The National tribune., 1901-03-28
Shorty, hotly. "Do you think we're that

Shorty, hotly. "Do you think we're that
But 81, who sympathized with the
mans soldierly pride and jealous regard
for the honor of his corps. interrupted
go ahead, Sergeant. l think you're
able by yourselves to stand them off. We
know what stuff the Fifteenth Corps has
in it. We won't interfere unless we're
sure we're needed. Go ahead. Well ioUk
on, and see you do it,"
THANK you" said Serg't Elisha CRATE
fully, as lie ran forward with his COM
panons toward the river bank.
In few minutes the skirmish became
quite sharp, with the rebels on the oppo-
site side of the river banging away pro-
miscuously, to intimidate the defenders,
who kept well under shelter, firing care
fully and slowly whenever they saw a
chance 70 bring down a man or horse.
Good soldiers" nodded 81, approving
ly to Shorty, as they watched and listened
from position behind some buildings. Il
guess they'll beat them off, and ought to
have the full credit. III tell you what
we might do. That field over there on
the knob must lie in plain view of the
rebels. We might march around there in
such n way as to make them believe
we're moving about u regiment to cut
! them Off"
They all ran at once for the knob, and
began the old trick of marching past a
gap in the bushes, coming around and
passing across again. They were so sue
cessful that at the second round they
heard the rebel bugle blow the recall, and
soon all the butternuts were in full re-
treat.
81 and Shorty came back to compliment
the Sergeant and others upon the hand
some fight they had put up, and shake
hands and part, the others TO go back
to camp and their chicken potpie celebra-
ton of the battle above the clouds, and
81 and Shorty to push over the Little
Ocmulgee toward Millen.
They watched the rebel rear-guard pick
up their wounded and carry them into
| some nearby cabins, instruct women
there about taking care of them, and hay-
ing the negroes bury the dead man, strip
| the dead man of his arms, and drive for
ward the men whose horses had been
killed, and who were lingering behind to
gather up their property. They pulled off
their saddles and brides, and went for
ward with them on their shoulders, until
| they could find other horses.
81 and Shorty slipped forward under the
| cover of the trees to get an opportunity
to pick up some of these men, without
| alarming the rear-guard, and bringing on
another fight. But the rear-guard was
vigilant, gathered all the stragglers up,
| and urged them forward. Suddenly one
of them, q tall, slender young fellow,
| threw down his saddle, exclaiming, with
! an oath:
"Thar that blamed ca'tridge-box's S
worked loose agin; and dropped. I've got
to go back for it."
LET hit go, Bill" said the Lieutenant
in command. "You kin git another
mo. | can't" said the man. AN, be-
sides, hit wuz plum full o cartridges"
Make haste, then. Don't go fur" said
| the Lieutenant. "Hyah, hand me up yer
saddle. III tote hit fer go till yo' git
| back"
The man handed up the saddle, and
started back with his head down, appar-
entity scanning the road for his cartridge
| box. The rear-guard pressed on, for the
| column was moving at a good gait, and
the guard was losing distance.
The man came straight toward where
| Si and Shorty were standing behind
! trees.
"Haltw they commanded when he was
80 yards distant.
"That's all right, Yanks," he said,
promptly throwing up his hands. II was
looking for you all the time"
There was not q touch OF Southern
twang in his voice.
The Lieutenant Of the guard, looking
over his shoulder at the man, noticed his
action, faced his guard about. and started
back, but 81 showed up his whole force in
the opening, at which the Lieutenant faced
about and continued his march.
"Helio, Bob" said Bill Grimshaw, COM
ing up to the newcomer and joyously shak-