The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-06

that proved very valuable, for while the companies on my right and left suffered severely. did not have a man hurt dur ing the first evening of the battle. About the center of my company was a hick- ory tree little larger than my body, and I took my position behind this, standing up so that could have a full survey of the whole field. Our position was on the edge of little branch; in our front was a long stretch of slightly undulat~ Ing ground and in our rear a slight eleva- tion running parallel to the little stream in our front. The ground upon which the battle was fought was in the woods, but there was but little undergrowth, so, In my position, I had fine view. Our slIir- mishers had not been in long before great masses of the enemy in four or five lines appeared in our front. They came on in splendid style with flags waving and their guns shining in the bright sunlight, the sun making It's appearance after one of the heavy showers we had been having for several days, and, by the way, which continued for the proverbial forty days and forty nights.''
 Our artillery-sixteen pieces--was mass. ed at one point, opened upon the enemy, but they continued to advance until with in range of our small arms when a blaze shot from our line and was promptly re- sponded to by the enemy. But our fire was more than they could stand and they fell back to the tune of shells, minnie balls and rebel yells. No sooner had this line disappeared than we heard the "huz- ga, huzza, huzza" of the .Federals, this being their way of cheering, and we knew that we would have but a brief breathing spell. Sure enough in a few minutes an- other magnificent line advanced and reached the same point reached by the first line. when they were met by the same whitening fire which their friends had met few minutes before and, like the first line, they too gave way followed by our yells.
 But these yells had scarcely died away before their loud huzzas warned us that another charge was about to be made and sure enough. before the smoke from the other charges had lifted another long line of blue was seen emerging from the woods in the distance and on they came, reaching a point still nearer our line and making a more determined effort than either of the others. I noticed a color bearer with a magnificent flag, when the line halted, plant his flag, and, gathering its folds. press them to his breast. In a few moments he was enveIoped in smoke and, when the charge was over and the smoke drifted away I could see neither
 
 escaped safely with the object of his af- lection still pressed to his breast.
 Thus, for two hours or more the battle ragged; charge after charge advancing with cheers; like waves beating against the rock bound coast they were thrown back, shattered. follO~Sed by loud yells and cheers of triumph. One single divis- ion in a single line had met and repulsed every attack of one of the best corns of tha TadA Nn Stewart was proud of his division. After the battle for the evening was over lie rode down the line tears streaming down his face as much from joy at the victory as rom sorrow for his dead and dying soldiers that strewed the way.
 During the fight Gibson's Louisiana brigade arrived in our rear and one of his regiments-the 18th Louisiana. I think performed as pretty an evolution as I ever saw on the battlefield.
 Thinking doubtless. that We were hard pressed and needed assistance. they came on in column at double-quick until the head of their column reached the little ridge that I have spoken of, in rear of our position, when the order was given Change front forward on first company" and right there under fire the movement was executed like clock work.
 It was a fine but unnecessary display
 
 needed they retired. in few minutes, be- hind the crest of the little ridge on which thev had so splendidly formed.
 The battle was over. the smoke had lifted, the western heavens were lit up by the golden light of a beautiful sunset; the young leaves had put forth and pendant to each was a raindrop. sparkling and giistening in the sunshine like a beautiful gem It was a May evening. balmy and sweet. well calculated to fill the heart with love and thoughts of home. All at once a Federal band. distant not more than six or eight hundred yards, began to play beautifully "The Star Snangied Banner" and when it ceased the Federal soldiers cheered and huzzaed. moment later. and very much to our surprise. the band of the Louisiana regiment, just in our rear. struck up "Dixie.". and played it splendidly and when 1t ceased playing wa yelled and cheered and yelled again as A lot of old Confederate could yell. As soon as We ceased the Federal band struck up ''Yankee Doodle and when it finished they huzzaed and cheered again. and then our band struck up "The Bon nie Blue Flag and we cheered and yelled again. Scarcely had our cheers ceased before. softly and sweetly. came floating on the evening air. from the Federal band Home. Sweet Home"
 They finished. but there was neither huzza nor cheer. but all around could be seen stern men with their faces blackened with the smoke of battle. wiping away with their rough jacket sleeves the tears that trickled down their faces.
 The sad duty of burying the dead hay ing been performed we lay down on the