The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1891-02-07
PART SECOND.

Olu-tiilleu iIltiuS lldiSHaliiiS tnciii-
selves under the banners of Buford and
Thomas, and heard of many others who
had already fallen into line with Crit
tenden and Buckner and become fol-
lowers of the southern cross. s.. .
President Lincoln had already issued
his proclamation calling out seventy-iive
thousand men, and the war spirit was
at fever heat.
Young Clay was offered and accepted
Il captains commission, and ut once set
to work to organize n company of in
fantry. ... s.
But | shall not follow him through
all the cyentful scenes which he passed.
He was everywhere distinguished for
his gallant conduct Like Cherry of
Navarro" he was ever forward in the
fray. He was as kind as he was brave,
and his treatment of his men became
frequent subject of favorable comment.
No company was quicker to move for
ward to attack, more determined mt the
breach, or more stubborn and orderly
in retreat.
When the campaign for the reduction
OF Vicksburg opened, Clay, then bear.
ing the rank of colonel, was command
ing one of the best regiment in Sher.
mans corps. When his regiment came
up to the walls of the embattlcd city,
two days had been passed in fruitless
assault. The third day of the siege
(May 2lsD was devoted to preparation
for one more desperate endeavor tC
carry the confederate works by storm
Evelyn Marshall had frequently heard
of her lover, and had received three
letters from him through the mails
All these had breathed the same spirit
of loving devotion, and il is not sur.
prising that she read with a glow o.
pride and admiration of his daring ant
gallant deeds on the field of battle.
When Grants splendidly equipped
army unfolded its wings and encirclee
three-fourths of the city of Vicksbure
in its lines, Evelyn knew her lover was
with him, and was one of the besiegers
Would he live through the reign o
carnage that she felt sure must follow
before Grant could be driven away, o.
the garrison be reduced to a surrender
Contending emotions racked he
mind. Her heart was devoted to tn
| 6 l.
earnest prayers went n..,,,-e<C ~, the God {
battles implorigs--for success of tn
southern arms The man she loved wa
in the army of, the invaders, and Will
she hoped for sien. Grants defeat, sh
lalse prayed that NO harm should com
to her lover
Il II was on the 22d day of May tina
Gen. Grant had determined to cOncen
trate all his energies upon an assaul
against the defenses of the bcleaguere
city. If he could only break one poin
along those frOwning battlements, h
could hurl forward division after divis
ion, and by force of numbers overwhelI
the insignificant army that Opposes
him.
Before the first faint strcaks of daw
in the orient had made their appear
ancc, one by one the iron-sided gun
boats, which had been lying idle oppo
site the mouth of the Yazoo, were pu
in motion and dropped silently dow
the broad river.
Anchoring in point blank range G
the confederate batteries, they swun
| .,;I,s To
awaited the moment for action.
On land every gun was hurried int
position, and the cannonlcrS, charging
their pieces, stood with lanyard in han
awaiting the booming of the signal gun
In front of the confederate position
extending from the river clear arOun
to the Mississippi and Southern rail
way, concealed from view by the dee
shadows of the woodland, heavy masse
of federal infantry We're lying in wal
ready to sweep forward to the assauI
as soon rs the confederate fortiiication
should be preached by the battery {
! the artillery.
While these preparations were bein
made, faint fushcs of light in the eas
announced the dawn of day.
Directly the fresh morning air wa
cleft by the thunderous roar of 81
pound cannon, and the wild, hissin
shrek of parrot shell was heard hig
over the embattled hills winging il
swift course through the breathles
ether. Swift as the messengers of ligl
it sped until its flight brought it hig
J over the still slumbering city. Then