The Star of Gettysburg

long conference, to which now and then they summoned McLaws, Anderson, Pender and other divis

terrible drama which was about to be played in the Wilderness. The night was dark, and to Har

nacing signals. Often he started at familiar sounds. The clank of arms to which he had been so long used sent a chill

ked Dalton, catching a glimpse

I must be looking too much into the future. Anyway, I'm oppressed t

'm becoming blunted. But the ge

our army is, and we can't rush Hooker behind the strong intrenchments they

ll have to do the best we can without them. Hold up

d his courage more than once, was bewildered and uneasy. He lacked the experience in supreme command in which his great antagonist, Lee, was so rich. The field telegraph had broken down just b

aps by his great responsibilities, wished to contract his camp and build intrenchments yet stronger. He compromised at last amid varying counsels, and decided to hold his present intrenched

perate. The Southern army did not increase in numbers. Victories brought few new men to its standards. Winning, it held its own, and losing, it lost everything. Before it stood the Army of the Po

made him awake fully and instantly. Every faculty was alive. He arose to his feet and saw that Lee and Jackson were j

ll give us either victory or de

were awakened toward morning by Sherburne, who stood before them holding his horse by the b

Northern front and around their wings. With the help of Fitz Lee we've discovered their weak point. The Northern left, fortified in the thickets, is impossible. We'd merely beat ourselves to pieces against it; but their right has no prote

ch on an empty cracker box, taken from a heap which the Northern army had left behind when it withdrew the day before. The

he Wilderness in order that he might haul wood and iron ore to a furnace that he had built. He had certainly never dreamed of the far more important purpose to which this road would be put, but he had been found at his home b

t, Major Hotchkiss?

then Lee asked Jackson what he would suggest. Jackson traced the road with his finger and replied that he would like to follow it with his whole corps and fall upon the Northern

and when he finished, General Jackson rose to his feet, his face illumined with eagerness. He

on. "Whatever it is, w

for a great march that Jackson was about to begin. Many of these orders related to secrecy. The ran

and Dalton were near, behind Jackson. Harr

as over again, isn't it

seem to be marching

en Stonewall Jackson draws back from the enemy he merely

d, was riding just in front of the

e, and I've felt for some time that I provoked t

d, but he was not one to r

aid, "but I had forgotten it. It's not necessary

ertrand returned with equal vigor. Then the captai

alton, who came of a deeply religious fa

dest

n the coming battle. He was moved to make up the quarrel which he forced on St.

o much battle has keye

head and remained r

started after dawn. A splendid sun was rising in a sky of satin blue. It even gilded the

fly. Harry saw that both were firm and confident. It was rare with him, but Jackson's face was flushed and his eyes shining. He lingered for onl

ll the men in the great column knew that they were embarked upon some mighty movement. Very few asked themselves what it was. No

ently like the surface of a lake. But that forest, as dense as ever, extende

n of his army making the demonstration in Hooker's front, deceiving him into the belief that he was about to be attacked by the whole Southern arm

my of splendid fighters, should come suddenly from his intrenchments and attack either division. Surely the Northern scouts and spies were in the thickets. So great a movement as this could not escap

ich he thought to be one of the balloons, and he felt a little dread, but in a moment he realized that Jackson's army was as completely hidden by the

attle, but he noticed that the sounds neither advanced nor retreated. He

the effect was due only to distance. His trained ear told him that the demonstration in Hooker's front, instead of decreasing, had increased in vigor. It was assumi

s melted into one musical note. The sun crept slowly up, gilding thickets and forests with pure gold. The sky was still an unbroken blue, save for the little white clouds

Northern troops on an open eminence of Hazel Grove had seen a long column moving away through the thickets and made report of

m a hill upon the marching Confederate column. Harry and Dalton heard shrapnel whizzing over their heads

