Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-08-30
THE BOOMING CANNON
RECITALS OF CAMP AND BAT.
TILE INCIDENTS.
Survivors of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusing and Startling Incl
dents of Marches, Camp Life, Forag-
ing Experiences and Battle Scenes.

Inc most DTlllldnL charge ever
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
beginning of what historians now call
the Wilderness campaign.
II was with Jeb Stuart, Gen. Fitz
Lees division. Wioham's brigade and
PHIL Sheridan's troops were hanging
on us like a 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.
I'VE left Hanover junction about l
o'clock one night and reached Yellow
Tavern before 10 o'clock the next norm
ing. You know Sheridan was MT 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.
1--WE hadn't more than halted at the
Tavern when UP comes Sheridan and
tries to drive us out 1t was a pretty
tough struggle, 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
it was about 2 O'clock in the afternoon
when orders came for the whole divi-
sion, excepting the First Virginians, to
dismount, 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 it down the line,
and each man took his turn putting at
it.
"When it was gone we all began to
speculate on what deviltry Sheridan
would be up to next, and how Jeb
Stuart would head him off. It wasn't
long before some fellow wished for a
drink of water.
"You know how it is, when one man
wishes for water the whole company
begins to swear they are dying Of
thirst Jack Saunders and took a
bunch Of canteens and started over the
hill to spring that he had seen that
morning during our scrimmage with
the Yanks.
II was on my hands and knees over
the spring when 1 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, 1 wondered to see them
mounted and in ranks. Just then the
voice of an officer rang out:
"'Cavalry! Attention! Draw saber !!
'The entire line moved forward at
a quick walk, and as the officer wheeled
his horse 1 saw his face. My God! it
was Custer!
1.-The situation came to Saunders and
me like a flash. 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 ::
Charger
with wild cheers his cavalry dashed
forward in a sweeping gallop, 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 had but one thought
to join our fleeing company. AS we
reached the telegraph road above the
din of battle heard Jeb Stuart's voice.
"There he was making stand with
a handful Of men around him. Thank
God, 1 had sense enough to join them.
1T seemed but 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, alb, how
he cheered us! I gave them my last
shot and was following with my
weapon SIuDDCu w ACu pBN q uIdu,
| who had been dis1nounted and was run
ming out, turn as he passed our rally
and fire his pistol.
"Jeb Stuart swayed in his saddle. 1t
was only for a moment, then his voice
rang out, cheering his struggling troops.
'sThe enemy rallied just across the
road and fired volley into the little
band gathered around Jeb Stuart. His
horse sprang forward with a scream
of agony and went down on its 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 l returned with the horse he
was seated with his back against
tree, and when he tried to get up,