Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-19


his excellent judgement
was proved, for after studying the sit
uatfon ss long as WAS prudent. ne
to the Colonel, and informed
him that they consisted of not more
than q regiment of infantry moving
directly for the camp.
A no. skirmiah ensued, the fight last
ing for an hour or two. The demon
stration closed with the retreat of the
enemy, on whose heels Lieutenant
Horton, whose fighting blood was up,
hung with tenacity that astonished
his brother officers. Jack braved dan
ger with GOODNESS that was amazing,
and directed the fire of his men where
it would do the most good. 1t was
his ambition to capture somebody or
and he did, Confederate
aud two privates, who were surround
ed" by himself and one of his soldiers.
But Jack, fired by his success, rashly
pressed ahead for more human plum.
der, when he was laid low by a bullet
through the shoulder.
Jack Horton WAS the hero Of that
night, and was mentioned in the COM
mander's report for his GOODNESS, cor
rect judgement and nnhinching brav-
cry. 1t needed j. asst such an occasion
us this to bring out what was in the
man, but Js,ck was modest and didn't
presume he had done more than he
had ought. His wound was a painful
one, and in few days he was on his
way to Rockdale, where the reports OF
his achievements had proceeded him.
Jack couldn't help feeling little cur
ious about how Miss Abbie would greet
him if he CHANGED to meet her, He
hadn't the remctest idea of calling on
her, however. His time was his coun-
try's, and his leisure moments were
passed, even in those invalid days, in
study of military tactics. He did not
want to be made a lion of; did not pre-
tend to resemble that noble animal in
the least. SO he stayed at home and
strdied his books.
Just before his return to the army he
attended fair in Rockdale in aid of
the soldiers. The young ladies were
the principal attractions at this, as at
all fairs; and among the young ladies
none more attractive than Miss Abbie
Latham. She drove remarkable sue
cessful business at the flower stand,
one of her principal patrons being Mr.
Joseph Staples, who purchased at least
half her stock and distributed it with a
lavish hand. He had not gone to war,
but had at least, and without compul--
sion, hired subtitute. His patriot
ism was ardent, as he assured Miss
Abbie, but there were other attractions
nearer home.
CtTtainly, Lieutenant Horton could
but pay his respects to Miss Abbie.
His face was paler, and his form had
become more trim and manly than
when she last saw him. His features,
Abbie noticed, bore an expr ession of
sadness and suffering; he moved with
awkwardness, and all the young ladies
declared him to be the handsomes
young soldier in the hall. He won the
sword that was voted for on this occa-
sion, as he deserved to. Jacks heart
throbbed little rs he met the gaze of
the young lady, but if he felt any emo
ton it must have been slight; she was
very busy with her customers, espec-
tally with her wholesale patron, Mr..
Staples, yet, as the Lieutenant babe
her good evening and turned away he
saw her eyes drop and faint flush
steal over her cheeks. For two old
friends so long separated the meeting
was decidedly cold and formal, and
Jack WAS chilled to the marrow.
In the stirring events of the next two
years Horton bore his fall share-at
fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, An
tietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness,
down to Cold Harbor, where at the head
of his regiment he fell desperately
wounded in the terrible and unsuccess-
full assault on that stronghold.
He was conveyed to the hospital at
Washington in q seemingly hopeless
condition, with several wounds, each Of
which was dangerous. The nurses
moved among the wounded men like
angels of mercy. Some of the soldiers
lay in 5tupor, some were raving in de-
lirium and others dying in agony. For
days Horizons life hung on thread, his
fevered brain mercifully rendering him
unconscious of suffering. AS he awokc
one morning soft and gentle hand
was soothing his brow, when the damp
ness indicated that the fever was bro
ken. He tried to open his eyes, bat
was too weak; speak he could not; and
many hours passed before he could
discern what was around him. Since
the night of the Cold Harbor fight his
life had been blank. He remem-
beIed nothing. And now he saw before
him the physician, and the nurse with
a sweet pale face, that looked familiar,
but ne could not recall the name of its
owner. Again trying to speak, the
surgeon kindly whispered, keep per-
fectly quiet and al will be well" and
the female attendant at his motion
Withdrew.
The next morning his dim vision dis
cerned the same pale and anxious face;
and a CLEAN OF wondering inquiry
passed over his countenance as he gaz.d
upon her. AT last he feebly whispered,
where am -"
In the hospital, and with friends, +"
she gently answered.
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