s.

The work has been a pleasure to me in its preparation, and I hope it will
not disappoint the reasonable expectation of those partial friends whose
smile is my joy, whose frown is my grief. But, more than all, I trust this
humble volume will have some small influence in kindling and cherishing
that genuine patriotism which must ever be the salvation of our land, the
foundation of our national prosperity and happiness.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

DORCHESTER, Feb. 22, 1864.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

I. The Battle of Pinchbrook
II. The Somers Family
III. Taming a Traitor
IV. The Committee come out, and Tom goes in
V. The Attic Chamber
VI. The Way is Prepared
VII. A Midnight Adventure
VIII. Signing the Papers
IX. The Departure
X. Company K
XI. In Washington
XII. On to Richmond
XIII. The Battle of Bull Run
XIV. After the Battle
XV. Tom a Prisoner
XVI. A Perplexing Question
XVII. Dinner and Danger
XVIII. The Rebel Soldier
XIX. Through the Gap
XX. Down the Shenandoah
XXI. The Problem of Rations
XXII. The Picket Guard
XXIII. The End of the Voyage
XXIV. Budd's Ferry
XXV. In the Hospital
XXVI. Tom is Sentimental
XXVII. The Confederate Deserter
XXVIII. On the Peninsula
XXIX. The Battle of Williamsburg
XXX. More of the Battle
XXXI. Glory and Victory
XXXII. "Honorable Mention"
XXXIII. Lieutenant Somers and Others

THE SOLDIER BOY;

OR,

TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY.

CHAPTER I.

THE BATTLE OF PINCHBROOK.

"Fort Sumter has surrendered, mother!" shouted Thomas Somers, as he rushed
into the room where his mother was quietly reading her Bible.

It was Sunday, and the exciting news had been circulated about the usually
quiet village of Pinchbrook Harbor. Men's lips were compressed, and their
teeth shut tight together. They were indignant, for traitors had fired
upon the flag of the United States. Men, women, and children were roused
by the indignity offered to the national emblem. The cannon balls that
struck the walls of Sumter seemed at the same time to strike the souls of
the whole population of the North, and never was there such a great
awakening since the Pilgrim Fathers first planted their feet upon the rock
of Plymouth.

"Fort Sumter has surrendered!" shouted the indignant young patriot again,
as his mother looked up from the blessed