"I don't want him here--don't want anybody here," was the slow but
positive reply. "As I said before, I have nothing to do with this war."
"Perhaps you are a Southern sympathizer?" went on Deck, hardly knowing
how to proceed.
"If I am it is none of your business, young man. I can tell you one
thing, I am not afraid of a suit of soldier clothing, no matter who
wears it."
"Oh, Aunt Clarissa, don't be rude," came in a soft voice from behind the
elderly lady, and Deck saw a dainty hand placed on one of the gaunt
shoulders.
"You be still, Rosebel," was the crusty interruption. "I can manage this
matter very well alone. Do you think I am going to open my house to any
of the military--least of all to those Yankees? I am sure if I won't
have our own soldiers here I won't have those who are fighting us!"
"But he says the captain is badly wounded, and may die," pleaded
Rosebel, and now she pressed closer to the window, to get a better look
at the young Union officer below.
Her soft voice interested Deck, and he came as close as possible under
the window to see her fully. As he gazed at her he gave a start. Where
had he seen that face before? Somewhere, he was positive of it--but
where?
"Rosebel, get back," ordered the elderly lady, and tried to crowd the
maiden from the window, but she would not budge.
"Aunt Clarissa, remember, Paul is in the army," she said. "I know I did
not want him to join, but if he was wounded and among strangers--" She
did not finish, excepting with a long sigh.
Deck could hear her words plainly, and at the mentioning of the name,
Paul, his heart gave a bound, then sank like a lump of lead in his
bosom. He had found the missing sister of the young Confederate captain
who lay in that cold trench many miles away, with a stick for a
headstone, upon which was inscribed:--
ROSEBEL'S PAUL LIES BURIED HERE.
"Your name is Rosebel?" he said; and his voice was as soft as when he
had spoken to Kate Belthorpe in his most sentimental mood.
"Yes."
"And your brother Paul was a captain in the Confederate service?"
"Yes." And now the young lady's eyes began to fill with wonder.
"You lived in Chattanooga with your brother, and you--you had a
difference of opinion about his joining the army?"
"We did have--and I am sorry for it," answered the maiden. "But who are
you to speak thus to me? Do you know my brother?"
"Rosebel, do not be hasty in talking to this young man," interposed the
aunt.
"I did know your brother, Miss Rosebel. I do not know your other name."
"And yet you knew my brother!"
"He must be telling falseho--" began the aunt, but the girl's hand over
her mouth checked her.
"I fell in with a young Confederate captain whose name was Paul,"
explained Deck, sadly. "He said he had a sister Rosebel living in
Chattanooga. He had quarrelled with that sister, and in anger had hidden
some money away so that she could not get it."
"It was Paul!" cried Rosebel Greene, for such was her full name. "Oh,
tell me about him, and how he came to tell you this. Is he well?"
The young major looked at her, then turned his face away.
"I am very sorry for you, Miss Rosebel, very sorry. He fought as only a
true soldier can fight--to the end."
"He is dead!" came with a moan. "Paul is dead, Aunt Clarissa! Oh, what
shall I do now?" And the girl sank into the elderly lady's arms.
It was a trying moment for Deck, especially so as he could do nothing,
in his present position, to aid the young lady. He waited and saw both
females leave the window. A minute after the front door was opened by
the elderly lady, and he was asked to enter.
"I hope you are not fooling my niece," she said. "What is your name?"
"A man would not be human to fool upon such a heartrending subject,"
answered Deck. "I am Major Dexter Lyon, of the Kentucky cavalry. May I
ask that young lady's name?"
"Rosebel Greene. I am Miss Clarissa Pomeroy, her aunt. Rosebel used to
live in Chattanooga, but when Paul went to the war and took all their
money with him, she came to live here with me."
"Paul did not take the money with him, Miss Pomeroy. He left it behind
him, in hiding. I was with him when he died, and I promised to find his
sister, if possible, and tell her where the money was secreted."
The two entered the little sitting room of the farmhouse, where Rosebel
had sank down in a rocking-chair, crying silently. In a broken voice she
asked to be told about Paul, and sitting beside her, Deck gave her the
particulars just as they had occurred, and told where the money was to
be found. The recital brought tears to Deck's eyes, also, which he
hastily brushed away, and Miss Pomeroy was likewise visibly affected.
"I am glad to know Paul wasn't so bad as to run off with the money," the
elderly lady observed, after a vigorous use of her handkerchief. "The
house in Chattanooga is shut up now, but even if it wasn't, it isn't
likely anybody would hunt down in the cellar for that money."
"I would rather have Paul back!" moaned Rosebel Greene. "Oh, Paul, Paul,
how much I shall miss you!" And unable to restrain her emotions, she
rushed from the room.
Deck was in a quandary, and looked at Miss Pomeroy. She saw his
perplexity, and quickly made matters easy for him.
"You may bring that wounded officer here," she said. "We will do the
best we can for him. Who is he?"
"His name is Captain Artie Lyon. He is in reality my cousin, but he has
always been a member of our family, and I look at him almost as a twin
brother."
"If he is so close a relative we will do our very best for him, Major
Lyon," answered Miss Pomeroy. "I have had some experience as a nurse,
and Rosebel is excellent around a sickbed."
"What he wants principally is quiet," rejoined Major Deck; and after a
few words more he withdrew, his thoughts divided between poor Artie and
the bereaved girl left behind.
It was no easy matter, in those trying times, to obtain an ambulance,
and after scouting around for the best part of half an hour without
success, Deck decided to have Artie carried on a stretcher to the
farmhouse.
