The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-02-23
CHAPTER LIN.

CHAPTER LIN.
The success of the first trial in running
ports past the batteries induced
second attempt, in which six transports
were started and all but one made the
passage without receiving serious injury.
Now the bold scheme of the command
ing General began to develop itself.
Bailled IN all his attempts TO reach the
high ground in the rear OF kicksbuTg
from the north, 10 establish a line OF
communications beyond the rC ach of the
rebel guns, he had formed Il plan that
started out with "a daring violation oil
what had hitherto been considered one
OF the cardinal rules of scientific warfare.
He would abandon his-baSe, and attempt
10 wreSt a new one from the enemy.
Worse than this; he would seek that base
on the enemy'S side Of the Mississippi,
and place that river across his line OF re-
treat, so that ii he failed he was utterly
lost; if he was even checked he was
ruined, because his army must starye
unless he achieved a speedy and com
pletc success. No such a desperate mill
taTy adventure had been seen liz the world
since Cortez burned his ships on the
shores OF Mexico. No great commander
had ever taken sueh a hazard with large
army. They have, il is true landed large
forces on hostile shores, i'll the presence
OF an active enemy, but when they did so
they had the command of the seas that
force sufficient 10 protect their landing
place, ships sufficient to afford means of
Withdrawal in case of disaster, and a
certain line of supply for food, ammuni-
ton and reinforcements.
Gen Grant had none of these
As soon the waters subsidized so as to
make the SWampy west side CT the river
barely passabe, he gathered up MS army
and began moving across the peninsula
TO New Carthage, 90 miles below.
L.
yielding ooze. The bayous and streams
were bridged with whatever rude material
were al hand; the yoracious sW amps were
corduroyed with cottonwood logs cut from
the woods along the line OF march, and
over this Wretched highway the 40 900
men under his command toiled and
@aded. and with infinite labor and pains
dragged their artillery, and a few wagons
containing ammunition and provisions.
The clustering, drenching March days
had given way to the balmy ones OF April,
ana The SOIL, rIcheT than that OF old Nile,
was dressed in the robes OF richness and
beauty with which Nature loves 20 well
come the Spring in that generous climate.
Walter, still at his old place on the trans
port, had entered fully into all the life and
gladneSs that had succeeded the dreary
Winter, and was looking forward with
eagerness TO the next grand move against
the EnSolent rebel stronghold. None of
the doubts that disturbed the minds of
the higher officers found any Judgment
In his. He had the cheerful belief in ulti-
mate success characteristic of the we'll
organized private soldier. How it was to
be obtained was for those in command
10 bother over; that il would be attained
was beyond any doubling.
He was weary OF his circums cribed
quarters on the boat, though they ex-
empted him from the disagreeable toll in
the mud, and he longed TO get back to his
regiment He watched regiment after
regiment emerge from the concealment of
the cottonwood forests and go into a
camp along the bank, and was at last re-
ioiced 20 see the weli-known faces and
forms around the coiors which he had
followed so far and through so many
vicissitudes. He ran to meet his COM
rades, and was received with that affec-
uonate enthusiasm that no other rela ton
Of men can produce. The Joy OF meeting
was dampened somewhat when il was
found that neither party had any news of
the missing O'Neil, Bronson and Karl
But soldiers are very hopeful, and they
agreed 10 believe that their comrades were
alive until they had proof 10 the contrary
Walter brought of the boat little store of
coffee. sugar and bread. The rest OF the
mess he belonged to had captured young
pig and some cornmeal during the day s
march They united their stocks and
soon had supper cooking, the artistic
composition Of which might possibly have
been improved by the most ordinary Gull
nary artist, but which had more clements
Of pleasure TO those who were waiting 10
by Lucullus.
Alter il was disposed Of TO the last
morsel, the boys lighted their briarwoods
and throwing smudge on the fire 10
dnye away the mosketos, discussed, as
soldiers are in the habit OF doing the
aspects Of the campaign.
wei, now, said one, we're clear
below the NiclKsburg batteries, amt we.
there's nothing TO hinder US going right
across the river and striking for the rear
Of these fellows lis thcreY"
There wasn't a little while ago" said
Walter "but the rebels have established
battery at Grand Gulf, just below here
and they propose to give Us some trouble
with it,"
'No, they won't" said third 81 heard
the Colonel telling the officers all abou
ii when went 10 see about the details TO
guard. The gunboats all go down u
Grand Gull tomorrow morning and vii
knock the stuffing out OF il i'm short order
We are tc be put on transports, and tax.
up our position out Of range. As soon a,
the gunboats have shelled the Johnnie.
out % their works we're 10 land anc
occupy the place, and the rest of tn
troops are to be ferried over as fast as th
boats can carry them"
That's all right. Theirs goes tattoo
Let's fix our beds and crawl in, for they'I
Tout US cut early tomorrow, and wei
hkely have pretty lively day of it,"
= And the group broke up to gathe
branches 10 place beneath the blanket
upon which they slept
AS had been predicted, they were
aroused at an early hour, and after prepar
Ing their breakfasts, were marched upor
the transports, which shortly afte
steamed away down the river until they
came in sight of the gunboats moving il
line of battle.