The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-24

surfing him that if he fell, and ] was spared,
would faithfully carry out his wishes, fell
asleep.
Before daybreak next morning we were
awakened not by the shrill bugle notes as
usual, but by the First Sergeant going from
man TO man and quietly rousing Us. Breakfast
was soon dispatched, and at the command Fall
in the men took their places, many Of them
for the last time.
I'VE started on the march and had proceeded
about two miles when scattered shots were
heard in advance. The deployed skirmishers
were playing the prelude to the dreadful song
Of battle.
" A halt was ordered, and then all was activ-
itv along our lines. Aids-de-Camp gaiioped
hither and thitheT, bearing orders TO division,
brigade and regimental commanders; batteries
Of artillery few swiftly by to the points to
which they were ordered, the wheels rumbiing,
the horses snoTtiEg and the drivers plying
whip and spur to urge them to still greater
speed cavalry regiments Numbered along, the
sabeTs Of the men clauking against the steam
ing sides Of the excited horses; bugles blared
in every direction; general officers gallopcd
along the biUc-clad lines inspecting the ranks
with eager eyes-all thrilling prolOg to the
great drama Of death about to be enacted
while from the front the sharp firing of the
skirmishers came back to US, seeming to invite
rs 10 the fray. From far beyond the skirmish-
lines the sounds Of bugles could be occasion
ally heard amid all this din and confusion and
they told Us that the same scenes were being
enacted IN the ranks Of the enemy.
o" VIII we never novel
&" 1t was JOes voice and glancing into his
+ face ! could read the spirit of eagerness which
/ swaye2 his young soul, and could sec determi-
nation pictured on his flushed face.
"' Forward Steady, men !! aud we advanced
/ through the wood. The skirmishers fell back
/ and took their places in the line, and in a few
moments the storm Of battle burst upon US In
/ all its fury.
It was terrible fight, and men seemed to
! fall like leaves on every hand. We had been
! engaged for perhaps half an hour when the
/ rebels made a sudden, unexpected charge right
+. Up 10 our line. They were rcpuscd with great
. slaughter, and when they slowly fell back a
+ cry Of rage went up from our ranks, for our
1 Tegimental fag went with them, borne by dis
loyal hands. Our cOlOT-bearer had been killed,
and one Of the enemy seized the flag as he fell,
and bore il Off
Suddenly a form was seen to dart forward
from the line, and almost before we could re-
alize what had happened Joe rushed up TO the
captor Of our colOTs, knocked him down with
his gun, seized the flag, and bore it back TO the
regiment, where he unluTlcd it and waved it in
defiance 1t the foe. Many shots were fired at
the heroic boy, but he seemed to bear a charmed
1 life and escaped uuhuTt The cheers which
greeted the hazardous exploit were deafeHing.
Men threw their hats high in the air and yelled
themselves hoarse as the gallant boy returned
the Gag to the color company and returned t.
his place by my side
@ Joe my brave boy, you are hero !!
proudly cried, as he looked up into my face
with triumphant smile.
80 No, / am only baby was his quiet reply
Heroes are big men who wear WhIsker5. In
only a baby, Charlie
Then came an order TO charge, and with
cheer the line moved forward. We had ad
yanced but a short distance when / felt wha
seemed like a dull blow from a heavy missil
: In the groin, and ] sank 10 the ground. / trie'
4, 70 rise again as the men charged over me, bu
could not, ana realized that l had received
] severe wound. Soon the men came slowly fall
= ing back, stubbOruly resisting the rcpulse the
had met and as they passed the spot where
! . was lying Joe stopped and knelt beside me.
' Are you badly hurt, Charlie2 he aske
s eagerly.
e So fear ! am, Joe but you must not sto
l. here Keep with the regiment, for the enem
Is following up the rcpulse and will soon be 0
= US, and you will be killed or captured
! 80 cannot leave you here he replied. i
d would be cowardly in me to desert the onl
d friend ] have IN the company
u They are all your friends now, Joe, an
o you must 20. For Gods sake 20 quicki'
ID 50 No / viii not he replied firmly. / wi
n save you, or / viii die here with you. Put a
10 arm around my neck aud / viii raise you
II your feet, and may be able to get you off ii
/ field
e " saw that further urging would be useles
q and did as be directed. He seemed to have q
IT qured almost superhuman strength as he raj
d ed me and half-carried. half-dragged me (
.e ward where our regiment had again made
stand. We had almost reached the line and d
&c men were again wildly cheering the your
y hero when ] heard him say: Oh am hi
r. Charlie.' and at the same moment we both f
"a heavily TO the ground. Then the loss Of bloc
es and the shock oveEcame me, aud l lost co
sciousness.
be "When l reganed consciousness found m
It, self lying on a cot ia the field hospital, Il
~ Regimental Surgeon bending over me. As
y looked up in his face in an inquiring mann,
or lac kindly asked:
e. 90 Well my boy, how do you feel now2'
90 Very weak, Doctor How long have
p been heTe?'
1.-TWO days You have had close ca
as Parker but with care ] think you viii NJ
We pull through all right. In a day or two, as so
as I think you can be moved with safety, | W