The National tribune., 1893-12-21

Moore commanding, Barnett's Battery N,
I'd Ill, with the seth and 125th III. in sup
port After marching about two miles we
filed of to the left of the road and formed
line The 65th Ill. filed off to the right of
the road. Skirmishers were thrown for
ward, advanced, and about o'clock sharp
diminishing took place in our front, and
from the flashes and reports the S5th I'll. on
our right were known TO be holly engaged.
Our skirmishers drove the rebel pickets
to the crest Of the hill where the road crosses
the hill to Perryville. scattering artillery
FIRE told about o'clock a. 10. that troops
were arriving and taking position on our
left. We recognized Col. Webster's 9Sth
Ohio, and noted their position to our left.
About II a. N. veteran Missouri charged
and drove the rebels in our front back be-
yond the spring on our left center and 10
the left Of Perryville, which enabled US to
get water, a thing we had not been able 10
get since about 3 .. m. the day before.
As we came back and reached the brow O!
the hill where the road crosses / counted
IA of the MiSsourians lying side by side,
each one shot above the eyes. Their COM
rsdes said they had all been killed while
crawling down through the woods advanc-
ing the lines. ! shall never forget the
DAOArB LIdu bllc HlOhC anu TIC IClLdl
"PoOr Shake, he's dead too"
Our regiment took position on the crest of
the hill on the right of the road. About
noon the heavy artillery firing aud continu-
Gus musketTy on our left told that Alex.
McCOok's Corps was having not fight
About o'clock p. m. the rebels, said to
he Hardee's Division, advanced on our front.
Barnetl's battery, donble-shotted with can
lister, and the regiment poured the musketry
into them for all they were worth. When
the Iebs reached the edge Of the cornfeld
in our front they halted at the fence; then,
after few minutes broke 10 the rear.
During The time our regiment was en-
gagged, Col. Dan McCOok was going up and
down the line cheering the boys. Gen.
Sheridan came up and sat on his horse
about ID OF 20 feet TO my rear and left, and
talked with Col. Dan McCook and Capt
Barnett. SheridaB's right leg was excited
and frequently he rested heavy on the stir
rup TO stop the buck ague," as ! thought.
Later on II all left him, and he seemed calm
Though ms face was flushed, he appeared as
though no unusual excitement existed.
Near sundOwn the lines on cur left were
charged by the rebs and driven back, and
Barnetts battery turned their guns TO OUT
left-rear and gave the charging rebel lines
shell in the flank. One shell struck rebe
caisson and blew it up The rebs broke and
retrealed, and the field was quiet.
This battle was brought on by CT d. Oar
McCOok and, as far as ] am advised, fought
By Gems. Sheridan and Alex McCOok
against, rs was the general rumor, the judy
ment Of Gen. Bnell commanding the army
i believed the Tumor was universal in III,
army al the time that Gen. Buell's refusal L
reinf 'rce his left under McCook lost us tn,
victory, and that Alex McCook repeatedly
calle'l on him for troops during the battle
Gen. Th0mas was on Sheridan's right, au,
awaited orders all day.
In discuss NJ the fight since with com
rades whose opportunities for knowing ih'
facts were better than my own, they hav,
said hat Cen Buell. had planned the Ken
lucky campaign to concentrate his troops a
another point, and then force battle ant
win decisive victory. Or, it may be tha
his orders were TO drive Bragg out Of Ken
lucky; and as he was then accomplishing,
this result successfully, with the full assist
ance OF Bragg himself, the MeCooks an,
Sheridan bad 10 business 10 bring on an en-
gagement alone aud single-handed.
i should like TO know the truth ard in
side facts regarding the campaign, an,
whether Buell. is justly censurable, and 4