The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-23
CHAPTER XVI.

Johnston's W hole army is upon u.s."
CHAPTER XVI
ADAy OF DEATH AND CARNAGE.
"Fall in! fall inr' officers WIRE crying
all along the line, and In response men were
everywhere springing into ranks.
"1s II an attack or skirmish?" Luke,
who was still somewhat bewildered at his
sudden awakening, asked Of some of his
staff.
ats Beauregard and Johnston's whole
armies" replied the Major, who at this
moment was hurrying BY.
Tho forest where Luke was chartered
was almost devoid Of underbrush. The
spring was little backward and the leaves
were not much larger than squirrels ears,
while on many Of the trees the
| buds were either only swollen or
just hursted, 80 that there was little to OBJ
! struct their view. The trees were turned q
faint green by the young leaves and tender
buds, and the earth had also received q
light coat of ermine from the paint-brush OF
| spring. A fourth Of o mile in their front
was what had once been field, though
every remnant of fence had disappeared. A
few white denuded snags and trees reared
their pale forms into the air and extended
q ghost-like arm to the sky.
The first thing Luke saw after coming Out
of his tent was body Of Union soldiers
running toward them across the old held
Ho also noted that the sun was Just rising
for the bare arms of the old snags wore
hero and there tipped with fire. Beyond
the retreating soldiers WAS the roar Of fire
arms and tho yell of tho enemy, which every
moment drew nearer.
Colonel Mason found his horse ready sad
died, and mounting had started along his
line 10 give his regiment hasty inspec
ton, when he met General Prentiss.
lis every man in line, Coioneli" the Cen
cT..,, crina
~ think So"
I'VE IL need them"
"It's general attack, then"
Eyes"
A shell thrown by the enemy CAM
whizzing and shrieking through the air
clipping OF great branches of trees as J
they had boon tender twigs. 1t exploded il
he air o few rods to the rear of Genera
Prentiss and bis staff
ITS no sham" said the General, coolly
All it was intended as a ruse they wouldn'
be sending such metal as that among US.
Loud shouts wero heard on the left fol
lowed by the galloping of horses and thuu
der OF wheels, and turning his eyes in tina
direction Luke saw three batteries comm
Up and Numbering.
General Prentiss galopcd away to Civ
personal directions to the yunners, lcavin
Luke alone with his regiment.
30 brave; the day depends on you. RI
member your homes, your country, and Il
every soldier DO his duty" shouted Colont
Mason, gG!lopng along his line.
The mass of n 'cng soldiers proved to b
part of Colonel Dave Moore's regimen
which General Prentss h d sent cut carl
in the morning TO reconnoiter. They la
gone until they struck tho main line of tn
enemy, and were hurled backward i'll,
chaff before q whirlwind, bringing thei
wounded Colonel with them. Several thol
sand skirmishers had been hastily deploye
to cover their retreat. These were force
back, reinforced, and still driven bacl
until they struck the man line of battle an
threw it into momentary confusion. Or
GERS were now seen galoping up and dow
their lines encouraging their men by word
and acts.
, But down upon them like an avalanche
or some tremendous oncoming thundei
storm, the resistless horde Of rebe
poured.
"Steadyl steady! steadyl boys! R
member the old fagm cried Colonel Maso,
Whiz, whiz, zip, zip! come the bullets a
nhnnt him and "a nd thpn tho hrnnn hf
and young foliage from the trees, cut by IL
speeding shots, fell on the heads of the SC
diers. One poor fellow who was standin
IN his ranks suddenly clasped his land owe
his heart and wilted down like a suddenl
clipped flower. Another seized his leg
his hands and hoped away to the rear.
1t was one of the most trying times of Il
entire day; but the line still presented ;
almost unbroken front. Two regiments hs
fed entirely, and there were thousands
skulkcrs from others fastening TO the RI
er, but still the rebels found solid fro
, when they came.
! Colonel Mason urged upon his men Il
I necessity of holding their fire until the en-
a my were near enough to make it effectiv
I but when the bullets fea like hail amor
!, Jutul LlOSJ Vi butll utSdl W TtbuIu H. IL
|, Colonel's horse reared, plunged into the a
and fell dead. The rider was in nome
Z on his feet.
y The whole line was now sheet of fan
q and column of smoke. Some one broug
q him another horse, which he mounted al
n took up his position at the rear Of his ret
|, ment a few rods away to watch the
n maneuvers. Men were falling, and the e
v tire line was now enwrapped in flame al
smoke, while the rebel horde was pressir
e on with resistless fury. A shell explod
Q at the feet of the Coloners horse, and I
n poor beast sank dying to the earth.
sprang from the saddle, and one of his st;
n brought him another steed.
While galloping down the line sword
d hand grape shot struck the blade, brea
V ing it of close to the hilt. Crash upon era
a Of cannon was added to the continuous 70
S Of small arms, and the air became thi
D with smoke. The ground was literally &C