The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-07

In this thicket fighting began, and
the colonel Of the First Texas stated
in his report shat as soon as the
ball opened he could not restrain his
men. Formation could not BE- main
tanned and every man went on wher-
ever he could find a tocman, and no for
nlidable check vas made autl the farther
edge of the corn field was reached. Here
there was a rail fence and beyond a low
ridge crowned with Union batteries. As
soon as the retiring Union troops passed
under their line of fire the batteries opened
on Woford's men. and the First Texas.
being in front, close on the heels OF the
Union infantry, received a CALLING shower
Of missiles. The men halted, and opening
on the gunncrs and horF-es inflicted q ter
rible punishment. compelling the Hrtiller-
lists 90 Timber up and prepare 70 raovo
away But a fresh cokIrnn Of Union IN
fRntry came Up, and moving in sclid lines
swept on through the corn, pushing Wof-
ford's brigade before them. and the doomed
First Texas lar IN the exposed rear, vas
caught the second time at disadvantage.
The commanding officer says IN his re-
port that although he bad but handful
Of men he hesitated 10 oder rptreat. and
when at last ne did SO the few men re-
mining 10 him suFucd at regular inter
walls and fired upon the enemy. -Four Of
bis color bearers were shot down uDdcr the
eye of the colonel, and be recognized them
all Four others fell carrying the colors
but none Of the suSvIvoFs could identify
them Finally the flag disappeared in Tho
corn, the bearer falling UNSEEN, and when
the colonel asked for the standard he was
told that it had left the field. When tho
rcnnant~cau1c together IN the open field
beyond the cora swHruIed with Union
troops. and IL was too late 70 attempt 20 re-
cover the fGg. Ous.ot rs TEXANS that en-
tered the figh. - were killed and al
wounded, or 81. 3 psr cent.
The commander, after recounting his
action and his loss, devsesd much Of his
report 20 explanation % the loss Of his col
ors. lie yyTota:
While falling back Coeang still IN tho
corn field I gave the order 20 halt and M
quired for the coiOrs. intending % dress On
them. when I yvss told the ooIoTs had gone
out of the corn Geld- Then zsSs the or
der 70 move ont N the corn and form BE-
hind the-cresss u small rSlie.e just sz1tsids.
It yas when reaChed tf1iS point that
became satisfied cur colOrs wsrs.-iost. for
! looked ia every direction and they were
nowhere % be ssen. a. Wa thea too bats
to recover G1sZn. There wzs Do one who
knew the sSDt gslasrs tteg basI lsst fallen.
and owing TO slle density of ttH corn
view Of 10 oSJ;scs could b hsa but TOR a
few feet, b tbs tTTDe, also, tns sosny
had moved UP zr1-biD 50 or % yards Of my
left and rear. No SlsEne. ! fss&. should
attach 20 tie Eozsn or ofHosrs, al Of whom
fouGh: heFosGsily and well. ThssTv wa DO
sach cossfIIot 90 their pszrt ~ a5aD5outng
or desz<sag their colors. The eolors
stasssd back With them, and when they
were host no 1-sa knew save hfrn who had
fallen with thru"
Tnis spofnly, made when four cut %
every fsss n IN HSsu loy dszsd ar bAso<a3oN.
shows how strong IL ess. so}dsafs ruling
passion for tie hoaOE 81 his a2g
GEoEsZ L. E.LkKE