The National tribune., 1899-03-02

face rubicund and beaming with Joy. Or
dering the company assembled, he said:
"Gintlemin, Oi've exceliint news ter
communicate. We're ter end this whole
business termorrer mornin', an If fortune
favors US, as she orter, which the bliSSid
Mother grant Che raised his hat and
ireverently crossed himselD We'll ate our
dinner in pace an quietnesS III the city
| of tickSburg''
| A cheer swelled from the lips Of every
man at this announcement. ONeii then
communicated his orders for the morrow
In spite of ONeiPs jubilation and the
confidence they all felt, no one concealed
from himself the fact that there would be
n terrible struggle and fearful loss of
life before the inside of those awful forti
ncations would be gained. All were So
bered by this reflection, and as they sat
around the fire with their pipes after sup
per the merriment was Of constrained
sort, and died cut as quickly as flame
lighted with wet and s0ggy wood. Soon
ali attempts at conversation failed, cx-
cept as two talked together as to what
each desired the other TO do in the event
Of certain mournful contingencies.
A days cooked Tations were slowed
away in each haversack, every cartridge
box was inspected and filled, and an
additional package OF cartridges given
each man 10 be placed in his pocket.
Then all the knapsaclls were piled and
two invalids left TO guard them, while the
company took its lineof march towards
the enemy's lines. By midnight it had
worked its way through the dense growth
Of tall cane, until ii had reached the edge
OF the brake and was under the shadow OF
the rebel works, ard so Near that the
sound CT voices came over as the troops
were moved or guards stationed.
They're getting ready for Us over there,
said Walter 10 Bronson, speaking for the
first time in two hours.
Yes, | presume so, but it will make
little difference in the result, except to
cost us n few more men. They can't
keep US from going in there any more
than we could keep the Mississippi from
rushing through that crevasse last
Spring.
"All de same" said Karl, with a shrug,
" ! Wish dey vas like Capt. SCOTS coon
il vas CAPT. Scott, vusn't it-who said:
Don't shoot, Captain; I'll come DOWN.
One would think you wanted 10 live
always said Walter, with faint laugh.
No, not always, said Kari; but |
could make use Of a year or two more.
Time does not hang heavy yet"
Il shouldn't wonder If your girls in
there, Karl, said Bronson.
Il expect To find her there when we get
in, answered Karl, earnestly.
That ere bread we set of the boat were
the best / ever tasted, said Stock. Il
was mighty near starred for hardtack. /
amt had meme since November.
O'Ncil put an end TO further conyersa-
ton by Geploying the company along the
edge of the brake, with orders To each
che 10 shelter himself as best he could
and keep cut OF sight. At daylight all
were to commence sharpshooting at any
rebels who were visible, to keep them
away from the artillery, and from looking
over their Qualifications TO discover and
impede preparations fer the assault.
Then ali was quiet save the screecl1es
Of the night owls and occasional sounds
from the rebel camp.
just as the first rosy streaks OF dawn
began To illuminate the sky, rocket
scared high in the air in the direction Of
Grant 5 Headquarters. The next instant
the sky that stretched over the river
where the gunboats lay was lighted with