The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-06-25
An Incidcn; OF Sumter.

For four hours we had been
pounding away at Stevens battery,
and making no impression on it.
This was very annoying to the men,
and doubtless equally so to the Of
ficers. The non-commissioned Of
ficers believed they could denolish
the battery with the 10-inch gun.
The 10-inch gun referred to was
mounted en- barbette on the third tier,
and the Major had ordered that no
guns on that tier should be manned.
Orders were sacred in the opinion of
Tom Herman, but the demolition of
Stevens battery was a duty. In
this case duty and orders seemed to
conflict, and Tom was troubled.
Tom was an old Sergeant, veteran
of the Mexican war. In his dilem-
ma he consulted with the Ordnance
Sergeant, another Mexican war vet
eran, and they agreed that if it
could be done on the sly; under the
circumstances. the Majors order
might be disregarded. They would
not, however, take anybody with
them. The blame, if any attached
to the act, should rest entirely on
their shoulders. Consequently they
watched their chance, and when the
Major was out of the way, slipped
up stairs to the bdrette battery. The
gun was already loaded and aimed
at the very battery they desired to
strike. For weeks before the bonn
bardment began all the guns were
kept loaded. They had nothing to
do, therefore, but slip in a friction
primer in the vent and pull the Ian
yard. This was the work of a mo-
ment. The gun was fired and the
two Sergeants and those below who
were in the secret, watched the flight
of the shot with almost painful in
terest. 1t missed-m:ssed, seeming
ly, by a hair 'ss.breadth-just grazing
the top of the battery. Great was
the disappointment. So omuch risk
ed, SO little won. But the two Ser
geants would not give it up SO.
They might as well be hanged for
sheep as lamb. They were deter
mined to have another shot. The
gun was reloaded, which was quite
feat for two men, as the shot weigh
ed 12S pounds. hut when they tried
to run the gun ''in battery" i" they
failed. 1t required six men to throw
the carriage lin gear" and the two
Sergeants could not accomplish it.
Although the discharge of the 10
inch gun had escaped the observa-
ton of our own officers, it had been
noticed by the rebels. They knew
all about the position and power of
that particular gun, and had no
doubt wondered at its silence. Now
that it had opened, it was Of the ut
most importance that it be silenced
at once so every rebel gun that
could be brought to bear was turned
on il, and a shower of shot and
shell came Kissing and hurting about
the ears of the two Sergeants, who
were still struggling in vain at the
handspikes. Matters had now
reached crisis. by Gemini," said
Sergeant Tom, let us fire her as she
is" 1t was the only thing they
could do. So the elevating screw
was given half a screw, the primer
was inserted, and the Ordnance Ser
geant ran down to see il the coasts
were clear. Meantime, Tom, who
was left holding the lanyard. found
himself in tight place. Shot and
shell were coming thicker than ever
The rebel gunners were just getting
the range. Tom was lying down
because, as he said, there was nc
room for him to stand up. Wha,
could be keeping his friend so long
Traverse circles were being torn uE
by the enemy's shot, and great blocks
of granite were slashing about th,
terreplein. He could stand it NJ
longer the lanyard was pulled ant
the shot struck the battery anC
seemed to do considerable damage
but the gun, having been fred ou
of battery. recoiled over the counter
hurters and turned somersaul
backward. As the Ordnance Ser
geant reached the top of the stair
he met the 10-inch gun going in th'
opposite direction, and, looking
around for his friend, discovered
him hugging mother earth, hal
dead with fright-not at the enc
my's shot, but at having dismount
ed the boss gun of the outfit. Boil
compatriots came down. Their.
were now additional reasons fo
keeping mum about the 10
inch gun, and the Major never
learned how it was dismounted.-
The United Service.
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