Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-01-04
CHAPTER XXI.
HUNTING BIG GAME.


- was the morning of the 18th of
April, 1862. was nearing the
spot | occupied at the opening of
my story, where the bushwhacker
had sought to kill me, though then |
was alone, while now l was with an
advancing army. Five hundred caval-
~, division Of Infantry and several
batteries OF artillery were hurrying
down the road toward the beautiful
city OF Huntsville. lying, tranquil and
unsuspecting, a few miles below. The
upper edge OF the sun was peering
above the horizon, gliding the crest of
the foothills OF the plateau on the east,
the tree tops and the roofs OF the neigh
boring houses. The flowers, which a
fortnight before were opening, were
now In full bloom. They looked limo
Gently from the gardens beside the
road. they leaned lovingly against the
pillars OF the verandas, and from vines
trailing over easements they smiled at
the rising sun, while the breath of
morning was laden with their perfume.
1t was the generals purpose to sur
prise the city, capture the railroad ma
chine shops and the rolling stock con-
centrated there, then make I'D trains
laden with troops, seize a hundred
miles OF the Memphis and Charleston
railroad on either hand, thus opening
communication with the army at Pitts
burg Landing on the west and paving
the way for future operations In east
Tennessee on the east. The enemy
must not be given time to move troops
TO protect the city. for even should we
defeat them they would destroy the
shops and run off the rolling stock. All
depended on celebrity and secrecy.
The evening before we had bivouack-
ed ten miles north OF the city. Our
scouts permitted no one to 60 south of
US, enfolding all they met In order that
no news or our approach could reach
the place we hoped 70 surprise. Two
hours before dawn the command was
aroused-not by the fife or the bugle,
but by whispering officers - and the
march was resumed with no sound
save the tread of men and horses and
the rumble Of artillery. Within a few
miles Of the city detachments OF mount
ed men, armed with telegraph cutting
and track tearing implements. dashed
to the left and to the right to prevent
the enemy from sending for troops or
running or the rolling stock. To an
other detachment which rode among
the advance columns was assigned the
duty of seizing the telegraph Office.
BoomI
Hark, gunl II comes from the east
ward, not half a mile distant, where
the railroad runs parallel with the
pike. Artillery is driving back a loco
motive. The iron monster shrieks like
some wild beast that has met its death
wound.
Boom!
More whistles all along the track far
down to the south, varying In distinct
ness from near. loud cry to a distant,
faint moan. This is fine hunting
stalking locomotives with cannon. Did
any South African sportsman ever
strike such game or hunt with such
guns?
Boom, boom, boom! Far and near
the shotted guns speak; far and near
the metal monsters cry out in terror.
Boom!
All are bagged, except one more dar-
ing than the rest, which runs the CANT
let Of artillery and with a round shot
flying through its cab speeds out Of
range.
Meanwhile sashes in the houses along
the road are being raised, shutters
flung open and heads put out to learn
the cause of the commotion. AS guns
boom, whistles Shrek and cavalry clat-
ter along the road, followed by men
rapidly marching and artillery horses
briskly dragging the guns, many a
citizen who the night before had gone
to sleep not dreaming Of a foe looks
upon the passing armed throng, lis
tens to the sound of the cannon and