The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-11-22

ANA6AAS ~ OO4N CANCtC4UI
for two days on the defenses of this
city, Gen. Early determined to with
draw, and to cover our retreat our
regiment, the 43d N. c., was deployed
about shutdown to make a feint on the
breastwOrks. I now recall many in
teresting incidents connected with
that charge of our regiment and with
our stay in front of the city, but which
l will not stop to relate, Our army re-
crossed the Potomac near Leesburg,
and passing through Smokers Gap,
and crossing the Shenandoah river at
Castleman's Ferry, bivouacked in the
beautiful oak forest on the west side
Of the river. The enemy hung heavily
on our rear all the way from Wash
ington, and ventured through the gap,
and stretched himself along the slopes
and table lands between the mountain
chain and the river, and in full view
of Our camp. On the afternoon of the
18th day of July he essayed to give us
battle. Throwing a considerable force
of his infantry across the river was the
signal for the long roll Of our kettle
drums, which simultaneously rang out
all through our camps and quickly put
us in line. Gen Early hurled his forces
against their lines with a promptness
ar d impetuOsity which was irresistible.
Our regiment had to pass through an
open field to the attack of his line,
which was lying behind a rock wall,
and through a most murderous fire Of
shot and shell from their batteries,
which yer admirably planted on the
nights hey ond the river, and which
afforded them an unobstructed view of
our position. But on we swept like q
wild tornado in the face of a most gall
ing aud effective fire from their in
fantry behind the rock fence They
held their position gallantly and tena-
ciOusly until we were only a few yards
distant, when they we're forced to
break in retreat. It is needless to tell
an old soldier of the fearful effect of a
volley from a victorious charge on the
routed and fleeing ranks of an enemy
over open ground. AS we mounted
the fence l discovered among the scores
of the fallen, and about so PAGES i'm
mediately in my front, a sign which
could not be given on any battlefield
in all the world, perhaps, without
ready and friendly recognition. l ap-
preached the PROSTATE form at a run,
and, throwing the strap of my canteen
from my neck, I dropped on my knee
at his side, and placing my right hand
under his head, placed my canteen to
his parched lips, but had only time to
promise him that if l survived the bat
tie 1 would give him prompt attention.
X
THE sun had dropped behind the
mountain. The last echo of the thun-
dering cannon had died away among
its gorges. Naught disturbed the death
like silence save the groans of the
wounded and dying and the soft muir
muring of the blood-tinted waters of
the Shenandoah whispering their
funeral dirge to the fallen brave. The
smoke of battle lifted and hung with
undulating motion along the hazy face
of the mountain like a soft. gray cur
tain, as if to unvail the dread scene Of
the strife below, while the dusky figures
of the litter bearers moved to and fro
on their mission of mercy like specters
in that dread scene of death. The
camp fires Of the enemy along the
slopes across the river began to peep
out like glow worm / n the forest, while
the pale yellow moon lit up the picture
with melancholy awe and sOlemnity.
Through these wierd scenes myself
and four litter bearers deployed as a
miniature picket line and prosecuted
our search no~iselessly until we found
the man with a sign Placing him
tenderly upon the litter we conveyed
him to our line, which, in di5ordered
languor and weariness, was stretched
at rest on the stubble, nthe pale moon
light, like dead men. I was delighted
to find that my friend, when placed
upon his feet at his request, was able
to stand without assistance. He con
versed without reserve, and although
his left wrist had been shattered by a
m~inie-ball, and another had penetrated
his body above the hip, and he must
have been suffering excruciating pain,
he was the most perfect example OF
innate politeness and gentlemanly
dignity that I think 1 have ever seen.
Two hours before we confronted each
other as deadly enemies in war; now
we recognized and felt the strong ties
| of brotherhood and humanity. l took