly toward the springs. +The march would serve two purposes: it would quench their thirst, and it +would bring on the battle they wanted to clear Kentucky of the enemy. + +"Fine country, this of yours, Dick," said Warner as they rode side +by side. "I don't think I ever saw dust of a higher quality. It sifts +through everything, fills your eyes, nose and mouth and then goes down +under your collar and gives you a neat and continuous dust bath." + +"You mustn't judge us by this phenomenon," said Dick. "It has not +happened before since the white man came, and it won't happen again in a +hundred years." + +"You may speak with certainty of the past, Dickie, my lad, but I don't +think we can tell much about the next century. I'll grant the fact, +however, that fifty or a hundred thousand men marching through a dry +country anywhere are likely to raise a lot of dust. Still, Dickie, my +boy, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but if I live through this, as +I mean to do, I intend to call it the Dusty Campaign." + +"Call it what you like if in the end you call it victory." + +"The dust doesn't hurt me," said Pennington. "I've seen it as dry as +a bone on the plains with great clouds of it rolling away behind the +buffalo herds. There's nothing the matter with dust. Country dust is one +of the cleanest things in the world." + +"That's so," said Warner, "but it tickles and makes you hot. I should +say that despite its cleanly qualities, of which you speak, Frank, my +friend, its power to annoy is unsurpassed. Remember that bath we took in +the creek the night we went to Frankfort. Did you ever before see such +cool running water, and Dickie, old boy, remember how much there was of +it! It was just as deep and cool and fine after we left it." + +"George," said Dick, as he wiped his dusty face, "if you say anything +more about the creek and its cool water this army will lose a capable +lieutenant, and it will lose him mighty soon. It will be necessary, too, +to bury him very far from his home in Vermont." + +"Keep cool, Dickie boy, and let who will be dusty. Brooks may fail once +in a hundred years in Kentucky, but they haven't failed in a thousand in +Vermont. You need not remind me that the white man has been there only +two or three hundred years. My information comes straight from a +very old Indian chief who was the depository of tribal recollections +absolutely unassailable. The streams even in midsummer come down as full +and cold as ever from the mountains." + +"We'll have water and plenty of it in a day or two. The scouts say that +the Confederate force at the springs is not strong enough to withstand +us." + +"But General Buell, not knowing exactly what General Bragg intends +with his divided force, has divided his own in order to meet him at all +points." + +"Has he done that?" exclaimed Dick aghast. Like other young officers he +felt perfectly competent to criticize anybody. + +"He has, and it seems to me that when the enemy divided was the time for +us to unite or remain united. Then we could scoop him up in detail. Why, +Dick, with an army of sixty thousand men or so, made of such material as +ours has shown itself to be, we could surely beat any Southern force in +Kentucky!" + +"Especially as we have no Lees and Stonewall Jacksons to fight." + +"Maybe General Buell has divided his force in order to obtain plenty of +water," said Pennington. "We fellows ought to be fair to him." + +"Perhaps you're right," said Warner, "and you're right when you say we +ought to be fair to him. I know it will be a great relief to General +Buell to find that we three are supporting his management of this army. +Shall I go and tell him, Frank?" + +"Not now, but you can a little later on. Suppose you wait until a day or +two after the battle which we all believe is coming." + +The three boys were really in high spirits. Little troubled them but the +dryness and the dust. They had tasted so much of defeat and drawn battle +in the east that they had an actual physical sense of better things in +the west. The horizons were wider, the mountains were lower, and there +was not so much enveloping forest. They did not have the strangling +sensation, mental only, which came from the fear that hostile armies +would suddenly rush from the woods and fall upon their flank. + +Besides, there was Shiloh. After all, they had won Shiloh, and the +coming of this very Buell who led them now had enabled them to win it. +And Shiloh was the only great battle that they had yet really won. + +They camped that night in the dry fields. The Winchester regiment was a +part of the division under McCook, while Buell with the rest of the army +was some miles away. It was still warm, although October was now seven +days old, and Dick had never before heard the grass and leaves rustle +so dryly under the wind. Off in the direction of Perryville they saw +the dim gleam of red, and they knew it came from the camp-fires of the +Southern army. Buell had in his detached divisions sixty thousand +men, most of them veterans and Dick believed that if they were brought +together victory was absolutely sure on the morrow. + +The troops around the Winchester regiment were lads from Ohio, and they +affiliated readily. Most of the new men were in these Ohio regiments, +and Dick, Warner and Frank felt themselves ancient veterans who could +talk to the recruits and give them good advice. And the recruits took +it in the proper spirit. They looked up with admiration to those who had +been at Shiloh, and the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +Dick thought their spirit remarkable. They were not daunted at all by +the great failures in the east. They did not discount the valor of the +Southern troops, but they asked to be led against them. + +"Come over here," said one of the Ohio boys to Dick. "Ahead of us and +on the side there's rough ground with thick woods and deep ravines. I'll +show you something just at the edge of the woods. Bring your friends +with you." + +The twilight had already turned to night and Dick, calling Warner and +Pennington, went with his new friend. There, flowing from under a great +stone, shaded by a huge oak, was a tiny stream of pure cold water a +couple of inches deep but seven or eight inches broad. Under the stone +a beautiful basin a foot and a half across and about as deep had been +chiselled out. + +"A lot of us found it here," said the Ohio boy, "and we found, too, a +tin cup chained to a staple driven into the stone. See, it's here still. +We haven't broken the chain. I suppose it belongs to some farmer close +by. The boys brought other tin cups and we drank so fast that the brook +itself became dry. The water never got any further than the pool. I +suppose it's just started again. Drink." + +The boys drank deeply and gratefully. No such refreshing stream had ever +flowed down their throats before. + +"Ohio," said Dick, "you're a lovely, dirty angel." + +"I guess I am," said Ohio, "'cause I found the spring. It turned me from +an old man back to a boy again. Cold as ice, ain't it? I can tell you +why. This spring starts right at the North Pole, right under the pole +itself, dives away down into the earth, comes under Bering Sea and then +under British America, and then under the lakes, and then under Ohio, +and then under a part of Kentucky, and then comes out here especially to +oblige us, this being a dry season." + +"I believe every word you say, Ohio," said Warner, "since your +statements are proved by the quality of the water. I could easily +demonstrate it as a mathematical proposition." + +"Don't you pay any attention to him, Ohio," said Dick. "He's from +Vermont, and he's so full of big words that he's bound to get rid of +some of them." + +"I'm not doubting you, Vermont," said Ohio. "As you believe every word I +said, I believe every word you said." + +"There's nothing extraordinary about them things," said another Ohio +boy belonging to a different brigade, who was sitting near. "Do you know +that we swallowed a whole river coming down here? We began swallowing it +when we crossed the Ohio, just like a big snake swallowing a snake not +quite so big, taking down his head first, then keeping on swallowing +him until the last tip of his tail disappeared inside. It was a good big +stream when we started, water up to our knees, but we formed across it +in a line five hundred men deep and then began to drink as we marched +forward. Of course, a lot of water got past the first four hundred lines +or so, but the five hundredth always swallowed up the last drop." + +"We marched against that stream for something like a hundred and fifty +miles. No water ever got past us. We left a perfectly dry bed behind. +Up in the northern part of the state not a drop of water came down the +river in a month. We followed it, or at least a lot of us did, clean +to its source in some hills a piece back of us. We drank it dry up to a +place like this, only bigger, and do you know, a fellow of our company +named Jim Lambert was following it up under the rocks, and we had to +pull him out by the feet to keep him from being suffocated. That was +four days ago, and we had a field telegram yesterday from a place near +the Ohio, saying that a full head of water had come down the river +again, three feet deep from bank to bank and running as if there had +been a cloudburst in the hills. Mighty glad they were to see it, too." + +There was a silence, but at length a solemn youth sitting near said in +very serious tones: + +"I've thought over that story very thoroughly, and I believe it's a +lie." + +"Vermont," said the first Ohio lad, "don't you have faith in my friend's +narrative?" + +"I believe every word of it," said Warner warmly. "Our friend here, who +I see can see, despite the dim light, has a countenance which one could +justly say indicates a doubtful and disputatious nature, wishes to +discredit it because he has not heard of such a thing before. Now, I +ask you, gentlemen, intelligent and fair-minded as I know you are, where +would we be, where would civilization be if we assumed the attitude of +our friend here. If a thing is ever seen at all somebody sees it first, +else it would never be seen. _Quod erat demonstrandum_. You remember +your schooldays, of course. I thank you for your applause, gentlemen, +but I'm not through yet. We have passed the question of things seen, +and we now come to the question of things done, which is perhaps more +important. It is obvious even to the doubtful or carping mind that if +a new thing is done it is done by somebody first. Others will do it +afterward, but there must and always will be a first. + +"Nobody ever swallowed a river before, beginning at its mouth and +swallowing it clean down to its source, but a division of gallant young +troops from Ohio have done so. They are the first, and they must and +always will be the first. Doubtless, other rivers will be swallowed +later on. As the population increases, larger rivers will be swallowed, +but the credit for initiating the first and greatest pure-water drinking +movement in the history of the world will always belong to a brave army +division from the state of Ohio." + +A roar of applause burst forth, and Warner, standing up, bowed +gracefully with his hand upon his heart. Then came a dead silence, as +a hand fell upon the Vermonter's shoulder. Warner looked around and +his jaw fell. General McCook, who commanded this part of the army, was +standing beside him. + +"Excuse me, sir, I--" began Warner. + +"Never mind," said the general. "I had come for a drink of water, and +hearing your debate I stopped for a few moments behind a tree to listen. +I don't know your name, young gentleman." + +"Warner, sir, George Warner, first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel +Winchester." + +"I merely wished to say, Lieutenant Warner, that I listened to your +speech from the first word to the last, and I found it very cogent and +powerful. As you say, things must have beginnings. If there is no +first, there can be no second or third. I am entirely convinced by your +argument that our army swallowed a river as it marched southward. +In fact, I have often felt so thirsty that I felt as if I could have +swallowed it myself all alone." + +There was another roar of applause, and as a dozen cups filled with +water were pushed at the general, he drank deeply and often, and then +retired amid further applause. + +"They'll fight well for him, to-morrow," said Dick. + +"No doubt of it," said Warner. + +They went into the edge of the wood and sought sleep and rest. But there +was much merry chatter first among these lads, for many of whom death +had already spread its somber wings. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. PERRYVILLE + + +Dick slept very well that night. The water from the little spring, +gushing out from under the rock, had refreshed him greatly. He would +have rejoiced in another bath, such as one as they had luxuriated in +that night before Frankfort, but it was a thing not be dreamed of now, +and making the best of things as they were, he had gone to sleep among +his comrades. + +The dryness of the ground had at least one advantage. They had not colds +and rheumatism to fear, and, with warm earth beneath them and fresh air +above, they slept more soundly than if they had been in their own beds. +But while they were sleeping the wary Sergeant Whitley was slipping +forward among the woods and ravines. He had received permission from +Colonel Winchester, confirmed by a higher officer, to go on a scout, and +he meant to use his opportunity. He had made many a scouting trip on +the plains, where there was less cover than here, and there torture and +death were certain if captured, but here it would only be imprisonment +among men who were in no sense his personal enemies, and who would not +ill-treat him. So the sergeant took plenty of chances. + +He passed the Union pickets, entered a ravine which led up between two +hills and followed it for some distance. In a cross ravine he found a +little stream of water, flowing down from some high, rocky ground above, +and, at one point, he came to a pool several yards across and three or +four feet deep. It was cool and fresh, and the sergeant could not resist +the temptation to slip off his clothes and dive into it once or twice. +He slipped his clothes on again, the whole not consuming more than five +minutes, and then went on much better equipped for war than he had been +five minutes before. + +Then he descended the hills and came down into a valley crossed by a +creek, which in ordinary times had plenty of water, but which was now +reduced to a few muddy pools. The Southern pickets did not reach so far, +and save for the two tiny streams in the hills this was all the water +that the Northern army could reach. Farther down, its muddy and detached +stream lay within the Confederate lines. + +Crossing the creek's bed the sergeant ascended a wooded ridge, and now +he proceeded with extreme caution. He had learned that beyond this ridge +was another creek containing much more water than the first. Upon its +banks at the crossing of the road stood the village of Perryville, and +there, according to his best information and belief, lay the Southern +army. But he meant to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears, +and thus return to McCook's force with absolute certainty. + +The sergeant, as he had expected, found cover more plentiful than it was +on the plains, but he never stalked an Indian camp with more caution. He +knew that the most of the Southern scouts and skirmishers were as wary +as the Indians that once hunted in these woods, and that, unless he used +extreme care, he was not likely to get past them. + +He came at last to a point where he lay down flat on his stomach and +wormed himself along, keeping in the thickest shadow of woods and +bushes. The night was bright, and although his own body was blended with +the ground, he could see well about him. The sergeant was a very patient +man. Life as a lumberman and then as a soldier on the plains had taught +him to look where he was crawling. He spent a full hour worming himself +up to the crest of that ridge and a little way down on the other side. +In the course of the last fifteen minutes he passed directly between two +alert and vigilant Southern pickets. They looked his way several times, +but the sergeant was so much in harmony with the color scheme of the +earth on which he crept, that no blame lay upon them for not seeing him. + +The sergeant was already hearing with his own ears. He heard these +pickets and others talking in low voices of the Northern army and of +their own. They knew that Buell's great force was approaching from +different points and that a battle was expected on the morrow. He knew +this already, but he wanted to know how much of the Confederate army lay +in Perryville, and he intended to see with his own eyes. + +Having passed the first line of pickets the sergeant advanced more +rapidly, although he still kept well under cover. Advancing thus he +reached the bed of the creek and hid himself against the bank, allowing +his body to drop down in the water, in order that he might feel the +glorious cool thrill again, and also that he might be hidden to the +neck. His rifle and ammunition he laid at the edge of the bank within +reach. Situated thus comfortably, he used his excellent eyes with +excellent results. He could see Perryville on his left, and also a great +camp on some heights that ran along the creek. There were plenty of +lights in this camp, and, despite the lateness of the hour, officers +were passing about. + +It was obvious to the sergeant that many thousands of soldiers were on +those heights, and now he wanted to hear again with his own ears. He did +not dare go any nearer, and the water in the creek was growing cold to +his body. But his patience was great, and still he waited, only his head +showing above the water, and it hidden in the black gloom of the bank's +shadows. + +His reward came by-and-by. A number of cavalrymen led their horses down +to the creek to drink, and while the horses drank and then blew the +water away from their noses, the men talked at some length, enabling the +sergeant to pick up important scraps of information. + +He learned that the heights were occupied by Hardee with two divisions. +It was the same Hardee, the famous tactician who had been one of the +Southern generals at Shiloh. Polk was expected, but he had not yet come +up. Bragg, too, would be there. + +The brave sergeant's heart thumped as he listened. He gathered that +Polk, perhaps, could not arrive before noon, and here was a brilliant +chance to destroy a large part of the Southern army early in the +morning. + +He waited until all the cavalrymen had gone away with their horses, and +then he crawled cautiously out of the stream. His limbs were cold and +stiff, but his enforced exercise in crawling soon brought back their +flexibility. He passed between the pickets again, and, when he was +safely beyond their hearing, he rose and stretched himself again and +again. + +The sergeant greatly preferred walking to crawling. Primitive men might +have crawled, but to do so made the modern man's knees uncommonly sore. +So he continued to stretch, to inhale great draughts of air, and to feel +proudly that he was a man who walked upright and not a bear or a pig +creeping on four legs through the bushes. + +He reached his own army not long afterward, and, walking among the +thousands of sleeping forms, reached the tree under which Colonel +Winchester slept. + +"Colonel," he said gently. + +The colonel awoke instantly and sat up. Despite the dusk he recognized +Whitley at once. + +"Well, sergeant?" he said. + +"I've been clean over the ridge to the rebel camp. I reached the next +creek and lay on the heights just beyond it. I've seen with my own +eyes and I've heard with my own ears. They've only two divisions there, +though they're expectin' Polk to come up in the mornin' an' Bragg, too. +Colonel, I'm a good reckoner, as I've seen lots of war, and they ain't +got more `n fifteen thousand men there on the creek, while if we get all +our divisions together we can hit `em with nigh on to sixty thousand. +For God's sake, Colonel, can't we do it?" + +"We ought to, and if I can do anything, we will. Sergeant, you've done a +great service at a great risk, and all of us owe you thanks. I shall see +General McCook at once." + +The sergeant, forgetting that he was wet to the skin, stretched himself +in the dry grass near Dick and his comrades, and soon fell fast asleep, +while his clothes dried upon him. But Colonel Winchester went to General +McCook's tent and insisted upon awakening him. The general received him +eagerly and listened with close attention. + +"This man Whitley is trustworthy?" he said. + +"Absolutely. He has had years of experience on the plains, fighting +Sioux, Cheyennes and other Indians, and he has been with me through most +of the war so far. There is probably no more skillful scout, and none +with a clearer head and better judgment in either army." + +"Then, Colonel, we owe him thanks, and you thanks for letting him go. +We'll certainly bring on a battle to-morrow, and we ought to have all +our army present. I shall send a messenger at once to General Buell with +your news. Messengers shall also go to Crittenden, Rousseau, and the +other generals. But you recognize, of course, that General Buell is +the commander-in-chief, and that it is for him to make the final +arrangements." + +"I do, sir," said the colonel, as he saluted and retired. He went back +to the point where his own little regiment lay. He knew every man and +boy in it, and he had known them all in the beginning, when they were +many times more. But few of the splendid regiment with which he had +started south a year and a half before remained. He looked at Dick and +Warner and Pennington and the sergeant and wondered if they would be +present to answer to the roll the next night, or if he himself would be +there? + +The colonel cherished no illusions. He was not sanguine that the whole +Union army would come up, and even if it came, and if victory should be +won it would be dark and bloody. He knew how the Southerners fought, and +here more so than anywhere else, it would be brother against brother. +This state was divided more than any other, and, however the battle +went, kindred would meet kindred. Colonel Kenton, Dick's uncle, a man +whom he liked and admired, was undoubtedly across those ridges, and they +might meet face to face in the coming battle. + +It was far into the morning now and the colonel did not sleep again. He +saw the messengers leaving the tent of General McCook, and he knew that +the commander of the division was active. Just what success he would +have would remain for the morrow to say. The colonel saw the dawn come. +The dry fields and forests reddened with the rising sun, and then the +army rose up from its sleep. The cooks had already prepared coffee and +food. + +"Show me the enemy," said Pennington fiercely, "and as soon as I finish +this cup of coffee, I'll go over and give him the thrashing he needs." + +"He's just across those ridges, sir, and on the banks of the far creek," +said Sergeant Whitley. + +"How do you know?" + +"I made a call on him last night." + +"You did? And what did he say?" + +"I didn't send in my card. I just took a look at his front door and came +away. He's at home, waiting and willing to give us a fight." + +"Well, it's a fine day for a battle anyway. Look what a splendid sun is +rising! And you can see the soft haze of fall over the hills and woods." + +"It's not as fine a fall as usual in Kentucky," said Dick, in an +apologetic tone to Warner and Pennington. "It's been so dry that the +leaves are falling too early, and the reds, the yellows and the browns +are not so bright." + +"Never mind, Dickie, boy," said Warner consolingly. "We'll see it in a +better year, because Pennington and I are both coming back to spend +six months with you when this war is over. I've already accepted the +invitation. So get ready for us, Dick." + +"It's an understood thing now," said Dick sincerely. "There go the +trumpets, and they mean for us to get in line." + +A large portion of the division was already on the way, having started +at five o'clock, and the little Winchester regiment was soon marching, +too. The day was again hot. October, even, did not seem able to break +that singular heat, and the dust was soon billowing about them in +columns, stinging and burning them. The sergeant the night before had +taken a short cut through the hills, but the brigades, needing wide +spaces, marched along the roads and through the fields. A portion of +their own army was hidden from them by ridges and forest, and Dick did +not know whether Buell with the other half of the army had come up. + +After a long and exhausting march they stopped, and the Winchester +regiment and the Ohio lads concluded that they had been wrong after +all. No battle would be fought that day. They were willing now, too, to +postpone it, as they were almost exhausted by heat and thirst, and that +stinging, burning dust was maddening. A portion of their line rested +on the first creek, and they drank eagerly of the muddy water. Dick saw +before him fields in which the corn stood thick and heavy. The fields +were divided by hedges which cut off the view somewhat and which the +sergeant said would furnish great ambush for sharpshooters. + +The men were now allowed to lie down, but most of them were still +panting with the heat. The three boys on horseback rode with Colonel +Winchester to the crest of a low hill, just beyond the first creek. From +that point they clearly saw the enemy gathered in battle array along the +second stream. Dick, with his glasses, saw the batteries, and could even +mark the sun-browned faces of the men. + +"Has General Buell come?" he asked Colonel Winchester. + +"He has not. Not half of our army is here." + +The answer was made with emphasis and chagrin. There was a report that +Buell did not intend to attack until the following day, when he would +have his numbers well in hand. + +"Under the circumstances," said the colonel, "we have to wait. Better +get off your horses, boys, and hunt the shade." + +They rode back and obeyed. It was now getting well along into the +afternoon. Thousands of soldiers lay on the grass in the shadiest places +they could find. Many were asleep. Overhead the sun burned and burned in +a sky of absolute blazing white. + +A cannon boomed suddenly and then another. The artillery of the two +armies watching one another had opened at long range, but the fire was +so distant that it did no harm. Dick and his comrades watched the shells +in their flight, noting the trails of white smoke they left behind, and +then the showers of earth that flew up when they burst. It was rather a +pleasant occupation to watch them. In a way it broke the monotony of a +long summer day. + +They did not know that Polk, the bishop-general, was arriving at that +moment in the Southern camp with five thousand men. Bragg had come, too, +but he left the command to Polk, who outranked Hardee, and the three +together listened to the long-range cannonade, while they also examined +with powerful glasses the Union army which was now mostly lying on the +ground. + +Dick himself felt a strong temptation to sleep. The march through the +heat that morning had been dusty and tiresome, and the warm wind that +blew over him made his eyelids very heavy. The cannonade itself was +conducive to slumber. The guns were fired at regular intervals, which +created a sort of rhythm. The shells with their trailing white smoke +ceased to interest him, and his eyelids grew heavier. It was now about +2:30 o'clock and as his eyes were about to close a sudden shout made him +open them wide and then spring to his feet. + +"Look out! Look out!" cried Sergeant Whitley, "The Johnnies are coming!" + +The Union forces in an instant were in line, rifles ready and eager. +The gray masses were already charging across the fields and hills, while +their cannon made a sudden and rapid increase in the volume of fire. +Their batteries were coming nearer, too, and the shells hitherto +harmless were now shrieking and hissing among their ranks, killing and +wounding. + +Dick looked around him. The members of the slim Winchester regiment were +all veterans; but thousands of the Ohio lads were recruits who had never +seen battle before. Now shell and shot were teaching them the terrible +realities. He saw many a face grow pale, as his own had often grown +pale, in the first minutes of battle, but he did not see any one flinch. + +The Northern cannon posted in the intervals and along the edges of +the woods opened with a mighty crash, and as the enemy came nearer the +riflemen began to send a hail of bullets. But the charge did not break. +It was led by Buckner, taken at Donelson, but now exchanged, and some of +the best troops of the South followed him. + +"Steady! Steady!" shouted Colonel Winchester. The ranks were so close +that he and all of his staff, having no room for their horses, had +dismounted, and they stood now in the front rank, encouraging the men to +meet the charge. But the rush of the Southern veterans was so sudden +and fierce that despite every effort of valor the division gave way, +suffering frightful losses. + +Two of the Union generals seeking to hold their men were killed. Each +side rushed forward reinforcements. A stream of Confederates issued from +a wood and flung themselves upon the Union flank. Dick was dazed with +the suddenness and ferocity with which the two armies had closed in +mortal combat. He could see but little. He was half blinded by the +smoke, the flash of rifles and cannon and the dust. Officers and +men were falling all around him. The numbers were not so great as +at Antietam, but it seemed to him that within the contracted area of +Perryville the fight was even more fierce and deadly than it had been on +that famous Maryland field. + +But he was conscious of one thing. They were being borne back. Tears of +rage ran down his face. Was it always to be this way? Were their numbers +never to be of any avail? He heard some one shout for Buell, and he +heard some one else shout in reply that he was far away, as he had been +at Shiloh. + +It was true. The wind blowing away from him, Buell had not yet heard +a sound from the raging battle, which for its numbers and the time it +lasted, was probably the fiercest ever fought on the American continent. +The larger Union force, divided by ridges and thick woods from the +field, had not heard the fire of a single cannon, and did not know that +two armies were engaged in deadly combat so near. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester and Warner and Pennington were +by his side. The sergeant was also near. There was no chance to give +or send orders, and the officers, snatching up the rifles of the fallen +soldiers, fought almost as privates. The Winchester regiment performed +prodigies of valor on that day, and the Ohio lads strove desperately for +every inch of ground. + +It seemed to Dick once that they would hold fast, when he heard in front +a tremendous cry of: "On, my boys!" As the smoke lifted a little he saw +that it was Colonel Kenton leading his own trained and veteran regiment. +Colonel Winchester and Colonel Kenton, in fact, had met face to face, +but the Southern regiment was the more numerous and the stronger. +Winchester's men were gradually borne back and the colonel gasped to +Dick: + +"Didn't I see your uncle leading on his regiment?" + +"Yes, it was he. It was his regiment that struck us, but he's hidden now +by the smoke." + +The Southern rush did not cease. McCook's whole division, between the +shallow creeks was driven back, sustaining frightful losses, and it +would have been destroyed, but the artillery of Sheridan on the flank +suddenly opened upon the Southern victors. The Southerners whirled and +charged Sheridan, but his defense was so strong, and so powerful was his +artillery that they were compelled to recoil every time with shattered +ranks. + +The decimated Ohio regiments beyond the creek were gathering themselves +anew for the battle, and so were the men of Colonel Winchester, now +reduced to half their numbers again. Then a great shout arose. A fresh +brigade had come up to their relief, and aided by these new men they +made good the ground upon which they stood. + +Another shout arose, telling that Buell was coming, and, two hours after +the combat had opened, he arrived with more troops. But night was now at +hand, and the sun set over a draw like that at Antietam. Forty thousand +men had fought a battle only about three hours long, and eight thousand +of them lay dead or wounded upon the sanguinary field. One half the +Union army never reached the field in time to fight. + +As both sides drew off in the darkness, Dick shouted in triumph, +thinking they had won a victory. A bullet fired by some retiring +Southern skirmisher glanced along his head. There was a sudden flash of +fire before him and then darkness. His body fell on a little slope and +rolled among some bushes. + + +The close hot night came down upon the field, and the battle, the most +sanguinary ever fought on Kentucky soil, had closed. Like so many other +terrible struggles of the Civil War, it had been doubtful, or almost, +so far as the fighting was concerned. The Northern left wing had been +driven back, but the Northern right wing had held firm against every +attack of the enemy. + +Pennington, when he lay panting on the ground with the remnant of the +Winchesters, knew little about the result of the combat. He knew that +their own division had suffered terribly. The Ohio recruits had been cut +almost to pieces, and the Winchester regiment had been reduced by half +again. He was so tired that he did not believe he could stir for a long +time. He felt no wound, but every bone ached from weariness, and his +throat and mouth seemed to burn with smoke and dust. + +Pennington did not see either Dick or Warner, but as soon as he got a +little strength into his limbs he would look for them. No doubt they +were safe. A special providence always watched over those fellows. It +was true that Warner had been wounded at the Second Manassas, but a +hidden power had guided Dick to him, and he got well so fast that he was +able to fight soon afterward at Antietam. + +Pennington lay still, and he heard all around him the deep breathing of +men who, like himself, were so worn that they could scarcely move. The +field in front of him darkened greatly, but he saw lights moving there, +and he knew that they belonged to little parties from either army +looking for the wounded. He began to wonder which side had won the +battle. + +"Ohio," he said to one of the Ohio lads who lay near, "did we lick the +Johnnies, or did the Johnnies lick us?" + +"Blessed if I know, and I don't care much, either. Four fellows that I +used to play with at school were killed right beside me. It was my first +battle, and, Oh, I tell you, it was awful!" + +He gulped suddenly and began to cry. Pennington, who was no older than +he, patted him soothingly on the shoulder. + +"I know that you were the bravest of the brave, because I saw you," he +said. + +"I don't know about that, but I do know that I can never get used to +killing men and seeing them killed." + +Pennington was surprised that Dick and Warner had not appeared. They +would certainly rejoin their own regiment, and he began to feel uneasy. +The last shot had been fired, the night was darkening fast and a +mournful wind blew over the battlefield. But up and down the lines they +were lighting the cooking fires. + +Pennington rose to his feet. He saw Colonel Winchester, standing a +little distance away, and he was about to ask him for leave to look for +his comrades, when he was startled by the appearance of a woman, a woman +of thirty-eight or nine, tall, slender, dressed well, and as Pennington +plainly saw, very beautiful. But now she was dusty, her face was pale, +and her eyes shone with a terrible anxiety. Women were often seen in the +camps at the very verge or close of battle, saying good-bye or looking +for the lost, but she was unusual. + +The soldiers stood aside for her respectfully, and she looked about, +until her gaze fell upon the colonel. Then she ran to him, seized him by +the arm, and exclaimed: + +"Colonel Winchester! Colonel Winchester!" + +"Good heavens, Mrs. Mason! You! How did you come?" + +"I was at Danville, not so far from here. Of course I knew that the +armies were about to meet for battle! And it was only two days ago that +I heard the Winchester regiment had come west to join General Buell's +army." + +A stalwart and powerful colored woman emerged from the darkness and put +her arm around Mrs. Mason's waist. + +"Don't you get too much excited, chile," she said soothingly. + +Juliana stood beside her mistress, a very tower of defense, glaring at +the soldiers about them as if she would resent their curiosity. + +"I thought I would come and try to see Dick," continued Mrs. Mason. "My +relatives sought to persuade me not to do it. They were right, I know, +but I wanted to come so badly that I had to do it. We slipped away +yesterday, Juliana and I. We stayed at a farmhouse last night, and this +morning we rode through the woods. We expected to be in the camp this +afternoon, but as we were coming to the edge of the forest we heard the +cannon and then the rifles. Through three or four dreadful hours, while +we shook there in the woods, we listened to a roar and thunder that I +would have thought impossible." + +"The battle was very fierce and terrible," said Colonel Winchester. + +"I don't think it could have been more so. We saw a part of it, but +only a confused and awful sweep of smoke and flame. And now, Colonel +Winchester, where is my boy, Dick?" + +Colonel Winchester's face turned deadly pale, and she noticed it at +once. Her own turned to the same pallor, but she did not shriek or +faint. + +"You do not know that he is killed?" she said in a low, distinct tone +that was appalling to the other. + +"I missed him only a little while ago," said Colonel Winchester, "and +I've been looking for him. But I'm sure he is not dead. He can't be!" + +"No, he can't be! I can't think it!" she said, and she looked at the +colonel appealingly. + +"If you please, sir," said Pennington, "Lieutenant Warner is missing +also. I think we'll find them together. You remember what happened at +the Second Manassas." + +"Yes, Frank, I do remember it, and your supposition may be right." + +He asked a lantern from one of the men, and whispered to Pennington +to come. But Mrs. Mason and Juliana had been standing at strained +attention, and Mrs. Mason inferred at once what was about to be done. + +"You mean to look for him on the field," she said. "We will go with +you." + +Colonel Winchester opened his lips to protest, but shut them again in +silence. + +"It is right that you should come," he said a moment later, "but you +will see terrible things." + +"I am ready." + +She seemed all the more admirable and wonderful to Colonel Winchester, +because she did not weep or faint. The deathly pallor on her face +remained, but she held herself firmly erect beside the gigantic colored +woman. + +"Come with me, Pennington," said Colonel Winchester, "and you, too, +Sergeant Whitley." + +The two men and the boy led the way upon the field, and the two women +came close behind. They soon entered upon the area of conflict. The +colonel had said that it would be terrible, but Mrs. Mason scarcely +dreamed of the reality. It was one vast scene of frightful destruction, +of torn and trampled earth and of dead men lying in all directions. The +black of her faithful servant's face turned to an ashen gray, and she +trembled more than her mistress. + +Colonel Winchester had a very clear idea of the line along which his +regiment had advanced and retreated, and he followed it. But the lantern +did not enable them to see far. As happened so often after the great +battles of the Civil War, the signs began to portend rain. The long +drouth would be broken, but whether by natural change or so much firing +Colonel Winchester did not know. Despite the lateness of the season dim +lightning was seen on the horizon. The great heat was broken by a cool +wind that began to blow from the northwest. + +The five advanced in silence, the two men and the boy still leading and +the two women following close behind. Colonel Winchester's heart began +to sink yet farther. He had not felt much hope at first, and now he felt +scarcely any at all. A few moments later, however, the sergeant suddenly +held up his hand. + +"What is it?" asked the colonel. + +"I think I hear somebody calling." + +"Like as not. Plenty of wounded men may be calling in delirium." + +"But, colonel, I've been on battlefields before, and this sounds like +the voice of some one calling for help." + +"Which way do you think it is?" + +"To the left and not far off. It's a weak voice." + +"We'll turn and follow it. Don't say anything to the others yet." + +They curved and walked on, the colonel swinging his lantern from side to +side, and now all of them heard the voice distinctly. + +"What is that?" exclaimed Mrs. Mason, speaking for the first time since +they had come upon the field of conflict. + +"Some one shouting for help," replied Colonel Winchester. "One could not +neglect him at such a time." + +"No, that is so." + +"It's the voice of Lieutenant Warner, colonel," whispered the sergeant. + +Colonel Winchester nodded. "Say nothing as yet," he whispered. + +They walked a dozen steps farther and the colonel, swinging high the +lantern, disclosed Warner sitting on the trunk of a tree that had been +cut through by cannon balls. Warner, as well as they could see, was not +wounded, but he seemed to be suffering from an overpowering weakness. +The colonel, the sergeant and the boy alike dreaded to see what lay +beyond the log, but the two women did not know Warner or that his +presence portended anything. + +The Vermonter saw them coming, and raised his hand in a proper salute +to his superior officer. Then as they came nearer, and he saw the white +woman who came with them, he lifted his head, tried to straighten his +uniform a little with his left hand, and said as he bowed: + +"I think this must be Mrs. Mason, Dick's mother." + +"It is," said Colonel Winchester, and then they waited a moment or two +in an awful silence. + +"I don't rise because there is something heavy lying in my lap which +keeps me from it," said Warner very quietly, but with deep feeling. +"After the Second Manassas, where I was badly wounded and left on the +ground for dead, a boy named Dick Mason hunted over the field, found +me and brought me in. I felt grateful about it and told him that if he +happened to get hit in the same way I'd find him and bring him in as he +had brought me. + +"I didn't think the chance would come so soon. Curious how things happen +as you don't think they're going to happen, and don't happen as you +think they're going to happen, and here the whole thing comes out in +only a few weeks. We were driven back and I missed Dick as the battle +closed. Of course I came to hunt for him, and I found him. Easy, Mrs. +Mason, don't get excited now. Yes, you can have his head in your own +lap, but it must be moved gently. That's where he's hurt. Don't tremble, +ma'am. He isn't going to die, not by a long shot. The bullet meant to +kill him, but finding his head too hard, it turned away, and went out +through his hair. He won't have any scar, either, because it's all under +the thickest part of his hair. + +"Of course his eyes are closed, ma'am. He hasn't come around yet, but +he's coming fast. Don't cry on his face, ma'am. Boys never like to have +their faces cried on. I'd have brought him in myself, but I found I +was too weak to carry him. It's been too short a time since the Second +Manassas for me to have got back all my strength. So I just bound up his +head, held it in my lap, and yelled for help. Along came a rebel party, +bearing two wounded, and they looked at me. 'You're about pumped out,' +said one of them, 'but we'll take your friend in for you.' 'No, you +won't,' I said. 'Why not?' said they. 'Because you're no account +Johnnies,' I said, 'while my wounded friend and I are high-toned Yanks.' +'I beg your pardon,' said the Johnny, who was one of the most polite +fellows I ever saw, 'I didn't see your uniform clearly by this dim +light, but the parties looking for the wounded are mostly going in, and +you're likely to be left here with your friend, who needs attention. +Better come along with us and be prisoners and give him a chance to get +well.' + +"Now, that was white, real white, but I thanked him and said that as +soon as General Buell heard that the best two soldiers in his whole army +were here resting, he'd come with his finest ambulance for us, driving +his horses himself. They said then they didn't suppose they were needed +and went on. But do you know, ma'am, every one of those Johnnies, as he +passed poor old unconscious Dick with his head in my lap, took off his +hat." + +"It was a fine thing for them to do," said Colonel Winchester, and then +he whispered: "I'm glad you talked that way, Warner. It helps. You see, +she's feeling more cheerful already." + +"Yes, and you see old Dick's opening his eyes. Isn't it strange that +the first thing he should see when he opens them here on the battlefield +should be his mother?" + +"A strange and happy circumstance," said Colonel Winchester. + +Dick opened his eyes. + +"Mother!" he exclaimed. + +Her arms were already around him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + + +They took Dick to the house of his relatives, the Careys, in Danville, +and in a few days he learned the sequel of that sudden and terrible +storm of death at Perryville. Buell had gathered all his forces in +the night, and in the morning had intended to attack again, but the +Confederate army was gone, carrying with it vast stores of supplies that +it had gathered on the way. + +The rains, too, had come. They had begun the morning after the battle, +and they poured for days. In the southeast, among the mountains toward +which Bragg had turned the head of his army, the roads were quagmires. +Nevertheless he had toiled on and was passing through Cumberland Gap. +Buell had gone in the other direction toward the southwest, and then +came the news that he was relieved of his command, and that Rosecrans +would take his place. + +Dick felt the call of the trumpet. He knew that his comrades were now +down there in Tennessee with the army under Rosecrans, and he felt that +he must join them. His mother begged him to stay. He had done enough for +his country. He had fought in great battles, and he had narrowly escaped +a mortal wound. He should come home, and stay safely at Pendleton until +the war was over. + +But Dick, though grieving with her, felt that he must go. He would stay +with the army until the end, and he departed for Lexington, where he +took the train for Louisville. Thence he went southward directly by +rail to Bowling Green, where the Northern army was encamped, with +lines stretching as far south as Nashville, and where he received the +heartiest of greetings from his comrades. + +"I knew you'd come," said Warner. "Perhaps a man with a mother like +yours ought to stay at home, and again he ought to come. So there you +are, and here you are!" + +Dick was familiar with the country about Bowling Green. It was a part +of the state in which he had relatives, and he had visited it more than +once. He also saw the camps left by Buckner's men nearly a year ago, +when they were marching southward to be taken by Grant at Donelson. +Since he had come back to this region it seemed to him that they were +always fighting their battles over again. Grant and Rosecrans had fought +a terrible but victorious battle at Corinth in Mississippi, and now +Rosecrans had come north while Grant remained in the further south. He +was sorry it was not Grant who commanded on that line. He would have +been glad to be under his command again, to feel that strong and sure +hand on the reins once more. + +Dick stayed a while in Bowling Green, and he saw all his relatives in +the little city. They were mostly on the other side, but they could not +resist an ingenuous youth like Dick, and he passed some pleasant hours +with them. For his sake they also made Warner and Pennington welcome, +but they freely predicted a great disaster for the North. Bragg would +come out of East Tennessee with his veterans, and they would give +Rosecrans the defeat that he deserved. The boys held good natured +arguments with them on this point, but all finally agreed to leave it to +the decision of the war itself. + +The great dryness had now passed so completely that it seemed impossible +such a thing ever could have been. The rains had been heavy and almost +continuous, and the earth soaked in water. But despite chill winds and +chill rains rumors of Southern activity came to them, and in the +last month of the year Rosecrans gathered his forces at Nashville in +Tennessee. + +Dick and his comrades enjoyed a few bright days here. The city was +crowded with an army and those who supply it and live by it, and it was +a center of vivid activity. Dick had letters from his mother and he +also heard in a roundabout way that Colonel Kenton had gone through the +battle of Perryville uninjured and was now with Bragg at Chattanooga. + +But the boys soon heard that despite the winter there was great activity +in the Southern camp. Undismayed by their loss of Kentucky, the Southern +generals meant to fight Rosecrans in Tennessee. The Confederacy had +not been cheered by Lee's withdrawal at Antietam and Bragg's retreat at +Perryville, and meant to strike a heavy blow for new prestige. The whole +Confederate army, they soon heard, had moved forward to Murfreesborough, +where it was waiting, while Forrest and Morgan, the famous cavalry +leaders, were off on great raids. + +It was this absence of Forrest and Morgan with the best of the cavalry +that put it into the mind of Rosecrans to attack at once. The thousands +of lads in the army who were celebrating Christmas received that night +the news that they were to march in the morning. + +"I've fought three great battles this year," said Warner, "and I don't +think they ought to ask any more of me." + +"Be comforted," said Dick. "We start to-morrow, the 26th, which leaves +five days of the year, and I don't think we can arrange a battle in that +time. You'll not have to whip Bragg before the New Year, George." + +"Well, I'm glad of it. You can have too many battles in one year. I +didn't get rest enough after my wound at the Second Manassas before I +had to go in and save our army at Antietam, and then it was but a little +time before we fought at Perryville. That wasn't as big a battle as some +of the others, but Dick, for those mad three hours it seemed that all +the demons of death were turned loose." + +"It certainly looked like it, George, you stiff old Vermonter, and I +don't forget that you came to save me." + +"Shut up about that, or I'll hit you over the head with the butt of my +pistol. I merely paid back, though I only paid about half of what I +was owing to you. The chance luckily came sooner than I had hoped. But, +Dick, what a morning to follow Christmas." + +A chilly rain was pouring down. A cold fog was rising from the +Cumberland, wrapping the town in mists. It was certainly a dreary time +in which to march to battle, and the young soldiers rising in the gloom +of the dawn and starting amid such weather were depressed. + +"Pennington," said Warner, "will you help me in a request to our +Kentucky friend to join us in three cheers for the Sunny South, the edge +of which he has the good fortune to inhabit? I haven't seen the real sun +for about a month, and I suppose that's why they call it sunny, and I'm +informed that this big river, the Cumberland, often freezes over, which +I suppose is the reason why they call it Southern. I hear, too, that +people often freeze to death in North Georgia, which is further south +than this. After this bit of business is over I'm going to forbid winter +campaigns in the south." + +"It does get mighty cold," said Dick. "You see we're not really a +southern people. We just lie south of the northern states and in +Kentucky, at least, we have a lot of cold weather. Why, I've seen it +twenty-three degrees below zero in the southern part of the state, and +it certainly can get cold in Tennessee, too." + +"I believe I'd rather have it than this awful rain," said Pennington. "I +don't seem to get used to these cold soakings." + +"Good-bye, Nashville," said Dick, turning about. "I don't know when +we will have to come back, and if we do I don't know what will have +happened before then. Good-bye, Nashville. I regret your roofs and your +solid walls, and your dry tents and floors." + +"But we're going forth to fight. Don't forget that, Dick. Remember how +in Virginia we pined for battle, and the use of our superior numbers. +Anyhow Rosecrans is going out to look for the enemy, but all the same, +and between you and me, Dick, I wish it was Grant who was leading us. I +saw a copy of the New York Times a while back, and some lines in it are +haunting me. Here they are: + + "Back from the trebly crimsoned field + Terrible woods are thunder-tost: + Full of the wrath that will not yield, + Full of revenge for battles lost: + Hark to their echo as it crost + The capital making faces wan: + End this murderous holocaust; + Abraham Lincoln give us a man." + +"Sounds good," said Dick, "and, George, you and Frank and I know that +what we want is a man. We've lost big battles, because we didn't have a +big man, who could see at once and think like lightning, to lead us. But +we'll get him sooner or later! We'll get him. Did any other troops ever +bear up like ours under defeats and drawn battles? Listen to 'em now!" + +Slow and deep and sung by many thousand men rose the rolling chorus: + + "The army is gathering from near and from far; + The trumpet is sounding the call for the war; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + We'll gird on our armor and be marching along." + +"Now," cried Warner, "all together." And the thundering chorus rose: + + "Marching, we are marching along, + Gird on the armor and be marching along; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + For God and our country we are marching along." + +As the mighty chorus, sung by fifty thousand men, rose and throbbed +through the cold and rain, Dick felt his own heart throbbing in unison. +Rosecrans might or might not be a great general, but he certainly +was not permitting the enemy to rest easy in winter quarters at +Murfreesborough. Dick had no doubt that they were about to meet the foe +of Perryville face to face again. + +The enemies were largely the same as those of other battles in the west. +The Northern army advanced in three divisions toward Murfreesborough. +McCook, whose division contained the Winchester regiment, was in the +center, General Thomas led the right wing on the Franklin road, and +General Crittenden led the left wing. Bragg who was before them had +nearly the same generals as at Shiloh, Hardee, Breckinridge, and the +others. + +Dick knew that the advance of the Northern army would be seen at once. +This was the country of the enemy. The forces of the Union held only +the ground on which they were camped. Thousands of hostile eyes were +watching Rosecrans, and, even if Bragg himself were lax, any movement +by the army from Nashville would be reported at once to the army in +Murfreesborough. But they had a vigilant foe, they knew, and they +expected to encounter his pickets soon. + +"They're probably watching us now through the fog and rain," said +Colonel Winchester to Dick as they left the last house of Nashville +behind. "They know every inch of these hills and valleys." + +It was not a great distance to Murfreesborough, but they found the +marching slow. The feet of the horses sank deep in the mud and the +cannon and wagons were almost mired. But despite mud and rain and cold, +the army pressed bravely on. They were the same lads and their like who +had marched forward so hopefully to Donelson and Shiloh. Through the +rain and the soughing of wheels in the mud rolled their battle songs, +sung with all the spirit and fire of youth. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers helped with the cannon and +wagons and soon they were covered with mud. The Winchester regiment +was in the lead, and Sergeant Whitley suddenly pointing with a thick +forefinger, said: + +"There are the Johnnies! Their pickets are waiting for us!" + +Dick saw through the mist and rain a considerable body of men down the +road, most of them on horseback. He knew at once that they were Southern +pickets, and the eager lads around him, seeing them, knew it, too. +Not waiting for command they set up a shout and charged down the road. +Rifles instantly flashed through the rain and a sharp fire met them. Men +fell, but others pressed on with all the more zeal, seeing just beyond +the Southern pickets the roofs of a little town. Cannon shot also +whizzed among them, indicating that the Southern pickets were in strong +force. + +But the Northern troops, full of vigor and zeal, swept back the pickets +and charged directly upon a larger force in the town beyond. A short +and fierce battle for the possession of the village ensued, but this was +only a Southern outpost, and it was not strong enough to withstand the +rush of the Ohio men and Winchester's regiment. Fighting at every step +they retreated through the village and into the forest beyond, leaving +one of their cannon in the hands of the Union troops. + +"An omen of victory," exclaimed Dick, when he saw the captured cannon. + +"Careful, Dick! Careful!" said Warner. "Remember that you're not strong +on omens. You're always seeing sure signs of success just before we go +into a big battle." + +"If Dick sees visions, and they're visions of the right kind, then he's +right," said Pennington. "I'd a good deal rather go into battle with +Dick by my side singing a song of victory, than croaking of defeat." + +"That's good as a general proposition," said Warner, "but I was merely +cautioning him not to be too enthusiastic. What kind of a country, Dick, +is this into which we are going?" + +"Hilly, lots of forests, particularly of cedar, and brooks, creeks and +rivers. Murfreesborough itself is right on Lytle's Creek. Bragg will +meet us at the line of Stone River." + +"Maybe they'll retreat and go eastward to Chattanooga," said Pennington. + +"I think we'd better dismiss that 'maybe,'" said Dick. "You haven't +heard of the rebels running away from battles, have you?" + +"What I've generally seen, in the beginning at least," said Warner, "is +the rebels running toward us, jumping out of the woods and yelling like +Indians. I have seldom found it a pleasant sight. I'm glad, too, Dick, +that Stonewall Jackson isn't here. Do you see that big cedar forest over +there on the hillside? Suppose he should come rushing out of it with +twenty or twenty-five thousand men." + +"Stop," said Pennington. "You give me the shivers, talking about +Stonewall Jackson swooping down on us with an army corps, when happily +he's four or five hundred miles away. I'm seeing enough unfriendly +faces as it is. Look how the people in this village are glaring at us. +Fellows, I've decided after due consideration that they don't love us +here in Tennessee. If you were to ask me I'd say that blue was not their +favorite color." + +"At any rate we don't stay long. Good-bye, friends, good-bye," said +Warner, waving his hand toward two or three men who stood in the door of +an old blacksmith shop. + +"You laugh, young feller," said a gnarled and knotted old man past +eighty, "an' mebbe it's as well for you to laugh while you have the time +to do it in. Mebbe you'll never come back from Stone River, an' if +you do, an' if you win everywhere, remember that we, too, will yet win +everywhere." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"All the Yankees, whether they win or not, will have to go back north, +except them that are dead, an' we'll be here right on top of the lan', +livin' on it, an' runnin' it, same as we've always done." + +"I hadn't thought of that," said Warner soberly. + +"There's a power of things the young don't think of," said the ancient +man. "Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she can't be moved. She'll +always be here. People hev made a war. I don't know who started it. I +reckon there's been some powerful mean an' hot talk on both sides. I +knowed great men that seed this very thing comin' long ago an' tried +to stop it. I went over in Kentucky more than once an' heard Henry Clay +speak. I don't believe there was ever another such a talker as he was. +He had sense an' knowledge as well as voice. He done his best to smooth +over this quarrel between North and South that others was eggin' on all +the time, but he couldn't, and I reckon when Henry Clay, the greatest +man God ever made, failed, it wasn't worth while for anybody else +to try. Ride on, young fellers, an' get yourselves killed. You ain't +twenty, an' I'm over eighty, but I guess I'll be lookin' at the green +trees when you're under the ground. Ride on in the rain an' the cold, +an' I'll go inside the shop an' warm myself by the forge fire." + +The three boys rode on in sober silence. The words of the ancient +philosopher were soaking in with the rain. + +"Suppose we don't come back from Stone River," said Pennington. + +"We take our chances, of course," said Dick. + +"And suppose what he said about the South should prove true," said +Warner, thoughtfully. "One part of it, at least, is bound to come true. +That phrase of his sticks in my mind: 'Mebbe the South can be whipped, +but she can't be moved.' The Southern states, as he says, will be here +just the same after the war is over, no matter who wins." + +But such thoughts as these could not endure long in minds so young. They +passed through the village and soon were in the forests of red cedar. +The rain ceased, but in its place came a thick and heavy fog. The mud +grew deeper than ever. Progress became very slow. It was difficult +in the great foggy veil for the regiments to keep in touch with one +another, and occasional shots in front warned them that the enemy was +active and watchful. The division barely crept along. + +Dick and his comrades were mounted again, and they kept close to Colonel +Winchester, who, however, had few orders to send. The command of the +corps rested with General McCook, and it behooved him as any private +could see, to exercise the utmost caution. They were strangers in the +land and the Confederates were not. + +Dick had thought that morning that they would get into touch with heavy +forces of the enemy before night, but the fog and the mud rendered their +advance so slow that at sunset they went into camp in a vast forest of +red cedar, still a good distance from Stone River. The fog had lifted +somewhat, but the night was heavy, damp and dark. There was an abundance +of fallen wood, and the veterans soon built long rows of fires which +contributed wonderfully to their cheerfulness. + +"There's nothing like a fine fire on a cold, dark night," said Sergeant +Whitley, holding his hands over the flames. "Out on the plains when +there was only a hundred or so of us, an' nothin' on any side five +hundred miles away 'xcept hostile Indians, an' a blizzard whistlin' an' +roarin', with the mercury thirty degrees below zero, it was glorious to +have a big fire lighted in a hollow or a dip an' bend over the coals, +until the warmth went right through you." + +"It was the power of contrast," said Warner sagely. "The real comfort +from the fire was fifty per cent and the howling of the icy gale, in +which you might have frozen to death, but didn't, was fifty per cent +more. That's why I'm feeling so good now, although I'd say that those +red cedars and their dark background are none too cheerful." + +"I've got two good blankets," said Pennington, who was returning from a +trip further down the line, "and I'm going to sleep. Haven't you fellows +learned that all your foolish talking before a battle never changes +the result? I can tell you this. Our three divisions that are marching +toward Murfreesborough are in touch. We've put out swarms of scouts and +they all tell us so. They know exactly where the enemy is, too, and he's +too far away to surprise us to-night. So it's sleep, my boys, sleep. +Sleep will recover for you so much strength that it will be much harder +for you to get killed on the morrow." + +Dick had dried himself very thoroughly before one of the fires, and +wrapping himself in his two blankets he slept soundly and heavily. There +was fog again the next morning, but they reached a little village +called Triune and all through the day they heard the sounds of scattered +firing. One of the scouts told Colonel Winchester that the whole +Southern army would be concentrated the next day on the line of Stone +River, but that it would be inferior to the Union army in numbers by ten +thousand men. Bragg's force, however, had the advantage of experience, +being composed almost wholly of veterans. + +It was on the afternoon of this day that Dick came into personal contact +with General Thomas again. He had been sent through the cedar forest +with dispatches to him from General McCook, and after the general had +read them he glanced at the messenger. + +"You reached General Buell safely with my letter, Lieutenant Mason," he +said, "and I'm very glad to see you here with us again." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, feeling an immense pride because this man, +whom he admired so much, remembered him. + +"It was a difficult duty and you did it well. I found that you got +through safely. I made inquiries about you and I traced you as far as +Shiloh, but I could get no further." + +"I was at Shiloh," said Dick proudly. "I was captured just before it +began, but I escaped while it was at its height and fought until the +close." + +"And after that?" + +"My regiment was sent east, sir. I went with it through the Second +Manassas and Antietam. Then we came back west to help General Buell. I +was at Perryville and was wounded there, but I soon got well." + +"Perryville was a terrible battle. It was short, but it is incredible +with what fury the troops fought. We should do better here." + +Dick saw that the last sentence which was spoken in a low tone was not +addressed to him. It was merely a murmured expression of the general's +own thoughts, and he remained silent. + +"You can go now, Lieutenant Mason," said General Thomas, after a few +moments, "and let us together wish for the best." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, highly flattered again. Then he saluted and +retired. + +He rode back somewhat slowly through the cedars, but he kept a wary eye. +The enemy's cavalry was daring, and he might be rushed by them at any +time or be ambushed by sharpshooters on foot. His watch for the enemy +also enabled him to examine the country closely. He saw many hills and +hollows covered mostly with forests, with the red cedar and its dark +green boughs predominating. He also saw the flash of many waters, and, +where the roads cut through the soil, a deep red clay was exposed to +view. He knew that it would be difficult for the armies to get into +line for battle, because of the heavy, sticky nature of the ground, upon +which so much rain had fallen. + +He made his way safely back to the camp of his corps, although he saw +hostile cavalry galloping in the valleys in the direction of Stone +River, and all through the afternoon he heard the crackle of rifle shots +in the same direction. The skirmishers were continually in touch and +they were busy. + +The corps moved up a little, but Dick thought it likely that there would +be no battle the next day either. Rosecrans could not afford to attack +until his full force, with all its artillery, was up, and marching was +slow and exhausting in the sea of sticky mud. + +Dick was right. The Northern army was practically united the next day, +but so great was the exhaustion of the troops that Rosecrans did not +deem it wise yet to attack his foe. He was fully aware of the quality +of the Southern soldiers. He remembered how they had turned suddenly +at Perryville and with inferior numbers had fought a draw. Now on the +defensive, and in such a deep and sticky soil, they would have a great +advantage and his generals agreed with him in waiting. + +Dick spent much of this day in riding with Colonel Winchester along +their lines. There was some talk about Bragg retreating, but the boy, +a veteran in everything but years, knew the ominous signs. Bragg had no +notion of retreating. + +In the night that followed Colonel Winchester himself and some of his +young officers, accompanied by the brave and skillful Sergeant Whitley, +scouted toward Stone River. In the darkness and with great care, in +order to avoid any sound of splashing, they waded a deep creek and came +out upon a plateau, rolling slightly in character, and with a deep clay +soil, very muddy from the heavy rains. A part of the plateau was cleared +of forest, but here and there were groves, chiefly of the red cedar, +and thickets, some of them so dense that a man would have difficulty in +forcing his way through. + +Colonel Winchester and his little group paused at the edge of the creek, +and then dived promptly into a thicket. They saw further up the plateau +many fires and the figures of men walking before them and they saw +nearer by sentinels marching back and forth. They were even able to make +out cannon in batteries, and they knew that it was not worth while to go +any further. The Confederate army was there, and they would merely walk +directly into its arms. + +They returned with even greater caution than they had come, but the next +day the whole division crossed the creek at another point, and as it +cautiously felt its way forward it encountered another formidable body +of Southern pickets hidden in the woods. There was sharp firing for a +quarter of an hour, and many of the Ohio men fell, but the pickets were +finally swept back, and at sunset the half circle that Rosecrans had +intended to form for the attack upon the Southern army was complete. + +All the movements and delays brought them up to the night before the +last day in the year. The Winchester regiment with the Ohio division lay +in a region of little hills and rocks, covered with forest, with which +its officers and men were not familiar. On the other hand the Southern +army would know every inch of it, and the inhabitants were ready and +eager to give it information. + +Dick could not keep from regarding the dark forests with apprehension. +He had seen the Northern generals lose so much through ignorance of the +ground and uncertain movements that he feared for them again. He soon +learned that Rosecrans himself shared this fear. He had come to the +division and recommended its closer concentration. + +But the young Ohio troops were not afraid. They said that if they were +attacked they would hold their ground long enough for the rest of the +Northern army to beat the Southern, and McCook himself was confident. + +Meanwhile, Bragg, after delaying, had suddenly decided to make the +attack himself, and throughout the day he had been gathering his whole +army for the spring. All his generals, Hardee, Breckinridge, Polk, +Cleburne and the rest were in position and the cavalry was led by +Wheeler, a youthful rough rider, destined to become famous as Fighting +Joe Wheeler. + +Each general was ready to attack in the morning, but neither knew the +willingness of the other. Yet everybody was aware that a great battle +was soon to come. They had felt it in both armies, and for two or three +days the firing of the skirmishers had been almost continuous. Scouts +kept each side well informed. