Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1905-03-02

poured IN Hoods, until the ground was
more than foot deep in water running
II toward the swamp like, a mill race.
! Just at night on Tuesday we got high
! ground enough TO kindle a fire and cook
some-the first we had eaten since din
ner on Saturday.
| can't say that | suffered as many
did. L suppose who had eaten the sugar
and were feeling sick.
My messmates found an old cart in
the swamp We carried the body aud
turned it upside down, and there was
room for three OF US TO sleep on il at a
time.
The dead were all carried off and
buried when we got back The number
OF British soldiers killed, wounded and
taken prisoners has been yariously esti.
mated. Perhaps 5000, or less, would be
near the number.
Our loss on both sides Of the river was
perhaps less than 100.
Gen. Gibbs commanded the right OF
u G enemy, and fell nearly opposite TO
where ! fought, at the head is his diyi-
SIGN, not more than 20 yards from our
lines. His horse also was killed. Ii was
a bay horse, and | thought 1t the finest
! ever saw.
| merely mention this incident to show
that a man can he brave and yet on the
side OF the aggressor the wrong side
and II this he so, which we must all ad-
NIT, how much more brave is he who is
conscious that he is rght, and how true
the Shakesperean sentiment
Thrice armed is he that hath his
quarrel just"
Gen. Pakenham was killed at the head
| OF his reserve, a quarter OF mile from
our lines.
Both armies remained in sight OF each
other for some ten days, and kept dp
canuonading each other. | have stooa
and watched many an hour, and when /
would see the flash at night and the
round curling smoke 10 the day, | would
fall down upon the ground until heard
the report. for the ball came quicker
than the sound.
On the 18th OF the month january
an exchange Of prisoners was effected.
| watched this maneuver With great 10.
terest. 10 took place in the open field
before Us There was first the sound of
the trumpets, then a flag from each
camp went out, with the respective
officers behind each flag.
The flags struck down about a hun
bred yards apart. Then an officer from
each side advanced on horseback, meet
ing each other and passing, and turning,
each with his face toward his own flag,
they met, bowed and shook hands, ex-
changed papers in an instant, put spurs
10 their horses and retired behind their
flags 10 headquarters. This was per
formed a time or two, and the prisoners
marched our and were taken in charge
by their own officers and marched into
their respective camps.
A few nights before the exchange !
went 10 sleep on the same ground while
on picket guard. | had been sent out
that night under captain Of the regu.
lar army, and he refused to let his men
sleep at the guard fire.
, When mounted the third true got
so sleepy, a little before day, that il
seemed impossible TO keep my eyes
open. put tobacco Juice in them and
, walked backward and forward on the
line as far as | dared TO walk.
found myself going 10 sleep while
walking, and thus staggering out Of the
line, where ! was in danger OF being
! shot by my own men. / went back Il
my post, Rugged up my gun, with my
blanket around me, and lay down, with
my head on bunch Of sugar cane
which the enemy had tied up to use in
hlling our ditch. was determined that
no one could get my gun without awak
ening me. No sooner was | down than
| was fast asleep.
But Providence interposed. ! woke
up few moments before relief came.
On the 10Th Of the month volunteers
were called for to go down TO the lake to
annoy the British, who had retreated
the night before.
| volunteered, and was paraded early
10 the day, but things not being ready
we were ordered TO stack our arms on
the parade ground and await further
orders.
drew the sugar that | had brought
from over the river and made some
sweetened water and, while | was eat
ing, took sick at the stomach. When
the company started in the evening
felt too sick to go, aud got worse every
hour. For three days and nights
thought | should die. | couldn't eat a
bite OF anything and wanted nothing
but cold water. / sent for the doctor
old Mr.. Pentacost He came and threw
back the tent door-for we had drawn
our tents a few days beforehand asked
me what was the matter. / told him
didn't know, but was very sick.
He brought out big oath and swore
that il was nothing but the measles. lie
said for me to drink nothing cold but
beautifully Of warm drinks, and would
, be we'll in few days, and away he went
, quit cold water and drank plentifully
OF warm drinks, and the next morning
was broken out in red pimples with the
French measles from head to foot.
was about the first man in camp To
take the measles, and had never heard
OF il until had it,
/ After got home | met the old doctor
in Princeton, KY, and when taking his
cup he would call me up to him and tell
the company how he saved my life with
out medicine.
The truth is, | felt much better after
J learned what was the matter. l got
one OF my messmates to roast me some
Irish potatoes, and / ate two-all the
food | had eaten in Eve days. / refused
to go TO the hospital, where many went
and died.
. | NJ, ~ I hava onOkan % Ynaec M