The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-04

+" Now men, get ready 10 charge again.
They've got their guns all shottcd to scrape
the top of he hill. Me'll play il on them by
going 10 the right and left Yell like murder
when YOU ps. Follow your iile-lcadcrs; and God
give us the victory. Forward-To the right aud
lCft-Charge!"
with one wild cry we are of. Up over the
hill, or rather round its peak, we went, down
into the ditch aud there we stop. Why, do
not know unless ii be from sheer exhaustion.
The ditch Is six or eight feet deep and the dirt
thrown on, OF il has been used TO make bank
for breastw0rks nearly as high again. Behind
that bank or broastwoTbs stand the rebels and
fire down into the ditch. Our men tunnel into
the side Of the ditch and fire back. The Gen
cral walks mp and down in the ditch, wringing
his hands and begging the mon TO go on. He
orders he intreats he threatens he cries ana
urges the troops 10 90 on. They move not, re-
ply not hut dig swiftly, silently into the side
of the bank ] wonder why the rebels do not
shoot him. lie looks like prvate-no dstn-
gushing mark about him, and the rebcls prob
ably think he is wounded and gone crazy. and
as be carries no arms they do not shoot him.
We know bim!
"Thiuk OF your homes Think what they
will say. win you go2 Come! Wont you
go2 They will kin Us al here. See your
comrades la.l before your eyes. One dash
Once more Men, men, come on! q God, that
i should see this day when my brave boys
won't mind me! Shame on you, men Come
on IN lead you myself One more dash and
we take the fort. Wont you go?" pleads our
General, while
THE TEARS ROLL DowN HIS FACE.
No answer from the painting, grim, powder
stained men who stand OF crouch in the rebel
ditch. The sun scoTches us with his hot breath.
The dead turn black in a few minutes.
Some one caught our flag out Of the color
bearers hands and spraug up the embankment
One wild cry Of 9sth, your flag sent what
was LETT OF our regiment over the top OF the
breastworls in an instant. One of the regi-
ments from an adjoining County of our State
had unfortunately lost its banner. We had
often laughed and ioked them about it, The
ladies Of Malone, n. ", had made ours and pre-
sented ii TO ms. Whether he who was after
ward Nice-President made the presentation
speech ] am not now certain, but am sure that
Hon. Wm. A. Wheeler had much 10 do with its
existence. Should we enow lose our flag2 Not
while hoy OF Franklins Own y was left TO
peril bis life for il.
So the regiment went over the escarpment,
and OF course, the other regiments were not TO
De outdone by ours. They went over with Us.
A hand to hand conflict ensued. j stuck my
bayonct into the bank and climbed up by its aid.
Some one still wearing an Overcoat which he
had probably forgotten TO take Off though the
day was hot was just before me. Wounded as
was tried 10 climb the bank stuck my bay
onoi in the side Of it, and with one foot against
the bayonot WAS trying TO get on when the
Oyercoat tail switched near me. i caught il
with one hand, aud the wcarer, not 10 be de-
TERED, though a whole invalid corps hung TO
his skirts went over on the jump and
HAULED ME WITH HIM.
Once inside the works ] let 60 Plump
went against a 42-pOund cannon, while the
rebel gunner rammed at my mouth instead Of
the gun, thinking, probably, that hole was
largest, / was yelling Justify. Aftor the
battle, when gathered nj night around our COM
panys campfire rehearsiug incidents OF the
battle i used 10 tell the boys that though il
was dinner time when j reached that cannon,
and was pretty hungry, yet j didn't at all
relish such con c0rn-fCd, confOunded diet as that
old guupOwdcrel rammer.
I'm the next few minutes that gunner stepped
high, wide and lively &" on TO Richmond" !" only
"scyen miles away" The fort was soon ours
Our regiment had taken two rebel flags. A
redouht az our rightwas still held by the enemy,
and its two cannon were playing smartly upon
us.
"WhoIl volunteer to follow me and take the
Tedoubt T" shouted Capt. Davis.
"Ii"-"I Pip they yelled, one after
another, and some 30 started on the run for
the fort Ny father was among them. i saw
him rush on with the rest. He was, then, un-
harmed rs yet!
But see rebo regiment Is double-quick-
ing also FOR the rcdoubt. IL they reach il first
my father VIII be killed. O God What can /
do 10 help! j cannot walk now. i am very
lame. The cann0n-oh, yes, the cannon against
which Loan. j can fire that. i have drilled
men in North Carolina on heavy guns. i shout
wildly 20 one Of the men, Run that rammer
In" Yes, il is loaded.
7" A cannon cap! Something to Gre Il with
Qnick, match match! Who got match ?"
Here. here" and Charley Drew hands me
one. while I lean over the breech Of the gun and
with eye along the sights turn the handles of
the screws beneath, while with my foot push
enough to keep the carriage Alright. The gun
keep in line, bearing upon the rebel regiment
as they doubic-quick rapidly toward the re-
doubt.
SCRATCH THE MATCH
along the cannOns side, hold it al0ft moment
and now ] Will apply il 10 the hole, over which
have cast small quantity Of powder for
printing. The cannon caps have been destroyed
or taken away by the rebels, aud hence must
resort 10 matches. The match falls!
a dim sense OF life aud yet not life crceps
slowly through my being j try TO move
F" Lie still, Arthur" j hear my father say,
and ] feel lis hand upon my forehead. j am
satisfied, aud asleep. Again j wake. NV
father turns me upon my side. ] shall never
forget the scene! Between two hills, on their
opposite sides as they slope from one another,
rest two lines OF troops, the blue and the gray
The sun s lowering down towards the James
Behind rs arc the barracks lately held by the
rebels and beyond them the intrcnchments we
had taken.
q did you get the fort father?"
Yes thanks 10 that cannon shot. You
just -"
Never mind, father don't say anything
more about t. Am ] hurt much ?"
We can't see anything hut your wound on
your thigh; but guess you got pretty wcll
sh00k-up by That cannon recoil.
WHY DIDN'T VOC GET oFF?"
- didn't think, father"
. Don't Try 10 get up. They'll shoot YOU II
you do. One side or the others got TO give IN
before long
"Wont they be reinforced Pp
don't imaEine they've got much 10 rein
force with. Grants been pegging away at the
left al day"
. Look out Keep down, father. That was q
mighty close call
Yes, twas; keep still now
Half au hour passed. No one from either
side dared 10 rise even TO a sitting posture
There seemed 10 be a mutual agreement with.
out words that either party might lie prone
but any movement would incite firing A
white handkerchief or piece Of paper is lifted
by rebcl by means OF a ramTOd. A similar
signal being raised on the Federal side a con.
Terence is hold between an officer Of either
party, and word Is passed along our line that
The rebels wish 10 surrender Leaving thcil
Tho =.