Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-11-26
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER rs.
BAXTER SPRINGS SKETCH BOOK

The subject OF this eketch was
born December II, 1S4l, in the state
that furnished the pilot for ship OF
state during the storm of Civil war,
also that sent out Joshua for the
union army whose work eliminated
at Appomatiox Court House.
He was raised upon a farm and
hardly had twenty years passed
over his head when his country
called to arms aud at the sound OF
the first bugle note he was with the
first that enlisted in the 10Th Hill
nois infantry. His first service was
In Missouri, when the state was
filled with bush whackers and when
the state was about to be captured
by the confederacy. After many
skirmishes along the Hannibal and
st. Joe r. r. his company was or
dered to New Madrid and Island
No. 10, where, after a siege OF 70
days, under Gen. Pope and Commo-
dore Foot he witnessed the surren-
der of both places. We are told on
good authority that four of the en-.
emy's gums which the union boys
had to face at New Madrid and Is.
land No. 10, and which were then
spiked are now standing in our
Baxter cemetery. After they had
opened the first gateway on the
Mississippi they descended to Fort
Pillow, but the call came that they
were wanted at Shiloh, and Pope.
with 5000 western boys embarked
for q new field. The battle field of
Shiloh was the first great battle
field that met his vision, then fol-
lowed the long siege of Corinth I'M
der Hallack. There he saw the first
use of the spade which became 30
useful in the future campaigns.
But this regiment had the honor OF
being the first to enter the enemy's
works at Corinth, around which
Hallock had gathered 10000 sol
diers.
We next find our comrade at Iuka
and then at Nashville. His ten
months around Nashville were no
idle months. For Kentucky and
Tennessee those ten months were
the most active of the war.
Stone River and Murfreesborough
are never to be forgotten in the his
tory of the civil war. The battle be.
gan on New Years morning, 1868
On the first day the union right
was shattered and driven from the
field. The brunt of the struggle
fell on General Thomas, and he too,
was forced back to another posi-
ton, but held his place until Rose
Grams was able to readjust his line
of battle. On the morning of the
2nd of January the battle broke out
anew and as night closed the scene,
H. 900 were the loss on each side.
After the terrible battle of Muir
freesborough Bragg retreated
southeast and crossing the Tennes-
see river. passed into Georgia south
of Chattanooga followed by Rose
Grams. As Bragg retreated he COL
lected additional forces-Buckner,
Hood and Longstreet, with their
forces FASTENED from East Tennes
zee to join him. Rosecrans had not
only lost heavily In marching east
ward in the two great battles which
he had been compelled to fight, but
the many small engagements and
then the enemy were in their own
country like the New England min
ute men at Concord when the Brit.
ish regulars were compelled to re-
treat to Boston in the days of the
Revolution. The historian has tru-
ly said that If Brags had been a
Friedrich the Great or Napoleon,
Rosecans army in it's scattered con-
ditiou would have annihilated in
detail, but Bragg allowed him am
pie time to concentrate and to
throw up hastily some breast
works. II was a crisp, bright. Sat-
urday neutrality-suspicious. 10Th
when our Illinois soldier wac called
upon to face, with his comrades,
$1,000 of the enemy and before the
conflict ended 10000. There Thom-
as and Longstreet's forces met for
the first time in deadly conflict and
how the battle ragged through the
entire day until night came down
upon the bloody scene. Then fol-
lowed night of busy preparation.
Every man knew that the next
morning would bring no Sunday to
them and many would never live to
witness its close-it was to be made
an historic day whether they SUR
vived or not Bragg intended to
have opened the conflict at early
dawn, but for s6me reason II was o
O'Clock when the thunder of artil-
llery was heard. Hills corps was
hurled upon Thomas front and
hurled back. Soon the entire line
was engaged and Bragg not bafied,
determined to interpose his right
between Rosecrans and Chstta-
nooga. At noon the battle ragged
with Increasing fury. Victory In
lclined flrst to one eide aud then TO