Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-07

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the young captain.
Captain Langhorne, he began, and
his voice trembled slightly, lit is neces-
sary that those devils at yonder house
should be dislodged Take your battery to
the gorge directly in their front, known as
Clipper gap. 1t is narrow, and you Will
be able to use only one gun at time. In
getting your position follow the raVlno
where we were this morning as far as pos
siblo 1t will afford some cover.
The captain looked straight at his COM
mandor. The commander locked straight
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 gap? Did l understand the order to
open fire on the house opposite the gorge?"
Captain Langhorne, is not my order
clear?"
Eyes, sir, quite clear, but wanted to
ask if-if-it is absolutely necessary-H-
er-er'--
Eyes, " thundered the general, "the or
der is imperative. Are you a coward?
Have you'- But in the midst of this furi-
GUS TRADE Captain Langhorne again re-
spectfully saluted and then galloped away
to execute the order of his chief.
Soon the notes of bugle noated over
from the rear and right, and the two Off
GERS turned to sec Langhorne's battery
sweep at full gallop across a gentle de-
preston directly in the rear and then dis
appear behind the high hills that skirted
the ravine. Once more they come in sight
as they leave the ravine, and debouching
in the open, plunge full in the face of the
enemy's guns, into the mouth Of the gorge,
unlimber and go into action. Then from
the house, now less than l, 900 yards away,
10 hitherto silent pieces opened their
brazen mouths, carrying death and desc
lation into the ranks of the Federal
battery. In 90 minutes the horses had all
been killed or disabled. Then the guns
were run up by hand, discharged and by
the same method returned for loading.
Tho 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 they did
that we'll, many dying in the doing, but
all believing no doubt that 1t was very
glorious to die for ones flag and country.
The fire of Langhorne's men was rapid
and accurate, as attested by frequent
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guns and by the silence Of Others. About
sunset the fire 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 dlned comfort
ably at his headquarters, after sending q
detachment over to the gap with the pur-
pose of looking for the dead and wounded,
General Colby, with Colonel White and
another member Of his staff, rode down to
the house which had borne the brunt Of
the Federal fire, and from which the
rebels had hastily reiterated simultaneous
ly with the discharge of their last gun.
There was ruin everywhere about the place,
which was apparently deserted. Only the
shell of what few hours before had been
q fine old residence of colonial architecture
now remained to tell Of the cruel ravages
| of war. All about were evidences of easy
living, marking the dismantled habitation
as the home of q wealthy planter. After q
walk about the place for nearly half an
hour some one mentioned the cellar, and
the general, who was not half bad com
mander in exploring wrecked southern
homes, nodded assent.
The orderly made torch, and lighting
1t led the way down to the cellar, which
the visitors were much surprised to find
already lighted. An oil lamp burned
brightly from the top of barrel, and in a
far corner of the room, upon heap of
debris, tallow candle threw it's unsteady
rays upon the dead and mangled bodies OF
two female figures that lay upon the floor.
Close to them q man was seated upon q
low camp stool His face was black, save
where a stream Of blood, trickling down
from an ugly cash over the temple, had
washed the darker stains away. AS the
officers approached, General Colby asked,
"Who are you, and what the devil are you
doing here?"
II have a perfect right to be here, sir, "
answered the blood stained man. II own
the property about here. This is my
home"
And these bodies?" questioned the
commander.
my mother and my wife, general.
am Captain Langhorne. Howard S.
Clayton in New York Post.