The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-09-03

rest of the brigade on our right, his
duty was clear to follow their move
| ment. But as there was battery in
our front, how was he to know, but
that, for some good purpose not than
apparent to him, he should remain
there. AS the result soon showed, it
was for the good Of the general cause,
although the sacrifice of a noble band
of men. AS matters then stood, it wa 8
either surrender and save further loss
or tigqt and fall back, when our loss
wound be heavy. The gun was
abandoned and fell into the enemy's
hands, as the enemy were now in our
right rear. The left of the regiment
rested on the railroad cut, the cut en-
filaded by the enemy's fire and per.
feet death trap to those who should
enter it.
NC THOUGHT OF URRENDER
There was no question of surrender
in the minds of the officers. The
prison pens of the South even at that
day. we're more to be dreaded than
the foe in the field. At this juncture
a mounted officer was seen circling IN
our rear, waving his hat and beckon-
ing for us to retire. 1t would have
been certain death for him to enter
that maelstrom of fire, mounted as he
was.
Maj, Harvey then gave orders to be
communicated along the line, for the
men to divest themselves of every.
thing but the rifle and cartridge box.
Thus went our rations, and until July
4, only two crackers from passing
regiment sustained US. Upon the
order to retreat, the men wrre to fire
rise up and Immediately fall down
thus letting the enemy's fire pass
over them. Then, bending low march
in quick step to the rear, trailing
their guns, loading and firing at will.
The guide to the center aud the
color-bearer were instructed to align
on some trees. quite distance in our
rear, but clearly to be seen. Our loss
up to this time of falling back had
been heavy in mortality, but not in
wounded, owing to the conguration
of the ground. The ridge under which
we were lying was sharp and broke
abruptly to the rear; answering, In .
measure. as . shallow rifilepit. Upon
sshe order To march, the line delivered
a volley. The scourage OF lead that
passed over was terrible, and could
almost be felt-not the zip of bullets.
but rushing, forcing sound. Then
the line rose again, and to us-the
officers in the rear-it seemed to melt
away, as it received the retained fire
of the enemy's line, by this time full
line of battle. the skirmishers having
merged with it. As stated, 126 fell
there on that line, and mostly by that
fire.
SHALLOW EARTH COVERS THE FALLEN
On July 4, again was seen the ridge,
raised and reinforced by the addition
al mound of earth covering the bodies
of those who had fallen there hastily
covered, SO that the outline of their
bodies were plainly seen, showing
where the advanced line of battle had
been formed on the first day by the
first infantry regiment that had ar
rived on the field and stemmed the
tide OF the advancing host of the
enemy, until the rest of the corps
arrived on ihe ever.to aforementioned
field Of Gettsburg. This was rendered
still more famous by him, the "Im-
mortal One," who went there q few
months later to consecrate the field,
but said it had already been hallowed
and it only remained for US, the living
to be dedicated to the unfinished work
before them; the worle knows how
faithfully he performed his part of the
great work.
The color-bearer of the regiment,
Swede, six feet two. fair haired,
blue eyed, rose with the colors, stood
erect, faced in the new direction, but
fell to the earth, pierced many times by
the bullets OF the enemy, enrolled and
enwrapped in the folds of ihe now
torn and tattered flag he SO proudly
carried, thoroughly drenched with his
blood. The enemy now pressed closely
from the front, also closing in our
right rear.
The two companies on our left
dropped into the railroad cut, meeting
the enfllading fire of the enemy. This
enabled the regiment to oblique to
the left, drawing away from the force
in our right rear.
SAVING THE COLOR
On the first break to the rear. the
colors, not appearing, Serg't William
A. Wybourn, a brave Irish lad.
I