The National tribune., 1901-08-29
Keep under

ing mark for the enemy. They are going
to bring those other guns into action.
As the General predicted, the other
great cannon opened up with thunderous
sounds. and tore the limbs out of the trees
with their heavy missiles, while the ar
hilerymen hdgeted and frettcd at not be-
ing allowed to reply.
The formation for the attack went on
rapidly. uninterrupted by the fire. The
Third Brigade-9Oth and 18th Ill. and
10th Ohio in front, and the 10th Mich
and J9th Ind. in reserve, Col. John Nj.
Oliver commandinS-wa given the post
of honor, in the center of the line, where
il would have TO move over the worst Of
the Instructions, directly in face of the
heaviest fire.
The Second Brigada-Col Wells ).
Jones commanding. 18th and 9th Ohio
and ll1th III. in front; 3Tth and sd Ohio
and SD Ind. in reServe-took tine left OF
the line, with the 4Tth Ohio next to the
river. 81 and Shorty and the remainder
OF the squad had been kept buSily en-
ployed, answering the Generals questions,
exploring the ground for him, plotting
regiments to their places, changing their
positions, and making daring investiga-
tons into the character Of the ground in
front.
The hours were passing, and the forna-
ton was not progressing as rapidly as the
nervous General desired. He got more
curt ana Snappy constantly.
Everybody was excited, nervous and
tcnsely eager for the conclusive work to
begin.
he skirmishers were working forward
into the edge of the abatiS, 600 or IOO
yards from the main works, where they
could begin to reach the men on the para
pets with their rifles.
Boys, those big cannon seem to be
fretting the General" said the gallant
young Illinois Captain in charge of the
center skirmishers. Let's see if we can't
shut EN- up and get a chance to think.
! Work forward behind those live-oak logs
there, and see if you can't pick off those
gunners"
Daring boys Immediately ran to the
nearest shelter, law down behind it for an
instant, surveyed the ground in front, and
then leaped over the brush, or broke
through it for the next log.
The rebels had been Swarming openly
around the cannon, but now they began
to drop under the accurate, lOng-range fire
of men who had learned well how to
handle their Springfelds. Two rebels
were swinging the pOnderous hammer Of
Il lG-tnch gun preparatory to sending a
charge home. One fell beneath sharp
shooters bullet. His stiffening hands still
c.utched the rammer-staff, and dragged
his partner with him. Another man
sprang forward, released his hands, and
carried the dead man back out of the way.
But the sharpshOoters were now getting
good range, and the first SpOnger went
down. There was only halt enough to
pull his body back, when two more men
came out and seized the sponge-staff. They
succeeded in ramming the charge home
before they, too, fell. The rebels ner-
vOusly tried to depress the muzzle so as
to reach the rifiemen, and as the smoke
lifted they were seen anxiOusly looking
for the effect of the shot on their tor
mentors.
The man who pulled the lockstring, the
Sergeant who aimed the cannon, and the
Lieutenant standing behind with his
glasses, all went down at once. The rest
seemed panic-stricken, and ran back un-
der cover of the parapet.
The excited Unionists raised a great
cheer at this success.
An officer was seen leading the men
back to the cannon, and pointing with
his sword and commanding.
They were more cautious now about ex-
posing themselves, and the officer himself
kept well under cover, and though the
sharpshoOters brought down two more
men, the rebels succeeded in loading and
firing the gun again, but it was the last
time. The rebels cheered over their achieve
ment in firing, but as the smoke lifted
many bullets were pouring into the
emplacement that the whole squad. with
the officer. went down like grass before
Il scythe, and but two or three arose again,
to limp out of the death-hOie. The next
10-inch gun was served in the same way
and the awful thunders of the two heard
no more
But the spiteful popping of the rifles
increased in virulence as the skirmishers
worked forward to closer range, and the
riflemen of the fort tried to pick them
off. Smaller cannon-feldpieces and how
itzers-joined in the fray with sharp, an
CRY crashes.
The general orders are," said the Cen
eral, repeating his instructions to some
officers who had come up, that the line
shall be formed at the edge of the abatis,
in single rank, so as to reduce the effect
of the enemy's fire. The signal for the
advance will be given by the headquar-
ters' bugle-the assembly three times,
and then forward the whole line
will move forward-every fellow for him
self-every man making his way as best
he can, over the distractions. The signal
will be given as soon as l can hear that
Col. Theodore Jones has succeeded in get
ting into position.
Monty Scruggs came up, his horse and
himself covered with fresh, Shiny mud.
Col. Jones presents his compliments"
he said, saluting, land directs me to say
that he has found very difficult country
down there, but has succeeded, he hopes,
in getting across the worst place, and can
now move forward faster"
Signals from the other side of the
river, General" reported the Signal Off
Ger. Gen. Sherman and Gen. Howard
are in that rice mill over there. Gen.
Sherman presents his compliments, and
wants to know how you are getting
along"
Tell Gen. Sherman" answered the
General, turning his glass on the rice-mill
across the broad surface of the Ogeechee
River, that we are getting along all
right, though we are having some t1uble
getting into position. It's mud and water
that's bOthering us, most of anything.
Everybody in fine fettle, though"
Harry Montague rode up, still muddier
than Monty. He dismOunted as he saw
the General was on foot, and reported:
Col. Theodore Jones presents his COM
and directs me to say that he
found still worse creek than ever, but
has succeeded in crossing it, and now
hopes to have no further serious trouble"
Too bad" muttered the General. But
| hope he's through at last. Ride along
the line, there he continued to his staff,
land explain what causes the delay. Tell
them the advance will be made the in
slant Col. Theodore Jones can get
through"
Another muddy man and horse ap-
preached, which turned out to be Gid
MackalI.
Col. Theodore Jones presents his COM
pliments," he reported, land begs that yoa
will have patience with him and not start
until he is ready. He is now in sight OF
the works and hopes for no further