tidings. But Sibley is miles and miles
away, and, as Mrs. Wheeler says, aren't you glad it wasn't Ours?

Out at the fort there is a different scene. The morning journals and the
clicking telegraph send a thrill throughout the whole command. The train
has barely whistled out of sight when the ringing notes of officers'
call resound through the quadrangle and out over the broader
drill-ground beyond. Wondering, but prompt, the staid captains and eager
subalterns come hurrying to head-quarters, and the band, that had come
forth and taken its station on the parade, all ready for guard-mount,
goes quickly back, while the men gather in big squads along the shaded
row of their quarters and watch the rapid assembly at the office. And
there old Chester, with kindling eyes, reads to the silent company the
brief official order. Ay, though it be miles and miles away, fast as
steam and wheel can take it, the good old regiment in all its sturdy
strength goes forth to join the rescue of the imprisoned comrades far in
the Colorado Rockies. "Have your entire command in readiness for
immediate field-service in the Department of the Platte. Special train
will be there to take you by noon at latest." And though many a man has
lost friend and comrade in the tragedy that calls them forth, and though
many a brow clouds for the moment with the bitter news of such useless
sacrifice, every eye brightens, every muscle seems to brace, every nerve
and pulse to throb and thrill with the glorious excitement of quick
assembly and coming action. Ay, we are miles and miles away; we leave
the dear old post, with homes and firesides, wives, children, and
sweethearts, all to the care of the few whom sickness or old wounds or
advancing years render unfit for hard, sharp marching; and, thank God!
we'll be there to take a hand and help those gallant fellows out of
their "corral" or to have one good blow at the cowardly hounds who lured
and lied to them.

How the "assembly" rings on the morning air! How quick they spring to
ranks, those eager bearded faces and trim blue-clad forms! How buoyant
and brisk even the elders seem as the captains speed over to their
company quarters and the quick, stirring orders are given! "Field kits;
all the cooked rations you have on hand; overcoat, blanket, extra socks
and underclothes; every cartridge you've got; haversack and canteen, and
nothing else. Now get ready,--lively!" How irrepressible is the cheer
that goes up! How