Undivided Union

Edward Stratemeyer

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pubOne.info thank you for your continued support and wish to present you this new edition. The outline and incomplete material of AN UNDIVIDED UNION were left among the papers of the late William T. Adams (Oliver Optic), and the same notes that were to complete the Blue and Gray - On Land series also closed the life-work of America's best-known writer of boys' stories.

Informations

• Publié par: Pub One Info
• Date de parution: 23 octobre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9782819914020
• Langue: English

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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
The outline and incomplete material of AN UNDIVIDEDUNION were left among the papers of the late William T. Adams("Oliver Optic"), and the same notes that were to complete the"Blue and Gray – On Land" series also closed the life-work ofAmerica's best-known writer of boys' stories.
There has been a constant demand that thisunfinished concluding volume be prepared for publication, and Mr.Edward Stratemeyer, author of the remarkably popular "Old Glory"series, based upon the Spanish-American war, undertook the task ofpicking up the threads of the narrative and carrying it to such aconclusion as was evidently intended. He has performed the workdevotedly and successfully, and sustained the harmony of the seriesto the end.
The publishers take this opportunity to pay tributeto the memory of Mr. Adams, whose name has been inseparablyconnected with this house for so many years. Such was his loyaltythat no manuscript for publication in bound form was ever given toany other publisher, and the present volume is the one hundred andeighth to bear the magical name of "Optic." It is gratifying to beable to record that in return for his steadfastness in remaining bythe house of his choice through prosperity and adversity an actualsale of more than two million copies of Mr. Adams's books has beenreached, while the present season finds them enjoying undiminishedfavor.
No more striking testimonial could be asked than theconstant applications from men of mature life for the books that socharmed them as boys, in order that their own sons may have thesame enjoyment. Or, could anything be more conclusive than that oneof the most prominent men in the public life of our state stillturns to his favorite "Oliver Optic" books for pleasurable reliefwhen the cares of the day have made rest seem almost animpossibility?
Critics come and critics go, but the hold of "OliverOptic" upon the popular mind remains unchanged. No mean-souled mancould so endure. As he said himself: "I have never written a storywhich could excite the love, admiration, and sympathy of the readerfor an evil-minded person or bad character. This has been mystandard; and, however others may regard it, I still deem it a safeone." All who had any connection with the publication of Mr.Adams's works loved the man, and his visits were marked withcheerful words for each one, in whatever capacity employed, andwill linger helpfully while life remains. All who knew him join inhonoring the unfailing kindness and clean, true nature of thisgreat writer and noble friend of youth. LEE AND SHEPARD. APRIL 1,1899.
PREFACE
"AN UNDIVIDED UNION" is the sixth and last volume ofthe "Blue and Gray – On Land" series. Like its predecessors itrelates the adventures of the Riverlawn Cavalry, a Union regiment,raised in Kentucky, and participating in the daring campaignsundertaken by the Army of the Cumberland. The fifth volume of theseries left the regiment at Murfreesboro, after most gallantservice performed at the battle of Stone River; in the present bookis given an account of the operations around Murfreesboro, beforeTullahoma, and through the bloody battles of Chickamauga,Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and other contestsleading up to Sherman's famous March to the Sea.
As in the other stories of this series, Deck Lyonhas again come to the front as a daring hero, but his achievementsare closely seconded by his foster brother, Artie, and by the firmfriend of the two, Captain Life Knox. If Deck does some smartthings, it must be remembered that he was a smart young man or hewould not have risen to be senior major, first battalion, of theRiverlawns. Besides this, the major still had with him his famouscharger, Ceph, a steed with almost human intelligence on certainpoints, and one that had helped him to escape from many a perilousposition.
In the completion of this work some thirtyauthorities have been consulted, including the Government Records,records of the Army of the Cumberland, and biographies of theprincipal generals on both sides who took part in the variousoperations. Thus the book has been made, from an historicalstandpoint, as accurate as possible. It may be that errors havecrept in, but if so it is hoped that they will not be of sufficientimportance to mar the general usefulness of the volume, outside ofits value as a bit of fiction.
CHAPTER I
