The National tribune., 1901-06-20

AUNT MlNERT "a HAD FOLLOWED
WAS SITTING on HER
artcr dis. Me an de Cunnells fixed dat
Yo's t be de Cunnclrs orderly. an yo'
kin had yO' yer white mewel t ride all de
same. OATS what / Sc done 70 20, kase
yo's my own boy, an Is yer nanny"
But what's Sandy going to doE' pro-
tested Pete. Il amt going to leave
Sandy"
But yo' mus" said Aunt Minerva
Ann. with determination. She had the
common womanly belief that Pete's COM
panion was the one who led him into all
sorts of troubles, and resolved to
break up the cnmpanionship. Sandy he
20 back t de company an stay dar, 'mons
de common folks. Yo' stay hyah at head
quarters wild de quality. OATS de Cum
nell's orders"
Yes, Skidmore," said the Adjutant,
coming up in time to hear the last.
Orderly. Go down and get your mule and
bring him up. Aunt Minerva Ann will
fix place for you to sleep
But | won't leave Sandy" protested
Pete. SANDY S my partner"
We'll, | guess | can fix that" an
swered the Adjutant d-humoredly. Il
need an Orderly. too. I'll detail Baker
for mine. Go down and get your horse,
Baker, and report to me-"
'.Dar's all my pains fo' noffin," grum-
bled Aunt Minerva Ann. Il wanted t
git rid oh dat Baker boy. who's bin leatsn
lectle Pete into all sorts oh debbilment.
But I'll had him hyah, whar | kin keep
my eye on him. Eph, wants yo' t go
into battle termOrrow"-
rs a-gwine t, 'Nerv,' answered Uncle
Ephraim, with his mouthfull.
AN | wants yo' t stan right up t de
rack, fodder or no fodder, jes' lack a
white man. an not go t giggin' back lack
yo' alters does, when l amt wild yo'. Yo
hear dat! | wants yo' t kill rebel, sho =,
or nebber come back to me-
look hyah, Nerve" said Uncle Eph-
rain, angrily. "Go' Jes stop a-bosSin
me. Yo' haint my boss no mo- since we's
free. Is yo' boss. Sarjint Klegg's my
boss now. | don't mind no one else. 9o'
go AK him if ebber l gig back. Yo' jes'
shet yer mouf.'
Stunned for an instant at this mutiny,
Aunt Minerva Ann soon rallied enough
to look around for n stick to enforce her
authority, but Uncle Ephraim thought it
was time to 20 out and take Il look at the
way the ColOners horses had been cared
for during his absence, and then find his
way back to Co. q.
The bugles reused them all before day
light, for the coming fray, and soon the
whole country roundabout was resounding
with the notes of busy preparation. Camp
nEeS up every as Lar dS Tic
eyes could reach. to get the mems break
fasts. Orderly -Sergeants were calling the
rolls in sharp, nervous rhythm; officers
were shouting pre-emptory orders for
quick action in getting things ready to
move, while back among the trains there
was Il turmoil with teamsters shouting
and cursing, and mules braying, in the
usual morning storm of hitching up and
pulling out into line in readiness for any
contingency.
With daylight came sounds from the
front indicating that the whole line of cav
airy, miles long, had begun the action.
Rolling yolleys and storms of cheers in
dicated that one regiment after another
of the hOrsemen going into action, and
these were answered by other volleys and
rebel yells. i hen the cannon began max
ing the Winter air shudder with their
thunders.
The regiments of the Fourteenth Corps
formed up promptly and then consolidated
into brigades, which in turn united into
divisions, and moved forward to the po
sitions assigned to them.
1t was a thrilling and imposing sight
to see the horde of men scattered around
their campires, extending over many
square miles, quickly, and without mis-
takes and confusion, come together in a
long, wel-ordered line of battle, reaching
through the open fields and woods, over
the hilltops and across the ravlnes, as far
as the eye could reach.
Batteries galloped up to the commanding
positions, unlimbered at run, and the
gunners sprang to their pieces ready to
launch out volcano of destruction. Trees
were hastily chopped down in front to
give them better range.
The uproar of the cavalry battle mo-
mentarly grew louder and steadily drift
ed back toward the infantry line.
Presently came an order for the brig
ads. to which the 200th Ind. belonged to
advance through the woods and support
the cavalry.