Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, August 13, 1868, Image 1
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VOL. 14-. YOEKVILLE, S. C., THUBSDAY, iAUGUBT 13, 1868. ^O- 88.
Anginal fjtatreMfc.
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Written for the Yortville Enquirer.
VICTOR:
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BY J. WIT HEBSPOOK KBTDf? w
S Y
CHAPTER n-Cwm*o*D. ' p*
"Ah! my good boys," said Captain Carberry,
"when you hare been in service a little longer, you
will learn to shoot off, Hke a hungry pike, to some
quiet nook, when yon have beat suecessfttl in foraging,
to swallow and digest your windfall in quiet
Ton throw your haversacks wide ope* Joemy <
comrade, and yet can yon tell when your next
meal is to eome from?" And the speaker smiled,
pleasantly, while he looked Victor in the free.
"We may not need another, Caption," responded
Victor, in the ligkt tone of a caiefem sokBar.
"And so yonr motto io ike that of many a lighthearted
soldier: 'eat, drink and be merty. for tomorrow
we die.' Is that it?" asked the Captain.
"To-morrow? .'That promises too moch," replied
the youth, with seriousness. "Say, rather,
to-day. But come, Captain; help yourself, and let
ns make one more good meal of it, for the smoke
of the enemy/riSing nearer and nearer, shows we
shall soon have a busy time of it."
"We most not, however, let the anticipation
spoil our appetites. It may eome won* bat 'snffinipnt
for the dav is the evil thereof' let as foxti
fy ourselves against a long fast; for if the enemy !
get to driving us, or sueoeed in making us prisoners,
we shall hive a feirteo season of it Bnt, Victor,
my good Mow, where didyou find this?" and
the Captain, as he spoke, held aloft a junk bottle,
the wire-secured cork of which was wrapped in
tin foil.
"A citizen?a jolly aid bachelor, I think he
must be?hailed us frotp the portico of his house,
as we were passing, and calEng Prescott and myself
in, presented each of us with a bottle. He
would have insisted on our emptying a bottle with
him, but we were behind time and had not a moment
to spare, so we thanked him ibr his kxndnesB
and hurried away, just in time to climb into the
cars as they were beginning to move."
''Pitch the staff over into the bushes, Captain,"
cried Giles Shorter; "it's nothing but champagne,
and not fit for a dog to drink."
"No, Giles; that will be making rather too free
with Victor's property," replied CaptainCarbeny.
"Let him keep it until we are done with the enemy,
or they with as, and we will find some other
place for it than the bushes. It is a good familiar
creature when properly used."
"I shall not take the trouble to cany it with me,
Captain," replied Victor; "my musket and cartridge
box, with my blankets, will be quite load
enough for me. I only burdened myself with it,
thus far, thinking it might be acceptable to yon."
"I thank yon, Victor; it is a refreshing surprise
to one who. like myself, has.ever delighted in the
blood of the grape. Hew, Lawrie," aid the
captain to his henchman, "plaoe it in the spring,
to grow cool while we eatand the nimble Lawrie,
who had been seated near at hand, sprang forward
to do his bidding.
"I hare another for you, Captain," saidPresoott,
drawing forth a similar bottle from his haversack,
and passing it over to the active henchman.
"Well! it never rains but it poors," responded
Captain Car berry, as be gratefully aooepted Presoott's
present "I shall reserve this until we come
out of the fight, and then we shall partake of it
together. Seek me out, boys, 'when the hurlyburly's
done,' and we shall?all of us who are aKve?take
a cup together."
"I should like to feel sure that we shall take a
glass together then," responded Victor, as he
seated himself on the ground and prepared to join
his comrades in their meaL "We should lose ourselves
in conjecture, should we attempt to guess
when, where, and under what circumstances, that
bottle shall he emptied."
"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Captain Oarberry.
('Before that oork flies, we shall have gone through
some eventful scenes in our history. A man's first
sweetheart and first battle make memorable impressions.
They are not soon forgotten."
"Well, to my notion," chimed in Giles, "it's the
last sweetheart that carries the day and wipes out
by-gones completely. When a thing is over and
done, I consider it as 'gone up the spout' "
"But, Giles," rejoined the captain, "first love is
too delicious a thing to be forgotten. I warrant
mp nnft remembers?even when his head be
gins to whiten?some pleasant, dear little school
girl," bright eyed, rosy cheeked, with a step like a
young fawn, and lips like an opening rose, that he
has not seen, perhaps, siqce he was a boy, whom
he thinks of to day with deeper and tenderer feelings
than any one he has met with in years. It
i warms the heart still, and makes you forget your
years, to think with what eagerness you looked to
catch even a glimpse of her form, and how your
heart leaped and your cheeks burued when your
eyes met There is no joy in life so sweet?no
memory so tender."
"I hardly think it worth a man's while to remember
such tom-fooleries, Captain," answered
Giles, drily.
"I think it is, Giles," replied the captain. "It
keeps a man's heart from growing old and cankered.
When onoe a man cuts himself adrift from
his youth and looks with oensorious eyes on all the
acts and feelings of his early days, retaining no
sympathy for his youthful self, he is like a girdled
tree. Thelife-giviDgcirculation is gone and Spring
is no more felt than Winter."
"At my time of life, Captain, it's nothing more
than natural, that one should be a tough old stump,"
replied Giles.
"I think not," rejoined Captain Carberry, quite
seriously. ' Tt is, on the contrary, quite unnatural..
If the tree be old and gnarled, let it still have its
tender bads and green leaves. Let them adorn
and beautify it still, while its broad shadow falls
invitingly around. Old age is a cheerless thing to
V look forward to, if none of the freshness and warm
sympathies of youth are to attend it. Better to
fall in battle in the fuD strenth of youth, riddled
with bullets, than to reach three score and ten on
such conditions. I warrant me, these youngsters
are, even now, thinking of spine fair young girl
whom they fear never to see again;" and the Captain
waved his hand significantly towards Victor
and Prescott, the former of whom colored up
deeply, while the latter only smiled at being thus
indicated. .
"As for me, Captain," said Giles, "I think
much more about where I shall next spread my
blanket for sleeping, and whether my next meal
will be half so plentiful as this, than I do about
such things. Champagne and tom-foolery of that
kind may do for boys, who hain't hardly shed their
milk teeth, bat I am a plain, matter-of-fact man,
and like something more substantial and practical.