The young captain was in considerable pain, and the journey was by no
means easy for him. Four men carried him, and Deck went along. Two rests
were taken before the dwelling was gained. At the doorway both Miss
Pomeroy and Rosebel met them. A small bed had been put up in the sitting
room, and Artie was placed upon this; and hardly had this been
accomplished when Surgeon Farnwright dashed up on his horse, to give the
ladies instructions and to leave some medicine for the patient. Rosebel
had now dried her tears, and went to work bravely, working with the
tenderness of a sister over the sufferer.
"He shall not be disturbed," she said to Deck. "Aunty and I will take
care of that."
Knowing he was needed in the field, Deck remained no longer than he
deemed necessary. An urgent call from Crawfish Springs had reached the
Riverlawns, and Colonel Lyon was now on the way to that locality, taking
with him all but the twelfth company, which was escorting the prisoners
to the rear. The major joined the command just as it was coming up in
the rear of Colonel Long's brigade.
The fighting had been heavy, and the Confederate commander, Wheeler, had
lost many men. They had come over the Chickamauga, hardly thinking that
any Union cavalry remained in the neighborhood. For a time the
battle-ground was near Glass's Mill, but gradually the Unionists were
driven toward Crawfish Springs, while the Confederates massed themselves
in the direction of the field hospital of the Army of the Cumberland.
Again Deck found himself in the fray, fighting as hard as ever. The
Riverlawns had suffered heavily, but the organization still maintained
its full number of companies. It supported Long in the second and third
attacks and lost seven additional men, including a second lieutenant and
two sergeants.
By this time word came to Thomas from Rosecrans to fall back to
Rossville, on the road to Chattanooga. To further this movement, some
cavalry was needed to protect the immense wagon trains, and the
Riverlawns were called to perform part of this service. It was no easy
work, and there was but little glory in it; yet it had to be done, and
every cavalryman, from Colonel Lyon down, went at it heart and soul. On
the way to Rossville, the wagon train suffered two raids, but the
Confederates were beaten off with a heavy loss. In the meantime, an
ammunition train arrived, and infantry and cavalry were alike supplied
with whatever was wanted. The movement of the wagons was slow, but by
midnight the Riverlawns' duty came to an end, and they went into camp on
the high ground not far from the turnpike running from Chattanooga
through Rossville to Ringgold.
CHAPTER XXXV
THE SIEGE OF CHATTANOOGA AND A HUNT FOR DRUGS
"This is the worst situation I ever heard of, Deck. What in the world
are we to do?"
"I fancy General Rosecrans is asking himself the same question, Tom,"
answered the major of the first battalion, gravely. "For myself, I must
say I can't answer."
"We'll be eating horse-meat next," put in Life Knox, who stood by. "And
the horses are dying right along, too."
"Poor Ceph! He hasn't had enough to eat for a week," said Deck, with a
shake of his head. "But let all that go. What I am thinking of is the
medicine my father and Artie require. If that can't be had, Surgeon
Farnwright says he won't be responsible for consequences."
"I'd rather fight than starve like this," concluded Tom Belthorpe, and
he walked away.
The Army of the Cumberland had retired to Chattanooga several weeks
before, and Bragg had followed Rosecrans closely, taking possession of
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and several other important points.
The Confederate leader had failed to defeat his Northern foe, and now
calculated to cut off all the Unionist's lines of communication and
starve him out. He had already cut off travel on the river and on the
railroad, and the only supplies to come into Chattanooga had to be
brought through the mountains.
The state of affairs in Chattanooga during this siege had grown rapidly
from bad to worse. The first thing to give out was fresh meats, for the
Confederate cavalry leader, Wheeler, raided the country for miles around
Chattanooga and gathered in all of the animals in sight. Next, the
fodder ran short, and horses and mules dropped in the streets, and whole
detachments of regiments were kept busy burying the beasts, to prevent
the spread of disease. And now rations were scarce, and not a man of the
whole Army of the Cumberland had had a square meal for a week or over.
And yet, to Major Deck Lyon, this was not the worst feature of the
long-to-be-remembered siege. On the day following the retreat to the
city proper an ambulance had been procured and Captain Artie had been
brought in, as carefully as possible, and taken to the house formerly
occupied by the Greenes. Rosebel Greene and Miss Pomeroy had come in
with the wounded captain, the former feeling it her duty to nurse the
young man, because of what Deck had done for her, and the aunt saying
she would not remain at the farmhouse alone, and because she was curious
to see if Rosebel would really find the money hidden in the cellar, as
the dead brother had mentioned.
The money had been found intact, and then hidden again, for there was no
telling what might happen in those troublesome times. Artie had stood
the journey fairly well, and was put in the best room the house
afforded.
During these days the Riverlawns had been kept busy in the vicinity of
Camp Thomas, some twenty-eight miles out of the city. Here one day they
had had a fierce brush with Forrest, and when it was over it was
discovered that Colonel Lyon was missing.
The discovery had caused a shock to Deck, and without delay he had
organized a searching party, to learn if his father was killed, wounded,
or a prisoner of the enemy. The search had lasted until nearly midnight
and the gallant colonel had been found, lying partly under his horse,
the latter dead, and the colonel shot through the head and unconscious.
As Artie was at Rosebel Greene's house, it was but natural that Deck
should take his father to the same place, since the regular hospitals in
Chattanooga were crowded far beyond their capacity. The colonel was
placed in a chamber adjoining that of his foster-son, and Rosebel and
Miss Pomeroy became his nurses, Deck promising to pay them handsomely
for whatever was done. Rosebel said she wanted no pay. "You were a
friend to my brother," were her words; "that is sufficient."
