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Vol. I. POCKET EDITION. No. 3. 
 
 (lie Stars and Bars ; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A WEARING OF THE GRAY, 
 
 A THRILLING STORY OF TENNESSEE. 
 
 BY MON MYRTLE. 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 NOVELIST PUBLISHING CO., 
 
 Nos. 18 and 20 Rose Street, 
 1883. 
 
Copyrighted 1883, by The Novelist Publishing Co. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE MIDNIGHT ATTACK. 
 
 "One word of remonstrance from you, sir, and you die I" 
 
 The above startling sentence was utiered in a thrilling, impres- 
 sive manner by a fierce-looking man, attired in the faded uniform 
 of a Confederate officer. 
 
 This man was Captain Halroy, who, at the head of a small party 
 of Tennesseans, had just made a midnight attack upon the cabin 
 of Fred Meirigold, a young man noted for his avowed Union prin- 
 ciples, whom it was their determination to force into the rebel 
 ranks. 
 
 He had until recently lived in the village of Glenwood, near the 
 Kentucky river, but when his sentiments became known, they 
 evoked the displeasure of the intensely Southern element which 
 there prevailed, and as a result, he was obliged to flee to the 
 mountains. 
 
 Taken thus suddenly and at a great disadvantage, the young 
 Unionist, quite bewildered and unable to offer any adequate resist- 
 ance, said nothing, but allowed himself to be dragged rudely away 
 from his humble retreat. 
 
 Captain Halroy chuckled exultantly as he conducted his discom- 
 fited prisoner up before the commanding officer at headquarters. 
 
 " What have you here, captain?" queried the colonel, as Merri- 
 gold was brought before him. 
 
 " A Yankee sympathizer, colonel ; I thought we might find use 
 for him in our cavalry company, and as we need every able-bodi"d 
 man available, we just caught him to-night and brought him in as 
 a recruit." 
 
 " Very good ; assign him to Company B, and see that he is put 
 through hi3 paces in good shape." 
 
 "All right, sir;" and with the usual military salute, Halroy 
 turned and brought Fred Merrigold to that section of the camp 
 occupied by the company above referred to, which happened to 
 
i UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 be a section of what was subsequently kuow as Forrest's cavalry, 
 
 which by its daring deeds, won distinction and renown in the Con- 
 federate service in many a perilous campaign. 
 
 Fred Merrigold was duly mustered in, and coolly informed that 
 any attempt on his part to desert his command, would result in 
 certain death. 
 
 Thus admonished, and finding escape impossible, it is little won- 
 der that he gradually became accustomed to his new life, and soon 
 began to think and act as though heart and hand in the service of 
 the stars and bars. 
 
 This, however, was not the case; but while appearing to take 
 great interest in the welfare of the Confederacy, he was ever on 
 the alert to devise means of escaping from the rebel ranks. 
 
 Fred Merrigold became a great favorite with the men, and 
 eventually quite a confidant of the officers. 
 
 He proved himself trustworthy on all occasions, and was looked 
 upon as the best courier in the cavalry. 
 
 This being the case, the young man, with great courage and re- 
 markable nerve decided that he could really be of indispensible 
 service to the Union while in the rebel ranks, and concluded to re- 
 main there as a spy as long as the nature of the information at 
 his command would render it advisable to do so. 
 
 "Who said Fred Merrigold was a Yankee sympathizer?" asked 
 Dick Dalton, a Georgiau, indignantly; "the man as said that, air a 
 whipped cur, hang him ! Their ain't no more true Confedrit on 
 this continent of Araeriky than Merrigold!" he added enthusias- 
 tically. 
 
 In this opinion one and all of Company B fully concurred. 
 
 In order to strengthen this favorable impression, Fred was in- 
 fatigable in his efforts to organize the company of which h6 had 
 been promoted to sergeant, and prepare it for the exigencies of 
 the coming campaign. 
 
 In the 'ourse of a week Colonel Forrest, who was in command, 
 moved the cavalry about twenty-five miles in the direction of 
 Charlotte, Dixon county, Tennessee, and there encamped. His 
 troops had taken a prominent part in the defence of Fort Donel- 
 son, and the losses there sustained rendered it essentially necessary 
 to secure some quiet spot in a populous section and there recruit. 
 
 It was with this purpose in view that they sought the mountains 
 of Kentucky where they felt certain of securing vast accessions 
 from the adventurous inhabitants of that region, and it was there, 
 as we have seen, that they effected the capture of our friend, Fred 
 Merrigold. 
 
 At Charlotte they received the astounding intelligence that 
 Nashville was assuredly in the possession of the Federals, and that 
 they were sending out " clouds of cavalry " to sweep the surround- 
 ing country and cut off the retreat of the Confederates. 
 
 In consequence of the evacuation of Bowling Green and the 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 5 
 
 series of successive disasters at Forts Henry and Donelson, the ut- 
 most consternation prevailed throughout the whole region trav- 
 ersed. 
 
 The roads were alive with invalid and furloughed soldiers or de- 
 serters, all hurrying southward to avoid capture. 
 
 This panic was not confined entirely to the chivalry, but extend- 
 ed its alarm among the civilians and non-combatants, many of 
 whom deserted and fled from their homes in wild disorder. The 
 result was, the constant stream of fugitives stimulated a great de- 
 gree of apprehension among the populace of the country through 
 which they passed, until they, too, added their presence to the 
 constantly increasing throng. 
 
 Forrest's cavalry following shortly afterwards, came upon the 
 houses and cabins left in haste by these alarmed people, and col- 
 lected enough provisions and supplies abandoned by them to re- 
 gale the battle-scorched troopers in good shape for a week at least. 
 After this agreeable incident, Forrest, moving on, halted for the 
 night at about twenty miles from Nashville on the Harpeth river, 
 where food and forage were liberally supplied by a gentleman 
 most zealous in his devotion to the Confederate cause, and in 
 whose house a sumptuous supper was laid for the colonel and 
 officers. 
 
 The next morning Forrest dispatched several scouts under com- 
 mand of Fred Merrigold, who was already renowned for his in- 
 trepid fearlessness, and known by the soubriquet of •' Fred, the 
 Fearless,' toward Nashville in order to ascertain if that city was 
 really held by the Federals. 
 
 They returned with the pleasant intelligence that such was not 
 the case, whereupon Forrest moved his whole force quickly for- 
 ward, and, entering the city, proceed to report to General Albert 
 Siduey Johnson, who referred him to General Floyd, under whose 
 directions Forrest distributed his force about the city to act as a 
 patrol, in which capacity they rendered effective service. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BIRDS OF A FEATHER. 
 
 Located on the banks of the muddy Muskingum is the thriving 
 little towu of Norwood. 
 
 It was a charming summer evening, and upon the left bank of 
 the murmuring stream was assembled as merry a party of youths 
 and maidens as ever made woods resound with their joyous shouts 
 and noisy prattle. The occasion was an auspicious one, being 
 nothing less than a lawn part}- which Squire Elverton, the richest 
 man in the vicinity, was giving as a complimentary reception to 
 his niece Edith, who had just graduated at famous female educa- 
 tional institute at a distant city. 
 
 The scene was a gorgeous one. The extensive grounds were 
 
 f 
 
b UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 brilliantly illuminated by fantastic Chinese lanterns, and, as we 
 have already observed, the assembled guests constituted a merry 
 party. 
 
 Among those present was Frank Faulkner, a worthy young gen- 
 tleman of Norwood, and a law student of remarkable promise. 
 
 His father was a wealthy farmer, and known all over the com- 
 munity for his tight-fisted, money-getting propensities. 
 
 Frank was a tall and remarkably fine looking youth of perhaps 
 twenty-four. 
 
 His face, although dark, was ever radiant with good humor, and 
 wore an unusually intelligent expression. His eyes were dark blue, 
 rather large, but keen and piercing; his mouth also was a little 
 too large to conform to a strict idea of beauty, but a silken mus- 
 tache of dark brown served in a measure to conceal the defects of 
 that organ. 
 
 He was always fashionably attired in a neat and stylish manner 
 —never loud or flashy. 
 
 Squire Elverton had long regarded him as an eligible young man 
 for the hand of his niece, who was, indeed, a lovely girl, and had 
 resolved to eive this brilliant reception for the purpose of bring- 
 ing the young people together. 
 
 Accordingly, in due form, our friend, Frank Faulkner, was in- 
 troduced to Miss Edith Elverton. 
 
 She was a tall, genteel and handsome girl, possessed of beautiful 
 hazel eyes, large and ingenuous of expression, and delicately 
 fringed with long, silken lashes. Grecian nose, cherry lips, cheeks 
 well rounded, and flushed like damask roses ; a clear skin, soft as 
 satin ; and long, dark hair, whieh fell in a rich, wavy mass over her 
 beautiful, arching shoulders, being confined by a simple bow of 
 blue ribbon. 
 
 Edith Elverton was, moreover, possessed of those indispensible 
 attributes of beauty which are so much admired— elegant manners, 
 graceful carriage, rare conversational powers, a cultured mind, 
 and good common sense. 
 
 Since her return from boarding-school she was accorded the 
 palm, that is, considered the prettiest and nicest girl in Norwood, 
 and was, in brief, the reigning belle. 
 
 Frank was no sooner introduced to her than he became enrapt- 
 ured with her rare charms, and during the rest or the evening's 
 entertainment devoted his best attentions to her. 
 
 They glided about together in the mazes of the waltz, and anon 
 sauntered down the cool, delicious paths among trees and heather, 
 to the river side, indulging in pleasant, sentimental, or romantio 
 prattle as they proceeded. 
 
 Frank felt that he had met his fate, and for several weeks subse- 
 quent was her devoted lover. 
 
 But a cloud was, alas, destined to come between them. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 7 
 
 It was the old, old story of the loving and trusting swain, and 
 the fickle goddess of flirtation. 
 
 Our hero at length found, or fancied he found, himself com- 
 pletely supplanted in her affections by Renwood Reinhart, a fash- 
 ionable young gentleman of the sporting fraternity, who was the 
 sou of a wealthy Louisville banker, and spent most of his time at 
 Norwood, where he practiced civil engineering, and occasionally, 
 when business was dull, gambling. 
 
 This dashing young man was possessed of remarkably attractive 
 manners, had an incessant flow of rapturous poetry at his com- 
 mand, was exceedingly gallant, and strikingly handsome. 
 
 He found it an easy matter to gain the acquaintance of Edith 
 Elverton, but an entirely different affair to win her over from 
 Frank Faulkner. 
 
 This was the state of affairs in the month of August, 1861, when 
 the thunders of partizau guns already swept over the great re- 
 public. 
 
 One evening as Ren Reinhart, with Edith leaning gracefully upon 
 his arm was strolling through the main street of Norwood their 
 attention was attracted by a crowd assembled upon the green 
 many of the men constituting which carried torches. 
 
 They learned upon inquiry that a company was being recruited 
 for the — Ohio light battery. 
 
 While they were looking with interest upon the proceedings, 
 and listening to the spirited strains of the brass band, Frank Faulk- 
 ner, himself unobserved, managed to approach near enough to see 
 the idol of his heart conversing so pleasantly with his rival. 
 
 "We want a captain for this company. Whom shall it be?" 
 cried one of the men. 
 
 u Ren Reinhart!" exclaimed a voice, as the speaker descried the 
 commanding figure of the popular sporting man. 
 
 "Yes"— "Yes"— "Yes"— echoed the exclamations of approval, 
 for Ren was a special favorite with the boys about town. 
 
 Thus appealed to, and hardly knowing what to do, or how to 
 refuse, Reinhart advanced an argument embodying his excuses, 
 but the cries instantly arose with renewed vigor, and his enthusi- 
 asm, aroused to the highest pitch by the popular demand, he broke 
 away from the gentle, restraining hand of Edith, pushed through 
 the crowd, placed his name in a bold scrawl at the head of the re- 
 cruiting list, and grasped the hands of his boon companions, who 
 were eager to congratulate him, amid rousing cheers. 
 
 He was indeed a hero, he thought, as he rejoined Edith, and 
 escorted her to her uncle's mansion. 
 
 Although she evidently felt much distress at his action, Edith 
 did not rebuke him, but listened to his tale of the valor he would 
 display on the field of battle, and expressed a sincere hope for his 
 safety. 
 
 The following evening, Reinhart was seated in the reading-room 
 
8 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 of the Crescent House, with his feet planted comfortably upon the 
 window sill, and engaged in smoking a cigar, reflectively. 
 
 He was shortly aroused from his musings, however, by the en- 
 trance of a particular chum. Art Arnold, by name. 
 
 " I say, Captain Reinhart, you have made a deuced fool of your- 
 self!" 
 
 "How so?" queried Reinhart, looking up, evidently quite sur- 
 prised. 
 
 "By enlisting, of course." 
 
 " I do not understand you. Please be more explicit." 
 
 " Well, just before I came in here I happened to see Frank Faulk- 
 ner, accompanied by the fair Edith, drive down the pike in a 
 phaeton." 
 
 Ren uttered an oath, and observed : 
 
 " I see the point. That young lawyer is determined to carry off 
 the prize, and I am equally determined he shall not. I wish I could 
 devise a means of getting the best of him." 
 
 "Well, why not?" what would you give to have him removed 
 from your path?" 
 
 " A good deal." 
 
 "How much?" 
 
 " Five hundred dollars." 
 
 "Make it a thousand, and I'm your man." 
 
 " Very well ; since you suggest it, an idea occurs to me. Come, 
 we will go up to my rooms, where we can arrange matters satis- 
 factorily. But mind, I don't want him killed." 
 
 The two worthies proceeded to Reinhart's spacious apartments 
 on the second floor, where they were soon securely closeted, and 
 engaged in plotting. 
 
 "You have enlisted for the war, have you not?" queried Arnold. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, I would advise you to engage a substitute ; for, while you 
 are away he'll marry the girl." 
 
 "By Jove! so he will. I know she is naturally disposed to be 
 fickle, and it is out of eight, out of mind with her, but my chances 
 in that event will be gone forever." 
 
 "That's about the size of it. You had better make some other 
 arrangements. I was thinking " 
 
 "Well, what were you thinking?" interrupted Reinhart, im- 
 patiently. 
 
 " It occurred to me," resumed Arnold, biting the end of a cigar, 
 "that you might arrange it so that he would go out with the bat- 
 tery as captain instead of you, and never return." 
 
 " Never return ! what do you mean ?" queried Reinhart, in a hol- 
 low voice and much agitated. 
 
 " He might fall on the field of battle somewhere, get accidentally 
 shot or blown up by the premature discharge of a gun, and then 
 you could act the comforter and by various kindly acts and de- 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. \) 
 
 vises win your way to Miss Elverton's undisputed affection and 
 eventually marry her." 
 
 " By Jove! the very thing ; I know she loves him devotedly, and 
 I have scarcely any show at all while he exists; but, once he is re- 
 moved, victory i» mine as sure as fate. But how can I go back on 
 my word ? I have volunteered, you know." 
 
 " Engage a substitute, and propose Faulkner for the captaincy." 
 
 " Who would go in my place ?" 
 
 " I would, and you may rest assured in that event, Captain 
 Faulkner would never cross your path again," said Arnold, sig- 
 nificantly. 
 
 " Well, since you have such a fertile imagination for concocting 
 plots, will you tell me how I am to arrange it so that Faulkner will 
 go instead of myself?" 
 
 "Easy enough, all you have to do is to pretend you have been 
 taken suddenly ill the day previous to the departure of the troops, 
 which will be next Thursday. Moreover, I heard Faulkner ex- 
 press a desire to go before your name was proposed as captain, and 
 I feel certain that if he were tendered your commission he would 
 accept, for he is more than half mad with Edith for maintaining 
 her flirtation with you. However, to make assurance doubly sure, 
 I will take him around among the boys, get him intoxicated if pos- 
 sible, and while thus bereft of his senses he shall be honored with 
 the captaincy in your stead." 
 
 "Admirable; you have brains enough to command a regiment, 
 and after I recover I will use my influence for you ; by the way, I 
 would rather he would not be injured iu any way, but if you can 
 betray him into the hands of the Confederates and have him de- 
 tained a prisoner for a reasonable period and start the report that 
 he is dead, I think I can accomplish my purpose." 
 
 " Leave that to me, if I don't put him out of your way for many 
 a long day my name ain't Art Arnold." saying which he took his 
 departure. 
 
 When Arnold, the arch-plotter, left Reinhart alone with his re- 
 flexions, that worthy threw the end of his cigar out of the window 
 and paced up and down the room humming a popular air, while 
 he mused and mentally debated regarding the probable success of 
 the diabolical plot to which he, a supposed honorable young gen- 
 tleman, had become an abettor, not to say instigator. 
 
 " Arnold has a wonderfully clear head, I never gave him credit 
 for the amount of ingenuity which he has displayed on the present 
 occasion ; if he only carries out the details as successfully as he has 
 planned them, I see no reason why I should not yet be the happy 
 husband of the belle of Norwood." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 On the same August evening that Reinhart and Arnold arranged 
 
10 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 their plans, our hero Frank Faulkner had the pleasure of driving 
 about the shady and deliciously cool suburbs of Norwood, -with 
 pretty Edith Elverton by his side. 
 
 The drive was heartily enjoyed by both. Frank's chestnut trot- 
 ter being able to pass every vehicle ou the road with apparent 
 ease. 
 
 They chatted pleasantly all evening, and to hear their merry 
 laugh and mirthful remarks, no one would believe that aught but 
 sunshine had ever intervened between them. On their way home- 
 ward, however, Frank took occasion to gently chide her for the 
 coquettish propensities, and observed that he was surprised that a 
 young lady of her refinement and social standing would encourage 
 the advances, or receive the attentions of a man so manifestly low- 
 principled, as Reinhart, the gambler and horse jockey, whereupon 
 she crimsoned confusedly and made a sharp retort which caused 
 Frank f.o grow exceedingly nettled. She did not endeavor to con- 
 ceal her^anger but intimated that Reinhart was as good as he any 
 day, and that she didn't wish to have any friend of hers disparaged 
 in her presence. 
 
 Frank, who was naturally disposed to be a little jealous, miscon- 
 strued this display of feeling upon her part, and in an angry mo- 
 ment observed : 
 
 "This thing has gone far enough, Edith, once for all I demand 
 that you come to an understanding with me ; I cannot bear the 
 torture of seeing you with my rival and bestowing upon him those 
 smiles which I feel should belong to me. I ask it as a favor that 
 you dismiss him at once and engage yourself to me." 
 
 "Not yet, Mr. Faulkner," she said, with emphasis. " I have 
 long regarded you as a friend, but I do not hold myself subject to 
 your whims. I am free to exercise my own caprices, and 1 intend 
 so to remain for some time, at least as far as you are concerned." 
 
 Frank grew pale and staggered up against the gate post. 
 
 "This then is your decision ?" he gasped, quite astonished at her 
 unusually sharp tones. 
 
 " It is," she replied, her dark eyes snapping forth a strange bril- 
 liancy. 
 
 "Then," he murmured, extending his hand, " we must part. I 
 shall leave Norwood soon ; perhaps I may never see you again— 
 good-by!" 
 
 She shook his hand and then with the greatest dignity turned 
 and slowly walised toward the house. 
 
 As she turned she dropped a small tuberose from her clustering 
 black hair. 
 
 Eagerly Frank, who adored the ground upon which she stood, 
 stooped and secured the flower, then hastening into his carriage he 
 seized the reins, whipped the horse, and dashed from sight. 
 
 Many a time after this event, fair Edith had cause to regret her 
 hasty action ; for, to tell the truth, she was as deeply impressed 
 with Frank as he with her. 
 
UNDEK THE STARS AND BARS. 11 
 
 The next morning Frank, while strolling down toward the green, 
 was accosted by Arthur Arnold, who approached him with abroad 
 grin upon his sinister features. 
 
 44 I say, Frank," he observed, 44 what's the matter with you? You 
 look as glum as though something had disagreed with you ; hain't 
 been eating no green cucumbers or unripe watermelons, have 
 you?" 
 
 44 No, Art, worse than that." 
 
 44 What ! your gal ain't gone back on yer, has she?" 
 
 44 Well, you've guessed pretty straight; we have quarreled, and 
 last evening we parted as strangers." 
 
 There was a triumphant gleam in Arnold's eyes as he heard this 
 avowal. 
 
 44 Ha! ha!" he observed, "it's only a petty pout; she'll be all 
 right again soon." 
 
 44 1 don't care whether she is or not," returned Frank, desper- 
 ately, l4 1 have had enough of her confounded coquetry. I am go- 
 ing to giv^her up and leave these parts ; in fact I am on the way 
 now to enlist. I'm going to the war for a change of scene." 
 
 44 You don't mean it?" gasped Arnold, in astonishment. 
 
 44 Never was more in earnest in my life." 
 
 44 Well, if that's the case, I think I can secure for you a commis- 
 sion as captain in the Ohio light battery." 
 
 44 No, I think not. Reinhart has that position, and I wouldn't 
 go in the same regiment as he. To tell you the truth, I despise 
 him." 
 
 44 But Reinhart is unable to go. I saw him this morning, and he 
 is sick with acute rheumatism and nervous prostration; ho has 
 been obliged to resign his position. I am going with the battery, 
 and I am quite sure I can get you the position vacated by Reinny." 
 
 " Very well, in that case I am your obedieutservant," responded 
 Frank, little dreaming he was falling into the trap so artfully laid 
 for him. 
 
 Taking him by the arm familiarly, Arnold conducted him to the 
 the headquarters of the battery on the green, where he was re- 
 ceived with manifestations of popular favor, duly enrolled, and 
 elected captain by acclamation. 
 
 Donning the uniform of a Federal artillery officer, he walked 
 home, there to surprise his folks to whom it was the first intima- 
 tion of his determination to 4 'go for a soldier." 
 
 Their entreaties, remonstrances and pathetic appeals to dissuade 
 him from his purpose were alike in vain. 
 
 Even his mother's tears had no softening effect upon him, so, 
 smoothing his hair with her soft hand she kissed his high forehead 
 ere he took his departure on the following morning, mounted 
 upon his fleet chestnut racer. 
 
 44 I'll be true blue, on that you may depend," he said, as his 
 
12 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 father shook him by the hand on the green ere the departure of 
 the troops for the front. 
 
 Then the artillery -boys, headed by the village brass-band, made 
 a short street parade, led by their handsome young officer. 
 
 As they passed by the post-office, Frank happening to look up, 
 caught a glimpse of the beautiful face of Edith Elverton eagerly 
 regarding him. 
 
 He raised his cap instinctively, whereupon she smiled, bowed 
 slightly and turned away to conceal her agitation. 
 
 " She cares not for me," he murmured, as he proceeded toward 
 the depot. 
 
 Boarding the cars, the boys in blue were soon on their way to 
 Cincinnati, amid the thunders of saluting cannon and cheers of the 
 multitude. 
 
 Reaching the city in due course, the Norwood artillerists were 
 assigned to the Ohio light artillery, and designated as "Bat- 
 tery F." 
 
 After a few weeks spent in the irksome duty of drilling and or- 
 ganizing, the regiment crossed over into Kentucky and pushed 
 forward with alacrity toward the Cumberland Mountains. 
 
 Reaching Cumberland Gap in due time, after a hard march over 
 toilsome roads, rough mountain paths, dense woods and tangled 
 undergrowth, they were ordered to join McClellan in his series of 
 battles in Western Virginia, and Battery F came into action for 
 the first time at the Battle of Cheat Mountaiu, which occurred on 
 September 12. 
 
 The inexperienced soldiers worked the guns with wonderful 
 coolness and precision under the direction of Captain Faulkner, 
 who, mounted upon the spirited charger, was ever near and on 
 the lookout to secure effective positions. 
 
 After a sharp fight, the Federals succeeded in pushing Lee and his 
 Confederate hordes back toward the Old Dominion, and McClellan 
 had the great satisfaction of wresting West Virginia entirely from 
 their grasp. 
 
 After this signal victory the battery was detached from the 
 regiment and sent to help strengthen the Federal position at 
 Cumberland Gap, where they remained until about Christmas. 
 
 During this'loug, tedious interval, Captain Frank Faulkner be- 
 came a great favorite with all the military men with whom he 
 came in contact. 
 
 The acquaintance of Lieutenant Percy Powers, a young Irish 
 officer of an Indiana infantry regiment which he soon formed, 
 pleased him exceedingly. 
 
 Lieutenant Powers was the wittiest man in camp and a general 
 favorite with all the boys. 
 
 A truer heart never beat beneath a blue blouse and shoulder- 
 straps. 
 
 During the monotonous spell of camp life he was the life of 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 13 
 
 everybody. His jokes, songs and mirth-provokijg stories were 
 most enjoyable. 
 
 It happened one day that one of his men, Nelse Stuart, was out 
 on guard duty at the foot of the west side of the mountain and 
 quite near the plantation of a notoriously Southern sympathizer. 
 
 Now the strict orders were that on no account should private 
 property be molested. 
 
 Nelse, while pacing up aud down under a row of saplings, no- 
 ticed that the trees were literally full of cackling hens, fluttering 
 chickens and gobbling turkeys. 
 
 He smacked his lips at this tempting display of toothsome pro- 
 vender within easy reach, and allowed that it was a shame the 
 boys had to content themseves with rancid salt pork when so 
 many fat rebel pullets were at hand and seemingly inciting a de- 
 liberate selection. 
 
 At length he determined to get, at least, a few of the chickens, 
 twist their necks, and hide them among the bushes until evening, 
 when he could smuggle them into camp and give the boys an en- 
 joyable treat. 
 
 "By gosh! I'll do it!" resolved the hoosier, and crawling 
 stealthily btneath the tree, he eagerly watched his opportunity, 
 and suddenly launching out with his bayonet, he succeeded in 
 spitting two of the fattest-looking fowls upon his keen steel. 
 
 Just as he was on the point of taking them off he heard foot- 
 steps approaching, and looking up was astonished and alarmed to 
 perceive the familiar form of Lieutenant Powers beside him. 
 
 Quickly throwing his musket up to a right shoulder shift, he 
 passed nervously up and down beneath the leafy covert. 
 
 " What have you there, Stuart?" asked the lieutenant, approach- 
 ing and pointing with his finger at the bayonet of the sentry. 
 
 Stuart looked up with a blank look of innocence depicted upon 
 his countenance, and replied : 
 
 " By gosh, leftenant, how did that happen ? Gracious, the blast- 
 ed chicks must have spitted themselves on my bayonet while I 
 was pacing here. Well, I swan ! that too consarned bad." 
 
 "Well," said Power, with a merry twinkle in his bright, blue 
 eyes, "I'll forgive you this time, Nelse, but see that it don't occur 
 again ; by the way, you can carry those chickens to my tent, I 
 must investigate them." 
 
 Stuart's jaw dropped as the lieutenant strode away. 
 
 " Investigate them," he echoed, " I guess he will; but, humso- 
 ever, I'm going to investigate two more;" and suiting the aotion 
 to the word, he repeated his speariug process. 
 
 If anybody had been in the vicinity of Stuart's tent that night, 
 they would have been surprised with the delightful odor of roast 
 chicken which exhaled itself upon the bracing mountain air. 
 
H UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MAPLEHURST. 
 
 In one of the most romantic spots in Kentucky, the village of 
 Glenwood, already spoken of in our narrative, stands. 
 
 This small burg is picturesquely situated upon the side of a 
 slight eminence, commanding an extended view of pleasant dis- 
 tricts of verdant meadows and leafy forests, and affords a mag- 
 nificant prospect of the grand old Kentucky river rolling away 
 in the misty distance like a thread of burnished silver, while 
 across its murmuring waters and towering banks are more vistas 
 of trees and groups of white cottages, forming smaller villages. 
 
 Although comparatively small in extent and population, its 
 streets were graced by many fine residences, chiefly villas, occu- 
 pied during the summer months by wealthy families from Louis- 
 ville or Frankfort, and occasionally in more remote corners by 
 the mansions of resident farmers and politicans. 
 
 Undoubtedly the most costly of these was Maplehurst, a spacious 
 stone mansion environed by beautiful grounds, consisting of a 
 garden, a park in which could be seen a herd of tame deer quietly 
 browsing upon the rich blue grass, sparkling fountains filled the 
 air with their irredescent jets, while gold fish plashed about in the 
 cooling waters of their basin. 
 
 Fair lawns stretched like a vast billard table surface to meet the 
 edge of the dusty country road that wound its w.-y to the center 
 of the village. 
 
 These lawns were interspersed with graveled paths and carriage 
 driveways, girded in by potteries of beautiful flowers of rare 
 fragrance and luxuriant development, such as only a Southern 
 sun smiling upon could produce. 
 
 This Eden was the property of Judge Sydney Starr Stanfleld. 
 
 Stanfield was a man verging on his fiftieth year ; in form he was 
 about the medium height, stoutly built, being broad-shouldered 
 and quiet fleshy. 
 
 His face was long and well shaped, with glowing cheeks, straight 
 nose, finely shaped mouth, perfect teeth and deep blue eyes. 
 
 Judge Stanfield's family consisted only of two daughters, his 
 wife having been dead for some years. 
 
 Stanfield's chief friend and associate was Colonel Harold Grey- 
 son, a hero of the Mexican war, who had lately been commission- 
 ed colonel of a Confederate regiment stationed in the vicinity. 
 
 This gentleman and soldier, being in comfortable circumstances, 
 resided in a mansion but a short distance from Stanfield. 
 
 Greyson, although he had served so long as a soldier, was still 
 comparatively youthful and handsome. In statue he was tall and 
 commanding, though not unusually thin, his form was lithe and 
 elastic, just the frame capable of endurance, which fact had al- 
 ready been proven on more than one occasion 
 
 Liko Stanfield, his manners were graceful and refined in the ex- 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 15 
 
 treme. His appearance was very prepossessing, and but for the 
 loss of an arm, unfortunately the right, he would have been a per- 
 fect specimen of manhood. His arm had been left on the battle- 
 field of Cerro Gordo in Mexico. 
 
 Stanfield had taken a great liking to him, not only on account of 
 his valor, but also his genial disposition. 
 
