The National tribune., 1901-11-14

these kept increasing in number. Still
little il any information was obtained
from these early runaways APPARENT!
they had come to the conclusion that there
was a better or safer place elsewhere
and they were making for that place.
RoUT OF THE 11TH CORPS.
The numbers of these fleeing soldiers
kept RAPIDLY increasing, and soon it was
evident to us that a disaster had occurred
and that our entire right was III full re
treat In that flight of routed men, as We
saw it. no semblance of order or orgaIlza
ton was observable. There were those
who seemed frantic to reach some place
of safety: there were others. both officers
and men. who doggedly moved along and
apparently would have been glad to have
stopped and have turned about and maze
resistance to their advancing foe; but the
Individual effort of such would have been
useless.
All that we Of the Twelfth Corps could
do or did do was to turn from our facing
outward and look at that mad rush OF
routed soldiers as they came down past
us inside of our fieldworks. How soon
the enemy would be upon their back and
upon us we did not know. We simply
stood there looking at that frightful sight,
end thinking of the unexpected turn that
had suddenly occurred in our affairs, and
wondering what would come next, and
the next always comes i'll war.
The rout of soldiers is as dreadful as
that of a stampede of a herd of cattle. 1t
is possible that both may be turned or
directed toward some point, but neither
can suddenly be stopped in such rushes;
ofttimes there are scenes that are rldlcu-
Ions as well as dreadful to look upon.
/ remember mule, belonging to some
hospital. that came along in the midst
of that wild flight of men, and appeared
to be as frantic to get to the rear as any
of them; but as he was equipped with
those large pannierS which belong to that
Department and were then filled with hos
pital stores, one of these being strapped
on each side of him, made the chances OF
his safely passing between the trees that
there stood along the line OF his night
much more difficult than that of the men
with whom he seemed bound 10 keep COM
pany.
1t so happened that just as that mule
reached us he passed between two small
trees. and his over-hanging pannlers strlk-
ing them brought him TO halt; but, being
a mule he knew exactly what to do, and
without the loss of a second he went TO
kicking as if not only his life but the
fate of the Army Of the Potomac and the
unity of these States depended upon the
movement of his heels, and in less time
than | can tell it he was free mule and
those panniers and hospital stores were
scattered over the ground and that mule
moved off, seeking the place that he start
ed for, and | presume he found II, as we
never saw or heard of him again.
At last the rush of mounted men came to
an end, as apparently they all had passed
on toward the rear and the Rappahan-
mock, and JacksOn's victorious troops were
rapidly occupying the ground which a
few hours before had been held by How
ards Corps, and were following, as these
troops fed, and a little farther advance
would bring them upon the flank Of
Geary's Division, which thus far had
made no movement to change its position
80 as TO lace such an attack.
PLEAsoSToN THE HERO OF CHAHCELLoRs-
WILLIE
While matters were in this chaotic
state it so happened that Gen. Pleas
onton, of the Cavalry Corps, came unex-
pectedly upon the scene, and at once took
a position en- rising ground facing Jack
sons rapidly advancing troops. Pleas
onton gathered to his support whatever
artillery he could command or control, and
IN brief time by his great energy and
promptness he succeeded in getting large
number Of guns and quite body of in
fantry in position to attempt to stop the
Confederate advance.
In the meanwhile these troops had net
been idle, for as soon as they could in
some manner be recognized, on in that
forts, while arranging for this assault on
PleasontOn, jackson was shot; but his
successor pushed forward, in accordance
to his plans. But that triumphant enemy
was met and driven back by the terrible
fire Of PleasOntOn's guns, as these, double
shotted and trained with the greatest care
and precision, were opened upon them as
they burst through the underbruSh with
the most terrible yells and frantically
rushed forward to overwhelm PleaSontOn'S S
command.
In the otherwise solemn stiffness Of that
eventful night the great artillery battle Of
Gettysburg that preceded Pickett's charge
did not seem as awful as did the thunder
and roar of PleasOnton's guns, as these by
batteries and at times all together
were continuously being discharged, and
with these were mingled the rapid volleys
of smail-arms and the shouts and cries
Of the cOmbatants. PleasOnton drove that
Confederate advance back in the greatest
confusion and possibly saved the Union
army from a greater disaster.
After the Tepulse of that night assault
by Pleasonton, comparative quiet reigned
throughout the army; but that quietude
was only brought about by the prompt
action, skillful management and heroism
of Gen. PleasontOn, who was on the
Union side the one conspicuous hero of
Charlottesville.
Early the next morning. being our last
day at Charlottesville, the Twelfth Corps
was suddenly withdrawn from the field
works and massed in rear OF the Chan
cellor House, as if from there TO make
an assault in column, or there to resist
the renewed assault of the enemy.
While thus standing awaiting orders
the command came for Geary's Division
to instantly return and occupy their for
mer position at the feldwOrks The divi-
sion returned there on the doUble-quick.
This brought my regiment upon the ex-
treme right Of the Union line, and so far
as ! knew there was no support beyond
me upon our right.
While in this position some Of my mel
observed q crowd of troops coming to.
ward us from our front and right oblique
As they advanced across that open space
they were almost hidden from view by
the thick underbrush through which they
were making their way. All eyes Were
directed toward them.
They are the enemy" said some
Shall we fire upon themF asked 9th,
ers.
''No, they are bluecoats," was the re
ply.
See, they have our flag flying"
Yes; but they may be trying thus tC
deceive u.s.
1t was plain to be seen that that body
Of men coming toward us were grayback'
and bluecoats But whether that motley
crowd was taking that course in order e
get close upon US before making n charg,
or was trying to call our attention while
some other party of the enemy rushed
upon us upon our flank, were question!
that / as commander had TO consider, anC
act upon my own responsibility.