The Soldier Boy

The Soldier Boy

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in
the Army
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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