Louisiana capitolian., 1881-09-20

lifting her slim white hand, she loos,
eDed the flowers she wore at her bress
and put them into The Colonel,s hand
"Giye these to him--yes---in tho morn
ing" Her voice died away to faint
whisper, and her bead fell back on hel
sisters shoulder. The lady who had
acted as their chaperon FASTENED to ap,
ply restoratives and the carriage rolled
swiftly away. 81
The next morning when Col. Terry
called to inquire after the invalid he
had no need to ask, for from the door
there t,oated the n1ournfnl insignia Of
death. Shocked beyond expression,
that hardy soldier turned awsy, unable
then to even offer his services if they
were needed. He went again after .
while and saw Mrs. Cameron, tho hos,
tess Of the sisters during their visit.
From her ho learned the brief details Of
Alice's death. Her attack bad been a
sudden spasm Of the heart, and she had
never rallied. She had not spoken but
once; and they caught her lovers name
and repetition of the words, ",n the
morning."
"Poor Charley, who shall tell him ="
groaned the Colonel, when the lady,s
voice ceased.
"You are his best friend" she an /
swered. ~ can't he replied, shaking
his head. II would rather face bat.
terry. 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 Pic
toms friends carried his dead love to)
her grave, and then came sadly back |
each questioning who would bear the1
tidings to the gallant sabrenrs far
away with the old brigade.
That night the order came to Join
the main command, and by daylight
the troops were mics away. As they
approached the vicinity of the appoint-
ed rendezvous, a desultory firing warn
ed them of an approaching conflict
Presently they found themselves in|
the midst Of a portion Of the command,
drawn up in . piece of woods overlook
ing a sloping Geld, which on the oppo-
site side rose to sharp eminence, onI
the brow Of which was posted q Federal
battery.
Farther to the right the firing became
sharper, and soon the roll of musketry|
swept all along the line.
81 say, Barclay" called Col. Tcrry,I
as that officer passed him, ''have you
seen Picton yet" And, as Barclay
shook his head, ho added, Tell the boys
not to lot 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,"l
said ono of the men, as . shell exploded
over thor heads. They'd better keep
it quiet"
''Thar. what did 1 tell youT he ad-
ded. biting of huge liece of long
greon, thar go the Mississippi boys
now"
AS he spoke tswny column moved
out Of the woods and swept gallantly|
across the field. But AZ 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 tho CALLING IRE.
''Tell you what, boys" called out
the long-legged private, who had be- |
fore spoken, "thsr's fun comm now
That's, Cans bugle. The'old regiment
want some of the pieW
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 mo-
ment 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, want you
boys to do better than that. am go
ing to lead you; and I want yon all to
follow me-"
Another cheer was tho answer, as the
men fell into ranks.
"Chargep and down the slope rode
tho gallsat "old regiment never fal.
tcring as the grapeshot swept through
the serried ranks, closing each gap as il
was made by the deadly FIRE; on, on,