The National tribune., 1896-12-17

panscd the expedition. de was assisted
by Surg. William A. Smith, of the 47th
n. Y, and Asst Surg. c. A. Devendorf,
4sth n. Y. About 500 yards in the
rear of the line-of-battle cluster of pine
trees was observed, and to these the am
balances were drawn up in line.
The roar of artillery ard musketry
continued without intermission. and the
wounded men soon began to arrive, part
walking, some on litters, and others IN
open ambulance wagons In halt an
hour from the commencement OF the ac-
ton stray shots passed through the tall
pines, and, breaking them Oft at the
trunk like canes, soon caused the re-
moval of the ambulances further to the
rear, and when within one mile OF the
scene of action they were drawn up be-
hind a small stream, thus securing
suficiency of water.
For three hours without any inter-
mission had the battle been raging, when
THREE LUsTY CHEERS,
or rather rebel yells, were given, and the
firing ceased. Our troops fell back.
Ii was soon apparent that the Union
troops were greatly outnumbered, and
that we were facing a foe well skilled IN
taking advantage of every cover, and
disposed to turn to advantage his posi-
ton. The enemy's fire, both of musketry
and artillery, was extremely intense and
CALLING for a long time. The Union
troops were sorely pressed, but their in
domitable and unfinching courage at
length prevailed, and after nearly four
hours of the hardest fighting, the enemys
left was forced back, and he was con-
tent to permit us to retire, which we did
In admirable order, Notwithstanding our
heavy losses, and without single round
of ammunition remaining.
The enemy formed three distinct lines
of-battle against us, constantly bringing
up fresh troops, and finally attacking in
close column by division. All their
efforts against us were, however, frus-
trated, and in their last attempt their
loss must have been immense.
The casualties of the battle as given by
the brigade commanders were as follows: !:
III officers and 1872 enlisted men killed !;
42 officers and / 100 enlisted men wound
ed: twoofficers and 504 enlisted men miss
ing; total casualties, 30 officers and 1,SO6
enlisted men; aggregate, 1861. During
.he action 80 horses were killed, and on
he retreat six pieces of artillery were
LEFT on THE FIELD
Seyenty-five cases of wounded had to
be left at the ambulance depot under
the charge of Asst Surg. c. A. Deven-
dorf. 4Sth n. Y. An effort was made
to recover all the wounded under flag
Of truce, but it was refused by the
enemy.
The losses were heavy, particularly
among superior officers. Col. Fribiey
was killed while nobly encouraging his
men onward. Col. Moore, of the 47th,
and Col. Sammon, of the 115th N. T.,
were severely wounded.
The battle of Olustee can be classed
with the Big Bethel affair of Gen. But
Ter. Gen. Seymour was too sangulne
of success. He allowed himself to be
drawn on without first endeavoring to
find out what troops the enemy had di-
rectly in his front. He evidently was
too much elated by the success Of the
early advance of Col. Henry and Capt
Morrill, and tee much reliance was
placed on the c0lored troops, which
formed large portion of his command
The opposing forces of the enemy
amounted to about 5000, and theil
casualties, compiled from nominal lists
were officers and 86 men killed
40 officers and 73S men wounded; miss
ing, g.; aggregate, 946. Thus the
forces opposed to each other were about
equal, and their losses similar. and wher
the left flank Of the enemy gave way |
charge of the bayonet at the last mo
ment would, no doubt, have changed
the fortunes of the day.
Gen. Seymour was never instructed
nor was it the intention of Gen. Gill
more to entrust him, with the execution
of any general plan in Florida. III
was, however, conversant with
THE SALIENT FEATURES
of the plan in view in occupying eas
Florida, and the objects But be neve
was authorized TO advance beyond th,
South Fork of the Saint Mary's River
On the contrary, he had plain ant
explicit instructions with regard to wha
was expected and required Of him, ant
the ill.judged advance beyond the Forl
of the Saint Mary's River was in direc
disregard of those instructions, and th
disastrous battle of Olustee Its legiti
mate fruit.
Gen. Seymour says in bis report
But the disparity Of numbers was to
great and the defense too obstinate {
permit Of decisive results at the battl
of Olustee. We know since the clos
of the war that there was no "dispal
ity in numbers" and we knew at th
time that the results" were deci
i've defeat upon the field of battle, an
the Illustration, as well by loss of men {
by loss of prestige, Of well and car,
E.x11 II ,>1cx, 1c