The National tribune., 1898-07-07
THE WASHINGTON D. THURSDAY

with banners flyifg. in glorious race to see
who shall reach the rebel flag in the center OF
the camp first. The distance favors the eth
Iowa, which getsl TO the pole and pulls the
flag down amid cheers that make the woods
ring.
Except for few snail squads who hover
around and fire from good cover until they
are driven out, the enemy has disappeared
under the banks Of the river. The victory is
won.
! A regimental band comes up to the flag
pole and plays patriotic airs as theStars and
Stripes are hoisted, and everybody gives three
cheers.
| Then, in the intoxication of complete sue
cess, is committed an almost fatal error.
Thinking that all is accomplished that is re-
quired of them, the regiments dissolve into
crowds Of sight-seers and trophy-hunters.
The tents of the rebels and the three log
cabins comprising the village of Belmont are
ransacked for knives, pistols, swords, uni
forms, etc. The officers join in the search
with almost the same eagerness as the enlisted
men, and nearly all sembiance of military
organization is lost, except in the battery,
which goes to the bank and fires at the rebel
transports in the river
| The File follows the general example, though
O'Neil protests against it and our boys pick up
number of trifes which they throw down
again as they discover a grand prize in the
shape of some Enfield rifles, military pattern,
with all their belongings, and lot of cartridges,
in wall tent which has evidently been the
residence of regmental officers. The rifles
are magnificent weapons-three fine sights
graduated up to 900 yards.
| "There's wan for aich Of us, and wan over,
which we'll give to Stock to carry" says
O'NeiI
"Away wild yes" he continued, iingng
his clumsy Harper's Ferry smoothbore into
a mudpuddle, pitching his belt and cartridge
box after it. "Now, byes, fill your pockets
and hayersacks with rs much ammunition as
yer can lug, and We'll throw the rest in the
creek"
The rest follow his example, equipping
| themselves with new arms and accouter-
ments.
The rebel General in command at Column
| bus-Bishop Polk-comprehends the situa-
! ton of affairs and acts accordingIy.- He
| orders the batteries to open fire upon Bel
mont and starts force of men across the
river to cut off the retreat of the victors.
| Great shells come over in showers, but the
rebels are wretcbed artillerists and the pro-
jectiles fly far above the heads of those whom
| they are intended for and make tremendous
havoc in the trees beyond.
They startle the ransackers, however, and
incline them to listen to the commands
and entreaties of the general officers to re-
| turn to the ranks. Then a scouting party
comes in with the startling information that
| n strong force of rebels is forming across the
road back to the boats The intelligence
spread with the usual swiftnes5 of bad news
Gen. Grant orders all the tents fired and i'm
| mediate preparations made for returning.
Both are done with some thoroughness and a
| certain degree o., haste arising from the fact
| that the rebel artillerists are improving their
| practice and dropping the shells little
| nearer each time they fire. The beaten
| rebels, who have been covering under the
bank, are emboltlened to come out again and
| fire at long rangei5
At last Gems, Grant and McClernand
and Coils Fonke and Dougherty succeeded
| in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the lines which
move with steadyostep and determined mien
| toward where the rebels are drawn up across
their returning path. Tayior's battery finds a
good position and begins tearing up the
enefny's ranks, which stand but few min
utes after the infRntry begin firing and then
dissolve, and the fragments fall back into the
woods, from which they keep up desnltory
fire upon the column as it hastens towards
the boats
Occasionally son.c Of the bolder rebels run
forward from tree to tree, where they can
pick off the mounted officers Bronson sees
this, and suggests to the rest that they go out
to one side and try the merits of their new
guns on these fellows O'Neil refuses His
training has taught him that the first duty
Of h. .c 10 l.
and obey orders. He believes that he ought
to stay there now and help keep the company
together. He sees enough Of the evils Of
disorder in the masses around him.
Bronson, Karl, and Walter 90 off by them
selves and pace along by the side of the
rushing column at n little distance to the left.
Soon Bronson perceives a tall, gaunt form
stealing swiftly through the wco1s The
man halts and takes deliberate aim at
Colonel riding by his men endeavoring to re-
duce the disorder in their ranks Bronson
covers his head within the sights and fires at
the instant the rebel would pull the trigger
BronsOn's bullet, however, only strikes the
rebels gunstock, and the latter looks around
in surprise. AS he turns his face q bullet
pierces his head and he falls TO the earth
AS the shot came from behind Bronson it
is his turn to lock around in surprise, and
he sees Stock TRANQUILITY relOading his gun
eyes, l done it, he's my meat" says
Stock, in answer to Bronson's questioning
look q follered you fellers ont, an when
/ seen yer draw on that Teller / kivered him
too | thought one of us'd fetch him, and
we dd-darn him.
While Bronson and Stock are reloading,
Walter and Karl discover another sharpshoot-
er steadying his gun against tree as he
draws the bead on an officer. Both fired ut
him Mt the same time, but their nerves and
eyes lack BrOnson's steadiness and training.
and their bullets strike the tree near the head
of the sharpshooter, who turns quickly around
Us il he would fire upon hsassailants, makes
a gesture of contempt as he sees they are only
q couple of boys and levels his gun again at
the officer, who drops his reins and falls from
his horse as the smoke rises from the rifles
That was the sharpshooter's last
service to the rebellion, for almost before he
can see the effects of his shots, Bronson's and
Stocks rifles flash, he shrieks, throws up his
arms, and falls dead.
II didn't want to chance aiming at his
head, | don't know yet how much this gun
raises and / was powerful anxious to save
him." says Stock, explanatorily; so l jist
drawed ON his head and then dropped down
where / seen his side under his arm, when
let drive guess the gun carries right where
you hold it, and he's got an ounce O. lead
perty close to his aearto