The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-07-17

General Grant, with his aids, was rapidly
| getting them In position.
Luke saw no sign Of an enemy. On the
right was field Of tall corn, the overhang-
| ing blades of which would conceal any OBJ.
| iect from view dozen rods away.
Before them was q hill, covered with what
seemed O dense growth OF timber, but
which was really formidable sbattis, com
posed Of trees felled In such way that II
seemed impossible for men 10 squeeze
through them.
"we're q been foolin' about here so long
that the Rebs hev got plenty time y rein
fo'ce," growled Corporal Max.
"Silence IN ranksp
But Max was correct The delay had been
unavailable, 1t Is true, yet It made It so long
after daylight that the soldiers and trans.
pT.s Iaiiuing above Belmont were discVy
cred, and tho Confederates made prepara-
tons 10 give them warm reception.
The attacking army at last began 10 ad-
vance in two long lines extending through
part OF the corn-feld and the tall bottom
grass. The fog rapidly rolled away, and
the FURNISHED arms Of the blue-coats gilt
tered with dazzling brightness in the morn
ing sun.
Before the foot Of the hill was reached q
halt was made and slSirmishers deployed.
Captain Mason with his entire company
was thrown forward upon the slkirmish
line He first deployed in platoons, then
in fours, and finally placed each man rod
from any Of the others.
All was quiet. A peculiar solemn hush
seemed 10 have fallen over tho scene,
broken only by the crushing tread Of some
soldier making his way throughth the tangled
thickct. Luke began 10 half believe that
the enemy had deserted the camp.
A crow, cawing loudly, was soaring above
the tree tops, doubtless annoyed by the
presence Of the advancing warriors. A
blue Jay chirped and screamed as It fitted
from bush 10 bush and tree In front OF tho
advancing skirmish line.
Luke was pressing his way through an
almost impenetrable Jungle when shot
rang out on his left II was the first sound
Of an enemy. The men had really began 10
secretly hope that they would find the camp
deserted. For single instant the heart OF
the youthful Captain beat faster, while the
blood forsook his cheek
Bangl bangi bangi three more shots In
| quick succession on the left pronounced the
sInrmish as begun. And now the music be-
gins on the right. First, half dozen shots
lead OF, followed by score, and then
hundred. The crow and blue jay fly away,
and every soldier, more eager for shot
than prudent, pressed forward.
Luke strained his eyes for glimpse OF the
enemy, and was at last rewarded BY dark
object moving about among the leaves.
Whether one man or score he knew not,
for the bushes almost completely concealed
them.
The ball opened In front, and fire, smoke
and leaden hail were poured In upon the cen
| ter Of the Union sldrmish line. The soldiers
stood their ground and fought with wonder
full desperation and coolness.
"Why don't they reinforce u.s." cried
Lieutenant Smith. "We're fghtin' hull
army.n
A few moments later the skirmishers
were reinforced, and gallantly pressed for
ward, pushing the Confederates back two
hundred PAGES or more up the hill, where
they made another stand.
A roar OF musketry met the advancing
skirmish line, and the woods seemed alive
with leaping flames. The bark few from
the shattered trees, limbs, twigs and leaves
| fell In showers, and bullets whistled like
rain about the ears Of the soldiers
The man on Luhe's right was killed,
one on the left fell mortally wounded,
Lieutenant Smith received shot In his
arm and retired to the rear, Corporal Max
was knocked down by spent ball, and for q
| few momanta the voun0 CaDfain aeenad 10