Read "Two Little Confederates" by Thomas Nelson Page online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
It was now nearing the end of the third year of the war. Hugh was / seventeen, and was eager to go into the army. His mother would have / liked to keep him at home; but she felt that it was her duty not to / withhold anything, and Colonel Marshall offered Hugh a place with him. / So a horse was bought, and Hugh went to Richmond and came back with a / uniform and a sabre. The boys truly thought that General Lee himself / was not so imposing or so great a soldier as Hugh. They followed him / about like two pet dogs, and when he sat down they stood and gazed at / him adoringly.
When Hugh rode away to the army it was harder to part with him than / they had expected; and though he had left them his gun and dog, to / console them during his absence, it was difficult to keep from crying. / Everyone on the plantation was moved. Uncle Balla, who up to the last / moment had been very lively attending to the horse, as the young / soldier galloped away sank down on the end of the steps of the office, / and, dropping his hands on his knees, followed Hugh with his eyes / until he disappeared over the hill. The old driver said nothing, but / his face expressed a great deal.