National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
Was 1t a Dream ?
A Personal "Reminiscences.

On the 18th of August, 1862 was in the Union
amy and the regiment TO which belonged was
6epOyed as skirmisheTs in front of Lougstreers
tcOnfederate) corps, not far from GainesvilIs, Va
During the day there was some desultory firing on
The part of the opposing forces, but no sustained
Engagement although we continued TO press upon
The enemy until darkness settled down and put an
End 10 further manoeuyreS.
Anightfan |, with four or five companies of my
command, remained in the position occupied dur
ing the day, while the rest of the regiment detailed
Tor picket DUTY, advanced some distance to the
front
Twas in excellent health and spirits, but being
greatly iatgued, fell asleep almost Immediately
Bier The arrangements for the night had been per-
ieced. and soon began TO dream.
Forsome considerable time my mind wandered
over events or dwelt upon scenes which were
4aliiiiiaF and which, upon awakening, 1 found no
alhculty in locating.
Alter while, however, wandered into dream
Ahd where all seemed strange 1 fancied myself
lying in line Of battle with my comrades in piece
Oh TIMBER ringing an open field of some consider
able extent, the farther side of which sloped gently
upward, forming a ridge parallel to our 'front.'
upon This ridge could plainly distinguish some
ulng like dozen cannon, and could see the con-
edeiate arhlleTymen resting upon the earth or
lonnginS in little groups about their guns as dis
uErtiy as could have done with my natural
vision
could also perceive the puffs of smoke from the
niles Of the enenly's sharpshooters and hear the
reports OF their firearms and the ping and thud of
Inc bullets. might here mention, as further de-
n!ipuon Of the field, that the wood in which we
d! was quite clear Of underbrush; that we oecu-
ped The edge nearest the foe with a rail fence be-
rI ola n of. 7
'poken, and that this fence some three hundred
iaras, more or less toour right off at right
angie and ran quiteup to the confederate lines As
Wa The case where we lay, so it was on our right
ihe lence separated the cleared field from the tim
yer which latter constituted two sides of paral-
reos am, the angle being, already observed, not
%I rom The right wing of my regiment
while was taking in these details, and expert
eheing meanwhile the peculiar sensations which
"HeumeS annoy even old campaigners when
compelled 10 remain inactive under a dropping
sie' thought an order came for us TO charge the
batteries before lis.
Inc regiment arose, formed line, started out
nun The timber, and instantaneously the guns
upon The heights beyond opened fire. Aswe passed
Ou saw men fall as though killed or wounded,
ana heard all the various sounds and din of battle
ABOUT midway the field, running parallel with
Vuf MEL noticed depression commonly called
=! farmers dead fuTToW lit being the finish
.,s On place in ploughed field. We passed over
slN and continued our charge across the open
ol@ee and up the slope almost to the very muzzles
VIC csnnon-comrades falling by scores at every
P-Snd then, all at once, we seemed to be en-
'eloped IL impenetrable darkness. My senses
we're lett blank. The next moment, however, light
r,;'' Iieu ana was lying upon the ground lighting
,-l gong on about mel. but whether wounded or
I,i, NY uream, OF whateveFitwas did notinfoTm me
"iiiie thus PROSTATE and helpless, gazed about
.e ana saw, shoudstance in rear of the guns, a
,'-'-L cabin, and in its gable, which was toward
NE, window.
NJ ,"e'' The building were grouped many wounded
ir some Standing, others lying down. In the
b, ,-i,aate vicinity of myself there seemed to be
..Iteas who had fallen in the contest
sung my eyes in the direction from whence
,na l'|c come. behold the remnants of my COM
III iill retreat. also noticed the sun, which
brightly and appeared TO be in the
, i,i.,! OF an hour above setting.
loa 'iiis point was awakened from slumbcr, and
N I,' me time to be about two a. NJ of August
having my dream, as considered it, in mind,
p,o INQUIRIES, and asceriained that during my
F-hihs had remained unusually quiet,