The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1899-03-03
A Transfer
AT GETTYSBURG.

Al GETTYSBURG
TIME steamer from Newborn, that
carried the wagon train Of
n which Jim Wright had charge,
proceeded directly TO Baltimore. At
this place all Of the officers baggage
and the camp equipage Of the Seventy
sixth regiment were unceremoniously
dumped out. The wagons were then
reloaded with ammunition, placed with
the mules on the cars ana rushed to the
front.
1t was late IN the afternoon of July
second when Jim's wagons reached the
vicinity of Gettsburg All day they
had heard the sound of cannon, and to-
ward noon had met streams Of wound
ed and squads Of prisoners under
guard.
Now officers We're continually hurry
ing the trains forward, and rs Jlm's
teams were i'm excellent condition, his
train was In advance of the others. He
could hear muskeWy rattling furlously
over beyond the hills ON the left side Of
the Taneytown road, when a staff Off
Ger came galloping up to the wagons.
"What have you in those wagons"
he demanded.
ammunition, sir; Il. b. cartridges,
calibre .JS," answered Jim, promptly.
Good Get those wagons up to the
front as quickly rs possiblel Kill your
teams If necessary, but get there! The
left Of our line is being nanked. and
the men are nearly out of ammunition
Hurry. for Gods sake, hurryW
"ShOw me where to go. captain, and
I'll shove those wagons there as quick
as mules can take Them" answered
Jim.
"Come onw The officer dashed ahead.
an show you"
Black Sam, the foremost driver, lash
ed his mules into run, ana the others
came galloplng after, thanking a high,
round hill with a smaller one beyond it,,
which hid the battlefield from the
train, although the white smoke show
ed the location of the conflict. The
captain led Jims train Off from the
main road, up spur of the smaller
mountain, and then, looking down the
side of the steep hill ana out into the
field beyond, Jim and Sam saw the
Union line. FLASHES and pufrs of smoke
beyond that marked the enemy's posi-
ton.
A division OF regulars was retiring
slowly; on their left one battered brig
AIDE was stretched out in single rank,
with their left flank refused" or bent
back like a door on hinge.
30, Lord, we are too late! The enemy
are on our roadr shouted the officer, in
dsmay.
Captain" said Jim. scanning the
ground, Il can take wagon down that
hill, across that wheatield, swing to
the left and give those boys ammuni-
ton"
"lf you could you might save the
whole army. But can your the cap
tain cried
The feat seemed impossible. The hill
seemed too steep. The likelihood that
the wagon would overrun the team and
be upset and the whole load lost, was
very great Once at the bottom. how
ever, the teamster would be all right.
81 can tie a couple of dead mules to
the hind end Of the wagon. aud they
will act rs brakes. I've let wagons
/ down gulches worse than this" said
/ Jim, confidently.
''But where are your dead mulesT
"Here captain" ana Jim pointed to
the leaders Of team. I'm tie them on
| behind the wagon. and" touching his
pistol, "when we begin to go down the
hill they'll be deadw
Good! good" said the captain. "Gc
ahead: It's our only chance. Hurry
hurry or anything you can do will be
too latev
"Sam." said Jim, addressing the black
driver, who had but lately escaped from
his native plantation. Il want you t.
drive your team down there"
Eyes. boss, hear yo'," was the stolit
answer.
I'm going along with you. Sam
said Jim Its mighty hot down there
we may both he killed; but those cart
ridges have got to go TO the boys II
that line underestimate
Sergeant Jim," said sam, "dld d,
capn say that this wagon-load oh cat
ridges mont sabe dc hun Linkun
armyw
THAT'S what he said. sam"
"Den, boss. Use gwine er take den
cartridges dere Nlggers is cheap thes,
days. Jos' yo' show dc way. Is,
a-gwlne to stay wild yo'w
"Bully boy, Saml That's the kind OF
talkl We aren't killed yet by an,
means, and hope we won't be-"
Then Jim. having pointed out IN,
course he wished the negro to take. tie,
the two mules doomed TO serve a
brakes TO the rear of the wagon. an,
stripped Off the canvas cover. During
these preparations. which occupie,
occupied only a few minutes time, san
dlsmounted, and was pattlug the mule