For two days the colonel had lain unconscious, and Surgeon Farnwright
and the doctor called into consultation with him had given Deck but
small hope. "Poor Artie's case was bad enough, Major," said the surgeon.
"Your father--" and he finished with a shake of his head.
"The trouble is," said the doctor, later on, "the colonel is suffering
for some medicine we cannot obtain in Chattanooga. We have a good
general supply here, but there are certain things which I know would do
your father a great deal of good. And they would do your brother good,
too."
The announcement that certain drugs which were so sorely needed were not
procurable in Chattanooga made Major Lyon feel very bad. He got the
doctor to write down a list of the missing articles for him, and started
out on a personal hunt, visiting every druggist he could find, and
offering large sums of money, even for small quantities.
"Can't be had," said one druggist. "You will have to wait until this
siege comes to an end and we get in some new supplies."
"I can't wait. My father and my cousin may die in the meantime,"
answered Deck, and continued his search on foot. For several days he had
not ridden Ceph, deeming the poor beast too weak from lack of food to
bear such a burden.
General Rosecrans had been considering the advisability of making a
determined effort against the enemy, but in the midst of this he was
relieved of his command. The Army of the Cumberland was placed in a new
military division, to be known as that of the Mississippi, under General
Grant, and General Thomas was ordered to fill General Rosecrans's place.
General Grant at once ordered Thomas to "hold Chattanooga at any cost,"
and added that he would come on as soon as possible and see what could
be done.
General Grant, the leader of all leaders, the man of iron will, arrived
on October 23. The plans made by Rosecrans and slightly changed by
Thomas were approved, and movements were made to put them into immediate
execution.
In the meantime, General Sherman had been engaged in opening up the
Memphis and Charleston railroad eastward, hoping by this means to effect
a communication with Chattanooga through Huntsville. But Grant had
ordered him to cross the Tennessee at Eastport, and this was done, and
Sherman then united with the right wing of what was now Thomas's
command. Hooker had before been ordered to move to Bridgeport, below
Chattanooga, and march thence by the wagon road to Wauhatchie, while
Palmer was ordered to a point on the river opposite Whitesides.
The plan now put into operation was one looking to the seizing of a spur
of mountains overlooking Lookout Valley. If this was successfully
accomplished, Hooker and Palmer would be materially aided in their
movements, and the river would be opened for steamboats as far as
Brown's Ferry.
It was six miles to Brown's Ferry, and on the night of the 26th of the
month, eighteen hundred men under General Hazen floated down the stream
in sixty pontoon boats, around the sharp bend, and past nearly three
miles of Confederate pickets. The darkness aided their movements, and as
silently as ghosts, they landed at two points, overcame the pickets, and
marched to the spurs to be taken. While this was going on, another
force, under General Smith, marched by the north bank of the river, and
were ferried over before daylight. A large crowd of men were set to
work, and by early morning a pontoon bridge nine hundred feet long was
swung across the river, and all points seized were protected by
artillery and intrenched troops.
The Union forces now commanded the highway from Lookout Valley to
Chattanooga Valley, and began a vigorous attack on the Confederates
located between Shell Mound and Lookout Mountain. At the same time
Hooker advanced, and Bragg awoke to the realization of the fact that a
genuine effort was being made to raise the siege. Half a dozen small but
sharp conflicts followed, and then the Confederates fell back; and the
way was opened to Brown's Ferry, Bridgeport, and Stevenson, both by the
river and the excellent wagon roads on either bank.
Many a commander would have paused here, but not so Grant. Without delay
the whole army was put on an active footing and supplied with necessary
food, clothing, and ammunition. Forage was brought in in large
quantities, and the horses and mules put in the best possible condition,
and heavy artillery was rushed forward. In the meantime, the arrival of
General Sherman with reГ«nforcements was eagerly awaited.
The Riverlawns, as a body, had not been active in the taking of Brown's
Ferry and the spurs of mountains beyond, but a detachment under Major
Lyon had gone on with Turchin's brigade, to clear out and hold a gorge
through which the Bridgeport road ran to the crossing. The work was
hazardous in the extreme, and the first two companies of the first
battalion and Life Knox's company with them received a severe fire
lasting for upward of two hours.
At this engagement Deck took more than an ordinary interest in his work.
As a true soldier, he wanted to see the siege raised. More than this, he
wanted to obtain the drugs so much needed by his father and Artie. He
went in with a vigor almost born of desperation, and falling against a
body of Confederates which were little better than guerillas, his
command drove them, seven hundred strong, a distance of two miles into
the mountain fastnesses.
As mentioned, the way was now open to Bridgeport, Stevenson, and other
points, and Deck obtained permission to visit half a dozen towns and
villages in quest of the drugs desired.
He took Life Knox with him, and the pair were gone the best part of the
forty-eight hours. Nothing that was wanted could be found at the places
named; but at another spot, where there was a cross-roads, the major
discovered a large general store, with a medicine department attached.
Entering the place, the two Union officers were confronted by a burly
Confederate over six feet high, and weighing over two hundred and fifty
pounds. He scowled at them, but did not dare to abuse them openly.
"Yes, I've got drugs, but I ain't sellin' 'em to-day," he said shortly.
"You'll have to find another drug shop, I reckon."
