The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-02
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
Mysterious sound That Threw a Brigade
into Confusion.

Mysterious sound That Threw a Brigade
into Confusion.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: IL was at
Brandy Station, May Ii, 1864, that the order
was given to break camp and march toward
the Wilderness. The writer belonged to the
Sixth Corps and the 9Th n. Y. II. A. The
corps was then in command OF Gen. Sedg-
wick Our regiment was used the same a.
infantry and armed with Springhelds, and
was brigaded with a regiment of Germans
who went as substitutes from New York
City. They were the widest lot of fellows
thai / ever saw, and to keep them quiet was
an impossibility, no matter what the danger
might be or how near the enemy.
Our brigade was detailed to guard ths
supply tram. IL consisted Of 500 wagons
mule teams-with negro drivers. We COW
cred the distance, 100 miles, in two days and
nights, making but one short stop, arriving
at the Wilderness barelOOted, as we had
thrown our shoes away on the march.
We were at once called into action, and
got our feet somewhat seorched, as the rebels
had set the woods on fire. After two days
of hard fighting the enemy fell back.
Our next heavy battle was at Spottsyl-
vania. Here was where we got scared. Our
sleep had been very limited from the 4th up
to this date, May IL. About p. m. ths
order was given for our brigade to move four
miles to the left. In steady dOwnpOur Of
rain, with the mud almost knee-deep, we
marched, and some time after dark we
reached our destination and relieved troops
that had been holding the position since
early in the morning.
This was in dense piece of woods and
afforded good protection. as the work was
made of large trees. The enemy was not
far away, as we could occasionally see dim
lights Pickering through the woods from
their line. Our pickets were stationed
out as usual and everything made ready FOX
attack.
We had with us a pack mule. He carried
the tools used in making works of defense,
strapped together and slung across his back
Perhaps the burden weighed 200 OF 500
pounds The beast had been without food
or water for at least four days. Well,
presently we lay down for sleep, as ordered.
We were suddenly awakened by the MOST
frightful sound that ever penetrated human
ears. Almost every man was on his feet in
the twinkling of an eye, and some opened
fire toward the enemy's line. / happened
to be among the few too scared to get on
their feet. / had all / could do just then
to keep my heart inside But / did show
some bravery by poking the muzzle OF my
musket through a crack in the breastworks
and blazing away at our own piekets.
But that horrible noise. No one could ac-
count for it, We first thought the rebels
were about to pOunee over the works onto
us. Next we surmised we were surrounded
by the ghosts of all the dead soldiers on that
horrible battlefield. As we became more
calm we concluded that the heavens and
earth were passing away with a mighty
noise, and the last days were at hand about
this time. The piekets came tumbling over
the breastworks, and with much anger
| threatened to open fire on us. The German
| regiment fired and broke ranks and fled TO
the rear, and wenever saw them again. After
order had been restored, and the Colonel had
| had his laugh out, he insisted that the
! pickets go back to their posts. But not one
could be induced to return. Two had been
wounded from our firing. A new lot was
| detailed and sent out, and order prevailed
once more We were told to lie down as be-
fore, and the Colonel added:
"If that mule brays again tonight
I'll shoot him.-JoHN j. MCCALL, Wake
field, o.