The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-11-09
"Rooray hooray! Dere he is !! der

"Rooray! hoorayl Dere he is ! dere
he is p he shouted.
He succeeded in directing my attention
20 fine looking rebel officer. who was
cheering on his men in charge they
were making upon our position.
"Dat's him da,'s him - cried Star,
light, at the same time freeing himself
from his drum and casting it on one side,
while his voice was wild and strange With
fierce JOY. s II
And before I could arrest him, or ex-
actly understand his intention, he snatch
ed musket and bayonet from the
ground. aud ran like deer after our col
umu, which was advancing to repel the
threatened assault.
From my position could see the whole
affair. The smoke of the musketry FIRE
was thick, but western gale was blow
ing, and the opposing columns were pretty
plainly discernable. Then the firing
ceased, and l saw them meet in the shock
of steel to steel. The ranks of the rebels
were broken, and they scattered back TO-
ward their abattis and the thick woods on
their right, but the officers reclaimed
their ground, endeavoring to inspirit their
men by their own examples, and lighting
bravely. l saw Little Starlight rush
headlong at The man to whom he had
directed my attention, and / could hear
his shriA cheer come floating to me on
the wind. He seemed TO be but talf the
size of his antagonist, yet they met with
the shock which seemed equal on both
sides. The officer eyaded the bayonet of
his puny foe, aud struck out sharply
with his sword; and I saw the blood
spring up high from the negro's neck
But the next instant they closed; the
rushing bayopet gored the breast of the
officer, and he rolled to the plain. Twice
thrice l saw the flashing bayouet leap
into the air, and aash down again upon
the PROSTATE man; aud then, with loud.
er whoop than before, Starlight sprang Oh
further into the fight; and the whole
scene was shut FROM my view by the
gathering smoke, for tee breeze had died
away. ~r.. e.
The fight wrs soon over. The rebels
were driven far back into the woods, their
abattsi captured and held, and VIC in pos
session of the field. Myiateaest in what
/ had witnessed was. so intense that !
Immediately hasteaed to the ground.
Our loss had been ineonsiderable, but
that Of the enemy was large. Their dead
aud wounded lay in all directions. |
found the ofseer with whom bad seen
Starlight engaged. He wore the ensignia
of rebel captain, and was stone dead,
with his breas. pierced many times by
bryonet ,hrusis. As was standing be-
side the body, Sergeant K of Com,
pany c, came up to me with troubled
look. -
Little Starlight is dying, Sir" was
his greeting, land he wishes to see you
very much"
starlight dying! Impossible. | ejac-
ulated, at the same time hurrylng to the
point indicated.
1t was but too true.
Little Starlight lay at the edge OF the
cneny's works, with friShtful gun-shot
wound in the back part of his head, and
as many as twenty brave fellows were
clustering around himiwith sympathizlne
LOOKS and fearful eyes. You may rot be-
lieve me. but nevertheless speak the
truth when | say that the brave boy grin
ned joyously ehen he saw me.
"Yah yah! Mass'r Chaplain" he cried,
as / kuelt by his side and took his hand !;
'.dis nig's done for, he is. But did yer
see me in de fight, mass'r2 Did yer see
me tackle dat ole econ, Cunnel Billy z
YAH yah I'se got it at last, mass'r J
I'se a awful cuss but Use got it at last y
'Got what, my poor boy z! whispered,
with trembling voice.
"FREEDoA!" cried Starlight, springing
to his feet.
| saw ,hat wild, strange gleam of pas
sion leap into his rude features, and then
he fell back into my arms.
at am lubly day, mass'r," he con.
tinued, speaking With great difficulty. =
1T am ebenlng now, an de sun am set
ting, mass'r. But | hears de big drum
OBJ de sky rollin de rebbllie OBJ dc Lord,
De day am breakin' for dis chile, mass'r; !
for Use got It at last u
His Voice failed him here. lie moved
his lips; but in @ moment they were
stiIed forever. He was dead.
laid him down gently on the grass.
The Major had also been standing by
''Come," said he, taking me by the
let us 60"
And as we went away saw bis nous.
tache tremble pereeptibly.
There we're three regular members of
Company G who died in that skirniish,
hnA LII nj nrn &C thonn NJ nn m, n,,rr nl !