Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-01-29
MiscellamenMs.
TAKING THE FORT.

in Greece Of fever some years since, de-
scribed to me one day his first engage
ment. His story so impressed me that
| wrote it down from memory. 1t was
as follows:
joined my regiment on Sept. 4 It
was evening found the colonel in the
camp. He received me rather brusqusly,
but having read the generals introduce
tory letter he changed his manner, and
addressed me courtcously.
BY him | was presented to my cap
tain, who had just come in from recon.
noitering. This captain, whose acquaint-
ance had scarcely time to make, was a
tall, dark man, of harsh, repelling as
pect. lie had been private soldier,
and had won bis cross and cpaulets up
on the field of battle. His voice, which
was hoarse and feeble, contrasted
strangely with his gigantic stature
This voice of his he owed, az | was
told, to n bullet which had passed COM
pletely through his body at the battle of
Jena.
On learning that had just come
from college at Fontainebleau, be re-
marked with wry face, my lieuten-
ant died last night"
l understood what he implied-"It is
for you to take his place, and you are
good for nothing"
A sharp retort was on my tongue, but
| restrained it.
The moon was rising behind the re-
doubt of Cheverno, which stood two
cannon shots from our encampment
The moon was large aud red, as is CON-
mon at her rising but that night she
seemed to me of extraordinary size. For
an instant the redoubt stood out coal
black against the glittering disk. It re-
semblcd the cone of volcano at the
moment Of eruption.
An old soldier, at whose side [ found
myself observed the color Of the moon
"She is very red," he said. ut is a
sign that it will cost us dear to win this
wonderful rodoubt."
was always superstiticus, and this
piece Of augury, coming at that mo-
mcnt, troubled me. | sought my couch,
but could not sleep. rose and walked
about awhile. watching the long line Of
fires upon tho heights beyond the village
Of Chevcrino.
When the sharp night air had thor
oughly refreshed my blood | went back
to the fire. rolled my mantle round
me, and | shut my eyes, trusting not to
open them till daybreak. But sleep
refused 10 visit me. InsensibIy my
thoughts grew doleful. | told myself
that had not friend among the hun
dred thousand men who filed that plain.
II were wounded should be placed
in hospital in the hands Of ignorant and
careless surgeons called 10 mind
what ! had heard Of operations. Ny
heart beat violently, and | mechanically
arranged as kind Of rude cuirass my
handkerchief and pocketbook across my
breast. Then. overpowered with we ri
ness, my eyes closed drowsily, only 10
OpOh ehs bcAb iuSIhHb WIN bthft ~
some new thought of horror.
Fatigue, however, at last gained tho
day When the drums beat at day.
break was fast asleep We we're
drawn up in rank. The roll was called,
then we stacked our arms, aud every
thing announced that VIC should pass
another uneyentful day.
But about 3 o'clock an aid -de-camp
arrived with orders We we're com.
manded 10 take arms.
Our sharpsbootcrs marched into the
plain. We followed slowly, and 10
twenty minutes we saw the outposts Of
the Russians falling back and entering
the redoubt. We had n battery Of ar
tillcry on our right, another on our left.
but both some distance in advance Of US
They opened sharp fire upon the
enemy, who returned il briskly, and the
redoubt Of Choverino was soon concealed
by volumes Of thick smoke
Our regiment was almost covered
from the Russians fire by n piece Of ris.
ing ground. Their bullets (Which be.
sides were rarely aimed at US, for they
preferred TO fire upon our oannoneers)
whistled over US, or at worst Knocked
up shower Of earth and stones.
Just M the order to advance Wal
given, the captain looked At me intently
| strokod my sprouting mustAehc will
az air Of uncOncerp--lQ truth, | wa