American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-10-10

H~tiaisI1eneG IN thS saddle, bar begcre
his lips could form an answe; a sud
cen cheer burst ont from the .,rest Of
the hill, and | saw men ~leapiug 10
their feet, and waving their hats. The
next instant across the summit came
washington, a dozen officers clatter
ing behind. his face stern-set and
white. az he rode straight toward Lee
What is the meaning Of this re.
treat. General Lee? Ny God. sir. how
% YOU account for such disorder and
confusion?' he exclaimed, his voice
ringing above the uproar, his angry
eyes blazing into Lees face. Answer
me-"
The other muttered some reply /
JAILED to catch.
That's not true" returned Wash.
i%ngton, every word singing like a
whip. 1T was merely a covering party
which attacked you. Why did you &C.
cept command, sir, unless you intend
ed 10 fght?"
Il did not deem it prudent, General
Washington, to bring on a general en-.
gagement."
You were to obey my orders, sir
and you know what they were. See.
They are coming new"
lie wheeled his horse about. point.
ing with one hand across the valley
Major Cain, have Oswald bring III
his guns at once; Lieutenant Mcneil
ride to Ramsey and Stewart; have
their troops on the ridge within ten
minutes-Ceneral Maxwell, these are
your menu
They are, sir"
Hold this line al any cost, the re-
serves will be up presently"
AS he drew his horse about he again
came face to face with Lee, who sat
his saddle ~sullenly, his gaze on the
ground. Washington looked at him
a moment, evidently not knowing what
to say. Then he asked quietly:
"Will Q retain command on this
height, or, not, SIR"
ut is equal TO me where l com
mand."
Then l expect you viii take proper
means for checking the enemy"
Il shall not be the first to leave the
ground; your orders shall be obeyed.'
What followed was but a medley Il
sight and sound. saw Washington
ride TO the left; heard Lee give a hur
RED order. or two: then | was at the
rear of our own line strengthening it
for assault. There was little enough
time left.
Under the smoke of several batter.
les, whose shells were ripping open
the side of the hill, the British were
advancing in double line, the sun
cleaning on their bayonets, and re.
yealing the uniforms OF different
corps.
STEADY. men, Steady" voice after
voice caught up the command. Hold
o frei"
Wait until they reach that fallen
tree!" added.
Every man Of u had a gun. officers.
al Coatless IS though We came from
he haying field. the persniration
streaming down cur faces. We waited.
The rife barrels gl0wed brown in the
IN, as the keen eyes took careful
sight. We We're bur 3 ha1l,dL. a single
hin line; if the reserves failed we
would be driven hack By mere .orca
IF numbers. YET before We went that
sicpe should be strewn v1-l deed.
Crashing up from me rear came o.
Maid with two guns. wheeling ir-o
position. the depressed muzzies spout
destruction. Te- those rel AID
blue Lies COME or; great ov4nirz
81 ere ploughed through tceu. but the
Giving mass closed IN They were q.
NE fallen tree, beyoad. whel we
our volleys mo their Very
We saw them waver as that
storm OF lead strucE; tie cents-
eer-ed 10 give way. leaving behind
: ridge of motionless bodies: then Il
'lrsed forward again, led by 2 wav-
.ag fag, urged or By -gesticulatius Of
The cavalry! The cavalry"
They we're coming around the end
y the morass. charging full tilt upon
lie right of our line. | saw that end
'r.mble up. and. q moment later.
.carcely realizing what had occurred
We We're racing backward. firing as We
an, ard stumbling over deac bodies.
Maxwell rallied US beyond the
-auseway. swearing manfully as he
US into position behind a low
wall. Again and again they
.harged US. the artillery fire shatter-
ng the wall into fragments. Twice
ye came to bayonets and dubbed
7uns, battling hand TO hand. and
was forced so far back upon
he left. that We were driven into the
dge OF the wood for protection. But
here We held. out front a blaze of
re. Ii seemed TO me the horror OF
hat struggle would never end. Such
eat. such thirst. the black powder
noke in our nostrils, the dead under
DOT. the cries of the wounded. the