The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-06
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DER US. Directly we left the road, and
traversing some grassy clover fields we
gradually approached low range of hills
through gap 10 which Cedar creek flowed
On the other side of the gap and creek, and
directly commanding il, was a small gun
battery deserted, the lines having evidently
been moved to stronger position in the
roar. Crossing the creek silently, we formed
by the right file into a line of battle
along the edge of the creek
Whispered instructions were now given not
TO fire under any circumstances, to move in
perfect silence and conform to the move
ments of the right, and the advance began,
our brigade In front, lei by the Fiftieth on
the right and supported by Wofford's Geor-
gis brigade in rear. soon deserted, dotted
all along the edge of the woods in front, the
enemy's pickets. The faded gray uniforms
OF our men were so nearly the color of the
October grass they could not distinguish u.s.
But we could see their dark blue uniforms
readily; it was about o'clock a. m. day
had not yet broke, yet the pickets were evil
IDENTIFY uneasy They could hear some
movements in front. bat could not see any
thing. Finally, one picket, sharper-eyed
than tho rest, cried out: 81 see them,n and
fired, when Lieut.. Clayton of the Fiftieth
fell forward on the grass mortally wounded.
A rafting volley from the picket line fol-
lowed and another man fell out the ranks
Still the line swept on in utter silence. The
whole picket line, now thoroughly alarmed,
broke for the woods, but were soon halted
by their officers, who were cursing the men
for running at a false alarm. They
had scarcely formed line, however, before
we were on them. This terrible approach
of a silent line of battle they could not see
appalled, them and they fed in terror with
out firing another shot, yelling out their
alarm to the troops in camp. We emerged
tho atriD pf woOda and in full
view of their lines. A slight ravine lay
before us and the nights beyond were
crowned with formidable line of intrench-
ments defined sharply against the camp
fires behind, and strengthened by thiokset
hedge Of abatis. consisting of large
branches and young trees, with the smaller
branches trimmed and sharpened to point
and laid with the point outward. AS we
looked we could sec the terrified pickets
scrambling through the abatis aud over
the intrenchments, alarming the camp by
their cries, and the soldiers with their mus
kets aud half clad rushing out of the tents
In all directions. Descending quietly
to the ravine the line halted and
dressed. Then ringing through the air
came the command: "Now men, fix bay
onets. Forward, double quick; charger
With a wild, fierce yell that seemed to rend
the clouds above, the line rushed I'D the
slope and dashed at the intrenchments By
common consent, it seemed. the men thrust
their bayonets under the abatis and turned
1t clear over against the earth works, thus
making IL help instead of au obstacle In
getting on top. Then leaping into the ditch,
firing, bayoneting and slashing on every
side, they soon Cleared IL of the alarmed and
terrified enemy. On their right they had
six-gun battery, and the gunners, half clad,
calamity tried to serve the pieces, with our
men swarming all aronnd them. They only
succeeded in firing once. when they were
overpowered and bayoneted at their guns.
Seeing the dense mass Of the enemy in front
and the danger of their reforming and
charging US IN turn, called on my adju-
tant, who, as Ihave already stated, was an
old British artillery officer, to try and turn
the captured guns against the enemy. In an
incredibly short space OF time