The National tribune., 1908-12-03

stationed, as there were hundreds Of
little teepee fires burning. 1t being a
bright, crisp, moonlight night. the air
still. we could hear the rumbling sound
OF the artillery and wagons OF Prices
and Van Dorn's army as they were
moving around to right and rear OF
Ger Curtis's position. My time came
for videt duty between IL and O'CLOCK
at night, my post being between one
half and three-quarters OF a mile from
the reserve, on Cross Hoilows, where L
was snugly tucked away In a bend or
the road, with thorn and crab-apple
brush for a shelter; an open held In
front also between me and the reserve
yidet. l had to remain on my morse
and occasionally earess him in order to
keep him reconciIed. / thought had
been there long enough to be relieved,
and / was becoming numb from cold,
sitting in one position all the time. l
had concluded to get off my horse and
stamp my feet to get up circulation,
and was about to dismount, when, In
the calm and stiffness of the night, and
somewhere between my position and
the reserve, came the harsh challenge
ot a sentinel, and Immediately the
crack of a carbine, followed by reports
OF other firearms, mingled with the
clatter of horses feet, then fusilade
of firearms. 1t kept most of my atten-
tion directed to my mount, to keep him
as uuiet as possible, which / did in
order TO not uncover my position. The
disturbance did not last long, and !
was wondering why / was not being
looked after or relieved, when heard
a. squad of cavalry approaching from
the direction of the reserve. L listened
with both ears for a sound resembling
the rattle of a saber. and not hearing
any. / kept my mount quiet becoming
satisfied they were rebels. AS they were
going outside. concluded that If they
did not recognize my presence L Would
keep mute They passed out by me
and / could distinctly see that there
were eight of them. One remarked:
sI1idn't we scare - out of them
Yanks?" Another remarked: 81 Won
der where all the other burned Yankee
pickets are? There amt any on this
road yet" I knew better, and won
dered why they couldn't hear my heari
thump and jump. And how I did try
to keep my feet from rattling in the
stirrups! After some time heard an.
other squad of cavalry approaching
from the direction of the reserve, anC
detected the familiar clang of th'
saber. / overheard one remark: rhe.
may have got this videt If they Wen
ont this road" But again / knew bet
ter, and 1 was glad they were coming
rs l was badly chilled. When the
were close enough / called halt, an
rode out and met the officer. who ha
dismounted at my request. and cam
up on foot and gave me the counter
sign. ] was assisted off my horse, bu
could not stand; my legs were mum
clear thru. After thoroly good exer
cising and circulation was restored
was able to walk on to the reserve.
had been sitting in my saddle for thre
and one-haIf hours, nearly in the sam
position However. I could not com
:. plain; the circumstances were again;
me 1t was only a short time after
wards till we could hear the picket
being fired upon near Elk Horn f'ay
ern. and the second days battle wa
opened. 1t was an ideal night to hea
and distinguish the different sound.
you could easily tell the difference bt
tween the movements of artillery lin
bers and ammunition chests as well {
Government wagons. Gen. Curtis W:
getting ready for the days battle.-l
II. Kirkpatrick, Co. D, Sd Iowa Ca,
Lancaster, Mo.