Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-09-17
Au 0rigiual Aunrelette.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
VICTOR:
9seqnel to ysolstts, t5e ftuak sgg

VIEIUh:
9 sequd to gsolette, tbe fsmat Spy,
BYJ. w1rHERspoos Erwin.
CHAPTER K. ~ :.
The next morning opened beautifully bright and
clear. With the first peep Of dawn, the soldiers,
in the Confederate camp, were aroused from theT
sumbers by the reyeille, and rose from their beds,
on the hard earth, to prepare for the dangers and
duties of the day. The early risers, who cast their
ewes around, were cheered to see that some addi'
ton. had been made to their numbers during the
night. Their deep slumbers had been disturbed,
in part, by the painting of the iron horse and the
rolling of heavy car wheels, but a couple OF hun
dred yards to the rear Of the position IN which
they bivouacked; but their sense Of WEAKNESS was
too great and their sleep too heavy, to permit them
to realize the ceaseess activity Of appropriations
for the morrow, which. were being made around
them. When the morning aroused them from
sleep, and they saw, through themisty atmosphere,
the hundreds Of forms to the rear Of their line, be-
ginning to cast aside their blankets laziy, In obe
dience to the same summons that called them to
RISE the sight had for them all the charm Of glad
surprise. As they lazily threw off the letters o.
sleep, and lazily yawned over the newly kindied
camp fires, or slowly rolled up their blankets IN
marching plight, the word passed around, from
group to group, that 'sBushrod johnson s lighting
Rripade'' and. some five or six regiments trom
other bripades, with one or two batteries OF held
artillery, had come up TO- their assistance during
the night. Instead Of being mere handful of SIX
hundred men, the camp now numbered some three
thousand, and the word went round that ad;
ditional reinforcements were on the way and were
hourly looked for. The faces Of Colonel Giles In
trepid heroes frightened, as the joyful news passed
from mouth to mouth, and the laugh and jest went
freely round. m -... -
Among the last to awake on this eyentul day,
were those who composed the squad Of scouts sent
forward to gather information Of the enemy, the
evening before. Arriving at their camp but two
or three hours before the dawn Of day, they had
turned their prisoner, Walsh, over to the guard,
and sought that repose which them wearied and
exhausted condition renderedso necessary. Spread
ing their blankets near together on the hillside,
where wide spreading oak gave them shelter irom
the dews of night, they were soon lost in slumber,
and when they first awakened from sleep, the camp
was already astir. . =.
Victor's thoughts, on his first waking, required
to the events of the previous night He had, at
last, met Nellie alone. The party were retiring
from the old mansion, and Nellie, moved by the
kindly instincts of her heart, had come down to
bid the Young soldier farewell The others Of the
party had gone, when Victor found himself stand.
ing alone with Nellie at the steps Of the piazza.
Not willing to trust herself to speak, Nellie tlmld
" held forth her hand for a parting salutation.
Her eye was steady and her face calm, but hel
heart was too full for utteranee; and there was on
her cheeks perturbed smile, such as maidens weal
when they would repress and conceal emotions to
which they would not give utteraHce for the world.
ooh! Nellie, Nellie. !" said Victor, giving way
to the impulse of the moment, Il am but stran'
ger to you as the world would call me, yet can
never think of you as stranger from whom car
turn away with simply friendship and admiration
No! Nellie, no! I know my presumption
Nellie, I love you with my whole heart. 1t may
be folly in one to tell you SO, who knows that he
may be cold clay tomorrow but if this be my fate
7 would have you know that I will carry my love
for you to the grave Will you not let me delude
myself and make the toilsome and hazardous hte
that I lead more happy, by trusting that you will
think of me as more than stranger-more than
mere friend?'
'Trust it, Victor-trust it; not as delusion,
but as truth that I have kept buried in my heart
until now."
sThank you, dear NeIlie-I have something to
live for now; one pure woman's love is worth al
the world beside prize it more than life itself.
And bending forward, he kissed the maiden I
cheek, pressed her soft hand, and was gone.
When he first awoke from his .slumber in the
bivouac there were pleasant fancies, underlined ano
shadowy, busy at his heart, as when one lies dowr
to slumber under the impress of grateful feelings
The interview with Nellie rose to his mind, ano
her parting words rang in his ears. He museo
upon them and gentle calm stole over his face
but the next moment half audible sigh escaped
him as he looked around upon the busy and stir
ring scene and thought of the countless dangers te
be faced before the light, now blushng in the east
should spread its farewell banners in the western
sky. 1t isso hard toimperilE life, when its sweetes
promises are unfolding andits most treasured hope
are approaching fruition.
There was much of stern seriousness and solem
nifty in the camp; for men who are earnest ane
thoughtful, feel that great battle is terrible
vent. TIL. young and untried soldier may pant TO
its excitement, but no man Of healthful mine
who has stood fierce charge or joined in making
one, and seen the ranks around him thinned b.
grape or musketry, viii think Of entering into on
but with feelings of awe and deep solemnity. l
must be shrewd jest, indeed, that viii set the la
borers in powder mill in roar. There all ma.
be blown up in one tremendous explosion but Ii
battle, it is an inevitable event that many mus
fall to rise no more; and fearful mutilations ant
gaping wounds-that it makes the flesh creep t.
look upon-are not mere probabilities but calami
ties beyond all peradventure. Even in battle,
solemn as such an event is, some lndicrous even
may set the line in roar, for in the midst OF ex
citement men may forgeEfor moment-thei
danger, and the calculation Of chances has its hope
for each soldier Of the line. ...
All the roads leading to the camp had been q
strongly picketed as the small force gathered ther
would allow; and those who remained in CAM
were suffered to pass their time in such manner a
they desired, while awaiting the call to arms Here
some sturdy, systematic old soldier might be seen
with knapsack on the grass, breaking his fast o.
the fragments of his yesterdays luncheon, poo
,nd.scontv at the hest. Some who were so forth