The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1890-11-29
THE CAMP FIRE
ORIGINAL AND SELECTED NATTER FOR
OLD SOLDIERS.
A Gsslant Charge what smokeless Pow
der Will Do-An American Torpedo
Bont--Etc., Etc.
AGalIant Oharxa.

charge made in the Shenandoah VAL
ley by 80 men belonging to the ED
Pa. Cav, under the command OF Jas.
fP. Hart. Gen. Duffey, commanding
our forces. started up the valley about
July 20, 1864. On the Esd he en-
countered the enemy's skirmish line
at or near Kernstown. Our lines were
drawn up In the old orchard on the
left of the pike and came to halt,
when the keen eyes OF Duffey discov-
cred battery OF four guns on knoll
with stone fence in front. and the
battery apparently without any cup
port. So he ordered Capt. Hart
better known among his old comrades
as "Biddy"-to take so carbineers and
take that battery. The captain rode
a'ong the line and gave the command:
Count of by four, and every fourth
man ride to the 'front.'"
happened to be mo. A." Not one
OF the comrades knew what we were
expected to do. The captain ordered
US forward, and we marched out to the
| pike and halted. Then the captain
rode along the line and told US we
were to take that battery. He said
that 1t would be hot as h., and II any
comrade didn't WANT to go he should
ride to the front. Not one advanced.
The captain told us that the signal
would be fred about mile to the rear
on the pike. and at the sound we were
to charge down the pike and bring the
battery in.
We waited patiently for the signal.
At last it came, and away we rent at
that battery; but we did not bring 1t
! in, for a storm OF musketry met us
that was not expected. 1t came from
q brigade Of infantry lying behind q
stone fence, which opened on us when
we were within 100 yards OF the bat
/ terry, and compelled us to retreat.
The captain. myself and one OF the
company, John REGISTER. were near
together until we reached strip of
| woods. where shell struck the horse
OF Comrade REGISTER. killed the horse
and cut the comrades leg off, from
the effects OF which he died. Look
ing back. saw a regiment Of cavalry
in pursuit. Coming along to ditch
In which comrades horse had slipped
and fallen. Captain Hart spurred his
mare and cleared the fallen horse.
Then came my turn. l plunged in the
spurs, and my horse made the leap,
but the fallen horse arose, catching my
horse on the knees, throwing him,
think. twenty feet, and me over his
head. When ! got up there were
seven cavalry men around, and / was
looking down seven revolver barrels,
and seven fellows were saying:
"Halt, you -- !
Almost any old soldier understands
the meaning of that term. halted.
For few days the rebs marched
us up and down the valley, and then
to Winchester, where we were put In
Jail, but as 1t was not large enough
we were removed to the outskirts oil
the town and placed in swamp. On
the night OF July 20 l made my es-
cape with comrade OF the. SD Ohio
by the name of Proctor. II this meets
the eyes of Comrade Proctor. l would
like to hear from him. We made
our way across the mountains over
f, 100 miles to Cumberland, Md, meet.
ing with many rebel citizens and hid.
ing from rebel soldicrs.-J. B. Shall.
len5erger, 22d Pa. Cav.
| What Smokeless Powder VIII DO.
The smokeless powder renders more
important the role OF the artillery in
the future. That of the cavalry will,
! for the same reasons, BIO more con.
spicuous, for though this arm can not
operate at hazard, for fear OF being
annihilated. it can by watching Its
chances, render its charges more
effective, What a spectacle field oil
battle will present in the future.
Every part of 1t, barring those marked
by woods or inequalities OF the
ground, will be visible like the stage
| OF theatre to the spectators or TO the
generals commanding. Each com
mander will be able TO move his forces
like the men upon chess-board
The thunder OF artillery and the rattle
OF musketry will be greatly diminished
in volume. II the day is not decided
by the artillery, and the infantry
comes to close quarters, the slaughter
will be such as Is almost impossible Il
conceive, even to those who have
seen many bloody battle fields. The
moving down will be no longer
fgurative, but horribly literal o.
regiments placed face to face one will
quickly disappear. killed to man,
possibly both, to be replaced by others
destined to the some fate. Charges
against breastworks will be hopeless.
The retreat OF shattered brigade will
not help 1t for those whom the
musketry has spared will be over
taken and annihilated by the artillery
Battles, and perhaps the fate Of nations
will be quickly decided unless the
generals OF both sides pursue Fabiar
policy, and fearing the destruction o
hand-to-hand combat, try to &C
complish their purpose by vancouver
ing for the best positions und artillery
duels at long range. Altogether the
prospect Is not cheerful. The only
kope Of the advocates OF peace rests
on the spark Of humanity remaining
In the braasta Of lending statesmen nj