The Monitor., 1891-08-21
TAKING THE FORT.

A friend of mine, soldier, who died
in Greece of fever some years since, de-
scribed to me one day his first engage
ment. His story 50 impressed me that /
wrote it down from memory. 1t was as
follows:
1 joined my regiment on Sept. q. 1t
was evening. found the colonel In the
camp. He received me rather brusquely.
but having read the generals introduc-
tory letter he changed his manner, and
addressed me courteously.
By him I was presented tomy captain,
who had just come in from reconnoiter-
ing. This captain, whose acquaintance
l had scarcely time to make, was tall,
dark man. of harsh. repeliing aspect.
He had been private soldier, and had
won his cross and epaulets upon the
field Of battle. His voice. which was
hoarse and feeble, contrasted strangely
with his gigantic stature. This voice Of
his he owed, as was told. to bullet
which had passed completely through
his body at the battle of jena.
On learning that I had just come from
college at Fontainebleau. he remarked
with wry face. "My lieutenant died
last night"
understood what he implied-'It is
for you to take his place, and you are
good for nothing"
A sharp retort was on my tongue, but
restrained it.
The moon was rising behind the re-
doubt OF Cheverino, which stood two
cannon shots from our encampment.
The moon was large and red. as is COM
mon at her rising; but that night she
seemed to me Of extraordinary size. For
an instant the redoubt stood out coal
black against the glittering disk. It re-
sembled the cone of volcano at the
moment of eruption.
An old soldier, AZ whose eide found
myself, observed the color Of the moon.
''She is very red,s he said. 1T is q
sign that it will cost US dear to win this
wonderful redoubt."
was always superstitious, and this
piece of augury, coming at that mo-
ment, troubled me. sought my couch,
but could not sleep. rose and walked
about awhile, watching the long line OF
fires upon the heights beyond the village
of Cheyerino.
When the sharp night air had thor
oughly refreshed my blood I went back
to the fire. l rolled my mantle round
me, and l shut my eyes, trusting not to
open them till daybreak. But sleep re-
fused to visit me. Insensibly my thoughts
grew doleful. told myself that had
not friend among the hundred thou
sand men who filed that plain. II /
were wounded I should be placed in hos
pital in the hands of ignorant and care
less surgeons. called to mind what
had heard of operations. My heart beat
violently, and / mechanically arranged
as kind of rude cuirass my handker-
chief and pocketbook upon my breast.
Then, oyerpowered with WEAKNESS. my
eyes closed drowsily, only to open the
next instant with start at some new
thought of horror.
Fatigue, however. at last gained the
day. When the drums beat at daybreak
was fast asleep. We were drawn up in
rank. The roll was called, then we
stacked our arms. and everything an
nounced that we should pass another
uneventful day.
But about 8 o'clock an aid-de-camp
arrived with orders. We were COM
manded to take arms
Our sharpshooters marched into the
plain. We followed slowly, and in
twenty minutes we saw the outposts of
the Russians falling back and entering
the redoubt- We had a battery of ar
tillery on our right, another on our left,
but both some distance in advance Of US.
They opened sharp fire upon the enemy,
who returned it briskly, and the redoubt
Of Cheverino was soon concealed by vol
umes Of thick smoke.
Our regiment was almost covered from
the Russians fire by piece OF rising
ground. Their bullets (Which besides
were rarely aimed at Us, for they pre-
ferred to fire upon our caunoneers) whis-
tied over Us, or at worst knocked up
shower of earth and stones.
Just as the order to advance was given,
the captain looked at me intently. ]
stroked my sprouting mustache with an
air of unconcern-in truth, was not
frightened, and only dreaded lest might
be thought so. These passing bullets
aided my heroic GOODNESS, while my self
respect assured me that the danger was
a real one, since was veritably under
fire. was delighted at my self posses
sion, and already looked forward to the
pleasure of describing in Parisian draw
ing rooms the capture of the redoubt of
Cheverino.
The colonel passed before our company.
"Well," he said to me, lyon are gong to
see warm work in your first action"
/ gave martial smile and brushed my
cuff, on which bullet which had struck
the earth at thirty PAGES distant had cast
a little dust.
II appeared that the Russians had dis
covered that their bullets did no harm.
for they replaced them by o fire of shells
which began to reach us in the hoIlovs
where we lay. One of these in its ex-
piosion Knocked off my shake and killed
a man beside me.
Il congratulate you." said the captain
as picked up my shake. "You are safe
now for the day."
knew the military superstition which
believes that the axiom "pon bas In ideU"
is as applicable to the battlefield as to
courts Of justice. Ireplaced my shake
with swagger.
THAT'S rude way to make one raise
ones hat" / said. as lightly as ! could
And this wretched piece OF wit was. In