The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-18
Mach Is, 1880 ]
{ Contn"ed from page l70.)

being plainly exposed to the fire Of the con
rraled sharp-shootcrs. The ritied 6-pounder
could not used. Seeing that the crisis
was come-as the Uonfederates were "a
,uming the offensive and closing upon
him from three sides, with the river
at his back-General Baker turned
10 the bayonet as the last hope Calling
70 the nearest battallions, he shouted, or
dered, entreated them to advance, to charge!
His voice, ringing above the murderous
crack of the rifle, could be heard ever in the
Confederate ranks, urging his men to charge
and save the day and themselves. Thus In
cited they began to move, but IN wavering
irresolution-a sure precursor Of failure.
Baker ran forward and at once received a
singing wound. But without p%ausing he
c~ailantly rushed onward and was at the
head Of his men, when a beardless youth
emptied five barrels of his revolver into him,
at twenty PAGES. -Four of the balls took
effect. the first passing through his brain
FEARFUL STAMPEDE.
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 rearward. This started the
rest, and a general retreat took place, though
several brave fellows moved so slowly that
hand-to-hand fights ragged along the whole
line during the next ten minutes Many of
the Southerners also stopped at the cannon,
which they wheeled around and endeavored
TO fire upon their late owners, but could
not succeed. Subsequently one of the guns
was found to have the ball pat in before the
powder-a very good reason for its refusal
TO explode. The temporary failure to pur
sue enabled Colonel Cogsweil now In COM
mand-to rally a portion ofthe survivors on
the brow ola bluff, but he was himselfbleed
ing from a wound; Colonel Devens was in like
condition all regimental order was lost, and
the budding of the men on the hill render
ed the Confederate FIRE, which was rapidly
closing in on all sides, so much the more
fatal. Suddenly the Seventeenth Missis-
,ippi closed in on the flank with a terrific
yoliey and ended the battle. Then ensued
an awful spectacle! A kind of shiver ran
through the huddled mass upon the brow
of the cliff; it gave way rushed a few steps
then, in one wild, panic stricken herd,
rolled, leaped, tumbled over the precipice
ragged, iuttlng crags, and a water laved
base. Screams of pain and terror filled the
air. Men seemed suddenly bereft of reason
they leaped over the bluff with muskets still
in their clutch, threw themselves into the
river without divesting themselves of their
heavy accoutrements-hence went to the
bottom like lead Others sprang down upon
the heads and bayonets of those below. A
gray-haired private of the First California
vas found with his head mashed between
two rocks By the heavy boots of a ponder
GUS "Tammany' man, who had broken his
own neck by the fall! The side of the bluff
down.
AN ARMY IN H WATER.
From the beginning of the battle a steady
stream of wounded men had been trickling
down the zig-zag path leading to the narrow
reach, whence the boats were to convey
hem to the Island. AS it happened, the
TWO larger batteaux were just starting with
All overload when the torrent of terror
stricken fugitives rolled down the bluffs
upon them. Both boats were instantly
submerged, and their cargoes of helpless hu-
man beings Crippled by wounds were
swept away to unknown graves! The whole
surface of the river seemed filled with heads,
struggling, screaming, fighting, dying
Man clutched at man, and the strong. who
might have escaped, were dragged down by
the weaker. Voices that strove to shout
Sor help were stifed by the turbid, sullen
waters of the swollen river and died away in
gurgies. 1t is strange how persons about
- drown turn to their fellows for strength
they may be in mid ocean, with no hope
tor any, yet will they grasp one another and
SINK in pairs. Captain Otter. Of the First
California IAN opposite name for a swim
mer, was found a few days later with two
men Of his company clutching his neckband.
Had he attempted to save them, or hao
they seized and dragged him down? One
officer was found with 1926 in gold in his
pocket ; it had cost his life. Colonel Dew.
ems escaped by swimming his horse across
to the island, though both were slight,
Wounded. Captain Young, of Colonel Ba.
Sers staff, wrote
Il got Colonel Bakers body back to the
Island before the worst of the rout, and
en- looking to the Virginia shore | saw
ch a spectacle as no tongue can describe
Our entire forces were retreatlng, tumb
ling, rolling, leaping down the steep banks
the enemy following them, numbering ant
taking prisoners. Muskets, coats, ans
pVarvthInm tArourn oS,IA and al