The National tribune., 1899-04-20

And go long, Liza Jane.
There was not much variety in the song,
but it conveyed the idea of broken vows and
a rious rupture I'm the course of true love on
the part of Liza Jane.
But in the midst Of the song there was
borne to our ears a sound which caused
everyone to assume more serions aspect
even Niger Ed" forgot all about Liza
Jane. Again came that well-knOwn and
awe-inspiring sound-Boom Boom Boom
Although distant, everyone knew its mean
ing. The mysterious movements we had
made since the battle of Iuka were row made
plain. There was to be Il fight; there could
be no doubt abont that. Orderies and staff
officers went hurrying and scurrying back
and forth, our lines were ordered "well
closed up" and all the while came that
dreadful boom, now near, and anon more
distant, with now and then the muffled
report of volleys of musketry.
Our command soon left the main road. and
filed left into the woods. where it halted
stacked arms, and awaited further develop
ments. The day was hot and sultry, the
roads and fields parched and dusty, and no
water could be had.
Gen. Stanley kept his staff busy, and he
himself seemed serious and concerned. The
sound of conflict continued. At times it
would almost cease, then it would break
forth with increased vigor, leaving us all the
while in terrible suspense and doubt. Sew
eral times during the day we changed our
position. and, finally, near sundown, moved
in line-of-battle directly into the town of
Corinth. passing through by the right flank,
when we were again formed in line-o battle
near the edge of the town. By this time
the firing had nearly ceased, but by its near
ness we knew that the town and its defend
ers were invested by the enemy.
We now, for the first time gained reliable
information of the events of the day, which
we're that the enemy had been met in strong
force at the line of old breastworks two
miles or more from town; that a stubborn
fight had been maintained all day, our troops
gradually falling back before superior num-
bers led by Price and Van Dorm, until the
enemy now held q strong line in our front,
within sight of the town. In fact, at some
points their lines were quite near the town.
Their success during the day made them
defiant and bold and, as they OutnumbeIed
us more than two to one, the results of to-
morrow were anticipated with some degree
of alarm. Car position, however, was we'll
chosen, anu confidence in our leaders un-
bounded.
You must remember that at this time the
cause of the Union looked very gloomy.
Pope had been defeated in the East; our Ma.
tional Capital was in danger; Bragg was hold.
ing high carnival in Kentucky and Tennes.
see, threatening Cincinnati and Louisville
the privatcer Alabama rode the high seas at
will, destroying our shipping and threatening
our seaports, while the "Knights of the
Golden Circle" throughout Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois were defiant and open in their
reasonable utterances. 1t was time i'll
deed when the fate of the Nation ''trembled
in the balance " and all loyal hearts were
filled with alarm. In fact, so confident were
the rebel leaders that Gen. Bragg felt moved
to issue the following:
SEoUATCHIE VALLEY, Aug. %, 1862.
To Gems. VAN Dorm and FRICE:
Buclfs force is in fun retreat upon Nashville
destroying their stores Watch Rosecrans and
prevent Il Junction, or if he escapes you follow
him closely. Sherman and RoSecrans we leave
to you and Price, satisfied yOu can dispose of
them, and we confidently hope to meet you
upon the Ohio.
BRAXToN BRAGG, General Commanding.
On the evening of Oct. 3, at the close OF
events | have already narrated, Gen. Van
Dorm sent the following dispatch to Rich.
mOnd:
We have driven the enemy from every posi-.
ton. We are within three-quarters of a mile
from Corinth The enemy are huddled together
about the town. Some are on the extreme left
trying to hold their position. VAN DORM.
Therefore, in view of the situation, the
recent success of the enemy and the over.
wheming odds confronting us now, the i'm
portanCe of n victory could not be Over-esti-
mated. Such were the conditions when
Rosecranss little army, tired and hungry,
lay behind their gun-stacks on that eventful
October evening in 'G2, and many silent
prayer ascended TO the God of battles for sue
cess on the morrow.
Sometime during the night we were quietly
awakened and our position changed to q
point further left, being on the right flank of
Fort Robinett, with Fort Williams on higher
ground Immediately in our rear. Here We
again stacked arms and tried to secure little
more sleep. Before daylight, however, we
were suddenly awakened by the discharge of
cannon almost in our faces, and the air
seemed filled with deadly missiles. Ws in
stinctively grasped our arms and resumed our
former position.
At this juncture, Gen. Stanley dashed
along the line, accompanied by members of
his staff and orderlies, and, as he reached
our brigade, drew rein for an instant, and
called out to our brigade commander: Gen.
Fuller, prepare your command to resist an
assault" Then away they clattered in the
darkness
Our vigilant gunners, however, soon got
the range of the enemy's artillery, and SO
eflectual was their reply that the rebel gun
was soon sileDced and abandoned, and short
ly after daylight was drawn within our lines
by the boys of the 63d Ohio, whose success
was heartily cheered.
Now began lively skirmish, my own
comuany being among thosa denloved rs