As they could not turn back to fight those troublesome cannon, the column turned farther away and forced a road through a new path. It seemed now that Jackson's march was

was confronted by a portion of Lee's force, thrown forward to meet him, and the battle was so fierce that Sickles was compelled to send for help. A formidable force came and drove the Southern division before it, but the vigilant Jackson, informed by his

ng alertness and vigor of Jackson, who never seemed to make a mistake, a man who was able while on a

ined hidden from them. The gap between Lee and Jackson was growing wider, but they did not know it was there. H

hief, and once more they were marching, unimpeded. It was now much past

a great army in this way," said Dalton; "but, Harr

ible things. He leaves the possible to ordinary men. See him. He didn't even

he thick boughs of the trees and bushes catching it. But as it hovered so close to the ground it made the breathing of the soldiers difficult and painful. It rasped their throats, and soon the

ad, a young cavalry officer galloped up and rode straight for Jackson. It was Fitzhugh Lee, whose ser

son checked his horse and H

g news. W

hern force is only a short distance away, and it does not suspect your advance at all

e three then turned and rode through the bushes toward the hill, and Harry's heart beat so hard that it gave him an actual phy

oment by riflemen or cannoneers. Rifles were stacked neatly behind the intrenchments, extending in a long line as far as they could see. Thousands of soldiers were sitting on the grass and among the bushes, some asleep, some playing games, while others were cooking, reading newsp

n and saw that his eyes were still burning with blue fire. The general gazed for five minutes, but never said a word. Then

y, as Harry rode along the lines with a mes

re," replied Harry, no

on't know w

on't dr

son have got 'em

oks li

troops lying hidden in the thickets, General Jackson, followed by himself and two other aides, riding upon the hill again and taking one more look at the unsuspecting enemy below, the spreading out of the cavalry like a curtain between them and Howard's corps to keep even a single stray Northern picket or scout from seeing the mortal

the encounter with the rearguard of Stonewall's force. But as that force continued its march into the deep forest and disappeared from sight, the brave and sanguine Hooker was confirmed in his opinion that the whole

paring with calmness and in detail for one of the greatest blows ever dealt in war. Truly no soldiers ever deserved higher praise than those of the Army of the Pot

eir suppers, and there was much laughter and talk as they looked around at the forest and wondered when they would be sent in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Six of the regiments were composed of men born in Germany, or the sons of Germans, drawn from

age on a hill, and in the fields a small house of worship called the Wilderness Chur

ign that anyone in the Northern right flank dreamed of their presence. Evidently the unconscious thousands there thought that all chance of battle

d bushes they too talked, and with the freedom of republican troops, who fight all the better for it, the

he saddle, sonny. Don

ld the Yanks th

you get shot. I always

e jest had to arrange a

n front. We want to git into

here and that he ca

ither army were very young. He recognized that all this talk was the product of exuberant

for sternness. The soldiers themselves understood and obeyed. They were as eager as the officers to achieve a splendid triumph, and it re

The cavalry, not far away, were holding back their magnificent horses. Harry saw Sherburne on their flank nearest to him, and a smile of triumph pass

ever much he may have felt it. Harry rode back and forth, sometimes with him and sometimes alone, carrying messages. He expected every instant to hear the crack of some Northern scout's rifle and his shout of alarm, but the incredible not onl

essant activity showed him he was mistaken. The arrangements were now almost complete. In front were the skirmishers, then the first line, and a little be

f the forest, the two colonels and their young staff officers h

when we'll ad

longer. What tim

lly at the face, and as he closed it again and

o'clock of a memorab

ppens to us, it will be a pleasure to us both to know, even beyond the grave, that

w you'll be with us when our victorious army go

en he glanced again at the sun and saw that it was low, filling all the western heavens with bars of red and yellow and gold. He looked once again at that formidable line of battle, stretching in either direction through the

d the first line of battle, just in t

ready,

aye,

rge," sai

low note that was heard far through the forest. It was followed by a shout poured from thirty thousand throats, the guns in the turnpike fired a terr

d was upon them and overwhelmed them. The German regiments were cut to pieces in an instant, and the demoralized survivors retreated into the mass. Elsewhere a battery was manned and stopp

rthern officers showed supreme courage in their attempt to stem the rout. Everyone on horseback was either killed or wounded, and their bravery and self-sacrifice were in vain. Nothing could stem the relentless tide that poured upon them. Harry had never before seen the Southern troops

a long line was so rapid and terrific that he was almost blinded by the incessant blaze, which was like one solid sheet of