" Yes," sneered Prescott, 4 'you are fbnd of something
practical! I remember that little practical
joke you played off" on us at Gramball's Point, and
I don't think you have altogether forgotten it
You didn't catch us with our milk teeth then?did
you?"
"Giles tamed npor the speaker, whose words
had roused alaogh at his expense; his swarthy face
darkened with sudden rage, and his brow contract- ;
ed with an angry frown. He was about to make ,
all exceedingly wrathful reply, when the attention ,
of the group was called off and h? resentment di- ,
verted by an 'incident, well calculated to hash ah- ,
giy passions, at least, for a time. The booming of ,
a oouple of guns, from the quarter from which the (
eftmnymere advancing, smote upou the ears of the i
party with the suddenness of an eleetrio shook, ,
awkiOg the hnait of emh one to leap with a start (
It canon to eaoh one aa the atern summons to a dee- ,
perate and bloody conflict All signs of wrathful- j
ness disappeared at once from the visage of Giles, ,
ae-hetaraadhis face towards the quarter from <
lUekhticMM, at so opportune a moment, the j
aocoida that had checked him in the midst' of his i
having listened, with open lips and in breathless si- ,
fence, ftr a few seconds; "the enemy are loeing do ,
torn en their mamh. That is a twelve pounder,
and but little more than ntxule off. We shall have (
it hofc and heavy in less than an hour's time. Here,
Lawriet give me my sword. How my cup?end ,
thee that bottle from the spring."
The party had all risen to their feet. Knapsacks
were gathered up* cartridge boxes buokfed on, canteens
filed and each one sought his musket from
the.tree where be had leaned it. Captain Carter
rj, who was an excessively corpulent man, for an
infinfaf oAoer, had, with the assistance of Victor, |
succeeded in bodefing on his sword hy the time {
fie henchman, Lawrie, brought the bottle from .
the spring, where it had been put to cod.
"Now, oat with your caps, men-!" cried the
captain, "and let us empty this bottle before we ,
leave. Come up, Giles?you are the oldest man, ,
and & Ettle can do you no harm. Let me fill your
cup.
If it were only apple-jack, now," said Giles,
deprecatingiy, as he approached, somewhat irresolutely,
with his cup.
"It can do you no harm, and will enable yon to
bear the fatigue of a fight all the better. You will
not have such another chanoe "until the blockade is
brokenand the Captain smiled as he spoke, and
preparing to let the oork fly, extended his hand
with the bottle, 'towards Giles.
There was a lie upon Giles' faoe. The eyes of
the sly old sinner twinkled as he stood, cup in hand,
with head slightly inclined to one ride, as if deba- ,
ting with himself the question, whether or not to
partake of a beverage against which he had just {
declaimed with such unction and seeming sincerity;
but the twinkle in his eye and the giro upon his
face, equally compounded of deprecation ana aelight,
gave the lie to his attitude of?hegitataon. In
fact, GQee had brightened up when die .bottle was
first produced, and . had internally resolved upon
extricating himself from the dilemma into which
his denunciation of the sparkling beverage had involved
him. For the sake of consistency, it was,
perhaps, necessary to show a little coy hesitation;
bat Giles did not intend, by any means, to ran the
risk of losing his glass, by carrying his coyness too
far.
" Well,'Captain," said he, stepping forward with
the air of a man who had resolved all his doubts, !
mrf W. -|i h Li.U iiwii?liiil .
than a pint?every trace of hesitation having disappeared
from his face?"I was jnst out of the
measles when it served me so badly before. I
hardly think it o&n put me in such a fix now, when
I am hearty and strong. At any rate, even if I
knew it would be the death of me, I won't refuse
to drink a friendly cap with old comrades, on the
eve of a fight."
Giles did not view "with a critic's eye," the
very liberal bumper which the Captain poured out
to htm, ~but quaffed it off with every manifestation
of delight, though, it must be confessed, he at first
attempted to sustain his opinion of the taste of the
wine, by a wry face or two, in which attempt he
most signally failed. Robin Lassitcr and Harvey
Haley also joined their Captain in a cup, but Victor
and Prescott politely declined.
_ "Why, Giles!" exclaimed Robin Lassiter, as he
wiped his lips, "you talk about such stuff making
a man drunk! To my thinking, an unweaned
child might swig it and get no harm."
"He'd a nation sight better stick to his mother's
milk, if be know's what's good for him," replied
Giles, with dry gravity.
"The enemy are firing away at a rapid rate,"
cried Captain Carbeny, as gun after gun was heard
from their quarter. "What on earth can they
be firing at? We have nothing but a handful of
scouts out there, and surely they would not waste
3o many shells on a few scattered cavalrymen 1"
"Don't you believe it, Captain," interposed
Harvey Haley. "They'd shell your grandmother's
house oat, if he appeared in their front Don't
you remember how the batteries on Folly Island,
opened on the Point, when Grim ball's old sow
t"* n?Ki rmt nf fViA hiioKm ? Thpv will shell
IA/&CVI UVi MVUV VWVV* WV ^ ?
anything, -air."
"Come, boys, it is time for us to return to the
station,'' exclaimed Captain Carberry. 1 'We shall
have our line of battle formed in ten minutes. The
enemy wDl not leave us 'much leisure, now."
"You are leaving your bottle, Captain," remarked
Harvey Haley, pointing to the unopened bottle
which the captain had deposited at the foot of the
tree, from which he had just risen.
" "True,'.' answered the person addressed; "the
firing had quite driven it from my mind. It is too
precious an article to be abandoned even in -a retreat
I shall not trouble you to carry it, Lawrie ;
you have burdens chough, my boy. I shall deposit
it in my own haversack until the fight is over,
and then it shall be drank, according to the programme,
in the presence of us three, "Victor, Prescottand
myself, of of whichever one of us may be
the survivor. God grant we may all be there.
Let us go."
Thus saying, Captain Carberry, accompanied by
* 3 1-?? j.J v:n
CQ6 group arpuna null, jcswuucu luc inn uu wvu
return to the railroad station, where the most of
the soldiers had assembled. They had scarcely
reached the top of the hill, when Colonel Giles
came riding by at a leisurely pace, calm, quiet and
unexoited, looking, for all the world, like a burly
easy-tempered fanner taking his ride around his
fields.
