The National tribune., 1884-05-01
THE SHILOH CAMPAIGN.
TContiauea from LIST paqe

spersed here and there with cleared fields and
cut up by several roads.
In a short time the enemy's infantry made
their appearance, advancing in line of battle.
/ at once perceived that the line of our brigade
was not parallel with theirs, but inclined to it
at an angle of about forty-five degrees, the left
in advance, thus exposing my left flank to the
enemy some distance i'll advance of General
PrentisS' line, upon which it should have rest
ed, and about 200 yards from his extreme right.
After consulting with Colonel Woods, of the
18th. who was next to me on the right, threw
back my regiment and the left wing of the
18th, so as to bring our part of the line paral-
lei to the advancing enemy and in line with
General Prentss division, but still failing to
connect with it by an interval of about 200
yards. This also improved our position, which
had previously been directly upon a ridge, ex-
posed to the enemy's artillery, and gave us that
ridge as partial shelter. The enemy advanced
steadily in two lines, about 200 yards apart. /
ordered my men to lie down and hold their fire
until they were within thirty PAGES. The effect
of this was that when the order to fire was given,
and the 18th and 18th opened directly in their
faces, the enemy's first line was completely
destroyed. Our fire was only returned by
q few, nearly all who were not killed or wound
cd by it fleeing in every direction. / then i'm
mediately advanced my regiment, In which L
was CALAMITY joined by the left wing of the
10Th. Passing almost without opposition over
the ground which had been occupied by the
first lines we attacked and drove back their
second for some distance, until / was forced to
recall my men for fear of my left flank being
turned, no part of General Prentiss' division
having advanced with us. In this movement
we took a number of prisoners including one
captain, whom | sent to the rear. Returning,
the 18th took up its position in the line of bat
tle and Colonel Geddes, of the Sth Iowa, now
formed his regiment on our left in line with
US and General Prentiss' division, filling up
the gap which had previously existed there
That division, however, with the one beyond
it, materially changed its position in the course
of the forenoon, its left falling back repeat
edly, until the line of these two divisions had
swung around almost at right angles to us.
now perceived a large force of the enemy APP
preaching from the left and front, and imme-
diately reported the fact to Colonel futile,
who, at my request, sent me couple of brass
6-pounderS, which were near by. These | got
into position just in time to receive the enemy.
They advanced with the most desperate brav-
cry, the brunt Of their attack falling upon the
8th Iowa, by whom it was most CALAMITY borne.
l have good authority for saying that the firm
resistance of the center at that time was the
chief means Of saving our whole army from
destruction. The fighting continued with
great severity for about an hour, during which
we repealed what General Beauregard in his
omclal report counts as three OF the nye dis
tinct charges made by the rebels that day upon
our center, and at the end of that time the en-
envy facing us fell back fully repulsed. Colo
mel GeddeS now withdrew short distance to
take care of his wound and at his request, as
his position was more important and exposed
than my own, moved to the left and occu-
pied it, thus leaving an interval on my right
between us and the 18th. When Colonel Ged-
des reformed it was on the right of General
Prentiss, with whom Colonel Geddes fought
during the rest of the day"