The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-08-08

ridge to our front, and the horses gallon 10
the rear. The guns are quickly charged and
send their shells in rapid discharges at the
foe across the open field. The solid shot
from the enemys weIl-protected batteries
come plunging through our unsheltered
battery, and they find themselves in a
hornets nest well stirred up. A due regard
for the preservation Of the guns for future
use adm0nlshes the officer In command that
the quicker be gets out the better
Away they 20 to the rear as lively as they
came, with the compliments of the Con-
federates following them down the road and
crashing through the timber around them.
as they make good time in a very iudicious
and rapid retreat.
Forward is the command, and the Live
Eagle Brigade now advances upon the omen
field, and quickly deploys into line-of-battle
from right 10 left under the heavy artillery
and infantry fire Of the Confederate line
apparently occupying a thoroughly-in-
trenched and strong position along the
west side Of the field, some 400 or 500
yards distant
Our CALAIS Fighting Joe" comes dash
ing TO the front, and, waving his sword as
be gallOps along the line, commands:
Forward, Second Brigade, to the charged"
With rousing cheer the line advances
against that storm of lead and iron sweep
ing across the field in their faces. But our
anticipstions are doomed to disappointment.
ss the line had scarcely started when our
Adjutant-General, Ezra T. Sprague. comes
along with the command:
Halt those regiments! You cannot
charge the enemy. They are behind an inn
passable bayou, and ii is destruction to the
brigade 10 advanceiD
The advance is checked, and the writer.
with plenty others, responds TO the call for
volunteer skirmishers. We advance in Skin
mish-line about half way across the field to
within about 200 yards of that flashing line
IN front, and taking cover behind stumps
still standing IN the open field we COM
mence operations with our Enfield rifles.
The persistent soaking, misty rain con-
Times to descend and we wear our rubber
blankets TO keep our equipments and am
mnnition dry, also as a shield from the
mud when IL is necessary TO be humble aud
hug the ground in our operations against
the enemy. The soft, sticky mud is ankle
deep, but the army rubber is the soldiers
best friend, imperyious TO rain and mud.
We drop on our backs 10 load then rest on
the left elbow 10 take aim and fire. with
rubber between us and the mud. when we
have no shelter for more upright operations.
We are in the midst Of a level fallow
cot:onfeld which extends from the lake on
our right half-mIle or more TO the south.
while bayou extends along the west side
in our 'front.' with artificial embankment
or leyee along its farther brink TO protect
the low country on that side from overflow.
This levee and the heavy timber along that
sioe OF the bayou is a complete breastwork
and shelter from our fire. The BAYOU, so
yards in width, with perpendicular banks
some ~ or IL feet high from the stapnant.
Shiny water filed with floating debris and
mire, swarming with alligators. doy-fsh
and all manner Of reptilian life. is an insur-
mountRble barrier against assault.
As we work lively with our rifles in
their front, we wonder if our commanding
officers are looking for any possibility of
crossing the bayou away to the left beyond
the open field, for the purpose of thanking
them out OF their stronghold.
This = apparently thc second ycar The
held has remained fallow, as the last years
crop of dead weeds about two feet high still
remain, and the little ridges of the old cot
ton-rows running north and south, parallel