FIGHTING JOE.
CAPTAIN SOMERS, though he said nothing to his companion about the remark
to which they had listened, could not help thinking about it. The
regular and himself had been alluded to as Yankee officers. It was
evident that some one was present who ought not to be present; but as a
guest in the house, it was not competent for him to investigate the
meaning of the suspicious words.
Major Riggleston presently returned to the drawing-room, attended by an
elderly gentleman, whom he introduced as his father, and a beautiful but
majestic and haughty young lady of eighteen, whom he introduced as Miss
Maud Hasbrouk. When Somers heard her voice, which was as musical as the
rippling of a mountain rill, he recognized the tones of the person who
had used the doubtful words in the adjoining room.
The old gentleman was happy to see the visitors, especially as they
belonged to the Union army, whose presence was welcome to him after the
visit of the rebels. He hoped that General McClellan would be able to
drive the invaders from the soil—conquer, capture, and exterminate them.
His words were certainly strong enough to vouch for his loyalty; and
these, added to the fact that the major was an officer in the Maryland
Home Brigade, satisfied Somers that he had not fallen into a nest of
rebels and traitors, as the obnoxious remark, not intended for his ears,
had almost led him to believe.
“The more true men we have here the better; for we have been completely
overrun by traitors,” said the old gentleman, alluding to the visit of
Lee’s army.
“You use strong words, Mr. Riggleston,” added the lady, whose bright
eyes flashed as she spoke.
“I say what I mean,” continued the host.
“Is there any doubt of the fact that the state has been invaded by the
rebels?” asked Somers, with a smile.
“None whatever; but Mr. Riggleston called them traitors,” replied Miss
Hasbrouk.
“Is there any doubt of that fact?”
“Are men who are fighting for the dearest rights of man traitors?”
demanded she, warmly.
“Undoubtedly not. But the rebels are not fighting for any such thing.”
“I beg your pardon, Captain Somers. I think they are. Permit me to add,
that I am a rebel.”
“I am very sorry to hear it,” laughed Somers, pleased with the spirit,
no less than the beauty, of the lady.
“I suppose you are,” replied she. “The South is fighting for the right
of self-government—for its own existence. The right of secession is just
as evident to me as the right to live.”
The question of secession was fully discussed by the lady and Somers,
but both of them were in the best of humor. Neither contestant succeeded
in convincing the other on a single point; and when the party were
called to supper, they had advanced just about as far as the statesmen
had when the momentous issue was handed over to the arbitrament of arms.
It was a matter to be adjusted by hard fighting; and as Miss Hasbrouk
and Somers did not intend to settle the question in this rude manner,
the subject was dropped.
The family, so far as Somers could judge, were loyal people. The
imperial young lady, who was a fit type of the southern character, was
only a visitor. In spite of her proud and haughty bearing, she was a
very agreeable person, and the guests enjoyed her society.
“I am a rebel,” said she, as they sat down to supper; “but I am, sorely
against my will, I confess, a non-combatant, and we are now on neutral
ground. We will bury our differences, then, Captain Somers, and be
friends.”
“With all my heart,” replied the gallant young captain.
A very pleasant evening was spent in the drawing-room, during which Miss
Hasbrouk affected the company of Somers rather than that of the regular,
who appeared to be as stoical in society as he was on the road. She was
lively, witty, and fascinating, and seemed to be very much delighted
with the society of the young staff officer. He was an exceedingly
good-looking fellow, it is true; but he was a Yankee, and she made no
secret of her aversion to Yankees in general. He was an exception to the
rule, and she compelled him to relate the history of his brief campaign
at Petersburg. She laughed at the chagrin of Dr. Scoville, when his
invalid took to himself wings and flew away; but she took no pains to
conceal her sympathy with the cause of the Confederacy.
At an early hour the officers retired; and as they announced their
intention to depart at daylight in the morning, they took leave of the
ladies. Miss Hasbrouk was so kind as to hope she might meet the captain
again; for notwithstanding his vile political affinities, he was a
sensible person.
Before the sun rose, Somers and the regular were in the saddle. The
major, whose route lay in a different direction, was no longer their
companion. The headquarters of the first army corps were on the
Monocacy; and thither the travellers wended their way through a
beautiful country, which excited the admiration even of the stoical
captain of the regulars, though it was no new scene to him.
The reveille was sounding in the camps of the Pennsylvania Reserves as
they passed through on their way to the tent of the commanding general.
They reached their destination, and their names were sent in by an
orderly in attendance.
“Captain Somers, I am glad to see you,” said the general, at a later
hour, when they obtained an audience.
“Thank you, general; I am very grateful for the kindness and
consideration you have bestowed upon me,” replied Somers.
“You are an aid-de-camp now; but I ought to say that I gave you the
appointment because you are a good fellow on a scout.”
“I will do my best in whatever position you may place me.”
“You were rather unfortunate in your last trip, but you accomplished the
work I gave you to do. We shall do some hard fighting in a day or two,
and there will be sharp work for you before that comes off.”
“I am ready, general. Every man is ready to march or fight as long as he
can stand while you are in command.”
“I will see you again in an hour, Somers,” said the general, as he
turned to Captain Barkwood, who belonged to the engineers, and had been
assigned to a position on the staff.
Somers soon made the acquaintance of the general’s “military family.”
His position and rank were defined in the general orders, and duly
promulgated. From those around him he obtained all the current knowledge
in regard to the situation of the rebel army, which was posted in the
Catoctin valley, with the South Mountain range in the rear, whose gaps
and passes it was to defend.
