The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-01-03
BUzzARD'S ROOsT.
A YOn.veteran,s Experience In this Battl,

a NON eteFaH Experience IN IHlb bdRiAes
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I do not be
lieye anything has ever appeared in the col
umns of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE concerning
the fight at Buzzard's ROost Ga.
Now, / am not going to claim that we put down
the rebellion IN this one skirmjsh; neither
will we claim that our colors were the first
planted on the rebel works. No doubt some
comrade viii rise up and speak out IN meet
in F." and contradict my assertions. However,
in January, 1864, while my regiment was
home on veteran furlough, the remnant OF
non-veteTaus, about 100 of US, were Temporal
rily transferred to the Goth III. We had been
in Winter quarters at Kelly's Ferry, six miles
below Chattanooga, on the Tennessee River.
The Goth III. was IN camp at Eossville, Ca, ~
Or u miles southeast of Chattanooga. AT that
time Rossvillc was the front for infantry.
We had been through the campaigns OF
Chickamaaga and Missionary Ridge, and were
well used 10 haTdships We left camp at hel-
ly's Ferry on Jan. 20, marched out TO ROssvilie
through heavy mist, with cold northeast
wind. About dark we arrived at headquar-
tiers, and reported to Col. Anderson, command
ing Goth H. lie told US he had no quarters
Tor US and that we would have to make The
best Of the situation. The next morning the
snow was about six inches deep, and our camp
looked more like drove of hogs showed under
than an army on the front line.
=
regiment was under light marching orders,
with three days rations III haveTsacks. We
passed through Ringgold and Tunnel Hill
without opposition. Near Bu2zards Roost
Mountain we came to heavy eaTthwogks, we'll
guarded with infantry aud artillery. The
writer was on picket that night at the foot OF
the mountain. the rebel pieket-lines being
above US, on the mountain, within musket
range of our columns where they had camped
for In nsrbf Era- 1oylv ltgI fairly set in the
rebels opened on our camp with musketry.
Lights were quickly eXtinguished, and the
column moved back cut Of range and spent the
remainder o. the night without either lire or
lights Next morning we moved to the right
10 where the railroad passes through the gap III
the mountains. Our regiment was then put on
the skrmish-line, and We deployed under cover
Of deep rayine, and moved forward IN PLAIN
view of the enemy's works.
Their works we're in a semi-circular form, so
that we had "cannons in front, cannOns TO the
right, and cannons to the left of us"
The battery in our immediate front was oc-
cupying our attention. The Colonel gave
orders TO charge The line advanced through
fallen timber brush, rows of stakes driven IN
the ground slanting, and all other imaginable
distractions. We got within 70 yards of
the battery, and could go no further. The
line was melting away like frost before noon
day sun. The Colonel naturally being in the
rear as the line advanced would in turn be in
front of the retreating column. He had taken
refuge in a deep gully.
The writer, in hurry to get to the rear, or
some place of safety, jumped into the. gully on
top of the Colonel. I began TO apologize
for my abruptness, when he said: This IS no
place for apologies" Eve fell back somewhat
demoralized. but reformed undeT~cover of the
deep ravine from, which we had started. Our
loss was heavy, and nothing accomplished,
and carried of the field more dead than alive
BUFoRD GADDIE, Co. b. 18th H., Hewins, Kan.