The National tribune., 1897-11-11

rain which fell in torrents all night, Ii
consequence of which we felt much re
! freShed this morning and ready for any
thing which might come up especially
rations.
When rations came in another surprise
was in store for us-both coffee and sugar
Oh! what extravaganza What will be
come of the Confederate treasury If such
recklessneSs is allowed? Only a week ago
we got 80 grains each, and now 10 grains
by actual count, with sugar Ito boot.
Col. Scott, who has been commanding
our brigade since Gen. BufOrd left US, re
cciVcd his commission and Is now lull-
fledged Brigadier, and the 9th. 35ih and
18th Ia. were 10 day consolidated, capt.
Thompson and Lieut.. Chandler being re
tanned as lire officers of our consolidated
company, the regiment now numbering
about Geo electives.
Our present position is at the extreme
eastern end of hcneSaw, where the Mari
eta road curves aroupd the base OF the
mountain a hill on the right forming a gap,
through which The road passes. 1t is a
very important point, for If The enemy could
+ break cur line here they could quickly
throw column in the rear of our main
army which occupies the mountain; but
we are well prepared TO defend the gap and
think we can hold il against any odds.
! We have the Point COupee. six gun
! battery, on the east side OF the road, and
six u pound PARROTS on the west side,
all posted Immediately over our heads; be
sides already having pretty fair breast
works, we are continually Strengthening
them.
The enemy are terrifying half mile in
our front, and the pickets have begun
] their daily business about hail way be
( tween the lines, stray bullets often reach
ing us and even flying high above our
/ heads, but 50 far have done us 30 harm.
June 21.-0ur consolidated regiment had
! to so on picket yesterday evening, and had
( a
/ the enemy 5 picletS. \ sharp skirmish en-
sued, each side maHuVering for adVan-
J tage of position. We charged them and
! they charged US, having a miniature bat
tie for probably two hours, when night set
/ in, and il settled down TO the regular bang,
/ bang, which we kept up all night in the
rain
This morning we were relieved and came
back to the line, sleepy and wet, and no
prospect of getting cry soon. 1t has rained
SO much that the roads have become i'm
passabie for artillery or wagons, which
will probably suspend operations and give
US rest until better weather.
June 22.-The dark clouds which have
been towering over US SO long have broken
and the sun peeping out occasionally
makes everything look more cheerful, and
we hope for better weather. If the roads
dry up Sherman viii begin his old tactics
Of fianking, and we viii either have some
lighting or race TO get between him and
Atlanta again.
The Yankees advanced their line so
near last night that the bullets from the
skirniShers are continually whistling over
our heads, and also got possession OF an
eminence on our lett, so they can eniiiade
our line with artillery, making IT very un-
comfortable for us.
June 23.-Gen. A. p. Stewart took com
mand of our corps day, and Gen. Loring
/ resumed command Of the division. The
battery on our left became so annoy
ing that something must be done so
we opened on them with all the artillery
IN reach and kept up furious Smelling for
/ probably an hour and a half, after which
we assaulted and captured the hill, but
failed TO get the battery. Our loss sup.
posed to be about 200, quite a serious little
affair, but we had TO get that battery out
OF the way or there would be no rest for us.
Heavy firing on Hardee'S line for two hours,
and The news is passed down the line that
HaTdee repulsed them with heavy loss.
We have had bright, warm day, and got
thoroughly dry once more.
June 24.-Enemy moved up still closer
last night, and from movements we could
see. and the gal!oping OF couriers back and
forth, We Judged they were preparing for
an assault either on us or some other part
OF the line. Cur Sufmise proved TO be cor
rect, Tor at II a IN. heavy firing OF both
/ artillery and mUSketry opened on our left
and we saw lire Of blue climb over their
works and start toward us.
instantly every fellow took his place in
the ditch, inspecting guns. cartridge boxes,
etc, to see thai all was ready. Our II guns
above our heads turned loose and almost
deafcncd us with their thunder. causing
some confusion in the ranks Of the enemy;
but on, on they came, drove in our pic<ets
and the command Ready, aim, fire." was
gwen, and We poured such a volIey into
them that they wheeled and retired IeaV-
ing quite number of dead and wounded
fgI ia, Il r,suy at
tention from the left, where the main as
Sault was made, and the battle ragged
furiOusly for an hour or more after those in
our front were safely in their breaStworks.
After the battle ceased on our left we re
placed the pickets and remained in the
bitches TO be ready in case of another at
tack; but the day passed of quietly, with
the exception Of the usual diminishing be
tween the pickets.
June 25.-For three hours this morning
we had the most quiet time since the cam
palgn opened. Scarcely a gun could be
heard; both armies seemed 10 be in deep
slunber, but it was the calm before the
storm" At 10 "A. IN. we were awakened by
heavy skrmishing in front, and the artil-
lcTy opened on both sides fast and furious.
and old keneSaw was shaken from center
10 circumference. II continued the greater
part Of the day, but | presume resulted in
few casualties on either side.
june 2G.-The picket fighting was kept
up all night ana the artillery iOIned IN
again early this morning. Ii seemed as if
every battery within range was concen-
tratcd on our division, no less than 20 or
50 guns firing directly on US and French's
Division, which Joins on the left occupy
ing the eastern slope of the mountain. We
thought this was but the prelude 10 an
assault, but when it subsidized no demon
straiion was made by the infantry.
During the cannonade our II guns
replied vigorously ard did some excellent
shooting, the thunder Of which so close 10
our ears, mingled with The screech and
noise Of bursting bombs ali around us, kept |
in state Of anxiety and dread more
than if we had been engaged in actual
battle where the danger would have been
much greater.
An artillery duel is grand thing when
we can view ii from some safe place on a |
distant hilltop, but we fail tO appreciate
the grandeur Of il when directly in range
and expecting every moment 10 be crushed
or torn into fragments by one of the nor
rid shells.
Everything seems TO indicate a battle in
the near future, and our position is most
likely to be one Of the points attacked II |
so we are in the best condition we have
ever been 10 receive if.
June 27.-By daylight the sharpshooters
had taken cover in their accustomed places |
and commenced their deadly work; the
skirmishers continued with renewed en-
ergy the firing which had been kept up all