The National tribune., 1886-04-29
CORPORAL 81 KLEGG,
He Shows That He Has Good Grit
and is a Slayer"
By W. F. HINMAN, 65TH OHIO.
[CoPYRIaHT, 1881
No XVII

Now the 200th Indiana changes from its move
ment by the flank. Still On the double-Quick
the regiment forms in battle array. There is q
momentary pause to dress the line, and then it
moves rapidly but steadily forward. Every eye
is fixed toward the front. Every countenance
is rigid with a determination not to finch in
the face of death.
More thickly fly the bullets, and more angrily
they hiss through the air. The first man falls
A swift bullet strikes him squarely in the fore
head and he goes down, lifeless heap. His
comrades on either side for an instant shudder
aud look aghast.
Who, himself mortal, and liable the next mo-
ment to meet a similar fate, can look upon such
scene without tremor? Now brave fellow
soldier, an associate from boyhood, a loved
messmate, perchance a brother, presses forward
by your side. facing the pitiless storm. You
feel the touch of his elbow, and your own cour-
age is strengthened by his presence and COM
radeship. The next moment his, body lies at
your feet. How your heart leaps; how keen
the pang that pierces your breast! One quick
glance and you are borne aleng by the rushing
tide that sweeps on and on. Soon your mind
and heart are full of other thoughts as you en-
ter the whirlwind of battle, and deaths sickle
is busy around you, reaping its CHASTITY harvest
But when the fight is done, around the camp
fire, in the narrowing circle of the " mess, on
the march, and lying wrapped in your blanket,
tender memories will come to you of him who
fell by your side. Nor can the thrilling enlU
tions of that moment when he was stricken
down be effaced by all the years of lifes longest
span!
Another falls, and another, Quick as the
lightnings flash speed the missiles upon their
awful errand. Soon dozen-twenty-ar miss
ing from the ranks. As you push on. cast your
eye backward for an instant and you may see
them. Some are lying motionless. They will
answer no more at roll call. Others, pierced
through body or limb, are writhing in pain while
the fast1owing life-streams redden the shud
deriug earth. Above the roar of the conflict
groans and sharp screams of agony reach the
ear.
A solid cannon shot comes rushing through
the air, with a loud zh h-h- h that makes the
stoutest heart to quail. 1t plows through file,
front and rear, and two brave heroes lie in a
shapeless quivering mass we'll timed shell
plunges into the ranks. 1t bursts with deafen-
ing sound, and half score of men are scattered
upon the ground, torn and mangled by its cruel
fragments.
"Close up, men!"
The gaps are closed and the painting soldiers
push bravely on.
This is war. in all its dreadful reality. The
moving canvas has at last brought to the eyes
of the 200th Indiana the picture painted in its
most lurid colors.
The regiment nears the spot where the COM
bat is raging in all its fury. A little way
ahead, dimly seen through the smoke that how
ers over the field, is the line of blue, wavering
before the storm Bravely and we'll those fast
thinning ranks have stood in the face of that
withering blast. But their cartridge-boxes are
wel-nigh empty. Some have fred the last
charge and have fixed bayonets, determined to
die rather than yield. The enemy is preparing
to launch fresh troops upon them, and without
speedy succor they must be overwhelmed.
Messengers have been sent in hot haste to
hurry forward the promised relief. Will it
arrive before the exuitant foe hurls his eager
battalions upon them?
Forward, my brave men; do your utmost!"
shouts the Colonel of the 200th. All along the
line officers and men catch the word. A loud
cheer bursts from every lip as they sweep for
ward. 1t reaches the ears of the sorely-
pressed men at the front, and they send back
through the trembling air glad shouts of greet
ing.
At every step men of the 200th are falling
before the leaden hail. Shot and she'll tear
the ranks or 60 crashing through the trees
above and around. The gaps are closed and
the line rushes over the ground now thickly
strewn with the dead and the dying.
Down goes the Colonel's horse, pierced by
ball. Springing to his feet the officer waves