The Soldier Boy

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The Soldier Boy

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army
by Oliver Optic This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army A Story of the Great Rebellion
Author: Oliver Optic
Release Date: January 4, 2005 [EBook #14595]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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THE SOLDIER BOY
OR
TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY
A Story of the Great Rebellion
BY
OLIVER OPTIC

AUTHOR OF "RICH AND HUMBLE," "ALL ABOARD," "LITTLE BY LITTLE," ETC., ETC.
NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

TO
William Lee, Esq.
THIS BOOK
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY HIS FRIEND
WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

PREFACE.
This volume is not altogether a military romance, though it contains the adventures of one of those noble-hearted and patriotic young men who went forth from homes of plenty and happiness to fight the battles of our imperilled country. The incidents of the story may be stirring and exciting; yet they are not only within the bounds of probability, but have been more than paralleled in the experience of hundreds of the gallant soldiers of the loyal army.
The work is not intended to approach the dignity of a history, though the writer has carefully consulted the "authorities," both loyal and rebel, and has taken down the living words of enthusiastic participants in the stirring scenes described in this volume. He has not attempted to give a full picture of any battle, or other army operation, but simply of those movements in which the hero took a part. The book is a narrative of personal adventure, delineating the birth and growth of a pure patriotism in the soul of the hero, and describing the perils and privations, the battles and marches which he shared with thousands of brave men in the army of the Potomac.
The author has endeavored to paint a picture of the true soldier, one who loves his country, and fights for her because he loves her; but, at the same time, one who is true to himself and his God, while he is faithful to his patriotic impulses.
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 volume.
"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mrs. Somers, as she closed the Bible, and removed her spectacles.
"Yes, mother. The infernal rebels hammered away at the fort for two days, and at last we had to give in."
"There'll be terrible times afore long," replied the old lady, shaking her