Louisiana capitolian., 1880-05-18
Writton'for the Capitolian.
At the Cost Of hi1 Life,
An INCIpEN1bF THE LATE WAR.

II was in the month Of November,
1863. General Lees army had fallen
back from the line Of the RappahaDDock
to that on the south side of the Rapidan
rivbr, where he had established winter
quarters for the army of Northern vir.
ginia. Already the havoc of the battle
field was showing it's dreadful effects
AMONG the veteran regiments. Brigadcs
THAI eighteen months before could bring
into line three thousand muskets, scarce
ly Numbered eight hundred. The mon
we've poorly supplied with clothing,
shoes and blankets to protect them
against the freezing blasts of mercilcss
wirtA Added to this, hunger was ever
pre- sent as reminder that the Confed-
eracy was becoming less able, as ono day
suceceded the other, to furnish tho ode
quate supply Of food to ito heroic SOL
diers.
Withai the courage and the devotion
OF the army to tho cause it was defend
ing, WIS unshaken.
1t was at this gloomy period, during
spell of excessive cold, that the Army
of the Potomac. under General Meade,
effected the crsssing of tho Rapidan,
with the evident intent of fgiving battle,
hoping to achieve tho defeat Of tho war
worn veterans of Leo.
Ia view of this forward move.
meDt of the enemy, Lees Army had fal.
len back behind small creeE known as
the Mine Run, situated but few miles
farther south Of the Rapidan. There the
undaunted chieftain awaited for two
days the attack of his powerful antago.
mist.
Despite he numerical superiority of
bis forces and the Unlimited resources
at his command tho Federal General
advanced with great hesitation. His
battalions had not yet appeared on the
opposite bank of the Nine Run.
The morning of the third day had ar
rived and yet no enomy was visible. AT
this juncture, Johnson's Division of
EwelPs Corps formerly Jacllson's) was
ordered to cross the creek for the pur-
pose of reconnoiteriDg the cnemy's posi-.
ton
The Division had scarcely crossed the
Run" and entered the dense woods be-
You'd, that the rear guard was suddenly
attacked bya body Of infantry concealed
III ravine. 1t was evident to every
one that nothing remained to be done
save to fight, as the enemy was in pos
session of the ford just passed.
Promptly did Gen. Johnson throw his
Division into line, after which move.
ment, with loaded guns he await the
onslaught Of the hidden foe. Some iif-
toen minutes elapsed and still the enemy
had not moved. 1t was then .]ohnsons
turn to act. With characteristic deter
mination the command of forward"
was passed from regiment to regiment.
In quick time, with fixed bayonets the.
gallant Division moved towards the
trent. Arriving at th~sdge of wide
open field, the Division was met ly a
brisk musketry fire coming from line
OF blue coats posted on the summit o AN
elevation on which stood farm house
hanked by a row of haystacks.
The men were ordered to charge; with
ali exnltant yell the battalions wheeled
to the left and ascended the height driv.
ing enemy from their position. EncOnr-
aged by their success the commanding
officers with the several regiments nf
stattord's Louisiana Brigade (Nicholls')
pressed on eagerly in pursuit of the fly
ing enemy. 1t was then that they were
met bya mnrderons volley Of mns3etry,