Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-05-16
Behind the EarthMorks.

0as - SNCA Ii LulS ever saw. 1ACfS
was such q mellow sunshine that
every flower and blossom turned its
face to be kissed, and there was such a
happy, peaceful look down across the
fields towards the James river that
men forgot for q moment the war ex
listed. In the trees overhead the
robins called to each other, and once
blue bird alighted on the wheel of a
field piece which had its shining brass
muzzle thrust through the embrasure
ready to send its shriek,ng she'll
whenever hand pulled the lock
string.
There was a thousand of us down
behind the s2rthworks, and we were
so quiet that the voice of the Colonel
reached the last man ON the TANKS as
he cautioned US: My lads, we are
going to hold this position against a
whole army
See! a thin line of men-skirmish-
ers to the number of fifty-suddenly
break cover from the woods half q
mile away and advance upon us.
They skulk-they dodge-they drop
down and suddenly rise again and ad-
vance as stealthy as Indians intent
upon surprising a hamlet. Bah,
Fifty men againt 1,0Ool No, it is not
that. The octopus is in the woods
these skirmishers are the long arms
he is reaching out TO feel us-to I'M
cover our position-to ascertain our
strength.
Puff, 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 retreat. Zip!
Zip How the bullets sing as they fly
over our heads. 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.
Pop! popI pop! Zip! zip! ZIP"
STEADY, lads, and wait for the
world" says the colonel.
There is no excitement among US.
l hear the man on my right shut his
teeth with gritting sound, and the
man on my left is breathing like a
man in profound slurlber. If l could
look up and down the line / might see
pale faces, but l am looking down
across the fields and over the heads OF
the skirmlshers. The srandest sight
of the world is to see the Octopus oil
| War leave his lair and come fourth
thirsting for human blood.
Ali here he comes His feelers
have failed to uncover US, but he ear
| fx,, l,.,,,colf that c,,nh chn,,
line of works can not conceal more
than a full regiment. He does no
kno w that our right flank rests on {
swamp and our left ON an impossible
ravine, while our front offers no shell
tel even for a rabbit. Look the sigh
is worth ten years of your life. 4
full brigade pours out of the woods
and form for the charge. Regiments
and companies swing into position a
if on parade The skirmishers re
double their fire, and general gallop
alon. the front of brigade, as if t.
see that every foot is on a line will
its neighbor.
Now they get the word to advance
and at the same instant our field piece
open fire. The cruel shell are striking
plump into the front rank and tearing
men to pieces by the half-dozen, bu
as the smoke lifts we find Octopus
marching on with steady movements
He wants blood. He will demand
drop for drop-and more Ha, Tn
shrek of shell has changed to tn,
whistle of grape and canister, ant
the men at the guns are working as i
the fate of nations depended on them
The smoke drops down in a grea'
cloud and one cannot see beyond his
bayonet. Now it is rent and shattered
and it lifts and floats away in pieces
and fragments.
"Now lads-and fire low"
The Octopus has been staggered
wounded -halted-but here he come,
again. Right in front of me l see a
face and form which l select as tar
get. | could kill him now, but grim
ly wait for him to come nearer. He
is pale with excitement. and as the
man at his left is struck down, my tar
get 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 advance.
My weapon points straight at him. l
am looking right into his eyes. L
note his brown curls, his high fore
head-the white teeth shut tight to-
gether in his excitement. He is not
over 20 years old. He has mother
whose poor old heart will almost
break tomorrow. He has sisters who
will refuse to be comforted for long
months. Aud such a fair-faced boy
must have sweetheart whose very
soul will cry out in anguish at the
news of his death.
am going to kill him! The excite
ment OF the check has confused him.
He looks to the right and the lett and
then into my eyes. He is standing al
most alone. As our eyes meet he sees
murder in mine, and l read an appeal
of mercy in his. The result of bat
tie does not hinge upon the life of
corporal. The war will not be over
the sooner for his death. But take
deliberate aim for his breast and press
the trigger and even before l feel the
shock of discharge | see the rcd blood
spray out from the horrible wound,
and he falls back with shrek upon
his lips.
The Octopus is beaten back. / 60
over the works and find nay target.
Those brown curls are damp With
death-the fair face as white as snow
the ground soaked with blood SO
precious that every drop will call for
a hundred tears from woman's eyes.
The blue eyes are wide open, the lips
are parted, and as l bend over him it
seems as if his voice came back for an
instant to whisper the exclamation:
Murderer,
And that was war! That was one
of the acts which helped to make a
victory for thousand to shout over
for flags to ripple-for rockets to
ascend-for children to cheer and
women to bless high heaven.-M.
Quad in Detroit Free Press.
Queer Animals from Swan Land.
Baltimore Sun.