"Put your men in line as soon as you can," said
he to Captain Carbeny, as he passed. "The enemy
will be on us in half an hour, and I wish to get
my men in position and give them a breathing time
of a fewminutes, before coming to an engagement.
I shall have the'long roll' beaten at once."
A bugler who followed on horseback, in the steps
of the Colonel, at a nod from his commander,
sounded the signal, and forthwith the drums, some
two hundred yards off, began their stirring sounds.
The soldiers, who were generally congregated near
the 'tank,' wbioh supplied the locomotives with
water, sprang to their arms And hastened into line.
Those whp had straggled off to a distance, hurried
up to take their places by the side of their comrades.
The rolls were rapidly called, and in three
minutes' time the line was formed and ready to
move. By the orders of their Colonel, the soldiers
disencumbered themselves of their knapsacks, and
a small detail being made to guard the baggage,
the line moved briskly forward, to take the position
selected by their commander for meeting the enemy.
. The courage of the soldiers was unabated,
and notwithstanding the fearful odds against them,
they marched on confidently and eagerly to meet
the enemy, whose rapid advance was shown by a
cloud of dust that now rose close at hand.
CHAPVER m. a
Scarcely two hundred yarda, in an easterly direo- ^
tion from the took by which the engioee oa the tl
r&ilroed were supplied with water, wasim old rood ?
running from the north-east to the south-west, and *
orostaog the railroad a few hundred yaris south of
the 'junction.' Interacting this road it an acute *?
ingle, it led down, through a hilly and broken tb
soon try, to a crossing over Swift Creel:, by which fe
the city of Petersburg was approached. Into this "j
earth road the enemy were about to debauch, along &
the road which led from their landing place on the ba
river, which entered it at nearly right itngels. A- >
long this road, Colonel Giles formed his Hoe of bat- &
tie, and stood awaiting the approach of the enemy, ti
Ihe road bed had, by long travel, been worn down ?
into the soil, and it was skirted on either ride by a h
thin straggling growth, such as will spring up
along old fence tracks, which have been long neg-7 ft
looted. As the batallion filed into Kno along the tl
road, they found themselves in a depression of a- w
bont two or three feet, and the protection which the ai
sunken road afforded them, was still further in- h
creased by * straggling growth of null oaks that tl
? * __ -* At- ?n j? .iij. ?
grew on me tine ox uw nu nun*, iwihw nwui B'
they were'drawn np. Before them wan an irregu- til
lar clearing extending from three to fi re hundred h
Tarda, through whioh, in attacking their position, tl
the enemy must advance without- shelter or pro- ft
tection, save such as was afforded by a. few stag- d
ling old field pines, that dotted the clearing here q
and there. Towards the left, yet very nearly in
front, was. a-low bottom with a dispersed and tl
scanty growth of spreading pines running up to the k
foot of high and heavily wooded hifin, sweeping ?
away semi-ciroularly to the right, ths crests of *|
which afforded admirable positions from which u
the enemy's batterifes might open upon them with a
terrible effect. The whole line of hills 'ires skirted ft
below, with a dense growth of 'old-field pines,' from it
the dense shelter of which they looked soon to see ft
the gleaming bayonets of the enemy emerge, as u
they advanced to the charge across the open field, ft
, For several minutes, in silence and suspense, the tl
battalion awaited their ooming, and the thoughts oi
of many a young soldier were busy amid thesoenes si
of home, which rose up before him with a peculiar tl
distinctiveness and vividness, in that hour when life g
and hope lay trembling in the balance. v<
Oh! how doubly dear to one about to imperil g
his life, on the distant battle-field is the retired u
and humble home far away, where so roany sweet p
recollections of childhood and boyhood (luster! It d
may be an humble and unadorned spot to smaQ A
his memory travels back, bat, inthatfttefol hour* b
every tree that shelters his childhood's home) *
every dinging vine and flowering shrub tint re- w
sponds to the gentle warmth and invigorating tl
Bhowers of Spring-^the stream where he swam,
and each remembered spot where he loved to stray m
with his boyhood's friends?rise up before him in- y,
vested with charms they never possessed before. a
Perhaps, too, while he stands in the sinned line, b
each moment expecting the low marmor around a
him to be swallowed up in the din ami clamor of m
battle, and whilst his eager eyes are seinning the ft
copse in front, from which he looks to the hoe- ?
tile line emerge like a dan, angry dnid, some v
soft, sweet face seems to steal before his vision?the a
loving face of a sister, full of the sweetest aodholi- n
est aBection that man may everTroow; or, perhaps, ft
that of one whose eye awakens a tumult of stronger h
emotions in bis breast. All the tender and endear- n
ing sympathies that give a charm to life and hind n
him to existence, crowd in upon him and. he feels? ti
as he never before felt?the otter insignificance of
all those trials and discomforts which, in ordinary a
times, swell up into such magnitude, and he real- d
izes that with all its pains and perplexities, and g
mortifications, life is still full of blessedness and en- f<
joyment. b
The battalion?this thin, extended line of six ^
hundred devoted men?had not long held its posi- j
tion, when, across the open field, the oolnmns of a
the enemy appeared in front, emerging from the Q
shadow of the woods, and forming rapidly in order ^
of battle. Two regiments were, plainly discovered, ^
thrown out right and left, under cover of the ^
woods, where a casual opening permitted them to
be seen. Here, however, they disappeared, and
their movements were hidden from sight; hut n
a shade of anxiety settled upon thofiice of the
brave Colonel Giles, as he detected the manoeuvre
and contemplated the probability of being attacked ^
simultaneously on both flanks and in front, by the ^
overwhelming masses of the enemy, .Ajb quick m ,
thought he rode up to the line, and detiehing two
companies, gave orders that they should be thrown
out on the flanks and deployed as skirmishers, to ,
meet the threatened attack of the enemy. This
movement had scarcely been carried out, when the
whole field in front was darkened by the masses of c
the enemy, advancing at a quick step, to the at- ^
tack. At the same time, a glimpse was caught of ^
a battery of the enemy, moving to take up their
position on a wooded eminence, somewhat to the Z
left of the Confederate line, and scarce lialf a mile
distant. A glimpse was caught, now and then, as
their road wound over the hills, of here a caisson
or gun, around which, clustered the enemy's artillerymen,
rendered the more conspicuous by their ^
red facings, moving steadily and Rapidly on, to open 01
their fire upon the devoted line, that had not a gun J*
to hurl back its angry and defiant answer. Sud- .
denly, a lone and solit&iy soldier appeared, in front "
of the left extremity of the line, pausing for a moment
irresolute, and undecided, and standing as if ?
he had just emerged from the ground.
