The National tribune., 1898-09-08
WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 1898

bullet. Surgeon A-was on the ground
in an instant, but nothing could be done
| for him. His wound was mortal, and he
soon ceased to breathe. There was no
time to carry off the dead. We folded his
arms across his breast, closed his eyes
and left him in the cold embrace of death
Still the battle continued without ces-
sation. The grape and canister filled the
air as they went screaming on their fear
full Grand. The sight OF that field was
perfectly appalling men tossing their
arms wildly calling for help. There the
lay bleeding, torn and mangied, legs.
| arms, and bodies crushed and broken as
if smitten by thunderbolts. The ground
was crimson with blood. 1t was terrible
| to witness.
Burnside's Brigade was being mown
down like grass by the rebel batteries.
| The men were not able to stand that ter
| ribie storm of shot and she'll. They be-
gun to WAIVER and fall back slowly but
| Just at the right moment Capt Sykes
came up to their relief with his command
OF Regulars. They swept UP the hill
where Burnside'S exhausted. shattered
brigade still fingered, and were greeted
with shout OF Joy such as none but
soldiers who are almost overpowered by a
| fierce enemy and are reinforced by their
| brave comrades can give.
Onward they went close up to the cloud
OF flame and smoke rolling from the hill
upon which the rebel batteries were placed.
| Their muSketS were ieVeled there was n
click click, a sheet of fame, deep roll
like that of thunder, and the rebel gun
nerS were seen to stagger and fall. The
guns became silent, and in a few moments
| were abandoned.
This seemed to occasion great confusion
| in the rebel ranks. Regiments were
scattered, and officers were seen riding
furousiy and shouting their orders, which
were heard above the roar and din of
| battle.
Capt. Griffin's and Ricketts's batteries
were ordered forward to an eminence from
which the rebels had been driven They
came into position and opened most
destructive fire, which completely routed
the enemy. The battle seemed almost
won and the enemy was rctreating in con-
| fusion.
Hear what Gen. Johnston said of his
prospects at that time in his official re-
port;
THE long contest against a powerful
enemy, and heavy losses, especially of
field officers, had greatly discouraged the
troops of Gen. Bee and Col. Evans. The
aspect OF affairs was critical"
Another writes: Fighting for hours
water, the conduct OF our men could not
be cxcelled, but human endurance has
its bounds, and all seemed about to be
lost"
This goes to prove that it was despe-
rately hard fought battle on both sides,
and if no fresh troops had been brought
into the field the victory would assuredly
have been ours.
FATAL MISTAKE
But just as our army was confident of
success, and was following up the ad-
vantage which it had gained rebel rein
forcements arrived and turned the tide of
battle. Two rebel regiments of fresh
troops were sent to make u fia"k move
ment in order to capture GrfIin's and
Ricketts, batteries. They marched through
the woods, reached the top Of the hill,
and formed line so completely in our
rear as to fire almost upon the backs of
the gunners.
Griffin saw them approach, but sup
posed them to be his supports sent by
Mai. Barry. However, looking more in
tently at them, he thought they were
rebels, and turned his guns upon them.
Just as he was about to give the order to
fire Mai. b rode up shouting:
They are your supports; don't fire."
NO, sir; they are rebels" replied Capt.
Griffin.
Il tell you, sir, they are your supports"
said Mai. B.
In obedience to orders the guns were
turned again, and while in the act of do
ing so the supposed supports fired a vol