The National tribune., 1882-01-21
For THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
STRANGER THAN FICTION.
A "REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR.
BY GRIF.

We were lying in line of battle under the
muzzles of our own guns, at Malvern, waiting
for the enemy to charge. Towards 4 o'clock in
the afternoon there was a lull in the firing, and
during the interval Tom and I exchanged few
words
As frequently happens under such circumstan-
ces, our thoughts turned in the direction of our
homes, we had lived upon adjoining farms all
our lives and l had just started to banter him
about certain dark-eyed maiden, when I heard
a low, musical yet intensely plaintive, woman's
voice calling, as if speaking over my left shout
der, ooh, Tom, come to mel" To say 1 was
startled would but family express my feelings at
that moment; and as for Tom, who was upon
my left, he seemed at first paralyzed, and the
next moment was trembling as had never seen
him before.
did you hear it?" he asked in husky.
quavering voice, as he observed my sudden
movement as 1 instinctively turned to look be-
hind me. "Did you hear it?"
What can it mean? ?" queried by way Of
reply.
"Its sign, Jack this W. be my last battle"
he answered.
"Oh, Pshaw" Lei CALCULATED, endeayoring to appear
courageous; you don't believe any such stuff
as that; it was only Imagination"
But you heard 1.-THE voice" he persisted.
"You heard what it said-the words?"
Certainly" responded; " I thought heard
some one speak your name D
Whose voice was it?" he interrupted "Tell
me-did you recognize it?n
"Of course I did" was my reply at was
Marys."
"Yes," he murmered, as if to himself /" it was
hers; but why should-how could she call me
now and here?"
I glanced at our comrades lying nearest us and
at once perceived that they were ignorant of any
thing unusual having occurred and had just begun
some sort of an explanation to account for the
strange phenomenon when the rebel columns
debouched from the timber in our front and
started upon that memorable charge which so
disastrously ended for them the Seven Days
Our batteries opened; the shells and deadly
grape and canister screamed and Kissed and
hurtled over our heads, and their demoniacal
bowling and screening as they darted for their
prey, together with the roar of more than an
hundred cannon put stop to further converse
ton. For nearly an hour the battle ragged with
fercest violence. The enemy pressed up almost
to the very spot where we lay-a few yards Tiff
teen or twenty in front Of our batteries, in
slight depression-and it seemed as though they
were destined to sweep over US before their on
ward course could be stayed. Wilder iercer,
deadlier grew the storm. The cannon belched
forth with their fiery breath, that issued in short,
sharp gasps from their heated lips and blackened
Threats, tons of metal; the ranks went down like
ripened grain before the reaper; but on they
came, nearer, faster, until from our left single
piece sent raking shot blowing deep furrow
through the advancing column of gray. Then it
began to falter-to disintegrate and show signs
of breaking in pieces. Presently small squads
went drifting towards the rear, and it was mani
fest to US that the gallant assault was, on their
part, ended.
Then came our time. "Up, boys and charge"
ran along our lines We were on our feet In an
instant and, pouring in a fearful volley as we
advanced, dashed forward against the foe. Ehey
scarcely waited for our coming. Back surged
the gray pillows into the forest whittier we pur-
sued them. Darkness had preceded us, however,
and we were speedily recalled. That night when
we mustered On the field for roll call, Tom
stood by my side uninjured. Many had fallen, but
he was safe. AS we lay down upon the earth to