The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-15
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
COmrade Ensaeld's Exciting Race for Life.
AT FRANKLIN.

NOmrade EHSheAHE EAcAiAhE AACc iOA A4aAS'
FDrroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: As the battle
of Franklin, Tenn, has been considered by
many persons one Of the hereest OF the Whoie
war. and as the various contributions written
nv comrades for THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE all
tend to show that the entire fighting occurred
on the Franklin pike, or Union center, feel
called upon to give my recollectlons and eS-
periences. ! was Just recovering from spell
OF sickness, and after the aM-night march from
Columbia ] was quite weak and nervous.
On the early morning Of that eventiul day
our conpauv X of the l2Sth Ind was ad-
Vanced a half mile to the front and deployed
as skirmishers, with the left of the company
resting on the HaTpeth River, the extreme lett
Of the Union line. As my post was on the
right Of the company, and not having oeeh
"postea, /" ] received none Of the benefits OF q
strategic move made by the boys later II the
day.
Our position was in beautiful grove dotted
with large trees. In our front at distance o.
one mile were high hills over which we could
see the enemy marching during the day.
We were told to hold our position as long as
possible aud that from our vantage ground
we could easily repulse rebel brigade pre-
sumo our Captain-F. NJ. Henton-thought so,
for he held bis post until captured.
About o'clock D. q. a troop Of cavalry, alter
fighting the rebel advance q short time, passed
through our lines and gave us some excellent
advice in the form OF an injunction-to get out
of there as quick as God would let US, or we
would catch -.
Soon the advance Of the enemy was heTalded
BY a large herd Of sheep, behind which the
right Of Hoods army was rapidly moving to-
ward u.s. Instantly our artillery in the rear
began q lively practice. Shot and she'll were
Whirled through the tops Of the trees over our
heads toward the advancing line, and we pro-
ceeded IN the usual manner OF sklrmlshers 70
whip that rebel brigade.
1 fred. perhaps, three shots, which did not
seem to have much effect on the approaching
lines when, upon looking round, discover
ed that nv company had vanished as Ii by
magic ] learned afterWard that they had
moved rapidly 10 the left, crossed the river and
secured better position 10 hollow, Where
they were perfectly safe. Looking to the rlght
and rear saw the most beautiful =" free-for-au +"
race ever witnessed. 1t was the Union Skin
mish-line well on their way TO the works. L
now began the most exciting and remarkable
stampede OF my life. 1t seemed TO me that the
whole Confederate army were shooting at my
unprotected back. The air was alive with
Wbistling balls and the continued zip, zip OF
the LITTLE deadly messengers as they perforated
the sod around my feet, served TO help me
along IN my fight. In crossing railroad
track my foot caught under rail and Tell
headlong to the earth. The conclusion burst
my knapsack from il fastenings, and IT went
bounding toward the point / was aiming ar
Grasping the bundle that contained ali nay
earthly possessions in my left hand, ! stagger-
ed along until reached the memorable hedge
fence close to the Union line. Oh ali the
fences ] ever saw this was the closest and most
compact ] could not discover an opening large
enough to pass my hand through; So making q
running jump, ] landed square amongst The
mass Of brush and tborns, and after wrigglinl
about some time, I finally dropped 10 the oppo
site side completely exhausted.
The moment ] struck the ground the Union
infantry opened fire, aud let me say at thai
time my prospects for travelling any farther
noTthward were not good. 1t is bad enough x
be shot By an enemy, but the knowledge tha
you are in danger Of being -riddled by your
friends is dreadful 70 contemplate. hatten
ed out and drew IN my frame to its smalles
dimensions. I dared not move, and only hOpeC
that my friends would pay 10 attention TO tn
usual order 70 shoot low" A solid shot strnci
the ground near me and rolled peck Of Ten
nessee soil over my neck and shoulders.
I BEGAN TO FEEL NERVOUS,
and wished 1 had never Joined the army.
don't think at that time ] would have taken
rebel flag even If they had passed il over tn
hedge 70 me. How long ] lay there ! know
not; it seemed an age, but was probably no
over 30 minutes. now heard the Union OH
GERS give the order 70 cease firing and risi n
70 NY feet ] staggered up TO and over the work
Of the l20th Ind, where / remained during til
fight
If this should meet the eve Of the soldie
who there gave me drink Of water, thong
% years have passed, be viii please accept N
thanks; and as 10 the bravery and hghtin
qualities Of that regiment, / will say from wha
WITNESSED that day it was If the highest o.
der.-JoHs ESsFIELD, Co. 4, 125th Ind, X
gsnspOrt, Ind.