Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-06-19


the Temple Grammer School, and as
many recruits as we could muster, lay
behind the walls of Fort Slater, with
three hundred compact snow balls
piled up in pyramids, awaiting the ap-
proach of the enemy. The enemy was
not slow in making his approach, fifty
strong, headed by one Mat Ames. Our
forces were under command of General
j. Harris.
Before the action commenced, a meet
ing was arranged between the rival COM
manders, who drew up and signed cer-
tain rules and regulations respecting the
conduct of the battle. AS it was impos-
sible for the North Enders to occupy the
fort permanently, it was stipulated that
the South -Enders should assault it on
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons,
between the hours of two and six. For
them to take possession of the place at
any other time was not to constitute a
capture, but on the contrary, was to be
considered dishonorable act. The
North Enders, on the other hand, agreed
to give up the fort whenever ten of the
storming party succeeded in obtaining
at one time footing ON the parapet, and
were able to hold the same for the space
of two minutes. Both sides were to alb
stain from putting pebbles into their
balls, nor was it permissible to use
frozen ammunition. A SNOWFALL soaked
in water and left out to cool was pro-
lectile which in previous years had been
resorted to with disastrous results.
These preliminaries settled, the COM
manders retired to their respective corps.
The interview had taken place on the
hillside between the opposing lines.
General Harris divided his men into
two bodies: the first comprised the most
skilllul marksmen, or gunners; the Sec
ond, the reserve force, was composed of
tho strongest boys, whose duty it was to
repel the scaling parties, and to make
occasional sallies for the purpose of cap
turing prisoners, who were bound by
the articles of treaty to faithfully serve
under our flag until they were exchang-
ed at the close of the day.
The repellers were called light infan-
try; but when they carried on operations
beyond the fort they became cavalry
1t was also their duty, when not other
wise engaged. to manufacture snow
balls. The Generals staff consisted of
five Telnplars Il among the number,
with the rank of Major,) who carried the
Generals orders and looked after the
wounded.
General Mat Ames, q veteran COM
mander, was no less wide awake in the
disposition of his army. Five companies,
each numbering but six men, i'll order
not to present too big target to our
sharpshooters, were to charge the fort
from different points, their advance be-
ing covered by heavy fire from the
gunners posted in the rear. Each scaler
was provided with only two rounds of
ammunition, which we've not TO be used
until he had mounted the breastwork
and could deliver his shots ON our
heads.
The thrilling nome Mt had now arriv-
ed. II had been going into a real en-
gagement, L could not have been more
deeply impressed by the solemnity OF
the OCCASION.
The fort opened fire first, "a single ball
from the dexterous hand of General Har-
ris taking General Ames in the very pit
of his stomach. A cheer went up from
Fort Slater. In an instant the air was
thick with flying missiles, in the midst
of which we dimly deserted the storm
ing parties sweeping up the hill, shoul-
der to shoulder. The shouts of the lea
ders, and the snow-balls, like shells
about our ears, made it very lively.
Not more than dozen of the enemy
succeeded in reaching the crest of the
hill; five eff these clambered upon the icy
walls, where they were instantly grab
ed by the legs and jerlled into the fort.
The rest retired confused and blinded by
our well-directed fire.
When General Harris with his right
eye bunged up) said, "Soldiers, 1 an
proud of your my heart swelled in my
bosom.
The victory, however, had not beer
without its price. Six North Erders
having rushed out to harass the discom
fitted enemy, were gallantly cut off by
General Ames, and captured. Among
these were Lieutenant p. Whitcomt
(who had no business to join in the
charge, being weak in the knees,) and
Captain Fred Langdon, of General Har.
ris' staff. Whitcomb was one of the
most notable shots ON our side, though
he was not much to boast of in a rough
and tumble fight, owing to the weak
ness before mentioned. General Ames
put him among the gunners, and We
were quickly made aware of the loss We
had sustained, by receiving frequent
artful ball, which seemed TO light with
unerring instinct on any nose that was
the least bit exposed. have known one
of Peppers snow balls, point-blanl1, tc
turn a corner and hit a boy who consid
cred himself absolutely safe.
But we had no time for vain regrets
The battle ragged. Already there were
two bad cases of black eye, and one O
nose-bleed, in the hospital.
1t was glorious excitement, those pell
nell onslaughts and hand to-hand strug
giles. Twice we were within an ace o
being driven from our stronghold, wher
General Harris and his staff leaped reck
lessly upon the ramparts and hurled tho
besiegers heels over head down hill.
AT sunser, the garrison of Fort Slater
was still unconquered, and all the South
Enders, in solid philanx, marched Of
whistling Yankee Hocd.e," while W,