The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-11-04


bitches During the day harassing fire is
kept up from the breast works, resulting IN
small loss, but causing us land the Yankees
too to lay low"
When details are made 10 go for water OF
other purposes, they draw the fire of hun
dreds of guns from the opposite side, and
although quite serious to them, sometimes
it is right amusing to see them run aud
dodge until they get shelter behind hill,
or so far into the timber that they cannot
be seen.
We have been annoyed great deal by a
battery Just left of our front, and Gen. Lor-
ing called FOR volunteers TO make an assault
on it at midnight. Hesad it was a hazard
Gus undertaking. snd lie wanted none but
brave determined men 10 volunteer.
Our company was required TO furnish two
men. which was filed by Lieui. Chandler
and Ike Landers. guarantee that we will
be vel represented, and il every company
will ill their quota with such men there
viii be no failure if bravery and daring can
accomplish u.
May 3Q-The attack on the battery was
abandoned. / do not know why, but pre-
sumo il WAS considered the sacrifice was too
great for the good to be accomplished.
Last night our turn came for picket duty,
30 Of our company being detailed for that
I purpose under command of Capt. Thomp-
son. We were ordered 10 proceed 100 yards
10 the front, deploy TO the right 10 PAGES
apart, so as TO cover the front of our regi-
ment, and cautioned to be as quiet az pos
sible, as amy noise would provoke All attack
! from the hreastworks, which would be only
/ $50 yards from MS.
We reached the designated place without
I L. III gexf,4
Of the boys cot tangled in a brush pile max
ing considerable racket, which the Yankees
probably mistook for a forward movement.
and without warning, boom boom! boom
a battery Of six guns not more than 300
yards distant opened Oh US, and fairly sheoll
the earth.
The thunder OF the first vollev had scarcely
died away when the infantry rose from their
trenches, aud a sheet OF fame burst from
their ranks, extending as far as we could
see in either direction. This was followed
by artillery al along the line, and from
/ then on it was ceaseless roar remind ing
one of the roaring winds. the flashes OF
lightning, and heavy peals of thunder in a
terrible storm
The night was dark, but the woods above
and around us were abaZe with burning fuses
and bursting shells while he limbs were
cut off and falling from the trees and the
air u ok with kissing minie-hajls. Five
thnusaLd guns aud % cannon shooting righ
MO one iltle squad Of 20 men, Wond
they ueycr CEASE? Would one Of us he left
; 10 tell The tale? were questions which were
thought, if not asked.
At The first fash of the guns we al
, dropped prone upon the ground, and for II
minutes at seemed very much longer the,
kept up the most incessant and terrific fir
] ever heard.
While this was going on an incident oc
: CURED which for short time served t.
divert cur minds from the horrors of Tn
D situation, and even provoked laugh "A
. the Captains expense. lie is as brave
, man as ever wore sword, but the mos
; excitable, and instead OF lying down wit
Z the rest OF us. walked back and forth froI
& one end of the company to the other, ex
= h0riing Us not to 20 Ia sleep: Come mei
e come men don't 20 to sleep. Come mel
i come men; don't go TO sleep" This was r,
e pea ed a number OF times, when Drayt Lang
& ford drawied out.
Captain, how do you suppose iells
i could 20 to sleep IN such a place as this
\ You'd better lie down and 80 % sleep. befoI
Y yoa ge the top of year head shot Off
r Tie Captain just then realizes now Indie
T rous lis actions had been. aud admittei thu
the surroundings were 10: at all coBdnci>
I 10 sleeF, hat continued racing back All
+ iostb, 81 spite of our enile-ties 10 l0 dow
e Wnfu e, hing became periec ly que
< we moved cut very cautiously, depl0ying