The National tribune., 1897-05-06

ant Hill, where late on the previous evening
Gen. Andrew Jackson Smith, with his right
bower, Joseph A. Mower, had arrived and
deployed two divisions from the Fifteenth
and Seventeenth Corps and formed line on
the edge of the timber along the brow of
the ridge, commanding clear range of the
cleared field upon its western slope, over
which the enemy must advance to the as
sault upon their line.
Gen. Emory, having fallen back with the
Nineteenth Corps during the past night
from Pleasant Grove, arrived about 8 O'Clock
in the forenoon and formed line in advance
of Gen. Smiths position.
Gen. Dick Taylor had at early dawn
that morning felt for the Nineteenth Corps
at Pleasant Grove, and finding that position
evacuated, he is now rapidly advancing upon
the National position at Pleasant Hill.
As the day advances an occasional shell
or picket shot indicates that the advance
cavalry of the enemy is feeling for our lines.
1t is a little past o'clock when the Con-
federate artillery begins to thunder, and
soon their batteries send their storm OF shot
and shell into the Union lines, and the SER
rIed ranks of gray come rushing with their
demoniac rebel yell " from the cover OF the
woods, and in overwhelming numbers ana
irresistible impetuosity charge upon the
Nineteenth Corps, now the advance line OF
the position commanded by Gen. Emory,
striking Benedict's Division.
Benedict receives a wound in his arm, and
few moments later he falls, shot through
the head. and his line, unable to longer face
the terrible storm, retires past Gen. Smiths
position, and reforms in rear of Gen. Shaw's
Brigade, on the left, while the dashing
Switzer, with his Texas cavalry, in an
attempt to penetrate that part OF A. j.
Smiths line, is literally cut to pieces, and in
scattered fragments its defeated and dis
pirited fragments flee from that disastrous
field. Gen. Emory's center and righs for
brief moment resists the Confederate
advance, but, pressed by overwhelming
numbers, his whole line is soon forced back
in the rear of Gen. Smiths command.
The rebels confidently advance upon
Joseph A. Mowers and T. Kilby Smiths
Divisions. The foremost charging, yelling,
ranks of rebel gray are close upon their
front, and second Confederate line is charg-
ing up the slope. The fierce command, In
quick, sharp tones meets the expectant ear,
and Fighting Joe's T" ringing tones sound
above the din: Second Brigade, now to
your work ~ The crash of artillery mingles
rising cloud of sulphurous smoke unvails
the scene, a thousand mangled forms lie on
the plain, and those exuitant charging lines
of valiant Louisiana and Texas troops are
now shattered and apparently confused
rabble, for the moment stunned and dazed,
uncertain of their own existence, as their
maugled comrades strew the ground. They
do not appear to realize their situation, or
the cause of their terrible disaster, until
second sirocco of lead and iron sweeps their
ranks, and literally hurls the survivors from
the field.
But now the voice of Fighting Joe breaks
on the air again: Attention Forward in
line !-Now steady charge, Live Eagle
Brigade!" 1t is soon over. As the Confed-
crates are now completely repulsed, with
terrible slaughter, and driven apparently
thoroughly vanquished from the field, the
battle of Pleasant Hill is ended.-S. c.
MILES, Co. E, 9Th Wis, Stetsonville, Wis.