The National tribune., 1899-11-23


a shot and galloped back to the works. A
volley from a thin skirmish-line was sent
into their ranks, but without causing any
delay to the massive array. moment
more, and with that wild rebel yell which
once heard is never forgotten, the great
human wave swept along, and seemed to
engulf the little force that had so sturdiy
awaited it. But worst of all for
the Union side, the men of Reilly's and
Stricklands Brigades dared not fire lest
they should shoot down their own COM
rades, and the guns, loaded with grape and
canister, stood silent in the embrasures."
The battle now ragged in tremendous fury.
1t goes without saying that every man of
Gen. Schofield's brave little army nobly
did his duty. Gen. Cox was everywhere
present, encouraging his men, as also Gen.
Stanley until wounded. About LOCO of
the enemy ran on our works, near the
Cotton Gin and surrendered. One rebel
jumped upon the breastworks on the left of
our company and shot Geo. Houser dead.
Jacob Rush saw it and at once took aim
and shot the rebel whirling over the works.
Capt. Kelley also shot several off the works
with his revolver. Serg't Porter bayoneted
one over the works. All our killed and
wounded i'll front of the works could not be
taken in on accountof the enemy s incessant
fire. Many Of the 1O4th were captured in
the skirmish pits.
The battle continued till D. m Both
the Twenty-third and the Fourth Corps
acknowledge that it was the hardest fight
they ever engaged IN. The loss Of our regi-
nent in killed, wounded and missing was
estimated al aboutGO. Our totalloss was in
the neighborhood of 600 or 700. The rebels
figured their loss at almost 10000, includ-
ing Gen Adams, of Stewards Corps form
erly a United States officer, who was killed
in front Of Co. A, his fine white horse being
shot at the same moment, the General hay
ing his left arm around the horses neck
and his sword in his right hand. Cleburne
and Granbury, of Cheatham's Corps, We're
killed near the pike, the fighting being
fiercest between the Columbia Pike and the
Clubhouse. Reilly's Brigade captured IS
stands of co!ors, of which our regiment
captured nearly dozen.
Capt d. ID. Bard, of Gen. Reilly's staff,
was mortally wounded and fell into the
enemy's hands. About 10 o'clock, Scho-
field silently withdrew his forces across the
HarDeth, destroying the bridge over the
river, and continued his.masterly retreat 10
Nashville, where 10 miles distanO we
arrived about a. m, Dec. l.
The weather was mild. Troops came
pouring into the city, and with them rebel
prisoners by the drove. A Johnny Captain
remarked that they had the men to whip us
and they intended to do it. The army
under Gen. Geo. II. Thomas had no mis-
givings. Everything was now being put
into shape far an aggressive campaign.
Hooi's shattered forces followed and forti-
fle1 themselves on and along the Brentwood
Hills
On the I'd the weather was drilling.
Our brigade was encamped near Fort Neg
ley, having the most beautiful lines | ever
saw, so that the combined forces of the
enemy could not take them. Brisk cannon
aiding and skirmishing all day the 3d and
4th. Still driZzly; getting cooler i give
extracts Of letter written home from here
1dont believe Hood will try TO take Nash.
vile. If he does he'll be sorry for it. His
army paid dearly for their rashness al
Franklin. He has had very bitter school.
ing lately, even though Sherman took the
bulk OF his victorious army marching to the
sea-"
All the 5th and 9th weather was getting
more disagreeable, and IL p. m it -bIew up
and got very cold. On the 9TH skirmishina
and cannonading as usual. Negroes in
corral almost freezing to DEATH Bows
being obliged to go as far as three-quarters
OF a mile for wood. On the 9th rainstorm
intermingled with sleet, the ice getting SC
Iippery that person could scarcelysSgc