The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-28

But not for long were they inactive. Mai,
CressOn, the youthful commander Of the I'D
Pa, rushed forward and passed the writer, with
q half dozen other heroes, shouting as the top
Of his voice. and inviting others TO follow him.
Here's where you get your bOuntyi Come
aud get your bounty!" Others saw his mean
ing. notwithstanding his sarcasm, and joining
him, turned the two brass - Founders arOundb
and wheeled them back and beside the other
four guns. The distance was but 20 PAGES,
These guns we're instantly manned, and added
their music to the chorus. The explosion OF
the shells seemed almost simultaneous with
the discharge of the cannon, so very near were
the rebels. Fast and furious was the fire Of
this perfect battery, its commander, Bundy, Inc
spring his men to do their best. SO hard were
they worked that almost all had cast aside
their caps and jackets. Their smoke-begrimed
countenances and the trickling sweat made .
fantastic appearance to such, as the writer, who
were close by.
The impetuOsity Of the rebels to our righa
carried them forward to our right-rear Now
we had a eOnverging fire from the front, right,
and right rear Surely only veteran troops,
and not even ali Of them could stand up TO this
bloody ordeal. But these men of the Bloody
Angle at Peach Tree Creek had brayely with
stood the onslaught of Lees and StOnewa1
Jackson's men of steel as far back as 1861 and
1862. An additional factor TO test our endur-
ance was now to add its force; for such Of the
Union troops who were in line far TO the righs
and rear of US opened fire upon those Of the
rebels who were in their front. and the many
missiles Of death aimed at the latter and aimed
too high, came falling among US. Thus we were
at this angle subject to q cOnvcrgent infantry
and artillery fire of foe and friend coming from
the arc of a circle Of nearly $50 degrees. And
notwithstanding, these Philadelphia troops and
glorious Bundy's men hinched not, but bravely
received the torrent of deadly messengers til
they dropped.
This unequaled contest lasted till the sun
had almost disappeared below the horizon,
when the foe sullenly and reluctantly retiredO
leaving a vast number of dead aud wounded in
our hands. And our own losses were almosb
equally as large; for, with the exception of
slight and not imperviOus breastwork on the
'front.' and no protection on our right flank,
where most Of the fighting was going on, We
had to take our medicine, as the rebels did
theirs, in the open.
The consensus of opinion is. that if troops
while fighting an enemy in their front are sud-
denly assaulted on either flank, they are almosa
always justified in going to the rear. But here
at Peach Tree Creek the highest encOmiums ara
Justly deserved by the defenders of the Angle
who did not leave. Instead, they were a.
firm as a stone wall" There was an angle also
at Gettysburg, Of which poet, and painter, and
orator are never done in praising the valOr and
dilating upon the actions of heroes. The writeR
/ claims that at the "hgh-water mark of the res
/ belliOn" no more valOr was shown, no more
/ effectiye work performed, and not as iTm stays
| ing Qualities Of the typical veteran sOldieR
given 10 the cause of the Union as at Peach
/ Tree Creek.-DR. A. E. ZEITLER, Sergeant-
Major, 1O9th Pa, MedfOrd, N. j.