ce. Now and then in a rift in the smoke he beheld a terrible sight. The ground was covered with the arms and blankets and tents of the Union army. Ahead of them were great masses of men, retreating and ja

ew a sleet of steel on the charging men in gray. Some of the seasoned infantry regiments were managing to form a line an

even through the flame and smoke and confusion o

Then he rode among the infantry, and they, as eager as he, rushed on at increased speed. Yet the Northern resistance was still hardening. Some

ke a bold stand," sho

help them," the V

front sword in hand, the whole division with a mighty shout charged. Harry saw the Invincibles in the first line, the two colonels, one on either flank,

ook prisoners, and before them they swept the right wing of the Union army in irreparable rout and confusion. Harry had not seen its like in the whole war, nor was he destined

h, and few generals would have had the daring to push on in the forest, dark already and rapidly growing darker. But Jackson was one of the few. He continued to urge on his men, and he sent his staff officers galloping back and forth to help in the task.

and in the dying twilight, lit by the flame of cannon and ri

y, had been sitting with two of his staff officers on the portico of the Chancellor House. He was serene and confident. He knew the courage of his soldiers and their numbers. The cannonade in his front had died down. He was a full-faced man, ruddy and stalwart, and with his powerful army of veterans

morning. Now and then he heard in the east the far sound of cannon like muttering thunder on the horizon, but after a while it ceased entirely. He heard that distant th

n Hooker have had better luck. What had he to fear? With one hundred and thirty thousand veterans of the Army of the Potomac within call, almost an

ker was conversing quietly with his aides. Officers inside the house were copying orders. The distant mutter of the guns that came now

rific crash of cannon fire came from a point in the northwest. It was followed by another and then others, so swiftly that they merged. It never ceased for an instant and it rapidly rolled

as he turned quickly b

army had suddenly fallen on their wing, they said, and he and his men were hard upon their heels. Hooker passed in a moment from the certainty of victory to the certainty that his army must

Chancellor House. In the mad rush he lost sight of Jackson for the time, and found himself mingled with the Invincibles. Both the colonels were bleeding

n again. Catching one of the riderless horses, so numerous, he sprang upon him and rode close behind his g

ndescribable. Many a Northern officer thought that all was lost, but the trained artillerymen of the North never flinched. Occupying an eminence, battery after battery was wheeled into line, until fifty cannon

ved with tremendous cheers, and the men were willing and eager to push on the attack. Lee, his chief, meanwhile was closing in with the smaller force. The whole line was reformed. Jackso

s that burned here and there and the flash of the picket firin

ting with weariness, but exultant. They had lost a third of their num

charge them again, Harry

ir; but you know

Northern pickets in the bushes in front of us are active, and, upon my wo

acked in the bushes and he fell back without a word. The arms of St. Clair received him and eased him gently to the earth.

e one to catch his body

on and rejoined his general. Colonel Talbot was right. Jackson was still intent upon pressi

ets. They buzzed like angry bees, and no man on the front of either army was safe from their sting. But all through the Wilderness along the line of Jackson's charge the dead and wounded lay. Here and there clumps

ight did not suffice to stop the titanic struggle. He saw all around him the regiments ready for a new attack, and he plainly heard in front of him the thud of axes as the Nor

now, saw an impatient look pass over the general's face. The intrepid fighter, A. P. Hill, was coming up fast, but not fast enough for Sto

s staff in protest, "don'

The enemy is routed and we must push him hard. Hu

orest. No moonlight reached them there. Jackson paused, listening to the rising fire of the skirmishers. A rifle suddenl

of horsemen coming down upon them, thought they were about to be attacked, and an officer gave an order to fire. He was obeyed at

near the shoulder. The reins dropped from his hands, and his horse, the famous Little Sorrel, broke violently away, rushing through the woods toward the Northern lines. A bough str

, but another aide, Captain Wilbourn, was before him. Wilbourn seized the reins of Little Sorrel and then Harry felt the

