The National tribune., 1900-03-22

AAD AN44A4S&SAAH SAsAA~ ~ @s =
the two armies. There was also some
sharp fighting.
reckless attack on one of the unfinished
redoubts Il little TO our right, i'll front OF
Smith s Division. by some Georgia troops.
| 1t was led by Col. Lamar. who was wounded
and left prisoner when his men were re-
| pulsed.
AT ALIENS FARM.
The long day of June 2S seemed to pass
| very slowly. and night came at last: but it
| brought neither quiet, rest nor the privilege
| of sleeping. 1t was understood that the
| army was to change its base to some other
| locality, and that the movement was already
in progress. We had packed everything
| and We're in readiness to go anywhere at a
moments notice. The trains, of which
we had about 20 miles in the Army of the
Potomac, were moving all night. To pre-
vent the enemy from hearing and divining
our movement. a constant fusillade was kept
up from the trenches. There was no peace
that night.
1t was in the early gray of the morning of
the 29th when our division vacated its works
and retired toward Savage's Station. 1t
Was Il close, dull morning, with a dense fog
that burned Off and gave us n hot day.
We withdrew slowly and cautiously. ready
TO face-about and fight if the occasion re-
duired it. We had not accomplished two
miles OF the rearward march before we
closed up on the wagon-trains. They had
not crossed White Oak Swamp as rapidly
as expected. Our impedimenta was prov
ing quite hiadrarce to n rapid change
Of base. Finding the way blocked by the
trains, we We're faced about in line of battle
and skirmish-line deployed and sent back
toward our old works. These it was found
! we're occunied by the enemy, who were
IL o. ~ ti,ni.- cl lirInish1rZ
Our skirmshers exchanged shots and
retired to the lineof battle, where we waited
their attack. 1t came promptly and I'M
petuouSly, and we met them with such
resistance as to soon compel their with
drawal. Their furious attack was twice
repeated, and each time repulscd, after
which they Withdrew out OF range. This
fight is what is known as Aliens Farm, or
Peach Orchard, and the enemy gained
nothing and suffered considerable loss:
We were fighting TO save the grub tram,
and saved it.
Ne remained in position till some time
after noon. when. the road being clear. we
retired rapidly to Sayagc's Station. Here
was Il large collection of hospital tents
| filed with sick aud wounded. among whom
the Surgeons and attendants were busy
| There was also a large accumulation oil
rationS and other supplies. Some of these
were destroyed i'll a novel manner. There
was train. consisting of an engine, tender
and several cars. loaded chiefly with am
nunitiOn. Steam was up. fire was applied
to the cars, and the train sent flying down
the track towards the bridge across the
Chickaho'niuy. 1t shot down the grade,
envelapeI in flames. ald being rapidly
shattered TO pieces by TIE bursting shells
as it disappeared around the curve. Soon
a terrific explosion was heard; q dense cone
shaped cloud OE steam and smoke rose
above the trees, and gradually expanding,
vapor.
Those scnli-OmnipreSent, Sangulnary
fellows. the special artists on the spot, gave
the illustrated papers of that day exagger-
ated sketches of IA fiery train sweeping with
fearful havoc through Il column OF the
enemy. who were crossing the bridge, from
which the rails had been removed, and then
pianging into the river.
saw the fiying train, heard the thunder
ouS explosion. and beheld the rising cloud,
bat am of the opinion that the Wholesale
destruction OF JohnnieS was fancy OF the
specials.
A SUSPICIOUS ADVANCE.
1t was near 3 p. m. when the enemy made
his presence known again and began
manuvering for another fight. We were
maSsed in the open ground about the sta
ton, but promptly made dispositions to ac-
commodate him. The emen first observed ad-
Vancing approached so quietly and care
i lessly that they were thought TO he some of
HeintZelman's men, who were supposed to
be in that direction. A more careful OBJ
servation aroused suspicion, and a couple
Of shells from point near them satisfied
us that if we would hold that neck of woods
till dark we must fight for it. If we must
fight we would go back and meet them.
The brigade of Gen. W. w. Burns, OF the
Second Division, was the first moved out.
He promptly put his men in action by de-
ploying regiment forward at the double
quick. The skirrnishers spread out like a
fan. under sharp artillery fire, making a
very fine appearance ! have rarely seen
skirmishers take position with more regu-
larity and promptness.