The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-02-02
ennlaaing IRE from tho enemy's guns, a.

these OLD assallantS IN front before the new
line can sweep down on our flank, our
brave colonel in ringing command, orders
charge along the whole line. Then, be-
fore the cleaning and glistening bayonets
Of our "Bucktail" brigade, as it yells and
cheers, sweeping 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 advancing 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 "ohanging front to
| rear" and to resume its original position
facing westward, for the enemy's new line
| is approaching from that direction. and il il
takes us in flank we are done for.
To "change front to rear" is q difficult
movement to execute even on drill, execute
more SO under severe fire: but It is hum.
ed now steadily and without confusion, yet
not minute too soonl For the new line
of gray is upon us in q mad tempest Of lead,
supported by cruel artillery fire, almost
before our line can steady itself to receive
the shock. However, partially protected
by post and rail fence, We answer fierce
~, and with effect 80 terrific that the enc
my's lines wavers, and at length moves of
by the right flank, giving us breathing
space sor time.
During this struggle there had been many
an exciting scene all along the line as il
sway ed backward and forward over the tielG
scenes which we have had no time t.
mention yet.
See yonder, where the colors Of the reg
iment on our right sister regiment, the
149th-have been advanced little to draw
the enemy's fire, while our line sweeps on
to the charge. There ensues about the
flag wild melee and close hand-to hand
encounter. Some of the enemy nave seized
the colors and are making off with them in
triumph, shouting victory. But q squad of
our own regiment dashes out, and amid
yells and cheers and smoke, You see the
battle flags rise and fall, and sway hither
and thither upon the surging mass, as If
tossed on the pillows of tempest, until,
Wrenched away by strong arms, they are
borne back in triumph to the line OF the
149th.
See yonder, again! Our colonelis clapping
bis hand to his cheek, from which red
stream is pouring; our lieutenant colonel
is kneeling on the ground, and is having
his handkerchief tied tightly around his
arm at the shoulder; the major and adju-
tant both lie low, pierced with balls through
the chest; one lieutenant is waving his
crushed at the knee; three other officers of
the line are lying over there. motionless
now forever. All over the field are strewn
men wounded or dead, and comrades pause
moment in the mad rush to catch the last
words Of the dying Incidents such as these
the reader must imagine for himself, to fill
in these swift sketches OF how the day was
won-and lost!
Aye, lost! For the balls which have so
far come mainly from our front, being now
to sing in from our left and right, which
means that we are being fanked. Some
how, away off to our right, a half mile or
so, our line has given way and is already
on retreat through the town, while our left
is being driven in, ana we ourselves may
shortly be surrendered and crushed-and
so the retreat is sounded.
Back now along the railroad cut we 90, or
through the orchard and the narrow strip of
woods behind it, with our dead scattered
around on all sides, and the wounded cry
ing piteously for help.
Harry! Harrv!" It is faint cry of
dying man yonder in the grass, and must
see who it is:
"Why. Willie! Tell me where you are
hurt?" I ask, kneeling down beside him.
and see the words come hard, for he is
Here in my side, Harry. Tell mother
mother"
Poor fellow, he can say no more. His
head falls back, and Willie Bla OK is at rest
forever!
On, now, through that strip Of woods, at
the other edge of which, with my back
against stout oak, stop and look at a
beautiful and thrilling sight. Some reserves
are being brought up; infantry in the Gen.
tire; the colors flying and officers shouting;
cavalry on the right with sabres flashing
and horses on the trot; artillery on the left
with guns at full gallop sweeping into po-
sition to check tbs headlong pursuit-It is
grand sight and fine rally, but vain one,
for in an hour We are swept off eifeld and
are in full retreat through the town.
Up through the streets hurries the rem
nant OF our shattered corps, while the ene-
squares away from US. There is tempest
of shrieking shells and whistling balls about
our ears. The guns of that battery by the
woods we have dragged along, all the horses
being disabled. The artillerymen load as
we 60, double charging with grape and can
lister.
make way there, men! ie the CRY, and
the surging mass crowds close up on the
sidewalks to right and left, leaving long
lane down the centre of the street, through
which the grape and mister go rattling in
to the ranks of the enemy's advance guard.
And SO, amid scenes which have neither
space nor power to describe, We gain Gene.
terry Ridge toward sunset, and throw our
selves down by the road in tumult of o.
element and grief, having lost the day
through the overwhelming force of numbers
and yet somehow having gained it. too
(although as yet we knew 1t not), FOR tho
sacrifice of our corps has saved the position
for the rest of the army, which had beea
marching all day. and which comes pouring
in over Cemetery Ridge all night long.
Aye, the position is saved-but where IL
our corps. Well may our div sion general,
who early in the day succeeded to the com.
mand when oar brave Reynolds had fallen.
shed tears of grief as he sits there on his
horse and looks over the shattered remains
Of that first army corps. for there is but
handful of it left. OF the $50 men that
marched under our regimental colors in
the morning, but 100 remain. All our field
and staff officers ire gone. OF some twen-
ty captains and ieutenants, but one is left
without . scratch, while one Of my own
company only IL out Of "a sleep that night
On Cemetery Ridge, under the open oano-
Ply IT heaven.