The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15
CLOSE OF SHILOH'S FIRST DAY
The Grand Struggle Of Sunday Night,
in Which Grant Was Not Beaten.

Blue and Gray Magazine.
The man who tells you that without
Buell. Grant would have lost at Shiloh did
not see that last grand struggle on Sunday
night 1t was while waiting for this strug-
gle that 1 saw the grandest sight. save one,
that l witnessed during the entire war;
We were placed head downward on a hill
side, with a battery of four or more guns
at its top. We are facing the west. Look
ing out through the openings the sunshine
falls bright and clear on everything. Look
ing to the right or left we see battalions
forming and going into position. A lull in
the crash and roar of battle; its stiffness is
oppressive. Look away out yonder-see the
flashing. cleaning sunshine on the polished
steel in front and on the TANKS; it is the
coming of the enemy. In close columns,
by division, with flags futtering. and its
army moving en- echelon. See now distinct
every rife barrel bayonet and saber. like
the glimmer of silver and simmer of
brass. In the front is a regiment of
zouaves. grander sight man never saw
than this coming of the Confederate army.
We see the swinging motion noticeable
when great bodies OF men move together.
Thus comes this human battering ram with
artillery training in its ranks, presenting
the appearance of a huge monster closed
in folds of flashing steel. On comes the
enemy IN ltS Iull prlQe, sure OF
crushing the beaten. broken Army of the
Tennessee. in perfect step, with arms at
right seeming conscious of
its might. With blare Of bands and bugles
the line advances; we see IL coming and
wonder IL some one will raise white flag.
/ load my gun and lie fat on the ground
head downward, with teeth tightly closed
TO await what seems our sure fate Be
hind the front line comes another, and
still another. The woods alive with
them. On they come; so their lires begin
to unfold and develop; these movements
are executed with exact step. and arms are
still at right-shoulder-shift. I see an age
In a moment. We are startled by a cannon
shot above uS-a signal for more. IL is an
swered by binding fash. a mighty roar.
The earth trembles, something strikes me;
a darkness falls about me; smoke and
leaves. and twigs and gravel and earth I'LL
the air. / start up anrighted, wondering If
the earth and heavens are coming together.
II is the good evening OF Websters great
guns above TO the bold. defiant Confed-
crate host. Artillery along the line opens
and the final struggle has begun.
No white flag there. Our cannoneers are
planting their shrapnel where IL will do
mcst harm, and IL falls amidst the crowded
mass OF the enemy, as true as II IL had been
carried by hand. The smoke before us lifts
and we see beneath IL the lines of the
enemy. with great gaps torn in them, clos
ing UP and still advancing. We open upon
them a line fire. the guns behind us are still
throwing case shot, the roar deafens US and
blinds US for time. Again II lifts and We
see the gray line staggering under the aw-
full fire IL faces. The gunboats take up the
fight, but on comes that determined line
until only corporal's guard remains. We
other pushes on. to disappear like the first.
Our line Is blaze OF fire: IL In volcano.
II hurls defiance with Its shots at the
proud. splendid bravery OF the enemy. who
die but refuse to retreat
The fight becomes fendish: the enemy
concentrates his IRE and brings into action