The National tribune., 1899-08-24

| "grind" on one of the teasers of new recruits
silenced him, and encouraged the boys.
| AS the light broadened, and revealed the
familiar hills and woods. unpeopled by
masses of enemies, the shivery "2-o'elock-
n-tie-morning- feeling" vanished from the
boys hearts, and was succeeded by eager
ness to see the redoubtable rebels, of whom
SO much had been said.
The companies formed up into the regi-
ment on the parade ground, the Colonel
right flank, and gave the momentous order:
Attention, battalion-Right face-For-
ward-file left-March"
The first wave rolled forward in the
mighty avalanche Of men, which was not
to be stayed until, four months later, Sher-
man telegraphed North the glad message:
atlanta is ours, and fairly won"
As they wound around and over the hills
| in front, they saw the reserves" the grand
guard" and finally the pickets with their
reserves drawn in, packed up ready for
| marching, and waiting for their regiments
| to come up, when they would fall-in.
There's a h-ls mint of deviling, tor
| menting rebel cavalry out there beyond the
| hills" they called out to the regiment.
Drop onto 'em, and mash 'em. Well be
| out there to help, if you need it."
The 200th InIanny don't need no help
to mash all the rebel cavalry this side O. the
brimstone lakes" 81 answered proudly.
Much obliged to you, all the same"
Capt. McGillicuddy," commanded the
Colonel, as they advanced beyond where
the picket-line had been, 'deploy your COM
pany on both sides Of the road, and take the
ahead of the regiment"
"Horay," said ST, we're in the lead agin,
and Wen keep it till the end o. the chapter.
Co. z, to the front and center"
They advanced noiseleSsly over the crest
Of a ridge, and the squad, which gained a
little on the rest, saw a rebel videt sitting on
his horse in the road some 200 or 300 yards
away. The guns of the nervous boys were
up instantly, but ST restrained them with a
motion of his hand.
whats the matter with him?" he asked
Shorty, indicating the rebel.
Him and his hors's wore out and asleep, ~
answered Shorty, after a minutes study.
Look at his head and his hoss's."
Kin we sneak up on him and git him?'
asked Si
Scarcely" answered Shorty. Look
over there"
A squad of rebels were riding swiftly up
the road toward the videt
''Shan't | shoot him?" asked the nervous
little Pete, lifting his gun to his face.
NO, no; give him a show for his life"
answered Shorty, laying his hand on Pete's
gun.
"It'd be murder to shoot him now" Gi'
me your gun, Pete. Run down the road
with stone and wake him up"
The boys. to whom a rebel was a savage
wolf, TO be killed any way that he could be
caught. looked wonderingly at ST, who re-
sponded by nod of approval.
Won't he chop me with his sword?"
asked Pete, still full of the terrors of that
weapon.
wen look out for that. Go ahead.
quick Pete" said 81.
Poor little Pete. looking as if he was being
sent to lead forlorn hope, rushed frantic
ally forward, picking up stone as he ran,
against the rebels breast who woke with a
start, clutched his carbine, and stared
around, while little Pete dashed into the
brush to avoid his dreaded saber
Look out for yourself, reb. We're
a-comin'," shouted ST.
The rebel whirled his horse about, fired
his carbine into the air, and sped back to
his friends, while the squad rushed forward
and took position behind trees. The rebels
came plungiIg on.
"Ffrew shouted 81.
The guns Of the squad crashed almost
near, but without taking effect on any one
OF the rebels who seemed to catch sight Of
the rest of Co. Q coming over the crest
They whirled their horses around, and
started back on sharp trot, while the boys
We're reloading.
~ D ahSSu' sneiSedut' SlOuteu Oapt
McGillicuddy.. from the rear. Follow
them up. We're right behind you. Push
them back on their reserves"
"All right, Cap. Back they CO." shouted
ST, leading forward his squad in heavy
footed run down the road. They soon came
to an opening of somewhat level ground,
made by the clearing around cabin.
The rebel squad halted beyond the corn
fields, turned about. and opened fire.
"Holy smoke, look there" gasped Monty
Scruggs, as a company Of rebel cavalry
come tearing over the hill in front, to the
assistance of their comrades
Shorty, as he and 81 deployed the boys be-
hind fencecorners, and instructed them to
shoot carefully and low.
"Sargint, see there, and there" shouted