The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-02-14


open field. The road leading to our position
TO the bridge was direct line with de.
lapidated fence on either side.
These were the positions Of the opposing
forces when our charge was made. Our
batteries having uncovered the position OF
the enemy, we were ordered forward double
quick down that lane, the Confederate ar
tillery raking our lines at every step.
We soon gained and took possession of the
position of the enemy on tie west side OF
the river. together with the most of his
artillery and about 800 prisoners.
The enemy soon formed their lines on
the high bluffs on the east side of the river,
ana trained their guns upon the bridge.
Across this bridge we went at doublequick
although IL was raked at every discharge of
the enemy's guns from the bluffs above. We
were soon In tangled mass on the right and
left, suffering severely from the enemy's
fire.
One poor fellow of our comrany had his
right leg torn and mangled into shreds by q
feet Of Capt. McClennan, who reached down
and shook the dying soldier by the hand
and ordered Lieut. Smith and Serg't patter-
son TO carry him across the bridge. Placing
the dying Soldier astride his musket, they
bore him across that bridge, which was still
being raked by the cnemys guns on the
bluffs. But they reached the west side OF
comrade in charge of the Surgeons astened
to join their command.
The enemy now appeared to put forth
their last effort to hold their position and
the shot and shell fell thick and fast CThe
writer has In his possession some of the
grapeshot which stuck in the heavy timber
over his head and fell at his feet as they
were crossing the bridge for the third timej
About this time Gen. Ord was wounded
and the command fell upon Gen. Hurlbu
who, understanding the situation of the
ground, soon deployed our forces and NOV
ed upon the enemy's last position east of
the Hatchie.
After crossing the bri dge the writer and
his companion assisted one of our batteries
In placing some of their guns in position on
the high ground on the east side of the
river.
Here, for first time, was Sam, the color.
ed man, in active service. large. muscular
fellow; with his shoulders to the wheel OF
one of the gun carriages, with the writer
and his companion at the other the artil
leryman in front we soon placed the gun in
position Oh the nights of the Hatchie.
We left.our colored friend and the battery
and joined our command on the left, formed
line and moved upon the enemy's last
position. After making slight resistance
the enemy fell back without any loss. Our
lines were halted for the first time since
early morning
A detail was called for, and Co. D.. with
Lieut.. Smith in command volunteered and
formed a skirmish line for the 32d H., and
was soon pressing the enemy's rear guard
A few stragglers fell into our hands and
number of stray shots Informed us that the
enemy was in full retreat with strong
force guarding we'll their rear After we
had advanced about mile in the heavy
timber we were ordered TO halt and form a
picket line for the night. After placing our
pickets on their outposts, n detail was made
10 go to the rear and bring up the boys
hayersacks as we had had nothing to ca,
since early morning. Upon the return of
this detail we learned for the first time the
loss in killed and wounded of our COM
mand.
From our position during the early part
OF the night we could see above the tree
tops the signal rockets of the enemy as they
moved away to the right, We were relieved
next morning and Joined our regiment, to
lind that some of our boys were killed on
the field and that others were MORALLY
wounded aod many slightly injured.
But our companion whom we had helped
to the rear never rallied the terrible shock
and died In the Surgeons hands So ends our
experience in the Hatchic.- A. Smith, in
National Tribnne.