Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-04-12
A DARING ACT.

A DARING ACT.
A SOUTH PARIS SOLDIERS EXPERIENCE
IN TIE FIRST DAYS BATTLE AT
FORT HUDSON.
On the 10Th day OF May, 1863, ended q
forced march Of six hundred miles made
by Banks army Of 10000 men from
DonaldsOnville, La, to Shreveport near
the Texas line 10 pursuit Of Dick Taylor's
army, and back again to attack Port
Hudson; the longest march made dur
Ing the war.
Our regiment had experienced some
severe fighting that day, and by night
the rebels had been driven behind their
breastworks at Port Hudson.
We were on outpost picket all night,
without much sleep, thinking sadly Of
the morrow. We had seen that the
enemy had spared no pains 10 fortifying
their position, which we were to attack
In the morning, and we knew that suffer
ing and death would be the lot OF many
q brave soldier before the end OF another
day; and that our hopes Of seeing
"home, sweet home" and the dear ones
awaiting our return might never be
realized.
The morning of the 27th dawned
bright aud beautiful, ushered In by the
feathered songsters in the treetops over
head but to me there seemed to be a
sadness 10 their songs unheard In the
notes Of the home birds of old Maine,
where all WAS peace and happiness, and
we heard not the sounds Of war. By
nine O'Clock we had taken our position
In line Of battle, and before US was ss
hard a task as ever fell TO an army OF
soldiers. Between us and the enemv's
strong fortificstions lay strip OF fallen
timber; trees Of heavy growth fallen
criss-cross OF each other, and every way
to best impede the progress Of an army.
This reached from the river st one end
Of the fort around in something like
semi i-circle to the river at the other end.
and WAS about quarter OF mile In
width. Behind the fortificstions stood
from 5000 to 10000 rebel soldiers armed
with three guns apiece besides the can
| non.
The order to charge was heard and
10000 "Yanks" made grand rush;
Jumped over stumps aud logs and crawl
ed through brush and tree-tops.
There WAS a terrible screeching OF
lesden missiles 10 the air, and an awful
slaughter made In our ranks. Regi-
ments were literally "mowed down like
grass" but we kept on firing ~ We went,
and some OF US soon found ourselves
right up under the rebel breastworks.
| looked around and counted seven
teen men; the only ones who reached
there out OF the 10000 who were In at
the start. The main body OF our army
was still among the fallen timber, and
the firing becoming too hot for them they
sought shelter behind stumps, logs and
brush. Our men had ceased firing, and
not one could be seen by the enemy, who
kept up q constant hre 10 among the
stumps and logs and fallen treetops
wherever they suspected "fank"
might be.
The dead had to lie where they fell,
and the wounded were unable to get To
the rear, but had TO lie exposed TO the
hot southern sun, and without water To
cool the fever that was burning within
them. Many died thst with care might
have been saved.
Among the seventeen soldiers who had
reached the breastworks was n colonel
who took command OF our little force.
II ever knew the names Of those men
have nov forgotten all but one, Lieut..
Stearus Of Co. T., 18th Maine Regiment,
| who will be remembered rs governor OF
Florida at the time OF the contested elec-
tion OF X. B. Hayes rs President Of the
United States. As a soldier Stesrns was
one OF the bravest. He WAS mustered
out" few years ago to go on and join
the Great Grand Army" above.
The colonel seeing II TO be impossible
to advance or retreat, concluded to risk
the life Of one soldier by sending him to
the rear with a message to the general
asking for Instructions. The order was
given me TO make the dangerous trip.
The pen-lty for disobeying orders
upon the field Of battle Is death; and
felt IL to be almost sure death to obey, in
this case. "a the rebels were watching,
and whoever exposed his form was 10
danger OF being pierced by a hundred
bullets; but thought had better die
doing my duty than die for shirking it,
spent but little time in looking out
the safest route, but concluded 10 make
INV trip little TO the east Of where We
came up In the charge; as there was
gradual descent In the land for number
Of rods which would enable rne 10 get
little start before the rebels could bring
their guns to bear on me without ex-
posing themselves, but the distance WAS
all too short for any degree OF safety.
Nv plan WAS TO walk until had near
ly reached the point where should be
discovered, then let out to the utmost ex-
tent Of my speed, (snd could make
quicker time thirty-four years ago than
| can now.)
| started, and soon reached the point
OF danger, aud then came the dreaded
sound Of bullets-whiz! zip! one at
time at first, then u volley Of dozen or
more; and II some Of those bullets had
gone an inch lower should have been
dead boy.
To fool the watching rebels fell to
the ground; but they were soon sur
prised TO see the "Yank" whom they
supposed they had killed, on his feet
again and making quick time for the
rear. The shooting commenced again as
rapidly AS ever, some Of the bullets
striking the ground very near to my
heels and raising the dust; others
screeching through the air.
My route thus far had been quite clear
of fallen trees. had now reached them
and made haste to seek the shelter Of
big log, when | found It to be "hesd-
quarters" for the time being Of four or
five soldiers belonging to 4 New York
regiment. One had received slight
wound. After few minutes stop ut
this place, noticed, rod or two at my
left shallow rsvine that might, per-
hsps, be reached before the enemy could
get ready to shoot. made dart for 1t
aud found myself creeping along down
| it, but almost instantly the bullets were
wbistling over my back; and there were
places where had to hug the earth pref
ty close. thought Of the line In the old
song-"The Hunters Of Kentucky
"where every man was half horse and
half an alligator" could 60 part Of
the way on all fours and then creep q
while like gator"
After while, thinking had got 9
safe distance from the enemy, l conclud-
ed to stand erect and walk ''man fash
ion," but no sooner had got fairly upon
my feet, than, ''ping!" came a we'll
known sound, too near my head for
comfort. A sharp-shooter had sighted
II H. tl~ss bar