The National tribune., 1901-07-04

planned by later events. Col. Philips was
riding slowly along the line, carefully in
specting the enemys camp through his
field glass, when Colonel, look there"
and Look here, boys" came in quick sue
cession from different parts Of the line, at
almost the same moment. Looking in the
directions indicated we saw two bodies
of cavalry riding through the timber ut
their utmost speed with evident intention
of cutting us off from our reserve and so
accomplishing our capture.
Like n fash came the order, Lieut..
Gilmore, take your company, and, Capt.
Robinson, take yours, and return by the
roads at your right and left. Ride hard
and, If need be, cut your way through
whatever opposes"
y RACE FOR LIFE.
Away we went, putting spurs to our
horses and urging them to their utmost
speed. 1t was a race, indeed. Side by
side we rode, the blue and the gray,
Yankee shout" answering to Rebel
YELL and shot answering to shot as each
sought to gain some advantage over the
other. AT last line of fence checked the
Confederates, and while they were open
ing a gap we forged ahead. Finding it
useless longer to attempt capture, they
turned and filed into the road few rods
behind us, just as we emerged from the
narrow lane into a common bordering the
town. Dismounting and resting our guns
on the fence. we poured volley after vol
ley into their ranks, effectualIy checking
their advance and gaining temporary ad-
vantage.
Not so fortunate was Co. 1, with which
Col. Philips rode. They were outridden,
and between them and our position was
line of gray through which they we've
trying to cut their way. Seeing their
danger, some Of US turned our guns, firing
into the rear of the line of the enemy,
causing him to wayer, and opening the
way for the escape of our men. On they
came, closely pressed by their pursuers.
The COlonefs horse had been killed, but
he had secured another, and, hatless, with
sword in hand, he rode, encouraging the
little body Of brave men about him to
hold their ground while he arranged for
the retreat.
In the meantime some of the reserve
had become excited, and were riding away
III irregular formation, while others, in
spite Of the great odds against them, were
stubbornly contesting every foot of the
ground.
Men, listen to me-" cried the Colonel,
"You have followed me through many a
hard struggle. You know that l have
brought you out of many trying situations,
and will do the same now if you will
obey my orders"
by, "and we will stand by you"
'"That we WILL" cried a score of voices;
''say the word, and we will follow you to
the death, if need be-"
On they came, dashing into our very
midst, but were checked for a time, and
made more cautious by the deadly fire of
our repeating rifles. Our little party was
divided into three squads OF 10 or dozen
each, with orders to take shelter behind
whatever would afford protection while
we emptied our guns, then to retire to a
new position, reloading as we went.
Coming to a group of buildings a halt
was made, where some of US dismounted
and took shelter behind a fence. All about
US was the excitement of battle, yet every
man seemed determined to stop the on
coming line or die in the attempt. There
they come. not seeing US till right upon
us! Right into our midst they ride, and,
opening their ranks, they dash upon either
side How the leaden hail fiesl Men fall
on either hand, and groans of wounded
and dying men mingle with the almost
human cry OF some poor horse that fails
pierced by a score of bullets.
''Ilsley, look out for youl horse" cries
a voice near by, and, turning, l find that
my bride rein has slipped from my arm,
and | am in danger of capture by being
left without a mount. Fortunately l Sc
cured him and in time to spring into the
saddle and ride away with my party to
the next position, with the whistling of
bullets in my ears, and riderless horses
telling of men left behind.
Now we find ourselves at the border of
a field, with heavy body of timber in
our rear. The better to protect ourselves
the fence is thrown down, and we ride into
the field behind the dense growth of trees.
STEADY, men," cried brave Gilmore,
that last stand has put them on their
guard. The worst is over; they will not
ride US down again. Keep well under
cover and reserve your fire till the last
moment"
The very horses seem to catch the
spirit of the occasion. Trembling with ex-
citement, they yet stand to their places
as if realizing their responsibility for our
safety and that Of those whose retreat we
were covering. Soon the clatter of hoofs
tells us that the rebels are again at hand.
Click go a score of hammers, and every
man is ready to fire. An opening in the
trees shows a solid mass of gray less than
200 yards away, coming like a thunder
bolt. VIII they ride us down again? Has
the end come at last? The answer is
given by the rifles as we pour volley after
volley into the oncoming ranks. They stop.
They waver. To the right and left they
ride, seeking the cover of the woods. Some
turn as if in flight but the stern command
of officers, which comes even to our ears,
bids them halt or die as towards die, and
they turn again to renew the battle.
A PERILoUs MOMENT.
"Now, forward men; charge them while
they are empty" is the cry which comes
to us, as the slackening of our fire tells
them of our empty magazines, and on
they come as on the wings OF the wind.
Capture or flight awaits us, and we choose
the latter. Some swing out into the road,
but the whistling of bullets warns others
to keep under shelter, and FIVE of us dash
across the field intending to take the fence
at a bound, and gain the shelter of the
| woods.
A bullet whistles past my ear, and there
is a sound as of the striking of the hands
| together, a little cloud Of dust rises from
| the shoulder of comrade just before me,
| and he rolls from his horse, which stops
at once, and stands at his side as if Won
dering why he does not remount. A few
more bounds carry us over the brow Of
hill and to the fence, but, alas, bluff on
| the outside prevents our attempting the
| leap. One springs from his horse to open
| gap while l ride to the top of the hill
| in an attempt to check the oncoming
| force by a shot or two.
"Giye it to them, Ilsley," cries Lieut..
| Gilmore, as he rides to my side, "hold
them even a moment and the way will be
Shot after shot goes out, but still they
come, and, dashing up they shout, Sur
render, Yank. Throw down your gun;
surrender" But q more welcome sound
was the call of comrade, come on the