Year: 1861




some are cool; some are perfectly wild or
crazy; others are so Frustrated by fear
that they are completely unnervcd--an
awful sinking and relaxation of all their
energies takes place, awful to behold they
tremble like an aspen, slink into bitches
and convert places, cry like children, and
are totally insensiblo to shamo-doad to
every emotion except overwhelming fear of
instant death. We had a few, and but q
few, Of such in our army.


AS the two armies were facing each.
other, it was remarkable to see the cool
ness of our men; there they stood, chew
ing bits of biscuits, and talking about the
Mexicans-some wondering if they would
fight; others allowing that they would, and
like demons, &c. I kept my eye on the
artillery of the enemy and happened to
be looking toward their right wing, when
suddenly white curl of smoke sprang up
from one of their guns, and then saw the
dust fly some distance in front where the
ball struck. Instantly another, and then
another rich curl of smoke arose, succeeded
by booming sound, and the shot came
crashing towards us. The enemy fred
very rapidly, and their balls knocked the
dust about us in all directions-some went
over our heads, others struck the ground
in front and bounded away.


Our batteries now went to work, and
poured in upon then a perfect storm of
iron; Lieut. Churchill and his men began
with their eighteen Founders, and when
the first was fired, it made such a loud re-
port that our men gave a spontaneous
shout, which seemed to inspire Us with
renewed confidence. l could hear every
word the Lieutenant said to his men,
When the first shot was fired, he watched
the ball, saying, "Too high, men try
another N'--" too low, men; try again
the third time is the charm I" The third
shot was fired, and I saw with my own
eyes the dreadful effect of that and the
following shots "That's it, my boys p
shouted Churchill, jumping about two feet
"you have them, now keep her at that !"
and so they did, and every shot tore conf
plctc lanes through the enemy's lines but
they stood it manfully. The full chorus
of battle now ragged; twenty three pieces
of artillery belchcd forth their iron hail,


We were ordered to lie down in the grass
to avoid the shot, this puzzled the enemy
and they could not bring their pieces to
bear on US, making our loss very small
Many were the narrow escapes, one ball
came within six inches of my left side,--
The force Of the shot was tremendous u
horses body was no obstacle at all
mans leg was mere pipe stem. watch
ed the shot as it struck the roots of the
grass, and it was astonishing how tho dust
flew. In about an hour the grass caughl
fire, and the clouds of smoke shut out the
opposing armies from view. We had not
as yet lost a man from our regiment, In
the obscurity the enemy changed ,hcir line
and the eighteen Founders, supported by
our regiment, took q new position on lit
tie rise of ground, As We moved unto the
spot, six pound shot carried away the
lower jaw of Capt. Page, and then took off
mans head on the right, as with knife.


The blood of poor Page was the first
blood saw he was knocked down in the
gras, and, as he endoavored to raise him-
self he presented such a chastity spectacle,
that sickly, fainting sensation came over
me, and the memory of that night l shall
carry with me to my dying hour. A little
later, Major Ringold was mortally wound
ed at his battery; l saw him just after it.
The shot had torn away portion of the
flesh of lis thighs, its force was tremen-
dous, cutting off both his pistoles at the
locks, and also the withers of his horse-a
splendid steed, which was killed to relieve
him of his misery. The enemy tried hard |
but without avail, to hit our eighteen
poanders, The battle continued until
night put an end to the scene. We bivou-
acked where we were, and laid on our
arms; VIC slept however but little, thinking
we might be attacted in our sleep,


The enemy had been severely handled,
owing TO the superiority of our artillery
The gunncrs went into it more like butch
ers than military men; each stripped of
his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and tied his
suspenders around his waist; they all wore
red flannel shirts, and, therefore, were in
uniform,