Chapter I: Preface

This story has been written with no desire to revive or even to keep alive the spirit of the struggle between the States.

Nevertheless the facts which have made our history and the forces which have entered into the making of the life of our country ought not to be ignored or forgotten. The effect of the conflict was too great for that. The Civil War is now far enough away to enable us to see the heroic, dramatic, and even romantic elements that composed it; and all these, too, free from the bitterness which naturally was characteristic of the times.

To-day each side understands the other better, and with a more complete knowledge is able to see more clearly the sterling qualities of both contestants.

The appreciation of the importance of Lee's first attempt to invade the North is necessary if one is to understand the struggle which followed. The dash, spirit, and skill of the great Southern leader, as well as the energy and the daring of his lieutenants, are seen to-day more clearly than in the times when his effort was made. What the consequence would have been if General Lee had succeeded, all can appreciate. The battle of Antietam was almost a pivot of the great Civil War.

That my young readers may gain a more complete knowledge of the daring advance of the great Southern general and the result which followed when his army was turned back into Virginia, I have written this story. My hope is that it will lead to a careful study of the conflict, and that boys, North and South alike, may be led into an increased knowledge of and interest in our common country.

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.

CONTENTS

I. THE IRISHMAN AND HIS PIG 1

II. THE SUTLER'S GOODS 13

III. INTERCEPTED 27

IV. THE V IN THE FENCE 38

V. THE PLAN OF GENERAL LEE 47

VI. LONG JOHN 54

VII. CAUGHT 63

VIII. UNDER GUARD 72

IX. THE PLOT 83

X. INTO THE STORM 93

XI. NICK 102

XII. THE GIANT 113

XIII. FRIENDS OF THE UNION 124

XIV. THE SUTLER AS A GUIDE 135

XV. WARLIKE BEES 146

XVI. A HELPER 154

XVII. THE GUEST ROOM 166

XVIII. THE FIRE 177

XIX. AT THE FORK 188

XX. THE STACK OF STRAW 198

XXI. THE CARPET-BAG 207

XXII. A MYSTERY 217

XXIII. THE GUARD-HOUSE 227

XXIV. A FRUITLESS INTERVIEW 236

XXV. THE EXECUTION 248

XXVI. THE TEST 260

XXVII. THE SHARPSHOOTERS 270

XXVIII. THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION 280

XXIX. THE BATTLE 290

XXX. THE FOLLOWING DAY 302

XXXI. ANTIETAM 311

XXXII. CONCLUSION 323

ILLUSTRATIONS

THEY WERE FALLING BY SCORES (PAGE 303) _Frontispiece_

"DEY SAY YO' HAB HAWNS" 58

NOEL HEARD THE BULLET AS IT WHISTLED PAST 152

"WHO'S IN THERE?" 200

_From drawings by George Avison_

THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM