The Mineral argus., 1883-11-01

ou- line through the orchard in the rear.
He is dressed in a long. blue, swallow
tailed coat and high silk hat, and coming
up to the colonel, he asks:
Would you let an old chap like me have
a chance to fight in your ranks, colonell"
Can you shoot?" inquiries the colonel.
"Oh, yes, ! can shoot, l reckon" said
he.
"But where are your c~artridges?"
"Tve got'em here" says the old man,
Shaping his hand on his pantaloons
And so, aold JOIN Burns, of whom
every school-boy has heard takes his place
in the line and loads and fires with the best
Of them, and is left wounded and insensible
on the field when the day is done.
Reclining there under a tree while the
skirmishiug is going on in front ard the
SHELLS are tearing up the sod around us, l
observe how evidently hard-pressed is that
battery yonder in the edge of the wood,
about so yards to our right. The enemy's
batteries have excellent range on the poor
fellows serving it. And when the smoke
lifts or rolls away in great clouds for a mo-
ment, we can Bee the men running and
ramming and sighting and firing and swab-
bling and changing position every few min
utes to throw the enemy's guus out Of range
a little. The men are becoming terribly
few, but nevertheless their guns, with a
mpidity that seems undated, belch forth
great clouds Of smoke and send the shells
! shrieking over the plain.
Meanwhile, events occur which give us
something more to think Of than mere skin
mishing and shelling. Our beloved brig
adler general. stepping out a moment to
~reconnOiter the enemY's position and move
ments, is seen by some rp-shooters of
in a tree, and is carried severely wounded
into the barn. Our colonel assumes COM
mand of the brigade. Our regiment facing
westward. while the line on our right faces
10 the north. Is observed TO be exposed to
an ~enflaaing fire from the enemy's guns, as
well as from the long line Of gray now APP
pearing in full sight on our right. So our
regiment must form in line and change
front forward, in order 10 come in line with
the other regiments. Accomplished swiftly.
this new movement brings our line at once
face to face with the enemy's. which ad-
RANGES to within fifty yards, and exchanges
a few ~volleys, but is soon checked and stag
gered by our fire.
Yet now, seel Away to our left, and con-
sequently on our flank, n new line appears,
rapidly advancing out Of the woods a half
mile away, and there must be some sharp
work done now, boys, or between the old
foes in front and the new ones on our flank,
We nANAA UG AAAAAAAAALAa III LAEAL rs q
these old assailants in front before the new
line can sweep down On our fink. our
brave colonel in a ringing command, orders
a charge along the whole line. Then, be-
fore the cleaning and g~hstening bayonets
Of our "Bucktail" brigade, as il wells and
cheers, sweeping resistlessly over the field.
the enemy gives way ard flies in coLsaS:or.
But there Is little time to watch them hy.
Tor that new line on "a left is advancing AZ
e rapid pace; and, with shells falling thick
and fast into our ranks, and men dropping
everywhere, our regiment must reverse the
former movement by changing front to
rear, n and to resume its original position
facing westward. for the enemy's new line
is approaching from that direction. and if it
takes us in flank we are done for.
To change front to rear" is q difficult
movement to execute even on drill, execute
more so under severe FIRE. but II Is hum
ed now steadily and without confusion, yet
not a minute too soonl For the new line
Of gray is upon US in a mad tempest o flead,
supported by a cruel artillery fire, almost
before our line can steady itself 10 receive
the shock. However, partially protected
by a ~post-and-nil fence, we answer fierce
", and with effect so terrific that the enc
my's lines wavers, and at length moves OF
by The right flank, giving US a breathing
space Cor a time.
During this struggle there had been many
a exciting scene all along the line as it
swayed backward and forward over the held
scenes which we have had no ume e
mention vet.
See wonder, where the colors Of the reg
iment on our right-our sister regiment, the
l4gth-have been advanced a little 70 draw
the enemy's Ere. while our lin sweeps on
to the charge. There ensues about the
Tag a Wild melee and close hand-to-han
encounter. Sons Of the enemy nave seized
the colors ard are making of with them in
triumph, shouting victory. But a squad OF
our own regiment dashes out, and amid
wells and cheers and smoke. you see the
battle days rise and fal. and sway hither
and thither upon the surging mass, as If
tossed on the pillows Of a tempest, until,
vrenched away by strong arms, they are
borne back in triumph to the line Of the
l49th.
See yonder. againl Our ~colonelis clapping
his hand to his cheek, from which a red
stream is pouring; our lieutenant colonel
Is kneelng on the ground, and Is having
his handkerchief tied tightly around his
arm at the shoulder; the major and adju-
tant both lie low, pierced with balls through
the chest; one lieutenant is waving his
sword u his men. although his leg is
crushed at the knee; three other officers Of
the line are lying over there. mouonless
o forever. All over the held are strewn
men wounded or dead, and comrades pause
a mOmen In the mad rush 70 catch the last
words Of the dying. Incidents such as these
the reader must imagine for himself, to al
in these swift sketches Of how the day was
von-and lost
Ave, lost For the balls which have so
Tar come mainly from our front, being now
to sing in from our left and right, which
means that We are being hanked. Some
how, away Of to our right. q half mile or