The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-06-05
was considered good evidence that fh'

was considered good evidence that tho
works were still occupied.
One OF our naval captains, who wal
known far and wide as man OF pluck
and fighting abilities, being senior Of,
ficer OF our little feet, determined to
capture the battery. Organizing an as
saulting party, he gave the details great
attention. If successful this venture
would enable the vessel to run in sew
eral miles nearer land into smoother
water, avoiding the terrible shaking up
the vessels were getting from their out
side station. The storming party was
composed entirely of sailors, who were
to attack the garrison in the fort in a
handto-hand fight with revolvers and
cutlasses. The preparations were be-
gun by fitting out the launches and
cutters with the essentials required
upon boats for such an expedition,
muffied oars, etc. Preparations COM
pleted, the boats were filled with de-
termined crews, who knew the work In
hand and were prepared to do it or die
in the attempt. Great caution was OBJ
served and the men were now nearing
the fort. The guns could be seen in
position and the muzzles frowning down,
upon them. The object of the expedi-
ton could not be kept from the enemy
much longer, and every moment it was
expected those guns would belcb forth
fire and death into their very midst
Many poor fellow said his prayers as
he grasped his revolver and cutlass, re-
solved to sell his life as dearly as possi-t
BILE.
The fort was now reached and crawl
ing up the sides the men peered over and
saw what they thought was the whole
garrison asleep. A fire was burning
and the sickly reflection from its fading
light was cast over scores of sleeping
forms. The assault would be a COM
plete surprise. The captain was just
about to give the order to charge when
he fell into the fort. In a moment
dozen men jumped down on top of him.
Such mixed up lot ofs.sailors was never
before seen. They yelled, scrambled
and whirled their cutlashes around their
heads. Dashing down on what they
supposed were the sleeping Confederates
they began hacking at them with their
cutlasses, when they found they were
nothing but stakes driven in the ground,
with old clothes hung upon them. One
man hit another in the mouth with re-
volver and one got cut in the foot.
These were the only casualties of the
great assault, and when quiet was some
what restored there was some tall
swearing done.
The dangerous looking big guns were
quakers made from logs, and they were
very good imitation of the real noisy
ones Such a scene can be imagined,
but it is difficult to describe it. The
chagrined sailors got down to their
boats and without word rowed back
boats had heard the shouting and sup
posing a real battle was i'll progress
were all ready to shell the fort and cover
the retreat of their comrades should they
get worsted in the assault.
At Antietam General Owen was going
into action with his command, when he
saw some soldiers carrying stretcher
off the field with either a wounded or
dead officer on it. He halted long
enough to ask: "Men, whom have you
there?"
"General-," replied one of the
stretcher- bearers.
"Poor fellow" said Owen, "is he
dead?"
"Only dead drunk, replied an Irish
man, with a leer in his eye.
A very vain general was cavorting on
his horse near the Lacy House, Fal-
mouth, when seeing Mr.. Burt about
going over with flag of truce boat, he.
said Lieutenant, if those officers should
ask you who am, will you please tell
them"
eyes, General, with pleasure"
Upon his return he was asked If they
had questioned him.
eyes, sir, they did," said Burt.
"And what did they ask you?"
"They wanted to know who that was
cavorting about on his horse"
"And what did you say?"
II told them"
"What further did they say?" asked
the General, with evident pleasure.
"They said they had never heard of
you"
"Ah!" and off went the horse and
rider to camp.
Fort KEoGH, Montana.