St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-10-08

Concealed by the thick woods, and
changing position constantly by rapid evo-
lutions, the southeriiers We're almost en-.
tirely safe from the shells that the battery
threw IN that direction; while their rife
men, posted here and there among the
trees, had only to Watch till a gunner
stood still second to draw load upon
HIM.
"If the rear guard does not come with
in twenty minutes, we shall lose the bridge
and our guns too, said Major Heyne, Bit
terly. Does the general expect us to hold
the whole rebel army in check here, all
day.
He still continued shelling the woods
at intervals, although with full conscious
tless that he was accomplishing little or
nothing, while every instant left him a
man the less than he had the instant be-
FORE
AS the gun practice grew slack, the
confederate force again came in sight,
and prepared for another charge.
At this moment there was a terrific up
roar 10 the woods further along the river.
There were volleys on volleys Of muskctry
the shouts Of thousands Of voices. and a
deafening, stunning conclusion each mo-
mcnt, from the practice OF heavy guns.
"The rear guard shouted the captain;
"theJ are forcing the enemy up. Hear
them-they're driving the rebels sure as
your born"
The attacking party, hearing this dev-
lis hurrah, evidently expected work from
another quarter than the front, and form
ed new line to resist it The position
of the ground vas such that the woods
no longer covered this new arrangement ;
aud Major Heyne, cheered by the appa-
rent prospect Of speedy help from the ad.
vance guard, kept up perfect pande-
monic fire of shell, which now raked the
enemy at an angle, and caused fearful
destruction. 10 the horror, however, of
the officers of the battery, the noise grad
ually decreased in the distance, and final
ly merged itsclf in the vagus clamor Of
the great but scattered battle which had
ragged and sesthed for three days already,
on the PENN >ula, between the Chickahom-
;e'' eu5uI op6 uIagejRf egejI RiHezx - -
perspiration bursting out in enormous
heads upon his forehead, "the battery is
lost. That was not the rear guard"
Then, calming himself by vigorous ct:
fort he added
"At least, we can die here hdnofably
on our guns
"Thc dead men over yonder," said the
captain, will show that We didn't fail to
make a fight of it; and l don't mean that
NV skin shall be the onlv one On this
bridge" -,
He checred up his men as best 1lc could
but saw only to plainly that the next
charge of the enemy's cavalry ihiist sweep
the battery, and they were already form
ing for the attempt.
Up dashed the young staff officer again
"Dcstroy the bridge, and bring the bat
tery across to the centre The rear guard
was driven back and crossed on the two
bridges below"
AS he rode away the sound of bis hor
ses hoofs was drowned in that Of the char
! eing cavalry from the other shore.
"Will you go with me aid cut tht
tressels of the bridge while the guns hol(
the enemy back ?" asked Major Heyne
The captain and a lieutenant steppc:
forward.
"No 1f.ote? l want ten men"
No one stirred.
"What are these 2" asked the Majo
scornfully. turning to the two young mel
who stood by him. care they soldier
or training day militia :"
He had used the ri ght taunt for regu
lars. They hold militia soldiers in con
tempt. Twenty men came forward AM
in moment the blows Of axes resounde'
from under the bridge.
Meanwhile the eaemy's horseman ad
vanced down the road The artillery off
cets who remained at their guns reserves
their fire until the Infantry pressed fol
ward to support the charge, when tn
giapeshot once more vent singing away
cutting down everything that stood ur
fight in its path.
"Hold them one minute" cried tn
Major from the water; where, waist deer
: : he swung an AK with extraordinary vigo
against one OF the heavy tressel timbcr'
; It was more easily sail than done =
: The enemy had determined upon a de*
perate charge, and were not TO be drive
: back by one volley again. On came til
1 cavalry briskly, and had almost rcache
the other end of the bridge with the ii
, fautry pouring down in t*o columns, on
on each side, before the battery coul
again be served. -=-,~- -,
This tlme,, howetef, the Insignificant
+ Of the distance made the fire tcrrib]
I one. Every shot told, and the end
> the bridge was piled with the dead an
:, DYING ~ - ::1-.:! 80 ''''1 80" .,
While the smoke. still hung about th
, mortality, the sapping party clambere
upon the bridge again. several Of the'
wounded by the fire Of their own gun
> which had swept directly over them.