The morning call., 1892-02-28

infantry were huddled together in the
street. Of Columbia awaiting the slow
movement Of the trains at the p0ntOon
bridge. the adjutant Of my regiment in
structed me TO report to brigade headquar-
tiers. There ! found detachment Of about
twenty-five men made up Of details from tile
different regiments Ia the brigade. | found
myself assigned TO the command of this lit
tie force, with orders TO march at once as
swiftly and quietly as possible to the sub
urbs Of the town and upon reaching there to
re0ccupy tie entertainments close h the
main pike, which had been abandoned
about shutdown.
Remember" said the field officer Of the
day, who gave me these orders, as he in
Dictated with his sword the direction | was
70 take, remember whatever you may
meet on the way out 70 the works is an
enemy. Do not challenge anything ap-
preaching you on the road When You
reach the entertainments keep very quiet,
AID, unless attacked. do not fire a shot.
In hat case fall back very slowly"
This officer accompanied us out some dis
lance on the pike. He appeared % be in n
conversational mood, and talked as he rode
at NY side about the events Of that day. He
assured NE that our army ut that
moment was in 4 very tight place
He remarked that very serious mistake
had been made by somebody In calling in
tie pjtkets before the army had been safely
got across the river. He said he desired 10
impress me with a full sense Of the i'm
p0rtant duty my party had then 70 perform.
lie told ne that he would visit Us In a short
time when be would give me further orders.
Then he rode back toward the town The
last words he spoke before riding away
were an edmUnitOn not to challenge but 10
shoot and 70 hold cur ground as long as We
could.
npr or4,- r,c,aI zIfartIr for1ror1 boo,
ing we'll in the middle Of the road. 1t was
very dark, and 0ppTessiyey quiet. Oar
little detachment was drawing nearer to
The enemy. We had passed tile last house
in the town, and were now fairly IN the
open country. Every nerve was strained
10 detect a possibly approaching foe, and
as we dscerned in the darkness tree or
cump OF bushes they seemed to assume
strange, sinister and pOTtentOUs forms and
shapes.
We had walked about 100 yards further
and were getting closer TO the deserted
works every step Suddenly, not 40 feet
ahead or Us, there loumed mp something
hlackeT than the night itself. 1t was neither
bush nor tree. Our ears could make no mis-
take. i. was the steady swinging tramp Of
a body Of armed troops moving straight
upon us. The duh rattle Of canteen and
tTying-Pan were TOO plainly audible.
In an instant our party came to a halt.
The omnOus clicking Of our twenty-five
Springfield rifles must have startled the
strangers, for they suddenly came to a
staGdstIll. For second not word was
spoken.
Whether il was an impulse born Of daily
contact with the enemy or some subtle
process Of the mind that guided me at the
moment l know not, but it flashed upon me
that hostile force would not be coming
forward SO jauntlly. But, all the same, my
heart vas In my throat In low tone /
said, Boys don't fire." aud then to the
immovable and Silent mass in the road
shouted:
Who comes therc?"
Friends" replied the leader.
What regiment?"
The - OHIO. I'm Captain -" re-
turned the voice out Of the gloom.
Advance, CAPITA ~" | said, as / quickly
stepped forward to meet him, the two de-