The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1881-12-10
WAS 1T A DREAM.

During the day there was some desultory hrlng
on the part of the opposing forces, but no sus-
tanned engagement, although we continued to
press upon the enemy until darkness settled
down and put an end to further maneuvres.
At nightfall, 1, with four or five companies of
my command, remained in the position occupied
during the day. while the rest of the regiment
detailed for picket duty, advanced some distance
to the front.
1 was in excellent health and Spirits but being
greatly fatgued, fell asleep almost Immediately
after the arrangements for the night had been
perfected, and soon began to dream.
For some considerable time my mind wandered
over events or dwelt upon scenes which were
familiar, and which, upon awakening, found no
difficulty in locating.
After awhile however, wandered into dream
land where all seemed strange. [ fancied myself
lying in line of battle with my comrades in
piece of timber fringing an open field OF some
considerable extent, the farther side OF which
sloped gently upward, forming ridge parallel
to our front. Upon this ridge [ could plainly
distinguish something like dozen cannon, and
could see the confederate artillerymen resting
upon the earth or loungng in little groups about
their guns, as distinctly as 1 could have done with
my natural vision.
could also perceive the puffs of smoke from
the rifles of the enemy's sharpshooters and hear
the reports of their firearms and the ping and
thud of the bullets 1 might here mention, as a
further description of the field, that the wood in
which we lay was quite clear of underbrush;
that we occupied the edge nearest the foe, with a
rail fence between us and the cleared space of
that I,
three hundred yards, more or less, to our right
turned off at a right angle and ran quite up to
the confederate lines. AS was the case where we
Law, so it was on our right. The fence separated
the cleared field from the timber, which latter
constituted two sides of parallelogran, the
angle being as already observed, not far from the
right wing of my reg iment.
While was taking in these Details and expe-
riencing meanwhile the peculiar sensations which
sometimes annoy even old campaigners when
compelled to remain inactive under dropping
fire. thought an order came for us to charge the
batteries before
The regiment arose. formed line, started out
from the timber, and simultaneously the guns
upon the heights beyond opened fire. AS we
passed on I saw men fall as though killed or
din of battle.
About midway the field, running parallel with
our line, noticed depression commonly called
by farmers dead furrow Ut being the finish
ing off" place in ploughed field. We passed over
this and continued our charge across the open
space and up the slope almost to the very muz-
| zles gIa cannon. rnr.et iaiIl-, ~ les at
| ever ard .a.# al once. We seemed to
be .a Hvaa ~ Hpa1e, bic darkness Iy
sens were len blank TIE next moment how
eve1 liaat rats-n a5 y-s lying up9u he
whether wounded or not my dream or whatever
it was, did not inform me.
While thus PROSTATE and helpless, I gazed
about me and saw short distance in rear of the
guns, q small cabin, and in its gable, which was
toward me, window.
About the building were grouped many wound
ed men, some standing, others lying down. In
the immediate vicinity of myself there seemed
to be hundreds who had fallen in the contest.
Casting my eyes in the direction from whence we
had come, I beheld the remains of my command
in full retreat I also noticed the sun, which was
shining brightly, and appeared to be in the vicin
ity of an hour above setting.
At this point was awakened from slumber,
and learned the time to be about two a. M of
August 30th. Having my dream, as considered
it, in mind, [ made inquiries, and ascertained
that during my nap everything had remained
unusually quiet, only few shots having been
exchanged on the picket line.
An hour afterward we were on the march for
Manassas and the battlefield of Groveton.
must confess that the realistic character of
my excogitations during sleep affected me con-
siderably; and all the more because the scenery
depicted was altogether strange Ny memory,
though questioned to the uttermost failed to re-
call any locality through which had ever passed
at all resembling it. Consequently felt unusu-
ally gloomy and depressed in spirits, and all the
morning carried in my heart presentiment. the
nature of which can scarcely be described, of ap-
preaching evil
The old battlefield of Bull Run was reached
early in the forenoon and about twelve m. we
were advanced mile or so to the northward.
where we were assigned our position in the line
of battle then forming.
The station occupied by my regiment happened
to be in piece of timber skirting an open field
which terminated at the distance of some five or
six hundred yards in front of us in ridge
crowned with several confederate batteries the
guns in plain sight.
The enemys sharp-shooters lay in front of their