Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-23

time
The hospital steward approached, and
said:
Captain, the surgeon presents his compli-
Elents and respects that you send four men
to convey your First Lieut.. Pancake to COM
Portable quarters which have been prepared
for him in the hospital barracks His rheu-
matte trouble has suddenly assumed an acute
forn-brought on doubtless by q change in
the weather-and he is suffering greatly.
Please instruct the men to be very careful in
carrying him, SO as TO avoid ell unnecessary
pain, and also all exposure to the rain. He
will have good room in the hospital, with a
fire in it, and every attention, so that you
need have no fears concerning him."
Il never had,n said Kent, loud enough to
be heard all over the right wing of the com.
pany
~ have" said Abe. There's every danger
IN the world that he II get welln
Away cne regiment marched, through the
dismal rain, going as fast as the heavily
laden men. could be spurred onward by the
knowledge of their comrades eminent need.
For three weary, discouraging days they
pressed onward through the dispiritiIg rain
and over all the exhausting obstacles. On
the morning of the fourth they reached che
foot of the range in which Wildcat Gap is
situated. They were marching slowly up
the steep mountain side, their soaked gar
ments clinging about their weary limbs and
clogging their footsteps. Suddenly sullen
boom rolled out of the mist that hung over
the distant mountain tops.
Every one stopped, held their breaths, and
tried to check the beating of their hearts,
that they might hear more
They needed not. There was no difficulty
about hearing the succeeding reports, which
became every instant more distinct.
"By God, that's cannoni" said the colonel.
They're attac ing our boys. Throw of
everything, boys and hurry forwardp
Overcoats, blankets, haversacks and
knapsacks were hastily piled, and the two
most exhausted men in each company placed
on guard over them.
Kent and Abe did not contribute their
canteen to the company pile. But then its
weight was much less of an impeachment than
when they left Camp Dick Robinson.
They employed the very brief halt of the
regiment in swabbing out the barrels of their
muskets very carefully, and removing the
last traces of moisture from the nipples and
| hammers
"At last l stand a show of getting some re-
turn from this old piece of gas tube for the
| trouble it's been to me- said Kent Edwards,
as he ran pin into the nipple to make as
surance doubly sure that IL was entirely
free ~Think of the transportation charges
l have against it, for the time have lugged
it around over Ohio and Kentucky, TO say
nothing OF the manual labor and the mental
strain of learning and practising present
arms carry arms support arms and such
other military monkey shines under the hot
sun of last summer!s
He pulled of the wooden rag he had twisted
around the head of the rammer for swab,
wiped the rammer clean and bright and
dropped it into the gun 1t fell with clear
ring. Another dexterous movement of the
gun sent it flying into the air. Kent caught
it as it came down and scrutinised its bright
head. He found no smirch Of dirt or damp
ness ''Clean and clear as q whistle inside, =
he said, approyingly, @She'n make music
/ that our secession frt.sis VII pr artn1sra