A DYING MESSAGE
In July, 1861, when the North, blinded by avarice and hate, rang with the
cry of "On to Richmond," our Confederate Army of the Potomac was divided
between Manassa and Winchester, watching at both points the glittering
coils of the Union boa-constrictor, which writhed in its efforts to crush
the last sanctuary of freedom. The stringency evinced along the Federal
lines prevented the transmission of dispatches by the Secessionists of
Maryland, and for a time Generals Beauregard and Johnston were kept in
ignorance of the movements of the enemy. Patterson hung dark and lowering
around Winchester, threatening daily descent; while the main column of the
grand army under McDowell proceeded from Washington, confident in the
expectation of overwhelming the small army stationed at Manassa. The
friends of liberty who were compelled to remain in the desecrated old
capital appreciated the urgent necessity of acquainting General Beauregard
with the designs of McDowell, and the arch-apostate, Scott; but all
channels of egress seemed sealed; all roads leading across the Potomac were
vigilantly guarded, to keep the great secret safely; and painful
apprehensions were indulged for the fate of the Confederate army. But the
Promethean spark of patriotic devotion burned in the hearts of Secession
women; and, resolved to dare all things in a cause so holy, a young lady of
Washington, strong in heroic faith, offered to encounter any perils, and
pledged her life to give General Beauregard the necessary information.
Carefully concealing a letter in the twist of her luxuriant hair, which
would escape detection even should she be searched, she disguised herself
effectually, and, under the mask of a market-woman, drove a cart through
Washington, across the Potomac, and deceived the guard by selling
vegetables and milk as she proceeded. Once beyond Federal lines, and in
friendly neighbourhood, it was but a few minutes' work to "off ye
lendings," and secure a horse and riding-habit. With a courage and
rapidity which must ever command the admiration of a brave people she rode
at hard gallop that burning July afternoon to Fairfax Court-house, and
telegraphed to General Beauregard, then at Manassa's Junction, the
intelligence she had risked so much to convey. Availing himself promptly of
the facts, he flashed them along electric wires to Richmond, and to General
Johnston; and thus, through womanly devotion, a timely junction of the two
armies was effected, ere McDowell's banners flouted the skies of Bull Run.
The artillery duel of the 18th of July ended disastrously for the advance
guard of the Federals--a temporary check was given.
A pure Sabbath morning kindled on the distant hill-tops, wearing heavenly
credentials of rest and sanctity on its pearly forehead--credentials which
the passions of mankind could not pause to recognize; and with the golden
glow of summer sunshine came the tramp of infantry, the clatter of cavalry,
the sullen growl of artillery. Major Huntingdon had been temporarily
assigned to a regiment of infantry after leaving Richmond, and was posted
on the right of General Beauregard's lines, commanding one of the lower
fords. Two miles higher up the stream, in a different brigade, Colonel
Aubrey's regiment guarded another of the numerous crossings. As the day
advanced, and the continual roar of cannon toward Stone-Bridge and Sudley's
ford indicated that the demonstrations on McLean's, Blackford's and
Mitchell's fords were mere feints to hold our right and centre, the truth
flashed on General Beauregard that the main column was hurled against
Evans' little band on the extreme left. Hour after hour passed, and the
thunder deepened on the Warrenton road; then the General learned, with
unutterable chagrin, that his order for an advance on Centreville had
miscarried, that a brilliant plan had been frustrated, and that new
combinations and dispositions must now be resorted to. The regiment to
which Major Huntingdon was attached was ordered to the support of the left
wing, and reached the distant position in an almost incredibly short time,
while two regiments of the brigade to which Colonel Aubrey belonged were
sent forward to the same point as a reserve.
Like incarnations of victory, Beauregard and Johnston swept to the front
where the conflict was most deadly; everywhere, at sight of them, our thin
ranks dashed forward, and were mowed down by the fire of Rickett's and
Griffin's batteries, which crowned the position they were so eager to
regain. At half-past two o'clock the awful contest was at its height; the
rattle of musketry, the ceaseless whistle of rifle balls, the deafening
boom of artillery, the hurtling hail of shot, the explosion of shell, dense
volumes of smoke shrouding the combatants, and clouds of dust boiling up on
all sides, lent unutterable horror to a scene which, to cold, dispassionate
observers, might have seemed sublime. As the vastly superior numbers of the
Federals forced our stubborn bands to give back slowly, an order came from
General Beauregard for the right of his line, except the reserves, to
advance, and recover the long and desperately disputed plateau. With a
shout, the shattered lines sprang upon the foe and forced them temporarily
back. Major Huntingdon's horse was shot under him; he disengaged himself
and marched on foot, waving his sword and uttering words of encouragement.
