The National tribune., 1900-07-05

Our Colonel Cd C. Thomasl fell seriously
wounded, while many in the ranks We're
stricken. Being the first TO take position,
we were forced TO take the concentrated
fire Of the enemy until the rest of the diyis-
ion had formed, when at last the order was
given TO charge We carried the works,
capturing all of the cannon and a great
many men, who bravely stood by their
pieces until we were right onto them.
Our eXuitation over our capture was OF
short duration, however; for no sooner
was 1t seen that we had possession than q
heavy fort farther up the hill trained its
guns down upon US, and sent plunglng
shot and shell amongst us. A charge was
away we went. We having 10 climb very
steep hill to reach it, enabled the. gallant
cavalry boys to get there a few seconds
before we arrived. All honor to the cavalry.
Thus ended the first days fighting, the
advantage all ours. The rebels were now
massed on their center, their entire left
flank having been driven from every posi-
ton for several miles. That afternoon it
had rained in torrents, making progress
very trying and laborious. Finding that
we had fully developed Hoods position,
and that he was heavily intrenched in
natural as well as artificial Qualifications,
and that the men had done about all that
the human frame could endure, Thomas
called a halt, well pleased with the days
work. History has told far better than l
can what our left wing had done. was
not in that, so j know nothing of what
occurred, except that in the gallant old
Sixteenth Corps; but reports showed the
enemy held the same position at night that
they did in the morning, but that very
heavy fighting occurred at intervals all
day. Possibly they were better intrenched,
tut | have no doubt in my mind that our
men did all that was possible under the
circumstances.
During the night the First Brigade was
moved farther TO the left, at the foot Of a
steep hill, called by some Shye's Hill, by
others Honey Hill; the name makes no
difference, however. We learned that
Gen. Cheatham's Division occupied H.
had Is pieces of artillery. The fort being
the key TO Hoods position and occupied by
his best troops. assured us that If we were
TO be called on TO take ii, We would un-
doubtedly find business on our hands, and
lots OF 1t. But as we We're tired and sleepy,
we did not worry over the matter much,
thinking that Sufficient TO the day is the
evil thereof"
THE SLEEP OF THE BRAVE.
So, very soon, although not 200 yards
above us frowned 18 large guns ready at
any moment to belch out death TO u.s. we
were sound asleep. After the lapse Of so
many years, look back upon this scene
and wonder how we could sleep under
such circumstances, with death stalking
all about us, the groanS of the wounded
and dying ringing in our ears, while the
ZIP OF rifie-bullets and the dull roar of
cannon from either side was frequent. II
seemed 10 use homely expression of my
poor old mother, long since gone TO rest,
the back was fitted to the burthen."
Early next morning We awoke refreshed
and ready for whatever lay before us. We
lay there hugging the earth as closely as
possible, expecting orders every moment
but they came not. About 9 a. m. on our
left we could hear our boys making charge;
the sound OF musketry was fearful; it con-
tlnHed for more than an hour. but we real
lied from the sound that our brave boys
had been repulSed. Each moment we
| expected 10 be called on to create diversion
in their favor by making a charge
Noon passed and our part Of the army
still lay on their arms inactive. What does
1t mean?" was the anxious query from each
soldier. Two O'Clock came and passed,
and still no orders. The suspense was
| indeed trying. We began to fear that
| possibly Hood had received reinforcements
and was too strong for us, taking the repulse
OF the troops on the left as evidence: Fin
| ally Brey. Brighten. w. Il. Mcmillan,
Colonel Of the 95th Ohio, Of our brigade,
who was commanding the brigade. was
seen advancing rapidly towards US from the
right, where, as we afterwards learned
a council of war had been held.
When he arrived he passed down the line
and told the officers that the First Brigade
/ had been selected by Thomas sanctioned
by Smith, TO charge Shye's Hill. supported
! by a division; that the attempt would be a
risky one, but that if successful imperish-
able honors would be ours; that we must at
once getready, and at a given signal make
| silent charge. We couldn't understand
the silent part Of it--a something we had
never done or seen done, but later we learn
ed that Thomas had concluded after the
council with his Generals to train all the
guns possible on this key 10 the rebel works,
and during the bombardment we were
selected TO make Ii silent charge up the
hill, If possible, to surprise the enemy
Soon on our right was heard the roar of
one OF our heaviest pieces Of ordnance
which seemed 10 have been the signal
agreed upon. for almost instantly the
iroar OF every gun which could be brought