Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/56

28 a great state of trepidation—some even packing up their clothing, in case they were taken prisoners.

I was excited, as was natural, but had no notion of being carried off by Gen. Lee's posts. But the days passed, and quiet settled upon us again, as we learned that the alarm had been occasioned by the presence of raiders, foraging on the farms near Sandy Springs. It was too bad to disappoint so many who made loud protestations of bravery, but there was many a sigh of relief heard that no sound of rebel drums echoed along the valley, and no rattle of musketry proclaimed the meeting of hostile forces.

Now the grand army had broken camp, and were again on the move, no one could tell where, while Lee's men swept like a whirlwind through Maryland, and up into Pennsylvania, and men rallied to the defence of their homes; with hands unused to labor, they took spade, and shovel, and pick, and went into the work. It must be a good thing to stir up the patriotisms of stagnant blood in the human heart. Those who had listened to prudential reasoning of business cares, now trusted the intricate work to other hands, and proved themselves capable of brave things—when the war was to be waged over their own hearths.

The latent soul fired up, and the coward who took his life, and left home and friends, beareth forever after the mark upon his forehead. Better to die one brave death fighting over the bodies of the slain, than to die the thousand deaths of fear which convulse the