Homer guardian. (Homer, La.) 1888-1890, 1889-04-26

near q larse open field, the troops
were drawn up in battle array.
While IN that position, there were
cont nued apI esrances Of cavalry
on the brow Of the hill, about
thrse.quarters Of mile in front,
who were evidently accommodating.
Not long after several companies
Of cavalry descended the hill at
gallop, in perfect order, upon our
f, left Gen. NauLon commanded in
person-his old regiment { the 18th
holding the position on the left.
His orders were for the men to
hold their fire until the enemy
were within forty yards. Notwith-
standing, our men fred two soon;
but not without effect. The beau
tiful order Of the cavalry was sud-
denly broken up, riderless horses
were scampcring over the field,
and many OF the enemy were Iy-
ing dead or wounded ON the
ground.
This little skirm,sh produced
great enthusiasm. Gen. Moulon
with his powerful form raised to
its full heighth III his s!irrups,
and with hat in hand, added TO it.
lie swept along the command cry
| Inc, "Louisiana has drawn the
first blood to-day, and the victory
10 ours.'
After this the troops were NOV.
cd still further to the left, in the
edge OF the woods, and near an
open field. They were soon halt
cd and rested, under a slow but
continued and harmless fire from
batteries and sharpshooters sta
toned in the woods beyond the
field. 1t was not long until Lieut..
snant- Colonel Milton-who took
out company A from Bienville
parish-was ordered with Skin
mishcrs, 10 charge through the
field towards the enemy. With a
handful Of men from each compa-
ny, dashed up the hill in front Of
bis men, and his powerful voice
was heard rising above the battle,
urging his men onward. The
whole command followed, in a
double quick, up hill and over the
field, towards the enemy conceal
ed in the woods. In the mean
while it was subjected to the fire
of tho Federals during the entire
charge. Many gallant men fell
before they saw the foe before
them. Lieutenant Col. William
Walker, commanding the 2Sth, WAS
mortslly wounded, and expired in
Mansfield, at the residence ola
relative, after suffering in great
agony.
Major w. F. Blackman signal
lied himself for gallantry and dsr
ing. The soldiers having COM
menced 10 waver in their long up.
hill charge the Major dashed for
the colors, grasped them, and rode
Immediately upon the ensconced
enemy. lie thsreupon wheeled
and shouted to his men to come
to their colors. This they did
with will, A captured soldier
Of the Federals afterwards stated
that not less than two hundred
shots were fired at Blackman,
when he was not more than fifty
yards distant. He escaped I'M
hurt.
After reaching the brow of the
hill and the woods, the 2Sth was
ordered to lie down behind an en-
tervcning fence. 1t did so just in
timo to escape a most severe fire
of small arms, grape and shell.
After resting little, it was order
ed to charge and the fence went
down with acrash. The regiment
precipitated itself upon the FEEDER
ais. They fell back in confusion
to the woods, and thence into an
other open field, where they re-
formed. The Confederates were
ordered to pursue, but became en-.
tangled and scattered In the woods
and the line began to waver.
Lieutenant afterwards Captain
E. E. Kidd, of jackson parish,
seized the colora Of the 2Sth and
bore them far into the field in
front of tina enemy. and fhon cell.