Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-30
them from the leash and let them 60 in
furious rush I1nnn the swarns of dnsl.r.

Ing a storm of steel clad lead upon the
unprotected lads in blue. In grim sub.
ordination they had obeyed the orders
that forbade their turning a spade OF
earth for counter intrenchments lest
the natives, who for weeks had been
building redoubts and planting CAN
Mons should accuse the Americans of
hostile intent. Loyal to their duty and
observant of instructions that were
hard to appreciate or understand, they
had borne the brunt Of the storm and
seen some of their best and bravest
swept away, but ground their teeth
and gripped their Springfelds harder
and took heart in the promise passed
along the crouching line: Our tine
will come, lads. Wait till broad day
light"
And now it was nearly S. and from
the shelter of old earthern walls and
/ mounds across the crooked Tripa the
i Iagal rifles were pouring in heavy fire
on the flank and even the rear of the
! Americans lying south of the bridge.
Every company of the great Ever
! greens was holly engaged, and the
brigade commander galloped to his re-
serve. halted among the streets of Pace.
The mountain guns of the regulars
were believing from the left of the
blockhouse Mt the Krupps under the
convent walls at Santa Ana. The
long rifled breechloaders at Battery
knoll, in rear of the right of the bri-
gade. were sending shrapnel scattering
Into the bamboo thickets where the in
surgent Mausers were spitefully crack
! ing. Everywhere. as the dawn began
to streak the skies above the village
roofs. the roar of battle stunned the
ear. and men Rugged the ground as the
deadly hail whistled overhead. and the
little native horses, the mounts of the
staff and field officers. squealed and bit
and kicked in nervous wrath at the
unseen, kissing. vicious demons of the
air that buzzed about their ears or bit
or scored their way along haunch and
flank. Behind the stone wall, well
within the limits of the eastward
suburb, lieutenant colonel, in natty
Khaki uniform. had dismounted and
was expostulating with his pony as the
general galloped up.
! Put two companies in at once on
the right of the village, facing that
shack yonder! What's the matter
with your horse. colonel?"
Seems to be scared. sir. thought
he was hit-he behaved so bad" was
the faltering answer.
"Then mount my orderly's. He'll
stand anything. You take the colo
nel's, Hanford." said the chief to the
tall lad who rode at his heels. Lively,
now, Nathan, there's not a second to
lose! III relieve you here with the
Washoes."
Under the dim light of the street
lamps. in the first gray mists of the
morning. swinging up the main street
in solid sets of tours, came column
of sturdy foot, striding as though burn
ing with eagerness to get into the fight.
Move your battalion into the side
streets, right and left, Colonel Lang
don." were the quick orders Keep
them under shelter till send for you
Now, then. what's the matter with
those Columbias?" he snapped, eager,
impatient, intolerant of delay Here,
bring your men through this lane, cap
tain!" And away went the generals
protesting pony and brace of ads-de-
camp, two companies of the Column
bias. arms at q trail, scurrying after
them afoot. Something delayed their
field oficer-stirrups too long or too
short. He was fiercely Juggling at the
leather on one side, his orderly bugler
on the other. The little steed with
which he had experienced such unac-
countable difficulties displayed aston
ishing agility and zeal the moment the
boy orderly straddled him and darted
away on the trail of the Columbus
without SO much as protest. Drawn
up within a little walled Enclosure the
caissons of the mountain guns stood
sheltered from the Mausers whistling
overhead from the blazing front. A
squad of eager drivers, crouching by
the gate, snickered at the sight across
the narrow way. "Nathan's very par
aicular just where that holes got to be
punched" jeered grizzled driver who
had served in the old battery.
Particular not to get one in his own
hide, you mean" laughed a mate.
where's his colonel, anyhow"
Over at the right Nathan only had
four companies. Here comes Washoe
now" And then at the right front. be-
yond the village walls. mad cheer
went up 10 Tie skies, followed by a
crashing volley. The Columbus had
burst from the Tickets at the edge of
tie suburbs and made their dash to
the banks of the stream. Oh that they
could only cross it and drive the lurk-
ing foe with dripping bayonets! But
still the stern mandate came from the
distant rear, Defend, but don't adj
vance beyond, the line" Another instant
and another cheer, ringing, hearty,
spontaneous, went up among the teams
and caissons of the battery, and the
commander Of the advancing regiment,
hating in surprise at the sound of his
own name, turned, saw the smiling,
swarthy faces under the dim light Of
the street lamp and, half shaking a
gauntleted fist, raised his campaign
hat and smiled greeting and .apprecia-