The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-12-08


nays before Stockton had been direct
eu to occupy pass in the mountains
on our left, and t0 hold it until fur
ther orders. Or course, unaware of
lthe predicament of the main army,
he would make no movement to our
relief. Communications were now
cut off, and it seemed a matter finn
possibility to reopen them through
ftEe heavy lines of Confederates,
which lay across the railroad. Gen.
Thomas, however, determined to try
II and was selected for the danger
Gus but honorable duty of the at
tempt.
tkWe had reason to suppose that
the enemy had not destroyed the
;sss road ,and that IL we'were not cap
tured at the outset we might get an
engine through to Kanakia station,
where Stockton lay.
AT half-past ten O'Clock my orders
were given me and | mounted the
engine which was either to carry me
to my death OF save the army. 1t
was not a powerful machine, but it
was the best at our disposal, and in
good order, fortunately. One of our
men who had been an engineer un
dertook to manage the engine and
another to fire it. Both We're cool,
tried men, but as we stepped into the
cab trgether l saw them shake hands
with their comrades and bid them
farewell. Evidently neither of them
expected to get through alive.
Put in, a couple of extra tallow
cans, John said the engineer. 'We
are going to make time. and l expect
the old machine will heat up finely.'
"The cans were slowed away in
the caboose. the engineer opened the
throttle valve, and amid an impress
siye silence in the crowd surround
ing the starting point, we moved
slowly away. About two miles dis
tant lay the battery which the enemy
had thrown up to command the road;
beyond that were several more, to
say nothing of several picket lines
scattered along the track. So you
will perceive we are to run a pretty
warm gauntlet.
"We had proceeded but a very
short distance when there was flash
and report from the shrubbery
skirting the road, and a bullet crash
ed through the window of the cab.
An outpost had already discovered
us, and given us a foretaste of what
we were to expect, further on.
"'Let her out! | said to the engi-
neer. There is no use in trying to
hide ourselves. Speed is our only
chance now
"'Very good, Sir replied the en-
gineer. opening the valve as he spoke.
The engine bounded like spurred
horse. On we went, swaying from
side to side, until it seemed as if we
must jump the track. Meanwhile
our enemies along the road were not
idle. Bullet after bullet whistled by
us, but fortunately, what with the
darkness and the rapidity of our mo-
ti0n. none of them reached US.
"We had now arrived in sight of
his first battery. By the lights moy-
ing hurriediy along the parapet it
was obvious that our approach was
expected. As we passed abreast the
battery it gives us its first c0mpli-
ment in the shape of a round shot,
followed by a storm of grape. Here
again the darkness and our speed
saved us. Several of the grape shot
glanced off the frame of the engine
without doir g any damage.
"'Give her some more fire, John,'
said the engineer, grimly. If they
happen to knock a hole in us with
one Of them bits of iron, you WON'T
do no more firing, my boy, / can tell
you that
"'Not in this world, any way re-
sponded the fireman, with saturnine
humor. Cant tell what | may do
IN the next world, William
"The reckless bravery of the two
men in the face of such danger sham
ed away my own arising tremor, and
L folded my arms and looked toward
the battery, which was evidently
preparing to give us another salute.
1t came in the shape of conical shot,
with SO true an aim that it whizzed
within foot Of the boiler and carried
off the bell, which fell with a clang
among the bushes.
"'Thank you,' said the engineer,
with a grin. we don't need the
bell, any how. You can use it your
self, to ring TO dinner with
by this time we had passed out Of
range of the first battery, and were
under the guns of two more. These
I