The National tribune., 1903-09-03

two clouds of smoke and sent their
charges of grape HURTING about our ears.
What a relief it was to realize, after the
missiles had sounded their discordant
notes and passed on, that no holes had
been shot through our bodies, and that our
heads and limbs still remained in their
proper position. The Confederate artil-
lerymen quickly prepared another round
of the same material for us, but before
they had time to fire again the Colonel
had turned the leading files of the regi-
ment into the woods at the right to estab-
fish our line at right angles with road and
far enough below the brow of the hill to
be protected from the enemy's fire. The
balance of the regiment, noticing the di-
rection, came across the hillside by right
oblique movement to their places, without
displaying any curiosity to peep over the
hill top.
OUR LAST BATTLE.
As We declined to stand for target n
| second time, the artillerymen emptied an
other round of grape into the little pine
trees where we had disappeared from
| their view. There was a tremendous
cracking over our heads and a shower of
bark and splinters, but no damage to US.
They followed with shells, but we were
safely under the protection Of the hill.
Our line having been established, n por-
ton Of the regiment was deplOyed as
skirmishers and made their way to the
bank Of the dam, at the same time eX-
changing shots with the opposing skirm-
ishers on the opposite bank. Gen. Nor
gan and staff, all dismounted, sat On the
hillside near us, watching the movement
Of our brigade into line.
My place, with several comrades, was
very close to the General, and we listened
int tn cati in
and orders.
We learned that he had sent Wander
veer's Brigade down the creek mile and
half to cross and come up the other
side, which movement he was confident
would clear our front of the enemy. This
information removed our fear that we
would be required to charge that battery
across the dam. We did not care much
for ordinary skirmishing, but we consid-
cred the Confederates so nearly ex-
hausted that we could end the war with
out charging any more batteries, although
we had not yet heard of Lees surrender
the day previous.
1t was an interesting study to watch
the faces of the soldiers who were filing
past US toward the crest of the hill, be-
yond which could be heard the clatter of
musketry, while shells Mt intervals
crashed through the trees above US.
These men did not know, as We did,
that the enemy was to be dislodged By a
flank movement, but supposed they were
about to make n charge. We could read
in their faces the same emotions that pos
sessed us half hour before, when we
climbed the hill to become target for
grape and canister. Not a careless or in
different countenance was to be seen. The
silence that pervaded the ranks and the
tightly -compressed lips indicated the
thought that oppressed each heart, the
thought of falling at the very threshold
OF peace, where one more step meant safe
ty, freedom, happiness, home. There was,
indeed, one break in the silence and sad
ness Of this procession.
A Lieutenant marching along with de-
pressed manner and downcast eyes, sud
denly noticed Gen. Morgan, and as though
aroused from q dream turned abruptly
and exclaimed with a loud voice, Come,
buck along, men; buck along" Imme-
| diately there was an eXplosiOn-not q
shell, but Gen. Morgan's laughter. Turn
Ing TO his staff he said: did you ever
hear such military command as that in
all your life?"
The Lieutenant had passed out of sight
| long before the General had recovered his
war visage. Shortly after, we were graft
fed to hear the popping OF Vanderyeer'.
muskets on the other side Of the creek,
and presently the skirmishers of our regi-
ment noticed that the Confederates were
drawing away from the opposite bank.
A last volley from our muskets brought
no response. Thenceforth the guns Of the
Bath III. were silent. Our actual fighting
ended at MOccasin Greek. Never again
did We face the enemy within gunshot
range.