The National tribune., 1894-05-17
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
DOES NOT AGREE.
A Criticism of COmrade Behring'S Fort Don
elson Story.

Continued from lost soeekl
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Now, ii
regard to this attack. Commodore Foot'
did not fire huge shell from his flagship
over our heads as a signal that he had made
the round trip and was on deck. As &
matter of fact, the Commodore, with his
feet, had arrived the night before, so there
was no necessity for him firing over us to
signal his presence. Moreover, he did moi
have gun in his feet that could have
thrown shell over us, as we were certainly
more than four miles from his point of attack
Our position was nearly due south of Dover
fronting north think the 18th, 9th and
4lst III. were on the right of US, were the
extreme right of the Union line, and the first
troops engaged when the enemy came out
of their Notifications on Saturday morning.
Very heavy musketry firing had been going
on for some time gradually coming our way,
until the right of the Sth became engaged.
Our regiment was then ordered 10 the right,
as we were supposed to relieve the 18th.
We marched in two ranks, and had gone
perhaps about 200 yards; our company (A)
had Just crossed an old road, cut out about
three feet deep, on top of a narrow ridge
running at nearly a right angle to what we
supposed was the formation of our line,
when we received a volley from the rebel
-of-battle, which was in ravine or de-
preston about 100 yards to our left. Three
men were killed and eight or 10 wounded,
one MORALLY, in the company, before / saw
the enemy.
The company swung back and formed in
the SUI ken road, and opened fire at left
oblique on the enemy that had given us
such a destructive broadside. The rest of
the regiment coming forward into line on
first company" it soon became too hot for
the rebels, and they began to retire.
After being engaged for some time, / saw
a fresh line-of-battle advancing, the flag
being directly in front of our company. /
turned to Lieut-Col. Dennis, who was lying
down in the road a few feet from me, and
told him of the advancing line, and also that
they had blue flag with white spot in
the middle. He, without getting up to in
vestigate, Immediately yelled to cease
firing, that we were firing on our own men;
that is, the 18th III. He was perhaps led
into that error from the fact that at that
time the 18th was the only regiment We had
seen carry the blue banner, which later was
carried by all regiments.
All ceased firing, but / was not satisfied
that the advancing line was the 18th, and
got up TO investigate. The 18th at that time
still wore their cadet gray jackets. which
they drew when they first went out. The
brush was thick, and l was trying to dis
tinguish whether it was friend or foe by
their clothing. / remember that Serg't d.
W. POak was doing the same thing some dis
tanee to my right
Just at this time a Kentucky regiment
came up in line-of-battle in our rear. As soon
as they saw the advancing line in our front
they fired a volley which drew the fire of the
rebels Up TO that time they had not fired
a shot. They were then so close that / could
plainly see the lettering on their flag.
One or more balls struck the ground in
front of me and threw the snow and
leaves into my face, completely binding
me for a few moments. When / was
able to see, my company, and also the
Kentucky regiment, were out of sight. Sap
posing would find them reformed Just back
of The ridge / jumped out of the road and
started back. / had taken three or four
steps when / was wounded. As soon as l
got somewhat under the shelter Of the ridge,
and rot finding the line reformed, / stopped
and tried 10 rally squads of men who were
passing me from the left of the regiment:
but all appeared determined TO get out of
range as soon as possible. Out of one squad
OF at least dozen only one could be in
duced 10 stop, and he soon followed the rest.
Finding there was no eff 1T OF inclination
on the part of anyone else to make another
stand, / started down a ravine leading to the
rear, but soon became entirely disabled
Two comrades Of the 9Th, who had expended
all their ammunition and were retreating in
leisurely manner, picked me up, gave me
some wafer, and assisted me TO an ambu-
lance. ] was taken to the fed hospital, got
my wound dressed, and was taken to the
landing hat afternoon in an army wagon.
a c0mr-de who was taken off the field in
the same ambulance had his under jaw shot
of. should like to know if he recovered,
and 10 IS bat regiment he belonged.
Our company left FIVE dead On the field
four Frsi Lieutenant. Kirkpatrick, was one
OF those killed AT the first fire. one MORALLY
wounded (Serg't Abner L. Titus was shot
through the brain and died at Paducah. |
KY, 13 days later, eight or 10 severely !
wounded five of whom were discharged. |
and three captured.
This was perhaps much larger per cent |
than was sustained by any of the other
companies, and yet there was no excuse for
the company and regiment leaving the field |
10 The manner they did. The whole trouble |
was with the officers. The regiment had no |
commander, neither did our company. after /
the First Lieutenant was killed. The Second |
Lieutenant was absent with leave, and the /
Captain, while an excellent officer in every |
respect except courage, was constitutional |
coward. If Col Dennis had been Corporal /
that morning he should have been reduced |
10 the ranks for cowardice After / told |
him Of the fresh lne-ofbattle that was
advancing, be never showed himself above
the embankment until he got up to run:
and then he made no effort to reform the |
regiment until il went back abou; two miles
20 where We had encamped on Thursday |
night. This last statement got from com /
rades on my return to the regiment, about
the LIST of July.
Do not understand me as saying that the
entire membership of the regiment left the
field as stated above. Several members of |
Co. A Joined other commands and remained |
until the rebels were driven back into their |
tOTtihcauons, aud / presume the same was
true Of the other companies Comrade /
Boring says our regiment was relieved by /
the 18th KY. j cont know the number of /
the regiment, but do know that that part |
OF II in rear of our company relieved them
selves as soon as they fired one volley. |
There was not the least necessity of reliev- |
ing us. We were not out Of ammunition |
and were more than holding our own with |
the line that first attacked us. If Col. |
Dennis had done his duty, he would have |
had the Kentucky regiment double-quick |
TO he right and form on the right of our |
company. If that had been done, we could |