Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1899-06-22


Ironworlt, where the nor OF the bridge
had been cleared away, to the other
end, and under the lnsurgent outpost,
He had nothing but his revolver.
He came back, and reported that nj
the other end of the bridge there wns
nothing but one steel girder three
inches wide on which to walk, and
this precluded the possibility OF
storming the bridge.
The enemy was intrenched all along
the opposite bank Of the river in con-
siderable force, and had three pieces
of artillery and one Maxim gun, which
they used literally, but without hurt
ing any Of us.
At noon of the Goth concluded to
attempt to force the passage of the
river 600 yards below the railroad
bridge. A raft had been left on our
side Of the river. This we cut up into
three small RATS. l again called for
volunteers to swim the river. This
was an extra hazardous undertaking,
because the river was deep and wide,
and the current strong, and where n
man swan he would be exposed to
the fire of the enemy intrenched all
along from the bridge down to the
point of crossing.
We stationed men who were known
to be good shots along the south
bank of the river to protect the flank,
and Lieutenant Fleming brought mp
HotchlSiss revolving cannon. With
this we opened fire on the trenches
of the enemy, sweeping the tops.
A number of men volunteered to
swim the river, but only two were
needed These two were Privates
1rembley and White. These men
took rope in their teeth and swan
across the river together, reaching
the shore twenty-five feet from one
Of the enemy's intrechments.
They were naked and had no arms.
They kept under cover of the banks
as well as they could, our men on the
other side firing over them in volleys
and the Hotchkiss also being used,
AS soon as the enemy heard our two
men talking they jumped up and
began to run out, fifteen leaving this
trench. Some of them were shot by
our men on the south bank as they
ran.
Meanwhile the men could not find
anything to tie the end Of the rope to
more convenient than one of the up
right posts Of the insurgent trench,
so one Of them worked himself up,
hand over hand, and, making moose,
slipped it over the post within siS
feet of three armed insurgents on the
other side of the trench. After the
rope had been secured we began to
cross.
l never "cuss" man unnecessarily
myself, and never allow an officer to
do it. | always treat the men as II
they were human beings, and they
appreciate it. There is a strong regl-
mental pride, which have tried to de.
velop from the start. / have never
known the regiment to break under
fire, and have not known of any in
dividual "flunks." | have never called
for volunteers for anything eXtraor-
binary or hazardous that have not
had more men than I could use.
The regiments losses up to date
have been three officers and thirty
eight enlisted men killed, and nine Of
fcers and 112 enlisted men wounded.
Topeka, June 20.-That Colonel
Wilder Metcalf intends to keep up the
pace with the Twentieth Kansas regi-
ment that his predecessor, General
Funston, established is evidenced by
letter Governor Stanley received
from him Tuesday. 1t reads:
MY Dear Sir:-I wish to thank you
for your confidence in me and the
honor you have done me in appoint
ing me the colonel of the Twentieth.
The reputation of the regiment is
good in the Eighth army corps, and
my desire and aim shall be to keep up
that reputation.
kansas may well be proud of the
men who compose the regiment. THE
man behind the gun is as good as the
best. shall try to use good judy
ment in my recommendations for pro-
motions, should further vacancies oc-
"
The Rock leland Playing Cards are the slick
est you ever handled. One pack will DO sent
by mail on receipt Of Is cents in stamps. A
money order or draft for 80 cents or came in
stampt will secure four packs. They will be
sent by express, ChArgeS.prepaid. Address,
JoHN SEBAsTIAF. @. P. A.
Chicago, Rock Island q PDcinC'Ry,
Chicago.