The National tribune., 1899-01-05
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yards from the train and could not follow
directly after him. as the creek was wide
deep, and had high, steep banks; bu,
some distance down was ford, for which
| made, and when | crossed it on the
| lump | saw one of cur Lieutenant-Col-
onelS, a CAPTAIN, and a cOlored servant
| watering their horses in the creek.
A YANKEE TARGET
] rode up on the hill about 100 yards
and the barn was still about so yards
from me, when about 30 rebels rode out
woods, and fired a volley at me. ] was
not hurt but convinced that was too
close To them, and wheeled and went
back in a rather precipitate manner. The
Colonel heard the firing, and he and his
party ran off down toward the train: but
as ! rode the best horse | soon overlook
them and reported the case TO him. He
was, fortunately, enc of Gen. McCook )
staff. | told him that il was plainly the
intention of the rebels to- assault the train
and blow il up; and this five reSolute men
could have easily done without danger to
themselves.
| now went to the friendly shelter Of a
rail fence close by, and had Il lively time
with the rebs till the infantry got in sight,
when they mounted their horses and left;
and even then they could have destroyed
the train had they known the true state
OF affairs; but every now and then would
fire shot and give yell, and suppose
they thought had plenty of help close
by.
On the second day ] was with Lytle'S
Brigade until after the General was killed.
lie had sent me a long way out before the
brigade SkirmiSherS to see for him II the
enemy were coming. While on this Serv-
ice / discovered an officer of the rebel
army hid behind bush that concealed
him from our skirmishers; but | was
about parallel with him, and, of course.
had n fair sight, and improved it, fired
at him three times as fast as ] could
shoot a Spencer rifle; and the third bullet
brought him down, his horse gailoping
away to a party of mounted men farther
back in the timber.
SKIRTIsHING.
| hurried on in the woods lodging from
tree TO tree and from one hiding place to
another, until ! saw the enemys Skin
which was advancing slowly,
at the same time keeping well dressed:
and instantly ] was off to inform Gen.
Lyle that they were coming.
On the line | saw a staff officer To
whom | gave my information and who
was going to the General, and he PROM
Used 10 report. | then took my place in
the line of skirmiShers. and as the rebel
skirmishers came in sight we made the
fire so hot that they soon fell back to
their ranks, while we. ourselves, were
ordered into our breastworks.
AS ssoon as we turned to retire 10 our
we were beset by "A heavy fire
from the enemy'S columns; and one Col
onel made his men get down on all tours
and no doubt saved many life by this
manuver.
For some reason our first line OF breast
works was abandoned after the delivery
of the second volley and as we took cur
position behind the second line, ! placed
myself behind a large chestnut tree, the
top OF which had been broken off by a
storm. and near which had tied my mare
some time Before. As ! felt perfectly Sc
cure while the rebels were coming | ex-
amined my ammunition, and laid it out
on the ground by nay side, and | found
had lust - rounds.
When the rebels arrived within so yards
/ Logan firing, and our men held them so
closely there that at one time they
seemed on the point OF breaking and fly
ing from the field. As for myself, ! aimed
every shot at their belt plates, and before
they drove US | had fired all my ammu
milton but two shots, and at that time
got a cartridge fast in my gun.
\ soldier was at that instant passing
me. and ] caught him by the leg, and,
without seeing who he was. | asked him.