The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-13

drawn sword, shouting at the top Of my
voice, " Give them Hail Columbia! " OIL
something else sounding somewhat SINH
larly and beginning with big "H.'
Very likely did act in that manner
but | have no recollection Of it.
Our charge was magnificent success
and prisoners streamed through our lines
in great numbers. My lame ankle wa:
for the time forgotten, and | did not
think of it until Peter Clogher came
limping up without my horse. | asked
him where he had left Bill, and said he
HEARD THE BOYS HURRAHING
and saw the rebels running, and could
stand ii no longer; so tied the horse to a
limb and came up to join his company.
No sooner were the rebels driven from
our front than their artillery again
opened on us and we shifted position to
the left, in the edge Of the little piece of
woods before mentioned. Here we sus-
tanned another attack, which was sue
cessfully repelled, aud about this time
our ammunition ran short.
The Colonel was in despair, as no am
munition-wagon dared approach our
position, in consequence of terrible artil-
lery fire from the nights, and it seemed
as if we would have to depend on our
bayonets. The rebels were forming for
another charge, and something must be
done; so in a moment of absentmind-
edness ] volunteered to ride back to the
ammunition-train and bring up box Of
cartridges on my horse. The Colonel
promptly accepted my offer, but said
good-by in a tone that indicated he
never expected to see me alive again.
Putting spurs TO my horse | started
on a keen gallop and reached the am
munition-train in safety. This was easy
enough but getting back was another
thing, for with a heavy box of ammuni
ton encumbering me, | was obliged to
walk my horse. Shot, shell, and every
thing else that could be fired from a
cannon came over me 10 my right to
my left, and all about me, but
WAS UNTOUCHED,
and after what seemed an age reached
the regiment.
One of the men ran to meet me, took
the heavy box from my not unwilling
hands, used the butt Of his gun to break
it open, and in a moment the cartridges
were issued and we were again ready.
This charge was successfully met and
the rebels whirled back in defeat, and so
the day wore away with us.
But for the tenacity with which we
had held our position, the history of
Stones River might have been written
as a defeat for the Union army, and, not
withstanding the claims Of other organ
izations, / assert that no other regiment
on that field equaled our achievements
in the first days battle. Our army had
been disasrously defeated on the right,
and the extreme left alone maintained
its position; not only that, but the 18th
Ind. occupied ground considerably in
advance Of the morning position.
1t was a Winters day, and therefore
short in hours, but il seemed to me that
the sun never would 90 down. Thought
Of Wellington at Waterloo, when the
French under Napoleon were having
the best of the fight. 1t is said that
Wellington broke forth into the ex-
"Oh, for night or Bluchet," !"
Blucher came in time to save the day
for Wellington, but for us there was
no Blucher, and | prayed for night. 1t
came at last, and gradually the firing
ceased and the first days battle was
over.
DURING THE HOTTEST
Of the fighting the company cook of
Go. q, a German, came on the field
with two large camp-kettles of steaming
hot coffee, and / was fortunate enough
TO be given cup Of it, fanked with a
piece OF hardtack and a chunk Of raw
bacon. it was the best meal / ever had /
in my life, and ! hereby return my
thanks to Go. g for furnishing it.
il became necessary for us, during
he day, on two occasions, to fall back
somewhat TO allow full play for our
utillery; and Oh one Of these move
nents | happened to glance back and
aw Capt. Foster raising himself partly |
rom the ground by his hands and one
knee. Catching my eye, he pointed to
lis thigh, which had been struck and
shattered by a solid shot, and with a
mute, appealing glance which / shall
never forget, lie sank back on the
ground.
When we reoccupied the position
shortly after, he was dead, and his fore
oodings Of the night before were fully
realized. As promised, he had faith
fully done his whole duty, and in doing
t had joined many Of his comrades who
had fallen earlier in the day. During
.he night our regiment was relieved,
and VIC were allowed to pass to the rear
10 prepare coffee and obtain such rest as
We could under the circumstances.
Towards midnight rode back to the
general field hospital, where / obtained
something TO eat for myself and forage
md water for my horse. Ny colored
T.r,.,. Il