Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-12-15


Front.
est desire for breakfast to fight on,
it behooved me to get back within
our lines. The mer0or of that ami
mated scene in front still fresh upon
me, how quiet and commonplace ey.
erything appeared down there in the
hills.
What has become Of Bungay?"
questioned Of Colgate. who was lying
upon his back with eyes fastened
on floating cloud.
do you mean the little mountaineer
who came in with us last night?"
nodded.
"Oh his mule bolted at the first
shot over yonder, AMI the little fellow
is after it. He's down the field there
somewhere"
How time dragged! The battery to
left of us went into ac4i-n, aad began
firing rapidly; we coC'i ark tic
black figures Of the canr 1necr3 at tire
nearer guns, outlined against the sky
over the crest, as they moved quick
motionless bodies to the rear, and laid
them down tenderly beyond the fierce
zone of fire Then the heavier pieces
Of artillery farther down the line
burst into thunder and we silently
watched large force of infantry
move slowly past US up the long slope
until they halted in line Of battle just
behind its summit, the advanced files
lying flat upon their faces and peer
ing over. But no orders came for US,
Nearly noon by the red Gun hiding
behind the drifting powder cloud. The
ever-deepening roar Of ceaaeless con-
test had moved westward down the
valley. when an aide wheeled his
smoking horse in front of the Colonel,
spoke dozen hasty word, pointed
impetuously to the left, and dashed
off down the line. The meu leaped
to their feet in eager expectancy, and
a. the Fall in, fall in there, lads
echoed joyously from lip to lip, the
kindling eyes and rapid movements
voiced Enthusiastically the soldier spirit.
We moved westward down the long,
bare slope in the sunshine, through a
half-dozen deserted, desolate fields,
and along a narrow, rocky defile lead
Ing into deep revine. At the mouth
OF the ravine We came forth into the
broad valley, and halted Just in
front OF US, scarcely a half-Inile dis
tAnt, were the fighting lines, partially
snveloped in dense smoke, out from
which broke patches of blue or gray,
as charge succeeded charge, or the
wind swept aside the fog of battle
The firing was one continuous crash,
while plunging bullets, overreachin,;
their mark, began to chug into our
own ranks, dealing death iNrartially
TO horse and man. The CO tIia OF the
troop next mine wheeled suddenly,
look of surprise upon his face, and
fell backward into the arms OF one of
his men; with an intense scream OF
agony, almost human, the horse of nv
1lrst sergeant reared and came over,
crushing the rider before he could
loosen foot from stirrup; tie Lieuten-
ant-Colonel rode slowly pa us to the
~'''' AAo law Wealthy Whli me arm,
dripping blood, dangling i .ess at
his side. This was the har1est work
OF war, that silent agony which tried
men in helpless bondage to unyielding
discipline. l glanced anxiously along
the front of my troop, but they re-
CURED no word from me; with tightly
set lips, and pale. stern faces, they
neld their line steady as granite, clos.
Ing up silently the ragged gaps torn
by plunging balls.
Captain sale Colgate, riding to
where l sat my horse, you will see
that the paper l gave you reaches
home safe if l fail to come out of
this?"
reached over and gripped his hand
hard
ut will be the first thing I shall
remember, Jack" l answered earnest.
ly. But We may have 1t easy enough
after all-it seems to be an infantry
affair"
He shook his head gravely.
NO" he said, pointing forward
they will need US now"
AS he spoke it seemed as though
the sharp firing upon both sides sud.
denly ceased by mutual consent. The
terrible roar of small arms, which had
mingled with tie continuous thunde,