The National tribune., 1903-10-08

unchallenged. They saw a little mar
| flourishing portentous saber and directln:
their movements with emphatic language
Although the members of Co. A could not
| understand what he said. they thought
from the emphasis, volubility and impreca
tions that the speaker was using the
French language, and that his party were
Louisianians, in which suppOsitiOn they
were correct, the linen in blue" being
members of Col. Mouton's fine regiment
the 18th La. Their uniform got them into
exasperating trouble, Confederate regi
ments frequently firing into them by mis-
take. Finally, they retaliated. When they
received Confederate volley, they would
reply in kind. This caused complaint and
demonstration, but the Louisianians gave
sound military reasons for their conduct
saying: I'VE fire at anybody what fire al
us-G| d."
Shortly after the Morgan men became
acquainted with the LOuisianians, they
saw the latter and n Kentucky brigade
charge across a wide fed, just in front
of where the little officer had been drill,
ing his men in blue" and engage Fed
eral force at close quarters, so close as to
cross bayonets, and the volume of mus
kerry even drowning the roar of artillery
When the Federals fell back. they did SC
in fine array, preserving perfect order
They occasionally faced about to fire upon
their pursuers who were pressing them
and thus fighting they disappeared in the
woods. The Morgan Squadron. now rel
forced by the Texas Rangers" was fol.
lowing close behind the Louisianians and
Kentucky infantry, unable to pass them
on account of 4 ravine on the left flank
Now, however an unexpected opportunity
for them to actively participate in the bat
tie presented itself. While the cavalry
was crossing the field some Federal Skin
mishers appeared in the edge of the woods
about so yards distant. The Federals were
directing their attention principally to
Byrne's battery, which was also crossing
the field. their fire preventing the artil,
lerymen from un!imbering their guns.
MORGAN CHARGES INFANTRY.
Perceiving the importance of driving
back those annoying skirmishers, Col. Nor
gan at once ordered the charge, the squad
ron dashing at full gallop into the woods
and following the retreating skirmishers
until they had fallen back TO their regi.
ment. When they suddenly encountered
the infantry regiment they found them
selves in a 'predicament." They were in
no formation whatever. all line having
been lost when crowding through the
thickets and underbrush of the woodland.
but, fortunately for them, the Federal
regiment, coming in contact with like OBJ
stacles, had lost the compactness Of its
formation also. The Federals, however,
fired n stunning volley into the disordered
squadron, the blaze from the guns almost
reaching their faces. The next moment
they rode right through them-some of the
men trying to cut them down with the
saber, invariably making ridiculous fail
ures, others doing real execution with gun
and pistol. The squadron lost three men
killed and several were wounded. They
killed and wounded n number of Federals,
and others they made prisoners. The af-
fair was soon over, the enemy retreating.
When the Morgan Squadron was pre-
pairing for the charge, the Rangers
asked what they were going to do. Were
going in," was the answer. ''Then we will
go in, too." they cried, and galioping down
the rear of the line until they reached the
right Of it, they turned short to the left
and charged into the woods, where they
encountered the rest of the brigade 10
which the regiment the squadron had met
belonged. They met with n warm recep-
ton by the retreating enemy, but never
stopped until they came to a high fence
that barred any farther advance in that
direction. Many of their riderless horses
came galloping back over the ground
where the wounded Morgan men lay, their
loss having been severe. The Rangers
were gallant boys, albeit reckless. and
usually suffered severely in battle. They
paid dearly for their proud record, very
few of those who used to roam and fight so
recklessly being now alive to recall the
stirring events that characterized the days
| when they and Morgan's men greeted the
sons of the morning with a strange new
flag.
GEN. JOHNSTON KILLED.
Since the opening Of the battle Gen.
Johnston had been in the front, exposing
himself recklessly, cheering the men, add
| ing fresh spirit to the charge, stimulating
to new energy the battalions that were
checked all unmindful of the balls by
which his clothing had been torn.
About 2 o'clock Stathams valorous bri.
gade unexpectedly began to waver. Gen.
Johnston, bareheaded, and with his hand
elevated, rode to the front of the brigade,
and called on 1t to follow him. His dress,
majestic presence, imposing gesture and
large gray horse made him a conspicuous
mark. A ball pierced his leg. severing an
artery. Paying no attention to the wound,