The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-01-13

NV ~ Th;,.aa,.h . .nu 'n. n,
twenty. fourth pushed their way along
tho truil blocked with halting volun-
iecrs. First an aid, running full speed
end swinging his hat, signaled the col
umn to hurry forward; next staff
Ccicer gallopCd up with Kent's second
message to Wikoif to rush his command
10 the field Eager to do something
even at tho risk of Gisoheying orders,
part Of ono battalion of the volunteers
and Rafferty,. with + company of an
Gther battalion, fell into line, anywhere,
anywhere, touching elbows with blacks
and whites, 80 long az they could be "in
tho swir.' Individual volunteers also
rokc Loose from the stationary ranks
and elbowcd to the front among regu-
lars. One cf these independents was Aus.
tin ParGec. II boy Of II, SCH of former
officer Ct the Thirteenth, who had cried
to take L:s fathers place and fight for
the flag until his widowed mother
yielded.
Fording tho creek and giving their
burning heads cooling dip as they
lasscd, tho men Of the brigade lined up
Cn tho bank, leaving Wikoff dead and
Worth lying III his blood. tho last and
most shining sacrifices tn the Moloch of
"Hell's Crossing" In the broad field
Cn the left of Hawkins two regiments
EVikoff's column struck zone of pitt
less fire. and there the third commander
'f tEe brigade. gray haired Liscum Of
he Twcntyforrth, went down. Staff
officer Tayman Of the Twenty fourth
told me- that his eyes were riveted on
l,o Ia l., g., I,
seen cutting its way through the tai
grass with giant strides. Like y flash of
lightning he was seen, then disappeared.
In tho van CT tho column the Thir-
tccnth regiment, led by Colonel Worth
as far ns "Hcll's Crossing. climbed up
tho bank and went through tho wire
fence. where Gaps had already been
made. MAYOR Ellis was at its head, but
was sCCu .hGt down. Ihcr" was an open
field stretching away up to the block
house. TEiS CSmeut had lost heavily
at tho crossing, particularly hy Spanish
shrapnel. lUt mCvcd rCSistlcSs,y on ul.
ill Il CALLING vollcy fire compelled it to
geek shelter under Il bank some hundred
ya.dS from iho fort
Tho Ninth regiment, On tho left of
tho Thirteenth, l%SSCl tho ordeal ut the
crossing VIII! !.vs !it;!G loss In climb.
ing tho hank it WAS struck by Il heavy
MnusCr GIc from san Juan heights and
from tho trees, left, right and III front.
Pressing Oh IN line with TIE Thirteenth,
tho regiment Ealtud nj tn" hank and de-
hvcrcd its t!.O upon tic Spamiards in
the trenches at tie llO;i;hUus".
When tho TwCuty fourth regiment Of
blacks appeared III view above the crest
cf tho river bank the Srauiards ap-
parCntly iu-@Ch al! their Ere upon them,
hoping, Us they said ::!t,rwald. to de-
r:o.aliac them AID r:ccip.t#tc a panic
The blacks dlda { Scare, however
Just how long :hcsc men halted at the
hank is uncertain, for there was no cee-
gatiCn Of t!ghtin. and laps" Of time was
not noted. 1t was krag -.I0rgCnsen
against Manscr IN the attempt - subduo
the Spanish fire fora charge. This stage
of the infantry fight wa> ;:Eout ccinci-
dental Wit! tho capture of "kcttlo'
hill ~ tie caNalIy, wi ich has already
been dCsCrlhc@. and to"!i place probably
between l2:3O ama o'c!ucE. Mean.
while Grimes battery, TO longer lam
pered by the balloon. was vigorously
shcll!ng tina blOCEhDus2 and trenches, aS
was also PaGkhurSt's battery, Second
artillery. which had taken position 70
tho left ana front Of Grimes. near FL
Poso. Tho success Of the Cuval!y in
clearing "kcttlc" hill. really an ad-
vancrd position Of the : Spanish lire. had
allowed the liOCa!iSs cUusand Parkcr's
Gatllngs to cross San Juan river at tho
ford Of tho main road and get 10 high
ground On the southern sl.1r Gf the hill