The daily gazette., 1876-04-08
The Corporal's Story.
BY EDWARD MCCONNELL.

to the Presidents call for troops in
1851, were not uniformed, which was a
matter of little moment in our estima-
tion, but we had arms of very ap-
approved pattern, and were therefore
satisfied for the time being. So off we
started with brave hearts, each one
determined To do all he could for his
country in this her hour of peril. You
will all rccollcet that at the time
spoken of the air was teeming with
rumors as to what the enemy was do.
ing, or intending to do. Every one
was anxious to be at the scene of ac-
tion, if any there were, and made no
attempt toconccal their intense disgust
at any delay. AT last the order came
to go, where, was not definitely an
n0unced. All the order revealed was
that the duty upon which the "Guards"
and others were going was an honor.
able one, and the destination a point
of great importance.
Under such circumstances it was,
that one spring morning, in the year
named, ,tic - battalion of - troops
left its rendezvous at Spruceville for
the front. The secret OF their desti-
natien was, as might have been
expected, revealed before it was
reached. In those exciting times it
was impossible for such movement
to be made and the knowing ones not
drop hint as to its object. And so it
came out that RiacO was the important
point referred to in the orders, and
that the enemy must be debarred the
possession Of it at all hazards. 1t was
siategic position naturally and made
still moe so artitically afterward. But
there was little else about it to com
mand attention.
The principal commodity found
then by the troops upon their arrival
was mud, black, sticky mud in mex.
haustable qantities. Apparently the
d eniZens of the spot were afraid OF
this article, as their houses, like hen
coops, were propped up at the four
| corners by huge sticks, or very small
sized pillars of bricks, to protect them
from its ravehous NAV. This fact did
not dampen the ardor of our brave
fellows in the least. They scouped out
places for their tents and camp fires,
and went to work with will, getting
themselves ints fighting tim, besides
lending hand at building forts and
other defensive works. One eventful
day matters assumed a new phase.
A reliable report was brought that a
few miles beyond the river and in
another State, was rendezvous for
recruits and store house for supplies
established ia the interest of the enemy
A not inconsiderable force was repor-
ted as guarding the place, and to cap
ture it, as we'll as all else there, was
the object OF those in chief command.
What was thought a sufficient detail
was accordingly made from the gar.
rison for this purpose, and of this de
tail "Our Company" formed part. A
short steamboat tip down the river
by night to place where signal light
would be displayed, and the landing
constituted the first move.
Then it was very necessary that the
| march should be rapid. in order to
prevent those living near from giving
such information as would defeat the
object of the expedition. In order to
avoid as many houses as possible, the
guide took shorter way across very
swampy and thickly timbered country
This, their first night march, toiling
along upon the trunks Of fallen trees,
at other times ankle deep in mixture
of mud and water, was not a pleasant
experience for these new soldiers. Still
they never lost heart, but pursued
the tortuous, swampy march, with
many smothered laugh at the mishap
of some comrade. Through at last and
cut on solid ground again, and close
to Rolling Fork, as the place was
called where they arrived short time
before daylight. So far no sight of the
enemy.
Soon they became visible or "touch-
able" rather. as trees had been fellod
50 as to obstruct the road. Here, one
half the command was detached, in
order to gain the rear of the enemy,
and to do this quite circuitous route
had to be followed. Time enough was
given fer this body to get into position
as desired, when the remaining half
moved directly toward an old mill
which was used as store-house. Just
at dawn, the first evidence was given
that the enemy was on the look out
The outpost discovered our advance,
and quickly warned theiTcomrades of
the danger, This first shot was soon
followed by another and another, until
there was quite fusilade on both
sides, with no serious injury to Ell
ther.
The enemy had choice Of position,
and, besides, had stores to protect,
which is often a reason for stubborn
resistance. They knew the country,
also, better than we did, which, with
their other ground of vantage, made
their numbers, though really inferior,
fully equal to that of the force which
sought to dislodge them. AS nothing
was seen or heard of those sent to cut
off the retreat the enemy, it was not
thought advisable to do anything, save
keep up rather heavy skirmish firing,
as an evidence of force. This, how
ever, failed of its effect, as the enemy
charged upon us, and for time push.
ed our lines back. But it would never
do 10 acknowledge defeat in tni, our
first tilt with the enemy, and return
to the post with 80 mournful tale.
As result of this feeling counter
charge was made, which proved so
successful that the enemy was driven
back in turn ,and forced to take refuge