The National tribune., 1888-09-27
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
A CANNoNEER's STORY.
Tic Third Gun. 9Th Wis. Battery


confine myself principally to those with me on
the third gun; thinking
why should kind words ne'er be said
OF oUr messsnates-till they are dead"
The 5th Wis. battery commanded by Capt
q. F. Pinney. aud attached to Col. z. Sidney
Posts Brigade, Brg-Gen. JEFF. c. Davis's Di-
vision. and Mai-Gen. McCoo6's right wing oil
the army. at the above-named battle, left Nash
vile the latter part Of December, 1862, and re-
conuoitered and skirmished as it advanced.
On Christmas Day the battery and brigade
was sent out on q Reconnaissance and toraglng
expedition. / was detailed as one among the
number to remain in camp and cook ratlons
for the men in cur detachment when they re-
turned, which consisted Of a camp-kettle full
Of beans and a kettle Of coffee. Our mess had
some robins Also that the boys had caught
in the canebrake near our camp the night be-
fore.
While watching the dinner cooking and
writing letter home, a slave belonging TO the
plantation where we were encamped came TO
me and asked me, "WOnld young MasSa Jes as
lief 20 and hab some dinner wid him and ms
old Chloe in his cabin" / thanked him and
said I would. / could not tarry long at the
slaves quarters, but returned to duty after en-
j0ying a good meal. / thought OF the last
Christmas at home in 1860
On the following morning, Dec. 90, we broke
campand marched toward Nolensyille through
a very heavy rain storm. The wheels OF the
artillery were one mass Of mud. The battery
was engaged in the skirmish at Nolensville,
and did effective work; then proceeded toward
MBrfreesborO. or Stone River.
The army looked grand when marching IN
line of battle to take up their respective posi-
tions, with the silken folds Of the flags and
banners Of blue unfurled from regiment after
regiment, while strains Of music from the
bands filed the air with melody and aroused
my whole soul to a sentiment cannot describe.
- 81 Il - n
oUacked in a cedar thicket near the enemys
lines. No fires were allowed, so We ate our
bareback and raw bacon without the accus-
toned coffee. All the cannoneers were ordered
10 sleep at their posts, with accouteTments on;
the horses remained harnessed and hitched-up
al night.
Dave Welty and ! were sitting on our cais-
son until late IN the evening. He was talking
TO ne about his home and mother and sisters,
and Of the songs they used to sing. l asked
him to hum one 10 me- and IN a low, sweet
tone be hummed Belle Brandon" We then
lay down by our gun TO get little rest.
Early next morning, the 31st, we left the
cedar thicket and moved until we were rushed
into action, taking position in cornfeld.
We commenced firing briskly shot and shell,
until the enemy we're advancing too close, then
used canister.
Clark Baker was No. !, and his post was at
the lannon's mouth. he stood there cool, brave
y
admiration. De was in the nobility OF has
manhood. Els GOODNESS inspired me- the young
est boy On our gun and on that battlefield, with
the glistening bayonets Of advancing rebel
b2ttalions, I learned that my friendship for
my messmate Clark Baker was born amid
shot and shell and rebel bullets.
And willie the battle was raging most iercely,
And death seemed to press round us all
BE stood SO brave and undaunted,
] trembed for fear he would fail;
And thought when the contest IL over,
Should we live to lie down By our gun,
woulG press the brave hand then IN action
And tell lin what the morning had doRe;
What learned IN that terrible battle,
On thai field, mid the shells and the balls;
how thought would not leave him
II be should be one who should fall.
Opposite Clark stood Dave Welty, fearless
and strong, IN the prime Of his young days,
with the expression on his fair face that each
charge he inserted would DO its duty.
Billy Ball was serving vent, with every move
meBt and every feature bent on strict duty 10
his country and his flag. As passed with the
shot shell or canister opposite 10 him TO meet
John Worick, our eyes would sometimes meet,
and told his thoughts more than words, Which
Of the boys viii fall?"
Charley Barnes, with his warm heart and
nature and unhinching frmness, said TO me:
We cannot al survive these rebel bullets"
think WIZ Preston handled the lanyard. It
was done with dexterity. He was an active
Ml!t South was gunner, and put in many
weli-directed shots; the canister being very
effective.
Brad w. Stout was Sergeant Of the gun. BE
was q 6ne-lookiBg and fearless soldier; his
bearing either IN the saddle OF On foot was
everything that could be desired. His nature
was warm and his friendship sincere. be
would do anything in his power for bis com
Tsdes. BE knew he had splendid detachment
OF men that he could depend upon; and every.
body liked Brad.
The yoIleys Of nusketry and booming Of
artillery, screeching and bursting shells with
the movement Of troops and the laundering
from both armies, made us all know that tho
battle ragged dcrcely and that the approaching
columns Of rebels were pressing US, when w
cav cur infantry support falling back. MANY
Of the horses Of the battery were wounded
some dying, some killed the riders were busy
eXtrieating such from the limbeTs and caissons
Amid this ordeal the battery remained, firing
canister AZ the advancing rebel ranks Dave
was wounded, but helped load the last charge
when We were ordered 70 fall back. While Ii,
last gun was being iimbercd-up helped Day,
mount the lead team, the rider Charley Taft
giving up his place 10 him. The blood wa
flowing freely from his wound, and left crimson
stains upon ny OVerc0at I only had time :,
say, knowing BE would be placed in an ambu
lance as soon as possible) Good-by, Dave:
cannot begin to tell you how sorry feel anr
bow viii miss you; you must hurry up and
get well and come back to rs" he replied
" So viii miss you, Charley, and all the bows
but III not forget you, nc matter where I 20 =
Brave Capt. Pinney and many others Of III,
command were seriously wounded CIarl
found Mart Campbell Of another gun, wounde,
badly. He wanted 10 lie down. Clark sal,
No; the rebels are right after us!" III
halted one Of the caiss0ns aud put him on /
and held him there while passing through III,
woods, sending one Of the boys ahead 10 bol,
an ambulance, rs he saw everything wa
moving back rapidly. After placing him il
the ambulance the caisson went on.
When that grand and noble rider 4" Curly
Worick came along with a Parr0tt gun rfb
horses were all killed except his wheel team
he was urging his horses on until he rescbe,
the opening, where there was a hill the horse
drew il half way up, and were completed
tUckcred out. The glorious old 59th III. bow
were near and falling back with the othe
Etanch grand regiments Of our brigade. CIarl
asked some Of the boys Of the 59th if the
would help BIN run the gun few rods I'D tn
hill, 50 Curly could get il of They ansyere,
YES; that the - rebels shouldn't have tina
gun anyway" Some Of the boys took bol
with viii and helped run the gun To the 10
Of the hill. If any Of these BOYS are now liy
ing il would be pleasant 10 know the fact an,
20 hear from them.
Capt Pinney was being taken of the field b