Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-01-09

~@~~ ~A''"''SS b"tS. Pitchcu Jul tichCta
to the gategeeper over the heads of the
crowd waiting round the ticket office,
aad we pushed through the gate and
plunged into short cut across Il field.
"rhs side, old man." said Stapleton,
DETECTING to the right as he caught
glimpse OF the kepis of the artillcrists
moving rapidly round in that direction.
We somehow got over the space in fine
shrpe, in spite of cockleburs, tangled
weeds and numerous ruts and holes.
We'll get right to the 'front.'" said
Stepleton, taking the lead and elbowing
his way through the dense crowd with
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 skir,
mishers were lying along the edge of q
ditch behind some furze bushes and
small underbrush; the infantry com.
mands were being wheeled around into
|
across toward group of officers in tho
distance, and the guns of the light ar-
tilery commands were moving up as
n 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 q
line of moving infantry by the CLINT OF
the sun on their bayonets.
Lord, mani" said Stapleton, pushing
his hat back and watching intcntly; ut
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
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!"
"Iiold up" said. "Nhat are you
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
Smiths and Hancock's corps, your New
York 18th included, made those us.
saults on our lines before Petersburg
there were only at first 1900 men until
we came up. Kershaw's division OF
Andcrson'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 tmuch of 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. l wouldn't boast of what you ac-
complished those three days If / were
you."
1T was tall fighting, that's fact"
said Stapleton after pause, shifting
his position to see where the troops
were moving to. I'VE lost more than
10000 men in those assaults. But we
would have carried your lines the next
day, all the same, II 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
mp.
"Dick, old man. said Staplcton, mop
ping his forehead, while nervously
chcwcd 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! First-rate! Pretty
good! Go it, boys!"
The line had dashed forward and q
spirited engagement cnsued. The crack
Of the sharpshooters' rifles was distinct
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 othei
side to confront 1t.
"ITnrrah!" | shouted.
look at that company!" said Sta.
pleton. with eager impatience. What
a fool thing to do! Why, they'll be cut
TO pieces. Oh, If those boys were under
mel"
"Good!" | shouted, as the artillery
dashed up in fine shape, unlmbered and
took possession. Fire, boys! Give II
to them!"
Then Stnpleton and l looked at each
other and laughed.
"Comc on" | said, lets go back to
dinner. Stapleton. you are an awful
fool for man Of your years."
"Yes," acquiesced Stapleton. "I'm
as big an ass as you are, Dick. The idea
Of getting excited over sham fight
an Wanting to maui each other, be.
ca sOyears ago Smiths corps and the
1stl.. WORK were repulsed with some
others by Kershaw's division and few
measley confederates--"
"Shut up!" said, rubbing my rhcu-
matte knees. II 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 gout tomorrow. A fel-
low like you don't deserve to live. You
should have been numbered among
your 10000 dead and wounded"
"Shut up!" said Stapleton. IN. 0.
Times-Democrat.
The League of Gods House, in 14oi,
was Swiss combination. There were
thraa lenUucs amOnD the hardy noun