The National tribune., 1884-08-21

company, SHAH 90 my outy
turned upon my heel and walked off
Upon falling back to our old position, we
found Bufinan in the hospital acting as nurse.
His statement was that he had TO go good
deal farther for the water than he expected
when he got back the regiment had disappear
ed, and the Surgeon coming across him, and
learning that he was separated from his regi-
ment had ordered him on duty at the hospital.
BE said be was very anxious to return to his
company. but that the Surgeon would not let
him The Surgeon corroborated this statement,
and excused himself on the plea that he did not
fhink Buiiinan could find the regiment
In the FIRST place, gave the Surgeon blowing
up for assisting Buifinan in has role of deSerter
and for trying TO help excuse him afterwards.
The Surgeon who, as il appeared, had found
the little tinker remarkably willing and USE
ful assistant gave it back 10 me pretty hotly,
which only made me the more resolute. j re-
ported Bufnan absent without leave. He was
court-martialed and sentenced TO forfeit six
months pay.
i knew afterwards by the looks the men gave
me and some things ! overheard that they did
not approve Of my severity, but was so conf
dent of having done my duty that i did not
trouble myself about that. Buffman himself
did not seem TO bear me the slightest ill-will;
he only appeared TO have the more of hang
dog look. which ] considered another proof of
told mo he was never heard TO make a word of
complaint about the court-martisling or the
loss of the six-months pay, although he had
hard time TO get along without it. and L re-
piled that no doubt he was thankful TO be let
of SO easily-as wei he might be-
He went around tinkering and helping the
boys as sociably and good-humoredly as ever,
interesting himself in the smallest affairs,
never in anybOdy's way, and yet turning up
when he was most needed 1began TO notice this
mvself now; for since had had him cOurt-mar-
tialed ] took more notice of the stubby, plain
faced fellow whose little twinkling eyes, look
ing at me in that unresentful way, half in
shame and half questioningly, sometimes
haunted even my dreams.
Our next battle did not take place for some
time; but II was terrible one, and We knew
beforehand that il was TO be terrible.
! shall always remember with singular dis
tinctness the awkward, alert promptness with
which the little tinker sprang into line after
the sudden order came TO form for battle tax
ing his place first after the Orderly and keeping
that position, although il was against the rule,
he being the shortest man in the company.
There was a sweeping charge, and we were
among the foremost
was SO absorbed and excited that noticed
nothing else minutely in that fearful contest
when our brave men were being so driven back
and slaughtered before the onset of everwhelm-
lost sight of Little BGffinan, keeping his place
so oddly next TO the Orderly. In the midst Of
the excitement. the peril and the responsibility,
noticed with unusual acuteness of observa-
tion, as it is said the dying sometimes notice,
how that little squatty fellow formed upon
the Orderly every time a charge was made
with as much precision as though the company
were together, when they were the only two
who had not long ago separated-eyery man for
himself
Ee fonght with al the persistency and cool
daring Of veteran, contesting every foot of
ground, while the enemy raked down the men
around US and made sad havoc Of our regiment
which left its dead farther 10 the front that
day than any other on the field.
At length, while he was rel0ading his gun, q
bal struck him, inilicting a severe wound.
4 got as near TO him as could, and advised
him to 20 70 the rear.
!" No. sir; 1 hain't got through givin' it to
'em yet"
The words were hardly out Of his mouth be-
fore shot strnck him in the shoulder. He
turned pale as death, bat still. with his teeth
and the arm that was uniBiured, be finished
loading his gnn and managed TO fire It. The
next moment another bail struck him and he
fell
The Orderly sprang forward and dragged
him behind stump, SO that the flying balls
would not touch d. but had sca<cely left
him before i ssw him crawl fout from this
shelter and place himself directly IN front OF
the enemy. Then came hand-to-hand fight,
and the rebels began TO wayer. Our men, see
ing their advantage, pressed forward, lighting
ike tigers; the enemy fell back aud yielded.
Little Bu1naa waved his cap with his unin-
sured arm, snG gave feeble cheer.
The brave fellow was carried 10 the hospital
by tender hands. and there was scarcely well
man IN the company who did not 60 there
every Gay 10 see him.
I felt small enough myself the first time 1
went IN 70 see the little hero
he was 50 covered with bandages that only
one hand, his little rwinkling eye, and a part
OF his head and face were visible
his right leg left arm. collar-bone. and law
were broken. he could not move. could speak
bat feeb.y, and only few words al a time.
j tOok Tie unlnjured hand, which lay upon
tie blanket, and said, az well as ] could, that
Il was sorry enough 10 see him in that cOndi-
ton; that be had fought with great bravery,
and regretted more than i could express the
mistake taat had previously been made in re-
gard % hlns which considered my own fault.
j ended BY saying:
An account Of y0ur gallant behavior has
been sent 70 headquarters, my boy; and also
q statesaent Of tie injustice that was done
you b. the coart-martiaiing and the loss Of
your pay"
slight moisture dimmed the bright twink
hing Of his eyes for moment, as he said:
Thank ye.-Cap'n,- n,-I mind
nothin'---'b bout the money; but Pm
Rlad--if y0a--and the b0ys-are certain
EuEe--Im uDt---a coward-and that
oiGiI't run od---0n purp0se-for the water
10 -it red of-fghting those rebs But
we gin i 70 'em good this time. didn't we?"
he tried IN vain to srticRiate further, but
after 8 few moments, he added:
hecrD some OF ftheunen-that were fJv sot
that time 'afore-say they were--a' Inost
dead Q thirst that's why run of SO sudden
tor--for de water. They didn't know heerr
'em."
lie ep2nsed again, from very ex xhaugtiOn, viii
ghasily pase face, the sweat standing in beadl
upon his forehead.
Don't try 10 talk any more at present"
SAID understand il all now. ] never coult
tel you how sorry ] am. and shall be all my
life, for the mistake 1 made; but the .nen neve.
believed you were a coward"
Nc, sir; that's what kept me up--after
WARDS be replied hoarsely. But knew
you thought was a coward, and ali ask &
was--a chance 70 wipe that-outv
must not stay any longer" ] said vol
VIII talk too much" and felt that must re
away On my own account too; was ready L
break down NJ seeing the poor fellow so banger
mp for has bravery and his determination q
prove 10 lne that be was no coward The woani
in his face had been caused by random sho
after be craNled out from the shelter of In
stump.
pressed his hand and went out. AS wa
leaving the tent I met the Surgeon
hou were right and ] was wrong" ] said