The National tribune., 1900-10-11


with portion of his command, moved
away in the direction of the sound of bat
tie near Pittsburg Landing. But Sunday
night found our regiment near our camp
of the morning. The fiood-gates of heaven
were open, the rain fell in torrents, and
1t almost seemed that we could reach
forth our hands and grasp the bolts OF
electric fire. The awful laundering of
heavens artillery, interspersed with the
believing of the gunbOats on the Tennes-
see. made weird music to us who were
not familiar with the state of affairs on
Shiloh's field.
At last Monday morning came with
long arrows of electric fire shooting back
over the heavens, and with 1t came q re-
newal of battle From beyond the green
hills came the crash of battle ripping
roar of musketry, punctuated by the deep
boom of artillery. The sound of battle
gradually drew nearer the direction
whence it came on the previous morn
ing, which told us the enemy was being
forced back. About 3 o'clock in the af-
ternoon the sound of conflict suddenly
died away, the enemy hastily retiring to
their intrenchments at Corinth.
During the second days battle Lieut.
Col Scott and Capt. Richards were Aids
to Gen. Thayer on the field, and were
highly commended for meritorious ser
vices. Col. Scotts horse was shot under
him.
We remained in camp until April 16,
when we took up our line of march back
to the Tennessee River. Next day we
passed through our late camp, and as
night came upon. us went into camp in
large cottonfield. On the following day
we marched over a portion of the recent
battlefield, and pitched our tents in an
oak grove on the west side of a deep and
5oggy ravine, known as Snake creek.
Here we remained for some days.
After going into camp we gave our at
tention to peeling bark and cutting poles,
which we converted into camp sofas and
settees.
SHILOH BATTLEFIELD.
When not on duty we rambled over
different portions of the battlefield and
stood beside the little mound where slept
some dear comrade who went down on
that fateful Sunday. Here it was no
ticed, and the trees were our silent wit
nesses, that had the leaden balls swept
the ground from two to six feet, the same
as from 10 to 20 feet, few could have
escaped.
On Monday, April q, we were engaged
in cutting timber and building corduroy
road across the low, Swampy ground be
tween our camp and the high grounds
on the east. We were amateurs in build
ing causeways, yet We soon completed
our work, which enabled our commissary
trains to move forward.
SIEGE OF CoRINTH.
Nothing of special interest occurred un-
til Monday, April 2S, when we moved
about eight miles in the direction of Co
rinth. A heavy rain began to fall early
In the evening and continued throughout
the night. We remained in camp until
the evening of the next day, when we were
ordered forward to the support OF the
picket line, which was hotly engaged with
the enemy. On April 80 we were in mo-
tion at the break of day. We moved to
the right about three miles, and then re-
traced our steps to camp, where we re
manned three days. A few more days of
preparation seemed necessary to the slow
going Halleck. The days had been in
many respects the same. But now they
began to grow heavy with the signs of
an approaching storm-a meeting of the
giants around Corinth.
On Sunday, May 4, we received orders
to march. AT an early hour we were in
motion and moved about four miles
through a heavy rain, which continued
throughout the day.
May rain was still falling. We start
tu W SiO" pIOSltsS.
During the day portion of the regiment
was engaged in assisting the mules to
drag our wagons through the mud. In
the evening we went into camp on Pea
Ridge-also called Stony Lonesome-wet,
muddy and cold. Those We're times that
tested our endurance.
Day after day we advanced our line
and then engaged in throwing up earth
works throughout the night.
Early on May ID we moved out to
within one mile of Purdy, where we re-
mained until dark, when we retraced our
steps one mile and went into bivouac for
the night. On the following morning we
returned to our old position on the line
confronting the enemy. On May IS we
were ordered out on the double-quick. and
away we went, jumping logs and lodging
the overhanging brush to support the
picket line, which was warmly engaged
On the 18th and 10Th there was heavy
cannonading all along our front, after
which all became quiet except the inces-
SAINT firing of the pickets. And thus, day
after day, the great siege of Corinth pro-
gressed.
On May % a warm engagement took
place on our left, which caused us to grip
our guns more firmly and watch our front
with jealous care. Early the following
day we were called into line and hastily
moved off in the direction of Corinth
possession of Corinth was about to take
place. We moved forward with slight
resistance until we could look over the
enemy's line of works and see the village
of Corinth in the distance, after which a
halt was ordered. On May 30 we were
called into line on our front. Orders were
issued to be in readiness to march at
moments notice. Yet we remained in idle
expectancy, and were informed later OH
of the cause of the heavy explosions in
our front. The rebels were engaged in
blowing up their magazines and evacuat-
ing Corinth.
During the siege of Corinth we were
assigned TO the Army of the Reserve, un-
der Gen. McCernand, whose duty was
TO construct roa6s, keep our cracker line
open and watch any force of the enemy
that might be operating on flank or rear
We also furnished large details of work
ing parties, engaged in constructing
earthworks and bastions to cover and pro-
tect our front, which no sooner completed
than a new line would be established a
half mile or less in advance in the direc-
ton of the besieged rebel hosts at Corinth;
the cutting of large trees and hauling or
rolling heavy logs to build breastworks,
only to be abandoned as soon as finished.
and the same tedious work to be repeated
on some newly-selected portion of the line.
Thus the great advance on Corinth was
conducted, under the direct command Of