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ing, and dull and cold must be the bosom that does not leap quicker at the thought that he belongs to this grand whole. Ralph felt a thrill of exultation as he realized that he was a part and parcel of the men who were massed on the bank of the Potoma

r in that region the winter is late. Many were the openly sp

boats to carry us over. With all due respect to General McClellan, I think he's made a great big mistake, as General Stone will find to his cos

at battery, getting it up the bluf

th prodigious exertion his heart felt heavy, and he,

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onel Baker was given entire command of all the troops. Then began a desperate and gallant attempt, which the Confederates met, dashing out from the timber, and though the Federals

eir ground gallantly, and returned the fire with spirit. Suddenly an officer riding a splendid horse, whose snowy sides were covere

t last he should meet the enemy in an open fight. But he was met by a fierce onset of the Confederates, who came on with tremendous force. Like a solid wall they met

esperate courage rescued the body of their dead commander, and conveyed it to the island. At once the rout began, and the Union forces were driven back, dow

, plunged into the river, whose rapid current overwhelmed them, and to their shrieks as they drowned, was added the rapid firing of the Confederates on the cli

to a boat, which was quickly filled, and as quickly sunk with every soul. A captain in the Fifteenth Massachusetts came to the rescue of the fleeing Federals, with two

had been heavy. Over five hundred soldiers had been captured by the Confederate

eived a ball in the breast, and had fallen dead. Seizing the flag from his stiffening fingers, Ralph rushed to the front, and held it manfully, throu

mrade whose arm was more powerful, he bade him to "protect it from capture." T

n men were fleeing, pursued closely by their enemy, who wounded them with muskets and swords, as they ran. The agonized shrieks of those who met

f leaves and brush, that half hid him from observation. How long he lay in this stupor he could not tell, but when he became conscious of the dreadful place he was in, he slowly struggled to his feet, half-dazed and bewildered. His first thought was to wonder where Bill was. He re

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among the dead lying here?" he

ld in the twilight, he stumbled over the body of a boy. Kneeling dow

Arlington!-he i

he was not wounded, but he feared his ankle was sprained. "I

t think it would be so

th such force against that old stump that I fai

ink it is. How are you going to ri

k. But why are you here? Don't you know you are

Ralph spoke

after you. They're coming back to bury the dead. Of course

d not come home to him till then; he lo

ivined hi

wim that stream here. Th

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orrors of captivity stared him in the face. He thought at that instant, of

the advantage he had over Ralp

voice and you'd be sur

ow; I thought you knew nothin

I joined the Southern army the next

never be silenced. "Do

blow I had was when they carried my father home dead, and I asked

He knew not what to say. But Charlie recovered himself soon, and contin

blurted out. "He wouldn't see

e, and he felt confident of his ability to rescue him

hem, stretched lengthwise of a fallen tree, lay Bil

's right. Unless we can get away in a very big hurry, he can land us both in the rebel camp, and then it'll be all

ame Charlie if he does take me. But

ies. This is not a personal affair, at all. But just the sam

unded, and will be carried to prison, t

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guns gave out, for I felt a little dizzy, and didn't care to get

in a fever of anxiety. War was a brutalizing affair, he pondered. "You m

terness in their eyes. And all on account of a mere difference of opinion." Ralph shuddered. "It is dreadful; but war shall never make me so hardened and indifferent to suffe

sort," Bill chuc

your handkerchief, and I will bandage your ankle." In a few moments he had fini

dmired "the little rebel cuss," but he wished him a thousand miles away, for he saw that it was impossible to m

indifferent of the three. "I'd rather have been killed than have to go to their

sure. Go down the bluff as still as you can; don't loosen a pebble even, for there are sharp ears near. Keep close to the river bank, and about half a mile down you'll see an old tree standing that has been struck by lightning. Two

admiringly. Ralph wrung his hand. "What

tal. I can talk, if I can't walk, and I'll soon let them

d Charlie was suddenly seized with a violent fit of coughing, so loud and boisterous, it was well calculated

or though they stole noiselessly down the bluff, the night was so still that a breath almost could be detected. They wer

n objected to the few days in the hospital which the

sarved for something better than to stop a bullet. I've been throu

pleasure of your company in his tent. Leastwise, that's what it amounts to, though that ain't the language he made use of. Wonder why

omething must be wrong. Perhaps he ought not to have helped Charlie, but

sted no words. His keen vision could discover merit, however, a

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aved the colors of the regim

d, Co

ed your life

will, with the help of Heaven!" was Ralph's fervent utte

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was a fine and choice array of cavalry, known as "Fremont's Body Guard," whose exploits were famous.

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oss the field, unheeding the firing of the skirmishers, but charged into the midst of the Confederates, and with pistols and sabers, scattered them

tional flag upon the courthouse at Springfield, sent a guard t

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