The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-03
headed fellows answered Cant you keep
cuief opd lof nc elaa,, 2tp

headed fellows answered Can't you keeI
quiet, and let us sleep?''
Soon came the fearful noise of the attack
on the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps, followed
by galoping Headquarters Aids and Orderlies
nrging men to fall in quickly. 1t was SO dark
and foggy that we could see but a short dis
tance.
After our line had been formed along the
brow of the hill on the Bragg farm, which
sloped gradually southwark toward the Creek,
we were annoyed by irregular firing from far
down the incline. Finally we were ordered
to lie down, heads toward the foe. fwshed
for big knapsacll to place in front. Gen.
II. G.. Wright rode by, going toward our left.
Earlier in the morning, while looking after
his demoralized lines-of battle east of the
pike. his horse had been shot under him and
the General wounded in the chin. The blood
was yet running down his gray beard. He
WAS then riding slowly ON q very homely-
looking, ordinary cavalry horse, carefully ex-
amining his battle-line.
Lieut. Reeves, of the Sixth Corps staff
galloped along Our front shortly before our
line was attacked in force. Those were the
only two officers | saw in our front that day.
After the fog had risen 50 we could see about
! or IL rods a heavy rebel line charged up
over the Bragg farm through the fog to within
about 50 Yards of us before we saw them
We gave them a cheerful reception with a
deadly voley of cold lead aud loud and pro-
longed cheering. They were pursued, and
did not stop until safe behind ledge Of rock
north Of the run aud rayine that led away
from Cedar Creek Station.
After cur run following the Johnnies that
we now could not see or hear, we stopped
at DITCH at foot of the fields, wherein ay y
number of dead and dying rebel soldiers. l
had Il picied-np, bayonetless gun, and only a
few caps and cartridges, borrowed from my
comrades when we had formed line in the
ear morning. Or opening a dead rebels
cartridge box T found cartridges made Of
stout writing paper and the finest Of powder;
they were stronger in material and force than
ours. rebel told me afterward they were
OF English make. i thought they made my
gHn kick harder.
looking southwest / discovered that the
dirt road between the two stone fences was
full OF marching rebel fianker5 who would
soon cut us off from the regiment. There
were only about ID of us, but we lined up
and fired 4 carefuiy-aimed volley into that
dirt-colored mass of humanity. who kicked
up the dust about us lively. After spending
about half an hour in this position we re-
traced our steps.
On onr right we soon saw 12 2-pound brass
cannon that had been abandoned by the
rebels, they not having time to hitch it on to
the cais son, their line ot-battle having so
rapidly aad Unexpectedly fallen back.
We tried in vain TO move the heavy gun up
the grade on the soft soil Of the field, but it
went too slowly, and we had had no breakfast.
Shells thrown at us from rebel battery
caused us to light out " for the main line,
each for himself.
Stopping by a small pile of stone to reload,
| noticed q soldier lying near. asked
Are you. wounded? 2" He said he was not.
ordered him to " up and git, or he would
be captured. As | spoke a sharpshooter 5
bal struck him, and he fell dead against me.
| did not loiter there until that rebel got an
other load in his gun.-A. Z. WATSON, Co. /,
9th Pa, Indiana, Pa.