Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-09-20
WILD BATTLE SCENES.
Colonel Kings stirring Account OF
Charge During tho War.

Out In tho broad, fallow field the up
roar OF tho nerco combat swells and
rages, and though tho long compact
columns arc still pushing on, the head
long speed OF tho charge is gono, the
leading squadrons are swallowod up In
cheering clouds OF swordsmcn dressed
in tho Union blue. The Southern lead
ers arc howing their way fighting like
tigers, and yelling command and en-
couragoment 10 their mon, but these
"Wolverincs" OF Custer have barred
the path; scores OF troopers from all
over the field arc bearing down on
front and TANKS; Chestor's guns have
torn fearful rents in their now beloa-
cured column; hundreds OF stceds are
rolling in agony on the turf, and hum
drods OF riders are bleeding and
thrown. Eager troops dash from their
places in tho renrward lines and rush
yelling TO join the combat nt tho front,
Hampton's bnttle-nag is waved on high
and spurrcd through the mass OF sway
ing chargers to animate the Carolinians
10 renewed effort; but it is all practic-
ally unavailing; the impetus OF the nt-
tack Is DONE aud now, though outnum-
boring tho horscmen swarmng upon
them from every side, Leo and Homp-
ton are almost helpless
Relying on DASH weight and inertia
TO sweep everything before them, the
Southern leaders have failed to provide
for just this possibility. Now their
gallant mon are jammod together in
one great, surging mass; only those on
tho flank or front can use sabre or pis-
tol; the rest are useles as so many
sheep. In vain their officers shout
hoarso commands to open out, to cut
their way TO right or left. From East
and West every instant fresh parties OF
Union horse come dashing in with new
shock and impetus, hurling mon from the
saddle, adding to the clamor and con-
fusion, utterly blocking every attempt
OF the gray troopers to wheel outward
and hew n path to their struggling
comrades in the foremost lines. Kear-
ney notes IL all with mad exultation;
Drayton's half score OF mon and the
Pennsylvania troopers are hurriedly
ranging themselves in rank, when
through the cloud of dust they caught
sight OF that battle flag of IIampton's
struggling forward in the midst OF the
confederate column. There's our
pointvn he shouts as with flashing eyes,
he turns to the little troop. Come on,
men" And with Dayton at his side
and the cheering line OF horsemen at
his back, down he goes in headlong
dash upon the surging flank. Another
instance and with n crash and shock
that hurls many rider from the sad
die among the grinding hoofs below
and overthrows dozen plunging
steeds, Kearney and his swordsmen are
hewing their way into the very heart
of Hamptons legion and making
straight for the flag
There is moment OF fierce. thrilling
battle of vehement struggling, of yells
and curses and resounding blows and
clashing steel and spluttering pistol
shots; moment of mad excitement
wherein he sees. but for second of
time, bearded, grimy, sweat-covered
faces, lit up with battle-tire, that live
in his memory for years; moment
when every sense seems intensified and
every nerve and sinew brace to fivelold
force, and in the midst OF it all, just as
he spurs his charger to the standard
bearers side, and his sabre is raised to
cut him down, and all around him is
one wild yell and clamor, there springs
between him and his prizes face and
form he well remembers; boarded
knight in gray and gold, whose gleam-
ing steel dashes to one side the blow he
aims at the standard bearers skull, and
before he can parry in return has
gashed his cheek from ear to chin.
Kearney reels from the force of the
blow, but firmly keeps his seat; and,
though he is half stunned, his practiced
hand whirls his blade to tho point, and
sends it straight at the barred dhd
brawny throat before him. An agile
twist is all that saves the jugular; but
it is well nigh fatal move, unbalanc-
ing the horseman just as he is struck in
flank by stalwart sergeant OF Kear-
ney's little troop, and down he goes,
horse and rider crashing to earth in the
center of the struggling mass. From
Kings Between the Lines"