The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-01-29
miscellaneous.
TAKING THE FORT.

TAKING THE FORT.
A friend of mine, a soldier, who died in
Greece of fever some years since, described
to me one day his first engagement. His
story so impressed me that I wrote it down
from memory. 1t was as follows:
l Joined my regiment on Sept a. 1t was
evening. l found the colonel in the camp.
He received me rather brusquely, but having
read the generals Introductory letter he
changed his manner, and addressed me cour-
teousy.
By him l was presented to my captain, who
had just come in from accommodating. This
captain, whose acquaintance l had scarcely
time to make, was tall, dark man, of harsh,
repelling aspect. He had been q private
soldier, and had won his cross and epaulets
upon the field of battle. His voice, which
was hoarse and feeble, contrasted strangely
with his gigantic stature. This voice of his
he owed, as was told, to bullet which had
passed completely through his body at the
battle OF Jena.
On learning that had just come from
college at Fontainebleau, he remarked with
a wry face, MY lieutenant died last night"
l understood what he implied-''lt is for
you 10 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 redoubt
of Cheverino, which stood two cannon shots
from our encampment. The moon was large
and red, as is common at her rising; butthat
night she seemed TO me of extraordinary size.
For an instant the redoubt stood out coal
black against the glttering disk. 1t resem-
bled the cone of a volcano at the moment of
eruption.
An old soldier, at whose side found N.Y.
self, 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 wonder
full redoubt."
l was always superstitious, and this piece
of augury, coming at that moment, troubled
me. l sought my couch, but could not sleep.
1 rose and walked about awhile, watching
the long line of fires upon the heights beyond
the village of Cheverino.
When the sharp night air had thoroughly
refreshed my blood l went back to the fire.
l rolled,my mantle round me, and shut my
eyes, trusting not to open them till daybreak.
But sleep refused to visit me. Insensibly
my thoughts grew doleful. l told myself
that had not friend among the hundred
thousand men who filled that plain. If
were wounded should be placed in hospital
in the hands ofignorant and careless surgeons.
l called to mind what l had heard of opera
tions. My heart beat violently, and l me-
chemically arranged as kind of rude cuirass
my handkerchief and pocketbook upon my
breast Then, overpowered with WEAKNESS,
my eyes closed drowsily, only to open the
next instant with start at some new thought
of horror.
Fatigue, however, at last gained the day.
When the drums beat at daybreak was fast
asleep. We were drawn up in rank. The
roll was called, then we stacked our arms, and
everything announced that we should pass
another uneventful day.
But about o'clock an aid-de-camp arrived
with orders. We we're commanded to take
arms.
Our sharpshooters marched in the plain.
We followed slowly, and in twenty minutes
we saw the outposts of the Russians falling
back and entering the redoubt. We had
battery of artillery on our right, another on
our left, but both some distance in advance OF
US. They opened sharp fire upon the
enemy, who returned it briskly, and the re.
doubt of Cheverino was soon concealed by
volumes of thick smoke.
Our regiment was almost covered from the
Russians fire by piece of rising ground.
Their bullets (which besides were rarely aim
ed at us, for they preferred to fire upon our
cannoneers) whistled over us, or at worst
knocked up shower of earth and stones.
Just as the order to advance was given, the
captain looked at me intently. lstroked my
sprouting musiache with an OF unconcern-
in truth, was not frightened, and only
dreaded least might be thought 30. These
passing bullets aided my heroic GOODNESS,
while my self respect assured me that the
cip 7 UpritQh lV
under fire. | was delighted at my selfposses-
sion, and already looked forward to the
pleasure of describing in Partisan drawing
rooms the capture of the redoubt of Chever-
inc.
The colonel passed before our company.
"Well," he said to me, "you are going to
see warm work in your first action"
I gave a martial smile and brushed my cuff,
on which a bullet which had struck the
earth at thirty PAGES distant had cast little
dust.
1t appeared that the Russians had discover
ed that their bullets did no harm, for they
replaced them by fire of shells which began
to reach US in the hollows where we lay.
One of these in its explosion knocked off my
shake and killed a man beside me.
Il congratulate you," said the captain as
picked up nv shako "You are safe now for
day"
/ knew the military superstition which be-
lieyes that the axiom mon bis in idem" is
as applicable to the battlefield as to courts of
Justice replaced my shake with swag-
ger.
"That's rude may to make one raise ones
hat" said as lightly as l could. And this
wretched piece of wit was, in the circum-
stances, received as excellent.
81 compliment you," said the captain.
"You will command a company tonight, for
shall not survive the day. Every time
have been wounded the officer below me has
been touched by some spent ball, and" he
added in lower tone, "all the names began
with P"
laughed skeptically; most people would
have done the same; but most would also
have been struck, as was, by these prophetic
words. But, conscript though ] was, felt
that could trust my thoughts to no one, and
that it was my duty to seem always calm and
bold.
At the end of half an hour the Russian fire
had sensibly diminished. We left our cover
to advance on the redoubt
Our regiment was composed Of three battal-
| ions. The second had to take the enemy in
flank: the two others formed the storming
party. Twas in the third.
On Issuing from behind the cover we were
received by several yoleys, which did but
little harm. The whistling of the balls
amazed me. "But after all" thought, "a
battle is less terrible than I expected"
We advanced at smart run, our mus
keteers in front.
All at once the Russians uttered three
hurrahs-three distinct hurrahs-and then
stood silent, without firing.
Il don't ike that silence" said the captain.
at bodies no good"
J began to think our people were too eager.
could not help comparing, mentally, their
shouts and clamor with the striking silence