Deck gazed at the man in silence for a moment. Then he pulled out his
pistol and pointed it at the fellow's head.
"Sit down in that chair, sir," he ordered, and the burly Confederate
almost collapsed.
"Would you shoot an unarmed man?" he gasped.
"Not if he behaved himself."
"I haven't got to sell my drugs if I don't want to."
"In this case I think you have. Life, will you keep him covered?"
"Certainly, Deck."
"I want certain drugs and will have them if they are in your stock. I
will pay for what I take. But there must be no disturbance," went on the
major.
He spoke thus for the benefit of two clerks who were present and who
seemed inclined to be ugly. They heard him and allowed him to move
around the establishment unmolested. With his list in one hand and his
pistol in the other, he looked over all the bottles and packages the
store contained.
It was a wearisome search, but it was gratifying, for out of four
articles wanted, Deck found three. He then interviewed the shopkeeper,
who declared by all he held sacred that he had never had the fourth
article and doubted if any of the local doctors used it.
"Well, I will have to take your word for it," replied Deck. "Now I want
these. What are you going to ask me for them?"
The storekeeper hemmed and hawed and finally said five dollars in gold.
As this was not so unreasonable, Deck paid over the amount, and a moment
later he and Life left the store. Before they could be molested, they
were off at full speed for Chattanooga. Here they took the drugs to the
doctor who had been attending Colonel Lyon and Artie.
"It was a clever haul," said the physician, after listening to Deck's
story. "The drugs will do much good, I think. I am sorry, however, you
could not obtain that fourth article, since it is the most important of
the lot. These will help your brother, but the poor colonel will still
have a hard time of it."
"But he will live--and so will Artie?" pleaded the major.
"While there is life there is hope," answered the doctor, and that was
the only consolation Deck could get. As a matter of fact, both the lives
of the colonel and the youthful captain hung upon a thread.
General Sherman having come up, and Bragg having weakened his forces by
letting Longstreet's command leave him, to do battle elsewhere, Grant
lost no time in moving forward. Hooker, holding Lookout Valley, faced
the enemy occupying the heights, while Thomas was stationed before
Missionary Ridge. Sherman was now commanded to take position on the
right bank of the river above the city, with the idea that he could
afterward cross and seize another portion of the ridge beyond, as yet
unfortified. A portion of the cavalry, under Long, was assigned to aid
him, and the Riverlawns went with this body, all of the other horsemen
remaining in camp.
The advance of the cavalry was made in a violent thunderstorm, such as
had not struck the command for many a day, and this delayed operations
for twenty-four hours or more. When the pontoon bridge over the river
was reached, it was found that the wind and the rush of the current had
parted it, and no troops could cross until repairs were made. The
Riverlawns went into temporary camp under the shelter of a long hill,
but everybody was wet to the skin.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon was now in command, and he and Deck went off
in the rain to take a survey of the situation. On the return, they
stumbled across a camp of a dozen or more Confederate guerillas. Shots
were exchanged and the guerillas withdrew. In doing this, several rode
close to Deck, and the major was amazed to hear one of them mentioned by
his companion as Totterly. He glanced at the fellow and saw that he was
tall, with a marked stoop to his left shoulder, and that his nose did
not point straight ahead. The description fitted perfectly to that given
of the guerilla who had rifled the safe at Riverlawn and made off with
five hundred dollars, some jewellery, and the paper intrusted to Noah
Lyon, which was not to be opened until five years after Duncan Lyon's
death. This man's name had been Totterly, and Deck instantly concluded
that the man in front of him and the raider of Riverlawn were one and
the same person.
"I want to catch that man!" he cried to Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, and
dashed off, firing several shots at the retreating form. Away they went
through the brush and along an ill-defined trail, but Totterly, for it
was really he, had a fair lead, and had recognized his pursuer, and now
he did his best to get away. Coming to a curve in the road, he cut into
some timber, and by this means threw Deck completely off the scent in
the darkness of the storm.
The major returned to the encampment in a thoughtful frame of mind. One
chance to recover the money, jewels, and precious paper had slipped from
him. Would another such chance ever present itself? He earnestly hoped
so, and resolved that, in the future, he would keep his eyes wide open
for the guerilla.
CHAPTER XXXVI
FIERCE FIGHTING--AN UNDIVIDED UNION--CONCLUSION
While Long's cavalry and the Riverlawns were operating as mentioned,
General Thomas, under directions of Grant, began the first movement
ending in the great battle of Chattanooga. With about twenty-five
thousand men the new commander of the Army of the Cumberland marched
forth to Missionary Ridge, to develop the Confederate lines at that
point. The march was made in such order that the enemy thought a parade
was taking place in the plain below them, and it was not until Thomas's
skirmishers fired on their outposts that they became aware that a battle
was on hand. They retreated to their rifle-pits and a hot engagement
resulted, and a larger portion of Missionary Ridge was secured to the
Unionists. On the next day another important advance was made along the
river.
Hooker was near Lookout Mountain, and with his command scaled the lofty
peaks, drove the Confederates from one point of advantage to another,
and after a bloody battle, which will never be forgotten by either the
blue or the gray, took about two thousand prisoners and intrenched
himself on the mountain-side in full view of Chattanooga. This contest
took place in the rain and mist, and was so high up that nothing of it
could be seen from below because of the clouds. At night the moon came
out through the scattering rain, and hundreds of victorious camp-fires
blazed at as many different points, telling of the victory gained.
