Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-06-19

ior the excitement OF the GROWING assault; .
and il was generally considered to be close
at hand. Spies had reported that disease
and famine were daily claiming their VIC
tins by hundreds 10 the city-that deser-
tions were Of nightly occurrence. They
could not hold out much longer; yet it
would be no bloodless achievement. The
enemy knew that they deserved no omercy,
they expected no quarter, aud they meant
to sell their lives dearly. All this was
generally known in camp; and it only made
the men the more eager for the end.
The city walls had been fast crumbling
away under the pounding Of the siege guns
and would offer no great difficulties But
then the real work Of the day would be-
gin. However easily they might be
mounted, the fort, which stood in one
corner, would still remain to be gained.
1t was the stronghold of the besieged
here they would take their last stand. To
reach il would be march Of derth to
many. They would have to fight their
way foot by foot; and Of all fighting,
street-fghting in au old Indian city is the
most deadly. Every roof, every window,
every loop.hole iu the walls, has its
matchlock.mcn, where, under cover, they
can pick off their enemy calmly and with
unerring aim while the fort guns, which
always command the city ITSELF as a pre-.
caution against emeute, as wei. as the ga-
els against an attack from without, would
sweep down the long, narrow streets, and
hundreds Of brave fellows would fall with.
out being able to strike blow in fair
fight. This too was we'll known in camp;
aud the general hope was, that, while
Ieints might DC made at different points
on tn city walls, the grand assault would
be made on the fort itself, on its water
face, for the main ditch ran under its very
walls.
While the camp was in this state Of ex-
ciiemcnt and impatieuce, aud everything
indicated that the assault would be in the
week at furthest, one evening there was
usual gathering Of officers in the artillery
mess-tent, which, as rule, admitted
those of the engineer corps, who we're too
few in number to establish mess by
themselves. 1t happened that the old
brigcdicr-gencral and the chicfeugineer
were both present. Naturally the com.
ing assault was the topic Of of conversa-
ton. On the faces eff the elder men the
glow of hope for success. and for honora'
bic mention in the General Orders. was
perceptahly subdued by the thought of the
dear ones at home, whose future for wea
or woe hung on the result Of tina, assault;
while among the youngsters light-heartcd
enthusiasm seemed to hold unbroken swav
In the course of the conversation there
passed some remarks, loud enough to
reach the brigadier's ear, about the attack
being m ade Oh the fort itself, as the more
brilliant and the less bloody course; anC
all the youngsters were in favor of It
The brigadier, turning to the chief-engin
eer, said, as though casually:
"Well, Colonel, | suppose you arc pre-
pared, whenever the order comes ? All thu
ladders and that sort of things ready? b.
the way, do you know the exact depth o
the ditch on the fort face ?"
mot exactly," was the reply, " but,
fancy, near enough for our purpose"
: IL wish knew to foot" said th'
brigadier. I" 1t might save many lives,
he added gravely.
Then, ooking at the young men wh'
had been the lOuuest III tneir reuiaih n
bout making the assault direct onthe fort
! he said:
=" Well. young gentlemen, admire
: your zeal but, considering that we know
5 the ditch is much deeper opposite thu
fort than round the city, can't sa.
: much for your united fore-thought, whel
/ not one of you has had-I will not say tn,
pluck, for that don't doubt-but tho wi
to 60 and plumb it.
r The remark was like the bursting of
9 shell----every man at the table felt himsel
hit.
s Soon after, the party broke up ant
: began to disperse A young subaltern o
: engineer-we will call him Norval-a
he was passing group Of officers waite'
r at the door of the mess-tent for few las
=. words, was thus greeted by young cap
e tain Of artillery, named Wilson
D pretty good wigging all you youn
2 engineers got tonight, Norval; and,
5 must say. you deserved it,"
Q perhaps so," was Norvals quiet rt
9 mark as he walked away.
This was not the FIRST sneer Captai
Wilson had launched at Norval; for b.
fore coming into camp they had been u
uo,hor In contopmepts A few words wi