The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-02-27
For %. Post.
The Observation-Disclosures
Regiment.


gonized in August, or September, 1861,
with over one thousand rank and file, by
choosing J N. LILLARD. Colonel; -
ODELL. Lieut. Colonel; and - McCoN-
SELi.. Major: and was assigned to Bow
ling Green, where, under Gems. Johnston
and Buckner. it was pronounced one oil
the best disciplined regiments in the SER
vice. Gen. Johnston said TO President
Davis that he sent his picked troops to
the deience of the Cumberland River.
The Goth was among the first sent to the
fatal field of Fort Donelson, where, after
three days Of dreadful sutierings, from
cold. snow and rain, without tents, hong
on arms-in position the entire time, and
unsurpassed successful fighting, they were
surrendered TO Gen. Grant of the North
ern army, against their earnest, urgent
protest. Having withstood every onset of
the enemy, succeeded in every charge,
turned every flank, and still in posses
sion of the hard. earned field, they until
the last refused to osurrend .r, and when the
white flag was waved many wept and their
indignation knew no bounds. After the
surrender the regiment was sent to and
confined at Camp Morton, Indiana, and
Johnson's Island, Ohio. where the brutal
treatment they received sends a thrill OF
horror to many a heart. Many there, far
r.a,,, lo,,,o ,r1 F,;apIc CIonp tha lnpu
sleep of death and not note to mark
their resting place, but monument
is reared to their. names in every
true and patriotic Tennesseean's heart.
In September they were exchanged
at Vicksbmg. sent to Knoxville and re
organized at that place in October 10y
re-electing Col. Lillard, and electing j. 5.
Bottles Lieut. Colonel, and b. NJ. Satile
Major. 1t was soon assigned to Murirees-
boro, attached to Gen. }. G. Browns
Brigade Breckenridgc's Division. On the
29th December, put in line of battle
From their known proficiency in drill
and steadiness in action, were held as Gen.
Breckenridge reserve on Wednesday, un-
der shot and shell from the enemies bat
teries throughout the day. They mur-
INJURED not nor avoided their responslblll-
ty. Once they were ordered to charge
the enemy's extreme left, sheltered 10y
dense cedar-grove, where their batteries
were doing great damage to our troops -
Their advance was nearly mile through
an open field The order was received
with cheer after cheer. No murmuring
heard, no taltering seen, officers IN posi-
ton and men in ranks, IN the face oil a
dreadful fire the distance is nearly made,
when to their chagrn the order was coun-
termanded and they retire under the
same fire with the steadincss OF veterans
on review. Their loss was slight, and that
,day lclosad with a triumph to our arms IN
every sense complete.
Thursday was hailed as a day of rest
But our Generals, ever generous, ever
chivalrous, gave the enemy the privilege
of re-organzing his demoralized ranks,
choosing his positions, entrenching and
planting his batteries then attack him.
Gen. Breckinridge's Division was ordered
to attack the enemy's left, which was
drawn up in three strong parallel columns,
either outnumbering Breckinridge's force,
pos.ed IN a thicket of cedar, the front
rank protected by piles Of rails arranged
for that purpose. a creek (Stewarts)
crossed their left at acute angles, having
blutiy banks upon which were planted
heavy batteries supported strongly by in
fantry. Our line was drawn up in two
columns, the principal to charge, the rear
to support. The armies were separated
three quarters Of a mile, the distance
through corn and cotton-ields. Browns
Brigade, mporarily commanded by Gen.
Pillow. was composed OF four Tennessee
Repiments-among them, on the right
wing, tho Hardshell, impatient for orders.
At length the order, Column Forward!
Double QuickW was given, when cheer af-
ter cheer from this regiment rent the hea-
vens. The column advanced; the impetu-
osity and eagerness Of the Goth threw the
column into the form Of a rainbow Those
devoted veterans have been proven-no
fears are entertained Of their success
( On rising slight elevation the enemy
poured a deadly volley into their ranks,
but quick, steady, tho Goth moves on. re-
turning the fire with deadly aim. Trained
to shoot the squirrel, the turkey and the
| deer at full speed, they knew the use oi
the notch and bead No steadier aim was
ever taken in sport at the mark for prize
Every Ere esscned the enemies numbers
and weakened their ranks. On the col
umn moves-the Yanks waVer, they fall
back with stubbornness until they
reach their second column, rally be-
hind IL, and assist to stay the storm that
is rushing upon them and ploughing
through their ranks. But, no. Our troops
are hitting Cor liberty, drying a hated
foe from our homes, and cannot stop
/ The Yanks must die or fly. On they move
The gaps in tho Yankee army cannot bo
filled up as fast as they are made; the
sure ann is fast sealing Abraham's sol
diers n final discharge. The impetuous
charge aud terrific yells of DiXie's boys pa
ralyze them until aroused by tho close
proximity Of Southern bayonets, and
they fall back, stubbornly contesting eve
nv inch they yield, till their third column
is reached, behind which they rally, now
outnumbering US four TO one. We move
on, the Goth still maintaining tho rain
bow position. But those batteries across
the creok, with the infantry, open q rak-
ing and deadly cross fire upon us. The
gallant Lilards horse is shot under him
Col. Bottles wounded, the color-bearer is
wounded and the colors once more fall
but Capt J. A. Cash CALAMITY rushed tc
the colors, they again stream in the air
Mai safilc boldly dashes to tho front and
centre and reminds them Of Donelson.--
The column moves on---a more sublime
spectacle tho world never saw. Another
desperate charge, and the enemys third
column is driven. But those terrific bat
teries and those rugged bluffs cannot hi
withstood or climbed. No artillery tc
meet them-human effort can do no more
they must fall back or be inundated -
They fall back in order-it is no disorder
" retreat, but leaving their noble deac
and most Of their severely wounded in tbs