The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-08-17

what q TOOL l was. Well, say. don't
they ever get shot atall?" "Some-
times, when the Colonel orders them
up to carry off the wounded. Our
other Colonel used to order them
right up to the front and it was
very unhealthy place for them, but
they didn't like that Colonel as we'll
as they do this one." This CONVEX
sation was cut short by orders to
move quickly into line.
Vollies of musketry were now
being exchanged away on the right
which showed that the Rebles were
on the move. l was ordered to
deploy Company A as skirmishers
which were thrown forward some
distance in front of the regiment
This was always our fate, because
we were one of the flanking COM
panies of the regiment. A portion
of this ground which we were now
advancing over had been holly con-
tested the day before, the 9Th, and
bore evidence of sanguinary con-
fiict, as bloody shirts, knapsacks,
blankets, canteens, cartridge boxes,
and other rappings common to in
fantry. This indeed was a dense
Wilderness. We had not advanced
far till we got into a thicket of
underground and trees which made
it impossible to preserve our aline-
ment, and then to render our per-
plexities and difficulties greater, we
were almost strangled by smoke
caused by the leaves and brush TAX
ing fire from powder used the day
before. Still, onward we pressed,
nothing materially stopping our
progress. Finally we came to the
chosen ground where the enemy
lay like concealed lion, ready to
spring from his liar. He poured
into our line deadly volley, killing
and wounding many of our men.
Two valuable officers fell dead, of
our regiment, Capt, Campbell and
Lieut. Goodfellow. Then commenced
general fusillade-sharp and rapid
/ firing. The roar of musketry was
deafening, and continued all along
the line, for at least half an hour
when we advanced with cheer
and drove them from their posi-
ton, pushing them Blackjack
through the jungles and trees until
we were complete masters of the
ground.
But wait. While we were feeling
good and rejoicing over our victory
at this part of our line, we found
that it would not stay long in our
grasp, all at once, an oblique fire
from the Rebles came pouring in
from our left and rear. We saw at
| once that we could not stand this
if we stood our ground we would
be shot down or captured. The
enemy had evidently gotten on oui
flank and had all the advantage
The Colonel gave the order to face
! about and get to the rear as fast
as our legs could carry u.s. and We
got. / thought then what the Irish.
man said,-"The Devil take the
hind most" and right away after
l thought he might get me, for the
ring of my sword strap caught or
bush or twig and held me fast
| pulled and jerked, but to no eff
feet. | then summoned all my
strength and gave one prodigiou:
jerk and a twig, or something, broke
and away went. Just as l brok.
loose, two soldiers rushed past me
one of whom was shot in the heac
and turned a complete somersult
right in my way, and l almost fel
over him.
When we had gotten past or ou
of the gauntlet of fire, we halteC
and rallied on Colonel Christ's bri
gade which was lucky pop for us
as he had just arrived with hi
brigade in time to save us. w,
soon formed our line again solid
moved up with Christ's brigade OF
our left, striking the Rebel flanl
and giving them in turn taste o.
their own medicine. We double,
them up, and driving them again
from their position, held the grount
all night, which seemed, in pity, t,
come to our relief.
This closed the two days BATH
of the Wilderness, which was reall,
defeat to Lee as he had conf
IDENTIFY expected to drive Grant
, army back across the Rapidan j
; he did not destroy it. But he met
| foeman worthy of his steel-on
. who had come to stay. Our los
in the two days battle was $4,000
| | will not take time here to describ
| to you the CHASTITY scenes of tina
; battle-ground.
That night after the darkness
: had closed down on the blood
, scene, l was ordered to take charg
of the detail of men, hungry an
tired as we were and move GU
: cautiously considerable distanc
: in front of our line. and as close Z