The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-31
SAVING THE NATION.
ICnnfinne1l from 1sf mae
4th Kentucky. They form in line across the
THE RATTLE BEGINS.

THE RATTLE BEGINS.
Ten minutes, and both regiments are in line
waiting the word to march. The 10th Indiana
is the west side of the road, the 9TH Ken
lucky on the east side, facing south. The 10th
Indiana is in piece of woods. The men in
blue, as they stand there with their muskets
loaded and capped see the skirmishers falling
back, firing, retreating each soldier loading as
he retires. stopping, taking aim once more.
They see in the dim and misty light the flashes
of the muskets. And now they catch a glimpse
of advancing line of Confederates, who halt,
raise their guns and fire. The air is suddenly
thick with leaden rain 1t is the regiment
from Mississippi. Behind the Mississippans
come the 18th Tennessee upon a run through
a field The uproar begins The men from
Indiana, instead Of running, stand their ground.
Men who have left their comfortable homes on
the banks of the Wabash, animated by a lofty
conception of what they owe to their country,
after the drill and discipline which they have
had under the eye of such a true soldier as
General Thomas has proved himselfto be- have
no thought Of fight. Over in that other line
are men who have left their homes, animated
by an intense desire to drive back the Union
troops. Volley after volley rolls from the OPP
posing lines. The 18th Kentucky is in rear of
the 10th Indiana
Where shall ] go into position 2" Colonel
Frye asks.
Go out and take position in those woods,
Colonel Manson replies.
The 4th Kentucky passes through field,
enters piece of woods, and comes out into
Mr.. Logans field. The men leap over rail
fence, and form once more. Suddenly from
the other side of the field there comes volley.
Soldiers, moment ago full of life, reel, stagger
and fall
Back to the other side of the fence" Colo
mel Frye gives the order.
Hal ha! they are reireating." The Con-
federates shout it TO each other. They think
that the Union troops are panic-stricken.
Across the fields they rush, but suddenly five
hundred muskets fame in their faces and
kenny's battery sends shell after shell through
the advancing line, which comes to standstill.
The air is misty and the smoke so thick that
the men in blue and the men in gray can see
only the quick flashes of each others guns.
The Tenth Indiana and the 4th Kentucky
fire away all the cartridges in their boxes.
Colonel McCook comes with his brigade.
The I'd Minnesota swings up behind the
4th Kentucky and the 9th Ohio takes the
place of the 10th Indiana Their cartridge
boxes are full. For nearly an hour, while
marching from their camp they have heard
the rattle of musketry, and now they are to
take part in the fray. The Mississippians are
in front of the Minnesota regiment. Colonel
Frye rides down by the rail fence. He sees in
the dim light an officer on a white horse. He
wears a rubber blanket, cencealing his uni
form. He is calm and self-possessed. Colonel
Frye does not know him, but rides up SO near
that they might shake hands
We must not shoot our own men," says the
officer
"0f course notD
Those are our men,