The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-12

Hill as he spoke, and seemed to recall the
events of that day, and again pass them in re-
view before his minds eye. "As look over
this field to-day" he continued, 'it seems as
though | can almost witness the pageant over
again. The men were tired, hungry, footsore,
ragged, and many of them barefooted, but
their spirit was admirable Bear in mind
that it was the first time the two divisions of
Cheatham's corps-Cleburne's and Browns
had met side by side in full view of each
for desperate work equally balanced between
them. For years each had contended for the
right to wear the name of the crack division
OF that army, and the faces of both men and
officers seemed to say: Here is the field
upon which the right shall be decided
Yes" broke in General Cheatham, eight
was in not only those two divisions but in
the whole army that day. Don't you remem-
Der, Porter, that as they wheeled into line of
battle, in full view of the enemy, their pre-
cision and military bearing was as beautiful
sight as was ever witnessed in war? | could
see that the Federal line was short and
curved, and l knew we could easily cover it
by going forward in line of battle by brig
AIDES. So this formation was made before the
time to charge came
GENERAL cLEBURNE's DEATH.
Before moving our troops from Winstead's
Hill 1 had arranged with both Cleburne and
Brown, the two divisions under my eye to
give them the word with flag when to move.
When their lines swung into position they
corrected their alignment, and then faced to-
ward me, waiting for the signal to advance.
moment of suspense to see that everything
was ready, then the flag dropped, and the
line moved forward as steady as a clock, 1t
was two miles and quarter from the starting
point to the mair Federal line, and our adj
vancing column was in full view from
General Schofield's position and from the
intrenched line of the Union troops at the
Carter House nearly every foot of the way.
My twenty-four pieces of artillery followed
the advancing troops, and occasionally
dropped a shell into the Federal lines.
There was no halt from the time our force
started until it struck the Federal breast
works. A regiment was thrown out as Skin
miShers in advance of each oil my divisions.
They struck Wagner's two brigades posted a
half mile in advance of the main pos ton,
and as they gave way our main line followed
them right in, on to the Federal breastworks.
lost hardly man until within fifty yards of
the Federal intrenchments. The fleeing men
from the two brigades posted iii their front
kept the fire off from our troops until after
their men got behind the main line. Our
line of battle followed them in. The Federals
could not fire upon it until it was within very
close range. Our advancing line must have
been visible, not only to the Federal com
manders, but to all of their troops in the
Notifications, for nearly an hour before it
struck Wagner. Had it not been for the
protection the two brgades that were
in advance gave our men, Cox would
have moved my hne with artillery
from the moment l started until l reached
his main works. As it was our troops
marched for an hour i'll full view of the enc
my without any molestation to speak OF, ex-
cept little harmless artillery-fre from the
the fort where Schofeld had his headQuar-
tiers. The same may be said of Stewards
corp that was on my right, and also in full
view. l followed and watched the line very
closely, and took up my headquarters on
MerrlPs hill, sharp knob within musket
range of the fight. Hood was just back of
me on the pike.
at would be impossible to describe the
operations on this field after the men got to-
gether. 1t was the bloodiest battle of the
war. l lost six general officers killed and
two wounded Cleburne was our greatest
loss. He was capital soldier. He had some
unpleasantness about Spring Hill with
Hood, and l think was a little more
daring than usual that day. 1t was
reported to me that he had some words
with the commander of the army Just
before going into battle The charge of the
two divisions of my corps my old division
commanded by General j. c. Brown and
Cleburnes commanded by himself, was one
of the most desperate and gallant of all the
war. Arms were trailed until time to give
the steel came, when the order to charge was
given spontaneously byCleburne and Brown.
The men marched to the terrible work with
perfect precision and great spirit and deter
mination. Cleburne's horse was killed un-
der him just after the charge began. With
sword in hand he spran9 to the front of his
men, encouraging them with his words and
example. Just before he reached the Fed
eral works he was shot dead. Poor fellow, he
never reached the enemy's earthworks to-
ward which he was leading his men. He fell
right here" said the General, as he pointed
to a spot not far from the old Clubhouse
Here one of the best soldiers
ever drew a sword gave up his life" The
veterans eyes moistened as he looked at the
place in the open field where his friend was
slain, but Mr. Carter, who owns the farm,
has marked the spot, as everyone who visits
this field asks: Where did Pat Cleburne
die%' 1t is now obscured by the footprints
OF peace. After moment, General Cheatham
turned from the field toward the road, and
running his eye along the line, said
- "a little further to the right, looking to-
ward Franklin and around OH the other side
of the Clubhouse, General John Adams, of
Stewards corps, was killed on his horse
astrde the Federal breastworks. Scott,
of the same corps, was also slain near
there General Cockrell. now United States
Senator from Missouri, and General Quares,
were also wounded there. Stewards corps
did desperate work that day, and fully
divided the honor with my own troops
Brown, who commanded my old divis-
ion was wounded early in the fight, after
Ceburne was killed, and of my brigade com
manders Gordon was captured Cranberry,
4 Ill
mortality in general officers than was ever
known during the war when am equal num-
Der of troops were engaged The corps l
commanded lost eight generals, killed and
wounded, and Stewart lost five. About dark
Ed. Johnson's division OF Stephen d. Lees
corps. that was in reserve, was sent to the
support of Brown, and did some hard fight
ing. General Maaigault OF that division,
was wounded. General Bate, who went to
the left had a long and ROUGH road to travel