The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-09-19
Highest of all in Leavenng Powcr-Lae u S. Govt Report
R3&a!!! g! Rs%ass1! RRskiaRs
ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOLUTELY PURE

motives Of any kind Calling his orderly
and pointing to a group of mounted Off
GERS that rested on little knoll 300 or 400
yards away he said, "Tell Captain Lang
horne to come here at once" The orderly
saluted and withdrew.
General Colby looked ut his watch nerv-
ously slapping the neck of his black mare
with the bride rein, I'VE shall now see, -
he muttored half aloud, ''who is qualified
to weigh the qualities of soldier" Colo
mel White, who turned deadly pale did
not move a muscle or make reply. Pres
emily there was a clatter Of hoofs in the
rear, and Captain Langhorne rcined up a
big chestnut colt before his commander
and touched his cap. His appearance was
not soldicrly, though he sat his horse we'll
His long blond hair framed a face of dell
cate refinement, which was lighted up by
blue eyes that might have belonged to a
woman. He wore his soiled forage cap d
little to one side. and his blouse was open
for a space of three buttons at the top, ex.
posing white shirt front and silk
handkerchief of the same color bound
about his throat.
General Colby looked first at Colonel
White, thon frigidly returned the salute Of
the young captain.
his voice trcmbled slightly, 1T is neces-
sary that those devils at yonder house
should be dislodged, Take your battery to
tho gorge directly in their front, known as
Clipper gap. 1t Is narrow, and you will
be able to use only one gun at u time. In
getting your position follow the ravine
where we Were this morning as far as pos
sible. 1t will afford some cover"
The captain looked straight at his CONF
mandcr. The commander looked strnight
at his captain. Colonel White looked
straight into his own soul Captain Lang
horne broke the silence.
Pardon me, general, did you say Clip
per gap2 Did l understand the order to
open fire on the house opposite the gorger
Captain Langhorne, is not my order
cleart"
Yes, sir, quito clear, but wanted to
ask if-if-it is absolutely necessary-if-
er-er''--
Yes" thundered the general, "the or
der is imperative. Are you coward2
Have you''- But in the midst of this furi-
Gus tirade Captain Langhorne egain re-
spectfully saluted and then galloped away
to execute the order of his chief
Soon the notes of buglo nonted over
from the rear and right and the two Off
GERS turned to SEQ Langhorne's battery
sweep at full gallop across a gentle do
preston directly in the rear and then dis
appear behind tho high hills that skirted
the ravinc Once moro they come in sight
as they leave the ravine, and, dcbouching
in the open, plunge full in the face of the
enemy's guns, into the mouth of the gorge
unlimher and go into action. Then from
the house, now less than l, 900 yards away
IL hitherto silent pieces opened their
brazen mouths, carrying death and desc
lution into tho ranks of the Federal
battery. In 90 minutes the horses had all
been killed OF disabled. Then the guns
We're run up by hand, discharged and by
tho same method returned for loading
The slaughter was fearful, and in this
vortex of fire and blood and death all order
was soon forgotten. There were only two
things to do-load and fire. And thpy did
that well, many dying i'll the doing, but
all believing no doubt that 1t was very
glorious to die for ones flag and country.
Tho fire of Langhorne's men was rapid
and accurate, as attcsted by frequent
changes in position of some of the rebel
guns and by the silence of others. About
sunset the fro of the opposing forces ceased
altogether, and 10 minutes later six men
all that were left of the Federal battery
dragged their weary and wounded limbs
into the heavy underground that covered
the slopes Of the gorge on either side.
Some went to rest with the hope of recovery
and others TO die. 1t was victory dearly
bought.
Two hours later, having dined comfort.
ably Mt his headquarters, after sending a
detachment over to the gap with the pur-
pose of looking for the dead and wounded,
General Colby, with Colonel White and
another momber of his staff, rodo down to
the house which had borne tho brunt of
the Federal fire, and from which tho
rebels had hastily retreatcd simultaneous
ly with tho discharge of their last gun.
There was ruin everywhere about the place,
which WIS apparently deserted Only the
shell of what few hours before had been
"A fino old residence of colonial architecture
now remained to tell of the cruel rayagcs
of war. All about were evidences of easy
living, marking the dismantled habitatiun
as the home of u wealthy planter After "a
walk about the place for nearly half an
hour some one mentioned tho cellar, and
the general, who was not half bad COM
n.ander In exploring wrecked southern
homes nodded assent
Tho orderly made torch and lighting
1t led tho way down to the cellar, which
the visitors wsre much surprised to find
brightly from the top of barrel, and in u
far corner of tho room, upon u heap Of
debris, tailow candle threw Its unsteady
rays upon the dead and mangled bodies Of
two female figures that lay upon the floor.
Close to them man was seated upon a
low camp stool His face was black, save
where q stream OF blood, trlckling down
from an ugly cash over tho temple, hnd
washed the darker stains away. As the
officers npprs4ched, General Colby asked,
"Who are you, and what the devil are you
doing heroS"
u have perfect right TO be here, sir, y
answered the blood stained man. II own
tho property about here. This is my
home"
And these bodies3" questioned the
commander.
My mother and my wife, general. I
am Captain Langhorne. Howard S.
Clayton in New York Post.