The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-25
CHAPTER XXI.
Relnforcements for Early,

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 1t. Jack?"
I'VE have been ordered north on
forced march 10 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.
ttrday, Colgate, which Las stirred this
up! questioned, hastily dipping into
basin Of water.
Il imagine 1t must have been. sir"
replied the Lieutenant, leaning back
comfortably upon a cracker-box. which
formed our solitary chair. "Thipgs
have been on the move ever since. and
1t certainly resembles an advance of
some Importance. Staff officers at II
all night long, Mechanics division off
at daylight. while We go out ahead of
Slaytons troops. Reede was In beast.
iy 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 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 |
had overlooked nothing likely to be
OF value. "All ready, Jack, and now
Tor 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 madiy 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 to
the northward. the feet of the horses
raising thick cloud of red dust
which fairly enveloped us In it's chok.
ing folds.
With the ardor OF young manhood l
looked forward to the coming battle.
when i knew the mighty armies of
North and South would once again
contest for the fertile Shenandoah. It
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, l 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. Que
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 thot
bloody path we travelled! TODAY.
down tho same red road, our eyes still
set grimly TO the northward, our flag
torn and ragged remnant, barely
forty men wore the I'D" between the
crossed sabres on their slouched
brown hats. In spite OF all recruiting
The cheer In my heart was for the
the dead.
Colgate" I said gravely. as l
ranged up beside him at the rear OF
the troop. "the men look exceedingly
well. 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 a fight" he
answered, his own eyes dancing az he
swept them over that straight line OF
backs In his front They'll scrap the
better for being a bit hungry,-it
makes them savage. Beats oil. Cap
tain, what foolish notions some OF
those people on the other side have
OF us Southcrners. They seem to
think We are entirely different Nom
themselves; yet | reckon II would puZ
Zle any recruiting officer I'M vondor