The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-09-26

Inc opJecClon TO THIS simple plan OF
dislodging the enemy without risk of
'hloodshed was soon manifest to me
when we came to carry out our part
of the preliminaries of taking posi-
ton. The banks of the creek were
high and impossible except at one
place. while on the opposite side it
was bordered ny rail fence complete
/ ~ hedged in by thick growth of
blackberry bushes extending two hun
dred yards to our left, thence at right
angles to the south, forming an en-
closure of the common on two sides,
with greatly superior force OF the
enemy In practical possession of the
other two. From this survey you will
observe we we're going into a trap OF
which the general had no knowledge,
and dare not take time to inform
him. nor refuse to obey orders, but
must advance and trust to one Of a
hundred-and-one unforeseen events
liable to arise in such emergencies
| for our safety.
4
ton to advance. II attacked as we
had every reason to believe we would
be, our case seemed hopeless and no
fight OF the Imagination however
vivid could have foretold the light
ning-like combination OF events which
were first to place us in the greatest
peril of death or capture and as rap
1 idly to rescue US from such fate.
ldisnlounted, threw down the fence at
] the only available crossing, ordered
the men to file through, deploy to the
left, unsling carbines and load ready
for action. While they were thus en-
gagged l was trying to evolve plan of
escape. for should the enemy charge
upon us, as we felt sure they would
as soon as our troops moved on them
In front, we could not retrace our
steps TO this port of safety, which
would be equidistant between us. Nor
could We escape at any other point
through this impenetrable combina-
ton of barbed-bush and rail fence,
which formed a natural barrier against
cur horses, as effeetual as would the
dreaded chevaux-de-frise As the
men deployed into position we dis
closed our numbers and drew part of
their fire. The general and his escort
were watching for the effect our
i presence would have on the enemy in
their front Everything was now ready
for battle on a small scale when
lied my horse through the opening,
ordered an advance and vaulted into
my saddle at the same time. On
mounting with carbine in my right
hand in some manner one of the many
/ blackberry bushes by which I was
surrounded became entangled with my
carbine strap or overcoat, which as
settled into my saddle hit my horse
in the flank. He was wild, hard to
manage and never needed urging at
t any time. but with this prickly bush
hitting him at every jump he was soon
beyond my control as he dashed mad
lily forward in the direction OF Nc
of confederate cavalry. detachment
of which came out TO meet us. I was
/ thoroughly alarmed for the safety of
! my men. who. not being informed of
I the cause OF this unusually wild adj
vance, knew would follow me. regard.
less OF their own safety into the midst
i of the enemy. vainly tried to sling
my carbine or drop the cause Of my
trouble but could do neither, as it was
with difficulty I retained my seat
/ Firing and cheering to the rear and
! left told me the boys In skirmish for.
nation were following in a jolly mood
+ even though the Grim Shadow shar-
] ed their saddles and guided every
steed. The score of confederates who
came out to meet US, after firing a few
times without effect, quickly retreated
to their main column. evidently sus-
I pecting we were but the advance OF a
much larger force concealed in the
woods to our rear. which would &C
count for their failure to engage us
with their whole force as we had an
tictpated. The confederates were
slowly falling back on the main street
but two squares in our front, while
our cavalry were as leisurely charging
iup the hill less than third OF a mile
TO our right Al the fearful rate we
were advancing 1t was evident. I'M
less regained control of my horse.
We would be in the rear of the enemy
before they got out of town, thus
Iplunging us into contest apparently
OF our own choosing with force TWEEN
" times our number The result of
such an encounter was not difficult TO
forecast, as one volley at close range
from their two hundred guns was sure
TO empty every saddle. To ayaid such
Ian inglorious termination OF what inst
at this point began to assume the
proportions OF really brilliant ex.
plot some desperate expedient must
be resorted to ! thought OF dropping
my carbine or of iumping from my
saddle, To throw away my only
means of defense with the prospect Of
ian Immediate an on orc ,,,n,,+ 49,.