The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-12
CHAPTER VII.

Rattle Of Manassas, August <s-oV
 The regiment was not under nre on fhe. 2sth. On the 3oth we moved TOT ward into the light, not forming por- sion of the first line, but kept always within supporting distance, so as 70 reinforce such portions of our line as might need assistance. We occupieo for brief spaces of time during the battle many positions, very otten eIni- nerces overlooking the wide pattleheiu, but never did we halt except TOT moment. All day it was one grand, onward. victorious sweep, and we were nearly always moving obliquely TOT ward now from right to left and then from left to right. behind our ad- vancing lines, as occasion seemed '" demand. We were in the battle, but not of it. In front of us ana some times over our heads. shells were Bursting, shrapnel were snrieKins' .~sna-shot now and then were moan snr bv with solemn buzz and often fhe singing zip of minnie balls was m our ears. some of the p-ojectiles were aimed especially at us but most or the Aeadlv missiles whizzing and whirrins about us were intended for our frlenas in front: and yet we did not get 10 fire a shot that day Nowhere oiu our troops in oun immediate front Iaii 70 drive the enemy, until just at the close of the battle near niEhtfail'
 It was a glorous, spectacle, that pan oraima greeting our eyes. and thfiiilng our hearts with an enthusiasm such as it is never given mortal to know, save only in the smoke of victorious battle. Far as the eye could reach' spread out over that vast plain com posed of a succession of ievel piat- eaus. were martialed the enemy's blue fines. interrupted here and there py fbeartfllery with theirred caps. Some times there were three lines of infan- fry with intervals between. Along the serried columns bayonets were glearn- ing: among the red caps brass field nieces were slistening in the sun light, and everywhere, above the artillery and above the infantry. banners were waving. These embattled hosts, of the enemy had now become veterans. De- feat had not eurbed their proud spir- It's Tn the distance where inequali- ties, if there were any. could not pc observed, their line of infantry ap- peared to be movng Ike clock-work, Jackson was on our left, and along his front the epemywas attacking. At one point near Jackson's right three lines of infantry were advancing. their alignment seeminEly' perfect as with measured tread they moved forward. Not a puff of smoke obscured the spec tacle; nearer and nearer marched the brave fellows, when suddenly, at distance of 300 yards. came cannon shot from Jackson's line. The projec- tile seemed to have struck the lower end of the 6ag-staff, in the front line. Down went the color-bearer and up went the flag in the air; but the flag did not reach the ground Another had caught it, and as he waved 1t aloft the line continued forward. But they could not withstand the wither- ing fire that greeted them when closer by. Their first line staggered while 1t discharged its volleys, struggled forward a few steps, and halted, still firing, then began to bre by twos and threes. and finally went back many of the gallant fellows turning to dis charge their pieces as they retreated. When the break began and as the confusion increased officers here and there were to be seen waving their swords in the effort to reform the lines and go forward, and many of them went down with their bright blades glittering in the air; but final- ly 1t was clear that the assault was failure. The second and third lines were borne back with the first. and the ground was left strelln with the dead and the dying.
 And now in our immediate front six pieces of the Washington Artillery oc- cupying their place between advancing lines of our infantry. on their right and left. were charging across the plain. The two pieces on the right and the two pieces on the left simul- taneously galloped some fifty yards forward and wheeling into line, as If on parade. unlimbered on the enemy
 In a few moments the two centre pieces had unlimbered fifty yards fur ther to the front. Now the other four were fifty yards still in front, and as the enemy retreated this charge of the Washington artillery continued. first four pieces on line. and while they engaged the enemy the other two went still further to the front. Such a drill as this was in the midst of the roar of guns and the smoke of battle! To the right and to the left of the glorious Washington artillery the march of our victorious columns of infantry continued. All along the line in our front it was onward. and still onward. At one time we double qWcked far to the right. to aid Hoods Brigade, but when we reached the