Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-10-17

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laurel cover. How many were killed and
wounded there the enemy must tell for our
boys did not search the laurela sHafq
THE ARTILLERY IN PoslTIoN--BANGlaB BANG!
In less than ten minutes the rebels were
driven to their intrenchments. Loomis
Immediately moved rapidly forward. un-
limbcring his pieces, and gave them an in
vitation in the shape of she'll. The ene
my Immediately responded with 6-pound-
ers. all of which fell short of our battery.
In the meantime, Howe had discovered
favorable position very near to the enemy's
first line offortifieations. and, bold as a Ii
on, dashed into it with his full battery
The first shot from his battery was greet
ed with a. shot from our infantry. ~
Down with his single gun followed
Howe. and in a few minutes. before in
fact the retreating. rebels had fairly reached
the intrenchments. our whole thirteen guns
were banging murderous shot and she'll
at them. The rebels responded with seven
guns. Loomis now ascertained he could
do better execution alittlc closer, and took
position squars in the valley. in full view
Of the whole opposing force. =, .o,,s
/. at first took position on an eminence
Just in front OF the reserve. and nearly a
mile in the rear Of om batteries; even there
could plainly perceive the white tents of
the. enemy and see the shells whizzing
through the air. Every crack of the gun
rolled through the valleys. and re-echoed
upon the mountain sides. The reverber-
ations were terrific and tho scene even at
the distance. one of exciting grandeur
After Loomis changed his position / could
see nothing but the white smoke rolling
up against the breast Of the mountains.
nor hear any thing but the incessans roar
of artillery. LOO Aaa sas
l. My reportolial inquisitiveness got the
better of my timidity. and determining to
have closer and better view, rode near
er to the scene Of strife; in fact. mounted.
and before knew it, l was upon the road
nearly opposite Loomis' battery with shell
and shot flying over my head, But having
confidence in the shelter of high rocky
bank. stood my ground, at least long
lenough to pick UP few items.
/ ~ II. 7uc ~ THE FIGHT. as .e<
The enemy's camp was in full view
His terraced battery was belching forth
fire and smoke. Shot from our batteries
we,e tearing mp the ground all through the
encampment, and shells were scattering
destruction and insuring death. ssH
There was no cessation of the internal
roar of the artillery. Sometimes halt
dozen of our pieces would send forth ST.
multaneous roar. making the earth trem-
bic. and the return fire seemed spiteful. as
it whizzed the shot mostly over our heads.
For thirty-fve minutes every gun on our
side was worked without cessation. Now
she'll woull go ringing through the air.
making beautiful curve. and dropping
just on the spot intended. burst, and des-
troy everything for yards around. Oi
all the internal inventions of war it is
these shells. They tear men ana horses
to tatters in an instant. as they fall whiz-
zipg among them.
And as you hear their musical hiss
, coming toward you. you. if as green as
in military strife, will try to dodge The
screecbing devil. With the shell flew the
round shot into the enemy's camp. and al
about their batteries. With whack they
would strike the eartL, and bore them
selves into the earth like iron mOles ope
rated by steam.
Such was the distant view Of the picture
A little in advance of me. and on line
; with our batteries, standidg on knoll
was the General, his countenance calm
and indicative of satisfaction at the result
Around him, in the saddle. were his aids
one or more of whom were constantly
dashing over he field, to convey his or
ders. lie vas SO near the camp that h
, Fcould observe their movements with th'
naked eye Several shells fell near him,
but did not in the least disturb his compo
sure.
To my rear were the ambulances. will
the surgeons, distinguished by grsen sash
, es. waiting to perform their duty. Som'
were very careful to remain out of harm!
way. while others traved danger to searcl
fer the wounded. ld -
The ambulances were not long idle
+: First came a man carried on blanket. wri
thing with pain. He had received sho
in his stomach. Next, another who hat
blood. Then came three or folr slightly
,, wounded. leaning on the shoulders of thei
comrades. Not far from me. in a little ra
vine, lay three rebels. one dead. another
dying, and third slightly wounded. The
= latter was placed in an ambulance, ant
carried to our hospital.
Away up the road, scattered on its sides
some sitting, some lying. were exhausted
infantry men, most Of whom seemed total
ly unconcerned as to the strife: and at 9th
er points of viewing distance, groups o.
,, unengaged cavalry, were viewing the strife
with deep interest.
For thirty five minutes our batteries KEEP,
Up an incessant Ere. First one, and thcy
another rebel gun was dismounted, unit
only one remained. This was peppered
with shell and shot. but we were enable
| to do more than slacken its fire.
J 1t was the only we'll served piece in the
rebel fortiications, its shots doing all the
artillery mischief to our side. When oul
} shot became too hot for the gnnners there
, they would load the piece rapidly. fire, and
run under cover, remain there a few min.
utcs and then repeat the performances -
The thirty five minutes firing was magnii-
cent artillery duty. Old Soldiers. who
have been in many a fight. said they had
never seen any thing equal to it. While
this was going on the Fourteenth Indiana
under the gallant Kimball. the dashing
5 Harrow and the enthusiastic Blynn. and