The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-03-08

v w4AnAy8 lett OF the fOurtn
Corps, with the 57th Ind, Lieut.-Col.
Blanche, next TO them, II must have been
us falling back across the creek that caught
his critical eye at the comparatively safe
distance of over half q mile from the most
advanced of the enemy. suppose his was
the battery back OF the cornticld that fired
over us as we advanced through II, crossed
the creek, and climbed the hill on the south
side The battery ceased firing as we gained
the top The Johnnies falling back at the
same time, we ut once set about reversing
their rifle pits and speculating about the
chances Of taking Atlanta that day. While
thus engaged they came back on the charge
that resulted so disasttously to them along
the whole line especially to the right of us,
where our men were in force and had part.
ly constructed breastworks.
Any one with an eye and half sense could
see that our position was one OF extreme
danger. isola'ed az we we're in an interval
between our corps and the Twenty third,
with no troops IN support even back of the
creek. As the enemy came on through
the timber, our men began falling back,
thinking II was but their skirmish line try
ing to recover their position.
Lieut.. August Hirsh, Mike Callahan and
the wr ter did not run until convinced that
II was death or capture TO stay as they were
coming In heavy line of battle, while we
had but skirmsh. line. The hill back to
the creek was very brushy. II was get there
and across the best way we could. As we
came 10 the creek large man of Co. b.
| Jumped in and waded across. Seeing that
! the water came neurly TO his arm. pits, 1
turned 10 get back up the bank The creek
had been very high, and falling recently
IaEt . ylt Ttat
of going up the bank. my feet slipped and
| slid into the water, scrambled out up the
bank and ran mp stream to DRIFT, where
most of the men had crossed, thus getting
behind everybody but one man, Mike Gala.
| han, who was captured.
This place of crossing was little below
the corntield where the high ground came
directly to the creek on the north, and vas
more slopng than on the south side and less
brush
At the top there was ravine running
| down to the bottom land. lhe cornheld
was in this forming ridge next to the
creek, As ran up the slope bullets knock
| ed the dust all around, rs the rebels had
fair view Of me for about 100 yards distance
As | got over the crest Mai. Hammond,
of our regiment who was in command, was
there. forming the line again under shelter
of the ridge. and said to me: King, you are
gotd man! Go back to that rihe.pit and
see IL they try to cross"
| The nit was a rod or so back down the
hill said. ~ will. IL can get drink of
| water" Someone handed me a canteen,
| and [ Itonk drink and went back. Matt
Boots, of Co d, who had Spencer rifle,
| also going. As we did so many of the en-.
| emy were then in sight, about 100 yards
| distant
As we commenced firing they got under
| cover for few minutes, and then came out
| to cross Col. Blanche, with his regiment
aud some of ours, came up the ravine from
| the cornfed, forming OH our left Our po.
sitiOn there was all We could ask. Bullets
flew thick and fast from both sides until
| they gave tip the attempt TO cross and went
back into the woods, the charge having
failed in its object to pierce our lines, which
would not have been the case if we had
made grand stampede" as stated by Dol
ton. If the main attack had been further
to the right. they would have gone through
the wide gap between the Fourth and
small regiments Battery N, Gen. Thomas
| aud all creation would not have stopped
them until there had been as hard battle,
| with as much loss on our side, rs there was
two days later, when Hood tried the same
| plan with better success on McPherson. As
II was, the recollectio Of the 100 rounds
| fired-nnd many more of my comrades did
| that same day-leads me to believe that we
were no more stampeders than was Gen.
| Thomas,
| some people VINO never bOt very lar 10 tnt
front, and saw other troops come back over
| the ground where no order could be kept,
are liable to he unjustly critical but 1t was
not the case that day with Gen, Thomas.
When Gen. Newton told him he thought we
were captured he said: 80, no | have them
| fighting in splendid style over there" such
| at least is what we are told he said, but did
not hear him say it. as cannot locate his
! whereabouts that day.
! As Comrade Dolton sires,-who ] am
afraid il too apt to toot his bugle, disparag
ing others. which is the case in his letter re-
fe-red to and one published some time ago
where he speaks Of the retreat OF the right
wing of our army at Chickamauga, tell
h,m what troops he refers to.
| When men do as hard fighting as Woods
aud Sheridan's Divisions did there, suffering
the loss they did ami inficting still greater
on the enemy and having to retire before o
largely superior force for lack of proper di'
recfOns from Generals who failed to do
their duty, they are not deserving OF cen.
| sure from any one of the Reserve Corps,
who simply took part in the tail-end of the
| fight.
am tired Of hearing of inglorious re.
treats. and grand stampedes when there was
| none 1t gives our children a wrong impress
sion. Our former enemies and their present
allies do enough Of that without aid from
any rade.-HESRy c. KING, in National
Tribune.
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