The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-06

as Gne eye cOutu reacn mere anu bD6r6
in the openings in the timber, the dust
could be seen rising and rolling on, in
dicating general movement all along
the line.
Several officers singly and with es-
cort We're leisurely trotting over the
fields, while aids and orderlies were
dashing at break-neck speed along
the line.
After pouring my coffee-such as it
was--into my canteen, l struck out in
search of my regiment. | had not
proceeded far before | was overtaken
by a comrade whose situation was
somewhat similar to mine. He was
looking for his regiment. He might
be called ''straggler," but was full
ly convinced after conversing with
him short time that he did not belong
to that class of soldiers known as''strag-
glers." He was typical Vermonter
of the rustic class, long and gaunt;
with a nasal twang that. grated on the
ears some, but not unpleasantly. In
deed, he was a veteran of proud rec
ord. His service began with the first
three months, and from thence and on
through all the battles the army of the
Potomac engaged in, his regiment bore
an honorable part, and, though quite
young. his bronzed features and we'll
worn accOutrements indicated years of
hard service.
"Waal, pard. guess some of the
boys will tiuke out before hard-tack is
passed around this morning." observed
my comrade as we beheld men bearing
stretchers toward us from the front,
and as we approached nearer the lines
it became exceedingly warm. the scat
tering picket firing was giving away
to sharp volleys of musketry and the
artillery dueling was becoming very
interesting. indeed.
Hello, shouted my companion, ''see
this squad of cavalry coming right
down on us; clear the way quick!
quick! Heavens, how they go!" As
they swept past us horse or man was
hardly discernible with the dust, yet
through the dust shone the brilliant
trappings of a grand cavalcade of Off
GERS, and they went by like an angry
whirlwind. The instant they passed
by us my comrade very suddenly
sprang into the air and gave forth
a fearful yell, and swinging his hat at
the same time. Supposing that he was
.'struck," or suddenly seized with fit.
ran to his assistance and asked him
If there was anything / could do for
him. He thereupon turned on me very
angrily and said, BE you Id fool?"
told him hardly ever acknowledged
it. "Waal," he continued, greatly ex-
cited. "Gall don it, that ere man on
that head horse was Phil Sheridan, and
| calculate" l here cut my conf
rade short, for it was my turn to have
tits.
At the mention of Sheridan's name,
the somewhat inglorious affair of the
preceding day came to my mind. 1t
was then expected he would be with
us, but he did not arrive. and while we
who carried the ''trifoil' firmly held
that no man ON earth could equal our
own quiet unassuming but heroic Han
cock to inspire troops in action, yet
there were those who were inclined to
believe that inspiration incarnate was
Little Phil"
But this feeling did not extend
only to those who were personally IA
miliar with the astonishing magnetism
of his presence in action. And strange
as it may seem, both Irish brigades.
of one of which had the honor of be-
ing member, willis they felt par:
ticular pride in the glorious achieve
ments of the gallant Sheridan, whom
they called their own, yet they would not
acknowledge or admit anything in his
brilliant record that would by COM
parison tend to pale the brightness on
the escutcheon of our own beloved
Hancock.
Here for the first time Sheridan's
battle flag swept through our columns,
and / must frankly acknowledge that
when realized his presence l became
possessed of an irresistible impulse to
do something, and about the first thing
that occurred to me was to find my
regiment in the shortest time possible.
/ therefore sprang forward with a wild
determination, and at every step |
could not refrain from giving vent TO
the pent-up feelings of exalted conf
dence then felt in the result of the
conflict that was then raging in its in
cipiency and was soon to burst forth
in all its death-dealing fury.
i had not proceeded far when cheer
upon cheer rang out from the front
and Immediately it rolled along the
line like thunder, and became simply
terrific.
Say, pard," shouted my comrade.
as he went by me like u deer, ''Sheri-
dan is thar, and I'll be thar putty soon."
When I reached my regiment the
most intense excitement prevailed.
The soul of inspiration had darted
along the lines with kindly greeting
for each brig ade.
The lines could hardly be restrained
to wait orders, which were momentari-
ly expected, for the assault. Yet
everything was in complete readiness.
Batteries were arranged Immediately
in rear of the line; every man was in
his place and ready to move. Com
manding officers mounted, and al
though cool determination shone on
each face, there was manifested much
! anxiety for the order to Forward.
The anxiety felt in that direction was
soon relieved, however, by the appear
ance of young staff officer coming
through the brushwood as though the
very existence of the nation depended
on the speed of his horse. He rode di-
| rectly to the division commander and,
after exchanging the usual salutations,
he said: General Gibbons, the general
commands you to forward your men
Immediately"
Forward, men; forward" shouted
hundred voices at once. as the line
moved out. Steady, boys:" ran out
along the lines.
Ali no grander army ever faced u
foe than that which moved on the
rebel works that morning.
The young officer who bore the or
der to advance seemed to be in his
element, he dashed out forward of the
line and cried out, "Boys. here comes
Sheridan; back ON the line. Every
man to his dutyr' Sure enough, over
the crest, almost in front, his battle
flag came down on us, and simultan-
eously with the first great shock of the
enemy's battery from the fort beyond
the ravine and the discharge of musket-
ry from the intrenchment on the brow
of the hill, Sheridan's voice was heard
calling out; Garry everything before
you, boys"
With one unearthly, demoniac yell
the grand old division swept on like an
Alpine avalanche; down the side of the
raYine. up under the guns of the forti-