The herald. (Big Stone City, Dak. [S.D.]) 1883-1890, 1889-01-04

the man bowling and smiling on them was
the idol of the Nation-Abraham Lincoln.
An odd sight met Winthrops view % he
dismounted and entered the fort. The
ranking officer, German, sat coolly smok-
ing his cigar, while beside him reposed .
bottle Of champagne in Q basket Of ice.
Harry presented his orders, while there
flashed across his mind the contrast Of the
bean-coffee and hard bread Of the field
camp and the Sybaritish luxury Of city quar-
ters.
"You are in Custer's brigadei" the Old
Ger asked, languidly.
~ have that honor, sir" was Winthrop's
short reply. He was getting tired Of being
patronised.
"Aw-yes-well, Two heard good deal
Of you Michigan fellows. Guess you'd bet
ter go up on the fort and take birds eye
view of the Rebs, and then tell me what
you think you can do"
Harry took him at his word. As he
stepped out on the parapet bullets whizzed
by his head, for the Confederate skirmishA
ing line was all before him, while in the
ditch lay number of clerks, convalescents
and citizens gathered there for good or
evil purpose.
Winthrop took the whole scene in ct Q
glance.
"Well," said the ofncer when he returned,
"what do you think Of thema Can you
drive them backl" ~
II can try, SIR"
"Well how would you set about it?'
In all his life Harry had nevermet 30 cool
and composed gentleman.
"Dismount my mcn-they 49, armed
with Spencer carbines-form them in double
columns-cross the bridge-dcploy throw
out skirmishing line in the rear and
drive the citizens away, for half Of them
sympathizc with the South, Idont tdoubt."
" All right; sir; go aheadw
And with this brief order, Harry went to
work to relieve the city of Washington.
Much has been written about the mistake
that Early made in delaying his attack, but
there is no doubt he was under orders from
Leo not to enter the city. his object being
simply to distract General Grants attention
from Richmond.
Meanwhile Briggs came up with his men,
and the little force made fair headway
against the encroaching enemy. All
through the hot hours Of the day they kept
tho. foe at bay, and afternoon saw them
famished with hunger aud wasted with ia
.igue. Suddenly the scouts ran in with the
unwelcome tidings that the enemy was ad-
vancing down the pike in force and was
about to charge upon them.
In this extremity he sent for orders from
the ranking officer, for, in addition to their
exhausted condition, their ammunition was
falling them. Harry fairly ground his teeth
with rage when tho word was simply
brought back for him ITO hang on; !" but,
like the brave soldier he was, he resolved
to meet death with his face to the toe.
though no chance Of escape seemed posi-
bic.
On came tho evening. Surely the days OF
the Michigan heroes wore numbered, for,
like tho waves Of the sea, that great host
would sweep thcm from the earth But no.
A wild cheer! Harry turned to tho fort, on
which in an Instant every eye seemed fixed,
and there, to his joy, he saw the Greek
cross Of the Sixth Corps floating defantly
on the breeze.
Oh, how Harry's heart beat as he saw tho
magnificent troops under General Wright
march out and form in line of battle.
Steady as il on q parade they passed Harry
and his men, and before their solid front
the Confederate ranks fell back in sullen re-
treat. Washington was once moro saved.