The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-05-14

The following account of the sec.
ond Battle Of Coriath will constitute
chapter sixteen Of a forthcoming
History Of the First and Second
Missouri Brigades." written by Col.
X. S. Bevier. of Russellville, Kv.,
As quasi official report General
Maury's account Of the hattie of
Corinth. which l have given in full
is complete.
1t has Informed us Of the numbers
of the contending forces. the move
ments of the two armies and the
positions Of the different commands.
1t has satisfied the dignity of history
and I will now satisfy myself bv de-
scending to incidents and personals for
the purpoae Of recalling some If the
vivid scenes Of this protractsd combat
Sometimes the bravest deeds and
nOblest actions are unknown 10 the
commander and the writers of official
reports and are left unrecorded b.
history.
In such desperate encounters a
occurred on the giacis north Of Corinth
every man was a hero. The charge of
the first day through the dense abattis
which had been too well constructed
by Beauregard-where all semblance
Of line was lost the field officers
riding around trees. jumping their
horses over them or dismounting to
lift aside heavy branches. and the
men lodging under. climbing over.
struggling through or running around
the many obstructions under a con-
tinual deadly and persistent FIRE from
MIME rifles. Parrot guns and canister
shot-w simply sublime.
When the Nlissourians a. last reach.
ed the clear ground no man waited for
his comrade or 10 dress himself To any
alignment, but rushed at once for the
foe.
In twos and threes they clambered
over the breastworks followed by
dozens and hundreds.
The astonished Yankees declared
that they were drunk, and doubles
disguised by such conduct. departed
for the rear with speed that would
nave done credit to Weston and
O'Learys fastest feats.
In the meantime the mounted
officers. who had been necessarily
more delayed in the passage, came
galloping up the hill waving hats ard
swords. essayins to ride over the
steep and soft ascent Of the panapets
few some succeeding. some failing
and sliding back with their horses
into the ditch while Others cody dis
mounted, hitched their steeds to the
nearest tree. and then at the keen
run of a foot race, followed their
shouting squadrons.
One IF the men, seated on cap
tured cannon wiping the PRESENTATION
from his brow. greeted his commander
when he came up, painting and
blowing, with. "WeI:. Colonel, Won
mounted fellows are tolerably useful
in camp and serve a good purpose on
the drill ground. but We don't need
you much in a fight"
"No; I'll swear you don't" gasped
the officer. land you can outrun the
devil when you are after Fed
"You bet We can"
In this assault the First Brigade
captured five splendid fwenty.four
pound brass howirzers belonging tatne
First Missouri Federal battery. but
the horses having been killed and the
other pieces dismounted on disabled,
but one could he utilized.
There was also taken q thirty two
pound rified Parrot gun with LADY
Richardson" painted on the carriage,
to which were attached six sleek,
beautiful coal black horses who were
Immediately enlisted into the rebel
service.
As soon as the lines were rearrang-
ed the advance continued through
dense underhush, until q portion Of
General Hebert's division obliqued too
far to the right, infringing upon the
Second Missouri Brigade and CON-
pletely covering the first.
In this condition the Second, under
General Green. encountered the nisin
force of the enemy posted in q strong
position, and a furious combat ensued,
which was nobly sustained by Green's
men. with an obsfinacy. until Colonel
Gates was informed Of the situation
and rapidly moved the First Brigade
around to the left of the Second.
The two brigades halted but a
moment to rectify their fronts when
they once more advanced upon the |
enemy. driving him back. and when
they halted were within 400 yards Of
the center Of the town of Corinth and |
of General Rosecranz' headquarters.
Finding they were some distance
ahead of the other forces and occupy.
ing an isolated position in front of ::the !
general lines Of Van Dorn's army,
they paused for further orders from |
General Hebert. who commanded
the division. None came and Colonel
Gates sent Major Hubbel Of the Third |
Missouri Infantry, who was unable.
though diligently searching. to find
that officer.
BY some unaccountable mistake.
Hebert's old brigade under Colonel
Moore. Mississippi. hal been moved To
the left. unflankipg Generals Moore's
Tennessee Brigade. leaving the line
an unattended gap.
Through this unfortunate inter.tice
4 brigaie Of reinforcements to the
enemy just arrived, penetrated. |
crossing the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
roads and getting completely in the
rear Of the First Missouri Brigade.
Their object seemed to be to cap
ture all Prices artillery. which had