The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-07


the country was covered with rank vegeta-
ton it was extremely difficult for our sem
tries to descry the approach of sharp-shoot
ers, who had once or twice come near to
bringing down certain of these isolated
men, Accordingly, very stringent orders
had been issued concerning the vigilance of
the members of pickets; aud we started off
in the evening, not without some apprehen-
sion regarding the probable events OF the
night.
Having marched for a mile or farther
over partially cultivated land, dotted here
aud there with deserted mud habitations,
We at length arrived on a line of railway,
which at that period seemed to be recognized
as the boundary between the territories held
10y the opposing armies, 1t was yet broad
lay Ii hit, and afar OF we could now see the
white tents OF the enemy nearer
at hand several of his horsemen
were posted among the reeds and brush
wood, the white uniforms of these videtteS
'endering their positions peculiarly con
spicuous. A rude battery had been con
structed on sour margin of the railway. 1t
was made of sand-bags and rough planks,
and being situated on slight emlnence,
commanded 10y day at least a good pros
pect of the mostly fiat surrounding land
scape Into this stronghold we directed our
steps-or rather, our steps were directed by
the officer in command; and the old
picket, which had been on duty during the
day evacuated the place in our favor. The
ohcer above mentioned in the first place de-
livered lecture, exhorting the men TO prac-
tice the keenest vigilance, and describing
the mode of action to be adopted in certain
more or less unpleasant contingencies In
case, for instance, of isolated sentrieS being
attacked in the bush, they were to retire
slowly, while turning to fire upon their as
saiants when good opportunity presented
itself. But before taking offensive measures
they were to challenge three times, 50 as to
minimize the danger of firing on friend.
We were to be distributed in small detach-
ments along the railway embankmsnt, and
our rides were to be carried loaded This
latter circumstance was in itself a matter of
soiicltuds for the present military rifle has
a distinct tendency to explode if not handled
very cautiously. Warning was given as to
the possibly disastrous results of false
alarm, such as might easily occur
without sufficient reasons; but nothing
appeared more likely than that somebody's
piece would go off unintentionally before
morning
during the few minutes that bad elapsed
since We took possession OF the sand-oag
bate Y it had become very dark; Tor in
these regions night falls in a surprisingly
sudden manner 1t fell to the writer's lot
to form one of party of four men under
sergeant who were to act as connecting
llnk' between two IN ore numerous bodies
At length we reached our destination, n
point of the railway embankInent having IN
| front a level, marshy tract of low lying
ground. and in rear thick and luxurlant
| forest of burrlsaes. Though the night was
obscure, it was possible to see pretty clearly
what wa going on in 'front.' and we I'M
| agined that we should have little difficulty
| III detecting the approach o. even single
| individual For some time not a sound was
heard, with the exception of tie persistent
crolklng of many frogs i'll the grove OF bull,
rusle, behind Then we BEGAN to distiu-
| yuISh. amid this monotonous music, the
neighing of horses in the distant camp OF
the enemy: We also heard the sunmistakahle
clatter OF artillery Wheels and at interval:
the scarcely audible words of command in
changing guard" Still there was no ap
pearance of outposts to our immediate
front, and we lay on the side of the rails
for several hours without adventure
Those who are accustomed to night-watch
ing of any syrt are aware of the kind Of half
asleep, half-awake feeling often expert
euced in what are sometimes called tn
small hours" The writer was in this condi
ton when h, was reused by the sentry VIII,
r., ~ lNaft, fha rails n
pressed tons to our commandment, LOCI
out; there's somebody at last" Every ey
was strained in searching among the scru
for the alleged intruder; AMI every fore
/ finger iustinctIvely sought the trigger OF tn
; Martini- Henry. sure enough a solitar,
: figure in white was slowly making its wa.
through the tall, coarse grass in front
, though still at a considerable distance troI
, our position.
".ShaIl | try to drop that fellow" aske
the sentry, who had meantime dropped
on his knee, and was laying q handful c
cartridges convenient to his right hand o
/ the ballast between the metals.
: Mo- replied the sergeant Wait till
comes closer, aud then challenge him in IL
Y usual way"
4 The figure in white was gradually az
yancing, and that in the most confideI
manner. We could now see that he ws
! swinging his arms in a fashion much a
fected by military men of our own natiol
= atty, and, what was very singular isdee'
1 he seemed to carry no weapons. At lengt
. he arrived within speaking, or at lea
c within shouting range, and was duly halle
i by the sentry No answer, however W;
I n to hat boar
t SUMMONS; and second challenge Wi
, treated with precisely similar disiain
q Now" said the sentry in an elatei maj
ner. will blaze away at HIM"
= &c. tainly not Challsnge once more
q SAID the sergeant.
o Nhd. these words were being exchange
IL til, suJ Get of them halted in his curlo
IS In.,rcn, anl waved his arms about as ii
re imitation of tho movements of a windmi
n But ho dt not reply to the third and lin
smnuoDs whereupon the sentry broug
5. his rifle to his shoulder with the object
It carrying out his dropping" policy
, SIP. stop. don fire Wen try sol
other plan with that fellow. / think b
D DAFT cried the sergeant wait lit
and see what he III dc next" he continue
" The sentry, disappointed of what
y probably anticipated would have been
y excellent pot, resumed his ordinary p
lie fessional demeanor; and the man in VIII
III remained stationary, having completed
m late evolutionS For some minutes alta
Ie continued thus; but meanwhile the serges
a. convened a council Of war. He propo:
that the man IN white, whoever he mig
;" be, should be taken prisoner; and tt
IN though he was undoubtedly entitled" to
OF shot, it would be hardly fair to fire upon
ne apparently unarmsd parsonage. He RI
as Grated his opinion that tbs intruder v
m daft and urged that as an additional rea.
es why he should not be subjected to the
rs of powder and shot We all, with
,o exception of the sentry, agr
"a with our superior officers
posal; and as the man had not resumed
u advance, set to work TO prepare plan t
nc that would insure his capture. The sen
ca expressed his conviction that the man wo
certainly have revolver about his pers