Then, for the first time, he realized what it was to be a soldier.

Then he thought of his happy home--of his devoted mother.

What must she not suffer when the telegraph should flash over the wires the intelligence of the terrible disaster which had overtaken the Union army! It would be many days, if not weeks or months, before she could know whether he was dead or alive.

What anguish must she not endure! He had but a moment for thoughts like these before he heard the sweep of the rebel cavalry, as they dashed down the road through the woods.

He must not remain where he was, or the record of his earthly career would soon be closed.