Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-03-21
CHAPTER XVII.

JAMES LA"oON oNSh ASA1N.
When Rosecrans was in command at
Nashville nearly a year ago he had de-
termined to establish in the Fourth, and
indeed in several other infantry regi-
ments, n corps d'elite of mounted men,
armed with Henry rifles, and collected
from the different companies for their
craftsmanship and steadiness in ac-
ton; but, although the men were
supplied with the rifles chiefly at
their own expense, the authorities
at Washington had refused to
give them horses and the adj
mirable project had fallen through.
Now Colonel Hopkins had never been
satisfied with this arbitrary Judgment,
and asked General Thomas to approve
of his trying the experiment at his own
expense, and an assent being readily
accorded, u little band of ten mounted
sharpshooters" formed an effective arm
of the regiments usefulness.
One summers day Major Besant found
himself in command of two companies
-Fulton's and Gregory's-supported by
the corps a. elite, ON a march through a
rugged country in pursuit of a band of
guerrillas whose attacks on detachments
on foraging and other expeditions had
been peculiarly annoying. His guide
was stalwart young negro, who pro-
fessed to be familiar with the mountain
Businesses, among whose recesses these
irregular combatantS made their hauntS.
The afternoon was well advanced when
they reached n spot where the road
branched in three directions-one to the
right, one to the left, and one immedi-
ately across q dense woodland as the
guide declared that these three paths
concentered again into one main thor
oughfare some five miles further on,
and that the forest was q very likely
covert in which to find the human game
they were hunting, Frank resolved to
divide his force into three parties; so he
dispatched Charlie and his men on the
right, Gregory and his on the left, while
he rode with the sharpshooters on the
middle road.
For time nothing distracted their
attention, but suddenly the Majors ear
caught the sound of a cry that might
have been made by some forest bird or
beast, but which, under the circum-
stances, was: ito say the least, suspicious.
1t came from the right, the direction
that Fulton and his company had taken.
"Dismount your men and let them
follow me, Ferguson" Frank ordered
the officer of the sharpshooters, as he
threw himself from his horse and
dashed up the wooded incline.
"It was nothing but a hawk or wild
cat" Ferguson cried, as he gained his
side.
But as he spoke rifle-bullet whistled
by his head and buried itself in the
trunk of hemlock.
"Quick, boys, to the trees!' Frank
shouted, as he set the example by plac-
ing himself behind q massive oak.
1t was a curious duel which followed,
where neither combatant could see the
other. Every time leaf on the hill
moved bullet sped from the rifle of
one of the sharpshooters to the spot,
and every time that the smallest piece
of soldiers uniform displayed itself
beyond the wooden barrier, 1t was the
target for a half score of shots. Now
man would stick his cap out at the end
of his gun-barrel, and in an instant it
was riddled with bullets.
"We can't go on at this little game all
day, boys" Besant said to the men
nearest to him. ''I've half a mind to
charge the slzulking scoundrels."
"Oulu UC CcTUu1u QedG0, DuG we
are ready, sir, If you give the word" was
Ferguson's reply.
Just then a ringing fusillade sounded
In the distance, answered by a volley of
rif1e-shots.
Captain Fulton has struck the main
body of Them" Frank said, guessing at
the situation of affairs, which after
wards proved he was right, sand these
fellows are but the outposts. Captain
Gregory must have heard our firing be-
fore this, and If there is any way across
that rugged hill he will soon be with
us-then we shall have them front and
rear"
A pistol-shot' from the man who had
been left in charge of the horses
warned them that there was danger
there, too.
It was now nearing six o'clock, and
though night in that summer season
was not due for three long hours, it
was quite dark, for fearful storm was