Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER XXI.
ReInforcements for EARLY.

Reinforcements for Early.
Come. Wayne, wake up, mani"
Captain. say, you must turn out Of
this"
I opened my eyes with q struggle
and looked up. The golden glow Of
sunlight along the white wall told me
the day must be already we'll ad-
vanced, and l saw the lieutenant Of
my troop. Colgate, bending over me.
attired in service uniform.
What Is It, Jack?"
I'VE have been ordered north on
forced march to Join Early, and the
command has already started. have
delayed calling you until the final
moment, but knew you would never
forgive being left behind"
Before he had finished I was upon
the floor, dressing with that rapidity
acquired by years of practice. my
mind thoroughly aroused to the
thought Of active service once more
WAS 1t the news brought in yes
terday, Colgate, which las stirred this
up?" questioned, hastily dipping into
basin Of water.
II imagine it must have been, sir"
replied the Lieutenant, leaning back
comfortably upon a cracker-box which
formed our solitary chair Things
have been on the move ever since, and
it certainly resembles an advance Of
some Importance. Staff officers at 1t
all night long, McDaniel's division off
at daylight, while we go out ahead of
Slayton's troops. Reede was in beast
ly good humor when he brought the
orders; that usually means fight. "
amy artillery"
"Sloan's and Rockies batteries are
with us; did not learn who went out
with McDaniels. Longstreet has
crossed the White Briar."
Yes, know" l said, drawing on
the last Of my equipments, and quick
ly glancing about to assure myself l
had overlooked nothing likely to be
Of value. "All ready, Jack, and now
for another dance of death"
Our regiment was drawn up in the
square of the little town, and as we
came forth into the glorious sunlight,
the stentorian voice of the Colonel
called them into column of fours. Staff
officers, gray with dust from their all
night service, were riding madly along
the curb, while at the rear of our men,
Just debouching from one Of the side
streets appeared the solid front of q
division of infantry. We had barely
time to swing into the saddles of the
two horses awaiting US, and ride swift
ly to the head of our command, when
the short, stern orders rolled along
the motionless line of troopers, and
the long, silent column swung out tc
the northward, the feet of the horses
raising a thick cloud of red dust
which fairly enveloped us in its chok
ing folds.
With the ardor of young manhood
looked forward to the coming battle
when knew the mighty armies Of
North and South would once agar
contest for the fertile Shenandoah Il
was to be American pitted against
American, struggle ever worthy o.
the gods. Slowly rode back dowr
the files of my men, marking theil
alignment and accoutrements will
practised eye, smiling grimly as
noted their eager faces, war-worn ant
bronzed by exposure, yet terminated
by hope Of active service. AS
watched them thus, thought agar
of those many other faces who one,
rode as these men did now, but wht
had died for duty even as these alst
might yet be called upon to die. On,
hundred and three strong, gay IL
bright new uniforms, with unstainet
banner kissing the breeze above ou
proud young heads, we rode hopeful
ly forth from Charlottesville scarce
three years before, untried, undis
ciplined, unknown, to place our live
willingly upon the scared altar of on
native State. What speeches. year
of horror those had been; what his
tory We had written with on
naked steel; what scenes of
suffering and death lay along tina
bloody path we travelled! To-day
down the same red road, our eyes still
set grimly to the northward,- our fla