 He found him a very pleasant companion, and frequently they 
 could be seen side by side in a vehicle or mounted on Stanfield's 
 horses, of which he was possessed of some of the best in Kentucky. 
 Stanfield expected that in due course of time Greyson would 
 wed his elder daughter, upon whom he had ever bestowed the 
 most ardent attention and affection, and tnis event was looked 
 forward to with no little interest on the part of the young lady 
 concerned, as she greatly admired his military distinction and sol- 
 dierly apprearance. 
 
 The soft, misty opal of a sultry summer evening was enfolding 
 the green mantled hills and velvety meadows of the beautiful 
 country in which Judge Stanfield's elegant mansion was situated, 
 and the stars were shining peacefully down from a sky as blue and 
 cloudless as can only be seen in Southeru atmospheres, as two 
 young ladies, the judge's beautiful and accomplished daughters, 
 emerged from the front entrance and seated themselves upon the 
 spacious veranda, there to enjoy the cool summer zephyrs and 
 chat in a guileless iunocence peculiar to country belles. 
 
 The sweet, aromatic perfumes of the honeysuckle, jasmine and 
 moss rose mingled their fragrance, and added the refreshing 
 charm of their beauteous forms to the rustic latticework that cov- 
 ered the front of the veranda. 
 
 Peepingjfrom this profusion of rich, green foliage and exotics, 
 the faces of the two charming maidens formed a most attractive 
 magnet. 
 They vere both surprisingly beautiful. 
 
 One, the elder, whose age was perhaps two-and-twenty, and 
 whose name was Leoliue, was a bright, light-hearted girl, possess- 
 ed of a delightful degree of vivacity and sunny prettiuess. A 
 happy smile ever rippled on the ripe lips and sparkled iu her dark 
 eyes. 
 
 Nellie, her sister, was possessed of that exquisite type of beauty 
 which poets have so often described in transports of glowing, soul- 
 impassioned verse. 
 
 A tall slender, graceful, sylph-like form, features classic and 
 delicately carved, snowy complexion, jeweled with large, limpid 
 blue eyes, and crowned with a profusion of soft, silky, golden 
 hair; both of which distinctive features Reubens so loved to 
 paint. 
 
 She sat with her arm resting on the rustic railing of the veranda 
 and looked dreamily out into the enchanted haze of earth and 
 
1G UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 heaven, seeing nothing of the fresh beauty that surrounded her, 
 for her heart and brain were alike full. 
 
 It was at the unhappy period of the breaking out of the civil 
 war, and her accepted lover, Fred Merrigold, had that day con- 
 fided to her the secret of his sympathies with the North. 
 
 As for herself, she was a girl of intensely Southern sentiment, 
 and to have her lover indicate a preference for and belief in the 
 righteousness of the cause of the hated invaders caused her the 
 most acute pain. 
 
 Withal, however, she could not submit to allow herself to ex- 
 perience a revulsion of feeling toward him, for she had long ad- 
 mired him as the ne plus ultra of manhood, and loved him with 
 an enthusiasm that amounted almost to adoration. 
 
 When his feelings had been fearlessly submitted to her she cau- 
 tioned him to observe the greatest care in expressing himself as he 
 felt impelled to do, and now she was tortured with the harrowing 
 fear that he might suffer personal violence at the hands of the 
 secessionists should they getau inkling of his Unionist proclivities. 
 Her fears were not unreasonable, as we have already learned in 
 the first chapter of this tory. 
 
 While the two beauties sat gazing out upon the verdant land- 
 scape that spread with the diversity of a panorama before them, 
 to the spot where the Kentucky river flashed and sparkled like a 
 broad band of silver, down in its deep basin, the sharp sound of 
 horses' hoofs were heard upon the country road beyond the row 
 of magnolias which formed a fragrant vista before the gate, and a 
 moment later a gentleman, clad in the gray suit of a Confederate 
 soldier, and with the leaf of a major gleaming from his ccat collar, 
 came within range of vision, and rapidly approached them. 
 
 " Here comes Colonel Greyson," observed Nellie, addressing her 
 sister. 
 
 Instautly a flush of pleasure enkindled upon the cheeks of fair 
 Leoline, and her dark eyes snapped with animation, as she arose 
 from her seat and tripped gracefully down the steps to meet the 
 handsome officer who approached. 
 
 He saw her movement and raised his Kossuth hat, giving it a 
 vigorous sweep, thus indicating the delight which the sight of her 
 familiar form afforded him. 
 
 A moment later he was beside her, and dismounting, had clasped 
 her small, delicate and shapely hand in a manner that made her 
 wince ; then, with words of welcome echoing in his ears, he fol- 
 lowed her up the steps and took a seat beside her, which Nellie 
 had just vacated for the purpose. 
 
 We will not intrude upon the pleasant tcte-a-tete of the lovers, 
 but continue to view the surroundings. 
 
 A turnpike road, hard and smooth, wound its way around the 
 romantic hills which were rich in verdure, crowned with cedar, 
 and evergreen laurel, and scarred with cliffs and caverns, formiug 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND HAKS. 17 
 
 the most picturesque scenery to be fouud iu the Kentucky river 
 valley. 
 
 Groups of persimmon trees abounded in the vicinity, their 
 branches laden with ripening fruit. 
 
 Iu fact it appeared a veritable garden spot of the South. 
 
 Nothing that a romantic imagination or cultured mind could de- 
 sire was lacking. 
 
 The landscape was superb in every sense of the word, and it was 
 little wonder that in these beautiful surroundings, the judge's ac- 
 complished daughters developed into such lovely young women 
 and peerless daughters of the South. 
 
 The Confederate officer lingered long and ardently by the side 
 of his fair inamorata, and when at length he withdrew, it was with 
 the understanding that a year hence he should return and claim 
 her hand. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS. 
 
 Moruing in the mountains, and a more witching autumn morn 
 never beamed upon the lofty crags of the Cumberland mount- 
 ains. 
 
 The troops were early astir, and all was bustle and confusion 
 about the camp. 
 
 An attack was clearly anticipated from the rebel hosts that held 
 the pass further down, at a place known as Wild Cat. 
 
 Captain Frank Faulkner, with his efficiently drilled battery- 
 boys, was awaiting with the greatest eagerness the order to pro- 
 ceed to the pass, and open upon the enemy. 
 
 The infantry regiments were drawn up iu line and standing at a 
 " parade rest," just as eager to be ordered to the fray as their 
 brethren of the brass Napoleons. 
 
 At length the crash of musketry and prolonged thundering of 
 artillery was borne to their ears on the bracing mountain air, and 
 finally, to their great relief, they were ordered forward to support 
 the Federal right and center. 
 
 The affair however, proved to be only a skirmish, for as these 
 fresh troops advanced at a double quick, the rebels, tvith one final 
 volley, turned and fled iu precipitate haste. 
 
 Frank mauaged to wheel three of his guns into a favorable posi- 
 tion on a plateau, and uulimbering, was soon pouring shrieking 
 shot and shell into their demoralized columns. 
 
 After this brief battle they returned to their quarters at Cumber- 
 laud Gap, where nothing of moment occurred until the morning 
 of January 14, 1862, when they received a sudden call to hasten 
 with all available force to the village of Mill Springs, on the Cum- 
 berland river. 
 
18 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 On their way thither the battery came suddenly plump upon a 
 bivouac of rebels in a thick pine grove. 
 
 It was a desperate situation ; for who could tell the numbers of 
 the enemy upon whom they had thus unwittingly stumbled ? 
 
 Nothing daunted, however, Frank ordered a gun uulimbered, 
 pushed forward, and dismounting, with field glass in hand, ob- 
 served to the gunner. 
 
 •' Sergeant Burton, just tickle those fellows up with a shell." 
 
 Crash! went the gun, and the shell whizzed plump among a 
 number of rebels, evidently guerrillas, who were standing near 
 their horses. 
 
 With the utmost consternation those who escaped injury jumped 
 into their saddles and sped away at a helter-skelter pace, hardly 
 daring to look behind them. 
 
 'These fellows seem to be in a hurry," remarked Frank, as he 
 remounted his horse and led the way fearlessly toward the spot 
 lately occupied by the enemy. 
 
 On reaching the place they discovered the forms of five rebels 
 stretched in a heap, all but one dead, showing that the shell had 
 done good execution. 
 
 The one not killed was badly injured about the hands and face. 
 They took him prisoner and turned him over to the care of their 
 surgeon. 
 
 They found a tent which had evidently been occupied by the 
 commanding officer, on entering which they saw that that 
 worthy's boots and watch were left behind him, so great was his 
 haste. 
 
 Frank took possession of the chronometer, a fine gold one, which 
 he found hung up on the tent pole, and ticking away just as it had 
 been left by the rebel captain. 
 
 They then pushed forward without further incident, and on the 
 evening of the eighteenth of January joined the main body of 
 Thomas' army near Mill Springs. 
 
 On the morning of the nineteenth the Federals attacked the in- 
 trenched camp of the Confederates with great vigor, and for sev- 
 eral hours a hotly contested engagement ensued. 
 
 The gallant Tenth Indiana infantry in which Lieutenant Powers 
 served, was conspicuous for great bravery. A regiment of Ken- 
 tuckians, under Colonel Fry, accompanied them in their impetu- 
 ous charge upon the rebel lines. 
 
 Mill Springs was one of the most desirable stragetic points on 
 the Cumberland, and to retain it the rebels fought desperately. 
 
 Captain Faulkner found a favorable position for Battery F, and 
 his six brass pieces were soon blending their hoarse voices in the 
 din of the conflict. 
 
 While riding about among the guns directing their effective use. 
 a rebel grape-shot passed between his leg and the horse, blistering 
 the limb, so close was its contact. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 19 
 
 Shell aud rouud shot hissed among them with a spiteful shriek 
 or dull throb, yet the gallant battery-boys worked their guns in 
 magnificent style, and were a credit to Norwood. 
 
 All but one were heroes on that day of dreadful ordeal. 
 
 This one was Art Arnold, who, being of a cowardly disposition, 
 had not the courage to face the foe, but skulked off iuto the woods 
 and hid until the battle was over, amusiug himself the while by 
 tiring a musket which he had secured at our dashing hero, Frank 
 Faulkner, who was ever in the thickest of the fight, little dream- 
 iug that he was being made a target of by one of his own men, and 
 a supposed friend. 
 
 Fortunately, however, Arnold was a very poor shot at besl, and 
 the shock to his nerves caused by the fear of going into action 
 prevented him from directing his bullets with any precision. 
 
 Ball after ball Battery F hurled into the rebel rifle-pits, and de- 
 struction reigned supreme wherever their deadly missiles struck. 
 Finally the most thrilling moment of the fight arrived. 
 
 Over the hill with the speed of the wind came a thick body of 
 rebel troopers heading directly for the battery with wild cries and 
 flashing sabers. 
 
 The gunners worked frantically and with great excitement. 
 
 Captain Faulkner took in the trying situation, and with wonder- 
 ful coolness maintained his position by the line and gave the com- 
 mand: 
 
 " Steady, boys ! stand by the guns! be brave! hurl them back! 
 give them grape and canister!" 
 
 His trilling voice inspired the brave young artillerists who with 
 bated breath and loaded pieces awaited a critical moment to 
 lanch forth their irou hail upon the advancing rebel host. 
 
 With heavy tread and lightning rush the Confederate troopers 
 pressed forward. 
 
 Then came a deafening crash under which the ground trembled ; 
 there were flashes that rent the smoke clouds and a seething temp- 
 est of grape and canister that tore the line of gray into a twisting, 
 writhing heap of crushed humanity, aud sent the survivors of the 
 fearful carnage reeling back to cover. 
 
 For several hours after this brilliant repulse, the cannon belched 
 forth their deadly projectiles, sweeping the woods, hills and val- 
 leys in front uutil it seemed as though nothing in the path of their 
 deadly range could survive. 
 
 The deafening roar of the guns was accompanied the while by 
 rattling volleys of musketry ; the cheers of the Federal troops as 
 they gained ground ; the groans of the wounded and dying ; the 
 screams and snorts of terrified horses, the hoarse shouts of com- 
 manding officers, and the fierce hyena yells of the exultant Con- 
 federates, all blended in one terrible panmonium. 
 
 At length the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky infantry were mass- 
 ed uuder cover of the artillery, aud under command of their re- 
 
20 UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 spective colonels dashed upon the rebel works with overpowering 
 impetuosity, driving the rebels from their rifle-pits at the point of 
 the bayonet, forcing them across the plains toward the mountains, 
 scattered like beads from a broken string, and desperately wound- 
 ing one of their commanders, General Zollicoffer, who, with diffi- 
 culty, escaped capture. 
 
 The Battle of Mill Springs was fought, and one more brilliant 
 victory recorded for the cause of the Union. 
 
 The troops bivouacked near the battlefield, and those not sent in 
 pursuit of the flying rebels were soon ordered to march toward 
 Western Kentucky with a view of assisting in holding Louisville, 
 which city was threatened with invasion by the Confederates. 
 
 Battery F was among those destined for that place, and with de- 
 pleted numbers (for it had lost quite heavily in the recent engage- 
 ment), gladly hastened in that direction. 
 
 On reaching Louisville, however, as their term of enlistment 
 had expired, most of the men went home. 
 
 Captain Faulkner could not bear the thought of returning to 
 Norwood; accordingly, he enlisted for three years and was com- 
 missioned major of the Indiana infantry. 
 
 When the Confederates retreated from Mill Springs, Arnold, 
 who was still skulking in the woods, was suddenly confronted by 
 two of their number, disarmed and taken prisoner. 
 
 They marched him off in triumph at the point of the bayonet 
 and forced him to keep up with their fleeing columns. 
 . All night long he was obliged to trudge along over the rough 
 roads, afraid to give vent to his feelings of pain and fatigue in a 
 groan or murmer, so terrified was he with his desperate position. 
 
 At length in the morning when they had gained the shelter of 
 the mountain fastnesses, he was brought before the commanding 
 officer of a rebel brigade and his case investigated. 
 
 Noticing his cowardly disposition, the rebels had great sport 
 suggesting different modes of execution, finally concluding to hang 
 him. 
 
 He heard this determination with a thrill of unutterable terror ; 
 great beads of cold perspiration starting forth from his brow, 
 while he quivered like an aspen. 
 
 " Don't murder me, men," he whined, appealingly. " Spare my 
 life, and I'll join your army." 
 
 " Will, eh ?" grunted the rebel colonel. "Humph! you'd be a 
 great acquisition to our forces." 
 
 A chorus of jeering laughter followed this observation. 
 
 After awhile, however, when they had enjoyed enough sport at 
 the expense of the discomfited prisoner, they released him, and 
 caused him to be enlisted in a Georgia regiment, cautioning him 
 with dire threats in case of desertion. 
 
 Arnold, left to. his own reflections, concluded that after all it 
 might be for the best, for he thought it was safer to be a skulking 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 21 
 
 rebel than a Federal artillerist, exposed to the scorching brunt of 
 the battle-field; and, moreover, he felt certain that he could ma- 
 ture his plans regarding Faulkne',and carry them into effect more 
 readily in his new positiou than in the old. 
 
 His brain was concentrated upon a plot which was destined to 
 cause our hero untold trouble, as we shall see in due course of 
 time. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FALL OF FORT DONEL.SON. 
 
 After a short stay at Louisville the — Indiana regiment, to 
 which Faulkner was attached, along with many others, was or- 
 dered to Cario, Illinois, where Grant was engaged in fitting up his 
 famous expedition for the purpose of opening up the Tennessee 
 river. 
 
 The Confederates held a line of defense with strongly fortified 
 positions at. Columbus, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Bowling 
 Green. 
 
 It was Grant's purpose to pierce this line near the center along 
 the Tennessee river. 
 
 This, if accomplished, would compel the evacuation of Columbus, 
 which was considered impregnable, and open the way to Nash- 
 ville. 
 
 Accordingly, Grant with his army, in conjunction with Foote 
 and his gunboats, moved out from Cairo, and on February C, re- 
 duced Fort Henry, after a brief though spirited action of an 
 hour. 
 
 The rebel garrison, however, mauaged to escape to Fort Donel- 
 son, where Grant promptly followed. 
 
 The position immediately occupied by the Confederates rested 
 on the Cumberland river on the north. Westwardly, it was lim- 
 ited by a deep ravine with precipitous sides, through which flowed 
 a considerable stream swollen at the time with surplus water from 
 the river. A valley and backwater slough separated it on the 
 east from the country town of Dover ; and a line of rifle i>its with 
 positions for field guns formed its exterior southward boundary, 
 along the crest of the ridge about twelve hundred yards distant 
 from the river's edge. 
 
 A field work of irregular bastioned trace fronting southward, 
 surmounted a plateau which rose about one hundred feet above 
 the level of the water in which direction it commanded and pro- 
 tected at close musket range, the water batteries that were located 
 in an admirable position to sweep the river approach, which, by 
 an abrupt turn in the course of the stream at that point, is almost 
 due north. 
 
 These batteries consisted of one ten-inch columbiad — one hun- 
 dred and twenty-eight pounder — one rifled thirty-two pounder, 
 
22 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 eight thirty-two pounders, aud three thirty-two pound carronadee. 
 
 The approximated force of the Confederates was fourteen thou- 
 sand men, who, under Generals Floyd, Pillow, aud Johnston, formed 
 an invincible foe. 
 
 The force of the attacking Federals has been variously estimated 
 at from eighteen thousand to twenty thousand troops. 
 
 On February 12 two divisions of the Union army were thrown 
 forward by two roads from Fort Henry toward Fort Donelson. 
 
 These were McClernaud's, consisting of eleven regiments of in- 
 fantry, one or two of cavalry, and, at least, four held batteries. 
 C. F. Smith's division also, comprising eleven regiments of infantry, 
 including Birge's sharpshooters, and four or five field batteries — in 
 all about fifteen thousand men. 
 
 At the same time six regiments were dispatched by water, while 
 seven more regiments, known to be en route, were.ordered to pro- 
 ceed to Paducah, Kentucky, on their transports, to the scene of 
 operations on the Cumberland. 
 
 These thirteen regiments constituted a third division, nearly ten 
 thousand strong, under command of General Lew Wallace. The 
 ■weather was highly favorable, being exceedingly mild for that 
 season of the year, and accordingly the land column reached the 
 vicinity of the theater of war early in the afternoon of the day of 
 its departure from Fort Henry. 
 
 The Indiana was in the van, being attached.to McClernand's 
 
 division and Major Frank Faulkner rode his spirited chestnut horse 
 at the head of his regiment with as much nonchalance as if he were 
 going on review at Cincinnati. 
 
 He had not heard a word about Edith since leaving Norwood, 
 neither had she favored him with a letter. At first he thought of 
 her constantly, but gradually fond memories of her began to tade, 
 and he devoted himself heart and soul to the acquisition of mili- 
 tary fame. He corresponded with his mother regularly but never 
 mentioned Edith's name. 
 
 The thought of his repulse by her made him reckless to a fault ; 
 indeed, he placed so little value upon life that he cared not where 
 he went or what terrible dangers he faced. 
 
 All through the three days ter. ific assault upon Fort Donelson 
 he maintained the same cool demeanor which marked his conduct 
 at Mill Springs and other engagements in which he had partici- 
 pated. 
 
 The Federal troops advanced through a narrow vale of cleared 
 land and as they approached, the rebels opened a lively fusilade 
 which :cau<ed them to halt and fall back to the shelter of a ridge, 
 from which position, having concentrated their forces, theymade 
 a detour and again advanced to the assault; this time over a more 
 favorable road. 
 
 This assault was made by McClernand's division to which as we 
 have stated, our hero's command was attached. The principal ob- 
 
UNDER THE STABS AND BABS. 23 
 
 ject was to effect a lodgment upon the enemy's iutrenchmenta and 
 particularlyjupon a portion covering a strong battery in the front. 
 The storming party formed at the foot of the hill, where they were 
 to some extent protected from the direct fire of the Confederates. 
 The troops moved up the hill in a magnificent manner, but the 
 withering fire of the enemy was so destructive and the obstacle 
 presented by the abatis and palisading so great, that th>ywere 
 compelled to fall back without having accomplished their object. 
 At sunset no reinforcements had arrived and Flag-officer Foote 
 had not yet appeared upon the scene with the iron-clads. 
 
 That night the weather became intensely cold and before morn- 
 ing a driving storm of snow and sleet set in, causing the troops 
 who were bivouacking in line of battle without tents, many with- 
 out blankets and with insufficient food and clothing, to undergo 
 the keenest suffering ; indeed in the morning many of the soldiers 
 of both armies were found frozen to death. 
 
 With the dawn, however, came the long looked for reinforce- 
 ments under General Wallace, whose welcome arrival was hailed 
 with shouts of joy and vociferous cheers. 
 
 His command was assigned position in the center of the line with 
 the exception of one brigade alloted to the extreme right. 
 
 During the day heavy cannonading was kept up by the contend- 
 ing armies and constant firing by the sharpshooters. 
 
 At three o'clock in the afternoou the naval attack, so long and 
 eagerly looked for, was opened by the iron-clads, and after a se- 
 vere engagement of nearly ten hours, during which the naval ves- 
 sels were all so much injured as to have but twelveguns that could 
 be brought to bear upon the rebel works, thecommodore wounded 
 and fifty-four of his men killed, Foote withdrew his squadron. 
 
 Had this attack proved successful it was General Grant's inten- 
 tion to attempt to carry the rebel intrenchraents by a spirited as- 
 sault of the whole line. 
 
 When it is remembered that his army was comprised almost en- 
 tirely of new troops, raw recruits who had never smelled gun- 
 powder, it will be seen that Grant must have had great confidence 
 in their soldierly qualities to expect to accomplish so much with 
 them. 
 
 Grant went on board the gunboat St. Loui^, to consult with the 
 wounded commodore, and at Foote's suggestion, agreed to besiege 
 the fort until such time as the fleet could proceed to Cairo, effect 
 repairs, and return to the scene of action. 
 
 It is probable that this plan would have been carried out, had 
 not the rebels at this juncture assumed the aggressive, and deter- 
 mined to cut their way out of the trap, in which they realized that 
 Grant would soon effectually crush them. 
 
 With this view they determined to hurl a heavy force including 
 Forrest's cavalry— an organization alluded to in the opening chap- 
 
2i UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 ter of this story— against MeClernand, and an equal number was 
 to be thrown against the Federal center under Wallace. 
 
 This plan was a shrewd and masterly movement on their part, 
 for, in the event of success, they would force back the right flank 
 and center, under General Smith, command the left as a pivot, and 
 then the whole invading army might easily be routed or de- 
 stroyed. 
 
 Accordingly, at five o'clock on the following morning, ere the 
 half frozen Federals were astir, the Confederate column, led by 
 Pillow, moved out with thirty guns to crush MeClernand, just as 
 the morning reveille sounded in the Union camp. 
 
 The troops had hardly time to spring to arms when the crash- 
 ing sound of musketry echoed along the line, approaching nearer 
 and nearer, assuring all of the fact that a sudden and serious at- 
 tack had commenced on the right. 
 
 General McArthur's brigade was the first to encounter the fire 
 of the fierce rebel attacking lines, and soon the combat waxed 
 warm all along McClernand's front ; the rebels, by force of over- 
 whelming numbers,, gradually pushing bacK the gallant Union 
 forces. 
 
 The line of blue wavered and slowly fell back under the impetu- 
 ous assaults of the rebels, when General Wallace opportunely 
 came up with reinforcements from the center, renewing the cour- 
 age of the hard pressed troops, and for a time holding the enemy 
 in check. 
 
 General Grant, who had spent the night on board the gunboat, 
 having been advised by an aide of the attack, appeared upon the 
 scene at about nine o'clock, and soon reached the point where the 
 hardest fighting had occurred. 
 
 The rebels failing to penetrate the Federal lines were doggedly 
 falling back to the fort. 
 
 Looking at his disordered troops, who had just bore the brunt of 
 the attack, Grant observed : 
 
 " Which ever party attacks now will whip, and the rebels will 
 have to be very quick if they beat me." 
 
 Riding rapidly to the left, where the troops that were engaged 
 in the morning's conflict were resting on their arms, he ordered a:i 
 immediate assault. 
 
 At the same time the report was spread that the rebels, unable to 
 cut their way out, were getting desperate at the prospect of speedy 
 defeat. 
 
 As soon as the troops caught this idea, they were animated with 
 new courage, and forming into solid columns made a grand rush 
 en masse toward the fort. 
 
 At the same time the gunboats came into position, as if about to 
 renew the attack, and Foole sent two that had escaped serious in- 
 jury near enough to shell the rebel works. 
 
UNDER TIIE STARS AND BARS. 25 
 
 Thus they kept up the appearance of an attack, and materially 
 aided Grant. 
 
 General Smith commanded the assaulting column, which was 
 formed of Lauman's brigade, the Second Iowa infantry having the 
 lead. 
 
 Having arranged the troops in two lines, the general told them 
 what he expected them to accomplish, and taking his place beside 
 the color-bearer, gave the command : 
 
 "Forward !" 
 
 It was nearly sunset when the brigade dashed up the steep hill- 
 side toward the ridge where the rebels had constructed their outer 
 works. 
 
 A terrific fire met the storming party, which mowed down their 
 lines with murderous precision, and caused the men to waver for 
 a moment. 
 
 Their gallant commander, however, by his heroic example, 
 urged them onward, and with a wild cheer they scrambled over 
 the obstructions and drove the rebels at tne point of the bayonet 
 from their outer line of intrenchments, over which the flag of our 
 Union was soon floating gracefully amid the billows of battle 
 smoke. 
 
 How the cheers rang out on that cold, clear wintry night, as the 
 colors of the noble regiment at the head of the Union lines were 
 planted upon the crest of the ridge environing the enemy's in- 
 trenchments. 
 
 It was one of the most magnificent charges of the war and af- 
 forded Grant the key to the rebel position. 
 
 In the meantime Wallace and McCleruand, by systematic ma- 
 neuvers and effective fighting, had regained all the ground lost in 
 the morning. 
 
 One hour of daylight would have sufficed to enable Grant to as- 
 sault and carry the fort, but night now closed in upon the scene. 
 However, on Sunday morning when the troops were awakened for 
 the first assault, a white flag fluttered from the walls of Fort Don- 
 elson. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BATTLE OP SHILOH. 
 
 After the fall of Fort Donelson, the rebels evacuated Nashville, 
 and within three days the flag of freedom fluttered from its city 
 hall dome, and was borne triumphantly through its streets. 
 
 Bowling Green, rendered untenable by the same calamity, was 
 abandoned, and early in March, Polk was obliged from the same 
 cause to evacuate Columbus and take up a new position on Island 
 No. 10 on the Mississippi river. 
 
 As these important strongholds of secession were one after an- 
 other reduced in rapid succession, the gratification of the loval 
 
26 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 people of the North was unbounded and their confidence in the 
 superiority of our arms unlimited. 
 
 On the first of March the Federal army was moved back from 
 the Cumberland river to the Tennessee, and an expedition down 
 that River toward Corinth, Mississippi, determined upon by Hal- 
 leck, then in command. 
 
 On the fourth, Grant being at Fort Henry, received orders from 
 Halleck to place General C. F Smith in command of the expedi- 
 tion and remain himself at Fort Henry. 
 
 Smith accordingly assumed command of the troops in the field 
 and selected Pittsburg Landing as a favorable base of operations 
 against Corinth, a position of great strategic importance and the 
 key to the whole railway system of communication between the 
 states of Tennessee and Mississippi. 
 
 Pittsburg Lauding was twenty miles distant from the rebel posi- 
 tion on the west side of the Tennessee was flanked on the left 
 by a deep ravine and on both sides by Smoke and Lick creeks, 
 which would compel the rebels to attack in front the distance 
 between the creeks being three miles.* 
 
 The landing was protected by the gunboats Lexington and 
 Tyler, and Buell'a army of the Ohio moved forward was to rein- 
 force the Army of the Tennessee. 
 
 The Indiana regiment to which our hero and Percy Powers 
 
 were attached, accompanied General Smith's troops on the mem- 
 oral expedition. 
 
 Reaching Savannah, a village six miles distant from Pittsburg 
 Landing, they went into camp there about the first of April. 
 
 Major Faulkner looked unusually well, bearing the fatigues of 
 the campaign with remarkable endurance. 
 
 As for Powers, he was the same light-hearted soldier, taking 
 things as coolly as ever. 
 
 Shortly after reaching camp the troops were cheered by the ar- 
 rival of General Grant, who, temporarily relieved of command, 
 was, to their great satisfaction, reinstated. 
 
 All day Saturday, Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the 
 Confederate armies, was busily engaged massing his troops for the 
 coming fray. 
 
 Concentrating them into three corps, he swung them into line 
 within musket-range of the Federal pickets, and yet, strange to 
 say, no alarm or apprehension was created. 
 
 Before midnight every regiment of Johnstou's army, fully sixty 
 thousand strong, was in battle line. 
 
 As daylight succeeded a dark, damp night, these sixty thousand 
 Confederates moved forward in one mighty wave, sweepiug on up 
 to the very verge of the Federal camps before a gun was fired. 
 
 The battlefield of Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh— for by both 
 names it appears to be equally well known — extended back three 
 
 *Camp-signs of General Grant, page 12, 
 
27 
 UNDER THE STARS AND BABB. 
 
 miles from the landing, through a thickly wooded ami broken 
 country, interspersed with patches of onltivation and a few ^ rude 
 buildings, among which stood near the junction of the Connth 
 Purdy roads the Shiloh church, a primitive log ,*™*™ 
 from which the sanguinary field derived the name apphed to it by 
 
 th Th C e°SnTon army faced mainly to the south and west, the line ex- 
 tending from Lick creek on the south, to Smoke creek on the 
 north. . 
 
 The right of this line was commanded by Sherman somewhat in 
 advance and across the main Corinth road; on his left, but some- 
 what retired, McClernand's command was posted; next Prentiss 
 was advanced, and on his left, commanding a detached brigade of 
 Sherman's division and covering the crossing at Lick creek, was 
 
 Stuart. 
 
 Smith's division, commanded by W. H. L. Wallace-that .gallant 
 old soldier being confined to his bed at Savannah-was with Hurl- 
 bert's command in the rear, aud -ear the landing, acting as the 
 reserves to alternately support ttie right and left wing of the army, 
 as occasion required. 
 