He had proceeded but a few yards when a grape-shot entered his side,
tearing its way through his body, and he fell where the dead lay thickest.
For a time the enemy retired, but heavy reinforcements pressed in, and they
returned, reoccupying the old ground. Not a moment was to be lost; General
Beauregard ordered forward his reserves for a second effort, and with
magnificent effect, led the charge in person. Then Russell Aubrey first
came actively upon the field. At the word of command he dashed forward with
his splendid regiment, and, high above all, towered his powerful form, with
the long black plume of his hat drifting upon the wind as he led his
admiring men.
As he pressed on, with thin nostril dilated, and eyes that burned like
those of a tiger seizing his prey, he saw, just in his path, leaning on his
elbow, covered with blood, and smeared with dust, the crushed, withering
form of his bitterest enemy. His horse's hoofs were almost upon him; he
reined him back an instant, and glared down at his old foe. It was only for
an instant, and as Major Huntingdon looked on the stalwart figure and at
the advancing regiment, life-long hatred and jealousy were
forgotten--patriotism throttled all the past in her grasp--he feebly threw
up his hand, cheered faintly, and, with his eyes on Russell's, smiled
grimly, saying, with evident difficulty--
"Beat them back, Aubrey! Give them the bayonet."
The shock was awful--beggaring language. On, on they swept, while ceaseless
cheers mingled with the cannonade; the ground was recovered, to be captured
no more. The Federals were driven back across the turnpike, and now dark
masses of reinforcements debouched on the plain, and marched toward our
left. Was it Grouchy or Blucher? Some moments of painful suspense ensued,
while General Beauregard strained his eyes to decipher the advancing
banner. Red and white and blue, certainly; but was it the ensign of
Despotism or of Liberty? Nearer and nearer came the rushing column, and lo!
upon the breeze streamed, triumphant as the Labarum of Constantine, the
Stars and Bars. Kirby Smith and Elzey--God be praised! The day was won, and
Victory nestled proudly among the folds of our new-born banner. One more
charge along our whole line, and the hireling hordes of oppression fled
panic-stricken. Russell had received a painful wound from a minnie ball,
which entered his shoulder and ranged down toward the elbow, but he
maintained his position, and led his regiment a mile in the pursuit. When
it became evident that the retreat was a complete rout, he resigned the
command to Lieutenant-Colonel Blackwell, and rode back to the battlefield.
Picking his way to avoid trampling the dead, Russell saw Major Huntingdon
at a little distance, trying to drag himself toward a neighbouring tree.
The memory of his injuries crowded upon the memory of all that he had
endured and lost through that man's prejudice--the sorrow that might have
been averted from his blind mother--and his vindictive spirit rebelled at
the thought of rendering him aid. But as he paused and struggled against
his better nature, Irene's holy face, as he saw it last, lifted in prayer
for him, rose, angel-like, above all that mass of death and horrors. The
sufferer was Irene's father; she was hundreds of miles away. Russell set
his lips firmly, and, riding up to the prostrate figure, dismounted.
Exhausted by his efforts, Major Huntingdon had fallen back in the dust, and
an expression of intolerable agony distorted his features as Russell
stooped over him, and asked in a voice meant to be gentle--
"Can I do anything for you? Could you sit up, if I placed you on my horse?"
The wounded man scowled as he recognized the voice and face, and turned his
head partially away, muttering--
"What brought you here?"
"There has never been any love between us, Major Huntingdon; but we are
fighting in the same cause for the first time in our lives. You are badly
wounded, and, as a fellow-soldier, I should be glad to relieve your
sufferings, if possible. Once more, for humanity's sake, I ask, can you
ride my horse to the rear, if I assist you to mount?"
"No. But, for God's sake, give me some water!"
Russell knelt, raised the head, and unbuckling his canteen, put it to his
lips, using his own wounded arm with some difficulty. Half of the contents
was eagerly swallowed, and the remainder Russell poured slowly on the
gaping, ghastly wound in his side. The proud man eyed him, steadily till
the last cool drop was exhausted, and said sullenly--
"You owe me no kindness, Aubrey. I hate you, and you know it. But you have
heaped coals of fire on my head. You are more generous than I thought you.
