The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-01

from the invisible encampment of the en-
emy,where its magnificent army was pre-,
pairing its morning coffee; and as we
looked sulphurous white cloud sudden
ly rose through an opening much nearer
US, followed by the thunder Of a large
field-piece; our advance had been dis
covered, and battery was put forward
to shell the road by which we must reach
their position. Aud now we witnessed a
most magnificent spectacle; with tossing
banners and arms cleaning in the sun,
the heavy masses of oar infantry poured
lup the road we had just traversed, and,
Ifling off into the fields below, began to
form long line of battle; on, on they
came, regiment after regiment, brigade
after brigade, division after division,
marching quick step, ,deploying as fast az
they came up,until we could see the long,
| glittering line extending more than a
mile in front of rs through hollows and
over hills, through patches OF timber,
and sometimes in the deep grass, above
which we could sec only the heads and
shoulders and bayonets Of the files Then
with dull rumble, came battery after
battery of artillery, which took their pla
ces at a gallop in the intervals of the di-
visions, and all this time the two or three
hostile guns were lifting up their voices
in defiant thunder, sending their shells
at times clear over the heads Of our ar
my, to burst harmlessly on the ground
at the foot of the slope where we we're
stationed. Another aide dashed up to
our general, and in few moments onr
colonel gathered his officers about him.
"The infantry attack at ten," he said
"hold your men in hand, gentlemen ;there
will be hard work for u.s.
The hours passed on;I coul d see with
my glass through riffs in the trees far
away to the front the movement of large
bodies Of men, and several times horse
men, single or in squads, came quite
close to our position to reconnoiter; at
irregular intervals the boom of gun and
the shrek of shell were heard, bat no
answer had yet been made from our bat.
teries. Here they lay, facing each other,
in watchful defiance, two large armies
and every moment brought the collision
nearer.
Suddenly single bugle note was
heard, and in an instant the long line
stood to arms another-and it moved
straight forward, infantry and artillery,
while our eyes anxiously followed it
The woods swallowed it in places, the
growing corn and the fences obscured it
in others; but we could distinctly trace
its advance for half a mile, until it was
entirely hidden from view The loud
roar OF whole battery now broke the
stiffness another joined; sharp, rat
Ting sound of musketry-then volley
as if a whole brigade ;and from that mo-
ment for two hours there was prolong
ed, continuous roar, now louder now
lower, and sometimes deepening into 8
terrific din as twenty or thirty pieces ol
artillery united in one discharge; the
smoke foated above the tree tops, anc
through the trees we could sometimes
see the flashes of the guns. Back ant
forth the artillery wagons and. ambulan
ces sped, while crowds of panic struck
stragglers were skulking to the rear, ,and
stretchers and ambulances emptyine
their CHASTITY loads. A farm house JUS
in front of our position had been seized
by the medical director and turned into
a hospital, and the yellow flag foateC
from the roof, while surgeons and thei
assistants, with barred and dripping arms
went from one crowded room to alothe
on their dreadful mission.
Around our hriga commander
large number of reglmeutal officers hat
/ gathered, all sharing in the deep excite
ment of the scene; another aide canteret
up, and touching his hat said
'rhe general gives you notice that th,
cavalry will be wanted in half an hour
The enemy's infantry outnumber ours
they have driven our center in it is only
our superior artillery that holds them il
check. You will hear from him agail
soon"
"But the other cavalry brigade -wher,
is it ?" our general asked.
"Oh, forgot to tell you," the aide re
piled: sit was sent out on the left a
day break to feel the position there, ant
has been fighting the enemy's cavalry
ever since. The general has sent repeat
ed orders to keep them engaged, so tha
they can make no attack on our infantr,
or artillery. So you sse, genera" "-anl
the aide laughed-''your brigade viii
have all the glory of the charge"
Eyes, and all the ruin of it, / fear
muttered the general as the aide rode
away. "Charge whole army with TWEEN
ty-tive hundred cavalry, indeed! But lie
the old man say the word, and I'm off
Mount, gentlemen, mount!'
i Our bugles rang out the call and every
I man was in the saddle, and every ey,
bent painfully to the front. The tide o
!, fugitives had visibly increased in the las
!, half hour; the wounded were brough
back in such numbers that field hospi
tai was established in grove farther VI
toward the front, and the sound of th,
battle drawing nearer plainly told u
that the enemy we're pressing their ad
) .vantages by a general advance. Anothe
aide broke from the woods and rode
bareheaded, straight to our general
':The time has come!' he said, almos
out of breath. ''Just few words first
( There is reason to believe that the enc
my think all our cavalry engaged OF
their right-our left Gain position OF
the lank of that wood near our right
: without being discovered-stay, viii
guide you myself. You are then within
5 easy distance of his left, and there th
; blow must fall "
| "By fours, right--march!" Through
! hollows and along the skirts of th
: woods we went on sharp trot, and i
5 half an hour the aide paused, and point
| ed to the general the ground on whic
we were to deploy. 1t was, as he said
on the flank OF wood; we could hea
+ the tremendous noise of the battle o
t our left, but it was all hidden from on
/; sight. We formed in lines Of regimen
, tal columns h,y 1prntaopv opA in hi