The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1898-02-19
commanders.

ed and many others Of the regiment wounded.
We crossed u high rail fence-however, 1t WAS
not so high after we crossed it-and soon after
formed in in line OF battle in the edge OF
thick cedar woods. Here we saw plainly rebel
flags and two lines of battle, with bayonets
fixed, advancing rapidly, with the 'rebel yeil'
accompaniment. We repulsed several desper-
ate charges by the triumphing rebel host, re-
naming again until fanked and nearly cap
tured, when we fell back slowly through the
thick cedars, without orders, purpose or ray
OF knowledge to what was Transporting out
side the limits of our short line OF sight. Under
US the surface was piled with rocks ana rent
with cayerns; above US the thick, green foliage
Intercepted the sunlight. Around US at every
point Of the compass, seemingly, the roar OF
battle was deafening at an unseen though not
great distance, while nearer, as far as we could
see the woods were filled with disorganized
masses Of troops, flying they knew not whence
nor whittier, but utterly panic stricken and
uncomfortable.
Our regiment kept well in line as 1t fell slow
" back, but all around us, and often breaking
through us yelling mob. Half an hour
later these same men, on emerging into the
open field and sunshine fell into ranks and
fought through the remainder Of the battle
heroically. When we had nearly passed through
the cedars, we met an aid OF Sheridan, who
led us to our assigned place In the reorgantzed
and impregnable line Of battle, where we re-
sumed our bloody work.
During q lull in the battle General
Rosecrans, the army commander, passed
along the line, and this is what the
choniclers of the Seventy third heard
him say: "Too much ammunition has
been wasted during the day. Hereafter
I want you to wait until you can see the
whites Of their eyes. Then take good
aim. Aim low. Shin them. Do this,
and every shot will tell
At Chickamauga Sheridan's division
had worse fortunes than at Stone River.
I'll let the story be told by page from
the diary of Captain Kyger of Com
pany G.:
On the battlefield Of Chickamauga, Sunday.
| Sept. 60 1s63.-We were up Mt q. m. AL
| seems quiet along the lines except occasional
! picket shots. At 5o'clock we changed position.
making the extreme right flank OF the army ;
had good position Oh hill. A II a. III. the
ball opened on our center and to the right Of
| the center. Charge after charge was mace by
the rebs, with hideous yells and about ii :I5 a.
m. they commenced to turn our left. We were
| called to support the center: moved DOVE
| took position in front OF a battery. II wac II
IN open field about 80 rods wide. Then came
pine thicket. furnishing fine protection for
| the rebs to pass through.
At II o'clock m. we were ordered to Tx bay
| onets and charge across the field to meet the
| advancing foe coming, eight lines Deep to-
| ward us. On reaching the edge Of the pine
grove orders came for us to halt and fire. This
| was amid a shower OF balls coming from our
| front, right and left. Sergeant Lewis regt-
mental color bearer. fell just where we halted.
1
and Brown to carry him of the field. Neither
| Of them was heard from after the battle. Art
Terrell fell dead within yard OF me,
pierced through the temple with a ball Imme-
| diately after Lewis fell the flag was taken up
| by one Of the color guard he soon fell taken up
| by another he fell. Then q retreat was order
ed grasped the colors and carried them of
| the field WAS struck by a shot which, check
ed by my tin cup, lodged in my haversack.
| The regiment reiterated pellmell; could not he
| rallied again. Eight men were I'll that s; acked
| arms in Company G within three hours after
| the engagement We went in that morning
| with 20 10 werc missing we could cot account
| for. Among the missing were Orderly Ser
geant Smith and Serseants Lewis Brown and
| Newin. The regiment went IN with % officers
| and 2s5 men and rallied 10 officers and 9S men.
| From the point where reformed Sheridan
| led US three miles to the rear.
Thus ended the career Of Sheridan
and the Seventy third Illinois in the
battle OF Chickamauga, for, through no
fault Of the men, Thomas was left to
fight it out alone while others marched
away from the face of the enemy.
| T., dorcribipo tho charOa mn Mission