The National tribune., 1899-03-02

tinued The mortars of the feet hurled
two and three hundred pound shells into
the city necessarily. They burst high in
everywhere, or they fell upon the earth
with a concussion that made it quiver
and then burst, tearing open holes into
which a house could have Eeen buried.
The siege guns shrieked and screamed
while the others reared They tore
through the lreastwori.s and ftIrrowed the
ground beyond, while others crashed
through houses and destroyed whole
streets.
The rebels hardly replied TO this terrible
visitation. Their canncn were silent, and
the infantry hugged the emtankments
closely.
At 10 o'clock the guns ccaeed as sud
denly as they had fegun. and score OF
sweet, siiverv-voiced Lugies sounded the
charge simultaneously down the line.
Instantly the whole seven miles became
alive with blueclad men rushing impetu-
ously forward.
Bravely streaming regimental cclors and
| the long, dark wave on-on toward the
foot OF the batteries. To the right the
File saw 200 desperate men rush down the
| road, carrying planks and ladders. Be
| hind them came their regiment on run.
The fOrlorn hope reached the ditch in
| front of a Fashioned fort, flung the planks
| across, and the regiment streamed over,
| the Color Sergeant leading the way. Then
the First Regiment came up behind Co. A
at double quick, and as O'Neil heard il
advance he ordered the company to close
up, to take the lead in the charge.
| Then from behind every curve and angle
| OF the rebel works rose up double ranks OF
men and poured a blasting rain of fire
upon the assailants struggling through
the distractions.
Twenty thousand bullets hurtled
around like fiery hail. Artillery in the
forts and redoubts, double charged with
grape and canister, belched forth still
deadlier shower OF missiles. 1t seemed as
If the assailants would be swept from the
face Of the earth. They still struggled
forward determinedly. Color rSergeants
were shot down, but quick hands seized
the flags before they touched the ground
and waved them aIoft. Colonels, Lieu
tenant-Coloneis, and Majors were killed
and Captains took command and urged
the men forward Captains and Lieu
tenants were shot down, and SergeantS
and Corporais led the companies forward
undaurtingly.
The Color Sergeant OF the First Regi-
ment, fred with zeal TO be the first to
plant the flag on the rebel works, ran
ahead OF Co. A. Before he reached the
abatis he fell, with bullet crashing
Color Guard snatched the flag from his
relaxing hand and ran forward with il 20
feet, when bullet pierced his heart and
he too fell. One of Co. A was killed as he
tried to ruil the staff out of the Corporals S
grasp. O'Neil's right arm was shattered
as he caught up the cOlors, but he
changed the staff to his left hand and
rushed forward.
"Forwardt me hcarties," he shouted.
We're through the abatis. Well be
through the insoide in another minute"
All that was left Of Co. A was close be
mind, with Bronson leading. The latter
had picked up loaded rifle from one of
the men who had fallen, and bringing it to
his shoulder, brought down Il rebel officer,
VINO was standing on top of the works,
directing the fire Of his men. The rest
fred as they saw him doing, and drove
from the front of the works the company
of rebels there
Just then Walter heard a sharp voice
call out: Walt Armitagel Walt Armitage,
come back here and help me, quicI<l"
fie locked around and saw Inky, who
with his squad had worked his gun by
hand down little path that threaded off
to the right until ne was almost up to the
infantry line.
Walter called to his companions, and
they ran to Inky's assistance. They tore
the boxes Of cartridges from the shoulders
oil the dying artillerymen and ran the gun
forward To little knoll and trained il so
as to enfilade zig gag just as the latter
was filled by rebels, who had returned,
after being driven away by the company's
volley. grin OF satisfaction lighted up
Inky's blazing face.
i he'd more'n Il million bullets i'm her
then, he said as he jumped to the muzzle
of the gun to force in another cartridge
1--WE bin gatherin' of 'em fur more'n a
week fur Sich chance as that"
O'Neil leaped over the embanlment.
followed by the regiment. The rebels fled
in panic.
"Vicksburg's ours" he shouted. and
running to the highest point, planted the
flagstaff in the soft earth.
But fierce yell rose from behind the
mob of flying rebels. The fugitives
opened up on either side like a curtain
and revealed a regiment of rebels ad-
vancing with well dressed ranks at a
charge. ii was the reserves coming up.
The First Regiment fell back quickly
over the works, and lying down ON the
outside, opened fire on the reserves, that
compelled them TO halt and seek shelter.
The grand charge had failed. Looking
down the line, few regimental flags
could be seen waving over the works, but
the regiments TO which they belonged
were. like the First, on the outside and !