The National tribune., 1889-10-17
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
A TOUGH NIGHT.
The skirmIsh-IIncs Of the Fourteenth Corp,

Chattahoochie River at the railroad bridge.
The lett Of my line, which was about one
fourth Of a mile in length, was in a field, or
rather in the edge OF a small strip of timber or
brush, which projected into the field there be-
ing a small depression or rayine, which had
probably prevented cultivation. A small creek
ran diacOnally through the line, cutting of
about one-third OF the right from direct COM
munication with the left, making il necessary
90 20 a little way TO the rear ia order 10 pass
from one part of the line 20 the other The
night was on a wooded hill which was separated
from another Of about the same hight by a deep
ravine through which the creek ran; and the
enemy, located on this other bill, were so near
that conversation could easily be carried on be-
tween the two lines. At the left the lines were
farther apart
My instructions were to hold the line until
a. M, and then to follow the troops, which
were TO move out at p. N. IL wonld be diff
cult 10 say just how felt, but as may be inn
Rgincd, my thoughts were not the most COM
f0riing. There was not man OF my own regi-
ment in the line, not man whose name i
could call, though ] had no doubt as 10 their
fighting qualities. Our brigade First Brigade,
First Division. Fourteenth Corps had no fears
rs 10 the lighting qualities of the regiments
composing H. They could trust each other
when the pinch came.
] passed over the lines a number of times,
explaining 10 the officers in charge of details as
v ,
alter comparing watches, went over 20 the
right, as being nearer 10 the enemy. saying
might possibly not come again TO the LETT, and
IN that ease each officer promptly at the hour,
but not before, should retire bis men. moving
upon the road 10 the rear aud rendezvous at
certain point where the road passed through
one Of our former lines OF earthEOrks.
Our neighbors over the way were very in
dustrious and welded axes diligently, and we
could hear the busy hum Of their voices while
they continued aaeir work. On our side there
was silence. No; there was an omnous rum
bling aud rafting which only artillery and
army wagons can make, and which 10 our
nervous systems was even worse than the rat
ling OF musketry would have been. OF course
we knew just what it meant. and very nat
urally supposed II WAS telling the story IN full
q our beishbors over the way, and consequently
BODIED no good TO u.s.
The solitary musket seemed for once to have
disappeared from the picket scene. By-and-by
the axes ceased, and then our strained ears
heard oihersounds still more ominous. Whatdid
il meang Did they propose 10 come over and
see If anyone was left were questions we
were asking ourselves. il looked very much
that way Indeed, il very soon became a fixed
fact In our minds that such was 10 be the
case. What should we dot What could we do ?
We were but handful against the entire Con-
federate army-a thin cloud to hide for few
hours the movement OF cur own army. There
was only one thing 70 do. aud that was 10 make
g. much Of fight as we could, aud hold them
back as long as possible.
We were expecting them every minute, and
were prepared 10 furnish share OF the en-
tertaiHment, when. JOY, a half mile TO the
left one Of the Twentieth Corps batteries, which
had not yet left the line opened up, and
another bali nile % our right also. aud such
cheer as went up from that skiTmish-ine
viii probably never be heard again. Every
man must have yelled for three or four min
uteas aud i Is q mystery 10 me still how they
could have made as much noise as they did.
A iull liue Of battle could not have done much
better
Our friends over the way found use for their
axes again, nOT did they cease while We remain
ed, and they evidently concluded that while
there IL igEt he some kind Of q movement on
foot, there were some Yanks still in their am
mediate ueigAborbood.
The battery cur left fred for half an hour
AND tben WIS silent, but tic one TO the right OF
rs pounded away all night, sor which am
still grateful.
At the appointed hour, or rather few min
Utes before the appointed hour. ] took four men
Eud went g. the place OF rendezvous 50 as 10
catch The attachments As they came IN sending
three Of the men 10 other points. aud retain
ing one with myself While waiting lay down
upon the ground. aud probably dropped asleep,
for FreSebty found myself nay feet and
daylight beginning 10 appear. / asked tie
uan III any o. the ceiAchMeuts had been seen
and be said 10. Il was late. nearly 80 minutes
beyond the time aud leaving the man ! started
hastily for the front 10 know the cause Of the
delay, meeting one Of the dciacbments about
hall way, while the others were Just behind
them. These were from the left, and starring
toward he right the boom Of rebel cannon
notified ue That something was happening
there. moment later and the men came out
IA somewhat Of q hurry, saying the enemy had
discovered that they were leaving, aud gave
them parting salute which they were still
continuing. Finding my detachmeuts ac-
cOuuted FOR, We stood not on the order OF our
going bat went by the most rapid branch Of
leg transit
& liLEle way 70 the rear the road turned
GquaTcly 10 the right as We marched 10 the
rear, AID lot knowing just where 70 20, sc
were following that, and another 20 minutes
would have landed Us inside the enemy's lines
e they were following pthe Twentieth Corps
when ! saw some tents standing a. a little dis.
lance across the field, aud we made bee.
line for them.
Il Was broad daylight; pat ny head into
one Of the tents aud saw an officer lust getting
rp from cot, and inquired Of hin which was
tbe trOOIe bad gone. he said: Follow the ed 20
Of the field 10 the left until coming 70 the road
and then follow that" de then inquired who
add what we were and being informed
" Pickets." bis interest and movements in.
creased decidedly; aud when informed, IN an.
EHer 70 further inquiry, that lac would doubt
less be interviewed by the enemy ia a very
Short time, there Was some very lively move
IDcnts around those half dozen tents But W,
tauied Lot % sec the outcome Of his tardiness
though deeply grateful for the information
which saved us from Hotel de Anderson Vile
j be hrst signs u the army was a muleeteaH
plOdding slowly along. IN a little while an
other; and by-aDd-by we saw Iard's Division
evidently in shape 10 either fight or march
Hating my men went little way 10 one sid,
70 Enquire Tor the whereabouts Of the First Dl
FisiOD; but 10 one seemed 20 know. Seeing ,
General officer little way down the road W,
marched down 20 Kim but IL WAS evident tina
be did not intend 20 move out Of our way. a
he stood squarely In the middle Of the road
and looking directly az as, just as though IN
tending 10 bar our progress. Had il not beer
for my desire for information i should hay
marched around him.
j do not know whether / was more stunt,
than common that morning, or whether th
fact that Bairds Division was there necessi
tailed that Baird should be the only General OF
beef IN sight; but st any rate / Was calm
ma Gen. BaiTd IN my mind, aud when he ask
ed n very positive manner " What troops az
thesef" i answered Just about as positiyel,
"A detachment Of the First Brigade First hi
vision; been on picket. Can you tell me gber
the frat Division is2" lie answered lust a
positively as before, g You left your line 10
Soon" and fired back. obeyed nv order,
Can you tell me where the First Division Is
lie answered again: 9 You 20 down to thi