The National tribune., 1899-12-28

sion of dashes, first in the front, then in
the rear, and next in the center of the train.
which kept the teamsters and the teams in
almost continued panic, and the troops
having charge continually double-quick-
ing from front to rear to save the train.
During this commotion a to me most
ludicrous thing happened A member
Of the 50th Ind, tall, ungainly fellow,
had met with the good fortune to capture
a goose. He held to it in spite of the march
ing and counter-marching, the goose
squawking and Topping Late in the
evening, during an engagement, he was
wounded, with his foot on the goose.
As we advanced farther into the rebel
country, the opposition grew more stubborn,
and at the Little Missouri on April 4 the
enemy made determined stand. During
this engagement, which was fought on our
side by the lamented Gen. S. A. Rice,
one of the "slickest tricks was played on a
Confederate Captain and a company of
cavalry. The enemy had fallen back
from the river. and a Captain with COM
pany OF men was sent up the river TO re-
connoiter, and the rebel Captain with a
much larger company had been sent down
the river on similar errand.
The Captain of the Union troops saw
the others coming, and quietly formed on
the side of the road, as if TO allow the others
to pass He ordered his men to hold their
fire until he gave the word OF command
therefor, then each man to pick his man
and fire When the company came suf-
ficiently near to be fully covered by their
guns, the Captain rode out in front of the
advancing column. and, drawing his sword,
said:
"In the name of the United States of
America, i order you to surrender"
The rebels seeing themselves covered by
our boys carbines could do nothing but give
in. But when the rebel Captain saw that
he had surrendered TO an enemy SO much
inferior in numbers. he was greatly cha
grined.
After the enemy was dislodged the entire
army crossed the river on an improvised
bridge, and went into camp near the river.
While lying there the long-looked-for re-
Inducements, under Gen. Thayer, from
Fort Smith. joined US. and a mixed multi
tude il was-Indians, colored troops from
the North, and white troops, with sprink-
ling OF Arkansas volunteers OF the peculiar
Arkansas type. The train consisted of
every conceivable style of vehicle, from a
dne carriage to a creaking cart.
Gen Steele soop toned this down. His
army as now composed was about 5000
strong, embracing two divisions Of infan-
Thayer. one division OF cavalry under
command of Brighten. Carr, and a NUM- Der
of batteries Of field guns.
After few days rest. on April 10, we
again took up the line of march, and at
4 o'clock p. IN. reached the edge of the
Prairie de Anne. yeritable gem in the
swamps But. alas, there is no rose rose
without its thorns," and so we found this
beautiful little prairie gem. As we neared
the edge Of the prairie every move indi-
Gated danger ahead. Orderlies we're gal
Looping TO and fro. and heavy columns OF
infantry were coming into line on double
quick. Batteries under full gallop were
being maSSed and the cavalry on either
wing were drawn up in line. eager for the
fray.
At last all was still, save the merry
songsters AS they fitted from boUgh to
bough in utter Inconsistencies Of the
storm of human passion gathering below
What did il all mean? We had reached the
strateglcal point OF the entire campaign
With Prairie de Anne in our hands Gen
Steele would have A choice of routes Il
Camden. the most strongly fortified town
In south western Arkansas. lying imme
diately on our line of march to form a
junction with Banks upon the Red River
Gen. Price knew this, and had thrown up q
strong line Of Notifications and Inassed
his entire army at this point
The silence was soon broken by the
cavalry on the advance. who, at the WORD
OF command. dashed out of the woods a
full speed Immediately the rebels occu
pying low ridge running lengthwise d
tiie prairie Optfle1 IRE, ana tne SIeU aIlC
Shot came tearing through the trees anC
awed 10 silence the feathcred songsters
Lieut. John +. Lacey. of Gen. Rice's staff
rode up 10 the'front Of our line, and crieC
out the word of command, Forward
Double-'luick ! MaTchr and that whole lin,
OF infantry sprang forward as one mar
out from the cover Of the woods ont on TIN
prairie ia the face Of pitiless storm of iroi
And lead from the long line of gray jus
across little ravine few hundred yard
away One Of the enemy's shells burs
near our line. part of which cut roat
through the ranks of my regiment
and another part of it struck Lieut. Lacey
horse
On swept the line Of blue through tn
thlckets ~ thorns. over the ravine, uD .
the ridge on which the line Of battle of tn
enemy was formed: but they had fed
leaving their dead and wounded in Oh
hands. The enemy fell back 10 their fort