The sun., 1897-05-16

a Ronsntic war Episode or zee.

1 "
OF Louisiana Tigers, a battalion OF reserves
| composed Of men over 45 years OF ago and boy
under 1s; light battery Of artillery, and a com
| pany Of mounted home guards. amounting II
| oil TO not more than 700 men. The long summe
| months had brought but the routine Of throw
Ing up earthworks and tetesdc.pont for the pro
| lection of the bridges of tho Petersburg an,
| Weldon Railroad. OF which the one at Hlckst
Ford was tho most important; and while ou
comrades Of the Army Of Northern virginiJ
were undergoing the hardships and dangers ol
the Siege OF Petersburg and Richmond thirty
| miles to the north Of us, we were living in com
parativo comfort and idlcness, the fertile sur
rounding country affording us everything need
full for tho welfare OF the troops.
Pleasantly situated though we were, we suf
| fered much from that most irksome malady
| known to u soldiers ACKNOWLEDGEMENT longed
| for some change. No matter what to lend color
| or romance to that species Of vegetation known
as camp life, skirmiBh, march, or even q
| pitched battle would have been hailed as
veritablc blessing.
Finding all these quito beyond our reach, In
sheer desperation were driv On at last to that
| very mild sort of dissipation known as coun.
try ball" Invitations were issued by the off,
GERS of my command throughout the surround.
ing country and preparations carried forward
"Ath SSai W mdkc tnc Ddll buCCebS. ING
Masonic Hall. long since abandoned through the
fortunes OF war, was renovated as far as our
limited facilities would permit, and tho dawn.
ing of bright clear day in carly December
found everything in readiness for the much
talked-of dance.
Long before tho appointed hour the little vii
lage was enlivened by the appearance Of sundry
nondescript conveyances, added TO the more pre-
tentious vehicles, each bearing its quota OF
laughing eyes and happy hearts, with here and
there a sprinkling of bronzed faces and butter
nut uniforms that supplied the shadows TO tho
brilliant showing. Gray-bearded pater familias
and sedate matrons lent their presence, while
happy childhood laughed and danced as only
childhood can. They were merry company, all
inspired with the one idea to have an odt time
Virginia frolic with the boys in camp.
We've come up here, Colonel" said an old
gentleman to me, to show you boys that II we
cannot fight with you we are proud to dance
nobly: Let us be merry together N''"S
Such sentiments were common as welcomed
the guests but were far from, cheering me, for
Just at nightfall had received a despatch from
Gen: Lee to the effect that the enemy was NOV
ing in strong force in my direction. and caution.
should reach me. I was further informed that
Gen. Wade Hampton and his cavalry division
morning and that p H III sns eorps OF tbss
army OF northern Virginia was proceeding to
intercept the forces of Gems. Warren and Kautz,
which were moving against me.
w nat an ominous prelude to our nights pleas
ure! And how grim refrain to the CHEEKY
greetings TO which had listened!
In blissful ignorance our guests were left to
the full enjoyment OF the festivities, while I
vance OF my position as / could with safety.
with instructions TO its commander to keep me
fully informed during the night of the approach
OF the enemy. then put my little army in posi-
tion in the earthworks and rifle pits which had
been constructed near the bridge and arranged
room from time to time during the night as
they might desire.
to the lights and Joy within the stanzss Of
Byron, which l had learned in my boyhood,
cane. came back scE, to % me with twofold meaning.
another Waterloo. VirEinia's beauty and chv-
and brave men " of historic song Would the
comparison go furtheri l dared not anticipate
storm were heard. and fearful, they knew not
why. the women gathered about me beseeching
me to tell them OF the danger.
lis it true. Colonel, the Yankees are approach
ending to our fun!' Isn't Il too dread dfui p ="
lantry to reassure the timid and encourage the
iorsiude and courage Wiih aeToticn %orthy SafE
to remain until the battle % Should @ be vet over that
God bless those noble women Of dear old Vir.
ginia! The encouragement their action afforded
me that night strengthened my faith in woman
hood more than any other occurrence of my life.
had been expended should not be interrupted,
and and: @ithoqgh the frequency Of the dispatches
cerned for our safety. felt that we would not
be attacked before morning, and hoped then to
Se able to tsks care OF ny troops beyond perad.
placed was, TO say the least. embarrassing. and
determined TO make - assurance double sure"
L
a surplus OF some 200 muskets and accoutre-
ments. determined to reinforce the post, and
picket on each road leading from the town, who
should stop every vehicle and send the male
% OF Carrying arms
vided with arms and ammunition. they were
placed in the trenches. In this way strength.
soldiers, they proved to be. ~ S' S"'""'
The night, with its dark uncertainties so typ
morning. and as the gray dawn ushered in an.
other iday gathered my mounted force and
front, where / was met by the advance guard Of
On they came, flushed with the pride of an.
'pomp and circumstance of war" A formidable
body. indeed, forcing upon me for the first time
with them visions OF blood and carnage. but
this momcnt was for action. Quickly placing
see w9rd to
line or hattle. short delay ensued. when
cheers from my men announced the ar
rival of Gen. Dearing's brigade OF cav.
airy to relieve us; Returning to the
staff had arrived. and was informed by the Cen
eral that his command would soon be on the
ground. Upon my invitation the General made
an inspection of my lines and the disposition Of
the troops. when he turned TO me and said:
"Garnett, you have had all the disagrceable
part of this post, ! think your dispositions are
all right and shall not assume command here,
but VIII protect your TANKS The credit, II any,
shall be yours"
Hardly had ! acknowledged the Generals
courtesy by saluting when my skirmish limo
was vigorously attacked by Kautz's men. and
soon all my little force was desperately engaged.
The battle-cloud that settled down about us
almost hid them from my sight, yet well l knew
that not man in all that little band but was
license to recall the pass of Thermopyla but
braver hearts never throbbed than beat that
day alike beneath the dingy uniform of my SOL
diers and the plain dress that marked the con
script from the ball
Step by step we drove the enemy back. until at
last the bridge was saved, and with the almost