The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-06-12

owing TO not being able to see where TO
land, the transports were forced to beat
about until daylight, when they ran in TN
der the banks, gang planks were thrown
out, and the Decentralization commenced.
The first man whom Luke saw go ashore
was that silent man Of iron, whose very
presence seemed to inspire the men with
confidence. He led his horse of the gang
plank and up the steep muddy bank, where
he waited for the troops.
"Fall i'm commanded the Colonel.
Company E, fall in," commanded Cap
tain Mason, and in a moment every man
was in line. Some of them as they went
ashore were making breakfast of crack
ers, which was TO be their last meal.
Luke's company at last began 10 file down
the narrow stairway to the boiler deck, and
TO climb up the muddy bank The shore
was now lined with blue coats, bright caps
and glistening muskets.
General Grant, with his aids, was rapidly
getting them in position.
Luke saw no sign OF an enemy. On the
right was field of tall corn, the overhang-
ing blades Of which would conceal any OBJ
ject from view dozen rods away.
Before them was hill, covered with what
seemed a dense growth of timber, but
which was really formidable abattis, com
posed OF trees felled in such a way that 1t
seemed impossible for men to squeeze
| through them.
"We're been foolin' about here 50 long
that the Rebs hev got plenty time rein
fo'ce," growled Corporal Max.
"Silence in ranksl'
But Max was correct. The delay had been
unavailable, it IS true, yet 1t made it so long
after daylight that the soldiers and trans
ports landing above Belmont were dIscov-
cred, and the Confederates made prepare
tons to give them warm reception.
The attacking army at last began to cd
vance in two long lines extending through
part OF the corn-held and the tall bottom
grass The fog rapidly rolled away, and
| the FURNISHED arms OF the blue-coats gilt
tered with dazzling brightness in the morn
ing sun.
Before the foot OF the hill was reached a
halt was made and skirmishers deployed
Captain Mason with his entire company
line. He first deployed in platoons, then
in fours, and finally placed each man rod
! from any of the others.
All was quiet. A peculiar solemn hush
seemed 70 have fallen over the scene,
broken only by the crushing tread OF some
soldier making his way through the tangled
| thicket. Luke began 10 half believe that
the enemy had deserted the camp.
A crow, cawing loudly. was soaring above
the tree tops, doubtless annoyed by the
presence OF the advancing warriors. A
blue jay chirped and screamed as it fitted
from bush To bush and tree in front OF the
advancing skrmish line.
Luke was pressing his way through an
almost impenetraole jungle when a shot
rang out on his left. II was the first sound
OF an enemy. The men had really began TO
secretly hope that they would find the camp
deserted. For IA single instant the heart of
the youthful Captain beat faster, while the
blood forsook his cheek.
Bang Bang! bangl three more shots in
quick succession on the left pronounced the
skirmish a. begun. Aud now the music be-
gins on the right First, half dozen shots
lead of. followed by a score, and then a
hundred. The crow and blue jay fly away,
and every soldier, more eager for shot
than prudent, pressed forward
Luke strained his eyes for glimpse OF the
enemy, and was at last rewarded by a dark
| object moving about among the leaves.
| Whether one man or score he knew not,
for the bushes almost completely concealed
them.
The bali opened in front, and fire, smoke
and leaden hail were poured in upon the cen
ter of the Union skirmish line. The soldiers
stood their ground and fought with wonder
full desperation and GOODNESS.
"Why don't they reinforce u.s." cried
Lieutenant Smith Were hghtin' hull
army"
A few moments later tho skirmishers
were reinforced, and calamity pressed for
ward, pushing the Confederates back two
hundred PAGES or more up the hill, where
they made another stand.
A roar OF musketry met the advancing
skirmish line, and the woods seemed alive
with leaplng flames. The bark flew from
the shattered trees, limbs, twigs and leaves
fell In showers, and bullets whistled like
rain about the ears Of the soldiers
The man on Luke's right was killed,
one on the left fell mortally wounded,
Lieutenant Smith received a shot in his
arm aud retired to the rear, Corporal Max
was knocked down by a spent ball, and for
few moments the young Captain seemed TO
stand alone before the enemy.
"Cap, l be cussed Of we han't got ter
glt out o. this" cried old Arkansaw Tom.
coming up AZ this moment. "We're tightin'
a line % battle"
Luke had realized this some moments be-
fore, but had held hls ground hoping soon
TO be reinforced. The fire was so heavy
that the soldiers had begun To fly.
"Come on. Cap; fur Gods sake don't
stand thar n be killed" cried old Tom,
seizing his arm and trying 20 drag him
away. The dense smoke OF battle had
settled about among the woods, rendering
objects invisible twenty PAGES away
AS Luke was about to comply with the
old scouts request Confederate oficcr