Bragg was now almost at his wit's end. He had lost at Tullahoma, gained
nothing on the Chickamauga, failed in his siege of Chattanooga, and it
looked as if the remnant of his command was to be scattered to the four
winds of heaven. He had made some mistakes, officers under him had
failed to carry out his commands, and now, when it was too late, he
bitterly regretted having allowed a portion of his soldiers to move on,
to fight elsewhere.
The dawning of day, November 25, saw a hundred flags with the stars and
stripes floating from the peaks of Lookout Mountain, and Hooker prepared
to make a descent and sweep in the direction of Rossville Gap. In the
meantime Bragg marched his brigades along Missionary Ridge, his idea
being to either overwhelm Sherman or seize the railroad, which is not
definitely known. He had been driven out of Chattanooga Valley, and it
was now a question of fight or leave Chickamauga Valley.
Sherman was in need of reГ«nforcements, not having brought all of his men
over the stream, and Howard marched the Eleventh corps to join him.
Sherman began, without delay, a furious assault on Bragg's right, and
leaving the knoll upon which he was intrenched, swept up that upon which
the enemy rested.
The line of battle, two miles in length, was now clearly defined, and at
half past three in the afternoon a general advance was ordered. The
Union skirmishers encountered at first a series of rifle-pits. The
orders had been to take these, and nothing more was expected. The battle
waged with great fury, and soon the Confederates were seen to waver and
abandon first one pit and then another.
"Let us go on! Down with the enemy!" was the battle-cry, and no sooner
were the pits gained, than the Union soldiers leaped over them and began
the steep ascent of the mountain before them, the Confederates from the
pits fleeing wildly in all directions, and a great number being made
prisoners.
The peril connected with the storming of Missionary Ridge can hardly be
overestimated. At some points the sides were almost perpendicular, and
at others the shell rock crumbled beneath the touch. At the top were
stationed forty pieces of artillery, and thousands of the enemy. Shot
and shell rained down incessantly, and great gaps were torn into the
ranks, as company after company pressed up, bound to gain the summit at
any cost. To those who saw it, it was a sight the mind's eye could never
lose. The officers were as excited as the men, and no one in command
could have ordered those under him back, even had he been so inclined.
The Riverlawns had come forward on horseback, but now, after the
rifle-pits were gained, it was deemed best to dismount. Away they went
on foot, close to Sherman's side, with Long's cavalry but a short
distance away.
"We have them on the run, boys!" shouted Colonel Gordon. "Forward! Don't
lag behind the rest of the line!" And forward they went, until the first
battalion was far up the heights, with Deck at their head, waving his
sabre enthusiastically over his head. His breast had been sore from that
sword prick in the rib, but now all that was forgotten in the excitement
of the moment.
"There is a break!" he shouted to Gordon, and pointed to the spot with
his sabre. It was an opening several hundred feet wide, and the
Riverlawns rushed to fill it. Then on they went again, pell-mell,
panting for breath, and firing as often as the opportunity presented
itself. Once a shot tore through the companies, but it did not stay
their progress.
A cheer swept down the line. Some regiment had gained a peak some
distance away, and the Confederate standard was torn down, and the
glorious stars and stripes hoisted in its stead. The cheer was nerve
inspiring, and onward swept the boys in blue with more enthusiasm than
ever.
The Riverlawns were still a hundred feet from the point they were trying
to gain, when, on looking through the cloud of smoke, Deck saw a sight
that filled him with horror. Above was a huge mass of loose rocks and
dirt. The Confederates had shovelled away to the front of the mass, and
now it was just starting on its downward way. Should it strike the
regiment it would fairly annihilate the ranks.
For an instant Deck could not speak. Then his voice rang out like a
trumpet:--
"Riverlawns! Right face! Double-quick--march!"
"Right-face! Double-quick--march!" rang from one battalion to another,
and a sharp turn off along the side of the ridge was made.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon looked at Deck in wonder.
"What does this mean?" he began. "Do you--Great heavens! Double-quick,
boys, if you want to save your lives!" And the double-quick became a
triple-quick, and some went even faster. Scarcely had the regiment left
the fated spot when the rocks and dirt came crashing down, sweeping
trees, brush, and vines before it, and ploughing up the ground as
though with so many gigantic plough-shares.
"You saved the regiment!" cried Tom Belthorpe as he met Deck, a moment
later. And Gordon said the same.
The order to go forward again was now given, and away went the
Riverlawns in what was little short of an ugly mood, for they did not
consider the letting down of the rocks and dirt as square fighting. Deck
continued at the head of the first battalion, and inside of five minutes
gained the top of the ridge. A regiment of Confederates were there, in
the act of retreating, and he charged them relentlessly, causing them to
fairly tumble down the slopes opposite. The whole regiment was soon at
hand, and the fight did not come to an end until the enemy had been
driven clear out of sight.
Missionary Ridge was won, but now was no time to celebrate the victory,
although cheer after cheer rang along the mountain peaks and every Union
flag to be had was waving lustily. The Confederate artillery was seized
and pointed in the opposite direction, and the log barricades were torn
down and set up in places of greater advantage. At the centre, the
Confederates tried to make another stand, but it availed nothing, and
overwhelmed, they threw down their arms and fled.
But even yet the work for the Riverlawns was not all over. There was
another ridge between General Sherman and the main body of the Union
troops, a ridge near the tunnel under the mountain, where General
Bragg's right flank rested. This must still be taken, and again the
Riverlawns played an important part, fighting until long after sundown,
with Sherman's invincible command.
