The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-14

one of these which was stormed by tho gal
l liant Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana troops, who
most dearly bought the privilege ofplanting
the first Union flag within the lines Of the
enemy.
It 10 surprising that our men could over
come such obstacles, face such CALLING fire,
and make successful charge upon their en-
y trenched foes. 1901
The trees which were small were cut near
ly OF about three feet from the ground, and
bent down across each other, forming aper'
feet net work. through which our brave
soldiers had to make their way, amid q shower
ofleaden rain In front, and tho inccsant
rattle Of shot and shell from batteries com.
manding tho valley through which they
made their way and charged up tho hill to
the enemys works. BY o flank movement,
they gained q position on the enemys right
and for moment steel met steel, and the
panic stricken foo dashed wildly down'the
hill toward their main Notifications, while
the hitherto reserved fro from our forces
dealt death to many "ehiralrous son Of the
south" The loss on both sides was severe
at this point, though the number was far
less than that on our right wing, where, for
while, our troops wero forced back, and It
is supposed that many ofour brave men fell
by the cross fro OF their comrades in this
terrible encounter. At the time ofour visit,
one week otter tho battle, the dead had not
oil been buried. Some fifteen rebel bodies
were still lying on the field. Horses and
mules lay thick upon tho ground, and every
tree. shrub, and bush bore marks Of the ter
rible contest. Shot Of oil sizes, lay scattered
on the field.
It isa sight before which humanity rccoils,
to see men still grasping the musket while
their clothes are dark and stif with dried
blood. Some lay with both hands pressing
their fractured skulls, Others with firm hold
on their shattered limbs had died while vainly
attempting to arrest the flow Of blood. One
such sight Is enough to make the blood chill
ut the sound Of war, and yet, strange to say,
men become hardened by such scenes, 70 that
they can gaze on them unmoved. Already
the buzzard, ard carbon crow arc lowering
over this valley Of death, and soon they viii
have undisturbcd access to tho bodies Of the
fallen quadrupcds.
Our men are dccently buried and their
graves marked 80 that their friends can 70.
move their bodies, IL they desire to do so.-
The rebel dead are buried by our men, and
as they canno. identify them, they dig decl
and wide graves and bury large number
together.
Alas, how many will wait In anxious
suspense, till the lapse Of time assures then
that the bloody field contains the last remainl
of their fallen friends. Turning homeward
we gathered some mcmcntos Of the scene
and purchased some trophies from thu
soldiers. who, by the way, are we'll supplies
with shot guns, pistols, short swords, ant
bowie knives. Some ofthc knives are bandct
with such names as Arkansas tooth pick, v
"Yankee Killer" and various other signlf
cant titles. Some Of them are two feet In
length and all very poorly finished.
Many Of the guns are old aint locks, ant
some Of them bear King Georges STAMP
"l775." There are also largo numbers o.
sports mems small rifles, and double barreled
shot guns. which proves that the account,
given of their equipments has not been eI'
uggerated. procured shot gun and found
minnie ball in each barrel. Their powder
is Of the very best quality, and judging from
the piles Of cartridges that lay on tho ground
there is no lack Of ammunition in tho rebel
army.
We returned we'll satisfied with our visit,
and not one OF the company expressed wish
to revisit tho scenes described. have thus
given you truthful and somewhat lengthy
account Of my visit, and should you deem II
worthy Of publication in your widely circu.
lated paper, l shall feel that my time and
labor have not been spent in vain.
Very respectfully yours,
Gro. II. GRANT.
I'll E,b Okkh 1870