The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-07-03

About s o'clock enc morning IN NoVem-
Der was roughly shaken, and our FIRST
Sergeant. in voice of subdued excite
ment. called: Get up, quick; come INTO
the orderly room and get your ammuni-
ton; there is 4 camp only two miles
AWAY, and we are going to make an at
tack"
Instantly, fully awake, l sprang from
my bunk and hastily dressed. il the DIM
Weighted barracks. in a crowd excited
and grumbling soldiers, buck; on my
belt. snatchcd my rifle from the rack,
made my way 10 the orderly room' ana
was given my ammunition. quickly
placed the cartridges in my belt and took
nv Mace in line Soon all were assem-
bled: the roll was called in low voice.
and the Sergeant reported to the CaPtalh'
"All present. or accounted for. Inc
commander ordering silence. we moved TO
the assembly in just ID minutes from
lime of first alarm. The four companies,
forming our entire garrison, We're as
sembled without the usual formalitieS-
The first and second companies were
designated first section; the third anu
fourth companies. second section. we
are cautioned that we must try to sur
prise the camp. and must preserve strict
silence. The command is Forward. ana
we move swiftly and silently on the ROAD
to the bridge over the river AT the
bridge each company commander stahos
at the entrance and cautions, IN a stage
whisper. BE silent as possible After
crossing the bridge we turn sharply to
the right. on road crossing the NIUE
brook, called by the Indians Mlhhleha-
duza' (swift waterl. As we pass aiohs
we engage in whispered comments on our
undertaking. we'll knowing the camp
would not be without outposts and vldets
TOO close for any probability of being
taken by surprise. l remember wen NO"
my comrade whispered TO me that III the
hurry and excitement of the BARRACKS he
had put his shoes on wrong. AT an!
other time this would have been a matter
of sport: row L surmised cunning
scheme whereby my comrade hau an eA-
cuse to drop out of line.
Apnroaclling the small wooden bridge
over the swift little brook, the head OF
the column turned sharply up stream on
a cow-nath. The order Right by Tile Is
WHISPERED TO the leading set of tours,
whose action is followed by all without
command as we turn on the narrow IRAN
that will admit only single me.
The night was bright starlight, and up
TO this time we had secuted the idea OF
a surprise being possible. when ':e could
see across the prairies for nearly a quar-
ter of a mile.
The little brook of Swift Water wound
its tortuous course IL raylne from ZoV
TO 300 feet below the level prairie, and
was fringed with bushes and with scrub
oaks and stunted pines scattered along
the narrow banks ard clinging TO the walls
of the rocky ravine. \ cow-path ira
versed the ravine. crossing and recross-
ing the crooked channel oftimes. climb
ing the side hill to escape crossing the
brook. where it almost doubled back upon
ITSELF then almost losing itself IN the
bushes. where the channel runs to the
other side.
Turning into this dark ravine was
different proposition from what he had
anticipated; the pace sensibly siackened,
as it was difficult for the leaders to al
ways find the right path
We had proceeded about a quarter OF
a mile when we almost came to stop,
and from intuition every man knew some
thing had caused an excitement in the
front of the column. Pushing our way
slowly along. eagerly peeping into the
darkness ahead and on either side, we
presently came TO Il bridge Of two small
logs covered with brush and dirt, just
wide enough for man or single animal
to cross the brook. But what caused the
suppressed excitement was number of
campfres about a mile up the stream. |
counted them as | m0mentarily halted on
crossing the little bridge. -Four fires, four
companies; Just our number. From here
on every soldier was eagerly alert, for
we row knew just where we We're going,
and the chances for a surprise, or to be
surprised, We're indeed fattering, and the
latter more likely.
The camp was on little fat of about
two acres, almost free of bushes, where
the Minniekaduza had formed com
rlete horseshoe bend. In the evening
those here encamped had trailed down a
rayine, which started about a mile back
in the prairie and decpened and widened
until it reached the level of the canyon
of the Minniekaduza. ending on this little
fat An ideal place for secrecy, but i'm
possible to defend. as it was practically
surrounded by hills 300 feet high, by
which a strong attacking party could have
Gagged them as so many rats in a trap.
The bright fires We're q clear Indication
of an intended early breakfast and hasty
move But could we surprise the camp!
Was it possible we could advance in sin
gle file through the bushes, which struck
on our bayonet scabbards. until we cOuld
reach the rayine which he had come
down, where we could form? The chances
were. decidedly not. Our hope was that
sentTies had been posted on the hills only.
the commander deeming it too hazardous
for anyone 10 risk an approach through
n canyon. where he could be easily am
pushed, and trusting TO the nearneSs of
his camp TO guard this ravine, where, it
was well known, was the only place an
attacking party coming up the creek could
form for attack; and that night of
anxiety TO his scntinels had almost passed
and they had naturally relaxed their early
vigilance.
Bat onr commander determined to risk
all upon the information he had received
/ criticised the folly. to my mind of ven
turing into this place without rifles loaded
and magazines filed. and fully expected
every moment to receive Il pass com
mand. Fill magaZiRc-l0ad." But ] pre-.
suE;e the danger Of the bushes causing an
accident deferred the command. and we
pressed on, more cautious. more fearful
with each step. We carried out rifles at
will, shifting from hand to hand, part.
ing the bushes, carrying them sometimes
as hunters do. under the arm, and hold.
ing the bayonet scabbard to keep it from
rafting, and holding and passing back
the strongest bushes, which threatened tc
betray US by striking loudly against the
following comrade. Yet occasionally
could hear profanely -muttered eXclama
tons Of disgust, as some soldier would
receive keen slap in the face from