Chapter II: Preface

"AN UNDIVIDED UNION" is the sixth and last volume of the "Blue and Gray--On Land" series. Like its predecessors it relates the adventures of the Riverlawn Cavalry, a Union regiment, raised in Kentucky, and participating in the daring campaigns undertaken by the Army of the Cumberland. The fifth volume of the series left the regiment at Murfreesboro, after most gallant service performed at the battle of Stone River; in the present book is given an account of the operations around Murfreesboro, before Tullahoma, and through the bloody battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and other contests leading up to Sherman's famous March to the Sea.

As in the other stories of this series, Deck Lyon has again come to the front as a daring hero, but his achievements are closely seconded by his foster brother, Artie, and by the firm friend of the two, Captain Life Knox. If Deck does some smart things, it must be remembered that he was a smart young man or he would not have risen to be senior major, first battalion, of the Riverlawns. Besides this, the major still had with him his famous charger, Ceph, a steed with almost human intelligence on certain points, and one that had helped him to escape from many a perilous position.

In the completion of this work some thirty authorities have been consulted, including the Government Records, records of the Army of the Cumberland, and biographies of the principal generals on both sides who took part in the various operations. Thus the book has been made, from an historical standpoint, as accurate as possible. It may be that errors have crept in, but if so it is hoped that they will not be of sufficient importance to mar the general usefulness of the volume, outside of its value as a bit of fiction.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I PAGE

A CALL FOR ASSISTANCE 1

CHAPTER II

AN UNEXPECTED SET-BACK 13

CHAPTER III

THE ENCOUNTERS AT THE BRIDGE AND ON THE RAFT 26

CHAPTER IV

A FIRST VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY 40

CHAPTER V

TWO FLAGS OF TRUCE 53

CHAPTER VI

A MISSING DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE 67

CHAPTER VII

IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED 80

CHAPTER VIII

THE ENGAGEMENT NEAR SPRING HILL 95

CHAPTER IX

MAJOR DECK LYON MAKES A PROMISE 109

CHAPTER X

A TRIP ON A RAFT 123

CHAPTER XI

THE ENCOUNTER AT THE RAILROAD TRESTLE 137

CHAPTER XII

IN THE BURNING COTTON MILL 150

CHAPTER XIII

AN ADVANCE ALL ALONG THE LINE 163

CHAPTER XIV

ARTIE IS MADE A PRISONER 176

CHAPTER XV

GOSSLEY THE GUERILLA 189

CHAPTER XVI

THE HOLDING-UP OF THE CLOSED CARRIAGE 203

CHAPTER XVII

THE CAPTURE OF THE CONFEDERATE SPY 216

CHAPTER XVIII

THE EVACUATION OF TULLAHOMA 228

CHAPTER XIX

IN WHICH THE RIVERLAWNS ARE CAUGHT IN A TRAP 242

CHAPTER XX

MAJOR LYON WINS A BATTLE AND LOSES HIS HORSE 256

CHAPTER XXI

CROSSING THE TENNESSEE RIVER 269

CHAPTER XXII

THE SIGNALS IN THE DARK 281

CHAPTER XXIII

AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE ON THE MOUNTAINS 294

CHAPTER XXIV

OPERATIONS IN MCLEMORE'S COVE 306

CHAPTER XXV

"HOLD THE HILL FOR TEN MINUTES, AT ANY COST!" 320

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA 333

CHAPTER XXVII

MAJOR LYON PLAYS THE PART OF A SPY 346

CHAPTER XXVIII

AN ADVENTURE AT CRAWFISH SPRINGS 359

CHAPTER XXIX

MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL 372

CHAPTER XXX

A FRIEND IN NEED 386

CHAPTER XXXI

THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES 398

CHAPTER XXXII

THE SECOND DAY AT CHICKAMAUGA 412

CHAPTER XXXIII

CAPTAIN ARTIE LYON IS SHOT DOWN 426

CHAPTER XXXIV

MAJOR LYON MAKES A DISCOVERY AND DELIVERS A MESSAGE 440

CHAPTER XXXV

THE SIEGE OF CHATTANOOGA AND A HUNT FOR DRUGS 453

CHAPTER XXXVI

FIERCE FIGHTING--AN UNDIVIDED UNION--CONCLUSION 468

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"'Water,' he murmured. 'Water!'" _Frontispiece_

PAGE
"'Surrender, or you are a dead man!'" 32

"'So we meet again,' was the salutation Artie received." 190

"His foot caught the man in the face." 249

Captain Vallingham attempting to escape. 308

"'Say, Major, tumble right down yere!'" 352

"He found himself face to face with the Confederate captain." 428

AN UNDIVIDED UNION