You will believe us not the less devoted to you, if we obey the call of our country?" "I certainly shall prize your devotion the more, if you regard patriotism as your highest duty." "Then give me the token! Jones, I do not ask if you are with me; it would be unjust to ask." "I am with you. Ellen, you will devote us both to a glorious service; and your esteem will reward us. If, after our duty is done, you can prefer either of us to others more worthy of you, you will infinitely reward us both." "It is a pity," said Ellen, "that there is little chance for you to be officers." "It is a just punishment for our delay," said Loidley. "It will be the more creditable if we rise from the ranks," replied Jones. "True," said Ellen; "and your example will be of more service, if you act as men, and do not withhold your service because you have not the distinction you merit as gentlemen. We have too many gentlemen and ladies, and not enough men and women, for this great emergency." In the approved style of romance, the fair lady bestowed on each lover a beautiful ringlet; and for the first time in many years, she gave to each that expression of the heart's interest which a lover appreciates in such a case, and prizes the more if it hasn't become too common, that is to say, she kissed them both; not in a bashful, inexpert, inelegant way, but with the fine touch which makes the receiver grateful for a high distinction, and happy in the assurance that there is one heart not indifferent to him. The Greeks gave a prize to the maiden who gave the most delicate kiss at the Olympic Games, and esteemed, as the seal of the heart's eloquence, the kiss that accorded with their sense of the beautiful. Those two kisses did more than thousands of greenbacks in bounties to inspire with patriotic ardor these two generous rivals who probably would have stayed at home, had their mistress been like a million others. Jones and Loidley went to the depot, where they found most of the young men who were in want of evening amusement. The colonel, who was raising a regiment of volunteers, expressed his regret that he could not have had them as captains. "We can't all be officers," said Loidley; "besides, it is guesswork to choose officers before they have been tried in service." "True," replied the colonel. "It is little thought of in time of peace, when we seek or accept these distinctions; but at this time, the responsibility is burdensome. I have no doubt of the determination of my officers to do their duty; but I tremble for their ability, and for my own. I shall resign and ask for a lower position, if I fail to win the approbation of my superiors; that I am determined upon." "How are your ranks?" asked Jones. "Nearly full; but it is hard to get the remainder. The enthusiasm has abated, or perhaps we have got all the enthusiasts." But it is time you were marching. There should be a new effort to fill up," said Loidley. 66 Yes," replied the colonel, moving aside and beckoning our friends to follow. "I would be greatly obliged if you would each say something that may help the good cause. Here is now a crowd of young men who ought to go. You are popular among them, and you are both talented speakers; I think you will not fail to revive the enthusiasm that gave such a rush to begin with. Can't you do me the favor?" Both assented. After conferring together a few moments, they requested the colonel to make his arrangements for speech-making. This he did with considerable strategic adroitness, for he was a practical wire-puller. He began with a speech of his own, which he made very short, much to the delight of his audience. He regretted that his learned and eloquent brother-officer, the lieutenantcolonel, was not present to do justice to the sacred cause to which his rude speech was wholly inadequate. He also regretted that the major and Captains Smith and Thompson were absent, etc., etc.; but he was glad and much relieved to see present two young gentlemen whose elo soul, purse and hand, and if needed, would shoulder the musket which his grandfather carried through the whole Revolution. That musket and a moderate independency had descended to him; and with them had descended the principles of his honored grandfather. He had, indeed, hoped that his services at home might be more effective than in the field, for which he had not been educated or trained; but as there were not as many as quence would amply atone for all he had been saying, and whose hearts, he knew, were united on this great question of unity of the republic (hurrah, hurrah, hurrah), — yes, indissolubly united on this question, however divided they might be on minor questions of the past. He trusted that their modesty would not keep them silent on this occasion. He would first introduce to the audience a gentleman already well-known to most of them, - George Loidley, Esq., Counsellor-at-were needed who were willing to sacrifice - law. A military speech is not