The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1888-09-05

line OF skirmlshers quietly turned and
marched up through the corn to the
top OF the ridge. As they came to the
open ground at the summit all was still
about and in front of them. Their
comrades were out of hearing in their
retreat. The Captain mounted his
horse--which an orderly had been
holding while the Captain was on foot
with his skirmishers--and put his lit
tie regiment in motion to follow the
army. He himself remained until the
last of his men had filed by, and then
followed. As he did this, he turned
his face AZ if for last look at the
bloody field. There was nothing there
now but darkness and silence. Perfect
silence, it seemed, thinking of what
Eal been there now less than two
hours before. Ii was perfect silence,
save that two hundred yards down the
ridge to the front, where the enemys
dead and wounded lay thickest. a
sharp cry came up out of the night
now and then. as the hospital corps
lifted a'suflerer too roughly or turned
some poor fellow over upon mangled
limb. Save, also, that a rustling noise
in the corn through which he had just
come told the Captain that the enemy's
skirmishers left at the fence below
were already moving on his track.
"The last man at Chickamauga!'
muttered the captain as he rode on aft
er his regiment
They passed quickly down the rear
ward slope into the deeper shadow of
the valley, and presently turning their
| heads to look behind. saw family out
lined against the sky the figures of the
Southern skirmishers as one after an
other they emerged from the corn and
stood upon the crest.
The last of Chickamauga! All, no
Not the last; for as the little real
guard reached the lower ground they
came upon their wounded comrades
who, too badly hurt to go on to the
rear, had yet with untold agony
dragged themselves back from the fire
swept ground in front, and so got par
tial shelter. Along the route these
wretched sufferers lay thickly. Her,
one with an arm half torn off; there ;
foot dangling; here poor fellow sho
through the body, his death u question
not of hours, but of minutes; and 81
on, in sckening continuance. And al
wanting water! There had been non'
all day, and the retreating soldier,
were marching with lips and tongue
blackened and swollen and cracked
with thirst until many could utter NJ
articulate sound.
"Boys, you won't 60 and leave II
here?"
"For Gou's sake, water! watcr!'
"Boys, are you going on the retrea
and leave us behind?"
"You ought to hold the ground
boys, till they take care of usn'
water! water! Don't let us di
herep"
Pitiful. pitiful appeals! And all il
vain. Not canteen of water in tn
whole command Not an ambulance
within miles. Nothing but victori
Gus foe behind, an unknown way i
front, and the blackness of night owe
all! Pitiful, pitiful. Harder to face
these reproaches than all of Bragg
artillery. All! here is punishment
Not only to leave the field to the enc
my, but to abandon torn and bleedin
!, brothers, also!
SO thought the Captain, riding i
rear of his little worn command. Pie
entity he heard wellknown voice ;
the roadside, and pulled up his hors'
: Good heavens, Major! You her.
= and hurt!' cried the Captain, as !
, came close to Il PROSTATE figure at IL
roadside.
Eyes, Mlncy, I'm here. For God
sake get me drink of waterH' reptile
the sufferer. And then went on cage
ly: as it Il retreat, Captain? Have "
lost it all? Where are the ambulance,
' and the hospital trains? Are all thes
poor fellows to be left to the enemy
y, Why, they cant take care of their ow
= in this wilderness, let alone ours!
Il is cruel-itis horrible! Get me a drin'
Captain; get me drink! That is all
shall ever want. l shall not get ava
: from here.
Captain Milney dismounted. He h;
a few precious drops of water in h
canteen-hoarded for hours against h
own thirst. His friend, Major Galtol
he found was shot in the breast-ho
. badly could not be told. He W
quickly relieved so far as half a dozt
: swallows of the life-giving water cou
} do it.
n God bless you, Milney" he erie
II you've done me the last service
IL shall receive in life. God bless 20
II my friend! And now 60 on. "
l. can't help these poor fellows here,
o know; you can't help me any turtle
l. Go on with your regiment and lea
n us. But here, Milney, take this letts
Il and when you go back in Gods Oh
o country give it to Nina Clark, and tt
o her that her promise made a man
y me when l was nigh desperation a
l. despair. Tell her say God bless h
II for it!'