The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-07-16

news of your promotion has Just ar
rived. which would he grand indeed If
| did not fear it would lead you into
further danger. Does Major go be-
fore or behind his regiment in battle?
Grace and hold different opinions on
this important question. DO satisfy our
doubts"
CHAPTER XVII.
JAMES LAWSON ONCE AGAIN.
When Rosecrans was in command at
Nashville nearly year ago he had de-
tcrmined to establish in tho Fourth, and
indeed in several other infantry regi-
ments, a corps Tentc 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
II
expense. and an assent being readily
accorded, little band of ten mounted
sharpshooters" formed an effective arm
of the regiments usefulness.
One summers day Major Bcsant found
himself in command of two companies
-Fulton's and Gregory by
the corps d. elite, on march through q
rugged country in pursuit of band Of
gnerrillas whose attacks on dctachments
on foraging and other expeditions had
been peculiarly annoying. His guide
was a 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 spot where the road
branched in three directions-one tothe
right, one to the left. and one immedi-
ately across 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 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 cry that might
have been made by some forest bird or
Al -
stances, was, to 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 sharpshootcrs, as he
threw himself from his horse and
dashed up the wooded incline.
1T was nothing but hawk or wild
cat" Ferguson cried. as he gained his
side.
But as he spoke rifle-bullet whistlcd
by his head and buried itself in the
trunk OF hemlocl.
'Qnick, boys, to the trees Frank
shouted, as he set the example by plac-
ing himself behind 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 sharpshootcrs to the spot,
and every time that the smallest piece
Of soldiers uniform displayed itself
beyond the wooden barrier. it was the
target for a half score of shots. Now
and then. in spirit of brarado, some
man would stick his cap out at the end
of his gun-barrel, and in an instant 1t
was riddled with bullets.
I'VE can't go on at this little game all
day, boys Besant said to the men
nearest to him. 1--we half mind to
charge the skulking scoundrels.'
1T would be certain death, hut we
are ready. sir, if you give the wortl," was
Ferguson's reply.
just then a ringing fusillade sounded
| in the distance, answered by volley OF
| rifle-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, land 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.
1t 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
hanging over the wood. 1t had been
| gathering the whole afternoon, but
now it was come. Fierce clouds, black
and purple, rolled over the heavens,
massing in smoke-like density. Then a
binding sheet OF flame, followed by a
crash of thunder So terrific that the
puny reports OF the rifles seemed but a
mockery of the warning elements.
Then deep, sullen roar that appeared
to shake the earth itself. The screams
of birds and cries Of beasts, and the
crash of falling timber were the only
sounds heard now besides the artillery
of Heaven, for friend and foe alike had
crept to the shelter of the neighborine
rocks. Tall trees were torn up by the
roots and hurled to the earth like leaves
in an autumn breeze, and all the while
the deafcning thunder never ceased t.
roll and not one drop of rain. But nov
the clouds burst and the deluge wa.
. upon them, not in fierce splashes, bu
in sheets of water, that crushed to TIT
. earth all living things they reached.
: TO DE CONTINUED.
: 4 Mountain Of Silicates.
{ A mineral discovery of unusual valu,
| = .Ax,l