 It was with the sixth division, under General Lew Wallace at 
 Crump Lauding, that our friends were at the opening of the 
 battle. 
 
 When the Confederates attacked the Federals advanced position 
 on Sunday morning, the surprise was most complete. 
 
 Fully two-thirds of the Federals in these two divisions were still 
 asleep when the crash of battle first became audible. 
 
 The result was a panic, which ended in a helter-skelter rush as a 
 terror-stricken mob of half dressed men broke and fled back to 
 the rivei to carry the panic into the camps beyond. 
 
 Sherman had barely time to form one brigade of his division 
 into line of battle, and this was cut down and engulfed by the re- 
 sistless wave of gray without a halt. 
 
 At the commencement of the combat Major Faulkner received 
 orders to report at once to General Grant. 
 
 Hastening to the general's headquarters in a log cabin at the top 
 of a hill overlooking the field, he was commanded to bear a dis- 
 patch to Sherman, and arrived just as the rebels were forcing 
 their way through his lines. 
 
 The fighting at this point became terrific. Seeing the Federals 
 at the front falling back so rapidly that the fugitives balked 
 every attempt of the regiments in the rear to form in battle line, 
 Faulkner drew his sword, and spurring his steed fearlessly through 
 the smoke, assisted greatly in rallying the demoralized soldiers. 
 
 After the gallant action, he galloped back to his own command, 
 which he rejoined uninjured. 
 
 Johnston felt that if he could succeed in overwhelming Sher- 
 
28 UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 man and McClernand, the Battle of Shiloh would be decided in 
 his favor before noon. 
 
 The exultant Confederates swept right up in solid battle lines, 
 determined to drive all before them, but they were repulsed. 
 
 The wave receded but to come again and again, and every man 
 in gray fought with the ferocity of a devil incarnate. 
 
 Ever and anon the heads of charging columns bioke through 
 the Federal lines, but only to be surrounded and made prisoners. 
 
 The Federal artillery mowed down the attacking troops by the 
 score, yet they came on with a resistless rush. 
 
 At noon the Union divisions had been rolled back at every point, 
 and the shore of the Tennessee was lined with enough skulkers to 
 form two brigades. 
 
 All through the afternoon the contending armies continued to 
 grapple on the bloody field, and night found the rebels in posses- 
 sion of the Federal camps, and the Federals crushed and apparent- 
 ly defeated ; their shattered lines completely crowded back to the 
 river. 
 
 At early dawn on Monday the Federals changed their tactics. 
 
 They posted themselves in the thick woods and behind natural 
 cover, and to reach them the Confederates would be obliged to 
 cross the open corn fields and plains covered with pines too small 
 to efford protection. 
 
 General Buell's army, augmented by Wallace's division from 
 Crump's Landing, arrived at about four o'clock Sunday afternoon, 
 and took position on Sherman's right. 
 
 Major Faulkner's regiment was with the latter division. When 
 they received orders to march from Crump's Landing, Frank 
 hastily mounted his horse, took his place in advance, and the 
 troops pressed gallantly along as rapidly as the nature of the roads 
 would permit, the regimental band pla3 T ing the "Star Spangled 
 Banner," which martial music roused their enthusiasm to the 
 highest pitch of patriotism. 
 
 Leaving camp Colonel Watson gave the order to carry arms at 
 will. 
 
 The march was over a rough road, deeply rutted in some places, 
 partially covered with rank, wiry grass and fully two feet deep 
 in other spots with soft, white sand, which rose in stifling clouds, 
 and filled the face, neck and clothing of the soldiers with dirt. 
 
 The battlefield was reached, as we have stated, at four o'clock 
 on Sunday afternoon, but the troops did not go into action until 
 the following morning. 
 
 Having secured a favorable position, the battle of Monday 
 opened. 
 
 The — Indiana-regiment was deployed as skirmishers, making a 
 splendid line and advancing upon the enemy with commendable 
 spirit. 
 
 An Ohio battery was stationed in the rear of the skirmish lines, 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS M 
 
 while supporting it were three regiments of iufautry and two 
 companies of cavalry. 
 
 The — Indiana opened with a spirited running fire and disap- 
 peared in the thick brush of the woods. 
 
 A Confederate battery suddenly wheeled into position, fired a 
 few rounds, thou limbered up and was quickly withdrawn. 
 
 The Confederates then moved forward, and a sharp advance was 
 made which brought them into the open corn-field, their heavy, 
 massed columns moving at a double-quick. 
 
 Two Ohio batteries iustautly opened upon them, and swept them 
 with a maelstrom of death. Their lines wavered, broke, vanished, 
 and when the smoke lifted the field was crowded with dead. 
 
 The brigades of Chalmers and Jackson were brought forward to 
 reinforce them and massed as a wedge to drive back and split the 
 center of the Federals. 
 
 Atone o'clock the entire line on both sides was fiercely engaged. 
 
 The rebel line surged forward like a mighty stone wall, standing 
 the crash of destruction like an iron-clad vessel, and men looked 
 straight at death without flinching as they steadily advanced face 
 to face with fate. 
 
 The roar of cauuou and musketry was terrific, and without in- 
 termission from the center to a point extending half way down the 
 left wing. 
 
 The rebels made a desperate charge on the Fourteenth Ohio bat- 
 tery, which not being sufficiently supported by infantry, fell into 
 their hands. 
 
 Another severe fight for the possession of the guns of the Fifth 
 Ohio battery occurred, and the Confederates succeeded in taking 
 three of them. 
 
 Again and again the gray lines with invincible courage charged 
 the Federal position. 
 
 A billow of flame rolled along the Federal front, the same terri- 
 ble roar and mighty crash, and the lines of gray melted away and 
 the dead lay so thickly that the living could scarcely pick their 
 way through them. 
 
 Johuston hurried forward br.gades to their support, and placed 
 them to overlap the Federal position. 
 
 Meanwhile the Union gunboats on the river shelled the woods 
 occupied by the Confederates with unceasing vigor, and scattered 
 death aud destruction among them. 
 
 These heavy shells tore great gaps and mowed immense swathes 
 in the thickly interlocked trees, exploding among the struggling 
 horde of rebels with dire calamity. 
 
 The accession of Buell's army nearly doubled the Federal force, 
 and under its vigorous fighting the Confederates were soon forced 
 to give way. 
 
 Their commander, Albert Kidney Johnston, having been mor- 
 tally wounded in the first day's fight, Beauregard assumed com- 
 
30 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 maud ; but under his direction the rebels begau rapidly to lose 
 ground, so that Beauregard finally, on the afternoon of the second 
 day, concentrated all his forces upon the Union left in the vain 
 hope of carrying the landing, which point had been almost in pos- 
 session of the rebels on the previous evening ; but his terrific as- 
 sault was gallantly repulsed by Nelson till all the lost ground was 
 regained by the Federals. 
 
 By four o'clock Beauregard saw the uselessness of any further 
 efforts, and reluctantly gave orders for the army to retreat to Cor- 
 inth. 
 
 The Federals, exhausted by wearisome marching and furious 
 fighting did not feel disposed to pursue, but bivouacked that night 
 on the field of the Waterloo of the Western campaign. 
 
 In the last charge of the Confederates at Shiloh, Major Faulkner 
 received a minie-ball through the left arm just above the elbow, 
 and at the same moment his horse becoming unmanagable he was 
 thrown to the ground and run over by two sections of artillery 
 which were being rapidly brought into action, and in addition to 
 his wound sustained a severe fracture of both legs. 
 
 All night long in a cold drizzly rain which ensued, he lay upon 
 the bloody field suffering untold agonies, no one near to hear or 
 heed his cry for succor. 
 
 The next morning, however, he was found by his friend Percy 
 Powers, who had spent most of the night among the dead and 
 wounded searching for him, and conveyed to the hospital at Savan- 
 nah for treatment, where, being of a vigorous constitution and 
 under skillful care he eventually recovered, though it was some 
 time before he had the free use of his limbs. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SHOT DOWN. 
 
 After his recovery from the wounds received at Shiloh, Major 
 Frank Faulkner, whose valor was greatly admired, was tendered 
 the colonelcy of an Indiana cavalry regiment, which he graciously 
 accepted. His friend, Percy Powers, was, through his influence, 
 appointed major in the same command, and, naturally, the two 
 young officers were constantly together. Their regiment was sent 
 up to guard an important point on theRentueky river near Perry - 
 ville. 
 
 The country was infested with bushwhackers, Confederate sol- 
 diers, stragglers and guerrillas. In fact, the worst type of rebels 
 held possession of the woods and villages all along the river bank, 
 where they would lie in ambush and oftentimes sally forth when 
 opportunity presented to commit their deeds of depredation upon 
 the terrified inhabitants. 
 
 Many a lively chase the cavalry had after these desperadoes. 
 
 On one occasion they encountered quite a body of rebel troop- 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 31 
 
 era near Glen wood, and after a sharp skirmish of twenty minutes' 
 duration, managed to drive them across the river in the direction 
 of the mountains. 
 
 Pursuing them all the next day they followed them up toward 
 a rugged path which wound around the side of the mountain, 
 which, being covered with sharp stone, bowlders and fragments of 
 rock, rendered traveling a slow and tedious process. 
 
 Into this rough path the cavalry drove the retreating rebels, 
 who, on discovering how neatly they had been caught, determined 
 to make a stand and risk the chances of a skirmish rather than 
 attempt the perilous passage of the rocky path. 
 
 Accordingly, bringiDg their pieces to their shoulders, the Confed- 
 erates sat on their jaded horses with eyes on the alert, awiting the 
 approach of their persistent pursuers. 
 
 The gallant Federals, headed by Colonel Faulkner, believing 
 that their game was now secured, rushed fearlessly upon them, 
 saber and pistol in hand, for the final overpowering grapple. 
 
 Crash came the volley. A sheet of flame burst from a score of 
 carbines, muskets and pistols of the rebel troopers, under which 
 four of the boys in blue tumbled nerveless from their saddles. 
 
 Major Powers, who was beside Colonel Faulkner, clutched his 
 forehead, which was covered with blood, and fell back into our 
 hero's arms. 
 
 "My soul ! exclaimed the colonel, " are you badly hurt, Percy ?" 
 but the young man had swooned. 
 
 Faulkner turned just in time to avoid a shot from one of the 
 guerrillas, who, having reloaded, covered the colonel with his 
 weapon and let drive. 
 
 Quick as thought, however, a bullet from Frank's revolver 
 dropped the rebel in death's throes. 
 
 Quickly closing in upon the party the Federal troopers succeed- 
 ed in disarming and taking the survivors, some twenty in number, 
 prisoners. 
 
 At his request, Frank and the surgeon, Mortimer Clancy, were 
 left with Major Powers, whom they conveyed to a deserted hut 
 not far distant for immediate treatment. 
 
 Dr. Clancy did not at first entertain the slightest hopes of the 
 young man's recovery. A critical examination revealed the fact, 
 however, that although the bullet had penetrated the frontal bone 
 it had imbedded itself in the outward tissues of the brain, and had 
 not, as was at first supposed, lodged in that region. 
 
 Let us return to Art Arnold, the coward and traitor. 
 
 The Confederates with whom he was forced to cast his lofr, as 
 before observed, fled to the fastnesses of the Cumberland mount- 
 ains. 
 
 On the evening of the day after their defeat, they reached a 
 
32 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 place which they decided would suit them for a camp, and immed^ 
 iately proceeded to bivouac there. 
 
 Arnold, much against his inclination, was compelled to split 
 wood, carry water, and assist in erecting tents; and so reluctantly 
 did he perform the onerous duties required of him as to elicit many 
 a kick and brutal curse. 
 
 After a day or two, however, he gradually became accustomed 
 to his rough treatment, inasmuch as he saw that he was not the 
 only one thus persecuted. 
 
 On one occasion, however, his taskmaster, Corporal Hodges, 
 picked upon him so relentlessly as to provoke his wrath. 
 
 He gnashed his teeth with rage at the taunts the rebel heaped 
 
 upon him, and, answering back, drew upon him the fellow's fury. 
 
 Furious with rage the corporal struck a heavy blow at Arnold, 
 
 which, had it taken effect, must have spoiled his looks for many 
 
 a day. 
 
 That worthy, however, stepped nimbly back, and with the skill 
 of an experienced boxer knocked aside the corporal's fist, which 
 so enraged him that he threw himself upon Arnold with the fe- 
 rocity of a tiger. 
 
 Blow after blow they rained upon each other until separated b7 
 a young captain— Douglas by name— who interposed between 
 them. 
 "Enough," he cried, in a voice of thunder. 
 
 " It was all his fault,'" stammered the corporal, wiping the blood 
 from his nose, and adding, " We were only in fun, anyway." 
 " Deuced queer fun," returned the captain. 
 
 " Innocent amusement, sir," suggested Arnold, holding a cold 
 stone to a swelling optic as he spoke. 
 
 "I hope there will be no more of this innocent amusement then," 
 responded Captain Douglas, walking off. 
 
 After this episode, Arnold enjoyed much more freedom, for the 
 Confederates began to have a wholesome fear of his fists. 
 
 In about a month he was promoted to sergeant, and began to 
 feel quite at ease in his new position. 
 
 All the while his mind was busy plotting to secure possession of 
 Frank Faulkner, remove him from all possible means of ever cross- 
 ing the path of Reiuhart again ; which, once accomplished, he 
 would lose no time in deserting, and hastening home to Norwood. 
 In order to disguise himself as much as possible, Arnold allowed 
 his beard and side whiskers to grow, and in the four months that 
 he had spent among the rebels thus far, his appearance had greatly 
 changed. 
 
 On the day that Colonel Faulkner had the encounter with the 
 troopers, Sergeant Arnold and a squad of ten men were ranging 
 about that very same mountain, and, attracted by the sound of 
 firearms, reached the scene of the skirmish just in time to see the 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 33 
 
 Federal troopers retiring, and to observe Colonel Faulkner and the 
 doctor bearing the wounded major toward the deserted hut. 
 
 " Lay low, boys !" exclaimed Arnold, a gleam of triumph in his 
 eyes. 
 
 As soon as the Federal troopers had withdrawn— they were to 
 bivouac half a mile distant— the Confederates under Arnold's di- 
 rection made a sudden dash, and before Frank was aware of any 
 thing unusual transpiring had completely surrounded the hut. 
 
 " Surrender, you Yankee hounds!" exclaimed Arnold, covering 
 Frank and Doctor Clancy with his revolvers. 
 
 As there was no help for it both meu looked blankly into each 
 other's face and quietly surrendered. Having secured their weap* 
 ons Arnold coolly remarked that they could not be encumbered 
 with the wounded man, and accordingly, with a brutal laugh, be- 
 gan discharging his revolver at the inanimate form of Major 
 Powers. 
 
 With a spring like a tiger Frank clutched the ruffian by the 
 throat and bore him to ground half strangled. 
 
 The Confederates, however, quickly came to his assistance and 
 dragged our struggling hero by main force from his adversary. 
 
 " Curse you!" hissed Arnold fiercely, gasping for breath. 
 
 " Who are you, cowardly villain ? Speak ! ' ' cried Faulkner. 
 
 " Ho, ho, my boy, then you do not recognize me?" 
 
 " I do recognize you now, you are Arnold, coward, skulker and 
 traitor." 
 
 "Oh, am I?" he hissed, biting his lips with rage, "anyway I 
 mean to kill you," he added, cocking his revolver deliberately. 
 
 "Oh, for Heaven's sake," pleaded Dr. Clancy, "spare his life. 
 Are you human, or are you a fiend?" 
 
 "Spare him?" queried Arnold, with a mocking laugh, " not I," 
 saying which he raised his revolver and advanced upon Frank, ex- 
 claiming, "Die!" 
 
 As he pulled the trigger however, our hero dodged quickly 
 aside and the bullet passed harmlessly by his head, then by a pow- 
 erful effort he grasped the weapon and wrenched it from the assas- 
 sin's hand quickly turning it upon him. 
 
 " Now my tine fellow !" he exclaimed, " the boot is on the other 
 leg. Unless you order all these Johnnies off, I'll shoot you down 
 as mercilessly as you would have served me a moment ago." 
 
 Trembling in every limb Arnold did as required and then found 
 himself in the most unenviable position of his life. A prisoner in 
 the hands of his former captain, and all his treachery exposed., 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CAPTURE OF COLONEL FAULKNER. 
 
 Frank was not destined, however, to hold his prisoner, for sud- 
 denly the rebel squad outside made a rush upon him and before he 
 
M UXDEE THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 was aware of what was transpiring the tables were turned and he 
 was seized and held in a grasp of iron. 
 
 "Hurry, men!" exclaimed Arnold with a fiendish chuckle, 
 " leave the other two Yankees here, we only want this fellow— he's 
 a cunnel, nothing less." 
 
 Accordingly the rebels hurried our hero away despite his strug- 
 gles and soon conveyed him to their camp behind the mountains. 
 
 With a great deal of pride, Arnold marched him up before the 
 commander of the Confederates. That dignitary, Colonel Greyson 
 by name, contrary to his expectations received him with a degree 
 of consideration which he hardly expected. After a pleasant in- 
 terview by the Confederate he was placed in a rude log shanty, 
 and two soldiers detailed to guard him. 
 
 That night Arnold'wrote his friend Reinhart as follows : 
 
 Camp op C. S. A., in Mountains, Ky. ) 
 July 6, 1882. [ 
 
 " Friend Reinhart.— I believe I can now claim the reward of 
 one thousand dollars which you promised me in the event of the 
 success of our plot ; as I can confidently assert that Frank Faulk- 
 ner will never cross your path again. We took him prisoner yes- 
 terday, and this evening iu trying to effect his escape by swimming 
 the stream which separates our camp from the section of country 
 ranged over by his troopers, I had the pleasure of seeing him shot 
 and killed. This is positive! so you need entertain no fears of his 
 ever crossing your path again. Wishing you success in your love 
 affair— yours as ever, Arthur Arnold." 
 
 Now of course this letter, as the reader is aware, was a falsehood 
 as far as it stated the death of Faulkner, but Arnold felt so sure of 
 disposing of him that he did not hesitate to anticipate it in this 
 manner. 
 
 As soon as he received the letter Reinhart published the news to 
 the Norwood community in the Daily Bulletin, writing at the 
 same time a brief obituary embodying the highest enconiums. As 
 Frank's mother had not heard from him since the Battle of Shiloh, 
 for the reason that Reinhart had deliberately intercepted his let- 
 ters and destroyed them, she was forced to believe something had 
 happened to him, and when his death was thus announced, she 
 was nearly distracted. 
 
 * Edith, too, was completely prostrated with grief when she heard 
 of the sad fate of her lost lover, whose brilliant military career she 
 had thus far watched with the greatest pride; though never by 
 word or deed since the parting on tuat memorable summer eve had 
 she intimated the fact that she still felt an interest in him. 
 
 Reinhart, who was constantly forcing his attentions upon her, 
 could not fail to observe the effect that the announcement of 
 Faulkner's death had upon her, and endeavored to his utmost to 
 calm her. 
 
 He was very kind to her in her affliction, but for weeks she 
 could not get over the shock. 
 
 She would sit for hours brooding over her misfortune ; or seated 
 
UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. % 
 
 at the piano she would play aud sing in tender pathos, " Tender 
 and true." 
 
 After awhile, however, so kiud and attentive was Reinhart, that 
 he managed by degrees as time elapsed and the poignancy of her 
 grief wore off, to ingratiate himself in her good graces, until 
 fiually, to his great satisfaction, he found that his suit for the 
 hand of the fair Edith was a pronounced success. 
 
 Although as yet no engagement existed between them, he flat- 
 tered himself that that would all come iu due course of time. 
 
 The loss of her son completely prostrated Mrs. Faulkner, and it 
 required many mouths of skillful medical aid to restore her to an 
 ordinary degree of health. 
 
 Dr. Clancy left the wounded man for a few moments, and hast- 
 ening to the place where the cavalry had prepared to bivouac, 
 told his story as quickly as possible. 
 
 The men felt the deepest chagrin when they heard of the capt- 
 ure of their commander, aud at once followed the doctor to the 
 hut where he had left his patient, Major Powers. 
 
 Reaching this elevation, they spread^their line aloug the ridge, 
 and were thus enabled to get a view of the Coufederate camp be- 
 yond, which was situated in a dark mass of woods. 
 
 The forest was dense, and through it ran a silvery stream, which 
 ebbed toward the Cumberland. 
 
 This stream was made fordable by a rude bridge, formed by the 
 trunk of a prostrate tree. 
 
 At the further side of this stream, Colonel Greyson's men were 
 posted iu full force, securely ambushed by a thick growth of trees, 
 bushes and shrubbery. 
 
 The trees interlaced each other in such a manner as to render 
 the woods almost impassable. 
 
 The day was unusually fine, the air being singularly cool and in-, 
 vigoratiug. 
 
 Dr. Clancy stood beside his horse, the bridle thrown carelessly 
 over his arm, engaged in viewing the enemy through a field-glass. 
 
 "Three hundred strong, I should say," ho remarked, addressing 
 Major Powers, who lay beside him upou a canvas stretcher, with 
 his head bandaged up. 
 
 He took the glass, aud after a careful view returned it, saying: 
 
 " Ay, they are that, aud nearly all determined and desperate 
 in en." 
 
 " I think I can recognize the prisoner among them," exclaimed 
 Clancy, after scanning the rebel force critically, "for see, they are 
 leading a man whose arms are apparently pinioned at his sides. 
 
 " Can you make out his features?" asked Powers, anxiously. 
 
 " No ; he's too far away ; but I feel certain he is our colonel. 
 
 " Let me take another look, please," observed Powers. 
 
36 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 " Certainly," assented Dr. Clancy, handing him the glass, and 
 stepping back to raise and support him while he looked. 
 
 One swift glance seemed to satisfy him as to the man's identity. 
 
 14 He is indeed Frank Faulkner. Call Captain Winters here to 
 me." 
 
 The officer whose presence was desired, was summoned, and he 
 approached, saluting. 
 
 " Captain, dispatch Lieutenant Elwell and ten men to our camp 
 for a couple of howitzers, We will have to be ready for emergen- 
 cies. Also send Nelse Stuart to me." 
 
 Captain Winters bowed, and withdrew. 
 
 Stuart, whom our readers will remember, having been intro- 
 duced in a preceding chapter, soon appeared, raising his cap and 
 pulling down his forelock in obeisance. 
 
 "Nelse, I have a dangerous mission for you to perform. Do you 
 think you are equal to a hard task?" 
 
 "Don't know; but I guess I am ; I ain't afeered of nothing liv- 
 ing ; all that scares me is ghosts." 
 
 "That being the case, you'll do. Now I want you to disguise 
 yourself as a negro, take a basket on your arm and go over yonder 
 into the rebel camp. You can put a lot of apples in the basket and 
 pretend to be peddling them; but the object of your visit will be 
 to spy around and manage to slip a note which I will furnish you 
 into the hands of the colonel, their prisoner. Do you under- 
 stand ?" 
 
 "You bet I do." 
 
 " Well, if you succeed, you are a corporal from this day for- 
 ward." 
 
 " Bet your life, Major Powers, I shall succeed !" 
 
 "Well, get ready to go as soon as possible." 
 
 Nelse withdrew, whereupon at Powers' dictation, Dr. Clancy 
 penciled the following lines on a leaf of his note-book : 
 
 Do not despair ; we are not far off ; wait until night and then, if 
 possible, make a dash ; we will cover your flight with the howitz- 
 ers. If no opportunity is afforded, we will devise something more 
 effective to-morrow. Clancy. 
 
 In the course of a few minutes, certainly not over fifteen, Nelse 
 reappeared grinning like a genuine contraband and transformed 
 into a negro as black as the ace of spades. 
 
 He approached Major Powers with that amusing, slouching gate, 
 peculiar to the Southern negro. 
 
 His disguise was perfect, even to the tone of his voice, and having 
 secured his basket of apples and the note he slouched down the 
 side of the mountain, by a roundabout path. 
 
 Anxiously they watched him from their covert and finally saw 
 him cross the log and answer the sentry's challenge by proffering 
 him a handful of apples which he greedily accepted, allowing the 
 negro to pass. 
 
 Then by means of the glass they saw him surrounded by a 
 
UNI>ER THE STARS AND BARS. 37 
 
 crowd of Confederates eager to purchase or appropriate his fruit. 
 While they were thus engaged he looked about him, and spying 
 the prisoner, exclaimed : 
 "Golly, am dat a Yankee sojer yous has got dar?" 
 "Yes, Cuffee; go up and see him ; I'll wager you never seed a 
 Yank afore." 
 
 Thinking to get his attention distracted from the fruit which 
 they were appropriating, they allowed him to approach the tree. 
 With the greatest caution he repeated the contents of the note 
 to the prisoner, for as his hands were tied, an unusual thing among 
 soldiers, the letter would have been no use to him ; then reassur- 
 ing him of speedy success, he hurried away, his action not even 
 being suspected. 
 
 He pretended to get into a wrangle about being defrauded out of 
 proper payment for his apples, but after awhile withdrew good- 
 humoredly, and returning to his friends, hastened to report the 
 success of his visit to Major Powers. 
 
 The shades of night were falling over cypress and cedar. The 
 dark, blue dome of the heavens was studded with innumerable 
 bright, twinkling stars, while a score of crackling camp-fires il- 
 lumined the dark woods in which the enemy were encamped. 
 
 The Union troopers lay as silent as statutes upon the crest of the 
 ridge, anxiously awaiting the anticipated dash of the prisoner. 
 
 Nelse Stuart, having still retained his disguise, appeared before 
 Major Powers and volunteered to go over and assist the colonel in 
 effecting his escape. 
 
 To this proposition Powers readily assented and Nelse, with a 
 cheerful haudshake, all round took his departure. 
 
 Instead of crossing as before, he swam the river at a point fur- 
 ther down stream and landing in a thick, rank growth of laurel, 
 managed to elude the pickets. 
 
 Cautiously he proceeded to the hut occupied by the prisoner 
 which was a little ways to the left of the Confederate camp, where 
 to his joy he perceived that the prison rr was only guarded by two 
 men. 
 
 Approaching as noiselessly as possible, he was overjoyed to hear 
 one of the men sending the other to camp after some whisky 
 which he was to steal from the surgeon's stores. 
 
 " Hurry back, Todd," he heard the sentry say, " for if anything 
 should happen during your absence, I would be in a deuce of a 
 fix!" 
 
 As soon as the man disappeared Stuart moved in the dark 
 shadow of the building as cautiously as possible and got direotly 
 behind the remaining sentry. 
 
 Watching his opportunity, Nelse suddenly launched himself at 
 the mau with the impetuosity and fierceness of a Nubian lion. 
 
 Grasping him by the throat he bore him to the ground and 
 choked back his cries until they ended in a gurgle and gasp. 
 
■38 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 A few minutes elapsed and the unfortunate rebel ceased to 
 struggle— Nelse had strangled him. 
 
 Quickly drawing the body into the bushes, he forced open the 
 door of the hut by a vigorous dash, throwing his weight full upon 
 it, and then cut the thongs and released the surprised captive. 
 
 "Follow me, cunnel— this way, quick ! there's no time to lose!" 
 he exclaimed, and seizing Frank's hand, the two dashed through 
 the woods at full speed toward the river. 
 
 Spang— spang— spang ! went the musket of the guards as they 
 discerned the forms of the fleeing men in the starlight. 
 
 Plunging boldly into the stream, they pushed out and swam 
 vigorously. 
 
 It was a swim for life. 
 
 Already the camp was aroused, and scores of rebels hastened to 
 the river bank to join in the f usilade. 
 
 The angry buzz of bullets, as they whizzed in close proximity, 
 served to increase the speed of the swimmers. 
 
 Despite Frank's objections, Nelse would insist upon keeping just 
 behind him in order to shield him from the bullets. 
 
 They had almost reached the loyal side, when suddenly, with a 
 groan, Nelse threw up his arms and fell back into the water, 
 quickly disappearing from sight. 
 
 Poor fellow, one of the bullets had passed through his brain. 
 
 With a feeling of intense sadness, Frank managed to scramble 
 up the bank, and disappeared in the thicket with the cries of the 
 rebels sounding in his ears. 
 
 In the uncertain light they had only descried one man, and see- 
 ing him at length sink under their merciless volleys, thought they 
 had killed the escaping prisoner. 
 
 Arnold, who was present, declared that he himself had fired the 
 shot that fixed the Yankee colonel, and he was beside himself with 
 joy at the fate of his hated victim, Frank Faulkner. 
 
 "Now, I have only to desert and go back to Norwood and col, 
 lect my money," he thought. 
 
 Meanwhile, Colonel Faulkner clambered up the mountain and 
 rejoined his friends. 
 
 All were overjoyed at his fortunate escape; but at the same 
 time felt deeply grieved at the sad fate of gallant Nelse Stuart. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 NEEEIE stanfieed. 
 Calling Captain Winters, Major powers directed him to get the 
 two howitzers in readiness and send a few rounds of solid shot 
 among the rebels assembled upon the opposite bank of the river; 
 meanwhile, Colonel Faulkner, Lieutenants El well and Blake ob- 
 tained long range rifles and went forward to secure a shot at the 
 enemy; Dr. Clancy, following suit, picked up a rifle from a stack 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 6\) 
 
 of arms that 9tood near at hand, joined them, aud keeping well 
 under cover of the bushes and foliage, they picked their way cau- 
 tiously down the mountain side. 
 
 Reaching the bank of the river, they secured favorable posi- 
 tions behind a ledge ot rock, aud opened fire upon the rebels, 
 their rifles cracking spitefully on the night air, and hurling con- 
 fusion among the ranks of gray. 
 
 The sharp, reverberating report of the rifled howitzers added 
 their sullen boom to the action at this moment. 
 
 Scampering quickly into the wo'ods, the rebels withdrew from 
 the range of the loyal guns, leaving five of their number prostrate 
 upon the ground to attest to their accurracy. 
 
 Not being desirious of provoking a battle with such a force of 
 Confederates as he knew Greyson's command consisted of, Colonel 
 Faulkner decided to withdraw, and accordingly ordered a retreat 
 to their camp near Glenwood. 
 
