The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-12-07
The Mule OF Sumpter.

W htn lfOll-tltliS DtBdll OBJ
crations in Charleston Ilarbor, the
Tenth Army Corps made sudden dash
and drove in the thin lines of pickets
which the rebels had posted on the east
ern end of Morris Island. When day
light came every gun which Beaurcgard
could bring to bear upon the new work
began to rain shot and shell, and from
daylight till noon there were lively
times in and about Charleston Bay.
Shortly after noon Fort Sumter opened
furiously, and it was feared that an at
tempt was about to be made by the en-
cmy TO advance. There were enough
men there, 1t was thought, to hold it,
but there was deficiency of ammuni-
ton, and so mulc-driver volunteered
to deliver the ammunition. The only
road was the smooth and sandy beach
along the bay, and the distance between
the two points about mile and half.
Half that distance was within easy
range of Fort Sumptcr, and Battery
Wagner's guns covered all the way to
the sand hills, behind which was the
Federal camp.
am describing this incident as il APP
peared from the shipping in the bay,
and what called attention TO il was the
sudden waking up of every gun on the
southeast angle of Sumptcr. Looking
TO see the cause ofthe furious cannonad-
ing, everybody was surprised TO see a
mule team tearing up the beach in the
direction of the new work. The driver
was laying the lash on, and that mule
had its cars laid straight back and was
making its legs go. Occasionally she'll
would touch the beach, bound up, and
explode, and the mule would then hesi-
tate and try to turn back. But the dri-
yer would lay the cowhide OH with re-
ncwcd vigor; then the mule put on an
other squirt until at last it became ell
tirely demoralized by the explosion OF a
ten inch shell almost under its belly.
Every glass in the squadron was level
led at the spectacle. The driver got of
his seat, took the animal by the head
whirlcd it around once or twice and
started it up the beach once more. Fort
Sumptcr flashed and famed, Battery
Wagner belched and Numbered, and
still that daring driver urged his mule
along. though the way was swept by at
least thirty guns. AT last he reached
his destination. but he could not stay
there, and in moment he was turned
around and cxhorting that animal to do
its level best. The mule did not need
to be told to step out, for in its rear
there was roar and rocket, and about its
ears were flying sand and scrap-iron,
which seemed TO stimulate its feetness.
Down that hard beach flew the mule,
the light cart bobbing and swaying, and
the drivers arm rising and falling as he
dealt out lash after lash. At last they
near the friendly shelter of the sand
hills. In another minute they will be
safe but as they near the place to turn
aside shell came screaming from Sump-
ter.
Everybody could see the huge mass of
iron as it roarcd through the air. Ii
struck the beach directly in the rear of
the mule and with bound it overlook
it and exploded with terrific violence.
A general exclamation is heard from
Dahlgrcn's flagship where the Admiral
and his staff are earnestly gazing at the
adventurous mule and the daring driver.
Fort Sumpter's ramparts are black with
men, they, too, willing witnesses of
Yankee pluck. Along the swell of
Morris Island, and covering every eic-
vation, can be seen the Union soldiers
who stand with bated breath, anxious
and full of suspense, and every eye in
tently taking in the scene. when the
she'll exploded circle of smoke hid the
mule moment, but when the smoke
cleared Mr.. Mule had his ears laid back
and, with head down and legs lashing
wildly out, he was making kindling
wood of the cart, which had been badly
demoralized by fragment of she'll.
Presently the driver is seen limping to
the mule; in a second the mule is free
from the cart, and, with the driver on
his back and farewell whisk of his
tail, disappeared behind the cover OF
the hills.
i The thousands of boys in blue unite
in long and hearty hurrah; the sailors
wave their hats and shout themselves
hoarse, and, hark. the rebels have
caught the infection. and are cheering,
too.