The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-02-06
For the Jcfersonian.
THE UNION VOLUNTEER.
BY II. LANGFoRD.
CHAPTER XX.
oPEs AND FEARS.

|
thoughts OF that immense army were con-
centrated upon him -" You are to die
= there is no hope" still rang, half fem
enine, half girlish, from the lips of the
young subaltern, who stood ia sorrow
near him. Those at distance could
have heard the words; so still, so noise
less, was the tented field, aud the paraded
thousands upon it; but the sounds were
unintelliGibe to every one except the
person who spoke, and he to whom they
were spoken.
The young officer again mounted his
| horse, and having spoken few words to
the Provost Marshal loosened the rein
and dashed along the line till be arrived
at the Generals quarters. He drew up
= thrust his sword into the turf, and Sc
cured the animal to it then entered,
and confronted the commander.
Your attention, General, on behalf of
the condemned prisoner, Austin Cameon,
alleged to be spy"
Well?"
Your clemency, General, = he is a
brave soldier and an honorable foe, YOU
will in consideration of these grant res
pite?"
"No."
He is condemned circumstantially -
l have knowledge of his being altogether
unfit to play a turn such as this is lie
is my -"
Yours ?"
Mine = but an ambition is different,
and by other motives directed He is
honorable, nevertheless, = his career du-
ring the war was a soldier = not a spy"
" He is proven spy"
6" BY circumstances, yet he is innocent.
l have seen him on more than one field"
At Gettysburg?"
Yes: he commanded as a colonel
there. An adventure on the close OF the
second days fight led to his being cap
tured. 1t is a strange story, but you
shall hear: At Gordonsvile, after
Jackson and Ewell's retreat, he encoun-
tered man named Gascomber, whom it
appeared exercised great influence over
him. Gascomber was prisoner, who
was captured on the death of General
Winder at Cedar Mountain. 4 myster-
Gus disclosure at once secured the friend
ship of Colonel Cameon. They were
both kidnapped at Gordonsville in ny
company. They succeeded in making their
escape, and endeavored to reioin their re-
spective armies near Gettysburg. Gas
comber on the second day fell mortally
wounded = his division pierced the cen
ter of the Federal army = Colonel Cam
con came to his relief, and at NJ, htfall, as
he sought medical assistance, missed his
way. There is a secret about the pris-
oner's.- birth, relationship, and estate,
which only Gascomber could clear. The
prisoner sought it at his lips in his dying
hour. 1t is unrevealed yet, and with the
anxiety is added a dishonorable death
a pardon, General, | solicit for him =
he is too noble to play the spy"
General Lee put down his pen and
thought for few moments. The young
officer was pale with anxiety and doubt.
Perhaps pardon now might be too late
He had only succeeded in gaining res
pite for twenty minutes, and he now look
ed at his timepiece with tears in his eyes
Trumpets were sounding without = the
guns fired in heavy rumbling reverbera-
ton; yet the General was absorbed in
reflection. He at last raised his head.
g His pardon cannot be granted" he
said gloomily
The young soldier addressed him with
emphatic dignity
General. | have bled and suffered
for my country, because | loved her =
she has given me honor, fame, distinction,
as reward for nay integrity. l drew
my sword when the signal doomed from
the rocky bastions of Sumpter, and have
never since grown weary of the exercise
To-day | petition mercy for my -;
whom L declare innocent, and am relus-
ed. Have become degenerate, that she
spurns the honor she gave me, in doubt
ing my assertions of the prisoners inno-
cence! Farewell Honor, since no longer
it is truthful = farewell War, since it is
dishonored y farewell General Lee, and
to the CORY battle fields where we fought
side by side = all is forgotten, aud may
return my sword, since as soldier my
honor is doubted
General Lee was amazed, piqued, and
angry with himself. He rose from
the writing table and looked out. The
young officer was riding slowly down the
hill towards the place where Austin was
still kneeling. General Lee scratched
his head, and retired again to his writing.
A few loose sentences were scribbled in
a moment Could it have been respite,
or were life and death contained in these
few idle words? | wish We were all
Kings or Generals.
Austin was yet living. A respite of
twenty minutes had been granted by the
Field Officer at the request of the young
soldier, while he went in hopes of pro-
curing pardon to the General Five min
utes yet remained, and no hope His in-
teroessor spoke to him in low, coniiden-
tial tones; and the appearance OF his
G.. ..l;.....l J ...;.nr. 4 l,st-u ,.as COLI,