Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-05-26


tenance, and bold brown eye, that fairly
sparkled with the fire of intrepidity. And
such was Spreadeagle in his youth.
"Joe," said Captain Smelling, 81 have
sent for you at the request of General
Wayne, who wants brave man to under
take dangerous duty"
81 shrink from no duty, however dan
gerousw replied the soldier, proudly
any officers have but to command mel"
aThat is precisely what they will not
dol" remarked the general. "Any good
soldier will obey the command of his Off
Ger. / wish man to do service which
l shall order no one to perform. The SER
vice must be voluntarilyw
II am soldier, sirP' replied the strip
ling. "You have but to show me in what
way l can serve my country. l pause not
to consider consequences"
HWell spoken!" said the general, pleas
ed with the spirit which the young man
evinced.
The latter stood still, anxious to learn
the service which he was expected to per-
form.
at is the post of danger" added the
general, Sand the danger is imminent"
"Wbat is the service!" inquired the sol
dier, indifferently,
$40 stand on the front pickett answer
ed the general, scrutinizing the young
mans countenance as if he would judge of
his courage beforehand.
Wayne seldom mistook huuan charac-
ter; and in an instant more, he knew PIE
cisely how far he might trust in the valor
Of the youthful volunteer.
The cheek of the latter blanched lit
tie, and there was nervous twitchin about
the mouth, and briny moisture in bis eye,
when the duty was announced-for he re-
garded the danger in connection with the
helpless future of an aged couple whose on
iy hope, in their second childhood, was
the strong arm and determined will of their
brave soldier-son.
But the emotion was instantaneous
like sudden flash of light-so quick as
scarcely to be perceptable, and so quickly
followed by another, that many doubted
the evidence of their own senses.
There stood the young man, erect and
firm, with flashing eye, compressed lips,
and strong fingers tightened about bis gun,
like, the jaws of vice. Presently, his
lips unclosed, and the tone of his voice as
much as his manner, evinced his determin-
alton.
81 am ready!"
"You are noble boyw said the gener-
al, feeling the truth of his compliment,
and regarding the young man at the mo-
ment as little else than chosen sacrifice.
The young man made no answer, but
his big, brown eyes sparkled with delight.
"You understand what is expected of
you?" continued the general.
II think do" replied the volunteer.
"You have served as picket beforel'
"Repeatedly."
The general unused a moment, and then
added:
"Much-perhaps everything, may de-
needless alarm is to be avoided next to sur
prise; for though no actual injury followed,
it would disturb the repose of the soldiery,
and render them unfit for the Struggle to-
morrow"
81 shall follow your orders strictly ?"-
said the young man.
"Right, sir!" returned the commandant.
sChallenge three times before you fire. Be
certain that any noise you hear is not
caused by the wind or the wing of a night
bird. And if it be necessary to leave your
post, retreat cautiously, that the inner
guard may not be alarmed and thrown in-
to confusion"
The young man bowed, to signify that
his orders were understood, and would be
obeyed.
"And these" added the geue:al, turning
to the guard, "are my orders to every SEN
tinel."
The guard bowed as the young man
had done.
And then, with waive of his hand,
silent adieu, the brave old soldier retired
from their presence.
| The officer of the guard Immediately
proceeded to station the sentinels, and af-
forwards the pickets, all except the out
most, who was dismissed 10 his quarters
to rest until his services were required.
1t is the custom of the Indian, when he
attacks the camp of an enemy, to strike in
the morning, just before the day dawns,
when sleep is thought to rest heaviest on
men, and the darkness is most impenetra-
Bile. The latter is SO commonly believed,
that it has come to be an adage: "The
darkest hour is just ere the day."
And this was the hour when the services
of the outmost picket were required.
| "Come, joe" said Captain Smelling,
laying his hand gently on the shoulder
of the sleeping sentinel at is past mid
night"
The young man sprang lightly from his
couch--a blanket spread upon the ground
shook himself, rubbed the sleep out of
his eyes, donned his cap, took up his gun,
and said to his immediate officer, as he bad
a while before to his general:
81 am ready!"
"Come, then!'' and the captain led the
way.
Joe followed, or rather walked by his side
eating biscuit as they proceeded, to forti-
fly himself against the cravings of hunger
and the chilliness of the atmosphere.
At length they reached the post, far in
advance of the others, on the edge of a
dense thicket of long grass and under
growth, from which the danger was appre-
hended.
Here Captain Smelling repeated the Or