"We had taken Fort Henry, but didn't feel so certain about Donelson.General Buckner had swelled the Confederate numbers there by about tenthousand men. Then the fort stood on high ground, and had a fine batteryon the river front, as well as several lines of strong fortificationson the land side, such as immense logs, bags of sand, were wellprotected, and their riflemen were in little pits dug in the side ofa hill. All the time the weather staid stinging cold, and we sufferedterribly. They were resting when the gunboats came to the front. Theirgunners looked death right in the face every instant, but the way theymade the shells fly was lively. Commodore Foote is a hero, and {165}hebombarded them in gallant style. He had six boats, and the sight wasworth seeing, as they would come up toward the fort, getting nearer, oneby one, and then each delivering its fire, and circling round to givethe other boats a shot at the rebs. And the fort was giving themtrouble, too, for they were sending solid shot over the decks, whichwere doing damage.
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"When a bomb from the enemy struck the iron plates a terrible racketwould be heard, as they crashed into them, wrecking smoke pipes, andtearing down the rigging, and wounding the crews. The Commodore kept hisflagship, the St. Louis, in the front. But he received a bad wound inthe ankle, which did not make him give up, though, but when his boat andthe Louisville began to fall behind, and they could not be managed, itwas seen something was wrong. It seems they had their machinery hurt,and their steering gear gave out. So he had to stop, for the guns ofFort Donelson were making sad havoc with his disabled fleet, and itwas found that the fort could not be captured by an attack on its waterside. The flagship had been hit fifty-nine times and the others twentyor thirty times apiece, before it became clear that Fort Donelson mustbe assaulted by the land forces.
"That night kept us all well occupied, in making preparations for thenext day's fight. That day was an awful one, and hundreds went downbefore the desperate fire of the butternut boys, but we drove them backinto their entrenchments. Sunday didn't see us ready for church, forwe had other engagements. The boys in blue had just enough taste of theexcitement to make them want more, and General Grant had us all up inline of battle early in the morning, and we were waiting impatientlyfor the order to attack, when the word flashed along our ranks that anofficer carrying a white flag had come to visit the General. We knewwhat that meant--some sort of an understanding, and we were not verysorry after all, for we had lost many a gallant soldier, and didn't knowwho'd be called away next. Still, we were ready, if it had to be.
"Ralph, I tell you, when we heard that the distinguished looking{166}gentleman on the black horse had come to ask that the battle mightbe stopped for a time, so that they could argue it out on some terms,every man amongst us felt like throwing up his hat and hurrahing forthe plain, unassuming little man who commanded us, when he sent hisanswer--'No terms other than an unconditional and immediate surrendercan be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.' Thatspeech is as grand as any you'll ever find in history. It will berepeated through all the ages. Why, it's good enough to havebeen uttered by the great Napoleon." Alph's eyes glistened, as heunconsciously expanded his chest, and took on a more dignified air, ashe walked proudly by the side of his friend, who was trembling with theeffort to keep up with his robust companion.
"The whole world knows what his firm answer did. General Buckner sentanother flag of truce, with the acceptance of General Grant's terms, andthe Union troops moved in to Fort Donelson."
"You must have been glad."
"Glad! Indeed we were. You should have heard us shout and yell. Wepulled the Confederate colors down in a hurry, and ran up the Unionflag. The very earth almost shook with the cheering of the boys, whilethe band played 'Star Spangled Banner,' 'Red, White and Blue,' anda dozen other patriotic airs. We almost felt like having that brightlittle ditty 'In Dixie's Land' served up to us, we all felt so jubilant.Before an hour had gone by, we were on the most friendly terms withthem all. We were trading off our greenbacks for tobacco, and they weregetting bacon and biscuits from us. They didn't have any hard feelingsagainst us, and I know we didn't have any, for they showed themselvesbrave and worthy foes wherever we met the Confederates in battle."
Ralph had listened with delight to his description of the taking of FortDonelson. But he suddenly recollected that the train must be due, and hereminded Al of the fact.
