Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-05-25
HARD HIT ON THE FIELD.
Peculiar Sensations Which Many . Brave
Man Has Experienced.

WAhh has LApcItcHSeus
We had been held in reserve for five
long hours while cannon Numbered and
muskets cracked sp~itefully along the
front a mile away. procession of dead
and wounded had filed past us until we
were sick with horror. Shot and shell
and bullet had fallen upon us behind the
woods until the dry, dead grass bore
many n stain of blood.
attention! Forward-guide right
march!"
Our brigade was going In at last, and
there was a look of relief on the face of
every officer and man as we got the
word.
"Guide right - front - forward -
march,"
AS we swung clear of the woods a gust
of wind raised the smoke for a minute,
and | saw the plain in our front blue
with dead and wounded. Away beyond
them was a line of earthworks, and l
had one swift glimpse OF n thin blue line
kneeling behind the cover.
STEADY! Right dress! Double quick
-marchl"
The air is alive with the ping OF bull
let's and the whiz and shrek Of shot
and shell. We bend our heads as if
breasting a fierce gale laden with icy
pellets. There is a wild cry-a shriek-
a groan as men are struck and fall to
the earth, but no one heeds them-no
one hesitates. 1t is a hurricane of death,
but we feel q wild exultation in breast
ing it. Men shout, curse, sing, swing
their hats and cheer.
We are driving through the smoke
cloud when there is : flash Of fire in
front. | seem to rise into tho air and
float hither and thither, and the sensa-
ton is SO dreamy and full of rest that |
wish it could last forever. 1t is sudden
ly broken by the sound Of my own voice.
Is it my voice? 1t sounds strange and
afar off to me. Why should | cheer and
curse by turns? What has happened?
All! now | come back to earth again
Above and around me is the smoke-th
earth trembles under tho artillery-men
are lying about and beside me. Where
is the brigade? Why did ! drop out? l
I'm lying on my back, and | struggle to
sit up and look around. / rise to nv
krees-weave this way and th%at-topplc
over and struggle up again. There is
red, fresh blood on the grass-on my
hands-on my face. | taste 1t on my
lips as my parched tongue thrusts itself
out In search Of moisture.
Who is ~groaningp Who Is shrieking?
Who is cheering? And why should !
laugh and exult? Have we held the line
against n grand charge? Did we scatter
and decimate the legions hurled against
us? Have we won a great victory to be
flashed over the country and cause the
bells to ring with gladness? Let me
think. Give me time to remember
how it all happened. Strange that my
thoughts should be so confused, and the
desire to sleep be SO strong upon me
when | should be up and doing. ! will
shake it off. will spring up and follow
on after the brigade. Hero
4
GLOW do you feel?"
My eyes are wide open and I am lying
on q cot in a large room. | see people
walking a~bout-other people lying on
cots like my own
Il feel all right. Why?'
"You were hard hit in the fight four
days ago, my boy"
$50 there was a battle?'
ayes"
"And l was wounded?"
"Had your left arm shattered by a
piece of shell and wehad to amputate it"
Detroit Free Press.