The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-02-10
time and see ii you can't damage some

+ OF en- ~ - - 7os'' - l. = q 49,
That dash was feeler to develop the
strength defending the bridge and to see
II 1t was mined for blowing up. Around
idea of 100 men holding division at
bay. Farther back the soldiers @fretted
and fumed and officers cursed and swore
ut the delay. Down on the, left the bat,
tie was already opening, and death was
sharpening his scythe on the stone walls
which men Of peace had built up many
years before. 1913
Get ready! Fire at winr'
This time 4 column of 500 men, formed
eight abreast as before, dashed ut the
bridge with ringing cheers, and though
the first four or FIVE ranks went down
others lived to reach the earthworks and
to make fierce fight for it's possession.
For ten minutes there were shot and
shout and curse and groan, and then the
bridge was clear again-clear of all but
the dead and wounded. The veteran
started to cheer us the enemy sullenly
fell hack, but Tom interrupted him with
What yer maxim cussed fool of
yerself fur?"
We've licked 'em ag'in!"
clicked hell! If this war don't end in
less'n three months, We won't know huff
to pound sand! The idea Of yer yawpin'
and whoopin' over victory when we've
lost at least twenty men and when we
are sartin' to be wiped out body and
butes! Look along the lines!'
Ben looked up and down the lines and
shivered as he noted the dead and
wounded who had fallen out. And now
the enemy deployed force to the right,
another to the left, and the men crept
forward to the very brink Of the ravine
and opened such a, hot fire that no de-
lender Of the earthwork could lift his
head. Under cover of this fire force
formed up in the road for dash across
the, bridge. The captain sent IN order
along the earthwork, and each crouchihg
man was ready to rise up and fire when
the critical moment came.
Say, this is gettin' to be redhotr' ex-
claimed Ben as the bullets sent the dirt
f1ymg oyer his head.
non Mea ,1.;n we don't need ANY ice jest
We are goin' to git licked OH this
deal, old man."
Not licked, but wiped out. The or
ders are to hold the bridge to the last.
and our captains the man to do it. Pur-
ty leetle tight-mighty purity. Lots of
neags VII! git busted when VIC arise up
10 nre. Never had Il bullet through yer
cokernut, did YEP
Ben did not answer. Just then came
the order to fire at will, and MS the mms.
kets, looked over the earthwork the en-
envy cheered and dashed for the bridge
third time. Over the rocks and bushes
obstructing the road, over the wounded.
crying out, over the dead and over the
blood spots, and again they reached the
earthwork and fought hand to hand.
GneSs they'll stay licked this time, +"
sto"led Ben as the enemy fell back after
ten minutes fighting
Oft, We 0Op' Snooro.1 YNo,,, ~, ~ ),
ms bnyonet into the earthwork to clear
II or the blood. "Waal, of all the hlame,l
Ns III Grants army We take the g, kei
W We got about ten men left to hold a
try '''n on d VIC
Then why don't we retreaty'
Ag In orders, We old shellback. Here's
bury us '"es -
Now the enemy, maddened NV tho TO-
lay and resistance, crossed men nbnv,,
ana below the bridge, and they were soon
taxing the breastworks in rear. The
captain was down, his lieutenants were
down-a corporal had command.
What dye call this?'' asked Ben as
the bullets began to come in from flank
and rear.
Next door to hell,'' replied Tom.
Face about and see if you can hit a
barn door,"
r I've dropped a man every time I've
fired, and-and-''
Got yer dose, eh? Waal, told We it
would be wipe out. Sorry for ye, old
man, but war would be Il picnic if no
body was killed. Guess I'm the only one
left, and Ill go back and report"
And half an hour later, wounded in the
arm and shoulder and hip, powder
stained, dust-covered old veteran ap-
peared before his colonel and saluted and
said:
go. T., sir. Detailed to hold the
bridge above"
"Well?'
ENEMY forced the crossing half an
hour ago. Captain dead, lieutenants
dead--all dead but me!''-Troy Times