Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-04-02

part. The sky was cloudless, and in the
dim light l lay and watched her. Now
she would stretch herself at full length,
and rub her head on the ground. Then
she would start up, and, sitting on her
launches, like dog, hA one fore leg and
paw her neck and ears. Anon she would
riseto her feet and shake herself, walk of
q few rods, return and lie down again by
my side. l did not know what to make
of 1t, unless the excitement of the day
had been too much for her sensitive
nerves spoke to her kindly and petted
her. In response she would rub her nose
against me, and lick my hand with her
tongue-a peculiar habit of hers--like a
dog. As was passing my hand over her
head, discovered that it was hot, and the
thought of the old wound flashed into my
mind, with a momentary fear that some
thing might be wrong about her brain, but
after thinking It over dismissed it as in
credible. Still was alarmed. l knew
that something was amiss, aud l rejoiced
at the thought that l should soon be at
home where she could have quiet, and, Ii
need be, the best of nursing. AT length
the morning dawned, and the mare and
took our last meal together on Southern
soil-the last we ever took together The
brigade was formed in line for the last
time, and as rode down the front to re-
view the boys, she moved with all her old
battle grace and power. Only now and
then, by shake of the head, was | re-
minded Of her actions during the night.
said few words of farewellto the men
whom had led so often to battle, with
whom had shared perils not few, and
by whom, as had reason to think, was
loved, and then gave, with voice slightly
unsteady, the last order that they would
ever receive from me: Brigade, Atten-
ton, Ready to break ranks, Break Ranks
The order was obeyed. But ere they
scattered, moved by q common impulse,
they gave first three cheers for me, and
then, with the same heartiness and even
more power, three cheers for Gulnare.
And she, standing there, looking with her
bright, cheerful countenance full at the
men, paving with her fore feet, alternate
ly, the ground, seemed to understand the
compliment for no sooner had the cheer
ing died away than she arched her neck
to its proudest curve, lifted her thin, deli
cate head into the air, and gave short,
joyful neigh.
My arrangements for transporting her
had been made by friend the day before.
A large, roony car had been secured, its
floor strewn with bright, clean straw, a
bucket and bag of oats provided, and
everything done for her comfort. The Car
was to be attached to the through express,
in consideration of fifty dollars extra,
which gladly paid, because of the great
er rapidity with which it enabled me TO
make my journey. AS the brigade broke
up into groups, glanced at my watch and
saw that had barely time to reach the
cars before they started. shook the reins
har 1xr7ith a fN1t1 OF 1aI
at the energy of my signal, away she flew.
What stride she had What an elastic
spring She touched and left the earth as
if her limbs were of spiral wire. When |
reached the car my friend was standing in
front of it, the gang-plank was ready,
leaped from the saddle tand, running up
the plank into the car, whistled to her /;
and she, timid and hesitating, yet uuwil.
ing to be separated from me, crept slowly
and cat tiously up the steep incline and
stood beside me- Inside | found COM
plete suit of flannel clothes with blanket
and, better than all, a lunch basket My
friend explained that he had bought the
clothes as he came down to the depot,
thinking, as he said, that they would be
much better than your regimentals, and
suggested that doff the one and don the
other. To this assented more readily as
reflected that would have to pass one
night at least in the car, with no better
bed than the straw under nay feet. had
barely time to undress before the cars
were coupled and started. tossed the
clothes to my friend with the injunction
to pack them in my trunk and express
them on to me, and waved him my adieu.
arrayed myself in the nice, cool flannel
and leoket around. The thoughtGulEess
of my friend had anticipated every want
An old cane-seated chair stood in one cor
ner The lunch basket was large and
we'll supplied. Amid the oats l found a
dozen oranges, some bananas, and pack
age of real Havana cigars. How | called
down blessings on his thoughtful head as
l took the chair and lighted enc of the
fine favored fgarOS, gazed out OF the fields
past which we were gliding, yet wet with
morning dew. AS / sat dreamily ad
miring the beauty before me, Gulnare
came and, resting her head upon
my shoulder, seemed to. share my mood.
| AS I stroked her fne-haired, satin like
nose, recollection quickened and memo.
ries of our companionship in perils
thronged into my mind. rode again that
midnight ride to Knoxville, when Burn
side lay intrenched, desperately holding
his own, waiting for news from Chatta-
nooga of which was the bearer, chosen
by Grant himself because of the reputa,
ton of my mare. What riding that was
We started, ten riders of us in all, each
with the same message. parted company
the first hour out with all save one, an
iron.gray stallion of Messenger blood.
Jack Murdock rode him, who learned his
horsemanship from buffalo and Indian
| hunting on the Plains-not bad school
TO graduate from. Ten miles out of Knox
vile the gray, his flanks dripping with
blood, plunged up abreast of the mares
shoulders and fell dead and Gulnare and
1 passed through the lines alone. lead
ridden the terrible race DithOut 10hip on
spur. With what scenes of blood and
flight she would ever be associated And
then thought ofhome, unvisited for fSur
long years-that hOme l left STRIPPING,
but to which was returning bronzed
and brawny man. thought of mother
and Bob-how they would admire her
of old Ben, the family groom, and of that
one who shall be nameless, whose picture
had so often shown to Gulnare as the
likeness of her future mistress had they
not all heard of her, my beautiful mare,
she who came to me from the smoke and
Whirlwind, my battle gift? How they
would pat her soft, smooth sides, and tie
uSI Hduo WIN IlUUOut) anu l6Ou n6l
with all sweet things from open and ca.
ressing palmI And then thought of one
who might come after her to bear her
name and repeat at least some portion
of her beauty horse honored and re-
nowned the country through, because oi
the transmission Of the mothers fame
"About three o'clock in the afternoon
change came over Gulpare. / had
fallen asleep upon the straw, and she had
come and awakened me with touch
of her nose. The moment started up
saw that something was the matter. HeI
eyes were dull and heavy. Never before
had seen the light 60 out of them The
rocking Of the car as II went jumping and
vibrating along seemed to irritate her
She began to rub her head against the
side of thu car. Touching il, l found thai
the SKIN over the brain was hot as fire
Her breathing grew rapidly louder ant