The National tribune., 1900-02-15

within 200 yards OF the rebel WORKS, ana 10
reach the hill were obliged to cross level
rebel works were in plain view on our left.
1t looked to ME like walking right into the
jaws of death.
Strange to say, the rebels permitted us to
pass over that open ground without firing
a shot. We could see them standing in
large numbers behind their works as we
passed over to the hill. We were quite
agreeably surprised at their forbearance;
We now scattered around as We crawled
up the hillside to view things. Two OF the
boys and | crawled up in an old dry ditch
until we came to the end of ii. | arose
carefully. and found that We We're not more
| than 40 yards from the works. One OF my
comrades went down the hill.
We concluded TO give the rebels n few
shots TO let them know how close the YAM
KEGS were 10 them. We got our guns
ready, and arose and fired, then quickly
dropped out of sight. We We're none tee
soon, for the rebels responded instantly
with several volleys. The bullets plowed
the dirt above our heads.
! We Tired several times in this way, chang
ing our position each time. Finally the
writer decided to let them know that we still
lived. Putting my coat and hat on a pole
| raised it above the bank of the ditch
| IhlS drew heavy fire. would shake the
dummy. and a heavy fire would be the
result each time.
AS it was about time for our report to be
in we went down the hill, and found only
three of the others waiting. In the attempt
TO return the rebels had determined to pick
They had n cross-tire on us at close range
We crossed over one at time, and ran as
fast as possible.
| ALONG THE WHOLE LINE.
Our report was favorable, and every,
| Il ,II,,
the enemy's lines, which was to occur at
10 o'clock a. m. My Captain told me that
was relieved of further duty for the day.
| AT last the signal gun was fired, the army
started, and as my company came along
could not resist the desire to go too; so |
stepped into line, and We were soon in fair
view of the rebel works. Our advance
was met with a most vigorous resistance by
| the enemy. AS far as | could see both on
the right and left, the top of their works
seemed to be a continual blaze of fire,
| which told disastrously on our lines.
We finally came TO the hill had left a
half-hour before. Here we halted and lay
down until late in the evening. While
IA rly safe ourselves, we were able to pour
| a hot fire into the rebels from the brink
| OF the hill. some Of the boys firing while
| lying down. others at their feet loading
the guns for them. Our lines finally fell
back at other points. and as our officers We're
ID
manning in that advanced position, we fell
back TO camp, very much discouraged
body of III, II.
The losses that we met with that day
quite dishcartcned us. No pcrccptblc adj
vantage had been gained. over the enemy.
We had about 10000 men in the charge
that day.
PROTECTING THE REAR.
Grant came to the conclusion that as he
had failed in his Undertaking of this dav
he would change the program, Joe John
Ston was moving a large force from Jackson
with the intention of attacking his rear,
IN order TO raise the blockade at Nicksburg,
where Pemberton and his large force was
now coopcd up. Grant sent Sherman
with a large force to the rear about II miles
to Big Black River, and gave him orders to
fortify up and down the stream to prevent
Johnston getting in his rear until he could
take NlckSburg by gradual approaches.
Tins movement had the desired effect
and from first TO last there was fully one
half OF Grants Vicksburg army at Black
River. The General always sent the forces
by night, TO keep Pemberton in the dark,
as by so doing the enemy could not know
anything of the reduction of Grants forces
at Vicksburg.
On May % we received our first Govern
ment rations since April 80 at Rruinsbure,
whom we drew them for five DAYS. consisting
Of five large crackers, some sugar, and coffee
We lived eff the country The whole
thing was cOrnmeal in the hulIs and once
in while We drew ii in the ear. and never
heard any one grumbling on the shortness
of grub.
Our pioneer corps had now got our rife
pits in good shape. A description of these
pits may be interesting. A ditch was dug
about three feet deep, and the same in
width, the dir, being thrown out on the
SIDE next to the enemy. A plank was
then laid on the top of the dirt, and a piece
OF timber II inches square laid upon it,
with holes on the undcrside Of the timber.
so that We could thrust our guns through
to shoot. This made our position com
paratiyely safe, although ball occa-
Sionally would find its way through port
hole, and some one would lie hit. Our forces
along the whole line were protected in about
the same way.
REBEL TRICKEKY.
little TO the left of the position occupied
by the writer at that time the rebels had n
large hospital tent. The rules Of all civil
lied nations prohibit the firing upon Il
hospital when ii is known to he such The
rebels thought they would take advantage
Of this fact, and they planted several can |
non right in front of their hospital Their |
movements attracted our attention, and |
believing there was something wrong We |
them closely. We did not have to |
wait long before we discovered their in |
tentions.
Suddenly the rebels opened upon our
lines quite heavily. AS we were ready |
for them We replied at once, and all our |
guns within reach opened upon that quar-
ter. with the result that great destruction !
followed to their hospital, that the rebels
finally raised white flag, and our folks |
ceased firing. They sent to Grant for an |
explanation. The General told them that |
they had tried TO evadc the laws of all ma
tons in placing their artillery in front |
Of their hospital, expecting thereby to be |
protected He was sorry TO have been |
to fire, but he would advise them |
to keep their artillery elsewhere
", H.