The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-02-08
SHOT TO DEATH.
Ay1yCIDENT or THE CAMPAIGN
OF '63.
BY FRANCIS WARRINGTON.
IN CAMP.

campaign. Gettysburg was lost. Ficks-
burg had fallen. There was weeping
aud lamentation in ten thousand South
ern homes, and the hearts of our peo-
pie we're oppressed with sorrow and
with care. YEARLY aud sadly "the
barefooted boys" Of the Confederate
army had tramped along the dusty
roads of the Valley of Virginia, and
now they lay in camp near quiet Orange
Court House. A week or two of rest
and quiet, an improved commissariat,
ami promise from the plausible quar-
telmaster, had raised tho spirits of both
officers and men. The sword of the
South was again keen and bright, and
where was the laggard who did no,
yearn for another bout with the foe?
As staff officer in tie "Old First
Corps" had managed to make my
seif tolerably comfortable. Virginia
tobacco and philosophical spirit had
something to do with my habitual
.quanimity, and as I lay that August
evening under tent fly, in the woods
Of Orange, there was no heavier care
on my soul than was suggested by the
appetizing simmer of the vesper bacon.
No one was with me but my old chum
and fellow officer, Charlie Vernon, who
had been my bosom friend since the
chances of service first threw us togcth-
er. We had rolled in the same blanket.
We had drank from the same canteen.
Charlie had helped me to dispose of an
obstinate Michigan cayalrymau. And |
had-well, never mind about that.
Charlie was deeply and desperately
blue. After many attempts he had
succeeded in getting a forty. eight
hours leave, and was off like shot
about eight miles an hour in those days
to Richmond. But the bright but
cons and unstarnished lace Of c. S. and
Q. NJ. were more potent than the stain
ed grey jacket, battered hat and dingy
boots Of man on duty in the field.
Charlie was unceremoniously Tilted, aud
gave himself up to the gloomy delights
ofdespair. Nothing that 1 could say
frightened his face or lightenened his
heart. The blow, poor boy was more
than he could bear, and 1 wondered
how it would all end as he tossed to
and fro in the shadow Of the pines.
Suddenly springing to his feet, he cried
out
"Jack 1 cant stand this any longer.
Excitement must have. Action, work,
motion-anything to carry me beyond
myself"
My only reply was in the shape OF
an invitation ''to take pipe"
"You are nuisance, Jack You have
no more feeling than an old stump"
"Pcrhaps."
"You don't care straw for any wo-
man. What would l give if l could
only say the same"
"My son! The motto Of Captain j.
C. Revcrley is short and to the purpose
La keine est .Norte. lIre La RENE.
True. did meet girl in old Sussex,
not so long ago, who might have made
me forget myself, but she is somewhere
in Mosby's Coufederacy, and never
expect to see her again"
Just at this point, our colloquy was
interrupted by the arrival Of courier
from headquarters with message that
General Longstreet wished to see N e
Immediately. 1t was not far to "Oid
Pete's tent, and when l returned Char
lie saluted me With volley Of questions.
MY reply was to yell out to ny boy
Aleck to feed and saddle my horse, and
that of Lieutenant Vernon, as rapidly
as possible.
Lighting my pipe, l coudescended to
uuburden myself in these words:
"You want to know what odd Pete
is after now, eh In truth, | do NO,
know much about it myself, except that
all our Aag-boppers are out of the way,
and Lieutenant General James Long
street has entrusted me with a
highly important dispatch, which I am
to deliver to friend of ours beyond the
lines. The trip is rather risky one,
but
"Oh, Jack let me 60 in your place.
l have nothing to lose, no ties, no one
to care whether live or not"
al did not forget you, and the Gen
eral has given me permission to take
you with me. There is your pass-i'
is signed by Walter Taylor, like mine
Sorrel says that is all We shall want. .
Vernon fairly lsaped with joy, look
ing more like his old self than he had
done since that woeful trip to Rich
mond.
ON THE ROAD.
A. very frugal supper was displayed
and when we had strapped blanket ant
oil cloth behind our saddles We were
ready for the road. Our horses were
fresh and in fine condition, and We star
ted of at steady trot. We had ridder
some distance, when Vernon suddenly
wheeled his horse and galloped bacI
towards our camp. Even this did no
surprise me, but I was astonished wher
he came whooping after me with hug
Chicopee sabre Captured from thu
Michigander) gathering at his heels
"Surely, you are not going to TAX
that noisy rattle-trap with you? TW'
pistols each ought to be enough for mel
who must trust mere to their wits thar
their muscle"
etrh.t ,,h,a oooo or do rotU