The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-19

BY daylight everything was astir, as
well it might be; for the batteries of
the fort opened a sharp fusilade into
the army before them, while there was
play of musketry that left many an
unfortunate fellow wounded and dy-
ing upon the field. Finally, the fire
from the fleet redoubled it's fury, and
drove the men from the ramparts.
IhlS was a welcome projections; and
under it. the Federal officers arranged
their forces for a mighty assault. All
the morning were the preparations in
progress.
Tom watched them; but not with
out great dismay. How could the men
az the fort withstand an onset by such
Il host. He longed for the power to
prevent it.
So the hours passed, full of excited,
eager interest-till, suddenly, there
was a mighty silence. 1t fairly made
ones ears ring. The bombardment
ceased. What did it mean? Had
some supernatural power stopped the
conflict? No; for almost at once could
be seen puff of white steam pouring
from the whistle of each gunboat, and,
in few moments there floated in a
medley of loud. discordant sounds. 1t
was the signal for the attack!
Tom sat in breathless interest. To
the left a battalion of sailors pressed
forward at double quick; while the
batteries at the fort rekindled into fire
and poured a steady avalanche upon
them. Still on and on they came,
steady, compact, Needless of their fall
Ell numbers. More fell, and more
and more. Still steadily they pressed
until as they were about to rush
upon the ramparts, a sudden volley
met them, followed by a continuous
doWn-pour of bullets. The column
wavered, broke and quickly fell back
-repulsed!
Tom raised his hat to cheer; but
remembered he was with the enemy,
and lowered it. He was filled with
new spirit. Victory would now come
to the fort. He would make another
effort to enter it. AS quick as thought
lie ran behind the army to the right,
now advancing to the attack. lie
needed no one who hailed him; and
soon found himself on the river shore
among some bushes.
He surveyed the situation. There
vas no one before him who would
stop him; that is, unless some one
thin the fort should fire upon him
but that was hardly likely, he being
but a boy. Or unless some of the
enemy should yet think him a spy and
shoot him down from a distance as
he ran into the fort. He looked over
towards the Federal army, now at his
left. They We're steadily moving for
ward, with skirmishers close to the
parapet. Their numbers were con-
S antly increasing by troops coming
from the woodland to the rear How
could the fort withstand them!
He could see the Confederates rush
ing upon the ramparts, and their hur-
iied manipulation of their cannon. He
could see their muskets flashing in the
afternoon sunlight, as they were level
ed at the foe. The battle became flu
riouS-noW almost hand to hand.
Everything was clouded in smoke.
Tom glanced behind him. He saw
a regiment of soldiers marching in
his direction. This urged him for
ward He darted forth; clambered
over the parapet and found himself
within Fort Fisher! Now, where
should he turn? To the front as u
scene of conflict and carnage which
would have appalled, a holder heart
than his. Men were falling every
where in the mighty struggle; some
lying where they fell; others being
hastily removed to the sheltering
tombproofs. The enemy's fleet had
renewed it's bombardment. The fiery
shells filled the interior of the fort
with their flying fragments. Every
where there was turmoil and deadly
strife.
He turned to the battery at the riv-
el side. 1t was removed from the heat
Of the contest; but occasionally spoke
note of defiance as it sent a shell
over into the advancing enemy. That
was his opportunity; and he made for
*.
AS he ran, something struck his
shoulder. He saw that his coat was
torn, and realized that he had been
shot. He felt something running down
lis sleeve. Was it the rush of blood?
No, only the bullet. 1t had spent it's
force before striking him; but bruise
was there, and it panied him.
He was breathless from his exertion
as he reached the battery and climbed
up to the men gathered around the
guns. They accosted him cheerily.
Some of them knew him. He was
among friends, and had come to par
take of the glory of the coming vic
tory. Misguided expectation!
A large body of troops were seen to
march into the river gate; and there
was little resistance to their progress.
The men of the fort We're mostly en-
gagged elsewhere. The battery hurled
it's shot upon them; but what was the
loss of a few men among so large a
number?
Thus the Confederates were sur
rounded. The star of their fate was
declining; and night fell with its
gloomy spectres hooking their hopes
of victory.
Soldiers, weary and worn from the
confiict,-or wounded and sick, stole
away to the battery as a refuge from
the horrors of the battle. They lay
upon the cool ground in slumber; or
went to the rivers brink to battle
their blackened faces and assuage
their burning thirst; or sought in vain
for some means of escape to the other
side of the river.
Tom looked for his father. He was
not among them. One soldier said he
had seen him at nightfall leading
his men in a charge. And where was
the General? Wounded and carried
to a bombproof. More soldiers came.
They spoke of inevitable defeat.
The noise of the battle grew less and
less. The night was dark and chill.
So had grown the hearts of the Con-
federates, when the hope of victory
had been wrung from them. And ere
long the battery was surrounded by
the men who had manned the ram
parts. Stretchers lay on the ground
with their burden of wounded men,
Every one was weary weak and hun