Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-24
The orderly saluted and withdrew


he sat on his horse well. His long,
blond hair framed a face of delicate
refinement, which was lighted up by
blue eyes that might have belonged to
a woman. He wore his soiled for
age cap a little to one side, and his
blouse was open for a space Of three
buttons at the top, exposing a white
shirt front, and a silk handkerchief of
the same color about his throat.
General Colby looked first at Colonel
White, then frigidly returned the sa
lutte of the young captain.
captain Langhorne!" he began, and
his voice trembled slightly, sit is neces-
sary that those devils at yonder house
should be dislodged. Take your bat
terry to the gorge directly in 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 ravine where we were this
morning as far as possible. 1t will
afford some cover"
The captain looked straight at his
commander. The commander looked
straight at his cartain. Colonel White
looked straight into his own, soul.
Captain Langhorne broke the silence.
Pardon me, general, did you say
Clipper Gap? Did [ understand the or
der to open fire OH the house opposite
the gOrge?"
Captain Langhorne, is not my order
clear?"
Eyes, sir, quite clear. but l wanted
to ask if-if-it is absolutely necessary
-if-er-er"
'Yes," Numbered the general, 'the
order is imperative. Are you a
coward? Have you but in the
midst of this furious TRADE, Captain
Langhorne respectfully saluted, and
then gaIloped away to execute the or
der of his chief.
Soon the notes from a bugle fioated
over from the rear and right, and the
two officers turned to see Langhorne'S
battery sweep at full gallop across a
gentle depression directly in the rear,
and then disappear behind the high
hills that skirted the ravine. Once
more they came in sight as they left
the ravine, and debouching in the
open, plunged full in the face of the
enemies guns, into the mouth of the
gorge, numbered, and went into ac-
ton.
Then from the house, now less than
a thousand yards awy, twelve hither-
to silent pieces opened their braZan
mouths, carrying death and desOlatiOn
into the ranks of the federal battery.
In twenty 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 load
ing. The slaughter was fearful, and
in this vortex of fire and blood and
death ali order was soon forgotten.
There were only two things to do
load and fire. And they did that well,
many dying in the doing. but all be-
lieving, no doubt, that it was very
glorious to die for ones flag and coun-
try.
The fire of Langhorne'S men was
rapid and accurate, as attested by fire.
quent changes in position of some of
the rebel guns, and by the silence of
others. About Suhset the fire of the
opposing forces ceased altogether, and
ten 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 COM
| fortably at his headquarters, after
sending a detachment over to the Gap
with the purpose of locking for the
dead and wounded, General Colby,
with Col. 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 retreated, simultaneously
with the discharge of the last gun.
There was ruin everywhere about the
place, which was apparently deserted.
Only the shell of what a few hours
before had been a fine old residence
of colonial architecture now remained
to tell of the cruel ravageS of war. All
about We're evidences of easy living,
making the dismantled habitation as
the home of a wealthy planter. After
a walk bout the place for nearly half
an hour, some one mentioned the eel
lar. and the general, who was mot half
bad commander in exploring wreck
ed southern homes, nodded assent.
The orderly made torch, and light
ing it. led the way down into the eel
lar. which the visitors We're much
surprised to find already lighted. An
oil lamp burned brightly from the top
of a barrel. and in a far corner of the
room. upon a heap of debris, a tallow
candle threw its unsteady rays upon
the mangled bodies of two female fig
ures that lay upon the floor. Close to
them a man was seated upon a 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 darked stains
away AS the officers approached,
General Colby asked, ''Who are you
and what the devil are you doing
here?'
Il have a perfect right to be here,
sir" answered the blood-stained man.
Il own the property about here. This
is my home"