, Dr. McGuire. Harry sprang down, and abandoning his horse, which he never saw again, knelt

te, drawn face of Jackson and his shattered arm, he had no hope then, nor did he ever have any afterward

e bullets of the North Carolinians, galloped up, sprang

l?" he asked, his face dis

, "and I have suffered all my wounds from m

hough it was obvious that he was suffering terribly. General Hill felt his pulse. He was rapidly growing weaker. Harry was so stunned that he would no

round the fallen man was detached from the army and the enemy might come upon them at any moment. Even as he looked, two Union skirmishers came through the thicket and, pausing, their rifles in the holl

rge of th

were given to orderlies and sent to the rear. Harry and Dalton returned to the side of their fallen general. While all stood there tryin

the General away

weak to speak, although he opened his eyes once, and, as ever, t

ounded Confederate soldi

crowding around, supported him. Thus aided he walked among the trees until they came to the road. It was as dark as ever, save for

arkness, the flash of the rifles, the mutter of cannon, the blaze of gunpowder, the fierce shouts that rose n

entered the road it fired a terrible volley of grape and shrapnel. Luckily in the darkness it fired high

m with their own bodies as they lay beside him, remained perfectly still while the awful rai

e last degree. His first conviction that Jackson's wounds were mortal was in abeyance for the moment. He might yet recover and lead his dauntles

the darkness. Harry felt the twigs and leaves, cut from the bushes, falling on his face. The whining of the grape and shra

ied to get up, but one of the young officers thre

u must! It will cost y

Harry could not tell how long that dreadful shrieking and whining over their heads continued. It was

e they're seeking a longer range, and they're go

said Harry. "I can make out thei

aid Dalton, as t

their hero lifted him to his feet. Not wishing to have the ardor of his men quenched by the sight of his wounds, Jackson bade them take him aside i

fire of the enemy. As he spoke, that fire increased. Shells and round shot, grape and canister and shrapnel shrieked through the air

stand, was unshaken. Harry saw him suddenly straighten up, d

General Pender! You must hol

se every form of missile hurled from a cannon's mouth was crashing among them. A litter arrived now and they carried him toward a house that had been used as a tavern. A shot struck one of the men who held the litter in his arm a

ht, the roar of the battle swelled afresh through the Wilderness. They came presently to an ambulance, by the side of which Jackson's physician, Dr. M

kson made them stop until his comrade was easier. Then the mournful procession moved on, while the battle roared and crashed about the lone ambulance that bore the stricken idol of the Confederacy, Lee's right arm, the man without whom the South could not win. H

, not knowing what to do, a body of men came through the brushwood and they recognized the upright and martial figures of Colonel Leonidas Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel Hector St. Hilaire. Jus

in that ambulance, Harry," sa

ed and mad

, surprised, t

it?" he

his face away,

suspicion was born in the mind of Colonel L

an't be-" he exclaim

ntrol his feel

he, Stonewall Jackson, shot down in the

e hurt

letely, and he was shot thr

then, and the colonel, as he looked at

tered. "I did not think

Langdon and St. Clair, who had heard

id not wish it to be known to the soldiers, and there

l, and was taken away. Then Stuart, the great horseman, rode up and led the troops to meet the return attack for which the Northern forces were massing in

id Colonel Talbot, looking proudly at the gallant kn

idnight,

ting will be done. Can't you hear t

have shown great spirit. It is not often that routed troops

be on us in a mi

ixty massed guns, opened with a frightful crash. Once more that storm of steel swept through the woods, but now the lack of daylight helped the Southerners. Many were killed and wounded, but most of the ra

Northern force charged, but in a great confused struggle in the woods and dark

er attack, moved his forces to the side to close up the gap between himself and Lee, in order that th

Union army had not yet been defeated. Hooker's right wing had been crushed by the sudden and tremendous stroke of Jackson, but his center had rallied powerfully on Chancellorsville, and instead of a mere defense h

vincibles and reported to General St

were on the staff

d so was Lieutenant Dalton her

that General Lee will dispose of you, but I

t was happening, in order that Lee in the morning might have the two portions of the Southern army in perfect touch and under his complete command. He selected Wilbourn to reach him, and Harr

Both were devotedly attached to Jackson, and to both he was a hero, without fear and without reproach. They heard behind them the occasional report of a rifle.

