The National tribune., 1902-12-25

the new line of battle, but we were sep
arated from them and had no knowledge
Of their whereabouts.
We could scarcely see the length of
our own short regimental line, which was
often broken by the obstacles we met as
well as by the hordes Of disorganized fugi=
Itives who were still pouring through. seek
ing safety in the rear. The regiment thus
frequently divided was with great diff
Guilty reunited ard kept together amid this
chaos. 1t was never for a moment disin-
tegrated-that was one of the proud
boasts Of its officers and men throughout
the war and since. I believe also that the
same is true of all the regiments in Sheri-
dams Division.
Our retrograde movement was slow,
punctured with frequent short pauses
while we awaited developments and the
orders of superior authority. We marched
and halted in line of battle, always with
elaboration. The musketry fire of the
enemy affected us little, as the trees stood
in such close ranks that bullet could fly
but a short distance without striking one
of them. But the artillery worked some
damage and caused much apprehension in
| addition to its incessant uprOar.
DARKNESS AND CONFUSION.
Shells and cannon balls shrieking over
our heads occasionally cut off a tree-tOp
and sent it crashing down, inficting injury
where it fell. A solid shot struck the
barrel Of a musket which soldier was
carrying on his shoulder, sent the man
sprawling to the ground, and bent the
Belgian relic into a symmetrical but I'M
lserviceable curve. A shell exploding near
the left of our regimental line about five
feet from the ground, instantly killed the
four men into whose midst it was falling.
| There was no opportunity for resistance
and the strongest nerves would finally
quail under exposure to unseen dangers.
Men with weaker nerves naturally became
hysterical and lachrymose, losing what
ever self-control they would ordinarily
have, and abandoning themselves to de
spair when not sustained by the discipline
and comradeship of an effective organi.
cation. Those who never before realized
the value of military drill fully understood
| its necessity now. The touch of elbows
means much more than mere physical con
tact. 1t means an electric current of sym
patty and heroism flowing down the line
from soul to soul, which gives confidence
and hope, wins victories and inspires t.
deeds Of valorous achievement.
| For half an hour no real fighting was
done by us, at least in the matter of fir
ing; in fact we could have done little al
best, as our ammunition was entirely ex
hausted when we fell back from the posi-
ton at the border Of the cedars Every
soldier, nearly, had consumed his allotted
40 rounds" each cartridge including q
big musket ball and two buckshot
Neither was the danger just now immi
nent, but taken all in all it was a place
of fearful trial, largely because we wer'
thus in absolute ignorance of our sur
Iroundings and destination. We lost al
90 osVrfe NE al
} lapse of time. Organizations which re
manned intact measurably preserved thei
J morale; but those which had been pound
ed to pieces in the open field were unable
, to regain discipline in this whirlwind O.
darkness and confusion.
, Brave men were utterly demoralized
, frantic with fear and paralyZed with dis
: enlargement. Officers waved their sword
/ and shouted and swore and pleaded in
) vain attempt to stem the tide and rail-!
, their commands. There could not posi-
bly, have been any worse exhibitions a
Bull Run, or Cedar Greek than were wit
) messed here.
II OUT OF THE WILDERNESS.
Il was a typical, disgraceful, inexcusabl
Istampede. But fortunately the demorali
cation lasted but brief period and no re
: ports of it have extended into the realm
: Of newspaper comment or the domain o
history; it was all over in half an hour
The cedars were passed and when sun
z shine and open country were reached tn
? panic instantly subsidized. Men sough
their colors, fell into line and Tough
through the remainder of the battle an,
) through two years more of cruel war witt
q bravery that royalty atoned for this mo
mentary lapse of valor and loyalty.
= This fearful. phenomenal ordeal, thi
/ strain upon nerve and spirit, made notable
the episode Of Sheridan's battle among tn
: cedars, for of fierce fighting in the intri