The National tribune., 1909-01-07

ance of the brigade got on the ground.
As we were strung out on a single road
the 11th Mo. got the big end of it be-
fore the balance of the brigade could
get into line. don't remember posi-
tiVeiy. put L think they lost in killed
and wounded close to 200 men,
The rebel army left Iuka during the
night. and the next morning the 8th
Wis. started out on their trail, but
couldn't overtake them, and finally
changed our direction, which placed US
on their right flank, which position we
occupied until we arrived near Corinth,
on the I'd of October, just in time 20 go
into line of battle one-haIf or three
fourths OF a mile from Fort Robinett.
We formed our line in road running
thru heavy timber, and advanced to the
edge If a field and relieved the I'd Iowa.
Directly in our from. there were few
y les to be seen. They were hid
/ nd trees and fence on the opposite
side of the field, about 40 rods distant.
They were making thinf m all right.
We had not been unde g very long
when l noticed rebel troops marching
down road that ran past our left
flank, SO 1 ordered my men to fire in
that direction. and 1 think they made
it count, for the Johnnies along that
road showed symptoms of trouble.
When the rebels ceased passing our
flank 1 had an opportunity to look
around me, and I discovered that the
regiment had gone, orders had been
sent down the line to fall back. Thru
mistake 1 didn't get the order. We
concluded to go away from that place
at once, and we went. In going back
we had to cross the road that we first
formed our line on. The rebels that
had been passing our left flank had
formed a line to our rear and obliquely
across the road. That portion of their
line on the road was in plain sight, and
gave us royal salute when we crossed
1t. Only one man was wounded. 1t
had always been mystery to me how
any escaped. 1 had 20 men when we
went into action, and II were killed and
wounded. l don't remember the loss in
the regiment 1t was heavy, however.
The Lieutenant-Colonel and Major were
wounded. This was only a preliminary
incident to the battle of Corinth.
On the Sd the Second Brigade as a
reserve force occupied the low ground
to the left of battery or Fort Williams,
and did not fire gun. / walked out to
the high ground, where I had plain
view. / saw the rebel columns march.
or, should say. rush in to perfect
vortex of destruction. Our line of bat
tie formed crescent a mile or more
long, so that when the rebels got inside
of the half circle they received a cross
fire; in fact, fire from all points of the
compass contained IN a half circle. The
destruction of human life was terrible
a scene beyond the power of language
to describe.
On the 5th Stanley was sent with
part of his division to intercept Gen.
Price, who had been defeated at the
Hatchie Bridge by Gen. Ord, and COM
PEELED to retrace his steps. Gen. Stan.
ley as usual, was full of whisky, and
failed to do the right thing at the right
time. We went into camp at night
about half a mile from a stream of wa
ter that the road we were on crossed.
On the opposite side of the stream was
a road running parallel with the stream.
On this road Price was retreating. Had
we occupied that road that night we
could have captured the whole rebel
army. AS it transpired the rebels
marched by us unmolested.
After the Johnnies had escaped we
started after them, marching day and
night until we reached Ripley, Miss.
entirely exhausted and without rations.
1t may seem incredible, but did walk
and sleep at the same time on that
chase after Price and Van Dorn.-A. ID.
Hickok, Captain, Sth Wis, Norman,
Okla.