Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-06-13
BEHIND THE EAHyHWGRKS.
A Pen Picture of Wars Ieorro's
Graphically Portrayed

and blossom turned its face to be kissed,
and there was such a happy, peaceful
look down across the fields toward the
James river that men forgot for moment
that war existed. In the trees overhead
the robins called to each other, and once
a blue bird alighted on the wheel Of n
field-pie which had its shining brass
muzzle thrust through the embrazure,
ready to send its shrieking shell when
ever hand pulled the lock-string.
There were thousand of us down be-
hind the earthworks, and we were so
quiet that the voice of the colonel reached
the last man on the TANKS as be cautioned
us: ''My lads, we are going to hold this
position against a whole armyp
Seel A thin line of men-skirmishers
to the number of fifty suddenly break
cover from the woods half a mile away
and advance upon us. They skulk-
they dodge-they drop down and sud-
denly rise again and advance as stealth
ily as Indians intent upon surprising a
hamlet. BAIL Fifty iIfae.2 against /, OO0i
No, it is not that. The octopus is in the
woods-these ski-mishers are the long
arms he is reaching out to feel us-to
uncover our position-to ascertain our
strength.
"Puff! Puffp
1t is the fire of the skirmishers. You
know where the watchdog is by his
growl. They are trying to provoke the
beast to betray his retreat. Zip! Zipl
How the outlets s;ag as they fly over our
headsl There is dead silence behind the
works. We breathe faster and harder
we clutch our guns with tighter grip, but
we are silent. To kill an octopus you
must strike at the body. Sever his arms
and they will grow again.
"Popl pop! pop! Zipl zip zip"
"Steady lads, and wait for the wordV
SAYS the colonel.
There is no excitement among us.
hear the man on my right shut his teeth
with gritting sound, and the one on my
left is breathing like weary man in pro-
found slumber. If l should look up and
down the line I might see pale faces,
but am looking down across the fields
and over the heads of the skir1ishers.
The grandest sight of the world is to see
the octopus of war leave his lair and
come forth thirsting for human blood.
All here Ee comesl His feelers have
failed to uncover us, but he can judge
for himself that such short line of works
cannot conceal more than full regi-
ment He does not know that orr right
| flank rests on swamp, and our left on
an impossible ravine, while eur front
! offers no shelter even Tor a rabbit.
Look the sight is worth ten years OF
your life! A full brigade pours out OF
the woods and forms for the charge.
Regiments and companies swing into
position as if on parade. The skirmishers
redouble their fire, and general gallops
along the front of the brigade, as if to
see that every foot is on line with its
neighbor.
Now they get the word to advance,
and at the same instant our tield-pieces
open fire. The cruel shell are striking
plump into the front rank and tearing
men to pieces by the half-dozen, but as
the smoke lifts we find the Octopus
marching on with steady movement. He
wants blood. He will demand drop for
drop-and morel Hal The shrek OF
shell has changed to the whistle OF grape
and canister, and the men at the guns
are working as if the fate of nations de-
pended upon them. The smoke drops
down in great cloud, and one cannot
see beyond his bayonet. Now it is rent
and shattered, and it lifts and floats
away in great pieces and fragments.
CHOW lads-and fire low!"
The octopus has been staggered
wounded-ha lted-but here he comes
again. Right in front ef me see face
and form which select as q target. l
could kill him now, but | grimly wait Tor
him to come nearer. He is pale with ex-
citement, and as the man at his left 10
struck down, my target loses the steady
step of the line. But only for an instant.
Now he is not over forty feet away, and
the fire of musketry has checked the ad-
vance. My weapon points straight at
him. l am looking right into his eyes.
| note his brown curls, his high forehead
the white teeth shut tight together IN
his excitement. He is not over twenty
wears old. He has mother whose poor
old heart will almost break tomorrow.
He has sisters who will refuse to be COM
forted for long months. And such far
faced bow must have sweetheart whose
very soul will cry out in anguish at the
news of his death.
am going to kill him. The excitement
| of the check has confused him. He looks
to the right and 30 the left, and then
into my eyes. He is standing almost
alone. AS our eyes meet he sees murder
in mine, and l read an appeal for mercy
in his. The result of a battle does
! not hinge upon the life of a corporal.
The war will not be over sooner for his
death. But take deliberate aim at his
| breast and press the trigger, and even
then before feel the shock of discharge
see the red blood spray out from the
horrible wound, and he falls back with
a shrek upon his lips.
The octopus is beaten back. &C
over the works and find my target. Those
+ brown curls are damp with death-tht
fair face as white as snow-the ground
{ soaked with blood so precious that every
/, drop will call for hundred tears from
women's eyes. The blue eyes are wide
! open, the lips are parted, and as | bend
over him it seems as if his voice came
back for an instant to whisper the ex
clamation: Murderer
And that was warl That was one o.
the cats which helped to make victory
for thousands to shout over-for flags tc
: ripple-for rockets to ascend-for chi
dren to cheer and women to bless high
!. heaven M Quad.