The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-06-08

ted they began to move, but with
that weak, waytring irreSolution-a
sure precursor of failure. Baker gal
loped to lead them, but was instantly
lismounted, the volIey which slew
his superb steed wouuding him also.
But without paosing he ga|lantly
rushed forward and was at the head
of his men-tl,c place tor brave
General to die, if tall he must-when
a beardlcss youth emptied five bar
rels of his revolver into him at TWEEN
ty PAGES. Four of the balls took ef-
feet, the first passing through his
brain!
At this moment the hostile lines
were within stones throw, and both
advancing. The Federals, seeing the
fall of their leader, halted. Some
soldiers seized Bakers body and ran
with it rcarward. This started the
rest, and a general retreat took place,
though several brave fellows moved
so slowly that hand hand fights
ragged along the whole line during the
next ten inmates. Many ofthe South,
erners also stopped at She cannon,
which they wheeled around and en-
deavored to fire upon their late own
ers, but conld not succeed. After
ward one of the. guns was found to
have the hall put in before the pow
der-a very good reason for its refn.
sal to explode when solicited. The
temporary failure to pursue enabled
Col. Cogswell-uow in command-to
rally il portion of the survivors on
the brow Of the bluff, but he was
himself bleeding from a wound Col
Devens WIS in like condition all
regimental order was lose, and the
budding of the men on the bill rem
dered the Confederate fire, which was
rapidly closing in on all sides, 50 much
more fatal. Suddenly the Seven
teenth Mississippi came in the flank
with terrific volley and ended the
battle. Then ensued an awfu: spec
tacle ! A kind of slliver ran through
the huddled mass upon the brow of
the cliff; it gave way; rushed a few
steps then, in one wild panic. strick.
en- herd, rolled, leaped, tumbled
over tho precipice! The descent is
nearly perpendicular, with tagged,
juttiug crags, anda water-laved base.
Screams of pain and terror tiled tue
air. Men seemed suddenly bereft Of
reason they leaped over the bluff
with muskets still in their clutch,
threw themselves into the river with
ont divesting themselves of their
heavy observation-disclosures went to
the bottom like lead. Others sprapg
down upon the heads and bayonets Of
thnaa below. A gray haired private
of the First California was found with
his head smashed between two rocks
BY the heavy boots Of a ponderous
"Tammany" man, who had broken
his own neck by the fall The side of
the bluff was worn smooth BY tile
number sliding down.
All the afternoon \ steady stream
of wounded men had been painfully
working down the zig.zag path which
led TO the narrow beach, where the
boats touched to convey them across
to HarrisOn's Island. Tho large bat.
teaux lad already secured full load
when the rout began. The rowers
showed off, but a great wave of fngi>
tives rolled in upon them, and hard
ly had tho boat reached mid current
than all went down, and scores of
human beings, previously crippled,
were swept away to unknown graves =!
The surface Of the river seemed full
Of heads. Man clutched at man, and
the strong, who might have escaped,
were dragged down by the weaker.
Voices that strove to shout for help
were stihed by the turbil, sullen va.
ters Of the swollen liver and died
away in gurgies. 1t is strange how
persons about to drown turn to their
fellows for strength; they may be 10
mid.ocean, with no chance for any,
yet will they grasp one another and
sink in pairs. Capt. Otter, Of the
First California ian appropriate name
for swimmcr), was found after the
battle With two men, Of his company
his neckband. Had be at
tempted to save them, or had they
seized and dragged him down. One
officer was found with 1920 in gold
in His pocket; it had cost his life.
Col. Deveps escaped by swimming
his horse across to tho island, though
botll were slightly wounded.