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington, before they lay down in their blankets, +listened to the faint reports of rifles. They could see little owing +to the deep woods in which they lay, but the sound of the shots came +clearly. + +"A part of our army is to cross the fords of Stone River in the morning +by daylight or before," said Warner, "and we're to surprise the enemy +and rush him. I wonder if we'll do it." + +"We will not," said Pennington with emphasis. "We may beat the enemy, +but we will not surprise him. We never do. Why should we surprise him? +He is here in his own country. If the whole Southern army were sound +asleep, a thousand of the natives would wake up their generals and tell +them that the Yankee army was advancing." + +"Their sentinels are watching, anyhow," said Dick, "but I imagine that +we'd gain something if the first rush was ours and not theirs." + +"We'll hope for the best," said Warner, "I wonder whose time this will +be to get wounded. It was mine at Antietam, yours, Dick, at Perryville, +and only you are left Pennington, so it's bound to be you." + +"No, it won't be me," said Pennington stoutly. "I've been wounded in two +or three battles already, not bad wounds, just scratches and bruises, +but as there were so many of 'em you can lump 'em together, and make one +big wound. That lets me out." + +The Winchester regiment lay in the very thickest of the forest and in +order not to indicate to the enemy their precise position no fires were +lighted. The earth was still soaked deep with the heavy rains and their +feet sank at every step. But they did not make many steps. They had +learned enough to lie quiet, seek what rest and sleep they could find, +and await the dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. STONE RIVER + + +Dick awoke at sunrise of the last day of the year, and Warner and +Pennington were up a moment later. There was no fog. The sun hung a low, +red ball in the steel blue sky of winter. No fires had been lighted, +cold food being served. + +He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many +small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in the +wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The other +wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before their own +division was drawn into the conflict. + +He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles, +accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great +cloud of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his +ears, nor could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was +standing beside him, shrugged his shoulders. + +"They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon," he said. + +"And it looks as if we'd have to wait," said Dick. + +"Things point that way. The general thinks so, too. It seems that Bragg +has moved his forces in the night, and that the portion of the enemy in +front of us is some distance off." + +Dick soon confided this news to Warner and Pennington, who looked +discontented. + +"If we've got to fight, I'd rather do it now and get it over," said +Pennington. "If I'm going to be killed the difference between morning +and afternoon won't matter, but if I'm not going to be killed it'll be +worth a lot to get this weight off my mind." + +"And if we're far away from the enemy it's easy enough for us to go up +close to him," said Warner. "I take it that we're not here to keep out +of his way, and, if our brethren are pounding now, oughtn't we to go in +and help them pound? Remember how we divided our strength at Antietam." + +Dick shrugged his shoulders. His feelings were too bitter for him to +make a reply save to say: "I don't know anything about it." + +Meanwhile the distant combat roared and deepened. It was obvious that +a great battle was going on, but the division lay quiet obeying its +orders. The sun rose higher in the cold, steely blue heavens and then +Dick, who was watching a forest opposite them, uttered a loud cry. He +had seen many bayonets flashing among the leafless trees. + +The cry was taken up by others who saw also, and suddenly a long +Southern line, less than half a mile away, emerged into the open and +advanced upon them in silence, but with resolution, a bristling and +terrific front of steel. After all their watching and waiting the +Northern division had been surprised. Many of the officers and soldiers, +too, were in tents that had been set against the cold and damp. The +horses that drew the artillery were being taken to water. + +It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat, but +in that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed his +power of initiative and his resolute courage. While that bristling +front of steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without +waiting for the commands of the officers. The artillerymen rushed to +their guns. + +"Kneel, men! Kneel!" shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment. He +and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in the +rear the night before. + +His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the +Northern line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending +forth a sheet of fire and bullets. + +The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were +at work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks +through and through. But Dick saw no pause in the advance of the men in +gray. They did not even falter. Without a particle of shelter they came +on through the rain of death, their ranks closing up over the slain, +their front line always presenting that bristling line of steel. + +It seemed to Dick now that the points of the bayonets shone almost in +his face, gleaming through the smoke that hung between them and the foe, +a gap that continually grew narrower as the Southern line never ceased +to come. + +"Stand firm, lads; steady for God's sake, steady!" shouted Colonel +Winchester, and then Dick heard no single voice, because the roar of the +battle broke over them like the sudden rush of a storm. He was conscious +only that the tips of the bayonets had reached them, and behind them he +saw the eyes in the brown faces gleaming. + +Then he did not even see the brown faces, because there was such a storm +of fire and smoke pouring forth bullets like hail, and the tumult +of shouts and of the crash of cannon and rifles was so awful that it +blended into one general sound like the roaring of the infernal regions. + +Dick felt himself borne back. It seemed to him that their line had +cracked like a bow bent too much. It was not anything that he saw but a +sense of the general result, and he was right. The Northern line which +had not found time to form properly, was hurled back. Neither cannon nor +rifles could stop the three Southern brigades which were charging them. + +The South struck like a tornado, and despite a resistance made with all +the fury and rage of despair, the Northern division was driven from its +position, and its line broken in many places. A Northern general was +taken prisoner. The guns which could not be carried, because the horses +were gone, were taken by the triumphant Southerners, and over all the +roar and tumult of the frightful battle Dick heard that piercing and +triumphant rebel yell, poured forth by thousands of throats and swelling +over everything, in a fierce, dominant note. + +Dick bumped against Warner as they were borne back in the smoke. He saw +the Vermonter's blackened lips move, and his own moved in the same way, +but neither heard what the other said. Nevertheless Dick read the words +in his comrade's eyes, and they said: + +"Surprised again, Dick! Good God, surprised!" + +Yet the young troops fought with a courage worthy of the toughest +veterans. They gave ground, because the rush against them was +overpowering, but they maintained a terrible fire which strewed the +earth in front of them with dead and wounded. + +"Behind those trees! Behind those trees!" suddenly called Colonel +Winchester as they continued their sullen and fighting retreat, and he +and the remnants of his regiment darted into a little wood just in time. +There was a sudden rush of hoofbeats on their flank, and a cloud of +Southern cavalry swept down, shearing away the entire side of the +Northern division as if it had been cleft with the slash of a mighty +sword. Besides the fallen a thousand prisoners and seven cannon fell +into the hands of the cavalrymen, who rushed on in search of fresh +triumphs. + +Dick shuddered with horror, but he saw that all his own immediate +friends were safe in the wood. A swarm of fugitives poured in after +them, and then came colonels and generals making desperate efforts to +reform their line of battle. But the Southern brigades gave them no +chance. Their leaders continually urged on the pursuit. The broken +regiments fell back still loading and firing, and they would soon be on +the banks of the creek again. + +After a time that seemed almost infinite, Dick heard the roar of shells +over their heads. In their retreat the regiments had come upon another +Northern division which opposed a strong resistance to the Southern +advance. Winchester's men welcomed their friends joyfully. But the fresh +troops could not stop the advance. The fire of the Southern cannon and +rifles was so deadly that nearly all the Northern artillerymen were +killed around their guns. + +The North again gave ground, seeking point after point for fresh +resistance. They rallied strongly around a building used as a hospital, +and filled it with riflemen. But they were driven from that, too, +although they inflicted terrible losses on their enemy. + +"We've got to stop this backward slide somewhere," gasped Pennington. + +"Yes, but where?" cried Dick. + +Whether Warner made any reply he did not know, because he lost him then +in the flame and the smoke. An instant or two later the charging swarms +of infantry and cavalry drove them into one of the woods of red cedars, +where they lay shattered and gasping. The smoke lifted a little, and +Dick saw the field which he already regarded as lost. Then there was a +renewed burst of firing and cheering, as a regiment of veteran regulars +galloped into the open space and drove off the Southern cavalry which +was just about to seize the ammunition wagons and more cannon. + +Encouraged by the charge of the regulars, the men in the cedar wood +rose and began to reform for battle. Now chance, or rather watchfulness, +interposed to save Dick and his comrades from destruction. Rosecrans, at +another point, confident that McCook could hold out against all attacks, +listened with amazement to the roar of battle coming nearer and nearer. +His officers called his attention to the fact that save at the opening +there was no cannon fire. All that approaching crash was made by rifles. +They judged from it that their cannon had been taken, but they did not +know that the rush of the Southern troops had been so fast that their +own batteries were not able to keep up. + +Rosecrans read the signs with them and his alarm was great and +justified. Then a dispatch came from McCook telling him that his right +wing was routed and he took an instant resolve. + +Many regiments were marching to another point in the line, and the +commander at once changed their course. He meant to save his right wing, +but at the same moment a tremendous attack was begun upon the center of +his army. He struck his horse smartly and galloped straight toward the +rolling flame. + +Dick and his friends, driven from the defense around the hospital, lost +touch with the rest of the troops. Colonel Winchester held together what +was left of his regiment, and presently they found themselves in the +woods with the troops of the young officer, Sheridan, who had saved the +battle of Perryville. Here they took their stand, and when Dick saw +the quick and warlike glance of Sheridan that embraced everything he +believed they were not going to retreat. + +He heard cheers all around him, men shouting to one another to stand +firm. They refused to take alarm from the fugitives pouring back upon +them, and sent volley after volley into the advancing gray lines. The +artillery, too, handled with splendid skill and daring, poured a storm +along the whole gray front. The combat deepened to an almost incredible +degree. The cannon were compelled to cease firing because the men +were now face to face. Regiments lost half their numbers and more, but +Sheridan still held his ground and the South still attacked. + +Dick began to shout with joy. He saw that the indomitable stand of +Sheridan was saving the whole Northern army from rout. The South must +continually turn aside troops to attack Sheridan, and they dared not +advance too far leaving him unbeaten in their rear. Rosecrans in the +center was urging his troops to a great resistance and the battle flamed +high there. It now thundered along the whole front. Nearly every man and +cannon were in action. + +Dick was glad that chance had thrown his regiment with Sheridan, when he +saw the splendid resistance made by the young general. Sheridan massed +all his guns at the vital point and backed them up with riflemen. +Nothing broke through his line. Nothing was able to move him. + +"He'll have to retreat later on," Colonel Winchester shouted in Dick's +ear, "because our lines are giving way elsewhere, but his courage and +that of his men has saved us from an awful defeat." + +The battle in front of Sheridan increased in violence. The Confederates +were continually pouring fresh troops upon him, and it became apparent +that even he, with all his courage and quickness of eye at the vital +moment, could not withstand all day long the fierce attacks that were +being made upon him. The Southern fire from cannon and rifles grew more +terrible. Sheridan had three brigades and the commanders of all three of +them were killed. The Confederate attack had been repulsed three times, +but it was coming again, stronger and fiercer than ever. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Colonel Winchester and somehow through the +thunder of the battle he heard the colonel's reply: + +"Yes, we'll have to give up this position, but we have saved so much +time that the army itself is saved. Rosecrans is forming a new line +behind us." + +Rosecrans, no genius, but a brave and resolute fighter, had indeed +brought up fresh troops and made a new line. Sheridan, having that +greatest of all gifts of the general, the eye to see amid the terrible +tumult of battle the time to do a thing, and the courage to do it then, +sounded the trumpet. Nearly all his wagons had been captured by the +Southern cavalry, and his ammunition was beginning to fail. Around him +lay two thousand of his best men, dead or wounded. Rosecrans and the +fresh troops were appearing just in time. + +Yet the retreat of Sheridan was made with the greatest difficulty. A +part of his troops were cut off and captured. Others drove back the +Confederate flankers with a bayonet charge, and then the remnant +retreated, the new lines opening to let them through. Dick, as he passed +through the gap, saw that he was among countrymen. That is, a Kentucky +regiment, fighting for the Union was standing as a shield to let his +comrades and himself through, and the people of the state were related +so closely that in the flare of the battle he saw among these new men at +least a half dozen faces that he knew. + +It was this Kentucky regiment, led by its colonel, Shepherd, that +now formed itself in the very apex of the battle. The remains of the +Winchester regiment, forming behind it, saw a terrible sight. Some of +the regiments crushed earlier in the action had entirely disbanded. The +woods and the bushes were filled with fugitives, soldiers seeking the +rear. Vast clouds of smoke drifted everywhere, the air was filled with +the odors of exploded gunpowder, cannon were piled in inextricable heaps +in the road, and horses, killed by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or +between the wheels. + +Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated +so far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified +fugitives were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph, +and shouting his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that +seemed invincible. + +Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words +and the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick, +Warner, Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky +troops bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so +sternly. It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or +the battle indeed was lost once and for all. + +Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had +joined Rosecrans. Dick observed them both. Rosecrans, tremendously +excited, and reckless of death from the flying shells and bullets, +galloped from point to point, urging on his soldiers, telling them to +die rather than yield. Thomas, cool, and showing no trace of excitement +also directed the troops. Both by their courage and resolution inspired +the men. The beaten became the unbeaten. Dick felt rather than saw the +stiffening of the lines, and the return of a great courage. + +The new line of battle was formed directly under the fire of a +victorious and charging enemy. Three batteries were gathered on a height +overlooking a railroad cut, where they could sweep the front of the foe. + +Just as they were in battle order Dick saw the faces of the Southerners +coming through the woods, led by Hardee in person. Then he saw, too, +the value of presence of mind and of a courage that would not yield. +The three batteries planted by the Kentuckian, Rousseau, on the railway +embankment suddenly opened a terrible enfilading fire upon the Southern +advance. The Kentucky regiment standing so firmly in the breach also +opened with every rifle firing directly into the ranks of their brother +Kentuckians, who were advancing in the vanguard of the South. Here again +people of the same state and even of the same county fought one another. + +The Confederates pursuing a defeated and apparently disorganized enemy +were astounded by such a sudden and fierce fire. One of their generals +was killed almost instantly, and a part of their line was hurled back +with great violence. Thomas pushed forward with a portion of the troops, +and after a desperate assault the Southern line reeled and then stopped +in the wood. Courage and presence of mind had saved a battle for the +time being, at least. + +At that point the combat sank for a while, and Dick, unwounded but +exhausted, dropped upon the ground. Around him lay his friends, and +they, too, were unwounded. It was with a sort of grim humor that he +remembered a conversation they had held before the battle. + +"Well, Frank," he said, "you've escaped." + +"So far only," said Warner. "The hurricane has softened down a lot here, +but not everywhere else. Listen!" + +He pointed through the woods toward the left where another battle was +swelling with a mighty uproar. Bragg having driven in the Union right +was now seeking to shatter the Union left, but at this point there was +a Northern commander, Hazen, who was no less indomitable than Sheridan. +Sheltering themselves along the railway embankment his men, always +encouraged by their commander, and his officers, resisted every effort +to drive them back. Noon came and found them still holding tenaciously +to their positions. For a while now the whole battle sank through sheer +exhaustion on both sides. Each commander reformed his line, disentangled +his guns, brought forward fresh ammunition and prepared for the great +combat which he knew was coming. Bragg, as he noticed the advance of the +short winter day, resolved upon the utmost effort to crush his enemy. +Victory had seemed wholly in his grasp in the morning, but he had +been checked at the last moment. He would make good the defeat in the +afternoon. + +The armies had disentangled themselves from the woods and bushes. They +were now in the open and face to face on a long line. The Winchester +regiment had risen to its feet again, and stood directly behind and +almost mingled with the Kentucky regiment that had saved it. + +"They're coming!" exclaimed Warner in quick, excited tones. "Look, there +on the flank!" + +It was the division of Cleburne, in the hottest of the battle all +through the morning advancing to a fresh attack upon the Union lines, +but it was received with such a powerful fire that it was driven back in +disorder into some woods. + +Dick, however, did not have a chance to see this as the Southerners, +reinforced by fresh troops from Breckinridge's division, were charging +in the center with great violence. So terrible was the fire that +received them that some of the regiments lost half their numbers in +five minutes. Yet the remainder, upheld by their cannon, returned a +fire almost as deadly. Rosecrans, absolutely fearless, stood in the very +front where the danger was greatest. A cannon ball blew off the head +of his chief of staff who stood by his side. "Many a brave fellow must +fall!" cried Rosecrans, a devoted Catholic. "Cross yourselves, and fire +low and fast!" + +Many a brave fellow did fall, but his men fired low and fast, and, while +the Southern troops charged again and again to the very mouths of the +cannon they were unable to break down the last desperate stand of the +Northern army. They had driven it back, but they had not driven it +back far enough. Then the sun set as it had set so often before on an +undecisive battle, terrible in its long list of the slain, but leaving +everything to be fought over again. + +"They didn't beat us," said Dick as the firing ceased. + +"No," said Colonel Winchester, "nor have we won a victory, but we're +saved. Thank God for the night!" + +"They'll attack again to-morrow, sir," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"Undoubtedly so," said Colonel Winchester, who felt at this moment not +as if he were speaking as colonel to sergeant, but as man to man, "and I +hope that our artillery will be ready again. It is what has saved us. We +have always been superior in that arm." + +The colonel had spoken the truth, and the fact was also recognized by +Rosecrans, Thomas and the other generals. While they rectified +their lines in the darkness, the great batteries were posted in good +positions, and fresh gunners took the place of those who had been +killed. Both Rosecrans and Thomas were made of stern stuff. Afraid of no +enemy, and, despite their great losses of the day and the fact that +they had been driven back, they would be ready to fight on the morrow. +Sheridan, Crittenden, McCook, Van Cleve and the others were equally +ready. + +Food was brought from the rear and the exhausted combatants sank down to +rest. Dick was in such an apathy from sheer overtasking of the body and +spirit that he did not think of anything. He lay like an animal that has +escaped from a long chase. Silence had settled down with the darkness +and the Confederate army had become invisible. + +Dick revived later. He talked more freely with those about him, and he +gathered from the gossip which travels fast, much of what had happened. +The Union army, so confident in the morning, was in a dangerous position +at night. Nearly thirty of its guns were taken. Three thousand unwounded +and many wounded men were prisoners in the hands of the South. Arms +and ammunition by the wholesale had been captured. The Southern cavalry +under Fighting Joe Wheeler had gone behind Rosecrans' whole army and +had cut his communications with his base at Nashville, at the same time +raiding his wagon trains. Another body of cavalry under Wharton had +taken all the wagons of McCook's corps, and still a third under Pegram +had captured many prisoners on the Nashville road in the rear of the +Northern army. + +Dick became aware of a great, an intense anxiety among the leaders. The +army was isolated. The raiding Southern cavalry kept it from receiving +fresh supplies of either food or ammunition, unless it retreated. + +"We're stripped of everything but our arms," said Warner. + +"Then we've really lost nothing," said the valiant Pennington, "because +with our arms we'll recover everything." + +They had a commander of like spirit. At that moment Rosecrans, gathering +his generals in a tent pitched hastily for him, was saying to them, +"Gentlemen, we will conquer or die here." Short and strong, but every +word meant. There was no need to say more. The generals animated by the +same spirit went forth to their commands, and first among them was the +grim and silent Thomas, who had the bulldog grip of Grant. Perhaps it +was this indomitable tenacity and resolution that made the Northern +generals so much more successful in the west than they were in the east +during the early years of the war. + +But there was exultation in the Confederate camp. Bragg and Polk and +Hardee and Breckinridge and the others felt now that Rosecrans would +retreat in the night after losing so many men and one-third of his +artillery. Great then was their astonishment when the rising sun of New +Year's day showed him sitting there, grimly waiting, with his back to +Stone River, a formidable foe despite his losses. Above all the Southern +generals saw the heavily massed artillery, which they had such good +reason to fear. + +Dick, who had slept soundly through the night, was up like all the +others at dawn and he beheld the Southern army before them, yet not +moving, as if uncertain what to do. He felt again that thrill of courage +and resolution, and, born of it, was the belief that despite the first +day's defeat the chances were yet even. These western youths were of a +tough and enduring stock, as he had seen at Shiloh and Perryville, and +the battle was not always to him who won the first day. A long time +passed and there was no firing. + +"Not so eager to rush us as they were," said Warner. "It's a +mathematical certainty that an army that's not running away is not +whipped, and that certainty is patent to our Southern friends also. But +to descend from mathematics to poetry, a great poet says that he who +runs away will live to fight another day. I will transpose and otherwise +change that, making it to read: He who does not run away may make the +other fellow unable to fight another day." + +"You talk too much like a schoolmaster, George," said Pennington. + +"The most important business of a school teacher is to teach the young +idea how to shoot, and lately I've had ample chances to give such +instruction." + +It was not that they were frivolous, but like most other lads in the +army, they had grown into the habit of teasing one another, which was +often a relief to teaser as well as teased. + +"I think, sir," said Dick to Colonel Winchester, "that some of our +troops are moving." + +He was looking through his glasses toward the left, where he saw a +strong Union force, with banners waving, advancing toward Bragg's right. + +"Ah, that is well done!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "If our men +break through there we'll cut Bragg off from Murfreesborough and his +ammunition and supplies." + +They did not break through, but they maintained a long and vigorous +battle, while the centers and other wings of the two armies did not +stir. But it became evident to Dick later in the afternoon that a mighty +movement was about to begin. His glasses told him so, and the thrill of +expectation confirmed it. + +Bragg was preparing to hurl his full strength upon Rosecrans. +Breckinridge, who would have been the President of the United States, +had not the Democrats divided, was to lead it. This division of five +brigades had formed under cover of a wood. On its flank was a battery +of ten guns and two thousand of the fierce riders of the South under +Wharton and Pegram. Dick felt instinctively that Colonel Kenton with his +regiment was there in the very thick of it. + +Dick's regiment with Negley's strong Kentucky brigade, which had stopped +the panic and rout the day before, had now recrossed Stone River and +were posted strongly behind it. Ahead of them were two small brigades +with some cannon, and Rosecrans himself was with this force just as +Breckinridge's powerful division emerged into the open and began its +advance upon the Union lines. + +"Now, lads, stand firm!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "This is the +crisis." + +The colonel had measured the situation with a cool eye and brain. He +knew that the regiments on the other side of the river were worn down +by the day's fighting and would not stand long. But he believed that the +Kentuckians around him, and the men from beyond the Ohio would not yield +an inch. They were largely Kentuckians also coming against them. + +The rolling fire burst from the Southern front, and the cannon on their +flanks crashed heavily. Then their infantry came forward fast, and with +a wild shout and rush the two thousand cavalry on their flanks charged. +As Colonel Winchester had expected, the two weak brigades, although +Rosecrans in person was among them, gave way, retreated rapidly to the +little river and crossed it. + +The Confederates came on in swift pursuit, but Negley's Kentuckians +and the other Union men, standing fast, received them with a tremendous +volley. It was at short range, and their bullets crashed through +the crowded Southern ranks. The Winchesters were on the flank of the +defenders, where they could get a better view, and although they also +were firing as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger, they saw +the great column pause and then reel. + +Rosecrans, who had fallen back with the retreating brigades, instantly +noted the opportunity. Here, a general who received too little reward +from the nation, and to whom popular esteem did not pay enough tribute, +rushed two brigades across Stone River and hurled them with all their +weight upon the Southern flank. Sixty cannon posted on the hillocks just +behind the river poured an awful fire upon the Southern column. The fire +from front and flank was so tremendous that the Southerners, veterans as +they were, gave way. The men who had held victory in their hands felt it +slipping from their grasp. + +"They waver! They retreat!" shouted Colonel Winchester. "Up, boys, and +at 'em!" + +The whole Union force, led by its heroic generals, rushed forward, +crossed the river and joined in the charge. The two thousand Southern +cavalry were driven off by a fire that no horsemen could withstand. The +division of Breckinridge, although fighting with furious courage, +was gradually driven back, and the day closed with the Union army in +possession of most of the territory it had lost the day before. + +As they lay that night in the damp woods, Dick and his comrades, all +of whom had been fortunate enough to escape this time without injury, +discussed the battle. For a while they claimed that it was a victory, +but they finally agreed that it was a draw. The losses were enormous. +Each side had lost about one third of its force. + +Rosecrans, raging like a wounded lion, talked of attacking again, but +the rains had been so heavy, the roads were so soft and deep in mud that +the cannon and the wagons could not be pushed forward. + +Bragg retreated four days later from Murfreesborough, and Dick and his +comrades therefore claimed a victory, but as the winter was now shutting +down cold and hard, Rosecrans remained on the line of Murfreesborough +and Nashville. + +The Winchester regiment was sent back to Nashville to recuperate and +seek recruits for its ranks. Dick and Warner and Pennington felt that +their army had done well in the west, but their hopes for the Union were +clouded by the news from the east. Lee and Jackson had triumphed again. +Burnside, in midwinter, had hurled the gallant Army of the Potomac in +vain against the heights of Fredericksburg, and twelve thousand men had +fallen for nothing. + +"We need a man, a man in the east, even more than in the west," said +Warner. + +"He'll come. I'm sure he'll come," said Dick. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This ebook was transcribed from a volume of the 16th printing + +Despite the fact that this is a fictional work, I myself find it +inappropriate that our fictional hero, Dick Mason, is credited with +discovering the "lost" copy of Lee's General Order No. 191. In fact, +Sergeant Bloss and Corporal Mitchell, of the 27th Indiana Infantry, +found the envelope containing the order, along with the three cigars, in +a field of clover on the morning of 09/13/1862. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the printed +book to ebook: + + Chapter 2 + Page 31, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 51, para 3, add missing comma + Page 51, para 6, fix typo ("Pennigton") + Page 52, para 7, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 3 + Page 68, para 4, changed "it" to "its" + + Chapter 4 + Page 83, para 3, added a missing comma (In these books, I am + often tempted to add/move/remove commas, but I generally avoid + doing so. In this case, an additional comma was sorely needed.) + + Chapter 5 + Page 105, para 3, add missing open-quotes + Page 107, para 2, add missing open-quotes + Page 118, para 5, changed "he know not" to "he knew not" + + Chapter 6 + Page 142, para 11, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 7 + Page 157, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 9 + Page 191, para 6, add missing comma + Page 196, para 2 and 3, fix closing quotation marks + Page 197, para 1, add missing close-quote + + Chapter 10 + Page 210, para 1, fix typo ("Pennigton") + + Chapter 13 + Page 276, para 1, change "a" to "as" + Page 281, para 2, add missing close-quotes + Page 283, para 8, change "in" to "is" + Page 288, para 4, fix typo ("seeemd") + Page 293, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 297, para 2, closing double-quote should be single-quote + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word "marquee" in chapter 3 was presented in the printed + book with an accented "e" + +I did not change: + + - Inconsistent spelling/presentation in the printed book: + "rearguard" and "rear guard", "guerrilla" and "guerilla", + "round-about" and "roundabout", "to-morrow" and "tomorrow" + + - "bowlder" in chapter 10 + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!**** + + +Title: The Sword of Antietam + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7862] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 27, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM *** + + + + +This ebook was produced by Ken Reeder <kreeder@mailsnare.net> + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM +A STORY OF THE NATION'S CRISIS + +by JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Sword of Antietam" tells a complete story, but it is one in the +chain of Civil War romances, begun in "The Guns of Bull Run" and +continued through "The Guns of Shiloh" and "The Scouts of Stonewall." +The young Northern hero, Dick Mason, and his friends are in the +forefront of the tale. + + + + +THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + + VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + THE GUNS OF BULL RUN. + THE GUNS OF SHILOH. + THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL. + THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM. + THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG. + THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA. + THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS. + THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX. + + + PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side. + DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side. + COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton. + MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason. + JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant. + COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander. + COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles, + a Southern Regiment. + LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the + Invincibles. + ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader. + PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader. + WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy. + DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains. + GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics. + FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason. + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton. + TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton. + BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla. + TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief. + SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer. + IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew. + AUNT "SUSE," A Centenarian and Prophetess. + BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guide. + JULIEN DE LANGEAIS, A Musician and Soldier from Louisiana. + JOHN CARRINGTON, Famous Northern Artillery Officer. + DR. RUSSELL, Principal of the Pendleton School. + ARTHUR TRAVERS, A Lawyer. + JAMES BERTRAND, A Messenger from the South. + JOHN NEWCOMB, A Pennsylvania Colonel. + JOHN MARKHAM, A Northern Officer. + JOHN WATSON, A Northern Contractor. + WILLIAM CURTIS, A Southern Merchant and Blockade Runner. + MRS. CURTIS, Wife of William Curtis. + HENRIETTA GARDEN, A Seamstress in Richmond. + DICK JONES, A North Carolina Mountaineer. + VICTOR WOODVILLE, A Young Mississippi Officer. + JOHN WOODVILLE, Father of Victor Woodville. + CHARLES WOODVILLE, Uncle of Victor Woodville. + COLONEL BEDFORD, A Northern Officer. + CHARLES GORDON, A Southern Staff Officer. + JOHN LANHAM, An Editor. + JUDGE KENDRICK, A Lawyer. + MR. CULVER, A State Senator. + MR. BRACKEN, A Tobacco Grower. + ARTHUR WHITRIDGE, A State Senator. + + + HISTORICAL CHARACTERS + + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. + JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Southern Confederacy. + JUDAH P. BENJAMIN, Member of the Confederate Cabinet. + U. S. GRANT, Northern Commander. + ROBERT B. LEE, Southern Commander. + STONEWALL JACKSON, Southern General. + PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Northern General. + GEORGE H. THOMAS, "The Rock of Chickamauga." + ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Southern General. + A. P. HILL, Southern General. + W. S. HANCOCK, Northern General. + GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Northern General. + AMBROSE B. BURNSIDE, Northern General. + TURNER ASHBY, Southern Cavalry Leader. + J. E. B. STUART, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOSEPH HOOKER, Northern General. + RICHARD S. EWELL, Southern General. + JUBAL EARLY, Southern General. + WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS, Northern General. + SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, Southern General. + LEONIDAS POLK, Southern General and Bishop. + BRAXTON BRAGG, Southern General. + NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST, Southern Cavalry Leader. + JOHN MORGAN, Southern Cavalry Leader. + GEORGE J. MEADE, Northern General. + DON CARLOS BUELL, Northern General. + W. T. SHERMAN, Northern General. + JAMES LONGSTREET, Southern General. + P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Southern General. + WILLIAM L. YANCEY, Alabama Orator. + JAMES A. GARFIELD, Northern General, afterwards President of + the United States. + + And many others + + + IMPORTANT BATTLES DESCRIBED IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES + + BULL RUN + KERNSTOWN + CROSS KEYS + WINCHESTER + PORT REPUBLIC + THE SEVEN DAYS + MILL SPRING + FORT DONELSON + SHILOH + PERRYVILLE + STONE RIVER + THE SECOND MANASSAS + ANTIETAM + FREDERICKSBURG + CHANCELLORSVILLE + GETTYSBURG + CHAMPION HILL + VICKSBURG + CHICKAMAUGA + MISSIONARY RIDGE + THE WILDERNESS + SPOTTSYLVANIA + COLD HARBOR + FISHER'S HILL + CEDAR CREEK + APPOMATTOX + + + +CONTENTS + + I. CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + II. AT THE CAPITAL + + III. BESIDE THE RIVER + + IV. SPRINGING THE TRAP + + V. THE SECOND MANASSAS + + VI. THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + VII. ORDERS NO. 191 + + VIII. THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + IX. ACROSS THE STREAM + + X. ANTIETAM + + XI. A FAMILY AFFAIR + + XII. THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + XIII. PERRYVILLE + + XIV. SEEKING BRAGG + + XV. STONE RIVER + + + + +THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM + + +CHAPTER I + +CEDAR MOUNTAIN + + +The first youth rode to the crest of the hill, and, still sitting on his +horse, examined the country in the south with minute care through a pair +of powerful glasses. The other two dismounted and waited patiently. +All three were thin and their faces were darkened by sun and wind. +But they were strong alike of body and soul. Beneath the faded blue +uniforms brave hearts beat and powerful muscles responded at once to +every command of the will. + +"What do you see, Dick?" asked Warner, who leaned easily against his +horse, with one arm over the pommel of his saddle. + +"Hills, valleys, mountains, the August heat shimmering over all, but no +human being." + +"A fine country," said young Pennington, "and I like to look at it, +but just now my Nebraska prairie would be better for us. We could at +least see the advance of Stonewall Jackson before he was right on top +of us." + +Dick took another long look, searching every point in the half circle of +the south with his glasses. Although burned by summer the country was +beautiful, and neither heat nor cold could take away its picturesqueness. +He saw valleys in which the grass grew thick and strong, clusters of +hills dotted with trees, and then the blue loom of mountains clothed +heavily with foliage. Over everything bent a dazzling sky of blue and +gold. + +The light was so intense that with his glasses he could pick out +individual trees and rocks on the far slopes. He saw an occasional roof, +but nowhere did he see man. He knew the reason, but he had become so +used to his trade that at the moment, he felt no sadness. All this +region had been swept by great armies. Here the tide of battle in the +mightiest of all wars had rolled back and forth, and here it was destined +to surge again in a volume increasing always. + +"I don't find anything," repeated Dick, "but three pairs of eyes are +better than none. George, you take the glasses and see what you can see +and Frank will follow." + +He dismounted and stood holding the reins of his horse while the young +Vermonter looked. He noticed that the mathematical turn of Warner's mind +showed in every emergency. He swept the glasses back and forth in a +regular curve, not looking here and now there, but taking his time and +missing nothing. It occurred to Dick that he was a type of his region, +slow but thorough, and sure to win after defeat. + +"What's the result of your examination?" asked Dick as Warner passed the +glasses in turn to Pennington. + +"Let x equal what I saw, which is nothing. Let y equal the result I draw, +which is nothing. Hence we have x + y which still equals nothing." + +Pennington was swifter in his examination. The blood in his veins flowed +a little faster than Warner's. + +"I find nothing but land and water," he said without waiting to be asked, +"and I'm disappointed. I had a hope, Dick, that I'd see Stonewall +Jackson himself riding along a slope." + +"Even if you saw him, how would you know it was Stonewall?" + +"I hadn't thought of that. We've heard so much of him that it just +seemed to me I'd know him anywhere." + +"Same here," said Warner. "Remember all the tales we've heard about his +whiskers, his old slouch hat and his sorrel horse." + +"I'd like to see him myself," confessed Dick. "From all we hear he's the +man who kept McClellan from taking Richmond. He certainly played hob +with the plans of our generals. You know, I've got a cousin, Harry +Kenton, with him. I had a letter from him a week ago--passing through +the lines, and coming in a round-about way. Writes as if he thought +Stonewall Jackson was a demigod. Says we'd better quit and go home, +as we haven't any earthly chance to win this war." + +"He fights best who wins last," said Warner. "I'm thinking I won't see +the green hills of Vermont for a long time yet, because I mean to pay a +visit to Richmond first. Have you got your cousin's letter with you, +Dick?" + +"No, I destroyed it. I didn't want it bobbing up some time or other to +cause either of us trouble. A man I know at home says he's kept out of a +lot of trouble by 'never writin' nothin' to nobody.' And if you do write +a letter the next best thing is to burn it as quick as you can." + +"If my eyes tell the truth, and they do," said Pennington, "here comes +a short, thick man riding a long, thick horse and he--the man, not the +horse--bears a startling resemblance to our friend, ally, guide and +sometime mentor, Sergeant Daniel Whitley." + +"Yes, it's the sergeant," said Dick, looking down into the valley, +"and I'm glad he's joining us. Do you know, boys, I often think these +veteran sergeants know more than some of our generals." + +"It's not an opinion. It's a fact," said Warner. "Hi, there, sergeant! +Here are your friends! Come up and make the same empty report that we've +got ready for the colonel." + +Sergeant Daniel Whitley looked at the three lads, and his face +brightened. He had a good intellect under his thatch of hair, and a warm +heart within his strong body. The boys, although lieutenants, and he +only a sergeant in the ranks, treated him usually as an equal and often +as a superior. + +Colonel Winchester's regiment and the remains of Colonel Newcomb's +Pennsylvanians had been sent east after the defeat of the Union army at +the Seven Days, and were now with Pope's Army of Virginia, which was to +hold the valley and also protect Washington. Grant's success at Shiloh +had been offset by McClellan's failure before Richmond, and the President +and his Cabinet at Washington were filled with justifiable alarm. +Pope was a western man, a Kentuckian, and he had insisted upon having +some of the western troops with him. + +The sergeant rode his horse slowly up the slope, and joined the lads over +whom he watched like a father. + +"And what have the hundred eyes of Argus beheld?" asked Warner. + +"Argus?" said the sergeant. "I don't know any such man. Name sounds +queer, too." + +"He belongs to a distant and mythical past, sergeant, but he'd be mighty +useful if we had him here. If even a single one of his hundred eyes were +to light on Stonewall Jackson, it would be a great service." + +The sergeant shook his head and looked reprovingly at Warner. + +"It ain't no time for jokin'," he said. + +"I was never further from it. It seems to me that we need a lot of +Arguses more than anything else. This is the enemy's country, and we +hear that Stonewall Jackson is advancing. Advancing where, from what and +when? There is no Argus to tell. The country supports a fairly numerous +population, but it hasn't a single kind or informing word for us. +Is Stonewall Jackson going to drop from the sky, which rumor says is his +favorite method of approach?" + +"He's usin' the solid ground this time, anyway," said Sergeant Daniel +Whitley. "I've been eight miles farther south, an' if I didn't see +cavalry comin' along the skirt of a ridge, then my eyes ain't any friends +of mine. Then I came through a little place of not more'n five houses. +No men there, just women an' children, but when I looked back I saw them +women an' children, too, grinnin' at me. That means somethin', as shore +as we're livin' an' breathin'. I'm bettin' that we new fellows from the +west will get acquainted with Stonewall Jackson inside of twenty-four +hours." + +"You don't mean that? It's not possible!" exclaimed Dick, startled. +"Why, when we last heard of Jackson he was so far south we can't expect +him in a week!" + +"You've heard that they call his men the foot cavalry," said the sergeant +gravely, "an' I reckon from all I've learned since I come east that +they've won the name fair an' true. See them woods off to the south +there. See the black line they make ag'inst the sky. I know, the same +as if I had seen him, that Stonewall Jackson is down in them forests, +comin' an' comin' fast." + +The sergeant's tone was ominous, and Dick felt a tingling at the roots +of his hair. The western troops were eager to meet this new Southern +phenomenon who had suddenly shot like a burning star across the sky, +but for the first time there was apprehension in his soul. He had seen +but little of the new general, Pope, but he had read his proclamations +and he had thought them bombastic. He talked lightly of the enemy and of +the grand deeds that he was going to do. Who was Pope to sweep away such +men as Lee and Jackson with mere words! + +Dick longed for Grant, the stern, unyielding, unbeatable Grant whom he +had known at Shiloh. In the west the Union troops had felt the strong +hand over them, and confidence had flowed into them, but here they were +in doubt. They felt that the powerful and directing mind was absent. + +Silence fell upon them all for a little space, while the four gazed +intently into the south, strange fears assailing everyone. Dick never +doubted that the Union would win. He never doubted it then and he never +doubted it afterward, through all the vast hecatomb when the flag of the +Union fell more than once in terrible defeat. + +But their ignorance was mystifying and oppressive. They saw before them +the beautiful country, the hills and valleys, the forest and the blue +loom of the mountains, so much that appealed to the eye, and yet the +horizon, looking so peaceful in the distance, was barbed with spears. +Jackson was there! The sergeant's theory had become conviction with +them. Distance had been nothing to him. He was at hand with a great +force, and Lee with another army might fall at any time upon their flank, +while McClellan was isolated and left useless, far away. + +Dick's heart missed a beat or two, as he saw the sinister picture that he +had created in his own mind. Highly imaginative, he had leaped to the +conclusion that Lee and Jackson meant to trap the Union army, the hammer +beating it out on the anvil. He raised the glasses to his eyes, surveyed +the forests in the South once more, and then his heart missed another +beat. + +He had caught the flash of steel, the sun's rays falling across a bayonet +or a polished rifle barrel. And then as he looked he saw the flash again +and again. He handed the glasses to Warner and said quietly: + +"George, I see troops on the edge of that far hill to the south and the +east. Can't you see them, too?" + +"Yes, I can make them out clearly now, as they pass across a bit of open +land. They're Confederate cavalry, two hundred at least, I should say." + +Dick learned long afterward that it was the troop of Sherburne, but, +for the present, the name of Sherburne was unknown to him. He merely +felt that this was the vanguard of Jackson riding forward to set the +trap. The men were now so near that they could be seen with the naked +eye, and the sergeant said tersely: + +"At last we've seen what we were afraid we would see." + +"And look to the left also," said Warner, who still held the glasses. +"There's a troop of horse coming up another road, too. By George, +they're advancing at a trot! We'd better clear out or we may be enclosed +between the two horns of their cavalry." + +"We'll go back to our force at Cedar Run," said Harry, "and report what +we've seen. As you say, George, there's no time to waste." + +The four mounted and rode fast, the dust of the road flying in a cloud +behind their horses' heels. Dick felt that they had fulfilled their +errand, but he had his doubts how their news would be received. The +Northern generals in the east did not seem to him to equal those of the +west in keenness and resolution, while the case was reversed so far as +the Southern generals were concerned. + +But fast as they went the Southern cavalry was coming with equal speed. +They continually saw the flash of arms in both east and west. The force +in the west was the nearer of the two. Not only was Sherburne there, +but Harry Kenton was with him, and besides their own natural zeal they +had all the eagerness and daring infused into them by the great spirit +and brilliant successes of Jackson. + +"They won't be able to enclose us between the two horns of their +horsemen," said Sergeant Whitley, whose face was very grave, "and the +battle won't be to-morrow or the next day." + +"Why not? I thought Jackson was swift," said Warner. + +"Cause it will be fought to-day. I thought Jackson was swift, too, +but he's swifter than I thought. Them feet cavalry of his don't have to +change their name. Look into the road comin' up that narrow valley." + +The eyes of the three boys followed his pointing finger, and they now saw +masses of infantry, men in gray pressing forward at full speed. They +saw also batteries of cannon, and Dick almost fancied he could hear the +rumble of their wheels. + +"Looks as if the sergeant was right," said Pennington. "Stonewall +Jackson is here." + +They increased their speed to a gallop, making directly for Cedar Run, +a cold, clear little stream coming out of the hills. It was now about +the middle of the morning and the day was burning hot and breathless. +Their hearts began to pound with excitement, and their breath was drawn +painfully through throats lined with dust. + +A long ridge covered with forest rose on one side of them and now they +saw the flash of many bayonets and rifle barrels along its lowest slope. +Another heavy column of infantry was advancing, and presently they heard +the far note of trumpets calling to one another. + +"Their whole army is in touch," said the sergeant. "The trumpets show +it. Often on the plains, when we had to divide our little force into +detachments, they'd have bugle talk with one another. We must go faster +if we can." + +They got another ounce of strength out of their horses, and now they saw +Union cavalry in front. In a minute or two they were among the blue +horsemen, giving the hasty news of Jackson's advance. Other scouts and +staff officers arrived a little later with like messages, and not long +afterward they heard shots behind them telling them that the hostile +pickets were in touch. + +They watered their horses in Cedar Run, crossed it and rejoined their own +regiment under Colonel Arthur Winchester. The colonel was thin, bronzed +and strong, and he, too, like the other new men from the West, was eager +for battle with the redoubtable Jackson. + +"What have you seen, Dick?" he exclaimed. "Is it a mere scouting force +of cavalry, or is Jackson really at hand?" + +"I think it's Jackson himself. We saw heavy columns coming up. They +were pressing forward, too, as if they meant to brush aside whatever got +in their way." + +"Then we'll show them!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "We've only seven +thousand men here on Cedar Run, but Banks, who is in immediate command, +has been stung deeply by his defeats at the hands of Jackson, and he +means a fight to the last ditch. So does everybody else." + +Dick, at that moment, the thrill of the gallop gone, was not so sanguine. +The great weight of Jackson's name hung over him like a sinister menace, +and the Union troops on Cedar Run were but seven thousand. The famous +Confederate leader must have at least three times that number. Were +the Union forces, separated into several armies, to be beaten again in +detail? Pope himself should be present with at least fifty thousand men. + +Their horses had been given to an orderly and Dick threw himself upon the +turf to rest a little. All along the creek the Union army, including his +own regiment, was forming in line of battle but his colonel had not yet +called upon him for any duty. Warner and Pennington were also resting +from their long and exciting ride, but the sergeant, who seemed never to +know fatigue, was already at work with his men. + +"Listen to those skirmishers," said Dick. "It sounds like the popping of +corn at home on winter evenings, when I was a little boy." + +"But a lot more deadly," said Pennington. "I wouldn't like to be a +skirmisher. I don't mind firing into the smoke and the crowd, but I'd +hate to sit down behind a stump or in the grass and pick out the spot on +a man that I meant for my bullet to hit." + +"You won't have to do any such work, Frank," said Warner. "Hark to it! +The sergeant was right. We're going to have a battle to-day and a big +one. The popping of your corn, Dick, has become an unbroken sound." + +Dick, from the crest of the hillock on which they lay, gazed over the +heads of the men in blue. The skirmishers were showing a hideous +activity. A continuous line of light ran along the front of both armies, +and behind the flash of the Southern firing he saw heavy masses of +infantry emerging from the woods. A deep thrill ran through him. +Jackson, the famous, the redoubtable, the unbeatable, was at hand with +his army. Would he remain unbeaten? Dick said to himself, in unspoken +words, over and over again, "No! No! No! No!" He and his comrades had +been victors in the west. They must not fail here. + +Colonel Winchester now called to them, and mounting their horses they +gathered around him to await his orders. These officers, though mere +boys, learned fast. Dick knew enough already of war to see that they +were in a strong position. Before them flowed the creek. On their flank +and partly in their front was a great field of Indian corn. A quarter +of a mile away was a lofty ridge on which were posted Union guns with +gunners who knew so well how to use them. To right and left ran the long +files of infantry, their faces white but resolute. + +"I think," said Dick to Warner, "that if Jackson passes over this place +he will at least know that we've been here." + +"Yes, he'll know it, and besides he'll make quite a halt before passing. +At least, that's my way of thinking." + +There was a sudden dying of the rifle fire. The Union skirmishers were +driven in, and they fell back on the main body which was silent, awaiting +the attack. Dick was no longer compelled to use the glasses. He saw +with unaided eye the great Southern columns marching forward with the +utmost confidence, heavy batteries advancing between the regiments, +ready at command to sweep the Northern ranks with shot and shell. + +Dick shivered a little. He could not help it. They were face to face +with Jackson, and he was all that the heralds of fame had promised. +He had eye enough to see that the Southern force was much greater than +their own, and, led by such a man, how could they fail to win another +triumph? He looked around upon the army in blue, but he did not see any +sign of fear. Both the beaten and the unbeaten were ready for a new +battle. + +There was a mighty crash from the hill and the Northern batteries poured +a stream of metal into the advancing ranks of their foe. + +The Confederate advance staggered, but, recovering itself, came on again. +A tremendous cheer burst from the ranks of the lads in blue. Stonewall +Jackson with all his skill and fame was before them, but they meant to +stop him. Numbers were against them, and Banks, their leader, had been +defeated already by Jackson, but they meant to stop him, nevertheless. + +The Southern guns replied. Posted along the slopes of Slaughter Mountain, +sinister of name, they sent a sheet of death upon the Union ranks. +But the regiments, the new and the old, stood firm. Those that had been +beaten before by Jackson were resolved not to be beaten again by him, +and the new regiments from the west, one or two of which had been at +Shiloh, were resolved never to be beaten at all. + +"The lads are steady," said Colonel Winchester. "It's a fine sign. +I've news, too, that two thousand men have come up. We shall now have +nine thousand with which to withstand the attack, and I don't believe +they can drive us away. Oh, why isn't Pope himself here with his whole +army? Then we could wipe Jackson off the face of the earth!" + +But Pope was not there. The commander of a huge force, the man of +boastful words who was to do such great things, the man who sent such +grandiloquent dispatches from "Headquarters in the Saddle," to the +anxious Lincoln at Washington, had strung his numerous forces along in +detachments, just as the others had done before him, and the booming of +Jackson's cannon attacking the Northern vanguard with his whole army +could not reach ears so far away. + +The fire now became heavy along the whole Union front. All the batteries +on both sides were coming into action, and the earth trembled with the +rolling crash. The smoke rose and hung in clouds over the hills, the +valley and the cornfield. The hot air, surcharged with dust, smoke and +burned gunpowder, was painful and rasping to the throat. The frightful +screaming of the shells filled the air, and then came the hissing of the +bullets like a storm of sleet. + +Colonel Winchester and his staff dismounted, giving their horses to an +orderly who led them to the rear. Horses would not be needed for the +present, at least, and they had learned to avoid needless risk. + +The attack was coming closer, and the bullets as they swept through their +ranks found many victims. Colonel Winchester ordered his regiment to +kneel and open fire, being held hitherto in reserve. Dick snatched up a +rifle from a soldier who had fallen almost beside him, and he saw that +Warner and Pennington had equipped themselves in like fashion. + +A strong gust of wind lifted the smoke before them a little. Dick saw +many splashes of water on the surface of the creek where bullets struck, +and there were many tiny spurts of dust in the road, where other bullets +fell. Then he saw beyond the dark masses of the Southern infantry. +It seemed to him that they were strangely close. He believed that he +could see their tanned faces, one by one, and their vengeful eyes, +but it was only fancy. + +The next instant the signal was given, and the regiment fired as one. +There was a long flash of fire, a tremendous roaring in Dick's ears, +then for an instant or two a vast cloud of smoke hid the advancing gray +mass. When it was lifted a moment later the men in gray were advancing +no longer. Their ranks were shattered and broken, the ground was covered +with the fallen and the others were reeling back. + +"We win! We win!" shouted Pennington, wild with enthusiasm. + +"For the present, at least," said Warner, a deep flush blazing in either +cheek. + +There was no return fire just then from that point, and the smoke lifted +a little more. Above the crash of the battle which raged fiercely on +either flank, they heard the notes of a trumpet rising, loud, clear, +and distinct from all other sounds. Dick knew that it was a rallying +call, and then he heard Pennington utter a wild shout. + +"I see him! I see him!" he cried. "It's old Stonewall himself! There +on the hillock, on the little horse!" + +The vision was but for an instant. Dick gazed with all his eyes, and he +saw several hundred yards away a thickset man on a sorrel horse. He was +bearded and he stooped a little, seeming to bend an intense gaze upon the +Northern lines. + +There was no time for anyone to fire, because in a few seconds the smoke +came back, a huge, impenetrable curtain, and hid the man and the hillock. +But Dick had not the slightest doubt that it was the great Southern +leader, and he was right. It was Stonewall Jackson on the hillock, +rallying his men, and Dick's own cousin, Harry Kenton, rode by his side. + +They reloaded, but a staff officer galloped up and delivered a written +order to Colonel Winchester. The whole regiment left the line, another +less seasoned taking its place, and they marched off to one flank, +where a field of wheat lately cut, and a wood on the extreme end, lay +before them. Behind them they heard the battle swelling anew, but Dick +knew that a new force of the foe was coming here, and he felt proud that +his own regiment had been moved to meet an attack which would certainly +be made with the greatest violence. + +"Who are those men down in the wheat-field?" asked Pennington. + +"Our own skirmishers," replied Warner. "See them running forward, +hiding behind the shocks of straw and firing!" + +The riflemen were busy. They fired from the shelter of every straw stack +in the field, and they stung the new Southern advance, which was already +showing its front. Southern guns now began to search the wheat field. +A shell struck squarely in the center of one of the shocks behind which +three Northern skirmishers were kneeling. Dick saw the straw fly into +the air as if picked up by a whirlwind. When it settled back it lay +in scattered masses and three dark figures lay with it, motionless and +silent. He shuddered and looked away. + +The edge of the wood was now lined with Southern infantry, and on their +right flank was a numerous body of cavalry. Officers were waving their +swords aloft, leading the men in person to the charge. + +"The attack will be heavy here," said Colonel Winchester. "Ah, there are +our guns firing over our heads. We need 'em." + +The Southern cannon were more numerous, but the Northern guns, posted +well on the hill, refused to be silenced. Some of them were dismounted +and the gunners about them were killed, but the others, served with speed +and valor, sprayed the whole Southern front with a deadly shower of steel. + +It was this welcome metal that Dick and his comrades heard over their +heads, and then the trumpets rang a shrill note of defiance along the +whole line. Banks, remembering his bitter defeats and resolved upon +victory now, was not awaiting the attack. He would make it himself. + +The whole wing lifted itself up and rushed through the wheat field, +firing as they charged. The cannon were pushed forward and poured in +volleys as fast as the gunners could load and discharge them. Dick felt +the ground reeling beneath his feet, but he knew that they were advancing +and that the enemy was giving way again. Stonewall Jackson and his +generals felt a certain hardening of the Northern resistance that day. +The recruits in blue were becoming trained now. They did not break in +a panic, although their lines were raked through and through by the +Southern shells. New men stepped in the place of the fallen, and the +lines, filled up, came on again. + +The Northern wing charging through the wheat field continued to bear back +the enemy. Jackson was not yet able to stop the fierce masses in blue. +A formidable body of men issuing from the Northern side of the wood +charged with the bayonet, pushing the charge home with a courage and +a recklessness of death that the war had not yet seen surpassed. The +Southern rifles and cannon raked them, but they never stopped, bursting +like a tornado upon their foe. + +One of Jackson's Virginia regiments gave way and then another. The men +in blue from the wood and Colonel Winchester's regiment joined, their +shouts rising above the smoke while they steadily pushed the enemy before +them. + +Dick as he shouted with the rest felt a wild exultation. They were +showing Jackson what they could do! They were proving to him that he +could not win always. His joy was warranted. No such confusion had ever +before existed in Jackson's army. The Northern charge was driven like a +wedge of steel into its ranks. + +Jackson had able generals, valiant lieutenants, with him, Ewell and Early, +and A. P. Hill and Winder, and they strove together to stop the retreat. +The valiant Winder was mortally wounded and died upon the field, and +Jackson, with his wonderful ability to see what was happening and his +equal power of decision, swiftly withdrew that wing of his army, also +carrying with it every gun. + +A great shout of triumph rose from the men in blue as they saw the +Southern retreat. + +"We win! We win!" cried Pennington again. + +"Yes, we win!" shouted Warner, usually so cool. + +And it did seem even to older men that the triumph was complete. The +blue and the gray were face to face in the smoke, but the gray were +driven back by the fierce and irresistible charge, and, as their flight +became swifter, the shells and grape from the Northern batteries plunged +and tore through their ranks. Nothing stopped the blue wave. It rolled +on and on, sweeping a mass of fugitives before it, and engulfing others. + +Dick had no ordered knowledge of the charge. He was a part of it, +and he saw only straight in front of him, but he was conscious that all +around him there was a fiery red mist, and a confused and terrible noise +of shouting and firing. But they were winning! They were beating +Stonewall Jackson himself. His pulses throbbed so hard that he thought +his arteries would burst, and his lips were dry and blackened from smoke, +burned gunpowder and his own hot breath issuing like steam between them. + +Then came a halt so sudden and terrible that it shook Dick as if by +physical contact. He looked around in wonder. The charge was spent, +not from its lack of strength but because they had struck an obstacle. +They had reckoned ill, because they had not reckoned upon all the +resources of Stonewall Jackson's mind. He had stemmed the rout in person +and now he was pushing forward the Stonewall Brigade, five regiments, +which always had but two alternatives, to conquer or to die. Hill and +Ewell with fresh troops were coming up also on his flanks, and now the +blue and the gray, face to face again, closed in mortal combat. + +"We've stopped! We've stopped! Do you hear it, we've stopped!" +exclaimed Pennington, his face a ghastly reek of dust and perspiration, +his eyes showing amazement and wonder how the halt could have happened. +Dick shared in the terrible surprise. The fire in front of him deepened +suddenly. Men were struck down all about him. Heavy masses of troops +in gray showed through the smoke. The Stonewall Brigade was charging, +and regiments were charging with it on either side. + +The column in blue was struck in front and on either flank. It not only +ceased its victorious advance, but it began to give ground. The men +could not help it, despite their most desperate efforts. It seemed to +Dick that the earth slipped under their feet. A tremendous excitement +seized him at the thought of victory lost just when it seemed won. +He ran up and down the lines, shouting to the men to stand firm. He +saw that the senior officers were doing the same, but there was little +order or method in his own movements. It was the excitement and bitter +humiliation that drove him on. + +He stumbled in the smoke against Sergeant Whitley. The sergeant's +forehead had been creased by a bullet, but so much dust and burned +gunpowder had gathered upon it that it was as black as the face of a +black man. + +"Are we to lose after all?" exclaimed Dick. + +It seemed strange to him, even at that moment, that he should hear his +own voice amid such a roar of cannon and rifles. But it was an undernote, +and he heard with equal ease the sergeant's reply: + +"It ain't decided yet, Mr. Mason, but we've got to fight as we never +fought before." + +The Union men, both those who had faced Jackson before and those who were +now meeting him for the first time, fought with unsurpassed valor, but, +unequal in numbers, they saw the victory wrenched from their grasp. +Jackson now had his forces in the hollow of his hand. He saw everything +that was passing, and with the mind of a master he read the meaning of +it. He strengthened his own weak points and increased the attack upon +those of the North. + +Dick remained beside the sergeant. He had lost sight of Colonel +Winchester, Warner and Pennington in the smoke and the dreadful confusion, +but he saw well enough that his fears were coming true. + +The attack in front increased in violence, and the Northern army was +also attacked with fiery energy on both flanks. The men had the actual +physical feeling that they were enclosed in the jaws of a vise, and, +forced to abandon all hope of victory, they fought now to escape. +Two small squadrons of cavalry, scarce two hundred in number, sent +forward from a wood, charged the whole Southern army under a storm of +cannon and rifle fire. They equalled the ride of the Six Hundred at +Balaklava, but with no poet to celebrate it, it remained like so many +other charges in this war, an obscure and forgotten incident. + +Dick saw the charge of the horsemen, and the return of the few. Then +he lost hope. Above the roar of the battle the rebel yell continually +swelled afresh. The setting sun, no longer golden but red, cast a +sinister light over the trampled wheat field, the slopes and the woods +torn by cannon balls. The dead and the wounded lay in thousands, and +Banks, brave and tenacious, but with bitter despair in his heart, was +seeking to drag the remains of his army from that merciless vise which +continued to close down harder and harder. + +Dick's excitement and tension seemed to abate. He had been keyed to so +high a pitch that his pulses grew gentler through very lack of force, +and with the relaxation came a clearer view. He saw the sinking red +sun through the banks of smoke, and in fancy he already felt the cool +darkness upon his face after the hot and terrible August day. He knew +that night might save them, and he prayed deeply and fervently for its +swift coming. + +He and the sergeant came suddenly to Colonel Winchester, whose hat had +been shot from his head, but who was otherwise unharmed. Warner and +Pennington were near, Warner slightly wounded but apparently unaware of +the fact. The colonel, by shout and by gesture, was gathering around him +the remains of his regiment. Other regiments on either side were trying +to do the same, and eventually they formed a compact mass which, driving +with all its force back toward its old position, reached the hills and +the woods just as the jaws of Stonewall Jackson's vise shut down, but not +upon the main body. + +Victory, won for a little while, had been lost. Night protected their +retreat, and they fought with a valor that made Jackson and all his +generals cautious. But this knowledge was little compensation to the +Northern troops. They knew that behind them was a great army, that Pope +might have been present with fifty thousand men, sufficient to overwhelm +Jackson. Instead of the odds being more than two to one in their favor, +they had been two to one against them. + +It was a sullen army that lay in the woods in the first hour or two of +the night, gasping for breath. These men had boasted that they were a +match for those of Jackson, and they were, if they could only have traded +generals. Dick and his comrades from the west began to share in the awe +that the name of Stonewall Jackson inspired. + +"He comes up to his advertisements. There ain't no doubt of it," said +Sergeant Whitley. "I never saw anybody fight better than our men did, +an' that charge of the little troop of cavalry was never beat anywhere in +the world. But here we are licked, and thirty or forty thousand men of +ours not many miles away!" + +He spoke the last words with a bitterness that Dick had never heard in +his voice before. + +"It's simple," said Warner, who was binding up his little wound with his +own hand. "It's just a question in mathematics. I see now how Stonewall +Jackson won so many triumphs in the Valley of Virginia. Give Jackson, +say, fifteen thousand men. We have fifty thousand, but we divide them +into five armies of ten thousand apiece. Jackson fights them in detail, +which is five battles, of course. His fifteen thousand defeat the ten +thousand every time. Hence Jackson with fifteen thousand men has beaten +our side. It's simple but painful. In time our leaders will learn." + +"After we're all killed," said Pennington sadly. + +"And the country is ripped apart so that it will take half a century to +put the pieces back together again and put 'em back right," said Dick, +with equal sadness. + +"Never mind," said Sergeant Whitley with returning cheerfulness. "Other +countries have survived great wars and so will ours." + +Some food was obtained for the exhausted men and they ate it nervously, +paying little attention to the crackling fire of the skirmishers which +was still going on in the darkness along their front. Dick saw the pink +flashes along the edges of the woods and the wheat field, but his mind, +deadened for the time, took no further impressions. Skirmishers were +unpleasant people, anyway. Let them fight down there. It did not matter +what they might do to one another. A minute or two later he was ashamed +of such thoughts. + +Colonel Winchester, who had been to see General Banks, returned presently +and told them that they would march again in half an hour. + +"General Banks," he said with bitter irony, "is afraid that a powerful +force of the rebels will gain his rear and that we shall be surrounded. +He ought to know. He has had enough dealings with Jackson. +Outmaneuvered and outflanked again! Why can't we learn something?" + +But he said this to the young officers only. He forced a cheerfulness of +tone when he spoke to the men, and they dragged themselves wearily to +their feet in order to begin the retreat. But though the muscles were +tired the spirit was not unwilling. All the omens were sinister, +pointing to the need of withdrawal. The vicious skirmishers were still +busy and a crackling fire came from many points in the woods. The +occasional rolling thunder of a cannon deepened the somberness of the +scene. + +All the officers of the regiment had lost their horses and they walked +now with the men. A full moon threw a silvery light over the marching +troops, who strode on in silence, the wounded suppressing their groans. +A full moon cast a silvery light over the pallid faces. + +"Do you know where we are going?" Dick asked of the Vermonter. + +"I heard that we're bound for a place called Culpeper Court House, +six or seven miles away. I suppose we'll get there in the morning, +if Stonewall Jackson doesn't insist on another interview with us." + +"There's enough time in the day for fighting," said Pennington, "without +borrowing of the night. Hear that big gun over there on our right! +Why do they want to be firing cannon balls at such a time?" + +They trudged gloomily on, following other regiments ghostly in the +moonlight, and followed by others as ghostly. But the sinister omens, +the flash of rifle firing and the far boom of a cannon, were always on +their flanks. The impression of Jackson's skill and power which Dick had +gained so quickly was deepening already. He did not have the slightest +doubt now that the Southern leader was pressing forward through the woods +to cut them off. As the sergeant had said truly, he came up to his +advertisements and more. Dick shivered and it was a shiver of +apprehension for the army, and not for himself. + +In accordance with human nature he and the boy officers who were his good +comrades talked together, but their sentences were short and broken. + +"Marching toward a court house," said Pennington. "What'll we do when we +get there? Lawyers won't help us." + +"Not so much marching toward a court house as marching away from Jackson," +said the Vermonter. + +"We'll march back again," said Dick hopefully. + +"But when?" said Pennington. "Look through the trees there on our right. +Aren't those rebel troops?" + +Dick's startled gaze beheld a long line of horsemen in gray on their +flank and only a few hundred yards away. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +AT THE CAPITAL + + +The Southern cavalry was seen almost at the same time by many men in the +regiments, and nervous and hasty, as was natural at such a time, they +opened a scattering fire. The horsemen did not return the fire, but +seemed to melt away in the darkness. + +But the shrewdest of the officers, among whom was Colonel Winchester, +took alarm at this sudden appearance and disappearance. Dick would have +divined from their manner, even without their talk, that they believed +Jackson was at hand. Action followed quickly. The army stopped and +began to seek a strong position in the wood. Cannon were drawn up, +their mouths turned to the side on which the horsemen had appeared, +and the worn regiments assumed the attitude of defense. Dick's heart +throbbed with pride when he saw that they were as ready as ever to fight, +although they had suffered great losses and the bitterest of +disappointments. + +"What I said I've got to say over again," said Pennington ruefully: +"the night's no time for fighting. It's heathenish in Stonewall Jackson +to follow us, and annoy us in such a way." + +"Such a way! Such a way!" said Dick impatiently. "We've got to learn to +fight as he does. Good God, Frank, think of all the sacrifices we are +making to save our Union, the great republic! Think how the hateful old +monarchies will sneer and rejoice if we fall, and here in the East our +generals just throw our men away! They divide and scatter our armies in +such a manner that we simply ask to be beaten." + +"Sh! sh!" said Warner, as he listened to the violent outbreak, so unusual +on the part of the reserved and self-contained lad. "Here come two +generals." + +"Two too many," muttered Dick. A moment or two later he was ashamed of +himself, not because of what he had said, but because he had said it. +Then Warner seized him by the arm and pointed. + +"A new general, bigger than all the rest, has come," he said, "and +although I've never seen him before I know with mathematical certainty +that it's General John Pope, commander-in-chief of the Army of Virginia." + +Both Dick and Pennington knew instinctively that Warner was right. +General Pope, a strongly built man in early middle years, surrounded by +a brilliant staff, rode into a little glade in the midst of the troops, +and summoned to him the leading officers who had taken part in the battle. + +Dick and his two comrades stood on one side, but they could not keep from +hearing what was said and done. In truth they did not seek to avoid +hearing, nor did many of the young privates who stood near and who +considered themselves quite as good as their officers. + +Pope, florid and full-faced, was in a fine humor. He complimented the +officers on their valor, spoke as if they had won a victory--which would +have been a fact had others done their duty--and talked slightingly of +Jackson. The men of the west would show this man his match in the art of +war. + +Dick listened to it all with bitterness in his heart. He had no doubt +that Pope was brave, and he could see that he was confident. Yet it took +something more than confidence to defeat an able enemy. What had become +of those gray horsemen in the bush? They had appeared once and they +could appear again. He had believed that Jackson himself was at hand, +and he still believed it. His eyes shifted from Pope to the dark woods, +which, with their thick foliage, turned back the moonlight. + +"George," he whispered to Warner, "do you think you can see anything +among those trees?" + +"I can make out dimly one or two figures, which no doubt are our scouts. +Ah-h!" + +The long "Ah-h!" was drawn by a flash and the report of a rifle. A +second and a third report came, and then the crash of a heavy fire. +The scouts and sentinels came running in, reporting that a great force +with batteries, presumably the whole army of Jackson, was at hand. + +A deep murmur ran through the Union army, but there was no confusion. +The long hours of fighting had habituated them to danger. They were also +too tired to become excited, and in addition, they were of as stern stuff +at night as they had been in the morning. They were ready to fight again. + +Formidable columns of troops appeared through the woods, their bayonets +glistening in the moonlight. The heavy rifle fire began once more, +although it was nearly midnight, and then came the deep thunder of cannon, +sending round shot and shells among the Union troops. But the men in +blue, harried beyond endurance, fought back fiercely. They shared the +feelings of Pennington. They felt that they had been persecuted, that +this thing had grown inhuman, and they used rifles and cannon with +astonishing vigor and energy. + +Two heavy Union batteries replied to the Southern cannon, raking the +woods with shell, round shot and grape, and Dick concluded that in the +face of so much resolution Jackson would not press an attack at night, +when every kind of disaster might happen in the darkness. His own +regiment had lain down among the leaves, and the men were firing at the +flashes on their right. Dick looked for General Pope and his brilliant +staff, but he did not see them. + +"Gone to bring up the reserves," whispered Warner, who saw Dick's +inquiring look. + +But the Vermonter's slur was not wholly true. Pope was on his way to his +main force, doubtless not really believing that Jackson himself was at +hand. But the little army that he left behind fighting with renewed +energy and valor broke away from the Southern grasp and continued its +march toward that court house, in which the boys could see no merit. +Jackson himself, knowing what great numbers were ahead, was content to +swing away and seek for prey elsewhere. + +They emerged from the wood toward morning and saw ahead of them great +masses of troops in blue. They would have shouted with joy, but they +were too tired. Besides, nearly two thousand of their men were killed +or wounded, and they had no victory to celebrate. + +Dick ate breakfast with his comrades. The Northern armies nearly always +had an abundance of provisions, and now they were served in plenty. +For the moment, the physical overcame the mental in Dick. It was enough +to eat and to rest and to feel secure. Thousands of friendly faces were +around them, and they would not have to fight in either day or dark for +their lives. Their bones ceased to ache, and the good food and the good +coffee began to rebuild the worn tissues. What did the rest matter? + +After breakfast these men who had marched and fought for nearly twenty +hours were told to sleep. Only one command was needed. It was August, +and the dry grass and the soft earth were good enough for anybody. +The three lads, each with an arm under his head, slept side by side. +At noon they were still sleeping, and Colonel Winchester, as he was +passing, looked at the three, but longest at Dick. His gaze was half +affection, half protection, but it was not the boy alone whom he saw. +He saw also his fair-haired young mother in that little town on the +other side of the mountains. + +While Dick still slept, the minds of men were at work. Pope's army, +hitherto separated, was now called together by a battle. Troops from +every direction were pouring upon the common center. The little army +which had fought so gallantly the day before now amounted to only +one-fourth of the whole. McDowell, Sigel and many other generals joined +Pope, who, with the strange faculty of always seeing his enemy too small, +while McClellan always saw him too large, began to feed upon his own +sanguine anticipations, and to regard as won the great victory that he +intended to win. He sent telegrams to Washington announcing that his +triumph at Cedar Run was only the first of a series that his army would +soon achieve. + +It was late in the afternoon when Dick awoke, and he was amazed to see +that the sun was far down the western sky. But he rubbed his eyes and, +remembering, knew that he had slept at least ten hours. He looked down +at the relaxed figures of Warner and Pennington on either side of him. +They still slumbered soundly, but he decided that they had slept long +enough. + +"Here, you," he exclaimed, seizing Warner by the collar and dragging him +to a sitting position, "look at the sun! Do you realize that you've lost +a day out of your bright young life?" + +Then he seized Pennington by the collar also and dragged him up. Both +Warner and Pennington yawned prodigiously. + +"If I've lost a day, and it would seem that I have, then I'm glad of it," +replied Warner. "I could afford to lose several in such a pleasant +manner. I suppose a lot of Stonewall Jackson's men were shooting at me +while I slept, but I was lucky and didn't know about it." + +"You talk too long," said Pennington. "That comes of your having taught +school. You could talk all day to boys younger than yourself, and they +were afraid to answer back." + +"Shut up, both of you," said Dick. "Here comes the sergeant, and I think +from his look he has something to say worth hearing." + +Sergeant Whitley had cleansed the blood and dust from his face, and a +handkerchief tied neatly around his head covered up the small wound +there. He looked trim and entirely restored, both mentally and +physically. + +"Well, sergeant," said Dick ingratiatingly, "if any thing has happened +in this army you're sure to know of it. We'd have known it ourselves, +but we had an important engagement with Morpheus, a world away, and we +had to keep it. Now what is the news?" + +"I don't know who Morpheus is," replied the sergeant, laughing, "but I'd +guess from your looks that he is another name for sleep. There is no +news of anything big happenin'. We've got a great army here, and Jackson +remains near our battlefield of yesterday. I should say that we number +at least fifty thousand men, or about twice the rebels." + +"Then why don't we march against 'em at once?" + +The sergeant shrugged his shoulders. It was not for him to tell why +generals did not do things. + +"I think," he said, "that we're likely to stay here a day or two." + +"Which means," said Dick, his alert mind interpreting at once, "that +our generals don't know what to do. Why is it that they always seem +paralyzed when they get in front of Stonewall Jackson? He's only a man +like the rest of them!" + +He spoke with perfect freedom in the presence of Sergeant Whitley, +knowing that he would repeat nothing. + +"A man, yes," said Warner, in his precise manner, "but not exactly like +the others. He seems to have more of the lightning flash about him. +What a pity such a leader should be on the wrong side! Perhaps we'll +have his equal in time." + +"Is Jackson's army just sitting still?" asked Dick. + +"So far as scouts can gather, an' I've been one of them," replied +Sergeant Whitley, "it seems to be just campin'. But I wish I knew which +way it was goin' to jump. I don't trust Jackson when he seems to be +nappin'." + +But the good sergeant's doubts were to remain for two days at least. +The two armies sat still, only two miles apart, and sentinels, as was +common throughout the great war, became friendly with one another. +Often they met in the woods and exchanged news and abundant criticism of +generals. At last there was a truce to bury the dead who still lay upon +the sanguinary field of Cedar Run. + +Dick was in charge of one of these burial parties, and toward the close +of the day he saw a familiar figure, also in command of a burial party, +although it was in a gray uniform. His heart began to thump, and he +uttered a cry of joy. The unexpected, but not the unnatural, had +happened. + +"Oh, Harry! Harry!" he shouted. + +The strong young figure in the uniform of a lieutenant in the Southern +army turned in surprise at the sound of a familiar voice, and stood, +staring. + +"Dick! Dick Mason!" he cried. Then the two sprang forward and grasped +the hands of each other. There was no display of emotion--they were of +the stern American stock, taught not to show its feelings--but their eyes +showed their gladness. + +"Harry," said Dick, "I knew that you had been with Jackson, but I had no +way of knowing until a moment ago that you were yet alive." + +"Nor I you, Dick. I thought you were in the west." + +"I was, but after Shiloh, some of us came east to help. It seemed after +the Seven Days that we were needed more here than in the west." + +"You never said truer words, Dick. They'll need you and many more +thousands like you. Why, Dick, we're not led here by a man, we're led by +a thunderbolt. I'm on his staff, I see him every day. He talks to me, +and I talk to him. I tell you, Dick, it's a wonderful thing to serve +such a genius. You can't beat him! His kind appears only a few times +in the ages. He always knows what's to be done and he does it. Even if +your generals knew what ought to be done, most likely they'd do something +else." + +Harry's face glowed with enthusiasm as he spoke of his hero, and Dick, +looking at him, shook his head sadly. + +"I'm afraid that what you say is true for the present at least, Harry," +he said. "You beat us now here in the east, but don't forget that we're +winning in the west. And don't forget that here in the east even, +you can never wear us out. We'll be coming, always coming." + +"All right, old Sober Sides, we won't quarrel about it. We'll let time +settle it. Here come some friends of mine whom I want you to know. +Curious that you should meet them at such a time." + +Two other young lieutenants in gray uniforms at the head of burial +parties came near in the course of their work, and Harry called to them. + +"Tom! Arthur! A moment, please! This is my cousin, Dick Mason, a +Yankee, though I think he's honest in his folly. Dick, this is Arthur +St. Clair, and this is Tom Langdon, both friends of mine from South +Carolina." + +They shook hands warmly. There was no animosity between them. Dick +liked the looks and manners of Harry's friends. He could have been their +friend, too. + +"Harry has talked about you often," said Happy Tom Langdon. "Says you're +a great scholar, and a good fellow, all right every way, except the crack +in your head that makes you a Yankee. I hope you won't get hurt in this +unpleasantness, and when our victorious army comes into Washington we'll +take good care of you and release you soon." + +Dick smiled. He liked this youth who could keep up the spirit of fun +among such scenes. + +"Don't you pay any attention to Langdon, Mr. Mason," said St. Clair. +"If he'd only fight as well and fast as he talks there'd be no need for +the rest of us." + +"You know you couldn't win the war without me," said Langdon. + +They talked a little more together, then trumpets blew, the work was done +and they must withdraw to their own armies. They had been engaged in a +grewsome task, but Dick was glad to the bottom of his heart to have been +sent upon it. He had learned that Harry still lived, and he had met him. +He did not understand until then how dear his cousin was to him. They +were more like brothers than cousins. It was like the affection their +great-grandfathers, Henry Ware and Paul Cotter, had felt for each other, +although those famous heroes of the border had always fought side by side, +while their descendants were compelled to face each other across a gulf. + +They shook hands and withdrew slowly. At the edge of the field, Dick +turned to wave another farewell, and he found that Harry, actuated by the +same motive at the same time, had also turned to make a like gesture. +Each waved twice, instead of once, and then they disappeared among the +woods. Dick returned to Colonel Winchester. + +"While we were under the flag of truce I met my cousin, Harry Kenton," +he said. + +"One of the lucky fortunes of war." + +"Yes, sir, I was very glad to see him. I did not know how glad I was +until I came away. He says that we can never beat Jackson, that nothing +but death can ever stop him." + +"Youth often deceives itself, nor is age any exception. Never lose hope, +Dick." + +"I don't mean to do so, sir." + +The next morning, when Dick was with one of the outposts, a man of +powerful build, wonderfully quick and alert in his movements, appeared. +His coming was so quick and silent that he seemed to rise from the earth, +and Dick was startled. The man's face was uncommon. His features were +of great strength, the eyes being singularly vivid and penetrating. +He was in civilian's dress, but he promptly showed a pass from General +Pope, and Dick volunteered to take him to headquarters, where he said +he wished to go. + +Dick became conscious as they walked along that the man was examining +him minutely with those searching eyes of his which seemed to look one +through and through. + +"You are Lieutenant Richard Mason," said the stranger presently, "and +you have a cousin, Harry Kenton, also a lieutenant, but in the army of +Stonewall Jackson." + +Dick stared at him in amazement. + +"Everything you say is true," he said, "but how did you know it?" + +"It's my business to know. Knowledge is my sole pursuit in this great +war, and a most engrossing and dangerous task I find it. Yet, I would +not leave it. My name is Shepard, and I am a spy. You needn't shrink. +I'm not ashamed of my occupation. Why should I be? I don't kill. +I don't commit any violence. I'm a guide and educator. I and my kind +are the eyes of an army. We show the generals where the enemy is, +and we tell them his plans. An able and daring spy is worth more than +many a general. Besides, he takes the risk of execution, and he can +win no glory, for he must always remain obscure, if not wholly unknown. +Which, then, makes the greater sacrifice for his country, the spy or the +general?" + +"You give me a new point of view. I had not thought before how spies +risked so much for so little reward." + +Shepard smiled. He saw that in spite of his logic Dick yet retained +that slight feeling of aversion. The boy left him, when they arrived at +headquarters, but the news that Shepard brought was soon known to the +whole army. + +Jackson had left his camp. He was gone again, disappeared into the +ether. "Retreated" was the word that Pope at once seized upon, and he +sent forth happy bulletins. Shepard and other scouts and spies reported +a day or two later that Jackson's army was on the Rapidan, one of the +numerous Virginia rivers. Then Dick accompanied Colonel Winchester, +who was sent by rail to Washington with dispatches. + +He did not find in the capital the optimism that reigned in the mind of +Pope. McClellan was withdrawing his army from Virginia, but the eyes of +the nation were turned toward Pope. Many who had taken deep thought of +the times and of men, were more alarmed about Pope than he was about +himself. They did not like those jubilant dispatches from "Headquarters +in the Saddle." There was ominous news that Lee himself was marching +north, and that he and Jackson would soon be together. Anxious eyes +scanned the hills about Washington. The enemy had been very near once +before, and he might soon be near again. + +Dick had an hour of leisure, and he wandered into an old hotel, at which +many great men had lived. They would point to Henry Clay's famous chair +in the lobby, and the whole place was thick with memories of Webster, +Calhoun and others who had seemed almost demigods to their own generation. + +But a different crowd was there now. They were mostly paunchy men who +talked of contracts and profits. One, to whom the others paid deference, +was fat, heavy and of middle age, with a fat, heavy face and pouches +under his eyes. His small eyes were set close together, but they +sparkled with shrewdness and cunning. + +The big man presently noticed the lad who was sitting quietly in one of +the chairs against the wall. Dick's was an alien presence there, and +doubtless this fact had attracted his attention. + +"Good day to you," said the stranger in a bluff, deep voice. "I take +it from your uniform, your tan and your thinness that you've come from +active service." + +"In both the west and the east," replied Dick politely. "I was at Shiloh, +but soon afterward I was transferred with my regiment to the east." + +"Ah, then, of course, you know what is going on in Virginia?" + +"No more than the general public does. I was at Cedar Run, which both we +and the rebels claim as a victory." + +The man instantly showed a great increase of interest. + +"Were you?" he said. "My own information says that Banks and Pope were +surprised by Jackson and that the rebel general has merely drawn off to +make a bigger jump. Did you get that impression?" + +"Will you tell me why you ask me these questions?" said Dick in the same +polite tone. + +"Because I've a big stake in the results out there. My name is John +Watson, and I'm supplying vast quantities of shoes and clothing to our +troops." + +Dick turned up the sole of one of his shoes and picked thoughtfully at a +hole half way through the sole. Little pieces of paper came out. + +"I bought these, Mr. Watson, from a sutler in General Pope's army," +he said. "I wonder if they came from you?" + +A deeper tint flushed the contractor's cheeks, but in a moment he threw +off anger. + +"A good joke," he said jovially. "I see that you're ready of wit, +despite your youth. No, those are not my shoes. I know dishonest men +are making great sums out of supplies that are defective or short. +A great war gives such people many opportunities, but I scorn them. +I'll not deny that I seek a fair profit, but my chief object is to serve +my country. Do you ever reflect, my young friend, that the men who +clothe and feed an army have almost as much to do with winning the +victory as the men who fight?" + +"I've thought of it," said Dick, wondering what the contractor had in +mind. + +"What regiment do you belong to, if I may ask? My motive in asking these +questions is wholly good." + +"One commanded by Colonel Winchester, recently sent from the west. +We've been in only one battle in the east, that fought at Cedar Run +against Jackson." + +Watson again looked at Dick intently. The boy felt that he was being +measured and weighed by a man of uncommon perceptions. Whatever might +be his moral quality there could be no question of his ability. + +"I am, as I told you before," said Watson, "a servant of my country. +A man who feeds and clothes the soldiers well is a patriot, while he who +feeds and clothes them badly is a mere money grubber." + +He paused, as if he expected Dick to say something, but the boy was +silent and he went on: + +"It is to the interest of the country that it be served well in all +departments, particularly in the tremendous crisis that we now face. +Yet the best patriot cannot always get a chance to serve. He needs +friends at court, as they say. Now this colonel of yours, Colonel +Winchester--I've observed both him and you, although I approached you as +if I'd never heard of either of you before--is a man of character and +influence. Certain words from him at the right time would be of great +value, nor would his favorite aide suffer through bringing the matter +to his attention." + +Dick saw clearly now, but he was not impulsive. Experience was teaching +him, while yet a boy, to speak softly. + +"The young aide of whom you speak," he said, "would never think of +mentioning such a matter to the colonel, of whom you also speak, and +even if he should, the colonel wouldn't listen to him for a moment." + +Watson shrugged his shoulders slightly, but made no other gesture of +displeasure. + +"Doubtless you are well informed about this aide and this colonel," +he said, "but it's a pity. If more food is thrown to the sparrows than +they can eat, is it any harm for other birds to eat the remainder?" + +"I scarcely regard it as a study in ornithology." + +"Ornithology? That's a big word, but I suppose it will serve. We'll +drop the matter, and if at any time my words here should be quoted I'll +promptly deny them. It's a bad thing for a boy to have his statements +disputed by a man of years who can command wealth and other powerful +influences. Unless he had witnesses nobody would believe the boy. +I tell you this, my lad, partly for your own good, because I'm inclined +to like you." + +Dick stared. There was nothing insulting in the man's tone. He seemed +to be thoroughly in earnest. Perhaps he regarded his point of view as +right, and Dick, a boy of thought and resource, saw that it was not worth +while to make a quarrel. But he resolved to remember Watson, feeling +that the course of events might bring them together again. + +"I suppose it's as you say," he said. "You're a man of affairs and you +ought to know." + +Watson smiled at him. Dick felt that the contractor had been telling +the truth when he said that he was inclined to like him. Perhaps he was +honest and supplied good materials, when others supplied bad. + +"You will shake hands with me, Mr. Mason," he said. "You think that +I will be hostile to you, but maybe some day I can prove myself your +friend. Young soldiers often need friends." + +His eyes twinkled and his smile widened. In spite of his appearance and +his proposition, something winning had suddenly appeared in the manner of +this man. Dick found himself shaking hands with him. + +"Good-bye, Mr. Mason," said Watson. "It may be that we shall meet on the +field, although I shall not be within range of the guns." + +He left the lobby of the hotel, and Dick was rather puzzled. It was +his first thought to tell Colonel Winchester about him, but he finally +decided that Watson's own advice to him to keep silent was best. He and +Colonel Winchester took the train from Washington the next day, and on +the day after were with Pope's army on the Rapidan. + +Dick detected at once a feeling of excitement or tension in this army, +at least among the young officers with whom he associated most. They +felt that a storm of some kind was gathering, either in front or on their +flank. McClellan's army was now on the transports, leaving behind the +Virginia that he had failed to conquer, and Pope's, with a new commander, +was not yet in shape. The moment was propitious for Lee and Jackson to +strike, and the elusive Jackson was lost again. + +"Our scouts discover nothing," said Warner to Dick. "The country is +chockfull of hostility to us. Not a soul will tell us a word. We have +to see a thing with our own eyes before we know it's there, but the +people, the little children even, take news to the rebels. A veil is +hung before us, but there is none before them." + +"There is one man who is sure to find out about Jackson." + +"Who?" + +Dick's only answer was a shake of the head. But he was thinking of +Shepard. He did not see him about the camp, and he had no doubt that +he was gone on another of his dangerous missions. Meanwhile newspapers +from New York and other great cities reflected the doubts of the North. +They spoke of Pope's grandiloquent dispatches, and they wondered what had +become of Lee and Jackson. + +Dick, an intense patriot, passed many bitter moments. He, like others, +felt that the hand upon the reins was not sure. Instead of finding the +enemy and assailing him with all their strength, they were waiting in +doubt and alarm to fend off a stroke that would come from some unknown +point out of the dark. + +The army now lay in one of the finest parts of Virginia, a region of +picturesque mountains, wide and fertile valleys, and of many clear creeks +and rivers coming down from the peaks and ridges. To one side lay a +great forest, known as the Wilderness, destined, with the country near it, +to become the greatest battlefield of the world. Here, the terrible +battles of the Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the +Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and others less sanguinary, but great +struggles, nevertheless, were to be fought. + +But these were yet in the future, and Dick, much as his eyes had been +opened, did not yet dream how tremendous the epic combat was to be. +He only knew that to-day it was the middle of August, the valleys were +very hot, but it was shady and cool on the hills and mountains. He knew, +too, that he was young, and that pessimism and gloom could not abide long +with him. + +He and Warner and Pennington had good horses, in place of those that they +had lost at Cedar Run, and often they rode to the front to see what might +be seen of the enemy, which at present was nothing. Their battlefield +at Cedar Run had been reoccupied by Northern troops and Pope was now +confirmed in his belief that his men had won a victory there. And this +victory was to be merely a prelude to another and far greater one. + +As they rode here and there in search of the enemy, Dick came upon +familiar ground. Once more he saw the field of Manassas which had been +lost so hardly the year before. He remembered every hill and brook and +curve of the little river, because they had been etched into his brain +with steel and fire. How could anyone forget that day? + +"Looks as if we might fight our battle of last year over again, but on a +much bigger scale," he said to Warner. + +"Here or hereabouts," said the Vermonter, "and I think we ought to win. +They've got the better generals, but we've got more men. Besides, +our troops are becoming experienced and they've shown their mettle. +Dick, here's a farmer gathering corn. Let's ask him some questions, +but I'll wager you a hundred to one before we begin that he knows +absolutely nothing about the rebel army. In fact, I doubt that he will +know of its existence." + +"I won't take your bet," said Dick. + +They called to the man, a typical Virginia farmer in his shirt sleeves, +tall and spare, short whiskers growing under his chin. There was not +much difference between him and his brother farmer in New England. + +"Good-day," said Warner. + +"Good-day." + +"You seem to be working hard." + +"I've need to do it. Farm hands are scarce these days." + +"Farming is hard work." + +"Yes; but it's a lot safer than some other kinds men are doin' nowadays." + +"True, no doubt, but have you seen anything of the army?" + +"What army?" + +"The one under Lee and Jackson, the rebel army." + +"I ain't heard of no rebel army, mister. I don't know of any such people +as rebels." + +"You call it the Confederate army. Can you tell us anything about the +Confederate army?" + +"What Confederate army, mister? I heard last month when I went in to the +court house that there was more than one of them." + +"I mean the one under Lee and Jackson." + +"That's cur'us. A man come ridin' 'long here three or four weeks ago. +Mebbe he was a lightnin' rod agent an' mebbe he had patent medicines to +sell, he didn't say, but he did tell me that General Jackson was in one +place an General Lee was in another. Now which army do you mean?" + +"That was nearly a month ago. They are together now." + +"Then, mister, if you know so much more about it than I do, what are you +askin' me questions for?" + +"But I want to know about Lee and Jackson. Have you seen them?" + +"Lord bless you, mister, them big generals don't come visitin' the likes +o' me. You kin see my house over thar among the trees. You kin search +it if you want to, but you won't find nothin'." + +"I don't want to search your house. You can't hide a great army in a +house. I want to know if you've seen the Southern Army. I want to know +if you've heard anything about it." + +"I ain't seed it. My sight's none too good, mister. Sometimes the +blazin' sun gits in my eyes and kinder blinds me for a long time. +Then, too, I'm bad of hearin'; but I'm a powerful good sleeper. When I +sleep I don't hear nothin', of course, an' nothin' wakes me up. I just +sleep on, sometimes dreamin' beautiful dreams. A million men wouldn't +wake me, an' mebbe a dozen armies or so have passed in the night while I +was sleepin' so good. I'd tell you anything I know, but them that knows +nothin' has nothin' to tell." + +Warner's temper, although he had always practiced self-control, had +begun to rise, but he checked it, seeing that it would be a mere foolish +display of weakness in the face of the blank wall that confronted him. + +"My friend," he said with gravity, "I judge from the extreme ignorance +you display concerning great affairs that you sleep a large part of the +time." + +"Mebbe so, an' mebbe not. I most gen'ally sleep when I'm sleepy. +I've heard tell there was a big war goin' on in these parts, but this +is my land, an' I'm goin' to stay on it." + +"A good farmer, if not a good patriot. Good day." + +"Good day." + +They rode on and, in spite of themselves, laughed. + +"I'm willing to wager that he knows a lot about Lee and Jackson," said +Warner, "but the days of the rack and the thumbscrew passed long ago, +and there is no way to make him tell." + +"No," said Dick, "but we ought to find out for ourselves." + +Nevertheless, they discovered nothing. They saw no trace of a Southern +soldier, nor did they hear news of any, and toward nightfall they rode +back toward the army, much disappointed. The sunset was of uncommon +beauty. The hot day was growing cool. Pleasant shadows were creeping +up in the east. In the west a round mountain shouldered its black bulk +against the sky. Dick looked at it vaguely. He had heard it called +Clark's Mountain, and it was about seven miles away from the Union army +which lay behind the Rapidan River. + +Dick liked mountains, and the peak looked beautiful against the red and +yellow bars of the western horizon. + +"Have you ever been over there?" he said to Pennington and Warner. + +"No; but a lot of our scouts have," replied Pennington. "It's just a +mountain and nothing more. Funny how all those peaks and ridges crop +up suddenly around here out of what seems meant to have been a level +country." + +"I like it better because it isn't level," said Dick. "I'm afraid George +and I wouldn't care much for your prairie country which just rolls on +forever, almost without trees and clear running streams." + +"You would care for it," said Pennington stoutly. "You'd miss at first +the clear rivers and creeks, but then the spell of it would take hold of +you. The air you breathe isn't like the air you breathe anywhere else." + +"We've got some air of our own in Vermont that we could brag about, +if we wanted to," said Warner, defiantly. + +"It's good, but not as good as ours. And then the vast distances, +the great spaces take hold of you. And there's the sky so high and so +clear. When you come away from the great plains you feel cooped up +anywhere else." + +Pennington spoke with enthusiasm, his nostrils dilating and his eyes +flashing. Dick was impressed. + +"When the war's over I'm going out there to see your plains," he said. + +"Then you're coming to see me!" exclaimed Pennington, with all the +impulsive warmth of youth. "And George here is coming with you. I won't +show you any mountains like the one over there, but boys, west of the +Platte River, when I was with my father and some other men I watched for +three days a buffalo herd passing. The herd was going north and all +the time it stretched so far from east to west that it sank under each +horizon. There must have been millions of them. Don't you think that +was something worth seeing?" + +"We're surely coming," said Dick, "and you be equally sure to have your +buffalo herd ready for us when we come." + +"It'll be there." + +"Meanwhile, here we are at the Rapidan," said the practical Warner, +"and beyond it is our army. Look at that long line of fires, boys. +Aren't they cheering? A fine big army like ours ought to beat off +anything. We almost held our own with Jackson himself at Cedar Run, +and he had two to one." + +"We will win! We're bound to win!" said Dick, with sudden access of +hope. "We'll crush Lee and Jackson, and next summer you and I, George, +will be out on the western plains with Frank, watching the buffalo +millions go thundering by!" + +They forded the Rapidan and rejoined their regiment with nothing to tell. +But it was cheerful about the fires. Optimism reigned once more in the +Army of Virginia. McClellan had sent word to Pope that he would have +plenty of soldiers to face the attack that now seemed to be threatened by +the South. Brigades from the Army of the Potomac would make the Army of +Virginia invincible. + +Dick having nothing particular to do, sat late with his comrades before +one of the finest of the fires, and he read only cheerful omens in the +flames. It was a beautiful night. The moon seemed large and near, +and the sky was full of dancing stars. In the clear night Dick saw the +black bulk of Clark's Mountain off there against the horizon, but he +could not see what was behind it. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +BESIDE THE RIVER + + +Dick was on duty early in the morning when he saw a horseman coming at +a gallop toward the Rapidan. The man was in civilian clothing, but his +figure seemed familiar. The boy raised his glasses, and he saw at once +that it was Shepard. He saw, too, that he was urging his horse to its +utmost speed. + +The boy's heart suddenly began to throb, and there was a cold, prickling +sensation at the roots of his hair. Shepard had made an extraordinary +impression upon him and he did not believe that the man would be coming +at such a pace unless he came with great news. + +He saw Shepard stop, give the pass word to the pickets, then gallop on, +ford the river and come straight toward the heart of the army. Dick ran +forward and met him. + +"What is it?" he cried. + +"General Pope's tent! Where it is! I can't wait a minute." + +Dick pointed toward a big marquee, standing in an open space, and Shepard +leaping from his horse and abandoning it entirely, ran toward the +marquee. A word or two to the sentinels, and he disappeared inside. + +Dick, devoured with curiosity and anxiety, went to Colonel Winchester +with the story of what he had seen. + +"I know of Shepard," said the colonel. "He is the best and most daring +spy in the whole service of the North. I think you're right in inferring +that he rides so fast for good cause." + +Shepard remained with the commander-in-chief a quarter of an hour. +When he came forth from the tent he regained his horse and rode away +without a word, going in the direction of Clark's Mountain. But his news +was quickly known, because it was of a kind that could not be concealed. +Pennington came running with it to the regiment, his face flushed and his +eyes big. + +"Look! Look at the mountain!" he exclaimed. + +"I see it," said Warner. "I saw it there yesterday, too, in exactly the +same place." + +"So did I, but there's something behind it. Lee and Jackson are there +with sixty or eighty thousand men! The whole Southern army is only six +or seven miles away." + +Even Warner's face changed. + +"How do you know this?" he asked. + +"A spy has seen their army. They say he is a man whose reports are never +false. At any rate orders have already been issued for us to retreat +and I hear that we're going back until we reach the Rappahannock, behind +which we will camp." + +Dick knew very well now that it was Shepard who brought the news, and +Pennington's report about the retreat was also soon verified. The whole +army was soon in motion and a feeling of depression replaced the optimism +of the night before. The advance had been turned into a retreat. +Were they to go back and forth in this manner forever? But Colonel +Winchester spoke hopefully to his young aides and said that the retreat +was right. + +"We're drawing out of a trap," he said, "and time is always on our side. +The South to win has to hit hard and fast, and in this case the Army of +the Potomac and the Army of Virginia may join before Lee and Jackson can +come up." + +The lads tried to reconcile themselves, but nevertheless they did not +like retreat. Dick with his powerful glasses often looked back toward +the dark bulk of Clark's Mountain. He saw nothing there, nor anything in +the low country between, save the rear ranks of the Union army marching +on. + +But Shepard had been right. Lee and Jackson, advancing silently and with +every avenue of news guarded, were there behind the mountain with sixty +thousand men, flushed with victories, and putting a supreme faith in +their great commanders who so well deserved their trust. The men of the +valley and the Seven Days, wholly confident, asked only to be led against +Pope and his army, and most of them expected a battle that very day, +while the Northern commander was slipping from the well-laid trap. + +Pope's judgment in this case was good and fortune, too, favored him. +Before the last of his men had left the Rapidan Lee himself, with his +staff officers, climbed to the summit of Clark's Mountain. They were +armed with the best of glasses, but drifting fogs coming down from the +north spread along the whole side of the mountain and hung like a curtain +between it and the retreating army. None of their glasses could pierce +the veil, and it was not until nearly night that rising winds caught the +fog and took it away. Then Lee and his generals saw a vast cloud of dust +in the northwest and they knew that under it marched Pope's retreating +army. + +The Southern army was at once ordered forward in pursuit and in the +night the vanguard, wading the Rapidan, followed eagerly. Dick and +his comrades did not know then that they were followed so closely, but +they were destined to know it before morning. The regiment of Colonel +Winchester, one of the best and bravest in the whole service, formed a +part of the rearguard, and Dick, Warner and Pennington rode with their +chief. + +The country was broken and they crossed small streams. Sometimes they +were in open fields, and again they passed through long stretches of +forest. There was a strong force of cavalry with the regiment, and the +beat of the horses' hoofs made a steady rolling sound which was not +unpleasant. + +But Dick found the night full of sinister omens. They had left the +Rapidan in such haste that there was still a certain confusion of +impressions. The gigantic scale of everything took hold of him. One +hundred and fifty thousand men, or near it, were marching northward in +two armies which could not be many miles apart. The darkness and the +feeling of tragedy soon to come oppressed him. + +He listened eagerly for the sounds of pursuit, but the long hours passed +and he heard nothing. The rear guard did not talk. The men wasted no +strength that way, but marched stolidly on in the moonlight. Midnight +passed and after a while it grew darker. Colonel Winchester and his +young officers rode at the very rear, and Pennington suddenly held up his +hand. + +"What is it?" asked Colonel Winchester. + +"Somebody following us, sir. I was trained out on the plains to take +notice of such things. May I get down and put my ear to the ground? +I may look ridiculous, sir, but I can make sure." + +"Certainly. Go ahead." + +Pennington sprang down and put his ear to the road. He did not listen +long, but when he stood up again he said: + +"Horsemen are coming. I can't tell how many, but several hundreds at +least." + +"As we're the very last of our own army, they must be Southern cavalry," +said Colonel Winchester. "If they want to attack, I dare say our boys +are willing." + +Very soon they heard clearly the gallop of the cavalry, and the men heard +it also. They looked up and turned their faces toward those who must +be foes. Despite the dimness Dick saw their eyes brighten. Colonel +Winchester had judged rightly. The boys were willing. + +The rear guard turned back and waited, and in a few minutes the Southern +horsemen came in sight, opening fire at once. Their infantry, too, +soon appeared in the woods and fields and the dark hours before the dawn +were filled with the crackle of small arms. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester who anxiously watched the pursuit, +throwing his own regiment across the road, and keeping up a heavy fire +on the enemy. The Union loss was not great as most of the firing in the +dusk, of necessity, was at random, and Dick heard bullets whistling all +about him. Some times the bark flew from trees and now and then there +was a rain of twigs, shorn from the branches by the showers of missiles. + +It was arduous work. The men were worn by the darkness, the uncertainty +and the incessant pursuit. The Northern rear guard presented a strong +front, retreating slowly with its face to the enemy, and always disputing +the road. Dick meanwhile could hear through the crash of the firing the +deep rumble of Pope's great army with its artillery and thousands of +wagons continually marching toward the Rappahannock. His mind became +absorbed in a vital question. Would Lee and Jackson come up before they +could reach the bigger river? Would a battle be forced the next day +while the Union army was in retreat? He confided his anxieties to Warner +who rode by his side. + +"I take it that it's only a vanguard that's pursuing us," said the +Vermonter. "If they were in great force they'd have been pushing harder +and harder. We must have got a good start before Lee and Jackson found +us out. We know our Jackson, Dick, and he'd have been right on top of +us without delay." + +"That's right, George. It must be their cavalry mostly. I suppose Jeb +Stuart is there leading them. At any rate we'll soon know better what's +doing. Look there toward the east. Don't you see a ray of light behind +that hill?" + +"I see it, Dick." + +"Is it the first ray of the morning, or is it just a low star?" + +"It's the dawn, Dick, and mighty glad I am to see it. Look how fast it +comes!" + +The sun shot up, over the hill. The sky turning to silver soon gave way +to gold, and the clear August light poured in a flood over the rolling +country. + +Dick saw ahead of him a vast cloud of dust extending miles from east +to west, marking where the army of Pope pushed on its retreat to the +Rappahannock. There was no need to search for the Northern force. +The newest recruit would know that it was here. + +The Southern vanguard was behind them and not many hundred yards away. +Dick distinctly saw the cavalry, riding along the road, and hundreds of +skirmishers pushing through the woods and fields. He judged that the +force did not number many thousands and that it could not think of +assailing the whole Union army. But with the coming of day the vigor of +the attack increased. The skirmishers fired from the shelter of every +tree stump, fence or hillock and the bullets pattered about Dick and his +comrades. + +The Union rear guard maintained its answering fire, but as it was +retreating it was at a disadvantage. The regiments began to suffer. +Many men were wounded. The fire became most galling. A sudden charge by +the rearguard was ordered and it was made with spirit. The Southern van +was driven back, but when the retreat was resumed the skirmishers and the +cavalry came forward again, always firing at their retreating foe. + +"I judge that it's going to be a very hot morning," said Colonel +Winchester, wiping away a few drops of blood, where a bullet had barely +touched his face. "I think the wind of that bullet hurt me more than its +kiss. There will be no great battle to-day. We can see now that they +are not yet in strong enough force, but we'll never know a minute's rest +until we're behind the Rappahannock. Oh, Dick, if McClellan's army +were only here also! This business of retreating is as bitter as death +itself!" + +Dick saw the pain on his colonel's face and it was reflected on his own. + +"I feel it, sir, in the same way. Our men are just as eager as the +Johnnies to fight and they are as brave and tenacious. What do you think +will happen, sir?" + +"We'll reach the Rappahannock and take refuge behind it. We command the +railroad bridge there, and can cross and destroy it afterward. But the +river is broad and deep with high banks and the army of the enemy cannot +possibly force the passage in any way while we defend it." + +"And after that, sir?" + +"God alone knows. Look out, Dick, those men are aiming at us!" + +Colonel Winchester seized the bridle of Dick's horse and pulled him +violently to one side, pulling his own horse in the same direction in the +same manner. The bullets of half a dozen Southern skirmishers, standing +under the boughs of a beech tree less than two hundred yards away, +hissed angrily by them. + +"A close call," said the colonel. "There, they've been scattered by our +own riflemen and one of them remains to pay the toll." + +The reply of the Northern skirmishers had been quick, and the gray figure +lying prone by the trunk of the tree told Dick that the colonel had been +right. He was shaken by a momentary shudder, but he could not long +remember one among so many. They rode on, leaving the prone figure out +of sight, and the Southern cavalry and skirmishers pressed forward afresh. + +Many of the Union men had food in their saddle bags, and supplies were +sent back for those who did not have it. Colonel Winchester who was now +thoroughly cool, advised his officers to eat, even if they felt no hunger. + +"I'm hungry enough," said Pennington to Dick. "Out on the plains, +where the air is so fresh and so full of life I was always hungry, +and I suppose I brought my appetite here with me. Dick, I've opened a +can of cove oysters, and that's a great deal for a fellow on horseback to +do. Here, take your share, and they'll help out that dry bread you're +munching." + +Dick accepted with thanks. He learned that he, too, could eat with a +good appetite while bullets were knocking up dust only twenty yards away. +Meanwhile there was a steady flash of firing from every wood and +cornfield behind them. + +As he ate he watched and he saw an amazing panorama. Miles in front +the great cloud of dust, cutting across from horizon to horizon swelled +slowly on toward the Rappahannock. Behind them rode the Southern cavalry +and masses of infantry were pressing forward, too. Far off on either +flank rolled the pleasant country, its beauty heightened by the loom of +blue mountains. + +Colonel Winchester had predicted truly. The fighting between the +Northern rearguard, and the Southern vanguard never ceased. Every moment +the bullets were whistling, and occasionally a cannon lent its deep roar +to the crackling fire of the rifles. Daring detachments of the Southern +cavalry often galloped up and charged lagging regiments. And they were +driven off with equal courage and daring. + +The three boys took especial notice of those cavalry bands and began to +believe at last that they could identify the very men in them. Dick +looked for his cousin, Harry Kenton. He was sure that he would be there +in the front--but he did not see him. Instead he saw after a while an +extraordinary figure on a large black horse, a large man in magnificent +uniform, with a great plume in his hat. He was nearer to them than any +other Southern horseman, and he seemed to be indifferent to danger. + +"Look! look! There's Jeb Stuart!" exclaimed Dick. He had heard so +much about the famous Stuart and his gorgeous uniform that he knew him +instinctively, and, Warner and Pennington, as their eyes followed his +pointing finger felt the same conviction. + +Three of the Northern riflemen fired at once at the conspicuous target, +and Dick breathed a little sigh of relief when all their bullets missed. +Then the brilliant figure turned to one side and was lost in the smoke. + +"Well," said Pennington. "We've seen Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stuart +both in battle against us. I wonder who will come next." + +"Lee is due," said Warner, "but I doubt whether his men will let him +expose himself in such a way. We'll have to slip under cover to get a +chance of seeing him." + +The hours went on, and the fight between rear guard and vanguard never +ceased. That column of dust miles long was at the same distance in front, +continuing in its slow course for the river, but the foes in contact were +having plenty of dust showers of their own. Dick's throat and mouth +burned with the dust and heat of the pitiless August day, and his bones +ached with the tension and the long hours in the saddle. But his spirit +was high. They were holding off the Southern cavalry and he felt that +they would continue to do so. + +About noon he ate more cold food, and then rode on, while the sun blazed +and blazed and the dust whirled in clouds like the "dust devils" of the +desert, continually spitting forth bullets instead of sand. Late in +the afternoon he heard the sound of many trumpets, and saw the Southern +cavalry getting together in a great mass. A warning ran instantly +among the Union troops and the horsemen in blue and one or two infantry +regiments drew closer together. + +"They're going to charge in force," said Colonel Winchester to Dick. +"See, our rearguard has lost touch with our main army, leaving a side +opening between. They see this chance and intend to make the most of it." + +"But our men are willing and anxious to meet them," said Dick. "You can +see it in their faces." + +He had made no mistake, as the fire in their rear deepened, and they +saw the gathering squadrons of gray cavalry, a fierce anger seized the +retreating Union rearguard. Those wasps had been buzzing and stinging +them all day long and they had had enough of it. They could fight, +and they would, if their officers would let them. Now it seemed that the +officers were willing. + +A deep and menacing mutter of satisfaction ran along the whole line. +They would show the Southerners what kind of men they were. Colonel +Winchester drew his infantry regiment into a small wood which at that +point skirted the road. + +"There is no doubt that we've found it at the right time," said Warner. + +Both knew that the forest would protect the infantry from the fierce +charges of the Southern cavalry, while proving no obstacle to the +Northern defense. His own cavalry was gathering in the road ready to +meet Jeb Stuart and his squadrons. + +The three boys sat on their horses within the covering of the trees, +and watched eagerly, while the hostile forces massed for battle. The +Southern cavalry was supported by infantry also on its flanks, and once +again Dick caught sight of Jeb Stuart with his floating plume. But that +time he was too far away for any of the Northern riflemen to reach him +with a bullet, and as before he disappeared quickly in the clouds of dust +and smoke which never ceased to float over both forces. + +"Look out! The charge!" suddenly exclaimed Colonel Winchester. + +They heard the thunder of the galloping horses, and also the flash of +many rifles and carbines. Cavalry met cavalry but the men in gray reeled +back, and as they retreated the Northern infantry in the wood sent a +deadly fire into the flank of the attacking force. The Southern infantry +replied, and a fierce battle raged along the road and through the woods. +Dick heard once more the rattling of bullets on bark, and felt the twigs +falling upon his face as they were shorn off by the missiles. + +"We hold the road and we'll hold it for a while," exclaimed Colonel +Winchester, exultation showing in his tone. + +"Why can't we hold it all the time?" Dick could not refrain from asking. + +"Because we are retreating and the Southerners are continually coming up, +while our army wishes to go away." + +Dick glanced through the trees and saw that great clouds of dust still +were rolling toward the northwest. It must be almost at the Rappahannock +now, and he began to appreciate what this desperate combat in the woods +meant. They were holding back the Southern army, while their men could +cross the river and reform behind it. + +The battle swayed back and forth, and it was most desperate between the +cavalry. The bugles again and again called the gray horsemen to the +charge, and although the blue infantry supported their own horsemen with +a heavy rifle fire, and held the wood undaunted, the Northern rear guard +was forced to give way at last before the pressure of numbers and attacks +that would not cease. + +Their own bugles sounded the retreat and they began to retire slowly. + +"Do we run again?" exclaimed Pennington, a tear ploughing its way through +the smoky grime on his cheek. + +"No, we don't run," replied Warner calmly, "We're forced back, and the +rebels will claim a victory but we haven't fought for nothing. Lee and +Jackson will never get up in time to attack our army before it's over the +river." + +The regiment began its slow retreat. It had not suffered much, owing to +the shelter of the forest, and, full of courage and resolution, it was a +formidable support on the flank of the slowly retreating cavalry. + +The evening was now at hand. The sun was setting once more over the +Virginia hills destined to be scarred so deeply by battle, but attack +and defense went on. As night came the thudding of cannon added to the +tumult, and then the three boys saw the Rappahannock, a deep and wide +stream flowing between high banks crested with timber. Ahead of them +Pope's army was crossing on the bridge and in boats, and masses of +infantry supported by heavy batteries had turned to protect the crossing. +The Southern vanguard could not assail such a powerful force, and before +the night was over the whole Union army passed to the Northern side of +the Rappahannock. + +Dick felt a mixture of chagrin and satisfaction as he crossed the river, +chagrin that this great army should draw back, as McClellan's had been +forced to draw back at the Seven Days, and satisfaction that they were +safe for the time being and could prepare for a new start. + +But the feeling of exultation soon passed and gave way wholly to chagrin. +They were retreating before an army not exceeding their own, in numbers, +perhaps less. They had another great force, the Army of the Potomac, +which should have been there, and then they could have bade defiance to +Lee and Jackson. The North with its great numbers, its fine courage and +its splendid patriotism should never be retreating. He felt once more as +thousands of others felt that the hand on the reins was neither strong +nor sure, and that the great trouble lay there. They ought not to be +hiding behind a river. Lee and Jackson did not do it. Dick remembered +that grim commander in the West, the silent Grant, and he did not believe +he would be retreating. + +Long after darkness came the firing continued between skirmishers across +the stream, but finally it, too, waned and Dick was permitted to throw +himself upon the ground and sleep with the sleeping thousands. Warner +and Pennington slept near him and not far away was the brave sergeant. +Even he was overpowered by fatigue and he slept like one dead, never +stirring. + +Dick was awakened next morning by the booming of cannon. He had become +so much used to such sounds that he would have slept on had not the +crashes been so irregular. He stood up, rubbed his eyes and then looked +in the direction whence came the cannonade. He saw from the crest of a +hill great numbers of Confederate troops on the other side of the river, +the August sun glittering over thousands of bayonets and rifle barrels, +and along the somber batteries of great guns. The firing, so far as he +could determine, was merely to feel out or annoy the Northern army. + +It was a strange sight to Dick, one that is not looked upon often, +two great armies gazing across a river at each other, and, sure to meet, +sooner or later, in mortal combat. It was thrilling, awe-inspiring, +but it made his heart miss a beat or two at the thought of the wounds and +death to come, all the more terrible because those who fought together +were of the same blood, and the same nation. + +Warner and Pennington joined him on the height where he stood, and they +saw that in the early hours before dawn the Northern generals had not +been idle. The whole army of Pope was massed along the left bank of the +river and every high point was crowned with heavy batteries of artillery. +There had been a long drought, and at some points the Rappahannock could +be forded, but not in the face of such a defence as the North here +offered. + +Colonel Winchester himself came a moment or two later and joined them as +they gazed at the two armies and the river between. Both he and the boys +used their glasses and they distinctly saw the Southern masses. + +"Will they try to cross, sir?" asked Dick of the colonel. + +"I don't think so, but if they do we ought to beat them back. Meanwhile, +Dick, my boy, every day's delay is a fresh card in our hand. McClellan +is landing his army at Aquia Creek, whence it can march in two days to +a junction with us, when we would become overwhelming and irresistible. +But I wish it didn't take so long to disembark an army!" + +The note of anxiety in his voice did not escape Dick. "You wish then to +be sure of the junction between our two armies before Lee and Jackson +strike?" + +"Yes, Dick. That is what is on my mind. The retreat of this army, +although it may have caused us chagrin, was most opportune. It gave +us two chances, when we had but one before. But, Dick, I'm afraid. I +wouldn't say this to anybody but you and you must not repeat me. I wish +I could divine what is in the mind of those two men, Lee and Jackson. +They surely have a plan of some kind, but what is it?" + +"Have we any definite news from the other side, sir?" + +"Shepard came in this morning. But little ever escapes him, and he says +that the whole Southern army is up. All their best leaders are there. +Lee and Jackson and Longstreet and the Hills and Early and Lawton and +the others. He says that they are all flushed with confidence in their +own courage and fighting powers and the ability of their leaders. Oh, +if only the Army of the Potomac would come! If we could only stave off +battle long enough for it to reach us!" + +"Don't you think we could do it, sir? Couldn't General Pope retreat on +Washington then, and, as they continued to follow us, we could turn and +spring on them with both armies." + +But Colonel Winchester shook his head. + +"It would never do," he said. "All Europe, eager to see the Union split, +would then help the Confederacy in every possible manner. The old +monarchies would say that despite our superior numbers we're not able to +maintain ourselves outside the defenses of Washington. And these things +would injure us in ways that we cannot afford. Remember, Dick, my boy, +that this republic is the hope of the world, and that we must save it." + +"It will be done, sir," said Dick, almost in the tone of a young prophet. +"I know the spirit of the men. No matter how many defeats are inflicted +upon us by our own brethren we'll triumph in the end." + +"It's my own feeling, Dick. It cannot, it must not be any other way!" + +Dick remained upborne by a confidence in the future rather than in the +present, and throughout the morning he remained with his comrades, +under arms, but doing little, save to hear the fitful firing which ran +along a front of several miles. But later in the day a heavy crash came +from a ford further up the stream. + +Under cover of a great artillery fire Stuart's cavalry dashed into the +ford, and drove off the infantry and a battery posted to defend it. +Then they triumphantly placed heavy lines of pickets about the ford on +the Union side. + +It was more than the Union lads could stand. A heavy mass of infantry, +Colonel Winchester's regiment in the very front of it, marched forward +to drive back these impertinent horsemen. They charged with so much +impetuosity that Stuart's cavalry abandoned such dangerous ground. +All the pickets were drawn in and they retreated in haste across the +stream, the water foaming up in spurts about them beneath the pursuing +bullets. + +Then came a silence and a great looking back and forth. The threatening +armies stared at each other across the water, but throughout the +afternoon they lay idle. The pitiless August sun burned on and the dust +that had been trodden up by the scores of thousands hung in clouds low, +but almost motionless. + +Dick went down into a little creek, emptying into the Rappahannock, +and bathed his face and hands. Hundreds of others were doing the same. +The water brought a great relief. Then he went back to Colonel +Winchester and his comrades, and waited patiently with them until evening. + +He remembered Colonel Winchester's words earlier in the day, and, as the +darkness came, he began to wonder what Lee and Jackson were thinking. +He believed that two such redoubtable commanders must have formed a +plan by this time, and, perhaps in the end, it would be worth a hundred +thousand men to know it. But he could only stare into the darkness and +guess and guess. And one guess was as good as another. + +The night seemed portentous to him. It was full of sinister omens. +He strove to pierce the darkness on the other shore with his eyes, +and see what was going on there, but he distinguished only a black +background and the dim light of fires. + +Dick was not wrong. The Confederate commanders did have a plan and the +omens which seemed sinister to him were sinister in fact. Jackson with +his forces was marching up his side of the Rappahannock and the great +brain under the old slouch hat was working hard. + +When Lee and Jackson found that the Union army on the Rapidan had slipped +away from them they felt that they had wasted a great opportunity to +strike the retreating force before it reached the Rappahannock, and that, +as they followed, the situation of the Confederacy would become most +critical. They would leave McClellan and the Army of the Potomac nearer +to Richmond, their own capital, than they were. Nevertheless Lee, +full of daring despite his years, followed, and the dangers were growing +thicker every hour around Pope. + +Dick, with his regiment, moved the next morning up the river. The enemy +was in plain view beyond the stream, and Shepard and the other spies +reported that the Southern army showed no signs of retiring. But Shepard +had said also that he would not be able to cross the river again. +The hostile scouts and sharpshooters had become too vigilant. Yet he was +sure that Lee and Jackson would attempt to force a passage higher up, +where the drought had made good fords. + +"It's well that we're showing vigilance," said Colonel Winchester to +Dick. He had fallen into the habit of talking much and confidentially to +the boy, because he liked and trusted him, and for another reason which +to Dick was yet in the background. + +"Do you feel sure that the rebels will attempt the crossing?" asked Dick. + +"Beyond a doubt. They have every reason to strike before the Army of the +Potomac can come. Besides, it is in accord with the character of their +generals. Both Lee and Jackson are always for the swift offensive, +and Early, Longstreet and the Hills are the same way. Hear that booming +ahead! They're attacking one of the fords now!" + +At a ford a mile above and also at another a mile or two further on, +the Southern troops had begun a heavy fire, and gathered in strong masses +were threatening every moment to attempt the passage. But the Union +guns posted on hills made a vigorous reply and the time passed in heavy +cannonades. Colonel Winchester, his brows knitted and anxious, watched +the fire of the cannon. He confided at last to his favorite aide his +belief that what lay behind the cannonade was more important than the +cannonade itself. + +"It must be a feint or a blind," he said. "They fire a great deal, +but they don't make any dash for the stream. Now, the rebels haven't +ammunition to waste." + +"Then what do you think they're up to, sir?" + +"They must be sending a heavy force higher up the river to cross where +there is no resistance. And we must meet them there, with my regiment +only, if we can obtain no other men." + +The colonel obtained leave to go up the Rappahannock until nightfall, +but only his own regiment, now reduced to less than four hundred men, +was allotted to him. In truth his division commander thought his purpose +useless, but yielded to the insistence of Winchester who was known to be +an officer of great merit. It seemed to the Union generals that they +must defend the fords where the Southern army lay massed before them. + +Dick learned that there was a little place called Sulphur Springs some +miles ahead, and that the river there was spanned by a bridge which +the Union cavalry had wrecked the day before. He divined at once that +Colonel Winchester had that ford in mind, and he was glad to be with him +on the march to it. + +They left behind them the sound of the cannonade which they learned +afterward was being carried on by Longstreet, and followed the course of +the stream as fast as they could over the hills and through the woods. +But with so many obstacles they made slow progress, and, in the close +heat, the men soon grew breathless. It was also late in the afternoon +and Dick was quite sure that they would not reach Sulphur Springs before +nightfall. + +"I've felt exactly this same air on the great plains," said Pennington, +as they stopped on the crest of a hill for the troops to rest a little. +"It's heavy and close as if it were being all crowded together. It makes +your lungs work twice as hard as usual, and it's also a sign." + +"Tell your sign, old weather sharp," said Warner. + +"It's simple enough. The sign may not be so strong here, but it applies +just as it does on the great plains. It means that a storm is coming. +Anybody could tell that. Look there, in the southwest. See that cloud +edging itself over the horizon. Things will turn loose to-night. +Don't you say the same, sergeant? You've been out in my country." + +Sergeant Whitley was standing near them regarding the cloud attentively. + +"Yes, Mr. Pennington," he replied. "I was out there a long time and I'd +rather be there now fighting the Indians, instead of fighting our own +people, although no other choice was left me. I've seen some terrible +hurricanes on the plains, winds that would cut the earth as if it was +done with a ploughshare, and these armies are going to be rained on +mighty hard to-night." + +Dick smiled a little at the sergeant's solemn tone, and formal words, +but he saw that he was very much in earnest. Nor was he one to underrate +weather effects upon movements in war. + +"What will it mean to the two armies, sergeant?" he asked. + +"Depends upon what happens before she busts. If a rebel force is then +across it's bad for us, but if it ain't the more water between us an' +them the better. This, I take it, is the end of the drought, and a flood +will come tumbling down from the mountains." + +The sun now darkened and the clouds gathered heavily on the Western +horizon. Colonel Winchester's anxiety increased fast. It became evident +that the regiment could not reach Sulphur Springs until far into the +night, and, still full of alarms, he resolved to take a small detachment, +chiefly of his staff, and ride forward at the utmost speed. + +He chose about twenty men, including Dick, Warner, Pennington, Sergeant +Whitley, and another veteran who were mounted on the horses of junior +officers left behind, and pressed forward with speed. A West Virginian +named Shattuck knew something of the country, and led them. + +"What is this place, Sulphur Springs?" asked Colonel Winchester of +Shattuck. + +"Some big sulphur springs spout out of the bank and run down to the +river. They are fine and healthy to drink an' there's a lot of cottages +built up by people who come there to stay a while. But I guess them +people have gone away. It ain't no place for health just at this time." + +"That's a certainty," said Colonel Winchester. + +"An' then there's the bridge, which, as we know, the cavalry has broke +down." + +"Fortunately. But can't we go a little faster, boys?" + +There was a well defined road and Shattuck now led them at a gallop. +As they approached the springs they checked their speed, owing to the +increasing darkness. But Dick's good ears soon told him that something +was happening at the springs. He heard faintly the sound of voices, +and the clank and rattle which many men with weapons cannot keep from +making now and then. + +"I'm afraid, sir," he said to Colonel Winchester, "that they're already +across." + +The little troop stopped at the command of its leader and all listened +intently. It was very dark now and the wood was moaning, but the columns +of air came directly from the wood, bearing clearly upon their crest the +noises made by regiments. + +"You're right, Dick," said Colonel Winchester, bitter mortification +showing in his tone. "They're there, and they're on our side of the +river. Oh, we might have known it! They say that Stonewall Jackson +never sleeps, and they make no mistake, when they call his infantry foot +cavalry!" + +Dick was silent. He shared his leader's intense disappointment, but he +knew that it was not for him to speak at this moment. + +"Mr. Shattuck," said Colonel Winchester, "how near do you think we can +approach without being seen?" + +"I know a neck of woods leading within a hundred yards of the cottages. +If we was to leave our horses here with a couple of men we could slip +down among the trees and bushes, and there ain't one chance in ten that +we'd be seen on so dark a night." + +"Then you lead us. Pawley, you and Woodfall hold the horses. Now follow +softly, lads! All of you have hunted the 'coon and 'possum at night, +and you should know how to step without making noise." + +Shattuck advanced with certainty, and the others, true to their training, +came behind him in single file, and without noise. But as they advanced +the sounds of an army ahead of them increased, and when they reached the +edge of the covert they saw a great Confederate division on their side +of the stream, in full possession of the cottages and occupying all the +ground about them. Many men were at work, restoring the wrecked bridge, +but the others were eating their suppers or were at rest. + +"There must be seven or eight thousand men here," said Dick, who did not +miss the full significance of the fact. + +"So it seems," said Warner, "and I'm afraid it bodes ill for General +Pope." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SPRINGING THE TRAP + + +Lying close in the bushes the little party watched the Southerners making +themselves ready for the night. The cottages were prepared for the +higher officers, but the men stacked arms in the open ground all about. +As well as they could judge by the light of the low fires, soldiers were +still crossing the river to strengthen the force already on the Union +side. + +Colonel Winchester suppressed a groan. Dick noticed that his face was +pallid in the uncertain shadows, and he understood the agony of spirit +that the brave man must suffer when he saw that they had been outflanked +by their enemy. + +Sergeant Whitley, moving forward a little, touched the colonel on the arm. + +"All the clouds that we saw a little further back," he said, "have +gathered together, an' the storm is about to bust. See, sir, how fast +the Johnnies are spreadin' their tents an' runnin' to shelter." + +"It's so, sergeant," said Colonel Winchester. "I was so much absorbed in +watching those men that I thank you for reminding me. We've seen enough +anyway and we'd better get back as fast as we can." + +They hurried through the trees and bushes toward their horses, taking no +particular pains now to deaden their footsteps, since the Southerners +themselves were making a good deal of noise as they took refuge. + +But the storm was upon them before they could reach their horses. +The last star was gone and the somber clouds covered the whole heavens. +The wind ceased to moan and the air was heavy with apprehension. Deep +and sullen thunder began to mutter on the southwestern horizon. Then +came a mighty crash and a great blaze of lightning seemed to cleave the +sky straight down the center. + +The lightning and thunder made Dick jump, and for a few moments he was +blinded by the electric glare. He heard a heavy sound of something +falling, and exclaimed: + +"Are any of you hurt?" + +"No," said Warner, who alone heard him, "but we're scared half to death. +When a drought breaks up I wish it wouldn't break up with such a terrible +fuss. Listen to that thunder again, won't you!" + +There was another terrible crash of thunder and the whole sky blazed with +lightning. Despite himself Dick shrank again. The first bolt had struck +a tree which had fallen within thirty feet of them, but the second left +this bit of the woods unscathed. + +A third and a fourth bolt struck somewhere, and then came the rush and +roar of the rain, driven on by a fierce wind out of the southwest. +The close, dense heat was swept away, and the first blasts of the rain +were as cold as ice. The little party was drenched in an instant, +and every one was shivering through and through with combined wet and +cold. + +The cessation of the lightning was succeeded by pitchy darkness, and the +roaring of the wind and rain was so great that they called loudly to one +another lest they lose touch in the blackness. Dick heard Warner on his +right, and he followed the sound of his voice. But before he went much +further his foot struck a trailing vine, and he fell so hard, his head +striking the trunk of a tree, that he lay unconscious. + +The cold rain drove so fiercely on the fallen boy's face and body that he +revived in two or three minutes, and stood up. He clapped his hand to +the left side of his head, and felt there a big bump and a sharp ache. +His weapons were still in his belt and he knew that his injuries were not +serious, but he heard nothing save the drive and roar of the wind and +rain. There was no calling of voices and no beat of footsteps. + +He divined at once that his comrades, wholly unaware of his fall, when +no one could either see or hear it, had gone on without missing him. +They might also mount their horses and gallop away wholly ignorant that +he was not among them. + +Although he was a little dazed, Dick had a good idea of direction and +he plunged through the mud which was now growing deep toward the little +ravine in which they had hitched their horses. All were gone, including +his own mount, and he had no doubt that the horse had broken or slipped +the bridle in the darkness and followed the others. + +He stood a while behind the trunk of a great tree, trying to shelter +himself a little from the rain, and listened. But he could hear neither +his friends leaving nor any foes approaching. The storm was of uncommon +fury. He had never seen one fiercer, and knowing that he had little to +dread from the Southerners while it raged he knew also that he must make +his way on foot, and as best he could, to his own people. + +Making a calculation of the direction and remembering that one might +wander in a curve in the darkness, he set off down the stream. He meant +to keep close to the banks of the Rappahannock, and if he persisted he +would surely come in time to Pope's army. The rain did not abate. +Both armies were flooded that night, but they could find some measure of +protection. To the scouts and skirmishers and to Dick, wandering through +the forest, nature was an unmitigated foe. + +But nothing could stop the boy. He was resolved to get back to the army +with the news that a heavy Southern force was across the Rappahannock. +Others might get there first with the fact, but one never knew. A +hundred might fall by the wayside, leaving it to him alone to bear the +message. + +He stumbled on. He was able to keep his cartridges dry in his pouch, +but that was all. His wet, cold clothes flapped around him and he +shivered to the bone. He could see only the loom of the black forest +before him, and sometimes he slipped to the waist in swollen brooks. +Then the wind shifted and drove the sheets of rain, sprinkled with hail, +directly in his face. He was compelled to stop a while and take refuge +behind a big oak. While he shivered in the shelter of the tree the only +things that he thought of spontaneously were dry clothes, hot food, +a fire and a warm bed. The Union and its fate, gigantic as they were, +slipped away from his mind, and it took an effort of the will to bring +them back. + +But his will made the effort, and recalling his mission he struggled on +again. He had the river on his right, and it now became an unfailing +guide. It had probably been raining much earlier in the mountains along +the headwaters and the flood was already pouring down. The river swished +high against its banks and once or twice, when he caught dim glimpses of +it through the trees, he saw a yellow torrent bearing much brushwood upon +its bosom. + +He had very little idea of his progress. It was impossible to judge of +pace under such circumstances. The army might be ten miles further on +or it might be only two. Then he found himself sliding down a muddy and +slippery bank. He grasped at weeds and bushes, but they slipped through +his hands. Then he shot into a creek, swollen by the flood, and went +over his head. + +He came up, gasping, struck out and reached the further shore. Here he +found bushes more friendly than the others and pulled himself upon the +bank. But he had lost everything. His belt had broken in his struggles, +and pistols, small sword and ammunition were gone. He would be helpless +against an enemy. Then he laughed at the idea. Surely enemies would not +be in search of him at such a time and such a place. + +Nevertheless when he saw an open space in front of him he paused at its +edge. He could see well enough here to notice a file of dim figures +riding slowly by. At first his heart leaped up with the belief that they +were Colonel Winchester and his own people, but they were going in the +wrong direction, and then he was able to discern the bedraggled and faded +Confederate gray. + +The horsemen were about fifty in number and most of them rode with the +reins hanging loose on their horses' necks. They were wrapped in cloaks, +but cloaks and uniforms alike were sodden. A stream of water ran from +every stirrup to the ground. + +Dick looked at them attentively. Near the head of the column but on +one side rode a soldierly figure, apparently that of a young man of +twenty-three or four. Just behind came three youths, and Dick's heart +fairly leaped when he saw the last of the three. He could not mistake +the figure, and a turning of the head caused him to catch a faint glimpse +of the face. Then he knew beyond all shadow of doubt. It was Harry and +he surmised that the other two were his comrades, St. Clair and Langdon, +whom he had met when they were burying the dead. + +Dick was so sodden and cold and wretched that he was tempted to call out +to them--the sight of Harry was like a light in the darkness--but the +temptation was gone in an instant. His way lay in another direction. +What they wished he did not wish, and while they fought for the triumph +of the South it was his business to endure and struggle on that he might +do his own little part for the Union. + +But despite the storm and his sufferings, he drew courage from nature +itself. While a portion of the Southern army was across it must be a +minor portion, and certainly the major part could not span such a flood +and attack. The storm and time allied were now fighting for Pope. + +He wandered away a little into the open fields in order to find easier +going, but he came back presently to the forest lining the bank of the +river, for fear he should lose his direction. The yellow torrent of the +Rappahannock was now his only sure guide and he stuck to it. He wondered +why the rain and wind did not die down. It was not usual for a storm so +furious to last so long, but he could not see any abatement of either. + +He became conscious after a while of a growing weakness, but he had +recalled all the powers of his will and it was triumphant over his body. +He trudged on on feet that were unconscious of sensation, and his face +as if the flesh were paralyzed no longer felt the beat of the rain. + +A mile or two further and in the swish of the storm he heard hoofbeats +again. Looking forth from the bushes he saw another line of horsemen, +but now they were going in the direction of Pope's army. Dick recognized +these figures. Shapeless as he might appear on his horse that was +Colonel Winchester, and there were the broad shoulders of Sergeant +Whitley and the figures of the others. + +He rushed through the dripping forest and shouted in a tone that could be +heard above the shriek of wind and rain. Colonel Winchester recognized +the voice, but the light was so dim that he did not recognize him from +whom it came. Certainly the figure that emerged from the forest did not +look human. + +"Colonel," cried Dick, "it is I, Richard Mason, whom you left behind!" + +"So it is," said Sergeant Whitley, keener of eye than the others. + +The whole troop set up a shout as Dick came forward, taking off his +dripping cap. + +"Why, Dick, it is you!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester in a tone of +immeasurable relief. "We missed you and your horse and hoped that you +were somewhere ahead. Your horse must have broken loose in the storm. +But here, you look as if you were nearly dead! Jump up behind me!" + +Dick made an effort, but his strength failed and he slipped back to +the ground. He had not realized that he was walking on his spirit and +courage and that his strength was gone, so powerful had been the buffets +of the wind and rain. + +The colonel reached down, gave him a hand and a strong pull, and with +a second effort Dick landed astride the horse behind the rider. Then +Colonel Winchester gave the word and the sodden file wound on again. + +"Dick," said the colonel, looking back over his shoulder, "you come as +near being a wreck as anything that I've seen in a long time. It's lucky +we found you." + +"It is, sir, and I not only look like a wreck but I feel like one. +But I had made up my mind to reach General Pope's camp, with the news of +the Confederates crossing, and I think I'd have done it." + +"I know you would. But what a night! What a night! Not many men can be +abroad at such a time. We have seen nothing." + +"But I have, sir." + +"You have! What did you see?" + +"A mile or two back I passed a line of Southern horsemen, just as wet and +bedraggled as ours." + +"Might they not have been our own men? It would be hard to tell blue and +gray apart on such a night." + +"One could make such a mistake, but in this case it was not possible. +I saw my own cousin, Harry Kenton, riding with them. I recognized them +perfectly." + +"Then that settles it. The Confederate scouts and cavalry are abroad +to-night also, and on our side of the river. But they must be few who +dare to ride in such a storm." + +"That's surely true, sir." + +But both Dick and his commanding officer were mistaken. They still +underrated the daring and resolution of the Confederate leaders, the +extraordinary group of men who were the very bloom and flower of +Virginia's military glory, the equal of whom--two at least being in the +very first rank in the world's history--no other country with so small a +population has produced in so short a time. + +Earlier in the day Stuart, full of enterprise, and almost insensible to +fatigue, had crossed the Rappahannock much higher up and at the head of a +formidable body of his horsemen, unseen by scouts and spies, was riding +around the Union right. They galloped into Warrenton where the people, +red hot as usual for the South, crowded around them cheering and laughing +and many of the women crying with joy. It was like Jackson and Stuart +to drop from the clouds this way and to tell them, although the land had +been occupied by the enemy, that their brave soldiers would come in time. + +News, where a Northern force could not have obtained a word, was poured +out for the South. They told Stuart that none of the Northern cavalry +was about, and that Pope's vast supply train was gathered at a little +point only ten miles to the southeast. Stuart shook his plumed head +until his long golden hair flew about his neck. Then he laughed aloud +and calling to his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great +spoil that waited upon quickness and daring. + +The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it reached +it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men. Despite +rain and darkness Stuart pushed on. He said afterward that it was the +darkest night he had ever seen. A captured negro guided them on the +final stage of the gallop and just when Dick was riding back to camp +behind Colonel Winchester, Stuart fell like a thunderbolt upon the supply +train and its guard. + +Stuart could not drive wholly away the Northern guard, which though +surprised, fought with great courage, but he burned the supply train, +then galloped off with prisoners, and Pope's own uniform, horses, +treasure chest and dispatch book. He found in the dispatch book minute +information about the movements of all the Union troops, and Pope's +belief that he ought to retreat from the river on Washington. Doubtless +the Confederate horseman shook his head again and again and laughed aloud, +when he put this book, more precious than jewels, inside his gold braided +tunic, to be taken to Lee and Jackson. + +But these things were all hidden from the little group of weary men +who rode into Pope's camp. Colonel Winchester carried the news of the +crossing--Early had made it--to the commander, and the rest sought the +best shelter to be found. Dick was lucky enough to be taken into a tent +that was thoroughly dry, and the sergeant who had followed him managed +to obtain a supply of dry clothing which would be ready for him when he +awoke. + +Dick did not revive as usual. He threw all of his clothing aside and +water flew where it fell, put on dry undergarments and crept between warm +blankets. Nevertheless he still felt cold, and he was amazed at his own +lack of interest in everything. He might have perished out there in the +stream, but what did it matter? He would probably be killed in some +battle anyway. Besides, their information about the crossing of the +rebels was of no importance either. The rebels might stay on their side +of the Rappahannock, or they might go back. It was all the same either +way. All things seemed, for the moment, useless to him. + +He began to shiver, but after a while he became so hot that he wanted +to throw off all the cover. But he retained enough knowledge and will +not to do so, and he sank soon into a feverish doze from which he was +awakened by the light of a lantern shining in his face. + +He saw Colonel Winchester and another man, a stranger, who held a small +leather case in his hand. But Dick was in such a dull and apathetic +state that he had no curiosity about them and he shut his eyes to keep +out the light of the lantern. + +"What is it, doctor?" he heard Colonel Winchester asking. + +"Chill and a little fever, brought on by exposure and exhaustion. +But he's a hardy youth. Look what a chest and shoulders! With the aid +of these little white pills of mine he'll be all right in the morning. +Colonel, Napoleon said that an army fights on its stomach, which I +suppose is true, but in our heavily watered and but partly settled +country, it must fight sometimes on a stomach charged with quinine." + +"I was afraid it might be worse. A dose or two then will bring him +around?" + +"Wish I could be so sure of a quick cure in every case. Here, my lad, +take two of these. A big start is often a good one." + +Dick raised his head obediently and took the two quinine pills. Soon he +sank into a condition which was as near stupor as sleep. But before he +passed into unconsciousness he heard the doctor say: + +"Wake him soon enough in the morning, Colonel, to take two more. What a +wonderful thing for our armies that we can get all the quinine we want! +The rebel supply, I know, is exhausted. With General Quinine on our side +we're bound to win." + +"But that isn't the only reason, doctor. Now--" Their voices trailed +away as Dick sank into oblivion. He had a dim memory of being awakened +the next morning and of swallowing two more pills, but in a minute or +two he sank back into a sleep which was neither feverish nor troubled. +When he awoke the dark had come a second time. The fever was wholly gone, +and his head had ceased to ache. + +Dick felt weak, but angry at himself for having broken down at such a +time, he sat up and began to put on the dry uniform that lay in the tent. +Then he was astonished to find how great his weakness really was, but he +persevered, and as he slipped on the tunic Warner came into the tent. + +"You've been asleep a long time," he said, looking at Dick critically. + +"I know it. I suppose I slept all through the night as well as the day." + +"And the great battle was fought without you." + +Dick started, and looked at his comrade, but Warner's eyes were twinkling. + +"There's been no battle, and you know it," Dick said. + +"No, there hasn't been any; there won't be any for several days at least. +That whopping big rain last night did us a service after all. It was +Early who crossed the river, and now he is in a way cut off from the rest +of the Southern army. We hear that he'll go back to the other side. +But Stuart has curved about us, raided our supply train and destroyed it. +And he's done more than that. He's captured General Pope's important +papers." + +"What does it mean for us?" + +"A delay, but I don't know anything more. I suppose that whatever is +going to happen will happen in its own good time. You feel like a man +again, don't you Dick? And you can have the consolation of knowing that +nothing has happened all day long when you slept." + +Dick finished his dressing, rejoined his regiment and ate supper with +the other officers around a fine camp fire. He found that he had a good +appetite, and as he ate strength flowed rapidly back into his veins. +He gathered from the talk of the older officers that they were still +hoping for a junction with McClellan before Lee and Jackson could attack. +They expected at the very least to have one hundred and fifty thousand +men in line, most of them veterans. + +But Dick saw Shepard again that evening. He had come from a long journey +and he reported great activity in the Southern camp. When Dick said +that Lee and Jackson would have to fight both Pope and McClellan the spy +merely replied: + +"Yes, if Pope and McClellan hurry." + +But Dick learned that night that Pope was not discouraged. He had an +army full of fighting power, and eager to meet its enemy. He began the +next day to move up the river in order that he might face Lee's whole +force as it attempted to cross at the upper fords. Their spirits +increased as they learned that Early, through fear of being cut off, +was going back to join the main Southern army. + +The ground had now dried up after the great storm, but the refreshed +earth took on a greener tinge, and the air was full of sparkle and life. +Dick had not seen such elasticity among the troops in a long time. +As they marched they spoke confidently of victory. One regiment took up +a song which had appeared in print just after the fall of Sumter: + + + "Men of the North and West, + Wake in your might. + Prepare as the rebels have done + For the fight. + You cannot shrink from the test; + Rise! Men of the North and West." + + +Another regiment took up the song, and soon many thousands were singing +it; those who did not know the words following the others. Dick felt +his heart beat and his courage mount high, as he sang with Warner and +Pennington the last verse: + + + "Not with words; they laugh them to scorn, + And tears they despise. + But with swords in your hands + And death in your eyes! + Strike home! Leave to God all the rest; + Strike! Men of the North and West!" + + +The song sung by so many men rolled off across the fields, and the woods +and the hills gave back the echo. + +"We will strike home!" exclaimed Dick, putting great emphasis on the +"will." "Our time for victory is at hand." + +"The other side may think they're striking home; too," said Warner, +speaking according to the directness of his dry mathematical mind. +"Then I suppose it will be a case of victory for the one that strikes +the harder for home." + +"That's a fine old mind of yours. Don't you ever feel any enthusiasm?" + +"I do, when the figures warrant it. But I must reckon everything with +care before I permit myself to feel joy." + +"I'm glad I'm not like you, Mr. Arithmetic, Mr. Algebra, Mr. Geometry and +Mr. Trigonometry." + +"You mustn't make fun of such serious matters, Dick. It would be a noble +thing to be the greatest professor of mathematics in the world." + +"Of course, George, but we wouldn't need him at this minute. But here +we are back at those cottages in which I saw the Southern officers +sheltering themselves. Well, they're ours again and I take it as a good +omen." + +"Yes, here we rest, as the French general said, but I don't know that I +care about resting much more. I've had about all I want of it." + +Nevertheless they spent the day quietly at the Sulphur Springs, and lay +down in peace that night. But the storm cloud, the blackest storm cloud +of the whole war so far, was gathering. + +Lee, knowing the danger of the junction between Pope and McClellan had +resolved to hazard all on a single stroke. He would divide his army. +Jackson, so well called "the striking arm," would pass far around through +the maze of hills and mountains and fall like a thunderbolt upon Pope's +flank. At the sound of his guns Lee himself would attack in front. + +As Dick and his young comrades lay down to sleep this march, the greatest +of Stonewall Jackson's famous turning movements, had begun already. +Jackson was on his horse, Little Sorrel, his old slouch hat drawn down +over his eyes, his head bent forward a little, and the great brain +thinking, always thinking. His face was turned to the North. + +Just a little behind Jackson rode one of his most trusted aides, Harry +Kenton, a mere youth in years, but already a veteran in service. Not far +away was the gallant young Sherburne at the head of his troop of cavalry, +and in the first brigade was the regiment of the Invincibles led by +Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant Colonel Hector St. Hilaire. +Never had the two colonels seemed more prim and precise, and not even in +youth had the fire of battle ever burned more brightly in their bosoms. + +Jackson meant to pass around his enemy's right, crossing the Bull Run +Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap, then strike the railway in Pope's rear. +Longstreet, one of the heaviest hitters of the South, meanwhile was to +worry Pope incessantly along the line of the Rappahannock, and when +Jackson attacked they were to drive him toward the northeast and away +from McClellan. + +The hot August night was one of the most momentous in American history, +and the next few days were to see the Union in greater danger than it +has ever stood either before or since. Perhaps it was not given to the +actors in the drama to know it then, but the retrospect shows it now. +The North had not attained its full fighting strength, and the genius of +the two great Southern commanders was at the zenith, while behind them +stood a group of generals, full of talent and fearless of death. + +Jackson had been directly before Sulphur Springs where Dick lay with the +division to which he belonged. But Jackson, under cover of the darkness, +had slipped away and the division of Longstreet had taken its place so +quietly that the Union scouts and spies, including Shepard himself, +did not know the difference. + +Jackson's army marched swiftly and silently, while that of Pope slept. +The plan of Lee was complicated and delicate to the last degree, but +Jackson, the mainspring in this organism, never doubted that he could +carry it out. His division soon left the rest of the army far behind, +as they marched steadily on over the hills, the fate of the nation almost +in the hollow of their hands. + +The foot cavalry of Jackson were proud of their ability that night. +They carried only three days' rations, expecting to feed off the enemy +at the end of that time. Near midnight they lay down and slept a while, +but long before dawn they were in line again marching over the hills and +across the mountains. There were skirmishers in advance on either side, +but they met no Union scouts. The march of Jackson's great fighting +column was still unseen and unsuspected. A single Union scout or a +message carried by a woman or child might destroy the whole plan, as a +grain of dust stops all the wheels and levers of a watch, but neither the +scout, the woman nor the child appeared. + +Toward dawn the marching Southerners heard far behind them the thunder of +guns along the Rappahannock. They knew that Longstreet had opened with +his batteries across the river, and that those of Pope were replying. +The men looked at one another. There was a deep feeling of excitement +and suspense among them. They did not know what all this marching meant, +but they had learned to trust the man who led them. He had led them only +to victory, and they did not doubt that he was doing so again. + +The march never paused for an instant. On they went, and the sound of +the great guns behind them grew fainter and fainter until it faded away. +Where were they going? Was it a raid on Washington? Were they to hurl +themselves upon Pope's rear, or was there some new army that they were to +destroy? + +Up swept the sun and the coolness left by the storm disappeared. The +August day began to blaze again with fierce burning heat, but there was +no complaint among Jackson's men. They knew now that they were on one of +his great turning movements, on a far greater scale than any hitherto, +and full of confidence, they followed in the wake of Little Sorrel. + +In the daylight now Jackson had scouts and skirmishers far in front and +on either flank. They were to blaze the way for the army and they made a +far out-flung line, through which no hostile scout could pass and see the +marching army within. At the close of the day they were still marching, +and when the sun was setting Jackson stood by the dusty roadside and +watched his men as they passed. For the first time in that long march +they broke through restraint and thundering cheers swept along the whole +line as they took off their caps to the man whom they deemed at once +their friend and a very god of war. The stern Jackson giving way so +seldom to emotion was heard to say to himself: + +"Who can fail to win battles with such men as these?" + +Jackson's column did not stop until midnight. They had been more than +twenty-four hours on the march, and they had not seen a hostile soldier. +Harry Kenton himself did not know where they were going. But he lay down +and gratefully, like the others, took the rest that was allowed to him. +But a few hours only and they were marching again under a starry sky. +Morning showed the forest lining the slopes of the mountains and then all +the men seemed to realize suddenly which way they were going. + +This was the road that led to Pope. It was not Washington, or Winchester, +or some unknown army, but their foe on the Rappahannock that they were +going to strike. A deep murmur of joy ran through the ranks, and the men +who had now been marching thirty hours, with but little rest, suddenly +increased their speed. Knowledge had brought them new strength. + +They entered the forest and passed into Thoroughfare Gap, which leads +through Bull Run Mountain. The files narrowed now and stretched out in a +longer line. This was a deep gorge, pines and bushes lining the summits +and crests. The confined air here was closer and hotter than ever, +but the men pressed on with undiminished speed. + +Harry Kenton felt a certain awe as he rode behind Jackson, and looked up +at the lofty cliffs that enclosed them. The pines along the summit on +either side were like long, green ribbons, and he half feared to see men +in blue appear there and open fire on those in the gorge below. But +reason told him that there was no such danger. No Northern force could +be on Bull Run Mountain. + +Harry had not asked a question during all that march. He had not +known where they were going, but like all the soldiers he had supreme +confidence in Jackson. He might be going to any of a number of places, +but the place to which he was going was sure to be the right place. +Now as he rode in the pass he knew that they were bound for the rear of +Pope's army. Well, that would be bad for Pope! Harry had no doubt of it. + +They passed out of the gap, leaving the mountain behind them, and swept +on through two little villages, and over the famous plateau of Manassas +Junction which many of them had seen before in the fire and smoke of the +war's first terrible day. Here were the fields and hills over which they +had fought and won the victory. Harry recognized at once the places +which had been burned so vividly into his memory, and he considered it a +good omen. + +Not so far away was Washington, and so strongly was Harry's imagination +impressed that he believed he could have seen through powerful glasses +and from the crest of some tall hill that they passed, the dome of the +Capitol shining in the August sun. He wondered why there was no attack, +nor even any alarm. The cloud of dust that so many thousands of marching +men made could be seen for miles. He did not know that Sherburne and the +fastest of the rough riders were now far in front, seizing every Union +scout or sentinel, and enabling Jackson's army to march on its great +turning movement wholly unknown to any officer or soldier of the North. +Soon he would stand squarely between Pope and Washington. + +Before noon, Stuart and his wild horsemen joined them and their spirits +surged yet higher. All through the afternoon the march continued, +and at night Jackson fell upon Pope's vast store of supplies, surprising +and routing the guard. Taking what he could use he set fire to the rest +and the vast conflagration filled the sky. + +Night came with Jackson standing directly in the rear of Pope. The trap +had been shut down, and it was to be seen whether Pope was strong enough +to break from it. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE SECOND MANASSAS + + +The sunbeams seemed fairly to dance over the dusty earth. The dust was +not only over the earth, but over everything, men, animals, wagons and +tents. Dick Mason who had struggled so hard through a storm but a few +nights ago now longed for another like it. Anything to get away from +this blinding blaze. + +But he soon forgot heat and dust. He was conscious of a great quiver +and thrill running through the whole army. Something was happening. +Something had happened, but nobody knew what. Warner and Pennington felt +the same quiver and thrill, because they looked at him as if in inquiry. +Colonel Winchester showed it, too. He said nothing, but gazed uneasily +toward the Northern horizon. Dick found himself looking that way also. +Along the Rappahannock there was but little firing now, and he began to +forget the river which had loomed so large in the affairs of the armies. +Perhaps the importance of the Rappahannock had passed. + +It was said that Pope himself with his staff had ridden away toward +Washington, but Dick did not know. Far off toward the capital he +saw dust clouds, but he concluded that they must be made by marching +reinforcements. + +The long hot hours dragged and then came a messenger. It was Shepard who +had reported to headquarters and who afterwards came over to the shade +of a tree where Colonel Winchester and his little staff were gathered. +He was on the verge of exhaustion. He was black under the eyes and the +veins of his neck were distended. Dust covered him from head to foot. +He threw himself on the ground and drank deeply from a canteen of cool +water that Dick handed to him. All saw that Shepard, the spy, the man +whose life was a continual danger, who had never before shown emotion, +was in a state of excitement, and if they waited a little he would speak +of his own accord. + +Shepard took the canteen from his lips, drew several long deep breaths of +relief and said: + +"Do you know what I have seen?" + +"I don't, but I infer from your manner, Shepard, that it must be of great +importance," said Colonel Winchester. + +"I've seen Stonewall Jackson at the head of half of Lee's army behind us! +Standing between us and Washington!" + +"What! Impossible! How could he get there?" + +"It's possible, because it's been done--I've seen the rebel army behind +us. In these civilian clothes of mine, I've been in their ranks, and +I've talked with their men. While they were amusing us here on the +Rappahannock with their cannon, Jackson with the best of the army crossed +the river higher up, passed through Thoroughfare Gap, marching two or +three days before a soul of ours knew it, and then struck our great camp +at Bristoe Station." + +"Shepard, you must be sunstruck!" + +"My mind was never clearer. What I saw at close range General Pope +himself saw at long range. He and his staff and a detachment came near +enough to see the looting and burning of all our stores--I don't suppose +so many were ever gathered together before. But I was right there. +You ought to have seen the sight, Colonel, when those ragged rebels who +had been living on green corn burst into our camp. I've heard about the +Goths and Vandals coming down on Rome and it must have been something +like it. They ate as I never saw anybody eat before, and then throwing +away their rags they put on our new uniforms which were stored there in +thousands. At least half the rebel army must now be wearing the Union +blue. And the way they danced about and sang was enough to make a loyal +man's heart sick." + +"You told all this to General Pope?" + +"I did, sir, but I could not make him believe the half of it. He insists +that it can only be a raiding detachment, that it is impossible for a +great army to have come to such a place. But, sir, I was among them. +I know Stonewall Jackson, and I saw him with my own eyes. He was there +at the head of thirty thousand men, and we've already lost stores worth +millions and millions. Jeb Stuart was there, too. I saw him. And I saw +Munford, who leads Jackson's cavalry since the death of Turner Ashby. +Oh, they'll find out soon enough that it's Jackson. We're trapped, sir! +I tell you we're trapped, and our own commander-in-chief won't believe +it. Good God, Colonel, the trap has shut down on us and if we get out +of it we've got to be up and doing! This is no time for waiting!" + +Colonel Winchester saw from the rapidity and emphasis with which Shepard +spoke that his excitement had increased, but knowing the man's great +devotion to the Union he had no rebuke for his plain speech. + +"You have done splendid work, Mr. Shepard," he said, "and the commander- +in-chief will recognize what great risks you have run for the cause. +I've no doubt that the accuracy of your reports will soon be proved." + +Colonel Winchester in truth believed every word that Shepard had said, +sinister though they were. He said that Jackson was behind them, that +he had done the great destruction at Bristoe Station and he had not the +slightest doubt that Jackson was there. + +Shepard flushing a little with gratification at Colonel Winchester's +praise quickly recovered his customary self possession. Once more he was +the iron-willed, self-contained man who daily dared everything for the +cause he served. + +"Thank you, Colonel," he said, "I've got to go out and get a little food +now. All I say will be proved soon enough." + +The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of +Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which +should mark the approach of Jackson. + +"We've been outmaneuvered," said Warner to Dick, "but it's no reason why +we should be outfought." + +"No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the +world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash +their old trap all to pieces." + +"If our generals will only give us a chance." + +Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified +almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch +after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been +at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning. + +"Now is our chance," said Dick to his comrades, "why doesn't the general +move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his help?" + +"I'm praying for it," said Warner. + +"From what I hear it's going to be done," said Pennington. + +Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched +on Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in +the heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including +Colonel Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place +of a few houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through +which Jackson had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did not +expect to find anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look. + +Dick rode by the side of his colonel ready for any command, but the +mystery, and uncertainty had begun to weigh upon him again. It seemed +when they had the first news that Jackson was behind them, that they had +a splendid opportunity to turn upon him and annihilate him before Lee +could come. But he was gone. They had looked upon the smoldering ruins +of their great supply camp, but they had found there no trace of a +Confederate soldier. Was Harry Kenton right, when he told them they +could not beat Jackson? He asked himself angrily why the man would not +stay and fight. He believed, too, that he must be off there somewhere to +the right, and he listened eagerly but vainly for the distant throb of +guns in the east. + +A cloud of dust hovered over the ten thousand as they marched on in the +blazing sunshine. The country was well peopled, but all the inhabitants +had disappeared save a few, and from not one of these could they obtain a +scrap of information. + +Dick noticed through the dusty veil a heavy wood on their left extending +for a long distance. Then as in a flash, he saw that the whole forest +was filled with troops, and he saw also two batteries galloping from it +toward the crest of a ridge. It occurred to him instantly that here was +the army of Jackson, and others who saw had the same instinctive belief. + +There was a flash and roar from the batteries. Shot and shell cut +through the clouds of dust and among the ranks of the men in blue. +Now came from the forest a vast shout, the defiant rebel yell and nobody +in the column doubted that Jackson was there. He had swung away toward +the Gap, where Lee could come to him more readily, and he would fight the +whole Union army until Lee came up. + +As the roar of the first discharge from the batteries was dying swarms of +skirmishers sprang up from ambush and poured a storm of bullets upon the +Union front and flanks. A cry as of anguish arose from the column and it +reeled back, but the men, many of them hardy young farmers from the West, +men of staunch stuff, were eager to get at the enemy and the terrible +surprise could not daunt them. Uttering a tremendous shout they charged +directly upon the Southern force. + +It was a case largely of vanguards, the main forces not yet having come +up, but the two detachments charged into each other with a courage and +fierceness that was astounding. In a minute the woods and fields were +filled with fire and smoke, and hissing shells and bullets. Men fell by +hundreds, but neither side yielded. The South could not drive away the +North and the North could not hurl back the South. + +The field of battle became a terrible and deadly vortex. The fire of the +opposing lines blazed in the faces of each other. Often they were only +three or four score yards apart. Ewell, Jackson's ablest and most +trusted lieutenant, fell wounded almost to death, and lay long upon the +field. Other Southern generals fell also, and despite their superior +numbers they could not drive back the North. + +Dick never had much recollection of the combat, save a reek of fire and +smoke in which men fought. He saw Colonel Winchester's horse pitch +forward on his head and springing from his own he pulled the half-stunned +colonel to his feet. Both leaped aside just in time to avoid Dick's own +falling horse, which had been slain by a shell. Then the colonel ran up +and down the lines of his men, waving his sword and encouraging them to +stand fast. + +The Southern lines spread out and endeavored to overlap the Union men, +but they were held back by a deep railroad cut and masses of felled +timber. The combat redoubled in fury. Cannon and rifles together made +a continuous roar. Both sides seemed to have gone mad with the rage of +battle. + +The Southern generals astonished at such a resistance by a smaller force, +ordered up more men and cannon. The Union troops were slowly pushed back +by the weight of numbers, but then the night, the coming of which neither +had noticed, swept down suddenly upon them, leaving fifteen hundred men, +nearly a third of those engaged, fallen upon the small area within which +the two vanguards had fought. + +But the Union men did not retreat far. Practically, they were holding +their ground, when the darkness put an end to the battle, and they were +full of elation at having fought a draw with superior numbers of the +formidable Jackson. Dick, although exultant, was so much exhausted that +he threw himself upon the ground and panted for breath. When he was able +to rise he looked for Warner and Pennington and found them uninjured. +So was Sergeant Whitley, but the sergeant, contrary to his custom, +was gloomy. + +"What's the matter, sergeant?" exclaimed Dick in surprise. "Didn't we +give 'em a great fight?" + +"Splendid, Mr. Mason, I don't believe that troops ever fought better than +ours did. But we're not many here. Where's all the rest of our army? +Scattered, while I'm certain that Jackson with twenty-five or thirty +thousand men is in front of us, with more coming. We'll fall back. +We'll have to do it before morning." + +The sergeant on this occasion had the power of divination. An hour +after midnight the whole force which had fought with so much heroism +was withdrawn. It was a strange night to the whole Union army, full of +sinister omens. + +Pope, in his quest for Jackson, had heard about sunset the booming of +guns in the west, but he could not believe that the Southern general +was there. Many of his dispatches had been captured by the hard-riding +cavalry of Stuart. His own division commanders had lost touch with him. +It was not possible for him to know what to do until morning, and no +one could tell him. Meanwhile Longstreet was advancing in the darkness +through the Gap to reinforce Jackson. + +Dick had found another horse belonging to a slain owner, and, in the +darkness, his heart full of bitterness, he rode back beside Colonel +Winchester toward Manassas. Could they never win a big victory in the +east? The men were brave and tenacious. They had proved it over and +over again, but they were always mismanaged. It seemed to him that they +were never sent to the right place at the right time. + +Nevertheless, many of the Northern generals, able and patriotic, achieved +great deeds before the dawn of that momentous morning. Messengers +were riding in the darkness in a zealous attempt to gather the forces +together. There was yet abundant hope that they could crush Jackson +before Lee came, and in the darkness brigade after brigade marched toward +Warrenton. + +Dick, after tasting all the bitterness of retreat, felt his hopes rise +again. They had not really been beaten. They had fought a superior +force of Jackson's own men to a standstill. He could never forget that. +He cherished it and rolled it under his tongue. It was an omen of what +was to come. If they could only get leaders of the first rank they would +soon end the war. + +He found himself laughing aloud in the anticipation of what Pope's Army +of Virginia would do in the coming day to the rebels. It might even +happen that McClellan with the Army of the Potomac would also come upon +the field. And then! Lee and Jackson thought they had Pope in a trap! +Pope and McClellan would have them between the hammer and the anvil, +and they would be pounded to pieces! + +"Here, stop that foolishness, Dick! Quit, I say, quit it at once!" + +It was Warner who was speaking, and he gripped Dick's arm hard, while he +peered anxiously into his face. + +"What's the matter with you?" he continued. "What do you find to laugh +at? Besides, I don't like the way you laugh." + +Dick shook himself, and then rubbed his hand across his brow. + +"Thanks, George," he said. "I'm glad you called me back to myself. +I was thinking what would happen to the enemy if McClellan and the Army +of the Potomac came up also, and I was laughing over it." + +"Well, the next time, don't you laugh at a thing until it happens. +You may have to take your laugh back." + +Dick shook himself again, and the nervous excitement passed. + +"You always give good advice, George," he said. "Do you know where we +are?" + +"I couldn't name the place, but we're not so far from Warrenton that we +can't get back there in a short time and tackle Jackson again. Dick, +see all those moving lights to right and left of us. They're the +brigades coming up in the night. Isn't it a weird and tremendous scene? +You and I and Pennington will see this night over and over again, many +and many a time." + +"It's so, George," said Dick, "I feel the truth of what you say all +through me. Listen to the rumble of the cannon wheels! I hear 'em on +both sides of us, and behind us, and I've no doubt, too, that it's going +on before us, where the Southerners are massing their batteries. How the +lights move! It's the field of Manassas again, and we're going to win +this time!" + +All of Dick's senses were excited once more, and everything he saw was +vivid and highly colored. Warner, cool of blood as he habitually was, +had no words of rebuke for him now, because he, too, was affected in the +same way. The fields and plains of Manassas were alive not alone with +marching armies, but the ghosts of those who had fallen there the year +before rose and walked again. + +Despite the darkness everything swelled into life again for Dick. +Off there was the little river of Manassas, Young's Branch, the railway +station, and the Henry House, around which the battle had raged so +fiercely. They would have won the victory then if it had not been for +Stonewall Jackson. If he had not been there the war would have been +ended on that sanguinary summer day. + +But Jackson was in front of them now, and they had him fast. Lee and +Jackson had thought to trap Pope, but Jackson himself was in the trap, +and they would destroy him utterly. His admiration for the great +Southern general had changed for the time into consuming rage. They must +overwhelm him, annihilate him, sweep him from the face of the earth. + +They mounted again and moved back, but did not go far. + +"Get down, Dick," said Colonel Winchester. "Here's food for us, and hot +coffee. I don't remember myself how long we've been in the saddle and +how long we've been without food, but we mustn't go into battle until +we've eaten." + +Dick was the last of the officers to dismount. He, too, did not remember +how long they had been in the saddle. He could not say at that moment, +whether it had been one night or two. He ate and drank mechanically, +but hungrily--the Union army nearly always had plenty of stores--and then +he felt better and stronger. + +A faint bluish tint was appearing under the gray horizon in the east. +Dick felt the touch of a light wind on his forehead. The dawn was coming. + +Yes, the dawn was coming, but it was coming heavy with sinister omens and +the frown of battle. Before the bluish tint in the east had turned to +silver Dick heard the faint and far thudding of great guns, and closer a +heavy regular beat which he knew was the gallop of cavalry. Surely the +North could not fail now. Fierce anger against those who would break up +the Union surged up in him again. + +The gray came at last, driving the bluish tint away, and the sun rose hot +and bright over the field of Manassas which already had been stained with +the blood of one fierce battle. But now the armies were far greater. +Nearly a hundred and fifty thousand men were gathering for the combat, +and Dick was still hoping that McClellan would come with seventy or +eighty thousand more. But within the Confederate lines, where they must +always win and never lose, because losing meant to lose all there was +a stern determination to shatter Pope and his superior numbers before +McClellan could come. Never had the genius and resolution of the two +great Southern leaders burned more brightly. + +As the brazen sun swung slowly up Dick felt that the intense nervous +excitement he had felt the night before was seizing him again. The +officers of the regiment remained on foot. Colonel Winchester had sent +their horses away to some cavalrymen who had lost their own. He and his +staff and other officers, dismounted, could lead the men better into +battle. + +And that it was battle, great and bloody, the youngest of them all could +see. Never had an August day been brighter and hotter. Every object +seemed to swell into new size in the vivid and burning sunlight. Plain +before them lay Jackson's army. Two of his regiments were between them +and a turnpike that Dick remembered well. Off to the left ran the dark +masses in gray, until they ended against a thick wood. In the center was +a huge battery, and Dick from his position could see the mouths of the +cannon waiting for them. + +But he also saw the great line of the Northern Army. It was both deeper +and longer than that of the South, and he knew that the men were full of +resolve and courage. + +"How many have we got here?" Dick heard himself asking Warner. + +"Forty or fifty thousand, I suppose," he heard Warner replying, "and +before night there will be eighty thousand. Our line is two miles long +now. We ought to wrap around Jackson and crush him to death. Listen +to the bugles! What a mellow note! And how they draw men on to death! +And listen to the throbbing of the big cannon, too!" + +Warner's face was flushed. He had become excited, as the two armies +stood there, and looked at each other a moment or two like prize fighters +in the ring before closing in battle. Then they heard the order to +charge and far up and down the line their own cannon opened with a crash +so great that Dick and his comrades could not hear one another talking. + +Then they charged. The whole army lifted itself up and rushed at the +enemy, animated by patriotism, the fire of battle and the desire for +revenge. Among the officers were Milroy and Schenck and others who had +been beaten by Jackson in the valley. There, too, was the brigade of +Germans whom Jackson had beaten at Cross Keyes. Many of them were +veterans of the sternest discipline known in Europe and they longed +fiercely for revenge. And there were more Germans, too, under Schurz-- +hired Germans, fighting nearly a hundred years before to prevent the +Union--and free Germans now fighting to save it. + +Driven forward thus by all the motives that sway men in battle, the Union +army rushed upon Jackson. Confident from many victories and trusting +absolutely in their leader the Southern defense received the mighty +charge without flinching. The wood now swarmed with riflemen and they +filled the air with their bullets, so many of them that their passage was +like the continual rush of a hurricane. Along the whole line came the +same metallic scream, and the great battery in the center was a volcano, +pouring forth a fiery hurricane of shot and shell. + +Dick felt their front lines being shorn. Although he was untouched it +was an actual physical sensation. He could see but little save that +fearful blaze in their faces, and the cries of the wounded and dying were +drowned by the awful roar of so many cannon and rifles. + +The cloud of dust and smoke had become immense and overwhelming in an +instant, but it was pierced always in front by the blaze of fire, and +by its flaming light Dick saw the long lines of the Southern men, their +faces gray and fixed, as he knew those of his own comrades were. + +But the charge, brave, even reckless, failed. The brigades broke in vain +on Jackson's iron front. Riddled by the fire of the great battery and of +the riflemen they could not go on and live. The Germans had longed for +revenge, but they did not get it. The South Carolinians fell upon them +at the edge of the wood and hurled them back. They rallied, and charged +again, but again they were handled terribly, and were forced back by the +charging masses of the Southerners. + +Dick had been at Shiloh. He had seen the men of the west in a great +battle, and now he saw the men of the east in a battle yet greater. +There it had been largely in the forest, here it was mostly in the open, +yet he saw but little more. One of the extraordinary features of this +battle was dust. Trampled up from the dry fields by fighting men in +scores of thousands it rose in vast floating clouds that permeated +everything. It was even more persistent than the smoke. It clogged +Dick's throat. It stung and burnt him like powder. Often it filled his +eyes so completely that for a moment or two he could not see the blaze +of the cannon and rifle fire, almost in his face. + +But as they fell back he felt again that sensation of actual physical +pain, although he was still untouched. Added to it was an intense mental +anguish. They were failing! They had been driven back! They had +not crushed Jackson! He forgot all about Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades Warner and Pennington. He forgot all about his own danger in +this terrible reversal of his hopes, and he began to shout angrily at +the men to stand. He did not know by and by that no sound came from his +mouth, that words could not come from a throat so choked with dust and +burned gunpowder. + +But the charge was made again. The thudding great guns now told all the +Northern divisions where Jackson was. The eighty thousand men of Pope +were crowding forward to attack him, and the batteries were galloping +over the plateau to add to the volume of shot and shell that was poured +upon the Southern ranks. + +Dick was quite unconscious of the passage of time. Hope had sprung anew +in his breast. He heard a report that ten thousand fresh troops under +Kearney had arrived and were attacking the Southerners in the wood. +He knew by the immense volume of fire coming from that point that the +report was true, and he heard that McDowell, too, would soon be at hand +with nearly thirty thousand men. + +Then he saw Colonel Winchester, his face a mass of grime and his clothing +flecked with blood. But he did not seem to have suffered any wound and +he was calmly rallying his men. + +"It's hot!" Dick shouted, why he knew not. + +"Yes, my boy, and it will soon be hotter! Look at the new brigades +coming into battle! See them on both right and left! We'll crush +Jackson yet!" + +It was now mid-morning, and neither Colonel Winchester nor any other of +the Northern officers facing the Southern force knew that Lee and the +other Southern army was at hand. The front ranks of Longstreet were +already in battle, and the most difficult and dangerous of all tasks was +accomplished. Two armies coming from points widely divergent, but acting +in concert had joined upon the field of battle at the very moment when +the junction meant the most. Lee had come, but McClellan and the Army +of the Potomac were far away. + +Dick heard the trumpets calling again, and once more they charged, +hurling heavy masses now upon the wood, which was held by the Southern +general, A. P. Hill. Rifle fire gave way to bayonet charges by either +side, and after swaying back and forth the Union men held the wood for a +while, but at last they were driven out to stay, and as they retreated +cannon and rifles decimated their ranks. + +The regiment had suffered so terribly that after its retreat it was +compelled to lie down a while and rest. Dick gasped for breath, but he +was not as much excited as he had been earlier in the day. Perhaps one +can become hardened to anything. Although he and his immediate comrades +were resting he could see no diminution of the battle. + +As far to left and right as the eye reached, cannon and rifles blazed +and thundered. In front of their own exhausted regiment hundreds of +sharpshooters, creeping forward, were now pouring a deadly fire among +the Southern troops who held the wood. They were men of the west and +northwest, accustomed all their lives to the use of firearms, and if a +Confederate officer in the forest showed himself for a moment it was at +the risk of his life. Captains and lieutenants fell fast beneath the aim +of the sharpshooters. + +The burning sun was at the zenith, pouring fiery rays upon the vast +conflict which raged along a front of two miles. Pope himself was now +upon the field and his troops were pouring from every point to his aid. +So deadly was the fire of the sharpshooters that they regained the wood, +driving out the Southerners who had exhausted their cartridges. Hill's +division of the Confederates was almost cut to pieces by the cannon +and rifles, and the Southern leaders from their posts on the hills saw +brigades and regiments continually coming to the help of the North. + +Dick saw or rather felt the fortunes of the North rising again, and as +his regiment stood up for action once more he began to shout with the +others in triumph. The roar of the battle grew so steady that the voices +of men became audible and articulate beneath it. + +"They shut their trap down upon us, but we're breaking that trap all to +pieces," he heard Pennington say. + +"Looks as if we might win a victory," said the cooler Warner. + +Then he heard no more, as they were once again upon the enemy who +received them almost hand to hand, and the battle swelled anew. It was +now long past noon, and in that prodigious canopy of dust and fire and +smoke it seemed for a while that the Union army in truth had shattered +the trap. The men in gray were borne back by the courage and weight of +their opponents. Hooker, Kearney, Reynolds and all the gallant generals +of the North continually urged on their troops. Confidence in victory +at last passed through all the army, and incited it to greater efforts. + +But Jackson was undaunted. Never was he cooler. Never did his genius +shine more brilliantly. Never did any man in all the fury and turmoil +of battle, amid a thousand conflicting reports and appalling confusion, +have a keener perception, a greater power to sum up what was actually +passing, and a better knowledge of what to do. + +Lee was a mile away, standing on a wooded hill, the bearded Longstreet by +his side, watching the battle in his immediate front, where accumulating +masses under Pope's own eye were gathering. On the other flank where +Jackson stood and the conflict was heaviest he trusted all to his great +lieutenant and not in vain. + +Jackson had formed his plan. There came for a few moments a lull in the +battle which had now lasted nine hours, and then gathering a powerful +reserve he sent them charging through the wood with the bayonet. Dick +saw the massive line of glittering steel coming on at the double quick +and he felt his regiment giving back. The men could not help it. +Physically exhausted and with ammunition running low they slowly yielded +the wood. Many of the youths wept with rage, but although they had lost +thousands in five desperate charges they were compelled to see all five +fail. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Warner through the smoke. + +"It's true!" gasped Warner, "we didn't break the trap, Dick. But maybe +they'll succeed off there to the left! Our own commander is there, +and they say that Lee himself has come to the help of Jackson!" + +They had been driven back at all points and their own battle was dying, +but off to the left it thundered a while longer, and then as night +suddenly rushed over the field it, too, sank, leaving the hostile forces +on that wing also still face to face, but with the North pushed back. + +The coming of night was as sudden to Dick as if it had been the abrupt +dropping of a great dark blanket. In the fury of conflict he had not +noticed the gathering shadows in the west. The dimness around him, +if he had taken time to think about it, he would have ascribed to the +vast columns of dust that eddied and surged about. + +Again it was the dust that he felt and remembered. The surging back and +forth of seven score thousand men, the tread of horses and the wheels +of hundreds of cannon raised it in such quantities that it covered the +forest and the armies with a vast whitish curtain. Even in the darkness +it showed dim and ghastly like a funeral veil. + +Out of that fatal forest came a dreadful moaning. Dick did not know +whether it was the wind among the leaves or the dying. Once more the +ghosts of the year before walked the fatal field, but the ghosts of this +year would be a far greater company. They had not broken the trap and +Dick knew that the battle was far from over. + +It would be renewed in the morning with greater fierceness than ever, +but he was grateful for the present darkness and rest. He and his +comrades had thrown themselves upon the ground, and they felt as if they +could never move again. Their bones did not ache. They merely felt dead +within them. + +Dick was roused after a long time. The camp cooks were bringing food +and coffee. He saw a figure lying at his feet as still as death, and he +shoved it with his foot. + +"Get up, Frank," he said. "You're not dead." + +"No, I'm not, but I'm as good as dead. You just let me finish dying in +peace." + +Dick shoved him again and Pennington sat up. When he saw the food and +coffee he suddenly remembered to be hungry. Warner was already eating +and drinking. Off to the left they still heard cannon and rifles, +although the sound was sinking. Occasionally flashes from the mouths of +the great guns illumined the darkness. + +Dick did not know what time it was. He had no idea how long he had +been lying upon the ground panting, the air surcharged with menace and +suspense. The vast clouds of dust, impregnated with burned gunpowder +still floated about, and it scorched his mouth and throat as he breathed +it. + +The boys, after eating and drinking lay down again. They still heard the +firing of pickets, but it was no more than the buzzing of bees to them, +and after a while they fell into the sleep of nervous and physical +exhaustion. But while many of the soldiers slept all of the generals +were awake. + +It was a singular fact but in the night that divided the great battle of +the Second Manassas into two days both sides were full of confidence. +Jackson's men, who had borne the brunt of the first day, rested upon +their arms and awaited the dawn with implicit confidence in their leader. +On the other flank Lee and Longstreet were massing their men for a fresh +attack. + +The losses within the Union lines were replaced by reinforcements. +Pope rode among them, sanguine, full of hope, telegraphing to Washington +that the enemy had lost two to his one, and that Lee was retreating +toward the mountains. + +Dick slept uneasily through the night, and rose to another hot August +sun. Then the two armies looked at each other and it seemed that each +was waiting for the other to begin, as the morning hours dragged on and +only the skirmishers were busy. During this comparative peace, the heavy +clouds of dust were not floating about, and Dick whose body had come to +life again walked back and forth with his colonel, gazing through their +glasses at the enemy. He scarcely noticed it, but Colonel Winchester's +manner toward him had become paternal. The boy merely ascribed it to the +friendly feeling an officer would feel for a faithful aide, but he knew +that he had in his colonel one to whom he could speak both as a friend +and a protector. Walking together they talked freely of the enemy who +stood before them in such an imposing array. + +"Colonel," said Dick, "do you think General Pope is correct in stating +that one wing of the Southern army is already retreating through +Thoroughfare Gap?" + +"I don't, Dick. I don't think it is even remotely probable. I'm quite +sure, too, that we have the whole Confederate army in front of us. +We'll have to beat both Lee and Jackson, if we can." + +"Where do you think the main attack will be?" + +"On Jackson, who is still in front of us. But we have waited a long +time. It must be full noon now." + +"It is past noon, sir, but I hear the trumpets, calling up our men." + +"They are calling to us, too." + +The regiment shifted a little to the right, where a great column was +forming for a direct attack upon the Confederate lines. Twenty thousand +men stood in a vast line and forty thousand were behind them to march in +support. + +Dick had thought that he would be insensible to emotions, but his heart +began to throb again. The spectacle thrilled and awed him--the great +army marching to the attack and the resolute army awaiting it. Soon he +heard behind him the firing of the artillery which sent shot and shell +over their heads at the enemy. A dozen cannon came into action, then +twenty, fifty, a hundred and more, and the earth trembled with the mighty +concussion. + +Dick felt the surge of triumph. They had yet met no answering fire. +Perhaps General Pope and not Colonel Winchester had been right after all, +and the Confederates were crushed. Awaiting them was only a rear guard +which would flee at the first flash of the bayonets in the wood. + +The great line marched steadily onward, and the cannon thundered and +roared over the heads of the men raking the wood with steel. Still +no reply. Surely the sixty thousand Union men would now march over +everything. They were driving in the swarms of skirmishers. Dick could +see them retreating everywhere, in the wood over the hills and along an +embankment. + +Warner was on his right and Pennington on his left. Dick glanced at them +and he saw the belief in speedy victory expressed on the faces of both. +It seemed to him, too, that nothing could now stop the massive columns +that Pope was sending forward against the thinned ranks of the +Confederates. + +They were much nearer and he saw gray lines along an embankment and in a +wood. Then above the crash and thunder of their covering artillery he +heard another sound. It was the Southern bugles calling with a piercing +note to their own men just as the Northern trumpets had called. + +Dick saw a great gray multitude suddenly pour forward. It looked to him +in the blur and the smoke like an avalanche, and in truth it was a human +avalanche, a far greater force of the South than they expected to meet +there. Directly in front of the Union column stood the Stonewall Brigade, +and all the chosen veterans of Stonewall Jackson's army. + +"It's a fight, face to face," Dick heard Colonel Winchester say. + +Then he saw a Union officer, whose name he did not know suddenly gallop +out in front of the division, wave his saber over his head and shout +the charge. A tremendous rolling cry came from the blue ranks and Dick +physically felt the whole division leap forward and rush at the enemy. + +Dick saw the officer who had made himself the leader of the charge gallop +straight at a breastwork that the Southerners had built, reach and stand, +horse and rider, a moment at the top, then both fall in a limp heap. +The next instant the officer, not dead but wounded, was dragged a +prisoner behind the embankment by generous foes who had refused to shoot +at him until compelled to do so. + +The Union men, with a roar, followed their champion, and Dick felt a +very storm burst upon them. The Southerners had thrown up earthworks at +midnight and thousands of riflemen lying behind them sent in a fire at +short range that caused the first Union line to go down like falling +grain. Cannon from the wood and elsewhere raked them through and through. + +It was a vortex of fire and death. The Confederates themselves were +losing heavily, but taught by the stern Jackson and knowing that his eye +was upon them they refused to yield. The Northern charge broke on their +front, but the men did not retreat far. The shrill trumpet called them +back to the charge, and once more the blue masses hurled themselves upon +the barrier of fire and steel, to break again, and to come yet a third +time at the trumpet's call. Often the combatants were within ten yards +of one another, but strive as they would the Union columns could not +break through the Confederate defense. + +Elsewhere the men of Hill and Longstreet showed a sternness and valor +equal to that of Jackson's. Their ranks held firm everywhere, and now, +as the long afternoon drew on, the eye of Lee, watching every rising +and falling wave of the battle, saw his chance. He drew his batteries +together in great masses and as the last charge broke on Jackson's lines +the trumpets sounded the charge for the Southern troops who hitherto had +stood on the defensive. + +Dick heard a tremendous shout, the great rebel yell, that he had heard so +often before, and that he was destined to hear so often again. Through +the clouds of smoke and dust he saw the long lines of Southern bayonets +advancing swiftly. His regiment, which had already lost more than half +its numbers, was borne back by an appalling weight. + +Then hope deserted the boy for the first time. The Union was not to be +saved here on this field. It was instead another lost Manassas, but far +greater than the first. The genius of Lee and Jackson which bore up +the Confederacy was triumphing once again. Dick shut his teeth in grim +despair. He heard the triumphant shouts of the advancing enemy, and he +saw that not only his own regiment, but the whole Northern line, was +being driven back, slowly it is true, but they were going. + +Now at the critical moment, Lee was hurling forward every man and gun. +Although his army was inferior in numbers he was always superior at the +point of contact, and his exultant veterans pressed harder and harder +upon their weakening foes. Only the artillery behind them now protected +Dick and his comrades. But the Confederates still came with a rush. + +Jackson was leading on his own men who had stood so long on the +defensive. The retreating Union line was broken, guns were lost, and +there was a vast turmoil and confusion. Yet out of it some order finally +emerged, and although the Union army was now driven back at every point +it inflicted heavy losses upon its foe, and under the lead of brave +commanders great masses gathered upon the famous Henry Hill, resolved, +although they could not prevent defeat, to save the army from destruction. + +Night was coming down for the second time upon the field of battle, +lost to the North, although the North was ready to fight again. + +Lee and Jackson looked upon the heavy Union masses gathered at the Henry +Hill, and then looking at the coming darkness they stopped the attack. +Night heavier than usual came down over the field, covering with its +friendly veil those who had lost and those who had won, and the +twenty-five thousand who had fallen. