Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-25


ways knew my danger-that at any moment
| was liable TO be killed, yet such was my ex
citement that never fully realized it. All
men are not a!Ikej some are perfectly wild or
others are SO prostrated by fear that
they are completely unnerved an awful
sinking and relaxation of all their ener.
gieS takes place, awful to behold they
tremble like an aspen, siuk into bitches and
covert places, cry like children, and are total
ly insensible TO .shame-dead to every EN- 1ton
but the overwhelming fear of instant death.
We had few, and but few, of such in our
army
As the two armies were facing each other,
1t was remarkable TO see the cocneSS of our
meni there they stood, chewing bits of is
cults, and talking about the Mexcaus-some
wondering if they would fight: Others allow,
ing that they would, aad Ike demons, &c. |
kept my eye on the artillery of the enemy;
and happened to be looking toward their
right wing when suddenly a white curl of
smoke Spraug up there from one of their guns.
and then | saw the dust fly some distance in
front where the ball struck Inst antIv an.
other rich curl Of smoke arose, succeeded hy
booming sound. and the shot came crashing
toward US The euemy fired very rapidly, and
their balls knocked the dust about us in all
dlrectious-SCue went over our heads, others
struck the grouud 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 began with their
eighteen Founders, and when the first shot
was fired, II made such ud-report that our
men gave spontaneous shout, which seemed
to inspire Us with renewed confidence. | could
hear every word the lieutenant said to his
men. Wne2 the first shot was fired, he
watched the ball. saying, Too high, men:
/ try another -" too low; try again the
| third time is the charmw The third shot
was fired, aud | saw with ny 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" aud so they did. and
every slot tore complete lanes through the
euemys lines; but they stood it manfulv
The full chorus of battle now ragged: twenty
turre pieces of artillery belcbed forth their
lrod hail.
we were ordered to lie down in the grass
to avoid the shot; this puzzled the enemy,
| and they could not bring their guns TO bear
upon Us, making orr loss very smell Many
D
in six inches Of my left SIDE The force of
the shot was tremendous: q horses body was
| no obstruction at all: a mans leg was a mere
| pipe stem. | watched the shot es it struck
| The roots Of the grass, and il was astonishing
hoT the dust few. Ia about an hour the
/ grass caught on fire, and the clouds OF smoke
/ shut out the opposing armies from view. We
! had not rs yet lost nan from our regiment.
In the o5scurity the enemy changed their line,
ana tile eighteen Founders, supported by our
regiment, took new position on little rise
OF ground. As We moved on to the spot,
SIX poGud shot carried away the lower Jaw Of
Capt. Page, and then took of 4 maus head
on The right, as clean rs with knife.
The blood Of poor Page was the first blood
saw; he was knocked down in the grass,
and, as he eldeayored TO raise himself he pre-
Seuttd such ghaStly spectacle that a sIckly.
fanting sensation cane over me. aud the --enl-
ory Of that nigh; shall carry with me TO nv
dying day \ little later Major RinggolI
was mortally wounded at his battery; | saw
him just after it. The sho, had torn away q
portion of the flesh Of his thighs: its force
was tremendous, cutting off both bis pistols at
the locks, and also the witherS Of his horse
a splendid steed, which was killed 10 relieve
him OF bis Misery. The enemy tried hard, but
without avail, TO hit our eighteen Founders
The battle continued until night put sd end
10 the scene. We bivouackei where we were,
and laid on our arms; We slept, however, but
httie, thinking We might be attacked in our
sleep.
The enemy had been very severely handled,
owing 10 the superiority of our artillery. Tne
guaners went in TO it more Ike butchers than
military men; each stripped of his coat, roll
ed up bis sleeves, and tied his s8SpendeFs
around lis waist; they all wore red tauuel
shirts, eud, therefore, were in uniform. To
see them limberin- and Numbering. firing a
few shots, then dashiug through the smoke,
and then 70 FIRE again with Iightniug-like ra-
pidily. partly hid from view BY depSe clouds
Of smoke and dust, with their dark red shirts
aud naked arms, yelling at every shot they
made, reminded NE of band Of demons ra-
tier than Of men
ArsFrD 4 lTaSl;.r-so- .D-re--