Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-11-24
)N ROUGE. LOUISIANA THURSDAY. NOVEMBER d Issl.

Was almost the first order Of tho CON
manding officer. ''Men do not taks /,
your horsesl" The men obeyel both d,
ders, and directed their FIRE upon ever
man on horseback, and THY i,,diciou
action won them day.
When the Confederates found thu
they were to be resisted to the dealt,
Capt. Smith, one Of the principal officer
in command Of the attacking force
shouted to bis men, "Fire tile tents On,
shoot 'em by the lightf He was sittin,
ON his horse near the head Of the row
OF tents occupied by Company A. A
sergeant Of that company who had beer
groping for his carbins, had found IL
and was inst pushing his head through
the tent when this order was given. He
dropped on his knees, raised his piece t.
his shoulder, and fred at the Office,
giving the command. The ball struck
nm near the eye and crashed through
his brain, and lie fell dead into The
mouth Of the tent, almost upon the man
whose bullet had killed him.
a DESPERATE STRUGGLE.
For three-quarters Of an hour this
light in the snow continued, with vary
ing chances Of success. What tho
brave men who were doing battle IN
the bitter cold, without clothing, suf-
fered, no man can tell, and vet thew
never wavered. The scene during the
fight was simply indescribable. The
men on both sides fought like tigers,
and volley after yolley was exchanged.
the flash of the guns as each was dis
charged, being the only relief to tho
sombre darkness Of the night. The
shouts OF the men engaged could be
be heard above the din Of battle. and
the groahs Of the wounded mingled
strangely with the confusion of the
strife. As each fresh yolley would for,
q moment light up the camp with its
sickening, death like glare, some com
rade would fall and q fresh stream Of
blood crimson the snow How the men
fought and how they stood out during
mat hour was marvel even to them
selves, and the history Of war within all
The tide Of time cannot produce q more
striking evidence Of bravery and deyo- |
ion.
Hardly had the flash from the first
'olley died and the fight actually begun |
before they heard the long roll beats |
n the camp at Harper's Ferry, and the
trugglng men knew that if they could
'old out for Il little while relief would |
ONE. The troops at Harper's Ferry
ould STE the flash Of every gul, and
ear the crack Of every dealing carbino.
here was no relief there except infan.
ry, and it was two miles, so there was
Or u whole hour and more the conflict
1g emotions OF hope and fear as to the
mtg Of the courageous little band Of
cterans on the mountain. The Thir-
y-fSurth Massachusetts was ordered to
ne rescue on double quick" as soon
it could be ordered into line. Butt
efore it could reach the summit OIL
ondon heights the Confederates had
cen repulsed and Coles cavalry had
on the fight upon the snow-clasl noun
IN top that added much to tho name |
I'd fame it had already gained.
AFTER THE BATTLE. /,
When night lifted and day dawned !
ION that battle field there was q scene
hich can never be described. The dead g
y upon the ground frozen stiff by the Q
rrible cold. The severely wounded
implanted bitterly of the frost, and '
9 bnllet-pierced tents of the men that Il
/ the fighting were full Of weary. y
wder-stalned veterans suffering sorely b
IN the effects of frozen feet, of which d
ey were unmindful until the battle
IS won. Seven Confederates. four Of II
I'm commissioned officers, were killed II
this night attack upon Major Coles B
mp, and d great many more were Y
nnded, some Of them were carried off O,
their comrades. Indeed, those that 81
re able to follow the retreat declared &C
t theirpath was literally marked by 10
trace of blood. Maj. Cole lost two to
ed and thirteen wounded. Capt.
non, now surveyor of customs at
timore, lost an eye, and Lieut.. Riv- nc
was wounded. A large number Of fe'
command were sent to the hospital 20
b frozen feet, and two amputations Il
Q necessary. The suffering Of these at'
We men did not stop with the battle. RE
en-. Sullivan, who was in command rul
be district, rode over froIn Harper's gu