Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-09-19


ford protection when the bullets come in
too fast. Upon the tops of these little
breast works, the men have ranged corn
cobs with great care and precision, 10
which they point with pride, as their ar
iliery. There are groups OF three or four
in each pit, and Il few stragglcrS roam an
concerned from post to post. One rough
Jacket is positively in the act of executing
Il comic dance in full view OF the enemy.
derisively waiving his cap at the same
time, and vociferating sarcasms. Sudden
ly he stops. "Dowul' is the word, and
everybody drops The sjbilant music OF =,
bullet is heard, not too .itr off, and the
next instant the dance is resumed, with
attitudes still more defiant. and hlt-waiy
ings of still more offensive import, uutii
checked again in Hike manner. Straug.
as it may seem, these sharp eyed fellows
of ours can catch the puff of smoke rs the
eucmy's rifles are discharged, and invaria-
bly, escape the shot in this manner.
There is great courtesy in their reccp
tion of visitor. The hospitllitics oftheIr
ditch are at once extended. If corn is
prevalent at the moment. as it usually i<mi
niI moments, that, too, is Froiiered. The
Pccuiarites of the position, and particle
larly the tremendous battery of cobs which
bristles at the brcustworks. are gra:cly eX-
pained. They are witty fellows, these
Michigan men, and they narratc the doiu-S
of the day with great vivacity. How tho
were first assailcd at daybrcak tour peop.s
never begin an attack and how they an
Swcrcd hotlv, driving the scouts back how
they discovered the irritation they Were
able to confer upon their opponents ~
mockiug gcSticulatiou, and how one rebel
became quite wild ana uncomfortable about
noon ut sight of the comic dancer, forget
ting himself to such degree as TO burl
protnne eXccratioTs. together with his rha
shot, across the valley how Michig.,a
laughed and sent bullets so thick about
his ears that he dropped his weapon in HI,
haste to get away.
y messenger, with corn, comes stcalthiiy
around, and is hailed with tumu.t, .-iIaw
is it, Jimmy?" he asks of one who has
attacked Il plump and compact ear. james
pauscs, lays it upon the clcancst part OF
the breast work, and turns to answer y
shot, one of three or four simultaneously
discharged, knocks his provendcr whiz2ing
away. James jumps to his feet, senls one
well directed return shot. rclonds, grasps
a fresh ear of corn. and. after having then
tested it, murmwrs, while grinniug 50 as
to entirely interrupt nastiiication, thcse
senteutiouS words:
"Too hot!
The rebels formerly made the mistake OF
vcnturing outside their line at intervals,
with the intention of getting near shots.
They have recently abandoned this AMI
kindred errors. Thcirreguiar distancehow-
ever. is not grcat-bctwecu 800 and iOu
yarls-good range for rifles, huttoolong for
smooth musKcts. Too few of the Mich gan
men have rifles. Their muskctS, with
heavy cartridges OF ball and bucksho;
mixed, are excellent for firing at bodies Of
men within short distance, but not cIicc-
tive for sharp-shoUtimg. The best marks.
men in the world could do nothing with
them at 300 yards. The poSscs>oTs "f
rifles are. therefore. men OF distinction.
and are frequently subject TO ambition
They do not always conIfuc themselves 10
their immediate antagonists, but often Try
Il higher flight, marking out officers on the
top of the hill. Since they are there ta
shoot and kill. when occasion demands it,
ii is better to 10 a lasting service by bring
ing down Il General, If possible, than ..
temporary one by knocking owe. an unim.
portrut, though Obtrusiyc private. do
not thinl; the rinemen ever succeed, To-,
the distance is altogether too great, cX-
ccpting for the most Prarticcd and expert
mnrksmen bat the intention is no les
commendablc, and the occasional cii,r,
helps TO sustain & judicious spirit of emu
lation.
Pcrceiving an mnusunlly large group up
on one corner OF the rebel carthwork, nn
of ourmcn prepares himself for long shot.
After adjusting his piece, with the sight
elevated to the full 900 yards, he is
about 10 fire, when IL companion, who is