Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-08-10
and Battle

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ssE6SZEE-=z.=sNSsAAShistory, is quoted by
Col. Crowinshield, in his History OF
the First Massachusetts, Cavalry" The
story was told by one of the combat
ants, Lieut.. Gleason, in letter writ
ten home, and is none the less inter
esting for the free -and-easy manner in
which it is related. A fine rail fence
was between him and the enemy and
he felt Every comfortable and safe.
He drew his Colts revolver and fired
six shots into or at them, with Smith
81 Wesson he began another round.
He says:
I am sure I don't know why l didn't
kill lots of them as [ was very cool and
collected, at least I thought SO. But
they didn't any Of them seem to drop,
and suddenly five Of them tore hole
through the fence and came after me-
My security was at an end, and put
ting spurs to my horses I headed for
home, over fence into another field.
Here I was confronted by deep
gully right across my path, and the
two Johnnias were close at my heels
I turned to the right, gave my horse
full speed, and came to the end OF the
gully as one Johnny reached the same
point by cutting off an angle.
was about ten feet ahead, and had
two shots left. I fired one, the other
missed. Ny belt was under my over
coat, SO that I couldn't get at my sa-
bre, and the enemy ordered me IN
choice language to surrender or he
would shoot.
Unconsciously I had allowed my
speed to slacken, and [ could see into
the empty barrels of his pistol.
I said. 'What, with that pistol"
He replied, "Yes, hang you, it's
loaded" [ laughed and said, "pve got
two in my holsters in the same condl-
ton"
Meanwhile he had ranged alongside
on my left, and our horses were crowd
ing each other He was leaning as far
as he could one way, and L opposite.
Then we clutched at each other.
I got his head across my breast, with
my left arm under his chin, and with
my right''f fist pounded him for all [ was
worth. He, with his pistol was strik
ing blindly for my head, cutting
cash over both eyes and knocking
tinger-nail Oft.
Our horses were Looping toward our
lines. Behind was another Johnny
who could not keep up. Now my
horse never liked to wet his feet; APP
preaching a large muddy place, while
we were locked in the above loving en-
brace, both horses jumped, but not at
the same time The consequence was,
| both of us were dismounted.
I sat fiat in the mud all heels ele-
waited, while Johnny landed on the
back of his head and shoulders. His
horse stood still, mine ran away, and
| here I was sitting in the mud in COM
peny with twoof the enemy.
lost my temper when lost my
horse, I fear Anyway, getting on my
feet, my sabre was where [ could get
it, and drawing it, went for the two
men with a rush. In fact, there was
too much rush-my adversary had
again mounted-and neither horse
would allow me within ten feet Of him.
After a few plunges both of them
| turned and I was left alone in the mud.
L fear called them names and used
| language that was not polite as long
as they were in sight. Then [ ran for
dear life, get over fence, and sat
down on a rock to rest and collect my
| thoughts.
But saw my man again the same
afternoons prisoner. His eyes and
face were black and blue, and he
looked as if he had been through
powder mill explosion. I made him
as comfortable as I conld and left him.
He was second lieutenant in the
Sixth Virginia Cavalry, and we both
laughed when we compared our emo
tions and impulses. Neither of US had
ever possessed great skill as boxers
and neither was very proud of the re-
suit. During the fight he dropped his
pistol, and we met on equal footing. [
have the pistol now, and as look at it
l can see the whole scene move before
me like a panorama.-Youth's Com
panion.