The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-01-10
ia G'q'LE OF sfEELOEE.

his tory Of General Morgan's Partisan
r rangers, by General Basil Duke. tire
1ates to the battle Of Shiloh, ;ald COM
mences Or the morning OF tho otA or
April.
The afternoon wore away and no
sign in the enemy's camp Indicated that
he had discovered our presence. The
night fell, and the stern preparations
for the morrow having been all compile
VAS soon almost as still as before it had
been tenanted blythe hosts OF war. But,
before the cay broke, the army was
astir; the bugles sounded the yeyeiNe on
all sides, and The long lines began to
form. About five O'Clock, the first gun
rang on the front-another and another,
succeeding, as our skifmishers pressed
on, until the musketry grew into the
cracking, labored sound, which preced
es the roar of real battle. The troops
seemed excited to frenzy by the sound.
It was the first fight ia which the na-
icrity OF them had ever been engaged.
and they had, as yet, seen and suffered
nothing to abate the ardor with which
the high-spirited young fellows painted
for battle. Every one who witnessed
the seene-the marshaiing Of the Con-
tederate army for attack upon themorn-
ing of the 9th of pril-mustre remember,
more distinctly than anything else, the
glowing enthusiasm Of the men, their
buoyancy and spirited inlpatienea to
close with the enemy. rs each regi-
ment formed upon the ground where
it had bivouacked, the voice OF its COM
mander might be heard as he spoke
high words of encouragement to his
men, and it would ring clearer as he
would appeal to their regilnental pride
and babe them think of the fame they
might win. When the lines began to
advance, the wild cheers which arose
made the woods stir as with the rush OF
mighty wind. Nowhere was there
any thought of fear everywhere were
the evidences of impetuous and deter
mined valor.
For some distance the woods were
open and clear Of underground, and the
troops passed through, preserving their
array with little difficulty; but as the
point, where the fight between the pick
cts had commenced, was neared, the
timber became dwarfed into shrubby
brush, and at some places dense thick
cts impeded the advance. The ground,
too, grew rugged and difficult of passage,
in unbroken line. Frequently halts to
reform and dress the ranks became nee
essary, and at such times General John
ston's magnificent battle order was
read to the regiments, and its manly,
heroic language was listened to with
the feeling it was intended to evoke.
The gray, clear morning was ere long,
enlivened with radiant sunrise. As
the great light burst in full splendor
above the horizon, sending brilliancy
over the scene, many man thought of
the great conqeruor's augry and pointed
in eXultation and hope to the "Sun Of
Shiloh" Breckinridge's division went
into the fight last, and, of course, saw
or heard great deal of it, before becom-
ing itself actively engaged. Not far off
ON the left and center, the fight soon
lutely on; the uneasy broken rattle of
the skirmishers gave way to the sustain
ed vollcys of the lines, and the artillery
joined in the clamor, while away on the
right the voice of the strife sWelled
hoarser and angrier, like the growl of
some wounded mOnster-furiOus and at
bay. Hardee's line carried ali before it.
AT the first encampment it met not even
the semblance of a check. Following
close and eager upon the fleeing pickets,
it burst upon the startled inmates as
they emerged, half-clad, from their
tents, giving them no time to form,
driving them in rapid panic, bayonet-
ing the dilatory-on through the camp
swept, together, pursuers and pursued.
But now the alarm was Thoroughly Civ
en-, the "long roll' and the bugle We're
calling the Federal army; all through
their thick encampment they were has
tily forming.
AS Hardee, close upon the launches
of the foe he had first started, broke in
to another camp, a long line of steel
and flame met him, staggering, and for
a little while, stopping his advance.
But his gallant corps was still too fresh
for an enemy not yet recovered from
the enervating effects ofsufprise to hold
it back long. For a while it Writhed
and surgeu before the stern barrier sud-
denly erected in its front, and then,
gathering itself dashed irresistibly for
ward. The enemy was beaten back;
but the hardy Western men who filled
his ranks-although raw, and for the
first time under fire-could not be forced
to positive flight. They had once form
ed, and at this stage of the battle they
could not be routed. They had little
discipline, but plenty of staunch cour-
age. Soon they turned for another stand
and the Con faderateS were at once nm