 Reaching that place in the gray of early dawn, they went into 
 camp, and Frank immediately dispatched a courier to Federal 
 headquarters iu Tennesseee, for enough reinforcements to enable 
 him to make a clean sweep of the rebels and bushwhackers which 
 infested the region back of Vapor mountain, for such it was 
 called. 
 
 Fully a month elapsed before he was accorded the troops de- 
 sired, and during that interval, he and Major Powers, who was 
 rapidly convalescing, roamed at will about the country, frequent- 
 ly visiting Glenwood, which had long been deserted by the Con- 
 federates. 
 
 One sultry August afternoon they paused at the gate leading to 
 the extensive grounds of Judge Stanfield's mansion, before the 
 door of which stood his charming daughter, Nellie, engaged in 
 culling a bouquet of fragrant flowers. 
 
 They gazed long and earnestly at her beautiful face and lithe, 
 graceful figure, which, attired in a plain dress of white Swiss mus- 
 lin, trimmed with blue, made her look perfectly bewitching, while 
 a silk tie of the same becoming shade confined the linen collar 
 about her white throat. 
 
 Simple enough these; yet, as both officers stood in wrapt admir- 
 ation, they were convinced, as they afterward admitted, that they 
 had never seen the toilette of any one beauty so exquisitely 
 lovely. 
 
 Summoning up courage they emerged from the grove in which 
 they had been standing unobserved, and Faulkner entered the 
 gate, Percy promising to await his return. For some few minutes 
 she did not seem to be aware of his approach, then suddenly, as if 
 observing him for the first time, she uttered a little cry of sur- 
 prise. 
 She seemed to notice that he was enthralled with her queenly 
 
40 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 beauty, and bowing gently in acknowledgment, moved cautiously 
 towards the mansion. 
 
 This was encouragement enough for Faulkner, who eagerly re- 
 moved his cap, returning her salutation; then, as she seemed to 
 saunter along leisurely, as if waiting for him to join her, he lost 
 no time in doing so. 
 
 She smiled pleasantly, and remarked in sweet tones: 
 
 " Quite a pleasant day, sir." 
 
 "Yes, miss," he replied. 
 
 " Since the Confederate troops departed it is quite a novelty to 
 see a gentleman in these parts," she continued. 
 
 " Not so much as to see a lady, and especially a charming young 
 lady like yourself," was his ardent reply. 
 
 He gazed earnestly into her beautiful face as he spoke. 
 
 She colored slightly and observed: 
 
 " I hope you are not going to begin our acquaintance by flat- 
 tering." 
 
 " I beg pardon; I am too impulsive," he admitted. 
 
 She noticed his shoulder straps, and remarked: 
 
 " So you are a Union officer, sir?" 
 
 " Yes. I have the honor to be colonel of the — Indiana cavalry, 
 and excuse me for not informing you before, my name is Frank 
 Faulkner." 
 
 "And my name is Ella Stanfleld, though I am usually called 
 Nellie." 
 
 "I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss StanQeld," 
 said Frank, gallantly claeping her tiny white hand, which was as 
 soft as velvet. 
 
 " Thank you," she smiled, " the acquaintance is mutually agree- 
 able; but come into the house, I wish to introduce you to my 
 sister." 
 
 " Pardon me, but I have a friend waiting outside the gate who 
 will be unable to account for my absence, and " 
 
 " Oh, don't disturb yourself about that. I'll send a little darky 
 to summon him. Here, Chit," she added, catching sight of an 
 ebony face which was peeping around the side of the house. 
 
 The boy approached timidly, and she dispatched him on his 
 errand. 
 
 Ascending the broad steps of the veranda, Frank followed her 
 with a thrill of pleasure. 
 
 They entered the house, which was elegantly furnished with 
 rich carpets, red rep-covered upholstered chairs and sofa, rich bro- 
 cade, lace-covered lambrequins, marble top table, etc. 
 
 The walls were richly adorned with handsome oil paintings, and 
 in an alcove stood a valuble piano. 
 
 It seemed that, all that taste, utility and wealth could suggest or 
 procure had been lavished upon this Kentucky home. 
 
 Frank learned that her father was the celebrated Judge Stan- 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 41 
 
 field, who had contributed liberally to the Confederate cause, and 
 was now absent from home in its legal interests. 
 
 Asking him to be seated, Nellie disappeared, just as Major Pow- 
 ers entered the room conducted by the colored lad, whose eyes 
 brightened as the officer handed him a silver dime. 
 
 Miss Stanfield shortly returned, followed by a girl scracely less 
 charming than herself, whom she introduced as her sister Leoline. 
 
 Her type of beauty was, however, far different from that of 
 Nellie. 
 
 She was a brunette, dark and fascinating, and seemed wonder- 
 fully pleased to meet the young offioers. 
 
 Frank prevailed upon Major Powers to favor the company with 
 one of his songs, and he accordingly rendered " Kathleen Mavour- 
 neen " with deep feeling, Leoline playing the accompaniment 
 with much skill and taste. 
 
 After a pleasant hour spent in this manner the two young men 
 took their departure, promising to call again. 
 
 The two maidens mutually agreed that the Yankees were not so 
 bad after all, as they had always heard them represented. 
 
 Both officers were deeply impressed with their new friends, and 
 as Frank remembered that he had been so unceremoniously dis- 
 missed by Edith Elverton, he determined to cultivate the ac- 
 quaintance of this young Kentucky belle and, if possible, win her 
 for his wife. 
 
 He took occasion accordingly to visit Nellie Stanfield frequently, 
 and spent much of his leisure time upon the broad, cool 
 veranda of Maplehurst, engaged in pleasant conversation, or listen- 
 ng to her reading or singing. 
 
 i Occasionally the young people would take an excursion down 
 the Kentucky river, the ladies bringing ample lunch baskets, and 
 in this way camp life at Glenwood was not only endurable but 
 quite agreeable to our officers. 
 
 One pleasant afternoon Frank was seated upon the fragrant 
 veranda, his feet comfortably elevated and resting on the rustic 
 railing, while he watched the white wreath of smoke which slowly 
 curled upward from the Havana which he was smoking. 
 
 Nellie Stanfield had just left him and gone into the parlor to 
 play a new waltz which, with him, was a great favorite. 
 
 She seated herself at the piano and played the overture, when 
 rising from his seat he threw away his cigar, and enlering the 
 room stood beside her to turn the music. 
 
 " Shall I play your favorite, Mr. Faulkner ?" 
 
 " If you please, Nellie — excuse me, Miss Stanfield." 
 
 " Oh, you are quite excusable, Colonel Faulkner, but I much 
 prefer being called Nellie." 
 
 "Then I am to understand that I am to call you Nellie?" 
 
 " Yes, and I shall call you Frank." 
 
 Their eyes met, and a mutual pleasure beamed in both. 
 
42 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 Frank was thrilled with the gentle, longing expression on her 
 beautful face. - 
 
 Who would have thought of finding so charming a maiden here 
 and so accomplished ? he mentally soliloquized. 
 
 After this scarcely a day passed that he was not at Maplehurst. 
 
 An amusing incident occurred one evening while there. 
 
 Leoline's affianced husband, Colonel Greysou, of the Confederate 
 service chanced to make a call, stealing cautiously into Glenwood 
 in the disguise of a citizen. 
 
 After they had exchanged greetings, Leoliue conducted him to 
 that portion of the veranda where Nellie and Colonel Faulkner 
 were seated, engaged in pleasant conversation. 
 
 It was a moonlight night, and both officers mutually recoguized 
 one another. 
 
 " Colonel Faulkner, this gentleman is Colonel Greysou, of our 
 army," observed Leoline, introducing them. 
 
 Both bowed and shook hands. 
 
 Greyson distinctly remembered him as his prisoner,but Faulkner 
 entertained no hard feelings on his part, for the one armed colonel 
 had treated him most courteously while he was in his power. 
 
 The meeting was a little awkward, but on the whole they spent a 
 very pleasant evening together, all feelings of enmity being sup- 
 pressed in the presence of the ladies. 
 
 Three weeks elapsed. 
 
 Faulkner, who was still at Glenwood with his cavalry received 
 orders to leave that section and proceed to East Tennessee, there 
 to cope with the daring guerrillas, who held the mountains in that 
 state, and defied Federal authority. 
 
 The command of Colonel Greyson had left the Vapor mountain 
 district, and it was rumored had gone across the Cumberlands to 
 join Lee in his advance into Maryland. 
 
 Before his departure, however, Colonel Faulkner managed to ac- 
 company the charming Kentucky belle, Nellie Stanfield, on numer- 
 ous walks, drives, and boating excursions. 
 
 Every day he became more and more fascinated with her wom- 
 anly graces, amiable disposition and pleasant conversational 
 powers. 
 
 One bright morning she came to him more charmiug than ever. 
 and asked him if he would not join a little party which she had 
 arranged to go up into the country and enjoy a days picnic in the 
 woods. 
 
 He of course gladly accepted. 
 
 " Your friend, Major Powers, if he will come, can act as usual, as 
 my sister's escort, and you shall act as mine," smiled Nellie. 
 
 Upon that excursion the bold colonel learned his fate, and was 
 thrilled to find that his love was returned by bis fair companion. 
 
 Forgotten was poor Fred Merrigold, her absent lover, about 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BAKS. 43 
 
 whom she had scarcely ever thought since the advent of her ac- 
 quaintance with Frank Faulkner. 
 
 " Our betrothal must bo kept a secret for the present, Frank," 
 she observed, quietly. 
 
 "Yes; 1 leave you to-morrow to go to East Tennessee. Perhaps 
 I may never return, for I may fall in battle; but I shall place this 
 ring upon your fiuger in token of our engagement, and shall be 
 glad to have you write me as often as circumstances will permit 
 you. 
 
 As he spoke, he placed an elegant ring which he had intended for 
 Edith Elverton, upon her hand 
 
 They joined the pleasure party which the Misses Stanfield had 
 organized, and spent a most enjoyable day. 
 
 On the following morning Frank took his departure with the 
 troops, and left his friends, sadly regretting his removal. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF ECHO MOUNTAIN. 
 
 The scene of action now changes to the Cumberland mountains 
 in East Tennessee. 
 
 Daybreak in early September. 
 
 At five o'clock in the morning the cavalry battalions were as- 
 sembled at the foot of the mountains. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner and Major Powers were on horseback at the 
 head of their command. 
 
 Rebels and guerrillas in large numbers held the passes and fast- 
 nesses of the towering Cumberlands. 
 
 It was the duty of the cavalry to rout them out of their position 
 and cut them to pieces. 
 
 Owing to the nature of the ground the Federal troopers were 
 obliged to leave their horses in a grove, and advance to the attack 
 on foot. 
 
 It was a stirring sight to see the lively troopers bounding over 
 the rocks, carbine in hand and saber jingling in its clanking scab- 
 bard at their side. 
 
 Suddenly the rebel pickets spied them, and opened with their 
 rifles at long range. 
 
 Several of the troopers clutched madly at their wounds and 
 rolled over, staining the rocks with their blood. 
 
 The ascent of the mountain under these circumstances was very 
 difficult. 
 
 But the undaunted cavalry boys pushed their way gallantly up- 
 ward, firing as they advanced ; and, screening themselves as best 
 they could behind ridges of rock or huge bowlders that were 
 scattered in profusion all along the side of the eminence. 
 
 Unable to do effective execution with their rifles, the rebels 
 brought forward a twelve pounder brass piece, and rained down 
 
U UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 upon the assaulting party a perfect storm of grape, canister, and 
 percussion shell. 
 
 Sword in hand, Frank Faulkner led the gallant troopers amid a 
 shower of balls. 
 
 It was a lovely morniDgeven for the lovely country in which the 
 battle raged. 
 
 The sun rose radiant with beauty and power, kissing the dew- 
 drops from the oountless wild flowers on the mountain, tinging 
 with gold the emerald leaves of the forest in the foreground, and 
 gilding the crest of the ridge with transcendent glory. 
 
 Still, notwithstanding nature's loveliness, friend and foe faced 
 each other with the fury of bulldogs. 
 
 Shells crashed about among the rocks, tearing up the earth in 
 their mad plunge, and anon taking some of the boys in blue out of 
 the steadfast line. 
 
 The rebels could be seen rushing forward from their camp at the 
 other side of Echo mountain to join the defense of the rocky 
 ridge. 
 
 These troops hauled up a second piece of artillery, and soon its 
 terrific crashes blended with those of the first gun. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner and Major Powers suddenly wheeled a score of 
 men into an open space, and with a wild cheer they made a dash 
 for the guns. 
 
 A terrific explosion, that proclaimed the simultaneous discharge 
 of both pieces, shook the earth and awoke the echoes of the mount- 
 ains, and two shells came screaming through the air and, dropping 
 with a crash, exploded with great force right in the midst of the 
 assaulting Federals, killing and mangling fourteen of the devoted 
 party. 
 
 A shriek of anguish from Captain Winters proclaimed that the 
 unfortunate man was grievously wounded, and then with a faint, 
 gurgling gasp his life passed away. 
 
 The situation now appeared so desperate, that Faulkner at once 
 summoned the residue of his command, and at their head, dashed 
 impetuously up the mountain side. 
 
 A sheet of flame burst from a score of rebel rifles, followed by a 
 crashing volley. 
 
 By dodging behind rocks, however, our friends managed to 
 escape the storm of bullets that hissed angrily by them, without 
 receiving any serious wounds. 
 
 Quickly springing from their covert, they returned the volley, 
 dropping sixteen of the Confederates, after which they resumed 
 their former position, reloading as they lay. 
 
 Faulkner, with commendable military skill, now ordered Major 
 Powers and Lieutenant-colonel Dalrymple to take half the force 
 and fall back to the foot of the mountain, there take reinforce- 
 ments from the troopers not engaged, and assault the enemy on 
 the left. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BABS. 45 
 
 This order was promptly and effectively executed, and while the 
 rebel forces were actively engaged in battling with Faulkner, 
 whose troops were pretty well thinned out under their galling fire, 
 Dalrymple made a sudden and fierce assault upon their right 
 which threw them into confusion, charging clear up to their lines 
 and gaiuiug the summit of the ridge. 
 
 The slaughter was now terrible on both sides ; but perhaps more 
 so among the Confederates, who were forced to stand before the 
 deadly fire of their own field pieces, which Faulkner had over- 
 whelmed and captured from them. 
 
 The rebels fought long and desperately, but despite their obsti- 
 nate courage, were forced to give way, and finally nearly exasper- 
 ated with their successive repulses, fell back and slowly retreated 
 down the side of the mountain, followed by flashing sabers and 
 ringing revolver shots. 
 
 The ridge was won ! 
 
 The rebel stronghold had been carried, and the depleted ranks 
 of the Indiana troopers held the crest of Echo mountain, for which 
 they had fought so gallantly. 
 
 Perhaps no sanguinary skirmish of the war better deserves pres- 
 ervation in history than this glorious achievement of the Indiana 
 cavalry. 
 
 The Confederates fled three miles due south, and there took up a 
 new position which they considered absolutely impregnable, in the 
 same range. 
 
 The evening after the battle, Colonel Faulkner mounted upon 
 his chestnut charger, Roxy, set out alone for a short ride, intend- 
 ing to draw near enough to reconnoiter the rebel position, and de- 
 pending upon the fleetness of his steed — the same which he had 
 brought from Norwood — to save him, should occasion require. 
 
 The Federals had bivouacked upon the banks of a swiftly running 
 mountain stream, whose waters were singularly clear, cold and 
 refreshing. 
 
 Major Powers was engaged in writing in his diary, Lieutenant 
 Blake preparing supper, and Dalrymple and Dr. Clancy lost in re- 
 flections. 
 
 It was the calm succeeding the storm. 
 
 Faulkner's horse trotted nimbly over the soft, yielding soil, at a 
 brisk pace, considering the fatigues of recent toilsome marches. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner had left his weapons in camp, with the excep- 
 tion of a navy revolver, which he carried in his holster, as not in- 
 tending to go far he did not think he would need them. 
 
 The night was favored with clear, silvery moonlight, and cool, 
 exhilerating breezes. 
 
 As he rode along, Frank urged his steed into a gentle gallop, and 
 thinking to avoid being seen by any skulking rebels or bushwhack- 
 ers, kept beneath the dark shadow of the range thus being well 
 sheltered from view. 
 
46 VNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 Suddenly, his horse reared madly and all the time trembling 
 violently. 
 
 At a loss to account for this strange freak, Frank applied the 
 spurs; but the steed, instead of boundiug forward as he had an- 
 ticipated, turned violently and threw our hero heavily to the 
 ground, spraining his left foot badly, and then relieved of his bur- 
 den galloped back toward camp at his best speed. 
 
 Faulkner began to realize that he was in a bad fix, unhorsed, two 
 miles from camp, and lying helpless on the ground with a sprained 
 ankle, which pained him acutely, an involuntary groan now and 
 then escaping his quivering lips. 
 
 The only consolation he had, was that he knew his comrades, 
 immediately the riderless horse would arrive in camp would start 
 out in quest of him, though he could hardly hope to be found 
 without much search. 
 
 What had frightened the animal and so caused his unaccountable 
 freak, our hero was at a loss to conjecture. 
 
 Some little time must needs elapse before his friends could come 
 to his assistance ; accordingly he was obliged to resign himself to a 
 night of agony. 
 
 Removing his boot and bandaging his handkerchief tightly 
 about the injured member in order to allay the swelling, Faulkner 
 lay down in hopes of passing a quiet night, though with many mis- 
 givings, as he was entirely unarmed and at the mercy of the enemy 
 should they stumble upon him. 
 
 His ankle continued to throb, and pained him acutely, yet he did 
 not murmur for he was naturally of a courageous nature and 
 always bore suffering with great fortitude. An hour passed— an 
 hour that to our sufferer seemed an age— suddenly he fancied he 
 heard the first sound of horses' hoofs thundering along the green 
 sward, and as he listened intently, came to the conclusion that they 
 were drawing nearer. 
 
 "They are coming at last, thank Heaven !" he murmured, drag- 
 ging himself into a sitting posture and waiting patiently for the 
 advent of his friends as he supposed the riders to be. 
 
 Suddenly he descried the dark form of a horseman looming up 
 before him and at less than fifty yards distant. 
 
 Never dreaming that he could be aught but a friend, Faulkner 
 hailed him as soon as he was within earshot, hoping to hear in 
 reply the cheery voice of Major Powers, or Lieutenant Blake, it 
 mattered little which. 
 
 Instead, however, the stranger drew rein, and while his spirited 
 horse reared and pawed the air, demanded in a loud voice : 
 
 " Who the deuce are you, and what do you want ?" 
 
 " Soldier— wounded and helpless," replied Frank. 
 
 " Fed or Confed ?" queried the rider. 
 
 " Union," replied Faulkner, not afraid to speak the truth. 
 
 " All right, cunnel, I'll go back an' get a couple of men, and we'll 
 
UNDEIt THE STAKS AND BARS. 47 
 
 carry you to a place where you'll receive immegit attention; by 
 the way, are you hurt bad ?" 
 
 " I have sustained a severe sprain of the right ankle, and conse- 
 quently cannot walk." 
 
 "Ah, that's bad 'nuff, by thunder. Lay still, I'll hurry back,* 
 and so saying the brusque stranger dug his heels into the horse's 
 flanks and was off like a shot. 
 
 Although disappointed at failing to recognize in the stranger one 
 of his friends, our hero was thankful that he was soon to receive 
 the proper attention which the exigencies of his case demanded. 
 
 The rider sped along at a steady gallop until he reached a hut 
 situated in a canyon beneath the overhanging mountains, where, 
 pausing he leaped from the saddle and knocked on the door with 
 the butt of a heavy holster pistol to gain admittance. 
 
 " Who's there?" cried a voice strongly feminine in character, 
 and apparently belonging to one just aroused from a deep sleep. 
 
 " It's me, Nathan Sperry," was the rejoinder, " let me in quick, 
 Matilda." 
 " Open the door, Erastus," observed the woman, "it's father." 
 Immediately a bolt was heard to slide back, and bidding his son, 
 au awkward looking youth of eighteen or twenty who appeared 
 in the doorway, to look after his horse, the man calling himself 
 Nathan Sperry entered the cabin, and seated himself beside his 
 wife. 
 
 " The loyal troops licked those Johnny Rebs in haudsum style 
 to-day," he remarked. 
 
 " Oh, I am so glad to hear it. I heard the noise of the guns and 
 sent Ezekelout to learn the result of the fight, but he's not got back 
 yet. I hope nothing has happened to him," she added, anxiously. 
 "Don't you bee afeerd, that boy's able to take care of hisself ; 
 but I can't wait to talk now. I come acrost a Union soldier who's 
 got his ankle sprained and is lying helpless near the foot of Maple 
 Ridge, and promised to go for him at oncet ; you'd better get the 
 things ready so we can attend to his injury as soon as I bring him 
 in." 
 
 " Very well, Nathan, I shall be prepared by the time you return," 
 saying which she set to work to get things in readiness. 
 
 Calling his son, both mounted horses and leading a third one, 
 started out on their mission of mercy. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE LOYAL, TENNESSEAN. 
 
 Old Nathan Sperry, as we have seen, lived in a log cabin under 
 the shadow of the Cumberland mountains. 
 
 His family consisted, besides his wife and the two sons referred 
 to, of two elder boys who were in the Federal service, and a 
 daughter named Ida, a young lady of twenty summers. This 
 
48 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 daughter, whom the bracing mountain |air had developed into a 
 handsome young woman, had been captured a week previous by 
 guerrillas and carried off by Clint Capwell, their leader, who ex- 
 pressed himself as determined to force her to marry him. 
 
 This was the state of affairs in the Sperry domicile at the time 
 our hero was introduced into it. 
 
 Nathan and his sou had reached the spot where he lay groaning 
 in anguish, and in due course conveyed him to the hut, where, 
 under the skillful hands of the Unionist and his wife, Matilda, the 
 swelling was shortly reduced, the ankle restored to its normal con- 
 dition, and the suffering of the colonel greatly modified. 
 
 This accomplished, the old mountaineer mixed up a liberal tum- 
 bler of peach brandy, the only liquor available, and induced our 
 hero to partake of the beverage, which he did with good results. 
 
 Sperry then advised him of the loss of his daughter, and asked 
 Frank to assist him in effecting her rescue. 
 
 " With pleasure," he replied. "I will bring my command up 
 here to-morrow." 
 
 " But, cunnel, them pesky guerrillas air wuss than wolves, they 
 will skulk away and hide when they see your troopers, and we 
 keant find a trace of them. My plan would be for you and me to 
 steal into their camp at night and release the girl, if we can find 
 her whereabouts." 
 
 "Very well; whatever course you wish to pursue, or deem wise 
 to act upon, I am with you," acquiesced Frank, quietly. 
 
 " Now that's settled, cunnel, I'll show you to your room," and 
 the Unionist led him behind a curtain at the further end of the 
 cabin. 
 
 " I hope you will feel better to-morrow," he observed, leaving 
 our hero to his own reflections. 
 
 In the morning Frank wrote a note to Maior Powers advising 
 him of his whereabouts and stating the cause of his absence. 
 
 This missive he dispatched by Sperry's son to the Union camp. 
 
 During the day both men were busy arranging a satisfactory and 
 feasible plan upon which to act, and finally came to the conclusion 
 that it was better to wait till night before venturing among the 
 rebels and guerrillas. Therefore, they remained in the hut until 
 night cast her dark shadows over peak and gulch; then arrayed 
 in a suit of butternut homespun similar to that worn by Nathan, 
 our hero followed him out into the darkness. 
 
 Mounting horses which Sperry had in readiness, they hurried in 
 the direction of the Confederate camp. 
 
 Shortly before reaching this point of destination, however, the 
 men dismounted and carefully coucealed their horses in a grove of 
 pines. Then picking their steps, warily they climbed the ridge and 
 were proceeding cautiously until suddenly alarmed by the chal- 
 lenge of a vigilant sentry: 
 
 " Halt, who goes ther«?" 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 49 
 
 "Friends with the countersign," replied Sperry, coolly, dropping 
 the butt of his long, trusty rifle as he spoke. 
 
 "Advance one, unarmed," ordered the sentry. 
 
 Sperry handed his weapon to our hero and stepped forward. 
 
 "Countersign," demanded the sentry. 
 
 "Tullahoma," replied Sperry, who had managed to learn the 
 word through the agency of his son, whom he had sent to spy 
 around the camp that afternoon. 
 
 ' Pass," observed the sentry, lowering his bayonet. 
 
 Now that they had succeeded in penetrating the lines, our two 
 friends breathed easier. 
 
 Their next object was to endeavor to discover the whereabouts 
 of the girl. 
 
 While they were puzzling themselves about this important mat- 
 ter, a young and exceedingly handsome man, clad in the ragged 
 remnant of the uniform of a Confederate soldier,"suddenly appear- 
 ed in their path, confronting them. 
 
 " ColoneJ Faulkner, this is an unexpected pleasure," he said, ad- 
 vancing and shaking our hero by the hand. 
 
 Frank was thunderstruck. 
 
 Who was this young man who had addressed him so familiarly ? 
 was the question which mutually suggested itself. 
 
 '•Ah! I perceive you don't remember me; you know me well 
 enough, but cannot recall my face? Perhaps, however, you will 
 recollect a schoolfellow at Norwood high school who was known 
 as Fred Merrigold ?" 
 
 " Fred Merrigold ! " our hero repeated, " well, I should think 1 
 did ; but you don't mean to tell me you are Fred ?" 
 
 " I am happy to assure you of the fact." 
 
 " That being settled, I must say, Fred, that I regret to see you in 
 such inappropriate company." 
 
 " You will not, however, think so hard of me, perhaps, when I 
 state that I am here mainly in the interest of the Union cause ; it 
 was I that conveyed the information to Federal headquarters that 
 resulted in your cavalry being sent down here to hunt Greyson's 
 rebels and Capwell's guerrillas, and cut them off root and branch. 
 I spent nearly a year with Forrest's cavalry, then cut them and 
 joined Greyson, who, by the way, is a prospective brother-in-law 
 of mine. 
 
 " If it had not been for Nell Stanfield, Frank, I should probably 
 to-night wear the Federal blue and stand under the stars and 
 stripes, instead of under the stars and bars. 
 
 " Nell Stanfield !" repeated Faulkner, in amazement. 
 
 "Yes; do you know her?" queried Merrigold, looking at Frank 
 searchingly. 
 
 " Well, slightly," our hero admitted. "Do you mean Nellie 
 Stanfield of Glenwood, Kentucky ?" 
 
 " The same." 
 
50 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 " I have the honor of her acquaintance." 
 
 " Nice girl," continued Merrigold; "I expect to marry her as 
 soon as I can emerge from this unpleasantness." 
 
 'The devil you do," thought Faulkner. 
 
 But he did not make any reply; hut, changing the subject, ob- 
 served : 
 
 "Do you know this Clint Capwell, commander of the guer- 
 rillas ?" 
 
 "Yes; he's a fierce fellow ; and by the way, there's a scalawag 
 in his gang whom I could almost swear I saw in Norwood." 
 
 " What's his name ?" 
 
 " Art Arnold he is called, I think." 
 
 " Ah ! is he here too ? I thought he had deserted by this time." 
 
 "No; he's quite a hand to do Capwell's dirty work; he's just 
 now engaged in taking charge of a young girl, pretty as a peach, 
 whom Capwell states he is going to marry at the first oppor- 
 tunity." 
 
 " Can I trust you, Merrigold ?" 
 
 " Well, I guess you can ; although I am now in the rebel ranks 
 and serving under the stars and bars, my heart is true blue Union, 
 and beats only for ' Columbia, the gem of the Ocean,' and red 
 white and blue flag of freedom." 
 
 Faulkner grasped him warmly by the hand. 
 
 " That poor innocent young girl is this man's daughter," he ob- 
 served; "he is a Unionist, but were he the rankest rebel that 
 breathes, I would still maintain the same principles toward his 
 daughter; iu a word, Fred, we have come to rescue her." 
 
 " Then you have tackled a tough job ; but hold, I think I see a 
 way to success ; I am tired of my position here, and have made 
 up my mind to go over to the other side ; in fact, I would not have 
 remained here so long but to please Nellie Stanfleld and for the 
 thought that I was rendering my country a efficient service by 
 the nature of the information which I was enabled to transmit." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "If you will leave this matter to me, I promise to bring the girl 
 to you in less than an hour." 
 
 Frank's eyes sparkled ; he did not anticipate such a firm pros- 
 pect of success, and feared Fred reckoned without his host; how- 
 ever, he was pleased, and observed : 
 
 "Then you are our man; if you succceed, this gold watch is 
 yours," said Frank, producing the chronometer which had been 
 so hastily abandoned by the rebel officer when shelled by Frank's 
 battery, as related in an early chapter of this story. 
 
 Merrigold, however, raised his hand deprecatingly, as he ob- 
 served : 
 
 " I ask no reward ; a sense of duty and justice prompts me to 
 this action, not the prospect of visionary emolument. 
 
 " Then if you conduct the girl to us, and wish to join my com- 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 51 
 
 mand, you shall have the vacanoy caused by the death of Captain 
 Winters, who fell in the action of yesterday," said Frank. 
 
 "Thanks; I shall do my best." 
 
 The loyal rebel proceeded to the hut where he knew Ida Sperry 
 was detained a prisoner. 
 
 He had caught a glimpse of her on the day of her capture, and 
 her beauty had excited his keen sympathy to such an extent that 
 he registered a meutal vow that she should come to no harm while 
 he was able to raise a hand in her defense. 
 
 When he reached the hut he saw that Arnold was not around, 
 and as it was customary for that worthy to take the girl out in the 
 evening and walk her up and down the camp for exercise, the 
 quick mind of Fred Merrigold fouud a plan, which would not 
 have suggested itself to one of ordinary intellect. 
 
 Approachiug the guard, whom he happened to know, he ob- 
 served cordially : 
 
 ' Good evening, Merton, Cap Capwell desired me to come over, 
 relieve you, and conduct the girl to him ; he will take her out for a 
 walk himself to-night, as Arnold is too drunk to attend to his 
 duty." 
 
