Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-17
Spider and Dog in Battle. tksT ID v S, Aba TI,;oa0o Trib11no

My own position behind the company brought me in front of little gap in our own line, the men, when they knelt at the
 first fire, having dropped away to either side. Stretched from bush to bush in this narrow
 open space, large yellow-backed spider had spun his web, and I watched him for some time as he engaged diligently in the work of re- pairing breaks in the net. Scarcely, however, was one mended when a bullet would come sweeping through, tearing new hole in the structure. Several times he seemed to give up in despair; but recollecting as I imagined at the time, the successful persistence of the historic insect who labored before the royal Bruce, he dashed into the breach with renew ed vigor. At last a missile whistled along and carried away one of the branches to which his web was attached, and the silky floss reduced to shapeless ruin. If ever, in the department of entomology, an attempt was made to express disgust, 1 think this specl- men is entitled to the honor of having made it. He surveyed the wreck from the stand point of one corner of the fragile roof, and then, turning on his heel-climbed out of sight in the tangle of green leaves. I think this individual was supremely disgusted as well as astonished, at the violent methods of the strange creatures who had invaded his domain.
 Soon after this, had my attention called to the curious antics of dog who insisted upon being present and taking part in the proceedings. He had fallen in with the regi- ment on the march to the Rapidan, and after bearing patiently liberal allotment of kicks and other disrespectful treatment-including the modification of having camp-kettle tied to his tail-he seemed to consider himself du- ly enlisted, and deported himself according ly. He had evidently been laid out by na- ture on rectangular plan-a square-built mongrel, with (to paraphrase the boys com position on the horse) short, crooked leg at each corner. He was an ungainly beast, but he had the real metal in him. He followed us into the fight with stouter heart, I think than some who carried muskets or wore shoulder straps. Whenever bullet struck branch within his range of sight, he plunged at the fractured part and bit and paved 1t as if he thought this energetic course of proceed ure was in some way beneficial to his adopted battalion. Then he leaped around through the brush looking for another place on which to wreak his unreasoning vengeance. During this performance he held his tail def- antly erect, and conducted himself in very martial manner indeed. But unfortunately for his bodily comfort, before the fight at this point closed, @ ball came along, and car ried away link of the proudly waving mem- Der. This catastrophe would not have occur red had he been modestly brave, and kept his tail down. The injury, however, was not sufficiently serious to send him to the hospi- tai. Probably there were too many reckless amputations there to suit his ideas of proper surgical practice. At any rate, he remained with us after the battle, and doctored the wound in his own way. During the next day Icame upon him several times when he was carry ing his medical theories into effect, and in the end they brought about thorough cure. Whenever he found pool, or mud puddle, or even moist place, he deposited the wound ed member in it with tender pathos, which really think did much toward working repent ance in those who had been foremost in abusing him. He followed us through the campaign until the close of the first cay's battle on the Weldon railroad, when I saw him with his paws in the air and great hole torn through his body by piece of shell,