Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-08-27
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A BATTLE WITHIN A BATTLE.

service.
FROM our position on the right we
see the shells drop in the woods
and break up the formation of the con-
ieoerate cavalry every time they left
cover.
we knew where they were. Jeb
Stuart's old troopers were there. Wade
hampton's dragons were there. Fitz
Lees hard fighters were there-Im-
poden, Rosser, Mosby-every confeder-
ate cavalry command we had fought in
Virginia was making ready in the shell
ter OF the woods TO charge on our left
flank.
Boom! booml boomr'
The gunners knew what was at stake.
The orders were to die at the guns if
the position could not be held. For
hall an hour their bursting shells kept
the front clear, and we of the cavalry
cheered them.
whats thati''
Out from the cover of the forest at
a dozen places gallop the gay
troopers by hundreds. They wheel to
the right and left, form in two lines,
take their distance, close up with a
trembling motion, and now there will
be a grand charge. The shells burst in
front of them, over them, among them,
but discipline is stronger than the fear
of death.
Less than three hundred of us-all
cavalry-to support the batteryl If
that mob of gray riders ever reaches
the foot of the slope we shall be picked
up and sent whirling like dry leaves in
a hurricane. The fire of the six guns
becomes more rapid-it is truly terrific;
but in their haste the gunners do less
execution.
Left wheel = forward = half-right
dress!''
Just two hundred and seventy-eight
of us by actual count as we dress
in two ranks. What are we going to do?
Draw Observation-Disclosures
charger
They are driving us down at that body
of men-ten times our number-to
break and check the charge. If we can
stop them for ten minutes the battery
will be saved by the infantry. We OBJ
lique to the left as we go to close up.
We are a living wedge, driving down
to enter a living mass and split it in
twain
Afraid? mol There is an e~xultation
Ia sort of drunkenness-about it which
browns all fear. It's taking awful
chances-odds of a hundred to one-but
there comes a species of insane delight
when one figures such desperate odds.
They are coming at a gallop-we are
charging at full speed. Every carbIne
is slung to its owners back; the sabre
is TO settle this. They are yelling as
they come; we '.yil yil vi" in reply.
Can the wedge enter? Isthe impetus
strong enough to break a way into the
solid wall Of living men and horses? |
look along their line as the distance
decreases with fearful rapidity, and l
realized that the shock will be ire
mendous.
Here it comesl Brace for It'll Shut
your teeth hard-grip with your knees
mind your stirrupsl Crash-smash-
whirl-dust-smoke!
The wedge entersl The wedge drives
ahead over fallen horses and dismount-
ed riders-yelling, slashing, cutting
keeping its pace. A trooper slashes at
me-a horse goes down in front of mine.
/ feel myself falling with my horse,
and then ! am out of the fight for a
moment.
The darkness which enshrouded
things passes away after a bit and |
find my horse lying across my feet, with
the saddle flap so holding them that his
dead body must be lifted up to get me
clear.
The charge of the gray troopers was
broken. That wedge drove right
through the mass and turned to attack
them in rear. Swirling about in circles
like the vultures of war, the mass of
men edges away until the field around
me is clear of all but dead and wound
ed. I've got a saber-cut on the shoulder,
and can feel the warm blood bathing
arm. but | know | could walk if
could pet nv feet clear. ] am working
10 extricate them, when hear hoof-
heats behind me, and next moment a
horse dashes up and comes to
Z halt
All but how the glory OF battle eN
cites a horsel See how red his n~ostrils
how high his head-the glare in his
eves-the tail held out like a plume
the ears working and the legs dancingl
He has not been hit, but he has left his
dead back there in the stubble-
a federal captain.
The horse stands paving and snort
when out from the whirl OF death,
half a mile away, breaks a chestnut
charger and comes galloping down
MS. There is blood on the saddle
aans-drops of blood on his shiny
aanks. It is not his blood, but that OF
the confederate major who o d him.
nd who has been cut down by the
stroke of a sabre
II is gray VS. chestnut-federal IS
confederate. The wco is still a
feet away, when the gray
horse rushes at him with ears laid back
and mouth open. and as l watch them
forget that shells are screaming. u
- 4kn - hra DONG