The National tribune., 1889-05-02

Being a non-combatant, wearing light
sword. more ornamental than useful, and
the detachment Of the 1st w. Va. Cav. not
being counted in, / took position consider
ably in advance of the General, and from
whence I had a clear view of the field, to
watch the coming event, with my hospital
Steward, James Dean, afterwards Captain
in the Ist At 5:45 the fog had lifted, and
the first gun opened from the woods at the
end Of the field toward Port Republic from
the enemy. near the road, others following
suit, bat Daums guns replying so effectively
they were forced to recede, taking position
further back and resuming their fire. The
result of Fremont's engagement was IN
known. The men fell IN TO the support OF
the artillery, and calmly awaited develop
ments and attack from an army that was
estimated at from 10000 10 10000. 1t is not
difficult TO imagine that the nerves Of
lOOker-0n were soon strung TO a tension as
high as could well be borne.
AS the enemy's guns opened, according
10 JacksOn's characteristic manner, Tegl-
ment or so Of the StoneTaI Brigade moved
through the woods along the river to flank
our right, hoping, doubtless, to surprise and
create scare, but as they reached the open
ground they met the fire Of the artillery,
posted to meet such an emergency, and were
driven back most effectuallv with some loss.
Additional artillery was put into position
to dislodge ours but was found unequal,
Jackson says, to the task Candy, with the
65fh Ohio, supported Clark's battery, across
the road at the left; Barrett and Lewis, with
the S4th and 10th Pa, stood in the woods
to Candy's left hardly so far advanced;
Gavin, with the 9TH Ind, moved down the
field pretty well to the right supported by
Buckley and the 2Sth Ohio, with section
4A,a 7-4N
Va, connecting at the extreme right with
Creighton and Dunning, with the 7th and
5th Ohio, moved through the woods along
the river, the enemy having fallen back.
Charley Winder having found their aTtil-
lery Intellectual, If not almost silenced, pro-
posed, with the Stonewal Brigade, REIN
forced BY the 7th Louisiana Tigers, to sweep
the field and carry the guns at fhe right and
center: at the same time ordering Allen and
Cunningham, leading the ID and 4th Va,
with q piece Of artillery, TO move through
the woods along the slope of the mountain
to capture the guns across the road, which
theK commanded. ] have before said the
Union force was less than 3,G90, the regi-
ments being mere fragments.
Ninder advanced boldly, with flsgs flying,
and with the artillery (Pogues( even forced
Gavin back, for q short distance only, but
Thoburn and Buckley going IN, Winder was
checked, the men coming to close quarters.
As the fight was progressing Creighton and
DuBning got their men into position at
the edge Of the woods when they delivered
q simultaneous and terrific flank and quar-
fering Ere, and, fixing bayonets, charged and
routed Winder in disorder. capturing one of
Pogue's guns and 81 prisoners in the open
field, IN plain sight Scme of the 5th mount
ing the horses, prisoners and gun were
moved rapidly over the field, with waving
headgear.
AMID WILD HUZZAs FROM UNION THR0ATs,
extending to all parts of the field, and got
away safeIy. The 5th Va. lost here in killed
and wounded, So; tie 1th Louisiana, 156-
half their number. As the St0neWall Brigade
fed in disorder, StOnewall, in person, tried
to rally them, but they were deaf to his per-
Euasions and commands, taking no further
part In tie active conflict
Imboaen's mules too, he says, at the rear, in
q ravine became fTightfuily denloralized and
fractions. performing remarkable antics and
filling the Air with their dise0rd2nt noise. and
required the exercise Of all the Generals
ability 90 prevent them from running of with
his batteries. Fresh troops being thrown in.
ours HOnld move back in splendid order to the
woods by the river TO avoid flank and rear
attack, when Daum would pour in storm
from the artillery, and then Indiana, Ohio and
West Virginia would again advance and drive
the enemy. and again would tamultu0us and
triumphant UEicz cheers ring out Mean
while Alien and Cunningham reached. in the
woods, % within perhaps 80 yards Of the left
and opened FIRE. bRt receiving shower Of grape
and I'll balls, retired rapidly out Of range with
considerable less, and returned no more TO the
battle. The attempt to get the gun through
the tangled Enderbrush on the mOuntain-side
failed, ard it was moved back.
Abont this time the stth and 10th Pa. were
moved. by Tyler's orders from the left to the
right WhcreuPOn Tyler and Daum came 10
loEserhcSas and high words, the latter protest
Ing. 70 the point Of insubOrdination, without
avail.
jackson, believing his situation critical, had
already brought Ewell over and ordered him
90 pgt bis troops in. The Tigers-exeept the
7th, driven back with Charley Winder-
were ordered to reRew the attack on our left,
where Allen and Cunningham bad been re-
pulsed; moving again through the woods on
the mountain Walkers Brigade following but
losing their way. Scott rushed from the woods
at the left into the field half a mile down to
strike the Union flank, bEt the men wheeling
toward lie river and presenting 'front.' met
Scott as he advanced handsomely aud drove
him back TFith severe loss. he says, and again
anifq FOcllerOus cheers. Co.'s. - and Gavin.
il the thickest Of it. had their horses shot under
thcn--the former conspicuous on a white
horse; SO had Barrett. And Creighton. Tho
burn and Dunning, cheering with the men and
shouting encouraging words. covered them
selves with glory. Capt. Kelly received
frightful wound disfguring his face for life
and is accorded in the reports the first place for
galantrE.
The Tigers made their appearance from the
woods not over 100 yards from the guns by
descending the deeliyity OF the mountain into
the meadow, and with such momentum. push
ing one upon the other, that they carried with
them bodily a rail fence well ont into the field
and moved SO rapidly that the advance had
possession Of some Of the guns, hardly in posi-
tion, az the moment 10 repel the attack, afd
comparatively without support, through Tylers
iniudiciogs action. The Dutchman meets
praise everywhere in the reports. Seeing the
danger, he shouted orders TO turn some guns
farther 70 the right, about 150 yards away, and
sent ID showers Of grape,
SIGHTING THE GUNS IN PERSON
which, with Candy's assistance. and Clark's
cannoneers returning to their guns, the Tigers
were driven back again over the meadow to
the woods. In retiring they became exposed
70 an enhl2ding and concentrated fire from the
artillery both at the right and left as we'll as
that Of the G6th OHIO, and the slaughter be.
came 5rightfHl. have seen some Of the blood.
lest fields of the war, but ] never saw dead and
wounded men lie thicker than in tile meadow
Gen. Pendieton then q Major / believed whC
served 70 the close, and with whom / after
wards became acquainted, entered the meadow