The fighting was still on, when Deck's battalion found itself in a
little gulch, pursuing a small body of Confederates that had been
uncovered ten minutes before. The enemy had been fired at four times,
and half a dozen men had fallen. The battalion pressed them so closely
that soon the leader was seen to throw away his sword and lift up his
hands in token of surrender.
The face-to-face meeting with the Confederate was a surprise to Deck,
for the man was none other than Totterly, and the men under him numbered
two who had taken part in the attack on Riverlawn. Under a strong
guard, all three guerillas were taken to the rear. Two other guerillas
were picked up mortally wounded.
As soon as he could get the chance, Deck spoke to Totterly and the
others about the articles stolen from the mansion. The leader would
admit nothing, but one of the wounded men confessed to all that had been
done and said that the articles taken had been left with a relative of
Totterly in Chattanooga. One hundred dollars of the gold was gone, but
all the other things were safe. That night Totterly tried to escape by
running the prison guard and was shot in the back, a wound from which he
died at sunrise.
Deck was anxious to learn if the information given to him concerning the
stolen articles was correct, but it was just now impossible to get away.
Early in the morning the Riverlawns were sent along the river in pursuit
of the flying enemy. In the meantime Sherman, having done such gallant
work at the Ridge, was ordered to prepare to go to Knoxville, where
Burnside's position was becoming embarrassing. And thus the Riverlawns
parted with this brave and daring general for the time being.
When Major Lyon returned to Chattanooga he found Captain Artie much
improved. Colonel Lyon was also a trifle better, but both Surgeon
Farnwright and the city doctor agreed that he must not think of joining
his command again for at least four or six months to come. As a matter
of fact, the colonel never went into the field again, but, receiving an
honorable discharge, retired to his home at Riverlawn, having done more
than his share in upholding the glorious Union.
Upon the retirement of Noah Lyon, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon became the
commandant of the regiment, and Deck was made second in command. This
left the office of major of the first battalion vacant, and for
"meritorious service" Captain Artie Lyon became the new major, when he
once again took the field, six months after the event narrated at the
beginning of this chapter. At the same time Sandy Lyon became a
full-fledged captain, much to old Titus Lyon's delight and to the joy of
his mother and sisters.
Deck's first move on coming back to Chattanooga was to have a search
made of the premises occupied by the relative of Totterly. This brought
to light the stolen money, minus the hundred dollars which had been
spent, the jewellery, and also the mysterious missing paper. To make
sure that it was the right document it had to be read, and the reading
made Noah Lyon and the other members of his household smile.
"I do not believe in the institution of slavery," wrote Duncan Lyon,
"and I hope ere this paper is brought to light that it will be abolished
in the State of Kentucky. If it is not abolished, I hereby urge upon my
brother Noah to set the slaves free,--doing it in the following manner:
All under eighteen years of age to be held until they can care for
themselves, and the others to be freed at the rate of one every two
months, starting with the oldest. This will make it easy on him. If the
slaves wish to remain at Riverlawn, I urge that they be allowed to
remain, at fair wages, so long as they perform their work faithfully."
Such was the contents of the much-discussed letter, and Noah Lyon said
he was not surprised. "It pleases me to know that Duncan thought as I
think," he said to Deck. "And I am glad to remember that our slaves are
practically slaves no longer. Levi Bedford has already put every hand at
Riverlawn on the pay-roll, and the only reason why they don't leave is
because they don't want to leave."
A month later the old colonel returned to his plantation home, but
Captain Artie remained at Chattanooga. The reason for this was, that the
wounded captain had found Rosebel Greene not only the best of nurses but
likewise the loveliest girl he had ever met. As the days went by and
Artie grew stronger, their friendship increased, and it was with tears
in her eyes that she saw him depart at last for the seat of war, now
miles away.
As the days passed the gateway to the southeast was thrown wide open,
and Sherman began that march to the sea which brought him such undying
fame. With the general went the Riverlawns, through many a fiery battle,
doing their duty as of yore and winning fresh laurels day by day. To
tell of all these happenings would require many volumes, and still not
one half would be told. The war went on, and commanders came and went,
but the Riverlawns kept in their place, well to the front, no matter
what the danger. In one battle Colonel Gordon was shot down, and then
Deck became the commander, a position he held until that final surrender
of Lee to Grant at Appomattox.
The Union was saved! How the news flashed hither and thither over the
telegraph wires! The church bells rang, bonfires leaped up to the very
clouds, and men, women, and children shook hands, wept, cheered, and
yelled themselves hoarse. Henceforth it would be the United States of
America, and nothing less--against all comers. The Constitution of our
forefathers, baptized in the blood of thousands of martyrs, should
henceforth be held sacred!
The final surrender came in April, 1865. In October of that year
occurred two events, which, while not of national importance, were of
great moment to the immediate parties concerned. By invitation of the
Belthorpes, Rosebel Greene had made her home at Lyndhall, and here she
was united for life to the young soldier whom she had so tenderly nursed
back from death's door to perfect health. At the same time that this
occurred Kate Belthorpe became Mrs. Dexter Lyon. All belonging to the
several families were present, and among them Margie Gadbury, who in the
early spring had changed her name from Belthorpe. Lyndhall was a mass of
lights and flowers, and both Deck and Artie were married in full
military uniform, and the entire occasion was one long to be remembered
by those who participated.
When the Riverlawns were mustered out there was some talk of disbanding
the command, but this was overruled, and for a number of years the
various companies remained intact, although unattached. Every year they
held a grand reunion, where the veterans, young and old, would "fight
their battles over again." At these reunions many toasts were offered,
but that which brought forth the greatest applause was the one
invariably offered by Colonel Dexter Lyon.
