The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-12

time to meet the returning cavalry. Tho
cavalry reported that the enemy were
strongly posted beyond the first farm
house.
Luke's company, with the cavalry, were
deployed as skirmishers, and ordered to ad-
vance until they came upon the enemy.
After few words of encouragement to
his men they descended to the valley and
deployed.
Fences were thrown down, and through
the fields, woods, pastures and meadows
they began to advance.
Luke halted IN cornfield below house
to reconnoiter. His forces extended on
either side of him and but three or four
men were in sight. The old farmhouse on
his right had a peaceful, quiet and home
like look. The great dark-green stalks of
corn rose up on every side, the blades and
rich stalks forming a jungle impenetrable
to the eye Busy bees were drowsily hum
ming about from vine to vine, among the
corn or lighting on the heavy pods of full,
ripe beans. A sunflower turned its bold
face to the king of light, and a shred of gold
upon the tall stalk marks where butterfly
fingers unconscious of danger. The lambs
are bleating in the far-off pastures, and the
gentle lowing of cattle on the distant hills
reaches the ear of the soldier, and seem
maddening when he contemplates what is
soon to follow.
There are no signs Of carnage, but every
thing betolsens the peace and repose of a
delightful Sabbath morn. Luke moves on
from. the cornfield into peach orchard.
The trees seem groaning under their bur
den of luscious fruit He could not resist
the temptation topick up one Of the great
ripe peaches which fell at his feet and cat
it.
Their line, which is now visible some dis
lance either way, he was glad to see was
unbrolen. The hungry soldiers were de
vouring the peaches, many of them proba-
bly, taking their last meal.
A white puff of smoke issued from the
fence below the orchard. The enemy has
at last been found. Another, another, and
another shot rang out.
"Steady, don't shoot until you see your
man." cried the Captain. The firing
seemed to come from bunch Of tall weeds
and grass down under the hill. Steadily
the line of skirmishers crawed forward
straining their eyes for sight of the enc
my. A fifth shot, and the bullet whizzing
through the branches of the tree above
Luke's head brought down half dozer
rosy-cheeked peaches and a shower o.
leaves. Luke knew the shot was aimed a
him
~ see the skunk who shot at you, Cap
said Arkansaw Tom, who was but few
feet on Luke's left; "shall fix 'im2"
"Of course, Tom, if an enemy's, in sigh
try your skill"
Arkansaw took step aside and laid hi!
long rifle by the side Of a peach tree. A
moment later there came sharp report
followed by a yell from the tall grass
and rosin weeds, and man sprang hal
way to his feet and fell back kicking an(
struggling.
Shot after shot rang along the skirmisl
lines, and the bullets whistled like hal
among the trees,
"Lie low; keep close to the ground!" SAT-
Luke
Skirmishers soon learn that art. Thu
firing became general, and in few mo
ments the enemy began TO fall back, Tha
uneasy dread which possessed every maj
at first disappeared as the enemy began t.
fall back, aad with wild yells the sllirmish
ers pressed on.
Fearing the consequences OF hurting
skirmish line against line of battle, LUX
ordered halt. Not over one-half obeyed
and the others, with the cavalry, dashe
pell nell upon the enemy, whom they foun
in solid phalanx in u field just beyond tn
orchard fence A volley like a thundercla
shook the EARTH strewing the ground wit
dead and dying men and horses. The SUI
vivors fed, and Captain Mason had all h
could do to prevent panic; but he at las
checked the headlong flight of the most in
petuous, and the firing was resumed at lon
range,
Crouching close to the ground the skin
mishers crept to the fence and opened fire o
the rebels, who returned it, and bullet
whizzcd like hail about them,
II sWow, Cap'n, we can't stand thi
long" said Arkansaw Tom, who was crouc.
ing in a fence corner on Luke's left. "Wer
lightn' the hull bilin' O. en-
The Captain was about to give the orde
to fall back when he heard the stentoria
voice of Colonel Smart in their rear shout
son the right by file into llne an be s.
dinged quick about itN'
Like veterans the new recruits wheele
noby into line ana advanced to the fenC
row. In moment both lines of battle wer
wrapt in flame and smoke. Whistlin
shots, dying groans, the cries of tn
wounded and the shouts of the combatant
mingled with the incessant rattle of sma
arms, awed all peaceful sounds of nature
silence.
The Union forces seemed reused to
pitch of enthusiasm bordering unto frenz
Their only hope was to break through IL
enemy's ranks and press on to Cairo. III
rebels, astounded and dismayed at the vlgo