The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-28

who had to ride few hundred yards further to
meet Colonel Eitz Lee, turned round to me,
saying, "Captain, I wish you to remain here
with my staff and escort, until come back, to
give good example to the men," So we had
to stand for many minutes 10 this diabolical fire
of canister, which came rafting along the hard,
dry ground, or howled over US right and left
pretty severe trial It requires but little
courage to attack the enemy, even to ride
about composedly under FIRE, in comparison with
what is demanded to sit quietly in face of seve.
raj batteries, from which, with every momenta-
ry puff Of smoke from the mouths of the guns
one may reasonably expect the messenger of
death. she'll which exploded directly over
our heads tore nearly to pieces the captain of
the squadron nearest to me, with whom had
just been talking, and killed or wounded several
of the men. But our example had telling eff
feet; the ranks closed up and remained in good
order until the command was given, and the
long line of horsemen, soon in rapid trot, disap-
peafed behind a range of friendly bills.
General Stuart and staff now galloped forward
again to our artillery, which in the meantime
had los. many men and horses, but was still
answering with the greatest energy the calling
fire of the numerous batteries of the enemy.
Just at this time little incident occurred,
which in the very carnival of death, provoked
our hearty laughter One of our staff officers,
Captain -, whom we had often joked about
the nimble and successful manner in which b
lodged the shells Of the enemy, and who had
this day again made the politest obeisance to
their missiles, annoyed at our rallery, had de-
clared that be would never again bow at their
approach and was sitting with the utmost grav-
| ity bot-upright in the saddle, when twelve
pound solid shot screamed through the air, only
! few feet over his head. Down went the head,
not merely to the saddle, but with the body to
which it securely attached, to the earth,
amidst the convulsive shouts Of his comrades
and the canoneers. Another incident which we
witnessed about the same time, produced 20 less
merrimeLt amid the fury of the battle. A
wounded man was borne along by two~of his
comrades, his limbs hanging down motsnless,
and his head dangling about as if life was near
| ly extinct. The fire of the enemy was still
murderous, and one of the carriers struck by
musket-ball, felf-to the ground, dropped his
charge, who, seeing himself in great danger,
suddenly revived, and Jumping up, took to his
heels with the most surprising agility. The
explosive laughter which followed him in his
rapid fight all along our lines absolutely drown
ed for few moments the tumult and hurry
burly of the engagement
About six o'clock in the evening was sent
| by Gen Stuart to order to the front two squad
| rons of our Georgia regiment to attack one of
the Federal batteries which, without proper
support, had been making very bold advance.
The enemy had brought up to the distant
heights twenty pieces of rifed ordinance, which,
| by undue elevation, firing too high for the eff
feet they desired, we're playing upon an open
! space OF ground over which had to ride. The
fire was terrific that l found one of our re-
serve batteries, not actively engaged at the
| moment, entirely deserted by its gunners, who
had sought protection with the horses in deep
| ravine, and who cried out to me to dismount
and join them, because otherwise certain death
must be my fate. I pushed Oh, and reached
the point of my destination IN safety but gallop-
ping back I felt stunning blow across the
spine, and at the same moment my horse rolled
over with me-. I was confident the animal had
been struck by cannon ball; but, to my great
surprise, was not able to discover any wound.
AS was myself unhurt; I remounted my brave
animal, and continued nay way. solid shot
had passed close to my horses back, and the
current of air set 10 motion by its passage had
knocked over both horse and rider. Afterwards
during the war, I witnessed many similar cases
| Of prostration of men aud animals by wind
| age
AT seven o'clock in the evening the battle had
taken most favorable turn for our arms. At
this time the enemy, who had offered through
out the day the most obstinate resistance, in
trenched in very-strong positions, and attacking
US in the centre with twenty five Thousand reg
ular troops, the elite of McClellan's army, began
slowly to give way before the impetuous valor
Of our men, who drove these veterans from one
intrenchmeut to another until eight 2. NJ, they
were in full retreat, and the victory was ours.
| Thousands of prisoners among whom were
| two generals, several colonies and many inferior
officers, a large number of field pieces, and many
| flags fell into our hands. General Stuart with
| his cavalry, was Immediately sent in pursuit of
the enemy's flying columns, which we chased
for nearly five miles, until the darkness of the
night stopped our further progress. Return
ing, We we're compelled to ride with great eau
ton, for the field was strewn with wounded
men, many of whom had crept to the edge of
| the high road'to get within reach Of the ambu-
lances There is no sadder sight than that of
the battle field after the conflict is over Hap
PLY, night at this moment yelled from Us it's
full horrors; but there was an overwhelming
sense OF utter hopelessness in riding among so
many poor fellows, whom one would have SO
much liked to assist, even with the coup of cold
water;' brave fellows, groanng in their agony,
and calling upon every passer by for help
| with an entire consciousness on our part of the
fearful aggregate of the misery, and, alas. of
the little We could do for its alienation
We encamped upon the field of battle About
midnight felt myself touched on the shoulder:
apd when grasping the hilt of my sword, alb
ruptly demanded who was there, a mild voice
! answered me, General Jackson" The great
/ Confederate leader was in search of Gen Stuart
Stuart, who slept on my right, was Immediately
| aroused, and jackson accepting my invitation so
to do, sat down on my blankets by his side.