The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-08
been stricken with panic and were in full

strengthened the opinion in the minds of the
enemy that we had taken to fight. We waited
quietly for their approach toward the fence,
and when they got almost in bayonet reach of
our guns the order was given to commence
firing, which not only surprised them but at
once checked their advance. Many of their
men attempted to leap the fence but so
far as I now remember, not one of the
number reached our side of it alive. Here
the fight continued for some two hours or
more with the lines of the two armies within
ten PAGES of each other, and sometimes at q
shorter range. General Thomas rode up Just
in the midst of the heaviest of the firing,
and discovering difficulty in getting
a good view of the enemy, and fearing we
might, through mistake, fire upon some of our
own troops just approaching the ground, on
account of the dense smoke which had gath
cred about us from so long continuous firing,
gave orders to cease for moment to allow the
smoke to pass away. The cessation of firing
from our guns, | suppose created the presump-
ton IN the minds of the rebels that we had
left the field, and again they made another
vigorous assault, fully expecting this time to
find Us scattered in every direction and
flying for very life, but again their antici-
pations were dispelled, and as they came
rushing to the fence they were met with
a volley which checked their advance and left
manga brave fellow stretched hfeless upon the
ground. The fighting, however, continued for
a short while sharp and severe, each side
maintaining its position, but their forces were
gradually falling back and their fire growing
weaker.
About this time it was reported to me that
my ammunition was nearly exhausted. An
officer was Immediately dispatched to hurry
up supply, and, just as it reached Us, the Sec
ond Minnesota, Colonel Ell. P. Van Cleve COM
handing, and the Ninth Ohio Colonel Robert
t. MeCook's German regiment) appeared upon
4ba nd no 70,
the immediate relief of my regiment, and the
Ninth Ohio moved on in the rear of and at
right angles with my regiment TO attack an
Alabama regiment which had formed in the
woods some distance to our right, with the
view to dislodge US from our position by flank
movement. After few shots from these two
regiments the entire rebel force disappeared
from the field except here and there few stray
glers who had become separated from their coHi-
mands.
AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER.
In order TO ascertain more certainly the
exact state of affairs, the firing having nearly
ceased. rode from the right of my regiment
some fifteen or twenty PAGES, down To the fence
behind which we had been fighting, and, dis
covering no enemy in that direction in sight, /
turned my horse and rode slowly back to the
place I had just left. AS 1 neared the road I
saw an officer riding slowly down the road on
white horse, and within twenty PAGES of the
right of my regiment. His uniform was con-
cealed-except the extremity of his panta-
looms which / discovered were of the color
worn by Federal officerS-by a long gum over
coat. His near approach TO my regiment, his
calm manner, my close proximity to him, IN
deed everything l saw led me to believe he
was a Federal officer, belonging to some OF the
regiments just arriving. so thoroughly was I
convinced that he was one of our men / did
not hesitate TO ride up TO his side so close that
our knees touched. He was calm, self-pos-
sessed, and dignified in his manner. Just as |
rode up to him he said TO me: :" We must not
shoot our own men, TO which I responded
"Of course not I would not shoot our own
men Intentionally" Then, turning his eyes
to his left, and pointing in the same direction,
he said =" Those are our men, I could not
see the men from where I stood though now
suppose he knew they were there. / immedi-
| ately moved of to the right of my regiment,
perhaps some twenty PAGES from the spot at
which met MIN. His language convinced me
more than ever that he was Federal officer.
How it was that he did not discover that I
was one / cannot TELL as my uniform was en-
tirely exposed to view, having on nothing TO
conceal it. But as soon az | reached my regi-
| ment, / paused, turning my horse a little to
the left and across the road, looked back to see
what was going on, when. to my great surprise,
another officer, whom / had not seen, rode out
| from behind a large tree not more than ten
steps from the spot where / had met the first
officer, and Immediately to his left SIDE with
pistol in hand leYeled directlyeat me, fired, and
paused for a moment, doubtless to ascertain the
effect of his shot. Instead of striking the object
at which it was aimed, the ball from his pistol
struck my horse just above the left hip bone,
making only flesh wound. / Immediately
| drew my Colts revolver from the holster, in
| tending to fire upon the officer who had so
| suddenly confronted me with deadly intent,
| but, as soon as he saw the purpose indicated
| by my movement, he suddenly and rapidly
retreated, taking shelter again behind a tree.
| Not until this occurrence was | at all aware
| Of the fact that had been IN conversation
| with an officer Of the opposing army. In
an instant the thought flashed across my mind
/ that the officer with whom | had met and con-
| yersed had attempted to draw me into the
| snare Of death or secure my capture by false
| representation Of his own position and, feeling
| thus, my mind was at once made up, as the
| other officer had made good his escape, to aim
nay shot at him, which l did, and the result Of
that shot has been often told that it is hardly
necessary to repeat it again.
THE GOD PAN APPEARS
When it was discovered by the rebel army
that General Zollieetfer had fallen, there seem
| ed at once TO be a fearful panic IN the ranks
| and in a very short time they were in full
retreat, making all possible speed toward their
| encafnpnenG
| AS they neared their intrenchments and
| found our army was rapidly moving on
! them, the panic seemed to become universal
/ and beyond the control of their officers From
the point at which our army was drawn up in
line, on the right bank of the Cumberland
| River, and within mile of their Notifications
| we could see them rushing pelI-meH down to
| the banks OF the swollen stream some plung-
| ing into the water, attempting to escape by
| swimming, and others pressing into a little
| steam ferry boat they had secured. How many
| OF them found a watery grave no one has ever
been able to discover, but from accounts of
citizens who witnessed the scene, many of
| them were lost in that way. A small remnant
/ OF them remained in the intrenchments for a
| short time, and mustered I'D courage enough
| TO fire few rounds of artillery shot at u.s. but
! without effect and then beat hasty retreat
following those who had gone before.
would like to givea description not only of
! the character of their Notifications and en-
campment, but of the scene that greeted our
! eyes the next morning where they had aban-
doned their wagons, tents, horses artillery, and
small arms; but, as / have occupied more space
than intended, will desist.
| must, however, relate one amusing little in
cident which occurred just after the close of
| the battle. A good-natnred rebel soldier who
| was taken prisoner during the fight asked one
| OF our men how many soldiers we had in our
| army He told him he did not know. The
/ robe p1ad hxyc &c