The National tribune., 1884-04-10

To the Editor NsT1oSAL TRIBUNE:
ksaging yoar account Of the hattie of Pea
Ridge, in TIE TRIBUNE Of January q, recalls
10 my Blna giyidiy tae scenes witnessed
there that 4 cannot resist the impulse TO send
~ lew lines Tor publication. hoping that IL
mas re If interest At least 70 sonse Of my old
comrades WHO participated in that battle
detachment OF cur division. commanded
by Colonel fandevcr WIS at Huntsville Ark
on tho morning Of the 9th when we received
orders o. move with all haste 10 oar camp at
cross Hollows. The distance was fortv-five
mics. but we made II By 3 Dci0ck that night.
SBd, atter snDgptuous supper Of slap-iaezs
f2t meal and coffee, al sores aud aches we're
soon lore EfeD il the sound slesp Of tired SOL
d5ers. Ear.y on the morning OF the I'll. As a
cOmrade and ] were bringing a CARD keffie OF
water from the sI,ring. we heard tie distant
boom Of artillery. Ne knew that a bs.tie was
anpciloi nc. and, Fastening back 10 catnp we
flied OUT casieeus and fell into ranks Our
iIise WAS quickly toTzaed across the Spri:sgfiei1
road. The Dubuque battery was nlanted IN
The center. and company Of the gth IoEa
was scrt forward 10 fed Of the enemy Ad-
yancins about one hundred yards down the
hollow bsck OF E.kh0rn Tavern. we sud-
denly caEle upon thcir line and received
their ire. Eight Of the company were shot
here and Captain H. q. Bull vas wounded and
carried from the ield. We returned the fire.
and the regiment coming promptly up and the
whole line advancing M charge hayonets, we
drove the rebels back and held the ground for
two honEs hot al icarIeI sacrifice Oaroaiccrs
Were lesAe rapidly borne 10 the rear Coanrade
J.. Alii5er called upon me 10 come to a laree
log Tor better protection, bat when laiI nv
Fuu aero4s II 10 deliver Ray fire saw that the
upper slae was seaased and Scared with rebel
bullets. Comrade Julius Fcrcht. on my right
was shot through the breast Falling on the
ground, he exclaimed, IN accents shall never
forget They've killed me, boysiv Then.
turning bis face and waving his hand to the
coiors. he shoated . Bat stand by the old
nag, and died. backward and forward
surgcd OR line. here reduced 10 a mere Skin
misb-l3ne and there TO knot Of determined.
resoiUte men. The Dubuque battery was ,eci-
mated Of horses and mon and our conlpsnr
t6-1aptain hashonTnsl cut 10 pieces in sup
porting IT, Some Of the cannon were hauled
back by hand TO save them from capture. Tie
Ilkhorn Tavern and every sheltered place
around ID was now flied with our wounded
Slowly and stnbbOrnly dissuting every inch
Of ground, we were driven back beyond the
tavera into peach orchard and open field.
Advancing again, Just AS the sun was sinking,
we formed 0nr shattered line along the crest
ci the road ~ the base Of Pea Ridge. The two
remaining pieces OF the battery were planted
az the bead Of the ragine behind tho Eikhorn.
ne rc'els came up the ravine regardless OF
death, rolling and Stumbling over each other
A. tbey lei, Ike st2InD ode or frightened
bniiaioes. The grape and canister made fearful
gaps IA Their front: still, on they cafne SAID
l.ieutestant Rice: See, boys those rebels com
lag - there. fire into them, boys: aim low -
The next instant Comrade Beilns said 10 me
LieHtenant Ricc is killed" and looking
round, saw him stretched upon the ground
bullet having pierced his brain Brave lice
al dag his voice had rallied MS like bugle.
call. Aow be lay, like tho Scottish CHIEF. and
every whit rs fBnch a hero
With his back 10 tise field and his feet 10 the Zoe
And issstiDg la battle blot on ll.s pane
Looked proudly 10 Heaven from the death-bcd Of
fIssa1.
NOW the order came TO Gall back across the
open Geld and form line along the opposite
fence. G0ioncls Fandover and Phelps, on foot,
talking as coolly MS though ii were an every
DAY business told US: We viii stop here,