Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-10-11

her and now" .,sss ~ s.sg94l
They buried her naxt day; six Of
Pict0n's friends carried his dead love to
her grave and then came sai1ly back,
saeA ~4uees1on4ag W1aO Woai1 6esf the
tidings TO the gallant sabreur far away
with the old brigade.
That night the order came to join the
main command, and by daylight the
troops were miles away. As they reach.
ed the vicinity of the appointed rendez-
vous, q desultory, firing warned them of
an approaching conflict. Presently they
formed themselves in the midst of q
portion ofthe command, drawn up in a
piece of woods overlooking q sloping
field which on the opposite side rose to
q sharp eminence, on the brow of which
was posted Federal battery. Father
to the right the firing became sharper.
and soon the roll of musketry swept all
along the line.
Il say, Barclay" called Col. Terry,
as that officer passed him, "have you
seen Picton yetW And a. Barclay shook
his head he added: "Tell the boys not
to let him know yet. Wait till this is
over.u
""All right; I'll tell them" answered
Barclay - he rode away.
'"The old General will be wanting
that battery the frat thing they know" !"
said one of the men, as shell exploded
over their heads. ''They'd better keep
it quiet"
"Thar, what did I tell you ?n he add.
ed, biting off q huge piece of "long
green :" "thar 60 the Mississippi boys
now"
As he spoke tawny column moved
out of the woods and swept calamity
across the, field. But as they reached
the centre murderous round of grape
and canister tore through their ranks,
and the column broke in confusion.
Three times their leader rallied them to
the charge, and three times they were
shattered by the CALLING fire.
"Tell you what, boys,' called out the
long legged private who had before
spoken, "thar's fun comm now! That's
Gans's bugle. The old rigimint' want
some of the pie !"
He stopped and felt his saddle girth as
he spoke, then Strengthened himself and
waited for the command, for he was
tone of the boys" The next moment
there was ringing cheer from the
ranks as Gen. Forrest rode up.
Boys" he exclaimed, pointing with
his sword, II want that battery cap
tured. One regiment has tried, and
couldn't take it. Now I want you boys
to do better than that. I am going to
me. ~
Another cheer was his answer, as the
men fell into ranks.
Charge !" and down the slope rode
the gallant "old regiment" never falter-
ing as the grape-shot swept through the
serried ranks, closing each gap as it was
made by the dea(ty fire; on. on, follow
ing the lead of the tall figure at the
head of the column, till they rode right
over the death dealing guns, "sab'ring
the gunners there" and the woods gave
back the ringing echoes of the famous
''rebel yell" as the victory was won.
Won! Yes, but at fearful cost. That
fatal slope was drenched with the blood
of the Southland's bravest sons.
After that charge Col, Terry found
himself face to face with Charley Pic
ton. my God, how can tell him !"
lmuttsred the Colonel to himself, as the
gallant young fellow rode toward him,
holding out his hand.
"It takes the old regiment to do up
things in style !" he said, grasping the
Colonel's hand. "Say, Terry, did you
see Miss Alice? Coleman has Just got
back from Memphis. and he told me
she had gone on visit to some friends
in c."
But as he spoke he suddenly put his
hand to his side. II am shot," he gasp
ed, family. 1t was true. A stray bullet
had struck him in the side, and Col.
Terry caught him as he reeled in his
saddle, and rode with him to the field
hospital. When the surgeon examined
his woudd he shook his head doubtful
~.
II know nurse worth twenty doc
TORS" whispered Picton, with q SMILE
TERRY, can't you fetch her to me 2"
Through the night the Colonel stayed
with him. Once he wakened and re-
peated the question b . had asked just
before he was shot.
ST saw her-yes,n the Colonel answer
ed, huskily. ''She sent you some flow
ers. y
The blue eyes lighted up with q tender
glow, and Picton held out his hand
Silently Col. Terry took from his breast
pocket the withered flowers, q spray of
Ivy and half-opened white rose, and
laid them in the outstretched hand.
Then the wounded man slept. But
In couple of hours he awoke much
worse. and the surgeon In his rounds
told the bronzed watcher that the end
was very near.
"Terry ~ and the Colonel bent his
head to catch the faint accents. "I'm
dying. l wouldn't mind-only-poor
Alice! Tell her gently, please-she
loves me, you know-and I-oh, Terry!
it is hard to leave her. My poor darl-
ing ~
For q moment the Colonel could not
said, slowly and distinctly:
"Charley, Alice is waiting for you.
You are not leaving her, but going to
herr
A bewiIdered, troubled look came into
the wistful eyes.
"Don't you understand me, Charley
Sle is dead. We buried her there in
c.. 1 couldn'tj tell you before,
dear old boy. But now you will be with
her before you have time to grieve after
her. She died with your name on her
lips, murmuring Of meeting you in the
morning."
He understood now, and q smile of re-
lief fitted across his pale lips. Dear
GIRL" he murmured. II am so glad
she will not have this grief to bear"
Then he slept again, and the hours
passed on until the eastern sky brigh.
tenened with the solemn dawn light.
"Terry l" the word was but the faint
est whisper, but the watcher instantly
bent his head to listen.
"It lie morning." came the faint gasp.
ing accents, and again the white lids
dropped over the blue eyes. Five-ten
minutes passed. Then Col. Terry lifted
the dead hands and crossed them owe,
the pulseless breast. reverently covered
the still white face and turned away.
His two friends had met once more
sin the morning" of fadeless day.
"What kind of mark is that ?'' said
Magrady to his friend Talthorp, point
ing to . scar on his face. "It's cues
ton mark" replied the other; .'got II
for asking q man If it was hot enough
for him."