The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-08-08

heroic feats VII bring the fire back to
the veterans eye surer, than the brave
little fellows who sounded the reveille
or beat taps. Bugle boys and drummer
boys have figured often and conspicu-
ousIy in the annals of war. And no
where in history have we more or
brighter examples of this kind than in
the records of the Civil War, on both
sides-Confederate and Union.
The story of Harry Baldwin's I'M
swerving loyalty to the old flag, and
his fearlessness of death for the cause
he had SO nobly espoused, affords a
bright example of this kind. He be-
longed to a New York regiment am
sorry that have forgotten it's number,
though that hardly matters as long as
I remember the main facts of his ad-
ventures-and he was the life and heart
of his older comrades.
In truth, our little drummer boy was
looked upon with so much favor, and he
had shown such clear-headed ability on
certain dangerous occasions, that when
the commander felt anxious to learn
certain particulars in regard to the en-
envy he delegated Harry to go upon the
hazardous mission.
"Keep your eyes open, my boy, as l
know you will, and will risk you to go
where I would not dare send any scout
OF mine, but must warn you to never
forget that you are in the enemy's coun-
try, and that a single mistake will cost
you your life. shall not put you from
my thoughts until see you safely back
here with the news I am so anxious to
have"
Feeling, as every true soldier should,
the Importance of his perilous under
taking, Harry started forth on his re-
connoissance. 1t was already growing
dusky in the deeper forest, and soon the
shades of night would enable him to
push his way into the vicinity Of the
Confederate army with greater safety.
He knew very well that it lay encamp-
ed behind the low mountain range that
ran for ten miles or more north ana
south. with here and there broken link
affording passage to the other side. l
say he knew they were there, but had
he known their exact location, this
night trip would not have been neces-
sary.
His clothes covered with dust, and
his limbs aching from the days hard
marching, the drummer boy moved
somewhat YEARLY through the noun
tain gap, while the shadows fell deeper
and darker around him. It was wild,
lonely place, though he gave little heed
to his surroundings other than to watch
them closely for some indication Of the
enemy that he felt might be lurking un-
comfortably near.
Still nothing occurred to excite his
suspicious, until a gradual lifting Of the
shadows ahead told him that he was
approaching the other side of the range,
and that it behooved him to move with
even greater caution than hitherto.
Thus his surprise may be imagined
when, as he was silently crawling
around a Jagged arm Of one of the foot
hills, he found himself in the midst of
a squad of Confederate infantry.
Discovered by them before he could
beat retreat, he was captured in the
twinkling Of an eye, to be dragged away
toward the headquarters of the south
ern commander, charged with being a
spy!
After seeing that he was securely
bound, hands and feet, he was placed
under a strong guard, to await trial in
the morning. A long, tedious night it