admissible here; but it may be said that Loidley struck a new vein and produced a deep impression. He avoided the hackneyed appeals to merely personal motives, and skilfully touched on matters that excited admiration for patriotism, heroism, national greatness and glory, and the necessity of powerful nationalities to maintain civilization. His speech was long, but it was listened to with unwearied attention. Jones was watching the effect of it, and by signs well understood, advising the speaker as to dwelling on certain points. There was little expression of feeling, none of the noisy approbation with which the colonel's speech had been greeted; but a profound and serious impression had been made, and when he concluded, there was hearty applause. the comforts of home for the defence of all that make home and country dear, his duty was to unite with the gallant men of the county who were about to march. "Colonel, will you be so kind as to order the enrolment-book to be brought here?" There was a sensation. The book was brought, and Jones wrote his name in it. Loidley immediately wrote his, also, and said, "My friend Jones, some one should formally accept your truce. I trust you will allow me to do so, as I have been in controversy with you more than any other in the political contests of the last five years." "Here is my hand upon it, my dear Loidley. We have spoken freely and hotly on public affairs; but I am sure there has never been the least personal dissatisfaction between us; and I will venture to say the same of you in regard to others. We shall march as friends and countrymen, shoulder to shoulder, and do the duty now before us; and other duties will be discussed when it becomes necessary to discuss them." The shrewd colonel was busy with the book. The example had been electric; half the audience volunteered; and within three days the regiment was full and on its march for Washington. Jones followed. He was conscious that there must be a feeling against him in most of the audience who knew his zeal against the party in power. Would be hypocrisy in him to say that he had ceased to cherish the principles that made him zealous against that party. But he could truly say that he was willing and anxious and determined to make a truce and leave all matters of controversy to be settled when the rebellion was put The ladies surprised it on the morning down, as he trusted it would be. It of its march. They had kept a secret. would satisfy him if his townsmen under- They were assembled in ambuscade in the stood that his opinions were held in re-meeting-house on the plain where the milserve, and not changed, and would not be discussed while they might disturb the cordiality and unity that should prevail until an unjustifiable though not unprovoked rebellion was dealt with as justice and duty demanded. He was with tno defenders of the nation, heart and itary usually paraded. Even the colonel was not in the secret; but his wife was, and that did as well. She got him to parade the regiment before breakfast and march them to church. "Wonder what's up!" said Bill Snooks. "Guess we've got to hear a sermon," replied Tom Har ris. "No; it will only be a prayer," said Bob Hatch. Bob was right; it was only a prayer, and short. As soon as it was over, the galleries presented a display of sweethearts, wives, mothers, sisters, and cousins, who brought out a breakfast of good things. If any fellow had no sweetheart, wife, mother, sister, or cousin there, he had the more time to dispose of the good things. When breakfast was over, and every gallant fellow had stowed away his huge bundle of cakes and other luxuries, the drum was heard; the regiment fell into line; the ladies formed in the portico; the regiment was marched up; and our village belle presented a beautifully wrought flag. The shout was energetic. And that flag has been gloriously defended in many fields, and still waves over a constantly recruited regiment, and will not return until it can be welcomed home without a blush from those who gave it or those who bore it. It is not intended to say that there may not be blushing; but that will not be on account of the flag. Loidley and Jones were privates in Captain Thompson's company. Thompson was a good-hearted, popular fellow, a practical politician; not a rogue, yet not so violently good as to quarrel with rogues; he therefore was liked by all. He apologized, time and again, and promised and regretted and hoped that there would be occasion to put our friends into positions where they were needed. He would snap at every chance to promote them, etc. Thompson was sent on a scout across a river and through a swamp that surprised him, although he understood swamps. But he was not to be swamped. After several of his men had tried in vain to cross a bad place, he tried himself, crawled upon his belly, and got over He then ordered a string to be made of straps and handkerchiefs and one end of it thrown