Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-08-30
THE BOOMING CANNON
RECiTALS OF CAMP AND BAT.
TIE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rsbell!on Relate
Nary Amusing and Startling Incl
dents of Marches, Camp Life, Forng-
ing Ex perienccs and Battle Scenes.

witnessed was made by Custer at the
battle of Yellow Tavern said an old
confederate cavalryman at the recent
reunion in Richmond, who is quoted in
the Washington Post. ut was neal the
beginning Of what historians o call
the Wilderness campaign.
II was with Jeo stuart, Gen. Fitz
Lees division. Wichatn's brigade and
Phil Sheridan's troops We're hanging
on us like Il pack of hungry wolves,
nipping us at every turn. We had been
marching and fighting pretty steadily
for more than two weeks, with mighty
little time for rest.
1--WE left Hanover Junction about I
o'clock u night and reached Yellow
Tavern before 10 o'clock the next morn
ing. You know Sheridan was not one
to let grass grow under his feet when
there was any fighting to be done, and
when he was matched against Jeb
Stuart it was nip and tuck.
w hadn't more than halted ut the
Tavern when up comes Sheridan and
tries to drive us out. 1t was a pretty
tough struggle. a hand to hand fight,
and we fell back from the Tavern. but
held our position on the telegraph road
leading to Richmond. I was with the
battery on the extreme left wing. and
1t was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon
when orders came for the whole divi-
sion, excepting the First Virginians. to
dis:nount, but hold their position.
1t did seem good, I can tell you,
after so many hours in the saddle, to
stretch on the ground and take a
smoke; that is, all who had anything to
smoke. There was just one pipeful
among that whole battery, and the boy
who owned it passed 1t down the line,
and each man took his urn putting at
It.
"When 1t was gone we all began to
speculate on what deviltry Sheridan
would be up to next, and how Jeb
Stuart would head him off. 1t wasn't
long before some fellow wished for a
drink of water.
you know how it is. when n man
wishes for water the whole company
begins to swear they are dying of
thirst. Jack Saunders and 1 took a
bunch Of canteens and started over the
hill to a spring that he had seen that
morning during our scrimmage with
the Yanks.
II was on my hands and knees over
the spring when I heard Saunders
grunt Of surprise. He was staring
through the trees.
There only a few hundred yards
away was a considerable body Of cav
airy. Making sure that it was our
right wing, | wondered to see them
mounted inc in ranks. Just then the
voice Of an officer ram out:
"'Cavalry! Attention.! Draw saber !!
1.-The entire line moved forward at
a quick walk, and as the officer wheeled
his horse 1 saw his face. My God! 1t
was Custer!
1.-The situation came to Saunders and
me like a fash. We threw down the
canteens and started back to the bat.
terry on a dead run.
""Trot! Clusters voice rang out
again. The next instant he shouted
'G%harge!
with wild cheers his cavalry dashed
forward il 4 sweeping gaiidp, attack
ing our entire left wing at the same
time. We saw our battery taken. our
line broken and our men running like
sheep.
Saunders and I had but one thought
T to join our fleeing company. AS we
reached the telegraph road above the
din of battle I heard Jeb Stuart's voice.
There he was, making a stand with
! a handful of men around him. Thank
God, l had sense enough to join them.
1T seemed but a moment before Gus
ter's troops were coming back as fast
as they had gone forward. They had
met the First Virginians. We greeted
them with the rebel yell and the last
charge in our weapons.
"Jeb Stuart cheered us on, ah, how
he cheered us! / gave them my last
shot and was following with my
weapon dubbed when l saw a man,
who had been dismounted and was run
and fire his pistol. r
"Jeb Stuart swayed In his saddle. II
was only for a moment, then his voice
rang out, cheering his struggling troops.
1.-The enemy rallied just across the
road and fred a volley into the little
band gathered around Jeb Stuart. His
horse sprang forward with a scream
Of agony and vent down on it's knees.
As we lifted the general off, the young
officer who was helping me exclaimed
"'My God, general, you are wound.
ed! Your clothes are soaked with
blood! You must leave the field, sir -
".No,' Gen. Stuart answered; 4 will
not leave until victory is assured Get
me another horse
when / returned with the horse he
was seated with his back against a
tree. and when he tried to get up,
weakened by loss of blood, he SAM
back again.
".Go!' he commanded us. I am done
for. Fitz Lee needs every man. 1 or
der you to go.'
eve caTnot obey that order, gener-
al the young officer told him, and I'll
never forget the look that came over
his face when he faced the general. We
must carry YOU to a place of safety,
however the battle goes
1T must not go against u.s. Stuart
replied. and the thought seemed to put
fresh vigor in his body. You must put
me on my horse and keep me there. My