The National tribune., 1890-02-06


midnight before they were distributed among
the men In the morning OF the 29th we had
been aroused from our hivouac at 3 o'clock, only
TO dawdle about until after s o'clock, when
set out for Spring Hill. After a forced march
TO Spring Hill, we had fought till dark, and
then began iutrenching, which was kept up till
we were called under arms 10 continue the re-
treat to Franklin. By the time we reached
Franklin. in addition TO the physical fatigue,
the men were half dead with loss Of rest We
had never before been called on to go many
hours with SO little sleep. The belief was
universal that much of our hardship was due
TO mismanagement, and with the customary
freedom of Western volunteers, the men so cx-
pressed themselves
As our line was formed in front at Franklin,
Lanes Brigade was on the right and CoBrad's
on the left Of the Columbia pike, deployed in
single line Of battle. In general, our line was
like n broad inverted v with the left limb
Canted toward the enemy. The salient was at
the Ike, where the point OF the rested. A Sec
tion Of A battery was planted at the pike. As
the line was first established the Goth Ohio was
POSTED on the left of Conrad's Brigade and re-
fused 10 cover that flank. The nature of the
ground was such that fire from the front
would euiade the line of the 65th, and its
commander protested vigorously that his
regiment was withdrawn a short distance TO
the shelter Of a slight depression, and two COM
nanies on the left OF the Oath Ohio, which came
As we were TetTcatlng from Spring Hill we
passed an abandoned wagon loaded with in
trenching tools. Col Brown, OF the 6ith Ohio
ordered each company of his regiment 10 take
Two spades from this wagon, the men relieving
each other in carrying them. Probably the
other regiments Of the brigade were supplied
in the same way. for they all seemed to have
few tools The line we occupied was on open
ground as bare as your hand, without stick or
stone 20 aid in building cover. All the shelter
we had was thrown up with these spades.
There was
NO NEED To URGE on THE WORK.
Whenever the man handling a spade showed
the least sign of fatigue a c0mrade would grab
il from his hands and ply it with desperate
energy The others stood idly by discussing
the situation. alternately watching the rebels
and gazing with longing eyes back TO the
breastwoTbs. The swearing OF those gifted in
profanity would have excited the envy Of the
army in Flanders The situation was fifty de-
scribcd by drafted mana soldier Of single
months cxpericnce,-whO said TO me, What
can our Generals be thinking about in keeping
Us out here? We can do no good here. We
are only in the way. Why don't they take us
back 10 the breastworks2" The veterans de-
rived grim satisfaction in chatting the hired
substitutes on the price they had received and
their present prospects Of getting home 10 en-
JOY il. We also had in ranks a iot Of non
veterans. whose TIME nau already expired ana
who were 90 be mustered out when got back
70 Nashville. With home and friends 50 near
in sight after their three long years of hard,
perilous service, these men were particularly
restless. %. ii, to the left Of my company.
had a number Of them. When the rebels were
coming they twice started for the breastworks,
and twice returned to the line on the percmp-
tory order Of their Captain.
A few minutes later some Of these men lay
stretched dead on the plain. never more TO see
home or dear ones, and Others were prisoners
or suffering from cruel wounds. They day was
50 warm that had been carrying my Overcoat
on my arm. When my men dropped the spade
10 grab the muskct, folded the coat in a COM
pact bundle and sitting on it, with my feet in
the shallow ditch, could look over the streak
Of dirt thrown out without rising to my feet
This dirt was some protection from bullets 10
the men lying down, but was 40 obstacle
battle-lue could march over il without break
ing alignment. When the rebel lines advanced
our skirmishcrs retired before them, firing as
they fell back. The rebels did not make use
Of skirmi-hers. As they neared cur batte-iine
our skirmishers came scnrryinE back and set
tied down with the line like q covey OF startled
birds dropping into cover. The ball was opened
on the part Of the enemy by battery planted
IN the woods Of 10 the left or ConFzd's lITi-
gade, whose guns sounded the signal 10 charge
This battery kept up its fire on Conrad's Bri-
gsde until the advance of their lines com
PEELED il % cease. We held our fire for short
range. our first yOlley checked them about rs
much as il We had thrown stones : but after
we had given them one or two more, they hesi-
fated in front and began 10 return our fire. To
the left they kept right on until well abreast
o. our flank. At the pike the battery had been
Withdrawn, leaving vacancy IN our line. The
commander Of the G5th Ohio also concluded
that the D.under had been carried far enough,
aud on his own responsibility be ordered his
rrr4fa tn vzHF 20 hra Hr..r
minute later the rebels penetrated the opening
left by tie battery. and those who passed
through began 10 eufi2de the line with their
FIRE. An enGlade Ere was now also coming
from the left. BY this time the rebel officers In
front had got their men again IN motion, aud
they were coming Oh the jump, yelling as they
came. This was about the situation when near
the pike the cry was raised 10 lall back When
the right Of COnrad's Brigade started 10 90 the
remainder followed IN fash like train Of
powder burns
When ] saw the line to the right giving way
] EpTang t9 my feet. took one hasty look hesi-
tated an instant whether - run or let them run
over u. they were 50 close then called 10 my
company 70 fall b2ck, aud showed them how TO
do IL by myself striking a three-miuute gate for
the breastworkg As We rose 10 20 they let US
have IL hard. The range was 50 close it seemed
bullets bad never before hissed with
Such DIABOLIcAL VENOM
in the excitement Of the moment had forgot
ten my OycTc0at, but thought Of it il an in
slant and looked back with some intention Of
returning h get IT, One look WAS enough
Al once determined the weather was decidedly
TOO hot fDr ala OvercOat, and let the rebels have
u. After running a few rods / again looked
back. They were then standing on the little
pile 0f dirt We had left, loading aud firing al
Will; but even as ] looked some af their officers
waved their swords and spraHg forward. Their
Ire then slacEcncd, aud they began race 10
20 into the bTeastworks with Us. As showing
there was no panic among our men, it was no.
tIceable they all ran with their guns IN their
hands, while Euapzacks and blankets were
freely thrown away. did not sec a man drop
his gun unless hit. The cry Of despair Of the
stricken ones who went dowa IN that wild race
knowing they would have 20 lie outside ex.
posed ~ all the terrible FIRE Of our own line
was peculiarly pathetic. ] Lad fallen behind
and ii was only by q supreme effort that / sue.
ceeded In reaching the ditch outside into
which J dropped just as our men opened
IRE overhead. The roar Of their guns wai
tie most welcome sound / ever heard.
feeling Oi qualification AZ my own escape wai
mingled with satisfaction that the rebels wer,
now taking their mcdiciue. / lay as / fell
perhaps a minute Or two painting for breath
When j had caught little fresh wind ! wa
turning about 10 take a peep 10 Bee how Oul
friends tic enemy were getting along when
happened iolCOk toward the pike aud was aston
Ished 10 SEC the rebels ia that direction iumu
ing into tie ditch aud scrambliug oyer ia,