The National tribune., 1900-03-29

of cannon indicated that trouble had
begun" but we made coffee, and lay down
to sleep, despite the roar of great guns"
and could have slept, undisturbed by the
noise of battle, if permitted. There seemed
to be no rest for US. We were called up and
hurried to the right, where, after some
manuvering for time, We counter-march-
ed and returned to the center.
Here we lay at rest for time, and we GER
tainly needed it. The intense activity of
the last six days had seriously impaired
us physically. Many Of the men were
much affected by the heat. as our move
ments had been rapid. The writer was
while here for time, in half blinded,
confused state Of collapse.
ALMIGHTY COMBAT.
1t was noon, or later, when We were again
called to the right There was some
confusion there, but our assistance was
not needed, and we again marched towards
the left. 1t was now 3 O'Clock, or later,
but / have no definite knowledge OF the
exact time.
Two great armies were in conflict, and
the battle was raging fiercely. The ar
tillery, firing by batteries and sections,
vomited forth their murderous missiles
with fire, smoke, and stunning crashes.
The very earth seemed to shake. and the
air shuddered with the thunder OF the
discharges. The flying shells shrieked
and howled wildly over our heads; tore
among the trees. bursting with sharp.
incisive explosions that scattered their
severed fragments around us.
II was an inspiring scene, we'll calculated
to make small man like myself feel his
insignificance. We felt it. 1 had not
then heard Gen. Sherman's definition Of
war as hell" but since / have heard il,
recognize its entire appropriateness.
The dense, sulphurous smoke rolled
along the ground and rose among the trees.
HpavX- uollaN.c of mn of rltrnhlaI nd
crashed along the lines like the growing
and gnashing of mighty chorus of de-
mons.
The day was intensely hot, and the
sun, seen through the smoke, seemed
bathed in blood. Evsrything looked
weird and unnatural; more like the exhibi-
ton OF some supernatural power than the
result Of any human agency. II took no
very strong powers of imagination 10
almost believe that by some mysterious
chance We had crossed into the confines
OF Hades; that in the previous nights
darkness, instead of making the passage
OF White Oak Swamp. as We supposed, we
had forded the fabled Styx at ebb-tide. and
were then wandering in that land that
Bob Ingersoll did not believe in; that
Old King Pluto had taken TO the field i'm
person. set in active operation all Of his
internal engines of destruction. and mar
shallcd all the "impS of darkness" TO dispute
POSSESSION with us. 1t was, in truth n
memorable scene, and we have never felt
the least desire for its repetition.
GOING IN"
We had scarcely reached our former
position before there was ali urgent call
for help from the left, and our brigade was
sent forward at the double-quick. The
boys We're suffering intensely from heat.
THIRST and fatigue, but put forth every
effort possible to meet the demands made
upon them. Sweating, painting, and gasp
hnH ht.rr rS.lS IL.
fell exhausted and insensible by the way.
When we reached the desired point we
found the Pennsylvania Reserves hard
pressed and being forced out Of the woods,
The Reserves, like the gallant fellows they
were, retired, making the strongest resist
ance they could. The Third Brigade
Dana's-had already preceded us, and was
then making lively and successful fight.
A battery "a. 1st r. !. l.. A, think was
making. great efforts TO cover the breach
in our lines by raining case and shrapnel
upon the advancing foe.
We were ordered 10 meet and drive the
rebels back. One moment we halted in a
small hollow TO breathe and allow any
who Still carried knapsacks TO lay them
aside, Then came the order, "Colors to the
1ront, and our flags moved forward, follow
ed by the line OF battle. Our enemies did
not wait 10 try conclusions with the bayo-
net, but retired into the woods before our
advance. Hating near the edge of the
woods we lay down in line. The sun sank,
red and fiery, behind the curtain of smoke
that hung like a pail over those battle
scourged woods and fields.
AS the day merged into night the sounds
OF STRIFE died away TO the occasional boom
OF cannon or the spasmodic cracking of
rlnes. These We're heard at our left, then
far off to the right, then in our immediate
front, and again at our left-the death
rattle OF the expiring conflict Even these