The National tribune., 1903-08-27

rear. we cOulu near the tramplnS or
many feet in the brush behind us, soon
followed by the zip" of bullets from the
same direction. 1t was now safer on the
outside of our barricades, SO We climbed
over, and by using our muskets with des-
perate energy, prevented our assailants
from approaching too near.
Fanderveer's Brigade, on our right, had
repealed all assaults from the front, while
its right was rendered secure from flank
ing movements by the swamp Oh which
it rested. 1t was drawn up in two lines,
formation too compact for the pressing
demand to occupy more space. So Gen.
Morgan took the second line of two regi-
ments (only four regiments being pres
ent) and hung it to the left of our brigade,
but our line was still too short to connect
with the five broken brigades in our rear,
and we still had to repel spasmOdic at
lacks front and rear, leaping our barri-
cades as many as four times during the
battle, but never leaving them.
That little band, composed of the right
and left files of two regiments, standing
shoulder to shoulder at the point of the
angle. furnished sure anchorage for the
maintenance of our line as far as our bar
ricades extended. Beyond the protection
afforded by these works the regiments
composing our left flank were tossed and
buffeted by the infowins stream of Con-
federates, and separated and confused by
the intricate nature of the ground, which
consisted of a swamp, covered with briers
and brush. But they kept on fighting, and
when forced back by irresistible pressure,
returned again and again to their places
in the line whenever the pressure was re-
Taxed.
One regiment of our brigade n21st
Ohio having been sent to the left of Van
n nnr'e txr-<.
left, was so roughly handled by the enc
my that it was broken into two portions
and each fought separately during the re-
mainder of the battle. One portion found
its way to the left of our regiment and
there maintained its position until the close
of the action.
But if we were confused and bewilder-
ed, the Confederates were equally so. If
We were surprised to find them in our
rear, they were surprised after passing
through the gap, that we were in their
rear. We were so badly mixed in that
swamp that when one detached body ap-
preached another it was necessary to en-
ter into mutual explanations before firing
We and the rebs no longer represented the
blue and the gray. Our uniform was alike
in respect to rags, and there was no more
color of blue in one than there was gray
in the other. The rains of heaven and
the interminable mud of earth, had given
both armies the same muddy hue
The shades of evening increased the diff
fculty of recognizing friends or belliger-
ents. Many detached bodies of Confeder-
ates Numbered unexpectedly within range
of our muskets, and were compelled to
enter our lines as prisoners. One of the
separated portions of the 121st Ohio sent
out detail to beat through the brush and
it succeeded in bringing in G5 prisoners,
including an officer. The other portion
which had sought refuge with us. as al
ready stated, discovered, about dusk, after
the firing had ceased, body of men ap-
preaching through the tangled brush, APP
parently unaware of what was before
them. We were notified by the Major in
command of the Ohio detachment, and
held ourselves in readiness for defense
Presently we heard the Major call out
Halt" and the shuffling of feet in the
bushes ceased. The Major then demanded
"Who comes thereT' but the reply did not
indicate whether they were friends or
foes. Both parties persisted in asking
questions, and neither disclosed its iden-
tity. At length the leader of the approach
ing party sent Lieutenant over to our
line to see who we were, and he was very
much surprised to find himself pris-
Oner. He informed the Major that his
then called out, Surrender, or we will
fire." and waited sufficiently long for re-
ply, but receiving none, gave the command
Fire" We responded, and the enemy
disappeared.
After the first assault by the enemy,
and the disappearance of the four brigades
on our left, it appeared to us that our
brigade and Vanderveer's, composed of
10 regiments, and numbering not more
than $500 men, had to bear the bruni of
the battle for our army.
We were separated from Gen. Slocum,
our Wing Commander, and from Gen.
Davis, our Corps Commander, who was so
hard-pressed that he had to send his es-
cort into action in self-defense. At times
we were separated from Gen. Morgan, our
Division Commander, but Gen. Mitchell,
our Brigade Commander, was continually
in our midst, alert and cheerful.
Once, however, when our isolation ap-
peared to be almost complete, and Confed-
crates were in sight in all directions, Gen.
Mitchell came into the ranks of our reg-
ment. and being informed that our am
munifion waS rnnninV chnrf bo lnnLad NJ