The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-19

during that hour was marvel even to
themselves, and the history of war with
in all the tide of time cannot produce a
more striking evidence of bravery and
devotion.
Hardly had the fash from the first vol
ley died and the fight actually begun be-
fore they heard the long-roll beat in the
camps at Harper's Ferry, and the strug-
Cling men knew that if they could hold
out for little while relief would come
The troops at Harper's Ferry could see
the fash Of every gun and hear the crack
of every deatn-dealing carbine. There
was no relief there except infantry, and
it was two miles. 30 there was for whole
hour and more the conflicting emotions
of hope and fear as to the fate of the cour-
ageous little band of veterans on tie
mountain. The 34th Massac husetts was
ordered to the rescue en- n double quick
as soon as it could be ordered into line
But before it could reach the summit of
Loudon Heights the Confederates bad
been repulsed and Coles Cavalry had
won the fight uron the snow-clad noun
tain-top That added much TO the name
and fame it had already gained.
AFTER THE DA1TLE.
When night lifted and day dawned up
on that battle. field, there was scene
which can never be described. The
dead l1y upon the ground fro Zen stiff by
the terrible cold. The severely wounded
complained bitterly of the frost, and the
bull,t-pierced tents of the men that did
the fighting we're full of weary, powder
stained veterans suffering sore'y from
were unmindful until the battle was won.
Seven Coniederates, f"ur of them COM
missioned officers, were killed in this
night attack upon Major Coles camp,
and great many more were wounded,
scme of VII m were carried off by their
comrades Indeed, those that were able
to follow the retreat, declared that their
path WAS literally marked by track OF
blood. Mir Cole lost two killed and
thirteen wounded. Captain Vernon, now
Surveyor of Customs at B.ltinl re, lost
on eye, and Lieutenant nivers was
wouud,d. A large number OF the COM
mand were sent to tue hospital with froz-
en- feet, and two nmputations were neces-
sary. Tie suffering of these brave men
did not stop With the battle,
General Sullivan, who was in command
of the district, rode over from Harpers
Ferry after daylight, accompanied by his
s'aff. He had the men drawn up in line,
and eulogized their conduct in the
strongest terms that words could express.
He called the Department Commander's
attention to the gallant conduct of this
handful Of men. requesting that his re
port OF the fight be tram mitted TO the
Commsuder-ln-cbief. General Kelly, in
complying with General Sullivan's re-
quest, Endorsed upon the report:
Il cheerfully comply with the reques'
of General Sullivan, in calling the atten-
tion OF the General in-chief to the gallant
conduct of Major Henry A. Cole and his
brave command. His repulse of the MUIR
derous attack made by an overwhelming
force at four o'clock in dark mornil g,
evinced watchfulness and bravery most
commendable.
THE GENERALS PRAISE.
The following commendatory order
was at once issued by the General-in,
chief: ...,
HEADQUARTERS OF THE Army,
WAsHISGroN, d, c..
January, 20. 1864.
Major General B. F. Kelley
GEEERAL-I have just received from
you: headquarters NJ ijor Henry A. C"le'i
report OF tie repulse of Mosby's ATTACK
upon the camp ON Loudon Heights, OF
the 10th inst Major Cole and his com
mand, the battnhon OF p. II. u. Cavalry
Maryland Volunteers, deserve high prais,
for their RHllantry in rrpelllng the Rebe
assault. Very respectfully, your obedi
eut servant.
H. W. HALLEcK, General .chief.
This order was read to the army and I
copy forwarded to Major Cole, II wa
the only instance during the Rebellion
that such conspicuous commentator
was awarded from the headquarters o
the army to anything like such force al
that command by Major Cole. OF cours,
there are thousand incidents Of thiI
( barefooied eight on the mountain, in tht
snow worth rt lating, and the conspicu
Gus instances of bravery would includ,
every man in the command. But ther,
is one touching incident necessary to joir
the Woof and warp of this whole sketch
PAxToN's BOY.
When daylight broke upon the seen,
there was a young Confederate soldie
lying upon the field with fatal wount
in the neck near the jugulAr vein. H.
was not more than twenty years of age
and boy in sppesrnoe as we'll Ss il
years. The officer, who appears at th,
Crossroads in the beginning of the story
found him. He raised up the dying Lac
and asked his name.
MY name is Paxton, replied the boy
in broken tones.
My Godl are you Mr.. Pa1ton's SOL
that lives at the Crossroads, toward Wa
terville?" eagerly inquired the officer.
Il am, was the simple response.
The humane act of bis father In 1856:
was recalled, and full ofeinotion the offi
Ger picked the lad up. carried him To tn,
hospital, laii him upon an easy couch
and summoned the doctor. who replied
petulAntlyi
ave can't care for those men until We
look after our own wounded"
But this boy must be cared for. " said
the OthOsT. and In As few words Is posi-