The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-06-19
ICoPYRIGHT. 1874

the part of those high in place, and re-
/ spOnsibility, came to their ears. Stories
of disaster were borne in to their minds
with many proofs This din of mus
kerry on the right, growing like re-
leased genie of sound, expressed and
emphasized the army's plight.
Before the gray mists had been total
ly obliterated by the sunrays, the reg
iment was marching in spread col
umn that was retiring carefully through
the woods. The disordered, hurrying
lines of the enemy could sometimes be
seen down through the groves and
little fields. They were yelling, shrill
and eXultant.
The youths friend had a geograph-
zeal illusion concerning a stream, and
he obtained permission to go for some
water. Immediately canteens were
showered upon him. Fiji mine, will
yeh?" Bring me some, too" And
me, too" He departed, ladened. The
youth went with his friend. Upon
their return they looked over their own
troops, and saw mixed masses slowly
getting into regular form. The sun
light made twinklinR points of the
bright steel. To the rear there was
glimpse of a distant roadway as it
curved over a slope. 1t was crowded
with retreating infantry. From all the
interviewer forest arose the smoke and
buster of the battle. The air was al
ways occupied by blaring.
Near where they stood, shells were
fiip-fopping and hooting. Occasional
bullets buzzed in the air and spanged
into tree-trunks. Wounded men and
other stragglers were Sinking through
the woods
Looking down an aisle of the grove,
the youth and his companion saw
jangling general and his staff almost
ride upon wounded man who was
crawling on his hands and knees. The
general refined strongly at his chargers
opened and foamy mouth and guided it
with deXterous Workmanship past the
man. The latter scrambled in wild
and torturing haste. His strength evil
IDENTIFY failed him as he reached place
of safety. One of his arms suddenly
weakened. and he fell, sliding over
upon his back. He lay stretched out,
breathing gently.
A moment later, the small, creaking
cavalcade was directly in front of the
| two soldiers. Another officer, riding
with the skillful abandon of cowboy,
| gal1Dped his horse to position directly
before the general. The two unno-
ticed foot soldiers made a little show
of going on, but they fingered in the de-
sire to overhear the conversation. Per-
haps, they thought, some great inner
historical things would be said.
The general, who the boys knew as
the commander of the division, looked
at the officer and spoke coolly, as if he
were criticising his clothes. The
enemy's formin' over there for another
charge" he said. It'll be directed
against Winterside, an I'm afraid they'll
break through there unless we work
like thunder to stop them"
Then he began to talk rapidly and in
a lower tone. He freqsently illustrated
his words with pointing finger. The
two infantrymen could hear nothing
until finally he asked: What troops
can you spare?'
The officer who rode like cowboy
reflected for an instant. Well" he
said, Il had to order in the Twelfth to
help tn Seventy-siXth an l haven't
really got any. Troops are scarce with
me. But there's the Three Hundred
and Fourth. They fight like lot of
mule drivers. cGSl spare them best of
any"
The youth and his friend exchanged
chances of establishment.
The general spoke sharply. Get 'em
ready then. I'll watch developments
from here and send you word when to
start them. It'll happen in five min
utes."
As the other officer tossed his fingers
toward his cap and, wheeling his horse,
started away, the general called out to
| him in a sober voice: Il don't believe
MANY of your mule drivers will get
back"
The other shouted something in re-
ply. He smiled.
With scared faces, the youth and his
companion hurried back to the line.
As they approached, the young lieu
tenant. who commanded the company,
perceived them and swelled with
wrath. Observation-Disclosures long
does it take yeh t git water, anyhow
where yeh been"
But his Grafton ceased as he saw their
eyes which were large with great tales.
Were goin' to charge" cried the
youths friend, fastening with his news.
Charger" said the lieutenant.
Charge? Well, b'Gawd." Over his
countenance there went a boastful
smile. Charge? Well, b'Gawd."
A little group of soldiers surrounded
the two youths. Are we, sure 'nough?
sA Well, I'll be
-, derned. Charge?
!. J. |. !. ! !.
E1yzcA~ What fer? What
6KStSS at? Wilson,
Nv, u you're lynn"
zSn " 81 hope to
hCAS "a die" said the
NNTIf. youth, pitching
HlMSNErE his tones to the
QWNALfA key of angry re-
SGAAHIW monstrance e.
stSure as shoot