The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-29
AT CHICKAMAUGA.
Experience of Two 18th Ohio Men on Sun
day Night,


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: When
night fell upon the battlefield of Chicka-
manga on Sunday, Sept 90, 1863, our regi-
ment, the 18th Ohio, held the top Of the
Horseshoe Ridge south of and just above
the knoll wherein stands the Snodgrass
farmhouse.
A comrade came up to our company and
told our commander that Corp1 George w.
But, who had been shot during the fore
noon while we were fighting on the extreme
left, was lying in the fields in the bottom
lands, and asked that he be carried TO a place
where he could receive medical attention.
The Captain at once detailed comrade
and myself to look for him, and We departed
on our errand of mercy. We marched down
the ridge past the farmhouse, and had pro-
ceeded a considerable distance toward the
Rossyile road when we met three unknown
comrades carrying Corp'l Butt in blanket.
They at once relinquished their burden TO
us, as they were anxious TO rejoin their COM
mands Those who have carried wounded
men in similar circumstances can realize the
| task before US. Singing our Enfelds across
our backs and gripping the corners of the
! blanket tightly, by great exertions we reach
| ed the Snodgrass house which was being used
as hospital. The interior was filled with
wounded, upon whom several Surgeons were
operating by the light of candles. Outside
a line of wounded lay all around the house.
We deposited our comrade under a white
oak tree in front of the house this tree is
still standng), and looked around for aid.
No surgical assistance was available. There
were hundreds of wounded, and but two or
three Surgeons
Comrade Butt though he could drink some
coffee We had no water, and no one knew
of any near We had filled our canteens on
Saturday morning from Crawfish Spring,
and now they were empty. There was a
well several hundred yards off near another
| farmhouse, and by companion, gathering up
a hall-dozen canteens, departed for water,
while wrapped our patient in our blankets,
as he complained of cold, and pounded the
coffee in nay UPSTREAM coffee-pot with my
bayOnet. When the water was brought the
coffee was made, but it was rejected at once.
Our comrades wound was mortal. He was
shot directly through the body.
now sent my comrade TO the top of the
ridge to find what troops occupied it, as we
had seen some movements and though that
the lines were being reformed for the NOR
rows battle. He returned alarmed. The
ridge was deserted. Then i ran up to learn il
for myself 1t was too true. All was silence
i Il
hear the enemy tearing down the picket
fence at the foot of The garden. A new ar
rival at The fire now informed us that the
army had left. Then a great fear fell upon
US. We greatly dreaded the Southern pris
ons, aud determined to escape them. There
} was member of Co. of our regiment, Jas
Chapman, who would stay, and we placed
our wounded comrade in his care, asking
him To get the Surgeons aid as soon as pos
slble. Neither Butt nor Chapman were eve
head of again.
Reaching the level ground we stopped
uncertain which way to turn. We did no
know that our army had been whipped. Or
our part of the line we had been success
full all day, repelling every charge, holdin.
all The ground. We had fought week a
Stone River, and would Of course do thu
same here. A short distance from US TIT
| enemy were cheering aud we could no
| imagine why; but as farther off their en