The National tribune., 1900-07-05

subilant over the prospect of fight behind
breastworkS. our lot having been ever to
charge the enemy behind good notifications.
The old First Brigade lay, mostly, on the
top of high hill, affording us a splendid
view Of the river and our entire front for
probably mile. A valley lay between us
and a range Of hills, which the rebels could
be seen fortifylng. Nearly every day a
rebel officer on white horse could be seen
with cavalry escort riding along his lines,
and no doubt inspecting ours as well as his
own. We paid but little attention to them
save TO look at them.
Day after day we waited anxiously for
a charge on our works, which we as com
mon. soldiers felt sure we could easily
repulse, but we waited in vain.
A TERRIBLE DAY AND NIGHT.
On Dec. IA it turned severely cold; a
biting norther set IN, accompanied by
sleet which froze as fast as it fell, and il
was then that the commanding position
on the brow of high hill, of which we had
been so proud, y would gladly have ex-
changed for home in the valley, although
less commanding in view.
The army suffered greatly, having
spent the two previous Winters in the South,
and with no protection from the northern
blasts, save what was furnished by pup
tents" Think of thin piece of muslin
only between us Ind the fierce winds that
ragged around that high, bald knob. and
you VIII have an idea of how we Jared
OIl lIlS illSHE OF lte l4IIl we GEt4Httsl iIfD
these little limitations of shelter and each
.spooned" as close to his comrade as possi-
bic, that not one particle Of heat from his
body should escape. Thus we lay and
shivered and thought Of home and mother;
of the big warm feather-beds, the great
nappy blankets and the strong walls of the
old home, and contrasted our present condi-
lion with such home.
About 10 O'Clock the Orderly-Sergeant
came around, quietly aroused US and told
us to get up, draw and cook three days
ratlonS. and be ready 10 move at daylight.
With much grumbling we crawled out,
and as we were not undreSsed, needing ali
the clothes we had TO keep us anyway COM
Portable, we had nothing to do but put on
our shoes. Wondering what our orders
meant, we drew and at once went TO work
cooking rations Every lad had his own
idea what the orders meant. All knew
Hoods army had us about surrounded.
One thought we We're going 10 slip out and
let Hood have Nashville, but the greater
part OF us concluded ii meant fight. What
ever 1t meant we disciplined veterans were
ready.
After getting our rations cooked we again
turned in 10 spoon and shiyer. Before
daylight we We're again awakened, and
cautioned TO make as little noise as possible
make coffee, strike tents. and be ready to
move at a moments warning. We found
that during the night the weather had
moderated and that heavy fog like a
funeral pail hung over the earth, making
1t impossible 10 see an object a few feet
away.
While we were drinking our coffee we
We're informed that we were TO advance
outside of our works and attack the enemy
behind his works.
THE ADVANCE.
just as the sun arose we marched out on
6. pike (name not now remembered) in a
direct line towards the enemy. The fog
concealed our movements. The 72d Ohio
was deployed as skirmishers and seat to
the front 10 develop the enemy and prevent
our running into an ambush the entire
Sixteenth Corps, A. j. Smith commanding
following close at our heels. The I'D had
hardly got Strengthened out when they
flushed" a picket post OF the rebels. who,
firing one volley, skedaddled for their
reserves, who in turn broke for the rear
The 72d was recalled and took place in
hne- The First Brigade with the Division
were soon in line Of battle, our right connect
ing with the cavalry, whose right rested on
the river
While we were forming the fog partially
lifted, disclosing our position TO the aston
1shed rebels, and to our own surprise we
found our line was very near the rebels
works, too near TO be healthy, for as soon
as they could see US they opened fire on
us with battery in plain view but few
hundred yards away
Our battery (CogSwell's) now came
galloping into position. and in less time
than 1t takes to write it opened out on the
rebels with she'll
The cavalry on our right had not been
Idle all this time, but under cover Of the fog
had been swinging around the rebel left,
and about the time our battery came into
action charged and took the battery and
several prisoners, doubling up the rebel left
Ike lack-knife. The rebels now rallied
TO the left Cheir right followed on their
teft flank by the cavalry, while the infantry
OF A. J. Smiths Corps kept moving so as
to confront them.
Position after position we, with the
cavalry, forced them out of until about IL
D'clock-n memory serves me rightly,
when we all ran against snag, so to speak.
The rebels had been all the time contracting
iheir lines until now they were protected by