The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-22

though he had never seen battle, he had
heard and thought enough about it to have a
tclerably definite idea of its character, and was,
therefore, in a measure prepared for it, now
that it was about to become a reality to him.
ST had never gone as far as that. He knew in
a general way that in great battle many men
were Killed, and many more were wounded,
but he thought only of the excitement, and the
glory of heroic deeds for his country. He had
enlisted to be a soldier and felt that it was es-
sential to his development in that, sphere OF
patriotic usefulness that he must do some
fighting. If his Imagination had ever drawn
the picture at all, it fell far short OF the actual
scene, as he was soon to view il.
At this time ST was passing through the
most trying moments ola soldiers life. Stand
ing in his place, holding his musket in tight
ening grasp listening to the sound of battle that
came nearer, and nearer, looking at the smoke
that circ(ed above the trees he awaited, with
suspense that language cannot portray, the
word of command for the 200th Indiana to en-
gage the enemy.
The voley that reaps its CHASTITY harvest, the
charge amidst shouts of wild excitement the
desperate struggle of brave men-these, when
every nerve and fiber of mind and body is
strung TO its utmost tension, bring no such cru
cial trial as the throbbing emotions that imme-
diately precede the clash of arms
To 81 and Shorty it was no occasion for
hilarity; and, indeed, this feeling pervaded the
entire regiment. As months and years
passed, and they became accustomed to such
scenes they would learn to be cheerful and
even mrthful on occasion, in the presence of
death in its most hideous forms. but not now.
These were solemn moments, when the wonted
sound of laughter was hushed, and it seemed
that jest would be sacriege.
Was it lack of manliness in our Young
friend 81 that he wiped a tear or two from his
check? Let him who would answer yea first
be sure that his own eyes would not moisten at
such time, as there sweeps through his mind
the rushing tide of hopes and fears and patri-
otto devotion and thoughts of life and far-oF
loved ones. The brave man has q true and
tender heart. Tears are not cowardly nor un-
manly.
"Shorty," said Si-and his voice was low and
tremulous-"I bleive in the good Lord It
mother used ter teach me ter pray to. Pm
afeard you m me has kinder lost our grip On
such things, N don't desarve very much, but
mebbe He'll be good to both On us to-day. /
hope He'll give us lots ofsand to stand up to It;
keer more bout that n / do bout the other
I'm willin' ter def have to-but l don't
want ter be no coward. If you see me with my
back to the rebs yell do me the biggest kind of
favor by jest putin a bullet through my
head. And, Shorty, if l should be killed, m
you git home all right, you'll tell mother that
didn't -
A staff officer comes galloping up and delivers
hasty message to the Colonel of the 200th.
"There!" he says, indicating with outstretched
arm the point where the combat seems to be
raging with the greatest fury. Every man
in the ranks knows what that order is, and in
stinctively straightens up. Every face bears
the impress OF determination to obey the call
Of duty. The Colonel springs into the saddle
and his words ring out sharp and clear:
"Attention-BattaliOn!"
The order is scarcely necessary. for the SOL
diers have already dressed the line and stand
with the magic touch Of elbows, waiting for the
next command.
"Load at will-Load!"
Hands fly to cartridge-boxes, teeth tear away
the paper, powder and ball are charged into the
muzzies. See the hammers leap from their
sockets, and how they ring as the bullets are