Instantly a cry rang along the lines from those
who had discovered his approach, bat hesitated to "
fire until orders should be given. "
"I will give him my blessing, any way!" ex- p
claimed Giles, leaving the sunken rood, and resting u
his musket upon the fence, for greater accuracy in
his aim. Here, goes! boys. I will open the ball? "
music; or no music!" b
Giles rested his elbow upon the fence, itnd taking b
deliberate aim, fired. b
The soldier slowly turned his face in the direc- u
tion from whence the 6hot had come, and began f<
deliberately retreating, keeping his face still to his n
foes. A half score of men, without waiting orders '<
from their officers, leaped forward to the fence, and
| hurriedly leveling their muskets, opened upon the o
retreating enemy who had now nearly jjained the s;
cover of the woods. As the last gun was fired, he v
gallantly touched his cap and, giving a military h
lute, turned and entered the wood. w
By this time, the line of the enemy had ap- e
preached within three hundred yards of our small o
band of Confederates, when Colonel Giles, who h
had continued to ride leisurely and coolly along his n
line, ordered his men to take their position along a
the fence, and sheltering themselves as well as they a
were able, to open their fire upon the enemy when fa
they could do so with effect tl
At this moment, the batteries of the enemy hav- t
ing taken up their position, began to open.their o
fire upon them from the wooded hill, a little to the a
left of their front, but their shells flew by unheeded o
and unnoticed. Their whole attention was oocu- fa
pied by the enemy in their front, who continued to
advance rapidly and steadily with fixed bayonets, b
preceded by a formidable line of skirmishers. Save o
the steady and rapid step of the enemy, and the u
firing of the batteries, not a sound was heard., u
Even the breathing of' those who awaited them a
was hushed, in that moment of terrible suspense, a
The dark, dense lines of the enemy swept on, the r
grass rustling beneath their feet, and the ground tl
trembling under their tread, as they came on like t
Mack waves of the sea rolling upon the shore, p
driven by the tempest. If there was a craven in tl
iq line that awaited their onset, hit heart in cut (
iv? daad within him, and, in that awftil paoae 1
tat preceded the shook, he moat have experienced
i agony ^ suffering aodfeer, irwuMwwhht in
ocda,
The spell tint fear oaats around its wretched viems,
is more drusd and agonising than any which
te magiritn or pecromanoer can weem It is no
rporof the intellect or mere low of voHtiou that
apoees upon him a sense of nftring each as die
ideoos and distorted fancies of the night-mare
rag. With any. inteHecutoal faculty aroused
id active, and every paaakm absorbed in the one
spaded fading of ftar, he undergoes pangs a
Knxsandftld more keen than thoeoof death, scorn-,
if sad despising himself becanse he know* not
dw to dl j with oouznge, or to fiw without shame.
Bat the Hne shmak not iwtbe preseooe of the
w that same en so osdUMj/hd with munbem
mt thieatened to swaiesr them np. Not a voice
as beard from their maks) as they lay with fiery
ad eager eyes awaiting the fear&l trial of mannntPa
ImiHI ifirihlttM. ?wl ximolp ?Ani<i
kemaeftres if tbcqr oould, for* moment, hold their 1
round against umbers so very far superior to
?b own. ; like roar of the battery on thehill, <
m?ng down its shot and shells, was to them as "
ie earth that broiled unheededjy 'beneath the 1
et of the armies that fboght, a long summer's 1
ly, by the quiet waters of the land-looked Thra- i
rmene. Haey heard Hnot?they heeded it not 1
There was no word of command given. Even '
lenroAoen stood sflent and voieefem in that boor, 1
> foil of fkta. No snmdwas attend until the \
lerny had advanced, in Us eoafidenee, to within
?ut two hundred yards of the fton, and then,
i if each one una animated by a eemmou impulse, 3
fleroe and well-directed in burst out along the
tie, and a wild and defeat yell told that the spir- 1
s of the Southern boyi vh nnawed by the ftar- |
il odds agmnst them. The enemy seemed startled 1
ad shocked by As radian banting loath of the *
re that had haded w many of their number to J
ie earth, hut responding to the appeals of their '
leers, they stood their ground bravely, and entered
the rixrats erf the Confederates with a volley j
rat tore through the fenoe, splintering the rails 1
i lightning splinters the pine. As volley after '
alley from etch side vat delivered, the smoke 1
red nally formed n dense cloud between the oonmding
parties, and settling in the humid atmoa- J
here of that still Spring evening, by like n dark
oud inwwmndy Hg^ated npby flashes of lightning. |
wrin and acain the enemy attempted to charge, |
atthe individuality and herobia of the Southron ;
deck in the pine of * hob, and the baffled foe
ere repeatedly driven back by the murderous fire
iat was poured into their ranks. 1
Colonel Giles, aa may well be oottfeotumd, had i
ot witnessed the charge of the enemy without 1
ary serious misgivings as to the result All the J
meequenoaa of a panic, and of a disgraceful and |
eadbog root ware praaent to his mind. Mounted
s horseback, he roderiowfy along his line to rewore
his men and oheek the first symptom of oonision
or yielding that might appear. His thoughts
ere as painful as those of a gallant offioer can be
hen he isfbroed to sotyeot his command to an 1
rdeal, trying erea to the eocmge of Veteran ho-'
ms. But, when their first volfey was defraud,
(flowed by the hearty aiuf enthusiastic cheers of
is small band, he felt that whatever superior
ambers might ultimately effect, the honor and
iputation of his command would be amply bus- 1
lined. Rising in his stirrups he waved his sword
od answered the cheers of his brave men, while?
nd it shames us not to record it?the relief of his
eeply taxed feelings found expression in tears,
eeing the animation and gallantry of his qieu, he
sit no hesitation in leaving them, for awhile, to
asten to another part of the field, where he felt
is presence would soon be still more necessary,
lot one member of his staff had accompanied him,
od as it was requisite that orders should be tnuwlitted
from point to point, with celerity and
romptitude, he called upon Captain Carberry, to
etui some suitable man of .his company to act as
iscourier.
