The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-04

THE EAGLE IN THE CHARGE.
Pennington and pass through our bri-
gade line a few rods to the left of the
Sth Wis, on their way to the rear.
They are magnificent in their SEEM
ingly cool indifference to the storm of
shot that is pelting them, and bursting
shell which send their wicked fragments
of cast iron tearing through their ranks.
They march in column as steady as
though on grand review, except where
the solid shot or exploding shell causes
temporary commotion among the horses,
which is promptly controlled by their
intrepid riders. The terrible storm Of
iron from the enemy's batteries in our
front, though sufficient to try the nerves
of Napoleon's veterans, causes no check
or hurry in their steady movement of
column through our line to the rear.
The Live Eagle Brigade is now also
receiving its full share of attention from
the rapidly-accumulating rebel batter
les as they advance and take positions
on our front and along the edge of the
timber to our right. Our line is ordered
back few rods TO the rear slope of the
ridge, so as to interpose its crest as
partial shelter from the heavy artillery
fire now pouring upon us, and we are
ordered TO lie down for the purpose of
avoiding unnecessary exposure. "Old
Abe" appears to highly enjoy the tu-
multi Of battle, evincing by his outspread
wings and animated appearance and an
occasional shrill scream of exultation
and defiance that he is in his congenial
element. But he now initiates his COM
rades-in-arms and indicates his desire to
be protected as well as they by dropping
from his perch to the ground and fat.
tening himself out between the men in
the reclining ranks and remaining there
perfectly quiet until the storm of lead
sweeping over US announces that the
rebel infantry has come within range,
and We rise to return their fire. Then
the bird mounts his perch, and with
bristling feathers and fierce attitude
assumes his post of honor between the
State and National flags of the regiment.
THE THICK OF IT.
The battle is raging with rapidly-aug-
menting fury between the heavy advanc-
ing forces of the enemy and our rear
skirmish-line Of infantry, which is stub
bornly holding the enemy in check
while falling back slowly and steadily
toward our line Of support. Shells are
oDnstantly bursting over our heads and
scattering their fragments among us and
among the cavalry and infantry, who
are falling back along the road in an
On3e1y column through our line to the
rear. the only disorder noticeable being
where the solid shot strikes or shell
explodes among the cavalry, killing,
wounding, and frightening few horses
momentarly.
The Live Eagle Brigade has three
different times advanced to the crest of
the ridge, and with a few steady and
Eel[aimed volleys sent the enemy out
of-sight and range of our Springfield
flies, when they came within range and
opened on us, and the retreating column
passing through our line, with lead.
Two of our light field batteries have
been returning the enemy's fire, until
The climate became too hot for them,
and they were obliged to retire.
A heavy shot plows a furrow down
the slope through the ranks of Co. f, as
we lie low, hosting two men out of their
places, and sending a shower of dirt
over the whole company. But the boys
do not mind the dirt, they are more In
terested in other passing events. A six
pound ball passes little to our right,
and takes off the left leg of Lieut.
Col. Daniel l. Miles, of the 47th Ill.
olive Eagle Brigade), just at the
boot-top, close below the knee, as he
gallops up from the rear, and is in the
act Of refining his horse to the right to
pass along the rear Of our regiment to
his own ON the right And thus, being
deprived of the support of that foot in
the stirrup as the horse turns in obedi.
ence to the rein, and the effect of the
heavy shot almost grazing his side, the
Colonel falls, striking first upon the
mangled stump and protruding splin