The National tribune., 1900-04-19

souri militia mounted regiment. the post
being commanded by Gen. McNeill Our
scanty force was the cause of the uneasi-
ness.
NV position at Headquarters as Orderly
gave opportunities, from time to time, for
picking up pretty fair understanding OF
the situation, and i began to think there
was desperate work in store for us. The
picket-posts were strengthened, and Capt.
s. V. Shipman, with his company, II, was
sent to guard bridge across the White
water River, about 16 miles from the Cape.
During the night Of the oath of April,
1863, Lieut.. Ogden and about 20 men of Co.
+. came tearing into camp and reported
that one of Marmaduke's columns, 1900
strong, had surrounded the company, and
they had had to cut their way out, Capt.
Shipman having thigh badly shattered
in the fight, and being captured, with
number of his men.
Here was tangible proof Of the proximity
of the rebels, and there was little more
sleep for us during the balance of the night
There were quite a number OF Brother
town Indians, a civilized tribe living near
Fond du Lac, in our regiment, and one of
them, Stephen Nichols, always known
duty at one of the pickets-posts that night.
He was tall, well-built, straight as a ram
rod, and good soldier. just at daylight
Steve came up the pike toward camp at a
full gallop, sitting his horse like bronze
statue, his shoulders thrown well-back and
long hair streaming from the speed he was
making, eyes dilated and thoroughly
Indian in their expression. Riding straight
for Col. Lagrange, he reported the enemy
in sight, and Gen. Mcneil was soon noti-
fled.
The regiment was called to horse and
ready for duty. In a few minutes boom!
went n big gun from the fort farthest up the
river, and on the highest ground Of the
post, and monster shell went screaming
over our heads. Besides other damage
this first shot took off leg of one of our
pickets, and opened the ball in lively
manner, the other forts joined III quickly
and effectively.
p Twice Marmaduke demanded the sur
render of the post, and twice Gen. Nc
NeiIl told him the only way TO get il was 10
take it. 1t was known that the rebel
General had promised friends and sympa
thizers in the city that he would take
supper with them that night. Our regi-
mcnt was massed in column Of fours in a
narrow lane leading from camp, awaiting
orders which seemed an age in coming.
Our Orderly squad was Just behind the
regimental staff. To the left of us as we
sat our horses was quite a ridge running
out from piece OF timber, that part OF II
paralleling our position being bare point
devoid of trees or any other protection.
This end Of the ridge was held by the 1St
Neb., and we had a chance, while waiting
for orders, TO see one end of very pretty
fight, being only about 20 rods from the
ridge.
Beyond the ridge was an open field
sloping away for quite a distance. Into
This field came the rebel hosts. At this
time the Nebraskans could not number
more than about 500 men, but made up for
lack OF numbers with courage and per
severance. Strung out along the ridge
in two ranks, one firing while the other
retired a few PAGES, loading and then TAX
ing their places on the fring-line, they
poured a calling fire into the enemy, and
as the regiment was made up of the marks
men in the State, did fearful execution
Two OF my acquaintance IN that regiment
Serg't Bill Carr, tall, slim, with grizzled-
black hair, and Serg't Bill Harvey, heavy
built and with light-brown hair, complete
opposites in makeup and disposition, dis
daining 10 retire behind the crest of the
ridge, held their positions, and loaded and
pumped lead into the enemy as coolly as
though al target practice.
INTO THE FIGHT.
A rebel battery was doing its best f
dislodge the Nebraskans, but Carr an,
Harvey did not bulge. When the batter,
opened, shellss and solid shot appearet
like a swarm OF bees over our heads. Thi
was the first action, except skirmishes, tn
recruits of '62 had been in, and /, for one
was wondering what We were there for
and why we didn't do something. BE
tween us and the ridge was large garden
running half way up the hill, and incloset
with a picket fence.
While watching the soldiers on the hill
] saw a picket knocked off the fence and
projectile strike the soft ground near th'
middle of the garden, a black thing com,
out of the ground and right toward us.
could see it plainly, but could distinguish