The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-10-10

assigned to the 200th Ind. l hope to be
able shortly to report to him in the city
Of Savannah, ahead of any other COM
mand, with the 200th Ind.'s flag the first
on the enemy's works"
Il hope So Good luck to you," re-
piled the Aid, saluting as he rode away.
They could see above the fog the spires
and masts of Savannah, only three miles
away, end the sight thrilled and inspired
them.
1t was a far bigger, richer city than
they had yet come up against. 1t was
great and important seaport, which had III
it thrill for those landsmen, who had
heard its name all Their lives as one of
the principal places of the country.
ITS nearer than we got to Atlanta
before we took the city" said some of the
men, hopefully. And there amt any hills
for them to build forts on"
well, I'd rather climb hills than wade
through mud" said another. 'Wait till
this fog raises, and see what they've fixed
up for US. You bet it amt any picnic.
The Aid said it was the toughest part
of the line. He knows. I'll bet that be
fore we get to them churches we'll have
more and more various kinds of hell than
the preachers in 'em ever imagined. The
rebels have always had some new surprise
for us wherever we've gone. AS this is
lots bigger city than Atlanta, I'll bet
they've done lots more to keep us out"
well, l don't care what they've got
and done" said Shorty, we're going in
all the same, and ahead Of everybody
else. Things can't be worse than they
were down there at Fort McAllister, and
we must do as well as the Fifteenth
Corps DONE"
in the direction of Savannah, and the fog
was torn by great shells, which shrieked
yiciously above the heads of the regi-
ment, and burst in the woods beyond.
Good morning, gentlemen" said the
Colonel waving his hand toward the
guns. "You know we're here, 1t seems"
They needn't be SO internally enthusi-
astic about it," remarked the Adjutant,
leading his petted horse back to the shelter
of big cypress. 'Six-pounders wouldv
done just as well to salute with as 81
Founders. Needn't waste iron on our ac-
count, 1 assure you"
The men shivered little in the chill
morning, but grasped their guns more
firmly, while they waited for the next hap
pening.
Captains, deploy your companies out
to the right and left" said the Colonel,
speaking Just loud enough for them to
hear. "Do it with as little noise as pos
sible, and let everybody get what shelter
he can. The rebels have clearly found out
we are here, but we do not know where
they are until this fog lifts little"
81 led his squad to the extreme left of
the regiment, and took position behind
some stumps and logs that lay at the edge
of rice-feld. They peered anxiously into
the veil of fog to see what its lifting would
reveal.
1t thinned out slowly before the rising
sun, and developed Immediately in front
of them field covered with water Of an
unknown depth. The sluice-gates had
been opened, and all the rice-felds food
ed, to bar the advance of the army.
Across the field the fog rose in clumps
and banks, which might be men, or might
be trees and bushes, with or without men
behind them.
Don't fire till yon see. something to
shoot at" said the Colonel, in low tone.
'HIThe way they're aiming those big guns
shows that they think we're farther back
than we are. When you shoot, you'll give
them something to aim at"
The chill of the fog was very penetrat-
ing, and everyone shivered as if he had the
ague. Some minutes passed In anxious,
silent expectancy. Would the fog never
rise?
Shorty sneezed!
Shorty's sneeze was not one of the
quiet, confidential affairs that some men
can make of such an event.
He did not sneeze often, or just for fun,
or to put in the time.
He sneezed just because he had to, and
he put all his energy into one great ex-
plosion that would last him for some time
and be done with.
When he did sneeze the whole regiment
knew it.
The parade ground seemed to quake,
and the flagstaff to wobble. 1t was to the
regiment what to a church is the sneeze
of the most important deacon, delivered
during the rapt effectiveness Of the open
ing prayer or q marriage ceremony