Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-08-08

lnsenslble to Hhame-dead To every emo
ton but the overwhelming fear of instant
death. We had a few, and but few
Of such in our army.
AS the two armies were facing each
other, it was remarkable to see the cool
ness of our men; there they stood shew-
ing bits of biscuit, and talking about the
Mexicans--somc wondering if they would
fight, others allowing that they would,
and like demons, DC. kept my eye on
the artillery OF the enemy, and happened
to be looking towards their right wing.
when suddenly white curl of smoke
sprang up there from ono Of their guns,
and then | saw the dust fly some distance
in front, where the ball struck. Instant
ly another and then another rich curl OF
smoke arose, susceeded by booming
sounds, and the shot came crashing to-
wards us. The enemy fired rapidly, and
their balls knocked the dust about us in
all directions; some went over our heads
others struck the ground in front and
bounded away.
Our batteries now went to work, and
poured in upon them perfect storm OF
iron. Lieut. Churchill and his men be-
gan with their eighteen pouuders; and
when the first was fired, it made such q
loud report that our men gave a sponta-
neous shout, which seemed to inspire US
with renewed confidence. could hear eve
ry word the Lieutenant said to his men
When the first shot was fired, he watched
the ball saying, TOO high, men; try anoth-
er." "Too low, men; try sgain-the third
time is the charm" The third shot was
fired, aad | saw with my own eyes the
dreadful effect of that and the following
shots. That's it my boys - shouted
Churchill, jumping up about two feet;
"you have them now keep her at that"
And so they did, and every shot tore
complete lanes through the enemy's lines;
but they stood it maniully. The full
chorus of battle now ragged; twenty-three
pieces Of artillery belchcd forth their iror
hail
We were ordered to lay down in the
grass to avoid the shot; this puzzled the
enemy, and they could not bring their gun,
to bear upon us, making our loss very
small. Many were the narrow escapes
one ball came within six inches Of my
left side. The force of the shot was tire
mendous horses body was no obsticl,
at all, mans leg was mere pipe stem
| watched the shot as it struck The root
of the grass, and it was astonishing how
the dust flew. In about an hour the
grass caught on fire, and the clouds o
smoke shut out the oposng armies from
view. We had not yet lost man from
our regiment. In the obscurity the
enemy changed their line, and the eighteen
FOUNDERS, supported by our regiment,
took new position on little rise OF
ground. AS we moved on to the spot, n
six pound shot carried away the lower
jaw of Capt Page, and then took off a
man shcad on the right as clean as with a
knife.
The blood of poor Page was the first
blood | saw; he was knocked down in the
grass, and as he endeavored to raise him
self, he presented such a ghastly specta.
Gle, that a sickly, faintng sensation came
over me. and the memory Of that | shall
carry with me to my dying day. a little
later, Maj Ringgold was mortally
wounded at his battery; | saw him just
after it. The shot had torn away a por-
ton Of the flesh Of his thighs; its force was
tremendous, cutting off both of his piS-
tolls at the lock, and also the withers OF
his horse-a splendid steed, which was
killed to relieve him of his misery. The
enemy tried hard, but without avail, to
hit our eighteen Founders. The battle
continued until night put an end the
scene. We bivouacked where we were,
and laid on our arms; we slept, however
but thinking we might be attacked in our
sleep.
The enemy had been verv severely
handled, owing to the superiority of oul
artillery. The gunners went into it more
like butchers than military men; eacl
stripped off his coat, rolled up his
sleeves, and tied his suspenders around
his waist; they all wore red flannel shirts
and, therefore were in uniform. TO see
them limbering and unlimbering, firing a
few shots, then dashing through the
smoke, and thon to fire again with light
ming like rapidty, partly hid from view
by dense clouds of smoke and dust, witt
dark red shirts and naked arms, yiel ding
at every shot they made, reminded me 0
band of demons rather than Of men.