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE MOURNFUL FOREST + + +As the night settled down, heavy and dark, and the sounds of firing died +away along the great line, Dick again sank to the ground exhausted. +Although the battle itself had ceased, it seemed to him that the drums of +his ears still reproduced its thunder and roar, or at least the echo of +it was left upon the brain. + +He lay upon the dry grass, and although the night was again hot and +breathless, surcharged with smoke and dust and fire, he felt a chill that +went to the bone, and he trembled all over. Then a cold perspiration +broke out upon him. It was the collapse after two days of tremendous +exertion, excitement and anxiety. He did not move for eight or ten +minutes, blind to everything that was going on about him, and then +through the darkness he saw Colonel Winchester standing by and looking +down at him. + +"Are you all right, Dick, my boy?" the colonel asked. + +"Yes, sir," replied Dick, as his pride made him drag himself to his feet. +"I'm not wounded at all. I was just clean played out." + +"You're lucky to get off so well," said the colonel, smiling sadly. +"We've lost many thousands and we've lost the battle, too. The killed +or wounded in my regiment number more than two-thirds." + +"Have you seen anything of Warner and Pennington, sir? I lost sight of +them in that last terrible attack." + +"Pennington is here. He has had a bullet through the fleshy part of +his left arm, but he's so healthy it won't take him long to get well. +I'm sorry to say that Warner is missing." + +"Missing, sir? You don't say that George has been killed?" + +"I don't say it. I'm hoping instead that he's been captured." + +Dick knew what the colonel meant. In Colonel Winchester's opinion only +two things, death or capture, could keep Warner from being with them. + +"Maybe he will come in yet," he said. "We were mixed up a good deal when +the darkness fell, and he may have trouble in finding our position." + +"That's true. There are not so many of us left, and we do not cover +any great area of ground. Lie still, Dick, and take a little rest. We +don't know what's going to happen in the night. We may have to do more +fighting yet, despite the darkness." + +The colonel's figure disappeared in the shadow, and Dick, following his +advice, lay quiet. All around him were other forms stretched upon the +earth, motionless. But Dick knew they were not dead, merely sleeping. +His own nervous system was being restored by youth and the habit of +courage. Yet he felt a personal grief, and it grew stronger with +returning physical strength. Warner, his comrade, knitted to him by +ties of hardship and danger, was missing, dead no doubt in the battle. +For the moment he forgot about the defeat. All his thoughts were for the +brave youth who lay out there somewhere, stretched on the dusty field. + +Dick strained his eyes into the darkness, as if by straining he might see +where Warner lay. He saw, indeed, dim fires here and there along a long +line, marking where the Confederates now stood, or rather lay. Then a +bitter pang came. It was ground upon which the Union army had stood in +the morning. + +The rifle fire, which had died down, began again in a fitful way. +Far off, skirmishers, not satisfied with the slaughter of the day, +were seeing what harm they could do in the dark. Somewhere the plumed +and unresting Stuart was charging with his horsemen, driving back some +portion of the Union army that the Confederate forces might be on their +flank in the morning. + +But Dick, as he lay quietly and felt his strength, mental and physical, +returning, was taking a resolution. Down there in front of them and in +the darkness was the wood upon which they had made five great assaults, +all to fail. In front of that mournful forest, and within its edge, +more than ten thousand men had fallen. He had no doubt that Warner was +among them. + +His sense of direction was good, and, as his blurred faculties regained +their normal keenness, he could mark the exact line by which they had +advanced, and the exact line by which they had retreated. Warner +unquestionably lay near the edge of the wood and he must seek him. +Were it the other way, Warner would do the same. + +Dick stood up. He was no longer dizzy, and every muscle felt steady and +strong. He did not know what had become of Colonel Winchester, and his +comrades still lay upon the ground in a deep stupor. + +It could not be a night of order and precision, with every man numbered +and in his place, as if they were going to begin a battle instead of just +having finished one, and Dick, leaving his comrades, walked calmly toward +the wood. He passed one sentinel, but a few words satisfied him, and he +continued to advance. Far to right and left he still heard the sound of +firing and saw the flash of guns, but these facts did not disturb him. +In front of him lay darkness and silence, with the horizon bounded by +that saddest of all woods where the heaped dead lay. + +Dick looked back toward the Henry Hill, on the slopes of which were the +fragments of his own regiment. Lights were moving there, but they were +so dim they showed nothing. Then he turned his face toward the enemy's +position and did not look back again. + +The character of the night was changing. It had come on dark and heavy. +Hot and breathless like the one before, he had taken no notice of the +change save for the increased darkness. Now he felt a sudden damp touch +on his face, as if a wet finger had been laid there. The faintest of +winds had blown for a moment or two, and when Dick looked up, he saw that +the sky was covered with black clouds. The saddest of woods had moved +far away, but by some sort of optical illusion he could yet see it. + +Save for the distant flash of random firing, the darkness was intense. +Every star was gone, and Dick moved without any guide. But he needed +none. His course was fixed. He could not miss the mournful wood hanging +there like a pall on the horizon. + +His feet struck against something. It was a man, but he was past all +feeling, and Dick went on, striking by and by against many more. It +was impossible at the moment to see Warner's face, but he began to feel +of the figures with his hands. There was none so long and slender as +Warner's, and he continued his search, moving steadily toward the wood. + +He saw presently a lantern moving over the field, and he walked toward +it. Three men were with the lantern, and the one who carried it held it +up as he approached. The beams fell directly upon Dick, revealing his +pale face and torn and dusty uniform. + +"What do you want, Yank?" called the man. + +"I'm looking for a friend of mine who must have fallen somewhere near +here." + +The man laughed, but it was not a laugh of joy or irony. It was a laugh +of pity and sadness. + +"You've shorely got a big look comin'," he said. "They're scattered all +around here, coverin' acres an' acres, just like dead leaves shook by a +storm from the trees. But j'in us, Yank. You can't do nothin' in the +darkness all by yourself. We're Johnny Rebs, good and true, and I may be +shootin' straight at you to-morrow mornin', but I reckon I've got nothin' +ag'in you now. We're lookin' for a brother o' mine." + +Dick joined them, and the four, the three in gray and the one in blue, +moved on. A friendly current had passed between him and them, and there +would be no thought of hostility until the morning, when it would come +again. It was often so in this war, when men of the same blood met in +the night between battles. + +"What sort of a fellow is it that you're lookin' for?" asked the man with +the lantern. + +"About my age. Very tall and thin. You could mark him by his height." + +"It takes different kinds of people to make the world. My brother ain't +like him a-tall. Sam's short, an' thick as a buffalo. Weighs two twenty +with no fat on him. What crowd do you belong to, youngster?" + +"The division on our right. We attacked the wood there." + +"Well, you're a bully boy. Give me your hand, if you are a Yank. +You shorely came right up there and looked us in the eyes. How often did +you charge us?" + +"Five times, I think. But I may be mistaken. You know it wasn't a day +when a fellow could be very particular about his count." + +"Guess you're right there. I made it five. What do you say, Jim?" + +"Five she was." + +"That settles it. Jim kin always count up to five an' never make a +mistake. What you fellers goin' to do in the mornin'?" + +"I don't know." + +"Pope ain't asked you yet what to do. Well, Bobby Lee and Old Stonewall +ain't been lookin' for me either to get my advice, but, Yank, you fellers +do just what I tell you." + +"What's that?" + +"Pack up your clothes before daylight, say good-bye, and go back to +Washington. You needn't think you kin ever lick Marse Bobby an' +Stonewall Jackson." + +"But what if we do think it? We've got a big army back there yet, +and more are always coming to us. We'll beat you yet." + +"There seems to be a pow'ful wide difference in our opinions, an' I can't +persuade you an' you can't persuade me. We'll just let the question rip. +I'm glad, after all, Yank, it's so dark. I don't want to see ten +thousand dead men stretched out in rows." + +"We're going to get a wettin'," said the man to Jim. "The air's already +damp on my face. Thar, do you hear that thunder growlin' in the +southwest? Tremenjously like cannon far away, but it's thunder all the +same." + +"What do we care 'bout a wettin', Jim? Fur the last few days this young +Yank here an' his comrades have shot at me 'bout a million cannon balls +an' shells, an' more 'n a hundred million rifle bullets. Leastways I +felt as if they was all aimed at me, which is just as bad. After bein' +drenched fur two days with a storm of steel an' lead an' fire, what do +you think I care for a summer shower of rain, just drops of rain?" + +"But I don't like to get wet after havin' fit so hard. It's unhealthy, +likely to give me a cold." + +"Never min' 'bout ketchin' cold. You're goin' to get wet, shore. +Thunder, but I thought fur a second that was the flash of a hull battery +aimed at me. Fellers, if you wasn't with me I'd be plumb scared, +prowlin' 'roun' here in a big storm on the biggest graveyard in the +world. Keep close, Yank, we don't want to lose you in the dark." + +A tremendous flash of lightning had cut the sky down the middle, as if +it intended to divide the world in two halves, but after its passage the +darkness closed in thicker and heavier than ever. The sinister sound of +thunder muttering on the horizon now went on without ceasing. + +Dick was awed. Like many another his brain exposed to such tremendous +pressure for two or three days, was not quite normal. It was quickly +heated and excited by fancies, and time and place alone were enough to +weigh down even the coolest and most seasoned. He pressed close to his +Confederate friends, whose names he never knew, and who never knew his, +and they, feeling the same influence, never for an instant left the man +who held the lantern. + +The muttering thunder now came closer and broke in terrible crashes. +The lightning flashed again and again so vividly that Dick, with +involuntary motion, threw up his hands to shelter his eyes. But he could +see before him the mournful forest, where so many good men had fallen, +and, turned red in the gleam of the lightning, it was more terrifying +than it had been in the mere black of the night. The wind, too, was now +blowing, and the forest gave forth what Dick's ears turned into a long +despairing wail. + +"She's about to bust," said the lantern bearer, looking up at the +menacing sky. "Jim, you'll have to take your wettin' as it comes." + +A moment later the storm burst in fact. The rain rushed down on them, +soaking them through in an instant, but Dick, so far from caring, liked +it. It cooled his heated body and brain, and he knew that it was more +likely to help than hurt the wounded who yet lay on the ground. + +The lightning ceased before the sweep of the rain, but the lantern was +well protected by its glass cover, and they still searched. The lantern +bearer suddenly uttered a low cry. + +"Boys!" he said, "Here's Sam!" + +A thick and uncommonly powerful man lay doubled up against a bush. +His face was white. Dick saw that blood had just been washed from it by +the rain. But he could see no rising and falling of the chest, and he +concluded that he was dead. + +"Take the lantern, Jim," said the leader. Then he knelt down and put his +finger on his brother's wrist. + +"He ain't dead," he said at last. "His pulse is beatin' an' he'll come +to soon. The rain helped him. Whar was he hit? By gum, here it is! +A bullet has ploughed all along the side of his head, runnin' 'roun' his +skull. Here, you Yank, did you think you could kill Sam by shootin' him +in the head with a bullet? We've stood him up in front of our lines, +and let you fellows break fifty pound shells on his head. You never +done him no harm, 'cept once when two solid shot struck him at the same +time an' he had a headache nigh until sundown. Besides havin' natural +thickness of the skull Sam trained his head by buttin' with the black +boys when he was young." + +Dick saw that the man really felt deep emotion and was chattering, +partly to hide it. He was glad that they had found his brother, and he +helped them to lift him. Then they rubbed Sam's wrists and poured a +stimulant down his throat. In a few minutes he stood alone on his feet, +yawned mightily, and by the light of the dim lantern gazed at them in a +sort of stupid wonder. + +"What's happened?" he asked. + +"What's happened?" replied his brother. "You was always late with the +news, Sam. Of course you've been takin' a nap, but a lot has happened. +We met the Yankees an' we've been fightin' 'em for two days. Tremenjous +big battle, an' we've whipped 'em. 'Scuse me, Yank, I forgot you was +with us. Well, nigh onto a million have been killed, which ought to be +enough for anybody. I love my country, but I don't care to love another +at such a price. But resumin' 'bout you pussonally, Sam, you stopped +so many shells an' solid shot with that thick head of yourn that the +concussion at last put you to sleep, an' we've found you so we kin take +you in out of the wet an' let you sleep in a dry place. Kin you walk?" + +Sam made an effort, but staggered badly. + +"Jim, you an' Dave take him by each shoulder an' walk him back to camp," +said the lantern bearer. "You jest keep straight ahead an' you'll butt +into Marse Bob or old Stonewall, one or the other." + +"You lead the way with the lantern." + +"Never you mind about me or the lantern." + +"What you goin' to do?" + +"Me? I'm goin' to keep this lantern an' help Yank here find his friend. +Ain't he done stuck with us till we found Sam, an' I reckon I'll stick +with him till he gits the boy he's lookin for, dead or alive. Now, +you keep Sam straight, and walk him back to camp. He ain't hurt. +Why, that bullet didn't dent his skull. It said to itself when it came +smack up against the bone: 'This is too tough for me, I guess I'll go +'roun'.' An' it did go 'roun'. You can see whar it come out of the +flesh on the other side. Why, by the time Sam was fourteen years old we +quit splittin' old boards with an axe or a hatchet. We jest let Sam set +on a log an' we split 'em over his head. Everybody was suited. Sam +could make himself pow'ful useful without havin' to work." + +Nevertheless, the lantern bearer gave his brother the tenderest care, +and watched him until he and the men on either side of him were lost in +the darkness as they walked toward the Southern camp. + +"I jest had to come an' find old Sam, dead or alive," he said. "Now, +which way, Yank, do you think this friend of yours is layin'?" + +"But you're comin' with us," repeated Jim. + +"No, I'm not. Didn't Yank here help us find Sam? An' are we to let the +Yanks give us lessons in manners? I reckon not. 'Sides, he's only a boy, +an' I'm goin' to see him through." + +"I thank you," said Dick, much moved. + +"Don't thank me too much, 'cause while I'm walkin' 'roun' with you +friendly like to-night I may shoot you to-morrow." + +"I thank you, all the same," said Dick, his gratitude in nowise +diminished. + +"Them that will stir no more are layin' mighty thick 'roun' here, but we +ought to find your friend pretty soon. By gum, how it rains! W'all, +it'll wash away some big stains, that wouldn't look nice in the mornin'. +Say, sonny, what started this rumpus, anyway?" + +"I don't know." + +"An' I don't, either, so I guess it's hoss an' hoss with you an' me. +But, sonny, I'll bet you a cracker ag'in a barrel of beef that none of +them that did start the rumpus are a-layin' on this field to-night. +What kind of lookin' feller did you say your young friend was?" + +"Very tall, very thin, and about my age or perhaps a year or two older." + +"Take a good look, an' see if this ain't him." + +He held up the lantern and the beams fell upon a long figure half raised +upon an elbow. The figure was turned toward the light and stared +unknowing at Dick and the Southerner. There was a great clot of blood +upon his right breast and shoulder, but it was Warner. Dick swallowed +hard. + +"Yes," he said, "it's my comrade, but he's hurt badly." + +"So bad that he don't know you or anybody else. He's clean out of his +head." + +They leaned over him, and Dick called: + +"George! George! It's Dick Mason, your comrade, come to help you back +to camp!" + +But Warner merely stared with feverish, unseeing eyes. + +"He's out of his head, as I told you, an' he's like to be for many hours," +said the lantern bearer. "It's a shore thing that I won't shoot him +to-morrow, nor he won't shoot me." + +He leaned over Warner and carefully examined the wound. + +"He's lucky, after all," he said, "the bullet went in just under the +right shoulder, but it curved, as bullets have a way of doin' sometimes, +an' has come out on the side. There ain't no lead in him now, which is +good. He was pow'ful lucky, too, in not bein' hit in the head, 'cause he +ain't got no such skull as Sam has, not within a mile of it. His skull +wouldn't have turned no bullet. He has lost a power of blood, but if you +kin get him back to camp, an' use the med'cines which you Yanks have in +such lots an' which we haven't, he may get well." + +"That's good advice," said Dick. "Help me up with him." + +"Take him on your back. That's the best way to carry a sick man." + +He set down his lantern, took up Warner bodily and put him on Dick's back. + +"I guess you can carry him all right," he said. "I'd light you with the +lantern a piece of the way, but I've been out here long enough. Marse +Bob an' old Stonewall will get tired waitin' fur me to tell 'em how to +end this war in a month." + +Dick, holding Warner in place with one hand, held out the other, and said: + +"You're a white man, through and through, Johnny Reb. Shake!" + +"So are you, Yank. There's nothin' wrong with you 'cept that you +happened to get on the wrong side, an' I don't hold that ag'in you. +I guess it was an innercent mistake." + +"Good-bye." + +"Good-bye. Keep straight ahead an' you'll strike that camp of yourn that +we're goin' to take in the mornin'. Gosh, how it rains!" + +Dick retained his idea of direction, and he walked straight through the +darkness toward the Northern camp. George was a heavy load, but he did +not struggle. His head sank down against his comrade's and Dick felt +that it was burning with fever. + +"Good old George," he murmured to himself rather than to his comrade, +"I'll save you." + +Excitement and resolve had given him a strength twice the normal, a +strength that would last the fifteen or twenty minutes needed until this +task was finished. Despite the darkness and the driving rain, he could +now see the lights in his own camp, and bending forward a little to +support the dead weight on his back, he walked in a straight course +toward them. + +"Halt! Who are you?" + +The form of a sentinel, rifle raised, rose up before him in the darkness +and the rain. + +"Lieutenant Richard Mason of Colonel Winchester's regiment, bringing in +Lieutenant George Warner of the same regiment, who is badly wounded." + +The sentinel lowered his rifle and looked at them sympathetically. + +"Hangs like he's dead, but he ain't," he said. "You'll find a sort of +hospital over thar in the big tents among them trees." + +Dick found the improvised hospital, and put George down on a rude cot, +within the shelter of one of the tents. + +"He's my friend," he said to a young doctor, "and I wish you'd save him." + +"There are hundreds of others who have friends also, but I'll do my best. +Shot just under the right shoulder, but the bullet, luckily, has turned +and gone out. It's loss of blood that hurt him most. You soldiers kill +more men than we doctors can save. I'm bound to say that. But your +friend won't die. I'll see to it." + +"Thank you," said Dick. He saw that the doctor was kind-hearted, and a +marvel of endurance and industry. He could not ask for more at such a +time, and he went out of the tent, leaving George to his care. + +It was still raining, but the soldiers managed to keep many fires going, +despite it, and Dick passed between them as he sought Colonel Winchester, +and the fragments of his regiment. He found the colonel wrapped in a +greatcoat, leaning against a tree under a few feet of canvas supported +on sticks. Pennington, sound asleep, sat on a root of the same tree, +also under the canvas, but with the rain beating on his left arm and +shoulder. + +Colonel Winchester looked inquiringly at Dick, but said nothing. + +"I've been away without leave, sir," said Dick, "but I think I have +sufficient excuse." + +"What is it?" + +"I've brought in Warner." + +"Ah! Is he dead?" + +"No, sir. He's had a bullet through him and he's feverish and +unconscious, but the doctor says that with care he'll get well." + +"Where did you find him?" + +"Over there by the edge of the wood, sir, within what is now the +Confederate lines." + +"A credit to your courage and to your heart. Sit down here. There's a +little more shelter under the canvas, and go to sleep. You're too much +hardened now to be hurt seriously by wet clothes." + +Dick sat down with his back against the tree, and, despite his soaked +condition, slept as soundly as Pennington. When he awoke in the morning +the hot sun was shining again, and his clothes soon dried on him. +He felt a little stiffness and awkwardness at first, but in a few minutes +it passed away. Then breakfast restored his strength, and he looked +curiously about him. + +Around him was the Northern army, and before him was the vast battlefield, +now occupied by the foe. He heard sounds of distant rifle shots, +indicating that the skirmishers were still restless, but it was no more +now than the buzzing of flies. Pennington, coming back from the hospital, +hailed him. + +"George has come to," he said. "Great deed of yours last night, Dick. +Wish I'd done it myself. They let old George talk just a little, but +he's his real old Vermont self again. Says chances were ninety-nine and +a half per cent that he would die there on the battlefield, but that the +half per cent, which was yourself, won. Fancy being only half of one +per cent, and doing a thing like that. No, you can't see him. Only one +visitor was allowed, and that's me. His fever is leaving him, and he +swallowed a little soup. Now, he's going to sleep." + +Dick felt very grateful. Pennington had been up some time, and as they +sat down in the sun he gave Dick the news. + +"It was a bad night," he said. "After you staggered in with George, +the rebels, in spite of the rain, harassed us. I was waked up after +midnight, and the colonel began to believe that we would have to fight +again before morning, though the need didn't come, so far as we were +concerned. But we were terribly worried on the flanks. They say it was +Stuart and his cavalry who were bothering us." + +"What's the outlook for to-day?" + +"I don't know. I hear that General Pope has sent a dispatch saying +that the enemy is badly whipped, and that we'll hold our own here. But +between you and me, Dick, I don't believe it. We've been driven out of +all our positions, so we can hardly call it a victory for our side." + +"But we may hold on where we are and win a victory yet. McClellan and +the Army of the Potomac may come. Anyway, we can get big reinforcements." + +Pennington clasped his arms over his knees and sang: + + "The race is not to him that's got + The longest legs to run, + Nor the battle to those people + That shoot the biggest gun." + +"Where did you get that song?" asked Dick. "I'll allow, under the +circumstances, that there seems to be some sense in it." + +"A Texan that we captured last night sang it to us. He was a funny +kind of fellow. Didn't seem to be worried a bit because he was taken. +Said if his own people didn't retake him that he'd escape in a week, +anyhow. Likely enough he will, too. But he was good company, and he +sang us that song. Impudent, wasn't he?" + +"But true so far, at least in the east. I fancy from what you say, Frank, +that we'll be here a day longer anyhow. I hope so, I want to rest." + +"So do I. I won't fight to-day, unless I'm ordered to do it. But I'm +thinking with you, Dick, that we'll retreat. We were outmaneuvered by +Lee and Jackson. That circuit of Jackson's through Thoroughfare Gap and +the attack from the rear undid us. It comes of being kept in the dark by +the enemy, instead of your keeping him in the dark. We never knew where +the blow was going to fall, and when it fell a lot of us weren't there. +But, Dick, old boy, we're going to win, in the end, aren't we, in spite +of Lee, in spite of Jackson, and in spite of everybody and everything?" + +"As surely as the rising and setting of the sun, Frank." + +Although Dick had little to do that day, events were occurring. It was +in the minds of Lee and Jackson that they might yet destroy the army +which they had already defeated, and heavy divisions of the Southern army +were moving. Dick heard about night that Jackson had marched ten miles, +through fields deep in mud, and meant to fall on Pope's flank or rear +again. Stuart and his unresting cavalry were also on their right flank +and in the rear, doing damage everywhere. Longstreet had sent a brigade +across Bull Run, and at many points the enemy was pressing closer. + +The next morning, Pope, alarmed by all the sinister movements on his +flanks and in his rear, gathered up his army and retreated. It was full +time or the vise would have shut down on him again. Late that day the +division under Kearney came into contact with Jackson's flanking force in +the forest. A short but fierce battle ensued, fought in the night and +amid new torrents of driving rain. General Kearney was killed by a +skirmisher, but the night and the rain grew so dense, and they were in +such a tangle of thickets and forests that both sides drew off, and +Pope's army passed on. + +Dick was not in this battle, but he heard it's crash and roar above the +sweep of the storm. He and the balance of the regiment were helping to +guard the long train of the wounded. Now and then, he leaned from his +horse and looked at Warner who lay in one of the covered wagons. + +"I'm getting along all right, Dick, old man," said Warner. "What's all +that firing off toward the woods?" + +"A battle, but it won't stop us. We retreated in time." + +"And we've been defeated. Well, we can stand it. It takes a good nation +to stand big defeats. You know I taught school once, Dick, and I learned +that the biggest nation the world has ever known was the one that +suffered the biggest defeats. Look at the terrible knocks the Romans +got! Why the Gauls nearly ate 'em alive two or three times, and for +years Hannibal whipped 'em every time he could get at 'em. But they +ended by whipping everybody who had whipped them. They whipped the whole +world, and they kept it whipped until they played out from old age." + +Dick laughed cheerily. + +"Now, you shut up, George," he said. "You've talked too much. What's +the use of going back as far as the old Romans for comfort. We can win +without having to copy a lot of old timers." + +He dropped the flap of canvas and rode on listening to the sounds of the +combat. A powerful figure stepped out of the bushes and stood beside +his horse. It was Sergeant Whitley, who had passed through the battle +without a scratch. + +"What has happened, Sergeant?" asked Dick, as he sat in the rain and +listened to the dying fire. + +"There has been a fight, and both are quitting because they can't see +enough to carry it on any longer. But General Kearney has been killed." + +The retreat continued until they reached the Potomac and were in the +great fortifications before Washington. Then Pope resigned, and the star +of McClellan rose again. The command of the armies about Washington +was entrusted to him, and the North gathered itself anew for the mighty +struggle. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +ORDERS NO. 191 + + +When the Union army, defeated at the Second Manassas fell back on +Washington, Dick was detached for a few days from the regiment by Colonel +Winchester, partly that he might have a day or two of leave, and partly +that he might watch over Warner, who was making good progress. + +Warner was in a wagon that contained half a dozen other wounded men, +or rather boys, and they were all silent like stoics as they passed over +the bridge to a hospital in Washington. His side and shoulder pained him, +and he had recurrent periods of fever, but he was making fine progress. + +Dick found his comrade on a small cot among dozens of others in a great +room. But George's cot was near a window and the pleasant sunshine +poured in. It was now the opening of September, and the hot days were +passing. There was a new sparkle and crispness in the air, and Warner, +wounded as he was, felt it. + +"We're back in the capital to enjoy ourselves a while," he said lightly +to Dick, "and I'm glad to see that the weather will be fine for +sight-seeing." + +"Yes, here we are," said Dick. "The Johnnies beat us this time. They +didn't outfight us, but they had the best generals. As soon as you're +well, George, we'll start out again and lick 'em." + +"I'm glad you told 'em to wait for me, Dick. That's what you ought to +do. I hear that McClellan is at the head of things again." + +"Yes, the Army of the Potomac is to the front once more, and it's taken +over the Army of Virginia. We hear that Pope is going out to the +northwest to fight Indians." + +"McClellan is not likely to be trapped as Pope was, but he's so +tremendously cautious that he'll never trap anything himself. Now, +which kind of a general would you choose, Dick?" + +"As between those two I'll take McClellan. The soldiers at least like +him and believe in him. And George, our man in the east hasn't come yet. +The generals we've had don't hammer. They don't concentrate, rush right +in and rain blows on the enemy." + +"Do you think you know the right man, Dick?" + +"I'm making a guess. It's Grant. We saw him at Donelson and Shiloh. +Surprised at both places, he won anyhow. He wouldn't be beat. That's +the kind of man we want here in the east." + +"You may be right, Dick, but the politicians in this part of the country +all run him down. Halleck has been transferred to Washington as a sort +of general commander and adviser to the President, and they say he +doesn't like Grant." + +Further talk was cut short by a young army surgeon, and Dick left George, +saying that he would come back the next day. The streets of Washington +were full of sunshine, but not of hope and cheerfulness. The most +terrible suspense reigned there. Never before or since was Washington +in such alarm. A hostile and victorious army was within a day's march. +Pope almost to the last had talked of victory. Then came a telegram, +asking if the capital could be defended in case his army was destroyed. +Next came the army preceded by thousands of stragglers and heralds of +disaster. + +The people were dropped from the golden clouds of hope to the hard earth +of despair. They strained their eyes toward Manassas, where the flag of +the Union had twice gone down in disaster. It was said, and there was +ample cause for the saying of it, that Lee and Jackson with their +victorious veterans would appear any moment before the capital. There +were rumors that the government was packing up in order to flee northward +to Philadelphia or even New York. + +But Dick believed none of these rumors. In fact, he was not greatly +alarmed by any of them. He was sure that McClellan, although without +genius, would restore the stamina of the troops, if indeed it were ever +lost, which he doubted very much. He had seen how splendidly they fought +at the Second Manassas, and he knew that there was no panic among them. +Moreover, the North was an inexhaustible storehouse of men and material, +and whenever one soldier fell two grew in his place. + +So he strode through the crowded streets, calm of face and manner, +and took his way once more to the hotel, where he had sat and listened +to the talk before the Second Manassas. The lobby was packed with men, +and there was but one topic, the military situation. Would Lee and +Jackson advance, hot upon the heels of their victory? Would Washington +fall? Would McClellan be able to save them? Why weren't the generals +of the North as good as those of the South? + +Dick listened to the talk which was for all who might choose to hear. +He did not assume any superior frame of mind, merely because he had +fought in many battles and these men had fought in none. He retained +the natural modesty of youth, and knowing that one who looked on might +sometimes be a better judge of what was happening than the one who took +part, he weighed carefully what they said. + +He was in a comfortable chair by the wall, and while he sat there a heavy +man of middle age, whom he remembered well, approached and stood before +him, regarding him with a keen and measuring eye. + +"Good morning, Mr. Watson," said Dick politely. + +"Ah, it is you, Lieutenant Mason!" said the contractor. "I thought so, +but I was not sure, as you are thinner than you were when I last saw you. +I'll just take this seat beside you." + +A man in the next chair had moved and the contractor dropped into it. +Then he crossed his legs, and smoothed the upper knee with a strong, +fat hand. + +"You've had quite a trip since I last saw you, Mr. Mason," he said. + +"We didn't go so terribly far." + +"It's not length that makes a trip. It's what you see and what happens." + +"I saw a lot, and a hundred times more than what I saw happened." + +The contractor took two fine cigars from his vest pocket and handed one +to Dick. + +"No, thank you," said the boy, "I've never learned to smoke." + +"I suppose that's because you come from Kentucky, where they raise so +much tobacco. When you see a thing so thick around you, you don't care +for it. Well, we'll talk while I light mine and puff it. And so, +young man, you ran against Lee and Jackson!" + +"We did, or they ran against us, which comes to the same thing." + +"And got well thrashed. There's no denying it." + +"I'm not trying to do so." + +"That's right. I thought from the first that you were a young man of +sense. I'm glad to see that you didn't get yourself killed." + +"A great many good men did." + +"That's so, and a great many more will go the same way. You just listen +to me. I don't wear any uniform, but I've got eyes to see and ears to +hear. I suppose that more monumental foolishness has been hidden under +cocked hats and gold lace than under anything else, since the world +began. Easy now, I don't say that fools are not more numerous outside +armies than in them--there are more people outside--but the mistakes of +generals are more costly." + +"I suppose our generals are doing the best they can. You will let me +speak plainly, will you, Mr. Watson?" + +"Of course, young man. Go ahead." + +"Perhaps you feel badly over a disaster of your own. I saw the smoking +fires at Bristoe Station. The rebels burned there several million +dollars worth of stores belonging to us. Maybe a large part of them +were your own goods." + +The contractor rubbed his huge knee with one hand, took his cigar out of +his mouth with the other hand, blew several rings of fine blue smoke from +his nose, and watched them break against the ceiling. + +"Young man," he said, "you're a good guesser, but you don't guess all. +More than a million dollars worth of material that I supplied was +burned or looted at Bristoe Station. But it had all been paid for by a +perfectly solvent Union government. So, if I were to consider it from +the purely material standpoint, which you imagine to be the only one I +have, I should rejoice over the raids of the rebels because they make +trade for contractors. I'm a patriot, even if I do not fight at the +front. Besides my feelings have been hurt." + +"In what way?" + +The contractor drew from his pocket a coarse brown envelope, and he took +from the envelope a letter, written on paper equally coarse and brown. + +"I received this letter last night," he said. "It was addressed simply +'John Watson, Washington, D. C.,' and the post office people gave it to +me at once. It came from somebody within the Confederate lines. You +know how the Northern and Southern pickets exchange tobacco, newspapers +and such things, when they're not fighting. I suppose the letter was +passed on to me in that way. Listen." + + + +"John Watson, + Washington, D. C. + + +"My dear sir: I have never met you, but certain circumstances have made +me acquainted with your name. Believing therefore that you are a man of +judgment and fairness I feel justified in making to you a complaint which +I am sure you will agree with me is well-founded. At a little place +called Bristoe Station I recently obtained a fine, blue uniform, the tint +of which wind and rain will soon turn to our own excellent Confederate +gray. I found your own name as maker stamped upon the neck band of both +coat and vest. + +"I ought to say however that after I had worn the coat only twice the +seams ripped across both shoulders, I admit that the fit was a little +tight, but work well done would not yield so quickly. I also picked out +a pair of beautiful shoes, bearing your name stamped upon them. The +leather cracked after the first day's use, and good leather will never +crack so soon. + +"Now, my dear Mr. Watson, I feel that you have treated me unfairly. +I will not use any harsher word. We do not expect you to supply us with +goods of this quality, and we certainly look for something better from +you next time. + + "Your obedient servant, + ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, + Lieutenant 'The Invincibles,' + C. S. A." + + +"Now, did you ever hear of another piece of impudence like that?" said +Watson. "It has its humorous side, I admit, and you're justified in +laughing, but it's impudence all the same." + +"Yes, it is impudence, and do you know, Mr. Watson, I've met the writer +of that letter. He is a South Carolinian, and from his standpoint he +has a real grievance. I never knew anybody else as particular about his +clothes, and it seems that the uniform and shoes you furnished him are +not all right. He's a gentleman and he wouldn't lie. I met him at +Cedar Run, when the burying parties were going over the field. He was +introduced to me by my cousin, Harry Kenton, who is on the other side. +Harry wouldn't associate with any fellow who isn't all right." + +"All the same, if I ever catch that young jackanapes of a St. Clair-- +it's an easy name to remember--I'll strip my uniform off him and turn him +loose for his own comrades to laugh at." + +"But we won't catch either him or his comrades for a long time." + +"That's so, but in the end we'll catch 'em. Now, Mr. Mason, you don't +agree with me about many things, but you're only a boy and you'll know +better later on. Anyway, I like you, and if you need help at any time +and can reach me, come." + +"I'll do so, and I thank you now," said Dick, who saw that the +contractor's tone was sincere. + +"That's right, good-bye. I see a senator whom I need." + +They shook hands and Watson hurried away with great lightness and agility +for so large a man. + +Dick stayed two days longer in Washington, visiting Warner twice a day +and seeing with gladness his rapid improvement. When he was with him the +last time, and told him he was going to join the Army of the Potomac, +Warner said: + +"Dick, old man, I haven't spoken before of the way you brought me in from +that last battlefield. Pennington has told me about it--but if I didn't +it was not because I wasn't grateful. Up in Vermont we're not much +on words--our training I suppose, though I don't say it is the best +training. It's quite sure that I'd have died if you hadn't found me." + +"Why, George, I looked for you as a matter of course. You'd have done +exactly the same for me." + +"That's just it, but I didn't get the chance. Now, Dick, there's going +to be another big battle before long, and I shall be up in time for it. +You'll be there, too. Couldn't you get yourself shot late in the +afternoon, lie on the ground, feverish and delirious until far in the +night, when I'd come for you. Then I could pay you back." + +Dick laughed. He knew that at the bottom of Warner's jest lay a resolve +to match the score, whenever the chance should come. + +"Good-bye, George," he said. "I'll look for you in two weeks." + +"Make it only ten days. McClellan will need me by that time." + +But it seemed to Dick that McClellan would need him and every other man +at once. Lee was marching. Passing by the capital he had advanced +into Maryland, a Southern state, but one that had never seceded. The +Southerners expected to find many reinforcements here among their +kindred. The regiments in gray, flushed with victory, advanced singing: + + + "The despot's heel is on thy shore, + Maryland! + His torch is at thy temple door, + Maryland! + Avenge the patriotic gore + That flecked the streets of Baltimore + And be the battle queen of yore, + Maryland, my Maryland!" + + +Dick knew that the South expected much of Maryland. Her people were +Southerners. Their valor in the Revolution was unsurpassed. People +still talked of the Maryland line and its great deeds. Many of the +Marylanders had already come to Lee and Jackson, and now that the +Southern army, led by its famous leaders and crowned with victories, +was on their soil, it was expected that they would pour forward in +thousands, relieved from the fear of Northern armies. + +Alarm, deep and intense, spread all through the North. McClellan, +as usual, doubled Lee's numbers but he organized with all speed to meet +him. Dick heard that Lee was already at Frederick, giving his troops a +few days' repose before meeting any enemy who might come. The utmost +confidence reigned in the South. + +McClellan marched, but he advanced slowly. The old mystery and +uncertainty about the Southern army returned. It suddenly disappeared +from Frederick, and McClellan became extremely cautious. He had nearly +a hundred thousand men, veterans now, but he believed that Lee had two +hundred thousand. + +Colonel Winchester again complained bitterly to Dick, who was a comrade +as well as an aide. + +"What we need," he said, "is a general who doesn't see double, and we +haven't got him yet. We must spend less time counting the rebels and +more hammering them." + +"A civilian in Washington told me that," said Dick. "I believed then +that he was right, and I believe it yet. If General Grant were here he'd +attack instead of waiting to be attacked." + +But the Army of the Potomac continued to march forward in a slow and +hesitating fashion. Dick, despite his impatience, appreciated the +position of General McClellan. No one in the Union army or in the North +knew the plans of Lee and Jackson. Lee had not even consulted the +President of the Confederacy but had merely notified him that he was +going into Maryland. + +Now Lee and Jackson had melted away again in the mist that so often +overhung their movements. McClellan could not be absolutely sure they +intended an important invasion of Maryland. They might be planning to +fall upon the capital from another direction. The Union commander must +protect Washington and at the same time look for his enemy. + +The army marched near the Potomac, and Dick, as he rode with his regiment, +saw McClellan several times. It had not been many months since he took +his great army by sea for what seemed to be the certain capture of +Richmond, but McClellan, although a very young man for so high a position, +had already changed much. His face was thinner, and it seemed to Dick +that he had lost something of his confident look. The awful Seven Days +and his bitter disappointment had left their imprint. Nevertheless he +was trim, neat and upright, and always wore a splendid uniform. An +unfailing favorite with the soldiers, they cheered him as he passed, +and he would raise his hat, a flush of pride showing through the tan of +his cheeks. + +"If a general, after being defeated, can still retain the confidence of +his army he must have great qualities of some kind," said Dick to Colonel +Winchester. + +"That's true, Dick. McClellan lost at the Seven Days, and he has just +taken over an army that was trapped and beaten under Pope, but behold the +spirits of the men, although the Second Manassas is only a few days away. +McClellan looks after the private soldier, and if he could only look +after an army in the way that he organizes it this war would soon be +over." + +Dick noticed that the colonel put emphasis on the "if" and his heart sank +a little. But it soon rose again. The Army of the Potomac was now a +veteran body. It had been tested in the fire of defeat, and it had +emerged stronger and braver than ever. + +But Dick did not like the mystery about Lee and Jackson. They had an +extraordinary ability to drop out of sight, to draw a veil before them +so completely that no Union scout or skirmisher could penetrate it. And +these disappearances were always full of sinister omens, portending a +terrible attack from an unknown quarter. But when Dick looked upon the +great and brave Army of the Potomac, nearly a hundred thousand strong, +his apprehensions disappeared. The Army of the Potomac could not be +beaten, and since Lee and Jackson were venturing so far from their base, +they might be destroyed. He confided his faith to Pennington who rode +beside him. + +"I tell you, Frank, old man," he said, "the Southern army may never get +back into Virginia." + +"Not if we light a prairie fire behind it and set another in front. +Then we'll have 'em trapped same as they trapped us at Manassas. +Wouldn't it be funny if we'd turn their own trick on 'em, and end the +war right away?" + +"It would he more than funny. It would be grand, superb, splendid, +magnificent. But I wish old George was here. Why did he want to get in +the way of that bullet? I hate to think of ending the war without him." + +"Maybe he'll get up in time yet, Dick. I saw him a few hours before +we started. The doctors said that youth, clean blood and clean living +counted for a lot--I guess George would put it at ninety per cent, +and that his wound, the bullet having gone through, would heal at a +record rate." + +"Then we'll see him soon. When he's strong enough to ride a horse, +nothing can hold him back." + +"That's so. I see houses ahead. What place is it, Dick?" + +"It must be Frederick. We had reports that the Johnnies were about here, +but they must have vanished, since no bullets meet us. The colonel is +looking through his glasses, and, as he does not check his horse, it is +evident that the enemy is not there." + +"But maybe he has been there, and if he has we'll just take his place. +I like the looks of these Maryland towns, Frank, and they're not so +hostile to us." + +Colonel Winchester's skeleton regiment, now not amounting to more than +three hundred men, was in the vanguard and it rode forward rapidly. +The people received them without either enthusiasm or marked hostility. +Yet the Union vanguard obtained news. Lee had been there with his army, +but he had gone away! Where! They could not say. The Southern officers +had been silent and the soldiers had not known. None of the people of +Frederick had been allowed to follow. A cloud of cavalry covered the +Southern movements. + +"Not so definite after all," said Dick. "We know that the Southern army +has been here, but we don't know where it has gone." + +"At any rate," said Pennington, "we're on the trail, and we're bound to +find it sooner or later. I learned from the hunters in Nebraska that +when you strike the trail of a buffalo herd, all you had to do was to +keep on and you'd strike the herd itself." + +It was not yet noon and McClellan's army began to go into camp at +Frederick. Dick and Pennington got a chance to stroll about a little, +and they picked up much gossip. Young women, with strong Southern +proclivities, looked with frowning eyes upon their blue uniforms, but the +frank and pleasant smiles of the two lads disarmed them. Older women of +the same proclivities did not melt so easily, but continued to regard +them with a hard and burning gaze. + +But there were men strongly for the Union, and the two friendly lads +picked up many details from them. They showed them a grove in which Lee, +Jackson, Longstreet and D. H. Hill had all been camped at once. People +had gone there daily for a glimpse of these famous men. + +They also showed the boys the very spot where Stonewall Jackson had come +near to making an ignominious end of his great career. His faithful +horse, Little Sorrel, had been worn out by incessant marchings and must +rest for a while. The people gave him a splendid horse, but one that had +not been broken well. The first time he mounted it a band happened to +begin playing, the horse sprang wildly, the saddle girth broke and +Jackson was thrown heavily to the ground. + +"You'd better believe there was excitement then," said the narrator, +a clerk in one of the stores. "Everybody ran forward to pick up the +general. He had been thrown so hard that he was stunned and had big +bruises. That horse did him more damage than all the armies of the North +have done. I can tell you there was alarm for a while among the Johnnies, +but they say he was all over it before he left." + +They wandered back toward their own command and the obliging guide +pointed out to them a house which the Confederate generals had made their +headquarters. They saw Colonel Winchester entering it, and thanking the +clerk, followed him. + +Union officers were already in the house looking with curiosity at the +chairs and tables that Jackson and Lee and Longstreet had occupied. +Dick caught sight of a small package lying on one of the tables, but +another man picked it up first. As he did so he looked at Dick and said +in triumph: + +"Three good cigars that the rebels have left behind. Have one, Mason?" + +"Thanks, but I don't smoke." + +"All right, I'll find someone else who does." + +He pulled off a piece of paper wrapped around them, threw it on the floor +and put the cigars in his pocket. Dick was about to turn away when he +happened to glance at the wrapping lying on the floor. + +His eyes were caught by the words written in large letters: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTH-- + +Something seemed to shoot through his brain. It was like a flash of +warning or command and he obeyed at once. He picked up the paper and +smoothed it out in his hand. The full line read like the headline in a +newspaper: + + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. + +Then with eyes bulging in his head he read: + + HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. + September 9, 1862. +Special Orders, No. 191. + +The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road. +General Jackson's command will form the advance, and after passing +Middletown with such portions as he may select, take their route toward +Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point and by Friday +morning take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, capture such +of them as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to +escape from Harper's Ferry. + +General Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as +Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve supply and baggage +train of the army. + +General McLaws with his own division and that of General R. H. Anderson +will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown will take the +route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the +Maryland Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and +vicinity. + + +Dick stopped a moment and gasped. + +"Come on," called the man with the cigars, "there is nothing more to be +seen here." + +"Wait a moment," said Dick. + +Perhaps it was his duty to rush at once with it to a superior officer, +but the spell was too strong. He read on: + + +General Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object on which +he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford, ascend its +right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Sundown Heights, if +practicable, by Friday morning, Key's Grove on his left, and the road +between the end of the mountains and the Potomac on his right. He will, +as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General Jackson, +and intercept the retreat of the enemy. + +General D. H. Hill's division will form the rear-guard of the army, +pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, +ordinance and supply trains, etc., will precede General Hill. + + +Dick gasped and he heard someone calling again to him to come, but he +read on: + + +General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the +commands of Generals Longstreet, Jackson and McLaws, and with the main +body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army, bringing up all +the stragglers that may have been left behind. + +The commands of General Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after accomplishing +the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body of +the army at Boonsborough or Hagerstown. + +Each regiment on the march will habitually carry its axes in the +regimental ordnance wagons, for use of the men at their encampments, +to procure wood, etc. + R. H. CHILTON, + Assistant Adjutant General. + + +Dick clutched the paper in his hands and for the moment his throat seemed +to contract so tightly that he could not breathe. Then he felt a burst +of wild joy. + +One of the most extraordinary incidents in the whole history of war had +occurred. He knew in an instant that this was Lee's general orders +to his army, and that at such a time nothing could be more important. +Evidently copies of it had been sent to all his division commanders, +and this one by some singular chance either had not reached its +destination, or had been tossed carelessly aside after reading. Found by +those who needed it most wrapped around three cigars! It was a miracle! +Nothing short of it! How could the Union army be defeated after such +an omen? + +It was the copy intended for the Southern general, D. H. Hill--he denied +that he ever received it--but it did not matter to Dick then for whom it +was intended. He saw at once all the possibilities. Lee and Jackson had +divided their army again. Emboldened by the splendid success of their +daring maneuver at Manassas they were going to repeat it. + +He looked again at the date on the order. September 9th! And this was +the 13th! Jackson was to march on the 10th. He had been gone three days +with the half, perhaps, of Lee's army, and Lee himself must be somewhere +near at hand. The Union scouts could quickly find him and the ninety +thousand veterans of the Army of the Potomac could crush him to powder +in a day. What a chance! No, it was not a chance. It was a miracle. +The key had been put in McClellan's hand and it would take but one turn +of his wrist to unlock the door upon dazzling success. + +Dick saw the war finished in a month. Lee could not have more than +twenty or twenty-five thousand men with him, and Jackson was three or +four days' march away. He clutched the order in his hand and ran toward +Colonel Winchester. + +"Here, take it, sir! Take it!" he exclaimed. + +"Take what?" + +"Look! Look! See what it is!" + +Colonel Winchester took one glance at it, and then he, too, became +excited. He hurried with it to General McClellan, and that day the +commander-in-chief telegraphed to the anxious President at Washington: + +"I have all the plans of the rebels, and will catch them in my own trap, +if my men are equal to the emergency." + +The shrewd Lincoln took notice of the qualifying clause, "if my men are +equal to the emergency," and sighed a little. Already this general, +so bold in design and so great in preparation was making excuses for +possible failure in action--if he failed his men and not he would be to +blame. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE DUEL IN THE PASS + + +Dick carried the news to Pennington who danced with delight. + +"We've got 'em! we've got 'em!" he cried over and over again. + +"So we have," said Dick, "we'll be marching in a half hour and then the +trap will shut down so tight on Robert Lee that he'll never raise the lid +again." + +It was nearly noon, and they expected every moment the order to start, +but it did not come. Dick began to be tormented by an astonished +impatience, and he saw that Colonel Winchester suffered in the same way. +The army showed no signs of moving. Was it possible that McClellan would +not advance at once on Lee, whom the scouts had now located definitely? +The hot afternoon hours grew long as they passed one by one, and many a +brave man ate his heart out with anger at the delay. Dick saw Sergeant +Whitley walking up and down, and he was eager to hear his opinion. + +"What is it, sergeant?" he asked. "Why do we sit here, twiddling our +thumbs when there is an army waiting to be taken by us?" + +"You're a commissioned officer, sir, and I'm only a private." + +"Never mind about that. You're a veteran of many years and many fights, +and I know but little. Why do we sit still in the dust and fail to take +the great prize that's offered to us?" + +"The men of an army, sir, do the fighting, but its generals are its +brains. It is for the brains to judge, to see and to command. The +generals cannot win without the men, and the men cannot win without the +generals. Now, in this case, sir, you can see--" + +He stopped and shrugged his shoulders, as if it were not for him to say +any more. + +"I see," said Dick bitterly. "You needn't say it, sergeant, but I'll +say it for you. General McClellan has been overcome by caution again, +and he sees two Johnnies where but one stands." + +Sergeant Whitley shrugged his shoulders again, but said nothing. Dick +was about to turn away, when he saw a tall, thin figure approaching. + +"Mr. Warner," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"So it is," exclaimed Dick. "It's really good old George come to help +us!" + +He rushed forward and shook hands with Warner who although thin and pale +was as cool and apparently almost as strong as ever. + +"Here I am, Dick," he said, "and the great battle hasn't been fought. +I knew they couldn't fight it without me. The hospital at Washington +dismissed me in disgrace because I got well so fast. 'What's the use,' +said one of the doctors, 'in getting up and running away to the army to +get killed? You could die much more comfortably here in bed.' 'Not at +all,' I replied. 'I don't get killed when I'm with the army. I merely +get nearly killed. Then I lie unconscious on the field, in the rain, +until some good friend comes along, takes me away on his back and puts me +in a warm bed. It's a lot safer than staying in your hospital all the +time.'" + +"Oh, shut up, George! Come and see the boys. They'll be glad to know +you're back--what's left of 'em." + +Warner's welcome was in truth warm. He seemed more phlegmatic than ever, +but he opened his eyes wide when they told him of the dispatch that had +been lost and found. + +"General McClellan must have been waiting for me," he said. "Tell him +I've come." + +But General McClellan did not yet move. The last long hour of the day +passed. The sun set in red and gold behind the western mountains, +and the Army of the Potomac still rested in its camp, although privates +even knew that precious hours were being lost, and that booming cannon +might already be telling the defenders of Harper's Ferry that Jackson was +at hand. + +Nor were they far wrong. While McClellan lingered on through the night, +never moving from his camp, Jackson and his generals were pushing forward +with fiery energy and at dawn the next day had surrounded Harper's Ferry +and its doomed garrison of more than twelve thousand men. + +But these were things that Dick could not guess that night. One small +detachment had been sent ahead by McClellan, chiefly for scouting +purposes, and in the darkness the boy who had gone a little distance +forward with Colonel Winchester heard the booming of cannon. It was a +faint sound but unmistakable, and Dick glanced at his chief. + +"That detachment has come into contact with the rebels somewhere there in +the mountains," he said, "and the ridges and valleys are bringing us the +echoes. Oh, why in Heaven's name are we delayed here through all the +precious moments! Every hour's delay will cost the lives of ten thousand +good men!" + +And it is likely that in the end Colonel Winchester's reckoning was too +moderate. He and Dick gazed long in the direction in which Harper's +Ferry lay, and they listened, too, to the faint mutter of the guns among +the hills. Before dawn, scouts came in, saying that there had been hard +fighting off toward Harper's Ferry, and that Lee with the other division +of the Southern army was retreating into a peninsula formed by the +junction of the river Antietam with the Potomac, where he would await the +coming of Jackson, after taking Harper's Ferry. + +"Jackson hasn't taken Harper's Ferry yet," said Dick, when he heard the +news. "Many of Banks' veterans of the valley are there, and, our men +instead of being crushed by defeat, are always improved by it." + +"Still, I wish we'd march," said Warner. "I didn't come here merely to +go into camp. I might as well have stayed in the hospital." + +Nevertheless they moved at daylight. McClellan had made up his mind +at last, and the army advanced joyfully to shut down the trap on Lee. +Dick's spirits rose with the sun and the advance of the troops. They had +delayed, but they would get Lee yet. There was nothing to tell them that +Harper's Ferry had fallen, and Jackson's force must still be detained +there far away. They ought to strike Lee on the morrow and destroy him, +and then they would destroy Jackson. Oh, Lee and Jackson had been +reckless generals to venture beyond the seceding states! + +They marched fast now, and the fiery Hooker soon to be called Fighting +Joe led the advance. He was eager to get at Lee, who some said did not +now have more than twenty thousand men with him, although McClellan +insisted on doubling or tripling his numbers and those of Jackson. +Scouts and skirmishers came in fast now. Yes, Lee was between the +Antietam and the Potomac and they ought to strike him on the morrow. +The spirits of the Army of the Potomac continually rose. + +Dick remained in a joyous mood. He had been greatly uplifted by the +return of his comrade, Warner, for whom he had formed a strong attachment, +and he could not keep down the thought that they would now be able to +trap Lee and end the war. The terrible field of the Second Manassas was +behind him and forgotten for the time. They rode now to a new battle and +to victory. + +Another great cloud of dust like that at Manassas rolled slowly on toward +the little river or creek of Antietam, but the heat was not so great now. +A pleasant breeze blew from the distant western mountains and cooled the +faces of the soldiers. The country through which they were passing was +old for America. They saw a carefully cultivated soil, good roads and +stone bridges. + +None of the lads and young men around Colonel Winchester rejoiced more +than Warner. Released from the hospital and with his tried comrades once +more he felt as if he were the dead come back. He was in time, too, +for the great battle which was to end the war. The cool wind that blew +upon his face tingled with life and made his pulses leap. Beneath the +granite of his nature and a phlegmatic exterior, he concealed a warm +heart that always beat steadfastly for his friends and his country. + +"Dick," he said, "have they heard anything directly from Harper's Ferry?" + +"Not a word, at least none that I've heard about, but it's quite sure +that Jackson hasn't taken the place yet. Why should he? We have there +twelve or thirteen thousand good men, most of whom have proven their +worth in the valley. Why, they ought to beat him off entirely." + +"And while they're doing that we ought to be taking Mr. Lee and a lot of +well-known Confederate gentlemen. I've made a close calculation, Dick, +and I figure that the chances are at least eighty per cent in favor of +our taking or destroying Lee's army." + +"I wish we had started sooner," said Pennington. "We've lost a whole day, +one of the most precious days the world has ever known." + +"You're right, Frank, and I've allowed that fact to figure importantly in +my reckoning. If it were not for the lost day I'd figure our chance of +making the finishing stroke at ninety-five per cent. But boys, it's +glorious to be back with you. Once, I thought when we were marching back +and forth so much that if I could only lie down and rest for a week or +two I'd be the happiest fellow on earth. But it became awful as I lay +there, day after day. I had suddenly left the world. All the great +events were going on without me. North or South might win, while I lay +stretched on a hospital bed. It was beyond endurance. If I hadn't got +well so fast that they could let me go, I'd have climbed out of the +window with what strength I had, and have made for the army anyhow. +Did you ever feel a finer wind than this? What a beautiful country! +It must be the most magnificent in the world!" + +Dick and Pennington laughed. Old George was growing gushy. But they +understood that he saw with the eyes of the released prisoner. + +"It is beautiful," said Dick, "and it's a pity that it should be ripped +up by war. Listen, boys, there's the call that's growing mighty familiar +to us all!" + +Far in front behind the hills they heard the low grumbling of cannon. +And further away to the west they heard the same sinister mutter. +The Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No. 191 +might cause their total destruction, but they were on guard, +nevertheless. Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan, +had sent back Hill with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern +army until he himself should come with all his force. + +In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of +the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat +never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy. He would +not only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it. +When McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to +Lee than Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning +perception and unyielding courage win. + +The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a +distant thunder. Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest +rose, they saw smoke and flashes of fire. A young Maryland cavalry +officer, riding near, explained to them that the point from which the +cannonade came was a gap in South Mountain, although it was as yet +invisible, owing to the forest. + +"We heard that Lee's army was much further away," said Warner to Dick. +"What can it mean? What force is there fighting our vanguard?" + +It was Shepard, the spy, who brought them the facts. He had already +reported to General McClellan, when he approached Colonel Winchester. +His face was worn and drawn, and he was black under the eyes. His +clothes were covered with dust. His body was weary almost unto death, +but his eyes burned with the fire of an undying spirit. + +"I've been all the night and all this morning in the mountains and hills," +he said. "Harper's Ferry is not yet taken, but I think it will fall. +But Hill, McLaws and Longstreet are all in this pass or the other which +leads through the mountain. They mean to hold us as long as they can, +and then hang on to the flank of our army." + +He passed on and the little regiment advanced more rapidly. Dick saw +Colonel Winchester's eyes sparkling and he knew he was anxious to be in +the thick of it. Other and heavier forces were deploying upon the same +point, but Winchester's regiment led. + +As they approached a deadly fire swept the plain and the hills. Rifle +bullets crashed among them and shell and shrapnel came whining and +shrieking. Once more the Winchester regiment, as it had come to be +called, was smitten with a bitter and deadly hail. Men fell all around +Dick but the survivors pressed on, still leading the way for the heavy +brigades which they heard thundering behind them. + +The mouth of the pass poured forth fire and missiles like a volcano, +but Dick heard Colonel Winchester still shouting to his men to come on, +and he charged with the rest. The fire became so hot that the vanguard +could not live in it without shelter, and the colonel, shouting to the +officers to dismount, ordered them all to take cover behind trees and +rocks. + +Dick who had been carried a little ahead of the rest, sprang down, +still holding his horse, and made for a great rock which he saw on one +side just within the mouth of the pass. His frightened horse reared and +jerked so violently that he tore the bridle from the lad's hand and ran +away. + +Dick stood for a moment, scarcely knowing what to do, and then, as a +half dozen bullets whistled by his head, urging him to do something, he +finished his dash for the rock, throwing himself down behind it just as a +half a dozen more bullets striking on the stone told him that he had done +the right thing in the very nick of time. + +He carried with him a light rifle of a fine improved make, a number of +which had been captured at the Second Manassas, and which some of the +younger officers had been allowed to take. He did not drop it in his +rush for the rock, holding on to it mechanically. + +He lay for at least a minute or two flat upon the ground behind the great +stone, while the perspiration rolled from his face and his hair prickled +at the roots. He could never learn to be unconcerned when a dozen or +fifteen riflemen were shooting at him. + +When he raised his head a little he saw that the Winchester regiment had +fallen back, and that, in truth, the entire advance had stopped until it +could make an attack in full force upon the enemy. + +Dick recognized with a certain grim humor that he was isolated. He was +just a little Federal island in a Confederate sea. Up the gap he saw +cannon and masses of gray infantry. Gathered on a comparatively level +spot was a troop of cavalry. He saw all the signs of a desperate defense, +and, while he watched, the great guns of the South began to fire again, +their missiles flying far over his head toward the Northern army. + +Dick was puzzled, but for the present he did not feel great alarm about +himself. He lay almost midway between the hostile forces, but it was +likely that they would take no notice of him. + +With a judgment born of a clear mind, he lay quite still, while the +hostile forces massed themselves for attack and defense. Each was +feeling out the other with cannon, but every missile passed well over his +head, and he did not take the trouble to bow to them as they sailed on +their errands. Yet he lay close behind that splendid and friendly rock. + +He knew that the Southerners would have sharpshooters and skirmishers +ahead of their main force. They would lie behind stones, trees and brush +and at any moment one of them might pick him off. The Confederate force +seemed to incline to the side of the valley, opposite the slope on which +he lay, and he was hopeful that the fact would keep him hidden until the +masses of his own people could charge into the gap. + +It was painful work to flatten his body out behind a stone and lie there. +No trees or bushes grew near enough to give him shade, and the afternoon +sun began to send down upon him direct rays that burned. He wondered how +long it would be until the Union brigades came. It seemed to him that +they were doing a tremendous amount of waiting. Nothing was to be gained +by this long range cannon fire. They must charge home with the bayonet. + +He raised himself a little in order that he might peep over the stone and +see if the charge were coming, and then with a little cry he dropped back, +a fine gray powder stinging his face. A rifle had been fired across the +valley and a bullet chipping the top of the rock sheltering Dick warned +him that he was not the only sharpshooter who lay in an ambush. + +Peeping again from the side of the rock, he saw curls of blue smoke +rising from a point behind a stone just like his own on the other side of +the valley. It was enough to tell him that a Southern sharpshooter lay +there and had marked him for prey. + +Dick's anger rose. Why should anyone seek his life, trying to pick him +off as if he were a beast of prey? He had been keeping quiet, disturbing +nobody, merely seeking a chance to escape, when this ruthless rebel had +seen him. He became in his turn hot and fiercely ready to give bullet +for bullet. Smoke floating through the pass and the flash of the cannon, +made him more eager to hit the sharpshooter who was seeking so hard to +hit him. + +Watching intently he caught a glimpse of a gray cap showing above the +rock across the valley, and, raising his light rifle, he fired, quick as +a flash. The return shot came at once, and chipped the rock as before, +but he dropped back unhurt, and peeping from the side he could see +nothing. He might or might not have slain his enemy. The gray cap was +no longer visible, and he watched to see if it would reappear. + +He heard the sound of a great cannonade before the mouth of the pass, +and he saw his own people advancing in force, their lines extending far +to the left and right, with several batteries showing at intervals. +Then came the rebel yell from the pass and as the Union lines advanced +the Southerners poured upon them a vast concentrated fire. + +Dick, watching through the smoke and forgetful of his enemy across the +valley, saw the Union charge rolled back. But he also saw the men +out of range gathering themselves for a new attack. Within the pass +preparations were going on to repel it a second time. Then he glanced +toward the opposite rock and dropped down just in time. He had seen a +rifle barrel protruding above it, and a second later the bullet whistled +where his head had been. + +He grew angrier than ever. He had left that sharpshooter alone for at +least ten minutes, while he watched charge and repulse, and he expected +to be treated with the same consideration. He would pay him for such +ferocity, and seeing an edge of gray shoulder, he fired. + +No sign came from the rock, and Dick was quite sure that he had missed. +The blood mounted to his head and surcharged his brain. A thousand +little pulses that he had never heard of before began to beat in his head, +and he was devoured by a consuming anger. He vowed to get that fellow +yet. + +Lying flat upon his stomach he drew himself around the edge of the rock +and watched. There was a great deal of covering smoke from the artillery +in the pass now, and he believed that it would serve his purpose. + +But when he got a little distance away from the rock the bank of smoke +lifted suddenly, and it was only by quickly flattening himself down +behind a little ridge of stone that he saved his life. The +sharpshooter's bullet passed so close to his head that Dick felt as if +he had received a complete hair cut, all in a flash. + +He fairly sprang back to the cover of his rock. What a fine rock that +was! How big and thick! And it was so protective! In a spirit of +defiance he fired at the top of the other stone and saw the gray dust +shoot up from it. Quick came the answering shot, and a little piece of +his coat flew with it. That was certainly a great sharpshooter across +the valley! Dick gave him full credit for his skill. + +Then he heard the rolling of drums and the mellow call of trumpets in +front of the pass. Taking care to keep well under cover he looked back. +The Union army was advancing in great force now, its front tipped with a +long line of bayonets and the mouths of fifty cannon turned to the pass. +In front of them swarmed the skirmishers, eager, active fellows leaping +from rock to rock and from tree to tree. + +Dick foresaw that the second charge would not fail. Its numbers were so +great that it would at least enter the pass and hold the mouth of it. +Already a mighty cannonade was pouring a storm of death over the heads of +the skirmishers toward the defenders, and the brigades came on steadily +and splendidly to the continued rolling of the drums. + +Dick rose up again, watching now for his enemy who, he knew, could not +remain much longer behind the rock, as he would soon be within range of +the Northern skirmishers advancing on that side. + +He fancied that he could hear the massive tread of the thousands coming +toward the pass, and the roll of the drums, distinct amid the roar of +the cannon, told him that his comrades would soon be at hand, driving +everything before them. But his eyes were for that big rock on the other +side of the valley. Now was his time for revenge upon the sharpshooter +who had sought his life with such savage persistence. The Northern +skirmishers were drawing nearer and the fellow must flee or die. + +Suddenly the sharpshooter sprang from the rock, and up flew Dick's rifle +as he drew a bead straight upon his heart. Then he dropped the weapon +with a cry of horror. Across the valley and through the smoke he +recognized Harry Kenton, and Harry Kenton looking toward his enemy +recognized him also. + +Each threw up his hand in a gesture of friendliness and farewell--the +roar of the battle was so loud now that no voice could have been heard at +the distance--and then they disappeared in the smoke, each returning to +his own, each heart thrilling with a great joy, because its owner had +always missed the sharpshooter behind the stone. + +The impression of that vivid encounter in the pass was dimmed for a while +for Dick by the fierceness of the fighting that followed. The defense +had the advantage of the narrow pass and the rocky slopes, and numbers +could not be put to the most account. Nevertheless, the Confederates +were pressed back along the gap, and when night came the Union army was +in full possession of its summit. + +But at the other gap the North had not achieved equal success. +Longstreet, marching thirteen miles that day, had come upon the field in +time, and when darkness fell the Southern troops still held their ground +there. But later in the night Hill and Longstreet, through fear of being +cut off, abandoned their positions and marched to join Lee. + +Dick and his comrades who did not lie down until after midnight had come, +felt that a great success had been gained. McClellan had been slow to +march, but, now that he was marching, he was sweeping the enemy out of +his way. + +The whole Army of the Potomac felt that it was winning and McClellan +himself was exultant. Early the next morning he reported to his superior +at Washington that the enemy was fleeing in panic and that General Lee +admitted that he had been "shockingly whipped." + +Full of confidence, the army advanced to destroy Lee, who lay between +the peninsula of the Antietam and the Potomac, but just about the time +McClellan was writing his dispatch, the white flag was hoisted at +Harper's Ferry, the whole garrison surrendered, and messengers were on +their way to Lee with the news that Stonewall Jackson was coming. