The National tribune., 1899-07-27

On Nov. % the I'd Mimi. was engaged
In the battle OF Missionary Ridge. We
were at this time, and until the end of the
war. in Baird'S Division, which was one O
the four divisions that went TO the top oil the
Ridge without orders.
This battle was the only one of any
dimensions during the war that gave the
participants n full and unobStructed view
of the field amostits entire length. and iron
the top of Missionary Ridge must have
been magnificent. One could look down
fpon the Army of the Cumberland for miles
forming for the charge, and Sherman,
aWay off on the left, desperately engaged
but slowly advancing. while upon the right
four or five miles away, on the side OF
Lookout Mountain, Hooker, above the
clouds but plain view, was gaining ground,
and the direct result of this was when we
started for the top OF the Ridge Johnny
did not have sand enough left IN his craW
to damage the works of watch. lie
fought we'll until we neared the crest, when
he became panic-stricken, and abandoned
everything in ignoble flight.
=. 1t has never been clearly understood
what organization reached the top first.
They all started at the same time, had the
same distance to traverse, and the same
obstacles to overcome. 1t was every man
for himself. Keeping any excuse of a
line was out of the question. 1t was SIM
plv a matter of who had the best wind; as
lung tester it was entirely successful.
When got there | found quite a number
there first, and upon looking back down
the Ridge, saw large number struggling
towards the top. Ny ambition (perhaps
fortunately always appeared to run in
other channels then trying to be first IN
charge Neither did l care to be last.
RE-ENLISTING TO FIGHT IT OUT.
On Jan. s, 1864 the regiment re-enlisted,
and went home on furlough, and was back
again in Chattanooga on April 6, and on
Nav the Atlanta campaign commenced,
and we were almost daily under fire.
l have always thought that for manu-
vering and strategy this ranked as the
most remarkable during the war, and
would have proved unsuccessful If con-
Quoted in any other manner, owing to the
difficulties to be encountered, the whole
distance being adapted to defense.
A short time before we arrived in front
of Kenesaw Mountain l left the command
to look for relative in the Saith ILL., Every
thing was quiet, except artillery firing, and
/ had not gone far when | came to a six
gun battery firing at a party of mounted
men upon a hill perhaps two miles away.
Some of the targets were looking through
their feld-glasses and were apparently
very unconcerned and defiant. There
We're quite a number around the battery
eagerly watching the effect of each shot.
Presently one OF the party was seen to
fall from his horse, and the rest quickly
galloped down the Ridge out OF sight. The
same afternoon word came into the lines
that the party killed was Gen. Polk.
A short time after this, when in front and
close up to Kenesaw, on June %, about
midnight, we were ordered to move quietly
out of our works, to relieve regiment on
the right, about one-half mile away. It'll
was bright, still, moonlight night and
we were in plain view of the enemy (who
were at all times Vigilant). Soon after
the movement began a plunging shot was
fired from the top of the mountain, and a
shell struck in the midst of Co. A, killing
and disabling six men. Among the killed
was Serg 't-Maj. Wheeler. His three years
had expired, and he was waiting for his
discharge. He was very anxious to re-
enlist, but had a wife and five children at
home in poor circumstances, and he felt
that after devoting three years to his coun-
try it was his duty to go home. Poor
Wheeler, there We're hundreds of similar
cases during that unhappy struggle, but
never shall forget with what sadness L
viewed his remains the next morning,
covered over with his blanket, which was
both his shroud and coffin, awaiting burial.
ANOTHER COLONEL TAKES COMMAND.
Col. George left us here, much to the
regret of the regiment. His health gave
way under the strain, and after three years
service he went home He had seen service
in the Mexican War, and was an excellent
officer. He was not so strict in discipline
as his successor, Col. Bishop, but he had
the love, respect and confidence of his COM
mand, and was seen at his best in battle
and under fire.
A few days later the enemy abandoned
around Atlanta, and in the advance upon