The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-04-04

Then lay and watched the light, as |
had often done in happier times, until it
seemed to me that my brain must give
way | closedsmy eyes ana. tried to pray
but that fearful light shone through my
eyelids and banished every other thought.
And now faint yet terribly distinct rum
BILE began to Eli the air; it seemed as
though my inmost soul felt that sound.
\ Ell i remember noticing the most trivial
things-a cricket that ran near by, toad
that climbed ol the rail, proving cat
that came suddenly upon me -ead ran
frightened away--for even in that fearful
moment sense Of the ludicrnus was
alive, and | was conscious OF a feeling OF
amusement as the creature scurrled oft.
But, meanwhile, the faint rumble had
grown louder, and [ even faneied that |
could perceive slight vibration of the
rail on which my head rested, and OF the
ground on which / lay, [ think that
about this time [ must have become in
sane, for only remember hearing my
voice in impotent shrieks, and feeling
my limbs, as it were, those of another
man, straining themselves to be free
All the dreadful particulars of my APP
preaching death whirled through my
| brain during these few moments. Once
fancied [ could hear footsteps coming to-
ward me from the bridge. and hoped wild
| ly that they would reach me in time. =
But now could see the red reflection of
the lamp on the long. straight track. and
the thunder of the train was drowning
all other sounds. Once more | strained
every muscle till the very flesh seemed to
| tear, one final cry [ gave for help from
God or man. Then | opened my eyes
closed in my agony-and looked silently
| at my destruction. For one dreadful III
slant [ saw the silver mirror of the re
|. fector, and felt the earth tremble under
the roaring train, and then as the mighty
engine rushed upon me, nature gave out
and amid crash of sound, and red
glare of lamp and fire, | swooned. -
''The wheels Of the night-express, had
passed within foot OF my head. had
been bound ON the straight track over the
bridge, and the train passed me on the
cut off. ~
Captain Tom ceased. Hardly any COM
,nents on the story were made by the
group of officers; for, after moment OF
breathless stiffness, the sharp crack OF
| two or three rifles, which seemed to have
| been waiting for the end OF the story,
rang out over the ridge. In a moment
the officers were running toward their re-
spective commands. With quiet though
eager haste the infantry were manning
the rifle pits, and the gunners stood with
lanyards pulled taut, ready to FIRE at the
| word. .8Es IS H5ls
Fifteen minutes later, was tearing
| down the stony road, my horses hoofs
striking fire to the accompaniment OF a
rafting Of rifles from the III ointainside
behind me. Before [ left, | had looked
an instant on the dead face Of Captain
Tom, who fell at his post like a hero az
he was.
I had barely time to mount and run for
| it as the gray-clad Johnnies swarmed oy-
err the parapet and captured our little
band We had been oyerpowered By the
advance Of Stonewall's army, and |
| thought myself lucky to be able, by dint
Of hard riding, to reach the grand guard
of our division half an hour before Stone
WALL s cavalry drove in our pickets Oh The
Shenandoah. The Golufy.