The National tribune., 1897-12-16

-
they'uns want them. But they'uns III xii
we'uns if they'uns ketch US an they'un
sartin t. do hit if we'uns try t tote you an,
furder''
So they left him to his fate. The chill
dreary rain made everything around send VI
an insupportable odor. A Union officer
with some Knowledge of surgery had stop
ped for few moments to stanch the flow
of blood from his wound, had given HIM 4
canteen of water to Slake the horrible thirst
which accompanies severe gunshot wounds,
and left with him private soldier
| haversack, with its lone days ratlons
! of bareback and fried pork This the Colo
mel was devourng when the Tennesseeans
came up and stood about him, looking at him
with triumphant, reyengetul eyes.
- You don't seem t. be hangin' any pore
ole men for Dridge-bunin' to-day, kunnel, "
said Henry Clay Pollock
{" Nor burnn' houses, an totin' off stock,
an skeerin' women folks Z DEATH" added
Web Brainard
Don't seem t. be havin' things quite so
much your own way here in kaintuck,
whar the Lincolnites have guns an cannons
an things, same rs you" said Fletcher Nc
1ntyTe. You're great maxim war on
citizens, but don't seem t play much OF
hand when you tackle rae soljers."
OF course, when Pm wounded and n
prisoner" said the Colonel, with dignity,
- can expect nothing but insult from rene
gades such as you. 1t is very like you.
Traitors to your country, you are capable OF
| anything"
Kunnel Rhea," said Pollock severely,
you're the last man t. put on any SIGH airs.
Weuns 're heared all about your cowardly
prosecutions in Tennessee. Hits bin yo'
business T. insult an torture pore, helpless
men who've fell into your hands. You de-
sarve no mercy, for you've showed none.
! I've bin huntin' YOU all day t kill yo'. If
! yo' wuZ unhurt an free yO' shouldn't live a
minute longer I'd rejoice t. kill yo', if |
died the next minute I'm sorrier than |
kin tell yo' t meet yo' whar / can't kill yo'.
Bat your day will come. / hope yoll git
well soon, an meet me, man for man. /
! shall never rest satisfied as long as yore
above ground. | have your pistol ! shot
your boss with hit t. put him out o. his
misery, but | shall be in misery until | shoe
20 with it. Let's 90 on, boysi"
As the sun was setting the pursuers came
up IN sight OF the Notifications at Beech
Grove where it was expected the pursued
would rally and make a desperate resistance.
The prudent Thomas put the regiments into
line Tor an assault, as they came up and the
artillery went into position on the hills and
began vicious shelling
But the night was rapidly falling. and the
General hesitated to send his tired men into
an attack in the darkness on works of such
strength where they might encounter fresh
troops. He ordered them to bivouac where
they stood, without fires, and be prepared TO
renew the battle at the first ray of dawn
The wearied yictors stacked their arms, and
sank down on the ground without fire or
shelter to gain what rest they could for a re-
Dewal OF the battle.
The Tennesseeans crawled under the
friendly shelter of a thick growing hemlock,
munched the remaining fragments of their
rations, and, worn ont by the fatgues and ex-
elements OF the day, forgot their discom-
forts in deep sleep.
AT dawn they were awakened by the can
non opening one after another along the en-
tire line upon the rebel Notifications. They
sprang up and ran out to join the skirmish-
line. which had already begun to move for
ward, while the regiments were hastily
forming and advancing to support them
III was moment of intense anxiety and
suspense. Had the rebels been able to bring
up more troops during the night to reinforce
them! Had they recovered from their panic of
the previous day, and regained the audacity
which had brought them outside Of their
works to attack the Union army? Would
they not fight to the death now that they were
behind formidable breastworks, with the Cum
berland River behind them, protecting their
Hanks but cutting off their retreat? In
the gray dawn there were shapes and forms
behind the works which seemed like masses
OF men and batteries of artillery But an
omInous silence hung over the frowning
hill. No answering cannonade, no reply
to the nerYously-inquiring shots which
the skirmishers sent into masses Of mist
which looked as if they might be men Were
they waiting to draw the Union army into
very close range, and sweepit out of existence
with one terrible yolley?
Suddenly, a great glare shone against the
clouds from the river behind the rebel posi-
ton.
What in the name o. heaven is that ere ?"
asked the astoDished Tennesseeans. lifting
their intent gaze from the ground in front of
them.
Don't seem Z be hurtin' we'uns Wit.
whatever hit is" said Henry Clay Pollock.
" Les 90 forward"
The reflection from the clouds sent down
some light upon the works Immediately in
front Of them, and aided the slowly bread
ening dawn to reveal their outline more
distinctly.
. declare, don't believe thar's nary one
behind them banks, said Pollock more ex-
citedly than he had yet spoken.
" Mebbe they 'uns is playin 'possum, layin'
down waitin' for we'uns." said Web
: m gwine L find out inside of a minute |
SAID Pollock, detennincdly. lie was too |
wrought up to endure any longer uncertainty. |
He cooked his gun and rushed forward fol. |
lowed by the rest, In front of the works /
WIS a dense abatis Of beech trees emf down |
so as TO fail outward and cover the front with |
an entangling hedge of stout branches But |
the excited Iennesseeans tore through tlesa |
regardless OF rent clothes and grievous hurts
They plunged into the icc-cold water of the
ditch that lay beyond, and clambered up The
muddy sides OF the parapet From It's sum.
nit they swept with eager eyes the interior
Nowhere did they see 4 man standing in
hostile attitude.
The same discovery had been made at
other points Of the line, for other sllrmishers |
had been TO less eager, and were now stand
ing on the parapet cheering Justify, and
being answered By ringing cheers from the
advancing regiments. Coior-bearers were
triumphantly waving their flags and the
bands striking up National airs.
Pollock spIang down inside and ran for
ward. Wherever he looked were horses.
wagons, cannons, tents, and shanties full of
wounded. On the river the boats on which
the rebels had crossed were buruin0 IN the |