The National tribune., 1898-11-03

swept over the Peninsula. accompanied
with terrible exhibitions of lightning and
explosions of thunder. The water came
down all night and all day in perfect
foods completely inundating the valley
through which the Chickahominy flows,
turning the narrow stream into a broad
river, converting the SwampS into lakes,
and carrying away one bridge and render
ing the other unsafe. And still the rain
came pouring down in torrents reminding
one of that crisis in the worlds history
when "the fountains OF the great deep
were broken up, and the windows OF
heaven were opened.
Had it not been for McClellan's faith in
the Bible and in Gods covenant with
Noah he would no doubt have seriously
contemplated building an ark, in order to
save himself and his army from destruc-
ton. The rebels seemed to think this
food was sent as judgment from the
Almighty upon their hated enemies. and
was a direct interposition of Providence
in their behalf which would enable them
to visit wholesale destruction upon the
Yankees.
A SUDDEN ATTACK.
On the Goth Of May the enemy, taking
advantage OF this terrible state of things
caused by the disastrous storm, came
rushing down upon our troops in immense
force. A battle opened at about O'Clock
in the afternoon, and after three hours
desperate fighting, Gen. Casey's Division.
occupying the first line, was compelled to
fall back in considerable disorder upon
the second line, causing temporary con
fusion; but the rapid advance OF Gems.
HeintZelman and Kearny with their di
visions soon checked the rebels. Sum
ner, Sedgwick, Couch, KeyeS and the
other commanders also labored valiantly
to retrieve the injury effected by the
unfortunate retirement Of Casey'S COM
mand.
LII i
advanced in massive columns, with
threefod lines, and came boldly on like
an oyerwhe lining wave. as II determined
10 crush all opposition by the suddcnness
and fierceness OF the attack. Total an
inhalation seemed to be their motto, and
the determined and reckless daring of the
fierce and bsosthirsty rebels in such
overpewcring numbers carried conviction
to May loyal hearts that they would
succeed in driving that devoted fragment
OF an army inte the Chickahon,iny before
il would be possible for reinforccnents to
arrive.
ON THE FIELD.
At this time | was in military uniform
mounted uren my rebel horse, ard was
aetiug orderly for GEN. K Several
Aids and Or4erlics had been sent With
messages and dispatches, but no rein
forcenent has yet arrived, and, taking a
Federal view of it, the picture presented
gloomy appearance.
Gen. K reined in his horse abruptly
and taking from his pocket an envelope,
he hastily wrote on the back of it with a
pencil:
In the name of God, bring your com
mand to our relief, if you have to swim in
order to get here-or we are lost"
Handing it to me he said GO Just as
fast as that horse can carry you to Gen.
c., present this with my compliments,
return Immediately, and report to me-"
put poor little "Reb" over the road at
the very top Of his speed until he was
nearly white with foam, then plunged him
into the Chickahominy and SWAN him
across the river. met Gen. C. about
a hundred rods from the river making the
best of his way toward the bridge. Engi-
neerS were at once set to work strengthen
ing the crazy structure, which was sway
ing to and fro with the rushing tide. The
eager excited troops dashed into the
water waist deep, and getting upon the
floating planks went pouring over in
massive columns l preferred to swim
my horse hack again rather than risk
myself upon such bridge, for looked
every moment to see it give way and
engulf the whole division in the turbid
waters of the swollen creek However,
all reached the other side in safety and
started along the flooded road on the
double quick.
This was cheering news to carry back to
Gen. K, so l started again for the
Fl Id in order to claim the reward of him
who bringeth good tidings."
l found Gen. K in the thckest of
the fight encouraging his men and shout
ing his orders distinctly above the roar
and din of battle. Riding up to him and
touching my hat reported:
Just returned. sir. Gen. C. with
his command will be here Immediately"
1t was too good to keep to himself, so he
turned to his men and shouted at the top
of his voice:
'Reinforcements! reinforcementsp'
Then swinging his hat in the air he per-
fect!y electrified the whole line as far as
his voice could reach, and the glorious
word "re;nforcements" was passed along
until that almost -exhausted line was re-
and inspired with new hope.
ITO be continuedl