Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-11-28
WAR SKETCHES.
BY NORTHERN RANGER.
A sCoUT's ADVENTURE.

row pass which led through some rugged
hills. Our party was but small, but its
members were determined men, none Of
whom were noyices in scenes of danger.
We marched in silence that was broken
only by the murmured whispers of the
men, the cries and huttering of birds, or
the quick plunge of some small animal
through the thick foliage, which from
the very edge of the path we were pur-
suing, spread amid lofty trees thinly scat
tered on the hill.
Day was near its close. We were dis
tant some miles from camp. The enemy
might be in possession of the defile in
overwhelming numbers. 1t was deter
mined that we should keep in compact
order until we had got well beyond the
entrance of the pass, when as it becomes
taking advantage Of every bush, rock or
inequality, advance singly, ready for the
foe and reckless of their numbers.
The foliage became thicker as we ad e
vanced, and evening fell. On our right
was dense thicket, which we reached
after having lost sight of the entrance
to the dehle in our rear. This thicket
reached from the foot of the gorge to its
summit. Each step became tirmer, but
more cautious. There was no whisper.
ing now, and every breath was guarded.
We were far in the glen-on one side
gray rocks, lofty trees, Towering plant:
and creepers in wild confusion spreading
over the abrupt sides of dark fantastic
hills, broken at intervals by huge chasm,
that CLEANED wildly in the ray of the de
cliping sun-on the other side the impen
etrable thicket was buried in gloom.
Still steadily and steaIthly advancing
each man. with his rifle grasped easily in
his hand, glancing quickly to the right
and left, with unwearied energy crept
along the glen. a whistle, quick and
clear, sent its wild sound thrilling thro'
every heart and ear.
There was sudden halt in our little
troop. All was breathless suspense
That was no birds cry No throat but
human one ever gave out note sc
threatening. "What was it % passed in
a still, rapid whisper among us. "Guer.
illas !" Hush p We listened long and
breathlessly, and wearily peercd on every
side. Not a man of US visible but to his
fellows. Crouchcd with our very hearts
beating on the earth, covered by the
friendly bush, we lay for many minutes
in the hope of hearing the whistle repeat
ed. All was as still as though the spot
| hnl l. ,,,l Ia hrn nl,a,
by the foot of man or disturbed by hi
passions, his schemes or his ambition.
Still we listened, but in vain. No fur
ther sound was heard. Why was ther
no other signal ? Was it some solitar,
wander who sent that shrill cry fortl
through the stiffness fin mere wantoness
and with no other motive than that o
breaking its monotony? Not SO. The'
was significance in that sound tha
breathed war and defiance as plainly a
if it had come from the blast of u trum
pet. "Up and moving, men !" came il
low tones from the sergeant in command
LET 'em try it again"
Our march was resumed as before bu
we stepped more stealthily, listened will
painful attention, and glared on ever,
side with the intensity of blood-hounds
The defie took an acute turn to the light
and on the left was naked space, ex
tending for some yards, devoid of all yer
dure but the gray moss clinging round tn
gray rocks.
We began, hastily, to cross this un
hon n
many pieces, whilst red flashes from tn
rocks and bushes in front cleaned saw
agel y and suddenly upon us. For mo
ment we were staggered. Then with
shout we rushed forward to unearth tn
ambushed foe. Again the fire was re
peated, with the muzzles of their rifle
within few feet of our faces. gaze
round for an instant, after dischargin
my piece at one fellow, and with m
bayonet transixing another to the sol
sandy rock, against which he fell, an
perceived none of my party by my side
But the thick smoke and rapidly fallin
darkness that now ruled, in conjuncto
with yells, shots and groans, the SUI
rounding glen, made all invisible beyon
The length OF the arm.
At that instant felt a sudden pang
a dizziness blackness, like death, cam
) over me /; clutched wildly at the sui
phurous air, reeled and fell.
When recovered my senses l discov
cred that ! was lying on my side, bleed
ing slightly from a flesh wound in tn
thigh. had bled profusely before re
covering, for | was saturated in half-con
gealed gore. Raising myself on my e.
bow, looked round for my comrades
= The moon was shining with all the soft
ness of her beauty on the spot. ! count
ed five bodies lying within compass {
almost as many yards. l endeavored
, discover their uniforms, but could not {
e. that dstance. | rose slowly and wit
much difficulty reached the nearest. il
'e was dead with blue hole in the cent?
of his forehead, through which the bull'
- had passed, and the blood still slowl
oozed. l crawled to the next one h
too, was passed all earthly aid So c
the third, fourth and fifth. The bull
had done its full work on all. These hi
n been, a few hours before. my comrade
i eager to deal destruction upon foes, al
rs careless of the fate that met them.
=, was the sixth and last of the party.
- But where was the enemy, or what h
lie been the enemy? l heard no sound, al
ID the moonlight falling directly upon t
dead men. and pray weird like rocks mr.