The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-04
CHAPTER XI.
CROSS PURPOSES.

True 10 his custom, our colonel ordered
a scout promptly at the beginning OF one
very cold spell. The roads. never travel
ell IN wet weather. had frozen as hard
as any pavement, and we and our horses
had been imprisoned so long by the pre-
ceding, rain that we heartily enjoyed the
beginning OF the trip. We had been well
fed all winter. but not one neglected the
precaution OF carrying all the rations.
particularly fat pork. that he could get.
In camp we had good fresh bread daily.
but once in awhile when other rations
abounded l had begged a days rations OF
hard bread instead and slowed It away
against the next scout. l had never for
gotten the semistarvation OF our first
three days outing
One the mornin greferred 10 only four
companies OF us went out but we felt
entirely safe. What could happen to as?
We were strong enough TO whip any force
OF the enemy that had yet moved between
our lines and their own unless our irregu-
lar spies-all colored people and natives Of
the country-had counted incorrectly the
enemy's fe wdetachmenfts. OF course we
would be fired upon as soon as the ad-
vance struck the enemy's pickets. and, as
most southerns had handled guns from
their youth up two or three Of our men
would probably be killed or wounded, but
we had cometo regard that sort OF thing
as a matter OF couse. II was one OF the
fortunes OF war-or misfortunes OF being
at the head OF a cavalry advance TO
prevent unfairness I'm this respect COM
panies took turn OF a day each at the
head OF scouting party, but the advance
.lrA. tarYRf
or head OF the company. so i'm forming
line for "a start there never was an un-
seemly rush for positions at the right.
The extreme advance consisted OF four
men, riding "A breast or by twos, accord
ing To the width Of the road. and carry
ing carbines or revolvers I'm their hands
ready for instant use. About so yards be-
hind rode a single trooper. called a mes
senger within earshot. and within 50
yards OF him rode the remainder OF the
platoon eight or ~ men-about as far
from the main body as from the man I'm
front.
The specified distances were measured
only with theye. but whether they were
too little or too great the main body was
far enough In the rear TO be out OF point
blank range OF ordinary firearms, and most
firearms OF the enemy's cavalry were
ordinary. This distance enabled the main
body to draw sabers or get their carbines
or revolvers ready for action, according
TO order. IL also allowed us 10 get into a
trot or gallop with some momentum 10 IL
By the time we had closed on the advance
and begun 10 charge or chase. Meanwhile
the messenger and reserve had closed
on the first set OF fours and begun firing
IL they saw anything TO fire at. Should
the advance halt, they began firing IL
they turued TO run. they parted and gal
loped down either flank I'm single file. so
the troop they unmarked could clear the
road by firing or charging. U never had
the melancholy satisfaction OF seeing the
advance break 10 the rear)
Whenever we found the enemy In line,
even behind breastworks--for not all OF
them were cavalry-we would deploy as
skirmishers, I'm the woods or fields on
either side OF the road and advance at
the gallop. firing rapidly as we rode. l
don't believe carbine firing at the galiop
at mark 200 or 300 yards away ever ala
much damage. but the successive puns
of smoke made our horsemen difficult
marks 10 hit. In such dashes the busie
generally sounded the recall before the
skirmishcrs were upon the epemy's line
Even IL II didn't. most OF the horses turn
ed suddenly end dashed back. but an oc-
casionnl good rider with n horse under
perfect control would get far enough
within the line 10 estimate its strength
and see If IL had any artillery. Quite as
horse would get within the line and flnn
himself unable TO return. The horse that
knew him would know him no more for
ever. and the i,der would take up his
sbodo for an indefinite season. at the
Hotel Libby Richmond Va. A single
man at short range was seldom
killed or even hurt unless he refused 10
recognize the inevitable. The general
mass OF our men regarded a skirmish
dash against infantry with very little APP
prehensions A trooper and his horse gem
orally are one for practical purposes. the
animal seeming 10 know what is In his
riders mind. Besides. the enemy had
only muzzle loading weapons. which could
not bereloaded and fired more than one
during the forward rush OF cavalry slur-
mishers, while the rapid fire OF our breech-
leaders and revolvers had a disturbing
efect upon a foot soldiers hand and eye
Our advantages and precautions being
20 many. we felt entirely secure In the
scout OF which 1 have begun 20 tell. Yet
things did not turn out at all as we had
expected. We struck the enemy's out
post during the middle OF the afternoon
and drove II In without any casually on
our side. We dismounted. took cover be-
hind some trees and exchanged shots