The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-04-18

ment aids were galloping away to givo
orders to retreat. A column Of Confed-
crates, extending for miles, were march
ing TO the ford to turn tho Union left,
and no time was to DO lost in getting
tho little foroo back to the bridge.
There is quick Hmbering Of guns,
and skirmishers cavalry, gunners, all
hurry back over tho ridge. At the bridge
they find two regiments ready for any
duty to which they may bo assigned.
They arc directed to hold tho ford to
which the column Of dust is moving.
Protected in that direction, the force at
tho bridge awaits more confidently the
coming Of the advancing Confodorates
They have not long to wait. The slSir-
mishers, thin line of gray, arc soon seen
scurrying over tho ridge like light scat.
tered clouds before "white squall "
The main line Of gray is still tramping
over the Pea Vino valley, keeping tho
ion mon do not wait for the stronger
force. They turn upon these skirmishers
and drive them back through the gap
to their moro slowly moving comrades.
Mark Maynard, following with tho
rest, soon again found himself OH the
ridge. There, in tho valley below, was
the limo of battle he had seen, but near
or, q crescent shaped line extending
from the bank Of tho oreok above the
ford across tho northern end Of tho ridge
into tho Pea Vine valley. Battlefags
appeared above the line at regular inter
walls. Each one of 10 flags Maynard
counted, indicating regiment. Flo
knew that the littlo Union force east of
the Chiokamauga could not stand
against what appeared to be at least n
division Of infantry, with very strong
force Of cavalry. Nor was he wrong.
Tho soytho swung round as if moved
by tho arms of Titan, moving with
its sharp edgo tho opposing Unionists
They woro sent flying back to tho bridge
and hurriedly put themselves into DO.
| sition to dofond it,
They arc ready for the storm when it
breaks, meeting it with artillery and
charges Of cavalry. Tho Confederate.
arc driven, but by this timo their artil
lory has been got forward and posted a
n point north of the bridge, where it cal
sweep tho valley Of tho creek, tho bridg'
and those whose purpose it is to lofcnt
it.
Now thoro is imminent dangor Viii
( tho little force OIL tho cast bank ge
over, or will it DO cut off and captured
! by these overwhelming Confedcratcs
| 1t can only be saved by ono porto,
charging the enemy whilo tho Others
are moving by twos (the bridge will
stand no more) across tho structure.
Among those who charged and re,
charged to keep off tho gray coats swarm.
| ing upon them on that eventful morn.
ing, always in the advance, in the spit.
| ting limo of foam that precodes the bill
low rolling upon tho sand, Mark May.
| nard was over present. AS each wave
rolled from tho margin Of tho Chicka
mauga broke upon tho southernors and
receded number Of tho Union troops
had passed tho bridge
Maynard waited till every man wa!
over Thon, stepping on tho bridge, h,
joined party who were tearing up tht
flooring to prevent tho enemy from fol
lowing. At last these left for tho shore
and he remained alono AS board afte,
board came up the Confederates pushed
nearer, but still he worked on. Bullets
sang to each other as they passed from
east to wost and from west to east
while tho air was thick with intcrmin
able explosions. At last all was done
that could bo done. Whether his action
had SO excitod tho admiration Of his enc
mics that they had no heart to shoot
him or whether an ovcrruling powc,
would not lot him die, no at last turned
unhurt and joined his comrades.
He had been exposed rs never before
as no might mover be again, but he haC
not met death.