Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-07-05
CHARLEY,S CHECKRSS BATTERY.
Novel Artillery That Made a Remarkable I'm
preston ON His Mind.


Charley b. was pottering little
Dutchman, reckless as French Zou-
ave, but stubborn as mule. He was
always last in a retreat, not because he
was more courageous than other men,
but because he had more contrariness
in his composition. One day about
daylight, a scouting party of which
Charley was a member were moving
up mountain road Coward the main
detachment of the regiment posted SCI
curely above). pursued by rebels. Sud-
denly from above came the order,
Bear off TO the right men-liyely
there and then they saw the CLEAN of
the mountain howitzers rs they were
unmasked and wheeled quickly into
position. Comprehending the situation
at once, the great majority of the men
darted off quickly to the right, leaving
the road clear to be raked by the howit-
zers. Charley with his stubborn spirit
reused by the order without explana-
ton, and being intent on shootinga reb
with a red comfort about his neck, and
never having seen mountain howitzer,
and not seeing any reason for the sud-
den detour, moved slowly after his
scrambling comrades. Curses from
the impatient artillery-men above fail
ed to hasten Charley's movements
| The moment he was out of range the
two howitzers were discharged, demon
alizing the enemy below, who COM
menced precipitate retreat, and as
founding Charley, who, half-stunned
| by theAwhistling missiles that came very
near him, dropped flat and calculated,
Hail dat?' He was informed
that it was '.Jackass'' battery, and
after reaching the main line he exam
ined the two little guns that formed the
section of the battery in action, with
the greatest interest, and observing
every shot, would exclaim, Beautiful.
| beautiful
The "Check-ess" battery became a
standard thing with him, and when in
the winterthe command was transferred
| to Kentucky, and the boys were gwen a
| home by squad of Ohio boys. 1t was
in the midst of the war and they were
lionized, Charley, with his quaint, bro
ken English and his nervous manner,
receiving fair share OF attention. The
'.cute little Dutchman' was generally
the center of a group of ladies, telling
stories of his army life, always in de-
mand. One evening he branched off on
his mountain adventures, and the boys
| in the other part of the room heard.
1--WE was been gone up only leetle
ways, wen der Zhonnies dey comes
scootin after u.s.. We was den run off
NIT de side of de road, oond dc Check
ess' (first syllable very emphatic and
the last short and almost part of the
firsD, battery, he blaze away, oond how
dose Zhonnies did tumble" As Char
ley paused for moment, lady said:
''Tumbled! What made them tumble,
| don't understand, Mr.. B. Char
ley turned toward her, and with the
greatest earnestness repeated "Vy,
de Check-ess battery, don't you see?''
and, seeing that she still did not under
stand, repeated still more earnestly
and somewhat excitedly: "Check- less.
Check-ess. Check-ess battery, you know!
Dam, leetle; short A laugh from
his companions notified Charley that
there was something wrong somewhere.
In some way it was explained to the la
dies, and their laugh SO angered Char
ley that he told no more stories. On
his return to the regiment the story was
told and re-told with variations, and
Charley b. became the .'Check-ess'' of
the company, name that stuck to him
through the service. Dubuque Times.