The National tribune., 1892-10-27
crates intended to surround the church and

crates intended to surround the church and
capture Mcclure and his entire command. The
boy claimed that his father was a member Of
Co E, 9th Mo. His statement was soon con-
frmed by members of the company. who stated
that the boys father was then on duty with the
balance of the company, some Is miles distant
The information which the lad impaired
naturally created q sensation In camp. and
soon every man was awakened and put under
srms ready for immediate attack. Then a
council of war was held, and after brief con-
sultation it was decided that rs tho church
would be detriment rather than an advantage
In case of attack, the men being too closely
punched and the walls of the building sffording
no protection, it would be the part of wisdom
to vacate the church at once and move to .
more advantageous position. Accordingly the
horses were hastily saddled, the pickets called
In, and in less than half an hour the command
was moving. They marched about mile west
and halted in heavy piece of timber, where it
was concluded to remain and await further do
velopments.
The men were dismounted and ordered to hold
their horses by the bride ready to mount At a
moments notice.
About 2 o'clock in the morning Capt. Nc
CURE and his men were suddenly startled by
the rapid discharge of firearms in the direc-
ton of the church. Yolley after volley fol-
lowed each other in quick succession, which
eaoi 0hS16
ment was on. What could it mean? Had
large body of Union troops arrived and en-
countered the rebels near the church? Such
seemed to be the case. In order. IL possible. to
ascertain the truth Of the matter, tho Captain
detailed Sergeant and six men, and sent them
forward to reconnoiter and learn the position of
the Federals. 90 that he might be able to join
them with bis command and take part in the
fight At the same time he ordered his men to
mount He then moved them to within 600
yards of the church, where . halt was called TO
await the result Of the Sergeants investigs-
ton.
Meantime the firing continued with uuabat-
ing vigor, several stray bullets coming in close
proximity to some of our men. The Sergeant
soon returned, and reported that owing to the
intense darkness he was unable to distinguish
friend from foe, and that the bullets few 30
thick and fast around him and his men that he
thought il the better part of valor to retire.
After hearing the Sergeant's report the Cap
tain decided to remain where they were until
daylight, as nothing could be done In such
Egyptian darkness.
1t gradually ceased, until finally not . sound In
the direction Of the church could be heard. The
battle was evidently over, but what was the
| resuit2 Had the Federal arms been victorious,
| or had they suffered defeat? These were ques-
tions not easily solved by our men, and only by
| the coming of daylight could the result b
| learned.
When at length the gray streaks OF dawn be
gan 20 appear in the east, the Captain sent out
several scouts with instructions 70 sconr the
country and try to locate the enemy. he ther
| ordered the command to advance slowly toward
the church. They had not gone very far wheE
one OF the scouts came galloping back and re
ported that he had gone within short distance
of the church, but saw no troops OF any kind
BY this time it had become light enough to sc,
. considerable distance, and our men moved
forward at q more rapid gate, which soor
brought them up to the church.
Dead and wounded rebels TO the number o
about 40 were lying on all sides of the church
showing plainly that sanguinary conflict hat
taken place. But rs NO Federal dead o.
wounded could be found. IL seemed evidsn
that our men had been victorious and driver
the enemy from the field. But where wer
theyf Had they repulsed the rebels and were
now pursuing themf While Capt MoGuir
was bordering over the matter, dozen Con
federstes with Gag of truce arrived on til,
scene and asked permission To care for thei
wounded and bury their dead. One Of tn
Confederates remarked:
"You Yanks fought like the ID. but
you had not been 90 strongly fortified In til
church believe we would have taken you In.
This observation puzzled the Captain exceed
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