The National tribune., 1881-12-31

cavalry man dennis Buckley, Sixth Michigan
cavalry 1t was as afterward learned-let histo
ry preserve the brave boys name) who, having
had his horse shot under him. and seeing that
irst-named shell explode in company with
such disaster, exclaimed, THAT is the company
for mel" He remained with the regiment all
| day, doing good service with his carbine, and he
escaped unhurt!
Here they come, boys; We'll have to 90 in at
them on charge, I guess" Creeping close
around the corner of the log-house, can see the
long lines of gray sweeping up in fine style over
the fields; but 1 feel the ColoneIs hand on my
shoulder.
Keep back, my boy; no use exposing yourself
in that way"
AS 1 get back behind the house and look
around, an old man is seen approaching our line
through the orchard in the rear He is dressed
In long, blue, swallow tailed coat and high silk
hat, and coming up to the Colonel, he asks:
"Would you let an old chap like me have a
chance to fight in your ranks, Colonel?"
"Can you shoot?" inquiries the Colonel.
"Oh yes, can shoot, reckon" says he.
But where are your cartridges?"
"rve got 'em here sir" says the old man, slap
ping his hand On his pantaloons pocket.
And so cold John Burns" of whom every
school-boy has heard, takes his place in the line
and loads and fires with the best of them and is
left wounded and insensible on the field when the
day is done.
Reclining there under a tree while the skir-
mishing is going on in front and the shells are
tearing up the sod around u.s. observe how evi-
IDENTIFY hard pressed is that battery yonder in the
edge of the wood, about fifty yards to our right.
The enemy's batteries have excellent range On
the poor fellows serving it. And when the smoke
lifts or rolls away in great clouds for a moment,
we can see the men running and ramming, and
sighting, and firing, and swabbng and changing
position every few minutes to throw the enemy's
guns out of range little. The men are beeom-
ing terribly few, but nevertheless their guns,
with a rapidity that seems unabated, belch ferth
great clouds of smoke and send the shells shrek
ing over the plain.
Meanwhile, events occur which give US some
thing more to think of than mere skrmishing
and shelling Our beloved Brigadier general,
stepping out moment to reconnoiter the enemys
position and movements, is seen by some sharp
shooter off in tree and is carried severely
command of the brigade. Our regiment facing
westward, while the line on our right faces to
the north, is observed to be exposed to an emf
lading fire from the enemys guns, as well as from
the long line of gray now appearing in full sight
on our right So our regiment must form in line
and clange front forward, in order to come in
line with the other regiments. Accomplished
swiftly, this new movement brings our line at
once face to face with the enemy's, which ad-
vances to within fifty yards, and exchanges few
volleys, but is soon checked and staggered by our
fire.
Yet now, see! Away to our left, and conse-
uuently on our flank, new line appears rapidly
advancing out of the woods half-mile away,
and there must be some quick and sharp work
done now, boys, Or between the old foes in front
and the new ones ON our flank, we shall be ami
hilated. To clear of these old assailants in
front before the new line can sweep down on our
flank our brave Colonel, in a ringing command,
orders charge along the whole line. Then, be-
fore the cleaning and bristling bayonets of our
"Bucktail brigade, as it yels and cheers, sweep
ing resistlessly over the field, the enemy gives
way and flies in confusion. But there is little
time to watch them fly, for that new line on our
left is approaching at rapid pace; and, with
shells falling thick and fast into our ranks, and
men dropping everywhere, our regiment must
reverse the former movement by " changing front
to rear" and so resume its original position facing
westward for the enemy's new line is approach
ing from that direction and if it takes in flank,
we are done for.
To change front to rear" is difficult move
ment to execute even On drill, much more so
under severe fire; but it is executed now steadily
and without confusion, yet not minute too soon!
For the new line of gray is upon us in mad tenn
pest of lead, supported by cruel artillery fire.
almost before line can steady itself to receive
the shock. However, partially protected by a
post-and-rail fence, we answer fercely, and with
effect so terrific that the enemys line wavers, and
at length moves off by the right flank, giving us
a breathing space for a time.
During this struggle, there had been many an
exciting scene all along the line as it swayed
backward and forward over the feld-scenes
which we have had no time to mention yet.
See yonder, where the colors of the regiment
on our right-our sister regiment, the One Hun
dred and Forty-ninth-have been advanced a
little to draw the enemy's fire, while our line
sweeps on to the charge. There ensues about
the flags wild melee and close hand-to-hand en-
counter. Some of the enemy have seized the
colors and are making Off with them in triumph,
shouting victory. But squad of our own regi-