Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-09-11

dread. Awakened by shouts the crack OF
firearms and all tho appalling sounds OF
carnage, confuses tho veteran, and the won.
der ~ that it did not produce panic among
these raw recruits.
Perhaps they were too much stupefied 10
become panic-s,riplten. They seemed TO
realize that their eafety lay In getting be-
hind the fence as soon as possible, as it
afforded them partial protection.
BY the timo Luke reached tho fence the
firing ceased md tho echoes of tho shots
died away. The raw recruit glanced down
the fence row, which was dark with men
crouching, kneeling and lying behind IL,
while their guns formed "A scrrod phalanx OF
black muzzlcs. Tho moon shonc i'm peaceful
splcndor upon the scene. illuminating il with
floods of silver light. No one could be seen
in tho wood beyond, but IL was from that
point that tho attack was threatened.
Wien Luke found old ArlSansaw Tom on
ono sido Of him, and Ned Cotton on the
other, he regaincd his self-pos session
Where wcrc the enemy, Not one was in
sight, nor had shot been fred in the last
three minutes. Luke asked Arkansaw
Tom where tho rebels were, and was told
that they were not far away, and were adj
vnncing on them, for they had already
driven An the pickc;s. But so peaceful and
quiet WAS tho scene that Luke was about
half inclined 10 believe there was some mis-.
take about H.
The crickets, which had been awed to
s'lg!iso ~ those rude alarms, resumed their
chirrups, aud tho waippoorwill, on the dis
tant hlil. renewed its song. A pig came
struggling down the path beyond the fence,
grunting and roofing about among the
leaves. wholly unconscious OF danger
For several moments not word was heard,
and naught save crickots. night birds, the
rustling OF leaves and gruuting of tho Pig
broke the silence. This waiting-this ex-
pecting bloody struggle more try
ing on the nerves than If n death struggle
was ut hand. Luke's mind was busy recall
ing tho past and trying 10 dip into the
future. Would tins night end all on earth
below, and would tho mystery Of his birth
be revealed only in otcrnityi
Some ono whispered:
''They comer'
The regular tramp OF feet could DO heard
coming over tho distant ridge, where the at
lacking party had evidently halted to dress
their lines.
''Stiddy, s;iddyn said Captain Smart, i'm
voice which was = little unsteady itself,
but which had within it tho ring of deter
mlnation that gave courage to the men.
Luke strained his eyes 10 catch glimpse
OF the foe. The nearer approach of the
marching columns indicated that they
would soon be in sight, and, despite all his
determination, he found himself trembling.
Tho pig continued 10 root about among
the leaves, ut peace with al the world, and
giving vent TO its satisfaction in expressive
grunts.
The enemy Mt last came in sight among
the trees on tho ridge, and despite the in
functions of the officers the more nervous
OF the recruits behind the fence row began
blazing away ut them. Luke mt first de-
tcrmincd To obey the command OF his superi.
ors, and wait till the foe were near enough
to mako sure shot, but tho enemy being
recruits also, and rs nervous rs the men
they were attacking, returned the fire. and
when bullet struck n rail so near him as
to cover his face with dust and rotten WOO /,
lao could no longer restrain himself, and
blazed away with tho others.
The pig gave ut.erancc to n saueal of
alarm aud ran hithcr and thithcr, met ev-
erywherc with binding flashes and deafen-
ing reports, until il at last raced down the
fence row ut full speed.
The enemy made no charge, but contented
themselves 10 fire Il few shots Mt long range.
and then gradually fell back
whether any OF them had been killed or
wounded the Union recruits could not de-
terninc, though next morning n puddle OF
blood close TO tree was discovered Bill
Snow, the only man touched on tho Union
side, had slight flesh wound in his arm.
Captain Smart made no effort to pursue
the enemy but coutcutcd himself To remain
behind the fence with his forces for an hour
or two after they had disappeared The
attacking force was evidently about equal
To his own, and failing to mako IA complete
surprise, or even take advantage of tho
partial surprise, they had deemed it best to
retreat.
Sleep was stranger to the eyes of the
new soldiers tho remainder of that night.
w hen morning came not sign of an enemy
could he found. IL was the general belief
that the opposing force would renew the
baltic ut daylight, but when it. came thcv
we're many miles away, and only the bullet
shattered oaks and fences remained 10 tell
mat conflict had ragged there but a few
hours before.
Tho recruits, clatcd ut their victory,
seemed to have suddenly developed into
Veterans. In their enthusiasm they wanted
TO be led ut once against Lexington, which
Price was supposed to be investing with
force variously estimated Mt from twenty TO
one hundred thousand men.
The recruits were again in a turmoil for
the lack Of leader. Two days were spent
IN trying to devise some general mode of
action. Luke, disguised with a military
organization which seemed no stronger
than rope OF sand, was half inclined TO
desert and SEEK the service of his country
elsewhere
They were constantly threatening TO
break mp and go Oft in different directions,
each company 10 itself Nothing but the
knowledge that prowling bands Of Confcd
crates swarmcd everywhere held them to
gcther at Sagget On the evening of the
third day a man mounted on n faded horse
rode into camp with tho startling intclH-
gence that Lexington had fallen on the Goth
Of September, the day before.
All hope OF reaching Lexington was
abandoned, and without any leader the
army was in dcplorablc condition. Sur
rounded By the enemy, cut of from friends
aud convuscd with internal strife, their
condition was somewhat prccarious.
Some wanted 20 60 10 ST. Louis, others 10
Springfield. and another day was spent az
Saggct arguing which course they should
take, when messenger came with orders
from somewhere for them 20 move 10 Cairo.
That. Of course. settled their destination.
but there were many minor details 10 bc
consulted in regard 90 the march Captain
smart suli had nominal command of the
forces, but his authority was liable TO be-
usurpcd 40 any time
BY pressing into service such teams az
could be found, they managed 10 organize a
small baggage train and prepared Tor the
march. Luke's voluntary suggestions 20 a
great extent helped TO pour oil on the
troubled waters, and brought him into the
favorable notice Of his Supporters.