The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-08-06
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of the Stirring scenes
Witnessed on the Battlefield and In
Camp-veterans of the Rebellion Recite
Experiences Of . Thrilling Nature.


was not only one. but many heroes,
writes a Confederate soldier in the
New York Sun.
There were. however. two. one year
ing the blue and the other the gray,
around whom clustered a halo of chival-
rous daring and romance. which will
ever cling to the names of Custer n
Stuart. II is Of the former of these two
THAI we propose to relate a characters
tic incident.
The night Of Sunday. April 2, 1860.
will never be forgotten by any eX-Con-
federate who was eDcamped in front OF
Fort Harrison. on the north side of the
James River. eight miles from Rich
mond. Va.
For several days before a heavy can
nonading heard in the direction of
Petersburg had indicated that some-
thing unusual would soon break the
monotony which had reigned supreme
ly in the Confederate camp on the
north side for nearly four months. But
whether another bloody struggle 10 cap
turc the fort named would be made or
whether another retreat would be
sounded was soon decided in favor of
the latter.
About SUNSET on the day of which we
are writing orders We're issued 10 cook
three days rationS. and be in readiness
TO march at midnight. Orders We're
also given for the ~StricteSt silence. as a
whole corps lay in front of US only a
quarter of a mile distant. and for il 70
have been apprised Of Il departure
"-Duld have meant disaster 70 the small
!. zee OF only 5000 men IN their front.
Silently but quickly at the appointed
hour the line vas formed and the
march taken UP in the direction Of
Drewry's bluff. about two miles distant.
This point was soon reached. and here
q pontoon bridge was laid. and the
troops marched over by twos to the
south side.
Day was now at hand and of course
sleep was out of the question. Also. il
was now become a question Of speed
between The two detachments of the
Union and Confederate armies vespec.
lively. the former straining every
nerve 10 prevent the C~onfeierates from
overtaking the main army under Lee.
dcavors 10 do 50.
The race was kept up without inter-
mission for three days and nights. Our
troops never slept over TWO hours at a
time during that period. Their rations
were exhausted and they devourel ey-
erything eatable which came in their
way. without SO much as ~subjecting il
10 the suspicion of fire.
But in spite Of every exertion the
boys IN blue gained upon and at las
overlook Us about IL o'clock a. N. on
April s. II was not the infantry. how
Yer but a detachment OF cavalry uu-
der Gen. Custer.
Preparations We're at once made to
receive the charge which we knew
would follow.
The battle began by a vigorous shell
ing Of our wagon train. TO which no
reply could be given. as We We're with
out artillery. The Confederate infantry
was maSsei behind a hill which COM
plerely shut il out from the Federal
commander. \ heavy skirmish line
was thrown u on the hill in order 10
deceive him and allure him into the
trap.
As everyone knows. Gen. Custer nev-
er would take a dare" He at once
formed his lines for a charge and on
they came. How Sa!ly the trumpet
sung. How Merr.ly the boys rode 10
their death a. tAey came on al a swift
trot. amid the booming Of cannon the
rafting - sabers, and the heavy tAud
OF their horses feet.
Arriving al the top Of the hill they
wera NE by a. appalling infantry ire.
and many i gallant trooper bit The
dus-." The action was short. sharp and
decisive. and Gen. Custer soon recalled
l., rrcors. II was n ain - throw .
small body ot cavalry against 4 solid
mass % veteran infantry.
But ,he end was near-only q matter
o. 4 tew aouN-for a. ) ?. NJ. the Union
infantry arrived, the tsitrle OF Sailors
C@-k followed. and Gen. Sheridan
-J1k $500 prisoners.
- much a background TO the pic
-lce; - much a. a setting for the .nc;-
dent We aow give. and which eyer after
eadedrei thu memory II Gen. Custer
- every 4 who was a witness o. L.
The morning after The battle Tie pr.S-
ol~.> we're ordered - tal! IN line. soon