A CALL FOR ASSISTANCE "How many miles have we stillto go, Deck?" "Not over seven by this road, Artie," replied MajorDeck Lyon, commanding the first battalion, Riverlawn Cavalry, ofKentucky. "I should think the surroundings would begin to lookfamiliar to you, even if we have been away from home for sometime." "I never frequented this road," exclaimed Captain ArtieLyon, commanding the fourth company of the Riverlawns. "Doesn't itrun into that cut where you saved Kate Belthorpe and the rest ofher party from that gang of so-styled 'Home Guard' ruffians?" "Ibelieve it does," was the slow response, and Major Dexter Lyonblushed; for although the incident referred to had occurred manymonths before, it was still fresh in his mind, as were also thebeautiful face and bewitching eyes of the maiden. The young majorwas but nineteen years of age, and it could hardly be said that hewas in love, yet a warm attachment had sprung up between these twopeople. "Does your wound trouble you in riding, Artie?" he went on,to change the subject, and thus prevent his cousin from teasing himin his most susceptible spot. "Not enough to count." Artie pausedto urge his lagging horse ahead. "I wonder if any of Morgan'sdesperadoes are in this neighborhood. I understood from whatCaptain Ripley said that they were trying to overrun the wholeState. It's a pity we haven't more of such first-classsharpshooters around as he commands." "What's the matter with LifeKnox's tall boys, Artie? I reckon they can shoot about as well asany of Ripley's men, even though they are not as well drilled. If Iknow anything about it, Life is a whole host in himself." "Oh, Iagree with you there, Deck." There was another pause as the pair ofhorsemen swung around a heavily wooded bend. "What a pity fathercouldn't get a furlough to come home with us. I don't believe hewould have been missed, when the main body of the Department of theCumberland is doing nothing but keeping an eye on Bragg. Mother andthe girls would have been delighted to see – Hullo, if there isn'tLevi Bedford coming this way – and with half a dozen of the boys!Something is up, sure!"
As Captain Artie broke off, a tall, heavy-set man,mounted on a coal-black horse, burst into view, riding at a highrate of speed. Behind the man came six stout negroes; and all ofthe party carried guns, and the white man a pistol in addition."Hi, Levi!" yelled Major Deck, as soon as the party of seven camewithin hailing distance. "Deck!" burst out the overseer ofRiverlawn. "And Artie, by all that's fortunate!" "De youngmars'rs!" came from several of the colored men. "Proud to see yo',Mars'r Dexter, an' Mars'r Artie!"
At this Deck and Artie smiled on the slaves. Deckshook hands with Levi Bedford, and Artie followed suit. "Is thereany special reason for this meeting being fortunate, Levi?"questioned the major, anxiously. "I think so," was the hastyanswer. "Less than two hours ago, and just after I had made therounds at Riverlawn, to make sure that everything was all right,and no marauders in sight, I received this note." And the overseerpassed over a small sheet of note-paper, upon which a few lineswere written in pencil, in a small hand. "DEAR MR. BEDFORD: If youcan, come to our assistance at once. A detachment of three soldiersof Morgan's cavalry has arrived at Lyndhall. One of the three is toreturn to his company at once and bring them here to plunder theestate. I am at home alone with my sister Kate and three servants.The negro who delivers this is a stranger to me, but well known tomy father. "MARGIE BELTHORPE." "Kate in danger!" The words leftDeck's lips before he could think to repress them. "Levi, we mustnot waste a moment in getting to Lyndhall!" "Just my idea,"responded the overseer. "I didn't lose a minute in getting the boystogether, after I received that. Some of the boys were out in theback pasture, rounding up two stallions that broke away; but I sentword for them to follow, and I reckon they'll soon be after us,four or five strong." "Four more will give you eleven men, countingyourself. Artie and I will make thirteen. An unlucky number – forthose ruffians, if we get to Lyndhall in time. Forward!" and MajorDeck wheeled his horse, followed by Captain Artie; and away wentthe entire party at the best speed their animals could command.
The time was the middle of the month of January,1863, and the Army of the Cumberland, under General Rosecrans, wasresting in and around Murfreesboro. The long, stubborn fight atStone River had exhausted the men, and no new campaign could beundertaken until the wrecked and burned lines of communication wererestored, the army reclothed and otherwise put into proper shape,and the necessary steps taken to make Murfreesboro safe as a newbase of supplies.
As the readers of the former volumes of this seriesknow, the Riverlawn Cavalry was one of the first to be organized inthe State of Kentucky, at the time when the Commonwealth was stillundecided as to whether it should remain in the Union or throw itslot in with the Confederacy. The original body of men, forming twocompanies, had been raised very largely by Noah Lyon, the father ofDexter, who had used them in putting down the lawless uprisings ofthe Home Guards of the neighborhood – a mob of unprincipled fellowswho, under the guise of wishing to defend Kentucky's neutralityduring the great conflict, secretly plotted to aid the Confederacy,and later on, when the Commonwealth declared for the Union,promptly joined the ranks of the Secessionists.
From two companies the command had developed to afull regiment of twelve compa