The National tribune., 1906-12-13

prisoners and realizing the situation
Every moment, however, showed :,
greater improvement in the practice OF
the rebel guns on the summit, and the
position gained became more plainly
untenable. The men did not for a mo-
ment think of going back, but they
could not stay there. Their blood was
up for fight, and there ran thru that
mass one of those indefinable impulses
which moved everyone simultaneously
with the thought of taking the ridge
itself. In an instant the whole line had
started straight up the slope towards
the firing batteries, with the color bear
ers of the regiments striding out in
proud emulation of each other. Sheri-
dan had sent back one of his Aids to
inquire what was to be done next, bu,
before he returned from Orchard Knob
Sheridan found himself with his divi-
sion moving up the slope. His Aid came
galloping back to him with the infor-
nation that the orders were not to
advance beyond the rife pits. and Sher-
idan lost some precious time and many
valuable men in the endeavor to hold
and retire Wagner's and Harker's Bri-
gades. Sheridan quickly sees that the
others are not obeying these orders, but
are struggling forward, regiments and
brigadcs, seeking the easiest ascents
but all the time going forward. some
times with rush, again painfully pull
ing themselves up the steep places by
the aid of shrubs or by thrusting their
bayOnets in the earth From the sum.
NIT come down sheets of flame which
seem al times to wither those against
whom they are directed. The brave
color bearers fall, but the colors are
raised again and pushed forward The
whole mountain side is cracking with
musketry aimed TO kill by men who fire
and shoot as they stop to take breath
and reload as they press forward after
their flag. Everyone seems certain OF
carrying the summit, and feverishly
eager that the colors of his regiment
shall be the first to wave over that in
solent hight.
Ii. f. TayIor's Description.
B. F. Taylor, one of the most brill
liant writer's of the American press, had
the rare good fortune to be a spectator
of this wonderful scene He stood on
Orchard Knob with Gems Grant and
Thomas, and he has painted the picture
thus:
And now you have before you one
OF the most startling episodes of the
war; ! cannot render ii in words: die
uonaries are beggarly things. But I
may tell you they did not storm tina,
mountain as you would think They
dash out little way, and then slack
en-; they creep up, hand over. hand
loading and firing, and wavering and
hating, from the first line of works
to the second; they burst into a charge
with a cheer and go over 1t. Sheets of
flame baptiZe them; plunging shot tear
away comrades on left and right; 1t Is
no longer shoulder to shoulder; il isl
God for us all. Under tree trunks.
among rocks, stumbling over the dead
struggling with the living; facing the
steady fire of 5000 infantry poured
down upon their heads as II il were III
OLD historic curse from heaven. they
Wrestic with the Ridge Ten Is oOI
minutes go by like a reluctant century
The batteries roll like drum: between
the second and last line of works is the
torrid zone of the battle; the hill swaysI
up like a wall before them at an angle
OF As degrees, but our brave mountain
eers are clambering steadily on. up.
upward still. You may think it strange.
but l would not have recalled those
men II could. They would have lifted
you. as they lifted me, in fun view efl
the region of heroic grandeur: theyl
seemed to be spurning the dull earth |
under their feet, and going up to do |
Homeric battle with the greater gods.
And what do these men follow? Ifl
you look you shall see that the Is. 600 |
are not rushing herd of human crea-
lures: that along the gothic roof of |
the Ridge row of inverted VS. isl
slowly moving up almost in line. al
mighty lettering on the hills broadI
SIDE. At the angles Of those VS. is
something that glitters like a wing.