Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-12-17
DECEMBER H. 1884,
company on our right yawning gap

company on our right . yawning gap
was rent.
"Steadv, men, steadyl It's nothing
but she'll! Close up your ranks r
came from the officers OF the adjoining
companies in as loud tone as was pru-
dent. And one poor fellow lay doubled
up on the ground, while second was
carried to the rear. But after the first
startled exclamation, never a groan.
This was the climax of Jerry's forti-
tude. The Goliath turned, and leaving
the ranks. he staggered up to me- His
face was ashy pale, while huge drops
OF cold sweat stood oil over it, and
plowed their way downward through
the dust aud dirt. His freckles stood
out upon his pallad skin almost
like spots of blood. His eyes
were staring and purposeless, ns have
seen them in the insane Hc was
trembling like an aspen, and the huge
frame actually looked small, 80 un-
mistakable were the signs of tho craven
heart within.
"Why, corporal, what is the matter ?
You frightenedp Nonsense. Move
0S I'LL ssbIsSS I 4 msisoa;a 5szisssr
whisper the words, for his mouth
seemed parched with thirst. "This is
awful, lieutenant! I cant stand it;
know can't. Do send me to the rear
somewhere before l disgrace myself"
he muttered out by starts. and between
the words he made great swallows as
if to choke down something in his
throat; while, at every exploding shell
or discharged field piece, he shuddered
like guilty man.
Nonsense, corporal! Move back in
to ranks. Everybody feels so at first.
You'll be over it in few minutes" I
added as kindly as l knew how; for I
could just appreciate part of the poor
fellows terpidation.
"Oh, lieutenant. I can't! I know !
can't" pleaded Jerry. do let me go
back. Do let me go help that ere
wounded man. I can't indeed can't,
reiterated he. ooh myw
This last was jerked out by another
shell and my petit corporal fell out Of
the rank step or two with his arm
shattered and bleeding; and holding
up his broken gun in the other, with o
smile on his face, which all the time
was twinging with pain, he said:
"My musket's gone, lieutenant, and
SOS my arm. But l guess I'll stay here
with the file-closers."
Find your way back to the rear, my
boy. Surgeon Colt is not far back.
You can't go on or be of use with that
arm" Then, turning to Dayton who
looked helplessly on, For shamel' r
said /. "Moye back into the ranks, you
coward, or your life won't be worth a
pins purchase p with an ominous move
ment toward my revolver.
At this time the firing came closer
and closer, and the stragglers grew in
number till the groups numbered twen-
ties and fifties. Regiments and brig
ades seemed ell mixed mp in one het-
erogeneous mass. Our troops seemed
to be fighting with much less regular.
ity than the enemy, the rattle OF whose
musketry was continuous. But fresh
Union regiments were coming on the
field, and line was being established
facing the clearing, and almost con-
Meeting with our own, which promised
to make stand.
But our surprise was not successful.
The regiments on the rebel flank be-
came aware of us before they had fallen
into our tray; and. charging front fore
ward, they opened fire. This was our
first experience in an infantry fight;
but tho men stood it evidently better
than the shelling. No close explosions,
no noise except "chick chick!" as the
balls cut through the leaves beside MS
and these were soon drowned by the
rattle of our own musketry when the
order was given to FIRE. The men were
80 busy loading and firing that they had
little time to notice the occasional fall
ing together or dropping out of killed
or wounded companion; and not m un-
willing or skulking man had / that day
in Company Ct but one-and ho was
Corporal Jerry Dayton.
No sooner was the rebel fire opened
upon us than it was all up with Jerry.
He was right; he could not stand il.
He had moved back into the ranks in
obedience to my orders, but at the first
volley from the rebel line he seemed
to lose hissenses He crouched toeeth,
er like hare, turned, and was creep
ing to the rear. But intercepted him.
with my revolver cooked and pointed.
Corporal Dayton, your only chance
OF life is in the ranks. One step more,
and, SO help Jon God. I blow your
He straightened himself up to hia
full height, leaning backward and me-
chanically putting out his hand; fol
the moment his lesser fear Of the rebel
fire seemed frozen ont by the greater
dread OF my own threatening weapon.
He looked ct me with great, pleading
eyes, in which entreaty. shame and
cowardics seemed contending, AID with
{ sad, lifeless look Of resignation to his
fate, completely at odds with his form
er trembling cowardico, he cried:
you've killed me, lieutenant you've
killed mel"
No sooner had he uttered this CRY,
and. with the look Of patient brute
driven 10 the shambles, had turned
| toward the enemy, than his musket fell
from his grasp, his huge frame crushed
togethsR Ike ) giant 81 the forest BE-
meath ths woodmans ~, close at my
very feeA and his npturned face showed
me small round hole, pierced by I
rebel buckshot in one corner OF thu
forehead, from which the thick blood
was slowly ooxing; while his hands
clutched and snapped the dry twiga
which lay4upon tho earth, in the lasi
convulsive struggle, his eyes rolled mp.
ward for N Instant before thsy glazed
over. and then half closed: and his fee.