The National tribune., 1899-10-05

ISdle, 1OT tIle enemy s DuiietS were pumping
into the bark and the shots of our artillery
cutting the limbs that projected above the
Ilevee.
crawled up the side of the tree to the
roots, behind which 1 found Webb Bid
lake and Dick Norton, both of Co. A, the
second platoon. We were so near the top of
the levee We had to hug the ground. A few
moments later a shot from our artillery
just escaped our heads, burying itself in
the roots and nearly covering us with
dirt.
The firing soon stopped, and We went
over the levee to the company, realizing
that it made big difference with ones
feelings as to which side of the breast
works he was ON in a fight. Night was
soon upon us, and went and got my KNAPP
sack.
Although the fight was short, we were
tired and desirous of going to the rear and
having good nights rest, but were left
at the front till late in the evening, and then
relieved by a part of the 54th Ind.
We went behind the battery, cooked our
supper, and lay down for the night, but
were soon called up to work building 4
protection for the artillery and horses
| from rebel fire in case of an attack from
the enemy.
Co. A worked four hours that night
building Notifications. They were to be
six feet high, six feet wide at the bottom,
and three wide at the top.
We had ouI breakfast out of the way
early next morning to be ready for the
conflict, which we dreaded, for we eX-
pected bloody day. The sun rose bright
| and clpar and ifS warmed the
earth and atmosphere.
1t was Sunday, the day OF peace and
rest and worship. At early dawn the
report of rifle was heard here and there
along the line, and as dawn opened into
day the fitful firing opened into volleys
from whole regiments.
The 7th Mich. battery, Capt. Lamphere's,
went forward, followed by DeCourcey's
Brigade, and opened fire into the woods in
front. The 42d Ohio was on the right of
Iampheres battery. We fired from 25
to 80 rounds apiece, when the firing ceased,
except by the skirmishers and few scat
tering shots from the lines.
| Then our regiment moved back of LAM
phere's battery, where we remained about
an hour, while skirmishing was going
on close to our left, with occasional shots
into the ranks of the 42d Ohio when skir-
mishers from one of the other regiments
advanced to the Bayou.
BLOODY PROSPECT.
| The air was so still this morning that
the smoke gathered over us thicker and
thicker as the firing continued, and the
sun began to look larger and larger and
change in color, as a setting Summer sun,
until it looked as red as blood, then grew
larger and darker, until it was obscured
from our vision. To some it may have
been taken as an omen of a bloody day.
1t really seemed peculiarly strange under
| the circumstances.
About 10 q. N. breeze came up and
carried the cloud of smoke away, and tie
sun appeared the brighter for the change.
With all the firing up to 10 a. m. we
seemed to have gained nothing. But
DeCourcey found there was bayou or a
succession of parallel bayous in front,
which served as natural defense, along
which the enemy were protected by the.
embankmentS, and we were unable to
dislodge them by direct fire. These bay
GUS were at right-anglcs with the Chcka-
saw Bayou, and ending against the en-
bankment of the latter, leaving only the
narrow space between them and the water
in Chickasaw Bayou along which to pass
them.
After quite a delay parts of the 54th Ind.
and 18th Ohio were sent forward, and con-
cealed themselves along the bayou in our
front. One gun Of Lampheres battery
Bayou to scatter some of the enemy, who
(;r;,, 10 lr;,I III, ;,,to
Our regiment was ordered forward, and
| We marched in column Of platoons over the
levee into Chickasaw Bayou, which was
at this time of year and place nearly empty,
! allowing room for us between the bank
and water. - ar.'fs,es
We took in the situation. We were to
charge down the Bayou. 1t seemed like
a desperate undertaking to charge with a
column presenting front Of only 16 men
right into the enemy's lines without any
knowledge of what would lie encountered.
AS soon as we got into the Bayou the
enemy opened on us from a battery on the
bluff, planted SO as to rake the Bayou
lengthwise. Zip, zip, zip! went the bull
lets.
Capt Olds, Lieut. Col. Pardee, and Gen.
DeCourcey were with us at our right. As
soon as we entered the Bayou We were
ordered to lie down, but only for few
moments; then up again, onward a few
rods, then down once more. This we did
three or four times.
In the meantime the rebel guns on the
bluff were getting the range of us. The
shells crashed through the woods to our
left, then to our right; struck in the Bayou,
and finally into the regiment.
INTO DEATHS JAWS.
By this time we had advanced down the
Bayou 20 or so rods, and the General gave
orders to up and over the lines to cur right
We sprang to our feet and rushed for
ward a few steps, and we were rising
above the levee, when the enemy-but 10
or Is PAGES from us-fircd, and four of our
platoon fell-M. S. Clover, II. S. Hayden,
Washington Ellenwood, and A. B. Cook.
The enemy gave but one volley, then broke
and ran, except those too close to get away.
They threw down their guns and held up
their hands in surrender. 49,
Our platoon ran by them, deploying
to the right into the woods, as we pursued
the fleeing enemy, until we came to bayou
of water, beyond which the timber had
been cut down, giving clear sweep for
the enemy's guns on the hills beyond.
1t was estimated that two regiments
broke and ran from the woods. No sooner
were they out than puffs of smoke burst