The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-11-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Orr Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BATTLE OF LEwISBURG.
Col. Crooks Wcll-won Victory Over q Largely
Superior Force.

mart of NAV letz we were in camp on the top oil
the hill west of Lewisburg, w. Va. The lorce
then consisted of the Both aud 44th ONO one
co,nlauy of The Isl ". Va. Cav, aud two or
three mountain howilzcrs Lewisburg is the
Cou,tvs,.at of Grecubrer County, and rs
nr,4tv llttle town, built mostly on the west
slopc OF a beautiful valley high up among the
mountains Cornfieds and meadows come Up
20 its suburbs aud beautiful grove oil OAKS
adorn the hill south of the town. The slope on
which the town stands is mostly gentle, "hiie
north Tor a long distance are rolling helds. IL
IL delightful spot so far as nature can contrib
ute 10 that end The village Is on either SIDE
of the pike, single street which WINDS Gown
the steep hill west of the town ana runs
straight up the slope. street crosses TINS AT
rightanges near the center OF tne Village
MANY of he houses are substantially punt OF
red brick East of town about three miles the
nike crosses Greenhrier River on wooden
bridge Here AN outpost was stationed, and ON
the top of the hill east Of town there was also
an inner picket in sight OF camp across the
valley. ~
IN at reveIlle looking over to the east and
against the Frightening sky, we saw the hash
of a gun, followed IN quick succession by sew
eral others The report of the discharges was
borne 10 us family on the chilly morning ar,
while our pickets were seen 10 retreat toward
us, keeping mp the fire for short time WIN
along the hilltops their outlines showing
sharply against background OF sky growing
brighter 10y the rapid approach OF sunrise
Before the company roll had been called the
drums
BEAT THE LONG ROLL
and heard the clear sharp voice of Col. Crook
shrill RS a bugle, or perhaps more like the crack
of whip, commanding Fall an" Almost
before our company { II was formed, Capt. Pal
mer passed down our street at double-quick,
their harness rafting and rifles gittering in
the bright light of the sun that had just peeped
above the eastern hills. They were going at
rafting pace 60 their maiden battle, under The
lead of their splendid Captain.
From a variety of contending emotions i
could scarcely keep my teeth from chatterlng.
The morning was cool TO begin with, and we
could see the enemy deploying line of battle
east of and overlooking the village that was at
least twice as long ours would be Win nine
companies of our regiment Go. A being absent
and the oath Ohio. We could see the horses OF
the artillery wheel at a sharp trot as they
swung round, and in no time six pieces were IN
position to the right of the pike beyond the
grove, while from the trees far TO the left de-
bOuched a squadron Of cavalry outnumberlng
our little baud of that arm at least i've TO one.
Our howitzers mounted on mules, were useless.
Called out of my blanket where i had been
sleeping 10 face the chilly air and have what
seemed a hopeless Dalllt llTusl upOu NC bOAoAS
had even time TO wash my face, tried my
nerves in common with the rest, j think.
j shiyered perhaps Twas scared, but not so
badly that did not take In the whole situation
and estimate the chances as largely in favor Of
our getting nicely whipped. Only few MIN
utes elapsed till we were moving straight for the
:. town and the center of the rebel line at the
esgular swing of the soldier on parade, step
that never hurries, but covers the ground
WITH MARVELLOUS RAPIDITY.
]. was magnificent. ceased 10 shiver. had
made up my mind before j ever saw fight
that should be nervous but j overcame my
"buck ague," as the hunters call il, easier than
Iexpected. j took no delight in il, perhaps
but found that could 20 through il with the
rest.
The rear Of the regiment had not got en-
tirely out of camp till a shell from the rebel
battery exploded over the rear company, doing
no harm, however. 1t was the first had ever
heard, but the emotions it started had not
time to analyze. Col. Crook led the 44th TO the
right of the town, showed them where TO form,
and was back with as we filed TO the left ut
the cross-street, never changing our measured
but rapid stride. Just our company was
passing into the crOss-streeta shell came whiz-
Eing down the main street. causing some men
60 dodge in a very undignihed manner When
we turned of from the main road we were fairly
hidden from the rebel line of battle by rise of
ground Emerging from among the houses we
saw Co. g depOyed TO the left as skirmishers.
In moment we were in line and at about the
same moment the 44th opened on the enemy on
the right Of the town, there being space in the
center unoccupied, because we did not have
troops enough 60 cover it.
Here Crooks horse became unmanageable
and plunged with him into a mud hole near
tannery. BE dismonnted and left him, going
in with ne on foot. Reaching the top of the
hau hafo and
denly I'm view Of the whole rebel line in front
and 10 the left Of us; that 10 the right in front
OF the oath, was partly hidden by the forms-
sion Of the ground and partly by intervening
houses. The main line was posted behind a
rail fence on top of the hill, beyond acorn6eld,
with skirmshes thrown TO the front Their
flank reached far beyond our left and there
were the cavalry bearing down on ne across the
pndulating fields still farther 10 the left, and
only held in check by the skirmishers Of Co. q.
The moment we came in view the rebels
opened on us with volley all along the line,
but their balls fell short only digging up the
ground i'm front of us The range was too great
for their smooth-bore muskets. Not so with
our rifles Our reply told on them. The men
were disposed 10 stop and load, but the voice of
Crook rang out clear and distinct,
"LoAD As YOU COL"
The men were as yet quiet not word was
spoken IN ranks; all were intensely engaged in
tbe business before them. They were in their
first battle, and as they could see fought against
great odds. Defeat would be disastrous We
were far from support, with long line of re-
treat over mountains in our rear. Each man
acted as if il all depended on him. Only for q
moment when the fire was hottest, did see q
Captain aud a squad of men huddle behind a
small building. Some one called out, THAT
wont do" when the Captain recovered him
sell and urged the men forward
Crooks sharp voice urging us on attracted
my attention. looked at him moment and
IN that moment he faltered-almost fell He
had been hit, but recovering himself he limped
on, the same clear ring in his voice. We moved
steadily forward, each man loading and firing
NJ We advanced up the gentle open slope
through and over the small growing corn.
Presently, when within perhaps 100 yards OF
the fence behind which the rebels had formed
they rose OF first one or two at a time and
dropped back out Of sight; then they began &c
60 In squads, and soon the
WHOLE LINZ BROKE AND RAN
Then we raised cheer and took the double
quick. Col Crooks voice rang out STEADY
men preserve your alignment and we swept
over the top of that HILL in 45 minutes from
the opening of the battle like q regiment ON
parade, pouring volley after volley into the
disOrganized mob that frantcally flung away
all membranes and wildly sought safety IN
flight.
On the right the performance Of the oath wa,
no less brilliant So rapidly did they rush on
the battery that two of the gunners Were lrille6