The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-19
Saved From The Enemy.

citizens had formed from the first mo-
ment of the invasions
One morning he came home, having
fought through the entire night, and, en-
bracing my mothef inquired for me. Ny
mother replied that l was at the mill
tary school. where he had entered me-
Just then 1 came in with my drum on my
back and my drumstick thrust through
my shoulder belt, happy to be alive N
spite Of the misery of the time, and whist
ling like a blackbird. Ny father fixed his
eyes on me.
Let me see how you can beat your
drum said my father. Very well: Now
beat for a charge
We'll done.'' said my father; that is
frst-rate.''
Then he said nothing more until my
mother had gone to her chamber, when
he drew me closer TO him, and SAID
gently:
Listen, my son; the drummer of our
company has two bullets in his breast
We must have another. In this hour ev-
eryone ought TO be willing to do his whole
duty-wilt thou take his place."
The day passed. That night, while my
mother slept, my father, with his gun on
his shoulder, and 1 with my drum on my
| back, set out for the camp Thus l be-
| came a soldier.
One morning at daybreak, the captain,
| who had collected his men on the parade
ground near the old gate of Saint Claude
called to my father, who was drilling his
men:
Sergeant Biborne," he said, 1.-The enemy
presses US each day more closely; If this
continues, in eight days he will be within
our walls. This must not be. Tonight
! the commandant has ordered sortie in
order TO re-enforce the troops at Luneville
who hold the country in the enemy's
rear. Your division is TO be the advance
guard sergeant. 1t is the question TO pass
the enemy or die in the attempt.
$50 be it," answered my father; I'VE
will CO.
And We went This was a dreadful day.
The enemy had been informed. and re-
ceived US with a volley of grapeshot..
OF our own section only two were left
I counted for nothing, being so slender
| that l think I must have passed between
| their balls My father had received a
saber wound in the shoulder, but 1 could
see him still bearing aloft the flag above
the smoke of the battle.
Our fire slackened; our ammunition had
given out; the end had come. The word
strangles me yet when l think of it
we were forced to surrender.
A Prussian field marshal, followed
| by his chief of staff, dismounted
for look at his prisoners.
| His men showed in their eyes the pleas
ure our capture gave them; but their
white uniforms, blackened with powder
| and the marks of our saber thrusts, show
ed the evil we had done them.
The field marshal ordered the wounded
to be attended to, and, stepping in front
| of my father, demanded the flag. My
| father, whose hands we saw were empty,
| declared he did not know here it was.
| The field marshal turned to the officer of
| the post and said:
Very we'll if he does not remember by
| tomorrow morning, shoot him.
| When they had relieved us of our arms
and placed us under guard, my father.
who watched the sentinel from the corner
OF his eye, told us that he had hidden the
+ flag; that, seeing the day was going
/ against us, he had'torn it from its stand
/ ard, wrenched the eagle from its percn,
/ flung it into a ditch. while he had con-
| cealed the precious silk, riddled with balls,
under his coat.
Then he thrust it into my bosom, not
wishing it to be found on him when he
should be shot next day. felt suddenly
! that had become man.
In the evening the Prussians sent a flag
of truce asking suspension of HOSTILE
| ties that each might bury it's dead, and
asked one of our number to act as guide
TO our lines. An old comrade, who knew
the country well, offered to conduct the
officer, when ii was discovered that no
one had a bandage for the eyes of the
| bearer of the flag of truce.
sudden idea struck me. 1t was run
ming great risk, but it was worth the
trial.
4gTa
the officer with my handkerchief" 1 said.
I produced the flag, the red and blue
stripes of which 1 had folded inside, leav-
ing the white alone visible.
My father instantly understood my ruse
and explained in patos to the guide that
he was to remove the bandage. and while
the preiminaries were in progress deliver
it safely into the hands of our troops
The lantern gave but a feeble light. and
no doubt providence favored US. for the
| thing passed. and the officer mounted his
horse and with his eyes bandaged, fol-
lowed the lead of the guide.
We could but accompany in thought the
enemy, who carried back himself the flag
within the lines of our own army The
time passed. We heard in the night the
cathedral clock strike the hours. At last
We heard the sentineTs challenge. The
flag of truce had returned. 1 rushed to
the guide.
The flag is savedr' I cried.
Yes. but we are lost he answered.
In a few words he explained that the
affair had succeeded. but that the officer
had discovered too late the ruse and had
returned furious. In fact. he came accom-
panied by superior officer, and pointed
out to him the man who had conducted
the flag of truce.
Order out the platoon of execution
commanded the officer; this man shall be
shot"
1T was not he, captain" I said. ad-
vancing In front of him: 1T was | alone
who conceived the idea Of this thing"
Excuse me, officer" interposed my
father. The commander Of a detsch-
ment is responsible for the acts OF his
men, is ne not? I had given an order;
my men could only obey it,
What is your name?' the officer de-
manded.
Sergeant Bigorne." answered my faith
er.
Very well. sergeant; you viii be shot
Immediately"
"An right. captain; it IS war only
ask the favor 20 be shot by my comrades.
Return them their arms and will be re-
sponsibIe for them"
The old officer looked al my father with
his little gray eyes q moment. then said:
Agreed"
/ strove to draw my father aside; must
speak 10 him. Did they mean 70 make
me shoot my own father Il was impos-
sible. Ny father embraced me, and. hand
ing me my gun, pushed me back into the
ranks.
silence" he said. You cannot speak
Under arms IN The presence Of TIE eua-