"That's so, and here I am, going home on a furlough, and forgot {167}allabout it, while I was spouting. We'll hurry a little; we are only ablock or so from the depot. You're all out of breath!" he said, halfalarmed, as he observed Ralph's short, quick breathing, and the pallorof his face. "We'll be there in a jiffy, and you can rest. It's a goodthing I'm going to be on the same train, for when we reach Marion, I cantake you to your own place. Pa's expecting me, and we'll drop you downat your own door."
This was pleasant news to Ralph, for his home was over a mile from thestation, and he sighed as he recalled how little that distance affectedhim when he was leaving home, but now that he was returning, alas! heknew that he could not walk so far.
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CHAPTER XVI. RALPH AT HOME.
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OME {169}at last! And when that longing mother took her boyin her arms once more, and looked long and earnestly into his wearyface, she saw only the boyish Ralph, whom sickness could not change;he was to her the same lad who had left his home with strong hopes andsunny smile. True, he was older and more careworn looking, but thehonest look of his childhood shone from his eyes, and the same truthful,frank expression was on his features.
Ralph, as he rode up from the depot, with his friends, the Boneels,looked around at the old familiar place with eagerness. He expectedto find everything changed--he had been absent so long, that to him itseemed as though the landscape, even, must have taken on new features,or at least changed its old. But there was the same gentle slope infront of the door, the same trees in the fields beyond, the same sunnyknoll where he had played when a little boy. Oh, how long ago thatseemed to him, now, when he reviewed the experiences of the past fouryears! Al and his father would not enter the house, though cordiallyinvited to do so; they did not wish to intrude upon the sacredness ofthe first meeting with his mother.
She could scarcely speak for joy. At last she broke forth with words ofgreeting:
"Oh, my boy, my boy, you are home once more; you have come home to me,and you shall never go away again."
"I am glad to be with you, dear mother; as glad as a little child, whoneeds a good petting. But it was a bitter disappointment when I foundthat I could not stay with the brave boys who are offering up theirlives for their country."
"Never {170}mind, dear boy. You could not help getting sick. I willbring you back both health and strength, and then--"
"And then they will take me back in the army, again. Oh, mother, do youthink it possible?"
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Her face grew sad. She had not thought of that, and her heartexperienced a bitter pang, for she felt that not even her love andcare were to him so sweet and dear as was his country and her cause. Itwounded her deeply when she saw that even in the flush of his delightat being home again, he could not help clouding her joy by expressing awish that in her bosom found no response.
She sighed deeply, and made him no answer, but he was so absorbed ingreeting his sisters and friends who had met to welcome him, that he didnot notice her silence.
Ralph {171}could not endure patiently having to play the part of aninvalid, but the home doctor's peremptory orders were that he shouldkeep his bed, and visitors were to be admitted only when he felt as ifhe were able to talk with them.
There were many long days when his voice was so faint and his strengthso nearly exhausted that he was forbidden the excitement caused by theirpresence. But as the winter passed, under the tender ministrations ofhis mother and sisters, hope again sprung up in his breast, that healthmight return to him, and with health would come a return to th
e service.
The medical man was using every effort to restore him to health. He waswise, keen-sighted and skillful, and he fathomed the secret of Ralph'slow vitality. His diligence and care were at length rewarded, and hehad the satisfaction of seeing the elastic, springing step return, thebright color come back to his cheek, and the luster to his eyes, as hegrew stronger daily, and to those who had come to greet his home-coming,and had mentally felt they were taking a last farewell, his recoveryseemed almost a miracle.
Soon he could walk long distances, and even spring on the back of ahorse for a ride. Al Boneel had returned to his regiment, but the youngman's father had sent Ralph a horse, with a suggestion that he shouldride every day when he was able, a privilege which brought the boy morehealing than even the doctor's careful attentions.
He had instinctively shrank from visiting George Martin, although thatyoung man had been to his home three or four times during his illness.It was a fine afternoon, and he knew he was able to ride over toGeorge's father's farm, over three miles distant. He longed to talk overthe war with him, and yet he had a feeling of delicacy lest George mightbe sensitive about any reference to his own misfortune. But he could nothelp going, and he found George sitting on a bench in the orchard, wherethe green buds were just beginning to shoot forth their promise forfuture abundance.
"I'm {172}glad indeed to see you able to come down here, Ralph," wasGeorge's cordial greeting. "I've been wishing all day for some one totalk over old times with."
