The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-05-14
Behind The EartllWorEs.

f-fft - 49, e9e@s Se INeAS FaNNtANeN
June days even Virginia ever saw,
There was such a mellow sunshine.
that every flower and blossom
turned its face to be kissed, and
there was such q happy, peaceful
look do&n,across the fields toward
the James River that men forgot
for q moment that war existed.
Iln Che trees overhead the robins
called to each other, and once a
blue bird alighted on the wheel Of
a fsld piece which had dits shining
brass muzsle thrust through the
embrasure, ready osend its shrisk-
ing shell whenever hand pulled
the lock string.
There were d thousand 81 us
down behind the srishvosl and.
we we're so quiet that the voice Of
the colonel reached the last men
on the aanks as he cautioned US:
my lads, We are going TO hold this
position against a whole army"
seel A thin line Of men-skir-
mishers, to the number Of fifty
suddenly break cover from the
woods half a mile away, and ad-
vance upon US. They sknlk- they
dodge they drop down and sud.
denly rise again, and advance as
stealthily as Indians intent upon
surprising a hamlet. BAIL Fifty
men against one thousand No, ii
is not that. Tho octopus is in the
woods; those skirmishers are the
long arms he 10 reaching out TO
feel ns-to uncover our position
to ascertain our strength.
"PufIl Puff"
1t is the FIRE Of the skirmishers.
You know where the watch dog is
by his growl. They are trying to
provoke the beast to betray his re.
treat. Zipl zipl How the bullets
sing as they fly over our headsl
There is dead silence behind the
works. We breathe faster and
hardcr-we clutch our guns with
tighter grip, but We are silent. To.
kill an octopus you must strike at
the body. Sever hisarms and they
will grow again.
"Popl popl popl zipl zipl zipp
STEADY, lads, and wait for the
wordl" says the Colonel,
There is no excitement among
us, Ihear the man on my right
shut his teeth with a gritting
sound, and The one on my left is
breathing like o weary man in
profound slumber. If ! should
look up and down the line | might
see pale faces, but l am looking
down across the fields and over the
heads Of the skirmishers. The
grandest sight Of the world is to
see the octopus Of war leave his
lair and come forth thirsting for
human blood.
Ahl here he comesl His feelers
have failed to uncover us, but he
can judge for himself that such a
short line Of works cannot conceal
more than a full regiment He
does not know that our right flank
rests on q swamp, and our left on
an impossible rayine, while our
front offers no shelter even for q
rabbit, 1ookl the sight is worth
ten ofyourlifel Afullbrigade
pours out Of the woods and forms
for the charge. Regiments and
companies swing into positions as
if on parade. The skirmishers
redouble their FIRE and a general
gallops along the front Of the brig.
ade, as if to see that every foot is
on line with its neighbor.
Now, they got the word to ad.
vance, aud at the same instant our
feld 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 move.
ment. He wants blood. He will
demand drop for drop-and morel
Hal the shrek Of shell has changed
tothe whistle ofgrape and canister,
and the meA at the guns are work.
ing as ifthe fate Of nations depen.
ded upon them. The smoke drops
down in great cloud, and one can.
not see beyond his bayonet Now
it is rent and shattered, and IL lifts
and floats away in great piecesand
fragments.
"Now, lads-and FIRE lowl"
The octopus has been staggered,
wounded haulted - but hore he
comes again. Right iu front Of me
SEQ a face and form which select