The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-10-17
A BATTLE IN A BATTLE.


service.
From our position on the right we
could see the shells drop into the
woods and break up the formation OF
the confederate cavalry every time they
left cover
We knew where they were. Jeb
Stuarts old troopers were there Wade
Hampton's dragons were there, Fitz
Lees bard fighters we're there-lmbo-
den, Rosser, Mosby-every confeder-
ate cavalry command We had fought
in Virginia was making ready in the
shelter OF the woods TO charge on our
left flank.
'Booml boom! boomm
The gunncrs knew what was at stake
The orders were 20 die at the guns n
the position could not be held. For
half an hour their bursting shells kept
lhe front clear and we Of the cavalry
choered them.
What's that.n
Out from the cover OF the forest al
half 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 n
trembling motion, and row there will
be grand charge. The shells burst
in front OF them over them. among
them, hut discipline is stronger than
the fear OF death
Less than three hundred Of us -al
cavalry TO support the batteryl II
that mob Of gray riders ever reaches
the foot Of the slope we shall be picked
up and sent whirling like dry leaves
in hurricane The fire OF the six
guns becomes more rapid IL Is truly
ierrifci but in their haste the gunners
do less execution.
Left wheel forward halfright
dressni
just 27s OF Us by actual count us we
dress in two ranks. What are we GO
ing to do?
Draw sabers forward -trot-gai-
iop--c charged"
They are driving MS down nj that
body Of men--ten times our number
90 break and check the charge II we
can stop them for ten minutes the bat
terry will be saved by the infantry We
oblique TO the left as we 20 20 close
up. We arc living wedge driving
down TO enter a living mass and split
it in twain.
Afraidp MOI There is an exultation
"a sort OF Drunkenness II
which browns all fear It's taking
awful chances odds OF n hundred 10
one-but there comes species OF i'm
sane delight when one figures such
desperate odds They are coming at
a gallop-we are charging Mt full
speed. Every carb!ne Is slung TO It's
owners back the sabre Is 20 settle
this. They are yelling as they come;
we '.yil yil yin in reply.
Can the wedge enterP Is the Inn
petus strong enough to break way
into the solid wall OF living men and
horses? look along their line as the
distance decreases with fearful rapidi-
Nv, and | realize that the shock will
be tremendous
Here IL comesl Brace for itl Shut
your teeth hard-grip with your knees
mind your stirrupsl Crash smash
--whirl -dust-smokel
The wedge entersl The wedge drives
ahead over fallen horses and dis
mounted riders yelling, siashing cut
ting--keeping It's pace. A trooper
slashcs az me--a horse goes down I'm
front OF NINE feel myself falling
with my horse, and then am out OF
the fight for n moment.
The darkness which enshrouded
things passes away after 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 mo clear.
The charge OF the gray troopers
was broken. That wedge drove right
through the mass and turned 70 attack
them In the rear. SwirlinR about In
circles like the Vulturo OF War the
mass OF men edges away until the
field around me is clear OF all but dead
and wounded. I've got n sabre-cut on
the shoulder, and can feel the warm
blood bathing my arm. but / know
could walk away II could get my feet
clear. / am working 10 extricate
them, when hear hoof-beats behind
me. and next moment riderless horse
dashes up and comes 90 halt
Ali but how the glory OF battle cx-
cites horsel See how red his nos
trils-how hign his head-the glare In
his eyes-the tail held out like n
plume-the ears working and the legs
dancingl lie has not been hit but he
has left his rider dead back there In
the sfubble--a federal captain.
The horse stands paving and snort
Ing. when out from the whlrl OF death.
half a mile away. breaks n chestnut