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ACROSS THE STREAM + + +Dick and his comrades had not heard of the taking of Harper's Ferry and +they were full of enthusiasm that brilliant morning in mid-September. +McClellan, if slow to move, nevertheless had shown vigor in action, +and the sanguine youths could not doubt that they had driven Lee into a +corner. The Confederates, after the fierce fighting of the day before, +had abandoned both gaps, and the way at last lay clear before the Army +of the Potomac. + +Dick was mounted again. In fact his horse, after pulling the reins from +his hands and fleeing from the Confederate fire, had been retaken by a +member of his own regiment and returned to him. It was another good +omen. The lost had been found again and defeat would become victory. + +But Dick said nothing to anybody of his duel with Harry Kenton. He +shuddered even now when he recalled it. And yet there had been no guilt +in either. Neither had known that the other lay behind the stone, +but happy chance had made all their bullets go astray. Again he was +thankful. + +"How did you stand that fighting yesterday afternoon, George?" Dick +asked of Warner. + +"First rate. The open air agreed with me, and as no bullet sought me +out I felt benefited. I didn't get away from that hospital too soon. +How far away is this Antietam River, behind which they say Lee lies?" + +"It's only eight miles from the gap," said Pennington, who had been +making inquiries, "and as we have come three miles it must be only five +miles away." + +"Correct," said Warner, who was in an uncommonly fine humor. "Your +mathematical power grows every day, Frank. Let x equal the whole +distance from the gap to the Antietam, which is eight miles, let y equal +the distance which we have come which is three miles, then x minus y +equals the distance left, which is five miles. Wonderful! wonderful! +You'll soon have a great head on you, Frank." + +"If some rebel cannoneer doesn't shoot it off in the coming battle. +By George, we're driving their skirmishers before us! They don't seem +to make any stand at all!" + +The vanguard certainly met with no very formidable resistance as it +advanced over the rolling country. The sound of firing was continuous, +but it came from small squads here and there, and after firing a few +volleys the men in gray invariably withdrew. + +Yet the Northern advance was slow. Colonel Winchester became intensely +impatient again. + +"Why don't we hurry!" he exclaimed. "Of all things in the world the one +that we need most is haste. With Jackson tied up before Harper's Ferry, +Lee's defeat is sure, unless he retreats across the Potomac, and that +would be equivalent to a defeat. Good Heavens, why don't we push on?" + +He had not yet heard of the fall of Harper's Ferry, and that Jackson with +picked brigades was already on the way to join Lee. Had he known these +two vital facts his anger would have burned to a white heat. Surely no +day lost was ever lost at a greater cost than the one McClellan lost +after the finding of Orders No. 191. + +"Do you know anything about the Antietam, colonel?" asked Dick. + +"It's a narrow stream, but deep, and crossed by several stone bridges. +It will be hard to force a crossing here, but further up it can be done +with ease since we outnumber Lee so much that we can overlap him by far. +I have my information from Shepard, and he makes no mistakes. There +is a church, too, on the upper part of the peninsula, a little church +belonging to an order called the Dunkards." + +"Ah," murmured Dick, "the little church of Shiloh!" + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"There was a little church at Shiloh, too. The battle raged all around +it more than once. We lost it at first, but in the end we won. It's +another good omen. We're bound to achieve a great victory, colonel." + +"I hope and believe so. We've the materials with which to do it. +But we've got to push and push hard." + +The colonel raised his glasses and took a long look in front. Dick also +had a pair and he, too, examined the country before them. It was a fine, +rolling region and all the forest was gone, except clumps of trees here +and there. The whole country would have been heavy with forest had it +not been for the tramp of war. + +It was now nearly noon and the sunlight was brilliant and intense. +The glasses carried far. Dick saw a line of trees which he surmised +marked the course of the Antietam, and he saw small detachments of +cavalry which he knew were watching the advance of the Army of the +Potomac. Their purpose convinced him that Lee had not retreated across +the Potomac, but that he would fight and surely lose. Dick now believed +that so many good omens could not fail. + +A horseman galloped toward them. It was Shepard again, dustier than ever, +his face pale from weariness. + +"What is it, Mr. Shepard?" asked Colonel Winchester. + +"I've just reported to General McClellan that our whole command at +Harper's Ferry, thirteen thousand strong, surrendered early this morning +and that Jackson with picked men has already started to join Lee!" + +"My God! My God!" cried the colonel. "Oh, that lost day! We ought to +have fought yesterday and destroyed Lee, while Harper's Ferry was still +holding out! What a day! What a day! Nothing can ever pay us back for +the losing of it!" + +Dick, too, felt a sinking of the heart, but despair was not written on +his face as it was on that of his colonel. Jackson might come, but it +would only be with a part of his force, that which marched the swiftest, +and the victory of the Army of the Potomac would be all the grander. +The more enemies crushed the better it would be for the Union. + +"Why, colonel!" he exclaimed, "we can beat them anyhow!" + +"That's so, my lad, so we can! And so we will! It was childish of me to +talk as I did. Here, Johnson, blow your best on that trumpet. I want +our regiment to be the first to reach the Antietam." + +Johnson blew a long and mellow tune and the Winchester regiment swung +forward at a more rapid gait. The weather, after a day or two of +coolness, had grown intensely hot again, and the noon sun poured down +upon them sheaves of fiery rays. Dick looked back, and he saw once more +that vast billowing cloud of dust made by the marching army. But in +front he saw only quiet and peace, save for a few distant horsemen who +seemed to be riding at random. + +"There's a little town called Sharpsburg in the peninsula formed by +the Potomac and the Antietam," said Shepard, who stayed with them, his +immediate work done, "and the Potomac being very low, owing to the dry +season, there is one ford by which Lee can cross and go back to Virginia. +But he isn't going to cross without a battle, that's sure. The rebels +are flushed with victory, they think they have the greatest leaders ever +born and they believe, despite the disparity of numbers, that they can +beat us." + +"And I believe they can't," said Dick. + +"If it were not for that lost day we'd have 'em beaten now," said Shepard, +"and we'd be marching against Jackson." + +The regiment in its swift advance now came nearer to the Antietam, +the narrow but deep creek between its high banks. One or two shots from +the far side warned them to come more slowly, and Colonel Winchester drew +his men up on a knoll, waiting for the rest of the army to advance. + +Dick put his glasses to his eyes, and slowly swept a wide curve on the +peninsula of Antietam. Great armies drawn up for battle were a spectacle +that no boy could ever view calmly, and his heart beat so hard that it +caused him actual physical pain. + +He saw through the powerful glasses the walls of the little village of +Sharpsburg, and to the north a roof which he believed was that of the +Dunkard Church, of which Shepard spoke. But his eyes came back from the +church and rested on the country around Sharpsburg. The Confederate +masses were there and he clearly saw the batteries posted along the +Antietam. Beyond the peninsula he caught glimpses of the broad Potomac. + +There lay Lee before them again, and now was the time to destroy his +army. Jackson, even with his vanguard, could not arrive before night, +and the main force certainly could not come from Harper's Ferry before +the morrow. Here was a full half day for the Army of the Potomac, +enough in which to destroy a divided portion of the Army of Northern +Virginia. + +But Colonel Winchester raged again and again in vain. There was no +attack. Brigade after brigade in blue came up and sat down before the +Antietam. The cannon exchanged salutes across the little river, but +no harm was done, and the great masses of McClellan faced the whole +peninsula, within which lay Lee with half of his army. The Winchester +regiment was moved far to the north, where its officers hopefully +believed that the first attack would be made. Here they extended +beyond Lee's line, and it would be easy to cross the Antietam and hurl +themselves upon his flank. + +Despite the delay, Dick and his comrades, thrilled at the great and +terrible panorama spread before them. The mid-September day had become +as hot as those of August had been. The late afternoon sun was brazen, +and immense clouds of dust drifted about. But they did not hide the view +of the armies, arrayed for battle, and with only a narrow river between. + +Dick, through his own glasses saw Confederate officers watching them +also. He tried to imagine that this was Lee and that Longstreet, and +that one of the Hills, and the one who wore a gorgeous uniform must +surely be Stuart. Why should they be allowed to ride about so calmly? +His heart fairly ached for the attack. McClellan said that fifty +thousand men were there, and that Jackson was coming with fifty thousand +more, but Shepard, who always knew, said that they did not number more +than twenty thousand. What a chance! What a chance! He almost repeated +Colonel Winchester's words, but he was only a young staff officer and it +was not for him to complain. If he said anything at all he would have +to say it in a guarded manner and to his best friends. + +The Winchester regiment went into camp in a pleasant grove at the +northern end of the Union line. Dick and his two young comrades had no +fault to find with their quarters. They had dry grass, warm air and the +open sky. A more comfortable summer home for a night could not be asked. +And there was plenty of food, too. The Army of the Potomac never lacked +it. The coffee was already boiling in the pots, and beef and pork were +frying in the skillets. Heavenly aromas arose. + +Dick and his comrades ate and drank, and then lay down in the grove. +If they must rest they would rest well. Now and then they heard the +booming of guns, and just before dark there had been a short artillery +duel across the Antietam, but now the night was quiet, save for the +murmur and movement of a great army. Through the darkness came the sound +of many voices and the clank of moving wheels. + +Dick asked permission for his two comrades and himself to go down near +the river and obtained it. + +"But don't get shot," cautioned Colonel Winchester. "The Confederate +riflemen will certainly be on watch on the other side of the stream." + +Dick promised and the three went forward very carefully among some +bushes. They were led on by curiosity and they did not believe that they +would be in any great danger. The singular friendliness which always +marked the pickets of the hostile armies in the Civil War would prevail. + +It was several hundred yards down to the Antietam, and luckily the ribbon +of bushes held out. But when they were half way to the stream a thick, +dark figure rose up before them. Dick, in an instant, recognized +Sergeant Whitley. + +"We want to get a nearer view of the enemy," said the boy. + +"I'll go with you," said the sergeant. "I'm on what may be called +scouting duty. Besides, I've a couple of friends down there by the river, +but on the other side." + +"Friends on the other side of the Antietam. What do you mean, sergeant?" + +"I was scouting along there and I came across 'em. Only one in fact is +an old acquaintance, an' he's just introduced me to the other." + +"That's cryptic." + +"I don't rightly know what 'cryptic' means, but I guess I don't make +myself understood well. In my campaign on the plains against the Indians +I had a comrade named Bill Brayton. A Tennesseean, Bill was an' a fine +feller, too. Him an' me have bunked together many a time an' we've dug +out of the snow together, too, after the blizzards was over. But when +we saw the war comin' up, Bill had fool notions. Said he didn't know +anything 'bout the right an' wrong of it, guessed there was some of each +on each side, but whichever way his state would flop, he'd flop. Well, +we waited. Tennessee flopped right out of the Union an' Bill flopped +with it. + +"I felt powerful sorry when Bill told me good-bye, and so did he. +I ain't seen or heard of him since 'till to-night, when I was cruisin' +down there by the side of the river in the dark an' keepin' under cover +of the bushes. Had no intention of shootin' anybody. Just wanted to +take a look. I saw on the other side a dim figure walkin' up an' down, +rifle on shoulder. Thought I noticed something familiar about it, +an' the longer I watched the shorer I was. + +"At last I crept right to the edge of the bank an' layin' down lest +some fool who didn't know the manners of our war take a pot shot at me, +I called out, 'Bill Brayton, you thick-headed rebel, are you well an' +doin' well?' + +"You ought to have seen him jump. He stopped walkin', dropped his rifle +in the hollow of his arm, looked the way my voice come and called out, +likewise in a loud voice: 'Who's callin' me a thick-headed rebel? +Is it some blue-backed Yankee? You know we see nothin' of you but your +backs. Come out in the light, an' I'll let some sense into you with a +bullet.' + +"'Oh, no I won't,' says I, still layin' close, an' not mindin' his taunt +'bout seein' our backs only. 'You couldn't hit me if I stood up an' +marked the place on my chest. Nothin' will save you but them days on the +plain in the blizzards when you was more useful with a shovel than you +are with a rifle, 'cause to-morrow at sunrise we're goin' to cross this +little river and tie all you fellows hand an' foot an' take you away as +prisoners to Washington.' + +"That made him mighty mad, but the part 'bout the blizzards on the +plains set him to thinkin', too. 'Who in thunderation are you?' sez he. +'You're Bill Brayton, of Tennessee, fightin' in the rebel army, when +you ought to know better,' says I. 'Now, who in thunderation am I?' +'Sufferin' Moses!' says he, 'that voice grows more like his every time +he speaks. It can't be that empty-headed galoot, Dan Whitley, who never +knew nothin' 'bout the rights an' wrongs of the war, an' had to go off +with the Yanks!' + +"'It's him an' nobody else,' says I, as I rose right up an' stood there +on the bank, 'an' mighty glad am I to see you Bill, an' to know that your +fool head ain't knocked off by a cannon ball.' He shorely jumped up an' +down with pleasure an' he called back: 'The good Lord certainly watches +over them that ain't got any sense. Dan, you flat-headed, hump-backed, +round-shouldered, thin-chested, knock-kneed, club-footed son of a gun, +I was never so glad to see anybody before in my life.' + +"His eyes were shinin' with delight an' I know mine was, too. Reunions +of old friends who for all each know have been dead a year or two, +clean blowed to pieces by shells, or shot through by a hundred rifle +bullets are powerful affectin'. He come down to the edge of the river +an' he shot questions across to me, an' I shot questions at him, an' I +felt as if a brother had riz from the dead. An' as we can't shake hands +we reaches out the muzzles of our guns and shakes them towards each other +in the most friendly way. Then another picket comes up, fellow by name +of Henderson, from Mississippi. Bill introduces him to his good old pal, +an' we three have a friendly talk. Guess they're down there yet, if you +want to see 'em. I liked that fellow, Henderson, too, though he was a +powerful boaster." + +"All right," said Dick. "Lead on, but don't get us shot." + +They went cautiously through the bushes to the bank of the river, and +then the sergeant blew softly between his fingers. Two figures at once +appeared on the other side, and Sergeant Whitley and the boys rose up. + +"Mr. Brayton and Mr. Henderson," said the sergeant politely, "I want to +introduce my friends, Lieutenant Mason, Lieutenant Warner and Lieutenant +Pennington." + +"Movin' in mighty good comp'ny, though young, Dan," said Brayton, who was +about Whitley's age and build. + +"They're officers, an' they're young, as you say," said Whitley, "but +they're good ones." + +"Them's the kind we eat alive, when we ain't got anything else to eat," +said the Mississippian, a very tall, sallow and youngish man. "We're +never too strong on rations, and when I eat prisoners I like 'em under +twenty the best. They ain't had time to get tough. I speak right now +for that yellow-haired one in the middle." + +"You can't swallow me," said Pennington, good naturedly. "I'll just turn +myself crossways and stick in your throat." + +"What are you fellows after around here, anyway?" continued the +Mississippian. "The weather's hot an' we all want to go in swimmin' +to-morrow, bein' as we have two rivers handy. Shore as you live if you +get to botherin' us we'll hurt you." + +"You won't hurt us," said Dick, "because to-morrow we're going to +surround you and drive you into a coop." + +"Drive us in a coop. See here, Yank, you're gettin' excited. Do you +know how many men we have here waitin' for you? Of course you don't. +Why, it's four hundred thousand, ain't it, Bill?" + +"No, it's just two hundred thousand. I don't believe in lyin' fur effect, +Jim." + +"I ain't lyin'. There's two hundred thousand men. Then there's Bobby +Lee. That's a hundred thousand more, which makes three hundred thousand. +Then there's Stonewall Jackson, who's another hundred thousand, which +brings the figures up to exactly what I said, four hundred thousand. +Now, ain't I right, Bill?" + +"You shorely are, Jim. I was a fool for countin' the way I did. Will +you overlook it this time?" + +"Wa'al, I will this time, but be shore you don't do it ag'in. Now, +see here, you Yanks: we like you well enough. You're friends of Bill, +who is a friend of me. Just you take my advice an' go home. Start +to-night while the weather is warm, an' the roads are good. If you're +afraid of our chasin' you we'll give you a runnin' start of a hunderd +miles." + +"Wa'al now, that's right kind of you," said Whitley. "I for one might +take your advice, but I was froze up so much in them wild mountains an' +plains of the northwest that I like to go south when the winter's comin' +on. It's hot now, all right, but in two months the chilly blasts will be +seekin' my marrow." + +"I was speakin' for your own good," said the Mississippian gravely. +"Anyway, you won't be troubled by the cold weather 'cause if you don't +go back into the no'th where you belong, we'll be takin' you a prisoner +way down south, where you don't belong. But you could have a good time +there. We won't treat you bad. There's fine huntin' for b'ars in the +canebrake an' the rivers an' bayous are full of fish. Your captivity +won't be downright painful on you." + +"Glad to get your welcome, Mr. Henderson," said Whitley, "'cause we've +heard a lot 'bout the hospitality of Mississippi, an' we're shorely goin' +to stretch it. I'm comin', an' I'm bringin' a couple of hundred thousand +fellers 'bout my size with me. Funny thing, we'll all wear blue coats +just alike. Think you'd find room for us?" + +"Plenty of it. What was it the feller said--we welcome you with bloody +hands to hospitable graves--but we ain't feelin' that way to-night. +Got a plug of terbacker?" + +The sergeant took out a square of tobacco, cut it in exact halves with +his pocket knife, and tossed one-half across the Antietam, where it was +deftly caught by the Mississippian. + +"Thanks mightily," said Henderson. "Mr. Commissary Banks used to supply +us with good things, then it was Mr. Commissary Pope, and now I reckon +it'll be Mr. Commissary McClellan. Say, how many fellers have you got +over thar, anyway?" + +"When I counted 'em last night," replied the sergeant calmly, "there was +five hundred and twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-three infantry, +sixty-four thousand two hundred and nineteen cavalry an' three thousand +one hundred and seventy-five cannon, but I reckon we'll receive +reinforcements of three hundred thousand before mornin'." + +"Then we'll have more prisoners than I thought. Are you shore them three +hundred thousand reinforcements will get up in time?" + +"Quite shore. I've sent 'em word to hurry." + +"Then we'll have to take them, too." + +"Time you fellers quit your talkin'," said Brayton, "a major or a colonel +may come strollin' 'long here any minute, an' they don't like for us +fellers to be too friendly. Dan, I'm powerful glad to see you ag'in, +an' I hope you won't get killed. I've a feelin' that you an' me will be +ridin' over the plains once more some day, an' we won't be fightin' each +other. We'll be fightin' Sioux an' Cheyennes an' all that red lot, +just as we did in the old days. Here's a good-bye." + +He thrust out the muzzle of his gun, an' Whitley thrust out his. Then +they shook them at each other in friendly salute, and the little group +moved away from the river bank. + +"I'm glad I've seen Bill again," said the sergeant. "Fine feller an' +that Mississippian with him was quaint like. Mighty big bragger." + +"You did some bragging yourself, sergeant," said Dick. + +"So I did, but it was in answer to Henderson. I'm glad we had that +little talk across the river. It was a friendly thing to do, before we +fall to slaughterin' one another." + +They rejoined Colonel Winchester, and Dick worked through a part of the +night carrying orders and other messages. A great movement was going on. +Fresh troops were continually coming up, but there was little noise +beyond the Antietam, although he saw the light of many fires. + +He slept after midnight and awoke at dawn, expecting to go at once into +battle. Some of the troops were moved about and Colonel Winchester began +to rage again. + +"Good God! can it be possible!" he exclaimed, "that another day will be +lost? Is General McClellan instead of General Lee waiting for Jackson to +come? With the enemy safely within the trap, we refuse to shut it down +upon him!" + +He said these things only within the hearing of Dick, who he knew would +never repeat them. But he was not the only one to complain. Men higher +in rank than he, generals, spoke their discontent openly. Why would +not McClellan attack? He had claimed that the rebels had two hundred +thousand men at the Seven Days, when it was well known that half that +figure or less was their true number. Why should he persist in seeing +the enemy double, and even if Lee did have fifty thousand men on the +other side of the Antietam, instead of the twenty thousand the scouts +assigned to him, the Army of the Potomac could defeat him before Jackson +came up. + +But McClellan was overcome by caution. In spite of everything he doubled +or tripled the numbers of the enemy. Personally brave beyond dispute, +he feared for his army. The position of the enemy on the peninsula +seemed to have changed somewhat through the night. He believed that the +batteries had been moved about, and he telegraphed to Washington that he +must find out exactly the disposition of Lee's forces and where the fords +were. + +Meanwhile the long, hot hours dragged on. The dust trodden up by so many +marching feet was terrible. It hung in clouds and added a sting to the +burning heat. Dick was wild with impatience, but he knew that it was not +worth while to say anything. He, Warner and Pennington, for the lack of +something else to do, lay on the dry grass, whispering and watching as +well as they could what was going on in Sharpsburg. + +Meanwhile Sharpsburg itself seemed a monument to peace. It was deep in +dust and the sun blazed on the roofs. Staff officers rode up, and when +they dismounted they lazily led their horses to the best shade that +could he found. Within a residence Lee sat in close conference with his +lieutenants, Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet. Now and then, they looked +at the reports of brigade commanders and sometimes they studied the maps +of Maryland and Virginia. Lee was calm and confident. The odds against +him--and he knew what they were--apparently mattered nothing. + +He knew the strength and spirit of his army and to what a pitch it was +keyed by victory. Moreover, he knew McClellan, whom he had met at the +Seven Days, and he believed, in truth he felt positive that McClellan +would delay long enough for the remainder of Jackson's troops to come up. +Upon this belief he staked the future of the Confederacy in the battle to +be fought there between the Potomac and the Antietam. His troops were +worn by battles and tremendous marches. Jackson's men in three days had +marched sixty miles, and had fought a battle at Harper's Ferry within +that time, also, taking more than thirteen thousand prisoners. Never +before had the foot cavalry marched so hard. + +The men in gray, ragged and many of them barefooted, slept in the woods +about Sharpsburg all through the hot hours of the day. Their officers +had told them that the drums and bugles would call them when needed, +and they sank quietly into the deepest of slumbers. From where they +lay Red Hill, a spur of a mountain, separated them from the Union army. +It was only those like Dick and his comrades who mounted elevations and +who had powerful field glasses who could see into Sharpsburg. The main +Union force saw only the top of a church spire or two in the village. +But each felt fully the presence of the other and knew that the battle +could not be delayed long. + +Dick, in his anxiety and excitement, fell asleep. The heat and the +waiting seemed to overpower him. He did not know how long he had slept, +but he was awakened by the sharp call of a trumpet, and when he sprang +to his feet Warner told him it was about four o'clock. + +"What's up?" he cried, as he wiped the haze of heat and dust from his +eyes. + +"We're about to march," replied Warner, "but as it's so late in the day I +don't think it can be a general attack. Still, I know that our division +is going to cross the Antietam. Up here the stream is narrower than +it is down below, and the banks are not so high. Look, the colonel is +beckoning to us! Here we go!" + +They sprang upon their horses, and a great corps advanced toward the +Antietam, far above the town of Sharpsburg. The sun had declined in +the West, and a breeze, bringing a little coolness, had begun to blow. +They did not see much preparation for defense beyond the river, but as +they advanced some cannon in the woods opened there. The Union cannon +replied, and then the brigades in blue moved forward swiftly. + +The officers and the cavalry galloped their horses into the little +river and Dick felt a fierce joy as the water was dashed into his face. +This was action, movement, the attack that had been delayed so long but +which was not yet too late. He thought nothing of the shells hissing and +shrieking over his head, and he shouted with the others in exultation +as they passed the fords of the Antietam and set foot on the peninsula. +The cannon dashed after them through the stream and up the bank. + +A heavy rifle fire from the woods met them, but the triumphant division +pressed on. They were held back at the edge of the woods by cannon +aiding the rifles, and for some time a battle swayed back and forth, +but the Confederate resistance ceased suddenly. Infantry and batteries +disappeared in woods or beyond a ridge, and then Dick noticed that night +was coming. The sun was already hidden by the lofty slopes of the +western mountains, and there would be no battle that day. In another +half hour full darkness would be upon them. + +But Dick felt that something had been achieved. A powerful Union force +was now beyond the Antietam, with its feet rooted firmly in the soil of +the peninsula. It looked directly south at the Confederate army and +there was no barrier between. Lee would have to face at once, Hooker on +the north and McClellan on the east across the Antietam. The Union army +had been numerous enough to outflank him. + +Dick was quite sure of success now. They had lost two of the most +precious of all days instead of one, but they had closed the gap on the +north, through which Lee's army might march in an attempt to escape. +It was likely, too, that the last of Jackson's men would come that way +and the Union force would cut them off from Lee. Two entire army corps +were now beyond the Antietam, and they should be able to do anything. + +The Winchester regiment lay in deep woods, and the great division +although it had rested nearly all the day was quiet in the night. +But some ardent souls could not rest. A group of officers, including +Colonel Winchester and the three young members of his staff, walked +forward through the woods, taking the chance of stray shots from +sentinels or skirmishers. But they knew that this risk was not great. + +They passed near a mill, its wheels and saws silent now, and presently as +the moon rose they saw the square white walls of a building shining in +its light. + +"The Dunkard church," said one of the officers. "I think we'd better not +go any closer. The Johnnies must be lying thick close at hand." + +"The dim light off to the right must be made by their fires," said +Colonel Winchester. "I wish I knew what troops they are. Jackson's +perhaps. It's a rough country, and all these forests and ridges and +hills will help the defense. I understand that the farms in here are +surrounded by stone fences and that, too, will help the Johnnies." + +"But we'll get 'em," said another confidently. "The battle can't be put +off any longer, and we're bound to smash 'em in the morning." + +They remained in the darkness for a while, trying to see what was passing +toward the Southern lines, but they could see little. There was some +rifle firing after a while, and the occasional deep note of a cannon, +mostly at random and the little group walked back. + +"I'm going to sleep, Dick," said Warner. "I've just remembered that +I'm an invalid and that if I overtask myself it will be a bad thing for +McClellan to-morrow. The colonel doesn't want us any longer, and so here +goes." + +"I follow," said Pennington. "The dry earth is good enough for me. +May I stay on top of it for the next half century." + +Warner and Pennington slept quickly, but Dick lay awake a long time, +listening to the stray rifle shots and the distant boom of a cannon at +far intervals. After a while, he looked at his watch and saw that it +was midnight. It was more than an hour later when slumber overtook him, +and while he and his comrades lay there the last of Jackson's men were +coming with the help that Lee needed so sorely. + +Two divisions which had been left at Harper's Ferry started at midnight +just as Dick was looking at his watch and at dawn they were almost to +the Potomac. On their flank was a cavalry brigade and A. P. Hill was +hurrying with another of infantry. Messenger after messenger from them +came to Lee that on the fateful day they with their fourteen thousand +bayonets would be in line when they were needed most. + +Few of those who fought for the Lost Cause ever cherished anything more +vividly than those hours between midnight and the next noon when they +marched at the double quick across hill and valley and forest to the +relief of their great commander. There was little need for the officers +to urge them on, and at sunrise the rolling of the cannon was calling to +them to come faster, always faster. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ANTIETAM + + +Dick arose at the first flash of dawn. All the men of the Winchester +regiment were on their feet. The officers had sent their horses to the +rear, knowing that they would be worse than useless among the rocks and +in the forest in front of them. + +A mist arising from the two rivers floated over everything, but Dick knew +that the battle was at hand. The Northern trumpets were calling, and in +the haze in front of them the Southern trumpets were calling, too. + +The fog lifted, and then Dick saw the Confederate lines stretched through +forest, rock and ploughed ground. Near the front was a rail fence with +lines of skirmishers crouching behind it. As the last bit of mist rolled +away the fence became a twisted line of flame. The fire of the Southern +skirmishers crashed in the Union ranks, and the Northern skirmishers, +pressing in on the right replied with a fire equally swift and deadly. +Then came the roar of the Southern cannon, well aimed and tearing gaps in +the Union lines. + +"Its time to charge!" exclaimed Pennington. "It scares me, standing +still under the enemy's fire, but I forget about it when I'm rushing +forward." + +The Winchester regiment did not move for the present, although the battle +thickened and deepened about it. The fire of the Confederate cannon was +heavy and terrible, yet the Union masses on either wing had begun to +press forward. Hooker hurled in two divisions, one under Meade, and one +under Doubleday, and another came up behind to support them. The western +men were here and remembering how they had been decimated at Manassas, +they fought for revenge as well as patriotism. + +At last the Winchester regiment in the center moved forward also. +They struck heavy ploughed land, and as they struggled through it they +met a devastating fire. It seemed to Dick that the last of the little +regiment was about to be blown away, but as he looked through the fire +and smoke he saw Warner and Pennington still by his side, and the colonel +a little ahead, waving his sword and shouting orders that could not be +heard. + +Dick saw shining far before him the white walls of the Dunkard church, +and he was seized with a frantic desire to reach it. It seemed to him if +they could get there that the victory would be won. Yet they made little +progress. The cannon facing them fairly spouted fire, and thousands of +expert riflemen in front of them lying behind ridges and among rocks and +bushes sent shower after shower of leaden balls that swept away the front +ranks of the charging Union lines. The shell and the shrapnel and the +grape and the round shot made a great noise, but the little bullets +coming in swarms like bees were the true messengers of death. + +Jackson and four thousand of his veterans formed the thin line between +the Dunkard church and the Antietam. They were ragged and worn by war, +but they were the children of victory, led by a man of genius, and they +felt equal to any task. Near Jackson stood his favorite young aide, +Harry Kenton, and on the other side was the thin regiment of the +Invincibles, led by Colonel Leonidas Talbot, and Lieutenant-Colonel +Hector St. Hilaire. + +Around the church itself were the Texans under Hood, stalwart, sunburned +men who could ride like Comanches, some of whom when lads had been +present at San Jacinto, when the Texans struck with such terrible might +and success for liberty. + +"Are we winning? Tell me, that we are winning!" shouted Dick in Warner's +ear. + +"We're not winning, but we will! Confound that fog! It's coming up +again!" Warner shouted back. + +The heavy fog from the Potomac and the Antietam which the early and +burning sunrise had driven away was drifting back, thickened by the smoke +from the cannon and rifles. The gray lines in front disappeared and +the church was hidden. Yet the Northern artillery continued to pour a +terrible fire through the smoke toward the point where the Confederate +infantry had been posted. + +Dick heard at the same time a tremendous roar on the left, and he knew +that the Union batteries beyond the Antietam had opened a flanking fire +on the Southern army. He breathed a sigh of triumph. McClellan, who +could organize and prepare so well, was aroused at last to such a point +that he could concentrate his full strength in battle itself, and push +home with all his might until able to snatch the reward, victory. +As the lad heard the supporting guns across the Antietam, he suddenly +found himself shouting with all his might. His voice could not be heard +in the uproar, but he saw that the lips of those about him were moving +in like manner. + +The two corps on the peninsula had a good leader that morning. Hooker, +fiery, impetuous, scorning death, continually led his men to the attack. +The gaps in their ranks were closed up, and on they went, infantry, +cavalry and artillery. The fog blew away again and they beheld once more +the gray lines of the Southerners, and the white wooden walls of the +church. + +So fierce and overwhelming was the Northern rush that all of Jackson's +men and the Texans were borne back, and were driven from the ridges and +out of the woods. Exultant, the men in blue followed, their roar of +triumph swelling above the thunder of the battle. + +"Victory!" cried Dick, but Warner shouted: + +"Look out!" + +The keen eyes of the young Vermonter had seen masses of infantry and +cavalry on their flank. Hooker, fierce and impetuous, had gone too far, +and now the Southern trumpets sang the charge. Stuart, fiery and +dauntless, his saber flashing, led his charging horsemen, and Hill threw +his infantry upon the Northern flank. + +It seemed to Dick that he was in a huge volcano of fire and smoke. +Men who, in their calm moments, did not hate one another, glared into +hostile eyes. There was often actual physical contact, and the flash +from the cannon and rifles blazed in Dick's face. The Southerners in +front who had been driven back returned, and as Stuart and Hill continued +to beat hard upon their flanks, the troops of Hooker were compelled to +retreat. Once more the white church faded in the mists and smoke. + +But Hooker and his generals rallied their men and advanced anew. The +ground around the Dunkard church became one of the most sanguinary +places in all America. One side advanced and then the other, and +they continually reeled to and fro. Even the young soldiers knew the +immensity of the stake. This was the open ground, elsewhere the Antietam +separated the fighting armies. But victory here would decide the whole +battle, and the war, too. The Northern troops fought for a triumph that +would end all, and the Southern troops for salvation. + +So close and obstinate was the conflict that colonels and generals +themselves were in the thick of it. Starke and Lawton of the South were +both killed. Mansfield, who led one of the Northern army corps fell dead +in the very front line, and the valiant Hooker, caught in the arms of his +soldiers, was borne away so severely wounded that he could no longer give +orders. + +Scarcely any generals were left on either side, but the colonels and the +majors and the captains still led the men into the thick of the conflict. +Dick felt a terrible constriction. It was as if some one were choking +him with powerful hands, and he strove for breath. He knew that the +masses pressed upon their flank by Stuart and Hill, were riddling them +through and through. + +The Union men were giving ground, slowly, it is true, and leaving heaps +of dead and wounded behind them, but nobody could stand the terrible +rifle fire that was raking them at short range from side to side, and +they were no longer able to advance. Now Dick heard once more that +terrible and triumphant rebel yell, and it seemed to him that they were +about to be destroyed utterly, when shell and shot began to shriek and +whistle over their heads. The woods behind them were alive with the +blaze of fire, and the great Union batteries were driving back the +triumphant and cheering Confederates. + +The Union generals on the other side of the Antietam saw the fate that +was about to overtake Hooker's valiant men, and Sumner, with another army +corps, had crossed the river to the rescue, coming just in time. They +moved up to Hooker's men and the united masses returned to the charge. + +The battle grew more desperate with the arrival of fresh troops. Again +it was charge and repulse, charge and repulse, and the continuous swaying +to and fro by two combatants, each resolved to win. There were the Union +men who had forced the passes through the mountains to reach this field, +and they were struggling to follow up those successes by a victory far +greater, and there were the Confederates resolved upon another glorious +success. + +The fire became so tremendous that the men could no longer hear orders. +Here was a field of ripe corn, the stems and blades higher than a man's +head, forty acres or so, nearly a quarter of a mile each way, but the +corn soon ceased to hide the combatants from one another. The fire from +the cannon and rifles came in such close sheets that scarcely a stalk +stood upright in that whole field. + +Long this mighty conflict swayed back and forth. Dick had seen nothing +like it before, not even at the Second Manassas. It was almost hand to +hand. Cannons were lost and retaken by each side. Stuart, finding the +ground too rough for his cavalry, dismounted them and put them at the +guns. Jackson, with an eye that missed nothing, called up Early's +brigade and hurled it into the battle. The North replied with fresh +troops, and the combat was as much in doubt as ever. Every brigade +commander on the Southern side had been killed or wounded. Nearly all +the colonels had fallen, but Jackson's men still fought with a fire and +spirit that only such a leader as he could inspire. + +It seemed to Dick that the whole world was on fire with the flash of +cannon and rifles. The roar and crash came from not only in front and +around him, but far down the side, where the main army of McClellan was +advancing directly upon the Antietam, and the stone bridges which the +Confederates had not found time to tear down. + +There stood Lee, supremely confident that if his lieutenant, Jackson, +could not hold the Northern opening into the peninsula nobody could. +His men, who knew the desperate nature of the crisis, said that they had +never seen him more confident than he was that day. + +On the ridge just south of the village was a huge limestone bowlder, +and Lee, field glasses in hand, stood on it. He listened a while to the +growing thunder of the battle in the north--the Dunkard church, around +which Jackson and Hooker were fighting so desperately, was a mile away-- +but he soon turned his attention to the blue masses across the Antietam. + +The Southern commander faced the Antietam with the hard-hitting +Longstreet on his right, his left being composed of the forces of Jackson, +already in furious conflict. Nothing escaped him. As he listened to the +thunder of the dreadful battle in the north, he never ceased to watch the +great army in front of him on the other side of the little river. + +While Hooker and his men were fighting with such desperate courage, +why did not McClellan and the main body of the Union army move forward +to the attack? Doubtless Lee asked himself this question, and doubtless +also he had gauged accurately the mind of the Union leader, who always +saw two or even three enemies where but one stood. Relying so strongly +upon his judgment he dared to strip himself yet further and send more men +to Jackson. A messenger brought him news that more of Jackson's men had +come to his aid and that he was now holding the whole line against the +attacks of Meade and Hooker and all the rest. + +Lee nodded and turned his glasses again toward the long blue line across +the Antietam. McClellan himself was there, standing on a hill and also +watching. Around him was a great division under the command of Burnside, +and his time to win victory had come. He sent the order to Burnside to +move forward and force the Antietam. It is said that at this moment Lee +had only five thousand men with him, all the rest having been sent to +Jackson, and, if so, time itself fought against the Union, as it was a +full two hours before Burnside carried out his order and moved forward on +the Antietam. + +But Dick, on the north, did not know that it was as yet only cannon fire, +and not the charge of troops to the south and west. In truth, he knew +little of his own part of the battle. Once he was knocked down, but it +was only the wind from a cannon ball, and when he sprang to his feet and +drew a few long breaths he was as well as ever. + +From muttered talk around him, talk that he could hear under the thunder +of the battle, he learned that Sumner, who had come with the great +reinforcement, was now leading the battle, with Hooker wounded and +Mansfield dying. + +Sumner, as brave and daring as any, had gathered twenty thousand men, +and they were advancing in splendid order over the wreck of the dead and +the dying, apparently an irresistible force. + +Jackson, standing at the edge of a wood, saw the magnificent advance, +and while the officers around him despaired, he did not think of awaiting +the Northern attack, but prepared instead for an attack of his own. +There was word that McLaws and the Harper's Ferry men had come. Jackson +galloped to meet them, formed them quickly with his own, and then the +Southern drums rolled out the charge. The weary veterans, gathering +themselves anew for another burst of strength, fell with all their might +on the Northern flank. + +Dick felt the force of that charge. Men seemed to be driven in upon him. +He was hurled down, how he knew not, but he sprang up again, and then he +saw that their advance was stopped. Long lines of bayonets advanced upon +them, and a terrible artillery fire crashed through and through their +ranks. Two or three thousand men in blue fell in a moment or so. +Fortune in an instant had made a terrible change of front. + +Dick shouted aloud in despair as the brigades steadily gave back. +The great Union batteries were firing over their heads again, but even +they could not arrest the Southern advance. Their regiments were coming +now across the shorn cornfield. Dick saw the galloping horses drawing +their batteries up closer and around the flanks. And the rebel yell of +victory which he had heard too often was now swelling from thousands of +throats, as the fierce sons of the South rushed upon their foe. + +But the North refused to abandon the battle here. These were splendid +troops, so tenacious and so much bent upon victory that they scarcely +needed leaders. Sedgwick, another of their gallant generals, fell and +was carried off the field, wounded severely. Richardson, yet another, +was killed a little later, but heavy reinforcements arrived, and the +Southerners were driven back in their turn. + +These were picked troops who met here, veterans almost all of them, +and neither would yield. The superior weight and range of the Northern +guns gave them an advantage in artillery, and it was used to the utmost. +Dick did not see how men could live under such a horrible fire, but there +were the gray lines replying, and wherever they yielded, yielding but +little. + +Noon came and then one o'clock. They had been fighting since dawn, +and a combat so impetuous and terrible could not be maintained forever, +particularly when the awful demon of war was eating up men so fast. +Many of the regiments on either side had lost more than half their number +and would lose more. They were human beings, and even the unwounded +began to collapse from mere physical exhaustion. Some dropped to the +ground from sheer inability to stand, and as they lay there, they heard +to the south and west the rolling thunder that told of Burnside's belated +advance upon the Antietam. + +Down where Lee stood watching, the battle blazed up with extraordinary +rapidity. The men who had been held in leash so long by McClellan were +anxious to get at the foe. Burnside's brigades charged directly for one +of the stone bridges, and Lee, watching from his bowlder, hurried the +Southern troops forward to meet them. Again the Northern artillery +proved its worth. The great batteries sent a hurricane of death over the +heads of the men in blue and toward the town of Sharpsburg. Despite all +the valor of the Southern veterans, the heavy masses of the Union men +forced their way across the bridge to the peninsula. Lee's batteries and +infantry regiments could not hold them. + +It seemed now that Lee's own force was to be destroyed and that victory +was won, but fortune had in store yet another of those dazzling +recoveries for the South. At the very moment when Lee seemed overwhelmed, +A. P. Hill, as valiant and vigorous as the other Hill, arrived with the +last of the Harper's Ferry veterans, having marched seventeen miles, +almost on a dead run. They crossed the Potomac at a ford below the mouth +of the Antietam, then crossed the Antietam on the lowest bridge back into +the peninsula, and without waiting for orders rushed upon the Northern +flank. + +The attack was so sudden and fierce that Burnside's entire division +reeled back. Here, as in the north, the face of the battle had been +changed in an instant. Not only could Colonel Winchester mourn over +those lost two days, but he could mourn over every lost half hour in +them. Had Hill come a half hour later Lee's whole center would have been +swept away. + +Lee and his great lieutenants, Jackson and Longstreet, were still +confident. Despite the disparity in numbers they had beaten back every +attack. + +A. P. Hill was a man who corresponded in fire and impetuosity to Hooker. +The number of his veterans was not so great, but their rush was so fierce, +and they struck at such a critical time that the Northern brigades were +unable to hold the ground they had gained. More troops from the dying +battle on the north came to Lee's aid, and every attempt of McClellan to +take Sharpsburg failed. + +Dick, fighting with his comrades on the north, knew little of what was +passing on the peninsula in the south, but he became conscious after a +while that the appalling fury of the battle around him was diminishing. +He had not seen such a desperate hand-to-hand battle at either Shiloh or +the Second Manassas, and they were terrible enough. But he felt as the +Confederates themselves had felt, that the Southern army was fighting for +existence. + +But as the day waned, Dick believed that they would never be able to +crush Jackson. The Union troops always returned to the attack, but the +men in gray never failed to meet it, and actual physical exhaustion +overwhelmed the combatants. Pennington went down, and Dick dragged him +to his feet, fearing that he was wounded mortally, but found that his +comrade had merely dropped through weakness. + +The long day of heat and strife neared its close. Neither Northern +tenacity nor Southern fire could win, and the sun began to droop over the +field piled so thickly with bodies. As the twilight crept up the battle +sank in all parts of the peninsula. McClellan, who had lost those two +most precious days, and who had finally failed to make use of all his +numbers at the same time, now, great in preparation, as usual, made ready +for the emergency of the morrow. + +All the powerful and improved artillery which McClellan had in such +abundance was brought up. The mathematical minds and the workshops +of the North bore full fruit upon this sanguinary field of Antietam. +The shattered divisions of Hooker, with which Dick and his comrades lay, +were sheltered behind a great line of artillery. No less than thirty +rifled guns of the latest and finest make were massed in one battery to +command the road by which the South might attack. + +To the south the Northern artillery was equally strong, and beyond the +Antietam also it was massed in battery after battery to protect its men. + +But the coming twilight found both sides too exhausted to move. The sun +was setting upon the fiercest single day's fighting ever seen in America. +Nearly twenty-five thousand dead or wounded lay upon the field. More +than one fourth of the Southern army was killed or wounded, yet it was in +Lee's mind to attack on the morrow. + +After night had come the weary Southern generals--those left alive-- +reported to Lee as he sat on his horse in the road. The shadows gathered +on his face, as they told of their awful losses, and of the long list of +high officers killed or wounded. Jackson was among the last, and he was +gloomy. The man who had always insisted upon battle did not insist upon +it now. Hood reported that his Texans, who had fought so valiantly for +the Dunkard church, were almost destroyed. + +The scene in the darkness with the awful battlefield around them was one +which not even the greatest of painters could have reproduced. When the +last general had told his tale of slaughter and destruction, they sat for +a while in silence. They realized the smallness of their army, and the +immense extent of their losses. The light wind that had sprung up swept +over the dead faces of thousands of the bravest men in the Southern army. +They had held their ground, but on the morrow McClellan could bring into +line three to one and an artillery far superior alike in quality, weight +and numbers to theirs. + +The strange, intense silence lasted. Every eye was upon Lee. When the +generals were making their reports he had shown more emotion than they +had ever seen on his face before. Now he was quiet, but he drew his lips +close together, his eyes shone with blue fire, and rising in his stirrups +he said: + +"We will not cross the Potomac to-night, gentlemen." + +Then while they still waited in silence, he said: + +"Go to your commands! Reform and strengthen your lines. Collect all +your stragglers. Bring up every man who is in the rear. If McClellan +wants a battle again in the morning, he shall have it. Now go!" + +Not a general said a word in objection, in fact, they did not speak at +all, but rode slowly away, every one to his command. Yet they were, +without exception, against the decision of their great leader. + +Even Stonewall Jackson did not want a second battle. He had shown +through the doubtful conflict a most extraordinary calmness. While the +combat in the north, where he commanded, was at its height, he had sat on +Little Sorrel, now happily restored to him, eating from time to time a +peach that he took from his pocket. Nothing had escaped his observation; +he watched every movement, and noticed every rise and fall in the tide +of success. His silence now indicated that he concurred with the others +in his belief that the remains of the Confederate army should withdraw +across the Potomac, but his manner indicated complete acquiescence in the +decision of his leader. + +But in the north of the peninsula the remnants of either side had scarce +a thought to bestow upon victory or defeat. It was a question that did +not concern them for the present, so utter was their exhaustion. As +night came and the battle ceased they dropped where they were and sank +into sleep or a stupor that was deeper than sleep. + +But Dick this time did neither. His nervous system had been strained so +severely that it was impossible for him to keep still. He had found that +all of his friends had received wounds, although they were too slight +to put them out of action. But the Winchester regiment had suffered +terribly again. It did not have a hundred men left fit for service, +and even at that it had got off better than some others. In one of the +Virginia regiments under Longstreet only fourteen men had been left +unhurt. + +Dick stood beside his colonel--Warner and Pennington were lying in a +stupor--and he was appalled. The battle had been fought within a narrow +area, and the tremendous destruction was visible in the moonlight, +heaped up everywhere. Colonel Winchester was as much shaken as he, +and the two, the man and the boy, walked toward the picket line, drawn by +a sort of hideous fascination, as they looked upon the area of conflict. + +The dead lay in windrows between the two armies which were waiting to +fight on the dawn. Dick and the colonel walked toward the field where +the corn had been waving high that morning, and where it was now mown by +cannon and rifles to the last stalk. In the edge of the wood the boy +paused and grasping the man suddenly by the arm pulled him back. + +"Look! Look!" he exclaimed in a sharp whisper. "The Confederate +skirmishers! The woods are full of them! They are making ready for a +night attack!" Both he and Colonel Winchester sprang back behind a big +tree, sheltering themselves from a possible shot. But no sound came, +not even that of men creeping forward through the undergrowth. All they +heard was the moaning of the wind through the foliage. They waited, +and then the two looked at each other. The true reason for the +extraordinary silence had occurred to both at the same instant, and they +stepped from the shelter of the tree. + +Awed and appalled, the man and the boy gazed at the silent forms which +lay row on row in the woods and in the shorn cornfield. It seemed as if +they slept, but Dick knew that all were dead. He and Colonel Winchester +gazed again at each other and shuddering turned away lest they disturb +the sleep of the dead. + +When they returned to a position behind the guns they heard others coming +in with equally terrible tales. A sunken lane that ran between the +hostile lines was filled to the brim with dead. Boys, yet in their teens, +with nerves completely shattered for the time, chattered hysterically of +what they had seen. The Antietam was still running red. Both Lee and +Stonewall Jackson had been killed and the whole Confederate army would be +taken in the morning. Some said, on the other hand, that the Southerners +still had a hundred thousand men, and that McClellan would certainly be +beaten the next day, if he did not retreat in time. + +None of the talk, either of victory or defeat, made any impression upon +Dick. His senses were too much dulled by all through which he had gone. +Words no longer meant anything. Although the night was warm he began to +shiver, as if he were seized with a chill. + +"Lie down, Dick," said Colonel Winchester, who noticed him. "I don't +think you can stand it any longer. Here, under this tree will do." + +Dick threw himself down and Colonel Winchester, finding a blanket, +spread it over him. Then the boy closed his eyes, and, for a while, +phase after phase of the terrible conflict passed before him. He could +see the white wall of the Dunkard church, the Bloody Lane, and most +ghastly of all, those dead men in rows lying on their arms, like +regiments asleep, but his nerves grew quiet at last, and after midnight +he slept. + +Dawn came and found the two armies ready. Dick and the sad remnant of +the Winchester regiment rose to their feet. Although food had been +prepared for them very few in all these brigades had touched a bite the +night before, sinking into sleep or stupor before it could be brought +to them. But now they ate hungrily while they watched for their foes, +the skirmishers of either army already being massed in front to be ready +for any movement by the other. + +As on the morning before, a mist arose from the Potomac and the Antietam. +The sun, bright and hot, soon dispersed it. But there was no movement +by either army. Dick did not hear the sound of a single shot. Warner +and Pennington, recovered from their stupor, stood beside him gazing +southward toward the rocks and ridges, where the Confederate army lay. + +"I'm thinking," said Warner, "that they're just as much exhausted as we +are. We're waiting for an attack, and they're waiting for the same. +The odds are at least ninety per cent in favor of my theory. Their +losses are something awful, and I don't think they can do anything +against us. Look how our batteries are massed for them." + +Dick was watching through his glasses, and even with their aid he could +see no movement within the Southern lines. Hours passed and still +neither army stirred. McClellan counted his tremendous losses, and he, +too, preferred to await attack rather than offer it. His old obsession +that his enemy was double his real strength seized him, and he was not +willing to risk his army in a second rush upon Lee. + +While Dick and his comrades were waiting through the long morning hours, +Lee and Jackson and his other lieutenants were deciding whether or not +they should make an attack of their own. But when they studied with +their glasses the Northern lines and the great batteries, they decided +that it would be better not to try it. + +When noon came and still no shot had been fired, Colonel Winchester shook +his head. + +"We might yet destroy the Southern army," he said to Dick, "but I'm +convinced that General McClellan will not move it." + +The hot afternoon passed, and then the night came with the sound of +rumbling wheels and marching men. Dick surmised that Lee was leaving the +peninsula, and, crossing the Potomac in to Virginia, and that therefore +tactical victory would rest with the Northern side. The noises continued +all night long, but McClellan made no advance, nor did he do so the next +day, while the whole Confederate army was crossing the Potomac, until +nearly night. + +But the Winchester regiment and several more of the same skeleton +character, pushing forward a little on the morning of that day, found +that the last Confederate soldier was gone from Sharpsburg. Colonel +Winchester and other officers were eager for the Army of the Potomac to +attack the Army of Northern Virginia, while it dragged itself across the +wide and dangerous ford. + +But McClellan delayed again, and it was sunset when Dick saw the first +sign of action. A strong division with cannon crossed the river and +attacked the batteries which were covering the Southern rearguard. +Four guns and prisoners were taken, but when Lee heard of it he sent back +Jackson, who beat off all pursuit. + +Dick and his comrades did not see this last fight, which was the dying +echo of Antietam. They felt that they had defeated the enemy's purpose, +but they did not rejoice over any victory. The sword of Antietam had +turned back Lee and Jackson for a time and perhaps had saved the Union, +but Dick was gloomy and depressed that so little had been won when they +seemed to hold so much in the hollow of their hands. + +This feeling spread through the whole army, and the privates, even, +talked of it openly. Nobody could forget those precious two days lost +before the battle. Orders No. 191 had put all the cards in their hands, +but the commander had not played them. + +"I feel that we've really failed," said Warner, as they sat beside a camp +fire. "The Southerners certainly fought like demons, but we ought to +have been there long before Jackson came, and we ought to have whipped +them, even after Jackson did come." + +"But we didn't," said Pennington, "and so we've got the job to do all +over again. You know, George, we're bound to win." + +"Of course, Frank; but while we're doing it the country is being ripped +to pieces. I'll never quit mourning over that lost chance at Antietam." + +"At any rate we came off better than at the Second Manassas," said Dick. +"What's ahead of us now?" + +"I don't know," replied Warner. "I saw Shepard yesterday, and he says +that the Southerners are recuperating in Virginia. We need restoratives +ourselves, and I don't suppose we'll have any important movements along +this line for a while." + +"But there'll be big fighting somewhere," said Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A FAMILY AFFAIR + + +Two days after the battle of Antietam, Dick went with Colonel Winchester +to Washington on official duty. His nerves, shaken so severely by that +awful battle, were not yet fully restored and he was glad of the little +respite, and change of scene. The sights of the city and the talk of men +were a restorative to him. + +The capital was undoubtedly gay. The deep depression and fear that had +hung over it a few weeks ago were gone. Men had believed after the +Second Manassas that Lee might take Washington and this fear was not +decreased when he passed into Maryland on what seemed to be an invasion. +Many had begun to believe that he was invincible, that every Northern +commander whoever he might be, would be beaten by him, but Antietam, +although there were bitter complaints that Lee might have been destroyed +instead of merely being checked, had changed a sky of steel into a sky +of blue. + +Washington was not only gay, it was brilliant. Life flowed fast and it +was astonishingly vivid. A restless society, always seeking something +new flitted from house to house. Dick, young and impressionable, would +have been glad to share a little in it, but his time was too short. +He went once with Colonel Winchester to the theatre, and the boy who +had thrice seen a hundred and fifty thousand men in deadly action hung +breathless over the mimic struggles of a few men and women on a painted +stage. + +The second day after his arrival he received a letter from his mother +that had been awaiting him there. It had come by the way of Louisville +through the Northern lines, and it was long and full of news. Pendleton, +she said, was a sad town in these days. All of the older boys and young +men had gone away to the armies, and many of them had been killed already, +or had died in hospitals. Here she gave names and Dick's heart grew +heavy, because in this fatal list were old friends of his. + +It was not alone the boys and young men who had gone, wrote Mrs. Mason, +but the middle-aged men, too. Dr. Russell had kept the Pendleton Academy +open, but he had no pupil over sixteen years of age. There were no +trustees, because they had all gone to the war. Senator Culver had been +killed in the fighting in Tennessee, but she heard that Colonel Kenton +was alive and well and with Bragg's army. + +The affairs of the Union, she continued, were not going well in Tennessee +and Kentucky. The terrible Confederate cavalryman Forrest had suddenly +raided Murfreesborough in Tennessee, where Union regiments were stationed, +and had destroyed or captured them all. Throughout the west the +Southerners were raising their heads again. General Bragg, it was said, +was advancing with a strong army, and was already farther north than +the army of General Buell, which was in Tennessee. It was said that +Louisville, one of the largest and richest of the border cities, would +surely fall into the hands of the South. + +Dick read the letter with changing and strong emotions. Amid the +terrible struggles in the east, the west was almost blotted out of +his mind. The Second Manassas and Antietam had great power to absorb +attention wholly upon themselves. He had wholly forgotten for the time +about Pendleton, the people whom he knew, and even his mother. Now +they returned with increased strength. His memory was flooded with +recollections of the little town, every house and face of which he knew. + +And so the Confederates were coming north again with a great army. +Shiloh had been far from crushing them in the west. The letter had +been written before the Second Manassas, and that and Lee's great fight +against odds at Antietam would certainly arouse in them the wish for +like achievements. He inferred that since the armies in the east were +exhausted, the great field for action would be for a while, in the west, +and he was seized with an intense longing for that region which was his +own. + +It was not coincidence, but the need for men that made Dick's wish come +true almost at once. A few hours after he received his letter Colonel +Winchester found him sitting in the lobby of the hotel in which Dick +had twice talked with the contractor. But the boy was alone this time, +and as Colonel Winchester sat down beside him he said: + +"Dick, the capital has received alarming news from Kentucky. Buoyed up +by their successes in the east the Confederacy is going to make an effort +to secure that state. Bragg with a powerful force is already on his way +toward Louisville, and we fear that he has slipped away from Buell." + +"So I've heard. I found here a letter from my mother, and she told me +all the reports from that section." + +"And is Mrs. Mason well? She has not been troubled by guerillas, or in +any other way?" + +"Not at all. Mother's health is always good, and she has not been +molested." + +"Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon." + +"Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?" + +"The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west. +This movement of Bragg's army is formidable, and it would be a great blow +for us if he took Louisville. Dispatches have been sent east for help. +My regiment and several others that really belong in the west have been +asked for, and we are to start in three days. Dick, do you know how many +men of the Winchester regiment are left? We shall be able to start with +only one hundred and five men, and when we attacked at Donelson we were a +thousand strong." + +"And the end of the war, sir, seems as far off as ever." + +"So it does, Dick, but we'll go, and we'll do our best. Starting from +Washington we can reach Louisville in two days by train. Bragg, no +matter what progress he may make across the state, cannot be there then. +If any big battle is to be fought we're likely to be in it." + +The scanty remainder of the regiment was brought to Washington and two +days later they were in Louisville, which they found full of alarm. +The famous Southern partisan leader, John Morgan, had been roaming +everywhere over the state, capturing towns, taking prisoners and throwing +all the Union communications into confusion by means of false dispatches. + +People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's +telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument, +and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general +pleased. It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville +where there was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell +on another line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him +and Louisville. + +But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding +as usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring +into Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg +had captured the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at +Munfordville, the crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady +advance. + +But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering +force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside. + +At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east, +and then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army +already gathered there and a division sent by Grant from his station at +Corinth, in Mississippi, he was at the head of a hundred thousand men, +and Bragg could not muster more than half as many. + +So rapid had been the passage of events that Dick found himself a member +of Buell's reorganized army, and ready to march, only thirteen days after +the sun set on the bloody field of Antietam, seven hundred miles away. +Bragg, they said, was at Lexington, in the heart of the state, and the +Union army was in motion to punish him for his temerity in venturing out +of the far south. + +Dick felt a great elation as he rode once more over the soil of his +native state. He beheld again many of the officers whom he had seen at +Donelson, and also he spoke to General Buell, who although as taciturn +and somber as ever, remembered him. + +Warner and Pennington were by his side, the colonel rode before, and the +Winchester regiment marched behind. Volunteers from Kentucky and other +states had raised it to about three hundred men, and the new lads +listened with amazement, while the unbearded veterans told them of Shiloh, +the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +"Good country, this of yours, Dick," said Warner, as they rode through +the rich lands east of Louisville. "Worth saving. I'm glad the doctor +ordered me west for my health." + +"He didn't order you west for your health," said Pennington. "He ordered +you west to get killed for your country." + +"Well, at any rate, I'm here, and as I said, this looks like a land worth +saving." + +"It's still