The National tribune., 1903-10-08
sa.tle of Shiloh Continued from last week,

another Federal retreat, and again the
Confederate line moved on.
Those who were in that battle will re-
member these successive contests, followed
by short perfsds of apparent inaction, 60
ing on all the day. To use the Illustration
of one we'll acquainted with the battle
plan and its incidents, cit went on like
the regular stroke of some tremendous
machine" There would be a rapid charge
and fierce fight, wild yell announcing
Confederate success, and then would en-
sue a comparative lull, broken again iii
few minutes, when the charge, struggle
and horrible din would be renewed.
PoLK's CORPS ENGAGED.
About 1890 Gen. Polk prepared to take
part in the fight. Gen. Johnston, who
was always at the front, had previously
ordered him to send one of his brlgades
to reinforce Gen. Bragg's right. He had
also sent, by order of Gen. Beanregard,
one brigade to the left. At this time there
was battle all along the line, waged with
greater fury than at any other period OF
:he day. Almost Immediately after part
became engaged with the remainder of his
corps. The Federals had now disposed their
entire force for resistance, the men nSht-
ing as if determined not to accept de1eat,
and their stern, tenacious leader was not
the man to relinQuish hope, although his
lines had been repeatedly broken and tine
ground piled with his slain. Hardee,
Bragg and Polk were now striving abreast
or mingled with each other.
In reading the reports of Confederate
Generals frequent allusion will be found
to regiments and brigades fighting without
head or orders.' One commander would
sometimes direct the movements of troops
belonging to another. At this phase of the
struggle, the narrative should dwell more
upon 1.-THE biographies of the regiments
than the history of the battle" The wise
arrangement of the lines, however, and the
instructions given subordinate comman-
ders insured harmonious action and the
desired result.
Each brigade commander was ordered,
when he became disengaged to seek and
attack the nearest enemy, to press the
flank of every stubborn hostile force which
his neighbOrs could not move, and Mt all
hazards to press forward. Gen. Johnston
seemed to have adopted the spirit of the
motto, when fighting in the dark, strike
out straight" He more than once as
sumed command of brigades which knew
they could fight with effect.
MoEGAN's MEN ON THE FIELD.
After Folks Corps became engaged,
Morgan's cayalrymen moved forward with
Breckinridges Division. Hearing the
hideous noise, they thought how much
larger the affai. was than the skirmishes
on Green River and around Nashville.
They soon learned to distinguish when the
fight was sharp and hotly contested. and
when the Confederate lines were triumph
antly advancing, and wondered if the
troops in front would finish the business
without calling upon them for help. They
had not far TO march before they saw
bloody indications of the fierce work that
had been done upon the ground over which
they were passing. There were many dead
and wounded in the first camp, and more
thence onward. Some Of the corpses of
men killed by artillery showed CHASTITY
mutilation. In getting up their glowing
anticipation of the days program the Nor
gan men had left these horrible scenes out
out of the picture, and now they mourn
fully recognized the fact that many who
seek military distinction will obtain it
pOsthumOnsly, if they get it at all. The
actual sight of a bloody and mutilated
corpse immensely chills an abstract love
of glory. However, the depressing effect
soon wears off and the dead attract little
notice. Toward 10 or IL o'clock the little
band Of cayalrymen wandered away from
the infantry, and, receiving no orders. de-
voted themselves to an examination of the
many interesting scenes of the fed, the
camps, whence the enemy had been
driven, attracting especial and admiring
attention. There was a prOfusion of all
the necessaries, and many OF the Injuries
of military life. They marveled that an
army ever would have permitted itself to
be driven away from them.
While they were cautiously inspecting
the second or third encampment, closer
than at any previous time to the scene of
the fighting, a slight incident interrupted
for a moment the pleasure of the investi-
cation. Some of the enemy's shells were
bursting over their heads, and. being prac-
tically ignorant of artillery, they were at
first puzzled to know what they were. In
the general thunder of the fight no special
reports could be heard, to lead TO a solu-
ton of the phenomena. Suddenly an ex-
clamation of mingled Indignation and
amaZement announced that one Of the
committee of investigation had received
some practical information on the subject.
A fragment of a shell had struck him on
the shoulder, infiicting severe wound. Not
knowing how the missile had reached him,
he seemed to think himself very i'll
treated man.
THE MORGAN MEN SING A SONG.
When Brecklnridge's Division was 60
ing into action, about ~ m, Morgan ac-
complaining it on the left, the air was full
of bullets, kissing and singing. Just then
Morgan's men began to sing their favorite
song, "Cheer Boys, Cheer" the nearest
Kentucky regiment joining in the chorus.
The singing of the song had an animating
effect not only upon the singers but upon
all who heard it as well.
The Confederate advance was now re-
ceiying its first serious check. While the
right and the left were advancing, the left
center was repuised before a strong posi-
ton which the enemy held in force, they
being posted upon al eIninence, in front
OF which were thickcts and underbrush
batteries of artillery crowned the elevation
and Hardee's most determined efforts to
carry the position had been foiled; the
Federais fired so necessarily that nothing
could be seen on the eminence but sheets
OF fame and clouds of smoke. 1t was not
taken until Breckenridge came up with his
reserve division, his arrival enabling the
Confederate forces TO push forward on the
right and left, thanking the position.
MORGAN PREPARES To CHARGE ARTILLERY.
While the advance was suspended in
front of the bewildering sheet Of fame and
clouds of smoke, whence came "A devastat-
ing storm of death-dealng missiles, Nor
gaD's Squadron happened along. and Gen.
Hardee, much pleased, said: 'I'll order
Morgan to charge that artillery" When
Informed of the distinguished considera-
ton" accorded them by Gen. Hardee, the
Morgan men bore themselves becomingly,
but when forming for the charge they in
in. M axrYI.a - ox-t,.,