The National tribune., 1899-08-10

allowed the enemy in his front to mass
toward their left. If refer only briefly
again, or not at all, to the left wing OF our
army, it will be because, as truth, 1t had
IittIe mart in the terrific contest that fell
with such fury on the right. Inc men on
the left were just as brave and gallant as
those on the right; but on tnat ahg' 1 f hoars; 81
our division, the whole army, and the
Nation. glided by; and yet, singly, alone
and almost unaided, the right wing 1ougnt
that battle to finish. :,
From our position in the glade we could
soon note the result of the inertness on the
ieft for gradually the battle sounds came
drifting our way. The roll of musketry
increased in our 'front.' and this, mlnglng
with the deep-toned arof the guns on the
hill. gave us due notice that the enemy was
in full force and ready for battle.
Then came the order to our Captain TO
hurry two guns of our battery to the front
and into position in the immediate rear oi
the infantry line of our brigade. Ours
was the First Brigade of the Twelfth DlVis-
ion of the Thirteenth Corps, and was com
manded by Gen. Geo. F. McGinnis. Ihls
hripade. consisting of five regiments. was
formed from right to left in the following
order: 24th and gath Ind, 10Th Wis. and
the 4Sth and 11th Ind, with our guns close
to the left of the line.
The Second Brigade, commanded by
Col. Slack, consisting of four regiments,
was on our left; but an unable to tell III
what order they were deployed. When we
unlimberei our guns and went into position
we occupied little knoll to the left OF the
road and close at the edge OF the tlmper
At that time the desire being TO delay
the battle until more troops were IN posi-
ton, the men of our regiments were lying
down. seeking protection as much as posi-
bIe from the enemy's fire. We OF the
artillery having been ordered not to fire,
hut wait events, lounged uneaSily about
our guns. The rebel sharpshooters, Sc
curely hidden among the brush and guilies,
made things exceedingly interesting to all
of u.s. The battery on the hill, roaring
out its deep-voiced epithets, sent round
after round of schrapnel and canister
crashing, tearing and ripping through the
trees and brush about us.
No other situation in battle is so trying
to the soldier as to be compelled to receive
the enemy's fire and not be allowed TO
return it. 1t is then that he is compelled
to call to the defense of his manhood all
the staying qualities of his nature. Not
only were we then subjected to this trying
ordeal, but also forced to be helpless spec
tators to that narrowing panorama that
always drifts from the front to the rear Of
every battlefield. The wounded, torn and
bleeding, singly and in squads, some
walking, some borne on stretchers, some
bravely defiant, halting; others, unnerved
with pain, fastening flight; some with
faces flushed; others in which was fast
gathering the ashen hue of death-all
passed in quick and startling review before
us. But, as if to give relief. there suddenly
burst on our vision the grandest and most
exciting battle scene that was ever given
me to witness.
A FIERCE CONFLICT.
From our position on the knoll We had a
clear and unobStructed view of the valley
running down toward Bakers Creek, in
which was deployed Logan's Division.
The regiments of this division, with skir-
mishers well TO the front, were then either
standing at rest or slowly advancing into
line. The scene was one of imposing
grandeur as the sun flashed along the
bright lines Of steel, and the soft morning
air strung out in lazy motion the starry
banners overhead.
While watching and admiring this mag.
nificent war pageant suddenly there
dashed out from the woods in their front a
full brigade Of rebels. These, wildly
yelling, with battle-fags furling and un
furling, bore down with desperate, reckless
fury on our lines in the valley But the
rebel officer who conceived or attempted
to put into execution that charge certainly
had never read the sign, Beware of the
buzz saw; for if he had feel confident he
would never have charged Logan's Divis
ion with one brigade.
Though this charge was made with
superb gallantry and surprising quickness
it was received and repulsed with resist
ance that was simply appalling. For {
few moments after leaving their cover the
rebels advanced against the witherine
fire of Logan's grand battalions, and theI
their stricken lines, breaking up into 6
disorganized mass, sought safety in con
fused and disastrous flight.
] doubt if during the whole war any
brigade, on either side, ever met with {
more sudden, terrific and crushing defea
than did this one. But we were now sud
denly changed from intensely interested
spectators of this thrilling scene on tn,
right to active participants in the conhic
e our Immediate front Our brigade hay