Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-03-13
an 0rigiual sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Their marshalled lines stretched east ana west
And fronted north and south,
And distant salutation passed
From the loud cannon mouth.
1t was the evening of August 2Sth, and
Carroll, who at the appointed time had re-
Joined his regiment, was seated with severa
of his comrades around campfire, which
the chill of the night atmosphere rendered
agreeable even at that season.
Unusual excitement had prevailed tol
many days in the camp, for stirring scenes
were being enacted within comparatively
short distance, and restless desire to take
part in them filled the hearts of the whole
regiment.
Two nights before, the depot at Manassa!
Junction had been captured from the enemy
by the Twenty-first North Carolina and the
Twenty-First Georgia Regiments, assisted
by portion of Stuart's cavalry. On the
9th, the Confederates being reinforced by
fresh troops, sharp engagement had taker
place with the Federals under Brigadier
General Taylor, Of New Jersey, who hac
pushed forward to recover the captured
stores, resulting in another victory for the
Confederates. This was followed by anoth
er attack, again repulsed. But the enemy
had now turned in full force upon Genera
Jackson, who, having a much inferior num-
Der of men, retired from the Junction anC
took position where he could more easily
unite with Longstreet's approaching column
On the evening of the 2Sth, ensued san
culinary battle, with heavy loss on both sides
lasting until after nightfall; and now, al
last, the boom Of the cannon had ceased ano
all was once more still.
AnXiously the reports were awaited OF the
results of this last engagement, and when al
last it was ascertained that it, too, had beer
successful, there was universal joy and con
graduation, though it was victory dearly
bought by many valuable lives.
fiuIu,Iii l;rs klasl se---~ - la ';tyht'o- .o~l-
oned. when swallowed up in the cOnsldera
ton of the one essential point aimed at
victory. o.,
good-humored, dashing young
private, named Ellery, who had been close.
Iy allied to Carroll during the Virginia cam:
paign. I am getting tired of keeping still
and hearing the fun in the distance"
$50 am l." replied Carroll, to whom the
remark was addressed, sick and tired. Any
thing is better than inaction it gives one
too much food for thought"
"And your thoughts lately don't seem tc
have been pleasant Ones" said Ellery
"You've had the blues, Gray, ever since you
came back to camp. It's pity you went
home" .,
eyes, 1 agree with you," rejoined Carroll
sIt is pity" He puffed away at his pipe
and continued for some time to stare moodi
ly at the fire.
81 say, Ellery, he resumed in lower tone
after time, 81 have a favor to ask you
Come little way with me, and we can talk
about it,"
The pair rose, and strolled away to a short
distance, where they might converse un'
heard.
"You know something about my part o
the country" commenced Carroll, after &
little hesitation. "Now l have an idea
may never 60 back there again, and if that
should be the case, would like you to be
the bearer of little package to some of my
people, when you get back to Carolina-it
won't take you very much out of your way
"'Bear a letter and 4 token to some dlStan
friends Of mine,
For l was born at Bingen, fair Bngcn on tn
Rhine,'
quoted Ellery in a sing-song, mock-senti
mental tone. "What is the matter will
you, old follow? Does presentment haun
you tonight"
not shake it off. have never felt so before
and l am half inclined for that reason t
believe in this. OF course it may be moth
ing, but all the same, We'll suppose it come:
true, and on that account | want to make
this little arrangement 1t won't bother
you much"
"It won't bother me at all. But, my dea1
boy, have you taken into consideration the
fact that the chances are quite as mucf
against my return as against yours? II {
stray shot puts my homeward journey ou
Of the question, what becomes of your com
mission?'
"Well, we must take the chances, o
course; and as it is nothing very valuable
that l mean to entrust you with, it WOn'
matter very much if it doesn't reach it
destination. But you are the kind of fellow
that will get home all right, Jack; youl
luck will take you through everything
Not that l would consider it unlucky to be
shot in battle; as far as | am concerned, the
idea is not disagreeable-on the contrary
it would be about the best thing that coul(
happen to me. Life does not look so pleas
ant that am anxious for long lease of it
and what quicker or better ending could il
have than one of this sort" ?"
"Always provided one wasn't mangleC
and left to die in lingering pain-of thirst
perhaps, with the sun scorching your brain:
and drying up the marrow in your bones
I'll tell you what, Gray, something ha:
gone wrong with you, or you wouldn't talk
like this. 1 never knew you so despondins
before"
~ am not desponding, Ellery; am per
fectly cheerful, assure you. But it's wei
to look forward-to provide against contin
gencies. Therefore, supposing the one of u:
is taken and the other left, put this ir
your charge; she took sealed envelope
from his breast and gave it into Ellery':
hand-"and you'll repair straight to my
uncle, if you please, and hand it to him
and say sent it with my love; and that:
all there is about it,"
Gail right, said Ellery. "I'll have thu
pleasure of returning it to you before yol
90 home. Any how"
"Hark!" said Carroll holding up hi
hand. The sound of horses feet, rapidly
approaching, broke on the stiffness of th'
night.
"A message to the camp" excitedly ex
claimed Ellery. "Perhaps our turn ha
come at last. And the two friends hurried
back together to join their comrades.
BY midnight everything was in active
preparation for march. AL indication