Gen. McClernand to go round to the southwest side of the town; to General Wallace, to hold the center of the line, west of the town; and to General Smith, to be ready to storm the fort on the northwest side. 2. It was a beautiful morning. The air was mild, and the birds sang in the trees though it was midwinter. The sharpshooters ate their breakfast before sunrise, and began the battle by exchanging shots with the rebel pickets. Though Paul had been up all night, there was no time for rest. He was sent with orders to the artillery officers,—to Captain Taylor, Captain Dresser, and Captain Schwartz, telling them where to place their guns. As he rode over the hills and through the ravines, he passed the sharpshooters. Their rifles were cracking merrily. Among them was the soldier whom Paul had helped on the march. The soldier saluted him. Paul saw that he was not only foot-sore, but also sick. 3. You are not fit to go into battle; you ought to report to the surgeon," said Paul. "I wouldn't miss of being in this scrimmage that we are going to have to-day for the best farm in Illinois," said the soldier. Just then the rebel cannon opened, and the shells came crashing through the front. Major Cavender had wheeled. his guns into position, and was sighting them. One of the shells struck at his feet, and ploughed a deep furrow in the ground. Another struck a poor fellow in the breast, whirled him into the air, spattering his blood upon those who stood around, killing him instantly. 4. As Paul beheld the quivering flesh, the sight filled him with horror, and made him sick at heart. Such might be his fate before the day was done. He thought of home, of his mother, of Azalia, and of the dear friends far away. He thought also of God, and the hereafter; but he remembered that he was in the keeping of his Heavenly Father. He was there to do his duty, and if he was to meet with death, he would meet it resolutely; and so, regaining his composure, he rode calmly along the lines, acting as aid to General Grant, doing the duties assigned him. 5. The battle lasted through the day, but the fort was not taken. The gunboats which were to sail up the Cum berland River had not arrived, and the provisions which the troops brought from Fort Henry were nearly exhausted. The day which had been so bright and beautiful was succeeded by a dreary night. The wind blew from the northeast. A rain-storm set in, which changed to snow, and became one of the severest storms ever known in that section of the coun try. It was a terrible night for the wounded. They had no protection from the storm. Hundreds had fallen during the day. It 6. Some were lying where they fell, close up under the rebel breastworks, amid the tangled thickets, the blood oozing from their wounds and staining the drifting snow. was heart-rending to hear their wailings, and cries of distress, and calls for help. When morning came, many a brave soldier was frozen to the ground. When Paul saw the terrible suffering, he felt that he was willing to make any sacrifice to put a stop to such horrors. But then he remembered that Justice, Truth, and Righteousness are more valuable than human life, and that it is better to fight for them than to yield to injustice and wickedness. 7. But now the hearts of the soldiers were cheered with the news that the gunboats were coming. Paul looked down the river and saw a cloud of black smoke hanging over the forest, rising from their tall chimneys. Steamboats loaded with provisions came with the fleet. The soldiers swung their caps, and made the air ring with their lusty cheers. 8. What a magnificent sight it was when the gunboats steamed up the river and opened fire upon the fort, covering themselves with clouds of smoke and flame, and all of the guns in the fort replying! The storm had died away, the air was still, and the roar of the cannonade was like thunder. All along the lines the sharpshooter rifles were ringing. The soldiers crowded behind trees and logs and hillocks, lying on their faces, picking off the rebel gunners when they attempted to load their cannon. But the day passed and the fort was not taken. Saturday morning came, and the rebels, finding themselves short of provisions, instead of waiting to be attacked, came out from the fort at daybreak, fifteen thousand strong, and made a sudden attack upon the Union army. He saw with 9. A great battle followed which lasted nearly all day. Thousands were killed and wounded. Paul was obliged to ride all over the field, carrying orders to the different generals, while the bullets fell like hailstones around him. Cannon-balls flew past him, shells exploded over his head, men fell near him, but he was unharmed. grief his comrades overpowered and driven could scarcely keep back the tears when he capture some of Captain Schwartz's guns. But when the infantry gave way and fled panic-stricken along the road towards Fort Henry, throwing away their muskets, his indignation was aroused. 