"Gentlemen," he would say, on rising, "let me give to you the toast I
have proposed to you every year since the war closed: An Undivided
Union. May God prosper it, and every citizen do all he can to uphold
it!"
"An Undivided Union!" would come back in deep unison. "Once and forever!
AN UNDIVIDED UNION!"
OLIVER OPTIC'S BOOKS
All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. First Series. Illustrated.
Price per volume, $1.25.
1. A Missing Million; or, THE ADVENTURES OF LOUIS BELGRADE.
2. A Millionaire at Sixteen; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE "GUARDIAN
MOTHER."
3. A Young Knight Errant; OR, CRUISING IN THE WEST INDIES.
4. Strange Sights Abroad; or, ADVENTURES IN EUROPEAN WATERS.
No author has come before the public during the present generation who
has achieved a larger and more deserving popularity among young people
than "Oliver Optic." His stories have been very numerous, but they have
been uniformly excellent in moral tone and literary quality. As
indicated in the general title, it is the author's intention to conduct
the readers of this entertaining series "around the world." As a means
to this end, the hero of the story purchases a steamer which he names
the "Guardian Mother," and with a number of guests she proceeds on her
voyage.--_Christian Work, N. Y._
All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Second Series. Illustrated.
Price per volume, $1.25.
1. American Boys Afloat; OR, CRUISING IN THE ORIENT.
2. The Young Navigators; OR, THE FOREIGN CRUISE OF THE "MAUD."
3. Up and Down the Nile; OR, YOUNG ADVENTURERS IN AFRICA.
4. Asiatic Breezes; OR, STUDENTS ON THE WING.
The interest in these stories is continuous, and there is a great
variety of exciting incident woven into the solid information which the
book imparts so generously and without the slightest suspicion of
dryness. Manly boys will welcome this volume as cordially as they did
its predecessors.--_Boston Gazette._
All-Over-the-World Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Third Series. Illustrated.
Price per volume, $1.25.
1. Across India; OR, LIVE BOYS IN THE FAR EAST.
2. Half Round the World; OR, AMONG THE UNCIVILIZED.
3. Four Young Explorers; OR, SIGHT-SEEING IN THE TROPICS.
4. Pacific Shores; OR, ADVENTURES IN EASTERN SEAS.
Amid such new and varied surroundings it would be surprising indeed if
the author, with his faculty of making even the commonplace attractive,
did not tell an intensely interesting story of adventure, as well as
give much information in regard to the distant countries through which
our friends pass, and the strange peoples with whom they are brought in
contact. This book, and indeed the whole series, is admirably adapted to
reading aloud in the family circle, each volume containing matter which
will interest all the members of the family.--_Boston Budget._
The Blue and the Gray--Afloat. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes.
Illustrated. Beautiful binding in blue and gray, with emblematic dies.
Cloth. Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.50.
1. Taken by the Enemy.
2. Within the Enemy's Lines.
3. On the Blockade.
4. Stand by the Union.
5. Fighting for the Right.
6. A Victorious Union.
The Blue and the Gray--on Land.
1. Brother against Brother.
2. In the Saddle.
3. A Lieutenant at Eighteen.
4. On the Staff.
5. At the Front.
6. An Undivided Union.
"There never has been a more interesting writer in the field of juvenile
literature than Mr. W. T. ADAMS, who, under his well-known pseudonym, is
known and admired by every boy and girl in the country, and by thousands
who have long since passed the boundaries of youth, yet who remember
with pleasure the genial, interesting pen that did so much to interest,
instruct, and entertain their younger years. 'The Blue and the Gray' is
a title that is sufficiently indicative of the nature and spirit of the
latest series, while the name of _Oliver Optic_ is sufficient warrant of
the absorbing style of narrative. This series is as bright and
entertaining as any work that Mr. ADAMS has yet put forth, and will be
as eagerly perused as any that has borne his name. It would not be fair
to the prospective reader to deprive him of the zest which comes from
the unexpected by entering into a synopsis of the story. A word,
however, should be said in regard to the beauty and appropriateness of
the binding, which makes it a most attractive volume."--_Boston Budget._
Woodville Stories. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any volume
sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. Rich and Humble; OR, THE MISSION OF BERTHA GRANT.
2. In School and Out; OR, THE CONQUEST OF RICHARD GRANT.
3. Watch and Wait; OR, THE YOUNG FUGITIVES.
4. Work and Win; or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise.
5. Hope and Have; OR, FANNY GRANT AMONG THE INDIANS..
6. Haste and Waste; OR, THE YOUNG PILOT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
"Though we are not so young as we once were, we relished these stories
almost as much as the boys and girls for whom they were written. They
were really refreshing, even to us. There is much in them which is
calculated to inspire a generous, healthy ambition, and to make
distasteful all reading tending to stimulate base desires."--_Fitchburg
Reveille._
The Starry Flag Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated.
Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. The Starry Flag; OR, THE YOUNG FISHERMAN OF CAPE ANN.
2. Breaking Away; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STUDENT.
3. Seek and Find; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A SMART BOY.
4. Freaks of Fortune; OR, HALF ROUND THE WORLD.
5. Make or Break; OR, THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER.
6. Down the River; OR, BUCK BRADFORD AND THE TYRANTS.
"Mr. ADAMS, the celebrated and popular writer, familiarly known as
OLIVER OPTIC, seems to have inexhaustible funds for weaving together the
virtues of life; and, notwithstanding he has written scores of books,
the same freshness and novelty run through them all. Some people think
the sensational element predominates. Perhaps it does. But a book for
young people needs this, and so long as good sentiments are inculcated
such books ought to be read."
