The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-06-24

Jne famous charges or the flrSJ Ne
braska, gives more Of an insight than
ever into the rare character Of the
man. In the face Of ignorant criti.
cism by a state, of jealous cabals
organized by Cotton and Of cOwardly
and reasonable attacks from Omaha
politicians, Colonel StOtsenburg did
his duty just as he had before, only a
strange quietness and indifference for
promotion settled upon him, though
he led his regiment just the same, and
he fell with a bullet through his
heart with the affectiOnate cheers Of
the men, in his ears. There are
supreme moments Of eXaltation in
every soldiers experience, where to
charge an intrenched enemy is as
easy as taking summer stroll, but
the unwavering and constant Obedi-
ence to the duties of a soldiers life
rendered by Colonel Stotsenburg was
matter Of principle, of habit and Of
conviction 81 deep that outward cir
cumstances could not affect his con.
duct though they might break his
heart. Describing the Colonel's last
charge Mr.. McCutcheon said:
"When the artillery had opened and
the three.inch shells were screaming
across the open field Col. Stotsenburg
rode up, having just got of the train at
Malolos. He heard there was fighting
out toward Quingua and that his regi.
mont was in it, and az fast az q horse
could carry him he had ridden out. 1t
was then after eleven o'clock, and the
fighting had been going on for several
hours. On reaching the field he dis.
mounted and walked out in the open
field toward the extreme right of his
command. 1t was at this time that
General Hale decided TO withdraw the
Nebraska men from the sun until the ar
tillery had finished the Smelling and un-
til the time would be ripe for charge
across the open. He had just ordered
Major Milford TO carry this message
when he noticed that the men who had
been crouching behind the rice ridge
had risen and we're rushing forward.
The troops in the trees were running out
to Join the line that was sweeping across
the field. Stotsenburg was leading
them, but whether he gave the order to
charge. or whether the mere sight Of
him coming out on the field was the in
SEPARATION for his men. don't know, 1t
is true, however, that he no sooner was
seen by his regiment than they dashed
forward.
They're not withdrawing. They're
sdvsncing!' shouted General Hale as he
saw them. Go and bring them back
"'I'll try, general responded Major
Milford. but after they get started tie
mighty hard to stop them.'
"Mulford raced out after the long
stream Of brown figures, but they HAD
advanced half across the field before he
reached them. ssaw Col. Stotsenburg
over to the right running forward-the
men had been advancing 10 short rushes
one company firing while the next went
forward fifty yards. and then the latter
stopping to fire volley until the former
had advanced-but now they were all
rushing and cheering wildly, with not a
stop or a pause. 1t was cyclone OF
soldiers that would have been as hard to
stop as stampede OF cattle. Major
Milford knew that it would be imposs.
IDLE to stop them and that withdrawal
at that time would have been disastrous
both 10 it's moral and physical effect, 90
he yelled Forward! and Joined the men