66 back, and he saw the rebels 10. Stop! or I'll shoot you," he said, drawing his revolver. "A'n't you ashamed of yourselves, you cowards?" shouted one brave soldier. Paul looked round to see who it was, and discovered his friend the sharpshooter, who thus aided him in rallying the fugitives. Blood was dripping from his fingers. A ball had passed through one arm, but he had tied his handkerchief over the wound, and was on his way back to the lines to take part once more in the battle. Paul thanked the noble fellow for helping him, and then, with the aid of other officers, they rallied the fugitives till reinforcements came. 11. Onward came the rebels, flushed with success, and thinking to win a glorious victory: but they were cut down with shells and canister, and by the volleys of musketry which were poured upon them. It was with great satisfaction that Paul saw the shells tear through the rebel ranks; not that he liked to see men killed, but because he wanted Right to triumph over Wrong. Again and again the rebels marched up the hill, but were as often swept back by the terrible fire which burst from Captain Wood's, Captain Willard's, Captain Taylor's, and Captain Dresser's batteries. 12. The little brook which trickled through the ravine at the foot of the hill was red with the blood of the slain. It was a fearful sight. But the rebels at last gave up the attempt to drive the Union troops from the hill, and went back into the fort. Then in the afternoon there was a grand charge upon the rebel breastworks. With a wild hurrah they carried the old flag across the ravine, and up the hill beyond, over fallen trees and through thick underbrush. 13. Men dropped from the ranks in scores, but on—on— on they went, driving the rebels, planting the stars and stripes on the works; and though the rebel regiments in the fort rained solid shot and shell and grape and canister and musket-balls upon them, yet they held the ground through the long, weary, dreary winter night. When the dawn came, the dawn of Sunday, they saw a white flag flung out from the parapet of the fort, and they knew that the enemy had surrendered. What a cheer they gave! They swung their hats, sang songs, and danced for joy. How beautifully the stars and stripes waved in the morning breeze! How proudly they marched into the fort and into the town, the drums beating, the bugles sounding, and the bands playing. 14. But how horrible the sight upon the field when the contest was over, the dead, some cold and ghastly, others still warm with departing life, lying with their faces toward Heaven, smiling as if only asleep! The ground was strewn with guns, knapsacks, and blood-stained garments; the snow had changed to crimson. Many wounded were lying where they fell, some, whose lives were ebbing away, calmly waiting the coming of death. 15. As Paul walked over the field he came upon one lying with clasped hands and closed eyes, whose life-blood was running away from a ghastly wound in his breast. As Paul stopped to gaze a moment upon a countenance which seemed familiar, the soldier opened his eyes and smiled; then Paul saw that it was the brave sharpshooter whom he had helped on the march, who, though sick, would not go into the hospital, and who, though wounded, would not leave the field, and who aided him in rallying the fugitives. He had fought gallantly through the battle, and received his death wound in the last grand charge. 16. "I am glad you have come, for I know that one who was kind enough to help a poor fellow on the march will be willing to do one thing more," said the soldier faintly. Certainly, what can I do for you?" "Not much, only I would like to have you overhaul my knapsack for me." Paul unstrapped the knapsack from the soldier's back, and opened it. "There is a picture in there which I want to look at once more before I die. You will find it in my Bible." Paul handed him the Bible. and tell her have tried to 17. "My mother gave it to me the day I left home to join the army. It was her last gift. I promised to read it every day, and I would like to have you write to her that I have kept my promise. Tell her that I do my duty to my country and to my God. I would like to live but am not afraid to die, and I am not sorry that I enlisted. Write to my sister. She is a sweet girl,—I can see her now,— a bright-eyed, light-hearted, joyous creature. O, how she will miss me! Tell her to plant a rose-bush in the garden and call it my rose, that little Eddie, when he grows up, may remember that his eldest brother died for his country. They live away up in Wisconsin." 18. He took a photograph from the Bible. It was the picture of a dark-haired, black-eyed, fair-featured girl. He gazed upon it till the tears rolled down his cheeks. He drew his brawny hand across his face and wiped them away, but the effort started the bright blood flowing in a fresher stream. "It is hard to part from her. She promised to be my wife when I came home from the war," he said, and touched it to his lips, then gazed again till his sight grew dim. He laid it with the Bible on his breast. Paul wiped the cold sweat from the soldier's brow. "God bless you," he whispered, and looked up and smiled. His eyes closed, and the slowly heaving heart stood still. He was gone into the land where the Faithful and True receive their just reward. LXVIII.—A BALLAD OF THE WAR. NANCY A. W. WAKEFIELD. 1. "My arm?" I lost it at Cedar Mountain; |