The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-26
FREDERICKSBURG.
OUR COLOR GUARD AT MARY
K. HEIGHTS.
nm the N. Y. journal of Commerce.

at the foot of the hill, flat upon their
breasts, while the dear old flag nestled in
the midst of us. A terrible shower of
screaming shot whistled overhead, and,
although we were safe from harm, protect
ed by the gentle slope of the ground in
front, many cheek was blanched and
many brave man held his brea th with
awe. TWAS our first battle; the stream
ing bars of our banner were untouched by
a single ball, the bright line of glistening
bayonets had never tasted blood, and all
the morning We had been held in reserve,
while other regiments were pushed for
ward in the fight.
John, we are in for it now," said to
my dearest friend, as We lay side by side
on that bright spring morning. He was
color sergeant, and l one of the guard.
We had been friends at home, enlisted at
the same time, and from the first had
messed together. His brave, strong hands
closed more tightly upon the staff, but he
said not word in reply. Directly an Or
derby dashed forward to where our chief
stood, surrounded by his regimental staff;
some magic word was given by the mes
senger with touch of his cap, and he was
offEagain like an arrow.
Springing upon his horse, the colonel
shouted: Attention, battalion {" and in
an instant every man was upon his feet
Forward into line, left half wheel
march " and the line was formed. "My
boys, do your duty this day. We are Or
dered to storm the heights of Marye-
charge bayonets! forward! double quick
march " ard before the words were fairly
uttered, we were advancing rapidly up the
hill.
They say our regiment behaved we'll
that day. | know little of the fight around
me; my ears and eyes were with John
and the colors Nobly the brave boy bore
them as we pressed onward. Fifty-a
hundred yards were passed, and we began
to see the pale faces of our foes behind the
intrenchments. The balls whistled dead
ly chorus around us, but had not seen a
man fall. Harry Walters was on Johns
left, / was on his right; I don't know why
it was that l was watching poor Walters
at that moment would to God | had not
been. His musket was borne stOutly, and
the wind blew the fair hair off his fore
head as we marched on. heard the dull
ped the useless piece, and he fell forward
on his face. Involuntarily l sprang to
him to raise him up, but with hoarse
voice John whispered as he passed me,
LET the dead bury their dead-be with
the flag to-day, Frank" With a few
quick steps l overlook the standard l
never saw Harry Walters again.
Men fell thick and fast around us now
We were rapidly nearing the rebel works.
The guard had closed around the flag in a
solid phalanX, for in another moment we
would be amid our foes. John carried his
precious charge firmly in his left hand,
while in his right cleaned the straight,
keen sergeant's sword. Iglanced furtively
at his face; he was smiling grimly, the
fiush Of battle illumined his brow, the hand
some lips were closed, and in his eyes
there was a wonderful light that I never
saw before.
\ loud, deep cheer along the line re-
called my thoughts to the field. Our left
was scrambling over the ritle-pits, and en-
gaging the rebels hand to hand. could
see this and nothing more, for at that mo-
ment John called out, "Follow me, boys
all of you. and with a single bound he
stood UPON the embankment in front Of u.s.
We were by him in a twinkling AS l
stepped upon the parapet, | saw John
drop his sword and seize the flag
staff with both hands. Then the col
0rs rose high abo.e the ranks, and he
swung them gracefully three times in
the sn?okyalr. Deafening hurrahs from the
whole line greeted the triumphant banner
| lifted my hanj - swell tie shout, but
my voice failed me. There stood a tall
swarthy Georgian, not ten feet from Us,
with his !nuSke, raised and the bright bar
rel lerclcl with deadly steaiiness. I fol
lowed the ;ti,n 0rcathlcs,ly with my eye
i c,Cer"/ JrI5'S bre,hSi. With a shrek
Of terror 1 >prang forward 10 throw up tie
Soutiron'o g"u. | was too late, blind
ing flash leapcd from the mrzzlc of q piece
behind me and the toclnan dropped upon
his bant, ana knees, shot through the
heart by one OF our own men. The stand
ard WAS planted firmly Upon the earth
works, but that devoted l,tle band who
rallied around it was hemr.ed in bv GREY
coats John had grasped 9 musket and
was fighting like Gagged tiger under the
shadow OF the flag. We were back to
Daci,. ! SjN lIltL liic lcoclS tdu lice. from
their positions on our right and LETT fanks.
bat their centre pressed sorely upon the
color company, fighting desperately. If
we can hold our ground twenty seconds
longer we are safe. Company d sees
our danger and the gallant boys are
at the double-quick to reinforce us,
with loud cries, "TO the rescue of
the colors!" | raise my hand to
urge them on, quick, sudden pain runs
through me like an electc shock from
head to heel-wEat is this? feel faint
my knees tremble and refuse to bear their
burden-the sky darkens-the shouts of
the combatants come to my ears family as
if they fought long way off-the field
nelts away from my sight, but still see
q struggling mass of men heaving and toss
ing like phantoms Of dream-I see the
old flag plainly plainly hear
Johns voice and then all is black.
When | opened my eyes l was lying
snugly enough in little narrow bed in
the Alexandria hospital. John was sitting
beside me holding my hand, and pair of
hOulder-straps became him we'll. The
battles of Chancellorville had been lost