 Without questioning his right, the man opened the door, where- 
 upon Fred Merrigold entered the hut, and approaching the cap- 
 tive maiden, whispered softly : 
 
 " I am a friend ; come with me quietly and I will conduct you to 
 your father." 
 
 " Oh, kind sir, you are so good. I have prayed Heaven to send 
 me help, and my prayer is answered," saying which the gentle 
 maiden, who was as graceful as a gazelle, followed him out of the 
 hut, her heart leaping wildly with buoyant hope. 
 
 Offering her his arm, Fred conducted her away through the 
 darkness, humming as he went. 
 
 In order to disarm whatever suspicions the guard might enter- 
 tain, Fred conducted her a short distance in the direction of Cap- 
 well's tent, then suddenly changing his course he made directly 
 for the spot where he had left her friends. 
 
 When Fred Merrigold rejoined his two newly found friends 
 they could hardly credit their senses as they saw him accompanied 
 by a female form. 
 
 They had scarcely dared hope that he would be successful in his 
 undertaking, and little dreamed that he would be enabled to make 
 good his promise. 
 
 However, the shape of his companion shortly revealed itself as 
 that of a woman, and the gait which she of necessity maintained 
 in order to keep pace with him, proclaimed her at once young and 
 agile. 
 
 Her face was of that type of beauty hereditary among families 
 in these parts; sweet in expression, perfect in complexion, and en- 
 hanced by a profusion of brown hair and mild blue eyes. 
 
52 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 She was overjoyed at meeting her father, who could himself, 
 with difficulty, couceal his affectionate delight at clasping her in 
 his arms once more. 
 
 "Now," observed Frank, when the greetings and introductions 
 were over, " we must manage to get away from here as speedily as 
 possible. 
 
 To this all readily acquiesced, and leading the way, Sperry soon 
 conducted them to the spot where they had left the horses. 
 
 Frank assisted the girl to mount the horse, and then urged Sper- 
 ry to mount the other and hurry home with his daughter. 
 
 This the old Tennesseean was very reluctant to consent to, much 
 preferring that Frank should use the horse, and leave him to 
 range through the mountains, with every foot of which he was 
 familiar ; but our hero would not agree to this arrangement. 
 
 Finally, as there was no time to be lost in discussion, Nathan 
 mounted, and, followed by his daughter, hastened away, taking 
 the most direct route for home. 
 
 Faulkner and Fred Merrigold lost no time in climbing the range 
 and pushing into the solitude of the mountains, feeling confident 
 of eluding capture by so doing. 
 
 Having reached the summit they hurried northward in the 
 direction of the Federal cavalry camp. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE PATE OF CLINT CAPWELL. 
 
 No language is expressive enough to convey an adequate con- 
 ception of the rugged grandeur of the mountain scenery that sur- 
 rounded the two fugitives as they pushed their way though the 
 wildest solitudes of the blue crested Cumberlands, in hopes of elud- 
 ing those whom they felt certain would be dispatched post haste 
 in pursuit of them 5 as soon as it was discovered that they had 
 effected the rescue of the girl. 
 
 No pen can depict the sublime beauty of the broad and varied 
 landscape that unfolded itself to their view on that balmy autumn 
 morning, which proved so refreshing to their wearied senses after 
 the fatigues and excitement of the preceding night. 
 
 It seemed to them that they had never before studied nature so 
 closely, or relished its beauties so keenly as upon this dewy morn. 
 Both, as they halted for a brief rest, watched the birth of the new 
 day with intense interest, viewing the fog as it lifted from the 
 mountains, clinging in dense masses in certain places in the valley; 
 watched the pearly drops of dew that glistened on tree, shrub and 
 grass-blades, and listened with keen pleasure to the wild melody 
 of the birds as they sprang from the bushes on either side, sur- 
 prised, no doubt, at being disturbed so early in the morning. 
 
 Resuming their perilous ascent, they finally reached the summit 
 of the range, then began to look about them for a cave where they 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. M 
 
 might hide from the rebels whom they felt certain where already 
 on their track. 
 
 Faulkner had instructed Sperry to convey his family to the 
 Union camp for protection, and felt if he and Fred could only en- 
 gage the attention of the enemy long enough to enable the old 
 Unionist to carry his suggestions into effect, the result would be all 
 that could be desired. 
 
 As they pursued their way the two young men crossed an im- 
 mense canyon on the trunk of a fallen tree. 
 
 Just as they reached the opposite side they were suddenly 
 alarmed by the unmistakable sounds of a commotion in their 
 rear. 
 
 Looking hastily over their shoulders, they descried a body of 
 men scrambling up the side of the mountain which they had just 
 left. 
 
 It needed no second glance to assure the fugitives of the fact that 
 these men were rebels and guerrillas ; indeed, Fred Merrigold read- 
 ily recognized in them a party of his late associates. 
 
 u Quick, this way!" he ejaculated to his companion, drawing him 
 hurriedly behind the shelter of some friendly laurel bushes. 
 
 Thus concealed from the view of the Confederates, the two fugi- 
 tives began to arrange their plans. 
 
 " Produce your weapons," observed Merrigold ; " we must never 
 allow them to cross the canyon. If we do, our doom is sealed 
 forever." 
 
 "Unfortunately I have no weapons about me— not even a jack- 
 knife," replied Frank, and he hastily explained the reason there- 
 for. 
 
 "Well, I have a revolver, that is all; but I know how to use it 
 effectually. Make your way up tbe mountain as carefully as pos- 
 sible. I will remain here, guard the bridge, and guarantee to make 
 it exceedingly interesting for all who attempt to pass over to this 
 side of the range." 
 
 Frank, however, with a trusty, courageous principle could not 
 be induced to desert his friend, but announced it as his intention 
 to stand by him through thick and thin. 
 
 The guerrillas paused near the spot where the tree trunk stretch- 
 ed across the gulch, and set about making preparations for break- 
 fast. 
 
 Evidently they had thus far failed to discover the presence of 
 the fugitives, and, while they delayed, Fred and Frank hurried up 
 the i jcky side of th« mountain, where they were soon safely en- 
 sconsed behind a number of huge bowlders. 
 
 If they insist upon coming across we will treat them to a few of 
 these heavy bowlders," suggested Frank; "that is, if we can man- 
 age to move them." 
 
 "An excellent idea," acquiesced Fred. 
 
 They took hold of one, and found, to their satisfaction, that by 
 
U. UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 exerting their combined strength they could move one of the rocks, 
 and having poised it, in order to have it ready when occasion re- 
 quired, felt confident of their ability to lanch it forth and send it 
 bounding on its mission of destruction down upon the luckless 
 members of Capwell's guerrillas in the event of their making an 
 attempt to cross the canyon on the tree trunk. 
 
 Our friends discovered a neat place on a projecting shelf of rock, 
 where they could lie in the greatest security and watch every 
 movement of the enemy. 
 
 " If they discover the tree and start across it they sign their own 
 death warrant," Fred Merrigold muttered through his clinched 
 teeth. 
 
 When the guerrilla captain discovered the absence of the girl, 
 and heard from Merton, the man Who had been on guard, that 
 Fred Merrigold had taken her away, observing that it was Cap- 
 well's wish to have her conducted to his tent, that worthy was be- 
 side himself with rage. 
 
 He instantly conjectured that, smitten with her charms, Fred 
 had induced her to elope with him, and he had deserted his com- 
 mand. 
 
 Hastening to Greyson's headquarters the guerrilla chief assured 
 himself of the young soldier's absence; then he communicated his 
 fears to Greyson. 
 
 The latter, however, laughed at him, and assured him that Merri- 
 gold was engaged to his prospective sister-in-law ; therefore it was 
 not likely he would be foolish enough to allow himself to be "smit- 
 ten with Miss Sperry's rustic beauty." 
 
 Although he said this, Greyson, to say the least, felt uneasy, for 
 he had long questioned the sincerity of Merrigold's feelings toward 
 the Southern cause. 
 
 It now appeared to him that his courier had taken " French 
 leave," and when, as morning came, Fred failed to return, the 
 truth of the situation dawned upon his mind. 
 
 " Can it be possible that the girl has slipped through my hands?" 
 growled Capwell, as he stalked up and down before his tent, grind- 
 ing his teeth in baffled rage. 
 
 " What an idiot I was to trust her out of my sight," he continu- 
 ed, furiously. " Ho, men !" he suddenly exclaimed. " I must have 
 ten of you at once to follow me after Merrigold, the deserter and 
 the girl; they have skipped together." 
 
 He picked his men, and having mounted the best horse procur- 
 able, the cavalcade followed their rough leader in silence. 
 
 The deserter and his companion had, however, fully five hours 
 the start of them, but Capwell took the precaution to bring with 
 him two bloodhouuds belonging to a man named Hank Hager, one 
 of the guerrillas who had had extensive experience in his day 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 55 
 
 huutiug negroes through the swamps of Georgia, with the fero- 
 cious animals. 
 
 The dogs readily struck the trail and followed it. When they 
 reached the spot where Sperry and his daughted had mounted 
 horses and left the two young men to proceed on foot, there was 
 evidently quite a difference of opinion, which occasioned much 
 discussion. 
 
 Finally it was decided that those who had mounted horses were 
 probably Federals who had come to assist Merrigold, and that he 
 and the girl had doubtless struck into the mountains, hoping thus 
 to elude pursuit and gain Sperry's cabin. 
 
 In any case, they knew it was useless to pursue the mounted 
 men, for their start would have enabled them to gain the Union 
 camp with comparative ease ; and therefore it was decided to fol- 
 low those who had taken to the mountains, presumably Fred and 
 the girl. 
 
 Hank Hager went ahead with his dogs, and shortly returned, 
 stating that the sagacious brutes had struck the trail of the fugi- 
 tives. 
 
 Tbis announcement was hailed with a shout of joy and eagerly 
 the guerrillas pressed onward. 
 
 Had they anticipated the warm reception which they were des- 
 tined to receive, it is doubtful if they would have felt so much 
 ardor. 
 
 Having reached a good altitude they left their horses in the care 
 of three of the men, and then satisfied that their game was " treed " 
 they paused to breakfast a little further on, when their presence 
 was discovered by our two friends as already stated. 
 
 The young soldiers continued to watch the guerrillas from their 
 covert, ever ou the alert to detect any indication of the enemy's 
 advance upon their position. 
 
 Suddenly they were made aware of a commotion among Clint 
 Capwell's men. 
 
 The baying of the bloodhounds announced the fact that they had 
 discovered the trail of the fugitives leading to the tree trunk, and 
 this new achievement was hailed with cheers. 
 
 Hank Hager now pushed on through the heavy growth of 
 bushes and shortly stood facing the deep canyon. 
 
 It was a thrilling moment for our two friends. 
 
 "Theyhev crossed on this yer log, boys; now let's after 'em 
 right smart." 
 
 As he spoke he stepped upon the tree trunk and proceeded leis- 
 urely to cross, little suspecting the danger which was menacing 
 him. 
 
 He had not taken five steps before his followers were horrified to 
 see him throw up his arms spasmodically, and with a scream of 
 mortal agony plunge head foremost into the dark canyon. 
 
56 TTNDEB THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 Crack ! rang the sharp, stinging report of a revolver, echoing his 
 death cry. 
 
 The men drew back instinctively, terror-stricken at the fate of 
 their comrade. 
 
 Indeed so great was their consternation that they would have 
 fled from the spot in a precipitate retreat had it not been for the 
 imperative command of Clint Capwell to " stand firm " and " open 
 fire." 
 
 They aimed for a spot in the bushes where a little circling wreath 
 of bluish smoke betrayed the presence of the marksman who had 
 so abruptly cut short Hager's career, and delivered a crashing vol- 
 ley which awoke the echoes of the ridge.] 
 
 Fortunately, however, our fugitives escaped injury, although 
 the bullets whizzed about in pretty close proximity. 
 
 Merrigold, with consummate coolness returned the fire, picking 
 off two more of the miscreants with the accuracy and ease of a 
 veteran sharpshooter, and silencing the snarling of one of the dogs 
 by a well aimed pellet. 
 
 Capwell had lost three of his men, but finding he had still seven 
 remaining — for those left in charge of the horses, alarmed by the 
 firing, now appeared upon the scene — called on them to follow him, 
 and whipping out his sword started across the tree trunk flourish- 
 ing the weapon above his head. 
 
 A shot from Merrieold knocked his hat off, and sent it circling 
 into the canyon. 
 
 He drew his revolver and quickly returned the fire, and Merri- 
 gold uttered a cry of mortal agony. 
 
 " Hurrah ! I've fixed the rascal !" cried Capwell, in accents of de- 
 light. " Come on, boys ; now for the girl." 
 
 Elated with his success they followed him upon the log. 
 
 The cry uttered by Merrigold was only a ruse, however, for he 
 was still uninjured, and noticing their impetuous charge in conse- 
 quence, he and Faulkner quickly brought all the strength which 
 they could command to bear upon the heavy bowlder, and sent it 
 crashing and thunderiug down the side of the declivity. 
 
 As if guided by the hand of fate, with unerring accuracy the 
 heavy, solid projectile struck the log, shivering it into splinters, 
 and hurling its unfortunate occupants with crushing force into 
 the canyon far below. 
 
 A wild, moaning scream was borne to their ears as the six forms 
 disappeared. 
 
 Such was the dreadful fate of Clint Capwell, the guerrilla chief, 
 an appropriate end for a rascally career. 
 
 Only one of the guerrillas escaped, and he ran away in pell mell 
 haste, secured a horse, and hastened from the scene of destruction 
 to bear the news to the Confederate camp. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 57 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 GALLANT ACTION OF MAJOR POWERS. 
 
 After having disposed of the guerrillas in this summary manner, 
 our two friends hastened over the mountains until they reached 
 the Federal camp. 
 
 As may be readily supposed, Colonel Faulkner was hailed with 
 shouts of joy and warm congratulations, for although old Nathan 
 Sperry had reached camp in due time with his family, and ex- 
 plained the cause of our hero's absence, yet the officers of his com- 
 mand were far from feeliug assured of his safety, and were just 
 about starting with troops to his assistance when Frank oppor- 
 tunely arrived, thus setting all fears at rest. 
 
 The first thing he proposed doing was to move at once upon the 
 enemy's position, and carry it forthwith. 
 
 Accordingly, marshaling all his troopers, he ordered an immedi- 
 ate advance as infantry, and took personal command, marching at 
 the head of the column. 
 
 No drums beat to announce their approach, but silently the gal- 
 lant troopers picked their way along under the friendly shadow of 
 the mountains. 
 
 Approaching the vicinity of the Confederate camp, Frank 
 ordered a halt in a grove of waving, aromatic pines, and sent for- 
 ward four men under Major Powers to reconnoiter. 
 
 These crept silently along until they reached a spot within ten 
 feet of the entrance to the glade in which the rebels were en» 
 camped, when Powers, cautioning his men to ens( o:ice themselves 
 in the laun 1 thicket and maintain absolute quiet, aud armed only 
 with a cocked revolver which he stuck in his sash within easy 
 reach, he silently crawled along through the rank growth of 
 weeds until he reached the very spot where a most admirable view 
 of the Confederate camp could be secured. 
 
 Looking about him critically, he was surprised to observe that 
 not five paces to the left of him stood a brass twelve pounder, 
 which the rebels had placed there to guard the pass. 
 
 Near this piece of ordinance, reposing upon the ground in the 
 utmost composure, were two rebel artillerists. 
 
 One of these seemed already asleep, and the other was too busy 
 endeavoring to fix his pipe, to notice the approach of anybody 
 with hostile intentions. 
 
 Powers no sooner saw the state of things than it flashed across 
 his mind what an excellent idea it would be to get possession of 
 the gun, or at least spike it, and thus render it useless for the 
 enemy, in the event of their inability to capture it and remove it 
 successfully. 
 
 Being possessed of the greatest courage, he never thought of re- 
 quiring assistance in carrying out his project, but no sooner did 
 the thought suggest itself than he forthwith proceeded to putit into 
 execution. 
 
58 UNDER THE STARS AND EARS. 
 
 Quietly approaching the rebel who was endeavoring to get his 
 pipe to draw, Powers struck him a quick, deft and crushing blow 
 with the heavy butt of his revolver back of the ear, and he sank 
 upon the grass stunned, without uttering a sound. 
 
 Securing some rope from the caisson of the gun, the gallant 
 Powers had his hands and feet secured in a trice, and then per- 
 formed the same inte e ting ceremoi y for the other man, after 
 which he effectively gagged both of the discomfited rebels by 
 forcing tufts of grass into their mouths. 
 
 This accomplished, he summoned his four men who, under his 
 directions, turned the piece around and dragged it slowly back- 
 ward toward their comrades, who, the moment they saw them 
 coming, broke into an involuntary cheer. 
 
 Concealment now being out of the question the troopers at 
 Frank's command seized the piece and dragged it up the ridge 
 until a favorable point was secured when they opened upon the 
 rebel camp with their own gun at point-blank range. 
 
 The consternation of the Confederates was stupendous when 
 they found the shot, shell and canister shrieking among them. In 
 vain did their heroic officers urge them to storm the Federal posi- 
 tion ; but with dismay pictured on their haggard countenances, 
 they fell back to the shelter of the rocks, from whence they poured 
 in a scorching musketry fire. 
 
 The bursting shells soon set fire to the abandoned tents and 
 camp equipage of the enemy which were gradually destroyed be- 
 fore their eyes, eliciting yells of rage and fierce oaths from the 
 rebels and guerrillas. 
 
 At length, greatly overmatched in courage and persistency, if 
 not in numbers, by the Federals, the rebels took to their heels and 
 fled, hastening in the direction of Murfreesboro', where they 
 eventually joined Bragg's army. 
 
 After the effectual dispersement of the guerrillas as above de- 
 scribed, Colonel Faulkner and his command proceeded to Nash- 
 ville, where they were assigned to the cavalry corps of Rosecrans' 
 army. 
 
 While at Nashville, our hero did the country a good service in 
 the apprehension of a notorious rebel spy whom he set about, with 
 the skill of an experienced detective, to ensnare. 
 
 Meeting his man one evening while strolling about the street, 
 and observing him acting suspiciously, although clothed in the 
 uniform of a Federal lieutenant, he accosted him as follows: 
 
 " Well, comrade, I see you are wandering about apparently as 
 aimlessly as myself; suppose we call in at the St. Charles and have 
 a game of billiards." 
 
 " No, thank you, I never play." 
 
 "Well, stroll with me toward camp; I expected to meet my 
 friend, Major Powers, ere this, but he has disappointed me, 
 though I cannot imagine why he should do so." 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 59 
 
 At the mention of Major Powers' name the stranger paled visi- 
 bly, his lip3 twitching nervously, as he stammered : 
 
 N— no ; I do not care to move in that direction. Fact is, I have 
 an appointment here and must wait in this vicinity until 1 can see 
 the party who agree to meet me." 
 
 " Yery good. Ah ! here comes Major Powers now. By the way, 
 what did you say your name was?" 
 
 "Alton Garland, of the Indiana cavalry." 
 
 " Did I understand 3 r ou to say of the Indiana cavalry '/" 
 
 " The same," returned Garlaud, nervously. 
 
 "Then, by Jupiter ! you are a fraud and humbug, for that is my 
 own command and I know you do not belong to it," replied 
 Faulknei , with emphasis. " I have a suspicion that you are Brad 
 Belden, the spy, and as such, have a great mind to denounce you 
 forthwith." 
 
 " Colonel, I wouldn't do that if I were you ; it would be ex- 
 tremely foolish on your part to expose me, even if I were a spy," 
 he hissed, his small, black eyes blazing savagely. 
 
 " I am convinced that you are a spy !" exclaimed Faulkner. 
 
 "Then this bullet may serve to crowd that absurd conviction 
 out of your addled brain," growled Garland, drawing a revolver 
 and discharging it point-blank at Faulkner's head. 
 
 The bullet buzzed close to our hero's ear and plowed a ridge in 
 the side of his skull. 
 
 Without waiting to note the effect of his shot, the cowardly vil- 
 lain took to his heels and ran as fast as his legs would carry him, 
 dodging back and forth to avoid the bullets which Faulkner, and 
 Powers, who had now joined him, sent hustling after him. 
 
 " I was in hopes you would have detained him a few moments," 
 observed Powers. " I have a score to wipe out with that murder- 
 ous cur ever since he jabbed his bayonet into me when I lay 
 wounded on the battlefield." 
 
 " He seemed to quail when I mentioned your name." 
 
 "Yes, he knows I am after him and I only hope I shall yet get 
 him in my clutches." 
 
 While the above hurried conversation was in progress the two 
 men were in hot pursuit of the fleeing Garland. 
 
 Chasing him down one street they saw him suddenly dive into a 
 paint-shop, followed by a bullet which whizzed through a pane of 
 glass close by his head ; reaching the place they rushed in and 
 were surprised to see the place deserted. 
 
 Hastening out of a back door through which they supposed he 
 had emerged, they crossed a small yard full of old rubbish, ash- 
 barrels, empty boxes and oil casks, and came upon a long pair of 
 rough, wooden steps leading to the upper story tenement of a 
 house in the rear. 
 
 As there was a high brick wall around the enclosure, and the 
 gate io the same was securely fastened with bolts and bars on the 
 
60 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 inside, it was at once evident to the pursuers that their man had 
 not effected his escape in that quarter. 
 
 " He must have gone up these steps," exclaimed Faulkner, fear- 
 lessly beginning to ascend the rough string pieces, being followed 
 closely by Powers. 
 
 "Yes, there's not the least doubt it," returned Powers, readily 
 concurring. 
 
 When they reached the top, they observed a little colored chap, 
 about ten years old, perched upon the door-sill gazing in apparent 
 wonder at the unusual intrusion. 
 
 " Did you see a man who just came up here, Charlie ?" asked 
 Faulkner. 
 
 " No, massa sojer, no man eber dimmed up here to-night, no 
 how. I been here all time, and 'pears likely no one could get up 
 here without me seein' him." 
 
 "Well, we will go in and see, in any case," suggested Powers. 
 
 Accordingly they stepped upon the threshold and were just 
 about to enter, when the little darky, young as he was, bravely in- 
 terposed, observing: 
 
 " Yer keantgo in der, dat my house, and I 'ont let you." 
 
 While he spoke the little fellow drew himself to his full height, 
 and clinched his little dusky fists menacingly. 
 
 Both men could not help admiring this unusual display of cour- 
 age in one so young; but, without pausing to heed his remark, 
 walked into the room, pistols in hand. 
 
 Meeting a fat, ebony-colored Dinah, with a calico turban twist- 
 ed around her woolly head, Faulkner greeted her with: 
 
 " Good evening, aunty, did you see any man dodge in here a few 
 moments ago ?" 
 
 "Fore de Lord, mars sojer, I didn't, 'deed I didn't." 
 
 She was so earnest in her protestations to the contrary as to 
 arouse Faulkner's suspicious, and he and Powers, despite her urging 
 to depart thence, instituted and proceeded with a careful search 
 of the premises. 
 
 Their persistency was at length rewarded by the discovery of 
 the form of a man hidden beneath the bedclothes in an attie 
 ohamber. 
 
 Sure now of their prey, both Federals covered the figure with 
 their revolvers, and Faulkner exclaimed: 
 
 " Unoover there, you treacherous spy, and surrender, or we'll 
 let daylight through your carcass." 
 
 Pretending to be aroused from a heavy slumber, the man slowly 
 raised his head, and both looked him squarely in the face, instant- 
 ly recoiling in astonishment. 
 
 The man's face was black as coal ! 
 
 " Dat's my ole man," observed Dinah, at this juncture entering 
 the room; " he's been took sick wid chills and fever, and J'se nuss- 
 ing him," 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 61 
 
 " Mighty strauge he should be in bed with his boots on," ob- 
 served Powers, turning up the bedclothes and revealing his heavy 
 hob-nailed brogans. "The game is up, Brad Belden; throw up 
 
 your hands, or " and he presented his shining revolver at the 
 
 head of the pretended darky, menacingly. 
 
 " Well," grunted the spy, for it was really he, "I 'spose I'll have 
 to acknowledge the corn and knock under to you fellows." 
 
 " That's about the size of it," chuckled Powers; " hand over your 
 shooter." 
 
 With ill grace the baffled spy complied, accompanying the move- 
 ment with a ghastly smile, as he hissed: 
 
 "You've got me now; but I'll never hang as a spy, on that you 
 can bet your life, Yanks. Oh, I'm a slippery critter, and if I don't 
 slide through your fingers I'll eat an anchor, and don't you for- 
 get it." 
 
 Whether he intended to fulfill his promise or not, I am unable to 
 say; but certain it is, that he did not slip through the fingers of 
 his captors. lie was handed over to the authorities at camp, 
 speedily court-martialed and iu due time executed. 
 
 Thus our hero was the means of securing the good riddauce of 
 one of the most daring and dangerous rebel spies with which the 
 Federal army was afflicted. 
 
 It should be here stated that the spy had procured lamp-black 
 when he dived into the paint-shop, with which he effected the re- 
 markable change in his appearance. 
 
 General Rosecrans sent for Frank and personally congratulated 
 him upon his effective work, assuring him of his intention to 
 transmit the particulars of the*case to the war department at Wash- 
 ington, and claim a suitable recognition of the heroic deed for his 
 young officer. 
 
 At the same time he appointed Colonel Faulkner on his staff 
 as assistant adjutant general to fill the vacancy caused by the 
 death of Colonel Richard E. Grant, the officer who had previous- 
 ly held that position. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 BATTLE OF STONE RIVER. 
 
 On or about the twentieth of December 1862, the Army of the 
 Cumberland struck tents and moved from its camping grounds a 
 mile or two south of Nashville, by the way of nearly two parellel 
 pikes in the direction of Murfreesboro', where Bragg's army had 
 lain a number of months. 
 
 The division under General Jefferson C. Davis took the Franklin 
 pike, while most of the troops proceeded by the Murfreesboro' 
 road. 
 
 Having marched five or six miles they reached a favorable point, 
 where they remained a few days. 
 
62 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 It appeared as though Roseerans had some misgivings as regards 
 the result of au attack ou Bragg, for he moved slowly and with 
 exceeding caution. 
 
 He need not have entertained any fears, for the whole force of 
 fifty thousand Federals was so well handled by their officers that 
 they could have been thrown into line of battle in a few moments, 
 should occasion require. 
 
 Most of the troops had seen some fighting in Kentucky and 
 Tennessee, and did not in the least dread to encounter Bragg's 
 army. 
 
 On the contrary, they were tired of inactivity and the monoto- 
 nous routine of camp life, and most of them were eager for a great 
 battle, in which they could demonstrate their supremacy and win 
 the laurels of victors. 
 
 " 'Tis sweet to die on the field of battle, 
 
 When all around are sounds of strife; 
 The cannons roar, and rifles rattle, 
 
 The burst of bomb and shriek of fife, 
 Your country's standard waving o'er you, 
 
 Your arm raised in a rightful cause, 
 A hero's grave, and fame before you, 
 
 Giving your life for a nation's laws." 
 
 The eve of a battle is like the calm before the storm, fraught 
 with all kinds of significant incidents. 
 
 Some of the soldiers employed the sacred time in writing affec- 
 tionate epistles to loved ones at home; others devoted the fleeting 
 moments of, perhaps, that last evening on earth to invoking the 
 divine blessing of God upon the loyal arms aud praying for their 
 preservation ; while others, less religiously imbued, whiled away 
 the waning hours in a social game of cards or a merry gathering 
 around the camp-fire ; telling yarns or singing some of the patri- 
 otic songs, which were at that time familiar to every ear. 
 
 The rebel army divisions were commanded by General Negley — 
 two divisions— and General Breckenridge, one division. 
 
 The rebel generals, Forrest and Morgan with strong forces of 
 cavalry, occupied the whole surrounding country. 
 
 John Morgan's troopers had, a few days previous to the battle, 
 surrounded and captured a Federal force of fifteen hundred 
 men. 
 
 The rebel general, Hardee, held a position on the Nolensville 
 pike, a little to the south of the village ; the remainder of the 
 Confederate force was at Murfreesboro', where Bragg had concen- 
 trated his invincible army. 
 
 Roseerans ordered General McCook to advance up the Nolens- 
 ville pike toward Hardee's position. 
 
 General Crittenden was to proceed up the Murfreesboro' pike to 
 Lavergne. 
 
 General Thomas was to push forward, and in conjunction with 
 McCook, to dislodge Hardee. 
 
T'XDER THE STARS AND BAfiS. Cut 
 
 All these movements were carried out as perfectly as could be 
 desired. 
 
 Hardee, finding he was unable to cope with the matchless divis- 
 i his send to grapple with him, fell back toward Murfreesboro'. 
 
 The rebel intrenchments were exceeding strong and well covered 
 by a thick cedar forest which sheltered their front approach, 
 while on the west flowed Stone river, the stream from which the 
 famous and bloody battle was named. 
 
 General Polk commanded the right of this position, General E 
 Kirby Smith the center, and General Hardee, when driven from 
 Noleusville, was placed in command of the left. 
 
 General Breekenridge commanded one of Polk's divisions. 
 
 Opposite these intrenchments the national line was steadfastly 
 arrayed ; the right, held by General McCook, the center, by Gen- 
 eral Thomas, and the left, resting on the Stone river, by General 
 Crittenden. 
 
 The pike and railroad here ran close to each other — indeed, quite 
 near together, passing from a slight rise of ground nearly to the 
 river; close to the pike were thick cedar woods and tangled al- 
 most impassible ground. 
 
 General Sheridan commanded the redoubtable brigade which 
 was pushed forward into these dark woods — a spot which the Con- 
 federates subsequently named — " Hell's Half Acre," owing to the 
 fierce seething torrent of shot and shell which devastated the 
 fated place and hurled hundreds into eternity. 
 
 As the Federal brigade, under Sheridan, approached this cedar 
 forest, a Unionist came forward with the intelligence that the 
 Confederates, under Bragg, had massed their troops in a strongly 
 intrenched position on the west bank of Stone river, where they 
 stood determined to prevent further advance upon Murfreesboro'. 
 
 General Sheridan immediately ordered forward several batter- 
 ies of artillery, and opened upon the enemy with shell and spher- 
 ical case, delivering a most effective fire. 
 