"Hallo, Victor, my good fellow," cried the Captin
to Victor, who stood a few feet distant ramting
down a cartridge?"step here if you please."
Victor came forward, begrimmed with smoke,
od Was informed that Colonel Giles wished him
) mount a horse instantly, and follow him. A
lort distance to the rear of the fine, Sdpio, the
ody servant of Colonel Giles, , was keeping a
rople of spare horses in waiting for his master's 1
se. Victor was directed to mount one of these .
orses, and rejoin the CfoloneL 1
The sable hostler's thoughts contemplated no
itastrophe in battle, as equal in importance and
lagnitude to the Ion of the dumb creatures, his 1
aily companions, that bore bis master through the 1
azards and perils of the fight His eyes opened <
vie with annrehension and interest when :
rictor, hastening up on foot, made a requisition
poo him for a spare horse, in the Colonel's name.
I tell 'em so?I bin know it dis marnin', Mass i
1c, when I gib him his corn and he torn his head
iro or. tree times an' look at me 1 I know if he
xild talk he bin say?'Brudder Soip, dis oorn no
se to me I What use I hab for 'em when yanees
gwine for kill me dead 'fore night?' I see it1
i his eye den, mass Vic. It's de Lord's trute I
now den, sarten and sure, dat poor Remus nebowine
for come back any more! Which way de
ullet hit him, mass Via"
"He is not killed yet, Scip," replied Victor, as
e finished Ibis work of adjusting the stirrups to
be proper length and gathered up the reins to
lount. "If it is your master'shorse you are speak>g
of, he issafe bo far." " ' J
"Git away, mass Via" cried- Scipio, bestowing,
i the gladness of his heart, a blow upon Victor's j
ack with his open palm, and bursting into a wild
lugh. "I sway, (swear) mass Vie, you make my
eart leap rite into my treat! What you scare
le so for? I knowyankee bullets never-gwine
)r kill Remus. Yah! yah! yah t But look here
lass, if Remus ain't killed, what masserwant wid
ulipse?"
Without pausing to reply to the eager enquiry
f the anxious Scipio, Viotor gave the reins to the
pirited steed, and applying a touch of the heel,
r&s soon by the side of Colonel Giles, who at once
urried away to watch the issue of the attack
rhioh was about being made on his flanks. Threatned
on both flanks, it was a matter of vital oonern
to encourage the handful of brave men who
nd Kapm fhwiwn rmt to meet the shook of the ene- :
ay, to sustain their position until he could cheek
nd dishearten the masses of the enemy who were
ttacking him in front. Acoompauied.by Victor, <
e galloped rapidly away to the left, and deploying
he Company which had been thrown out to prosot
that flank, in a semi-circular line, gare them
rders to conceal themselves, as far as practicable,
nd to gall the enemy, as soon as he came in range
f their position, by an unexpected and well subrined
fire.
The sun was now setting in the west, and the
rave offioer so sorely beset by the countiess horoes
f the enetny, only hoped to prolong his resistance
ntil the shades of evening should enable h?w> to
rithdrsw his force, with some tolerable degree of
ifety. The steady and rapid firing along hfsfine,
nd the hearty cheers of his men, gave him assuuoe
that so long as their flanks were protected,
bey would maintain their position to the last .exre
mi ty. He had barely rime to deploy rim oomany
assigned to the left Jbofc, so as to protect
bem as far as posrible bytfcenattnal ooveis which
he locality afforded, when the flanking party (
he tammy appeared moving across the thiol
rooded bottom, which ioterrened between his p<
sitiou and the wooded hill, wham the battery <
he enemy was posted. Guided by the firing froi
he main line, they oame on rapidly in full am
lanoe of the success of their manoeuvre, nnoot
(otoos of the dispcM&on that had been'made to n
aire them. They had advanced within a few rod
nrhen the detachment that lay awaiting then
poured in a fire well-aimed and deliberate, thatwi
?fatal as unexpected. Their ranks wore thinne
iad broken by the discharge, and rootling froi
he deadly rolling fire which still continued to thi
heir fine, the greater portion of them fled to tb
?ver of the wood, lie remainder were great!
lemorafiaed, and though they at length goffideni
y reoovered from their panic to return the fire,:
km delivered so wildly, and ih each confusion, thi
heir shots were, for die most part, thrown away
irhSe the Son there boys, raising their wild yd
sprang forward from cover to cover, and hocomin
in tarn the aamOants, thinned their ranks fea
fully.
Victor was, in the meantime, dispatched wit
wdere to the officer in command of the skirmisl
ing party that had been thrtwn out to protect tb
right flank. Being ordered to make a detour I
the right, in order to avoid the bullets of the em
my who were making theattaok in front, he passe
dong a depression of the ground, about one hoi
lied yards to the rear of the line, where the Coi
federates were so gaDantly maintaining the eon tee
Just above his head flew the bullets of die enem
vith a fierce Hiss Hke molten lead spattering upo
irater. A shell from the battery of the enemy ei
ploded in the sir quite near, scattering its fan
meats around him, bat he prestod on to carry h
orders through to the skirmishers on the right, h
fore the enemy should have engaged them. Hai
ing paand through this hollow?where a thi
growth of old-field pines grew?hecroesed the tun
pike a couple of hundred yards to the right of th
Confederate hne, and hen, ascending a hill eovere
with oaks and rhododendrons, he bore slightly i
the left, each moment expecting to come upon th
fine of skirmishers. He poshed his way throng
the forest until, at hut, he had gone so far from tl
annt whom tha firhfc was in nrosress. that the 001
notion forced itself upon him that be had miase
the detatchment of which he was in search, on
had gone beyond them. He paused a moment i
thought, and rightly conjecturing that a detacl
ment would not hare been pushed forward so fi
from the flank it was designed to cover, he retrace
his coarse.
He had gone scarcely a hundred paces on hisn
torn, when, in an opening of the forest, he can
suddenly upon the head of a regiment, whose lit
of march intersected the route he was pursuinj
Suddenly emerging from the cover of the wood
he found himself in a few feet of the leading file
To his surprise and horror, he discovered that
was a regiment of the enemy with which he four
himself face to face! He was so close upon then
before he was aware of their presence, that
would have been a most desperate step to attem]
to escape. Quick as thought he rode boldly np 1
the commanding officer with a confident air.
