The National tribune., 1908-01-09

aroused and commanded in q whisper
to "Forward.- Soon the head Of col |
umn was returning to whence we came. |
We had arrived at the bridge when day
light disclosed a Confederate battery
coming from the direction of the enc
my and in hurry, shells hurryfng
them along Arriving at the bridge.
horses were unhitched, guns hurried
across the bridge BY men, while horses
were crossed by swimming below the
bridge.
We then hiked briskIy on thru Sa-
lem and Thoroughfare Gap, and had
little scrap at Bristow Station, near
Manassas Junction. That was my first
experience under fire Of small-arms. A
vast amount OF supplies were captured
at the junction, meats. crackers, forage,
etc, all of which was burned except
what could be used at the time, which
to me seemed shameful waste OF sup
plies so soreIy needed a little later.
On Aug. % we were passing thru an
underground Of pine with little mounds
Of earth showing all round, and was
informed we were on the old field of
first Bull Run battle, and that we oc-
cupied practically the position held by
the Federals in the first battle.
Just before sunset we were in line of
battle skirmishing in our front. There
seemed to be an old abandoned field
between US and the enemy, partly
grown up in pine, with occasional gull
| lies. About dusk We were ordered to
cast off knapsacks. When Sergeant
of our company took from his small,
fine pocket Bible and requested me to
take and return it to his sister, said:
| why not take it yourseK?"
| He said: DO you know you will be
killed tonight"
/ II do not, but my chances are the
same as are all Others"
4 r,-fH tn ON
again. Do me this last favor"
I took his Bible We were ordered
forward, Gen. Jackson riding in our
rear. exhorting us to hold fire till or
dered to begin; that he expected much
of that body of men. I think there were
between 5000 and 5000 in our brigade
that night. The enemy had got busy,
and seemed blaze of fire belching from
their entire front.
Soon the comrade on my right fell,
pierced thru the head. Then the COM
rade on my left was shot thru both
arms. Then I was lifted from my feet
by ball hitting me high in the fore
head. I aroused to consciousness prone
on my face, gun clasped in both hands,
and hot blood flowing copiously from
my head. tried to see If could reach
my brains with my finger, finding only
the outer strata of skull shattered by a
glancing ball. I decided it was no use
to die from that, and arose, dizzy, and
saw tie column busy few rods In
front, while the roar of cannon and
musketry was deafening.
1 think they were in a railroad cut.
An officer grasped my shoulder and
pushed me in a gully with other wound
ed, and said, "Stay there. Up here is
no place for men in your condition"
I had been in the depression but a
few moments when a cannon ball about
I'll >, l.1 Ttyt
and the same man said, Get down
there. You will be killed up here"
Yes, sir, and buried down there be-
fore I am killed, which fail to appre-
lciate"
He then pointed to grove of trees
near by, saying:
go there and protect yourself among
the timber
I was weak from loss of blood when
I arrived at the timber. I seated my
self against the body Of a large oak,
thinking to get rest. Alas. a cannon
ball severed limb of the tree and
came near putting me out of commits
sion. 1 crawled out just as an ambu-
lance was passing, and the driver halt
ed and said, Here; give me YOUR hand.
No room inside" 1 had my gun in one
hand. He said, drop that gum"
No said I, "and he drove on. Next
came body of cavalry. The command
er alighted and said to me, Young
man, you will bleed to death soon" "
i He bandaged my head with hand
kerchief and ordered his command to
remain till he conducted me to church
near by (Sudley, l thinls). then being
used temporarily as a hospital When
we entered the church the Surgeon said
no more men would he received there,
as they had orders from Gen. Jackson
to that effect; that unless Gen. Long
l,.tr n
short time he would be forced to aban-
don his position.
i Since the war I have read much of
discussion as to the part played. or
failed to be played, by Gen. FitZ-John
Porter, who held a strong force in re-
tserve and who could have held Long
Estreet in check at Thoroughfare Gap,
but failed to do so because of not re-
ceiving orders to that effect There is
no question but that Jackson would
have been defeated had Longstreet been
, held back a few hours longer.
Il AS now remember, there were about
IS men of Co. G. who went into battle.
!, IL think 81 came out untouched. Ten
were Killed by shot in the head, among
ed me to return the Bible to his sister.
, Many others were severely wounded,
several of whom died few days later
, on the straw in the suburb of Middle
> burg.
: While my personal experience was in
the battle of the evening of Aug. 2S,
: where most of the casualties of our
: company occurred, yet the fighting con-
tinued the following day.
My wound did not prevent me taking
active part in caring for helpless wound
/ ed comrades, and while so engaged ]
I thought of the uncaIled-for slaughter
!, and manning for life so many fine
! young men. Our company, composed
!, Of fine body of men, morally as well
r as physically, all misled into war by
INSCRIPTIONS leaders. I had advocated
+ sticking to the Union, and had beer
+ told by ffre-eating Secessionist thai
+ he could whip six little Goldfish Yam.
T KEGS. While meditating on the destruc.
), ton that night at Bull Run wrote him
c to come up, and he could have all the
:, Yankees he could stand before. I ha6
q the pleasure to meet the gentleman
! after the war, when l asked him if ht
7 ever met Yankees in battle. He sait
c he did on one occasion, and that they
+, fought like yellow jackets, and couIc
n not be kept back; that he got thoroIy
whipped, and never stopped runnnl
; under 40 miles, where he remained Sc
p ciuied until the close of the war. Fl,
decided that Yankees would fight. an,
i he wanted no more scrapping will
d them.
q In conclusion will say enjoy read
d ing what old comrades have to say il
a The National Tribune While I TAX
! 10 papers, The National Tribune is th
"a first / read.-T. A. Cooper Co. c, 6OtI
& Ga, Station II, Oakland, Cal.