The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-30
CHAPTER XXI.
Relnforcements for EARLY.

and looked up. The golden glow OF
sunlight along the white wall told me
the day must be already we'll ad-
yanced. and ] saw the lieutenant OF
my troop, Colgate. bending over me,
attired In service uniform.
What is Il. Jack?"
We 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 | 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
a basin OF water
Il imagine II must have been, sir"
replied the Lieutenant, leaning back
comfortably upon cracker-box, which
formed our solitary chair Things
it certainly resembles an advance OF
some Importance. Staff officers at II
all night long, McDanieis 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"
ANY 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" | said, drawing on
the last OF my equipments, and quick
ly glancing about TO assure myself
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
division OF infantry. We had barely
time 20 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 enyeloped 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 again
contest for the fertile Shenandoah. IL
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 accoutrements 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, ] 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 10 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 speechless years
OF horror those had been; what his
tory we had written with our
naked steel; what scenes OF
suffering and death lay along that
bloody path we travelled, To-day,
down the same red road, our eyes still
set grimly to the northward. our flag
torn and ragged remnant. barely
forty men wore the o. 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 gravcly. az 7
ranged up beside him at the rear OF |
the troop the men look exceedingly |
well, and do not appear 10 have suf |
fered greatly because OF short ra.
lions
"Oh. the lads are always in fine |
fettle when they expect fight" he
answered. his own eyes dancing as he |
swept them over that straight line OF |
backs In his front They'll scrap the |
better for being bit hungry,--it |
makes them savage. Beats all, 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 II would puz.
zle any recruiting officer up yonder
10 show a finer lot OF fighting men |