"What Regiment is this?" demanded be, wit
an air of authority.
"The ?rd Massachusetts, Major Grigsly i
command," replied the officer, seemingly astoun<
ed at the sodden encounter.
"The General's compliments to you, Major, wit
orders to withdraw in all haste. He has just a
oertained that the enemy is present in foroc, an
that, while flankitfe them, you are exposed to e
attack in flank and rear, by an overwhelming fore
Your situation here is extremely critical, and tl
whole line is to be withdrawn. I must now can
orders to the regiments that are engaged."
Thus saying, Victor sainted, and without awai
ing question or reply, pressed on at full gallop, i
the direction of the enemy's line, where the firir
was heavy. He was scarcely out of sight, howei
er, when, taming to the left, he hastened inseait
of the detachment to whioh he had been sent wil
orders. In a few minutes he had the good forttu
to come upon them, closely sheltered in the wocm
some four-score yards to the right of the poii
where he had entered it Hastily recounting i
the officer in command, the startling adventu
which had jost befallen him, he urged him to moi
forward, and by a spirited attack on the fiankii
party, to increase their apprehensions of beii
surrounded and attacked by a superior force. H
suggestion was promptly put in execution. Tl
cautious, but brave and alert officer, at onoe set h
men in motion, and gnided by Victor, soon can
up with the regiment of the enemy falling ba<
upon their main body. A wild yell and a few w<
directed shots, made them fearful-of being attacl
ed and overwhelmed by superior forces, and throi
ing aside everything that could impede their fligh
their retrograde movement was converted into
wild and shameful rout. Hie panic extended i
self to the lines that were engaged. Twilight w;
deepening on the field when the enemy discovert
^A kaJ Kami varuillni
urn ULK3 UI UUJ IllUHIHg JMluvg uau wvu v^vuvn
and the other put to a shameful root. A cry pass*
along the lines that they were themselves about i
de flanked by superior forces. Just at this oppo
tune moment, a portion of the Confederate lin
carried away by their ardor and impetuosity at
no longer under the control of their officers, leapt
over the fence with a yell and went charging don
upon the enemy. The line before them, seize
with a panic, wavered and broke; and then was pr
sen ted the strange spectacle of thousands fleeir
across the field pursued by some five or six htu
dred half-disciplined men, whose darkening figure
in the dim twilight seemed, to the fear-stricken fi
gitives, a countless host of merciless avenger
The pursuit continued a few hundred yards, ar
the flashing of the muskets of the pursuers, i
they fired volley after volley, Ht up the gloomit
sky and the shadowy field with a lurid light Tt
wild cries of rage and fear, and the shrieks of tl
agonized sufferers who foil wounded on the plaii
and in the wild oontortions of anguish, breathe
out imprecations or cried aloud for mercy, seeme
to come from phantoms of bell, into whose fearf
state shuddering humanity was permitted to tai
an awful glimpse.
It was Victor's first battle-field, and a sense i
? liim au Vio oaf nn Tiiu honw hv tl
awe vouiu v?v4 *?< ?
borders of the wood, and looked down through tl
deepening twilight upon the flitting figures and tl
flashes of musketry, that brought out in strong r
lief, like fitful gleams from an angry cloud, tl
strange figures of excited men and the dark mas?
of shadowy trees that, here and there, dotted tl
field. Theshoutsof triumph and exultation, mini
ling with the shneks and groans of the wounde*
came to his ears, like sounds that stupefy the sei
ses in those uneasy dreams that visit the coucb i
the disturbed and fevered sleeper. Carried aws
by his ardor and enthusiasm, he had seized tl
musket of a disabled soldier, and, on horse-bac
still, joined in the pursuit of the fugitives. Fin<
ing himself entangled in the wood, he bore to tl
left and soon emerged intb the open field whei
the chief contest was going on. Coming sudden!
upon a group of men who had made a temponu
halt tinder a low and wide-spreading pine, at
were re-loading their muskets; at a loss to kno
whether they were friends or foes, yet doubting a
that it m a detached squad of the Confederal
iu pursuit of the enemy, h^ rode confidently, fe
want and asked to what regiment they belongs
There was silence for a moment, when (me of tl
i. -
? party stepping torwara, near ms mm neta, n
y torted the enquiry.
> "Not so fkst, my good friend," said tie spokei
if man of the party. "There, am fir* of of, and yw
n are bat one; fiat answer oqy question?1wbatregi
i- merit do you belong to?"
h Victor vm, ibr a moment, oomplatriy tahm a
back.
la "I am a loyal soldier," repHed ha, partying th
i, direct question of the party, in his dears to gai
is time. /. t . ..
d "Yes, no doubt of that; we are all loyal soldien
d ibr that matter," interposed another one of th
n group, coining forward and taking bis place a
e Victor's right band, between hia stirrup and bridl
y bit?"we an all loyal enough?but to .what ar
\r you loyal?"
it "To our lag, of oouree," replied Victor, with
it choking sensation; for, to bit amaaement-^-M
; horror too?in the last speaker he recognised tb
1, voice of the notorious Michael Walsh, while era
g in the gloomy twilight, bis eyes were able to dL
r- .tingoiah the savage and brutal features of tha
malignant bong who hated him with vindictiv
h animosity, litis discovery, however, was of son
i- adyantage to Victor, since he now knew, bepoo
ie all doubt, that the party before him were his e?
o mies. It gave Wm a chie to their iharaoter whi]
' - 1 U? 1 J - Kly.rfM 4
3- OB oimwa wis iitmwim, mm wmm m* huh \j <
d practice whatever deception upou them he migt
i' see fit to practice. It contributed no little to hi
i- success in deoeiving them, that he wore a figft
L blue overcoat, each as thoee with which the Fee
y end soldiers were generally famished. Fearful <
o being recognized by the savage outlaw, who seeme
c- intently peering into hit face to distinguish hi
p. features, he drew hiaslooched hat down yet fie
is thar over his hraw, aa he- replied to his snamhia
j- interrogatory. ... r
"Which flag do you mean?there an two <
a them, you know?" again questioned Walsh, pee
i- ing still more inquisitively into Vkm's face, an
ie laying his hand?yet so quiet^ as if it seeme
d merely for support?upon hisbridle reina
x> . "My own flag, of comae,", answered Vietoi
ie somewhat tartly; for he was now even mm en
h pentad than alarmed by the threatening attitod
ie of affiuTB, and at the presumption of the outlaw;
i- laying his hand upon his bridle. Knowing, ti
d partytobeepemies, be might easily, byafalsehoor
d have extricated himself from his dilemma f bufci
n scorned a falsehood as one of the basmt apd mq
i. degrading acts to which a man ean stoop. "lai
u* a Federal soldier I" would have removed all difi
d eulties from his way, bat he had been trained t
tell the truth and his tongue refused the utters*
j. of a falsehood. As he spoke, his quick earb <k
^ tected the tread of men hurrying up ffotntbe j*sr
ie whom he conjectured to be his oompatriots in p?
