The National tribune., 1901-11-28
WHO GOES THERE?
lcnrtin,,ad from first nage.A
pointed to the left 1 could see some
black spots in a stubble-feld:

Continued from first pAge.l
pointed TO the left. 1 could see some
black spots in a stubble-held.
"Go. b; siirmishers," says Willis.
t'Any rebels out that wayF
Don't know. Right to be ready Tor
sem.' says Willis.
Marching orders had been welcomed by
the men, and the first few miles had been
marked by jollity; the jest repeated grow
ing from four to four: great shouts had
risen at seeing the dust made by our
columns advancing on parallel roads. Ihe
mir was stagnant. the sun directly IN our
faces. This little peaked infantry cap
is a damnable outrage. The straps across
nv shoulders seemed to cut my flesh.
Great drous rolled down my face. My can
teen was soon dry. The mer were no
longer erect as on dress parade. Each one
bent overhead down. The officers had no
heavy muskets-no heavy cartridge
boxes: they marched erect; the Second
Lieutenant was using has sword for 4
walkiug-canc. Close upi' shouted the
Sergeants. My heels were sore. The dust
. was sitting.
Another halt: a new detail for water.
The march continued stumbling,
staggering march in the darkness. y hun
dred yards and a halt of a minute; a
quarter OF 4 mile and a halt of half an
hour; an exasperating march. At
o'clock in the morning we We're permitted
to break ranks. / was too tired to steep.
Where we were ! knew not, and know
tiot-somewhere in Fairfax County, Va.
Willis, who was near me, lying ON his
blanket, his cartridge-box for pillow,
said that we were the left of SicDowelfs
army; that the center and right extended
for miles: that the general headquarters
ought 10 be ut Fairfax Courthouse at
this moment, aud that if Beauregard
l., I rsssl.
fine morning and find old Heintz IN hls
rear.
Before the light We were aroused by
the rezeille.
The moving and halting process was
resumed, and was Kept up for many hours.
We reached the railroad. Our company
was sent forward TO relieve the piekets.
We were in the woods. and within hum
dred yards of feeble rivulet which ran
from west to east almost parallel Wl6h
our sl1irmish-line; nothing could be seen
In front but trees. Beyond the stream
yidets were posted on a ridge. The men
of the company were in position, but at
ease. The division was half mile In
our rear.
I was lying on my back at the root of
q scrub-oak very like the blackjacks of
Georgia and the Carolinas. The tree
caused me to think of my many sojourns
yards away; he was in the act OF hight
whats thatg' said he, dropping the
match.
-'ThereI Don't you hear it? two
three"-
At the word three" l heard distinctly,
In the far northwest, a low rumble. All
the men were on their feet, silent, serious |
Again the distant cannon was heard
About 5 O'Clock in the afternoon the
newspapers from Washington were IN our |
hands In one of the papers CERTAIN /
war correspondent had outlined, or rather |
anplifed. the plan of the campaign. Bas- |
ing his prediction, doubtless, upon the fact |
that he knew something of the nature
of fbe advance begun on the 10th, the |
public was informed sthat Heintzelman's
Division would swing far to the lett un-
I'll the rear of Beauregard's right nank |
was reached; at the same time Miles and /
Hunter would seize Fairfax Courthouse, /
and threaten the enemy center and leIt,
and would seriously attack when Heint- /
zeiman should give the signal. Ihus.
rolled I'D from the right, and engaged
everywhere else, the enemy defeat was
inevitable.
another. Willis chuckled a little when he
saw his own view seconded, although he
was beginning 20 be afraid that his plans /
were endangered.
Il told you that headquarters last night |
would be Fairfax Courthouse" said ne;
sfbut the firing we heard awhile ago means /
that our troops have been delayed beaure-
gard is awake"
lust at sunset I was sent forward to
relieve q videt This was my hrst ex-
perience of the kind. A Sergeant accom-
panied me- We reached spot from
which, through the trees, the sentinel
could be seen. He was facing us, IN
stead of his front. The poor fellow
aohnson. of our company-had been on |
post for two mortal hours. and was more |
concerned about the relief in his rear than |
steIlt the enemy that might not be IN his
front. The Sergeant halted within rev
PAGES of the videt, while / received IN
strnctions I was to ascertain from the /
sentinel any peeuliarity of his post and |
fhe general condition existing IN hls front, |
and then dismiss him TO the care Of the |
Sergeant. johnson could tell me nothing
He had seen nothing; had heard nothing. /
he retired and / was alone.
The ground was somewhat elevated, Dut |
not sufficiently so 10 enable one TO see iar
in front. The videt on either flank was IN
visible. Night was falling, a few faint
stars began to shine. A thousand insects |
were creeping; a thousand frogs IN dis-
jointed concert welcomed the twilight a |
gentle breeze swayed the branches OF the
tree above me gar away-to flght OF leil'
know uot-a eow-bell tinkied. More
srars came out. The wind died away.
/ leaned against the tree, and peered
into the darkness.
wanted 10 be a good soldier. This
Cav | had heard fer eile first time the
sound Of hostile arms. / thought it would
be but natural u be nervous, and found
myself surprised when l decided that 1
was not nervous. The cry Of the lone
ecreeeh-OWI below me in the swamp sound
ed but familiar and appropriate.
That we were to attack the enemy / |
well knew: a battle was certain unless |
the enemy should retreat My thoughts |
were fun Of wars and battles. My pres |
ent duty made me think of Indians. l
wondered whether the rebels were well |
armed; / knew them; | knew they would |
6ght; / had lived among those misguided |
people.
CHAPTER II
= SHAMEFUL DAT.