The National tribune., 1899-08-17

been whipped out of their socks. AS a
Solace, he asserts that the ConfederateS
were outgeneraled and outnumbered. /
will frankly admit the truth of the first
statement, but will turn to the records for
proof to the contrary as to their being out
numbered. These records show that Penn
berton had with him some so regiments Of
infantry and 10 batteries, in all about
25,0O0 men; and Gen. Grant himself asserts
that, leaving out the divisions on the left that
virtually took no part in the battle, we had
less than $1,000 actually engaged.
The simple truth Of history is this: The
rebels on their own chosen field, in coun-
try with which they were perfectly familiar,
were most disastrous!y defeated by an in
ferior force. And as a result of that defeat
they left behind 80 pieces Of artillery,
10000 stands Of small arms, much other
war material, over 3, 90 dead and wounded
and over 5000 prisoners, ,.s r.-eist
Now, after all this flad been accomplished
by the three divisions on the right, and at
about o'clock in the evening, as Gen.
Grant tells us, he rode back to the left and
rear, and met the advance skirmishers of
the divisions on the left, just coming on the
hciu ny tliC Ioti'i. @uttbiilS otii.
Carr here, he explained the situation to him,
and ordered him and Gen. Osterhaus to
pursue the demoralized and fleeing enemy.
PURSUING THE DEFEATED.
This was done with vigor, and the pursuit
was kept up until far into the night; while
we of Hovey's Division, building our camp
fires on the field of battle, settled down to
the sad duty of counting and caring for our
wounded and dead.
The uproar of the day ceased or grew
faint in the distance, and the Summer
night, drawing down its soft and dewy
mantle, covered all, but could not conceal
entirely the distress or horrors of the field.
OF my own brave division more than 45 per
cent, or over 1000, were either killed or
wounded; and as many more fell out of the
other two divisions. This loss was GER
tainly appalling, but who can measure the
priceless value of that magnificent victory,
who can justly estimate its far-reaching and
mighty results? 1t certainly opened up an
easy road to the outer defenses of Vicks-
burg, that greatGibratar of the Southwest;
and just as certainly made sure not only its
downfall and capture, but also the down
fall and capture of Port Hudson. ,.
1t was indeed the elimination of series
of brilliant victories that. in all, destroyed,
cut off, held at bay and useless quite if not
more than, 100000 men; thus preventing
the reinforcement Of the Army of Northern
Virginia, and by so doing assuring victory,
and not defeat, at Gettysburg. Indeed, it is
true that at Champions Hill, down in the
Mississippi Valley, and not up among the
hills of Pennsylvania, was the rebellion met
at the high noon of success; and at the
former place, not the latter, was the tide first
turned in our favor in that mighty conflict
for the preservation of the Union. That it
was preserved, that we are today a united
country, that we enjoy so much of peace and
liberty, that we are so proud of the old flag
and all it so gloriously represents, is due,
never let it be forgotten, is due alone to the
grand patriotism and superb valor of the
rank and file of the common soldiery of the
North.