Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-07-11
BATTLE SCENES,
THE BATTLE OF PERRYvILLE.
Terrible Casualties of the 1st Wis. in
that Action.

Seeing an article from a man on 1he
other side who was on their right, and
knowing that he must have been on the
same part of the line that was, l be-
ing on our lef t, | thought it might be
interesting to some of the old BOYS who
were there to review the little picnic
from my standpoint.
by the time we got to Maxville on the
night of the 7th of October it became
evident that we were crowding Bragg
pretty close, and as it was McCook's day
on the right we expected some music, as
that inuepid leader could never lose an
opportunity to stir them up whenever
be got 10 sight of them; but We were
hardly prepared for the reception we
met with. We got up about a. m. on
the morning of the Sth and had break
fast, and then moved out about daylight.
1t was our first chance in a regular bats
tie. though we bad been in the service
year, chasing John Morgan's 'critter
company over the best part of Tennes>
see, and the boys were so eager for the
fray that the usual order of steady on
the right was changed to steady on the
left as here was at all times danger of
the line g=tliug doubled up by the left
getting anead.
But Notwithstanding our haste to get to
the field, they kept US marching and
counter marching back and forth and ly>
ing at rest until about o'clock in the
afternoon, so that We began to fear that
N a oh nf rraf Snfa S-L Ill
This fear was suddenly dispelled about
that time. when we were marched TO the
extreme left and placed as support to
Bush's battery. then attached to our
brigade, and at that time engaged in
shelhng some rebel troops over ON hill
about half mile off. In front of US and
the battery, below the brow of the hull,
lay the 2lst Wis, who had been but
about two weeks in the service. and had
been nearly all the time marching. and
had consequently never been drilled.
Between and O'Clock the rebs de-
ployed from piece ofwoods little wav
in our front in column of regiments and
made charge on the battery. Before
this sudden and impetuous charge the
raw troops in our front we're thrown in>
to confusion. aud came back through
our ranks pell-meil. This was no more
than was 10 be expected of undiciplined
troops under 30 fierce and sudden an on>
slaught. They rallied quickly in our
rear like oil veterans, ana still took
hand in the 'scrimmage.' About the
time we arose to our feet was struck in
the head by a piece of she l, and. like
'Abnear Dean of Angels the subses
queut proceedings interested me no
more. learned from the rest of the
boys, however. that the battery was si-
fenced in less than minute, nearly all
the men and horses being shot down in
their tracks, and it became a desperate
hand-to-hand melee over the battery.
they being epeatedly driven back. and
as often rallyiog and coming to the
scratch, until at last they sullenly retir-
ed, leaving our Toys in possession of the
hill. After paying their compliments
TO them until we'll out OF range, the BOYS
took hold of the drag-ropes and drew
the battery back into safer position. 1
remained unconscious near the stone
wall, spoken of by our Southern friend,
until nearly sunset, when I came to,
and, though my geography had com.
pletely gone back on me, 1 went to the
rear, guided by the direction of the shot
and she'll that occasionally came from
the enemy. NV wound proved to be
slight, and after washing off the blood.
with which was we'll smeared. I felt
about as good as new, except that was
little groggy. l slept in field hospital
yard that night, and was on duty the
rext day. The next night I was on
detail that went out to bury the dead.
and the sight I saw that night I shall
never forget, though it made but little
impression upon me at that time.
Out of our little company. that mum.
bered about 80 men wheu we went iuto
the fight, we buried seven that night. I
have made the claim, as yet undisputed,
that we lost in that battle heavier than
any other regiment in the service in one
fight. Twill give it about as rememer
it, aad any of the boys who read this
can correct me if am wrong: Number
who went into the fight, 3l9: killed on
the field, 60; died of wounds within a
"OCh, 1"i lcit ior ouly SECOND Gay, tine
rest being wounded. go. And now here
want to say something I have always
meant to say in print, but have always
neglected; it may be of importance to
someone. Just as we were going into
the fight Ia the afternoon an Indiana man
came along who had got lost from his
regiment, and asked to fall into our
ranks, and did so, and We buried him
that night on the field at least that is as
I heard it. only know that we found
a strange man on the field, dead, and
one of those on the detail with me told
me the circumstances. If there is no
mistake about it, he is among the great
army OF the missing that sleep in un-
known graves on Southern fields. We
CAPTURED the battlefag of the 1st Tenn,
and had our colors shot into ribbons.
but were subsequently, presented with
beautiful stand by the 4th Ind battery.
which was afterward a bond of union
between the two commands.-L., E.
KNOWLES, Co. G, Wis, Ness City, Kan.