Army and Navy Stories. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Any
volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. The Soldier Boy; OR, TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY.
2. The Sailor Boy; OR, JACK SOMERS IN THE NAVY.
3. The Young Lieutenant; OR, ADVENTURES OF AN ARMY OFFICER.
4. The Yankee Middy; OR, ADVENTURES OF A NAVY OFFICER.
5. Fighting Joe; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A STAFF OFFICER.
6. Brave Old Salt; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.
"This series of six volumes recounts the adventures of two brothers, Tom
and Jack Somers, one in the army, the other in the navy, in the great
Civil War. The romantic narratives of the fortunes and exploits of the
brothers are thrilling in the extreme. Historical accuracy in the
recital of the great events of that period is strictly followed, and the
result is, not only a library of entertaining volumes, but also the best
history of the Civil War for young people ever written."
Boat Builders Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any
volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. All Adrift; OR, THE GOLDWING CLUB.
2. Snug Harbor; OR, THE CHAMPLAIN MECHANICS.
3. Square and Compasses; OR, BUILDING THE HOUSE.
4. Stem to Stern; OR, BUILDING THE BOAT.
5. All Taut; OR, RIGGING THE BOAT.
6. Ready About; OR, SAILING THE BOAT.
"The series includes in six successive volumes the whole art of boat
building, boat rigging, boat managing, and practical hints to make the
ownership of a boat pay. A great deal of useful information is given in
this Boat Builders Series, and in each book a very interesting story is
interwoven with the information. Every reader will be interested at once
in Dory, the hero of 'All Adrift,' and one of the characters retained in
the subsequent volumes of the series. His friends will not want to lose
sight of him, and every boy who makes his acquaintance in 'All Adrift'
will become his friend."
Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Twelve volumes. Illustrated.
Illuminated covers. Price: cloth, per set, $3.60; per volume, 30 cents;
paper, per set, $2.00.
1. Little Merchant.
2. Young Voyagers.
3. Christmas Gift.
4. Dolly and I.
5. Uncle Ben.
6. Birthday Party.
7. Proud and Lazy.
8. Careless Kate.
9. Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
10. The Picnic Party.
11. The Gold Thimble.
12. The Do-Somethings.
Riverdale Story Books. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy
cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents.
1. Little Merchant.
2. Proud and Lazy.
3. Young Voyagers.
4. Careless Kate.
5. Dolly and I.
6. Robinson Crusoe, Jr.
Flora Lee Library. By OLIVER OPTIC. Six volumes. Illustrated. Fancy
cloth and colors. Price per volume, 30 cents.
1. The Picnic Party.
2. The Gold Thimble.
3. The Do-Somethings.
4. Christmas Gift.
5. Uncle Ben.
6. Birthday Party.
These are bright short stories for younger children who are unable to
comprehend the Starry Flag Series or the Army and Navy Series. But they
all display the author's talent for pleasing and interesting the little
folks. They are all fresh and original, preaching no sermons, but
inculcating good lessons.
The Great Western Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated.
Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. Going West; OR, THE PERILS OF A POOR BOY.
2. Out West; OR, ROUGHING IT ON THE GREAT LAKES.
3. Lake Breezes; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE SYLVANIA.
4. Going South; OR, YACHTING ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
5. Down South; OR, YACHT ADVENTURES IN FLORIDA.
6. Up the River; OR, YACHTING ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
"This is the latest series of books issued by this popular writer, and
deals with life on the Great Lakes, for which a careful study was made
by the author in a summer tour of the immense water sources of America.
The story, which carries the same hero through the six books of the
series, is always entertaining, novel scenes and varied incidents giving
a constantly changing yet always attractive aspect to the narrative.
OLIVER OPTIC has written nothing better."
The Yacht Club Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated. Any
volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. Little Bobtail; OR, THE WRECK OF THE PENOBSCOT.
2. The Yacht Club; OR, THE YOUNG BOAT BUILDERS.
3. Money-Maker; OR, THE VICTORY OF THE BASILISK.
4. The Coming Wave; OR, THE TREASURE OF HIGH ROCK.
5. The Dorcas Club; OR, OUR GIRLS AFLOAT.
6. Ocean Born; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE CLUBS.
"The series has this peculiarity, that all of its constituent volumes
are independent of one another, and therefore each story is complete in
itself. OLIVER OPTIC is, perhaps, the favorite author of the boys and
girls of this country, and he seems destined to enjoy an endless
popularity. He deserves his success, for he makes very interesting
stories, and inculcates none but the best sentiments, and the 'Yacht
Club' is no exception to this rule."--_New Haven Journal and Courier._
Onward and Upward Series. By OLIVER OPTIC. In six volumes. Illustrated.
Any volume sold separately. Price per volume, $1.25.
1. Field and Forest; OR, THE FORTUNES OF A FARMER.
2. Plane and Plank; OR, THE MISHAPS OF A MECHANIC.
3. Desk and Debit; OR, THE CATASTROPHES OF A CLERK.
4. Cringle and Crosstree; OR, THE SEA SWASHES OF A SAILOR.
5. Bivouac and Battle: OR, THE STRUGGLES OF A SOLDIER.
6. Sea and Shore; OR, THE TRAMPS OF A TRAVELLER.
