The National tribune., 1899-05-25

and sent that sad message to his friends
in LAFAYETTE, hid. He soon closed his
eyes and fell asleep on the battlefield
Here that brave and dauntless soldier,
my neighbor,-Co', &c. b. Suman,-was
shot in the left arm ARTERY severed
another shot through the shoulder, with
third minie-ball between two ribs. took
it out, dressed his wounds, and pro
nounced him still Worth a dozen dead
men. He rode back to his command,
and staid with them through the battle.
Among others ] carried from the front,
were Corp'l Logan CO: B; John Van Note;
Serg't Edwards, ,"Co. X; Lcmuel Sheldon
and Obadiah Vaughn, Co. G: Scrg't II.
Tullum, Co. C; Frank and Rob Maxwell,
and Christian Board, Co. G.: John Long.
Co. c; Serg't Matson, Co. F; Capt Joel
Brown; Lieut.-Col Elias Neff; Lieut.. John
II. Smith and Corpl Calvin H. Zener.
| accompanied my Surgeon, with AS
sistant Hospital Steward L. NJ. Burns, to
the field hospital. Our work commenced
on heavy task there; Soon after night
Surgeon fouart and Burns were ordered
to the general hospital. | was left to di-
rect the removal of the wounded from
the place. Most of the many scores of
wounded were helpless. l took each no
my shoulders or steaded them to the
ambulances. Carrying was easier for
DOtn tne WOunueu ana 1Or myself, ana
was the quicker way. l finished the work
after o'clock, then went to my horse,
and found my blankets, haversack, ra
tionS, and canteen missing. So / lay
under the open porch of an abandoned
house, but soon found it was too cold to
rest or sleep.
l mounted my horse and struck out to
find my regiment. 1t was an almost for
lorn hope at that dark hour of the night,
with all army lines changed by the battle.
But near daylight. ] found the regiment
nearly where left them the night before,
still holding the place, though far better
intrenched.
A new deal was being formed for Fri
day, Jan. 2. Our army took the agrees
sive this time by moving across the river;
the Union army advancing on the corps OF
Breckinridge with full reserve f1anking
force to support our attacking divisions,
and by our front, supported by our mask
ed artillery Of 4S guns, in such position as
to sweep the entire hill-slope from river to
crest of the hill.
Our attacking party was instructed to
fall back and draw the entire corps OF
Breckenridge within fire from front and
flank. In one hours time-from o'clock
until 5-the field was swept by the vic
torious Union forces.
The writer was in the hospital at that
time, and saw the battle clearly. 1t has
gone down into history as one of the most
stubbornly and hardestfought battles of
the rebellion, not only in regard to the
numbers killed and wounded, but also in
grit, fight, fall-back, hold on, and victory.
John NJ. Whitehead, Chaplain, 18th
Ind, Topeka, Kan.
[Rev. John NJ. Whitehead Joined the
army from Westville, Ind, June 8, 1862,
and received his commission as Chaplain
of the 18th Ind. from Oliver p Morton.
He was born March 6, 1923, at Richmond,
Ind, and comes of distinguished ances-
try. His great courage under fire and the
magnificent service. to his comrades at
Stone River are the'subiect of many tes-
timonials, and the cause of his receiving
medal of honor in 1S9S.-Editor Ma
tional Tribune. s. =