The National tribune., 1896-05-07
BENTONVILLE.
Chickamauga Fifer-Boy Tells His Ex-
periences.

periences.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I en-
ioyed Gen. Towards writings very much.
L consider him as having no peer on
war records of the rebellion, aud as an
American citizen he is of the highest type.
In his article on Beutonville wish to give
some evidence from personal observation
which he as commander of another part OF
the army could not know.
Fearing's Brigade, with Gen. Morgan, was
first in column Oh the morning of the 10Th.
Mai. Holmes, of the SD Ohio, was in COM
mand of the foragers, who acted as skrTish-
ers. Both on that morning met too much
opposition to get on very fast. About n.
m. they were brought up short with rebel
lines and works too strong for them to
move.
The Major rode back for help. Just as he
reached the head of our brigade, it halted to
the right of the Slocum road, while Gen.
Carlin with his division was TO come for
ward and take the front.
As our division had been in the front the
18th and should fall to the rear the next
days march, Gen. Carlin had arrived at the
head of his division just parallel TO our di-
vision, and was in the road while we were
stacked arms ust on the roadside. Carlin's
Division was in column of fOurs, right
shoulder shift, with guns unloaded.
Gen. Howard mentions the probable for
nation of march hence. l give it exact
Maj. Holmes reported to Gen. Carln he had
found the rebels intrenched, and wished
help. Carlin said 10 the Major
Get yOur - bummers out of the way
and will drive the rebs out with skirmish-
line"
This somewhat "riledn the Major, who
rode back 10 his men and gave orders to fall
back to the main command Carln in the
meantime pushed forward, trying TO get a
line of skirmishers thrown cur. Towards
complete description of the dense pines and
swampy grounds, plainly shows how diff
cult this was TO do. To make it more so,
those rebels soon learned that our advance
had been withdrawn. They came like bees
swarming. striking Carlin's men.
1t seemed to Inc deal of confusion, and
only for Gen. Morgan's quick action and a
battery which was in place just north of the
road, Carlin and his division would have
been swept from The field. | wish to state
that the work OF that battery was the most
grand of any it was my lot to witness dur
ing my three years of war As soon as Car
AN iiSb EOO w ltstl VI tuC IL
opened on the on-coming rebs with double
charged canister, and kept it up so vigorous
ly that it forced therencmy to abandon our
captured hospital, and caused them to push
TO our right. Here he rebs ran into snag
Gen. Morgan, with his. men in close di-
vision in column, who staid right there and
defied them all day. These two fights, as
| said, gave Carlin time to rally his con-
fused ranks and remain on the field other
wise his bravado and carelessness would
have proven n defeat. Gen. Howard will
see by this, that while he supposed Carlin
to have out the usual skirmisbers in front
and flank, he (Carlin) did not have a single
skirmisher out until after his stampede.
| shall always feel very grateful toward
that battery for making it so hot for the
rebs that | had the chance, and took our
ambulance train out of the rebs' grasp, aud
TO the rear.
l wish to mention that Gen. Fearing lost
thumb and forefnger early in the melee,
but would not leave the field until loss of
blood forced him TO give up; he was brave,
good officer, and OF The Regular Army. We
of the Fourteenth Corps were truly grateful
that our Howard, with his corps, was close
at hand and would soon strike telling
blow, which he did, and no doubt saved
much bloodshedding the next day.-CYRUs
A. Il. Fox, Co. Ii, seth Ill, Sioux Falls,
s. ID.