The National tribune., 1890-08-14
NATIONAL WASHINGTON g. THURSDAY, H.

We left the cover of the trees, and moved
cautiously toward the edge of the clearing,
with our guns at n ready"
We strained our eyes to catch sight of the
| lurking butternuts " before they should pour
| 81 volley into our very breasts.
Several times we thought we saw moving
men, but they proved to be wreaths of moss
swaying to and fro.
Not shot came from any direction.
The suspense was terrible. For once even
Jobs and Quin's jibing tongues were silent.
| Immediately in front Of us was u copse of
bushes briers and closely interviewer vines II
| looked as if il might hide % men at least, and
watched il nervously 1t received equal alton
| tion from Ian, Web and Cad, who were on
either side of me. As we drew nearer | clearly
saw the bushes begin shaking. Then there was
a loud sound of rushing and Of cracking limbs.
| Before knew it had my gun TO my shoul-
der and had pulled the trigger. Tho hammer
| fell with dull snap. The cap was too wet to
| explode. The same sounds came from Lans,
Webs and Cad's guns.
"Woof! woofl woofi" came from the copse,
and drove of frightened hogs dashed out and
| rushed off, trumpeting their alarm.
A yell of laughter came from the men behind
! us. Ii stung us, and VIC ran forward in flush
of temper. Reaching the belt of felled trees
before the work, job did not stop to reconnoiter.
! but pushed straight forward along n winding
| path through tho abattis. We followed him,
aud in a minute were olambering out Of the
ditch directly on to the works
From the top wo could see there was not q
| soul behind them. Their freshly burning camp
fires showed that the defenders had but recently
left, and this indication was abundantly con-
frmed by tho food which was still cooking in
pots aud ovens around tho fro, or remained un-
touched on the rude tables near. The garrison
had decamped in such haste that they had not
stopt TO eat the break fast which was already
cooked and partially served up.
Clearly" remarked Ian, as we surveyed
the camp, I" the rebels are moro afraid of us
than we of them"
"Vell. ] should say dey vero" remarked
Herman. Ode reppels d haf to pc n t'undor-
ing sight nearer us dan We haf peen TO dem dis
morning, pefore we'd run off mitOut eading our
preak fast"
Job vented his rage over our unnecessary
anxiety in advancing upon the abandoned
works, by spitofully bayoneting through tho
heart n yagabond dog which came uosing
around.
Don't get out OF patience job" said Ian in
his calm, sweet way. " 1t is ii miles yet to
New Berne. and we shall probably soc rebels
enough before we get there"
Those in the lne-of battle behind under
stood the situation from our actions, and Came
rushing up with cheers.
/" Forward, forward" said the bugles and we
resumed eur weary plodding through the rain.
mile or two farther, we came TO another heavy
line of works, but party of Aids had recon-
noitered them and found them deserted. We
halted there awhile for dinner, aud to let the
rear of the column, which was toiliug through
the knee-decp morass into which the tramping
of thousands of feet had converted the road, to
catch mp.
We discussed eagerly tho one topic of over
whelming interest: Where are the rebels
Where do they propose 10 make a stand aud
fight us?"
An Engineer Officer explained to us that the
probable reason why the rebels had abandoned
without fight the strong works we had passed
works which had cost them an immense
amount Of labor, aud which would have given
us a great deal of trouble, since they extended
from impossible swamps on the left 10 the
river on the rght-was that tho river was so
deep aud wide that they could not stop our
feet, which could pass beyond them and land
troops In their rear. " You can hear" said he
the feet throwing shells still farther mp tho
river. That means that they have not yet
found any distractions that would stop them.
The river narrows and shadows a few miles
this side Of New Berne. IL can be obstructed
there. aud we shall probably find them in that
neighborhood In force"
What will be the reSultS" asked
anxiousy.
30, we shall whip them," he answered con-
fidently We shall probably have a hard
fight, but am confident of victory, though IL
may cost Us heavily"
We are going to do our best, aud leave tho
tho result 10 God, /" said Ian, dovoully. "our
cause is His. and Ho will give us the victory
If We deserve it,"
By nightfall we were l2 miles from where
we landed. and six from New Berno The
ing rain and the worst mud that any NOR.
tai ever saw had made IL a terribly -fatiguing
day for us. Men had given out all along the
road. and some OF those who had rcsolut taly
kept up 10 the last sank in faint when halt
was ordered.
As wc had gone through the woods wo were
not so exhausted as those WHO had TO churn
through tho awful mud, aud the constant cx-
element kept ns up.
A little after dark we passed through an
open space in which were some houses aud
sheds. The ground rose a little lust beyond
and the ridge stood some horsernen, who
fired at us as we came out Of tho woods. We
blazed away at random. for il was too dark 10
aim, and tho horomen turned and rode or
down the slope. Mounted officers came up be=
hind us.
what Is the matter, men2" asked one,
whose voice VIC recognized as Gen Fosters
There were some men on horseback there"
| answered Job. "who shot at u.s. and then rode
Off"
sFlotbtly CdNbtEy outpost, SAID ten.
Burnsde's voice. There's their line over
there pointing 20 a line OF lights looking
dim and blurred in the rising fog. Halt the
| column and let the regiments 20 into camp.
Throw out "a pickot-iine we'll TO the front, but
don't build any fires"
There was no need of telling us that the enemy
| was in front in force aud intending 10
stay there. The dull fires stretched through
| the woods in every direction as far as We could
| See Faint sounds Of drum aud fife told when
| regiments were marching into position led by
guides with lanterns. Hundreds OF axes were
| going busily. Engines whistled shriiy, and
rumbled back and forth from the direction OF
| Now Berne Arriving regiments were vel
coined with cheers by those already on the
| ground, aud they responded vociferously.
There'ii be nothing done TO might, but
plenty Of work TO morrow" said Job. "Lot's
| find some place 10 sleep"
| Going back little ways into field wo found
a tobacco shed. which seemed very inviting.
The order against Grcs was not regarded
| Already they were burning in every company v.
Some, built at the roots Of tail pitch pines. ran
TO the very tops Of the high, resn-satu urated
| columns, and were blazing away fercely In spite
| OF the dreBchinR rain, which continued TO fall
| without intcrmission.
We found some dry chips in tho shed, with
which we kindled cheerful blaze, made coffee
and ate hearty supper of tho boiled beef and
soaked crackers in our hayersacks / pulled
of my muddy shoes, toasted my tired feet al
the fire, while Job and tho rest enjoyed .
smoke Of the cured tobacco In tho shed then
ltuaF iladn nUF .Isyaa ia,