The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-09-20

"NNNANAA MNWAN MAAM AMNNA MNAA AMM
things as would tend 70 make them
comfortable. 81 must needs be ex
treme measures indeed that would
keep a Second Michigan man from his
cup Of coffee before retiring for the
night
/ left my bunk-mate e build n Ere,
put up our dog tent. and prepared such
things az were necessary FOR our com
fort. while ! took my musket and our
canteens and plunged OF into the
darkness IN search Of water. on, on,
went stumbling through fields and
climbing e fences, until began to
think ! was a fun mile from camp,
and. quite likely. away outside OF
pickle. lines.
I had apparently far Outstripped all
my comrades who we're on the same
errand. and who had probably become
discouraged by their failure to End
water and had turned back. for Il was
deathiy still. / could not hear a
sound anywhere, but / determined I
would not give up until ] found water.
An. what Is that dark line ahead A
few steps more and close scrutiny
proves % me Il is a piece Of woods
There. surely. Z must find water. Ia
my mind ! was already filling my can
teen with fresh, cool water, and think
ing OF my bunk-mate's delight when /
should return triumphant when so
many had failed
Let the reader imagine himself in
an enemy's country, a mile from any
comrade, stumbling through the fields,
over fences and bitches, the night as
dark as a stack Of black cats. doubling
whether OF not be could find his way
back TO camp. nerves entirely IN
strung by passing events. and expect
ing every moment to be fired upon BY
an ambushed Zoe. II he q imagine
himself in that predicament, he viii
be able 70 understand something OF
my feelings as ] approached that piece
OF timber, only 10 find a large growth
Of cedars planted for a fence, which
separated two fields or meadows.
/ picked my way along the fence
very carefully until ! found a passage
way through. AS / passed through the
sky beyond the dark line made il APP
pear much lighter. But ye gods! what
had / doneg As 1 stepped over the
ridge Of ground that is always found
along these growing fences. stepped
squarely on a man who, with four
others. were lying fat upon their stom-
achs and looking III owe the field
The man I trod on turned over. and IL
brought me 20 my knees. as he ex-
claimed. who the devil are your |
answered, a Yankee soldier, and the
first man that moves does. for I am
not alone. so surrender al once. The
devil: so are we. was hts reply. lie
continued ia a whisper. We belong 70
the Second Michigan and We will have
hot work in a minute, for they are just
ahead OF as over in the field. ] am
glad you have come with help.
then explained hat / was alone. bul
that would stand by them
asked why they did nut send q man
out 20 re~connoiter, The reply was
we have and as soon as he returns.
We will go back 70 camp
While We were talking In whisper.
be came ia. and said Ia a hoarso whis
per. Boys. there are about 80 OF then
out there. and ~ We are careful we caE
capture them all.
What. said I, you certainly DO no.
expect seven Of us can capture 80, dI
your"
rOf course We can. said he, con
tluuing. "Nfy plan is to creep up OF
them. each one OF us grab one withou
frightening the rest, bring him back
} cut his throat. then SO for another j.
this way We can capture every on'
without firing a shot"
But I replied. that Is against th'
rules OF war 90 cut a prisoner throat
The answer was. "Oh. stun Their
} Is no time for nonsense. and if We ul
any other way. some Of them viii SO
away
Ne followed the directions OF ou.
guide. aud. sure enough. We soon ha'
r every one Of the 30 az the gap Ia thl
/, fence. with his throat cut from q
ear.
what" ] think ! hear the roade
say. you don't want as 90 bolieVl
I seven men captured 80 Confederate
without firing a shot. do youe
Who ia thunder Is talking abou
? Confedoratcs Rut { forgot, &C. Is per
fectly natural that the reader shoul.
fan into the same error that did
4 The So were good, TAT sheep, and an
q second Michigan had excellent frcs'
& mutton for breakfast. while the rost %
a the Ninth corps had 10 put up vii
q bareback aud sowhosom.
nut never heard the last OF ia
Joke oi trying to capture i've me
e alone. and then being afraid 90 BE- on
of seven &c. capture so sheen.
When we got 20 camp the boys ha
J. already cooked fresh beef. and Their
S was plenty OF nice. fresh water With
{ a stones throw OF the camp.
In conclusion. / will say that as "a
b as ngbung qualities are concerned. n
Ninth corps. Including the Socon
4 pirhfran found. whether ID Was la IN