Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-01-15
a ii I .sTERY OF " II.
THE UNANSWERED CHALLENGE AND
ITS INEVITABLE TRAGEDY.

A Nero Incident In the Terrible Drama,
Yet striking Example of the In.liaer-
encc to Human Life That Warfare Bcsets
Walked IsIin,ily 80 his Death.
1t was a soft and beautiful night. The
moonlight had about it that hazy APP
pearance betokening rain in few days
and seemingly spreading L aSft #ct
over the surrounding ohi.'iS A 49,.
ciors ianguor was in thu sy:- v!aIie the
katydids chirping their A1.-.!!, -,2tL., an
swel ed one TO another l.! Ii aolae~2.
trees. The colonel was :: 10 stsy &
reflective mood His fac 9,,s5 e's}::eie
of thought there in the 4. t.E is.!.. g:re
q study, and at length tt.tz:&E !s.e.:se:i
from his lethargy, he sal,
My mind has been busy S.-h the
scenes of other days. l am reminded
tonight of an incident of the war in
which | took part. 1t occurred while
was with the army in Tennessee. There
was a crisp GOODNESS in the atmos-
phere, however. while the snow upon
the ground made it seem almost as
bright as day. The pickets had been
doubled, and my companion and
together, had our coats buttone,I
tightly about the neck. Strict
silence had been enjoined, as the two
armies were facing each other in close
proximity, and we were ordered to
keep sharp lookout ut our post which
was an important one, We did not
walk any beat, but simply stood in the
shadow of the trees, having strict o.
ders to shoot anyone approaching who
did not answer the first hail
After standing thus for long time,
we perceived the dim outline of a fig
ure approaching from the direction in
which the enemy were encamped.
Drawing back still further into the
shadow of the trees, we awaited the
coming Of the soldier, for such we now
perceived him to be. He was walking
ia a leisurely manner, seemingly I'M
conscious Of any impending danger or
of his venturing too far beyond his
own lines. He stepped as carelessly as
If taking stroll. and had now APP
preached quite close to where we were
posted.
Haiti! exclaimed my companion in
a clear, ringing voice; who goes there?
while there WAS az ominous click of
his gun, and / also made ready; but
there was no answer TO the challenge,
and the man continued to advance di-
rectly towards us. My companions
gun went to his shoulder, and saw his
face work couvulsively in the moon
light, and In a low but distinct voice
he again exclaimed Halt! but there
was still no response and the man con-
tinued his even stride. A bright trail
of fire sprang from my companions
gun and our strange visitor fell dead
his blood reddening the snow. There
in the moonlight we looked upon his
calm features and upon his limbs stiff
ening in death, and the picket said as
he lennt upon his rife:
$" I am sorry I had to do it, but it
couldn't be helped and then resumed
his position.
Some home had doubtless been dos
olated by that ehot, and we know not
how many hearts were saddened. but
it was one OF the eXigencies or war.
man became accustomed to many
things but it was great deal easier to
shoot man while in the heat of battle
than when one had time to reflect that
he was taking lie We could never de-
termine whether the man who was
killed was deaf. walking in his sleep
very ahsent-m!nded or crazy. It was
one of the sad mysteries of war-times,
and we did not have time to pay much
attention to such matters then"