Thank you, Aubrey; lay me under that tree yonder, and let me die."
"I will try to find a surgeon. Who belongs to your regiment?"
"Somebody whom I never saw till last week. I won't have him hacking about
me. Leave me in peace."
"Do you know anything of your servant? I saw him as I came on the field."
"Poor William! he followed me so closely that he was shot through the head.
He is lying three hundred yards to the left, yonder. Poor fellow! he was
faithful to the last."
A tear dimmed the master's eagle eye as he muttered, rather than spoke,
these words.
"Then I will find Dr. Arnold at once, and send him to you."
It was no easy matter, on that crowded, confused Aceldama, and the
afternoon was well-nigh spent before Russell, faint and weary, descried Dr.
Arnold busily using his instruments in a group of wounded. He rode up, and,
having procured a drink of water and refilled his canteen, approached the
surgeon.
"Doctor, where is your horse? I want you."
"Ho, Cyrus! bring him up. What is the matter, Aubrey? You are hurt."
"Nothing serious, I think. But Major Huntingdon is desperately
wounded--mortally, I am afraid. See what you can do for him."
"You must be mistaken! I have asked repeatedly for Leonard, and they told
me he was in hot pursuit, and unhurt. I hope to Heaven you are mistaken."
"Impossible; I tell you I lifted him out of a pool of his own blood. Come;
I will show you the way."
At a hard gallop they crossed the intervening woods, and, without
difficulty, Russell found the spot where the mangled form lay still. He had
swooned, with his face turned up to the sky, and the ghastliness of death
had settled on his strongly marked, handsome features.
"God pity Irene!" said the doctor, as he bent down and examined the horrid
wound, striving to press the red lips together.
The pain caused from handling him roused the brave spirit to consciousness,
and opening his eyes he looked around wonderingly.
"Well, Hiram! it is all over with me, old fellow."
"I hope not, Leonard; can't you turn a little, and let me feel for the
ball?"
"It is of no use; I am torn all to pieces. Take me out of this dirt, on the
fresh grass somewhere."
"I must first extract the ball. Aubrey, can you help me raise him a
little?"
Administering some chloroform, he soon succeeded in taking out the ball,
and, with Russell's assistance, passed a bandage round the body.
"There is no chance for me, Hiram; I know that. I have few minutes to live.
Some water."
Russell put a cup to his white lips, and calling in the assistance of
Cyrus, who had followed his master, they carried him several yards farther,
and made him comfortable, while orders were despatched for an ambulance.
A horrible convulsion seized him at this moment, and so intense was the
agony that a groan burst through his set teeth, and he struggled to rise.
Russell knelt down and rested the haughty head against his shoulder, wiping
off the cold drops that beaded the pallid brow. After a little while,
lifting his eyes to the face bending over him, Major Huntingdon gazed into
the melancholy black eyes, and said, almost in a whisper--
"I little thought I should ever owe you thanks. Aubrey, forgive me all my
hate; you can afford to do so now. I am not a brute; I know magnanimity
when I see it. Perhaps I was wrong to visit Amy's sins on you; but I could
not forgive her. Aubrey, it was natural that I should hate Amy's son."
Again the spasm shook his lacerated frame, and twenty minutes after his
fierce, relentless spirit was released from torture; the proud, ambitious,
dauntless man was with his God.
Dr. Arnold closed the eyes with trembling fingers, and covered his face
with his hands to hide the tears that he could not repress.
For some moments silence reigned; then Dr. Arnold said suddenly--
"Come in, and let me see your arm. Your sleeve is full of blood."
An examination discovered a painful flesh-wound--the minnie ball having
glanced from the shoulder and passed out through the upper part of the arm.
In removing the coat to dress the wound, the doctor exclaimed--
"Here is a bullet-hole in the breast, which must have just missed your
heart! Was it a spent ball?"
A peculiar smile disclosed Russell's faultless teeth an instant, but he
merely took the coat, laid it over his uninjured arm, and answered--
"Don't trouble yourself about spent balls--finish your job. I must look
after my wounded."
As soon as the bandages were adjusted he walked away and took from the
inside pocket of the coat a heavy square morocco case containing Irene's
ambrotype. When the coat was buttoned as on that day, it rested over his
heart; and during the second desperate charge of General Beauregard's
lines, Russell felt a sudden thump, and, above all the roar of that scene
of carnage, heard the shivering of the glass which covered the likeness.
