The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-02-14

days battle around Richmond. Before the
battle Shcrman's division held the right of the
first line, Premises the center and Hurlbut's
the left, with Wallace and McClernand in the
rear and Lew Walace's at Crump's landing
When the first charge WAS made on the old
field Gen Grant had passed llurlbut's and his
divisions. Gen. Grant came 10 him and was
Informed by Prentiss how he had lost his
camp. Gen. G. took him 10y the hand and en-
couraged him, saying "You have strong pc
sition here; hold it at all hazards" To this
Gen. ?, replied that he would, and until the
sun went down. Gen. G.. handed him q cigar
and desired TO ne directed TO w. II. l.. Wal
lacC's position. Gen. ?. said he communcat
I'd with Grant every hour, and he did know
that whoever insinuated thar Gen Grant was
not on the field at the hour Of the first charge
at "a. N. WAS a siaudcrcr Of the blacklist dye
He desired to correct an erroneous impres-
prasion in regard TO the dry leaves catching
fire and the soldiers perishing in the flames
He said his men lifted up and tendcrly cared
for the men they had shot down. The south
ern soldiers, seeing this humane act, ceased
firing until the wounded had been carried from
the road and cared for. Then later columns
of the enemy were observed in the timber
passing right to left in front, with the evident
intention of attacking Hurlbut. Prentiss call.
cd him and.dircctCd his attention to the move.
mcut. He rode ont into The Held, but was
quickly warned Of his danger. The enemy
came ont Of the timber and made charge
Hurlbut drove them back. Prcntiss rcmem
bcrcd seeing Albert Sidney Johnston and Coy.
Harris in a small field near peach orchard
and lie desired 10 say that according to the
historians, who were not there, there must
have been four or five orchards to every liyi
sion. II was in this little field that Johnston
was slain. The spot was not within mile
and a half Of where the historians have it. II
1t was by his men that Johnston was slain he
was the last to boast of it. The fighting contin.
ucd and Hurlbut was driven in, and the cues
ton was where could those holding the old
road get to. He promised Gen. Grant to hold
his position and he meant to keep his promise
He asked Wallace for two regiments on his
light to help him. Then lie saw Bishop Polk
,ominS with his Contcderates and soon Wal
ace fell, He had done his duty and died no.
yly. II was now o'clock and still no aid
anne from the river. Gen. Lew Wallace die
lot come. Why not, Gen. Prentiss did not
Ay, but" said he, putting all his energy III
he words, by the Eternal, had ! been In
Command would have gst there somehow"
1t was said that h. (Gcn. Prcntiss) had been
aptured early in the day. twas also said he
lad surrendered his sword to Col. Russell
'cither was true. twas night before he was
aiken, and when he saw his capture was iney-
table he threw his sword away. When the
'risonCrs were brought before Gen. Polk he
skcd; " Have You Gen. Prcntss"' "Yes,"l
aid, stopping ont and folding my arms, a,
IN here and. thank God, | have no sword to
urrcnder 10 man who was educated by the
oycrnment and turned traitorm
Many Incidents Of the cory light were given
y the General and Of his experience in south.
m prisons, and then allu6ion was made TO hi.
cilon as member OF the Fitz John Porter
ourt martial, IN regard to which he had no
poloSy 10 make But he thought o govern
lent which could pardon jeff Davis, Bot
combs and hundreds Of other traitors OF the
eeFcst dye, could afford to overlook the fault
If il wac fault-of an otherwise brave
I'd ncritorioUs soldier, broken in health and
'ttoring on the brink Of Tie grave,