The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-23
soaring nm EnSiishman.

line had moved forward from the river. and
was nearing Ccrinth nj the rate OF quarter
of a mile dav. lfallcck did not propose
to take anv chances. He moved DIVISION
about mile or so, and then mao 10 tnro"
nm breastworks. The next da! other ror-
lions ,ynuJd move up to the same line and
eutrench themselves. In this way Hal!ecK
would. by this time, have reached the MIS-
siSsippi river. W. .o,
| was with Pope at the left: We had
pushed out from Hamburg. and, III tlme,
had gotten in front of Farmlncton. the
latter was occupied by the Coheoerates,
but not in large force.
The neyt day Pope sent forward heavy
column, which took possession Of Farming
ton after some little fighting. That night /
went back to Pope's headquarters. There
was nothing to eat in the town; and the
few wretchcd dwellings were filed by our
soldiers. 4 small force only was LETT to hold
the town. It was intended to move up Il
strong column the next day. with view to
the permanent occupation Of the town.
When reached Pope's quarters / found
stranger who brought a letter Of intro
duction TO me, who had come out to repre-
sent the New York World. He was an
Englishman of some twenty-four or twenty
six years of age. lie had the full, muscu-
lar form, the large limbs, square jaw, and
solid face characteristic of the average
Johnny Bull.
He has Just taken the position Of war
correspondent and had never seen bait
tie. found him, however, we'll educated,
possessed of literary tastes, and an extern
sive traveller. l introduced him to our
mess, and he was soon given position.
The next morning re0etHe was gwen al
ter an unexpected fashion. Instead OF the
usual clatter Of bonds there was sullen
roar of gun. followed by the eXhilarating
beat of the long roll in every direction.
Going to the entrance Of the tent, found
that everything was in commotion. The
portentous long roll was heard on every
side. The regiments could be seen falling
into line behind their stacked arms. Bu-
glers were sounding over toward the cav
airy camp oxderlies were gallOplne hlther
and thither, and the air was filled with
cries of Fall in there ~ "Lively, men" ~
and the rattle OF harness rs the horses were
being hitched to the batteries.
Daylight had come sufficiently to permit
objects to be visible Il half mile or SO away.
had no need of asking any OF the officers
who, bucking their swords and completing
their toilets rs they ran, were hurrying TO
the places, what was the matter. On to the
west there was heard those dull and irlegu.
lar detonations which even the tyrO could
not fail to recognize as cannonading. The
direction was that Of Pennington, and
knew at once that the Confederates were
attacking the column which had been left
to hold the place.
For several DAYS it had been understood
by Pope's men that the firing Of cannon
ut Headquarters was q signal to get under
arms without further orders. 1t was the
roar of this signal gun which had broken
up the slunbers Of our camp, and had sent
every man into position.
Certain regiments. batteries, and cavalry
uf nd H..
patched to the relief of the handful OF
troops ut Pennington. 4 column Of re-
serves was sent forward u little later. and
the remainder of the force was ordered to
hold itself in readiness to march at a mo-
ment's notice. This gave opportunity for
breakfast, Of which those who remained
were not slow to avail themselves. l was
among the number. I preferred coffee,
beef, and bareback to witnessing tight on
an empty stomach.
NV English friend also concluded to wait
for coffee. He had arisen when the gun
sounded, and had since been watching with
good deal of intentncss the busy prepare
tions, and listening to the distinct cannon
aiding at Pennington. He seemed intent,
and no more. Ills dull gray eye did not
kndle, or his cheesy complexion flush
under the excitement. He was rs impaS-
sive as an old traveller would be in watch
ing the antics of Il cage of monkeys ut Il
m onagerie.
Breakfast was finished, and about S
O'Clock Mr.. Bull--that was not his name
and myself mounted couple OF horses and
started for the extreme front.
The main road was filed with troops,
all moving westward. The scattering and
desultory cannonading Of the early morn
ing had swollen into a steady and almost
unbroken roar, showing that the fresh
troops sent forward had gone into action.
ttNn fI.t hat
stantly increasing, proved that 1t was no
skirmlsh, but heavy fight that was taking
place. The Contederates had evidently at
tackled in force with the intention of anni-
hilating the troops left in charge of Farm
ington, and, in consequence, reinforce
ments were hurried forward with the ut
most possible rapidity.
Bull and myself pushed on as rapidly as
the condition of the road would permit.
Just then there occurred to me a very bril-
liant notion. My English friend had never
seen battle !; and consequently had never
been under fire. | was somewhat OF a vet
Gran; and l concluded it would be Il capi
tai joke to take my companion into the
fight far enough to Tighten him thorough
ly, and to stampede him. My lively imagi-
nation already took in the spectacle of his
burly form, as he flew, like another John
Gilpin, from the hideous carnival of death
that roared behind him.
/ am somewhat clear in the recollection
that had very hearty inward chucklc us
thus saw him in fancy flying madly to the
rear, his form we'll forward to the horses
name, his head hatleSs, and his countcnancc
expressive OF deadly terror. 1t was 20 very
funny that involuntarily burst into roar
Of laughter, and which l fastened to eX-
plain to my companion as having reference
TO the antics OF a balky mule team. In
little while we reached the line OF reserves.
It. was drawn up in order OF battle, with its
left protected by stream and its right by
dense impossible timber. On some ridges
batteries were distributed and in Il hollow
short distance behind the line, was gath
cred regiment of cavalry.
Immediately in front Of this line of battle
was dense swamp, thl ou9h which ran a
corduroy road. and which led to Farming
ton. 1t was the only road that led to the
place, and was SO narrow that it was espe-
cially united either for advance or retreat.
The logs forming the road were some ten
or twelve feet in length. Alongside of this
road were bitches filled with water and
oozy mud. On either side extended the
swamp, covered with timber, and utterly
impossible even for Il fOotlnan.
We passed through the line of reserves,
and entered the east end of the cut through
the swamp, The distance through was
perhaps three-foW tbs Of a mile. Beyond,
the ground was higher and cleared. In the
open space was Pennington, and there was
where the battle was raging.
Looking through the vista of the swamp
we could see dense smoke in which were
tflaOlItlnes Of the figures of men and horses