The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-01-14

carries nothing of weight and makes
good time with no greater exertlon
than thot of jabbing spurs into his
horse once in awhile.
Hence. the infantry assail the stray
trooper with such remarks as these:
I'VE must be attacked from the rear,
now the cavalry is going to the 'front.'"
Cant trust the fools for sense less
they're given horse apiece to help
out" Speak low, boys, you'll brighten
the cavalry" "See dead cavalryman
and lool: around for an honest suffer"
Army volunteer jibes are sometimes
pithy, never polite.
But the dreary, stumbling march
over the worn mud roads that day was
interrupted by longer halt than
usual, and then the splitting of musket-
ry in front told that something was
happening which promised to break the
monotony.
''Howly smoked" said red-halred
Irish private, unslinging smoke-and-
grease-dcfiled skillet which had been
tapping against his back since day
light, there's goin to be foight pur-
ty soon, fellers!"
Back galloped an aide-de-camp, a
dandy boy. afraid of nothing but sour
generals and lame horses. and yelled
something to our colonel. Down went
half dozen panels of the rail fence on
the left Of the road, and the leading
company jumped through the gap the
column following. The regiment,
through and in the field, swung diagon-
ally left into line" and the rear COM
panies shed everything but guns as
they ran forward faster than mere
double-quIck.
AS the line was at right angles to the
road and going toward the cedars at
the top of the field, bang! bang! came
from the top of the slope, and we saw
through the trees few mounted men
riding away like mad. A few shots
were wasted after them. and we were
where they had fired from.
The ridge sloped down the other side,
and in the valley, rising to higher
ground opposite, our skirmishers were
already at work. 1t was rather jolly to
get few minutes halt here, and to see
the detached puffs of smoke way down
below, while we ourselves were safe
and sound!
Looks pooty to see fellows shootin
when you don't have to take it yerself
don't it?''
"You bet; but the way things look
some luckier fellows will soon be watch
ing us giving exhibitions down there
ourselves, and that won't be so nice
eh!"
Bugles were calling, aids galloping
mounted officers passing back of the
lines, while the men were bringing
cartridges to the front of their belts
relying shoes, and generally getting
ready for the fuss" A little fun was
passing here and there as recruit was
chaffed or some country wag made a
joke. Officers repressed this and looked
serious.
Forward" and off the men started
down the Slope, trying with Indifferent
success to keep the line, broken so fire.
quently by stumps and dead trunks and
small guliies. We passed where the
skirmishers were shooting-the firing
sounding heavier from our right. Two
men had to be stepped around; one
dead, fiat on his back. hands clenched
one knee drawn up, and sightless eye
balls staring at the clouds. Hes got
his medicil e." The other was compos
eddy waiting for some one to help hin
to the rear. He had managed to ban
dage clumsily his shin, and his hands
and clothes were bloody.
whats up, boss?"
"Cussed rebel liked to blowed the
whole leg off me. Don't guess caugh,
it anywhere else--leastways. don't fee
it. Watch out for 'em. They're wicked
this morning" And we stumbled or
and left him.
Right across our front rumbled bat
terry of brass field pieces on dead run
uphill as it was, The horses, with bowed
heads, dashed into gallop, seemed tc
jerk the pieces forward at each stride
and the guns careened and bounced sc
that it was a miracle how the artillery.
men kept their seats on the caissons
Something like cheer went up from
cur line, for it was regular battery
and volunteer infantry feel toward reg
ular artillery as big man with his fists
feels toward small man with pisto
who comes over on his side in row,
Just as we reached the top of the
slope we caught it. From the fence or
the line of the timber ahead volley was
Toured into us. In an instant every
man was down. Some couldn't get uI
until they were lifted. A riderless
horse, crazed with fear, galloped, tai
in the air, right through us as we rose
firing and went at the fence. Everyone
was firing now, mostly too high, and the
"Johnnies" behind the fence gave as
good as they got-that's certain.
There was no time to spare to count
noses yet, even if the smoke allowed it
Officers swore and waved their swords
men yelled and went ahead blindly
until the fence was reached, and few
desperate devils who wouldn't GO back