The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-22

H#a4a4.xaaHaS S*%x xa9HH*#*44@'
The firing Of the evenings guns
momentarily ceased, allowing their
infantry to get in action and In the
interval the wind Lifted the great
clouds Of smoke, when one vast line
Of blue clad warriors could be seen
emerging from over the hills. Sol
diers, brave, strong and indonitsble
as were the Southerners themselves!
On they came, their starry banners
waving in the Lazy breeze, their pol
ished rifles glistening in the bright
sunlight, a magnificent spectacle,
even to their enemies. The Confed-
crate batteries belched forth anew,
sending shot and shell into the ranks
Of the oncoming mass, while the
enemy replied with their long range
rife guns. Jake Baldwin holding
his command in rigid ranks, all cool,
brave and determined. Every man
feeling the supreme moment had
come. =; i: ;::.~.s@i: ;.!!az d go Z:
Longstreet from his position on a
little eminence, held his men in leash,
while the columns of blue came near
er. Shells plowed great windows
through their ranks but on they came.
Notwithstanding his premonition OF
death, and a feeling that the mes
senger was even then on it's way, no
palladin of old ever went forth to
battle with a prouder mein than did
Col. Baldwin on that fateful field
of carnage. Cage had selected place
for himself, high up on the noun
tain, perched on boulder, where he
could witness the tide Of battle and
the fate Of his master. -.
After what seemed an age Of wait
ing the command was given to "frs,''
the armies coming together like two
thunder clouds, a sheet Of fame,
from the blue and tho gray, lit up
! the field, while d. 4nsa columns Of
smoke drifted away toward the noun
tain. The battle ragged with varying
success, now the blue, then the gray,
then now with that dreaded "Rebel
yell" the Southerners resorted to cold
steel, rushing upon the enemy with
the bayonet.
| Gage, from his perch, watched his
master as he advanced, now giving
command, now urging his men for
ward, his sword waving aloft, but al
ways onward through the smoke Of
Battle. Prayers and tears involun-
tary came to the watching servant.
At last he saw his master throw up
his hand, sway to the right, than
fall. No doubt both said in their
hearts, 1T is Finished" Cage rush
ed down the mountain and was soon
at his masters side.
We will not prolong this barrow
ing scene. This story as far as it
relates to. Jake Baldwin has ended.
BY the pale light Of a smoulderins
campfire, Cage buried the body of his
master. Longstreet having -. accom-
plished his purpose Of holding Nc
Clellan in check until: the, plans Of
Lee had been consummated, early
next morning began moving his army
through the mountain passes, then in
short while met his illustrious COM
mander in chief, and prepared to take
issues again. with his old antagonist
Of South Mountain on the bloody
fields and Historic plateau Of An
tietam.
Armed with proper passports, Cage
mounted Shoestring and with Col.
Baldwin's personal belongings turn
ed his steps Southward, alone on his
long journey to his home. In crossing
thte Potomac he fingered awhile,
watching its rippIng waters, while he
thought sadly Of his masters prophe-
tic words, Chow many will never
cross again this river" Even as he
reflected he could family hear the
distant rumbing Of the guns at An
tietam.
; He followed the route the army had
taken in its advance, passing through
mountain gaps, rivers and fertile val
leys. On the plains Of Manassas he
witnessed with horror and supersti-
tious awe, the bleaching bones, the
half filled Graves of friend and foa.