The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-05-24

VI SHALL NEVER FORGET THE SCENE"
man by direct assault at night; then send a
separate body OF men TO each Of the rear forts,
who, claiming 10 be Federals, might pass
through the Federal reserves and take possess
sion OF the rear line of forts, 10 ordered to
do so by the Federal commander; next, then
70 press with my whole force to the rear Of
Grants main line and force him out of his
trenches, destroy his pontoons, cut his tele-
graph wires and press down his flank" OF
course It was most desperate and almost hope
less undertaking and could be Justified only by
our desperate and hopeless condition If we re-
manned idle. We both recognized II as the
forlornest of fOrlorn hopes
General Lee sent me, in addition 10 my own
corps. a portion Of Longstreets corps G'icketts
division), portion Of A. p. Hills and body
of cavalry. During the whole night of the 24t h
of March ! was on horseback making prepara-
tiOns for dispOsing Of troops. About O'Clock
in the morning called close around me 90 AK
men and four companies, 10 each, Of brave
men who were selected TO do this hazardous
work. ! spoke to them of the character Of the
undertaking and Of the last hope of the cause
which was about TO be cOnfded to them.
Around the shoulders Of each man was bound
white strip of muslin, which Mrs. Gordon,
who sat in a room not far distant listening for
the signal gun, had prepared as a means Of
recognition Of each other. The hour had come,
and when everything was ready stood on the
breastwOrks Of COlquitt's salient and ordered
Two men 70 my slut with Ilute, WHO were 70
fire the signal for attack The noise Of moving
our own distractions was going on and attract
ed the notice OF a Federal picket In the dark
ness his voice rang Out
Hello there, Johnny Rebl What are you
making all the fuss about over therel"
The men were Just leaning forward for the
start Tho sudden call disconnected me some
what. but the riheman on my right came 70
my assistance by calling out In a cheerful voice:
"Oh, never mind us, Yank. Lie down and
go TO sleep We are just gathering a little
corn You know rations are mighty short over
here"
There was patch Of corn between our lines,
some of it still hanging on the stalks. After a
few moments there came back the kindly re-
ply OF the Yankee picket which quite Teassur-
ed ne. He said:
All right, johnny; go ahead and get your
corn. ! won't shoot at you"
A gave the command forward the man on
my right seemed 70 have some compunctions
OF conscience for having stilled the suspicious
Of the Yankee picket who had answered him
30 kindly, and who the next moment might be
surprised and killed. So he called out TO him;
Look out for yourself, now, Yank; we're CO.
ing 10 shell the woods"
This exhibition OF chivalry and kindly feel
ing on both sides and at such a moment
touched me almost as deeply as any minor in
oident OF the war. l quickly ordered the two
men 20 fire.
"Bang! Bangm Two shots broke the still
ness, and | commanded, Forward" The
chosen lWsprang forward eagerly, followed by
the aImen, and for the last time the stars and
bars were carried 10 aggressive assault. In
moment the axmeD were upon The ahatis OF