St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-11-22

| ted on knoll 300 or 4OO YARDS
away, he said:
Tell Capt. Langhorne to come
here at once
The orderly saluted and with
drew.
Gen. Colby looked at his watch,
nervously slapping the neck of his
black mare with the bride rein. 1--WE
shall now see," he muttered half
aloud, who is qualified to weigh
the qualities of soldier" Col.
White, who turned deadly pale, did
not move muscle or make reply.
Presently there was a clatter of hoofs
in the rear, and Capt. Langhorne
refined up big chestnut colt before
his commander and touched his cap.
His appearance was not sold1erly,
| though he sat his horse well. His
long blonde hair framed face of del
icate refinement, which was lighted
up by blue eyes that might have be-
lopged to woman. He wore his
soiled forage cap little to one side,
and his blouse was open for space
of three buttons at the top, exl osing
a white shirt front, and a silk hand
kerchief of the same color bound
about his throat.
Gen. Colby looked first at Col.
White, then frigidly returned the sa-
lutte of the young captain.
Capt. Langhorne." he began, and
his voice trembled slightly, sit is nee
essary that those devils at yonder
house should be dislodged. Take
your battery to the gorge directly in
+ haI
1t is narrow and you will be able to
use only ore gun at a time. In get
ting your position follow the ravine
where we were this morning far as
possible Il will afford some COW
er."
The captain looked straight at his
commander. The commander looked
straight at his captain. Col. White
looked straight into his own soul.
Capt. Langhorne broke the ST.
lence.
"Pardon me, general, did you say
Clipper gap? Did 1 understand the
order to open fire on the house oppo-
site the gorge?"
Capt. Langhorne, is not my order
clear?"
Yes, sir, quite clear, but wanted
to ask if-if-it is absolutely necessary
-if-er-er-'
YES" Numbered the general, 1.-The
order is imperative. Are you a cow
ard Have you-"but in the midst
of this furious TRADE Capt. Lang
horne again respectfully saluted, and
then galloped away to execute the
order of his chief.
Soon the notes from bugle hoated
over from the rear and right, and the
two officers turned to see Lang
horne's battery sweep a t full gallop
across a gentle depression directly in
the rear, and then disappear behind
the high hills that skirted the ravine.
Once more they come in sight as they
left the rav1ne, and debOuchlng in
the open, plunge full in the face of
the enemies guns, into the mouth OF
the gorge, unlimber, and go into ac
ton.
Then from the house, now less than
1000 yards away, ~ hitherto silent
pieces opened their brazen mouths,
carrying death and desolation into
the ranks of the federal battery. In
20 minutes the horses had all been
were run up by hand, discharged,
and by the same method returned for
loading. The slaughter was fearful,
and in this vortex of fire and blood
and death all order was soon forgot
ten. There were only two things to
do-load and fire. And they did that
well, many dying in the doing, but
all believed, no doubt, that it was
very glorious to die for ones flag and
country.
The fire of Langhorne's men was
rapid and accurate, as attested by
frequent changes in position Of some
of the rebel 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 dined
comfortably at his headquarters, at
ter sending detachment over to the
gap with the purpose Of looking for
the dead and wounded, Gen. Colby,
with Col. White and another men,
Der of his staff, rode down to the
house which had borne the brunt of
the federal fire, and from which the
rebels had hastily retreated stimuli
taneously with the discharge of their
last gun. There was ruin every
where about the place, which was
apparently deserted. Only the shell
of what few hours before had been
a fine old residence of colonial archi-
lecture now remained to tell of the
cruel ravages of war. All about
were evidences of easy living, mark