The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-08

CHAPTER x1-coNrrNuEp.

de garde of an emperor. True, they appear
rough and reckless-true their dust-begrimed
faces, their uncouth apparel, belted with
knife and pistol. present an aspect which
might promise personages fit for the most
lawless undertakings; but it is not so. They
are drawn together here by the noblest impul-
ses Of their nature-by patriotism-by love Of
liberty.
And who their chief Who is their leader
of this band?
Look! He is an old acquaintance. Pale
from recent illness, we can yet trace in that
slender, yet athletic frame, the contour Of
that face, the flashing, brilliant eyes, features
that we know full we'll.
1t is Richard Bartrelle.
Reclining against tree at little distance
from group of men, he is listening with an
amused smile to the recital of an adventure
by one of them, which invokes peals of laugh
ter from his companions. Since we saw him
last, events of startling significance have
occurred all around us. The thunderbolt of
war has been unloosened at last 1t aroused
Bartrelle from his sick bed. and pushed him
forward in the contest. His name and char
acter had assembled around him band of
men of natures not less daring than his own.
And although but few months had elapsed,
his name already stood high in the roll of
martial fame At Boonville it was his genius
and courage that had saved the remnant of
the army and covered the retreat Since
| then he had lowered like cloud of wrath on
the rear of Lyons advancing column, and
watching with intensest eagerness for every
| opportunity to pounce upon his detachments
Tonight, after an exhausting march all day.
he had halted his command on one of the
tributaries of the Osage, scarcely three miles
distant from the Federal encampment How
little they rocked of the prize almost within
their reach. But he felt secure He could
rely upon the heroism and gallantry of his
men. These had not forgotten the assassina-
ton of Camp Jackson-they remembered the
red butchery of Boonville-the desolated
homes and ruined hearthstones all over the
land.
The men have picketed their horses in the
vacant plat, formed by the ascending hills on
every side. Like their riders, these formed a
motley group, but strong in size if various in
color. All were of the high melted breed of
Missouri and Kentucky. The steed of Bar
trelle stood alittle distance from the rest. He
was beautiful black-his splendid oval out
lines of body, the small tapering legs, the
swan-like neck, were all Indication of the
feet thorough bred racer, and such he was.
And now he was arching his neck and paving
the ground, in mock anger, for he felt that
his masters eye was upon him.
But bark! shot rings upon the air: it is
the warning of the picket who comes GALLON
ing in upon the guard. The enemy are upon
usi You can already hear the heavy soaring
sound of marching cavalry. Quick as thought
Bartrelle sprung to his feet.
"To horsel" The bugle thrills upon the
startled air. The men spring to their feet |
they seize their arms and dash through the |
smouldering camp fires in frantic efforts to |
catch their horses; the steeds snort and neigh,
they two have caught the battle fever.
moment more they are saddled, bridled-the
riders mount.
"Fall into line!" rung out loud and clear
from their leader. "Quick, trot, forward"
and away they dashed along the forest road.
The enemy arc in sight-you can see their
long irregular array, as the moonbeams glance
on glistening gun and bright iron scabbard.
Back they crowd one upon another, in a
confused and startled mass. They were dou-
Bile the number of the rangers; but they had
not expected to meet an enemy there. But
a stern command echoed along their line and
quick at the word, the ranks were formed.
In dead silence they awaited the onset. 1t
came at once.
Fierce and high rung Bartrelle's battle
word
"Men, follow mel
Dressed in Confederate gray, his brilliant
uniform contrasted strangely with the blood
red cap on his head, from which was pendant
single golden tassel Even at night he was
conspicuous mark. But he thought not of
his
Men, follow mel"
One long loud shout of fierce defiance rent
he air, as their horses culver beneath the
pur and rear and dash away. The very earth
echoed to the hoof-beat-the air rent and
luivering took up the sound. An open glade's
'efore them. In many a glittering circle in
he moon-lit flashed their weapons. On they
amel Conspicuous in the front of the fast
line rode their leader, the object {
or every eye the mark for every bullet He {
urns his head.
Men close on the centre-follow mel"
They see his face-they see the fire flash in !
is eyes-they dash across the glade; along I
be brow of a rayine the enemy are drawn up.
lark did you hear that dreadful clatterP
sten to the rain of leaden balls-they dig up |
he earth at the feet of Bartrelle's squadron .
1t dashes in their faces; but they heed il .
Of on, on, though death meets you at every /.
tep; yet on, on to the ravine. Again the I
nemys rifles speak; again fame of fire
oils upon their bosoms, while high and clear
boye its roar rung the stern command '
Men, follow mel" l
They did followi 1t would have made 8
our blood dance to see it. Like tornado d
ley whirled up the bank of the ravine, fol-