The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-11-10

and shell upon, into and near us, was
such as none of us can ever forget. 1t
was a hot box, / can assure you. One
of our battalions made its movement
a little too hurriedly to suit our vet
eran colonel, and he babe them "Halt!"
in tone none other could assume, and
wheeled them toward the enemy again,
and held them for moment, and
lectured them for making such haste.
This movement, made III full view Of
army line of battle, with such apparent
GOODNESS under terrible fire, had q
strong moral effect upon all that wit
messed it, and commanded and received
due admiration.
The enemy's infantry now advanced
from the forest, long line, and from
cur position in front of our batteries
we had an unobscured view of them
and the "stars and bars" but recently
adopted, their regiments previously
having carried state flags. They adj
vanced bravely, with confidence, know
ing that they outnumbered us three to
one, our batteries sending them canister
with such deadly effect as to cause dis
heartening gaps in their ranks; but they
would close up and advance and APP
proach us so near that we could see the
whites of their eyes, but the guns wrought
such terrible havoc in their ranks that
it was too much for mortals to stand.
and they would fall back hurriedly to
the forest. Three times did they emerge
from the woods to charge our batteries,
and each time were driven back by our
guns. They we're made of good stuff,
and their commander, jackson, was as
good soldier as ever wore generals
stars.
No language that can command, or
any other person, for that matter, can
describe the sights and sounds of such
a terrible battle. One must have been
engaged in such a conflict, and have
experienced all the emotions and SEN
sations to understand fully what a test
it is for human nerves. While stationed
in this depression of the plain or valley,
tons of solid shot, shell and bullets
passed over our heads from our own
and the enemy's lines, standing as we
did between them.
Our regiment had done all that could
G DONE We had drawn the enemy
from his position on the mountain into
the plain, and we were now in the way
of our infantry, who were advancing to
grapple with the enemy, and we were
ordered by Gen. Banks to retire to the
rear and await orders, which we did
under the same terrible fire. But COM
ing from the friendly shelter of the
hollow, we were again exposed, but
moved as calmly as if upon parade our
infantry cheering as they passed us on
their way to "see Stonewall' in their
front.
Upon our way to the rear we met
Gen. Pope, and Mcdowell with his
corps, hurrying to the support of Gen.
Banks, who had, with 5000 men, and
now was, contending with three corps,
numbering $4,000, the flower Of Lees
army, under such generals as Thomas
(Stonewall) Jackson, Ambrose P. Hill
and Richard s. Ewell.
We halted in close vicinity to the
field, many of the enemy's shot and
shell passing over us, and dismounting,
listened to the music of the battle,
which was now being waged with fear
full earnestness The battle continued
until II o'clock by moonlight, when
both sides, as if by mutual consent,
paused for rest. At early dawn the
enemy fell back across the Rapidan
River, leaving many Of their dead un-
buried and claimed a victory.