The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-05

a L
eral weeks, and we felt once again the
bond of sympathy joining us to loved ones
at home. Gen. Sherman and other dis
tinguished officers rode through the
camps, scattering congratulations right
and left TO the men in short speeches,
praising their gallantry and announcing
the result of the battle as a great vic
tory. These assurances elected the great
est enthusiasm in the ranks, and brought
out continuous cheers, which echoed along
the line of camps from right to left, and
back again, as did the roar of musketry
one week ago.
Our baggage wagons reached camp on
Monday after tedious delays in getting
ferried across the river, in climbing the
steep bank at the Landing, and in drag
ging hub-deep through the mud. We soon
placed our comfortable tents in position,
and, with sufficient rations and pleasant
weather, we felt happy once more.
After dinner / started with a comrade
to visit friends in an Illinois regiment,
from our own section of the State, which
found our walk a long one, through the
various regimental camps, but on finding
our friends were much interested in hear
ing them relate their thrilling experience
of two days in battle. How the enemy
burst upon them at the break of day and
bullets whistied about their ears before
they had time to do more than seize their
arms how they rushed from their camp
as the enemy entered it, to rally at the
first sheltered spot, only to be forced back
until they found position where they
could maintain themselves until darkness
brought relief for the day: how the con-
flict was renewed next morning, and ragged
with fury until exhaustion first overcame
the Confederates, who sullenly retired.
LOST ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Late in the afternoon my comrade and
l started TO return to our camp, and in
order to shorten our walk we selected
what we supposed was short cut through
the woods. We walked several miles, and
at length found ourselves in the midst of
the dense forest, where none of the famil-
ar sounds OF camp reached our ears. We
realized that we We're lost and that a
wrong course might lead Us 20 miles
through the woods away from our camp
and into the enemy's lines. The sun was
dipping low and the shadows began to
deepen. We Quickened our steps in alarm,
but in Il moment recOiled iii horror from Il
figure in gray, crOuching behind a tree,
with q blackened, distorted face, appar-
emily staring at us with hostile purpose
4 second glance disclosed 10 lis Il death
wound in the forehead that had ended
consciousness sc suddenly whit, ne was in
the act of taking aim at his enemies, that
me muscles We're scarcely relaxed, the
body retaining the attitude of life, kneel-
ing at the foot of the tree which sup
ported the left shoulder, while the right
shoulder and face were exposed to the
firing fron the front. We recoied from
this object only TO be brought face to face
with others equally hOrrifying, until we
became SO demoralized that when my
r.F.Wan lion aa.st...
ton and | in another he settled the
question by suddenly darting off into the
woods, and in Il moment was lost to my
view.
Then the terror of the situation was
aggravated by my loneliness and the gath
ering shadows of approaching darkness,
fully realizing what an awful position
would be mine if compelled to spend the
night surrounded by the cOrpses and per
haps the reyengeful spirits of my enemies.
1t was not the time or the place to find
consolation in the belief that was in the
right ana they in the wrong. A multitude
Of tie dead, if given voice, would de-
nounce me as an invader of their land,
accessory to their death. Nor could my
turbulent fears be quoted by faith in
Gods Word, that the Spirit returns to
Hun VINO gave it, not left to hover about
It's inanlmate clay. Judgment and Faith
both yielded 10 the supernatural influence
of my surroundings Reason. felt.
would next desert me if | did not escape
before darkness should envelop Inc in this
great cemetery Of unburied dead
These thoughts fairly burned through
my brain as | stood and vainly tried to
decide what course would lead me out of
the Wilderness. My hesitation was mo-
mentaIy; time was precious so with hur-
ried steps | dashed in the supposed di-
rection If camp. a large fallen tree Law
across my path, and leaping upon it l was
about to Jump down on the other side,
when Il CHASTITY row of eight or 10 dis
tOrtcd faces glared at me from the ground,
where as many Confederates had fallen.
My eyes rested on the hideous scene but
moment, but every detail was photo
graphed indelibiy on my mind, as I darted
away III the opposite direction. Evidently