The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-11-25

ggow he Fought ana Kicked and Ran I'm
the struggle for the Union.


for which he did not generally receive
credit The lines were frightened
about the birthplace of secession when
Admiral Dahlgren's fleet began opera
tons in the llarbor, and rendered it
practicable for the troops on shore to
advance with some hope of being able
to hold points previously untenable.
During he night detachment of the
Tenth Corps dislodged picket post on
the east end of Morris Island, and when
daylight came had thrown up quite a
formidable beginning for field-work.
But tAe place was within easy range
Of Fort Sumpter and Battery Wagner,
and every rebel gul, that could be
brought to bear began TO drop shell
into the little earthwork. 1t was
thought that an attempt WAS about TO
be made to carry the place by assault.
and, while there were men enough to
hold it, they were a little short of am
munition. The only practicable road
was a mile and half of hard, smooth
sand-beach, commanded from end to
end by the rebel batteries.
But there was a combination in the
Federal camp that was equal to the
emergency; namely, fleet mule and
a plGcky driver. The mule is mem
toned first, only because he has long
since kicked his last kick, but the
driver, If be still survives, will ac-
knowledge that without the mule he
could not have done what he did. It
may be assumed that the mule had a
good feed of oats before he was called
upon to run the gauntlet, and possibly
the driver, too, may have felt justified
in fortifying the inner man. BE that
as it may, just before noon a few boxes
of ammunition were thrown into the
highest wagon, and, after looking the
harness over carefully, the driver took
his seat In the shelter of the sand hills.
The mule stood with his extensive ears
raking aft and wicked CLEAN in his
eye. as If the oats were beginning to
rise into his brain. ..
''Good-bye, boysl G. up, mulep and
the equipage started down through
the dry sand TO the hard level of the
beach. Mule shook his head and exc
cuted a demivo!t when he felt the damp
sand under his feet. but Driver snOthed
him with endearing words. 1t had
not yet dawned upon the rebels that
the expedition was intended for the
relief Of the garrison. But presently
the CLEAN of intelligence was Indicated
with a rush Ia the shape of a shell
from the southeast angle of Sumpter.
1t struck the water fairly in line;
ricocheted, and broke over in the
marsh; but il was the signal for action.
Up went the whip, and the mule gath
cred his mighty hind legs under him.
For moment it was uncertain whether
he WIS going to kick or run, but few
remarks from the driver convinced
him that there was demand for forward
movement, so he ''lit out for all he was
worth" At least thirty guns com
manded that stretch of beach, and
they pounded away as fast as they
could be fired. Now and then she'll
would burst rather too near the mules
ears for comfort, and lie would sheer
violently and try TO make for home.
But the gallant driver piled the lash,
and held him to his work. At length
a ten-inch shell tore up the beach and
exploded so near that the mule was
entirely demoralized; but not so his
driver. Leaping down from his seat
he caught the mule by his head. back
ed him rapidly round once or twice,
and was off again on the keen jump
before the gunners could get his range
as fixed object. On lie went, and at
last dashed into the redoubt; but there
was no shelter in it for the mule. His
ears waved conspicuously above the
low-lying parapet
The ammunition boxes were tumbled
out unccrmoniously, and the mules
nose pointed for home! With the
lightened load and the prospects Of
| unlimited fodder. he beat the previous
record. But the rebel artillerists were
on their metal now. They had failed
TO stop the supplies, but their hearts
burned for revenge. Their shouts
now came more from the rear, and
bets were freely offered with no takers.
on what the result would be should the
| mule have far chance to kick ten.
| inch shell as it were, ION the fly"
II rescendo scream of shell chasing
/ Inv > the beach lent wings to his
heeis, and he fairly flew toward the
/ sheltering sand hills. There ere only
/ few rods more To be covered, when
some careful gunner made close cal
i culation as to tho lengthening range,
and pulled lns lanyard almost in the
nick Of time. The huge mass of iron
struck the beach, as it seemed to the
anxious spectators, exactly behind the
wagon, and the next instant nothing
was to be seen there but cloud OF
white smoke and brown sand. In an
instant, however, this flOated away,
and the mule was seen vigorously re-
4 ducing to kindling wood what was LETT
of the quartermaster's wagon.
And the driver. where is he? Well.
he was apparently Knocked over by
the explosion, but he got on his feet
In a moment, and, having cut the
traces, was on the mules back in an.
other. waving his hat in response to
the cheers that rolled across the water
from Yankee .blue-jackets, from Con.
federate garrisons, and from the dark
blue masses that crowned the distant
sand dunes. 1t is a pity that the
drivers name has not been preserved,
for his daring act certainly deserved
recognition and reward. Perhaps he
received both, but the writer has been
Il unable to find mention of the fact