The National tribune., 1902-06-26
A FRIEND WITH THE
COUNTERSIGN.
Continued from first pageJ

w had no connection with our right; it
would have been folly for us to charge;
we remained stationary, loading and firing.
The Yankees could have cut us off, but
doubtless feared to advance because the
left of our brigade had reached their flank.
Now seemed my time. l determined to
get away. Little by little ! edged off to-
ward the woods. The line was busy;
every man was attending to his own work,
firing at will. Little by little l gained
ground: passed the 18th, and reached the
18th Regiment. At this point, which was
only some so yards from my former posi-
ton, for the regiments were very small,
the fire from the enemy was not quite so
severe, n swell of the ground affording Il
slight protection. saw Capt. Boatwright.
He was in command of the 18th, and was
talking to an officer whom did not know.
passed near them, and heard disconnect-
ed words.
"Driving-you say!
"YeS-woods-left!'
How far?'
half a mile-hail Columbian
/ turned to look back. and saw the Off
Ger pointing nOrthwest-left obllque, the
Captain giving close attention. Northwest
was the way | wanted to go to reach our
lines through the gap in MciOwans Bri-
gade but | suspected that the officer was
pointing toward the left of the brigade.
which. from the scrap of conversation L
had heard. / judged had swung round to
the flank of the Federals. and l now de-
cided that when l reached the woods l
should turn more toward the north.
The left of the 18th rested just within
the timber; it was difficult to prevent the
men in the open field from crowdins to
their left for shelter: in fact, this crowd
ing process was now going on, men darling
Ill ,,,I to nInln
until forced out by the officers. l con-
timed to make my way into the forest
until l reached the end of the line.
Get out of that cried voice, and
saw an officer driving Il man away from
his tree; both men were very near me.
And you, too, sir! Get out and into
the line,'
These words We're addressed to me.
Il belong to the LIST. Captain, l replied,
and went on into the woods.
The sound of the firing through the
woods had turned still more to the north.
| soon saw before me the end of a line of
men. and thought at first that these men
were Federals, but almost as soon saw my
mistake, fol / ran into Co. G of the 1St,
whose officers faces We're not unfamiliar.
| saw Col. Brown. also. who commanded
the brigade. and who was peering into the
woods in the direction from which l had
come.
where did you come 1rom' SIT! ne
shouted, above the dln-
FROM the l4th' Coiohei! shouteu
bhck:
mere Is II! want 10 ma IL! heao
me pack 10 IL AT ohce.
think you'd better go by the rear
Colonel.
why so: nat! Dldh IL see 20" at
spottsylVahia mr.,
les. SIR Berwick Jones. OF 70. III;
How long since you sa" the i4'h
Where Is IL now IN 49,,
-, IT has not been io minutes: 900 Colohei.
Inc regimen, Is NOT more tIali <oo !arus
across mere: pointing southeast from
which direction yet came the noise Oh DAT
ue:
Lead me 10 IT, Jones! Come!
feit that i was III a close place. there
was no INTENTION on IN! part TO ie'd ooi.
Brown wrong hesltated. ne saw my
hesitation ana sprahg FORWARD. l 1oiiowed
him. de began TO run. l saw that ne
was gong wrong-goinS wherc wanted
to go: where he should nave summed 10
60 lie was III steps ahead. L snon'ea;
Colonel. turn more to your right! 10
your right! 10 your right!
Yet for myself would keep straight
north;
suddenly saw Coi. brown III the hiInst