The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-11


husbands, with her curs SO nicely slowed
awav beneath the close-fitting cap, that the
man in waiting could scarcely believe the boy
ish looking soldier before him, was no other
than the captains WIFE,
1Shall not accompany you, madam, he
asked. as she sprang lightly into the saddle.
ET want no retainers, Stanton; stay where
Won are. and follow the captains orders
I,ncy did not wait for him to finish the SEN
tence, but putting spurs to her steed, took the
route her husband had taken, and was, after
an hours fatiguing ride, in full view of the
battle. She paused but a moment and looked
back. The enemy were advancing rapidly.
She looked before her at the contending ar
mics. Shells shrieked past, and the force OF
artillery caused the very ground to tremble
beneath her feet. Her steed curved his proud
neck and paved the ground impatient to pro-
ceed. She gave him the rein, for she saw
where the dense volume of smoke was slowly
rising, the form OF Edward. At all events it
was cavalry company, and she dashed boldly
forward.
Nearly deafened by the roar OF artillery and
stlfied by the smoke, she still kept on, until
having reached Kilpatrick's division, she was
dismounted by the stumbling of her horse.
VIII you point me to Captain Burnett's
company?' she asked.
TO the left replied the soldier addressed,
but 1t is impossible for you to reach him
i must see him or die in the attempt she
cried.
And she did see him, leading on his brave
but thinned company into the thickest of the
conflict.
She called to him once, twice, thrice, ere he
needed her, and he then gave her butt passing
glance.
The enemy are coming in large force from
the west. Make haste, and they may be taken
in the gorge: tarry till they reach the brow OF
the hill and the day is lost to you
Her voice must have been strangely alter
ed, for her husband did not recognize 1t. He
left his company in charge OF his first ieuten-
ant, sought Fitzpatrick, and in a few minutes,
with his own company and reserved corps,
was soon galloping off in the direction pointed
out by his own brave little wife.
He did not recognize me andft is well. 1t
might have deferred him from going,' she
said to herself, yet dizzy sensation crept
over her when she looked upon the wounded,
the dead and dying who lay in masses about
her; she thought she heard groan; she lis
tened-yes' she was not mistaken; hall buried
among the slain was form familiar to her.
She removed as well as she was able the
weight that oppressed him, and asked if he
was much hurt.
The soldier addressed turned his face to-
ward her, with groan, saying, i feel very
Ialnt and thirsty. In the name of Heaven
give me drink OF water, and l shall die
easy.'
It was a terrible task that the captains
Vile imposed upon herself-that of unstrap-
ping and opening the knapsack of the dead.
Several times mist came before her eyes, as
the CHASTITY upturned faces of the dead met
her view: but well was she repaid by the graft
tude OF the wounded man when she returned
and placed canteen to his Inns
She seated herself, raised his head to her
lap, and with her own handkerchief sought to
staunch the wound in his temple. A moment
after, and her arm dropped powerless by her
side; she felt sharp cutting pain about the
elbow, then sank insensibe by the side of the
poor soldier, who was too weak to render her
any service; nor did she recover consciousness
again until the tramp of soldiery announced
the return of Captain Burnet and his corps,
enemy.
When they reached the point from whence
they had started, Fitzpatrick and his force were
left in possession OF the field.
They enemy, leaving their field pieces be-
hind them, were flying in all directions.
How did you get information of the ap-
proach of the 'rebs p asked Fitzpatrick, after
having congratulated Burnet on his success.
sFhatis just what 1 have been trying to
AuohO Oup ISpl6u DurQ0t.
AS near as | could discern through the
smoke, it was boyish face aad figure in a
captains uniform. eg, -s
Suddenly he paused; for his eye fell on the
pail d face of one of his own loved soldiers,
aud beside him-great Heaven! could he be
lieve his eyes ?-the dropping figure of his own
wife, his Lucy, her long golden tresses, escap-
ed from the cap, falling like sunshine about
her, were dabbled in blood-a sacred baptism
of the good deed she had that day done.
Never had Edward Burnet's cheek paled so
before the enemy, as when he raised his
wounded vile to his arms, and turning to
fitzpatrick, he said: General, the mstery is
solved. This Is the boy captain who warned
me OF the approaching rebei force.'
And the boy-captGin has won for you a
colonelcy, and for herself lasting fame, and
the thanks of all the true hearted Unionist,
replied the General. And being as gallant as
he is brave, it is said, though will not vouch
for the truth, that he gave the fair lady, at
parting. kiss on either cheek is token of his
just appreciation of her courage.
Lucy was placed in an ambulance, and with
the soldier she had saved from death, borne
to the camp, where both, with care and goods
nursing, soon became convalescent.
Edward Burnet is still in the service of his
country. Step by step he is ascending the
ladder of fame, winning for himself laurel
which shall neither wither or decay.