Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-09
CHAPTER XXI.

sunlight along the white wall TOTO me
the day must be already we'll ad-
vanced, and saw tho lieutenant Of
my troop, Colgate, bending over me,
attired in service uniform.
What is it, Jack?"
"We have been ordered north on
forced march to join Early. and the
command has already started. I have
delayed calling you until the final
moment, but knew you would never
forgive being left behind"
Before he had finished I was upon
tho floor, dressing with that rapidity
acquired by years Of practice, my
mind thoroughly aroused to the
thought Of active service once more.
was it the news l brought in yes
terday, Colgate, which Las stirred this
up?" questioned, hastily dipping into
q basin Of water
Il imagine it must have been, sir"
replied the Lieutenant, leaning back
comfortably upon cracker-box, which
formed our solitary chair. Things
have been on the move ever since, and
it certainly resembles an advance Of
all night long, Mechanics 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 a fight"
amy artillery"
"sloan's and Rockies batteries are
with US: did not learn who went out
with McDaniers. Longstreet has
crossed the White Briar."
"Yes. I know" said. drawing on
the last Of my equipments. and quick
ly glancing about to assure myself I
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 tours. 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 tho solid front Of
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 to
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 I knew the mighty armies Of
North and South would once again
contest for the fertile Shenandoah. 1t
was to be American pitted against
American, a struggle ever worthy Of
the gods. Slowly rode back down
the files Of my men, marking their
alignment and accoutrehents with
practised eye, smiling grimly as
noted their eager faces. war-worn and
bronzed by exposure, yet terminated
by hope of active service. AS
watched them thus, I thought again
of those many other faces who once
rode as these men did now, but who
had died for duty even as these also
might yet be called upon to die. One
hundred and three strong, gay In
bright new uniforms. with unstained
banner kissing the breeze above our
proud young heads, We rode hopeful.
ly forth from Charlottesville scarce
three years before, untried, undis.
ciplined, unknown, to place our lives
willingly upon the scared altar Of our
native State. What speeches. years
of horror those had been; what his
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 flag
a torn and ragged remnant. barely
forty men wore the ID" between the
crossed sabres on their slouched
brown hats, in spite Of all recruiting
The cheer in my heart was for the
living; the tear in my eye was for
the dead.
Colgate" said gravely. as
ranged up beside him At the rear of
the troop, 'the men look exceedingly
we'll. and do not appear to have suf-
fered greatly because of short ra
tions."
"Oh. the lads are always in fine
fettle when they expect fight" he
answered. his own eyes dancing as he
swept then; ever that straight line of
backs in his front. They'll scrap the
better for being a bit hungry.-it
makes them savage. Beats al, Cap
tain, what foolish notions some Of
those people on the other side have
of us southerners. They seem TO
think We are entirely different from
Themselves: yet reckon It would puz.
sls any recruiting officer up yonder
to show finer lot Of fighting men
than those fellows ahead there"
I rode slowly forward to my own
position at the head of the troop. AS
I swung my horse into our accustomed
position I was too deeply buried in
reflection to b clearly conscious of
much that was occurring about me.
Suddenly. however. bscame aware
that oouio enc. nearly obocured By tie
soyeiopine cloud q dust, was riding