The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-04-05
The Color Bearer.

The Color Bearer.
[The hero of this touching little
story was engaged, when he entered
the Confederate service, to beauti-
full girl Miss Ida Stsnhope, we will
call her. of the city of R. His
adventures, and their glorious yet
melancholy conclusion, are thus ad-
mirably told, says Southern 0pinion:l
Fourteen months have
elapsed. The -th regiment, to
which companies from R were
attached, has been guarding an i'm
portant post, but has not as yet been
into active service. The time has
arrived, however, when it must make
its mark. The command is ordered
to the glorious old army of Northern
Virginia.
Cedar Mountain becomes the scene
of their maiden effort-their first
strike in defence of home and dear
ones. The regiment is ordered for
ward, and into the woods in line of
battle they advance. The enemy
open upon them, and man after man
falls; but yet the line does not waver.
The order to fall back is given by
some one; the men on the right and
left move back slowly. Charlie
Worthipgton, who bears the colors,
is heard calling to the men to stand
to their flag; but soon the word to
fall back again is heard--and he, pre-
Stunning it must emanate from au-
thority, and seeing the others falling
around him, retreats u short distance,
when up rushes the Colonel, and
takes from his grasp the colors which
he would give his life to defend. No
explanation will satisfy the exaspes
rated officer, but, snatching from the
bearer the flag, he passes it to an
other, and tears from the arms of
Charlie his chevrons. Bewildered,
dismayed, humiliated, stands the
young soldier. Amid the hail of
bullets, the favorite of the regiment
is disgraced; and for what? He takes
O musket, but knows not what he
does. The long day at last comes to
an end, and another victory is added
to the long list already gained by the
Confederates.
On the next day the troops are en-
camped, telling to each other their
exploits and hair-breadth escapes;
but one among them seems to see
nothing. hear nothing. Those who.
few days ago, delighted to honor
him, now pass him unnoticed, or
with word cold enough to freeze
the warm blood of his young heart
Owing to the humiliation and dis
grace, and the coldness of former
friends, the sensitive heart of Charlie
is rent to its core. Ere enother
morning comes, he is raving with q
delirious fever. Sent to Chimborazo,
in Richmond, he fingered for many
days at the threshold of the grave;
but slowly he begins to recover; and
at last the doctors grant him short
furlough to visit his home.
Home The very word seems
mockery. To return to the army is
impossible, for he can scarcely walk
to stay where he is is almost as bad;
yet to 60 home. is he not disgraced? ?
And will any one ever speak to him? a?
AT last he determines to go back to
R to recruit, if possible, 80 as
to return to his command and wash
out the foul blot on his name. AS
the train reaches thc depot, lie soes
several who were once his friends,
but who now turn the cold shoulder.
He hastens home with downcast eyes,
hardly daring to enter the presence
of his mother, for fear she, too, will
disown him. But when he gently
raps at the door, almost afraid to en-
ter, the door opens, and be- is c'asped
to his mothers breast. Here is one
warm heart that believes not the as
persion against her sons honor.