At the time appointed Captain Somers again stood in the presence of the
general, who was his beau-ideal of all that was grand and heroic in the
military chieftain. He was a tall, straight, well-formed man, with a
ruddy complexion, flecked with little thready veins, and a muscular
frame. His eye was full of energy; he spoke with his eye as much as with
his voice. His military history was familiar to the nation. He was a
decided man, and his decision had won him his first appointment in the
army. He said what he meant, and meant what he said. His energy of
character had made him a success from the beginning. His faith in
himself and his faith in the loyal army were unbounded. He fought and
conquered by the force of his mighty will. He attempted only what was
possible, and triumphed through the faith of an earnest soul. His
military judgment was of the highest order, and when he had decided what
could be done, he did it. His conclusions, however suddenly reached,
were not the offspring of impulse; they were carefully drawn from
well-founded premises. His quick eye and his solid judgment rapidly
collated all the facts in regard to an enemy’s strength, relative
situation, and advantage of position; and from them he promptly deduced
the conclusion whether to fight or not—how, when, and where to fight.
The general’s pet name was “Fighting Joe;” and by this appellation he
was known and loved in the army. But he was not a rash man; he made no
unconsidered movements. If the term implies rashness and blundering
impetuosity, it is a misnomer; but, after Williamsburg, Glendale,
Malvern, South Mountain, Antietam, Lookout Mountain, who could mistake
its meaning? for his battles were too uniformly successful to be the
issues of merely headlong courage and unmatured strategy. All his
operations on the splendid fields where he has so gloriously
distinguished himself, exhibit a head as well as an arm; carefully
considered plan, as well as bold and determined execution.
The mention of “Fighting Joe” warmed the hearts of the soldiers. He was
more popular than any other general in the army. Our soldiers were
thinking men, as well as brave ones. They could not love and honor a
general who led them into the forefront of battle to be entrapped and
sacrificed. They could not believe in a man whose highest recommendation
was brute courage. “Fighting Joe” was one of the ablest strategists in
the army; and, wherever he has justified his title as a fighting man, he
has also displayed the highest skill and judgment, and a profound
knowledge and appreciation of the science of war.
Somers stood before the general with a certain feeling of awe and
reverence, which one experiences in the presence of a truly great man.
There was no time to talk of the past, for the present and the future
were full of trials and cares—were full of a nation’s life and hope.
Fighting Joe was cool and self-possessed, as he always was, even in the
mad rage of the hottest fight; but he was earnest and anxious. He was
even now doing that work which wins battles quite as much as the fiery
onslaught.
Burnside was in command of the right wing of the army, which occupied
the vicinity of Frederick. The rebels had just been driven out of
Middletown, and the cannon was roaring beyond Catoctin Creek; but it was
evident to the general that no pitched battle could take place that day.
He wanted certain information, which he thought Captain Somers was smart
enough to procure for him. A map lay on the table in the tent, and in a
few telling words he explained what he wanted.
“Don’t be rash, Somers,” said he, as the aid-de-camp rose to depart.
“Intelligent courage is what we want. I shall depend upon you for skill
and discretion as well as dash and boldness.”
“I will do the best I can,” replied the captain, as he left the tent and
mounted his horse.
He dashed off towards Middletown, as the army commenced its march in the
same direction. He reached this place before noon, and agreeably to his
instructions, pursued a northerly course, until he reached a point
beyond the active operations of Pleasanton’s cavalry, which was scouring
the country. Leaving his horse at a farm-house, he advanced on foot to
the westward of the creek, until he discovered the outposts of the rebel
army. Small squads of Confederate cavalry were beating about this
region, and Somers was obliged to dodge them several times. But he
obtained his information, and fully acquainted himself with the nature
of the country, and the situation of the rebels to the north of the
Cumberland road.
It was three o’clock in the afternoon when he had completed his
reconnaissance, and he was nearly exhausted by the long walk he had
taken, and the excitement of his occupation. He was at least two miles
from the farm-house where he had left his horse. He had eaten nothing
since breakfast, and he was faint for the want of food. He walked one
mile, and stopped to rest near an elegant mansion, which evidently
belonged to one of the grandees of Maryland. He was tempted to visit the
house and procure some refreshment; but, as he was alone, and knew
nothing of the political status of the occupants, he did not deem it
prudent to do so.
After resting a short time, he rose and continued his weary walk towards
the farm-house. As he passed the door of the elegant mansion, a chaise
stopped at the gate, and a young officer handed a lady from the vehicle.
A servant led the horse away. The lady paused at the gate, and appeared
to be observing him. Somers could think of no reason why the lady should
watch him, and he continued on his course till he came within a few feet
of the spot where she stood.
“Captain Somers!” exclaimed she; “I am delighted to see you again so
soon.”
“Miss Hasbrouk,” replied he, not a little surprised to find in her his
rebel friend, whom he had met in Frederick the preceding evening.
“This is an unexpected pleasure,” added she, extending her hand, which
the young man took.
“I should hardly have expected to meet you at this distance from
Frederick.”
“O, I reside here; this is my father’s house. You are some distance from
the Yankee army.”
“As you are a rebel, it is hardly proper for me to inform you why I
happen to be here,” laughed he. “I am an invalid, and am walking for my
health.”
“It is well you are away from your army, for they will all be captured
in a few days.”
“Perhaps not; but I shall be with the army before night.”
“This is Major Riggleston,” said she, turning to the gentleman, who had
followed the servant to the stable, and had just returned.
“How do you do, again, major?” said Somers.
“Happy to meet you, Captain Somers,” replied the major, not very
cordially.
“Now you must come into the house, Captain Somers. It is just dinner
time with us,” continued the lady.
Somers was too faint and hungry to refuse.
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