The National tribune., 1894-02-15

surrounding country for the special purpose
of capturing the camp at Hatchie.
We remained in position, at prepare to
receive cavalry, front rank kneeling," until
it was seen that they were going to avoid
our front again and sheer around US. We
reserved our fire, but opened in a few mo-
nenis upon them at left-oblique, bringing
down a large number of men and horses
We now threw open the ience-corners at
alt rnate locks, leaving the east string OF
fence in gaps while we took position be-
hind the west string, which served as
KIND OF BREAsTwORK,
and in this shape received the third and
final charge from the east We had now
gotten over our buck ager," or excitement,
and rs they came on with their hideOus yell
ngthe boys would say, I'll take that old fel-
low on the white horse; or I'll take that
one with the straw hat, ETC. / think if 1t had
not been for the standing fence in our front
this time they would have run on to us, but
as it was the open gaps admitted them into
the lane, while tie standing fence caused
disorder and confusion. They entered the
lane through the gaps in squads, which soon
became a mass Of mangled men and horses,
and completely obstrucied the lane in cur
front, so that its passage was impossible.
They sheered to cur right and passed again
TO the rear, never to return, and the battle
of Brittons Lane was ended.
We lay on our arms along the lane fence
ready for another attack for some time, and
then stacked arms and broke ranks to view
the field The sight was shocking. Men lay
on their faces, sprawling IN the hard, dusty
road, underneath dead or crippled horses,
among logs, etc One old fellow, badly
wounded, was lying in a yellow-jackets'
nest, aud calling piteously to be helped out.
he was dragged ont, set up against tree,
and given a canteen of water Ebut he soon
fell forward on his face.
Our less was heavy in prisoners. As l
have already stated, my regiment was be-
hind the train, with all the stragglers from
both regiments behind us. These stragglers
were all captured and hustled away as pris-
oners 10 or II men being taken from my
company; otherwise we sustained no loss.
There were few slightly wounded in the
Both, and believe but one man killed; one
man wounded in my company. l don't re-
member absut the loss in the Doth, but know
it was light.
Col. Dennis displayed a high degree of
soldierlE ability, and for his meritorous
conduct upon this field wore star upon
each shoulder during the balance of the war.
WE KINDLED FIRES,
made coffee, and camped on the field that
night. Reinforcements from Jackson began
to arrive in the forepart of the night, and
by midnight there was fine array of infan-
try, cavalry, aud artillery on the field, but
too late TO take part In the battle Of Brittons
Lane. Il was isteresting TO listen 10 the re-
marks Of the fresh troops as they ran against
the blockade of dead horses and men in the
road, and had to file out and go around
them, being The first knowledge they had
had of the fight.
Early the next morning the women from
the surrounding country, wives, mothers,
sisters, friends, etc, of the slain, began to
flock onto the battlefield, and it was novel
as well as sad scene, as we marched away
for Canton Station. TO see those women and
girls pulling the dead bodies of their friends
OEt from among dead horses, logs, brush
heaps, etc, gathering them up cut of the
road, washing their dirty, bloody faces, lay
ing them out on the grass along the road,
crying and taking on over them, amid the
jeers aud remarks of the tougher class of
soldiers as they passed By. We returned to
our old camp at Jackson, feeling that we
had made narrow escape from a trip 10
Andersonville stockade.
On our arrival at jackson Gen. Logan,
our division commander, sent for us. The
two regiments marched around there, and
filed in front Of his Headquarters. The Gen.
eral came out. We presented arms, and he |
made US one of his characteristic soldier
speeches. remember be opened his speech
by saying:
Comrades, ] was making speech at Car
bondae, H., when a messenger handed me
a telegram stating that the 20th and 80 h /
Ill had both been taken prisoner. / read
the telegram to The crowd, lad it down, aad /
said, IL L. a id lie; for knew that The |
Both and Both regiments could not be taken"