Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-10-28

down, others lived ~ reach the esrth-
works and to make fierce fight for
its possession. For ten minutes there
we're shot and shout and curse and
groan. and then the bridge was clear
again clear Of all but the dead and
wounded. The veteran Ben was one
of the half dozen who started to cheer
as the enemy sullenly fell back. but
Tom interrupted him with:
What yer maxim cussed fool OF
yerself fur?"
We've licked EN- ag int"
Licked hell! If this war doesn't end
in lessn three months We won't know
nuff to pound sand. The idea OF yer
yawpin and whoopin' over a victory
when we've lost at least twenty men.
and when we are sartin to be wiped
out body and butes! Look along the
lines!"
Ben looked up and down the lines
| and shiyered as he noted the dead and
wounded who had fallen out. And now
the enemy deployed force to the rig-~
another to the left. and the men crept
forward to the very brink of the ravine
! and opened such a hot fire that no de-
! fender of the earthwork could lift his
/ head. Under cover of this fire force
formed up in the road for dash across
the bridge. The captain sent an order
along the earthwork, and each crouch
4 ing man made ready to rise up and
fire when the critical moment came.
Say, this is gettin' to be redhot!'
exclaimed Ben, as the bullets sent the
dirt flying over his head.
'TyNaal, we don't need any ice just
now:" grimly replied Tom.
| I'VE are goins to git licked on this
deal, cid man.
mot licked, but wiped out The or
ders are to hold this bridge to the last,
and our captains the man to do A.
Purity .leetle fight mighty purity. Lots
OF heads will git busted when we arise
up to fire. Never had bullet through
yer cokernut. did YEP
Ben did not answer. Just then came
the order to fire at will, and as the
| muskets looked over the earthwork
the enemy cheered and dashed for the
bridge third time. Over the rocks
anil bushes obstructing the road, over
the wounded crying out, over the dead
and over the blood spots, and again
they reached the earthwork and fought
hand to hand.
Guess they'll stay licked this time"
growled Ben as the enemy fell back
! after ten minutes fighting.
! ooh, We do" sneered Tom as he jab-
bed his bayonet into the earthwork
to clear it of the blood. WAL, of all
the blamed idiots in Grants army We
take the cake! We've got about ten
men left to hold a division, and We are
countin on a victory.
Then why don't we retreat"
"Agin orders, We old shell back.
Here's whar we die and over thar's
whar they'll bury us"
Now the enemy, maddened by the
| delay and resistance, crossed men
above and below the bridge and they
were soon taking the breastwork in
rear. The captain was down, his lieu
tenants were down-a corporal had
command of the remnant of the hun
bred men.
What dye call this?' asked Ben, as
F.! the bullets began to come in from
| flank and rear
Next door to hell" replied Tom.
"Face about and see If We can't hit a
barn door,"
1--WE dropped a man every time I've
| f1red-and-and"-
Got yer dose, Ell? WAL, told We
it would be a wipe out. Sorry fer We,
old man, but war would be a picnic
if nobody was killed Guess I'm the
| only one left, and I'll go back and re-
port
| And half an hour later, wounded In
the arm and shoulder and hip, a pow
der stained dust coverd old veteran ap-
peared before his colonel and saluted
and said:
Company F, sir Detailed to hold
| the bridge above"
"Well?"
Enemy forced the crossing half an
hour ago. Captain dead, lieutenant
| dpad-a1I dead hit mel"