The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-09-06

We had been lighting all day. The
confederate line or battle had been
withdrawn from the level ground.
where our division had pressed the
enemy slowly but steadily back, and
now occupied the crest OF a low hill
that lay south Of as. Here they made
a stubborn resistance. and twice had
they repuised our charge upon their
new position.
The second charge had just been
made, and our brave men, after ter
rible slaughter, had been ordered 20
fall back beyond musket shot. where
they now rested on their arms until
another attack should be ordered. or
night should give them rest
Between us and the enemy lay a
stretch OF meadow land that, In the
morning. had been very fair to look
upon. Now it was dotted all over with
dead and wounded men n horses.
dismantled artillery wagons and guns
and k~napsacks.
We had not had time. as yet. to
count up BUR losses. even In my own
company. but all Of us knew that
Sergt. Watkins had fallen. the gallant
fellow who bore our company dag.
This is how We knew Il;
Gen. King. who commanded our a..
vision. had given me personal orders
TO charge a battery on the enemy's
left. ! led my men az a gallop up the
min. and We captured the battery.
but a superior force Of the enemy
swept down upon us at that moment
and we were compelled 20 fan back.
Il was her that watkins fell. but
the iag did not go down with him.
Wanting both hands free in the battle.
he had devised a means OF fastening
the stan 10 his s~addle.bow so that the
nag was always 20 be seen waving
above HE head, And so it happened
that. when the brave sergeant fell,
pierced by a BAN. the flag still waved.
but IL was above a riderless and ter,
rihed horse.
When we had gained the position
to which the general had ordered as
20 retreat. our first thought was for
the safety OF a company Gag. A sol
der prizes his battle flag more than
his life. you know. and would give
his blood freely 20 protect # from
capture or dlshonor. Ours had been
presented TO as by our friends az home
and we loved 81 with enthusiasm
Suddenly Ned Barton. who had dis
mounted aud nov stood holding Rock
20 by the %bridle-rein. turned 10 me
and cried with great vehemence:
Captain, there IS the s~orgeant's
horsc-and see' he SIN carries our
flag"
looked toward where he pointed
and saw the horse ~galloping wildly
ever the meadow where we had lust
been fighting. with the Gag flying from
the upright stat No his saddle. Both
armies had caught sight 90 him. and
such "a shout as you never heard went
mp az the singular spectacle
Captain" cried Ned again. Il must
have that dag. Il ! die In saving ltl
Don't refuse me--i'm on" aud before
I could speak q word the boy was
dashing the spurs into Rockets tanks
and rushing over the meadow toward
the rlderleas horse He had scarcely
started when three borsemen %galloped
down the hin from the euemy's line.
evidently intending to capture the nae
before Ned could reach II.
War. battle. discipline, orders. were
an forgotten. and then men from both
Sides. federal and coufederates. crowd
ed unanimously forward. yelling and
cheering over the race between the
, -blue-coated boy and his three gray
coated competitors,
They were an four now within easy
range OF the muskets from either side
, but no one thought OF raising a CUR
: against them-it would have been fou.
} murder. Frightened at the ciamor on
both sides Of him the s%ergeant's horss
noN changed his purse and ran from
his p%ursuers. 30 that their direction
was at a sharp angie with his.
Il vas a question OF speed-ant
Rocket proved himself worthy OF hi
name. While the c~onfedorotos weni
. yet a hundred yards away from m,
! coveted prize, Ned Barton grasped thl
bride OF the rlderless horse am
turned IA the direction OF our lines
/. Dropping his " relns upon Rocket
! neck. he raised his cap With bis lei
hand and saluted the discounted an
tagonista. And then the men on boil
sides oheered.