The National tribune., 1883-11-15
THICK OF TIE FIGHT.
Some Tragic Scenes at The Battle Of
Dallas, Georgia.
Prom a paper By Lieut. A. s Fitch. 1879 N 2 VI


the first that always comes to my mind is the
death Of Louis Nreeland, Of my company Inc
advance of cur line had been stopped by the ter
rihle fire Of the enemy close in our front. Car
men had closed up and begun a return fire. L
WAS acting as lieutenant aad took my position
IN rear OF the company Rreeland had ] lst
prepared himself TO begin firing. when, With
cnt word or exclamation, he sank down 10
sitting posture directly IN front Of where /
stood ] spoke 10 him some word of inquiry
as to whether he was hurt. did not realize
that anything serious was the matter. de did
not reply. Some Hcorarade called to me TO un
loose his belt and straps. i undid the buckles
Of his knapsack unclasped his waist-belt, and
rs the straps parted he sank back upon ms
knapsaels. his face became of 3 peculiar CHASTITY
pallor, his Jaws relaxed. his eyes became CLASSY
and set. and to my horror some one spoke,
"Whv he is dead !" 4 closer inspection dis
closed a sickening wound in the breast, through
which the bright red blood was gushing rap
idly. He had been shot dead within arms
reach of where / stood. ] shall never forget
The sensations of that moment, when l fully
realized the truth. A few moments later my
attention was directed toward the left Of the
company, and i saw Comraae Hay Greve,
one of the finest soldiers in the company, throw
up his arms and fall backward 10 the ground.
lie had been struck in the head by rIie
ball and instantly killed. In a very short
time the ranks had become so thinned by
the dropping out Of the wounded that d.
rectiOns were given to the men to take advan-
fAge Of such protection as the scattered TIM
Der afforded ] had seated myself on the
ground and was watching the men as they
loaded and fired. An IrishUan named Martin
McGuire, one of the Oldest men IN the coaapa-
ny, and steady, res0lUte man. stood immedI-
ately ia front Of me. busy with his gun; ne
suddenly dropped, turned, and with an lnde-
a = i ~-rn,r4 80
face. crswled upon his hand and knees 70 me,
and rs I bent ny ear to his lips he gasped, IN
words almost unintelligible: ! am hit: where
can go TO get out Of this? Poor fellow! l
was helpless TO ard him 10 escape from the
death trap that held us all ] told him 10 try
10 crawl TO the rear Of the line and lie down
until some relief could be had to remove him.
he gave me mute look of despair and crept
painfully back few feet and died-he was
shot through the body and beyond human
power to save. Brave old Martin, one OF the
many heroic soBs of Erin who gave their lives
for their adopted land.
MATTER OF NERVES.
These incidents filed me with q nervous
dread. sat down by Captain George Swain.
and ! shall never forget the questioning look
that passed between us, as if asking whose
turn next. 1t seemed impossible 10 escape.
The air was noisy with the flying missiles.
They few al about US; they scattered the
loose sticks and leaves at our feet and crashed
through the trees over our heads. There
was nothing TO do but 10 await the blow that
Should PROSTATE US beside the rest OF the fallen
ones. The strain became uncomfortable and l
picked up gun, and possessing myself with a
handful of cartridges, / began 10 load and fire,
aiming al the flashes Of the enemy's guns as
the most effective point discernible IN the
gloom that began TO gather about Us. This
occupation gave instant relief TO my hall
paralyzed nerves, and had 10 further return
OF that feeling. About this time Captain
Swain was lit just above the ankle. he started
with hasty stride toward the rear, turned,
came back, sat down by my side and pulled up
his trousers, removed his stocking, and disclosed
The spot where be had been hit lie examined
It carefully. took out his poeketknife, opened
Il and eoslir picked out from the punctured
leg q bnclzshet that had lodged beneath the
SKIN. lie placed il in his vest pocket with the
remark that that would do 10 keep" and
binding his pocket handkerchief about the
wounded iab, resumed his duty. SUch cool
ness and pluck had an inspiring effect upon
the few who witnessed tae little incident. 1t
seemed As though every man there WIS Pos
sessed With determination 20 stay and night
s. long as lie remained capacitated 50 to do.
UNCLE OAK KEEEER.
There was Daniel Keener, g Old Uncle
Dan the boys called him, for he WA
ole-having a groTn-up son Il the e3Tapa-
ny with him. Uncle Dan Was little, nervous
Old raan. very excitabie at times. During
the conflict he came running 10 me, fairly
dancing with excitement, exciaiEning IN half
breathless tones that his boy Charlie was
wounded. and ta2t he wanted 10 90 back with
him in search Of help. de pointed 10 his Own
breast. and said: They have hit nae, too, but
I'll come back when ! have got Charlie cafe. =
said u g" little expecting 70 see the old man
again that day. What was my surprise, a few
minutes later, 10 see Uncle Dan again On the
scene. shaking his head and calling TO me, a:
he resumed his loading and firing: told
you I'd come back; here ] am" lie escaped
any serious hurt, and was living near Big Flats
lew years ago. His son Charlie died a feT
days after the battle from the effects Of TIE
wound there received. Where can one find
finer specimens OF devotion 10 duty than IL
this action Of brave old Dan Keenerf
We had in the company bright little Irish.
man, Thomas Maker by name. He was one Of
the youngest Of us-not out OF his teens, and
full Of genuine Irish TiTacity and humor
During the action my attention was attracted
by series Of emphatic EXPLANATIONS TO the
rear Of where ! stood The "brogue" at once
told me whence they proceeded, and nearer
inspection disclosed Tommy, standing behind
tree. the hammer Of his gun stuck half way
Gown the barrel, and he eDdcaY0ring TO force
it and the cartridge home by punching i
against the tree, accompanying each stroll,
with his inimitable Irish oaths, cursng the
"dirty gun" the rebels" and the luck
generally. His gun had become SO foUled b,
the rapid firing, it was bis only method Of ram
ming home the cartridge. 1t was ludicrous II
she extreme.
TREAcHERoUs COVER.
Another instance Of like nature occurs to me
Sergeant Charles Solotski had found shelter be
hind huge tree. he called to me TO come anC
partake of the same safe cover. i shook I'M
head no." ] was well enough of. He reiter
sted The advantages Of his retreat, when crasI
came shell into the tree above his head
bringing down perfect avalanche Of limb
and splinters upon bis head. The tree was
dead one, a fact be had failed 10 notice, and b.
speedily picked himself out from the mass 0
debris that covered him and sought more re
liable shelter. As we were falling back at th
close Of the battle began 10 rally him abou
his safe retreat behind the rotten tree
when, as / was speaking, q grape shot cam
skipping along the ground bounded up, AM
struck my wrist singing blow, glanced off, an,
carOmed against my leg and went on. l becam
very suddenly quiet. ] laughed no more
The sergeant was very hilarious over my dis
comfture. / had scarcely gained nay equa
niInity when, as we emerged from the timbe
into the open road chat ran toward the rear,
met Major LathTop Baldwin coming towar
me. He seized hold Of me in his impulsiye wa,
and began shaking NE, exclaiming, " OH Al
thur, thank God you are SAFE" Just then
missile, probably grape-shOt, came sRimInin