The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-19
A REMARKABLE BATTLE.
HOW ONE NAN NET AND FOILED 4
MONT ATTACK.
Battle Won with tho Loss Only One Man,
Bat the Victor Was Inconsolable Because
There Was Any Loss Of Life ut All.

1t was probably one OF the most re-
markable battles that ever was fought
The advance had been well planned by
the attacking force. the idea being to
surprise the enemy at the dead OF night.
Every detail had been carefully consl-
dered. The advance would be hidden by
wood and the first the enemy would know
of It would be when the troops swept
out OF the wood and carried the camp by
storm There were apparently no pick
cts in the wood and there seemed TO DE
no possibility Of a failure.
The colonel in command was already
gioating over his expected victory when
one OF his officers called attention 10
bright light some distance to the left Oh
the advancing column.
What is TT" asked the colonel anx-
iously.
Il don't know" replied the officer. ut
flashed I'D there only a minute ago.
well. II any one suspected we were
here he wouldn't go along swinging a
lantern to make a target OF himself,
asserted the colonel.
The light faded out and the colonel
breathed easier until he noticed bright
light fash up TO the right OF the column.
A halt was called at once.
There is something wrong here" said
the colonel, land / propose to IND cut
what 1t is before we go any farther"
He was getting a trifie nervous, but
one OF his staff officers asserted that 1t
was preposterous to suppose that IL the
enemy were making any move they would
give notice Of It by displaying lights.
Maybe So" replied the colonel. but
lights are not running around by them
selves. Take a squad Of men and find
out what the light is.
The squad had only moved a short dis
lance from the main column before the
light disappeared.
This won't do" muttered the colonel.
I'VE can't stay In this wood all night.
We must either go forward or go back,
and I'm not going back"
The column had barely begun to move
again when a light appeared on the right
and a little TO the rear of the one that
had just disappeared. Another halt was
made and the colonel was tempted TO
order volley in the direction OF the
light, but OF course that would betray the
exact whereabouts OF the column and
would be almost suicidal.
1--WE are being watched" he said.
shortly, but the scouts are fools and
we can cut them of from their camp
and surprise the camp yet"
Before he had time TO act however
another light appeared In the rear OF the
one still burning. The whole column was
excited and nervous by this time and
some one called the Colonel's attention TO
the left flank. Lights had appeared there
also, that could be seen here and there
between the trees.
I'VE are being surounded" exclaim-
ed one OF the officers excitediy.
Now. the colonel was not particu-
iarly excitable man, but the situation
was certainly serious. Moreover. II was
unusual. The idea OF lights being SO
freely used In making a flank movement
at night Indicated that the enemy was IN
such force as TO be careless. A retreat
was Immediately ordered. but the lights
kept getting farther and farther 10 the
rear, until finally one excited soldier shot
at one. There was TO answering shot.
out IL seemed as II more lights appeared
ana the retreat became almost n panic
Ihen light appeared I'm the shrub
perry Immediately ahead Of the retreat
ing column. The first man yelled, rifle
pit and cleared the whole thing at
one bound. The second man was not so
fortunate, and as he fell he Instructive
ly made a reach for the light. He was
the only man killed. but his death com
pleted the panic. Ranks were broken and
the retreat became q Wild race to get
out OF the wood.
AM Itch
and there among the trees, appearing at
the most unexpected points and adding
10 the confusion.
When the excitement was at its height
a man climbed out OF a pit some dis
lance in the rear OF the retreating force.
He stretched himself and then peered
after the fleeing soldiers.
Hanged II l wasn't .ramped In that
hole" he said. Il suppose l might as
well turn cannon or two loose Just TO
wake the boys up and scare those foot
racers a little more"
He lay down o. The ground Ut TIE .ege
OF the pit, reached his hand down to
some keys on a rort OF switch. hoard
and In an instant a cannon doomed cut.
Then he raised himself TO a sitting pos
ture. lit a pipe and chuckled softly TO
himself
Two or three men rushed up and
breathlessly inquired what the trouble
was.
Oh. I had little brush with the enc
my" replied the man with the pipe,
calmly. They tried to surprise the
camp"
And you beat them?"
why, they're running YETI
Quite a crowd from the camp had
gathered by this time and one OF them
cried: Three cheers for the electrician"
but the man with the pipe raised his
hand to stop them.
THE credit is not all mine" he said.
Remember my able force OF linemen
who ran wires through this wood and
made 1t possible for me to win this
victory"
Just then some OF the men who had
gone into the wood after the retreating
enemy returned with the news that one
man had been killed
WHAT" cried the electrician. jumping
up. He hurried to the place where the
body lay.
TOO bad! Too badr he said regret
fully. but then accidents will happen
even in a battle. He had no business
to catch hold Of live wire"
They picked the body up and carried
1t to camp to give II a decent burial.
the poor electrician following almost in