The National tribune., 1901-10-31

and galoped up
What's the trouble, NIajor?" he in
quired, addressing that officer and salut-
ing.
You'll have to go back with your regi-
ment." said the Major. curtly.
1T usually takes something more than
the order of a Major, and especially one
in another corps. to turn me back" re-
marked Col. McGillicuddy, with his usual
calm sweetness. What do you mean by
speaking to me that way?
Il mean, sir, answered the Major with
Il great deal of pride. that as Geary's
Division was the first on Lookout Noun
tain. so IT was first inside the rebel works,
and was given the honor of entering and
occupying the city. We are the garrison
Of Savannah, with orders to keep out
other troops until further Instructions"
You were the first To cross the rebel
works. called out the Adjutant hotly.
What time, may | ask, did you cross
the works:''
AT Il time. sir replied the Major,
with more acerbty than he dared use
toward the Colonel, when you were still
asleep. at 3:I5 this morning. | have my
notes bere to show it,
And he reached inside his coat for his
memorandum book.
You came over the works at 3:45 this
morning. repeated the Adjutant, scorn-
fully. Il have my papers to show that
we crossed them before supper last night,
ana slept All nlRnI IN the feDei CAHlD. NOt
only my whole regiment will testify to
that. but the whole brigade and division.
Yes, sir; the whole corps II testify to
it"
That you got across the works yes
terday?' asked the Major. "'ImpOSsibfei"
I'VE were across the works before sup
per, and we had supper and slept in tho
rebel lines" answered the Adjutant, care
fully choosing his terms.
1t is immateriai what you may say"
said the Major. Il have Gen. Williams's
| order assigning us to the garrison of the
city, and | must ask you to retire"
But L have here Gen. Dayis's order
assigning TO us the honor of leading the
way into the city and taking possession"
answered Col. McGillicuddy, firmly, "and
you must make way for u.s."
Matters were clearly approaching a
crisis, when a heavy gun doomed from
across the river
They all looked up. and noticed for the
first time great, sullen-looking ironclad,
with immense guns yawning from her
black sides, lying against the opposite
bank. \ cloud of white smoke raised from
the muzzle of the gun she had fired, and
the huge shell hurtled over their heads
so closely that they all ''.juked"
Il think" said Col. sIcGillicuddy, with
smile on his face, las they looked as
one another again, with a glance of in
quiry. that it is very improper for us to
continue the discussion of retirement In
the actual presence of the enemy. Our
first business, it would seem, is to get rid
of that fellow over there
If we don't get rid of him he'll get rid
of u.s. muttered the Major, as another
shell struck in the street which ran at
the waters edge, along the foot OF ths
bluff on which they We're standing Hell
tear everything. to pieces if he ain't
stopped. But what's he fighting for, now
that the arIuy'S given IN -
odd story" said the Colonel Struggling
his shoulders. Fellows that won't fight
when they have a chance always want
to fight when there isn't any. But he
must be shut up. He is disturbing the
peace and dignity of Sherman's army, and
of the city of Savannah, which is now
ours. He is business for the provost
/ guard"
But how can we get at him?' said
the Major. We're no navy. That's busi-
ness for the ships"
The 200th Ind. has usually cleared its
own front. without asking help from any
body" answered the Colonel. proudly. "I
think We'll find some way to attend to
that gentleman over there, ugly as he
looks
The 200th Ind. gave an enthusiastic
cheer at the ColonePs determined words.
We'll, infantry can do nothing attack
ing ironclads," said the Major. I'll go
back and report and ask that a siege
gun be sent up here to drive her off,
Il gave that Major a pretty stiff bluff
about our regiment" the Colonel confded
to the Adjutant. as the Major turned
away.
Now, there's going to be trouble max
ing it good. My sakes, but she's an ugly
looking monster he continued studying
the ironclad through his glass. But, af-
ter ALL she's no worse than some of the
forts that we've bucked up against"
rIr IO<.fr
McAllister, Colonel" interjected 81.
She seems to be planted there" con-
tinued the Colonel. Apparently tied up
to the trees on the bank. She can't run
away, because the navy will catch her
Anyhow, We'll stand pat. Wen stay right
here. and go through the motions Of do
ing something, and trust to luck for some
chance to turn up. It'll be great feather
in the 2O0th Ind.'s cap TO capture an IRON
clad. We've got to stand our hand, any.
way. before these Twentieth Corps fell
lows
Colonel" said 81. suddenly. there ara
two little vessels down there in that slip,
behind them cotton bales. that look like
gunboats, and there are some men trying
TO set them afire.''
Go down at once and stop them said
the Colonel
81 and Shorty sprang out, leading the
others, and firing upon the men on tho
boats as fast as they could load their mus
kets. The rebels dropped their firebrands
and ran behind the cotton bales for pro-
lection.
Followed by the whole of Co. Q, ST and
Shorty rushed on to the little gunboats
and began putting out the fires
Look out Look out! There's powder
on those boatsr' shouted the men on the
banks
"All right" answered Shorty. '1Weu
try TO keep it dry. Form a bucket-Iine
there. boys! Lively. now. and We'll nave
navy of our own for the 200th Injianny
Volunteer Infantry
Il believe they're going to save those
boats said the Colonel, watching the
work eagerly from the bluff If they do
wen have something to talk to that fell
low over there with. Serg't Klegs-
Corp1 Elliott-you're doing fine Keep it
up
CTo be continued)
Fate of a Historic Old Ship.