"Old times! Yes, we were happy, good-for-nothing lads in those days, Iknow, and gave our teachers lots of uneasiness."
"So we did, but I don't refer to those days; I mean the days in thearmy."
Ralph was all attention at once. "How did you like the service?" heventured.
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"Liked it clear through--way down to the bottom. You know how I lost myarm?" he said, pointing to the empty sleeve.
Ralph nodded. He longed to know more of the particulars, but would notask.
"That was a great day. You should have been there, and seen a realfight. Not that a fight on land ain't all right, but there's a dash andinspiration about a battle on board ship that I enjoy! You feel as ifthe boat were your castle--you can't get away from it, and you're boundno one else shall get into it. Then the waves rocking beneath your feet,the shells screaming and dancing over the water, and the thought thatyour boat is almost a living thing, lends you a desperation nothing elsecan equal."
Ralph smiled faintly. To his way of thinking those sensations werecommon to all who went into battle, whether on land or water.
"You know when I went into the service I made my way to {173}Washingtonat once. I didn't wait to be enlisted here, but I knew Uncle Dick, wholived there, could get me onto a war-ship, and he did.
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"Through his influence I went on the Cumberland. She was a wooden vessel,but stanch and trim, with a good commander, {174}Lieutenant Morris, whomwe all liked. He was brave, resolute and determined. The Merrimac, underCommander Franklin Buchanan, was trying to raise the blockade, and do usall the harm she could. She was steaming round Hampton Roads, waitingto sink any of the boats that were maintaining that blockade. CommodoreBuchanan evidently fancied he had an easy job on hand, but as soon aswe sighted the ungainly-looking craft, our hearts were made glad withorders to pour a broadside into her, which we lost no time in doing. Wetried our best to destroy her, but her heavy iron plates withstood theassault. Had she been made of wood, we would have made a sieve of herwith our charge. We did her some damage, though, for our shot went clearinto her open ports, and killed some of her crew. I heard some one saywhen a man's hit he don't cry out, but I know better, for the shrieksof the wounded on both sides that day, mingled with the roaring of theshells, the crashing of shot against the iron-sheeted monster, and theconfusion of voices as orders rang out, sound in my ears yet.
"Lieutenant Morris would not say die, and when the rifled shot from thebig house, for that's what it looked like, tore our decks fore and aft,the Merrimac's commander followed it up by turning his boat so thathe rammed into our gay little vessel's side, and left a huge gash. Ourcommander's blood was up. We felt the frigate slowly settling beneathour feet, but not a man dreamed of forsaking his gun, but steadilypoured fire into the Merrimac. We were willing to die, rather thansurrender, and even though the breath came quick and hard, and we mayhave quailed a little as we looked at our watery grave, yet we waitedcalmly to hear our leader's orders, while the enemy was dealing usterrible blows with shot and shell.
"I felt a sharp pang, a numbness followed. The whole world was growingblack, and for a second I thought the night had suddenly settled overus, and I knew no more, until one day I woke up in hospital, and foundmy right arm and shoulder had parted company. A {175}messmate told mewhat happened after I fell to the deck. Our brave commander would notsurrender; the water rose steadily, or, rather, the Cumberland sanksteadily, until the waves washed across her gun deck, when the crewsprang overboard, and the ships boats carried them ashore.
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"Tom said it was a sickening sight--they had done us great havoc, but allof our wounded who could be dragged into the boats were saved, myselfamong the number. Tom said it was a gloomy sight when the trusty frigatekeeled over, and sank to the bottom, but she went down game, for hertop-masts stood above the water, with her flag flapping in the face ofthe Merrimac and her commander."
George paused. A sparkle was in his eyes, and he laughed aloud at hisown idea. He continued: "But I had my revenge when I heard about theMonitor giving it to the Merrimac. You know Ericsson invented that queerboat. It's a curious affair. You never saw it? It looks for all theworld like a big cheese box, with a round chimney or turret on it. Thisturret carries two monstrous guns, {176}and it can be turned round sothat they can be pointed in any direction.
