The National tribune., 1901-02-21

part of the Ninth Corps was in our front.
In fact, Capt. Theodore f. Allen, 7th Ohio
Cav, whom we afterward captured, said
he thought Burnside had fully 10000 men
on the field before night. To confront this
host, Gen. Williams was compelled to
string out his men until his little army was
a mere skirmish line, nearly two miles
long.
About o'clock p. IN. Burnside apparent
ly resolved upon grand coup de main.
Massing his infantry and artillery, he
made furious attack on our center. This
onset broke our lines, separating Giltner
from Carter. We were now treated to a
spectacular exhibition magnificent to be-
hold. The blue host, debouching from the
woodland into the open fields, lines dressed
in close array, drums beating and bugles
sounding, sea of glittering bayonets,
shining guns and cleaning sabers, chal-
lenged our admiration. With bated breath
we involuntarily exclaimed: Splendid!
Magnifcentp'
1t now seemed that we would certainly
be overwhelmed. Not so. We held a
strong position on the ridges and along the
wooded slopes. The enemy were on lower
ground, In open fields. Our artillery, ad-
mirably served, had front and cross-fre
at easy range. When the imposing array
moved forward our artillery thundered.
The firing was phenomenally rapid, the
booming Of the artillery and fusilade Of
small arms blending in one continuous
sound. Whole platoons of the enemy
seemed to sink to the ground. The mag
nificent dress parade was broken. Life
less bodies strewn upon the plain, and the
groans of the wounded changed our ex-
clamation o. admiration to one of pity. A
few brief moments had wrought a Won
drous change. The broken array retired
to refuge in the woodland. 1t was now
nearly dark and the enemy made no more
imposing demonstrations.
When night dropped her sable curtain
down the desultory firing ceased, our
troops remaining in position, but not dar-
ing to build fires. We had lost at least
100 men, while we thought the Federal
loss must be much greater. Many of their
killed and wounded fell into our hands.
Neither men nor horses had had anything
to eat since the early morning, and, as the
sequel proved, we were destined to make n
long march and fight three battles on the
morrow Sunday before we should have
an opportunity to break our fast or rest
our weary bodies.
l have never met a Confederate soldier
who has not said, what we all thought at
the close Of that day, that "CerIo Gordo"
Williams and his little division of cavalry
and artillery, had they never engaged in
| any other conflict, might rest their fame
on the issue of that day and be content
with the laurels won at Blue Springs
AT nightfall Gen. Williams went to
Greenville TO communicate by telegraph
with Gen. William Z. Jones or Gen. Ran
som.
Lying In line of battle, II soon became
evident the Federals were not idle. They
were gradually investing our position
digging riie-pits within speaking distance
of our front and swinging around our
fanks. We marveled that Gen. Williams
should leave us in that precarious posi-
ton; but old "Cerro Gordo" never did
learn when or how to retreat. Conscious
| of the presence of the enemy in over
whelming force, and pf our ridiculous dis
parity in number, every man felt that cap
tiyity would be his fate should our little
army remain there through the night. The
| lines, front and on the left flank, were so
| close that the combatants could distinctly
hear one another when talking in ordinary
| tone.
Col. Giltner, always an Independent
spirit, was the senior officer in the alb
sence of the General Resolving that, or
ders or no orders, he would not needlessly
sacrifice bis men, he sent for Col. Carter,
and | heard them, In subdued tones, dis
| cuss the situation. Giltner did most of the
talking, citing the undeniable fact that by
morning our position would be environed
by an alert and determined enemy, and
evitable result. Finally, rising to his feet,
he said: "Col. Carter, you may do as you
please, but there is no commandant In this
army that can compel me to uselessly sac
rifice my brave Kentuckiaas II posi-
BILE, am going to lead my brigade out of
this trap before the dawn of day. They
may cashier me. Be It so. shall imme-
diately issue orders for the quiet with
drawal of my lines" Garter passively as
sented to all Giltner said, and agreed to
withdraw his Tennesseeans and Georgians.
following the Kentuckians. The order
was whispered along the lines, and, like
the Arab, we folded our tents and silently
stole away.