Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-29
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
FIRST TIME UNDER FIRE.


lands Change OF base.
We were the advance toward the York
town line on the James river road, and
near the territory in which during the
next 80 days the army constructed
scores of miles of corduroy through
forest and swamp. We were Gen. BAL
dy" Smiths division. Davidson's brigade
in front, with the Seventh Maine skirm-
ishing.
On the intimaton that the enemy was
mal,ing another stand not far in front,
leaving part of the hattelyaImost hope
lessly stalled, pushed on W tn Parker's
section and one OF Underhill's pieces,
and presently struck larger opening
than we had seen during The day The
skirmlshers had halted ut the borderot
the woods We were on the border OF
quite large plantation. On the fur
ther side was the Warwick river; be-
youd that eurthworhs OF formidable
size. stretching from away at the lett
to point in front of us, and thence
bending at an angle and hidden by
trees. Over these works were some
Black guns, with groups around them
From tall flagstaff tloatcd the stars
and bars" There was no firing; every
thing was peaceful.
Hating the three forces short DIS
lance back, took in the scene from the
edge of the woods. We had evidently
got up against TIA last. While glanc-
ing around for II good position for the
battery noticed The trees Scared and
shattered by shot and shell. as though
fight had already taken place there. The
forts had practiced on these trees we
stood at their et,and the cannoneers
whom we saw so plainly about their
Guns doubtless, | thought, knew the
range perfectly.
My peaceful meditations were rudely
interrupted by an aid, who rode up in a
state of agitation.
"Take your guns to right and left of
the road in the field and open on those
forts"
"By whose orders?"
"By order of Gen Smith"
Later, | should have questioned those
orders, and even then ! recognized their
absurdity. But we were green soldiers
then, with no thought Of debating or
questioning. The aid rode hastily back
Sending Parker with his section to the
right, and Underhil's one gun to the
left. we moved out beyond the skirmlsh
line into the open field and dropped our
trails. Parker was not to fire until
gave the range. Corn had been grown
in these fields, and the ground was soft
Dismounting, throwing the reigns &c
Bugler Graham and ordering "percus
sion" was the work of few seconds
Then got astrde the trail OF Under
hills piece, fingered the elevating screw
and looked through the sights. How fal
might II be? All our previous practice
had been overa known range, screwed
M and screwed down and debated
within-woud that he about right o
is it too much or not enough" To tel
the truth, ! had no definite idea how 10
II was,
How does man feel the first time I'm
der fire, has been answered in print, b'l
| never heard the question asked Il
actual service. Nor do remember eve
hearing anybody say how he felt unde
! the circumstances. IN II certain maya
zine article a young West Pointer, VIII
became u general, told his experience
and an account from Solferlno and an
other from the Crimea have come undo
my notice, all interesting, one psyche
logically 80, as II seemed that inlens
realization Of danger could cause
peculiar optical phenomenon But
was not under fire yet-only straddlin
the trail of threc.nch rife, trying t
guess the distance Of a certain blac
object.
. That object suddenly disappeared,
white cloud taking its place, somebod
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