The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-11-10

was called, and the sick girl placed
in it.
When they were just starting, Col
Terry wished them good night, express
ing his hopes that Miss Alice would
have recovered by morning. She put
out her hand, and exerting her strength
said distinctly.
eyes, shall be well 'in the morn-
ing Tell Charley"-her voice failed
her and lifting her slim, white hand,
she ioosened the flowers she wore at
her breast and put them into the colonies
hand. "Givc these to him-yes-in
the morning." Her voice died away
to faint whisper, and her head fell back
on her sisters shoulder. The lady who
had acted as their chaperono fastened
to apply restoratives, and the carriage
rolled swiftly away.
The next morning when Col. Terry
called TO inquire after the invalid no
had no need to ask, for from the door
there floated the mournful insignia of
death. Shocked beyond expression,
the hardy soldies turned away, unable
then to even offer his services if they
wep needed. He went again after a
while and saw Mrs. Cameron, the host
ess Of the sisters during their visit.
From her he learned the brief details
of AIice's death. Her attack had been
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"
"I can't" he replied. shaking his
head. "I 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 the next day; six of
Picton's friends carried his dead love to
her grave, and then came sadly back,
each questioning who would bear the
tidings TO the gallant suJreur 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
reached the vicinity of the appointed
desultory firing warned
them of an approaching conflict.
Presently they found themselves in the
midst of n portion of the command,
drawn up in a piece of woods over
looking a sloping field, which on the
rose to sharp eminence, on the brow
of'whiah .Nst~ 3nc"', ',hfhg "Do-
came sharper, and soon the roll of
musketry swept all along the line.
81 say, Barclay" called Col. Terry,
as that officer passed him, "have you
seen Picton YETI" And, as Barclay
shook his head, he added: "Tell the
boys not to let him know yet. Wait
till.this is over"
GAN right; Pll tell them," answered
as he rode away.
"The old general will be wanting
that battery the first thing they know"
said one of the men as shell exploded
over their heads. "They'd better keep
it quiet"
"Thar, what did l tell you?" he add
ed, biting of huge piece of "long
green;" "thar go the Mississippi boys
now"
AS he spoke, tawny column moved
aSosa the SsS %SS!s bas sna as as"sR! gHlantS gsaana
the centre, murderous round of
grape and canister tore through their
ranks, and the column broke in confu-
sion. Three times their leaders rallied
them to the charge, and three times
they were shattered by the CALLING fire.
"Tell you what, boys" called ont
the long-legged private, who had be-
fore spoken, "thar's fun comm now
That's Gans's bugle, The 'old regi-
ment' want some of the pie!"
lie stopped aud felt his saddle girth
as he spoke, then Strengthened himself
and waited for the command, for he
was "one of the boys" The next mo-
ment there was a ringing cheer from
the ranks as General Forest rode up.
"Boys," he exclaimed, pointing
with his sword, al want that battery
captured. One regiment has tried,
and could't take it. Now l want you,
boys, 10 do better than they did. am
going 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 cold regiment" never fall
tering as the grapeshot swept through
the serried ranks, closing each gap as
1t was made by the deadly fire; on, on,
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 Of
the famous "rebel yell" as the victory
" as wt'n.
Wonl Yes, but at a fearful cost.
That fatal slope was drenched with
blood of the Southland's bravest.
After the charge Col. Terry found
himself face to face with Charley Pic.