Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-11

in behind us ana over the neaus VI ouA
comrades facing the south. We stand
at "parade rest" and take whatever
comes without wincing. Now and then
bullet finds Its billet and a man goes
down, but the STEADY mem" OF the
senior captain prevents anything ike
confusion in the lines. Nothing tries
the nerves more than to be under fire |
in line without movement, but pride
and discipline are strong factors on .
battle field.
At the end of half IN hour we have
IL men down. Two Of them are officers
from the rear line. The fire along the
creek has grown hotter, but our lines
are holding their own and depending
upon us to take care Of the flank. OF o
sudden q horseman rides out OF the
woods in front Of us and inspects our
position through his glass. We only
know that he is IN officer, but his glass
enables him to count every man OF US
almost tell the color Of each mans
hair and eyes. He holds his glass upon
US for 60 seconds and then disappears
among the trees.
attention." calls the senior captain,
and the line dresses in an instant.
"Infantry in the woods!" whispers
each man to his neighbors. "Well, let
'em come! II they are too many for US,
, achievements will be sent to US. All!
That's business!"
, Three guns Of battery come gallop.
= ing up on our right and unlimber, and
a cheer goes along the lines. Shell first
grape and canister next. The guns
will have clear sweep over the field.
"There they come, and it's cavalry in
stead of Infantry"
"Steady, men! No talking in thu
ranks! Now, then, not a shot until they
pass that bush down there, and thei
shoot to kill"
Five hundred cavalrymen ride on
from under the trees and form up tw
lines deep. The three guns open Oh
them at once with shell, but the line
!. form and dress under fire with COO
mes that excites admiration. We canno
hear the order of DRAW sabers'' bu
we catch the flash of steel and dra'
long breath. The guns cease iirin
to load with grape, and the squadro
e moves out on front no longer tina
ne our own. The bugles blow "Trot'
R "Callop." "Charge.' Here they conn
er every trooper whirling his sword abor
s. his head and yelling-every horse
IN the top of his speed!
n "steady, boysl Let 'em get the graz
"A and canister first Down with tho'
muskets on the left! That's right. Ste
er that cheering in the center! Wal
as Wait! Now give it to 'em."
IN "Doom BOOM BOOM" from u
in guns, double-shotted with missile
m. which were fred point-blan< into II
Id charging squadron, and then crash
ly musketry as every man pulled the tri
| ger at the same instant. Ten feet to Il
ew right of me a trooper broke through OF
las line-ten feet to the left a second-b
| only to be shot down by the officers
ale the rear. The smoke cloud hangs for
moment to obscure the vision, but '
hear the groans of wounded horscs-tl
=. cries and curses of wounded men-t
~ thud of hoofs on the soft earth.
load and fire at will into the cloud, b
presently the wind lifts the smoke 81
whirls It away and the order comes
cease firing.
en- Where is the body of cavalry viii
MI charged us? A score of horsemen do'
10 on the left-another score away to I
ten right-a bunch Of them just disappet
cry ing into the woods from whence th
the came, their retreat fastened by
ra- shrieking shells sent after them FRI
the the guns. On our front dozen hor'
all, are imping about-thirty Others
on, down. Six or eight dismounted butt
wounded troopers hold up their han
and come walking in to surrender
16 wounded ones cry out or curse us
'as- are lying dead on the grass.
wi swell DONE boys-that was &c
re- shootincl" said the senior captain.
The "Glad to have been Of service, sir!"
at lutes the battery lieutenant, as he
led vances.-Detroit Free Press.
his ------