Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-02-25
HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE 31sT |
Murfreesboro, Tenn. Feb. 7th, 1864

|
ings of mingled pride and satisfaction
that / record the following splendid
achievements of the hitherto "Bloodless
Firty- Thirst and in particular Co. G,
who greatly distinguished themselves
by the terrible carnage they wrought in
the ranks of the enemy. We have won
immortal renown, and are entitled to the
everlasting gratitude of the nation for
our noble deeds of daring. But truce
to eulogy; / will state the facts as they
occurred: NJ
About six o'clock at midnight of the
Both of February, heavy firing was
heard in the direction of the Confeder-
ate States, waking us up from our inno-
lcent slumber. The long roller wrs beat
en-, (badly) and the regiment turned
out with alacrity, bravery and deter
mination depicted in glowing colors on
their handsome countenances, while
their bright muskets and polished bay
onets cleaned in the moonlight with
savage ferocity. The firing still con-
tinued at intervals of about a week,
gradually growing nearer, but approach
!! ing so slowly that we feared it would re-
quire as long time for them to get
within range of our guns asst takes Maxi
milan to get to Mexico. However our
brave boys took it cody, some lit their
pipes and had smoke, while others in
dulged in quiet game Of euchre, while
waiting for the enemy. Shortly after
breakfast we discerned a solitary horse
man approaching at leisurely gait,
with ponderous battle-axe swung at
his saddle bow, with which unlawful
weapon he proceeded to drive in our
pickets, and succeeded SO we'll that it is
feared we will never be able to get them
out again.
This gaily caprisoned horseman was
but the advance guard of the Confed-
crate Army who were now discovered
approaching in immense numbers, 600,-
600 strong. AS usual they outnumbered
us several to one, although repeatedly
requested not to do so but as it is their
custom, we submitted to the rule Our
right wing rested against stump while
the left stretched far away towards tall
timber. The enemy's forces steadily
advanced, closed in mass until we could
see the whites of their eyes, when the
order was given to fire. The battle now
began in earnest, volley after volley Of
musketry rolled from one end of our line
to the other, and the enemy were moved
| down like trees in tornado. We felt
sorry for the fate Of the poor fellows
but continued firing, taking neither rest
nor refreshment for the space Of eight
long minutes /; at the end Of that time
the enemy were seen to waver, their ranks
were broken in two, and their men dread
fully demoralized as we could distinctly
hear them using profane language. At
this critical juncture our left wing was
detached from the body and sent back to
camp to get dinner ready, while the right
was ordered to charge bayonet on the
columns of the now discounted and re-
treating foe which was executed in SPLEEN
did style without the loss of a man ex-
cept few Feathers from out of the ex-
treme tip of the wing. Co. C, by a
brilliant koo de maang put an end to the
struggle by gently throwing brick bats
at the shins of the enemy which brought
them to their knees (for the first time
in their Iives) and enabled us to capture
al who were not killed. Thus closed
the most eventful and sanguinary con-
flict that ever occurred on the Ameri-
can continent. The rebellion is crushed
and the war virtually over.
The following is the list of casuali
ties: Total number of rebels engaged
100000; severely killed, 59s, 999: pris-
oners, ,001 (none wounded;) total num-
Der Federals engaged, 3lst; killed. the
strength of 59S,999 cartridges; wound
ed-Dave, who received frightful cash
In his coat-tail, caused by his comrades
endeavoring to restrain him from rush
ing on the enemy in overwhelming num-
bers
Missing, Junior and Nelly, who made
bold stand or Clay rather behinda log,
where they could "smell the battle afar
of''-they have since returned to camp
covered with mud, blood and glory. Ella
ted with success. Co. c, now consider
I a