. suit of the enemv. Readv to declare tiimmlf ill
^ equivocally on their appearanoe, he fofe theneca
6 sity of temporising until they should come uj
it "I am loyal to my flag," repeated Victor; "be
4 remove your hand atonoe ftouuay bridle Tsha
permit no such threat as that from fiaeud or foe.
it "Fire on him, men.! I fcpow him, no*,"?*
3t Waifch excitedly. UI know his face aod his voic<
^ He i? o rebel and a spy to boot"
With a motion so sudden that it toot, the speal
v er by surprise, lmhamiafliaMl
ln ing.his flank with his heel, caused him to leap sue
2 denly forward. Walsh was nearly overthrown b
the unexpected movement, and to save himse
k from being rode down and trodden under foot, b
' was obliged to release his hold on Victor's bridk
[(j while his musket was knocked from his grasp b
the pluoge of the horse.
in The attention of Walsh's comrades was, at tb
ie moment, engaged by a group of men hurrying u
to the spot, in pdrsuit There was no time for d
7 lay. Casting a glance of ahum towards the ne
comers, whose dark skracbedhateshowedtavrbk
party they belonged, they sprang off under tl
In shadow of the low branching pine, and were- soc
,g out of sight In a few seconds, however, a bolli
? from the direction in whieh they had fled, alb
*r catting off s few smalt twigs of the pine, whizzc
harmlessly by Victor's head. Walsh, too, hi
*e dashed off with his comrades, not venturing an a
' tempt to recover his fallen musket. - *
Victor turned to the new comers, and amr at
glanoe thai they were members of the regiment I
re which he belonged. *
re ' "Here go a squad of the enemy* boys!" cried b
lg pointing out the retreating fugitives. "Give the
? a volley 1"
13 At the same time, he leaped to the ground ai
ie leveling his^nuaket fired with as accurate ii av
LS as the deepening shadows of evening permittei
J? There were some six or eight in the group of Co
* federate soldiers, who had so opportunely oome c
' the scene, and these were not slow in following h
*' example. They fired in rapid succession, and b
*' fore the smoke cleared away, a volley wae return*
ltl by the fugitives.
a "I shall, at any rate, see what damage your 1
?" ring has done," exclaimed Victor, throwing hln
self into bis saddle and following in the directic
^ taken by the fogitivea ' He. had not gone mar
rods when be came upon two forms, not* mar
yards apart, lying upon the ground. The one ha
fallen upon his face and lay still and mntirmina
r" His attitude and unnatural quiet were painfhl
e' suggestive of his fate. Victor dismounted, as
' turning the body over, gased into the face, almo
** hoping it might 'prove that of his old enem;
ro Walsh. The features were those of an unknow
id stranger, and the body was quite cold Leadic
e. his horse by the bridle, he approached the spc
where the other was lying.
As he approached the Bpot, the poor creator*
a' raising his hands in supplication, turned on him
s> wildly entreating eye and tittered a whispered pc
a- tition for his life.
s. "My poor fellowt" said Victor, tenderly stoopin
, j over him to examine his wound and ascertain
he conld do anything for his relief?''this is n
mere scratch : you are very badly wounded."
"I know that,"-said the/wounded man. in
ie faint whisper, "but worse wounds get well ]
le will be a good six weeks, I fear, heme I am up
a, but worse wounds than mine get well"
l(j "I hope yon will do well," replied Yictort wl
i saw at a glance, that the wound,, which was in th
. left side, where one or two ribs were badly sphate
111 ed, was of a most dangerous character. "I wi
te pat yoar cartridge-box under your head, and oovc
you with your blanket, until the surgeon takes yo
in charge."
"I wul be a long time in getting weDj I know,1
said the wounded man in the same faint whispei
ie and then, after a long pause, he turned his*ey
ie upon Viotor, and said. Don't you think so ?"
e- "I fear it will be a very long time," replied "Vic
ie tor, iq a grave manner, end in a very sad tone
for his unprofessional eye slw that the wound Wl
38 beyond the aid of surgical skill
16 tlI shall get a furlough, though, at last?mayb
?- my discharge^-and go home. I will br so glad t
1, see home-again. It isn't a fioe pkoft?only a k
i- cabin?but then it,is home?home?home!
don't mind my wound so much when I think ho
pleasant it will be to reach home again, and leav
y Ellen and my little Katie no more. Bear wife an
16 dear daughter?I ought never to have left them.'
k "Do you not wish a drink of water?" aske
1- Victor, who found the pulse of the wounded ma
ie growing very feeble. . .
re "Wul you give inesome?" asked the poor felfoi
. eagerly. "I would give half my money for' on
* drink/' - - *
7 "I will fill your canteen for yxm, and place it I
k! your side," said Victor, companionate^ tad fi
w ling; the canteen of the soldier from ha own. ,1
at gently raised his head and applied it Jtp hie hp
M As the wounded man. after aoopiooe draught, su
fered his head to a&k back upon his rude'piflov
r~ Victor wad startled by a'voice dose at hand. - >
i "Hallo, there, comrade! you will bedxamkea*
ie edfir that, if you don't share with me gold an
' V W 1 1 ?
h gniirtiiBrtla/SaklwIulii i ilji f I in Uo
edge of the wood.
ed !" muttered Michsel wS, oontnJS^toTnove
off to the edge of the wood, bat a few peoeaatiB
tent^ from which he had joet eteqpd t ^
B Victor.
"YaawoaU herwftted quok tooiA Victor
(j Garoett," answered the hanh raiee of Walsh,
? 'W wifewt* jri. ttp,if^laAftmjoat
I too*
human netor' well aaoMfr to he sore of that
? You are a fine fellow, end pre one A feirWtnung.
