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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1888)
THE WEST SHORE. foqawl hh r Kirn. He always felt better after read ir,g ouo of th'rtw ktWs; they increased the ray of bnj hr had pnnittnl himself to indulge in, and mud him long to writ" to Amy, telling her that with hch day'a nliM'DO', his love for her increased. Once, hil in ol f three mooda, he got out his writing material and actually commenced a letter to her, but r -rDpntrf'ring h) liromiae to her father, ho tore the half. written letu-r into fragments and scattered them in iU wind. After that time, he did not attempt to riU prcforrioj to wait for some encouraging word from Amy. Would that word ever come? Tom did not remain a private soldier long. Being a patriot, h waa, therefore, a good soldier. No word of complaint waa uttered by him at the many hard hij lf aa railed upon to undergo, always ready for any hmrdoua undertaking requiring more than ordi nary courage to jierfurm. Such exemplary conduct n the part of a soldier, was sure to attract the atten tiosi of hi puprrior oflicera, and to meet with a proper reward. He had already been made a non-oommis-.nod officer, to fill the place of one who had lost his if- 10 battle. One day in December, just beforo the battle of Htono river, ho was summoned to headquar- P,1,, rriviDg al tho CAf,tAin'8 t0Dt. that officer t,n a Urge envelop bearing the official tamp of the secretary of war. M That," aaid the captain, hamlin lim a 1 l v . 6 UD CUVfl- 1 N','r"""'1' coomWon u captain, in "' ),ur ''itMo1 Plriotim to l"., X,M i0 ,;gratu,atin(. I-n.Wbg.h.tlWrea.uM not h J nrnro wurlhjr ri,irar -I JWI1'?" " "urtT:l, would but faintly -I I'ttllo" til "f"1"'1 'hi,; ta "M t. . . Iur iuo one e ro " in Ik v,Cv K " only i tut ,-o ,,, . "r"; MJ' ,o w - - lJflL 1111 - , others who are more entitled to this honor than my. self." His comrades did not think as he did, and when they heard of his promotion, they gathered at the captain's quarters to offer him their sincere congratn. latum In reply to their many kind expressions, he " While I recognize my unworthiness, I shall at all times endeavor to do my duty in whatever position I may be assigned." As Tom had always been a good private soldier he was sure to make an efficient officer. Two days after his commission was handed him, he was given the command of a company in his own regiment Two weeks from that time, he was called upon to lead his company into battle. He went into this engage ment with new hopes and feelings hopes that he might gain on the field, honor and distinction, and thus command the respect of those above him in rank. These thoughts were not for himself alone, but for one far dearer, to whom he longed to communicate the news of his good fortune. He became impatient, now, for the expected battle to take place, that he might lead his men to victory, and to let those who had shown confidence in him see that he would at least try not to disappoint them. Early in the mornins of DaramliAr am iftfio u ore the sun had begun its circuit, or darkness had .. B'ven way to day, and while many of the sol diers were wrapped in their blankets, dreaming, per. haps of the wives and little ones far away in the northern homes, the sanguinary battle of Murfrees uoro began. The rebels made a furious attack upon the Union Pickets dming them bad into the camp of the main L, aT, 8 Budden mi apeeted was this oops mto he 0 balt,9 to tepe, th k their "nu 8 men M W a from tri!.'!'-'1 genMal Pani S Union r to r rnent-but the me to save the armv t n. . . man.linrr ,k J m Ulter roul- com h a id oft0'' 8v!Q,realized Q with most dcmoral 7i ' ln TallB th6 yinc back int i , U1U0 BS 10 Bena inem ilo tVu, ! W- tey with eo much e ; i,MC;m6 the timber; and others, 8 f'om bullet wounds, were car- moments befora all day. Brave meu cnemv imni . "luraerous are wmcn . from Z. m otters had limbs canon balls, as