Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-04
War Recollections.

again those days in the history of our
country, so indelbly marked by the
rude hand of war; There are events
engraved upon the tablets of enduring
memory, that are as fresh to-day as
though 'twere yesterday they occurred.
They will live, cherished gems among
the jewels of memorys casket How
distinctly we hear the thunder of Rob
inson's Napoleons," the continuous roar
Of musketry and the shrill cheering of
the men as they charge the we'll remem-
bered "cedar thicket," at Murfreesboro.
How the heart thrills with excitement as
we listen to the deaiening yells of Gle
burne's men, as they go for " "0ld
Roza's" last line at Chickamauga, and
as the eye again catches a sight Of the
stars and stripes rapidly disappearing
through the woods on the memorable 22d
of July, 1864, made historical by the
pill the brave 'Clusky received in his
side and tho fruitless attempt of the
gallant Dawson to stop mimic with his
teeth. | say, as these pass vividly before
the minds eye, an involuntary cheer
arises to the lips, but is breathed only as
a sigh when we remember that those
scenes are past and gone never TO return.
1t is Of this last named engagement that
memory dwells with melancholy sadness.
1t was there that one of the most heroic
spirits of the"0ld l5th" passed from earth
"A companion and messmate from 6l-
one who filled brothers place ia my
heart, and had stood beside me when
in the shock of battle; truly youth
to fame unknown" but cherished in the
memory of those who admired the gal
liant soldier. His untimely demise left
void in many comrades breast and
filed O mothers heart with anguish; /
speak of the lamented Gus Flotron, than
whom braver man, a more patriotic
heart the regiment could not boast If
the reader will follow me he will see
what l saw upon that eventful day, will
witness the fall of true soldier The
personal prominence of the writer must
be excused as an inseparable compan-
ion. The command (Hardees corps)
left their line of intrenchments, facing
eastwardy, at two o'clock am, marched
into Atlanta, filed to the left and took
the road leading South-Bates' division
in front, Cleburnes next, and Cheat
hams, under command of Brigadier
General George Maury, following. My
company being on picket did not follow
until near daylight, but by rapid march
ing overlook the command by ten
o'clock All were speculating upon our
destination; the general impression pre-
vailing, however, that at last we were
giving up Atlanta without another strug-
gle. A mile farther, an abrupt file to
the left instantly dispelled the erroneous
impression, and then all were on the
qui uire as to the object of the move,
for you must understand, kind reader, we
were old soldiers then, could form line
fight battle, or make move as easy
with one commander as dozen. An
other mile, and the command was halted
for few moments rest Again we were
put in motion, with the caution to make
no noise. A wink is as good as a nod to
blind horse There was no soldier
then but knew what that caution meant.
We we're going to surprise Mr.. McPher-
son, who had quietly taken up his posi-
tion in front of us the day before. Three
miles farther the command was halted,
deployed silently in the woods-Bstes
on the right, Cleburne left; Cheatham's
division supporting - every soldier
knows that supporting means to be put
in when the rub" comes. The word
came to us from General Hardee that we
were to whip the fight; then came the
for work, knapsacks and
baggage unslung, piled up with little
hope Of ever seeing it again, cartridge
boxes brought TO the front or in con-
yenient position, a long swallow OF
water, and then-so think. Reader, did !
you ever sec a soldier that could accu-
rately describe his feelings &C such a |
moment; that moment that be awaits |
the comrlaud Forward p How busy |
is memory then; with what vividness
father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife,
little ones, friends, all pass before him,
for he knows not but the next hour will |
aunch him into eternity. But | am
All being ready, we moved |
forward in line of battle through |
he woods. Another halt Boom ! and
hen ten pound solid shot
came shrieking, tearing its way through
.he branches over our heads, announce
ng that Cleburne was at them-struck
hem ''eend way" as the immortal hero
it Forward again, out Of the
woods through a corn field, and another
halt in a field Of broomssdge. Here
comes a battery Of guns and a flock Of
il blue birds that those Wild Arkansas
1oys Of Cleburne's have taken in out Of
he wet" AT sight Of these it seemed
IS though the impatient spirit Of my
,omrade, Floiron, was beyond restraint