The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-02

rebel army to be wantonly slaughtered"
You are coward"
You are a - liar"
Wheeling his horse with Iordly air ant
haughtily disdaning to handy words with hi
inferior. he dashed away toward the UnioI
works to report Kay. He had soon crossed th
open, sandy field and disappeared behind th'
breastworks. If the rebels were coming il
force,
HE WAS SAFE.
Kay remained where he was left by the Aid
His men had now come to order arms. De
termlued to wait few minutes to see what
would develop from the ravine, he kept 6
sharp lookout in that direction. If he should
be mistaken in his conclusions he would then
deploy his pickets, as be had been directed al
first. Waiting few minutes would bring nc
harm to anyone, while haste and fear might
be disastrous to all. He did not know what
the Aid would report about him. but he was sure
he felt personal affront quite enough to give
some garbled and unfair account Of the con-
/ troVersy in order to have him court-martialed
| for revenge.
IN less than five minutes the Lieuten-
| antCoionel rode up TO them on foaming
| charger. At that moment the true situation
| revealed itself A column of rebel infantry
| emerged from the timbered rsvine into the
open field, led by officers on horses. Circum-
| stances justified Kay in his wise course and
placed the seal of contempt on the bungling
Aid.
| The squad was now in q manner cut Of
from their own intrenchments. 1t would be q
/ hazardous race as to whether they or the rebel
| army should get there first. There was no al.
| tentative but TO flee for dear life.
The cleaning muskcts of the great body of
| moving men, the mighty power of compact
and united army of determined troops, the
| thought of the dreadful struggle that would
| happen IN minute or two, caused the squad
under hays command to feel that they were
lost 1t was most trying moment. But they
were brave men.
Get in, men," said the Lieutenant Colonel,
| like man of nerve and a man OF heart. "We
are being charged by the whole rebel army.
| Save yourselves as best you can."
Men, keep in line" said Kay, "and run for
your lives"
They turned toward the breastworks. Ap-
parentiy an awful space iutervened. Kay
brought up the rear. Away they ran with all
possible speed. Not word was spoken. Their
feet sank into the ground with each step.
Would they succeed? Could they outrun the
Johnnies? We shall see.
AT THIS INSTANT CANNON DOOMED
and belched forth their yomit of death and
destruction, and the shot passed near the re-
treating squad. Then the boys in blue began
firing volieys Of musketry at the charging
And Kay and his squad of men were in the
midst of all this. 1t was place of death.
The rebels came with yell. Men were
falling at every volley, but the advancing
troops, like the Grecian phalanx. at once filled
up the vacancies and kept solid front. This
showed their determination to become rictors
or perish. The glittering bayonets of the ad
vancing and assaUlting body made the hearts
of the brayest shrink. Their bold and rash
assault seemed TO say that Atlanta must be
saved. 1t was & desperate move OH the part
Of the Confedcrates; but the rebels on this
occasion were inspired by Hood, and whisky
and powder mixed, as the dead afterward in
Gicated.
With matchless and undaunted bravery the
rebel horde rushed across the open field i'm the
face OF deadly fire. Pickett at Gettysburg
did not lead more sorlorn hope. Officers were
at the heads of the different divisions, cheer.
ing the men on in the face of death. 1t was
magnificent scene.
The charging columns hoped to surprise the
Yanks aad gain an easy victory. Indeed, they
had in a manner taken the Union forces un-
always on the alert. always expecting to fight,
and always ready for battle, can be surprised.
In moment that quiet field had been con-
verted into a scene of hell The lull had ended
in a mighty storm. 1t was desperate contest.
Determined men on both Sides brothers of
q
counter. The roar Of battle. the yell of con-
tending men, the smoke of the conflict soon
filed the men with dumb unshrinking dcs-
peration 1t effort on the part of the
enemy 20 carry the Union lines at all hazards.
1t was a matter Of only few moments until
the rebel soldiers had passed over the open.
sandy field.
DEATH SEEMED TO HAVE 40 TERRoRs
for them. They were brave men. 1t was q
perilous undertaking but they charged right
over the breastworks into the line Of Federal
troops.
But where was Serg't Kay and his squad of
pickcts? They had no time to find refuge be-
fore they were enveloped in the contest be-
tween the two armies. a struggle like this
could not wait for them. They had no choice
but to face death and seek safety behind the
breastworks they had just left in such peaceful
quietude. 1t was not sure that shelter could
be afforded them there.
They ran with the speed of frightened deer
Their guns were tossed away TO afford them
greater feetneSs. In the confusion they became
separated, and each sought safety in his
own way. The rebels poured over the breast
works at the same time they did. and Kay lost
sight Of his boys. They were liable to be slain
by their own men. But all did not reach the
de:enses. Some were captured and others were
wounded. Kay himself got over the earthw works,
but he never knew how he escaped capture;
while some of them were taken prisoners He
was behind his own intrenchments, but he was
lost. This seemed impossible, but it was true
He could not find his own company or regi- |
ment.
The noise and confusion and rush and yells |
Of war were on every hand the sound of guns,
the clash Of swords, the thrust of bayonet, the |
clubbed gun, ali grim attendants of battle, |
were here seen TO tho best advantage
Without hesitation Kay took an active part |
in the desperate struggle waged on the part of |
the rebels with spirit Of conquer or die. 1t |
was a hand-to-band contest, aud God knows |
that the poor souls that poured ont their |
precious life blood there did 1t as upon the |
altar Of their country.
NEVER SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN
was 4 contest waged with more desperation and |
determination. They were all heroes With
their lives in their hands they walked in the |
valley Of death. The groans of the wounded, |
the pleading looks Of the dying the pieces of |
mangled human flesh, and the red spots on the |
dumb earth were awful tales told Of the short, |
sharp decisive fight.
Kay, lighting in an Independent way, since
be could not find his command, passed some-
what aimlessly along behind the struggling |
mas. not knowing what was to happen next. |
lie fired just as fast as he could at the lines of
approaching rebels. The first line that went |
over the works were captured and sent back.
There! Great God! Out there. not over 30 |
yards away, lay one of his squad, bleeding and |
struggling IN the sand. Kay realized the stu |
alton In an instant, and knowing what bad |
come upon that bright. hale, hopeful, brave |
young soldier, his heart went out TO him, and |
L. s,,se 80. L