Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-11-13


u can't help it, colonel" was the
hasty response. s'If you lose IN all
that battery must be silenced. If you
can't do IL with your guns, you must
take it with the bayonet."
ARE you aware Of the strength and
defenses OF that redoubt, generaI?'
asked Berrien, quietly. 1T would be
sheer slaughter"
81 have heard of you. colonel, said
the general, with cutting emphasis, ''as
good officer and brave man; but
shall begin TO think have been misin-
/ formed. 1t is necessary that we silence
or capture that rcdoubt viii intrust
to you the duty Of executing my orders;
but if you hesitate / viii relieve you
of the command and give it some one
else"
a spot Of color sprang into the thin,
bronzed cheek OF the colonel, as he re-
piled:
'sThe redoubt shall be stormed, sir. 4"
"Ah, that is better" said the gem
eral, as the frown which had darkened
his features gave place TO smile.
'You viii attack at nine o'clock to-
morrow morning. Any additional
force besides your own immediate com
mand which you may require, viii be
placed at your disposal Good evening,
colonel
The two officers exchanged salutes,
and Berrien returned to the trenches
in thoughtful mood Arrived there,
he summoned council OF his subordi-
mates and laid his orders before them.
/ n Ill h..
| jected assault.
at is impossible" growled the
senior captain. II should like to see
Banks try it himself"
Mere useless butchery," said the
major.
'.The men win not obey" added an
other. ''They know the hopelcssness
| of such an attacl, as well as we do, and
they viii take the chances of punish
/ ment sooner than face certain destruc-
ton under the fire of that battery"
They ngast do it, sir!" responded the
colonel, sternly. II have explained
the case to the general, and, in effect,
! he told me / was afraid. Now, | am
! going to make that attack, if ! go
alone. Go to your posts, gentlemen,
/ and see that the men are ready to move
at nine sharp"
At half-past eight on the morning of
the 9TH of July, the troops were mus
tered ia the trenches. They had been
informed of what was expected of
them, but they exhibited none of the
reckless gayety and eager impaticnce
common to veterans preparing for the
charge. On the contrary, they stood
silent. with gloomy faces and COM
pressed lips, and as their colonel passed
down the line, addressing few STIR
ring words to each company, there was
not single responsive cheer. Even
the officers themselves looked disturbed
and downcast.
The colonels face alone wore its
usual expression of calm seriousness;
he might have been inspecting his men
at parade, SO natural and composed
were his manner and tone. After finish
ing his round, he stood quietly convers-
ing with the major, glancing at his
watch from time to time. As the
hands marked the hour of nine, he
drew his sword and leaped upon the
parapet, in full sight of his whole regi-
ment
'Men," he cried, in voice which
rang down the line like trumpet
call, 1--WE are ordered to take that
battery. Forward, and follow me!'
There was n slight stir in the ranks,
and from the mere habit Of obedience,
some Of the men instinctively stepped
forward pace. Then they halted and
! locked irresoiute.y from their motion.
less comrades to tho tall figure on the
parapet, around which whistled a
tempest Of bullets from the redoubt.
Come, boys" cried the colonel
again. Forward and charger
This time not a man moved from his
place, though many a head was bowed,
and many dark cheek flushed with
shame.
$50 be it," shouted the colonel 81
have given my word to storm that
battery, andI win do it! Cover your
worthless carcasscs, you towards, and
see a soldier do his dutyln
Casting look Of whitening scorn at
the men in the trenches, he faced about
and started toward the redoubt at u
measured pace He had not taken q
dozen steps, however, when the color
sergeant, brave fellow by the name
of Whitaker, sprang over the breast
work and joined him. There was be-
held the strange sight Of two figures,
one in colonefs uniform, carrying n
sword, and the other bearing a dag
marching shoulder to shoulder, toward
the enemy's lines.
The fire slackcned on both sides, and
hundreds of heads appeared craning
over parapct and bastion, gazing at the
two men, in mute amaZement. Then
the significance of the scene appeared
TO dawn upon the beholders, and Il tre-
mendous cheer went up from fedcrals
and confcdcrates alike. Hardly had it
died away when the refractory regi-