The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-09-22


very plainly OF the impending conflict.
The sun had scarcely ascended the tops
Of the trees, before it was evident that
another day Of intense heat was to be
experienced. The clouds of dust that
enveloped the columns along the roads
on the march followed them through
the fields, and into the timber, making
it almost impossible to distinguish at
any distance one brigade from another,
unless the brigade flag could be seen
lazily waving above the dust.
/ knew very well what the conse-
quencc would be if the regiment be-
came engaged before reported to my
| company, and | therefore, made all
haste to find the brigade. The troops
were now maneuvering for position all
along the line, batteries could be seen
| dashing into ravines, and in through
what seemed to be impossible barriers
of timber, all leading off in the same
| direction. Away to our right, rs far
rs the eve could reach here and there
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 were leisurely trotting over the
fields, while aids and orderlies We're
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 n 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 conyersing with
him n short time that he did not belong
to that class of soldiers known as s''strag-
glers." He was typical Vcrmonter
of the rustic class. long and gaunt;
with nasal twang that grated on the
ears some, but not unptcasantly. In
| deed, he was veteran of n 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 fluke out before hard-tack is
passed around this morning" observed
my comrade rs we beheld men bearing
stretchers toward us from the front,
and as we approached nearer the lines
it became exceedingly warm. the scat
tcring 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!n As
they swept past us horse or man was
! hardly discernible with the dust, yet
! through the dust Shone the brilliant
frappings of n grand cavalcadc 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
fearful yell, and swinging his hat at
the same time. Supposing that he was
struck or suddenly seized with n 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-n | here cut my COM
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 "trifoiln firmly held
that no man on earth could equal our
own quiet unassulning bnt heroic Han
cock 10 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 10 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, while they felt par
ticular pride in the glorious achieve
ments of the gallant Sheridan, whom
they called their own. etthey 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 | became
possessed of IN 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 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 dcath-dealing fury.
| 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.