to him. With this string, he drew a man across. Other strings were made; and in this way, he got his company over. The enemy did not expect an inroad through such a passage, and were surprised; and some useless waste of life followed. But it gave opportunity for talent to rise. Thompson was so elated with the success of his sudden attack upon a careless squad three times larger than his own that he neglected the precautions necessary for his own safety, in case the routed enemy should perceive his weakness and return to attack him. He did not conceal his force, as he might have done, nor did he look out for a strong position to fall back upon. The enemy, having a commander sufficiently unwary but quick of perception, soon got into order and returned upon him. There was a spirited fight for a time; but the inequality was such that it could not be continued without certain capture. Thompson, who foolishly exposed himself, was wounded, his lieutenant was killed, his second lieutenant was sick in camp. There was a panic. Thompson, who was fainting from loss of blood, called out, "Mr. Jones, you will take the command; I advise you to retreat." Jones and Loidley had provided themselves with books of instruction and studied diligently and been attentive in all exercises, and were well qualified for the emergency. Every pass and defensible position on the way had been studied by them. Jones instantly formed his plan of retreat, and gave his orders with such decision and self-possession as reassured the men, most of whom would gladly have chosen him to the command, from previous knowledge of him. It was first necessary to stagger the enemy; a retreat without that would be disastrous. For this purpose, he selected a few of his best shots, and put them behind a slight defence, with a crowd of men who were too excited to fire with effect to load for the good shots. Loidley was a practiced sportsman and perfectly cool, and there were several others very efficient; and Jones knew the merit of every man in the company. The disposition he made of them was soon decisive. The assailants dropped fast. Their commander, seeing that they would soon fall back if matters kept on at that rate, or dered a charge. It did not succeed; the firing was kept up with coolness and precision, and many fell before they reached the file prepared to meet them; and the survivors, already in a panic, were met with a volley at twelve feet distance. They broke and run without touching bayonets; and many were shot down on the run. Still, there was an effort of their officers to rally them, and their force was sufficient to overpower the weakened company of Jones. He accordingly sent away all but a rear guard of sharpshooters with their loaders. The wounded were taken along. Loidley commanded this division, the subaltern officers and men cheerfully yielding to the order. Loidley was directed to occupy a narrow pass in the swamp, the only one near, as they knew by the exploration necessary to find it. All near it was impassable, even by good swimmers; and there were trees sufficient for a tolerable screen against musketry. This was half a mile from the position held by Jones; but he hoped that the main body with the wounded would reach it before the enemy could be brought near them. A careful fire of sharpshooters was kept up, which picked off a few of the enemy and disturbed their efforts at reorganization, until Jones judged that Loidley was so far advanced that he could not be overtaken by the enemy. He had, in the mean time, made his men keep concealed, only showing their heads occasionally when they fired. This enabled him to gain a little time in retreating, as the undergrowth was sufficient to conceal the movement. He was thus enabled to get at such distance that the enemy did not get within musketrange until he arrived at the pass in the swamp which Loidley had safely reached before him. "Here you are, my gallant brother," said Loidley. "All safe, I hope. No; I see that poor Tibbets is wounded. Captain Thompson has revived, and I think he will recover. What have we to do?" "We must stand here and repulse them again. They will be here in a moment; there they come. If we beat them here, we may have time to cross the Belly Ferry, and then we can laugh at them. Take your position there, with your sharpshooters; but remember that ammunition is precious." The enemy were out of breath; Loidley's men had recovered theirs. Still, the enemy came on with a confident rush, thinking they had penned them. They were met with a fire of mechanical coolness and precision from Loidley's men, which broke them in a few moments. Jones then rushed from his concealed position, and routed them. Loidley and three of his men had been wounded, but no one killed, in this last attack. "Can you keep up?" asked Jones of Loidley. "Yes, for an hour or more. What have we to do next?" We shall have to repulse them again. They have a good commander, and he