The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-11-26

his Captain should intentionally take tnaG CANS
son load of John Galpin's wares on flying raid
was beyond belief; and yet what else could
have been intended by the exchange which
Horton had seen him make?
The battery had moved out on to the road to
take its place in the column of re-enforcements,
when Gen. Weitzel rode along and stopped to
cast an eye Of admiration On the fine teams of
gun-horses.
Il told your Captain, he said to Horton, =" to
pick out his best horses to go with Perkins, and
L presume he did so; but he has left some
splendid ones behind"
"Yes, SIR" said Horton lifting his cap re-
speetfully, and with an inward feeling that he
was about to faint and fall out of the saddle.
The mystery of the exchange of caissons was
explained, and he (Horton} was an idiot sur
passing all idiots of ancient or modern times.
His Captain had endeavored to prepare himself
for desperate and bloody warfare by direction
of their beloved Chief and he (Horton) had by
his internal folly withered his right arm; yes,
and ham -strung his horses and spiked his guns;
yes and slaughtered every man of the detach-
ment; for what were guns without ammunl-
ton? Nothing, nothing but defenseless pieces
of metal at the mercy of the feeblest foe. lie
would blow his brains out-brains, indeed!
No, he would tell the General but what good
would that do? They were already about to
move, and, indeed, at that instant they started.
The cavalry and artillery took the lead. and
the SiOWpI-fUONlilB Infantry were oout ithi III
their rear. To Horizons great delight they
could hear now and then the report of a distant
gum that aroused a hope that SANKEY'S last
shot had not been fred
While tkis relief was making its way to the
scene of conflict the party commanded by
Perkins held its position without loss. The
shelter afforded by the buildings was excellent
and the only unpleasant thing about the affair
was the deep modification of Perkins that he
should have SO managed as to have his COM
mand surrounded by the enemy. The fact was
that in the companionShip of Stanley and
Graves he had somewhat unconsciouSy leaned
on them; but even if this suggested itself to
his mind, he was debarred from saying it by
the complete understanding with which they
started-that he, and he alone, was the respon-
sible head of the party.
He now moved from place to place within
their beleaguered lines, with a restlesSness that
indicated his mental disturbance. Stanley
moved from one Of his guns 10 the other, in
structing the on-commissioned officers not to
fire without good cause, and Graves patiently
awaited the outcome of the situation, while he
INDUCED in pipe with his back against a
shed and Hippodrome quietly muuching corn
shucks at his side.
As the day wore away the enemy seemed in
clined to unite their forces and retreat, which
purpose was indicated by slackcning of their
fire and drawing together of their extended
lines. Finally Perkins called Stanley and
Graves to him and said:
"I'll tell you what 1 mean to do if you will
stand by me. Let's ride out and pitch into this
first party for all we are worth. We can clean
them out in no time, and l swear don't be-
iieve the other crowd will want to tackle US
after that"
"All right" said Stanley. "Tll fill up my
tuberculosis and take the guns out with you
'All right" said Graves, very coolly knock
i,o mi no oShac Of hiS md fiuhfapinu the
girths of his saddle.
Sergeant" said Stanley to the non-commis-
stoned officer of the guilty conscience, Ell up
your limber-chest from the caisSon. We're going
to make move, and shall leave the caisSOns
standing here"
For the first time since he had served as
soldier the Sergeant hesitated before obeying a
direct order from his Captain.
We've only fired a few rounds, sir; there's
plenty left in the timber; how would it do for
me to draw from the other caisson, sir?"
at went do at all" responded the Captain,
very angrily. "Why don't you move, sir?"
"Well, sir to tell the truth, sir"-said the SUBJ
ordinate, now resolved on full confession -
Capt. Staniey!" shouted Perkins, from an
other part of the Enclosure; Capt. Stanley,
give them canister; give it to them all you
CAM" And Stanley saw that the enemy had
combined their strength and were advancing
in dead earnest. In an instant the carbines of
the cavalry were in full clatter, and in few
seconds their noise was drowned in the thun-
der of the artillery.
The hesitating Sergeant, with an inward but
very fervent Thank God" Jumped to his
gun. He would have welcomed death at the
hands of the enemy rather than be the one to
disclose the secret TO his commander.
The rebels came on now in gallant form;
they had dismounted most of their men and
had left their horses under cover, but the dis
i
be in the saddle, advanced in thin line, firing
as they came.
Graves very calmly counted them from Hip
podrome's back. There must be 500 of them;
yes, about 500; and it's certain that's their
full force anywhere near here, for they mean
business now, and are putting forth their full
strength"
but without avail. When within $50 yards Of
their foes the fire of the besieged was more than
any men could endure, and they halted, wavered,
and fell slowly back.
They've had enough Of that" cried Norton
to his Captain.
"They mean to leave" said Graves; 20 and no
wonder; look down the road. There comes our
reinforcement"
A cloud of dust visible in the direction
Graves pointed, indicated the approach of
large party. 1t drew near with astonishing
rapidity, and with even more speed the enemy
retreated to their horses and began to mount for
fight. This they accomplished despite the fire
of SANKEY'S guns. But the day was not yet
ended.
Hold on, Capt. Stanley" shouted Perkins,
waving his sword and making his voice heard
between the explosions of the guns as he formed
his men into line; cease firing now, or you'll
shoot me. Every man of you drop his carbine to
the ground. Draw sabers! Follow me now, and
cut down everything in your way! Every man
kill one! Let me see blood on every saber!
Forward! Gallop! Charged
The pent-up Indignation of the fiery soldier
had found a legitimate vent at last, and his
whole command threw themselves with loud
hurrahs on the enemy. Perkins noticed with
smile of companionship that Stanley and
Graves were on either side of him as they
dashed pe,l-mell into the melee and then for
minute the air was thick with the clash of
sabers pistol shots, and terrible oaths
The enemy lacked neither courage nor
ability, but they could not dispute the ground
at that time, for an overwhelming force of their
foes was close at hand, and as soon as the first
impetus of the assault had lost its force and
they could dsentangle themselves from their
enemies they rapidly retreated, leaving
their wounded on the ground. Familiar as
they were with every footpath of the country,
pursuit was out of the question and by the
time Perkins had his men in order again the
cavalry and artillery sent by General Weitzel
had come up TO them. The first greeting over
Mr.. Horton sought the Sergeant in charge of
the caisson-that awful load of guilt that like
a car of Jugpernaut had been railing over his