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"The mischief she did was something worth talking about. Lieutenant JohnL. Worden commanded her, but he met with a mishap at the start. He waslooking through the sight hole, taking observations, when a shell struckit, and hurt him badly, making him blind for a time, and he had toturn over the command to Lieutenant Sam Greene. The two boats kept onfighting wildly, each trying to ram the other. Why, they came so closeonce in the fight, that both guns went off together, causing such ashock that the crew at the after guns were knocked down, and some ofthem bled at the nose and ears. They fought four hours, so the paperstated, and the Merri-mac went back to Norfolk, badly used up, for theyput her in dry dock."
George would have talked on all night, it seemed, but Ralph, who hadenjoyed the brief story of the sea-fight, said he must go, as the sunwould soon be down. But that visit was but one of many which he made toGeorge, and each one increased his anxiety to return to the army. He wasgaining health under his mother's care and the long rest he was having,and he often laughingly declared that if the regimental doctor could seehim now, he'd never believe in his own predictions again.
Grateful as his mother was for his restoration to health, yet itsaddened her, for she saw it was useless to keep him back, for he talkedof nothing else but returning to the army. She felt {177}that he haddone his duty, and she could not see why that did not content him. Butshe realized that it did not; she saw that he was determined to go, andher heart sank like lead in her bosom at the thought.
The day for parting came, and as Ralph, with a few other soldiers whowere returning to their regiments, started for the great city beyond,from which they were to proceed to the front, she thought her heartwould break at this second leave-taking. Her boy loved her more dearlythan she knew; but he honestly thought his duty to his country was aboveany private considerations, and that he should be guilty of a great sinif he did not return to that duty.
The news from the front was most inspiring. Each day the "war news" wasof more absorbing interest. Ralph wanted to be back with the army. Hehad no longer any ambition to win any especial distinction, but he wascontent to do his part as one of the vast ar
my of great heroes of whomthe world will never hear, but whose whole duty was done, quietly andunobtrusively.
How many sublime acts of self-sacrifice, of generous comradeship, wereperformed, on the field of battle, in camp and hospital, and even inprison life, will never be known. But a record has been kept in a higherledger than a worldly one, and when that is revealed these deeds willcome to the knowledge of all men.{178}
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CHAPTER XVII. RALPH RE-ENLISTS.
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NCE {179}again our hero was in Chicago. The city had put on its springdress, and well was it named the Garden City, for the streets at thattime were nearly all bordered with trees, and their green foliage gaveit, at a little distance, the appearance a wooded plain, for the city isbuilt on level ground--indeed, it was once a swamp, and it has cost thelabor of years and an outlay of millions of dollars to reclaim it fromits original state, and fill in and grade and elevate its highways.
The terrible battle of Chancellorsville had been fought, under GeneralHooker ("Fighting Joe," as the soldiers loved to call him), and avictory had resulted for the Union army. The news electrified the North,and great results were predicted. General Hooker had been given thecommand after the utter failure of General Burnside at Fredericksburg,and his soldiers were ready to follow him to the death, for he wasintrepid and fearless. This memorable engagement had been foughtwith Hooker on the Federal forces, and Stonewall Jackson, the braveConfederate leader on the Confederate side. He was General Lee's righthand man, the ablest and best Lieutenant he ever had. Close upon thisvictory came the news that General Jackson had been shot by his own men.When the shades of evening began to fall, he rode to the front to seewhat could be learned of the movements of the Federals, and as herode back to his own lines, surrounded by his staff, some of his ownfollowers, watchful and faithful to their duty, not recognizing him inthe dim twilight, but mistaking the mounted men for cavalry belongingto the Union side, fired a volley at them, {180}killing several of thehorsemen, and wounding others. This was, of course, supposed to be anattack from some of the Union soldiers, and to them was imputed thefiring. The Confederate loss in the day's encounter had been severe, andthey smarted at their defeat, They had been met by such a storm of grapeand canister as no mortal power could withstand. The charge of MajorPeter Keenan, which had been ordered by General Pleasanton, had been sobrilliant that it had surprised the Confederates, who could not believethat Keenan, with four hundred men, would dare oppose ten thousandof their infantry, and they concluded that tremendous numbers must bebehind them. The Major, with his little band, was slain, but his chargestopped the onset of the Confederates.