The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-11
CHAPTER Xxx


cries out in horror.
CHAPTER Xxx.
While the fight was raging the house
and quarters were both in flames,
fred by the shells from a Confederate
gun. But for the strenuous efforts OF
the detachment guarding the prisoners
in the barn that structure would have
also been reduced to ashes. 1t therefore
came about that when the battle was
over and men began to bring in the
wounded the barn was the only shelter
to be had. The prisoners we turned
out and the place given up to moaning,
groaning men and those who sought to
succor them. The sounds of battle had
been heard in the Federal lines, and
brigade of infantry arrived aooCt 6
O'Clock in the evening. While their
services were not needed. the half dozen
surgeons sent out with the column bad
work to last them the long night through
and far into the next day.
It is a grim sight, a field hospital like
this, and they are grim men into whose
hands the wounded fall as they are lift
ed off the stretchers, groaning, cursing
or crying. The fight of snowflake in
a gale of wind is not more erratic than
the fight of death missiles in battle.
Here are men wounded in the face; the
next three or four may be wounded in
the feet or ankles. Sabers have descend
ed upon heads and shoulders; bullets
have plowed their way into arms, sides,
hips or legs; fragments of shell have
carried away fingers and reduced hands
to pulp. Of a hundred men no two have
received the same hurt.
Rude tables have been prepared. and
strong men lift each victim up to be
overhauled by the men who have strip
ped off coat and vest and rolled their
sleeves far back. They look like butch
ers in slaughter pen. but their hearts
are tender toward these victims of bat
tie. whether friend or foe. The bitter
ness of battle is at its height when the
crash of artillery and the crackle Of
musketry are fercest. When the battle IS
over, whether victorious or defeated,
pity returns to the heart and blinds the
eyes to the color Of the uniform. Over
each man lifted up there is a brief con-
sultation.
Those bare armed men need waste no
time. They can tell almost at glance
what the result will be. 1t it is NOR
tai hurt, the poor fellow is lifted aside
to breathe his last as peacefully as pos
sible under such surroundings. If there
is hope for him, his wound is dressed
with agile fingers, and he gives way to
the next.
"That's Captain Wyle, my company
captain!''
So exclaimed Steve Brayton as he en-
tered the barn about II o'clock at night
to see if he could recognize any Confed-
crates being brought in. The captain
had Just been lifted to the table. He
was conscious, but had not yet spoken.
Those who brought him in said that he
was pinned to the earth by the hind
quarters of his dead horse, and that the
animal was fearfully mangled by grape
shot.
Shoulder dislocated, ribs broken.
leg broken, struck in the groin by car
bine ball. announced the surgeon who
made a rapid investigation.
ANY hope for me:" asked the cap
tain, whose lips had been moistened
with whisky, as it was observed that he
desired to speak.
The surgeon shook his head and mo-
toned to the attendants to lift the offi-
Ger aside. When they had left him.
Steve Brayton sat down beside him and
bathed his face with whisky and gave
him to drink. The captain had recog-
nized him at once, but it was several
minutes before he queried:
''You and Kenton were in the tight
at Harrisonburg and were captured.
How came you hefe::''
1--WE uns made a bolt fur it on the
road and got away.
.And what has happened here:"
''Waal, KentoE was wounded, then
me and him stood off Ike Baxter and his
crowd, then the gals mother died, then
! the gal and Kenton hev bin driv away
to the Yankee lines. Sorry fur yo', cap,
and sorry fur the rest of 'em, fur our
hull crowd has bin wiped off the face OF
the airth!''
"Have we been defeated"
Regularly cleaned out, cap. don t
believe hundred of our men got away.
'Cordin to what them doctors say, 20
can't pull through this. Do yo' want to
leave any word with me::"
''No," whispered the captain after
moments thought.
''Not even fur the gal? She won't
bear no grudge when she hears 20 ar
dead -
/ The captain shook his head and closed
his eyes. Steve moved away after few