Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-29

NADtIs AL4 lHAtE Elilh-fS VI Alr -iNAN'
est diversity. man following the same
nocels IN his edifces, bis habits. his
ornaments, and even his political inssi-
tutions.''
a Neglected Engagements or the War.
From Mark Train's " Private His
tory Of 3 Campaign that Failed, in the
December CentuTy, we take this Incl
Dent
For time life Was idly delicious ;
it Was perfect; there was nothing TO
mar il. Then came some farmers with
sn alarm one day. They said it was
runored that the enemy were advancing
IN our direction from over Hyde's
prairie. The result was sharp str
among Us ard general CONSERVATION.
II was . rude awakening from our
pleasant trance. The rumor was
but rumor-nothing definite
about It; so, IN the cOnfu-
sion. ve did not know which WAY
to retreat. Lyman was for not re-
treating at all in these uncertain cir
cumsiances but be found that if he
tried to maintain that attitude be would
fare badly for the command were in no
hunor TO put up with INSTRUMENTATION.
so he yielded the point and called 4
council OF war-to consist Of himself
and the three other officers but the
privates made such fuss about being
eft out. that we had 70 allow them 70
be present. I mean we had TO allow
them 10 remain, for they were al
ready present, and doing the
most Of the talking too. The
question was. which way 10 retreat:
but al were 50 Hurried that nobody
seemed 70 have even 4 guess 70 offer
except Lyman. He explained II few
calm words. that inasmuch a the enemy
were approaching from over Hyde's
prairie. cur course Was simple: all we
bad to DO was no; 70 retreat towGrf
him /: any other direction would answer
our needs perfectly. Everybody saw
IN a moment how true this vas, al1
how wise; 50 Lyman got great many
compliments. IL vas now decided tia.
We should fall back OF Masoa's farm.
Il vas after dark By this time, AMI
IS We could not know how soon the e.
euy mish; arrive. it lid lot seen bes:
TO try to take the horses ard thing;
with rs; % We oaly took the guns aad
ammunition. ard started al once. The
route was very rough an h.l,y All
rocky. and presently the nigh. grew
very black and rain began = fall: 90
we had i troublesome tine Of it, strug-
glirg and stumbling along IN the dark
and soon some person slipped and fell.
ard then the 1eIt person behind s:1n-
bled over him and fell. All - dii the
rest. ore after the other; and then Bow
ers cane with the key Of powder II his
arms. whilst the command we're all mixed
together. arms and legs. On the muddy
slope: and so be fell. Of course. with
the keg. AMI this started the whole de-
iachuent down the hill in body. and
they landed il the brook a. the bottom
in pile. and each ,ha. vas undermost
pulling the hair and scratching and
bitirg those that were on top Of
him and those TIA; were being
scratched and bitten scratching and
biting the res, il their turn. and AL
SAVING they would die before they
would ever 20 10 war again If they ever
got out Of this brook this time, and the
invader might rot FOR al they cared.
and the country along with him-and
all such talk as that, which vas dismal
10 hear and take part IN. IN such
smotherei. low voices. and such \
grisly dark place and 50 vet. and the
enemy might be coming any moment.
The keg Of powder was lost, AM the
guns. too so the growing and COM
planning continued straight along whilst
the brigade paved around the passy
hillside and stopped around in the brook
hurting FOR these things consequently
We lost considerable time AZ this. And
then We heard q sound, and held our
breath ani listened. and il seemed 20
he the enemy csming. though it could
have been = coz. for il had i cough ike
COW; but We did not wait, b1! lef: =
couple Of guns behind and struck on,
fer M,son's again as briskly a. ve
could scramble along in the dark.
But we got lost presently among
the rugged little rayines, and
wasted = deal Of time finding the
way again. so il was after 9 o'clock
when we reached Mason's stile At las.
and then. before we could open our
mouths TO give the eountersisn several
dogs came bounding over the fence with
great not and noise. and each Of them
took soldier BY the slack Of his irou-
sers and began 10 back away with him.
We could not shoot the dogs without
endangering the persons they were at
tschedto; so We had TO look on helpless
At what was perhaps the most nortify-
ing spectacle Of the civil war. There was
light enough and to spare, for the
Masons had now run out on the porch
with candles IN their hands. The old
man and bis son came and undid the
dogs without difficulty, al bot Borers's:
but they couldn't undo his dog. They
didn't know his combination; be Vas
Of the bull kind, and seemed to be set
with a Yale iine-loek; but they got
him loose at last with some sc&lding
water, Of which Bowers got bis share
and returned thanks. Peterson Dunlap
made up fine name for this
and also for the night
march which proceeded it, bat both
have long ago faded out Of nv memory.