The National tribune., 1901-12-26

Q,
move out to the skirmish line. The bri
gade was formed there and at once movet
along the railroad down the valley toward
the Gap. We proceeded three miles, whel
The enemys picketS were encGuntGfed' aIo
our regiment was then deployed to th'
left of the road with two of our com
panieS as skiTmiSherS. we l0llp"cu
within supporting distance, through IedN
underbruSh down to creek, WDlth W.
crossed and emerged at clearing on inc
slope of Il hill, where charge Was oi
dered and we quickly reached the top 10 I9i-
lowed by portion of our brigade I'
enemy kept out of our way, but we lol-
lowed them down the other side 10 ih
other creek and up to the top ot Il sil'llleI I 'I
conical HILL where we We're oFGefed
to halt. 1t was a running fight of three
quarters of mile, and while there was
considerable firing, the loss in our brigade
was only one man killed, belonging TO INC
18th Ohio.
,vadpd Mill Creek waist deep and climbed
hill so steep that the men had TO pun
themselves up by the underbruSh, at the
same time facing a heavy skirmlsh hre o!
the enemy.
BuzzARD RoosT GAP.
From our new position we could look
into Buzzard Roost Gap and We're not
much over a half-mile distant from d re-
doubt that commanded the approach.
After quiet had been secured on our
newIv-formed line we were retired 4 few
wards and prepared to bivOuac IN large,
open field; but we were still in PLAIN view
and in easy range of the fort, and conse-
Quently we lay down to sleep with the I'M
preston that our camphres would GER
fainly insure us q broadSide before morn
ing. hut we were permitted 50 rest in
peace probably because our antagonists
preferred that we should try to enter the
Gap, where complete preparations had
heen made for our reception by SEMI
circle of batteries on the inner side, capa-
bic of converging their fire upon the SIN
gle roadway by which we must enter.
During the night our brigade conf
mander our Colonel and four volunteers
from Co. A reconnoitered the entrance TO
the Gap for the purpose of cutting Dam
which greatly obstructed the passage, Dut
a sentry was found on guard and de-
tachment within call, so it was necessary
TO reinforce our small party, and the at
femnt was then made TO reach the dam
but the guard was alarmed and resisted,
and our venture had to be abandoned.
We were awake early the morning OF
May Q. Our point of observation gave US
a good view Of the operations against
Rocky Face Ridge and Buzzard RooSt
Off to our left we could hear the Sklrmsh-
ers of HOward's Corps and see the smoke
that marked their line working along the
base Of the ridge in our direction. On
our right Hooker's skirmishers appeared
TO be making some progress up the steep
declivity, while directly in front and about
half a mile distant, we could see the skir-
mishers of our own division working their
way forward and upward in the midst of
loose rocks and scrubby trees near the
edge of the Gap on the north side. The
battery on the right of the Gap might
have given us trouble had it not been sub
iect TO a persistent fire from one of our
batteries which kept it fully employed.
Although the nature of the ground re-
stricted operations to skirmish lines, yet
the musketry firing was heavy and con-
tinuous as if great bettle was in progress.
Our regiment remained an idle spectator
until . p. n.. when we were called TO the
support of our skirmishers in front and
crossed over to the base of the ridge and
there halted 10 await further develop
men1S while stray bullets dropped occa
siOnaly in our midst. Presently it was an
nounced that the skirmishers We're short
of ammunition, and two OF our companies
were placed on the line, which then
pressed forward with renewed energy un-
Ill natural paliSade of rock half way up
the ridge efrectually barred further prog
ress, while the enemy could be seen in
heavy force above ii.
The remainder of the day was spent in
holding what We had gained, but when
darkness came and the firing ceased our
companies were withdrawn from the skir
mish line and rejoined us to bivouac un-
der arms upon the rough, inhospitabe
mountain side. Our loss was nine wound
ed, several mOrtally.
Apparently our army had come to
gtandstll-in fact, had encountered diff
culties too great to be surmounted by any
advance from our present position. The
few narrow passages through the palisades
were effectually guarded. We came to
the conclusion that JohnstOn's position
was invulnerable, and his men evidently
believed so too, for we could hear their
cheers ringing along the mOuntain-top as
though their enthusiasm was worked up
TO a high pitch
Our regiment remained at the foot of
the ridge until 10 m, May 10, and then
retired across the valley to a hill, where
We found shelter behind its brow in the
rear of one OF our batteries planted OF the
crest. About noon duel was begun be
tween this battery and one Of the enemy
on the hill opposite, and continued the re
mainder Of the day. We endured the
screaming Of shot and shell over our heads
and watched them fall in the valley be
hind US with eQuanimity, as we were fair
ly out Of danger in this respect, but an
occasional bullet from the skirmish line
reached our quarters. One Of our com
p3nies was placed on the skirmiSh line Il
quarter Of a mile in advance, and kept up
an irregular contest with the Confederate
5KlInlSnefS, nflnS from the shelter OF
logs, stumps and trees.
A PERILoUs MISSION.
During the night one Of our companies
was stealthily located just inside the Gap
in a little ravine sheltered from the en-
emy's guns. 1t became my duty during
the day 10 carry a message 10 this com
pany, and in preference TO lodging through
the brush to avoid hostile sharp-shooters
] chose 10 enter the Gap in full view of
the inside batteries believing that small
object would not attract the fire OF the big
guns. My conclusion was correct and ar
forded me an intensely interesting view OF
a semi-circle of batteries commanding the
passageway of the Gap. 1t required but
little effort Of imagination while ira
versing the narrow roadway 10 conceive
the frightful slaughter that would result
should our columns crowd into this fun
nelsbaped aperture, swept as it would be
with the concentrated FIRE of perhaps hall
q hundred cannon.
Within our lines and directly in front OF
the Gap stands q solitary cabin with ont.
buildings, occupied by half dozen women
and as many children. They are exposed
10 the fire of the Confederate batteries
and have dug q cave into which 10 retreat
when the expected battle surgcs arounC
their home. Shells fly shricking over tl,
house and TO right and left Of Ii, but Nh,
gunncrs arc careful not to shoot too close
Neither do we use it as rampant to in