The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-09-22

/ the center q mnrderous round of Crane
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
Gangs bugle. The 'old regiment want
some of the pie -
He stopped and felt his saddle-girth
AS he spoke, then Strengthened himself
Gov the command, for he was
"one of the boys" The next l.sc,1 l.s"Aent
there was a ringing cheer from the
ranks as Gen. Forrest rode up.
"Boys," he exclaimed, pointing with
his sword, Il want that battery cap
tured. One regiment has tried and
couldn't take it. Now | waHt yau boys
to do better than that. / am going to
lead you, and L want you all to follow
me-"
Another cheer was the answer, as the
men fell into ranks.
"Charge - and down the slope rode
the gallant sold regiment" never fall
tering as the grapeshot swept through
the serried ranks, closing each gap as
it was made by the deadly fire; on, on,
following the lead OF che tall figure at
the head of the column, till they rode
right over the death-dealing guns,
esab'ring the gunners there and the
woods gave back the ringing echoes OF
the famous "rebel yell' as the victory
was won.
Wonl Yes, but at a fearful COST
That fatal slope was drenched with the
blood of the Southland's bravest song.
After that charge Col. Terry found
himself face to face with Charley Pic
ton. "My God, how can | tell him ?"
muttered the colonel to himself as the
gallant young fellow rode towards him,
holding out his hand.
tsIt takes the odd regiment to do
things up in style!" he said, grasping
the coloneI'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. "I am shot" he gasp
ed, family. 1t was true. A stray bull
let had struck him in the side, and Col.
Terry caught him as he reeled in the
saddle and rode with him to the field
hospital.
When the surgeon examined his |
wound he shook his head deubtfully.
"I know a nurse worth twenty doc
tors" whispered Picton, with smile. |
TERRY, can't you fetch her to me ?"
Through the night the colonel stayed |
with him. Once he wakened and re-
peated the question he hai asked just |
before he was shot.
"I saw her, yes" the colonel answer
ed, huskily. "She sent you some flow
ers."
Silently Col. Terry took from his
breast-pocket the withered flowers a
spray of ivy and hall Opeled white
rose, and laid them on the outstretched
hand.
Then the wounded man slept. But in
a couple of hours he awoke much
worse, and the surgeon in his rounds
told the bronzed watcher that the end
was very near.
'Terryr' and the colonel bent his
head to catch the faint accents. "Im
dying. l wouldn't mind-only-poor
Alicel Tell her gently, please-she
loves me, you know-I-oh, Terry it is
hard to leave her. My poor darlingl"
For momert the colonel could not
answer. Then, choking back sob, he
said, slowly and distinctly:
"Charley, Alice is waiting for YOU
You are not leaving her, but going TO
her"
A. .bewildered, troubled look came into
the wistful eyes.
"Don't you understand me, Charley ?
She is dead. We buried her there in
c.. L couldn't 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,
of meeting 'in the morn
ing"
He understood now, aud smile of re-
lief fitted across his pale lips. 'tDear
girl" he murmured. "I am so glad she
will not have this grief to bear"
Then he slept again and the hours
passed on until the eastern sky bright
ened, with the dawn light.
"Terry !" the word was but the faint
est whisper, but the watcher instantly
bent his head to listen.
at is morning." came the faint,
gasping accents, and again the white
lids dropped over the blue eye. Five,
ten minutes passed. Then Col. Terry
lifted the dead hands and crossed them
over the pulseless breast, reverently COW
cred the still, white face, and turned
away.
His two friends had met once more
sin the morning. of fadeless day.
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