New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-09
NV ORLEANS REPUBLICAN. SUNDAY. JANUARY o 1875

was among them. The knot of officers
proved to be General S,ckles and his staff.
/ ealuted him, and was Just asking for Gen.
eral Do Trobriand, when terrific OK
plosion seemed to shake the very earth
This was instantly followed by another
equally stunning, and the horses all began
to lump. instantly noticed that General
Sickles' pants and drawers at the knee were
torn clear of to the leg, which was swing
ing loose. The jumping of the horse was
fortunate for him, as he turned just in time
for him to alight on tho upper side of the
slope of the hill. As he attempted to
dismount he seemed to lose strength, and
half fell to the ground. He was very pale,
and evidently in most fearful pain. as he
exclaimed, excitedly: Quick. quick! Get
something and tie it up before I bleed to
DEATH These were his exact words, and |
shall never forget the scene as long as
live, for We all loved General Sickles, who
commanded our corps. He was carried
from the field to the house l have men
toned. coolly smoking cigar, quietly re-
marking to Catholic priest, chaplain to
one of the regiments in his command, whose
name l regret that do not remember, but
who was fearlessly administering to the dy-
ing and wounded, in spite of the balls that
whistled about him: MAN proposes, and
God dispoees." His leg was amputated
within less than half an hour after his re-
ceiving the wound.
soon found General De Trobriand, and
told him about the accident to General
Sicklee, and reported to him what the For
tieth New York had done, and mentioned
the names of the officers that had been
killed and wounded as far as knew them.
When he noticed my face all blackened
with dirt and smoke, and that was riding
another horse. he remarked, "Why. Cap
tain, where is your hOrse?" Poor fellow,
reckon he is dead, General said !, land
this is one that Warner was riding when he
was shot down." When l came to dis
mount 1 found the poor horse also bloody
to the foot from a wound in the hip, and the
front of the Mcclellan saddle strapped on
him entirely shot away.
The part taken in this action by our dlvl-
sion was brief, but determined. 1t fought
until the last cartridge was gone and then
fell back slOwly and stubbOrnly until re-
lieved.
That evening, after lying down among the
dead and dying to obtain little much
needed rest, the cries of the sufferers rem
dered it impossible for me to sleep. went
to the assistance of many of the poor fell
lowe, on both sides. who were calling for
water. / was accompanied by Lieutenant
Houghtou, of the staff, and supplied with
six or eight canteene, we ventured on our
errand OF mercy. Many called on us that
we dared not visit, from the imminent rick
of being shot, as the firing of the pirkets
was incessant; but We had the satisfaction
of moistening the lips of scores of dying
men, who doubtless passed to their long &C.
count with unspoken by heartfelt prayers
in our behalf.
Once. as ventured too far toward the
enemy's line, came very near losing my
life in this attempt to succor the helpless.
was handing canteen Of water to Con.
federate soldier who was able to sit, but
could not stand, when ball whistled over
nv head from the picket line. threw the
lowed away. Several shots followed me as
l rode rapidly into our lines. and l was
Justly indignant at the idea OF being fred
upOn under such circumstances, but Of
course it was impossible for the enemy to
tell whether we were robbing the dead or
ministering to the wants of the living.
We rode down the next morning and
brought off of the field . great many
wounded of both armies. One officer.
major, had been shot through both thighs,
Just above the knees, and was utterly help
less. He had, however the same proud
look of defiance III At had doubtless charac.
terized him when in full strength, and as he
was placed upon the stretcher, exclaimed
with an air of hauteur remarkable to OBJ
serve, IL am much obliged to you colonel"
and was borne in silence to the hospital.
Another officer Lieutenant Perkins, OF an
Alabama regiment. was also carried OF of
the field by US. He had been shot in the
foot, and also lost a thumb. He was po-
lite and gentlemanly young fellow, evidently
unused to hardship. He told us that his
mother had begged him to 90 into the army
as q duty to his country. | saw in spite of
his injuries he was glad that he had.
never met either of these officers afterWard
One of the most singular sights | ever
was On the morning OF the fourth
of July, after all the fighting was ended.
Under a locust bush, in yard near the bat
tie ground, was lying, fat on his back, q
dead soldier. with all his accOutrements on,
and dead comrades scattered thickly about
him. His eyes we're wide open, and, strange
TO say. instead of having the usual glazed
and CHASTITY appearance, were as bright and
clear as they could possibly have been in
life. AS knelt down beside him to observe
carefully this strange phenomenon, could
see as distinctly az in the eyes of living
person the IT Election of the leaves and sprigs
of the bush that waved above the rigid and
corpse. called the attention of
many of my brother officers, and several of
them came to look at him.