The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-31
THE NATIONAL TRBUNE vAsHNero G. TnURspAY JANUARY

his front; Colonel Beaedict's brigade was
formed on his left and McMillan's in reserve.
There had been little time given for formation,
and before it was completed the skirmishefs
were driven in, and the fight opened on the
right. A portion of MeMilans force was
thrown to the point endangered. Fire was
reserved for close quarters, when, at the order,
blaze of fire belched from the entire line. The
Confederates were momentarily staggered, but
returned to the attack, again and again pour
ing into the Union ranks destructive volleys of
musketry while making an effort to turn the
left flank. There was never need OF greater
effort, and they knew it. Once broken, the
Union force could not be rallied in the fast
gathering darkness, and the Confederate cav
airy stood ready to ride down the fugitives.
Bat the veterans of the two corps were equal
to the emergency, and every attack, whether
in front or flank, was repulsed with slaughter
Far III the rear OF each were fresh troops, but
too far away to be available.
The 10Th corps repulsed every attack made
upon front and TANKS and at nightfall re-
manned masters of the field. During the night
the whole force retreated to Pleasant Hill, the
18th corps forming the rear guard.
Taylor claims rapid and steady advance.
Here" he says, 81 the 18th corps gave way
entirely and was replaced by the 10Th corps,
hurriedly brought up to support the fight.
The 10Th, though fresh shared the fate of the
18th Nothing could resist the astonishing
ardor and courage of our troops. Just as night
was closing in the enemy massed heavily on
ridge overlooking small creek As the water
was important to both parties, / ordered the
enemy driven from it, The fighting was severe
for time but Walker Greene, and other gal
liant leaders led our tired men, and we
camped on the creek at nightfall, the enemy
forced back some 400 yards beyond
Colonel Isaac Dyer, A. A. g., on the staff of
General Banks, says in his testimony before
the Committee on the Conduct of the War:
" The 18th corps came into action just before
dark, under fire and under the demoralizing
effect of stemming a tide of fugitives. The
enemy made several attempts to break their
line. bat without effect, and shortly before
dark he withdrew from action" In this he is
supported by the testimony of officers Of the
18th corps and of General Lee
HIGHLY INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
The following letters to the Editor of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE, written by participants
in this. enga cement will be found interesting
The battle of Pleasant Hill will form the SUBJ
ject of another chapter.
J. I'll. Craven, 96th O. v. l., of King City
Kan, writing of the Red River campaign, has
the following in regard to the part taken by
the 18th corps at Mansfield:
"At the time the Red River campaign was
Eldily ISgllDSHtS VI tilH lotu corps
had re-enIisted and were away on veteran fur
Tough. Ransoms command was made up prin-
cipaliy of A. j. Smiths old I'd division, to
which was attached brigade commanded by
General Cameron; the 1st brigade I'd division
was commanded by Colonel Landrum, of the
10Th Kentucky; the I'd (Burbridge's old bIi-
gadej by Colonel Vance, of the 96th Ohio, and
consisted Of the SD and Goth Ohio the 18th
Illinois, and the 69th Indiana. Our regiments
were thinned by battle and disease, and had not
been filed up by recruits, the entire command
numbering about 1000 men, all veterans who
had fought their way from the Ohio River to
the Gulf
We reached Pleasant Hill the evening of the
1th Our cavalry struck Taylors rear-guard
and had a lively skirmish in the woods in
front Early on the morning of the Sth when
we were about six miles from our starting
point, we came to a large plantation, a mill,
and other buildings, where the enemy again
made stand. The 1st brigade was depIoyed
to assist the cavalry in driving them back,
which was soon accomplished, and the march
resumed. From this point the road led through
a dense wood full of fallen timber and under
brush. About p m. a message from the front
reached Colonel Vance, and an order to forward,
double-quiek, was passed down the line The
road in front was occupied by the cavalry
wagon train, and dividing right and left we
pushed forward. We emerged from the wood
at the crest of a ridge running north and south.
The yard in front of a farm house at the
right of the road was full of staff officers and
| orderlies 1t was the best point of observation
and the key to our position. We formed line
in the edge Of a belt of timber facing north,
where we stripped for action, filed our can
teens, and then moved forward until within
thirty PAGES of a rail fence inclo5ing a field,
beyond which was another forest.
WHERE VANCE WAS KILLED
This was about 2 p. M, and all the time the
cavalry in front were keeping up q lively fusil-
lade. General Ransom rode forward to the
edge of the field, and after carefully examining
| the woods beyond through field glass, he rode
back past our left, where he met Colonel Vance,
and said to him Colonel, they are coming.
We are peddled out, but we'll hold them, if
| possible Vance growled out in reply: Let
them come; my boys are ready for them He
| had unbounded confidence in his boys Two
/ hours later Ransom was badly wounded, and
| Vance lay dead on the field. The cavalry
from the front soon came dashing by to the rear.
| We moved forward and took position behind
the fence. On our left, at distance of 100
| yards or more, was the 18th Kentucky, the gap
between occupied by skirmish line (men
were scarce that day.; on our right the SD
| Ohio. Our line ran east and west, facing
north. In front was a grand sight; the rebel
| lines OF battle extending as far the eye could
IcIcii. Hdu cliCTSeu from the Wo0G DeyOnQ,
| aud were moving across the field. Numerous
regimental and battle flags were waving in the
breeze; the men carried their arms at right
| shoulder, and came forward with the steady
tramp of veterans. When the advance line was
sonear that could see the whites of their eyes,
sharp and stern came the order from Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Brown 9 File closers, take places
in the ranks. Aim at their belts. Fire" The
next instant the advance rebel line went down
as if struck by lightning. On the left, opposite
the gap III our line, they came steadily ON and
We're near the fence when we opened upon
them left-oblique FIRE, raking their line, and
| they fell back in confusion.
THE MAN ON THE BLACK HORSE.
SIN the meantime the second rebel line lad
reached the place where the first went down,
and received whitening fire, yet pulling their
hats over their eyes, if breasting hail storm,
| they made a gallant attempt to advance, but
the storm was too pitiless, and they broke As
/ they. were falling back, general officer on a
/ oal-black charger spurred to the front and,
| by voice and example, endeayOred to rally
/ them. Save that man on the black horse"
sang out Colonel Brown, but the next instant
the black steed dashed riderless to the rear.
| We afterwards learned the officer was General
Monton. His men made desperate attempt
| to carry him off, and fell in heaps around him.
/ Their lines were now all merged IN one con-
| fused mass, intent only on getting out OF range.
| "Our boys had been doing their best, loading
| rapidly, and firing with deadly aim until our