The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-02-08
DEVOTED TO MORALITY And GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

quite dark, and threw myself upou my
pallet and tried to sleep. Perhaps |
slept know not. Certainly there
was an unusual noise in the yard and
one of the soldiess was speaking:
sThe cursed grey horse we captured
from that Rebel captain is broke loose
again. Clean gone, saddle and bride
and ALL"
"No matter" said another; "I guess
she won't go far; and the lieutenant
won't want her till the shooting's
DONE"
Thank God that Sultan was gone
gone from these maraudipg rascals.
Would tha. he could fall into the hands
of the gallant Mosby.
sept soundly, and when I awoke 1t
was nearly day. There was still the
anguish of parting from her whom l so
devotedly loved. Why does she not
come? She cannot allow me to die
without word of farewell! And yet 1t
might, for her dear sake, be better so.
Impatieutly l walked up and down the
room. 1t is broad daylight. There is a
knock at the door a corporal and file
of men await me-the hour has come.
Not muscle quivers. My step is firm.
There shall be nothing in my demeanor
unworthy of soldier Of the Confedera-
acy.
SHOT TO DEATH.
AS I passed out of the house, the faint
edge of the morning sun tipped the
horizon. The woods were fresh aud
green; the birds chirp their matin
hymn; all nature was beautiful and
serene. There, in front of me, stand
the firing party. A mound Of earth
and a deep hole-I know what for.
Surely do not need coffin as long as
that which lies near where soon shall
lie! In the brief space of time con-
sumed in walking to the spot where
stand the firing party, a thousand
thoughts and memories sweep through
my brain. All the vows forgot and
promises broken; the faults rising to the
bulk of mountains; the good deeds
shrinking from the range of vision.
Again, in thought, am under the rud-
dy folds Of the flag of the South
Agaip;I see the sabres flash. hear the
ring Of steel. The enemy break and
fee in confusion through the tangled
woods. Charlie rides by my side, as we
often rode before. l could swear tbat l
heard in the distance the sound of
horses hoofs.
They wanted to tie my hands and
bandase my eyes--that 1 could not
bear. The first warm rays Of the sun
were shining on my head; | drank IN the
glorious light Of Heaven. 1 coutt d'e,
but not an bonds hkr frloa.
They we're twenty. l vas alone all
alone. The officer in command-he who
shot poor Charlie down-sulriiy grant
ed my request. The firing party was
formed, and the rife barrels glisteucd
in the sun. l feared nothing, hoped
nothing, but instinctively prayer
would rise to my lips. With quickened
pulse waited. These last moments
are as centuries of pain. Once more !
thought I heard the Gathering rattle of
hoofs. Then the word Ready Il held
my breath. Aim my thought Annie,
of God and thee. The officer opened
his lips for the last time
There is wild cheer aid a score Of
horsemen, pistol in hand, clad in the
beloved grey, dash into the yard. 1t
was now man to man, and no favors
asked, and in less time than it takes to
tell the tale, the Yankees were fugitives
or prisoners. One man lay in the bread
light the officer who commanded the
firing party was shot to death. And it
seemed all dream to me, until l heard
Sultan's proud Whitney, and an arm
stole around my neck, and sweet Annie's
voice whispered-saved at last!
All the new comers were splendldly
mounted each of them wore brace
of army revolvers. One of them was
addressed as Major. lie rode noble
black horse, and the bright keen face,
the 1.-the form, the cool decision of his
few brief words, the hat with its sweep
ing feather-all marked him as the far
famed Mosby. Congratulating me heart.
lily upon my narrow escape, he told me
that Annie had stolen away at night on
nv horse, and had warned him of my
danger, when he had hastily gathered a
handful of men together, aud arrived In
.he nick Of time.
There was no time to loose. All the
horse, foot and dragons in Leesburg
would soon be after US. One OF the
captured horses was made ready for
Annie. l mounted Sultan, and, after a
hasty visit to Charlie Vernou's grave,
we NOV I'D toward Epperville. Annie
decided to remain with some friends in
the Luray Valley. There l left her
and returned to headquarters. Nc blame
attached to me, bu: l learned afterwards
that if | had succeeded in delivering
that momentous dispatch, the campaign
Of 1864 would not have been fought.
CONCLUSION.
More than two years had elapsed
The war was over. l had been hit twice
or thrice, but had no reason to com
plain. Charlie Vernon Jay in Holly