The National tribune., 1906-02-01

which was making SO much trouble for
us. The suggestion was a good one, but
for charging we preferred to be mount
ed. So the horses were brought for
ward a few at time. and the men be-
| ing gradually withdrawn from the fir
| ing line, were mounted and formed in
| the shelter of the cluster of outbuild-
| ings. Everything being in readiness,
and sudden cheers to the left indicat-
| ing a movement of Clusters line, the
| squadron burst out from behind the
sheltering buildings, and with cheers
trumpets sounding-rode straight for
the barricades in it's front. The attack
was unexpected; the nerves of the hos
tile marksmen lost their steadfness,
their fire was delivered in a struggling
and ineffective manner, and before they
could reload We were upon them.
The charge was we'll supported by
the reserve squadron, and without
check was continued up to the very
face of the well-constructed earthworkS
of the enemyS main position. Here his
artillery and infantry opened fire, and
further progress being impossible the
regiment withdrew, gathering in as it
fell back every skirmisher of the enemy
outside of his intrenchments, thus ef-
fectually clearing the front of the enc
my's position on this portion of the
field. The ground being at once occu-
pied by our diSmounted line, the hostile
forces were for the remainder of the
day closely confined to the shelter Of
their intrenchmentS.
AS the 1st u. S. Cav. was reforming
Gen. Sheridan, with some of his staff,
rode by, and with a pleasant nod to the
assembled knot of officers, showed his
appreciation of the service performed
by an expressive remark of ju~ three
wOrdS-wordS more to be valued be-
cause 1t was not the Generals habit to
lavish praise for duty performed. con-
gratulatory orders being unknown at
his headquarters The regiment was
further honored by being kept in re-
serve, mounted. for the final attack.
And now followed weary time Of
waiting for the troops to get into posi-
tion for the assault AS the long col
umn of the Fifth Corps was seen dis
appearing into the woods off to our
right and front, it was not difficult to
guess the Generals plan Of battle, and
his anxiety lest the enemy should dis
cover the movement which was In prog
ress for his destruction was shared by
every cavalryman in the line. 1t has
been officially decided that there was
no unnecessary delay in the movement
of the Fifth Corps on the afternoon in
question; but for the anxious cavalry
men who were forced to lie inactive
before q vigilant and formidable enc
my. watching the lengthening shadows
which marked the fast waning day. the
delay unaccountable.
Over the Works at Last.
But finally, when everybody had set
tied down into an apathetic state of
profound disgust, the welcome sound
of the enemy's musketry is heard away
over to our right and front; ii increases
in volume as ii is answered by our ad-
vancing troops and hearing the cheers
Of our dismounted comrades Of the cav
airy as they rush to the assault. we
dash forward and are soon in front of
the formidable works, seeking place
over which ii may be possible to force
our horses. Twigs and leaves from the
branches above are falling about our
ears, cut by the thickly-flying missiles.
and now and again a horse and rider
go down; but our dismounted men are
over the intrenchment, and amidst the
smoke and turmoil Of the battle the
colors of our brave infantrymen can be
seen as they press on down the enemy's
line. crushing all resistance. After seek
ing in vain for a convenient opening, We
at last make a rush and scramble over,
every one for himself, and are soon In
the midst of the captured guns, crowds