The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-06-05

ripe beans. A sunhUwer turned its bold
face TO the king Of light, and a shred Of gold
upon the tall stalk marks where butterfly
fingers unconscious of danger The lambs
are bleating in the far-off pastures, and the
gentle lowing OF cattle on the distant hills
reaches the ear Of the soldier, and seem
maddening when he contemplates what is
soon TO follow.
There are no signs of carnage, but every
thing betokens the peace and repose Of Il
delightful Sabbath morn. Luke moves or
from the cornheld into peach orchard
The trees seem groaning under their bur
den of luscious fruit. He could not resist
the temptation pick up one Of the grca,
ripe peaches which fell at his feet and ca,
II.
Their line, which.is now visible some dis
lance either way, he was glad 10 sec was
unbroken. The hungry soldiers were de
vourng the peaches, many of them proba-
bly, taking their last meal.
A white puff OF smoke issued from the
fence below the orchard. The enemy has
at last been found. Another, another, ana
another shot rang out.
"Steady, don't shoot until you see your
man." cried the Captain. The firing
seemed to come from bunch Of tall weeds
and grass down under the hill. Steadily
the line of skirmishers crawled forward
strainin g their eyes for sight of the enc
my. A fifth shot, and the bullet whizzn,
through the branches Of the tree abov,
Luke's head brought down half a dozen
rosy-cheeked peaches and shower oI
leaves. Luke knew the shot was aimed al
him.
q NAn ntr,,, IL .Lok
said Arkansaw Tom, who was but few
feet on Lukes left; "shall fix 'im"
"Of course, Tom, IL an enemy's in sight
try your skill"
Arkansaw took a step aside and laid his
long rifle by the side of peach tree.
moment later there came a sharp report,
followed by a yell from the tall grass
and rosin weeds, and man sprang hall
way to his feet and fell back kicking and
struggling.
Shot after shot rang along the skirmish
lines, and the bullets whistled like hail
among the trees.
ellie low; keep close to the ground ~ said
Luke.
Skirmishers soon learn that art. The
firing became general, and in few mo-
ments the enemy began to fall back. That
uneasy dread which possessed every man
at first disappeared as the enemy began to
fall back, and with wild yells the skirmsh-
ers pressed on.
Fearing the consequences Of hurting a
skirmish line against a line of battle, Luke
ordered halt. Not over one-half obeyed,
and the others, with the cavalry, dashed
pell nell upon the enemy, whom they found
n solid phalanx in a field just beyond the
orchard fence. A volley like thunderclap
shook the earth, strewing the ground with
lead and dying men and horses. The sur
,ivors fed, and Captain Mason had all he
,ould do to prevent panic; but he at las,
checked the headlong flight Of the most i'm
,etuous, and the firing was resumed at long
'ange.
Crouchin9 close to the ground the Skin
nishers crept to the fence and opened fire on
he rebels, who returned it, and bullets
vhizzed like hail about them.
- swow, Cap'n, we can't stand this
ong," said Arkansaw Tom, who was crouch
ng in fence corner on Luke's left. "We're
fightn' the hull bilin' o. 'em."
The Captain was about to give the order
% fall back, when he heard the stentorian
yoice OF Colonel Smart in their rear shout:
"On the right by file into line, an be gol
Hinged quick about iti'
Like veterans the new recruits wheeled
lobly into line and advanced to the fence
'ow. In moment both lines Of battle were
wrapt in flame and smoke. Whistling
'hots, dying groans, the cries OF the
and the shouts Of the combatants,
mingled with the incessant rattle OF small
arms, awed all peaceful sounds Of nature to
silence.
The Union forces seemed reused TO q
pitch Of enthusiasm bordering unto frenzy
Their only hope was to break through the
ranks and press ON TO Cairo, The
rebels, astounded and dismayed at the viGor-