National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-16

chase, but occasionally, when Imbodon
WAS pressed too close, and was In need Of
time to keep tho prisoners and plumber
safely ahead out OF tho way, no stopped
long enough to give 10 a sharp taste Of
fighting that showed the metal that was
In him. Once, late In tho afternoon, at n
point somewhere between Fairfield
lblacksmith shop, grocery &c.), and
Berryvillo, Minor had gone into battery
with oil Of his guns in arolling field off to
the right of the road, where 1mbOdon
made what threatened TO be determined
stand, as tho ground was all no
could have wished for II no had picked IL
out. just In our front, crossing the open
ground diagonally from the pike, was q
stone wall about throo feet high, running
along tho edge of q steep creek bank,
whilo beyond, nearer his lines, was an
other wall, somewhat higher, and from
that n gentle slope upward to his position,
which was just at the edge Of wooded
lot, about thousand yards away from
our front Close by our right, and 400 or
900 yards from tho road, was q patch Of
woodland that seemed to have been woll
thinned out, aud had thick second
growth Of scrub pine that you SO often see
In Virginia, and apparently impossible.
1 say apparently advisedly, for / had
aiNhVh oNui W tHu Tihrkli VI LHb WOOus
and could SEQ no trace of road, other
wagon or bridlo path. The guns were
well at work, and as Miner was short of
officers, was directing ono Of his sections,
when, with whoop and yell, out
Of that thick underground, little TO tho
rear, came couple Of Harry Gillmoros
squadrons, with that daredevil sabrour
leading them, straight down on us, every
man with his saber pommel at the thigh,
and looking as IL there was q whole
division of them. II wasn't moro than
fifty yards away, and Of course II didn't
tako long for them to get there Josh,
Our support at the time was one Of
Coles troops and two companies OF
tho Bath, and the rush was so
sudden and unlocked for--an episode.
in fact, that the support gave way
and Gilmore made straight for the guns.
1 was dismounted ut tho time, and, actu-
ally, before anything could be done they
rode right over and past the guns sabers
slashing and pistols firing as they went.
l had been Juggling like blazes at my
huge rovolyer--army pattern, Weighing
MS much as a carbine. almost-but couldn't
get tho blamed thing out, and as they
rode over US long-legged, red-headed
fellow made a vicious slash ut mo over
the wheel with his saber. promptly
lodged under the muzzlo of
tho gun, and he didn't reach me,
much to my satisfaction. 'Fours, left
wheeP rang out, and back they came
before you could draw breath with any
satisfaction, and when they did l laid for
the son of saber that reached for me
before, for had got out my gun by this
time, and got around in roar of tho piece
by the trail. / didn't see my red-headed
friend. but happened to look up suddenly
just ~ handsome. dark-moustac he'd
youngster, q boy in looks. was making a
point to run mo through. Dern my but
tons, gentlemen, but If that saber didn't
look as long as fence rail and az bright as
an electric light I'll let my pay this month
go into the conscience fund. 1t SCENE
to me as II just stood still half an
hour looking at 1t; but that was just
fancy, for j dropped Eat under the gun
axle and tho boy swept on past. by
this stme the support had rallied and
began work, and in secon or two we
wheeled q gun round as 1t stood, q stand
Of canister emptied couple of saddles,
and the thing was pra ctically over. But
1t was warm weather for tho moment.
AS far as my own experience and OBJ.
servation goes that dash of Harry Gill;
more's was tho handsomest thing of the
kind that took place during tho war
You see, he nd his men knew every
blessed inch of that whole country, and
had just slipped around our flank by an
almost unnoticeable bride path. I'd
like to run across that young follow some
time, IL he pulled through the war alive
and talk that over. Iwould like to know
just how he ltwhon he thought he hAd
me so sure" VI