The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-07-12

Into hoping to set it on fire. The colonel
ordered everything TO be removed from
the disabled boat. which incurred no
small amount OF danger, but was soon
completed by the great number that I'M
dertook IL.
To attract the attention of the bat
terry. not that they could do it any
harm, they discharged several volleys
from their muskets. then disappeared
into the darkness TO escape the range
of field pieces. This had the desired eff
feet, preventing the discovery OF the
men who had manned the small boats
and started to the opposite bank. With
muffied oars they easily crossed the river,
but were carried about mile below the
point they desired TO reach. Disembark-
ing quietly, leaving the boats i'm charge
of a few trusted men, they kept under
the shadow of the bank, that they
could not be seen by the enemy at the
battery or other persons on the hill.
hurried with a speed not to be deSpised
till they reached the point where the
bank was low and receding. and where
they could make the ascent easily and
readily by following the meanderings Of
a little ravine. and, then climbing a
rather steep HILL they had the battery
between them and the river. and not
more than three hundred feet away.
Accommodating for some minutes. to
their surprise they Sound larger force
dl the battery IMAM lleN eNDtttttls anu
larger than their own. This was not
pleasant news, and the debate arose at
once whether they should attack them
or return to the boats and ssnd for
more recruits or withdraw till ;norning
They did not fear the battery, as II
could not be turned upon them. nor
would they have feared the superior
numbers had they been assured that
they We're as poorly armed as the con-
federates often proved TO be, but what
they lacked In arms they frequently
made up IN courage.
stung with the reflection that their boat
was disa bled and thousand men made
helpless before a few Johnnies. behind "A lit
commander. and he resolved to try the
fight. That resolution was sanctioned by
every one Of his men. In this family night
where brother is against brother. which
shamefully true in great rebellion,
any defeat is considered rather disgrace
than being oVerpONered ana a retaliation
is often both bloody and heartlesS. Form
within a few PAGES OF the battery then
FIRE" A scene worthy of contemplation.
unworthy OF history. that the children Of
the same nation, like one household had
grown I'D together with bonds of friend
ship and love, Cenented by the hardships
and trials and priYatiOns OF war. our many
battles with foreign foes. our conflicts with
wild beasts and wilder men. our struggles
70 subdue a wilderness and a trackleSs
waste. that fields. green and golden, might
wave in the sunshine and that a mother
in peace might rock the cradle beneath the
dome OF the temple Of liberty, and after
all this. turn upon each other with We
hemence and savagry hardly equalled by
the awful primitive past, and not content
carry their inhumauty 10 the prison pens
that the ranks Of their opposers might he
thin and their graves, be Counties; f, Bn,
when enraged stabs the deepest.
The enemy had just destroyed their boat
and killed their friends without warn
ing They will rataiiafn without warning
The men about the battery were jolly-all
laughter-and thus the craft of war went
voice Make ready" lust then a strange
looking being appeared between them and
the COnfederates and for a moment all
was well seen in the light about the bat
terry. a defOrmed, club-footed creature.
guessing from her dress one would first
say a woman, but from her appearance
later one would think a vampire hut.
after all. female of some description as
they guessed. and they were commanded To
wait AS soon as she passed by the order
was given. and the COnfederates for the
first time learned that they had reckoned
without their host. Before they could rally
another volly was poured into them. and
they fell thick and fast. and many a poor
fellow went down. The battery was cap
tJred. some were killed some captured
had captured strengthening red
headed creature The rebel soldiers rep
as the cook and boss Of the camp, and the
captain Of the company who manned the
battery. said to his CdptOrS.
Though she looks mOnstTOus. a kinder
heart no one ever had and Will he
speak for her from you northern men the
same respect us sOutherners have ever
shown her"
Touched with this manly appeal i'm which
the true American again got the better of
the animal, the boys gave him one cheer.
and he was promised that it should be So
soon all were taken to the river and the
boats went TO the opposite side. The
wounded and all were transported to tine
disabled steamer. Among the wounded was
John Brooke.
To be continued