an hour, read a chapter, and ate a cracker for breakfast. We were soon relieved from our. position. I hope we may get settled for a few days somewhere; then I will write something besides these every-day occurrences.

"Adieu.

"MEAD."

CHAPTER VI.

THE FIRST BATTLE.

The patriot soldier - Severe marching-Scanty food - Excessive fatigue Battle of Perryville - Fearful scenes Cold - Salt River- Comments on officers - Birthday - Illness Army luxuries- Trust in God.

HAVE thus allowed our young soldier to speak for himself, giving a brief insight into the perplexities and suspense of armylife at that time of alarm. I am just

asked, "How could you consent to Mead's joining the army?" I answer, "How could I deny his appeal, so patriotic and Christian?" He felt it his duty to go, as much as Paul did to go up to Jerusalem. Had the heavens opened, and a voice spoken to him by name, I could have felt no better satisfied that it was of the Lord. What his purpose was, we could not see beyond the present hour. It was enough to know that Mead did not act from restlessness or love of adventure or thoughts of gain or pledges of promotion, but from the purest motives of Christian patriotism. If he could give up the endearments of home and friends, and

face the hardships, privations, and dangers of a soldier's life, casting himself into the "imminent deadly breach," in the very crisis of our national struggle; if he had the devotion and faith to go forward, trusting in God that, living or dying, all would be well, how could we resist? It would have been little less than treason and rebellion against God and our country. If any pecuniary sacrifice would have answered the call, satisfied his sense of right and duty, and accomplished his mission, I could have submitted to it cheerfully; "But," said he, "it is men, true men, the country needs." He had no doubt of his duty, however our hearts might recoil; God called him and us to the terrible baptism of tears and blood; there was no escape.

But we will again let him give, in his own way, the record of the weary march which now commenced :

"BLOOMFIELD,

"13 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky., Oct. 5.

"DEAR PARENTS:

"You may know how busy I am when I say, our seventh move only began our march. Leaving our tents, which we had had one night only, and knapsacks and overcoats, the first day out we made eighteen miles, and camped with the

division. The day was hot, and a great number fell out; when the "Stack arms!" was given, only twelve of our company came up. I was all right. The reason of so many falling out is the scarcity of water; several thousands being ahead, they use it up. The next day things went better. We are now in the camp where the rebels were last night. You see, Bragg's army is just ahead; but we halt to-day, and that gives him a chance. Then we will go on; keeping just so far off. That is the way they did

coming from Alabama. What use there is in

this I can not see.

We ought to chase them faster; but no, let them escape. We shall never conquer except by force. By the time we reach Cumberland Gap we shall probably hear that Louisville or Cincinnati is threatened, and then come hurrying back. A soldier's life is no worse than I expected; I counted the cost; but this management tries one's soul. We came to put down the rebellion, not to wear ourselves out by marching in the rear of the enemy.

"We get along first-rate, though in a novel way. Cooking utensils the most simple, a mess-pan, coffee-pot, and tin plate; occasionally we get a sweet potato or a chicken. The water is so thick and stagnant you can not see an inch into it. We drink from mud-holes

where the swine are wallowing. A deep sediment remains in the bottom of the cup.

are no worse.

We

have been so short of food that I was offered a dollar for a cracker. I do not complain, but try to take things as they come, thankful they If I ever return, I shall try to merit all your kind wishes. Mary, let mother see she has a kind daughter, though her son should never more be home to cheer her. Live constantly in the presence of God. He is ever with me. I was never so happy in my life, because my trust is all in him.

"In readiness to march any moment, we have roll-call every hour. In the march thus far, we have seen but one school-house and two churches. The country is very rolling, sparsely settled, often vacated, and fences burned.

"Tell my dear Sabbath school I hope they will not forget my last request. As for reading, we have no papers, and not a moment to spare. I shall carry this in my cartridge-box till I have a chance to send to Louisville.

"Yours, ever truly,

"MEAD."

"ON THE BATTLE-FIELD, Oct. 9, 1862.

"DEAR FRIENDS:

"Two days more heavy marching, almost without water, and with very short rations, brought