In the Saddle
e of New Hampshire could hardly have recognized him. He had always been a dignified, peaceable, and quiet man-the very antip
ers, he was an earnest man. He had never developed any military ambition in his earlier years, though he was sorry he had not done so when he found himself
ths in preparation for his new sphere. He belonged to the class who were said to make the best soldiers, because they went into the field as high-toned me
y strange sight for them to see him in the uniform of a soldier, riding at the head of the squadron. These boys had drilled and marched with the Home Guards, and their fathe
outrages and the ruffianism in the vicinity of Barcreek. Some of the companies were composed and officered by Union men, who did some of the first fighting in the State when the Conf
dvantages of an organization for plunder and outrage. But its day had gone by. Major Lyon insisted from the beginning that it was a fraud; and, in spite of the action of the governo
have been excusable at the head of such a fine body of men; but he looked as he always did, earnest and determined, his soldierly character resting more on his
n, and they had been diligently drilled by the officers sent to Riverlawn for the purpose. Perhaps the commander was the only real planter enlisted;
rtant meeting at the Big Bend schoolhouse, was in command of the second; but he had proved in the Riverlawn battle that he was a brave man, and would make a good soldier. Tom Belthorpe, who had taken par
of the planters in the neighborhood, especially Colonel Cosgrove and Colonel Belthorpe, convinced him that it was his duty to the cause to take the
the ruffians, who had captured them for the purpose of assisting in the recovery of the arms the major had secured. When it came to the matter of
major promptly advised him to accept no position in the company. He was too young to be the commander of a company, which might be ordered on duty by itself. As his father pointed out to him the difficulties in
the case of the former, perhaps Deck was unconsciously influenced by the fact that he had a very pretty sister, who had manifested no little interest in him since
arching as usual on the road by fours. He had learned his lesson well at the camp; for the squadron had been tho
loud enough and clear enough to be heard far
adron. The command was repeated by the subordinate officers, and the force came to a full halt. Deck had stopped by the s
same as other soldiers of the companies. There was to be no favoritism on account of relationship. Deck could not report the result of his err
efore in their lives, and his father acknowledged it.
re passing," continued Major Lyon, as he glanced b
ouse, and I went in on account o
ians would attack him," suggested the majo
twenty-seven dollars for building his chimney, and Sand
ter," added Major Lyon, cutting short the s
ll in," said Deck, as he began to turn his hors
to occupy Bowling Green. Colonel Cosgrove came over to see me this morning. He says Captain Titus's company have g
waiting, and that is the reason why Sandy
Are you all ready to march wit
istols; but I have no blanket, a
the rear. But fall in," said the majo
, though inside of him, for he was a trifle taller than his cousin. In the infantry, the tallest men are placed
Didn't I see Sandy and Orly Ly
ther you saw them or
n, at eas
In the cavalry, in which the horses take all the steps, the strain of precise position and movement is removed, and the soldiers may make the best of
e reduced to such a strait?" demanded Artie,
nd that looks as though the family were very hard up," replied De
n a desperate situation when they
hat was to come to Bowling Green had not got there yet, and that they will be all right as soon as the company is mustered
"Why, he was one of the loudes
without pay or rations," added Dec
hy didn't you ask your fa
are aware that commanding officers don't tell what they ar
ery likely we have come out to-day in order to get
ere out on duty to-day, though he di
g Major Lyon called a halt at a point where a railroad could be seen in the gloom of the night. The column had just crossed a bri
n muskets were discharged from a covert of trees; but fortunately none of the cavalrymen a