Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-10

and covered dozen men with pras
and dirt 1t was matter for joke, al
though hundred bullets and dozer
fragments Of iron tipped and whzzet
overhead and perhaps swept AWAY the
crew OF field piece, 1t was the stand
ing out in battle line in the open, IN.
der fire but waiting to return it or "a
move on, which drained the courage OF
even the oldest veteran as blood flows
from wound.
Let us take the second day at Gettys.
burg. So long as we were moving
there was something to distract atten-
ton, but now comes the test OF wait
ing-of suspense. Away over there we
can see the columns OF the enemy wheel
ing into position banners ripping
artillery moving with horses under the
lash. There is going to be fierce
grapple here. These scattered trees
will be rent and riven--these acres Of
green grass torn up - that babblinr
brook change the color Of its waters
before the sun passes It's zenith,
Men draw long breath to FIJI their
lungs before putting forth all their
strength in one great effort. Armies
do the same. This is the hong breath
before the clash comes.
Watch the horses as the field pieces
come galloping up! They are looking
across the valley at the enemy, their
eyes blazing and their ears working.
Everyone is in Il tremble as the teams
are unhitchel AMI led away to the
shelter of the ravine. They know what
Is coming and the waiting unuerves
them There Is "Old john as the
boys call him. lie has been in half
dozen fl ghts and he has three or four
battle sears, but he is just as nervous
as II he had never heard gun fred.
See how his nostrils quiverl Watch
the blaze of his eyes! What paint
ing he would make as he stands there
with head and tail up and every nerve
a-quiyer
The officers voices crate harshly as
they jerk out their commands Of:
Dress more to the right Front,
therel' cease that talliing!' They
are officers, but they are men, The
exploiting shells and the tipping bull
let's are meant for them as we'll as for
US and they are also fighting against
The terror of suspense. Our colonel
rides along the line in front. That is
we'll, but it is Il bluff for all that. He's
moving to keep his nerve under con-
.rol.
Watch the menl There are old vet
rams here men who have fought iu
very great battle from first Bull Run
md there are recruits who reached us
'nly three days ago from the fur
lway farms and villages. You see
| difference, but it is affected. The old
'eteran jokes with the men right and
eft, sharpens his jacknife on the rock
n front of Inn, whistles a few bars
rom rollicking air to make you be-
ieve that he never felt more serene in
lis life. It's mere sham, but 1t helps
o brace up the pale-taced men who are
o receive their baptism.
'Why don't we moye?'
This state Of suspense Is disorgan-
zing. Men look wildly to the right
nd lcft-to the rear. There are no
owards here, but 1t would take very
title to start panic and rush, Men
till laugh, but 1t is mockery. They
est, but they scarcely hear their own
words. Look ut that recruit He's q
turdy young farmer who was sharp
ming his scythe in the hayfelds three
Teeks ago He has the strength of an
X, and no man ever looked into his
ace aud put him down as faint
earted. Twenty minutes ago he
'ould have swept forward with us to
barge a battery and hurrahed with
xcitemcnt, Suspense has Slapped his
orrage and unnerved him. See him
remblel Note his palenessl Now
hnre comes look OF terror and des-
elation to his eyes, and before any.
NJ could stop him he bolted away to
e halted by the provost guard in the
,ar OF the lines and be returned to- us
18th the stigma Of coward" attached
his name lie is not coward: he
as simply broken down under the
rain, as hundreds OF men before him
Id hundreds will again. lie wecps
II wrlnss his hands as he takes his ii
ace IN the ranks Yon can scr other Il
On grow pale aud worl, ilieir jaws y
II look frIIgAy frn rItht to en- A
isre'1s q a1on, T. atari a paste q
Aen .ls s.ilu' raiha,,ns lhd iass
"a i'@ataeal ih.. &. 'ep 4 Dress