Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1863-02-25
CAnABA. Ala. PeB. I'd, l36. .

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You inquire about my wound
"the aehea and how | received it."
Our division, as | have tola you be-
fore, is commanded by MAJOR G,1er,
al Jno. G.. Breckinridge-tbe fnest
looking man in Bragg's army. On
Friday January 9th, as we we're IT,
ing in line of battle in about 800
yards of the Yankees, Col, Miller, lof
the LIST Florida rode along our lines
and told us to fall 10" as We were
going to he moved from there, and
were to be relieved by another Brig
ade. We did so with cheerful hearts,
as that had been quite a warn place
for us for we we're lying in the edge
of a cedar hammock, within about
800 yards of the finest battery the
Yankees had Parsons 9th U. 5.
Artillery. 1t was commanded and
manned by regulars, and supported
by 10 1000 regulars by Sbom we we're
shelled night and morning, Well, we
left there ; and were gong back as all
thought, to the rear to rest, as we had
not slept for three days and nights.
We were marched on for about Il
miles towards the right ofour line Of
battle, and there we found our divis-
ion in line, facing the enemy. and
waiting for US. As Don as we joined
the line, Gen. BrecGinridge rode out
in front Of the line on a beautiful
white horse, pulled Of his hat, and
made a shortr but eloquent speech.
He then said-"when | give the com.
mAnd Forward . | do me- wish to sec
a man islter all | want you to do is
to follow me and do as | command
you to-" We then gave him three
cheers. He replaced bis hat, turned
bis horse head to the front, drew his
sword, snd gave the command, For,
ward, men !" We marched forward
in the prettiest line you ever saw, |
reckon. just as We go. 10 muoket
shot Of a thick wood, the Yankees
opened on US. Gen. Breckenridge
waved bis sword, and gave the com.
mand, Forward, double quick, charge
bayonets " Which we did with a
yelI, and at which the Yankees about
faced and skeedaddIcd which l.,
their customary performance on
such occas'Ons. They next tried it
behind a fence, upon which we tried
the same remedy and, as before,
found it efoctual, We nov had them
in a pretty tight place, between us
and the riyer-giving them their
choice-tc take US or the water
The latter being somewhat the cooler,
they evidently preferred it, from the
way they soused into it. And
now, the Washington Artillery, be
longing to us, came up and We gave
1t to them with musket, grape, and
canister. As fast as they got across,
they got behind their breakworks on
the bank Of the river ; and there we
kept up such a hot Gre on them that
about 800 threw up white handkcr.
chiefs and came over to us. It was
here that | got my wound. |, and
a fellow named Cooper from Co.. l.,
we're 100 yards from the Regt fight
ing on our own hook" The river
here was about 60 yards vide we
were on one bank, the Yankees on the
other, Cooper was loading his gun,
when a round shot struck bis gun,
carrying it out of his haud-the gun,
at the same time, cutting a man in
two and the round shot doing the
COoper's arm being paralizcd.
he told me he was going to the ear
when. seeing a Yankee trying to hide
among the rocks, he picked up a load
ed gun lying by a dead man, and
the Yankee, saying. III show
you how to throw your damned pills
me- Just then, l saw a Yankee
at me and | threw up my
gun and cut down at him; and Coop.
er says, | killed him; think | must
too for | took as good an aim as if
| was shooting at a mark. However,
he paid me for it, as | fill, at the same
time. pierced by his Ainie ball. 1t
me through the arm, into the
slde a flesh wound, however, and
first rate. and Cooper then
walked of the field, as big as Major
Generals.
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