San Francisco vindicator., 1888-11-17


azily waving above the dust
| knew very we'll what the eonse- !
tuence would be if the regiment be-
.ame engaged before reported to my
COMPANY, and / therefore, made all
taste to find the brigade. The troops
we're now maneuvering for position all
along the line, batteries could be seen
lashing into ravines, and in through
what seemed to be impossible barriers
Of timber, all leading off in the same
direction Away to our right, as far
as the eve could reach here and there
in the openings in the timber, the dust
could be seen rising and rolling on. in
dicating general movement all along /
the line.
Several officers singly and with es-
cort were leisurely trotting over the |
fields, while aids and orderlies were
dashing at break-neck speed along
the line.
After pouring my coffee-such as it
was-into my canteen, | struck out in
search of my regiment. | had not
proceeded far before | was overtaken
by a comrade whose situation was
somewhat similar to mine. He was
looking for his regiment. He might
be called ''straggler," but l was full
lv convinced after cOnVersing with
him a short time that he did not belong
to that class of soldiers known as''strag-
glers." He was typical Vermonter
| of the rustic class. long and gaunt;
with nasal twang that grated on the
| ears some, but not unpleaSantly. ln-
deed, he was veteran of proud rec
ord. His service began with tae first
three months, and from thence and on
through all the battles the army of the
! Potomac engaged in, his regiment bore
an honorable part, and, though quite
Young, his bronZed features and we'll
worn accoutrements indicated years o.
hard service.
"Waal, pard, | guess some of the
bows will fluke out before hard-tack Il
passed around this morning." observes
nv comrade as we beheld men bearin:
stretchers toward us from the front
and as we approached nearer the line
it became exceedingly warm. the scat
tering picket firing was giving ava
to sharp volleys of musketry and tn
r artillery dueling was becoming yer
interesting, indeed.
/. Hello, shouted my companion, ''se
this squad of cavalry coming rigl
o down on us; clear the way quicl
/ quick! Heavens. how they go! 4
n they swept past us horse or man WI
hardly discernible with the dust, y
; through the dust shone the brillia
r trappings of grand cavalcade of of
: GERS, and they went by like an ang
q whirlwind. The instant they pass'
, bv us my comrade very sudden
. snranr into the air and gave for
It a fearful yell, and swinging his hat
" the same time Supposing that he W
: struck or suddenly seized with
+ | ran to his assistance and as ked h
,c if there was anything could do
Q him. He thereupon turned on me We
70 angrily and said, "Be you id fool
10 | told him | hardly ever acknowledg
Of it. "Waal," he continued, greatly
St cited. "Gall don it, that ere man
II. that head horse was Phil Sheridan "a
nv | calculate l here cut my co
i. rade short, for it was my turn to hi
hit tits.
tie AT the lhenIlon VI g.: 20
q the somewhat inglOriOus affair OF
,e- preceding day came to my NINA.
he was then expected he would be "
III Ms. but he did not arrive, and while
'ad who carried the "trifoil' firmly h
an that no man on earth could equal
ba own quiet unassuming but heroic ii
he cock to inspire troops in action
Ia1 there were those who were inclined
" believe that inspiration incarnate
Little Phil"
But this feeling did not ext
ore only to those who were personally
of miliar with the astonishing magnet
eau of his presence in action. And stra
ent az it NAV seem, both Irish brlga'
,es- of one of which had the honor OF
her inc a member, while they felt
Who ticular pride in the glorious ACHE
flee ments of the gallant Sheridan, WI
| of they called their own, yet they would
acknowledge or admit anything IN
"a brilliant record that would by c
dav parison tend to pale the brightness
10 the escutcheon of our own DelC
and Hancock.
afa Here for the first time Sherld
Of. battle flag swept through our coluf
.tod and | must frankly acknowledge
tbat when | realized his presence pee
900 possessed of an irresistible lmpuls,
% ?,, do something, and about the hrst u
;nr that occurred to me was to hnd
, on repiment in the shortest time poss
+ha I therefore sprang forward with
o;o+n determination, and at every stt
could not refrain from giving ven
the the pent-up feelings of exalted c
.hat dence then felt in the result OF
tho conflict that was then raging IN II
Il its cipiency and was soon to DurSC
in all its death-deallng fury
tino | had not proceeded far when {
!, a3 upOn cheer rang out from the
= nv and Immediately it rolled along
: no line like thunder, and became 81
terrific.
| III ao ba went by me like a deer, -
rb;Ie dan is thar, aud I'll be thar putty 81
' 'drdS n,i When [ reached my regiment
, tor, most intense excitement preE'
r,;ro The soul of inspiration had q
ihlho along the unes with kindly gre
:, for for each brig ade.
: iol The lines could hardly be restr
IA In TO wait OIutISs NiAt'LA
'ra"t ~ ~ ly expected. for the assault
con- everything was in complete rea9
',Sad Batteries were arranged Ihliileu
to,snJ in rear of the line; every man
\ loIl NV his place and ready to move.
~, - manding officers mounted. an
though cool determination sf'0'
,,,,o each face, there was manifested
nmmht ln anxiety for the order to "F or"
80 The anxiety felt in that direcuo
- soon relieved. however, by the a.
7 for ance of a young staff officer c
: frst through the brushwood as thoui
bnsts very existence of the nation def
: that on the speed of his horse lie :
;, left rectly TO the division comman he
trnons after exchanging the usual sal"t
he said: General Gibbons, the
coffee commands YOU to forward youi
of the Immediately"
~ on Forward. men; forward, ;