National Republican., 1883-04-05

viglant enemy might reach vital part. lie
had never before fought Lee, but tho rapid
conclusions of that general must have i'm
pressed him with the idea that he had at
last met a strategist who was thoroughly
acquainted with his own style of waging
war.
The crossing of the Rapidan had not been
opposed in force. As at Fredericksburg, where
Lee made no vigorous opposition to the cross
ing of the Rappahannock, but thumped the
wind out of Burnside after he got across, SO
here it was apparent that he proposed TO pur-
sue substantially the same tactics. III there
was one remaining chance of success for the
confederates that chance was offered in the
opportunity to fight the army of the Potomac
in the Wilderness. The history of the war
shows how promptly Lee grasped 1t. Had
our force been in the exact position in whlch
II stood on the afternoon of the hfth
of May, and Longstreets corps as con-
venient to Lees hand as were EwelPs and
Hills, the laurels Of Vicksburg and Mission
Ridge would have wilted under the scorching
they would have received in the Wilderness.
But these might have bcens" afford ground
for tremendously useless discussion. Long
street was not where he could be dashed on
the disointcd union line; Hancock reached
the Brock-road crossing barely in time to fur
nish opposition to the rapidly extending con-
federate array, and before Lee could find men
to drive into the gap in the union center Burn
side had planted the 9th corps squarely across
it. l imagine the outcome Of the battle of the
Wilderness must have convinced Lee that the
cause of the confederacy was beyond even
hope.
Colonel" said gold mounted aid rs he
dashed up to our regimental commander ana
saluted, send couple of companies to the
right until they clear the line of firing, when
they will advance in skirmish order until they
strike something. The officer in command
will report Immediately"
Fifty dollars to clam she'll that means
us" said Capt. ID. "Well, I'm glad of it;
want to know what is going on" He was
fighter from the word "go," and had been
chatting continually from the moment we
halted. In q moment the colonel was be-
side us.
"You heard tho order, captain. Take your
own company and company IL and carry 1T
out. The woods seem to thin out to the right.
Send man back as soon as you find any
thing, and look out for your right Hank.
Good luck to you ~
There was cashing Of arms and a buzzing
of voices as the remainder of the regiment
gathered around us.
say, John, bring me back two or three
scalps for samples; / want to send them to
my girl" called out tho familiar voice Of
friend in one of the other companies.
"Ill bring back tho one I've got on now,
If there is no objection,"I replied US took
my place Denlnd the company.
Forward, march Trail arms!" and we
plunged into the brush with crash. A few
yards within the line of timber the order
came By the right flank, march," and tho
line became column. After several halts to
determine whether we had cleared the firing
we reached point, III front of which every
thing seemed quiet and peaceful.
"As skirmishers by the right flank take
intervals-march p and the column became
n long line, with an interval Of five PAGES, as
near as might be between each file.
Hey, Captain !" came voice from some
where in the brush," are you going to put
the boys in without anything in their piecesp
"Plagonit forgot all about that~ ex-
claimed Capt. D., with a growl of censure
upon his own stupidity-"L Load at will
Load! Pass the order down the line"
For a moment or two the metal hammers
sounded dull and hollow on the lead as they
drove it down the tubes then there was
sharp "click click clicking" along the
line as the caps were put on the nipples, and
the little army was ready for business,
81 guess you'll have to take charge of that
right flank" said Capt. d. turning to me.
"Throw the first six men on the right back at
right angle and keep your eye peeled for
Johnnies.'"
"F-o-r-w-a-r-d m-a-r-c-h!" shouted the
captain with the bull strength Of his vocal APP
paratus and we made plunge at tho con-
federacy. J. L.