The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-11-28

side dead. They SO on got 50 that they
would not show their heads at all
they would stick the muzzle of their
guns over and fire without texposing any
thing but their hands. All this time
there were two cannon belching out
the grape and canister over our heads
as thick as hail, but fortunately for US
they shot too high. II their fire had
been well directed, ten Of US would not
have got DOT of town alive. There
were three batteries pouring their fire
on Us while occupying that position.
While there, saw very many Of my
friends faIl--some dead, others mortal
" wounded. One poor fellow was shot
right through the temples and in the
forehead by my side, and as he fell he
brushed my side, bloodying my sword
and SHIRT. AT This point, Col Mitchell,
Maj. Gen. Butler, our Adjutant, and II
number OF our officers were wounded !,
in fact the lead and dying were very
thick around US. They run cannon
opt into the street just below US, and
compelled us 10 leave. We had orders
time previous. Our men
fired on them so keen that the whole
regiment had time 10 file around a cor
ner and take Il position in another street.
Twill here relate some compliments that
were passed on US while engaged in
that bloody Street. Gen. Taylor came
galloping down to.us and said, "Boys, III
the the name of God what are you do.
ing here, you will all be killed." Says
CoI. Twiggs, IA Brevet GeneraI-"N
Regulars can be taken where Volun-
teers can" Col. Johnson, who took
command Of us when Col. Mitchell fell.
said, ''the Ohioans are as good troops
as were evertaken into a field" Says
the kentuck ans, (who were back on
the plain. guardingthe battery, and by
the by, during the whole fight of four
days never got 10 fire eun,) them
Ohioans fight like tigers" Such were
the compliments we received. M
Ohioans need ever be- ashamed Of our
ronduct on the field that day. To re-
turn to our movements in town: AT
ter we filed round the corner Of the
street, we broke open the door of a
large house and carried our " oundsd
into it. ] neglected to say we had to
cross a high ditch to get round the cor.
ner, and il full of water up TO the whist
and shouIders,-we had to run across
on two rails LAID together. This place
was in point blank shot Of the tort,
(about forty yards.) We had to step
over the dead bodies who were shot
down while waiting their turn to cross.
l never expected to get out Of town,
and was perfectly resigned to die. !
never was so tired in nay life-we run
near a mile rs hard as we could into
town; and UP and down the streets be-
fore we could get a shot at the yellow
rascals. We had not a man ia our com
pany that flinched they laid their
guns ON the wall and took as deliberate
aim as if they were shooting squirrels.
Bob Nichols had just shot and got on
his knees to load, when a cannon ball
struck the wall just above him, and
covered him up so he could not get out
until the stones were thrown off him,
when he loaded up and went to firing.
We received orders from Gen. Taylor
to leave town, and you know our regi-
rpent must have been very much disor-
ganlzed, for every man took position
where he couldget fire at the fprt.and
not be wholly exposed himself. And
when the order was given to retire, the
officers could not get their companies
together. ours excepied--tor we form
ed under their fire and marched out IN
order. Maj. Giddings led off and tuld
them to follow him. two AMI two, with.
out regard 10 companies, which was
done, excepting our company, WHIT, fell
in altogether. Just as we got out of
town on the commons, there was shell
lit right by our cnmpany--I followed
to the boys to scatter, which tkey did.
and iell fat on the ground. Il bursted
wi,hout killing man. We had not or
ganized and gone one hundred yards
when the cry Of Lancersl Bancers!
rung along the line. looked to the
left, and it appeared as i they covered
ten acres Of ground. It was the pret
tlest sight lever saw. They all came
with their lances at a rest. with bat
tie flag eighteen inches long and twelve
inches wide flying most brilliantly. II
was a matter ofimpossibiity to form a
hollow square in our situation. Gem
eral Hamer seeing this, he ordered us
to jump'oVera brush fence just to our
right, which was Instantly done, and
every fellow bad his gun levelled wait
ing their ceming, but TO our great dis
n. !. r Il n