heir State. The
government knew the temper of the Southern people, and was well aware
that the desire to emulate the example of such heroes as Marion would
draw into the service many a dashing youngster who might otherwise stay
out of it. What could be more alluring to a hot-head like Rodney Gray
than the wild, free, and glorious life which the simple word "partisan"
conjured up? The ruse, for that's just what it was, proved successful.
Partisan companies sprung into existence all over the South, but in less
than twelve months after the war began there was not one of them in the
service. Neither were there any such things as State troops.

When Morgan and Forrest were first heard of they were known and
acknowledged as partisans; and the former carried his partisanship so
far that when General Buckner declined to give him permission to act
upon his own responsibility, he took possession of a deserted house,
went into camp there, and supported his men out of his own pocket; but
before the war closed both he and Forrest were Confederate generals, and
their men were regularly sworn into the Confederate service.

We said that the State troops also had ceased to exist, and the
following incident proves it: When the Governor of Arkansas called upon
his troops, who were serving in the Army of the Center, to come home at
once and save their State from threatened invasion, General Beauregard
ought to have permitted them to obey the summons. He could not do
otherwise and be consistent, for if the eleven rebellious States made
the Confederacy, they surely had the right to unmake it. But did he live
up to the principles for which he was fighting? On the contrary he
surrounded those Arkansas troops with a wall of gleaming bayonets backed
by frowning batteries, and gave them just five minutes to make up their
minds whether or not they would return to duty. The government at
Richmond was a despotism of the worst sort, as more than one poor,
deluded rebel found to his sorrow; and yet Jefferson Davis and the rest
of them stoutly maintained that they were fighting for the right of the
States to do as they pleased.

"I don't consider myself bound to stay in the company for no other
reason than because my name is on that muster-roll," said Randolph.

"Stick to it and we'll back you up," whispered the recruit on Tom's
right.

"If I drop out of the ranks will you come too?" whispered Randolph, in
reply.

"I will, and so will all the re