Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-18
Copyright. 1891. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper G
CHAPTER x.-CoNrrNupp.

CHAPTER X-CoNTINUpD.
At two o'clock, it seemed indeed q
Confederate victory. But mid the
ringing shout Of triumph came the wall
of grief-Johnston was shot through tho
leg by rife ball. and none was near
with sense enough to stop the flowing
blood. Still the blue flag waved vic
toriously with Beauregard. sick him
self nigh into death. in the van.
And now Grant was at bay-the con-
quering foe before him. the river roll
ing on his rear.
But the stout heart never failed him,
and with logged determination he
rallied his men. Before the enemy
could reach them, they must cross a
deep ravine with slippery sides and q
bottom full of water.
Now was his chance.
As with Southern dash and bravery
they rushed to cross this treacherous
defile, Grant swept them with the frag-
ments of his batteries, poured on them
the leaden hail of musketry, while two
gun-boats rained shells upon the wav-
ing line, which literally melted away
before the whitening volleys.
And now that cry-that wild hurrah!
The Fighting Fourth came shouting to
the field! ~ ~
Night closed on the CHASTITY scene.
But what night for Grant-his camps
gone, thirty flags and immense stores
in the hands of the enemy. and three
thousand of his men prisoners of war.
But during the night change came
over the scene. General Lewis Wallace
with five thousand men and three
divisions of Buelps army had crossed
the stream, to the aid of the beleaguered
Eederals.
And Monday morning dawned with
drizzling rain. No longer crouchine
from a foe he could not grapple, Grant
gave the command to advance, and with
wild hurrah the whole line moved
forward, and as Wallace says: ''Ster
by step, from tree to tree, position to
position, the Confederc tes went back
never stopping again." Tn>vain the
brave Beauregard rode to and fro be-
fore his troops, melting them to action;
the tide of fortune had turned against
them. Yet, fighting to the last. they
fell back on Corinth, whose frownine
guns held Grants advance in check.
It was dreary work that followed fol
the next six weeks-digging trenches,
making corduroy roads and advancing
at the rate of half a mile aday, with the
one envied luxury of joining q foragine
party now and then; for. though the
command was well provisIoned, orders
were given to raid the country.
In charge OF an expedition of this
character, Frank Besant had been un-
usually lucky, and was returning to
camp one evening when they came to a
comfortable farmhouse, whose neat
curtains and orderly out-houses prom
ised richer plumber than their usual
fortune had brought them.
There's something strange about
that house 1 can't make out" said Will
Ridley, Franks sergeant, and an es-
pecial favorite of the young officer.
Mary a child, nor dog, nor beast, nor
fowl about the place to give a sign that
folks is living there"
''P'r'aps some Of the boys have been
here before u.s." suggested one of the
men.
''Or the folks have left their country
residence and gone to the city TO,
change Of air." grinned another.
''Over the fence, boys, and well soor
find out Frank ordered.
A laundering knock upon the from
door brought no response.
an we'll knock the old thing into kind
ling-wood," Ridley cried.
1t was favorite means Of letting PEG
pie know they were honoring them will
q call; for the soldier-boys did not carry