Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-31

WhNe we were yet before Petersburg
two divisions of our corps (the Fifth
with two divisions of the Ninth, leaviil2
the line of works at the Weldon rail
road, were pushed out still farther Il
the left, with the intention of turning
the ene2y's right flank.
Starting out, therefore, early on the
morning OF Thursday, Oct. ~, 1851.
with four days rat:ons in our haver-
sacks, We moved Off rapidly by the lett,
striking the enemys picket-line abou;
10 o'clock.
Pop! pop! pop! Boom boom
boom! We're in tor it again, boys so,
steady on the lett there. and close up. >
Away into the woods we plunge il
line of battle, through briers and tangled
underground, beneath the great trees
dripping with rain. We lose the points
of the compass, and halt every now ant
then to close up gap in the line by
bearing Off to the right or left. Then
forward we 60 through the brush again,
steady OF the left and guide right. until
I feel certain that officers as well as men
are getting pretty well into the woods :
as to the direction o. our advance. 1t is
raining, and we have no sun to guide
US, and the moss is growing on the
wrong side Of the trees. I see one OF
our Generals sitting Oh his horse, with
his pocket-compass on the .pommel OF
his saddle, peering around into the in
terminable tangle OF brier and brush,
with an expression Of no little perplexity.
Yet still on, boys, while the pickets
are popping away and the rain is pour.
ing down. The evening falls early and
cold, as we come to a stand in line Of
battle and put up breastworks for the
night.
We have halted on the slope of a
ravine. Minie-balls are singing over
our heads as we cook our coffee, while
sounds of axes and falling trees are heard
on all sides and still that merry "zip
zip!" goes Oh among the tree-tops and
sings us to sleep, at length, as we lie
down shiyering under our India-rubber
blankets, to get what sleep we may
How long we had slept did not know,
when some one shook me, and in 4
whisper the word passed around
"Wake up, boys! Wake up, boys
Don't make any noise, and take care
your tin cups and canteens don't rattle.
We've got to get out of this on a double
jump"
We were In pretty fix, indeed In
placing the regiments in position, by
some blunder, quite excusable no doubt
in the darkness and the tangled forest.
we had been unwittingly pushed beyond
the main line-were, III fact, quite out.
side the picket-line 1t needed only
daylight to let the enemy see his game,
and sweep us off the boards. And day
light was fast coming in the east.
Long after a Company A boy, who
was on picket that night, told me that.
upon going to the rear somewhere about
3 o'clock, to cook a cup of coffee at q
half-extinguished fire, cavalry picket
ordered him back within the lines.
"Ihe lines are not back there my
regiment is out yonder in front, on Skin
mish !"
NO." said the cavalryman; our
cavalry is the extreme picket line, and
our orders are to send in all men beyond
U.s."
"Then take me at once to Gen.
Bragg's headquarters, said the Compa-
ny A boy.
When Gen. Bragg learned the true
state of affairs he at once ordered out all
escort Of 500 men to bring in our regi-
ment. Meanwhile we were trying to get
back of our own accord.
"This way, men p said a voice in a
whisper ahead.
"This way, men! !" said another voice
in the rear.
That we were wandering about vainly
in the darkness. and under no certain