Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
The 10th Georgia At KnorUale
BY o. .. WALDEN.

after the battle OF Chicksmauga the
Tenth Georgia regiment occupied the
trenches in front OF Chattanooga for
few weeks. exposed alternately 20 cold
rains from the clouds and hot Smelling
from the Yankee batteries, which rem
dered our stay very uncomfortable, ana
some OF rs who had lost our blankets on
the way from Virginia. suffered severely
for want Of bedding. From there we TOOK
uaSsRre ON freight cars TO East Tennessee
and after short stops at LOudon. Sweet
water and some other places we finally
confronted Burnsides' army at Knoxville.
We remained there two or three weeks
and had some exciting encounters with
the Yankees
A DOUBLE REPULSION,
We had one little tilt with them In
which both parties OF combatants we're
routed and All led frantically from each
other IN opposite directions. One after
noon a detachment from our regiment
crossed the river below town on ferry
boat 70 reconnoitre on the hills opposite
the town. The expedition was commando
2 ed BY Captain A. ]. Mcbride, or our COM
pany. who was afterward promoted 10
colonel Our company. In command OF
Lieutenant Fuller. started up a very taii'
steeD hill or mountain that overlooked the
town. and. on account Of the unevenness
Of the ground and the density OF the
woods through which we had TO pass, we
marched up in single file. l. e.. we were
strung out in q single line one oenino
another and an following in the trail OF
the file leader, who was in front When
We got within about 30 yards OF the TOP
we we're saluted by some unseen parties
on the hin above US with a volley OF
mimic halls that whistled so fearfuIy
close to our ears as they passed down the
hill parallel with the line OF our neads
as 20 leave no doubt Of the sincerity OF
the implied threat We all darted Instant
~ behind the most convenient trees,
without waiting for orders 20 do so, and
the movement was made with such sud
denness and haste that several hats we're
left behind
For some reason our commander didn't
see at TO accept the challenge by return
ing the FIRE. but. after few minutes. de-
liberation. ordered US 10 retreat and We
+. obaved promptly and vigorously. dashing
down the hin in the widest confusion,
some OF US stumbling and falling head
long down the steep descent as We went
Next day the entire party, In command
OF Captain Mcbride. assembled that NH
again and on this occasion, our advance
was not opposed We learned rom .. soil,e
OF the inhabitants that during our flight,
on the preceding day, the Yankees were
fleeing similarly in the other direction.
A MIDNIGT ATTACK.
on the night before the battle Of Knox
Vile the Tenth Georgia regiment was Sc
lected 10 make the preliminary advance.
TO drive in the pickets. during the night.
II was considerably after our usual BED
time when we formed in line preparatory
20 starting. We were kept standing for
a considerable time. while the details OF
the movement were being perfected. and
during the long. weary moments, some
OF Us we're haunted by the most dreadful
forebOdings. / had hitherto made some
slight pretensions 20 bravery but on this
occasion my courage failed me entirely.
The air was cold. and the chilliness
brought upon US great nervous depres-
sion The night was dark and the dark
ness seemed 20 very greatly increase the
friEhtfulness OF the terrible outlook. 1
had always been inclined 10 a supersu-
tfous fear OF venturing into strange places
IN the dark We had never been over the
ground over which we were TO pass, and
as II had been held BY the enemy. our way
was probably beset with pitfalls and in
fsrnal machines that threatened our de-
struction. And Il seemed that we would
be at a disadvantage on account OF the
fact the Yankees could hear our approach
while we, BY reason OF the darkness.
would be ignorant OF their whereabouts
and they could strike US down before we
could prepare TO offer any resistance.
ployed as skirmishers. az intervals Of
about FIVE steps apart. and marched slow
" and continuously to the front. We had
been cautioned 70 proceed as nOislessly
as possible, but the coughing, sneezing.
stumbling and the breaking OF small
wooden sticks under our feet made a con-
siderable racket in spite OF our efforts 10
avoid being overheard. When we got
within about forty yards OF the pickets
they discovered us. fired and fed. but
most OF their shots were aimed entirely
too high TO be dangerous to US, as was
shown BY the direction OF the flashes from
their guns and so our casualties were
few IN number and slight in degree After
waking some OF their men. whom they
had left asleep and sending them back
as prisoners. we advanced one or two
hundred yards. transformed ourselves
from sl<irmishers into picket line and
epent the remainder Of the night SILVER
ing on the frozen ground and suffering
agonies beyond the power OF language
20 express.
We had carried but little OF anything
20 wrap ourselves IN. the bullets from the
eneuy's lines whistled over US too thick
" to- admit OF our standing on our feet.
and TO have kindled a fire would have
drawn the concentrated firing Of the whole
lire so we had no other alternative but
70 wait and suffer. Soon after daybreak
our line OF battle started forward 20
storm the fort and after a desperate on
slaught upon IL. the gallant little army.