The Republican journal., 1871-06-15

SNG II sIHSic tHOu0nu 10 Harry.
week after this interview Joe's regi
ment was ordered to the front. Man,
months they marched around in Missoul
and Arkansas and had only light skir
mshes; but Joe rose to the rank Of Cap
tam. lie corresponded industriously witt
Lou, and the letters he received from he
were iull Of frolic and gavcty and wishes
for his safe return. but still more so o
| passionate love.
Unlike the letters of some ladies, these
| did not contain twenty -four pages, closely
written and crossed; quite the contrary
| They were mostly very short, and us sweet
as they were short, but then they cam,
often.
However, one time they stopped, then
came again. several at once, and thcl
ceased for Il longer period again Joe
could not understand it.
Well, finally came a Dig battle The
southcrnerS, tired of retrcating. formed n
junction with other forces, and the scouts
reported the approach of vast body ol
rebels. headed by Gen. Won Dorm, and
threatening by their numbers and deter
mination to wipe the Union army from
the face OF the earth.
ing the passing Of the wagon train ;
among them was Joe's. They did not know
how near the enemy was, and had quietly
stacked their arms in the principal streets
of the ,wn, through which the train was
to pass.
From the edge Of the woods, about half
a mile out on the prairie, there was a
steady stream of cavalry, which proceed
ed slowly to form itself in line, apparent
ly about two thousand strong.
The colonel turned to Joe and said Il
didn't know there was any of our cavalry
in the rear, did you ?"
''No," said Joe. "They certainly can't
want them and Us both here. Bnt what
a scedy looking set they are, any way"
II wonder what regiment it can be.
Such shabby hats. And where could they
have got their white blankets | don't
believe in white blankets for field SER
vice"
Even rs he spoke, the long line display
cd in the centre the stars and bars and all
along, at certain distances. guidons to
match.
''Hell and Jehosaphat :" shouted Joe,
''They'rc rchs.''
''Run,' said the colonel, cover there to
the gcneral-he's in that church there
and tell him.
The general came out in haste. He ad-
vanccd some distance, showed his fur cap
back on his head and gazcd for q few
minutes through his field glass. Then he
turned, jabbed the glass in its case, and
exclaimed:
''NIcin Plcrd Sshnelln'
He mounted his plerd, gaye directions
TO the rear guard, and then started ycntre
a terre for the head of his division Some
of the men laughed at his great haste;
but he knew what he was about.
The rear guard had 4 tough time. For
ten miles they had to fight their way
against odds, through ravincs and rocks
and underbrush. There was continual
shooting, yelling and tramplng. and u
great hubbub generally, and Joe was in
the thick Of it. His regiment WAS divided
up, each company fighting for its own
hand.
He was just approaching IN angle in
the road, when he heard, ahead of him,
loud shouts and two volIcys, and then the
rattle of muSkets on the ground.
''Forward Double quicll"' he com
mandcd.
\ small detachment of his regiment had
been surprised and surrounded by COM
pany of mounted Texan rangers. Two
lay dead and three wounded. The others
..',"I-strlcl,~'. Il;tu Just throw, own
their arms, when Joe anl ,ii5 company
on the scene at u full run.
'IIalt, Front" roarcd Joe.
Resistance is useless" shouted the
leader of the Texans, ,astalwart fellow with
n souchca hat, ''you'rc outnnnhered."
"Front rank Ready Aim" cried
Joe.
surrender !" cried the ranger
.'Fire - said Joe
The vollcy crashed through the ranks
of the Texans.
''Thanks gentlemen,' said the ranger,
and fell from his horse
''Rear rank Ready. Ann, Fire Y
Another volcy. The surrendered squad
grabbed their guns.
''Charge bayoncts Double quick !!
Hurrah -
The TaXans We're game but their horses
broke in confusion, pursued by the
attacking party who rushed over the dead
and wounded, regardless of their groans.
Joe would have pursued, too, but as he
passed the wounded ranger. the latter
seized him by the leg and held on like
grim death.
joe, stop" then he fell back
again, bleeding profusely.
"The devil" said Joe; 'twhat's this p
He stopped and turned up the hat which
had fallen over the dying mans face.
"IIarry!'
'I'm gone up. You've killed me.'
Upon my soul, Harry, [ didn't know
it was you
Nonsense II would-kill you now
only He tainted. Joe raised his head
and poured whiskey down his throat
The moment he revived he added, ''My
pistols-arc empty
Presently he muttered some unintelligi-
Bile sentences, and then said, impatiently,
'My breast pocket-tlamn YOU"
''Do you want something ont of your
pocket3 Is that what you mean ~
Harry nodded heavily.
Joe put his hand into the pocket and
brought out letter, which he showed to
him.
.Keep it," gaspcd Harry, with Il ghast-
ly grin. Then he straightencd out and
lay quiet.
''lle's dead" said Joe to himself. He
looked at the letter--hc instantly rccog-
nizea the handwriting. 1t was Louis.
But there was no time to read The
rangers had rallied and We're driving his
company. Fighting, not reading, was in
order.
The battle lasted three days, and on the
last day and in the last hour, Joe met Il
stray bullet and was carried to the hospi
tai to have il searched for. The surgeon
found it and eXtricatcd it, but Joe had now
plenty of time to read that letter and ru-
inmate over it,
This is Il copy Of the letter.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-. Jan. s, 1862.
My DEAR AND ONLY LOVE: How lon 9
since l have heard from you You are not to
blame, | know! they tell me the mails are very
irregular down your way, and tina in fact my
letters may not reach you at all. 1t would be
folly then, darling, if I We're to write long
ones, wouldn't it? And besides, | am always
so tired out now. l tell you dear, you have nc
idea how dissipated l am this winter; nothing
but balls and parties. But neglect all othel
correspondence and write to you only. They
say l am coquette and flrt; you know tEeN
always said SO. But you know better, deal
love; you know there is only one whom love
Goodbye, | kiss you. Write soon. Lou.
Sf, tb;u wac, tbo 1-;pJ re