The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-17

most man of the brigade, and Major Tay-
lor being our guide. After marching
twenty or thirty steps in shower of
missiles, one of which whizzed by my
head and killed eight men In my COM
pany, l could but smile as stepped into
a ditch which a shell or solid shot dug
across my path, in three feet OF me, Pats
reason coming into my mind Tor his action
under like circumstances, that no two
balls would hit in the same place.. HaV-
ing reached our position we found the
situation worse than 1 have described it.
There were three batteries so placed that
they could subject us to across fire, which
with the fire of the infantry was terrible
beyond description.
Just to our right and concealing from
our view the brigade which was con-
tiuation of our line. was knoll, sort of
truncated cone, and beyond this was
thick woods.
About o'clock, or perhaps later, a
noise beyond this knoll and the huzzas of
the enemy facing that front brought the
disquieting news that our brigade over
there had been driven from the field, leav-
ing wide gap through which the enemy
might pour
Immediately suggested to Lieutenant
Bell that our safety demanded that we
deploy Company K as a skirmish line
through the woods in front of the gap,
and when he refused l insisted that he
send to General Deshler for permission
to do it. He sent, but word came back
that Deshler had been killed. BY this
time the whole company joined me in de-
handing tina tBell take the responsibility,
and he yielded; but none too soon, for
the gap was filled up with the invaders.
Seeing us they halted, keeping up
skirmlsh fire. In few minutes noise
on our right and rear brought us the
cheering news that General Cleburn, in
person, was leading a fresh brigade into
that gap. We fell back to our places, and
listened to "the wreck of matter and the
crush of worlds" beyond that knoll. The
conflict was so appalling that the enemy
in our front ceased firing, and stood
mutely astonished.
General Cleburne had ordered Samples
battering to support this new brigade,
and hurting to position on top of the
knoll two of his guns commenced work
few minutes after the infantry firing
begun. The first object of attention was
the enemy's battery which was dealing
death and destruction to the advancing
Confederates. The first shell brought our
artillerymer's caps off and a rousing
"Hurrah!" ''Whiz" went another, and
"Whiz'' went a third one, and the artil-
lerymen were wild. The enemy's battery
ceased firing, and was evidently hors de
combat. The gunners then called for
grape and canister! 1t was apparently
we could not sea perfect enfilade, and
not many showers were needed to break
and scatter the enemy's forces Our men
yelled the enemy in front of the Texas
regiment broke and ran, and then those
to their right gave way in succession, the
shouting and cheering of our men coming
to us in wave after wave till we heard
from Longstreet mile or two to our left.
Thus ended, as 1 saw it, characteristic
battle of the war, $4,000 men, fighting for
all that communities hold rear, defeating
in open field $4,000 men entrenched be-
hind strong breast works and fighting for
what?
B. r. GRADY.
Clinton, N. c., Jan. 8, 1904.