Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-23
NEW SERIES, NO. 22s

| ing air, and its tones were so omin.
ously full of exultation and irwin
chile courage, that the enemy ceased
| firing, and hesitated in their work
| for q few moments.
The General looked, in his mos
ment of pride, q very Hercules in
gray armor. Pointing to the bat
terry, and, in accents that thrilled
his soldiers and were heard above
the din Of combat, he shouted i:
"My brave soldiers, follow melp
The magical influence of his talis-
manic eloquence was apparent; in
an instant, for when the line moved
1t was in as compact and solid rank
as the soldiers had ever done on
field parade, with a yell, that told
all their confidence in their leader,
they sprung forward and bravely
advanced on that strong centre.
The first line Of Federals al
tempted to run from their works,
but befole they had decided as to
their course, the Kentuckians were
on and over them, trampling and
shooting them at the muzzle ends
of their flaming guns.
Rapidly the Confederate line
swung round and up the hill, and
as far as the eye could see through
the open fields a sheet of flaming.
fiery muskets closed the Gordon Of
destruction about the doomed en-
envy in blue.
Rushing over the broken, rocky
ledge, torn surface of the fields,
through the peach orchard and
right on the battery, Breckenridge
and his gallant soldiers quickly
closed the final scene of the battle. |
The red and blue uniforms of the
cannoneers quickly disappeared be-
meath the the terrific blows and |
death dealing shots of the assault |
ing forces. A yell of victory re- /
verberated through the hills, and |
the shout was taken up and echoed
from thousands of hoarse threats,
that were parehed and dry with
the fever thirst of successful battle. |
Like the roar of a distant water
TALL, mingled with the wind sough-
ing through pine forest, there
came to US the sounds of fight
of the retreating army. The
sound of shots had ceased, and
here was something not only very
ireadful and appalling in the noise
If the enemy's flight, but also
IN unexplainabie excitement and
liseomforting nervousness in the
Ineasy Confederate lines. The
'nxiety to pursue and destroy the
low routed army of federals, was
he hope that made US SO restless,
hat our hearts were almost stiiIed
s we eagerly listened for the
barge. Ped
On the hill where those now
lent guns had bayed bloody and
lhospitable welcome to our brave
-entuckians, Gen. Breckenridge
ested on his horse. His gallant
1ldiers surrounded him with admir-
lg and eager eyes. Others elus- \
red in little parties, and mingled
ieir congratulations and eondol-
ice on the events of the day.
On the slope of that terrible hill |
y the still forms of many of our
omrades, who, but few moments
efore had started with US in the
ice for victory Sadly we gathered
lem together and looked with tear
Il and misty eyes en- their paIlid
nd blood stained features, that were
DIV rigid in death. With many of
lem we had eampaigned through IT
the fierce dangers and assaults !
at were incident to Breckinridge's
mpaigns. Surely we did fair mar
Il honors to those soldier dead,
hen we laid them to rest on the
Try spot whence the rain of death / D,
I'd sped to their hearts. And we
easure the glorious memory that =,
It, in the history OF the world was
ere ever more heroism displayed
more surprising bravery exhibit
, whether on the crusade, blight r,
fields of classic Asia, Greece or
y other land of renown, history
d fable, than was shown ON that
Il, where Gen. John G.. Breckin-
lge, the gallant, brave and hand
me- soldier, and his cavaliers in
grey, destroyed the federal host II
Chiekamanga.
"0n Fame's eternal camping ground {
Their silent tents are spread.
And honor guards with solemn round