The National tribune., 1906-07-05

same moment, and the deadly struggle
was on.
On the left front of that regiment
was broad meadow of cleared land and
a cOrnfield. and from the woodland be-
yOnd the enemy, in unbroken columns,
came like the waves of the sea, pitiless
and In grand form upon us. Our bat
teries swung into position, and the hiss
ing shell exploded in their crowded
ranks. The boys were firing at close
range, and the line in front melted
away; yet 1t closed up, and on 1t came,
sullen and determined. A. gap OF near
ly half mile on our left between us
and Newton, which Coburn and Wood
We're to close, was still open. and the
vigilant enemy took advantage and two
regiments of Featherstone passed our
flank. Co doubled back to protect
our flank as we'll as may be- while the
rest OF the regiment were attending to
business on the front.
Now Stewards men were at us, COM
Ing on the run, not 100 yards away.
The Battle Wasspn.
God help us now! The enemy evil
the upper and neither millstones of
those mighty forces.
Thomas forced his way through
masses OF NewtOn's Division Fourth
Corps, bringing Spencer's Battery-M,
LIST Ill.-with horses on the run, into
position about 400 yards to our left.
and In the briefest possible time his six
guns were smashing shells in the
crowded ranks OF gray at the rate of
10 per minute, causing fearful destruc-
ton. The 129th Ill. will ever feel CRATE
full for the help they got that day from
Battery NJ. But the exultant enemy
swept on, and Featherstone hurled with
Titanic force his troops against Harri-
sons Brigade. The waves OF battle
dashed against a rock, which recovered
from Its first tremor and stood firm as
the hills
The brave Confederates. with desper-
ate courage, rushed upon the 129th ILL.,.
also striking the left OF the 18th Ohio
sheet OF flame at pistol range flashed
in their faces, and their ranks were
moved down. The enemy drew their
mats low over their faces to hide those
angry flashes that meant death. Many
Tell, never realizing that they were hit:
some In wild agony leaped into the air
Others with groan and a moan, STUN
bled and pitched headlong to the earth:
but still they pressed on, though many
went down to rise no more. Humanity
could hardly endure such a storm OF
lead. The 1929 ILL.,, at our right. while
not engaged in front delivered an emf
lading fire from their Henry rifles upon
the foe in our front; but the gallant foe
endured much. We quit firing, and
the clang OF steel. fixing bayonets, told
OF glorifed heroism.
Harrison. dashing to and fro, inspired
the boys with confidence, his voice ring
ing above that battle blast giving en-
enlargement to any faltering ones.
And now, with teeth set tightly, the
line of blue rushed at the line Of gray:
there met with polished steel the fear
full onset, and the old First Brigade,
fresh from Resaca and the Allatoona
Hills, were at 1t again.
The fearful impact of those five dou-
BILE lines with dreadful force carried
them through our lines, till, meeting
with the troops that had 1anked our
left. halt. face about and with aug
mented force came tearing back, with
rush and the most unearthly yells,
endeavored to carry with them the
129th Ill.
To it's credit, be it said, the old regi-
ment stood like rock in the pathway
or our opponents. Surrender or die,
you Yankee - -" was heard
shouted from the frenzied COME derates
all along the line; an answering cry
from the blue coats, Surrender your
Men and officers went down, but no
one thought to lose the day and field
| Overhead lay the sulphurous smoke Of
| battle; all around lay mingled the ST.
lent dead the dying and the wounded.
1t was only wars wild splendor. Could
l but shut out the vision OF carnage
and the crimson-hued hill at Peach
Tree Creek! Could we but forget the
mangled bodies Of the living and those
pale In death, foes or friends ali
Americans-or forever still the criss
OF the wounded boys, the pi.eous plead
Ing OF the dying for home and loved
ones! All! the mists OF years lifts, and
| the picture still remains.
Glance Down the Line.
One glance down our lines. They are
lines no longer, for In one struggling
mass are coats Of blue and Jackets Of
gray-three OF gray to one Of blue
heteroEeneous mass Qt humanity