is getting them together. Can you shoot accurately with your wound? Well, it is necessary that you should put him out of the way." The attack was renewed. The assailants broke, and their commander rallied them, and led them. He fell; and a slow but accurate fire weakened them as they advanced. Still they kept on, until they got into mire and within short range of the random shooters kept in reserve under Jones. At this moment, the reserve fired a volley with decisive effect, and the repulse was complete and final. "Now we may creep toward the camp, as well as our encumbrances will allow. I hope they will be ready to help us cross the river. Loidley, you must lie down while we get ready; you are getting weak." The movement was soon commenced, and in an hour, they had safely crossed the place they had named Belly Ferry. After this, they moved leisurely, but not without a vigilant watch in the rear. They arrived safely in camp, and turned over their wounded to the hospitals. Jones went in as nurse with Loidley, whose wound, though it might not have been serious, had it been immediately and quietly treated, had become alarming to his friend. It was promptly attended to; and the care of Jones soon placed him out of danger. -- A week after this affair, one Sunday, Jones and Loidley were in their tent, and the following conversation took place : Thompson is dead, - poor fellow! "I am very sorry," said Loidley. "He was an honest and well-meaning fellow. Who is to succeed him?" "That we shall see to-morrow. We shall bury him this evening. I have made a sketch of the spot, so that we can find his remains to carry home." "You will probably succeed him." "I would rather you should, my dear Loidley. On considering our escape, I attribute it to you more than to myself." "You are generous; but you. are the marked man." "Thompson was of my political faith, and therefore biased, or I think he would have given the command to you. Beside, it is better that the political feelings of the men should be conciliated by the choice of one who cannot be suspected of disloyalty." "Good God! there is not a man in the regiment so base as to suspect you of disloyalty, or any deficiency of zeal!" "I am glad you think so; but I hear so much about the meditated treason of officers of high rank, that I really wish to remain below the level of such notice." "You must not shrink from it. You are the marked man; the men will choose you. They have neither respect nor love for the second lieutenant, though he is a worthy fellow; and the colonel, I know, means to do all he can for you. You have the advance, fairly; now don't talk more about it. What say you to this newspaper prophecy, that in a few days or hours we are to be in Richmond?" "Amen!" "But you don't believe it?" "You are taciturn. Well, you keep the truce; but I am nowise bound to reticence. What think you of this passage in Jomini?" "We have often discussed it together. You know I hold it as a leading, as the first article of military faith." "And yet, it is contrary to our present practice. Our army is divided, and the enemy concentrated between our divisions. He acts on this theory; we act on the old one, and try to envelop him, like a 'great anaconda,' curse their stupid adulation!" 66 My dear Loidley, you have had more hope than I, all along. When McDowell was withdrawn, I lost hope. With equal talent and discipline on the other side, and equal numbers and choice of positions, they ought to beat us; but it appears that they are superior in numbers as well as in position." "What are the present prospects? "That we shall retreat." "Good God! you don't think so! McClellan will not retreat without another battle and an irreparable defeat?” "He must obey orders." even "But who is to give such orders? ” "I can only conjecture. The wounded and sick are being sent away, those who ought to be retained, and some who are almost fit for duty. Then, if reports are true, Pope is overwhelmed, and will be driven back to Washington; and if he is much broken up, Washington may be taken. Halleck, I infer, finds the army divided, and deems it necessary to get McClellan back to Washington to meet and rally Pope's army, if it is defeated." "And what is Banks doing? What is Fremont doing?" "Oh, they are surrounding! But, my dear Loidley, you must obey the surgeon's orders, and not get excited. I must move that we close this inquiry for to-day. There is a subject more cheering in this letter from my sister. I will read it. "DEAR BROTHER, - Your account of your fortunate retreat has just arrived. Ellen, who calls about daily, at mail time, came in just as I opened it. She was much grieved to hear of George's wound, though she said little; but her color changed very much. We both feel assured that he will get well, as you certainly would not mislead us. She is also greatly affected by your prospects; I could see her emotion, as she studied over your account. You need not fear that |