 The rebels formed in solid platoons and charged upon the bat- 
 teries with reckless determination ; but the grim gunners poured 
 in their terrific enfilading fire and mowed down the gallant gray- 
 coats by the score at each successive discharge. 
 
 Three times did they rally and repeat the heroic charge, only to 
 fall back crushed, shattered and bleeding after each assault. 
 
 All day long the battle raged. The harvest of death was terri- 
 ble ; the fruitless carnage fearful ! 
 
 « Whole companies of Confederates were blown in fragments from 
 before the muzzles of the death-dealing guns. 
 
 Comparatively few were wounded; men went down to die, when 
 torn and mangled by the fearful deluge of grape and cannister 
 which was incessantly rained upon them. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner was in command of a squadron of cavalry in 
 General Sheridan's command. 
 
64 UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 He led his gallant troopers in many a deadly charge on that 
 memorable day, among the cedars and across the open ground be- 
 yond. 
 
 This battle was the most exciting one in which he had ever par- 
 ticipated. Never had death reaped so wild a harvest before his 
 eyes. 
 
 The rebels seemed imbued with the fierce fury of incarnate de- 
 mons. 
 
 They stopped for nothing. 
 
 Death had no terrors for them. 
 
 Like a seething whirlwind they swept upon the boys in blue, and 
 the horrible din of battle grew into a perfect pandemonium of 
 harsh sounds. 
 
 It seemed as though nothing could stay the overwhelming fierce- 
 ness of their impetuous charges ; nothing withstand their terrible 
 assaults. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner instinctively felt himself in the tightest fix of 
 his life. For a moment he completely lost control of himself, and 
 was nearly crazed with excitement. 
 
 " Forward, boys!" he cried, hoarsely, "and good-by to old 
 Ohio." 
 
 The roar of the conflict became terrible. 
 
 Shot and shell crashed in the trees, exploding among the 
 troops, and tearing great chasms in their gallant lines; still they 
 did not hesitate or falter, but encouraged by the heroic example 
 of their commanding officers, who led them with characteristic 
 abandon, pushed forward eagerly. 
 
 The fighting among the cedars grew fierce and furious. Men fell 
 as thickly as the forest leaves in autumn. The whole ground was 
 literally covered with crushed and bleeding humanity, in every 
 conceivable shape, position and condition. 
 
 Finally the rebels, concentrating several brigades, made an im- 
 petuous charge upon the brave Phil Sheridan and his shattered 
 battalions. 
 
 Seeing that their overwhelming rush would be utterly irresisti- 
 ble by his decimated forces, with keen perception he looked about 
 him for a loophole through which to withdraw, in time to avert 
 annihilation. 
 
 His quick eye fell upon a swamp to the right of his position, and 
 toward this he wheeled his troops, handling them with matchless 
 skill. 
 
 From this swamp his brigade poured in such a scorching fire that 
 the rebels broke and fell back to re-form under shelter of the thick 
 woods. 
 
 In the meantime the battle raged as fiercely all along the front 
 and at each wing. 
 
 The rebels, inspired with ardent enthusiasm, were absolutely 
 fearless. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 65 
 
 Their terrific assaults were almost irresistible. 
 
 By fierce and determined fighting, they drove the Federal center 
 completely back to the railroad, and forced back the entire line 
 with the exception of the left wing. 
 
 The Federal officers were appalled. 
 
 Nothing but retreat would save their army from destruction. 
 
 Brave and resolute General Rosecrans still had confidence in his 
 plans, and rode back and forth in the fiery tide of battle with con- 
 summate coolness. 
 
 While aides and staff officers fell all around him, he was fortu- 
 nately unscathed. 
 
 Forming a new position at the railroad, he massed all available 
 batteries at that commanding point, and as the rebels threw for- 
 ward four full brigades in a sweeping charge, concentrated a ter- 
 rible fire upon their columns. 
 
 It was a glorious charge ! 
 
 The maddening excitement and horrible suspense of the moment 
 was awful to contemplate. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner, bearing a dispatch to General Rosecrans from 
 Sheridan, had barely time to spur his horse beyond the line of bat- 
 teries ere they opened in a crashing blast upon the hitherto invin- 
 cible horde of gray. 
 
 On came the rebels with the fury of a cyclone. 
 
 They were perfectly reckless and, as the thundering guns hurled 
 their deadly grape and canister among them, and plowed great 
 swathes in their ranks, they nimbly leaped over the bodies of the 
 fallen, and, grasping their muskets more fiercely, pressed on 
 with renewed vigor up to the very muzzles of the guns ! 
 
 Was ever more gallant heroism displayed upon the field of 
 battle ? 
 
 Shiloh in its fiercest blaze was no worse than Stone River. 
 
 The rebel bullets pattered like rain drops among the line of 
 blue. 
 
 It is the musket that tells. Cannon seldom do as great execution 
 as a few muskets well handled will accomplish. 
 
 General Rosecrans read Sheridan's dispatch under this furious 
 fire, and then, turning to our hero, bade him ride to General 
 Cruft, who was hammering away at the rebel center in the vicinity 
 of an old, partially-burned brick house, and report to him for ac- 
 tive service in that quarter. 
 
 Pressing his cap more firmly upon his head our hero lay low over 
 his horse and dug the spurs into his foaming sides, bounding away 
 along the surging line of battle, and running the gantlet of hun- 
 dreds of blazing muskets. 
 
 When the rebels, with unfaltering courage faced the scorching, 
 devastating breath of the batteries, General Rosecrans ordered a 
 bayonet charge to be made upon them. 
 
 "Give them the bayonet!" he cried. "Troops will stand iron 
 3 
 
66 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 and lead, but never the bayonet. Drive them ! they must be pushed 
 back to Murfreesboro' !" 
 
 The charge was made, and proved a complete success, thus end- 
 ing the first day's terrible fighting. 
 
 The rebels fell back to the shelter of the cedar woods to gather 
 strength for a renewal of hostilities on the morrow. 
 
 The second day's battle consisted in heavy skirmishing, both 
 parties preparing for the inevitable clash yet to come. 
 
 The rebels succeeded in carrying every point but the Federal 
 left, which proved decidedly too strong for them. 
 
 As the shades of night fell softly over cypress and cedar, the sec- 
 ond day's hostilities came to an end ; the field of carnage being 
 sprinkled as liberally with the dead as with dewdrops. 
 
 At three o'clock on the third day the rebels attacked the Feder- 
 als fiercely. 
 
 Negley's reserves were ordered up, and these drove back the 
 rebel center. 
 
 A general charge of the boys in blue was now ordered, and the 
 enemy, panic-stricken, fled. 
 
 On the fifth of January Rosecrans had his headquarters in Mur- 
 freesboro'. 
 
 General Sheridan, in consideration of his brilliant services in the 
 great battle, was made a major-general. 
 
 Rosecrans received the thanks of the nation through a personal 
 dispatch from President Lincoln. 
 
 Nothing but his indomitable will and cool perseverance in the 
 face of the greatest peril saved the day to the Union cause. 
 
 Even the rebels recognized in him an able commander, and one 
 historian cites the observation of a Confederate, who stated that 
 had Rosecrans commanded their army and Bragg the Federals, the 
 rebels would have walked triumphantly into Nashville. 
 
 As it was, Stone River came very near being a drawn battle; but, 
 thanks to the Napoleon-like tactics and dogged grit of "Old Rosy," 
 the tide turned in favor of tne gallant boys in blue. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 BATTLE OF CEDAR CREST. 
 
 About the middle of April, 1863, the — Indiana cavalry was sent 
 down near the boundary line of Mississippi, and, in conjunction 
 with two other regiments, accorded the dangerous occupation of 
 driving the fierce guerrillas, who had there assembled and who were 
 working with dogged determination to seize Grant's supplies and 
 break up railroad connection with his headquarters at Holly 
 Springs, while he advanced upon Vicksburg. 
 
 When they arrived in the vicinity of the enemy's position, they 
 found the latter 's force augmented by a heavy accession of rebel 
 infantry and four pieces of artillery. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. W 
 
 This state of affairs General McClernand recognized when hear- 
 rtSii Bcene, and accepted the three regimen s of cavalry 
 ^T^o^monto^toroe^e^ea from the Army of 
 
 th lf T ter peXting his plans, he immediately moved forward l upon 
 thtrebefs and guerrillas, determined to drive them out forthwith 
 The very impulsiveness of his attack bore much weight n itsel 
 The rebels held a strong position upon the summit of a knoll 
 of a cedar crest at the top which rose almost abruptly from an 
 ^evaSrplatea'u, with gently sloping sides, up winch the ascent 
 
 7££5K^~ gantry were ordered to assault this 
 position and carry it at the point of the bayonet 
 
 Stripping off their knapsacks and casting aside their Diodes, 
 the soldier°s slung their cartridge boxes over then ;*o^«*ana 
 forming a skirmish line, dashed up the slope, with a wild oheer. 
 
 The sight as the gallant veterans sprang impetuously forward to 
 the fray: ttir gray undershirts and gleaming bayonets in the sun- 
 litrht was a magnificent one to behold. 
 
 Fom Pieces of artillery stationed upon the crest of the knoll, 
 opened upon the gallant Federals a terrific cannonade; sending 
 :h P ort1us" P shell, and grape and canister hissing and screaming 
 among them, tearing wide gaps in the ranks and piling the dead 
 and mangled heroes in sickening profusion. _ 
 
 They reached the plateau at the head of the slope, but there 
 seemed to stumble and falter. ^ in ; n itv 
 
 A member of the signal corps stationed in a tree in the vicmity 
 where he had a good view of the action, signaled that having lost 
 their comuiand"- in the charge, the Illinois regiments faltered and 
 would doubtless fail to carry the position, in which event a most 
 favorable advantage would be irrevocably lost to the Federals. 
 
 General McClernand upon receipt of the intelligence seemed ill 
 at ease and instantly looked about him in a decisive manner for a 
 man to send to lead them through their perplexing *»»***' 
 
 His eyes happening to fall upon Colonel Faulkner who sat upon 
 his horse in comparative quiet at some little distance, engaged m 
 viewing the charging party through a field-glass the general de- 
 spatched one of his aides to summon him to his side. 
 
 Quickly comprehending the import of the summons, Frank 
 wheeled his horse and galloped up to General McClernand, raising 
 his cap and saluting as he approached. 
 
 "Here was just the man for the emergency," thought the gen- 
 eral ; " dashing, chivalrous, experienced, and withal cool, cautious 
 and well able to handle troops under fire." 
 
 In as few words as possible he acquainted Frank with his wish, 
 to which our hero quickly acquiesced. 
 
 Dashing across the intervening space, he left his horse in charge 
 of an orderly near the tree occupied by the signal corps man, and 
 
68 UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. 
 
 hastening up the slope, took his position at the head of the waver- 
 ing columns. 
 
 The noble troops recognized him as one of Rosecrans' staff of- 
 ficers and hailed his arrival with glad shouts and ringing cheers. 
 
 " Now, boys, we must carry the enemy's position in the quickest 
 possible time; so, forward!" he cried, waving his sword which 
 flashed like silver through the battle smoke. 
 
 Crash, crash, crash, crash! thundered the four brass pieces, 
 shriveling the moving mass of humanity under their scorching 
 flame. 
 
 Volleys of musketry accompanied the cannon's fierce blast, that 
 decimated the ranks of the brave assaulting party, until it seemed 
 as though they must inevitably be completely extirpated. Still 
 they swept on, every eye fixed upon the commanding figure of 
 their brave leader, Frank Faulkner, who was fully ten feet in ad- 
 vance and seemed to bear a charmed life. 
 
 The stars and bars floated directly in front of him and Frank de- 
 termined to carry that banner back to McClernand as a trophy 
 and assurance of victory. 
 
 The troops rushed up the abrupt slope, grappled with the ene- 
 my hand to hand upon the summit, where they fought like tigers 
 with clubbed muskets, bayonets, gun-rammers, pistols and knives. 
 It was an exciting melee; an indiscriminate, heterogeneous mass 
 of furious humanity, all bent upon victory for their particular 
 side. 
 
 The skirmish was, however, as brief as it was excitiug and the 
 rebels after a vain effort to hold their position, broke and fled in 
 confusion, leaving the four guns and many valuable stores aud 
 munitions of war in the hands of the Federals. 
 
 Frank secured the shattered, battle-scarred stars and bars which 
 had waved over the breastworks, aud on his return to headquart- 
 ers presented it triumphantly to General McClernand. 
 
 "You deserve to be knighted," observed the general, who had 
 witnessed, with great satisfaction, the gallant charge which Frank 
 had so ably led. 
 
 Our hero bowed gracefully in recognition of the general's compli- 
 ment, and without waiting to hear further flattering remarks, 
 hastened to his quarters where he was enthusiastically received by 
 the members of his command. 
 
 The next morning fighting was resumed, and for nearly a week 
 sanguinary skirmishing took place from day to day. 
 
 Finally the Federals captured a line of rifle-pits, which had 
 hitherto been stoutly defended by the rebels and guerrillas, aud 
 formed a new position under a heavy mass of timbered land, be- 
 hind which the enemy had secured temporary shelter. 
 
 With consummate coolness, McClernand spread his lines about 
 the base of the eminence aud working stealthily, managed, under 
 cover of the darkness to completely environ the rebels, 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. »y 
 
 Great was their consternation in the morning when they realized 
 that they were completely surrounded by the hated but persistent 
 
 "Y" £L II k 6 G S 
 
 Meanwhile the Federals pushed forward sections of two batteries, 
 and placed them in such position as to sweep the Confederates- 
 covert. 
 
 Then the music commenced! 
 
 The air fairly quivered under the detonating explosions of the 
 
 guns, which : 
 
 "Like the lurid lightning's flash, 
 And deafening thunder's crash." 
 
 seemed to rend and scorch everything within range of their death 
 dealing muzzles. 
 
 The rebels, however, were well used to scorchings, and paying 
 little heed to the casualties in their ranks, they set to work 
 strengthening their position. 
 
 Soon their sharpshooters began to take advantage of a tempor- 
 ary lull in the cannonade to secure favorable places in trees and 
 among the rocks and bowlders, and so destructive was their fire 
 that numerous efficient officers fell beneath their unerring aim. 
 
 During the second afternoon, Frank Faulkner strolled leisurely 
 among the rifle-pits, speaking pleasantly to the men, when sud- 
 denly a mere youth sprang up before him, and clutching wildly at 
 the air fell back quivering in death's throes. 
 
 Poor fellow ! he had seen a rebel sharpshooter take a deliberate 
 aim at our hero, and in his devotion for Frank, had coolly sacri- 
 ficed his own life to save that of his esteemed officer. 
 
 The awe-stricken soldiers grouped about Frank, quickly cov- 
 ered the sharpshooter, of whom they gotag'impse as he dodged 
 behind the limb of a tree, and sent half a score oi minie-balls whiz- 
 zing about his leering countenance, some of which must have 
 taken deadly effect, for they froze the exultant laugh upon his 
 lips, and sent him crashing to the ground. 
 
 " Look out there, colonel, that cuss over there in the thick weeds 
 has drawn a bead on you!" cried a soldier close beside Frank. 
 Our hero dodged down involuntarily. 
 
 Whish went a conical bullet, so close to his head as to actually 
 tear one of the brass buttons off his cap. 
 
 However, he was not destined to become a victim of the sharp- 
 shooters ; but the next day, unfortunately, he sustained a very 
 painful fracture of the right arm, by a fragment of exploding shell 
 which struck that member. 
 
 In the confusion incident to the position, the surgeon, Dr. Clancy, 
 happened to set the arm wrong, and a week after the injury was 
 received, while removing the splints to note progress of recovery, 
 made the astounding discovery that it was set so that when the 
 bones completely knitted together that the hand would be partly 
 reversed from its natural position. 
 
70 UNDER THE STABS AND BABS. 
 
 Dr. Clancy felt exceedingly grieved, and with much apparent 
 sorrow communicated the fact to Frank. 
 
 Our hero looked up in his face, a look of mingled softness and 
 sad reproach, as he asked : 
 
 " What is to be done, doctor ?" 
 
 " I know of no other way, colonel, to remedy the misfortune 
 than to " 
 
 He hesitated, as if afraid, or regretting to speak. 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " To break the arm again, and set it over." 
 
 A spasm of pain flitted across Frank's quiet features ; but with 
 compressed lips, he observed : 
 
 " Then let it be done at once. Send for Sergeant Conroy." 
 
 The man whose presence was desired, shortly appeared upon the 
 scene. 
 
 He was short, quite dark, but possessed of wonderful strength 
 of limb. 
 
 "Now, sergeant," observed Frank, " you see this arm ?" 
 
 Conroy nodded, intelligently, observing : 
 
 "How about that ?" 
 
 "Well, it has been set wrong, and must be broken and re-set. 
 Now, my man, I want you to tie me up to a tree, catch hold, and 
 when I give the word, break this limb again." 
 
 The sergeant seemed a little surprised, but if Frank bad ordered 
 him to break his neck instead of his arm he would not have hesi- 
 tated to comply, so strong was his devotion and confidence in his 
 superior officer. 
 
 Conroy procured a rope, bound Frank securely to a pine as 
 directed and then seized hold of the limb. 
 
 "Mind now, my man, no blundering, break it with one quick 
 snap." 
 
 Frank shut his eyes; the shock came and the fracture when 
 viewed by Dr. Clancy was declared to far exceed the former one. 
 
 It is needless to say the good surgeon was more particular to set 
 the broken limb properly on this occasion, and Frank experienced 
 no further difficulty with it; but under his skillful treatment rap- 
 idly recovered from his painful injury. 
 
 When the sergeant told the story about the camp, tbe veneration 
 for Colonel Faulkner was sensibly increased, and the result was 
 that when he had fully recovered he was the happy recipient of an 
 elegant gold-hilted sword elegantly carved and suitably engraved, 
 the gift of lib many admiring friends. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII, 
 
 GBAND GULP. 
 
 A short time after Frank Faulkner had recovered from his pain- 
 ful injuries, the troops were ordered to proceed toward Vicksburg, 
 where Grant's army was being concentrated. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 71 
 
 Their line of march lay through vast wild tracts covered with 
 scrawny oaks and underbrush and framed by hills crested with 
 cedars and pines. Then came tangled forests of mixed growths 
 and anon, dense cedar swamps, almost impassible to the troops. 
 
 The soldiers bivouacked for the night in a wild spot. Shortly 
 after discussing his evening meal, our hero was approached by an 
 orderly, who observed that his presence was requested by a stran- 
 ger at the entrance to the glade. 
 
 Wondering who could wish to see him in this secluded spot, 
 where he was entirely unacquainted, he hastened to the place 
 mentioned and there beheld a dark-complexioned, sharp-featured 
 man, quietly standing beside an elegantly caparisoned horse. 
 
 The steed was evidently a splendid one, black as coal, and full of 
 animation, for he pawed the ground as if impatient to be bounding 
 away on the wings of the wind. 
 
 As Frank approached, the man removed his dilapidated hat and 
 bowing politely, observed, inquiringly : 
 " Colonel Faulkner, I presume?" 
 "Yes," acquiesced our hero. 
 
 "Well, sir. I was commissioned by a friend of yours to deliver 
 this noble animal to you. It has been forwarded in his care by 
 some ladies residing in Kentucky." 
 
 Frank instantly thought of the Stanflelds and a flush of pleasure 
 glowed upon his cheeks, as he replied : 
 
 "Sir, it affords me the greatest satisfaction to accept this superb 
 gift, and if you will kindly convey my most earnest thanks to the 
 gentleman in behalf of the fair donors, you will confer a lasting 
 favor which I shall appreciate exceedingly." 
 
 Sergeant Conroy who was quite a judge of horseflesh, happening 
 to be in the vicinity, Frank hailed him and bade him mouut the 
 animal and see how he liked his new acquisition. 
 
 A scowl shadowed the face of the man who had presented the 
 horse, as he muttered : 
 
 " Better mount him yourself; you will be the best judge of his 
 1 merits." 
 
 " No ; I prefer that the sergeant shall express his views regard- 
 ing the horse." 
 
 As he spoke Conroy bounded into the saddle and grasped the 
 bridle in a firm grip. 
 
 Instantly two simultaneous sparks of flame leaped from the hols- 
 ters, followed by the loud bang of heavy horse pistols. 
 
 The poor sergeaut threw up his arms, uttered a hoarse cry of 
 agony, shivered convulsively, drew up his limbs and rolled off the 
 horse— dead. 
 
 Frank had just time to grasp the bridle of the horse and restrain 
 him from plunging away in a mad gallop as a result of the flight. 
 While he was thus occupied the mysterious stranger disappeared, 
 making good his escape. 
 
72 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 Frank began to realize what a narrow escape he had had, and it 
 suddenly flashed across his mind that he was doubtless the intend- 
 ed victim of some nefarious plot. 
 
 He regretted exceedingly the tragic fate of his faithful friend, 
 still could not help feeling thankful for his own fortunate pres- 
 ervation from instant death. 
 
 While he was thus musing it occurred to him to examine the 
 saddle closely, and endeavor, if possible, to discover some clew to 
 the identity of the person or persons who had sent him the horse. 
 
 He found in each holster a pistol of large calaber, to the trigger 
 of which small wires were attached, which in turn were ingene- 
 ously fastened to the bridle reins. 
 
 While examining the weapons critically, he found engraved 
 upon the hilt of each: 
 
 " Presented to Arthur Arnold by Renwood Reinhart !" 
 
 Instantly an inkling of the truth flooded across his intellect. 
 
 Arnold, acting as the agent of Reinhart, was endeavoring to re- 
 move him from the path of the latter worthy. 
 
 But what could the object be? 
 
 He reflected for some time upon this absorbing question, and 
 finally was quite bewildered at the alarming propensities of his 
 thoughts. 
 
 " Of course; how dumb I must have been not to have seen it all 
 before. Was it not Arnold who, when Edith jilted in e, first in- 
 duced me to enlist by securing me the captaincy, which Reinhart 
 had decided to relinquish? 
 
 " Then is it not easy enough to see that Reinhart stayed at home 
 for the express purpose of endeavoring to win the girl, while I, 
 like a fool, left her and came to the war in a fit of jealous pas- 
 sion ?" 
 
 Thus reasoning and reviewing his thrilling encounter with Ar- 
 nold in the mountains when that scoundrel deliberately sought to 
 murder him as already related, our hero was nearly beside himself 
 with rage at his own folly. 
 
 "Never mind," he at length groaned, "she jilted me anyhow; 
 but why these fellows should try to take my life, is more than I 
 can understand." 
 
 In a much disturbed state of mind Frank led the horse into 
 camp, and dispatched a couple of men with a stretcher to bring in 
 the remains of the unfortunate sergeant. 
 
 The troops were awakened at midnight and ordered to resume 
 their march. 
 
 At two o'clock the next morning, while they were marching 
 through a wild country over-grown with luxuriant foliage and 
 flowers, from which a rare fragrance emanated, having on the 
 afternoon of the thirtieth of April, under McClernaud, landed at 
 Bruinsburg, encountered a rebel battery, and were brought to an 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 73 
 
 abrupt halt, found that the battery was strongly posted on the 
 brink of a commanding eminence before them. 
 
 They afterwards learned that the rebel General Bower had 
 sallied forth from his entrenchments at Grand Gulf and had 
 planted his batteries on these heights. 
 
 One Federal battery was ordered to the left, which was com- 
 manded by General Osterhaus, and, as soon as morning broke, 
 opened a brisk fire upon the enemy. 
 
 The battle was a hotly contested one, and lasted most of the day. 
 
 The Federals lost over eight hundred men killed, wounded and 
 missing, among whom were eighteen from the battery, including 
 Lieutenant Colonel Fielding, who was killed by a shell. 
 
 During the night the rebels retreated, leaving the two roads to 
 PortGiDson open, and flying across the Big Black river, abandon- 
 ing Grand Gulf, their depot for stores and ammunition, which fell 
 into the hands of the Federals, and afterwards became a very im- 
 portant base for General Grant's supplies. They destroyed their 
 ammunition and spiked their guns, however, before leaving. 
 
 On the twelfth of May, under General Logan, the Federals en- 
 countered the rebels near the town of Raymond, strongly posted in 
 the woods, and drove them with difficulty to the shelter of their 
 riflApits. 
 
 After a hard and impetuous struggle, in which Colonel Faulkner 
 as usual distinguished himself, they drove them again, and hurled 
 them back completely routed. 
 
 Raymoud then fell into the hands of the Federals. 
 
 During the afternoon of the fourteenth Colonel Faulkner's 
 cavalry was with General Crocker, and precipitated in a brilliant 
 cavalry combat with the enemy quite near Jackson, the state 
 capital. 
 
 As before, the rebel batteries frowned from the top of a hill, and 
 the Union commanders were obliged to send infantry forward to 
 storm them, which, under Crocker's personal supervision, they did 
 in magnificent style, dispersing the foe, though with dreadful 
 slaughter, and capturing Jackson. 
 
 On the sixteenth they met General Pemberton, who had pushed 
 out from Vicksburg with the intention of attacking Grant in the 
 rear, and fought his forces at Champion Hills, which was the most 
 decisive of Grant's battles in his advance on Vicksburg, and really 
 decided the campaign, as it effectually squelched all hope of 
 Johnston effecting a junction with Pemberton. 
 
 At Big Black river shortly after, while with McClernand in pur- 
 suit of the retreating rebels, Colonel Frank's cavalry came upon 
 them suddenly, and as the ground was favorable, the rebels made 
 a stand, determined to dispute their passage. 
 
 They posted eighteen guns on the brink of an eminence opposite 
 a bayou twenty feet wide and three or four feet deep, over which 
 
74 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 the Federal infantry and cavalry would be obliged to pass m 
 attacking them. 
 
 Then, in addition, on a bluff which fringed the other side, just 
 beyond the first battery, they perceived an array of guns and am- 
 bushed Confederates nicely ensconced. 
 
 To assault their position it would be necessary to debouch out 
 upon an open plain and cross both the bayou and the river in the 
 face of the rebel batteries. 
 
 General McClernaud viewed the po&ition and immediately or- 
 dered an artillery attack upon the enemy's works. 
 
 The commanders took a fair position, uulimbered their guns, and 
 were soon hurling shell and cannister among the rebels. 
 
 The} 7- replied with vigor, wounding and disabling General Oster- 
 haus in the opening of the f usilade. 
 
 While the artillery kept up a rattling fire in the center, thus com- 
 manding the attention of the enemy, General Lawler, contrived to 
 approach the rebel works on the right quite unobserved. 
 
 Reaching a favorable position, his troops divested themselves of 
 their knapsacks and blankets, fixed bayonets, and emerging from 
 their concealment, traversed the open field and plunged into the 
 stagnant water of the bayou. 
 
 A terrific fire of shot and shell was instantly turned upon them, 
 reddening the brackish water with their blood. 
 
 The very rashness and impetuosity of the assault, however, be- 
 ing so sudden and unlooked for by the rebels, their fire was not de- 
 livered with as effective an aim as usual. 
 
 Accordingly the bayou was successfully crossed, and the works 
 taken at the point of the bayonet, without much further resist- 
 ance. 
 
 As the rebels were now driven from the Big Black river, General 
 McClernand bridged the stream and his victorious forces pushed 
 forward toward Vicksburg, swinging around to the south as they 
 approached that city. 
 
 On May 19 the doomed city was completely besieged, Grant's lines 
 extending from the Yazoo above to Warren town on the Missis- 
 sippi, below Vicksburg. 
 
 The rebel army was then hemmed in on all sides without the 
 possibility of escape. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 
 
 When, on the fourth of November, 1862, General Grant, after 
 having completed all necessary arrangements, began his move- 
 ment upon Vicksburg, by an advance into Mississippi with a force 
 of thirty thousand men, it was with the determination of reducing 
 the Gibraltar of the West as speedily as possible. 
 
 All his energies were therefore concentrated upon the capture of 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 7t) 
 
 the rebel stronghold— the key to navigation of the Mississippi 
 river. 
 
 To impress more adequately its value, we might here quote Sher- 
 man's words : 
 "The possession of the Mississippi is the possession of America." 
 While Grant steadily pushed the obstinate enemy south, other 
 co-operating movements were iu progress against Vicksburg by 
 his lieutenants. 
 In Sherman's sententous words: 
 
 "Grant moved direetly on Pembertou, while I moved from 
 Memphis, and a smaller force, under Washburne, struck directly 
 for Granada; and the first thing Pemberton knew the depot of his 
 supplies was almost in the grasp of a small cavalry force, and he 
 fell back in confusion and gave us Tallahatchie without a battle." 
 On November 29 General Grant's headquarters were at Holly 
 Springs, Mississippi, and only six days' subsequent he en tered Ox- 
 ford with his cavalry at Coffeeville, about eighteen miles from 
 Granada. 
 
 Thus far the whole movement into Mississippi had been effected 
 with little or no opposition, and without any serious fighting. 
 
 Grant was elated ; but alas ! a cloud was gathering, of which he 
 had little expectation, and was soon destined to break over his 
 head with crushing violence. 
 
 Through the cowardice and incapacity of Colonel Murphy, who 
 had been left in command at Holly Springs and in charge of the 
 vast quantities of supplies there concentrated. This important 
 depot was cravenly surrendered to the rebels under Van Doru, 
 without striking a blow iu its defense. 
 
 This appaliug misfortune completely deranged Grant's admir- 
 ably conceived plans for carrying Vicksburg, and necessitated a 
 speedy withdrawal and abandonment of all the favorable points 
 gained. 
 
 To a less determined man than Grant, this calamity would have 
 been a crushing blow. 
 
 Murphy, who had on a previous occasion given up luka to Price, 
 was ignomiuiously dismissed the service. 
 
 The rebels destroyed fully a million dollars worth of valuable 
 military property, quartermaster's stores, ordnances, etc. 
 
 Had Grant at the time been aware of the fact, which he after- 
 ward learned, that his army could be subsisted upon supplies 
 drawn exclusively from the country through which they passed, 
 he could without difficulty have pushed on to the rear of Vicks- 
 burg, and, probably, have succeeded iu capturing the place ere it 
 was fully invested with Pembertou's obstinate forces. 
 