finer when you get eastward into the Bluegrass," said Dick, +"but it isn't showing at its best. I never before saw the ground looking +so burnt and parched. They say it's the dryest summer known since the +country was settled eighty or ninety years ago." + +Dick hoped that their line of march would take them near Pendleton, +and as it soon dropped southward he saw that his hope had come true. +They would pass within twenty miles of his mother's home, and at Dick's +urgent and repeated request, Colonel Winchester strained a point and +allowed him to go. He was permitted to select a horse of unusual power +and speed, and he departed just before sundown. + +"Remember that you're to rejoin us to-morrow," said Colonel Winchester. +"Beware of guerillas. I hope you'll find your mother well." + +"I feel sure of it, and I shall tell her how very kind and helpful you've +been to me, sir." + +"Thank you, Dick." + +Dick, in his haste to be off did not notice that the colonel's voice +quivered and that his face flushed as he uttered the emphatic "thank you." +A few minutes later he was riding swiftly southward over a road that he +knew well. His start was made at six o'clock and he was sure that by ten +o'clock he would be in Pendleton. + +The road was deserted. This was a well-peopled country, and he saw many +houses, but nearly always the doors and shutters of the windows were +closed. The men were away, and the women and children were shutting out +the bands that robbed in the name of either army. + +The night came down, and Dick still sped southward with no one appearing +to stop him. He did not know just where the Southern army lay, but he +did not believe that he would come in contact with any of its flankers. +His horse was so good and true, that earlier than he had hoped, he was +approaching Pendleton. The moon was up now, and every foot of the ground +was familiar. He crossed brooks in which he and Harry Kenton and other +boys of his age had waded--but he had never seen them so low before-- +and he marked the tree in which he had shot his first squirrel. + +It had not been so many months since he had been in Pendleton, and yet it +seemed years and years. Three great battles in which seventy or eighty +thousand men had fallen were enough to make anybody older. + +Dick paused on the crest of a little hill and looked toward the place +where his mother's house stood. He had come just in this way in the +winter, and he looked forward to another meeting as happy. The moonlight +was very clear now and he saw no smoke rising from the chimneys, but this +was summer, and of course they would not have a fire burning at such an +hour. + +He rode on a little further and paused again at the crest of another +hill. His view of Pendleton here was still better. He could see more +roofs, and walls, but he noticed that no smoke rose from any house. +Pendleton lay very still in its hollow. On the far side he saw the white +walls of Colonel Kenton's house shining in the moonlight. Something +leaped in his brain. He seemed to have been looking upon such white +walls only yesterday, white walls that stood out in a fiery haze, white +walls that he could never forget though he lived to be a hundred. + +Then he remembered. The white walls were those of the Dunkard church at +Antietam, around which the blue and the gray had piled their bodies in +masses. The vast battlefield ranged past him like a moving panorama, +and then he was merely looking at Pendleton lying there below, so still. + +Dick was sensitive and his affections were strong. He loved his mother +with a remarkable devotion, and his friends were for all time. Highly +imaginative, he felt a powerful stirring of the heart, at his second +return to Pendleton since his departure for the war. Yet he was chilled +somewhat by the strange silence hanging over the little town that he +loved so well. It was night, it was true, but not even a dog barked at +his coming, and there was not the faintest trail of smoke across the sky. +A brilliant moon shone, and white stars unnumbered glittered and danced, +yet they showed no movement of man in the town below. + +He shook off the feeling, believing that it was merely a sensitiveness +born of time and place, and rode straight for his mother's house. +Then he dismounted, tied his horse to one of the pines, and ran up the +walk to the front door, where he knocked softly at first, and then more +loudly. + +No answer came and Dick's heart sank within him like a plummet in a pool. +He went to the edge of the walk, gathered up some gravel and threw it +against a window in his mother's room on the second floor. That would +arouse her, because he knew that she slept lightly in these times, +when her son was off to the wars. But the window was not raised, and he +could hear no sound of movement in the room. + +Alarmed, he went back to the front door, and he noticed that while the +door was locked the keyhole was empty. Then his mother was gone away. +The sign was almost infallible. Had any one been at home the key would +have been on the inside. + +His heart grew lighter. There had been no violence. No roving band had +come there to plunder. He whistled and shouted through the keyhole, +although he did not want anyone who might possibly be passing in the road +to hear him, as this town was almost wholly Southern in its sympathies. + +There was still no answer, and leading his horse behind one of the pine +trees on the lawn, where it would not be observed, he went to the rear +of the house, and taking a stick pried open a kitchen window. He had +learned this trick when he was a young boy, and climbing lightly inside +he closed the window behind him and fastened the catch. + +He knew of course every hall and room of the house, but the moment he +entered it he felt that it was deserted. The air was close and heavy, +showing that no fresh breeze had blown through it for days. It was +impossible that his mother or the faithful colored woman could have lived +there so long a time with closed doors and shuttered windows. + +When he passed into the main part of his home, and touched a door +or chair, a fine dust grated slightly under his fingers. Here was +confirmation, if further confirmation was needed. Dust on chairs +and tables and sofas in the house in which his mother was present. +Impossible! Such a thing could not occur with her there. It was not the +white dust of the road or fields, but the black dust that gathers in +closed chambers. + +He went up to his mother's room, and, opening one of the shutters a few +inches, let in a little light. It was in perfect order. Everything +was in its place. Upon the dresser was a little vase containing some +shrivelled flowers. The water in the vase had dried up days ago, and the +flowers had dried up with it. + +In this room and in all the others everything was arranged with order and +method, as if one were going away for a long time. Dick drew a chair +near the window, that he had opened slightly, and sat down. Much of +his fear for his mother disappeared. It was obvious that she and her +faithful attendant, Juliana, had gone, probably to be out of the track +of the armies or to escape plundering bands like Skelly's. + +He wondered where she had gone, whether northward or southward. There +were many places that would gladly receive her. Nearly all the people in +this part of the state were more or less related, and with them the tie +of kinship was strong. It was probable that she would go north, or east. +She might have gone to Lexington, or Winchester, or Richmond, or even in +the hills to Somerset. + +Well, he could not solve it. He was deeply disappointed because he had +not found her there, but he was relieved from his first fear that the +guerillas had come. He closed and fastened the window again, and then +walked all through the house once more. His eyes had now grown so used +to the darkness that he could see everything dimly. He went into his own +room. A picture of himself that used to hang on the wall now stood on +the dresser. He knew very well why, and he knew, too, that his mother +often passed hours in that room. + +Below stairs everything was neatness and in order. He went into the +parlor, of which he had stood in so much awe, when he was a little child. +The floor was covered with an imported carpet, mingled brown and red. +A great Bible lay upon a small marble-topped table in the center of the +room. Two larger tables stood against the wall. Upon them lay volumes +of the English classics, and a cluster of wax flowers under a glass cover, +that had seemed wonderful to Dick in his childhood. + +But the room awed him no more, and he turned at once to the great squares +of light that faced each other from wall to wall. + +A famous portrait painter had arisen at Lexington when the canebrake +was scarcely yet cleared away from the heart of Kentucky. His work was +astonishing to have come out of a country yet a wilderness, and a century +later he is ranked among the great painters. But it is said that the +best work he ever did is the pair of portraits that face each other in +the Mason home, and the other pair, the exact duplicates that face each +other in the same manner in the Kenton house. + +Dick opened a shutter entirely, and the light of the white moon, white +like marble, streamed in. The sudden inpouring illuminated the room +so vividly that Dick's heart missed a beat. It seemed, for a minute, +that the two men in the portraits were stepping from the wall. Then +his heart beat steadily again and the color returned to his face. They +had always been there, those two portraits. Men had never lived more +intensely than they, and the artist, at the instant his genius was +burning brightest, had caught them in the moment of extraordinary +concentration. Their souls had looked through their eyes and his own +soul looking through his had met theirs. + +Dick gazed at one and then at the other. There was his great grandfather, +Paul Cotter, a man of vision and inspiration, the greatest scholar the +west had ever produced, and there facing him was his comrade of a long +life-time, Henry Ware, the famous borderer, afterward the great governor +of the state. They had been painted in hunting suits of deerskin, +with the fringed borders and beaded moccasins, and raccoon skin caps. + +These were men, Dick's great grandfather and Harry's. An immense pride +that he was the great-grandson of one of them suddenly swelled up in his +bosom, and he was proud, too, that the descendants of the borderers, +and of the earlier borderers in the east, should show the same spirit and +stamina. No one could look upon the fields of Shiloh, and Manassas and +Antietam and say that any braver men ever lived. + +He drew his chair into the middle of the room and sat and looked at them +a long time. His steady gazing and his own imaginative brain, keyed to +the point of excitement, brought back into the portraits that singular +quality of intense life. Had they moved he would not have been surprised, +and the eyes certainly looked down at him in full and ample recognition. + +What did they say? He gazed straight into the eyes of one and then +straight into the eyes of the other, and over and over again. But the +expression there was Delphic. He must choose for himself, as they had +chosen for themselves, and remembering that he was lingering, when he +should not linger, he closed and fastened the window, slipped out at the +kitchen window and returned to his horse. + +He remounted in the road and rode a few paces nearer to Pendleton, +which still lay silent in the white moonlight. He had no doubt now that +many of the people had fled like his mother. Most of the houses must be +closed and shuttered like hers. That was why the town was so silent. +He would have been glad to see Dr. Russell and old Judge Kendrick and +others again, but it would have been risky to go into the center of the +place, and it would have been a breach, too, of the faith that Colonel +Winchester had put in him. + +He crushed the wish and turned away. Then he saw the white walls of +Colonel Kenton's house shining upon a hill among the pines beyond the +town. He was quite sure that it would be deserted, and there was no harm +in passing it. He knew it as well as his own home. He and Harry had +played in every part of it, and it was, in truth, a second home to him. + +He rode slowly along the road which led to the quiet house. Colonel +Kenton had all the instincts so strong in the Kentuckians and Virginians +of his type. A portion of his wealth had been devoted to decoration and +beauty. The white, sanded road led upward through a great park, splendid +with oak and beech and maple, and elms of great size. Nearer the house +he came to the cedars and clipped pines, like those surrounding his +mother's own home. + +He opened the iron gate that led to the house, and tied his horse inside. +Here was the same desolation and silence that he had beheld at his own +home. The grass on the lawn, although withered and dry from the intense +drought that had prevailed in Kentucky that summer, was long and showed +signs of neglect. The great stone pillars of the portico, from the +shelter of which Harry and his father and their friends had fought Skelly +and his mountaineers, were stained, and around their bases were dirty +from the sand and earth blown against them. The lawn and even the +portico were littered with autumn leaves. + +Dick felt the chill settling down on him again. War, not war with armies, +but war in its results, had swept over his uncle's home as truly as it +had swept over his mother's. There was no sign of a human being. +Doubtless the colored servants had fled to the Union armies, and to the +freedom which they as yet knew so little how to use. He felt a sudden +access of anger against them, because they had deserted a master so kind +and just, forgetting, for the moment that he was fighting to free them +from that very master. + +All the windows were dark, but he walked upon the portico and the dry +autumn leaves rustled under his feet. He would have turned away, but he +noticed that the front door stood ajar six or eight inches. The fact +amazed him. If a servant was about, he would not leave it open, and if +robbers were in the house, they would close it in order not to attract +attention. It was a great door of massive and magnificent oak, highly +polished, with heavy bands of glittering bronze running across it. +But it was so lightly poised on its hinges, that, despite its great +weight, a child could have swung it back and forth with his little +finger. Henry Ware, who built the house after his term as governor was +over, was always proud of this door. + +Dick ran his hand along one of the polished bronze bars as he had often +done when he was a boy, enjoying the cool touch of the metal. Then +he put his thumb against the edge of the door, and pushed it a little +further open. Something was wrong here, and he meant to see what it was. +He had no scruples about entering. He did not consider himself in the +least an intruder. This was his uncle's house, and his uncle and his +cousin were far away. + +The door made no sound as it swung back, and soundless, too, was Dick as +he stepped within. It was dark in the big hall, but as he stood there, +listening, he became conscious of a light. It proceeded from one of the +rooms opening into the hall on the right, and a door nearly closed only +allowed a narrow band of it to fall upon the hall floor. + +Dick, believing now that a robber had indeed come, drew a pistol from his +pocket, stepped lightly across the hall and looked in at the door. + +He checked a cry, and it was his first thought to go away as quietly as +he had come. He had seen a man in the uniform of a Confederate colonel, +sitting in a chair, and staring out at one of the little side windows +which Dick could not see from the front, and which was now open. It was +his own uncle, Colonel George Kenton, C. S. A., his gold braided cap on +the window sill, and his sword in its scabbard lying across his knees. + +But Dick changed his mind. His uncle was a colonel on one side, and he +was a lieutenant on the other, and from one point of view it was almost +high treason for them to meet there and talk quietly together, but from +another it was the most natural thing in the world, commanded alike by +duty and affection. + +He pushed open the door a little further and stepped inside. + +"Uncle George," he said. + +Colonel Kenton sprang to his feet, and his sword clattered upon the floor. + +"Good God!" he cried. "You, Dick! Here! To-night!" + +"Yes, Uncle George, it's no other." + +"And I suppose you have Yankees without to take me." + +"Those are hard words, sir, and you don't mean them. I'm all alone, +just as you were. I galloped south, sir, to see my mother, whom I found +gone, where, I don't know, and then I couldn't resist the temptation to +come by here and see your house and Harry's, which, as you know, sir, +has been almost a home to me, too." + +"Thank God you came, Dick," said the colonel putting his arms around +Dick's shoulders, and giving him an affectionate hug. "You were right. +I did not mean what I said. There is only one other in the world whom +I'd rather see than you. Dick, I didn't know whether you were dead or +alive, until I saw your face there in the doorway." + +It was obvious to Dick that his uncle's emotions were deeply stirred. +He felt the strong hands upon his shoulders trembling, but the veteran +soldier soon steadied his nerves, and asked Dick to sit down in a chair +which he drew close beside his own at the window. + +"I thank God again that the notion took you to come by the house," +he said. "It's pleasant and cool here at the window, isn't it, Dick, +boy?" + +Dick knew that he was thinking nothing about the window and the pleasant +coolness of the night. He knew equally well the question that was +trembling on his lips but which he could not muster the courage to ask. +But he had one of his own to ask first. + +"My mother?" he asked. "Do you know where she has gone?" + +"Yes, Dick, I came here in secret, but I've seen two men, Judge Kendrick +and Dr. Russell. The armies are passing so close to this place, and the +guerillas from the mountains have become so troublesome, that she has +gone to Danville to stay a while with her relatives. Nearly everybody +else has gone, too. That's why the town is so silent. There were not +many left anyway, except old people and children. But, Dick, I have +ridden as far as you have to-night, and I came to ask a question which +I thought Judge Kendrick or Dr. Russell might answer--news of those who +leave a town often comes back to it--but neither of them could tell me +what I wanted to hear. Dick, I have not heard a word of Harry since +spring. His army has fought since then two great battles and many +smaller ones! It was for this, to get some word of him, that I risked +everything in leaving our army to come to Pendleton!" + +He turned upon Dick a face distorted with pain and anxiety, and the boy +quickly said: + +"Uncle George, I have every reason to believe that Harry is alive and +well." + +"What do you know? What have you heard about him?" + +"I have not merely heard. I have seen him and talked with him. It was +after the Second Manassas, when we were both with burial parties, and +met on the field. I was at Antietam, and he, of course, was there, too, +as he is with Stonewall Jackson. I did not see him in that battle, +but I learned from a prisoner who knew him that he had escaped unwounded, +and had gone with Lee's army into Virginia." + +"I thank God once more, Dick, that you were moved to come by my house. +To know that both Harry and you are alive and well is joy enough for one +man." + +"But it is likely, sir, that we'll soon meet in battle," said Dick. + +"So it would seem." + +And that was all that either said about his army. There was no attempt +to obtain information by direct or indirect methods. This was a family +meeting. + +"You have a horse, of course," said Colonel Kenton. + +"Yes, sir. He is on the lawn, tied to your fence. His hoofs may now be +in a flower bed." + +"It doesn't matter, Dick. People are not thinking much of flower beds +nowadays. My own horse is further down the lawn between the pines, +and as he is an impatient beast it is probable that he has already dug up +a square yard or two of turf with his hoofs. How did you get in, Dick?" + +"You forgot about the front door, sir, and left it open six or seven +inches. I thought some plunderer was within and entered, to find you." + +"I must have been watched over to-night when forgetfulness was rewarded +so well. Dick, we've found out what we came for and neither should +linger here. Do you need anything?" + +"Nothing at all, sir." + +"Then we'll go." + +Colonel Kenton carefully closed and fastened the window and door again +and the two mounted their horses, which they led into the road. + +"Dick," said the colonel, "you and I are on opposing sides, but we can +never be enemies." + +Then, after a strong handclasp, they rode away by different roads, +each riding with a lighter heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THROUGH THE BLUEGRASS + + +Dick's horse had had a good rest, and he was fighting for his head before +they were clear of the outskirts of Pendleton. When the road emerged +once more into the deep woods the boy gave him the rein. It was well +past midnight now, and he wished to reach the army before dawn. + +Soon the great horse was galloping, and Dick felt exhilaration as the +cool air of early October rushed past. The heat in both east and west +had been so long and intense, that year, that the coming of autumn was +full of tonic. Yet the uncommon dryness, the least rainy summer and +autumn in two generations, still prevailed. The hoofs of Dick's horse +left a cloud of dust behind him. The leaves of the trees were falling +already, rustling dryly as they fell. Brooks that were old friends of +his and that he had never known to go dry before were merely chains of +yellow pools in a shallow bed. + +He watered his horse at one or two of the creeks that still flowed in +good volume, and then went on again, sometimes at a gallop. He passed +but one horseman, a farmer who evidently had taken an unusually early +start for a mill, as a sack of corn lay across his saddle behind him. +Dick nodded but the farmer stared open-mouthed at the youth in the blue +uniform who flew past him. + +Dick never looked back and by dawn he was with the army. He found +Colonel Winchester taking breakfast under the thin shade of an oak, +and joined him. + +"What did you find, Dick?" asked the colonel, striving to hide the note +of anxiety in his voice. + +"I found all right at the house, but I did not see mother." + +"What had become of her?" + +"I learned from a friend that in order to be out of the path of the army +or of prowling bands she had gone to relatives of ours in Danville. +Then I came away." + +"She did well," said Colonel Winchester. "The rebels are concentrating +about Lexington, but the battle, I think, will take place far south of +that city." + +Before the day was old they heard news that changed their opinion for the +time at least. A scout brought news that a division of the Confederate +army was much nearer than Lexington; in fact, that it was at Frankfort, +the capital of the state. And the news was heightened in interest by the +statement that the division was there to assist in the inauguration of a +Confederate government of the state, so little of which the Confederate +army held. + +Colonel Winchester at once applied to General Buell for permission for +a few officers like himself, natives of Kentucky and familiar with the +region, to ride forward and see what the enemy was really doing. Dick +was present at the interview and it was characteristic. + +"If you leave, what of your regiment, Colonel Winchester?" said General +Buell. + +"I shall certainly rejoin it in time for battle." + +"Suppose the enemy should prevent you?" + +"He cannot do so." + +"I remember you at Shiloh. You did good work there." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And this lad, Lieutenant Mason, he has also done well. But he is young." + +"I can vouch for him, sir." + +"Then take twenty of your bravest and most intelligent men and ride +toward Frankfort. It may be that we shall have to take a part in this +inauguration, which I hear is scheduled for to-morrow." + +"It may be so, sir," said Colonel Winchester, returning General Buell's +grim smile. Then he and Dick saluted and withdrew. + +But it did not take the colonel long to make his preparations. Among +his twenty men all were natives of Kentucky except Warner, Pennington +and Sergeant Whitley. Two were from Frankfort itself, and they were +confident that they could approach through the hills with comparative +security, the little capital nestling in its little valley. + +They rode rapidly and by nightfall drew near to the rough Benson Hills, +which suddenly shooting up in a beautiful rolling country, hem in the +capital. Although it was now the third day of October the little party +marked anew the extreme dryness and the shrunken condition of everything. +It was all the more remarkable as no region in the world is better +watered than Kentucky, with many great rivers, more small ones, and +innumerable creeks and brooks. There are few points in the state where +a man can be more than a mile from running water. + +The dryness impressed Dick. They had dust here, as they had had it in +Virginia, but there it was trampled up by great armies. Here it was +raised by their own little party, and as the October winds swept across +the dry fields it filled their eyes with particles. Yet it was one of +the finest regions of the world, underlaid with vitalizing limestone, +a land where the grass grows thick and long and does not die even in +winter. + +"If one were superstitious," said Dick, "he could think it was a +punishment sent upon us all for fighting so much, and for killing so many +men about questions that lots of us don't understand, and that at least +could have been settled in some other way." + +"It's easy enough to imagine it so," said Warner in his precise way, +"but after all, despite the reasons against it, here we are fighting and +killing one another with a persistence that has never been surpassed. +It's a perfectly simple question in mathematics. Let x equal the anger +of the South, let y equal the anger of the North, let 10 equal the +percentage of reason, 100, of course, being the whole, then you have +x + y + 10 equalling 100. The anger of the two sections is consequently +x + y, equalling 100 - 10, or 90. When anger constitutes 90 per cent., +what chance has reason, which is only 10 per cent., or one-ninth of +anger?" + +"No chance at all," replied Dick. "That has already been proved without +the aid of algebra. Here is a man in a cornfield signaling to us. +I wonder what he wants?" + +As Dick spoke, Colonel Winchester, who had already noticed the man, +gave an order to stop. The stranger, bent and knotted by hard work on +the farm, hurried toward them. He leaned against the fence a moment, +gasping for breath, and then said: + +"You're Union men, ain't you? It's no disguise?" + +"Yes," replied Colonel Winchester, "we're Union men, and it's no disguise +that we're wearing, Malachi White. I've seen you several times in +Frankfort, selling hay." + +The farmer, who had climbed upon the fence and who was sitting on the top +rail, hands on his knees, stared at him open-mouthed. + +"You've got my name right. Malachi White it is," he said, "suah enough, +but I don't know yours. 'Pears to me, however, that they's somethin' +familiar about you. Mebbe it's the way you throw back your shoulders an' +look a fellow squah in the eyes." + +Colonel Winchester smiled. No man is insensible to a compliment which is +obviously spontaneous. + +"I spent a night once at your house, Mr. White," he said. "I was going +to Frankfort on horseback. I was overtaken at dusk by a storm and I +reached your place just in time. I remember that I slept on a mighty +soft feather bed, and ate a splendid breakfast in the morning." + +Malachi White was not insensible to compliments either. He smiled, +and the smile which merely showed his middle front teeth at first, +gradually broadened until it showed all of them. Then it rippled and +stretched in little waves, until it stopped somewhere near his ears. +Dick regarded him with delight. It was the broadest and finest smile +that he had seen in many a long month. + +"Now I know you," said Malachi White, looking intently at the colonel. +"I ain't as strong on faces as some people, though I reckon I'm right +strong on 'em, too, but I'm pow'ful strong on recollectin' hear'in', +that is, the voice and the trick of it. It was fo' yea's ago when you +stopped at my house. You had a curious trick of pronouncin' r's when +they wasn't no r's. You'd say door, an' hour, when ev'body knowed it was +doah, an' houah, but I don't hold it ag'in you fo' not knowin' how to +pronounce them wo'ds. Yoh name is Ahthuh Winchestuh." + +"As right as right can be," said Colonel Winchester, reaching over and +giving him a hearty hand. "I'm a colonel in the Union army now, and +these are my officers and men. What was it you wanted to tell us?" + +"Not to ride on fuhthah. It ain't mo' than fifteen miles to Frankfort. +The place is plum full of the Johnnies. I seed 'em thah myself. Ki'by +Smith, an' a sma't gen'ral he is, too, is thah, an' so's Bragg, who I +don't know much 'bout. They's as thick as black be'ies in a patch, +an' they's all gettin ready fo' a gran' ma'ch an' display to-mo'ow when +they sweah in the new Southe'n gove'nuh, Mistah Hawes. They've got out +scouts, too, colonel, an' if you go on you'll run right squah into 'em +an' be took, which I allow you don't want to happen, nohow." + +"No, Malachi, I don't, nor do any of us, but we're going on and we don't +mean to be taken. Most of the men know this country well. Two of them, +in fact, were born in Frankfort." + +"Then mebbe you kin look out fo' yo'selves, bein' as you are Kentuckians. +I'm mighty strong fo' the Union myself, but a lot of them officers that +came down from the no'th 'pear to tu'n into pow'ful fools when they git +away from home, knowin' nothin' 'bout the country, an' not willin' to +lea'n. Always walkin' into traps. I guess they've nevah missed a single +trap the rebels have planted. Sometimes I've been so mad 'bout it that +I've felt like quittin' bein' a Yank an' tu'nin' to a Johnny. But +somehow I've nevah been able to make up my mind to go ag'in my +principles. Is Gen'ral Grant leadin' you?" + +"No, General Buell." + +"I'm so'y of that. Gen'ral Buell, f'om all I heah, is a good fightah, +but slow. Liable to git thar, an' hit like all ta'nation, when it's a +little mite too late. He's one of ouah own Kentuckians, an' I won't say +anything ag'in him; not a wo'd, colonel, don't think that, but I've been +pow'ful took with this fellow Grant. I ain't any sojah, myself, but I +like the tales I heah 'bout him. When a fellow hits him he hits back +ha'dah, then the fellow comes back with anothah ha'dah still, an' then +Grant up an' hits him a wallop that you heah a mile, an' so on an' so on." + +"You're right, Malachi. I was with him at Donelson and Shiloh and that's +the way he did." + +"I reckon it's the right way. Is it true, colonel, that he taps the +ba'el?" + +"Taps the barrel? What do you mean, Malachi?" + +White put his hands hollowed out like a scoop to his mouth and turned up +his face. + +"I see," said Colonel Winchester, "and I'm glad to say no, Malachi. +If he takes anything he takes water just like the rest of us." + +"Pow'ful glad to heah it, but it ain't easy to get too much good watah +this yeah. Nevah knowed such a dry season befoah, an' I was fifty-two +yeahs old, three weeks an' one day ago yestuhday." + +"Thank you, Malachi, for your warning. We'll be doubly careful, because +of it, and I hope after this war is over to share your fine hospitality +once more." + +"You'll sho'ly be welcome an' ev'y man an' boy with you will be welcome, +too. Fuhthah on, 'bout foah hund'ed yahds, you'll come to a path leadin' +into the woods. You take that path, colonel. It'll be sundown soon, +an' you follow it th'ough the night." + +The two men shook hands again, and then the soldiers rode on at a brisk +trot. Malachi White sat on the fence, looking at them from under the +brim of his old straw hat, until they came to the path that he had +indicated and disappeared in the woods. Then he sighed and walked back +slowly to his house in the cornfield. Malachi White had no education, +but he had much judgment and he was a philosopher. + +But Dick and the others rode on through the forest, penetrating into the +high and rough hills which were sparsely inhabited. The nights, as it +was now October, were cool, despite the heat and dust of the day, and +they rode in a grateful silence. It was more than an hour after dark +when Powell, one of the Frankforters, spoke: + +"We can hit the old town by midnight easy enough," he said. "Unless +they've stretched pretty wide lines of pickets I can lead you, sir, +within four hundred yards of Frankfort, where you can stay under cover +yourself and look right down into it. I guess by this good moonlight I +could point out old Bragg himself, if he should be up and walking around +the streets." + +"That suits us, Powell," said Colonel Winchester. "You and May lead the +way." + +May was the other Frankforter and they took the task eagerly. They +were about to look down upon home after an absence of more than a year, +a year that was more than a normal ten. They were both young, not over +twenty, and after a while they turned out of the path and led into the +deep woods. + +"It's open forest through here, no underbrush, colonel," said Powell, +"and it makes easy riding. Besides, about a mile on there's a creek +running down to the Kentucky that will have deep water in it, no matter +how dry the season has been. Tom May and I have swum in it many a time, +and I reckon our horses need water, colonel." + +"So they do, and so do we. We'll stop a bit at this creek of yours, +Powell." + +The creek was all that the two Frankfort lads had claimed for it. +It was two feet deep, clear, cold and swift, shadowed by great primeval +trees. Men and horses drank eagerly, and at last Colonel Winchester, +feeling that there was neither danger nor the need of hurry, permitted +them to undress and take a quick bath, which was a heavenly relief and +stimulant, allowing them to get clear of the dust and dirt of the day. + +"It's a beauty of a creek," said Powell to Dick. "About a half mile +further down the stream is a tremendous tree on which is cut with a +penknife, 'Dan'l Boone killed a bar here, June 26, 1781.' I found it +myself, and I cut away enough of the bark growth with a penknife for it +to show clearly. I imagine the great Daniel and Simon Kenton and Harrod +and the rest killed lots of bears in these hills." + +"I'd go and see that inscription in the morning," said Dick, "if I didn't +have a bit of war on my hands." + +"Maybe you'll have a chance later on. But I'm feeling bully after +this cold bath. Dick, I came into the creek weighing two hundred and +twenty-five pounds, one hundred and fifty pounds of human being and +seventy-five pounds of dust and dirt. I'm back to one hundred and fifty +now. Besides, I was fifty years old when I entered the stream, and I've +returned to twenty." + +"That just about describes me, too, but the colonel is whistling for us +to come. Rush your jacket on and jump for your horse." + +They had stayed about a half-hour at the creek, and about two o'clock in +the morning Powell and May led them through a dense wood to the edge of a +high hill. + +"There's Frankfort below you," said May in a voice that trembled. + +The night was brilliant, almost like day, and they saw the little city +clustered along the banks of the Kentucky which flowed, a dark ribbon of +blue. Their powerful glasses brought out everything distinctly. They +saw the old state house, its trees, and in the open spaces, tents +standing by the dozens and scores. It was the division of Kirby Smith +that occupied the town, and Bragg himself had made a triumphant entry. +Dick wondered which house sheltered him. It was undoubtedly that of +some prominent citizen, proud of the honor. + +"Isn't it the snuggest and sweetest little place you ever saw?" said May. +"Lend me your glasses a minute, please, Dick." + +Dick handed them to him, and May took a long look, Dick noticed that the +glasses remained directed toward a house among some trees near the river. + +"You're looking at your home, are you not?" he asked. + +"I surely am. It's that cottage among the oaks. It's bigger than it +looks from here. Front porch and back porch, too. You go from the back +porch straight down to the river. I've swum across the Kentucky there at +night many and many a time. My father and mother are sure to be there +now, staying inside with the doors closed, because they're red hot for +the Union. Farther up the street, the low red brick house with the iron +fence around the yard is Jim Powell's home. You don't mind letting Jim +have a look through the glasses, do you?" + +"Of course not." + +The glasses were handed in turn to Powell, who, as May had done, took a +long, long look. He made no comment, when he gave the glasses back to +Dick, merely saying: "Thank you." But Dick knew that Powell was deeply +moved. + +"It may be, lads," said Colonel Winchester, "that you will be able to +enter your homes by the front doors in a day or two. Evidently the +Southerners intend to make it a big day to-morrow when they inaugurate +Hawes, their governor." + +"A governor who's a governor only when he is surrounded by an army, +won't be much of a governor," said Pennington. "This state refused to +secede, and I guess that stands." + +"Beyond a doubt it does," said Colonel Winchester, "but they've made +great preparations, nevertheless. There are Confederate flags on the +Capitol and the buildings back of it, and I see scaffolding for seats +outside. Are there other places from which we can get good looks, lads?" + +"Plenty of them," May and Powell responded together, and they led them +from hill to hill, all covered with dense forest. Several times they saw +Southern sentinels on the slopes near the edge of the woods, but May and +Powell knew the ground so thoroughly that they were always able to keep +the little troop under cover without interfering with their own scouting +operations. + +Buell had given final instructions to the colonel to come back with all +the information possible, and, led by his capable guides, the colonel +used his opportunities to the utmost. He made a half circle about +Frankfort, going to the river, and then back again. With the aid of +the glasses and the brilliancy of the night he was able to see that the +division of Kirby Smith was not strong enough to hold the town under +any circumstances, if the main Union army under Buell came up, and the +colonel was resolved that it should come. + +It was a singular coincidence that the Southerners were making a military +occupation of Frankfort with a Union army only a day's march away. +The colonel found a certain grim irony in it as he took his last look and +turned away to join Buell. + +A half mile into the forest and they heard the crashing of hoofs in the +brushwood. Colonel Winchester drew up his little troop abruptly as a +band of men in gray emerged into an open space. + +"Confederate cavalry!" exclaimed Dick. + +"Yes," said the colonel. + +But the gray troopers were not much more numerous than the blue. +Evidently they were a scouting party, too, and for a few minutes they +stared at each other across a space of a couple of hundred yards or so. +Both parties fired a few random rifle shots, more from a sense of duty +than a desire to harm. Then they fell away, as if by mutual consent, +the gray riding toward Frankfort and the blue toward the Union army. + +"Was it a misfortune to meet them?" asked Dick. + +"I don't think so," replied Colonel Winchester. "They had probably found +out already that our army was near. Of course they had out scouts. +Kirby Smith, I know, is an alert man, and anyway, the march of an army +as large as ours could not be hidden." + +It was dawn again when the colonel's little party reached the Union camp, +and when he made his report the heavy columns advanced at once. But the +alarm had already spread about at Frankfort. The morning there looked +upon a scene even more lively than the one that had occurred in Buell's +camp. The scouts brought in the news that the Union army in great force +was at hand. They had met some of their cavalry patrols in the night, +on the very edge of the city. Resistance to the great Union force was +out of the question, because Bragg had committed the error that the Union +generals had been committing so often in the east. He had been dividing +and scattering his forces so much that he could not now concentrate them +and fight at the point where they were needed most. + +The division of the Southern army that occupied Frankfort hastily +gathered up its arms and supplies and departed, taking with it the +governor who was never inaugurated, and soon afterward the Union men +marched in. Both May and Powell had the satisfaction of entering their +homes by the front doors, and seeing the parents who did not know until +then whether they were dead or alive. + +Dick had a few hours' leave and he walked about the town. He had made +friends when he was there in the course of that memorable struggle over +secession, and he saw again all of them who had not gone to the war. + +Harry and his father were much present in his mind then, because he had +recently seen Colonel Kenton, and because the year before, all three of +them had talked together in these very places. + +But he could not dwell too much in the past. He was too young for it, +and the bustle of war was too great. It was said that Bragg's forces had +turned toward the southeast, but were still divided. It was reported +that the Bishop-General, Polk, had been ordered to attack the Northern +force in or near Frankfort, but the attack did not come. Colonel +Winchester said it was because Polk recognized the superior strength +of his enemy, and was waiting until he could co-operate with Bragg and +Hardee. + +But whatever it was Dick soon found himself leaving Frankfort and +marching into the heart of the Bluegrass. He began to have the feeling, +or rather instinct warned him, that battle was near. Yet he did not fear +for the Northern army as he had feared in Virginia and Maryland. He +never felt that such men as Lee and Jackson were before them. He felt +instead that the Southern commanders were doubtful and hesitating. +They now had there no such leaders as Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at +Shiloh when victory was in Southern hands and before it had time to slip +from their grasp. + +So the army dropped slowly down eastward and southward through the +Bluegrass. May and Powell had obtained but a brief glimpse of their home +town, before they were on their way again with a purpose which had little +to do with such peaceful things as home. + +Dick saw with dismay that the concentric march of the armies was bringing +them toward the very region into which his mother had fled for refuge. +She was at Danville, which is in the county of Boyle, and he heard now +that the Confederate army, or at least a large division of it, was +gathering at a group of splendid springs near a village called Perryville +in the same county. But second thought told him that she would be safe +yet in Danville, as he began to feel sure now that the meeting of the +armies would be at Perryville. + +Dick's certainty grew out of the fact that the great springs were about +Perryville. The extraordinary drouth and the remarkable phenomenon of +brooks drying up in Kentucky had continued. Water, cool and fresh for +many thousands of men, was wanted or typhoid would come. + +This need of vast quantities of water fresh and cool from the earth, +was obvious to everybody, and the men marched gladly toward the springs. +The march would serve two purposes: it would quench their thirst, and it +would bring on the battle they wanted to clear Kentucky of the enemy. + +"Fine country, this of yours, Dick," said Warner as they rode side by +side. "I don't think I ever saw dust of a higher quality. It sifts +through everything, fills your eyes, nose and mouth and then goes down +under your collar and gives you a neat and continuous dust bath." + +"You mustn't judge us by this phenomenon," said Dick. "It has not +happened before since the white man came, and it won't happen again in +a hundred years." + +"You may speak with certainty of the past, Dickie, my lad, but I don't +think we can tell much about the next century. I'll grant the fact, +however, that fifty or a hundred thousand men marching through a dry +country anywhere are likely to raise a lot of dust. Still, Dickie, +my boy, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but if I live through this, +as I mean to do, I intend to call it the Dusty Campaign." + +"Call it what you like if in the end you call it victory." + +"The dust doesn't hurt me," said Pennington. "I've seen it as dry as +a bone on the plains with great clouds of it rolling away behind the +buffalo herds. There's nothing the matter with dust. Country dust is +one of the cleanest things in the world." + +"That's so," said Warner, "but it tickles and makes you hot. I should +say that despite its cleanly qualities, of which you speak, Frank, +my friend, its power to annoy is unsurpassed. Remember that bath we took +in the creek the night we went to Frankfort. Did you ever before see +such cool running water, and Dickie, old boy, remember how much there was +of it! It was just as deep and cool and fine after we left it." + +"George," said Dick, as he wiped his dusty face, "if you say anything +more about the creek and its cool water this army will lose a capable +lieutenant, and it will lose him mighty soon. It will be necessary, too, +to bury him very far from his home in Vermont." + +"Keep cool, Dickie boy, and let who will be dusty. Brooks may fail once +in a hundred years in Kentucky, but they haven't failed in a thousand in +Vermont. You need not remind me that the white man has been there only +two or three hundred years. My information comes straight from a very +old Indian chief who was the depository of tribal recollections +absolutely unassailable. The streams even in midsummer come down as full +and cold as ever from the mountains." + +"We'll have water and plenty of it in a day or two. The scouts say that +the Confederate force at the springs is not strong enough to withstand +us." + +"But General Buell, not knowing exactly what General Bragg intends with +his divided force, has divided his own in order to meet him at all +points." + +"Has he done that?" exclaimed Dick aghast. Like other young officers he +felt perfectly competent to criticize anybody. + +"He has, and it seems to me that when the enemy divided was the time for +us to unite or remain united. Then we could scoop him up in detail. +Why, Dick, with an army of sixty thousand men or so, made of such +material as ours has shown itself to be, we could surely beat any +Southern force in Kentucky!" + +"Especially as we have no Lees and Stonewall Jacksons to fight." + +"Maybe General Buell has divided his force in order to obtain plenty of +water," said Pennington. "We fellows ought to be fair to him." + +"Perhaps you're right," said Warner, "and you're right when you say we +ought to be fair to him. I know it will be a great relief to General +Buell to find that we three are supporting his management of this army. +Shall I go and tell him, Frank?" + +"Not now, but you can a little later on. Suppose you wait until a day or +two after the battle which we all believe is coming." + +The three boys were really in high spirits. Little troubled them but the +dryness and the dust. They had tasted so much of defeat and drawn battle +in the east that they had an actual physical sense of better things in +the west. The horizons were wider, the mountains were lower, and there +was not so much enveloping forest. They did not have the strangling +sensation, mental only, which came from the fear that hostile armies +would suddenly rush from the woods and fall upon their flank. + +Besides, there was Shiloh. After all, they had won Shiloh, and the +coming of this very Buell who led them now had enabled them to win it. +And Shiloh was the only great battle that they had yet really won. + +They camped that night in the dry fields. The Winchester regiment was a +part of the division under McCook, while Buell with the rest of the army +was some miles away. It was still warm, although October was now seven +days old, and Dick had never before heard the grass and leaves rustle so +dryly under the wind. Off in the direction of Perryville they saw the +dim gleam of red, and they knew it came from the camp-fires of the +Southern army. Buell had in his detached divisions sixty thousand men, +most of them veterans and Dick believed that if they were brought +together victory was absolutely sure on the morrow. + +The troops around the Winchester regiment were lads from Ohio, and they +affiliated readily. Most of the new men were in these Ohio regiments, +and Dick, Warner and Frank felt themselves ancient veterans who could +talk to the recruits and give them good advice. And the recruits took it +in the proper spirit. They looked up with admiration to those who had +been at Shiloh, and the Second Manassas and Antietam. + +Dick thought their spirit remarkable. They were not daunted at all by +the great failures in the east. They did not discount the valor of the +Southern troops, but they asked to be led against them. + +"Come over here," said one of the Ohio boys to Dick. "Ahead of us and on +the side there's rough ground with thick woods and deep ravines. I'll +show you something just at the edge of the woods. Bring your friends +with you." + +The twilight had already turned to night and Dick, calling Warner and +Pennington, went with his new friend. There, flowing from under a great +stone, shaded by a huge oak, was a tiny stream of pure cold water a +couple of inches deep but seven or eight inches broad. Under the stone +a beautiful basin a foot and a half across and about as deep had been +chiselled out. + +"A lot of us found it here," said the Ohio boy, "and we found, too, +a tin cup chained to a staple driven into the stone. See, it's here +still. We haven't broken the chain. I suppose it belongs to some farmer +close by. The boys brought other tin cups and we drank so fast that the +brook itself became dry. The water never got any further than the pool. +I suppose it's just started again. Drink." + +The boys drank deeply and gratefully. No such refreshing stream had ever +flowed down their throats before. + +"Ohio," said Dick, "you're a lovely, dirty angel." + +"I guess I am," said Ohio, "'cause I found the spring. It turned me from +an old man back to a boy again. Cold as ice, ain't it? I can tell you +why. This spring starts right at the North Pole, right under the pole +itself, dives away down into the earth, comes under Bering Sea and then +under British America, and then under the lakes, and then under Ohio, +and then under a part of Kentucky, and then comes out here especially to +oblige us, this being a dry season." + +"I believe every word you say, Ohio," said Warner, "since your statements +are proved by the quality of the water. I could easily demonstrate it as +a mathematical proposition." + +"Don't you pay any attention to him, Ohio," said Dick. "He's from +Vermont, and he's so full of big words that he's bound to get rid of +some of them." + +"I'm not doubting you, Vermont," said Ohio. "As you believe every word I +said, I believe every word you said." + +"There's nothing extraordinary about them things," said another Ohio boy +belonging to a different brigade, who was sitting near. "Do you know +that we swallowed a whole river coming down here? We began swallowing it +when we crossed the Ohio, just like a big snake swallowing a snake not +quite so big, taking down his head first, then keeping on swallowing him +until the last tip of his tail disappeared inside. It was a good big +stream when we started, water up to our knees, but we formed across it +in a line five hundred men deep and then began to drink as we marched +forward. Of course, a lot of water got past the first four hundred lines +or so, but the five hundredth always swallowed up the last drop." + +"We marched against that stream for something like a hundred and fifty +miles. No water ever got past us. We left a perfectly dry bed behind. +Up in the northern part of the state not a drop of water came down the +river in a month. We followed it, or at least a lot of us did, clean to +its source in some hills a piece back of us. We drank it dry up to a +place like this, only bigger, and do you know, a fellow of our company +named Jim Lambert was following it up under the rocks, and we had to pull +him out by the feet to keep him from being suffocated. That was four +days ago, and we had a field telegram yesterday from a place near the +Ohio, saying that a full head of water had come down the river again, +three feet deep from bank to bank and running as if there had been a +cloudburst in the hills. Mighty glad they were to see it, too." + +There was a silence, but at length a solemn youth sitting near said in +very serious tones: + +"I've thought over that story very thoroughly, and I believe it's a lie." + +"Vermont," said the first Ohio lad, "don't you have faith in my friend's +narrative?" + +"I believe every word of it," said Warner warmly. "Our friend here, +who I see can see, despite the dim light, has a countenance which one +could justly say indicates a doubtful and disputatious nature, wishes +to discredit it because he has not heard of such a thing before. Now, +I ask you, gentlemen, intelligent and fair-minded as I know you are, +where would we be, where would civilization be if we assumed the attitude +of our friend here. If a thing is ever seen at all somebody sees it +first, else it would never be seen. _Quod erat demonstrandum_. You +remember your schooldays, of course. I thank you for your applause, +gentlemen, but I'm not through yet. We have passed the question of +things seen, and we now come to the question of things done, which is +perhaps more important. It is obvious even to the doubtful or carping +mind that if a new thing is done it is done by somebody first. Others +will do it afterward, but there must and always will be a first. + +"Nobody ever swallowed a river before, beginning at its mouth and +swallowing it clean down to its source, but a division of gallant young +troops from Ohio have done so. They are the first, and they must and +always will be the first. Doubtless, other rivers will be swallowed +later on. As the population increases, larger rivers will be swallowed, +but the credit for initiating the first and greatest pure-water drinking +movement in the history of the world will always belong to a brave army +division from the state of Ohio." + +A roar of applause burst forth, and Warner, standing up, bowed gracefully +with his hand upon his heart. Then came a dead silence, as a hand fell +upon the Vermonter's shoulder. Warner looked around and his jaw fell. +General McCook, who commanded this part of the army, was standing beside +him. + +"Excuse me, sir, I--" began Warner. + +"Never mind," said the general. "I had come for a drink of water, +and hearing your debate I stopped for a few moments behind a tree to +listen. I don't know your name, young gentleman." + +"Warner, sir, George Warner, first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel +Winchester." + +"I merely wished to say, Lieutenant Warner, that I listened to your +speech from the first word to the last, and I found it very cogent and +powerful. As you say, things must have beginnings. If there is no first, +there can be no second or third. I am entirely convinced by your +argument that our army swallowed a river as it marched southward. +In fact, I have often felt so thirsty that I felt as if I could have +swallowed it myself all alone." + +There was another roar of applause, and as a dozen cups filled with water +were pushed at the general, he drank deeply and often, and then retired +amid further applause. + +"They'll fight well for him, to-morrow," said Dick. + +"No doubt of it," said Warner. + +They went into the edge of the wood and sought sleep and rest. But there +was much merry chatter first among these lads, for many of whom death had +already spread its somber wings. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +PERRYVILLE + + +Dick slept very well that night. The water from the little spring, +gushing out from under the rock, had refreshed him greatly. He would +have rejoiced in another bath, such as one as they had luxuriated in that +night before Frankfort, but it was a thing not be dreamed of now, and +making the best of things as they were, he had gone to sleep among his +comrades. + +The dryness of the ground had at least one advantage. They had not colds +and rheumatism to fear, and, with warm earth beneath them and fresh air +above, they slept more soundly than if they had been in their own beds. +But while they were sleeping the wary Sergeant Whitley was slipping +forward among the woods and ravines. He had received permission from +Colonel Winchester, confirmed by a higher officer, to go on a scout, +and he meant to use his opportunity. He had made many a scouting trip on +the plains, where there was less cover than here, and there torture and +death were certain if captured, but here it would only be imprisonment +among men who were in no sense his personal enemies, and who would not +ill-treat him. So the sergeant took plenty of chances. + +He passed the Union pickets, entered a ravine which led up between two +hills and followed it for some distance. In a cross ravine he found a +little stream of water, flowing down from some high, rocky ground above, +and, at one point, he came to a pool several yards across and three or +four feet deep. It was cool and fresh, and the sergeant could not resist +the temptation to slip off his clothes and dive into it once or twice. +He slipped his clothes on again, the whole not consuming more than five +minutes, and then went on much better equipped for war than he had been +five minutes before. + +Then he descended the hills and came down into a valley crossed by a +creek, which in ordinary times had plenty of water, but which was now +reduced to a few muddy pools. The Southern pickets did not reach so far, +and save for the two tiny streams in the hills this was all the water +that the Northern army could reach. Farther down, its muddy and detached +stream lay within the Confederate lines. + +Crossing the creek's bed the sergeant ascended a wooded ridge, and now he +proceeded with extreme caution. He had learned that beyond this ridge +was another creek containing much more water than the first. Upon its +banks at the crossing of the road stood the village of Perryville, +and there, according to his best information and belief, lay the Southern +army. But he meant to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears, +and thus return to McCook's force with absolute certainty. + +The sergeant, as he had expected, found cover more plentiful than it was +on the plains, but he never stalked an Indian camp with more caution. +He knew that the most of the Southern scouts and skirmishers were as wary +as the Indians that once hunted in these woods, and that, unless he used +extreme care, he was not likely to get past them. + +He came at last to a point where he lay down flat on his stomach and +wormed himself along, keeping in the thickest shadow of woods and bushes. +The night was bright, and although his own body was blended with the +ground, he could see well about him. The sergeant was a very patient +man. Life as a lumberman and then as a soldier on the plains had taught +him to look where he was crawling. He spent a full hour worming himself +up to the crest of that ridge and a little way down on the other side. +In the course of the last fifteen minutes he passed directly between two +alert and vigilant Southern pickets. They looked his way several times, +but the sergeant was so much in harmony with the color scheme of the +earth on which he crept, that no blame lay upon them for not seeing him. + +The sergeant was already hearing with his own ears. He heard these +pickets and others talking in low voices of the Northern army and of +their own. They knew that Buell's great force was approaching from +different points and that a battle was expected on the morrow. He knew +this already, but he wanted to know how much of the Confederate army lay +in Perryville, and he intended to see with his own eyes. + +Having passed the first line of pickets the sergeant advanced more +rapidly, although he still kept well under cover. Advancing thus he +reached the bed of the creek and hid himself against the bank, allowing +his body to drop down in the water, in order that he might feel the +glorious cool thrill again, and also that he might be hidden to the neck. +His rifle and ammunition he laid at the edge of the bank within reach. +Situated thus comfortably, he used his excellent eyes with excellent +results. He could see Perryville on his left, and also a great camp on +some heights that ran along the creek. There were plenty of lights in +this camp, and, despite the lateness of the hour, officers were passing +about. + +It was obvious to the sergeant that many thousands of soldiers were +on those heights, and now he wanted to hear again with his own ears. +He did not dare go any nearer, and the water in the creek was growing +cold to his body. But his patience was great, and still he waited, +only his head showing above the water, and it hidden in the black gloom +of the bank's shadows. + +His reward came by-and-by. A number of cavalrymen led their horses down +to the creek to drink, and while the horses drank and then blew the +water away from their noses, the men talked at some length, enabling the +sergeant to pick up important scraps of information. + +He learned that the heights were occupied by Hardee with two divisions. +It was the same Hardee, the famous tactician who had been one of the +Southern generals at Shiloh. Polk was expected, but he had not yet come +up. Bragg, too, would be there. + +The brave sergeant's heart thumped as he listened. He gathered that Polk, +perhaps, could not arrive before noon, and here was a brilliant chance to +destroy a large part of the Southern army early in the morning. + +He waited until all the cavalrymen had gone away with their horses, +and then he crawled cautiously out of the stream. His limbs were cold +and stiff, but his enforced exercise in crawling soon brought back their +flexibility. He passed between the pickets again, and, when he was +safely beyond their hearing, he rose and stretched himself again and +again. + +The sergeant greatly preferred walking to crawling. Primitive men might +have crawled, but to do so made the modern man's knees uncommonly sore. +So he continued to stretch, to inhale great draughts of air, and to feel +proudly that he was a man who walked upright and not a bear or a pig +creeping on four legs through the bushes. + +He reached his own army not long afterward, and, walking among the +thousands of sleeping forms, reached the tree under which Colonel +Winchester slept. + +"Colonel," he said gently. + +The colonel awoke instantly and sat up. Despite the dusk he recognized +Whitley at once. + +"Well, sergeant?" he said. + +"I've been clean over the ridge to the rebel camp. I reached the next +creek and lay on the heights just beyond it. I've seen with my own eyes +and I've heard with my own ears. They've only two divisions there, +though they're expectin' Polk to come up in the mornin' an' Bragg, too. +Colonel, I'm a good reckoner, as I've seen lots of war, and they ain't +got more `n fifteen thousand men there on the creek, while if we get all +our divisions together we can hit `em with nigh on to sixty thousand. +For God's sake, Colonel, can't we do it?" + +"We ought to, and if I can do anything, we will. Sergeant, you've done a +great service at a great risk, and all of us owe you thanks. I shall see +General McCook at once." + +The sergeant, forgetting that he was wet to the skin, stretched himself +in the dry grass near Dick and his comrades, and soon fell fast asleep, +while his clothes dried upon him. But Colonel Winchester went to General +McCook's tent and insisted upon awakening him. The general received him +eagerly and listened with close attention. + +"This man Whitley is trustworthy?" he said. + +"Absolutely. He has had years of experience on the plains, fighting +Sioux, Cheyennes and other Indians, and he has been with me through most +of the war so far. There is probably no more skillful scout, and none +with a clearer head and better judgment in either army." + +"Then, Colonel, we owe him thanks, and you thanks for letting him go. +We'll certainly bring on a battle to-morrow, and we ought to have all our +army present. I shall send a messenger at once to General Buell with +your news. Messengers shall also go to Crittenden, Rousseau, and the +other generals. But you recognize, of course, that General Buell is +the commander-in-chief, and that it is for him to make the final +arrangements." + +"I do, sir," said the colonel, as he saluted and retired. He went back +to the point where his own little regiment lay. He knew every man and +boy in it, and he had known them all in the beginning, when they were +many times more. But few of the splendid regiment with which he had +started south a year and a half before remained. He looked at Dick and +Warner and Pennington and the sergeant and wondered if they would be +present to answer to the roll the next night, or if he himself would be +there? + +The colonel cherished no illusions. He was not sanguine that the whole +Union army would come up, and even if it came, and if victory should be +won it would be dark and bloody. He knew how the Southerners fought, +and here more so than anywhere else, it would be brother against brother. +This state was divided more than any other, and, however the battle went, +kindred would meet kindred. Colonel Kenton, Dick's uncle, a man whom he +liked and admired, was undoubtedly across those ridges, and they might +meet face to face in the coming battle. + +It was far into the morning now and the colonel did not sleep again. +He saw the messengers leaving the tent of General McCook, and he knew +that the commander of the division was active. Just what success he +would have would remain for the morrow to say. The colonel saw the dawn +come. The dry fields and forests reddened with the rising sun, and then +the army rose up from its sleep. The cooks had already prepared coffee +and food. + +"Show me the enemy," said Pennington fiercely, "and as soon as I finish +this cup of coffee, I'll go over and give him the thrashing he needs." + +"He's just across those ridges, sir, and on the banks of the far creek," +said Sergeant Whitley. + +"How do you know?" + +"I made a call on him last night." + +"You did? And what did he say?" + +"I didn't send in my card. I just took a look at his front door and came +away. He's at home, waiting and willing to give us a fight." + +"Well, it's a fine day for a battle anyway. Look what a splendid sun is +rising! And you can see the soft haze of fall over the hills and woods." + +"It's not as fine a fall as usual in Kentucky," said Dick, in an +apologetic tone to Warner and Pennington. "It's been so dry that the +leaves are falling too early, and the reds, the yellows and the browns +are not so bright." + +"Never mind, Dickie, boy," said Warner consolingly. "We'll see it in +a better year, because Pennington and I are both coming back to spend +six months with you when this war is over. I've already accepted the +invitation. So get ready for us, Dick." + +"It's an understood thing now," said Dick sincerely. "There go the +trumpets, and they mean for us to get in line." + +A large portion of the division was already on the way, having started at +five o'clock, and the little Winchester regiment was soon marching, too. +The day was again hot. October, even, did not seem able to break that +singular heat, and the dust was soon billowing about them in columns, +stinging and burning them. The sergeant the night before had taken a +short cut through the hills, but the brigades, needing wide spaces, +marched along the roads and through the fields. A portion of their own +army was hidden from them by ridges and forest, and Dick did not know +whether Buell with the other half of the army had come up. + +After a long and exhausting march they stopped, and the Winchester +regiment and the Ohio lads concluded that they had been wrong after all. +No battle would be fought that day. They were willing now, too, to +postpone it, as they were almost exhausted by heat and thirst, and that +stinging, burning dust was maddening. A portion of their line rested on +the first creek, and they drank eagerly of the muddy water. Dick saw +before him fields in which the corn stood thick and heavy. The fields +were divided by hedges which cut off the view somewhat and which the +sergeant said would furnish great ambush for sharpshooters. + +The men were now allowed to lie down, but most of them were still panting +with the heat. The three boys on horseback rode with Colonel Winchester +to the crest of a low hill, just beyond the first creek. From that point +they clearly saw the enemy gathered in battle array along the second +stream. Dick, with his glasses, saw the batteries, and could even mark +the sun-browned faces of the men. + +"Has General Buell come?" he asked Colonel Winchester. + +"He has not. Not half of our army is here." + +The answer was made with emphasis and chagrin. There was a report that +Buell did not intend to attack until the following day, when he would +have his numbers well in hand. + +"Under the circumstances," said the colonel, "we have to wait. Better +get off your horses, boys, and hunt the shade." + +They rode back and obeyed. It was now getting well along into the +afternoon. Thousands of soldiers lay on the grass in the shadiest places +they could find. Many were asleep. Overhead the sun burned and burned +in a sky of absolute blazing white. + +A cannon boomed suddenly and then another. The artillery of the two +armies watching one another had opened at long range, but the fire was so +distant that it did no harm. Dick and his comrades watched the shells +in their flight, noting the trails of white smoke they left behind, and +then the showers of earth that flew up when they burst. It was rather a +pleasant occupation to watch them. In a way it broke the monotony of a +long summer day. + +They did not know that Polk, the bishop-general, was arriving at that +moment in the Southern camp with five thousand men. Bragg had come, too, +but he left the command to Polk, who outranked Hardee, and the three +together listened to the long-range cannonade, while they also examined +with powerful glasses the Union army which was now mostly lying on the +ground. + +Dick himself felt a strong temptation to sleep. The march through the +heat that morning had been dusty and tiresome, and the warm wind that +blew over him made his eyelids very heavy. The cannonade itself was +conducive to slumber. The guns were fired at regular intervals, which +created a sort of rhythm. The shells with their trailing white smoke +ceased to interest him, and his eyelids grew heavier. It was now about +2:30 o'clock and as his eyes were about to close a sudden shout made him +open them wide and then spring to his feet. + +"Look out! Look out!" cried Sergeant Whitley, "The Johnnies are coming!" + +The Union forces in an instant were in line, rifles ready and eager. +The gray masses were already charging across the fields and hills, +while their cannon made a sudden and rapid increase in the volume of +fire. Their batteries were coming nearer, too, and the shells hitherto +harmless were now shrieking and hissing among their ranks, killing and +wounding. + +Dick looked around him. The members of the slim Winchester regiment were +all veterans; but thousands of the Ohio lads were recruits who had never +seen battle before. Now shell and shot were teaching them the terrible +realities. He saw many a face grow pale, as his own had often grown pale, +in the first minutes of battle, but he did not see any one flinch. + +The Northern cannon posted in the intervals and along the edges of the +woods opened with a mighty crash, and as the enemy came nearer the +riflemen began to send a hail of bullets. But the charge did not break. +It was led by Buckner, taken at Donelson, but now exchanged, and some of +the best troops of the South followed him. + +"Steady! Steady!" shouted Colonel Winchester. The ranks were so close +that he and all of his staff, having no room for their horses, had +dismounted, and they stood now in the front rank, encouraging the men to +meet the charge. But the rush of the Southern veterans was so sudden +and fierce that despite every effort of valor the division gave way, +suffering frightful losses. + +Two of the Union generals seeking to hold their men were killed. Each +side rushed forward reinforcements. A stream of Confederates issued from +a wood and flung themselves upon the Union flank. Dick was dazed with +the suddenness and ferocity with which the two armies had closed in +mortal combat. He could see but little. He was half blinded by the +smoke, the flash of rifles and cannon and the dust. Officers and men +were falling all around him. The numbers were not so great as at +Antietam, but it seemed to him that within the contracted area of +Perryville the fight was even more fierce and deadly than it had been on +that famous Maryland field. + +But he was conscious of one thing. They were being borne back. Tears +of rage ran down his face. Was it always to be this way? Were their +numbers never to be of any avail? He heard some one shout for Buell, +and he heard some one else shout in reply that he was far away, as he had +been at Shiloh. + +It was true. The wind blowing away from him, Buell had not yet heard +a sound from the raging battle, which for its numbers and the time it +lasted, was probably the fiercest ever fought on the American continent. +The larger Union force, divided by ridges and thick woods from the field, +had not heard the fire of a single cannon, and did not know that two +armies were engaged in deadly combat so near. + +Dick kept close to Colonel Winchester and Warner and Pennington were by +his side. The sergeant was also near. There was no chance to give or +send orders, and the officers, snatching up the rifles of the fallen +soldiers, fought almost as privates. The Winchester regiment performed +prodigies of valor on that day, and the Ohio lads strove desperately for +every inch of ground. + +It seemed to Dick once that they would hold fast, when he heard in front +a tremendous cry