St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-10-28

II
"Lucy, take me hOme," she whisper
ed, family, ~ am dying"
''0h, no, darling" said her sister,
tenderly, "you will be well in the
morning"
As quickly as possible the carriage
was called and the sick girl placed in
it.
When they were Just starting Col.
Terry wished them goodnight, ex-
pressing his hopes that Miss Alice
would have recovered by morning.
She put out her hand, and, exerting
her strength, said distinctly =
"Yes, shall be well in the morning.
Tell Charley" her voice failed, and,
lifting her slim white hand, she loosen
ed the flowers she wore at her breast
and put them into the colOners hand.
''Give these to him-yes-in the morn
ing" Her voice died away to IA faint
whisper, and her head fell back on her
sisters shoulder. The lady who had
acted as their chaperOn hastened to
apply restoratives and the carriage
rolled swiftly away.
The next morning when Col. Terry
called to inquire after the invalid he
had no need to ask, for from the door
there fioated the mournful insignia of
death. Shocked beyond expression,
the hardy soldier turned away, unable
then to even offer his services if they
were needed. He went again after
while and saw Mrs. Cameron, the
hostess of the sisters during their visit.
From her he learned the brief details
of Alice's death. Her attack had been
a sudden spasm of the heart and she
had never rallied. She had not spoken
but once then they caught her lovers
name, and repetition of the words,
''In the morning"
"POOr Charley, who will tell him ?"
grOaned the colonel when the lady's
voice ceased.
"You are his best friend" she an
swered. 81 think no one else could do
it so gently"
81 can't" he replied, shaking his
head. 81 would rather face a battery.
Why, you don't know, you can't think
how his very life seems bound up in
her and now"
They buried her next day six of
PictOn's friends carried his dead love
to her grave, and then came sadly
back, each questioning who would bear
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
reached the vicinity of the appointed
rendezvous, desultOry firing warned
them of an approaching conflict. Pres
emily they formed themselves in the
midst of portion of the command,
drawn up in piece of woods overlook
ing a sloping field, which on the oppo-
site side rose to sharp eminence, on the
brow of which was posted federal bat
terry. Farther to the right the firing
became sharper, and soon the roll of
musketry swept all along the line.
II say, Barclay" called Col. Terry,
as that officer passed him, ''have you
seen Picton yet 2" And as Barclay
shook his head, he added: "Tell the
boys not to let him know yet. Wait
till this is over"
"All right I'll tell them," answered
Barclay as he rode away.
"The old general will be wanting
that battery the first thing they know"
said one of the men, as a shell eXplOd-
ed over their heads. "They'd better
keep it quiet"
"Thar, what did tell you? !" he add
ed, biting off a huge piece of ''lOng
green ;" "thar go the Mississippi boys
nOw."
AS he spoke tawny column moved
out of the woods and swept gallantly
across the field. Just as they reached
the center a 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 were
they shattered by the CALLING fire.
"Tel you what, boys" called out
the lOng-legged private, who had be-
fore spoken, "thar's fun comm now
That's Cans bugle. The 'old regiment
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
zone of the boys" The next moment
there was a ringing cheer from the
ranks as Gen. Forrest rode up.
Boys" he exclaimed, pointing with
his sword, 81 want that battery cap
tured. One regiment has tried, and
couldn't take it. Now | want you
boys to do better than that. l am GO
ing to lead you, and l want you all to
follow me-"
Another cheer was his answer, as
the men fell into ranks.
"Charge ~ and down the slope rode
the gallant old regiment" never fall
tering as the grape-shot swept through
the serried ranks, closing each gap as
it was made by the deadly fire; on, on
following the lead of the tall figure al
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 o.
the famous "rebel yell'' as the victory
was won. Won Yes, but at a fear
full cost. That fatal slope was drench
ed with the blood of the SOuthland'
bravest SONS.
After that charge Col. Terry fOunI
himself face to face with Charley Pie
ton. "My God, how can tell him 2
muttered the colonel to himself, as til,
gallant young fellow rode toward hin
holding out his hand.
{ at takes the 'old regiment to do NJ
things in style !" he said, grasping til,
) colonel's hand. "Say, Terry, did yOl
see Miss Alice Coleman has jus
SoI Ddch Hou Menipils, anu He tOlu Ill
; she had gone on visit to some friend
in c."
But as he spoke he suddenly put hi
hand to his side. 81 am shot, h,
! gasped, family. 1t was true. A stra,
bullet had struck him in the side. anC
Col. Terry caught him as he reeled il
his saddle, and rode with him to tn,
field hospital. When the surgeon ex
lan,inad his xroupd ba Sbnol- hi hoo,