The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-13

three times with a. heroism and desperation
seldom witnessed in any ancient or modern
battle, but each time back were their shattered
Columns sent in utter confusion. Thus the
battle continued until late in the afternoon,
nhen both parties reorganized Tor last and
desperate struggle. The lines OF the enemy
showed all along the skirts of timber. leaving
the open space to our right and center, and ex-
tending to Buck Lick Run. Both seemed eager
to make the attack, but our forces were first IN
motion, and with a quck-step movement they
advanced against the enemy. The firing
opened all along the line. First one and then
the other line staggered and swayed to and fro
Tie forces on both sides seemed determined to
win or die OH their ground. At last Wilkins
crossed Hawk Run and struck the enemy in
his flank, causing CONSERVATION to seize him,
and he gradually gave way, his left flank
doubling back on The main line nearer the cen
ter. At this moment Gen. Silent ordered an
advance with infantry and artillery simultane-
ously. This was executed i'll good order, the FIR
ing again became general. The roar of artillery
now was almost deafening. The yell of the
enemy was heard in every direction rs though
assanlting, but they could no longer stand
against our determined forces. Steadily on the
advance continued; the enemy stood, deliver
ing his fire with deadly results, until our army
approached 10 the point where one or the other
must give way. The rebels, seeing that our
force was coming with a steady step and deter
mination unmoyed by their fire, broke in diff
fcreat parts of their line, and finally the mo-
meBt arrived when they could no longer stand
our deadly aim, and their whole line gave way.
They retreated through the woods and on diff
ferent roads in great disorder. Our forces toi-
lowed up their lines OF retreat and kept a con-
slant fire upon them until night interviewed,
which protected them from any further dis
aster. This closed one OF the bloody battles OF
the war. That night orr army again slept
upon their arms Some supplies were brought
to them during the night, which stayed their
hunger. The next morning the enemy was
nowhere TO be seen or heard he had made his
retreat in the night, leaving many wagons ana
ambuanceS and guns. The roads being made
almost impossible by the rain of the night be-
fore, their dead and wounded were left in our
hands, save those that they had removed to the
rear the night of the first days contest, when
they held the ground. The battlefield pre-
scented a CHASTITY and sickening sight,-the
dead, the dying, the wounded the hospital IN
the erear near, the river the parties burying the
ldestd, finding Union men and rebels piled up m
heaps together The long trenches being pre-
pared; the soldiers being wrapped in their
blankets and buried without any knowledge of
who they were or to what command they be-
longed; the words of the dying TO be taken
back to their friends; the messages to fond
wives and blessed children; the means and
shrieks of the wounded as they were carried on
stretcherS from where they had lain and Sut-
Tered, some OF bHeli TWO days ana
These things, when first reclted 10 me by
my son Peter, filled me with deep sorrow and
pain. o, my friends, the suffering of our poor
men for their country was great-lt was heart
rendirg to hear of it. When the sick, wounded
and dead had been cared for, of course the
army could not move again very nit must
have rest and reorganization. So the camp for
the present was established little in advance
OF the battle-ground. Many were furloughed
for short time aud returned home My son
Peter came home on a leave, having been
wounded late In the evening of the second day.
His wound being in his foot, be was untitled
for duty for some time. lis Lieutenant-Colo
nel having been killed that day, he was pro-
Illsed TO the vacancy.
%" While Peter was kept in the house (where
he WAS confined by his wonnd) he constantly
entertained us by his recitals of ali of these in
cidentsand movements that have given to you
III my poor way. 1t is matter of great inter-
est TO me to follow the history of men on both
sides and see what their good or bad fortune
may have been since. Now, on our side in this
great battle, Gen. Waterbery, one of our lead
ing Generals, was killed on the first day. Gen.
Hudson went through the war creditably and
died away from home in some of the South
American States Gen. Buda soon left the army
under cloud, and 1 do not know what be-
came of him. think, however, that he is dead.
Wilkins went through the war with some credit
to himself, but was killed in Mexico afterwards
III some of their periodical revolutions"
Uncle Daniel, do yeu know the history of
tie Rebel Generals since the war that COM
manded in this battle of which you have been
speaking" asked DIR. Adams.
s-zsh yes You know, Sydenton jackson
was Killed on the first day. Bolenbreke was in
the rebel army up to its surrender, but died
soon after from dissipation, as l have been
inferihed."
II am curious to knew what became of
Dick, The darky," he said.
Uncle Daniel smiled and said: Dick, poor
fellBw, has not been seen since his hacker
Sticks ran off with him, just as he said they
wse;d.n
-a3ilAt became of Harrington, who wanted
eyerYd-n Yankee killed like cats-bayoBeted
-Hdfheat any quarter being shown, etc. 7"
s.11e went TO Mexico after the war closed !;
cessd hot 1--WE under Yankee rule. He there
tried 10 assist In establishing an Empire. Was
theHgiit of by some of the 1mperalists as suited
to SsS,csne Duke. When the Empire fell, and
np farther hope eta Dukedem arose before his
fi:eterei vanity, he came back, and is now one
ofThe leading governmental reformers placed
in tbs most high places by his party now,
strange 10 say, keformers J. They were once
known by different name. But things are
changing with the seasons now.
rXea see this great battle of Pittskil Land
ing, following s0en after the hattie OF Dolins-
burg. had great influence on the country.
lac p60pie began 80 sec that the question d
courage did not depend so much upon whsre a
mzn was born as it did IS to what ams1nt Of
it he had when he was born, and the prinei pie
for which he Has contending, as well drill
and discipline in his duty. The people in the
N0sth were beginning to learn that every hill
in the South was not mined and ready to be
exploded, blowing up everything that ap-
preached. After becoming cool they wolid Asa
themselves the question as to where TIE powder
could have been procured, etc"
"Xes,s said Dr. Adams. Il remem3er We
when it was reported, and believed by many
that all the hills in Virginia. near Wasn't gtoa
were mined, and that masked batteries we're
behind every bIsh."
Yes, i know many would speak Of those
things 10 prove that he rebellion could not 3t
conquered, or any hcadway made againstit. J1s
as though masked battery Was any more dan
geTous than battery uncovered and w;tkoH,
reAecting as to the number OF guns that ToGit
have been required, and the number 9f men il
supporting the batteries at every place wheT
they were by the vivid imagination If man y
whose stories were invented for the purpose D
frightening the ignorant
The iruth is that il was and is to me one o
the great wonders how we ever succeeded il
putting down the rebellion. with nearly the
crtire South iB a-ins-and there were but few
that were not IN arms who did not sympathiz
fully with those who were; while in the Nortl
strong political party, organization
prayed and worked iOr the success Of secession
and rebellion. The only ones of the party wht
did not sympathize with the rebellion were
few old men who knew The benefits of u gov
ernment, those who entered the Union army