The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-01-03

ment, and, as you konw, he has risen
to be third sergeant. Arden Is now
an officer Of cavalry in the rebel army,
for Tom and myself saw him one day in
one Of our camps when he was bearer
of a flag of truce. / had considerable
trouble in restraining Tom from execu-
ting summary vengeance on the villain
at that time. And ifever they meet in
battle, God help Paul Ardent When
ever we are on the eve of battle Tom is
always gloomy, for he is thinking OF
Kate, and the hope ofmeeting Paul Ar.
den in the marrow's strife, is upermost
in his mind"
"They say he never shows quarter"
said the recruit.
"Quarter l heard one rebel cry for
quarter, and Tom Glove him from the
crown to the chin at single blow"
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 stepping up to him and laying
his hand on his shoulder said,
"Come, Tom, arouse yourself, It's
time to turn in. Youwill need all your
strength tomorrow"
s'It would be useless for me to try
to sleep tonight. Ishall remain where
/ am. ] feel certain that ! shall meet
Arden tomorrow, and Jack, i feel q
presentiment that shall not live to see
tomorrow night"
Pshaw man. You should not give
way to such idle fancics. / should like
to meet Arden very well myself, for
hate him almost as much as you do, y
said Dwight, taking his friends hand ;
''but as to your being dead tomorrow
night, it's all nonsense. You have es-
capped unscratched from so many fights
lately, that | begin to think you are IN
vulnerable"
81 am sure that shall never see to-
morrow's sun set" said he gloomily.
"Pshaw, do not give way to such
gloomy thoughts. Come lay down
that you be fresh for to-morrow's battle.
Tom shook his head, Dwight SAID 81
shall not ask you again SO good night"
and Dwight enveloped himself i'll his
blanket, laid down near the fire and
was soon wrapped in slumber. I
Tom Patson still occupied his old
position, with his chin resting on his
hands, as he gazed fixedly into the fire.
Light was just streaking the sky
when the notes of the bugle sounding
reveille were borne OH the cool morning
air, Tom instantly sprang to his feet
and aroused the sleepers near-him. In
few minutes all were up and busily
preparing for the march. Rations are
hurriedly distributed, Tents are struck
and packed, and soon the whole column
is in motion. Far as the eyes can reach
III front and rear along tie road moth
ing can he seen but the moving horse
man, and here and there battery of
artillery with it's dark engines of dis
truction.
"Hark! There they go said Tom to
Dwight, who was riding by his side, as
the deep boom of the cannon was heard
far in advance.
"Close up men, Keep steady"
On move the horseman, and now
the loud report succeed each other in
quick succession and the column pres,
ses quickly forward.
Cheer after cheer aries from the
ranks as their gallant commander, Kill
patrick, dashes by with his staff, en-
veloped in a cloud of dust.
On goes the column, the eyes Of men
flashing with excitement as th+y think
of coming battle for their country's SAT-
ty. The notes of the cannon grew loud
er and now the rattle of carbines can be
heard indistinctly.
Formed in line of battle, the brigade
TO whiOh Tom Patson's regiment is at
tached is stationed as reserve in q
hollow between two hills, which screen
it from the view ofthe enemy. Here
they remained for while, chatting like
the hounds in the leash, for the sounds
of the deadly conflict comes nearer and
nearer every moment, and they know
that our men are being driven slowly
backwards. .t
The lips were compressed tight y,
and their eyes gleamd like Goals of fire.
Sabre in hand, they sit upon their hor-
ses, grasping their bride reins with
hands that fairly trembled with excite
ment. Now the shells commenced
bursting around them. Low sounds
arise from the ranks.
"Will they never let us tight?" is
murmured on all sides.
A staff officer, bleeding from wound
in his face, mounted OH a horse whose
sides are covered with foam, streaked
with blood, gallops up to the brigade
commander.
"Colonel B" he says, :" the en-
emy have partially turned our flank
A large body Of Cavalry are advan-
ing in this direction. You must re-
pulse them or we will be beaten"
II shall do my best. sir" was Col.
B-'s reply. Forward"
The brigade soon reaches the top of
the hill, in front Of them, and there it
pauses for moment to reform its lines
About half mile from the hill could
be seen large body of rebel cavalry
coming forward with all speed.
"There will be hot work to-day,
jack" said Tom Patson to his friend.
There was no gloom on his countc-
nance now. His face was lighted up
by the fierce joy of battle, and his eyes
flashed like diamonds,
Dwight was prevented from making
any reply by the harsh comw ands.
"Forward Trot! Gallop Charged"
With yell that slmost rends the
heavens, the brigade dashes madly on
ward. A heavy rail fence bars the
WAY: but il is borne down by that