The National tribune., 1888-09-27

l saw the smoke rising from the wagon -train
OF supplies, which had been fired by the Texas
Rangers. 1t proved to be our division train of
rations. feared the ammunition-train would
be fired also, and expected every moment TO
hear the explosion. / tried to reach the center.
where Gen. Thomas was engaged, but was over
taken and captured by Ranger who rode up
on gallOp, with revolver In hand. Nearest to
me was an infantryman who had fired his last
cartridge, and whom the Ranger shot down as he
advanced. Turning to me with revolver cooked,
he demanded my firearms. WelOoked at each
other l told / had none, that was can
noneer. He then said, III not take your
young life; but take off your overcoat and
hand it up here" and with it went the mittens
that warm and noble-hearted Charley Barnes
had loaned mo early in the morning, and
which had been sent to him by young lady
friend at home.
The Ranger threw my coat across the POM
mel Of his saddle along with others and SIX
flag torn from its staff. / wanted to tear 1t
from his saddle before he gslloped off The
prisoners were being marched toward the rebel
lines. / found Corp'l Aaron Eley and o. ID.
Snow among the number. l was In no hurry
to march up. for in the distance saw our cav
airy forming, and hoped they would charge
quickly. Soon Gen. Davis and stall appeared
upon the scene. A Texan nearest to me fired
twice at the General, whom i heard say Kill
luS - ICbcls by bilio bllllC Jul "a fhlAg NSAS
charging and driving the Rangers, and soon we
were recaptured. l cannot express how glad
felt, and started to find our gun. The riders
had left the cannOneers in all directions, trying
TO save the guns. They were all brave boys.
/ found part of the battery, commanded by
Lieut.. George O. Gardner, whose courage and
bravery were always conspicuous and enhanced
by his being our yoSngest officer. We were
placed in position, and worked the guns with
diminished numbers.
The evening roll call was very sad one, and as
the names were being called and some one would
answer " Killed (" " Wounded +" Captured "
and UnknoWnl" it made q feeling of sorrow
pass over the soul. know il was with tremu-
lous voice / answered for Dave. We lay down
that night By our posts, ready for action at
moments notice. | thought of the night before
and Of my messmate Dave, as lay beside Clark,
by the gun, whose cheeks were yet streaked
with the powder and smoke of the morning s
battle; and his hand, that had handled the
sponge and rammer SO braveiy and fearlessly,
and that had helped the wounded man and
saved his life; that had helped get the gun off
Of the field, and at his post at the lannon's
mouth as soon as our gun was in position again
that hand was resting; it had nobly done It's
duty.
New Years day we changed position, and in
the afternoon crossed Stone River to reinforce
the left wing. The water came rushing down
madly over the ford and almost came up
to the ammunition chests. We were placed
] behind hastily-constructed works. The sharp
shooters kept continual firing at US Our
Tations were short as our commissary supplies
had been burned by the rebels on the day be-
fore.
Brad had a partly-cured picked ham given
him by an infantry soldier, he having foraged
two from a house on the picket-line. Some OF
Us ate 1t raw while Others roasted slices on q
stick over the Goals.
During lull in the contest Clark went to
/ the house on the picket-line in face of the
/ sharpshOoters to get some of the meat for u.s.
/ None of US would risk our lives, even if we
were hungry; but the bold attempt was unre-
/ warded, for the barrel had been emptied of Its
/ contents by the other pickets.
Every soldier present will remember the
terrible grandeur OF the battle with the center
/ the roar and booming of the artillery, the
! thrilling yolley after yolley of musketry, and
/ the incessant crash from both armies. 1t was q
/ dreadful and indescribable tempest. Only a
soldier knows what it was.
When the enemy evacuated Murfreesboro we
| recrOssed the river and camped by the Nash
vile pike. / found chunk of salt pork in
| the road in the mud, which did good service
/ obtained permission from Lieut.. Charley
| Humphrey to 90 and see Capt. Pinney, with
other of the boys. We found him in q
]
/ hospital. ! went upstairs with my hear
filed with sorrow. When l entered the room
he reached out his hand to take mine, and in hi!
pain he said am glad you came to see me
| Charley; you must think something of your
Captain. Am glad you escaped unframed. You
must take care CT yourself, my boy 1 won't bt
with you"
When we went into camp in the timber neal
the ShelbyYille pike, the strongest and braves
hearts felt more forcibly the bond that bounC
Us together as companions-in-arms.
Dawes blanket was not unfolded as it ha(
been a few nights before, when we lay down
together by the old third gun. But Clark, ant
Brad, and Charley, and Bill and the othe
members Of the detachment were there. fel
proud of each one. l thought more of the boy
on the other guns and those who commanded
rs. OF the riders on the third gun the beaut,
Of each ones character in battle shines witt
the same brilliancy as the cannOneers. AM
no doubt IN the army life, round other guns
and on picket-lines, and in battle, in camp 0
on the march, many Of the boys in blue hav
had an experience similar TO my own witt
some comrades with whom they have mcsse
and bunked in the army days.-C. C. Gun
NIEGHAM, 9Th Wis. battery, Monroe, Wis.