The National tribune., 1897-12-23
By DR.. J. P. CANN ON, Co. C. 9th Ala.

Dec. 5.-The Smelling continued to day,
and having got the range and distance,
they throw them with remarkable accU-
racy, often striking our breastworls and
bursting all around and above us, causing
us to hunt the very bottom of the ditch.
Dec. G.-HaH the brigade was ordered TO
the rear to wash and rest, both of wich are
badly needed. We happened to be part of
the lucky half.
Dec. At daylight we went back to the
lne-Of-battle, but in a short time our bri
gaGe was relieved and sent 500 yards TO the
rear.
Dec. 9.--Nery cold and showing Moved
back to the hreastwCrks.
Dec. 11.-Last night, under cover Of dark
ness, We moved oar line back 400 yards
and began certifying again. Worked hard
all night without sleep or rest This Is the
coolest day ! ever saw. Our position be-
ing in the open fieiGS, with 10 timber for
miles TO break the force of the wind
which is blowing a perfect gale from the
north, no wood to make fires and the most
of us tinly clad, cur suffering is intense.
1t seems Like we are bound TO freeze I'M
less a change occurs very soon.
Dec. 13.-Ihe enemy, no doubt have
been largely reinforced, and are extending
their lines beyond our tanks, rendering it
necessary for US to lenQthen our lines;
but having all cur available force already
IN the bitches, we can only do it by form
ing in a single rank. This causes change
IN location, and, as usual il falls to our
lot to stop where there are no works, so we
have again 20 call into requisition our old
friends the pick nd spade.
II is CiScoUrag' NC TO leave our quarters
so often, after such hard work digging
bitches 10 protect US from shells and cold
winds, but we 90 10 work again, ard every
bomb and bullet that Genes hy only serves
TO renew DER energy. and in q short TINE
we have a new ditch as good as the old
one.
Fec. little weather has moderated
and we enjoy lying around in the sun, but
the lankS wont let us enjoy ii long at a
time, for when they see a squad of us
they crop over few shells and we dart
into our holes like prairIe-GogS.
We are still stretched out in a single
rank, a very weak line, but, with the ad-
vantage OF oUr breastwGrEs, have conf
dence in OR ability to hold our position
against any ordinary attack.
Dec. IA heavy fog oVerhung the city
and all the surrounding country this morn
ing, so We could see nothing that was &c
ing on IN front. The YanllS took aGvan-
tage Of il in disposing their forces for an
attack on our lines.
Al 10 Z. M. they opened With furious
Smelling, drove in Our ricliets and took
possession OF the works we abandoned a
few days ago. Cur artillery replied with
vigoT, and a fearful cannOnade was soon
in progress all around the line, which con
tnued without intermisSion for several
hours.
Now and then the infantry moved for
ward as Il they were going 10 assault our |
works, LIT a few rounds from US drove
them back IL every instance.
About = D. m. very heavy firhting could
be heard on the left, and as the sound OF
the guns receded it soon became evident
that they had turned cur left wing; hut
we still hoped that our boys would rally
and regain what had teen lost, believing
that we could hold our position. This we
proved for in short time
they moved forward in heavy columns and
made two determined assaults that we
repulsed.
We were now too busily engaged TO oh
serve what was going on 10 our left, until,
during a lulI in the battle, to our dismay