The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-01
Selert Sforp.
THE CAVALRY CHARGE.
BY CHARLES DAILY DOUGLAS.


(From the Memoirs of Volunteer Offioer)
The horses of our battalion had been
hobbled all night, and their riders had
lain at their heads in their rubber blank
cts. The bugles were silent; we were
known to be in the vicinity of the enemy.
and the camp calls had been suspended
more than week. At three o'clock l
was awakened by the sergeant, major
with the words:
wake up the men, captain; let them
get their coffee and feed and water their
horses lit is to be done as quickly as pos
sible."
1t was done in less than an hour; al
ways prompt and quick when there was
any indication of a forward movement,
the men now worked rapidly, and had
saddled and hridled and put on their
own accoutrements within five minutes
after the order. to do so.
Lieutenant Marks and l sat by the
smothered fire chewing our hard bread
and drinking the hot coffee. "This looks
a little curious, ell, Marks 2" l said.
SIN my humble opinion we're in for it
to-day" he replied Here have these two
great armies been moving together on
parallel lines for days, and not half a days
march apart; we have been getting near
er together every day ;there was a heavy
skirmish yesterday between the advance
cavalry; great battle may be brought
on by either side in two hours time; |
believe you'll see it to-day"
II thought so too; but before l could
say it, the sergeant major again appeared
with the orde. to mount and form col
unn: this was done, and then came the
order TO march. In the misty darkness
of early morning our battalion followed
the one that preceded it, and the long
column Of our brigade moved at a walk
through the woods the hour was still
and solemn; nothing broke the deep ST
lence but the muffied sounds OF hoofs,
and now and then the jingling of a sa
her.
For half an hour we moved on in this
way ,and then there were four or five car
5ine shots from the front.
"We've walked up their pickets, / fan
cy," said I; s'and bark hear that
A heavy boom,.wo miles away, shook
the sluggish air; a pause, and then an
other, and still another ;some of the cav
airy, probably the other brigade, was ev
lidently far in advance, and was feeling
closely of the enemy's position. Day
light came in half an hour more; and as
we passed turn in the road we saw the
smoldering embers of a picket-fre, and
stretched at full length by it, stiff in
death, the body Of one of the videttes-
A dark sole in the very center of his
forehead showed the track of the fatal
ball.
Emerging from the woods as the new
risen.sun poured food of light over
the landscape, we halted on the summit
of ridge and waited for full two hours
an aide galloped up to. our general will
an order, and was instantly away again
and soon we had the order to dismount
and stand at ease.
"rns means to keep the horses fresh,
said Marks "call me a liar if they don
have sharp work before night"
Happened to have two cigars; we Ii
them, and seated on log looked dowr
upon the plain beneath u, dotted with
farm houses, groves and cultivated fields
where the stirring drama of war was nov
unfolding itself mile or more away ;
!. thin line OF smoke arose above the tree,