The National tribune., 1900-03-15

1 know that my own mental organization
was active and was wondering whether
should distinguish myself in the Coming
battle or be extinguished by, some murder
that l reached any definite conclusion
but / was not one of those fellows who
would rather fight than eat. and always
went into battle with grave forebod'ng OF
the consequences personally. :.
The boys gathered in groups, looking
across the swollen river and listening to the
rapidly-increasing fire, and awaited the
orders to fall in, which came soon, ana the
division was formed, with the right resting
at the bridge.
The division was led by Gormans DR.
gade, and the 1St MINI. was the advance
regiment and the first to cross. AS acting
Orderly-Sergeant of the right flank com
pany. / believed carried the first musket 10
the support Of the comrades already IN the
fight.
A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT..
AS we stood for time waiting the orders
to cross, the attempt seemed n dubious and
dangerous experiment. The bridge, not
built in expectation of a second deluge,
was writhing and quivering in the turbld;
rushing waters in a way that threatened
Immediate destruction. The approaches
were already under water and the bottom
lands beyond overflowed. There was little
time to consider consequences before the
order to cross was given, and we literally
Waded in.
Crossing the bridge. we forded the flooded
bottom-lands on the other side. where the
water came to our hips, and climbed the hill
beyond. We made no delay. but hastily
closing up the ranks moved across field
into the woods in the direction of the firing
nearest u.s. From the direction in which
we were marching came the occasional
boom of a gun and the mutfled crackle OF
muSketry. Farther TO the left the battle
was raging noisily.
Our course was directed through the
woods, and we soon met the usual DRIFT
i'll the rear of the line-n action-Stragglers
with their stories of AL cut to pieces
| wounded mcn limping away, then squad
of prisoners under guard.
The day was close and Sultry. the air
redolent with fumes of burnt powder, and
as we emerged from the wood into the open
field through the smoke which settled near
the ground we could see men moving about,
and a battery foundering in the mud.
This was portion Of Couch's command;
il seemed to be falling back to form new
line at al angle Of the woods. At this
timr Sumner and SedGW'ick, corps and
division comm lnders respectively, had
j)ined Gen. Conn n, our brigade com
III inder at the head Cf the column. and
trera was Il brief consultation. when the
1st MINI. was Ordered t. take position at
a white house il a field SOM distance to
oar ris.2t; ] tain: it was Dr.. Courtney's
house.
An Ali came 10 lead US t. our position.
That glorious old hero, Gen. f.. Y. Sumner,
roda beside Us for Il little way rs We started,
then lifting his hat 10 US called out i'll a
clear voice:
step off with viii, boys. IT is a race"
Our colr;e lay across field of young
corn recently piowed and partly under
wafer. The md was deep and sticky,
and we plowed through Us rapidly as pos
Sible and reached the hoJIse Just as the
rebel skirmislc's c2Gl2 cut OF the woods
int the field below il.
Our arrival secmed most opportme
Taking position &!onG the garden and
yard fences, sam2 rail pens for corn. hog
pens. eta.. We soon dove the SkIrmiShcrS to
cover of the wooGs Down at the foot of
the little hill. where the sllTmishers had
retired, was q road leading into the woods.
which permitted us 10 see q little way
line Of troops were marching by the flank,
nl nl1Ting to oIIr right. Several flags were
carried across il.
Meantime several Of Couchs regiments
were placed lii line with us, joining our left:
cannot speak positively as to these rcgi- |
ments; feel sure that the 1st Long Island of
New York was there. and also two or three
Pennsylvania regiments. one Of which |
was the 31st or 6lst, i think. To the left |
of these the regiments of Gorman's Bri |
gade were placed III position as they ar
rived.
About this time the line Of troops which |
had made us very anxious by their move |
mant to our right, lest they should flank us, |
reversed their march, crossing our front
TO the left.
A FURIOUS ASSAULT.
Soon after violent attack was made on
our line, which was scarcely in position
yet. 1t was furious. persistent attack,
met and driven back Ly heavy yoll.ys of our
troops, and the rebels last repulse was fol
loved by our line. driving them into the
woods and capturing many prisoners.
Among those brought into the Courtney
house were Col. Long, ola North Carolina
regiment, Lieut.. Col. Lightfoot, tWo or three
other officers. and a number OF enlisted men.
Col. Long had formerly been a Lieutenant
Ennnnl's e rnrn rI.inN. r.Ilnri L1 ISnllNrL