taff were encamped, and they rode on, still in silence, for some time. Harry's cheeks we

can't be far

very soon. It seems to me I can see a fain

iers lay all around them and in all positions, most to rise soon for the fresh

mber of sleeping forms under the pines. The figures, like those of the soldiers, were relaxed and as still as death. The dawn which Harry has fe

ed, and while they talked briefly one of the figures under the pines arose. It was that of Lee, who, despite his stillness, was sleeping light

is th

al Jackson," replied Major T

he blankets on which he

l me everything that o

nd Lee did not interrupt him. But the first rays of the dawn were now stealing through the pines, and when Wilbourn came to the account of Jackson's fall, Harry saw the great leader's face

t is dearly bought, when it deprives us of the se

that he could have the same hope and belief, but he could not. He had felt the truth from the first,

asked him many questions about the troops and their positions. He also gave him o

must be presse

touch of dawn grew stronger on Harry's cheeks and he saw the band of gray in the east broadening. Presently they reached their own corps, a

of any general. Nor had he shed any of the brilliant plumage that he loved so well. The great plume in his gold-corded hat lifted and fluttered in the wind as he galloped about. The broad sash of yellow silk still encircled

e one who had fallen so disastrously in the night. There was never anything spectacular about Jackson. In the soberes

astonishing rapidity, and while they liked Stuart, their hearts were with the great leader who lay wounded behind them. But e

showed in the Wilderness, the trumpets sounded the charge. The batteries blazed as they sent forth crashing volleys, and in a minute

and who were led on by a plumed knight out of the Middle Ages, shaking a great sabre and now singin

, and the Southern batteries, planted in strength upon it, rained death on the Northern ranks. The veterans with Lee rushed

dishing his great sabre, and now and then making it whirl in a coil of light about his head. He continually shouted encouragement to his men, who were already full of fiery zeal, but

he superb Northern batteries met those of the South with a fire as terrible as their own. The Union gunners willingly expo

t over his head, the concussion being so violent that he was thrown to the floor, stunned and severely injured. He was carr

rawing closer together. The lines were shorter and deeper. The concentrated fire on both sides was

ar it, set on fire by the flames, were burning fiercely, springing up like torches to cast a lurid light over that scene of death and destruction. Th

rom the first they had been outgeneralled. An important division of Hooker's army had not been able to get into the main battle. Th

he repeated charges of the Southern troops and

and, defeated but not routed, began its slow and sullen retreat. Thirty thousand men k

ed by defeat, continued its slow retreat to Fredericksburg, a

sville the retreat was conducted with much skill. Lee had been intending to push another attack, but, as usual after the great

mbat were raging. Then the rain came in a deluge, and the hoofs of horses and the wheels of cannon sa

p of cavalry, sent by Stuart to beat up the enemy and see what he was doing. They

at the same place-after Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville-but Harry

dly trade the victory of Chancellorsville,

ad been amputated near the shoulder, and the report spread through the army that he was sinking. Just after the victory, Lee, with his wonted greatness of soul, had sen

showed alike in victory and suffering. It was a part of t

ckson. It was given at once. Stuart added, moreover, that he had merely taken them on his staff while the battle lasted. They were now t

feeling that their victories were useless. After every triumph the enemy was more numerous and powerful than ever. And the cloud of Jackson's condi

ions, many of whom knew them to be officers of Jackson's staff. They were besieged by these. Young soldiers fairly clung to their horses and demanded news of Jackson, who, they had heard, was

ife and little daughter had just arrived from Richmond, and they were with him. But after a while the two young lieutenants were admitted. Jackson spoke a few words to both, as th

last found encamped in an old orchard. Colonel Talbot and Lieutenant-Colone

e move, nor will they make one if they stay there all day. It's in my mind that neither

to the two colonel

yesterday," said Langdon, "an

of that,"

all the while, and that morning the doctor informed his wife that he was about to die. Pneumonia had followed the weakness from his wounds a

es, of his boyhood and of his friends. This lasted into the afternoon, when he sank into unconsciousness. Then came h

or action! Pass the infantry t

n, but a little later roused suddenly from it

river and rest under

ed into the fathomless beyond, to sit in peace with Cromwell and Washi

t a whole