The National tribune., 1899-08-17

line. This was our opportunity, and with
guns double-shotted we poured round after
round of canister into their ranks. At the
same time the infantry to the right and to
the left and the rebels at the front added
their firing to the laundering peal on peal
from our guns, that shook the very earth.
The din and horrid uproar became terrific
and the sulphurous smoke, drifting slowly
through the shadowy trees, or hanging low
in the soft, hazy Summer air, added TO the
weird grimneSs of the contest. There
seemed no cessation, no interval in the
firing, no break in the mighty volume of
terrible noises, no advance or receding OF
the stubborn opposing forces.
Standing there, each line, through whose
ranks death was speeding with quick and
awful footsteps, was evidently animated
by the same destructive purpose, the ami
hilation of the other.
About. this time the rebels hurried up a
couple of guns, and attempted to,come into
action near the forks of the road; but with
startling quickness, not being able to fire a
single shot, were then and there torn to
pieces. Two of their horses, harnessed
together, terror-stricken and riderless,
rushing almost on the muzzle of my gun,
were secured by us; and in a very little
while were put to good use.
Suddenly, as had the first, another rebel
battle-line came out into the glade, more
around to the north and quite over-reaching
our exposed flank. Hating for moment,
they delivered a stunning, binding volley
that, aimed too high, crashed through the
trees overhead. To our admirable position
was due alone our escape from the destroy
ing effects of this terrific fire. Recognizing
this, and also understanding that if the
rebels gained the crest of the hill, our de-
struction would be sure, We renewed with
desperate energy our efforts to beat them
back.
But both their lines. both to the front and
right, outnunbering and oyer-reaching
ours by far, began advancing. Pushing
through storm of shot and canister, leav-
ing behind hundreds of their dead and
wounded, they cane right on and on and
into tie s-noie of the flaming guns and
volleying nuSketry.
j give these butternutclad men of the
Sout,l- -dne credit for the dauntless spirit
that animated them, as they, without falter-
ing, steadily closing up their stricken and
broken ranks, pressed up and through the
whitening fire that greeted them at every
step across that little glade.
This uneven and terrific contest could
not last long. We were being outfanked,
crushed and overpowered. Our Captain,
whose grand courage and brave words had
directed and guided US so long and so well,
went down, mortaIty wounded. Our last
round of case-shot and canister had been
exhausted, and we of the artillery, in this
supreme moment Of peril, found ourselves
virtually helpless.
The infantry, our heroic supports, as
brave and gallant men as ever faced an
enemy, answered with defiant cheers the
long-drawn-out yells Of the Confederates
The persistent advance of their lines an
gered and excited us TO further resistance.
but our empty ammunition chests now
forced us for the time TO be simply specta.
tors in that terrific war drama.
GETTING OUT OF 1T.
No pen can describe the din that seemed
to rend and split the air No time or dis
tance can efface from my memory the wild
and thrilling battle scene painted there fol
us under the shadows of the great oaks in
the back yard of that little Mississipp
house.
Our relief came when our Lieutenant
dismounted from his wounded horse
rushed through the smoke and ordered:
Quick, boys-out of here!"
We, seizing the gun trail, whirled i
round and behind the cabin, and then
protected by its wall, limbered up an,
dashed away toward the rear. As W,
rushed out into the road our other gun
from the left of our position, thundered by
but its caisson and team seemed to b,
doomed to sure and speedy capture.
When in battery all artillery horses fac,
to the front, and in making a retreat, it is q
course neces sary TO make a turn Thi,
team of six horses referred to, in circlinf
around, unfortunately had its swing drive
shot from his saddle, and as conseouenc,
this horse becoming frantic with fright
? sprang up and over the outside tug. and al
once checked every effort at further fight.
Then was exhibited one of the mos
daunt'ess acts of bravery ever Witnessed