4

RAIDS AND ROMANCE

Charles R. was the eldest of a family of six children   four boys and two girls. Charles, or " Charley," as he was familiarly called by his family and friends, was a fine exponent of true Kentucky character! Noble, impulsive, brave; quick to perceive the right, ready to defend it.

When, on the 15th of April, 1861, the dread voice of war echoed and re-echoed throughout the land, rousing the millions from their peaceful pursuits into the wildest fury, .fired with patriotic ardor, Charley besought his father to allow him to seize his gun and rush to the defence of the South. The father objected. His child was young, he was his eldest boy and greatly beloved ; and, moreover, amid the rapid rush of dread events, which had so convulsed the nation, Mr. R., influenced by his life-long love for the old Union, had not been able to decide satisfactorily to his own mind where the right rested.

But the fearful unfoldings of the war policy of the Administration, which took place between the date of Lincoln's " War Proclamation" and the time of which we write, had.fully decided him in favor of the South; and although a man distinguished for his reticence and aversion to, all unnecessary political discussions, he boldly avowed his position, and defended it by clear and logical argument, whenever it was attacked. And his opposition to his son's enlisting under the Southern banner was dictated by his attachment to him, and not indifference to the cause.

On the morning of the day of which we' 'speak, Charley (as we shall continue to call him throughout this narrative) had gone into the city, as was his daily custom, to learn the news and procure the morning paper for the family. Passing along Green street in the vicinity of the Custom House, he met young Fox, an old friend of his,whom he had known for years.

"Why, I thought you were in Dixie Land, Amos," exclaimed Charley, in surprise, as the two encountered each other.

"Silence, Charley, do not betray me," whispered the young man, as he slipped his young friend's arm through his, and fuming info Third street proceeded towards Broadway. The two walked quickly along, avoiding observation, until they reached the Commons, outside the city. Then seating themselves on the green grass at the root of an old beach tree, which stood removed some paces from the public road, the two engaged in earnest conversation.

"Charley," said his friend to him, "I know you have from the beginning of this war been anxious to go South. Buckner is in Kentucky, as you know, and every Southern man who can bear arms ought to join him. I have spoken to a great many of our acquaintances, and there is a number of young men now ready and only waiting for an opportunity to get through."

"And tlrjs-is all that deters me," responded Charley, his whole countenanoe expressive of the strong emotion that fired his breast.