of: "On, my boys!" As the smoke lifted a little he saw +that it was Colonel Kenton leading his own trained and veteran regiment. +Colonel Winchester and Colonel Kenton, in fact, had met face to face, +but the Southern regiment was the more numerous and the stronger. +Winchester's men were gradually borne back and the colonel gasped to Dick: + +"Didn't I see your uncle leading on his regiment?" + +"Yes, it was he. It was his regiment that struck us, but he's hidden now +by the smoke." + +The Southern rush did not cease. McCook's whole division, between the +shallow creeks was driven back, sustaining frightful losses, and it would +have been destroyed, but the artillery of Sheridan on the flank suddenly +opened upon the Southern victors. The Southerners whirled and charged +Sheridan, but his defense was so strong, and so powerful was his +artillery that they were compelled to recoil every time with shattered +ranks. + +The decimated Ohio regiments beyond the creek were gathering themselves +anew for the battle, and so were the men of Colonel Winchester, now +reduced to half their numbers again. Then a great shout arose. A fresh +brigade had come up to their relief, and aided by these new men they made +good the ground upon which they stood. + +Another shout arose, telling that Buell was coming, and, two hours after +the combat had opened, he arrived with more troops. But night was now at +hand, and the sun set over a draw like that at Antietam. Forty thousand +men had fought a battle only about three hours long, and eight thousand +of them lay dead or wounded upon the sanguinary field. One half the +Union army never reached the field in time to fight. + +As both sides drew off in the darkness, Dick shouted in triumph, thinking +they had won a victory. A bullet fired by some retiring Southern +skirmisher glanced along his head. There was a sudden flash of fire +before him and then darkness. His body fell on a little slope and rolled +among some bushes. + + +The close hot night came down upon the field, and the battle, the most +sanguinary ever fought on Kentucky soil, had closed. Like so many other +terrible struggles of the Civil War, it had been doubtful, or almost, +so far as the fighting was concerned. The Northern left wing had been +driven back, but the Northern right wing had held firm against every +attack of the enemy. + +Pennington, when he lay panting on the ground with the remnant of the +Winchesters, knew little about the result of the combat. He knew that +their own division had suffered terribly. The Ohio recruits had been cut +almost to pieces, and the Winchester regiment had been reduced by half +again. He was so tired that he did not believe he could stir for a long +time. He felt no wound, but every bone ached from weariness, and his +throat and mouth seemed to burn with smoke and dust. + +Pennington did not see either Dick or Warner, but as soon as he got a +little strength into his limbs he would look for them. No doubt they +were safe. A special providence always watched over those fellows. +It was true that Warner had been wounded at the Second Manassas, but a +hidden power had guided Dick to him, and he got well so fast that he was +able to fight soon afterward at Antietam. + +Pennington lay still, and he heard all around him the deep breathing +of men who, like himself, were so worn that they could scarcely move. +The field in front of him darkened greatly, but he saw lights moving +there, and he knew that they belonged to little parties from either army +looking for the wounded. He began to wonder which side had won the +battle. + +"Ohio," he said to one of the Ohio lads who lay near, "did we lick the +Johnnies, or did the Johnnies lick us?" + +"Blessed if I know, and I don't care much, either. Four fellows that I +used to play with at school were killed right beside me. It was my first +battle, and, Oh, I tell you, it was awful!" + +He gulped suddenly and began to cry. Pennington, who was no older than +he, patted him soothingly on the shoulder. + +"I know that you were the bravest of the brave, because I saw you," +he said. + +"I don't know about that, but I do know that I can never get used to +killing men and seeing them killed." + +Pennington was surprised that Dick and Warner had not appeared. They +would certainly rejoin their own regiment, and he began to feel uneasy. +The last shot had been fired, the night was darkening fast and a mournful +wind blew over the battlefield. But up and down the lines they were +lighting the cooking fires. + +Pennington rose to his feet. He saw Colonel Winchester, standing a +little distance away, and he was about to ask him for leave to look for +his comrades, when he was startled by the appearance of a woman, a woman +of thirty-eight or nine, tall, slender, dressed well, and as Pennington +plainly saw, very beautiful. But now she was dusty, her face was pale, +and her eyes shone with a terrible anxiety. Women were often seen in the +camps at the very verge or close of battle, saying good-bye or looking +for the lost, but she was unusual. + +The soldiers stood aside for her respectfully, and she looked about, +until her gaze fell upon the colonel. Then she ran to him, seized him +by the arm, and exclaimed: + +"Colonel Winchester! Colonel Winchester!" + +"Good heavens, Mrs. Mason! You! How did you come?" + +"I was at Danville, not so far from here. Of course I knew that the +armies were about to meet for battle! And it was only two days ago that +I heard the Winchester regiment had come west to join General Buell's +army." + +A stalwart and powerful colored woman emerged from the darkness and put +her arm around Mrs. Mason's waist. + +"Don't you get too much excited, chile," she said soothingly. + +Juliana stood beside her mistress, a very tower of defense, glaring at +the soldiers about them as if she would resent their curiosity. + +"I thought I would come and try to see Dick," continued Mrs. Mason. +"My relatives sought to persuade me not to do it. They were right, +I know, but I wanted to come so badly that I had to do it. We slipped +away yesterday, Juliana and I. We stayed at a farmhouse last night, +and this morning we rode through the woods. We expected to be in the +camp this afternoon, but as we were coming to the edge of the forest we +heard the cannon and then the rifles. Through three or four dreadful +hours, while we shook there in the woods, we listened to a roar and +thunder that I would have thought impossible." + +"The battle was very fierce and terrible," said Colonel Winchester. + +"I don't think it could have been more so. We saw a part of it, but +only a confused and awful sweep of smoke and flame. And now, Colonel +Winchester, where is my boy, Dick?" + +Colonel Winchester's face turned deadly pale, and she noticed it at once. +Her own turned to the same pallor, but she did not shriek or faint. + +"You do not know that he is killed?" she said in a low, distinct tone +that was appalling to the other. + +"I missed him only a little while ago," said Colonel Winchester, "and +I've been looking for him. But I'm sure he is not dead. He can't be!" + +"No, he can't be! I can't think it!" she said, and she looked at the +colonel appealingly. + +"If you please, sir," said Pennington, "Lieutenant Warner is missing +also. I think we'll find them together. You remember what happened at +the Second Manassas." + +"Yes, Frank, I do remember it, and your supposition may be right." + +He asked a lantern from one of the men, and whispered to Pennington to +come. But Mrs. Mason and Juliana had been standing at strained attention, +and Mrs. Mason inferred at once what was about to be done. + +"You mean to look for him on the field," she said. "We will go with you." + +Colonel Winchester opened his lips to protest, but shut them again in +silence. + +"It is right that you should come," he said a moment later, "but you will +see terrible things." + +"I am ready." + +She seemed all the more admirable and wonderful to Colonel Winchester, +because she did not weep or faint. The deathly pallor on her face +remained, but she held herself firmly erect beside the gigantic colored +woman. + +"Come with me, Pennington," said Colonel Winchester, "and you, too, +Sergeant Whitley." + +The two men and the boy led the way upon the field, and the two women +came close behind. They soon entered upon the area of conflict. The +colonel had said that it would be terrible, but Mrs. Mason scarcely +dreamed of the reality. It was one vast scene of frightful destruction, +of torn and trampled earth and of dead men lying in all directions. +The black of her faithful servant's face turned to an ashen gray, and she +trembled more than her mistress. + +Colonel Winchester had a very clear idea of the line along which his +regiment had advanced and retreated, and he followed it. But the lantern +did not enable them to see far. As happened so often after the great +battles of the Civil War, the signs began to portend rain. The long +drouth would be broken, but whether by natural change or so much firing +Colonel Winchester did not know. Despite the lateness of the season dim +lightning was seen on the horizon. The great heat was broken by a cool +wind that began to blow from the northwest. + +The five advanced in silence, the two men and the boy still leading and +the two women following close behind. Colonel Winchester's heart began +to sink yet farther. He had not felt much hope at first, and now he felt +scarcely any at all. A few moments later, however, the sergeant suddenly +held up his hand. + +"What is it?" asked the colonel. + +"I think I hear somebody calling." + +"Like as not. Plenty of wounded men may be calling in delirium." + +"But, colonel, I've been on battlefields before, and this sounds like the +voice of some one calling for help." + +"Which way do you think it is?" + +"To the left and not far off. It's a weak voice." + +"We'll turn and follow it. Don't say anything to the others yet." + +They curved and walked on, the colonel swinging his lantern from side to +side, and now all of them heard the voice distinctly. + +"What is that?" exclaimed Mrs. Mason, speaking for the first time since +they had come upon the field of conflict. + +"Some one shouting for help," replied Colonel Winchester. "One could not +neglect him at such a time." + +"No, that is so." + +"It's the voice of Lieutenant Warner, colonel," whispered the sergeant. + +Colonel Winchester nodded. "Say nothing as yet," he whispered. + +They walked a dozen steps farther and the colonel, swinging high the +lantern, disclosed Warner sitting on the trunk of a tree that had been +cut through by cannon balls. Warner, as well as they could see, was not +wounded, but he seemed to be suffering from an overpowering weakness. +The colonel, the sergeant and the boy alike dreaded to see what lay +beyond the log, but the two women did not know Warner or that his +presence portended anything. + +The Vermonter saw them coming, and raised his hand in a proper salute to +his superior officer. Then as they came nearer, and he saw the white +woman who came with them, he lifted his head, tried to straighten his +uniform a little with his left hand, and said as he bowed: + +"I think this must be Mrs. Mason, Dick's mother." + +"It is," said Colonel Winchester, and then they waited a moment or two in +an awful silence. + +"I don't rise because there is something heavy lying in my lap which +keeps me from it," said Warner very quietly, but with deep feeling. +"After the Second Manassas, where I was badly wounded and left on the +ground for dead, a boy named Dick Mason hunted over the field, found me +and brought me in. I felt grateful about it and told him that if he +happened to get hit in the same way I'd find him and bring him in as he +had brought me. + +"I didn't think the chance would come so soon. Curious how things happen +as you don't think they're going to happen, and don't happen as you think +they're going to happen, and here the whole thing comes out in only a +few weeks. We were driven back and I missed Dick as the battle closed. +Of course I came to hunt for him, and I found him. Easy, Mrs. Mason, +don't get excited now. Yes, you can have his head in your own lap, +but it must be moved gently. That's where he's hurt. Don't tremble, +ma'am. He isn't going to die, not by a long shot. The bullet meant to +kill him, but finding his head too hard, it turned away, and went out +through his hair. He won't have any scar, either, because it's all under +the thickest part of his hair. + +"Of course his eyes are closed, ma'am. He hasn't come around yet, +but he's coming fast. Don't cry on his face, ma'am. Boys never like to +have their faces cried on. I'd have brought him in myself, but I found I +was too weak to carry him. It's been too short a time since the Second +Manassas for me to have got back all my strength. So I just bound up his +head, held it in my lap, and yelled for help. Along came a rebel party, +bearing two wounded, and they looked at me. 'You're about pumped out,' +said one of them, 'but we'll take your friend in for you.' 'No, you +won't,' I said. 'Why not?' said they. 'Because you're no account +Johnnies,' I said, 'while my wounded friend and I are high-toned Yanks.' +'I beg your pardon,' said the Johnny, who was one of the most polite +fellows I ever saw, 'I didn't see your uniform clearly by this dim light, +but the parties looking for the wounded are mostly going in, and you're +likely to be left here with your friend, who needs attention. Better +come along with us and be prisoners and give him a chance to get well.' + +"Now, that was white, real white, but I thanked him and said that as soon +as General Buell heard that the best two soldiers in his whole army were +here resting, he'd come with his finest ambulance for us, driving his +horses himself. They said then they didn't suppose they were needed and +went on. But do you know, ma'am, every one of those Johnnies, as he +passed poor old unconscious Dick with his head in my lap, took off his +hat." + +"It was a fine thing for them to do," said Colonel Winchester, and then +he whispered: "I'm glad you talked that way, Warner. It helps. You see, +she's feeling more cheerful already." + +"Yes, and you see old Dick's opening his eyes. Isn't it strange that +the first thing he should see when he opens them here on the battlefield +should be his mother?" + +"A strange and happy circumstance," said Colonel Winchester. + +Dick opened his eyes. + +"Mother!" he exclaimed. + +Her arms were already around him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +SEEKING BRAGG + + +They took Dick to the house of his relatives, the Careys, in Danville, +and in a few days he learned the sequel of that sudden and terrible storm +of death at Perryville. Buell had gathered all his forces in the night, +and in the morning had intended to attack again, but the Confederate army +was gone, carrying with it vast stores of supplies that it had gathered +on the way. + +The rains, too, had come. They had begun the morning after the battle, +and they poured for days. In the southeast, among the mountains toward +which Bragg had turned the head of his army, the roads were quagmires. +Nevertheless he had toiled on and was passing through Cumberland Gap. +Buell had gone in the other direction toward the southwest, and then came +the news that he was relieved of his command, and that Rosecrans would +take his place. + +Dick felt the call of the trumpet. He knew that his comrades were now +down there in Tennessee with the army under Rosecrans, and he felt that +he must join them. His mother begged him to stay. He had done enough +for his country. He had fought in great battles, and he had narrowly +escaped a mortal wound. He should come home, and stay safely at +Pendleton until the war was over. + +But Dick, though grieving with her, felt that he must go. He would stay +with the army until the end, and he departed for Lexington, where he took +the train for Louisville. Thence he went southward directly by rail +to Bowling Green, where the Northern army was encamped, with lines +stretching as far south as Nashville, and where he received the heartiest +of greetings from his comrades. + +"I knew you'd come," said Warner. "Perhaps a man with a mother like +yours ought to stay at home, and again he ought to come. So there you +are, and here you are!" + +Dick was familiar with the country about Bowling Green. It was a part +of the state in which he had relatives, and he had visited it more than +once. He also saw the camps left by Buckner's men nearly a year ago, +when they were marching southward to be taken by Grant at Donelson. +Since he had come back to this region it seemed to him that they were +always fighting their battles over again. Grant and Rosecrans had fought +a terrible but victorious battle at Corinth in Mississippi, and now +Rosecrans had come north while Grant remained in the further south. +He was sorry it was not Grant who commanded on that line. He would have +been glad to be under his command again, to feel that strong and sure +hand on the reins once more. + +Dick stayed a while in Bowling Green, and he saw all his relatives in +the little city. They were mostly on the other side, but they could not +resist an ingenuous youth like Dick, and he passed some pleasant hours +with them. For his sake they also made Warner and Pennington welcome, +but they freely predicted a great disaster for the North. Bragg would +come out of East Tennessee with his veterans, and they would give +Rosecrans the defeat that he deserved. The boys held good natured +arguments with them on this point, but all finally agreed to leave it +to the decision of the war itself. + +The great dryness had now passed so completely that it seemed impossible +such a thing ever could have been. The rains had been heavy and almost +continuous, and the earth soaked in water. But despite chill winds and +chill rains rumors of Southern activity came to them, and in the last +month of the year Rosecrans gathered his forces at Nashville in Tennessee. + +Dick and his comrades enjoyed a few bright days here. The city was +crowded with an army and those who supply it and live by it, and it was a +center of vivid activity. Dick had letters from his mother and he also +heard in a roundabout way that Colonel Kenton had gone through the battle +of Perryville uninjured and was now with Bragg at Chattanooga. + +But the boys soon heard that despite the winter there was great activity +in the Southern camp. Undismayed by their loss of Kentucky, the Southern +generals meant to fight Rosecrans in Tennessee. The Confederacy had +not been cheered by Lee's withdrawal at Antietam and Bragg's retreat at +Perryville, and meant to strike a heavy blow for new prestige. The whole +Confederate army, they soon heard, had moved forward to Murfreesborough, +where it was waiting, while Forrest and Morgan, the famous cavalry +leaders, were off on great raids. + +It was this absence of Forrest and Morgan with the best of the cavalry +that put it into the mind of Rosecrans to attack at once. The thousands +of lads in the army who were celebrating Christmas received that +night the news that they were to march in the morning. + +"I've fought three great battles this year," said Warner, "and I don't +think they ought to ask any more of me." + +"Be comforted," said Dick. "We start to-morrow, the 26th, which leaves +five days of the year, and I don't think we can arrange a battle in that +time. You'll not have to whip Bragg before the New Year, George." + +"Well, I'm glad of it. You can have too many battles in one year. +I didn't get rest enough after my wound at the Second Manassas before I +had to go in and save our army at Antietam, and then it was but a little +time before we fought at Perryville. That wasn't as big a battle as some +of the others, but Dick, for those mad three hours it seemed that all the +demons of death were turned loose." + +"It certainly looked like it, George, you stiff old Vermonter, and I +don't forget that you came to save me." + +"Shut up about that, or I'll hit you over the head with the butt of my +pistol. I merely paid back, though I only paid about half of what I was +owing to you. The chance luckily came sooner than I had hoped. But, +Dick, what a morning to follow Christmas." + +A chilly rain was pouring down. A cold fog was rising from the +Cumberland, wrapping the town in mists. It was certainly a dreary time +in which to march to battle, and the young soldiers rising in the gloom +of the dawn and starting amid such weather were depressed. + +"Pennington," said Warner, "will you help me in a request to our Kentucky +friend to join us in three cheers for the Sunny South, the edge of which +he has the good fortune to inhabit? I haven't seen the real sun for +about a month, and I suppose that's why they call it sunny, and I'm +informed that this big river, the Cumberland, often freezes over, which +I suppose is the reason why they call it Southern. I hear, too, that +people often freeze to death in North Georgia, which is further south +than this. After this bit of business is over I'm going to forbid winter +campaigns in the south." + +"It does get mighty cold," said Dick. "You see we're not really a +southern people. We just lie south of the northern states and in +Kentucky, at least, we have a lot of cold weather. Why, I've seen it +twenty-three degrees below zero in the southern part of the state, +and it certainly can get cold in Tennessee, too." + +"I believe I'd rather have it than this awful rain," said Pennington. +"I don't seem to get used to these cold soakings." + +"Good-bye, Nashville," said Dick, turning about. "I don't know when we +will have to come back, and if we do I don't know what will have happened +before then. Good-bye, Nashville. I regret your roofs and your solid +walls, and your dry tents and floors." + +"But we're going forth to fight. Don't forget that, Dick. Remember how +in Virginia we pined for battle, and the use of our superior numbers. +Anyhow Rosecrans is going out to look for the enemy, but all the same, +and between you and me, Dick, I wish it was Grant who was leading us. +I saw a copy of the New York Times a while back, and some lines in it are +haunting me. Here they are: + + "Back from the trebly crimsoned field + Terrible woods are thunder-tost: + Full of the wrath that will not yield, + Full of revenge for battles lost: + Hark to their echo as it crost + The capital making faces wan: + End this murderous holocaust; + Abraham Lincoln give us a man." + +"Sounds good," said Dick, "and, George, you and Frank and I know that +what we want is a man. We've lost big battles, because we didn't have +a big man, who could see at once and think like lightning, to lead us. +But we'll get him sooner or later! We'll get him. Did any other troops +ever bear up like ours under defeats and drawn battles? Listen to 'em +now!" + +Slow and deep and sung by many thousand men rose the rolling chorus: + + "The army is gathering from near and from far; + The trumpet is sounding the call for the war; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + We'll gird on our armor and be marching along." + +"Now," cried Warner, "all together." And the thundering chorus rose: + + "Marching, we are marching along, + Gird on the armor and be marching along; + Old Rosey's our leader, he's gallant and strong; + For God and our country we are marching along." + +As the mighty chorus, sung by fifty thousand men, rose and throbbed +through the cold and rain, Dick felt his own heart throbbing in unison. +Rosecrans might or might not be a great general, but he certainly was not +permitting the enemy to rest easy in winter quarters at Murfreesborough. +Dick had no doubt that they were about to meet the foe of Perryville face +to face again. + +The enemies were largely the same as those of other battles in the west. +The Northern army advanced in three divisions toward Murfreesborough. +McCook, whose division contained the Winchester regiment, was in the +center, General Thomas led the right wing on the Franklin road, and +General Crittenden led the left wing. Bragg who was before them had +nearly the same generals as at Shiloh, Hardee, Breckinridge, and the +others. + +Dick knew that the advance of the Northern army would be seen at once. +This was the country of the enemy. The forces of the Union held only +the ground on which they were camped. Thousands of hostile eyes were +watching Rosecrans, and, even if Bragg himself were lax, any movement +by the army from Nashville would be reported at once to the army in +Murfreesborough. But they had a vigilant foe, they knew, and they +expected to encounter his pickets soon. + +"They're probably watching us now through the fog and rain," said Colonel +Winchester to Dick as they left the last house of Nashville behind. +"They know every inch of these hills and valleys." + +It was not a great distance to Murfreesborough, but they found the +marching slow. The feet of the horses sank deep in the mud and the +cannon and wagons were almost mired. But despite mud and rain and cold, +the army pressed bravely on. They were the same lads and their like who +had marched forward so hopefully to Donelson and Shiloh. Through the +rain and the soughing of wheels in the mud rolled their battle songs, +sung with all the spirit and fire of youth. + +Colonel Winchester and all the officers helped with the cannon and wagons +and soon they were covered with mud. The Winchester regiment was in the +lead, and Sergeant Whitley suddenly pointing with a thick forefinger, +said: + +"There are the Johnnies! Their pickets are waiting for us!" + +Dick saw through the mist and rain a considerable body of men down the +road, most of them on horseback. He knew at once that they were Southern +pickets, and the eager lads around him, seeing them, knew it, too. +Not waiting for command they set up a shout and charged down the road. +Rifles instantly flashed through the rain and a sharp fire met them. +Men fell, but others pressed on with all the more zeal, seeing just +beyond the Southern pickets the roofs of a little town. Cannon shot also +whizzed among them, indicating that the Southern pickets were in strong +force. + +But the Northern troops, full of vigor and zeal, swept back the pickets +and charged directly upon a larger force in the town beyond. A short and +fierce battle for the possession of the village ensued, but this was only +a Southern outpost, and it was not strong enough to withstand the rush +of the Ohio men and Winchester's regiment. Fighting at every step they +retreated through the village and into the forest beyond, leaving one of +their cannon in the hands of the Union troops. + +"An omen of victory," exclaimed Dick, when he saw the captured cannon. + +"Careful, Dick! Careful!" said Warner. "Remember that you're not strong +on omens. You're always seeing sure signs of success just before we go +into a big battle." + +"If Dick sees visions, and they're visions of the right kind, then he's +right," said Pennington. "I'd a good deal rather go into battle with +Dick by my side singing a song of victory, than croaking of defeat." + +"That's good as a general proposition," said Warner, "but I was merely +cautioning him not to be too enthusiastic. What kind of a country, Dick, +is this into which we are going?" + +"Hilly, lots of forests, particularly of cedar, and brooks, creeks and +rivers. Murfreesborough itself is right on Lytle's Creek. Bragg will +meet us at the line of Stone River." + +"Maybe they'll retreat and go eastward to Chattanooga," said Pennington. + +"I think we'd better dismiss that 'maybe,'" said Dick. "You haven't +heard of the rebels running away from battles, have you?" + +"What I've generally seen, in the beginning at least," said Warner, +"is the rebels running toward us, jumping out of the woods and yelling +like Indians. I have seldom found it a pleasant sight. I'm glad, too, +Dick, that Stonewall Jackson isn't here. Do you see that big cedar +forest over there on the hillside? Suppose he should come rushing out +of it with twenty or twenty-five thousand men." + +"Stop," said Pennington. "You give me the shivers, talking about +Stonewall Jackson swooping down on us with an army corps, when happily +he's four or five hundred miles away. I'm seeing enough unfriendly +faces as it is. Look how the people in this village are glaring at us. +Fellows, I've decided after due consideration that they don't love us +here in Tennessee. If you were to ask me I'd say that blue was not their +favorite color." + +"At any rate we don't stay long. Good-bye, friends, good-bye," said +Warner, waving his hand toward two or three men who stood in the door +of an old blacksmith shop. + +"You laugh, young feller," said a gnarled and knotted old man past eighty, +"an' mebbe it's as well for you to laugh while you have the time to do +it in. Mebbe you'll never come back from Stone River, an' if you do, +an' if you win everywhere, remember that we, too, will yet win +everywhere." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"All the Yankees, whether they win or not, will have to go back north, +except them that are dead, an' we'll be here right on top of the lan', +livin' on it, an' runnin' it, same as we've always done." + +"I hadn't thought of that," said Warner soberly. + +"There's a power of things the young don't think of," said the ancient +man. "Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she can't be moved. She'll +always be here. People hev made a war. I don't know who started it. +I reckon there's been some powerful mean an' hot talk on both sides. +I knowed great men that seed this very thing comin' long ago an' tried +to stop it. I went over in Kentucky more than once an' heard Henry Clay +speak. I don't believe there was ever another such a talker as he was. +He had sense an' knowledge as well as voice. He done his best to smooth +over this quarrel between North and South that others was eggin' on all +the time, but he couldn't, and I reckon when Henry Clay, the greatest man +God ever made, failed, it wasn't worth while for anybody else to try. +Ride on, young fellers, an' get yourselves killed. You ain't twenty, +an' I'm over eighty, but I guess I'll be lookin' at the green trees when +you're under the ground. Ride on in the rain an' the cold, an' I'll go +inside the shop an' warm myself by the forge fire." + +The three boys rode on in sober silence. The words of the ancient +philosopher were soaking in with the rain. + +"Suppose we don't come back from Stone River," said Pennington. + +"We take our chances, of course," said Dick. + +"And suppose what he said about the South should prove true," said Warner, +thoughtfully. "One part of it, at least, is bound to come true. That +phrase of his sticks in my mind: 'Mebbe the South can be whipped, but she +can't be moved.' The Southern states, as he says, will be here just the +same after the war is over, no matter who wins." + +But such thoughts as these could not endure long in minds so young. +They passed through the village and soon were in the forests of red +cedar. The rain ceased, but in its place came a thick and heavy fog. +The mud grew deeper than ever. Progress became very slow. It was +difficult in the great foggy veil for the regiments to keep in touch with +one another, and occasional shots in front warned them that the enemy +was active and watchful. The division barely crept along. + +Dick and his comrades were mounted again, and they kept close to Colonel +Winchester, who, however, had few orders to send. The command of the +corps rested with General McCook, and it behooved him as any private +could see, to exercise the utmost caution. They were strangers in the +land and the Confederates were not. + +Dick had thought that morning that they would get into touch with heavy +forces of the enemy before night, but the fog and the mud rendered their +advance so slow that at sunset they went into camp in a vast forest of +red cedar, still a good distance from Stone River. The fog had lifted +somewhat, but the night was heavy, damp and dark. There was an abundance +of fallen wood, and the veterans soon built long rows of fires which +contributed wonderfully to their cheerfulness. + +"There's nothing like a fine fire on a cold, dark night," said Sergeant +Whitley, holding his hands over the flames. "Out on the plains when +there was only a hundred or so of us, an' nothin' on any side five +hundred miles away 'xcept hostile Indians, an' a blizzard whistlin' an' +roarin', with the mercury thirty degrees below zero, it was glorious to +have a big fire lighted in a hollow or a dip an' bend over the coals, +until the warmth went right through you." + +"It was the power of contrast," said Warner sagely. "The real comfort +from the fire was fifty per cent and the howling of the icy gale, in +which you might have frozen to death, but didn't, was fifty per cent +more. That's why I'm feeling so good now, although I'd say that those +red cedars and their dark background are none too cheerful." + +"I've got two good blankets," said Pennington, who was returning from a +trip further down the line, "and I'm going to sleep. Haven't you fellows +learned that all your foolish talking before a battle never changes the +result? I can tell you this. Our three divisions that are marching +toward Murfreesborough are in touch. We've put out swarms of scouts and +they all tell us so. They know exactly where the enemy is, too, and he's +too far away to surprise us to-night. So it's sleep, my boys, sleep. +Sleep will recover for you so much strength that it will be much harder +for you to get killed on the morrow." + +Dick had dried himself very thoroughly before one of the fires, and +wrapping himself in his two blankets he slept soundly and heavily. +There was fog again the next morning, but they reached a little village +called Triune and all through the day they heard the sounds of scattered +firing. One of the scouts told Colonel Winchester that the whole +Southern army would be concentrated the next day on the line of Stone +River, but that it would be inferior to the Union army in numbers by ten +thousand men. Bragg's force, however, had the advantage of experience, +being composed almost wholly of veterans. + +It was on the afternoon of this day that Dick came into personal contact +with General Thomas again. He had been sent through the cedar forest +with dispatches to him from General McCook, and after the general had +read them he glanced at the messenger. + +"You reached General Buell safely with my letter, Lieutenant Mason," +he said, "and I'm very glad to see you here with us again." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, feeling an immense pride because this man, +whom he admired so much, remembered him. + +"It was a difficult duty and you did it well. I found that you got +through safely. I made inquiries about you and I traced you as far as +Shiloh, but I could get no further." + +"I was at Shiloh," said Dick proudly. "I was captured just before it +began, but I escaped while it was at its height and fought until the +close." + +"And after that?" + +"My regiment was sent east, sir. I went with it through the Second +Manassas and Antietam. Then we came back west to help General Buell. +I was at Perryville and was wounded there, but I soon got well." + +"Perryville was a terrible battle. It was short, but it is incredible +with what fury the troops fought. We should do better here." + +Dick saw that the last sentence which was spoken in a low tone was not +addressed to him. It was merely a murmured expression of the general's +own thoughts, and he remained silent. + +"You can go now, Lieutenant Mason," said General Thomas, after a few +moments, "and let us together wish for the best." + +"Thank you, sir," said Dick, highly flattered again. Then he saluted and +retired. + +He rode back somewhat slowly through the cedars, but he kept a wary eye. +The enemy's cavalry was daring, and he might be rushed by them at any +time or be ambushed by sharpshooters on foot. His watch for the enemy +also enabled him to examine the country closely. He saw many hills and +hollows covered mostly with forests, with the red cedar and its dark +green boughs predominating. He also saw the flash of many waters, and, +where the roads cut through the soil, a deep red clay was exposed to +view. He knew that it would be difficult for the armies to get into line +for battle, because of the heavy, sticky nature of the ground, upon which +so much rain had fallen. + +He made his way safely back to the camp of his corps, although he saw +hostile cavalry galloping in the valleys in the direction of Stone River, +and all through the afternoon he heard the crackle of rifle shots in the +same direction. The skirmishers were continually in touch and they were +busy. + +The corps moved up a little, but Dick thought it likely that there would +be no battle the next day either. Rosecrans could not afford to attack +until his full force, with all its artillery, was up, and marching was +slow and exhausting in the sea of sticky mud. + +Dick was right. The Northern army was practically united the next day, +but so great was the exhaustion of the troops that Rosecrans did not deem +it wise yet to attack his foe. He was fully aware of the quality of +the Southern soldiers. He remembered how they had turned suddenly at +Perryville and with inferior numbers had fought a draw. Now on the +defensive, and in such a deep and sticky soil, they would have a great +advantage and his generals agreed with him in waiting. + +Dick spent much of this day in riding with Colonel Winchester along +their lines. There was some talk about Bragg retreating, but the boy, a +veteran in everything but years, knew the ominous signs. Bragg had no +notion of retreating. + +In the night that followed Colonel Winchester himself and some of his +young officers, accompanied by the brave and skillful Sergeant Whitley, +scouted toward Stone River. In the darkness and with great care, in +order to avoid any sound of splashing, they waded a deep creek and came +out upon a plateau, rolling slightly in character, and with a deep clay +soil, very muddy from the heavy rains. A part of the plateau was cleared +of forest, but here and there were groves, chiefly of the red cedar, +and thickets, some of them so dense that a man would have difficulty in +forcing his way through. + +Colonel Winchester and his little group paused at the edge of the creek, +and then dived promptly into a thicket. They saw further up the plateau +many fires and the figures of men walking before them and they saw nearer +by sentinels marching back and forth. They were even able to make out +cannon in batteries, and they knew that it was not worth while to go any +further. The Confederate army was there, and they would merely walk +directly into its arms. + +They returned with even greater caution than they had come, but the next +day the whole division crossed the creek at another point, and as it +cautiously felt its way forward it encountered another formidable body +of Southern pickets hidden in the woods. There was sharp firing for a +quarter of an hour, and many of the Ohio men fell, but the pickets were +finally swept back, and at sunset the half circle that Rosecrans had +intended to form for the attack upon the Southern army was complete. + +All the movements and delays brought them up to the night before the last +day in the year. The Winchester regiment with the Ohio division lay in +a region of little hills and rocks, covered with forest, with which its +officers and men were not familiar. On the other hand the Southern army +would know every inch of it, and the inhabitants were ready and eager to +give it information. + +Dick could not keep from regarding the dark forests with apprehension. +He had seen the Northern generals lose so much through ignorance of the +ground and uncertain movements that he feared for them again. He soon +learned that Rosecrans himself shared this fear. He had come to the +division and recommended its closer concentration. + +But the young Ohio troops were not afraid. They said that if they were +attacked they would hold their ground long enough for the rest of the +Northern army to beat the Southern, and McCook himself was confident. + +Meanwhile, Bragg, after delaying, had suddenly decided to make the attack +himself, and throughout the day he had been gathering his whole army for +the spring. All his generals, Hardee, Breckinridge, Polk, Cleburne and +the rest were in position and the cavalry was led by Wheeler, a youthful +rough rider, destined to become famous as Fighting Joe Wheeler. + +Each general was ready to attack in the morning, but neither knew the +willingness of the other. Yet everybody was aware that a great battle +was soon to come. They had felt it in both armies, and for two or three +days the firing of the skirmishers had been almost continuous. Scouts +kept each side well informed. + +Dick, Warner and Pennington, before they lay down in their blankets, +listened to the faint reports of rifles. They could see little owing to +the deep woods in which they lay, but the sound of the shots came clearly. + +"A part of our army is to cross the fords of Stone River in the morning +by daylight or before," said Warner, "and we're to surprise the enemy and +rush him. I wonder if we'll do it." + +"We will not," said Pennington with emphasis. "We may beat the enemy, +but we will not surprise him. We never do. Why should we surprise him? +He is here in his own country. If the whole Southern army were sound +asleep, a thousand of the natives would wake up their generals and tell +them that the Yankee army was advancing." + +"Their sentinels are watching, anyhow," said Dick, "but I imagine that +we'd gain something if the first rush was ours and not theirs." + +"We'll hope for the best," said Warner, "I wonder whose time this will +be to get wounded. It was mine at Antietam, yours, Dick, at Perryville, +and only you are left Pennington, so it's bound to be you." + +"No, it won't be me," said Pennington stoutly. "I've been wounded in two +or three battles already, not bad wounds, just scratches and bruises, +but as there were so many of 'em you can lump 'em together, and make one +big wound. That lets me out." + +The Winchester regiment lay in the very thickest of the forest and in +order not to indicate to the enemy their precise position no fires were +lighted. The earth was still soaked deep with the heavy rains and their +feet sank at every step. But they did not make many steps. They had +learned enough to lie quiet, seek what rest and sleep they could find, +and await the dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +STONE RIVER + + +Dick awoke at sunrise of the last day of the year, and Warner and +Pennington were up a moment later. There was no fog. The sun hung a low, +red ball in the steel blue sky of winter. No fires had been lighted, +cold food being served. + +He heard far off to right a steady tattoo like the rapid beat of many +small drums. A quiver ran through the lads who were now gathering in +the wood and at its edge. But Dick knew that the fire was distant. The +other wing had opened the battle, and it might be a long time before +their own division was drawn into the conflict. + +He stood there as the sound grew louder, a continuous crash of rifles, +accompanied by the heavy boom of cannon, and far off he saw a great cloud +of smoke gathering over the forest. But no shouting reached his ears, +nor could he see the men in combat. Colonel Winchester, who was standing +beside him, shrugged his shoulders. + +"They're engaged heavily, or they will be very soon," he said. + +"And it looks as if we'd have to wait," said Dick. + +"Things point that way. The general thinks so, too. It seems that Bragg +has moved his forces in the night, and that the portion of the enemy in +front of us is some distance off." + +Dick soon confided this news to Warner and Pennington, who looked +discontented. + +"If we've got to fight, I'd rather do it now and get it over," said +Pennington. "If I'm going to be killed the difference between morning +and afternoon won't matter, but if I'm not going to be killed it'll be +worth a lot to get this weight off my mind." + +"And if we're far away from the enemy it's easy enough for us to go up +close to him," said Warner. "I take it that we're not here to keep out +of his way, and, if our brethren are pounding now, oughtn't we to go in +and help them pound? Remember how we divided our strength at Antietam." + +Dick shrugged his shoulders. His feelings were too bitter for him to +make a reply save to say: "I don't know anything about it." + +Meanwhile the distant combat roared and deepened. It was obvious that a +great battle was going on, but the division lay quiet obeying its orders. +The sun rose higher in the cold, steely blue heavens and then Dick, +who was watching a forest opposite them, uttered a loud cry. He had seen +many bayonets flashing among the leafless trees. + +The cry was taken up by others who saw also, and suddenly a long Southern +line, less than half a mile away, emerged into the open and advanced upon +them in silence, but with resolution, a bristling and terrific front of +steel. After all their watching and waiting the Northern division had +been surprised. Many of the officers and soldiers, too, were in tents +that had been set against the cold and damp. The horses that drew the +artillery were being taken to water. + +It was an awful moment and Dick's heart missed more than one beat, +but in that crisis the American, often impatient of discipline, showed +his power of initiative and his resolute courage. While that bristling +front of steel came on the soldiers formed themselves into line without +waiting for the commands of the officers. The artillerymen rushed to +their guns. + +"Kneel, men! Kneel!" shouted Colonel Winchester to his own regiment. +He and all his officers were on foot, their horses having been left in +the rear the night before. + +His men threw themselves down at his command, and, all along the Northern +line formed so hastily, the rifles began to crackle, sending forth a +sheet of fire and bullets. + +The Northern cannon, handled as always with skill and courage, were +at work now, too, and their shells and shot lashed the Southern ranks +through and through. But Dick saw no pause in the advance of the men in +gray. They did not even falter. Without a particle of shelter they came +on through the rain of death, their ranks closing up over the slain, +their front line always presenting that bristling line of steel. + +It seemed to Dick now that the points of the bayonets shone almost in +his face, gleaming through the smoke that hung between them and the foe, +a gap that continually grew narrower as the Southern line never ceased to +come. + +"Stand firm, lads; steady for God's sake, steady!" shouted Colonel +Winchester, and then Dick heard no single voice, because the roar of the +battle broke over them like the sudden rush of a storm. He was conscious +only that the tips of the bayonets had reached them, and behind them he +saw the eyes in the brown faces gleaming. + +Then he did not even see the brown faces, because there was such a storm +of fire and smoke pouring forth bullets like hail, and the tumult of +shouts and of the crash of cannon and rifles was so awful that it blended +into one general sound like the roaring of the infernal regions. + +Dick felt himself borne back. It seemed to him that their line had +cracked like a bow bent too much. It was not anything that he saw but a +sense of the general result, and he was right. The Northern line which +had not found time to form properly, was hurled back. Neither cannon nor +rifles could stop the three Southern brigades which were charging them. + +The South struck like a tornado, and despite a resistance made with all +the fury and rage of despair, the Northern division was driven from its +position, and its line broken in many places. A Northern general was +taken prisoner. The guns which could not be carried, because the horses +were gone, were taken by the triumphant Southerners, and over all the +roar and tumult of the frightful battle Dick heard that piercing and +triumphant rebel yell, poured forth by thousands of throats and swelling +over everything, in a fierce, dominant note. + +Dick bumped against Warner as they were borne back in the smoke. He saw +the Vermonter's blackened lips move, and his own moved in the same way, +but neither heard what the other said. Nevertheless Dick read the words +in his comrade's eyes, and they said: + +"Surprised again, Dick! Good God, surprised!" + +Yet the young troops fought with a courage worthy of the toughest +veterans. They gave ground, because the rush against them was +overpowering, but they maintained a terrible fire which strewed the earth +in front of them with dead and wounded. + +"Behind those trees! Behind those trees!" suddenly called Colonel +Winchester as they continued their sullen and fighting retreat, and he +and the remnants of his regiment darted into a little wood just in time. +There was a sudden rush of hoofbeats on their flank, and a cloud of +Southern cavalry swept down, shearing away the entire side of the +Northern division as if it had been cleft with the slash of a mighty +sword. Besides the fallen a thousand prisoners and seven cannon fell +into the hands of the cavalrymen, who rushed on in search of fresh +triumphs. + +Dick shuddered with horror, but he saw that all his own immediate friends +were safe in the wood. A swarm of fugitives poured in after them, +and then came colonels and generals making desperate efforts to reform +their line of battle. But the Southern brigades gave them no chance. +Their leaders continually urged on the pursuit. The broken regiments +fell back still loading and firing, and they would soon be on the banks +of the creek again. + +After a time that seemed almost infinite, Dick heard the roar of shells +over their heads. In their retreat the regiments had come upon another +Northern division which opposed a strong resistance to the Southern +advance. Winchester's men welcomed their friends joyfully. But the +fresh troops could not stop the advance. The fire of the Southern cannon +and rifles was so deadly that nearly all the Northern artillerymen were +killed around their guns. + +The North again gave ground, seeking point after point for fresh +resistance. They rallied strongly around a building used as a hospital, +and filled it with riflemen. But they were driven from that, too, +although they inflicted terrible losses on their enemy. + +"We've got to stop this backward slide somewhere," gasped Pennington. + +"Yes, but where?" cried Dick. + +Whether Warner made any reply he did not know, because he lost him then +in the flame and the smoke. An instant or two later the charging swarms +of infantry and cavalry drove them into one of the woods of red cedars, +where they lay shattered and gasping. The smoke lifted a little, and +Dick saw the field which he already regarded as lost. Then there was a +renewed burst of firing and cheering, as a regiment of veteran regulars +galloped into the open space and drove off the Southern cavalry which was +just about to seize the ammunition wagons and more cannon. + +Encouraged by the charge of the regulars, the men in the cedar wood rose +and began to reform for battle. Now chance, or rather watchfulness, +interposed to save Dick and his comrades from destruction. Rosecrans, +at another point, confident that McCook could hold out against all +attacks, listened with amazement to the roar of battle coming nearer and +nearer. His officers called his attention to the fact that save at the +opening there was no cannon fire. All that approaching crash was made by +rifles. They judged from it that their cannon had been taken, but they +did not know that the rush of the Southern troops had been so fast that +their own batteries were not able to keep up. + +Rosecrans read the signs with them and his alarm was great and justified. +Then a dispatch came from McCook telling him that his right wing was +routed and he took an instant resolve. + +Many regiments were marching to another point in the line, and the +commander at once changed their course. He meant to save his right wing, +but at the same moment a tremendous attack was begun upon the center of +his army. He struck his horse smartly and galloped straight toward the +rolling flame. + +Dick and his friends, driven from the defense around the hospital, +lost touch with the rest of the troops. Colonel Winchester held together +what was left of his regiment, and presently they found themselves in the +woods with the troops of the young officer, Sheridan, who had saved the +battle of Perryville. Here they took their stand, and when Dick saw the +quick and warlike glance of Sheridan that embraced everything he believed +they were not going to retreat. + +He heard cheers all around him, men shouting to one another to stand +firm. They refused to take alarm from the fugitives pouring back upon +them, and sent volley after volley into the advancing gray lines. +The artillery, too, handled with splendid skill and daring, poured a +storm along the whole gray front. The combat deepened to an almost +incredible degree. The cannon were compelled to cease firing because the +men were now face to face. Regiments lost half their numbers and more, +but Sheridan still held his ground and the South still attacked. + +Dick began to shout with joy. He saw that the indomitable stand of +Sheridan was saving the whole Northern army from rout. The South must +continually turn aside troops to attack Sheridan, and they dared not +advance too far leaving him unbeaten in their rear. Rosecrans in the +center was urging his troops to a great resistance and the battle flamed +high there. It now thundered along the whole front. Nearly every man +and cannon were in action. + +Dick was glad that chance had thrown his regiment with Sheridan, when he +saw the splendid resistance made by the young general. Sheridan massed +all his guns at the vital point and backed them up with riflemen. +Nothing broke through his line. Nothing was able to move him. + +"He'll have to retreat later on," Colonel Winchester shouted in Dick's +ear, "because our lines are giving way elsewhere, but his courage and +that of his men has saved us from an awful defeat." + +The battle in front of Sheridan increased in violence. The Confederates +were continually pouring fresh troops upon him, and it became apparent +that even he, with all his courage and quickness of eye at the vital +moment, could not withstand all day long the fierce attacks that were +being made upon him. The Southern fire from cannon and rifles grew more +terrible. Sheridan had three brigades and the commanders of all three of +them were killed. The Confederate attack had been repulsed three times, +but it was coming again, stronger and fiercer than ever. + +Dick, aghast, gazed at Colonel Winchester and somehow through the thunder +of the battle he heard the colonel's reply: + +"Yes, we'll have to give up this position, but we have saved so much time +that the army itself is saved. Rosecrans is forming a new line behind +us." + +Rosecrans, no genius, but a brave and resolute fighter, had indeed +brought up fresh troops and made a new line. Sheridan, having that +greatest of all gifts of the general, the eye to see amid the terrible +tumult of battle the time to do a thing, and the courage to do it then, +sounded the trumpet. Nearly all his wagons had been captured by the +Southern cavalry, and his ammunition was beginning to fail. Around him +lay two thousand of his best men, dead or wounded. Rosecrans and the +fresh troops were appearing just in time. + +Yet the retreat of Sheridan was made with the greatest difficulty. +A part of his troops were cut off and captured. Others drove back +the Confederate flankers with a bayonet charge, and then the remnant +retreated, the new lines opening to let them through. Dick, as he passed +through the gap, saw that he was among countrymen. That is, a Kentucky +regiment, fighting for the Union was standing as a shield to let his +comrades and himself through, and the people of the state were related +so closely that in the flare of the battle he saw among these new men at +least a half dozen faces that he knew. + +It was this Kentucky regiment, led by its colonel, Shepherd, that now +formed itself in the very apex of the battle. The remains of the +Winchester regiment, forming behind it, saw a terrible sight. Some of +the regiments crushed earlier in the action had entirely disbanded. +The woods and the bushes were filled with fugitives, soldiers seeking the +rear. Vast clouds of smoke drifted everywhere, the air was filled with +the odors of exploded gunpowder, cannon were piled in inextricable heaps +in the road, and horses, killed by shells or bullets, lay on the guns or +between the wheels. + +Dick had never beheld a more terrible sight. Their army was defeated so +far, the dead and the wounded were heaped everywhere, terrified fugitives +were pouring to the rear, and the enemy, wild with triumph, and shouting +his terrible battle yell, was coming on with an onset that seemed +invincible. + +Colonel Winchester darted among the fugitives and with stinging words and +the flat of his sword beat many of them back into line. Dick, Warner, +Pennington and other young officers did likewise. More Kentucky troops +bringing artillery came up and joined those who were standing so sternly. +It became obvious to all that they must hold the ground here or the +battle indeed was lost once and for all. + +Thomas, the silent and resolute Virginian, had arrived also, and had +joined Rosecrans. Dick observed them both. Rosecrans, tremendously +excited, and reckless of death from the flying shells and bullets, +galloped from point to point, urging on his soldiers, telling them to die +rather than yield. Thomas, cool, and showing no trace of excitement also +directed the troops. Both by their courage and resolution inspired the +men. The beaten became the unbeaten. Dick felt rather than saw the +stiffening of the lines, and the return of a great courage. + +The new line of battle was formed directly under the fire of a victorious +and charging enemy. Three batteries were gathered on a height +overlooking a railroad cut, where they could sweep the front of the foe. + +Just as they were in battle order Dick saw the faces of the Southerners +coming through the woods, led by Hardee in person. Then he saw, too, +the value of presence of mind and of a courage that would not yield. +The three batteries planted by the Kentuckian, Rousseau, on the railway +embankment suddenly opened a terrible enfilading fire upon the Southern +advance. The Kentucky regiment standing so firmly in the breach also +opened with every rifle firing directly into the ranks of their brother +Kentuckians, who were advancing in the vanguard of the South. Here again +people of the same state and even of the same county fought one another. + +The Confederates pursuing a defeated and apparently disorganized enemy +were astounded by such a sudden and fierce fire. One of their generals +was killed almost instantly, and a part of their line was hurled back +with great violence. Thomas pushed forward with a portion of the troops, +and after a desperate assault the Southern line reeled and then stopped +in the wood. Courage and presence of mind had saved a battle for the +time being, at least. + +At that point the combat sank for a while, and Dick, unwounded but +exhausted, dropped upon the ground. Around him lay his friends, and they, +too, were unwounded. It was with a sort of grim humor that he remembered +a conversation they had held before the battle. + +"Well, Frank," he said, "you've escaped." + +"So far only," said Warner. "The hurricane has softened down a lot here, +but not everywhere else. Listen!" + +He pointed through the woods toward the left where another battle was +swelling with a mighty uproar. Bragg having driven in the Union right +was now seeking to shatter the Union left, but at this point there was +a Northern commander, Hazen, who was no less indomitable than Sheridan. +Sheltering themselves along the railway embankment his men, always +encouraged by their commander, and his officers, resisted every effort to +drive them back. Noon came and found them still holding tenaciously to +their positions. For a while now the whole battle sank through sheer +exhaustion on both sides. Each commander reformed his line, disentangled +his guns, brought forward fresh ammunition and prepared for the great +combat which he knew was coming. Bragg, as he noticed the advance of the +short winter day, resolved upon the utmost effort to crush his enemy. +Victory had seemed wholly in his grasp in the morning, but he had been +checked at the last moment. He would make good the defeat in the +afternoon. + +The armies had disentangled themselves from the woods and bushes. +They were now in the open and face to face on a long line. The +Winchester regiment had risen to its feet again, and stood directly +behind and almost mingled with the Kentucky regiment that had saved it. + +"They're coming!" exclaimed Warner in quick, excited tones. "Look, +there on the flank!" + +It was the division of Cleburne, in the hottest of the battle all through +the morning advancing to a fresh attack upon the Union lines, but it was +received with such a powerful fire that it was driven back in disorder +into some woods. + +Dick, however, did not have a chance to see this as the Southerners, +reinforced by fresh troops from Breckinridge's division, were charging in +the center with great violence. So terrible was the fire that received +them that some of the regiments lost half their numbers in five minutes. +Yet the remainder, upheld by their cannon, returned a fire almost as +deadly. Rosecrans, absolutely fearless, stood in the very front where +the danger was greatest. A cannon ball blew off the head of his chief +of staff who stood by his side. "Many a brave fellow must fall!" cried +Rosecrans, a devoted Catholic. "Cross yourselves, and fire low and fast!" + +Many a brave fellow did fall, but his men fired low and fast, and, +while the Southern troops charged again and again to the very mouths of +the cannon they were unable to break down the last desperate stand of +the Northern army. They had driven it back, but they had not driven it +back far enough. Then the sun set as it had set so often before on an +undecisive battle, terrible in its long list of the slain, but leaving +everything to be fought over again. + +"They didn't beat us," said Dick as the firing ceased. + +"No," said Colonel Winchester, "nor have we won a victory, but we're +saved. Thank God for the night!" + +"They'll attack again to-morrow, sir," said Sergeant Whitley. + +"Undoubtedly so," said Colonel Winchester, who felt at this moment not +as if he were speaking as colonel to sergeant, but as man to man, "and I +hope that our artillery will be ready again. It is what has saved us. +We have always been superior in that arm." + +The colonel had spoken the truth, and the fact was also recognized by +Rosecrans, Thomas and the other generals. While they rectified their +lines in the darkness, the great batteries were posted in good positions, +and fresh gunners took the place of those who had been killed. Both +Rosecrans and Thomas were made of stern stuff. Afraid of no enemy, and, +despite their great losses of the day and the fact that they had been +driven back, they would be ready to fight on the morrow. Sheridan, +Crittenden, McCook, Van Cleve and the others were equally ready. + +Food was brought from the rear and the exhausted combatants sank down to +rest. Dick was in such an apathy from sheer overtasking of the body and +spirit that he did not think of anything. He lay like an animal that has +escaped from a long chase. Silence had settled down with the darkness +and the Confederate army had become invisible. + +Dick revived later. He talked more freely with those about him, and he +gathered from the gossip which travels fast, much of what had happened. +The Union army, so confident in the morning, was in a dangerous position +at night. Nearly thirty of its guns were taken. Three thousand +unwounded and many wounded men were prisoners in the hands of the South. +Arms and ammunition by the wholesale had been captured. The Southern +cavalry under Fighting Joe Wheeler had gone behind Rosecrans' whole army +and had cut his communications with his base at Nashville, at the same +time raiding his wagon trains. Another body of cavalry under Wharton had +taken all the wagons of McCook's corps, and still a third under Pegram +had captured many prisoners on the Nashville road in the rear of the +Northern army. + +Dick became aware of a great, an intense anxiety among the leaders. +The army was isolated. The raiding Southern cavalry kept it from +receiving fresh supplies of either food or ammunition, unless it +retreated. + +"We're stripped of everything but our arms," said Warner. + +"Then we've really lost nothing," said the valiant Pennington, "because +with our arms we'll recover everything." + +They had a commander of like spirit. At that moment Rosecrans, gathering +his generals in a tent pitched hastily for him, was saying to them, +"Gentlemen, we will conquer or die here." Short and strong, but every +word meant. There was no need to say more. The generals animated by the +same spirit went forth to their commands, and first among them was the +grim and silent Thomas, who had the bulldog grip of Grant. Perhaps it +was this indomitable tenacity and resolution that made the Northern +generals so much more successful in the west than they were in the east +during the early years of the war. + +But there was exultation in the Confederate camp. Bragg and Polk and +Hardee and Breckinridge and the others felt now that Rosecrans would +retreat in the night after losing so many men and one-third of his +artillery. Great then was their astonishment when the rising sun of New +Year's day showed him sitting there, grimly waiting, with his back to +Stone River, a formidable foe despite his losses. Above all the Southern +generals saw the heavily massed artillery, which they had such good +reason to fear. + +Dick, who had slept soundly through the night, was up like all the others +at dawn and he beheld the Southern army before them, yet not moving, +as if uncertain what to do. He felt again that thrill of courage and +resolution, and, born of it, was the belief that despite the first day's +defeat the chances were yet even. These western youths were of a tough +and enduring stock, as he had seen at Shiloh and Perryville, and the +battle was not always to him who won the first day. A long time passed +and there was no firing. + +"Not so eager to rush us as they were," said Warner. "It's a +mathematical certainty that an army that's not running away is not +whipped, and that certainty is patent to our Southern friends also. +But to descend from mathematics to poetry, a great poet says that he who +runs away will live to fight another day. I will transpose and otherwise +change that, making it to read: He who does not run away may make the +other fellow unable to fight another day." + +"You talk too much like a schoolmaster, George," said Pennington. + +"The most important business of a school teacher is to teach the young +idea how to shoot, and lately I've had ample chances to give such +instruction." + +It was not that they were frivolous, but like most other lads in the army, +they had grown into the habit of teasing one another, which was often a +relief to teaser as well as teased. + +"I think, sir," said Dick to Colonel Winchester, "that some of our troops +are moving." + +He was looking through his glasses toward the left, where he saw a strong +Union force, with banners waving, advancing toward Bragg's right. + +"Ah, that is well done!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "If our men break +through there we'll cut Bragg off from Murfreesborough and his ammunition +and supplies." + +They did not break through, but they maintained a long and vigorous +battle, while the centers and other wings of the two armies did not stir. +But it became evident to Dick later in the afternoon that a mighty +movement was about to begin. His glasses told him so, and the thrill +of expectation confirmed it. + +Bragg was preparing to hurl his full strength upon Rosecrans. +Breckinridge, who would have been the President of the United States, +had not the Democrats divided, was to lead it. This division of five +brigades had formed under cover of a wood. On its flank was a battery of +ten guns and two thousand of the fierce riders of the South under Wharton +and Pegram. Dick felt instinctively that Colonel Kenton with his +regiment was there in the very thick of it. + +Dick's regiment with Negley's strong Kentucky brigade, which had stopped +the panic and rout the day before, had now recrossed Stone River and +were posted strongly behind it. Ahead of them were two small brigades +with some cannon, and Rosecrans himself was with this force just as +Breckinridge's powerful division emerged into the open and began its +advance upon the Union lines. + +"Now, lads, stand firm!" exclaimed Colonel Winchester. "This is the +crisis." + +The colonel had measured the situation with a cool eye and brain. +He knew that the regiments on the other side of the river were worn down +by the day's fighting and would not stand long. But he believed that the +Kentuckians around him, and the men from beyond the Ohio would not yield +an inch. They were largely Kentuckians also coming against them. + +The rolling fire burst from the Southern front, and the cannon on their +flanks crashed heavily. Then their infantry came forward fast, and with +a wild shout and rush the two thousand cavalry on their flanks charged. +As Colonel Winchester had expected, the two weak brigades, although +Rosecrans in person was among them, gave way, retreated rapidly to the +little river and crossed it. + +The Confederates came on in swift pursuit, but Negley's Kentuckians and +the other Union men, standing fast, received them with a tremendous +volley. It was at short range, and their bullets crashed through the +crowded Southern ranks. The Winchesters were on the flank of the +defenders, where they could get a better view, and although they also +were firing as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger, they saw +the great column pause and then reel. + +Rosecrans, who had fallen back with the retreating brigades, instantly +noted the opportunity. Here, a general who received too little reward +from the nation, and to whom popular esteem did not pay enough tribute, +rushed two brigades across Stone River and hurled them with all their +weight upon the Southern flank. Sixty cannon posted on the hillocks just +behind the river poured an awful fire upon the Southern column. The fire +from front and flank was so tremendous that the Southerners, veterans as +they were, gave way. The men who had held victory in their hands felt it +slipping from their grasp. + +"They waver! They retreat!" shouted Colonel Winchester. "Up, boys, +and at 'em!" + +The whole Union force, led by its heroic generals, rushed forward, +crossed the river and joined in the charge. The two thousand Southern +cavalry were driven off by a fire that no horsemen could withstand. +The division of Breckinridge, although fighting with furious courage, +was gradually driven back, and the day closed with the Union army in +possession of most of the territory it had lost the day before. + +As they lay that night in the damp woods, Dick and his comrades, all +of whom had been fortunate enough to escape this time without injury, +discussed the battle. For a while they claimed that it was a victory, +but they finally agreed that it was a draw. The losses were enormous. +Each side had lost about one third of its force. + +Rosecrans, raging like a wounded lion, talked of attacking again, but the +rains had been so heavy, the roads were so soft and deep in mud that the +cannon and the wagons could not be pushed forward. + +Bragg retreated four days later from Murfreesborough, and Dick and his +comrades therefore claimed a victory, but as the winter was now shutting +down cold and hard, Rosecrans remained on the line of Murfreesborough and +Nashville. + +The Winchester regiment was sent back to Nashville to recuperate and seek +recruits for its ranks. Dick and Warner and Pennington felt that their +army had done well in the west, but their hopes for the Union were +clouded by the news from the east. Lee and Jackson had triumphed again. +Burnside, in midwinter, had hurled the gallant Army of the Potomac in +vain against the heights of Fredericksburg, and twelve thousand men had +fallen for nothing. + +"We need a man, a man in the east, even more than in the west," said +Warner. + +"He'll come. I'm sure he'll come," said Dick. + + + + +Appendix: Transcription notes: + +This ebook was transcribed from a volume of the 16th printing + +Despite the fact that this is a fictional work, I myself find it +inappropriate that our fictional hero, Dick Mason, is credited +with discovering the "lost" copy of Lee's General Order No. 191. +In fact, Sergeant Bloss and Corporal Mitchell, of the 27th Indiana +Infantry, found the envelope containing the order, along with the +three cigars, in a field of clover on the morning of 09/13/1862. + + +The following modifications were applied while transcribing the +printed book to ebook: + + Chapter 2 + Page 31, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 51, para 3, add missing comma + Page 51, para 6, fix typo ("Pennigton") + Page 52, para 7, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 3 + Page 68, para 4, changed "it" to "its" + + Chapter 4 + Page 83, para 3, added a missing comma (In these books, I am + often tempted to add/move/remove commas, but I generally avoid + doing so. In this case, an additional comma was sorely needed.) + + Chapter 5 + Page 105, para 3, add missing open-quotes + Page 107, para 2, add missing open-quotes + Page 118, para 5, changed "he know not" to "he knew not" + + Chapter 6 + Page 142, para 11, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 7 + Page 157, para 2, add missing open-quotes + + Chapter 9 + Page 191, para 6, add missing comma + Page 196, para 2 and 3, fix closing quotation marks + Page 197, para 1, add missing close-quote + + Chapter 10 + Page 210, para 1, fix typo ("Pennigton") + + Chapter 13 + Page 276, para 1, change "a" to "as" + Page 281, para 2, add missing close-quotes + Page 283, para 8, change "in" to "is" + Page 288, para 4, fix typo ("seeemd") + Page 293, para 4, add missing close-quotes + Page 297, para 2, closing double-quote should be single-quote + + Limitations imposed by converting to plain ASCII: + + - The word "marquee" in chapter 3 was presented in the printed + book with an accented "e" + +I did not change: + + - Inconsistent spelling/presentation in the printed book: + "rearguard" and "rear guard", "guerrilla" and "guerilla", + "round-about" and "roundabout", "to-morrow" and "tomorrow" + + - "bowlder" in chapter 10 + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Sword of Antietam, by Joseph A. 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