 Not being cognizant of this, however, he fell back to Holly 
 Springs, there to await the arrival of fresh supplies. 
 
 Meanwhile, Sherman had moved down to Milliken's Bend, and 
 hearing nothing from Grant, with whom he was unable to com- 
 
76 tTKDER THE STARS AND JARS 
 
 municate, made an unsuccessful assault upon the rebels at Chick- 
 asaw bayou ; but, after a three days spirited struggle, was obliged 
 to abandon his attack against Vicksburg. 
 
 Grant gradually fell back with his army, and finally removed 
 his headquarters to Young's Point, a few miles above the city of 
 Vicksburg, which, situated in a curve of the river, was considered 
 impregnable, so lofty were its bluffs and so formidable its bat- 
 teries. 
 
 Not only was the city surrounded by earthworks, but Haines, 
 Chickasaw and Walnut Bluffs to the north and northwest, and 
 Warrenton, commanding the lower approaches to it. were also 
 strongly fortified. 
 
 Grant, after several adverse efforts at Deer creek, Duck creek, 
 Steel's bayou and several other points too numerous to mention, 
 finally resolved to march across the country on the Louisiana side 
 to a favorable point below Vicksburg, and attack the great rebel 
 stronghold in the rear. 
 
 Accordingly, after mature deliberation and a prolonged confer- 
 ence with the admirals, Farragut and Porter, it was determined to 
 send a number of the gunboats and transports, laden with supplies 
 and forage, past the frowning water batteries in two sections on 
 separate nights. 
 
 Among others who participated in this daring and hazardous 
 exploit were several newspaper correspondents, one of whom de- 
 scribes his feelings in the following glowing picture: 
 
 " It was ten o'clock on a beautiful moonlight night, even for 
 these latitudes, when we cast loose at Milliken's Bend and our lit- 
 tle tug snorted down the river, accompanied by the transport— A. 
 D. Hine. 
 
 " Our adieus said, we quietly chatted and finished a solitary bot- 
 tle of dry catawba which some good friends had sent on board for 
 our comfort. 
 
 " We had on board, as a guard, fifteen expert sharpshooters from 
 the Forty-seventh Ohio, under Captain Ward, Surgeon Davidson, 
 the tug's crew of eight, four soldiers on tbeir way to join their re- 
 giments and our party of three— all volunteers. 
 
 " I should here mention, as illustrating the temper of that army, 
 that when fourteen volunteers were called for, the whole regi- 
 ment stepped forward. 
 
 " Company A was selected, and still there was a squabble to go. 
 Fourteen were then marked off; a fifteenth begged permission of 
 the colonel, and one actually paid a premium of five dollars to his 
 comrade for the privilege of going on this hazardous service. 
 
 " The barges were covered with tiers of hay in order to protect 
 the tug, but the hay was deemed almost unnecessary, and so put 
 on quite loosely and the ends of the boat were quite exposed. 
 
 " At midnight we came in sight of Vicksburg. 
 
 " About half past twelve, as we were steaming across the upper 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 77 
 
 side of the point, the rebel pickets on the Louisiana shore began 
 to fire upon us; their shots, however, doing no damage. 
 
 14 At a quarter before one, a rocket shot up from the upper bat- 
 teries. 
 
 44 There was no need of such a warning, for the boats might be 
 seen almost as clearly as by sunlight, and the loud puff of our ex- 
 haust pipe gave ample warning when we were three miles dis- 
 tant. 
 
 " At five minutes past one the first shot was fired, and struck so 
 near as to leave us in doubt whether the barge were hit. 
 
 " A lull of a few minutes, and then another, closely followed by 
 a round. 
 
 " It kept up this way as we were rounding the bend, the shots 
 all seeming to come very near to us, but few striking, as we could 
 perceive by the momentary throb of the hull when struck. 
 
 "With the exception of Captain Ward, the pilots, engineers and 
 firemen, the rest of us were posted along the barges on the alert 
 for an attempt at boarding. 
 
 " By reference to a map of the locality, it will be seen that the 
 river forms a kind of loop in front of Vicksburg; so that we had 
 to run a portion of the distance by, and then turn under fire and 
 run the whole line back again. 
 
 44 In this way we were exposed to a fire from the starboard side, 
 then from the bow, and when fairly in front of the batteries from 
 all three directions to a concentrated fire. 
 
 44 At first there were efforts to peer from behind the rampart of 
 hay bales, and duck on perceiving the flash of the rebel guns; but 
 soon the shots were so rapid and from points so widely apart that 
 that exciting amusement was stopped. 
 
 44 The spiteful screaming of the shells as they went over us, the 
 splashing and spray as they plunged into the river were for a time 
 subjects of jesting and imitation ; but when suddenly a shell burst 
 three feet over our heads with a stunning report, the jesting 
 quickly ceased. 
 
 44 Twenty minutes— long minutes, those under fire— and nobody 
 hurt! 
 
 44 The barges still floating, and the little propellor making eight 
 miles an hour. 
 
 44 We had already passed the upper batteries and were congratu- 
 lating ourselves on our good luck, the guns pouring broadsides at 
 us with amazing noise, as we were but four hundred yards from 
 the guns and it seemed in the clear air as if we were right in front 
 of their muzzles, 
 
 44 Several shots struck the barges very heavily, still there was no 
 stoppage. 
 
 44 It must have been about a quarter before two when all the 
 roar of the guns was drowned by one terrific report, as if a maga- 
 zine had burst under us. 
 
?8 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 " My first thought was that the powder had been stowed ou the 
 barges and had ignited ; but on clamberiug up among smoke aud 
 flame, indeed I could see nothing like a tug. 
 
 " She had exploded, and white hot cinders were thrown up in a 
 spouting shower, while a dense volume of steam and smoke envel- 
 oped the barges like a pall. 
 
 "Almost at the same moment the batteries commenced a venge- 
 ful, and, as it seemed to me, a savage fire upon us, faster and 
 faster. 
 
 " The shells burst all around and above us for a few minutes 
 with a stunning and blinding effect. 
 
 "The coals had set fire to the hay bales in several places ; the 
 bursting shells had aided the work. 
 
 "In vain did we trample upon them and throw them overboard, 
 burning our hands, feet and clothing in the effort. 
 
 "No buckets were to be found. Tney had been blown away. 
 
 " On looking down between the barges, there hung the frag- 
 ment of the tug by the tow ropes. 
 
 " The little craft being nearly all boiler, had been shattered to 
 atoms, as we afterward learned, by a ten-inch shell. 
 
 "The rebels then set up a hideous yell from the bluffs, as if in 
 mockery at our crippled condition. 
 
 " The batteries kept on firing, the blazing hay lighting up the 
 river. 
 
 " We were then slowly drifting vrith the tide current past the 
 front of the city. 
 
 " Our disaster happened right abreast of the court house, when 
 we had passed more than half the batteries, and under fire of all 
 of them. 
 
 "As soon as we could clearly see through the blinding smoke, we 
 found Mr. Browne standing bare headed on the topmost bale as if 
 he were a defiant target for the rebel gunners. 
 
 " Captain Ward had been blown forward thirty feet from the 
 tug into the river, and two of his men were engaged in fishing 
 him out. 
 
 " The wounded and scalded men were calling for help ; indeed 
 they were making the most piteous appeals, but were answered 
 only by an occasional shell or malicious cheer from the rebels. 
 
 "After a few moments of hasty and rather informal consulta-- 
 tion, it was deemed best to abandon the barges as the flames were 
 crowding us very closely. 
 
 "Bales of hay were then tumbled off into the river, and the 
 wounded placed upon them. 
 
 "The heat now became intense! 
 
 " Mr. Browne and myself remained till all were off, and then, 
 with but one bale for the two, stripped for the plunge. 
 
 " Just as we were ready, a solid shot whistled between us, and 
 plowed into the water under Mr. Richardson's feet, overturniug 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 79 
 
 him from his bale, and producing a fountain of spray where he 
 had sunk. 
 
 " Our eyes were gladdened at his return to the surface unhurt. 
 
 "We leaped into the muddy flood and buffeted the waves for 
 some minutes, with a sense of relief from the insupportable heat. 
 Junius Browne followed, and together we commenced swimming 
 for the Louisiana shore, supposing that our pickets occupied it. 
 
 "We had been in the water for half an hour, perhaps, when the 
 sound of a stroke of oars reached us, and presently a yawl pulled 
 round the barges. 
 
 "Our first emotions were pleasant enough, but they were all de- 
 stroyed when we saw the gray clothing of the boatmen. 
 
 "They scooped us in by the time we had drifted two miles below 
 the city, and with some roughness impressed upon us the fact that 
 we were prisoners. 
 
 " Dripping and shivering, we were marched up to the city, and 
 taken before the provost marshal, and registered." 
 
 I believe they were held as prisoners until after the fall of Vicks- 
 burg, but am not positive that such was their fate, though Mr. 
 Browne was sent to Libby prison, as he himself narrates in his 
 " Four Years in Secessia." ^ 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 ADVANCING ON VICKSBTTRG. 
 
 On the last day of April, 1863, two corps of Grant's army crossed 
 from the west side of the Mississippi in transports ten miles below 
 Grand Gulf, and moved into the very heart of the enemy's 
 country without baggage base or line of communication, and 
 pushed forward vigorously, fighting battles day after day. 
 
 On the first of May they encountered the rebels at Port Gibson, 
 capturing a few hundred prisoners and Ave guns, and then pushed 
 on toward Jackson the state capital. 
 
 Grant's masterly campaign, while apparently threateningan im- 
 mediate attack against the Gibraltar of the South, was really in- 
 tended to prevent General Pemberton from forming a junction 
 with General Johnston's troops, who were then in force in the vi- 
 cinity of Jackson. 
 
 As the army slowly advanced into the heart of Mississippi, Jack- 
 son in front, and Port Gibson, eighteenjor twenty miles behind, the 
 scene of tropical luxuriance was exhilaratiug in the extreme. 
 
 The pale, delicate blossom of the magnolia peeped out among the 
 rich green foliage, filling the balmy air with its delicious fra- 
 grance. 
 
 The road was skirted with lordly plantation grounds no longer 
 covered with cotton, but vast cornfields laden with ripening stores 
 for the Confederate army. 
 
 As the troops marched through this picturesque country, they 
 
80 UNDEB THE STABS AND BABS. 
 
 frequently came upon residences of great beauty, with airy veran- 
 das, and gardens embellished with aromatic shrubs, evergreens and 
 roses ; but stragglers and guerrillas had made complete havoc of 
 everything in the shape of provisions, furniture and all portable 
 wares of value. 
 
 Frequently, elegant mirrors, elaborate side-boards, fine pianos 
 and library cases were wantonly demolished, not only by guerrillas 
 and Confederates; eager for plunder, but, sad to relate, by soldiers 
 in Uncle Sam's uniform. 
 
 It seemed, indeed, too bad that this garden spot .should be fated 
 to echo the roar of battle, and feel the terrible, scorching devasta- 
 tion of civil war. 
 
 While these corps of the Army of the Tennessee were thus advanc- 
 ing, McClernand, also advancing, fought and defeated the enemy 
 at Big Black river, and was now close by. 
 
 On Thursday, May 7, General McPherson moved his corps to 
 Rocky Springs, and his deserted camp was occupied the next day 
 by General Sherman. 
 
 Still advancing, McPherson, on Saturday, moved to the east- 
 ward, to the village of Utica, crossing the road occupied by Mc- 
 Clernand, and leaving the latter on his left. 
 
 Sunday morning McClernand marched to Five Mile creek, and 
 encamped on the south bank at noon his progress interrupted by 
 broken bridges, which were repaired the next day. 
 
 On Monday morning, Sherman's corps came up, passed McCler- 
 nand's, and that night encamped at the village of Auburn, about 
 ten miles south of Edward's Station, on the railroad from Vicks- 
 burg to Jackson. 
 
 As soon as Sherman had passed, McClernand's corps followed a 
 few miles, and then took a .road going obliquely to the left, and 
 leading to Hall's Ferry, on the Big Black river. 
 
 Thus it will be seen on Monday evening General McClernand 
 was at Hall's Ferry ; General Sherman, at Auburn, six or eight 
 miles to the northeast ; and General McPherson was about eight 
 miles still further to the northeast, and a few miles north of Utica. 
 This grand combination formed an immense line of battle ; Sher- 
 man's corps, being in the Center with those of McPherson and Mc- 
 Clernand forming the right and left wings. 
 
 It will be observed, also, that an entire change of front had been 
 effected. 
 
 From Grand Gulf the army marched eastward, but by these 
 movements swung on the left, or on a pivot, and fronted nearly 
 northward. 
 
 On Tuesday morning General McClernand's advance drove in 
 the enemy's pickets near Hall's Ferry, and sharp skirmishing en- 
 sued for an hour or two with little loss on either side. 
 
 By noon he had driven the rebels from his front with a loss of 
 seven wounded. 
 
UNDER THE STARS ANI> BARS. 81 
 
 Early on the following morning General Sherman put Steele's 
 division in motion, and they came upon the enemy at the crossing 
 of Fourteen Mile creek, four miles from Auburn. 
 
 The cavalry advance was fired into from the thick woods that 
 skirt the stream, and was unfortunately unable, owing to the 
 nature of the ground, to make a charge or clear the rebels from 
 their position. 
 
 Landgraber's battery was thrown to the front, supported by the 
 Seventeenth Missouri and Thirty-first Iowa regiments, and threw 
 a few shells into the bushy undergrowth skirting the stream which 
 gave the rebels cover. Skirmishers were then thrown out and ad- 
 vancing to the creek they drove the rebels slowly. A brigade was 
 thrown to the right and left flanks, when the rebel force— mainly 
 cavalry— withdrew toward Raymond. During this exciting skir- 
 mish the bridge was burned, but a crossing was effected in two 
 hours, and before noon trains were passing. 
 
 The principal opposition to the advancing Federals was encount- 
 ered by General McPherson. General Logan's division came upon 
 a body of rebel troops estimated at ten thousand, posted at Fon- 
 drew's creek at ten o'clock on Tuesday morning. Heavy skirmish- 
 ing began at once and a general engagement soon resulted. As in 
 front ^of General Sherman's position, the enemy was almost com- 
 pletely concealed by the thick, dark woods bordering the stream 
 behind which their forces were posted ; moreover, their artillery 
 was favorably manned on an eminence that commanded the Fed- 
 eral approach, Logan's troops were obliged to cross an open field 
 exposed to a terrific fire. After three hours hard fighting, the ene- 
 my withdrew suddenly in two columns the principal one pursuing 
 the road to Jackson. 
 
 The same night Grant made his headquarters at Raymond, while 
 General Sherman was but six miles distant, on the road to Jackson. 
 
 During the afternoon General McPherson had pushed north- 
 ward to Clinton, a station on the Vicksburg and Jackson railroad, 
 and cut the artery which had all along ^animated the American 
 Gibraltar. Its reduction k was now only a question of time. Its 
 eventual surrender was to all a matter of absolute certainty. 
 
 General Grant had learned from intercepted dispatches that Gen- 
 eral Pemberton had instructed his forces to fall back on Vicks- 
 burg whenever hard pressed, and the rebels had resolved to exert 
 all their final ability to hold the place. 
 
 With the railroad in his possession to the eastward, the river 
 patrolled by the gunboats above and below, and cavalry dashing 
 southward from Memphis, the fate of the doomed and ill-starred 
 city of Vicksburg seemed irrevocably sealed; while the escape of 
 the forces garrisoning it, appeared utterly impossible. 
 
 On the fourteenth of May the Federals defeated General John- 
 ston's army and captured Jackson ; on the sixteenth was fought 
 the bloody battle of Champion Hill, in which the rebels lost Gen- 
 
82 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 eral Tillingham ; on the seventeenth the advancing host again de- 
 feated Peinberton's army at Black River bridge, and on the nine- 
 teenth Grant's forces completely invested Yicksburg on the north, 
 east and south. Porter with his invincible fleet held the river on 
 the west and the great siege, one of the most famous in history, 
 began. 
 
 It was just twenty days since Grant's army crossed from the 
 west side of the river, and entered upon that grand and memorable 
 campaign. In that brief time he had marched more than two 
 hundred miles, beatiug two well organized Confederate armies in 
 five battles, captured nearly one hundred cannon, killed or made 
 prisoners of upwards of twelve thousand of Johnston's and Pem- 
 berton's troops. 
 
 Two heroic assaults were made upon the rebel stronghold by his 
 enthusiastic troops, but they were both unsuccessful and attended 
 by a severe loss in killed and wouncted. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE OCTOROONS. 
 
 While the lines of McClernand environed Vicksburg in the direc- 
 tion of the Yazoo river, Colonel Faulkner was detailed with his 
 cavalry, to push out into the country on the line of the Memphis 
 and Jacksonville railroad in the vicinity of Mouticello, and there 
 intercept supplies consigned to Pembertou at Vicksburg. 
 
 As it was now about the middle of May, the atmosphere in this 
 Southern latitude was absolutely stifling. A metallic sheen shim- 
 mered in the air which was pungent with the smell of burning 
 wood and debris, where the rebels were forced to abandon stores 
 and cabins, burning them in preference to having them fall into 
 the hands of the hated Yankees. 
 
 These fires flared continually, filling the sky with heavy, gray 
 clouds of smoke. 
 
 It was a daring mission which our hero had undertaken, and 
 more than once he reflected that in all probability he and his gal- 
 lant command would be overpowered by the rebels and hurried to 
 Libby or some similar Southern prison, to languish out a miserable 
 existence. 
 
 "Death before that," he murmured, spurring his noble black 
 horse— the one which he had so mysteriously become possessed of, 
 as related in a previous chapter. 
 
 His jolly friend, Percy Powers, having been wounded in the 
 affair at Big Black river, he felt rather blue at thus being deprived 
 of so genial a comrade. 
 
 Nothing of moment occurred until the evening of the second 
 day, when the cavalry drew rein and paused before a low, rum- 
 bling, old-fashioned mansion, with a veranda running its entire 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 00 
 
 length, with an extensive cotton plantation in a devastated condi- 
 tion attached. 
 
 Dismounting, Faulkner threw his rein to an orderly, and mount- 
 ing the wide steps, knocked heavily upon the door with the hilt 
 of his elegant sword. 
 
 " Who's thar ?" came a gruff query, in an unmistakable Southern 
 tone of voice. 
 
 " A party of troopers in quest of refreshment," responded 
 Frank, quietly. 
 
 " Wall, what air ye?" growled the man Avho had spoken ; " Fed 
 or Confed?" 
 
 " We came here to be Fed!" replied Frank, turning the joke 
 upon the Southerner. 
 
 The man opened the door cautiously, and then with an af- 
 frighted look depicted upon his bronzed visage, ejaculated : 
 
 " Yankees ! by the great horn spoons ! A hull Yank army I'll be 
 bound." 
 
 " Well," smiled Frank, " what of it ? All you have to do is treat 
 us civilly and answer our questions^respectf ully, and I pledge you 
 my word of honor you will not be molested." 
 
 His fears thus calmed, the man ceased his quaking and quietly 
 invited Frank to enter his domicile and be seated. 
 
 Our hero turning to his subaltern — our old friend, Captain Fred 
 Merrigold — bade him lead the squadron round to the rear of the 
 house and see if the barn would afford refreshment in any shape 
 for their wearied horses. 
 
 The moment Frank entered the door he was struck with the ap- 
 pearance of the inmates of the mansion. 
 
 Seated at the opposite side of the table was a pleasant, motherly 
 looking woman of forty, while in another part of the room sat 
 two remarkably handsome young girl, both brunettes of a very 
 dark type, with snapping, black eyes. 
 
 These apperaed to be daughters of the Mississippian. 
 
 One whom they called Bertha appeared to be about two and 
 twenty, and was evidently the elder, as the other could not possi- 
 ble have been but eighteen. 
 
 "Tt seems to be my fate to make the acquaintance of two be- 
 witching Southern beauties wherever I go ; I wonder what the re- 
 sult here will be ?" mused Faulkner, as the two young ladies eyed 
 him coyly. "My name is Frank Faulkner," he observed, intro- 
 ducing himself to the lady of the house, whose kindly beneficient 
 smile reminded him so much of that dear mother whom he had 
 left at home in Ohio, " and I have the honor to command this 
 squadron of Uncle Sam's cavalry which has just intruded upon 
 your grounds." 
 
 " Mr. Faulkner, you are exceedingly welcome to partake of 
 whatever frugal hospitalities we can afford you," she returned, 
 Warmly. 
 
 J 
 
84 ttNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 Frank thought she would then proceed to introduce him to the 
 charming daughters, hut she evidently had no intention of so do- 
 ing, for she utterly ignored their presence. 
 
 "Anita," she observed, addressing the younger, "take this of- 
 ficer's sword, pistols and cap, and you, Bertha, be smart and get 
 some dishes on the table to serve up such food as our humble cir- 
 cumstances will permit." 
 
 The girl hastened to obey her, and went about the duties thus 
 assigned them with the greatest alacrity: 
 
 " Mr. Faulkner " 
 
 " Colonel, if you please, madam," interrupted Captain Merrigold, 
 who at this junction unceremoniously entered the room. 
 
 "Well, Colonel Faulkner, you will be surprised to learn that lam 
 a Northern woman, and in full sympathy with the cause of the 
 Union." 
 
 " I am pleased to hear such an unexpected declaration from 
 your lips; indeed it is so rare to find one of your sentiments in 
 this intensely Southern section, that I would scarcely have be- 
 lieved it possible to come across even a single instance of loyalty. 
 Does your husband entertain the same principles?" 
 
 "No; he's an out an' out secesh ; but, however, that don't 
 amount to anything; 1 am ruler here and I don't allow him to 
 say anything against the glorious old stars and stripes." 
 
 "How about your daughters? are they, too, of the same noble 
 sentiments as yourself?" queried Frank, casting admiring glances 
 at the two brunettes. 
 
 " Daughters!" echoed the woman, with a tinge of indignation 
 in her tone; "they are no daughters of mine ; they are my serv- 
 ants." 
 
 "Servants!" gasped the two young officers nearly leaping from 
 their chairs in surprise; "ah, surely there is some mistake!" 
 
 "No, there is no mistake whatever ; they are actually my slaves." 
 
 "Slaves!" repeated both in surprise; "impossible!" 
 
 Two such divine creatures, slaves? the idea is preposterous ! 
 
 " Perhaps she takes us for country gawks easily deceived," said 
 Mererigold, addressing Colonel Faulkner. 
 
 " I have heard of poor whites, but uever knew any of them were 
 held in bondage the same as our long-suffering colored brethren," 
 observed Frank. 
 
 " Whites !" exclaimed the lady, whose name was Mrs. Lovell; 
 " them girls ain't white." 
 
 "Then what under the heavens are the ?" asked Frank, curi- 
 ously. 
 
 " Octoroons," returned the woman, triumphantly; adding: "I 
 told you they weren't my daughters, but " 
 
 She paused and looked askance at Mr. Lovell. * 
 
 "Well, proceed," urged Frank, impatiently. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 65 
 
 ''They are ray husband's daughters and were born before I met 
 and married him." 
 
 Here was a picture of the slavery question which had never 
 been so graphically presented to our hero as on the present oc- 
 occasion. 
 
 "What a shame," he exclaimed,' indignantly; "a man's own 
 daughters slaves to his wife— their step-mother. It's an atrocious 
 outrage." 
 
 Captain Merrigold joined with him in his denunciation of the 
 burning disgrace. 
 
 This outspoken language as may readily be conjectured was 
 not conducive to make their visit at the mansion a welcome and 
 hospitable one; and when they left it was with the avowed inten- 
 tion of returning as soon as circumstances would permit and ef- 
 fecting the rescue of the two octoroons. 
 
 The next day the troopers reached the vicinity of the Confeder- 
 ate quarters at Monticello. 
 
 After sharp skirmishing they drove the rebels and guerrillas 
 from the town which, up to this period, they had infested and took 
 possession of the same. 
 
 Among the many useful articles of warfare which fell into their 
 hands were a balloon and an iron-clad locomotive, the latter fully 
 armed with heavy rifled guns. 
 These were to Frank a happy acquisition. 
 
 " I have a notion to take trip in this balloon," he observed, ad- 
 dressing Fred Merrigold. 
 
 Being possessed of a similar venturesome spirit, Captain Merri- 
 gold encouraged him in the idea, and expressed a wish to accom- 
 pany him. 
 
 " Very well, T will have the old machine inflated at once, and we 
 will take a sweep across the country, perchance passing over the 
 heads of the enemy, when we will have a grand chance of ascer- 
 taining their strength, or, perhaps, taking a sail directly over 
 Vicksburg itself." 
 
 "Hurrah!" shout Merrigold, swinging his cap in the air like a 
 jubilant schoolboy. 
 
 Summoning one of his men, Phil Parker, who was quite a genius, 
 Frank gave the necessary orders about inflating the silken struct- 
 ure, and then went and viewed the ponderous iron-clad locomo- 
 tive critically. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI, 
 
 A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN MID-AIR. 
 
 It was four o'clock in the afternoon before the balloon was 
 ready for service. 
 
 The aerial ship was a very large one, and painted upon its silken 
 side was the name " Monarch of 1 he Air." Colonel Faulkner and 
 
86 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 his comrade viewed its huge proportions as it surged to and fro in 
 the gentle breeze with great satisfaction. 
 
 Armed with long range telescope rifles, and provided with a sup- 
 ply of fresh water, blankets and three days' rations, they stepped 
 into the basket, aud, having arranged all details with careful ex- 
 actness, at length gave the command: 
 
 "Cast off!" 
 
 Instantly the ropes were loosened and the mammouth balloon 
 shot into the air with singular velocity. As it rose above the trees 
 three thrilling cheers ascended from the throats of the Union 
 troopers. 
 
 Up! up! and still upward >rent the balloon, until the heads of 
 tho occupants of the car grew giddy and their stomachs faint. 
 
 Below them the theatre of war was spread out before their gaze 
 like a vast panorama. 
 
 At their feet, for the balloon seemed to ascend perfectly straight, 
 were the Federal cavalry and the snorting iron-clad " Eclipse," to 
 which the irrepressible Yankee genius, Phil Parker, had applied 
 steam in order to be ready in a case of emergency. 
 
 While the two intrepid adventurers were gazing curiously down 
 upon the martial scene thus unfolded to their view, they were 
 suddenly aroused from their reverie by an alarming movement at 
 the opposite side of the car. 
 
 Turning to ascertain the cause thereof, they were astounded to 
 observe the stalwart figure of a fierce-looking man, clad in a 
 ragged gray uniform, spring nimbly from behind a roll of blankets, 
 where he had been concealed, and confront them . with a savage 
 leer upc n his cadaverous visage. 
 
 "Who the deuce are you?' 'ejaculated Fred Merrigold, in aston- 
 ishment. 
 
 " Who'm I?" thundered the man, his eyes blazing wrathfully 
 and seeming to emit lurid sparks. "I'm Cal Capwell, the reb 
 scout, and brother of Clint Capwell whom you murdered; and I'm 
 here, by Jupiter, to avenge him!" 
 
 As he spoke the man launched himself with the quick, fierce, 
 cat-like spring of a tiger upon poor Merrigold, 
 
 There was a flash of steel, the crash of a blow, and before Faulk- 
 ner could raise a hand to assist his friend, he was horrified to see 
 poor Fred reel against the side of the car, lose his balance, clutch 
 desperately at the network, and then disappear into the wide abyss 
 of space, uttering a wild screech of mortal agony, which rang in 
 his ears for many a weary day. 
 
 There was no time, however, for him to contemplate the loss of 
 his comrade or to dwell upon the horrible fate which had befallen 
 him, for as Merrigold sank into the oblivion of space, the rebel 
 scout instantly turned his attention upon our hero. 
 
 Frank saw him coming with uplifted knife, his blood-shot eyes 
 blazing forth a maniacaLiury which was appalling. Quickly rak- 
 
UNDEK THE STARS AM) ISARS. £7 
 
 ing his revolver, our hero fired, but, aa he pulled the trigger, hi 3 
 foot slipped and he rolled over in the bottom of the car, great 
 beads of perspiration starting forth from his brow as he realized 
 the danger of h>s situation. 
 
 With the desperation of despair, he struggled to his feet, and 
 sent another shot at the furious rebel. 
 
 The latter dodged aside, and grasping the network, drew him- 
 self out of the car, and began ascending the outside of (he balloon. 
 Frank dared not shoot for fear of perforating the balloou. 
 
 With a fiendish chuckle the rebel paused to cut the cord which 
 connected the escape valve with the car, and then continued 
 climbing, assuring Frank that when he reached the top he would 
 cut away the network, and thus precipitate the basket to the 
 ground ! 
 
 It was a thrilling situation ; the most desperate by far, in which 
 our hero had ever been placed. Yet, he set to work coolly but de- 
 terminedly to thwart the rebel's fleudish design. 
 
 Laying hold of the network at the opposite side, he began to as- 
 cend as rapidly as possible. 
 It was clearly a race for the top of the balloon. 
 If he reached it first all would be well. 
 If on the contrary, the other gained it ftrrt, all was lost ! 
 Both reached it simultaneously! 
 
 What a strange place for a combat! The frail top of a swaying 
 balloon, with nothing but space on all sides! 
 The knife flashed ! 
 The revolver cracked ! 
 
 A cry of mortal agony echoed on the cloudy atmosphere, and 
 reeling backward, the rebel scout grasped at the network for sup- 
 port, while the blood gushes from a ragged wound in the side of 
 his head. 
 
 " Curse you !" he hissed, slashing about him with the knife, in 
 frenzied desperation. 
 
 " Ten to one he will cut the balloou aud hurl us both into eter- 
 nity," groaned Frank, as he aimed carefully at the man's swiftly 
 moving hand. 
 Crack ! 
 
 The leaden pellet struck the blade of the knife and turned it 
 aside — at the same moment another bullet— Frank's last shot 
 struck the knuckles of the hand by which the rebel scout main- 
 tained his hold, and with a fierce howl of rage and pain, he slip- 
 ped from the position and slid through the vault of air to be 
 dashed to pieces on the earth below. 
 "Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Frank, impressively. 
 Then, turning, he began the perilous descent, which to one in 
 the unnerved condition in which he found himself after this des- 
 perate encounter, was a dangerous undertaking. 
 However, b\^ careful management he succeeded in reaching the 
 
88 UNDER THE STARS AND BAES. 
 
 car safely, and having climbed within, sank down upon the blank- 
 ets, quite overcome by the late exertion and the reaction conse- 
 quent upon his thrilling experience. 
 
