Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-11
A sLooDLEss WAR.
CONTINUED from page ~
body and his guard was quickly formed

Captain Shurteleff did not delay a
moment but ordered charge. With a
yell the troops sprang forward and
rushed down the road in the direction
of the timber. A volley was poured
into the trees but there came no an
swering shots, and really, the only
thing to disturb the mental equilibrium
of the troops, was the appearance, at
the crest Of the hill, of a handsome
young lady on foot. Lieutenant
Witham was again sent forward to in
vestigate. AS the young lady wore the
blue she was allowed to pass unmo-
Tested. But Capt. Shurteleff proceeded
more cautiously than ever from this
point and it was evident that he did
not propose to be caught mapping.
Everybody was beginning to enjoy the
campaign by this time and to almost
wish that the enemy would show up
and give them some fun.
Along the country road we went, up
hill and down. carefully guarded ny the
advance Of Lieut.. Witham and his
guard. The army was travelling a good
smooth pace and was due to reach
headquarters at about 2.3O where din
ner was to be served. When near the
swamp off the land of Charles Con-
forth, one Of Williams scouts, who
was proceeding laboriously along over
fallen trees and across small stream
let's, was astonished to hear the chal-
lenge, Halt! You blarsteu 5paniard,
get out of these woods, or Wen blow We
to bungy, quicker'n scat
The scout was paralyZed with fear
at first. He had been trudging along
looking for what he knew was only an
imaginary enemy and here he was up
against a real one, full of life and
armed with two Colts revolvers of the
latest pattern. The scout was not
given time to make any apologies for
being on earth or in that particular
section of it before the guerrilla, for
such the challenger proved to be,
opened fire and ordered his men to do
the same.
Lieutenant Witham was thrown al
most into a state of CONSERVATION by
the heavy firing on his right flank, but
quickly rallied his men, and the main
body coming up on the run, having
heard the firing also, a charge into the
woods was ordered. Over the fence,
through the thick brush poured the
troops. shooting at things in sight and
lots of things that were not in
sight but supposed to be in those
woods. Capt. Shuretleff led the charge
personally and in few minutes the
enemy was driven out and away, and
the march was resumed.
Subsequently it was ascertained that
laff nd
had arranged with Lieut. F. E. Bunker.
formerly first lieutenant of the COM
pany. to prepare something in the way |
of surprise for the boys when they
arrived near his home. This then was
the surprise. 1t seems that Lieut.
Bunker and some of his neighbors had |
been laying in the woods all day since
o'clock in the morning until noon and
then went to dinner. At l o'clock the
guerrillas laid in ambush again until
the scouts appeared. In all Bunker's
guerrillas fired 90 shots.
While there was no loss to either side
n this engagement. there were several
wounded, Some of the men We're badly
scratched by blackberry bushes and
he Journal war correspondent received
= painful NOuiu III lle Vile |
rying to control his steed, the thumb
being caught in a buckle that was
where it should not have been.
AS the command immerged from this
1iece of woods, Lieut.. Bunker's home
vas discovered on the right of the
and the doughty guerrilla
.hieftain was there beside the road,
eady to surrender. Capt. Shurteleff eX- |
ended the courtesy of the camp to
lieut.. Bunker and requested that the |
Gentleman appear in his fatigue uni
orm. Here the command left the road {
nd passed into the field of l.. Oliver,
Who had kindly consented to allow the .
amp to be raised there. A strong
Wind was blowing and it was diff '
ult to pitch tents in the opening but
he feat was finally accomplished and
hen the men took dinner, which con- S
listed of fish chOwder and beans with :,
ard bread. v
ne order to fall in. as it was reported
large force of the enemy was closing
l on the camp which had not been \
roperly guarded by pickets. To tell i
just as it happened, the enemy con-
sted of a portion of H Company under 4
ne command of Lieut.. Witham and r
lieutenant Whitehouse, that had with
rawn from the camp and had taken
osition behind stone wall at the ~
estern side of the field, behind which D
as fringe of trees that afforded ad-
irable protection for the sharp
looter and guerrilla. The news of the =.
anger was hardly received by Capt. :.
lurteleff when, bang, went a gun from y
There was no time for Il !.
e roll, the men were all at hand and
e command sang out Fall in, lively" q
Id it was done.
Captain Shurteleff moved his men for
ard at common time, holding his fire +,
It'll within less than 100 yards of the 81
emy's position. BY this time the
ing from the guerrillas became gem
al and hot. The enemy had a strong "
'sition and was safe for a consider y
de space of time while his fire was
ling great harm to the ranks of the
tenders of the camp, but the latter "
'pt up their steady, swinging pace =
It'll they got the command to halt and
ey were within less than 100 yards
the guns of the other fellows. 80. q.
Then volley was given the guerril- d
5 followed by rapid firing" This VI