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

aware of the swift approach that has
eluded the numerous outposts.
And now a moment of anxiety for us,
as here is tire last chance of ambush, just
as we turn into the canyon.
At last my companion whispers, "We
are entering the canyon" Being in the
rear company. we are not fully out when
we are halted in close order. as there is
not room for open order attack. Then
the command:
Left face" brings every. man facing
the enemys camp.
Suddenly. high above our heads. rang
cut the sharp crack Of Il rife. We look
up just in time to see the bright flash of
a second shot, followed in rapid success
sion by three more, showing us that a
single sentinel posted high on hill over
locking the canyon had become alarmed
at the tramping of so many feet in the
canyon, and at our commanders grutf
Left face had emptied his magazine at
us and alarmed the camp.
Instantly all is confusion in the camp.
Sentry No. calls Turn out the guard"
Officers and soldiers come tumbling from
the tents, shouting Turn out, turn out,'
cry that is taken up by the cooks and
their assistants; the trumpeter Of the
guard sounds the call ITO arms" A Ian
tern passes swiftly from tent to tent, then
the rattle of arms and loud commands,
| ing us the surprise is partial, if not COM
plete.
Our commander, keenly alive to the i'm
portance of rushing the camp before the
line can be formed, as the last shots Of
the warning seIitinel ring out gives in a
loud command, Form for attack. Ad-
vance by rushes, the second. the base
company First section, forward; second
section, fire by companies; two volleys,
knceiug."
| Ny company commander gives his or
| ders rapidly in loud, clear voice.
Company, load; ut the tents; 300
1 yards in advance"
we are ready. Then the command:
''Kneel; aim; firer' \ flash as of lsht-
ming, a sharp crash. rs of keen thunder
near by, and hundred rifles have obeyed
| the command.
The first section move forward at dou-
| bic time, while our command is again
'Load-aiEn." and as the first section
gain their distance and knecl in advance,
Fire.
Again at the white tents our rifles an
| swer that command.
Now our command is cease firing;
forward. doubles time" and as the first
section deliver their first volley, March"
we spring forward in quick run, pass
our comrades of the first section, as they
ing safe distance in advance, our com
mand is:
Lie down" Every man falls to the
ground as the second volley from the first
section is fired. And we load, aim. mt 200
yards, ut the doomed camp, and fire.
We load again, as the first section rush
by, and when they have gained their dis
And when they have gained their dis
lance and lie down, again deliver our fire.
And when the first section fire, We spring
to our feet for our third rush, which will
carry us into the camp.
We have passed the first section who
are firing, lying prone. But before we
reach our distance our Captains quick ear
has caught the words of command of an
officer. who was about TO deliver Il vol
ley into our ranks at close range "Lie
down" fairly screamed our Captain, in
the energy of his timely command, and
as every man fell fiat ON his face there
came a binding flash and deafening roar
!, as an entire company. who had slept with
: their clothes on and rifles by their sides
fired harmless volley over our heads
. The flash Of their guns serves to locate
. them TO our left; their extreme left lap.
ping our right few men. The first sec,
: ton now came up on our right in run,
: and as they line with us the order is given
charge" Springing to our feet with a
! loud cheer, and cheering as We run, we
pass this company before they can reload
leaving them in our rear. And we have
successfully rushed the camp, and we are
among the tents, where we capture two
companies in line, they not having had
, time to move Cheer after cheer is given
as we rush through the camp, carrying
everything before US.