The morocco was torn and indented, but the ball was turned aside harmless,
and now, as he touched the spring, the fragments of glass fell at his feet.
It was evident that his towering form had rendered him a conspicuous
target; some accurate marksman had aimed at his heart, and the
ambrotype-case had preserved his life. With a countenance pale from
physical suffering, but beaming with triumphant joy for the Nation's first
great victory, he went out among the dead and dying, striving to relieve
the wounded, and to find the members of his own command.
But all of intolerable torture centred not there, awful as was the scene.
Throughout the length and breadth of the Confederacy telegraphic despatches
told that the battle was raging; and an army of women spent that 21st upon
their knees, in agonizing prayer for husbands and sons who wrestled for
their birthright on the far-off field of blood.
The people of W---- were subjected to painful suspense as hour after hour
crept by, and a dense crowd collected in front of the telegraph office,
whence floated an ominous red flag. Andrew waited on horseback to carry to
Irene the latest intelligence, and during the entire afternoon she paced
the colonnade, with her eyes fixed on the winding road. At half-past five
o'clock the solemn stillness of the sultry day was suddenly broken by a
wild, prolonged shout from the town; cheer after cheer was caught up by the
hills, echoed among the purple valleys, and finally lost in the roar of the
river. Andrew galloped up the avenue with an extra, yet damp from the
printing-press, containing the joyful tidings that McDowell's army had been
completely routed, and was being pursued toward Alexandria. Meagre was the
account--our heroes, Bee and Bartow, had fallen. No other details were
given, but the premonition, "Heavy loss on our side," sent a thrill of
horror to every womanly heart, dreading to learn the price of victory.
Irene's white face flashed as she read the despatch, and raising her hands,
exclaimed--
"Oh, thank God! thank God!"
"Shall I go back to the office?"
"Yes; I shall certainly get a despatch from father some time to-night. Go
back and wait for it. Tell Mr. Rogers, the operator, what you came for, and
ask him I say please to let you have it as soon as it arrives. And, Andrew,
bring me any other news that may come before my despatch."
As the night advanced, her face grew haggard, and the wan lips fluttered
ceaselessly. Russell she regarded as already dead to her in this world, but
for her father she wrestled desperately in spirit. Mrs. Campbell joined
her, uttering hopeful, encouraging words, and Nellie came out, with a cup
of tea on a waiter.
"Please drink your tea, just to please me, Queen. I can't bear to look at
you. In all your life I never saw you worry so. Do sit down and rest; you
have walked fifty miles since morning."
"Take it away, Nellie. I don't want it."
"But, child, it will be time enough to fret when you know Mas' Leonard is
hurt. Don't run to meet trouble; it will face you soon enough. If you won't
take the tea, for pity's sake let me get you a glass of wine."
"No; I tell you I can't swallow anything. If you want to help me, pray for
father."
She resumed her walk, with her eyes strained in the direction of the town.
Thus passed three more miserable hours; then the clang of the iron gate at
the foot of the avenue fell on her aching ear; the tramp of horses' hoofs
and roll of wheels came up the gravelled walk.
The carriage stopped; Judge Harris and his wife came up the steps,
followed slowly by Andrew, whose hat was slouched over his eyes. As they
approached Irene put out her hands wistfully.
"We have won a glorious victory, Irene, but many of our noble soldiers are
wounded. I knew you would be anxious, and we came----"
"Is my father killed!"
"Your father was wounded. He led a splendid charge."
"Wounded! No! he is killed! Andrew, tell me the truth--is father dead?"
The faithful negro could no longer repress his grief, and sobbed
convulsively, unable to reply.
"Oh, my God! I knew it!" she gasped.
The gleaming arms were thrown up despairingly, and a low, dreary cry wailed
through the stately old mansion as the orphan turned her eyes upon Nellie
and Andrew--the devoted two who had petted her from childhood.
Judge Harris led her into the library, and his weeping wife endeavoured to
offer consolation, but she stood rigid and tearless, holding out her hand
for the despatch. Finally they gave it to her and she read:--
"CHARLES T. HARRIS--
"Huntingdon was desperately wounded at three o'clock to-day, in making a
charge. He died two hours ago. I was with him. The body leaves to-morrow
for W----.
"HIRAM ARNOLD."
The paper fell from her fingers; with a dry sob she turned from them, and
threw herself on the sofa, with her face of woe to the wall. So passed the
night.