er.--John Brown, and what Willard thought of him.--Principles
above bribe.--Examination.--A sleepless night.--Haunted by the
"ghost of possible defeat."--"Here is your certificate."--The school
at Schodack Centre.--At the "Normal" again.--The Edwards
School.--Thirty pupils at two dollars each.--The "soldier
school-master."--Teachers at East Schodack.--The runaway
ride.--Good-by mittens, robes and whip!--Close of school at East
Schodack 102

CHAPTER XI.

INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY LIFE.

The mutterings of war.--Enlistment.--At Camp Howe.--First experience
as a soldier.--"One step to the front!"--Beyond Washington.--On
guard.--Promotion.--Recruiting service.--The deserted home on
Arlington Heights.--"How shall I behave in the coming battle?"--The
brave Bayard.--On the march.--The stratagem at Falmouth Heights.--A
brilliant charge.--After the battle 118

CHAPTER XII.

FIRST BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION.

The sentinel's lonely round.--General Pope in command of the
army.--Is gunboat service effective?--First cavalry battle of Brandy
Station.--Under a rain of bullets.--Flipper's orchard.--"Bring on
the brigade, boys!"--Capture of Confederate prisoners.--Story of a
revolver.--Cedar Mountain.--Burial of the dead rebel.--Retreat from
the Rapidan.--The riderless horse.--Death of Captain Walters 128

CHAPTER XIII.

MANASSAS AND FREDERICKSBURG.

Manassas.--The flying troops.--The unknown hero.--Desperate
attempt to stop the retreat.--Recruiting the decimated
ranks.--Fredericksburg.--Bravery of Meagher's brigade.--The
impregnable heights.--The cost of battles.--Death of
Bayard.--Outline of his life 135

CHAPTER XIV.

UNWRITTEN HISTORY.

"What boots a weapon in a withered hand?"--A thunderbolt
wasted.--War upon hen-roosts.--A bit of unpublished history.--A
fierce fight with Hampton's cavalry.--In one red burial blent.--From
camp to home.--Troubles never come singly.--The combat.--The
capture.--A superfluity of Confederate politeness.--Lights and
shadows 14