The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-01-10
SOME STIRRING INCIDENTS.
A Feat of Unsurpassed Daring by
q Federal Cannonfer at the Second
Manassas,

A Feat Of Unsurpassed Daring by
a Federal Cannonier at the Second
Manassas.
(By Confederate Captain in Phil Tmee.]
The most conspicuous act Of reckless
courage I ever saw displayed on any
battlefield during our great civil war oc.
Cured at the second battle of Manassas
on the 30th Of August, 1862. 1t was per-
formed by federal artillerist in the
presence Of both armies and was wit
messed by at least thousand mon, many
of whom are still living and Gan readily
recall the incident when reminded of the
circumstances. There had been q great
battle on Friday between the federals
Under General Pope and the corps of
Stonewall Jackson, in which the fed
erals We're repulsed.' During this battle
Longstreet had come upon the field and
taken part in the fight just at nightlall
On Saturday morning, the '30th Of August
General Pope's army occupied po-
sition stretching along the plateau about
the already famous Henry house, while
the confederate forces were concealed in
the woods and bottoms behind the Chin
house. The whole forenoon wore quiet
~ away except all occasional slight
skirmish along the advanced picket
lines of the two great armies, where any
movements Of troops or change Of posi-
ton would cause a rattle OF m,lsketry to
break out at times and spread along the
lines for five or ten minutes, but this
would gradually die away into profound
stiffness that would reign for an hyur at
:: time.
Thus the day passed on until about 2
o'clock, when General Lee suddenly put
his whole army in motion and advanced
rapidly to attack the federals. Moving
forward at double quick across bottoms
and fields for mile or more. we passed
through body of woods and entered
the large open field around the Chin
house. Here we came in sight of three
separate lines of federal troops drawn
up in line of battle along the bottom just
below the dwelling. There was ditch
about four feet wide and three or four
it for half mile and the federal lines
we're formed parallel with this ditch
two on the side next to the Henry house
and one line over across on the side
next the Chin house. There was bat
terry of artillery with the front line
which the federals had moved around
the head of the ditch half mile up the
bottom. The confederate lines on en-
tering the field were ~ p4rellel with
that of the federals and the le!t, under
Hood being advanced became engaged
just below the CHIN house. while Inc
right of our line was still several nun
dred yards from the ditch. up the val
ley, but was swinging around rapidly to
take part in the action.
Hoods headlong charge had taken the
enemy in his front completely by sur
prise, and hearing the heavy volley of
n,usketry and fire ofartillery on our left,
our attention was drawn in that direc-
quick we conld plainly see across the
open. field the bloc iy work going on and
observe distinctly the rapid movements
and changes taking place there. Hoods
men had come upon the field on a run,
yelling and firing as they advanced, and
soon came to close quarters with the first
line Of federals, whhh outnumuered
them greatly aud extended beyond his
TANKS. Here, then, began fierce con-
fict that RACED for short time with I'M
certain results and the state flag Of Tex
as "a large blue silk ground with single
star in the centre) was seen to go down
and up several times. But the federal
line tiraIly gave way and fell back across
the dit n in great disorder, and Hood,
following up this advantage, led his men
over the ditch and charging the other
two lines before they could recover
line breaking Into them, he very soon
drove hack the whole federal force in
his front towards the Henry house.
But just as Hoods men charged down
the hill upon the first line, as already
stated, and it became evident he would
capture the battery stationed there, q
federal artillerist determined to save
one of the cannon, if possible. and tn
do so he had t. take it up the side oftho
ditch in front of the confederates for a
half mile. How lie got bis horses hitched
or whether they had really ever been
taken from the piece never have known,
but the first saw Of him he was coming
up our front in a sweeping gallop from
the cloud of smoke and Hoods men
were firing at him. AS soon as he es-
capped from that vollcy he came in front
of oursbrigade and under range Of our
muskets on the left and as he swept on
up the line a file fire was opened upon
him. Our line disappointing the ditch
rapidly at double-q,lick and the lane
UcIWccu US d1lO tl1e OltCtl WAS S0tLluS
narrower each second, but the artillery
man seemed determ med to save his
gun from capture ndthe flew along his
course at tremendous rate Of speed.
He had four large gray or white horses
to the cannon and they came up the val
ley in splendid style. The man sat erect
and kept his team we'll in hand while
his whip seemed to play uponaupon the
TANKS Of the leaders and all four horses
appeared to leap together in regular
time. The ground was very dry and
cloud of dust rolled ont from under the
horses feet and from the wheels of the
cannon as they came laundering along.
Three regiments of our brigade hal al
ready fired at him as he rushed along
their front and as he approached the
left of another ran down to the rear
rank shouting to the men. "Shoot at
the horsesl You are firing too high"
At this saw noted marksman in Com
pany F drop upon one knee and sight
along the barrel of his musket and fire,
but on came the man and the gal!op of
his team was unbroken Rammlng in
another cartridge the mar ksman was
ready again in a minute and just as the
cannonier swept across his front within.
a hundred yards he kneeled down and
taking deliberate aim ut the foremost
horse firolt again. but on went the team