Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-29

on the water. Their center was on a low
hill, where couple of batteries stood in
action. We were on the ground early
in the morning. The Yankees had just
begun to break earth for an intrench.
ment. We could see their entire line
and Judge correctly of their numbers
We outnumbered them over two to one
The confederates, though tired and hun.
cry, were keen to be led to the assault
We, one and all, prepared to fight at once
rather than to wait for an hour or two
and be fed. After our bloody experience
at Allatoona we dreaded to attack earth.
orks manned by veteran Yankee infan.
try. Now we had Scho6eld's army
cooped. They could not retreat. The
river was behind them. We knew that
If we attacked at once We could kill them
or capture them, or drive them into the
river. But we also knew that if Hood
allowed them to throw up an earthwork
it mattered not how slight, that they
would most tenaciously hold that de.
tense. They were desperate men. Their
only chance was to fight, and fight, and
still fight. In the open we could have
crushed them in an hour. Once covered
we knew that they could not be crushed
and we privates, who had fought these
men for three years, knew they would
fight to the last man, almost, once they
were warmed TO their work.
GAS we stood in column waiting fol
our orders, saw the corps and division
commanders crowd around Hood, who
had ridden onto the field. I dropped
out of the ranks and drew near to the
group. They were inspecting the Yam
kee line. I heard Cleburne, approved
and fearless fighter, urge Hood to order
the assault at once. I heard general Of
ficers advise him not to waste time, not
to allow the Yankees time to cover them
selves. Hood refused to order the as
sault, saying the troops were tired and
hungry. and needed food and rest, and
he added, contemptuously: In ten min
utes we can drive the Yankees out of any
works they can throw up in two hours.
They cannot hold that ine.' Cleburne
shook his head negatively at this, but
Hood was frm. When saw Cleburne,
who was ever keen for battle, shake his
head I was discouraged. If Gle
burne breads the work, it must be hope
less, 1 thought.
"The men were ordered to cook break
fast and obeyed sullenly. The Yankee
earthworks steadily grew as we looked
on. Two hours passed and they were
and the Yankee infantry sank
out of sight behind them. Then came
ard countermarching on our
part. 1t was 4 o'clock before our dis
positions for the assault we're made.
From the position I was in 1 could
plainly see the Yankee line. It seemed to
be deserted. Now and then the head of
a man would appear above the works, or
an artillery man would crouch behind a
gun and gaze in our direction. We were
formed for the assault. The plan was
to launch several columns against the
line and endeavor to break it at differ
emit points, while the real attack would
be made on the little hill where the two
batteries stood. Our artillery went into
action. Some dismounted artillery men
were formed behind us. These were to
follow us closely, and when he had cap
5ured the Yankee guns they were to turn
them and pulverize the flying Yankees.
It was good idea, and the artillerymen
aughed gleefully at the picture they
,onjured. 1t was well they had their
augh first.
"All was ready, we arose and dashed
Onward. Out of the ground rose the
Yankee pickets and firing once they ran
or their earthworks and their rifles fell
INTO horizontal line, the Federal artill-
srists sprung to their guns, we instinc-
lively pulled our hat brims down as
though to protect our faces and dashed
INTO the open. Instantly we were met by
4 storm of bullets and canister that
caused us to stagger as our dead and
comrades fell against us. We
wavered badly then gathered ourselves
and pushed on, firing as we went.
"The powder smoke hung on the field.
riffs in it we could see the Fed
eral gunners spring nimbly to and fro
from the Napoleon guns. The respon-
sive flash of the guns, as the lanyards
were pulled, would be followed by the
rip of canister as it flew past and through
us, tearing great gaps in our ranks,
mems bones as pipestems, and
brave men dead with great
holes in their bodies. The zip, zip, zip
of flying rifle balls was a mighty and
steady hum, as though the empty cylin-
ders of countless threshing machines
were revolving at full speed all around
us.
Steadily the veteran Yankee infantry,
who had to hold their line of earthworks
or take to the water, loaded and fired.
Our men iell by hundreds. We stag
gered on through this storm of bullets
and canisters for five minutes. We had
not reached the union line Then we
heard exultant shouts to our left and
through the drifting smoke caught
glimpse of our battle flags planted on
the Federal breastworks on the hill, and
as We saw the men clad in gray Chamber
over the works and disappear, we re-
doubled our efforts to take the line in
front OF us. Its fire did not slacken a
particle. Its defenders paid no attention
to the disaster that had overtaken their
center. As we drew closer the parapet,
Redeemed in the smoke and the fire,
resembled the fury Of hell in its intensity.
Then loud above the battles roar sound
ed the charging cheer of the Yankee
troops and we knew that the cofederates