The National tribune., 1898-07-07
CHAPTER XVIII.


him in consequence. The regiment with
others starts for Belmont.
CHAPTER XVIII.
NEARING uBUS-BEGINNING OF
THE BATTLE OF BELMoNT-ADvANCE
OF THE REGIMENT-DETAILS OF THE
CONFLICT.
Early in the gray November dawn of the
18th the bows were awakened and the pre- pa
rations were begun for the days work.
The morning was chill with the cold, heavy
mist that chung close to the surface of the
water and weighed heavily upon the spirits
of ALL
Walter and Karl We're too much excited
and nervous TO eat much of the breakfast
that their haversacks contained, but they
drank large quantities of hot, strong coffee.
O'Neil noticed this and said:
50 Now. yer maxim a great mistake in not
atm anything and in drinking SO much
The coffee II lave You and jist as you want it
most and thin ye'll wish ye'd filed up wild
crackers and mate that'd stay wild ye."
Stock did not need any admoni:ion of this
kind His appetite was undisturbed by any
gloomy forecasting of the future. He had
still n large chunk of boiled ham, which,
however, was rapidly diminishing under his
earnest attack, and his consumption of bread
and coffee were in the same ratio.
g If Stock is to start on the long journey
to-day, he will begin the trip with full
stomach" said Walter.
81 expect he wishes he vas camel, said
Karl, 81 so dat he could eat all dat he wants
until he gifts deere. Den he make sure dat
he went git hungry on de road"
ar. IL I,,&C Sc
woiser than aither OF We Young gossoons, if
We don't follow his example and ate a hearty
breakfast"
Bronson needed O'Neil's injunctions, and,
though he had little appetite, managed to
swallow a good supply of food; but Walter
and Karl could not force themselves TO this.
The gunbcats h9isted their anchors and
began moving slowly and cautiously down
stream. The transports cast from shore and
followed. The suspense Gespsned- every
minute. So much WAS said at that period of
the war abont - masked Eatteries" that
every bend in the banks every dump of trees,
was looked upon IS possible ambush of the
enemy and liable TO blaze at any instant
with the deadly fire Of artillery and mus
kerry. Tie officers scanned the shore inces-
sanity with their glasses and the men watch
ed their faces to gather from the expression
what tEey discovered. But 10 sound broke
the quiet along the deBsely-wooded banks
until, after nearly an kour's run, the high,
battery-cTowDed bluffs of Columbus loomed
mp, full OF threatening on the lelt-hand side
OF the river al a distance of four miles.
There was little murmur of comment as
the RECOGNIZABLE place-of whose strength the
country Lad such enlarged views-came into
view, and al eyes were fastened intently
he lie. fba,r
Gus coInice of embrasured works The rebel
flag ioated from a tall pole in the Hottest
part Of the bluff. where the sound of drums
could he heard beating the call Ito arms. :"
and regiments were hastily marching to
where they could meet the intended attack
On board the boats the officers were making
inspiring addresses TO their companies and
regiments, informing them that they were
about 10 meet the enemy and exhorting them
for the honor OF their State. their fac. their
motkers and fathers, TO act like heroes in the
coming strife.
In the open area on the front of the middle
deck Of the boat which carried Co A stood
Chaplain Narbrett with an open Bible in his
hand. His head was bare and his coarse. red
hair IN wild confusion. Grouped around him
were number Of deyont ones, who had sung
with him warlike hymn and were listening
to an lmpassioned exhortation 10 fight as men
fight FOR the Lord against the hosts of sin and
darkness.
The gunboats halt. The leading transport
swings slowly around until her head is up
stream, when she runs up TO the Missouri
bank and Is made fast TO it with cables. The
other transports follow her example. Tie
gang-pianks are run cut and couple of com
panles Of cavalry lead their horses ashore
mount, form in line and move off into the
woods. 1aylor's battery Of artillery follows
WIN much woTy, CHATTER and trouble. The
infantry regiments move off. form in line on
The bank and stand nOtionless and expectant
gazing lntently into the low. stubby corn
Delds IN their front, flank and rear. and at a
more distant clearing on rising ground
where groups of the enemy can he seen.
Gen. Grant ard the Colonies of the regi-
ments mount their horses and gather for con-
sultation. There is much sweeping the
country with glasses much dashing back and
forth OF mounted stat officers, much import
ant looking, hustle and show of urgent bust
ness, ana the Colonels and Captains again
haTangue their commands
Several companies are detailed to remain
behind and guard the boats. The faces of
those assigned TO this duty have a mingled
expression of qualification and disappoint-
ment. They are gTatifed to escape the severe
ordeal which awaits the rest; they are disap-
pointed that they are not to have an expert
ence to which they have long looked forward
with mingled hope and apprehension. The
cavalry Is assigned 10 its place. CO. A, as
the picked Lody of sllirmishers, is ordered to
the head. The infantry-the eth Iowa. 22d.
9th, Both and 31st Ill.-are given definite
place. The battery is divided into three
sections of two guns each, and distributed
among the infantry, and at last the order to
move forward is given.