Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-02-07

distinction, but were pooh-poohed by those
higher in command as impracticable.
Pleasanton refused point-blank to counten-
ance the scheme. Meade Indignantly de-
cliued to listen to him, but Fitzpatrick was
"a man not easily sat down upon; so, having
secured leave of absence to visit Washing
ton for a few days, he boldly laid his plans
before the Secretary of War, who, to his
intense delight, gave him a carte blanche to
carry out the project. The gallant Irish
man returned to camp jubilant.
Volunteers were called upon to undertake
the yash adventure, and SO many fell in line
that Fitzpatrick was enabled to pick his
men.
81 rely on you, Winthrop" he said
cordially to our hero. "For you have an
old head on young shoulders, and I can trust
you'
Harry murmured his appreciation of the
compliment and boldly asked him what his
plans were.
Well, don't know that there is any rea-
son why should not tell you," was the can
did reply. 'sWe shall be divided into two
parties-one, under Major Dalgreen, will
strike the James river above Richmond, the
other, which shall lead myself, will go di-
rect to the city,
"The scheme is good one, sir. 1 hope
we shall succeed"
ssHope,' man; we must! I'll have all the
old women in the army down on me if we
make null of it. 1 tell you, Winthrop,
we've got to come through all right
To have seen that cavalcade file out of
camp that night, you would have thought
the men were bent on some big picnic,
such high spirits they were in. During the
dark hours they rode steadily on, and so on
all the next day, with brief delays for re-
freshment for man and beast. The second
night they rested, but the dawn saw them
again on the march. 1t was too dark to make
out objects distinctly, and as they ap-
preached sign-post on the roadside, Harry
ordered one of his troopers, an Irishman, to
dismount and climb it that he might read
the direction it gave.
swell, what does il saya" he demanded,
impatiently.
s.Seven moiles to Richmond, an divil a
word less, SCRIP was the prompt reply,
which brought faint cheer from the men.
They crept cautiously forward till the
city lay before them with it's beautiful
hills crowned with pleasant homes. Sud
denly they struck the pickets.
"Close up, men Threes aboutl Charger
rang the word of command.
The horses no sooner felt the spur than
they bounded E1adly onward with an i'm
petus that broo6ed no checking. The first
line of guards fell iii broken disorder.
''OQ, DOES, On!' tlcIIlclu waving
his sword to his men.
But the second line of guards was
stronger, and resisted the attack with better
spirit. Five minutes of a hand-to-hand
fight and the bugle sounded the recall
Meanwhile the burshers of Richmond were
hard at work helping their soldiers TO
throw up earth-worss, while the dust roll
ing in big clouds hid them from view of the
enemy.
Oh, that Dalgreen would Gomez But the
precious hours passed by with no sign of
him, and when heavy guns were trailed on
Kilpatriclz's little force there was no al
Tentative left but retreat. The gallant
leader himself headed one last charge of
slirmishers and then the rout began with
the Confederates in force behind them.
They fell back in confusion to the main
body but now a fresh disaster met them
Meadow bridge was burned, and advance
was next to impossible. Devin, who COM
manGied the regulars, threw out his sA1r-
mishers, when Custer came up with MS
cavalry.
"Take those troops away, sir, and Will
make the crossing"
Without waiting for reply he rode head
long down the hil:, followed by his brave
Michigan horsemen.
The bugle sounded the recall They heed"