I am not quite ao good eg that You shall feel m?
d word shaBgive joa WJtfmg of ittcooA^.'1'
g dn*m(rvpoQ flUM MBDIIL
j He remained sBeotor stole awayfrom the spot,
where he^^bj^b^ ind^d^h^jer f^the ^
wi^ which k offiwt is erer ae ocepri
Uh^eeamormaemooffflwksto tfeefittgrydJ
thepmrefremlue boeoa *to* hehadkwt it
J a^ftw^aedgf^it^inhLiW
ie .'Eyep if I fft^th^ehaU^rob m^J^hall
0 sky disappeared before hit w&oderins butsearch
fattiatiSklSrft'vssW &jnta*Siw death flat
5- ms ateaW udoq iSlT
rt wings who bad swooped down to touch him with his
n guide the
? Victor, with a sigh, tamed away and left the
'^^mo^^Thaaje*agstoT^aag EBen and
t- Katw,*io tbear-fiia?4foottage, at thathoosv-tlriak*'
oiomcD^caine sighing orer the hamble dwelling,
L' whispenng among the tree-tops as it pasrod?
7 "NxVZEMOEE! NKVELMOar!"
If
? i JUSTICES WI1XA&D AND HOGE.
\ The Colombia eorrespondeot of the Charleston
y Nam furmahes the subjoined fetches of A. H.
WiBard and Solomon Hoge, recently dented Asso
date Justices of iheSoprame Govt of Sooth CarB
otitta:
P "Th? aoteoadentiof GoLA.fi. WiHnd, whahu
e- been Ajp tot the Am yeff' term, are nmiished
w in the following stetcbvfbr~ which* am indebted
h teone flf his fneodf .
^ -He was bom in. Albany, N. Y., is 1822, and
m consequently is fcftyaix yean of age. Commen"
dngthe study of the law in 1842, under Hop. Wilrt
Ha Ball, then ^ttorney-Genenu at the State, he
sr was admitted to piietioe in the (Sty of New York
d in 1845. In 184# be was appointed Aawstant.
a Counsel of the corporation of New York, under
, Judge Davies, now Chief Justioe of the. Court of
Appeals of New York. During the four years in
which-Cob WiHard thus- serted, questions of the
* grareet character^ growing out of the changes of
to; She constitution, iad inrolring large interests,
idaiifta4 his attention. It wwit tbi? tmw that
? mode of ^procedure adopted, were tried' erjTeri,
mentally and applied to practical afeira. -Deprived
d offeiaoffioem 1849 by the election of d Demterst,
m he formed a eopartoership with Peter B". Sweeny,
i a-well known politician of New York, and with
, him was engaged in many of the most important
undwiakin^ ttahow- foot?eoch, for mrtunn, as
the preaent City Bailway system, the enhrgament
M of the Batter? and other looal improvement*. La- *
- ?? iin ?)ia nf. law with
sr 6CT n?y WttB ubwumw ?U t y ..
d the present Judge MoaeD, or the New York Supreme
Court, and Judge Howe, an appointee of
s Hen. Sheridan in New Orieaoft
In November, 1864, be joined the army, re*"
eehred a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel or the
10 35th oohred troopar?the eeoood regiment that ?n7
tend Charleston, after its falL Soon afterwards
j Colonel WiBard was. appointed Judge Advocate,
d and in that capacity tried Mi?h Crawford, Keys,
, Byrem andfitowein?aoaaeyetfiashin the rsoolr"
Isctioo of the people. In 1866 he toft the service,
v audio July, 1867, was selected as Solicitor of the
? Second Mffitaiy District, and to take chaige of the
rt Boreaa of Civil Affairs, which position be has oo7,
copied tifl the present time,
n Id person, Colonel Willard is not an uncanny
ig looking being. He has a soft brown, peaceful eve,
>t that' twinkles with genuine "cnteness," a race
which corresponds handsomely with two hondred
;, pounds of flesh, six feet high, and a broad, fag
a bead, ooveied with grayish brown hair. SfaBfof
i- this hides his month, and is pendant.to th6 breast?
a right good heard for children to play with. He
g is a right good talker, argues with the moot voluu.
Be equanimity, don'tloeehis temper, and is never
10 mqrehapjfty yum when 'discoursing on one-of his
pet theories. of which he has more than yon can
a shake a stick at The chief concern of his friends
[t is that, when on the bench, such will be the voli;
canic'eruption of his ideas in making a decision,
' that neither the Chief Justice dot the poor attor>o
neys will be able to tell where 4he law begins or
te Republicanism ends "
r- * Solomon L. Hoge, the Associate Judge, who
11 is elected for the two years' term, is a captain and
sr brevet major io the Sixth Infancy, and Acting Inu
apeotor-General of the Freedmen's Bursas for
onth Carolina. He watbonrth Logan County,
" Ohio, but his mother una a Janoey, of Loudon
r, County, VW Most of his kindred now live ie that
e State. The weO-kaqprt) Rev. Dr. Hoge, of BSeh"
mood, is his cousin. The Captain is a remarkably
J- young mho to fiu so solemn a position as that to
; which he has been elevated, befog only thirty-two
a [years of age, tad will probably find tt to
arawafeoe written over with much woridjy expee
rieooe down to that punctflious end tuna-hoooied
o shape which makes aJudge look so swfbt His
fknowledge of the law is confined to praotieefe Logan
County and in Cincinnati ^008 1858, when he
w graduated, untfi the war.whew he entered the
e army. As a judge-advocate he haa-had some eid
perieoce in mflrtary law Ibd praotice, but his re''
oMt transfer from the army to the bench proper,
n HowS? weiTnr'tn^wi^ki^Vn''',Jnfatl^il^rinn^rwn'
tine? to put hiuvin hsok, what ngBhinaqrin three
w days maguetrted enough of the Ljgislatuie to see
eure the office for him, are questions that still disturb
the astonished outriders.
J Pobtioaiiy, constitutionally sad chronically, CapK
tain Hogs is said to be a OeasMr^t, akhooghmost
* of theXedmembommistook Wfcra^licaL
a He informs me.that he iswpswMbwk- Has been
f- ^^five timea^ts a free hver, apd,like^fcis^col