The National tribune., 1898-10-27

ened at that hour when there seems to be
little in the world that can compare in i'm
portanee with the continuance Of ones
rudeIy- broken slnmber They stood around
in the damp, chilly fog and yawneo and
grumbled and leaned heavily on their mus
kets. They were not enough awake TO COM
prehend that they were ON the brink of des-
perate battle Finally, this seemed to be re-
membered by them, and there was a low buzz
OF conversation among friends and comrades
as they stood together in ranks. Then all
seemed to sober down into mood of intense
expectancy, in which few words were spoken
FREQUENT shots sounded along the picket-lines
IA front and on either flank. Locomotives
were whistling shrilIy in Corinth, and the
sound of the rebels cheering fioated over the
tops OF the hills.
They are receiving reinforcements, said
some of those standing in line, with little
tremor Of encouragement.
Then came the sound of several loud ex-
blossoms. which reused everybody TO keen
attention, but for which nobody could ex-
plain or suggest even a reasonable hypothesis
The day was slowly dawning The pickets
in front became excited and alarmed over
shapes and movements seen in the confusing
tldlI-llIillS. anu etilI Ddch DltSsdgBS
There had been a great deal of movement
around the heavy guns in their front during
the night, they said. They thought a num-
Der of new ones had been placed in position,
and they could Distinctly see men standing
around them, as if to open fire the moment
that IL was light enough to see TO do 50 with
any effect. One officer in particular had dis
turbed them very much. In the first glim-
mer of dawn they had caught sight of him,
standing far in advance of the rebel lines, ia
position where he had an excellent view of
the Union line. They were quite sure they
could make out glasses in his hands, and that
he was accommodating our line preparatory
to an assault for the attack, seemed beyond
doubt. They had fired at him repeatedly,
but without even causing him TO change his
position. They thought that some sharp
shooters ought 10 be sent forward immed-
ately, TO either bring him down OF make him
cease his observations and 90 inside his own
lines.
The File was detailed to 90 forward and
see what could be done in the matter When
they arrived at the picket-post, sure enough,
there was the rebel officer, still standing COM
posedly on the hillside, sweeping the field
before him with his glass, and noting every
preparation being made in our line for battle
35c mt HpNI- Stlu " Nell. III 90 l0lEe
10 say man constantly on the lookout for
information to improve his moind, and the
loike, but there's such thing as paying toe
much attintion to your neighbor's affairs,
and we il have 10 give our irind over there
q lisson in good manners"
Yes too much curiosity is very bad
thing-in fellows that wear that uniform. y
said Walter, as the three passed out beyond
the pickets and began crawling cautiously III
towards the rebels.
They were much astonished that no shot
were coming over from the rebel line. ant
that they saw no pickets outside in front
but they explained this TO themselves on TIN
ground that all the outlying guards had beef
drawn in, preparatory TO the assault
They gained with little trouble the protec
ton OF log within 400 yards of the officer
and lay down behind IT. Stock, who. sine
Bronson's absence, was the best shot of tn
File, was to try the officer first He tool
the range carefully, aimed deliberately, AN,
then fired, while the rest watched
He seemed to move little, " said Wal
ter The bullet either struck him, or yer
close to him, bat he's got lots of sand II
try him now"
Walter fired, but the rebel showed not tn
least sign Of disturbance on that account, no
did he after receiving O'Neils shot
''Oi behave the fellows got charm @
some koind about him; that the only wa
we can fetch him will be wild silver bullet,
said 0Neil, whose brain was not all FIRE
from the superstitions of his race
III try this time for his top-knot,u salt