The National tribune., 1899-09-28

the edge of the woods. The moment that it
appeared in the fringe of brushwood a
sharp volley came from the line OF rebels
in the brush along the opposite side of the
clearing. Evidently they were not ex-
pecting an advance at that moment, for
their firing was wild, and wounded but a
few men.
Hold your fire till we are across" shout
ed the Colonel. "Forward-Guide center
ble-quick-Marchr'
With a yell the regiment swept across
the clearing into the brush beyond. a
furious, noisy scramblng ensued in the
thlcketS. Neither side could see 10 yards
ahead, and the firing, though fierce and
rapid, was not very effective. Men shot
at sounds, or motions of the bushes, and the
bullets, glaneing on the limbs, whistlcd
in all directions. But the 200th Ind.
pressed furiously forward, and though
the rebels resisted stubbornly they were
gradually pressed back up the hill Oc-
casionally one was Killed, many were
wounded, and squads were caught III
clumps of brush and compelled to sur
render. ST and Shorty kept their boys
in hand. on the left of Co. Q, restrained
them from firing until they saw something
TO shoot at, and saw that they did not
advance until their guns Were loaded.
They heard crashing volley delivered
on their right front, and springing swiftly
In that direction, came to n little break,
across which they saw a squad of Is or
~ ItDtlS Tile Oh d Cdptttii,
with their guns still smoking. and peering
into the woods to see the result of their fire.
81 rushed at the Captain, with leveled
gun, and ordered him to surrender.
), Are you an officer?" said the startled
Captain as soon as he could gain words
'Pm Captain. III not surrender to any
one under my rank"
!, Pm Captain enough for you," answered
81, thruSting the muZZle of his gun close to
his face. Surrender this minute. or off
goes your head"
The Captain dropped his sword, and his
men yielded.
The prisoners were conducted to the
rear, and when ST returned with his squad
! to the regiment he found it had forced
its way to the foot of the high wall Of rock
that rose straight up from the slope.
: The rebels on the crest, 100 feet above.
t had been trying to assist their comrades
/ below, by firing with their muskets, and
T occasionally sending a shell, where they
! could get their howitzers sufficiently de-
! pressed. Now they had bethought them
selves to roll rocks and heavy stones off the
crest, which fell with a crash on the tree
| tops below.
The 200th Ind. was raging along the foot
of the wall, trying to find a cleftn it by which
|, they could climb to the top and get at their
l foes. Standing few yards in the rear,
| branches promised protection from the
crashing powders, the Colonel was sending
parties to explore every place that seemed
hopeful, and report to him. When 81
came up with his squad he was directed
to go to the extreme left, and see what he
could find.
He did 50, and came to little open space
made by the washings which poured over
the crest of the rock when the rain de-
scended in torrents. There was cleft
there. but it was 40 feet above them. and sur
rounded by rebels, who yelled at the sight
lNf 1, ,,,I ,,f
powders. ST and his squad promptly
lodged these by getting behind trunks OF
trees. They fired at the rebels on the crest
who as promptly lay down and sheltered
themselves.
The firing and stone-throwing lasted
an hour or more, and then seemed to die
down from sheer exhaustion.
AS the stones begun to come down more
; fitfully, and at longer intervals, Shorty
shouted to those on top:
Say, you fellers up there, amt you
gittin' tired O. that work? You amt
, hurtin' nobody with them dornicks. We
kin dodge em easy, and your juststrainin'
yourselves for nothin'. Let up for awhile
till We both rest and git fresh hold. Well
amuse you if you will.
"Whatll you do?' asked one of the rebels,
peering over the crest
Lots o. things. I'll turn one O. my
famous double back-action flip-faps, which
people have come miles to see, when
was travelling with Dan Rice. Or well
sing you song. We've here the World
Renowned Ballad-Singer of Bean Blossom
Crick. Or We'll make you a speech. We
have here the Justly-Famous Boy Orator
of Pogue's Run"
Everything had become quite still all
around during this dialog.
Give us song" said the rebel, and
his comrades heads began showing over
the edge of the rock.
Now, no rock-throwin and no shootin'
while he's singin'," said Shorty. Give
the boy a chance to git back to his tree
after he's DONE"
"All right Well play fair But no
politics" came back from the rock.
''Go out there, Alf, on the gravel, and
sing to EN-" said Shorty.
/ Alf Russell hesitated q moment, and
then climbed up on the pile of washings,
and after clearing his throat sang when
Il This Cruel War Is Over" in his best style,
and below.
"Now give us your speech. But no
politics." the rebels shouted.
Monty Scruggs stepped up on the mound
and recited "Bingen on the Rhine in his
best Standardization style. The delight
of the rebels was boundless.
-hip---Hooray! Good! Good!" they
; shouted. "Give us another"
Monty scratched his head to think of
something appropriate. and then occurred
10 MN webster great speech III defense
of the Union, which was then a favorite in
the schools.
. when my eyes shall be turned to behold
for the last time the sun in heaven, may |
not see him shining on the broken and dis
honored fragments of once glorious
Union. on States discovered. discordant,
belligerent; on a land rent with civil feuds.
or drenched, it may be, with fraternal
blood. Liberty and Union, now and for
ever, one and inseparable."
The rebels listened with growing i'm
patience to the words, and as Monty con-
cluded with his best flourish they yelled
angrily:
"Heah, we told you no politics. Git
back thar, now, quick, or wen bust your
head with this ere rock"
Shorty and ST raised their guns to shoot
the man with the bowlder, and Monty
skipped back to the shelter of his tree, say
ing with grin:
II was bound to give 'em a little straight
goods before | quit and they got it. Old
| Dan Webster's very words"
"The orders is to stay right here for the
night" said the Orderly-Sergeant, coming
up through the brush to Si, "and be ready