The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-11

and how the senses are all mellowed
and softened as we gaze upon the
scenery around us! Involuntarily the
mind mounts from Nature up to Ma
lures God. and the spirit feels chast-
ened though calm and refined.
Now look to your right. o God,
what a contrast There is a long
trench dug in the earth, and beyond
it, in the dense woods, you see mus
kets stacked. Close by these muskets
you see men in uniforms-in warlike
array-ay, in line of battle, ready at
a moments notice to seize their arms
and hurl the leaden heaths against
any approaching foe. Wide-mouthed
cannon also, are gaping, as if impatient
TO commence the work of destruction.
There are officers, with swords gleam-
ing in the light of the newly arisen
sun of this glorious June morning,
moving from point to point; and there.
in the centre of the line, waves proud
ly the Battle Flag-the Stars and Bars
of a young nation just feeling the
first throes Of its birth.
Recall for a moment the scene. Be-
fore you is the old Church; to your
left is the quiet graveyard; to your
right, o Heaven! is WAR. Thus on
earth mingle peace and strife; the
Gospel and the sword; the sacred and
profane: the quiet dead and the mad
dened living; the scenes of peace and
the preparations for deadly conflict.
But the sounds of a horses hoofs
are heard in the distance, coming up
upon the right at rapid speed. mo-
ment more and horse and rider APP
pear. dash through our lines, and.
halt at a certain tent. The reins are
dropped, the rider dismounts and en-
ters the tent.
Colonel" said he, "the tale of the
deserter is true. The enemy is ad-
vancing and will soon be upon u.s.
Your offense is pardoned. Go to
your company, do your duty, and re-
trieve your characters
1t will be remembered that the
first news brought to our troops of the
advance of the enemy, was brought by
one of our soldiers who, in an evil
hour picqued at something, deserted.
He soon repented his desertion, and
fortunately obtaining information of
the movements of the enemy, he bore
back the information as a peace offer
ing. He had truly repented, and, as
we have seen, was forgiven.
few moments more, and a noble
steed, with holsters at the saddle bow,
is led up to that tent. A man comes
forth. a small man in stature, but
every muscle we'll developed. A glance
shows that he is Injured to hardships,
that his frame is strong and why
and capable of great endurance His
brow is slightly contracted. his lips
compressed, and his whole air thought
full; out there is a battIe-gleam in
his eyes, and determination marks
every feature. He looks at his Adju-
tant and says:
Captains to the centre"
He pats that gallant horse gently on
the neck, strokes his forehead sooth-
ingly, speaks few kindly words to
him. and mounts. Slowly and thought
fully he rides to the centre of the line.
The Adjutant has done his duty, and
the Captains are grouped together un-
der that Battle Flag, anxiously await
ing him.
Let us look for a moment on that
group of Captains. There stands a
large-eyed, bold and manly form,
mildness beaming in his countenance,
but determination also stamped thore.
You sec it mingling with his great
good nature i'm the prominent eyes and
in every feature. "I7t 3 Ili4m w,
Mcdowell. Captain of the ''Buncombe
Rifles" In peace he has been a lamb.
in war he proved himself a lion.
Beside him stands a tall. rough
hewed. but manly form, reminding you
of one of the granite rocks of his ma
tive mountains. He is courteous and
affable and a kindlier heart never
thrObbed within a manlier breast; but
look into his eyes; trace those long
and boldly developed lines that seam
his countenance; and you will read
bravery even to desperate daring, writ
ten there. This is C. M. Avery, Cap
tain of the Burke Rifles" Alas he
has sealed his devotion to his coun-
try's cause with his life.
Next to him is a form, not so tall.
but well developed. with a tendency to
corpulency. His light blue eyes be-
speak kindly nature, yet CLEAN with
a light which tells you he possesses
courage and decision, while that broad
prominent under jaw indicates that he
is persistent in his resolves. and not
easily swerved from them. That is
William j. Hoke, Captain of the
Southern Stars from Lincoln coun-
t..
By his side is a figure similar to his
own, whose broad and placid face, just
slightly Drowned and roughened by an
Eastern sun and outdoor exercise,
shows that with its predominant ex-
preston of good nature and friendly
feelings, is mingled qualities firm and
answering, untiring and persistent
In peace he was characterized for en-
ergy-and SO in war. That is John L.
Bridgers, Captain of the "Edgecombe
Guards
/ regret that | cannot portray the
other Captains. as l have never seen
them; but facts attest that they were
brave and true men; and 1 mention
their names with the names of their
respective companies: d. A. Bell,
Captain of the Enfield Blues" Hall
fax county: Wright Husk, Captain of
the Fayetteville Light Infantry"
Cumberland county; j. B. Starr. Cap.
tain of the Lafayette Light Infantry"
Cumberland county; r. j. Ashe. Cap
tain of the Orange Light Infantry"
p. A Ross. Captain of the Charlotte
Grays, and L. S. Williams, Captain of
the Hornets Nest Rifles both from
Mecklenburg county.
1t is fact not only somewhat re-
but highly gratifying, that
all sections of North Carolina were
represented in that one regiment.
From the rugged mountains of the
West, from the rolling and fertile
lands of the Centre and from the sea-
washed sands of the East, these gall