 How long he remained in a state of semi-consciousness he was 
 never able to clearly determine ; certain it is, however, that he was 
 not long in that condition ere he was brought to a full realization 
 of his position, by hearing the deafening detonation of a heavy 
 shell which exploded in his near vicinity. 
 
 Looking down over the side of the car, he noticed that the bal- 
 loon was slowly sinking, and became aware of the fact that in a 
 brief space it had dropped from its elevated altitude, fully three 
 hundred yards. 
 
 His quick eye swept the surroundings beneath him, taking in 
 with eager interest the entire landscape. 
 
 Instantly he was enabled to locate the spot from whence the 
 shell came. 
 
 Then it was with a thrill that he recognized from frequent de- 
 scriptions, the outer works of Vicksburg. 
 
 He had a field-glass at his side, in the position usually occupied 
 by his sword, which he had left at Monticello ; producing this, he 
 leveled it at a large group of men who were standing about a huge 
 mortar, and scanned its motly troop intently. 
 
 It was with a feeling of trepidation that he realized the fact that 
 the rebel gunners were evidently exerting their utmost skill in an 
 endeavor to hit the balloon. 
 
 A cold chill enveloped our hero's frame, brave as he was, when 
 he again assured himself of the fact that the atrial ship was slowly 
 but surely sinking. 
 
 Crash ! 
 
 A second shell described a fiery circle in the air, and tumbled 
 earthwards, sliding directly over the frail balloon, and bursting 
 with a tremendous noise not twenty feet beyond the silken struct- 
 ure. 
 
 "My soul! am I destined to be killed, after having escaped death 
 in various forms so frequently already on the field of battle and 
 elsewhere?" murmured Frank. 
 
 Zip— zip— zip ! 
 
 44 Ah ! the sharpshooters are beginning to get their work in, the 
 balloon has fallen within easy range, and I must make an effort to 
 rise." 
 
 As he spoke, Frank began throwing everything out of the car, in 
 order to lighten the craft as much as possible, not even sparing the 
 telescopic rifles, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing it rise with 
 a perceptible bound toward the blue vault of the heavens. 
 
 One or two shells fired by the outwitted rebels, whose shouts and 
 cries of disappointment and rage were borne faintly to his ear, 
 skipped pretty close, but fortunately failed to disable his frail air- 
 ship. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 85) 
 
 It was now quite dark ; heavy, murky clouds obscured the firma- 
 ment, through which a few stars struggled here and there, twink- 
 ling brightly as if in encouragement to the bold adventurer who 
 dared to approach so near their sacred domain. 
 
 But Frank's attention was otherwise engaged than star gazing. 
 
 He was looking down at the magnificent spectacle afforded his 
 view by the fiery flight of exploding shells which were still sweep- 
 ing through the air, not one hundred yards below him. Although 
 the gunners could not see the balloon, the orders were to continue 
 firing until commanded to cease, and those grim warriors would 
 continue to fire into space until dooms-day, unless their orders 
 were revoked, or their ammunition gave out. 
 
 Suddenly, as he sat in rapt admiration of the thrilling spectacle; 
 the balloon gave a tremendous lurch to one side, and then instantly 
 began to sink with the velocity of a meteor, while the unmistak- 
 able ripping sound of tearing silk was borne to the ears of the oc- 
 cupant of the car. 
 
 A thrill of horror enveloped his unnerved frame as he grasped 
 the side of the car for support, which it could not give. 
 
 What a fearful sensation ! 
 
 Tumbling through space— down— down— down ! and yet no end 
 to the terrible fall. 
 
 What an awful suspense ! 
 
 To meet the earth meant to be mashed to a pulp ! 
 
 Slowly, and with indescribable mental torture Frank murmured 
 the few prayers to Heaven with which he was familiar, gasping 
 them with difficulty. 
 
 Then came a tremendous shock. 
 
 He seemed to sink through the crust of the earth from the vio- 
 lence and force with which he had been projected, like a bullet 
 from a gun, penetrating huge obstacles. 
 
 Then came a reaction, and he realized that he was in reality un- 
 injured, though nearly suffocated— with what? 
 
 With water. 
 
 Yes ; by a strange freak of remarkably good luck the balloon 
 had fallen from directly over the Mississippi, and had capsized our 
 hero into the bosom of the Father of Waters. 
 
 Murmuring a thanksgiving for his wonderful deliverance, Frank 
 struck out and swam for a dark object in front of him, which 
 proved to be a neck of land projecting from the Mississippi shore, 
 at a point, which he afterwards learned, was about three miles 
 south of Vicksburg. 
 
 He had scarcely set foot on the welcome shore after his exhaust- 
 ing swim, however, ere a gruff voice exclaimed : 
 
 "Surrender, Yank, or off goes your head!" and the cold barrel 
 of a musket was pressed against his forehead. 
 
 Of course, he [acquiesced as gracefully as circumstances would 
 permit to the demand of the Confederate sentry, and was borne in 
 
DO UNDER THE STARS AND BARS, 
 
 triumph to camp, once more a prisoner of war. Altogether quite 
 humiliating was this treatment after the series of startling perils 
 through which he had just passed. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 SENTENCED TO BE SHOT. 
 
 When Fred Merrigold was so unceremoniously ejected from the 
 car attached to the balloon by the rebel scout, he felt a similar sen- 
 sation to that experienced by our hero, as he dashed through the 
 air cleaving space with the velocity of a cannon-ball. 
 
 That he would be killed he felt certain, but by some strange dis- 
 pensation of Providence as he neared the earth he realized that he 
 was falling directly into the spreading branches of a large tree. 
 
 At the time he was thrown from the car the balloon had prob- 
 ably not reached an altitude of over two hundred yards ; so that 
 when he struck the tree, although much bruised and greatly shak- 
 en up, he was surprised to find that he had really sustained no 
 more serious injuries. 
 
 While whirling through space he had expected to be killed, and 
 was overjoyed at his fortunate escape from death. 
 
 The troops at Mouticello, who had witnessed his rapid descent, 
 hastened in the direction of the tree, where they expected to find 
 his mutilated remains. 
 
 Instead, they found him lodged among the gently yielding 
 branches of the large sycamore, congratulating himself upon his 
 wonderful escape. 
 
 In a few moments they took him down from his lofty perch and 
 bore him tenderly to their camp, near Monticello. 
 
 Dr. Clancy attended to his contusions and promised to restore him 
 to his usual good physical condition in a very few days. 
 
 In the meantime, Frank after his great plunge into the Missis- 
 sippi, was conducted in a thoroughly drenched condition before 
 the commander of the rebel forces. 
 
 " What have you here, my man ?" queried that dignitary. 
 
 "A Yankee spy, sir." 
 
 "Spy?" echoed Frank, involuntarily recoiling, "you make a 
 mistake, sir ; I am no spy." 
 
 " Caught him prowling about the river bank, colonel," reiterated 
 the Confederate. 
 
 " Well, place him in the guard-house; his case shall be attended 
 to in the morning." 
 
 With a sigh of relief, our hero was conducted to a rough log 
 shanty dignified with the name of guard-house, and there left to 
 his own reflections, and soon overcome by fatigue befell asleep. 
 
 In the morning he was awakened by the rattle of drums, and 
 was soon marched forth from his temporary prison and conducted 
 back into the interior of the country toward the railroad. 
 
UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 91 
 
 A horrible suspicion flashed across his mind. 
 
 The rebels meant to execute him there, or else intended forward- 
 ing him to Richmond. 
 
 Either alternative was an awful one, and had he been allowed 
 liiH preference, he would have doubtless decided in favor of the 
 former mode of disposing of him, as, in any event, it would be the 
 much more humane. 
 
 The march to the railroad, some sixteen miles across the country, 
 was not accomplished until high noon. The troops, fatigued with 
 their exertion, then lay down under the shade of a grove of pines 
 to rest and regale themselves with a frugal dinner — a repast of 
 which they were in much need, judging from their spent appear- 
 ance. 
 
 Having discussed their noonday meal, they brought the prisouer 
 up before a jury composed of twelve picked men, and with their 
 colonel as judge, proceeded to investigate his case. 
 
 Having searched his pockets, they found evidence enough, in 
 the shape of notes and official reports to convict him of the charge 
 of being a spy, and this impression once established on their con- 
 viction, it was impossible to swerve them from their decision. 
 
 The result was : 
 
 "Sentenced to be shot!" 
 
 When this dread announcement was made there was a howl of 
 approval, and preparations were at once made for the execution 
 which it was understood would take place at sundown. 
 
 Poor Frank! 
 
 The sentence rang in his ears like the knell of doom. 
 
 In an instant all his past life came vividlj T before his mind, and he 
 sighed as he thought of his mother at home in Norwood, and of 
 the fair girl whose inconstancy had driven him from his friends to 
 meet his doom in the heart of the enemy's country. 
 
 However, there was no help for it; stern fate decreed that he 
 must succumb to the inevitable. 
 
 " Attention, squad ; carry — arms! forward — march!" 
 
 It was the firing party taking position ! 
 
 Frank was taken in custody by two rough Alabamians, and 
 marched to the place selected for his execution. 
 
 His face was pale, and his teeth firmly set, but in no other way 
 did he betray his emotions. 
 
 As he approached the fatal spot, he saw that the rebels had dug 
 a shallow grave aud had placed a long rough musket box beside it 
 to serve as a coffin. 
 
 Frank was blindfolded, and ordered to kneel upon the box, after 
 which his hands were securely pinioned behind him. 
 
 A moment of terrible suspense ensued. 
 
 " Then he heard the command : 
 
 " Ready— present " 
 
 But hark ! what was that? 
 
 The unmistakable screech of a locomotive whistle was borne to 
 their ears. 
 
 The rebels, alarmed at this unexpected interruption, wheeled 
 about aud hurried toward the railroad. 
 
 As they did so, the engine thundered up to their positiou, and 
 then stopped abruptly. 
 
 " Give it to the Johnny Reb's !" exclaimed a voice, excitedly. 
 
 A thrill of joy quivered through Frank's frame as he recognized 
 the voice of Phil Parker, whom he had accorded commaud of the 
 Eclipse, and who had, by order of his superior, organized this raid 
 against the rebels, having been informed by a scout of his colo- 
 nel's peril. 
 
 Almost before the Confederates had time to think, there was a 
 blinding flash, followed by the crash of a broadside from the iron- 
 
92 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 clad locomotive, and shell, grape and canister wrought wild havoc 
 in their lines. 
 
 With a cry of dismay, they broke and ran, scattering to cover, 
 followed by another broadside. 
 
 Our hero was soon released by Fred Merrigold, who was able to 
 accompany Parker, and the meeting between the two, after the 
 thrilling adventures through which both had passed, can better 
 be imagined than described. 
 
 Reversing the engine, the Federals reached Monticello shortly 
 after dark. 
 
 The next day Frank returned with his command to General 
 McClernand's position, and he and his friends had the honor to 
 participate in the final operations against Vicksburg, as described 
 in the ensuing chapter. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE FALL OF VICKSBURG. 
 
 " While Sherman stood beneath the hottest fire, 
 That from the lines of Vicksburg gleamed, 
 And bombshells tumbled in their smoky gyie, 
 And grape-shot hissed and case-shot screamed.'" 
 
 .Then Pemberton was driven within the strong fortifications, 
 the situation at Vicksburg was such that he who struck the first 
 blow would secure great advantage. 
 
 After his series of defeats, Johnston, completely demoralized, 
 was at Canton endeavoring to secure reinforcements, and if he 
 could get a respectable army together, he intended to attack 
 Grant's rear while Pemberton engaged him in fronl, thus putting 
 the exultant Federals in a critical position. 
 
 If Grant could carry Vicksburg before Johnston's force was 
 ready, then he could quickly turn upon and crush the latter out 
 of existence. 
 
 It was a situation well understood by both contending armies, 
 but Grant proposed to strike first, and, accordingly, ordered an 
 assault at two o'clock on the nineteenth of May. 
 
 Badeau in his admirable military history of General Grant, 
 says : 
 
 "The assault was, in some respects, unparalleled in the the wars 
 of modern times. No attack on fortifications of such a strength 
 had ever been undertaken by great European captains, unless the 
 assaulting party outnumbered the defenders by at least three to 
 one. 
 
 " In the great sieges of the Peninsular War, the disproportion 
 was even greater still. 
 
 " At Badajo's Wellington had fifty thousand men, eighteen 
 thousand of whom were in the final assault, while the entire 
 French garrison numbered only five thousand. 
 
 "The British loss in this assault alone was thirty-five hundred. 
 At Cindad Rodrigo Wellington had thirty-five thousand men, and 
 the French less than two thousand, not seventeen hundred being 
 able to bear arms. The British loss was twelve hundred and nine- 
 ty, seven hundred and ten of these fell at the breaches, while only 
 three hundred Frenchmen were killed. But Padejos and Rodrigo 
 were carried. 
 
 "In the second assault on Vicksburg Grant had in his various col- 
 umns about thirty thousand men engaged, of these he lost proba- 
 bly three thousand in killed and wounded. He was, however, met 
 by an army instead of a garrison. Pemberton, according to his 
 own statement, put eighteen thousand five hundred men in the 
 trenches. It was, therefore, no reproach to the gallantry or sol- 
 
UNDER THE STABS AND BARS. SM 
 
 diery qualities of the army of the Tennessee that it was uuable to 
 carry works of the strength of those which repelled it, manned by 
 troops of the same race as themselves, and in numbers so nearly 
 equal to their own. Neither can the generalship which directed 
 this assault be fairly censured. 
 
 "The only possible chance of breaking through such defences and 
 defenders was in massing the troops so the weight of the columns 
 should be absolutely irresistible. But the broken, tangled ground, 
 where frequently a company could not advance by flank, made 
 massing impossible, and this could not be known in advance. 
 
 "The rebels, too,|hadnotshowu in the week preceding the assault 
 any of the dogged determination which they displayed behind the 
 earthen walls of Vicksburg. The works at the Big Black river 
 were also impenetrable if they had been well defended, and Grant 
 could not know before hand that Pemberton's men had recovered 
 their former mettle any more than he could ascertain without 
 trial how inaccessible were the acclivities and how prodigious 
 were the difficulties which protected these reinvigorated soldiers. 
 But Badajos was thrice beseiged and often assaulted before it fell, 
 and the st' ries of Saguntum and Saragossa prove that Vicksburg 
 was nov tho only citadel which long resisted gallant and determin- 
 ed armies. 
 
 "On the highway running towards Jackson the Confederates had 
 erected two earthworks, Fort Hill and Fort Beauregard, from these 
 works, as Grant's columns dashed forward to the assault, the Con- 
 federates poured a terrible enfilading fire. 
 
 "Slowly, steadily, but with invincible courage, the Federal col- 
 umns pressed onward, their faces set sternly to the foe and every 
 musket blazing forth its leaden hail. 
 "The advance finally gained the ditch in front of Fort Hill. 
 "The ditch was passed, but the noble troops could go no further. 
 "The slope was too steep to be surmounted, and to hold the posi- 
 tion was madness, for they would simply be fired down upon and 
 exterminated, while they themselves were unable to inflict any 
 comparative injury upon the enemy. 
 
 "Lighted shells were hurled down the slope to play terrible havoc, 
 and the Federal flags were shot to ribbons and shreds in less than 
 tea minutes." 
 
 But we caunot dwell here upon these terribly graphic scene of 
 bloodshed. 
 
 Those who would read full details of the famous seige of forty- 
 six days we would refer to other numbers of the War Libraby 
 more extensively devoted to this campaign, as we cannot here fol- 
 low the slow progress of the seige, but must confine ourselves to 
 the incidents wherein our story is connected with this great event 
 of modern times, and simply state that, on July 3d, 1863, overtures 
 were made for a surrender, and at ten o'clock on Saturday, the 
 Fourth of July, the garrison of Vicksburg marched out of the 
 lines it had so long and gallantly defended and stacked arms in 
 front of the conquerors whose triumph swelled into a grand 
 anthem, which was caught up and echoed by thousands of the 
 boys in blue: 
 
 Victory is ours, hurrah ! 
 
 Treachery cowers, hurrah! 
 
 Down reels the rebel rag, 
 
 Up shoots the starry flag! 
 
 Vicksburg is ours ! 
 
 Vicksburg is ours, hurrah ! 
 
 Arch the green banners hurrah ! 
 
 Arch o'er the hero who 
 
 Nearer and nearer drew, 
 
 Letting wise patience sway, 
 
di UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 Till from his brave delay, 
 
 Swift as the lightning's ray, 
 
 Bounded he to the fray, 
 
 Full on his fated prey ; 
 
 Thundering upon his path, 
 
 Swerving not, pausing not, 
 
 Darting steel, raining shot ! 
 
 In his fierce onset hot, 
 
 With his red battle wrath ; 
 
 Flashing on, thundering on ; 
 
 Pausing then once again 
 
 Curbing with mighty rein, 
 
 All his great heart, as vain 
 
 Writhed the fierce foe, the chain 
 
 Tighter and tighter round 
 
 Till the reward was found— 
 
 Till the dread work was done, 
 
 Till the great wreath was won. 
 
 Triumph is ours, hurrah ! 
 After the fall of Vieksburg, Frank received permission to take a 
 squadron of cavalry and proceed to the rescue of the octoroons. 
 When he reached the place wh'^re he had seen them it was with 
 much regret he found that the people had left, burning the house 
 after them, doubtless to conceal all evidence of their flight. 
 
 Returning to headquarters he reported to McCleruand, and a 
 week later having a great desire to return home, he and Percy 
 Powers both gained their furloughs, which were granted with 
 regret. 
 
 Possibly in a future romance we may follow their adventures in 
 the Chatauooga campaign, through which both subsequently 
 served with distinction. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE TELEGRAM— CONCLUSION. 
 
 About a year had elapsed since the reported death of Frank 
 Faulkner, ere the engagement of Mr. Ren Reinhart and Miss 
 Edith Elverton was announced. 
 
 Edith, although repeatedly urged, would not name the day for 
 the wedding. 
 
 She gave as an excuse that there was no hurry, and that she - 
 could not be expected to forget her first lover for whom she still 
 mourned, in so short a time as a year. 
 
 Indeed it was not until May, 1863, that she at length assented to 
 Reinhart's importunities and much to his satisfaction, appointed 
 the day. She simply said : 
 
 " Mr. Reinhart,' I will marry you on the eighteenth of July, in the 
 event of nothing in the meantime happening to prevent." 
 
 Accordingly Reinhart went away well pleased. One morning in 
 sultry July, Miss Elverton was seated in her boudoir engaged in 
 making preparations for her wedding which was to be solemnized 
 in three days. 
 
 Her thoughts, strange to say, were not centered upon her hus- 
 band-elect but upon her lost lover ; he who had bravely laid down 
 his life for his country. 
 
 Was ever maiden more constant? 
 
 Bitterly she regretted the absurd conduct on her part which had 
 driven him from her in sheer desperation and caused him to enlist. 
 
 She could never look up into the sad, wan face of his mother 
 without the thought: 
 
 'Poor woman. I have deprived her of her son ; for, was not I 
 the cause of sending him into the army, where he unfortunately 
 lost his life ?" 
 
INDER THE STABS AND BARS. 95 
 
 If, however, she allowed her mind (o dwell on these and kindred 
 thoughts, she would undoubtedly have become insane; so she was 
 obliged to exert her utmost endeavors to keep her thoughts off the 
 subject. 
 
 On the warm summer morning in question, a servant knocked at 
 her door and on being told to enter, placed in her hand a telegraph 
 dispatch. 
 
 She tore open the envelope passively, supposing it was from 
 Rein hart, who had gone to Chicago on business. 
 
 The servant was astonished to see her suddenly grow pale, her 
 lips twitch nervously, the telegram fall from her limp grasp, as 
 with a shriek she threw up her arms and reeled backward. 
 
 With difficulty the maid prevented her from falling upon the 
 floor, and then rang for assistance. 
 
 After the first shock was over, however, Edith rapidly recovered 
 her composure, and then folding the telegram to her heart, mur- 
 mured : 
 
 "I knew he would come; I knew he was not dead, my own poor 
 Frank." 
 
 The telegram was from Colonel Faulkner's father, who having 
 met him accidentally at a hotel at Cincinnati on his way to Nor- 
 wood, quickly sent a dispatch announcing his safety to both Mrs. 
 Faulkner and Edith Elverton, of whose remarkable constancy he 
 hastened to assure Frank. 
 
 Frank wondered why his later letters had never reached home, 
 as he had written several long ones since the time of his supposed 
 death. 
 
 Investigation showed how fate had taken a hand in the game. 
 Two letters had been in the bag captured on the way by rebels or 
 guerrillas, and another in a car that was burned between Louis- 
 ville and Cincinnati, while the fourth and last reached home the 
 day after his arrival, having gone astray; a not very unusual thing 
 for letters to do in those days of excitement, when the post facili- 
 ties were badly mixed. 
 
 The day of our hero's return to his native town, after so many 
 perils and hardships which he had suffered in defense of the na- 
 tion, was one of great rejoicing, and long to be remembered in that 
 usually quiet community. 
 
 Having visited his overjoyed mother, who regarded him as back 
 from the grave— for she had worn mourning ever since the an- 
 nouncement of his death — our hero hurried to the house of Edith 
 Elverton, where the reunited lovers were soon clasped in a warm 
 embrace. 
 
 The happiness of that moment more than repaid our heroine for 
 her constancy. 
 
 It is needless to say that Frank's numerous friends were more 
 than delighted to see him. 
 
 Of course when Ren Reinhart returned from Chicago he was as- 
 tonished at the lay of things. 
 
 As Arnold was still away in the rebel ranks and had not com- 
 municated with him for some time, he was in a most perplexing 
 quandary. 
 
 He heard the story of Arnold's villainy from the victim ©f his 
 numerous dastardly outrages himself. 
 
 Now he knew that as soon as his co-conspirator returned to 
 Norwood he would be arrested for his crimes. He also felt satis- 
 fled that he — Arnold — would hardly hesitate to "sqreal" on him 
 and divulge all his complicity in the plot. 
 
 His rage as he thus reflected was such that he could have killed 
 Arnold for the bungling job. 
 
 "Just to think," he raved, " I was about to marry the girl, when 
 back comes my rival at the supreme moment and completely 
 
96 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS. 
 
 knocks my plans to the deuce!" A gleam of savage fury leaped 
 from his eyes as he continued : " Curse Arnold, the lying scoun- 
 drel, he wrote me an apparently authentic account of the fellow's 
 death!" 
 
 There was no help for it now ; the girl was lost to him forever 
 and it only remained for him to make himself scarce about the 
 neighborhood of Norwood ere the return of his myrmidon. So it 
 is not strange that he disappeared, went to his father's house at 
 Louisville, where he eventually enlisted in the Confederate serv- 
 ice, and was killed at Chiekamauga. 
 
 As for Arnold, as soon as he recovered from the serious wounds 
 sustained in battle, he esaped from the guerrillas and returned to 
 Norwood, little dreaming that his villainy had been so freely ven- 
 tilated. 
 
 He had not been long in town before he was seized and hurried 
 to jail, notwithstanding his indignant protestations. 
 
 At this trial he made certain dark things pretty clear concern- 
 ing the doings of Reinhart and then went to the penitentiary to 
 spend a twelve years' term for the interesting part which he had 
 played in the plot. 
 
 Little more remains to be told. 
 
 In due time Frank wedded the girl of his choice, who, by her 
 constancy, had fully atoned for her early coquetry. 
 
 Our friend, Major Percy Powers, won the affections and eventu- 
 ally the hand of Leoline Stanfleld, her affianced husband, Colonel 
 Harold Greyson, of the Confederacy, having fallen on the bloody 
 field of Stone River. 
 
 Colonel Faulkner resumed his study of law, was admitted to the 
 bar, eminently successful in his profession, and is now judge at 
 Norwood, Ohio. 
 
 Not a happier couple exist in the universe to-day than that 
 composed of Edith Elverton and her lost lover. 
 
 As for Fred Merrlgold, he secured the start of Frank, returned to 
 Kentucky and married Nellie Stanfleld while Faulkner was on his 
 way to Norwood. 
 
 Our hero thought greatly provoked at the time— that was be- 
 fore he dreamed of a reconcilation with Edith — now freely for- 
 gives him and considers it a fortunate misfortune. 
 
 Occasionally during the summer months the Faulkner family 
 visits Glenwood, where oft in the stilly evening, while seated upon 
 the broad, cool veranda, Fred Merrigold entertains our hero with 
 remeniscences of his experience while serving under the stars and 
 bars in the rebel ranks. 
 
 [THE END.] 
 
THE WAR LIBRARY 
 
 Contains Historic Tales of the War for the Union. Original, full of 
 life, daring adventures, love, intrigue and patriotism— 
 
 The Unwritten History of the War. 
 
 Historically true, as to dates and occurrences ; graphically true a* regards possibilities, 
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 CATALOGUE OF THE WAR LIBRARY. 
 
 1-MAJOR HOTSPUR. By Marline Manly. 
 
 2— BLUE OR GRAY. By Ward Edwards, 
 "High Private," U. S. V. 
 
 3— CAVALRY SAM. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 
 
 4-ON TO RICHMOND. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 
 
 6— VICKSBURG. By Corp. Morris Hoyne. 
 
 6— SHILOH. By Ward Edwards, TJ. S. V. 
 
 7-BULLET AND BAYONET. By Capt. Mark 
 Wilton. 
 
 8-SHARPSH00TER DICK. By Major A. F. 
 Grant. 
 
 9— PRISON PEN. By Marline Manlv. 
 
 10-BIVOUAC AND BATTLE. By Corporal 
 Morris Hovne. 
 
 11-BEFORE DONELSON. By Edgar L. 
 Vincent. 
 
 12-SOLD FOR A SOLDIER. By Ward Ed- 
 wards, "High Private. - " U. S. V. 
 
 13— TRUE BLUE. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 
 
 14-CROSSED SWORDS. By Corp. Morris 
 Hoyne. 
 
 15-FIGHTING PAT. By Bernard Wavde. 
 
 16— UNDER TWO FLAGS. By Morris Red- 
 wing. 
 
 17-STARS AND STRIPES. By Major Hugh 
 Warren. 
 
 IB-BATTLE ECHOES. By Maj r Walter 
 Brisbane. 
 
 19-CANNONEER BOB. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 
 
 20- BATTLE BEN. By Morris Kedwing. 
 
 21-SHOULDER-STRAPS. By Major Walter 
 Wilmot. 
 
 22-SEVEN PINES. By Warren Walters. 
 
 23-SABER AND SPUR. BvMonMyitle. 
 
 24— FIGHTING FOR FAME. By Morris Red- 
 wing. 
 
 25-DASHING 0DONOH0E. By Lieutenant 
 Carlton. 
 
 26-IR0N AND STEEL. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 
 
 27-THE FATAL CARBINE. By Maj Walter 
 Wilmot. 
 
 23-MALVERN HILL. Bv Corporal Morris 
 
 Hoyne. 
 23-GUNB0AT DAVE. Bv Morris Redwing. 
 30-RIVAL CAPTAINS. Bv Colonel Oram 
 
 Eflor. 
 31-HARD TACK. By Maj. Walter Brisbane. 
 32— YANKEE STEVE. By Morris Redwing. 
 33-FARRAGUFS SPY. Bv Mai. A F. Grant. 
 34-MISSION RIDGE. By Maj. Walter Wil- 
 mot. 
 35-CHAIN SHOT. By Col. Oram Erlor. 
 36-FIVE FORKS. By Corp. Morris Hoyne. 
 37-CAPTAIN IRONWRIST. By Maj. Walter 
 
 Wilmot. 
 38-THE LOST CAUSE. By Morris Red 
 
 wing. 
 39-CAMP FIRES. Bv Warren Walters. 
 40-MORGANS ROUGH RIDERS. B\ Major 
 
 A. F. Grant. 
 41— 3ETWEEN THE LINES. By Morris 
 
 Redwing. 
 42-THE CAVALRY GUIDE. By John W. 
 
 Southard. 
 43-HARPERS FERRY. By Major Walter 
 
 Wilmot. 
 44-SHERIDAN'S RIDE. Bv Roland Dare. 
 45-CLEAR GRIT. Bv Marline Manly. 
 46-THE RIVAL COURIERS. By Harry St. 
 
 George. 
 47-BEFORE PETERSBURG. By Major A. 
 
 F. Giant. 
 48-DOWN IN DIX<E. By Hugh Allen, of 
 
 the New Y< rk press. 
 49-LIBBY PRISON. By Col. Oram Eflor. 
 50-WAR'S ALARM. By Morris Redwing. 
 51-UNDER FIRE. By Anthony P. Morris. 
 52-MARCHING ON. Bv Marline Manly. 
 53-SWORD AND SASH. By Mon Myrtle. 
 54-BORDER GUERRILLAS. By Corporal 
 
 M. Hovne. 
 55-MOSBYS TRAIL. By Morris Redwing. 
 
 For sale by all Newsdealers in the United States. Subscription price, $5.00 a year ; 
 single copy, by mail, ten cents. Address, 
 
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 or THE 
 
 WAR LIBRARY. 
 
 No. 1, 
 
 THE WAR DETECTIVE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE PLOTTERS AT WASHINGTON. 
 
 A TALE OF BOOTH'S CONSPIRACY. 
 By Maj. A. F. GRANT. 
 
 No. S. 
 
 BATTLE SMOKE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE WAR CORRESPONDENT AMONG GUERRILLAS. 
 
 A Thrilling Tale of Perryyille and Stone River. 
 By HTJOH AJLUJEIV, of tlxe N. Y. Press. 
 
 Ready Oct. 6, 1883. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 UNDER THE STARS AND BARS; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A WEARING OF THE GRAY. 
 
 _A. Tlarillixxg Story of Tennessee. 
 By MON MYRTLE. 
 
 Ready Oct. 13, 1883. 
 
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