Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-04
ITHWU III fTf%IS TlFiFE IN M
virtue or honor in; battling w unqon-i
quefable odds before him. ADetfoitt
Free Press.
HARD HIT ON THE FIELD.
Tho Mingled sendatiSnsy Of III woaSndod
CnIJior

Tho Mingled sensations OF nj wounded
soldier.
We had been held in reserve for FIVE
long hours while cannon thundered and
muskets craelsed spitefulIy all along tfS J
front a mile away. IA PROCESSION OF
dead and wounded had filed past us un-
til we were sickwith hhorror. Shetland
shell and bullet had fallen upon us be-
hind the woods until the dry dead grass
bore many a stain of blood.
| attention! Forward-guide right
marchl" tg bci} nH yoNA tyn6f
Our brigade was going in at last, and
there was a look of relief on the face of
every officer and man as VIC, gotsthe
word q ltL0 nan ~ 4
"Guide Acknowledgement march!'
As we, swung clear of the woods a
gust of wind raised the smoke for a
minute, and saw the plain in our front
blue with dead and wounded. Away
beyond them was a'line of earthworl5,
and I had one swift glimpse of thin
blue line lsneeling behind the cover
| "Steadyr' Right dressi Double
| quick-marchl'
The air is alive with the ping of bull
| lets and the whiz2 and shrek of shot,
and shell. We bend our heads as If
breasting n fierce gale laden with icy
pellets. There is n wild cry-a shrek
"a groan as men are struck and fall to
the earth, but no one heeds them-no
one hesitates. 1t is hurricane Of
death, but we feel wild exultation in
breasting it. Men shout, curse, sing,
swing their hats and cheer. 80,
We are driving through the smoke-
cloud when there is a flash of fire in
front. seem to rise into the air and
float hither and thither and the sensa-
tion is so dreamy and so full of rest that
wish it could last forever. 1t is sud-
denly broken by the sound of my own
voice. Is it my voice? 1t sounds strange
and afar off to me. Why should cheer
and curse by turns? What has hap
pened?
Ahl now | come back to earth again!
Above and around me is the smoke-
the earth trembles under the artillery
men are lying about and beside me-
Where is the brigade? Why did drop
out? 1 am lying on my back, and I
struggle to sit up and look around.
rise to my l1nees-wave this and that
topple over and struggle up again
on my hands--on my face. taste it
on my lips as my parched tongue
thrlsts itself out in search of moisture.
Who is grooming? Who is shriekingP
Who is cheering? And why should
laugh and exult? Have we held the
line against grand charge? Did we
scatter and decimate the legions hurled
against us? Have we won a great vic
tory to be flashed over the country and
cause the bells to ring with gladness?
Let me think. Give me time to remem-
Der how it all happened Strange that
my thoughts should be Sc confused, and
the desire to sleep be so strong upon
mewhen should be up aud doing will
shake it off Iwill spr'lg up and fol-
low after the brigade Bere-!pn~
How do you feels"
My eyes are wide open and am ly-
ing on cot in large room. | see peo-
pie walking about-other people lying
on cots like my own. f's'""
81 fell all right. Why?"
'Youswere lard hit in the fight four
days ago, my boy" "
$50 there was battle?"
''Yes"
"And I was wounded2.
Had your. left arm shattered by a
piece of shell and we had to amputate
it''-Grand Army Advocate. TO-
o,Ie-r,,cf ut1rSpN ."