The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-01-10

| quite disregard OF his usual lazy, GOOD
manners. I'VE want to see this thing,
Dick" followed closely, and we soon
had fine view of the open field.
There was just then lull in the prog
ress of the sham battle, preparatory to
an attack on the right. A line of Skin
mishers were lying along the edge of a
ditch behind some furze bushes and
small underbrush; the infantry COM
mands were being wheeled around into
position; some aides were galloping
across toward a group of officers in the
distance, and the guns of the light ar
tilery commands were moving up as
support on the one side, an attacking
force on the other. The opposing force
was partly hidden by heavy line of
trees. and we could just distinguish a
line of moving infantry by the CLINT of
the sun on their bayonets.
Lord, mani" SAID Stapleton, pushing
his hat back and watching intently; eff
! had command of these troops | would
fall back to that angle you see yonder
and order the attack to be made on this
side. Those skirmishers are badly
posted. Don't you see how effective a
sudden rush down that road could be
made? Why, the boys could cross over
the open at double quick, charge on
their flank and get under cover of the
woods before that artillery supporting
column could come up. If these blue
coats were Smiths corps and my old
New York 18th, wouldn't they charge
prettily down on the rebs!"
Hold up" l said. What are yon
talking about? Those boys are not
your 18th. of Smiths corps. but rather
think they could charge just as effect
lively. In fact, you remember when
! SDlith's and Hancock's corps, your New
York 18th included, made those as
! saults on our lines before Petersburg
there were only at first 1900 men until
Ne came up. Kershaw's division of
Anderson's corps. You were 10000
strong then, and Beauregard only had
10000 to oppose you then, and yet he
held you in check pretty effectively"
Temporarily" answered Stapleton,
with an ill-tempered, ugly air, but we
dislodged you that night and took four
of your batteries, you remember"
Not much of a feat" retorted sharp
| ly. Those lines we were occupying,
to be properly manned, required force
of $4,000 men. When you took those
batteries you had been reinforced by
Warren's corps, and you were 10000
men. | wouldn't boast of what you ac-
complished those three days if I were
you6'
1T was tall fighting, that's fact"
said Stapleton after a pause, shifting
his position to see where the troops
were moving to. 1--WE lost more than
10000 men in those assaults. But we
would have carried your lines the next
day, all the same, if Beauregard had
not withdrawn during the night. You
fellows were d glad to get behind
those breastworks further back"
Yes, and you fellows were glad not
to be again ordered up in an assault to
be slaughtered
There we paused, while the bugle gave
some commands to the troops to move
up.
Dick, old man." said Stapleton, mop
ping his forehead. while nervously
chewed the end of my cigar in dry
smoke. Come, let up on that"
We agreed not to go back to those
great old fighting days.
Look there! frustrated Pretty
good! Go it, boys!"
The line had dashed forward and
spirited engagement ensued. The crack
! of the sharpshooters' rifles was tlistinct
above the volleys of the infantry, and
the artillery swept over the field, while
the handsome Louisiana field artillery
wheeled round in position on the other
side to confront it.
"Hurrah!" ! shouted.
Look at that company!" said Sta
pleton, with eager Impotence. What
fool thing to do! Why. they'll be cut
10 pieces. Oh. if those boys were under
mel"
"Good!" l shouted as the artillery
dashed up in fine shape. unlimbered and
took possession. Fire. boys! Give it
10 them."
Then Stapleton and looked at each
other and laughed.
Come on | said, lets go back to
dinner. Stapleton, you are an awful
fool for man of your years"
YES" acquiesced Stapleton. I'm
ss big a n ass as you are, Dick. The idea
of getting excited over sham fight
and wanting 10 maui each other. be-
cause 30 years ago Smiths corps and the
18th New York were repulsed with some
others by Kershaw's division and few
measiey confederates-''
"Shrt upl" said, rubbing my rheu-
matte knees. 81 hope Watson will give
us some of that Yquem you are so fond
of for dinner, and that you will have an
attack of the govt tomorrow. A fell
low like you don't deserve to live. You
should have been numbered among
your 10000 dead and wounded"
"Shut upl" said Stapleton. IN. o.
Times-Democrat.
GOLD STORAGE PLANTS.