The National tribune., 1899-08-03

corps in easy support, and the danger of
isolation no longer menaced US. But all
night long, with guns unlIm bered and ready
for action, our cannoneers croucned about
their piecsS, vainly trying to protect them
selves against the effects OF a terrific wind
and ralnStorm.
The lightning zig tagging across the
| inky heavens, dazzling and binding in its
brilliancy, made thrice dark the deep
impenetra BILE darkness that followed. The
| thunder, peal on peal, rolled with terrific
| bellowings across the gloomy woods in
front. The great trees and massive limbs
| swayed and tossed in the fury of the storm,
and the rain, dashing down in pitiless fury,
| beatupon the unprotected men and shivering
horses. But the long night wore away,
and finally came morning, and sunshine,
and the singing of birds in a neighboring
orchard; and then came hardtack, coffee
and cheer, and further marching on east to
and beyond Raymond.
| History tells us that this same morning
our baffied enemy, thrown far to the left and
rear, trying TO redeem the mistake OF the
day before, pushed south; but, finding
Bakers Creek bank full and impossible,
was compelled to march back north again:
- DIR. Cannon, in his story Of Inside OF
| Rebeldom," tells OF the frequent rains and
of nights spent in vain attempts to keep
dry or warm. He also tells of how they
raced up and down the Big Black, in con-
fused and exhaustive effort, trying to locate
LilOSe -iDtoky wen, Willie
were thus wasting time and strength in
hurrying up and down to defend points not
seriously threatened, our own army, now
well in hand, was hurrying on toward
Jackson.
NV own division leisurely marched east
: to Clinton, and, finding it was not needed to
assist in the capture Of the capital, turned
short to the left and came back on the Vicks-
burg road. Marching west on this road
: some miles, on the evening of the 18th we
went into camp directly south Of Bottoms
Station.
t McPherson's Corps, with Logan's Di-
vision leading, took position the same even
7 ing in our Immediate rear. AT the same time
Carr and Osterhaus were some three miles
south; while Smith, with Blair to the rear
was still further southwest. All these fouI
last named divisions, some miles north
I west of Raymond, were on two roads run.
ming toward Edwards's Depot. One of these
roads struck the jackson and Vicksburg
: road near and to the southwest Of Cham
e pion'S Hill, while the other, further west
L ran directly into the station. PembertOn
e baffied in his attempts to cross Bakers
l Creek south, countermarching, did finally
!, cross it few miles east Of Edwardss by
: means Of bridge on the main road.
= MEETING OF THE HOSTS.
s 1t was then his evident intention to turr
: south again, attack our supposed rear al
n Fohrteen-Mie Greek, and, if possible, Gu
r us off from our also supposed base at Crane
lGulf But here, this evening of the 18th
he received the repeated order of his chief
' Joseph f.. Johnston, 10 join him at Clinton
e where, with united forces, it was proposed
i to give us battle.
a At that time, unknown to both, we haC
j already occupied and passed through Gin
e ton, and unknown to Pemberton, Johnston
d was then defeated and retreating north [,
e Canton. Then at last, when too late, en-
) tirely Ignorant as to the true situation
e Pemberton decided to obey the orders of his
l. superior, and with this intention in view
S he started early on the morning Of the 16tl
d east on the Jackson road. But just a!
y early our own eager army, on this same
beautiful and fateful morning, started ives
a on the same and converging roads.
d The result was meeting of the hostile
,, forces, and Pemberton, whether by accden
n or design, selected an admirable field 70
l. defensive battle. He occupied the rugge,
# hills and steep nights known as Cham
h pion's Hills. Deep ravines and guile.
e SCARED and scanned its eastern slopes, owe
:, which lowered and grew, massive tmbe
, and almost impenetrable underbrush. AL
3, these, rendering it extremely difficult T.
e penetrate with troops, made it an idea
e place for defensive action. The hill proper
S bald at its top, is one of the highest in tina
section, and commanded a view of all tn,
t country east over which our division hat
g tG march TO make the attack.
p Now, comrades, TO settle a dispute let m,
(; say to you that, as you came marching
IS down the Jackson road that morning, yo,
t. passed the Champion House. 1t was on
n knoll, little to the left of the road and wa.
e about a mile east of the hill. This house
e with the yard and surrounding buildings
was used as field hospital for Hovey's Di
1, vision. Its appearance, location, and US,
e are forever stamped on my mind. In tn,
!, corning our battery, stopping in q littl,
l. glade opposite, stripped for battle; ant
1, thro Ugh all the night following, in tn,
& Champion yard, waited with and carst
If for tally wounded brother.
% That night, seeing and hearing more O
human Alisery than in all my life before,