The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-07-22
TWO GUNPOWDER STORIES.

hear of another exploit which, fol-
pluck and daring, fully equaled that o.
the young Russian officer This Incl
dent occurred in 1917. during our wal
with Mexico, and the hero of it was &
boyish Yankee sergeant, named Kena
day, then about nineteen years old.
In seeking to capture the City of Mex.
leo, the American army was obliged to
take first the town of ChurubuscO
about six miles from the city. After
that, the main approach was by a large
causeway, with ditch on each side,
and, at one place, a fortified bridge.
/ So the American forces, under General
| Worth, had to gain the bridge and
| fight upon the causeway; and, at one
point in the battle, the General found
| himself separated from Il part of his
/ troops, whom he wished to rejOin.
In the middle of the caushway, among
other wreck, stood a baggage-wagon,
on fire, and, as the General and his
staff approached the blazing cart, they
| suddenly discovered that it was laden
with gunpowder! They drew up with
a start, and waited results very anX-
iOusly. In a moment, however, Ser
geant A. NJ. Kenaday. then of the Third
U. S. Dragons, mOtiOned to three OF
his comrades, and without q word the
four brave men dashed on to the wagon.
Although they could not tell how
soon one of the powder boxes might
explode, these men determined to clear
a passage for their chief. The gunny-
bag covers of the boxes were shoulder
inc, and some of them were already
aflame, but Kenaday and another sol
der mounted into the midst of the
blazing boxes, and fell to work in dead
earnest-quickly tossing them one by
one to the two other troopers, who as
quickly rolled them into the wet and
muddy ditch. Each wooden case, more
over, weighed about seventy pounds,
so that to empty the cart was no light
labor.
Within few minutes, the cover of
the wagon had burned entirely off, and
the gallant four, almost exhausted with
heat and exertion. were soon after
stopped by General Worth. who rode
up to the wagon and ordered them out.
This command was instantly obeyed,
and then the General and his staff
spurred their horses and made a rush
past the wagon at full gallOp, while the
Sergeant and his comrades followed at
a pace that soon put them out of danger.
But they had not vet caught up with
the Generals party when they heard a
loud report behind, and looking back,
saw no trace of the wagon, even when
the smoke had cleared. 1t had been
blown to atoms by the few cases of pow
der which they had left in it.
And this was not the only act of
bravery performed that day by the
young Sergeant, for later in the same
afternoon he Joined in the famous
charge, led by General (then Captain)
Philip Kearny, on the San Antonio gate
of the City of Mexico. In this
reckless onset, twenty resolute
Dragons cut their way into the
city through six thousand of
the enemy's, panic-stricken soldiers.
er-in-chief, said it was the bravest charge
he had ever seen or read of, and a full
account Of it may be found in almost ev-
cry history of the Mexican War.
Very different from the young Ser
geant's powder-exploit, but quite
worthy to be ranked with it for courage
and self-sacrifice. was the other deed |
have to tell about. This time, the act
of bravery was performed by a girl
instead of boy, and the powder, in
stead of making the danger. was the
very thing which she risked her life to
save. And the heroine of this story be-
longed not to an invading party. but to
a small garrison who were besieged and
making a desperate defense.
This is the way it happened:
Among the important border out
posts of the Americans, during the war
of the Revolution, was Fort Henry,
situated on a bank of the Ohio River,
near Wheeling Creek. In 1777, it was
suddenly attacked by a band of Indians
under the command of Simeon Girty,
white man and Tory, noted for his
cruel hatred toward the Americans.
The Indians numbered nearly five hun
dred. but the garrison in the fort were
only forty-twO, and, soon after the
siege began, some thirty of these were
caught in an ambush outside of the fort
and slain. Only twelve men were now
left TO Colonel Shepherd, the American
commander; but all these were good
marksmen, and knowing that surrender
meant death for their wives and chill
dren as well as for themselves, they re-
solved to fight to the last.
But, alas! bravery availed them little,
for it was not long before the little
stock of powder in the fort was almost
exhausted, and only a few charges re-
manned to each man.
In despair, the Colonel called his
brave little band together, and told
them that at a house some sixty yards
outside of the fort, which their enemie,
had not yet dared to approach, there
was a key of gunpowder. Whoever
should try 30 bring it into the fort
would be in peril of his life from the
rifles of the Indians. He had not the
heart to order any man to such a task,
but the powder was their only hope.
and, therefore, it was his duty to ask if
any one of them was brave enough to
volunteer the undertaking.
Instantly. three or four young men
avOwed themselves ready, but only one
man could be spared. And while they
were generously disputing among them
elves for the perilous errand, Eliza
beth Zane, a girl of seventeen,
approached the Colonel and begged
hat she might be allowed t.
for the powder. Her request was
romptly refused, but she persisted
.gTpeStlv oven aOoipst tho ramon