Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-05

.-Thars well. Push them forward as fast as you can. Our losses have been severe, but we have forced the enemy back, and the battle is to be resumed in the morning"
 "Has General Longstreet come?"
 eYes. He is with General Bragg nowi'
 Here comes the second section of my brigade" said Darrow as another long train loaded with gray coated sol disrs pulled up on a siding.
 "Goodv'
 "And the third will be along present ly, think"
 "Fine! love, we're glad you're here. We've had terrible time all day, but with your fresh veterans we ought to sweep everything before us tomor- row."
 'Well, sir, we will do what7we can," said Darrow. My men have seen a deal of fighting, and we'll try to hold our end up.'
 II know you will. The Army of Northern Virginia is all right, but we think down here that we don't have to take a back seat to anybody when 1t comes to fighting"
 'FYou are right, colonel, you don't" said Darrow generously. "Oh, but it's good to be down here! I am nearer home than I have been for three years"
 "You don't mean to tell me that you have never been back since you went to the frontY
 "Never. I have stayed right in Vir- ginia until feel fairly sick for sight of old Alabama"
 f'If we beat the Tanks tomorrow, you will soon be on your native soil. Homer continued Thompson thought fully, surveying tue passing regiments. eI am afraid that a great many of these fellows will never see it again."
 'Yes but that's part of a soldiers risk" said Darrow softly. Before the troops moved off Darrow drew aside from his staff and beckoned Pleasants to come to him.
 s'We haven't had a moment alone, Ham," said the young brigadier to the younger colonel, "till now, but before we march off-you have just come from home. Did you see her"
 T should say didr' responded the junior officer. forgetting himself and lapsing into the old familiar style, Bob, she is the sweetest and prettiest thing on earth. and don't mind telling you that am engaged to her.''
 Good heavens!" gasped Darrow. turning pale. ''What do you mean?' ooh, mean Miss Pink Peyton, not''- returned the colonel, in much confu- sion.
 \ '.I see," greatly relieved. t'I thought vou meant Miss Mary" Y
 ''No, of course not" said the other.
 "Of course not, Naturally you would not think any. one equal to Miss Pey- ton"
 Well, I-but I have letter for you,' said Pleasants, blushing furious ly and fumbHng in his jacket and bringing it forth. q forgot all about it." he added shamefacedly, letters from home being the things craved by the soldiers.
 Darrow seized it eagerly In his gaunt- leted hands. For a second he made motion as if to press 1t to his lips. and then, recollecting that the eyes of half his brigade were on him, he thrust 1t reluctantly into his pocket.
 "How did she look? Was she well?" he asked.
 "Beautiful!' said Pleasants raptur- ously. "Oh, you mean Miss Mary2 She looked very well indeed Or course she is awfully cut up about the death of her father and the war and all that, and you, too, I suppose, but otherwise she is quite well. I reckon she must be very fond of you, old fellow
 T hope so," said the general, bright ening in this vague assurance. By the way, Pleasants, did you hear any, thing of Boyd Peyton while you were in Mobile?''
 'Yes; he is in the blockading fleet down off Fort Morgan"
 .Come to my headquarters tonight" said the general, ''as soon as we have made camp, if we make camp. I want to talk to you about home and Miss Mary"
 And Miss Pink r interrupted Pleas ants.
 ''Yes, of course, before we go into battle tomorrow. It may be our last chance, you know"
 By this time the platform and open space about the station were filled with soldiers from the two sections which had already arrived. Their uniforms were dusty and worn, sometimes tat tered and patched, but their gun bar rels were bright, their rifles were looked to. They bore themselves with the careless insouciance of veterans as they fell into ranks with the prompt ness of trained soldiers. Their lean, brown, leather tanned faces, their wig orous. easy movements, as well as their torn and tattered battlefags, spoke in eloquent language of hard marches, long campaigns and fierce battles.
 With rattle of drums and shrilling of flies, in obedience to the sharp staccato command of the officers ris- ing above the confusion, they marched down the dusty road and aligned themselves in regiments at the desig- mated position. Mounting his horse, which, with the other horses, had been