The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-01

Let's stand back and yell for them, when
they make good hit
We'll be the boys in the grand stand,
for once" echoed Shorty.
Soon sputter of fire was heard in
front, followed by a yell, and the regi-
ment moved on again.
"a squad of rebels behind a barricade,
and the advance jumped 'em at once"
came back from the front.
81 and Shorty saw a wounded rebel
limping off into the fields, out of the way.
Presently there was another still more
sustained sputter of firing, another yell,
and the same word came back.
They're getting more stubborn.
They're not driving so easily said the
Captain of the company next to 81. Il see
SchermerhOrn is putting his battalion into
line. Attention, company Close up
there"
The steepes and roofs of Aiken were
now in sight.
A bitter little skirmish took place be-
fore the rush of Schermerhorn's battalion
swept the defenders from the last barri-
cade, and two or three badIy-wOunded
troopers rode slowly back from the front.
Two dead rebels lay behind the barricade
when the regiment came up.
They are in there pretty thick.
Shouldn't wonder if Wade Hampton, him
self, is there remarked Gen. Fitzpatrick,
as he came up alongside of Col. Atkins,
and they studied the town through their
glasses.
Col. Atkins. you will form your bri-
Gade back there, and send the 92d Ill.
forward on a charge into the town. Col.
Van Buskirk, strike them as hard as you
can. and try to lift them out of there"
Lieutenant" said Col. Atkins, to one
of his staff, present my compliments to
Col. Hamilton, and direct him to form the
9th Ohio Cav. on the right, there, at the
edge of that cornfield. Lieutenant Ito an
other go to Col. Acker. and direct him
to form the 9th Mich. Cav. over there on
the left. Lieutenant Ito third, direct
Lieut.. Clark to 20 into battery with his
pieces on that knoll, and Col. SandersOn
to form the 10th Ohio Cav. in reserve"
$50 ahead. Col. Van Buskirk. | will
go with you" said Gen. Fitzpatrick, bring
ing up his escort to where 81 had formed
his squad in the rear of the 92d III.
Sound forward" Col. Van Buskirk
commanded the bugler.
The whole line swept forward with n
loud cheer.
The rebel skirmsh line fell back into
the town, and took refuge behind barri-
cades, crossing every street, where q
swarm OF men developed. and who were
rapidly strengthened by men rushing up
from the rear.
The charge of the 92d was checked,
though their Spencers kept up a continu-
ous roll of fire. Col. Van Buskirk eagerly
scanned the enemy's line, TO find some
opening into which he could lead his men.
Terrific yells came from the right and
left, as heavy columns of rebels rushed
out from the woods on either flank into
the open fields behind, to cut the regiment
off from the brigade.
Col. Van Brskirk'S nerve was equal TO
the emergency. He shouted to the ad
vance battalion to maintain its ground,
and occupy the attention of the enemy in
front. He commanded the rest of the
regiment to abOut-face, and with it rush
ed Savagely at the enemy in the rear. Kill
patrick and his escort, and 81 and his
squad went with it. The rebels were
struck before they formed. and hand-to-
hand melee followed. Union and rebel
were inextricably mixed. striking at one
another with gun-barrels. and even clutch
ing at one another with their hands to
drag each other from their saddles as they
all forged back toward where the brigade
stood in line, unable to fire, for friend and
foe would have suffered equally. Those
who had sabers or revoivers used them
with deadly effect Col Van Bnskirk.
himself, killed two rebels with shots from
his revolver, and then knocked a third
from his saddle with the empty pistol
ST and the rest of the squad fired their
muskets into the rebel line as they dashed
across the field. and then cut their way
through using their musket-barrels as
buldgeons.
'Hurry up there. Get out of the way!
Come in behind u.s." shouted the i'm
patient 9th Ohio Cavalrymen. Get out
of the way, and let us have chance at
them"
The excited artillery Lieutenant was
waving his saber. and yelling the same
thing. while his men stood, with the