The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1881-09-17
@istenxn.s.
War Relnincences.


comrades, 70 that morning. While one
NJ lives can we ever forget it? a few da,
ago the battle Of Pcacl, Tree creek ";
fought and to-day we are marst,aled
front Of the Gate City. What q suit,
morning. The dusty trees and bush'
stand limp and motionicss in this dca
sitting mir. The men, as they tnarc', BY
regiments and brigades along tn, hot an
dusty roads and across the fields, seem du
aud spiritless. and weary, Of this unccasin
march and skirinish and battle. Canno
answer cannon, IN a listlcss way, and tn
shells, with kissing scream, and crash bur.
in the ais, or with thud knock ~ II,
dust, seem muffled by the intense hea,
We march along the left eide Of a larg
'.clearing," turn to the RICH: through SOM
abandoned rebel works, and by good for
tune our rrgiment-I2otf Indiana--fintl
its position to b. beautiful! open grove
which surrounds planters house, wher.
Inassed in column, we are at least shielded
from the pitiiess sun. We AN see some O.
the city buildings and suburban residences
and the rebel works running through what
appears to be an old orchard. TO the
right and left Of us are heavy massed
columns Of "boys in blue" while two bat.
teries-Parrott and Rodman guns--on a
slight e,ninence close in our rear, lcisurely
reply to the rebel guns in front and to the
left Of Us. The position, the masscd
columns, the very air. is portentous. Thus
We lie as oft before not knowing where the
blow may fall. Even as we think Of this
thee 10 change. The rebel batteries re-.
ply with increased vigor, while new ones
see,n to spring into active existence il our
guns. Battery answers battery until the
earth tremblcs with the cannonade, while
the pattcring skir,aish fire grows in vol.
umn, until It assumes the proportions
Of a battle. The air is filled with shells
and humming fragments, and t..e zip
"xip" Of the "minnie" make US hug the
ground. We are slightly protected by a
gentle rise in the ground, and most Of the
sheils pass over us, playing havoc with the
tree tops; but occasionally one comes just
over and down the slope, and with a dull
thud which once heard is never for gotten.
knocks some poor fellow into sickening
lump Of senseless clay. The sun comes
down hotter and hotter, but We are alert
now. for this pressure Of our lines foretells
some movement ofthe enemy. Already
the bolt has fallen, but We in the centre
know It not, until through the uproar,
creeping up from our left, comes an o,nin.
GUS undertone, the dull wall like roar Of
distant, heavy musketry. We know now
the blow has fallen on our left. An order.
" dashes up, and within two minutes VIC
are into line, LETT faced, and on our way to
the lett at quick step. The sun is Of
molten brass, the air seems to scorch and
stiae, while the dusty road and simmering
hel!s reflect the heat until We grow dizzy.
The painting men hurry up hill and down.
Blankets and knapsacks-cast away rather
than to fall behind-mark our line Of
march. Close up ut double quick! No
No joking by the thoughtless
now. Nothing but the hurrying tread Of
heated, painting men who are doing all that
Acsh and blood can do. Two miles are
gone over, another mile yet to the roaring
mRl,trom which RACES on our left. Here
and there some poor fellow stasgers out in.
70 the shade, from which no threats or en-.
treaties can move him. Man Is IMPLYING
to MN in the stern realities Of war, and on
this torrid, pitiless dav we grow hardened
and c,reless Of fate for comrade and self
Being back now from the thunder Of the
frnnt line we hear more distinctly and
know that our men on the lett must be
sorely pressed. No volleys, but continu.
Gus roar, while the rapid dull and fluffy ex.
plosions Of artillery tell us that grape and
canister is used at short range The iamil.
lar song Of the stray bullets and the hum
Of fragments OF shells fill the air. Faster,
men! Close up, double quick, passes down
the line. We pass through a thickct, Of
scrub oak and pine filled with wounded,
form line upon our left, and the battlefield,
or portion Of it, is before us.
Close in front OF us, parallel with our
line, Is the Georgia Railroad, and beyond
that large field nearly three quarters Of
mile across. About '.alf way across the
field a deep ravine crosses, upon the brow
Of which is our line strongly marked by
belt Of white smok.. which extends across
the field but curvins back towards the rail.
road ON our right. Beyond our line across
the ravine ON the brow OF the ridge an.
other belt Of smoke shows us the rebel line |;
white, heavy clouds Of smoke in the field
AMI wood oil to the right locate their bat
teries. Over to the right between the two
lines is large building in full blaze. Up
turned wagons, smashed a,nbulances,
horses and mules lie here and there,
solitary gun without caisson or gunner.
dead men with upturned faces and staring
eyes blistcring in the sun, speak louder
than words OF the storm that swept over
this spot tcw minutes ago.
As we advance We meet an ambulanc,
bearing to the rear the body OF General
Mcpherson. The fire in front slacken.
and the rebels apparently fall back; We are
not needed here now. and We left face anf