The National tribune., 1894-04-05

opened for us, and Joined them in meet
ing the assault, leaving my horse 10 take
care of himself
/ now felt safe, but my nerves were
unstrung. l used my revolver, but
have a distinct recollection that it was
elevated to nearly 45 degrees when i
was discharged. Two chambers did nor
go off, and in attempting to reload
tried to put another cartridge into al
already loaded barrel, although the bul
let then in it was plain to be seen. My
hands trembled as if palsied.
The affair was over in a minute. The
rebels, repulsed,
TRIED To RETREAT
through the woods, but the limbs tore
off their hats, and sometimes the rider
himself Several were killed. All sorts
of a cavalryman's paraphernalia were
scattered through the woOds-hats,
canteens, haversacks, blankets, saddles
were torn off by the limbs of the scrub
oaks through which they attempted TO
ride
Thinking the rebels might return in
force, our entire regiment began de-
Hberate retreat. Co. l. was detailed
again as rear-guard, with directions to
hold cur position until the column had
straightened out and got into marching
order [ had a few moments to look up
Sholl. He had been shot through the
abdomen. He was deathly sick. We
were obliged to leave him for the time
in the deserted house. He was after
ward sent back in an ambulance. He
lived only few days afterward.
The Captain meantime made obser-
yations from the brow of the hill which
overlooked Water Valley. He came
back and reported the town full of rebel
soldiers. a single horseman approached
us. Some of our men were ready to fire
upon him, but single man could hardly
approach us with hostile intent, so he
was unmolested. He proved TO be
Yankee soldier. Other forces moving
by another road had entered the town,
and it was full of Yankee soldiers in
stead of Southerners.
We sent word to our retreating col
umn, and making a right-about We
bivOuacked on the battle-ground.
X.
The next day the bugles sounded
early, and the whole cavalry column
pressed forward A hard day was before
Us Our regiment was not in the lead,
and did not come into action until near
nightfall We moved at irregular in
tervals, with long halts Evidently our
leaders were fighting their way. Pris-
ohers were occasionally passed to the
rear. A large force of cavalry, with
several pieces of artillery, ambulances,
and sGpply-wagons, was ahead of us.
We heard the artillery at intervals, but
were not in sound of the small-arins.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon
rame hasty summons Van Dorn's
entire infantry division had halted and
turned about in support of their cav
airy, and were preparing for an assault
upon us. We must hold them until our
wagon-train and artillery could be moved
back.
We took position on the left, our line
extending in a semieircle to the south |
and west. For a while there was an
ominous silence. Our wagons had been
turned about, and had started on the
return. There came
A SHE'LL SCREAMING
over our heads. 1t was the rebel signal |
for attack. They had sent out a strong
Aanking column on either side of us,
and now they were closing in upon us. |
Ii was an unequal encounter, but our
cavalry, mostly dismounted, did not |
leave the ground without a contest. |
Driven in On both sides as well as in |
front, We were soon thrown into con-
fusion. Every one was looking out for
himself and flying TO the rear for safety. |
The rebels captured about 40 of our
number only, for which they paid dearly
with as many dead. (See Official Con |
federate Records.) Happily darkness |
covered our rout. Three times at least |
the officers tried to rally the men. |
Form a line right herel" one cried. |
standing in the road to halt the rabble. |
" 1t Is duty you owe to yourselves,
your comrades, and your country. No
matter what your command, form line |
right here. Don't let us lose every
thing" etc.
Perhaps he rallied 80 or 100 men, but |
the llHe soon gave way, although no at
tack was made upon it. Those coming
up rode through il, and carried the line |
along with it. All this time the COM
mand was moving at a walk, except,
perhaps, the first mile of flight; but
they were walking no one knew where,
or knew where the stop was to be- No
enemy was pursuing US; a hundred
might have captured a thousand had
they known our exact condition.
The 9Th ILL.,, Sd Mich, I'd Iowa, 9TH
Ill and 7th Kan, all cavalry, rode along
promiscuously. At length the word was
passed along to rally on the last nights
camprng-ground, and after marching
well into the night some 10 or 10 miles
we lay down, wearied by hard work and
long hours, and our fatigue was greatly