In the Saddle

by Oliver Optic

  Produced by David Garcia, Sue Fleming and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Kentuckiana Digital Library)

  THE BLUE AND THE GRAY--AFLOAT

  Two colors cloth Emblematic Dies Illustrated Price per volume $1.50

  TAKEN BY THE ENEMY WITHIN THE ENEMY'S LINES ON THE BLOCKADE STAND BY THE UNION FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT A VICTORIOUS UNION

  THE BLUE AND THE GRAY--ON LAND

  Two colors cloth Emblematic Dies Illustrated Price per volume $1.50

  BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER IN THE SADDLE A LIEUTENANT AT EIGHTEEN (IN PRESS)

  (Other volumes in preparation)

  ANY VOLUME SOLD SEPARATELY.

  LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS BOSTON

  "Be you uns soldiers, mass'r?"]

  THE BLUE AND THE GRAY ON LAND

  BY OLIVER OPTIC

  IN THE SADDLE

  _The Blue and Gray Army Series_

  IN THE SADDLE

  BY OLIVER OPTIC

  AUTHOR OF "THE ARMY AND NAVY SERIES" "YOUNG AMERICA ABROAD" FIRST AND SECOND SERIES "THE BOAT-CLUB STORIES" "THE GREAT WESTERN SERIES" "THE WOODVILLE STORIES" "THE ONWARD AND UPWARD SERIES" "THE LAKE SHORE SERIES" "THE YACHT-CLUB SERIES" "THE RIVERDALE STORIES" "THE BOAT-BUILDER SERIES" "THE BLUE AND GRAY NAVY SERIES" "A MISSING MILLION" "A MILLIONAIRE AT SIXTEEN" "A YOUNG KNIGHT-ERRANT" "STRANGE SIGHTS ABROAD" "AMERICAN BOYS AFLOAT" "THE YOUNG NAVIGATORS" ETC.

  BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 10 MILK STREET 1895

  COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY LEE AND SHEPARD

  _All Rights Reserved_

  IN THE SADDLE

  TO MY FRIEND

  WILLIAM R. BEATTY

  MY COMPANION IN MANY VERY AGREEABLE ASSOCIATIONS THIS VOLUME IS CORDIALLY DEDICATED

  PREFACE

  "In The Saddle" is the second of the "Blue and Gray--On Land." In thefirst volume a New Hampshire family was transplanted to the southernpart of one of the Border States just before the breaking out of theGreat Rebellion, now happily an event of the somewhat distant past. Anattempt is made in that book to describe the condition of the region inthe progress of the story; and the material for it was diligently lookedup in the records of those stormy times, in those of official characterin the archives of the State in which the events transpired, as well asin "The Record of the Rebellion," Congressional Reports, and themultitude of histories, narratives, biographies, and miscellaneous workson the shelves of public and private libraries. The writer believes hismaterial statements are correct, and that the pictures he has given ofthe disorderly condition of the State of Kentucky, especially inthe southern portion, are not overdrawn.

  The story of the Lyon family introduces two branches of it, both fromthe same Northern locality, though, unhappily, not of the same way ofthinking on the great question of loyalty to the national government andSecession with the South. Plantation life and manners are presented tosome extent, as one of the brothers comes into possession of a largeestate and half a hundred slaves by the will of a Kentucky member of theLyon family. The first volume of the series is devoted to the "bringingout" of the loyal element in the county where the plantation is located,in opposition to the more demonstrative secession or neutral sentiment.A Union meeting in a schoolhouse, disturbed by the "ruffians," as theyhad come to be called, in which the loyal citizens vigorously defendthemselves, and expel the intruders, brings the affairs of theneighborhood to a crisis. The planter is attacked by a mob, and with theassistance of a few of his friends, and by arming a portion of hisnegroes, successfully encounters the disturbers of the peace. Followingthese stirring events, two companies of cavalry are enlisted by anauthorized officer, carefully drilled, and put in readiness to take thefield.

  In the present volume this battalion enters upon active service. Thesame characters are presented in the uniform of cavalrymen, mounted onthe fine equine stock of the plantation. Noah Lyon, the head of thefamily, obtains an actual military title, instead of the merelycomplimentary one given to him by his friends and neighbors. His twosons, Deck and Artie, appear in the front rank in the operations inwhich the squadron is engaged, though both of them enter the service asprivates. The young men are of the loftiest moral character, actuated bythe purest and most devoted patriotism. They are of good physique, invigorous health, and do not seem to know the meaning of the word fear.If their individual exploits seem to any to be extravagant, they havebeen more than paralleled on the battle-field in hundreds of instances.Both of them are exceedingly fond of their steeds; and Deck, in themonths devoted to drill, makes no insignificant figure as ahorse-trainer. His steed, one of the blood stock of his deceased uncle,is so intelligent and so apt a scholar, that he enables his rider toachieve some rather wonderful feats in action. He is modest, and, whenpraised for his deeds, attributes them to "Ceph." This young soldierwins and obtains a promotion which will supply the title for the nextvolume.

  In contrast with the progressive fortunes of the loyal brother and histwo sons, the disloyal one, who had become, through the influence of hismoney rather than his ability, the leader of the "ruffians," is againintroduced, with his two boys, who follow in the footsteps of theirfather till they become disgusted with their lot.

  The operations of the loyal battalion of cavalry are confined to theprotection of the bridges on the railroads, and to repressing "partisan"onslaughts and outrages upon towns and villages largely inhabited bycitizens who are faithful to the national government. But the officersand privates are faithful where loyalty meant vastly more than in theNorth; and their zeal and earnestness in the discharge of their dutyleft a stirring record behind them wherever they went.

  WILLIAM T. ADAMS.

  DORCHESTER, Dec. 12, 1894.