The National tribune., 1888-06-07


branches. Just above the reserve stood grIst-
mill, with its necessary mill-pond. On the
morning Of the battle, at about 4 o'clock, the
piekets In front were driven IN by the enemy,
and another body Of rebels, which bad in some
mysterious way gotten in cur rear, closed in
on the reserve. Owing TO the darkness, the
fact that the mill pond was in the immediate
rear OF part Of the pic6et-line, and the cQndi-
ton Of surprise incident To the suddenness of
the attack, the regiment was IN a somewhat
confused condition. and also IN tight place;
but after a short time we succeeded in extrlcat-
ing ourselves, with a loss Of . missing. We
soon after Joined the brigade, which We found
taking position for battle.
No further part was taken by our division
on this part of the field rs we were soon on the
march for the left, where the ightiBg as near
as we could judge by sound, was terrifc-a
continuous Uell Of musketry and boom Of artil-
lery.
About s o'clock a. n. we met Gen. Lowell,
Wko if i mistake not, was Gen. Sheridan's
Chief Of Artillery. He greeted our Tegimeutal
commander pleasantly, and remarked that
they were having a hot time over on the
lelt and also impaired the information that
the rebels had captured is pieces Of artillery
before daylight and that the Eighth and Nine
tenth CCrIs were busted" he was then on
his way as he said, to superntend the placing
Of some artillery, in an effort TO check the rebel
advance. lie passed out Of sight to the front
and il was but very short time afterward
that word reached US that he had been killed
while in the ACT OF performing the duties before
mentioned.
Passing through the wooded country on the
west Of the pike We came out on a road north
Of MiddietOWn, and as we emerged from the
WOODS iuUo the cleared country, what a sight
met our eyes All the country contiguous to
the pike was filed with flying troops in every
conceivable condition Of disorder. What corps
they belonged TO we had no opportunity to
ascertain, but of one thing ] am certain: The
only troops / saw in any kind Of shane 20 con-
test the forward progress Of the rebels was q
number Of regiments, possibly brigade, OF the
Sixth Corps, which were posted behind and
along q stone wall extending westwardly from
The pike. They, as We passed along their rear
Inquired Of Us what command we belonged 10
and when informed that it was the old Michi-
gan Brigade they testified their appreciation
OF our abilities as fighters from way back by
hearty cheers and waving Of caps.
A brigade 81 cavalry, but what or whose bril-
Eade ] never knew, was deployed as skirmsh-
ers, with drawn sabers, trying TO stop the fugi-
tives, but seemingly without success The
J0hnuies were doing their level best to com
plete the utter generalization Of the fleeing
Nauks by a rapid aud continuous FIRE OF shells
from their batteries on MiddletCwn Rights
and as we appeared upon that part Of the field
they redoub.ed their efforts IN that line and
TO say the least, they made il excessively sui
try for Us.
We crossed the pike near farmhouse. which
stood on the west side Of the road. about one
nile north OF NiddletCwn, and took position.
battalion front" brigade closed IN mass, in
q large orchard on the east side Of the nike
Our position soon attracted she attention OF the
rebel artillerists. and they trained the guns on
the nights la Our direction. and soon got the
range completely; and the way the shells
n en- H. 81
hair stick up on 2 mud-tErtle's back. con-
graduated myself, however, st the time on the
TACT that there was more noise than execution:
but the next day, when passing this same g,osi-
tiOns WAS soiaeH hat surprised 10 see the bodies
Of some 80 OF more dead horses lying IN that
orchard.
Our division commander (8Ierritt) was a
man Of TOO much good sense to keep Us long
exposed 20 this iTOn haIi, and We were soon
moved out to the lett and dep.0yed into line OF
battle, our regiment becoming ID the final as
sigumCnt Of position the extreme left regiment
Of the llnc We were thrown forward as skin
mlshers. or rather an open line Of battle, and
soon had occasion 10 exchange greetings with
the oncomiuE foe who were flushed with their
previous sBrCess, and confident Of brushing us
out Of tue way without trouble; bat they soon
ran against suag IA the way OF our trustv
Spencers, aud stopped and commenced piling
rats.
BY this time the sun had Travelled nearly II
moi quite 10 the zenith, and z kind Of general
lEll seemed to take place all along the line
Our officers were busy il readjusting lines. aud
about O'Clock change lad taken place in
tie condition Of affairs. We had had some
desultory fighting which had resulted IN no
apparent advantage 10 either side. News Of
Gen. Sheridan ms arrival had spread all through
the somewhat dishearteued little army. and
fresh confidence seemed 70 be felt BIZ ali that his
presence world result in victory
About O'Clock Z. IA. heavy firing away 10
or right announced 10 Us that the fight was
on again, and every man Of our command
seemed TO be lmratieHtiy eager for orders for
our advance and participation ia what we wei
knew was 10 be the decisive contest for the
supremacy in the valley. Although seemingly
quiet IN our front, we well knew THAT the next
hour was Big with events, either for our veal
O. $50.
The roll Of musketry and the boom of guns
from the dough boys position grew fercer
ana ferccr, ard the suspense we we're in WAS
terrible Soon we heard the grand old Union
shout OF victory roll toward us on the stiI
Autumnal air, and q cloud Of dust away 10 tie
right IN the distance showed US that the rebel
center was broken and IN fUli retreat
2o@ was oar opportunity, and quickly was
u seized. and with sabers fashing forward Nc
went, right ever those Formidable rail piles
winch had been OBTAINING as all the Afternoon
rebel
infantry, which was not used to defeat was
broken in two and in retreat Passing through
piece u timber and making a left-wheel. We
came out into the open country north Of Buck
town Ford, and We had ample recompeuse for
the sight We saw ia the forenoon. The wide
landscape was full Of flying, scared and de-
mOralized rebels.
The first man I clapped my eyes on after
emerging from the woods was Mai g. G. Briggs
commanding CIR regiment who stood on 2 Bio
stump with revolver in each hand ia front
Of ham stood three or four very meek john
MES, while the Majors face was wFeathed In a
smile Of extreme satisfaction Go catch 'eu.
boys, sad he, and bring EN- 70 me: IN take
care Of en- aud right royalty did the bows
enter into the spirit VI the work before them
with INC result that our brigade gathered I'M
about 400 prisoners when nightfaH and dark.
ness put an end 70 or labors
Situated SO far TO the left as we were. none
o. the artillery fell 70 as as trophies Of the vic
tory; but have always thought that the can
turing Of those guns Of EaTly's that dav was
due more 10 that worthy geutlemau's own blum
der ia moving lis train down over Fishers HIN
than % any especial gallantry on the part Of the
particular troops who made their capture. and
this is said without amy reelection on The high
ehaFactefa IS brave men Of said gun sco0pers. y
NOW as regards the Eighth and Nineteenth
corps don't think they need 70 feel any ten
oeEness on the subject Of their experience that
day as tneV did. i think all THAT men oonfd