Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-07-09

thing thrown over the works by reb-
ell. When he regained consciousness
he found himself on the fat Of his
back just outside the rebel breast
works, among many dead and wound
ed. Our troops had fallen back about
eighty feet, and by hugging the ground
closely were partly protected by the
brow of the hill. Spades were trumps,
and by hard digging with spades. bay
onets and canteen sides new line
was soon established which protected
the men,
In the meantime Captain Major re-
turned 10 consciousness and soon real
lied that he must play himself for
dead or he would be forced 10 crawl
over the rebel works prisoner, as
others who showed signs OF life were
forced 10 do ON the other hand re-
treat was impossible. About this time
VentureSome rebel climbed over the
works, and crawling around among the
dead and wounded came To the Cap
tain, relieving him of his revolver.
sword, haversack, canteen. pockethook
and hat Noticing the Captain was
breathing, the rebel turned little
water into his mouth, hut although
nearly dying of thirst the Yank was
afraid 10 swallow, and permitted the
coveted fluid to run out of his mouth
and In ct In NIAthnr
Johnny crswled away and left him.
supposing, OF course. there would soon
he another dead Yank.
1T was now about 10 o'clock in the
forenoon, and for the balance of that
hot day Captain Major lay on the HAT
OF his back, with the merclless rays Of
the sun pouring down into his bare
face, not daring even To scare the flies
from his mouth or nose. from which
blood was oOzing as a result OF the
blow IN the stomach. Nor could he
shift his body to gain more comfort
| able position. He could hear the bang
bang, Of the Yankee guns, aud the
crack OF FahuPstock's Henry rifle in
NV hUhNa' WI nv hAJti w tbtis WIZ
had got good position behind chest
nut tree and was doing all he could Ia
keep the rebel heads below their head
logs, When the rebels replied the
smoke would almost pun In Captain
Majors face With the bullets passing
both ways. only few inches above
his body, there he lay, playing pos
sum.
Finally after n long wait darkness
came. Gathering all his strength for
a supreme effort, Captain Major got
on his feet and made dash for the
Union line. The route was down hill.
and he came as near flying as man
could. The dried twigs and leaves
made considerable noise, and the reb-
els fired a volley after him. but. for
tunately. he escaped without a scratch
Reaching the line he sparng over
works and men, causing surprise and
| joy, His nostrils and ears were fly
blown from lying in the sun all day.
Thirty Ave years after this event
! Governor Tanner received a letter
from James A. Jones, OF Monroe Coun
| ty, Alabama, inquiring for n Major
Eureka, Eighty sixth Illinois, sayins
his grandfather, John Williams.
Confederate soldier. captured swort
inscribed TO Major Eureka, Eighty
| sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
which he desired Ia restore 10 the
owner. 1t had been used In schoo
exhibitions and, later. 10y plantation
hands 10 strip sugar cane Governor
| Tanners inquiry resulted in the decl.
! phering ~ the inscription to be, Pre-
sented 10 Captain 10 Major. Eighty
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Flu
reka. H.. and Mr.. Jones forwarded
the sword to Captain Jo Major now
residing at Eureka, HI Chicago In
| Ter Ocean