Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-06-11

DelleSe IL Is cdlitu, ooAo AotfCy 1Adicy'
learned, in the city, that we would find Capt Car.
berry here. Unharness your mule, Pompey we
stop here"
The party had now reached the lines where the
Confederate fortifcations began. Just to their
right rolled the dark waters Of the Stono, and i'm
mediately before them was heavy battery of
some eight or ten guns, commanding the river ap-
proaches to the city, Not more than forty or fifty
soldiers were in sight some preparing their NOR
ming meal, and others lying indolently in the sun,
behind the breastworks.
Having embarrassed the mule, and seen him Sc
curely haltered to the low-spreadng limbs of q
large live-oak, Harvey and Victor, closely followed
by Pompey- was sorely alarmed at the novelty
of his situation, and the preparations aroond him,
that seemed to tell of danger-took their way to
the breastworks, to make enquiries for the Cap
tain Of the company which they were about to join.
The attention of the party was drawn to SOL
dier standing upon the breastworks, who stood
looking intently down the river. Before Harvey
could address himself to one of the group, who
lounged around, the sentinel called out sharply
Corporal of the Guard!" In answer to the
CALL soldier, distinguished from those around
him only by the red stripes on his pantaloons,
went forward and mounted the breastworks by the
side of the sentinel.
Pompey who, like most of his race, was full Of
curiosity to see all that was passing, stroed to the
breastwork where the sentinel was stationed, and,
peering over it, saw what to him, was most unu-
sual sight
A boat was just issuing from beyond the bend OF
the river, and second, and finally third came
in sight Pompey had never before seen steam
boat, and he was anxious to get fair view de
rose on tip-toe.
The corporal of the guard took but glance, and
that was sufficient to satisfy him as to his duty
under his orders.
Drummer" said he, quite eomposedly, beat
the long roll Jack" said he to the sentinel go to
your place at your gun, until further orders. !
will remain here, until the place gets too warm.
"Boss," said Pompey, unconscious OF the scene
that was preparing as he pulled hisforetop to the
Corporal, nebber see steamboat before. Kin
come up dere whar you is and take look at 'em E
20, yes," said the jolly corporal with q good
natured laugh, lump up and look as long as you
please but to my thinking, you'll catch the devil
before you get down." So saying, he turned away
to watch the motions of the boats while Pompey,
delighted ut the permission accorded him, Chamber
ed upon the breastwork and, with eyes wide dis
tended with curiosity and WONDER surveyed the
boats that maneuvred below.
In the meantime, the long roll was vociferousy
beaten and all idlers and timid persons, whose duty
did not call them to the batteries, hurried to the
shelter of the bomb-proof which stood slightly to
the rear, while the artillerymen came streamingup
to the breastwork to man their guns. Pompey
remarked the crowd hunying up and while their
seeming curiosity struck his attention, he congrat
ulated himself that his position for beholding the
boats was far better than that enjoyed by any Of
the soldiers.
'Nlassa," said Pompey, to the good natured cor.
poral, who stood but few feet from him, "what
does dem boats bring for trade?'
'Look out you wooIy head or you'll get it now y
said the corporal as he descended from the breast
work.
"Just as he spoke, puff of smoke rose from the
sides of the boats one after the other in quick
cession. Pompey still stood amazed but not un-
deceived as yet but in moment more, when the
roar of the heavy guns came booming across the
water, and the round shot hurtled by, while the
fragments of bursting shells filled the air, and the
Confederate batteries opened almost under his feet,
making the ground quake with their thunder, the
truth flashed upon his mind, and with scream OF
terror that rose above the roar of the guns, he
rolled down into the trenches and lay shivering in
mortal fear
"We are into it at our first step, Victor, said
Harvey, with frightening eyes as be threw off his
coat and prepared to take his place at gun. "Do
you 60 to the bomb proof, yonder er"-pointing it
out as he spoke--and, as am an old soldier, ii
take my place here, as soon as one Of those brave
fellows is knocked over"
"No, III remain with you, Harvey" replied
Victor. ~ am no gunner, but can help carry
the wounded to the surgeons, or hand out ammu-
nition."
"Very well. Victor responded Harvey -''but
just listen at that rascal Pompey! Halo, Pom
pey l"-said he, going to the spot where the negro
lay yelling-''are you hurt?"
"Oh! yes mass Harvey" groaued the negro
IT shot all to pieces Pray for me, mass Harvey
poor Pomp gwine for dead tell aunt Dinah and
sister PhIs to meet me over Jordan!'
'Now you id rascal |" exclaimed Harvey, in
his indignation he turned the negro over and ex-
amined his body cafefuly, ''this is too bad! You
haven't scratch on your whole body!
"Oh! yes, mass Harvey, gwine for dead, "
yelled Pompey.
"In get a pole and ferry you over Jordan, in
short metre" said Harvey Haley, as he looked
carefully around. His eye soon fellupon portion
of the hoop of a hogshead which lay near Indig-
nant at the cowardice of the negro, he approached
him and laid it upon his back with hearty good
will, until he brought him to his feet.
"Now run, you black coward, and get under that
bomb proof and cease your yeling;" and the negro,
anxious to get out of reach Of the weseasoned oak,
took to his heels, and running in the direction in
dicated by the outstretched finger of his indignant
comrade, was soon safe from ball and shells.
But these continued to fly fast and furiously.
From previous practice the boats had obtained the
exact range of the guns and delivered their fire
with great accuracy. Harvey and Victor did not
remain long idle. The former-though he was
scarcely aware of it himsel-when once engaged,
had mania for the conflict that induced him to
throw himself into the strife with his whole SOUL
A gunner was soon struck down by fragment Of
shell, and, leaping forward, Harvey seized the
rammer and supplied his place.
"Curse these pop guns, " cried he as he rammed
down the cartridge "we might fire all day and not
make decent scratch upon the hull Of those boatsl
UJh,, oo,1d tbo, not rive us guns that wonld en-.