American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-01


One by one the soldiers rolled them
selves in their blankets and laid down to
rest. Dwight watched Tom for some
time after the others were asleep, and then
stepped up to him and laying his hand on
his shoulder said,
Come, Tom, rouse yourself. It's
time to turn in You will need all your
strength tomorrow"
1T would be useless for me to try to
sleep tonight. shall remain where l
am. | feel certain that | shall meet
Arden tomorrow, and Jack, | feel pre-
sentiment that | shall not live to see to-
morrow night"
"Pshaw man. You should not give
way to such idle fancies should like
to meet Arden very well myself, for |
hate him almost as much as you do,
said Dwight, taking bis friends hand /:
but as to your being dead tomorrow
night, it's all nonsense. You have escap-
ed unscratched from so many fights late
ly that l begin to think you are invul-
nerable"
i feel sure that l shall never see to-
morrow's sun set" said Tom gloomiIy.
"Youn make me as blue as you are
yourself if | listen to you much longer.
Come, lay down and sleep little. No"
as Tom shook his head. well, [ won't
ask you again. So here goes, and Jack
Dwight, enveloping himself in his blan-
ket, laid down near the fire, and was soon
wrapped in sIumber.
Hours rolled on, and still Tom Patson
occupied his old position, his chin rest
ing on his hands as he gazed fixedly into
the fire.
D Daylight was just streaking the sky
when the notes of the bugle sounding the
reyeille was borne on the cool morning
air. Tom instantly sprang to his feet,
and aroused the sleepeTs near him. In
few moments all were up and busily pre-
parlng for the march Rations are hur-
riedly distributed. Tents are struck and
packed, and soon the whole column is iii
motion. Far as the eye can reach in front
and rear along the road nothing can be
sell but the moving horsemen, and here
and there battery of artillery with its
dark engines of destruction,
"IIark There they 90, said Tom to
Dwight, who was riding by his side, as
the deep boom of cannon was heard far
in advance.
"Close up, men. Keep steady
On moved the horsemen, and now the
loud report succeeded each other in quick
succession, and the column pressedquick-
ly forward.
Cheer after cheer arises from the ranks
as their gallant commander Fitzpatrick,
dashes by with his staff, enveloyed in a
cloud Of dust.
On goes the column, the eyes Of the
men flashed with excitement as they
think of doing battle for their country )
safety. The reports Of the cannon grew
louder aud now the rattle of carbincs can
be heard indistinctly.
Formed in line of battle, the brigade
to which Tom Patson's regiment is at
tached, is stationed as Il reserve in a hol-
low between two hills, which screen it
from the view of the enemy. Here they
remained fora while, chatting like the
hounds in the leash, for the sound of
the deadly confictcomes nearer and near
er every moment, and they know thatour
men are being driven slowly backwards
Their lips were compressed tightly,and
their eyes gleam like Goals of fire. Sa! re
in hand, they sit upon their horses, grasp
ing their bride reins with hands that
fairly tremble with excitement Now
the shells commenced bursting over and
around them Low sounds arise from
the ranks.
"Will they never let us fght?" i:
murmured on all sides.
A staff officer, bleeding from wound
in his face, mounted on a horse whose
sides are covered with foam, streakeG
with blood, gallops up to the brigade
commander,
''Colonel B." he says, ''the enemy
have partially turned our flank. A largt
body of cavalry are advancing in this di
rection. You must repulse them or w
will be beaten"
81 shall do my best, sir" was Colone
BIS reply. Forward"
The brigade soon reaches the top tn
hill in front of them, and there it pause
for moment TO reform its lines. Abou
a half a mile from the hill could be seei
a large body of rebel cavalry coming for
| ward with all sneed